Ch: 7 Kaito's Funeral

Inside Beika's hospital, a bunch of police officers and guards were on watch duty, standing and running about on the second floor, considering their tasks with full priority. This time, no one heard Nakamori's roars echoing in the corridors_ that was odd for everyone_ yet they knew exactly why.

'If you stuck around in the task force, you'd know why he is in such a down mood today' one of them mumbled to himself, another seemed to have the same idea. They knew who the KID was, and knew why Ginzo was upset. They didn't even expect otherwise. No one was happy, the second murder and they couldn't do a thing this time too.

Well, that's what they thought of anyway, some disapproved. Sure, the Kaitou was a criminal; he was going to get it eventually, but just not like that. The none-task force officers that were helping them today knew nothing about the matter_ aside the murder. Some only thought it was an officer, not that they'd be told of S2's existence anyway. No one knew the exact story, and they couldn't confirm anything either. Not while Nakamori was down, even the other inspectors did not mention a word.

KID's file was going to be closed right after the funeral, that's what the force knew. Interpol wasn't told of anything, just what the average public knew.

Shortly the guards and officers caught a glimpse of their inspector walking down to one of the doctor's offices. "Is everything ready?" said Nakamori to the doctor. "Can we take the corpse now?"

"Yes, it's in the morgue. It'll only take a few minutes until they hand it over. When are you going to bury him?" held the doctor skimming over his papers and drawers.

Ginzo was reticent for quite a moment, his sad expression said enough. "As soon as they hand it over" he took a pause. "His friends are coming to say their condolences... though they only believe that it was a mere accident. Whatever the case is... we can't change the fact that there is a corpse a floor below" nothing made him sad more than saying that. "One boy! One boy, I couldn't protect from our problems. What am I going to say to everyone?"

The doctor said nothing, only observing the inspector. "There is nothing to say aside he was murdered during the shooting between the police and the criminals. It's best to not let the students know that the boy was followed... they'll become afraid"

Ginzo nodded, adding nothing to that for a few minutes. "Yes, it's better this way. Well, I'll go check on him, say my farewells... need anything?"

"No, thanks," said Dr. Wiver. "And… Keibu... my condolences..." yet Ginzo didn't turn, he nodded and thanked him, leaving like someone who just lost everything he cared for in the world. Dr. Wiver sat down, his hands over his head blocking his eyes. "All this just had to happen…if there was another way to protect the boy…"

"All this just had to happen... if there was another way to protect the boy…"

Chianti was all eyes and ears, watching through her ruffle from across the street. The listening device was in her ear, and she could clearly see the big fancy hospital, with all its crowded patients and police officers roaming about. There was no need to keep KID in S2 anymore. Her smile was to the back of her head; no one was happier more than her. "Huh! So it is true... you really are dead! That poison sure is good, we should try it again!" she said, breaking it with a laugh. "Well, one more thing left" she turned to her partner. "Let's go spy in, and check the body ourselves, Korn"

The white-haired man sustained, walking slowly with the dropped smile. "Let's go. I'm getting bored of this KID. Let's confirm his death and get on with our job"

She nodded with a smile. "I couldn't agree with you more." and she took her phone out. "Oi, we're going in. I'll leave the rest up to you, watch our backs, Gin"

The latter's smile was heard through the device. "We'll be listening from the devices on your clothes, hide them well. If anything suspicious happens, don't hesitate to shoot everyone. You have permission from that person" and they hung up. his cold echoing voice still ringing in her ears.

Her grin reached her ears, "Let's begin the game." her face was all murder written over it, fully excited, "We even have authority to kill everyone in our way~" she sounded like she just won a grand prize, "Let's go. Vermouth and the seventh member will tag along after the funeral"

Meanwhile, at the morgue...

"He's all set," said the nurse covered in white, turning to the man waiting behind her by the door. "You can take the corpse now, I'm done with my report"

"My condolences, inspector." said another.

He slightly leaned his head down, "Thank you" and she escorted him to the coffin's room with the carriage, slowly walking there. She helped him move the body inside the box and left its door wide open so everyone could take a final look and say their farewells. As she was long gone, Ginzo looked at the lying corpse in front of him, all cold with blue on the lips and skin. "I'm sorry..." few tears dropped as what the syndicate members could see through the surveillance cameras in that room. His hand slammed the wall beside him, shoulders shaking from his cries. "It's all my fault, Kaito-kun... if I was careful enough... you wouldn't be lying dead in front of me…" he smeared his tears with his arm. The body did not move or answer him, it didn't tell him that everything was going to be okay. Everything was done. Over. Just like that.

