Deception

by LostInTheMystery

CONTINUATION OF MANIPULATION: Caught in the middle of chaos from old and new wounds, companions erase lines and battle shadowy figures in the dark with the faces of friends- friends out for blood. - Conan and Heiji as co-main characters - M for violence.

4. Invisible Voice

Chapter 53: Invisible Voice

Kaito picked an eyebrow up. "What in the world are you talking about?"

Conan brought a knee up so his back wasn't holding all of his weight, holding his hand to his face. No, it wasn't a task member. If it had happened on other cases, one of them would have stood out like a sore thumb. If they could receive papers intended for the inspector, they were someone of higher standing. In order to walk ghostly through all of this, they had to be average looking, likely making themselves as one of the local cops of whatever area they were in. That took time and money, so they should have that as well. Considering they were able to control the feed though they were likely still in division two, but one of the supervisors. They could... they could even be an administrator. That would keep any suspicion off of them because they weren't supposed to be on the field, so no one would suspect them. It was good enough and that was a far lower range of people to look into. Conan slide off the bed and ran- tried to run, to the bathroom. "Heh. Gomen." He closed the door and opened the cell phone.

"Okay," Kaito said, raising both eyebrows. "Now I really want to know what you were talking about."

"There have been some accidents and missing paperwork. Hakuba-kun has apparently been getting hurt." Nakamori spoke clearly with no intent of hiding the truth.

Kaito's eyes narrowed and he looked over at him. "Really? I never noticed anything wrong in class."

Saguru could feel Kuroba's eyes on him. "How often... did you see... me show pain... while we... were tracking... Conan-kun?"

Kaito frowned. "Besides the burn? Why would you?" He shrugged. "And, I guess not that much, not as much as Hattori anyway. I was kinda looking for it though."

"Do you recall... when I wrote... left handed?"

"I didn't really look for something like that." He had to think more clearly. Had he been using his left hand? Some more stabs of guilt came, far stronger for some reason than the others. "Were you hurt before?" He left those stupid handcuffs on, and if he had been hurt- he hadn't noticed anything back then. Damn it. These feelings weren't anywhere close to as easy to push away now and the stupid room felt too hot again, but he was still conscious and Kami help him, he had NO reason to pass out, and would not be doing so in front of the detective. There was no dizziness that came with the heat so he should have been fine. "You should have said something." His words reflected more of the loss of energy than he wanted to, but he had less and less control of what he wanted to show when his stupid mind told him every little stupid thing he was responsible for.

Saguru almost shook his head. "I meant... at school." He took a breath. "There was that... heist on Friday... two months ago. Monday... I was using... my left hand. That was then." He opened and closed his right hand to prove his point. "Still better now... then it had been."

That made him feel a bit better, but he was still mad- why he was more angry at himself though, Kaito didn't know. He knew that was stupid. "Again, you should have said something." His eyes closed a bit, though he was looking at Hakuba now. "You got hurt chasing Kid?"

"It is more... post-heist." Saguru knew Kid- Kuroba- neither would have but both personas would blame themselves. "I was told... Nakamori-keibu... knew... and they were... ruled accidents." Saguru moved his eyes toward where Kuroba's voice was coming from. "Until today... I believed that."

Kaito wasn't sure if he understood something wrong or not, so he shook his head. He understood most of the comments form earlier now, but one thing really wasn't making sense. "Who would want to hurt you?" And to go to such lengths and under his nose to do it.

Saguru had thought of it when Kuroba had said he would not be touched, only lied to. It had occurred to him however he had not voiced it yet. "I think... the same one that... put me on... the Taskforce." Saguru closed his eyes.

"Well then what was the point?!" Kaito hadn't meant to be loud, but he really couldn't help it. "You said he did it on purpose. Kinda can guess why at this point- though Kami he must have thought you were the best detective in the world then and if there's something good coming from this its that, but why hurt you?" Kaito shook his head. "It doesn't make sense." He kept trying to think on a reason himself but his mind kept running into the same roadblock. What bastard of a father would work so hard to keep his son one of the most non-violent places, only for violence to be acted on him? It was stupid, it would stand out. Sure they could derail any investigation, but if Hakuba had said a word to the inspector like he had, they'd know something was up. I don't get it.

Aoko shook her head. Chikage had held her by the shoulders the entire time but this- this was crazy. Kid was a world-class jerk and a thief and so many things but even she would admit he didn't hurt people. "Who'd believe it?"

"No one would have to believe it," Conan spoke as he closed the door. He looked up. "Whether good or not, Hakuba-niichan doesn't talk very often. As long as the task force never found out about it, Nakamori-keibu wouldn't. Nothing would be spread around and the person responsible could stay in the shadows." He smiled. "Of course though, he'd have to be the one who made sure that they were alone and Hakuba-niichan was either taken somewhere or the man, in cases like a heist, call the ambulance himself. Hakuba-niichan being unconscious in those conditions," Conan smiled more. "And there'd be no reason to hide his face. I'm sure that looking into the cases and dates, now that we know to, and the camera surrounding the area, something would have caught something."

Heiji had made sure he was first through the door and couldn't help a smile, hearing Kudo's response to an unheard question but sounding like his old self. A detective, just in a smaller body. The smile vanished as he actually listened to what he was saying. 'What's this 'bout Hakuba bein' unconscious?' "So... wha'd I miss?"

Conan turned, surprised it took Hattori so long to come up. "You're late. If you'd have come when you were supposed to, you'd know." He walked off back to the bed. "Anyway, I called Megure-keibu. He'd been complaining about the other officers running around him like crazy, so it's giving him something to do. He and Tome-san are going to look into it. I trust both with my life. Until they find something, no sense in worrying about it."

Heiji shook his head. "Someone tried to get Kazuha 'n' Neechan ta go shoppin'. Hint, she pouted 'lot an ain' here now." He smirked a bit at Kudo before looking over at Hakuba.

"Shopping?" Conan turned as he reached the bed. He highly doubted that's what his mother had planned, and who would even buy that as an excuse? "Is she the only one gone?" He grabbed the sheets and got up as fast as he could so Hattori wouldn't try picking him up. He was sick of that now, and since the pain medicine was working, no one would be doing that for some time to come.

"Yeah." Heiji headed over to the bed and leaned over it. "Guess by your work an' that ice,Hakuba's awake... or jus' restin' his eye?" He finished slightly quieter. 'Ya'd think he'd look around or somethin'.'

"No, he can't see well. It'll get better in a day or two." Conan moved a little down the bed so that Hattori wasn't hovering over him. He'd had enough of that to last a lifetime.

Kazuha was right behind Heiji and heard the words. She bowed, looking up at Hakuba-kun as she spoke so he could tell what she was doing. "So, if yer awake. Thank you, for everythin'. Ya helped me 'n Heiji a lot." She didn't really know what else to say, but since Heiji had told the story and she had learned what could and should have happened, she had to thank him.

Saguru opened his eyes and looked toward where her voice had come from. "I can guess... as to what you... are referring to... Toyama-san... and I assure you... I would not... change it." He did his best to offer he a smile even under the mask.

"Gomen-nesai." With the way Hakuba-kun was breathing, it sounded like it hurt. "I dinn't mean ta make ya talk, but thank you again." She reached over and grabbed Heiji's arm, holding him close to her. "Lots 'a bad things happened but everyone's still here, an' I wouldn't change a thing either. I'm still very grateful to ya."

"Ya soun' like me 'n' Kuroba from b'fore." Heiji said lightly as he tipped his head, wondering if Hakuba'd been punched or something like what he'd done to Kuroba... only this was by Hakuba's own dad and on purpose.

"Kuroba... and I." Saguru responded to avoid the unasked question.

Conan couldn't help the chuckles. "I said pretty much the same thing, only right."

Heiji couldn't cross his arms between the stitches and Kazuha so he just huffed and look off at the far wall.

Conan finished with a smile. He then lost that to a sigh as he held his arms up. "Heiji-niichan? Can you lift me up for a second?" This had been bothering him for a while and solving both issues seemed simplest this way.

Kazuha was torn between the two images of Conan-kun that she had, but the one of him the way he was now was a lot more dominate. She'd only seen the guy twice, once when he tried to help save her, and the other before she'd gotten kicked out of the room. She let go of Heiji though, because she wasn't gonna hold him back from helping a friend. That didn't mean she was letting him get more than arm's length away.

Heiji looked back at Kudo, surprised he was actually asking to be picked up. When Kazuha left go he reached forward and grabbed him. "Sure."

Conan rested against Hattori so that he was facing him, his chin on his shoulder. He spoke in his ear now that they were so close. "Don't you dare make fun but can you scratch my back? It's been itching for a while and I can't reach it." His legs hurt but his back had just been annoying him since some time last night.

Heiji stifled a small laugh. "No prob." He shifted Kudo a bit and moved his left hand to start scratching his back.

Conan sighed, letting things be for a moment while most of the itching went away. The burns still hurt in some places but they were more intolerably annoying than painful. He spoke to Hattori after, quietly. "His can only see movement and he won't be able to breath regularly for a day or two, so don't let him talk more than he has too. It should be fine but make sure you catch any bad reactions to anything. I don't need to tell you to help him if you do."

