Kaito flinched as all the eyes in the room turned to him. With each step he took he could hear the whispers get louder. The words cut deeply, just as the looks he received from the rooms other occupants. People he had thought were his friends, or at least on good terms with. He had to hold back tears as he heard Ayumi's mother spit out THAT word. The woman who had just last month made a special trip to bring her daughter to visit after Shinichi had been released from the hospital. He nearly sobbed in relief as he reached an empty pew in the back of the room. Kaito had hoped that the others would just ignore him after he took his seat, but Lady Luck had not favored him for a long time. When the priest entered the room he looked over the room with a welcoming smile, at least until his eyes landed on Kaito. A hateful look took over his features. The man made a big show of walking from the front of the room and stopping in front of the magician.
"This is no place for your kind. Get out, and never darken this hallowed place again with your presence." The man said harshly. He could feel the tears threatening to fall at the older man's words. The whispers rose up again. THAT word kept repeating all over the room.
"I-I have just as much right to be here as the rest of you do. His parents wanted family to be-." Kaito started to speak, but was cut off by a girl he only vaguely recognized as one of Shinichi's old classmates.
"Shut up faggot!" her words cut just as deeply, and others drew courage and began to yell their own hate filled words at the paralyzed magician. Indigo orbs closed tightly as their owner tried desperately to block out the verbal barbs. Kaito had ever in his wildest imagination thought that the people who claimed to care about his lover could be so cruel. Of course he had never thought that a cult would kidnap and kill Shinichi just because the person he chose to love, because Kaito, was male. He really wished that Aoko or one of their friends could have been there, even Hakuba's company would have been much appreciated at this point. As it was Hattori was still in the hospital with Kazuha faithfully by his side. As for Aoko and Hakuba, the two had been on holiday in London when everything had gone down and were currently on a plane back to Japan. Kaito's mother was also on her way home from out of the country, and was still a few days away. Shinichi's mother seemed to have suffered some sort of psychotic break and was sitting catatonic in a hospital. His father had been locked up to prevent him from trying to get revenge. Ran and Sonoko had gone on a mother long trip to the states with Ran's parents, another of the karate champion's attempts to get the estranged couple back together. Even Agasa and the police Shinichi usually worked with were unable to make the memorial service. Yusaku had called and asked to attend the service to represent Shinichi's family. He had forced himself to return to Beika, and found the whole city blamed him for his beloved's death. He could tell that the Shōnen Tantei-dan didn't know what was going on so they remained voiceless in this, but their parents would poison their minds against him eventually. Kaito was even beginning to wonder if it really was his fault, after all Shinichi had never been interested in guys before they met. Just as he was rising to leave a small hand pulled him back down. The little fingers clutched desperately at his own. Kaito opened his eyes and saw Haibara Ai staring up at him with grim determination. Those far too mature eyes slowly moved to glare at the room as a whole. Most looked away, not having the nerve to keep looking her in the eye. Even the priest seemed distinctly unnerved by the supposed little girl's glare. She flicked her eyes over the aged man and dismissed him just as quick. No one dared to speak for a long time, even Kaito feared to shatter the almost unearthly silence. Finally the not girl herself broke the silence and spoke up.
"I did not know Kudo Shinichi-kun for as long as I wish I could have, but I knew him long enough to know that he would do anything for others. He would even save the life of a murderer. If you threatened those who possessed his love than you would live to regret it. Shinichi-kun did not choose who to fall in love with. None of us do after all. We are each created with two eyes to see, two arms to hold, but only one heart so that we can find the person who has its match. Kuroba-kun and Shinichi-kun found that. They found love, and we should all respect that, and not care about trivial things like the gender of those who shared that love." Ai said fiercely. Then much more quietly, "we have all lost someone dear to us, but Kuroba-kun has lost the other half of himself. So let him grieve in peace Honor Shinichi's love for this man and mind your own business!" After the girl's words another silence took hold of the crowd. This one was filled with less fear and more shame and guilt. Slowly Ayumi and the boys made their way over and sat with the thief and scientist. Finally the priest returned to the front and began the service. Kaito knew that most of the people still hated him, but that was okay. He would always have his tantei-kun's love, just as Shinichi would always have his.
Unseen by the crowd stood two spectral figures behind Kaito. One was what appeared to be a toddler with the word Jr. stamped on his forehead. The other was the very person the service was being held for. Shinichi still wore the clothes he had died in, for once glad that Kaito had stolen his clothes and replaced them with the magician's own. It was probably a good thing that the two were intangible as well as invisible, because during the whole interaction it looked like the detective that was so well known for his respect of all life was about to bring several people along to the afterlife with him. That certainly would have ruined the image he had built for himself during this mortal life. He had actually tried to punch the priest at one point, his anger making him forget his inability to actually land the blow. At the not girl's words he had teared up, and blushed, a little bit. He now stood with his hands resting just above his lover's shoulders. Wanting to offer the other man some sort of comfort, but being unable to do so physically. The toddler like being cleared his throat to get the other's attention.
"It is good to have you back Lord Death." The younger looking man said, obviously just trying to break the tense atmosphere. "I truly am sorry for how this lifetime had to end. I had promised to protect you in your weakened state, and failed. I can never apologize enough." The smaller male spoke, genuine remorse coloring his words. The other was silent for a long time, but finally spoke with a crooked grin that would look more at home on Kaito's face.
"Shinichi, it's Kudo Shinichi your highness." The former detecctive said, his eyes never leaving his thief. The other startled for a moment, taking the chance to really examine the two young men before him. He seemed to find something he wasn't expecting as his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. It took less than a second to recollect himself, but Shinichi still shot him a knowing smirk before returning his attention to Kaito.
"So," the prince spoke up. "Love huh?" A small smile grew its way across Shinichi's face, and he mined stroking Kaito's cheek. The other raised a brow at this, having never seen Death look so content or miserable. Especially not both at the same time.
"Yeah," Shinichi answered softly. "Love." The prince heaved a great sigh at the heartbreaking sight the detective and his unknowing lover made. Of course Lord Death would end up falling in love with Lady Luck's beloved child, only to be torn from the other before it was time. Fate really was working to earn that cold hearted bitch title. Looks like Yuusuke wouldn't be getting much help from the other after all. He always lost all of his best detectives to Love, the pompous dick.