Disclaimer:
Blah, they aren't mine. Sometimes I forget Iggy isn't though, hehehe…
Ack, I'm sorry for the wait guys!
I won't lie, it's got nothing to do with the fact that I'm in college now :P
-points- FCOTF, Mysste, Johto…I've got three sites that I feel obligated to keep up on. Gomen, gomen folks, as my muse has been diverted to them quite a bit.
TT_TT Doesn't help that I haven't seen a DC episode in three weeks. –sob-
Seriously, why the heck doesn't my bandwidth work ONLY for DC? I can watch whole bloody movies of other crap, but for some reason the internet here hates Detective Conan. It's so unfair.
Well I'm done ranting. X3
I answered all of your reviews but it deleted them TT_TT
I noticed all of you, Aleathiel Elendil, Em Phantom, Pally, SwitchGun and Pres1111 thank you so much for your reviews. Also, I might have pulled interesting things from some of your reviews. Sorry that I didn't individually thank you for taking the time to review this time around, my computer is being a butt-face but I'll do it next time for sure I promise you all that much kk?
Chapter, for you, huzzah.
Chapter Two- A Pleasant Afternoon
The following few days were kind of hectic. Moving from the agency was way more difficult than we'd expected, both physically and mentally. Shinichi could complain that the little place was too small, and that he was sick of Kogoro, but I knew it was a lie. The agency…was home.
Still, the tradeoff wasn't so bad, and I promised myself that I'd regularly visit both Kogoro and Ran. After all, they HAD taken care of me, in their own ways. Even Kogoro. Heh, I daresay that he was a little upset to see us go, even Shinichi. Though he kept muttering to himself about what a relief it would be to get rid of those 'damned freeloaders' I also overheard him sighing about how it was going to be too bloody quiet to think straight.
In his own way, he really does care.
Still, I can't say that I'm disappointed in the change. I'll miss Kogoro and Ran but…I get my own set of parents. The thought is rather lifting, and it wasn't until then that I realized I was kind of jealous at Max before…she had her mother after all.
Well, now there wasn't any reason to be jealous.
Plus I lived RIGHT NEXT DOOR to my girlfriend. Which is totally awesome. I get to spend more time with the girl I happen to rather take an interest in, how cool is that? Really, the perks of living in that big place were quite a lot.
Though, now I know anybody who knows me personally would look at me oddly…kinda miss the closeness of the agency. There was a time in my life when being in small spaces like that would make me feel claustrophobic and over paranoid, now it was the opposite. Being in spacious areas, empty hallways, made me feel as if somebody was creeping up behind me or something.
Ugh, not much I can do about it though I suppose. I knew I'd have myself sorted out soon enough. I yawned, stepping out of the spacious bedroom that had once been one of the three (seriously three? Why would someone need three?) studies in the house before being converted into a place for me. (Again, three? And that's not including the ridiculous library either folks…)
Still hadn't been sleeping all that well. Part of me was almost certain I never would be able to. I stumbled along the hall, feeling my way around the still unfamiliar place. (I'm notoriously clumsy when I'm half asleep, go figure. Doesn't help not being able to see you know…)
I could smell food. The thought had me practically leaping at the kitchen. I was still eating like a horse, bird-kid thing. As I entered the room I noticed that Shinichi was, as he had been doing rather consistently as of late, off in la-la land.
We were the only people in the house, as Yukiko and Yusako had to return to their respectable jobs. Not until I'd been mercilessly dragged into a room and attacked about all the things I liked and didn't like though. Holy cats. And the appalled way they reacted to the fact that Shinichi hadn't forced me to read any mystery novels had resulted in my poor iPod being over-run by every who-dunnit book that ever existed.
Shinichi didn't make any reaction as I made myself several pieces of toast (seriously, they bought me like five toasters to use at once because I eat so much. How nice of them right?) and I sat down next to him and he still didn't make any comment. He was so lost in thought that I seriously think he hadn't even noticed me being in the room.
