Hello readers!

This is the first part of Chapter 2 - Wake of the Phoenix. Here, "wake" takes on a slightly different definition than "birth" (from my first chapter, Birth of the Phoenix). You'll find out about it, soon. ;)

Have fun reading!

Thank you Angel-Chan234 for your regular supportive reviews. :)

Chapter 2 - Wake of the Phoenix

"The Phoenix? Isn't it the bird, Aniki?"

"It's the Miyanos' last project."

"I thought it was the Silver Bullet..." Vodka threw an inquisitive glance to his accomplice, whom he considered as his leader.

"Seems like the Miyanos had completed something in secret... after their betrayal." Gin did not need to say more, because all high-ranking members knew which event he was referring to.

"But what is this "Phoenix"?" Vodka couldn't hide his curiosity.

"Some say it's a lab-raised creature, based on the mythical bird. Others say that it's the true APTX 4869, an elixir that can raise the dead. There are also stranger theories. No one has seen it, after all."

"What do you think it is, Aniki?" They were riding Gin's prized Porsche 356A on a highway to Tokyo. The wine red sky announced the arrival of nighttime. A couple of cars sped past, their motors roaring above the silent hum of the Porsche.

Gin smirked. Knowing Gin, Vodka decided that his belief lay within the "stranger theories" category.

Night, Tokyo

As soon as Gin left the Porsche with Vodka inside, 'keeping an eye', the annoying blonde emerged out of the crowd and called for him, "Hey, Gin! Looking handsome today. Ready for our date?"

Gin ignored the comment about the absence of his usual black fedora. He was wearing a black tuxedo, because, out of all people, he had to be Vermouth's escort for her mission at a party. There were some disadvantages for being one of Ano Kata's (A/N: In English, this means "that person".) most trusted underlings.

Vermouth, in a rather revealing and alluring black party gown, was smiling at him seductively, attracting the lecherous gazes of some male passersby.

"That person was in a foul mood, yesterday. Did you guys 'break up'?" he retaliated.

For a moment, Gin could feel a sinister aura emanating from Vermouth, like a dark fire burning inside her. He knew that if they weren't in public, she would have threatened him with her gun.

"Not at all," Vermouth quickly recovered and replied lightly. "I just tried having some fun, but you know how serious he is. Well, that's what makes him equally charming, just like you." She flashed him another one of her disturbingly flirtatious smile.

That woman... Gin decided to change the topic, "Seems like Bourbon got into a car accident."

Although the news coverage never revealed the two victims' identities - surely, by their requests for privacy, the BO obtained most of the details about the 'accident' from Bourbon, himself, and some 'rats' inside the Police Station.

However, the pieces didn't fit, after Gin re-analyzed the reports. If Bourbon had just saved a girl from human traffickers - which, in Gin's opinion, was a waste of time - and tried to evade from the same pursuers, why did they drive toward the outskirts and not into the city, where they could have obtained help from the police? Of course, Bourbon had provided justifications in his report, but they all seemed like excuses for Gin. Bourbon is hiding something... perhaps something about that girl...

"There was a girl with him," Gin continued as he threw an inquisitive glance at Vermouth, who had just visited Bourbon, perhaps to obtain more details about the accident.

"Ah, that girl!" Vermouth answered in her casual tone after - pretending to be, as Gin guessed - thinking for a while. "She's a regular at his café."

"And he went through all this trouble," Gin was referring to the rescue. "That's out of character, even for him."

"Who knows? Maybe he has a crush on her," Vermouth replied lightly and flashed him that mischievous smile - again.

A crush on an nine-year-old... that woman... Gin was definitely annoyed.

A week later, Café Poirot

Shiho sipped absently from her smoothie as she watched her Rei-nii - she blushed at this honorific - serve a couple two plates of his trademark sandwiches. He was slightly limping, perhaps because his waist wound had not completely healed. Nevertheless, it was barely noticeable.

A few years ago, Shiho had woken up in a British hospital and learned two of the worst news she had ever heard: her parents had died in a fire and she had lost two whole months of memories. The doctors had explained that the latter was caused by shock. Since then, Shiho had been trying to remember.

