Chapter 115: A Place at the Table

Kaito fidgeted, his arm asleep. He didn't hear any noises but the small ones from outside, his brother still asleep across from him. Kaito looked him over, seeing no dreams marking their presence on his features. He relaxed back, tempted to move his arm to get the feeling back but not daring it with his brother being such a light sleeper. He closed his eyes, mostly so his brother wouldn't feel he was being watched, and went into sleep limbo where he wasn't really awake and wasn't really asleep. He made a promise and he wasn't going to wake him after last night.

Toichi had only eyes for her right now. He knew what she was looking at without having to move in any case. "Speaking of which, shouldn't one of them be waking any second?" he guessed at with a small laugh. "Well then, before they can." He leaned over all the way, his hand moving to her face once more and kissed her as if he would lose her in the next few seconds. He wasn't one for holding things in but he wasn't going to go a day without showing her just how much he was still in love with her while masking the harsher accepts of it from both of his more timid sons.

...

Kaito felt when his brother stirred. Opening his eyes a crack he could see the light on the other side of the tent, setting the inside a darker blue. Once he was sure he was more awake and alert to it, specifically when Saguru's eyes opened, Kaito took his other arm and hugged him, feeling the tension there before he relaxed. "Hope you're feeling better. Today, maybe lets settle on trying to have some of that fun I was talking about."

Saguru gave a small huff and smiled slightly, reaching up and returning the hug. "I am. Was I using English last night?"

"You were," Kaito said with a smile, trying to match Saguru's voice pattern. He talked a little different than he was use to but not all that off. "Why does it matter? We can talk in English if you want."

Saguru groaned, having seen that they were they only ones in the tent so they would not have to avoid waking anyone. "I can do either, though you may want to keep your own voice or it will sound as though I am conversing with myself."

"Which will make it all the more fun," Kaito said in Japanese, matching his brother's voice again. "We can do both."

"You are incorrigible." Saguru started to sit up and saw, over Kaito's shoulder, a fierce eye staring at them. "Although you are confusing someone."

Kaito turned and stared at Watson. He smiled. He wouldn't be dropping the voice. "Well, he'll have to put up with my fun." When he moved, Kaito's hand went over something rough and he looked down at a small hole in the tent. When did- oh. Right. He got up on his knees and reached over to the metal case. "This can be the norm from now on." He lit another and knelt prayer fashion, now that he had room to properly kneel. This was the one and only time he was speaking in his own voice because he wasn't kidding. "Morning mom." He said a little prayer with it, passing the incense back over. "We're just one big, happy family."

Saguru accepted it, getting to his knees as well and adding a prayer of his own before extending it to Kaito. As he did so, he recalled last night, remembering what he had done, or not done, with the previous one and concluding it had been dropped somewhere. "It would be best not to repeat last night. How bad is the damage?"

"You took about an inch of the tent out," Kaito spoke in Saguru's voice, laughing. "Maybe tonight you can take out the whole thing."

"That will not be happening." Saguru reached over for his bag to grab some clothes for himself. "We ought to see where they are if they slept outside."

"Mom's with him so it's fine, whatever they're doing." Kaito looked down at himself. Yep, no going out in his underwear today, not with his dad. He went over and got shorts and a t-shirt to change into.

Saguru shifted and finally just pulled off the slept in shirt. At least he had some time to change while Kaito was preoccupied.

Kaito was going to be kind of nice this one time and not watch him change. It wasn't like he wanted to but he'd naturally see so he turned around and changed himself, waiting and eyeing Watson while he did, petting him a little so he could see that the voice thing wasn't that bad. "Hey little guy. I'm just teasing our other brother. He needs a little needling or his head will get too big with all that rational thinking and the world will explode."

Saguru shook his head, reminding himself that if he ever did not act like that, the same would likely happen. He pulled a clean shirt on and headed to the flap. "Once the two of you are done, perhaps you can both join us."

"See?" Kaito said with encouragement. "Now he sounds as if he's inviting us for tea. Oh what a mad world we're living it," he added with a laugh, following his brother out and leaving the zipper open so Watson wouldn't tear the place apart. "You know you really could afford to lose some brain cells, if only to loosen up."

Saguru paused as he caught sight of the two adults by the water. "You were right about them not being far."

"He came back. Wouldn't make much sense for him to vanish again," Kaito said quietly so it wouldn't carry past its intended recipient. "It's mom too. No one can get away from her, not even me," he added with a laugh, watching Saguru get some sticks to start the fire back up. He sat down himself, grabbing what was in reach. He didn't really feel like bothering his parents.

