MANY THANKS TO INVADER-SAH WHO BETA'd~! :D

The loud voices had roused him. However, it was the pained screech that brought him to attention, eyes snapping open, body taught and ready for the strike as he stood. He swayed slightly as his blood seemed to catch fire once more. The blistering snarl was the only warning they would have – it was the only warning they needed. Figures - ones he didn't recognize but were definitely different from their earlier attackers – stepped back warily. Fear, caution, but not running like the black-garbed ones had.

Pain ripped through him - so like the Apotoxin's and yet so unlike it at the same time. Where the Apotoxin had been a heart attack, this was more like a limb regaining sensation; the burn of life swept through his very cells. There was also a hovering of heat, barely noticed through the pain, and yet strong enough to ensure him he was somehow protected.

He kept /well/ out of sight. The snapping and crackling of their combined auras made his nose itch; the scorched smell wasn't helping. He wasn't on good terms with the Osakian normally – within the space of their two meetings. Showing his face right now….would get it burned off.

Wonder blazed out of his one revealed eye – the rest of the council felt the same. The Fiery Osakian pressed low over his young charge, growling, his green eyes blazing. Flame – pure, unadulterated fire – arched out from his back, forming the vague shape of wings. The fire around his hands was further crispy-frying his sweater; not that he seemed to care. The white-clad magician turned to his uncle for clarification.

"Fire spirit." Kyo stated after a moment's contemplation. "Full Fire Spirit by his aura, extremely powerful; their only rival is their close cousins, the Phoenix." He added quietly.

"What's a fire spirit?"

"Basically a wood nymph… but made of /fire/."

"Ah…" Kaitou looked thoughtful. Not that he knew what a wood nymph was to begin with, but he got the general idea of the matter.

During their conversation, Conan's aura had begun to settle. Not completely, no, he was too young into his magic for it to be settled just yet. Heiji began to fall back ever so slightly, allowing his younger companion to sit up… even though he was no longer a 'younger' companion. Shinichi Kudou was back.

KID beamed at his archrival. The detective seemed to be holding – they would see if this was permanent… but for now, the young man was rather 'exposed'. The council was making themselves scarce, not wanting to invoke the wrath of a still fuming fire spirit. Hakuba remained well hidden. No fire for him, please and thank you.

Heiji growled one last time at the intruders; then gave a slight swaying, only to fall flat on his face as his fire died out for a second time. His recovery was quicker this time, however, as he blinked blearily up at the once-7-year-old.

"Kudou?" he asked rather tiredly. "Wut jus' happened?"

"Well first Gin kidnapped us, we were tied up here, then you randomly burst into fla-"

"Ah know about tha', YOU." Heiji clarified, waving his hand in dismissal, seeming to regain his popularly known enthusiasm, despite the lack of energy. "You're, well, YOU again-!... Plus wings." He'd clean ignored as to why Kudou was naked. Or mayhap he'd not noticed yet. Oh,… wait… the Osakian detective turned rather red upon the realization he was nearly straddling a completely indecent Tokyian detective.

KID was, however, a magician, and a master of the quick change. A swirl of cape and… that wasn't much better. Though he was rather certain Heiji agreed with him that the Detective had the legs for the French maid uniform. At least it was backless. Garbed in something more than his birthday suit, Shinichi was granted a moment to inspect what Heiji was on about.

Crystal clear insect wings veined through with transparent green had sliced their way out of his shoulder blades while he'd been distracted by the pain of regaining his adult form., and delicate antenna drooped with unseen weight from his crown. He was a freaking /fairy/!

Heiji considered, then shrugged and stood, helping the other to his feet. Now properly footed, he turned his attention to the people within the room – Ai and the council, since KID had up and vanished.

Said magician was some twenty feet away, gazing at his lover with a mildly concerned expression. Hakuba was seated on the stairs, keeping an eye out for unwanted company, as well as keeping well away from the Osakian teen. He had no wish to become a deep-fried fish stick.

"You made an enemy out of Heiji?" Kaitou inquired in a dead-pan sort of way as he changed into his civilian wear; Hakuba nodded.

"I'm afraid I referred to him as a brute during a case. He… did not take kindly to that." Hakuba explained delicately, not really wanting to go into details. Part of it was that he was completely incorrect over the cause of that case, and part of it was that he had acted less than gentlemanly to his fellows at some instances…

"Mm…" Kaitou thought this over. That was rather odd… when he had 'borrowed' Hakuba's appearance….well that was before the British detective had met the Osakian. Hakuba HAD worked, however, with /Conan/ by that point, and Heiji had been just as…aloof with him. It wasn't the Brit's attitude that had his panties in a bunch.

The Osakian knew Conan was Kudou. The Tokyian detective was brought around Osaka, and vice versa, almost weekly...Kaitou grinned and had to resist chuckling by that point. The fact that he hadn't seen it before was amazing. Heiji was crushing SO badly on his sometimes-7-year-old counterpart.

