Ch 14: The broken trust

"WHAT THE!" Ginzo stood in front of the TV, his jaw hitting the floor.

The reporter said: "Today at 3:30 a.m, we received a notice from KID… a new KID…" the notice appeared in the background, he read it.

On Sunday 13 February, at 9:30 p.m

I challenge the shadows in Ekoda's old Museum

I will destroy the Jewel they seek

-Kaitou KID

"The police will exclude fans from gathering for their safety! Tight and strict procedures are being taken to stop another murder from happening. The Kaitou KID task force, as well as every police Headquarters in Japan, are working together to catch this new KID without any damage. Whatever is going on with KID is serious. No information is provided on the subject. We will broadcast what we can reach"

"According to the owner, Suzuki Jirokichi, the museum will be reopened at the beginning of the next month. Otherwise, it is under police observation, no one is allowed inside"

"The Kaitou KID case has once again reopened! The criminals responsible for the late KID murder will face judgment by the end of the notice date! Interpol assured the new thief and his pursuers will be captured without fail, no matter what" they put their papers down. "We strongly recommend everyone to be on full alert. This new KID may not be a dangerous criminal, but his pursuers have proven more than just capable of ruthless murder and will not hesitate to kill anyone"

"Thank you for watching. JT Channel"

This news was broadcasted live everywhere, seen by everyone including the Task Force. The detectives watched from their homes, willing to interfere and lend their help to the police. By all means.

Later that day, 1412 returned home. He walked all the way, feeling the need for some time to be alone. He crossed the forest with slow, steady and absent-minded steps.

WHERE ARE YOU!

I WILL KILL YOU, BOY!

-1311

The boy grinned, 'So does everyone~' the partner kept calling, 1412 muted it.

ARE YOU CRAZY!

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!

-1413

He tucked his phone after sending his partners his location for the night. The Kudos also texted, requesting his prudence. Why did everyone think they could babysit him? No, why did everyone think he couldn't handle himself?

A soft sound caught his attention. Leaves blew with the rushing wind, dead leaves scattered on the ground. 1412 looked at his surroundings yet failed to find anyone there. He waited, seconds felt like hours. The wind continued to blow around him, he pulled his cap down, kept it fixed on his head.

He sighed, 'if one is around, they have to be as good as me. Neither of my partners will keep it going this far,' if they knew he knew someone was tracking him and was about to think they were the crows, they would tell him. 'Since that doesn't look the case,' he turned, 'they must be my dear old enemies'

1412 continued his path, more sounds followed. Someone was tailing him. He texted his partners, their response was negative. He tucked his phone back in place and walked casually as if nothing had happened.

The sounds faded, he kept his eyes ahead. Everything was going smooth until he stepped on a branch and it snapped. He sighed, "My whole life is breaking, I do not need a reminder, thank you" he muttered inaudibly.

Another branch snapped as he walked further. He looked at his feet, there was nothing there. He turned, he was officially being followed. However they were, they didn't give up. 'Detour then' he went to the highway, continued from there beside closed shops. 1412 usually took the longest walks, as long as he behaved normally, he shouldn't attract his knowledge of the pursuers.

He stopped in front of his current hotel. People were buzzing in all direction, he had to break his way through to get to the elevator. "Great" people were waiting for their turns, he didn't want to join the line. He strode up to the stairs.

Occasionally, he looked from the edge of his eyes. Four people followed his genius plan and took the quickest way to their rooms. Each separated on their story level. None remained behind him by the time he reached the fifth floor. 'I could have sworn someone was following me!'

'But they're no match for KID' he grinned. He sat on the stairs, removed possibly wires and went inside his apartment.

Once he opened the door, he got his shoes off and went in. He strode to his bedroom and sat by his desk. "Straight to business" he took his books and laid them around on the desk. Solving homework wasn't something he had the time to worry about now of all times, but if he wanted to maintain his normal life, he had to pretend he didn't have a secretive life.