Toichi looked back at the boy's. It had taken them maybe a minute to exit since she had said that Saguru was an early raiser. He chucked to himself and kissed her on the cheek. "I suppose I could get to a store and get my share of the food and some clothing for myself while I'm at it. I doubt all present would like me running around in only what I can fit into."

"As their parent, I overrule both of them." She smiled at him. "Not sure if you'll be going on your own though."

"Would you mind terribly if I took Kaito with me? I know the position of Saguru, but I do want to catch up with him."

"I think he'd like that and I doubt I'd really be able to stop him if I wanted to. You two need time to actually talk anyway." She leaned over and gave him a light kiss.

"I will see you in a bit then," Toichi said softly, returning it before freeing himself from around her and half sitting. "Unless you have enough breakfast to last today until I can pick up more."

"Oh, there's enough for breakfast." She pushed herself up onto her elbow. "May as well wait until we eat or Kaito will get you to an ice cream place first."

Toichi laughed, remembering a certain little monster that always found new ways to get into the freezer that even he couldn't always thwart. "I supposed some things never change. We have some time then. Would you like me to return the favor with another quick walk around? You've told me of the dangers and some of the past, but you've ask me little and it feels as if we are catch up far faster than we should be."

Chikage nodded. "I wanted you to know so you could understand what was going on but I do want to know what happened that night and what led to it."

"I suppose that's fair. I know of two of the incidents you've been a part of. Would you like to take that walk or, as it doesn't seem fair, maybe some question and answer as a group would be best, both ways of course. We can have at each other while we eat," he said with a light laugh and sat up himself. "I am going to change though. Walking around in pajamas seems silly." Going to the store in the same would be just as much, if not even more silly.

"I don't know, seems normal enough to me." She started to stand.

"Normal for an evening at home maybe," Toichi said with a smile and helped her up, going over to where he had discarded his clothes the other night. They were still damp since he had not hung them but they were not soaking and the air was warm. He changed back into them on the other side of the tent, holding back a shiver.

Chikage grabbed the bag Saguru had passed her from near the tent and slipped into a change of clothes before tossing the bag inside the tent, spotting the picture set up off to the side and smelling the familiar sent in the air. "I guess that's why he didn't come back out for you." She got Watson on the stick that was sitting off to the other side of the tent and brought Watson out with her, despite him flapping a bit at the change in light.

Kaito watched from where he was being lazy and sitting on the floor. His saw his dad and mom, separating, and waited for her to come back out so they could both hear, not really caring which or if both heard. "Good morning."

Chikage smiled and started over. "Good morning. I didn't expect you up yet."

"Tsh. I think I slept enough yesterday." Kaito's sleep schedule was strange. He didn't used to sleep in so much but it had been getting harder and harder to wake when he didn't think he would have to. That didn't mean he was anywhere close to waking when his mom did.

Toichi came around the other side, seeing them setting up the fire and going to help the boy himself. He could see how Saguru cooked and added in his own touches as well. He also was going to send an hour or more with Kaito so it was only fair to spend some time with him as well. "You both have woken earlier than I would have guessed." He aimed his further question at Saguru. "I understand school but do you normally get up early for any particular reason?"

Saguru looked over. "It is simply a habit. Even when there is no school I would have things I do so I never really 'slept in' much aside from extenuating circumstances."

"What sort of things? You're a detective and I've never heard of work that usually striking out in the early morning. They tend to be when there are more technicians to consult with or happen late at night after a crime."

"While crimes occur at any given time, I also have a few other interests and will work on older cases as well."

"I see. You're one of those types that prefer to work than experiment with other pastimes. My opposite," he said with another laugh. While he preferred to be up early, he didn't do it specifically for any one set of things, even when he was Kaitou Kid himself. "Crimes, wanting to learn how to escape, and spending all of that time on one set thing. It's a great example of devotion. You usually see that in someone older who knows their path. To know so young is a great thing."

"It was something I wanted to pursue from a rather young age and my mother supported me. The escaping though was a slightly more recent idea, initially due to my pursuit, though more so that recent events have shown it would have been beneficial."

"Yes, well I can see a trend in your interests. You know, for escaping, you'll have to be flexible." Toichi smile and looked at his wife before looking back at Saguru. "Something like yoga will have to be a normal occurrence and we may as well do that as a group."

Saguru nodded as he checked the water. "I would expect something to that effect. While I never did anything of that sort, I can understand the need for full range of motion."

