Chapter 16: Laughing

The minute we got to my place I put Kane in the back room and raided the Kitchen. Kei was close behind me and we made quick work of the leftover food my mom must have made for dinner.

I had to wash the blood off my hands from holding Kane which would have put me off my appetite if my body wasn't craving nutrition. I was so tired I thought I'd fall asleep right after that but got back in the car after Hattori came into the house and dragged me out. The professor did his best to be inconspicuous and kept out of our conversation since he didn't want to be involved any further then he had to.

"Ya really shouldn't starve yerself."

"I didn't mean too. Hisa-chan weren't you hungry?" I asked as I rounded the car. Hisa still refused to look at me but she shook her head.

"We had lunch and there were some raspberries that we had for a snack but Kei-chan didn't like them. That's why she was still hungry."

"Raspberries are gross," she stuck her tongue out at the older girl and turned to smile at me. "You don't like them either."

"Nope," I messed up Kei's hair and took her into the back seat with me. "Too sour for me."

"Yuck sour!" she giggled and I couldn't help smiling even with everything that had happened. She looked at me, her own smile sadder than it had been a second ago.

"You could just ask."

"Ask you what?" I closed the door, Hakuba had stayed in the car to watch over Jii and Hisa crawled back into his lap from where she'd been fidgeting in my seat while I was gone.

"You want to know how I can do it right?"

"Do what?"

"Laugh"

The car started to take off and I hugged her close to me in my lap. Without Kane she'd taken her place with me instead of Hattori.

"I was concerned about it." I looked back at my house as if faded off into the distance. "I don't think I was able to laugh when…" I trailed off but I was sure Kei received the rest of my sentiment.

"Sometimes it's good, to hear what people don't say." She put a tiny hand up to my face and brushed it across my check. "It makes it easier and you know people care about you." There were tears falling down her face but she kept smiling, "and you know they mean it."

"I always mean what I say and do, most of the time anyway." Aoko couldn't know some things in my life but secrets were different from outright lying. "You know I'm going to get you back from your mom tomorrow right? Or do you want to stay with her?" Kei shook her head and looked down at her feet.

"But I shouldn't stay with you either. You'll get hurt, like my brother." She started crying more.

"Don't worry Kei-chan, nothing can stop me from getting what I want." I tried to comfort her. "And I've had a lot of people try."

"No…" She tried to wipe her tears from her face but couldn't stop them. "The bad people with kill you…"

"I've had bad people try to kill me before and look, I'm still here."

Kei shook her head, "You don't know, these bad people kill lots of people. When we were running away I heard… bad things." She stifled a hiccup. "I don't want you to die."

"Hey, Kei-chan," Hattori leaned over the seat to face her. "Ya can hear what I think or somethin' like that right? These bad people aren't gonna get ya or any of us, trust me." He smiled. "I don't think they'd fare so good goin' up against Kid anyway."

Whatever Hattori meant had gotten through. Kei's crying slowed and she lay slack in my arms, falling asleep. "Be careful, they are bad people" she whispered to me and reached up an arm without looking and caught my collar.

"Well I'm pretty sure of it now 'cause the girl didn't correct me when I thought 'bout 'em. That means she musta seen similarities between who I was thinkin' about and who the other people were thinkin' about." Hattori leaned forward again. "That ain't good."

"We'll talk about it later," I told him. "I don't want Kei-chan in the room when we do, it will worry her too much."

"Yer really protective of the kids ain't ya?" I heard Hattori sigh, "You haven't even know 'em fer more than a few days, if that."

"They're kids, how could I not be protective of them?"

"They're kids who are in danger because of the things their parents did." Hakuba joined in on the conversation and I'd almost forgotten he was there. "I think that has something to do with it as well. They're innocent. I know you'll probably want to punch me for saying it but Kane-kun and Kei-chan reminded me a lot of you and your mother Kuroba-kun."

"How?"

"She knows things that she doesn't tell you because she doesn't want to worry you but you insist on going around and trying to protect everyone. From what I'm not sure, I took the liberty of looking a few articles about you when Hattori-kun was following me around. The safety of everyone seems to be you main concern whenever you steal anything." He looked down at Kei, "I'm sure she noticed the resemblance between you and her brother which is why she's been clinging to you."

