Declaimer: I don´t own Detective Conan

Words: 4 786

A/N: I finally had time to write this... At two AM XD Well, but at least I finished it... Uff, enjoy :)

Lemon Pie

Back in the Kuroba kitchen, a certain teen was rubbing the same plate for over five minutes now, not even noticing what he was doing. The violet eyes appeared to be staring at the plate, but his mom knew better. Her lovely child was having problems, love problems, and she couldn´t be more happy for him. Even with their little… problem. The teen, however, didn´t have the same opinion.

I wonder what is wrong with Tantei. When she arrived, she was all happy and smiled, but then something changed. Even going as far as lying to the expert of all lies about her headache just to escape the room. Could it be she didn´t like his company? But had tried to act more mature and less childish! From the moment she entered the house he didn´t pout, or sulk, or even glare at everyone filled with jealousy, not that there were many people to glare at… So why?

"Kaito, put the poor plate down, I think it suffered enough." Blinking, he finally noticed the poor plate, rising it with water and putting it to dry. "The dinner is ready. Set the table while I…"

"Hey, mom." Before Chikage managed to finish, Kaito interrupted her brilliantly, trying really hard not to look at her with puppy eyes. "Do you think Tantei dislikes my company? I mean, that lie was clearer than water, and she suddenly stopped smiling and…"

Oh god, Chikage loved the insecure Kaito! The prankster and Kid Kaito were cool and hot, but that one was just adorable, like a lovely puppy. Smirking, wising she had her camera, Chikage ruffled Kaito´s already messy hair. "A girl has a lot on her mind, especially if it is Christie-chan." The female detective´s mind never stopped, always planning ahead of her enemies. Chikage once knew how it was, and she did not miss the felling at all. "She must have remembered something and, as to not worry us, decided to go think about it for a while. Be patient, that girl is not used of having people around her constantly."

"If you say so…" The words his mother told had some sense to them, calming the worrying magician more than anyone else could. It was obvious Tantei was different, and as he had noticed before, she preferred to worry and think alone. If there was something on her mind, she would shut herself from everyone else, pretend it is nothing and then, when she thought no one was around, she would think about it by herself. Thou that method wasn´t wrong, it was slightly… lonely. For a moment, he wondered why exactly she did it, before the recollection of whom she really was kicked in.

Kudo Shinichi had always been alone. Her parents, the eternally free spirits, left her by herself when she was 14, and rarely came back home from them on. Her friends were few and had nothing to do with her detective passion. When something happened, a criminal chasing her or a stalker for example, she took care of it alone, since telling other people would worry them. Such was her personality, and thou she was just a little girl right now, that didn´t change one bit.

"Maybe it's time to put on some pressure…" Kaito mumbled, waiting patiently for Tantei and mom to come down. Apparently, his actions were completely ignored, and if Tantei kept behaving like that, he would have to show her exactly why he was helping her. He wanted to wait until she returned to her usual body to confess and all, but if it kept going like that… Well, if in the end he really did that, he would need to be careful. Hakuba was already labeling as a pedophile and pervert, no need to give him irrefutable proof.

As the females came down, he was half expecting Tantei to be slightly irritated, since no one liked to be interrupted when thinking, but he truly did not expect her to be completely annoyed. And for some reason he knew it wasn´t just because she was called to have dinner. Her cheeks were slightly red, brows frowned and for some reason, he couldn´t shake out the feeling that she was pouting. Yes, that Tantei, who disliked everything that made her look like a child.

"Let´s eat." Chikage interrupted Kaito´s meticulous analysis, sitting down next to the little girl. That, however, didn´t keep the teen from wondering what exactly happened in the last eight minutes, especially because he had a feeling she wouldn´t tell him. No, she wouldn´t tell no one unless pressured… "Itadakimasu."

