Chapter Contains A Few Small Mature Scene
Chapter 29: Scars
Takagi felt like they had been waiting forever. No one came. He brought up a leg and leaned against the back seat, still not taking his eyes off the window. "We missed them, didn't we?"
Sato sighed, then slammed her palm into the steering wheel. "No doubt he was already past here if he came this way. Maybe the perimeter should have been wider. Now it's-" She stopped and looked back at her partner briefly. "We'll still find them, no matter what."
"Yeah." Takagi didn't have much hope for it, though. There was just so little left to hold on to. Then his phone rang and Takagi let it be for one ring longer than normal before picking it up, actually looking at the number this time. "Hello."
"Takagi-kun, we have a report from a civilian witness who saw the van. Head north on the street you're on. It's one block over to your right and parked in a driveway. The license plate is close enough and it seems the woman can't find the owner. I'll meet you there."
Takagi was shocked at both the news and the fact that Shiratori hung up on him, but he didn't spend much time caring. "Sato-san, they may have found the van." He repeated the directions Shiratori had given to him, feeling that hope come back.
Sato nodded. "You getting up here or riding back there?" she asked while starting the car and shifting gears.
Takagi smiled at her and leaned in between the seats. "I wouldn't want to slow you down. I'm surprised you asked."
"Then buckle up and hang on." She slammed the gas pedal and took off. 'We're coming.'
Shiratori pulled up to the side of the house where the SUV was, sighing when he saw that Sato-san's car was already there and empty. He got out, looking around for the two officers.
Takagi hung up the phone after calling Kudo-kun with the location of the house and the fact that they hadn't been able to find the man, adding that the SUV had the same type of hospital gurney in it that Hattori had been taken in. He felt he owed Kudo-kun at least the knowledge of where they were and what they found... which was a lot of nothing. He'd been hung up on before he could say goodbye and he looked over at his partner. They'd checked the house and hadn't found anyone. "What do we do now?"
Sato sighed. "We could check the other houses. The SUV may have been dumped here and it's a nearby house that he - they - are using." She looked out the window at the houses and Shiratori-kun's car. "Seems Shiratori-kun finally arrived."
Takagi looked over at the inspector for a moment before looking around again. He didn't like sitting still if Hattori-kun and the others were somewhere close.
"Since you both were first on the scene," Shiratori asked, lacking any real surprise about that fact, "any updates?"
Takagi watched Shiratori come over to them, the question hanging briefly in the air. "It's the vehicle. We can't find them anywhere, though."
Shiratori sighed when he got up to them, running a hand through his hair. "Chiba-kun should be here any second, and I'm going to call for back up. All we can do right now is look around and hope we find them."
"I agree. We need to check the ones in the immediate area and expand out. The gurney was left, so it might mean that it is through a yard or something and the gurney would have difficulty getting to it."
Takagi nodded. That was good enough for him. He went off. There was nothing else to report anyway since they hadn't really found anything.
Shiratori looked after Takagi-kun. He always was rather anxious when people were involved. He nodded to Sato-san in dismissal. He'd organize a search himself when backup arrived.
Sato looked at her phone. While it wasn't certain it was related, there was the chance... and he was a fellow officer. She dialed the number she had received and waited for the man to pick up.
Nakamori grabbed in his pocket, roughly pulling his phone out and trying hard not to break it when he flipped it open, more focused on looking around and driving. "Yeah?"
"Nakamori-keibu, its Sato. We may have a lead on the whereabouts of Hakuba-kun, Kuroba-kun and Hattori-kun."
Nakamori hit the breaks harder than he needed to, pulling over. Aoko was there, but she was wearing a seatbelt and the guy behind him just skidded. "Where?"
She sighed and gave the location. "The white SUV has the gurney from the hospital that Hattori-kun was on, and there was blood splattered on it- not much, but it's a high probability that the hideout itself is nearby."
That was better than he had. Nakamori looked for a moment before heading off the side street he was on and towards the location. He went to snap his phone shut, stopping himself. "Thanks." Then he snapped his phone shut. You stupid boys better be there because when I get my hands on you I'm gonna put you behind bars, just to get the both of you out of trouble.
"Otousan- Otousan, was that-?" Aoko didn't want to hope but with only three words, it was hard to figure out what the call was about.
"Might have found the car that was used. Gonna go over there and dig up the ground if I have to." Nakamori was restless, but he calmed down with his daughter there. "I don't know, maybe we can get the guy." Nakamori shrugged. "I didn't ask, but it seems more happened after we left. That kid Hakuba-kun went in to see is missing, too. I don't think it's all that easy to hide the three of them." He hadn't missed that the woman on the phone had brought up the other boy's name, someone he hadn't known was gone, and the fact that there was blood. "Don't worry, Aoko. I'm sure we'll find them. You know Kaito-kun. You can't hide that kid."
Aoko closed her eye and, as she often did when she was really worried, talked to her mom. 'Okaasan, let us find them. Please.'
Kogoro had relayed the directions to the driver when Conan told him, and saw the police checking the houses nearby before they even reached the house with the SUV itself in it. He paid the money with no complaint this time and turned to pick up Conan. "Let's go."
Conan nodded. "The police would have checked out front." He took out the phone as he said this, calling Takagi back. "Head around back. Go up and down this block and the next so I can look around."
Kogoro grabbed him and headed to the back, having to pass the SUV on his way and glancing in to see for himself. The blood smeared on the rumpled sheets showed how close it might have been that Conan was taken too... and he'd never asked. He tightened his hold slightly on reflex at the thought. "You never actually told me, if Hattori-kun was hurt or unconscious, how it was that he didn't manage to take you, too?" Not that he would ever wish that, but how had Hattori-kun or Conan managed it?
"Ojisan!" Conan's words were angry and demanding. "It's not important. If you need to know that badly, it didn't look like the guy wanted to take me." He would be running right now if this were his case. It was one that dealt with time restraints since there was now a doctor and a security guard against only three, all injured and most likely knocked out like Hattori had been. So there would be no way to hear them, since they likely couldn't talk. Three were there, so they couldn't just be in one of the houses. Odds were someone would have noticed something, especially since they didn't come in at the same time. Conan found himself looking down, and then up. They were likely either somewhere low or somewhere high. Both had security against eyes and noise. If it was one of the houses though, Conan couldn't see the men being so careless. Odds were, if the car was there, the houses in the area would be searched. "Ojisan, is there anything here besides family homes? Something secluded..." Conan put a hand up to his face and thought. If the neighbors were in on it, maybe they could have gotten away with it. The cops were going to do the job of checking all of that out, though. "Look around. We need to find somewhere that you wouldn't think would be searched. There's no other explanation to why the man would leave his car here except that he thought he was safe." Conan clicked the phone shut, simultaneously talking to Mouri and Takagi-keiji. He'd gotten his information. "Odds are that Hakuba-kun and Hattori were both carried, unless something was used outside the van to transport them. I asked Takagi-keiji to look." Conan looked around the back where he could see most of the houses, just to be sure. He didn't see anything that could be used as a soundproof shed or the like, but he'd had to check. "Come on, the cops have it covered here. We need to find someplace less obvious."
Kogoro moved at a quick step, not quite running so he didn't jostle Conan, as well as to give both of them the chance to look around. He'd gone to the end of the block before he looked down. "Guess we head the other way, unless you want to recheck something. I didn't see anything that looked suspicious going this way."
Conan put a hand to his forehead. "What are you talking about? Everything looks suspicious. That second house you just passed has had newspapers out for at least a few days now. The one right next to it is missing a shutter, yet the one that's at the curb is obviously not the one that's been broken, making me thinks it's been replaced more than once for some reason. There are roses in the bushes the house down, only partially cut because the owner was obviously in a hurry, you can tell from the- You know what. Never mind." Conan sighed, looking back down the street. "We don't have time, and I don't think that it would be this open. We need something like a park with a tool shed or an abandoned bus station, or something more secluded that could be frequented without suspicion no matter who entered."
