Detective Conan: The Road To Hell

Children and KIDs

Detective Boys are children. Kuroha has indigo eyes.
'Nuff said. (Rest In Power Stan Lee)
- - -

The phone's screen glared at the three not-yet-detectives as their brows furrowed in thought. A question displayed on its screen, a pun hidden in there somewhere, and not a hint in sight left them puzzled as to the answer.

"We could ask Shinichi-san," Mitsuhiko offered at last.

"No," said Ayumi almost immediately. When the others gave her strange looks, she continued, "Aren't he and Heiji-oniisan busy? They're trying to solve a case, so we should find Ran-oneesan and Kazuha-oneesan instead."

Genta frowned. "Ran-oneechan's sleeping, and Kazuha-oneechan left to talk to someone, remember? Besides Shinichi-oniichan's never around, and he's probably got to go right after he finishes this case, just like every other time! C'mon, guys, let's go ask them!"

Mitsuhiko followed Genta, and Ayumi trailed somewhat reluctantly behind, phone in her hand. As they drew closer to the kitchen, they heard— well, it wasn't quite an argument, but it didn't sound as if the two high-school detectives were getting along.

"—I've been saying the whole time. Without any hard evidence, either of them could have done it."

"An' I'm not disagreein' with ya, but I don't see why ya can't just go an' ask 'em yourself."

"Oh, for the—they're smart, Hattori. Conan's had an impact on them, more than you might realize. Each one of them has gotten us out of multiple situations, based off their wit and instinct alone. Heck, even after less than a year, Mitsuhiko solved a case with only a small hint from me. Genta and Ayumi need a tad bit more guidance before they reach the answer, but as soon as Conan goes back to America for good, I'm—"

"Kudou." Not harsh tone, but enough for Heiji to catch Shinichi's attention.

"Sidetracked again?" A resigned sigh.

"Yup. Get ta the point."

"My point is they're smart. They're perceptive, and they're bound to notice something.  Besides, don't they know you better? You're the one who they've seen around more. The most they've heard of me is from Conan."

"I get ya, I get ya," said Heiji in an attempt to calm Shinichi If ya're that nervous, I'll take care of 'em. Can ya look over those notes, an' look busy. I'll handle everythin'."

Shinichi suddenly sounded guilty. "Do you want me to find them? You've still got a broken leg."

"An' ya have less than four hours left. Ya're fine where ya are. I'll be right back."

They heard the distinct click and thump of Heiji's walking come closer, and the kids scrambled over each other to get away from the door. A short moment later, he came limping out the kitchen walkway to find them sitting in a circle on the floor, crowded around the phone.

"Ya brat's 've been here the whole time?"

Simultaneous nods. "Kazuha-oneesan said to stay here until she came back," Ayumi said.

Heiji swallowed, drew a long, silent breath. "Ya heard anythin' we were talkin' 'bout?"

Simultaneous shaking of heads. "We were trying to figure out hakase's quiz," Mitsuhiko said, making a small gesture to the phone in the center of them.

Heiji deflated in relief. They wouldn't have any reason to lie.

"I got a favor ta ask of you. Will ya follow me?"

"Coming, Heiji-san." Mitsuhiko was the one to pick up the phone.

Heiji led them to the table where all the information was laid out. The more gruesome pictures had been brushed under notepads and other papers, and evidence bags with anything bloody were stashed under the table. It wasn't like the Detective Boys couldn't see the hastily hidden items, and it didn't bother them a whole lot to see blood, not after all the murder cases they'd been on with Conan. What did bother them was the fact that the older detectives hid things from them; the Shonen Tantei-da, who regarded themselves as able-bodied, full-fledged detectives, did not take kindly to being treated like wannabes. Begrudgingly, they took seats at the counter and waited for Heiji to talk.