-FIRSTS-

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

Warning: KaiShin relationship.


First Bait

Kaito kept glancing sideways at Shinichi's direction as they walked down the steps in front of the hospital. After being picked up at the sniping building, Megure had ordered Chiba to drive them immediately to the hospital to have the detective's head checked out. The doctors had given a clean bill of health despite the nasty bump, otherwise there were no other signs of serious injuries. They did prescribe pain killers just in case there is a headache, otherwise Shinichi should be fine. Still, Kaito was concerned. What if it triggered some adverse reaction, or there was a delayed reaction. No one can know for certain how the brain works.

"Stop fussing." Shinichi stopped before the gates then took Kaito by the wrist. "Can't you at least trust the doctors?"

"I still think we should have you checked by the little scientist." Kaito would rather trust the straightforwardness her diagnosis than those from the doctor's. At least she wouldn't try to sugarcoat it as much. The doctor's, though were trained to speak truthfully to their patients, could sometimes be quite round about in their explanations, and often puts the patient's request for hiding the truths away from their loved ones first before informing said loved ones about the actual situation. But Kaito trusts the little scientist to not hide anything from him.

"Kaito, it's only a bump." Shinichi moved his hand to intertwine with Kaito's. "Nothing serious."

They moved towards the station, now empty because it was the last train out. Kaito knew they should have taken the taxi back but Shinichi had said it was a waste of money. The hospital was equidistant to both the Kudo Mansion and their apartment, and while Kaito would feel better to have the little scientist at hand, Shinichi insisted they go back to their apartment.

Tugged by his detective, Kaito followed silently into the train car and sat them on the stiff seats. For a moment, he contemplated in coaxing Shinichi to rest on his shoulders, but he was startled when his detective automatically let his head droop.

"You'll wake me up won't you?" Shinichi peered up at Kaito, to which he nodded and patted on the soft dark locks. It would a 30 minute ride and it is rather late into the night. Kaito was sure Shinichi had no time to drink coffee that evening because of all the preparations they need to do for the rushed heist. It was a wonder that Shinichi managed to stay lucid for so long.

With Kaito's touches and the gentle rocking of the train, Shinichi fell into a light slumber. His breath tickled Kaito on the neck but Kaito was reluctant to move away even when several of the remaining passengers began to take glances at them and giggled.

Instead, Kaito tried to focus on the weight on his shoulder. He couldn't help but smile as he wondered what he did to deserve such happiness. Once, he had thought he would not be satisfied with just being there for Shinichi, now he treasure these moments as much as those intimate touches. Letting his hand fall back onto his laps, he took Shinichi's slack hand and raised it to his month for a kiss before wrapping his arm around the waist.

Kaito somehow managed to fall asleep as well, proving he too had pushed his own limit. They ended up riding past their stop and having to walk back two stops. It was not a long distant and the night was cool. Though it did mean Shinichi teased Kaito relentlessly during their stroll (during which said detective refused to let go of Kaito's hand).

When they arrived back at the apartment, Kaito quickly pushed Shinichi towards the bathroom before stating he'll join after grabbing a change of clothes for the two of them. Shinichi playfully locked the door just to make things more difficult and stated he could take care of himself. Though Kaito let his detective step into the shower first before unlocking the door. Deciding they had enough entertainment for the evening, Kaito rushed through his own routine before helping to dry Shinichi's hair as he sat on the bed.

"You should always dry them, otherwise you'll get a headache." Kaito rubbed with more force. His own had been blown dry and was now in a fluffier mess than before.

Shinichi reached up to ruffle Kaito's hair.

"What if I like fact you'll do it for me when I don't dry them." Shinichi would never admit how much he likes it when Kaito would loom over him as he gently messaged his scalps.

"Hm, then I'll just make more opportunities for you to enjoy it." Kaito loves how Shinichi would depend on him for small things like this, as much as he liked how Shinichi always took care and attention on Kaito.

Flinging the towel in the direction of the laundry basket to the corner, he finally declared the hair to be dried enough to warrant sleep. They both fell on top of the sheets, ignoring that they were both on top of the blanket. Shinichi scooted closer, tucking himself to Kaito's side and wrapped his arm around his magician's waist. Kaito raised an unseen eyebrow.

"Shinichi." Kaito rested his own hand over the detective's. "Is something wrong? You're scaring me." Kaito admitted, these actions are not particular to his detective. Shinichi rarely initiate contact, which was why when Shinichi fell asleep on his shoulders on the train came as a shock.