And dude that's SAYING something with Shinichi. He's ALWAYS observant. Like, half of him is always on hyper-alert, ready for anything at all times. After what we've been through you can't exactly blame a guy for being like that. I flicked a piece of toast at him, and knew by his irritated grunt that I hit a bulls-eye.
"Wonder what would happen to somebody if they were staring out into space and a fly landed on their eyeball." I commented wryly. Shinichi snorted at me, probably more irritated at having been caught than the actual comment itself.
"It's freaky that you can do that." Shinichi finally muttered.
"And it's freaky that you can figure out what someone's thinking just by the pattern of dust on their shoes." I retorted.
"When have I ever done that?" Shinichi asked, probably arching an eyebrow at the comment. I shrugged my shoulders and took a monstrous bite of my toast. "I don't think it's possible to tell what someone has on their mind just because of what they wear."
"Selling yourself short?" I commented in return, "You're practically a psychic."
"Am not." Shinichi sounded almost as if this was an insult. I waved off the scientific-minded detective before devouring another piece of toast. "There's nothing supernatural about it. I just piece together clues, and know what to look for."
"God help the police force if you ever turn to the dark side." I said.
"I doubt it." Shinichi replied with another snort. I knew it was irritating him, me comparing him to thinks he found rather undesirable.
"Aw, but I hear they have cool cars. And donuts." I smirked.
"Sounds nice, but I'm not about to randomly become a mass murderer for a corvette." Shinichi said flatly, though he paused and added in a musing tone, "Though I might knock a few people off for the donuts."
"Nobody can resist donuts." I said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You two do realize that you're both weird don't you?" The voice in the doorway took us both by surprise. Ran, she sounded slightly amused, and I heard some soft snickering next to her. Shiho.
The two had started hanging around each other. It was a bit awkward between them at first, their personalities are pretty different but…they kind of started taking comfort in each other. When Ran lost Sonoko it was like losing a sister, she and Shiho had a lot in common when it came to that. They had someone they loved dearly snatched away by the organization.
"Haven't you heard of doorbells?" Shinichi said, sounding severely irritated. I myself was a little annoyed, only because I was just getting around to asking him why he'd been so deep in thought in the first place.
Curse me and my need to poke fun at people.
"Haven't YOU heard of a clock?" This wry reply came from Shiho, and I could hear her snort after Shinichi let out a startled yelp. "We ended up waiting at the Hakase's for you for a half hour you know, thought maybe you'd choked to death eating your cereal or something."
"Awww, you came to look after us." I said, Ran became a little quiet and embarrassed while Shiho just exuded an air of, 'well no duh you idiot' at me by heaving a rather bored sigh. I got out of my chair and ran up the stairs, since I was still in my pajamas.
Hey, late didn't mean I was going to school in my sleepwear.
By the time I got back downstairs Ran and Shinichi were shooting comments back and forth at each other. They walked out of the house without even acknowledging my presence, just continued bantering as we walked down the sidewalk.
"Something's up with Kudou-kun, ne?" Shiho commented, picking up on my thoughts easier than Shinichi would have. I sighed, rolling my eyes a little at the detective's back.
"Tell me about it. I've never seen…heh, anything. But he's never been that deep in thought, at least not around me. I can't help but wonder what's up with him." I sighed again and added in a bored tone, "It's not like I'd care that much, if I wasn't worried that whatever it is happens to be distracting him pretty badly."
"Hmmm…" Shiho mused, "And of course with Kudou-kun's track record being distracted is never a good thing."
"I can hear you two you know." Shinichi said wryly, stopping and adding in a flat tone, "If you want to talk about somebody it's a good idea to go back a few feet, you know, so that they're out of earshot of you. Just a bit of advice."
"Shinichi's distracted about something?" Ran asked, making Shinichi stiffen considerably. I felt a spike of panic from him, having attuned myself to his emotions since we'd been together for so long. Shiho muttered something under her breath, at the same time as I did.
