InsaneJournal

Kuroba Kaito had to be both the first and the last person Saguru expected to see in his bedroom at three in the morning. The first, because who else would just appear uninvited in someone's bedroom that late, and the last because there was no reason for Kuroba to come to him for anything. There were, however, plenty of reasons for him not to.

This didn't change the fact that Saguru had a very tired looking magician in his bedroom. Sitting on his bed no less, with his head hanging down and slumped shoulders. From what Saguru could see, it looked like he was about to fall over unconscious.

Saguru nearly wished he would. That way he could get some sleep without having to deal with him. He was exhausted after the heist Kid had pulled earlier that night. It had been a mess everyone would be better of forgetting.

It was just another reason he shouldn't have to deal with Kuroba right now.

"Kuroba-kun? Unless you have a life or death situation on your hands, I want you out of my bedroom and my home, so I can get some sleep. Whatever prank you're up to can wait until Monday morning."

The magician didn't even look at him. He didn't even react, it was like he didn't realize that Saguru was there.

Enough was enough.

Saguru stalked over to the other boy, grabbed his chin and lifted his head. He was fully prepared to give Kuroba the lecture of his life, to forcibly drag him out of the room and call the police or even just give him a good smack over the head.

He was not prepared to the extreme cold of Kuroba's skin, or to be looking into a deathly pale face, and blue eyes that were a lot more white than what was possible.

Saguru withdrew his hand in shock, but Kuroba kept staring at him, keeping his head in the same position. Like he was a doll that could be moved according to Saguru's wishes.

This was bad. Really bad.

Saguru took a deep breath. He had to figure this out fast.

He had a time limit at least. Kuroba had to have entered this... trance after the heist. At the heist he had been his infuriating nimble and manical self.

So, about three hours then. Kid had escaped around twelve, but for once he couldn't be sure of the exact time. Typical, the one time that could have been really, really useful and he didn't know it.

"Kuroba-kun? Can you hear me?" No reaction. It didn't necessarily mean Kuroba couldn't hear him, just that he couldn't respond. Hearing was the last thing to go after all.

He had to do something. The question was what. He considered calling a doctor, but nothing he'd ever heard of could make a person near catatonic, ice-cold, pale and make their eyes go white.

He hated admitting it, but he had a feeling this was something a doctor couldn't help him with. A witch doctor maybe, but no ordinary doctor.

Bloody hell, he had spent too much time around Kuroba, Kid and Koizumi when he started thinking like that.

Saguru grabbed the phone and dialed Koizumi's number before he changed his mind and did the logical and sane thing instead.

¤ ¤ ¤

"He's under a spell." Koizumi sent him a calm stare. She had spent the better part of an hour examining the magician. Saguru wasn't entirely sure she had needed that much time, but he didn't dare question her.

 "And I found the source of it." She continued, holding up a large, red ruby hanging by a golden chain. "I think you recognise this. When it touched his skin, the spell activated and he became the doll you see in there. Though..." She sent him another one of those stares. "It didn't take full effect. If it did, he would have acted like normal, but he'd have been under someone else's control."

"He resisted it." Saguru finished the explanation. "How? And why would anyone do this?"

"He has a... remarkable resistance to magic in general." Koizumi said. "As for why? Who wouldn't want the world's greatest thief at their beck and call?" There was something wistful in her tone.

Saguru chose to ignore the tone, and focus on something else. Such as the fact that between the jewel, Koizumi's words and Kuroba he now had all the evidence he needed to put Kid away for good. Or at least reveal his identity, he mentally corrected himself. Keeping the kaitou locked up would be difficult to say the least.

Koizumi seemed to have realized the same thing.

"So what are you going to do now, Detective?" She asked. Her tone warned him to be careful, and he could hear the capitalization of 'detective'. "I'd certainly prefer it you didn't lock him up."

She suddenly smiled at him, and how he both hated and loved those smiles. On one hand, it always made him feel like the center of the world, and like that was a good thing. On the other, his head always went strangely empty, and thinking took actual work. It was difficult not to agree with everything she said.

