*Yes, everybody has the right to throw tomatoes at me for being so darn slow. *instantly starts ducking and gets splattered with red stuff* Well, I had reasons. (lame reasons, but reasons) I was reasonably busy with school, and I had, um, pairing troubles. Basically, I now hate Aoko and Kazuha's guts and believe in HeiShin and HakuKai. I am keeping that completely out of the story though. I was just taking my time to make sure that didn't happen. (because now, I've got quite a few yaoi fanfics in my head) I've also started some new stories that I was interested in. And i got into drawing. *sigh* And DCW, (detective conan world), the greatest DC forum ever. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! I'll also now respond to reviews here because I've lost track of who I've replied to and who I haven't.*
someonepassingby: Well, I hurried as much as I could after realizing people still read this thing. ;) Thanks for the encouragement!
Dannichigo: I'm glad it was entertaining. Hopefully you'll like this chapter too!
WildAwesomeGirl: Thanks so much for the advice! I really appreciate it! Kaito isn't so weak in this chapter! (but Shinichi didn't get an appearance mainly because Ran didn't either.) I'm happy you like it!
Sayomi: I'm too lazy to type your username LMAO. I'm glad you read it up to here! 47 chapters is quite a lot! It's been about two months, but I hope you can still remember what happened in Chapter 46! (because to be completely honest with you, I have no idea what I wrote.)
Chapter 47
Kaito's POV
It's quiet- if there were a butterfly you would be able to hear it flap its delicate, colorful wings as it flies through this empty space. The atmosphere is tense, kind of unnerving. I'm covered in sweat, a result of pressure and adrenaline intertwined together. It's a powerful combination. If there was a butterfly… I'd blow its wings off.
With one swift, fluid motion, I shoot the pistol in my right hand, smirk in pure satisfaction as the bullet- an unstoppable missile- flies towards the red and white target placed 30 yards away. Another bull's-eye.
This feels so easy- I am almost one with this weapon. This gun that makes me giddy with excitement as I savor the surge of energy that runs through my veins, destroying all traces of fear and dependence.
I'm no longer that clueless, helpless, lost teenager that clung hopelessly to the identity of Kuroba Kaito, a weak child who had to listen to everybody around him to understand what was going on and what he was supposed to do.
Someone who was trapped in one room for weeks, no sunlight, no birdsong- only dark chatter and attempts to uncover a lost memory. A boy trying so hard, yet so awkwardly, to please everyone- so scared when Aoko burst on him. As obedient as a dog, unquestioning. Wishing to escape. I didn't want to be him.
The only one with the slightest idea of what I felt was that little girl- that little girl who used to work for this Organization. But here… V can sympathize as well. Despite initial reluctance, she's given me a brief summary of her own harsh past, it too littered with shadows and neglect for what was truly necessary.
V (she lets me call her that. I personally like the nickname) has given me a new identity, one with a much stronger, much more familiar base. One like her own- filled with the air of confidence and omnipotent power. I'm experiencing a whole new, so much enjoyable emotion of being invincible, instead of completely vulnerable.
A feeling that nothing can beat me. I love the overwhelming confidence. I'm Bordeaux- Kaito-kun to her- no last name that binds me to the weeks before, the faked past. She hasn't been struggling to rebuild me, force and plead for me to recall a blur of visions- she created a whole new persona for me, never lingering on history. Something I can depend on- the present- clear and untainted, instead of a blurry, foggy past.
The kiss with Aoko… That was nothing- a mere moment of confusion and lack of knowledge. All of those flashbacks – worthless. Half of it was their rendition of events, not my own memory. This- the present, the surge of energy- is everything.
Ever since I left that dark, shadowed room- the lair of that man, the boss, that mysterious, ominous voice that so obviously thirsted for my blood under the layers of sugar and honey- I've reconstructed mysel with V's help.
My fears have dwindled as fast as the bullets left in the cartridge. Four hours of shooting practice, maybe more. I've lost count. There's no clock here. I've got plenty of time. Plenty of time to prepare for the real thing, whatever that may be.
It's like a huge gymnasium here. It's extremely spacious, with ten ranges and small offices where you can pinpoint where your bullet landed, the velocity, and adjust the settings. V is sitting in the booth, .
"Kaito-kun," she calls, a small microphone attached to my ear so that I can talk to her even though this room is soundproof. "I'm turning on the motion capabilities of your targets. Your goal is to shoot for the head or other vitals."
