FicWad

Chapter Twelve: Fairytale Romance

" What do you know of European fairy tales, Saguru?"

"I know many things, Kaito. Why?"

"Tell me a fairy tale. Not one of the pretty lies that they give us but the real story. Tell me the awful, bloody truth."

"Once upon a time, though it was not in my time or in your time, or in anybody else's time, there was a great king who had an only son, the prince and heir who was about to come of age. So the king sent round a herald who should blow his trumpet at every four corners where two roads met. And when the people came together he would call out, "O yes, O yes, O yes, know ye that his grace the king will give on Monday sennight' -- that meant seven nights or a week after -- 'a royal ball to which all maidens of noble birth are hereby summoned; and be it furthermore known unto you that at this ball his highness the prince will select unto himself a lady that shall be his bride and our future queen. God save the king."

--

Kaito stared at the memo Jii had just faxed him, studying the bad copy of what was probably an incredibly beautiful tiara and scepter. Jii had received the original photo from a friend who had inside information and thought the shiny gold, silver and diamond creations would appeal to the thief, as well as the circumstances.

And appeal to Kaito it did. It was an unbelievably impossibly unrealistic as a heist, and that was the whole point. Kaito had lost the game somewhere, giving up tricks and laughter for running and ducking. Yes he was trying to perform a serious task, but he had lost the thrill for what he did, lost the enjoyment.

And if he didn't enjoy what he did, didn't love every moment..what was the point of even trying?

So now he had the opportunity to return to basics, to enjoy the simple thrill of being the Kaitou Kid. There was little to no chance of the gems containing Pandora, they were too new, but it would remind of him of just why he did what he did, why his father had done what he did, before Pandora ever became a part of who they were.

He grabbed the picture that set on his desk, leaning back in his chair as he traced his father's smiling face with a finger. "What do you think, dad? Should we give them a show to remember?"

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, picturing his father in his mind as a smile crept over his lips. He twisted at the silver ring on his finger, squeezing his hand in a fist for a moment, watching the light play off his father's wedding band before turning to his laptop, setting the picture aside, though close by as he started downloading the information he would need for his preparations. This was going to be one of the biggest heists he had ever tried to pull off, but with a bit of help, it would be so worth it to see Nakamori's face.

--

"Mo-om!" Kaito called and came running down the stairs, nearly tripping in the heels he was wearing. He finally flung them off, leaving the clear plastic shoes on the stairs as he dashed down the hall, holding a mess of blue fabric up high enough to flash everyone a glimpse of his boxers as he slid into the den, a slight pout on his face. "I can't walk in this!"

Mika took one look at her son and fell off the couch in her laughter. The ice-blue ball gown was sliding off his shoulders, making a desperate bid for his elbows, the skirt gathered in his hands over flowing, much longer then she had originally designed it to be, leaving the boy drowning in the satin and brocade fabric.

"Maybe if he had his...undergarments on," Jii suggested, covering his laughter with a cough and a sip of tea.

Mika finally got control of herself, standing and crossing over to Kaito. She got him to lower his arms and grabbed the bodice of the gown as it started to fall, pulling it back up around his shoulders, pulling the back until the fabric lay smooth across the boy's chest, making a disappointed sound as she examined the amount of fabric she held. "Jii's right, Kaito. I can't properly adjust this without you having breasts.

Kaito sighed, gathering his skirts again. "Give me a second," he muttered, flouncing out of the room, looking the very image of a bratty princess as he headed to the downstairs hall where the door to his workroom lay.

He entered the room and dashed up the wooden stairs, leaving his dress behind where it got caught in the doorway. After a moment of shuffling, hopping and cursing, he returned to his mother and Jii, now dressed and with the proper body parts. As Mika started to adjust Kaito's outfit, Kaito thought over the preparations already complete.

"Jii, did you hire the messenger yet?"

The elderly man nodded, setting his tea aside. "I have already arranged for the package to be picked up tomorrow and delivered sometime that afternoon. They couldn't make any guarantees on when, so you might have to hang out at the station a bit."

Kaito made a face at that idea. He never felt entirely comfortable hanging around the station for longer then he had to, especially when Saguru was on duty. Even costumed he always felt like everyone was going to jump on him at any moment.

But this heist notice deserved a reaction seen in person.

"Raise your arms," Mika said, tucking pins in Kaito's waist to adjust the waistline of the dress before working on the skirt, getting it as far above his feet as she could without ruining the look of the costume. She wasn't happy with Kaito's choice of character this round, worried that the costume would hinder her son's movements during the heist. Granted he was only wearing it while he was in character, but if something went wrong she wanted to know her baby boy could run and escape. "Did you check the skids on your heels yet?"

Kaito shook his head, keeping th rest of his body as still as he could lest he be pinned. "I haven't found enough space to go sliding in them." he said, remembering the last time he went sliding down the front hall in a pair of shoes he was testing.

"Well they should work, but I'd prefer if you test them first so we can make sure. I don't want you trying to run in them and going flying because they didn't grip."

"Yes mother," he said in a sarcastic tone, smiling at her. His mother swatted at him before helping him out of the dress, carefully folding it so she could take it to her room and re-sew. "Go change for work." She ordered, pointing him out of the room and Kaito laughed, wondering when their family had become such that 'go change into a costume to impersonate someone to prepare for a heist' became simply 'work' and everything was alright.

He saluted his mother and headed back to his work room, absently scratching his head as he attempted to remember where he hid his female police uniform.

