-FIRSTS-

Disclaimer: The works of Detective Conan and Magic Kaito belongs to Gosho Aoyama-sensei.

Warning: KaiShin relationship.

Warning II: MATURE CONTENT

A/N: I was trying something out here. Possibly something for Halloween depending how it goes. That's why it's mature, not because of the usual...


First Drinks

The night was chilly for an autumn evening as Shinichi and Kaito stepped out of the cab, standing in front of an elegant hotel in nothing but the dress, heels, and a small purse. Shinichi tried to stop himself from tugging on the dress hem, not used to wearing this.

"Nothing is showing Dear. Have a little faith in me." Kaito offered an encouraging smile as he took Shinichi by the hand to lead them towards the grand entrance.

The lobby was large, filled to the brim with people bustling about trying to find their way. Some were tourist, staying the night. While others were clearly here for the event that they too were hoping to participate in. They found their mark, a pair of well to do men who looked like they could use an escort. Shinichi and Kaito tailed the men to the bar lounge next to the lobby, taking a seat at the table next to them. Kaito quickly ordered for them, something non-alcoholic to keep them levelheaded. A few well timed movement by Kaito had the men sitting at their table, getting handsy and willing to take them as dates for the night.

"See, I told you to trust me." Kaito whispered close to Shinichi's ears as their supposed dates went about to secure the entrance for the pair. "I'll make sure we can go in..."

But it seems their victory was short-lived as another man accompanied their dates as they return.

"My Master wishes to make your acquaintance after hearing of your beauty." The man bowed low in respect. Their dates did not make any movement to stop the man from escorting them away. It was possible that said Master was quite high up in the hierarchy to warrant such behaviour. In fact, the two men looked very pleased with themselves.

"So much for your plan." Shinichi shook his head, following the man as he directed them towards a nearby restaurant. It was useless trying to decline as Shinichi could clearly see the man to be armed and, from the physique, it looked like he could be quite skilled in close quarter combat. It would be futile to try and out run him and their two dates, who had effectively blocked off any possible exits.

"We could be going to the VIP lounge for all you know." Kaito whispered back, inconspicuously looking for ways of escaping or at least tricking their guide to allow them to escape. So far, nothing was popping out.

The restaurant was also packed to the brim, all its tables full of couples and businessman. Kaito and Shinichi were guided further into the center of the room. There stood a circular table set for four, complete with a full set of silverware, flatware, and an assortment of glasses. Sitting directly in line-of-sight was the familiar figure of Rum, with his bespoke suit and neatly cut hair. Perched on his nose were a pair of reading glasses, silver and stylish, with his eye glued to the auction catalogue placed atop of the porcelain plates. He had not made any indication to acknowledge Kaito or Shinichi as they stood to the side of the table. Only when the attendant leaned over to whisper into his ears had he looked up.

"Nice of you to join me for this fine evening." He motioned towards the two seats opposite him. "Please, take a seat. No need to put yourselves under those torturous devices known as heels." The man was trying to joke but neither were offering anything other than a polite smile. Reluctantly, they took a seat.

"Would you like anything to drink? Coffee perhaps? Or something sweet?" He hinted at knowing about their undisguised selves. Shinichi tensed, fists clenching underneath the tablecloth. Kaito fared better as he had more experience in this field.

"Trying to play the gentleman card in front of us ladies?" Kaito reached underneath the table to grab at Shinichi's hands to comfort him. Rum might be bluffing and it wouldn't do to reveal themselves this early in the evening. They still had to get into that auction and Rum seems like a good way in.

"Hardly," with a wave of his hand, their immediate surrounding fell silent. The people surrounding them, all the couples and businessman, stopped their conversation in unison. As one, they rose from their seats and headed for the exit. This was the worst case scenario for them as they were left alone, without witness, with one of the most dangerous man from the Organisation. "We have very good facial recognition software and it flagged the two of you the moment you entered our building. Though you should be relieved that none of our guards recognised you so your skills are still commendable Kuroba-kun."

"Ho? Is your technology that advanced?" Kaito never dropped his feminine voice and tone, neither confirming or denying the accusation. It would be best to let Rum assume rather than supply the man with the answer.

"We do try and best existing technology and we're never short of talents in our Organisation." He blatantly admitted, though without witnesses, it would be difficult to prove this admission.

