Tag Archives: ic

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A Tale of Rifles and Silver Bullets

okiya-subaru:

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“I am not sure about what KID knows, but I doubt Kudou would have told him anything in detail and I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to him. Then there’s Shiho… She was originally a member of the Black Organization, a scientist. I knew her before she became a traitor and ended up shrunken down, much like Kudou. She’s currently next door, going by the name of Ai Haibara.

"On top of that, there is professor Agasa, and both Yuusaku and Yukiko Kudou. Yukiko’s rather nice when she visits. Seems Yuusaku’s usually running from editors, as I haven’t seen him around and Yukiko occasionally talks about it. Those are people who are aware of Kudou and aware of the Black Organization. Aside from Kudou and Shiho, you’re the only one aware that I’m Shuichi, as I intend to make sure only those who need to know are aware of my being alive.”

He frowned slightly. Even then, Shiho deduced it because of his similar language and mannerisms. Hakuba wouldn’t have this knowledge and Kudou set up some of the details of the feigned death. As for the others, they just had to listen to Kudou vouching that he wasn’t Black Organization, because he was still very… shady.

“The FBI agents James Black, Andre Camel, and Jodie Santemillion are aware of the Black Organization and are here to deal with them, but they are unaware of my being alive and unaware of Kudou’s state. They also think I’m dead and they must continue to, otherwise an undercover agent could get killed if things play out a certain way.”

Ah, more information. Nice, concrete details like names, relationships, organizations, occupations. Hakuba could work with this. He stored it all away, taking mental notes as he listened to the tiny bat talk, returning to his tea once he was satisfied with the position of the ice pack on his neck. 

“So you’ve even got the FBI on your side; that’s quite interesting, Subaru-san… or Shuichi-san? Which name do you prefer that I call you?" 

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The shadow craftily steers you toward a dead ended neighborhood. The well to do houses loomed ominously in the night with nothing but the light of the moon cast on them. The street you were now on was an eventual dead end and the shadow quickly advances upon you, the boiling, hissing puddle drawing ever closer.

camiechan:

themoonlightthief:

He’s not going to last, he knows that, the darkness smoothly, swiftly, spreading across his vision making that all the more obvious. But he can’t stop. Stopping means getting killed and he rather likes living, thank you, but—

The world is tilting. Or perhaps it’s just him. He’s not entirely sure at this point. 

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Safe, safe, safe, have to get someplace safe. 

Kaito turns, suddenly, mustering up the last of his strength to sprint into one of the yards belonging to— to someone, up the driveway and towards the front door – the house looks so familiar, why does it look so familiar, is it another mind trick, why – as fast as his legs can carry him. But then they’re buckling beneath him and he lets out a hoarse yelp, fingers just barely having enough time to curl around the door’s handle in an attempt to catch himself – but it’s no use, he can’t see, can’t hear, can’t feel, oh, but at least that’s a relief and—

And then his mind and body shuts down and he collapses below the front door. 

It’s prey has stopped moving, his slowing heart beat is like music to the shadow. It rears up again, following up the driveway slowly, enjoying every second. It’s target is so close within it’s reach so close- Wait, no, there is another smell approaching. The shadow backs off again retreating to a nearby patch of darkness to observe and reconsider it’s strategy.

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“Yes, I heard it Baaya…  no, no; I’ll see what it is, first… not to fret. It’s probably just like the last one…” The young detective shifted the cell phone to his other ear and shoulder, freeing his hands so that he could set the baseball bat in the indent of floor-to-ceiling glass near the door. He pushed the white curtain aside and peeked out into the dark, frown fixed on his face. A body, yes, crumpled against the door. Drunk, most likely. Or attacked…?

Keeping close to that side of the door, he unlocked the chain, the normal lock, and the deadbolt, before pulling the door inward slowly, letting the unconscious form slip onto the polished marble gently.

“Hello, sir…?” Hakuba asked, staring downward. Then he paused. Was that…?  No, it couldn’t be. But it was. Kuroba-kun! ”Baaya, I’m going to have to call you back.” 

Brows furrowed, he glanced back out to the yard, narrowed eyes scanning the terrain. He couldn’t see anyone, but that didn’t necessarily mean… 

He crouched down and slipped one hand under each arm, jaw set tight as he pulled Kaito into the formal reception area. There he left him, just long enough to return to the door, pushing it closed. Then came the locks: regular, deadbolt, chain.  Once the house was secured, he go back down to the floor, kneeling as he rolled Kaito onto his back and went about checking vitals. 

Fingers on his throat to feel for a pulse, he watched his face, professional training keeping him calm and productive for the time being. “Kuroba-kun? Are you all right? Can you hear me?”

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Autumn Afternoons

koizumiakako:

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She watched each measured step he made toward her, taking in his guarded posture with a small smile. Well aware that they were both sharing shaky ground, Akako simply allowed him to come closer without even so much as a warning. If she ever wanted to earn his trust back she needed to be willing to give up some of her own personal comforts.