--

Saguru leaned back in his chair, throwing a paper ball at the ceiling before catching it, repeating the motion as he glanced around the Task Force's office. The day had started out interesting, going over the various reports from Kid's last heist, but now things had leveled out, boredom sinking in as they realized they had nothing else to do. No heist to prepare for, no more reports, nothing.

He wondered, if Kaito's therapy sessions had something to do with it. Kaito had been to two in the past week, and each time he left looking broken and disheartened. Saguru longed to ask the other boy what was wrong, but he didn't want to intrude. It worried him though, things were heating up on the job front, and it seemed as if Kaito was carrying more and more on his shoulders. It seemed as if Kaito was at his house nightly now, simply curled against Saguru, trying to block out the world.

Akako had come to him, worried about the boy, and Saguru had to agree with her thoughts that something had to be done about it, but he had no idea what. They couldn't take away the burden's his mind left him with, and they couldn't solve the problem of the shadows taking shots at those around him.

Though Akako seemed to have an idea, and Saguru, as much as it disturbed him, was starting to think of the same solution. A way to help their friend, by taking a bit of the load. The only problem was that it disturbed Saguru to his very core to even be considering such an option. But if it helped Kaito...

And that was the whole point of the matter. He would do anything to help Kaito, no matter what was asked. He had questioned Margret about it, only to have her smile and pat his head, never giving him an answer.

Saguru turned as the door to the task force room opened and the paper ball hit him in the face as he stared at the boy standing in the doorway. It had been a long time since Saguru had seen a formal messenger, especially not in this country. He wondered for a moment, if his mother was up to something but even if his mother was slightly insane, she wouldn't send a teenage boy wearing a outfit that was in fashion two hundred years ago, looking every bit a Victorian butler stepped out of a book.

"Excuse me, is there a Hakuba Saguru-san here?" the messenger asked and heads turned towards the blond teen as he raised his hand. The messenger crossed the room, ignoring the stairs as he knelt before the blond, offering the package he had been carrying.

Saguru took the package, frowning as he set it on his desk. He opened the ribbon and the cloth bag fell apart, revealing a red velvet pillow with a delicate glass slipper resting on it, the bright lights of the room twinkling off the curves.

Nakamori stood, mouth wide at he stared at the elegant shoe before being startled as the messenger cleared his throat, holding up a long scroll in his hands. "I'm supposed to read this now," he said at Nakamori's look before opening the scroll.

Which promptly rolled across the room and out the door. The messenger meeped and went chasing after it, the task force leaning out of their seats to watch him chase the run away end across the hall.

"Five hundred yen says he's Kid," Nakamori's assistant said.

"Na, he's gotta be innocent."

"Two hundred yen on him being one of Kid's assistant's." another officer said, grinning at the messenger who was trying to gather the scroll and the excess paper in his arms, looking flustered.

"Two thousand yen he's Kid and about to get unmasked." Nakamori said, cracking his knuckles as the messenger entered the room again, flushing.

"Sorry about that," he said softly before sorting through the paper long enough to find the message, which was of course at the very bottom, causing the poor boy to end up nearly covered in extra paper. He cleared his throat again, standing as straight as he could. "His lordship, requests the honor of your presence at his forth coming celebration, to be held in the location of your deduction upon it's debut." He started rolling the scroll back up, job finished, only to find himself screaming as Nakamori tackled him, pinching at his face.

"Get off, get off, get off!" the messenger yelled, trying to scramble out from under the inspector, panting, eyes wide with fear. He zeroed in on Saguru, raising a shaking finger. "You didn't pay me enough for this!" he yelled, causing everyone to turn and look at the blond.

"Me?" Saguru quired before shaking is head, a small smile playing over his lips in-spite of himself. "I see. I'm afraid you were hired by Kaitou Kid himself. He is quite the master of disguise. Please, allow me to reimburse you for the in-convinence." Saguru stood and was making his way across to the messenger, only to end up dodging as Nakamori tried lunging at him.

"What the he..." Saguru's words were cut off as the rest of the task force managed to get him onto the floor, hands pinching at his face. "GET OFF!" he roared, trying to shove bodies off of him.

"You people are insane!" the messenger yelled, losing it, scrambling away from the police officers who were attacking one of their own.

"I'm afraid one does adopt the semblance of such in order to chase Kid. The man is quite mad." Saguru said as he finally managed to get himself from under the others, brushing off his slacks before handing the messenger a handful of yen, giving him a bow.

"Oh really?" a voice whispered in his ear as he raised up, and there was an undercurrent in the voice of curiosity, and annoyance. "Then why are you dating me?" the voice added and Saguru's body straitened violently, head jerking around to stare into rich brown eyes, the eyebrow above quirked questioningly, a small smile playing over the woman's lips.

"KID!" he yelled and went to grab the thief, only to find himself grabbing Nakamori's assistant as Kid's laughing tones came from across the room. Saguru released the man he had grabbed and chased the brunette woman, jumping a desk as she darted around it.

Saguru reached out, grabbing Kid by the skirt, only to find his face stinging, the echoes of a slap as Chiyo, the force's newest recruit glared at him, pulling her skirt from his grasp. Saguru stumbled to apologize to the blond, his eyes casting around for Kid who was waving from behind Nakamori. The Inspector turned just in time to get hit in the face as another officer tried to grab Kid.

From there it was all out war, everyone grabbing everyone, fists flying, feet kicking, and more then a few screams as someone went falling under a dog pile. The messenger bailed, running for his life, cursing his lot in life of getting dragged into such messes.

