Hello everyone! I'm not quite sure where I am going to take this, and updates might be a bit irregular but I hope you all enjoy. Any feedback or critiques if they are constructive are greatly appreciated. This chapter references episodes 227, 230, and 231. I hope I get Akai's personality right. if not you all can yell at me. I own absolutely nothing. Everything belongs to Gosho.

I sighed as I stepped off the airplane and took a deep breath, eying my surroundings. Ah, Tokyo. It had been a long time since I had been here, after I went to America. I had needed time away after I was uncovered as a double agent in the organization, so I kept my head low in America for a while, taking smaller jobs that wouldn't attract attention from the crows. It was high time I returned however. Jodie had called me earlier this week, telling me of a possible lead. Speaking of Jodie, I see the blond waving across the parking lot.

"Shu!"

I stepped toward her and am pleased to see my chevy truck behind her. She handed me the keys and I stepped into the driver's seat.

"How was the flight Shu?"

I nodded, glancing at her as I turned the key over in the ignition, starting the truck with a grumbling purr.

"Long, as usual. How are you Jodie?"

Jodie smiled from the passenger seat.

"Doing well. I have taken up a job as an English teacher at a nearby high school."

I turned my eyes back on the road, gripping the wheel. Small talk was fine, after all I hadn't seen the agent in a while, however I am anxious to get to the main topic.

"What kind of lead do you have?"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Jodie's usually happy face sink into grave professionalism.

"I think I have found Vermouth."

I nodded. I had figured that was the case when Jodie suggested Rotten Apple as their codename. My fingers itched to have that woman that I have been chasing for so long behind bars.

"Any information?"

Jodie turned to the front, watching the road.

"I believe she is disguised as a man named Dr. Araide. I have already placed the real Dr. Araide in witness protection to make sure that she didn't kill him and take his place, making it look like an accident. I am trying to see what her goal is so I am observing her for awhile."

So Jodie practically already knew who Vermouth was. It was better to know where the enemy was instead of flailing blindly, especially with a disguise expert such as Vermouth. So now we wait and observe her and hope we get something interesting from her.

"Do you have a file on her?"

Jodie ruffled through her bag.

"Yes I can give it to you before you go to your apartment."

"Anything useful?"

Jodie seemed to pause in her movements.

"There seem to be three people she is interested in particular."

I glance over at her. Vermouth 'interested' in people means they could end up dead in the near future. Although, we might be able to use these people in order to trap her. We would have to have them on constant surveillance if that was the case. I stopped at a red light and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with my lighter.

"Oh? Who are they?"

She held up one of three pictures. One was of a familiar girl with long brown hair and almost purple eyes. I narrowed mine. I had seen her before, but where? Ah, in New York, when I was hunting Vermouth who was pretending to be a serial killer to lure me out. She was crying in an alleyway. Why was Vermouth interested in her of all people?

"This is Mouri Ran. Vermouth calls her Angel for some reason. She is in my class at school and is bright and kind, but other than that I don't see anything unusual about her. I don't know if she is trying to recruit her for the organization, but I doubt she would join them."

Hmm, no, that girl didn't have what it takes to become part of the organization. She seems like the type that would never hurt another. Vermouth is interested in her for another reason. The light turned green and I pushed forward on the gas pedal.

"The other two?"

"This is Edogawa Conan."

I glanced over. I didn't get a very strong impression from the picture. I just saw a typical Japanese boy, around six, maybe seven years old. He had brown hair with a tuft of a cowlick in the back, and blue eyes hidden behind glasses that looked right at home in the eighties. I understood Vermouth's choice of interest even less in this one then the girl. I raised an eyebrow at Jodie.

"What does she want with a kid?"

Jodie shrugged.

"I've met him once, and he seems to be very intelligent. She calls him 'Cool Guy', although he is a little young for a guy don't you think? He is interesting to say the least. He is like a miniature detective."

Hmm, I look at the picture again. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something. I will think more on that later.

"The last one?"

"I don't know who this is, but I think that Vermouth is trying to kill her. There was a dart and a big X on her picture."

I stiffen as I did recognize this one. Sherry. Why was Vermouth trying to kill her? Did she finally escape the organization like Akemi wanted? Did they both escape? That was fantastic news if it was. I gripped the wheel tightly in between my fingers.

"So do we have a plan?"

There had to be a way for us to corner Vermouth.