What was he going to do? He could have Kuroba arrested. He could finish what he had started, he could... He could get Kuroba killed by the damn snipers, make his best friend hate him, possibly Saguru as well...

It was easier when you didn't know the criminals. Things were more black and white when you knew you weren't going to be standing in the mess that was the aftermath.

"I'm going to talk to Asuma-san." Saguru decided. "The ruby's owner." He added at Koizumi's questioning look. "I think he needs to answer a few questions. And I'll hand the ruby back as well."

"Not handing the ruby over to the police is against the rules, Detective." Koizumi seemed amused.

So was calling a known thief to give him information that would help him steal his next target. Saguru didn't say it out loud, but Koizumi might have known anyway. She sometimes did know things she couldn't know. 

"I'm aware of that."

"I have removed the spell on the ruby, and Kuroba-kun will be fine in a few hours." She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I will return home, and you will take this."

She produced a necklace. It was just a silver chain, the charm being an anchor. As an amulet, the anchor ensured a safe journey, and a return to home. Sometimes used to keep a lover from straying and being unfaithful.

"Thank you." He said. The safe journey part would at least be useful. And how insane wasn't it that he actually believed that?

"Not the ideal one, but I'm afraid it's the only one I brought. It will offer some protection, at least."

She started walking down the stairs, and Saguru followed her. He used his mobile to call for a taxi, and refused to wonder why Koizumi turned down his offer to call one for her. There were things he wasn't quite ready for.

The drive to Asuma-san's house took ten minutes. Saguru asked the driver to wait, since he had no intention of staying long. He closed his fingers around the charm in his pocket and pressed the doorbell. It was a good thing Asuma was an bachelor, even if Saguru was sure the man had more than one lover.

Asuma did not look happy when he opened the door and saw Saguru at his doorstep.

"You are that detective boy." His voice was disturbingly close to a growl. "I hope you have a damn good reason for coming here at this hour."

"I believe I do, Asuma-san." Saguru innocently showed him the ruby. He deliberately touched it with his bare hands, to see the man's reaction.

He got one, Asuma stared between Saguru and the ruby like he couldn't believe what he was seeing, before he picked it up, never taking his eyes of it. Apparently he saw what he expected, because his expression went from surprised to overly friendly.

"So the little detective knows a thing or two about magic." Asuma nearly purred. "Isn't that interesting. So, tell me, how did the thief seem when you met him?"

"Rather out of it." Saguru made sure to keep his voice steady. "But your spell didn't work, Asuma-san. I don't know what you wanted him for, but I suggest you don't try it again. There are people, other than me, who'd prefer Kid to be in his right mind."

Heaven have mercy on this man if Koizumi got really angry. Saguru wasn't sure what she could do, but he was sure it wouldn't be nice or pretty. And she did have a protective streak where Kuroba was concerned.

"I wanted him for many things." Asuma was grinning now. "Imagine the riches he could bring me, the information... The right knowledge about the right people can do wonders for a person." Then his expression changed to a leer. "Imagine taming something that wild and have it do whatever you want. Tempting, don't you agree? Little detective?"

Saguru kept the disgust out of his voice. "Hardly. Good bye, Asuma-san."

He turned to leave, but Asuma grabbed his arm and kept him in place. The man smiled at him, and Saguru got an echo of what he felt when Koizumi smiled at him. It lacked the pleasant 'center of the world' feeling, but it did have the 'obey' part. He held harder around the anchor, and felt it dig into his hand. That would leave marks, but it was reassuring.

"Really? I am curious to how the ruby came into your possession, little detective. Did Kid give it to you? Did you take it from him? Tell me, little detective."

Saguru swallowed. He might have underestimated Asuma. The man's voice was hypnotic.

"He gave it to me, acting slightly strange and then left." Saguru lied. "I thought there was something strange about it, so I examined the ruby, and found evidence of what you did."

