*****IMPORTANT NOTICE: I HAVE MOVED TO A NEW ACCOUNT AND WILL BE REWRITING THIS STORY AS A WHOLE. THE ACCOUNT NAME IS AURELIANM, AND THE NAME OF THE STORY IS NOW THE MURDER OF KUDO SHINICHI. ANYONE STILL INTERESTED IN READING THE STORY SHOULD READ IT THERE INSTEAD. (this is not a new chapter- just reposting to give you all a heads-up.)*****
Chapter 48
Ryuu picked moodily at his bowl of steaming ramen, more interested in twirling the strands of noodles around his chopsticks than eating them. He was still angry about Jodie's 'I'll think about it,' which was obviously a nicer way to say 'no.' What was wrong with telling one of his friends that he was alive? His existence was basically erased from the earth, and he was only living in the eyes of the FBI. He'd like to be alive in someone's thoughts- someone who would care instead of just protect him. There was a difference between the two, even if from a distance they seemed to be a same thing.
Protecting is an obligation, a necessary act usually done for one's personal benefit, and in his case, done only to protect a witness; a child one at that, helpless, pitiful, weak. He stabbed hard at a slice of hard-boiled egg. He might have lost his parents, he might have cried, he might be young, but he still had a right to decide what he wanted to do. He knew protection was necessary and did appreciate it behind the anger, but it was still infuriating. This type of protection was as good as prison.
Caring was an act of love, like a parent's want to keep their child out of danger, done because they really cared. That was what he wanted, to matter to that someone, not just as a material item of some sort, but as something that was part of their life. Caring was friendship, concern, trusting the other person. That was the difference. Love and trust. Two elements that separated one from the other. It made him grumpy to know that they didn't trust his judgment, but what could he do about it?
Because I'm just a ten year old kid who knows nothing…. he seethed inwardly, taking a bite of his ruined hard-boiled egg, half of the yolk lying broken in the soup. Because I'm a useless kid…
Jodie sighed as she watched the boy vent his anger on his food. If the case had been less serious, it might have been funny, but in circumstances like his, nothing was funny. She remembered when she finally became old enough to realize exactly how her life was going to play out. It was like being a prisoner, locked away from the world, shielded from everything except her own revolting feelings. However, she didn't have his same problems- she had known the people protecting her in the past, she knew them well, and she never really got to the age where she would have made serious friendships- more like playmates. He had a reason to fight, and she hadn't.
Her head was filled with conflicting thoughts, torn between sympathy and pity, between giving him lenience or denying him what he so dearly desired- a choice. Orders from above had just about forbidden it. He was to be protected, and even this little outside excursion was pushing it. How could they risk exposure of his condition? What purpose would it serve other than to please the boy, appease his anger?
It would make her feel better- it would be humane- it would give him what he deserved. They were selfish reasons, only sweet in the short-term, but had quite the potential to become bitter later. She might as well be letting him sign his death warrant. But… something about him was just so vibrant, so filled with energy that she thought this sentence was crueler than death. It was catching a wild animal to keep it from being shot, but not allowing it to run, to breathe fresh air, to enjoy life like it was supposed to.
Right, wrong, all trivial matters when ,perhaps, something much bigger was at stake. Like, the state of the world perhaps? The Organization had power, that could not be denied, and they were branching further and further around the world, gaining allies in all different fields across the globe. If not stopped, they would have the whole of the planet right in their hands, any opposition crushed in the blink of an eye. It wasn't a fairy tale, one of those stories where a hero appears and leads a brave, loyal army against the evil enemy, miraculously saving the world. Once it started…. The chances it would ever end were minimal- at least, not in their favor.
But then again, what damage could one kid do? Just one life, just one more loss- tiny compared to the others the FBI had suffered in the past. He could become a powerful asset once grown up, but with this kind of treatment, the chances he would agree were slim. His anger festered on obvious revenge for his parents' deaths, but it was also rapidly growing towards the FBI for barring him from one of the last things that mattered to him. At this rate, he'd become nothing but unnecessary baggage.
