It didn't take me over a month! (listens for gasps from her readers) And technically this should've been up nearly half a week ago, I just needed the time to sit down and edit it... So here ya go! An early chappy! (just be happy this didn't' get posted on or around April first.. or you would've ended up with a April fools one instead XD I've actually got it on my computer :grins ebilly: but since all my reviewers have been soooo sweet I couldn't be that cruel)

Disclaimer: Did I remember to mention that last chappy? Nope sorry to disappoint you.. for one I'm defiantly female and defiantly not Japanese so these charries don't belong to me... XD

Chapter Four: An Unexpected Guest

When Kaito waltzed into the window of the Great Detective of the East at three AM in the morning the last thing he expected to see was the man throwing down his head in despair yelling, "I give up!"

"Give up what?"

Shinichi jumped to his feet to face the figure behind him.

A plain looking boy who could be Shinichi's twin leaned against the door with a raised eyebrow inspecting the frazzled detective.

"KID?'

"Oh come now... is that any way to greet your old adversary?" The young man grinned, eyes filled with mischief.

"That's Kuroba Kaito alright," grinned Shinichi back, he came over and the two old friends embraced.

"Why are you back in town?"

The man frowned, "I'll tell you in a bit- But first I want to know why the Great Detective of the East looks as though he's going to have a nervous break down at this ungodly hour."

"Its just-"

"And don't try telling me its a case Kudo. Your the one who can figure out its me in disguise before I even know I'm in disguise," the thief looked at him evenly.

"Fine." Shinichi sagged into his chair looking exhausted. After a few moments he said quietly, "Do you... Do you still think about Aoko?"

Emotions were swept off Kaito's face. His poker face was instilled in seconds but his back stiffened visibly. "Why?"

"Do you? Just answer the question..."

"No Kudo. I never think about her. I just go on with my life never thinking about the only woman I ever loved. I never think about the thing that keeps me going each day, the reason I left Japan." His voice dripped with bitter sarcasm and made the detective wince.

"Damn Kudo what kind of question is that? I haven't seen you in years, but you should know that I still think about Aoko! I mean I knew it would hurt when I had to leave her. Just going "poof!" one more trick from KID's hand bag. Then forcing myself lose touch. I have to think about her each day, every second I'm awake. Every time I go on a heist I still think she's going to show up with her Anti-KID signs and I'll at least see her. But I can't even do that. And then that time a couple weeks ago-" he suddenly shut up.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Kaito-" Kudo's voice was warning.

"I saw her a little bit ago. On that heist, the one I did when I got back. She's training under her father. I just saw a glimpse but it was enough." The thief shrugged, "Why are you asking?"

"Well... Its about Ran." Shinichi looked down, "I've... I've been having nightmare's again." He wanted to laugh at how ridiculous it sounded when spoken aloud.

Kaito stiffened a little more, shaking his head, "That's not all though?"

"No. Well. The day after the first dream I took a case and there was this little girl and well-" he trailed off.

"She's Ran's illegitimate child?" said Kaito grinning suddenly.

"No!"

"Well what then? Spit it out oh great detective!"

"She's living with me!"

Kaito froze. Stared at Kudo. Stopped. Then broke down in laughter.

"What?"

"Your joking right?" Kaito's grin broadened.

"Why would I?" Shinichi glowered at the other man.

"Well. I mean.. honestly Kudo I know you relived you childhood just a couple years back, but honestly? Kids? Kudo Touchan" he snickered madly, "And what does this have to do with Ran?"
Shinichi sighed, "It wasn't planned. Basically she needed somewhere to stay and I was not going to put that kid in police care. But I dunno- Damn Kaito that's the problem- I- I need to know. Has the Black Organization popped up for you again?"

"What?" The thief froze for the third time that night.

"You heard me."

"I-" Kaito sighed and nodded, "Yes. Fine. I- I got word that their were a few members who had restarted the branch here in Tokyo, note the last heist with the "black" amulet. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I guess knowing you-"
Shinichi cut him off.

"I think they're in the case dealing with the girl too."

Kaito's eyes widened, "What?"

"Would you please stop saying that! Yes Kaito I'm almost positive that girl's 'brother' was poisoned by a derivative of the APTX they fed to me, only difference? It did its job."

"Oh bloody hell... then they've already got their claws in. I meant to drag them out before this happened. But what does the little girl have to do with that? Unless you think they're going to use her like Ai or-"

"No. Nothing like that. Its... it's more like I don't think that was her brother, and I'm-"

Kaito frowned, "You don't believe-"

"Its the only thing left..."

"But you and Ai were the only..."

"I know."

"Then that girl."

"I think so."

A empty silence hung in the air, each man drowning in his own thoughts. Then Kaito finally asked the question Kudo had no wish to answer, "What does she have to do with Ran though?"

The tension could have been cut with a knife. Kudo buried his head in his hands, "I don't want to believe it Kaito. I don't. But it all matches to perfectly, everything. The her clothes, what she eats, what she says. Why she looks identical-"

"Slow down Kudo! What are you saying?" Kaito couldn't believe the detective before him. Usually cool and calm he seemed about to break down.

"I'm saying I think she's Ran!" Yelled the other man.

Dead silence.

Moments passed and then Kaito said something unexpected, "Why?"

"Because it fits. It all bloody well fits. Every piece. I mean she looks like Ran. Why she agreed to stay with me. How she knows so much. The way she moves, the way she acts, the way she speaks, the way she pushes back a strand of hair. Every time she gives me that look that says anything but a child. Why when I first saw her I almost broke down thinking about Ran. The nightmares, the Organization, the pills... It all fits! Damn it Kaito there's only one truth and this looks like it's it." Shinichi laid his head on his desk exhausted.

