Chapter Twenty-three:

Never Trick a Trickster

KID POV

The days passed and we were now going on three and a half weeks in our current condition. Hakuba had finally recovered from Baaya's death and seemed much more like his usual self lately. Conan decided for the weekend to go to Osaka to visit Heiji Hattori, a friend of his who I had the pleasure of meeting a couple times before, to help on a case the teen was working on. As for Ai, Agasa, and Akako, they were still researching the cure. It was thanks to them so far that Kaito didn't have any more issues with his transformations. While still hard, they were no longer life threatening. Still, Ai continued to search hard for a permanent cure.

"So let me get this straight", I started with a frown, "You three are all going to a science convention in Central Japan for the weekend to try to find out something about another possible solution to the cure?"

"It will be a place full of the most brilliant minds around. Surely someone there has a solution", muttered Ai.

"Why is Akako going though too?!

"Why can't I?" demanded Akako, "Unless of course, Kuroba-kun, you wish me to stay with you?

She grinned devilishly at him and Kaito backed up, swatting her hand away.

"No thank you", he spat with a glare.

She just grinned and nodded her head as though that had decided it.

"Look, we will only be gone for like three days at most and two days at least. You should be able to survive on your own for that long. It's not like you will be alone, Hakuba-kun will be here too."

"Don't remind me", he muttered as he smirked at Hakuba who just gave him a flat look as he rolled his eyes. Kaito grinned seeing it had the response he had wanted.

Ai just rolled her eyes at them both as she shook her head and started out the door with Agasa and Akako by her side.

"See you in a couple days, Kuroba-kun dear!" yelled Akako as the door slammed shut and the buggy sped off.

"Sooo…want to go out on the town?" he asked Hakuba.

"What are you on about?" Hakuba sighed, massaging his forehead.

Kaito sighed.

"You are seriously no fun. I mean, do you want to come with me out into the town?"

"For what?"

"For shopping and you know, eating, and actual real living!"

"You tire easily right now, you shouldn't be walking that much."

Kaito glared at him as he sat down, obviously pouting. Hakuba watched him for a moment before smirking and ruffling his hair fondly.

"Alright, alright we can go out for today. Where too?"

"Yay!" cheered Kaito with a smile as he wrapped his arms around Hakuba, "Let's go get ice cream!"

Kaito grabbed Hakuba's arm and literally dragged him out of the house and down the road. It didn't take much for Hakuba to keep up with the younger boy seeing as how Kaito still wasn't up to his complete strength and speed yet. This of course only worried him more but he stayed silent as he followed him to the nearest ice cream shop. Perhaps a fun day out would make them both feel better, he thought with a smile.

"What can I get for you honey?" asked a waitress when she came up to their booth.

"I want a bowl of chocolate chunk ice cream please and then I also need a bowl of chocolate cheery as well."

"Alright dearie, you sure can eat a lot", she muttered as she walked off.

"I always forget they can't see you", Kaito laughed.

"Yeah, it's a little annoying for me to", agreed Hakuba.

Saguru sipped the glass of water she had brought out for Kaito as they waited. The other teen didn't want it, so he drank it himself. However he noticed in the corner of the shop six, what looked to be college kids, were pointing and whispering about Kaito. Narrowing his eyes, he watched as one young woman, a thin beauty with long blonde hair and green eyes walked over and smiled at Kaito.

"Excuse me," she said with a charming smile.

Kaito glanced up at the woman. She had a thin strapped pink tank top and pink short shorts on with pink sandals. He had to admit, she had a nice body.

"I was just wondering, are you single?" she asked with a suggestive smirk.

Kaito stared at her a moment before deciding there was no harm in answering.

"Sure", he muttered as he looked her up and down. What did she want?

Hakuba watched her too, also curious what she wanted with Kaito.

"Would you like to go on a date with me today?" she asked all at once.

Kaito stared at her, as did Hakuba, in shock. A college girl asking a high school boy out?!

"Err…I'm kind of busy right now", he said quickly.

The waitress chose right then to bring the ice cream tray.

"Here you go dearie, cherry chocolate and chocolate chunk. Enjoy!"

Kaito dug into his ice cream, forgetting the girl was still standing there. Hakuba just ignored her as he too began eating his ice cream, the bowl having vanished from the table, though no one noticed.

"Seriously, I would love it if you went out with me!" she said more enthusiastically, "my friends over there like you and are afraid to ask you themselves, so I decided I would ask you first. Please?"

Kaito stared at the girl again before turning to Hakuba.

"What the heck is she thinking?" he asked him mentally.

"No idea. Might be fun to see what she has planned."

