I own nothing and no one

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who voted on the poll, even if you didn't vote for this one. It is nice to feel appreciated, and hey there is always next time. I will probably put the poll back up once I have finished this fic.

As has become my habit, I have posted a picture on my insanejournal. So if you want to see it, go check it out. Though it won't really become relevant for who knows how many chapters. Right now Kaito is only ten years old.

One more thing, this is a multi-crossover, which means many different series will appear. Most of them briefly, but still, I recognize that you might not know about all of them. Therefore, I will be posting a small summary of said series at the beginning of the chapters. Read it if you want. The first example is below. I will try to do better on the next one.

Magic Kaitou: At the age of sixteen, the main character, Kaito Kuroba is in his house thinking about his deceased Father when he falls through a secret passageway. Finding himself in a strange room, the teenager discovers that not only was his Dad the famous magician thief Kaitou Kid, but that his death was not an accident. After taking up his Father's mantle Kaito searches for the Pandora Gem, which a mysterious organization murdered Toichi Kuroba for. He intends to see justice done, no matter what it takes.

Chapter One

Kaito squirmed, fear lending urgency to the boy's movements as he tried to loosen the ropes that tied his hands behind his back. It was so dark. The blindfold that covered his eyes made it impossible to see anything. It didn't affect his nose though; he could smell the smoke. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what that meant. The house was on fire.

It had started out as a wonderful night. His Father's old assistant had come over for dinner. Jii-san had even found the time to help him with a few magic tricks he had been having trouble with. Then the strange men had come. Jii had tried to fight, so had his Mom, but it hadn't been enough. The last thing Kaito remembered was something coming down hard on the back of his head. He had awoken like this.

A faint snarl escaped the brunette's lips. He had to get free. It was difficult, but Kaito forced himself to still, to remember everything his Father had taught him. He gave his arms a final twist. There, he felt some give in the rope. The boy jerked his hands free, reaching up to rip off the blindfold in the same motion.

Kaito's sapphire eyes widened with horror, but not because of the flames that were already beginning to lick at the walls. It was because of the two still figures lying in the middle of the living room floor. "Kaa-san!" he shouted, scrambling to her side.

A spark of hope lit the woman's previously despairing eyes and she managed to lever herself halfway up on one arm, ignoring the pool of blood that spread around her. Jii didn't move at all. He was beyond that. "Kaito," she whispered. "Baby."

Another day the young magician would have protested that nickname. His Mother hadn't called him that since before he started school. Now though, he couldn't care less what she called him, as long as she lived. He had already lost one parent. He didn't want to lose her too.

Desperately Kaito tried to stem the flow of blood that came from the gaping wound in his Mother's abdomen. "J-just," he stuttered. "Just hold on Mom. I'll get you out of here. Everything is going to be fine," he tried to reassure her. Everything had to be fine.

Sadly the woman shook her head. It wouldn't be fine. She was already dead, and she knew it. But her son, he still had a chance. She closed her hand around the smaller figure's wrist, pulling him closer. "Listen to me Kaito," she said seriously. "You must do exactly as I say."

Kaito did not hesitate to agree, his eyes widening with every word his Mother whispered in his ear. It was a lot to take in. Each word was chosen carefully, giving the maximum amount of information in the least amount of time.

"Do you understand my son?" she asked.

The boy nodded.

"Good, now go," the woman ordered. "Leave me."

"No!" Kaito immediately protested. "I won't go without you."

"You will," she ordered weakly, the strength draining from her body. At that moment, the woman stopped fighting her fate. The only thing that had kept her going this long was her son's safety. She collapsed, falling the few inches back to her ground, her eyes glazing over as she took her last breathe.

"Kaa-san," the boy said softly, his blue eyes fearful. He shook her. "Kaa-san wake up! Wake up!" He shot one hand to her throat. Nothing. She wouldn't wake up. She would never wake up again. Part of Kaito was in denial. His mother wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead.

