(DISCONTINUED! REWRITE IS OUT NOW) Down the Rabbit Hole {Danganronpa}

Chapter 22 ~ Not Dying Again

Shuichi didn't even attempt an escape, just enjoying the last of the pasta. Even after he finished, running away just didn't cross his mind. As long as no one walked into the kitchen, he was fine. And from what he could hear through the wall, everyone seemed quite busy. They had been told to be on high alert for someone and to not leave their post. Meaning the chances of someone walking in weren't likely. Knowing this helped calm Shuichi's anxiety a bit. Though saying he wasn't on edge would have been a lie. Maki could still walk in. And who knows what she would do. This Maki seemed less predictable than the one he knows back home.

This brings his mind to a holt, lingering on the Maki back home. This was the first time he had ever really thought of his friends back home. Well, all two of them. He couldn't recall the last time he saw his Himiko and Maki. What could they be doing right now? Did they even know he was missing? Probably not. His disappearance most likely was just pushed to the side. Who honestly liked him enough to try to find him? Sure, maybe a day or two was spent worrying. But how long had he been here now? He wasn't sure. Though one thing was for sure. No one was missing him back home. Not his uncle. Not his friends. No one.

He took a deep breath, realizing just how close he was to tears. Now was not the time to be thinking like this. Maki and Himiko were probably worried sick when they found out he disappeared. That's what Shuichi tried telling himself. It was the only thing giving him hope right now. And he was going to hang on to it for as long as he could.

The sound of footsteps heading in the direction of the kitchen snapped Shuichi out of his thoughts. His breathing picked up, eyes glued at the doorway. What if this wasn't Kaito? What would he do? There was the sword in the corner but he'd prefer to be as far away as possible from it. Maybe this person wouldn't be the violent type? Yeah right. Who was Shuichi trying to fool? If it's a stranger, he'll have to grab the sword and fight. Well, attempt to fight. No way would he win.

Standing from his chair, he prepared to run over to the sword, already assuming this would be some random assassin ready to cut his head off. To his relief, Kaito walked into the room. Sighing, Shuichi sat back down, taking no note of the object in Kaito's hand. Kaito dropped it onto the table, shocking Shuichi. It was another, smaller sword. Shuichi looked up at Kaito, wanting an answer.

"You're in a world where everyone is at war and wouldn't hesitate to slice you in half," Kaito said, shrugging. "I'm surprised you've last this long without your own weapon."

It took Shuichi a second to realize what Kaito was saying. He stood up, shaking his head repeatedly.

"No," He said angrily. "I won't use that. I don't even know how." The thought of using it against the people who use to be his friends scared him deeply. NO way did he want to be the one to accidently kill one. He couldn't handle the thought of it. Even if they did come back, it would still forever haunt him.

Kaito wasn't in the mood for a debate, putting a hand on Shuichi's shoulder to keep him from backing away. He took a deep breath before speaking, "Look. Walking around defenseless won't work forever. That's how this world's you died. You had absolutely no idea how to even hold a weapon, resulting in you losing the fight. You didn't even stand a chance."

He picked up the sword, holding it in front of Shuichi's face, letting him get a better look at it. Shuichi felt frozen in place, closing his eyes as to not look at it. Kaito narrowed his eyes, not liking this response

"Look at you! Why can't you even look at it? Do you want to die again?"

"I'm not him," Shuichi said, his voice quiet.

"Right. But you'll end up just like him. Do you really want that to happen again?" As much as he hated to say it, he knew the exact words to say to persuade Shuichi. He gritted his teeth when speaking his next words. "Do you want Kokichi to go through that again?"

"Of course I don't-"

"Then learn." He grabbed Shuichi's hand and forced him to hold the sword.

Shuichi opened his eyes, looking at the sword in fear. He hated to admit it, but Kaito was right. He couldn't last like this forever. It was practically suicide. And as much as he wanted to die, he felt as if there was something stopping him. Perhaps it was Kokichi. Shuichi couldn't do that to him. If he's going to die, Kokichi can't ever know about it.

Or maybe he just can't die.

He took a deep breath, not wanting to think about this right now. It wasn't the time. His eyes met Kaito's, a small, determined smile forming on his face. Kaito smiled back, proud that he won.

"Let's get training," Kaito said, letting go of Shuichi and picking up his own sword.