-FIRSTS-
Disclaimer: The works of Detective Conan and Magic Kaito belongs to Gosho Aoyama-sensei.
Warning: KaiShin relationship.
A/N: Character development? Don't kill me yet .
First Rescue
Kaito laid his head on the tabletop, resting on his arms, as he stared at the sleeping face resting on the hard wooden surface. After arriving back at the Manor, Shinichi locked himself in this small room, claiming to be setting up the equipment for the operation. He had banned Kaito from entering, though Kaito was sure that wasn't the only reason seeing as Shinichi had been trying to avoid his eyes and sporting pink on his cheeks at the time. Surveying around, his detective had indeed wired up multiple computers, some already showing the image of the suspected streets that held their captive (Kaito suspects Shinichi must have hacked into the road cameras instead going through the legal channels). His detective mumbled something and curious as ever, Kaito leaned in to hear.
"Kai..." Shinichi let out a soft sigh of content.
It was good to know his detective was dreaming of him. This at least meant he was having a good dream. He was about to leave when Shinichi gasped and let out a small scream. He jolted up, nearly falling off his chair. Luckily, Kaito reacted just in time to catch him before Shinichi hit his head. At first Shinichi tried to struggle out of his hold but he quickly recognised the scent.
"Shh..." Kaito rocked their bodies slightly, eyes filled with confusion. He lifted Shinichi's face by the chin, staring into the deep cloudy blue. "You want to talk about it?"
"Just...just a nightmare." He tries to stand but Kaito's grips were strong.
"About me?" Kaito said in a small voice, afraid of the answer.
"No!" Shinichi cupped his magician's face and touched their forehead together. "Never. You bring me...comfort. Happiness. Never pain and suffering. It's a...different...nightmare."
It was a small white lie. Shinichi did indeed have a nightmare but it wasn't caused by his magician, rather it involved him. He cursed inwardly. It had been sometime since the Goldberg incident and yet remnants of the hypnotic dreams remain, that and its effect on his mind and body. Touches from his magician sometimes feel abnormal, either like the burn from fire or the coldness of ice, not the comforting warmth it should be. He needs to hide this aspect better to not give cause for Kaito to worry unnecessarily.
"I heard you call out to me though." Kaito rubbed his thumb on Shinichi's biceps, still unwilling to let go.
"That was different." Embarrassed, he mumbled the words and avoided eye contact. The dream had started out very sweet, it only became twisted near the end. Coughing, he tried to change (avoid) the subject. "What time is it now?"
"5:30am. The sun would be rising in 10-15 minutes, just enough time." Kaito had the intention of going to grab the coffee before waking his beloved but was deterred. "I'll be right back." Placing a kiss on his cheeks, he let Shinichi move back to the chair.
The operation would start soon. He had asked Jodie for the radio frequency and he had three phone lines set up; one to Jodie, another to Akai/Okiya, and a third had Division One on speed dial. He had tried looking for Kir but ever since she dived back into her role, Mizunashi Rena never appeared in public again. It was a pain trying to look for an undercover agent and he had a sneaking suspicion that the CIA wanted to send her brother in as backup. Else why would they suddenly want to call him back. Despite his clumsiness, the fact that people never paid much attention to him, made him a good spy and agent. He just hoped that wasn't the case.
He turned his attention back to the computer screen, catching onto the moving shadows. This operation involved very few of the stationed FBI agents so as to not cause too much of a disturbance. However, the FBI's main goal were to catch the members and not rescue the Japanese agent. Shinichi would have to manipulate the situation so that the FBI would have no choice but to give up on their primary objective. Light was just beginning to seep through the horizon and the street lamps stuttered into darkness. Their operation has officially begun (and Shinichi noticed Kaito was leaning onto his back rest, looking over his shoulders).
"How do you think this will go?" Kaito asked, pointing at a seemingly random screen. Moments later, a dark figure exited through the identified doorway and Shinichi frowned. He quickly relayed the information to Akai who was stationed on the roof as a sniper. It won't do for the organisation to know he was alive.
"Truthfully, I don't think they'll be able to catch anyone let alone Vermouth." He received confirmation that they just lost sight of the dark shadow. "I think this was staged by her. But for what reasons..."
His eyes were drawn back towards the screen, seeing two shadows moving in the garden. He guessed it was Jodie and Camel. Switching to another view, he saw something moved in the bedroom area of the house. A few more minutes, flashes of light appeared. Even without sound, Shinichi easily recognised the flashes from the gun muzzle.
