Disclaimer: I don't own MK or DC, or any other manga/anime to be exact. I just like to let my imagination run loose :D
Ladies and gentlemen! I humbly welcome you to the next chapter of this story.
I have no idea why but it was ridiculously hard for me to write this chapter. I lost the count on how many times I've started it. Next one will be easier as I already know precisely what will be in it.
To compensate for the wait this time you'll get to enjoy a full package: some inner thoughts, explanation of what happened after the cliffy and a bit of action ;)
Wow… thank you for your support and nice words in your reviews :) It made me feel so warm to read it! It helped me a lot to overcome my frustration and finish this chapter :D
So without further delay – Please enjoy and review! :)
Chapter 4: Fate of the dove
It was Thursday as Heiji was pondering again over the events that took place last Sunday. He focused his gaze on his silent cell phone and sighed. Still no news about KID, huh? Well… maybe Kudo was wrong? It's true that the thief usually returned everything he stole, but back then he said "give me your jacket", right? Maybe he needed it for something else and didn't intend to give it back. In the end it wasn't anything he's stolen… And it was a more reassuring thought than an option that he wasn't able to return it. Heiji grimaced. The guy was an annoying criminal but he did save their behinds and he couldn't help feeling bad by a thought that he might have gotten hurt in the process. Heiji huffed annoyed.
Anyway… a criminal, huh? Detective's thoughts drifted in that direction remembering his after-heist conclusions. That guy was definitely bizarre. All damage he's done was the effect of people trying (and failing) to catch him. Heiji was pretty sure that if he was to be left alone he wouldn't do any damage at all. On the contrary – the heists seemed good for business. Each item targeted by the thief received an extreme spike of public interest. Since KID's reappearance more people visited museums and other cultural sites at which the thief showed up. Moreover it was ridiculous how nobody got hurt considering extreme measures sometimes taken against him. And yet he was concerned a world's menace. Maybe because it was so hard to ignore his taunts? Maybe he really was just an adrenaline junkie? Somehow he felt it was wrong… Heiji ruffled his hair and let out a yell of annoyance.
When thinking about it Heiji felt bad with the thought that he himself injured the guy who without any hesitation came to their rescue, despite the pain he was in. It wasn't right in the first place to hurt him at all since he himself tried so hard not to harm anybody, but the detective didn't fret over it before at all. He figured that it was ok to use moderate violence to stop a criminal, as long as it wouldn't end up as anything serious. Now it just felt wrong. But then again witnessing KID's abilities Heiji wondered sighing if there was any other way to catch him.
After school he send Kudo a message asking if he had any info on KID. It didn't take him long to receive a response that he didn't, just like he didn't the last dozen of times. Heiji grimaced and shoved his phone back into the pocket.
Hattori was starting to annoy Conan. He never suspected his friend to worry so much over the thief. He himself knew better than to be concerned too much by the cocky and elusive phantom. Not that he didn't believe he couldn't get hurt. He was simply sure that as long as they didn't find his dead or dying body the guy could take care of himself.
Conan sighed. He didn't like the feeling of being in debt to KID but he had to admit that he really did save them that time. He would probably go easy on the thief on his next heist in return to even the score but that was it.
Anyway he was more concerned about why KID was there in the first place and who were these men they followed. As he found out the police didn't have any promising leads about them. Grunts they caught were some guys with criminal records for violence, robbery and such. Was it possible BO hired people like that? He wasn't sure but couldn't honestly rule it out. It wasn't any major action and the Organization would probably want to have it's hands in everything shady that was happening in the area. It was possible that some might not even know they were working for them. But then again Conan shouldn't trouble himself with them either - it's not likely they would give him any leads if they didn't know anything... The problem was the 'if' part...
The big question was whether KID knew something. He was a nosy guy and odds were that he could be sniffing around after the Bell Tree Express incident. Could that be the reason he was there to save them? He couldn't rule that out either. As days went by it was less probable that he would get to talk about it with the thief when he came to return his jacket. So he would have to corner him at a heist. Conan grimaced. Lately it was hard to catch up with the guy alone as usually some police officer would be tagging along with him. He didn't like it but it wasn't like he could complain about it. He could always drug the cop and then blame it on the thief but he honestly didn't like the idea.
He thought about writing a riddled message to KID through a newspaper in order to meet him but Hattori was sure he hurt him in the arm during the heist and they both saw KID trip while being shot at. Odds were that he was just faking it to encourage his pursuers but it wasn't unlikely that he was hit. In that case it would be better to just let him heal up and patiently wait until his next notice came up.