"No ya don'." Heiji looked over at Hakuba. "'Cause ya know I will."

Conan sighed. "I know. I just wanted to say. Make sure he eats the ice. It was hard to move. Don't let him move his arms if he doesn't have to and keep the mask on if I'm not here for some reason."

"Like talkin' ta Megure-keibu... or fallin' asleep?" He added with a smirk.

"Shut up," Conan said with annoyance, leaning back on Hattori. Pain medicine always wiped him out for some reason, even the daytime stuff. To show he was ready to put up a fight, he poked at him.

Heiji chuckled and brought his hand up to muss Kudo's hair.

"Hattori, there's something else. Hakuba has been involved in accidents, I didn't ask for how long. He's been getting injured and it looks like it might have been someone working with his father. That is why I called the inspector. We'll see what they find, and if they don't, I'm ready and willing for a partner."

Heiji moved his hand to Kudo's shoulder and nodded. "Tha's 'nother thang ya ain' gotta ask. Ya got one."

Conan backed up and looked at Hattori with lidded eyes. "Who broke your brain?"

Heiji raised his eyebrow. "Ya thought I wouldn'... after all this? Now whose brain's broke?"

"I've never heard you sound so complacent before. You'd usually stick some snide comment in there even if you did." Conan stared as skeptically back. "What happened to that 'fight the power' attitude of yours?"

Heiji huffed and shook his head. "Who's complacent? Ya think I wanna wait? 'm sayin' 'm ready too." 'Really Kudo. Thought ya knew me betta than that.'

Conan poked at him again. "You didn't sound very surprised either."

"Afta this weekend doubt much will." Heiji brought his hand back up and messed up Kudo's hair further. "'n' Stop pokin' me."

Conan poked him on the cheek. "Then put me down. I didn't have anything else to say."

"Coulda said so." Heiji shifted Kudo like he was going to sit him on the bed then let go, letting him drop an inch or so instead.

Conan put his hands out to catch himself, sitting up straight fast. 'Oi, Hattori!' He turned to the jerk before looking over at Hakuba. "That was just me." I told you the guy couldn't see well.

"I could tell." Saguru felt a smile form. "From his... words, I... expected it."

"Guess he can be pretty predictable at times." Conan sat so he could still lean on Hakuba, glad his size wouldn't make an issue of it. He smirked back at Hattori, expression the same- then he lost it and became annoyed again when a thought hit him, his hand going up to fix his hair. "And you don't have to make me look like him. Bad enough he does it."

Heiji was stuck between a smirk and scowl and just gave a half shrug in response

Kaito was fine letting the others do what they wanted. He leaned back against the wall, looking out the window. I've got things to deal with myself. I don't need to worry about them. He looked over at Aoko and his mother. They would be the hardest to get past, now that he wanted to, but he made sure not to act that way, slouching more as he glanced at them as inconspicuously as he could. He was Kid, he could get out, he just didn't want the others to notice when he did. It had to be slow.

Chikage smiled and caught sight of Kaito glancing over at them. She mouthed, "Call Jii." and hoped he was together enough to see and do so.

Kaito frowned at his mom when he'd accidentally caught her eye. "Why?"

"If you're changing your plans you need to let him know." Chikage responded.

Kaito waved his hand at her, not caring about that- he stopped and smiled. He made his way slowly around the room and to her so he wouldn't catch notice. "I can't really call him in here." The inspector was there after all, who knew what could come up in the conversation he wasn't going to be having? "I'll be right back." He gave his mother a two-finger salute before heading out.

'Seems like Kid will have a sub this time.' Chikage smiled and patted Aoko-chan's shoulder when she looked toward where Kaito had gone. "He's just making a call." She looked up and nodded an OK so Chikage turned her thoughts back to her own plans for the next night. 'Like riding a bike.'

Kaito got out, letting out a breath as he leaned against the closed door, a smile there for a second. So many people in one room was a bit stifling and he had other matters to attend to. He had planned on letting the gangs in the area do what they pleased but they made it personal now and, above all, he was not going to let them blame Hakuba for the death of one of their members. He was the killer so telling them it was Kid was easy enough. The main problem was fighting off those stupid enough not to believe him. He had never given his support to a cause like this but nothing like this had ever come up before either, and Hattori could still be in danger if he'd told others and they held the same grudge. That one he wasn't responsible for but he would help them see how stupid they had to be if they did plan on going over them again. With a wave of his hand, Kaito put a cap on, shrugging a lightweight dark jacket over his shirt to try and remain unconscious until he got outside and got where he was going.

Eri let the boys do what they wanted, going to the child in the hospital bed. "Hello, Hakuba-kun. How are you feeling?"

'E- Eri-obasan?' Saguru moved his eye to try and pinpoint her. "I am just..." Did he really need to hide it now? They had to know and it was not as though he were able to move as he usually was when he could say he was fine. He closed his eyes. "A bit tired." 'No doubt in part to the loss of blood as well as the medication.'

"Everyone will quiet down then," Eri spoke sternly to those in the room, mostly to the two boys who'd just been speaking. She put his hand gently on the side of Hakuba-kun's face. "You should get some rest."

Saguru opened his eyes at the touch and aimed them at the figure that was right there. He was unsure how to respond however he blinked a few times before just closing them and taking a few breaths.

Eri looked down at the boy, and it wasn't out of pity that she was helping him. Nothing good would have come of that and this child needed commitment. She still planned on fulfilling her earlier decision of having him live with her, now more so. The others all had children to look after and, while he husband was a complete moron half the time, her daughter was safe with him. She took her hand away after brushing his cheek and sitting down. Eri waved her hand at the group around her. "Go sit down, I don't even care if it's on the floor. Even I feel crowded."

Nakamori was right beside Hattori-kun, and while he felt the necessity of staying close, this woman had done what he had planned on. He sat on the floor where he was, thinking now that Hakuba-kun may be feeling crowded and hating that he hadn't realized the boy was tired with how much he had his eyes closed, not to mention what he had been through.

Heiji tipped his head and huffed but from what he had heard she could be as scary as Kazuha and Neechan. He wasn't getting far from Kudo or Hakuba so he tapped Hakuba's leg before sitting on the floor, one knee up to prop his arm on.

Conan looked down at Hattori for a moment before moving a bit to get his legs up, laying down next to Hakuba. "I'm kinda tired too."

Yusaku watched his son, reaching over and patting the bed. "I'm going to call and see if I can find where my wife has run off to this time. I'll be back. Take care." He spoke more so Hakuba-kun could know he was there. That, and Yukiko was really pushing things. He sighed and shook his head, sure his son could look after things while he walked out to make a call for a few minutes.

Saguru had not realized Kudo-san had been there as well and wondered once again how many were actually there. He felt even more in the dark simply by being unable to tell who was there and a bit of residual guilt that they would now be sitting around, some on the floor by the sound of it, while he rested.

Chikage motioned Aoko over to the cot and the two of them sat down, Chikage's mind a few miles away but she still noticed Mouri-san walk over at sit in a chair while his daughter stared at Hakuba-kun... no, Shinichi-kun for a moment before she turned and took a seat near her father. Chikage smiled and went back to thinking.

Kazuha had been waiting with Ran-chan but she went over and sat with her dad. Kazuha wasn't very comfortable sitting with the two of them so she sat on the floor where she was, crossing her legs. She looked up from the floor at Heiji, then back down, not wanting to tempt him to talk. That kinda annoyed her so she got up for a second and moved to sit next to him, leaning her head lightly against his shoulder.

Heiji looked over at Kazuha and sighed. If he didn't want to avoid both Kazuha and Neechan's mom getting on his case he'd comment on her action. Instead he patted her arm before propping his chin on his hand again. With Kudo napping to and Kuroba somehow slipping out at some point, he'd have to go on what he knew to figure out these 'accidents' Kudo talked about.

Yusaku waited until he was away from the room a bit, making a call to Yukiko. He couldn't keep chasing her around like this every time something upset her. She could control that urge most of the time, why things were setting her off now when she really should be here, he didn't know.

Yukiko held up a hand as she answered her phone. "How are they?"

"Either exhausted or full of energy. Judging from looking at him, and what I could pick up form Shinichi, Hakuba-kun has suffered some complications. The boy's trying to sleep right now, so there's no point in returning this very moment, but I believe you know you should be here. What are you up to anyway?" Yusaku had to admit he was curious about that. He could often tell exactly what his wife had up her sleeve but leaving them twice now, and when Hakuba-kun would not doubt be having issues whether they were apparent or not, it would affect the others as well. She may be hard on them sometimes, but Yukiko's heart was usually in the right place. He thought she would provide the reassurances that he found Mouri's wife providing, be it that he took her for a much stricter woman.

Yukiko tipped her head and smiled. "I had hoped to surprise Hakuba-kun. Considering what happened, I thought he'd like his own bird. Ran-chan mentioned it when I asked about those doves she and Hattori-kun have. I'm not sure where the dove he had went but she said he had a falcon one time she saw him. I found his house even though the place is a complete mess." She sniffed in distaste. "But I should be back soon. It took me awhile to find a decent glove- no sense of style."