For a few precious seconds, the magician just sat there while the house burned around him. Then a voice from deep within his being spoke. Get up, it ordered. If you want to live you must get up now. Young as he was, Kaito was a survivor, and he wasn't ready to leave the world behind just yet. He forced himself to his feet.

Quickly, the boy spun, running into the hallway to where Toichi Kuroba's portrait hung. Following his Mother's directions precisely, he carefully pushed a certain spot. Just like she had said, a door swung open. Kaito was just about to enter when he hesitated, glancing back over one shoulder.

His Father's notebooks, he realized. They were sitting on the end table, right where he and Jii had left them earlier. Those books detailed the famous magician's life's work. The ceiling creaked ominously, but Kaito didn't let that deter him. He darted back, sweeping the stack of books into his empty backpack before hauling it off the floor. It was heavy, but he would not leave them. They were all he had left of his Tou-san.

Kaito barely made it make to the trap door in time. The ceiling collapsed behind him, the burning rafters crashing to the floor. The boy cried out, a few pieces of flying debris impacting against his back. He stumbled, falling the last few steps down into the Kaitou Kid's lair, before rising to his feet. He coughed harshly; the smoke was starting to get to him. His eyes burned.

The room was amazing, but the boy was in no mood to appreciate it. He went straight to a nearby table, picking up a loaded tape recorder and slipping that into his bag as well. The rooms other wonders were not given a second glance. Kaito went to the right wall and grabbed a section of the bookcase, directly below the carving of a red horse. Then he pulled. It slid along the ground easily on near invisible rollers, revealing the passage.

There was only one problem. Kaito pulled his hand back from the door with a yelp of pain. It was hot. The metal was already at a high enough temperature to do real harm to human flesh. Determinedly, the magician looked around for something to insulate his hands with. He grabbed an ornate looking dress out of the closet, set it against his shoulder, and pushed with all his might.

To the boy's great relief, the passage opened. He crawled in, dragging his book bag behind him before closing the door. He had no doubts that in time, this room would be destroyed as well, but at least he could delay it as long as possible. Sweat ran down his back. It was so hot. He could see the flesh on his exposed arms turning a bright red. It hurt.

Kaito wasn't sure how far he crawled. It seemed to take forever. Finally though, he reached the other end. Cautiously the boy climbed up a ladder, lifting the trap door a few inches to look around. Seeing no one, he pulled himself out of the passageway. It was a good place. Thick bushes shielded the hideaway from view.

In the distance, he could see flames shooting up into the sky. Kaito knew it was a bad idea, but he couldn't stop himself from going towards the commotion. It took a little time to get back. Peeking his head around the last corner, he noticed his house was now completely engulfed in flames. The firefighters weren't even trying to save it, instead focusing on the houses to the right and left.

Quite a crowd had gathered to watch. So many that no one noticed one small boy hugging the shadows. Kaito wrapped his arms around himself, biting down hard on his lower lip. He must not make a sound. He must not attract anyone's attention. Then he saw her.

It was Aoko. His wild haired friend was clinging to her Father's hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. The police inspector looked grim as he regarded the burning building.

She was crying for him, the magician realized. An uncomfortable surge of pain shot through his heart. Aoko shouldn't be crying because of him. Not ever. Kaito took half a step forward before catching himself. No.

No one must know he was still alive. Not even Aoko. The knowledge would only put her in danger, and he didn't want that. Kaito stood there for a moment more, memorizing every last plane of his best friend's face. Then he turned away, disappearing into the night. It was better this way.

PTPTPTPT

Three things. First, if your house is on fire, get out immediately. Kaito should not have gone back, but he is still a kid and doesn't have perfect judgment. Second, he is not crazy. The voice was his subconscious, nothing more. Third, I apologize to Jii. Feel sort of like I killed him and then just forgot about it. But I figure, Mother v. family friend, Kaito's reaction was reasonable.

I will try to update a minimum of once a week but no promises. I know better than that. No matter how long it takes though, the story will be finished. All my stories get finished. It is one of my fanfiction writing resolutions. Check it out if you don't believe me.