-FIRSTS-
Disclaimer: The works of Detective Conan and Magic Kaito belongs to Gosho Aoyama-sensei.
Warning: KaiShin relationship.
A/N: I was going to leave this as a cliffhanger but I'm not that mean...yet
First Long-distance
"Your acronym friends aren't being subtle..." Kaito pointed at the bulge of the jacket. They managed to have the inspector agree to let in the two FBI agents as Shinichi's companions. "Have you spotted anyone yet?"
Shinichi kept his eyes on the surrounding rooftops. The note hinted there would be at least two snipers to take out KID.
"I may have a potential location but there's been no signs yet." Shinichi went around to the buildings, surrounding the heist location, to plant listening bugs. He had been tuning into the earphones for the slightest noise, but so far nothing. "What about you? Have you spotted your target?"
"I wish. Our KID imposter might not even appear I think." Glancing about, Kaito recognized every single person in the room, ranging from the regular Task Force member to the reporters. Though it could mean nothing when faced with Vermouth as she would be able to portray the person perfectly.
"I'm surprised the Inspector said nothing about Jodie-san and Camel-san. As you said, their accessories are not subtle." The inspector is shouting last minute orders off to the side. Shinichi was grateful they chose to wait at the furthest spot from the inspector.
"I asked Hakuba to help me distract Nakamori-keibu." The blond detective had his face scrunched up as he covered his ears to muffle out the sound. "Maybe I should have bought him a pair of ear plugs. Does this count as a job hazard?"
"Hakuba should be used to it by now. He's an unofficial member of the Task Force."
"Kudo-kun," Jodie approached the pair sandwiched between the pillar and the window, "are you absolutely sure that they would show up?" There was a hint of distrust.
"Jodie-san, even I cannot absolutely guarantee they would show up. However, my sources have informed me of the high possibility." Shinichi was tired of having to prove himself again and again. "If you've trusted my cousin before, you have no reason to doubt me. We've even worked together and I've yet to steer you wrong."
"Speaking of you cousin, where is Cool Kid?"
"Left. Went back home." Shinichi shrugged, turning his gaze back outwards to spot the signs of a glint from a sniper scope. Hoping the agent would drop the subject.
"The States?" Curiosity was piqued in Jodie.
"Could be. I was asked not to reveal." Shinichi heard Kaito's near-silent snicker and sent him a glare.
"Hm...might be a good idea seeing as our Director has taken an interest in him. But would you pass on a message from us?" Jodie took out a written card from her jacket. "He left without saying goodbye. I had been meaning to give this to you last time."
The message was a phone number. Shinichi did not recognise it.
"This is...?" He lifted the card higher.
"Our Director's number." There was a sense of grimace in her voice, "if you could persuade Conan-kun to possibly call him..."
Shinichi thought he probably should do just that to have the Director of FBI off his tail.
"No guarantees." He pocketed the card.
"Shinichi, we're nearing time." Kaito gently reminded. "And there's still no sign..."
Shinichi focused on the static noise coming from the earpiece. They should be transmitting sounds from his bugs that he placed at the two potential locations. The fact that he hadn't heard a single sound is worrying.
"No, it's not that it didn't pick up anything, but it couldn't transmit anything." He had a look of horror on his face as he pulled out a pair of glasses.
"Shinichi," Kaito tapped Shinichi on the shoulders before he even managed to put the glasses. He drew the detective's attention towards the clumsy waiter.
"Please don't tell me he's the one playing KID..." Shinichi groaned, ignoring the startled look from the FBI agents as they too turned towards the waiter.
"Would it help if I lied to you?" Kaito spot the dangling chain swaying as the waiter walked. It was not a standard piece of the hotel staff uniform.
"Can you do something?" Shinichi waved at the general direction between the gem and the waiter. "I really don't want to go back on my words."
"Where are you going?" Kaito questioned the retreating back of Shinichi with the two agents. A sense of dread overcame him. He reached out to grab the wrist, to stop his detective.