'… How I am supposed to make up for half a year absence!' wining was his thing, sadly, he had to cover all lot today. He put another book in front of him. "If I knew about this, I would have rescheduled my heist"

A perfect way to end the first day out of bed. 1311 was going to kill him without batting an eye. He looked at his wristwatch, striking five. In an hour, he had to join his friends as he assured them in the morning.

His phone vibrated, he read the text.

Wanted to remind you of tomorrow's exam

Prof is dying to collect your grades

Good luck

-Mira-chan

He smiled to himself, 'That girl!' always looking out for him and making sure he knew what was going on. He looked through the window beside him. Something tensed in the air and his expression changed. 'Snake' he got up, pretending to remove the clothes, he took a glance down. "Doubt he's the one who followed me' he went back in.

'He won't leave me alone until he gets the Gem. That other guy, something is fishy about him" He sat down, continuing his homework. It didn't matter if he felt tired or hungry; he was already behind schedule. Within half an hour, he finished three subjects, and only one was left.

The hideout would have to wait. Exams were important, as 1311 kept rubbing in on an hourly basis.

"312"

Jeff blinked, there was only the half-lit room. 'With all this studying… I'm hearing things' but that was too easy for him. "If you want to speak, it's useless to hide," he said out loud as he wrote the answer to his math question. "Quite boring~"

"It's not 311.5, I already said it was 312!" the figure popped out of nowhere.

"That trick is getting way too old"

"Still works~" Dave grinned, "But you already had that figured out~"

1412 grinned and turned, "What are you doing here? And by the way, you miscalculated the answer" 1412 said all formal and partner like; Dave would have killed him for that. "Is it a habit for partners sneak on each other? Cause mine sure don't"

They reddened. "N-no, But, we couldn't help but do something. I must compliment your efforts for trying to lose us, it almost worked~"

"Not my fault you're stubborn~" They were close to his face, save it for the moonlight behind him making their life on a new level of hard. "Sit down, at least" and they did. "So, what do I owe this visit?"

"How long have you had that?" Dave said, staring at his face. "The scars"

"Ehh?" the boy looked confused, though his face was perfectly hidden.

"On your face... I haven't noticed that before"

"Oh… that! It's nothing. Good eyes! I should compliment you for managing a glimpse" But the man didn't respond. "Don't insist on what people don't want to say, it's annoying. It is annoying"

"Burn?"

"...you won't give up, will you?" they nodded. "Accident, satisfied now?" he looked away.

"Children these days!" Dave exhaled.

"I'm not a child" Jeff complained. "You're old!"

That did it. Dave and Kudo dropped their smiles. "Harsh kids these days"

"Sorry... I didn't mean for it to be offensive. I don't like being treated like a kid, you're not understanding that for some unknown reasons" He returned to the actual topic he wanted to ask. "How long have you been following me?"

"Since we spotted you nearby, nothing personal"

He raised an eyebrow, "I didn't mean about earlier. You were at my school, at the hideout weeks ago and continuously following me around everywhere I go. Don't you have more important things to do?"

"We're just concerned," Yusaku said with an apologetic face.

"Why did you send a notice? I mean, why challenging the shadows? Don't you think that was an obvious threat to them?"

"I wasted a lot of time waiting and healing. Every notice is a threat to them, why should this be any different?"

"I'm asking the questions here"

"That was rhetorical" 1412 said with moon eyes. "You want an interrogation, go join the law forces" David cleared his throat. "Don't worry, I am acting on my own, no one is involved. I won't let Kuroba-kun get hurt either. The heist is nowhere near our hideout, I'll distract them for as long as possible. You have my word on that" He looked at his hands, his gloves weren't there. They saw the marks. He pushed the subject to the back of his head. "Anyhow, we assured to bring him back"

"He is safe with you, we do not mind"

"How's 1311?"

"... You're better as a detective than a doctor, anyone told you that before?" but Dave grinned, "1311 is stable for now, and you don't get more than that answer"

"Good with that"

Kudo looked around, the place was lonely. "You live alone?" and 1412 approved. "Be careful next time, he was waiting for you in his car. Since the early morning, might I add" He paused. "It's not the first time he comes when you're out"

"How do you know about that?"