I would have started up an argument with him but we arrived at the hospital seconds later. I got out of the car with Kei and Hattori ran in to get someone to help Jii. I felt bad for the old man but there was nothing I could do besides close the wound and get him help as quickly as I could after I'd dealt with Kane-kun. The hospital paramedics came out and helped him out of the car and onto a stretcher.

He was wheeled in and one of the attendants turned to Hattori. He spoke with her before coming back to the car.

"Since the guy's been shot they need someone to stay with him. There's no way I'm stayin' here instead of goin' back with you two so who is?"

I took a card out and grabbed a pen. I wrote Jii's full name, occupation, address and my home phone number before leaning forward and handing it to the professor.

"Can you stay and answer any questions they have? Make up some cover story since we really don't know anything about the shooters and if they need anything they can call my mom. Jii-chan doesn't have any relatives that I know of."

"Why me?" Agasa asked as he turned to face me.

"Because I need to talk to Conan-kun when we get to your house, it's Hakuba-kun's case, and Hattori would beat up anyone who got in his way at this point so that only leaves you."

"And how would you get back to my house?"

I held out my hand. "Give me your keys."

"You can drive?" they all asked me simultaneously. I raised my eyebrows.

"With all you know I can do, you're surprised I have experience with cars?" I asked them. Hakuba rubbed his shoulder.

"I hope they were good experiences."

I snatched the keys from the professor as he got slowly out and I climbed into his seat without getting out of the car. It took a minute for me to readjust everything and I looked back at the detective and winked. "Most of them were."

"I can't believe I'm letting you take my car." The professor muttered before leaving. "Hattori-kun," he peered over the car at the Osakan detective for a moment who was getting back in. "Ai-kun is back and in the basement so make sure you let her know you're there."

"I gotcha, don't worry 'bout it." Hattori waved him off as he got in the seat next to me. I had placed Kei in Hakuba's lap so she wouldn't fall off the seat while she was unconscious and Hisa seemed to be enjoying all the free space she now had. I took off and nodded to the professor.

"Don't worry about the car, I'm not going to do anything bad to it." The downtrodden look didn't leave his face and he walked slowly into the building. 'Hopefully' I muttered under my breath. Hattori caught it and smiled at me.

"As long as ya don't kill us, I'm fine with it."

I took him at his word.

I pulled a few corners a little too sharply. I wasn't used to driving since the glider was so much easier to use once I started acting as Kid. Mom liked that her car didn't mysteriously loose a few gallons of gas anymore, when she rented one as needed, but it was one of the things that probably tipped her off to what I was doing.

Kei woke up and looked around in a daze before laughing when I took another sharp turn, skidding the tires . The smile across my face warned Hattori and he grabbed onto the side of the door.

"Ya said ya wouldn't kill us remember?"

"I won't." I stepped on the gas and the car went from twenty-five to forty in seconds.

"Kuroba-kun what are you doing?" Hakuba looked over at me from the side but I couldn't see his expression.

"I'm just having fun," I turned to him and scared the hell out of everyone as I took my eyes off the road. "It's fun, right Kei-chan?"

She giggled at me and even Hisa was smiling and looking out the window as the lights went by.

"Okay, ya can look at the road again please." Hattori's other arm grabbed onto his seat and when I turned back the speedometer had gone up to fifty.

"Kei-chan, Hisa-chan," I asked. "Should I go faster?"

"Please don't." Hakuba's voice was panicked and he held onto Hattori's seat, trying to keep Kei in his arms.

"Faster!" Kei shouted as I slowed down just enough to take the next turn without flipping us over.

"Stop okay! I take it back! I care if ya think ya won't kill us too!"

I stepped back on the gas and hit fifty-five when I saw flashing lights behind me.

"Oh oh," I smiled. "Seems like you can't have things your way Hattori-kun."

"Kuroba-kun just pull over, please?" Hakuba held on tighter and tried to reason with me, "Your good shoulder's still hurt so I know you're only driving with your left hand. You don't want to get us killed do you?"

I looked over at Kei and winked. "Hakuba-kun thinks I'm going to kill us. What do you think?"

"Faster!" She yelled and I smiled.

"That's what I was thinking too."

"Oi, if I live through this, remind me never ta get in a car with you again." Hattori closed his eyes and held on tightly as I hit speeds over seventy on the slow, suburban roads. I heard gasps from the both of them as I had to swerve to avoid a few cars that were out way-to-early in the morning like us. The girls just laughed.

