Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan/Case Closed.

Pairing: KaitoxShinichi

Chapter Rating: T

Collection Summary: No matter where or what they are, their lives are always entwined. KaiShin stories in fantasy settings.

Chapter Summary: A promising lead in the investigation of Toichi's murder takes Kaito and Shinichi to the home of the secretive Ebon Mages.


Chasing Shadows

[Castle Verse]

Part 5

"Where were you?" Kaito demanded the moment Shinichi caught up to him. With a shock, Shinichi realized that Kaito looked afraid. But Kaito never looked afraid. Then the expression was replaced by something steely and a vice grip on Shinichi's arm.

"Don't run off like that without telling me again," he hissed into Shinichi's ear. "Ever. Understand?"

"Uh, yeah," he stammered, confused. "I'm sorry. I know I should have told you first…"

"You should," Kaito agreed dryly, but he had already regained his composure. Now he fixed Shinichi with a warning stare. "This is the kind of city where people disappear. Don't forget that."

Shinichi bowed his head, feeling guilty. "I'm really sorry. It won't happen again."

"Good. Now I assume there's a reason you ran off?"

"I saw this child," he explained, glancing around to make sure that there was no one listening in. No one was, but there were still plenty of people streaming about them. Having been reminded by Kaito that they were in enemy territory, he decided to err on the side of caution. "I thought she was lost and might need help, but it turned out I was wrong. Anyway, she had some suggestions on places we could visit."

Kaito studied his face for a long moment then nodded to indicate he understood. "Right. Well, I guess you can't ignore a lost child. But next time, tell me first."

"I know, I know." Smiling a little because, despite the situation, he couldn't help but be touched by Kaito's show of concern, he made sure no one was looking then leaned up to place a quick kiss on his magician's cheek. "I'll be more careful. Now come on. I could use some coffee after all that shopping."

It wasn't until they had settled into a private booth at a ridiculously fancy little café full of couples that Shinichi described his strange encounter with the serious little girl in full.

"And she recommended that we visit somewhere called the Crest," he concluded. "It seemed to me like she was trying to tell me something."

"Like what?" Kaito asked.

"I don't know," Shinichi admitted, turning his coffee cup around on its delicately painted saucer as he gazed into its rich, brown depths. "I just… I don't know, there was just something about her. She didn't sound like a child at all until after she'd assured herself that I was just a tourist. I just don't believe she was just enjoying the festival."

Kaito hummed thoughtfully. "I trust your instincts. But I'm not sure what—if anything—this girl might have to do with our mission. It would probably be wiser to leave well enough alone."

Shinichi frowned. He could see the sense in Kaito's words, but that didn't mean he liked them.

"If you want to look into it though, we can," Kaito continued as though he'd read Shinichi's mind. At his partner's startled look, he laughed. "I know you wouldn't want to leave someone who might need help. Besides, for all we know, her problem could be related to ours. We won't know for sure one way or the other if we don't look into it. But we have to proceed with caution. So anyway, what exactly did she say about this Crest place?"

Shinichi thought hard before eventually shaking his head. "All she said was that I should go there. She said I'd enjoy it. Does that mean you don't know where it is either?"

"Nope. Not a clue."

"I'm not sure why you sound so happy about it."

"No point being down about it. Besides, this problem at least is easy to solve. Just watch."

On cue, a waitress arrived at their table with artistic slices of cherry pie topped with whipped cream. Kaito thanked her with a beaming smile that had the girl smiling back and more than willing to talk when he asked her about the Crest.

"Someone we met told us that we had to visit it before we left," he explained. "But we have no idea where it is."

"Oh, of course. It's a fabulous garden. I highly recommend it too."

Kaito and Shinichi traded startled looks. A garden? Neither of them had expected that.

"Could you give us the directions?" Shinichi asked. "We'd really appreciate it."

"Sure. I'd be happy to." The girl left and returned with a folded piece of paper, which she handed to Kaito. "If you go though, remember to dress formally."

He blinked at her. "I thought you said it was a garden?"

The waitress laughed. "It is. But it's also where one of the city's oldest shrines is located. It's considered sacred ground. They won't let you in if they think you're dressed disrespectfully."

"I suppose that makes sense," said the magician. "But unfortunately we don't really know anything about what would be considered appropriate clothes for Ebon sacred ground. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Well, I can recommend a clothing boutique or two," she offered. "There are a few in this sector of the city that specialize in formal clothes."

"That sounds perfect. Thank you."

"No problem. You two should come again after you visit the Crest and let me know what you think."

"We will if we have the time," Kaito promised. "The cake here is incredible."

-0-

"You are enjoying this way too much," Shinichi grumbled as he adjusted his wig and gazed into the fitting room mirror again at his own reflection. And really, he wasn't sure how he felt about the fact that he could look at this pretty young woman and see himself. He was getting far too used to this disguise. Not that there was anything wrong with being a woman, mind you. It was just that no disguise should become so…normal that you started to think about it as who you were. That was just fundamentally unsettling.

"Whatever do you mean?" Kaito asked, smirking at him through the mirror as he smoothed the floral fabric of the latest dress over Shinichi's hips. His hands continued their journey downward to slide not so accidentally over the curve of Shinichi's backside, causing the smaller boy to squeak and elbow him.

"Stop that," Shinichi hissed, ears straining. He could still hear the boutique's sales girls giggling outside. He couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, but he was pretty sure they were talking about him and Kaito. And no, this was not because he was feeling paranoid in this unwelcoming city. He knew because the girls had started giggling and talking the moment Kaito had stepped into the fitting room with him. They thought Kaito was helping his young bride with her shopping, and they were more than likely giggling about young lovers who just couldn't stay apart.

"I think this one's a winner," Kaito declared, hugging Shinichi from behind and smiling at their reflections in the mirror. "It matches my outfit too."

