Chapter 5: Thus it Begins

Kaito watched the little boy's eyes become wide as saucers before they lowered into a glare, "of all the ideas you could have given me, that's your best one?"

"It's the one that would make the most sense."

"In what way?" Conan threw up his hands.

"When you become a vampire, your body regenerates with completely new cells which may reset what the poison did to you."

"May?"

"There hasn't really been any cases with turning someone whose body shrank because of a poison that was supposed to kill them. I can't give you an estimate on if it works or not.

"Ha ha," Conan replied sarcastically.

"I mean there's nothing more you can really lose."

"Except my humanity and that's a big thing."

"I'm not expecting an answer right away but it's something to think about. If you really want to get your body back, you'll try anything, won't you?"

The boy went silent and then he nodded, "I'll think about it."

They fell into silence again before Conan asked, "so, why are you pursuing me?" Kaito raised an eyebrow and Conan frowned, "since you rescued me, you've been pursuing. You kissed me, you've asked me to stay here with you, you left me that provocative heist note, why?"

"I want you to be mine," Kaito replied simply.

"But why?" Conan asked exasperated.

Kaito sighed finally, "vampires are creatures that are compelled by nature and instinct. Well, our instincts tell us to take a mate, someone who will remain beside us as a control for our urges, as well as someone to love and hold close. They are usually there to ground our abilities and sate our thirst as mates usually have a blood taste that you will never get tired of. For normal vampires, they usually choose their own mates unless they get the chance to encounter the mate that their vampire nature claims is perfection. However, for higher-ranked noble vampires and royalty, we don't get that choice. Nature will choose our perfect mates and if we don't take that person as a mate, we will die. Many vampire kings have died because they did not find their mates in time. I am lucky that I found you."

"So, you're telling me that I am your..."

"Mate, yes."

Conan was silent for a while and then he blushed, "when did you find this out?"

Hook baited.

Kaito smiled, "I realized it at the clock tower. Although I hadn't been closer to you, when I saw you hanging out of that helicopter, I felt a rush I hadn't felt before. I wanted to come look for you when I heard Kudo Shinichi went missing but then I met you as you are now when I was going after the Black Star. I couldn't pursue you as I was without becoming suspicious so I waited and I've been waiting for a long time. I didn't know how else to approach you but I knew I had to do something before my birthday. Then, I heard that you had been kidnapped. The situation wasn't the best in terms of me getting to explain all of this to you but here we are now." The magician sighed, "it's a lot for me to throw onto you, I'm sorry. As of this moment, I just want you to know my intentions and give you time to think about your decision. I'd understand, even if you don't agree, but my life is in your hands."

They locked eyes and Conan sighed again, "so if I don't agree to become your mate-"

"-I will die, yes."

The silence that filled the room after was incredibly uncomfortable.

"This is a horrible position I've been put into."

"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't want to throw this on you like this but I won't force you to do anything this displeases you. If you can't handle the thought of being my lover," Kaito held back a smirk as a blush consumed the boy's face, "I will give up."

"You don't even know me and I don't know you." Conan said quietly.

"Perhaps I don't, but I know what kind of feeling you give to me and if you give me a chance," Kaito stroked the boy's hair, "I can learn to love you, and maybe you could to me as well."

"You know how weird this is, right?" Conan chuckled after a moment of silence.

"I just have to keep reminding myself that we are the same age," Kaito laughed as well. The magician stood up then, "stay here for the night. I'll take you back tomorrow."

"Kuroba," Kaito looked at the little detective, "how long do I have to decide?"

"My birthday is in two weeks," his face became serious then, "after that, my body will begin to deteriorate as my vampire nature rebels without a mate. I will go into starvation and I will try to get blood from any moving thing but my body will never be satisfied without yours, and then after a month of this painful havoc on my body, my vampire nature will begin to suffocate me and for failing to find my mate and I will die."

