I'm back and I really apologize for the late update! But trust me I worked my butt to write this! Couldn't find the right moment to end this…so forgive me!T^T

Warning!: OCC-ness , YAOI (boy X boy), Suggestive (Rated T for a reason) /

Disclaimer: No own, got it? Good :)

Marionette Act 11.

Kaito pulled out of the warm embrace and glared at the detective who just literary came back from the dead. "How did you know that it was me?" Kaito asked the other. "I never introduced myself to you—as KID, yes, but not as Kuroba Kaito.

"Well, let's not say the obvious here," Shinichi said as he chuckled. When Kaito still looked confused, Shinichi explained, "You LOOK like me. I knew that a long time ago since I found that you didn't need any masks to disguise as me."

"Ha-ha! Right…" Then Kaito turned serious and spoke, "You better explain this carefully, Shinichi."

Shinichi laughed nervously then gulped when he realized he had used his given name, not the nickname.

~.~.~.~.~

"How could you do this to me? You suddenly just end up dead then appear after FIVE years? And how are you alive in the first place?" Kaito shouted, angrily.

"Well, I'm not the only one who needs to explain, Kaito. Look at you; you look like you are just eighteen!"

"Have you EVER thought that maybe I just wanted to disguise as an eighteen year old?" Kaito defended.

"Hmm, not likely. You admitted that this was you REAL face, Kuroba Kaito-kun." Shinichi replied.

Kaito flinched at his mistake but stammered back, "B—but you are too! And I'm pretty sure you were just a perfectly normal 38 year-old just five years ago!" It was true. Shinichi looked like a high school student. Sure, he already had a young face but definitely not THIS young! Now he had no wrinkles that he used to have before and no more of his dark raven hair slowly turning gray. He looked exactly the same as he was in the old days when he was the famous high school detective. "Tell me just why I had to suffer those years for YOU!"

"Kaito, calm down… I was waiting…for you."

"What?"

"Well, I'll explain this more carefully later but it took me a year to fully recover and since you disappeared and stopped being Kid, I didn't know where to look for you. So I waited here…for five years for you to see me."

Kaito's eyes widened. "E-eh?"

"But I think I know where to find you now…Hitachi Shinichi-keiji." Kaito flinched at his name of his fake personal that he has been using for the last five years. "You are a police officer in Division 3? Well, who could know more about thieves than the famous Kaitou KID himself? But I'm surprised that you joined the police. Oh, and how sweet! You named yourself after me!" Shinichi exclaimed with an uncharacteristic, idiotic grin on his face.

Kaito blushed in dark red. "What—how?" Kaito exclaimed his eyes growing big.

"He he," Shinichi chuckled as he waved a wallet in front of the ex-thief, which looked so much like Kaito's own… "Did you lose your touch or you just always let your guard down in front of me?"

Kaito gasped. It was his wallet! "Shin-chan, you—" Kaito's eyes widened, growing into an impossible size. Then he sighed, his widening eyes slowly returning back to its normal size. Shinichi sighed inwardly too; Kaito just looked like his eyes could burst. Then the ex-thief's expression turned smug and tapped Shinichi on the back. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Barro," Shinichi grumbled as he elbowed his boyfriend, "It's nothing to be proud of."

"But STILL!" Kaito grinned idiotically. "I know! Let's have a heist together! We would make a great partner you know that? It's gonna be grand; because it would be Kaitou KID's comeback!"

Shinichi shook his head in annoyance. "I'm not going stealing, and so aren't you. And I thought you retired?"

"Well, I said it was a "comeback". And since you're back, there's no need to be sulky and depressed. That is SOOO not my thing."

Shinichi sighed but smiled softly. "So glad to be back then. Anyway let's go to my house. I need to explain, and it's a LONG story."

~.~.~.~.~

"Kai-chan!~" Yukiko squealed. "Aw, you two look adorable!" Kaito grinned while Shinichi flushed bright red and grumbled. However none denied it. "You have no idea I worried I was…for BOTH of you!" She scolded the two not-teens. Then she turned to her son, "Shin-chan!" Shinichi sent a do-not-call-me-by-that-name-glare, making his mother pout however she didn't comment.

That's when Kaito clung to his lover, "Shin-chan, don't be so mean!"

Yukiko's eyebrows rose in excitement and waited for Shinichi's reaction. But Shinichi only sighed in exasperation, swatting the arm away. Then his mother gasped, "How could you, Shin-chan? You let Kai-chan call you that and not you own mother?" She gave her best puppy dog eyes at her son.

Shinichi flinched and blushed. Then he stammered, "I—I do not! And don't make those weird eyes. It's disturbing, in an awkward way! You are nearing your seventies, Okaa-san!"