"Shinichi." Kaito tapped him on the shoulders. Shinichi had been keeping an eye on the doors and windows to spot any possible escapees. Looking at the screen Kaito was pointing, he swore easily recognising the sports car.
"Why are Sato-keiji and Takagi-keiji there?!" He turned to the third mobile by his side, waiting impatiently for it to connect to Megure. He was more worried the two officers would be hurt rather than botching up the operation. Also, he was still waiting for the third party to show up. With the number of hints he had been dropping, Amuro was sure to check it out. He needed to stall for time.
"Already on it." Kaito managed to read his detective, sensing his need for a distraction. He sent a text message and they waited.
At the traffic light closest to the house, an old man appeared on screen. He stopped the officers' car and leaned into the window.
"I think Jii-chan can hold them for five to ten minutes, depending on how patient the officers can be."
"If it's Takagi in the drivers seat, very long." The man had unlimited patience when dealing with elderly and children, not that Sato had none, only not as much as the mild-mannered man.
Finally, his phone connected to Megure.
"Sorry to bother you so early Keibu, but can you call off Sato-keiji and Takagi-keiji? They're about to run into some...delicate...situation and it may ruin some things. I'll explain it later this afternoon, when this is all over." Shinichi quickly rattled as his other hand was texting Akai about another shadow sneaking out from the front door in the next house. He was wondering if there was a secret passage connecting the houses together. He only breathed in relief when he saw the sports car leaving.
Moments after the officers left, another nondescript car arrived on scene. From the car stepped out four men dressed in dark suits, creeping towards the identified house. Another car followed soon after, parking in front of the next house.
"Looks like the cavalry arrived." Just getting off the phone with Jii, making sure he was safe and won't be caught in the crossfire.
"At least our hard work paid off." He recognised some faces from his previous encounter. Sending off a text message to the FBI agents for a retreat, Shinichi leaned back into the chair. The operation time was short, but the FBI did not want another clash with the Japanese Public Security Bureau.
Instead of staying and having a staring contest with the screens, Shinichi followed Kaito out of the room. Sitting at the kitchen counter, Kaito presented him a plate of breakfast with a puff of smoke.
"When did you cook?" There was a frown on Kaito's face when Shinichi only took the toast instead of using the fork. Kaito never left his side since he woke up, so how did his magician managed to both cook the food and clean up the kitchen?
"Shinichi, unless you want a repeat of yesterday, and I certainly won't mind, then you better eat more than toast." Pouring the coffee from the pot, Kaito sat down at his own plate.
Shinichi wondered if his eating habits were so bad that people felt the need to remind him all the time. But he was unwilling to take to risk of having Kaito force feed him again so he dutifully ate his share. (Although he secretly enjoyed it, not that he would willingly voice it out loud.)
"Good." Nodding with satisfaction, Kaito returned his attention to his own meal.
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It was close to lunch when Shinichi entered the TMPD headquarters. Kaito had, unfortunately, followed Shinichi to the stairs but a quick change later, he became a bosomed uniformed officer and headed towards the offices of Division Two. Shinichi really didn't want to know why Kaito chose that particular disguise if not to just to turn heads.
"Shinichi-kun. What was this morning about?" Megure levelled a stern gaze at the approaching detective. "Are you involved in something dangerous again?"
"Megure-keibu, it was a rescue attempt." Hoping that the older man would be more lenient if presented with a case involving human life. "I found, by accident, that someone had been...abducted...but it was not something that could be brought to the police." Another white lie for the greater good.
"Shinichi-kun..." It seems the inspector could see through him.
"Keibu. It's not something I can say..." He turned away, desperately hoping for some sort of distraction. "It's...a confidential matter."
"I trust you know when to call for backup at least." The older man sighed, knowing the teenager's stubborn streak to be near incurable. "You might not be able to tell me the details, at least you'll have to give me an explanation."
"Yes Keibu. The person involved was, hopefully, rescued with only minor injuries. He's an important...witness, I guess would be a close enough term...to another case I've been involved in for the past year or so."
"Hmph..." Megure stared hard at Shinichi, reading between the lines. "Were you involved in the actual rescue?"
"Keibu, I was at home. The only reason I know Sato-keiji and Takagi-keiji was on site was because someone told me. I haven't been injured, I wasn't even there." And that was bending a lot of truths.
