FIC: Illusionist's Ball (3/?) (NC-17
Story Information
Title: Illusionist's Ball
Author: Saitaina
Rating: R (chapter)/NC-17 (full story)
Characters: Kid(en), Kaito Kuroba, Conan Edogawa, Saguru Hakuba, Akako Koizumi, Aoko Nakamori, Mika Kuroba (Kaito's Mother), Jii, Ginzo Nakamori
Pairings: Kid/Saguru, Kaito/Saguru, Mika/Jii, Conan/Akako, Akako/Aoko
Summary: Kid and Kaito now have to live their own lives, while the BO attempts to destroy them both. Mix in Conan, Akako and Aoko in the same house and the pair have a lot more on their hands this dance. Sequel to Magician's Waltz.
Chapter Information
Title: Nursery Rhymes for Twelve Dead Children
Summary: It's been a month and things are changing for the group, but on Halloween night, they discover just how serious the BO is at destroying what the gang holds dear.
WARNING: Blood and Gore
Nursery Rhymes for Twelve Dead Children
The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone, and is, therefore, absolutely and irretrievably lost. -Arthur Schopenhauer
It had been a month since Kaito had found out his mother was expecting a second child, a month to adapt and get over the issues he had with the idea.
In that month he had moved out of his house, wishing to give his mother and Jii their own time together, before the baby came and interrupted their lives. Kid had moved out of Saguru's bedroom when Kaito moved with with them, instead, sharing Kaito's room so he could be closer with his other half, as well as keeping potential jealousy at bay, not that their seemed to be a problem now that the pair were separated.
Saguru's job has changed in the past month as well. He had been promoted to the second lead of the task force, answering only to Nakamori and his superiors in London. He had also been drafted as a consultant for the gang unit. His 'contact' in the unit had brought Saguru to the attention of his superiors, an action for which Saguru could have killed him, and of course, after it was discovered just how much Saguru knew about the Black organization and it's associates, he was partially re-assigned, leading him into too much overtime and too many heists missed.
But the largest change in their little family was between Conan and Kid. Ever since Conan had been targeted and Kid shot in his place, the pair had been nearly inseparable, becoming closer then those bound by blood...not that there wasn't enough blood between them, most of it spilled on the ground.
Akako herself had been doting on Conan as well, spending most of her time either with Conan and Kid or just Conan alone, which caused a bit of a controversy in the house, knowing her penchant for pheromone magic and using men. But nothing seemed amiss, so everyone left them alone, and the pair continued spending time with the two people who understood them best.
Which was why, on a cold, windy October morning, the pair were cuddled under a large pink blanket by the parlour fireplace, watching a couple across the room, looking away only when the front door opened admitting Kaito, who had rented the van for the week.
"Saguru, your chariot..." he trailed off, staring at the pair all but crushed against the door to the kitchen, eating each other from the mouth down. "How long have they been going at it?" he asked, tilting his head to inspect the pair better.
Conan glanced at his wrist watch, snorting. "Five minutes," he muttered, before turning his attention to watching the flames in the fireplace, bored with the couple making out far too early in the morning.
Akako smiled down at Conan and pulled him in closer to her body, wrapping an arm around the boy.
Kaito rolled his eyes and moved over to the pair, staring at them for a moment before sliding his hand between their mouthes when they paused to re-adjust their angle. He used this hand to push Kid back, interjecting himself between the two before turning to Saguru, ignoring Kid, who was glaring at his back. "It's time to go to work, unless you're investigating what Kid's tonsils are like by feel."
"Right, work." Saguru murmured, looking slightly out of it, still focused on the physical pleasures Kid's mouth had drawn from him.
"Come on, lover boy, time to return to Earth." Kaito muttered, tugging on Saguru's vest. He yelped as he was spun around, meeting Kid's angry blue eyes. He yelped again, or at least tried to, before being silenced by a pair of lips meeting his own. It took him a long, fuzzy moment to real that A. he was, in fact, being kissed and B. he was, in fact, being kissed by someone other then his lover.
He jerked back from the kiss, staring at Kid as he drew a hand over his lips. Shaking his head, he stepped from between the pair, ignoring the looks he was receiving and headed out to the van without a word.
"And just what, dare I ask, was that about?" Saguru asked with a raised eyebrow in Kid's direction.
Kid gave his trademark smirk, leaning in to nuzzle at Saguru's neck, shrugging when Saguru leaned away. "It was just a little teasing between twins, Saguru-chan. It's nothing to worry your cute little dense head about." He patted Saguru's cheek before giving Akako and Conan a boy, heading for his work room.
"Bra," Saguru muttered once Kid was out of earshot.
Akako laughed, pushing her feet closer to the fire. "Problems in your happy little lust bubble?"
Saguru shook his head, straightening his tie and fixing his hair in the mirror. "Kid's a flirt, I knew that long before we started living together." He gave the pair a smile before shrugging on his coat. "He looks for a reaction and I can't help but give it to him." he left, Akako's laughter trailing after him.
--
"Are you mad?" Saguru asked, turning his head to look at Kaito as the other teen turned into the department parking lot.
"No, I'm just...frustrated," Kaito said, glancing at Saguru. "I know he was there first and you love him and all that fun, but...you're alwayswith him. I haven't got a chance to see you alone in weeks."
Saguru smiled, reaching out with his good arm and maneuvering Kaito via a series of tugs into his lap. He tilted Kaito's head kissing Kaito softy, slowly, before slipping his tounge out and brushing it over Kaito's lips, groaning softly as Kaito opened his mouth, allowing the questing tounge inside.
The pair kissed for a long moment, simply enjoying the taste of the other, something they hadn't been able to enjoy between work, school and Kid. Saguru pulled away after a moment, nuzzling Kaito's neck, holding the brunette's hips. "Then how about tonight, we have time alone, without Kid."
Kaito smiled and teased Saguru by pushing his hips down against the blond's, smirking as Saguru groaned, leaning up to kiss Kaito hungrily. "We're alone now," Kaito murmured between kisses, his mouth moving to suck on Saguru's jaw, hips grinding rhythmically against his lover's.
"Yes, but I need to get to work. Even for you, I won't be late," Saguru said, though he was moaning in between words, his own body moving against Kaito's, mouth hungrily sucking on the magician's collar bone.
"After work then," Kaito growled out, lifting Saguru's hand and drawing a finger into his mouth, sucking on it for a moment. "I'll pick you up at six, then we can play around after the Task Force leaves," he whispered against Saguru's palm, running his teeth over the flesh to Saguru's wrist. "I've always wondered what it would be like, to have sex on your desk." He flashed Saguru a wicked grin as he licked the tender flesh of Saguru's inner wrist before kissing him again. "Haven't you ever imagined it, Saguru? Me, bent over your desk, begging you?"
"Mm, only if you show up with a few...extras." Saguru said, grinding up against Kaito's hips, hissing softly.
"Extras?"
Saguru nodded, sucking on Kaito's lower lip, smiling as the brunette moaned. "Your costume."