It took an hour for the mess to get sorted out and tempers soothed. Saguru sat at his desk, mournfully looking at his torn shirt and vest, holding an ice pack to his bloody nose as he thought on how skillfully Kid had managed to turn them against each other. He shifted a glance at Nakamori who was cursing under his breath, nursing a brandy as he held an icepack to his blackened eye. Saguru winced in sympathy, turning to take a sip of his coffee just as a shout came from across the room.

"There's a naked kid over here!" an officer yelled and Saguru's mouthful of coffee went flying as his head whipped around. "WHAT?" he yelled at the same time Nakamori did, both rushing across the room despite their sore bodies, kneeling.

The teenage messenger was curled under the desk, hog tied and gagged in nothing but his boxers, dead to the world with a familiar floral scent floating around. Kid had gassed the kid and stripped him before vanishing.

Saguru sighed, sitting back on his heels, remembering the messenger fleeing somewhere near the beginning of the brawl. Nakamori slammed his hand into the desk before grabbing the phone to get an officer to take the poor kid home.

--

The headquarters of the Disney Corporation in Tokyo were much what would would expect, provided one was over the age of ten and knew what business really entailed. To anyone else, the gray exterior and ordinary interior were very much a let down from the place of magic and wonder they would have expected.

Saguru leaned against the wall outside the branch president's office, the box containing the evidence that was needed for today resting easily under his arm. He yawned slightly, jaw making an odd cracking sound that caused the rookie next to him to jump. Saguru gave the man a smile before turning his attention back to the door across the hall from him, willing it to open, tired of waiting.

His wish was granted a few moments later when the door stepped out and the secretary bowed to them, gesturing for him to come inside. Saguru followed Nakamori, taking a seat next to the Inspector while the rest of the Task Force formed a half circle behind their 'leaders', a silent wall ready to do battle with the man across the polished wooden desk.

Saguru watched as the branch manager, a portly man by the name of Kitazawa Toshio, leaned back in his chair, brown eyes studying the group before him intently, eyes lingering on Saguru and the box he held.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" he asked, sitting his chair up and folding his hands on the desk, leaning over them in a silent statement of control.

Saguru's eyebrow quirked at the moment, his own body stiffening slightly, almost as if it wished to display it's own measure of control over the situation. Though Saguru doubted it would help anything, as metaphorical pissing contest wouldn't get them any closer to their goal of gathering information. He let out a silent sigh, forcing his body to relax into the chair, crossing a leg over the other under the box and looking to Nakamori to start things off as the superior.

"We have received an...interesting parcel today and thought it might be connected with your company." Nakamori started, chewing on the end of his cigar for a moment, studying the man before them, measuring him up. "Is the Disney Corporation, in any fashion, doing anything with gems of large value?"

"Not to my knowledge, Inspector."

The answer was too quick, too prepared. A lie, and an obvious one at that. Both Saguru and Nakamori's bodies tensed, pouncing on it. "Let's try the truth," Saguru said softly. He set the box down at his feet and lifted from it the glittering glass slipper Kid had delivered to them, setting it on the desk.

The man stared at the slipper, swallowing as he studied one of the most famous symbols in the world. After the mouse ears, Cinderella's Slipper was recognizable from children to old alike, instantly recalling memories of the smiling blond princess and her triumph over pain and abuse. The slipper was eternally tied to the corporation, entwined in it's very image as one of the most celebrated of it's creations.

"We have fashioned to items of great value." he said finally, turning away from the men to open the filing cabinet behind him. Selecting the file he wanted, he closed the cabinet and slid the file across the table to the men to examine.

Saguru opened the file and spread out the photos, offering a large eight by ten to Nakamori before turning back to the man who had started to speak again.

"One is obviously a tiara, made of pure, flawless diamonds and white gold. Individually, they aren't worth much, but together..." he gave a small smile. "I could feed and house most of Japan off the profits I would get from it. The second is a scepter, also white gold, with sapphires and diamonds. The tip is an old European cut diamond, also flawless, though it's clarity is not what we would have wanted." he shrugged before pulling a key from his pocket.

He reached down, opening the bottom drawer of his desk, pulling out a large box. He set the box on his desk, standing to be able to open it properly. Unlocking the case, he lifted the lid and turned it, smiling slightly at the soft gasps from the Task Force. "They are to be used in our Cinderellabration show tomorrow night. It's a charity performance for a local children's charity. Afterwards the tiara and scepter will be auctioned off at Christies in the states and those benefits going towards a stateside charity." He closed the case and slipped it back into his desk, locking it up.

"It is our belief that Kid will be targeting the performance." Nakamori said, passing the pictures back to Saguru who handed the folder off to Nakamori's assistant to examine before passing it on. "We would like the corporation's cooperation in this matter, so that neither the performance nor the company's reputation is tarnished.

The President took his seat again, leaning back and staring at them, rubbing his finger lightly over his chin as he thought over the problem and possible publicity, good or bad that could come from the event. He hadn't survived this long in the company without knowing that image was everything.

"I think," he said, his eyes resting on Saguru. "I may have an idea that would suit both our purposes well."

--

"Are you sure we're doing the right thing?" Saguru asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he looked at the girl next to him, shifting slightly in his unease.

"Of course, I am never wrong." Akako said with a trace of annoyance, having answered this question three times in the past week, and two more in the past hour.

Saguru sighed softly, leaning against the wall, staring at his feet. "I'm just...uncomfortable with the idea."

"I understand, believe me I do, but he said this is what we needed to do and you already agreed you would do anything for Kaito."