Though mine was spoken louder, and with an evil little smirk, but heh. Shiho doesn't do devilish. She does calm-scientist that makes bird-kids go fluttery, but not devilish.
"Interesting…" We said at the same time. Ran made a small noise in agreement.
"Shi, ni, chi." Her tone was warning, and she drew his name out into separate parts, something she only did when she wanted something from him and was a little annoyed. Shinichi let out a nervous laugh, taking several steps away from us.
"It's nothing I promise guys." He said.
"Something you don't want Ran-chan to know." I taunted.
"Indeed." Shiho muttered.
"Shinichi…" Ran said, her tone warning.
"Hey guys, come on, stop giving me the third degree." Shinichi said, sounding a little panicked. Really, the guy could totally dish out the heat when he cornered people but he most certainly could not take it coming at him.
"Maybe it's best ya backed up and gave Kudou some space, I heard that cornered animals sometimes attack." The Kansei-ben accent had all of us blinking, and (even though I can't see, honestly, why do I bother with these petty gestures? Ah well, makes me look alert I suppose) turning our heads in the direction.
"Hattori-kun! Kazuha-chan!" Ran yelled, and she was suddenly squealing with Kazuha about life and girl stuff. Ah, something else I like about Shiho. As awesome as Ran is as an older sister figure, I really appreciate the fact that Shiho does NOT squeal.
"You're comparing ME to an animal." Shinichi said, his tone dry. Hattori staggered a bit, and then, inevitably, placed his elbow against my head and propped himself up on me as if I was some bloody countertop or something.
"Aw, Kudou, can't ya take a good come back with some honor fer once?" Hattori commented.
"Don't you guys have school today?" Kazuha asked.
"Nope, we were just going to do some hanging out today." Ran commented, "You two should tag along, ne, Iggy-kun? Ai-chan?"
"What, I don't get a say?" Shinichi muttered, sounding a little annoyed and wounded. Grumpy. I grinned at him to show that he wasn't nearly as left out as he thought, but Shiho kind of stomped the gesture by flatly saying;
"Kudou-kun you would do well to remember that there is no need for you to act like a child anymore." I snorted with laughter, slapping my hands over my mouth when I felt the intensity of Shinichi's potent glare in reply. Still, he knew that we were only teasing him.
"Lunch is on us if you come along." Shinichi said.
"Free eats, who can say no to that?" Hattori said with a snicker behind his reply. Kazuha and Ran promptly split away from our group, leaving us to be walking with Hattori. After a few feet or so the Osakan detective asked, "Oi, Kudou, what's up with ya?"
"Seriously?" Shinichi groaned, "I'm not that obvious."
"Yeah, actually you are. I'm blind remember?" I said in reply. Shiho made a sound of agreement and Hattori snickered a little as Shinichi groaned. "Seems you're an expert at unveiling the truth, but keeping it hidden is something you kinda suck at."
"I spent all my lying points with the Conan thing, it's not my fault." Shinichi said tiredly. It was true, in a way I think. Ever since he'd been back to normal he'd been honest as much as possible. ESPECIALLY with Ran, it kind of made his 'talent' for lying go down the drain. He was almost as bad as Hattori was at it by now. "What are you doing here anyway Hattori?"
"Oi, right." Hattori said, "Actually I had a message for shrimpy here."
"Oh nice, short comments, as if living as a child isn't hard enough." I commented in a tired tone. Hattori ignored the comment, crouching down so he was at my level. I snapped to attention, realizing that he wouldn't be doing that unless what he had to say was something important…and a little private.
"Fang's gonna be in town here…" Hattori said, I stiffened, thinking of the whole reason I'd come to Tokyo in the first place. Fang left the Flock before I did, breaking Max's heart into a million little pieces in the process. I'd been pissed, and had wandered around looking for him so I could attempt to kick his ass. Unfortunately that's how I ran into Gin and Vodka, which eventually brought me to the pathetically small size I am. "He…kinda wanted ta know if ya'd had any weird feelin's lately…"
"Weird feelings…" I echoed. I'd been on edge, but I could hardly tell if that was weird. I was always on edge now. Being chased by people wanting to experiment on you did that to your head sometimes, not to mention our little clash with the Japanese Mafia. There was the dreams but…again, the clash. Still, they HAD been happening a lot recently, "If he wants to know he'll have to come talk to me."
