Here we are, back with the latest chps I was busy with. None others are in progress, for now. Too busy.

All Huge italic paragraphs are Kaito's memories and the 'between parenthesis' are older shrunken Kaito's opinions as he is watching the memory while walking through them (literally).

Bold sentences are English conversations to prevent Kaito from understanding them. And after the dream, the bolt ones are conversations from the KIDs on the phone from their devices (bold italic then are English.)

for some unknown unexplainable reason... the first ten chaps lack fullstops at the end of each dialogue sentence... Aiming to fix that issue and already dealt with ch 1 and 8 in both versions since I'm reviewing what I mentioned so far out cz it's been too long I forgot ;')

titles with same words are divided chps cz they're like too long xD

Enjoy

Ch 20: The Wavering Heart

"Kids, it's time to go home now!" Conan called out ignoring the two running about. Kaito cheered, unlike everyone else. "We'll play tomorrow, it's getting cold." And late, he added mentally. 'Kãsan said that we better not be late for dinner.'

The children dropped their smiles, they weren't done playing yet. "Just because you don't play, doesn't mean we should stop too!" Mitsuhiko complained, however, was no match against the high schooler's glare.

They walked back home, on their way, Conan held Kaito by his hand, not wanting him to run off like he usually did, years before, according to his father.

'Your walk, your voice…everything about you says that you're not faking it, but you're a good magician. You'll easily fool everyone with your poker face.' Hakuba observed Kaito walking beside Conan, having his free hand in his pocket. Kaito then turned his sight to the group playing on the bench, the gleam of fun screaming in his little sapphire eyes. 'Definitely he thinks he's child! The Kaito I knew would never like those games, and he'd always retain a calm face no matter the situation.' he smiled to himself. 'Yet, I want to know how many more tricks you know.'

"Kids, heard any news about the Kaitou Kid?"

Conan didn't like where that topic was heading. he shot a glare at the brit, who smiled instead, "Idiot,"

"... no," Ayumi didn't look happy for the thief's absence. "He's been gone for three months since his last Heist..."

"He died!" Mitsuhiko said. "It was all over the new! And the police took the body without revealing his face or name to anyone."

"Died? No way!" Ayumi almost wept. "Why?" Hakuba shushed them, reminding them not to use the 'killed' word in front of Kaito.

When Kaito saw Ayumi's tears, he asked why and they told him.

"Who's that?" Kaito said. 'The name kinda sounds familiar.'

The detectives listened in silence, merely allowing Mitsuhiko to answer the question on their behalf. "He's a magician who makes heists to steal large gems, but he troubles the police a lot."

"But he makes awesome shows!" Ayumi's face was cheerful. "He passed by my house, he was kawaii! Ayumi loves his magic!"

Kaito stood vague. "Why does she look like he has a huge crush on him?"

Conan laughed, "Not just her, half of Japan and who knows how many around the globe." Kaito added nothing to that. "Sonoko nee-chan included. Fans love him!"

"Ehhh, her too? But you said that he's a criminal, why would they love him?"

'He he, you answer that yourself, Mr. Magician under the moonlight. Your charms got to everyone.'

"Oh, Edogawa-kun, you got to admit that you like the shows too. You said yourself that his tricks are challenging!"

"Well it is fun, and the guy isn't a real criminal though." Conan interrupted Mitsuhiko. "He always returns what he steals~"

Kuroba blinked, "returns them? Why bother stealing them then?"

Mitsuhiko shrugged, "He often says it's not the gem he's looking for... no one gets hurt during his heists either, which he makes like a magic trick! Everyone loves to watch him!" he paused. "He would make an awesome stage magician if stops stealing. I'm sure he'd hold a heist for the fun, even if he knew the gem wasn't big!"

"So..." Kuroba rubbed his temples. "He's a magician, steals for fun while putting on a show... and.. why doesn't he become a stage magician instead of stealing?"

Conan and Saguru grinned, "Who knows~"

"How else will he know the gem is what he wants!" Ayumi said with spread hands, "No one will let him check anything! So he steals them."

"He likes to challenge the police, sometimes he gives the item to the real owner if someone had stolen it from them~ He's cool! I honestly don't know why he's a criminal!" the children laughed. "Everyone thinks he's dangerous!"

"The police think he's dangerous! But Nakamori-Keibu knows KID isn't like they say! All girls call him charming, besides, he's kawaii and cool. I mentioned that I met him, right? He was remarkably young for a man who's been stealing for around twenty years!" Conan swallowed, she proceeded with a large frown on her face. "Come to think of it, Kaito-kun, you have his name. Just like one of our classmates."

"His name is Kaito?"

Saguru stepped forward, "No! No! He's a kaitou... it means thief... your name isn't like his, there's a big difference!"

Kuroba blinked, "... oh... would have been cool if we had the same name~"

Conan frowned, "... I question your idea of cool, Kaito-kun." the detective boys laughed.

"Uncle said mom named me after a magician... But dad didn't like my name; he said he doesn't want me to be named after a bad guy, but they didn't say he was the guy that you're talking about. I asked dad, he said it's true. He only told me that a bit ago, and I didn't ask for details... only that they had a dare on it..."

