Timeline/Spoilers: THIS "OMAKE" SPOILS EVERYTHING IN THIS FANFIC IF YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER. Look at the author's notes to know why.

Disclaimer: Gosho Aoyama owns Detective Conan, Magic Kaito, and any related characters. I only own this plotline.

Author's Notes: I'm a jerk.

No, I don't care what anyone says. I'm a complete jerk for making everyone (and, yes, this includes you too, Elaienar, if you're reading this) wait so long for a new chapter. The fact is that I'm a procrastinator and a perfectionist, a combination that is common but so very deadly. Even now, I'm giving myself another few weeks to re-read the ENTIRE Detective Conan and Magic Kaito series and watch all the movies/OVAs, just so I know I can write this fanfic well. I just ... I feel so guilty for not updating for almost a year. So, I've given any readers I have an awkwardly wrapped present as my apology.

The snippets below are the first incarnations of The Red Carpet Treatment, covering a little over half the proposed plot. While the "official" story has gone in a different direction, most of the basic information (and a few good lines) haven't changed. Please keep in my mind that I find a lot of this writing out of character or at odds with my chosen style for this fic, it has not been edited by me or by my lovely beta, and this is really just something for all of you to laugh over while I get the real thing written. I'm planning on deleting this when I've completed the second chapter, because there are so many spoilers here, it's not even funny.

... Okay, maybe a little funny. And, yes, that is a cliffhanger at the end. XD

The Red Carpet Treatment

A Detective Conan / Magic Kaito fanfic by isadorathegreat

Last Penny: OMAKE

"So, I got Hiwatari-kun to help me bust the door open. He's a good kid, even if he's a little enthusiastic about catching that bastard thief."

"And what happened when you got on the roof? Oh, here, let me top off your drink."

"Ah, thank you! Well, I saw him standing on the ledge. It was a full moon, you know - he always likes things dramatic - so I could see the Nile's Teardrops in his hands, but -" The inspector broke off into a growl of frustration.

"What? What was he doing?"

"He was juggling the Nile's Teardrops!"

Kogoro let out a properly scandalized gasp. "No!"

"Yes! And when he saw me, he said something like -" Here, he adopted a mocking, high tone. "'It's not what I'm looking for.'" His voice returned to its normal gruffness."And then he threw them at me!"

"But - but they're the two biggest sapphires in Africa!" Kogoro looked absolutely flabbergasted. Conan couldn't help sympathizing. He knew the so-called gentleman thief was careless sometimes, but this …

"I know! That guy jumped off the roof while I was catching the jewels. When I looked up, he was already flying away on that damned hang glider." Inspector Nakamori leaned back in his chair and took a deep gulp from the cup in his hand.

Conan felt the cold glare of doom behind him. He turned and saw an absolutely infuriated Ran heading in his direction. Immediately, he did the most sensible thing.

He dove under a table.

While it had been interesting to watch Occhan and Inspector Nakamori get drunk together, Conan was not willing to die for it.

When she reached her father's seat, Ran immediately started in on her father.

"Otou-san! Where have you been?!" she yelled. Kogoro tried to hide his champagne, but Ran saw it and took it from him. She examined the glass for a moment before her sharp eyes landed on her father's sweating face.

"Have you been drinking?" Ran's voice was ominously low and her expression left no room for mercy should his answer be wrong.

"N-now, Ran-chan, let's be reasonable -"

In the privacy of Conan's mind, the sound of a buzzer echoed. The look on Ran's face darkened and he felt rather than saw the glass shatter in her hand.

'Note to self: If I ever tell Ran about how I've been lying to her for the past year, make sure that I'm very far away at the time.

Preferably Hawaii.'

"I can't believeyou! We come to this party to have a good time and all you do is get drunk! And you even dragged Inspector Nakamori into …!"