"Good. Because people reported hearing gunshots. It wouldn't do if you were hiding an injury. However, I still have to remind you that you are technically a student and underage, you shouldn't be doing such dangerous things. Do you understand?"
"Yes Keibu, I'll try to stay out of trouble."
But it seems Megure wasn't finished. Even though there was a serial killer on the loose, he still found the time to give Shinichi a full dress down. What made it worst was that none of the officers inside the office came to his rescue.
"We were only concerned about you Shinichi-kun. With your parents away so frequently and you being a part-time consultant for the force, you're part of the family."
"Yes, like a rash younger brother." Sato came and pat him on the back now that Megure's talk has winded down. "Just be careful ok Kudo-kun. Wouldn't want to see you all bloodied up again."
He wanted to say it was an accident but him becoming injured happens too often to be called that.
"I believe Kuroba-kun is waiting for you at the front."
He was about to leave when Megure called him back and handed him the phone.
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When Kaito branched off from Shinichi, he walked purposefully towards the Division Two office. There were a few Task Force member that needs to be congratulated, for birthday and a new baby, and KID always leave a little present. A KID decorated baby rattle and a KID insignia tie pin, both bought online (Kaito was thinking whether he should charge them for royalties for using his name) but both gifts were further personalised with a small card (in the birthday officer's case it was rigged with a tiny prank). At first, when he started leaving gifts, such as the one on Christmas, the officers were weary, but they soon realised it was KID's way of making up to them.
Kaito saw the look of surprise on the new father's face, proudly showing off the gift to passing staff. The birthday boy, however, was trying to encourage (bribe) his fellow colleagues open the gift for him, weary of the little bit extra that KID often hide with such extravagantly wrapped presents. Since no one was willing to sacrifice their hair colour or wishing to wear vibrant coloured clothing for the rest of the day, he dejectedly walked out the door, passing Kaito on the way, to face his gift.
Never let it be said that KID disappoints his fans.
Discarding his costume at the fire escape, he entered the station once more as Kuroba Kaito, only to bump into Nakamori Ginzo.
"Kaito-kun! Just the person I want to see!" His greeting was suspiciously giddy. He began to pull Kaito towards the entrance of the station.
"Wait...wait Nakamori-keibu." He tugged them to a halt, "where are you taking me? My boyfriend's in here."
"Your...boy...friend?" As though testing the strange word on his tongue.
"Yes, boyfriend. He came in half an hour ago. I'm just picking him up." He tried to extract himself from the older man's grip, but having no luck. He reminded himself just in time, before throwing down a smoke bomb, that he was inside the police station where he would most likely be under under arrest if he pulled such a trick (oh the horror, arrested not as Kaitou KID but as himself, Shinichi would laugh himself silly).
"Is he in trouble? You shouldn't associate with someone that frequents the police station. Find yourself someone respectable...you being a KID fan is already bad enough but to associate with a criminal?"
"No, no, keibu. You got it wrong. My boyfriend's here to help out. Not in trouble."
"Well, which division did he go to? I'll give them a call then you can help me out."
"Uh..." Kaito hesitated, as much as he wanted to introduce Shinichi to his semi-adoptive family, it really wasn't the ideal location or situation. But the expectant look in Nakamori's eyes was very compelling (Kaito blames it on the lack of a fatherly figure in his life that caused him to pretty much agree to older male characters in his life). "Division One's Megure-keibu."
"Are you sure your boyfriend isn't someone dangerous? Not a criminal?" He looked concerned as he dialed the number.
"I'm very sure keibu, thank you for your concern." Taking the connected phone, he cheerily greeted Shinichi. "Hello Sweety."
"Is something the matter?"
"Nope. But Nakamori-kiebu wanted my help on something. I'll give you a call when I finish. Try not to get hurt or injured. Better yet, have the officers keep you here until I come back."
"Kaito..."
"I am not going to risk you being towed off by nasty people Love."
"..." He heard someone from the background asked what was wrong. Shinichi relayed what he just said with a heavy sigh. Kaito also heard the officers in the background trying to wrestle the phone out of his detective's hands.
"Don't worry Kuroba-kun," it was Sato who managed to win. He heard struggling in the background, with Shinichi intermittently saying to hand the phone back to him, "we'll keep him here until you return. Better yet, we'll just keep him in the holding cell so you won't have to fear he escaped us." There was teasing and laughing in the background.
"Then I would feel so much better. Tell him I'll try to be quick." Hanging up the landline, he turned his attention back to the keibu, who looked at him wide-eyed. "Is there something on my face?" For a moment, Kaito thought there was remnants of makeup on his face.