"He lost both ways." Hakuba lifted a soft smile. "I heard the story from my classmate, her father knew your father." Kuroba kept a straight face, "Nakamori-keibu said she can be scary." Kaito smiled. "He'll sleep in the living room as a minor punishment and your father was fine with just that..."

Kuroba laughed. 'no angering mommy, got it~'

"He's the same person we were talking about." Conan bid and the child frowned. "He is known as Kaitou KID. Or KID."

"Conan-kun is the KID-killer, and so far he is the only one who is able to face him. He even almost got him but let him go because KID saved us!"

"Admiration is overflowing Mitsu-kun's face..." Kaito gave himself a facepalm. "Hey, I got an idea! Let's go visit other thieves and cheer for them so the theft becomes more fun!"

Conan laughed. 'Coming from you, my ribs are gonna crack'

"How does he look like?" the shrunken thief finally asked the awaited question by the two teens. "All this talk about him made me curious~"

'That's quite the point.' Hakuba beamed.

"He wears a white magician hat and a white tux. A blue shirt and a red tie. Of course, there is also the white silk cape that turns into a hang glider. But his face is always protected with a monocle to keep his face from being recognized." Bid Mitsuhiko reciting the image that appeared in his mind. Conan got an online image and showed it to Kuroba.

"Seriously!" he said stunned, Hakuba and Conan immediately turned their focus on him. "I met him days ago! ... Three days ago to be precise. Almost everything he was wearing was white and he had a pretty dove." I searched a lot about a guy like that, why didn't I think of criminals?

The two teens were taken aback. "You met him!"

"Yes! He's like Hakuba nii-san! Same age, I think..."

'How can that be?'

'Maybe it's 1412-kun? Or anyone from his friends?'

Conan waved the idea off, they wouldn't do that with the risk of him getting serious brain damage or breaking. Maybe it was Them? "Ne, ne, Kaito-kun, where did you meet him?"

"Amm, in your bedroom?"

Conan flinched, "R-really? You met KID?" yourself... in my bedroom...

"Ayumi met him too on her bal_"

"Yeah, you were asleep. He came from the balcony on a full moon night." Kaito noticed how Saguru and Conan had suspicious looks. They didn't believe him? "I told him to go away... and smoke came out and he was gone. He's strange, I don't like him." he looked away, and when Mitsuhiko asked, he explained that the KID said a bunch of weird none sense stuff. "So I ignored him until he left." his hushed voice showed his sorrow. "Creepy thief... I don't get why anyone likes him. He's... he's... delusional" Conan grinned. "Yes, it's another word mom and dad will hate you for."

"I didn't tell you to check the meanings of every word in each book~" Edogawa kept a fixed grin. "And I agree, KID is delusional. A bit annoying s-sometimes, but he's a good person." Kuroba turned away with crossed arms.

"I have a few recorded heists I can show you. I'm sure you'll change your mind when you see them. Who knows, maybe you can imitate one of his tricks?"

The shrunken magician shook his head, "Want nothing to do with him." he kept his face away.

"... oh, too bad. You were his biggest fan~"

"Me?" he stared at him with disbelief. "Good thing I forgot then, I don't like him."

Hakuba smiled at heart, "What did he say anyway?"

Kaito looked away, not wanting to say. "Something about a stone that glows red, and a group of bad people looking for it." he said carelessly, Conan's eyes widen. "And more stupid things that I won't say. He's totally delusional, I got get why half the globe even likes that crazy guy."

"Ahaa… I see. Well… anyhow, we're almost at Ayumi's house" Conan ended the discussion, noticing Kaito's discomfort concerning The Kaitou KID's topic. He also didn't want the topic to be overheard by the passing people.

The little girl said goodbye as they left, then they dropped the other two boys, Genta and Mitsuhiko. Kaito was the only one left, walking between the two. He was silent the whole way, he felt their questions, and it didn't make him at ease.

"Ne, if I ask something, you won't laugh at me?"

Conan tilted his head, "Why wou- no, of course not, Kaito-kun. What's your question, anyway, I am sure it's not too weird."

Kaito moved his eyes facing him, I have to start asking sooner or later. He bit his lips. "Can a man become a child?"

The sweet Panic.

Conan couldn't remember how to breathe.

"T-" please don't laugh, the eyes told him. "T-That's absurd, Kaito-kun!" Hakuba said half pale and shocked. "It's only in T.V shows and stories, stuff like that don't really happen. Why are you asking? Did you get the idea from those books?"

Kaito shook his head. "That's what he said. I mean, that's what he meant none directly, the KID guy. We are the same person." the two were staring at him, mouths gaping. Kaito turned his sight away, "You think I'm crazy..."

"No... no! It's not like that at all!"

Kuroba pouted, "then why that look!"

"Dreams carry all kinds of meanings," Saguru said, keeping a calm expression. "Maybe it was some of your old memories, they got missed and came in your dreams that way." the small thief didn't look like he believed him, but he was considering his words.

"So is was a dream?"

"It has to be~" Conan said sheepishly, "You can't talk to yourself like that, can you?" Kuroba furrowed his brows, "You said he was older, he can't be you."

"But he said he was! Said a dr- something made me become small! Like it did to y_"
Conan nearly had a heart attack. "It felt so real! I don't watch criminal shows, no way I can come up with all that in my head!"