"My...costume?" Kaito paused for a moment, trying to think of which of his many costumes Saguru could mean before realizing he meant his 'work' clothes. "You kinky bastard!" Kaito laughed, wrapping his arms around Saguru's neck, leaning down for a deep kiss. "Make sure Nakamori's gone," he whispered, lapping at Saguru's lips.
"As you wish."
--
"So why exactly are we here?" Conan asked around the sucker in his mouth, looking up at his brother next to him before looking at the sea of brightly coloured bras and panties. He titled his head, examining one of the mannequins absently wondering how a woman even put the article of clothing displayed on, before looking back at Kid.
"New clothes," Kid said, rolling his own sucker around his mouth.
"For?"
"My sister Kidoko," Kid said with a smirk before taking Conan's hand and venturing deeper into the land of sheer clothing, examining various racks, unsure of what exactly he wanted.
Conan blinked for a moment before shrugging and turning to look through the racks of clothing, stifling giggles over the material he was...fondling. "What about this one, onii-chan? It's nice and bright!" Conan said, holding up a fire engine red thing that was more straps then cloth.
Kid turned to look, examining the object, stroking his chin as he did. "She's more fond of white and blue," he said evenly before returning to his examination.
The salesclerk that was discreetly following them looked rather horrified at the idea Kid was having an eight-year-old help him pick out women's underwear, wondering if she should call children's services on this pervert.
Conan shrugged and put the outfit back onto the rack and sorted through the clothes again before holding up something else. "What about this? It's white."
"I think the word you're looking for is 'clear'," Kid said, taking the hanger from Conan and examining it. "I like it, she'd kill me."
Conan snickered and hung the article back up, humming to himself as he wondered off to search another location, Kid following after a moment, the thief frowning as if he was losing hope of finding something to match his new clothes. He grinned, spotting two pairs of underwear that interested him, holding them out to Conan. "Thong or non-thong, pick one, ototo-chan."
"Ow, mental image," Conan said dryly before pointing to the non-thong.
"Alright, cute and innocent little panties for Kidoko and g-string for Akako."
"Akako-chan likes dark red. Get the scarlet and black lace one. That's close enough, right?" Conan gave Kid his best 'aren't I charming and innocent' look, causing Kid to snort, picking up the one Conan selected.
"I think we should have a talk about you knowing what sort of underwear your girlfriend prefers."
Conan stuck out his tounge, not commenting on Kid knowing Akako's size. "She's not my girlfriend."
"Yet." Kid interrupted.
"Yet. And she has black lace panties, so the bright red has to be okay too."
Kid smirked, ruffling Conan's hair, ignoring the boy's protests. "If she's not your girlfriend yet, then how do you know what sort of panties she wears? I'm not one to judge your perversions." Kid held up a men's white g-string, snickering. "Think I could get a magnifying glass put on these?"
"Short skirts, plus a short me, plus a breeze, well, that and you keep flaking on the laundry." Conan muttered, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"I do not 'flake'." Kid said, his nose rising into the air slightly. "I see no purpose in doing everyone else's laundry when I have to dry clean all of mine." He then blushed slightly, hiding it by examining a black lace bra. "Besides...I don't know how to work the washing machine."
Conan snorted, a bit of a smile curling up the edge of his lips. "Suuure." He decided to change the subject, focusing on the thong still clutched in Kid's left hand. "Do I want to know why and where you want to add a magnifying glass to that?"
"I don't." Kid muttered, blushing harder. "As Kaito I never needed to learn how to use it, that's what we had a mother for." He held up the thong again, smirking. "I was thinking right smack in the front, magnifying what is already too large."
Conan snickered. "So it's not for you then?" he asked teasingly, before ducking the swat Kid aimed at him.
"Keep talking, brat, and we might go underwear shopping for you. I hear Pokemon is hot this year."
"Do it and I'll tell Saguru how much you like Hello Kitty."
"Not scary enough, brother mine. I find Hello Kitty to be an adorable little kitten, I have her vibrator."
"Too much information!" Conan said, clamping his hands over his ears.
Kid smirked, ruffling Conan's hair. "Don't mess with a master, brat."
Conan huffed. "See if I bail you out, next time you and Kidoko need an alibi."
"Hate you. Fine, no Pokemon, but I'm telling Akako you helped pick out her underwear. Have fun being smothered."
Conan blinked, thinking of being smothered by Akako and her wondrous assets. "Thank you kindly, ototo-chan!"
Kid laughed, taking their purchases to the front. "I thought that might cheer you up," he said. "Come on, let's get out of here and go gorge on sugar before going home."
"Saguru's going to kill you."
Kid just grinned.
--
"Invitation to a Halloween party," Saguru held out to Kid as the thief passed.
Kid raised an eyebrow, glancing at the invite. "To me...how odd."
"Not really," Kaito said from next to Saguru, snuggled against his boyfriend. "It's from Keiko."
"That annoying little brunette from your school?"
"She's not annoying and yes. Apparently she heard my cousin was staying with us."
"Word moves quickly though this town. Are you two attending."
Saguru nodded, flipping channels. "Might as well, we don't have any other plans, not to mention it would be nice to see everyone again."
"How sentimental of you," Kid muttered before sitting on the edge of the couch and stealing the remote from Saguru and turning the television back to a documentary on crime. "Costumes are required, so what are you attending as?"
Saguru shrugged. "Probably Holmes."
Both Kid and Kaito stared at the boy before shaking their heads. "Pathetic." Kid muttered, tossing the remote back into Saguru's lap. "I take it you two are going together?" Kid asked, not looking at the pair.
Kaito looked at Saguru before shaking his head. "I thought I'd take Aoko. I...we need to spend some time together."
Saguru smiled, brushing his fingers through Kaito's hair. "I have to work that day, so it would be best if I go alone, that way I don't stand anyone up if something comes up." Saguru said before rolling his head towards Kid. "Unless you want to be my date."
"Na, I'll probably bribe Akako into going with me. She needs some wholesome fun in her life, especially after breaking up with Aoko."
"She has been rather down, hasn't she? Think we should set her up with someone?" Kaito asked, scratching his nose before snuggling more against Saguru.
"Na, I think she's working on that already." Kid said with a small, soft smile on his face.
"Oh really, who?" Saguru asked, looking up at his lover, raising an eyebrow at that smile on Kaito's face.
Kid smiled at Saguru and leaned in, kissing him deeply. "You'll find out soon enough, Saguru-chan."
--
"I didn't expect you to show up, especially not like this," Akako said, taking the arm of the vampire next to her and allowing him to escort her out to the small garden in front of Keiko's house.
"Yes, well, there was something I needed to do."
"A visit with your old girlfriend?" Akako asked, sitting on the bench, scooting over to make room for her escort.
"Partially. I called Ran after you left, she...wasn't happy with what I had to tell her."
"Oh, and what was that?"
