Surprise Eleven: Who Needs Comfort?

After a filling meal of okonomiyaki, the four made their way to the Osaka Science Museum. Shinichi was by far the most excited and tried his best to see every little thing, even if his mind was still foggy. Finally, when there was only a half-hour left before closing time, Heiji stopped the others.

"C'mon, let's go see the planetarium!" He waved toward a hallway and led them to a dark room with a large dome roof that depicted a clear night sky. Everyone stopped and looked up to admire its beauty.

Shinichi gave a small smile. "I wish it was always like this; so tranquil and serene…"

Everyone quietly agreed before falling silent. Eventually, one of the employees entered the room. "I'm sorry, but the museum will be closing in five minutes. If you want to buy souvenirs, please do so now. Otherwise, thank you for coming!" He bowed and quickly left to attend to his other duties.

Shinichi frowned while considering something. "Hey Hattori, is it fine if I take a quick look at the souvenirs?" he asked.

Heiji was slightly surprised; he knew Shinichi wasn't the one to buy souvenirs. "Alright…" he reluctantly nodded and pushed the wheelchair to the gift shop. "What are ya lookin' fer, Kudou? A gift fer Neechan?"

Shinichi rolled his eyes and maneuvered himself to the books before focusing as hard as he could. He knew he'd have a horrible headache later, but it was important. After a bit of searching, he found a thick, musty book. "That's it!" He grabbed it and clutched it to his chest so no one could see it. "Okay, this is all I needed. Could you take me up to the register?"

Heiji raised an eyebrow. "What do ya need that fer? More importantly, what the heck is it? Some old Conan Doyle book or somethin'?"

Shinichi grinned mischievously. "I'm not telling…"

Kaito smirked. Now that is something I wouldn't expect to see. I'm a little curious myself as to what that book is… He watched as Shinichi paid for the book and kept it from everyone's eyesight with amusement. As they exited the museum, Shinichi quickly took out the book and started reading.

Kaito sighed. "Shin-shin, I'll never get you… Even if you're sick and everything, you still have the time to read an old book." For some reason, he saw the Osakan detective's eyes narrow. Did he figure out what he bought it for? He quickly climbed in the car and waited for Shinichi to do the same.

Shinichi noticed this and closed the book. "Kaito, I'm not going to show you this." Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, he pressed the book to his chest and carefully sat down. Once he was in the safe, he returned to the contents of the book within an instant.

About five minutes later, Shinichi put the book away and rubbed his temples.

"What's wrong?" Kaito asked, slightly concerned. "You seemed like you were really after that book."

Shinichi rested his head on the back of Heiji's seat and closed his eyes. "I just couldn't read anymore," he replied quietly. "I got so dizzy that the words were starting to spin."

Kaito placed a hand on Shinichi's back. "If you want, I could read it to you."

Shinichi turned to Kaito with surprise. "Um, no, I'm fine. Besides, I can't really concentrate on it anyway…"

"Oi Kudou, what's that book about anyway?" Heiji inquired. "If it's somethin' I know, I can explain it to ya."

Shinichi shook his head. "I appreciate the kindness, but I'll be okay waiting a little while for my head to get better." He felt close to falling asleep, so he sat back up and tried to distract himself. Even so, he knew he nodded off a few times during the half-hour drive.

"Shin-shin, stop fighting it!" Kaito whispered after Shinichi jolted awake for the fourth time. "If you're tired, just go to sleep."

With half-lidded eyes, Shinichi denied. "I can wait until we get back to the house…" His voice was quiet and slurred, which didn't help. Thankfully, they pulled into the driveway at that moment. Before Shinichi could protest, Kaito picked up Shinichi in a princess-carry and took him to bed.

"Sleep," he ordered as he sat down. "I'm not moving from this spot until you're fully asleep and not faking in the slightest!"

The detective was almost asleep when he quickly sat up and turned deathly pale. "Oh no…Kaito, get my book, now." He sounded panicked for some reason, so Kaito quickly did so and returned to see him hunched over and vomiting.

Kaito clucked his tongue. "That's what you get for trying to do something too fast…" His tone may have sounded harsh, but he was gentle as he helped Shinichi lie back down and cleaned up the mess. "Here's your book. Where do you want it?"

Some of the color returned to Shinichi's face. "Hide it in the dresser somewhere—preferably the bottom-right drawer."

Kaito quirked an eyebrow but did as he was asked without question before lying down and wrapping Shinichi in a warm hug. "Now sleep, Tantei-kun…"

They both fell fast asleep and had cheerful dreams that let them stay asleep for a long, pleasant rest.

Eventually, Kaito awoke with a jolt. What time is it? It feels like I slept for days… He rubbed his eyes as he tried to read the digital numbers on the alarm clock. 12:30. Kaito smirked as he stood up to stretch. No wonder I feel so refreshed! I am a little surprised that Heiji-kun didn't wake us up for another one of his plans though. He quietly left the room and made his way to the kitchen to get two plates of breakfast and one large mug of coffee.

