Disclaimer: I don't own MK or DC, or any other manga/anime to be exact. I just like to let my imagination run loose :D
Ladies and gentlemen! I humbly welcome you to the next chapter of this story.
This chapter I present you a lovely day that the two detectives decided to spend with (un)willing magician. It could have ended worse… Or couldn't it?
First I intended to rewind this day, but then I read all those nice reviews you guys gave me, so I decided to write about this day and let you have fun reading how those two will try handling the joyful magician x) So the little thing at the end turned out later than expected… ;)
TiLiYu – Oh don't worry about it too much~ As I love reading reviews I suck at writing them myself, so I can understand ^^", I'm very glad to read that you not only enjoy the story, but also my style :D
Loyal DC Fan – I know she's creepy xD But in the end she was Phantom Lady xD I just love to write as her xD
Kensy Echo – Sorry I've taken so long with this chapter, but the heat wave has come once again and my brain was boiling, so I couldn't write xD It's not like his detectives are unable to surprise him – just usually they were vying on his terms ;) On the hidden rest I've answered on PM :D
Mists – Well… if you're looking so much forward to this – how could I not write about it? :D
JarayZ – Too bad I can't answer those questions, or I'd ruin the fun~ But I think soon your doubts will be cleared ;) Doing my best~
So without further delay…
Please enjoy and review! :)
Chapter 17: Beyond control
It was 12 PM when Kaito went down the stairs and found his mother ending a telephone conversation. He raised an eyebrow as she smiled at him.
"Who was that?"
"Oh, just an acquaintance of mine~" She replied winking at him.
The magician frowned. He knew she was hiding something, but also knew better than to try and make her confess. Instead he just sighed "Oh~? So you're leaving soon~? Good…"
She dramatically placed hands on her chest "So that's how it is? My little baby boy hates his mommy and does not appreciate what she does for him?" She asked with a sob.
The magician smirked at that raising his hands, putting on an apologetic mask "Sorry, sorry. I do appreciate your help and skills. I'm not that good with wounds. But on the other hand I have no idea what are you scheming here…" He crossed his arms and threw her an annoyed gaze from his narrowed eyes "Now tell me where is my card-gun."
"Hum~? Your card-gun~? And here I thought it was KID-san's card-gun~… Strange…" She replied with an innocent expression.
He laughed at that "My bad, my bad~… So where is it?"
"Now, now~ Why would my little boy need a card-gun, when he's going to have a nice day with two detectives~?"
Kaito rolled his eyes "I'm not going to meet with them, if I can help it. I had something else in mind, but you broke my spare gun and I'd rather not leave without it."
"But Kai-chan~! You should play more with your friends, or else they might think you don't like them anymore~" She scolded him.
His face was deadpan "Mom… They are detectives. Sharp ones to be precise. And they already know too much. I don't want them messing with my business. They have an extraordinary talent to get into trouble." He sighed shaking his head.
"Sounds just like my little boy~" She grinned at him "But they do seem like a capable bunch~ Although I am surprised with this little boy~… Something you want to tell me about him~?"
"Not really~ Anyway, you're giving it back, or do you want your son to stroll around without any protection?"
"Well… if you put it that way… I hid it somewhere, where you wouldn't look~" She chirped grinning at him.
He wondered for a moment and shot her another glare "It's in your bra. Give it."
"Aww~ See Kai-chan? Spending time with your detectives is good for you~ You should try it more~"
"Oh~? Think I wouldn't figure it out without meeting them? Sorry to break it to you, but you're predictable. Anyway… you're stalling me, aren't you?" He narrowed his eyes, shooting her a glare, wondering if it wouldn't be best to make a run for it through the hidden room right now.
"I have no idea –" There was a doorbell that cut her out and she just smiled at him "Care to open it?"
"If it's Hakuba, I'm going to slam the door at his face you know…" He grumbled and walked to the door.
He did try to slam them, right after seeing a glimpse of his face, but the detective was fast enough to block the door.
"Kuroba, I'm not falling for the same trick twice. And I'm not letting you get away from our appointment, so you can give it up."
Kaito sighed silently and let go of the door, putting on a grin "Hakuba, so it's you~? And here I thought it was just some homeless guy who likes to camp outside of my house… Oh wait~…" He chuckled, but seeing Brit's deadpan expression, he stopped and just rolled his eyes "Look, I know you like to be early, but don't you think two hours is an exaggeration? I hate to think what time you get up to go to school~"
"I wouldn't be here, if you didn't try to slip away."