"That I couldn't return home...ever. That I was settling down to start a new life undercover and I wouldn't be leaving it, even after my case was finished."
"Shinichi..."
The teenager next to her pressed his finger to Akako's lips. "I made my choice, Akako. I can't keep living two lives and there's little to no chance that I'll be able to return to being Kudo Shinichi." He gave a heavy sigh, removing his hand from her mouth, staring up at the night sky above them. "When this first happened, I was angry...and frustrated. Everything I had worked for, gone. I was a child...no one paid attention to children, no one listened...and I couldn't do a fucking thing about it." He took her hand, turning to look at her. "Then I met Ai...Shiho...she had lost everything so many times over...her parents, her sister, her freedom...her life, and yet, she could still smile, she could still live, far more then I ever really did. And then came Kid, who had nothing and...then you. Each of you grasped so tightly to the things that gave you life, and I was just there...floating. I knew then that I had to keep moving, keep trying, but then Ai died and I lost my focus...I lost everything." He gave her hand a squeeze. "If it hadn't been for you, Akako, I wouldn't have even this life. I would have given up...given in." He leaned in, kissing her cheek.
"So, you've decided to stop being a shadow and live?" She asked lightly, smiling at him.
He nodded, releasing her hand and leaning back on the bench. "I will probably never be Kudo Shinichi after tonight and...I'm okay with that. It might suck sometimes, being Conan, but I have chances I never had before. I have a brother who cares for me in his own twisted way, I have a mother and a father who care about me enough to accept the fact I'm eighteen trapped as an eight-year-old, I have...well, I have Saguru and Kaito, whatever they are...and I have you."
"You would have had me either way, Shinichi, eight or eighteen."
"Yes but," Shinichi took her hand again, turning to look at her. "Akako, if I had never become Conan, never lived with Ran, I never would have met Kaito again that night on the hotel rooftop, I never would have chased after him, and in turn, never met you. When I was Shinichi...everything had been planned out. I was going to propose to Ran, get married, have kids, be world famous for being the best detective around...and now, I'll have none of that, and I'm starting to think that's the way things were meant to be."
"Shinichi..."
"I don't love Ran, not like I used to, or at least how I thought I used to. I'm not even sure I ever really did. I love...Akako, I want to be with you. Every moment I'm with you it's like something perfect has come into place in my life, completing the picture. And I know I don't have anything to offer you, not with my life this screwed up, and I understand if you would rather run the other way or laugh at me or slap me or anything...I..." Shinichi's eyes widened as a pair of lips sealed over his, silencing him.
His eyes slid shut, and his hands slid up to wrap around Akako's waist as her own arms went around his neck, holding each other as they kissed gently, softly. After a moment Akako pulled away, smiling, reaching out to brush her thumb over his lips, removing traces of her red lipstick.
"I would never run away, Shinichi." She said softly, before holding his hand again. "And I don't care that your life is screwed up, I'm a witch who can manipulate people's hearts and minds, the fact that you're an eight-year-old physically chased by a gang organization doesn't really scare me."
Shinichi smiled, leaning in to steal another kiss from her. "You're sure?" he asked softly, his thumb stroking over her hand.
"Positive. Nothing will scare me away, not your age, not your past, not even the fact I have to wait a good eight years before we can really be together."
Shinichi smiled and pulled her closer, holding her. "It's going to be a long eight years, my seductress."
Akako laughed, curling into him, breathing deeply the scent that was so familiar as both Shinichi and Conan. "I can handle it if you can."
--
"I'm glad you came with me," Kaito whispered against Aoko's ear, holding her close as they swayed to the music. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Aoko whispered, raising her head and kissing the corner of Kaito's mouth. "I'm sorry."
"What for?" Kaito asked, pulling away a bit to look down into Aoko's face, brushing a bang from in front of her eyes.
"Being such a bitch. I...I should have handled things better. I should have listened and not just...yelled. I should have been the best friend I was supposed to be."
Kaito smiled softly and kissed Aoko's nose. "You were exactly what you were supposed to be, Aoko. I knew, that when I told you, it wouldn't' go well. You're a Nakamori, after all. Born and breed to uphold the rules of law and order."
Aoko smiled, resting her head on Kaito's shoulder. "Still could have been a better friend. I...I'm happy, that you're not the one behind the monocle anymore. I know it's selfish but I'd rather it be Kid caught or Kid running from the organization instead of you, and I feel so bad for that, because I know you care about him but...I want you safe."
"Trust me, Aoko, I understand how you feel." He rested his head against hers. "I...I feel the same terror, every time he steps out into the night. He's my other half...my...I can't describe it, but it scares me to my very core, to think he might not return home."
Aoko was silent for a moment before shifting, looking up at him. "You love him," she said, making it a statement.
"I...I don't know. I feel like I shouldn't, and I love Saguru, but every time he holds me...there's something there that weeps for joy."
Aoko smiled, spinning for a moment before returning to his arms. "You can love more then one person, Kaito. I may have grown-up believing in fairy tales and happily ever after, but I know for damn sure there's no such thing as soul mates...though you and Kid come awfully close." She tapped his nose at that. "Besides, doesn't your boyfriend love two people?"
"I'm not sure. Does he really love both of us...or does he love who we were, when we were together?"
Aoko laughed at that, pulling Kaito even closer. "For all your similarities, you and Kiden are very, very different people, Kaito. There is no way to confuse the two of you, not to someone who knows you both."
"E-nough about my love life, what about you, how is your love life going?"
"Eh, I've given up on it. For now anyway. I think it's time I got my head on straight before I go chasing any more dreams. Dad wants me to go to France anyway, he has a friend in the special operations unit in Paris that is willing to get me into their training program."
"Special ops?" Kaito said, raising an eyebrow.
Aoko nodded, spinning again. "Japan's nice and all, but I want to see more, experience different things, and this is a good chance to bulk up my resume for the force when I return, skip rookie detail. Plus they're going to help me fast track my education, I can earn my degree sooner and return home to a real job, like on the Task Force or in Riot, perhaps even the gang units."
"I...I never really thought you cared that much about police work."
Aoko laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Silly, just because I can't help you commit crime, doesn't mean I can't help you against the organization. I don't like Kaitou Kid, but I hate them a lot more." She kissed him softly before pulling away, heading to the bar for a drink.
--
The ringing phone woke the house out of their slightly hungover sleep, followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor. Saguru blinked at Kid who had fallen out of the bed, snickering as the thief attempted to fend off the evil blanket monster, before reaching over to the phone, silencing it's ringing with a flick of his wrist, bringing the unit to his ear. "Hello?"
"Ah, Hakuba-san?" an un-familiar voice asked and Saguru's eyebrows drew in, as he held up a hand to keep Kid silent.
"Yes, may I ask who is calling?"
"Officer Chiba of Investigative Group One, Tokyo Police...I'm calling in regard to a party you and your roommates attended last night."
Saguru sat up, motioning for Kid to put the call on speaker phone. The thief did so, raising a curious eyebrow at his lover. "What about it?"
