Deception

by LostInTheMystery

CONTINUATION OF MANIPULATION: Caught in the middle of chaos from old and new wounds, companions erase lines and battle shadowy figures in the dark with the faces of friends- friends out for blood. - Conan and Heiji as co-main characters - M for violence.

38. Love and Other Pastimes

Chapter 87: Love and Other Pastimes

"Shinichi?" Ran was really confused now. What had the lifeguard said that she could warn him about... She didn't know English very well and he was clearly mixing it with whatever language they spoke here. He hadn't appeared to threaten them. Ran continued watching him even after he left when a hand touched her arm. She turned quickly and saw the guy standing there again.

"He's just fine. Come on. My chair's over here."

Ran bit her lip a bit, looking back toward where Shinichi had gone as he took her arm and started away. She had no idea how to find him again or even really how to get back to the house. What happened? The lifeguard was talking as he walked and she was only catching a word or two, so she just smiled and nodded when he pointed around.

Not much of a talker but she seemed to like the ideas. "So, your brother said you have a boyfriend. I guess since he's not around right now, it's just your family here, right?" Another smile and a nod. Sweet. "You know, I get off in a bit, if you want, we could take off and head to one of the outlooks. No one would be the wiser."

He pointed off to one of the cliffs and Ran looked over at it. It was pretty. She guessed it had some meaning or something about the island so she nodded again. It felt weird and she wished Shinichi were there.

Tony jumped down and passed off the lookout when Eric came over. Eric shook his head but smirked at him as they left. Tony took the girl's arm and started off toward the path that lead from the beach back toward the cliffs. She hadn't said much since the boy left but hey, he didn't care. 'Kid watched too much cartoons. Saying she's a black belt. Bet he was just trying to be protective. Cute but not happening.'

Ran sighed, looking toward the beach. Had Shinichi left already? She had her sandals back but didn't know if he'd got his shoes, or what he, or she, had said to make him mad. She doubted she'd have paid much attention to the lifeguard, Tonee, even if she could understand more than a few words. He motioned to a few trees and grabbed a flower from it, holding it out to her. She smiled as he kept talking, holding it up. It was pretty and she suddenly remembered seeing it on a license plate. It must have been the flower for Hawaii maybe. "Nice," she tried as she reached for it, seeing him smile again and even sighing a bit. He took her hand and put the flower in it.

Tony held out the flower and asked if she'd mind having a second boyfriend for the trip. He'd assured her he'd be discreet when she hesitated until she'd finally said 'nice'. As soon as he gave her the flower and saw her looking at it, he slipped his other hand around to her back and moved in to kiss her. She was accepting everything so far with no fuss. He couldn't wait to talk about her. He'd see how long she was going to be here. Maybe the whole summer? At the beach party tonight, he'd be the envy of every guy there.

Ran had a split second thought of 'So that's it' as she started to glance up when she felt his hand behind her and saw him about 2 centimeters from her face. "Think again." She brought her knee up in front of her to get him to move back a bit and place more distance between them. When he groaned, she brought her free arm around, hooking the arm that went behind her and forced it to straighten, releasing her. She caught the words 'Oh' and something she could only guess was bad before she brought the knee up again, higher so it hit his gut. He went double and would have crumpled if not for her hold on his arm. "Ahou. I have a boyfriend." She yanked him up before delivering a roundhouse kick, releasing his arm at the same time. "Good bye."

Shinichi smiled, his eyes shaded. That had been close. He didn't think Ran would have been so slow but at least her 'slow' had been fast enough. He walked over to the crumpled man, 'accidentally' kicking some of the dirt in his face. He smiled. "You don't make a very good sparing partner. I warned you, and I told you she was taken." 'Tony' had at least made himself a nice tour guild, somewhat, and he walked over to Ran. "You really let him get close, didn't you?"

"Like I was suppose to know he was going to try that?" Ran was mad at herself for letting her guard down. She'd been distracted. "You were close the whole time, weren't you?"

"Of course." Shinichi took a hand out of his pocket, a decent sized rock in it. "I have good aim. I didn't think I'd have to get involved and you weren't willing to warn him off, so I figured it was better to have him find out one way or another."

Ran sighed at how stupid she'd been. "I said I didn't know what it was. I didn't want to go overboard. If I'd known it was that, he'd have looked the same on the beach." She looked at him and tipped her head. "Shall we go? The scenery isn't as nice here."

"Sure." Shinichi threw the rock backwards, aiming but not caring if he hit the man or not. "And really, he was giving more than enough signals. You know I can't say anything when I'm like this." He put his hands behind his head now that they were free. "I thought maybe you were interested in him or something."

"No way. Honestly, I thought he was talking about the island and I wasn't paying attention to him." Ran looked at him. "My mind was somewhere else."

Shinichi looked at her and shrugged as he continued walking around. "You could have followed me if you really wanted to." He was looking forward again, more at his surroundings now. He had a few thoughts running around his head that had nothing to do with any planning on what they were going to do today. Once the idea had been planted in there though, it had a way of growing. Getting back to reality, he turned to Ran. "Do you mind going back to the house really quick? I want to see if I can get a favor from my dad."

Ran knew she could, though the mixed signals from before... She should have just gone and if he had wanted to be alone for a bit, he could have told her after. "Yeah. I can drop this stuff off too."

They hit the beach again and Shinichi was careful not lose Ran as they went back on street. He stayed off to the side of the crowds, figuring not many would be able to understand them anyway, as he folded his arms and stop slightly in front of Ran so she would as well. "Next time a guy singles you out don't follow him so blindly, and don't ignore me."

Ran blushed a bit in embarrassment. She wasn't sure how many more times she had to say it. She thought he was just being polite to make up for whatever had ticked Shinichi off. "Just because Sonoko can pick up on guys doesn't mean I can, especially since I couldn't understand him." She sighed a bit and crouched down. "If I want to know what someone did, just tell me. OK?"

Shinichi looked at her, not much choice in the matter since she had come down to his height and ignoring her wasn't something he wanted to do. "He didn't do anything. He just was. As in, was being very obvious and was asking whether or not you had a boyfriend and stuff, so I told him to get lost. I didn't know I needed to explain everything to you when all I wanted you to do was warn him." Shinichi was blushing and he finally did turn away, his hands still in his pockets. "Wait for me." He didn't really want to be part of this conversation anymore and he needed to talk to the person at the lifeguard stand and tell them that 'Tony' would need a replacement before they passed it up.

Ran looked at his back, remembering those words from before. "I will."

When Shinichi came back he noticed Ran looking at him with a strange smile. He didn't know what to do about that and looked back up the coast the way they had come. It still hadn't really been then long but the others had left a lot earlier and what better way to see the ocean than on the boat. He smiled and cocked his head, any confusion on what Ran was thinking about gone as his own ideas re-directed his thoughts. The zoo had been fine but he needed a little more of that 'something else' himself. As little thought went into it as it was, he reached up and grabbed her hand. "Come on."

Ran smiled, her heart picking up when he took her hand. Now, knowing and knowing he knew she knew, it meant so much more. Maybe. At least, in a way. It didn't matter, it was him and that was all that mattered.

...

Kaito yawned. He wasn't tired in any way that 'tired' could be associated with but this lazing about was making him more than a little lethargic. He had a few things he wanted to do though and, while cuddling with Aoko and watching morning TV that neither of them really understood - for him, more in the way of plot then any translation problems - with her was fun, he had things he wanted to do. Getting his brother was the first, at least in his timeline. When he wasn't there he'd settled on eating breakfast with Aoko, only upstairs so that they were alone. It was just nicer that way. More bad TV though had him wishing they had other channels.

