A/N: I'm so happy with this chapter. I even managed to establish one of the biggest plotholes in Dream or Not. And that's Tsukiko's papers! but now that's fixed too. And other thing I loved in this one was that I finally wrote up Yamato's backstory I created about five years ago. The details are still the same. :)

The First file: New world, new life
Sub-file five: Secrets of one

They fell into a routine. Shugo and Yamato. Every morning the two would wake up and Yamato would make them breakfast. After eating Shugo would do the dishes and then leave for school. A bit later Yamato would leave too for his work. Usually it was some business in a courier office but sometimes he was called to an operation for the Organization. After school Shugo either spent time with Ran and Shinichi (+ Sonoko) or then went home to do some research. The research meaning hacking for information. Sometime before midnight Yamato would usually return and they'd eat together then the food Shugo had done, discussing about the days events.

"What have you been doing lately?" Yamato asked one Thursday night. Since summer holiday had started and Shugo had already done his summer homework(in one day), the boy had taken to spend more time on his computer and write… something.

"Hmm?" Shugo blinked. "How so?"

"Well, ever since the holidays began, you've barely spent any time with Ran-chan or Shinichi-kun. Of course I'm curious to know what' you've been doing instead of that," Yamato shrugged and continued eating. Shugo stayed quiet for a few moments, uncertain whether or not he should answer.

"I… I've been preparing for the future. Establishing both my and Tsukiko's identities… Since she isn't here yet, no one will notice. And because the technology and the security of the databases is so… archaic, this is a piece of cake."

"I can see the sense in that. So what have you planned as your backstory then? As you probably have already guessed, eventually you and Tsukiko will cross paths and some sort of connection will be made."

"... I don't know if I should tell you. After all you are still in the organization and who knows what they'll do to get information."

"C'mon, I won't tell. Besides… As your guardian, I'm supposed to know your past, And your sister's past."

Shugo sighed. "Alright." The boy put down his rice bowl and walked to pick up his computer. "The basic situation is this: There're siblings Midorikawa Shugo and Hoshi. Shugo is at the moment seven years old, enrolled at Teitan Elementary and living with a family friend Ishikawa Yamato who's also the boy's temporary guardian. A year younger Hoshi in the other hand is at the moment with other family friends, the Okiya's, who have nineteen-year-old son Subaru. The Okiya's travel a lot aboard due their work so that's why there's not much records of them in Japan. At the moment they are in the States."

"I can see the sense in that. Why are Shugo and Hoshi not with their parents then?" Yamato frowned. Pointing out loopholes was important in order to close them and create a solid story.

"The Midorikawa couple, that is working for the same company than the Okiya's, have a job assignment in Russia at the moment but due the delicate atmospere there after the fall of Soviet Union, they didn't want to take their children with them. Because Hoshi is so young, the Okiya's have her and Shugo is with you, because… well… It was a request on both of your parts. On top of that, I've managed to cover some of the money you receive from the Organization as a fee you get from the Midorikawa's to cover the expenses Shugo causes you. After all your job at the courier office doesn't really pay you much." Shugo concluded with a deadpan voice. Yamato chuckled and took a glance on all the documents on the computer.

"You've really done some thorough work. I'm guessing that you're going to use this information somehow in Tsukiko's timeline too." The young man remarked.

"Yes… In ten years one man needs to take the stage as Okiya Subaru and I already know that Tsukiko will pose later as his sister… It's just better that the necessary documents are already done. In due time I'll also make a police report of the Midorikawa couple getting in an accident when coming back from Narita airport and dying so it gives the Okiya's a reason to adopt Hoshi and change her name to Tsukiko. It will only make sense to everyone." Shugo smirked. "But now… You've heard my story. I'd like to hear yours. I don't know much about the character's Tsukiko created back home as Jade so I have to admit I'm immensely curious." The boy leaned his elbows on the table and looked the green-eyed man opposite him in the eye. Yamato fidgeted a moment on his seat, obviously wanting to do anything else but discuss about his past… But under Shugo's intense gaze, he eventually gave up.

"Fine… but this is the only time I'll tell you this. I rather not remember that time anymore…" The platinum blonde sighed and began his tale.

