Hiya guys !

We're getting near the end of this first arc, I'll give you a break from those cliffhangers I appreciate so much, enjoy ; )

Have fun reading, thanks for coming ^_^

o.O.o

WisteriaReads : That's why I always try again from time to time things I don't like... I may love them now, like you and the roller coasters ; ) Oh yes, it would be so so much easy, right ? :p So, nah, this is not the last time we'll hear from the BO in this fic, I can tell you that ! Though don't expect them to shot at themselves^^ And yes, the boys are reunited again, for the first time in 7 chapters, it was about time : ) - I'll bet on the unlucky type, I don't see Conan being a criminal, even in a previous life, when you see the urge he has to find them !

Boogum : Haha, with his personality, he could have but the fic would have stopped there then o.O Leaving him alone in a BO hideout ? They'd so kill him^^;

JarayZ : Oh, thank you ! I imagine them pretty well in my head but I always feel like I'm a bit messy when I write them so that's reassuring if it's not too obvious :3 Yep, hospital for... Well, you'll see ; ) - Well, there isn't a cliff all the time but it's better to be prepared xD

bobbyneko : Glad to entertain you with my action scenes ; ) We'll go back to a calmer pace for the next chapter but don't worry, action will be soon back ^^

Mystery0028 : Oh, this is just a small one... for once ; )

EmYasmina : Oh yea, more things you may like to come ; ) See you later on the french reviews ! (no spoilers on the chapters not published in French please :p) And thanks for reviewing, perfect enlish or not, it's still great you're trying ; )

mmaallek : Thank you ! For the update time, I'm still finishing/editing / translating the story but I'll soon be able to publish twice a week, around mid-July probably. More Hattori in this chapter, yes :p As to your last question, I think you may see the beggining of the answer at the end of this chapter : )


Chap 8 : Explanations


"- Where to ?" The professor asked, looking at Conan through the inside mirror.

"- Hospital of course ! Look at them, they all need to go there..." The little scientist snapped before the boy could even answer.

"- With me supposed to be dead and an international Thief looking like my teenage self ?" The small detective pointed out, shaking his head. "Bad idea... We'll have to find another way to patch us up.

- Am I that other way ? " She asked with a flat glare. "Why do you all seem to think I'm a nurse ?" Ai added, rolling her eyes when she saw Conan's small nod. "I don't do stitches and you all look like you need some...

- How is Hattori by the way ?" The boy enquired, turning his head towards the Kid.

"- He's stable but I think a bullet touched him on the side..." He answered, removing Heiji's shirt and bulletproof jacket to check on the injury. "Bad news is that I can't find any exit point, he needs surgery and that means going to the ER, there isn't any other way..." He added after a short examination, taking the teen's shirt to try to compress the wound.

"- Ok. Hakase, let's bring him at Beika general, that way you'll be able to drop the three of us on the way near your house. I'll have some real medic to come there."

The old man nodded and pressed a bit stronger the car's accelerator.


The bespectacled man had a sigh when he removed Conan's shirt when he spot the various shades of the bruises the child had over his body.

"- I know I'm not supposed to ask anything, Conan-kun, but this is..." He shook his head. "You've been beaten, that I clearly see.

- I'm sorry, Araide-sensei but I can't...

- ... I know. And you're still in better shape than I thought a few days ago... When Ran-san called me to inform me you were...

- Can you please keep it for yourself a little more ?" The small detective asked with a pledging look.

"- Is that still about the FBI ? " The doctor didn't go on when he saw Conan's closed face. "Well, if I can't ask any question, at least I can treat you. Can you lay down on the couch ? I need to check that arm."

The boy obeyed, under Kaito's concerned eyes. Araide had started with him, to stop the bleeding from his shoulder and he was now the "lucky" owner of a dozen of fresh stitches, split between his different wounds. They weren't incapacitating, but it still felt better to be able to move without fearing to leave a blooding trace behind oneself, above all when your line of work implied some secrecy. He was now happily biting into a sandwich, able at last to fill his empty stomach, while casually chatting with his Nemesis, as if they'd been friend forever, leaving the serious subjects for when they'd be alone.