Instead of replying, Shinichi snuggled closer.

"I thought I wouldn't make it up there in time." Shinichi muttered into Kaito's neck. "I used up all the tranquilizer darts, the inflatable balls, and the staircase was filled with those agents."

Shinichi tightened his hold. Soothingly, Kaito rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of his detective's hand. He would have wanted to embrace Shinichi but it would mean breaking Shinichi's current hold. And by the looks of how his detective was acting, it would be bad. Kaito decided to let Shinichi talk instead of giving verbal responses, quite sure Shinichi needed to let everything out before he could return to his normal state of mind.

"I overheard they were only waiting for the sign. Then they'll be able to ensure that the Phantom will stay a phantom and never bother them again." Kaito felt his neck becoming wet but he figured he was imaging it. "I would have taken the elevator to get up faster but the hall had been filled full, probably they expected me. Which was why I took the back stairs. It would have gone well if one of them hadn't decided for a smoke."

Kaito wasn't so sure if he was imagining the wet trails now that it started dripping and soaking through the fabric. But the concept of his detective actively crying was unheard of. Still, he refused to let go and instead held tighter onto the hand.

"I was afraid I wouldn't be there in time. That whatever deed they had cooked up would have been carried through the moment I've reached the correct floor." And there, as though to confirm Kaito's suspicion, was a sniffle. Kaito tightened his hand over Shinichi's, somehow despising himself for the caused Shinichi's involuntary tears. "And when I saw that sniper perched on the ground, taking aim at you, I felt so cold. Numb and I thought...I thought I was too late."

Shinichi fell into a silence after that and Kaito thought he fell asleep. But then, Shinichi shifted. Looking into the depths of sapphire with tinges of red and the puffed up rims of the eyes, Kaito pushed Shinichi of resume the previous position and tucked his detective's head into the crook of his neck. He nuzzled the clean, but slightly damp hair, reveling in the pine and shampoo smell.

"The inspector's going to ream me for this I bet, when we go into the station tomorrow for our statements." Shinichi laughed mirthlessly, more like letting out puffs of air than actual sound.

"You were reckless." Kaito stated, still with his nose buried in the dark locks. "You should have called for backup."

"There wasn't time. I had to act quickly the moment those shots were fired at Hakuba and me." Shinichi shivered in Kaito's hold, he wasn't sure if it was because his detective was reliving the memory or because of the cold. Either way, Kaito managed to manoeuvre them underneath the blanket while still keeping close contact. "And after I took out the sniper, I used the scope to find where you were, but saw Spider confronting you instead. And when he pulled up that gun, I knew I had to do something."

"Nothing happened. That's all it matters now." Even though it was usually Kaito who would ad comforted by Shinichi, this role reversal feels nice for a change.

They laid together, holding tight, with Shinichi tucked safely against his side. He realised belatedly how he could have lost his detective tonight. All because he would not let this chance of bringing down The Organization that is haunting them go to waste. He knew it was a trap but he had been willing to fall into it if it meant both Shinichi and himself could live without further blackmail and fear from Rum and his boss.

"Did you check the gem?" It feels Shinichi was trying to change the subject, probably feeling too exposed and vulnerable. Kaito let him seeing as he did not want to dwell on the events any longer. He had his revenge, and it should be put behind him.

"I didn't have the time. Spider had been quick to catch up." It took some effort but Kaito managed to locate the gem again on the bedside table. Slowly, he inched to sit up and reached to open the curtains. The moon shone brightly, casting a silver light over their surroundings. Glancing at Shinichi who was still tucked up in the blankets, Kaito noted how innocent and angelic Shinichi looked. Shaking away the thoughts, he held the gem up to expose it to the full moon's light.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, in a dramatic flare, a white light appeared at the center of the gem. It slowly grew and changed colour, into a pale green.

"That's not right." Kaito muttered. He was about to lower the gem when the light cast by the gem shifted. Instead of just shining, it wap projecting am image.

"Good evening Kaitou KID." The mechanical voice echoed. Kaito immediately turned around to survey their surroundings as Shinichi suddenly bolted up from his position. There was no way anyone could have broken into their apartment and planted devices around the room, not with the stringent security Kaito has all over the place. Plus the few trained doves that were permanently roosting inside their apartment would have found something if that was the case. "So you manage to get your hands on my bait after all."