Another problem was how to actually question the thief when he got the chance. Last thing he wanted was to intrigue him with his matters if KID wasn't involved yet. The guy was smart and taking any information out of him without leaking any out himself was a challenge. He probably should think of some false and boring reason why he was interested in the case and those men.
Shinichi didn't doubt that having KID on his side would be a valuable asset, but as things were right now he was a wild card and having him meddling with the case could end up unexpectedly. And he couldn't have that. Things were enough dangerous as they were. So until a miracle happened and he could somehow control KID's actions that was out of the question.
Hakuba was one of the first to enter the classroom. He was still unpacking his notebooks when he saw Aoko entering followed by yawning Kuroba. Saguru smiled lightly at the magician as he was laying his head on his desk to catch some more rest. It seemed that detective's tactic worked out quite well as lately Kaito was pranking him less often than before. It was still far from full success but he felt that they where on the right track.
Hakuba shifted his gaze on magicians arm and frowned as he noticed him still treating it with special care. It was long now that he did that and Hakuba cursed mentally the Osakan hot-head hoping still that it was only his fault. It worried him how protective Kuroba was of it during their meeting. He was apparently more caring about keeping it safe than acting as if he was unhurt which meant the injury was severe enough.
On Sunday Kuroba was 43 minutes and 8.03 seconds late for their meeting so they missed the movie they agreed to watch. Aoko was quite angry with him and probably didn't even notice how heavy the magician breathing was when he showed up. Hakuba didn't miss it however and neither the way he was holding his left arm. The detective stepped between his two classmates just in time to stop Aoko from hitting her friend and smoothly ending their quarrel proposing a different movie to watch. After that he kept staying near Kuroba's left side and he saw how uneasy it made him. He kept trying to slightly change their arrangement until he noticed Hakuba shielding him from colliding his arm with somebody. That clearly shocked the magician and soon after detective found him testing his intentions by dangerously exposing his sore spot to the detective. As he didn't take the bait and avoided even slightly touching it Kuroba visually relaxed for the evening.
Back at school magician was slightly ignoring him like usual but the lack of pranks on him was visible enough to be noticed by the whole class. Especially that he didn't do any less of his antics on everybody else during lessons. Aoko clearly took it as her own achievement and was happy about it. Hakuba was more concerned not to show how content he was with this situation. He was wondering about his next step to progress their relationship. It wasn't like he could or wanted to wait until Kuroba got injured again. He concluded that his next step should be by his own accord as the magician didn't seem to be interested in doing so. The problem was detective didn't know what exactly he could do without the risk of ruining his small success.
Kaito glanced at Hakuba as he was passing by him. He still wasn't sure what to think of the detective's actions last Sunday. Was he honestly trying to befriend him or was he laying a trap? Kaito frowned turning his head to his desk. Hakuba has been disturbingly thoughtful and considered of him lately. Not only he didn't try to prove his connection to KID but he actively helped him to cover it up. He felt uneasy about this situation fearing how it might end. Kaito had to be extra careful until he discovered the whole plot. He couldn't rule out the sinister possibility and it was bugging him.
As he sat at his desk and moved his arms to lay down on it he felt a sting of pain from his injury. That reminded him annoyingly of the two 'geniuses' who ruined his plans before the movies. Even for him it was hard to avoid being shot while he couldn't see the shooter and unfortunately he didn't have eyes on his back. Lady Luck was still at his side and he could only be grateful that he was only grazed by the bullet on his arm which was already hurt to begin with. It didn't hinder his escape that way and was easier to hide his new injury from Hakuba. Kaito was laying on his desk, acting like he was napping to give himself some more time to think it all over again.
He returned with his thoughts back to the other two detectives wondering how he could punish them for their idiocy. Unfortunately he couldn't prank them as Kaitou KID and Kuroba Kaito had no connections to them. With his monocle and top hat on he was a gentleman, a bit mischievous one, true that, but he wouldn't be vulgar or humiliate one of his lawful pursuers in any open way. He only let them humiliate themselves while trying to catch him. And that was a huge difference. And although he was KID he couldn't bend the rules as this whole masquerade was a tribute to his father and he wouldn't throw that away for mere satisfaction. He could always try and lure the detectives into a trap but it was very hard to achieve with Tantei-kun. Kaito could probably trick Tantei-han into it but he didn't want to discourage the rarely seen Osakian from visiting his events if he was the only one to fall for a trap. He sighed heavily letting out his frustration.
Aoko noticed it when her friend sighed and she threw him a puzzled look.
"Huh? Kaito is something wrong?
