Part Nine
Need sleep.
He looked at the clock.
Need coffee.
Heiji cursed the time he'd read with as much vehemence as he could muster. After treating Kudo-disguised Kid, there hadn't been much opportunity to discuss anything since Kazuha seemed determined to hover around. Hell, there hadn't been any chance to talk.
When Ran had sent that text telling him to pick up Kudo - the pint sized Kudo, not the current imposter he was harboring - Heiji had expected to just grab Kudo and head back. What Ran had neglected to mention was that he'd discover two Kudos. Granted, Heiji understood that Kudo could be damn paranoid, but Nee-chan too? Shouldn't someone have given him a clue that he was about to aid and abed a known international thief?
But no, pint-sized Kudo had dragged Heiji by the hand to a cluster of trees where the shrunken detective easily crawled under the branches. Once hidden from view he'd cursed and ordered Heiji to get in there and help. With what Heiji hadn't known, but he'd been shocked to see the puny Kudo trying to wake up a full sized Kudo... who was bleeding...
Bad enough it was pouring. They'd soaked all the way home... or rather to Kazuha's house as Kudo explained.
Oh, Heiji understood that Kid was a person in need of help. But damn it, it was Kaitou Kid! Because who else would be crazy enough to dress up as Kudo? Every instinct Heiji had was warring with himself. He was a detective for crying out loud! He should be turning in the elusive thief, but Kudo insisted on hiding the criminal.
It was rankling, but Heiji hadn't had time to think. He'd just followed Kudo's lead. After all, Kudo had all the experience with the Black Organization and Kudo was good at coming up with the wildest ideas that worked. And there he was; Kazuha had found out that people were after Kudo and if her angry eyes were any indication, she'd be trying to find out more.
This was costing Kudo... the real Kudo. Now someone else knew his secret, or at least part of it. Kudo had had a hard enough time when Ran had found out. Heiji had all but thrown the two of them together to get them to even talk to each other. And now someone else was in danger; someone that Heiji himself had worked hard to keep out of it, despite his screw-ups in calling Kudo by name instead of by that alias of Edogawa Conan.
And all the blame could be squarely laid at Kaitou Kid's feet.
Heiji yawned again. After Kid had been patched up, the Detective of the West had taken a shower to try and warm his frozen, soaked bones. It had done wonders to improve his mood, but it didn't change the situation. Heiji had turned it over in his mind, tried to look at it from every angle, but he knew he was missing something. Something Kudo seemed to have but wasn't sharing. And that was strange. Since Heiji had discovered Kudo, they didn't really keep things from each other. So Heiji would need to talk to Kudo. But he couldn't get the faux brat alone. The Tokyo detective would not leave Kid's side. Neither would Ran, really, but that was in keeping with the disguise Kid was wearing... to Heiji's disgust.
Another yawn and a rub of his eyes and Heiji gave up. He got off the couch and stretched, grateful he had a change of clothes for all the times he stayed over at Kazuha's for studying. (... and staying away from his father...) Another glance at the clock revealed it was already eight in the morning and Kogoro was probably at the station already after getting called in. Checking his cell showed a message from his mother. Heiji groaned. He'd promised his parents he'd come home after the heist, but things had gotten so crazy...
With a sigh, he dialed home.
"Hey, ma," he greeted.
"Oh Heiji," she replied. "How good of you to call." Her voice took on a hint of steel. "I noticed you didn't come home last night."
"I know," he mumbled, feeling closer to Kudo's apparent age, "things were chaotic last night after th' heist..."
"I know. I saw the news this morning."
Heiji didn't even want to think about how the news was covering a shooting at a Kid heist. "Sorry ma. I didn't drop off the Mouri family 'till close ta four a.m. I sure wuzn't thinkin' of anythin' beyond a shower 'n' some sleep."
"I see."
"Seriously, I'm fine. I even took down all o' the snipers without even 'n ache. I'm all healed up 'n' already kickin' butt."
"I see."
Heiji took a deep breath and thanked whoever was looking out for him that his mother didn't see him roll his eyes.
"Look, 'm sorry I didn't call, 'kay? I just-"
"Heiji." Her voice sent shivers down his spine.
"I'm glad that you are well. Hopefully in the future, you're parents will warrant as much focus as interesting international criminals."