They were silent. "We passed by when you came here last month"

"Great, now I have to move, again, thank you very much," he said with half eyes. The two smiled, "Just when I was getting used to the place~" they grinned, "What can I say~ takes long to memories places~ Anyhow, you shouldn't be seen here. It'll get you in trouble. Crows and us alike. Also, being here means you're one step away from knowing my identity. We can't have that now, can we?"

Yusaku grinned, "Of course! We'll only know if you are hasty. Around friends, maybe, but here you hide your cover well" 1412 signed with a fake identity. "Everyone here knows you with as a different face"

"And a different name. Let's not forget, older"

"I have my reasons" he looked away. "Just one year older, the law has a strong judgment against minors being alone"

"Sadly for you"

"Regardless of my reasons to be here, they are unrelated to being KID. Snooping around people's personal lives won't be nice of you" Whether it made them relieved or more concerned, he could care the less.

Dave went to see if Snake was still down, while Kudo was silent.

"You truly become into your mask. I like the nicer, cheerful you. I impersonated a few of your friends, the character change is stunning"

"I can't help it," the boy said looking at Dave who had his back to them. "I'm tight around people I don't trust, especial those who lie about who they are. Don't think you have an advantage at my school, I act everywhere I go. Face and name included. I have plenty"

"One constant face is your Kaito-look alike"

1412 glared him, "For your small information, Kudo-san, I was born with that face. I won't change it just because people say I look like him. Go blame the whole silver bullet curse, not us. We are hardly at fault here"

"I am aware. You trust no one aside from your friends"

"I trust no one aside from my partners, they are my friends" His family. He glared at Dave, "Who I don't have to pretend around, and won't wear a mask or lie to them"

Dave turned, "Are my ears failing me or are you hinting to me?" 1412 nodded, "Good, complement taken, boy. Poker faces are my life, can't live without them"

"Can't live with them" 1412 muttered. "So long as we are clear of your impeccable lies, know I do not trust you. Or your records. My promise to not dig everything will break if you try anything fishy"

"Threat nodded" Dave grinned.

Yusaku cleared his throat, "Don't you have to hide your identity too? Your reasons and his just might be the same" He smiled. "You dislike him, and so what, everybody does~" Kudo smiled, Dave glare him.

1412 grinned, "He's right, you know~"

"We should get going. On behalf of my partner, we won't follow you unless you are in any trouble"

"That only Ninety-nine percent of the time, lucky me~"

They laughed, "Goodnight, 1412-kun~" they excused themselves and thanked him for receiving their visit.

"No problem," he said with a mere smile. Once they were gone, he packed his books. "I should go too, they're probably waiting for me" surprisingly, he had no unanswered calls or texts from anyone.

Jeff waited for ten minutes to pass. He knew the syndicate couldn't see through the mirrored window, he tampered with the cameras. Their visit remained a secret. He got up and went down. He passed beside Snake, who did nothing to alert him and went to pick his motorcycle from repair.

He stopped before the mountain road and looked at the sky. The moon was nearly gone. He almost lost concentration, forgetting everything on his mind, he merged with the moonlight.

"Beautiful, isn't it, Silver bullet-kun?"

Jeff felt watched and looked back to reality. He hadn't heard what the person said. It was the young detectives, Hattori, and Conan on a bike.

"It's like ya bond," Hattori said with a serious tone.

1412 directed his gaze to them, "It's normal," he said, "for the silver bullets to bond with the moon. We are linked" he looked specifically at the small detective.

Conan blinked several times; another person knows. "Maybe, it's not like I change under it" he looked away, his glasses lit. Jeff only turned his sight away, his hat covering his eyes. "What are you doing here at this time of night?"

"It's only eight," KID said with half eyes, not interested in talking more. "I was passing by, any more interrogations, detectives?"

"Nope, that's all for today, little thief," Conan said with his face down, that evil 'I know it all' smile written over his little face.