Not that she really minded his company.

“Good afternoon, Hakuba-kun.” A reply to match the formal tone he had set with his own greeting. Showing her pushy nature would surely be received badly so she would need to follow his lead. He always did like to lead. In fact, he was one of very few people she had ever given that little liberty to. Akako was definitely not known to possess a passive nature but sometimes it was well worth it to pretend.

The detective came to a stop a yard or so away, gaze turned outward instead of toward Akako. Slipping his free hand into a trouser pocket, he attempted an air of casual calm, lips pursing in thought. He’d had something planned to say earlier, but it sort of… left him as he made his approach. Ah, what to say, then? She was being police, yes. Friendly, even. And, it seemed as though things from their last discussion had, in fact, stuck. It should be safe.

“A lovely day autumn day, isn’t it? I’m not certain if you wanted company or not, but… would you mind if I sat with you for a while?" 

by

A Tale of Rifles and Silver Bullets

okiya-subaru:

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“I have told you a basic outline of some of the situation, but there are pieces only other people can tell you and I could fill in some details I’ve omitted. Do you have any particular questions?” Shuichi got a bit closer to Hakuba.

World-shattering was a bit strong, he thought. After all, Hakuba knew about Kudou’s diminutive condition. A crime organization would be much less bizarre than an older teenager shrinking down to a small child’s size, no?

While that was true, all of it combined painted an incredibly bizarre picture. And, truthfully, he was till reeling over the fact that he’d had afternoon tea interrupted by vampire bite. So very, very odd, that.

More quiet chuckling at his own joke followed, then a raise of his brow as he watched the little bat. So small. So soft-looking.

“Questions, questions…. ah, well. Are you at liberty to tell me who is involved in your circle of trust? I’ve mentioned that I was going to wait to ask, but now that you’ve bitten me, it seems that we’ve become closer.”

And brief pause. “You’re small enough to ride in my breast pocket, you know." 

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Autumn Afternoons

koizumiakako:

The air was growing colder and the nights were growing longer and Akako was enjoying every minute of it. She much preferred the cold since it was easier to add more layers and they looked cute to boot.

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So to her it was the perfect day to spend outside, enjoying the weather and admiring nature. Regardless of what people thought, Akako greatly enjoyed being out in the open and not cooped up in a little room in her mansion. And by people, she meant Kaito. But it didn’t much matter to her. Akako was much too busy trying to find a spot to work on her homework in peace.

It wouldn’t take long and she was thankful that she had sent Igor on a few errands so that she could avoid his constant need for chatter. How aggravating and tedious the lesser demon had become as of late. And how aggravating and tedious her classes were becoming. Thankfully school was over and done with for that day.

But just as she was settling in to start working, she noticed the distinct sound of shoes on fallen leaves. Most people would simply leave her to her own devices so who would be inching closer?

None other than that foreign detective who once shared closer circles with the girl. A few months ago, this might not have been an unusual occurrence at all. Hakuba nodded to her, small, but hesitant, smile on his face. Each step was deliberate, yet somehow timid; gaze focused to analyze and gaze Akako’s reactions.

If she seemed amicable enough, he’d continue toward her, reaching up to adjust the burgundy scarf around his neck, shifting his school bag under his other arm. 

“Good afternoon, Koizumi-san,” Hakuba said, then winced at the over-formality of his greeting. But, honestly, he wasn’t sure what was appropriate at this juncture. At least he was being cordial for once.

by

A Tale of Rifles and Silver Bullets

okiya-subaru:

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Shuichi got up and grabbed a small bag. He went to the freezer and started filling the bag with ice. “I am not sure, Hakuba. And I don’t know anything about having venom. Even then, it would be reminiscent of rear-fanged snakes and having to chew and work at their victim a while because my fangs aren’t hollow. As for the bat thing, I haven’t tried it.”

He set the bag of ice in front of Hakuba and sat back down. Concentrating, he wondered if he really could transform or if he just looked silly. About when he was going to give up, though, now he was draped in cloth. Oh, for heaven’s sake…

He climbed out and flew clumsily up to the table. A bat. A tiny, fluffy one at that. He looked up at Hakuba. Voice squeaky and high pitched, he said, “That appears to be a yes.”

Hakuba sighed, pressing the bag of ice to his neck with a frown. “Thank you,” he said, though he felt as though Shuichi really didn’t deserve the gratitude. Not for having bitten him like that. Undignified. Uncalled for. Unprecedented. And certainly unexpected from someone that he had thought was as civilized as Subaru-san. And he couldn’t even tell him if he’d soon be a vampire, as well? Hmf!

Pouting, he didn’t bother to respond further until he realized that the other man had disappeared. He blinked, brows raising high on his forehead as he tried to stand up to look – only to be forced back into a heavy sit, head spinning. Bad idea, bad idea. He let out a slow breath, then massaged his temples with the hand not holding the ice pack, then glanced over at the bat that was his sensei.

