Chapter Eleven:

Temporary Solution


"I got it!" yelled Ai as she ran out of the downstairs laboratory, a large smile on her face. The fact that Ai was smiling was enough to make the others think she had gone mad. She never smiled!

"Got what?" asked Conan as he looked up from his book, his eyebrows drawn.

"I think I may have found a temporary solution to the transformations," she explained, a clear vile in her hand.

"What?!" everyone yelled, their attention drawn.

"No need to shout", commented Akako as she walked up behind Ai, "She and I used the components of the blue mushroom, along with the other three ingredients we picked up yesterday while you were on your hunt and combined them with a previous formula that Ai-san had been working on. We did this after we confirmed the blue mushroom would not make him any worse, of course."

"And that worked?" asked Kaito in amazement, relaying Hakuba's own question.

"We believe it did", said Ai with another smile.

Everyone flinched as she pulled a needle and syringe out of her lab coat, though she acted unaware of the widening eyes.

Kaito gulped.

"I need you to hand this to Hakuba-san", she said to Kaito who breathed a sigh of relief, "I would try it on you, but with your current condition, I would rather not take the risk of a bad reaction. Can he give himself a shot?"

"I can", replied Hakuba.

"He can", repeated Kaito.

"Good, have him do it slowly. If it works, he should become visible, at least for a short time."

Kaito took the needle and carefully handed it to Hakuba. Everyone watched as it vanished from sight. Saguru stuck the needle slowly into the vein and his arm and started the injection process. He waited for a moment before pulling it out and handing it to Kaito who handed it back to Ai who looked pleased.

"Alright, it may take a moment."

Everyone watched and waited. Even Conan had turned off his heat sensor in his glasses in order to see if the transformation worked more clearly.

"Is it working?" asked Hakuba to Kaito.

Kaito shrugged. Honestly he couldn't tell if it was working or not, seeing as how he saw Hakuba clearly anyways.

"Is it working?" the thief instead directed at the others.

"Well…" muttered Ai.

"Well?" implored both Hakuba and Kaito at the same time.

"It kind of is working. It may need to set in before it truly takes effect, but I can definitely see…almost an outline of his body shape."

Hakuba breathed a sigh of relief as he flopped down on the edge of the couch next to Kaito. He noticed Kaito's smile and returned it with one of his own as he stared at his hands, willing himself to turn back quicker.

"Please turn back!" he whispered both out loud and mentally.

"Oh!" yelled Conan all at once, "I see him!"

Ai and Akako both smirked as they too could see him. He looked a bit fuzzy as though a picture on a television that wasn't coming through very well, but they could definitely see him now. His blonde hair and brown eyes…oh yes, they could clearly see the intense look he was giving his hands as a large grin split his face.

"I'm back!" he all but shouted as he leapt up off the couch. He went over to Conan and knelt down in front of him. Conan watched as the blonde slowly, meticulously reached out a hand, almost hesitant; scared of being unable to touch others even with the return of his visual form and yet… his hand sank into the silky material of the blue shirt and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"I…I can touch it. I can touch you. I can feel you!" he yelled as he grabbed Conan and spun him around.

Kaito, now sitting a bit propped up on the couch, smiled at the glee he could see on his friends face. He also couldn't help but smirk a bit at the uncomfortable expression on Conans'.

"I want to watch your progress for a while before we give it to Kuroba-san," Haibara explained as the blonde quieted down, "If something were to go wrong, I am not sure his body would be able to stand it. However, with waiting, there is a risk. If we wait too long, I do not know if the potion will stop the transformation in time. If we give it to you now, it is possible something could go wrong. While I do want a few minutes to observe in case of immediate drawbacks, I leave the final decision in your hands, Kid-san."

With those words, Ai went back to her lab, leaving everyone in silent contemplation.


Bloody * Rose


It felt unbelievably amazing to be able to physically touch and hold conversations with the people around him. Throughout the span of an hour, Hakuba had moved from person to person, talking a mile minute about all the things he had wanted to say to them before but couldn't. He honestly wasn't sure if all of this wasn't just a big dream, but if it was, he loved it and would continue loving it until he awoke.

About ten till eleven, finally convinced he was not dreaming, he went back downstairs to the living room where Kaito lay on the couch. The thief was obviously not asleep yet, but he was being surprisingly silent, unlike his usual loud, domineering self.

"Ai-san asked me to carry you upstairs where she will administer the potion, if you're ready?"

Kaito snapped open his eyes, peering up at Hakuba, not acting at all surprised to see the blonde standing above him.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Hakuba leaned over and gently scooped the teen into his arms. Kaito was much lighter than he looked and also, worriedly much thinner he was a few days ago. Of course, with everything that has happened, neither have spent much time taking care of themselves.

"Did you eat anything lately?"

"Yeah, tried to", nodded Kaito, his head laying against Hakuba's shoulder, "just haven't had much of an appetite."

Hakuba nodded. That was expected.

"You need to eat more when you feel like it. You seem a lot thinner than you did before this entire mess started.

Kaito glanced up at Hakuba with a frown. "Don't call me fat", he pouted as he flopped his head back onto the boys shoulder.