Properly chastised, Heiji offered a soft "Yes, ma'am." Head bowed, the dark skinned detective took the hint. "Well, just to letcha know, I'll be at Kazuha's fer a while, then I'll be headin' down to th' station." Heiji's face turned grim. "I wanna talk ta that damn fool sniper 'bout a few things."
"No doubt," his mother replied, a warm smile on her voice. "I'll expect you home for dinner."
"Yes'm."
Heiji hung up and let out a long breath.
"Yer mom checkin' up on ya?"
Heiji groaned again. He needed sleep dammit! "Kazuhaaaa," he moaned. "Can we not argue right now?"
Kazuha offered a sweet smile that reminded Heiji strongly of his mother's voice just a moment ago. "Fine then," she said as sweetly as her smile. "What can I do fer ya?"
Heiji hesitated, hoping he wouldn't ignite the explosion he knew was coming. "Can I have some coffee?" he asked.
Still smiling Kazuha twirled, her ponytail swinging. "Get it yerself!" she hissed.
"Damn you, Kazuha," he hissed back, aware of the sleeping Kudo, Kid, and Ran upstairs. "Can't ya see I'm doin' the best I can?"
"No y'aint!" she growled, slightly louder. "Y're just usin' my natural hospitality. So why don't you see ta your guests!" She stomped away.
Heiji muttered curses lost in the rain still pounding on the roof.
The next two hours, Heiji was getting more and more frustrated. He tried to talk to Kudo and Ran about Kid and what to do only to get solid stonewalling tactics. Kudo evaded and ducked and sidestepped like a pro and Ran would only look at Kudo, see him shake his head, and then politely change topics.
In between the lack of answers, Kazuha was snipping and snapping at him for almost anything he did. Heiji was pretty sure he knew where it was coming from, but he didn't dare address it. He would put that confrontation off as long as possible.
But all this did not help his exhausted state. Coffee only seemed to make him more aware of his misery as the rain seemed to agree outside as it kept pouring down with an occasional rumble of thunder.
Oh c'mon! Th' rainy season don't start 'till June!
Heiji yawned and stretched again. He was probably working on... what... his third wind by now? And after what he'd told his mother, he wasn't going to be getting any sleep until he got home. Of course, he wanted to talk to that idiot sniper and get some real answers. Start doing some real detecting like he was supposed to. But given who was in Kazuha's house at the moment, he wasn't exactly holding up much hope on that score. Not until Kid finally woke up and Heiji could start getting answers. Or at least relieve some of his frustration.
Another glance at the clock showed that it was almost ten o'clock.
Rgh. If Kid don't wake up soon, I'll kill'm...
It looked like some more coffee was in order.
Kazuha walked into the kitchen just as Heiji did, and turned her nose up to him.
"Kazuha," Heiji started quietly, hoping that the gentle approach might work better than accusations or anger. He never got the chance to finish, however, since there was a polite, if insistent knock at the door.
Heiji tensed immediately. As far as he knew, Kazuha wasn't expecting visitors. Was it Them? Where they found so easily? Heiji looked around frantically. That's it! I'm gonna carry a damn bokken wherever I go! He looked to Kazuha, who was glaring at him angrily. Please let'r see sense! He put his finger to his mouth, motioning for her to be silent, and waved her away from the window.
Kazuha actually blinked, her shoulders slackening as she just looked at him, perplexed.
Heiji didn't have time to explain. He silently opened the door under the sink, looking for a plunger, but found none. Dammit! The knocking repeated itself, still polite and insistent.
No time! He put his hand at Kazuha's back and guided her to the walk-in pantry, where he almost closed the door, leaving it open a crack so that she could see the hall and the entry way, but be unseen by whoever was at the door. Ran, Kudo, and Kid were all upstairs, if Heiji put up enough resistance, they'd hopefully hear it and make a run for it.
On silent, socked feet, Heiji slid down the hall and carefully pulled out an umbrella from the rack. It wouldn't be anywhere near as good as a bokken, but it would do for this pinch. He stepped into his shoes, the umbrella in front of him in a kendo stance as he took a moment to just breathe and reach for the calm he always had before a bout. The knock was more insistent and Heiji flung open the door.
To find Hakuba.
Heiji poked him with the umbrella anyway to release some of the adrenaline coursing through his system.
"What're ya doin' here? How'd ya even find here? Aaaargh, I haven't slept yet 'n' you show up?"
Hakuba stared at him, flat-faced. "So sorry to disturb you," he replied and Heiji very much doubted there was any truth in that statement. "I understand that the Mouri family is staying here?"