As Ran continued scolding her father, Conan slipped out from underneath the table and walked until he could no longer hear her over the noise of the other guests. He detoured to the nearest ice sculpture, which was delicately perched on top of another table. This particular carving depicted a frozen swan in flight and appetizers made from various birds were arranged around it. Conan popped one of the hors d'oeuvres into his mouth and he couldn't help but smile as the taste of flaky pastry, curried chicken and dried apricots flooded his mouth.

When Kogoro had first managed to get his hands on tickets to the ball, Conan had not been looking forward to it. He almost said no until he saw how excited Ran was. She almost overturned the dinner table in her hurry to hug her father. So, he had grudgingly agreed to attend the Tokyo Annual Policemen's Ball.

Although he had to go through the embarrassment of buying a new suit with Ran, the evening wasn't an absolute disaster. The food was delicious and the ballroom itself was amazing to look at. The walls were adorned with gold cloth that shimmered in the light of three enormous chandeliers hanging above them. Glazed wood stretched across the floors and, with music provided by a live band, couples found them perfect for dancing on. Chairs and tables covered in white cloth lined the edges of the room. Placed on the tables were large vases of flowers, fantastic statues made of ice, and the hors d'oeuvres Conan found himself liking so much. There were even bars at every corner of the room, serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Still, the ball would have been much more interesting if he could have grown up and become Kudo Shinichi again. There would have been fans in higher classes of society to ask him about his cases, he could have conversed with the guests instead of having to avoid being stepped on by them, and he may have even asked Ran for a dance …

But Edogawa Conan couldn't return to being the Detective of the East by just wishing for it. And because he was Edogawa Conan, he found the ball more boring then it should have been.

At least a break in the monotony came when Inspector Nakamori stopped by their table to say hello. Kogoro had convinced the man to sit down and relax despite his protests (Occhan was frighteningly persuasive when he was drunk). After a few glasses of rum, the inspector had opened up and began talking about his encounters with the infamous thief Kaitou Kid. Conan found himself listening to the intimate - and probably confidential - details of the cases with something akin to fascination when the ignored Ran had shown up, spitting hellfire.

'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,' Conan recalled as he munched on a biscuit.

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped his shoulder. Conan bit back a yelp and broke away. His tense muscles only relaxed when he saw the hand belonged to someone with a lanky frame, a dark complexion, and a huge grin.

"Hattori!" Conan cried out in relief and embarrassment. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"I didn't know anyone but Nee-chan could ruffle your feathers like that, Kudo," snickered Hattori.

Conan reddened a little but steadfastly ignored the stab.

"I told you not to call me that," he reminded the Osaka detective. "More importantly, what are you doing here and what are you wearing?"

Hattori Heiji leaned back and Conan could see clearly that he was dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a black shirt, a sports jacket, and his ever present baseball cap, which tucked all but a few locks of his dark hair away. It looked especially strange among the sleek tuxedos and glittering dresses of the other guests.

"The invitation said 'Black Tie Optional'," drawled Hattori, waving it in the would-be teen's face. Conan snatched it from his hand.

"I don't think they meant thatoptional," he grumbled. Hattori shrugged.

"Heiji!"

Both detectives turned to see a girl in a green party dress barrelling towards them. Conan felt the inexplicable urge to dive under a table again. He mentally ordered his legs to stay still. If Kazuha was angry with someone, it definitely wouldn't be cute little Conan-kun.

"For god's sake, Heiji! I turn around for one second and you disappear! I - Oh, hello Conan! It's good to see you again." Toyoma Kazuha smiled brightly down at Conan, as he thanked and cursed whatever deity that had decided to shrink him. "You haven't seen Ran-chan, have you?"

Mentally, Conan sighed and slipped into his little kid persona. He nodded excitedly.

"Yeah!" he chirped. "Ran-neesan was trying to drag Oji-san away from the bar down there!"

"I - I see," said Toyoma uncertainly. "Um, anyway … let's go, Heiji! And hurry up this time!"

Toyoma quickly disappeared into the crowd and the two boys followed at a more sedate pace.