"Yukiko... do you even know how to handle one? There should be a mask too, and those types of birds a predators, it won't recognize you." Yusaku sighed. "Do you need help?" He had little doubt anything would stop her, so he may as well offer his assistance.

"Hmmmm..." Yukiko looked around again then sighed. "I suppose if you know so much about them you may as well."

Yusaku listened closely, not needing to write the address down as she spoke it to him. "Don't try and touch it until I get there. You may end up startling the creature and I won't be able to get it back if it escapes." Hm. The boy has a falcon. "They are very smart creatures, don't think you can get the best of it. You never will. I'll see you shortly." He hung up with his wife, stuffing the phone in his pocket. He walked back in the room quietly, going up to Eri for his keys back and waving to the room in general to show he was stepping out for a while.

Saguru was regretting bringing up the car accident as not only had it lead to the further questions rather than simply answering one, not that Conan-kun or Nakamori-keibu had appeared to have understood it as such, it had also pulled those memories to the forefront of his mind. It had no bearing on the events that had taken place and as such those where what he was suppose to focus on.

Conan had his eyes closed, tired, but something bothering him. He wished he'd asked the inspector what exactly had happened then. If he'd been seen, and he had to have been because Nakamori-keibu said he was close, he wouldn't be chasing nothing. Why only shoot Hakuba and try to kill him? Kid was close to, he had to have known before that. That left two witness that the man was completely ignoring in order to get Hakuba and that made no sense. Why? It was pointless. Or if anything, beyond cruel. The bullets would have proven more that it wasn't Inspector Nakamori, so it wasn't to frame anyone. He put a hand up to his face, messing with his bangs by default as he thought. When he opened his eyes, more or sensed and felt than saw, that Hakuba was just as restless. He looked up. Everyone had been quiet and Hakuba did need the sleep, not the nightmares. He stopped himself from sighing and got up. He didn't need the sleep, it was just the side effect he always got with pain medication. He had no intention of hurting Hakuba so he had to move. Conan stood, a bit unsteadily, mostly because he was on the bed. He walked over to Hakuba like he had before, only stopping at his shoulder and laying back down, his forehead near the top of Hakuba's head. He felt like some friendly kitty, but there wasn't anywhere else to really go and there were probably a million things upsetting him. Conan put his small hand lightly on Hakuba's forehead, too blind from this angle to go anywhere else. "Don't worry about anything right now. We'll deal with it later. The police are doing what they can and, as of right now, it really isn't our job. You can just rest." He spoke quietly enough, Hakuba right there to hear him, and put his hand down, getting comfortable himself.

Saguru took a steadying breath just as he felt a second hand pat his leg. If they could both notice his actions already he would indeed be hard pressed to keep the others from wondering what the other two were reacting to. He would have to tell at least Nakamori-keibu but he did not feel that he could even if he wanted to. He resolved to try once more to put it aside for when he was alone.

Conan poked at Hakuba this time instead of Hattori. "And that doesn't mean hiding it. I've had repeated conversations with you before, and I'll continue them. I'm telling you to get some sleep- you need, not to ignore your feelings. If its that bad, we're here now too, but get some sleep after." Conan knew, from the moment he was sitting next to Hakuba in that other hostpial room, just the two of them really - besides Ran's parents - that the guy could be far more stubborn about this kind of thing than he ever was. He'd called him repressed at the time. Now Hakuba was caught between trying to stop it and trying to fall back into the stream. "If that's who you want to be though, there isn't much I can say to you that will change anything."

Saguru had to wonder if others thought he could do that too. "No." He managed quietly, doubting anyone else had heard, if Conan-kun even had. "That car... accident... I mentioned." If he was going to prove he could choose rather than follow everything his fa- he'd been told he had to say this. "Driver's side... died... on impact."

Conan knew he'd been the only one talking to Hakuba about this. It was easy enough to figure out even without previous knowledge what that meant. Conan put his hand where his had been before, not moving it away this time. "Gomen. I didn't mean to bring that up. I didn't know."

Eri had been sitting there and listen to the boy's that had developed such a close relationship with one another, all due to what they'd been through together and that wasn't the healthiest of bonds, so she'd been still and watching, mostly for what she had missed. Though she heard nothing of an accident, she could see the tears down the boy's face and realized soon after what it meant. She put her hand back on his cheek, brushing some of the tears away. She would not be trying to become any sort of replacement for him, but she could be something different. "You have a home anywhere you want to go, and people who care about you. I hope you know that."

Forget sitting, the woman's words, which were about the only ones he could catch from on the floor, got Nakamori's attention. He stood up, keeping his distance because he saw the kid was crying and didn't want to interrupt. He would if he had to, but he knew when he wasn't the one in control and didn't want to interrupt or distract her while she was talking about whatever the kid had reacted to.

So others had heard him too. He also heard shuffling and figured that some of the others had noticed, if not him than the actions of the other two. He was unsure why he bothered to open his eyes as nothing had changed yet, however he shifted his gaze over to the form he could make out to the side and blinked to let her know he heard her. He scanned to the other side however he couldn't make out anyone. "No one did... never spoke... about it since."

Nakamori wasn't sure if he'd heard that the wrong way or not. It sounded like the kid had just said no one cared about him. So the first case or two he wasn't sure, but- "You think I listen to any snot noised punk that thinks they're better than me? Hakuba-kun, tell me you didn't already know half the people here." Nakamori waved his hand at the room, even if the boy couldn't see it. "I know how it wouldn't come up in conversation, but don't you dare say no one cared about you." The growls were there, though he kept his voice at a normal volume. "It anything that's an insult."

"I do know that." 'now.' Saguru paused. "I was... referring to... an accident... back in England."

Nakamori crossed his arms but backed off, grumbling. "That was not what I was talking about."

Conan let out a sigh with a smile. He poked Hakuba lightly on the head, not sure where he was hurt but guessing the top was a safe bet considering where the swelling was. "You probably tired to handle those emotions on your own. Not that shocking that the memory brought them back up. I don't really know what else to say except 'sorry' in this kind of situation... so sorry."

Saguru opened his mouth but stopped and took another breath. "Arigatou... Conan-kun." He blinked and tried to clarify for Nakamori-keibu as he had heard him just fine. "Nakamori-keibu... I had not... intended to... insult anyone." He was going to dry his throat out faster this way. "I am... taken aback... even knowing... everything... I have been told... in the past... few days... still new."

Nakamori's temper had cooled as fast as it had come. "I know, kid. Stop straining yourself with expiations. I've got it." He let out a husky breath, staring over at him before patting him on the shoulder and going back to where he was.

Saguru let his eyes close again, fully, somewhat glad for the mask as it hid the small smile he knew would have formed otherwise, and attempted to rest again now that he had told at least told two others.

Conan waited a few minutes until he was sure Hakuba was fine, resting again now. If he had any nightmares, Conan was sure he'd be able to tell from this angle. Just to be sure, he spoke quietly. "I wish you good dreams" to Hakuba, hoping at least his subconscious would pick up on all of that.

Heiji was lost as to what was going on and had tried to move closer but they hadn't been talking loud enough. 'More stuff I missed. Shoulda just started walking an' let Kazuha deal with Kudo's mom herself.' He would be getting his answers when he was at least awake enough to answer and do so without hurting himself since he had to... agree with Nakamori-Keibu, Hakuba shouldn't be talking. He knew what that felt like too. When the others settled back down he settled to lean against the side of the bed and work out both the accidents here and wonder why this other one in England seemed to have been harder on him than all the ones in Japan.

---

Yukiko looked over at Yusaku as they headed toward the boy's room. "I still would have thought a place like that would be neater. I could suggest a good service to go in and clean up that mess." Yukiko looked off in the distance as she ran through a list of people that she could call in a favor or just ask a favor off.

"Leave it alone, honey. You know what happened with his father. The police aren't exactly 'neat' when they're looking for something." Though it had not been the police that were there, and they were never that messy. He'd phoned the inspector, getting let in on what Shinichi had been up to earlier, since they corresponded. Until he knew for sure, he hadn't wanted his wife to know someone dangerous was in the area. "Hakuba-kun also has a lot on his mind. Don't trouble him with something as inconsequential as this."

Yukiko huffed. "Fine." She brightened up again. "But I'm gonna make sure the place is neat as a pin before he sees it." She reached for the knob. "Ready?"

"No," Yusaku spoke clearly before he let his wife open the door. "Tell Ran-chan and Hattori-kun to step out here for a moment."

Yukiko paused, disappointed that her surprise had to wait even longer. "OK." She slipped in and headed over to the two teens on the floor by the bed. "Hattori-kun, my husband wants you and Ran-chan to step outside for a moment."

Heiji looked up then stood slightly to look over at Hakuba and Kudo.

Kazuha backed off Heiji, opening her eyes more than they had been and waking herself. She smiled lightly to him, still tired and not having been able to get anymore sleep either downstairs or up here. Hospitals gave her an uneasy feeling anyway, and with Ran going with, she didn't mind Heiji leaving... if only for a few minutes. She nodded to him, looking towards Ran-chan after and wondering what he wanted with them.

Ran stood and walked over to the others. "Did he say why?" When she got a headshake Ran sighed and looked over at where Conan-kun was sleeping by Hakuba-kun as Hattori-kun started away. She turned and followed him to the door.