When Rei had mentioned that summer and the word "Rei-nii", Shiho had been shocked at how familiar all these sounded. Suddenly, fragments of that summer came flowing into her mind. The mansion where she had been living for a whole year, her first meeting with the childishly cheerful tanned boy that her mother had invited from Japan... Shiho remembered that she had been - shamefully - hiding behind her mother the whole time. She had been a shy child, even around those of her age. No, actually, she had considered these children too immature; she had preferred burying herself in documentaries on biology and chemistry.

At some point, perhaps because of the tanned boy's persistence in becoming her "friend", she had finally agreed for a game of hide-and-seek. She had considered the boy incredibly dense for not taking a hint when she had ignored him for two full weeks, having decided that there was no point in making a friend - and especially not with someone as blunt and childish as him.

However, she was surprised that she had actually enjoyed that game of hide-and-seek. Shiho could vaguely remember the details of all their ensuing encounters. As much as they had played the games she had deemed too childish for her taste, they also had explored the neighboring towns and forest. She had been surprised that the boy was actually intelligent and knowledgeable - despite his appearance. The boy was also strong and agile, being able to climb a tree so swiftly. Above all, he was honest, generous, and... pleasant to stay with.

Then, Rei-nii left, or rather, Shiho couldn't remember when he exactly vanished. Her memory about the end of that summer in England was still a blur. Later, when she had woken at the hospital, Shiho had felt empty, as if part of her was missing. She had thought that it was due to her parents' death, but, perhaps, there was more to it...

It didn't matter anymore. Rei-nii was there. Her Rei-nii...

"Blushing while stalking a guy, huh?" The far-too-observant miniature detective's snide comment made Shiho's cheeks heat up even more. At least, that Kudou-kun had the decency to whisper to her in front of the children, who were now having a heated conversation on some anime.

"I'm just keeping an eye on him. He knows my identity, after all," Shiho explained - rather unconvincingly.

"At least, I'm not living under the same roof as my girlfriend, while pretending to be a 'cute, innocent' child, unlike a certain detective," Shiho then retorted with a smirk.

It was the miniature detective's turn to blush in a deep shade of red.

"I had no choice!" he defended himself, trying to keep his voice as low as possible to avoid being heard by unwanted ears. "And Ran's not my girlfriend."

"Sure, sure," Shiho replied lightly and returned to her 'observation'.

Shiho didn't want to call it "stalking", because it wasn't - maybe. Since her realization of Rei-nii's - God, she had to stop using this honorific. - true identity, she had wanted to discover more about his current life - apart from being Bourbon or an agent of the Japanese Police, an identity she later found out from Edogawa-kun.

Shiho only visited Rei once in the one day she stayed at the hospital. She had decided that she had to, at least, thank him for the rescue and bought a bottle of juice, but this guy dared to ask for roses - red roses - instead. Shiho had been kind enough to show mercy because of the state he had been in, lying in the hospital bed. She had ignored the comment and wanted to ask him the question that had been nagging her, the one about that summer. Shiho must admit. She was disappointed when she had realized that Rei didn't seem to remember much about that summer - or he was trying to avoid the topic.

The real "investigation" began when Rei came out of the hospital. Shiho had 'coincidentally' visited the same convenience stores and other place as Rei and 'coincidentally' felt hungry for sandwiches - three times in a week - when the Detective Boys went visiting Edogawa-kun at the detective agency, upstairs. Rei's undercover life was - surprisingly - ordinary and turned around his work at the Café. Although Shiho knew her feeling was shameful and immature, she still felt a hint of annoyance every time she notices Azusa-san working with her Rei-nii.

Rei didn't seem to have noticed Shiho during her past 'investigations' - or he was pretending not to. At least, he didn't say anything.

Shiho watched Rei serve a cup of smoothie to another client. Suddenly, as if feeling her gaze, Rei turned around and winked - yes, winked - at her, before walking to another table.

"Ai-chan, are you alright? Your face is all red. Do you have a cold?" the innocent Ayumi-chan asked with concern.

Shiho heard Kudou snicker and noticed the wide, arrogant, and amused smile appearing on Rei's face. She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it.

Oh, these two are so going to pay for it.

TBC

This part was particularly light. Hope you enjoyed it!

As always, reviews are greatly appreciated :)

Next update will be part 2 of chapter 2.

See you next time!