"It seemed to work for Yu-chan," the scolded ex-actress pouted.

Kaito couldn't help but laugh at the quelling between the mother and son. He just wished his mother was there too…

"KAITO!" A familiar voice screamed his name. Kaito froze and turned. It felt as if the whole world was in slow-motion.

"Kaa-san?" Kaito almost cried right there and then, and the two Kudos stopped their bickering and smiled. Kaito's mother came running and Kaito realized that he was running too. It was just like the scene from the cheesy movie when the two people finally get to reunite after so long… Oh, cue the sunset, white birds, and halo…

As Kaito got closer to his mother, he opened up his arm for an embrace… however the first thing his mother did was slap him on the check. The moment shattered, Kaito rubbed at his cheeks and let out a mall whimper. He felt shock and the pain second. His mother was still up and healthy for sure. Then his mother shouted, "You.. YOU!" Then she finally hugged her son and wept. Kaito gently patted her back and silently wished she had skipped the slapping part and just hug like this in the first place. "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you leave like that?"

Kaito's eyes dropped and murmured, "I'm sorry Kaa-san."

That's when the still-ever-so-famous-Kudo Yusaku stepped in. "Now since we've all met, let's get to the story."

~.~.~.~.~

The Kudos and the Kurobas seated themselves at the living room of the new residence of Kudo. (Since the first one was burned down to ashes.)

Kaito took his time explain about his father's death and Pandora, plus the day when he turned immortal. Shinichi frowned when he learned that he was with Kaito when the thief became immortal. The Kudos and his mother nodded in understanding, as if all the puzzles fell into place. Then Yukiko elbowed her son to start his side of the story.

"Hmm? Ah, right… you see…"

And Shinichi started his story.

~Flashback~

There was a time when at the day of the heist, the art thieves broke into the same museum (A/N: See chapter 2). Shinichi knew the thief was shot and was badly wounded but as lucky as he is, he had survived. However Shinichi was starting to doubt that it was just luck. According to the shooter and his partner who witnessed the scene, the thief was shot then fallen to the ground from the roof. It couldn't be a doll that got shot because they said blood splatter on the roof… Kid wouldn't do sick jokes like putting blood or red-liquid inside the doll just for fun and carry it around with him.

So Shinichi began his research on Kaito. It was hard, rarely seeing his boyfriend and only having books and papers for company. But he endured. Then one day, he stumbled upon some files from the BO while cleaning out his office. That's when he found something. The file was about APTX 4869. He read through it, just to reminisce the hard days he have had, and at the last page there was a tiny letter that said "see file Pandora for more." APTX 4869 is supposed to be a poison but instead it made him 10 years younger. And Kid looked WAY younger than he is supposed to—though he didn't get a good look at it, he was sure.

Shinichi asked Ai about Pandora but she shook her head, "I don't know, Kudo-kun. The project was handed down to me because the head scientist of the project died. It was probably done before I started on the drug." Shinichi's eyes dropped low in disappointment. "But…I think I heard of it before. It was from the story or was it a myth…"

Even if the chances of THIS Pandora being the same Pandora in the myth is low, he searched for myths with Pandora. It was hard to find, because this myth is hardly known and only few versions survived those long years. However Shinichi realized that Pandora had something to do with immortality and eternal youth. Also the person "Akane Izumi" kept appearing. And strangely enough, although the myths are from Europe, the name was definitely Japanese. Then he felt something…click. APTX is connected with Pandora; which connects to immortality and everlasting youth. Also the drug made him 10 years younger. Feeling confused, Shinichi put that information aside for a bit and headed out to refresh his bunched up mind. Of course the place where he headed was Kid's heist.

…

The heist ended, Shinichi came back with a satisfied smirk. This time he finally got useful information. That Kaitou Kid is in fact, Kuroba Kaito, and also Nakamori Aoko's childhood friend and everything onward. Including the witch, Koizumi Akako. Her name really sound familiar… She and he have A LOT to talk about.

…

Akako's house was dark and mysterious…and gave off a bad vibe. It was in the middle of a clearing of the forest—heck, he didn't know there was a forest in the middle of Tokyo! But apparently there was.

He nervously stepped into the house. He would never admit that he sighed in relief when the inside of the house was like any other ordinary house…or that he shirked in a voice higher than girl's when he saw a monster-like man wearing a butler suit appear in front of him.

The creature gave him an amused look then said, "Akako-sama is waiting for you. Please follow me."