"I did, and I will, but this is a lot more then what I expected when I said that." Saguru said, turning his attention away from her and to the door in front of him. He pressed the buzzer, listening to the sounds echo in the house.

Mika opened the door, pulling on her jacket as she did so. She glanced at them and a smile lit up her face. "Hakuba-kun and Koizumi-chan, what a surprise!" she moved out of the doorway so they could enter, slipping off her house scruffs for her heels. "I was just heading off to work, but feel free to come in, Kaito's around...somewhere." She gave a wave indicating the rest of the house before edging around them for the door. "Snacks are in the fridge!" She called as she dashed down the walk towards the taxi that had just pulled up.

Saguru and Akako watched the woman leave before looking at each other. Giving a silent shrug, Saguru toed off his shoes and slipped into the guest scruffs, padding down the hall, Akako following him a moment later. They wondered the house, searching for their missing friend, checking everywhere including the upper bedrooms, only to find the house empty. Saguru sighed, this time in frustration, pausing at the foot of the stairs.

"Can't you use magic or something and keep us from just wondering around until we run into him?"

"Really, Hakuba-kun, magic is not something you can just use to frivolously find..." she trailed off and both looked up as they heard something fall to the ground behind the wall next to them.

Saguru's eyes narrowed down on the large portrait in front of them, depicting Kaito's father on stage. He moved closer to the painting, his hand running over it as he strained his ear to hear another sound from behind the walls. Akako joined him, her own eyes searching over the painting curiously.

"There must be a hidden catch or lever," Saguru mused, running his fingers lightly over the wall next to the frame, hoping to find an uneven piece or a secret lever that blending in with the wall. Unable to find what he seeked, he started looking around the hall, wondering if maybe it was a remote switch. He drifted away from the painting, which allowed Akako to move closer.

She gently ran her finger lightly over the painting, smiling as it moved under her fingers. "Or it could be the easiest method in the world." she said loudly, pushing the painting fully open, gesturing grandly at the entrance. Saguru scowled at her, but stepped into the entry way, one hand resting on the gun near his hip in case it wasn't Kaito behind the wall making noise.

Another door opened as the painting swung back into place and Saguru stared at the entry before them while Akako turned to glance back, slightly startled at the painted thief staring back at her. She moved away from Saguru curiously, pushing on the painting, watching it spin around, one side a smiling magician, the other a laughing thief. "Kaitou Kid in, Kaitou Kid out, Kaitou Kid in..." She murmured spinning the painting before a hand grabbed her wrist.

"Do you mind?" Saguru said, his voice a low growl. He gave the painting a hard spin, re-opening the door that had closed when he tried to step through it. He kept a hold on Akako's wrist, dragging her away from the painting and through the door that closed behind them, nearly eating Saguru's coat as it did.

The pair stared in slack jawed awe at the room they found themselves in, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things before them. From the model airplane hanging from the ceiling, to the coat rack of top hats next to them, ever bit of space was filled with something, and more often then not, several somethings. Saguru was so enthralled by the room he failed to notice the clock next to him, and promptly got smacked in the stomach by the swinging brass pendulum. He coughed, glaring at the attack clock, moving away from the door (and the clock's range), instead exploring the room around him, trying to look at everything at once.

He heard a soft squeal behind him and turned, raising an eyebrow at Akako who seemed to be hugging a cherry red convertible. The teenage witch stood, sliding onto the hood of the car and laying back, giving a giggle that frankly scared Saguru to hear. He moved closer to the girl, looking down at her from his position on the other side of the hood. "Are you alright?" he questioned and was rewarded with another fear inducing giggle.

"He's got a convertible," she said, stressing the word before rolling over, laying on her stomach and looking up at Saguru. "Are you sure I can't steal him away from you?"

"He doesn't even know how to drive," Saguru said dryly before shoving his hands into his pockets again. "And still, no Kaito." he said, trying not to think about how he was currently standing in the work room of Kaitou Kid and not collecting things for evidence against the thief.

"Not quite," Akako sung, sliding off the car, staring at the ceiling. Saguru followed her gaze and saw a pair of legs walking through the upper floor of the room, moving around near silently, the only noise an occasional muffled curse.

Saguru wondered why Kaito hadn't come down to greet (or yell) at them yet. He glanced at Akako who shrugged, seemingly having the same thoughts, before heading as silent as he could up the wooden stairs, watching the legs that grew into a well known body and face. He got his answer as he cleared the top of the stairs, motioning down to Akako to keep quiet as he stepped onto the upper floor, watching as Kaito danced around what appeared to be a combination costume closet and sewing room, holding several strands of sequins up to the light to see how they sparkled. From the headphones in the other teen's ears, he could hear the faint sounds of some j-pop band that had been famous a couple years back.

Seeing the glint of the card gun's handle in Kaito's waistband, he stopped moving and motioned for Akako to stop, lest they startle the thief and end up with a card embedded some place rather unpleasant. The witch poked her head up over the lip of the stair landing, watching the brunette bounce around. She tilted her head and gave Saguru a smile, making a motion for him to step down behind her. The detective did so, watching the witch curiously as she started drawing in the dust on the floor. He only recognized a few of the symbols, a pentagram, a few squiggly lines that lined up with what he remembered being the elemental locations, but the rest were lost to him and it reminded him that he needed to finish brushing up on Akako's brand of magic before he got caught up in something he couldn't get out of.

