Chapter 11: Crossing the Line

It was a few hours before the detective came to. Professor Agasa clearly didn't feel comfortable in my presence so he made some excuse to Kudo before heading out in his car. It made no difference to me and if the old man felt he had to go, that was ok, it still meant he felt safe enough to let me loose in his house.

In my spare time I took it upon myself to make sure that there weren't any other prowlers that I had missed. Whatever Hattori and Kudo were discussing remained between them while I found the professor's roof rather comfortable.

If it weren't for the cold weather I would have stayed up there but I didn't want to have to deal with getting sick in the middle of everything. After finding a car that was parked a few blocks over containing some none-to-pleasant looking men and a woman passenger I went back in and told them about it.

"What kind a people are you dealing with?" I asked when they both shared some knowing look about the car. "I'm not prying or anything but it looks serious."

Kudo shook his head. "It's not. There are just some powerful families involved in this case that want to make sure some things remain hidden. Hattori spurred their interest when he went over there and threw some accusations around when he should have waited until he found the proof."

"Hey, the guy called me a cheap charlatan just 'cause I wouldn't accept their money! I had tamake sure that he was aware I knew about his smugglin'. The guy was just askin' for it." Hattori grinned to himself when he thought of the man's reaction. "So now I got some interference. It's no big deal."

"I don't think they see it that way." I hadn't meant to say it out loud because I figured Kudo already knew that these guys weren't just stalking Hattori.

Apparently the Osakan boy hadn't caught on to it.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." I tried to look confused and put my hands up. A dark look from Kudo showed that he was trying to keep the information from the other teen. Why he would want to do that when it was better to know about that kind of danger I had no idea. In the end it was Kudo who would have to deal with it, not me, so I had no right to interfere. "Where are you heading to anyways?"

"Airport" Kudo murmured and put his hand to his face like I'd seem him do dozens of time. "We have to get back to Osaka before things get out of hand."

"How you three can feel comfortable in each others presence is beyond words," Hakuba's voice chimed in as he came into the lab. "It just feels awkward to me," the detective shot me a separate glance, "and you don't help matters."

"What did I do?"

"You haven't been hiding yourself enough. I have to stop myself whenever I want to call you one name, because you look more like you, and then when I don't have time to stop we get what happened this morning." He sighed. "Believe it or not I think I prefer you wearing a mask so it's not as easy to broadcast… you know."

He'd censored out your name from the sentence since Hattori was in the room and would have picked up on it. I was growing tired of the whole situation. Spending time with Hakuba wasn't as bad as I once thought it would be and Kudo far outdid my expectations of him but I liked working alone. I hadn't even thought of a good way to get all four of us out unnoticed yet because I was used to only hiding myself.

"Well it may be better for you but it's more of a hassle for me. Just call me Kid. Easy." The detective shrugged his shoulders and winced.

"Ouch." He breathed. "I guess I won't be able to do that for a while."

"Are ya hurt?" Hattori put his head to the side, confused at Hakuba's statement.

"They both are" Kudo filled in. "What other possible reason could they possibly have for coming over here and me letting consequently them stay?"

"Well how would I know?" Hattori countered "I'm not a mind reader Ku-u-Conan-kun! Sheesh!" Kudo just glowered at Hattori for almost shouting out his name in front of Hakuba again and most likely at himself for getting angry. Kudo didn't seem to like when he let his feelings get the better of him. And Hakuba called me contradictory.

"Well, we should get going then." Hakuba tapped me on the shoulder "I'm sorry for making us stay, it seems like were causing problems."

I shook my head. "They're coming with us when we leave. Just let me think for a second." Everyone obliged me and the room went unnervingly quiet. I tried to ignore their eyes on me.

Okay, four people. We didn't have to leave together since we were going different ways. Hakuba and I needed to get to the bus station which was just a little ways off while the other two had to get a cab at some point since the airport wasn't in walking distance. There was no way for us to sneak out of the house without being noticed by someone at some point.

So make it obvious.

"Okay, Hakuba-san you're going to be going with the two of them. I'll meet you at the bus stop after I get back. Don't leave until at least five minutes after I do."

"And where will you be going?" He watched me cautiously.

"I'll be going down the street. It won't take me long to catch up."

"And why aren't you going with us?"

It occurred to me again, slower then it should have, that Hakuba had no idea I was trying to get them out without the men outside noticing. The detective didn't even know there were men outside since he'd been asleep during the conversation.

I gave a quick look to Kudo and Hattori, displaying that they should not only watch Hakuba but not tell him what was going on.

"I've got to take care of something real quick. I'm taking the glider with me so I won't be gone that long. Hey, with how slow you are I'll probably catch up to you before you make it to the station." I sent him a cocky smile, trying to get him to leave with the other two. Unfortunately he's familiar with seeing through me and knew I was hiding things from him.