Saguru's mouth became a thin line, "Than we can blame Conan-kun for that!" both blinked, "He used to tell you a lot of cases before..."

"T-That's true!" Conan said. "I read you a book about a criminal organization a while back, you were so fond of it... and, well, dreams are complicated."

"But it felt so real!"

"I know," he pocketed his arms, "Most dreams feel that way. But you'll know somethings wrong if it appears to be different. Like, um, different streets, things replaced... weird things like.."

"Becoming a child..."

"Yes," Conan said with a soft smile. "It's not proven possible. I mean, everyone wants to become young again, but, we only get to be small once." Kuroba hummed. he wasn't convinced. "I think he's haunting you~"

"H-Haunting me? Why!"

"Well, since he's dead, he's a ghost now. You're a magician, maybe he wasn't to show you some cool tricks?" Saguru added with a smile.

"He didn't do any!" he crossed his arms. For a second, Saguru saw none of the behavior mimicking a child. Kuroba knew what he saw, he was certain it wasn't a dream. How long would it be until he is convinced he really is that thief? "He came when you were there, didn't you see him? I tried to wake you during all three full moon nights!"

"What time was that?"

"Umm… midnight, I guess?"

Conan sank to his musings. "I'm always awake at that time. Besides, you were asleep. Ten is your long shot, you never stayed up past that hour." Kuroba furrowed his brows. "You know, being a small child and all, you're body claims rest even if you don't want to sleep. I'm sure you were asleep. You were already mumbling something by eleven, I can't match to any existing language..."

"I... I'm sure I was awake! Maybe I mistook the time?"

"Maybe." Hakuba said covering his pale face with a straight calm face.

"And maybe it was a dream?" it definitely was, I am sure of it. You were way deep in sleep, and we've been giving you sleeping pills for five days now. There's no way you'd wake. Even worse, there's no way a Kaitou visited and I didn't see him. Even if it was the syndicate, that ominous feeling is strong enough to wake even me from a coma!' he gave him a smile. "As I said, no one can talk to himself. Your mind was probably doing memory visits."

Kaito shifted his eyes ahead of him again, staring at the ground as they walked. 'A dream?' he chewed on his lips. "But for three consecutive nights? It wasn't the same dream anyway. Each time he'd say something stupid!"

"I'll stay up with you and see when he comes. If he does and I didn't see him, then it's definitely just a dream. Deal?" Kaito nodded. "And with us two awake, he won't dare to come in" he can just drug me or kidnap you though.

They reached the Kudo manner and went in, and Kaito ran off and stayed at the end of the living room. Yukiko realized he was bored playing, so she switched on the TV on a Kids show. He was watching with deep interest, ignorant about the people behind him conversing.

Dave asked in English. "Did he say that?"

Conan nodded, "Yes, but he didn't add anything else; he only said what I just told you." neither he nor the teen were anything less than serious. "We couldn't press him, it was better to let him say."

Yusaku thought for a moment. "We can put a camera and monitor everything to know for sure. Whether it was someone or just a dream, we'll be able to see for ourselves what's going to happen."

Dave took his phone out and texted one of Kaito's partners. The latter called and Dave put him on speaker.

"I for sure didn't, and none of the others did either. And to even consider the similarities between Kaito and KID 3, 1412 hadn't left the hideout and he didn't even let Kaito-kun see him since he woke. Not to forget that he didn't appear in the KID regalia unless once and that was months ago. Did you consider that it might be his memories surfacing in his dreams?"

"What do you mean he hasn't left the hideout? He met us at the park today!" Conan plopped a nerve.

"Sorry, chibi-kun, that wasn't me~" 1412's voice said in the background. "1311 likes to fill in when we need a replacement to be seen. But, since you couldn't tell the difference, I advise you to not judge a person from their words. 1311 tricks us all the time~" a laugh echoed in the background. "As for what Kaito-san said, there is no other explanation if you were up."

Another voice spoke. "If he is starting to see bits and pieces, you have to be careful around him."

"1211 is right. But you have to be secretive about it. Our leader is very observant, even as a real kid, you'd never stand a chance." 1311 said and paused.

"If he found it weird to believe, then the fact that he saw his own self in that appearance can't trigger any memories. You can let it still slide as a T.V show or something that he watched before the accident." 1412 added. "I'm sure you can be convincing."

"Or, try to explain the truth to him before he starts doubting you."

"1311, they can't tell him the truth!" 1211 said.

"He wasn't okay with it, so it's a bad idea." 1412 muttered.

"But if he knows they're lying to him, the first instinct is to escape and figure it out himself. He won't trust anyone anymore."

"Then back to the T.V show excuse," 1211 voice said. "With enough characters, we can easily do it."

"Oh, so you're with lying to the kid who bluntly trusts you~?" 1412 and 1211 laughed. "If he doesn't believe the dream thing, I'll pretend to be KID. We just need to know what exactly his subconscious self-told him. Then, hope that he will forgive us when he regains all of his memories."

"Leave that to me~" Conan said confidently while raising his thumb towards himself, "He usually mumbles in his sleep, with help, I'll get him to talk more deeply about it and we can record it and let him hear it. If he looks doubting it, we'll follow the T.V plan or just show him a recorded heist." though it doesn't have Pandora or the syndicate guys.