Yusaku watched both teenagers exit with his wife, putting his hand on Ran-chan's shoulder so she'd stop in front of him. The bird that had been with her since he'd seen her was on top her of head at the moment, and went he put a finger up to call it to himself, the bird scooted back. "I thought so." He stepped back and pointed up to it. "These are Toichi-kun's son's right? Can you get him to recall them for the time being?"

"If he were here maybe. Think he made them guard birds or some'in'." Heiji stroked the feathers of the one on his shoulder.

"Can you stay outside for a while then? Oh, and Yukiko, hawk. Falcons have dark indications by their eyes that slope down, hawks do not. This is a hawk."

"It's a big bird... and pretty. Same idea."

Heiji had to refrain from whistling. "Never got ta see him but I heard 'im mentioned."

Ran smiled. 'I told her hawk. Why would she say falcon?' "I don't mind, I think Watson would cheer him up big time."

"I'm sorry but you two can't be near him until those doves are somewhere safe. Large predatory birds will eat smaller birds, and if they are there to protect you they'll consider it a threat and not fly away." The cage was covered as it should be and the bird had the mask over his head. Once they were in the room, Yusaku was hoping to remove both. "You'll need to stay in the hallway for the time being."

Heiji saw Neechan nod and step to the side. He was bummed he had to wait but moved aside as well. "Go 'head. Jus' wish I could see Kazuha's reaction."

Yusaku looked at his wife a moment before he smiled, bending down and getting inside to remove the mask the blocked sight and sound from reaching the bird. The creature itself was fairly light, though the cage had some weight to it. The bird couldn't see much still and he closed the door, stepping back for his wife. "I'll stay outside with the kids. This was your idea so go ahead."

Yukiko nodded and carefully grabbed the cage before slipping into the room again, her love of surprises making her almost giddy.

Yusaku sighed with a smile, looking at the other two. "I'm sorry about that." He laughed lightly. "With Yukiko, it might even be better that you need to wait. I'm sure no one would mind you sticking your head in though. Just make sure the birds aren't spotted."

Ran rolled her eyes up to her hair. "I think she likes it there and I've seen Watson when Hakuba-kun had him with him on a case." She hardly finished when Hattori had poked his head though, using one hand to keep the dove there by petting it and the other holding the door mostly closed.

Nakamori watched the woman who seemed to be Conan's mother- or Kudo's wife, which made no sense since they had different last names. Maybe she had taken in another kid or had one with another man. No idea why Kudo-kun would have taken her back if it was the second, but he knew how messed up family situations could be. The kid could even be a relative, though he had no idea... why was the boy living with Mouri. Nakamori shook his head. He'd figure that out later. That was damned odd though. The cage the woman came in holding was more odd, so that got his attention. He didn't want to talk and wake Hakuba or end up sounding like an idiot though, so he stood there to wait and see what she was up to.

Eri watched her friend of all those years ago carry in a cage and she rose an eyebrow at her, pointing over to Hakuba-kun who couldn't have been silent more than half an hour. She put a finger to her lips after pointing to the boy to show he was sleeping and whatever she was planning, it would wait until the boy awoke.

Yukiko never lost her smile but nodded and moved over to the place the cage on the tray table. She gathered up the cover and lifted it slowly.

Eri looked at the fairly large bird that was in the cage after Yukiko had revealed it, speaking quietly. "And why did you get that?"

Aoko smiled and stood, walking over to the cage. "You went to get Watson."

Yukiko nodded. "I figured he'd like having him here. Ran-chan said he usually kept him with him. I figured it was a nice surprise. Well, still a great surprise. He gets to wake up with him here."

Eri found that the boy keeping such a pet was peculiar, but more in an extremist sense of the word since she knew next to no one did. "Does he have to be caged?" She held up her hands. Even if he didn't, with the bird's owner unconscious, it would likely not listen to any of them and if the doctor or someone came in and the bird got out, it would only cause trouble. "Nevermind. Leave it in there."

"Well, I bought this and found this one next to the cage." Yukiko grinned as she held up the... whatever-they-were-called gloves.

Aoko looked over at Kazuha-chan and waved her over.

Kazuha looked up, then over at Aoko as they were staring at whatever it was that was in the cage. When Aoko-chan looked like she wanted her, she stood up, going over and seeing the bird that was inside. She'd never seen one like it before. She went over to Aoko-chan, keeping her eyes on the bird as she went.

Aoko smiled. "Watson's Hakuba-kun's. What do you think?"

Kazuha shrugged, looking over at her. "I donno, he's kinda big fer a bird. Kind looks scary ta touch him."

"He's a hawk-"

"And well trained or I'd order it out."

Kazuha looked over at the doctor when he came in, covering her mouth when she remember she was supposed to be quiet. Aoko-chan and the others had been talking though... and the doctor had too now. Maybe it was okay. Ran's mother hadn't yelled at them yet, so it seemed okay.

Nakamori moved where he was by the wall and went over to the doctor for a moment, placing a hand on his shoulder while he whispered in his ear. "What I said before, I'm taking over as his legal guardian now. I'm going to call some people so this isn't an issue. You won't be reaching the kid's mother though." He let his arm fall, going over to where Conan-kun had put the juice and snatching up his phone before walking out for a moment.

Asano was confused and looked over at the others as the inspector walked out with a cell phone. He took in the room and headed toward the woman next to Hakuba-kun. "What happened?"

Eri looked up at this new man who could be no one but Hakuba-kun's doctor. She looked him over for a second before settling on his eyes, standing, and putting some distance so she wouldn't wake up Hakuba-kun. "You need to specify your question. A lot has happen, though nothing recently. Kisaki Eri," she spoke with a slight bow her head. She refused to be classified as someone only here for their own purposes, so she left off her profession.

"Doctor Asano," he replied with a nod of his own. "I was referring to whatever caused the inspector to rush out of here. He wasn't acting that that before so something happened and, as it seems to be connected to Hakuba-kun, I need to know what happened."

"They were talking about it over my head but it is easy enough to assume, what with his behavior too." Eri's voice lowered of it's own accord. "I don't know when, but Hakuba-kun's mother seems to have died in a car accident, if I'm understanding this correctly. From the sounds of it, he seemed to have been there at the time too." And though it was terrible to lose a parent that way, the fact that he had been there, and was most likely hurt himself, to have seen something like that was terrible.

"Ah." Asano nodded. That answered a lot more questions than even what he had intended to ask. He looked over at the two on the bed, Conan-kun curled up and sleeping beside Hakuba-kun's head. "I had not known that. Than again he never talks about personal stuff so however you found that out could be helpful. I knew he'd been injured other times but he'd wave it off. A car accident would explain some of them. I appreciate your sharing that information and for being here for him. Watson there was a good idea. None of us would have known where to go. I never knew he had an actual cage though."

Eri nodded her head while he was speaking. When he finished, she indicated her head to the other two. "If Conan-kun and Hattori-kun have had no problem with you, I thought you might like that information. Those two are, or should be, the most wary of trusting anyone at this point." She couldn't help that last bit because she was interested though, and she wanted to know. "How have you seen the bird if Hakuba-kun was injured here and no one knew where he was located?"

"A few of the times he was brought in the bird was with him. The best I can figure is they were together when he was hurt and no one wanted to take charge of the bird. When he's been alone we found that hawk was a better warning system than the instruments. We'd leave the door cracked open and if Watson started acting up someone would be in the room before the alarms went off. I'm not sure if Hakuba-kun even knows." Asano shook his head. "I sure didn't think it would be possible."

"Would such a predatory bird be comfortable around this much people? I'd be worried because Conan-kun is so small too, and being next to Hakuba-kun might give the creature the wrong impression. If you think it's safe to let him out, I don't see the problem, but I also don't know how it would react to so many people with its master unconscious." Eri waved a hand at the doctor. "You're more familiar with it, so if you believe it's fine, we can."

"Not sure. Both the amount of people here and if he knows any of you would determine that." Asano looked back over at Hakuba-kun. "Either way, I had hoped to check how his breathing has been and if we can move from the mask to a nasal cannula but I can't with him asleep."

"He was tired. It took some work to even get him to rest. He scarily managed to admit to it. Let him sleep." Eri looked over at Hakuba-kun, then to the bird. "Just to be safe, he can stay in there until he wakes up."

Asano nodded. "Call me as soon as he wakes up. Otherwise a nurse will come in to check and change the bag in another hour and a half."

"I will," Eri assured him. If Hakuba-kun didn't need that mask, he'd likely be happier not to have it on. She went back over to her seat, seeing the Inspector she knew by reputation alone return, a bit red around the collar. He didn't seem angry still, so she had to assume child services wouldn't be running in at a second's noticed. Feeling relieved, she lowered herself into the chair and wished Ran was at her side.

Asano stepped over to the inspector after Kisaki-san moved back to the boy's bedside. "I'm going to take it you more or less settled on your choice and, as such, you have to sign a couple things. I can send it here or you can come with me or we continue as we have and you can take care of it later."