Heiji poked him with the umbrella again, rather liking the way it pushed Hakuba back out into the rain where his wavy blond hair continued to frizz. "Well, Mouri-han's already headed in ta th' station. So why're ya here again?"
"Oh come now, there's no need to be so rude."
Heiji begged to differ. He just stared at him.
"I wish to speak with that child. Since he was actually there when Kaitou Kid was shot, I'd like to know what occurred."
Shit, I forgot 'bout that... "So ya come bargin' over here when all ya hadda do was call?"
Hakuba's eyebrow twitched, to Heiji's supreme satisfaction. "Given that I didn't know where he was staying-"
"Ya coulda asked-"
"-and no one would tell me where you were-"
"-and Nakamori woulda prob'ly found out-"
"-I've been walking in the rain for almost an hour-"
"-but y're so obsessed with Kid-"
"-one would think you'd have the hospitality to invite me in-"
"-that ya don't even consider the most logical thing ta do."
"-and since you aren't, I wonder what you're hiding."
Heiji blinked. "'Scuse me?"
"You must be involved in that heist last night. I wonder how..." Hakuba pushed aside the umbrella and strode right past Heiji, who was cursing just about everything.
"Hey!" He shouted as loud as he could, hoping certain other parties in the house would hear him. "You can't just barge in here an'- Hey! Hey! Get back here!" Heiji dropped the umbrella back on the floor and rushed out of his shoes to follow Hakuba who was already pounding down the halls. Kazuha came out of her hiding place, face as black as the storm outside and trailed after him.
"Damn jackass," Heiji growled as Hakuba started throwing open doors.
Hakuba heard a voice from what was likely the back bedroom. A very, very, familiar voice. He couldn't be so lucky, could he? Was this what Hattori was attempting to hide? But that was for a different time of deduction. Right now Hakuba was taking action. He knew that voice. It belonged to only one person and if he was right, he was finally about to get the proof he'd been seeking. Anticipation was coursing through Hakuba. Kaitou Kid was here. He was sure of it. He could wonder as to why Hattori was aiding and abetting later. Right now, with his prize right in front of him, he wanted to relish the look of shock on Kaitou Kid's face as Hakuba finally put him in handcuffs.
He slid open the door, fully expecting to see Kaitou Kid.
That wasn't what he saw.
"... Kuroba-kun?"
Kuroba was here. Kuroba was here and he'd just heard Kaitou Kid's voice emanate from this room.
Glee!
Hakuba was practically brimming in glee. All he needed to do was search Kuroba, find the jewel, maybe search the house, and he'd have the thief red-handed. Glee. Pure, unpolluted glee was bubbling up in him. His very dream was sitting in front of him, looking a smidge feverish (since gunshot wounds always had a slight infection), and a bit worn, but there. Hakuba couldn't have been happier. This was it. This was everything he'd been striving for, ever since he returned to Japan. His goal; his omega to a quest that had started when he'd asked Kaitou Kid why he stole and the flippant reply was to figure it out himself. Now he could finally get some answers. Glee, joy, happiness, a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, they were all waging war to be in the forefront of Hakuba's senses.
"Kaito-nii-chan? Where, where! I wanna see his doves again!"
Hakuba's eyes were drawn away from Kid to the small boy that was bouncing on the bed in front of him. Edogawa Conan was jumping on the mattress, looking around as Hattori and a girl he didn't recognize rammed into Hakuba from behind, pushing him further into the room.
"I told you, off the bed," Kid stated flatly.
"Okay, Shinichi-nii-chan," the child replied, hopping off.
... Shinichi? Nii-chan? Hakuba looked between the two. They did indeed bear a striking resemblance. Was Hakuba wrong? Only one way to make sure. He strode over and pulled at Kid's face.
"Owaaa!" Kid cried out, shoving at Hakuba. Not that it mattered, because Hakuba was grabbed roughly by the shoulder, two feminine-sized hands firmly grasping his arm before Hakuba was sent flying back out into the hall.
"Dontcha dare upset a guest in my home!"
Hakuba scrambled up, ignoring how his own cheeks flushed and that he was dripping on the floor. "Toyama-san, I presume?"
"I ain't answerin' any of yer questions 'til ya tell me who the hell you think you are bargin' into my home 'n' pinchin' the cheeks of my guests like some old gramma!"