Asuma was really standing too close. Far too close for Saguru's comfort. Normally he'd have moved away by now.

"Really?" Asuma didn't sound like he entirely believed him, his tone turning seductive. "And here I was thinking that you and the lovely thief... I wouldn't blame either of you really. Kid is certainly flexible, if nothing else. And you are quite exotic, little detective."

Saguru took a step back, finally having had enough. "Have a good night, Asuma-san. And do keep your insane ideas to yourself from now on."

He turned on his heel and walked away, refusing to continue the conversation.

"I will inform the police that Kid left the jewel at my desk." Asuma called after him. Saguru didn't answer.

In the safety of the taxi, Saguru admitted to himself that he hadn't won that one. He felt far too shaken for that, but he hadn't lost either. Saguru just hoped that would be the last they saw of the man.

¤ ¤ ¤

He glared at the boy in his bed. It was morning now, luckily no school, but Saguru had yet to sleep, and now that the events of the night was over he could feel the lack of it.

But the problem was that the bed was occupied, and Saguru was not up for sleeping at the floor or the couch. The bed was large enough to share, but they were both teenage boys and not friends.

And the thought of if made Saguru blush, because every time he did he could hear Asuma's words in his head. Pronounced in that exact same seductive, wanting tone.

Damn that man. Damn him to hell for putting those thoughts in Saguru's head.

And damn the entire situation. Saguru was too tired to bother with any of this really. He grabbed one of the blankets he had hanging on the headboard and laid down next to Kuroba. On top of the covers, mind you.

It did take him longer to fall asleep than it should have. Kuroba breathing down his neck was a distraction he wasn't used to.

At least the magician was looking better.

¤ ¤ ¤

Saguru was entirely too grateful for the fact that there was no school that day. It meant he could catch up on the sleep he'd lost and make sure that Kuroba was free from that damned spell. It sounded even more insane in daylight, and he honestly had trouble believing he'd gone along with the idea.

He was not grateful for the fact that he had to explain to his father why there was a boy in his bed, when his father had dropped by to say good morning before leaving for work. Luckily, his father had bought his explanation, that the two had been out and arrived back so late that they'd accidentally fallen asleep on the bed.

He decided to make breakfast for the both of them, and he did resist the temptation to make kippers. Instead he settled for toast, chocolate milk and tea. Saguru figured the magician would like that, he was very fond of chocolate after all.

He was unsurprised to find Kuroba still asleep, face blank, and body slightly tense. Maybe it was because of an unfamiliar bed. Saguru didn't have that problem, he could fall asleep pretty much anywhere, but he knew some people had trouble sleeping unless they were in their own beds.

"Kuroba?" Saguru shook the magician carefully. No need to startle him. "If you're hungry, I've made breakfast."

Kuroba's eyes opened and the next thing Saguru knew he was lying on his back across the bed, Kuroba sitting on his stomach while holding his shoulders down. Saguru blinked, and stared up at the very confused magician.

"Where am I?"

Typical. He could at least have asked a more interesting question if he wasn't going to remember anything. Saguru opened his mouth to speak, but Kuroba covered it with his hand.

"Why am I in your room?" Kuroba demanded, but he still didn't remove his hand, so Saguru didn't try to answer. And how did he know what Saguru's bedroom looked like anyway?

The magician paled, staring down at Saguru like he was looking at a ghost. So he did remember. At least he wasn't as pale as he'd been last night, and he was a lot warmer.

"So now what, detective?" Kuroba's expression had gone blank. He looked like he was expecting an answer this time.

Saguru glared, making a muffled sound against Kuroba's hand. Kuroba removed it, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry."

Saguru cleared his throat, still glaring. "Right now, you are going to get. Off. Me. There's breakfast downstairs in the kitchen, getting cold right now. I suggest you eat, you need it after last night." At Kuroba's doubtful look he added. "It's just breakfast, Kuroba-kun. Nothing suspicious about it, you have my word."

