A/N: Hey guys! Thank you YELLOW JACKET PRIDE, cahyaputra, and purebloodragdoll for leaving reviews! Also, thanks to the others who read my story. :) You motivated me a lot, just when I was going through a hard time.

Disclaimer: Gosho Aoyama owns DC. I own the story.

Chapter Eight

Another Beginning

I'm gonna hurt
I'm gonna cry
I'm gonna tear me up inside
I'm gonna do what I gotta do
To unlove you.

-0-

(Ai's POV)

"Ai-chan!" Ayumi called.

It was the end of the last period, and I was just walking out of my class holding my bag.

I turned around. She was holding a large paper bag at me, smiling.

"These are your Valentine chocolates. I made them."

Ah…It's St. Valentine's Day, isn't it? So easy to forget about these things…

"Thank you, Yoshida-san. But I don't have anything for you. I forgot, sorry."

"It's ok."

"Did you give some to Edogawa-kun?" I sort of hoped for it.

Her face tensed a bit, and I saw a streak of sadness.

"Yes, I did." She paused. "A friendship chocolate." I looked at her. Did she see…? She was still smiling…Although her smile showed sadness, she didn't show any signs of tears.

Suddenly, she whispered in my ear, rather happily, "It's nice and fun to talk with Conan-kun, isn't it?"

"Yoshida-san…" I couldn't help but to smile.

"Anyway, bye now. I gotta go to the library for my literature club." And she went away, while I tried to say good-bye.

I stared at the bag of chocolates she gave me. Her idea is naive…I have to make this proper. I can't hurt him or anyone around him anymore. I can't afford it.

Edogawa-kun didn't speak to me much after that day. He didn't even show up in the morning to walk me to school. Nice of him to leave me alone to think properly.

After all…What I'm hoping for…is not happiness…

"…Haibara!" Great.

He was there, holding his school bag on one hand, another large paper bag on the other.

"…Want to go home together, right?" I finished his sentence.

"Oh. Yeah."

Ayumi at her literature club, Genta and Mitsuhiko at their baseball club, so I had to be left alone with this detective.

"Looks like you've got yourself a lot of chocolate."

"Yeah. But I personally think Valentine's is just a scheme by the candy industries." He laughed freely. That's really not what I meant.

"Edogawa-kun."

"Hmm?"

You surely do care about me…

"Seriously, do you think…someone's feelings about another…could fade away?"

He said nothing.

But it is impossible…

"And what would you do…if you ever fell up that way?" I thought of Ran as I said these words.

He still didn't respond.

There has to be a closure…

He finally spoke in front of the hakase's. "I would decide-but why are you dragging this? Are you thinking about your reply?"

Although I didn't want it. Although my heart was thumping violently to prevent myself from doing it. I had to do it.

"I don't want it to change, Edogawa-kun." He listened quietly.

"I can't thank you enough, for what you've done for me. The organization, your forgivings, my new life…I still want to show you my gratitude." As he tried to open his mouth, I quickly continued, "But it will always be like this, right?" He was silent again.

"I don't want it to change…" I repeated. When I entered my house, he simply stood at the entrance. He didn't stop me.

I slipped into my room quietly to avoid talking to hakase.

Whatever your reason is, it cannot happen…

I sat down next to my bed, and buried my face into the bed sheets.

I lied, and I'm sorry…but you have your destiny. Someday, I know you'll want to be back…with her.

-0-

(General POV)

A cell phone rang. She reached inside of her bag and flipped it open. After glancing at the numbers, she dejected the call.

A few minutes later, it rang again. This time, she completely turned it off.

She threw the cell phone at her desk, and sat next to her bed, staring at her still messy room.

Then, another phone rang. Soon, it was stopped by hakase. The girl heard him walking towards her room. He knocked. "Ai-kun. Somebody wants to talk to you."

She answered. "Tell him I went somewhere."

Hakase wondered how she'd know who it could be, but simply did as he was told.

Then, in less than a minute, she heard the front door of the house open.