Nakamori got them back to the house but it was mostly thanks to the kid's memory. While lunch had been his idea, and had been a good idea, it had thrown him off direction-wise since he couldn't rely on the street names. Walking back in almost felt like coming home and he hadn't had that feeling in a long time. It wasn't as if coming back to Aoko didn't feel like coming home- but here there was noise and people he knew and it was starting to feel less like coming to a house full of strangers and more like estranged family members that he would never call family - except where the younger ones were concerned. He bristled at the thought that he'd put in his own mind of seeing Kudo-kun and his wife more often. He knew those two vagrants wouldn't be around long, just based on their personalities, but he would kind of miss the noise of a lively house again.

Ai was sitting in the living room, much better for her day of rest the other night. She did seem to be getting allergies to something in the area though or the fever had left her susceptible to a mild cold. With all but one of her more idiosyncratic travel companions, the room and this portion of the house had remain in relative silence which she had used to try and relax a bit. When two of the missing temporary inhabitants walked in, a whiff of something getting to her, she spoke up. "You had better bathe." She didn't know which she was speaking too but maybe they had both better bathe. Had the door not been closed she might have considered the smell was coming from outside.

Saguru looked over at the person that had called out. He had already intended to do just that as soon as he arrived and proceeded to the bathroom.

Kaito was getting bored but he wasn't ready to take Aoko out until it was dark. Half of him still felt weird about all that but it wasn't like she didn't already say it was fine, then she started talking like Kid didn't matter at all. He'd figure all that out later. When he noticed his brother was back, he waved to him. Well, that was one thing off the checklist. "Where are you heading off to?" Aoko was still in his arm but he had a way of getting around that.

Saguru looked in and reached up. His hair had dried, more or less, though it was obvious it was not clean in the least. "Rather than fishing, I ending up swimming," He glanced over at Aoko-kun pointedly. "Courtesy of your father."

Kaito couldn't help laughing. He'd seen the old inspector do a lot of things, and as hot-blooded and similar it seemed to Hattori as he was, he'd never had him throw him in the water- even when he was little. Aoko was a girl. Saguru had no idea how much ojisan was treating him differently, though then again, maybe he just hadn't spent much time around the old man himself. "Well, at least we find out that idiots float." The snide comment was nothing new, and Kaito was getting much more familiar with talking to Saguru the way he wanted to- without a checkered past. He got up, making sure not to jostle Aoko, and ran a hand through his brother's hair as he put Kid's hat on him. "Messy hair goes with that." Kaito winked, though he was still laughing through his words. "You should check yourself out."

Saguru reached up, touching his hair but unable to see it properly. "If you have made it pink or something I shall be sure to ask Hattori to assist me in reciprocating next chance we get."

"I didn't." Kaito winked again. "I just fixed it so it goes better with the hat. You don't really have much of a 'style' right now." Which made the darker hair even better. He didn't know his brother would think when he looked in the mirror. Kaito reached into his pocket and put the monocle on his face as well. He'd never given that to Saguru yet and it would make his reflection all the more interesting. "There. Done."

Saguru nearly widened his eyes in surprise before quickly reaching up and touching the circle of glass over his eye, squinting a bit to prevent it falling off and possibly breaking on the polished hardwood. It took more focus than he would have thought to keep it on and slowly moved his hand to just under it, mostly knowing Kaito would not give up seeing it on him and also hoping Nakamori-keibu did not come up the stairs. The hat was one thing, the monocle was quite another. "Are you satisfied now?" He was wondering what, exactly had been done to him though he had a suspicion it did involve hair dye and if it included the signature hat and monocle, it would only be one thing to 'go better' with them.

"Of course," Kaito tipped his head to the side with a smile. "You should feel lucky. I have to wash my clothes or I'd have them on you too."

"Knowing you, you would turn around and pull the reverse of the first time we 'officially' met. I have no doubt you could do it either, though keeping this thing on is far harder than I would have thought."

"You get used to it. Sometimes I cheat- at least, in the past." Kaito went through his pocket before he got out something a lot like double-sided tape if not for the color. "It's pretty much a sticky band aid." He took the monocle of his brother, putting the adhesive on his cheek where he touched it before putting the monocle back on. "I'd put on two pieces but if you're all icky and dirty and taking a shower it's better to not waste them. They're kinda hard to make."

Saguru had not had time to even protest before it was back on and quite literally stuck on him. "Though you used this one anyway." He was not sure it was worth it to continue to try and understand his mind if not for the challenge it presented. It was as though there were a contradiction between his word and action. He walked past. He really needed a shower.

Kaito smiled and went back to Aoko, plopping down next to her. "Not sure how he's gonna like that. Kinda just wanted to mix him with the family a little more but I did just kinda take something that he'd gotten from his mom and hid it. Hope he doesn't take it the wrong way."

Aoko tipped her head and crossed her arms. "What'd you take?"

Kaito raised his hands. "Nothing like that. I swear." He looked after his brother. "It's just that I'm not sure he's gonna like having my hair color instead of the one closer to hers that he has naturally. It's not like it won't grow back out though."

"Grow... it wasn't temporary this time? Kaito," Aoko shook her head a bit. "How long will it take?"

Kaito shrugged. "I don't know. However long it takes to grow out? If he really doesn't like it I can strip it and dye it back to a matching color and then let it grow out that way too." He was feeling worse and worse about doing that. Maybe he shouldn't have. He sighed. "Hope that doesn't bit me in the butt. I don't know what I was thinking." He had been thinking he'd have Saguru look just a bit more like he and his mom, but maybe that was being selfish. He hasn't even asked.

"If it does, you'd deserve it." Aoko relaxed some at the change on his face. She smiled a bit. "If not, you've just rubbed off on him more than I thought."

Kaito stuck his tongue out at her and nestled back into the couch. He wasn't going to be afraid that every action he took had a negative consequence and if it did, he'd fix it then. There was no point in worrying. He kissed Aoko on the cheek. "I'm rubbing off on everyone now, aren't I? Might as well chalk this one up as my win then. I even won over you."

Aoko blushed a bit but leaned against him. "You tell yourself that. Between him, as a detective, and me, a Nakamori, I say we got you."

Kaito put his hand on hers and nuzzled his head against hers "If it's you I don't think I really mind being 'gotten'."

Aoko blushed even more at the thoughts that came to her head. She never thought those things would occur to her so... readily? She gave a small surprised giggle to try and cover but really, she still wondered. Could she...maybe? Oh she'd have to wait until tonight but...

…

'I knew it.' Saguru sighed and shook his head at the reflection before getting in the shower and washing, doing his hair a few times before climbing out and seeing it still the same. 'At least it is a natural color and not...rainbow or something.' Which he would not have put past Kaito. 'He does realize the passport photo for my being here is my natural color, not theirs?' He dried himself off and dressed before stepping out with the hat held close and the monocle inside it. Where it was hidden when not worn, he did not know and he hoped to return it before he was spotted.

Kaito looked up from the television. He was still really bored so a trip outside or something was in order. He raised his eyebrow at his brother when he entered, smiling even if he was still unsure about it. "How'd you like seeing me in the mirror?"

"Not as surprised as I am sure you intended. You gave it away when you said it went with this." Saguru walked over and dropped the hat with the monocle inside onto Kaito's lap. "I do wonder, as it did not come out with three washings, how to explain the change in color compared to my passport photo."

"They don't care if you dye your hair. If they did then everyone who does it when they go on vacation or before they renew it would be screwed." Kaito took the hat, putting on Aoko's head. The monocle he took in hand and threw it to his brother. "Hold that. Think of it as a promise that I'm not going to go off being stupid without you knowing."