"Roger that," I reply, reloading my pistol with the cartridges that are readily supplied on the ground. This organization seems to be quite well-funded.
I wonder exactly what their goal is. V hasn't told me yet. Aoko and the others explained that this syndicate was downright evil- they had supposedly killed my father and murdered that boy in the delusional girl's head. I think his name was Kudo Shinichi or something like that. I'm past the point of bothering to remember. I want to trust V.
I don't recall any of the memories they insisted I'd regain. Still to this day, the only things clear as crystal are blood, pain, and gunshots. V's told me it was from a shoot out; I was severely injured and those people got to me first. I lost my memory in the hospital, which meant they could delude me into joining them with crack stories.
"Kaito-kun!" says V, voice edged with the air of a commander. "Pay attention!" She sounds so worried about me.
The target transforms into a human silhouette, swerving from side to side, the advanced computer projections making it seem like it moves closer and then farther, fleeing from death. I'm the god (or is it devil?) that will deliver the end.
Closing one eye- my left- I carefully adjust the angle, ensuring that the shot will hit, calculating changes as the target shifts around. V was right- my body can remember shooting a gun. It can remember the miraculous feeling of pulling a trigger- it just can't remember hurting someone intentionally, ironically enough, I can't even remember wounding them. I find that fishy. Aren't I a cold-blooded murderer?
I mean, even if this is the side of justice, I've killed before, right? Then why do I feel so queasy at the thought of murder, of someone else's blood on my hands, of my bullets meant for targets piercing flesh? It should be second-nature to me. I'm sure the familiarity will come back to me. I need it to come back. Otherwise how can I please V?
She seems to have high hopes for me despite my original bungling, telling me my skills are top-notch, having been developed as a world-famous thief. A moonlight magician, adept in tricks that blew the mind, riddles that could drive the police crazy trying to solve them. A cunning conniver who could get himself in and out of any trap using whatever tools he had on hand.
One thing confirmed by both parties (V and Aoko) is that I had an alter ego Kaitou Kid, phantom thief. Famous for thwarting the police and deluding everyone with magic. The purposes are blurry though, as are the details.
Aoko said it was to find a jewel called Pandora to avenge my father- V said it was to locate the same gem so the Organization could possess it and gain more power. And, in all truth, I trust V more. Some sixth sense still nags at me and tells me she's the liar, but why should I believe it?
Aoko caged me, V set me free. Aoko told me the 'entire' story, free to weave in as many lies as she wished. V gives me only an outline, allowing me to figure out the rest by myself with only gentle pushes, nudges. A story I'm allowed to fill in myself, not stolen by others and written by them.
My bullet lands on the swerving shadow, making it vanish. I wonder if I've hit it right. V seems to think my skills will have to be nearly perfect to please the boss. The only fear left is the fear that I can't do it. That when the deciding moment comes, I'll fail, and the knife on my neck will slice clean through.
He wants me to die. Just those leering chuckles, that silky tone, was enough to tell me. The way he teased V, the irking way he paused whenever a word about me was said. If I mess up, he'll get his wish. Why he wants me to die is an entirely different matter though.
"Kaito-kun! That was absolutely perfect!" exclaims V through the headset excitedly. "How about a break? It's just about dinnertime. Aren't you hungry?"
"Sure," I reply, walking out of the shooting range into the small office with V. She hands me a small white towel which I promptly use to wipe my face free of sweat. Dirt comes off with it. "I think a shower would also be nice." She laughs, and I smile back. It's so easy to talk to her. I feel like I'm home.
"We'll go to my quarters then. It's in this main building. I'm one of the only people with that privilege. I'll get someone to run out and get us something to eat. How does Italian sound? I know a place near here that I always get food from. It's truly amazing!" She grins, showing her miniature fangs. I'd been surprised at first, but she explained their length as a 'genetic specialty', promising to explain more later.
"By the way, what did you do with that jewel? You know, Pandora?" I ask curiously, looking her up and down to find an indication of the gem's hiding place.
"It's here." She pulls the crimson diamond out of the large front pocket of her white and pink hoodie, holding it with her thumb and pointer finger. She flicks it into the air, winking as she catches it. "I'd like to keep it a secret for a little while though, 'kay?"
"Why?" I stare dubiously at it, taking it from her palm and inspecting the clear, pristine surface. "I thought it was your job to turn this in!" She gives a chuckle, red eyes glowing.
"They don't need to know. Besides, they'd be disappointed that those 'friends' of yours aren't dead. I didn't think you wanted to kill them." She's serious, and her face darkens, watching me shiver. I might dislike them now but- kill?