"Do you have any interest in learning to defend yourself too?"

Saguru looked over at him. "Honestly, I had not considered that." He had seen both Kaito and Hattori do things he would not be able to at the moment. "It would certainly be worthwhile. Did you have something in particular in mind?"

"Not anything specific more than basic self defense. You need strength as well as flexibility and it's better to work on something specific more than just concentrating on strength itself and all of them mix into one another rather well."

"I will not deny that that would have been useful." He turned his mind away from the recent events where that knowledge would have made a difference and pulled the water off the fire.

Saguru seemed to be done with using the fire so he went over to him. "Do you happen to have eggs, some kind of meat and maybe a few peppers and a skillet I could use?"

"It has been awhile since I have had an omelet though I believe we have those ingredients in the cooler bag."

Toichi laughed. "I wasn't planning on making an omelet, though I would appreciate your help if you could cut up the meat and peppers. If you have any seasoning too that would be great."

Saguru's interest was piqued and he rose, going to the tent to retrieve the cold bag and returning with it. "This is what was sent with us."

"That will be fine. Can you find something to cut it on? I don't know if you brought a board but any recyclable plates you came with will be fine." Toichi went over to where Saguru had been and got the other pot out of the bag. "And pass me over three eggs at a time, if it's not too much trouble."

Saguru was intrigued and pulled out a plate to cut the meat before grabbing the requested eggs and holding them out.

Toichi smiled and took them from him, setting them on the ground and putting the pan down. "I need a bowl myself and some milk." That he was sure was in the cooler the boy had so he went over to it and took out a small half carton. The food needed to be cut up at the same time the eggs were so he whipped them and the milk together, waiting for Saguru to say he was done.

Saguru set about cutting the meat and pepper before turning and holding the plate out. "Will this do?"

"That's just fine." He mixed the eggs with as much air in them as he could, putting the pan over the fire and just letting it get warm, not hot. He put the egg in and then the meat and peppers, adding some salt and letting it sit there. He looked over at Chikage. "You share with Kaito since this one will be done first and Saguru is still helping me." He looked over at him and smiled. "If you don't mind sharing with me."

"Not at all, though it does still appear to be simply a fluffier omelets. What is the difference that made you say it was not?"

"For one," Toichi moved the pan up, keeping it away from the hotter part of the fire. "This takes longer to cook and I don't mix any of the ingredients in. Usually you'd put pasta or something else in it but considering that there's nothing fancy going on I went down to the bare necessities. We're camping, we're not having a dinner party."

Kaito watched his dad and his brother, smelling the food. He usually just ate fried eggs, not omelets or whatever it was he was making. It definitely smelled different.

Toichi watched it carefully, looking at Saguru when the top was almost done. "Can I get a plate and a spatula?" He was handed both and flipped the skillet over, landing it on the plate, putting the pan down and cutting it up with the spatula, looking at Chikage since she was still standing. "Here, both of you share this and Saguru, please give me three more eggs."

Chikage took the plate and smiled at the two of them. Kaito may have hung on every trick Toichi showed him but Saguru looked interested enough in this as he passed him the eggs and Toichi repeated the cooking. "Here." She held out the plate to Kaito, a fork in it as she took another and had a bite herself. It smelled too tempting to pass up.

Kaito looked at the food and took the fork that was in it, tasting it. It was very different as opposed to what he normally ate but it really wasn't all that bad. Weird definitely and very foreign looking as it was, it kind of reminded him of all the new food he'd had on the other island.

Toichi started the one he'd be sharing with Saguru, adding in the ingredients before he looked at him. "Do you like anything else? I know some people who will add sauce or spices to their eggs."

"I am sure it is fine as it is, though perhaps we could experiment once we have a fully stocked kitchen." Saguru reached for the kettle and poured some water into a mug. "Do you prefer tea or coffee?"

"Either, and yes, that would be a lot better than doing this over a fire," Toichi comment with a light nod. "It's very hard to control the heat. Whichever you have more of for the drink I'll take."

Saguru made a cup of tea and offered it to him then made a second for himself.

Toichi took the cup and put it on the floor since sipping it now would burn him. He waited, getting a plate from where Saguru had gotten the first one and put theirs on the plate as well and cut it up. He ate of bit of it for himself, to taste it. It didn't come out bad for not having a kitchen open to him. He took the tea after the first bit, the sweet complimenting the savory. He laughed once more. "It's so warm and we're eating and drinking nothing but warm things."

"It's weird dad," Kaito said, though he'd eaten almost his half of it. "What is it?"

