Abducted into Black. Chapter 1.
~}I{~
Shinichi didn't realise he fell asleep where he sat until he heard a sharp knocking on the door, which jolted him awake. The shrunken teen scurried away from the door as it slowly opened.
When the door was opened enough, Vodka slid into the room. Shinichi glared at him. The sunglasses wearing man didn't seem bothered by the glare when he said, "Breakfast is ready, so if you want any you better come and get it."
Shinichi didn't break his glare with the bulky man when he almost growled out, "How do I know it's not poisoned?"
Vodka raised a brow when he asked the child inquisitively, "We've never attempted any poisoning with you... So why are you suspicious of that specifically?"
Shinichi let out a growl and thinking fast, he stated as he tried to keep his tone levelled, "Given what you've done so far, how can I not think you'd try poisoning me?" The shrunken teen knew that now more than ever that he couldn't reveal that he was Kudou Shinichi.
Vodka let out a low hum at the answer, not sure if what he was told was true but he had a hunch that he wasn't going to get much else. He couldn't help but note, "Did you... Even change out of your clothes from yesterday?"
Shinichi glanced down, realising that the shade-wearing man was right, before he said bitterly as he glanced to the side, "Given what I've learned... It wasn't on my list of priorities..."
Vodka didn't make any comment in regards to that other than saying, "Fair, I guess." He motioned for the child to follow when he said, "Now, come on, you didn't eat anything yesterday and I'm sure you're hungry."
On cue, Shinichi's stomach growled, causing him to turn pink. The shrunken teen then reluctantly followed the bulky man out of the room and into the hallway. It didn't take more than a few seconds before they were in the living room. Gin was already sitting at the Kotatsu, eating breakfast, as he looked up at the two when they walked in.
"Morning," the silver-haired man stated before he took a gulp of water.
The shrunken teen looked over the Kotatsu to see what was available. It was arranged in a traditional Japanese breakfast. It looked fine, inviting, and... Tasty... Shinichi's stomach growls at the sight of the food. 'Damn it!' the shrunken teen thought as he stared at the food.
Gin smirked as he motioned to the available plate when he stated, "Take a seat and enjoy the breakfast Vodka made. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
Vodka seemed to give the taller an odd glance before he took a bite of his breakfast.
Shinichi wasn't sure what these were supposed to imply, but he was too hungry to really think. So the shrunken teen sat at the free plate and cautiously started eating. 'Oh! This is good!' Shinichi thought in shock. He was careful not to show his eagerness to eat.
Gin had a satisfied look on his face as he glanced at Vodka, who noticed and gave him a subtle nod. Both then continued eating breakfast.
}{
Once all the food was eaten, the plates, glasses, and cutlery were placed into the dishwasher. Vodka made sure to tell the shrunken teen where everything was in the kitchen. Shinichi wasn't surprised when he was told that the knives were completely out of his reach, he figured that would be the case.
That was when the two killers gave the shrunken teen the official tour of the 'house'. Shinichi was a little creeped out that Gin was doing the tour. In all honesty, the shrunken teen expected Vodka to do it... But then again... The silver-haired man seemed to be taking the 'He's the father' role by the horns so to speak. However, that fact creeped Shinichi out even more.
Gin showed the child what he essentially figured out yesterday, but the silver-haired man continued down the hallway that Shinichi didn't explore. It mirrored the hallway where the bedrooms were.
Another closet, unlike the other one, was stocked with guns, bullets, and knives. Gin happily told 'his' child that this door would be locked at all times unless they were getting ready for a job, and adding that the lock was well out of the child's reach. Shinichi was more than fine with this.
A decent-looking shower room that was nicely stocked. From what Shinichi figured, this one was more for if you just wanted to get cleaned quickly. The clear cabinets were stocked with grey towels. There were two sets of shower stuff neatly placed on a small table each right in front of the entrance to the shower. Shinichi felt his stomach doing some unpleasant flips when he saw a third small table with the shower supplies that he had used when he was locked-up in that homey cell. Reminding the shrunken teen that these two were keeping track of his interests while he was imprisoned.
As they moved on to the next room, Shinichi couldn't help but think, 'But to think they were doing that to essentially force adopt me...' It creeped the shrunken teen out that this organisation was able to pull this stunt off without setting off any alarm bells... If he WAS actually a kid... That was the only flaw in their ploy... A flaw that they didn't know about...
The next room was a training room. It had blue mats lining every cm of the floor and on the mid-area of the wall. There was a red punching bag hanging by a chain from the ceiling near the far left corner. The far right corner had a display of weights arranged from lightest to heaviest, each a different colour and shade. There was a free-standing bar a half metre from the wall, one where you could do a number of different types of bar-based exercises on, that stood off on the right side of the wall the door was on. On the left side of the door, close to the intersection of the two walls was a treadmill.