Shinichi just couldn't shake this creepy feeling away but he followed the man to a big living room. The room was decorated with containers that who knows what's in them and surrounded by that was a huge red couch. Shinichi noticed there was a beautiful woman sitting on it, calmly seeping her tea. Suddenly there was a voice in his head saying he has to kneel before the great Akako-sama…or something. But he successfully ignored the tiny voice with irritation.

Then the woman suddenly seemed amused and finally looked up and greeted the guest with a smile. "Welcome, Kudo-kun. I knew you would ask for me one day."

…

"So you will help? Thank you…but what is my price?" Shinichi asked the witch.

"You want to know so badly don't you, meitantei? Well, lean closer and I'll tell you…"

Shinichi leaned toward the witch and she whispered the price, "I want…" She then pointed at Shinichi's chest, "This Heart."

~Present~

"Wait a minute!" Kaito yelled out disrupting the story, "And you agreed to that?"

Shinichi sighed, "It couldn't be helped. It was already a done deal."

"That freaking evil witch! I swear when I see her…"

"You won't see her, EVER, " Shinichi said flatly.

Kaito was started. "W—why?"

"Let me continue…"

~Flashback~

The day of the promised date approached—the day when Akako promised to claim her prize. He stared at the small pills that Haibara had given him for a long time before he took it in one gulp. The effect would take some time to appear…

He informed Haibara that he is doing it now and when he hung up, Akako approached behind him. It was time. He made his last call to Ran, leaving a voice message. When she comes next morning, she will be hurt again… but he thought it was for the best.

He spread his arms out, stared straight at the witch's eye, then said, "Take it."

"It was fun, meitantei. Now…sayonara."

Then Shinichi flinched. "W-wait!" Akako looked at him in annoyance. "Before you take this…"heart" can you explain everything to me. It's my last wish…"

"Fine," the witch's eyes softened. "I needed someone to talk to anyway."

"I am Akane Kozumi. And this Pandora you and Kuroba-kun are looking for is my twin, Akane Izumi. I just rearranged my name and added some letter to create this name: Koizumi Akako."

Akane Izumi… I thought knew the name was familiar… Shinichi thought to himself. It was the name from the myths.

"We are witches from the north, who were supposed to be dead thousands of years ago. But my twin, blind for power, tried to change death. Lucifer, then trapped her in a jewel to punish her, and among humans it was began to be called as Pandora. She would be released when the jewel is hit by the moonlight of the full moon. But Kuroba-kun found it…and now he is cursed with immortality. You were with him too—you just don't remember. Kuroba families are connected with our family by blood, in other words they are part witches and wizards too…but his mother's side was connected with another powerful wizard family in the east. Kuroba-kun's bloodlines made it possible to destroy Pandora, and also for his impossible luck and resistance in magic. However unfortunately not curses. I borrowed Kuroba-kun's body to destroy the gem but I have granted him a curse from my sister. But this is when you come into the story."

Shinichi frowned. How did HE fit into all this?

"When the Pandora shattered, its core has nested itself…in you. That's why I need that heart." She closed her eyes and opened it again, "Now, tell me meitantei, of YOUR plans this time. If I were in my usual state, I would've figured it out but I will soon disappear into dust since my existence is not needed anymore—just meaning my power isn't the same as before. And I'm curious of what you are thinking now."

Shinichi smirked. "Alright, I guess it's only fair…" Then he started, "I already guessed about Kaito being immortal and everything even before I met you; and meeting you just made it clear. I'm planning to go back to Kaito. But I guess it's really risky. I retook the spare APTX 4869 just before you came."

Akako's eyebrows rose. "You mean that poison that turned you into a child?"

Shinichi nodded. "Yes, but being older and all and taking TWO pills instead of one, it is likely that I won't survive however it was modified so that my body will grow 20 years younger whether I die or not. Haibara told me that I have less than 0.003% of survival. But she also told me that the drug not only shrunk me, it also gave me fast healing abilities…plus some structure of my body has slightly changed but that's another story. Anyway that was when everything started to click about the jewel KID was looking for, and the reason I have survived 'till now." Shinichi shrugged as if it was no deal. Then his sharp gaze turned to the witch. Then he smirked as if he knew all her secret, "And I also just figured after hearing your story just now, the reason antidote for APTX 4869 didn't work at first because it didn't have the most important ingredient but worked after the accident with Pandora was that missing ingredient was that jewel. That's why in the file of APTX 4869, Pandora was mentioned. It also explains the reason it turned me into Conan years ago too. The project was at first, to make a drug that brings immortality or something close to it but it failed so it was made into poison instead. And that said Pandora is right here," Shinichi said as he lifted his hand and showed the ring that the witch have given him. It was a pale gem embedded into a simple band of ring. He glared at the witch "You are planning to make ME immortal with the power left in this piece of Pandora and the core that has driven deep inside me.."