Kaito fell asleep on the couch, the people on the other side of the living room were talking the last time he had heard them. He knew it was about him but he didn't care to know anything now. He only expected something to happen now that he finally mentioned a memory, he even expected someone to follow him to keep him safe from the bad guy.

Slowly his mind sank to sleep, allowing few old and faint memories to float.

{Twenty years ago on a full moon night, at the Kuroba home in Paris}

There was a ten-month-old baby crawling about the house, trying as much as he could; yet could not manage to stand on his feet.

His mother held his hands, helping him a jot, he felt happy. He liked to stand, it seemed his next goal. That moment would not be far, his mother believed; he'll be walking and running in no less than two months! He looked around; papa was with his friend.

(Isn't that uncle Kudo-san?)

There was also another little baby, examining some blocks and toys, lifting a stuffed bunny up and down; poor little thing would have a headache if it was real! The baby looked remarkable like the other one.

The one with messy hair wanted to play, but looked distracted with something else, he wanted to know what the man and Kudo-san were doing.

(I think that's dad, so wait, am I seeing another memory? Am I dreaming again?)

He got closer, nosy and eager to see; he saw what looked like a blueprint, with a large layout of a museum divided into rectangular rooms. There was a text bellow the drawing.

('Mu-se de lou-vre? what does that even mean!) Kaito tried to listen but was unfamiliar with their language. Since he woke, he remembered nothing aside Japanese. Even the baby who he thought was him barely knew few words, barely his own name.

Yusaku raised a soft smile, "Look who wants to play?" The baby was familiar with those words. He gurgled all the way through approving. Kudo sat him on his lap, the child looking at the squares and drawing, spreading his hands in front of him.

"I guess he wants it." Yusaku smiled.

"I'll enter from that room…" Toichi touched the spot. "Jii will set the traps, can you cover for us?"

"I'll do more than that! All is set, let tonight's heist begin, Kaitou Kid."

(Kaitou KID?) Kaito froze. (but he's dad, and he's older!)

Toichi's grin was as bright as the full moon. He hugged his small son, tucked him in bed, and left off to his night time job answering the moon's call.

The baby, on the other hand, inherited something very special from his father. The Art of Escaping.

He climbed out of his crib, surpassed the sleeping doppelganger, and went to wait by the door for his papa to return.

Then, there came a sound, and the door opened. The infant looked up and saw a person in black. That person cleared the path for him, and he followed on all four.

They went far, very far away. It was apparently the baby's first adventure outside the gates of the house. He expected more colors, more birds…cheerful stuff.

He looked around at the dark buildings, the rain falling, and the lonely streets. No one was out; it was too cold, too dark, and too gloomy. They walked in the shadows, noticed by no one. Until, they reached a mountain.

It was the road mountain lit by the full moon. To the brown-haired woman standing beside the baby, it was the perfect day, the perfect time.

Two more shadows came forward. "We waited long enough! Bring it closer."

The woman held the child up and placed him down on the edge by the rails on a short wall. The second lurking shadows came in, setting down another thing facing baby Kaito.

shrunken Kaito eyes looked at the image, amazed was an understatement. Mirror? No, way beyond! He saw only one person so familiar to his face, only Conan. Who was that baby? (Who are these people anyway? Put the hoods down, I can't see a thing!)

Same face, same hair, same everything except for the eye color. The infant was baby Kaito's reflection.

"Tonight, we will set their fates," said a man with a mustache, wearing dark clothes. "Blood against blood, the Silver Bullet will be eliminated once we get Pandora." He watched the children as they got closer to play with each other, to examine.

(Pandora? It's the stone the KID told me about!)

"Nii~" the reflection said with a vast smile, he held a toy in front of him, a blue stuffed bear. "Jay-Jay" yet baby Kaito couldn't talk to introduce himself.

"They must not become friends!" he glared the children. "They are destined to be enemies."

The moon shown bright, too bright…its effect caught the babies' eyes. "One will restore our stone for us to regain power, while one will try to take it away from us."

(We sure don't look like enemies, Mustache guy is stupid.)

"We cannot risk them to be on one side, the balance must be made. We should not have let them live, Snake!" Said a man , he acted differently from what the messy-haired baby knew him as.

"Silence!" Snake yelled at his companion. "If they are not both in existence, Pandora will never be found, moron. We need them alive, then, we'll eliminate the child who becomes a threat to us all!" his glare was a deadly snake indeed, just like his own self. He held a dagger, "Do it!"

Given the order, the second man took it. He fastened baby Kaito down, holding up his clothes, he carved it into the child's flesh. The baby began to weep in pain, as they only stood there and began carving the same sign on the other child. The latter wept more, getting on Snake's never. He harshly scolded him that he immediately stopped crying. He was too afraid that he didn't say another word, not one!

In spite of the pain baby Kaito was in, looking at his equal, He pulled a mere smile that was accepted by the latter. However, he didn't not say anything or not even returning a smile, only sniveling without a sound focusing on his pain.

"They will stay here until the first to die, then we leave with the other" Snake ordered.

Two people came running from far, they surpassed everyone and approached the babies. "What did you do!" a woman yelled. "You said you wouldn't hurt him, you promised to let him live!" she held the green-eyed child in her arms tightly to her chest.