"And what made you think that I did?" As Saguru smirked at that and Kaito clucked with annoyance "Right… You turned my mother into a traitor. You should be ashamed of yourself, you know that? Breaking an already dysfunctional family like that… You're just awful…" He moaned and his eyes became watery.
The Brit rolled his eyes at this performance "Whatever you're trying, it's not working Kuroba."
Kaito pouted. "Anyway I have no idea why any of you thought I would just sit around and wait at home for the whole time. Is it so bad, if I wanted to go for a walk, before that forced rendezvous? Maybe I intended to return before 2 PM?"
Hakuba smirked "Well if that's so, we can go together. Hattori-kun should be here soon."
"I don't get it, why do you want me so bad to accompany you on your date? Gather the courage and confess to him alone~" He added with a smirk.
Hakuba sighed heavily, pressing the bridge of his nose "It's not a date and you know it well…" He mumbled and stepped inside, heading towards the living room.
"H-Hey! What do you think you're doing barging in like that?"
"Since you don't intend to act like a good host, I invited myself."
Before he shut the door close with a sigh, Kaito stared at the Brit with annoyance, as he was making himself comfortable in his living room. Hakuba raised an eyebrow, seeing the magician was heading towards the stairs. He huffed, feeling annoyed, and got up from the couch.
"Kuroba, I hope you're not planning on escaping now?" He growled.
The other teen stopped and turned to him, snorting with amusement "What? You intend to follow me to the bathroom? I didn't have any intention of running away. Even though you're making me meet that violent brute again…" He sighed and whined "And how am I to heal my injuries properly this way..?"
Saguru grumbled "I hope you'll keep this promise…" And sat himself back on the couch.
Kaito just grinned at him and disappeared on the higher floor. After a while Hakuba heard him call his mother to help him 'patch it up'. Saguru figured it wasn't very surprising, since bandaging a forearm with one hand would be a challenge. Later he heard footsteps walking around. The detective became a bit anxious as for some time he heard only one person above, but before he decided to go and check up on his classmate, he got down the stairs on his own. He noticed Kaito had a few white feathers in his hair. The magician grimaced at the detective and sighed heavily.
"So… care to enlighten me and tell me what's the point of it all? I will make your day miserable for forcing me into this and you know it. At least you should…"
Hakuba sighed in return "Yes, unfortunately I am well aware of that. But I still do hope you'll drop the unreachable and cold act somewhere during the day. You must admit it would be nice to have a casual time out, with people who are able to follow your wit and respond to it."
Kaito grinned walking to the room "Only if you really can. At the moment I can only admit that you are persistent, annoying, and stubborn." He exhaled, like he was exhausted and fell on the armchair.
The Brit smiled sadly at this, thinking that maybe Kuroba was right. Maybe that was the true reason the magician was avoiding him? Because he couldn't keep up with him and fully understand… He was ripped out of his grim thoughts by a juggling ball hitting his forehead. He rubbed the sore spot and blinked at his annoyed classmate, who was amusing himself juggling with his left hand three more balls.
Kaito sighed and without stopping his antic he turned his gaze on the detective "Stop that. I don't hate you and you know it. I'm only unhappy that you don't listen to me and try to force onto me things I don't like. I am busy and you know it, and despite that you enforce me to make time."
Hakuba lowered his gaze and wanted to respond, but was hit with another ball on the same spot. He jerked his head up, holding his forehead "Why did you hit me again?!"
Kuroba grinned at him "Because you started sulking again and it's annoying me."
"I wasn't -"
"Yes, you were. You can't hide it from me. You do it even sometimes when I mess with that Osakan… Jealous?" He asked with a sly smirk.
The blonde gasped "You're an empath. So that's how you manage those perfect impersonations and charm."
Kaito rolled his eyes with annoyance. Just leave it to a detective to smash a beautiful, carefully crafted mystery with a sledgehammer. Fortunately there was a doorbell, so he could cut the topic. On the other hand, was it fortunate? It was most probably Tantei-han… The magician sighed and got up from the armchair, as the other two juggling balls disappeared mid-air, with small puffs of confetti. He opened the door with the most unamused expression, which was the exact opposite to Hattori's grin.
"Heard you wanted to jolt on us?"
Kaito huffed worriedly "You blame me? I'm being assaulted here by two guys who don't accept a 'no' for an answer. I have every right to fear for my safety. Who knows what you'll try to do to me once we're somewhere without witnesses? Especially considering how much of a brute you are…"
Heiji glared at him, feeling unamused "Not cool dude."
