I am only doing this disclaimer once because it should be implied: I don't own Detective Conan, Magic Kaito or Yaiba they are all blessed treasures passed down from our beloved Gosho-san who NEEDS TO HOOK RAN AND SHINICHI UP ALREADY! sorry i lost my cool there for a second. Without further ado, this is my first couple

Characters: Mine Sayaka and Kurogane Yaiba

Title: Height is a Factor

Yaiba had always been a very confident young man. In fact his personality bordered on arrogant at times but the people around didn't seem to be bothered by it. It was what made Yaiba, Yaiba. However there was one chink in his almost impenetrable armor, one blaring evidence of insecurity that always tore away at his self-esteem: his height. Many times in the past he had been mistaken for a ten tear old due to his size and his childlike disposition. The times when he did actually clarify he was sixteen years old he was either written off or simply laughed at. Strangely however those that laughed at him weren't the swordsmen he dueled or the demons he carved down, they were high school students.

Yaiba had been attending Sayaka's high school for three weeks and already he loathed it. For starters, despite heated debate on his part, he had been instructed to leave his weapons at home. That meant his wood swords, his katanas and especially the Thunder God sword. To accentuate the point Musashi had even taken it upon himself to protect the sword from him personally.

So he had been sifting through school days which, to him, were completely useless. What purpose could school possibly serve if there was no sword or combat training involved? The only bright spot about school was the kendo team. They were the only guys at the school that respected him because let's face facts, it's difficult to make jest at Yaiba when he's holding a weapon. To the team he was like a new Onimaru, who had never actually returned to the kendo team or the high school after his whole ordeal with being possessed by the Wind Demon.

Despite the futility of school in Yaiba's eyes there were two events in the near future he deemed of the utmost importance: the Kendo Championships and the Prom. He saw the Kendo Championships as a great opportunity to showcase his skills and ultimately squash any and all jokes about his height forever. The Prom was a different story however. He was completely secure in his abilities as a swordsmen and he knew without fallacy that he would annihilate any opponent in that respect. Prom on the other hand, made him very nervous.

Ever since there scrap with death back in the Mount Fuji Sayaka and Yaiba had tiptoed around there standing with one another. Obviously they had become inseparable friends through their many adventures together but whether or not there was more to their relationship had yet to be determined. On his part Yaiba had become particularly fond of Sayaka, enough so to say that on multiple occasions he would have died to protect her. To those who chose to insinuate it meant that she was especially important to him. One person who knew of this fact was Sayaka's father Raizo who decided it was time he and Yaiba discussed the issue

Yaiba had begun his mental countdown to both the Prom and the Kendo Tournament in his head at fourteen days. To the inhabitants of the Mine house it was a shock that he could even count that high. Nevertheless it was day three of his countdown when Raizo pulled him aside from his training and told him it was time for them to talk

"Kurogane Yaiba there is a matter I must discuss with you" he said as he crossed his legs and sat down. He held out an open hand and motioned for Yaiba to sit down in front of him. Yaiba was confused by the seriousness he was displaying but obliged him nonetheless.

"What do ya' need?" He asked with no air of solemnity to match Raizo's

"I assume you are aware that we are a traditional family yes?" Yaiba raised an eyebrow at the odd question but nodded "And you're aware that in a traditional household marriage usually takes place as soon as the children are of legal age" Yaiba was still completely oblivious to the implications of his questions and nodded again

"What's this got to do with anything?" Yaiba asked, only able to think of the training he was missing out on by continuing the conversation

"Look you and my daughter have become familiar with one another and you've proven you can take care of her in dangerous situations. What I'm getting at is that it might be time for you considering marrying my daughter" Yaiba processed the statement for a moment before leaping off the ground and almost hitting the ceiling of the living room

"What the hell are you saying?"

"Would you be quiet we're the only ones awake at this hour" Raizo requested sternly. Yaiba realized he was right and sat back down after taking a deep breath

"Mine-sensei I can't just do that, it would be weird" Raizo shook his head and glared at Yaiba, amazed by his idiocy

"You don't need to call me 'sensei', you've become a master in your own right. And I wasn't asking you to propose today, I just think it's time that you starting considering the future. I believe if you were to court she would not object and I know full well along with everyone else in the house that you hold certain feelings for her" His tone was not joking or sarcastic, he was merely making legitimate observations and suggestions

"He's right you know" a voice chimed in from the corner of the room. Yaiba's head swung around to face the offending voice while Raizo merely grinned

"M-Musashi?" he shouted in surprise, earning a swift backhand from Musashi who launched himself at Yaiba with blinding speed for his age

"Silence stupid, people are asleep" Yaiba face turned red with rage

"Don't call me stupid old man and why were you listening to us?" Yaiba solicited angrily, lowering his volume slightly and gritting his teeth as he spoke

"I listen to everything idiot. Now, have you forgotten your training so quickly?" Yaiba quirked and eyebrow at him

"What are you talking about?"