"Figured as much, I'll let 'im know when I see 'im next." Hattori said calmly, straightening. I could feel the curiosity bursting from over where Ran and Kazuha were. I myself was wondering why he was being so secretive about it.
"Ran-chan has contact with Max-chan." Shiho said softly, I blinked, remembering the little fact suddenly. "He didn't want her to hear, because she would have let her know that he happens to be floating around Tokyo again."
"I've been looking for an excuse to get the Flock to visit." I whispered wryly. Shiho chuckled under her breath. I was going to contact Max, something in my gut told me I should. Still, the message had my mind spinning a little.
"Where should we eat?" Kazuha asked.
"How about a picnic?" I said quickly, "Honestly, we can stop at a convenience store and get some bento boxes. Dude, I'm sorry, but taking Shinichi to a public place for lunch is a danger to the rest of society. I bet you eight-thousand yen that if we DO go somewhere out to eat we'll run into a dead body."
"He has a point." Hattori commented, much to Shinichi's obvious irritation. Everyone in the group echoed their agreement on the matter, save for Shinichi who was sputtering out protests that it was impossible for him to literally be attracting murders.
"Kudou-kun clearly you have Cabot Cove Syndrome, there's hardly any use denying it." Shiho's tone was very calm, and she spoke as if this were the most obvious thing in the entire universe. Actually that kind of made sense if you think about it. Dead bodies DID pop up everywhere the guy went.
"Guys it's not that I attract them, it's just that they happen around me is all." Shinichi said, probably knowing how lame the comment sounded on his own. I snorted a bit at him.
"Face it Shinichi, you walk into a place and something about you makes other people want to kill each other. You've got the Grim Reaper hanging around behind your shoulder or something equally disturbing and creepy." I said.
"Nothing to be alarmed about." Shiho said calmly.
"Everyone knows about it by now." Kazuha agreed.
"We're startin' ta get used to it by now." Hattori added.
"We all still love you Shinichi." Ran said. Shinichi moaned.
"Why does the trend seem to be ganging up on me for some reason or another today? I should have just stayed at home and avoided all of you people. You're all bad for my self-esteem." Shinichi groaned.
"It's better for you." I replied, "After all, with an ego your size a little self-loathing can only do some good."
Everyone laughed at that, except Shinichi of course, but he took in well enough. After all, it's natural for teasing to occur in a close relationship.
Sitting on the hill after lunch, and just enjoying the relatively nice weather, it kind of made me realize just how much I enjoy spending time with Shinichi, Ran, Kazuha and Hattori. I know Shiho felt the same as well. Because with them…
We felt like our true ages again.
I love the Detective Boys. I'd protect them as much as I could, and I'm hell bent on helping them to grow into capable people. If I can make sure that they're prepared for life, REAL life, not that crap people convince you life is, then I'll be doing it. I really do like those kids, don't get me wrong…but they're just that. Kids.
It's nice to be around my peers and be treated as such is all I'm saying. It's easy to forget that I happen to be about two feet shorter than most of them and such. It was good to be treated as if you were one of the club.
Almost as if he could sense this realization Hattori chose that time to use my head as a countertop prop for his bloody elbow. I glared daggers at him, but he continued in his conversation in a rather bored tone.
"Heiji…" Kazuha said in an exasperated tone, sounding somehow apologetic at the same time. Hattori's reply was to snicker. He knew it annoyed me, that's why he was doing it. Pain in the butt Osakan. I'd like him to shrink, just once, so he could figure out how utterly IRRITATING it is to be reminded of it.
