Updated 24/11/2019 for misspells, no added info. just points I forgot to include... No need to recheck if you read this a few months ago.

After believing KID died, the syndicate decided to surface and recruit new members. While Kaito was at the Kudo's, still in a coma, 1412 was now leading the partners.

Ch 8: The Third Kaitou KID

(Part 1)

"Aoko can already tell you that they won't, not unless they get orders from Kaito." she seemed determined about it.

Hattori Heiji covered his face with his hand and sighed. 'A bunch of idiots!'

"So it's never going to happen unless Kuroba-kun wakes," Hakuba said nothing after that for a moment, she was right; they wouldn't approve anyone's help. Knowing Kuroba (persistent to work alone), no doubt, his partners had the same thoughts as him. 'No wonder they get along' he cleared his throat, "So, they rather work alone?" before she was able to nod, the Osaken interrupted her.

"What'd ya expect from a bunch of thieves?" Hattori complained, crossing his arms as if he didn't care. Aoko saw it was entirely the opposite. Deep down, everyone was curious to meet and work with the kaitous. "Let 'em work alone, who cares!"

Aoko glared him for an entire second, during which, Heiji hoped it was Kazuha instead. "You still don't understand, do you? The partners are on our side! They want to stop the syndicate as bad as we do!" She looked like she was holding a great majority of her anger. Too bad there wasn't a mop anywhere in sight. Such a shame, Saguru was looking forward to seeing the chase. Aoko stood up and walked away, steps pounding hard on the ground reflecting how pissed off she was. "Trusting Kaito's friends is better than trusting you!" she slammed the door behind her.

"What'd I say?" Hattori looked confused, Saguru glared him. "What?" he spread his hands in a confused manner. "What'd I say?"

Ginzo placed his right leg over his left one, taking out a cigar and placing it between his lips. "Hattori-kun," he took a puff, "my daughter hates to see someone doubting Kaito-Kun's most trusted friends." Heiji raised an eyebrow, "Let's not forget that she knows them, identities aside, she's not a stranger to them."

"So it's only normal for her to defend the ones who stood by her side." Saguru joined them, a grin slipping through his words.

"Not just that, she's hiding something," Conan said and furthered, determination gleaming in his eyes. "She knows something we don't, and I am sure she is involved with those partners more than she claims."

"What makes ya think so, Ku-" there was no point in hiding it, everyone in the room knew the shrunken detective's secret. and for once, chibi Tantei didn't glare him.

"Haven't you seen the way she defended them? She knows more. Besides, how can Kaito-kun and Aoko-chan be so sure about these partners if they didn't know them so well?" Yukiko asked with a steady glare, Hattori was definitely considering it now.

"Well, they have to be people that Kaito-kun truly trusts, and just to hint things out, Kaito-kun doesn't give his trust to anyone, not even to his family. Plus, the partners stood by our side, which proves that we can trust them." Kudo Yusaku said and turned his sight to his wife. "Besides, partners are bound to obey the Kaitou Kid's orders, no matter who they are. Remember that, because tomorrow you'll understand." He furthered, placing both his hands tangled under his chin, "One way or another, we'll figure them out. It's only a matter of time."

Aoko walked down with fast loud steps; still mad at Hattori's behavior. She didn't like the way he spoke of her husband or his partners. 'Idiots ... Kaito placed his life on the line for them!' she looked up, merely observing the stars coming out to shine on the navy cover that had spread everywhere. 'At least Aoko knows she can count on them. Who needs those detectives anyway. No wonder Kaito doesn't like them very much!' she later picked her phone, realizing someone had texted her.

Did you see 1412?

-1311

She called the number, she didn't like answering back with texts. She had to verify that it was the real partner first. "Yo, 1311~" She said as she heard the latter greet her back. "Aoko didn't see KID 3. They didn't mention what happened after we left the cemetery... so..." she fidgeted, "Aoko thinks they're_"

"They're on to you?" the partner raised.

"Aoko doesn't know for sure, but maybe. Those detectives make a baby suspicious. It's so confusing!" she heard the partner laugh, "Look, whatever it is, you need to get KID 3 back to rest. He can't stay with them for a minute more... it's already been two days!"

"I know. I wasn't happy with it either. If I wasn't busy, I would have gotten him out right after the funeral. Anyway, I just got out of the hideout, I'm on my way to the Kudo mansion, where are you now? Are you still there?"