Then, someone slammed her door as if it were to be a knock. Soon after, the face of Edogawa Conan burst through the door. He was panting and sweating a little. His coat was removed, and two of the buttons of his uniform shirt were opened. His neck and a part of his chest showed, where there was a golden locket hanging open. With his burning eyes, he sweeped the room and found her to be right in front of him, her face shocked by his actions.

Then he muttered the words. "You didn't…listen to my…full answer…yet." She stood up to push him out of the room, but as soon as she got up, he almost yelled.

"I know! You cannot forget about someone! The emotions…they will never fade!" She froze at what she heard.

"But you know what? I'm the one that decides! I will always keep company to those who need me. I will never let them go. But it is my decision to know who needs me the most. And who I need the most."

"No." She whispered.

"What?"

"You're wrong. As you said, the feelings…they will never go away. Your fate…it was already made. No matter how much you try to stay away from it, it will always grasp your ankle in the end."

It was all silent.

He opened his lips. "I respect your answer, Haibara. But promise me." He stared at her with those longing eyes that always made her feel irresistable. "That you will always be next to me. That you'll always be someone more than a partner to me."

She smirked weakly and said, "You're really stubborn, do you know that?"

He also smirked. "Thank you, Haibara." And he left the room.

She closed the door at the same time he pulled it shut. They both leaned, and slid down against it.

She was holding a Shakespeare's novel at her chest.

He was holding the nameplate he had been looking for like a maniac moments ago. Next to his name, 'Edogawa Conan', there was a word scratched next to it. It was written in English alphabet, the word, 'AI'.

He smiled again as he stared into his chest, into the childhood picture of them.

-0-

"Awww!"

A girl with shoulder-length black hair and innocent eyes was on the verge of tears. She was waving a piece of paper that had the alphabet 'C' on it.

"This is so unfair! Why do I have to be in a different class with Ai-chan again!" Another girl with reddish brown hair hugged the other soothingly.

"It will be fine, Yoshida-san. Even I have to be in the same class with this four-eyed mindfreak." The girl was holding a piece of paper just like Ayumi, which had the alphabet 'B' on it.

Haha. What is that supposed to mean? Thought Conan. He gave a look to Haibara, which she returned without any kind of shame.

"Anyway, I will never forget you, Yoshida-san. We will always be friends, right?" The girl nodded feverishly while wiping a few tears on her sleeves.

"I feel sorry for Genta-kun, though." Mitsuhiko held the alphabet 'C' while a depressed Genta was holding 'E'.

"Ah, Genta-kun!" Ayumi cried, realizing he was the only one that was separated completely. He became even more depressed.

"I'm sure you'll do well, Genta."

Then, the bell rang, and everyone had to go into their own classes.

In class 2-B, Haibara took a seat near the corner of the class. Conan sat right next to her.

Haibara glared. "Why are you sitting next to me? You know you are making rumours, right?"

He laughed, a bit nervous. "It's not like that! It's just sitting beside a friend."

She was going to retort, however, when she saw a distraction.

Kana entered the class. Except that she didn't look like before. She had cut her long hair up to her neckline, and she added a slight shock perm that made a wavy form. She also corrected her hairline so that bangs could cover her forehead, and altogether, she changed her outlook like that of…her?

It seemed like Conan noticed the fact, too. He gave a criticizing look at her change and looked at the girl sitting next to him. Then, he excused himself to go to the bathroom.

While Haibara was staring, Kana turned her head slightly, and their eyes met. Haibara put her hand up to wave, but she averted her eyes away quickly and went out.

What…?

"Eh…Haibara-san?" Someone was talking to her. She glanced. It was Mitsuhiko.

"I have eh…a favor to ask you."

"Okay." She was willing to make anyone happier. She listened to Mitsuhiko, and her eyes narrowed.

"So…will you?" Mitsuhiko asked hopefully.

"All right." She said, and smiled. Mitsuhiko turned red. He looked as if he had just reached his goals. "Thank you! Haibara-san!"

"What is all right?" Conan appeared out of nowhere, his eyes squinting at Mitsuhiko.

"No-thing." He was so happy, it was like a song. Then, he went out of the class without saying a word.

Jeez. "What was it about?" He asked Haibara.

She simply closed her eyes and smirked. "Dunno."

"You don't know, huh?" His face was pinched in sarcasm.