"Hattori-kun." Shiho said, her tone rather deadly, "I advise you get your elbow off of my boyfriend before I slip something life threatening into your drink."
There was a moment of silence after this, I was trying hard not to laugh as Hattori carefully removed his elbow and dusted the top of my head off. Which made me lose it and start snickering behind my fingers. Ran was chuckling with amusement and even Kazuha was laughing a little after that.
"Serves you right Hattori." Shinichi said calmly, since the Osakan had apparently looked to him for some kind of support.
"How long are you two staying in Tokyo anyway?" I asked, deciding to get Hattori out of his situation. His teasing was all in good fun I knew, it wasn't like he'd actually laugh at me for being stuck as a kid for the second time in my life.
"Not long, a few days. Though we came ta tell ya that ya're all gonna come and visit in a couple o' weeks." Hattori said, sounding rather stubborn. "Iggy-kun hasn't gotten ta see Osaka yet, er…hasn't gone there yet."
"Nice catch." I said sarcastically, giving him a hard time for the small slip-up. Really I don't give a crap if people say I have or haven't seen something. In fact it's kind of fun when they do because I can make them uncomfortable by saying something sarcastic in return.
Hehehe…
"Where are you staying?" Ran asked.
"We got a nice hotel." Kazuha said, "Heiji saved up for it, it was so nice of him. He got us a suite and everything."
"US a suite?" Shinichi and I both said at the same time, an equal tone of mischief in our voices.
"There's separate beds, I'm not a pervert." Hattori said flatly in reply, though I could tell even by the sound of his voice, and Shiho's quiet amused laughter, that he was blushing over that. Kazuha didn't say anything, just squirmed a little. With a wicked tone in his voice Hattori said, "However…"
"Heiji!" Kazuha shrieked, tossing something at him. He leaped up and tackled her, standing up while hauling a rather squealy Kazuha up in the air.
"Don't you ever toss me randomly over your shoulder, you hear me?" Shiho muttered darkly.
"I won't, but we really should try flying again sometime soon." I replied with a smirk. She squeezed my hand in return, and I turned my attention back to the couple that seemed to be having a rather interesting moment.
"Heiji, put me DOWN!" Kazuha squealed, but she had laughter in her voice.
"You better do as she says before some random passerby thinks you're doing something disrespectful." Shinichi said, sounding slightly amused. Heiji only snorted and shifted his weight, probably to better balance the girl.
"Stop squirmin' so much Kazuha. Ya aint heavy or anythin' but it's hard ta keep mah balance when-" Hattori broke off as he suddenly heavily landed on the ground. The two of them rolled down the hill. Ran was laughing so hard that she seemed to be having trouble breathing, and I'm pretty sure she was leaning up against Shinichi. Even Shiho's chuckles were a little louder. I was snorting with laughter too, even more so when I heard the two continue their little tussle at the bottom of the hill.
"Heiji! You could have killed us!" Kazuha yelled.
"Well if ya woulda paid attention and stopped wigglin' around like a giant bug-" Hattori broke off after a heavy thwack. Kazuha ran away and I couldn't help but notice that her footsteps were rather uneven. She'd thrown one of her shoes at him. "Oi! What the heck, ya etting' all violent an' throwin' ya clothin' at me! Save that for the hotel room!"
"HEIJI!" Kazuha said in a rather appalled voice. She must have stopped running around after that because Hattori suddenly let out a triumphant sound and ended up catching her because she was squealing for him to let go again.
"Get a room you two." Shinichi said flatly, but there was a twinge of amusement in his tone.
"They already have one remember?" I pointed out. Shinichi chuckled and I leaned back against Shiho. It was nice to be with the people you loved sometimes, even if most of them were a little crazy. Really, I was glad we picked this for a dinner.
It's nice to know everything is going well, you know?
Awww X3
I love lovey-dovey moments
Sorry it's kind of a short and pointless chapter
Just catching up with people mostly. And teasing Shinichi, heheh…
Reviews are still loved though.