"You know, it's kind of creepy how you do that. It's like you've got a split personality or something."

Conan shrugged. "Probably my mom's genes finally showing through. Can't say it hasn't been helpful."

"Yeah, I guess … Hey, isn't that Nee-chan?" Hattori asked, pointing to a swaying couple in the middle of the dance floor. Conan slowed and turned to get a look.

At first glance, the girl did look remarkably like Ran. But details started registering in Conan's brain. Her dress was deep blue while Ran had been wearing a red one. Her hair was noticeably messier than Ran's and it seemed she was shorter too, although he couldn't be sure at that distance. Slowly, Conan shook his head.

"No, I don't think so. Actually, I think that's Inspector Nakamori's daughter, Nakamori Aoko."

"Huh? You mean that guy who chases Kaitou Kid?" Hattori whistled. "Well, she didn't get her looks from her dad, that's for sure. Have you met her before?"

"No, but Inspector Nakamori did say that Ran was the spitting image of her. He was drunk, though, so I wasn't sure how accurate the description was. I guess I got my answer," Conan chuckled.

Then, the duo they were watching twisted around. Conan and Hattori got a good look at Nakamori Aoko's partner.

Both of them turned white.

"There's no way …," Hattori breathed, eyes darting to his friend and back to the dancing pair.

Conan was struck dumb. It wasn't possible. Dancing with the inspector's daughter was … was …

"Shinichi?"

The two detectives stiffened. With muted horror, they turned to see the shocked face of Mouri Ran.

In the back of her mind, Nakamori Aoko was astounded at the turn her evening had took. She was sure when she left school on Saturday that it would be the most boring and painful night of her young life. The worst part was that she couldn't even get out of going to the Tokyo Annual Policemen's Ball because she had begged her father for invitations, one of which was probably sitting in an incinerator by now.

But it wasn't the absolute torture she thought it would be. Keiko, who had a brother in the police department, had elected to join her and get her mind off things. It worked until a cute guy had asked her friend to dance and Keiko went starry eyed. Unable to deny her best friend a good time, Keiko and her admirer left, leaving Aoko alone with certain thoughts.

Certain thoughts about certain events surrounding a certain inconsiderate, selfish, self-absorbed, neglectful boy.

"Excuse me."

The polite voice cut into her thoughts about mischievous eyes, infuriating grins, and the recent lack of them, forcing her back into the present. She looked up to see Kaito with a concerned, yet uncomfortable expression on his face.

Mentally, Aoko backtracked.

'Kaito.'

She stared, her mouth parting open in shock.

"Are you alright? I don't mean to be rude but … uh …" As the young man hemmed and hawed, Aoko realized that he couldn't possibly be Kaito. He was never unsure of himself.

"You're crying," he finally blurted out. Startled, Aoko put a hand to her eyes. Sure enough, there were tears there that she hadn't even noticed. She carefully wiped them away and hoped no one else saw.

"Thank you," she said, a sincere smile on her face. The stranger in front of her turned a brilliant red, and Aoko couldn't help but laugh a little. Now that she looked, she could see he really wasn't Kaito. His hair would never consent to lying flat like that. And she was sure that if Kaito had been wearing that dark, tailored suit, he would promptly pronounce himself a dork, strip to his underwear, and declare that a beauty such as his should not be stifled by mortal inventions and conventions such as clothes and decency.

He'd done it before. Of course, he had been younger …

Most decidedly, it was the stranger's attitude that was un-Kaito-like. He exuded an aura of sophistication and maturity that Kaito could never seem to develop. He also seemed shy, which was the last word anyone would use to describe Kaito. Aoko wasn't sure if his shyness was normal or if he was just like that around girls.

Hey, it didn't take a genius to see this guy liked her. And Aoko was a smart girl.

"Are you alright now?" the young man asked, after he recovered from his bout of embarrassment. She nodded, even though she still couldn't seem to get her mind off of Kaito.

