More Than A Gemstone (Kaishin)

Silent Secrets

"Hakuba, I don't think you should head out on your own- how about you come with? We could need your help."
Aoko smiled at the young detective, interrupting Kaito's thoughts. Said one turned around again, staring at the two of them with an expressionless face.

Maybe I can catch Aoko afterwards... I don't want Hakuba to know.

"That... would be beneficial." Hakuba slowly replied, before shaking his head.
"My apologies, I'm still not quite here yet."
"Can you walk?"
"Of course."
Aoko took Hakuba's hand with an encouraging smile and gently pulled him away from the desk, with Kaito trailing behind. Slowly but surely, his nervousity rose.

What will we find?

I just hope it's not him.

How is Aoko able to pull through this so easily?

Kaito admired the confidence he saw her displaying, the amount of leadership in her that was shining through. She was really just like her father, jumping straight into action. She was... just like Kaito.

Kaito had wanted to tell her for such a long time and now, he wasn't even sure if she would ever talk to him again.

At this point, he was just waiting for it. Whose mask would break first, his or Aoko's?
Was he really going to hit her with the full truth today? Was it really the right time?

...

Kaito took a deep breath.

"Kaito, don't fall behind too much," he heard Aoko say a few steps ahead, and he gave her a small nod, speeding up again. They were going to set this right... The rest of the details were a concern to the future Kaito.

The four of them stopped in front of the keibu's office. Shutters down in the small windows, neon lights buzzing... Kaito was the one to put his hand on the doorknob.

It was open.

He exchanged a glance with Hakuba and Aoko, former one pulling out a firearm, releasing the safety lock. Both gave him a nod of approval, and Kaito took a deep breath- before pushing the door open and Hakuba went in first, gun raised, pointing it into the room.

"Tou-san... Tou-san!!"
Aoko let out a highpitched shriek and rushed to the body her father slumped over his desk, shaking at his shoulder. No answer.
Hakuba stood guard at the door, making sure no one was going to disturb them, while Kaito pushed two fingers onto the keibu's neck.
"He's got a good pulse. Old man's just knocked out."
Tears were running down Aoko's cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her father, desperately trying to wake him up.
"Tou-san! Tou-san...!! W-wake up!!"

Kaito was watching her with a frown, not interferring. He knew it would be bad news for him if he even tried pulling Aoko away.
"I'll try to get a hold of an ambulance," he announced instead, dialing the emergency number.
He could hear a faint ringing noise from the depths of the building they had just come from and hung up with a small curse.
"Shit."

Hakuba cleared his throat, flashing a glance at Kaito.
"It would be unwise to try and put him into a different position, the chance is high we could worsen the injury. I'll give Baaja a call, and we'll drive personally to the hospital to get ambulances ready for the police station."
Kaito nodded, seeming fine with that, and pushed his hands into his pockets.
"Send one for the headquarters of Division 1, too."
"Division 1?"
Kaito's expression soured a little.
"Nobody was picking up there, either."

Hakuba clasped his hands together, letting the gun disappear back into its holster.
"I'll get going. And you two... don't do anything brash. And don't go to Division 1. It's too dangerous- let the professionals handle this."
And with that, Hakuba turned on his heel and left. Kaito breathed out a soft sigh, mumbling under his breath "Look at all those professionals around here who tried to handle this..."
Aoko was still clinging to her father, sobbing into his shoulder, as Kaito rested a hand on her back.
"Let's stay here and wait for Hakuba to return. I don't exactly want to leave the old man alone, either."

The girl didn't answer him but refused to budge from her spot, thus Kaito took that as silent agreement. He sat down on one of the office chairs, silently playing with a deck of cards inside his pocket.
Slowly but surely, he felt more antsy than before. Pandora was quietly leaning against the door, fumbling with his hands, and Kaito knew that especially Pandora hated what was happening around him.

***

"Kuroba, won't you go with Nakamori-san?" Hakuba prodded, only to receive a slow shake of his head.
"I'm not much for crying at someone's bed. I... can't sit still right now, and I'd disturb Aoko."
Kaito pushed his hands into his pockets to stop himself from fidgeting and Hakuba seemed to accept that as a valid reason.
"And I don't exactly want to leave Pandora alone."
Hakuba flashed a glance at the silent European who was staring straight at the ground, refusing to look up.
"How is he holding up? Seeing something like... this... is not exactly what someone his age should see."

Kaito could only suppress his snort.

His age? Good one.

"I'll look after him at home, don't worry."
Hakuba raised one eyebrow. He could feel something was up, but he couldn't put a finger onto it.
"Kuroba, I am asking you again, do not go to Division 1."
"I won't. Pandora, let's go home."

***

Pandora was a little confused, heading after Kaito. What had begun as the way home had changed and was absolutely not the way home. Hadn't Kaito said home? Or was he just hearing things? His Japanese was far from even remotely good.
Pandora gently tugged at Kaito's sleeve, giving him a questioning look, and the boy shook his head.
"Not home. Division 1."

I'll bet my fucking house that Shinichi is there.

Kaito's expression turned colder and colder every passing minute until he was straight up glaring into nothing. The bus ride felt like an eternity until Kaito finally pulled Pandora along and out of the doors.

I'm not leaving him to Hope.

I'd rather die.