"Right? So why don't you guys just leave and -"
He was cut out by Hakuba who pat him on the shoulder and pushed out of the house "Yes, I'm sure you are terrified of us. Now let's get going, you said it yourself that you wanted to go on a stroll."
"I prefer to walk alone, thank you very much." He growled with annoyance, but didn't try to resist and they walked away from the house with Kaito between the two detectives.
The Brit smirked at that "Well I don't think either of us intends to carry you, so you don't have to worry about that detail."
The magician glared at him, but asked instead "Anyway, where's that little imp? Let me guess, he's gonna jump us the moment I expect the least?"
"I doubt we'll meet him unless accidentally." Hattori explained with a smile, glad that they didn't have to struggle with the magician to make him go with them.
Kaito threw him a suspicious stare "Like I'd believe you…" He mumbled and sighed "Anyway, I've already told Yarouba, so it's only fair to warn you too… I'm not amused with this and intend to make turn day into a misery for you guys. Best would be, if you guys simply said your goodbyes and left." He grinned warningly.
Heiji chuckled and grinned in return "Not gonna let you. You may be able to pull anything you want on Hakuba-kun, but it ain't gonna be easy with me…"
Saguru only closed his eyes, but before he could even manage to let out an exhausted sigh, there was an eruption of confetti. Hattori dashed to grab the magician the second it happened and he managed to grab a struggling teen, but before he managed to let out a victorious shout, his face slammed into the other guy's. They were still struggling to turn away their faces from each other's, when the paper bits fell to the ground, allowing Kaito to make a few photos with three phones. Hattori was tied up with duct tape tightly with Hakuba, facing each other.
"I am going to enjoy this day…" The magician laughed grinning wickedly.
"You just had to challenge him, didn't you..?" The Brit mumbled, angry with the Osakan, once they managed to turn their faces.
"Oi! You bastard! Untie us now!" Hattori shouted, still struggling and nearly causing them both to fall over.
"Argh! Quiet down, you loud-mouth! Your mouth is next to my ear idiot!" Hakuba shouted in return.
"The hell you're doing anyway?! Help me get us free instead of standing just like that!"
"Could you use your brain once in a while? Do you have any idea how hard it is to break his duct tape? I have honestly no idea where he gets it, but it's close to impossible! So stop making a spectacle from yourself! You're only amusing him…"
"I ain't gonna just stand like this with you waiting for mercy! Be my guest if that's what you want!" Hattori growled and yanked backwards, causing them to lose their balance and fall over.
Kaito crooked his head, watching them with amusement. He only regretted he didn't take any pop-corn or any other snack with him. It seemed those guys were going to go on like this for a while. He looked at his house wondering idly how furious would those two would end up, if he left them for a moment and returned home to get something to munch on. He chuckled. Nah… That would be too cruel. He allowed them to go on, until he was sure Hattori was too tired to be able to kill him on the spot. Without hurry, he took out his dyes and made sure they both saw his grin. This time around he tried the pink one on the Osakan and his classmate ended up with purple hair. Unfortunately he underestimated the athletic teen's stamina and when he cut his hand loose Heiji caught him with an iron grip. Since Kaito didn't manage to cut anything more, all three ended up rolling on the sidewalk. Somehow they managed to break loose from each other and after confiscating the duct tape from the magician they continued their walk, with Hakuba in the middle this time around.
It took some time for the Osakan to believe the magician that he did not carry anything with himself to wash off his dyes. But after he showed them his wicked grin, when Hakuba proposed returning to Kuroba's house, both detectives decided against it. Unfortunately Saguru's antidotes proved to be ineffective on their hair samples. So against Kaito's expectations, they didn't try using them. For the whole trip, Hattori turned out to be stubborn at ignoring Hakuba's advice to stay still and endure when the magician decided to do something.
The upside of this situation was that thanks to this, Kuroba preferred targeting the Osakan, the downside was that rather often the Brit ended up pulled into the prank. Saguru had to give it to Heiji that he did manage to stop or interfere with a trick three times. In the end, he confiscated the duct tape eight times – and each time it was the same roll, or so it seemed. After Hattori burned one, they started having their doubts about it.
But they could give it to the magician – besides the one at the start and one other moment, his tricks weren't very humiliating. They were rather just annoying teases. Once Hattori tripped, but didn't fall when Kaito taped somehow his shoes and provoked the Osakan to chase him. Other time, both detectives ended up soaked when they were walking under the tree and Kuroba was quarrelling with the dark-skinned teen about how long water can stay on leafs after a rain. There was also, of course, always the thing about small items disappearing and appearing in random places. Once Heiji tripped Kaito and as the other teen was falling, he started struggling with a dove, panicking under his shirt and trying to get out. A couple of times the magician pulled the detectives into his tricks to amuse some children, but those were rather innocent and gentle. There were also other minor pranks like that.