Nakamori looked around the room, his eyes settling for a moment on Mouri. Kudo-kun had the devil's luck when it came to avoiding trouble but the kid's didn't, and he did not feel at all comfortable leaving them. He did want to make sure any information was passed to him though and even speaking in this room would be waking the kid. He held up a finger to the doctor to wait a sec before going over to Mouri, taking out his gun, and holding it out to him. "Keep them safe for a few minutes."

Kogoro looked up at the man but any insults or comments died on his lips. He reached out and accepted the weapon. "I will."

"Damn kids," Nakamori muttered as he put his now free hand up and scratched into his hair. His other hand fell into his pocket and he walked back over to the doctor. "If I'm doing this, I'm not half-assing it. I don't want to wake the kid. Let's go."

Asano nodded and led the way out of the room and past the two teens with the doves on them and the man standing nearby.

…

Nakamori finished signing all the stupid paperwork, looking up at the doctor after. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I don't trust you." He put the pen down and backed away. "However Hakuba-kun was getting those injuries, it was clearly on purpose. I know that, if something like this happens, the hospital can take over the kid's protection from even his father. You didn't. Whoever the fuck has been working in this conspiracy, I'm going to find them and prove it. Whether you were or not, the kid is in your care right now. You better take damned good care of him."

"Considering the father wasn't nearby any of those times and I got the reports from the police that stated that as well as how they had been accidents, my hands were tied. If he had come in even once where I had no explanation from the police I would have done just that. My every question was answered though so my superiors told me to back off. The best I was able to do was treat him when he was brought in. Considering you are a cop I still only half trust you, and that's because Hakuba-kun obviously does." Asano picked up the papers.

"What department was that?" That information right there made Nakamori interested. "The cops, when they called it in, what department? They should have stated it, even if they were different people." An underling or anything. Kid was mostly division two, so any 'accidents' that happened then would have had to have been handled only by their division. Hakuba-kun had stuck his nose into division 1 and 3 plenty of times now though.

Asano looked up and thought about it. "I'd never thought to keep track. I know more than a few were Division 2 but there were the odd times when it was One... those were also the more obvious injuries, much like now." He looked back at the inspector.

Both? It had to be someone as high up as the Superintendent then. He trusted that man with more than his life, had no doubt that he was one of the good guys, but who would have such power and in both divisions? They could have lied, but if the doctor wasn't in on it, he would have noticed the same person calling it in. Nakamori had to pause for a while. Conan-kun may have been just a kid, but his own mind was going back to... a secret maybe. He didn't often call in his own stuff, and why not let them handle it if it were only so-and-so injury to a kid that wasn't directly part of the current investigation. Easy then to get reports from both divisions, maybe even easier. If the more severe ones were in division one, that was likely where the person was stationed- and hell, his father was in Investigations. Nakamori looked back up at the man, seeing he was being stared at as well. "Any more information you could provide, anything odd, please tell me."

"Well... there was always a call that the person would ask to go straight to Hakuba-kun shortly before he was discharged and after that he always went quiet for awhile only to leave without a word besides a thanks and a bow. The oddest part was, even if we made the decision to do it early, the call came."

"Shit." Nakamori keep the eye contact after he turned away with the swear. "Whether we trust each other or not, I'm going to need you to do something for me. Write up a transfer. Hakuba-kun had to go..." Nakamori shrugged. "Somewhere for some reason. Different hospital. I'm calling it in too, but I'm not disclosing it. They'll have to find the information out from here. Shouldn't be hard for whoever this bastard is. If we can use the room next door to Hakuba's for the phone number to his 'new location', that would help. I'll try and trace it. Before then no one but you and whatever nurses you trust and tell them to repeat what I just told you- he was transferred. We'll be the only ones who know." Nakamori held out his hand. "Will you help me?" This was completely against regulation, and he frankly didn't care. Even if he wanted to put a call out to the superintendent, it might be listened in on. He could understand he at idiotic actions of that other officer now, though he didn't count his own as such. "I'll try and make sure no one leaves the room. Edit it so that Hakuba had been placed in a different, empty one, if anyone checks."

Asano was surprised at this but if it would mean he wouldn't see Hakuba-kun in here again anytime soon that would actually be a good thing. He took the inspector's hand firmly. "I can say it's for further treatment for the swelling, make it out to be worse and in need of a specialist... and he couldn't handle the crowd so they were disbanded. Let the grapevine take it from there since most know I don't like others bothering my patients." He smirked at that. "So you make sure he isn't bothered."

Nakamori grinned. "Sound perfect." He had to make sure of something, so doing any of the other things he needed could wait a bit. There was no hurry. Right now though, he'd need to talk to the others. "Thank you." And, this man really did seem sincere. That didn't sound like ulterior motives to have some partner come in while the guard was low.

Asano nodded and let go, turning to take care of the paperwork he just got and penciling in some 'observations' as to Hakuba-kun's condition and the actions of those that were visiting.

Nakamori watched for a moment before heading to the bathroom and making a call of his own to headquarters, explaining the situation in loud words and anger that felt more authentic than it really was. He headed back up to the room with his hands in his pockets and head down. He hated deceiving his fellow officers, but until he knew what was going on, he could handle this on his own. He knew people from other precincts and could get the equipment he needed secretly and easily. Both pluses but that was from doing things like this for far too long now. Really, stupid idiots. Who would- It just made Nakamori angrier thinking about it, so he let it go, passing the kids in the hall and Kudo-kun, still mostly where they had been when he'd left, and went back in the room, leaving his firearm in Mouri-kun's possession until he was sure he'd be staying for the time being. He'd have to run out and grab a few things eventually.

Aoko looked over when her dad came back and could tell he was upset. It was the attitude he had before a Kid heist. She stepped over to him but kept her voice low. "Otousan, what's wrong?"

Nakamori put a hand on his daughter's shoulder before putting it up in the air. "Everyone, you're going to need to stay in here. If anyone leaves, it will have to be Kudo-kun or someone else that hasn't been seen around Hakuba-kun. We've got more than one leak." He let those words hang and their meaning hang. He nodded over to the woman who had brought the bird- thinking maybe even Kudo-kun was too much of a risk now. "Cover the cage. The other's can't be in the hall. When they need to leave, they can you the room next door." He wanted to everyone to understand and the woman to follow his order.

Yukiko frowned but dropped the cover over the cage.

Nakamori turned back and opened the door. "All of you get back in here."

Heiji walked in, noting Neechan going by and heading toward the bed, but he wasn't happy about the door being shut like that. "Wha' was tha' 'bout?"

Nakamori waited until the other three were in, making sure the door was closed and going closer where he had been before, so that he could talk to all of them. "Like I said a second ago, whoever was- I don't know who caught what but Hakuba-kun was being injured. Whoever was responsible for it knew exactly where he was. If anything, they know where he is now, and that's not acceptable. I don't know what they would or could be planning, so as far as the hospital staff and HQ are concerned, Hakuba-kun was transferred to another hospital because of his condition. I don't want any idiots running around and showing off that he's still here."

Heiji muttered a few choice words and looked over at the bed. "Not again."

Nakamori put up his hand. "We're not doing this alone. That would be beyond stupid. I know people in other prefectures that I'm going to ask for help on this. Some can even come in the hospital itself to keep watch or to catch this guy." Nakamori gave Hattori-kun a hard look. "This will not be a repeat of what happened before. I'm not some lone officer."

Heiji huffed. He wasn't going anywhere if someone would try to get to Hakuba in here, not to mention with Kudo here that gave him double reason. 'Too bad Hakuba doesn't still have 'is dove... or better yet that Kuroba didn' take ours. That hawk would be a good deterrent.'

Kazuha stood and went over to Heiji, a smile on her face. "Don' worry 'bout it." She could see that worry easily enough and looked over at Ran-chan before back at him. "I'm not givin' up easy this time."

Ran nodded. "Me neither."

Heiji hid a grimace with a smirk. Someone trying to get them, with even Nakamori-keibu and the other adults, would be tough. Add in Kazuha and Neechan and the one that tried wouldn't stand a chance.

Kazuha smiled and pointed to herself. "An' I ain't from here. I was in the waitin' room at the other hospital an' I dinn' even really see Hakuba-kun 'till we were alone." Kazuha pointed over at Aoko-chan. "So no one should know me." She smiled at the room in general. "If ya need anythin' jus' ask. I kin get it."

Aoko smiled at Kazuha-chan and nodded. She was still worried but was glad that Kazuha-chan had seemed to have forgiven her for the delay in calling her.

The girl wasn't from the area, it was true, and comparatively, Nakamori didn't see a better choice. Maybe Chikage would be safe, but that was the only other person he could think of since she hadn't been at the hospital. Kudo-kun and his wife had already been to Hakuba-kun's so that could have-. Nakamori went over and tapped the woman on the shoulder, curious about something. "You're Kudo-kun's wife, aren't you? He said he'd been going to pick you up. I don't think I've met you before."

Yukiko flashed a smile. "Yep. Kudo Yukiko."

"Conan-kun isn't-" The boy did look a lot like Kudo, but that could have been the glasses. If he was living with Mouri though, and this woman was the boy's mother, he only really saw one possible option that he wasn't going to bring up in conversation. "There is no way that boy's been running around without his parents here. He certainly does look a lot like Kudo-kun." He let that implication hang, hoping the situation would be explained to him.