"Good then, and by the way, you're little. Not me" he turned his bike on. "If we are done here, I will take my leave" Conan nodded. "Good-bye" he drove away.

"Weird kid" Conan muttered.

"Tell me about it! It's like he dislikes the company. Care to follow him?"

"Not really!" he pocketed his hands, "He's heading to his hideout. It's not like he is some kind of threat to us, so I won't bother being all sneaky and nosy" he looked at the moon. "I wonder what he seems so interesting in it"

"He hears it"

"Oyajii?" he blinked surprised.

"Kudo-san, what brings ya here? Don't tell me ya were following him too?"

"Yes and no," Yusaku said. "I was passing by and I saw you three. Did he say anything?"

"No, nothing important. What was it you meant about him hearing it?"

"Rumor says, a silver bullet carries a strong connection with the moon inside him. Only when he accepts their connection, he will release his power, and thus, change under its influence"

Hattori blinked, "when he was staring at it, his hair almost changed color. I thought I was imagining things, maybe the light on him…"

"He's not into it yet" Yusaku replied, "Unlike Kaito-un, 1412 seems to have been ignorant of his inner bullet. I doubt he even changed under its light. Even the reaction in his eyes said he hadn't done it before"

"Next time we'll let him continue contact, maybe he'll succeed~" Conan joked and walked away. "Agasa Hakase is coming to pick us up, we'll hear Haibara's conclusion about the drug used on Kuroba-kun"

Jeff pressed the code and went in, "I'm back~" he strode through the hallway. "Where is everyone?" no one popped in front of him. As he reached his room, he knocked on the door- which was weird for him as it was his.

"Come in" he recognized the voice as Aoko's. He went in and saw her playing with Kaito. "What took you so long?" she said. "You got us worried!"

"Sorry, I had… guests"

"Don't tell me it's those guys!"

"N-no, not them, it's those two detectives. And the former KID members"

"Oh!" she looked worried. "They are annoying with all their glares and analyses. I don't know how you stand it!"

"I don't~" he walked in and leaned facing Kaito. "You're having fun, Kaito?"

"Ahaan" the small child smiled widely at him. "Wanna build the biggest tower of cards with us?"

"Sounds like fun~" no it wasn't, he had perfected it years prior. "Six layers! Splendid~"

"… the 7th keeps falling, can't get any cards over it" the child was sad. "We've spent hours trying to get it right"

"And rebuilding it from scratch!" Aoko joined. "What's it now? Eighth attempt?"

Kaito nodded, "Ninth on the way~"

"Now, now, let's be a bit positive~ let me try." Jeff took one card and carefully placed it. It didn't fall. "Now, try putting yours over it, but don't disturb the balance"

"Okay~" and he did. "It worked!" he cheered. "Thanks, nii-san"

Jeff smiled, 'Your nii-san not me. I referred to you when we were kids. I'm not the eldest'

"What's nii-san smiling for~?" Kaito said with huge eyes.

"N-nothing" that was close. He smiled slightly. "Say, Aoko-chan, I'll go fix something, wanna help?" Aoko nodded.

"Can I help too?" Kaito said with bright eyes.

"Sure!" Aoko clapped, "Hopefully, you'll do better than Aoko!" Jeff laughed. They went to the kitchen and prepared the food. At first, they overcooked it thanks to Aoko, then ended up ordering pizza on the third attempt. Jeff waited by the car station to get it and went back when it arrived.

It was their second-day having Kaito with them, the third day was three hours away. Jeff knew he'd be the one to take Kaito back home, and it didn't bother him.

"Come back quick!" she said cheerfully. "And be super careful! Eyes everywhere!"

Jeff nodded, "I know. Don't worry. He'll be safe with me" he sat Kaito in front of him on the motorcycle, then put the huge helmet on his head; it was safe to drive now. It was long for him, but Kaito was happy. "At this rate, we'll never arrive" he smiled at heart. Having to drive at 40 km/h was unusual to him, but it guaranteed the child's safety at least.