"It's called a Frittata, but it's missing a lot of its components right now."

Kaito nodded. Funny word. Yep, it was foreign. He figured that. Mom seemed to like it too though. "Since when could you cook?"

Toichi laughed quietly this time, at the memory it brought up. "I could always cook. Your mom and I used to do it together unless one or the other was busy. I doubt you'd remember though. This I learned more recently."

"Frittata. That sounds Italian. You learned how to cook Italian?" Chikage asked, taking another piece before Kaito could.

"It's one of the stranger food categories I found to learn how to cook without any other experience and I wanted something to keep my attention and still held the same experimentation that most of what I look into contains." He smiled and looked up at his wife. "I heard that it is also one of the most popular, so it couldn't hurt knowing more, though I can't say I can make anything other than Italian and Japanese food."

Chikage smiled. "I can't wait to see or taste what you can do with more than a campfire." She took another bite and her eyes flicked to him, getting ready to get some answers.

Toichi saw the intrigue and waved his hand to her. "Go on. Ask away. I said over breakfast."

"What happened that night?"

Toichi let out a breath, not in resignation but because he had seen that one coming. "For the actual act, I was alone. I hadn't known, when they first started stalking me, that one man had managed to stay on my trail. I had been avoiding the police, but I hadn't been watching out for more than that at the time. Several occurrences later in my career, as you will remember, had police officers suddenly leaving the force and several shots of gunfire were reported with no witnesses. They were better at handling things back then. That was a little after the time Kudo-kun and I started playing our game. Through his wife he reached me and offered his help to catch the assailants. We did. If anyone looked they will see that, several times, men had been booked on gun charges. One had shouted my name as I was leaving so I had to figure he had tailed me, or something of the like. I don't slip up."

"I looked," Kaito spoke up, catching on real fast what they were talking about. "I didn't see that there were any arrests made on anything even close to gun charges."

"Well now, someone's been messing with the records. That I didn't know." He looked over at his son, seeing the same gleam in younger eyes that he knew he had held in his own. "In any case I had to figure that one of them would try to get me at home so I checked almost everything that I touched, seeing that amateurish setup that, ultimately, was what I used to disappear. They knew my name, they knew me. I wasn't going to let them keep trying and get my family. Unfortunately though, I hadn't thought the explosives would be set off during the show. I know a few people were killed due to that. I escaped through the floor but there really was no helping anyone else. I wouldn't have kept performing if I had thought they were that stupid. The other acts towards me had been subtle." Toichi looked at his son. "You seem like you've met them."

Kaito nodded. "A few of them. Mostly I just have to deal with Snake and he's a complete moron so..." He shrugged. "It's no big deal. He couldn't hit me if we were right next to each other."

Toichi nodded, a few pieces being put together. "An amateur if I ever saw one. He may have been the one, or been acquaintances, with the one who set up the explosives in the stage. You rise through the ranks in those types of groups with your kills. I have to guess I was a pretty big catch. Besides escaping and Kudu-kun helping make the scene seem like an accident so no one else would get hurt, along with helping me into the United States, the rest is a long and boring story."

Saguru looked over at him and had his own question. "The stone, Pandora. She said you gave it to her, though how much are you about it and its abilities?"

Toichi turned to him. "I'm not sure. I didn't test it. It was through chance that I even really found it." He had to chuckle because of that one. "It was actually because of Kaito. I had gotten an invitation from one of my wealthier clients that wanted me to put on a magic show. Kaito was wandering off on his own and ended up in the room where the man kept his pets. He couldn't reach the top of the fish tank and picked up one of the man's decorative articles with reasoning that, if he couldn't get it, it was better to let the fish out. I heard the noise and found him crying because he had cut his arm on the glass. Only seconds later, after the wound had started to disappear and I did a more thorough search of the tank, did I find the reason why. That was the closest I came to testing it."

Kaito eyes went a little wide. "I don't remember that."

Toichi shrugged. "You were young and I couldn't get you to stop crying for some time." He looked over at Chikage. "He wasn't hurt in the end so I saw no reason to tell you."

Chikage looked over at both boys. So the three of them had all been exposed to the thing. "I wouldn't have seen anything anyway. I know it does work well." She noticed Saguru still looked like he wanted to say something though.

Toichi stopped smiling and kept his eyes on her. "You didn't say anything about that. Kaito was an accident, likely because he swallowed some of the water in the tank, but what else happened?"

Saguru saw their mother look at him and nod. He shook his head. "You were first and able to see it. I will add in after."