"I have been getting close to her as we both work at the same school. I am going to conveniently meet up this Saturday. Would you like to tag along?"

Hmm, there were pros and cons to that strategy. Letting Vermouth know that I am back in Japan when she has clearly seen my face before might be dangerous as the organization would have its eyes out for me. On the other hand, her acknowledging my presence means she would be more hesitant in doing anything big with her knowing that I have my eye on her. Also with two FBI agents with her, she might get nervous, slip up, and expose something which will allow us to catch her.

"All right."

I pulled up to Jodie's apartment. She stepped out and turned back.

"It's good to have you back Shu. James would like for you to report to him too."

I nodded, as she shut the door, my lips curling into a hungry smile. I was ready to hunt the crows again. Yes, it was good to be back.

I coughed into the cold mask and groaned inwardly. Of course I would catch a cold within a few days of returning to Japan. Japan weather was a slightly different from the US, and it would take some time to get used to it again. Ah well, a cold will make Vermouth lower her guard. I doubt that an actress like her will make a mistake in her disguise, but I will have to keep an eye on her just in case.

I saw Jodie and 'Dr. Araide' board the bus. I waited about a minute before getting on myself, trying to ease the suspicion of me tailing them slightly. I pushed past the people and take a second to scope out the bus. There was Jodie sitting next to Dr. Araide. Sitting behind them was what looked like a little girl in a red coat who had her hood up and Edogawa Conan. Oh, so I get to meet him in person? Maybe I can figure out the mystery of why Vermouth has taken a liking to the kid.

I stalked back toward the back of the bus, my eyes not deviating from the path lest I give anything away. I almost hesitate though as I felt a fierce gaze on me, watching my every move. It wasn't Vermouth, she was busy talking with Jodie. No, it was the boy.

As I walked past him I felt his attention fall on me. The pressure was unbelievable from a child, something that I had only learned as an agent. This boy was intense. Did he think I was an agent or something? I wasn't about to give him any more reason to be suspicious of me however, so I didn't make eye contact with him as I sat in the back of the bus, eyes forward, watching him and Vermouth out of my peripheral.

This boy was strange, but I don't think he is overly special. Why did Vermouth have such a fascination with him? What did he have that interested her? Well maybe I will just observe for now, and see just what Edogawa Conan really is.

My thoughts were interrupted as I noticed two men exhibiting strange behavior at the front of the bus. They were already in skiing attire, which was understandable as it seems some of the people on the bus were going to a ski resort, if the children on the other side of the bus talking animatedly about it were any indication. So that shouldn't be that big of a deal, but they were ruffling through their skiing bags for something, and they had their faces covered for the most part. Something was definitely fishy about them. Apparently I wasn't the only one either. The boy was watching them with interest also, observing their actions.

Suddenly they both pulled out guns.

"Everyone stay still!"

Oh crap. Busjackers. Man did they pick the wrong bus to hijack or what, with two FBI agents and a possible assassin on board. I just sat back, waiting for a chance. I would rather not blow my cover here, but if things got dicey I knew I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. One of the hijackers shot a gun into the roof, trying to be intimidating.

"Everyone be quiet. Do as I say."

The other hijacker ordered the busdriver to drive with their no service sign on while the one with the gun started collecting cell phones. Now what could their objective be? Oh, a release of a prisoner. I see. What a roundabout way to do it. Dragging other people into their problems. What a pain.

I immediately played off that I didn't have a cellphone. I could possibly contact James, but I should probably just wait until something panned out.

Suddenly the guy tripped. I tensed instinctively, ready to react, before I realized that I couldn't do anything with the other man up front with another gun. I glanced at Jodie who had casually tripped the guy with her foot. Falling into her ditzy foreigner persona, she apologized, switching the safety on the gun with apparent ease. Perfect. Now that created a chance, something we could use in the future. It would at least give a second or two of an opening.

"What are you doing?"

I watch impassively as the hijacker grabbed Edogawa Conan by his throat, throwing him bodily to the floor. A communication device it looked like clattered beside him. What an interesting toy. Oh, did he try to contact the police? That was reckless boy. These are men with guns you know. The man confiscated the item, but the boy just rubbed his head, not deterred in the slightest. Wait a second; the child was hidden behind Jodie and the seat. There should have been no way that they saw him from the front of the bus, unless of course that there was another one on the bus somewhere. To be able to see the entire bus they would need to be in the back.