"We have to check the two locations. I think the snipers are already in place and just waiting for KID's appearance..." Shinichi's gaze dropped down to the hand grabbing him. "Kaito..." His voice firm as he nodded in the direction of the clumsy waiter, who once again managed to trip but this time also overturned a table and knocking many of the plates to the floor. The waiter apologized profusely bowing down low. "Get him out of here. He's a hazard in more ways than one."
Kaito reluctantly let go of the wrist, letting his hands drop back to his side in a lack of energy and purpose. Shinichi leaned over and gave him a small peck on the cheeks. Kaito immediately startled for Shinichi rarely shows public affection voluntarily.
"I'll make it up to you later." Shinichi whispered into his ear, it was not a conversation to be heard by others.
To Kaito, it sounded like a bribe but he was not above declining his detective. "Are you sure you can pay me back for everything?" He joked even in such a tense situation.
"Would you mind if I paid in installments?" Shinichi reached out and squeezed the loose hand. "Stay alive."
It seems Kaito was not the only one with the bad feeling for Shinichi to remind him so plainly of the dangers of the current game. He returned the gesture and gave a reassuring smile before heading off in the direction. Shinichi spared one last look before dashing out of the ballroom.
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"A handsome boy like you shouldn't be alone on a night like this. Dance with me?" Blond hair obstructed his eyes as the curvaceous woman stepped into his line of sight. The little black dress just about covered all the parts of the human anatomy to have the woman considered decent. Though the revealing cleavage was saying otherwise.
"What do you want." Despite the genial smile, his voice remained cold as he addressed the person in front of him. Even knowing the true nature of the woman, it would not do for Kaito to let down his guard.
"Where are my manners, I should introduce myself shouldn't I Kaito-kun." She flipped her hair theatrically. "I used to be a student of your father's, my name is Chris."
"Chris-san, what brings you here this evening." With the room full of people, there was a high chance of someone eavesdropping on their conversation. Kaito played the part of First-Time-Meeting flawlessly with a decent amount of falseness.
"Philip is a good friend and had all but begged me to come, hoping to use me as a promotion tool. Though to his surprise, someone else beat me to it." Her gaze was directed at the clumsy waiter, who was still clearing up his previous mess. "You're here alone? Or with friends?"
"Like you said, it would be strange for me to be by myself. So shall I take you for a dance or are you busy?" Reluctantly, he offered out a hand. From the few encounters he had with the woman, he figured that as long as he could keep her entertained, she was more likely to help them.
"Like a true gentleman." She took the offered hand, both walking towards the dance floor. "Your father had taught you well."
Kaito offered a tight smile. "I only learn from the best." Lifting up her hand, he let his other hand slip around her waist somewhat awkwardly.
"Nervous to be dancing with me or nervous that your significant other would find out?" The teasing tone was apparent. "No worries, this would be our secret."
Kaito would have loved not to have a shared secret with her.
"Though your movement is a bit stiff, is it because you're dancing with me or because you're dancing the male lead? Either way, you are better than all my partners so far. Perhaps I could find our dear werewolf killer for a spin."
Her subtle hint at the cruise event likely meant she was present on the night or had eyes on the gala. Kaito held back his questions for interrogation. If he learnt anything it is that the woman is more likely to trick you with her answers unless she took a liking in you. Kaito must wait for the information rather than press for it.
"You're cute when you act submissive." She closed in to whisper. "Does he like it this way?"
All of a sudden, Kaito stilled all his motions. Anger must have shown through his Poker Face for the woman grinned.
"Dear boy, you might just have wormed your way into my favourites list." She pecked at his cheeks, "you've earned yourself an extra, fifteen minutes. Good luck."
Kaito was relieved when the woman walked away. At least it seems she was adequately entertained to give him a consolation prize instead of information.
'But extra time for what? Is she planning to hold fire or delay the fake heist so to give KID time to show up?' He looked at his watch. 'Either way, I have to get him away before I attempt anything.' Purposefully, he walked towards the waiter, tapping him on the shoulders.
He was startled.
Kaito winced, 'Can he not be so blatantly obvious? How did they train him?' Shaking his head, Kaito motioned towards for less populated area. He led them outside into the vacant and dimly lit halls.
"Is there something you wanted Kuroba-san?"
And if that didn't give the boy away, Kaito would eat raw sea creatures for breakfast.
He sighed.
