Takato: Well guys...

I know I told you this would be my last chapter...

But once I hit the 10 page mark I realized that I'll have to split the chapter (I'm currently on page 12, and since I really wanted to post the chapter, I posted from my 'Takato actually pre-read her chapter! OMG!' point and will continue from the point after.

This chapter has some interesting twists and turns, and I realized that I actually hadn't ocmpletely set up Kaito's little heist and so forth completely... and not only that but.. a few elements from 'In a Lose, Lose Situation' (one shot) got implemented.. so I guess that one shot was the muse bunnies saying 'more foo', more!' and so.. the readers are getting more.

-cry-

I was really hoping to end it for you guys and not lie this time.. so.. all I can say is...

I hope it ends withing 1/2 chapter's 'cause... Sun and the Moon is sucking up all of my creative drive! -cries- no artistic drive for a good 2 weeks!

2!

I'm going crazy here! so.. -caugh- ok, not that I realize I need to MOVE ON with the chapter.. without further 'ado.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plotline, ok!

Oh yeah, and the song I'm using is 'Molotov' by Dead Poetic

With my back to the wall you've somehow pinned me up against.
Fingernails in the palms of these tightly clenched fists.

XxX

Hakuba

Wake up…

He felt himself twitch, before his ruby red eyes slowly slid open.

He blinked and slid his eyes to look over at his alarm clock.

…Why in all that was holy, was he awake at 3:47:57 in the morning?

He then noticed a light breeze, or moreso, a chill that had entered his room and a large shadow that accompanied the light billowing of his curtains.

He knew that silhouette.

"Kid."

The shadow seemed to smirk jauntily, "Hakuba. I see your not a morning person."

Hakuba felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance, and he sighed deeply, "Why are you at my house?"

…not only that, but why wasn't he moving to arrest him? Kid was breaking and entering.

Kid hopped off the balcony railing and went into Hakuba's room. He then stayed by the sliding glass door, and leaned against it lightly, showing Hakuba his side profile.

The side without his monocle.

Yet, his eyes were closed, and his hat made obscure shadows over his face.

It was strange.

Seeing Kid just lean against his window with his arms crossed, completely comfortable, as if he knew he wouldn't jump to arrest him at this moment.

Why?

Hakuba ruffled his hair, as he shifted out of his bed and stood to the side of it, in a white shirt and pajama pants, "Answer my question."

Kid smiled for a moment, before sighing soundlessly and becoming a bit more serious, and seemingly dangerous.

So he wasn't just here for fun.

"You've been keeping tabs on Edogawa Conan. Why?"

Hakuba blinked and found himself becoming agitated, "Why? That's simple. During heists you've shown interest in him, and I've seen you constantly watch the obituaries, and save the murder reports that he's involved in."

Kid gave him an incredulous look, "Seen me watch the obituaries? When?"

Hakuba felt himself get annoyed, and without really thinking about his next course of action, he ran at Kid, pushing into Kid's dodge, and grabbed his hat, "Because I know you're Kuroba, Kaito!"

There was a pause.

Hakuba stood in one spot, clutching the hat that helped make Kaitou KID's facial features so obscure.

The hat that (Unknowingly to Hakuba) held flash bombs, and many other nifty, yet dangerous gadgets KID used.

And Kaitou KID on the other side, glaring and agitated by Hakuba's sudden move that ruined his simple plans for the evening, "You actually believe I'm Kuroba?"

There was a moment of silence, each taking in the other's features.

Hakuba felt sick.

"Yes."

His voice was hoarse.

Kid smiled, a devious smile, a smile that did not belong in Kaito's face, "You forget Hakuba… I am a Phantom thief…"

And that was the end of their conversation.

XxX

And I'm somewhere in between a held tongue and a curse.
Or I could keep it inside, and hide it.

XxX

Conan

He stumbled his way to the table and plopped down, yawning loudly. "Morning Ran-neechan…"

Ran glanced over to him, "Morning Conan-kun! Breakfast will be ready shortly."

Conan nodded slightly, "Mmkay."

