A/N Play it safe ya'll, play it safe. *gets shot*

Welcome to the 12th installment of Hiding in the Shadows! We have finally reached the mini-climate…

This chapter will feature many POV's, so please sit back and enjoy the show. Remember to turn off all cell phones. We hope you have a great chapter at the HITS theater.

Ayumi Kudou: I love kidnapping fics also, there's not enough of them in the world. Especially Heiji and Shinichi ones!

Cheleasj500: Your wish is my command…Not. Maybe. I dunno. XD

I'm glad you liked it, and thought there was enough detail! Ooh, glad you said that. I'll need that information for later on. I love kidnapping fics too! =D You're a great help, so I thank you with this chapter!

Kakashikrazy256: I always take your suggestions into consideration, so I shall. I shall also make those changes in later chapters.

I hope you feel like it's not getting too rushed. This chapter is mostly going to be filler-ish, but sometimes I can't contain myself from adding bits of plot here and there. Gomen! I'm glad you love it! I don't think that last chapter was some of my best… *sweatdrop*

Disclaimer: *waves from the Disclaimer box*


Gin jabbed the gun further into the chibi detective's head, who was still struggling in his grasp. "Well? Do you want him to die or not?"

It was a stupid question in basis, since the organization would find a way to kill him anyways. Both detectives in the room weren't sure if Gin would keep his word about not harming anyone. A flash of determination crossed Heiji's eyes, and he took a step forward.

Realizing what was going to happen, Conan managed to mumble out "Hattori… Don't…"

The truth was taking a toll on the boy, since his heart still refused to believe it while his body did. There was solid evidence, solid proof, but why?

Because he's your friend.

"I'll do it. Just let him go."

The corners of Gin's mouth curled up, making him look like an evil lion stalking his prey. "Going soft Bourbon?"

Conan flinched at the name. Heiji saw the young boy's pain, and winced mentally; but he stood his ground. Flashing an 'I'm sorry' glance at him, he walked slowly to the black car, his steps dragging beneath him. He averted the gaze of his best friend, and didn't look back. Vodka followed, making himself comfortable in the front seat.

Gin tossed the boy and left him there, rushing into the car and driving off. The shock suddenly came off of Conan, and he jumped up and dashed toward the car. He had no luck. It was clear it wasn't coming back.

Conan sat down on the cold, stone floor, rearranging all that had happened.

Hattori, the person he trusted with his life, Hattori, his first real friend that was equal to him (besides Ran, but did she count as a friend in his state?), Hattori, who had taken a bullet for him… Bourbon?

A scream of rage came out of the tantei's mouth as the truth hit him in the face. He pounded the wall, and didn't even wince when his fist started to bleed. The truth was just too much. And he ran. He ran without looking back, just like Bourbon.


"Kaito! Kaito!"

Aoko tapped Kaito's shoulder gently, and then shook him. "Kaito! Pay attention!"

"I am paying attention! Baka!" Kaito shooed her away and turned his head back to the front of the room.

"So if y+z was ab…"

The teacher's words faded slowly into the background in Kaito's brain. He hadn't contacted tantei-kun since Hakuba had told him about Bourbon. Vermouth hadn't contacted him either. It was all so strange.

His heist was planned, but he hadn't sent the notice yet. The reason for this heist was mainly not for the jewel, but for a little chat. Hopefully tantei-kun would be able to figure that out from his note.

Akako, who was sitting a few seats away, noticed the faraway look on the thief's face. It was all so susupicious…


"Takagi-kun?"

The police officer blushed, and looked into her eyes. "Yes?"

The young woman popped another cherry into her mouth, and sighed at the beautiful view the lake provided. "How long has it been since we were on a date and we weren't disturbed by something?"

"…Never."

view that the lake provided. "I'm hoping that you didn't tell anyone else about our arrangement."

Takagi clear his throat. "Nope. You know Sato-san…"

"Just call me Miwako."

He was blushing rather furiously now, his face the exact same shade of red as the cherries were.

"Miwako…"

There was a buzz coming from Sato's purse, which indicated a call. Sato took it, while Takagi had a disappointed look on his face as he packed everything up.

"So, what's wrong now?"

Sato shot an apologetic look over to Takagi. "There's been an incident near my home. I'm sorry, if it was anything else I would've…"

"No, it's okay. Let's do this again sometime later, shall we?"

Sato grinned, and pretended to curtsy. "Let's."


Ran was sitting on near the futon Conan was resting in. The boy had appeared at the front door, covered in dirt and sweat. Ran didn't question him (the nerve Shinichi had! Putting Conan-kun through something that was probably horrible!) but instead made him shower and change clothes. The boy had fallen asleep before his head hit the pillow.

She listened to the soft sound of his breathing, rising and falling rhythmically, and examined his face. It was amazing how the small boy looked so much like Shinichi when he was young.

She rearranged the covers so the boy would be covered in them completely. She quietly shut the door and locked it. Unknown to her, there was a figure, two figures in fact, that were on the ground, both of them armed.

"Remember, the boss said not to kill them. Just injure them."

"Why not?"

"Don't ask me." It was obvious they were new at this, since they were struggling to get the snipers out of their cases.

"Let's just get this over with. I don't want to be late for coffee break."

They aimed, and prepared to shoot. But being beginners, they forgot one crucial detail.