Then, the teacher came and everyone was quiet.

"All right, class! It's a new year and a new class! Now, as you all might know, we have to pick a pair of class representatives and after that, you can go home." Students cheered that they could go home faster. "So, boys first…"

None of them volunteered. The teacher looked as if she'd been expecting it. However, Haibara suddenly seemed to be nervous.

"Ok, then girls first. Please raise your hand…Your name?" The teacher said, as she pointed at Conan.

Conan was confused, but then someone sighed and came the voice. "Haibara Ai."

EEEH? Conan almost stood up and shouted. His brain whirled fast. Then, he glared at Haibara with his face filled with sarcasm again. She completely ignored his existence. Haha…Mitsuhiko you're seriously…

Then, Haibara put her amused face into her hands and sighed once more when the boy raised his hand also.

-0-

"Hey! Where's Haibara-san?"

Mitsuhiko wondered when he only saw Genta and Ayumi in the morning.

Genta said slowly after chewing down his eel. "Dunno. Conan isn't here either."

"Ai-chan said there's something she;s got to do today, so she couldn't come to school. But Conan-kun…" Ayumi was also curious.

.

Meanwhile, an auburn haired girl was just zipping up her black dress while looking at the mirror. She used a black ribbon to tie her hair up, which was once again sleek and shiny. She was listening to a pianist playing Chopin's 'Winter Wind' on the radio. After turning around once, she gave a satisfied smile at the mirror. Just when she was about to get out to take her flowers and black heels, she was surprised to see that somebody had entered the house and was standing right in front of her.

"Jeez, you take a long time to get ready." It was Edogawa Conan.

"Would you stop freaking me out? It's the third time already." She was always a bit irritated when she was surprised. Then, she realized something. "What are you doing here? Don't you have to go to school?"

He swung his cell phone in the air and caught it neatly. "Don't worry. I called the teacher beforehand."

She squinted at him. "Do you even know what I'm doing?"

"Visiting your sister's grave." He said simply. He smirked at her widened eyes and added. "I saw the black heels prepared. Also, the flowers that are on the living room table are all roses. In America, roses are always used for ritual purposes so…"

She got to her previous point. "All right, then. What are you doing here, though?"

"I told you." She beamed.

"I will accompany you wherever you go to." His eyes shined while saying those words.

She was startled to see those eyes, but kept a straight face. "You never said that, though."

"A-AH, maybe it was in my dream. Hahaha…" He laughed nervously, looking a bit embarrassed.

She sighed. "Anyway, let's go."

.

"I haven't visited her in years…" She said, as she carefully caressed the tomb.

"You should've come earlier." Conan leaned against another tombstone, while looking at her placing the roses on the tomb.

"Yeah, I should've." She sat on her knees. "You know, I didn't come here just to give you the antidote. I had to be near with her…Always." She smiled sadly while she thought of her sister's long gone face.

The boy stood next to her and put his head down a little. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

Akemi Miyano-san. He thought.

I'm sorry that I couldn't save you that day.

I'm really sorry…that your death brought Haibara more misery and misfortune. I'm trying my best to keep my promise. To keep her happy, and safe. At last…she seems to be happier with the Organization gone.

And…His face tensed a little. I even told her my thoughts about our relationship, our connection. And I wonder if the things she said were really true…The nameplate, the locket…She didn't really deny my reasonings, either.

Really, she didn't. That's why…

"That's why I still believe in her every single second!"

The girl stood up in surprise. "God! Edogawa-kun. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I-It's nothing." He tried to hide his blush and changed the subject. "By the way, hakase's getting older every year…"

"Yeah." She continued on with her sad tone. "Approaching to death inch by inch…I already decided what to write on his tombstone."

"W-What? What do you mean? He's not gonna die right now!"

"Well, if he does die soon from his health, I'm planning to write I told you so on his grave. Nice, right?" She smirked at his expression.

Oi, oi. "I've gotta remind you, you're still evil."

She chuckled, her face brightening up a little. "Anyway, thanks for accompanying me."

He marveled a bit at the sound. She didn't deny my reasonings.