I lost the flashing lights after a few minutes and swung the car around. I'd purposely been going off in the wrong direction so we wouldn't be bothered on our way to the professor's. I eased off the gas and let the car go the appointed speed limit. If the police did catch a glace of the hard-to-miss yellow paint, they weren't close enough to make out the plates and Hakase was at the hospital so they couldn't blame him, with no one at his house old enough to drive.

It took a while for the other two to relax and Hattori started laughing.

"You know I've been in car chases before an' I didn't think this little thing could go that fast. Ya really shouldn't be breakin' the law when you don't hafta."

"But I did have to." I looked back at both the happy girls and smiled at the mirror. "I should be over any illegal activities until tomorrow."

"Kuroba-kun," I heard how mad Hakuba was at me and my smiled faltered slightly.

"Yeah?"

"If you ever do that with me… no, if you ever do that again with anyone and I find out, so help me you will never see the light of day again!"

"Hey, no one got hurt and if we were really in danger I would have stopped."

"Your definition of 'danger' is so off skew that your statement does nothing, if not worry me more. Do not go recklessly speeding anywhere again."

"Sure thing mother," I was tempted to do something the detective would think was 'recklessly dangerous' when Hattori caught my eye.

"Let it be fer now," he yawned. "It's gotta be like four in the morning and I really need to get some sleep. I didn't take a nap in the middle of the day like you two." He closed his eyes and leaned up against the window.

"I'm sleepy," Kei yawned as well, crawling in the front seat and laying down in my lap. She was small enough that she wasn't going to be hitting the wheel and I could maneuver my arms around her.

"What about you peanut gallery? How are you holding up?"

Hakuba folded his arms and blinked a few times. "I was feeling tired before you took us on the car ride of death," he rubbed his eyes. "I'm sure it's going to hit me again soon."

"We'll wait for tomorrow before we figure anything out. I'll deal with Kei-chan's mom first and then we'll settle things with… Kudo-kun."

"I still don't understand what he has to do with any of this but it's clear to me that you and Hattori-kun think differently. I'll find out when I need to."

It only took me a few minutes to get to the professor's. I woke Hattori up and he went to the door while I got Kei and Hakuba stirred Hisa. With both girls in our arms we met Hattori at the door. He held out his hands to take Kei.

"What's wrong?"

"Hakase didn't leave the door unlock, ya need to get us in."

"Oh." I handed her over to him and dug around the inner pocket of the jacket. I grabbed three oddly shaped pieces of metal wire and took a few seconds to unlock the door. I took a few more seconds to get the bolt.

"I'm not condoning it but you can pick a lock faster than I expected," Hakuba said when I stood up and opened the door.

"If there's something you need to be good at as a thief, it's picking a lock and being able to slip out of handcuffs," I smiled. "You've yet to get that far."

"I've gotten you into handcuffs." He sighed to himself. "I never should have let you go."

"You didn't have proof it was me and Nakamori-jisan would have gotten mad if you didn't."

"How did you pull that off?" Hakuba narrowed his eyes at me, sleep making them less then focused. "I had you handcuffed when 'Kid'" He air quoted, "showed up. There was no way you were in two places at once."

"It's a secret," I put my finger up to my lips. "I can't give everything away."

"Can we go in now or do ya want me to fall asleep against the house?" Hattori grumbled. I grabbed his jacket and shoved him in the door.

"You didn't have to just stand there."

"Too tired to think," Hattori almost walked into a wall since his eyes were half closed. "Damn it," he sighed. "Ai-kun! I know yer down in the lab but we're takin' yer bed, you can take the professor's. There are people with me but! …" apparently Hattori wasn't even up to finishing his sentence. He laughed to himself, "I forget what I was gonna say. Leave the door unlocked, Ku-u-Conan-kun should be over in the morning an' he's gotta get me up. There's an extra bed…" Hattori looked lazily around the room. "…somewhere, sorry." He rubbed his eyes but it was clear he was exhausted.

"I'll find it." I put Kei more comfortably on my shoulder so that I'd be able to use my arms. There were a few spare futons folded in the main closet and I took two of them out. Coming back, Hattori went over and grabbed one from me before falling asleep on the floor.

Hakuba was already in one of the beds and asleep even though he said he hadn't been tired. I smiled at Hattori and realized that, even beat as he was, he didn't take the last bed. I put Kei down and called over Hisa who was sitting on the floor next to Hakuba.