"My name is Nakamori Aoko." She lifted up her hand and the stranger looked taken aback.

"I-I'm Kudo Shinichi," he muttered, shaking her hand briefly. He looked at her for a few seconds before bursting out, "Would you like to dance?"

Aoko eyebrows raised in surprise and Kudo-san immediately looked like he regretted it.

"Um … uh …" He started to inch backwards. "I should probably - "

"Okay."

He stopped. "Huh?"

"I'll dance with you," said Aoko calmly. Anything had to be better than wallowing in her misery and boredom, and he seemed like a nice guy.

"A-alright then. Let's go." He looked simultaneously pleased and dismayed. He grabbed onto her arm and pulled her into the middle of the crowd. He nervously positioned one hand on her hip and grasped her hand in the other, while she put her remaining hand on his shoulder. Together, they began to waltz gracefully across the floor, weaving with the music between the other couples.

And Aoko began to understand that she was enjoying her evening infinitely more than she hoped she would.

This could quite possibly be the funniest trick he would ever do.

And now, not only could that trick be ruined, his identity was at risk. All because he had done what was possibly the dumbest thing a person in his position could do.

For Kuroba Kaito, it all started after he had finished putting everything in place. He spent a good portion of the ball dressed as a waitress and serving drinks. On every guest he came across, he slipped certain items into pockets and handbags. He made sure to stay clear of anyone in the little detective's group and anyone else he knew. Kaito had already put their things - along with others too big for him to carry inconspicuously - under tables with ice sculptures on them, as they had no chairs around them.

He was all set for the next stage of his plan. He slinked into the men's washroom (thankfully empty) and changed his disguise. Kaito stuffed his uniform and fake breasts into a bag he had prepared and stepped out of the washroom stall he was using. If anyone had walked in at that moment, they would have seen an awfully messy-looking Kudo Shinichi dumping something out the window.

It took a few more minutes and copious amounts of hair gel for Kaito to be satisfied with how he looked. Internally, he winced as his shoes (elevated - Kudo was normally two inches taller than him) pinched his toes and groaned at the detective's fashion sense.

'Man, can't that guy ever lighten up? Even his clothes scream "Look at me! I'm a such a slick detective! Watch in amazement as I solve the mystery of 'What crawled up my ass and died?'"

Childishly, Kaito blew a raspberry at his reflection and walked out, making sure to put on his most conceited look. The little detective was at the bar with Inspector Nakamori and the Sleeping Kogoro when he last checked. Kaito grinned wickedly to himself. The moment he saw 'Kudo Shinichi', the little detective would chase after him (which was always fun), allowing Kaito to put the next phase of his plan into action.

Just when he was going to let the little detective catch a glimpse of him, he saw her.

Aoko.

He stopped dead.

She was in a royal blue dress, one that gave her the figure he was always complaining - loudly - she never had. Her hair was hanging down her back in its normal style, but for the clip that kept back one side of it from her face. He noticed her dainty black heels locked together, her white gloved hands clenched at her sides, and her thinning lips.

And Aoko was just standing there, alone, looking down, tears silently streaming down her face.

All the guilt from yesterday welled up. He had been super busy preparing for his trick and when he had to refuse Aoko's invitation to the ball (After all, he couldn't go as Kuroba Kaito andKaitou Kid), she ran out on him. Once he realized that she was crying, he followed her. He lost her pretty quickly and was left panting by some garbage cans in an alley. That's when he had noticed the invitation she had offered him was crumpled up and thrown on top of the trash. He had picked it up and gently smoothed out the wrinkles before tucking it into his school bag and making his way to certain locations to run certain errands and to complete certain tasks.

Wherever Aoko went then, she had been upset and obviously did not want to speak to him. All Kaito could do was continue preparing for his trick until she showed she was ready to talk.

But, now … now, she was in front of him. Now, she looked she needed someone to help her, more than ever. Someone to listen to her, to dry her tears, to comfort her …

Even if it was a complete stranger.