And when the time comes, I will be looking forward to fulfill my promise…

-0-

About a month later, there were twelve pairs of boys and girls on the schoolyard, waiting. There stood out two students who seemed to be the only ones that were not excited.

One was a freckled baseball player, and the other a strawberry blonde girl.

Damn, how much have I been hoping for today? And now, I feel totally wrong.

He wanted to talk to her, but he felt uncomfortable due to another boy that was next to her. He was listening to his MP3 casually, looking excited like the rest. His glasses reflected the words written on a small banner in front of them, "Class Representatives Field Trip".

The girl sighed deeply, shaking her head a little.

.

(Ai's POV)

So Tsuburaya-kun asks me a favor that confuses me. Be a class representative? Why? Then, I decided to do it since I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. After saying my answer, I immediately remember that class representative are obligated to go on a field trip. Haha…For those 3 days. Tsuburaya-kun, I feel sorry for you sometimes.

I sighed for like the hundredth time as I stared out the window of the bus. We were slowly getting into the mountain. I glanced at my other class representative, who happened to be the world's biggest and ironically, smartest idiot. Of course, I kind of expected him to do this. It was even funny when he raised his hand as fast as a bullet after the teacher wrote down my name.

But now…

I couldn't even imagine what the girls would be whispering behind our backs. And poor Tsuburaya-kun…Gee, this guy knows how to ruin someone's dream. I unintentially glared at him, which scared him and turned his face around.

Well, he deserves it.

We finally arrived at the dormitory at night. I was in the same one as the girl from class C. I read the name on the piece of paper that showed everyone's names.

Aikawa Kana…But she wasn't in the room. Nor was she in the bus.

She didn't come at all.

Why?

-0-

I was not feeling confident. I could fall any moment now. I carefully placed my toe on the last tip of the branch. The whole thing broke down. I was falling.

…

"Haibara-san!" Tsuburaya-kun greeted me at lunch in the cafeteria, his face a bit red.

"Hey, Tsuburaya-kun. Congrats on being a class rep."

"Yeah, you too…" He seemed nervous.

I helped him. "What do you want to say? Just do it."

He looked at my eyes for a tiny second, looking thankful. "Um…Do you remember what you said earlier?"

"About what?"

He sighed and spilled it out quickly. "I really like you, Haibara-san." Duh. "But I want to tell you that I'm not going to look back, just like you told me."

"Hmm?" The second part got me.

"I know…that we will always be friends, right? Only friends." He emphasized the word only.

"Tsuburaya-kun…I'm sorry."

"It's Ok! As long as we are still friends." He smiled at me, his face showing no regret.

"Ah, Mitsuhiko!"

We both turned around. It was him.

"A teacher wants to talk to you…your room is messy."

"Oh, right! I forgot!" He ran upstairs.

And he started with me. "So…"

"So what?"

"So what did he want?"

"Oh, are you actually jealous?" I smirked at him.It was just too intriguing to tease him.

He turned a little pink. "Never mind."

I stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business, I'm sure." I said in my playful tone. I knew I was making him frustrated.

"Fine then, just go." He went to get his lunch.

I sighed and decided to stroll for a while in the forest. It was too hot and humid in the mountains, but I liked nature. The safety, the smell of trees, the sounds of various animals and insects…

Then, I heard a baby bird chirping. It was a cuckoo. Where was it? I looked for the source of the sound. Which tree was it? I saw a nest at the tip of a branch that was about four or five meters high. I stood in front of it, fascinated by the sound. I never really got to feel nature…I closed my eyes and enjoyed the soft chirping.

Then, something cracked next to me.

I opened my eyes, startled. It was something white…I bent myself to look for it. When I sweeped my hands through the grass, they touched something sticky. It was an egg.

What the hell?

Then, another one fell and cracked.

Without thinking, I climbed the tree.

-0-

-End of Chapter Eight-

A/N: Whew. This one took a long time, mainly cuz I couldn't really concentrate. I was thinking for some time if I actually wanted to end the story, since I have an idea for another one. Then, I thought it'd be disappointing, so I'm not going to leave it here. The actual story in the fanga is not that well connected, so I made up some parts. Tell me how it is, and reviews will be appreciated.