Yukiko smiled and never missed a beat, going with a cover story she'd used before. "He does look a bit like Shinichi, even Ran-chan mentioned that. Blame him for Conan-kun being into mysteries, he's the one that taught him so much."

"Shinichi?" Oh, Nakamori had met that teenage detective. He had guessed he was Kudo-kun's son, though he'd never seen his wife before. He looked back over at Conan-kun for a moment. "Are they brothers?"

Yukiko had used that too but as Kudo Conan and this man knew him as Edogawa. She started laughing and shook her head as she stalled. "He's as close as and with all the time he spent with us when he was younger..." She smiled and let him draw his own conclusions. If Shinichi says something later it could be passed off as his assumption rather than an outright contradiction.

Nakamori lowered his voice and frowned. "He's not Mouri-kun's is he?"

"He- Wait- What?" Yukiko was shocked and that was not something that most people could do.

Nakamori backed up a bit with a shrug. He was obviously wrong but he didn't understand it. "He's your son, right? Or close to it? And he looked a lot like Kudo-kun, but he's staying with Mouri-kun." Nakamori shrugged again. "So who's is he?"

"He's staying with the Mouris because he enjoyed it here in Japan with them instead of going to America with his parents. Edogawa Fumiyo is the name of Conan-kun's mom. She's a distant relative of mine too."

"Then why isn't she here? Why are you and Kudo-kun here instead?" Nakamori was angry but he had to keep his voice down for Hakuba-kun. He'd have enough with the shitty parents act.

"Oh she is... that hotel room is theirs." 'And the things I need are there too.' "Kaito-kun showed up and we didn't wait longer than it took for us to find out where you went to leave or they would have left on their own again. I can head over and track her down. I think her cell phone died again."

"I was there though." Nakamori hadn't seen anyone and he'd stayed over night. Whatever though. Let them be piss ass parents. "I told you, we're staying in this room. I'm not going to put Hakuba-kun in danger for you, them, or anyone." He made his words clear and as demanding as he could at a low volume.

Yukiko rolled her eyes. "You think any more people would have fit in that room? They stayed downstairs with the other two."

"Okay, fine, I missed them. Doesn't matter. No one's leaving right now until I figure this out." Nakamori took a breath and walked away. The girl could leave, spaced out. They had a bathroom, could get food, and he was going to set up the other room for any calls that might come in so he could trace them. The girl could get the equipment for that when he needed it and called it in. For now, everyone was staying put.

Yukiko kept herself from smiling, cover story and renewed reputation both set. No sense in having him go after 'Fumiyo' after this. She just had to make sure the others knew the story too, just in case.

Yusaku waited for the inspector to walk away and then went over to his wife, speaking quietly. "You know, you could have just said that we couldn't get in touch with them and that he was your cousin's child, who was going through some financial trouble or something, so Mouri-kun agreed to watch him since we're traveling a lot." He shrugged a little. "You make things overly complicated sometimes."

"It was under Edogawa and we weren't the ones that signed into the room. Besides," Yukiko tipped her head and eyed her husband. "You did spend all night downstairs."

"I doubt it would have come up, and if anything, we could have said we put the room under her name because we were trying to locate her." Yusaku shrugged again. "I don't think all of us in that small room would have helped matters away, like you said."

"Well... story's done." Yukiko smiled, "And it's not like it's the most elaborate I've ever done."

"I know. It was fine, if not a bit drawn out." Yusaku rubbed the palm of his hand into his eye, his headache mostly gone, and moved to stand over against the wall as he had nothing to say and he'd rather be the quiet observer for a time.

Ran stepped over to her mom and knelt beside her. "This has been one nightmare after another," she said as she leaned her head against her.

"All nightmares end, honey. And when they do, we can appreciate the morning all the more. I'm sorry you've had to go through this, that everyone has, but at least the world has a little more light in it now, because you're all still here, and the actions carried out by the others can't be repeated."

Ran sighed. "I know every time they stop someone it's good but... dealing with so much so quick," She looked over at Conan-kun and Hakuba-kun then over to Hattori-kun. "They need the break."

"That's been said nearly every time," Eri shook her head. "And it doesn't seem to be happening. I think everyone agrees with you there."

Ran settled beside the chair. "Mm, maybe this time will be the one."

---

Kaito, or technically Kid at the moment, was sitting in a very large abandoned warehouse of some sort. It seemed the only purpose for picking this place to see just how far everyone's words could echo when they shouted. He was in the back corner right now, sitting on a box and balancing a knife he'd gotten from one of those nearby on his fingertip. No conclusion was being come to and some of the people who he had come with had already gotten into fistfights with the others. It wasn't as if they were the sole offenders. There was an equal amount of fighting on both sides and Kid wanted no part of it. His white outfit in such a dark and dirty place stood out starkly compared to the clothes some of the others were wearing. They would come to an agreement in time, since the other man from the split, leading those of less reputable behavior, had no grievances against his master thief alter-ego. Time. Time. Time. Not something he ever favored though something that certainly knew how to annoy the heck out of him when it wanted to. All this pathetic arguing was tiresome.

---

Eri was glad that Ran stayed near her, thought she felt bad her daughter had to sit on the floor. With her leaning against her, Eri put a hand up to the side of her head. The room was either quiet or full of the odd, quietly held, conversation. She had a watch on but she had no starting time to judge by when Hakuba-kun started to stir. His fingers moved at first so she wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not, but the movement continued until she was sure he was waking again. Deciding it was best to let him gather his surrounds with so little sight to go on and her voice likely to startle him, she let things be.

Saguru opened his eyes only to find that his vision had not improved. He could feel Conan-kun still by his head but it was so quiet he would have thought he was alone otherwise. He let out a long, slow breath and half closed his eyes. He reminded himself that they had not done so before and were likely simply remaining quiet due to the two of them sleeping and he was not going to risk waking Conan-kun by speaking himself.

Nakamori waited until Hakuba-kun had opened his eyes before going over to him, speaking softly. He was fairly certain but he wanted an answer and he would send the girl to get the doctor after. "Hey, Hakuba-kun, tell me. Did Hakuba-san call you before you were released for the hospital in the past?" He had guessed that's what it was, but he wasn't sure. If he was wrong, he could only get more information. "I need you to tell me."

Saguru's eyes widened slightly. "No... he would... talk to me... when I returned... home... but I would... receive a call... before I was... discharged." 'And if those calls had been from him I would have mentioned something sooner as there would have been a connection between the accidents and him.'

Nakamori shook his head. "It's not normal. Whoever it was that was calling you was watching as closely as your doctor. Who was it?" Come on kid, how hard is it to answer a question?

"It was just the... final word... on what happened." Saguru thought back to the conversations he had had concerning the accidents and sighed. "They always... identified themselves... with either... Division One... or Two, depending... on the case... I had been on... and always male." 'How is it possible that someone was so knowledgeable about that? No one ever came here that I knew of.'

"The lie to them and the lie to you. I never hear about it and no one else does." Nakamori smiled to himself. "Clever. You don't say a word about it, because- no idea," Nakamori shrugged. "You're like that. If anything, there'll probably be a call before that to the hospital then." He looked over at Kudo-kun, since his own voice was very recognizable. "Think you can play a good doctor?"

Yusaku raised his hands. "Why not? I want to be filled in on just what it is I'm participating in though."

Nakamori nodded. "I have to make a few calls. It will be some time after that." He placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. "Go get the doctor and tell him he's awake. No names." Nakamori would head over into the other room so he could make a few calls while she did that.

Kazuha had no idea what was going on but she understood what the man was asking of her, so she nodded. "I got it." She looked over at Heiji for a moment, smiling and brushing her hand down his arm before taking a few quick steps to the door. "I'll be right back."

Heiji looked over at Kazuha. "There and back."

Saguru smiled slightly at Hattori's comment however his mind went to what Nakamori-keibu had said. Even those calls had been fake and he was uncertain how to help further. He had always received the calls to explain the results of the investigation and as such the case was closed. Returning home his father would enter in on his typical lectures. He ought to have pursued it however he had not and therefore never found out about the deceptions.

Kazuha smiled before closing the door. "There 'n back." She kept it as she walked down the halls, going to the nurse's station. "Excuse me, can ya page Asano-sensei for me. He told me ta find him 'round this time."

The nurse behind the counter smiled at the young woman who came up to her, glad for something to do. She'd been keeping still for a while now and the older woman working with her had gone on break. "Sure thing. I'll page him. He should come to the desk in the next ten minutes. If he doesn't, he may be with a patient and you may have to wait."

Kazuha nodded, her smile growing when the lady smiled back at her. She leaned her back against the desks, looking down the halls. She had no idea where this energy came from, maybe being overtired, maybe being so close to Heiji for so long, but whatever. Now she just needed the doc to come so he could help Hakuba-kun.

Asano headed to the desk as soon as he heard the page. He spotted the girl that had been with Hattori-kun earlier and approached her. "Yes?"

Kazuha smiled to show nothing was wrong. "Ya said ya wanted to know when my little sis woke up." Ah, ha, gomen Hakuba-kun. I just pictured tha' too.