"Yes. Under the house's balcony. And you?"

"I'm all most near the station, it should take me ten minutes or so to reach you. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, why would anything be wrong?"

"You're sad."

"Never mind that, just some silly stuff~" she raised a soft smile, 'still mad at the idiots though~'. She heard the latter clear his throat; she dodged the question. "Well, Aoko will be heading ho-"

"No, wait for me. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll take you on my way to get KID 3." he insisted after she hesitated, eventually, the girl let a sigh escape her lips. "Look, you're Kaito-Kun's wife, which puts you in danger more than anyone else. Remember, it's my duty to watch you, so stay put, I'm almost there. Get back inside, please!"

She was silent for a moment. "...okay... Aoko will wait..." and the latter hung up. She looked back and saw a figure by the window. 'Tousan...'

"Keibu, is everythin' alright?" Hattori stood beside him. "Ya look troubled," he looked through the window. "I see... Is she alright?"

"I don't know, she was pissed a second earlier, and now more absent-minded since she hung up. I wonder who she was talking to. I hope it'd nothing worth worrying about."

"Well, why don't we ask her? She's comin' up~" the detective gave a soft smile.

A second followed and the young girl entered the room as Yukiko opened the door. She was rapidly noticed by the two detectives. "So, yer back?"

"Rest assured, Aoko is going," She said dryly, then turned to the owners of the house. "Aoko only came to tell you that Kaito's partner just called a sec ago. He said he's coming for KID 3, shouldn't take long for him to arrive. "

Yusaku stood, "Well it's about time!" he grinned. "We were getting worried!" Aoko smiled and shrugged.

"HE'S HERE!"

Even his son was stunned to hear that. When did the boy get there? 'I thought they took him!' he face-palmed himself. 'And he didn't tell me, his own son!' but Yusaku smiled. Conan glared him more.

"Yes, upstairs, but unconscious ever since he played the body" Dave showed a calm face, playing the poker face with firm control. He observed the girl for a moment, 'that couldn't have been everything she came for.' she didn't ask to check on him or how he was doing. "Aren't you worried about the boy?"

She shook her head. "Partners had a monitor attached, he would've mentioned something if he wasn't okay."

"... I will debate that," Dave said. "It was difficult to keep his wounds closed." Aoko's expressions didn't show any emotions. all the more reason Dave was sure she was hiding her worries from being plastered on her face. "He is stable for now, if you want to see him, that is."

She shook her head, "Aoko's forbidden from approaching him. They know how worried and reckless Aoko becomes if she sees someone hurt." she shrugged. "Aoko can't break her promise so soon, better wait another few more hours~"

Ten minutes afterward, the doorbell rang. Again, Yukiko was the one to answer it and there he was. The said partner. A tall man, wearing black from head to toe, face covered with the shadows of his hat.

Yusaku greeted the partner and told him to come in as he led the way upstairs. There was no need to stall the man, he only came for the KID, so the best thing to do was to not stall him more. The novelist walked calmingly as if there wasn't a kaitou walking behind him. The rest were stunned, watching the two head upstairs without a word to anyone; a KID partner walked right past them and no one did anything to catch him.

'So much for outnumberin' 'em!' Heiji complained watching the entire scene; Nakamori remained standing, without making a single move. Not until the two were gone of their sight. He didn't care about making an arrest, not that it mattered, the man they now had among them would be as skilled as the thief they've been trying to catch for decades. Now they knew that arresting him wasn't necessary.

They needed all the help they could get, the Kaitous were best at giving it.

A quick glance from Hakuba towards Aoko told him that she was looking at the walls, probably bored. He realized that his classmate made no eye contact with her fiancé's said partner, which was odd considering that she trusted them.

They reached one of the unoccupied bedrooms at the far end of the corridor on the left, "He's right in here~" Kudo opened the door and switched the lights on. Kaitou KID 3 was down on the bed, his face was Kaito's and he wore a black shirt as what was obvious from below the white blankets. "He's still out and cold..."

"Frozen!" Dave interrupted with a cough. Indeed, the partner must have known about it anyway, the sheets they covered the KID with did not help at all.