"Is that- is that really necessary? All you have to say is that you ransacked the house!" I protest, unwilling to believe the hinted suggestion in the tones of her voice, hidden in the background. "Why would you have to kill them for just going home?"
"Because they know we exist. I've watched them. They know more about us than they should. Here, that's enough to earn any outsider a death sentence. Usually I'd deliver it without any hesitation but," she pauses, judging my reaction as she tells me she'll murder without a second thought, seemingly expecting anger. I think I'm okay with it though. It's her job. Her duty. "You seemed so close to them- and I don't want to hurt you."
She blushes as she looks away from me, and- are those tears I see forming at the edges of her eyes?
She looks like a delicate flower, a rose, so different from what she was moments ago. This side I feel sure she doesn't show to anybody else. Is it weird that I feel grateful that she's willing to show it to me?
"I'm not sure how I'd react if you killed them," I start, gently wiping away her tears, smiling warmly, "but it's our job as members of this Organization here, isn't it? That's what you've told me. And duty is duty. Even if it hurts, we just have to grin and bear it."
Her expression is apologetic, almost regretful, and I have no idea why. She opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it, clenching her fists. Instinctively, I pull her closer, much to her surprise.
"K-Kaito-kun?" she stammers, not fighting, but she sounds kind of like she wants to.
"Don't be afraid to say anything. We're partners in this, through and through. You've helped me, so I'll help you." She presses her head into my chest, letting the moisture spill there, leaking through my shirt, dying the black even darker than before.
"Kaito-kun." She mumbles something else, but I can't hear it, and I won't force her to tell me.
She stays still for a few more moments, and I can feel her strange heartbeat, so much faster than mine.
Suddenly, she jerks back, as if finally realizing that I have been holding her, nervously avoiding my gaze. I chuckle, then pull her towards the exit. "You did say we're getting dinner, didn't you? How about we go out instead? No need to trouble someone else."
"But- Kaito-kun," she protests, face nearly as red as her eyes. "What if someone sees us?"
"What can they do about it? I'm where I belong. They can't change that." Once again, that same look of guilt flashes from her rosy irises, as enigmatic when I first saw it.
"I-I guess you're right. Not much anyone can do about it now." Almost unwillingly, she follows me, and we leave the building for our night out.
Saguru's POV
Walking away from Hattori, I don't look back, hiding the despair and shock slipping through my poor excuse for a Poker Face. Not only am I the reason Kuroba was shot and basically mentally traumatized to the point where he forgot everything, now I am responsible for his kidnapping. Why do things keep getting worse? It's as if the gods themselves want to punish us.
I clutch the small plastic bag in my hands, satisfied that if this DNA matches any Japanese citizen with their data entered in the computers (and there is a whole lot of entries), or it'll at least give us a hint. On the other hand, what if this kidnapper doesn't 'officially' exist? Out of curiosity, I had checked for Miyano Shiho after discovering she had been born and raised in the syndicate. She wasn't in the archives. Her sister, Akemi, however was. But Akemi wasn't as special. I think they'd only trust a 'special' member to kidnap someone from a reasonably guarded hospital.
I decide to walk home, knowing I won't be able to use the laboratory without suspicion falling onto me until much later, therefore giving me time to spare to sort this all out. School just doesn't seem very important anymore. I don't have the will to even bother attending classes now that Kuroba's gone. It would just bore me and bring up memories that now sting- Kuroba's pranks, his jokes, his mini in-class magic shows. Memories he doesn't possess anymore.
This is the only real way I can help fix things. I have the power to track down the kidnapper. That in itself gives me a drive I haven't felt since Kid's last real heist.
It's nice having something that you really want to live for, even if it's something that is hopefully short-term. Bringing back Kuroba is what I want to do. Then I'll try and find some way to get him reaccepted into society without having to forge him a new identity. That might turn out to be even more difficult, but it's preferable to what I'm doing now.
I smirk a little when I remember my companions, knowing that I should be comforted to know they'll help me. But somehow, I don't want their help- it's my fault, and I'm going to sort it out. I had barely noticed when Hattori took a side road, motioning for me to follow. I shook my head, and walked off, leaving him, not caring about what he was doing.
I reach my house about an hour later, having navigated more quickly through the city streets than I thought I could. My parents (thankfully) aren't home, and neither is baaya, leaving me the house completely to myself.