Which meant that he obviously saw Hakuba as competition. So, theoretically, if Heiji had claim on Kudou, and Hakuba was taken, there would be no more struggle. Kaitou smirked and gave a nod of approval towards his own thoughts, then made for the room the others were still in.

"No, no, Fae and Fairies are DIFFERENT. Fae are what humans PERCEIVE as fairies, whereas 'Fairy' refers to the entire grouping, to include the Elemental Spirits, Sprites, Fae and Pixies." Kyo was explaining, looking a little like he was trying to explain algebra to a rather dull child. Shinichi was clearly not getting it – Heiji was making no move to assist. However, the tanned detective's eyes narrowed at the sight of the hastily dragged in Hakuba, being led by the teen with an uncanny resemblance to the KID that had graced their presence earlier.

Hakuba didn't have time to be nervous about the other's reaction; because at that moment, Kaitou drew him into a very possessive kiss. One he was required to participate in. Shinichi proceeded to be a little unnerved and hopelessly confused, while Heiji seemed to relax… with elbows on Shinichi's shoulders, and his chin on his head.

"I don't get it." The detective finally stated, turning back to the lookalike.

"We'll explain better later." Ai finally sighed in exasperation. "For now, I suggest we move out. We've been here far too long, and we don't want the type of company that's expected in a place like this. Magician-boy; stop snogging, get Kudou into proper clothing, and let's go. You're driving." Kaitou nodded, snapping his fingers before firing himself out the window so he could get to the car first.

Hakuba rolled his eyes before following the /correct/ way, trotting down the stairs at a much more reasonable pace. Shinichi and Heiji followed the council out, the former wondering why the magician-thief was carrying a uniform from his high school around, and why it was correctly altered in such a way that it didn't impede his newly gained wings. Heiji was just glad the other was appropriately garbed now.

The drive home was a quiet, uneventful one. Nothing followed them, no cops pulled them over, and they were back at the Kuroba household in half the time it should have taken them - even with the roundabout route they took to dislodge any followers that were really good at following.

Mrs. Kuroba greeted them with a broad smile; until she saw how skinny they all were. She then retreated to the kitchen, doubling the food she was currently preparing; vowing to make them roll out or never leave at all. This left them time to go over the newly revealed world of mystical creatures to the confuddled detective.

Kyo was the local expert on… pretty much everything. Except staying upright apparently, as proved by the three times he tripped over the same coffee table in his attempt to sit down across from the fae and the fire spirit. Hakuba settled on the floor beside the couch, and promptly had his lap filled by cuddly Kaitou for his troubles. Not that he minded in the slightest.

"Okay, let me try this one last time." Kyo sighed slightly. It was always hardest to explain everything to new magic users. They didn't have the varying lessons and rules imprinted since birth, for one. Kaitou had been the exception, taking in pretty much everything immediately – as per usual Kuroba mentality. He still couldn't wield magic, but that would come.

"Magical Creatures have existed since the very dawn of time. Then, there were very few varying kinds, most being those whom could survive without atmosphere or planet to call their own; and those still exist today, though in very, very low numbers. They eventually took the name(s) of "God(s)". From them, thousands of creatures were spawned. Most of these creatures lived alongside the common creatures naturally, being alike in shape. But eventually they interbred with Humans, creating the creatures that populate the world today, as many of the pureblooded creatures have died out or hidden themselves for their own protection and interests. The creatures that are dead or hidden are the ones that are found most commonly in stories. Creatures today are what are commonly referred to as 'Hanyou'¹ in varying stories, but have since been upgraded to full 'youkai' since the disappearance of a purer line.

"Creatures today are usually mostly human in appearance, or can easily take on a human form. Some creatures' magic relies heavily on emotion, like Heiji's magic. He's strongest when he's worked up about something – as are all Fire Spirits. On the other hand, as a half Faerie, you would have control, and a greater range of manipulability, but not necessarily as much raw power behind the things you can do.

"…There are a lot of things that I could explain; some are more delicate than others. However, there are a couple things you two in particular are going to need explained. "First off, rule one of the creature community. You cannot reveal yourself to a human, unless they are a) immediate family, as in your parents, not beyond or b) a human which you have intentions to marry, and then, only if said person is trustworthy. If there is a … poor reaction, it's suggested that the relationship be broken off, and the human has their memories altered. The 'Witch' burnings are never allowed to reoccur." He paused for a moment, sorting through his memories.

"Emotional attachment; fire spirits are very prone to it. They, very basically, find a person or cause, and they defend it for all their worth, to the death." He paused again, staring at Heiji for a very long moment. Said male was rather half-asleep against Shinichi, who did not seem to care, and was paying attention. Heiji just grinned sleepily back at the harpy councilor. "Anyways…Fae are rather 'breakable' as it were; they have very light, fragile bones. In Half Fae, it doesn't show up until their wings do – from now on, take special care."

