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Stones in a Glass House
Chapter 5 – Ai Haibara
05.01.05

Finally, finally, Shinichi blinked. Then, realizing how long he'd stared, he flushed and turned away. The girl flushed too- in anger.

"Who are you?" She demanded regally. Being the crown prince, Shinichi was definitely not accustomed to being addressed in such a manner, and started in surprise. Curiosity piqued, he examined the girl, taking mental notes. Yes, she was beautiful, in a very striking, unique fashion. Her porcelain complexion made him wonder if she'd ever played in broad daylight as a child. If someone told him that she spent her time cloistered in a darkened room in pursuit of eternal youth and beauty, he would have believed them. Her manner and the quality of her clothes cancelled out the possibility of her being a commoner. Glancing at her small, white hands, Shinichi doubted that she'd ever done a stitch of work in her life. But then, she wasn't aristocracy either – Shinichi had been forced to meet all the nobles of his country at various functions he'd attended and he knew he never would have forgotten meeting her if he'd seen her before. Shinichi wondered briefly if she were a foreigner of high rank, but dismissed the thought because neither Yusaku nor Yukiko had mentioned any impending visits. Also, he detected no trace of accent in her speech when she used his language, and Shinichi, having been trained by expert dialecticians since he was five, could detect accents in the speeches of most-educated foreign prime ministers. Shinichi furrowed his brow in consternation, vexed at his inability to figure out her background.

Suddenly, with a gleam, a blade of steel rested against his collarbone.

"Well?" the girl demanded threateningly, inflicting slight pressure on the blade.

"Er…Conan Edogawa." Shinichi answered in shock, as his eyes shifted to glance at the blade against his skin. His anger flared as he thought of his situation. How dare she treat him thus! Especially after he'd saved her life.

"And who are you?" He snapped indignantly, completely ignoring the fact that she had a dagger to his throat.

"Haibara, Ai Haibara." She replied coolly, her black silk veil fluttering as she exhaled. Her thumb lightly rubbed the gem-encrusted handle of the dagger.

"Can you put that thing away?" Shinichi asked, mentally dredging his mind for any knowledge of a family named Haibara. He came up with nothing. Out of habit, he raised his right hand and began to run it through his black hair, as if he could clear the cobwebs in his mind in this manner. In doing so, he disturbed Ai's mass of red-gold curls, which was still tumbled over his shoulder. Ai scowled as she realized Shinichi still supported her with his left hand, and his arm was still around her waist. She reached out and pushed him aside with her free hand, while she withdrew the dagger with the other one. The dagger disappeared within the folds of her dress as she stood to her feet.

"What are you doing here?" Ai asked, beginning to pace the floor around Shinichi.

Before Shinichi had a change to answer, she continued, "How dare you come into my room; meddle in my business?"

"Meddle?" Shinichi repeated with disbelief. "I saved your life!"

"I thank you, Your Highness, from the bottom of my heart." Ai sneered sarcastically. Though he knew she was being insincere, Shinichi started upon hearing the title; Ai, with her back to him, missed his reaction.

"Listen." Shinichi commanded. Ai acted as if he hadn't spoken and continued to pace her circle. In frustration, Shinichi leapt to his feet and pulled Ai to a halt, stopping her circling and forcing her to turn and face him squarely.

"You should know that there are two people searching for you; they-" He began, not relinquishing his firm grasp on her small, white hand. He felt a slight tremor pass through her hand, but her eyes, still locked on his, betrayed no emotions. Shinichi secretly marveled at her ability to mask her feelings. In an effort to reach her, he slid his hand to her wrist and tightened his grasp.

Ai gasped as if his hand were a hot-iron brand, and screamed.

"How dare you touch me?" she shrieked as she frantically pulled her arm away. Her reaction jolted Shinichi's memory.

"You're the Priestess of the Fountain?" he asked. Shinichi recalled that when his geography tutor had told him of the southern country, he'd mentioned the myths and legends that surround the founding of the southern country. Centuries ago, in the middle of the barren dessert in the center of the southern country before it had become a country, a fountain gushing vast amounts of pristine cool water was found. The water evaporated as soon as is came in contact with the scorching sand, and the desert wind made it seem as if there was an island of mist in middle of the desert. Supposedly, a marble temple had been constructed around the fountain, and around that, the royal palace and capitol city were eventually built. According to rumor and story, a fair priestess who never saw the light of day guarded the fountain; to touch her hand or drink the fountain-water on the festival days brought eternal youth, beauty, immortality, wealth, or power, depending on story. Other than that, the priestess had no contacts with the outside world, and to breach these statutes meant death. Of course, when Shinichi had been taught this, he'd dismissed the stories as folktales, and the priestess as a figment of the people's imagination.

Ai stiffened and averted her face. She said nothing, but her silence served as an affirmation. Shinichi was astounded; he'd asked the question because it seemed to be the only logical possibility situation where all the pieces fell together, but he'd long been used to treating her person as a myth, and actually knew no facts whatsoever about the fountain and priestess. Apparently, she was real.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"What are you doing here?" she countered.

"Why can't I be here?" Shinichi smirked, glad to have finally figured out the identity of Ai and enjoying her discomfort. However, the moment was short-lived, because at that second, they both became aware of shuffling and cries from the patrons of the inn who were dining downstairs, and a voice recognized by both of them demanding for the inn to be searched.