Disclaimer: I don't own Meitantei Conan or Magic Kaito.
Warning: Extra-long update. Don't know if I can keep this up….^^;
Chapter 3: Don't look at the tiny details…
Another beautiful day, the sun is shining just beyond the horizon. The students at Edoka high school didn't enjoy the weather. On the contrary they prefer a nice strong wind storm. So if classes are canceling they didn't need to see Kaito and Aoko's daily ritual. It mostly starts by one minute left until class starts. Hakuba Saguru a fellow transfer student from England takes out his pocket watch which is precisely 0.001 seconds late each year. As the clock reads at 8:30 a pink smoke bomb erupts from several students including Nakomori-san. Once the smoke clears the detective could see clearly what has happen. All the guys are wearing an 18th century London style and the gals are wearing sort of Victorian style dresses.
"Bakaito! What is this?" shouted Aoko wearing an electric blue dresses her hair covered in a wig a chestnut brown with a reddish tint. The ma-wait boy in question stands awfully innocent at the classroom door wearing a sort of alteration of the KID's costume.
"Arsene Lupin at your service Miss Hunter."
"Kuroba-kun what is the meaning of this?" asked Saguru noticing he is not the only one spare from this cosplay. If his eyes are decieving him, he was slightly larger and rounder. The character he can really use to discribe is Dr John Watson. 'Lupin' grinned
"What? Its English class and it's about literature in history."
"I hate to tell you this but, Aresene Lupin is a fictional character. He doesn't even exist." The class wearing the 18th century style even Akako wearing a black and red lacy dress. She wore a black head dress with black and peacock feathers. When Kaito finally settle at his desk she leans forward to his ear.
"A wolf is a friend with a werewolf, but be wary of a silver bullet. Of your werewolf friend will be lost."
"What another nonsense talk?" Akako shrugged as the teacher came though the classroom door.
"No that's what Lucifer told me." Kaito rolls his eyes in annoyance.
"Okay let's say Lucifer does exist, it's like saying I'm Kaito Kid." The witch turns her head, hair flying like a black-purple-ish fan.
"You don't have to believe me, but a werewolf is someone who transform at the full moon. You better be careful of their behaviors, that is if their true identity is found out. "
That same morning Mouri Ran banged hard on the Kudo residence's front door.
"Oi Shinichi! It's nearly time to get up!" Sonoko who usually just happens to pass by called out:
"Ran just let that baka be late today. Besides you are usually late because of him." Inside the sitting room the sleeping figure woke with a start. His mind still a little hazy from last night when he left the art museum he had almost forgotten his costume bag. A creaking sound can be heard from upstairs. Curious he climb the spiraling staircase, the source of the creaking is his bedroom door. He yanked the door wide open just to see the window tightly locked and his school bag at his desk.
Okay maybe I do need to see a psychiatrist. His paranoia is growing increasing annoying, just from one surprise attack from those men in black. With a sigh he grabbed his school bag and head out the door. Back downstairs he sees the blue sports bag on the kitchen table. He unzips the bag and checks its contents. The detective made note that some of the pieces of disguises have indeed is missing. One of the major costume is..
"Where is otuo-san's Night Baron Costume?" Ripping through the other pieces of stuff, Shinichi hoped to the gods above to find at least a white mask. No it's gone, 'poof' like most of Kaito Kid's smoke bombs. Shinichi sweated a little around his brow. Hopefully otou-san and oka-san are away until I can find a replacement. He jumped a foot in the air as someone hammered at the front door. He glanced at the clock to see 8am. Shoot it's probably Ran.
Ran was about to knock on the door again, but then Shinichi appeared at the door.
"Geez I coming, Ohayo Ran and Sonoko-san." The two teenage girls looked at each other as Shinichi tried unsuccessfully stifling his yawn.
"Besides why are you so tired anyway? We didn't have a last minute four paragraph essay and must include four direct quotes too?"
"Nah it's just.. I found this great mystery book and I couldn't put it down." said Shinichi as the school is within a couple minutes distance. Ran rolled her eyes and mutters something about 'mystery addict'. Unfortunately Shinichi obvious heard that comment ignores her. They are nearing the school gates, but three cheerful pre-schoolers walked on their path.
"Genta-kun! Hurry up" The slightly larger kid runs after his other three friends, his short legs makes it even harder to catch up.
"Ayumi-chan look out!" Too late Ayumi collided with Shinichi's legs.