Oh... Kay... Shinichi couldn't help but ask, "Why do you have a gym in this 'house'?"
Gin was more than willing to answer by saying, "It's easier access and we can go at our own pace while doing whatever exercise we want." He let out a huff when he added, "Plus, we don't have to deal with idiotic onlookers and the smell if it were the 'company's gym'.'' The silver-haired man scoffed when he muttered bitterly, "And it always seems to be too full when we go."
Shinichi couldn't help but think, 'Ah, so that's the reason...' The shrunken teen had a good guess on that last statement from the assassin, but he wasn't going to touch that any time soon. Besides, Shinichi didn't want this guy to ask any questions of his own... The shrunken teen glanced around the home gym when he commented, "Well... At least you have the entire gym to yourselves..." Shinichi didn't know what else to say.
Vodka came into view when he stated, "Plus, here we know it'll be clean."
Shinichi couldn't help but comment dryly, "I guess it makes sense... You never know what happens at a public gym when you're not around..."
"You don't know the half of it." Both assassins stated at the same time in annoyance.
Shinichi couldn't help but blink at the simultaneous response. He looked up to see that the pair had matching peeved expressions. Given this, the shrunken teen didn't want to know the reason behind that kind of reaction.
}{
Shinichi was given free range of the 'house' after the tour. Of course, he tried to get to the front door again, but the results were the same as last time... However, unlike last time, the shrunken teen noticed an e-reader scanner over the knob. Of course, he wondered how he missed that the first time but this confirmed that the shrunken teen wasn't getting out of this 'house' without either Gin or Vodka...
Oh joy…
Shinichi then thought bitterly, 'That explains why they weren't worried about watching me...' He walked back into the 'main area' as he glanced around.
No windows... So that escape route was out…
"The front door was like that long before you came into the picture, and windows are an invitation for unwanted company," Vodka's voice interrupted the shrunken teen's thoughts, causing him to jump a bit.
Shinichi turns towards the couch to see the bulky man sitting there, reading a red-covered book and not even looking at the other.
Shinichi clicked his tongue when he retorted, "Paranoid much."
Vodka let out a humph as he turned a page and stated, "It comes with the territory. You'll learn that once Aniki deems you ready." He didn't sound concerned about the child suddenly in his care.
Shinichi glared at the bulky man when he almost growled out, "What makes you think I'm going to go along with your twisted ploy?" The shrunken teen wanted to take the organisation the two men worked for down, not join it!
Vodka gave an uncaring Shrug when he said, "You don't have much of a choice. Besides... " He looked up at the child when he added, "You're Aniki's kid now, and there is no way he's letting you go without a fight."
Despite the sunglasses the man wore, the shrunken teen could feel his glare.
Shinichi never felt the dread in his gut churn so roughly before. It probably felt worse because he had an illogically overwhelming suspicion that what was said was undeniably true...
Gin walked into the living area with an annoyed look plastered all his face when he snapped at the other adult, "Get your gear! We got a job!"
Vodka looked at the taller man when he got out in confusion, "We do? But we still have time off."
Gin growled as he made his way to the weapon cabinet and snapped, "Some moron, who I WILL kill once I find out who they are, didn't care and put our names on this mission." He unlocked the weapon stock when he added, "And, of course, it's an overnight job!"
Vodka clicked his tongue in annoyance as he placed his bookmark and closed the book he was reading when he stated, "You've got to be! I already had lunch and dinner planned for today! Not to mention our plans with Conan!"
Gin pulled his favourite Baretta out of the weapons cabinet and holstered it when he got out in annoyance, "I know, hence why I'm making sure the idiot dies for their stupidity!"
Vodka placed the book on the open space on the couch when he said, "Can you grab my usual while I check to see if we have something for Conan to make while we're gone?"
Gin was already doing that when he stated, "You've got ten minutes." He grabbed the needed ammo for the guns as Vodka stood up and moved towards the kitchen.
Shinichi, of course, watched the two's actions in a mixture of uneasiness and fascination.
When Gin had all they needed, he closed their arsenal closet and promptly locked it, and then walked back into the main area to wait for the other. The silver-haired man looked at the child when he stated sternly, "Take this opportunity to familiarise yourself with your new home."
The shrunken teen frowned when he asked flatly, "You aren't going to hire a babysitter to look after me?"
Gin let out an amused 'humph' before he said as he placed his right hand on his hip, "Even if we COULD trust someone to do that, especially this last minute, you're capable enough to look after yourself to not need one."