"I didn't call you fat", laughed the blonde as he came to the end of the hall where their shared room was located, "but I am calling you a light weight."

Kaito grumbled as Hakuba just smiled, gently laying the boy on the king size bed. About that time, Ai stepped into the room.

"Now, as I said Kid-san, there is a risk that comes with taking this early. You could die if you take it, should it react wrong."

"And if I don't, I could still die transforming with this hole in my stomach, right?" he refuted.

She nodded, not at all joking about the situation. She wanted him to understand just how serious this truly was and how worried she felt, being the one to give it to him.

"I'm ready."

She sighed and slowly went over to where he laid. The others stood at the door, watching from afar in concerned silence.

"Alright, here it goes."

Kaito winced as the needle sank into his arm, but he was silent and grateful that she was so professional about the entire thing.

"Now we wait. It will take a few minutes to kick in, but honestly, we won't know until midnight unless you should start experiencing side effects for one reason or another. If you do, come get me, I will be in my lab. For now, rest easy."

"Thanks doc," Kaito whispered, smiling.

She surprisingly, smiled back.

"Come on now, clear the room. He needs sleep. Hakuba-san will keep an eye on him."

Agasa and Akako turned and went downstairs, but Conan hesitated before stepping into the room.

"Kid, I…" he paused.

Kaito stared at him a moment before smiling.

"I'll see you in the morning, Meitantei."

The chibi's head snapped up and a relieved smile spread across his face. He wasn't good at expressing his emotions, especially to someone like his friendly rival, Kaitou Kid.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

As the chibi detective walked away, Hakuba stood up grabbed a nearby book before sinking into the chair beside the bed. Kaito closed his eyes and relaxed for a few minutes before deciding he was bored.

"Hakuba."

"Hmm?"

"Talk to me."

"About?"

"Anything."

"… The weather is nice."

"Hakuba."

"Hmm?"

"It's dark outside. You can't see the weather."

"Doesn't mean it isn't nice."

Kaito sighed. Stubborn blonde-jerk.

"Hakuba?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you ignoring me?"

"Maybe."

"Why?"

"Cause."

"Cause why?"

Hakuba glanced up from his book.

"You're supposed to be resting."

"I am. My mind is not."

The blonde supposed he had a point. Kid wasn't exactly the type to stay still long and if he was, that usually meant he was devising something wicked.

"Hakuba."

The blonde sighed. "What?" he asked, placing the book aside. He knew he would never get to read it.

"Entertain me."

The blonde heft an eyebrow up.

"How?"

"IDK. Find a way."

"…"

"That rhymed. IDK, find a way. IDK, find a way. IDK, find a…"

"Okay, I got it."

"Hmm?"

"I will ask you a question, you answer. You ask a question, I answer."

"You want to play twenty questions?"

"Yeah, you were bored right?"

"Hmm… I suppose. Alright, we will try this. If I don't want to answer, I'm not."

"Fine, me either."

"Fine. You go first."

"Let's start easy. What is your favorite color, Kuroba?"

"Umm… blue I guess. Hard question."

"We haven't' even begun yet and you already say hard question?"

"Well it is. Okay, what is yours?"

"Yellow."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. Okay, favorite food?"

"Chocolate ice cream."

"That's… more of a desert."

"It's still food."

"Fine. Your turn."

"Hakuba, what is your favorite food?"

"Are you just going to keep repeating my questions?"

"Maybe. Answer."

"Umm… fish."

Kaito turned in the bed to glare at his friend who met his eyes, amusement written clearly across his face.

"What? Did I say something bothersome?"

"You know what you said?"

"Do I? Enlighten me."

Kaito just huffed and Saguru smirked.

"Alright fine. Name your fear."

"Hakuba."

"Hmm?"

"I hate you."

"I know."

"..."

"..."

"Fire"

"What?" the blonde asked, his attention drawn back from the book he had placed back on his lap.

"Fire. It's one of my fears. I hate it."

Hakuba frowned. "Why?"

"My turn. Your fear?"

Saguru supposed he could play along.

"Very well. Extreme heights."

Kaito looked up, a deep frown marring his face. "This coming from the guy who travels by plane nearly every month?"

"I don't sit by the window seat if I can help it and I don't look down if I do. Easy enough. Still, if we must be picky, I suppose the answer would be I hate falling, not flying."

"Hmm, I guess that makes sense," Kaito sighed, "Still, your missing out. Free falling is a wonderful feeling."

Hakuba grimaced. "I think not."

Kaito just shrugged.

"Why is fire your fear?"

Kaito hesitated, but he supposed the answer was simple enough and not truly connected to the whole 'kaitou kid thing' completely.

"My dad died in a fire."

Hakuba turned to the thief. "You were there?"

"Yeah."

The blonde was silent. He always suspected the thief has a photographic memory, one of the best in the world, if he would have to guess. If he was there and saw it… yeah, he could understand that very well.

"Your turn," he said, deciding it was best not to dig any deeper into that sensitive topic.

Kaito let out a silent breath of relief. "How did you find out about the other fear?"

"Aoko."

"Should have known."