He then proceeded to blearily stare at his empty rice bowl, when suddenly Ran made a gasping sound, "Now I remember why he looks so familiar!"

Conan blinked, and looked to Ran wondering for a moment, if Ai would be a better choice as a girlfriend. Once again realizing he was still delusional, he decided that he seriously needed coffee right now, "Eh…?"

Ran turned to Conan excitedly, "You know that Kuroba guy I told you about? Well, Not only does he resemble Shinichi, but we've seen him before! It was around the time of that Black Star KID Heist and…"

Ran's voice faded as he felt himself smirk.

Kuroba Kaito was a new suspect on his list.

Considering the information Ran gave him, he knew something was off about that guy.

Now to investigate him.

XxX

In hopes my avoidance will cure it.
But there's no time for this.
XxX

He shook himself awake, after having fallen asleep while searching through all of the files concerning the Kuroba family.

He looked around, disgruntled for a moment before sighing and scratching his head for a moment.

Shinichi never wanted to have a dream like that again.

He was no magician, and a firm disbeliever in the supernatural.

But the dream he just had liked to jab him with a smirk, and say 'Nyah nyah, told ya so.'

It was then that suddenly he felt eyes on him.

He jolted, searching for the offending person staring, no, leering at him.

No one.

He sighed and hopped off his dad's chair, and proceeded out into the hall and to his old room.

Shinichi's room.

He paused at the door and looked in for a while, a heavy sense of depression setting in.

He pressed on, past everything else and made his way to the attic.

The attic was a special haven.

It held secrets.

Secrets he hadn't even dared to notice.

Until this moment… This moment, when he had a dream of night flights, family, and a horribly slow death…

He clasped his cuff in practiced motion, shifted his collar just right, and slid on his immaculate white gloves.

He then picked up a white magicians hat and placed it on his head with practiced ease, looking himself over in the mirror.

Satisfied, he grinned silently, and picked up the final piece to his suite.

His monocle.

He fingered the charm that dangled delicately from the end, it's deep clear blue shining softly in the dim light. Turning it over, he looked at the 3 leaf clover emblazoned upon it.

The symbol of luck.

Some may possibly wonder why the Kaitou Kid would want such a silly charm to dangle from the end of his eyepiece so haphazardly.

It was simple.

He always wanted lady luck by his side, and why not have a symbol of her emblazoned just right, on his most precious piece of his disguise?

Besides, it was also up to her if that monocle ever were to fall off you know.

Finishing his musings, he made a few final checks of his gear, and turned, his deep blue eyes determined.

The glider would work.

It had to.

For their sake.

XxX

Or I could keep it inside, and hide it.
In hopes my avoidance will cure it.
But there's no time for this again.

XxX

They were chasing him.

He had declined Their original deal.

He had to get away, change disguise, something.

They shot him.

And left him.

When he finally managed to pick himself up, his suite was already a bloody mess.

He needed help, fast.

He looked around, and realized he was completely outside of his district.

How could he let himself, Kaitou Kid, get lost?

He started walking.

After walking for what seemed like hours, when he felt he could go no longer…

He appeared before him.

"Kaitou Kid I assume."

He tried to focus his eyes, but it wasn't working. "Who are you?"

The figure moved closer to him, walking until he was about a foot away from him, "A writer."

And that was all.

Than suddenly, he found himself waking to reality once more.

It was day, in the noontime.

He also had borrowed clothes on.

He blinked slowly, and looked around his current surroundings.

Where was he..? Was Jii involved with this at all?

"A writer."

Staring at the ceiling, the words returned to him.

That wasn't a reassuring answer, and quite honestly, he knew he was unmasked by this guy.

This was bad, what if the organization followed him without his knowing and they attacked these people-?

And suddenly his musings were cut off as a flurry of brown hair, bright blue eyes, and the kind of enthusiasm only an 8 year old could have pounced him, "You're finally awake uncle!"

He was startled by the similarity the boy held to his own son.

He smiled, "Yes, it seems that way. Could you please get off of uncle though? He's hurt and-"

"Ok!" The boy hopped off of him and stood next to where he was laying, still rather interested, "You're a magician, right?"