Shinichi nearly growled out, "Don't remind me that you spied on me during THAT period." There was No way he was going to get over that two week containment.
In an amused tone, Gin retorted, "Just everywhere but the bathroom areas." The child couldn't help but glare at the silver-haired man. Gin smirked at his new son when he said, "It was to make sure you had what you needed. Plus, the surveillance wasn't 24/7."
Shinichi rolled his eyes when he got out sarcastically, "Oh, that makes me feel a whole lot better…"
Gin squatted next to the child as he ruffled his hair when he stated with that smirk still on his face, "Don't worry about that too much. Besides, you're going to be too busy with your training schedule."
Shinichi could feel his heart in his stomach when he questioned, "Training schedule?"
Gin happily patted the child on the head when he said in an eerie combination of menacing and happiness, "Yes. You're my kid, and I expect a lot of great things from you. But I have to make sure you have the basics down to a T."
Oh, did that put an uneasy bile in Shinichi's gut.
Gin smirked at the child when he stated with an evil gleam in his eyes, "If my suspicions are correct, you'll get a codename before you know it."
Shinichi pulled away from the silver-haired man when he got out wearily, "Codename?"
Gin kept that smirk up even after he saw Vodka walk back in. The bulkier man then stated, "There's last night's dinner and some take-out he can re-heat in the microwave. So he's got lunch and dinner."
Gin nodded as he stood up and made his way to the door, Vodka loyally followed when he added, "But we're low on eggs and miso broth." The silver-haired man responded that they'll get those on the way back.
As the two assassins switched to their work shoes, Gin called out to the child, "Don't touch what you don't know how to work, keep the place in one piece, and you better be in bed by 23:00."
When Shinichi realised the silver-haired man was talking to him, he got out an uneasy, "Um, okay,"
Satisfied with the answer, Gin left first. Vodka lingered a bit, looking over his right shoulder at the child for a second or two before he left. The door's lock engaged with a potent click. Then things were silent.
Shinichi hugged himself as the conversation between him and Gin replayed in his mind. It nearly confirmed what was said yesterday... The bastard who shrank him… Who represented the dark Organisation to the shrunken teen... Wanted him to join… Without realising that he was one of their victims...
Damn, if that wasn't a type of irony... Shinichi took a deep breath in and slowly released it. He looked at the kitchen before walking in. The shrunken teen opened the fridge to see what was available to drink. Water seemed like the best option. so, Shinichi took the stepping stool from the corner. Placed it in front of the fridge, used it to get at the pitcher of water, stepped down, moved the stepping stool back so he could close the door, walked into the living area to place the pitcher on the Kotatsu, went back into the kitchen, moved the stepping stool so it was under the cabinet that had the cups, used it until he could reach the handle, opened the cabinet, took a glass, closed the door, stepped down, and walked back into the main area.
The shrunken teen poured the water into the glass and then took a nice gulp of the liquid. This settled his stomach a bit, not by much but he felt better. Shinichi needed to think of the positives, that will hopefully calm him down more.
They certainly didn't know who he really was... That was good... At least...
They clearly thought of him as a child... A smart one...
A thought came to Shinichi as he looked in the direction of the hallway where the bedrooms were.
He was alone in the 'home' of one of the top agents in the organisation… This was the perfect opportunity for the shrunken teen to do a little snooping to find out more information!
Shinichi quickly made his way to the bedroom with the library. Gin's Bedroom if the young detective's instincts were correct. He carefully reached up to the knob and slowly turned it. Shinichi's heart skipped a beat when the door opened without any resistance. He carefully peered inside. Seeing as the room was exactly as he remembered it being the last time he saw it, the shrunken teen carefully moved inside, taking careful note as to where everything was so he could put them back in place if he needed to.
Shinichi left the door open as he looked around the library-like bedroom with a goal in mind. He quickly and carefully looked under the bed, the desk, in the drawers, and on the bookshelf. The shrunken teen was rather impressed by the book collection, but he'll seek out it after he finds something useful.
Which he didn't...
'So, that either means he's hidden the important stuff somewhere I can't reach or find, or he might not have anything that involves the organisation,' Shinichi thought as he continued to search what he could without disturbing the environment. If the shrunken teen had a guess, it was probably the former rather than the latter...
And he didn't find anything that could serve as a hint to the Organisation playbook, or anything about it. Shinichi walked out of the room, closing the door behind him as he did. The shrunken teen placed a hand on his chin as he leaned against the door, thinking about the room, or rather... The owner of it...
It was a little too easy to get in… Hell, it wasn't even locked... Why?