"We were a happy family. Japanese father and British mother. Kurosawa Hideki and Alice, or Arisa as she was known after marriage. Then there were Jin and I. Our age difference is about five to six years. We both inherited blond hair from our mother while the eye color came from our father. We were a truly happy family. We had money and we lived in a good neighbourhood. Our father had an imported car from Germany. Jin drives it now…

"I don't know what the exact circumstances were but one day when Jin and I came home, our parents were lying on the floor of the living room and two figures were going through the drawers of our father's study that was just a door away from there. The two figures were calling each other Cordita and Dubonnet. I still remember what they looked like. Dubonnet was a fat man in black suit and hat with a thick moustache and a heavy Hokkaido accent. Cordita in the other hand had curly red-dyed hair cut right above her shoulders… She was from somewhere around Kansai area…

"In any case, Jin took me to our room and we hurriedly packed some clothes and other useful stuff. We had no relatives and we didn't dare to endanger any of our friends… Our backpacks were thrown on the back seat of our father's car as soon as we were done and Jin went to get his father's gun that was in the safe of the master bedroom. We both knew the code and knew how to use that gun, a Beretta, but were told not to use it unless in dire need. In hindsight, father probably knew something like that would happen eventually…

"We took two of the gasoline canisters from the garage into the car and I opened the door. Later I went to find Jin. He was taking too long and he had taken the third canister with him. I found him pouring the gasoline around living room and as close to the study as possible. But suddenly Dubonnet found us. He came to the doorway separating the study and the living room and tried to fire at us. Jin fired back and lit a match. In no time the whole room was in fire. I was only nine or ten at the time while Jin was around fifteen. I barely realized what had been going on. I barely knew that our loving parents were dead for good. But Jin knew. He cracked that day. He cracked in a way that I could never put him together again…

"So we escaped. Jin took the wheel and drove away. Aimlessly as far as he could. I think we made it to Gunma or something when it was already dark outside…" Yamato trailed off, far-away look in his eyes.

"But you were found, weren't you?" Shugo frowned.

"Oh yes. We were hiding for a week or so until the Organization apprehended us under the guise of policemen. But by the time we realized, we'd been tricked, I had a gun muzzle against my head and Jin had no other choice but to obey.

"And thus we were taken in, separated, forced to train and obey. It was quite effective. We knew nothing about each other and there was always that threat hanging that if we did something wrong, the other would suffer for it. I heard later also that Jin killed Dubonnet in that fire and was after Cordita's life. He didn't care if the Organization was wrong and behind the death of our parents. He only cared about getting the actual murderers six feet under…

"During our time at the Organization I managed to make a few friends. Nowadays I'm not in contact with them anymore but back then we were almost inseparable due the fact there was no one else for us at the time… Akemi-chan did have her parents but they were about all the time in their laboratory. She was only six at the time we met. Then there was Rei who was my age. He was allowed to go to normal school while I was kept in a tighter leash. The organization knew I would rebel any given chance but I was too important for them to kill. They needed me to ensure that Jin obeyed them. Not that he would've actually gone against them…" Yamato chuckled. "The bastard was only interested in Cordita's life back then. Nothing else. And even after nine years, she is still alive. I guess it's up to me to get rid of that bitch then…"

"..." Shugo didn't say anything. He let the man continue his story. It was clear Yamato had never talked about thing with anyone.

"Three years ago Jin cracked totally. The little I had met and seen about him prior that was nowhere near to help him heal. I only pushed the deaths of our parents behind me and concentrated on staying alive for their sakes and trying to help Jin. He was all I had left… While he just climbed ranks and eventually tried to massacre a group of codenamed members including Cordita. He failed but instead of killing him, I heard both Anokata and Rum thought the ruthlessness he had was an advantage. He was forgiven and isolated. When I met him again, there was nothing of Jin-nii left anymore. Only Gin, the newest codenamed member of the Organization. He got a babysitter at that time too, some guy called Vodka, to ensure he won't pull a stunt like that again. By some miracle that dumbass is still alive…" Yamato took a cigarette and lit it.

"My training continued and I began drifting away from my friends. I don't know what's going on with them other than that Akemi-chan has a little sister Shiho… and Rei became a Junior Champion in tennis when he was in middle school… Otherwise not really. Lately I've only thrived to become better and better, kill Cordita and then get the hell out of the Organization. Since I'm one the low-ranked members, it shouldn't be a problem especially now when Jin has reputation and loyalty to the Organization. He has no intention to leave anymore."

"That's one messed up situation then." Shugo mused. "I'm guessing that you're going to take the first chance you can to get out then?"

"Yes. But not until Cordita is dead. After that we both are out of Tokyo. Is that clear?"

