19: Fortune's Favor

One fact had always and would always be true. It was this: the magicians of the Kuroba family were greatly favored by fortune and Lady Luck. This was why Toichi was only pleasantly surprised when the seventh gem he stole was the one that glowed bright red in the moonlight.

KID's breath caught and he smiled as his face was bathed in the red light. "Is that it?" Chikage asked her husband, gazing over his shoulder in wonder. "It is." Toichi responded. "So now…?" Chikage asked. "I'll destroy it." Toichi said firmly. The glowing gem flickered.

You would kill me? A multi-toned voice echoed through the two thieves' minds, making them jump. Why? I could grant your deepest desires. The stone glowed brighter. "My only wish is for the organization that hunts for immortality to never find you." Toichi's brow furrowed, "for that end, I'll destroy the gem Pandora."

The gem dimmed this form cannot be destroyed by a mortal such as yourself. It pulsed a deeper crimson, I cannot destroy myself, I grant only health and life. Toichi frowned, "if your current form is the problem, then change, I assume you can."

Pandora brightened again, this gem is my purest essence; changing form would change everything I am in an unpredictable way. Is this your wish? Toichi exhaled calmly before replying, "yes."

The gem's strange red light grew brighter and brighter until the two phantom thieves had to shield their eyes. The weight of the gem vanished from Toichi's hand. The blinding red light faded. Blinking sparks and dark spots from his vision, Toichi opened his eyes and stared. This was Pandora's new form? A soft gasp told him that Chikage had also opened her eyes. "Toichi…?" She whispered in fearful questioning.

Toichi sighed, "don't worry dear… I can't dest- kill Pandora now. Not if it means…." He broke off and in a poof of smoke was dressed in civilian clothes. KID's white suit was gone without a trace. "I can't destroy it, so… I'll protect Pandora instead."

Cautiously, Toichi approached Pandora's new form and knelt. "Hello", he said kindly. Large innocent red eyes stared back. "Hello", Pandora echoed back, "who are you?" Toichi grinned, "I am Kuroba Toichi, the greatest magician in the world!" He introduced grandly. Pandora frowned, "ano… who am I?"

Toichi winced, but Chikage stepped forward and also knelt. She glanced at her husband, both knew what the other was thinking, he nodded permission. "You are our son." Chikage said with a kind smile. Pandora beamed, then the smile faded into a distressed pout. "What's my name?"

Toichi smiled and ruffled Pandora's wild brown locks, "Kuroba Kaito."

(This is where I thought about stopping, but that would have left a major plot hole, so... introducing part two!)

When the sun rose the first day Pa- Kaito's eyes faded from glowing red to a shade that was a touch more violet than Toichi's bold blue. The next day Toichi was so bold as to run a DNA test on the apparent two year old. The result made Toichi snicker. Biologically, Kaito was entirely human and was related to both Chikage and him. Biologically he was their son. He was different though. Physically he was perfectly human, mentally he was too, but he was also strange.

He was more meticulous, clever, and calculating than any child that age would be. However, like any two-year-old Kaito was also excitable and energetic. He loved playing and learning, and was gentle and caring- and yet mischievous too. His detailed observations and quick wit made him a genius. Kaito was precisely what Toichi would expect his son to be like. He was perfect.

Within a week Kaito had charmed both Chikage and Toichi. Forged papers were submitted a day later. Legally, he was their son.

But, Toichi realized with pain as he watched his wife and son put together a puzzle, he couldn't stop being a thief.

If he stopped stealing gems then the crows would wonder why and start looking. So long as he spent his nights as Kaitou KID the Organization would have their eyes on the white-clad thief and not the man under the monocle. The moment he stopped... that would change. After all, a man is easy to find and hurt, but a phantom is untraceable and untouchable. As long as it was only Kaitou KID and not Kuroba Toichi in danger, Kaito would be safe.

Toichi's blue eyes glinted with determination. He had a fake gem to return and a heist to schedule. Pandora had been found and, as far as Toichi was concerned, didn't exist any more. The Black Organization was going to fall, not because he had to protect Pandora, but because he had to protect his son.