"I kept my word, now it's time to set his fate." He said coldly. "You must not get attached to him; he'll die once we get what we want. With it in our possession, they must die."

"NO!" she yelled. "Leave him be. He's done nothing to you. Pandora will not surface now, you cannot kill him. They are too little to find it, for crying out loud they're babies! They don't understand a word you say, moron!"

"If you run, I'll hunt you down. I will make him watch you die" Snake said to who seemed to be the other child's parents. "Once he is sixteen, he'll come with us" but the women drove with her husband. "You cannot run forever from us" he said out loud. "He'll come back when time is right. He cannot escape his destiny!" her eyes were still watching as her husband drove farther, she kept her hands on the boy, trying to calm him or help him somehow.

He turned to see Kaito, careless about him; he was amazed to see the him holding on. "Humph... Your stubbornness will only lead to your death. I will kill you myself, whether you find it or not. We only need one silver bullet." He walked away, leaving Kaito on the edge.

No one remained with the infant, he was in pain, and he wept as hard as his lungs could bear. Soon enough, he blacked out.

Kaito watched as the scene of the memory changed and he found himself in another place with the baby on a small mat.

The infant felt warm, safe. He opened his eyes, and he was elsewhere. In a vast room, with a warm fire, and he was on a clean towel on a double bed. He looked around and saw someone coming, a woman with light blonde curly hair and emerald eyes. Her face, too evident to be forgotten, even the baby heard the name before; Vermouth!

He felt no fear from her, she smiled and laid him back down; and he didn't resist her. She uncovered his shirt, removing the bandages, then rubbed some herbs. "This will help you heal fast, my little silver bullet." She gave a warm smile. "I am sorry for what he did, one day you will bring him down." She smiled again. "You and my boy will be side by side, don't listen to what Snake said. Your destiny is to bring destruction to the syndicate, together. Snake made his own view of your destiny, but I will make sure that you and that other baby become allies."

The baby understood nothing. What could he understand, why did she bother even telling him all that?

Yet the Kaito standing beside them watching the memory flow, understood the words.

"I know you were born to end this nightmare, you are a smart one. You'll be able to end this all "

Kaito was no ordinary child, he was the long-awaited bullet. The hope Vermouth had, and the fear anokata had.

"I will get you kids to meet each other more; you are bound to be allies, my sons. I won't let them harm you ever again" she took him and placed him on her lap. She gave him a small paper. "Deliver this to Kaitou KID."

The infant tried and tried until he got that word right. He knew his name; he only needed to add the second word, KID. She went with him outside and placed him down after she reached the place he got stabbed in. "Home is not far" and she left, however, remained watching between the shadows, unseen.

Kaito crawled his way, walking on the wet dirty ground, not feeling pain anymore thanks to the painkiller that she gave him.

He walked until he caught sight of something, his guide, the moon. And he froze observing it with vast admiration…

Chikage woke up that night, waiting for her husband who was late, she went to check on the boys. "Kaito!" she freaked when he wasn't anywhere. "Toichi" and she ran fast and called him. "Our son is gone!"

He quickly came, leaving the heist unfinished, and flew back home. They searched everywhere yet could not find him.

"He might be hiding in the air vent again," Kudo suggested and checked. "He's not here."

"Where could he possibly be! I looked everywhere, every inch in the house..." and the cold wind struck her cheek. She saw the slightly opened door. Her husband came from the window, no one opened it. "Oh no!"

They ran outside, looking everywhere for him. After an hour, the police were on the lockout. However, the boy was nowhere to be found.

Five patrol cars went on the road, everywhere with the parents along their side. Nowhere in the city, nowhere in the alleys…

Chikage began to cry, she didn't know what became of her son. She felt unease, she felt that her boy was in trouble. After another hour, they reached the mountain road…

"K-Kaito…" she spotted him. The cars were informed of his location and parked eight meters away from him.

"Don't get close, you'll scare him" the police commander bid, yet the mother surpassed him anyway.

"Kaito, baby…" she said with tears. "What are you doing there, come here sweetie...mom's right here, baby"

(That's mom?)

The little figure was silent; just sitting there on the edge of the mountain's clef. He didn't get closer, instead, he went back. "No sweetie, it's dangerous, come here baby~" she said softly hiding her fear. He got farther, way farther. Small rocks began to fall. "Kaito!" she called several times, yet he wavered and stayed put.

He seemed mad at her, sad for some reason; he didn't want her to get close. Her tears troubled him, he didn't like seeing them.

(Why is little me doing that? What did mom do?) He looked up, and saw something coming towards them

"Birdy!" The baby cheered with a giggle and followed it away from the edge. It stood on his head, taped gently and flew to a small branch. Kaito wanted to reach and hold it, but his hands were too short. The dove was also afraid for its life; and didn't dare to get any closer.

Suddenly, both Kaitos felt a soft cold breeze, something else landed behind them.

(Him again, he kinda looks a bit different though. The one I saw was younger!)

The police froze. "K-K-KAITOU KID"

The figure stood on the edge, the wind running across his silk cape. Having his face hidden between the moonlight, he smiled. "Look who we have here" he tried reaching the baby, who denied at first. "Do you want to play with birdy?"

Kaito, displeased to get near that person, approved and got closer only to play with the white dove. KID held him up softly allowing him to touch it. After assuring the dove that it was okay to let the baby get near it.