He blinked, "How'd you know?"

He threw his arms up, happily, "Because of your magician outfit! But, why do you wear white? Don't magicians usually wear black?"

He felt himself smile more, and he tapped the boy's nose, "Because I'm a special magician."

The boy grinned cheekily, and it was then that he realized the boy must be home because he was ill, "What's your name?"

The boy blinked, "…Oh!" he smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head, "Shinichi! Kudo Shinichi!"

Kudo…?

Suddenly a deep voice called out, "Shinichi! You should leave the magician alone, I did tell you he was injured!"

Shinichi immediately froze, knowingly caught in his supposed wrongdoing, "I- I know! But I thought he might be dead and…"

The older voice sighed, and finally the mysterious figure and voice gained a face to go along with it, "Shinichi, I taught you how to check someone's pulse."

Shinichi scuffed the heel of his foot on the carpet lightly as he looked down to the floor, "I know it's just.. Dad, I was bored and…" It was at that moment his body decided to go into a coughing fit.

The older Kudo shook his head and gave him an apologetic look and shrug before herding Shinichi off to his room.

The room was silent for a moment.

The older Kudo returned and closed the door.

They looked at each other, measuring one another before Kudo finally spoke up, "So, Kaitou Kid… What's your name? I know you would think I'd have already looked through your clothing for an ID, or that I'd have called the police or taken your finger prints… But I have a special place for mysterious thieves in my heart, and would like you to tell me yourself."

He raised an eyebrow, "A special place in your heart for mysterious thieves…?"

Kudo grinned, "You don't recognize my name, do you?"

He shifted, feeling a tad bit silly, "Not particularly."

Kudo nodded, "I'm Kudo Yuusaku. I'm a mystery writer, but I'm also a detective."

He blinked. Well, no wonder he'd said those things. He grinned, "Then why the love for thieves?"

Yuusaku grinned, "I have a novel in the works. There is a character that I actually based off of you- the Night Baron. I was hoping to use you as a loose guideline for how Baron's mystery would play out."

He shifted into a more comfortable upright position slowly, "And does this ruin it?"

Yuusaku closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them, a mysterious and mischievous glint in his eye, "No. Just an unexpected twist."

He ran a hand through his unruly hair, "I see. Well then, Mr. Detective, I'll tell you my name."

His name was Kuroba Toichii, Husband to Kuroba Yun, and father of 8 year old Kuroba Kaito.

XxX

So light it up and let it fly away.
A Molotov Cocktail, my dreams symbolized in flames.

XxX

He supposed their friendship was strange, yet, he knew his ancestors were already rolling around in their graves laughing that he was friends with Nakamori Ginzo.

So why not add a Mystery novelist with a mysterious phantom fetish, and a detective on the side?

He was pretty sure they were enjoying the show, and being as he was, he wasn't about to drop the act.

Toichii kept his friendship with Yuusaku loose, and only informed him of the basics.

Yet, he couldn't be kept from sharing Their existence with him.

He didn't know why, but he just felt that Yuusaku needed to be warned about them.

He also knew he'd never see the day that the knowledge he passed on would come in handy.

And then it was a night of his most packed and extravagant show.

Yuusaku was there.

He knew he was.

He also felt something was wrong.

He hated that feeling.

Especially when he felt as though Lady Luck were crying.

He wished to finger his charm one more time.

To hold Kaito tightly, to tell him to leave that painting alone and never go into that room…

The room he knew would spin the threads of his son's destiny.

It was time for his final and most daring trick.

1 minute.

2 minutes.

His lungs were burning.

His vision was blurring.

He was going to die, here and now.

As himself, on the stage.

Kaitou Kid would fade away.

He only hoped Kaito didn't meet his fate.

The last thing he could barely see was a spark, and the lights falling to crash on the stage.

Oblivion.

XxX

Put your back to them all, I swear they're not getting you there.
A blueprint for the outside, when it's cold out there.
It's not clear, but I refuse to breathe from these machines again.

XxX

He set the tattered old notebook and photo album on his bed.