"You were trying to explain earlier, what's the difference between a Fae and a Faerie again?"

Kyo sighed. Some people… "A Fae is-"

"All Fae are fairies, not all fairies are Fae." Ai stepped in, perching on the seat beside Kyo. "A Fairy by definition is a creature with large elemental-based powers, taking after the basic shape of an insect. Within the group are Fae, whom are wind-earth element based, human sized, and bear antennae plus wings; Pixies, which are about the same as Fae, except they're rarely taller than 6 inches; Elemental Sprites of Water, Wind, and Earth, which are usually made of their element, but can take on human forms via magic; and the Elemental Spirits of Ice, Electricity and Fire, which are basically the same as Sprites in theory, except they usually have a more stable human form. However, the Spirits usually take more to mammalian or avian forms; I'm not sure why they're lumped in with the Fairies." She proceeded to wander off to find an answer for her question. Kyo looked perturbed at being interrupted; more at the fact that /somehow/ the minute scientist had made the Fae understand.

It was probably just her charm.

"So what is Hakuba? And…."

"My name's Kaitou." Kaitou supplied with a smile. He really didn't care – he had WAAY too much dirt on the two detectives for them to do so much as lift a finger. And they knew it. "I'm a Harpy, Hakuba's Siren."

"Like in those Greek Legends?"

"Exactly," Hakuba stated. "The legends are the one way that creatures remain existing in the human world." He knew some from the books, and some from his heritage, and a lot from asking around.

"So you eat-?"

"Okay, so not /that/ exactly," a suddenly rather green Kaitou interjected. Man-eaters, they were not. Hakuba nodded.

"While some still do, most don't," he added.

"Oh…" Shinichi was properly abashed. "Wait… when you say most-"

"Approximately half the world's 'human' population is creature." Kyo stated. "They're fairly well spread out. They only gather at certain places. Tokyo, London, New York is such a big and old one that they don't even blink at extraordinary, Moscow, Shanghai is up and coming but fairly new, Greece, Italy, The Nile region of Egypt. There's more places, but those are the main areas."

"I see." Large cities made sense so did highly populated rural areas. Disappearing into a crowd worked most of the time.

Heiji remained silent throughout this conversation. Kudou was in safe hands – he knew that much just by rationalizing. However… something was still irking him. Mayhap it was the siren… maybe it was the new group of people… but whatever it was, he wasn't leaving Shinichi's side.

They were fed, and then the Kuroba family tried to put them up for the night. However, Shinichi insisted he needed to go home so Ai could keep a close eye on him; in case he changed back. She didn't figure it was likely, but the detective of the east wanted to take no chances (or expose himself further). Heiji followed; an unspoken agreement with himself that nothing was going to damage Kudou in any way keeping him nearby.

Shinichi didn't mind – he felt safer for the other's company. He was being rather quiet; but it was of no consequence at the moment. This was… a large change for the both of them. Absently he tugged the coat he'd borrowed closer, even though he felt his wings chafing uncomfortably between skin and cloth; laws were laws. Returning to his thoughts, Shinichi was uncomfortable. He was back to being Shinichi, yes, however…

This new twist was not one he liked. Magic /existed/. This was entirely beyond his normal limits. It didn't help that the possibility of his being 'cursed' was suddenly an option. He was a detective – based in the real world, grounded, not swayed by the mystical. Yet here he was, not just a 'witness', but an actual MEMBER.

Heiji was required to correct the other's trajectory as he was so deep in thought he nearly bypassed his own house for Agasa's; or maybe even for Ran's. The Osakian himself was quiet; his mind was relaxed. If there was something off, he couldn't tell; though something was clearly bugging the eastern detective.

"Kudou?" he asked finally, as Shinichi shed his coat once in the safety of his own home. The doctor person was out, family or something, and would be gone for a few weeks at least. They had time to sort things out.

"Mm?" Shinichi returned his attention to Heiji.

"You ok? Ya seem real outta it."

"Oh - it's nothing," he tried to wave Heiji's concern off; unfortunately it didn't work and only served to increase the other's interest in pursuing the topic.

"Ya sure?" the Osakian asked with concern, taking the other's shoulder gently. The muscle under his palm tensed only slightly before relaxing, taking the rest of Shinichi's body with it as he heaved a rather disheartened sigh.

"… No, not really." Somewhere between his life doing an oversized, pell-mell version of a back flip and taking a nosedive for the extraordinary [not particularly in that order], he'd rather lost the previous direction in his life. Conan, who may or may not make reappearance at this point in the game, was bad enough to begin with. Sure, being a detective was great and all [bodies need not apply], but the solidity of being an 18-year-old human was quite lost by this point.