"Nah… was just wondering if you'll ever develop any curves or will you stay a tomboy forever…" he blabbered with concerned voice without giving much focus to the spoken words.
The girl's face turned red as she swung her backpack at her friend. He dodged it, absent- mindedly noting not to move too fast while instantly putting on his favorite Kuroba Kaito mischievously smiling mask. It turned out into a standard mop-fight during which he flipped her skirt and noted out-loud her panties color to keep her going through half of the lesson, answered the teachers question and involved with the chase a few of his classmates. He took special care not to let her swing her weapon too close to his injured arm. All that still without breaking his train of thoughts – you gotta love multi-tasking.
Of course this whole Sunday mess was his own fault too. He could have just ignored the detectives and leave them alone. Kaito was glad he didn't and managed to save them, but it ended with so much trouble for him. He didn't like people shooting at other people who found themselves in a wrong place and he wasn't going to tolerate it on his own playground, once he witnessed it. People should learn by now that kaitous are terribly territorial creatures and this particular one could not stand any lethal behavior. Kaito shouldn't probably vex any more dangerous people as he already had more than enough on his tail but he couldn't just leave it be.
It was almost an unconditional reflex for him to shoot his card gun at car tires when he dropped his smoke bombs to retrieve his detectives from danger. And as he left such an obvious clue that he was there he couldn't just leave without a trace. He wasn't happy to notice that, by the time he shook of his pursuers and returned to the room, some of the people had already ran away with cars he failed to immobilize. All he could do at the time was to delay everybody else from fleeing with little equipment he was left with (fortunately a skilled magician as he is can do wonders with a rope of headscarves, flowers, a card gun and duct tape – cleaning it all up from police sight was another matter and it was no fun at all!). He used some of his mother's trade mark frightening techniques to question some of his captives to get information on who they were working for, but he didn't have enough time to learn everything he wanted before the police came. Not that he intended to pursue them or anything like that. He was more interested to know if they would be a threat to him in the future in revenge for his today's stunt. After police showed up ('Ah thanks for that by the way… I'm sure it was you who called them Tantei-kun! I knew you cared ~') he supervised them to make sure they didn't find any of his traces.
Afterwards he was feeling dizzy from blood loss. He managed somehow to reach his training spot he was headed to before this whole mess. He was so tired that he nearly triggered his own traps while entering it. After applying some first aid to his wound, eating some snacks he kept there and checking Tantei-kun's jacket for any blood traces or damage he fell asleep. The rest was good for him and he felt a whole lot better after it, but he was late for the meeting because of it! To make matters worse he didn't have any change of clothes in there so after gathering all he had to he rushed to a store to buy a long-sleeved shirt. On his way for the movies he stashed in an alley his bloodied black shirt and Conan's jacket before meeting with his classmates.
And in the end after the movies when he returned to retrieve Conan's jacket and his shirt he found them gone. Honestly! Somebody stole his Taintei's jacket from Kaitou KID! Now how ridiculous it was? He should find the person and congratulate them on this achievement. And now he had to buy an identical one and make it look old so the detective wouldn't notice the switch. He wondered if he could pull it off without Conan noticing a misplaced thread or some equally unnoticeable difference.
The mop-fight was enjoyable as always and put him in a better mood and helped clear his mind. After they finished his friend huffed annoyed sitting at her desk.
"And to think Aoko was worried about you!"
With a corner of his eye he noticed that under her annoyed mask she was relieved so he grinned happily at her.
A few days later Hattori received a message from Kudo saying he found his jacket. As Conan didn't want to worry his friend he didn't tell him anything when he discovered later that it actually wasn't his jacket, but a very similar one. And Heiji for his part didn't tell him how relieved he was to read the news.
A few days later the police received a heist notice from KID.
KID looked unpleased at the small monitor before turning it off and listening to his surroundings. After Hakuba surprised him once into thinking he was gone and nearly catching him in a cold trap in the process he started sending his doves with tracking devices after his detectives. So yeah... Maybe it was cheating a bit, but in the end they did have advantage in any other field and he seriously didn't want to get caught and abandon his life as Kuroba Kaito. Anyway both of the signals he read were now staying close to detectives homes. It was annoying. He was waiting so long with this heist to be in top form for them again and as it seemed they wouldn't come and he would be bored.
And he did put so much effort into making backup plans for it. Since Jii-chan had a stroke almost a year ago he definitely forbade the old man from taking any part in his heists. To compensate for it he put him in charge of securing his house while he was out and digging up info on potential targets. It honestly did work pretty well but pulling off and predicting alone everything that could happen was hard on him. And made him feel more lonely too...