Thirty minutes later, Ai closed the door on the doctor with a thanks, relieved not to have been forced to nurse someone again : being a biochemist, this wasn't exactly her field of expertise. Araide, on his side, left with the frown that he'd kept all his visit long and Conan was hoping he was going to held his promise : being a relative of the Mouri's, he was due to meet them someday and lying wasn't really his thing.

The boy sat down in Agasa's couch with a sigh of relief, exchanging the pack of ice he was maintaining against his left eye with his second sandwich from the plate in front of him, a bit annoyed by the sling the medic has insisted to put to maintain his wounded shoulder ('that or hospital for a plaster!').

"- Sooo, where to start... ? " He wondered, looking in the Thief's eyes, while Ai was settling near him to join them on the couches.

"- Perhaps by how a great Meitantei like you got kidnapped so easily on that heist ?" The girl smirked, though her usual flat glare was a bit more tender this time, lacking of her traditional ice-cold feeling that she couldn't display yet, afraid as she had been to lose him.

"- Tsk, I've been so stupid about this..." The detective sighed, face palming as he was annoyed at the memory of his own foolishness. " I won't say I should have seen that coming but... When I noticed a second Nakamori, and one trying to get my attention, I thought it was you, Kid." He explained, looking at the teen with a faint smile. "That maybe you needed my help for something...

- Haha, a detective eager to help a thief ? Such a great heart, Tantei-kun !

- Stop it, I know I've been a baka... " Conan shook his head. "So, of course, up there I didn't find any Kaitou Kid, just two men who got me by surprise... They knocked me out and, when I woke up, I was in a car and I could see they took off my shoes, glasses and watch... They put it on a dummy I guess ?

- Yes, the police found all those on...

- The other body... " Kid finished as he saw the little scientist wasn't really in the mood to use macabre vocabulary.

"- I could hide a tracing sticker under my tongue, before we arrived, and that was a good idea as they got rid of everything else I was wearing... I left the tracker in my cell there and the next night, they were taking me to that building you found me."

The boy turned at Ai, showing a dead serious face.

"- Haibara, I don't know how but they know... They know about the shrinking side effect of the APTX..."

The girl froze at the news, looking horrified as Conan spoke of 'shrinking' in front of the Thief.

"- Don't worry, he knows." The boy pointed out, taking back his pack of ice with a sigh. "Though, once again, I don't know how.

- I wouldn't be able to call myself a professional thief if I couldn't get through that secret after our many encounters, Tantei-kun" The Kudô-like winked mischievously.

"- To be honest... " The little scientist had quickly composed herself back thanks to the detective's assurance. " I was expecting something like that... I mean, why would they plan such a complicated kidnapping, making it seem as if you were dead if it wasn't to be sure they'd have all the time they'd need to study you or get any sensitive information from you... But that would mean I'm not safe here anymore. And that you shouldn't go back into the "living" 's world, Edogawa-kun.

- I'm not sure for you, as they never got any hint that you could have taken the drug to escape. And that time they saw you, you were adult-sized." Conan shook his head before going back to an extremely pensive state. " As to me... Yes, I know I have to think about that possibility...

- Want a disguise ?" The Kid taunted, feeling the mood was getting pretty dark, not exactly the kind he enjoyed.

"- One like yours ? You could have drawn a target on your face and plant on your head a sign 'shot me' that you would have gotten the same result..." The detective glared. "What was all that about ? And how did you got involved ? Above all with Hattori...

- Ahh, this is a long and interesting story... " He smiled, taking the tone of a storyteller, ready to entertain his - reduced - public.

o.O.o

"- ... and after a lil drug-induced nap, I woke up by your side !

- And a bullet wound. Told you, using my teenage face is like asking for being shot nowadays...

- I was ready for some sacrifices for my favourite critic..." The Thief smiled, silently laughing at the detective's rolled eyes.

"- Well it looks like wearing that white tuxedo wasn't that good for the health either, lucky he had a bulletproof vest under..." Ai pointed out, remembering that moment she found the Osakan detective.

