When Pandora bleeds... (Shinkai)

Tea Time

Haibara stared at the man in front of her whose face she still couldn't see properly. For a moment, time froze around these two, and an awkward silence filled the area, minus the soft howling of an ice cold spring wind around them.

"KID... Come to my house. Let's sit down and talk for a bit. I haven't seen you since..."
Haibara trailed off but she wasn't in need to say anything more. KID didn't budge, he had his cap pulled quite down into his face but Haibara felt his eyes piercing through her. She sincerely hoped KID would see she was genuine- since Conan's death Haibara hadn't seen anybody properly, with the Shounen Tantei busy studying for finals.

"Where is Pandora now, Ojou-san?"
As KID finally spoke, his voice was distant and thick with suppressed emotions. He didn't have to explain anything, Haibara had already expected him to ask.
"I will tell you if you join me on a cup of tea."

Kaito stared at the woman in front of him, unable to make anything out of this situation. While this was a welcome distraction for his panic to die down, it was also a sign he had become predictable to the young scientist.
But what did he have to loose? It would be nice to at least catch up with someone else that wasn't his mother.

"I am not someone to deny the invitation of a young lady, however, I do request personal space and a barely lit room."
Haibara rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that was threatening to appear on her lips. KID was still KID.
"Don't worry."
Haibara turned on her heel, trusting KID to follow his words and head after her.

The male stared at the back of the scientist in front of him with wary eyes. He wasn't quite sure if Haibara just wanted company- actually, screw that, if she already knew about Pandora she was going to squish him out about it. Kaito mentally sighed and shook his head to get rid of this thought. Haibara Ai was somewhat trustworthy but he was going to keep his guard, even if she didn't seem hostile towards him.

At least she never chased me around with hellish round objects.

Kaito passed her front door with only so much inner nervousity. He wasn't quite sure what would await him, but he would insult his alter ego if he was going to deny this invitation. KID was a gentlemen thief, even years later after his resignation.
"Sit down there, I'll turn the lights lower and make us a nice cup of tea."
This voice pulled him out of his thoughts and Kaito looked over to the nice and comfortable couch she was nodding to before the girl disappeared to brew some fresh tea. Eyes inspecting his surroundings closely, Kaito let himself slowly down on his seat; at least he hadn't spotted any cameras or anything remotely suspicious going on.

What did I get myself into again...

Haibara was somewhat pleased to know she had coaxed the Kaitou KID into her house for a cup of tea. Considering his appearance, the retired thief was quite the wary type of person, even in private. She had remembered him as a different person back then, full of life and ambition for life.
Soon enough she had a nice tray ready and carried it outside onto the living room, satisfied noting KID hadn't bolted yet. She set it down and offered a cup to the thief before sitting down at the opposite end of the couch, enjoying a longdrawn sip of her own tea and swallowed it. Only then, KID took a small sip of his own.

Did he really expect me to spike the tea?

Haibara couldn't help but smile the tiniest bit amused.
"I do have to wonder about your attempts of contact, Ojou-san. There is nothing for us to discuss."
Sighing, the girl turned to the male next to her.
"I wanted to see you, KID. I have some questions I couldn't ask Kudo before- ...you know... and I know you can answer them."
She paused, giving the phantom enough time to let her words sink in, yet the male didn't let himself be swayed so easily from his goal.
"Where is Pandora, Ojou-san?"
Haibara's voice stuck inside her throat and she sighed again, shaking her head.
"I know you at least this far, KID. You'll bolt as soon as I tell you. I will let you know, but please  cooperate for once. After all, you still owe me for going along with your plans last time."

Kaito lowered his head a little to shadow his face a bit more, going through his options. Haibara wasn't quite far from the truth with her knowledge, he wasn't going to stay more than comfortable. Finally, Kaito nodded his head yes, and the scientist released a breath she didn't remember holding in.
"But I will decide what to answer" he added, voice laced with confidence. Haibara closed her eyes for a second, trying to formulate her question.
"Do you feel the need to keep Pandora as close to you as possible? You have it with you, don't you?"
Kaito nearly spewed his tea all over the table but managed to catch himself right beforehand. How the heck did she know that?!

Pokerface!!

"Straightforward, aren't we? I-"
"Don't worry" she interrupted him and Kaito shut his mouth with an audible click, "I don't want to have your half. I just need to confirm something... If... hypothetically... you do have Pandora with you... and feel the urge to keep it as close as possible..."
Haibara made a point to pause again.
"...you are the same as Kudo. I find this to be far from coincidential."

Kaito watched with surprise hidden in his eyes as she turned away to put her cup down, getting lost in her musings.
"If I were to believe this hypothesis, I'm sure you have been influenced by Pandora. I did a bit of research in the old files of the Black Organization after Kudo's death... I managed to find out about something fairly interesting which I think you should know, too."
Haibara flashed a glance back at him.
"Say... Why exactly did you come here? You knew there is a gigantic risk anybody would recognize you, and an even bigger one if you would dare to visit Kudo's grave."

Kaito opened his mouth yet kept silent for a second. Before he could give his answer, Haibara raised her voice again.
"Kudo often spoke about an inexplicable urge to go somewhere. He didn't know where to but something inside his body was screaming at him to leave Japan."
Freezing, Kaito stared at her. That was definitely something new.

Meitantei had the same urge?

"You don't know why you came here, isn't that true? Hearing about Kudo's death was just the last straw it took for you to come. You feel the same, don't you?"

Unable to loose his eyes from the scientist in front of him, Kaito finally gave a small nod to agree to her. Haibara noted with satisfaction that the former moonlight magician sounded genuine for the first time.
"I... I don't know, yes, I'll admit it. Since months something inside me wanted me to come back to Japan. I didn't know what it was, I didn't know why. Now that I'm here... I feel my goal is close, so close, but I can't pinpoint it."

Haibara sighed, stood up, and left the living room and with that a surprised Kaito behind, only to return with a small file she had printed out.
"I need you to read this. This is all I have... But it explains a lot."
Kaito warily took the file held out to him and began flying over the words while Haibara took her seat once again. Eyes widening, Kaito stared at the words which began to swim a little in front of his eyes.

I can't believe it.