There was a pause as the pair waited with baited breath to see what would happen.

"There's no need to be so defensive. Though you have probably noticed by now we have you within our sights. You may not see them but they are trained on you this moment as we speak."

"It's pre-recorded." Shinichi said with his voice just above that of a whisper. "This must be the sign they there hinting."

Kaito nodded, tensed shoulders relaxing a little.

"You have denied me time and again. My patience had run thin. That is why I've decided to seek you out tonight, to put an end to you. Your skills will sorely be missed, I had hoped you would join me after our last encounter. But even with your detective present at the meeting, you would not budge. For that a commend you."

There was a small beep in the background, the two of them tensed up once more.

"As much as I'd like to keep you alive to help look for that certain something, I guess I will have to abandon that particular idea. Your replacement would do fine I suppose. Once you're out of the picture, he'll definitely want revenge and come seek us out. It will be a matter of time before he helps us in our search. It is, after all, in his nature to save everyone. What better way to ensure his cooperation than to have those he loved be placed under our care. Especially with you having been sacrificed for our cause."

Shinichi suddenly reached up to grab his hand over the gem. But Kaito had moved it in time that his detective ended up grasping onto his wrist. Kaito had a feeling this was light activated, how it was achieved, he had no clue unless he smashed it into pieces. However, right now, it was important to hear with the voice would say. By the tone, it sounded like the recording was made by Rum.

"Goodbye KID, I'll even be nice and make sure your beloved will be well received. So just relax and let us take care of the rest. I'm sure your eager to be reunited with your father by now."

Kaito growled at the mention of his father, 'those people knew,' he thought to himself, eyes ablaze and internally seething. And yet he felt something was off. That sound just now, he was sure it was the signal for the sniper. But if he was correct in his assumptions about Rum, there was always a backup plan in case everything did not go as planned. Then there was the evidence and the implication that Shinichi would have to know who caused KID's supposed death. Which means they would follow up on their MO and erase every bit of evidence, including the building and what happened on the roof. Looking at the gem intensely, Kaito noticed a small red light blinking at the center. Not wanting to take the chance, Kaito dislodged himself from Shinichi's hold and leaned over the bed to look for something.

"What...?" Surprised by the movement, Shinichi nearly fell flat on the bed.

"It's either a bomb, a trigger to something nasty, or an incendiary device. I'm not taking any chances." Kaito finally located what he was looking for, a metal reinforced box that had a secure lid and looked to ad quite heavy.

"What's that?" Shinichi helped Kaito move the box out from underneath the bed and towards the balcony.

Kaito risked a look at gem, noting the see light to be blinking faster. He knew there wasn't much time. Handing the gem over to Shinichi with much reluctance, Kaito went about to look for the ropes and rods he stored near the balcony. They were equipment for an emergency escape but they would have to do in such situations.

"It's a prototype from The Professor, something about a mobile bomb disposal unit." Kaito set up rigging so the box could be lowered into the empty space in the streets. With a device so small, the amount of force would be limited and hopefully the box would have contained everything and avoid loss or damage done to the surroundings.

Shinichi didn't question further and placed the gem into the box. For added security, he managed to find some stuffing to pack the gem into the center of the box. He wasn't sure how it works but knew it would be bad if it were set off during the descent into the streets.

Midway down, Kaito felt the rigging shake. A clear sign that the gem had done something. But they were unwilling to retrieve it or open it con time soon. Instead, Kaito kept an eye on it as Shinichi went to call the police.

"This day just keeps getting better and better..." Kaito complained into the dark night with a sigh. Maybe he really should visit Akako to see if the witch have something to counter such bad luck.

-TBC-


A/N: It's actually quite difficult to have these chapter done on a weekly basis...But as a reader, I know how frustrating it is when an author takes too long in the update. That's why I'm trying hard to satisfy those still following this fic.


-OMAKE (1): The magician's box-

"So, why did Hagase invent this...thing?" Shinichi gestured towards the box hanging over the balcony. The police would arrive within 15 minutes.

"It didn't start out as a request for this...I had intended for the professor to help me make a few device for KID's heist. But when I mention how often you come into contact with dangerous parcels and how I tend to leave things around in the apartment, well one thing led to another and the little scientist had suggested to the professor about making a storage container."

"For bombs?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow, not believing in Kaito's story even though it made perfect sense.