"Provided you only have the one with you." Saguru had read about the shattered one found during the Memory Egg heist and was not sure if he stocked them or simply got another following that. He slipped it into his pocket and glanced at Aoko-kun. She had looked over at him and had an extremely strange look on her face; as though an inner debate were going on and he was involved in some way.

"I have one more at the house but it's not like I can go back there any time soon. Besides, only one more. You can hang onto that one too when we get back if you really want to." Kaito flicked the tip of the top hat down over Aoko's face. "I think I've got enough watch dogs that are going to be on me though."

"Watchdog?" Aoko reached up and lifted it back up, looking over at him. Yes. She was going to. If only to prove to him that he would have to keep in line, at least somewhat, and get him for that watchdog comment. Her heart was starting to pound but she gave him a look all the same.

Kaito grinned back at Aoko's glare. "I'm only speaking the truth. You can't get mad at me for that." He took his finger and prodded her quickly on the nose. "Woof woof."

"We'll see..." Aoko grabbed his hand, looking him right in the eye.

Saguru hid a small smile. Aoko-kun had always seemed to be the only one that would stand up to him, even over the teachers. 'And from another viewpoint, the only one that could really get to Kid, something even I would admit that no law enforcement officer could claim.'

Yusaku came upstairs. He wasn't going to force the boys to come but if they were going to the time was quickly approaching. "Saguru-kun." He walked over to them, feeling as if he were interrupting something. "Those classes are going to start soon if you want to get a permit to go with us to the firing range. You two as well if either of you have either decided or changed your minds."

Saguru looked over and nodded. "I can leave when you are ready."

Kaito shook his head, relaxing when Tantei-kun's father had scared him there for a second. "I'm not interested." He'd thought about it but really he could care less. If Aoko wasn't going he wasn't going to either. His brother could handle this one on his own.

Aoko shook her head. "No, I'm fine too. Pen is better than a knife, right?"

"I prefer cards", Kaito couldn't help but whisper under his breath so only Aoko would hear, smiling over at her.

Saguru did not want to lean too close to the couple but he did lower his voice and bent a bit. "Pen is mightier than the sword. Simple transnational error."

"Good to hear then. You and your mother have a trip elsewhere and should get ready," Yusaku spoke to Kaito-kun. "I'll see about getting another car before we leave so we won't all be tied down to one." Yusaku didn't miss the look the boy had shot him. "Aoko-chan, If you wish to come with us though, you may. I'm sure Saguru-kun will not wish to be stuck with only myself and Hattori-kun, whom he hasn't known for all that long."

Aoko looked between them. It might give her the chance to talk to Kuroba-kun without risking Kaito hearing. She looked up at him and then at Kuroba-kun. "I guess I could." She looked back at Kudo-san. "Do you think I could bring my sketch pad?"

"Of course. As long as you stay behind the line you can even come in and watch once the classes are over. I, of course, will not need to attend them so you and I can find something to do for a few hours until the others are done. I wouldn't mind the companionship."

"And just where am I going?" Kaito asked defiantly. Why was this guy allowed to hang out with Aoko when he wasn't?

"You and your mother will be going to see a friend of mine while we're busy and neither of you have anything better to do. We should both be finished around the same time so it's not as if I'm taking anything away from you. You will get to see Aoko-chan once we return." Yusaku smiled at the boy, seeing him blush and try to hide it. In his defense, he had been young once too and knew from having to deal with Yukiko what the boy was feeling.

Saguru stepped back and turned his head a bit, seeing both of them color.

Aoko shifted a bit, not wanting to get up but not really wanting to just sit there. "Ummm. You said you were leaving. I guess we should go?"

Yusaku nodded. "All you need to do is make sure you're not busying yourself for the next half hour or so while I go rent another car so that we can travel at the same time. Just try and be downstairs when everything's ready. It's hard to keep track of everyone when they're spread out." Yusaku went back downstairs to go and borrow the doctor so that he could drive the other car back. He wasn't going to risk getting sidelined by the police if his wife went a little overbroad.

Kaito looked at Aoko, drawing a leg up close to himself. "Ah, sorry about that. Looks like I'm going somewhere. I did promise you tonight though." He tapped the top hat again, only this time not enough to block her vision. "You don't have to wear that if you don't want to."

Aoko smiled a bit. She wondered for a moment if this was how he felt when he planned something. She reached up and touched the hat's brim. It was still a bit strange that it was the real one but realizing all her thoughts and assumptions about the person that wore it were so wrong made it no longer a thing of disgust. "I think you should wear it tonight."

"I will, or I was going to." Kaito looked over at her, not really liking the words he was going to use with his brother present. He didn't want to mess up what was left of his mind. "I mean until after we get back you don't need to wear it. It's just kinda sunny out."

Aoko blinked. Not sure what that had to do with it but she shrugged. "I guess. I kinda thought this place was indoors but I guess getting there and coming back I could use it." She looked at him and smiled again. "You get it back after we get back."

"Deal." Kaito looked over at his brother. "You know, since you two are leaving together you can get your detective butt over here and sit down. I hate hovering."

Saguru had been about to leave the two alone again and looked over at him. "I had thought you would want some time to continue your conversation before we leave. Not to mention Aoko-kun will need to retrieve her things before that time anyway."

"I can grab it before we leave, it's sitting in the drawer beside the bed anyway. I don't have to go looking for it."

"So come sit." Kaito patted the couch. "I promise me and Aoko won't make out right next to you this time." He didn't have to turn as he grinned to know Aoko was not going to be happy with him saying that. "Besides, last time the three of us were really together in here you couldn't see. Time to sit back and relax."

"That's true. Come on over." Aoko mentally chalked up another reason to carry though. She just wondered if it would be OK. She was nervous but she was not changing her mind, especially now. She watched as Kuroba-kun came around and sat on Kaito's other side.

Kaito smiled, content he had both of them here now. Tonight was his and Aoko's but Saguru could tag along with them sometime later. That would be fun. Of course it would be a lot more fun if he knew he could carry both of them at the same time. He'd have to run some tests and see if he couldn't tweak the frame to be just a little bit bigger while still structurally sound.

Aoko leaned against Kaito and looked past him. "Kuroba-kun, do you ever lean back?"

Kaito stuck his arm out and leaned over, making Saguru lean against the couch. He closed one eye and looked at him. "Knock off the 'I'm so tough stuff' when you're doing everything but coming across that way." Kaito smiled, trying to make the comment not so pointed.

Saguru had opened his mouth to answer Aoko-kun when Kaito pushed him back. He looked at him instead and shook his head. "It is not 'tough stuff', it is called 'good posture'." He attempted to look at Aoko-kun and address her, though it was made difficult by the new position. "I suppose this counts but you are correct."

Kaito must have lost Saguru's train of thought somewhere because he had no idea what he was talking about this or that counting for something. He shrugged, going back and leaning against Aoko again, a mischievous smile crossing his face when he though of going against his word and teasing her just to get a rise out of his brother and her. Only through a good helping of restraint did he resist from doing just that.

Yusaku thought the trip to the retail place went smoothly, especially considering that he was foreign and the doctor wasn't familiar with the streets. He set up a GPS to help Chikage-chan travel by and went over to her, finding her outside in one of the chairs. "Hello." He handed the device over. "I set up an appointment with a local hospital to look Kaito-kun over, treat him however he may need, as well as a physical therapist while we're here. I figured he wouldn't like doing such things while the others were around and the trip to the gun classes seems the perfect opportunity."

Chikage put the book down on her lap and took the GPS. "He is stubborn so not having them would help. Arigatou." She smiled a bit and stood, grabbing the book as she did so. "So, how many others are going with you?"

