Disclaimer: I don't own DC or anything remotely related to it.

Stones in a Glass House
Chapter 3 – Conan Edogawa
01.07.05

"Oh, really? Remarked Yusaku with little interest as his chamberlain approached him with the news of Shinichi's disappearance. Turning to his wife beside him, he met Yukiko's eyes with a bemused, knowing glance.

"Nothing I can do about that, is there?" Yusaku continued in the same tone, facing the chamberlain again. "After all, he's already eluded the palace guards and left the palace. Actually for all we know, he may be out of the capital by now; I certainly can't afford to expend any guards or warriors in the effort to make him return. Let's turn towards other matters of state."

"But sir….." the chamberlain began, before he was silenced by Yukiko's commanding glance.

Shinichi grasped the reins firmly as he rode his horse through the countryside. The capital city was miles behind, but he hadn't seen any sign of the girl with the red-gold hair or the two men dressed in black. For the first time in his life, Shinichi was feeling a sense of uncertainty; he'd been afraid before, but in the past, some part of his psyche had a conviction that in the end, everything would be all right. Never before had he felt so hesitant; he was aware that if he made any wrong move, there was nothing to make everything better. Yet under the doubt, there lurked a tingling sense of exuberance; this was how life should be, he should be free to make his own choices, and have control of his own destiny. His existence at the palace flashed before his eyes, and it seemed to be a dull imitation of real life. His life had been so sheltered and secure from the dangers of life that it was as if all he had seen of life had been viewed through a layer of mist. What was life when others who thought they knew the best dictated everything?

Even though he didn't know her, Shinichi sent a mental note of gratitude to the girl with the red-gold hair for providing him with this sudden insight and resolved that no matter what, he would protect her. With newfound determination, Shinichi turned his attention back to the road and spurred the horse forward, determined to find the girl before the two menacing men.

As he rode, Shinichi couldn't help but notice the beauty of the countryside. The stars hung over the plains in scintillating flashes of white fire, breaking the otherwise calm stillness, the only source of brightness, as the moon was hidden behind clouds. The trees reached upward, majestically, longingly, as if striving towards the light. "I want that too." Shinichi reflected. "I want to reach for my happiness, my goal in life, and be free of all the demands of my parents, all of their expectations, this country. Is that so wrong?"

Shinichi started at the sudden neighing of his horse. Looking up, he saw that he had already reached the nearest city, and behind him, the untamed grasses of the country rippled in wild waves as the wind traversed the countryside. He dismounted, and led his horse in through the city gates. Once in the city, Shinichi looked around helplessly, clueless as to what he should next do.

"Sir?" a small boy in ragged clothes addressed Shinichi. "Do you need a place to stay? I'll show you for a coin."

Shinichi was appalled at the state of the boy's clothing and his grubby limbs that were plainly visible through the many rents in the garment. "Do your parents know where you are?" he enquired severely.

The boy shrugged nonchalantly. "Nope, they've been dead since I was born" he replied.

"And there was no one to take care of you?" Shinichi asked, incensed by the thought of such injustice in his country. "What's your name?"

"I guess not," the boy answered. "I just go by Waters; it was our family name, both my parents died before they named me."

"Oh," Shinichi said dumbly. "Well, please show me somewhere I can stay, and if there's anything I can do for you, just ask."

The boy started in surprise at the kindness in Shinichi's voice, but quickly collected himself, and gestured for Shinichi to follow him. Shinichi followed the boy's stealthy steps to an inn well hidden in a small alleyway, letting the horse follow the two of them.

"It's not the nicest place, "Waters began apologetically stopping in front of the dimly lit entrance, "but if you're hiding…" he trailed off at Shinichi's expression.

"Why do you think that?" Shinichi queried, eyes flashing merrily at the boy's deductions.

"Well, just from your manner, you don't seem used to it here; you shouldn't be here, and what you're wearing. Normal travelers, they won't wear something dark like that, as if the colors would conceal them. "Waters replied matter-of-factly.

"I see." Shinichi murmured softly. Then pausing on the doorstep, he asked, "Would you like to join me for a meal?"

Waters's eye's widened in disbelief. "Really?" Shinichi nodded, but Waters had already tightened his jaw.

"No thanks, I better not. I don't know if I could go back to scrounging for food from the garbage." He replied stoically, taking in Shinichi's cringe. Shinichi began to protest, then sighed and handed the boy several gold coins from his purse.

"Take this, then." He commanded, using the authoritative tone he had learned from Yusaku early on; when Yusaku spoke in that manner, no one dared cross him, not even Yukiko.

The boy accepted the coins mutely, and then looked up at Shinichi. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Ummm…Conan Edogawa." Shinichi replied after a brief moment of hesitation.

Waters regarded Shinichi seriously before nodding his thanks and turned to leave.

"Wait, "Shinichi cried suddenly, remembering the girl and the two men. "Have you seen a veiled girl with red hair?"

Waters smiled and pointed at the inn behind Shinichi.

"There's little that goes on in this city without my knowledge. I'll find you if you need me." Waters remarked lightly. And with that, he turned and disappeared into the dark city streets.