"Ah...well, there's been an incident arising from the occasion and we wished to speak with you and your roommates regarding it, if you could come down to the local koban..."
"Ah, Chiba-san, what exactly is this regarding?" Kid asked, yawning. "We can of course, give you statements regarding the party last night, but it would be helpful if we could know what exactly we're being questioned about."
Chiba was silent for a moment before clearing his throat. "Just please meet us at the koban." he said before hanging up. Saguru and Kid shared a look before getting up to get dressed and rouse the rest of the household.
--
The six teenagers (for Shinichi had not yet turned back into Conan) made their way into the small koban, ushered quickly into the back where they were promptly separated into six individual rooms. The team drew lots to see who would interview who, with Megure selecting Shinichi simply because of the pair's long history together.
He entered the room and sat across from Shinichi, staring at the eighteen-year-old, eyeballing him for a long moment before smacking the table. "And where the hell have you been?"
Shinichi started, not expecting the question though he thought he should have. He glanced around the room before looking at Megure again. "Are the recorders on?"
Megure shook his head. "I'm quite aware of your recent fetishism for privacy."
Shinichi nodded and took a breath. "I've been...working on a case. Stupid story I know but a true one. I got caught up in something and had to lay low for a while while working it out. I'm only here until tonight, visiting my girlfriend."
"Ah, Ran-chan?"
"Er, no. Ran and I aren't...things are different between us, since this case. Koizumi Akako is my girlfriend."
"The fiery little girl that came in with you?"
Shinichi nodded, sipping the water that was provided. "Yeah, I met her a while back at a Kaitou Kid heist and just...fell for her." He smiled fondly, making Megure smile, thinking of his own wife.
"You've got it bad, kid. Anyway, we brought you in because we need your statement of what happened last night, anything and everything you can recall."
"Inspector, what exactly happened last night? I'll admit not everything was above board, there was a bit of drinking here and there and...other activities, but nothing that should have called you guys in."
Megure sighed, resting his head on his chest for a moment before shoving the file he had brought with him across the table to Shinichi. "It's bad, Shinichi."
Shinichi frowned and opened the file. The first picture staring up at him almost made him lose what little breakfast he had managed to shove down on the way to the koban, a reaction he hadn't had since his first murder. "What the..."
"According to my notes," Megure said, pulling out his battered notebook as Shinichi flipped through the pictures, each worse then the last. "Around thirty teenager attended last nights party, hosted by one Momoi Keiko. At around ten pm, two witnesses saw yourself, Koizumi Akako, Hakuba Saguru, Kuroba Kaito and Edogowa Kiden leaving the party," Here Megure trailed off and looked up at Shinichi. "Edogowa...any relation to Conan-kun?"
Shinichi nodded. "Kiden is Conan's older brother as well as Kaito and my cousin."
"Interesting. Anyway, at around 5am this morning, we received a call from the locals out here, requesting our presence at the local high school. Upon arrival we found...well, you can see it in the pictures."
Shinichi closed the folder, closing his eyes as if he could remove the memory of the images by force. "Does Saguru know about this yet?"
"Not unless Sato told him, no."
Shinichi nodded and took a long drink of water. "I arrived at the party later then the others, I had trouble getting my costume together. I arrived around eight and found the other five."
"What were they doing?"
Shinichi closed his eyes, picturing the scene in his head. "Saguru and Kiden were in a corner, I think Kiden was attempting to feed Saguru a strawberry from his daiquiri. Kaito and Aoko were on the dance floor, though they were stepping on each other's feet more then dancing. Akako was at the bar, in the process of getting a drink."
"Alright, and then?"
"I asked Akako to step outside with me, so we could have a moment alone. We were out there for around half an hour talking, when we returned to the party. Kiden was now dancing with Kaito while Aoko and Saguru talked on the couch about her possibly moving to France for a while. Akako and I joined the pair on the couch, debating the pros and cons of moving overseas, and we were joined by Kiden and Kaito an hour later. We all had a round of drinks before deciding to walk home, since the babysitter would need to be relieved of Conan-kun."
"Who was this babysitter, we'll need to talk with her."
"Him, and I have his card somewhere," Shinichi said, fishing out a silver card case. He found the card and slid it over to Megure.
"Alright, now do you remember anything or anyone strange?"
"Not...really. Just your normal bunch of eighteen-year-olds, oh, and the bartender, some friend of Momoi-chan's brother."
Megure nodded, making notes on his pad. He sighed, rubbing his chin. "Alright, so far, adding in your account of the night, we have a pretty normal gathering of kids, up until sometime around eleven pm where it seems everyone at the party just dropped dead, now tox isn't back yet on the group, but the going suspicion is poison. Only one person was left alive, until her death at 2am."
"One person...you mean..." Shinichi glanced at the file and paled.
Megure nodded. " Momoi-kun died sometime after her friends, and the corner is saying she died at the drop site."
"Can I...can I go to the scene?"
"Which one?" Megure muttered before waving his hand. "The house hasn't been fully cleared yet, but I guess I can take you down to the school. Just so you know, it's not pretty."
"I can guess that," Shinichi said, swallowing.
--
There were some sights in life, that no one, no matter what age or experience, should ever see. Staring at the twenty-four long poles buried in the front lawn of Ekoda High School, blood stains still shining in the morning light, some with bodies still attached was definitely one of them.
Aoko had taken one look at the scene and promptly vomited, quickly escorted away from the scene by police before she contaminated the evidence. Akako looked on the verge of a fiery rage, and the boys...the boys simply stared, their brains almost trying to shut down in order to block out the horror.
They had been privy to the police reports on the way over, to better prepare themselves for what they were about to see, but nothing, no words on paper, could prepare them for the mutilated bodies of people they had gone to school with, grew up with. And the knowledge that one of their close friends, someone they cared about had been alive, had watched her classmates dead bodies tortured and then hung up like so much meat before the same was done to her, before she died, impaled on one of those pikes...
Not even Kaito's perfect poker face could keep the horror from his eyes.
Shinichi and Kid had the luxury of detachment. These weren't their friends, their lovers, hell for the most part they were strangers, many now faceless lumps on poles. They could pretend that this was just another case, just another show. That the bodies didn't have names, didn't have lives...weren't with them just a few short hours ago, laughing, smiling and planning their futures.
"Why...why would someone do this?" Akako whispered, clutching tightly to Kaito's arm. "Why them? And why not us?"
"Would you rather it be you, Little Miss?" Kid asked, looking down at her.
"Yes! I would rather it be me then them! They were innocents!"
"No one is innocent," Saguru muttered, before going quiet as Officer Chiba approached.
"We've finished the preliminary examinations of the remaining bodies." he said softly, offering his clipboard to Megure. "They all bear the same mark."
Mark? Shinichi and Saguru perked up at this. A mark, one on all the victims, was a clue, and any clue...any path to the madman that had created this macabre display, was a good thing.
Megure sighed heavily, before passing the clipboard over to Shinichi.