"Now, might I interest you in these two similar but still different drinks. Both are dangerous when consumed in excess but in small doses, it can enlighten oneself." He clapped his hands twice and the man from before entered with two bottles of liquor and three glasses. One bottle was transparent and the other a vibrant green. The man placed the silver tray, with the glasses and bottles, at the center. "I offer you Absinthe Blanche and Absinthe Verte."

Kaito knew Rum was trying to offer them something other than a drink, most likely a position under him by the codename offered. He shared a glance with Shinichi discretely, waiting for Rum to continue his pitch.

"No need to be shy." He poured a glass each then offered the transparent liquid to Shinichi and the green to Kaito. He helped himself to half-half, mixing the alcohol in the small shot glass. He then offered the small plate with three slotted spoon and three cubes of sugar, taking one of each for himself and setting it across the rim of his shot glass. He motioned for the pair to do the same. Not wanting to possibly anger the man, again having seen how easily Rum could fill and empty a room full of people and knowing there were numerous guards just standing outside of the door, Kaito and Shinichi each took a spoon and cube before setting on their own glass. "Such good quality is hard to come by you know. And it would be a shame if it was not savored in the traditional manner don't you think." Rum reached for the jug of iced water on the table and began to dribble the water through the sugar cube and into the alcohol, turning it into a milky white colour. He then offered the same jug to Shinichi to took it by the neck but hesitated over his own cup.

Kaito believed it would be a waste of breath telling the man they were still under the legal limit for drinking in Japan. Therefore, he helped Shinichi by tipping the base and letting it trickle down with gravity. They may as well go through the ritual even if they did not intend to drink it. Kaito hated having to play by someone else's rules but doing otherwise may result in them becoming beehives, riddled with bullet holes if by the accessories of those people who exited the room not so long ago.

"It might be a bit difficult for you two to accept my sincerity so let me offer you something in return first." He classed his hands again, this time with more force. The doors to the side, possibly leading to the kitchen, opened wide to reveal the previous attendant pushing a metal cart with a large burlap sack on top. Another walked besides the attendant, holding 2 trays with a silver lid. The cart stopped some short distance away from the table, the attendant standing to the side as he waited for further instructions. The other set the trays in front of Kaito and Shinichi with hands poised over the covers.

"I have brought with me the source of your recent problems, it was an oversight on my part I believe. Though, to be fair, I had told you that I would be sending someone to pass on my messages and information to allow you to complete my request." Rum waved his left hand in the air, a golden shimmer caught Kaito's eyes. After knowing what to look for, Kaito could easily recognise that particular accessory to be a Key. Though why ask them to look for it if Rum is already in possession of one. He was tempted to ask but knew it would reveal too much of their own knowledge. Instead, he focused his attention on the plate in front, which the attendant standing in between his and Shinichi's seats efficiently lifted the silver cover.

Contrasting starkly against the white porcelain dish with the gold filigree was an automatic gun. Kaito could barely hold back the flinched, not knowing what to expect from the man sitting opposite him. Did he want Kaito and Shinichi to take each other's lives? But that did not make any sense. Kaito shared a look with Shinichi, who shook his head in response. Even his detective could not decipher the meaning behind these firearms. Kaito's focus then went towards the cart and the sack

"Allow me to present you with this gift." The attendant next to the cart swiftly tugged on the rope to loosen the top knot. The opening widened and the material fell slowly due to gravity. Inside was a girl, probably in her late teens, with wide eyes and dark long hair tied into a ponytail. Her clothes were impeccably clean and even her red bow tying her hair was perfectly taut and plump. The only abnormality were the thick cords of rope tying the girl in a cramped and very uncomfortable position. She had a gag around her mouth but she was still trying to speak through it. Kaito could tell she was trying her best to sound apologetic towards Rum, possibly having done something wrong. Kaito heard a sharp intake of air from Shinichi and he looked over to find recognition in his eyes. Turning back towards the girl, Kaito shifted through his own memories to see if he recognised her. For his detective to show such telling signs means the girl must either be important or had made a lasting impression. His mind came up empty, therefore it could only mean one thing. The fact that Kaito had not seen her before meant it was either an old acquaintance or it was someone Shinichi had met recently but had inflicted enough impact. Kaito could only think of one such incident.

