Huh, not many people reviewed that last chapter. What happened? Did I drive you off with my terrible writing?

If you're still reading, it'd be great if you could drop a review to tell me what you think. Just subscribing makes me wonder if you don't like the story but just want to see what happens.

But thanks for the reviews, and read away.

XxXxX

As Conan slept, he dreamed.

He was in a cluttered room that was full of boxes and shelves. Posters and photos hung on the wall. Curious, Conan wandered over to look. His eyes widened.

The photos were photos of him.

On one wall, Kudo Shinichi's life was displayed. There were a few photos of him as a baby, more from his elementary school days, and the most from his middle and high school years. A few newspaper clippings were pinned to the wall, most of them about the Heisei Holmes's many exploits and cases.

The photos ended with a picture of him and Ran at Tropical Land, minutes before he had run to chase down Vodka.

Conan shivered and moved onto the next wall.

The next wall was dedicated to the life of Edogawa Conan. It began with him being found by the police, then him walking home from Agasa's house. It continued with pictures of the Shonen Tantei, Ai, Heiji, and—Conan looked carefully—him facing down Kaitou Kid for the first time.

"Wonder where he is," Conan thought out loud.

"Right here."

Conan whirled around.

Kaitou Kid stood behind him. Not Kaito, Kid. He was dressed in his full thief regalia, hat pulled low over his face. He grinned.

If he's here, then this must be...

"See? You really do need to clean out your head, tantei-kun."

"Whatever," Conan grumbled as he picked his way around the mess of boxes and stacks of paper. So this is my mind? I guess it is a bit messy in here…

"These bookshelves are interesting," Kid said abruptly. "Look." He took a book of the shelf and opened it.

In the book was were a series of photos, laid out rather like the panels in a comic book. Conan watched as they showed Kudo Shinichi chasing Vodka, knocked out by Gin, ingesting the APTX 4869, and waking up a little boy.

My memories...

"Yeah," Conan said finally. "That's how it happened."

Kid frowned. "I would ask you about it, but I think you're about to slip into a different dream soon. You're blurring."

Eh? Conan looked down. Everything seemed normal. It was the room, and Kid, that was fading.

"Sweet dreams, tantei-kun," Kid said as he faded. "I'll be in here, looking through your head."

"Hey—" Conan began, but he slipped into a different dream.

He flew on a giant raven towards the lightning-filled sky…

The witch cackled on her broomstick, magic crackling around her fingers….

Tall buildings loomed beneath him, the wind blew...I can fly!

Shadows danced and blurred, forming the shapes of Gin, Vodka, and Vermouth…

The earth shook. Something was shaking him, calling his name…

"Conan-kun? Conan-kun!"

"Eh?" Conan woke up. He opened his eyes blearily, staring up at Ran's frowning face.

"You've got to get up, Conan-kun. You'll be late for school."

Conan sat up, blinking tiredly.

Kaito?

Mmm, yeah?

Was that dream….with you and the book inside my head...real?

Conan sensed Kaito's amusement. Of course, tantei-kun. Would you mind if I moved some of your memories around?

Yes, I would.

Mmm-hmm….Oh hey, here's the trash can! I wonder what happens if I drop something in?

Stop! You…

He gave up. The upcoming day of school would be more than enough retribution.

The journey to school was the same as usual. Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi chattered on about Kamen Yaiba and video games and TV. Ai and Conan lagged behind. Conan, while walking, had a lengthy discussion with Kaito about how he had to go to school EVERY DAY, no exceptions.

Look, I don't understand what's the big deal about this. You know all this—at least, you should know it, so why can't you just ditch school or at least skip a grade or two?

Ditching school would just get me into trouble. Skipping grades would attract way too much attention. Ran's suspicious enough already without me knowing things that are more than four grades above my age.

…...I guess it makes sense….

Okay, there's gonna be a 'but' there. What?

That doesn't change the fact that it's really, really, boring!

You'll get used to it.

The school day began decently normally. Kaito tried to remain silent. He succeeded for about twenty minutes.

Gah! So boring! This is your fault, tantei-kun. ENTERTAIN ME!

I am trying to concentrate, here.

There's nothing for me to do. I mean, all the books that are in here are all Sherlock Holmes!

Books?

Apparently, this one shelf holds all the books you've read recently or really liked. Must be something about subconscious memory….but almost all of them are about Sherlock Holmes!

I can't help it!

BUT SERIOUSLY! I—

Be yelling is giving me a serious headache. Conan massaged his forehead, grimacing.

Kaito's mental voice suddenly turned sly. Tell you what, tantei-kun. I'll shut up….

If?

You let me go through your head some more.

No way.

Fine. Kaito was silent for about five seconds, then started singing.

Ten million bottles of beer on the wall, ten million bottles of beer! Take one down and pass it around, nine million, nine-hundred and ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine bottles of b—

Shut up, shut up, shut up! Alright, fine.

Yay!

Conan immediately felt another disturbing sensation go through his head. Sighing, he turned back to the multiplication table he was supposed to be filling out.

Kaito was silent, except for a few muffled giggles.

Do I need to know what you're looking at?

Nope. Kaito sounded gleeful. This is gold.

I'm going to regret this later.

Lunchtime passed without much incident. Conan played soccer with a group of other boys that included Genta and Mitsuhiko. He ended up kicking the winning goal, which prompted Ayumi to latch on to him with a squeal of, "Conan-kun is so good!"

Wow, Kaito commented. You've got a girlfriend already? How cute.

What? No! It's not like that, baka.

What about that Haibara girl?

Not her, either!

So you admit you like Mouri Ran?

Wait—

But wouldn't that produce some...awkward situations?

Those words brought a wave of carefully forgotten memories to the front of Conan's mind. Kaito read them in astonishment.

What? OH! Oh, oh, ha ha ha! That is so great! Whoa, what is that? Man!

You. Conan tried to think of a suitable threat, but then he realized that he couldn't do anything to someone who was in his own head.

Me. Hi.

Oh, never mind.

The whole school day passed. Kaito kept himself occupied by going through Conan's thoughts. Conan acted as if nothing was different.

"Conan-kun!"

"Mmm?" Conan turned and saw Ayumi, Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ai waiting for him. "We're going to get ice cream, Conan-kun! Wanna come?"

Kaito perked. Eh? Ice cream?

Conan felt a burst of inspiration. "Sure!"

Ice cream? I LOVE ice cream! Especially chocolate...mmm.

It's not like you can actually EAT it, you know.

Kaito was silent as the realization hit him.

But….that's not fair!

Conan laughed, drawing a curious glance from Ai. They were almost at the nearest ice cream shop now.

I'll be sure to get chocolate, Kaito.

You!

Me.

By then they had reached the ice cream shop. Conan smirked and walked up to the counter. "One chocolate ice cream, please."

Tantei-kun….

Conan took the ice cream and took a big lick. "Mmm, this is really, really, good!" He said loudly, attracting a half-amused, half-suspicious stare from Ai.

I hate you.

Yeah, yeah, whatever. Conan laughed and took another bite.

XxXxX

Not much plot in this one, sorry! I tried to add a bit more funny stuff to make up for the last chapter.

And what did you think? Review please!