"gomen'nasai" she said as Shinichi helped on to her feet.
"Ah it's no problem." The three seven year olds eyes widen in admiration.
"Are you Shinichi-san?" asked the other boy. His voice sounds like Shinichi's own when he was seven, but there is a scientific tone rather than common sense.
"Sodesu Shinichi-oniisan." said the girl, whom Shinichi presume named Ayumi.
"Who is he?"
"Oh come on Genta-kun. He is the famous detective."
"You know, he is the one who solved the most difficult cases He is Kudo Shinichi-san." Ran and Sonoko sweat dropped. Maybe these kids aren't ordinary kids who do read the news. Shinichi however sees these three preschool kids like Sherlock Holmes' Baker street irregulars. When there is a place where Sherlock Holmes could not get in without being discover, but the information is vital these group of loyal kids can get in. That is if the situation is too dangerous for them. Okay its official he is addicted to Sherlock Holmes, because now he is applying fiction characters to reality. The warning bell rang at Teitan High School.
"Come on Shinichi! Or we will be late for class! Nice to meet you." Said Ran before pulling thought the school gates sprinting across the school grounds.
"Chotto matte Ran!" Sonoko ran off after her friend to the school doors.
Shinichi stretched like a cat as class ended a few hours later. Somehow his headache subdues a bit from last night. Well at least KID won't make another heist until this weekend. From his father's notes he concluded that the KID Nakamori-keibu is chasing right now isn't the same one from eight years ago. The class is somewhat more noisily than usual. Where Ran sits behind her is Sonoko her face is etched with hard concentration as she focuses on her portable T.V.
"Hey Sonoko what are you watching?" asked Ran turning around from her seat.
"Last night's news, from what ojisan says they found another jewelry thief. He..He made a fool of Kaito Kid-sama!" The last seven words of her dialogue came out as a shout. The rest of the class stopped their chatter and gather around Sonoko's tiny T.V.
"Yeah so I heard." Said one male student looking over the totally obsesses fan-girl. A girl wearing glasses and slightly book-ish said out loud.
"And that person is wearing a Night Baron costume too." Upon hearing this Shinichi gently pry the T.V off of Sonoko's grip. There on the grainy screen is a black figure wearing a mantle, velvet top hat (what seems hard to tell in that distance) and a white mask over the person's face. That's…." His ears seem to catch snatches of conversation from his class.
"Hey do you think he will help KID? I mean it's already bad enough to have one thief around, but two?"
"I donno my dad says this thief is a bit clever then KID. I mean he blackout two buildings, it's like he knew a majority of the taskforce would use the elevator. Plus his costume is black, much harder to find." His friend shook his head and said.
"Well at least we know nothing comes out good around elevators."* Sonoko however had a different view.
"Nobody can beat Kaito Kid-sama, besides this Night Baron guy has no style at all." She then takes the T.V off of Shinichi's grip. Yeah I got to admit KID did have a grand entrance. Not that I would say it in person. A magician in Edoka High sneezed.
(Ding,Ding) The class stopped talking as the principal of the school started to talk through the PDA.
"Attention class, by tomorrow there would be a huge surge of students from Edoka high. They will be staying at our school for five months. Thank you for your co-operation."
Silence fell, and then conversations were carried right left. The bell rang signaling class is about to started.
That very night Shinichi sat on his father's armchair various case files littered on the desk. The detective lets out a frustrated sigh as he tosses the file in on the 'readied' pile. Cradling his head in his hands sharp but fast pain crossed his head. He was circling the huge library when he felt someone in the room with him. Look Shinichi you are in your own house, the security settings are online, the lock is custom made no one can lock pick it. You're just over exaggerating every little tiny noise there is.
He kept pacing until the doorbell rang. On his way at the door he conceals a paint ball pistol under his sweater. Neither showing nor hanging too much to be visible but enough easy to pull it out faster. Before opening the door he peeks out a tiny fish eye lens, he sees a long brown hair girl and sky blue eyes. Ran.
Ran who is outside the door waits patiently for Shinichi her hair slightly ties back. That's odd maybe he went out? Nope the door opens and reveal a dishevel Shinichi. His tamed hair is in odd angles and his eyes are slightly bloodshot from staring at his father's files and the computer databases. They stared at each other for a moment, until the teen detective breaks the silence.
"Oh hi Ran going shopping?" he said seeing the teen girls' hand clutching 'environmental friendly' shopping bags.