His hair was brushed and neat, body dressed in a white suit, face covered with makeup to hide the blue-ish color in it. His hands hooked above his chest, his steady chest. no movements of breathing, no twitches or the likes. The boy was dead. Gone. Long gone.

"Let's get this done with and have you rest in peace, buddy"

An old man, a doctor came and made his checkups, and left as he was done. Nakamori stood aside as he waited for the man to leave. When the doctor left, he went closer and stood above the boy. Kaito was cold, his hands were blue. "I can't even see you like this" he busted into slow tears. "You look asleep... but ...I know that you're not...you're dead" he placed his hand above Kaito's, gently running over the freezing skin. "I'm so sorry..." he placed a white rose between the boy's hands, "Farewell, son"

"Inspector," said a young man wearing black from head to toe. "It's time ta take 'em away. They're waitin' for us in the cemetery" his cap covered the sadness in his eyes, as the shadows did as well. His tone was nothing weird to Ginzo, he was used to the young detective by now. Although they met occasionally on heists, he knew the lad didn't wish any harm to come at the cheerful Kaitou.

"All right. Let's go, Hattori-kun"

Up they went, walking ahead while the coffin was carried behind them. It was placed in the black car and fastened down to not roll over or fall down. Soon afterward, the car took off, followed by few friends to the cemetery.

The ceremony began and a bunch of students, detectives and family members gathered. Aoko's tears didn't stop falling, having Keiko beside her, comforting her with her tears ascending as well. None of the students were able to take the "Wild gunshot" easily.

"What was Kuroba doing there anyway?" Aoko heard their teacher, Erika Konno, asking her father, he was not far from her, on the left from three standing students.

"He had just arrived from the airport and then just like that, someone broke in and started shooting everywhere" he only said that, before adding more information. "We managed to save most of the injured, but it was already too late for Kaito-kun. I am sorry," he said hushed, she looked away without a word. There was no chance to doubt it, the wounds on Kaito's body told the story well, even the bruises and light scratches on his face. The wounds were real; there was no room to say anything else.

"It's okay, Aoko..." Momoi Keiko said, keeping her arm around her friend... "It's okay…" she couldn't hide it either. 'No it's not okay, Kaito's dead...' nothing was okay about that. Aoko had lost her soul mate and that was nothing good to her. Everyone knew how bonded the two were and how hard it was to say farewell. Aoko was on her knees, Keiko beside her in the same position. They were both crying, even a few in the back were too. The adults stayed silent, nothing but their faces showing their regret and grief. There were even a few task force officers in their uniforms, present only to say goodbye. They met the boy a few times, it was only right to say goodbye. It was the least they could do.

"It's hard to say it…" Aoko whispered to the stone in front of her, she couldn't see his name carved there or take it easy. "But it is farewell now" her tears ran down quickly, few of them falling on her hands. She grasped the grass tightly, unable to contain herself anymore. "You're gone... all because Aoko told you to come... It's all Aoko's fault…" she was hugged by her friend, Hakuba stood to her left; keeping his hand on her shoulder for whatever support it could mean.

The gravestone stood there, seen by all the black-dressed gathered people_ including the disguised syndicate members, Vermouth, and the other unknown man. They saw the entire funeral, from the prayers to the coffin inside the pit, placed carefully and quietly before it was covered with dirt and closed. The stone held Kaito's name and the day he died on, February 25th.

The people came one after the other, mutely giving their farewells while placing red and white roses_ Kaito's favorites_ in front of the stone. Shortly, it began to rain and the visitors began to scatter off home. From behind the trees, stood a serious woman with a look as sharp as an eagle. Was she happy? Well, she should be; her rival was dead. She should be celebrating with her gang tonight.

Once everyone was gone, the syndicate met above Kaito's grave... Gin's eyes looked down at it, he didn't care, not one bit. It was a problem that was dealt with, that was all it was to him. A problem. Nothing more.

"I've checked it before I sent it to the morgue. He's really dead, no pulse, no nothing. I don't believe it either, but he was right in front of me, dead still." Vermouth said as she turned to her comrade. "Did you confirm it?"

"Yes," the man said and approached them. His eyes gave the gleam of a cold killer, quite sharp, indeed. At first, they were stunned considering why he was back so soon. "I came with the students, pretending to be a classmate and I checked him when the coffin was open. He's, as vermouth said, cold... no life in him. And no one is stupid enough to put someone alive in the freezer from last night till now. And even if we consider a dummy or a disguise, no mask came off. I checked the wounds too, they were real."