The dinner went without problem, though no one said a thing during it, and after it, they went to watch TV just a little bit. At ten past ten, Chikage turned the TV off and ordered everyone to sleep, saying something about how important the eight hours of sleep were…

As they were climbing up, Kaito to go sleep at his room and Christie at the guest room that was finally prepared for her, the teen kept looking at her from time to time. She said nothing, walked slowly, her eyes focusing on something that wasn´t there. He could see it, having known her for so long. From time to time, Tantei just turned off, started ignoring everything about her and concentrated on her problems. At such times, she usually looked WAY serious than normal, if that was possible; and her eyes had a sad expression to them. Just like they were at that moment. He said nothing, she said nothing, and they continued walking in silence.

"Tantei…" Kaito tried to call out when he noticed something strange. They had already walked pass the guest room. The child, however, didn't notice it or heard him, opening the door to Kaito´s room. Blinking, the teen tried to call her again, but she just ignored him once more, starting to take off her soaks. "Ano, Tantei…"

It was rather a mystery how the detective still managed to act like she hadn´t heard him, considering Kaito almost shouted, and before he knew it, she was already taking her shirt off, the pajamas on his bed. Oh yea, he hadn´t taken them to her room. Wait, that was not the problem here!

Blushing madly, Kaito turned around. Sure, it was just a little girl changing and everyone knew kids had no sex appeal, but the thought of whom exactly was changing in his room brought a series of unwanted… fantasies to his head, which didn´t help the situation at all. "Damn it, Tantei! Pay attention."

This time, Kaito shouted. He couldn´t help it, it was hard enough not to run away and jump from a building, hopping to die, not to mention control his voice. However, it seemed like it worked, since a confused yelp was heard from behind him, clearly the little girl finally noticing him.

Sure enough, Shinichi woke up from her ramblings rather confused, wondering why that idiot was yelling… before a thought hit her. She was… half-naked! No, she was more than half-naked, the only piece of clothes being the underwear. Moreover, even though she had the knowledge that she was only a child, it didn´t help her when her face light up and she snapped. "PERVERT! DON´T LOOK!"

"I´m not looking!" Kaito yelled back, closing his eyes just in case. No, not just in case. He just now noticed that he could see Tantei´s reflection on the small mirror on his desk… "Just change quickly." Not needing to be told twice, Shinichi grabbed her pajama and wore it, all the way mumbling incomprehensible things. What in the hell just happened? How couldn´t she have noticed him? "Done?"

Throwing the pillow at him, she wished she was back in her body… No, wait, she didn´t want that. If he saw her change in her usual body… she would die of embarrassment. "I´m done. What are you doing in my room while I am changing?" But of course she hadn´t noticed it was his room, nor that it was him who messed up.

"Hey, it´s all your fault." Kaito retorted back, slowly turning around ready to run. He could feel her anger from behind, and as he looked her into the eyes, he already knew what to expect. She was furious. Thank god she left her shoes at the entrance, or else he would be running for his life right then.

"Yes, you would." As if reading him mind, she nodded furiously, taking deep slow breathes to calm herself down. The red was still there, faint, but present. "Now, care to explain yourself?"

Rolling his eyes, he pointed at the room. "This is my room. You suddenly walked in and started changing. When I tried to warn you, you just ignored me, and now it is my fault?" Shinichi blinked, looking around surprised. Indeed, it was his room… She was so used to going there that she actually operated on autopilot while thinking and arrived there…

"Sorry…" The faint mumble and blush caught him by surprise, as she looked away shyly. It was all her fault, and yet she dared yelling at him. "I wasn´t paying attention and… This will never happen again, I promise." She was an idiot. Kaito had done nothing wrong and yet… "Sorry…"

Taking her things, Shinichi looked at him one last time, smiling slightly. "Good night, Kaito." It was just a mumble, a weak one too, but something about its sweetness made him smile widely. And something about that smile made her act. Pretending that she wanted to tell him something in secret, the dark haired detective kissed Kaito´s cheek the moment it was in her reach, giggling all the way until she disappeared behind the now closed door.