The partner followed in calmly once Yusaku cleared the path, he approached the bed and got a shot out of his bag that he had hung on his right shoulder. He first raised the sheets and KID 3's shirt, then infused the syringe in the latter's waste. He took out another vial and a syringe, infusing another liquid into the crock of the right arm. He placed the empty syringes in a small black bag inside his shoulder bag, yet remained on still. To the doctor standing by the door, the partner was waiting to see if the kaitou was going to make a response. The room was silent until Ginzo's voice spoke, declaring his presence.

"So, to make it look real, your partner actually had to be placed between life and death? Was it necessary to put him in the freezer?" Ginzo said while standing by the door and walked in, the partner made a slight nod with his head, yet said nothing else. He checked the boy's pulse, but there was none. "Whatever drug you gave him that morning lowered his heartbeats and made it impossible to find a pulse, so what are you looking for? You can't figure it _" the man stood up before the inspector could finish. Slightly placing one arm below Kid's feet and the other under his back, he held the boy up.

Kudo thanked him for their help, exchanging an expression he was sure the kaitou could understand. 'We're ready to help whenever needed.' The latter nodded, thanking him back for looking after the boy. "Anytime~" and he walked away to the door.

"How come his disguise won't come off?"

"I knew it~" he muttered as they laughed, Dave didn't flinch waiting for his question to be answered. "Simple, because the syndicate was going to check for a mask, KID over here used the none-removable type. Almost real even if you pull it, even water won't work against it." and he turned slightly. "We definitely wouldn't let him stay with you, knowing you might figure his identity, so we had precautions against you and the syndicate."

"Smart move!" Ginzo blathered, tucking his hands in his pockets before grunting. "Well, is he going to be okay? A few hours ago he wasn't even breathing_"

"I'll handle it, inspector," said the partner, he took another step, carefully holding his partner to not cause any more pain.

Ginzo said as the man was passing him, "He was shot you know, he needs a hospital. His blood is half frozen_"

"Inspector," the man turned, not showing any facial expression under his cap, "I'll handle it. We've managed to keep him alive despite all, so don't worry about him. I already closed his wounds, and I can do that again if they open. And no, judging by your faces, I'm not a doctor, but I can operate."

"Wait, wait, wait... you have got to be kidding me. You can't do that! He'll need a..."

The partner's concentration moved to the boy, realizing he made a slight move; Nakamori quickly silenced himself. "1412?" the standing partner called as the latter began to open his eyes, "Don't move, I got you. Just hold on a bit, we're going home." however, the boy said nothing and passed out quickly. It didn't matter if he wasn't in his white costume (Although they were sure a third Kaitou never made a public appearance), all they could see was Kuroba Kaito's face.

As for the other partner's current custom, it was wearing a black hooded jacket and black pants, and he was covering his eyes with his black hat. 'Figures, easy to hide!' Nakamori mumbled to himself.

"He's been terribly wounded, you can't leave him without attendance!" The inspector insisted, lowering his voice down to not disturb the injured boy. He could hear the faint panting, it wasn't wise to bring him here. 'Why didn't I stop them and kept him in the hospital? …Oh right, we were barely able to slip him out of the hole through the passage, lay low head back to the hospital where they could follow us...'

"We'll be watching him." Came the calm, emotion-void reply. Ginzo stared, idly assuming the worst that could happen. "Look, it's not the first time one of us gets shot; he'll be okay." The man replied. "I disguised myself as many doctors times before, I'm quite capable of looking after him, so rest assured. I won't let him die, you know..."

Kaitou KID 3 opened his eyes again and realized the others around them this time. He turned his head looking slightly up talking to his fellow friend. The latter said nothing, only seeming to be assuring him. The Kaitou's voice was barely heard, but the language wasn't anything they heard before.

"Though," as soon as the partner said that, everyone in that room was listening. "When KID 3 recovers, we'll be getting KID 2 back," Ginzo grimaced, "with or without your approval."

Ginzo was reticent; surely, he wouldn't allow that to happen. He wasn't going to hand another injured KID to an amateur unknown doctor. "Kaito-kun is not safe with_"

"He's not safe with you." the partner interrupted him with the same answer he was going to say. "He's been a kaitou for three years, and the syndicate was never ten blocks near him. However, with you, he got found the next day, and, in your most secure department. Not to forget, you still didn't realize that I was disguised as one of your doctors, in addition to a few other syndicate members who were spying and listening in."

The youngest partner turned his sight to them, his voice barely heard, and spoke calmly, "He was Dr. Wiver~" Dave was going to slap himself, "We can be tricky too." he raised a slight smile, "Don't worry, we knew them all, and what they did."