"She had been my best student. Followed everything I've said down to the letter. But her previous action had soured my plans and she did the unthinkable." Rum looked fondly at the girl before his eyes turned cold as ice. "She was only supposed to pass on information and my message, but her need to prove herself to me withhold the information from you, information I feel that you might need to help me find The Key."

"Oh? Are you starting without me?" A new, more feminine voice came from the entry followed by the clacking of stiletto heels. Her blond hair flowed behind, trailing behind her like a cloth of gold. Vermouth sat down into the remaining chair with the grace of a lady, helping herself to the bottle of wine already on the table.

"Nice of you to join us Vermouth." Rum tipped his head a fraction to acknowledge her presence. "I was just about to start our negotiations. I trust the hall has been correctly equipped?"

"Hermes' gift was laid." Vermouth took a sip from her glass. "All we're missing is the final bid to seal the auction."

Kaito was instantly on alert when Shinichi at his side tensed. Hermes was the one who gave Pandora her deceitful nature and the power of speech, making Pandora able to sweet talk men into falling hove depravity. Hermes was also a guide to the underworld, which meant that whatever was laid inside the auction hall, it would cause deaths.

"Good." Rum nodded with satisfaction before turning his attention towards Kaito and Shinichi once more. "Now, if you would accept my gift as well, for bringing you two undue stress, think of this as a condolence gift. To make up for the mental and physical trauma." He gestured towards the guns in front then towards the bound girl. "Take your price."

Shinichi was the first to respond with a menacing growl. "A human life is not an object to be traded."

"On the contrary young Holmes. I'm merely correcting the wrongs of my underlings. She wronged you and your partner and therefore you two have the power to exact the revenge." Rum didn't even pay heed to the pleading whines from the girl as though to have her once lord-and-master do the deed instead of being punished by someone else's hands. Kaito could easily see the tearful eyes of a girl being betrayed as the angry tears and pointless struggles continued.

"However, if you do not wish to take your revenge, then how about you Kuroba-kun? What if I told you she had a hand in setting up that firey magic show all those years ago as well?" Rum leaned his head on his hand, talking as though it was about the weather. "A young, curious girl who went up to an aspiring magician, wanting a backstage tour. She had already been working for me since she knew how to talk, personally trained by me at an early stage she as soon as she could hold a gun with her hands and all it took was several dabs of superglue and well placed screws. It was easy to have her get in touch with the man named Snake to set everything up. That Snake was young and desperate to prove himself to his master certainly helped me get an in to their organisation."

Kaito's mind was suddenly overcome with redness. Only Shinichi's strong grip at his hands stopped him from lunging for the gun in front to aim at Rum.

"Not to mention she was the one responsible to young Holmes' recent injuries. You do want her to pay for it don't you?" Rum's words sounded sickenly sweet to Kaito's angered mind. To learn that the girl was responsible for the death of his father, one who had a direct hand, and who injured his beloved detective, it took a lot of control to not do the unthinkable. Kaito reasoned that Rum wanted him to taint his hands, to fall into despair, and would therefore be more susceptible to his suggestion. Only Shinichi, who was acting as his anchor, had brought him back to a stable mindset. He gave his detective a squeeze at the hand to let him know if was fine.

"No? Pity." Rum leaned back on his seat and the attendant behind Kaito and Shinichi moved so quick that Kaito barely caught onto the moment when the attendant stabbed something into Shinichi's neck. Kaito moved quickly, grabbing onto the weapon and aimed at the attendant's hand. Shooting to dislodge and force the man away from Shinichi, the attendant cradled his injured hand and moved back to allow Kaito to Shinichi hug productively.

"Shinichi. Talk to me." Concerned eyes looked at the small puncture wound on the pale neck. It did not draw blood but Kaito knew whatever was injected into his detective, it could be lethal.

"I'm fine. It was only a prick." Shinichi rubbed at his neck.

"On the contrary, you are not fine." Rum offered as he sipped his own glass. Vermouth had an indecipherable look on her face, a cross between a grimace and sadness at loss. "Unlike some of the more destructive poisons aimed to kill and dispose of the body, this particular type aims to rob the victim of their strength before plunging them into a series of burning pain to make them more pliant to our inquiries."