"What about you, Chianti?" Gin raised and eyed her; even under the rain, he was smoking. He truly didn't have a care in the world. "What did you learn while spying with Korn? Did you observe their reactions?"

"It's as we heard; they were all sad. Mostly the inspector, as if he lost his son. Aside from that, nothing was said" she furthered. "I've listened all the time with my device, and I am still listening now," her fingers tapped on the earpiece, "they're not saying anything proving that it's a trick. Right now, they are talking about KID's case... they'll consider it closed by tomorrow noon"

"Very well" was Gin's cold reply. It didn't quite matter anymore; he had three comrades witnessing the Kuroba boy's death. "So we are done here" they nodded, "Good. Let's go" he turned his back and slowly walked away, his silver hair swinging in the wind, under the cold rain. He got inside his black Porsche, pulling his hat slightly down and turned the engine on. The rest got inside, Gin then drove away.

Chianti texted the boss and reported in on 'The Good New'. "All is well, he's gone. We'll head back to the hideout now"

Aoko laid down on her bed horizontally and gasped. "What's gonna happen now?" her tears fell. She sat back up-straight and smeared them. "I better go take a shower and get changed." and so she did, throwing away her clothes in the washing machine after she was done. Finally, she curled in her bed and covered herself with her blue sheets, turning towards the wall and closing her eyes. "Goodnight tousan, goodnight kasan, Goodnight Kaito" and she road dreamland's train.

Later that night, the shrunken detective and his father were sitting in the living room whilst having a cup of coffee with their friend.

"You removed everything? Every wire?"

"Yes, I've searched everywhere," said his son. "I found ten in the house, some were old and some were new. Most were spread here and in the kitchen. What about you?" he turned to Doctor Dave.

"The Hospital had quite a bunch, especially in the doctors' room. They wanted to spy in every possible way and the two, the morgue's man and the nurse were indefinably syndicate members. They were suspicious enough by the way they searched deeply for any possible sign of life."

"So, absolutely sure that no one is spying on us now?" and they nodded. "Good. The syndicate showed up after we left, our friend saw them at the cemetery. I've heard them talking about us dropping the case, thus, they bought the trap."

"That's good." Dave smiled. "Though it was harsh to make all those people believe that Kaito-kun died...but we had no choice."

"So, who played the body? It was scary real alright"

"I don't really know for sure, but he was one of Kaito-Kun's partners. I've received a text from him yesterday; he asked to meet me privately around the corner of the tower." Yusaku said.

"And what did he say, Tōsan?"

"He said he'll help in covering up for Kaito's survival, and proposed to play the body. He said nothing else aside from that he and the other partner are ready to help whenever we want. So, I've got his number right here. He introduced himself as 1412, Kaitou Kid 3."

"So he must be well aware that Kaito-kun is the second KID," Conan said as his father rested his cup down on his knee, and turned to Dave. "Did you get anything from searching his number?"

"No, it's a private line, I couldn't trace the owner. But judging by what Yusaku said, he sounded and seemed young." Dr. Dave said, observing Shinichi's face as he sank in thoughts trying to relate who the young partner would be.

"I suppose he might be Kaito-Kun's friend, or someone his age, maybe younger," Yusaku said.

"Why do you think he is younger then KID?" the doctor looked serious. "It could be a trick or a disguise"

"I don't know, but he talked about Kaito-kun as someone who was older than him. Even his words showed his respect for our little friend. He might be just a partner, but he actually cares, he said he'll come at any time and go anywhere if we needed anything. I didn't find anything suspicious about him. So we can count on him, he seemed honest to his word."

"To his word, you say?" Dave repeated, a little too shocked.

"Yes, he said it in the Kaitou KID name. And we all know that when a Kaitou KID uses that word, he's honest. You, after all, know that well"

Dave smiled, "yes, you're right. Kaito-kun must have taught them the honor of that word. I hope he didn't involve some innocent boy in all this. "

Conan nodded and stood up. "Well, I'll go check on the thief. Care to join?"

"No, son. I'll join a bit later with Dave. Oh and, if he starts to suffocate, just increase the oxygen's amount, okay? We are monitoring everything too, so if anything happens, we'll be right there"

"Yeah, don't worry about that" and he went downstairs to the basement and opened the door.

He walked in, observing the lying figure on the bed. "Welcome to my world, KID-kun" he smiled and got closer. Kaito was physically about five or six, and he resembled Conan to the fullest, (except that his mien was much innocent and cuter) with wild hair. "You should rest and heal well for now. You're no good to yourself with all those wounds" he sat down.

