Kaitou Shinku
a Meitantei Conan fanfic
Chapter Four
Disclaimer: Aoyama-sensei would never do this to Ran.
Oh, and those of you that read my DC one-shot, don't skip the middle of this chapter. Some very important things have been changed about it.
It was day two of his treatment and the currently nine-year-old Shin'ichi sat in the medical bed at Agasa's feeling sick as a dog and with a single IV tube in his arm feeding, of all things, paichuu into his bloodstream. Around him were many papers, from Kaito's work from the past year and a half (Well, he'd be going back to high school in a little more than a week and he'd been in kiddie school for nearly two years. He hadn't always been able to sneak peeks at Ran's work) to costume designs (Kaito's idea thankfully veto'd, and he was quite happy with the final, thank you very much) to lists of possible names, which were what he and his brother were talking about now.
"Barou, you don't understand, your name was already there for you, with you taking up tousan's. This needs some thought."
"Are you kidding? Ojisan came up with my name on accident, 1412 becoming KID!"
"That's true, but I can say it certainly fits you!" Shin'ichi grinned as Kaito squawked in protest. They had only truly known each other for three days now, but he had easily fallen into the role of the more serious, but teasing, older brother. Kaito always yelled at him for this, since 'It was only by seven minutes!' as he said.
"Anyway, all joking outside, this does need to be thought out." Before he continued, something caught his attention and he quickly scribbled a few things out on a fresh piece of paper.
Kuroba...Kaito...Kaitou...KID...
He grinned and showed the paper to his brother, who when he saw what had been written, matched his face grin for grin.
The next day, the ten-year-old face of Kuroba Shin'ichi winced as he watched the news. Now he knew why Kaito and his uncle hadn't wanted him watching TV yesterday. On screen was a picture of flaming wreckage.
"Flight 67184, heading for Los Angeles, California, crash-landed yesterday after an attempted highjacking. There were no survivors. The highjackers-" He muted it and put his head in his hands. He'd tried not to go this way, but it had been out of his hands. The kids...they'd all think he was dead. They shouldn't have to deal with that sort of loss so early. He let it go and cried, silently sobbing for the death of his alias, of all those passengers, and of part of the innocence of the Shounen Tantei.
Seven days later, he was back. For good, they all hoped. Well, it was no matter anyway, tomorrow he was moving in with his mom and brother. As Shin'ichi sat against the fountain, rain falling upon his figure, he closed his eyes and began to sing, actually focusing on it, meaning that he didn't accidentally slip into the tone-deafness that had become habit. It wasn't his fault Yuusaku had tricked him into singing off-key so much when he was younger that it became his default singing voice.
A voice cries out
Into the night
Hoping for the love
That they left behind
She's always waiting
She's always there
She smiles at me
How can she still care?
I can see her
But she can't see me
I'm always watching
Why must this be?
I've always loved her
But if that's so
How could I do this?
I do not know
She's always waiting
She's always there
She smiles at me
How can she still care?
As he sang under the rain, he caught the attention of two people. One, walking through the forest, was attracted by the beautiful and yet saddening tune. But when they saw just who it was that was singing, they froze in shock before rushing over to him.
"SHIN'ICHI!" Mouri Ran cried out as she ran over to him, joy evident in her eyes. Said boy just stared listlessly up at her, blue eyes dimmed, not in pain, but in sadness. Ran grew scared as he just continued to stare at him with those eyes.
"Shin'ichi, are you alright?" He closed his eyes, but soon opened them again, this time a small glimmer of...something...in those depths. He stood up as well, and put a small smile on his face.
"I finished the case," he said, almost too quiet to be heard over the sound of the rain. Ran stared at him for a moment, confused, before realization struck her.
"You mean, the one that's kept you away for so long?" He nodded. "That's great! Oh, I'm so glad Shin'ichi!" She tried to hug him to congratulate him, but he put his arm up to stop her. She stared at him, confusion evident in her eyes.
"Shin'ichi, what's wrong? You're acting strange." He hung his head.
"I-I'm sorry. I just can't do this anymore. I may be back, for good this time, but I just can't do this. I've always had issues with my feelings before, and this case has helped me with them, so I'll just go out and say it. Ran, I love you." At her eyes, widening with joy, he shook his head. "No, Ran-chan, let me finish. I love you, but things are just so different now. I've been lying to you, ever since that day at the amusement park, and I just can't handle it anymore. I can't be with you, no matter how much I want it."
"Shin'ichi, it's okay. Everything will be fine..."
"NO IT WON'T!" Ran was taken aback by his sudden yelling. "Ran. That day, at Tropical Land, I got into some bad business. Some dangerous guys gave me a poison that, instead of killing me, gave me...gave me the body of my 6-year-old self. Ran-oneesan...I'm Conan." He pulled out the glasses and put them on before continueing and Ran's eyes widened as things fell into place. "I've been lying to you, saying I can't see you, when I see you every day, suffering because of my selfishness. I can't see you anymore now, because now all I see is that anguised, yet hopeful look you get after you talk to me. And it makes me hate myself!
"Shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu? That's a laugh now. I can't even really tell who I am anymore. Am I Kudou Shin'ichi, high school detective, the great detective of the East, the Heisei Holmes, presumed missing? Or am I Edogawa Conan, the elementary school student, member of the Shounen Tantei, thought to be dead? Or the newest one, am I Kuroba Shin'ichi, one of the twin sons and heirs of the great magician Kuroba Toichi?" His shoulders sagged and he turned around. "Good bye Ran, maybe forever." He sped off into the surrounding trees.