"It's okay, Kazuha-san," came from in the bedroom he'd just been ousted from. Kid stepped forward, in large pajamas clearly borrowed from someone, slinging a robe over them. "Hakuba Saguru-san, half-British, half-Japanese, son of Chief Hakuba of the Metropolitan Police, avid pursuer of Kaitou Kid and also accomplished detective, so much so that you're taking my title of Detective of the East. I'm pleased to finally meet you." A small cough into a handkerchief. "Forgive me if I don't shake your hand. I am Kudo Shinichi, detective."
Hakuba's mind went blank. Only the formality that was in his very bones let him bow properly and say, "I am also pleased to make your acquaintance as well." He looked over the face again. It looked like Kuroba. But the hair was only sleep tossed, not the out-of-control mop that the magician wore. There were tired lines around the eyes and once more, the look of fever. But the tilt of the chin, how the shoulders were held, hands in the pockets of the robe, it wasn't Kuroba. But nothing made any sense. "Forgive my boldness, but what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I know! I know!" Conan bounced around their feet, singing chants of "I know!"s. From down the hall Mouri Ran came, looking tired as well, rubbing at her eyes.
"Shinichi!" she cried out. "You should still be in bed!"
"Raaaan," the claimed Kudo gave a slight pout. That looked very much like when Kuroba pouted to Aoko except for the pure fondness. Kuroba looked at Aoko as a friend. This Kudo was looking at Mouri more like a... Hakuba blushed brighter. "I've been stuck in bed too long. I need to get up and about more often."
Beneath them, Conan continued to sing his chorus of "I know!" until he tugged at Hakuba's damp pant leg. "Hakuba-nii-chan! Kaitou Kid-nii-chan dropped me off at this big baseball park! I don't know why he put me in a baseball park, I always prefer soccer! Soccer is so much better than baseball! But anyway, Kid-nii-chan dropped me off, and you know what! When I left the park, Heiji-nii-chan picked me up! And it was raining and I got all wet and cold and Heiji-nii-chan was saying some bad words I think he learned from Nakamori-jii-san!"
Hakuba looked down. "Conan-kun. That doesn't explain what Kudo-san is doing here."
"Yes it does!" Conan offered a pure childish pout. "Because when we turned onto Kazuha-nee-chan's street, guess what! We saw Shinichi-nii-chan walking down the street! But you know how in cartoons if you're out in the rain too long you sneeze and get sick and stuff? I think Shinichi-nii-chan got worse wet than us because he was really sick last night! We had to wake up poor Kazuha-nee-chan because we needed help getting him all warm and dry and stuff. But Kazuha-nee-chan's real nice and let us help out Shinichi-nii-chan and-"
"I think he gets the idea, Conan-kun," Ran crouched down by him, running a hand through his hair. "I'll tell you what, Conan-kun. Why don't you take Shinichi to the kitchen, hm? You can warm his breakfast and serve it."
"Really?" Conan smiled brightly. "Come on, Shinichi-nii-chan! You can finish telling me about the story about the case of the murder by roller coaster!"
Kudo gave a slightly put-out look to Ran and gave a small cough. He turned to Toyama. "I really am sorry about the inconvenience, Kazuha-san."
"It's fine," replied the girl who had thrown Hakuba out of the room. "Just don't let Conan-kun anywhere near th' stove."
Kudo sneezed as the small child led the way to the kitchen.
Hakuba took a deep breath, trying to process everything.
"Hakuba-san?"
He turned to Mouri.
"I understand that you wish to catch Kaitou Kid, but if you don't mind, I was very worried about Shinichi last night. Next time, could you perhaps have some evidence before you go disturbing others? I know that you're brilliant with cases, I saw that when you solved that horrid magic bullet murder, but I had no idea that you were so... rude." With that, Ran yawned and followed Kudo and Conan to the kitchen, no doubt to supervise two hopeless males in the kitchen. Hakuba had learned from his housekeeper early on that men were very, very rarely allowed in the kitchen here in Japan. Even back in England to some degree.
Hakuba's eyes trailed after them. "You're certain that he's Kudo-"
"You asshole!" Toyama growled. "Yes that's Kudo. Now get outta my house!"