"How?" Ginzo said and spread his arms with disbelief. "Do you think I'm going to just trust that? They can have you tricked too!"

The teen shook his head. "Few simple behaviors always blow their cover. Besides, they can't get into our headquarters, so he'll be safer there. We are all skilled when it comes to medical means, so no need to worry. He'll be safe until he wakes, not that we can keep him down afterward ~" Yusaku chuckled to that.

"As he just said, not even we_ the partners_ can hack the security system KID 2 built. Furthermore, whether we could cooperate or not, the partners are never to be left behind."

"If you left Kaito-kun with us, it means you betrayed him?" Dave said with a raised eyebrow. "I find it highly unnecessary to think so."

"To you maybe, but to us, it's considered more or so like that." and the second partner nodded, "If his enemies didn't leave him, why should we and we are his friends?" he referred to them.

"Enemies Kind of sounds harsh..." Ginzo grunted, rubbing the back of his neck before admitting that they had a point there, "You're right." everyone looked at him stunned, "When Kaito-kun recovers, you can take him. But for now, no matter how long, until he is discharged only, you can get him out."

"Of course we won't wait a year for him to wake to have him handed over~" the boy said.

The partner looked at his friend, the latter approved. "Alright, hopefully, he'll wake in a few months. However, if you ever need our help, in anything whether concerning everyone here or Kaito, you'll tell us. If it ever comes far enough," he eyed his partner he was holding. "The Kaitou KID members will cooperate with the police," the latter said nothing, "if we're needed."

"On small basics, of course~" The younger appearing one added, "Big cases are ours to handle," he added a small smile. "So don't push your luck and expect us to allow more than that."

Ginzo was shocked, 'cooperating, huh! Did I just heard right?' That didn't sound anything good to him now. So it was bad enough that they decided to give them a hand in cleaning the mess? Ginzo looked away, the last thing he needed was help from lawbreakers, even if they were good people catching real criminals. "I thought Kaitou KID must never cooperate. Moreover, can you say that? What if Kaito-kun won't allow..."

"Kaito-san and I are equals, as leaders. This means, both of us can lead the partners, whether separately or united." KID 3 said and the oldest nodded. "I'm not the third KID for no reason..."

"KID 2 made it clear for us. He knows KID 3's orders are accurate and well thought of, that's why he chose him to be his equal"

"Equal? Do you mean that this kid over here and Kaito-kun are considered the same to you? You'd follow both of them even if one's orders contradicted the other's?"

The partner said nothing for a moment as Dave also kept his silence, "I'd say so." and the teen narrowed his eyes. "Though they're tremendously alike most of the time~"

The younger interrupted him with a cough, hinting for him to stay silent on that remark. "KID 2 reserves our highest leader, but that doesn't mean that we think differently."

The partner continued in his stead, "KID 3 knows how Kaito-kun thinks and does, and he chooses that path. This is why their orders never contradict even if they are leading at the same time, which is rare anyway..." he silenced himself, "well... they never contradict unless regarding one issue..." he turned to the boy, the latter narrowed his eyes. "They practically have a feud with each other!" then came a grin, "Hard to stop them~" he grinned. "I have a popcorn bowl ready to watch the entertainment."

KID 3 cleared his throat, "Okay, they get it already!" He mumbled, "We only argue when it comes to who gets to destroy Pandora, otherwise, it's like we have the same mind." He gave a glare to his partner. "Thank you for finding our feud entertaining..." the partner laughed.

Ginzo scratched his head. "Well, should you at least, let us treat KID 3 wounds professionally before you take him?" his eyes were fixed on the eldest partner.

KID 3's eyes were all denying with fear, 'Don't you dare!' they added, but the other grinned, almost laughed. "Thanks, we'll handle him~" the boy seemed to relax with that. 'Revenge is sweet~' The younger kaitou got worried.

"Just to understand who is who, what names do you follow? We're getting confused here. Any names without the word KID?"

"Of course we have our own fake names, you don't expect us to just say KID, do you?" came the weak answer from the young-sounding boy. Ginzo looked away. "Anyhow, it's not like we'll let our real names spread..."

"Well, as long as our fakes names don't spread," the man said as they confirmed. "We don't use names while on the job, we use codes, better if ever someone was around. I'm known as 1311, the third partner. And this one here is known as 1412, he's is the second. Of course, our code names are taken from the Kaitou file, 1412."