Perhaps… thought Jodie, starting to think about ways to let the boy do what he wanted without getting herself in serious trouble. She smiled. All she needed was a team mate. She was sure that after an explanation, Shuu would be willing to do exactly what she needed. This is going to work…
"Kaito-kun!" called Viura, a wide smile on her face as she was pulled along by the headstrong boy. "Wrong direction! Right, not left!"
"My bad!" He gave her a mischievous grin as he swerved 180 degrees, swinging her around, lifting her feet off the ground for a second. With hardly a second's pause, he started racing forward again, dragging her behind him.
Viura was quite surprised to find herself liking this- liking the sensation of butterflies in her stomach, the warmth that spread through her cheeks as they ran, the way his smile was infectious, making her fill with joy. She liked the snow falling from the clouds, gathering on her fur and leather jacket, gathering on Kaito's mahogany hair in little, oddly placed, patches of white.
Dinner had been amazing. The last time Viura had entered the high-class restaurant was ages ago with Cognac and Vermouth, and hardly a thing had changed about the place through the years. The warm, welcoming interior that she could only describe as 'golden', the diamond chandeliers, the velvet cushions on the elegantly carved chairs. It had all looked the same- except with Kaito's presence, it had been so much different.
It had been like everything was sparkling, ten times brighter than she remembered. His laughter seemed to make the crystal glow like stars around them, leaving behind the rest of the restaurant as they seemingly climbed into the heavens. She forgot about nearly everything else, attention completely focused on the boy in front of her, the way he made everything look more beautiful. Breathtaking, awe-inspiring.
It was a night of firsts- Kaito officially counted as Viura's first and only friend, and their strange bond had only increased over the evening. It was the first time Viura laughed so freely, the first time she'd blushed when someone talked to her. She didn't know how to describe it, and even with her extensive vocabulary, she thought it'd be impossible to pick out the right words, find the way to define this feeling of perfection, of ease.
"Hey, V, look!" exclaimed Kaito excitedly, pausing in his tracks to point at something. "Can we go and play in the park? We could play in the snow!"
"Play in the snow?" repeated Viura dubiously. The closest she'd ever gotten to frolicking in the snow was flicking the stuff out of her hair. Kaito's eagerness made her wonder what he was like before his memory loss- maybe this was a glimpse of the person he was before. The thought made her cringe. If he was starting to regain his personality, what if he regained his memory? Then- then she'd be pushed away. She didn't want that.
Why? It was a good question. It had been so long since she'd cared- actually cared about another person. In fact… Have I ever cared? She avoided the answer involving Vermouth, neatly skirting around it, and realized, Not really. I mean, I did admire Tequila and feel bad when I killed him, but I didn't really care for him… But Kaito-kun… I think I do care.
"Yeah, you know, make snowballs and throw them at each other?" Kaito's voice called her out of her musings, and a cold, wet ball of slush hit her in the face. "Kind of like that."
Viura brushed the icy fluff off of her face, staring at Kaito with a bemused, curious expression. Then she smirked, and shaped her own snowball from the snow on the side of the sidewalk, hurling it at Kaito, who skillfully dodged. "Stay still!"
"Not happening. Oh, and V, how about we walk into the park before we wage total war? You nearly hit that kid." Kaito tilted his neck towards a young teenager who was passing by, an annoyed expression on his face.
"Sorry," muttered Viura, embarrassed. Wait… Did I just apologize for nearly hitting someone with a snowball? How strange, how out of character, how kind.
"First person to get into the park gets to dump a pile of snow on the other person's head!" yelled Kaito, sprinting headlong for the park entrance, leaving Viura standing surprised for a second before she started running right after him.
"Too bad you're not as fast as me!" she jeered, passing him easily with her long, quick strides, much like a graceful gazelle or horse.
"I take that back!" he cried, passing under the gate moments after Viura, face flushed. "Loser gets to hit winner with a snowball!"
"As if!"
Kaito's face was suddenly covered with a small blanket of white. He spat out the snow that had landed in his mouth, and shook his head, resembling a wet dog drying itself.