Kaito knew he should be glad with this outcome as at least he wouldn't be too much tired this time, but he learned to enjoy the challenge and the distraction from more serious matters his detectives provided him. And as the museum was a sealed, low-storied building he wouldn't even get a chance to put up a show for his fans. He could only cheer himself up by the thought that he managed to put up the run-on-the-wall trick and fireworks last time. Not much, but as he read on his fan forums people appreciated it anyway.
With a huff he turned the monitor on again switching it to the other channel, turning his attention to more serious matters. He noticed one signal was standing still and two more still roaming the area. So one sniper spotted, huh? Not that he was complaining but for some time now it was only one each heist. He grimly hoped that it would change soon and he could catch some of them. It wasn't worth going after a single target. The birds he trained for sniper-spotting missions were just plain grey pigeons that nobody would suspect so easily as his white doves. They carried not only transmitters but also cameras through which he could see when the shooter was pulling the trigger so he was able to avoid being shot.
KID checked the time and hid the monitor in his inner pocket. He put on his trade mark smirk flicking his personality to the miraculous magician's. 'It's show time' he whispered in his mind and dropped a smoke bomb.
Just like he feared only the KID Task Force were present at the heist. He let them chase him a bit before losing them. When he did he spoke through a police radio he borrowed from one of his pursuers (he was going to return it later along with today's prize) using Nakamori's voice calling all units to the roof. As he predicted keibu got angry and called off all units from the roof including those who were stationed there. He ordered them all instead to chase his dummy. Kaito sighed mentally hearing heavy footsteps pass him. It was too easy without his detectives. While taking his time climbing the stairs he toyed with an idea of pursuing his Task Force himself with his glider after he finished here but that would be pushing it...
Just before he opened the doors leading to the roof he checked his monitor again and turned on vision in his monocle. He could clearly see one sniper silently waiting for him. He hid the monitor again praying to Lady Luck that his winged spies didn't oversee any other shooter and he opened the door. He casually approached the edge of the roof looking as he had no worry in the world and took out his today's prize. He admired it for a moment and checked it with the moonlight focusing his right eye on the waiting sniper 'Come on... shoot. I don't wanna play dodge in mid-air'. As he sighed disapointed and hid the jewel in his pocket the sniper answered his silent prayer. He slightly stepped to the side, just barely dodging the bullet and averted his gaze towards the shooter. It would be impossible for him to see the hidden man from such a distance but thanks to his birds he knew exactly where he was. He saw through his monocle as his adversary moved uneasily as he looked at him. KID grinned predatorily and pointed his two fingers at his own eyes and then at the sniper's. Slowly he turned one finger up and waved it prohibiting the shooter from taking another shot. The man shivered strongly and ran away. Kaito chuckled grimly and jumped from the roof opening his glider.
Next day at school Kaito found Akako pulling his arm and demanding to have a chat with him before he got to rest at his desk. Grumbling he followed her to the roof as he knew it was pointless and dangerous to ignore her. When they reached their destination she looked him in his eyes with enough worry to wake him up completely. He didn't like it when she was so serious as it probably meant trouble for him. Of course he wasn't going to drop his act just for a lousy matter like that. He yawned widely and put his hands behind his head and spoke with a bored and annoyed voice.
"What is it now Akako?"
She narrowed her eyes clearly annoyed with his act, but didn't comment on it and spoke putting a lot of stress to her voice.
"Listen Kuroba-kun, you should refrain yourself from anything that you're thinking you're doing. I'm serious."
"Akako…" he rolled his eyes "If it is another… -" he started as the witch angrily cut him off.
"You know I don't care for your denials. I know who you are and I have received a premonition for you. You should know better than to ignore it." She closed her eyes for a moment and spoke with an eerie voice that made Kaito's hair stand up "'When the white shadow goes against the natural order, the demons enclose at him and finally triumph as the dove falls to the crows feasting on it'. This is what Lucifer told me. I don't know what it means, but I don't like the sound of it." She admitted holding her arms and looking away.
Kaito gulped and nod his head slowly "Yeah…" he agreed dropping the act. The 'triumphing demons, falling dove and feasting crows' didn't sound like this was something he should ignore.
Whew! Finally done ;) I promise a bit of a laugh next time ;)
Side note: there seems to be a little discrepancy about Akako's magic and tears. I've decided to hold on to manga version – in which witch's tears cancel only her spells – not make her loose her magic. Not sure if I'll use it, but figured as she appeared in the story I could clear this up.
See you next chapter *bow* ;)