“Indeed… and, what do you know, I was right. Desmodus rotundus after all; the common vampire bat. Of course.” Hakuba leaned his head bad and closed his eyes. “Well, then. Any other world-shattering pieces of information to share? I’m a rather captive audience at present, so you may as well dish to your fuzzy self’s content." 

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The ghostly sounds become more identifiable as sobbing and a figure resembling that of a small girl, maybe around the age of six or so. She is huddled up, her knees pressed against her chest and her face hidden by the shadows of the hallway.

Hakuba swallowed hard. He’d been hiding from the ghosts for the better part of the afternoon… evening… and on into the night, but he now really needed to brave the hallway again for food. Biting his lip, he  again mustered enough courage to peek out of his doorway and into the hallway, wincing as the form of the girl came into view once more. 

It was just like that American film though, wasn’t it? Help the ghost, they get to move on to the afterlife. And while some ghosts were harmful, those who were ready to be helped typically weren’t. So he should be safe so long as he approached with caution, just like any other wild beast. Or so he’d been informed by the media.

Then again, was it really wise to trust Shyamalan with anything, let alone your life? 

Still, the detective knit his brows and forced himself to watch her for a moment, feeling that usual tug at his heart-strings that urged him to find out what, exactly, had made her cry like that. Poor little girl, alone and draped in darkness. 

He sighed and stepped out of his room, sheepishly making his way toward her. Cautiously, of course. He slowed to a stop five or six feet away and desperately tried to keep the fear from his voice.

“Ah, excuse me, miss…?”

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themoonlightthief:

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“…What’s going on with you? You’re acting even weirder than usual.” His gaze flickered to the hallway Hakuba kept turning towards, kept staring at, and he frowned, shifting to look at the detective once more. “You’ve been having nightmares about that hallway or something?”

That wasn’t quite enough to explain why he acted the way he did at the moment though.

Eyes flickering towards the dark hallway for the briefest of moments more, before he turned them both in the direction of the kitchen. Again. It was a good thing he’d been there often enough to easily find his way around.

“C’mon. Hot cocoa for me and tea for you, then a shower and then bed. Pretty sure we both need it right now. You a little more than I at the moment though.”

A light, playful grin curled at his lips and he winked, an attempt to lighten the mood and bring the blonde out of…whatever trance he’d fallen into. “And I’m pretty sure I’ll do a better job than that dove. Just saying.”

Whatever defenses Hakuba had been building up in his head regarding his behavior sort of… left him as Kaito continued to speak. He blinked once at the the words – something about ‘tea,’ ‘we both,’ ‘bed,’ and a need for a ‘shower’ for some inexplicable reason- and completely forgot all about the phantoms in the hallway. At least briefly. A hesitant, hopeful grin slipped into place, easing the old anxiety and exchanging it for a different, more pleasant one. 

"Ah, uhm, well, if you… If you… like, then, ah, yes… aha, yes, that sounds lovely, and I think you would certainly do a better job. Aha." 

Pale English complexion adopting a rosy tint, the detective happily let himself be lead toward the kitchen. Ah yes, the tea. That was the first step! 

"Perhaps you’ll even keep the ghosts away? That would be a wonderful change of pace, I think. Thank God for Kuroba Kaito!" 

by

A Tale of Rifles and Silver Bullets

okiya-subaru:

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“I have no idea why she started poking around my things. She probably wanted to play detective, because I’d just given her some soup and she was telling me about a recent case of hers’ she was working on. I said nothing that would raise suspicions. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and I went immediately to check on my things. It’s unwise to allow someone of her curiosity and lack of prudence to wander about if they could stumble across something they shouldn’t have.”

He crept up behind Hakuba. “There are two people suspicious of me and they have their own reasons for being so. My younger sister, because my facial proportions are the same, even in disguise, and Ran-san. I think she recognizes my mannerisms unconsciously and she tagged me as a threat when we initially met.”

Quickly, he positioned himself so he could bite Hakuba’s neck and struck out, hoping to pin Hakuba with his arms and prevent him from squirming too much.

The story of the rifle’s discovery resulted in a very sour look from Hakuba; one of sympathy and disdain. He had known several who were nosy as such, and there was really very little that you could do to deter someone that determined. Kaitou KID himself came to mind, so he didn’t comment, just offered the expression. 

“A threat?” Hakuba then said regarding the next segue, brow raising. “You’re a sneaky bastard all right, but I’d chalk that up to your training and sense of self-preservation, not that you’re an actual danger… though I suppose that they don’t know all of tha- AaaCK!”

Ah, the strangled sound of a young detective’s incessant ramblings being cut short by the attack of a hungry vampire. Poor, unsuspecting Hakuba! Pinned and struggling to sort out what the bloody hell just happened, all while desperately attempting to keep his cup of tea from spilling. Truly, he was at his sensei’s mercy.