"No. Just that you seem very...expressive, concerned. You don't show your feelings all that often, especially after Toichi's accident."
His father's death may have been a long time ago and the pain had subsided somewhat, but it still stung a little.
"You should let yourself go more." He patted him on the shoulders. "Now tell me about this boyfriend of yours. I had thought you'd end up with Aoko."
"With her? No way. She's like a sister. A very nosy sister." Kaito had other, less savoury adjectives to describe her but not in front of her father. "Besides, she's with Hakuba now. I'm not going to ruin her happiness, even though I don't quite like her choice." Kaito was glad he managed to stave off the topic of Shinichi, even for a little while.
"Yes, Hakuba..." There was a thoughtful look on his face. "What do you think about that boy?"
"As a friend? Detective? Or an overall person?" Kaito guessed it was the fatherly protective side talking.
"All of the above." Nakamori led them to his car, they were heading out to, what Kaito would guess to be, a possible theft site. Kaito had been asked several times to help with security and is wondering why he would be asked now since he hadn't delivered the heist note yet.
"Well, Hakuba may be a stick in the mud, stubborn and overly obsessive about time. But if you want someone to take good care of Aoko, then there is no better person. But don't tell him I said that." Kaito would rather swim with the sea creatures than be caught praising the blond detective.
"I heard from Aoko you don't get along, yet you give him such praises." Turning a corner, they arrived at a gallery.
"There's just something in his face that makes me want to take him down a few pegs. I mean he came to our class looking like we were all below him or something. But now he's better, though that doesn't mean anything..." Kaito waited by the sidewalk for the inspector to lock up. After greeting the owner, they headed inside the gallery.
The white walls were lined with large oil paintings, special spotlights trained onto its surface. The place was spacious and every step they made brought about an echo of footsteps (Kaito didn't bother masking his own steps). The owner leading them to the central display cabinet looked to be around fifties, dressed in a pressed suit, he walked with a purpose.
"Here's the piece in question." He gestured to the antique hiding behind the glass. "It's an old piece."
The antique necklace was of great craftsmanship. The exposed metal were all engraved with vines, flowers, and leaves. At its center is a small garnet stone framed with tiny peridots. Kaito whistled. The stones weren't of exceptional quality, not of much monetary worth, so it had to do with the skills that too to make this.
"I can see why people would want to steal this." He commented. Being a part-time thief meant he always have an eye for skilled art pieces.
"Oh no, you're mistaken boy." He corrected, with slight disdain in his voice. "It's not the necklace that the thief is after, but the ring."
"Ring?" Glancing back down into the display, Kaito spotted the relatively plain copper ring nesting close to the necklace. It had some engravings on its flat top, but compared to the necklace, it was nothing special. The ring was quite similar to the one he found in Shinichi's desk, only with a tiny differences. Kaito did notice there was a garnet and peridot stone set into the inside of the ring.
"What do you think Kaito-kun? Is it KID proof?"
"What?! Kaitou KID is targeting this?" Surprised. He hadn't even delivered the note yet. He was going to have it delivered by the florist with a large bouquet of mixed flowers later that afternoon.
"No, we know that it's an imposter. But to be on the safe side, we wanted to make sure it will stand up to that thief's antics."
"I can tell you it's magician-safe." Kaito lowered his eye level to the place where glass met stand. "But not sure if it's phantom thief safe."
"That should be good enough." He nodded then spoke with the gallery owner some more. Kaito returned his gaze to the jewelry in question. He couldn't figure out what is so special about the ring.
"Say keibu," eyes not leaving the case, he called out to the inspector, "how did you know it was a KID imposter?"
"Well, the thief usually leave riddled messages or in straight forward notes, like in his earlier heists. This one, however, was an extremely easy riddle that we later found to have been copied from the internet." With the security plan hashed out, the inspector released a sigh of relief. "We've been receiving a few of these strange heist notes since yesterday morning. Then there are the sudden increase in bag snatchers and muggers. Somehow, I'd rather deal with the thief than that mess right now."
"I'll be happy to help if you need me." And just maybe, he could catch this imposter.
"Thanks Kaito-kun. I'll drive you back to the station. I'd really want you to have a look at this other possible heist site but you look eager to go back to your boyfriend." He teased.
