Mikau: Hello everyone! I've got another word of the day prompt. Today's words are: chocolate, warehouse, forest, beer, and balcony! This one was actually pretty easy, but I'm not sure if I like it or not. Hopefully you do, though. Thanks so much to all of the reviewers from last time: Bunnyz-chan, Kitty Katrona, and Miss Emotion! By the way, I've got a new fic out called Falling in Love Literally. The pairing is HakuSera, so that's something new, if you're interested. Also, the other day I just posted a KaiHakuShin (in no particular order) one-shot called Healing Heartbreak for the Holidays. Check that out too, if you have time. I'm really happy with that one. And now on to the main event.

Disclaimer: If I owned it, all of the minor characters would have their own episodes detailing their backstories. Because I'm a sucker for backstories, and there are a lot of minor characters (even some main) that haven't really been fleshed out. A lot of the characters are just barebones skeletons. The foundation is in place, but there's not much there. It makes fanfiction writing more fun, but…if I owned it, I'd spend a little more time on the people around Conan in his life.

…

Cacao

The Suzukis had recently added a gargantuan chocolate diamond to their collection, so, in order to celebrate (and rub it in everyone else's face) they were having a chocolate festival. The shindig was being held in what used to be an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the forest. It had since been renovated and converted into a rather nice banquet hall.

Kaito, of course, was in attendance, lying in wait until the announced time on his notice. He was dressed as a young heiress and was making the best use of his time possible until the heist began: sampling all of the various chocolate goodies laid out on the buffet tables.

It was like heaven! All of those chocolate sweets were his for the taking! There were so many different kinds that he hadn't even heard of. Oh! To be rich and have access to these kinds of luxuries on a daily basis.

Kaito only had one complaint: who the hell put beer in chocolate?! Or alcohol or liquor or whatever the heck it was. Anyway, whose grand idea had it been to spike the chocolate? And the hot chocolate? Who put alcohol in Mexican hot chocolate?! Kaito had expected a pinch of chili or cayenne pepper or whatever it was, but alcohol?

And Kaito hadn't noticed until he'd already had a couple cups and at least two dozen of the chocolates. When he'd started to feel unwell, he'd asked one of the other guests, and that's when he'd learned that some of the sweets contained alcohol.

Kaito mentally cursed even as he kept a straight face and laughed demurely, excusing himself to go out on the balcony to get some fresh air.

He called Jii-chan and explained the situation, getting his assistant to do the heist in his place. There was no way Kaito was attempting something like this drunk. He could barely walk straight; there was no way he'd be able to steal the jewel and get away safely what with the way he was wobbling.

With a sigh, Kaito leaned against the balcony railing. "My head is spinning," he grumbled.

"Because you've consumed a large quantity of alcohol, and your system simply isn't used to it."

Kaito almost jumped off the balcony at the regrettably familiar voice coming from right behind him. He turned around slowly, securing his poker face before smiling politely at Hakuba Saguru, looking positively dapper in a three-piece suit.

"I-I'm sorry?" he replied in an apprehensive, feminine tone. "Who would you be, Sir?"

"Hakuba Saguru." The detective bowed gracefully. "Forgive me, but I've been watching you all evening, and I couldn't fail to notice you taking in a great deal of liquor inadvertently. I hoped I might be of assistance to you."

Kaito tensed in character. "W-Watching me? Whatever for?" He began scanning the area, trying to come up with an escape plan. He attempted to do so as a frightened young maiden might search for a way to flee a strange male that she felt threatened by.

Hakuba chuckled softly, well aware that he blocked the only conventional escape path. If Kaito was going to get away, he'd either have to go through Hakuba or tip his hand and blow his cover with regards to admitting that he was Kid.

"It's only natural," the detective informed. "You're the most beautiful woman in the room. Of course my eye would catch a glimpse of your splendor and automatically be drawn towards you."

Kaito began to panic as the detective started to advance on him slowly. "I—I—I…" He backed away until he was flush up against the railing behind him. Still the detective came closer, but Kaito had nowhere to go.

Hakuba smiled softly, not looking the least bit threatening. "Enough of this charade. You've arranged for someone to take your place tonight?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kaito got out straight.

Saguru rolled his eyes. "Come off it. I know you have. I overheard the last bit of your conversation. Arrangements have been made, so all that remains is for you to make your escape, correct? Only I'm not letting you go anywhere in that outfit, drunk, and by yourself. A gentleman would never."

"I…" Kaito began to stutter again. His alcohol-addled brain was struggling to keep up.

Hakuba chuckled at Kaito's stupefaction. "This would be hilarious if it weren't pitiful. Look. What I'm trying to tell you is that I'm escorting you home. Come on now." Saguru took Kaito by the wrist and began to tug him back into the banquet hall.

"W-Wait! No!" Kaito cried, tripping as he tried to fight the detective off. He ended up falling flat on his rump.

Saguru smiled gently and pulled Kaito to his feet. He subsequently scooped the thief up bridal style and proceeded to carry Kaito though the hall and out the door to where a fleet of taxis was waiting to take the inebriated guests home after the party.

Saguru flagged down a taxi and stuffed a protesting Kaito inside before getting in after him. "To the New Beika Hotel, please," Saguru requested of the driver.

Kaito fell silent for a minute before asking, "Why are you taking me to a hotel?"

"Because I want you to be somewhere safe where you can sober up. Since I doubt you'll allow me to take you home, I'm checking you into a hotel room where you can stay the night and proceed home in the morning when you're feeling better. Is that acceptable?"

Kaito opened and closed his mouth a few times before he blushed and grumbled, "Only…that I don't want to owe you like that."

"You'll owe me nothing. You're the one doing me a favor…letting me keep my peace of mind. I don't want to spend the rest of my weekend worrying about whether or not you got home safely, so go on me with this one, will you? It's not like I'm hurting for cash. It is no great sacrifice for me to put you up in a hotel room for the night."

"…Okay," Kaito finally agreed in a small voice. Blushing slightly, Kaito mentally noted that maybe Hakuba Saguru wasn't a total slug after all.