Kogoro opened his mouth to make a comment, but just shook his head and hurried back. He spotted Takagi on the sidewalk and cut through the empty lot next to the house with the SUV to get to them quicker.
"Woah, wait stop!" Conan was trying to look around. This would work. An abandoned bathroom, a closed shop, a storage cellar- all came to his mind. He tried to look around, the objects he could make out indistinct. "Go around the perimeter."
Kogoro stopped moving. "What? Make up your mind. Besides, there's nothing here."
"Not here..." It was hard to tell from so high up, but fresh spray paint on the ground and more than a few scattered objects left around by people who had some reason to be here were left about... and if there was nowhere to go, that would make no sense. It was way too cold to be out with the soda cans about, as well as more than a few wrappers. "Look or let me do it." Conan struggled in his arms. He was perfectly capable of handling himself. He had been for years and, while he appreciated the parenting, he did not like people messing things up when he was trying to work.
"Fine, fine. Just stop squirming." Kogoro set off, hoping that moving him around the deserted lot would appease him, but also curious now, too. "Mind telling me what you see that I don't."
"Sign of inhabitation. Not anything long term," Conan spread his hand at the random debris. "But there's no fence around this lot, nothing for it to get caught on. With how clean the rest of the neighborhood is, it makes me think that people hang out here. Some of this is new... and it's too cold to sit around somewhere without seats or insulation. There has to be something around here that provides shelter, and there aren't many places where someone would be able to carry a teenager without drawing attention." Conan looked around as he spoke, seeing more and more signs that he was right, but no obvious form of shelter. "It has to be something low then, or we'd see it. Try looking for a storm shelter of some sort. Maybe a cellar or door somewhere near here."
Kogoro was about to comment on that when he looked back over at the edge. he'd heard a strange sound when he had first started across, but he was focused on talking to Takagi-kun. "Let's check over here first." He headed over, crouching low with each step so Conan could get a good look, too.
There was one thing Conan noticed that he wasn't sure about at first. It took him a minute before he tapped Mouri on the shoulder, looking around to make sure no one was watching them and pointing down. "Blood." It wasn't much, but it was there. If it had been old, the rain would have washed it away.
Kogoro dropped to one knee, all but seating Conan on his other as he held him with one hand and reached out. The drops were small, but there, and a single finger touching it showed it to be exactly what Conan had said. This wasn't some spray paint that dripped. The color shifted between the darker color at the edge where it was really dry to the still reddish color where his finger had disturbed it. "Still somewhat fresh inside." He turned to looked at the SUV and positioned Conan so the SUV was directly behind him and the blood drop right in front. "That's the direction. What do you see?"
Conan looked towards the wall. There was a lot of mud about; most likely, this place flooded some time ago. It was obvious by the color of the building that this wasn't anything new. One spot in particular was a darker color, yet it didn't hold any of the built-up compost. Conan tried to get out of Mouri's arms but failed rather miserably. If he had his stuff... but he needed the help. Conan pointed a finger in the direction that had had more wear and tear on the dirt around it than the rest of the lot. He put the same finger up to his lips. He wanted to tell him to hurry because he needed to know if he was right. If he wasn't, he'd wasted valuable time. Getting on the phone, just in case he was, he called up Takagi-keiji and told him where they were, and to be wary when coming up on them. He clicked the phone shut and nodded his head.
Kogoro stood, ignoring yet another of Conan's attempts to go somewhere on his own, and crept over until he came across some sort of metal door set in the ground. There didn't appear to be a lock on it, so it was likely abandoned. He heard footsteps and turned to see Takagi-kun come up behind them. He was about to speak when he was beat to the punch.
Takagi ran up to them, a pistol he'd gotten from Shiratori in his coat pocket. He'd had to ask for it, and he was currently the only officer that that was armed now. He didn't know why Shiratori had let him have it, but he'd given it to him after he'd reported what he heard from Kudo. "What's going on? Did you find them?"Takagi was slightly out of breath from all the running, seeing as he called Sato right after and told her to come to the lot. He'd added, 'now' and 'quietly' before he'd hung up, but he wasn't too sure if it would mean anything to her.
Conan nodded, seeing the same thing that Mouri did. "We'll need some way of getting in if it's locked, and once we do, we have to hurry."
Takagi walked over, looking at the door. The metal was rusted but sturdy. That didn't mean a bullet couldn't pierce the lock, and because of the bolts, it was easy to tell where it was. "Will this work?"
Conan shook his head, tapping Mouri. "Go find something. I'm not going anywhere. We can't risk a gun if there's someone on the other side."
Kogoro wasn't sure he liked leaving him here. He'd done the same thing at the hospital, only to return to find him wandering down the stairs, hurting himself, emotionally shook up and in a bit of shock. He didn't trust the ground around here either. "Take him. I'll find something."
Takagi stood up, going over to them and taking Kudo-kun, though he didn't seem too happy about it. Takagi had to think he wouldn't be either if he was a kid. But Conan was hurt, so there was at least reason. Takagi nodded once he had him. Sato might have time to get here this way, too. He wasn't going to wait longer than he had too if he could help it. And he and Mouri-san were enough for the job if it came down to it.
Kogoro took off. He'd seen a small tool shed two houses down, but he and Conan could see in the window. Besides, it was no bigger than a closet. Even though he had seen a few interesting things in it there, he had no idea what they were. Now he had to see what they did and if one of them could get them through the metal door quietly. He saw no lock and reminded himself this was an emergency and it was no different from commandeering a car to chase a criminal. After some experimenting with a few things and almost setting the shed on fire, he headed back. 'One of these better work.'
Nomura pulled the kid close, about to tase him to silence but deciding that he wanted to finish his fun and he didn't want to wait. "Your brother was good. You interrupted us. Now for me to finish. And guess what? You get to take his place this time. And he tried so hard to have me stay on just him." He headed back down the stairs and over to the bed, the kid still struggling but the teen had given him a better fight and knew to not try to win. He clicked the power level on his taser and shoved the kid face down onto the bed, his hand on the back of the kid's head as he tried to fight back.
Heiji was beyond angry that he seemed weaker once again. He'd had a glimpse of Hakuba on the floor by the bed and Kuroba at the far corner, his hands cuffed far above his head before he was shoved face down on the bed. He struggled to get free when he heard a small click and a painful jolt, not unlike the one from the hospital...only this time it was to his bare back and, while extremely painful, he didn't pass out and his scream was directed into the bed. He jerked and twitched as the man hit him with it a few more times, laughing as he did so. The man turned him over and he finally got some fresh air, gulping it in then gasping when the man dropped on top of him.
"Let's see." He grabbed the kid's wrists and forced them under the kid's back where he used the hard plastic zipties to secure them to each other. "Better. You don't know my rules... and I want to finish up." He smiled as he resumed where he was before, fisting the kid's hair and stroking the boy's back as he moved in to take another one from his prize.
He tried to wiggle and get away but the man was stronger than him and hadn't just had a surgery that left him with an IV. He opened his mouth to tell the guy to get off him when he found he couldn't... almost choking, then gagging before he managed to bite down- and hard. The guy straightened and smacked him hard before undoing his belt and shoving a part of it into his mouth as far back as it would go and tightening it behind his head. He tried to turn his head away or spit it out, but he couldn't do either and the man slid his hands back from around his head to the now forced open mouth and down to his exposed chest. He shivered and felt the goose bumps has he tried to get away or even kick the guy.
The teen was a fighter and a determined one. As much as he liked it he was getting a bit impatient. He allowed the pants to drop now that he had no belt, leaving just the boxers on for now. He leaned over the bed and his lovely prize. "Just enjoy it." He dropped down on the teen again, feeling the teen twisting and trying to get out from under him without him having to move much himself. "After all... you don't want your little brother to be all alone for much longer... right?" He felt the kid under him give one last huge twist then still. 'That did it.'
