It's been a while but I FINALLY MANAGED AN UPDATE! It's short, but I FINALLY UPDATED!
Shinichi slowly made his way into the graveyard, the wheelchair squeaking slightly with every rotation. Kaito was ahead of him, slowly wobbling forward on his cane as his mother supported him, Aoko at his other side. Heiji and Saguru were back with their parents, the Osakan's left arm still in a sling and the blond gripping his bandaged head with a small grimace.
While the blue eyed teen hadn't been there, he'd heard about what had transpired from his parents. Toichi's heist had gone wrong almost from the get-go. Snipers continuously shot at the thief, not caring if they hit an officer or civilian. When the white clad male had attempted to leave to spare anyone from getting hurt, one of the bullets tore through his glider and sent his careening onto the same roof Kaito, Heiji, and Saguru had been waiting on.
Toichi had attempted to flee, but when the roof began to explode, he'd ignored everything else and turned back to make sure the teenagers were unharmed. Shielding them the best he could as the building shook and began falling from under their feet, Toichi had taken a shot to the back. The bullet had pierced his lung and had the male stumbling forward into a horrified Kaito.
Yuusaku had explained how Toichi's efforts had saved the teens, but at the cost of his own life. It was only after the younger Kuroba had awoken from his two week slumber that he'd gotten word of his father's passing. It was another few days before he'd been told Aoko's father had perished as well. He'd gotten too close to a sniper, and received a bullet through his head.
None of them had been officially released from the hospital until that day, and even then Shinichi still had to return after the funeral was complete. Inspector Nakamori had been buried a few days after his death, and Kaito was still stricken that he had missed it. The man had been like a second father to him.
Shinichi hated seeing the pained look on his friends face. He bit the inside of his cheek as they came upon the Kuroba family grave. Kuroba Toichi, in full KID regalia, was waiting for them, Ginzo Nakamori at his side.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see his parents looking down at him, worried frowns on their faces. Swallowing thickly, he took a deep breath and returned his gaze to the proceedings. He couldn't exactly blame his parents for worrying. Ever since he could remember he'd despised graveyards and did all he could to stay away from them. Many ghosts who had nowhere to go tended to stay near their graves.
Not hearing a word of what was being said, the blue eyed teen felt as though he were tearing himself apart as he debated what to do. Toichi and Ginzo weren't going to stay here forever. The sniper who'd shot the inspector had been apprehended, and he would likely be leaving after the funeral was over. This would be his last chance to say goodbye to his daughter. Toichi's death had been more complicated, as it hadn't been the bullet that had killed him. The elder magician had passed instantly when he'd hit the ground after launching himself and the three teen's over the edge of the building in order to save them from the explosions. And since he'd willingly jumped, there was no murderer to be brought to justice.
Shinichi had never encountered a ghost who'd died as Toichi had. A self sacrifice to save the lives of others. The wheelchair bound teen didn't know how long the elder Kuroba's ghost would remain on this earth. He could stay until Kaito himself passed, or disappear along with Ginzo after the proceedings had finished.
Could Shinichi really take the chance and not allow either men to say their last goodbyes to their children? Could he really live with himself if he passed up this chance? Would it be fair to Kaito or Aoko to put his own selfishness ahead of their suffering? Shinichi felt the back of his throat burn. He hated himself for having been relieved to hear it was Toichi and not Kaito that had perished. He had been happy to learn his friends were still alive at the cost of two good people he only barely knew. He felt sick, knowing that these feelings would never change. He felt horrible, knowing the only reason he didn't want to let Kaito hear his father's last words were because he was terrified the magician would turn on him. He was terrified of Kaito not believing him, and accusing him of playing some sick and twisted prank.
The beginning of tears were welling in his eyes, blurring his vision as he came to a decision. Even if Kaito hated him after this, even if the magician walked out of his life forever, he deserved to get the chance to say goodbye to his father. He and Aoko both. Swallowing thickly, he waited until Kaito and Aoko were the only two left before nodding slightly to his parents and moving up towards them.
Every waking moment had been spent in an attempt to control his abilities. Every moment had been in an attempt to gain control. Taking a deep breath and ignoring Kaito's glance, he steeled his resolve and griped Kaito's hand in his left, and Aoko's hand in his right before squeezing his eyes shut and for the first time since he'd woken, letting go of his newfound control.
There was silence, then two sharp intakes of breath, and Kaito's wavering voice. "T-Tou-san?"
You all don't realize how badly I want to just end the story right here.
Let me know what you thought! And Happy Holidays! Hope you enjoy this present!