"It was intended to be mobile, small and compact. But in the end, to make it safe, it became cumbersome. Not so good for our use, but I'm sure a disposal squad somewhere would want their hands on it." Kaito shrugged. "I only kept it because I was in the process of making something...dangerous...and needed some place to store them. Though it seems I can't use it anymore."

"Dangerous..."

"Yea..." Kaito scratched his cheeks as Shinichi glared.

"Kaito." Shinichi already had a faint idea at what Kaito was hinting at. It wasn't painting a good picture in his mind.

"What? It was supposed to be a surprise. I mean it wouldn't have been actually dangerous. I'm experienced enough to handle chemicals properly and knows perfectly what to do."

"Gunpowder is a dangerous substance to play with, along with whatever chemical you've decided to mix together to create, I'm assuming, some sort of fireworks."

"Indoor fireworks. I had the kinks worked out already, tested it several times as well."

Shinichi glanced towards the kitchen ceiling. "That's why there's a scorch mark there. I had been wondering how you managed that."

"Yea, well, that was a blunder."

"Kaito."

"Yes Shinichi?"

"No fireworks inside the apartment. What if we burn the place down?"

"Do you have so little trust in me?"

"No but I'm not about to risk the lives of this buildings inhabitants all for you to create a spectacular show."

"Oh? So you think my shows are spectacular?" Kaito lifted an elegant eyebrow.

"Ba'rou!" Shinichi turned away to hide the forming blush. "That's not the point here!"

"I'll be more careful next time." Kaito loved how shy his detective suddenly became and went to hug him. "Beside, you would have loved to see that. And I really had wanted to give you a personal show." Kaito nuzzled Shinichi, ignoring the protests and shoves. In the end, Kaito was booted onto the floor from his place on the sofa.

-OMAKE (1) END-


-OMAKE (2): Witch's lair-

"Good day to you Kuroba-kun. What brings you to my humble abode?" Akako sat on her chair inside the deep, dark library-slash-study-slash-workroom. Kaito spied a cauldron bubbling away at a corner but decided to ignore it. Having been directed in this particular direction the moment the large doors opened by that so-call butler (Kaito was tempted to call the man a gargoyle by his looks) he tried not to think about the decorations he saw on the way over.

"Koizumi, I'm sure you know what I want already." Kaito stuck to the door instead of venturing into the room. If he actually concentrate, he knows he'll see chalk markings on the ceiling and floor. He did not wish to be caught in whatever spell the witch was weaving, just in case it ended up with him becoming a prisoner or something. That would definitely be something the witch would go for.

"Yes, I could guess at what you want but I'd like you to make the request. That way, you'll have to pay me." Akako's red eyes gleamed. Even though she had somehow accepted the magician could no longer become her devoted slave because of his particular choice in partners, it did not mean Akako did not want to own him. Maybe, if she played her cards right, she could have possession of him and the one he associates with. Those pair of eyes are always a plus in her books.

Kaito considered whether it was worth it, a brief instance of reprieve from whatever bad luck they were experiencing lately for the payment of, most likely their soul or something.

"Well? I don't have all day."

"You know what, I think it's not worth it anymore." Kaito began to turn away. "Thanks for your time anyways. Sorry to bother you."

"Wait!" Akako called out desperately. She could not believe the magician would just come and go as he pleased. She wanted something out of this encounter.

Kaito turned back to face Akako.

"Look, I'll...grant this. You wanted a day without everything happening right?" Akako sighed with resignation. She noticed how the magician's grin widened. "I can't believe I'm doing this..." She muttered, having already fallen into the trap.

"Come on Koizumi, I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"I suppose..." Sighing, she reached for her mobile. "I can probably secure an afternoon. Tropical Island ok for you?"

"I don't have much choice do I?" Kaito shrugged. Neither Shinichi or himself likes that place per-se but if it was the only place the witch could secure, then he'll take what he could.

"I can do other places but I don't want to. Not when you've forced me into a position like this. And just because of that, I'll ask Nakamori-chan and Hakuba-kun to join us on the day."

"Yea, yea." Kaito gave a backhanded wave. "Message me when you've confirmed the date. But if there was a single crime, I'm not going to be held responsible for what happens."

Kaito had come to the witch's residence to hopefully get an amulet or something, however, he ended up having a day's outing. 'Oh well, at lease a day without all these things happening. Should be as good as a relaxation we could get."

-OMAKE (2) END-