Asano covered his mouth as though to think in order to hide the smile at that. "So... let's go check on the patient." He waved her with him and headed back to the hospital room.

"Um," Kazuha spoke, still in a lighthearted tone. She'd been unhappy for too long now. "Don't tell 'em I said that."

"I won't, though I must admit, it was hard not to laugh." Asano opened the door for her and followed her in.

Kazuha went to Heiji's side, smiling up at his face as she held onto his arm. "There 'n back. Ya worry too much."

Heiji scoffed at that. "Ya kindin' me? Afta the way ya acted I ain' allowed the same?"

Kazuha stuck her tongue out at him. "Ya walk out the door 'n get kidnapped. Ya breath air 'n the world falls apart. I ain't done nothin' like that."

Asano shook his head as the two teens continued to go back and forth. He scanned the room but didn't see the inspector so he headed over to the woman, Kisaki-san. "I hear the patient is awake."

Eri looked at Hakuba-kun for a moment since her eyes had been on the doctor since he entered. "Hai, but he still seems tired. Other than that nothing much has changed that I can tell." She moved her hand through her daughter's hair, almost like petting Goro. He'd be taken care of while she was away and her daughter as no cat. She braided her fingers through Ran's hair, smiling down at her, then back up at the doctor. "Anything you can do to make him more comfortable is appreciated, but can you bring in another chair or two, or tell the young woman you came in with where we could get some?"

"Of course. There would be some chairs in the next room and no one is in the rooms on either side so you can easily grab the spare chairs from there." He stepped closer to the bed and sighed. "You up for trying for the cannula instead of the mask?"

Saguru took a breath and looked forward to the freedom. "Yes, Asano-sensei." He felt the mask be removed but knew he was likely holding it. He breathed in the room air and while it was slightly harder he knew he would have to work his way back from whatever damage had been done to his trachea due to the force applied to it.

Asano used his stethoscope and heard that he was breathing OK but still slightly weaker than he would have preferred to fully remove the mask. He hooked up the nasal cannula and inserted it. "Ain't pretty but it will help and you know it. Just relax for a bit and focus on breathing." He looked over at Kisaki-san. "As you're the adult closest to him physically, if his breathing shifts at all; rapid, shallow, or anything, just put the mask on for about 10 to 15 minutes."

"I've got it," Conan spoke quietly, raising his head. He rubbed his fingers into his eye. "I'm not leaving. I can tell."

Asano looked over at the boy, smiled and nodded. "I don't doubt that. And you can't hit the button for this room for a little while."

Conan frowned. He must have missed something. Nodding anyway, he sat up, trying not to stretch. He'd ask Hattori or Ran after the man left.

Asano checked the leads and paused before shaking his head. "Kisaki-san, I believe you were told of our ruse and it just occurred to me that I should shut off the alarm but I believe with you guys here I can pass on them needing to be active, but I'll leave it to you."

"I have a good enough idea from what I've been hearing. You can turned them off, but I'd like your pager number so I can contact you if an emergency occurs," Eri spoke as she took out her cell phone. She looked over at her husband. "Take it down too, just incase." She had no idea what might come up, but if her hands were full she'd like to know that someone could.

"Of course." Asano shut of the alarms and recited his number as he did so. "There. You can still see any changes on the monitor here but it won't trigger any audio alerts and I disconnected the feed to the nurses station so it actually looks like he was moved." He lowered his voice so the boys didn't hear, just Kisaki-san. "I hope they figure out where the leak is. I do not like my patients being threatened."

Eri nodded. "Honestly, if Yusaku-kun is helping him, I don't see why they wouldn't. He's better than most investigators when it comes to things like this. For now, I doubt any of us are any happier with the situation than you are."

Asano straightened and looked over everything one last time before turning and heading out.

Conan only needed to gather what he was lacking from what the doctor had said about pretending that Hakuba wasn't there. If his father was working on it though, he could leave that be. Now that the machines warning system was off, he and Hattori were likely the only ones who truly knew how to read them.

'That explains Nakamori-keibu's question to Kudo-san.' Saguru closed his eyes and focused on breathing. He had to make sure that nothing went wrong and this was the only thing he could do.

"Oi, Hakuba," Conan spoke once the doctor was gone. He only needed to watch out for the girl, but that would be easy if he kept his voice down. "You're fine, right? If there's any added pressure," he continued speaking without pause as he looked at the machines. "You do still need to speak up, whether I can notice it or not."

Saguru opened his eyes and rolled them to the side toward where Conan-kun was. He did not want to seem rude however he did realize that he could use some ice, though it was likely water by now and no doubt it would require someone leaving to get more. "Well... ice?"

Conan smiled. "Got it." He looked around, seeing the cup over on the table. There was no way he could reach that, even if he wanted to.

"Kazuha-chan," Eri spoke up as she watched the little discussion. "Can you go into the hall? There should be a machine where you can get ice."

"Hai, hai." Kazuha said, still pouting. She turned an angry eye to Heiji and strode out of the room. "An' maybe I'll take the long way. Might not wanna just be there 'n back. Who knows." She shrugged uncaringly and opened the door to leave.

Heiji put his palm to his forehead and shook his head. "Kazuha..." He headed toward her and grabbed her sleeve before she fully walked out the door. "Be mad at me, fine. I'm a detective an' I ain' gonna stop bein' one... an' I ain' gonna stop worryin' 'bout ya eitha. 'K?"

Kazuha stopped and turned to him. She was more surprised and simultaneously sure of her self than she was angry anymore. "Heiji..." She paused another moment before sticking her hand out. "An' I ain't gonna leave ya. I don't wantcha ta worry," she kept her eyes locked on his and nodded a little. "I wantcha ta trust me."

Heiji took her hand and squeezed it before letting go and stepping back. "I do."

"Then don't worry 'bout me so much," Kazuha said with a smile as she pushed back on his forehead and closed the door behind her, making sure her words made it in. "Ya sound more like my dad than my friend."

Heiji huffed and turned to head back to the side of the bed.

Conan couldn't help the smile. "You have been a little over-protective recently."

"Can ya blame me?" Heiji crossed his arms and sat on the far edge of the bed. "Afta all the stuff tha's hit lately..."

"It's mostly involved you and you don't see me handcuffing you to the bed, now do you?" Conan tipped his head to the side with narrowed eyes and a smile on his face. "Though that does sound tempting."

Heiji raised his eyebrow. "Same idea came up while we were lookin' fer ya the firs' time. Gotta say 'm tempted ta do it too..." 'Jus' ta get a breather tha' more'n a a single night long.'

"To yourself, I hope," Conan said without the smile. "Anyway, come over here."

Heiji shook his head but stood and moved over to where Kudo was. "What?"

Conan turned so he could watch the machines and so his back was to Hattori. "Please. It's been itching like crazy."

Heiji smirked but reached out and started scratching Kudo's back. His eyes drifted up to scan the machines as well before looking down at Hakuba. He had blinked and was looking over at him but he could tell that he wasn't making him out yet. 'Lucky I hadn' lost my sight when that guy clocked me.'

Conan relaxed for a minute, eyes partially closed. "Thanks." He looked over at Hakuba, not giving Hattori any indication to stop. "Is your back itching?" It was such a minor thing that he wasn't sure if Hakuba would bring it up. If they were bad enough burns though, it could just be hardening over instead of flaking some layers of skin off.

"No." Saguru had not really felt anything from the burn and, while he also felt tired, he also did not feel any pain from the gunshot wounds. 'Asano-sensei must have treated it and the medication is dealing with the rest of it.'

Conan nodded. He turned his head to Hattori. "Thanks. I don't really care if it's warm, but there should be juice on the floor. Could you hand it to me?"

Heiji looked down and spotted the juice. He reached down and grabbed the cup. "Yeah, it got warm bu' here." He held it out to Kudo.

"I'm sort of missing your arrogant remarks that usually come with you playing butler or the like," Conan said, only after he had taken the cup. He drank some, letting it rest in his lap while his body tried to play catch-up with his consciousness.

"Don' tempt me... an' if tha's yer attempt at laughin' I'll tell them about the cookin' ya did fer us." Heiji said as Hakuba's shoulders had started to shake slightly but he was smiling too.

Saguru rolled his eyes, however he knew to what cooking Hattori was referring to.

Conan smiled, his eyes going towards Hakuba's direction but he didn't turn his head far enough to look at him. The gaze went back to Hattori, confidant smile still there. "The guy who found a way to fall off a boat, would have gone over a cliff just to prove how wrong they were even after I told you what happened, thinks they have any right to make threats?"

"I didn' fall off an' OK, fine, ya had that other one but no way anyone would know that cliff was there." Heiji ruffled Kudo's hair and leaned down. "I can always point out a few a yers too."

Conan narrowed his eyes. "If you remember our phone call from just a few days ago, you'd remember you already have, and quit doing that," Conan mumbled as he fixed his hair.

Kazuha saw Heiji and Conan as she opened the door. It was cute, even if the guy was supposed to be his age. She pitied him a second, knowing Heiji could win any of their little arguments if he wanted to through size alone and that wasn't fair. If it was too one-sided, she knew Ran-chan would step in though. Kazuha handed Conan- Kudo-kun the cup, since he was closer and poked Heiji in the arm before folding her arms in front of herself. "Ya know ya look like a bully when ya do that."