Yusaku took to his fingers. "Yukiko of course is coming. Mouri-kun said he was as well and, considering the circumstances, Kazuha-chan is attracted to Hattori-kun so both of them as well. Saguru-kun, and Aoko-chan is coming along to watch. The doctor has refused so he, Ai-chan and Eri-chan - aside from my son and Ran-chan - will be staying."

"Eight? I'm guessing I get the car since you'd need a van so you can all fit," Chikage said as she started to the door to put the book back and get Kaito.

"I had figured. Feel free to take that with you. You might have to wait some time at the office. It's better if you have something to occupy your time, though your son seems more than a bit restless himself." Yusaku smiled. "We've barely been here a day and he already seem bored of this place."

Chikage tucked the book under her arm and put the GPS in the same hand with a small laugh and nodded. "Shortest attention span of anyone with most things but the patience's of a saint when it suits him."

Yusaku smiled and nodded as he walked back in, waiting to close the door once Chikage was inside. "I've experienced similar." Shinichi could be just as bad. "Once I find where Hattori-kun has run off to we'll be on our way. If you're going to see Kaito-kun, can you send the other two down as well?"

"Of course." Chikage smiled and headed upstairs, searching out the trio and pausing at the sight she saw. They were all sitting on a couch with Kaito in the middle. "Now that would look nice on this years Christmas card."

Kaito laughed and his eyes turned from the TV to his mom. "Nah. We're missing you."

"And my dad." Aoko said with a smile. She felt bad right after, with Kuroba-kun there, but tried to remind herself that her dad was, as far as they were concerned, their dad too.

Chikage smiled. "Why not? Anyway. Kudo-kun is ready to leave and Kaito, we're leaving too."

"OK, I just need to get my pad, I'll be right down."

Kaito looked at his mom after Aoko went back to their room. "So where are we going anyway? I wasn't really told."

"I was only just told about it and since Saguru would figure it out anyway, it's the friend of Kudo-kun's to look at your arm. Just to check how it's coming along." Chikage kept her voice light, knowing it would seem more like a simple, quick check up than a real check-up. Saguru would have needed much more, as would she, if not for Sharon. 'I hate feeling like I owe her, not for myself but for him.'

Kaito sighed. He figured it was something stupid. "Fine. I wanted to get that out of the way anyway." He stood up and stretched. Sitting down was annoying and once he had full use of his arm again Heaven and Hell wouldn't be enough to stop him from doing anything he wanted. "You need anything?" He looked over at his brother. "And don't even think about trying to carry a gun after this. I think Tantei-kun had a better idea there. If you really want to defend yourself maybe you can get a watch from him."

Saguru stood and looked back at him. "For the time being, it is the knowledge and authority to do so. The watch is good for one shot from a discreet angle but, dealing with multiple criminals of varying degrees of abilities and lower ethics than others, I will not promise I never will."

Kaito lost his smile for a moment before it was back up. "Kid will never stop being a thief then. It seems I have a life-long target to acquire- every firearm you ever try to own. And trust me, I will find them. We don't do guns in this family."

Chikage smiled a bit sadly but than chuckled at a thought.

Kaito looked at his mom but he was serious. He knew how many ways Saguru could throw that in his face but it wasn't the same, actually owning a gun and he really didn't see what his mom found so funny about it. He raised an eyebrow at her, expecting her to back him up, not laugh at him.

"You gave him our name first but I think Ginzo-kun's affected him in that area before we got him. He's taking after him in that respect instead. Seems like the father in this 'like father, like son' is Ginzo-kun instead of Toichi."

"It's not like Ojisan really carries a gun around all the time." Kaito folded his arms, which again hurt. Maybe after today it wouldn't. Besides, Ojisan was a police officer. Saguru was a detective. They were two very different things and, if he needed help like that, Kaito would rather back him up than have his brother rely on a gun to do it. He looked at Saguru. "I'm around the same if not more dangerous people than you are. How would you feel if I started to carry a gun?"

Saguru looked at Kaito. He was torn between telling Kaito he would no longer be him and pointing out that it was that very thing that was the reason they were both alive. "It is not as though you need it...most of the time."

Kaito sighed, tempted to roll his eyes. "You don't either. You just had some bad luck in the past. As far as I'm concerned as long as you have something you could use to basically defend yourself, seeing as you shouldn't be stupid enough to go on and take a gang of killers on alone, I stilll don't think you need one and nothing you can say is going to make me change my mind." He was sure on that. "Besides." He pointed to himself. "You've got backup if you need it and I'm sure I'm better than any gun."

Saguru nodded. "That, I will not deny." He caught footsteps and looked over to see Aoko-kun rushing over, holding a large pad of paper and carrying a purse.

"OK. I'm ready."

Kaito smiled, his thoughts going the same way his brother's had when Aoko came in. He took a few steps over to her and kissed her on the forehead. "Hey there, Ms. Eager. I'll see you later." He took the brim of the hat and pulled it just a little bit to the side so it was off skew on her. He was definitely not doing things by the book about pleasing his girlfriend's father when he kept teasing him like this. "Too bad. Now I kinda wanna go if you are." He winked. "I think I'll do enough showing off tonight though."

Aoko felt her face burning and shot the quickest glance she could at Kuroba-kun before looking back at Kaito. He couldn't know. He couldn't. She hadn't even asked yet. "Tonight."

Kaito looked at his brother, two fingers going to his eyes before pointed at him. He meant that and he was stressing it further to his brother. "Don't get used to it." He took Aoko's hand after. "It's not like we can't walk outside together or anything, even if we are going different ways."

Aoko looked over at Kuroba-kun again, confused as to what was going on but she turned anyway. "Was that about his hair color or getting you back like they did last time?"

"Neither," Kaito said with a smile. Aoko would be on his side. His mom he couldn't tell anymore. She felt like a double agent. He walked with her to the stairs so it didn't look like they were conspiring or anything. "He's just being an idiot. Coming from me, that's saying something."

Aoko wasn't sure what was going on but squeezed his hand a bit. "Two idiot brothers. I guess I'll have to keep a mop or something handy all the time to keep you both in line."

"As long as you use it on both of us," Kaito chuckled to himself. "It's not fair if it's only me."

Shinichi wasn't too happy about what his dad had been doing behind his back. Sure he couldn't go, and he had tired talking Haibara into giving him of the antidote already only for that to end in a spectacular fail- she still seemed to be holding a grudge. Ran was good company and all, and they'd mostly have the house to themselves if they really wanted, but none of that really got him over the brooding thoughts that had settled over him.

Yusaku waited, seeing the other two come down the stairs. They did all have to be together to leave. A few were already outside but even for him, Yusaku felt the weather was a bit too warm out. He smiled to Chikage as well as handed her the keys to the car. "Here." He had to figure she knew well enough how to use the GPS to get them back to the house afterwards and had set it as 'home'. His wife was still pacing around somewhere and they would have to find her before they left, but that would be easy as long as she knew that they were walking out the door right that second. She tended to take far to long getting this or that ready.

Chikage took the keys and looked over at Kaito. "Come on, we can head out now."

…

Yukiko hurried to meet up with the others, leaving some food in the fridge if they got hungry. She got outside just as the car pulled away. 'Oh, I didn't get to see Kai-kun off.' She went over to the van and climbed in.

Yusaku smiled, the front seat reserved for his wife as some of the others were displeased at having to climb in the back. "As always, you have perfect timing."

…

Shinichi looked out window, making sure the others had really left. He went back to sitting on the couch and looking at the TV though not really watching it. He'd finished his book last night. He glanced over at Ran, speaking sarcastically. "Sorry for being boring but I don't really know what else to do. My mom was always the one that dragged me all over the place." Shinichi would like to go somewhere, but not like this.