Seconds transformed into minutes as Kaito, frozen as ice, stared at nothing. What had just…? "Good night, Kaito." The sweet, sweet voice repeated itself in his mind, and the blush just took over his face. "W-what the…?" He mumbled, looking at the closed door. Damn, Tantei was so sly! Wait, but did it mean that he had a chance…?

"Good night for you too." Kaito yelled back, grinning. Well, who cares, he would take it was one.

"Hakuba-sama." Someone said, addressing the blond haired teen who was waiting for over an hour now. Normally, he would not intrude someone at such hour, but sometimes it was necessary. "The records you requested will be available tomorrow morning."

"Is that so? You may go now." The maid bowed slightly and went out, leaving the teen all alone in his room. Usually, he would not ask a maid, but since Baya was out of the country, there was no other option. Sighing, Hakuba stood up and walked toward the window, from where he could see half of Ekoda. Moving into that little city was his best, and sometimes worst, decision. London was great and he loved it, but the peace and quiet of a small city was preferable.

Indeed, Ekoda was a nice city and he liked living there, as long as he ignored Kuroba Kaito. Lately, for some reason, all his nightmares were somehow related to him. That stupid Kid, how long would he escape his gasp before his wings were torn? Even though Hakuba felt no desire to put the magician behind the grids, who knows why, he still disliked his night persona. Just the reference of Kid´s name made his blood boil.

Yes, he, the great detective, was not chasing Kaito Kid to put him in jail. No, he had given up long ago. Kuroba Kaito was… somehow… a friend. He knew he could count on that idiot when he was in a real pinch. Both Kid and Kaito had helped him countless times already. That, however, didn´t change the fact he disliked what Kaito did sometimes.

Actually, you had to be rather stupid not to notice the real danger of his heists. Police could be escaped and manipulated, but guns couldn´t. They would pierce your skin and kill you, and if it hit something important, you would most certainly die. And that was something he couldn´t allow. If Kuroba died, while on his watch, someone would have his head. No, Kuroba wasn´t allowed dying, not on his watch nor on anyone´s.

Therefore, Hakuba had taken his case under his wing, investigating everything he could about those whom had tried to take Kuroba´s life away many times now. He had received some answers, but they came with more questions each time. Apparently, they were related to some organization that was under FBI´s watch… So confusing, so complicated. How had Kuroba managed to involve himself with them? Was it that hard to stay still and allow police to do their job, be it Japanese or American? Idiot.

Rain hit the window slightly, but he wasn´t paying attention. Presently, there was something else on his mind, being a female detective named Kudo Shinichi. Something about her disappearance was fishy… "Tomorrow…" It had come to his knowledge that there was a case on Kudo Shinichi, which was strange on its own, added by the fact it was a murder case. Even thou they, as detectives, usually got involved in cases; their names almost never appeared in the actual files. After all, they were only spectators of the grand mystery… "Tomorrow."

The moment the clock hit eleven o´clock, Christie was already sitting on a bench at the Beika part, blue eyes sweeping it clean. Now, as she looked around, she understood why Vermouth chose that place. The park wasn´t wide and you could always keep an eye on the entrances. If someone wanted to hide, it would be difficult, and placing any cameras would bring too much attention. Clever indeed. They could have the transaction without worrying of anyone spotting them.

Taking a deep breathe, she looked up at the blue sky and calmed herself down. Soon she would have a weapon to destroy them all. She only needed to be patient, as she had been until now, and everything would work itself out. Once they were gone, Haibara would have access to better facilities, creating the drug she so sought. It wouldn´t be easy, but what was?

"Good morning." A kind voice interrupted her thoughts. "I never expected to see a child so soon in the park. Where are your parents?" Looking at the stranger, Christie recognized her. It was a lady she had met as Conan, but she couldn´t be there. If her memory didn´t fail her, the lady went on vacation, and wasn´t supposed to come back until Summer. Vermouth then.

"Good morning." The little girl chirped back, smiling. "I´m alone. I am old enough to go to the park all by myself now." Smiling back, Vermouth sat down next to her, a basket filled with food next to her. "Are you meeting someone?"