"Hey, Sleepyhead Number One is up!" Heiji grinned as he ruffled the magician's hair. "I thought ya were the one to not sleep much!"

Kaito smirked. "Well, I can't help sleeping longer if my roommate's not having nightmares anymore…" He walked over to the coffeepot and poured what was left in the largest mug. "Is there anything to eat? I know I need to get Shinichi up soon or else he'll sleep all day."

Heiji hummed thoughtfully. "I believe there's some eggs in the 'fridge if ya wanna make somethin' yerself. I remember Kudou's parents talkin' 'bout how ya were a great cook an' all…"

Kaito flushed a little in embarrassment. "I'm not that good; I just know a few things in the kitchen…" He opened the refrigerator and found the carton of eggs. He also noticed a package of bacon and sack of potatoes on the counter, so he decided to make a special dish. "Hey Heiji-kun, will you or Kazuha-san want any of this?" he asked after taking out everything.

Heiji shrugged. "I wouldn't mind some, but I don't think Kazuha will want any since she has a luncheon with some o' her coworkers today." He gestured to the hallway, where Kazuha was rushing out of her room in a fashionable outfit and matching bag.

"Okay, I'm leaving. Make sure to get Shinichi what he needs when he wakes up." She gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek and waved to Kaito before opening the front door and leaving.

Kaito frowned. "She wasn't wearing any makeup," he noted aloud. "I thought she was the one to do that."

Heiji chuckled. "She is, but she never puts it on 'til she's already out o' the house. I guess she doesn't want to let me see it; she didn't even wear any for our weddin'!"

Kaito shook his head. "I'll never get girls…" A picture of a certain inspector's daughter flashed in his mind with a mop in her hands and a bright-red face. "They are so tight-wired when it comes to jokes!"

Heiji could only agree, so he sipped his coffee and watched Kaito as he cooked. Fifteen minutes later, the magician snapped his fingers, and the food in the skillet transported itself onto three plates. With another snap, one of the plates appeared in front of Heiji with a set of chopsticks at its side.

The Osakan detective rolled his eyes, quickly seeing through the tricks, as he picked up the chopsticks. "Thanks, but why the cheap tricks?"

Kaito faked a hurt expression and put his hands on his hips. "I'll have you know they're not that easy to pull off! Besides, it's good practice for me!" He picked up the other two plates and mug of fresh coffee with ease and quietly entered the guest room.

Shinichi could smell the food and coffee, but his mind was blank and couldn't tell him to sit up or even open his eyes. He groaned and turned over toward the wall, pulling the blanket over his face.

Kaito smiled and set down the food on the desk. "Shin-shin, you need to get up and eat something!" He lightly shook him with a laugh.

Shinichi threw off his blanket and blearily opened his eyes. "Kaito?" he slurred as he put a hand over his face. "What time is it? Are we doing anything today?"

Kaito sat down and ruffled his hair. "It's almost one already, so I doubt we're doing anything." His eyebrows furrowed when he noticed Shinichi was rather pale. "Hey, are you okay? You don't look so good…"

Shinichi shook his head. "No…" he moaned quietly. "My brain just won't do anything; I can't even sit up."

Kaito frowned. "That's probably because you went and sprinted two kilometers after being stabbed in the stomach. You were a bit sick too, so I don't think it helped too much!" He helped Shinichi sit up and handed him the food. "Here, you need to eat. I also got some coffee made for when you're done with that."

Shinichi rubbed his temples. "Thanks…um, could you get those pillows to help me stay up? I don't think I can hold myself long." Kaito did so, and Shinichi began to eat. After that and the entire mug of coffee, Shinichi leaned back into the pillows and sighed. "Man, I am so drained today…"

Kaito smirked. "Just rest then; maybe you'll feel better after your pills and a nap." He flicked his wrist, and three pills appeared in his hand. "I figured that you'd need that emergency pill too since you look feverish."

Shinichi smiled sleepily and took them before closing his heavy eyes. "Don't let me sleep too long…" he mumbled before drifting off in Kaito's arms.

Kaito gave him a light kiss on the forehead before carefully lying him down and walking to the kitchen to wash dishes, quietly closing the door behind him.

Heiji looked up from his newspaper at the sound of Kaito's footsteps. "How's Kudou?" he asked. "Is he any better than yesterday?"

Kaito shook his head. "Actually, I think he may be worse. He couldn't even sit up on his own, and he looked really tired and feverish. He also said that he couldn't think straight, which is a little worrying…"

Heiji set down the newspaper and gestured for Kaito to sit. "I think he'll be fine in a day or two. He's probably just overexerted 'imself since his body's still messed up after takin' that antidote. An' with the crash an' injury…" He stopped himself. "Speakin' o' that, how is his injury recoverin'?"