"A torture drug." Kaito tightened his hold on Shinichi. "Where's the antidote." Kaito refused to believe that Rum wanted them dead, especially Shinichi since he had wanted his detective to find something.

"No need to have your feathers ruffled Kaitou KID." Rum stated with a smirk on his face. Kaito was shocked still. It seems all his detective's efforts were wasted now that their opponent knew of KID's identity. "Both you and your partner are very clever, hoping to blind us with that fake death. You've even managed to fool Vermouth with your acting. That is a feat in itself. I would have continued to be fooled had we not exchanged any words. Of course, my dear Spider still has it in his head that you are still different from the KID before."

Kaito could tell Rum was stalling for time. Possibly for when the drug had started its effect inside Shinichi's body.

"Worry not. I have no thought of killing the two of you yet. Both are quite a rare find that I do not wish to part with so soon." He gestured towards the girl once more. "Take your revenge, that's all I ask."

"Do your own dirty work." Shinichi growled out. Kaito could feel the laboured breath and pants. It seems to be a chore just for his detective to produce sound.

Rum ignored the comment in favour of checking his watch. "Ah, it's nearly time for the show." Reaching inside his jacket, once again prompting Kaito to tense up, he revealed a remote control. The lights dimmed in the room with the back wall lit up by a projector.

The wall showed a view of the auction hall, the host standing up on the platform striking down the hammer proclaiming a done deal. The female assistant to the side of the stage took away the steel suitcase and another came up with a suitcase of a similar design. It opened to reveal an intricate control panel. There was a display screen at the lid with a notch at the base. Surrounding it were various buttons and a small keyboard.

"Ladies and gentleman. Tonight's main event, Pandora's Pithos." The host announced with fanfare. The audience descended into hushed whispers. "As many of you may have heard the rumours about a stray Key in the market. This device reads the Key, or more specifically it reads Zeus' Key. Whether you are currently in possession of the Key, this device is a good investment for the Key itself is useless without the reader. Now, the starting price is 1 Billion dollars."

There was a mad scramble and a succession of whispers.

"Now is a good time as any to see the effects from Hermes Key." Rum announced, exchanging a glance with Vermouth, who produced her smartphone. With a few deliberate flicks and pushes, she nodded back at Rum.

Even with his weakened health, Shinichi directed his gaze towards the back wall, forcing Kaito to reposition his hold.

In an instant, the lights inside the auction hall flickered twice and the host was already trying to calm the audience down. The confusion inside the hall sparked a series of angered cries before a shrill scream. Then, everything descended into chaos as more screaming, this time more painful grunts, maddened curses and deranged roars echoed in the background. The only bright light came from the spotlight on the stage.

"You think you can turn on the lights?" Rum turned to his attendant who promptly called on the phone, most likely to the control room. The image became clearer as the hall lit up. It showed a gruesome image. The once clean carpet floor was soaked in Burgundy red, barely a clean patch anywhere. Seats were overturned and the walls were also stained with red. People, or whats left of them, were strewn on the floor. Bits of fabric mingled with pink substances and liquid blood made itself home everywhere inside the hall. There were a few people still left standing whole near the edges of the hall. The people seemed to have armed themselves with guns and knives, hoping to fight...something. Kaito could make their opponents to be a biped, upright standing and stumbling across the floor. Even with the brightened hall, he could barely see the features on the face. The being, for the lack of a better word, had a scarlet dress. Whether it was the original colour, Kaito could not guess, but the body type seems to be female. Unfortunately, the face seems to be destroyed as the being stumbled towards its victims. Several shots rang out, hitting the torso, and should have rendered any living person dead but the being continued as though it was nothing but a scratch. Eventually, the being was shot in the head, splattering blood onto the gun wielder, who eventually screamed and began to claw at his own face.

"Interesting effect. Not exactly the zombie apocalypse as the victims would succumb to death within the hour. It's not exactly an efficient way of disposing our enemies but effective to cause terror." Rum turned towards Kaito and Shinichi with a pleasant smile. If Kaito had to describe the man in front of him, it would be disturbed. "And it seems the show here is about to begin as well..."

None too soon, Shinichi slumped into Kaito's hold.

"Shinichi! Answer me!" Kaito shook his detective, who let out a small whimper before scrunching up his face, contorting into pain. Shinichi opened a sliver of eyelid to look back at Kaito. "What would you have me do?" Kaito directed back at Rum, who motioned towards the girl once more.