"She followed us to Hawaii and told me I could do something for her or she'd take out my family. I went to tell her no and, on the suggestion of Kudo-kun, I went with Shinichi-kun and Saguru. I kept Saguru behind a tree and when Shinichi-kun and I talked to her, she showed me the stone." Chikage glanced over at Saguru, remembering what his reaction was, even when he couldn't see what was happening. "She's also a better shot than most. She hit my wrist after a few misses. Saguru broke cover and found his way to me, not knowing where I was hit."

Toichi was not sure on a few counts of that story. Why and when were they in Hawaii? When had she started talking with Kudo-kun too? Why had it sounded like Saguru had a hard time finding her and why had Kaito not been there? What had that woman done against her word? Instead of interrupting though, because he wanted the rest of the story, he nodded, wondering what else happened. Chikage- he hadn't noticed anything wrong with her wrist.

Chikage looked back at Toichi and held up the hand. "Shattered and bleeding. Maybe a few minutes if it wasn't wrapped up. Saguru still managed that but he made a bargain with her for some liquid that would heal me... He left with her."

"And you're hand was healed. I had to figure it was something with the water since the stone itself didn't seem to-" He stopped his own mussing and turned to Saguru. "And if all of you were exposed, you were hurt."

"She did not physically injury me at that time. The events leading up to our going to Hawaii with the Kudos included the attack on me by Hakuba Damashi, which had left me slightly weakened and nearly blind."

Ah, an explanation for two of his earlier question. He had to wonder what the attack was because he didn't know more than he had nearly died from it. He had been well enough to travel so it likely the blindness and whatever injuries he had already had. That being the case, if she hadn't hurt him, his pervious injuries were likely why he had been exposed as well. "When I gave it to her I hadn't expected it to be used on anyone but her. So what happened?"

Saguru took a breath and looked at all three of them. He had not told them of her threat, for that was what it had been, to never die. "I made a mistake and accepted a store bought drink from her. She had slipped the rest of the liquid she had into it. The damage from what he had done as well as some from the days leading up to it were all healed. However, prior to that, she seemed ready to use me as a test of the full use of the stone."

The full power? "I can actually grant immortality?" He had considered it but he hadn't been tempted to try it. Sharon had seemed intent to mess with it but only on herself. That had been the only reason he had handed it over to her and even now, he was starting to think that he could have found a better way. Holding it himself though, was not one of the options. "I would not wish that on anyone. She didn't succeed, did she?"

Kaito looked at his brother. He'd been keeping that from him. All this time and he still didn't- He held back the anger and quickly lost it, knowing that he wouldn't have said anything himself either, not when everyone had been so happy and then all of this mess had continued. He waited, watching, wanting to know the answer too.

Saguru's hand went to his throat and he brushed his fingers against it. "I do not know what I said to change her mind but she pulled it away."

Kaito got up from where he was sitting, leaving the rest of what little of the food was left for his mom and sat next to his brother, hitting him lightly in the shoulder. "Jerk, still hiding things," he said, in a light tone and a bit teasingly.

"As though it is something you would have shared out of the blue."

Kaito laughed quietly. "Yeah, I guess not. I do say a lot of weird things out of the blue though."

Toichi smiled, relaxing. This was dangerous, having her possess it when she was testing it on others. He hadn't done it himself because he didn't know the side effects. It was truly a magic stone. He had no idea what that did on the body or the soul. There was no going back now though. He stood and smiled. "I think I'll head to the store on my own. I shouldn't be long." He hadn't eaten much but it would be fine cold as well if Saguru didn't finish it.

Chikage smiled at the two of her boys before looking up. "I'll come with you, I think the two of them can look after themselves or at least each other."

Toichi smiled and waited for her, offering her his hand. "We won't be far. I'm sure they can handle themselves."

"Oh, Kaito's still as mischievous as it seems he use to be. If he weren't going to either complain or pull age, I'd put Saguru in charge. As it is, they have to balance each other out now." Chikage smiled, taking his hand and standing.

Toichi walked off with her, not sure about leaving on that note. Saguru was reliving a terrifying event but he had trusted his son to take care of himself for ten years, so he had to trust him to take care of someone else now.

Kaito nudged his brother when their parents walked away. "Hey, you barely ate."

"I had nearly a quarter of it. I do not inhale either, the way you tend to do."