Kaito's pulse was below normal, however steady. He was, so far, okay and improving, yet always in a coma. It had been three days since the accident, and the town believed that KID died after the heist and that Kuroba Kaito died in the wild shooting. As much as it was hard, painful for the first's fans, and heartbreaking for the second's classmates, there was no escape from the truth. Eventually, they will accept their departure.

Amid the silence, Conan could hear the monitor's beeps, the automatic machines pumping oxygen through the breathing tubes, and how far Kuroba seemed. He could neither move or hear anyone, barely able to avert himself from sliding between both worlds. It was up to Dave to keep him alive, though difficult, yet he wouldn't give up on the now shrunken boy.

After an hour, Aoko came with her father and Conan went upstairs, leaving the thief to rest. They sat in the living room, discussing things one more time.

"So who is this friend you told me about, Kudo-kun?" Ginzo inquired.

"Well, he's someone we can count on for sure, so no need to be worried. He's a friend of ours, and he wants to take Kaito with him away from the whole police-syndicate battles for now." Kudo paused for a moment. "And Dave here has some info to expose by tomorrow. We still don't know what everyone's reaction would be..." he eyed his friend. "But, I'm sure one of us will like it." Yukiko passed then their coffee cups.

"Did you hear from Chikage-chan? Is she okay?" the wife raised and immediately caught the men's attention. She put the tray away and sat next to her husband.

"I spoke to Konoshuke, she's still unconscious, but she's fine. So no need to worry, as for when she'll wake, hopefully, it's soon."

Aoko seemed concerned for some time and was quickly noticed by the novelist. Curious, he asked what was troubling her. "Is it safe to trust someone you don't even know? He could be anyone!" she was worried to the max. She turned to her fathers: "Are you, tousan?"

"Well I can't give Kaito to his partners either," said her father. "So, I don't have a choice. I rather trust Kudo's friend than some someone I might never have known before." he didn't realize how bad and tensed things became. Even Kaito's rivals, the detectives, were worried about him. "And it isn't the first time a police officer or an FBI is working for the syndicate. We must find a way out, somehow."

Soon afterward, the two detectives, Hakuba and Heiji joined, later followed by Jodie Starling.

Aoko sat down, her eyes focused on the floor. She didn't know how to deal with the syndicate. "Sometimes, I bewail having people use Poker-faces or masks," she said with a low sad tone. "If only they weren't taught by KID himself..."

Hattori's eyes widen, sharp for someone who was standing far from her. "What does she mean? Why did he teach 'em such a thing?" he turned to Aoko: "Your boyfriend is really insane!"

"Hattori-kun," She began with a twitch of her right eye, that honorific was spoken like she was trying not to shred him apart. "Kaito is NOT Aoko's boyfriend, he is Aoko's fiancé. And he isn't insane, you idiot" he swallowed.

"Kaito-kun didn't teach it to them, his father did" Yusaku's voice broke the uneasiness flowing in the living room. "Back then, before Kaito was born, Vermouth was his apprentice. Toichi-kun didn't know she was with the syndicate, she came only for acting techniques, but she gave the secret to the syndicate and taught a few of them how to use it. After that... They told him to work for them..." when Yusaku said that, they were stunned. "The first time he stole something for them, he gave it back, and when he figured out about that jewel they were looking for, he turned against them" then he added, "He was against them all along"

"What happened after that?" Hakuba held as he turned from the window.

"He became KID, got married to the phantom lady, and had Kaito-kun after that in five years. And because they were trying to stay away from the syndicate, they lived outside until Kaito was four. But Toichi was killed after that in four years during his show, and everyone thought it was a mere accident, even Kaito-kun thought so."

"But why did they do that? If the whole family knew about the syndicate, they were gonna be killed. It was best if they stayed low"

"But Hakuba-kun," Aoko interrupted, "they had to come back, someone had to stop the syndicate. So now history is repeating itself, but only much more horrifying because they are after the silver bullet this time" Their eyes widen.

"The silver bullet?" Kudo-san and Dave repeated shocked, familiar with the name. Even Conan had his ears on the full radar.

"Yes, Kaito is their worst enemy; that's why they wanted him dead so bad. Him_ and us three... _Shinichi, Ran, and Aoko. Without us four united, the silver bullet won't be the silver bullet. That's what the prophecy said"

"What do you mean? You just said Kaito is the silver bullet" Dave got confused. No one seemed to notice the slip of not including the honorific. Maybe because he was a foreigner?