"- Tantei-han's been attacked ?!

- Yes during that heist... Apparently some men were waiting for him... for you at the top of the building..."

The Kid frowned, a bit annoyed by the fact his accomplice for that one night had to deal with what was probably his Organisation...

"- Well, the bullets ended in the vest and, even if the landing was harsh, he managed to flee with your glider..." She felt the need to add when she saw the Thief's worried face.

"- Any friend of yours ?" Conan wondered at the teen's reaction.

"- Yea... Kinda like your Organisation... But specialized in big jewels. For the rest, it's the same : guns, black suits, weird codenames, though they prefer animals apparently...

- Looks like I'm not the only one having fun at work." The child added with an ironic smile.

"- So your idea of fun is crawling in an air vent pipe while being chased by armed men ?

- Haha, nah, this is perhaps 'over' fun, I admit..." The detective shrugged embarrassingly. He then turn to the girl. "By the way, how did you find us ?

- I forced Hattori-kun to let us bring him to that building with the car. And then we tried to watch out for you with that other spare glasses of yours, the one with the bulletproof right eye's glass.

- Oh, was that from that case, with the Russian killer beauty ? " Kid remembered with a small chill. " Was a bit dangerous that time...

- Yea, nice "Shiratori-keibu" disguise by the way." Conan felt the need to add, at the memory of that time the Thief helped him under the inspector's identity.

"- Thanks." The teen made a little bow with the head, a smirk on his face. "My disguise must have been perfect, to fool even you almost until the end. Wished I had the time to do something of that quality when we were investigating with Tantei-han, it was a bit hard to escape in that hideout where one of those guys recognized him..." He sighed, a bit guilty.

"- You can't be perfect every time..." The boy concluded with a bit of irony. "Eh, wait ? Hattori's been seen infiltrating a BO's base ?!

- Yea, the man was from Osaka, probably part of the team that kidnapped you back there, he apparently knew pretty well your friend's face so, even with the small disguise, hard to say he doubted it was him... What ?" The Kid added, when he saw the small detective was turning as white as a sheet.

"- Declaration." Haibara pointed out, a bit paler also. "All the patients with bullet wounds arriving at the ER are declared to the police via a specific file.

- And I'm almost sure the BO has some members in the MPD..." Conan explained with a concerned face, getting up of the couch, letting go of the ice bag he had in his hand.

"- You think they could be looking for him ?" The Thief worried, a bit impressed by the long range scope of Tantei-kun's Organization.

"- Perhaps not him specifically but they also know they wounded some of us during tonight's operation so if you add to this that specific name... I need to go there !

- You're supposed to be dead, you can't just walk in the hospital, Kudô-kun. Let me warn the professor, we'll tell him to be careful." The girl proposed, taking out his phone.

"- He won't last long if they come with guns, I'll go.

- You can't."

They fought a moment silently, eyes into the ones of the other.

"- I could disguise Tantei-kun and myself to go there..." The magician dared to intervene after a few minutes. "With a little bit of material..."

Conan turned to him, light on his face.

"- That's an idea ! Will you be happy this way ? " He asked the girl with a flat glare.

"- ... Yea." She admitted after a short silence. "Though you'll have to find a way to justify your presence at that detective's side.

- Don't worry, I'll find something. Kid, there should be everything you need at my parents house.

- Good, I'm going to check. I'd need one or two things from my vest, would you happen to know where it is ?" The thief asked to the little scientist.

"- I got it just here, I'm fetching it." She answered getting up. "We took the liberty of giving back the diamond to the police, for your information.

- Thank you for looking after my reputation "He winked to the girl.

"- I wasn't... " Ai tried to argue before being interrupted.

"- And I think I'll need you to fetch something else... " He said, looking strangely at the child, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.


"- Girls ?! You couldn't find anything else ?

- Easiest way for a quick disguise, with a sex change, most people won't even look at you. And you needed a wig with a long fringe to hide that wound of yours above the eye..."

Conan rolled his eyes but kept walking, not really at ease in one of Haibara's dresses and the long fake hair tickling his now dark skinned face.

