Chapter 22

"I don't trust him," Conan told Haibara when Kaitou Kid left them alone.

"We don't have much of a choice. It was you who brought him here. You were stupid enough to think he was connected to the syndicate. Honestly, did you think he was a rebel in the syndicate and decided to wear white? He seems talented enough but doesn't have the subtlety to be one of them. He probably stole something and made enemies. They don't miss. Either way, I like him."

"Huh? "Conan looked at Haibara with confusion.

"Who else could ever understand us but a criminal? Well, he's not really a criminal. He supposedly returns the things he steals and has a 'nobody gets hurt' rule. So he is not really a dangerous person either. Either way, he's the best option we have. I don't want a repeat with Natsue and bring a civilian in danger. Also, we should tell him about the suitcases."

Conan gives her a puzzled look, "What's in there?"

"Not yet, just that we ran off with some of the syndicate stuff and we will wait until we're in a more secure location to reveal it."

"I suppose so." Conan ruffled his hair."Do you think he will accept us?"

"Of course. Who said we are giving him a choice? If worst comes to worst we can blackmail him. He is a wanted criminal after all." Haibara gives a small smirk.

Kaito steps into the room, " Ah, what scary children you guys are. There is no need to use blackmail, l am more than willing to help you. Though if you are on the run then you need to disguise yourself- give yourself a new name."

"We already did."

Kaito blinked. "Oh?"

Conan glances at Haibara and replies, "Conan and Haibara are not our real names. My name before this was Martini."

"Mine was Sherry. Though my parents named me Shiho."

"How about you Conan kun? Martini is a code name too right."

Conan's face became fridged. "My name from before is unimportant. I'm going to sweep the room clean of our presence. " Conan hopped off the chair and slammed the door behind him.

Bewildered Kaito looks to Haibara. She sighs and whispers to Kaito. "Conan-kun has a very bad habit of forgetting things he deems unimportant. He told me that his parents gave him to the syndicate so why should he waste his memory on them."

Kaito looks at Haibara with a serious expression. "Is it okay for you to be telling me this?"

Haibara shrugs in indifference though Kaito sees through the act it was. "He owes me."

She then slides off the bed and leaves the room joining Conan in wiping off any fingerprints.

Kaito watches them.'I think I disagree.' He sees the tense line at the corner of Conan's eyes. It's not that he thinks it's unimportant but rather it's too painful to remember.

"Bochama! I'm so sorry -"

"Jii-chan it alright," Kaito stops him from doing a dogeza.

Helping him stand Kaito says,"Plans have changed Jii-chan."

"Huh?" He looks at Kaito confused.

"There are two kids upstairs that demanded to join us and know I'm Kaitou kid."

Jii looks at Kaito with a serious face.

"We cannot steal children even if they know your identity."

"No, no you got it wrong. These kids are on the run and though one of them tried to make it sound like they are running from the government I bet that they are from the organization. I believe it's the same organization that murdered my father. These kids supposedly apprentice under some of the organization's leaders. They most likely know something that can help me fight against them. While I can steal a jewel before the organization gets it, I think it won't be enough. If they are grooming kids then this organization is much larger than I thought."

"Are you even sure it's the same organization?"

"It's too low of a chance that they are different organization and work in the same area. Syndicates do not share so the people who are pursuing me must be a branch of a larger organization."

"Argh!" Kaito grabs his hair in frustration.

"Why did everything get so much more complicated?! Everything was working out smoothly until I got shot and encountered these kids."

Jii in alarm shouted, "You got shot!"

"Eh? Didn't I say that? Yeah on the shoulder", Kaito removes the jacket hiding the dried stain of blood and unbuttoned the shirt to show him the bandages.

"These kids are scary skilled and extremely intelligent, they were the ones to stitch me up. Who teaches that to children? It worries me Jii-chan that I don't know anything about this syndicate. I thought I could steal a gem before they could but it sounds like that finding Pandora is a side project they have. They have a bigger goal and been around much longer than I thought evident by them having a system to educate children."

"One thing at a time bochama, let's meet up with them and I can help bring down the luggage. You said they had some silver suitcases?"

"Yeah, they said they hid them so they needed to go retrieve them before we leave. Mentioned that it has some organization items in them."

Kaito turns to Jii. "When we get to the house open the window for the doves so they can monitor the house if the kids try to escape. I am trying to be inviting as possible towards the kids so that they can trust me. The girl has more faith in me but the boy is much more hesitant and is more of a flight risk. I don't know what tricks they have up their sleeves but do remember that these kids are dangerous. I believe they are genuine in wanting someone to trust yet it seems they have yet to find someone."

Jii brow creased in worry, "You truly think they are from the criminal organization?"

"Yeah, the biggest tip-off was the boy wearing black. Also very formal clothing, something you expect a parent to dress their child in. It is not clothing a typical child would willingly choose to wear. Furthermore, there was no colors, or logos even on the shoes."

"In addition Jii-chan, Please don't tell my mother anything yet. I don't want her to worry."

"Alright, Bochama, l won't say anything."

"Okay! let's go meet them and welcome them into the Kuroba family!"