Ran shook her head. "The zoo was really nice and you saved someone's life." She smiled. "We can see what there is for tomorrow and just relax for the rest of today."

Shinichi was happy with that. A day of reading, maybe playing cards now that she knew he could, and whatever else they were going to do sounded more relaxing than it had in his head. He felt as if he should be doing something more with her but, as 'Conan', he had his limits in more than just the physical. He was still Shinichi though and, considering she knew, it wasn't all that bad to reach over and hold her hand while they sat there.

Ai had headphones on and, while they made her uncomfortable she had a feeling if any of them were close she'd know without having to hear them. Kudo-kun really was a fool. The other boy was too. She, sadly, found herself falling into the same category. After looking around and finding nothing of interest on the foreign island and having issues if she were to walk outside alone, she turned the television on. It only brought back memories. It had been years since she had watched anything in English and not just the now-and-again movie that she came across that had made it's way to Japan. She had given up on that venue, those memories, which was what left her sitting with the headphones and a laptop, watching some old cartoons she had remembered seeing when she was younger. They were more childish then she remembered but she couldn't help smiling and leaning against the pillow as she watched them play out their juvenile antics.

...

Heiji put his chin on his palm and stared at the front of the class. He knew the safety stuff and rules and wondered why it was being repeated again. Like they couldn't get it the first time. 'Say somethin' new or finish up.'

Kazuha smiled over at Heiji. It was funny how, even when it was about something as dangerous as guns, he found a way to get bored of the 'information' part of it. She hadn't even held one before though so Kazuha had to make sure she was listening. Heiji sighing was distracting her and if she hadn't been afraid this teacher was nothing like an ordinary one she would have whooped him already. She had to wonder too where in the world Kudo-san knew all these people, especially to have a translator come in and want to do this.

Saguru did not even have to look around to know who was not paying full attention. Once the teacher had concluded and the translator had as well, he rose and caught sight of Hattori just sitting up. Shaking his head, he followed the others out of the room.

"Ahou." Kazuha got up and flicked Heiji on the head. "Ya know ya could at least try an' act like ya don't know everythin' an' don't gotta listen."

Yusaku came back from the local theater where they had watched a play. It was better than anything else that he could come up with that the teenage girl would also enjoy. Her father had complained enough once it was over that he didn't think the man enjoyed it as much his daughter. He had not complained during the play and it wasn't nearly as bad as some of the complaints he'd heard from his son. They beat the other's by some time, ever after some site-seeing, and he was happy to see the class end. Some of those leaving looked more annoyed than the inspector had and Yusaku had to chuckle, his wife at his side. "It seems there was some discourse on both sides."

"Yes, but that's just because some people don't know how to make things fun."

Aoko glanced away. She hadn't had a chance to ask and was second guessing it. Not like it wouldn't be funny...and it would be a bit of, well, following through with what she had hoped to see back before she knew. It was so confusing and it just...she had to calm down or her dad would she her blushing too. Kudo- no she'd said to use 'Yukiko-obasan', she'd already asked her about it and she'd just said she was thinking about someone. Aoko thought she'd guessed it, now it seemed like...oh later, later.

Yusaku clapped his hands. "Lets go grab a snack then so I can get everyone sorted out and registered a temporary weapon. My wife will take you, and anyone who's been holding onto their ID's please give them to me for a while. I have the ones that were at the house."

Saguru walked over to Kudo-san and held out his identification before joining the man's wife who seemed rather enthused over something and glanced at Aoko-kun. He was easily figuring out why Kudo had found reasons to be grouped separate from her.

Kazuha clung to Heiji. She smiled and looked up at him, a little bit hungry. She didn't even notice that she'd grabbed him like she had been before, when she'd had that strange feeling that she was loosing him. She let him go just as fast when she did notice. She blushed even more when her stomach made a noise. She wasn't starving or anything... it was just that after swimming and the light breakfast she wanted more than normal.

Heiji grabbed her hand when she let go of him and smirked at the noise. "I ain' lettin' ya slow me down 'cause yer hungry. Come on."

"I ain't gonna slow ya down," Kazuha retorted, blushing a little more with her faced turned away. She kept pace with him just to prove him wrong.

Yusaku talked to the man at the range next door while his wife took the kids down the street to get something to eat. He knew what it was like sitting there and being lectured at. He preferred to do the lecturing. He waited for the others to get there where he gave out their names, addresses, and contact information. The man was a friend of his and he was being generous about letting them shoot today, but that didn't mean he didn't have to go through channels still

Yukiko watched when Aoko-chan slipped over to Saguru-kun and started whispering. Oh, she wished she had a camera for the look on his face. It went through so many expressions so fast but Aoko-chan looked like she was on a roll. She moved just close enough to hear and put her hands together. The girl was a surprise. A trick like that, it was strange and she missed the start but she didn't care. Saguru-kun had shaken his head and Aoko-chan ended by saying not to say a word. 'When, we get back to the house I know just what to do. The little sneak, oh she will need a bit of help.'

Yusaku must have missed what was going on but his wife had that look in her eye so it was better to let her be. He was fine ruining some things if they needed to be ruined if she took it a step too far, but with others planning it he figured it would be fine. The rest all walked in and he introduced them to Keith who smiled and restated the basics of the small pistol in his hands before he checked them all over and gave those who would be participating arms of their own.

Saguru took the firearm and moved to the station, running an added check and making sure the safety was still on as he donned the required eye and ear protection. When the light signaled the all clear, he flicked the safety off and began squeezing off the rounds, aiming at the target across from him.

Kazuha had never held a gun before. It felt a lot heavier and at the same time lighter than she thought it would. Her dad would be so mad if he knew what she was doing, at least without him. She checked it over like she'd been taught, looking over at Heiji next to her and putting on the headset-looking things that Heiji was wearing too. Only when she had it pointed at the paper target in the distance did she put her finger inside the tiger guard, shooting it and feeling how scared she was after she had. Then it all felt kind of exciting. She couldn't tell if her first shot had hit anything but she took her time to aim better, the adrenaline almost scary with how much of it she was experiencing.

Heiji knew he preferred the blades. Aim and control seemed better with them but the more shots he took, the closer he felt he got. It would take some time but he figured he'd at least top the others. He fired again, noticing he hadn't missed the target yet.

Yusaku shot, looking over at his wife and he saw her smile back at him. He took a few controlled shots, both of their targets farther back then the others since they were more experienced. It would be much more interesting when they got their second round of clips and the lights were mostly turned off.

Yukiko knew what her husband was thinking and blinked as she looked back at her target and took a deep breath. Unable to resist a bit of showing off, she positioned the shots, moving them around the face. 'Now that's cute.'

Yusaku looked over at his wife again. Though his glasses hindered his peripheral vision every now and then, from this distance he could see that her 'target' was starting to look more like a dress-up doll than an enemy. Making up for the angle he let one of his bullets hit her sheet, giving their fair-weather friend the added on feature of a nose before smiling over at her.

Nakamori changed the clip on his gun. This was academy stuff, nothing exciting. For the kids who'd never held a gun before he had to guess it was though. He didn't see much of the joy himself but after so many years things like this didn't hold their thrill anymore.

Kogoro didn't bother looking around when the lights dimmed. His target already had a chunk missing in a few areas from the close grouping and now he added a few more, hitting the key points. Heart and forehead and throat were done. Now he positioned the remaining ones for non-lethal shots; hands, shoulders and... legs. Conan was Kudo Shinichi. Conan had passed that shot off as an accident but it had been what he'd done when Eri had been held. The other boys here, if Kudo'd had the same training as them, that was because...damn. Why hadn't that even occurred to him when he found out?