"I have always taught you that to be a master of the sword you must follow your heart and be swift with your actions. Indecisiveness will be the death of any swordsmen" Yaiba looked down at his hands which were piled up in his lap

"What exactly are you telling me to do old man?" He asked in a somber tone. Musashi laughed loudly to himself as he started to walk away "Hey don't walk away like that!" Yaiba half screamed as Musashi disappeared but his laughter lingered. Yaiba turned back to Raizo but he had already stood up and begun to walk away as well. Yaiba almost got up to ask him to explain what had just happened but decided against it. He needed to think, and the only way he knew how to do that was through training

The day went on as any other day from that point in. Sayaka woke up, got ready for school and she and Yaiba walked to school. During school they didn't speak much because they had different homerooms but they did eat lunch together. She would lean against a fairly tall tree that shaded a ten foot area around her while Yaiba would actually eat in the tree. She had been annoyed by this the first day or two but she got used to it. She even found it amusing that every so often he would hang by his feet and put his head next to hers if he had something important or private to tell her. This in mind their day had been delightful. That changed however when they went to walk home

"Mine-san!" a masculine voice called out from behind them. They both turned around to find a sweat drenched teenager running full speed at them. They stood still and waited for him to catch up to them. Once he did he bowed respectfully to her which made her blush a tad

"Uh what is it Aoshima-senpai?" she asked hesitantly. Yaiba knew this guy very well. Aoshima Hiyama was a senior and the captain of the Kendo team. He was the only opponent that ever gave Yaiba any sort of trouble and for that reason Yaiba had become dead set on winning the Kendo Championships and proving his dominance.

"Well I came to ask you a question" he started hesitantly. Yaiba chose this moment to become incredibly observant. 'Sweating, nervous, stuttering, talking to girl, prom next week, talking to Sayaka…' all these shards slowly came together in his mind and caused his fists to clench and his pupils to dilate

"What is it?" Sayaka asked obliviously. It could argued Hiyama was one of, if not the most attractive male at their school. This point only further perturbed Yaiba who had come to a sickening conclusion about the prospects of the situation

"Well I wanted to ask you if you would go with me to p-prom" Hiyama lowered his head in embarrassment. Sayaka was taken back by the forwardness of his offer which had come out left field as far as she was concerned. He was, after all, popular, attractive and talented and she was not. At least in her own eyes she wasn't.

"Are you sure?" she asked him with genuine curiosity. He lifted his head and gave her a comforting smile

"Of course. That is if you'll have me" Sayaka blushed brightly at his flattery

"Well okay. That sounds nice" Hiyama beamed at her

"Great! Well I've got to go but I'll see you later. See you at practice Kurogane-san" he said as he ran off waving. Sayaka lifted her hands up and clasped them at her chest as she let out a contented sigh. Yaiba meanwhile was fuming and not making any particular effort to hide it. She apparently didn't notice his mood swing and began skipping along, leaving him behind to sulk

That night Sayaka was fairly secluded. She came out of her room to eat dinner and announce that she had been asked to the prom but aside from that she remained in her room the entire night. This gave the Mine household plenty of opportunity to question Yaiba, who had done nothing but swing at dummy targets in the dojo since the moment they stepped in the door. This was normal on a day when he didn't have Kendo practice, however this day Yaiba had managed to destroy eight of Raizo solid wood targets as well as an entire section of the floor.