There was a slight fizzling sound, a yelp from the thief as his personal stereo shorted out, causing him to pull the ear buds from his ears, cursing softly and rubbing his ear. Akako cleared her throat, stepping fully up the stairs and Kaito turned, wide, scared eyes staring at the witch. "Akako-chan?" he breathed, glancing around him nervously, almost groaning as he realized his Kid suit was hanging prominently from a sewing maniquin, undergoing repairs from the last heist.

He actually did groan when he saw Saguru clear the stairs, slumping into a chair. "Just great." he muttered, resting his head in his hand.

Akako raised an eyebrow at Kaito's behavior, taking a seat on the sewing table, examining her nails to make sure her polish didn't chip after drawing in the dirt. "It's not like we didn't already know," she said, glancing up at Kaito whose body stilled, as if remembering that fact.

Saguru stood in the stairwell, just barely on the landing. "She's right, Kaito. And we've already proved you can trust us, at least with this." He smiled softly at Kaito, before shifting his weight, glancing at Akako.

Kaito looked between the pair, before leaning back in his seat, frowning at the tense air. "What's going on?" he quired, wondering what wrench might be thrown at him now.

"We..." Akako started, licking her lips as she crossed one leg over the other, showing off more under her skirts then either boy actually cared to see, though Saguru noticed Kaito's eyes lingered a bit. "Have come to offer you a proposition."

"A proposition?" Kaito echoed, leaning back slightly in his chair. "And just what could that be? I doubt you wish to hire my services...well, you maybe, but not Saguru."

"We're not here to hire your services, Kaito." Saguru said softly. "We're here to offer ours."

"What?" Kaito said, confused, looking between the pair.

"We're here, to offer ourselves, to help you." Akako said softly. "In your quest."

Kaito blinked, the realization dawning on him slowly. "You two...are offering to help me STEAL things?" he asked, disbelieving.

"That is the gist of it." Saguru said, leaning against the landing railing.

Kaito burst out laughing, his voice high and merry before sobering in the passing of a second, staring at Saguru. "No," he said, turning away from them and towards the sewing table, pushing Akako's thigh away as he pulled his bra out from under her.

"And why not? Six eyes are better then two, especially when it comes between you living and you dieing," Akako said, picking up his silicone falsies and squishing them, smiling to herself. "We want to help you, you should take us up on it."

"I said no, Akako. I'm not bringing you two into this."

"We aren't exactly giving you a choice, we're just informing you."

"Well, I'm informing you that the sentiment is appreciated, and you're not going to do it." Kaito stood, grabbing the falsies from Akako and heading down the stairs, giving Saguru a look from the corner of his eyes. He worked on un-buttoning his shirt as he walked.

"You can't stop us, Kaito. We will be helping you, with or without your permission." Saguru said softly, his voice carrying easily down to Kaito in the silence.

Kaito turned towards the blond and there was an echoing click as the hammer of the card gun was pulled back, Kaito staring back up at the blond, his aim perfect for about Saguru's upper chest. "I said no, Saguru. You will not help me, you will not join me, you will not do something that would harm a hair on that pretty, if dense head of yours."

"Kaito," Akako started, heading for the stairs herself, only to be stopped by Saguru's arm.

"So you will shoot me, to stop me?" Saguru asked, moving in front of Akako, blocking the witch in case Kaito actually did fire.

"I will do what I have to, to keep you out of Kaito's business," Kid said.

"Kid." Saguru stated needlessly, a part of him relaxing at the realization. "Just...put the gun down, we can talk about this without violence."

"I'm done talking, Saguru," Kid said and his eyes shifted to Akako who was peering around Saguru's arm. "Little Miss, I'm afraid I will have to ask you to excuse us, but I need to talk to Saguru alone."

"But..."

"Just go, Akako," Saguru said softly.

"Please, Little Miss, I promise I'll call you later."

"If you're sure." Akako glanced at Saguru for a moment before moving past him and walking down the stairs. She briefly touched Kid's arm, the thief turning to look down at her. She smiled at the look in his eyes, leaning in to kiss his cheek before making her way out of the hidden room, leaving the two boys alone.

Once the door had shut behind he witch, Kid turned back towards Saguru, his gun never wavering despite his distraction. He started climbing up the stairs, staring at Saguru's face as he went. He stepped off the top step, moving around Saguru who turned to follow Kid, eyes trained on the gun, a bit worried that Kid hadn't put it away yet.

"Was he better then me?" Kid asked, finally stopping, leaning against the wall and shifting his aim down slightly.

"Excuse me?" Saguru asked, blinking.

"Was he better then me? Cuter? Sexier? Funnier? Bitchier?" He moved closer to Saguru, finally un-cocking his weapon, sliding it into the waistband of his pants, moving across the landing and pressing up against Saguru, pushing him back against the railing. "Does he taste better then me, when your tounge was shoved down his throat, exploring his tonsils? Did it make you harder, feeling our body pressed so tightly against you while he moaned and whimpered like an eager little whore?" His lips brushed over Saguru's lips as he spoke before giving him a hard, hungry kiss, desperate to imprint himself on Saguru and wipe away Kaito's taint.

"Stop," Saguru said, pulling his mouth away from Kid, wincing as Kid latched his mouth onto Saguru's neck, so similar to Kaito's actions. "Kid, stop." Saguru said, forcibly pulling Kid's mouth from his neck. "What is wrong with you?"

Kid stepped back from Saguru, turning away and rubbing his hand across his brow, confused himself as to what exactly was wrong with him. He just...it had angered him, watching through Kaito's eyes, seeing Saguru there, nude and willing, something he had never accomplished. Something he wanted more then any gem he had ever seen.