"Come here," I patted the bed and I shook my head when I noticed that it would come across like I was calling some sort of dog. Hisa came over anyway and I situated them both in the bed before going over to the other futon. I wasn't going to make the kids sleep on the floor.

When I sat down the on the mattress I sighed to myself and got back up. I tried not to stir the detective as I sat on his bed and watched the girls. Kei had fallen asleep but Hisa was still fidgeting around. They'd gone through a lot and I couldn't fall asleep until I knew they had.

I kneeled next to the bed and played with the hair around Hisa's face. She didn't look like Hakuba, even if she was just his cousin. Her hair was black and long and she'd lost the piggy tails I'd first seen her in some time ago so the back was knotted. She twitched a little at my touch but settled down. After a few minutes I was sure she was sleeping and I took Kei's hair out of her face as well before going back to the mattress and following them.

…

My first realization was someone was poking me in the head. I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn't focus on the small form in front of me.

"Are you waking up?" It asked, the voice didn't sound familiar but I could tell it was feminine. "Well you've got good timing." The figure stood up and walked away.

I put a hand up to my head where new bandages had been put on, I also discovered I was on my back when I knew I'd fallen asleep on my stomach. I didn't tend to move in my sleep so I found it weird.

"Kuroba-kun, how can you still be sleeping?" I let my head fall back and saw Hakuba standing over me.

"Well good morning to you too."

"Afternoon actually. It's three and we've got less than an hour to pick up Kane-kun and meet with Kei-chan's mother." He offered me a hand to help me up. "How do you feel?"

"Normal I guess, why?" I felt something a little strange getting up after I just said that.

"That girl cleaned up your bullet wound and closed the one on your head. She said you'd be able to take the bandages off in a few hours if there isn't any bleeding." While Hakuba had been telling me all this, his eyebrows were knit together and he seemed unsure of what he was saying, which was odd coming from the most self-confident person I knew.

"What girl?"

"Ai-kun," Kudo came into the room looking as tired as I felt. "We've been waiting for you to wake up and since you didn't look like you were going to, she thought it was better to treat you while you were unconscious. She was also curious so you lost your makeup." He looked back into the room he came from. "Though I'm not entirely sure why she wanted to help you at all."

I felt my soft hair that told me the temporary dye was gone and wiped a hand across my chin to make sure the powder was off as well. I went over to Kudo and leaned over him as I swung around the corner and caught sight the girl before she made her way downstairs.

"Thank you."

She waved me off, not slowing down. "It seems like you'll need it."

"Anyway," I looked down at Kudo as he spoke to me. "You should get back to your house. The professor said you could take his car again, though Hattori and Hakuba-kun didn't seem to like that idea very much." Kudo looked at Hakuba with curiosity and the detective tensed up. "They didn't say no to it but won't tell us why the atmosphere suddenly changed when we brought it up."

I laughed and went back in the room to notice that the kids were gone. Hattori had even somehow gotten up before me.

"I feel like I'm losing my touch," I commented to no one. I never slept longer than anyone, especially when they were in the same room and making noise. I put a hand in my pocket to make sure I still had the keys.

"We might run into some problems," I turned to Hakuba. "I think it's better if Hisa-chan stays here."

"We'd be putting them in danger." Hakuba's eyes darkened and he met Kudo's, "I've never frequented this place before now but we could have been followed at any point over the last few days."

"We weren't. I'd stake my life on it." I poked him, "I said yesterday that my driving around wasn't just for fun." I'd been looking for tails as well. I couldn't be sure that whoever had shot Jii and Kane weren't still in the area and the main reason I drove the way I did was to see if we were being followed.

"Oh," Hakuba seemed surprised. "I thought… never mind"

"What? You thought I'd suddenly gone over the deep end and was determined to scare the hell out of everyone just for laughs?" I tried to look offended.

"Knock it off Kuroba-kun," He pushed me out of the way as he tried to leave the room but he was smiling. "One of these days I won't be surprised by anything you do."

"I certainly hope not! It wouldn't be any fun if I became predictable." I shoved him back, the rest of the way through the door. "I'll meet you in the car."

"What are you going to do? I thought we'd gotten over secrets."

"We have you idiot!" I scoffed at him, "I'm not going to go with you to meet their mom like this," I waved a hand in front of my face and down at Kudo's clothes from the other day. "Do you want to sit on the toilet while I change?"

Hakuba shook his head and looked at me appraisingly. "Actually, since you did it so smoothly last night I wouldn't mind seeing you change your appearance again."