'No... NO... He did NOT just say that. Kudo... Damn it... I failed 'im... an' I was there this time. I couldn' stop this guy from...' He was vaguely aware that the man was moving on top of him again but he couldn't stop the tears. When he felt something wet wipe his cheek he was confused until he realized the guy had licked his cheek and he made an attempt to pull away but the guy was just to strong as he continued to lick the tears and slip his tongue in his mouth, the belt making him unable to repeat the bite from earlier. What the man whispered in his ear before licking it caused him to fight harder only to find that it was no better than his earlier attempts. 'I gotta get the others outta here... find Kudo... and get away.'
The man smiled as he told the kid what he had told the other teen, how he would bring the brat there and the entire group could have fun with each other. This kid didn't seem to like it any more than the other. "Just... accept it... you are... all here... for good." He grabbed the kid's hair and pulled to get him to arch like the other had and even with the gag the cry of pain was pleasing to hear. "Nice... Get use... to that... I know... I'll... enjoy it... every time." He reached and grabbed the waistband of the pants the kid was wearing, getting rewarded by another sound from the teen he was leaning over... not just one thing and he couldn't figure what it was, but he liked it.
Conan had gone down first, mostly as a lookout as his footsteps were the most silent. He'd been hearing Hattori and the man who had taken him since the door had been open; if it were physically possible for him to run, he would have. Letting his detective instincts take forefront and knowing Takagi and Mouri were right behind him, he peeked into the room, anger overcoming him far worse than it had when Hattori had wanted to put the gun to his head. Quickly accessing the situation and taking account of everything in the room all at once, Conan acted, putting up ten fingers so that he could get a ten second head start. He ran the best he could, skidding to the front of the bed and picking something up before using it and stabbing the man on top of Hattori in the leg, right where his muscle met bone. Well, he'd been planning on being a distraction. That would certainly be distracting. He stuck his tongue out and spit at the man like a child. He wanted to be disarming, too.
"AH! What the- well... you." He leaned down quickly to grab the brat, his other hand still holding the kid's waistband. "Couldn't wait until tomorrow, huh?" He started laughing. "He seemed to want to see you pretty bad a few minutes ago, too-"
Heiji wasn't sure what had made the man stop, but the guy was still way too close to what he wanted; and if he tried to twist away, it would only help the guy, not him. When he began talking, Heiji was confused until the man said 'he seemed to want to see you...' 'NO... NO... WHA' ARE YA DOIN' HERE?!' He knew he had fresh tears streaking down his cheeks as he realized that Kudo had no doubt been true to their nature and tracked him down, even as injured as he was. 'Not here... not this... otouto please...' He made a few noises around the belt but nothing came out as even semi-coherent to his own ears.
Kogoro was about to rush forward when the guy grabbed Conan faster than he'd thought would be possible... and the man's words to Conan sickened him, both chilling him to the bone and burning him up. He wanted to tear the man to pieces. Hakuba-kun was on the floor, unconscious it seemed, and a teen that looked like Kudo was cuffed to one of the posts while Hattori-kun was on the bed also, the man gripping his waistband in one hand and now Conan in the other. They had to hope they could get close enough with Conan distracting the man to get him away from all of them.
Conan saw the desperation Hattori was in and felt pain himself to see his friend crying again. He'd been doing that too much... "Don't worry Heiji-niichan. I'm here to rescue you." Conan pointed a finger accusingly at the man. "You're a bad man! Get away from Heiji-niichan!" He'd find time to be embarrassed about that later. He took his fingers and started clawing at the man's hand that was holding him. He may have been a kid, but that didn't make his nails any less weak.
Heiji felt sick, seeing this man holding Kudo. If not for the fact that trying to move would only result in-... Heiji shivered again. He had to get the man's attention away from Kudo. Maybe he could draw the man's attention back to him, without risking him using-... Another way... Not away... Toward. Heiji squeezed his eyes shut and tried to swallow the bile that was coming to his throat as he twisted his bound hands as much as he could to move himself toward the guy and get him interested in him and him alone. 'Leave him alone.' "Le' 'i' a'own."
Nomura had started laughing when the brat said he was there to rescue the other one and even harder at the 'bad man'. He caught his breath and looked closely at the brat. "You know that you're now a part of the group... and I plan to have each of them to play with you... when I'm not myself, of cour-." He suddenly felt the kid on the bed push up against him and, with the way they had been positioned, that got him to look down at him. "Impatient now... or jealous?"
It was too far. "I don't want to play with you! You're a mean man and you hurt niichan! You're just one big scardy cat, tying him up!" Maybe you can do it. "And Heiji-niichan's not jealous of you, he's nice! You're a meanie! You're jealous!"
Heiji wanted to slam his shinai right between the guy's legs for more reasons than one. In fact, for all four of them. The guy had almost done this to Kuroba, was about to do it to him... flat out TOLD Kudo that he was going to be shared, not that THAT was ever going to happen. Then Kudo went and tried to get the guy on him again. 'Damn it Kudo... This guy has one interest... don't be another.' He braced himself as he went to try to get the guy's attention. He had to get the man to put. Kudo. Down.
Kogoro had been trying to slip quietly closer and planned to just start pounding the guy out cold if he even tried to follow through with the things he was telling Conan. Then, when Hattori-kun went and got the guy's attention on him, the reaction... he had no words for it; or too many- anger, disgust, fear, loathing... and then Conan started shouting at the man again. As much as he didn't want him to do it, he used the shouts to inch closer to the man.
Takagi didn't follow Mouri. He wanted to, but if they needed, he thought the element of surprise was better. If the man turned now, at least he'd be hidden and maybe he'd be able to do something that he wouldn't otherwise. Mouri could handle him alone, and if he couldn't, Takagi would be there... but he was mostly keeping himself back because, wherever Mouri found it, Takagi wouldn't be able to stop once he took a step out, and it would likely get one, if not both of the kids, hurt.
Nomura snickered as he looked down at the kid on the bed and listened to the brat talk. "Fine... don't play with me... I think I'll just sit you on you niichan's lap... that should prove I'm not a meanie... right?" The shock and disgust and fear on the face of the kid who was now shaking his head as he himself fingered the waistband. "And you can see how 'nice' he is..." He turned to look at the kid as his hand tightened once more on the kid's waistband. "Once and for-"
Kid first started to wake when Tantei-kun screamed. He opened his eyes, quickly going back to looking out under his eyelashes. He hadn't seen the boy's arrival, didn't know if he'd been picked up, but judging by the fact that he could see the sleeping detective behind him, he'd brought backup- and the guard hadn't caught on. Kid watched, taking in the scene, and wanted to smile as he saw his actions play out like a dance before him. He would need to be fast, but he could do that. Both his arms were hurting, one from the cuff pulling on his skin too often and likely bleeding by now, the other from his pervious injuries. His muscles, from their resting place, told him he was getting close to the point of empty regarding their usage, so this would be a one-trick shot. If he failed, he pictured it ending much like it had for his father, only longer and far more painful. Going back through the steps and taking in the words as they were spoken, seeing the two all but fight for attention, Kid had had enough. Knowing Tantei-kun, he would have listened until he found his chance, and that would be too late for the both of them. Kid had the cuffs off before he moved, using the backboard to push himself forward as quickly as he could, on hand going to the discarded item on the bed and lifting it, knowing he couldn't hit any vitals while the man held Tantei-kun. He could break his hold, though. Kid had it switched on the moment his fingers whisked it off the bed, shoving it into the man's wrist as he pulled Tantei-kun tight to himself, all but bending over Hattori to do it. He kept his back arched like a cat over them both, making sure they didn't pay for the retribution.
The Kudo look-a-like moved fast, and as soon as he saw him take Conan and cover Hattori-kun, he was already moving himself. He grabbed the man's arm in a tight hold. "You are never going to mess with my family again."