Shinichi glanced at the other room, Vodka's room… He made his way to the door and tested the knob.
Unsurprisingly, it was locked...
Shinichi clicked his tongue in annoyance before he walked back into the 'living room' as he wondered if Gin foresaw what he would do and prepared for that or already had this mentality to keep the important stuff hidden. It wouldn't surprise the shrunken teen if it was either, but that only meant that Shinichi wouldn't be able to get the information he wanted right away…
Shinichi hugged himself at the memories of what Gin told him not even an hour ago.
The shrunken teen ended up going through the 'house' again, somewhat taking a closer look at a few things that he wasn't able to earlier. He was a little surprised by the books and media that the two killers had. Although, Shinichi had to wonder if these two had gotten these because of him…
Shinichi ended up looking over everything he could before hunger set in, so he microwaved the take-out that was in the fridge. He ate it on the Kotatsu as he tried to think of a plan of escape, but... He didn't have enough information to act...
There was one dangerous plan that Shinichi could do, but...
'I-I might not see Ran again…' the shrunken teen thought in despair if he were to go through with this plan...
~}I{~
Hours later, Gin and Vodka had finished their mission and were currently stopping by a grocery store to get a few things before they returned to their base. Of course, they got eggs and miso broth, but also a few other things that they thought they might as well buy now.
By the time Gin and Vodka arrived 'home', it was already 3 in the morning. The bulkier man brought the food to the kitchen to put away as Gin went to check on his son. Of course, the silver-haired man's first stop was the room that was designated as 'Conan's'.
Gin came to the closed door before he slowly opened it and peered in. A small smile crossed his lips when he saw his son sleeping in bed. Gin backed out as he quietly closed the door. The silver-haired man went back to the living room just in time to see Vodka walking in.
"Well, we don't have to do any shopping for a few days," the bulkier man stated with a shrug. Vodka then asked, "How's Conan?"
Gin smirked when he stated, "Asleep."
Vodka tilted his head to the side when he stated, "I'm not surprised, given the current time."
The silver-haired man let out an amused hum when he asked in somewhat of a mockingly playful tone, "You don't seem thrilled by this turn of events." He folded his arms before he added with a smirk, "And here I thought you wouldn't mind having a junior to look after."
Vodka folded his arms with a frown as he retorted, "That I don't mind, but it's going to take some time before I'll accept little Conan." He turned his head to the left slightly when he added sternly, "I know you're already accepting him as your son, however, I am not."
Gin shrugged his shoulders as if to say, 'Fine by me,' before he headed back towards the bedrooms and said, "Understood. How about we take a nap before breakfast."
Vodka let out a breath before he followed the other with a movement of his chin, as if rolling his eyes.
}I{ A Few Hours Later; 7:00 }I{
Shinichi's eyes slowly fluttered open when the alarm went off. He groaned as he moved to shut the device off. The shrunken teen let out a sigh as the memories of the prior day.
Nothing.
Shinichi had found nothing that could help him even a little bit in regards to the Organisation…
The shrunken teen reluctantly got out of bed and got dressed. Of course, they were black... Not like he had much of a choice...
Shinichi cautiously opened the door of his room and peeked outside. After seeing no one but smelling food coming from the kitchen, he took a step out, closed his door behind him, and headed to the 'living room'. Shinichi couldn't help but flinch when he saw Gin sitting at the Kotatsu, reading a book.
The shrunken teen wasn't sure if he'll ever get used to the fact that the assassin was being so... Non-threatening...
Vodka came out of the kitchen with a tray of food and placed it on the Kotatsu before returning to the kitchen for drinks.
Correction… The shrunken teen wasn't sure if he'll ever get used to the fact that both of these assassins were being so non-threatening...
"Stop lurking and come to the table," Gin stated, not looking up from the book he was reading.
Of course, Shinichi stiffened at these words. Knowing that it was pointless to linger, the shrunken teen came out from the corner and walked to the Kotatsu. He sat at one of the places with a plate.
Gin closed the book and placed it next to him when he stated, "Now that we won't have any jobs for the next week, that'll give us time to bond and train you."
Somehow, Shinichi saw that coming and he wasn't looking forward to that.
Vodka came back with the water and juice. Soon enough, they started eating.
}{
After breakfast was done and the Kotatsu cleared, the two assassins brought the shrunken teen to the 'home gym'. Of course, Shinichi didn't want to work-out right after eating, but as it turned out, Gin and vodka showed the child how to use and adjust all the gear in the 'home gym' so he could use them.
