Mikau: Hi everybody! I've got writer's block again! Those of you reading HP know that Kaito's been really driving that fic lately; well, on Friday he decided he was bored with HP, and he really didn't want to help me out with CTM or Roses either, so…writer's block of the worst kind. Luckily for you, this has sparked a truckload of these little shorts. There's also a new HakuKai fic on the Magic Kaito section of this site called Pulling Your Strings that you should check out if you have time. Last but not least, thanks so much to reviewers from last chapter: Bunnyz-chan, patternleap, and MeitanteiRose!
Disclaimer: If I owned it, we'd be in trouble because I get writer's block a lot. However, if Aoyama-sensei were looking for someone to take over, I'd gladly volunteer. I think I could steer the series in a direction that would make the fan base happy. I'd need help with all of the murders, but there would definitely be more romance and plot development. It'd turn into shounen ai, but somehow I don't think you guys would have a problem with that.
…
Why?
School had once been a place he came to blow off some steam. Now, sitting in biology class, Kaito felt like he was in a kind of prison. He could feel Hakuba's sharp hawk eyes on him, feel the bloodhound watching his every move.
Kaito was tempted to blow something up just to shake the constant feeling of being watched.
He made his way to the far side of campus during the lunch break, to the playground left over from when Ekoda High used to house the kindergarten and lower grades as well. He knew he was being followed, but he didn't let on until he grabbed onto one of the poles supporting the monkey bars and swung around to face his pursuer.
"What's up Hakuba?" Kaito raised an eyebrow, holding back a smirk when the Brit jumped slightly at Kaito's sudden movement.
"I…I merely wished to let you know that I have not given up, despite your efforts to humiliate and discredit me. I know who you are, Kuroba, and I'm going to prove it…as soon as I find occasion to get a blood sample," Hakuba muttered, but then his vibrato returned. "I will get you, Kuroba."
"Why?" Kaito retorted, pulling out a lollipop and giving it an appreciative suck.
Saguru frowned. "That should be fairly obvious. I am a detective; you are a thief."
Kaito rolled his eyes. "How come?"
Hakuba's left eye twitched. "I don't understand."
"Yes you do," Kaito accused. "Why do you have to get me? Why are you a detective? How come you think I'm a thief?"
"I know you are a thief, Kuroba," Hakuba corrected. "And that is precisely why I must 'get' you."
"Nah. You just want to 'get' me because you can't stand being in the dark." Kaito shrugged, taking a seat on one of the swings and pushing himself back and forth. "You want to understand because you're a detective…. Why are you a detective?"
"Why are you a thief?" Hakuba countered.
"I'm not a thief. I'm a victim of theft," Kaito threw right back at him.
That shut Hakuba up however briefly. "…What was stolen from you?"
"Why?" Kaito went back to their game.
"Because…You were right. I am a detective, therefore, it is in my nature to question and gather knowledge." It pained Hakuba to admit it, but Kaito was right. Kaito had seen right through him, and Saguru found that…intriguing. "What was stolen from you, Kuroba? Is that what you're searching for? Is that what you're trying to get back by stealing?" Saguru held his breath in apprehension and anticipation. He was on to something.
Kaito shook his head. "I'm not Kid, and what was stolen from me can never be returned…. Why are you a detective?"
"…" Saguru took a deep breath and finally replied. "I'm good at it. I have a bit of talent, intelligence, and the determination to make it all work…. Mostly, though, it's because of my idol, Sherlock Holmes…and the fact that my father approved. Father never so much as acknowledges my existence, let alone approves of anything. And so I'm a detective…. And…what was stolen from you, Kuroba?"
Kaito gave his lollipop another suck, causing a loud pop. "My father."
Kaito got up and headed back towards the main building, leaving an oddly quiet Hakuba to stand there and contemplate.
Saguru felt like he'd been handed a very important piece of the puzzle. He was still worlds away from understanding the intricate, beautiful piece of art that was Kuroba Kaito, but he went back to class that day feeling like he'd gotten just a tiny step closer.