"Exact revenge. This way we'll be cleared of one-another's debt." The even voice sounded heavy to Kaito's ears. Glancing down at his detective, who used the last of his strength to hold onto Kaito's arms to stop him from doing something he might regret, Kaito gave Shinichi a softened look before letting his gaze turn hard. He carefully dislodged Shinichi's grip as he aimed his weapon. Kaito felt his arm shake with fear. To deliberately take away a life, it weighed heavy on his mind. But the choice between saving Shinichi and taking away the life of someone who had hurt those he love, it was not much of a choice.

"No..." Shinichi let out a small whisper of breath. He seems to be shaking and trying to hold back screams of pain as he muttered the words.

Kaito's strength wavered, arms shaking even worst than before as he aimed at the torso of the girl.

-TBC-


A/N: I am evil aren't I? To leave the chapter at such a place. Blame that on the virus I've been succumbed to for the week. I'll be nice to leave you with a short Omake skit.


-OMAKE: Conan Classroom-Bartender Conan?-

Inside a dark room, with only an overhanging light. A bar table had been set up, with a line of liquor along its table top. Conan, took a nearby cloth to start wiping on the table surface and bottles to rid it of dust.

Shinichi: Aren't you too young to drink?

Conan: Shinichi-niichan! You came!

Shinichi: What on Earth are you doing?

Conan: Well...since Absinthe is introduced, I thought I might come to explain it a bit. You know, why choose this name instead of say...Cabernet or something.

Shinichi:...? (Sits down at the stool)

Conan rummages behind the counter for a glass of water and presented it towards Shinichi, who took a sip of the drink.

Conan: (Clears throat) Well...so far, all the operatives are named after liquors and ingredients of liquors, it would be strange for someone to be named after a grape, let alone wine. That a because wines are too elegant, doesn't really fit into the image of ruthless organisation.

Shinichi: (Nods) Makes sense.

Conan: Absinthe, normally green because of herbs added, can be clear when it is first distilled. It is said to be a deadly hallucinogen, causing madness, and in some cases cause deaths. But lets face it, the high alcoholic content meant drinking it is a risk in itself, let alone its effect.

Shinichi: (Leans his head on his palm) You got all that from Wikipedia didn't you?

Conan: (Embarrassed) Guilty...

Shinichi: Well, let me ask this then. Why the different colours for Kaito and myself?

Conan: That's easy! Traditionally, Absinthe is distilled from white grape spirits, or eau de vie, translated to Water of Life. Seeing as Shinichi-niichan helps to save lives, by catching murders and foiling criminals, you'd be the uncontaminated version, hence Blanche, or white. Whereas Verte, or green, is the next step after Blanche, where herbs are mixed. Seeing as Kaito-niichan is working from behind the KID mask, he's mixed his methods to catch Toichi-ojisan's killers.

Conan looked please with himself as he cleaned some of the glasses on the table. Shinichi looked contemplative before smirking.

Shinichi: Well, it seems you did your homework...Kaitou KID.

Shinichi reached out to pull at Conan's face. The silicon mask came off in an instant. A puff of smoke had KID standing behind the counter in his white tuxedo and tophat.

KID: Well well well. You did catch me out afterall. (KID smirked)

Shinichi: You're slipping KID. Your impression of Conan was too tall, even if he were to stand on a step stool.

KID: But I couldn't possibly let a child handle alcohol! It would be irresponsible of me!

Shinich: (Sighed) Just get out of here and I'll pretend I didn't see you stuff Conan into a closet with a pink bunny plushie. You know he'll kick you next time you meet.

KID: (Mutters) When did he never attack me with that soccer ball of his every time we meet.

Shinichi: And while your at it, do something about the gun. (Pushes over the carefully wrapped weapon) I do not want to see you wielding it ever again.

KID: Hm...

Without touching the wrapped package, KID produced another puff of smoke to make the gun disappear, leaving the white handkerchief.

KID: As long as you're safe. I would do anything you know.

KID let out a soften smile as he leaned over the countertop to take Shinichi's chin. He promptly reached around for the hidden switch for the overhanging lights and plunged them into darkness.

-OMAKE END-