"Y-yeah well you still owe me half a day."
"Fine I come with you, besides maybe a walk can help." Yeah more like walking and shopping till you drop.
On her honesty level she had this queer feeling after Shinichi was discharged from the hospital. His behavior is the same as always been, talking about cases and some motives that drives most of the murders being committed. The odd thing is he is often seen spaced out, not his usual deep in thought. During 'mock' debates during law class, Shinichi would most likely chose against or with the law side. Now it's like he has two conflicting ideas and most of them seems to base on common sense.
"Ran..Ran!" Ran pulls away from her thoughts as Shinichi repeatly taps on her shoulder. They just had arrived at Ginzai huge shopping mall.
"Oi, are you going to stay there gawking like an idiot?"
Just on the other sides of the building are two certain Ekota high students.
"Bakaito, what were you thinking?" Katio held a hand to silence her, but unfortunately he spots a restaurant a fish tank.
"A-a f-fish?" Actually not just one but a whole school of fishes. They were swimming in and out the reefs and seaweed totally innocent.
"Kait.." The charismatic and charming phantom thief KID ran off to the opposite direction. It would have been very funny if it weren't for a two teens crashed into each other. The force of the impact had sent boxes and bags flying into the air. The older teen rubs his side as the boxes and bags fell on him and the other teen.
"Kuso what was…" Shinichi founded himself looking at a messy hair teen but what surprise him the most is how the teen is almost exactly the same. Then another girl who almost looks exactly like Ran ran to his doppelganger.
"gomen is just Kaito being well bakaito."
"Hey at least I much more handsomer." retorded Kaito rubbing his head.
"Desu yo. I should have seen someone coming." Shinichi said gathering the fallen cargo. Kaito kept his grin, but behind his poker face is sheer chaos. Wait isn't that the tantei-san who nearly got me arrested?
He wasn't the only one who guards his emotions; Shinichi too looks calculating at the teen. From otou-san's notes Kaito Kid is around his age, but the KID now is more youthful then the past KID. Something must have happen eight years ago.
"So you are Kudo Shinichi the famous tantei-san at Teitan High?" Ran step in the exchange before Shinichi could say a word.
"Ehh-don't inflate his already huge ego. He is just a detective who spends too much time on murder cases. Personally I think where ever he goes there is always someone dead." The person in question shot a playful scowl. Oi. Oi it's not like I enjoy being constantly reminder of that.
"Ah I see I wasn't the only one who deeds with that." It was Kaito's turn to scowl at his friend.
"I don't have one. Kaito retorted at Aoko, she however snorted. The magician grins. You know that is so un-lady like Aoko. I mean look at her. He gestures at Ran next to Shinichi. Now she is a lady. Shinichi's hawk like glaze landed on Kaito's. That voice. Ah right I forgotten to introduce us. I'm Kuroba Kaito, magician extraordinaire."
"And I'm Nakamori Aoko forget this idiot, he is just very familiar with magic tricks." Magic tricks..I know KID uses magic tricks to distract the guards and uses them to make an escape.
"Well I'm Mori Ran and this detective since you known him, Kudo Shinichi. The detective inclines his head forward as the other two does the same.
"Nice to meet you Nakamori-san and Kuroba-san."
"Oh come on that's way too formal, just Kaito will do." The teen boys fell silent, sizing each other up, while the teen girls strike a conversation.
"Say Nakamori-san.."
"Aoko please Nakamori is too formal." Ran smiles. Shinichi and Kaito however are in distant terms.
"So Aoko-san, how we go shopping together? Besides the boys can always help carrying our bags." Ran sometimes you are just as evil as your chichi. Judging by Kaito's expression he had thought of the same thing.
Hours later the teen girls refresh themselves with iced drinks from a nearby vending machine. The boys slumps on their seats exhausted from carrying so much bags, shoe boxes and worse all groceries. Shinichi inspects one of the bags that they had.
"I wonder why it is so heavy?" His hand 'fished' around the cloth-made bag and withdrew a 'fishy' smelling, fined creature.
"F-f-f-fish!" The older teen looks up to see Kaito paling rapidly turning different colours of the spectrum trying to regain his poker face. Less than a second later his emotionless mask slips off and he became limp on his seat. Aoko and Ran return to the table with drinks and sees Kaito fainted at his seat.