Heiji's hand was warm against his shoulder and comforting in its casual weight. The other was calm, accepting of the situation, as always. Heiji was a very 'go with the flow', 'figure it out when I get there' kind of person. His brain niggled at him slightly however. For despite Heiji's relaxed personality, he also tended towards fits of passion. Something like /bursting into flame/ seemed like something to be 'mildly' passionate about, yet the other was acting as if it were a completely normal daily routine.

"Oi, Kudou-! Earth to Kudou!" had he gotten lost in his own train of thought? Yes; yes he had. Now he could see why Ran always referred to him as clueless; he thought too much. Of course right now he was somewhat entitled, but Heiji was talking. "I asked if ya needed your little scientist."

"No, no, nothing like that!" he insisted; and it was true. He felt wonderful physically, better than any of the other cures had left him. It was just mentally he was a little down. "I'm just a little shell shocked." Was that the correct term? Ah well. "Are you alright? I kind of noticed you've been rather quiet." He eased towards the kitchen, the doorway not necessarily the best place to remain for a chat.

"I'm fine." The detective of the west assured as he followed, jamming his hands in his pockets casually; the charred edges of his sweater crinkling loudly at the movement.

"You /did/ just kind of catch fire." Shinichi pointed out. That alone should technically outstrip turning into a fairy any day; however, Heiji just laughed rather awkwardly at that.

"My mom kind of warned me that would happen eventually…" Heiji admitted gently, glancing at the wall for a moment. "Dad's been trying to rough it out of me for a couple years. Somethin' about tryin' t'start on my 60 or 70 children early." He kept his eyes on the wall while he said this, glancing lightly at Shinichi near the end; face a pale rosy in color. Shinichi raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you mean 6 or 7?" he asked skeptically. Six was pushing the limit, 60 was a rather painfully obvious typo.

"Heh…." Heiji laughed weakly, "not at all." He stated in the same tone. "Fire spirits are a dying race. There's only about 150 left. There's only about five my age, all belonging to different families; and there's only about 10 of us that can reproduce at all."

"… oh…." Shinichi looked bashful, and mildly embarrassed. Distracting himself, he put some hot water on. There was still tea in the house, if nothing else. "But wait… if your… 'Species' is having trouble, why are you an only child?"

"Not for a lack o' tryin'." Heiji responded mildly, internally wincing.

He then allowed conversation to drop as the water set to boiling. There were other things about fire spirits that his mother had told him; but they were things in said conversation he'd rather not repeat to another - especially to Shinichi. Fire spirits were slaves to their emotions, the more passionate they were the more magic they could put into it. Sometimes the magic didn't want to surface until the spirit found a person or thing they could truly be smitten by. Kudou, therefore Conan… his parents were right… he /had/ become obsessed with Kudou.

Fuck forethought – it never ended up with the desired results anyways. He was on his feet faster than his thought could follow, and the next thing he knew he was pressed against Shinichi's, kissing him firmly into the counter.

His mouth was hot. His entire person was warmer than usual, actually. It felt nice… even as he tried to come to his senses enough to pull away from the slightly more robust detective. Heiji wasn't giving in so easily; looping his arms around the other's back while being very careful of the wings that were currently folded there, he kissed Kudou passionately - enticing him to return the affection.

Shinichi wasn't sure where the sudden que of interest had come from. As a detective, it irked him. As a teenager, however… he caught himself pressing back into the kiss. He was curious; it felt nice. Ran and everything else was the last thing on his mind. Carefully he gripped the other's sweater ignoring the charred edges as his fingers twisted the fabric into something more graspable.

Heiji smiled. There. This was the outcome he wanted. Not some, highly overcomplicated, over analytical conversation about whether or not this was something that could backfire on either of them.

Shinichi woke the next morning – still dressed (though his shirt was open), but quite comfortably settled on Heiji's chest. They were both on the couch, probably after having deemed a bedroom entirely too far - the heat from Heiji's body more then made up for the lack of blanket. They had rather obviously passed out mid make out… which was odd all on its own. As to why it had occurred at all…that remained unanswered, and Heiji was going to have questions to answer when he woke up. However, there was nothing wrong with retaining his current comfortable and warm positioning. He proceeded to doze off once more against Heiji's chest.

/Beta Note: If anyone is bothered by Heiji's accent, and would prefer he be written with a normal dialect for the sake of your sanity, please say so.

Omake:

-THIS CHAPTER WAS ORIGINALLY HACKED-

-We were greatly amused-

"I'm afraid I referred to him as a brute during a case. He… did not take kindly to that." Hakuba explained delicately, not really wanting to go into details. Part of it was that he was completely incorrect over the cause I have a small dick of that case, and part of it was that he had acted less than gentlemanly to his fellows at some instances…