Entering my room, impeccably clean due to the combined efforts of my personality and the maids, I take out a microscope, a high-powered one that I acquired for personal research. For now, at least, this is the only thing I can do to satisfy the ache to charge into the lab and start solving this newest mystery. I carefully press one strand between two paper thin slides of completely clear glass, placing it in the light.
The image starts out blurry until I focus in on it, noticing something strange about it. This sample is quite, quite fine for human hair. It looks more like strangely colored, five-inches-too-long, cat hair to me. What could this be?
I step away from my desk and collapse onto the bed, knowing it'll be a long day. While I really feel like resting, my current mindset is much too tense for something so peaceful. I grab a sci-fi book out of the multitude of mysteries, somehow sensing that this might be quite the abnormal specimen. I can't wait to investigate.
The hours pass by with me alternating my gaze between the seconds slowly ticking away on the clock, and the words of the book, hardly paying attention to either. Eventually, the story sucks me in, and ironically, I read about a kidnapping taking place in a strange world with not-human criminals as the culprits. What a strange book.
I don't enter the lab until late at night, the ominous feeling that my tests might show results never seen before sending ice down through my veins. All of the scientists have gone home for the day, and baaya thinks I'm in bed, unaware that I had snuck out my window to this facility. Can you believe a rope of sheets actually works? I knew it probably wasn't the greatest idea to jump from three stories up, so I braided my blankets into a ten foot rope. At least it lessened the distance a little. Otherwise my ass would be hurting even more than it already is.
I pull something out of my pocket, unable to see it in the darkness of the building. Eerie silence fills my ears, interrupted only by my footsteps, the echoes giving off the frightening feeling that someone is close behind me.
The plastic bag containing the samples of light, pale, blonde hair sits in my palm, just waiting to be opened. I flick a switch, and the darkness instantly gives way to light. It stings for a moment, green spots handicapping my vision, but soon enough, I've adjusted to it, seeking out the machine of my desire.
It's almost funny that just a few days before exposing Kuroba's secret to the whole damn universe, I had been taught how to analyze this DNA scanner, having needed it to identify a criminal in a case, in other words, comparing Kuroba's hair to the Kid's. But I knew he could worm his way out of that one, so I kept quiet. Now, it's a attempt to save him, bring him back where he belongs.
I turn on the computer-like device, the soft whirring of the machine a gentle humming, calm and soothing to my strung-out nerves. Once it warms up, I take a glove and place a single strand, noticing the strange strawberry color of the last inch and a half of it, almost unnoticeable due to the size of the hair. With a beep, the machine takes it in, once again humming it's happy tune.
I wait anxiously for results to show on the screen located on the side, green flashing for a moment before a startling beep! signals the arrival of my answers. Or not-answers it looks like.
I pretty much have photographic memory, so I know a lot of key points in the human genome, sequences shared between all of us. This- this is showing things I've never seen, replacing human DNA for what might be animal, like a character from some freaky sci-fi manga.
I have the long string of letters printed out, carefully keeping the paper from bring damaged. Slowly, warily, I go onto another computer, hesitatingly typing in lines of unfamiliar DNA, struggling to keep from losing my cool as I deciphered individual species.
Here was snake, either black mamba or some form of cobra, located where teeth should be, replacing it with the code for fangs and poison. I'm up until morning typing, fingers cramped and sore, still investigating the strands of DNA, nearly unconscious when a scientist taps me on the shoulder.
"Saguru-kun, are you okay? What are you doing here?" he asks, shoving his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "Don't you have school today?"
"Something-case- got in m'way," I mumbled, exhaustion fogging my words. "I-I'll leav' now."
"Do you need help? You seem ready to just collapse." His smile is friendly, but I refuse the offer, explaining that I will get a taxi.
I will get a taxi- to Kudo's house that is. Home is simply not the place too be, and what this shows would sound way more than just ridiculous over a phone.
"I just found out the person who kidnapped Kuroba isn't human and is poisonous and- yeah."Nope, it sounds perfectly believable.
I walk ten minutes to a more traveled street, wanting to collapse onto the sidewalk every single grueling second of the way. The bench I passed was very, very tempting to fall onto, but my foggy mind managed to say "no". I'll just sleep during the fifteen minute ride in the taxi... The others better not have gone to school on me...
I lazily wave my hand to hail a cab, stifling a huge yawn as I tell the driver the address. The seats are so squishy to me in my half-dead-from-pure-exhaustion state. It's been over twenty four hours since I last slept, and I just... can't... keep my eyes... open...