Nomura was shocked at the shock and felt the brat get taken from his hand and that same arm grabbed. The words were spoken with a calm firmness that gave no leeway as he felt the speaker pull his arm and his entire body followed up and into the air. He wasn't sure when he realized his other hand was stinging and empty, but it was his last thought before he felt himself hit the ground and black out.
Conan acted almost the second he noticed the boy who was Kid grabbed him. He'd taken him, but he'd left Hattori. Crawling between his arms as the guy moved into a stance that still protected them both but didn't need to be holding him - that was a first. Everyone thought he needed to be held - Conan went to the man's other hand and bit it hard where the tendon was, forcing him to let go. Then something funny happened and the man went backwards then fell to the floor. He didn't know what has caused it, but he was grateful.
Takagi ran over to Mouri, realizing at the last moment that he didn't have any cuffs of his own anymore... He'd never gone back to the station. He didn't want to know why, but he saw zipties on the floor and picked two up, securing the man before standing back up and looking over at Hattori to make sure he was all right.
Kid didn't know what made the man fall, but he didn't care. He was in secure hands now, and he tossed the device to the floor, looking down at Hattori who had obviously been the victim while all this was occurring. He lifted his head, undoing the belt around his mouth before turning his body to the side just enough to see his hands, using the scalpel he had lost on the bed before he was knocked out to undo them. Once that was done, Kid sighed, getting off the bed and walking into the corner of the room, since that was as far as his legs would take him, sliding down the wall and resting there as his body shivered and his conscious mind went meticulously blank, his subconscious running through facts, scenarios, impossibilities, and whatever else it could latch on to. He drew in closer to himself while this happened, wishing he'd been able to get farther.
Heiji was glad at first about being freed, but with the numbness in his hands as blood rushed back to them, causing them to feel like pins and needles were sticking in them... the taste in his mouth from the belt and the man's tongue... the feel of him on his skin... the drying saliva from him licking him... He wanted to be sick. And that the guy had almost forced Kudo, as Conan-kun, his otouto, on him... that way... He groaned and turned his head. No... no... no... not him... never. Not like that... or ever.
Saguru had been fighting the fog that seemed to have settled in his mind. He was awake... and someone was in trouble. KUROBA. He had to help him... but where? He had heard voices but none was the one he was listening for, although he recognized most. "Kuroba?" he croaked out, his voice dry and sore from yelling earlier and with nothing to drink all day. "Kuroba..."
Kogoro had straightened his shirt after seeing to it the guy was well and truly not moving anytime soon. A sound caused him to turn and he realized the blond teen, Hakuba-kun, was calling out for someone. He knelt down and touched his shoulder, telling him what had happened and getting the teen to react and try to move. 'Are all teens are like this?' he wondered as he helped the teen stand and steady himself.
Conan watched the guy who helped save them untie Hattori. He'd been going to try, but he was almost happy when the guy did,1 because he didn't know if he could physically do it. He'd walked away fast enough and Conan went closer to Hattori, sitting down next to the side of his head and tapping him on the forehead. "I told you to stop trying to give me a heart attack. I'm still young you know."
Takagi went around the man who was unconscious, seeing a second on the floor not far from them with too much blood around him for Takagi to think he was still alive. He went over and checked anyway, seeing the doctor. He was dead, had been for some time. He'd find out what happened later. If he was anything like the guard, it was likely self-defense. He walked over beside Hattori and Conan, taking the sheet up before sitting and placing it partially over Hattori so he felt safer. He put a hand on his shoulder, disappointed again that he hadn't really been able to do anything. It was all Kudo... and somehow Kuroba, even captive, had done it again as well. Takagi felt rather useless compared to them... especially Hattori, though. He'd been through so much to save Kudo, only to get taken and have to go through something like this. He rubbed his hand on the other's shoulder where he'd placed it, trying to show he was there and offering what grounding force he could. Takagi watch Kudo do something... kind of funny. He had been sitting, but he moved to half curl up around Hattori's shoulder. It was only after Takagi noticed that he'd been imitating him... and trying to provide contact.
Heiji shivered at the contact. 'What's happenin'... who?' Oh no. He was at it again... his hands touching him... he'd start trying again soon. Heiji tried to turn away, hide the tears, or get himself away but... if he was doing that again... focused on him... Kudo'd be safe. That's what he'd tried to do. Must have worked... and if the guy was holding him, than he wasn't holding Kudo so maybe... 'Kudo... run... Get away... Get outta here...' "Go..."
Kogoro started to scan the room for the other teen but looked back at the bed. Takagi-kun and Conan were both at Hattori-kun's side and while he wanted to check on Conan himself he reminded himself that the man had not had a chance to do anything to him. He felt Hakuba-kun try to pull away and held on to him, looking in the direction the kid was trying to go. He saw the huddled form off in the corner of the room. The way he'd been cuffed... Were they too late? "Shit." He started over, Hakuba-kun trying to go ahead but still swaying a bit. "I hope he wasn't already..." He couldn't think like that. The Kudo look-a-like had risked himself to grab Conan from the man that held him and then shielded both Conan and Hattori-kun with his own body. He could only hope that the teen had not had to go through what Hattori-kun had.
Saguru was concerned enough about the visible state Kuroba was in, but when Mouri-san voiced his concern Saguru's blood ran cold. What had occurred while he was unconscious? Had Kuroba really... surely not. However, as soon as he reached the huddled form on the floor, he pushed away from Mouri-san and dropped to the floor in front of Kuroba. He reached out his hand, tears in his eyes as he picked out the little details on his friend's face and body, especially the tear tracks from his eyes and the visible mark on the side of his neck. "Ku... Kuroba... sumimasen... I- I should not have left you. You risked so much to protect me. Please... forgive me. I failed you... as a friend... and even as a human being. I will understand if you never want to see me again... just be OK." He reached out and touched the teen's shoulder, sliding beside his and attempting a smile. "I gotcha. You are going to be fine."
Kid looked over at Hakuba. Oh, right. He wasn't through yet. "Stay." He put a hand on the detective's shoulder momentarily, waiting for some acknowledgement that he would do what he was told, shifting to his knee as he was about to get back up.
"Kuroba, no- not this time... You stay, too." Saguru kept his hand on Kuroba's shoulder as well. "Help is here... You do not need to do anything else." He reached for the teen's left hand and saw the condition of his wrist, no doubt from the cuffs he'd used to keep the doctor from following him and possibly... "You will need to be checked over. After that... if you wish me gone, I will... but not before."
Kid moved his hand from the detective's shoulder to his head. "I'm not going far. You may watch me to check." Kid looked over at the others that were on the bed, not caring if he interrupted while he completed his task. Then he looked back at the detective. "And don't worry. You've done nothing wrong. You have no reason to leave." He tipped his head to the side a bit, looking over the marks. They still weren't old enough to get as dark as he knew they would. "I'll be right back."
Saguru was not so sure about that. Perhaps he did not remember him leaving him behind with the deranged man, only to return with someone who, due to his position on the floor and the fact he was being ignored by the others, was not as lucky a find as he had thought. He nodded instead and leaned forward over his knees. He remembered hearing Hattori-kun just before he felt the pain explode in his shoulder- then nothing. What had happened to the others...
Kid nodded, getting a bit unsteadily to his feet before he was fine. He walked over towards the others, looking over the sheet before finding something that would work. Before grabbing it, he looked back at the other two. Kid ignored his goal for a moment, going over to them. He took Takagi's hand from where it was, putting it in Hattori's hair. The guy had his eyes closed and Kid knew from experience that they were likely giving the wrong impression. "Be gentle. It'll come through." He didn't turn to look at the officer, but a repetitive gentle touch that wasn't on skin would work. He moved Tantei-kun a little, seeing tired eyes look up at him. "Oh, right. You were sick." Kid didn't care that much though, he was just sharing information. "Talk to him." He got a pair of eyes back at him that said 'I'm trying.' He would leave him be, then. Kid went back to his work, grabbing the pillow and taking the case off as he walked back to the detective, kneeling at his side while he neatly folded the case. "I can't disinfect it, but this should hold." He'd grabbed wrapping material, but no gauze. It simply took up too much space for him to deem it necessary. Kid eyed the very dark mark, dried partially now with blood that he'd also spotted on the sheets. He pressed the pillowcase to it, waiting as he got the wrap out, his eyes on Hakuba, to make sure he was aware of his actions and not taking any with the wrong sentiments.