"Do they not teach you anything? Never reveal anything from your past or you're bound to be found out. You're lucky there's no one, or bugs, nearby."
He winced. "Sorry," he said softly, hiding his eyes with the bangs of his hair.
Kaito waved him off. On use in trying to admonish the boy. "Why are you here?" Kaito might as well go for the obvious question.
"I... I can't say."
Kaito sighed, internally he thought he might have picked up too many of Shinichi's habits. "Nevermind then. Is there anything you can, or will, tell us?"
"Sorry..."
Kaito could detect the inner debate, could actually imagine the conversation inside the boy's head as the look of anguish was evident.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Kaito had to ask. To see whether the boy had the conviction. There was a moment's hesitance before a nod. "Do you know what you're doing?" Another nod. "Fine." It was said with so much finality that he took it as a dismissal and turned away. But he never expected Kaito to pull out Shinichi's spare sleeping dart watch and dart him in the neck (aim extremely accurate even without the use of the target). The boy immediately slumped over and Kaito managed to catch him mid fall to spare the later headache.
"I said Fine but I never said I wouldn't stop you. Don't blame me, or Shinichi, for this." Kaito heaved the boy's arm around his own shoulder and proceeded to drag him off to an unknown corner. The dose should last for an hour or so, but just to be on the safe side, and in case he had resistance to anesthetics like Shinichi, Kaito rigged up a canister of sleeping gas to go off after he made certain movements to indicate he woke up.
"That should do it." Kaito cleaned off the imaginary dust on his knees as he observed his handiwork. The boy, while not trussed up like many of his unfortunate Task Force members would on a heist night, was laid to sleep inside the janitor's closet. Kaito made sure to clear out the equipment and cleaning liquids in case it would cause bad chemical reactions. He was just about to shut the door when he thought it might look too incriminating if the boy wasn't at least pranked in some form. Rummaging around he found a water-based marker and began to sign KID's name on the cheeks. He also fished out a multicoloured wig and a red nose.
"Not one of my best but you've kind of been through too much for the full KID experience. Toned down and brightly coloured should do for you."
Finally satisfied, he closed the door, leaving it unlocked, before heading back into the display hall. Checking his watch, there was only three minutes left. He made a visual inspection of the places where he hid his tricks, seeing no signs of tempering, he patiently waited for time.
"Excuse me," a rather well-dressed male approached Kaito courteously, "I was wondering if you've seen a particularly clumsy waiter? I thought I saw him walk out with you..."
"Oh, he's a high-school friend! I never thought I'd see him working here of all places," Kaito injected the right amount of surprise into his voice. Inconspicuously, he made mental observations about the male. Slightly taller than he was, tailored suit, polished shoes, dark hair and eyes though the face looked more European than Japanese, the man looked about to be in the late twenties and had an air of openness to him. 'Doesn't seem to be part of the organization.' His posture spoke of him being somewhat athletic, preferring the outdoors seeing there was an obvious tan line where the glasses' handles do not match.
"Where did he go now?" Turning around, the man revealed a small bulge in the inner leg.
"Well, he said something about the kitchens when we parted..." No point go actually telling him the location of the janitor's closet, it would sound too suspicious. "Though why is a guest looking for a waiter?"
"Ah...um...he said he'll be bringing me...uh... the special order. Right, yes, special order. Seeing as I seemed to be drunk or something..." And immediately, the man started to become incoherent. "Anyways... uh... it's nice meeting you? I think?" He bent to bow but seems to have lost balanced and wobbled.
'Horrible, horrible acting.' Smiling outwardly, Kaito offered a hand before waving goodbye. "They all need lessons." Kaito muttered before slinkering to his designated waiting spot close by the display. Hakuba came to join him for the vigil not a moment later.
"So what do you think?" Hakuba asked after standing in silence for three minutes.
"About...?" Kaito was not about to volunteer information or let the blond detective trick him into answering.
"This whole setup, the fake KID, anything?"
Kaito gave him an incredulous look that said more than words, implying Hakuba was stupid to ask such a question. However, Hakuba either didn't seem to get his message or simply did not care.