"Sir, sir!" calls an unfamiliar voice, trying futilely to wake me out of slumber. "Sir, we're here! Beika, Niteime, 21st Banchi!"
I have the almost irrepressible urge to shout, "Shut the hell up you son-of-a-bitch! Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?" but manage to refrain from saying it, instead bitching silently under my breath.
I'm tempted to just about throw the fare at him, instead dropping it on the seat, leaving him to scrabble with all the paper money as I clamber out of the car, trudging up the walkway to the house. My feet feel like lead as I walk, my eyelids heavier than that if it's possible. I need to sleep once I show them.
Punching the doorbell, I almost think they aren't home until Hattori answers the door about twenty seconds later, toothbrush in his mouth (which is covered in white, minty foam by the way), looking somewhat grouchy. He lets me in with a 'mmph' as he tries to talk through the implement in between his teeth.
He pulls it out and sits on the living room sofa, inviting me to sit with him, kindly noting the exhaustion in my half-open eyes. "It's only seven in the morning you know. What did you find? You wouldn't come all the way over here for nothing, would've you?"
"You might find 'dis hard to believ-" I say, words slurring together, drooping forward as I pull out the thick packet of papers holding only the vital evidence- still over 50 pages of DNA sequencing. "But the person who kidnapped Ku-Kuroba isn't exactly... completely... human..."
"Whaddaya mean?" asks Hattori, eyes flashing in a mix of awe, fear, and curiosity. "How can somebody be somethin' not human?"
"Take a look." I slide the sheets forward, seeing his eyebrows furrow in confusion. "These parts are different from our DNA. This section should be uniform in all of us." Pointing to a line of letters, I quickly explain. "This is the DNA of a snake- a poisonous one to be in fact. There's also cheetah DNA, other cats, more reptiles, some mammals… there are so many animals mixed in here."
"Do ya think that Organization made this- this- hybrid?" He inquires, struggling to comprehend it. It's a hard thing to wrap your mind around.
I nod, confirming his suspicions. "There is no way this could just be a strange, one-in-a-trillion accident. This had to be planned, carefully handled each inch of the way. They probably have the money and resources to create such a being- a being that is functional at its physical peak and maybe even intellectual."
"T-that's- that's just not right." His face is blanched with disbelief, emerald eyes frozen open. "They're just playing around with life like they're gods or something! What kind of advantages would this create?"
"The snake DNA I told you about earlier- that's a sequence for venom and fangs. The cheetah and some other animals were for speed, stamina, and power. There's rhino in here- it makes the skin tough. Regular bullets won't be very effective."
"So first we got ourselves trapped in some fantasy murder drama, and now we're stuck in some mutant sci-fi story. It just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?" he comments sarcastically, laughing a little bit. "Um... Hakuba? Do you want to take a nap or something? I can tell Kazuha and the others. You look just about dead."
"You know what? That sounds fantastic. Do you have an empty room here? It would seem quite awkward for me to be sleeping on the sofa once everybody comes down." I'm getting pretty damn to passing out on these cushions even if I don't want to.
"Sure. There's a couple of 'em- just don't take the master bedroom or the one directly left of that. And don't accidentally enter one of the girl's rooms. That would be even more awkward."
I imagine the scene in my head, along with the three different fighting styles I'd be punished with.
Speaking of punishment... Now that I think about it, that's really weird that none have come to get us from the syndicate. While it's not like I want that outcome, it's strange that something hasn't happened yet. Why would they go on like this...? We're obviously a liability…
"Yo, Hattori!" I call, getting his attention. "Why do you think the Organization hasn't killed us yet?"
He looks at me confused, before realizing the truth of my words. If they could find this house, there is no way they aren't aware of its residents and their connection to Kuroba. Are they possibly playing with us? And if so, why?
*Yeah, lamest ending ever. But when you write the entire chapter on your iTouch over a period of two weeks all after ten o'clock, it's going to have a couple of bugs. I seem to have more inspiration at night though... (and i can't draw properly on an iTouch, so that takes away a huge distraction.) Please review though! And check out my deviantART: iluvshadowclaw. deviantart. com! Sign up for detective conan world as well! A bunch of authors are there! We have Chelseaj500 (Akakata), tonsostuff (I call her Pyre, but she goes by IdentityUnknown), AuraFlower178 (Sayomi! Our beloved Juliet!), HaibaraDaiFan, and a couple of others who I can't name off the top of my head! Check it out! (and review I guess, though that sounds so repetitive...)*