Your turn.
-Rum
Title: Illusionist's Ball
Author: Saitaina
Rating: R (chapter)/NC-17 (full story)
Characters: Kid(en), Kaito Kuroba, Conan Edogawa, Saguru Hakuba, Akako Koizumi, Aoko Nakamori, Mika Kuroba (Kaito's Mother), Jii, Ginzo Nakamori
Pairings: Kid/Saguru, Kaito/Saguru, Mika/Jii, Conan/Akako, Akako/Aoko
Summary: Kid and Kaito now have to live their own lives, while the BO attempts to destroy them both. Mix in Conan, Akako and Aoko in the same house and the pair have a lot more on their hands this dance. Sequel to Magician's Waltz.
Chapter Information
Title: Nursery Rhymes for Twelve Dead Children
Summary: It's been a month and things are changing for the group, but on Halloween night, they discover just how serious the BO is at destroying what the gang holds dear.
WARNING: Blood and Gore
Nursery Rhymes for Twelve Dead Children
The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone, and is, therefore, absolutely and irretrievably lost. -Arthur Schopenhauer
It had been a month since Kaito had found out his mother was expecting a second child, a month to adapt and get over the issues he had with the idea.
In that month he had moved out of his house, wishing to give his mother and Jii their own time together, before the baby came and interrupted their lives. Kid had moved out of Saguru's bedroom when Kaito moved with with them, instead, sharing Kaito's room so he could be closer with his other half, as well as keeping potential jealousy at bay, not that their seemed to be a problem now that the pair were separated.
Saguru's job has changed in the past month as well. He had been promoted to the second lead of the task force, answering only to Nakamori and his superiors in London. He had also been drafted as a consultant for the gang unit. His 'contact' in the unit had brought Saguru to the attention of his superiors, an action for which Saguru could have killed him, and of course, after it was discovered just how much Saguru knew about the Black organization and it's associates, he was partially re-assigned, leading him into too much overtime and too many heists missed.
But the largest change in their little family was between Conan and Kid. Ever since Conan had been targeted and Kid shot in his place, the pair had been nearly inseparable, becoming closer then those bound by blood...not that there wasn't enough blood between them, most of it spilled on the ground.
Akako herself had been doting on Conan as well, spending most of her time either with Conan and Kid or just Conan alone, which caused a bit of a controversy in the house, knowing her penchant for pheromone magic and using men. But nothing seemed amiss, so everyone left them alone, and the pair continued spending time with the two people who understood them best.
Which was why, on a cold, windy October morning, the pair were cuddled under a large pink blanket by the parlour fireplace, watching a couple across the room, looking away only when the front door opened admitting Kaito, who had rented the van for the week.
"Saguru, your chariot..." he trailed off, staring at the pair all but crushed against the door to the kitchen, eating each other from the mouth down. "How long have they been going at it?" he asked, tilting his head to inspect the pair better.
Conan glanced at his wrist watch, snorting. "Five minutes," he muttered, before turning his attention to watching the flames in the fireplace, bored with the couple making out far too early in the morning.
Akako smiled down at Conan and pulled him in closer to her body, wrapping an arm around the boy.
Kaito rolled his eyes and moved over to the pair, staring at them for a moment before sliding his hand between their mouthes when they paused to re-adjust their angle. He used this hand to push Kid back, interjecting himself between the two before turning to Saguru, ignoring Kid, who was glaring at his back. "It's time to go to work, unless you're investigating what Kid's tonsils are like by feel."
"Right, work." Saguru murmured, looking slightly out of it, still focused on the physical pleasures Kid's mouth had drawn from him.
"Come on, lover boy, time to return to Earth." Kaito muttered, tugging on Saguru's vest. He yelped as he was spun around, meeting Kid's angry blue eyes. He yelped again, or at least tried to, before being silenced by a pair of lips meeting his own. It took him a long, fuzzy moment to real that A. he was, in fact, being kissed and B. he was, in fact, being kissed by someone other then his lover.
He jerked back from the kiss, staring at Kid as he drew a hand over his lips. Shaking his head, he stepped from between the pair, ignoring the looks he was receiving and headed out to the van without a word.
"And just what, dare I ask, was that about?" Saguru asked with a raised eyebrow in Kid's direction.
Kid gave his trademark smirk, leaning in to nuzzle at Saguru's neck, shrugging when Saguru leaned away. "It was just a little teasing between twins, Saguru-chan. It's nothing to worry your cute little dense head about." He patted Saguru's cheek before giving Akako and Conan a boy, heading for his work room.
"Bra," Saguru muttered once Kid was out of earshot.
Akako laughed, pushing her feet closer to the fire. "Problems in your happy little lust bubble?"
Saguru shook his head, straightening his tie and fixing his hair in the mirror. "Kid's a flirt, I knew that long before we started living together." He gave the pair a smile before shrugging on his coat. "He looks for a reaction and I can't help but give it to him." he left, Akako's laughter trailing after him.
--
"Are you mad?" Saguru asked, turning his head to look at Kaito as the other teen turned into the department parking lot.
"No, I'm just...frustrated," Kaito said, glancing at Saguru. "I know he was there first and you love him and all that fun, but...you're alwayswith him. I haven't got a chance to see you alone in weeks."
Saguru smiled, reaching out with his good arm and maneuvering Kaito via a series of tugs into his lap. He tilted Kaito's head kissing Kaito softy, slowly, before slipping his tounge out and brushing it over Kaito's lips, groaning softly as Kaito opened his mouth, allowing the questing tounge inside.
The pair kissed for a long moment, simply enjoying the taste of the other, something they hadn't been able to enjoy between work, school and Kid. Saguru pulled away after a moment, nuzzling Kaito's neck, holding the brunette's hips. "Then how about tonight, we have time alone, without Kid."
Kaito smiled and teased Saguru by pushing his hips down against the blond's, smirking as Saguru groaned, leaning up to kiss Kaito hungrily. "We're alone now," Kaito murmured between kisses, his mouth moving to suck on Saguru's jaw, hips grinding rhythmically against his lover's.
"Yes, but I need to get to work. Even for you, I won't be late," Saguru said, though he was moaning in between words, his own body moving against Kaito's, mouth hungrily sucking on the magician's collar bone.
"After work then," Kaito growled out, lifting Saguru's hand and drawing a finger into his mouth, sucking on it for a moment. "I'll pick you up at six, then we can play around after the Task Force leaves," he whispered against Saguru's palm, running his teeth over the flesh to Saguru's wrist. "I've always wondered what it would be like, to have sex on your desk." He flashed Saguru a wicked grin as he licked the tender flesh of Saguru's inner wrist before kissing him again. "Haven't you ever imagined it, Saguru? Me, bent over your desk, begging you?"
"Mm, only if you show up with a few...extras." Saguru said, grinding up against Kaito's hips, hissing softly.
"Extras?"
Saguru nodded, sucking on Kaito's lower lip, smiling as the brunette moaned. "Your costume."
