London's Calling

"Kaito? What are you doing?" Aoko murmured dubiously to her best friend. He had been acting strangely all day and she was worried about him. Not that she state it so overtly.

"Huh?" he looked up at her. They were walking home from school and he had been spacing out. Unconsciously as he walked he started to juggle his school bag, bento box, and an apple he had gotten at the store for a snack. He snatched the items up before they fell to the ground. "Nothing, Aoko."

"Baka," she muttered. "Something's obviously bothering you."

"Nothing's bothering me, honest." Well, it was almost the truth. It wasn't anything bothering him so much as it was simply thinking. He had to take a trip to Europe soon, he had been tipped off about a priceless jewel unveiling in London early next week, and was slightly worried about it. It wasn't like he hadn't done anything like that before but something about it tugged at him.

"Liar," she frowned at him. He resisted the urge to blow her skirt up. As much fun as it would be to forget his troubles to flee her mop, he actually needed to talk to her for a second.

"Aoko, I think I'm going to take a vacation soon," he started, cautiously. He wasn't sure where he was going with this. She should know where he was, obviously, but he had to make sure she didn't make the connection of Kaito in London and Kid in London.

"Really?" Her expression lit up. "Where are you going?" How could he lie to a face like that?

"England." He chuckled at her gasp. England was far away and it was going to be quite a trip. It was almost unknown territory, the mythic land that Hakuba hailed from. He was waiting for the questions he knew were coming and stopped walking when, a minute later, she said nothing.

"What is it, Aoko?" She was looking at her feet, finding them much more interesting than her friend at the moment. He felt his poker face inevitably slip up.

"That's very far away," she murmured. Inwardly, he sighed. Yes, it was. And it was a long time away from her.

"Yeah," he said calmly.

"Promise you'll be careful?" She asked. It wasn't what he was expecting but he smiled to himself when he heard it. "No funny business on the plane. They can kick you off, you know."

"No magic on the plane. Got it, mom." He smirked at her. She frowned at him.

"I'm just worried about you!" She huffed. He smiled at her.

"I know." She withdrew a little from his bright grin, a pink blush forming under her cheeks.

"Hmm," he began, knowing he was going to regret this minutes after he did it. "You know? I could really use some help with my stuff. I heard that Kid might pull a heist while I'm there, the Omega Diamond being unveiled and all, and I'm going to have a lot of equipment…" He trailed off.

"Then ask a flight attendant to help you," she replied, obviously not understanding what he was insinuating at all. He sighed to himself and tried again.

"I could really use a lovely assistant." She looked at him, almost wide eyed.

"Kaito, that's a lot of money…"

"Don't worry about it," he flashed her one of his notorious smiles. "Jii's got a relative that owns some airline or something. On the house."

"Then?"

"So, want to go?" She smiled brightly.

"When do we leave?" Okay, he was almost to his breaking point.

"Oh, at about, polka dot o'clock," he said fiendishly as, in one motion, he flipped her skirt and began running from the mop he knew would appear seconds after his action. Maybe not the wisest decision but one only he would make. He always had to be himself.

'Still,' he thought as he jumped over the handle, 'she better not bring that with her.'

Author's Note: Gah. It is 1 AM. I have to go to school tomorrow. Why am I up and writing this? Posting tomorrow as if I don't sleep now, I'm going to have major issues during the two tests I've got scheduled for tomorrow. But still, yay. Kaito and Aoko have past the 200 word mark!

Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to Fyliwion because her reviews always make me happy. Hope you enjoy this one. :)