Actually, Kaito remembered he hadn't changed Shinichi's bandage today. "Not sure. You can come with me while I'm changing the bandage if you want." They both stood up and returned to the guest room, where the detective was deeply asleep and loudly snoring.

Heiji snickered. "If only his little Neechan could see this…" he thought aloud.

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, I was curious about that. Does Shinichi have a sister or something?" He changed the subject as he used the mound of pillows to set Shinichi upright.

Heiji grinned. "Nah, he's an only child. Ya can ask 'im 'bout it later since I don't know the full story…" He gasped when Kaito pulled up Shinichi's shirt. The previously-solid-white bandage was now dark red almost everywhere. "Kuso, that looks bad!"

Kaito blanched. "It looks like he was bleeding all day yesterday and didn't tell anyone…" He silently cursed and turned to Heiji. "Okay, do you know how to administer first aid?"

Heiji nodded, slightly confused. "Yeah, but what are you…?" His eyes widened as Kaito started unwinding the bandage. "Oi, you can't just take it off like that!" He stopped the magician and backed him away from Shinichi so he could get to work. He could tell Kaito was leaning over his shoulder with worry, but he had to deal with the matter at hand.

He thought Shinichi would wake up at some point, but he remained passed out the entire time. He did break out in a sweat when the bandage was removed from the sudden loss of pressure on the wound, so Heiji had Kaito leave the room to get cool cloths. With a huff, he cleaned the wound before applying antibiotic cream and clean bandages. It looked pretty deep—deep enough that Heiji was surprised that he could even move, let alone sprint two kilometers to trace the source of a scream. Kudou, sometimes I wonder who's crazier between me and you!

"Heiji-kun, I got the cloths!" Kaito returned to the room and stopped to watch as Heiji lied Shinichi down in the futon and carefully covered him. "I-is he okay?" he asked shakily.

Heiji smiled reassuringly. "Kuroba, he'll be fine soon; he just needs a bit o' time to recover!" He took the cloths and placed them on Shinichi's forehead and neck before standing up. "Alright, let's just leave him here fer a while an' find somethin' to do."

The magician frowned. "But is it okay to just leave him like this? He may have a nightmare again." He was looking down at Shinichi with a hint of worry.

Heiji rolled his eyes. "He'll be fine on his own, but I suppose we could play a game of chess in here…" He sighed and turned to Kaito. "Kuroba, why are you so worried about him? You know he will be okay in a few days!"

Kaito sat back down on the floor with a plop. "Yeah, I get that. But there's something else that's bothering him; I can feel it. He's just seemed off for a while and won't say anything to me about it, so I'm a bit concerned…" His eyes widened as Heiji started to shake Shinichi. "Oi, don't wake him!"

Heiji did anyway, and Shinichi rubbed at his eyes and yawned. "What's up? Are we doing something today after all?"

Heiji shook his head. "Nah, Kuroba was just curious about somethin' that I can't answer." He kept it brief and quickly left the room.

Shinichi looked to Kaito and saw the fear in his eyes. "What's wrong, Kaito?" he asked.

Kaito carefully hid his expression and attempted to hide his trembling—the latter not working so well. "Shin-shin, why have you been acting so differently?" he whispered a little shakily. "Ever since you had that crash and the attack, you're not yourself!"

Shinichi couldn't help but smirk. "I thought you figured it out ages ago…" He put a hand under his pillow and pulled out a manila folder. Inside was a stack of notes with his father's report on top. "I found out about the murders. That is what caused my crash, Kaito. I've been trying my best to figure out as much as possible as to Gin's appearance, but nothing adds up; he should have died ages ago. All I've been doing is losing sleep from work and stress and…" He was cut off when Kaito hugged him and burst into tears.

"Oh, Shin-shin, I was so scared that he did something horrible to you and you were in trouble; I could hardly sleep at night since I thought he'd come for you!" He sobbed and buried his head in Shinichi's chest.

Shinichi stroked his hair. "Kaito…" He was shocked; he didn't realize that Kaito could notice it so well. He knew he was close to crying himself, but he didn't want to make it worse. Instead, he managed to softly lull Kaito into a doze before a strong lethargic feeling washed over him. Let's hope we can leave Osaka tonight; we've had enough stress!

X

"Wha—Kazuha? What's wrong; aren't ya still at that luncheon?"

"Um, yes, but…"

"But what? Did somethin' happen? Don't tell me…"

"Yeah…we were talkin' 'bout some new designs over cups o' tea when Moriyama-han suddenly fell out o' her chair. I knew from what ya told me that she was poisoned and tried my best, but she was dead. Everyone thinks I'm callin' the cops now, but I want ya to look it over first to see if it…" Her voice broke off with a quiet sob. "If it was murder."

Heiji huffed. "Alright, I'll come. First, I need to make sure Kudou stays here, or else things could get really bad fer him." He quickly hung up and made his way to the guest room. He stifled a laugh when he saw them both sound asleep in their futons. "Thank goodness they're asleep; they don't need to interfere, especially now!"