The police didn't intrude; they realized the criminal's intention. They knew he had a soft spot for children, a criminal who disliked violence from the first place.

The Kaitou kid walked forward to the police, getting closer to the mother as none tried to capture him.

"You should be more careful, kids always run off exploring." he smiled handing him over, Kaito began to weep, which caught KID's attention. "Don't you want mama to hold you?" he held in confusion in a soft gentle voice.

Little Kaito only dug his head in Kaitou's chest, holding tight on the latter's tux.

"My My! What could you have possibly done?" he raised a mocking grin, observing her reaction. "Let's get you home, big fella~"

"Kaitou—kid" the baby said and took something out, handing it to the thief. "Ver-mot" he tried. To that, his father froze.

One of the officers froze, and he pointed out. "KID, you're… bleeding..."

KID blinked. He wasn't, not that he knew of any injuries. He looked and realized the source of blood, little Kaito. He masked his fear, wanting to check the boy, but the officer took the child and called for help. As the ambulance arrived, KID was long gone.

Chikage followed them to the hospital where Kaito's wound was stitched, then her husband joined with Yusaku.

Kaito was still unconscious, his parents beside him were worried. His father took out the note.

They're after him. Take your family and leave now

-Vermouth

Chikage stared at him with fear, "They want to kill him? WHY!"

After an hour, the child opened his eyes. He was alone, on a patient bed. He looked around observing the white walls, but someone came in.

"Hi there" a man wearing a white coat and glasses said. "What's your name little one?" the baby blinked. "Oh, I see. Do you like to play?" the baby smiled and nodded. He patted the small head. The doctor gave him a little stuffed white bunny, he made it move and Kaito giggled. "He likes you already~" and Kaito hugged it. "Look who is here~" he turned, revealing the two anxious parents. But Kaito, however, was not pleased to see them. He started crying.

(Why? I saw what he saw, so what's going on? He doesn't think that his parents left him there, does he? I mean, did I think that?)

"Kaito, baby..." the mother tried to hold him; he wouldn't let her. It was strange to her; he never disapproved being held before. But on the other hand, he allowed everyone else to hold him, everyone, except his parents.

The police took a fast notice in that; they knew the two must have done something to him.

"Let me try," Yusaku stated, "Kaito, can I hold you?" Kaito smiled and rushed to him. "It's not so bad, guess he's just confused. He was stabbed you know. Leave him be and he'll be back to normal."

Kaito was released home when he was in a safe condition.

"Of course he should remain still!" his doctor said.

But when Kaito left, he was nothing like himself. He disapproved of everything that came from them; he stayed back at all times. He wouldn't eat; he wouldn't let them one meter near him without sounding off the alarm.

Once things became bad, Yusaku would come at the end of every day to convince Kaito to eat something and sleep. But this struggle within the Kuroba family lasted for a whole month.

(He- I sure was stubborn!)

After that period passed, baby Kaito began to see the concern in their miens, and it did not take content in his little heart. He realized, he saw, that they were not what he thought.

He tried to let them back in, without making them feel that they won a free ticket to his heart. They needed him to earn their trust, for them to be able to be there beside him; thus protecting him from the next attack yet to come.

He walked and hid behind the couch, unseen_ or what he thought_ and watched his two favorite adults.

They were discussing as usual, but this time, not a heist, but a plan to protect him. A plan to the next country they might go to if ever, things become really bad.

Kaito came out and watched when he wanted attention, but they didn't realize his tiny figure seated there on the white tiles double his size. Thus, he had no other option, but to sound the alarm.

"Where's Kaito!" Kudo looked everywhere until he found the crying baby. He went quickly to him, "What's wrong?" he tried to calm him. After a minute, Kaito stopped weeping. "You okay, little fella?"

But blue eyes was still sobbing with hush-full tears rubbing his eyes as he sniveled, Kudo took him near to his chest. It was a pity, his own father couldn't do that; he wasn't permitted to touch his own son for unknown reasons.

(Spoiled) Kaito mused.

Within a few minutes, the baby calmed down thanks to Yusaku's efforts, yet didn't eye his father. He kept his hand in his mouth, watching from the edge of his eyes.

(If I didn't know any better, he wanted to see the paper. And to be giving some attention) Kaito crossed his arms. (Babies!)

Baby Kaito couldn't stand one thought, and only one. Something took his father's interest. "What was so important about those blueprints? Were they more important than me?" he couldn't understand. He always tried to busy his old man from them. The only irrational thing was how he planned to get their attention without wanting them to get near him?

At least, Toichi could see one thing. The child still loved them, but he needed to stay away to understand something. He understood his son's intention and fully took it at heart.

(When am I going to wake? Nothing seems important here anymore. What did my head want me to see in the first place?) he sat on the ground. (wake up already!) he pinched his cheeks. the scene before him didn't disappear. He grunted. (great, now I'm stuck here, watching myself acting stubborn.)

"It's been about ten minutes since anyone other than you spoke. Where are the rest?"

"Spying." came a calm casual answer. "They will be back shortly."

"I haven't heard a peep from Kaito-kun," said Yusaku and Nakamori prepared his ears. He walked deftly to the couch the little magician was sitting on and peered from over the back. He returned with a smile on his face.