Saguru felt he should have been doing something for Kuroba, and when the pillowcase made contact he winced and almost drew away. He remembered that it was Kuroba and he owed him so much for taking on the role he had, knowing that, just in the time Kuroba had bought him both by stalling and getting his body to fight the drugs in his system, he had no doubt the doctor would have done what he wanted before he had been able to move. Kuroba had been injured, too- could have been injured much worse, and he was tending to his shoulder instead. "What- what about you?"
"I'm fine. Nothing more than a small cut or two." Kid went about wrapping it when no protest was put up. "I'm sure they can fix that properly at the hospital." Kid felt his body relax once again when he was finished. He hoped that was the last of his obligations, because he could feel how spent he was. He leaned back up against the wall where he had been, bringing his left leg up and resting forward on it. "And if it's of any importance, you should be the one staying away from me, not the opposite."
"I left you with that- that monster... I should never have done that." Saguru looked at Kuroba, then dropped his head. "Sumimasen. I should have stayed... helped you in some way. You risked so much to help me and I just abandoned you." He started to shake. "I thought I may have been able to have friends. Now… I know I do not deserve-"
"What you deserve is more than I can give to you. You did not abandon me, you trusted me. I appreciated that, though I had more than wished you would not have returned, I had predicted it occurring. You are far more stubborn than you give yourself credit. The main issue in the way had nothing to do with either you nor I. We are just two different people, and I hardly fit in with the rest of you. You did as you should have, and I did what I wanted. That would be our main difference. Besides, I was quite fine after you left. You were the only thing holding my hand. I told you, I do not do well with others. For me, and in my line of work, they can only be used against me. This is through no fault of your own. I just am not the right kind of person to befriend, and you have several very willing members before you to fulfill that role, so stop troubling yourself."
Kogoro had stood there being ignored by both teens. He shook his head. "I'm not sure what the hell happened, but if your actions toward each other, as well as what I'm gathering from what I've heard, are any indication... you don't deserve each other, you are just lucky to have the bond you do. I don't think you could stopbeing friends any more than those two over there could. Different as night and day, but you," he looked at the Kudo look-a-like, "saw what they tried to do for the other. And I imagine that it was not much different than what you did." He crouched down in front of the two of them. "Don't bother fighting what's already there, let alone each other, and as far as I'm concerned..." He reached his hands out and placed one on a shoulder of each teen. Both had gone through so much to help Conan, Hattori-kun, and each other. "You both have more than you know- you have a family, and you don't get out of that no matter what."
Saguru was stunned to silence and could not figure out why everything was blurring.
Kid wasn't sure of his own sense of being. One moment he was happy, the second he was scared at how much those words would tie him down. He looked up at the man who had spoken. He didn't even know him. He had no right to say such words to him. Kid put his fingers to rest on the man's arm where it was touching him. "You hardly even know me to do something like that, and I will admit that while you know of some of my actions, there are many others who would have done the same. People are not as cold as those two were, though I doubt either of them really listened to me. My actions of the past however many hours are not my only ones, and trust me, you do not want me as part of this family of yours. But if you can, please help the detective." Kid took his hand and momentarily brushed Hakuba's arm with it before deciding, after all that he had done, he should not be touching him. "I do think you need a family, even though you have one of your own." Kid smiled a little. He'd tried to earlier, but hadn't been able to do it then. "You will have great competition, I'm afraid, with those two around, but at least you will not have me to oppose you. We cannot be friends and enemies at the same time, and I just wouldn't fit in."
Kogoro watched as the kid that had done so much for them denied himself the gratitude he deserved. "You did more than I was able to, and with no apparent reason and nothing to gain. While I know there are those out there that would help, you didn't just help... you made a huge difference. The very fact that Hakuba-kun and Hattori-kun spoke of what you did so highly... I don't believe they'll let you-" Kogoro stopped and had to step back when Hakuba-kun made his first reaction since he had knelt to speak to them.
'Me... but I did nothing to help. I just got myself captured... then left Kuroba behind... only to return with another criminal... and get captured again... leaving the others to have to save me. I was unable to do more than take a burn for 'Conan-kun' and then carry him.' Hearing Kuroba downgrade himself and reference his other activities shook him, but before he could figure out what to do, Mouri-san had started talking again and he decided he had to confirm the man's words. He reached over and hugged Kuroba, letting the tears fall. He leaned in close to Kuroba's ear and whispered for him alone. "Even brothers can have rivalries. Talk to Kudo... We can go from there. Please..."
Kid smiled, lightly patting the detective. He shouldn't have been clinging to him. "If it were only a rivalry, I would see no problem with it. It's not. We're in direct opposition to one another. I am also sorry for your wounds... they seem quite pointless now." Kid turned to Mouri, offering him a smile as well, and keeping his voice low. "And you don't know what you say. I'm sure in a family of police officers and detectives, Kaitou Kid has no place."
"Do not go there, not here. It was precisely that that got us this far... both yesterday and today." He paused and closed his eyes. "You know why I was put on the Kid Taskforce. My father said he wanted me to be humbled because I had been solving cases too quickly... but in truth, he could care less. Since I got here I had one constant- you. And ever since I returned, did you ever notice a difference in my treatment of the heists?"
"Yes," Kid laughed a little at him. "You're opposing has turned to watching, and your concealed help, while useful, is unnecessary. No matter what your objectives, or mine, we are still going to be two very different people, and I can't rely on you anymore, or you I. It's too dangerous and I just can't do it. What I feared came to pass, as it would have eventually. I let you be my friend, and then someone used you against me. It will only happen again if you are near me. I'm not saying this to be mean or self-sacrificing, but to protect both of us and our interests."
"This was not because of you. The man did not even know who you were before you spoke to him outside. In truth, if we had not been friends, you would not have come after me. I would have been..." Saguru could not say it and decided that he likely did not have to. Kuroba had had nothing to do with his kidnapping, and yet he had made certain to help him. If not- not only the doctor, but no doubt the second man as well... and as Hattori's position showed, he too would have been a victim.
That almost hurt. "Hakuba, do you really not know what I do? It wouldn't matter if we're friends or not," Kid shrugged a little. "If I know something wrong, why wouldn't I try and stop it? This would have been the turnout had things gone this way even last week." Kid smiled a little at that, it becoming more of a smirk than before. "You're the one who changed. And you're right, then, I guess..." He shrugged a little again. "Whether we are friends or not, nothing would change." Than Kaito thought of the one thing that would change. "Except you being an idiot. I cantake care of myself, you know. You didn't need to come back."
"Hey. I actually believed that he was going to help. How was I to know that, by leading him to you, I was allowing myself to be caught again? If he had been a real guard than this would be a moot point, would it not?" Saguru sat back, but remained in front of Kuroba and started to cross his arms when he thought better of it. Either the pillowcase would shift or he would end up irritating more of the scratches on his body then he had already.
"Would have been a moot point, anyway. I told you, I had the guy. Case in point, I took care of him and then tried to save your sorry butt." Kaito sobered a bit at that. "It's funny, but I thought it would bother me more than it is."
"Well..." Saguru looked away for a moment and then back at Kuroba. "I thought I would be needing to apologize to get the chance to keep you as a friend... instead of asking you to stay mine."
"What do you need to apologize for? It's not like you did it on purpose. I'm the one who treated you like a chew toy." Kaito poked a little at him. "I'm guessing it kinda hurts now. Sorry."