A battle of snowball fighting ensued, filled with bright, cheerful laughter, friendly jeering and teasing, and acquiring both of them a huge desire from a warm cup of hot chocolate. Kaito's arm was wrapped tight around Viura's shoulder as they both shook from laughter, feeling comfortable despite the freezing weather. "We should do this more often," chuckled Kaito, cheeks red from the cold.
"As soon as we get time, I promise." We. Together. It's such a nice feeling, thought Viura, feeling eagerness already. To have somebody who makes everything fun… A friend.
"I really like this, V. It's a lot better than that hospital, I feel… alive. I guess that would be the only way to describe it. I don't feel afraid, I don't feel helpless. I feel like I'm on the top of the world, and you're standing there with me. I'm glad you rescued me, V. I really am," said Kaito, staring up at the stars as he spoke, the lights sharp and defined in the winter sky.
Once again, Viura plummeted into guilt, and yet at the same time, she felt extreme joy. Kaito was happy to be with her, Kaito liked the night, just like she had, and he was glad she had taken him away. So wrong in essence… But it seemed so right. She never wanted him to find out what she'd done… Stolen him from where he belonged and forced him here. But he was happy, wasn't he? Wasn't that what mattered?
I want you, thought Viura, a warm feeling spreading through her chest as she stared at Kaito. She struggled to put a name to it, and finally realized what emotion it was- an emotion she'd only heard stories about, an emotion she never thought she'd ever feel.Kaito-kun…. I think I'm in love with you.
"Okay Shuu, got it," said Jodie into her cell phone, ending the cal., She escorted Ryuu back into his room, the ten year old boy still sulking as he walked reluctantly into the darkness, climbing into the bed with a grouchy 'hmph'. "Ryuu-kun, I know it's difficult, but you have to understand what we're dealing with here, okay?"
"I know," he grunted, facing away from her.
"Good night then. I'll see if I can get permission to take you out tomorrow." Ryuu didn't turn around until he heard the door slam shut, and then the little clicking noise that meant the door was locked. His eyes widened as he noticed what was on the bedside nightstand. Did she leave this here on purpose? Or was it by accident? Doesn't matter, I can still use it either way!
On the table was Jodie's cell phone.
*And now the all-so-important review replies! XD
Sayomi178: Yup... I type my newest story just about completely on the iTouch. It's... easier that way for me. But this chapter was typed up on the computer because I couldn't find that late night inspiration. The next few chapters of MSK have already been plotted out. ;) Hope you liked this!
Ayumi Kudou: Ah yes... That old drawing. I liked those stories, but they weren't that amazing compared to others I've read. It was an interesting shift between that and nice and happy stories though. :) I don't think I'll do a kidnap fic. I've got too much on my hands already. And don't expect a shrunken Kazuha or a shrunken Aoko fic from me... Kazuha just annoys me to death, and I prefer HakuKai to KaiAo, making Aoko annoying to me. But don't worry... I'll try not to let those prejudices interfere with this story. Thanks for taking the time to review!
Chelseaj500: Not so brand-new two months later... Updated... not-so-soon, but updated nonetheless! Thanks for the review, Chelsea! ;D
starlightdreams.153: Everyone wants to know what happened to Shinichi... ... ... He's not appearing much at all, but none of our 'team' appeared this chapter, so forgive Shinichi (AKA Me) for not appearing. Thanks for the encouragement! (one of the guilt factors. XD)
YeahRight18: I gave up with the first person POVs... They're too difficult. :P Third person is easier for me to write, and it's easier to go out of control with descriptions! XD He'll appear soon... Once everyone else does.
Amaranta-chan: Your review basically forced me to sit down at the computer for three hours and type this chapter. I felt so guilty reading it! So I blame/thank you for that review... XD I loved your encouragement.. I read it periodically to keep telling myself I could do it. Thank you so much for that kind review! I can't thank you enough!
And now you're probably wondering about the update schedule. I'll try to do every two weeks or so, same with BWAD, because I started a new Harry Potter fic that'll be updated weekly. It's DraMione (DracoXHermione) and if you have any interest in that couple, please read 'Escape'! I'd really appreciate it! And as a side note, AN's are annoying to type when you have adorable Conan shimeji crawling all over your screen... Please review! Guilt is what prompts me to write! XD*