And his little, shy other half had gotten it.

"I don't want you with him!" Kid lashed out. "I don't want him near you, I don't...you're mine Saguru. Mine."

"I'm not a jewel or a painting, Kid. I'm not some treasure you can steal away." Saguru shook his head, heading for the stairs. "And he's not a whore. He's a sweet, innocent, beautiful man," he said over his shoulder as he descended.

Kid sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as the door clanged behind Saguru. He rubbed his hand over his face before taking a deep breath, plunging back into Kaito's work.

--

Kid had never found himself in a more amusing situation. He was sitting on a table, one leg crossed over the other, his upper leg swinging slightly as he surveyed the room around him. Surrounding him, from all sides and running in and out of the room were half naked men and women, chattering excitedly as they gathered their clothing and make-up. He watched as the gathered went about their pre performance routine, indulging in gossip and conversation, intermixed with the occasional tantrum and bit of chaos.

There was nothing better then being backstage before a show. It was far better then any flawless performance, more exciting then opening night, more beautiful then any costuming or set decoration. Being backstage was like being there for the birth of the universe, you got to watch a creation being made, where normal people transformed into the unbelievable.

He slipped from his perch on a table, gathering the long skirts in his hands even though he knew they were hemmed to precision, allowing him complete freedom of movement if he needed it. He left the room quietly, heading for the stage arena that would soon be filled to the brim with eager children and happy parents, all waiting for the show. He smiled as he watched to of the younger cast members leaning out, peering through the curtain that shielded them from the crowd. He moved up beind the two girls, leaning in, peering over their shoulders at the crowd before resting a hand on both of their shoulders. "You know, there is a saying that if you can see them, they can see you." he whispered, holding the girls from falling through the curtain as they jumped. He titled his head towards the cast room and the girls blushed, hurrying back towards the room.

Sighing softly, he leaned against a wall next to the curtain, pushing his glove down to glance at the watch hidden underneath it before slipping the long glove back up. It was nearly time. He had never felt this nervous before on a heist, but this was something different then what he usually did. It was the first time he would be on stage as a performer, simply following lines, at least until the very end.

He smiled softly, allowing a calmness to settle over him. There wasn't much difference in this, then in his heists, this was just more for fun, then being his job. He closed his eyes, allowing his head to fall back against the wall, simply focusing on his breathing as he centered himself.

--

The princesses had arrived, the songs had been sung, and Kid was kneeling, careful of his skirts as the 'King' gently placed the glittering tiara on his head. As he stood, murmuring his lines, he could hear the awed voices of the children in the audience, the sound causing a small smile to curl over his lips. He chanced a glance out of the corner of his eye, looking beyond the lights into the audience, seeing the wondrous smiles of the small girls in front, the dreams of one day themselves wearing such a crown easily readable in their eyes.

He gave another low curtsy and turned as the music changed, the familiar, lilting strains of the signature song of the romance flowing over the stage from the orchestra. He smiled, a true and real smile as he watched the blond actor that was to play his prince come striding through the crowd, blue cape swirling behind him. The crowd of 'attendees', moved back, giving the Prince room as he walked across the stage, towards the stairs leading to the gazebo. The man knelt low, bowing to his princess, before offering his hand.

The smile stayed on Kid's lips, the romance to the scene getting to him as he slowly climbed down the stairs and took the gloved hand, the other man rising and turning, leading Kid out to the center of the stage. They gave a low bow to each other before coming together, hands clasping, an arm wrapping around Kid's waist, pulling him close.

And then there was a frozen moment as blue eyes stared up into brown.

"Saguru," Kid breathed, watching as recognition covered his lover's face.

"So this is where you were hiding," Saguru said, both glad and annoyed that their microphones had been shut off for the dance. He took a deep breath, ready to broadcast Kid's presence to the world, only to find the hand in his tightening painfully, pushing his broken wrist back a bit, causing the air he had gathered for the shout to be released in a rush.

Kid watched the children out of the corner of his eye, looking at those bright, shining faces as they continued to linger under the romantic spell the cast had given them. "If you scream I will leave you hog tied backstage in nothing but your boxers. Let the kids have their ball, Saguru." Kid hissed softly. "Don't take that way from them."

"I'm wearing black boxers, that's hardly an embarrassment."

Kid quirked a blond eyebrow. "Not after I'm through with you."

Saguru saw the silent pleading in those blue eyes, curious as to why such a thing would effect Kid, breath through his poker face, but he nodded and stepped back, starting their dance. He was suddenly thankful for the week of practice he had with the actual actress, the memorized steps falling easily, Kid's body gliding with his around the stage.

"Why are you here?" Kid asked, glancing sideways for a moment, checking possible escape routes before returning his gaze to Saguru's face. "I told you I didn't need your help."

"I'm not here to help you," Saguru said, pausing as he spun Kid around before pulling him close again. "I'm here to capture you."

Kid gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Offers of help and betrayal in the same day, you really know how to sweep a boy off his feet."

Saguru's arm tightened around Kid's waist, a look of anger mixed with hurt crossing his face. "I was serious in my offer of help, Kid. I want to protect you. If you won't allow me to do that from your side, then I'll do it from mine. Seeing you behind bars is preferable to seeing you dead."

Kid went silent, closing his eyes as if to avoid the entire conversation. Instead his head rested against Saguru's shoulder as designed, breathing in the scent of his boyfriend, feeling the pulse of the blond against his lips. "I hate you," he whispered, a fine trembling in his body, almost un-noticeable, except to Saguru who was pressed tightly against the smaller figure.