"I knew what you were trying to do and why. I should be thanking you. There is no way I would have recovered soon enough otherwise. If you had not done what you did, you would either have had to stand there and... watch or blow your cover story with results much the same. Speaking of which I- I am not certain... it was likely whatever he shot into me but, for a moment... when we first got here until he walked away and you were able to talk to me I-..." Saguru shivered as felt the shame and embarrassment at having had the slightest doubt about Kuroba's intentions.
Kaito laughed and it was actually happy. "You make that sound like a bad thing. I'm more than proud of my acting skills. If I can fool my friends, I can fool my enemies."
Saguru's head shot up. "I should think the fact that I was able to doubt you, at all, would be evidence enough that I am not a decent friend-"
Hakuba was still near him and Kaito flicked him on the head. "Hakuba, everyone has doubts, even about their friends; it's only natural. It's what makes us human. Besides, you said it yourself, you were drugged. You were also afraid, and I'm sure you don't do stuff like this on a daily basis... if you did, I'd have to send you to Mars or something to keep you safe. Fear makes our irrational thoughts come to life more than anything. What you're doing, right now, is weighing your mind on something that didn't bother me at all and was the result of stress and- really- you not knowing me. We haven't talked much before, and you've shied away from feelings in the past. I'm sure part of that was a defensive mechanism against being hurt. If you were to doubt me tomorrow or next week, I wouldn't mind either. If you're still around, and we're friends a year from now, then I'd hold it against you, no doubt. Because you'd know me. You've only been around me, really been around me, for about twenty-four hours, and trust takes time." Kaito laughed a little. "I just happen to be a suicidal maniac and trust those who I don't sense ulterior motives from on sight, even if I'm wrong. Don't judge yourself based off me or you're going to wind up confused. Now," Kaito made sure he was looking him in the eye, "you still feel bad about it?"
Saguru took a deep breath, grateful for the reassurance... and surprised that what he said was indeed true. At the same time, while the weight had lessened, it was not completely gone. "I guess what you say is true. I just..."
"Hakuba." Kaito raise an eyebrow. "Mind if I prove a point? Do you think I'm a good friend?"
Saguru looked at him in shook. After everything he'd done for him, as well as for the other two... "Yes. With everything you did..."
"What was the first thing I asked you to do when we got here? Or at least, when you were conscious of being here."
Saguru thought back. His first memory of it being Kuroba who was talking to him involved him saying something about being nice, followed by the talk with the doctor that had caused him to question Kuroba, so that couldn't be it... Must have been after the doctor walked away, when Kuroba had climbed on him to continue with his ruse and try to stimulate his body back into motion. What had Kuroba asked him to do first? He had been so out of it. Saguru hated to admit this but he finally shook his head. "I just remember that I felt calmer and knew that you were there to help. As far as the actual words- nothing."
"Honestly, I can't quote myself either, at the moment. I know I said something about you trying to stop worrying, that I was going to try and hold him off, and that you should run. That was the gist of it." Kaito smirked. "I take it you don't remember the first thing you said to me either, do you?"
"If it was the same as my thoughts... it would have been to run."
"You were confused, drugged, and not even sure of what I was saying. You as good as told me that you can't remember, yet you told me to run the first chance you could speak. Really Hakuba, you can't call yourself a bad friend without saying the same of me."
Saguru opened his mouth and tried to form a response. After a moment, when he still had nothing, he let his shoulders drop and expelled the breath he had meant to use for his answer.
"You know, Hakuba," Kaito smiled as he rubbed his eye. "If your detective interests don't drive me crazy, that natural pessimism about yourself will. But hey, maybe we can even each other out." Kaito laughed. "Of course, that's if you don't pass out from my bubbling happiness. I'd better make sure to give you it in small doses."
Saguru smiled a little at that. "As much as I am sure to claim that it was a bad idea, right now, I am not so sure it is."
Kaito looked around, hunching a bit over on himself and lowering his voice. "Ah, hey Hakuba. You think we can keep some of that stuff a secret? I mean..." Kaito cleared his throat, watching Mouri a moment and lowering his voice even more. "I don't really want Aoko knowing I kissed you or anything. I mean, I know and you know why I did all that stuff... and the licking and stuff... but I don't really see why she has to know... or anyone else either." Kaito cleared his throat again and tried hard to stop himself from licking his lips. He didn't want to do that before he showered. "It's just... kinda weird." Kaito laughed a little. "Even for me."
"I understand that and agree. If it does come up, they will check, but I am certain I can ask for Eri-obaasan to make it confidential. It will no doubt be sealed, as we are minors. The worst part coming will be the tests that, due to the circumstances, we have to undergo before any of the three of us will be able to clean up. No offense to you, but that doctor did..." Saguru shivered and rubbed his arms. "I believe I will buy out the nearest store of mouthwash the first chance I get- and a pumice stone for everywhere else."
Kaito laughed. "I'm fine with water but you better share that mouthwash."
Saguru suppressed a laugh for a second before he stopped and looked over at the bed before going back to Kuroba. "I have a feeling that we may share it with a third. I haven't even asked about them but... Hattori-kun?"
Kaito looked over at them, leaning against the wall and patting the seat next to him. "Seemed like the guy got about as far with him as he did me, but I'm a bit loopy normally. Didn't really bother me. Scared the hell out of me when I thought he was gonna hurt you guys, though. Given that he's not me and that he was hurt far worse than me, I don't know how conscious he was. I'd say leave him be for now. Too many of us, and we're likely to confuse him." Kaito let out a breath, hunching himself against the wall better. "I say we rest while we have the time... I don't like the sound of those 'tests' you were talking about, and I've had enough excitement for the week." Kaito did turn back to him, though, with a wide grin. "Next week is fair game."
Saguru looked over once more before looking back at Kuroba, 'as far as he did with me' playing in his head. He didn't know how far that was and was almost afraid to ask. He put a hand on Kuroba's shoulder and started to move to sit at arms length, now unsure how being too close to him might affect him.
Kaito rolled his eyes, letting out a breath. He scooted over with his hands, his stupid arm hurting so much more than it had before - probably because the adrenaline was gone - and slung his arm over Hakuba's should, sitting up straighter so he wouldn't pull him down. "Kami, you can be stupid."
"I just... did not wish to crowd you either. I did not even consider what was happening while I was unconscious, and was unsure how any sort of proximity might-"
"Hakuba, it's you. You could throw a pie in my face right now and the worst that would happen would be you'd get one back- or a dozen. I mean, really. I'm dressed. Nothing that bad happened. You on the other hand are probably 99% covered in my germs and you're assuming I don't want to be near you. And for the record," Kaito said, indignity and humor in his voice. "I don't think you need that much mouthwash. I don't taste that bad. At least you don't have mister I-have-the-worst-breath-ever germs on you."
"Not from you... I guess you were playing your part too well. Before the doctor walked away he..." Saguru felt the chills wrack his body. "I was not even able to resist or bite down... and no longer numb enough to not feel it."
"At least you weren't able to move. That at least is a reason..." Kaito shook it off. He thought of something, but Kami, would it be embarrassing and he'd likely scar the detective for life. That didn't mean he couldn't feel Hakuba in shaking in his arm. Kaito sighed. It has absolutely no meaning to him, and it would distract Hakuba, but damn was he going to get hit or something for this. "Do you trust me?"
Saguru looked over, wondering why he kept asking that. "Yes. You should know that by now."
Kaito grinned. Yep, he was gonna get knocked out or something for this. "Don't bite me." It was easy enough. Hakuba was there and Kaito was sure he had the element of surprise, along with the fact that he had his arms around him and Hakuba could do nothing back. He kissed him, though his lips didn't meet his all the way, wiping his tongue against the detective's a few times before pulling away, licking his teeth. "I still have some of that honey stuff in my mouth. Wipes away the other tastes pretty well, and now," Kaito smiled, a small laugh coming out with it. "Most of those germs are mine, so stop feeling so dirty. Something like this... it means absolutely nothing without love behind..." Kaito growled. "But so help me if you tell Aoko I'll make sure that pie has a few rocks in it."
