-FIRSTS-

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

Warning: KaiShin relationship.

A/N: A tad bit short as I'm still trying to iron out the last little bit of the plot. This chapter is really domestic...


First Plans

Another month of staleness washed through the lives of the magician and detective. There had been no new information, no sudden messages in the night, no strange notes posted to their addresses, and no contact whatsoever from anyone (PSB, FBI, CIA, TMPD, heck even nothing from The Organisation).

"With your luck, that particular ring would be Zeus' ring." Kaito commented over a homecooked meal they were sharing with the Professor in his home, courtesy of the little scientist who have been monitoring their food consumption (including Shinichi's caffeine intake, Kaito's sugar intake, and the Professor's...well intake in general).

"I don't doubt that." Shinichi nodded, poking at the plate of meat in front of him, earning him a glare from the little scientist as though admonishing the detective about playing with food. Shinichi felt the gaze and stopped to take a piece of food into his mouth to appease the young girl. "At least we can prepare for it when everything goes haywire."

"You're thinking of something...something dangerous." Kaito snatched at the piece of meat from Shinichi's plate. Haibara, sitting opposite the pair, laid a cold glance at Katio for stealing food. Tempting fate, Kaito made a new attempt but was waylaid by a slimmer pair of chopsticks holding onto his.

"You have your own plate Kuroba-kun." She warned before nodding at the detective's direction. "Kudo-kun is thin enough as he is, I don't want you to worsen that."

Kaito replied with a flash of a grin before extracting his pair of chopsticks and returning them to the side, having already finished his own food. Carefully, he set the chopsticks down and took the cup of warm tea on the side into his own hands.

"So, Shinichi, what is your devious mind plotting?" He prompted, putting all his attention to his distracted detective.

"None of you would like this." Finally, not having any more appetite, Shinichi pushed away the dishes and took the tea cup into his hands, hoping to stall for time and to arrange his thoughts. "I'm going to use the key we have at hand."

Instead of exclamation, there was a collective intake of breath simultaneous by the Professor, Kaito, and Haibara. Though the young scientists' breaths were more shaky and Kaito had tried to hid his surprise.

"Are you out of your mind Kudo-kun?!" Haibara exclaimed after getting over the initial shock. "Are you trying to have yourself killed and bring everyone else in the process?"

"You know, I have to agree with the Ojou." Kaito nodded sagely. Looking at the Professor, he too was agreeing to their opinions. "It's not like before and I doubt they would fall into your trap so easily."

"I think the key isn't something they can dismiss so easily, even if they knew it was a trap. There will be many willing to take this risk, especially Rum." Their previous encounter with the man suggested Rum to be a cool-headed, cold-blooded, and logical man. Though recent changes in behaviours have changed their outlook somewhat. Kaito had an ongoing theory that the current two powerhouses, Rum and Anokata, were at a power struggle. Adding to that the mix of high status agents and various mafias, triads, familias, and yakuzas, dangling a key out in front of such a set of people is more than courting disaster.

"You'll burn Kudo-kun." Haibara seems to have read Kaito's reluctance and thoughts. "You're showing them the carrot on an exceptionally short stick."

"They'll more likely bite off your hand to get the carrot you know." Kaito caught Shinichi in the eye. "Are you really certain that this plan would work?" However, he also knew they would have to take the risk to achieve the desired results. Sitting on their backsides and continuously waiting would only wear on their nerves. Seeing as they still were not able to find any leeway into capturing the whole Organisation, the best would be luring them out. Kaito hated how they were putting not only themselves at risk but also anyone associated with them. It would not be the first time a criminal took their loved ones as hostages.

"I'm still fine tuning the plan, there's still too many variables that we have no control of." Looking between the three other occupants, Shinichi tries to reassure them. "I know how much danger it would involve and I'm unwilling to make sacrifices. I'll take all the precautions I can."

"At least you've learnt your lesson." Haibara resigned, taking up the bowls and plates. She sounded resigned, though it was probably because she knew of Shinichi's stubbornness on a rather personal level (as exemplified by the numerous occasions when Conan jumped head first into a plan because he feels it to be right).

"There's no need for you to worry Haibara, I intend to keep their eyes off you, the kids, and the Professor. Another reason why we chose to live in that apartment."

"And here I thought it was because you wanted to spend some more alone time together without having to worry about your parents suddenly coming home without notice." Sensing the dreary topic was over, Kaito tries to joke. He at least brought a small smile to Shinichi's face and an amused glint on the young scientist. Though the choking from the Professor was somewhat unexpected.

"It never matters to 'kaa-san, she'll always find a way to barge in on us at our most embarrassing time." Shinichi's memories took them back to the time when he had been severely injured, how the three parents broke into their house despite all the traps Kaito had set to deter such an invasion.

"True, I'm guessing that's because Yukiko-san wanted to have a whole collection consisting of every second of your life. Probably to make up for lost time or something like that." Kaito's own mother had been trying to do the same, though instead of actually taking pictures, she had been trying to drop into his life at the most awkward moments. Take for example that time when Corbeau appeared, suddenly seeing her preparing his dinner at home nearly scared him witless. He did not mind his mother showing up, only a little notice would have been good. Especially since he kept in constant contact with her through video phone yet she rarely drops a hint at actually coming back to Japan during all those times. Recently, it had been better, he almost always expected her to suddenly appear at their doorsteps seeing as she knew the dangerous game they were playing.

"That's what I've been afraid of." Shinichi's voice broke Kaito out of his reminiscence. "She's been pestering me, well us actually, to do another one of her photoshoots. And last conversation I had with her, she oh-so desperately wanted us to star in that cameo with her, posing as her sons for the character or some-such thing. Wasn't paying much attention after five minutes of her gushing."

"You should probably let her do the photos unless you feel like changing your career for the unforeseeable future." Kaito took Shinichi by his chin as he turned it both sides to admire the bone structure. "I can see why she'd so adamant at wanting you to become an actor, you certainly have the physical outlook for it. Though your standoffish nature leaves much to be desired and your acting isn't all that polished, going by how you acted as Conan."

"Hm...I think the couch is looking rather lonely this evening, would you like to keep it company tonight?" Shinichi threatened with a glimmer in his eyes. Haibara and the Professor tried to hide their laughs but a snicker did eventually escape from Haibara. Kaito had a pout ready on his lips and was about to plead to Shinichi for his generosity but his detective had cut him off before he even uttered a single word. "However, all said and done, there is something else I'd like from you Kaito."

Kaito put all his attention to his detective's next few words as he outlined his plan. He couldn't help but grimace at the possible risks and dangers.

"It's not that I couldn't do it, I mean it's easy enough. But after all that prep…" Kaito sighed when Shinichi nodded with hardened eyes. His detective just confirmed his suspicions. "You're going to get hurt, and that's not a speculation either. It's guaranteed you'll be hurt in this plan of yours."

"Kudo-kun, have you considered all avenues? Everything?" Haibara desperately tries to dissuade the detective. "Once you put it in action, there's no turning back."

"I'm already in their scope, they know about me, those related to me, and my schedule. I'm not giving them anything new, only making myself an even bigger target than before."

Kaito turned in his seat to pull his detective towards him. "I don't want you to take that risk but if it's something you really think should be done, I'll do my best to support it."

"Thanks Kaito." Shinichi returned the hug loosely. Even though there was warmth in their embrace, Kaito could not help but feel a sense of chill running down his spine, as though this whole plan would burst apart at the seams and the pair of them would burn in agony.

-TBC-