Kuroba got off him after a few seconds and Saguru could hear him walk down the stairs. He really couldn't bring himself to be surprised that Kuroba knew where the kitchen was. At least he assumed Kuroba knew, and was headed there instead of escaping through the front door.

Saguru felt uncomfortably warm. He could still feel the heat from where Kuroba had touched him. Frowning, he got up and went downstairs to hopefully join Kuroba for breakfast. He really had to figure out what to do now.

Kuroba was sitting at the kitchen table, nibbling on the toast. He locked eyes with Saguru for a second, then went back to focusing on the food. In any other situation, Kuroba would not have avoided his eyes, but probably kept staring until one of them gave in.

He didn't do it now because he thought Saguru had the evidence to arrest him. He didn't know that Saguru didn't have the ruby, and without the ruby, he didn't have any evidence to put Kuroba away with. Koizumi would never testify, and there was the issue of the laws Saguru himself had broken, or at the very least bent.

When he thought about it, he should make a few fake tests in the lab, just to show that he had run the necessary tests before giving the ruby back. Just in case Asuma went against his words and talked to the police.

Hakuba Labs were often given such work from the police. He'd have to get one of the scientists to sign of on that he'd been the one doing the tests, with Saguru being minor and not having the right degrees, but that would not have been a problem. He'd done that before.

So even if Asuma had lied, Saguru was safe from any repercussions.

He smiled as he realized what he was going to do. He rather liked that choice as well. Interesting feeling, one he didn't intend to examine any closer.

"Kuroba-kun?" He grabbed a piece of toast and sat down across from the magician.

"What?" Kuroba still wore that blank expression, but at least he had his attention.

"Last night never happened." It really was so much easier when you didn't know the criminals, when you didn't really care what happened to them.

Though, the utterly shocked look on Kuroba's face was priceless.

"The information and evidence I gained last night would have been enough to reveal your identity. It would have lead to the police attempting to arrest you, and most likely, to you escaping." Or getting killed, but he wasn't going to dwell on that. Kuroba was staring at him, all wide eyes and mouth hanging open. "Fortunately for you, I don't consider the circumstances to be fair. The ruby has been returned to its owner, and with it all evidence against you. You can go home without worrying."

"What? Why?" Kuroba finally regained his ability to speak. "I mean, you had me, you had everything and-"

"I want to catch you." Saguru interrupted. He had hoped that Kuroba would just go. He should have known better. "But I want to do it by my rules, my way, not because some random sorcerer gets the drop on you."

"I see." Kuroba said slowly. Disbelieving. Saguru didn't blame him. "So, last night never happened."

"Never." Saguru agreed, blushing slighty. "The ruby is back with its owner, the spell is lifted and you can go home. There is no evidence to incriminate either of us. Tough, my father did see you here earlier."

"So I was what? Here watching movies all night? Having a sleepover with you?" Kuroba's tone was pure sarcasm.

"Something like that." Saguru muttered. "You don't have to tell anyone about you being here you know. Father will not go around telling people."

"...Sorry. But you're nuts, you know that."

Calling Kid from halfway around the world with information, covering for him and protecting him now while risking both his career and freedom... Yes, he did know.

"I had no idea we were such a horrible influence." Kuroba mused. "But between me, Akako-san and Aoko, I guess it's expected."

"Aoko-kun is nowhere near as bad as the rest of you." Saguru answered. The worst temper he'd ever come across, but compared to the insanity that was the other two, it was nothing. As long as it never got directed at him, that was.

The conversation ended there, and the two ate their breakfast in silence, Kuroba sending him the occasional glance. Saguru avoided looking back. When done, Saguru walked him to the door.

"I'll see you on Monday." Kuroba called out, just before the door closed behind him. He sounded like he wasn't quite sure if that was a good thing or not.

Saguru wasn't quite sure either.

Something had definitely changed in their relationship, and Saguru had the sinking feeling it was just too late to go back to being just rivals.