"So you are many out there" and the partners grinned. "What about Kaito-kun, shouldn't he be 1412?" Yusaku held.

"He gave that code name to KID 3. Kaito-kun's code is 1314. Aside from the original Kaitou KID, Kaito-kun would never take that code as his own, even if he was his son or the current KID. I don't know why, but we can't argue on that. All we know is that if he didn't trust our 1412 to the fullest, he wouldn't have made him his equal."

"So when you hear these numbers, you'll know who is who." 1412 continued, and they sustained.

"Alright then, we'll be going now. Hopefully, without any more interrogations," 1311 said with a grin plastered on his face, "You shouldn't trust thieves anyway~"

"1311, may I get down now?" but the latter shook his head. 'Please, this is really awkward...'

"You're paralyzed, have you forgotten that?" came a sudden scolding, Dave grinned. "Besides, you'll pass out any minute now, so stay still. I swear you're just like Kaito-kun, arrogant. I'm getting my revenge, don't think you're escaping it just because you're our leader!"

Yusaku grinned.

'He deserves it~' Dave's eyes said as he shrugged, Yusaku grinned too.

"It's not like you ever stop scolding us," 1412 said with half eyes, 'That's all I ever hear, why don't you become our parent instead?' 1311 twitched a nerve. Funny how they seemed to forget about the people around them.

Ginzo watched in silence until he could no longer deal with KID's face, "Can you at least ditch your disguise? I'm confused, you behave a lot like Kaito-kun!"

1412 flinched and went silent completely. "Okay..." and smoke blew up and cleared in a second. He only put a hat on, 1311 had a disguise underneath it all along. "Better?" yet they glared, "Don't look at me like that, changing takes time, and I'm paralyzed..."

"One second isn't considered time..." Dave blathered smiling, It was 1311 that threw the bomb from his sleeve and told 1412 to take his hat. "Anyhow, you shouldn't have moved even."

The kid dropped his face, "Then don't complain about it if you knew!" he rolled his eyes away, 1311 grinned. "Besides, 1311 did all the moving."

'Liar, you're the one who took the hat off 1311's head~' Yusaku's eyes told him. 1412's glare did not waver or submit.

"Save it, 1412. They know I can't hold you and put the hat on your head at the same time. Tricks and miracles may be our field, but I don't have three hands."

1412 shook his head, "Magicians do wonders!" he teased. 1311 cleared his throat. "We could have made them believe you could~" Dave laughed.

"Hmm... I liked you more with Kaito-Kun's face~" Yusaku smiled, "Thanks again, boys"

1311 cleared his throat, "not all partners are under twenty. And for your information, I'm the eldest."

Yusaku didn't want to protest. "Not over eighty, don't worry~" 1412 added. "Let's escape now..." 1311 made a silent nod.

And with that, the two partners went downstairs. Moreover, before reaching the door, the eldest glanced at Aoko. She said nothing; her eyes only saying that they wouldn't let her leave with them anyway. "You know that thieves don't listen to anyone~" his voice was a monotone male. "Aren't you coming?"

"She's staying," Ginzo said with a growl in his voice. "That kid, I can let you take. But my kid, I won't let you take!" 1311 turned his gaze to 1412.

"Aoko-san, you okay with that?" 1412 asked but she shrugged. "That doesn't help here"

"Aoko will disappear later~" he only nodded, "We'll stay in touch. 1412-kun~"

"Until later than," he said as she approved.

They went outside and rod in their black Jeep then drove off. Yusaku went back inside, still worried concerning the injured Kid. He turned to the doctor standing beside him, speaking more serious as he usually would, "The boy is in no condition to be moved, we shouldn't have let him leave!"

"It would have been pointless to argue against it. 1311 could have easily gotten him out, he is a Kaitou too."

"I wonder if that boy will stay still!" Ginzo said, holding his fingers to his chin. "He's a kid, isn't he?" Yusaku nodded. It was evident from the way 1412 spoke. "He's most likely younger than Kaito-kun, right?"

"Apparently! At least we have a sample of his blood, so if necessity calls, we'll identify him." Dave furthered.

"How did ya get that?" Heiji asked stunned out of nowhere, Aoko mentally glared him.

