This is one I've had for a few days, but I didn't have time to write it. I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted anything, but I'm in DC for a conference, so busy busy busy… It's fun, but there is a lot of stuff to do. I'm trying to work on PwaFD, and I have a few materials for its sequel, but I'm sure it'll be a few days.

Okay, I think this was inspired by Cendrellic Juliet, but I don't know for sure. Too tired to recall entirely.

This one is Prince!Kaito and Knight!Shinichi. No pre-established KaiShin, but there is shounen-ai. If you don't like, just skip this one. I am a fan of this pairing, and I know that some people don't, but it fit in with the story, so no hate mail.

A young man rushed in, eyes unfocused on the path in front of him, preferring to let him hope he would not be met with the images rushing through his head. Prince Kaito had heard that one of the knights had been severely injured in battle with a Hydra, and not just any knight, but his closest friend and the one who stole his heart.

He threw open a set of doors, storming into the healers quarters. Many scrambled out of his way as he continued to the bed that his injured love lay on. Two healers, Ran and Aoko scurried around the bed, doing their best to take care of the knight.

The knight, pale as the sheets and bandages that clung to his damp skin, lay panting. Kaito would have enjoyed the look on his face, if not for the circumstances they were in. Two knights stood at his side, his lieutenants, in a rare silent veil. Kaito bit his lip as he noted that they were doing the procedures for the worst case; a Hydra bite.

"Your highness…" Shinichi panted, attempting to move his arms to prop himself up, but his hands seemed unable to budge, dead weights at the end of his strong, lean arms. Kaito bit his lip as spots of blood shifted into view, forming into the shape of a mouth. He rested his hand on the knight's shoulder, almost about to beg him not to move, not to shorten his possibly last seconds any more. The knight stilled under his hand before relaxing, almost complying with the prince's unspoken plea.

Kaito, feeling the other's tense muscles almost melt into his hold, turned to the other nights. He steeled his poker face for a second before demanding, "What happened?"

"W-we were on a training mission with some of the new pages," the tanned one, of the Hattori family, explained. He bowed his head in the presence of the royal, but straightened a bit to answer. "It was a simple scouting mission, teaching them the procedures to follow when on one of their own. None of us were prepared when it attacked."

"Some of the younger pages were jumped by one of the heads. Thankfully, none were bitten or scraped, but they were taken off guard," the other cut in, seeing his companion's hands tighten into fists. It was well known he looked up to their captain, and would do anything to protect him. Many would question the intentions behind his passion if it weren't for his obvious attraction to the feisty healer that worked for his family. "Captain Kudo jumped to their aid, and was doing well to combat the heads, but one snuck up behind him and bit him. We rushed him back to the castle, but I think some of the venom made it into his system. We are sorry, your highness…"

"No, you did what you could," Kaito responded automatically, looking down at his knight. His skin was so pale, contrasting sharply from the wet bangs plastered on his face. His cobalt eyes peeked through the expression of pure pain on his face. Kaito's heart seized, tears threatening to flood, at seeing his closest friend, the person he loved, look like this. He didn't look away though, as he asked the others to step out so he could speak to the other alone. They were reluctant, but complied, leaving the two with only the other's company in the silence and Shinichi's strained panting. Kaito felt his finely made mask crumple when the doors shut completely, leaving him with his knight.

A laugh escaped Kaito's lips as a lonely tear rolled down his cheek. "It is so like you to get in trouble for helping someone else."

The other managed a grin. "At least I don't get in trouble because I'm bored," he shot back.

The two chuckled a bit in agreement, not able to do much else. Shinichi's breath eased a bit, though he was still so pale. The weight of his hands traveled up the knight's arms, claiming his forearm and elbow, while his legs were rock hard up to his hips. The chuckles died as the venom spread closer, nearing his chest. After it reached there, it was only estimated he would have only a few minutes.

"I'm sorry, Kai…"

"Why are you apologizing for me for?" Kaito asked, surprised at the other's statement. "I should be the one apologizing to you. I promised you I would protect you, and yet, here you are, turning to stone before my eyes, and I can do nothing. How can I lead a country if I can't keep my promise, if I don't have you, Shinichi?"

"Barou, I'm a knight an you are the prince. Shouldn't I be the one protecting you? Anyways, this is not your fault. I was the one who didn't pay attention and got bit. I am apologizing for the fact that because of my error, I can't keep my promise and help you make this country the best in the world…" Shinichi explained, his breath becoming more labored as his chest grew harder.

"Don't be silly, Shinichi, you are going to see it. I won't let you die, not here and now."

"Kai, you know the only way to cure this is a witch's tear, and what witch would give up her powers to save a mortal?"

"I don't care, Shinichi! I will not let you die!" Kaito practically yelled, tears streaming down his face. The knight looked taken aback before his expression softened.

"Thank you, Kai."

"Anything for you," the prince whispered, barley heard by the other. Shinichi twitched his mouth into a smile, while he felt the creep of venom come to his chest. He wasn't worried about his heart, it would be confined a a smaller space, but he would live. What worried him was that it was almost at his neck, and gaining fast.

"Hey, Kai, can you come a little closer. There is a favor I have to ask of you."

Kaito looked at him confused, but complied. What met him was not the favor, but rather something warm pressing against his lips. His eyes widened in shock as he processed Shinichi was kissing him! The kiss lasted only a few seconds, nothing long. Shinichi laid back down into the bed, smiling a bit awkwardly and a faint tinge on his cheeks.

"I love you, Kaito," Shinichi confessed, smiling the whole statement. His smile than became a little sadder as the venom claimed his neck. He closed his eyes, and embraced the darkness, knowing that was all he would have until the venom ran it's full course a week later and turned him into another statue.

Kaito stared, his mind rebooting, as his love, the one who just kissed him and admitted he loved him back, slipped off into the cold darkness. It wasn't until even the knight's hair hardened that Kaito came back, tears streaming down his face. He cried and screamed, hugging the now statue of Shinichi, tears bursting the dam and pouring onto the bed below Shinichi. His outburst followed by the slam of a door and quick footsteps. A hand touched his shoulder, and he paused for a second to great Aoko. He released the detective to cry into her arms. The other's also shed a few tears for the fallen knight, though none as broken down as the prince.

He eventually was taken to his room where he collapsed on the bed and slipped into memories of happier times, bringing the image of his kind, gentle, intelligent, strong knight, and showing images that he had hoped would happen. Tears escaped his dreams, with no one there to wipe them away anymore, no one there to hug him and tell him it would be alright. No one there who was Shinichi.

That day was the day that Kaito had cried the most since his father had passed, and the day he vowed he would find a witch's tear to bring Shinichi back to him.

Why are all my KaiShin ones a bit depressing? I'm planning on finishing this maybe next chapter, unless something pops up. But I plan to have the next one up soon. I'll also try and get PwaFD up soon.

Okay, suggestions? Comments? Critiques? Just R&R!

Edit: If you already read this chapter, and saw the note, please forget it. I was tired when I wrote it, and it was later pointed out how it sounded, so I figured it'd be better if it wasn't here. Sorry!