"Fine, but don't take to long." He gave up and let me exit the door first.

"You know what, make it ten minutes. I have to stop by the house and get some of the things I need." I spoke to Kudo, telling him none to subtlety that I was going to be sneaking in his house again.

Hattori came up to me before I had a chance to leave and put a hand on the door.

"I know ya got some reason that you're here and Kudo's helping ya, but it makes no sense for you ta help me."

"We haven't run into each other before now," I tapped his hand so he would move it. "And I hope we don't show up on opposing sides in the future. Just because this is my first time meeting you, doesn't mean I don't know you. I think we're a lot alike and the world wouldn't be safe if our talents and coinciding personalities met. So I have to keep you alive to see what happens when they do."

Hattori watched me and we shared a mirror smile. The detective and I really did have a lot in common from what I'd heard about him, more so than I thought Kudo and I did even though I knew he was in a situation similar to mine.

I didn't want anyone to get hurt if I could help it and this seemed like the best way for things to happen.

"That's no explanation."

"Well, it's my explanation."

He removed his hand and went back over to Kudo. "Thanks." He waved over his shoulder. I just left without acknowledging him, afraid it would get Hakuba asking more questions.

I made my way out the door calmly so the people at the end of the block wouldn't be concerned. Entering Kudo's house, even without a key, took seconds. The makeup I needed was upstairs in his parent's bathroom under the sink. Kudo's mother was either obviously rich or liked to keep things around from when she was acting because she had the dark shade of blush that I needed. A little more gel in my real hair and a white cap from Kudo's room did the rest. I also grabbed a dark jacket that I didn't think he ever wore from the back of his closet.

I could pass for Hattori at a glace but I didn't have the contacts to change my eye color to his dull turquoise. Kudo's clothes were also very different then Hattori's style which is why I grabbed the jacket to make it look more… distantly similar. I went out the door slowly and put a hand, which I also covered lightly in the blush, up to the cap and looked out from underneath it.

Of course this gesture was obvious. I wanted them to think I was trying to evade them when I was actually trying to draw their attention. The change of clothes wouldn't be so strange if they thought I was onto them and trying to get away. It was funny in a way, being someone who's trying to hide from someone but making sure your not. Complicated way of thinking sure, but fun and they had no reason to believe that anyone out there would try and fool them besides Hattori.

I knew the men down the street weren't armed. The people in the vehicle definitely were but those out in the open could make up any reason for their presence as long as they weren't carrying weapons. I hesitated purposely before crossing the street. A few glimpses up showed them my newly dark face but hid my eyes. After getting in the men's line of sight I went down the street in the opposite direction they were in, moving fast enough that they would have sprint or lose sight of me.

I was down a few streets before the car caught up. I started running at this point, to keep ahead of the vehicle.

Then I heard the sound of a gun go off.

I swung around the corner of the closest building with wide eyes. These people were idiots. I'd run into my fair share of hitters but these guys weren't even using silencers. That shot would have been heard for at least three blocks. They also hadn't taken the time to check that I was really Hattori. Some don't, but with how different I actually looked form the real teen… it was just so off. Whoever was shooting hadn't hit me even though the car was within range.

It's hard to hit straight from a moving vehicle so I couldn't fault them on that but to not use a silencer in this large of an area was asking for trouble. I heard another shot impact the wall a few feet from where I was standing. Okay, enough sitting around.

They were obviously after Hattori and I saw why Kudo didn't want him to know. The other teen would have had no way to avoid these people even if he'd taken off running like I had. I had to make sure they didn't lose me or they might go looking for him once I was out of sight.

The car was coming up to me so I had to move anyway. The street wasn't large and there was no oncoming traffic so I ran across as whoever was shooting fired in my basic direction three more times, missing me completely. It seemed I'd also have to be careful of anything within ten feet of me; I didn't want anyone accidentally getting shot.

These people were really terrible. All I did was keep running down the street and they missed a grand total of five more times. After that someone must have realized how bad a shot the current owner of the gun was and took over. This new person took three shots at me, two of which missed me by inches.

Now that there was someone behind the gun with better aim I wasn't going to take any chances. I snuck behind cars, forced the vehicle to make U-turns or go around the block a few times, climbed up the side of a building at one point on an emergency ladder to get to the adjacent street, and did whatever I physically could to make sure they were chasing their tails.

After a half-hour of this I led them in the opposite direction of both the airport and bus stop before vanishing.

It was easier then I thought it would be. The car went off in the wrong direction and the two who were watching Agasa's place left ages before that. I got the glider out and wiped most of the makeup off my face before taking off; the gel would have to wait until I got home. As it turned out, the jacket also made a good defense against the cold along with it's attributes as a disguise.

It only took me five or so minutes to get to the bus station to meet up with the detective. I was confused when I saw Kudo and Hattori were still with him.