"Hakuba-kun just get in the car." I grabbed him by the shirt and dragged him out with me. "Conan-kun, I'm going to be next door and then leave so you won't be seeing me until I get back."

"Just don't steal anything from me."

I smiled evilly and he returned a serious look. "I won't steal…anything," I toyed with him. He kept frowning as we left, Hakuba getting into the car while I went across the street.

I didn't have to go to Kudo's house but I felt more comfortable alone and without the eyes. I'd brought enough supplies with me from home that I wouldn't need to borrow any of his mother's.

Obvious features would be best so that Kei's mother couldn't identify me but looking like a crazy punk would make her think badly of the detective.

After rummaging through Kudo's clothes and giving up I found a grey suit in his father's room. It was too large on me but padding and some paper in my shoes made it look appropriate. I gelled the majority of my hair back and added a few grey streaks hidden in the brown. Some powder to thin my eyebrows and dark shadowing to give the appearance of age and I was done. I'd pass for a thirty or forty year old man easily.

I locked Kudo's door again when I left to find Hattori had taken the front seat again.

"Why are you coming with?" I used my own voice and saw Hattori laugh.

"I couldn't let ya go alone and how'd ya think Hakuba-kun'd get back once ya left to get Kei-chan?" He looked back at the girl in Hakuba's lap. "I'm not good at divin' but I can pass on these slow roads. I figured someone'd have to drive back unless Hakuba-kun wanted to wait fer you. Takin' the girl on the glider would be faster and ya wouldn't have to worry 'bout commin' back fer the car."

"And Hakuba-kun agreed to you driving back?" I smirked at the detective who shivered.

"He can't be any worse than you."

"Oh, there's always worse," I laughed and got in. Both detectives twitched .

"Ya know it's really creepy. I know it's you under there but…" Hattori moved in his seat and looked at me. "Knowin' doesn't really help."

"Fine then I'll make it easier." I took on the guff tone of an older man who'd smoked a little too much. Hattori started laughing.

"No way! That makes it worse!"

I started the car and rolled my eyes at him. "Whatever."

The trip there was uneventful compared to last night. Zooming around at those high speeds had re-accustomed me to being behind the wheel and both of them relaxed when they realized I wasn't going to floor it. At least not at that moment. I hide my smile so that neither of them could see it.

I stopped by my house to pick up Kane and noticed my mom wasn't home. More likely than not someone at the hospital had called her and she was with Jii. It made me feel better knowing that someone the old man was comfortable with could be there for him when I couldn't.

I put Kane's body in the back seat with the detective before taking off. Hakuba had to give me the directions from the back seat since I wasn't familiar with the area that the address she given me yesterday was in and I hadn't had enough time to look it up. Kei seemed content to remain quietly in his lap.

It was a good distance away and took nearly forty minutes. I was tempted to hurry it along but I didn't think either detective would appreciate it.

The address took us to a large white building that looked like it dealt with construction. I swerved around the back where there was a black car surrounded by three people. I had to guess the only woman was Kei's mother.

She anxiously tapped her foot when I drove up. Black hair was tied back in a bun, some of which had come loose. Her dark eyes reflected Kane's as she stared daggers at us. Neither of the two men around her looked like her husband, from what faint memories I had of him. They were larger and both of them emitted 'dangerous' just by standing still.

I got out of the car first and pushed Hakuba back in before taking Kei.

"Stay here." I met his eyes intently. He tried to get back out.

"I'm not waiting in the car."

I easily kept him in and eyed Kane's body. Hakuba should have been able to overpower me but I had leverage on my side so it was easy to keep him in. Hattori sighed at us and got out of the car, holding out his arms.

"Give me."

I raised my eyebrows and he took Kei from me anyway. "You can't hold 'em both at once an' I don't think Hakuba-kun should be gettin' too close to her either."

Hakuba looked gravely at Hattori and back at me.

"I'm not staying in the car."

"Then don't but don't get too close to them." I held out my hands and Hakuba reluctantly handed Kane's body to me.

"You shouldn't either then."

"She has no grudge with me that she knows of and has never seen me before. I won't be in danger."

"Don't put anything passed that woman." Hakuba got out but did as I said and stayed a few feet behind us. When I turned around, the woman in question would have stormed after me if one of the men hadn't stopped her.

I went up to her and she snatched Kane away.