"He was unconscious for two days and bleeding, so while Dave was closing his wounds, the blood easily got on the sheets. Yet, I know what you are thinking of, but I agreed with the partners to keep their identity a secret as long as they were cooperative. Besides, I'm sure they are aware that we have access to 1412's blood."

"And I expect it to vanish any minute now, if that drug they used on him doesn't tamper with his DNA... I'm sure that's the case here." Dave's grin reached his ears.

The way he spoke implied that they wanted to be silent about it. The detectives knew well that the word could spread with a bird like Aoko. Especially that she'd try to keep her friends safe.

"All right, a deal is a deal. So keep that secure, the syndicate might try to figure them out too, so be careful." Ginzo bid and told his daughter that they should leave now. 'I can track that plate's number.' Ginzo was determined to know where the car was going and who it bonged to. He had already asked Saguru (who had a great memory) to memorize the number.

Later that night, as it was striking midnight, the allies scattered off home leaving the Kudos and Kaito at the mansion. Dave left shortly after discussing everything with him about that friend whowill visit them tomorrow.

Kudo Yusaku tried to sleep, however, was worried about what will happen when the evidence is exposed, especially concerning Kaito's reaction. He turned to his right; maybe he'd have a better chance at falling asleep. 'What's this?' a paper was under his pillow. "By Kaitou Kid 3" he unfolded it and read the carefully written words.

That Dr. Dave, be careful from him. He's not who he proclaims to be, and he has no records beyond the past ten years. Take it as fellow partner's friendly advice; avoid saying anything in front of him.

-1412

'Fellow partner?' He smiled to himself, 'My, they figured it out already! Such a smart kid. I hope the others haven't realized it yet, though. Tomorrow they will understand.' beside him, Yukiko was sound asleep, or so he thought.

'How did he even slip the letter?' she discovered it earlier in the day. The note had been under the pillow way before she tidied the bed. The boy was out cold, someone else must have slipped the note, but who? No, how?

No one went up to the stairs, the only time anyone got anywhere near the upper level was at eight in the morning. Shinichi would have noticed if someone came up, right?

But then again, it didn't have to be 1412 who slipped the note. They had been distracted by their guests all evening, there was plenty of time for someone (like 1311 for example) to enter from the window and slip the note 1412 had prepared before he played the body.

She turned to her left, her husband's face was to the opposite side, and she was sure he was still thinking.

Was he even sure of his friend?

If he only knew that Dave was on Vermont's side. How could he even fall for his tricks and trust a syndicate member! Or maybe... was Kudo himself informed of Dave's double face? Was he exploiting it?

A clever man like him, how could he miss such critical information? More or less, how could he allow someone into his house knowing he is not who he proclaimed to be? Then again, could we be wrong? Dave might not be a syndicate member, and on the other hand, if so, why was he cooperating with that woman?

As the sun came up, Yukiko woke up, walked soundlessly and went to check on Kaito. She made sure no one followed her to the basement as she uncovered a secret door where Kaito was supposed to be. She typed the passcode and went in. Her husband was still asleep, it wasn't a good choice to wake him when he stayed texting someone until after midnight. Being the great actress that she was, he didn't suspect that she was pretending to be asleep. Eventually, when he put the phone away, she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.

The little shrunken Kuroba was still out cold, pale and still. The Breathing tube connected to his little face, displaying his somewhat stable heartbeats. She knew that he wasn't well, yet she couldn't risk not keeping an eye on him when her husband was asleep. She sat on the chair beside the bed, holding the little cold hand. She watched his face for more than several minutes, sad about everything that happened.

After ten minutes, a familiar voice broke her regretting thoughts.

"How is he doing?"

She turned to see her husband with an assuring mien. "He's recovering." Her voice said and went silent. She glanced at his right leg and left arm, before speaking again, "What about you? Have your wounds healed?"

"Yes_ almost. Don't worry, I'll be fine, it's Kaito-kun that I am more concerned about. Have you seen Shinichi?" he raised.

"Yes, he left before you woke." She said observing his concern, "He went to Agasa's place to gather some information, but he won't be long though."

Yusaku said nothing as he walked towards Kuroba's side. "He looks like a child. That drug is good."

"I couldn't agree with you more," she laughed before getting into her serious side. "These drugs are horrible. Anyway, you said 1412 is on-to Dave, won't you tell them?"

