Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan/Case Closed.

Lure

Chapter 6 - Confrontations

"So," Ran began, giving Shinichi a rather sly look over the café table. It was the same café table Shinichi had been occupying ever since the wedding dress incident because, despite the new turn his and KID's relationship had taken, his problems with the nosy public (and Sonoko) had not changed at all. "I heard KID kidnapped you at the heist the other day."

Shinichi choked on his coffee and ended up coughing violently. Setting his mug down with a clunk, he grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the hot liquid that he had inadvertently sprayed onto the table. "What? Who told you that?"

Ran actually laughed. "Who do you think the police called first when they couldn't find you? Even if I wasn't your best friend, Dad's still a detective. Nakamori-keibu called Megure-keibu and Megure-keibu called us to see if we'd seen or heard anything from you. We said we hadn't and they said they'd keep us posted and to let them know if you turned up. Then I tried to call you, but your phone was turned off." She paused to take a sip of her tea. "The entire force turned out to search for you. Did you know?"

He hadn't. He knew the KID Task Force had been looking, but that was all just part of a KID heist and the usual scramble to uncover the thief's tracks and whereabouts. Feeling torn between embarrassed at having caused such a ruckus, exasperated because it was half the police's fault he'd been abducted in the first place (come on, they pinned the damned heist target to his clothes. They should have known the thief would see it as a two in one), and touched that they had been that worried about him, Shinichi found himself tracing the lines in the wood of the table with his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it caused so much trouble."

Ran blinked in mild confusion then shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I mean, it was Kaitou KID, so we were pretty sure you weren't going to turn up dead or anything. I think they were more worried that KID might molest you."

Shinichi choked on his coffee for the second time in as many minutes.

"Why are you surprised?" the girl queried, looking far too amused by the whole situation. "You were the only person who thought he was kidding."

"Shouldn't you be more concerned then?" he asked grumpily, wiping up the latest spill. He would have thought Ran would go into protective-big-sister mode or something, not smile calmly at him like his mother would. Now there was a horrifying thought. What if his mother ever caught wind of what had happened?! He shuddered and hurriedly shoved the thought out of his head.

"I thought about it, but I didn't think KID would do anything too serious to you unless you were okay with it, so I didn't think there was much to worry about. He's supposed to be a gentleman after all."

"Gentlemen don't kidnap people or steal other people's property," he felt compelled to point out.

"Well, if he did hurt you…" The brunette's pleasant expression shifted subtly but clearly into something rather more menacing.

Shinichi swallowed. "No—no, that won't be necessary."

"Good. So? What happened?"

"Didn't the police tell you?"

"They only said you'd come back and that you didn't appear to be hurt. On, and they said the jewel was stolen. So where were you?"

"It was just some hotel," Shinichi hedged.

"So…you spent the night alone in a hotel with KID."

Shinichi blushed beet red and spluttered. "What are you implying?!"

"I'm not implying anything. I was just asking. Although judging from your reaction, I'm guessing something happened after all."

"What? No!" he lied, turning even redder. He felt like his face was literally on fire. "We just—talked."

"Talked." The way Ran enunciated the word made it quite clear that she wasn't buying it. "Okay, so how did it go?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did he ask you out?"

Shinichi stared into his friend's expectant face and wondered how he was going to squirm out of a direct answer. Ran didn't sound like she would be letting the subject go anytime soon, but he also knew she wasn't against the idea. She had, in fact, shown signs of encouraging it. At the same time, what could he say? KID was still a criminal, whether or not Ran supported the idea that they get together. He wished he'd thought to ask Kaito about it. He had the feeling that the thief wouldn't actually mind Ran knowing, and if Shinichi could tell anyone he supposed Ran was probably the only person he'd really want to tell. Haibara would tease him and his parents were…yeah, not happening. The police definitely didn't need to know, and he had the feeling Hattori would cough up a lung laughing considering how hilarious he'd found the whole dress incident. That only left Agasa, who might just have a heart attack.

"He…might have mentioned it," he said finally. "But, um, can we talk about this another time?"

It was Ran's turn to look surprised. But then her expression grew thoughtful. The next few minutes passed in silence with the two of them sipping at their respective beverages. Finally she smiled and nodded, standing up.

"Alright. When you're ready. I'm meeting with Sonoko in a few minutes so I have to get going."

He nodded. "I'll see you around then."

"Oh, but Shinichi."

He looked up at her as she stopped beside his seat. "What is it?"

"Once you've sorted everything out, I do expect you to introduce him to me."

-0-

Kaito's foot tapped as he glanced at his watch for the fifth time. It had crawled forward by about two minutes since the last time he'd looked at it. It felt like it should have been longer, but he supposed it was a good thing that it wasn't. Really though, he was still feeling rather elated by recent events. All that buzzing excitement was making it difficult to stand still.

"Kaito! I'm so sorry I'm late."

Finally! Turning with a grin on his face and a wave for Aoko, he was mildly surprised to see that she had brought company.

"Why did you bring that thing with you?" he demanded, wrinkling his nose.

"Kaito! Saguru is not a thing!"