He was shaking.

Shinichi, never before in his life felt so overwhelmed.

He realized he'd lived through sporadic moments of Kuroba Toichii's life.

A dead man for 10 years.

The original Kaitou Kid.

And he had become friends with his dad.

A few days after this experience, Shinichi finally got back into a place of normalcy and comfort, and decided to search out the Kuroba's.

It didn't take long.

Without hardly any thought put into it, he found himself in front of Kuroba Toichii's house.

The home base of the Kaitou Kid.

It was numbing, the feelings he felt.

He'd met Toichii.

Their family traits were so similar and.. "You're finally awake uncle!"

He jumped, immediately growled, and slapped a hand onto his forehead, frustrated.

Why did all the weird stuff have to happen to him!

He took several deep breaths, and rang the doorbell.

It was now or never.

He needed to know what and how they felt.

They were victims of them as well.

He would never be able to forgive Them.

XxX

You all depend on the filters that keep you away
From the pain when you cry, and the praises you sang.
It's not real so I refuse to breathe from these machines again.

XxX

Kaito

He had revised his original note that he'd sent to the Conan-tachi, and sent out the new and final draft to everyone else he felt necessary. This would be a private event.

Besides, Kaitou Kid could not be revealed to the world just yet.

In fact, Kaito felt the identity should stay mysterious, and just like a phantom, mysteriously fade away.

He couldn't do it suddenly, and his mission was still unaccomplished.

It wouldn't even matter if they were brought down, all the way to their roots. He could never let anyone get ahold of the Pandora, or else his father's mission would die in vain.

All that he went through wasn't just to keep Pandora away from them.

It was to keep it away from everyone and everything. Good or bad, no one could ever have a grasp on that sort of power.

Ever.

Kaito sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

He was getting tired.

At least Aoko hadn't killed him yet though, and that made him a bit happier.

He was also happy to see his mom when he came home. She acted as though she'd seen an old friend, and her spirits were lifted from an incredible burden.

Which also made him nervous.

He knew someone out of the ordinary had visited his house.

He shrugged, and turned back to his final draft of his Kid note.

On the night of the Phantom's original disappearance, he left behind a gem hidden in the forest. A fearless Black Knight discovered the nest of which the gem was left. Suddenly, the Knight then found himself struck down by the backside of a Dragon's tail, and found his Ebony Wings clipped, shredded. He became someone else to hide from the Dragon in the only way he knew how, even though just one slip could cost him.

He was unable to return to his kingdom, and was forced to be a stranger in a foreign land, where he met a maiden who had also been struck down by the Dragon's Tail. Together, they worked, while in the meantime the Black Knight's Princess wept tears of glass each night as she gazed into the night sky, waiting for her Knight's return.

When the time came that they met each other again, she could no longer recognize him, for he had lost his wings and his armor. He had become someone who was far different and younger than her.

Even so, he still loved her, and he stayed by her side though she didn't know it was he who was beside her all along.

It was soon after their fated reunion that the kingdom's mischievous Jester realized who the Black Knight was, and along with his servant friend, they revealed the mysterious boy that the Princess had become so fond of, was in fact, the Black Knight who had lost his wings and all that he had held dear. The Jester admonished that it was only the maiden of the lost village who could recover him, for it was the Black Knight's Holy Blade that could return the Black Knight to his true self.

It would only be after the Holy Blade was returned to the Black Knight that the Dragon could be slain.

Kaito stretched.

He knew his note method this time around was strange, but he felt he needed a story instead of a simple 4-7 lined note.

Besides, it was more fun this way.

XxX

Takato: I hope you enjoyed part 1 of the end... and... I apologize if it seems sort of like a jolt of an end of the chapter but.. don't worry. as I said: I've already got the next two pages written. (And hey, these author notes were added in along with the lovely 'XxX's you see. yup.)

Hope you didn't hate 'em too much. XD

Also, NEXT WEEKS MY 19th BIRTHDAY! -flails- October 14th, yup. 19. Reviews as presents? XD

As always

Shinjitsu Wa Itsume Hitotsu!

There is Only One Truth!