Kaito whistled. He'd seen mom take Watson out of the tent. He offered his arm, dealing with the claws. Smaller cuts in the forest were nothing new and he put him next to his brother, making sure Saguru had a nice head of messy hair while he got up. "Well don't leave okay? I have to go do something. Considering things, I might put this trip on hold for a day," he winked. "There's something I want you to experience."

Saguru shot him a look, half exasperated, half interested, before nodding.

Kaito got up and left him, walking a bit to make sure his sneaky brother couldn't hear him. He got on the phone with the old man. He doubted dad had enough money or the ability to get what he wanted but the old man could do it. If he said no, he said no. He had a thought about that too. His dad was so- well, Kaito thought he was better than himself. Why not really make this a fair fight? He'd talk to him about that later. Anyway, after some explaining and the old man seeing it wasn't really for him, he got an okay. In fact, it was somewhat enthusiastic. Kaito hung up, going back. How funny. He wondered just when the old man could have it ready.

Saguru was not certain what his brother was planning though he had an idea he would find out sooner rather than later. He scanned the area and called to Gladstone.

Human talking. It sense it was to itself. It freed itself of the shadows of the trees. Strange human. No orders again. It came forward against, eyes gleaming before stopping in front of the human, mind confused about what it was supposed to do under this human creature's non-orders.

Saguru took some of the meat they had used and held it out, unsure what the spectral dog would eat or if he did. He sniffed at it but made no move to eat it. "What do you eat?" he asked out loud, though more to himself.

Eat? Was the human going to feed it? It went to the piece of the dead mortal animal, growling and trying to take it away to get food. It bit onto the human's limb, but not hard. Do not take food. Food was offered. It whined through. The witch was fine but hers lasted. This human's was weak.

Saguru jerked then thought back. He had been bleeding slightly when he came to himself at the house with Gladstone in front of him. Could that have been something to do with it? This was crazier than Kaito had ever been, though he was grateful they had all left with what he was going to do. "Is this what you need?"

It looked at the offering and took it, going forward and licking before lightly getting the human's finger to rest on some of the back of it's teeth so it didn't need to keep opening it's mouth, closing its eyes.

Saguru felt as though he had plunged his finger into some ice-cold water. It seemed that whatever was done, he needed his blood. He resisted pulling away, resolving to find a way to do this so he did not have to seem to... chew on his finger. "Alright, we will avoid going so long between these so you only need some each time."

It sat down, happy to be fed. Human's weren't as good as witches. It didn't care much. There wasn't much taste anyway, just potency. Once it was happy enough that it would be fine for a few days it stopped and looked up at its master for orders.

Saguru flexed his finger a bit and petted Gladstone. "That answered that question. I do not believe anything will happen but go find Kaito and watch him."

It snorted, it's brain sparking in recognition. Kaito. Other human. Watch. It left, disappearing into the trees and off to watch its target.

Kaito was thinking now. If he could get this for Saguru, he'd have to- dad would. Ah, that would be hard. He wanted all- He called Jii, getting himself deafened and soon after having his heart fall. He had to apologize, explaining what had happened since the last time he had seen the old man. That had been... a while. He didn't say anything about his dad because that would just be fun. He needed the help from Jii too if they were all going to have some fun with this. Of course, this was permanent for his brother and his dad would need this anyway if they were going to mess around. He went back over to the campsite when all of that was sorted out, seeing his brother playing fetch with Watson. That was hilarious and made him laugh. "A dog with wings."

Saguru did not bother to turn at Kaito's words though he was aware that was what many may think with Watson's actions. A repeat of his command and Watson came at him, swooping low before veering upwards to grab the wrapped cloth in his talons. "I would usually use pieces of fresh meat tied to a string but as he ate yesterday it would be akin to overfeeding."

"Kami forbid you get a fat bird," Kaito said lightly with a laugh. "You know you better have ate while I was gone. You barely touched anything. Anyway, while mom and dad are out, lets go do something. How good are you at climbing trees?"

Saguru let Watson settle on his arm and looked over at Kaito. "I climbed on occasion as a child, why?"

"Because, you want to get in shape right? Let's make a game of it. I had to make sure you could keep up." Kaito grinned before poking his brother with one finger. "Tag, you're it."

"You can not be serious."

"I can so be serious. Let's make this more fun. A bet. Catch me, even once, in the next half an hour and you can ask me to do any one thing of your choosing." Kaito winked, taking a step back. "I win and we do the reverse."

"Ohhh no." Saguru knew Kaito would be as good as his word in this and would hold him to it himself. He gave Watson a push, adding a signal and sending him airborne and to a perch near the tent. "You are not getting away with that."