Chapter 23

"It's quite quaint" Haibara drawls out, moving her gaze around taking in the residence. Conan steps aside from her, walking immediately into the house further to investigate.

"Ah wait! Please remove your shoes, Conan!" Kaito picks him up from further dirtying the residence and places him back at the entrance all the while ignoring Conan's glare. Haibara places her shoes on the mat and gave a small smirk back at Conan. Conan removed his shoes and watched Kaito and the old man work together to move the large silver suitcases into the living room.

"Argh.." Kaito immediately slumped over falling back onto the couch. 'What was in that luggage? Books?' Jii watched the children explore the downstairs and went back to lock the front door. Kaito then saw Conan climb the cabinet. Rushing over he grabs the back of his shirt, "I didn't expect I have to say this but no climbing cabinets are allowed until given my approval"

Conan cross his arms, face unamused he replies, "Barou, I'm checking for bugs"

"Don't you think my home is safe? More so if I am Kaito kid?"

"No."

A tick mark formed on Kaito's head. Taking a deep breath he then asked, "why did you not check little lady?"

Haibara finished pouring herself a drink and simply answered "that's his job"

"The room is secure with these." Jii interrupted. In one hand was an RF bug detector and in the other was a white noise generator. Conan perks up and tugs to be let down. Kaito let him down to see Conan grabs the white noise generator and head over to the suitcases where he then climbs on the sit. He then flicked it on and looked expectantly at Kaito. Kaito glances around to see the rest of the occupants wait for his response.

"So where to begin? I know! How about what was so heavy in those suitcases" Kaito pointed to the silver cases. He could have easily picked them open but was waiting for them to tell him.

"One billion yen."

Eyes popped out from the old man and Kaito poker's face immediately slipped on.

"Eh, I think I heard you wrong but I think you just said One billion yen"

Irritated Conan replies back, "yeah I did"

Haibara interrupts, "That's actually not true," Kaito let out a sigh. Haibara continues with," its actually a little less since we used some for our funds"

"HOW? Wha? Huh? Did you rob a bank or something" Kaito couldn't believe the amount of money in his living room. Yes, he was a thief but he never actually stole money.

"Or something" Haibara replied.

"Botchama, " Jii's face began to pale.

"We actually stole it from the organization but they originally hired a member to steal it from a bank for them. It's not like we can return it and you know the phrase 'finders keepers' " Conan gave a cat caught the canary smile.

"Botchama we need to return this" Jii looked a Kaito horrified. Kaito in turn felt conflicted.

"NO!" Conan slammed his hands."They will be able to trace what happens to the money and then they will know it was us that took it. "

Haibara yelled out, "our lives are worth more than the risk of returning it and so you can feel less guilty! My sister died so I can live better! You two do not have the right to return this!"

Her heavy breathing filled in the silence. Tears were dripping down her face. Conan begins to glare at both of them.

Kaito didn't want to ask but knew he had to, "What happens to her?"

Haibara rubs her eyes and stayed silent. Conan glance at her and answered, "They killed her"

Kaito pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to Haibara. "I promise I will protect you two but I need to know the truth. Who exactly are "them"?"

Kaito looked to the two children. Conan took a deep breath, "Simply they are known as 'The Syndicate'. The most dangerous criminal organization in the world. There are many different branches but only members are given alcoholics names. Even though my handlers are important members I've never met the Boss. They have members at all different levels of society: famous actors, wealthy businessmen, prominent politicians, respected scientists and some are at different levels of the military. "

Haibara whispered out, "Those who leave are killed. That's why my sister died". Her fist tightens the bottom of her shirt.

Kaito didn't know what to say. There was no hesitation in Conan's claim that they are the most dangerous in the world. The group that killed his father, while dangerous, did not appear to be at the level these kids came from. He knew he alone cannot destroy an organization. A phantom thief is no help to them in destroying the group...but a phantom thief would be the best to help hide them.

"I will do my best to protect you from this syndicate and the way I know best is to help you hide. Jii-chan call my mother on the safe phone and tell her everything that has happened. I hate to tell her but it seems like she needs to be in the know to protect their covers. When asked in public we will tell them that my cousins are staying with me."

"Cousins?"

"Yup, Conan and Haibara are already new names, right? We don't really need to change them so let me get you guys to settle in. You will be family from mom's side since she has ties to Europe. We will work out the details later how about helping you two settle in. I can move into the master bedroom and one of you can take my room and the other can take the extra bedroom."

The two kids nod and help to shuffle items around the house. The next few hours were spent moving things around and Kaito showed the two kids the hideout where the money will be placed for now. The last thing Kaito needed was for Hakuba to find the suitcases in the house and think Kaito Kid stole it.

'Sigh~ What did I sign myself up for?' Kaito had sent Jii out to buy simple items for the kids who will be living with him. He plans to go shopping with them but needs to see how well they can keep a cover story. 'They need to be prepared for when Aoko, Hakuba, and any other curious person starts asking questions. But for now, let's just get them to settle in and be kids. ' Kaito nods to himself. It was a second later that he heard a shriek.

I don't enjoy writing filler chapters but here's the update. No promises when the next chapter will be out.