"Yaiba" Raizo stated sternly, almost paternally. Yaiba turned to him and gave him a glare that begged him to go away. Instead Goinkyou appeared beside her son with a knowing grin

"You can leave now, I will speak to him" and with a wave of her hand Raizo vacated the dojo. Yaiba turbed his back to the old woman and continued drilling

"Stupid child" she said bluntly. Yaiba stopped his motion for a moment but decided not to turn around. Instead he just continued to practice as she came closer to him "You really care about my granddaughter don't you?" This time he stopped and turned to face her rather swiftly and locked their gazes

"Doesn't matter" he sounded pessimistic, almost hopeless

"What are you saying? Why now are you giving up so easily?" Yaiba swung his head around and gripped the shaft of his sword tightly

"How could I even think about anything like that with her when I'm so…short?" In a move which startled and infuriated Yaiba, the old woman started to laugh hysterically

"Is that really your concern?" she solicited, almost screaming as she wiped the tears from her eyes

"It's true! How could she take me seriously when I'm as tall as YOU!" Goinkyou calmed down and looked at him with soft, sympathetic eyes

"You really are quite the stupid one aren't you Yaiba?" Yaiba frowned and huffed at her

"Anyway it doesn't matter she's already got a date and I have practice to do so-"

"Challenge him" Yaiba's head spun around fast enough to crack his neck

"What's this?" Yaiba's eyes glowed with excitement at the mention of a challenge

"Challenge this boy. Whoever wins takes Sayaka. If he has any pride he won't refuse" Yaiba grinned confidently and placed his sword in his sheath. The old lady smiled at her handiwork as Yaiba exited the dojo

The next day Yaiba hardly spoke to Sayaka. This worried her and she asked him on numerous occasions what was wrong to which he would reply 'nothing'. However when lunch time came around and Sayaka and Yaiba sat at their usual place to eat the silence between them became too much

"Yaiba!" she screamed angrily into the tree

"What is it?" he responded dryly

"What's wrong with you today you're so quiet! It's annoying…" Yaiba snickered and jump down from his perch in the tree

"Nothing's wrong, everything is fine. I'm leaving so I'll see you when I get home" before she could voice an objection he was already gone. 'Okay something really is wrong' she thought resolutely, determined to figure out what it was

The rest of the school day passed by relatively smoothly all things considered. Now Yaiba was at kendo staring his now mortal enemy straight in the face. It was fear that keeping him from announcing his challenge so much as it was just the lack of an appropriate opening. His moment finally came when their sensei instructed them all to take a brief rest and hydrate themselves. As the team left the dojo and headed outside Yaiba took a hold of the back of Hiyama's armor

"What is it Kurogane-san?"

"I want to challenge you! One on one, a duel, me and you!" his proclamation was bold and he puffed his chest out to accentuate his point

"I'm always ready for a challenge, but what are the stakes?" he inquired knowingly with a smug smirk

"Winner takes Sayaka to prom" Hiyama sarcastically rubbed his chin as if he was thinking about the challenge

"Could it be that our own Kurogane-san has feelings for Sayaka-chan?" Yaiba's cheeks were painted in a hearty red hue

"So do you accept my challenge or are you scared?" Yaiba asked, trying to goad him into accepting

"I accept your challenge Kurogane Yaiba. Let's say tomorrow morning before school in the field over by the school grounds"

"First to surrender"

"Or first to knock out"

"I'll see you then Aoshima"

That night went by all too slowly as Yaiba could hardly bring himself to rest. He managed to evade any further questioning from Sayaka about his moodiness though not without countless efforts on her part. Although he wasn't too nervous about his opponent in the duel he was worried about the events that were follow assuming he won (which he was). Unfortunately for him his early departure from the Mine house that morning had not gone unnoticed

When he arrived at the decided meeting place he saw a poised and calm Hiyama standing firmly in his place in his full kendo armor, his wood sword strapped to his back

"Where your armor Kurogane-san?" he asked mockingly

"This is a duel and a duel is not the place for armor. I will fight you in my samurai gi" Hiyama seemed utterly shocked by the outlandish decision of his opponent

"Be practical Kurogane-san I don't want to hurt you" Yaiba looked serious for a split second before breaking out into hysterical laughter. Hiyama was not amused by the disrespect he was being show and began to strip away his own armor plating

"Hey what are you…" Yaiba trailed off as his scoffing ceased and he stared blankly Hiyama who was now wearing nothing but an undershirt and his school uniform pants.

"There, now we can fight as equals. Shall we begin?" Yaiba grinned as he unsheathed his sword and held it out, pointing the tip of the weapon right at Hiyama's head. Without a word of confirmation Hiyama removed his sword from its holster and held it to point at Yaiba. Seeing this as an indication of commencement Yaiba picked up his feet and sprinted full speed at Hiyama

Meanwhile back at the Mine house Sayaka had been awake for twenty minutes or so. She had been awoken by the unmistakable clacking of geta as they strode out the door. She went to the door but before she could catch the person she knew it to be he had already disappeared. She felt a need, for his sake, to go after him and see what was going on. She walked in the direction she supposed he had gone and as she moved forward she realized she was nearing the school. She knew there no way Yaiba would voluntarily go to school early so she decided to check the park near it.

