sirens pierced the air and light footsteps echoed through the alleyway.

'they are getting closer...'

"where the hell is he?"

"he must be here somewhere!"

'so close…'

"find him!"

'so loud…i…i...need to…move…'

*tap* *tap* *tap*

'those are footsteps…closer…must…'

"kid!"

*tap* *tap* *tap*

'…who's…there?...'

kaito woke up with a start. 'where?...this isn't my room…why am i in pain?'

then, as last night's events came back to him, he quickly sat up.

pain shot throughout his body and he wished he hadn't moved so suddenly. groaning softly, he looked around the room. it looked like a normal bedroom, he certainly wasn't in jail. so where…?

kaito heard light footsteps coming closer to the room. panicking, he decided to act like he was still asleep. he wasn't in jail, but he still had no clue as to where he was, there were many who would capture him without turning him to jail-and kaito personally would not want to meet any of them.

the door opened and kaito heard the footsteps stop by his bed. a soft sigh came from whoever was there and a clank of what was probably silverware was placed on the table besides the bed.

"i know you are awake. come on, get up…slowly though." the person next to kaito's temporary bed said.

kaito didn't move.

"or do you want me to spoon feed you like i have been for the past two days?"

kaito shot up again. "two days?" he practically shouted.

instantly he regretted it as pain surged though him once more.

"moron. i told you slowly." the stranger carefully eased kaito back to the bed and propped him up with the pillows comfortably.

kaito looked over the other. the stranger was his look-alike and even their voice was similar, though he already knew that from last night.

the stranger caught his eye and smirked. "surprising isn't it? who would have thought my could-be-twin was the infamous kaitou kid?"

kaito tensed up at that, remembering how dire the situation was. "what do you want?" he asked in a stern tone. he wasn't about to show any more weakness than he had. the other knew he was weak. he could easily try to use that against him…

"i want you to get better already so i can have my own bed back." the other teen said nonchalantly. he then placed the tray of food on kaito's lap. "do you think you can eat? or do i really have to spoon feed you?"

kaito blinked. "umm…"

"good. so you can eat." he looked at his watch. "i have to go down to the police station really quickly. be back in about ten minutes. once you are done just put the tray back on this table." he knocked on the table as if it wasn't obvious which he meant. "don't try to move too much. if something comes up, give me a call." the stranger placed a cell phone on top of the table. "you can use this one. just dial one and it'll connect to me."

kaito stared incredulously at the stranger. "do you honestly think i'm going to sit here while you get ready to hand me to the police? you might know my identity, but that doesn't mean i can't go to hiding."

the teen looked confused for a second before realization dawned on his eyes. "oh, no, i didn't mean it like that. i'm a detective." seeing kaito's panic he quickly added. "i'm not going to turn you in. i'm only going to the station to hand in paper work from my last case."

kaito still didn't trust him, for obvious reasons. "why wouldn't you turn me in? more so if you are a detective."

the stranger smiled. "i have a debt to pay back."

"what do you mean by that?" kaito asked. he never saw the teen before last night, when the stranger saved him…though now that he thought about it, he did remember seeing another that looked like him in the papers…

"actually, you can just call for your assistant. i'll leave the door unlocked. no one is going to try to enter my house, even if it's unlocked." he looked at his watch once more. "now i really have to g-" just then his phone rang. looking at the caller id, he waved at kaito then started to exit. "ah, megure-keibu. sorry i'm late. yeah i'm-" the door shut behind him and his voice was cut off.

kaito was left alone in the room; confused.

"umm…hi, jii-chan." kaito greeted into his phone.

"kaito-bocchama!" jii was relieved; he has been worried sick over the past few days. "where are you?"

"umm…i don't know…" kaito admitted. the stranger didn't even give his name. "do you know of a teenage detective that looks like me?"

"…are you referring to kudou shinichi?" jii asked.

"i don't know…but how many teens can be detectives and look almost exactly like me? anyways…i'm at his house, do you think you can pick me up? he said he left the door unlocked…" kaito braced himself for the lecture that was surly coming.

"does he know who you are?"

"uuuhhh, he saw my face…and patched me up…" 'he did a good job of it too.' kaito thought.

"…but, kaito-sama, why…"

"i'm sorry, but do you think you can pick me up and then ask me a billion and one questions? he says he won't turn me in, but i still rather not push it…"

"i got it. i'll be there soon."

kaito breathed a sigh of relief. well, he escaped the scolding…for now…

though he did deserve it. if he had been more careful during the heist none of this would have happened…

/flashback/

kaito smirked as he got to the roof, he was in full kid attire. another successful heist. he jumped onto the railing that surrounded the rooftop. taking the prize of the night out of his pocket, he held it up to the moon. after a minute of nothing, kaito sighed and placed it back. another failure…

just then the door to the rooftop slammed open.