"- I can't get how they can wear those, I feel like I can't move...

- You should have gone for a shorter one, like mine ! " The Kid smiled, turning on himself to prove his moves were free, though his wounded leg was still a bit stiff.

"- Careful, one inch further and we'll see what we are not supposed to see, Kid." The boy smirked as the skirt was flying and revealed higher and higher parts of the Thief's legs.

"- Interested ?

- You wish...

- Maybe, maybe..." The teen said with a malicious smile.

"- And I was talking about your bullet wound, that's not really girlish to have fresh stitches and to show them. Ok, we're there. "The boy said, getting serious again, turning his head to look at the hospital's facade.

"- Remember to mind your Kansai-ben !

- I know...

- Where did the professor say he was already, when the small girl called him?

- Surgery is over, so Hattori's back to his room." Conan took out his phone to check the time. "7:10 a.m., we should be able to come in if we say we are family.

- But we're family ! We're his adorable little sisters !" A girlish voice answered him, tainted with an Osakan accent, perhaps a bit lighter than Heiji's but still perfectly recognizable.

"- ... Let's go in then."


"- Room 213, here we are." The Thief stated, when they reached the white wooden door.

"- I thought we'd never reach there, with them not willing to let us in for one damn half hour..." The small detective sighed, shaking his head. "Lucky that guy was more interested by what he thought was your cleavage than the rules about visits...

- Don't underestimate a pair of tights in a bra for a good boobs impression." The teen grinned, puffing out his fake chest.

The boy had a small smile and turned to knock on the door.

"- Hakase, it's us.

- Shinichi... ?" They heard him whisper before the door opened. "... Who are you, misses ?" The old man asked with a smile.

"- Kai-chan and Shin-chan, Heiji's little sisters of course !

- Of course..." Agasa giggled before letting them in.

Conan went in first, heading to the bed while the Thief was closing the door.

"- How is he ? " He asked, using his normal voice, looking at the child grabbing a chair to sit near his friend. He then observed the other detective, spotting some white bandage around his head. The Osakan was out but he was looking now quite better, as if he was just sleeping peacefully.

"- Nothing too serious." The old man assured them. "He passed out from the concussion he had before, not blood loss. The wound wasn't as bad as we feared, they could retrieve the bullet easily, it was just below the skin. He's sleeping now, but that's due to the drugs, he shouldn't wake up in too long.

- A concussion ? " The small detective wondered, a bit surprised. " From that 'harsh landing' Haibara was speaking about ?

- Yes, they did a few stitches. But the other wounds were minor." The professor explained, before putting his hand in front of his mouth to hide a yawn.

"- You'd better go back home and take some rest, Hakase." Conan said, turning at him with a smile. "Thanks for the help tonight.

- Any time. I'm so glad you weren't... " The white-haired man's voice broke. " Well, good to see you again, Shinichi. I'll come back later today."

At the boy's nod, the man went out, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"- You should do the same, Tantei-kun.

- Nah, it's ok.

- It's not." The Thief shook his head negatively. "You've been kidnapped for several days, beaten, deprived of food and sleep. You can't be ok. I'll watch both of you, take a bit of rest, you need it."

The fake child looked into the teens eyes a few moments.

"- Thank you." He said, as he didn't want to admit his relief for being at last able to take a few hours sleep. "For that and everything you did to find me these last days.

- Don't mention it !" Kid said with a warm smile.

"- I have to. Wake me up if anything happens.

- Yep."


"- Kudô ?"

Conan jumped out of his sleep when he recognized his best friend voice and what was probably his hand on his arm. He had slept half on the bed, his head on the top of his right arm on the sheets, the left still stuck on his body due to his sling. Someone - he had a pretty good idea of who was that "someone" - had put a blanket on his shoulders.

"- Hi, Hattori." He yawned, rubbing one of his eyes before stopping as he remembered he had some make-up.

"- I was wonderin' if some girl got lost into my room when I first woke up... That's a nice disguise ya got, pal." He grinned, looking at the now deeply tanned boy and his dress.