Kaito smirked. "Yeah it just might."

"Alright girl", he said out loud, "I accept."

"Good!" she cheered, "my name is Karai and you?"

"Kaito", he answered.

"Kaito, cool name. How old are you?"

"Seventeen", he said watching her closely, "you?"

"Twenty", she answered sliding into the seat across from him.

Hakuba had already expected this and had moved beside Kaito, his ice cream still in his hands as he watched the girl curiously. She and her friends were up to something.

"So, I was thinking, my friends are having a party tonight. Would you like to attend with me as my date?"

Kaito glanced at Hakuba who shrugged.

"Sure, why not", he answered as he finished the last of his ice cream off, "where do I meet you?"

"Oh don't worry, we will be together all day. Come on, let's go shopping!"

She grabbed Kaito's arm and dragged him out of the ice cream shop. Hakuba threw down some money for the food as he left his empty bowl behind and took off after them.

"She sure is in a hurry, huh?" he asked Kaito in his mind.

"You are telling me", he responded with a sigh, "She's pushy. I wonder what they are trying for."

"Don't know, but I will be watching. If I see anything I will let you know or I will stop them myself."

"Just be careful Hakuba"

"You are the one who needs to be careful, Kaito", he said back.

"I'm always careful!"

"Right~" said Hakuba sarcastically, "Nearly shot, explosion, Collapsed near the river, kidnapped, funeral freak out… oh yes, you are oh so careful."

"Shut up", whined Kaito with a pout.

Hakuba just laughed as he followed behind them. He didn't like the leering glances the other college students were giving them as they walked off in a different direction.

Dragged into a clothing shop, Kaito was surprised when the girl forced some clothes into his hands after checking his tag size.

"Go try these. You need to look nice for tonight."

Kaito stared at her a moment before going to the dressing stall. He was just about change when Hakuba stopped him.

"Wait", he whispered.

"What is it?"

Hakuba looked down and that's when he noticed the small camera hid beneath the edge of the stall. Blackmail photos huh?

"Camera for blackmail, no doubt they are hustlers."

Kaito smirked.

"I got nothing to hide, they can take as many pictures as they want. My body is gorgeous"

Hakuba just rolled his eyes as he reached down and grabbed the camera. He pointed it at the wall as the thing began clicking. A triggered response, he observed with a frown. They really set this up rather splendidly.

"Nice clothes", muttered Kaito with a smile as he looked at the black dress shirt and jeans he was now wearing in the mirror.

"They are expensive, probably something else she plans to blackmail you with."

"I don't need her to buy them for me," he smirked, "I'm a thief. Like I care what she could do to me."

Hakuba smiled. That sounded like something Kid would say. She definitely picked the wrong target if she wanted someone who honestly cared about anything such as modesty and reputation. Kuroba could care less so long as he had fun.

"Let's go show her a time she won't soon forget", Kaito laughed and Hakuba couldn't help smirking with him.

She had so picked the wrong target!

DCDCDCDCDCDC

To say things weren't going well for the college girl was an understatement. Things were going horribly. With each turn, Hakuba and Kaito either ruined the plan or they enjoyed it more than a normal person should. In fact, Kaito liked almost every trick. He kept some in mind for his own plans for when he returned to school in the hopefully coming future.

"Time for the party", the girl sighed as she turned to look at the mysterious teen.

Somehow every trick she did was caught or encouraged. Just what was with this boy?!

"You ready? It's time for the party." She asked him.

"Of course", Kaito said as he stepped forward, making sure his black dress shirt was neat and tidy as he followed her along the sidewalk.

"I have a bad feeling about this", whispered Hakuba.

"Eh", started Kaito with a grin, "I'm looking forward to the game."

Hakuba just shook his head. Only Kaito would look forward to a place where everyone was waiting with some sort of trick up their sleeve.

The two walked down the street for a while until they reached a large house with flashing lights inside and hard core music flow. Kaito and Hakuba glanced at each other as the college girl, Karai, grabbed his arm and dragged him inside.

"I'm back~!" she sang out upon entering.

The other college kids who had been with her at the parlor got up and greeted her.

"So did you have fun with the kid?" one guy asked her, he looked like a jock if ever did Hakuba see one.

"It was…interesting", she nodded, a slight frown on her face that either the guy ignored or didn't notice, "Well whatever, hey kid!"

Kaito looked up at the address to him. He wanted to smirk just because he was used to the title of Kid and it only reminded him again that he was the master of tricks and a thousand faces.

"Yes?" he asked acting somewhat nervous.