Of course, Shinichi wasn't sure what to think of this, but not like he had a choice... Besides, any information he could get was good. Hopefully…
~}I{~
Ai was at a loss of what to do.
While everyone who knew 'Conan' was none the wiser about the dark situation, Ran was getting suspicious. Not that Ai could blame her, after all, 'Conan leaves' and all communication from Kudou Shinichi suddenly stops.
As much as the Shrunken woman knew this was a bad idea, but... There was only so much she and Agasa-Hatake could do on their own...
Ai needed to tell Mouri Ran the truth.
~}I{~
Shinichi didn't expect to... Get used to his 'New Routine' so quickly... Not in the least... Sure, he was reluctant and hadn't left the 'house', but... He's got the 'routine' down...
Shinichi's small body hit the padded floor of the 'home gym' with a grunt.
Gin smirked when he stated, "Good, you're getting better with your guard." He folded his arms as he watched his son get back on his feet and added, "But you need to work on your stance a little more."
Shinichi glared at the silver-haired man at these words.
Gin motioned for the training session to continue when he said, "Alright, onto the next stage."
The shrunken teen didn't want to, but, again, he didn't have much of a choice...
Vodka watched this exchange from the doorway, his head turned to the left.
}{ An Hour Later }{
Shinichi was exhausted and sore by the time today's 'training' concluded for the day. He pretty much tucked himself under the Kotatsu and collapsed. The shrunken teen couldn't help but think, 'Damn it... Today's training was harsher than usual... I can't feel my limbs right now,' He knew he wouldn't be able to move for a while.
A few minutes later, there was a strange sound filling the air as Shinichi rested. The noise was oddly familiar to the shrunken teen, as were the repetitive clicking.
Shinichi reluctantly turned his body towards the sound and cracked open an eye to see what was going on. only to see both Gin and Vodka playing a fighting video game on the tv. Shinichi blinked before he closed his eyes as he told himself, 'I must be so tired that I'm imagining things.'
It was a logical thought on the shrunken teen's part, but... Shinichi opened his eyes just in time to see Vodka's screen character deliver the final blow to Gin's character, winning the match. The shrunken teen couldn't picture the silver-haired man losing at anything, but that was what he was seeing.
Gin clicked his tongue in annoyance as he watched the screen flash the 'Winning' and 'Losing' animations over the respective characters and grumbled, "Lost again..."
Vodka was nonchalant about this when he said, "Yup, and that's a new record for you." He exited the fighting game, ejected it from the gaming system, and removed it. The bulkier man returned the game to its case when he asked the silver-haired man casually, "Want to play a different game?"
Gin was quick to agree before he got up to browse through the games they had, returning the fighting game to its spot on the shelf.
Vodka noticed that the child was awake via the corner of his right side. He nodded his head towards the 'game shelf' under the telly when he asked, "You want to join us?"
To the shrunken teen, it sounded like he was trying to be polite rather than genuine interest. Shinichi blinked before he said, "No..." He then got out uneasily, "I... Didn't think either of you would... Play video games,"
Vodka didn't move when he shrugged and stated, "Occasionally." He looked at the child when he asked, "Did you think that the only thing we did was kill people?"
"Yes," Shinichi retorted immediately.
Gin couldn't suppress a snicker as he chose a new game and stated, "Well, can't say he's wrong." He showed the other the case sleeve when he asked, "How about this?"
Vodka turned his head to look at the game before he said, "Sure, we haven't played that one in a while."
Shinichi wasn't sure what to think about... This perfectly normal, mundane thing between the two assassins... Especially since the shrunken teen thought they got the same system as a way to bribe him or as a reward for him, or something. He certainly didn't expect these two to do something like playing video games!?
In the end, Shinichi opted to watch the two assassins play a dungeon exploring maze game. Much to his disbelief.
}{ That Night }I{
Shinichi practically flopped onto his bed in his room.
The whole day felt long and tedious... Gin was really upping the training when he felt that 'his son' was ready for the next level. That was an uneasy projection that the shrunken teen wasn't looking forward to.
Shinichi let out a sigh as he regrettably admitted that he was going to have to play along with this whole 'forced adoption'... And destroy the Black Organisation from the inside...
True, he was going to continue the whole 'reluctant child' act when being 'trained'... Wait, would it be considered an act if he actually didn't want to do this? Well, that'll make it more convincing to his captors, at least...
Shinichi curled himself into a ball as he wrapped his arms around his lower chest.
If he was going to go through with this 'Destroying the Black Organisation from the Inside' Plan... He might not be able to see his family and friends ever again... And there is the very real possibility that Shinichi could fall into that abyss and be unable to escape.
~}I{~
To be continued.
~}I{~