"In the afternoon perhaps, but not now." he sat down. "Have you notified the others, about the newly active member of the syndicate?"

"I told them to be careful, he is not new though. We don't know who he is, so we ought to be on the lookout too. Will Kaito-kun be safe here?"

"As long as no one knows about this room, then yes." He observed the little boy, the monitor did not indicate any problems. "I hope you wake up and get better soon."

"He'll be okay, I'm sure. Dear, don't you think we should talk to Kid 3?"

"He already spoke with me earlier today. We'll meet today at night and see who the new syndicate member is. But as for the rest, they cannot know. It's too risky." He placed his hand under his chin thinking. "I am looking forward to knowing that boy."

"Who?" his wife held confused.

"1412, I cannot wait to know him!" he turned with a face showing his interest, "I've been looking forward to it since he texted before midnight."

'So that's who he was talking to! Humph...' she raised a soft smile, "He sure looks nice, I'm interested in meeting him too, bring him over, drag him if you have too~" Yusaku chuckled.

"He should have stayed down."

"I'm sure they can't afford taking breaks." she added, "He's all they got now."

"Well, I'm sure they can manage a few days without him." Yusaku was serious, "After all, 1311 behaves as a capable parent~ and no doubt, a capable replacement for a leader too." Yukiko sighed.

A black Ibiza sports car was parked near the mountain later that day, and a young man was sitting on the bench not far from it. Why he didn't wait in his car, it didn't matter. No one was passing by during that time, and he sat down idly drifted while staring at the ground. He kept his face down as his mind wandered around. His insides were hurting, he was going to stay down after he finishes this mission. 'What do I do now?' he thought more about the mess he got himself in, 'I left too much evidence behind, 1311 probably knows by now. I better act before they interrupt my plan.' Then he noticed something approaching near him. The person's feet stopped to a halt barely leaving a meter distance between him and the partner. The kaitou only raised his eyes, "you came early~"

"Hi to you too~" the latter grinned and sat next to him, the partner raised a slight smile greeting back. "How are you doing?"

"Well enough, thanks." The boy raised his head, a day had only passed, and it wasn't enough. "You came alone?"

"Yes and no," the man said, keeping his eyes raised on the tree facing them over the edge of the mountain road. "Just safe precautions, they won't interfere, rest assured."

"As long as they don't get noticed, it'll be fine."

"What about you? Did you come alone?"

"I wish!" he mumbled and Yusaku laughed, "My partners are nearby, they think I haven't noticed them." he smiled and so did Kudo. 'They've been following me since I left the hideout in the early morning...'

"Well, it's because they are concerned about you, young thief." Kudo smiled. "You are the youngest, aren't you?"

"You can say so," yet 1412 said nothing aside from that; it didn't bother him much. "I hope you can keep that info to yourself. You know how the orders are."

"Ah yes, of course. Worry not. Anyhow, they already know that you're young. How old are you?" yet no answer came. "As you wish."

"Like Kaito-san, you can say. I feel much younger around them through" he said, raised a smile to a memory of how they acted with him around. "You saw it, didn't you? The note?"

"Oh, yes, I have. Thanks for the warning. But I can assure you, I know who Dave is, and we will expose that once everyone is ready."

"I see. Well, I hope you'll be careful either way." he was silent for a second. "So, my partner will go to the syndicate disguised for his routine infiltration and I'll follow. I will tell you from now that he isn't expecting to see me anywhere near there, lay low out of bed. But he knows that I am checking something."

"You acted on your own."

There came a nod, "Whatever we learn today, don't let anyone know about it."

"Deal, kiddo~"

"And please knock it out with that... I have a code, you know," He stood up and uncovered his wrist: "1412 here, ready to enter?"

A reply shortly came: "1311 here, yes. I'll go in now, 1412."

Yusaku only watched in silence as the partners spoke of their plan, simply observing the figures behind the trees. "Is the one over there your partner?"

"Yes, Kudo-san. Just don't let him notice that you realized." And he walked to the car. "We have to go now before 1311 tracks my location" Yusaku raised an eyebrow, "He does that to make sure I'm far from danger..."

"Protective parent, indeed~"

"And nobody assigned him to be one~" and they rode in as he drove to the syndicate's hideout.

The two entered the syndicate without anyone showing up, 1412 led him to a door at the far end of the corridor. Although it was closed, they could hear the faint words.

"Our returned member is_