"Very good. After explaining what you are going to do, you've unveiled my plans."

"Why are you doing this?" Shinichi asked. "Trying to get me immortal, I mean."

She just chuckled. "Well, technically speaking, Kuroba-kun is my distant descendent, no? Also it's my fault that he has to carry on the curse of immortality. I didn't want him to be alone… Then you came along. He didn't want to lose you too and YOU didn't want to let go of him either. So I thought, why not help them?"

~Present~

"Oh, my god…" Kaito gasped. "I remember that ring. I thought that the gem was kind of cut too roughly. And also the color was different too. It was pale but in the fire, they retrieved the ring with red gem." Shinichi nodded.

"Oh my god, then Akako is…"

"Well, anyway, after that, Akako burned my house down after waking me up…"

"You didn't die! You were just…sleeping?" Kaito yelled.

"Uh…yeah, about that; I THINK I died. I don't know. I'm not too sure on that part… I just woke up and Koizumi-san was there and she sent me to a safe house. I couldn't even protest because I could hardly think at that time. Anyway, the next thing I know, my house was on fire."

"Okay…" Kaito murmured, as he began to piece the puzzle together. "So the poison de-aged you again by 20 years this time but you surived because of the amazing ability to heal and immortality you gained from the Pandora?" It all sounded insane but then again, everything in his life was insane. "But did you even tell your parents about this…or that scientist ojo-san? Because they don't seem that surprised and that woman gave you that apotoxin-whatever drug."

"It's APTX 4869 and yes, they knew, and she knew too." Shinichi sighed. "I have told Haibara since APTX 4869 was a vital part of my plan. And I told my parents; I left a "will" and asked a lawyer to give my parents a letter—which was coded. And you…" Shinichi sighed again, "I just wanted to get back to you for not trusting me enough. If only you showed your face, told me about that curse…"

"Because nothing would change even if I told you!"

"Well have you ever thought how I'd be feeling when you always hide yourself behind your many masks—even to ME?"

Kaito's head dropped in guilt. "I'm…sorry."

Shinichi smiled softly. "No, I'm sorry I made you wait… My body was a mess when Koizumi-san woke me up. It took me five years to recover. But now…I'm all yours. I always keep my promise Kaito."

"P—promise?" Then he remembered.

"Shin-chan?" Shinichi looked up to the thief with a questioning look. "You won't leave me right? You will stay with me forever?"

Kaito knew this was a selfish wish that will never come true. It hurt him so much when Shinichi replied without any hesitation, "I will, Kaito. I will..."

Kaito hugged his boyfriend. Shinichi blushed and stuttered, "Um, K—Kaito?"

"Hmm, just a while longer…" Kaito whined. Shinichi shook his head but a smile appeared on his lips and slowly began to hug back, his head leaning on the thief's shoulder.

"Um," Kudo Yusaku started to say but he was stopped by the pointed glares from his wife, his friend's wife, and even from Shinichi!

"Let's let them have their moment!" Yukiko whispered and pointed toward the door. Understanding the signal that Yukiko was sending to the two parents, they silently—well as silent as they could while squealing and giggling excitedly—they left the two boys alone in the living room and went outside. Then a muffled word of "shopping" and sound of someone sighing could be heard just outside the door.

Shinichi chuckled. "So since there are only us…"

"My, my, Shin-chan! Leading is MY part!" Kaito said while he tapped his lover's nose while still in his embrace.

"But surely there's a need for a reunion party, right? And where there's a party, there are presents…" Shinichi pulled Kaito into a longing kiss.

Kaito moaned between kisses but pushed Shinichi away teasingly and said, "But I have work tomorrow. If we party I'm sure I'll stay here 'till the next day."

!

"Oh, since when did you become the good boy?" Shinichi asked in an amused voice.

"Hey! I've always been a very nice boy!" Kaito protested.

"Yeah, I think your friends and classmates will say otherwise."

"But they just don't know how to have fun! But I guess I may be a good boy, when there's need for fun, I could turn naughty." Kaito said suggestively. He then pushed Shinichi onto the couch.

Shinichi didn't protest as he was again, pulled into a deep kiss.

And they lived happily ever after for…well eternity!

A/N: Omg! I went all out since it's the last chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm really sorry for the late update! I didn't mean to! Though I promised to be back in December…I made it at February. Gonna be even busier now so I was gonna finish as quickly as I can… I hope I didn't rush too badly… somehow I'm proud and disappointed at the same time! Well thank you for reading Marionette and have a nice 2012! (if the world doesn't end…;;;)

R&R VERYYYY WELCOMED!