"My...costume?" Kaito paused for a moment, trying to think of which of his many costumes Saguru could mean before realizing he meant his 'work' clothes. "You kinky bastard!" Kaito laughed, wrapping his arms around Saguru's neck, leaning down for a deep kiss. "Make sure Nakamori's gone," he whispered, lapping at Saguru's lips.
"As you wish."
--
"So why exactly are we here?" Conan asked around the sucker in his mouth, looking up at his brother next to him before looking at the sea of brightly coloured bras and panties. He titled his head, examining one of the mannequins absently wondering how a woman even put the article of clothing displayed on, before looking back at Kid.
"New clothes," Kid said, rolling his own sucker around his mouth.
"For?"
"My sister Kidoko," Kid said with a smirk before taking Conan's hand and venturing deeper into the land of sheer clothing, examining various racks, unsure of what exactly he wanted.
Conan blinked for a moment before shrugging and turning to look through the racks of clothing, stifling giggles over the material he was...fondling. "What about this one, onii-chan? It's nice and bright!" Conan said, holding up a fire engine red thing that was more straps then cloth.
Kid turned to look, examining the object, stroking his chin as he did. "She's more fond of white and blue," he said evenly before returning to his examination.
The salesclerk that was discreetly following them looked rather horrified at the idea Kid was having an eight-year-old help him pick out women's underwear, wondering if she should call children's services on this pervert.
Conan shrugged and put the outfit back onto the rack and sorted through the clothes again before holding up something else. "What about this? It's white."
"I think the word you're looking for is 'clear'," Kid said, taking the hanger from Conan and examining it. "I like it, she'd kill me."
Conan snickered and hung the article back up, humming to himself as he wondered off to search another location, Kid following after a moment, the thief frowning as if he was losing hope of finding something to match his new clothes. He grinned, spotting two pairs of underwear that interested him, holding them out to Conan. "Thong or non-thong, pick one, ototo-chan."
"Ow, mental image," Conan said dryly before pointing to the non-thong.
"Alright, cute and innocent little panties for Kidoko and g-string for Akako."
"Akako-chan likes dark red. Get the scarlet and black lace one. That's close enough, right?" Conan gave Kid his best 'aren't I charming and innocent' look, causing Kid to snort, picking up the one Conan selected.
"I think we should have a talk about you knowing what sort of underwear your girlfriend prefers."
Conan stuck out his tounge, not commenting on Kid knowing Akako's size. "She's not my girlfriend."
"Yet." Kid interrupted.
"Yet. And she has black lace panties, so the bright red has to be okay too."
Kid smirked, ruffling Conan's hair, ignoring the boy's protests. "If she's not your girlfriend yet, then how do you know what sort of panties she wears? I'm not one to judge your perversions." Kid held up a men's white g-string, snickering. "Think I could get a magnifying glass put on these?"
"Short skirts, plus a short me, plus a breeze, well, that and you keep flaking on the laundry." Conan muttered, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"I do not 'flake'." Kid said, his nose rising into the air slightly. "I see no purpose in doing everyone else's laundry when I have to dry clean all of mine." He then blushed slightly, hiding it by examining a black lace bra. "Besides...I don't know how to work the washing machine."
Conan snorted, a bit of a smile curling up the edge of his lips. "Suuure." He decided to change the subject, focusing on the thong still clutched in Kid's left hand. "Do I want to know why and where you want to add a magnifying glass to that?"
"I don't." Kid muttered, blushing harder. "As Kaito I never needed to learn how to use it, that's what we had a mother for." He held up the thong again, smirking. "I was thinking right smack in the front, magnifying what is already too large."
Conan snickered. "So it's not for you then?" he asked teasingly, before ducking the swat Kid aimed at him.
"Keep talking, brat, and we might go underwear shopping for you. I hear Pokemon is hot this year."
"Do it and I'll tell Saguru how much you like Hello Kitty."
"Not scary enough, brother mine. I find Hello Kitty to be an adorable little kitten, I have her vibrator."
"Too much information!" Conan said, clamping his hands over his ears.
Kid smirked, ruffling Conan's hair. "Don't mess with a master, brat."
Conan huffed. "See if I bail you out, next time you and Kidoko need an alibi."
"Hate you. Fine, no Pokemon, but I'm telling Akako you helped pick out her underwear. Have fun being smothered."
Conan blinked, thinking of being smothered by Akako and her wondrous assets. "Thank you kindly, ototo-chan!"
Kid laughed, taking their purchases to the front. "I thought that might cheer you up," he said. "Come on, let's get out of here and go gorge on sugar before going home."
"Saguru's going to kill you."
Kid just grinned.
--
"Invitation to a Halloween party," Saguru held out to Kid as the thief passed.
Kid raised an eyebrow, glancing at the invite. "To me...how odd."
"Not really," Kaito said from next to Saguru, snuggled against his boyfriend. "It's from Keiko."
"That annoying little brunette from your school?"
"She's not annoying and yes. Apparently she heard my cousin was staying with us."
"Word moves quickly though this town. Are you two attending."
Saguru nodded, flipping channels. "Might as well, we don't have any other plans, not to mention it would be nice to see everyone again."
"How sentimental of you," Kid muttered before sitting on the edge of the couch and stealing the remote from Saguru and turning the television back to a documentary on crime. "Costumes are required, so what are you attending as?"
Saguru shrugged. "Probably Holmes."
Both Kid and Kaito stared at the boy before shaking their heads. "Pathetic." Kid muttered, tossing the remote back into Saguru's lap. "I take it you two are going together?" Kid asked, not looking at the pair.
Kaito looked at Saguru before shaking his head. "I thought I'd take Aoko. I...we need to spend some time together."
Saguru smiled, brushing his fingers through Kaito's hair. "I have to work that day, so it would be best if I go alone, that way I don't stand anyone up if something comes up." Saguru said before rolling his head towards Kid. "Unless you want to be my date."
"Na, I'll probably bribe Akako into going with me. She needs some wholesome fun in her life, especially after breaking up with Aoko."
"She has been rather down, hasn't she? Think we should set her up with someone?" Kaito asked, scratching his nose before snuggling more against Saguru.
"Na, I think she's working on that already." Kid said with a small, soft smile on his face.
"Oh really, who?" Saguru asked, looking up at his lover, raising an eyebrow at that smile on Kaito's face.
Kid smiled at Saguru and leaned in, kissing him deeply. "You'll find out soon enough, Saguru-chan."
--
"I didn't expect you to show up, especially not like this," Akako said, taking the arm of the vampire next to her and allowing him to escort her out to the small garden in front of Keiko's house.
"Yes, well, there was something I needed to do."
"A visit with your old girlfriend?" Akako asked, sitting on the bench, scooting over to make room for her escort.
"Partially. I called Ran after you left, she...wasn't happy with what I had to tell her."
"Oh, and what was that?"
"That I couldn't return home...ever. That I was settling down to start a new life undercover and I wouldn't be leaving it, even after my case was finished."