Ran tried to follow, but a *crunch* as she stepped forward stopped her. She bent over and found Conan-ku...no, Shin'ichi's fake glasses, the right side now crushed. All she could do is watch the neverending rain around her.
Shin'ichi ran straight through the forest, stopping only when the forest became the steep drop of the floodgates. "So, you were listening?" A figure stepped out of the trees behind him, dressed all in white, cape billowing in the wind. "Shouldn't you be running from Nakamori-keibu about now?" KID walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, oddly solemn.
"Already done. It wasn't the one. I'm sorry, though. If I had known, I wouldn't have..." Shin'ichi broke him off mid-sentence.
"No. I'm happy you did. Otherwise...otherwise, I might have gone through life believing the lies that controlled my life for so long. Now," He looked at his brother, a small sparkle of resolution in his blue eyes. "What time is it?" The distant clock tower struck 9 times, saving Kaito's breath.
Kaito smiled. "Time to fly, Kaitou Shinku," he said before jumping off, his hang-glider coming to life above him. Shin'ichi shook his head at his brother's antics and jumped after him, his Shin'ichi clothes falling away to reveal a scarlet suit and cape, the undershirt white and the tie blue. His monocle was gold, the hat and clover charm both as red as the suit. He flew off after his brother into the night.
Kuroba...Shinichi...Kaitou...Shinku...
The next day, when Kaito was sitting at his desk before school started, Aoko approached him, her face worried."Okay, what's up Kaito? You've barely done anything the past two weeks. You haven't even flipped my skirt in a week. Is something wrong?"
Kaito grinned. "Oh, did you miss that? Sorry Ahoko, give me a sec." Quickly he ducked down and peeked. "Oh, blue! Should've known." Aoko's face rapidly grew to an atomic red.
"BAKAITO!" She screamed, pulling a mop from out of nowhere and chasing him around the classroom. Laughing, he gave her the slip and sat back down at his desk, where he was met by his second-favorite detective.
"What do you want, Hakuba-kun?" Hakuba crossed his arms.
"I too have been wondering what's wrong, Kuroba-kun. You've been acting oddly ever since you stole the Blue Peach. Did something happen afterwards?"
"Hey, I didn't steal the Blue Peach. How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not KID?"
"As you say. But did something happen recently?" Kaitou grinned at the question.
"You'll see in a minute." Hakuba was about to respond in kind when the homeroom teacher walked in, so he opted instead to sit back down at his desk.
"Good, everyone's seated. Good news everyone, we'll have two new people joining us. One of them you will be meeting later, but for now I'd like you to meet our new transfer student. Would you come in?" When the new student walked in, all eyes went from him to Kaito, who just sat sat there, wide grin in place. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"
"Fine. Hi, I'm Kuroba Shin'ichi. I like mysteries and coffee. No, I am not taken. Any questions?" He ended with a toothy grin. Everyone sweatdropped. Yep, definately related to Kaito.
It was break between homeroom and the first class of the day, which happened to be English. All the girls (plus Hakuba) were crowded around Shin'ichi's desk, which was right behind Kaito's.
"Come on girls," Shin'ichi managed to utter over the chatter they were making. "I can't answer everyone at once. We need to do this nice and civilized. Now...you." He pointed at Hakuba, who raised an eyebrow.
"Are you actually Kudou Shin'ichi-san?"
"Mmmm, nope! I was born Kuroba Shin'ichi. I've certainly been called that before though. Can't do anything about it, but personally I think I look much better than him. More roguish."
Before anyone else could say anything, their English teacher walked in.
"Alright everyone, settle down, settle down." Once everyone was seated, she smiled. "Well, this is certainly a day for new things. The staff here at Ekoda High would like to introduce our newest member, filling the new post of assistant English teacher. Come on in, deary." The door slid once again, to reveal a young lady, clearly just out of high school. She was tall, just as tall as Shin'ichi and Kaito. She was clad in a pure midnight-violet, altered kimono that had normal three-quarter sleeves and ended instead at mid-calf . Her eyes were a blue so icy they were almost silver. And her hair was almost pure silver, only a hint of blue accented by the blue rose tucked behind her left ear.
"Hello, my name is Youko Aoi. I like codes and language. I hope we get along."
The two brothers' sets of eyes met. This...was going to be trouble.
Paichuu: The Chinese alcohol also known as baijiu and paikaru
Shounen Tantei: Detective Boys
Shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu: There is only one truth
Ahoko: Combination of Aoko, her name, and ahou, meaning idiot
Bakaito: Combination of Kaito, his name, and baka, meaning idiot
Yea, Aoi was an important character from the start. She's a teenage detective, what did you expect? No worries, she won't end up with either of our boys.
I think my muse is laughing at me. While this chapter has half-way done for me already, 4 chapters in a day and a half is still killer. Hope you all enjoy it! And I hope this is the last I see of you all for a few days, at least. Review! It honestly hopes, and I could use some criticism, I've gotta be doing something wrong. Nobody's perfect ya know...
Ja ne~!
PS: I was asked this, and no, the Kudous aren't dead. Remember, they were headed for London. But that was the plane the 'Edogawas' were supposed to be on. It wasn't quite just a need to get rid of Conan, he was already pretty well handled. You'll all see. All I'll say is that all lies eventually crumble.