No sooner had I had the thought crossed my mind, the boy turned toward the back, scanning the back row, letting his eyes rove over me several times before he smirked. Wait, did he also have the same thought? I coughed into my hand as I watched him sit back down, no longer in danger. I know Jodie said he was intelligent, but the fact that he came up with the same deduction at the same time I did was something else entirely.

I watched the other two beside me out of the corner of my eye. The man beside me had the 'hearing aid' but he hadn't said a word, and the hijackers didn't have any ear piece, so he couldn't be the one. Was it the woman? Probably, but how was she signaling them? I couldn't see without making a spectacle of myself because the old guy was in the way. I would have to lean way forward and look straight at her, which would attract unwanted attention. Instead I took to watching Edogawa Conan, making sure to keep my gazes light. Something told me if I looked too hard he would feel it. I didn't need him to suspect me.

Suspect me? I am talking like this boy is an agent. He is not, but why do I get that vibe from him?

The busjackers are lining up the ski bags up in the aisle. Hmm. That is unusual. I watch the boy, and sure enough I see the little cowlick of hair disappear in the seat as he ducks down, trying to get a better look I suspect. Does this boy just like playing with fire? It's like he is trying to get himself shot. Although, this might be a ploy for him to try to find the third hijacker. The more he acts up, it gives him more chances to see how the woman is signaling to the front of the bus.

Sure enough the leader stomped back, gun out and pointed at the young boy's temple.

"You again!"

Everything froze. I readied myself to move. The boy just seemed to stiffen, looking up at the hijacker.

"If you want to die this badly, I will grant your wish. Eh boy? Stand up."

Edogawa Conan slowly stood and I could see the defiance in his stance, and I don't need to see his eyes to know he is glaring at the is up with this kid? Any normal elementary school student would be cowering in fear, but he is just standing there, looking up at the man, almost daring him to do his worst. He was about to get himself killed, but he wasn't at all remorseful about it. He seemed to have some intelligence, but an impatient stupid recklessness that was going to get him killed. I see Jodie tense in her seat as well, ready to act.

"Please stop. He's just a curious child. They met your demands. Wouldn't it ruin your plans if you killed one of us now?"

I blinked in surprise as Dr. Ariade jumped in front of the boy. Vermouth really does care about this kid. But why? Last time I had checked she was a cold heartless assassin, who didn't care about anyone except herself. Why would she sacrifice her own self for this child? Sure enough, the hijacker gets angry, threatening to shoot the supposed doctor, when the other one stops him.

"What if the bullets hit one of the bags?"

Oh? Now that is interesting. So that must mean these were explosives. They weren't planning on letting us leave alive, probably killing all of us while they escape. This just keeps getting better and better.

I stiffen as I feel the intense gaze once again. I coughed into my hand. I couldn't communicate that I think it was the woman, because I am a suspect too. He wouldn't trust a word from a suspect. Although, will he be able to figure it out by himself? I felt the gaze leave and let myself give him a short look. He was now looking at the man next to me, eyes narrowed and focused into an intelligent glare. No, I think he will.

At least the woman is giving him plenty of chances, as the hijacker apprehended the old man across the aisle for taking cold medicine. Ah, they are asking to get on the highway, deviating from our route of going in circles. They are making their move. If I am going to do something it needs to be soon.

"Hey you with the glasses, and you with the mask. Come up here."

I freeze. Are they going to kill us? Vermouth seemed to have the same idea as she didn't move either. The man grinned.

"Hurry up. We won't kill you."

I stand, moving as slowly as possible. Oh, I see. They plan to make us look like the hijackers. Wow, how ironic, old comrades in arms, dying as the bad guys. How poetic. I scoffed as I slowly stepped out into the aisle. I see Jodie bend down, picking up a notebook. Where did that come from? I glanced down at the note as I passed by.

Do you have any lipstick?

Oh? Was this from the boy? Did he have a plan? I stepped toward the front of the bus, making sure to step into the hijacker's line of sight so he couldn't see the transaction. Now, how was a six year old boy going to fight three busjackers with a tube of lipstick? It should be interesting to see in the very least.

The men ordered us to put on the skiwear in the darkness of the tunnel. I kept my movements smooth in the darkness, pulling the shirt and hat over my head. I also brushed my hands with Vermouth several times, trying to feel if it was indeed a disguise. Unfortunately she ripped her hand away every time so that I couldn't feel it.