"So?" Nakamori crocked a brow.

"He's probably been asleep for an hour now," Conan said with a smirk plastered on his face, speaking finally in Japanese.

"Ehhh! You're kidding me! And all this time we were speaking English!" Nakamori didn't look pleased.

Conan laughed, "It's not like you actually said a word!" they laughed as his expression. "Ne, which reminds me, KID-kun, you are quite fluent for a Japanese person."

"Technically, you should be surprised I know Japanese at all."

He grinned. "Do you think that Kuroba-kun will recognize you?"

There was silence on the other side of the line for a moment. "Only about 90% sure of it, which may or may not be enough..." the voice said with a strong electric stoic. "But it has too."

"That's still a high chance though. But he didn't recognize his own father's face, how will he recognize you?" Yusaku said and waited.

"Yes, why is that?" Ginzo asked.

"We had memory backup training for stuff like this. I've known him since we were very small, and with the same face as his, I am sure he'll remember something."

"How small?"

"Ammm… officially, ten months old? I don't know the precise day, but it was a full moon night, but not in this country, though." the age rang a bell in Dave and Yusaku's ears. "It was a long time ago, but we kept having 'play dates' according to mom, and little meetings since birth."

"Wait, if I may intrude, was all that in Paris?"

"... Yes, how did you know?"

"The first time Kaito-kun disappeared was when he was ten months old. And when we found him, he was stabbed and left with a note from a syndicate member. Since then we notice that someone was entering the house almost every day, but we could never catch him on the camera."

"Yeah, about that..." 1412's voice began, he sounded hesitating to give the information, "the syndicate left him there to die, the one who found him was mom and she gave the note so you'd know who stabbed him. And she was the one who kept sneaking in to get him. She had no ill will, she only got him so we become friends, not enemies like the syndicate wanted."

"And that worked?" Dave raised.

"Obviously? Do you see us trying to rip each other apart?"

"And how did you come across this answer? The stabbing meeting, I mean. Who told you?" Yusaku held this time.

"Because we were both taken that day and the same mark that was carved on him was carved on me too. My parents only knew something happened when I suddenly disappeared, they followed the tracker on me. When those guys were gone, they took Kaito and left the warning. That's all I know about that incident."

"And what does the mark mean?" Yusaku said.

"Nothing, it was done to kill us. They wanted to take the one who didn't die first." there was a short pause and someone's steps came closer.

"And that was you? We managed to know that small detail you left out." Saguru said. "Our spies don't keep information away." Nakamori was staring at the phone with disbelief.

"One: I was with them, to begin with, for sixteen long years." he waited. "And two: it's not like Kaito died. Anyway," that seemed like a hint to close the subject. "You have more things to worry about now."

"What do you mean?" Conan's voice echoed in the KID headquarters. "You being a former crow isn't important?"

"He's planning something really big and by real big, I mean booming four stations. All near your city. He must be really angry~"

Directly, another proceeded, echoing on 1412's side. "We deactivated three booms in the three stations of Megure, Nakamori and Hattori's, the fourth is being dealt with now by someone else." it sounded like 1311.

Someone else?

"It's the fifth booming attempt since last week," 1412 said, "you should stop digging answers. Too many could've died!"

"Fifth!" Nakamori said surprised, "How did you know about it?"

"We have access to all syndicate files… and security cameras, of certain stations~" 1311 uttered. "And we aren't handing any over, you are unable to deal with them alone. And to include you is even worse. The more you dig, the more it'll get worse." There was a beep. "Alright, the fourth is deactivated." A nod came from 1412. The speakers turned on. "1311 to nearby partners, begin plan C part 5!" his steps than walked away, his voice was soon no longer heard by the people on the end of the line.

"Yeah and leave me alone here..." muttered 1412. "I am never trusting you again, you traitor."

"Go after him?"

"I can't. The cheater drugged me, so I'm stuck monitoring." Conan laughed. "Check on Kaito." there was a pause asking him to elaborate. "My trackers are showing rapid heart variations. Check on him, now!" Conan rushed to the sleeping boy.

"Why are you here again? I told you to go" Conan heard the thief mumbled, his voice was more than just worried. "Go away already!" his hands shivered.

"Kaito-kun, Kaito-kun!" he shook him lightly. Kaito woke startled and placed his hand firmly on his head. "Oi, Dave-san, come quickly!" he didn't need to call again, Dave was right beside him in a split second.

"What happened?" he held Kaito's hands off his head, the extreme pain expression in that little face seemed beyond bearable. Kaito released his hands from the doctor's and caught his head again, lowering it to his feet in more pain. Dave quickly took out a pill and rushed it in his mouth and covered it. "It will go in a bit," the voice was calm and soft but to the shrunken thief, all sounds pierced like daggers. "Calm down, Kaito."

Conan placed his hand on the kid's chest, "His heart is beating crazy!" he moved it to the forehead, "and a high fever, he's already sweating..."

No one spoke or approached the two, leaving the entire process to them. When Kaito didn't calm at the estimated time, Dave abruptly held him and told Yusaku to get the car. "We're going to that hospital, everyone else stay here."

The three rushed out through the door. Nakamori Ginzo, Yukiko, and Saguru stayed in the living room. To Leave like that so sudden only meant that things went out of hand and they hand no other option but to seek the hospital's help.