He got down and gently got Kaito down. "Here it is, home at last" he gave a wide smile. "Let's go see your uncle~" he held Kaito's hand and rang the bell. No one answered for the first few minutes. "That's weird, they're supposed to be home," He said. "Say Kaito-kun, how about we go grab some ice-cream until they come back?"

That thought made Kaito happy, as Jeff knew it would. "Can we go somewhere high, nii-san? I wanna watch the moon"

It was a terrible idea, Kaito would change in front of others, and that would be terrible. If Pandora comes forward, the syndicate would easily track them. "Only if you keep your power hidden, agreed?"

"YES!" Kaito quickly said it and walked beside him. With Jeff beside him, he was happy. "Thanks for teaching me some words" he smiled.

"N-no problem~" He said hesitatingly, but in his heart, he was glad to help somehow. 'Anytime, nii-san' he wanted to say that.

They ate chocolate ice-cream and went back to the street leading to the Kudos' place.

"Kaito-kun~"

They turned. "Your back!" Ayumi ran and hugged him. "We missed you!" Said the detective boys at once. "Tomorrow we are going to tropical land, wanna come with us?"

"T-tropical land?" he repeated and turned to Jeff. "Nii-san, what is that?" he said in French.

"It's like the dreamland in Paris, remember it? But it's bigger and there's lots of stuff to play with~"

Kaito's eyes showed it all, he'd go. They went in-except Jeff- as they reached the place. Jeff excused himself and left, "Be good, okay?" he messed Kaito's hair slightly. "Ja na"

Kaito stood by the door waving. "Bye-bye, nii-san" and he went in closing the door.

"Kaito-kun, did you have fun with that man?"

"Man? He's 17, he's not old" no one expected an answer other than 'yes', and to be honest, they only wanted to see if everything went okay. However, it confirmed their thought about the thief's age. "Aoko-neechan, nii-san and I build a card castle… for seven-hour!" they dropped their heads, "Only because we couldn't get it right, but when nii-san came, we finished it easily"

"That's good" Yusaku smiled. "Didn't Aoko-Kun say when she is coming?"

Kaito shook his head. "She said she'll stay with their friend until he recovers, and the other guy stayed with them too. But nii-san told them he'll be away for a few days, so he won't back any time soon"

'And we thought Aoko was a bird!'

'Surely Kuroba-kun is unaware of the secret his partners are trying to keep' Saguru smiled at the other children. 'As long as he keeps the place and their identities a secret, there's nothing to worry about'

"You're right; he pays attention to everything," Hattori whispered. "Kaito-kun, what's that yer holding?"

"It's from nii-san" He showed them the stuffed animal, Yusaku and Dave easily recognized. "He first gave to it me when we were little, but I gave it back last year" He looked at it. It was their mark of friendship, and as long as it stayed with him, they'll be friends forever.

He looked back at the drawing Ayumi was making, it was pretty. He continued drawing on the paper in front of him, two babies and a bear under the moonlight. It was when they first met; that was a special memory to him. He folded it and placed it in his pocket, deciding to give it to Jeff the next time he saw him.

Within an hour, Kaito fell asleep beside the wall. It was a tough day after playing for so long, but it was the weekend, no harm was done. Conan placed him on one of the couches and covered him. He watched the child asleep while the others talked.

"I think they've known each other for quite a while"

"What makes you think so, Kudo-kun?" Hakuba held.

"When Kaito asked what tropical land was, that partner said: 'it's like that one in Paris, remember it?'. They've been to it together"

Yusaku sank in thoughts, "We never took Kaito with anyone to any amusement parks in Paris, nor did his parents. Maybe, they are referring to a time not long ago?"

"But, Kuroba-kun would know about that if so, not the little him. You said yourself he is a real child, so any memory of him after being four years old is not in his mind yet"

"If 1412 gave him the bear when they were nine months old, then that's how far their friendship goes"

"Hakuba-Kun's right. The dreamland has to be a time before they were four. Also, if Kaito can remember and is aware, unlike all kids are, shouldn't his friend remember too?"

"It's not like he shared his memories with us, or anyone" Saguru shrugged.