Before he quite knew what he was doing, his feet moved him to where Aoko was and his mouth was already open.

"Excuse me."

Aoko looked up, staring at him with huge, watery eyes.

Every instinct he developed after becoming Kaitou Kid screamed at him to turn, to run, to never look back, because he was going to get himself caught!

But Kaito couldn't turn his back on Aoko.

"Are you alright? I don't mean to be rude but … uh …" He tried to think of a nicer way to put it, but could only lamely say, "You're crying."

Aoko rubbed the tears away once she saw they were there (how could she not notice she was crying?) and Kaito watched, entranced. His macho Aoko could actually be … delicate.

"Thank you," she said. And she smiled.

That smile dazzled him unlike any other. He didn't realize he was blushing until he heard Aoko giggle.

He shook it off. What was wrong with him? It was just Aoko, after all.

Right. JustAoko. Exactly like how Kaitou Kid was justa thief. Or Edogawa Conan was just a kid.

Biggest understatement of the decade.

"Are you alright now?" he asked, trying to get rid of his unwanted line of thought. When she nodded, he gave a little sigh of relief.

"My name is Nakamori Aoko," said Aoko, holding out her hand to shake.

Crap, crap, crap. Who was he pretending to be again? Between worrying about Aoko, worrying about being recognized, and worrying about particular thoughts he really wished he didn't have, he had forgotten his false identity.

Oh, wait. He was pretending to be that dick, Kudo.

"I-I'm Kudo Shinichi," Kaito stuttered, barely remembering to change his voice to the right pitch.

'Aoko … I wonder if she'd dance with me …,' he thought suddenly. Mentally, he snorted. Of course she wouldn't. If he was his regular self, she would think he was tricking him somehow. If he was Kid, she would probably spit on him or something. If he was a random stranger (like now, for instance), she would probably say no, only because she didn't know him. Still, his traitorous mouth opened.

"Would you like to dance?"

'WHY THE HELL DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD?!'

Aoko was silent.

"Um … uh …" He needed to retreat. Now. "I should probably - "

"Okay."

He froze. "Huh?"

"I'll dance with you," she said, as placid as glass.

His heart gave a very painful thump.

'No! Stop that! You aren't allowed to do that!'

"A-alright then. Let's go." Kaito lead her onto the dance floor, thinking as quickly as possible. He was quite happy to be dancing with Aoko ('No, no, I'm not. I'm scared she'll step on my feet!'), but he was now seriously behind schedule. He made sure to position both of them in the very centre of the room and hoped that the little detective would spot him. This way, he could kill two birds with one stone.

His hands wobbled a little when he realized he had to holdAoko to dance with her. And she noticed, if that encouraging smile of hers was any indication.

Really, what waswrong with him? Kaito tried to think it over as they began to dance. Maybe it was the disguise. Aoko had no idea who Kudo was, so he could act whatever way he wanted and she would think it was normal for Kudo. Well, he could act whatever way but the way Kaito acted around her. And because he didn't haveto be Kudo and he couldn't be the Kaito he showed everyday, he was acting like the Kaito he didn't show everyday.

He was showing his true feelings.

'No, I don't have any true feelings. I feel nothing special for Aoko. At all. She's just a friend who's rude, nosy, proud, smart, generous, beautiful …'

Okay, this wasn't helping him delude himself.

"You seem troubled," he said, trying to forget his thoughts. He might as well figure out why Aoko was crying in the first place.

She stiffened, then nodded slightly. "It's … a friend."

"Really?" asked Kaito, feigning aloofness. He wondered if this was going to be about him.

Aoko was quiet for a beat before the words stumbled out of her.

"He's been busy a lot recently," she started. "I haven't been able to talk to him properly for over a month. Every time I ask him to go somewhere after school, he keeps saying he has to go to his job."

Oh. So it was about him.