"Shinichi..."
The teenager next to her pressed his finger to Akako's lips. "I made my choice, Akako. I can't keep living two lives and there's little to no chance that I'll be able to return to being Kudo Shinichi." He gave a heavy sigh, removing his hand from her mouth, staring up at the night sky above them. "When this first happened, I was angry...and frustrated. Everything I had worked for, gone. I was a child...no one paid attention to children, no one listened...and I couldn't do a fucking thing about it." He took her hand, turning to look at her. "Then I met Ai...Shiho...she had lost everything so many times over...her parents, her sister, her freedom...her life, and yet, she could still smile, she could still live, far more then I ever really did. And then came Kid, who had nothing and...then you. Each of you grasped so tightly to the things that gave you life, and I was just there...floating. I knew then that I had to keep moving, keep trying, but then Ai died and I lost my focus...I lost everything." He gave her hand a squeeze. "If it hadn't been for you, Akako, I wouldn't have even this life. I would have given up...given in." He leaned in, kissing her cheek.
"So, you've decided to stop being a shadow and live?" She asked lightly, smiling at him.
He nodded, releasing her hand and leaning back on the bench. "I will probably never be Kudo Shinichi after tonight and...I'm okay with that. It might suck sometimes, being Conan, but I have chances I never had before. I have a brother who cares for me in his own twisted way, I have a mother and a father who care about me enough to accept the fact I'm eighteen trapped as an eight-year-old, I have...well, I have Saguru and Kaito, whatever they are...and I have you."
"You would have had me either way, Shinichi, eight or eighteen."
"Yes but," Shinichi took her hand again, turning to look at her. "Akako, if I had never become Conan, never lived with Ran, I never would have met Kaito again that night on the hotel rooftop, I never would have chased after him, and in turn, never met you. When I was Shinichi...everything had been planned out. I was going to propose to Ran, get married, have kids, be world famous for being the best detective around...and now, I'll have none of that, and I'm starting to think that's the way things were meant to be."
"Shinichi..."
"I don't love Ran, not like I used to, or at least how I thought I used to. I'm not even sure I ever really did. I love...Akako, I want to be with you. Every moment I'm with you it's like something perfect has come into place in my life, completing the picture. And I know I don't have anything to offer you, not with my life this screwed up, and I understand if you would rather run the other way or laugh at me or slap me or anything...I..." Shinichi's eyes widened as a pair of lips sealed over his, silencing him.
His eyes slid shut, and his hands slid up to wrap around Akako's waist as her own arms went around his neck, holding each other as they kissed gently, softly. After a moment Akako pulled away, smiling, reaching out to brush her thumb over his lips, removing traces of her red lipstick.
"I would never run away, Shinichi." She said softly, before holding his hand again. "And I don't care that your life is screwed up, I'm a witch who can manipulate people's hearts and minds, the fact that you're an eight-year-old physically chased by a gang organization doesn't really scare me."
Shinichi smiled, leaning in to steal another kiss from her. "You're sure?" he asked softly, his thumb stroking over her hand.
"Positive. Nothing will scare me away, not your age, not your past, not even the fact I have to wait a good eight years before we can really be together."
Shinichi smiled and pulled her closer, holding her. "It's going to be a long eight years, my seductress."
Akako laughed, curling into him, breathing deeply the scent that was so familiar as both Shinichi and Conan. "I can handle it if you can."
--
"I'm glad you came with me," Kaito whispered against Aoko's ear, holding her close as they swayed to the music. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Aoko whispered, raising her head and kissing the corner of Kaito's mouth. "I'm sorry."
"What for?" Kaito asked, pulling away a bit to look down into Aoko's face, brushing a bang from in front of her eyes.
"Being such a bitch. I...I should have handled things better. I should have listened and not just...yelled. I should have been the best friend I was supposed to be."
Kaito smiled softly and kissed Aoko's nose. "You were exactly what you were supposed to be, Aoko. I knew, that when I told you, it wouldn't' go well. You're a Nakamori, after all. Born and breed to uphold the rules of law and order."
Aoko smiled, resting her head on Kaito's shoulder. "Still could have been a better friend. I...I'm happy, that you're not the one behind the monocle anymore. I know it's selfish but I'd rather it be Kid caught or Kid running from the organization instead of you, and I feel so bad for that, because I know you care about him but...I want you safe."
"Trust me, Aoko, I understand how you feel." He rested his head against hers. "I...I feel the same terror, every time he steps out into the night. He's my other half...my...I can't describe it, but it scares me to my very core, to think he might not return home."
Aoko was silent for a moment before shifting, looking up at him. "You love him," she said, making it a statement.
"I...I don't know. I feel like I shouldn't, and I love Saguru, but every time he holds me...there's something there that weeps for joy."
Aoko smiled, spinning for a moment before returning to his arms. "You can love more then one person, Kaito. I may have grown-up believing in fairy tales and happily ever after, but I know for damn sure there's no such thing as soul mates...though you and Kid come awfully close." She tapped his nose at that. "Besides, doesn't your boyfriend love two people?"
"I'm not sure. Does he really love both of us...or does he love who we were, when we were together?"
Aoko laughed at that, pulling Kaito even closer. "For all your similarities, you and Kiden are very, very different people, Kaito. There is no way to confuse the two of you, not to someone who knows you both."
"E-nough about my love life, what about you, how is your love life going?"
"Eh, I've given up on it. For now anyway. I think it's time I got my head on straight before I go chasing any more dreams. Dad wants me to go to France anyway, he has a friend in the special operations unit in Paris that is willing to get me into their training program."
"Special ops?" Kaito said, raising an eyebrow.
Aoko nodded, spinning again. "Japan's nice and all, but I want to see more, experience different things, and this is a good chance to bulk up my resume for the force when I return, skip rookie detail. Plus they're going to help me fast track my education, I can earn my degree sooner and return home to a real job, like on the Task Force or in Riot, perhaps even the gang units."
"I...I never really thought you cared that much about police work."
Aoko laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Silly, just because I can't help you commit crime, doesn't mean I can't help you against the organization. I don't like Kaitou Kid, but I hate them a lot more." She kissed him softly before pulling away, heading to the bar for a drink.
--
The ringing phone woke the house out of their slightly hungover sleep, followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor. Saguru blinked at Kid who had fallen out of the bed, snickering as the thief attempted to fend off the evil blanket monster, before reaching over to the phone, silencing it's ringing with a flick of his wrist, bringing the unit to his ear. "Hello?"
"Ah, Hakuba-san?" an un-familiar voice asked and Saguru's eyebrows drew in, as he held up a hand to keep Kid silent.
"Yes, may I ask who is calling?"
"Officer Chiba of Investigative Group One, Tokyo Police...I'm calling in regard to a party you and your roommates attended last night."
Saguru sat up, motioning for Kid to put the call on speaker phone. The thief did so, raising a curious eyebrow at his lover. "What about it?"