Saguru was dumbfounded. The first thing that his confused mind latched onto was what he ended up saying out loud. "Not to mention, in our condition, neither of us would have a chance at avoiding her mop."
Kaito laughed. "Oh no, I broke your brain."
"And... at least that stuff tastes better than it felt. As effective as it was... it burns." Saguru shook his head a bit and took a deep breath before he swallowed.
"What burns?" Kaito hadn't meant to hurt him. He frowned. "What? Are you cut or something?"
Saguru looked over and realized what he had said. "Oh, no. It's not anything like that." He did not want Kuroba to feel more guilt. He had had no chance to wash it out and it seemed the stuff lasted awhile. It didn't really hurt too severely. His shoulder had been much worse. This was more a slight, lingering one by now.
"Crap." Kaito pulled Hakuba closer, the side of his check against Hakuba's hair. "Yeah, well, sorry you're hurt. I'd get something for you if I could." Kaito looked over at Mouri who had been watching them, and damn it if the guy told a soul what he'd done, he'd make sure his hair was blue for the rest of his life. "Ojisan, can I have your coat?" Kaito held out his injured hand, keeping his other around the detective. "And please just hand it to me. I'm sure it's not that heavy."
Mouri pulled it off as soon as it was asked for. These teens had been through so much and seemed to still be operating on a different level, as well as with knowledge of events that he couldn't guess at- or, he could, but didn't want to or else the guy he'd flipped would likely get as many as it took until he could never walk again- if he was lucky. His suit coat was on the steps since Conan couldn't risk being seen with an adult's size clothes. He still had his shirt and, as it was, that was all he'd have when they left... but it was worth it. He held it out to the teen with some words of his own. "I won't tell anyone about what you talked about... but my wife has this case already. You tell her and the doc, well, Shina-san what they need to know. I don't see why anyone should think I know anything, OK?"
Kaito smiled. "Thank you. I still find it hard to believe that you're both so stupid. I mean, I told you who I was." He tipped his head to the side with a smile. "And you didn't bring it up. Let's just pretend I didn't say anything, then. Here," Kaito moved his arm forward to move Hakuba. "This will at least give you some security, and while it's fine and all, I don't really like looking at what I had to do to you. I hope those bruises go away soon. I wasn't intending for anything to be long-lasting."
"I managed to put it together when I saw you move and grab Conan- things that were said in the hospital room combined with inconsistencies on past cases- and your looking like Conan... when he's Kudo-kun that is."
Saguru allowed himself to be moved. As he said, he trusted Kuroba.
Kaito put the shirt around him, waiting for Hakuba to get his arms in and pulling it better on him. "Doesn't matter, really. Didn't know the cops had so much info on me, though." Kaito leaned back to where he had been, leaning against Hakuba and sighing, his eyes closing. "You know... I really have to learn to relax- that, or you all have to learn to stop getting into danger so often. I think I've bled more in the last however long than I have in my whole career." Kaito looked down at the blood on his injured hand, already dried. It disgusted him, but he knew he couldn't wipe it off. It already looked like he'd be up in court for justifiable self-defense, and he wasn't going to go throwing away evidence. He rested his face against Hakuba again, making him lean back against the wall with him so that Hakuba could rest too. He felt tired, but Kaito had a feeling it was more than that. More like stress. At least with the detective here, he knew he couldn't be used again. That made him quietly laugh. Man, he was turning into Hattori.
Saguru felt Kuroba lean against him and seemed to relax. This allowed him to more or less follow suit. He'd been wanting to check on Hattori, too, but perhaps, like when they were on the beach and in Recovery, Hattori had Kudo/Conan-kun... maybe he could trust him, his friend, to look after the other. "Lucky, is it not? Vacation this week."
Kaito had his eyes closed but he heard the words and laughed, mostly silent, though his breath was in Hakuba's ear and his body shook. "I can't believe you just said something about this was 'lucky'."
"Hm." Saguru was starting to fade again, his body relaxing naturally rather than drug induced. "Guess you are... aaaalready rubbing off on me." Saguru let his head drop.
Kaito moved to make sure they were both more comfortable, though no matter what, he knew he'd be sore anyway considering he was sleeping sitting up. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Kaito rested his head on the detective's hair so that they'd be able to lean on one another. It felt... kind of nice, and far more comforting than he would admit. Kaito let the world around him fade, and while there were definitely things he wanted to take back, he was happy with the way things had turned out. He wasn't sure, but Kaito thought he was smiling again, before the only thing that mattered was the darkness behind his eyes and both of their breathing.
Kogoro watched as the two teens fell asleep against each other, content and secure in the knowledge that the other was safe through the contact they had. 'Huh. That looks like when Hattori-kun and Conan were sleeping. Not a care even after what happened, so long as they can assure themselves the other is fine and right next to them.' He folded his arms. With all the hell they'd been through, he'd make sure they were able to stay that way until they had to move to get back to the hospital.
Takagi was more than a little shocked at Kuroba-kun's sudden appearance and actions, though he didn't fight them. He gently patted Hattori-kun's hair, hoping it would do some good. Hattori-kun had been able to recognize him from touch alone before... and that didn't seem to be the case anymore. With what he had just gone through... Takagi shouldn't have needed Kuroba-kun to point it out to him. "Gomen, Hattori-kun."
Conan hadn't said anything, hoping that, since Takagi had put his hand in the same place he'd seen him put it while they'd been in the hospital, that would be more of showing him who was there. Kuroba had gotten to Takagi before he could... and he was so tired when Kuroba came and bothered him about helping Hattori that he just wanted to stay curled up and go to sleep. It had taken all his energy just to be here, though he hadn't realized it before. Once the guard was unconscious, it had hit him hard. That didn't mean he could just ignore the words, though. Kid was right. Conan got up, wincing when the bed hurt way more to stand on than anything else had. He hoped... that at least his touch wouldn't spur the same reaction. He pulled Hattori's arm the rest of the way out to make a small alcove like when he had on the beach, curling up and placing his head on his hands, watching Hattori and trying to stay awake. "Baka, you're fine now. Everyone's here and you're making them worry. That's fine... for now. No one's going to hurt you. I didn't come alone. The man won't touch you again. If he tries anything when he wakes up, Occhan or Takagi-keiji will make sure he joins slumber land again. I'm right here. Everyone's here. Everyone's fine. You're fine. No one touched me..." Conan felt his eyes blink closer to closed with each word, resting his cheek on his hands. "Odd are the cops outside will call an ambulance. We'll probably wake up back in the hospital... and for once... I'm not the only idiot who went without an I.V. too long. At the rate we're going... I don't think they'll ever let us out. My birthday, whenever it is... If we're still here, I want a puppy." Even Conan thought those last few words were stupid but he was running outof things to say and time in which to say them. "Hattori... just let me know you're okay. Tell me what I have to do."
Heiji was to tired to fight anymore. He hated that feeling but his body had given up. His eyes closed just so he didn't have to see the man over him anymore, and Kudo... he couldn't even get him away at the very least. When the hand moved from his shoulder he feared where it would go next only to feel it just as quickly on his head. Gentle too. Why? Then his arm moved from under him. He'd been tied up. When were his arms freed? And... someone did press against him but... from the side... and he heard talking. He tensed a bit before the voice registered. 'Kudo?' He started catching a few words here and there. 'Fine... man won't... he wakes... Takagi-keiji... I'm right here... no one touched me... I.V. too long... birthday... I want a puppy...' He let those wash over him. Kudo was OK and the man was out cold but... Takagi-keiji? He must be... that would be too much to hope for but...for him to really be safe and not just saying it again. "Ya really... OK... an'... Takagi... keiji?"