Hakuba saw through it and laughed. He was actually pretty interested in what Kaito was planning. He had been on the receiving end far too often in the past and so he was a little excited about being able to watch Kaito do his thing.

"How about you go get us some beers. Get one for you too if you want", the guy laughed slamming his hand into Kaitos back enough to nearly knock him over. He actually would have fallen over if not for Hakuba being right there to catch him.

Hakuba glared at the man. Sure, he didn't know that Kaito was in recovery, but he still wanted to deck the guy for being so rough.

"I'm fine Hakuba", Kaito told him mentally, "just wasn't expecting it."

"Don't lie to me, I can see it hurt you. Just take it easy, okay? Be more cautious."

"Yeah, yeah mother", he smirked with a wink as he headed over to the table where the beer bottles were located. Grabbing a pack along with two extra, he smiled a sinister smile as he quickly unscrewed the lids and placed a single drop of something into the liquid that Hakuba couldn't see.

"What did you just do?" Hakuba asked curiously.

"You will see", he smiled innocently.

Hakuba shivered. It was always the innocent smile that made Hakuba the most nervous.

"Here you go, drinks have arrived~!" he sang to the college students who smirked and grabbed the bottles from his hands.

When all bottles were given, he watched in amusement as the fun began.

"Why won't the lid come off?!" yelled the jock.

"You must be pretty weak", laughed a couple of the girls as they opened theirs only to scream when the bottle erupted spraying them with alcohol.

"This is my favorite blouse!" she yelled angrily.

"Did you do something to these kid!" yelled one guy who came up and grabbed Kaito by the front of his shirt.

Kaito hid the wince that came with the rough treatement as he held up his hands innocently.

"It wasn't me I swear. I was only gone a moment, I couldn't have done anything that short a time, could I?"

"He's right Kio, he couldn't have", said the other jock as he gave up on opening the beer as he started back for a new one, "Sides, we have other matters to see too."

Kio smirked and glanced back at the teen before grinning wider.

"You are right", he said dropping his shirt, "later kid."

Kaito watched them walk away, a grin working its way onto his features.

"I admit, that was pretty comical", Hakuba said with a smile watching the girls trying to clean up their outfits.

"Thought you might enjoy that", Kaito stated as he looked around. He noticed Karai in the corner surrounded by a few guys and sipping champagne. He noticed she was watching him though, a curious look on her face. He grinned cheekily and waved at her. She just smirked as she stood up and made her way to him.

"I don't know how you did that, but I know it had to be you", she whispered to him, "You haven't let even one of my tricks get to you yet."

"What can I say?" he asked with a knowing smile, "I have a guardian angel I guess."

Hakuba just rolled his eyes.

"Hmm, I am starting to believe it", she said with an intense gaze, "just watch your back, Kaito. They know you did something and they won't let it rest with your innocent plee."

"Oh, I completely expect some sort of revenge" he laughed and she blanched.

Was this kid serious?! She thought. She had seen Kio and Hiro do some pretty horrible things to some other high school kids they had played with. Still, something about this boy made her wonder what would happen should they try anything. She had a feeling it would be their loss and not his.

"I can't wait to see what you do next, Kaito-kun", she smiled and walked away.

Kaito watched her a moment before glancing at Hakuba.

"I think she likes you now", he commented.

"I think she is starting to anyways", agreed Kaito, "Not that I care."

"What now?"

"Now we head outside to where the guys went. I would rather get the show on the road."

"Of course you would" muttered Hakuba with a sigh, "alright, let's go see what else they have up their sleeve."

Kaito had only taken one step out of the door when a bucket of ice cold water fell on top of him. The college students burst out laughing and Kaito followed suit, equally laughing just as hard.

"Man that was refreshing!" he yelled with a grin, "I was just thinking a good cool shower sounded good. I wonder why someone would waste good water like that though. No matter! That was fun!"

The students all stared at him, their smiles fading at his…joy over being tricked? Kaito could see his words had the exact reaction he knew it would have. They all looked to be getting bored with trying to trick him. Soon, it would be his turn.

"Your angry aren't you?" asked Hakuba seeing the fire in his eyes.

"Angry? Me? I find their tricks annoying at most. Besides, they have it coming to them."

Hakuba shivered at the malice he saw in the teens smile and he was very, VERY glad he wasn't on the receiving end this time.

DCDCDCDCDCDC

The party had been going on for a while and Kaito had stayed mostly to the side chatting with Hakuba when he noticed the two from earlier heading towards him. He kept his expression passive as he watched them come closer.

"Hey, mind coming with us?"

"To where?" asked Kaito innocently.

"Upstairs, a friend of ours wants to talk to you. I think she has…some plans for you", they grinned suggestively.