Shinichi sighed. "I guess it could be worse." At least none of the formal dresses here in Ebon made him feel like an over decorated cupcake like the one he'd been forced to wear to the party in Akako's city.

New clothes in hand, the magician and his assistant returned to their hotel room to change before setting out for the Crest. Along the way, they stopped to listen to an outdoor concert, try out a few snacks, and get their portrait sketched by an artist who insisted on drawing the lovely young couple sitting together amidst a copse of flowering trees. The resulting picture was indeed beautiful, and Kaito had it carefully stowed and sent back to their hotel.

"We're definitely getting it framed when we get home."

Shinichi, who agreed that the drawing was good but did not at all feel like enduring the teasing he knew it would get him when they got back to Kaito's castle, silently prayed to whatever higher powers might be listening that Kaito either forget about getting the picture framed or put it up somewhere discreet. He didn't feel particularly hopeful about either wish coming true, but it didn't hurt to wish, right?

They were examined at the entrance to the Crest by a pair of hawk-eyed mages who insisted on patting them down for weapons and checking their tourist tokens. Shinichi nearly kicked the security mage checking him when the man took the liberty to pat his backside, but then Kaito had already pulled him away from the pervert and was giving the man such a nasty look that he beat a hasty retreat. Shinichi still had to grab Kaito's arm and give it a squeeze to remind him that turning the rude man into a slug would most definitely blow their cover.

"Is it normal to harass guests who just want to see a garden?" he snapped at the remaining guard with irritation.

"He was out of line and will be punished. Please accept our deepest apologies," the man said quickly, bowing to Shinichi. "But we do need to ensure that no one brings anything they shouldn't into this most holy of sanctuaries."

"So do we pass?"

"You will have to leave your belt knife here with me," the man said, gesturing to the knife sheathed at Kaito's side. "The boot knives too, if you please. We assure you, you will not need them in the garden."

Kaito made a face at that but complied. "Anything else we should know?"

"You may wander anywhere you like within the garden at your leisure until we close at midnight. However, the central shrine is a different matter. The shrine keeper there will tell you more, but, in short, each visitor is allowed in the shrine for only a certain amount of time. This rule must be strictly honored or you will never be allowed to visit the Crest again. Now." The security mage stepped aside and opened the garden's silver gates with a wave of his hand. "Welcome to the Crest, first garden of Ebon."

Shinichi had to tug Kaito through the gates as the magician was still muttering darkly under his breath.

"It's over Kai. Just forget about it."

"I should have dressed you as my old grandmother," he grumbled but relented.

"Bit late for that," Shinichi pointed out. "Besides, how would you have explained bringing your old grandmother on a rigorous trading journey through treacherous mountain terrain?"

Kaito opened his mouth then shut it again. Then he laughed and finally relaxed. "You have a point. Well, let's see what all the hype around this garden is about."

Moving forward, they passed first through a small courtyard ringed with flowering bushes. Then they stepped through an open archway into breathtaking splendor.

It was like a slice of paradise. Everywhere they turned, there were trees and flowers of all colors artfully arranged along winding paths and tranquil pools. Birds and butterflies darted between the trees, their wings shining like jewels in the sunbeams. The two travelers spent a long time just wandering through the quiet, magical expanse of the garden, lost in its beauty and deep-seated tranquility that seemed to sink right into their very souls. It was easy to understand why this place was held in such high regard.

"There is power here," Kaito murmured as they stopped on a small bridge of a stream shining silver between lush banks.

"It's like there's a weight to the air, but it's not heavy," Shinichi said, closing his eyes and allowing the ambience of the garden to wash over him. "If anything, it's clearer here. More alive."

"That's exactly it," Kaito agreed. "This garden is more than just alive. It feels as though it has a soul."

"Is that really possible?"

"I don't know," Kaito admitted. "That's just what it feels like. This presence… Whatever it is, it's got to be important."

"Well, they do have the whole place guarded, so I'd say that's obvious."

Kaito laughed. "Okay, point taken. Let's go get a look at this shrine. If there are answers to be found, that's probably where they are."

They found the shrine at the heart of the garden as they predicted they would. It was a surprising small and unadorned stone structure with a peaked roof of polished tiles the blue of an evening sky. It stood where all the garden paths converged. The tall, arched entrance was flanked by cherry blossom trees. Seated on a bench beneath those trees was en elderly man in a white robe who rose when they approached and bowed.

"Are you here to pay your respects to the founder?"

"We are," Kaito said without hesitation even though he didn't know what the man was talking about any more than Shinichi did.

The old man nodded in satisfaction. "That is good. Before you enter, remember that no one may remain within the shrine for more than fifteen minutes. When the chimes ring, you must exit the sanctuary. However, within that time, you will not be disturbed. Let your heart and mind rest as you honor those past."

He withdrew a thin, crystal wand from his voluminous sleeve and tapped them each on the right shoulder. Then he stepped back, bowed again, and waved for them to enter the shrine.

The sensation of a deep and tranquil presence increased tenfold as they passed under the arch of the entryway. Almost without conscious decision, they slowed their pace. They passed first through a small courtyard much like the one at the entrance to the gardens. Then they stepped into the shade of the building's interior, where a short passageway eventually opened out into a perfectly square room.

The walls and floor were bare, and there were no windows or lanterns. However, none were needed because the air itself seemed to shimmer with light. At the center of it all stood a pedestal upon which stood the statue of a woman carved from a stone that neither of them could identify. It glittered like crystal, but it was a foggy blue that seemed to house tiny stars within its depths. The statue itself had her head bowed and her hands clasped in prayer.

That was when a small figure with strawberry blond hair stepped out from behind the monument. "So you came."


-To be Continued-