After only a few minutes their match was over. Despite all of the build up to it they really hadn't fought with any sort of strategy or even skill. What it had really come down to was two teenagers in an emotionally charged battle of wills. They had essentially swung at each other in close quarters without any sort of defense. They were both bruised and bloody but Yaiba had been the one to remaining standing. Hiyama was passed out but more from sheer fatigue than the actual injuries. Yaiba let out a deep sigh and leaned up against the trunk of a large tree to rest. As he relaxed his body and tried to take inventory of all his wounds his ear pricked up at the sound of footsteps. He rolled his body slightly to see but still remained pressed against the tree. His eyes widened when he saw none other than the wager of his duel: Mine Sayaka.

It didn't take her long to notice an unconscious male lying face down on the grass in the open. She hastily ran toward the figure with intent to help him. When she reached him and flipped him over she nearly fell backwards. Just the other day he had been so clean and handsome. Now he was covered in scrapes, bruises and blood. She cradled him in her arms and tried to wake him up. After a few tries she realized that waking him was unlikely so she stood up to go find help, and that's when she saw him

He was only half awake and he was just as bludgeoned as Hiyama was. The only real visible difference between the two was that Yaiba was awake which meant she could quell her curiosity

"Yaiba! What did you do!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, unconcerned with the time of day or the public setting

"We had a wager" he breathed out painfully. Her eyes her still full of rage as she stomped toward him

"What kind of wager causes this!" Had he been fully conscious and not beaten half to death he might have lied, but he was so he didn't

"We said whoever won the match between us got to take you to prom" He turned his head away from her with no particular expression accept weariness. The anger that had been boiling up inside her cooled and she was left confused and flattered

"You two…were fighting for me?" Yaiba let out a sardonic huff

"Don't I always end up fighting for you?" She took a few steps closer to him

"I guess you do" a few more steps. His head was still facing away from her

"Sayaka I'm-" before he could apologize he became aware of her proximity out of the corner of his eye. His blush was visible even through the many marks and bruises on his face. He turned his head fully to face her, finding that she was leaning over to meet his eyes

"So you won?" she asked cutely with an almost foreign air of innocence and mildness. He hesitated in fear of the possible rage she could be masking

"Y-Yes…" she beamed at him and reached down to give him a hug. As much as he enjoyed there embrace he had to grit his teeth hard to keep from wailing out in pain. As she drew back he did his best to conceal the agony she had caused him with a faint grin of appreciation. She stood straight up with her hands behind her back and a contented smile

"Come on we need to get him to the school to see the nurse, I hope she's in" Yaiba slowly brought himself to his feet using his sword to support his weight. When he was finally on his feet Sayaka already had Hiyama's right arm around across her shoulders behind her neck "Come on and grab him" Yaiba heaved a heavy sigh and walked over to assist

That day at lunch after Yaiba had spent an hour or so in the nurse's office he was not in the mood to climb to his usual perch in the tree. So instead he decided to sit against the base of the tree next to Sayaka. His shoulder brushed against her arm a few times, none of which were intentionally. Every time they made contact like this they would both blush furiously and scoot away. They had eaten in awkward silence as a result until Sayaka spoke

"Do you think Hiyama will be upset that I'm changing dates?" Yaiba thought about the question chewing a mouthful of his sandwich. When he swallowed he answered

"Nope, I won fair and square and besides he'll find someone else" Sayaka seemed to take solace in his words

"Yaiba?"

"Hmm?"

"Why didn't you just ask me in the first place?" Yaiba ducked his head shamefully, placing his sandwich on his lap. He turned to look at her with a serious expression that was rare for him

"Because I didn't think you would want to go with someone so…short." Sayaka continued to look at him, searching his eyes for humor but found none. Yaiba was on edge as Sayaka remained silent but kept staring at him. Finally after what seemed like a never ending tension between them Sayaka let out a tiny giggle. That giggle turned into a chuckle and that chuckle morphed into full blown hysterical laugh that caused her to roll on the grass. Yaiba huffed and swiveled his head in the other direction while Sayaka struggled to catch her breath. When she was finally able to stop herself she noticed Yaiba was legitimately upset

"Was that really it?" she asked with a lingering grin

"You make it seem so stupid…" he mumbled grumpily. She couldn't help but laugh at how upset he was by the topic. In a moment of generosity she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek

"That's because it was stupid"