"Like I said before, your tuxedo fetish does not bother me... at least not as much as it used to. I'm willing to stop implying when you're out of uniform if you could at least give me some answers."
Kaito considered it for a moment, patiently waiting to see if Hakuba had anything else to add or if there was a catch 22. Detecting none, he carefully weighed the pros and cons before letting out a small huff of breath.
"You can ask but I won't promise to answer."
"That's more than I'd hope for from you. I'm actually surprised you didn't make fun out of it or counter it."
"What's the point?" Kaito shrugged his shoulders. "You trust Shinichi. You're not about to go back on your words."
"This." Hakuba gestured at the display case. "Is it of any worth to anyone barring its owner?"
"Maybe. Could be." Kaito delivered with a playful tone but contradicted with a serious face.
Hakuba looked irritated at the riddled response.
"Then would anyone show up tonight?"
Kaito stood still. Should he give an actual answer or another confounding response?
"Well?" Hakuba was looking less irritated and more concerned. In an act of sympathy, Kaito decided to award him with a decent answer.
"Not on-site but within sight." Kaito took out Hakuba's pocket watch from his own pocket (Hakuba was startled for a moment when he realized the magician had pickpocketed him without any indication) and checked the time. There was less than a minute to the specified time. He glanced out the window and saw the beginning of Earth's shadows creeping onto the bright moon. "Any minute now..."
Both held their position and breath as they waited for any sign or sound. Kaito looked as though focused on the display between himself and Hakuba but in fact he was paying more attention to the earpiece that had been transmitting Shinichi's conversation until recently, which had turned into static. Voices became intermittent and he was beginning to worry. Just as he was about to pull out his phone, Hakuba shouted and pointed to the window behind him.
"Kuroba!"
Kaito turned and suddenly there was a stinging sensation at his back. He turned back, coming down to a crouch. This time, pain erupted at his left shoulder. He did not stop his movements as there was nothing between him and the view from the window. It was making him a perfect target. Kaito kept his head down as he ran towards the window, hoping to hide in the blind spot. But was clipped at the lower leg part way, not that it slowed him to any effect as the adrenaline pumped throughout his system. He rested his back against the walk as he waited for signs of the sniper having left the location.
Hakuba crawled carefully along the edges to reach Kaito. When he saw the sight, he swore vehemently.
"Looks like you've been around the Inspector too long." Kaito tried to let out a weak laugh but resulted in a wince.
"Where's Kudo?" Hakuba moved Kaito slightly to look at the wound on the shoulders. Kaito's back was stained bright red. Kaito was in a difficult position for Hakuba to apply pressure to stem the flow, instead he pushed Kaito so he sat flushed against the wall.
"Somewhere. He left the halls half an hour ago." Kaito let out a hiss even knowing what the blond detective was attempting. He tried to focus on something else, mainly any sounds from collected from his bug. And as though hearing Kaito's worries, voices began to filter through.
"Nakamori-keibu, ambulance! Kuroba's been shot!" Hakuba shouted backwards before turning back to tend to the magician's leg wound, where Kaito had been trying to apply pressure to but not having any effect as one of his arms could barely muster up the strength. "I'll have to call Kudo, he needs to know."
As the police shouted in the background, Kaito's attention was split between Hakuba and the earpiece.
"Kudo?"
"Hakuba? What's the problem?" Kaito heard Shinichi's voice and was relieved that although his detective sounded winded, there was no pain in his voice. Though he was concerned there were continuous staccato sounds in the background.
"There's a shooting at the heist. Where are you?"
"And don't I know it." Shinichi grumbled and the staccato sounded less loud and erratic. "Bit busy at the moment. Mind if I called you back?"
"Kuroba's been shot." Hakuba stated with gravenes. "We've called the ambulance, it should be here in five minutes."
"Shit! " The staccato sounds suddenly rose in volume. Kaito wasn't sure whom the swearing was directed at. "I'm not sure if I can get back before the ambulance. Text m... damn..." Shinichi was cut off part way in his sentence.
"Shinichi." Kaito gestured for Hakuba's phone but instead of handing it to him, the detective pressed it into his ear, aligning the speaker and mic. "She was here, with him." Kaito tried to keep his voice stable to not show pain, but Shinichi must have heard something as the voice coming back radiated with concern.