Saguru smiled at that, lowering his head to brush his lips just slightly against the thief's ear. As the pairs dancing around them split into a circle, preparing for an intricate dance of switching partners and switching theme songs, Saguru moved them to the center of the circle, breaking the choreographed dance to keep the thief close to him. There was a slight stirring of confusion from the other actors before they quickly covered, simply filling the pairs place and dancing around them as the stars continued their waltz. The dancers around them kept enough of a gap so that the audience could see the Prince and Princess in the center, before throwing themselves into the chaotic dance.

Kid raised his head, looking up into Saguru's face as they danced, mentally cursing as he realized Saguru had blocked his planned escape. "Where is your cast?" he whispered, gloved thumb brushing over the un-bandaged wrist.

"I had it removed for today," Saguru answered, not looking at Kid. "It didn't...fit."

He allowed the blond to spin him again, pausing as they separated, arms out stretched. Saguru quirked an eyebrow, obviously expecting Kid to turn back into his arms. "Why do you wish to protect me?" he asked, resisting the hand tugging on his, staring at Saguru, waiting for the answer, already plotting his escape. All he needed was Belle and her Prince to circle back around, the gap between them wide enough for him to dart though.

"Because I love you." Saguru said simply and gave another pull on the thief's hand. Kid, body frozen, words numbing his brain stumbled after the pull, right into Saguru's arms. Saguru tilted Kid's head up, kissing him soundly as the music climaxed to an end and the dancers separated. He then twisted Kid suddenly, cuffs sliding from his sleeve to his hand. He used the moment of throwing Kid off balance to secure the cuffs around Kid's wrists, smiling grimly.

Kid's eyes narrowed, looking over his shoulder at Saguru. "Love doesn't involve handcuffs." he growled out before a cloud of pale blue smoke suddenly enveloped them.

Saguru hissed in pain as his wrist was shoved back, the already broken bones sliding against each other and the nerves between them, almost blacking him out from the pain. Kid twisted away, using the smoke screen to first remove the handcuffs, and then his dress, monocle and hat in place before the wisps of blue had cleared. He saluted Saguru with the tiara, scepter clutched in his other hand, before turning and dashing past the shocked actors.

Saguru cradled his wrist, groaning in pain, unable to get his body to move, to chase Kid, the feeling in his wrist swamping all of his receptors. "AFTER HIM!" he roared and the cops at the edges of the stage took off.

Saguru sunk to his knees, cursing softly, gently feeling his wrist, wincing as a fresh lance of pain shot up his arm. Shadows covered him and he looked up into Aoko and Akako's worried eyes, shaking his head against their silent questions.

--

He paused as he entered his room, staring at the white figure resting in his window, staring up at the night sky. Shaking his head, Saguru closed the door behind him and crossed his room to the window, a hand reaching up and slipping the top hat from Kid's head as his other arm wrapped around the thief's waist.

Kid settled back against the embrace, closing his eyes for a moment before turning his head, staring at the corner of the floor just barely visible under the window, not wanting to see Saguru's face. "Did you mean what you said?" he asked softly, his eyes drifting closed again.

"Yes," Saguru said softly, not needing to ask what Kid was inquiring about. The tenseness that had been in Kid's body suddenly vanished, the thief melting fully against Saguru.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, and Saguru turned his head, looking down at Kid's face. Kid's eyes opened, tears sparkling in his eyes and Saguru felt his heart clench slightly, seeing the tears Kid refused to let fall. He brought his hand up, ignoring the wave of pain in his wrist from moving it as he gently brushed his fingers over Kid's cheek, wanting to gather those crystalline tears from Kid's eyes and shake them away.

"It's alright," Saguru said, and leaned in, kissing Kid when he opened his mouth to speak, stealing away the words.

Kid's arms wrapped around Saguru, pulling the blond closer, clinging desperately to him as he gave into the kiss, eyes shut tightly, a tear sliding down his cheek as his emotions swamped him.

Saguru brushed his thumb over Kid's cheek again before kissing his lips softly, barely brushing against them before pulling away. He stepped back from the window and Kid followed, toeing off his loafers as he slid from the window. "I've been thinking about what you said, earlier." Saguru said over his shoulder, not looking at Kid but more at the lamp to the left of him.

Kid stilled, tilting his head slightly, studying Saguru's back, thinking about the day and all they had said to each other. "About what I said?" he questioned, his voice blank and wispy, keeping it blank of emotion.

Saguru nodded and continued walking to his dresser, sliding his jacket from his shoulders and hanging it up, before starting to unbutton his shirt. "About Kaito."

"Oh," Kid said and turned away from watching Saguru undress, absently inspecting the top of the teen's dresser, running his finger over a clock on it.

"Why are you so jealous of him?" Saguru asked, turning to watch Kid. "Why are you so afraid you're going to lose me?"

Kid's hand froze on the clock, clenching slightly before he forced it to relax. "Because it scares me," he said softly, closing his eyes, hating having to admit to the emotion. "You're...he's me, as far as we're separate, we're the same. He's the original, the core and the idea that you could love him, as much as me, more then me...it scares me." He swallowed and turned, looking at Saguru. "You can also hurt him. My very reason for being is to protect him, and I...I can't protect him from this, Saguru. I can't protect him from his own heart. I love him. I love him more and above anything and I don't want him hurt."

Saguru crossed the room, pulling Kid into his arms. "I will not leave you for him, Kid. I can't. And I can't promise he won't get hurt, but that's for him to choose, for him to experience. You have to let go in this."