"Oh don't mind him; he is just afraid of fish." Shinichi made a mental note. Ichthyophobia. I guess I'm not the only one who is deathly afraid of something. Somehow Ran and Aoko decided to go up in the highest floor to see the sunset. Kaito who regains consciousness noticed Shinichi's face blanch at the mention of 'the highest floor'.
Well there goes one guess, I know that voice is Kudo Shinichi, but this 'Night Baron' character likes heights and does stunts with his hang-glider. There is no way he can be him. After that 'mask' incident, Kaito had tried to imitate as much voices and personality after meeting 'Night Baron'. When reached Shinichi's voice, it sounds very alike but he had to lower his tone a little bit. But what if it is him? What if he is faking it about his phobia of heights? Thought Kaito as he and Aoko watched Ran trying to persuade Shinichi to come with them.
"Ah come on Shinchi you have to get over your fear of heights!"
"But I don't I hate heights I don't like the look of how fall up we are at a building."
Chapter end:
Omake (well sort of)
That next day Shinichi felt something different about today. It's something that he always forgets. Shrugging the matter off he proceed to check his e-mail. Nothing new just fans mail that clogs up his inbox and spam. That is until he came across a different e-mail. It's not like the regular fan letters. The more he reads it the more intrigue he is. This time it's KID asking him through e-mail rather than through the police. He went down stairs just as the phone rang.
"Moshi moshi," Inspector Megure's voice came in the other end.
"Ohayo Kudo-kun someone has committed murder at the station. It would he best if you come here quietly the superiors says not to release this to the media." he said smoothly. I hope this work.
"Ohayo to you too Megure-keibu. Nani? Someone has committed murder at the very heart of the station? " This tone is sounds calm, but Megure wasn't an Inspector for nothing. He can practically hear the excitement coming through the phone lines.
"Yes right now I don't think the phones are safe enough to discuss this though the phone. How about in person, you know 10am at my office?" Shinichi frown at the odd request, but his mouth has other plans.
"I see then 10am it is." The line went dead at Mugure-keibu's end. The detective places the phone back into its receiver. He checks his clock to see 8:20. I guess I have to miss class. Ran will be disappointed. He grabs his book bag and out the door he goes. The day outside is nice, he had a 30-minute walk to the nearest train station before reaching the Tokyo metropolitan station. Upon reaching the front doors he sees most of the police offices are empty. Huh it's that bad. He uses the staircase for some known reason. Coughglasselevatorcough. The stairs is a slightly different story he just focus on each step and not worry about falling down. Thankfully the Inspector's office is the second floor. The detective knocked before turning the handle.
The effect was immediate. Loud cries of 'Happy Birthday' rang both sides of the office. Showers of brightly colored confetti and streamers flies in all different directions. He is so surprise that he had forgotten his own birthday. Actually he is even more surprise to see two unlikely people he would meet on this day.
"Otou-san, oka-san! What.." His mother a beautiful blond hair woman with stunning light blue eyes answered for him.
"Oh come on Shin-chan do you think we would miss your birthday?" His father sporting a very similar hair style as him and have the same deep blue eyes, but instead of the usual crime scene scan it's replace with mirth.
"Let me guess he said loudly (over the loud chords of 'happy birthday') it was you who set this up." Yusuke just winked at his son as at his son's embarrassment.
"I haven't the foggiest of an idea you are talking about.." The detectives looks take a good look around to see decided to join in the party. Hattori Heiji the 'great' detective of the west, Toyama Kazuha Heij-kun's love interest, the whole team of Mugure-keibu's officers, Agasa Hiroshi, Suzuki Sonoko, the newly recruited Shōnen Tantei-dan and last but not least. Mori Ran.
The party went on for most of the day, which is until a sudden yell of surprise coming from Takagi-keibu pointing at a small white card. Shinichi ran towards it trying to find the owner of the letter. The closes window remains open. The letter is more like a…
"A heist!" cried Heji looking over Shinichi's shouder. There it is instead of a signature a silly looking doodle with a top hat, monocle, and a smile.
When the wolf howls at the moon 5 times I will come and claim what is mine. Across the frozen landscape stands an iceberg.
a/n: So…I think the best course of action is update this story at the weekends. There are no solid promises for next weekend. Plus this is sort of a birthday special for our favorite detective. Yes I know I use some Sherlock holmes and The gentleman thief and (those who play video games) Dead space. *Nothing ever comes good with enclosed, dark space.
Hope you all enjoy ^^