"Yes, yes… But are you sure you can just walk away?"

"Jin owes me that much, to stall the search, if I do kill Cordita. Then I'm going to lie low. Moreover the only place right now where the surname Ishikawa is used, is for your school records. Otherwise I'm still Kurosawa."

"Right. That's good to hear."

"Speaking of records… How are you going to make this Okiya Subaru guy to adopt the identity you've created for him? I mean… It's ten years in the future." Yamato frowned and stumped his cigarette in the ashtray between the two of them. Shugo just smiled and replied mysteriously, with a slightly manic glint in his eyes.

"Ten years is a lot of time to make acquaintances. A lot of time to become 'Hibiki'."

The summer turned to autumn and it was time to return to the school. In the next few months a couple of more cases were encountered but not on the same frequency like in ten years. Shugo guessed the police would become crippled during those years thus increasing the crime rate in general. He also guessed it was the Organization behind it, infiltrated to the force and either bribing or blackmailing some politicians deciding the budget.

There was the case of a missing script that was taken from Yusaku's editor. Shugo recalled that the plot of the story would later be used in an actual murder aboard the North Star Express. Then there also was that one case that caused Eri and Kogoro live separately. Shugo wasn't told the specifics but he remembered movie 2 quite well.

But something Shugo would remember the next ten years of his life in DC World. And it was the so called Cold Case of Yusaku Kudou. It was one where Shugo himself was present too with Shinichi. Not that there was much to see in the end.

"Whaat!? By 'step down' you mean you're removing yourself from this case?" Megure was astonished when Yusaku slipped under the police tape and out of the crime scene.

"Yes, well…" The novelist stated vaguely.

"No need to rely on that novelist, assistant inspector Megure… We policemen will find the culprit on our own." Kogoro scoffed from his crouch near the body. "After all the mass media is clamoring about this! That this 'death' character written in the corpse's blood may be the start of a series of bizarre murders!"

"It's fine…" Yusaku smiled. "Because this isn't a murder…"

"Huh? But… What about this 'death' character?"

"I guarantee it. I, Kudou Yusaku do that the murderer who left this 'death' character written here, will never, ever reappear..." With those enigmatic words, the man left the park the 'crime' had occurred. Shinichi and Shugo followed him a couple of steps behind. It was good they did so: Shinichi was fuming. The kid detective was certain the case was a murder and couldn't understand why his father had 'given up'. Shugo in the other hand was nonchalant.

"It was quite a coincidence, don't you think?" The shrunken computer geek mused with his hands behind his head as the trio walked towards the second block.

"What do you mean?" Shinichi glared but the other boy ignored him, continuing to look skywards seemingly deep in thought.

"It quite amazing how the streams of fate stir up their audience who are a tangled mess of red strings…" The boy continued. Shinichi was becoming annoyed. Annoyed because he didn't understand a word his 'friend' was saying. The word friend was still used quite loosely when it came to those two boys.

"Midorikawa, what are you talking about?!" And the kid detective lost his cool. Shugo blinked slowly and glanced at the annoyed kid.

"Hm? Oh, I was thinking about the death character and how amazingly coincidental it is." The computer geek grinned. "Isn't that right, Yusaku-ojisan?" Inwardly Shugo was laughing at the thought of Conan doing the same in the future: 'Isn't that right, Kogoro-ojisan?'

"Yes, it is indeed quite interesting. Due its coincidental nature, the probability of it appearing again is very little." The mystery novelist nodded.

"Coincidence? It was a murder! It doesn't make any sense otherwise! The dead man didn't write the character by himself either!" Shinichi exploded. Shugo and Yusaku exchanged a glance before sighing and shrugging together. No can do...

A/N: I know my chapters are a bit rushed but right now, more of a point is in establishing the story and basic lines than driving the plot itself forward. BUT! The next chapter is the last one of this 'file'. The next one is one three sub-files long or so.

BTW I hope you liked Yamato and Gin's backstory. I remember thinking about it for months before moulding it into the form it has been since then. About Rei... Because we don't know much about him, I decided to keep the mentions of him as vague as possible. But no worries to Amuro fans: he will appear in next chapter!

Review Replies:

-RyanSonofApollo:
Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked this.

-Kitty Katrona:
Toichi will appear in next chapter. He was supposed to be in here but then Yamato's story came instead of it.
I'll do my best. :)

-Zeladious:
\o/