Conan stared down at the sheets wide-eyed and Kaito laughed, "it was the stories I was told as a child. Who knows if they're true or not."

Conan nodded and Kaito patted his head, "don't fret too much, Meitantei. We've got time. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Kaito closed the door to the boy's room and a smirk played at his lips.

Line in.

The next morning, a Saturday, Conan padded into the kitchen and Kaito took in his disheveled appearance and tired eyes.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Not really," the boy responded as he climbed up onto the seat and Jii came over with a plate of food.

They ate in silence and then Kaito stretched, "ready to head back?"

Conan nodded, "Kuroba?"

Kaito tilted his head, "yes, Tantei-kun?"

The boy paused before he sighed, "it's nothing, nevermind."

"What, figuring out a suitable confession?"

Conan pursed his lips and Kaito gave him an infuriating grin, "come on, I'll take you back."

"We're going in the car?"

"Nah, we'll take the bike today."

"You have one of those?" The boy seemed to get incredibly excited and Kaito grinned.

"Yeah, do you want to go bathe before we leave?"

The boy seemed to hesitate and Kaito remembered how he ambushed him as soon as he came out of the shower the last time, "no, I'll shower at the professor's."

"There's a toothbrush up there then. Go ahead, I have to grab a few things."

The boy ran up the stairs and Kaito sighed. The possessiveness was already beginning to set in. He wanted the detective's attention on him and only him. He couldn't interfere with the boy's decision to confess his feelings for Ran and although he felt he had nothing to fear because the kid was giving up his freedom and, at some point, his humanity to not only save Kaito from his untimely death but to return to his original body as well.

"If it works," Kaito mumbled as he searched for his bike keys.

"Young Master," Kaito looked at Jii who held up the keys for his motorbike, "please take care on the road."

"Thanks, Jii-chan," Kaito smiled as he took his keys and Conan entered the genkan.

"Ready?" He asked the little boy and Conan nodded. They went out and Kaito straddled the motorcycle first before he assisted the boy behind him onto the bike. "Hold on tight."

"I know, I know." The boy said and wrapped his arms around his waist and Kaito grinned.

They took off and Kaito made sure he was hyperaware of the boy's presence on his back. He didn't want to lose him.

Kaito had the last-minute decision to stop by an ice cream parlour and Conan was confused as they stopped. They were somewhere in between Ekoda and Beika which he hoped meant that he wouldn't run into Hakuba or Aoko anywhere.

"So we need to talk," Kaito began as they were seated in a booth. He ordered a triple chocolate sundae while his ward ordered a black coffee.

"Perhaps, but is this really the place to do that?" The little boy asked as he glanced around the cute little shop.

"Go on a date with me," Kaito said quietly enough so only the boy would hear.

Conan choked and coughed on his coffee. Kaito smiled in amusement as the boy glared at him.

"I mean, if you think about it, it's the best course of action, isn't it? I told you already, I know how I feel about you, but when it comes to you, it may take more time for you to develop feelings for me as well. If you do at all." The boy blushed deeply and Kaito took another bite of his ice cream, "if anything, with you accepting to give yourself with me, it would be easier if you did come to love me. It doesn't have to happen all at once of course, but go out with me." The magician grinned, "I might surprise you."

Conan coughed nervously and looked down. Kaito knew the boy was processing the situation and well as his current feelings. Finally, he sighed, "okay, I have no complaints."

"Great! I'll let you know when."

They finished their treats and mounted back on the bike toward Beika.

Kaito made his stop at the Professor's house and turned off the ignition. Conan jumped off the bike first and Kaito put on the kickstand and knelt down.

Conan looked away uncomfortably and Kaito smiled. He pulled the boy close and kissed his cheek before standing. "It was fun, Tantei-kun."

Conan blushed and put a hand to his cheek. The magician chuckled as he put his helmet back on, "stay out of trouble Tantei-kun. I'll call you."

The small detective watched the thief drive away and turn a corner before he walked inside the professor's house.