Kaito grinned to, but he was actually a little nervous about what they were planning this time. He followed them up to the room, Hakuba with him. Kaito had only taken a step in when hands grabbed him and yanked him to the floor, pinning him.

"Kaito!" yelled Hakuba, but he found he couldn't do anything for the teen as his hands went through the people holding him down.

"I'm okay, just wait. I want to see what they are planning", Kaito said into his mind.

"Alright, but if they try anything, I am going to seriously murder them."

"Please don't, last thing I need is to be convicted of murder"

"I said me, not you. Sides, I am a detective. I could make it look however I like it too look."

For the first time, Kaito actually felt a rush of nervousness when facing Hakuba.

"Right, mental note. Never get on your bad side."

"You are always on my bad side."

"I mean REALLY bad side"

"Whatever", Hakuba grumbled, but he smiled. The smile faded when the door was slammed shut and the two guys walked in staring down at Kaito was pinned by two other guys.

"Strip him" ordered the one called Hiro.

"I would like to argue that order, thank you", said Kaito as he brought his elbow back and struck the one holding his right arm in the face. He turned and head butted the other on his left. The two college guys gritted their teeth as they threw themselves on the teen. Kaito threw down a smoke pellet he carried with him at all times and made it impossible for them to see in the room as he backed off, the four college guys beating each other. He smirked as he noticed Hakuba, who was beside him, also looked happily content with the show. When the smoke faded, only then did the four realize they were attacking one another.

"Where did the kid go!" they yelled angrily when they saw him standing in the corner smirking.

"You!" roared Kio as he jumped up and rushed the teen.

Kaito merely side stepped as the guy flew past him and out the second story window. Hakuba and Kaito bother watched in amusement as the twenty-some-year-old flew through the air and straight into the pool beneath them.

"I give you a 10!" he yelled down with a large smile on his face.

"Kaito!" yelled Hakuba in warning.

Kaito turned and ducked just in time as a fist came out of nowhere straight at his face. Hiro, red faced and angry, stood there glaring at the teen.

"You little freak!" he yelled as he ran at him.

Kaito smirked as he grabbed the man's arm and flipped him over his shoulder, allowing the momentum to carry the university student straight out of the room and through the window. He watched with delight as Hiro landed straight on top of Kio, the two of them going back under the water before coming up, looking like drowned rats.

"Strike, you are out!" he shouted and noticed their angry faces.

"I think it's time we leave", commented Hakuba. Last thing he wanted was to get into a fight with college students, even if he was sure Kaito could handle himself and escape when he really needed to.

"I suppose", he pouted, "Man I was just having fun too!"

Hakuba just shook his head in amusement as the two headed down the stairs, leaving the two beaten up guys laying on the floor of the bedroom.

"I'm hungry, Haku-chan, can we go get food?!"

"Sure, what do you want to eat?"

"Oh! Pasta kind of sounds good. How about it?"

"Sure, I…"

"Kaito!" yelled a voice.

He looked back to see Karai running towards him, amazement on her face, "Did you really do that to Hiro and Kio?!"

"Do what?" he asked innocently.

"You know! How they came out of the second story window and straight into the pool! That was amazing! Those two jerks never have gotten such treatment before. Everyone was really impressed by you."

"Yes, well I suggest you be somewhat more thoughtful when trying to hustle high school students", he said with a happy tone that totally contradicted his words, "Because you never know when one might come back to give you what you really are owed."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"You know that when I first approached you this morning?"

"Of course, why would a college girl come up to a random high school boy unless they wanted something? Don't sell yourself short though, you are rather beautiful milady", he said as he bowed with a flourish and snapped his fingers, a petite pink rose in his fingers as he offered it to her.

She took it and stared at him in wonder.

"Perhaps trying to play a Magician was you first mistake", he said with a wide grin, "Adieu and until we meet again."

He threw down a glitter capsule, a bright light and release of sparkle blinding her for a moment. When the girl looked back, the teen was gone as though he had never been there in the first place.

"Au Revoir, jusqu'à ce que nous nous revoyons, Kaito", she whispered and smiled up into the light of the moon.

AUTHOR NOTE*

Au Revoir = Goodbye in French

jusqu'à ce que nous nous revoyons = Until we meet again in French

*****This chapter is dedicated to Nahel, who has been a fantastic reviewer of my story! I love the fact that even though English is hard for her, she makes an effort to comment and read it as the story goes along. Thanks Nahel!

Hope you liked it! Sorry if the French was grammatically incorrect. I just used google.

Until next chapter Dear Readers! ;)