There weren't that many people around since it was a little after five and most of the populace was either still at work or had come home an hour or so ago. I landed the glider a few feet in front of the terminal, out of the range of the security cameras.

The minute my feet touched the ground Hakuba shoved me roughly against a metal post keeping the roof up. I hit my head pretty hard but one of his hands pressed into the bullet wound, making me forget about it. I tried to push him off.

"What kind of idiot are you?"

I was too busy trying to get him to let up on his grip to answer. My struggles only made him push harder and I had to ball my fists in his sleeves to keep from screaming.

"Who goes running off when they're hurt to play target practice for every hit man out there? Do you think you're impervious to bullets or something? I thought we proved you wrong a few days ago but you never learn do you!"

"Stop it!" Kudo shouted from the ground, "You're only hurting him!"

Hakuba either ignored him or wasn't listening to what he was saying.

"You've got to stop doing this kind of thing! You're a thief damn it! Act like one!" I dug my fingers into his arms to try and make him release his grip. I couldn't even find the words to fight back with through the pain. Being thrown against the counter hadn't hurt as much as the constant pressure Hakuba was forcing against both sides of the wound. He didn't seem to notice my struggles since I couldn't grab him very hard. "Your going to get yourself killed! That just makes me feel so great! I can't catch the Kaitou Kid so I have to go and let him get himself killed 're not some super hero! If you get shot enough you're going to die, don't you get it?"

Hakuba was so serious at the moment I didn't even think I'd be able to react if I could. I'd never seen the detective fight for his opinion so much since he'd tried to convince everyone I was Kid. His grip tightened even more when he'd run out of things to shout at me.

Hattori finally pushed him off and I fell to my knees on the floor without Hakuba to hold me up. He shot me a look before facing away.

"Ain't you the one who knows his hurt? Why would ya go and hurt him more to prove yer point?" I could see the red stain on the shirt as the blood made its way through the bandages.

"Since when has my well being ever been a concern of yours?" I tried to yell back at him but my lungs were still figuring out how to work. Hattori bent down to my level and flicked me on the head with a finger. He laughed at my expression.

"Shut up for a bit will ya." He pushed the jacket aside from where it had fallen to hide the blood. He looked concerned for a moment before turning to Hakuba. "An' you better watch yer actions next time."

Hakuba was still turned away from me and had his arms crossed, though he was trying to wipe off something on his hand on the inside of his jacket. "Why did I ever think this was a good idea?" I heard him whisper. I could practically see the anger coming off of him that was making his body shake even though he was trying to control it.

"I know where yer coming from but I can't say I'm on yer side." Hattori stopped looking at either one of us, instead facing Kudo. "Me and Ku-Conan-kun couldn't have gotten out of there without his help an' I didn't know ya were so protective of him or I woulda told ya what was goin' on."

"Protective," Hakuba growled. "Ha, I just don't see how I'm going to live through this without help and the only help I could find wants to die before they can finish assisting me."

"I am helping," I breathed. Hakuba scoffed at me and went quiet. I turned to Hattori. "Why are you still here?" I asked him when I remembered that they should be on a plane or at least a cab at this point. Hattori rested his elbow on his knee and pointed to Hakuba.

"I figured ya didn't want him goin' after ya so I had to stop him. I don't think he likes me too much right now."

I smiled and turned back to the detective, even if he couldn't see me. "You know you're not bullet proof either."

"How would we know, I haven't been shot yet." The distain in his voice directed at me was more seething and garnered more a reaction from me than when we'd had the argument over trusting each other.

"You're back would tell you otherwise."

"That is not being shot," he turned quickly back towards me and pushed Hattori a little to press on my right shoulder, making me hiss in a breath. "This is being shot," he looked up at the bandages showing through the borrowed cap as well before he turned away, "and you shouldn't have been. What kind of idiot pushes someone out of the way but can't move himself?"

"We've already come to the conclusion that I'm an idiot."

I saw now what was bothering the detective so much. He hadn't really come to accept that there were people getting hurt around him while he'd been with me. Now, when I had gone to help Hattori, he'd gotten a clear look at what he was asking me to do. He'd also seen what I was willing to do for others, what could potentially happen while I was helping him. It was more then the detective could handle so he'd attacked me trying to figure it out.

We were quiet for a while, allowing Hakuba calmed down.

"So did you get hit?" He allowed himself enough time to glace over me before turning back.

"As you can see I'm in one piece. I didn't feel like repeating the experience." I smiled, my tone light as I got my knees out from under me and sat against the post. It took him a while for him to ask his next question.

"Did you get hurt or did I do that?" He didn't turn back but he looked at his hand which he must have gotten some of my blood on when he grabbed me.

I remained silent while I debated whether to lie to him or tell the truth. Whatever small pause I had left was enough of an answer.

