Hey. Let's all pretend I'm doing the homework I should…

How was everyone's Halloween? I hope everyone got lots of candy!

I also want to thank my beautiful reviewer whose enthusiasm made this chapter be posted now rather than later!

Chapter Three

We all rushed to catch a taxi to the airport. Mr. Moore had slept in and almost made us late to leave the house. No thanks to him were we even leaving.

He had completely forgotten to respond to the invitation from Mr. Wayne. He was too busy daydreaming. Ran is the one who actually responded. She found the letter while cleaning her father's office. It'd been a whole week since it arrived.

She immediately sent a message to Mr. Wayne saying that he would indeed come and would bring just two guests. She also apologized profusely for the late response.

I laughed to myself. Mr. Moore almost didn't make it to his own party! Now that would have been a sight.

A letter had come promptly from Mr. Wayne with three plane tickets. One for me, one for Ran, and one for Mr. Moore. The flight was to leave Tokyo airport in the early morning of November the 13. We would arrive in America, or more specifically Gotham, later the next day. We would have time to rest, then the party would be held on the evening the next day, November 15.

When our group of three arrived in one piece at Tokyo airport, we went through a maze of various security checkpoints and metal detectors. I was asked how old I was by a tired looking TSA officer and I had to think a moment. Then I remembered, "Nine!" I said cheerfully.

She seemed skeptical at first. I have to give her props though. I don't look a day over six after all. She had the right to be suspicious.

The flight itself was uneventful and boring. Ran and Mr. Moore both fell asleep for most of the flight.

When we landed, we immediately left for the baggage claim with Ran leading the way. She pulled me along and Mr. Moore trudged along behind us.

She didn't seem to know which way to go. I asked "Ran, are you sure this is the right way?"

She gave me a stressed look and said "Of course not! All the signs are in English. I can't read any of them."

"Ran, I can understand and read English." She froze.

"Why didn't you remind me earlier Conan?! You lead the way."

I followed the trail of signs to the baggage claim area and we all grabbed our cases. I had a small blue suitcase while Ran and Mr. Moore each had a large black suitcase. Ran also had a backpack with various toys for me and food. After all, I am a child in her eyes.

Once we left the claim behind us, we rode down an escalator and saw people waiting with signs which had people's names. One sign stood out. It was written in Japanese. On it read, "Detective Moore."

Holding the sign was an older man with a gentle air about him. His hair was completely white and he wore an elegant black suit.

As soon as Mr. Moore saw him, he stood up straighter and put on his business face. He walked up to the man and introduced himself. "I am Detective Moore. Pleased to meet you Mister…?"

"Alfred. Call me Alfred." Said the man in broken Japanese. " I am Master Wayne's butler. I will be your driver to the Wayne Manor. I apologize for my lack of ability in speaking Japanese. Please don't worry though, Mr. Wayne and his ward Master Richard are quite fluent."

He added this part quickly in response to Ran's worried expression.

With this statement, he led us to a sleek black car of some kind. Mr. Moore looked like a child on Christmas morning. He hopped in the front passenger seat while Ran and I sat in the back. Alfred put our bags in the truck and just like that, we were off to the Manor.

Don't worry. The action stuff will come soon, but I do have to give background you know.