"Um." Kazuha didn't think anyone had heard her and she was confused when it suddenly got really dark. Heiji was still shooting though and no one else had moved so she took the gun back in her hands, squinting into the darkness. How the heck was she supposed to hit anything when she could barely see it?

Heiji continued firing and glanced over when he noticed Kazuha'd stopped. 'She fire it all off already? Uh, she's more inta this than I thought she'd be.' Heiji shook his head and emptied his gun.

Yusaku was out of bullets at the same time his wife was. He smiled over to her at the coincidence, looking on while the others emptied their rounds as well. Keith turned the lights on and came over to him and his wife as he took off the sound-resistant ear muffs, patting him on the shoulder and giving a thumbs up to Yukiko, a 'you two haven't changed a bit' along with it.

Nakamori could tell when the session was over. He took everything off and double checked the gun was empty before going over and putting it down on the counter while the sheets of paper were brought close so they could see how well their marksmanship was. Nakamori didn't really care about his own. He was a good enough shot when he had to be. He looked over at Saguru-kun. "Never did ask you if you used one before."

Saguru nodded. "My family on my mother's side had 'traditions' that were passed down. In addition to hunting, small arms were included, though more for the competition and lineage than anything else."

Nakamori wrinkled his nose. Sure fishing wasn't that different but he'd never been a big fan of hunting. Most of the time though it was just because he hated that some of the people that did it that were in it for more than just food. The sport of going out and killing an animal to prove you could was like going out there and killing any other living creature- for the self worth. In his book that was where man and animal weren't so different. He wasn't about to fight with the kid about his family though and, looking at his sheet, the kid was a great shot too. The word 'competition' still didn't sit well with him though. "You were taught well."

Saguru looked over and did a quick comparison. "Even so, the differences were made up in the end and it seems if it were between us, we would be tied."

"Differences between what?" Nakamori followed the kids eyes over the other card. "Us?"

"Your extra hit there in the head equals out to the two I have in the lower body. While the hits there and there would equal this one. Different approaches, same result." Saguru unhooked his and folded it up. "You would have done very well. My grandfather would have liked you."

"Would have done better." Nakamori left his target sheet up. He didn't need it or want it. There was the way the kid spoke to him about his grandfather that got Nakamori though. "You know, I think that's the closest you've come to you saying you liked me, or anyone really. All you do is thank people."

Saguru paused, not sure where to look or how to react to that at first. "You all did so much for me, with no alternative reason, considering you know nothing of-" Saguru shook his head once slowly and looked up. "I suppose I became use to others either doing things to curry favors or something similar and then I had been attempting to gain a reputation by never relying on others. Trusting or counting on, for lack of a better word, outsiders - no offense - was rare." Saguru took a deep breath. "I promised myself Kaito would be the first I told this to but I have yet to find the right way to."

"To tell him what? That you haven't been relying on others? Kid that has nothing to do with what I was talking about, and for that matter I'm sure Kaito-kun already knows all that. I was talking about you actually liking someone, as a person, not just a friend or accepting help from someone. Take this jerk here." Nakamori pointed back at Kudo-kun. "Do I like the guy? Not really. Is he helping me? Sure. That doesn't mean I like him any more, even if I don't hate him. He's just someone I know." He ruffled up Saguru-kun's hair. "You, kid, I like- and not just because I know you. That's what I was talking about."

"Not quite what I meant." 'More the reason behind it. How do I tell them, any of them? Kaito may have changed my name to theirs on paper, however I will have to tell them before my birthday or they will be in for a shock.' Saguru ran a hand through the hair once- again, putting it between the 'standing on end' and 'brushed out' that he felt he could live with on vacation. "I am sure you will find out." He glanced past him at Kudo-san and briefly wondered if his reputation would have him piece it together first. It was only Kaito that knew more of his mother than just her first name and the mention of the accident.

Yusaku couldn't help but notice the earlier gesture from the inspector and the glance from Saguru-kun. He caught some of their words though not much of their conversation and the boy was looking at him as if he expected something. Yusaku had to admit that he'd found out a few things while getting the boy a new passport. "The way I see it," he spoke up as if talking to his wife. "Mysteries are better left to works of fiction than real life. Things tend to get twisted in the meaning and have less-than-preferable side effects when it comes to factual events."

Saguru glanced down and took a deep breath. "Perhaps we should talk once we are back at the house. If no one has plans already."

Nakamori shrugged. "As far as I know this is the only thing I have going on." He turned to Kudo-kun to make sure he hadn't had plans but the man had his hand up to his head. "What wrong?"

"Yukiko." Yusaku looked up at his wife. "I hadn't considered it before Chikage-san and Kaito-kun took the car but, besides Ran-chan, we left Eri-chan at the house alone with no plans for lunch."

Yukiko chuckled. "So much for your reputation. I was late getting to the car putting some food in the fridge. I can just be pulled out and eaten, no need to microwave. I had to track them down to let them know they didn't need to cook." 'Like I'd leave Eri-chan to cook in my kitchen.'

"I'm not used to having to watch out for her." Yusaku smiled at Yukiko though, happy at least his wife wasn't years rusty in having to deal with these types of domestic tasks of past friends. He turned to the others. "It's too early to eat then but we can head back if no one wants to go anywhere?"

Nakamori saw no argument made about that and went outside to find his daughter sitting and drawing in one of the chairs. He'd seen her doing that but he figured all kids had at some point in time. He never knew before that she wanted to make a career out of it. He went over to her, trying to look over the pad.

Aoko added a few more details, remembering what she'd heard and trying to put it together to draw a person she had never seen. 'Well, he looks like Kaito but with neater hair...I guess this would be what he looks like.' She couldn't really believe that they could look so much alike but she'd ask the others when they came out.

Nakamori half-though Aoko was drawing Kaito-kun but the hair was all wrong and the rest of the details in it told him that she'd purposely done it and not the fact she was lacking in any talent to do so. Second glance told him it looked a lot like Kudo-kun's boy he'd seen around- seen around a lot more than he thought if he took Conan at his word. "I thought you like Kaito-kun and here you are drawing others," he teased his daughter.

"TOUSAAAN!" Aoko looked up at him, her face heating up and very glad Kaito hadn't come along. She started to pull the pad to herself before stopping. "You know it's not Kaito?" She lowered it and sighed. "I never saw him this way... Does it look right?"

"Only saw him a few times and I'm not very good with that art stuff." Nakamori waved his hand at his daughter though he was smiling. He didn't know if she'd reacted that way in defense of Kaito-kun or if she was imagining the other kid. He wasn't sure which he'd rather her be with- the notorious prankster or another nosy detective kid.

Yusaku was a bit interested in what they were talking about but the girl had the drawing turned away. His wife seemed even more interested in it so he let her be without question.

Aoko shifted a bit, looking past her dad at the others before looking back at her dad. "But you'd know this was Kudo-kun?"

"I guess." Nakamori had thought it only because he'd been thinking of the kid and he didn't know if that influenced his thoughts. "Come on, Aoko." He reached out and patted her on the head. "You're more confident in your talents than that."

Aoko smiled. "I know, but this was my first time sketching from just descriptions. I never saw him like this and wanted to make sure it came out right."

Yukiko looked over the inspector's shoulder and saw a nice pencil sketch of Shin-chan but he looked like a teen again. "You should give that to Ran-chan. She'd like it."

Heiji reached over and pulled the top of the pad down so he could see. "Huh, ya ain' kiddin'. Tha' does look like Kudo."

Kazuha stayed close to Heiji when he started over to the other girl. Sure Aoko-chan had someone but Heiji getting so close to another girl still bothered her. Then she had to wonder why in the world Aoko-chan would even wanna draw a picture of Kudo-kun.