"Oh? Aren´t you an observant one?" She giggled, putting the basket on the ground. "I am waiting for a couple of kids. They helped me a couple of times and this is my way of saying thanks you. Now that I think about it, you look rather similar to one of them…"

Blinking, Christie was caught by surprise. Was she really going that way? "I bet I am… Let me guess, Edogawa Conan?" At the nod, she sighed. Yes, she was going that way. "We are cousins, and for some reason look similar. If not by the fact our parents swore they never had an affair, and did a DNA tests, I would believe we are twins."

Giggling even more, Vermouth nodded. "Everything can happen in this world. Just the day before I met someone so similar to me I asked myself if I had a twin. But to think it would happen in a family… Even your personality is close to him."

Shaking her head, Christie stood up and grinned. Time to act as a child… "No, we are not. I am wayyyy cuter than he is! And sweeter too! He is just an anti-social brat who can´t even make friends properly. Mom always said those murder books would be bad for him…"

"Oh, is that so? Yes, you are cuter than he is." Blushing childishly, Christie sat back again. "Want sweets? I brought a lot, since Conan is slightly fussy with sweets. Honestly, of all things, sweets is the only thing he doesn´t like. How did he end up like that?"

Rolling her eyes, the little girl sighed heavily. "His father is a huge coffee addict… and mother´s cooking skills are horrible. She sometimes fed him her creations, so currently he has fear of sweets. I once tried... and I still ask myself how he survived."

"I swear my sweets are good." Vermouth was really into the role, playing it with an amazing excitement. Christie, on the other hand, was dying inside. To think she would have to act as a child… uff, she hated her life. "I have lemon pie, cupcakes, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate cake…" As the list went on and on, she wasn't sure what to do. On one hand, Vermouth would have told her if they were planning to drug her, on the other, this was Vermouth. Anything could happen… "So, which do you want?"

"Hm…" Pretending to think, thou her choice was already long done, she grinned. "The lemon pie. They are my favorite." She refused to eat anything too sweet, and somehow she just couldn´t resist the lemon pie. It called her, its sweet scent so… irresistible. "May I?"

Laughing, she just nodded. "But of course you may. It was supposed to be for Conan-kun, but he left with his parents to enjoy some vacations. Then again, I don´t think he would mind if his cousin had one in his place." Winking, the pie was put on a small plate, and then extended to Christie´s side. Smiling back, she took it slowly, Vermouth´s hand holding her for a faint moment, before she let her go. "Score it from 0 to 10. Until now I only managed a six from him…"

Nodding, pretending to reach for her napkin, the little detective hid the small, small pen she had just been given, digging in her favorite sweet. Vermouth did her research well this time. Soon, however, every thought just disappeared from her mind as the godlike dessert melted in her tongue. "This is… A clear TEN!" She shouted without thinking twice, wiping her plate in seconds. "So good! How did you make it? It just melts in my mouth… So good."

Grinning like a child, she nodded. "I knew I scored it this time. He keeps complaining the lemon is not strong enough, or that it's too strong, but this time it´s perfect. I am thinking of starting my own small café. With him as a judge, my baking skills improved greatly." Blushing slightly, Christie cursed that woman in her mind. Oi, oi, how did she knew about THAT?

"He always was like that. No wonder I don´t spent time with him anymore. We are kids, for goddess sake; shouldn't we be having fun and making friends? But no, he wants cases and mysteries… I pity him." If she remembered well, Sonoko had said something like that in the past… To think she went as low and quoting Sonoko.

"Indeed, indeed. One more?" Staring at the beautiful, gorgeous pie that just called her name, Christie nodded. She had to admit, she wanted it all. Screw BO, they would wait a little longer. Now only the pie mattered. After getting her body back, she would learn how to bake and make lemon pie every day. Why haven´t she thought about it before? It would solve all her problems…

"More pie please!"