"My baby!" She cried, holding him close to her. After a few minutes of rocking him in her arms her eyes shot up and found Hakuba.

"You god damn brat!" the men couldn't stop her this time and she went after the detective. "Who the hell do you think you are? Help? Gods I could have found more help at a homeless shelter! You did this!"

She clawed her hand in Hakuba's direction, holding Kane in her other arm. I grabbed her wrist before she could make contact. Hakuba didn't back up but looked her straight in the face.

"I tried. I'm sorry I couldn't stop Kane-kun from dying."

"Tried my ass!" She screamed and attempted to get out of my gasped. As long as I kept my grip and positioned my body right, it would be able to keep her under control. "Let me go!" She yelled at me. Kane's limp form was the only thing keeping her from using both hands.

"I can't do that." My voice was back to the husky one I'd used in the car earlier. "I was there as well and couldn't protect your son. I wanted you to know we tried our best."

"Oh really?" She spat, trying to claw at me now. "Well your best was clearly not enough to keep my son alive was it!"

"Please calm down madam. Your daughter is here as well and I don't think your misdirected anger is helping any." I could hear the cold tones sneaking their way into my voice.

"Misdirected anger? You're the assholes who got my son killed!"

Hattori came up next to her with Kei, trying to push Hakuba out of the way if she got free.

"Miss, yer daughter is here and I think she needs ya right now."

"Ha!" she drew her wrist towards herself and I released her, still cautious of any further attacks. "Of course she needs me!" The woman signaled for one of the men to come over and they took Kei from Hattori, the poor girl was crying and trying to cling to him. In a quick motion Kei's mother went up to the man and Hattori as they struggled to get Kei to let go. She moved too quickly for me to stop her.

The woman bared her hands like claws and swiped at Hattori's face, getting him near the left eye and across the check. "Let go of my daughter!"

I could the blood already coming down from the three marks that landed on his check and he blinked his eyes a few times before meeting her gaze.

"I'm tryin' to give her to him. She won't let go. I know yer upset but hit me again an' I ain't gonna be so nice next time."

She snarled at him and the second man stopped her from doing just that. He could at least tell the teen's threat was real. The woman brushed him off and walked back to the car with Kane's body.

I leaned over and touched one Kei's fists as she tried desperately to hold onto Hattori's coat, even after her mother had hit him. "It'll be alright Kei-chan."

She looked at me with her tear covered face and nodded before letting the man take her. "Sorry about mommy oniisan," she murmured to the Osakan detective before the man could turn around with her.

"Its fine Kei-chan, she was just worried 'bout ya." Hattori smiled and continued to blink. One of her nails obviously got him in the eye. Kei shook her head but smiled back.

I tried to push the two in the car faster than the mother and her group could leave. I started it up and practically flew around the corner before handing Hattori the keys and a piece of cloth.

"Thanks," he muttered and looked in the review mirror as he took my seat, trying to get the blood off his face.

"Are you ok?"

"Fine." The white of his eye was all red and there were a few tears mixing with the blood. "I didn't think she was gonna hit me an' when I saw her commin' I couldn't drop the girl."

His phone started to ring as I wiped off the makeup and spiked my hair. I couldn't get the grey out but it wouldn't be noticeable when I put the hat on.

Hattori cursed and picked up the phone as I threw the overcoat in the car that was over my white one.

"Hello?" Hattori shoved the phone away from his ear as someone yelled at him. "Shut up will ya!" He yelled at it, still a safe distance away. The noise died down and he spoke to whoever it was. "Yeah, I told ya I was in Beika… No, not right now. I had to stop somewhere… Why do you care!... Fine!" He slammed the phone shut and looked annoyed. He turned around to Hakuba. "Do ya mind if we make a stop somewhere?"

"I don't see how I have any say in the matter." Hakuba folded his arms. "I can't drive so I have no way of stopping you from going anywhere."

"Hey," he turned back to me just as I finished switching my shoes. "Can ya meet us at Mouri-san's? It seems like Kazuha can't keep her big nose outta things when I'm gone more than a day."

"Sure," straightened the tie, ready to take off. "But what about Kei-chan? I don't think I should be parading her around."

He gave me one of those, are you an idiot looks and pulled it off better than Hakuba had. "Yer Kid, make sure he doesn't see her."

"Of course," I shooed him away with my hat. "I'm not stupid."

He smirked at me before driving away, "I didn't say ya were."