Kaito scratched his cheeks in embarrassment. The inspector could be extremely perceptive when he puts his mind to it. Kaito wondered when would be a good time to introduce them to his detective but he was apprehensive about the inspector's response to 'that meddling kid detective' as he would put it.
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"You know, I really didn't expect them to actually put you into the interrogation room..." Kaito entered the normally plain room. It was now scattered with photos, folders, newspaper, and printouts. "But I guess it did the job of keeping you here."
"I'm working on that serial killing since I had nothing better to do. What I really want is to in out to chase some of the leads..." Shinichi stretched, lifting his shirt and exposing his abdomen. "They forced me in here after finding me near the entrance of the building."
"So you did try to escape." Amused, Kaito helped straightened his detective's crumpled shirt.
"I wouldn't say escape. I was just going to go for a walk..." Shinichi tried to avoid eye contact.
"You're a terrible liar." Kaito poked Shinichi in the forehead.
"Only to you. Like how I'd know if you were lying too." He placed a kiss on the other's nose tenderly. "So are you here to rescue me from here?"
"My Beloved Prince, I will slay the Dragon and whisk you away into the dusk so that you may be encased in the light again." Kaito bowed them presented him with a stem of red camilla. "So that you know my heart burns for you."
Shinichi was rendered speechless. It had been some time since Kaito last showed off like this. He wondered if the cameras in the room were off. His brain was supplying him with quite a few scenarios he wanted to act out.
Seeing Shinichi bite his bottom lips with indecision, Kaito went to help gather up strewn papers.
"Come now Fair Prince, let us be off." He offered out his arm. With a tinge of amusement, and feeling slightly playful, Shinichi took up his offer and circled an arm around his.
He leaned in closer than he should, chest on Kaito's forearms, whispering close into his magician's ear.
"Brave White Knight, know that your sacrifice is not in vain and shall be aptly rewarded." Placing a chaste kiss on Kaito's cheeks, he repositioned himself facing directly opposite. Just as their lips were about to touch, there were shuffling noises in the background.
"Ahem." Came a cough from the door where Sato was patiently waiting for them. "The cameras are still on..." she reminded, looking away from the scene to leave them with some privacy.
"Of course. My thanks Gracious Lady." Keeping in character, Kaito nodded awkwardly with Shinichi in his arms. "Now my Dear Prince, shall we be off?"
He was rewarded with a playful punch in the shoulders.
"Does he do this often?" Sato whispered close to Shinichi's ears.
"Only when in the mood." On the outside, it looks as though he resigned to such actions, but internally he frowned. Something must be bothering his magician if he suddenly burst into such flowery language. Especially with the over use of endearments.
Kaito silently walked beside Shinichi, arms securely around his detective's waist. Something was niggling at the back of his mind. The multiple fake KID heist feels as though someone was trying to lure him out. It was either that or trying to push the blame onto him. He tried to push the thought to another part of his mind as they traversed the corridors back to the office of Division One to drop off the files.
They were greeted by Megure sitting stiffly at his desk. In front of him stood a man dressed in a dark brown suit.
"Are you Kudo Shinichi?" His voice was low but crisp. Kaito immediately stood in front, shielding Shinichi with half his body. His detective placed a hand on his shoulder to stop any further actions.
"I am." He tried to push Kaito out of the way, only the magician would not budge.
"Shinichi-kun, Kuroba-kun. This is an agent from the Public Security Bureau. He wishes to talk to you for a moment." Megure said with politeness often reserved for addressing seniors and the upper management. It was clear he was unhappy with the sudden appearance of said agent.
"The Director wishes to see you. If you could follow me." He gestured to the doorway. It was clear that Shinichi had to follow, leaving no room for argument. Many of the officers were looking on with apprehension and worry, wondering why their adoptive brother was being led by this agent.
"He's not going anywhere alone." Kaito spoke out where many would not dare to. One of his hand was tightly grasping onto Shinichi's, forcing him to move back behind him.
"Kaito..." Shinichi levelled a look, trying to argue his point without words. Finally, he resigned to his thief's determination.
"I guess it would be alright if you came with us then." The agent nodded back at Megure in appreciation. "We realise that you may be concerned for the wellbeing of your consultant. We will keep you informed."
Walking out of the office felt like it would be a long time after they would return here and Kaito really wished it wasn't the case. The heavy atmosphere projected by the officers were suffocating. It was as though they were fearing for their safety. Kaito discretely checked his supplies, just in case this was a ploy to kidnap or erase his detective from their current game.
-TBC-