The last day of school was always fun, for more than one reason. First, there would be no more school! Who wouldn´t want that? Second, no more tests and exams. God, whoever invented them should go to hell… And lastly, there would be a magic show! Kuroba always did one, and everyone had to admit they loved it. What, it was interesting and amazing, who could ignore it? Therefore, the school´s atmosphere was mostly of happiness.

"I want to go home…" Kaito growled bored, staring at the backboard. Two more hours, a magic show and a little party and he would be free. He had made a few plans regarding Tantei that he wanted to fulfil, such as taking her to the amusement park and some nice cafés he knew, but the time seemed to be against him. One more day and she would go back to the Kudo house… Sure, he planned to follow her, as well as his mom, but still…

"Why the long face, Bakaito?" Rolling his eyes, he tried to ignore Aoko. For a week now, she had been smirking every time she looked at him, creepily that is. "Could it be love?" Sure, love… No, wait, now that he thought about it, it WAS love. "Oh, I knew it!"

Blinking, he jumped back. Could she read minds? She hadn´t demonstrated such ability until now. "Kaito, sit down, I can´t read your mind. You blushed as I said that." Blinking even more, he just started at her. He, blushed? "What… you didn´t realize it? Yes, you did, now sit down."

Frowning, he did as told, still shocked. Usually he knew everything that was going on his face… "How did you know in the first place?" He wanted to ask something else, but then things would get complicated. "To ask such a question…"

"Dear, Bakaito, I knew you liked someone ever since the festival. You need to be blind not to see it." Frowning even more, his eyes shot daggers, but it only made Aoko smile widen. "Come on, you were so overprotective and glared as everyone and anyone approached her. Did you really think I wouldn´t see you like Shin-chan? At least you finally understood it. At first you looked so confused by your own actions I almost started to pity you."

"Oh, shut up." He mumbled back, clicking his tongue. Well, Kaito was confused at first, but soon he understood it. "You could have just told me and be done with it. You are only my friend and I already am overprotective, not to mention someone I like…"

Hitting his head slightly, she chuckled evilly. "Look who admitted it all clear and loud." The blush came back to Kaito´s face, and even thou he sensed it this time, he couldn´t stop or hide it. "So, did you tell her? How did she react? Will I be seeing her again anytime soon?"

"No, I did not, and I don´t plan on doing it for a while." Her confused face was fun for a faint moment, before seriousness hit both of them. "Currently she had too much on her plate to think about love, and I don´t plan on adding one more problem to those she already has. It wouldn´t be fair to her…"

Sighing, Aoko looked at the window for a moment, before sighing. "Kaito, don´t be such a fool. You can´t wait. If you wait, someone will come and steal her. Waiting won´t do anything. Just be honest with her and stay by her side. Don´t fear the unknown, or else she´ll disappear before you know it."

Disappear before you know it… She had disappeared, almost at least. If not for his luck, if he hadn´t heard that phone call, she would already be long gone. She would have died, and he wouldn´t even know until it appeared on TV. How would he feel then? Sad, devastated, heart-broken? If she disappeared now, he would most probably break down. It would be worse than when his father disappeared, and he wasn´t sure he would live past that. For some reason, she had become the center of his life... And to lose the core… "Who did you lose?"

Caught by surprise, Aoko shifted uncomfortable. She wasn´t expecting that question… but it was better to ask honestly. "I lost you." Violet eyes shot up in surprise, and she smiled. "What, did you really think I could resist the Kuroba charm? I liked you for a while idiot, I did, but don´t worry, I am strong, I can withstand anything. After all, I am YOUR childhood friend…"

"Aoko, I´m…"

"Quiet." She ordered and grinned. "I´m already over it, so shut it. I have a new crush right now." The guilt in his eyes stayed, but he cracked a faint smile. God, her childhood friend could be so sensitive sometimes, and a jerk others. "Anyway, take my advice and go for it. Be sure to keep your womanizer attitude away when with her. I managed to get pass it, but I don´t think other girls would like it."