Hakuba was shaking his head, droplets of water, flinging from the damp locks. Things were starting to fall into place. Hattori had flipped him off because it was Hattori and Hattori couldn't stand Hakuba any more than Hakuba could stand Hattori. Hattori and his umbrella at the door were no doubt because Hattori was headed out for medicine and his vehement reaction was due to worry for both Conan from the heist and his evident friend Kudo from when they'd returned. The reason why the voice he'd heard was so familiar was because Kudo and Kuroba really did look similar, remarkably so. Hakuba had jumped to conclusions for the first time in a long time and acted on them without any facts. It had all been so clear in his head mere moments ago, and now he had egg on his face.
Hattori grabbed Hakuba firmly by the arm. "You are gonna take Kazuha's advice 'n' leave."
"Here, Heiji, lemme help ya," the girl replied, grabbing Hakuba by his other arm. Together they marched a dazed Hakuba back down the hall he came from. "Be grateful I'm not makin' ya clean the floor," she growled.
The three of them breezed past the kitchen where Hakuba saw Kudo with his arm around Mouri, both watching Conan struggling to pour a glass of juice from a container almost as big as the child's arm.
At the door, Hattori and Toyama both shoved and then slammed it shut behind them.
Once more soaked through, Hakuba wondered when his conclusions had run so far ahead of him.
Kazuha stalked to the living room once that pain-in-the-ass Hakuba had been properly thrown out. This was... was... There wasn't even a word! Kazuha was pissed, she was shaking, and she was so very confused. When Heiji had tensed on just hearing a knock at the door and then all but shoved her into the pantry, she'd been scared. Heiji was never that forceful with her outside of real danger. But that danger ended up being this Hakuba jackass that, while inconvenient, wasn't a danger at all! Why was Heiji overreacting to such small things? Why had Kudo given his name if he was supposed to be hidden? Why not go with the "Kuroba" name that Hakuba had initially identified him as? And why the hell did she get shoved into the closet? Why... Why hadn't she ever been told about all this? Why hadn't Heiji trusted her?
A dark hand put itself on her shoulder and Kazuha twirled, stepping back and away from the childhood friend she thought she knew... The one who shared everything with her but now was apparently keeping secrets from her... There was pain and anguish and confusion and frustration and anger and betrayal and disappointment and uselessness and so many things all roiling around inside of her that Kazuha was certain she would burst.
"Ahou!" she shouted. It was the only thing she could do. "What sorta game 're you playin' at?" she demanded.
"Kazuha..." And hurt flashed across Heiji's face. What right did he have to be hurt? She was the one who'd been lied to...
"There's no danger, is there? This whole stupid story 'bout Kudo bein' in danger is just a lie, right? A 'Let's Make Fun o' Kazuha 'cause She Doesn't Know Anything' thing, right?" Because how could she not notice that Heiji was hiding something. She'd been with him since the cradle, practically. She thought she knew him... When had he changed? Why had he changed?
"'Cause if it's all true, then why didja lie to me? Fer so long? What did I do ta prove you couldn't trust me? And don't you say it's 'cause I'm a girl! I can kick yer ass better than anyone on yer kendo team! I coulda helped you! Why wuz I not worth bein' in the know? Why-"
Heiji looked down, shamefaced, and it only made Kazuha angrier. What right did he have to feel bad? She was the victim in this, right? She was the one kept in the dark. She was the one lied to. Even Ran seemed to know... And even Ran hadn't told her and that hurt. Why couldn't anyone tell her the truth? They were all detectives, searching for the truth? So why didn't she deserve the truth?
"Kazuha-san, stop it." The quiet voice came from Kudo who stood calmly in the doorway, hands buried in his pockets, looking very pale. How had he slid into that robe so smoothly when he had a bruised rib and a goddamn bullet hole in his side? How good was Kudo at lying to pull that off? Was he still lying to Ran? She didn't deserve that any more than Kazuha did... Kazuha shook her head, random observations distracting her.
"Kudo, this isn't about you-"
"I disagree," he replied calmly. He took a few steps into the room before slumping down to sit on the floor and lean against the wall. "Kazuha-san, I have a story for you. Please have a seat."
Kazuha looked at Heiji, who was still looking at her with his own hurt. Kazuha hmphed and strode away from him, sitting on the floor in front of Kudo. "Fine," she growled. "Just one story."
Kudo nodded. "I was following a lead in San Francisco, a city in America known for its steep hills. You see, there was an accountant in a very big firm. A very nice, young man from all reports. Thirty-five, a loving wife of ten years and two gorgeous little girls, ages seven and four. Living with this family was the accountant's mother-in-law, who acted as live-in babysitter while both parents worked."