"- Shut up... I'm doing this for you, you know.

- Haha, yea, I'm moved.

- So, how are you feeling ? And where is that Thief ?" He wondered, looking around him and spotting no one else.

"- Mah, nothin' I can' manage." He shrugged. "As ta Kid, I sent him ta grab some food when I woke up. I'm hungry an' I bet ya're too. He'll prolly fetch a medic also, I guess. Ah, speaking o' the devil." Heiji stated, when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in !

- Ah, you're awake, Hattori-kun ?" A girl in her thirties in a nurse outfit asked when she came into the room. " I'm Amy, your nurse, I'm here for your medication.

- Hello !" He answered, looking at her taking a viol out of one of her pockets. "I thought I was already full o' drugs with that IV..." He joked, giving a sign of the head to the pouch at the top of his bed.

"- That should be the last injection. " She smiled, approaching the bed. "Oh what a cute girl ! Is she your sister ?

- Yea, but she's a bit shy, don' mind her." Heiji stated, ruffling the 'girl's ' hairs.

Conan smiled, staying as silent as possible, not really eager to have to use the Osaka-ben and a girlish way of speaking. He still frowned when the girl came near the bed, feeling something was off.

"- Nee, nurse-san..." He tried to ask, trying not to speak to fast to concentrate on playing his role. "That's a nice perfume ya have, is that a Ch*nel ?

- Oh, what a nose, little miss, yes it is, do you like it ?" She asked, preparing her needle.

"- It's a bit strong ta me... " The fake girl stated, grabbing discreetly the Osakan's hand and putting a slight pressure on it to have his attention. " I thought ya weren' allowed ta wear perfume at the hospital ?

- ... That's an urban legend ! " The nurse smiled with embarrassment, after a slight hesitation. "Of course we can !"

Heiji, after looking at Conan with interrogation in his eyes, also feeling something was wrong, was now watching the medic taking his IV in her hand to inject the drug it.

"- What is it by the way ? I got some allergies, ya know, I don' think ya've been warned...

- Oh, don't worry, you can't be allergic to that ! " She joyfully stated, ignoring his question.

"- I think I could, what is it ? " He insisted, now staring at her and the syringe in her hands.

"- No worries, I said, it's soon over..." She claimed and injected the drug into the plastic tube.

Both teens had the same reflex, though the Osakan was quicker, to remove the IV in Hattori's arm.

"- Hey, what are you doing?" She scolded, sounding a bit more pissed off than she should as a nurse.

"- An' ya, why didn' ya answer my question ?

- Are ya even a nurse ?" The small detective asked, looking at her suspiciously. "The perfume, then that... Ya didn' even asked how were his wounds. An' where is the doctor ?

- Tsk, I wanted it to go smoothly but you don't leave me with a lot of options, brats." The woman spitted, taking out a gun with a silencer that was hidden under her clothes in her back.

She took a few steps backwards to the door with the intention to close it.

"- Don't move, or I kill you both." The fake nurse said, her weapon pointed at them.

Both boys were staring at her when...

CLONG.

"- I knew it was important to make a detour to get those cans..." The Thief casually declared, looking at the cans in his arms, completely ignoring the girl he just knocked out on the floor.

Conan approached to take away her gun from her, though it seemed she would be unconscious for a while.

"- Everything all right, guys ?

- Uh yea... Thanks, I guess " Heiji answered, pressing his arm against him to avoid any bleeding due to the IV he ripped off. "What was that... ?

- Any time... I think that settles the question about the fact they recognized you or not..." The Thief concluded.

"- Yes, I can't prove it but I bet it's one of Them.

- Ya mean they recognized me from that bar ?

- Probably... This isn't good, Hattori. You have to hide, you can't stay there, they won't stop with that single attempt..." The boy stated, looking in his eyes with a serious face. "Let me call Hakase, I'll ask him to come to fetch us with his car."


And that's when I reached that point that I thought it would have really been a pity to stop the story after they found Conan, just as I originally planned... Lucky you :p (I hope ? ^^: )