"What?" Heiji raised his hands palm up and looked at her.

"Ya got bad ears or somethin'? I said ya look like a bully when ya do that." For proof, Kazuha looked over at Aoko-chan, since she had been doing nothing but standing there and watching for what felt like ages now. "Right?"

Aoko was surprised she was being asked but covered her mouth to hid a smile before giving up when Hattori-kun rolled his eyes. "I think it's cute." 'Just like real brothers.'

"Oi, Aoko-chan. Why'r ya just standin' there?" Kazuha went over and grabbed the girl by the arm to bring her over to the bed. "Ya were watchin' over 'im before, why ya hidin' now? He probably doesn't even know yer here."

Saguru looked over at the new form that was pulled into what passed for his field of vision. He was unable to distinguish her but he had heard her voice whispering to someone but had been unable to make out the words. "I did." 'Although with her here and not near Kuroba... Kami, he had better not be doing anything... actually, he is most likely doing something highly risky and stupid.'

Aoko had opened her mouth to say something when Hakuba-kun said he knew she was there.

"Here. Heiji, leave Conan-kun alone." Kazuha tapped him, trying to get him to back up so Aoko-chan could be there. Ran's mom was sitting and it wasn't like she could move. If it had been her, and Heiji sitting there, she knew she'd want to be closer too.

Aoko almost wanted to protest with how close Hakuba-kun had seemed to the others, even more than he had acted with anyone at school. She saw Hattori-kun shoot another look at the complicated machines and stuff before backing up to the foot of the bed but she had no idea what they were saying. She smiled down at Conan-kun and the cup of ice he had. "You going to use that for your juice?"

"No," Conan said, far more childishly than he would have if it had been anyone else. "I've been drinking warm juice for a while. It isn't bad. Hakuba-niichan can't drink anything when he's laying down." Conan pointed to Ran. "Can you get ask Ran-neechan if I could borrow her phone?"

"Sure." Aoko stepped away and over to Ran-chan.

Conan took a few ice chips like before and held the out to Hakuba. "Here, at least it's less of an audience."

"Arigatou," Saguru said before opening his mouth to accept the ice. This was embarrassing enough, even acknowledging that they were friends. The less that actually witnessed this the better.

Conan sighed, putting a chip in his own mouth and dropping a few in the juice, even with what he'd told her. "At least my mom's not making it worse. I hate getting sick because of that, it's almost worse than being healthy." He sighed again at the unhappy memories. "Don't ever try lemon and oil for a sore throat. It'll be the worst thing you never taste. I think I was sick for longer because of that."

Saguru sucked on the ice but made a face at a thought of his own. He preferred tea with lemon and honey however he did recall... "Vinegar."

Conan wrinkled his nose. "Your doing or your mom's?"

"Neither... said it... would numb it." Saguru looked straight up swallowed the rest of the liquid the ice melting had provided.

Conan put his hand back in the cup and offered more. "Here. And gross. I never had to use vinegar, at least, not to drink." Enough with these bad memories. "Sorry for making it harder for you to swallow than it already is. I have to guess that may have worked, maybe. There's usually a medicine out there if I can get my hands on the over-the-counter stuff before my mom ever found out I was sick."

Saguru accepted the ice and let a small smile show. "Tea with... honey and lemon."

Conan nodded. "I think my mom thought she was part scientist or something. She knows next to nothing about herbal remedies, so she tries whatever she can get me to take and then sees what works." Conan shivered. "I usually would say over at Ran's or take a sudden trip when I was sick. It was easier."

"Warming plate... for my room." Saguru caught motion and stopped talking.

Aoko held out the phone she'd got from Ran-chan when she got beside him. "Here, she said you can hold on to it for now."

"Arigato, Oneesan," Conan said as he took the phone and opened the screen, going to the games just for some excuse for him to have wanted it.

Aoko smiled and stepped back, letting the boy play with the phone.

Conan didn't even pretend to really be into the game as much of as he would have. He was looking at the screens at least once every thirty seconds, only now becoming a little surprised that the doctor has assumed someone here could read them. Conan smiled - risky gamble. He could have brought a nurse or someone else in, but he hadn't. Conan preferred that, and there were enough people in the room already. While his eyes were either on the game screen or those around him, he spoke quietly to Hakuba. "You mother must have been a nice woman."

"Yes... proper too." He smiled. "She loved my... decision... to be a detective."

"I think my mom wanted me to follow her," Conan smiled, continuing to be watchful. "She was happy with whatever I did too though." There was something that occurred to him he wasn't sure of. He made sure he was looking at Hakuba when he asked "Why'd you come to Japan then? I have to think you weren't very happy here, even last week, if you didn't think you had any friends."

"A challenge... and in truth..." Saguru looked around as best he could. "I never felt... any closer... to anyone... elsewhere... so it made... no difference."

"That's a lie. You're mom loved you, and I'm sure you loved her back. It had to be more than what you were getting here. So maybe the better question was, why stay? You had to have had opportunities to go back and stay back."

Saguru sighed. "I guess... perhaps... comradery." He glanced toward where Conan-kun was. "Few officers... really appreciate... a teenager... doing their job... while here... less negative... sentiments." Saguru hoped that was able to get the point across. The newspapers loved it however the officers that were on the case were much colder toward him than those on the Task Force when he arrived at a crime scene.

"Hm. I guess because of my dad I've never had to deal with that. Even without the inspector," Conan shrugged. "I never really cared much for getting along with the officers who were there, just that they didn't miss the things that I could see. I'm sure there are people who talk about things like- did talk about things like that behind my back, but I don't care. Being a kid, oddly, makes it easier. I have no idea why." Conan tipped his head. "How long were you here before you started working on Kid's case?"

"That is what... brought me here." Saguru thought back. "Kid became... active... I became... intrigued." He closed his eyes, tired of the blurred images as his vision was clearly not improving.

Conan took the cup and some ice again, offering Hakuba enough he was hoping he wouldn't choke on if he continued to talk, but there was something that stayed from that thought. "When did you meet him? It had to be before now or I don't think he'd be so open."

Saguru lowered his voice further, just to be sure. "He is a... classmate. I tried... proving it... however... both showed... at a heist." He let that speak for itself. Two people in the same place would prove to most that one was not the other.

Conan couldn't help but laugh. "How did that happen? Dumb luck?" He shook his head. "Another question then, because I kind of get why he was here to begin with, but why did he stay?" Conan raised an eyebrow. "I was back, and everything else was pretty peachy. I'm sure that out of all of us, he could have easily found a way to distance himself, likely being more conscious. Why didn't he? And why do you trust him so much if you were only classmates?" He tapped a few more buttons on the phone. It was restarting him over every time he died and he wasn't paying it any attention. "It feels like I'm missing something here."

Saguru paused and thought about that. There was no one reason and in truth he did not understand it fully himself. "Things just... built up. He is... an enigma. When others... are hurt or upset... he is the first... to do something... and yet he... will pull a prank... for no reason... other than... he can."

"Why did you compare him to Hattori earlier? It took me a while to realize that was what you did- when comparing Hattori's and my partnership, you chose him for yourself. Hattori and I have been friends for too long now for me to say otherwise, and we have been through far more than just this. It's strange with you and him. I don't understand it." Conan sighed. "Maybe it's one of those things you're not supposed to understand. Since it's him, that wouldn't shock me."

"I believe that... is accurate... though I had... not recognized it... until all this." Saguru shifted a bit when a thought occurred to him and he could not help but smile. 'I wonder if he did it again? Not as though I could read it if he did...'

"I don't like this," Conan spoke truthfully as he blinked, his eyes almost moving on their own at this point to make sure Hakuba was really okay. "But I won't say anything about him. If we see each other again one the field, I won't hold that up. All's fair game if he wants to keep playing. This is a debt owed, nothing more. He's not a friend of mine." Conan smiled slightly and looked over at Hakuba. "Though I'm getting the feeling he's one of yours."

Nakamori came back in the room, tapping the girl with the accent on the shoulder as he did. Felt weird to have all the eyes in the room identify him instead of the other way around. "I need you to go to the parking lot and pick up a bag for me. A man in a black Sedan will be holding it and he'll know you. Just get it for me and bring it to the next room over."

Kazuha felt weird to be ordered around but she nodded. "Black car, man, bag. Don't think I kin mess that up." She finally let her self smiled, just a little bit, at Heiji. "Now quit yer worrin' or yer gonna make me worried."

Heiji rolled his eyes. "Ya ain' gonna let me live tha' down, are ya?" But he grinned back anyway.

"Well I don't know," Kazuha spoke uncaringly, turning her head slightly to the side so she could just loose sight of him. "I'm goin' out in the big bad world with some guy ya don't know. Who knows if anyone's still watchin' ya and see me."

"Good thin' they don' know ya know 'im." He jerked his thumb at the bed.

"Right," Kazuha said, her eyes narrow. "That's why ya were hidin' out at a hotel. Ferget it." Heiji got her mad again- he was always good at that. She walked out of the room, ignoring him, to get whatever the heck she was getting.

Heiji threw his hand in the air. He still didn't get her.