"Yeah, yeah, perfect, happy couple," Kazuha grumbled.
Kudo just smiled sadly. "One day, the accountant found something that wasn't right. He double-checked it, and then triple checked it. It was such an odd filing that he brought it to the attention of his boss in the cubicle barnyard. A woman of around forty-seven, on her third husband. She also noticed how unusual this was and started to look into it on her own, independently of what the accountant had done. Now the accountant was well-known in the cubicles, but he only shared his unusual finding with one other coworker, a wide-eyed fresh-from-collage beginner as a sort of lesson of what to look for."
Kazuha nodded, wondering where the point was in all of this. Beside her, Heiji sat down, but she ignored him and scooted away.
"Now," Kudo continued, "when I started investigating these were the facts I got from the local police. That young beginner was found dead in an alley from a drug overdose, since apparently he'd been using heavily in college, despite what all his friends say. The manager was found in a public scandal that hit the tabloids like wildfire as being the mistress of a well-known local politician. She was hounded so badly by paparazzi, especially after her third husband left her penniless to save face, that she drowned herself in the bay. And as for the accountant?"
Kudo looked off to the side, his eyes tight as he put his hand on his chin. "Well, it was a tragic accident. It seems that while the family, all five of them, were on their way to church, their brakes gave out, sending them careening down the hill and into a restaurant, killing a table of five who was eating by the front window. To say nothing of all the other injuries that occurred. I understand a promising young gymnast who was hoping to be in the Olympics is now paralyzed from the neck down."
Kazuha stared at him.
And stared at him.
Was he saying? Was he saying? No... He couldn't be. She whirled to Heiji.
"I couldn't tell ya," he said quietly, avidly not looking at Kudo. "Just by bein' my friend, y're already in danger. If ya knew any more, ya'd be in even worse danger."
Kudo nodded. "I didn't tell Ran for the same reasons. That's why she never knew where I was. I saw her as little as possible. If it was ever found out that I was still alive..."
"Why d'ya think whenever Kudo does show up he's always tellin' everyone ta keep quiet 'bout his bein' there?" Heiji stated. "Ahou."
"Ahou!" she shouted right back. This was just... Too much... She'd barely gotten any sleep, this was just too much. "I'm goin' ta bed," she mumbled, realizing for the first time that tears had been flowing down her cheeks. Maybe, when she woke up, this would all be a dream.
She stood, stepped out into the hall, and paused. Leaning against the wall, right behind Kudo, was Ran, holding Conan closely in her lap. The other girl looked up to Kazuha with such sympathy. Kazuha let out a sob and ran to her room.
Ran gave Conan another squeeze. Conan had to admit to being impressed. Kuroba had come up with a story that was pure Black Organization right off his cuff and succeeded in at least throwing the reality of the situation into Kazuha's face a bit more firmly. Hopefully, with a lot of talking with Ran, Kazuha would be able to cope. Conan let out another guilty sigh. He knew the repercussions of this for Kazuha were going to be strong. This wasn't just hiding Kuroba, it was letting Kazuha in on the secret, even if it wasn't all of it. She may eventually find out even more, and there would be no doubt that she would come back to this incident and question everything again. This was breaking trust on so many levels with the young woman. Conan wasn't sure, if all of this ever came to light, that she would ever trust any of them again. It was one thing to accept that the Black Organization (even if she didn't know it by that name) would kill him and anyone who knew him. Kuroba had handled that beautifully. Kazuha, despite her hot temper, would understand, as Ran had. She wouldn't like it, but she would understand.
But if Kazuha ever found out that they had lied to her about whom was really the Kudo Shinichi staying under her roof, well, Conan wouldn't want to be there when that occurred. Because then, it wouldn't just be that Hattori had kept her in the dark. But also Ran. And that would just hurt even worse.
A hand ran through his hair.
"Ran," he mumbled.
"I know, Shinichi. I know."
They stayed like that for a moment, just being.
Hattori walked into the hall, looking frustrated and guilty. "I think I'll be headin' in ta the station now. I wanna talk ta that damn fool sniper."
"Hattori?" Conan wiggled out of Ran's grip. "We could also use a disposable cell phone."
A black eyebrow raised. "Why?"
Conan scowled. "I'll explain later."
Hattori looked ready to start shouting, but just grabbed an umbrella off the floor and slammed the door behind him.
"Conan-kun?"