"Sorry."

"It's fine. I already tore the stitches anyway." I buttoned up the jacket so that it was covering most of the mark. Hakuba wince to himself.

"Did that happen last night?"

"Yeah." I smiled and got myself up off the floor with a hand from Hattori. "And last night was completely my responsibility and not part of what I've been helping you with."

"Last night..." Hakuba looked confused for a second before turning to face me with none of the hatred, be it directed towards me or at himself, that he'd had shown seconds before. "What happened last night? Who were those people?"

"I have no idea. There are some over zealous people out there who some times think the best way to catch me is to shoot me."

"You're lying." There was no hesitation or doubt in his response. "So who were they?"

"They're part of that 'I'm not telling you to keep us both safe' part, so drop it." It seemed whenever I tried to get the detective away from Snake and his people my voice developed a very demanding and cold tone. All three detectives looked at my like I'd just sported horns.

Kudo in particular watched me the closest. What look I returned the shrunken teen I don't know, but it seemed to only make him more curious than not.

"Well, that's a pleasant way to change the topic of conversation." Hakuba walked ahead of me a little, not facing me. "I understand that you're hiding some things that you feel need to be hidden and I said I wouldn't push you on that matter."

I put my hand on his shoulder and was about to say something when his sudden reaction, quite honestly, scared the hell out of me.

"Don't touch me!" he shoved my hand off and pushed himself away as well. "Just because I said I understand that aspect of this should-never-be partnership does not mean that I'm fine with you acting the way you do." He was shaking again "I don't know what I'm going to do from now but I want you to stay the hell away from me!"

I didn't know how to respond to that. I just stood where I was with a calm expression on my face I only resorted to when I was completely lost.

"What do you want me to do?" My tone was as flat and as distant as my expression. I saw Hattori shiver out of the corner of my eye.

"Didn't you hear me? Just stay away from me." Hakuba made his way as fast as he could away from us. I was left with the Kudo and Hattori who both looked uncomfortable in the position they found themselves in. Hattori snapped out of it first, that or he was just like me and had more people skills.

"I don't know what's goin' on with him but ya should let him figure things out. I don't think Hakuba-kun's really gotten involved in anything that's affected him so much as whatever ya two are dealin' with now. I think it just scared him."

I turned back to them with a mask very different then my usual. Smile, that works when you're dealing with friends and hostiles so you never have to worry about your image. I could smile if I wanted to. I could laugh and pretend like I wasn't confused up to the high heavens. But it didn't seem like it would fool either person in front of me. It would just be more of a testament to how much I was trying to figure out and how much I was trying to hide. So I didn't.

Hattori looked at me and bent down to Kudo's level to whisper something to him. I couldn't catch their conversation as the bus stop became noisier. Kudo shook his head and the other teen dropped his shoulders in resignation.

"But I have-"

"You shouldn't be seen there anyways."

"Fine but I don't think this is a good idea Kudo." Hattori got up and went off on his own. I frowned after him but didn't watch where he went.

Kudo turned to me after Hattori was out of sight and waved before taking off in the opposite direction.

"Weren't you getting on a plane?"

He turned back to me and looked into the crowd where Hattori had gone. "It's not a good idea for him to go back to Osaka if there are people after him so he's going off on his own for a bit. I'm going to wrap of the case before things get worse."

I hadn't been thinking clearly for some time now. Of course Hattori going back wouldn't have a good outcome. I couldn't see why I had never doubted this when Kudo had said they were both going back.

"Yes, your right. Sorry." I saluted him a goodbye as well and made sure that Hakuba had enough time to get on any of the dozens of buses. Whatever was eating the detective would not get any better with me still near him. I vouched for taking one that didn't go to the closest stop to my house since I didn't know where Hakuba planned on going. I'd have to walk for ten minutes but it wasn't that far out of the way.

On the bus ride home I tried to figure out what had set the detective off. Okay, I'd gotten hurt. I hadn't this time and the shooter was a joke, Hakuba would have known by the fact that he could hear the shots from Agasa's place. Respectively, I had gotten hurt earlier and he didn't seem to care then, at least not as much as he did now. It happened sometimes. I'd gotten hurt before helping him out with my work as Kid too. The detective had to have gotten himself hurt at some point on one of the cases he'd taken on before he'd come across me.

So I didn't go around wearing a vest and expecting everyone to shoot at me everyday. I wouldn't want to go around like that anyway. If you think something bad is going to happen, and expect it, you're too busy worrying about the consequences than preventing it.

I couldn't figure it out. Whatever made him suddenly decide that he didn't want to be working with me would have to remain lost to me until he decided to share. That didn't look promising. I wasn't going to give up on anything though even if Hakuba didn't want me with him.

I was still going to find someway to make those children safe and Snake wasn't going to sidetrack or hinder me anymore.