"Kaito. Stay still, don't worry. I have things handled on that end. Worry about yourself ok?"
"No, she said fifteen minutes. I know by now it doesn't mean the time of heist..."
There was silence but Kaito could imagine Shinichi's mind working vigorously for an answer.
"Location. She's hinting at the location." There was a beer from the other end and Shinichi seems to be speaking to someone else. "James-san, it's not a duo but trio, can you call Jodie-san? Tell her it's on the building by the intersection...Yes, I'm sure." There seems to be a debate and Shinichi, after much effort, managed to convince James. "Kaito, stop listening on the bug."
"Ah, you caught me." Kaito smiled sheepishly even knowing his detective would not see it.
"Ba'aro, of course I'd know. But there's no need to cause undue stress now that your injured. If you're worried, give it to Hakuba. I'm sure he'll keep you informed."
"Heh, as if. He'd more likely to run into the situation. Isn't that a detective trait?" Kaito knows what Shinichi was doing, trying to keep him conscious and distracted as they wait for the ambulance. Hakuba didn't seem to mind and Kaito was grateful. He wasn't sure himself if he could keep conscious for long he not for Shinichi. Judging by the small puddle circling him, his injuries were bad.
"Unfortunately, I would have to agree with you. Can you switch back to Hakuba?" Kaito could hear the staccato had finally died down, and nudged the phone back to Hakuba.
"He wants to talk to you."
"This is Hakuba." He settled into a more comfortable position, while keeping one hand pressed onto the leg wound.
"Hakuba, how is he?" Kaito scoffed when he realised Shinichi had not trusted him to truthfully answer questions about his own health. But then, Kaito could understand where he was coming from seeing as Kaito would definitely downplay his injuries.
"His back is covered in blood so I can't really assess the damage. Though he had been shot three times. I could see there's at least a shot at the leg, I speculate at least one on the shoulders. Unfortunately, no exit to any of his injuries. Moving him right now is hazardous. Especially not knowing where the snipers are."
Hearing about his own injuries only made everything much worst for Kaito. He was beginning to feel drowsy and lightheaded.
"I've taken care, or at least they would have been taken cared of, the rest of the snipers. But just in case, curtains?"
Hakuba glanced at the ceiling. "None for this set of windows, which must be why the snipers picked it."
"Keep me posted." Shinichi hung up on the detective abruptly.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sometime during transportation, he must have blacked out as the next moment he woke up, he was in an all-too-white and antiseptic smelling room. He was positioned so that he was laying on his stomach, to ease off the injuries he supposed. The starchy sheets irritated his exposed skin. His left arm stung slightly when he moved because of the drip connected at the elbow. His other was held tightly by Shinichi who had slumped over the uncomfortable plastic chair. Kaito frowned when his eyes picked up the shape of a sling holding his detective's arm. But before he could do anything, drowsiness attacked him once more and if let his eyes rest.
When he next woke up, the sun was shining brightly through the windows. Shinichi had vacated the plastic chair and Kaito hoped it meant he went to get some food. He let out a breath as he tried to manoeuvre himself to sit up. The drip seems to be gone by now but the stinging sensations still present. His injuries felt numb and carefully, he tested his movements. His limbs were slow to respond. With nothing else better to do, he reached for the conveniently placed remote for the tv in his private room. Kaito had to wonder why he was placed in here instead of the shared rooms.
There was nothing interesting in particular on tv, by the number of drama broadcasting on the screen, it must be early afternoon.
"Kaito!" He had expected Shinichi but instead, it was his mother that came rushing into the room.
"Mum, I'm fine. Only a little graze..." Kaito hugged back. His mother may not have been tearing up and she may have any Poker Face to rival his father, but the worry was evident to Kaito.
"You're not Fine, you were shot! At a heist no less, as yourself. What on Earth happened?"
"A series of unfortunate events?" He tried to sound casual.
"And what was Shinichi-kun doing, not by your side. Hakuba-kun was the one who called Jii about you hospitalization."
"You know... I'm not all that sure myself. I haven't seen him since I woke up. Though the brief moment of awareness had me seeing him in the room with me... Probably hurt as well. Can you check with the nurses for me?" Kaito put on the best puppy eyes he could muster.