"Thanks, tantei-kun," Kuroba muttered from the other side of the wall. "That's for me, right?"
"Yes."
Ran nodded, getting up off the floor. "Have the two of you had a chance to talk yet?"
"No," Conan growled. "We keep getting interrupted."
Running a hand through his hair again, Ran smiled. "Well, Hattori's out now. I'll go talk to Kazuha-chan. That should give the two of you some time."
Conan nodded, going into the living room and kneeling down by Kuroba. The magician gave him a measuring look and shook his head with a smile. "If you don't mind, tantei-kun, could you help me to the sofa. I'm rather tired at the moment."
He nodded, and did his best to help Kuroba back to his feet. The magician walked easily to the couch and eased down, a hand over the wound. "Now then, tantei-kun. What is it you're so desperate to talk about with Kaitou Kid?"
Conan clambered up into a chair, sinking into its softness. There was a question he needed to ask, but he'd get to that in a moment. Hopefully when Kuroba wasn't so on guard.
"Just to let you know, I called Aoko-san for you."
Blink. "Oh?"
"Yes." Conan pulled out his bowtie and with his perfect memory, repeated what he'd said on the message.
"Not bad, not bad, tantei-kun." Kuroba looked at him thoughtfully. "Give or take an intonation, that could very much be something I'd say. I can work with that; make it a running gag to keep her suspicions low. I suppose yet another 'thank you' is in order for all this? And what is it, precisely, that you're aiming for?"
Conan let out a sigh. Trust, apparently, was still going to be an issue. He'd hoped that giving what amounted to his origin story might help, but trust always took time.
"Kur... Kid. I know you don't have any reason to trust any of us. You're surrounded by people who would normally hand you over to Nakamori-keibu without a thought and you have to depend on your acting skills for an extended period of time instead of the short bursts you probably do for research and heists. You can leave at any point. Your hat with all the materials in it is in your room, I sneaked it in there during some of the commotion last night. The door is right there, you can walk out whenever you want."
"But?"
Conan shrugged, ignoring the ache in his shoulders from his early morning activities. "The original reason why I wanted to speak to you, the question on what I should do given that I had evidence that could prove something about you, is now moot. It's gone. So I can't turn you in, can I?"
"All very true. But as I recall, before Hakuba-san decided to roll through like a bullet train, you said there was something you needed to ask me." Kuroba raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"
Putting his hands behind his head, Conan took a moment to try and word it. "As it stands right now, I am the only one who knows. Ran knows I know something, and she's probably figured out by know that I know who you are. Hattori doesn't even have that. He kept trying to ask me why I was treating this heist of yours differently. Hattori I speak to often, but he's here in Osaka and I'm off in Tokyo. Ran, however, I live with and have made a promise that I won't keep secrets from. She knows I will still keep things from her if they aren't my secrets to tell, but I try to be as honest as possible now that she's in this."
"And how does that have any bearing on little old me?" Kuroba offered a grin.
"I found out who you are in a very unfair manner. So to be fair, I need to ask. You've respected my secret, so I wish to respect yours. Do I have your permission to tell Ran or Hattori or both?"
Kuroba's jaw dropped.
Author's Notes: Nice little cliffhanger. Heiji's lack of sleep was fun to write, as was Hakuba's making an ass of himself.
Seriously, Hakuba is very hard to pin down (as we keep complaining). Fanfiction has a very large variety of interpretations of him that don't agree, and even in the manga, when he shows up, we don't really see much of his character. Is he really on par with Kid/Kudo/Hattori? He's clearly very good but is he up to those standards? He's been around Nakamori for a while and is clearly convinced he's the only one allowed to capture Kid, so does that make him narrow-minded on occasion? Or not? Trying to create a personality that will agree with so many interpretations when there's so little source material is rather a daunting task.
Enough Hakuba-whining.
So, did you notice? Did you notice? Dear little Conan-kun was very good at keeping Hakuba's attention away from "Kudo", wasn't he? Poor Hakuba just kept getting bounced around in so many directions he didn't have time to think or notice anything. Of course, Kaito would play Kudo perfectly to help befuddle matters.
Oh, and for those of you who seem to have our posting down to the usual hour, we regret being a few hours late. Blame it on the mowing/blowing of leaves we had to do in our yard. Front hill = pain to mow (hill) Back yard = big and time-consuming. To say we were a little numb when we came in is something of an understatement.
Next chapter: Some real-honest-to-goodness investigating.