"Ah...well, there's been an incident arising from the occasion and we wished to speak with you and your roommates regarding it, if you could come down to the local koban..."
"Ah, Chiba-san, what exactly is this regarding?" Kid asked, yawning. "We can of course, give you statements regarding the party last night, but it would be helpful if we could know what exactly we're being questioned about."
Chiba was silent for a moment before clearing his throat. "Just please meet us at the koban." he said before hanging up. Saguru and Kid shared a look before getting up to get dressed and rouse the rest of the household.
--
The six teenagers (for Shinichi had not yet turned back into Conan) made their way into the small koban, ushered quickly into the back where they were promptly separated into six individual rooms. The team drew lots to see who would interview who, with Megure selecting Shinichi simply because of the pair's long history together.
He entered the room and sat across from Shinichi, staring at the eighteen-year-old, eyeballing him for a long moment before smacking the table. "And where the hell have you been?"
Shinichi started, not expecting the question though he thought he should have. He glanced around the room before looking at Megure again. "Are the recorders on?"
Megure shook his head. "I'm quite aware of your recent fetishism for privacy."
Shinichi nodded and took a breath. "I've been...working on a case. Stupid story I know but a true one. I got caught up in something and had to lay low for a while while working it out. I'm only here until tonight, visiting my girlfriend."
"Ah, Ran-chan?"
"Er, no. Ran and I aren't...things are different between us, since this case. Koizumi Akako is my girlfriend."
"The fiery little girl that came in with you?"
Shinichi nodded, sipping the water that was provided. "Yeah, I met her a while back at a Kaitou Kid heist and just...fell for her." He smiled fondly, making Megure smile, thinking of his own wife.
"You've got it bad, kid. Anyway, we brought you in because we need your statement of what happened last night, anything and everything you can recall."
"Inspector, what exactly happened last night? I'll admit not everything was above board, there was a bit of drinking here and there and...other activities, but nothing that should have called you guys in."
Megure sighed, resting his head on his chest for a moment before shoving the file he had brought with him across the table to Shinichi. "It's bad, Shinichi."
Shinichi frowned and opened the file. The first picture staring up at him almost made him lose what little breakfast he had managed to shove down on the way to the koban, a reaction he hadn't had since his first murder. "What the..."
"According to my notes," Megure said, pulling out his battered notebook as Shinichi flipped through the pictures, each worse then the last. "Around thirty teenager attended last nights party, hosted by one Momoi Keiko. At around ten pm, two witnesses saw yourself, Koizumi Akako, Hakuba Saguru, Kuroba Kaito and Edogowa Kiden leaving the party," Here Megure trailed off and looked up at Shinichi. "Edogowa...any relation to Conan-kun?"
Shinichi nodded. "Kiden is Conan's older brother as well as Kaito and my cousin."
"Interesting. Anyway, at around 5am this morning, we received a call from the locals out here, requesting our presence at the local high school. Upon arrival we found...well, you can see it in the pictures."
Shinichi closed the folder, closing his eyes as if he could remove the memory of the images by force. "Does Saguru know about this yet?"
"Not unless Sato told him, no."
Shinichi nodded and took a long drink of water. "I arrived at the party later then the others, I had trouble getting my costume together. I arrived around eight and found the other five."
"What were they doing?"
Shinichi closed his eyes, picturing the scene in his head. "Saguru and Kiden were in a corner, I think Kiden was attempting to feed Saguru a strawberry from his daiquiri. Kaito and Aoko were on the dance floor, though they were stepping on each other's feet more then dancing. Akako was at the bar, in the process of getting a drink."
"Alright, and then?"
"I asked Akako to step outside with me, so we could have a moment alone. We were out there for around half an hour talking, when we returned to the party. Kiden was now dancing with Kaito while Aoko and Saguru talked on the couch about her possibly moving to France for a while. Akako and I joined the pair on the couch, debating the pros and cons of moving overseas, and we were joined by Kiden and Kaito an hour later. We all had a round of drinks before deciding to walk home, since the babysitter would need to be relieved of Conan-kun."
"Who was this babysitter, we'll need to talk with her."
"Him, and I have his card somewhere," Shinichi said, fishing out a silver card case. He found the card and slid it over to Megure.
"Alright, now do you remember anything or anyone strange?"
"Not...really. Just your normal bunch of eighteen-year-olds, oh, and the bartender, some friend of Momoi-chan's brother."
Megure nodded, making notes on his pad. He sighed, rubbing his chin. "Alright, so far, adding in your account of the night, we have a pretty normal gathering of kids, up until sometime around eleven pm where it seems everyone at the party just dropped dead, now tox isn't back yet on the group, but the going suspicion is poison. Only one person was left alive, until her death at 2am."
"One person...you mean..." Shinichi glanced at the file and paled.
Megure nodded. " Momoi-kun died sometime after her friends, and the corner is saying she died at the drop site."
"Can I...can I go to the scene?"
"Which one?" Megure muttered before waving his hand. "The house hasn't been fully cleared yet, but I guess I can take you down to the school. Just so you know, it's not pretty."
"I can guess that," Shinichi said, swallowing.
--
There were some sights in life, that no one, no matter what age or experience, should ever see. Staring at the twenty-four long poles buried in the front lawn of Ekoda High School, blood stains still shining in the morning light, some with bodies still attached was definitely one of them.
Aoko had taken one look at the scene and promptly vomited, quickly escorted away from the scene by police before she contaminated the evidence. Akako looked on the verge of a fiery rage, and the boys...the boys simply stared, their brains almost trying to shut down in order to block out the horror.
They had been privy to the police reports on the way over, to better prepare themselves for what they were about to see, but nothing, no words on paper, could prepare them for the mutilated bodies of people they had gone to school with, grew up with. And the knowledge that one of their close friends, someone they cared about had been alive, had watched her classmates dead bodies tortured and then hung up like so much meat before the same was done to her, before she died, impaled on one of those pikes...
Not even Kaito's perfect poker face could keep the horror from his eyes.
Shinichi and Kid had the luxury of detachment. These weren't their friends, their lovers, hell for the most part they were strangers, many now faceless lumps on poles. They could pretend that this was just another case, just another show. That the bodies didn't have names, didn't have lives...weren't with them just a few short hours ago, laughing, smiling and planning their futures.
"Why...why would someone do this?" Akako whispered, clutching tightly to Kaito's arm. "Why them? And why not us?"
"Would you rather it be you, Little Miss?" Kid asked, looking down at her.
"Yes! I would rather it be me then them! They were innocents!"
"No one is innocent," Saguru muttered, before going quiet as Officer Chiba approached.
"We've finished the preliminary examinations of the remaining bodies." he said softly, offering his clipboard to Megure. "They all bear the same mark."
Mark? Shinichi and Saguru perked up at this. A mark, one on all the victims, was a clue, and any clue...any path to the madman that had created this macabre display, was a good thing.
Megure sighed heavily, before passing the clipboard over to Shinichi.
Your turn.
-Rum