"Man, why does he have to be so secretive!"

"Wait to see when he grows up," Hakuba smiled. "He's an annoying brat, everyone will agree. But, it's only when he is bored and uses tricks and stuff in the classroom to entertain us. I advise you to stay as far as possible"

"We can't lose sight of him, anyway. Neither one of us knows what he is capable of. And if he ends up remembering or growing up, we can't let him leave"

"Anyhow, it's getting late, we should get going" and the visitors left.

Dave and Yusaku, as well as Yukiko and Conan, stayed up. Yusaku took Kaito to Shinichi's room. He laid him down on the bed and covered him. "Goodnight, son" he closed the door.

Kaito opened his eyes, a weird expression on his face, he got up and hid.

In the morning, Yusaku and Yukiko searched for him. "He'll be late for school" yet no results came.

After half the day had passed, he was listed as missing, and the family and friends spread out to find him.

"It's almost 6, where can he be?" Conan grinned his teeth. "I need to put a tracker on that kid!" He feared something bad happened to the child. They looked around the house's garden, on the roof, on the trees, everywhere, except, one place.

Yusaku removed the bed aside and leaned down. He smiled: "I think he is in here" the Vent was slightly open.

"The air vent! I should have known!" Yukiko chibi-ed up sad. "He always hides there!"

"Now I know why he likes air vents for escape plans!" Conan muttered.

Yusaku took the air vent aside, peered inside with a flashlight. The vent was too small for him, Conan volunteered.

"Yeah, he's here" And he got the child out. Kaito was sound asleep.

"Though, he only hides here when he wants to be alone" he looked concerned at the sleeping child. He laid him back on the bed and screwed the air vent well. Later, they instilled cameras and closed the window and Veranda. "Just for safety precautions, he always ends up running off when he's upset." He turned. 'Gomen, Kaito-kun, I won't let you get hurt, again,'

After midnight, Kuroba woke. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and realized the camera's small light flickering above the door. Conan was asleep next to him. He wanted to wake him, then he remembered what he heard.

'We can't lose sight of him, anyway.

Neither one of us knows what he is capable of.

If he remembers or grows up, we can't let him leave'

They were ignorant of what he heard, ignorant that he knew they suspected him. Now, Kaito knew he should not trust them. He will not trust him, especially, after his thoughts were confirmed.

'That's why they never left me alone! I should have been more silent and pretended to be like all kids were, but, I have to finish what I came to do' He got up and went to the window. Conan woke, pretended to be asleep. Kuroba tried to open it, but it was locked. His child strength couldn't make it budge. He went under the bed, the vent was locked too. Then he strode to the door, "Also locked?" he bent his face in depression. 'What do I do now?' he murmured swabbing his tears. "Papa, mama… I wanna go home…" he muttered.

Conan's eyes widen. He understood. The kid was away from home and his family. He missed them. That was expected, that was normal to happen. "Kaito-kun...?" Conan said, pretending to wake. "What are you doing on the floor? You'll catch a cold" he saw the small tears. "What's wrong?" But Kaito remained silent. "Come back in and cover yourself" The child hesitated, yet did it eventually. "Are you homesick?" Kaito nodded, Conan sighed, got up and leaned beside the boy. "Don't worry, Kaito-kun. They'll be back real soon!" he smiled.

As much as Conan tried to fake what he knew was carved in stone, he knew he'd have to spill the beans at some point.

Kaito knew they would trick him.

He laid back down and dug his head under the cover and closed his eyes.

Conan kept watching him and did not surrender to sleep until he was sure that the child was deep in sleep.

The days that followed, someone followed him everywhere, worried he'd try to run away. Kaito felt like he was in prison, which made him more stressed and sad.

His parents called that morning, feed him the same lies he had been hearing for a year. "See you soon, okay?" Chikage smiled. "Love you, sweetie" they hung up.

1412 hit 1311 on the head, 1311 retook his fake voice. "What? He needed to hear his parents! I will be all the support he'll need"

1412 sighed, "The longer it takes, the sadder he'll be"