Alternate Universe:

Terrible Twos

Part 3

And the two boys drifted to sleep on their separate couches… dead to the world and their current problem and yet, their minds refused to rest as nightmares began their terrible barrage of torment and fear, causing the two to cry out for a reprieve.

Startled awake, Shinichi sat up in a cold sweat only to find Kaito already awake, staring at him.

"You alright?" the thief whispered.

"Y-yeah. You?"

"Yeah," the other said, his voice faint.

"Nightmare?"

Kaito nodded.

"The organization?"

Shinichi also nodded. Seems they both had fears concerning the assassins last night.

"Want to talk about it?" Kudo whispered.

The thief shrugged.

"Not much to tell. They poisoned us, we lived, they killed our families and then they killed us."

Shinichi nodded. It was close to his own.

The two sat in silence for a moment.

"So… Maurice huh?" Kaito asked with obvious amusement.

Shinichi chuckled.

"I thought Maurice Leblanc suited you more than Arthur Conan Doyle."

Kaito smirked.

"I suppose it does. Lupin has always been my favorite read."

Shinichi snorted, shaking his head.

"Why am I not surprised."

The two sat in amiable silence for a bit before finally Shinichi stretched and stood up.

"I want some coffee. You want anything?"

Kaito winced a bit at the pull he felt in his side when standing up. The doc had done well stitching him up, but it would be a few days before he felt right a rain again.

"Just milk for me, please."

Shinichi nodded and headed into the kitchen. Kaito followed him at a much slower pace as he took a seat at the table.

Soon, the detective and thief sat across from one another, enjoying the silence and their desired beverages when the professor rushed into the room, eyes wide.

"Where are they?!"

"Where are who?" Shinichi asked, confused.

The professor stared at them before sighing in relief. "N-Never mind."

The two boys shared a knowing look.

"Nightmares, professor?" Kaito asked.

The man blinked.

"How did you know?"

Shinichi gave a sympathetic smile.

"Most men don't come in screaming while wearing only their nighty."

Agasa stared down at his white night shirt before quickly hurrying back into his room. The two chuckled as the door slammed shut behind him.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Kaito asked, sipping his milk.

Shinichi was silent for a moment, contemplating his words before he spoke. He cradled the coffee to him like a baby, enjoying its aroma.

"You were right about what you said yesterday. We need the help of a detective around if we plan to go after the organization. Unfortunately, I know of only one person who might be able to take us in without any real problem or suspicion regarding our identities."

"And that would be?"
Shinichi sighed. "You're not going to like this."

Kaito narrowed his eyes.

"You're not thinking Kogoro Mouri-san, are you?"

Kudo winced.

"Well…"

"Isn't he like…the densest detective in the world?!" Kaito gaped.

"He isn't that bad," Shinichi defended, "but he is… pretty bad."

Kaito sighed.

"I suppose you have a plan?"

"I'm working on it," Kudo nodded, "Just give me a little time."

T_T

Ran hummed happily, cleaning the guest sitting area of the Mouri Detective Agencies front room when a knock on the door startled her from her work.

"Coming," she sang, sweeping open the door with a flourish.

She blinked when she saw the two boys from yesterday standing there.

"Oh hello Conan-kun. Marti-kun. What can I do for you boys?"

"Ran-onee-chan," Conan whined in his best children's voice, "Shinichi-nii still isn't home."

Ran frowned.

"That's strange. He was supposed to be. Come in, okay? I will try calling him."

The two boys stepped inside the agency and took a seat on the couch as Ran vanished up the stairs.

"You know the plan?" Conan whispered, handing the thief his cell phone.

Kaito nodded as he took the offered device and cleared his throat. The phone soon began to vibrate in his hand and he answered it in a slow and calm manner.

"Hello?" he asked, his voice exactly like that of Shinichi Kudo.

Conan could only shake his head, amazed. The thief was perfect at voice mimicry to the point it was almost scary.

"They are there already?... Calm down Ran, I didn't know that. Okay, well I can't leave right now. I am working a really important case… I know they are my cousins…" the thief sighed as though resigned to her rebukes as Shinichi might have, "Okay. Could you watch them for me? I know it's a lot to ask, but…"

Kaito paused and glanced at Shinichi. "…Yeah, I'll be careful, Ran. Thanks. Give my cousins my love… Uh-huh… bye."

Kaito snapped the phone shut and handed it back to the detective who stared at it in deep thought. He had been able to hear everything Ran had said and he was surprised by how concerned she had sounded on the phone. Was she really that worried about him?

Shinichi quickly hid the phone back in his pocket as the teen walked down the stairs, a forced smile on her face.