Both of them didn't check the bullets in their snipers.

So when they fired, all they got were blanks. Ran stiffened, and immediately draped all the curtains in the little apartment. Cursing, the two figures left.


A/N Okay, so the real chapter part was bouncing around everywhere. I'm sorry about that, really. I just checked back on all the other chapters, and my spelling is horrible! T_T Gomenisai! Now, please enjoy this little Omake I have added. (has nothing to do with the story, and is very out of season.)


"Kaito!"

The cry rang out through the classroom, and had barely faded when it was followed by the sound of desks crashing against the floor.

"Gosh Aoko! It was just a joke! No need to- WAH!"

The mop (of death) swung in over Kaito's head and prepared to strike. Kaito quickly dodged it, just to see it miss him by an inch. Aoko's face was burning and she was literally spewing smoke out of her ears.

"Come on Aoko! It's Halloween!"

"I. Don't. Care. BAKA!"

Stepping out of the mop's path, Kaito hopped over to Hakuba, who was focusing on a Sherlock Holmes book. Swiping it out of his hands, he asked "What are you doing for Halloween, Hakubaka?"

Growling at the mention of this nickname, he reached for his book, but the magician kept it out of reach. Scowling, he replied "Nothing. Now give it back."

Aoko came closer, and tipped her head at the British boy. "But… It's Halloween. Everyone's doing something. Like for instance, I'm going to a Halloween party with Kaito."

Apparently, someone had been listening to their conversation, since there was a wolf-whistle at the mention of Aoko going with Kaito. Aoko's face turned red again, and she awkwardly left.

Hakuba turned his head back to his desk. "I'm still not doing anything. Unlike the idiots who bring their 'childhood friends' to Tropical Land for Halloween, I'd rather prefer to make good use of my time, thank you very much."

Back in Beika, Conan and Heiji both sneezed, for they were bringing Ran and Kazuha to Tropical Land for the evening.

"Be careful of your words, tantei. Don't insult!" Kaito sang, throwing the book up in the air and catching it.

Hakuba swiped the book back with a sweep of his hand, and dusted it off. "This is the original edition, you know."

Kaito shrugged, pulling out a cat mask and putting it on his head. "Are you going anywhere Akako-san?"

Akako (who was, ironically, also reading a book) looked up. "No I'm not. Halloween is when all my spells are stronger. I need to make use of that time and grasp it, not waste it."

"You're not going anywhere either?" Aoko came toward the witch and tilted her head once more.

She was opening her mouth to reply, when the teacher came in wet and dripping water all over the place.

"KUROBA KAITO!"


While Kaito and Aoko were walking back home, Kaito leaned in close to Aoko and whispered something in her ear. Suddenly interested, she nodded and smiled, which was a rare thing for her.

The plan was set, the date was ready. Now all they had to do was wait.

Hakuba was reading (as usual) when there was a knock on the door. It was a dark night with no moon, so he couldn't see very well through the darkness. There was a note on the doorstep.

"Please turn to page 7 of the book that is attached to this note. Then dial the numbers you see on the second paragraph."

The book wasn't a book at all, but more of a mini-direction packet kind of thing. The numbers were '347-5674' (A/N This number is completely random, and not taken from any reference, etc.)

A bit suspicious, but curiosity tugging at his mind, he did exactly what it said.

The phone rang a few times before someone answered it. The voice was…

Kudo Shinichi?

"Hakuba-san?"

Chasing off shock, he cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"I don't know how you got my number, but I was just about to call you. There's been a little accident near the Beika park, and you're the only one available right now…"

Hakuba was pretty shocked. They had never even met (Hakuba only knew the voice because of the news) and he was asking him to take care of something?

"Why can't you?"

"I'm going with Ran… I mean, going on an important case. And I heard you weren't doing anything, so…"

Hakuba almost busted with rage, but managed to keep it cool. "I'll give it a look."

"Arigato, Hakuba-san!"

The tone went off as the other boy hung up. Sighing, the detective put on his jacket and went out into the crisp, fall air. The park wasn't that far away, and Hakuba had plenty of time to spare.

It was dark, and not a sight or sound to be detected. He was beginning to think that this was a complete waste of time, when he heard a crash in the trees. Stiffening, he inched closer, and closer. The dark figure rose out, and leaped over to him.

"Akako-san?"

The witch blinked, and looked around. "Are you hurt? Did you get shot? Are you feeling alright?"

He almost fell over at the force of those questions, and shot her a puzzled look. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean."

"I came out here after I got a call saying…" She trailed off, and looked away. Was that a hint of red on her cheeks?

"I got a note, which lead me here." He said simply, not wanting to spill the details. There was a flash of light and a bang behind them, making both spin around, tense.

They were greeted by a flare of red, spelling out the words "Happy Halloween!"

It faded, sending fizzing noises into the quiet night. There was another flash, and this time it was made into a pumpkin.

The final time, it was green and spelled "PS: Hakuba, please just ask her out next time instead of making me go through all this trouble. –Kaito"

The british tantei growled, and murmured "He just had to pick on me…"

"It's more traditional for boys to ask out girls."

His eyes were wide as he eyed her in shock. She blushed, and cleared her throat. "That's what I heard from Aoko."

He inspected her dazzling eyes, and straight, black hair, and smiled.

'Maybe Halloween isn't so bad after all…'