Doubt of the third busjacker's identity was erased as they told the woman that she was going as a hostage for security. Something was happening in the back too. I heard hushed voices, barely audible over the hum of the engine, and the man speaking to us about us filling in for them. My guess is that they will take their associate as a 'hostage' to make sure they aren't followed and then as soon as they are away blow up the bus. They could always lie to the police and say we were arguing and blew up the bus accidentally. There had to be something I could do right?

"Speed up."

Ah we are leaving the tunnel. My window of opportunity to act is closing fast.

"Don't worry, you all will live as long as you cooperate."

"I don't think so."

I turned slightly, seeing the boy standing in his seat. He looked innocent enough, asking in childish curiosity.

"Aren't you planning to kill everyone on this bus after you get off?"

Was this boy stupid? Was this his grand plan? This was the third time he will have almost gotten shot by these people. You can't just blatantly tell a criminal their plan as they are holding guns to people's heads.

"If you are planning on letting us go, what are these bombs for?"

He and the old man that also had a cold, held up the ski case. Wait, writing, in red lipstick. What did that say? Oh, I understood the plan a split second before the driver did and braced myself as the driver slammed on the breaks, throwing everyone forward. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the little girl brace the older man in the back, while two other boys jumped on the other bomb, keeping it still. Was that what the hushed voices were? Did he tell them what he was going to do and ordered them to take care of certain other things? He was like a little commander, pointing out where his troops should go in strategic accuracy. Interesting.

I smirked inwardly as the bus skidded to a stop. A crude plan, so many things could have gone wrong, but considering what the boy had to work with, remarkable that he came up with what he did.

There was a few seconds of stillness as everyone recovered. I felt the robber that was across my legs stir, trying to get up. I rose as well preparing to knock him unconscious as he focused on the boy sprinting up the aisle. I was just ready to deliver the blow, when to my surprise he slumped forward unconscious. I barely had time to register the fact that the boy was lowering a watch when he shouted.

"Araide Sensei, restrain that woman's arms. Her watch is the switch for the bombs."

He figured that out then, and not only that he figured out the switch for the bombs? This kid…geez. Vermouth grabbed the woman as Jodie dealt with the other busjacker. I watched carefully, ready to step in in case she needed help, which she didn't.

"Let me go, we've got to get out of here!"

I turned back to the woman who Vermouth was holding.

"I must have hit the switch when the driver stopped the bus. The bombs are going to blow."

Oh great. I quickly grabbed at the busjackers as everyone else fled the scene. Just because they were criminals didn't mean they deserved to explode. I was just about to pull one of them over my shoulder when I heard many feet clatter on the bus.

"Here Sir, you need to get out of here.

Ah police. Convenient. I followed them off the bus quickly sprinting away, looking carefully for my targets. Jodie and Vermouth were accounted for but Edogawa Conan had disappeared. I didn't look behind me as I sprinted behind a fence, stiffening as I felt the shockwave and heat from the bomb as it exploded. I turned and saw the boy with what looks like the girl that was sitting next to him on the bus skidding across the pavement. So that's where he went.

I checked and it seemed everyone was ok. Jodie and Vermouth were standing with the boy a little way away. I tried to make eye contact with her, but she continues to watch Vermouth, who was fussing over the boy who had a huge scrape on his arm from his stunt.

"All right everyone, we need to question the passengers."

I stepped toward the bus they had for the witnesses, pulling out the mic from my pocket, whispering to James.

"There was an incident that hindered the operation. The target didn't show. I will continue the search later."

If Dr. Araide was Vermouth, she hid it very well, but it was expected of the actress. She would slip up eventually. The best bet now would be to try to find Sherry so we could protect her, that is if she was still alive.

Edogawa Conan huh? Jodie was right. He wasn't exactly normal. He was a little rash, stupidly brave for a six year old, but in the end he had been the one to come up with a decent plan to take care of the robbers considering the situation and lack of real weapons or tools. I was wrong when I concluded that it was an assassin and two FBI agents were the only threat to the hijackers. That boy, when he grew up, would be a terrifying hunter of criminals. I smirked as I followed the woman officer onto the bus. Maybe I needed to research more on this boy. In the meantime, I would try to find Akemi.