"Alright, what is…"

The footsteps of someone coming towards the door cut them off as Ai appeared over the staircase, her eyes tracking them with a look of pleased relief.

"It's midnight, Kid-san. Seems you will not transform tonight. The antidote worked."

Kaito and Hakuba smiled in relief. They hadn't even been paying attention to the time.

"I suggest you get some sleep. Tomorrow may be a rather stressful day, because tomorrow we will be watching you both closely for any sign of the drug wearing off and what might occur when it does."

"You think he might transform when it wears off?"

"It is a possibility, but I won't let that happen. Since it works, I will keep it administered for the next forty-eight hours. Once he has the chance to get over this infection, he should be okay to let off the drug at a slow rate. You will be my guinea pig, detective-san. Look forward to it."

The two watched the girl go before turning to one another, eyes wide.

"She creeps me out," Kaito admitted.

"I must admit, she does me too, just a tad."

Kaito chuckled as Hakuba stood up and stretched before heading towards the door.

"Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow as she said, might be a big day and you need your rest."

Kaito didn't say anything as Hakuba flipped the light out and made his way to the thief's side. Carefully and gently sliding in beside Kuroba, he pulled the cover up and over himself and closed his eyes, attempting to drift.

"Hakuba", Kaito whispered in the dark.

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to transform again"

"I know you don't"

"I hate being a cat"

"I know you do"

"I really don't like f-fish"

"…" Hakuba was silent, "What does that have to do with the transformation?"

"Cats like them. I don't."

"Oh" Hakuba blinked in understanding, "okay."

"Hakuba", whined Kaito.

The blonde sent an irritated glance at the other teen. (Not that he could see it in the dark)

"What?"

"I'm glad you're back to normal"

"Thanks?"

"You're welcome."

"…"

"…"

"Hakuba" started Kaito again.

"What is it now!" shouted Hakuba, his exhaustion quickly outdoing his patience.

"…"

"Well?"

"I…"

Hakuba waited in the dark. He took a deep breath, calming himself as he listened for whatever the magician was truly trying to tell him through this entire conversation.

"I'm scared…"

The words came so quietly that Hakuba literally had to stop breathing in order to hear them. When he did, he frowned, not understanding what the boy was talking about.

"Scared about what?"

"Don't make fun of me."

"I won't, now tell me. Scared of what?"

"I'm scared of sleeping."

Hakuba sat up, flipping on the light of the nightstand.

"Why?" he asked, staring at the thief who was laying on his back, his eyes open as he stared out the window towards the moon.

"When I sleep, I keep getting flashes of…memories? Visions? I guess they are memories, but they aren't mine. I don't know, I just keep getting them and they…they aren't all good."

"Did you tell Ai about them?"

"No. I just now only decided to tell you. I thought maybe I was just dreaming, but they keep happening. Sometimes it's the same memory again and again. Other times, it's something else and…occasionally they happen when I am awake, just all at once taking over my sight."

"What are they about?" Hakuba asked, watching the others face carefully. He could tell Kaito was keeping a mask of indifference, but he noticed the tightness around his eyes. He was truly scared.

Sighing, Hakuba edged closer to the other boy and maneuvered him so that he was leaning against his chest. He wrapped his arms around him as he closed his eyes and leaned his head against Kaitos. The position was a bit awkward, but he felt the other tense before relaxing. No doubt the physical assurance was appreciated right now.

"Please tell me?" he whispered.

"I see you and me. Sometimes Conan. The first one isn't bad. I see all three of us at a shed in the woods with a little girl. I can't remember her face, but she is really sad and lonely. The second image I get is…weird. I see me as a cat and I am biting someone. I can't really see who, but I'm angry. Very angry. Then the third image…it's someone I know, but it's…"

Hakuba glanced at the other boy and noticed the troubled look he was displaying. He probably didn't even realize he had let his mask slip free.

"What was it?"

"It…" Kaito sighed as he turned to Hakuba, "It was Baaya-san and she…she was dead. She was in a casket and…you were there and I was there and…"

Hakuba froze. He didn't know what to say or do. Kaito had just told him that Baaya was dead in his dream? Vision? Whatever it was, it made him agitated all at once. He needed to see his Baaya. He needed to make sure she was of good health."

"I'm sorry", Kaito whispered as he leaned against Hakuba.

Hakuba could feel the boy in his arms shaking and it troubled Saguru to know that the master of a thousand different disguises that he knew so well, was having such a hard time controlling his emotions. It spoke volumes about how messed up the teen's body really was at the moment.

"Hey. It's alright. Like you said, they are probably just dreams. Don't let them bother you. I am glad you told me. You needed to tell someone, right? They obviously have been bothering you."

Kaito nodded, a single tear streaking down his face. Hakuba smiled as he wiped it away and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. He will save Kaito, even if it is the last thing he does.

"Yeah," Kaito huffed, feeling suddenly embarrassed. Normally he would never have let down his mask like that. Perhaps he was getting to close to Hakuba, but right now, he couldn't find it within himself to truly care. "Thanks Hakuba."


Again, word of warning. Still editing. Some things in the next few chapters may not make sense. Don't freak, it will.