"I guess I've been feeling lonely. Kaito's my best friend and it's really weird not hanging out with him all the time. Yesterday, I asked him to come here with me, but he said he was busy. I kind of snapped and ran away. I even threw away the invitation I was going to give him. Even now, I feel sad. I just … I really … I really miss him." Aoko looked like she was going to cry again and Kaito hurriedly tried to reassure her.

"He probably didn't realized how you were feeling. I'm sure when he figures it out, he'll do something really stupid and big to apologize," he told her. Every word was true. He had no idea that Aoko was hurting this much and he'd do anything to get her back to her normal, mop-happy self.

Aoko snorted. "No offence, but you don't even know Kaito. How do you know he'd do something like that?"

The words came much too easily out of his mouth.

"Because that's what a man does for the woman he loves."

Aoko gaped at him. Kaito realized what a monstrous, ugly mess he had just gotten himself into. He dreaded her next words.

"What -"

"Shinichi!"

Both of them turned to see a girl pushing her way desperately through the dancers. Recognizing it was Mouri-san and knowing he was now officially spotted, Kaito smoothed his features into the confident expression Kaitou Kid would normally wear.

It was show time.

"Shinichi!"

Damn, he didn't know she could run that fast.

But there was no way in hell he was letting her get away.

Conan pumped his legs as hard he could, somehow outstripping Hattori. His heart beat in his ears as he tried to catch a glimpse of that red dress in the crowd.

Then she saw her standing in front of his double, who had stopped dancing with the inspector's daughter. Fear coursed through him.

That guy could be anyone. Including Vermouth.

He ran faster.

Conan was by Ran's side the moment her first words tumbled out of her mouth.

"Shinichi, w-what are you doing here? I've been so … so worried, I - Conan-kun, stop pulling on my hand!"

Her sharp tone did nothing to dissuade the death he had on her wrist. He had to pull her away, away from the ghost of his old self and whatever dangers he brought. If it even was a man.

"So good to see you again, Mouri-san," said the doppelganger, his voice a perfect match to Conan's old one. He gave a friendly bow. "I do apologize for my necessary, but rude behaviour during our last meeting. I hope you did not catch a cold."

This didn't make any sense. Conan frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. This fake-him was either doing a terrible job at copying him (he had never in his life referred to Ran or her father as Mouri-san), or there was something he was missing -

An image popped in his head. Ran, passed out in a lifeboat, an exact replica of her clothes clutched in his hands.

Other clues fell into place. A Shinichi disguise. Able to imitate his voice. Perfect manners.

Kaitou Kid.

"What's wrong with you, Shinichi?" Ran asked, another level of worry added to her tone. She tried to step closer, but was stopped by Conan's outstretched arm. "Conan-kun …?"

Finally, Hattori reached them, followed closely by Toyoma.

"Who the fuck are you?" he demanded the moment he was in ear-shot.

Not-Shinichi put a hand over his heart, an overly-dramatic gesture. "Oh, you wound me, Hattori-kun. Don't you recognize an old friend?"

"Bullshit," Hattori growled out. "I know for a fact that Kudo is working on a case in Hokkaido. So, I'll say it again, who the fuck are you?"

"You haven't figured it out?" The double seemed a little surprised, eyes flickering from the teen's down to Conan's affronted face. "But, it seems the little detective has."

If anything, Conan's face grew even more outraged.

"Tell me, Tantei-kun," Kid continued, reaching into hissuit and pulling out a small remote. There was a single, red button built into it, just begging to be pushed. Suddenly, a maniacal grin stretched across his face that didn't fit with Shinichi's appearance and his voice lightened, returning to the smooth tones of Kaitou Kid. "Can you deduce what this is?"

Conan's eyes widened and he looked up, realizing something very important.

Kid was directly under a chandelier.

Conan lunged forward, desperately trying to catch him, grab him, anything -

But Kid was fast - too fast - and with one short movement, the button was pressed.

And the lights went out.