"Unfortunately Shinichi won't be back for a while. He is working a case right now. He did ask me if I could watch you. Would that be alright? Would you mind living with me until he returns? I'm sure my dad wouldn't care."

The two shared a look as though debating the question before they both smiled identical twin grins.

"Sure, Onee-chan," they replied.

She blinked.

"Are you guys sure you aren't twins?" she laughed, "That was too cute."

Conan felt his cheeks flush red and glared daggers when he saw her words didn't affect the thief at all. Kaito merely flashed a wider smile making the teen chuckle.

"Well, come on then. Let's go see my dad. We will need his okay before I can just move you in with us."

The two glanced at each other as she started towards the office.

"How do you think he will handle this?" Kaito whispered.

Shinichi sighed.

"You'll see. All I will say is, it won't be pretty."

And Kaito found he was oddly curious.

T_T

"WHAT?! That boyfriend of yours just ups and vanishes into thin air and expects us to look after these two brats?!"

"Dad!" Ran rebuked, hands on her hips, "It's not their fault!"

"Yeah, it's your boyfriends! I always knew that kid was trouble."

Kaito snickered as Conan just glared, annoyed at the older man.

"Don't give me that eye, boy," Mouri growled, noticing the glare, "It is your cousin's fault. I can't help it if he's a troublemaker."

Ran groaned. "Daaaaad."

Kogoro sighed. "Fine, they can stay. Throw them in your old play room. We don't use it for nothing but storage anyhow."

Still grumbling from his chair, Ran quickly ushered the boys out and closed the door on her fathers complaints.

"Sorry about that. He really is a nice guy, just stressed lately. Buisness has been rather… low lately. I suppose that's good, but… well…"

"We understand Nee-chan," Kaito quipped, smiling.

She smiled back.

"Thanks Marti-kun. Alright boys, this way."

The two followed her up the stairs to the furthest door at the back of the hall. Turning the handle, the three stepped and coughed at the slight musty smell.

"Mold," Ran said, wrinkling her nose. "I will clean this room up. How about you guys go grab your stuff from Professor Agasa okay? Come back here when you're ready."

The two nodded and hurried down the stairs and out the door. As soon as the agency door closed behind them, they exhaled in relief.

"I get the feeling the next couple months won't be magic and roses," Kaito grouched, "Mouri didn't seem exactly happy to have us."

"I told you it wouldn't be pretty," Shinichi sighed, "we don't really have any stuff with us. She will be suspicious."

Kaito hummed.

"I think I can take care of that."

Kudo frowned, his gaze narrowing.

"You're not going to steal the stuff are you?"

"No!" Kaito snapped, "I also have friends, you know. Give me your phone."

Shinichi sighed and handed over the cellular device as the Kid skillfully dialed in the memorized digits, then placed it to his ear.

"…Jii-chan?" he said in his usual Kid voice, his tone grim. "I need your help."

T_T

"Young master, are you sure you don't wish to come and live with me?" the old man asked, a clear invitation in his tone.

Kaito smiled kindly at his faithful friend, which made Kudo glance at the two with obvious interest. He had never seen Kid smile so… warmly, before. The old man who was masked so Conan wouldn't be able to see his face glanced at the detective before turning back to his "young master".

"Afraid not Jii-chan. We…we have to find a way to get the cure for our conditions and until that time, I can't return. I am going to need your help."

The old man nodded fervently as he knelt before Kid and embraced the boy unexpectedly. Kaito froze for a moment before relaxing and leaning into the embrace. It felt odd being hugged like that. After all, Kaito hadn't felt like a kid since he was eight years old and now, being five again… it was, hard to handle. How did one truly act like a child?

"You know you can count on me, young master. Call if you need anything and…" the old man lowered his tone so Shinichi couldn't overhear him. "Kaito-sama… please, be careful."

Kaito smiled.

"I will be Jii-chan. Thanks."

The old man nodded as he sighed and placed the two large black bags beside the boys.

"The one with the blue string is Kudo-kuns. The one with the red string is yours, young master."

Tipping his hat, the old man stood, his face still masked as he turned to Conan.

"Until we meet again, young sir."

Then as though in a puff of smoke, the stranger was gone.

"Your assistant?" Conan asked, curious.

Kaito glanced at him and shrugged.

"From time to time. He is… like Agasa is to you. Someone I trust and someone I turn to when I need help."

Conan nodded as he turned to the black bag sitting beside him.

"So… what exactly did he bring?"

Kaito smirked.

"You'll see."

AUTHORS NOTE:

I am really glad to see so many of you liked the first two chapters. I know a couple people were confused about the name Maurice and I know a couple people caught on right away as to why he was named Maurice, so kudos to those who caught on.

Thanks for reviewing and thanks for favoriting and following! ^_^

Until next illusion (next chapter), my little detectives!