AN: I was inspired so wrote the full Beach sequence in one fell swoop. Hope it doesn't look too rushed.
The Beach- Part 3
Kaito never lost sight of Ran as she wandered off, clearly lost in her thought. Until the detectives were to return, Kaito needed to make sure no harm befell the ladies under his watch. Even if said ladies didn't know they were under his watch. Well, Aoko might but she'll probably be doing the watching considering how little faith she has in his self-defence skills. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ahoko! Not that she isn't right. She is. Kaito is not the best fighter around, but he is quite capable using his tricks.
"Hey! Check out these chicks!"
"Damn! Look at that one's boobs!"
"The one with the pony tail is cute!"
"Holy fuck! Check out the gorgeous one with the short hair!"
"… She looks scary, doesn't she? She's glaring at us."
"Nah! Not that one! The one with the rose in her hair!"
"Wow! Now that is some ass!"
"Let's go see if we can pick them up!"
"I call dibs on the Rose girl!"
"Hell no! I want her!"
"We can just see which she'll pick!"
"Look at that one with the long hair!"
"Nice! All the rights things in the right place!"
"Let's call out to her!"
"Oi! Hey! Hey you!"
"She didn't hear you! Hold on, I'll get her to stop!"
Kaito mentally frowned when he spotted the group of college guys walk up to them. Their intentions were very clear and Kaito would normally brush off such attentions normally. But now, he's responsible for looking after the girls. Well … not that he needed to do much. Aoko's deadly, Ran-chan even more so, Kazuha's brutal with her sword, Shiho's like a death god, Akako will curse them to death and succeed in getting away with murder, and Sonoko is just scary in a completely different way! Yeah, he really doesn't have much protecting to do! But he kept an eye out, just in case. Things can degenerate pretty quickly.
One of the guys reached out and grabbed Ran. She was momentarily surprised and didn't immediately karate-punch the guy. Kaito immediately sprang into action. It must have surprised the group of men and Ran alike when he "pooffed" Ran out of their grip in a cloud of pink smoke and swapped places with her so that he would end up facing the group of men.
"Sorry but we're not interested!" Tsukiko spoke with a firm tone, hoping the guys will give up quickly.
Lady Luck seems to have taken a holiday today, as Kaito realised the guys simply changed targets, focusing on him instead of Ran. One of them even openly looked Tsukiko down with a lecherous grin. Disgusting! Why does Kaito have to deal with rude trash like that?
"Come on! Don't be like that cutie! You girls look like you could use some company! Why don't we get to know each other better~?"
Just as one of the men approaching them stalked towards him, Kaito moved into a defensive posture instinctively, with a flight feeling curling in his guts (habit from being chased around by people with guns and law enforcers). He expected the guy to sweet-talk him but the stranger never got a chance. The hand he had stretched out, aiming to grab Kaito's shoulder, was suddenly gripped tightly at the wrist by another hand. Following the length of the nicely muscled bicep, Kaito's eyes trailed up to see a rather pissed off Shinichi. Uh. When had he gotten back? Wasn't he with Hakuba, Hattori and Sera solving some murder or another? And just on cue, Kaito felt a familiar hand land on his shoulder and he glanced back at Hakuba who looked just as angry.
Hattori was checking on the girls but soon quickly joined the other two detectives while Sera stayed by the girls like a guard hound.
This is weird.
Kaito's used to detectives on his tail but not so much to detectives protecting him.
Feels weird.
"W-What the hell? Who are you guys?" The stranger barked and tried to free himself from Shinichi's stone grip but without success. His friends quickly came to back him up with numbers.
Shinichi's expression was blank but Kaito could tell he was raging. When he spoke, his voice was chilling cold.
"That's what I should be asking. What business might you have with my girlfriend?"
"What? She's already taken? No way!" The other man whined while looking enviously at Kaito. Shinichi let out a low warning growl.
"Oi. If you've got nothing better to do than to pick up other people's lovers then you might as well just leave!"
"Tch! Fine! What's with the three guys on that one woman? If you're her boyfriend, what about these two?"
"I'm her best friend." Hakuba spoke in his usual tone but his grip tightened on Kaito's shoulder.
"And it's not just her. You guys are inconveniencing all of our girls. We'd like you to kindly fuck off now!" Heiji hissed.
Yep.
Totally weird.
Eventually, they did leave without a fuss. Just as Hakuba released Kaito, Aoko had launched at him and hugged him. Kaito briefly saw a mop vanish and didn't dare question what his best friend would have done to those poor guys.
"Are you ok?" She whispered worriedly but Kaito rolled his eyes.
"Oi, oi! I know I'm not the best of fighters but I'm very good at dodging and escaping! Thanks to you and your mop skills, Ahoko!"
Aoko chuckled.
"Tsukiko-chan! Did they hurt you? Are you ok? Were you frightened?" Ran joined them, followed by an equally concerned Sera, Kazuha and Sonoko. All of which looked as if they were about to charge into battle. Where on earth did Kazuaha get that katana from?!
Seriously … do they all think he's some kind of damsel in distress to protect? (Which admittedly right now he kind of is … a damsel at least … and technically was in distress … and saved by detectives? Well, isn't that ironic! And yep, it's still weird!) He's the freaking Kaitou KID for goodness sake! Give him a little credit!
"I'm fine! Really!" Kaito reassured everyone, because obviously everyone thought he'd be incapable of defending himself! What the hell?! Great vote of confidence!
Once they all returned to their business, Kaito could finally look at Shinichi who had remained stiff and looking in the direction the men had left. The magician came to stand by him and leaned slightly against Shinichi's taller frame.
"You know, I'm perfectly able to handle myself without needing a knight in shining armour." He pointed out, a bit bitter.
Shinichi didn't answer back. Instead he looped his arm around Kaito's waist and held him tightly. Kaito tried not to shiver at the feel of Shinichi's fingers on his bare skin. Sure, he had made himself into a girl (had to – this is a beach!) but he still didn't think he looked as amazing as real girls. It surprised him to be hit on when in such circumstances. Must mean his disguise was impeccable. That's quite a compliment! But it still leaves him wondering why Shinichi reacted so strongly against these guys. There was no real need to. Shinichi knows Kaito isn't defenceless. Shinichi knows Kaito isn't a woman and so the guys would have lost interest in him anyway. Shinichi knows that Kaito could have easily knocked all of these men out with just a snap of his fingers (and a lot of sleeping gas). Shinichi knows all that so why is he overreacting?
"Shinichi …?" Kaito asked in a low whisper, unsure if he really wants to pursue his line of enquiry.
But Shinichi sighs and pulls Kaito along with him as he starts walking back to their friends. They walked quietly but Shinichi's hand never left Kaito's body. When they did reach the spot of towels where their friends had gathered, Shinichi still did not remove his hold on the thief. Only when Shinichi crossed eyes with Ran did he finally let go of Kaito as if by reflex. Kaito didn't point it out and went to talk with Shiho-chan who seemed very much inclined to tease him and his *relationship* with Shinichi. The joys of dating a famous detective!
Preview:
"Well, these look quite nice, Shin-chan!"
Shinichi groaned in mental pain. It's been a couple of weeks since he last saw Tsukiko and he had completely forgotten to keep his mother updated on his relationship. Figures she'd find ways of finding out everything on her own! Does she have spies watching him?
[...]
"Mother … Why are you calling?"
"Can't I worry and check on my only son?"
"… You lost track of Father and now you're bored."