The only exception was when they were about to enter a fish market and the Osakan ended up irking the magician, slightly too much. Somehow during the brief blast Kaito managed to switch Heiji's clothes into a Goth Lolita's dress and a glued pig-tail wig. Needless to say Hattori was furious and ended up chasing Kuroba until he returned his clothes and promised not to do it or even mention it again. Saguru wondered idly, if his fellow detective was aware that the promise covered only this day. In the end they didn't return to the market somehow and the Brit wondered if it was only his imagination, or did his classmate really steer the conversation to end up annoying him so much…
4 PM was drawing near when the two detectives got into an exciting conversation about an especially difficult case the Osakan stumbled on lately. Well, it was interesting only for the two of them, Kaito stopped listening after a short while and started wondering how Tantei-kun was doing.
Hakuba noticed the slide difference in the magician stance, after Hattori finished explaining how he connected two separate facts. He got worried that the situation from week ago could now easily repeat itself. He looked at the Osakan who gave him a nod to confirm that he also noticed the change. Heiji clucked annoyedly and spoke carefully towards their unconscious companion, hoping it would turn his attention back to the present.
"Oi ya barou... Don't space out on us."
Kaito looked at him out of the corner of his eye and smirked "Hm~? What are babbling about now? Sun got to you too hard and overheated your hot-head? Kekeke..."
Not seeing any difference in him, Hattori felt irked and gave him a flat look "Seriously, you're gonna try and irk me even while unconscious?! We can see the empty look in your eyes, you're not fooling anyone."
The magician chuckled. "Well, better having an empty look sometimes than having an empty mind always, like yours~ But no worries... I still like you guys, even a violent ox like you~"
Heiji clenched his teeth annoyedly, forcing himself not to slap the magician in the head. Nearly right away a thought occurred to him, so he smiled, trying to look harmless while closing in on Kuroba, speaking slowly with a calm voice.
"You know I have no intention to hurt you, right? I'll just place my hands on your shoulders like this..."
Kaito gave him a surprised look and crooked his head with a sly smirk, but didn't back out "Should I rephrase what I just said..? Because you know I don't like you in that way..."
Heiji grinned at him and clenched his fingers on magician's shoulders to keep him from escaping "Wake up you Ahou!" He shouted loudly right into magician's face, shaking him strongly.
That did the trick, as the magician regained the fully conscious look, clapping hands over his ears.
"Gah! What is your problem, idiot?! You want to make me deaf or something?!"
The Osakan laughed, letting him go and patting him hard on the shoulder "Welcome back to the living. But it's nice to know you like me~"
Kaito snorted with annoynace by his own babbling face and mumbled "I won't anymore..."
Heiji rolled his eyes, while still laughing "Come on, we didn't want you jolting again on us, like you did last time."
The magician's posture relaxed slightly as he crossed his arms, showing a resentful expression "Well, at least I don't turn into a wax figure like you guys."
"At least wax figures don't tend to do random things."
"Yeah - they only stand there, utterly useless."
They were teasing lightly, when suddenly Kaito stopped and grinned at Hattori. A moment later there was a blast of confetti that covered them both. When it cleared Hakuba noticed that the Osakan's image changed completely. His face was white with mine-like make up. He was even wearing a black beret and a white and black stripped, long sleeved shirt. He reached to his mouth and judging from his angered mumbling, he was muffled and unable to speak. The magician was standing near a tree a few steps from them, laughing hard.
"That finally shuts you up! Now be a good mime and show us your performance – but remember, no speaking~!"
Hattori tried hard to get rid of the tape under the make-up covering his mouth, but it seemed it was stuck. Hakuba frowned.
"What's gotten into you this time, Kuroba?"
The magician stuck out his tongue "You guys are boooring! Try and catch me!" There was another puff of confetti, but they noticed which way he ran away.
It didn't seem like Heiji needed any other invitation and Saguru just sighed. He looked around, but didn't notice anything special in the area that could have caused this kind of behavior. The only eye-catching thing was a fancy black car, that Hakuba absently identified as a Porsche 356A. Sighing, he followed the two before he lost them. He must have admitted that they were running rather fast, suspiciously for a person with a leg injury. The Brit failed to notice a small white dove that flew away and sat himself on a tree near the parked car.
Aaand… cliffhanger! I know you guys missed those xD
See you next chapter *evil grin*