"Not before the doctors have checked up on you. I took the soonest flight back after hearing from Jii and it's been 3 days since I came back." Chikage pressed for the nurse station on the panel above Kaito's head.
Kaito did some quick calculation and his eyes widened. "I've been out for an whole week?!" No wonder the pains are now just a dull ache.
"You mean this is the first time you're actually awake and aware of your surroundings?"
Their conversation was disrupted when doctors and nurses rushed in to conduct the checks. The doctors were positive about his recovery and had given Chikage a verbal account of the surgery. Apparently, Kaito had shards of bullet fragments removed and there had been some slight infection, which put Kaito out.
"Was there someone else admitted as well? Someone who looked like me?" Kaito asked when the diagnosis was completed.
"Now that you mention it... I think I remember the doctor admitted another and few days ago... I think it was because of exhaustion, fatigue, and probably stress. He was found collapsed in the men's bathroom. Hit his head against the sink as well." The nurse smiled kindly at Kaito. "Is he your brother?"
"Where is he?" Kaito was already moving towards the edge of the bed in an attempt to see his detective.
"Wait!" "Stop!" Shouted from his other and the nurse respectively.
"You're going to aggravate the wounds!" The nurse tried to ease Kaito back into the bed but he resisted. Chikage went out to the nurse station and returned moments later with all wheelchair.
"My son's not going to listen." Chikage gestured to the seat. "If you want to move, you'll have to do so by my rules."
Kaito had no objections so he obediently sat down. He was wheeled towards another corridor further away from his own room.
"The nurse at the station said Shinichi-kun had to be sedated. Said he kept having breakdowns..."
"Shinichi never would... Could it be like last time?" Worried, he hoped it was not the case.
"Or it could be because he saw how badly you were injured and became too worried." Chikage comforted. She knocked on the door but was not expecting a reply.
The detective looked peaceful sleeping on the bed. With the exception of the bandage around his head, it looked as though Shinichi was only taking any nap.
"Shinichi." Kaito brushed away and few strands of hair as he caressed the soft skin. "How can you be so clumsy?"
Shinichi suddenly whimpered as though hearing Kaito's words but with what his mother told him, Shinichi should be out for some time.
"Not that you would really be... " He muttered, earning an strange look from Chikage. Kaito shook his head to clarify, "Shinichi told me, with everything he has been through, anesthetics and pain killer have very little effect. I'm pretty sure he's sleeping not because of drugs but of over exertion." He laid his head on the bed's edge.
"I'll go see if I can have both of you transfer to the same room. Knowing you, you would be worried sick for Yukiko's boy"
"You're the best mum." Kaito took hold of his mother's hand to give it and pull so the makes woman would bend down for a kiss.
"But I have a condition." Chikage looked straight into Kaito's eyes. "From now on, both of you will have to notify either Jii or myself when attempting to do something like this and that you will have to inform us of your plans and backup plans before you take any action."
"We didn't want to endanger anyone..." Kaito tried to reason but this was more of Shinichi's expertise.
"Kaito. This is beyond that now. I do not want to suddenly receive a call saying either one or both of you have been hospitalized again, or worst."
"Sorry mum. I just don't want to worry you..." Kaito's eyes focused on the ground.
"I'll always worry." She cupped his face to force him to look at her instead of feeling downcast. "Now, I better go and make the arrangements and call Yukiko-chan about this. Knowing Shinichi-kun, he wouldn't have thought of telling his parents."
Left to his own device, Kaito returned his gaze to the sleeping detective, who seemed to crease his brows even in sleep. Gently, he smoothed the wrinkles away and took hold of a free hand.
"Shinichi, you need to take better care of yourself. Though I should be heeding that advice as well right?" Staring out the window, and briefly realizing they were nearing the weekend again, Kaito wondered where the two could take any vacation when the semester ends. "It might be at bit soon since we've just started the semester but it never hurts to start planning right? So what do you think?"
Kaito carried on a monologue conversation just to stop the silence. If they were lucky, they would be released in any few days. At least that was what he hoped.
-TBC-