Kaito scowled, "How did you find her? Tell me the details.

Shinichi explained the case and everything that had happened in the last few weeks.

"Then could it be her? But why wouldn't she tell you?" Kaito frowned and Shinichi laughed hoarsely.

"Oh I don't know. Mabye because she doesn't want to get me involved? A thousand reasons and probably all of them the same ones why I never told her about Conan."

"Oh right." The thief sighed sitting back in his own chair.

"But I just can't accept it's her Kaito. I can't! I mean she's safe in America, I made sure of that when I came back." Shinichi frowned.

"And I would have heard around the office."

"Kudo." Kaito looked at him steadily, "You know, for the detective who can spot me a mile away in a women's clothing, and still trapped in chibi form? You can sure be an idiot."

"What?" Shinichi stared.

"You know its her. You just told me your sure its her, and I've never known your deductions to be wrong. Why don't you go out and ask her! Honestly you were stuck in the form of Conan for years and your telling me now that you can't go up to the little girl staying at your house and ask if she's your former girlfriend?"

"We never dated," growled Shinichi.

"Still... this should be a cinch after everything else. I only left Aoko as Kaito, and the foe she hated. You had to leave Ran as the two people she loved most-"

"Thanks for rubbing it in."

"Your welcome! Always happy to cheer up my favourite detective!"

"I should turn you in for that."

"Eh. Its not like it'd matter?" Kaito sighed, " It's not like I have Aoko anymore, and on the plus side I'd probably see her again." he laughed mirthlessly "I can see it now... The love of my life coming in while I'm sitting behind bars in jail. 'Oh hi Aoko! Long time no see? Sorry for not calling you but since my night job might have gotten you killed I thought it'd be better to leave you and let someone worthy have you. Oh did I mention that I love you?' Yeah... really romantic."

"You shouldn't be so cynical Kuroba."

"Eh, its only when you pen me up in your house at 3 am while you interrogate me about my personal life." Kaito shrugged. "Here I was going to stop by and joke with you a bit, but instead I find you in shambles and now it looks like we're both gonners." Kaito chuckled.

"You know I sometimes wonder if mabye it wouldn't have been better for us to tell them the truth?"

"Probably. So any ideas on what I should do?" Kudo looked at the thief worriedly.

Kaito shrugged, "Well if your that desperate you could spike her drink."

"What?"

"You know. Give her a tea or something, and put some of that liquor in it-"

"Kuroba Kaito, what on EARTH are you talking about! I am not going to get a kid tipsy just to get out information! I'm shocked you'd even think about it!" Shinichi was staring at him in utter shock.

"No! Honestly Kudo listen to what I'm saying! I'm talking about that liquor stuff! Oiy what did you call it? You know that Chinese Golden sake, or wine, or whatever it was Hattori fed you..."

"Oh that stuff."

"Yeah. Worked for like an hour remember? On both you and Ai from what I understand. So just Spike her drink, see if she changes. If she doesn't-" he shrugged.

Kudo gave him a blank glare then hit his forehead. "Oh of all the stupid- Yes Kaito. Thats exactly what I should do. Spike a little girls drink. Thats not illegal at all! Never!"

Kaito went crimson, "Well you said you're desperate."

Kudo went on, "'Yes Sir. You want to know why I got the little girl drunk? Oh because I thought she was actually a friend of mine shrunk into the body of a little girl.' Some how I don't think that's going to be a legitimist excuse for the police Kaito. Either I'll end up in jail or they'll finally have decided Kudo Shinichi went insane... I'm suppose to be taking care of the little girl, and your telling me to spike her drink!"

"Ah- I see your point."

"Honestly Kaito sometimes I wonder how you've survived this long as a thief."

"Funny Kudo. Very funny. Really, it was just a thought."

Shinichi sighed, "It's not that I don't' see your point. Actually, I think it would work- however I do not have the motive to resort to that yet. Even if it is Ran. Honestly? Can you see me giving a kid liquor?"

"You could always get Hattori to do it" said Kaito grinning.

"And face Kazuha's wrath? You've got to be joking me."

"Point taken."

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I actually didn't like the way this ended very much so I'll hurry to get the next chappy up (which is already pretty far written) However there was really no where else for me to end where it would still work. The next chappy should be coming up soon!

Now to my reviewers.. my dearly beloved reviewers:

Clamowamo: See! I'm getting better! Glad your enjoying the story so far!

Adam: Hehehe I hope this gives you some more hints. As you can tell Kudo's not taking it easy.

Sadie Janelle: LOL sorry for the wait! at least you stayeeeed though! (grins)

MichelleTheresa: Wow thanks! That really makes me feel better. My main worry here has been the clique-ness of the idea... but that helps a lot! I'm glad you like it so far... my hope was to take a different perspective not the usual ideas. Yeah these first couple chappys tend to be slow for me... but if they haven't now then it should these next couple chappys! I'll try to watch for the misspellings also! thanks for the note!

Lady Mirror: (giggles) Well Fyliwion is glad you really liked the last update! Hehehe And yes talking to oneself does help one remember many things! Thank you for your wonderful review! Heheheh its even more fun when one has had her own share of chocolate and soda (grins) Because sugar is the source of all good things!

Michelle: Well thank you! I love Kaito too! Hope this chappy is to your liking.

Sapphirestars: Thanks! Its good to know Eri worked out well! I don't usually work to much with her charrie! Your reviews are really sweet thankees again!

YumeTakato: Heheh yup all betters now! I tried to make this update much faster! Thanks for your comments!

Amaya Hanyou: ((giggles)) Here ya go! Another update (winks) And hey... I've done quite a few review dances too ((giggles)) makes me happy that someone would want to for my story XD