"I'd have to be stupid to come alone." Conan smiled, happy he'd at least gotten some type of response. That was the first thing he had to check for, and he was too tired to do more than speak. "He's right next to you." Conan poked at him a little, just a gentle prodding with his finger to get attention. "You - are - a - baka." There were no other words for it, and Conan liked those. Hattori had to stop with the overdoing it. It was making him start to do it, too. "I don't care if I'm a kid, but I'm gonna come get you every time; so next time, don't fight me for it."
Takagi didn't want to interrupt, but he wanted Hattori to know that Kudo was telling the truth so, very slowly, his put his hand on his shoulder for a moment before going back and patting his hair.
Heiji started to... well, not relax, but he did feel a weight lift off his shoulder... only for it to be back briefly as the hand- no, just a hand, and in the time it was there the light contact brought back a wave of memories. He'd been scared... unable to breath... and the contact had been something to hold on to... it had been Takagi-keiji. Once again he had mistaken the officer for someone he was clearly not. He must be thinking he had mental problems or something and was surprised that the hand left his shoulder and returned to his head. No doubt, after this, the officer would ream him out for being so reckless and incompetent at the hospital. He'd been captured rather than fighting the guy off, not to mention Kudo had been at the guy's mercy as well... and Neechan's mom as well, no doubt drugged rather than poisoned based on her reaction to it. Yeah. No way would Takagi-keiji be as forgiving and gentle as he was about his solo venture into that building to get Kudo. "Sumimasen..." Not much, but maybe it would lessen what was coming.
"For what? I did say the whole... helping thing was only not to be used if it meant one of us would purposely die. You came for me, I came for you. Really... there are a lot of things that are obvious, but right now, I just don't know what you're thinking... I kinda expected a 'you're the ahou' or something."
Heiji caught more this time and wondered how they didn't know for what. How much else had he messed up? Were others hurt? If he had been conscious and just didn't remember it now, that might have something to do with the confusion. "A' the hospital... I didn' get ya away... or stop 'im... anythin' else I messed up... I don' remember... so... fer everythin' I guess... ta both a ya."
"Hattori... neither of us failed. We both tried. I couldn't stop him either, so I don't see what mistake you're talking about. I'm sure you didn't mess anything up. You're no failure, so quit acting like one." Conan sighed, poking him once more. "I'm going to blame that on lack of medical care for now."
Takagi had no idea what Hattori was talking about, or how he could still be blaming himself for things that weren't in his control. It just didn't make sense. Then he was even more confused as to why he was apologizing to him. He caught Kudo's last words as he said them, though he would wait until he knew Hattori was fine. "You know... you've known Kudo-kun about as long as I have. And I'm a bit confused, too, but you should know, he's usually right. There's nothing to be sorry for."
Heiji tried shaking his head. How did they still not get it? Kudo had said he had tried to stop him, too, but he had been worse off anyway. His current size was against him too, especially without Hakase's gadgets. And Takagi-keiji was taking Kudo's side, unless-... Man his body was hurting so much. Was that it? Maybe he was worse off than he thought and the others did know so that's why they were letting his screw-ups be glossed over. "How bad?"
Conan sighed, his eyes lidded. "Out of everyone I know, you're the only one who could make something simple confusing. I guess I'll have to answer until I get the one you want. My initial guess was how bad everyone else was. That, I don't really know. Eri-obasan was sleeping when I left. Kuroba-kun seemed fine, and I noticed Hakuba get up a little while ago, and he seemed fine. You," Conan reached a bit to poke Hattori's cheek. "Probably need meds like I do. Walking sucks." He sighed, imagining Hattori had similar pains. "The others who came with are all fine. Occhan was the only one who touched the guy. As for the guard, he's out. I did see the doctor on the floor, but I didn't check on him." Conan rested back after he had poked him, thinking some more. "We were talking about mistakes, so I can't really see what else would fall under the 'how bad' question. The situation is under control. There was nothing else that would have resulted in negative consequences that I can think of at the moment."
Heiji's eyes twitched a bit at the poke but still didn't have the strength to open, even if he now had the desire. "If 'm no' bad off... why aren't I in trouble?" He rolled his head to both sides, toward the poked cheek side first, likely Kudo, then the other- must be Takagi-keiji.
Conan sighed, about at his own tolerance Hattori points for the next month. "In trouble for what? Trying to protect me? Yes, you are. For shame. To think of what glorious outcomes would have been before us if you hadn't? Really, Hattori, you're a decent detective, start using your brain before your mouth and you might actually be able to best me... in about a hundred years from now."
Takagi nodded at Kudo before looking back at Hattori. "I don't really get it either. I mean, you didn't blame Kudo-kun for getting kidnapped, did you?"
"No... he didn' have any warnin' then... but at the hospital I was there... awake. I lethim get that close... even though I'd felt weird 'bout somethin' fer awhile... even wi' Kudo 'greein' wi' me." He knew he was burying himself but he wanted to let them see the difference because Kudo's attack was different. "And 'sides... I could have jus' as well got us all killed... dad'd be proud a that, too... just like that botched case in Osaka where I almost led Kudo inta a trap."
"Why is it you always blame yourself? I don't know. Maybe I just can't understand it. There are actions I regret, and there are things I would like to change, but I know who I am and I know I wouldn't want to change that. We can't go back in time, and we're responsible for what we do right now, and because I know I am human and also know that everyone has their flaws... blame just seems so pointless to me. I've seen it too often lead people down the wrong road. If I blamed myself for anything, it would mean I hated who I was, not my actions. I don't think you really feel that way, Hattori. I think you just want to feel that way so that there's someone to hold responsible for what's happened. If that were true, and I believed the way you did, then this whole mess was started because of me. I was the one who knew that the man claiming to be our doctor was out there and, seeing as he hadn't left the hospital, dangerous. I was worried, though, about you. Too much, probably. I know my own mental awareness was lacking at the time, and even after telling Hakuba not to got alone, I went back on myself and told him to leave to make sure you were fine. Had that not happened, everyone would have still been in the room and no one would have been able to touch any of us. So blame me. I don't, but you're clearly looking for someone to take it, and right now, watching you try to, just makes me want to laugh- it makes no sense." Conan backed up a bit to sit up, to prove a point, and to break contact. "I've regretted my actions in the past more than you know, but I never blamed myself for things that were simply out of my control, even if I had started them. Hattori, don't be that idiot biting yourself in the foot. Get over yourself and at least tryto look at this from an outside standpoint. It was many actions that led to this, and no one person is to blame. Hating yourself for it will only make you a huge pain in the ass to deal with, and really, I've had enough of it."
Takagi had nothing to say after that, being a little surprised at the words himself, but sharing the same sentiments. He'd thought Hattori had gotten over all this when they'd went to rescue Kudo-kun... but obviously it went far deeper than Takagi thought. Those were about his only thoughts, though, as he marveled at Kudo-kun's wording. The way he said it made everything sound so... obvious.
Nomura had started to come to a little while ago and heard what his prize had said. He snickered quietly, glad their trip there had not been a total waste. At the hospital, he had overheard how semi-conscious people are easily convinced of things... and while he didn't know what case in Osaka or who this Kudo was, he seemed to have done a good job. The brat, on the other hand, was spouting stuff that made no sense to him. Kid must be one of those child geniuses, even brazen enough to call his prize by just 'Hattori'. Hattori... oh well. He didn't want the brat to get him to relent. He cracked his eye open and spotted the teen and... Hakuba, looking like they were falling asleep against the wall while some guy near them stood up and folded his arms. He couldn't look around to see his prize and the brat was no doubt right next to him again. If he kept his voice low enough that the guy off near the corner didn't hear him-... He let a smile spread across his face as he directed his words toward the two behind him. "But he knows it is his fault- everything that happened... failing to protect you... and with all the plans for both of you as soon as we got the chance...you should have heard him on the way here. It took a bit of talk on my part - and some persuasion - but he finally heard me over his yells and admitted it. Stop trying to confuse him." He snickered again. Kid's were sooo easy.
Heiji squeezed his eyes shut and tensed, trying to turn, but his body refused to obey. "Sumimasen..."