"Whatever. I said I'd give you a backstage tour before the show. I don't remember saying the offer extended to nosy blond nuisances."

Aoko ignored the insult to her boyfriend. Over the years, she had learned that trying to get the two to get along was a hopeless endeavor that she wasn't going to waste energy on anymore. As long as they didn't kill each other, she could live with it. "I brought him because we're going to lunch later and it was just easier this way."

The magician heaved a melodramatic sigh. "Fine. Just make sure he doesn't touch anything."

"I am standing right here, Kuroba," the blond in question said in some annoyance. He didn't want to be here either, although he supposed this could provide an opportunity to ferret out some information. He decided to overlook the fact that he had never managed to learn anything useful from talking to the magician. There was a first time for everything.

"Security for the performance hall is pretty tight so stay with me," Kaito instructed as he turned and led his guests inside.

Aoko had told him that she wanted to see what it was like backstage. Kaito suspected she was hoping to run into some celebrities, this being Ekoda's largest and most prestigious performance hall. It wasn't uncommon for the place to be hosting up and coming stars or established performers with household names. When he'd asked who she was hoping to bump into though, she'd only blushed and tried to hit him with a mop. Oh well, he was always happy to show off his work.

Currently he was showing them the main stage. Aoko was standing out in the middle of the stage, staring out in awe across the rows upon rows of empty seats and marveling at the sheer size of the place.

"Kuroba."

Taking his eyes from Aoko, the magician turned to face the blond detective. "What is it now?"

"Where did you take Kudo-san?"

Kaito gave the blond a blank look (though inside he was snickering at the question). "What are you talking about?"

"Kudo-kun disappeared from the heist building and was gone for a whole night. Where were you two and what were you doing?"

"Assuming the heist you're talking about is the KID heist, I take it that you're asking me where KID took Kudo, whom I have never met. How the hell would I know what they did?"

"Because you were there."

"Actually, I was here setting up for my next show. I even have witnesses."

Hakuba scowled. "I'm sure you do." Then he paused suddenly as a throught struck him. "Wait, do you mean to say that you brought Kudo-san here?"

Kaito almost laughed out loud, but his Poker Face stayed firmly in place. He had thought about bringing Shinichi to see this place some time, but preferably after they figured out how to get their civilian lives introduced to each other in non-suspicion-inducing ways. That would definitely have to be the next thing they discussed next time they met.

Or rather the next thing they discussed after the proper date he'd promised to take Shinichi on.

A slow, predatory smirk spread across his face at the thought. He was certainly going to have fun planning that. He mentally rubbed his hands together. What could he say? He was just a natural schemer. There were few things more satisfying than seeing a plan through to fruition despite all opposing forces. The more obstacles overcome, the more thrilling the victory.

Oh, but first he had to get rid of Hakuba and Aoko and make tonight's show a brilliant success. He'd really wanted to invite Shinichi, but that would have to come later. Again, after they figured out how to really "meet for the first time". It would probably surprise people to find out just how many times two people could meet for the first time. In his own estimations, he and Shinichi had already done it four times: there was the literal first encounter at the clock tower, the first time they met as KID and Conan on the hotel roof which was also the first time they'd spoken, the first time they met after Shinichi was his correct age again, and the other night when he had finally introduced himself as Kuroba Kaito.

Hakuba's accusation had, however, just given him an idea.

"What are you two talking about?" Aoko asked before Kaito could speak.

The magician gave her a longsuffering look. "Blondie here is accusing me of kidnapping Kudo—you know, that detective he sometimes works with."

"What? Why?"

"Search me. I've never even met him."

Aoko's gaze turned expectantly to Hakuba. The blond squirmed under her look.

"I…" He started to say then stopped. "It was just, at the KID heist—"

"Is this about your theory that Kaito is KID again?" Aoko planted her hands on her hips, exasperated. "It's been years! Can't you two just let this go?"

The blond lowered his head. "Sorry." It was a very reluctantly mumbled apology, but it was enough for Aoko, who smiled.

Kaito rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but feel a bit smug. Okay, more than a bit. Aoko might be dating Hakuba, but at least she was still on his side about this. And it was most satisfying to see Hakuba getting scolded. Kaito flashed the detective a smirk and got a glare in return.

"If you'll just follow me, there's plenty more to see," Kaito declared, looping an arm over Aoko's shoulders and steering her past Hakuba.

-0-

When Shinichi saw the card in his mailbox, he couldn't help but smile. Taking it and the rose it had come with inside, he read over the elegantly written message. It was a riddle, of course.

He found himself tracing the caricature by the signature with his fingertip, a warm contentment blossoming inside him. That night had started to feel like a dream. On the days immediately following the incident, the rather prominent hickeys and a certain…soreness had been more than proof enough that it had been real, but the last day or so with everything just going on the way it always had, he'd found himself beginning to waver… At the time, he'd been sure the thief was sincere and that everything was going to be fine, but that moon-drenched night of secrets and passion was just too surreal.

But here was proof that he hadn't been dreaming. Feeling just a little giddy, he headed for his library on light steps. He had a riddle to solve.

-TBC-