"We all are, us four, with Kaito, Aoko means. But Kaito alone can stop them, that's why they're after him and neglecting our existence. To the syndicate, the silver bullet is the only person capable of bringing them down"

"What could he possibly do, he's just an arrogant thief!" Hattori muttered. Arrogant was the word he wanted to us, but to him (as a detective) he still wanted to trust the law side than the criminal side. He couldn't really deny the thief's skills, but he knew next to nothing about him to trust him.

"Kaito managed to find four main syndicate hideouts, and caught, alone, 200 members during eight months. So, don't think you can do anything better than what he did. The FBI, CIA, police_ haven't managed, united, to catch more than 30 and kill 20. So tell Aoko, is he arrogant now?" the teen didn't dare to answer her, she literary had him under her control. "Kaito wasn't just planning Heists over the past three years, he was tracking them, and hacking their systems and security... he did a lot that made them fear him. Just the fact that he is the silver bullet, gives enough fact to what he can do."

"You sure know a lot," Jodie said, Aoko raised her head. "How do you know all that?"

"Because Aoko saw and heard it before. Aoko was at the heist when they came last year, but they didn't show up until everyone was gone. That's when they started shooting randomly everywhere..." she paused for a second. "They didn't know Aoko was there, but KID figured it out, and got us out after he caught them. Months afterward, when he told Aoko about his real face..."

"What did you do?" Yusaku smiled. "I hope your reaction wasn't like Chikage"

"Nope, Aoko slapped him!" she bid with a smile. Their heads dropped. "That baKaito got himself in all this and he didn't tell Aoko, so he deserved it. That's why Aoko stopped cheering for tousan to stop KID because Aoko knew what Kaito was after"

Hattori turned his hat to the back gasping. "So this gem that they are after, where is it? Has anyone found it?"

"Aoko hopes not. It's somewhere Kaito knows of, but he didn't say where. He only found it the day he crashed into the forest, so no one had a chance to change its location. Aoko even doubts that Kaito had the chance to hide it."

"And his partners… are they all...targeted? If anything, they're in danger too, we have to protec_"

"They won't let you, Kudo-san. They won't let you protect them... they're as stubborn as Kaito. They won't let you get in trouble when they can handle it alone. And besides, if the KIDs managed to stop 200 members, they'll be able to stop the remaining ones which aren't more than eight, Aoko supposes. But, unfortunately, from a certain Intel from one of the KIDs, the syndicate is recruiting new members"

"Than that is very bad"

"The partners contact you?"

Aoko proceeded to take out her phone, "Aoko has some of their private KID numbers" eyes blinked back at her, "Kaito insisted Aoko can contact someone for help if the ravens show up"

"Do you know how many partners Kaito-kun has? Or who they are?" Dave asked.

Aoko shook her head. "Kaito wouldn't let Aoko know. They don't even know their partners, only Kaito know them all. They only act with code names with each other, Aoko doubt any one of them knowing who the other is"

"So, they are… how many?"

"Two...three... Aoko was there only when there was only two. But Aoko neither saw their faces nor recognized their voices… Mostly because they changed it." she was sad. "Recently, we_ Kaito and Aoko_ knew that two were down...between life and death... but someone is with them. The syndicate thinks they managed to kill them, though"

"Are you sure, Aoko-chan?" Jodie raised her head with all curiosity, she was somehow worried about the partners.

"Yes, Kaito contacted them, and one of them said so. He said they were okay, and that they're tracking the members down. So far, they got to forty members last week." she held a piece of paper in her hand.

"And what happens now that their leader is away?"

"Kaito told Aoko to tell them, that if something happens, the second partner should give commands..."

"Look, we'll figure something out..." Dave said as he walked to her and smeared her tears. "He'll be okay, they'll all be okay. Now, could you try to reach them again? Ask them if they need help or if they want to join us"

The girl crossed her arms and shook her head, "Aoko can already tell you that they won't, not unless they get orders from Kaito."

Ever read "when Pandora's box was opened"? if u haven't, u should totally check it out. The author of that fic, "when Pandora's box was opened", is mangaluva.

I read it a while back, got it confused with the real series (I didn't know what manga and anime had as difference _ I was new to the whole 'anime' word and world thing... )

Anyway, I thought the fic was the real deal and I got inspired to write this story here, where KID was the silver bullet. Not Akai. Not Shinichi

And keep in mind, that is was made way before the Bourbon arc.

Thank you for reading