"I don't want to," Kid whispered and Saguru laughed.

"Selfish brat," he accused and Kid looked up, giving him a weak smile. Saguru bent his head, kissing Kid again, allowing Kid inside after a moment of silent teasing, savoring the sensation, the feelings rushing through him at the first taste of Kid's mouth.

The kiss grew deeper, more heated as the pair lost themselves to it. Kid's arms slid up, petting through Saguru's hair before sliding down the blond's chest, over the smooth skin to the buttons left done up as conversation distracted Saguru from undressing.

Saguru groaned softly at the touch, and pulled his mouth from Kid's to taste the curve of the thief's neck, his own hands sliding up the slender body, pushing the jacket and cape off in one smooth movement, not even bothering to un-hook the cape. His hands slid around Kid's back, caressing the warm flesh through the cotton shirt and moaned softly, biting down on the flesh beneath his mouth. He moved his arms back as Kid pushed his shirt down, allowing the fabric to slip from his arms before moving back in, finger hooking in the knot of Kid's tie, pulling the red silk loose, and then free of Kid's body, tossing it somewhere to the side before his hand was drawn back to Kid's chest like a magnet.

His hand caressed Kid's chest again, savoring the feel, knowing soon the feeling would change to warm, bare flesh with the bumps and valleys of bone and muscle underneath. He tugged the shirt free of Kid's pants, fingers teasing over the flesh underneath before he started un-buttoning it, working from the bottom up while Kid's hands moved down, tugging on the blond's belt, almost impeding Saguru's quest to remove the thief's shirt as he pushed their bodies together.

Saguru lifted his head, staring into Kid's eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt, smiling as he reached the thief's neck and Kid titled his head back to make room, a measure of trust in the action. Saguru rewarded Kid with a small nip to the thief's jugular, before leaning in and kissing him deeply, hands eagerly exploring Kid's body, nails running oh so lightly down the bare flesh, feeling the skin shift under his fingertips.

Kid groaned softly, fingers easily slipping the leather belt free of it's metal confines, allowing it to fall open as his hands reached for the cotton beneath, sliding metal through the fabric, fingers pausing fro a moment as he pulled free of the kiss, looking up at Saguru in question.

Saguru smiled at Kid's questioning look, reaching up, fingers sliding through Kid's hair before drifting down and catching the monocle chain, pulling it free of Kid's face. He set the item aside on the dresser behind Kid, before brushing his lips over Kid's in answer.

"Have you done this before?" Kid asked softly, his lips brushing over Saguru's between words, the sound of the zipper beneath his fingers loud despite the words covering them.

"Yes," Saguru breathed, kissing Kid again, before sliding his thumb up, brushing it over those sweet lips. "Have you?"

Kid nodded, before drawing the thumb into his mouth, sucking on it, teeth giving the slightest brush as his eyes met Saguru's again.

Saguru groaned softly, carefully sliding his finger free of the lips that had captured it before pulling Kid closer, lifting the nearly nude thief, easily carrying him to the bed and laying him back against the smooth comforter, smiling as he dove in for another kiss, climbing onto the bed himself, body covering Kid's.

Kid giggled in-spite of himself, the giggle turning into a moan as Saguru's mouth latched onto his neck. Kid's hand reached out, scrambling at the night table. He cursed and lifted his hand to his mouth, pulling the glove free and reaching for the night stand again, hand searching until his finger hooked on a drawer, pulling it open.

Saguru raised his head, watching Kid before raising an eyebrow at the thief, his own arm reaching out and grasping what Kid was looking for, dangling the tube and foil package over Kid's face. "You searched my room." he accused, a smile flickering over his lips.

Kid smiled, unashamed of his actions, lifting up to kiss Saguru's chin. "Know thy enemy." he purred before sucking on Saguru's adam's apple, causing Saguru to groan and dip his head for another kiss.

The rest of the night was just flashes for Saguru, brushes of lips, teeth and tounge. Thin, toned legs wrapping around his hips, pressing into him as he pushed against Kid. Kid rising over him, moonlight illuminating the thief as he moved. Pale skin, slick with sweat, bitter yet sweet against his tounge, tiny droplets sliding down the curve of Kid's stomach, dipping down between them as Saguru watched it, gasping.

Their release had come suddenly, catching Saguru by surprise as he held Kid's trembling body, his own a million miles away, intangible as his conscious mind floated away in a fluffy, cloudy haze, untethered and free.

He continued to clutch Kid as they slowly came down from their highs, panting softly, resting his forehead against the sweaty skin of Kid's shoulder, placing gentle kisses against the flesh as he moved, searching out Kid's lips. Kid met him part way, their breaths mixing as they shared kisses, their hearts slowing into a more sedate rhythm.

Saguru laid back, pulling Kid down with him, curling into the other mans' arms as he kissed him again, before allowing his eyes to open, watching Kid, smiling at the flushed, sweaty face. Kid still looked rather out of it and it sent a jolt of pride through him. He had done that, broken the mask and left Kid open.

"I love you," he whispered, kissing Kid again, nibbling softly at the already abused lips before pulling away, watching as Kid's eyes slowly opened, a smile curling over Kid's lips. Kid looked like a well sated Cheshire cat.

Kid stretched, groaning at the gentle pains in his body, muscles grumbling soft complaints. He turned, snuggling into Saguru's arms, fitting perfectly against the larger teen. He didn't reply to the words, simply allowing his eyes to close, sleep stealing him away.

TBC