"Is he okay?" Yukiko turned to them. "What happened!"

"He's calming down now," They turned to the phone, forgotten on the table in the rush. "Nothing to worry about, Kudo-san." Yukiko bit her lip. "The pill must be taking effect," he had switched to English. "Oops, habit." he switched back to japanese.

"1412-kun," Ginzo said, skeptic. "Shouldn't you do something?"

"Already have someone going to him."

"Do you know what happened with Kuroba-kun?" Saguru asked.

"Not sure," they heard a vibration stimulus coming from the phone, "according to the devices, he said something about leaving and not wanting to hear him again. I can only assume from his uneasiness, that he was talking to his subconscious self, again. Hopefully. But, it doesn't mean I can't be wrong. I'll go through the saved recordings, see if it matches up with the past three nights. If the vitals are low, then he was asleep."

"If he was talking to his subconscious self, then this proves it was a dream all along! if no one you appeared, then no need to worry about a possible syndicate member." Ginzo added.

"I'm waiting for intel from our spy, before that, I can't assure you anything."

"But will what happened now, be enough for him to regain his memories?"

"... The thing is, with Amnesia, it isn't quite simple to estimate," 1412 said, "just because he sees it, doesn't mean that he remembers it. It will take some time until one of them brings him back." there was a short pause again and he spoke with an entirely different voice. "1412 to 1413, track 1314 to Beika hospital, and report in as quick as possible." he switched to English with specific words. Most were baffled at the mentioning of a new code name.

"On to it, remain in contact, 1412. 1413 out."

"1311 here, what happened with 1314? I picked the variations just a bit ago!"

"1413 here," everyone noticed the voice wasn't associated with a man's. It sounded more like that of an old lady. "I'm going in as a patient, fake me a name, I'll send you a picture to use, be quick, I'm nearly there."

"Got it." Nakamori cleared his throat to the sound of keys being pressed. "Done. Go in."

Nakamori coughed again. Nothing came from the boy. Conan laughed, "1412-kun, you sure have guts faking an ID in the presence of an officer."

"W- Are you serious? Of course, I do! That's my_ friend we're talking about." his voice trailed off. "1311, it was a sort of breakdown. 1413, he's at room 3." He paused. "I'll follow you once the drugs wear off, be on stand by, 1413. I'll send you what I'll approach you as." A box opened and they heard items clicking against each other.

"1311, are you bloody crazy! You drugged him!" 1413 sounded pissed.

"I was going to tell you about it..."

"How many times do I have to tell you, that puts us at a disadvantage if we can't move! He's alone now, in his state!" eyes widen on the other end. "1412, what's your position?" then 1413 spoke something else in an unfamiliar language to the people's ears. "Got it. 1413 out for sure this time!" her voice echoed in the headquarters and 1412 spoke again.

"West window," and Hakuba looked through the garment. "Targets are Gin and Amuro. They won't approach, they didn't notice the others leaving, but don't chase them. My partners are already there, don't interfere. They know what they're doing."

Hakuba retracted himself from the window, "Then you expect us to wait?"

"There are no bugs, they can't listen to anything, and unless the boss gives the order, they won't get any closer. If you act foolishly or let them realize, they will be forced to fire. Chianti and Korn are prepared to shoot," he paused for a moment, "Don't do anything." they heard steps and doors opening.

Nakamori exhaled, "Fine, fine." He lowed his phone. "So, we're cornered now."

"Not for long." 1412 said and silenced himself. "Target west side, 45. Plan C."

"Roger." A sound whizzed and hit what sounded like a wall. "Target out, they're retreating. 1412, begin code 41 now!" the person sounded worried and serious. another bullet passed. "Sh_ Partner down!" another bullet whizzed by. 1311 grit his teeth. Something heavy fell. "Make that... two." they heard heavy panting. "Shit."

"1413 on the way!"

"No, you can't be faster than they are, you'll get hit too." the voice on 1412 changed into something more teenlike.

"But I_"

The sound of an engine grew on his side. "I'm on my way." he shut the door. "You stay with Kaito!" The call ended.

"Oi, wait_" Conan picked the phone up. "You idiot!" he pressed back for the call, but the call wasn't going through.

"I think he can only call us," Saguru grit his teeth. They stared through the windows. Two dark figures were on the ground, another two were on the opposite side of the street, rifles in hands. The partners weren't moving. "We need to do something!"

A black van rushed towards the street, the door opened and someone ran headfirst towards them, shooting something at them before he ran to the fallen partners. The snipers retreated.

Nakamori was at the door, ready to push it and head out when Conan grabbed his arm. "Don't be stupid!"

"They're injured!" he gritted his teeth at the shrunken detective. A call came back to Yusaku's phone.

"Stay inside, damn it! They'll come at you if you do anything!" 1412 said, "Not a step outside!" the call ended.

"Retreat!" Gin signaled as he looked through the binoculars. There was a person on the tallest building. Riffle prepared, that person raised a grin. "Tsk, him again. Chianti, pull back!"

Another bullet whizzed and passed Gin, barely an inch and it would have hit his face had he not moved at the last second. "Gin, how is everything there? I can't see!" Chianti shouted. "I got three pesky birds in my range."

"I said pull back now"

She gritted her teeth. "R-roger."