"Yes, yes." So Aoko had liked him… well, he also did, long ago, before meeting Tantei. She was cute, smart and nice, who wouldn't like her. However, Tantei was better, cuter, smarter… She could keep up with him and even win sometimes. Her reactions were funny, her attitude rather disconcerting, and personality so mysterious you could get lost in it. "I will try…"

"Don´t try, idiot, do it. Shin-chan is gorgeous, if you miss this chance, someone will take her. I promise you. Hell, if you miss it, I will try. I won´t even mind that she is a girl." For a moment Kaito wondered wherever she was serious or not, but decided not to ask. He would never allow anyone to take her. "Now, as we are done with this, want pick up my dad with me? He should arrive in minutes."

Shrugging, Kaito followed her, letting the love-subject drop. It was the best choice for his heart and sanity. On the other hand, he decided it was time to act as himself, lifting girls' skirts and playing pranks on people. "Incorrigible…" He heard Aoko mumbled, but ignored it.

The entrance was rather desert, but considering almost everyone was already at school, it was no wonder. Some parents walked past with their children, but they were few. "So, why is he late this time?" Aoko´s father never arrived on time, unless it was related to Kid. Aoko, on other hand, usually arrived too early.

"He is trying to figure out why Kid is taking a break. Reading all case files they have, trying to identify a problem." Shaking her head, she continued. "I sometimes think he is married to Kid. No matter what, he always goes after him…"

"Married… Couldn´t you choose a better word?" He and inspector married… That was so wrong in so many ways, he just wished he wouldn´t have nightmares that night. "Like… close friends? Or buddies? Don't marry Kid without his permission."

"Oh, you would have liked me marrying Kid to Hakuba?" Kaito´s face just grew blue and Aoko smiled evilly. "Kid would have to be the bride in this situation, but I don´t he will have a problem, as he has disguised many times as girls after all. Just imagine him and Hakuba walking down to the altar…"

Shrugging, he wanted to forget everything she just said. Him and Hakuba married… walking down the aisle… "I assure you I would NEVER like that annoying thief, not to mention marry him." Hakuba slowly approached them, his face as serious as always. Even so, Kaito noted his jaw was strangely clenched, and there were bangs under his eyes. "Kuroba, I need to talk to you."

Frowning, Kaito wondered what to do. If it was one of those You are Kid moments, he would punch the guy. "Shot." May as well get over with it. If something, he could always punch him. He way dying to do it actually.

"Aoko, could you leave us alone for a moment?" Surprised, the girl just nodded and started to walk away. The seriousness in Hakuba´s voice was bigger than usual, what meant a case. However, for him to need Kaito… That was a first. "I have some questions about…"

Nevertheless, the blond detective never had a chance to finish, as black van stopped near them and two men came out. In seconds, a wet napkin was put around his mouth, clearly filled with chloroform. He had tried not to breathe, but the man that dragged him into the wan hit his lungs, and he had no other choice but to search for more oxygen. His vision blurry, body heavier than usual, the last thing he saw were the surprised violet eyes of a certain magician whom was pulled inside as well, blacking out as the van yanked forward.

A/N: Hello once again everyone. Hope you missed me. First of all, I am an idiot. I completely forgot I had more small-tests this week, and my week plan went down the hill. Then again, my plan was like this: write those damn stories idiot! In the end, I wrote nothing. But I have good news! No, I don´t... My tests are starting this week, going until 31th. Then two week break, but since I have three exams, each worth of two years of lessons, I will be studying... and I want a good grade the first time, so I don´t have to repeat, so for those who are hopping I release faster, sorry. The good news may be that I will be suffering... as long as it makes you guys happy :)

I think I replayed to everyone´s reviews, but if I didn´t send me a PM because I am an air-head and I forget everything... On other hand, drop a review or two XD

Oh, and I need your help. On my other fanfic, Hattori and Kazuha marry and have two boys... and now I need names for them -.- Any ideas? I suffer when it comes to names... Thank you. *bows*

Kisses and hugs

Kaggami-chan

P.S If you see mistakes, ignore them. I wrote this at night, what were you expecting? *rolls eyes* Day... give me a moment while I check... Friday?