Nakamori wasn't the driver so he wasn't going to be the one to order them all to leave but he was craving a smoke when they got back. Firing a gun did that too him and he wanted to relax. He turned and held out his hand, shaking Kudo-kun's. "Thank you."

Yusaku shook the inspector's hand in return. "It was no trouble and it's not as if it was done for anything more than fun." He didn't think he would have to the others to use discretion now that they all knew how to properly used a gun. If they were anything like Shinichi it was fine going by unspoken.

Aoko stood and moved past the others, going to her dad. "Tousan." She stopped, suddenly, wondering how to say it. She took a deep breath. "I know I didn't get the chance to stay into it but this is like what I want to do. I want to explain it to you but using this, I can work with the police, you and the others, without actually, well, being a cop."

Nakamori looked at his daughter, not sure what to think. He just put hand on her shoulder and turned her, having her walk beside him while they went outside. "Aoko, you don't have to be me but if that's really what you want to do there are classes. As long as you're happy you could join a circus for all I care." He rubbed her shoulder where he had left his hand. "But I am proud of you."

"You seemed kinda sad at the airport when I told you. I would have either way but both that," She brought her left hand up, "And this, I really want - I know I want - but I wanted your blessing." She shrugged her shoulder a bit, looking down but raising her eyes to meet his. "I said I'd be your girl and I always will."

"'Course you will, sweetie, no matter what. Even if you just wanted to go to do your art or whatever non-commercially. I hadn't thought it was more than a hobby before. Remember too, no matter how much you grow up, I'm always going to be your dad too." Nakamori held her closer in something more like a hug than a hold. "You're my daughter. Even if I didn't like it there's no one who could keep us from doing what we wanted. Keep that fire."

Aoko gave a small, quick laugh and hugged him back. "I will." She smiled. "Can't leave you alone anyway, the others would hate it if I didn't bring you all food."

"Kami forbid one of them tries to cook," Nakamori laughed back after his daughter's train of thought. If not for her snacks they'd all go hungry. He didn't think any of his officers could cook any better than he could.

Saguru privately agreed with the assessment he had just overheard. Knowing how rarely the Task Force had anything aside from coffee and something from the vending machine before a heist unless Aoko-kun brought something. As they returned to the van he was curious how Kaito would react to a sketching of Kudo as well as what Aoko-kun had asked of him. 'I suppose it would be appropriate in that way though-' He shook his head and climbed in.

Yusaku waited while everyone got in the van- again with Yukiko up front and him having to make sure she couldn't swipe the keys from him. That had been fun and everyone seemed like they had a good time. It would be nice to see a show on the lakefront as well, but only after everyone had settled more. A large dinner outside sounded like it went perfectly with that. He left the range, going back to the beach house and pulling in, a little surprised to see the other car there. He knew the other two would return more quickly but he hadn't expected them to actually be there. He smiled. Even if he was good a reading people, even he could be wrong every now and then.

Yukiko climbed out and headed inside. She had to find them and slip them to Aoko-chan. Whatever she had in mind for them, a trick like this against a magician... Kai-kun had better be as good as his dad if she was going to try something so simple but it was still cute.

Kazuha grabbed Heiji's arm. "Come on. Let's go swimmin' in the ocean this time." Now that they had the space they could go out further too.

Heiji nodded. "If ya looked on the way back, waves are pretty high, so it should be fun."

"There really wasn't anyone surfin' back in Japan. Think we kin learn?" Kazuha was kinda excited now. She'd only really seen people surfing in movies. The waves near Osaka were never good enough for it.

…

Kaito had the TV on but he was moving his fingers, testing out how much motion he had at the moment. He hadn't had any pain medicine since he'd gotten a few new stitched added onto the others. He could move it a lot better, dare he say it- could actually write with it in any type of writing he wanted to. Such a small thing was fixed so easily. If he had taken more medicine though he wouldn't be able to mess around and see how far he could go. He wasn't about to hurt his arm again. Tantei-kun's mom coming up the stairs had him stilling his arms and his eyes back on the TV. He looked after her but she was the only one who came up. Weird. If the others were back, maybe they were doing something.

Yukiko smiled to herself. 'Good luck.' She thought as she slipped back down stairs, grinning that she was able to help her.

Aoko moved to the side and barely caught a whispered 'Check the top drawer' as Yukiko-obasan slipped past. She had no idea what she meant but continued up. "Kaito? Are you up here?"

Kaito turned when he heard Aoko's voice, getting up and putting his hands in his pocket when he saw her come up the stairs. "Of course I am." He freed one of his hands to take hers and kiss it. "Did you miss me? I missed you. The kingdom is nothing without the princess."

Aoko blushed, keeping the pad at her side when she suddenly thought of what her dad had said. "Of course I missed you. Hard not to when I kept thinking about tonight." She smiled. "So, what about you and your mom? What'd you do?"

"Nothing much," Kaito said, taking out his other hand while he kept hold of hers and brushing it against her cheek. "Just went in for a check up. I should be fine enough in a week or two. What about you?"

"Went to the theater while the others were in their class and did some drawing while I waited after." Aoko leaned her cheek against his hand. "So, nothing much."

"That sounds so boring." Aoko had egged him on unintentionally so he leaned foreword so his forehead was against hers. "Good thing nothing I do is boring." He smiled. "Tonight's gonna be fun. I'll make sure of it."

Aoko fought to keep her smile down and nodded against his forehead. "I know it will."

Kaito moved his fingers against her face. "We still have a few hours before then. I want to show you the night. Sun's still up though. Wanna go and enjoy it?"

"Yeah, just let me put this in the room." Aoko also wanted to see what Yukiko-obasan was talking about.

"Sure." Letting her go slowly, he turned to take a few steps so he was sitting on the glass railing, no fear of falling backwards. "Mind if I go see if we have something to snack on real quick? Or I could wait for you."

"Go ahead. I won't be long." Aoko turned and went to the room they were sharing. She put the paper down and opened the drawer only to cover her mouth. "How?" 'What did she hear?' Aoko was tempted to grab them but figured she could get them later, just in case he found them. Aoko blushed but smiled. Kid would be caught tonight by a Nakamori. She shut the drawer and quickly put a bathing suit on under the clothes she was wearing, just to explain it before running downstairs again.

Kaito took his hand on the railing, swinging himself down and temporarily stopping on the second floor ledge to slow his fall. He didn't need to but he didn't know who was watching and the staircases were larger than he was used to. After a few hi's and a small laugh at his brother, he snuck into the freezer and stole some ice cream before they did anything.

Saguru shook his head, knowing Kaito had not actually used the stairs themselves and wondering how he had kept so many doubting he was Kid for so long. Aoko-kun came down the stairs four and a half minutes later and mouthed a 'thanks' to Kudo-san's wife before glancing at him and nodding before running to Kaito. 'Tell me she didn't overhear us and gave Aoko-kun...' He sighed and shook his head. Granted, he would like the picture of it however he was not going to attempt to follow them to get it.

Kaito suck his finger in what was left of his ice cream. He then tapped Aoko on the nose with it once she was close enough and smiled at her. "What were you doing anyway?"

"I put on a swimsuit. If we go in the water, I don't have to go back to the room again to change." Aoko wiped her fingers across her nose to get the ice cream off. "Really. It's a waste to do that."

"Not when I do it like this." Aoko's dad was outside or he wouldn't have. He stuck his finger back in and put it on her nose, licking it off afterwards. He grinned at her.

"Kaaiiitoooo." Aoko tried to look around, wondering who might see. She felt her cheeks heat up too and couldn't stop it. She wasn't sure what else to say except. "I guess I just have to make sure you can't do it again." She took the hand and, thinking of the picnic just days ago and across the ocean, repeated it to make sure he didn't have any ice cream left to put on her nose.

Kaito knew she wasn't trying to do that on purpose but he put his face up to hers when she was licking his finger, kissing the corner of her lips so she wouldn't have to stop. "Are we gonna start this again? Because if we are I can't say for sure we'll be done before tonight."

Aoko swallowed, closing her eyes a bit. "Mmm. Pick up here after then?" She pursed her lips and held his finger to it. Nervous, heart pounding but knowing she did.

"Every night for the rest of your life if you want to." Kaito took his fingers back, kissing her on the lips with no hindrance this time. He grinned. "Let me finish my ice cream now or we'll never leave."

Aoko gave him a quick kiss back and nodded. "Go ahead. I'll be on the back porch. Kazuha-chan said they were going to be in the ocean."

Kaito ate what was left, looking around and getting a little more. The only ones close enough to see him were his brother and Mouri-san and they wouldn't care. He found Aoko outside after, looking at those who were playing around in the ocean. He moved his fingers. He could move it, but swimming took strength and he wanted to get better, not worse, and as fast as he could. Besides... they were on an island. There were things in the water. "Hey." Kaito tipped his head back and around the other side. "You could have just said you wanted to go swimming instead of putting your suit on and implying it so much. Wanna go in the pool? We won't bother them then."

"If you're arm is OK." Aoko had seen others just laying out and tanning in swimsuits and if he wasn't OK with the water she would have been fine just laying in the sun with him.

"I'm good," Kaito said with a wink. "Just no swimming contests." The waves would be harder to fight than the calm water of the pool. Besides, Aoko talking to him like he couldn't do something made him want to do it all the more. "You pick. There's no way I'm sitting out in the sun to turn into a tomato though."

Aoko looked at him and turned to go back to the pool. "I guess that's why you prefer the moon to the sun? So you don't burn?"

Kaito laughed, following her. "No way. It's just that it's like a theater at night, when you have the moon shining." The darkened theater and the spotlight was something that was ingrained in him. Until he was performing under it himself though he'd never seen the similarities. "It's easier to hide. The sun is easier to have fun in." He stuck his tongue out at her. "Even I get scared of the dark when it's really dark out."

"Really? Like you'd be afraid of the dark." Aoko doubted that as she walked out to the pool and lifted her shirt off.

Kaito took his hand and put it over her eyes once her shirt was off, holding her from behind before she could put it down. "The dark, when you're alone it in and have no idea what's going to happen, can be scary to even me." He lifted his fingers slowly and kissed the back of her head. "So it's a good thing I have the moon and my personal sun."

Aoko raised her hand, touching his arm that was holding her. Her heart wasn't slowing but she didn't care. "And, crazy as it seems to say, I have a White Knight that beats any fairy tale prince."

"Fine, knight me. And I hope I'm better than just a price in a story book." Kaito spun her, taking a quick step and letting her fall into the pool before she could take anything more off. "It's just no fun being formal." He waited for her to come up before jumping in after her.

Aoko came up and shook her head, spitting out some water. Before she could say anything, Kaito landed in the water next to her. She paused, taking a deep breath and ready to splash him the second he came up.

Kaito came up smiling but it was gone in the next second before he had to turn away and put his hand up to defend himself against Aoko being so close. He laughed. "Hey, knocked it off! That went up my nose!" It had hurt his arms but he'd kept it close so he wouldn't injure it. Aoko barraging him with water made him want to do it back so he put it up in defense, using his left to splash right back at her.

Aoko laughed, turning her head. "Serves you right. Now I have to change anyway before we leave."

"So what?" Kaito said, his smile a lot bigger now. "So do I." He could pick an outfit for her this time though. That thought was the most entertaining one he'd had for some time. This would be fun.

Aoko gave another splash before trying to look at him. "Spur of the moment plan?"

"No. I just can't really pick my clothes out and, if you're gonna be with me, you're going to have to look the part." Kaito's splashes slowed when hers did and he found himself smiling at her.

Aoko raised an eyebrow and swam toward him. "You try that gown trick again..." She let it hang and just relaxed, enjoying the water and, most of all, the company.

Kaito mostly just stayed in the water, splashing around every now and then or floating. Aoko was swimming around like a puppy and that made him chuckled. They talked, but there wasn't much to talk about. It was just kinda fun playing around. After a while though, the water was just boring. He waited until Aoko seemed just as board as he did before he went up the ladder and got out. He would have jumped up the side if he had both hands or he wasn't wearing sopping wet clothes. "I think I'm hungry all over again." He raised a finger as if he had a good idea. "Time for more ice cream."

Aoko swam over and lifted herself onto the ladder, looking up at him. "I'm not sure if I should get near you or I'll have ice-cream on my face again."

"Nah. I promise to behave- This time. I'm hungry." And Kaito didn't really wanna play games when the food was taking longer and longer to get to because of it. "We can't really walk in like this. We'll, I can't." He wanted time to find clothes for her away. He took a step back. "I'll met you downstairs, okay?"

"OK, I'm going to a bathroom first for towels." 'And maybe a quick, real shower.'

"See you there then," Kaito said with a grin and a wave as he dashed off the opposite way of the door.

Aoko shook her head, not wanting to know what he was up to and really hoping he didn't find what was in the drawer. She hurried in, grabbing a towel from the first floor bathroom and drying herself off a bit to keep from tracking water through the house. She wrapped the towel around her and went up to the bedroom.

Kaito threw his wet clothes from the sink onto the roof where they could dry. It was just easier that way. It felt weird wearing a tank-top but it was hot out and the bright red wasn't anything new. He smiled at Aoko when she got upstairs, folding his arms and leaning against the wall before either of them could enter the room. "What took you so long?"

"I-I wanted to dry off some so I didn't track water up here. How'd you get up... nevermind." Aoko looked at him and smiled but shook her head. "I hope you were careful."

"Stop sounding like my mom. Saguru already is working hard at becoming her clone and I don't need three of you." Kaito backed up, rising an eyebrow and inviting her to follow along. He needed to get her clothes still, though he wasn't planning on looking up here for them. "You going to come back down when you're done? I don't want to drag all the ice cream back up hear after I made a bowl and the one I snuck in the fridge up here is empty."

"I'm surprised it made it up here considering you'd eat it on the way up." Aoko teased as she followed him.

"I did eat some on the way up." Kaito grinned more. "Even I can't eat a whole gallon in one sitting. Well, maybe if I had some TV and time, but not while I was walking." He turned to let Aoko get in the room more while he was closer to the door. "So? Are you gonna come down when you're done?"

"Yes, of course." Aoko slid past him and started for the bathroom. Turning, she smiled and did her best to look act like Obasan. "You may as well put the empty container in the trash instead of back in the fridge."

"How unsexy." Kaito took a few steps back in the room, going towards her. "Then again, if you're about to get undressed, maybe the food can wait. After all, you might need my help."

"Kaito..." Aoko took a half step back but really... She shrugged. "It depends. I wanted a quick shower, but how long would the food have to wait if you stay?"

Kaito stepped closer to her even faster than he had been going, her backing up made the predator in him react. "The food can wait as long as it needs too and the night has hours to play in. Besides, I'm dirty too. If you're going to shower I probably should too and you know how I feel about wasting water."

Aoko dropped her head down a bit and nodded. "Well, I'm starting to drip anyway so-"

"So let's get you out of those wet things." Kaito was able to more or less use both his hand now and wrapped his arms halfway around her. He helped her start to undress before smiling with way too many teeth and urging her more inside the bathroom.