"kid!" none other than nakamori ginzo was there.

"ah, nice of you to see me off, keibu-san. where is everyone else?" kid taunted.

"you know damn well where they are. they are still caught up in that rope trap of yours." ginzo growled.

kaito spread his arms wide and tottered on the edge. "ah, shame. well, you can be lucky enough to see my disaperin-"-

kaito never got the chance to finish his sentence because of the sudden pain on the side of his stomach. his saw ginzo's eyes widen before he fell off the edge and towards the still busy road that was a long way down.

he managed to activate his glider, but he had trouble controlling it. and there were still snipers shooting at him. he ended up crashing on the nearby park.

groaning, he pulled himself to his feet and tried to find somewhere to hide.

kaito panted as he ran through the night. there was a full moon still out, but there where also thick clouds; preventing much light from getting through.

kaito wasn't sure if he should be grateful for the lack of light or not. his white suit still stood out like a beacon, but there was now little light from the moon to illuminate him. however, the streetlights were still shining brightly so it didn't particularly matter.

the magician-thief was getting tired…but he didn't want to stop. clutching the side where he was shot tightly he looked around for some place where he could rest.

they could still be behind him, waiting for him to stop, but his legs were starting to shake, his breathing was too haggard and he couldn't get enough air, and his sight was blurring.

seeing a hopefully deserted alleyway, kaito made his way towards it. he stumbled at last minute and almost landed on his face if his hadn't used on arm to brace himself. however, his wrist almost snapped and sharp pain ran though his left arm. still better than landing on his face though.

with some difficulty, he managed to push himself so his back was leaning against one of the alley walls.

there was a loud rumbling and rain pattered down.

blearily, kaito turned his head upward and tried to look at the sky. however, his eyes kept blinking to prevent rain from hitting his iris.

giving up, he allowed his head to fall to his chest. his body felt hot and heavy. his grip on his side was too weak and his hand fell and went slack. kaito's breath calmed some, but he still felt like his wasn't getting enough air.

kaito allowed a soft groan to pass his lips, though he wasn't in too much pain anymore. his body was getting numb and he couldn't feel his arms or legs. somewhere in the back of his mind there were warning bells ringing, but kaito was too tired to dwell much on it.

he tried to reach for his phone to call for jii, but his arms wouldn't obey him.

"come on…" he whispered. even his mouth was hard to move. it barely opened and kaito could barely hear his own voice.

that's when the police sirens came close and the shouting was heard.

kaito tried desperately to get up, to call for jii, to do something, but his body wouldn't do anything he wanted.

he was getting sleepy despite all the loud noises around him…actually even the noises were becoming hard to make out. everything began to sound like it was being heard from far away. however, kaito knew it was close. after all, he could see the lights of the sirens reflecting off the walls…or were they really the siren lights? …they looked like them…but his vision was blurring and his eyes were closing…

from far away…or from close by, kaito heard soft, or maybe they were loud, footsteps. they were getting closer…or was it getting farther away? kaito couldn't tell anymore…

his breathing was still too loud, he could still feel it, and he was sure whoever it was could hear him. kaito wanted to lower the sound of his breathing, even though it was surely too late, but he couldn't. his lungs were straining enough as it was, begging for more air, air that he couldn't seem to get no matter how deep he breathed.

kaito opened his eyes and blinked a couple if times, trying to get his eyes to focus. it didn't work though, and kaito turned unfocused eyes to the newcomer; trying to see who it was, thought it ended up being futile.

he willed his mind to become clearer so he could think; it didn't do much though…

although he couldn't even make out the definite shape, he could see that the figure was too tall to be jii-chan...or maybe the figure looked tall because of the angle?

fear spread lazily though his mind. it was there, but kaito couldn't act upon it. his adrenaline wouldn't even work. even his grip on his side slack once again, though this time it didn't fall from his side.

the figure was very close now...kaito's eyes fluttered close, but kaito opened them right away. he looked up, but the rain still made it hard to keep his eyes open.

suddenly, the sound around him changed and he couldn't feel the rain anymore. as if that changed everything, kaito was able to focus better…not by much but better…

kaito looked up and blinked a bit of water from his eyes.

above him, there was someone holding what was probably an umbrella to him. he wasn't getting wet anymore, but he was already soaked so the effort didn't do much. in turn though, the figure, who was once dry, was now soaking wet.

kaito didn't think this was them. they wouldn't hold out umbrellas to him, more likely they would just shoot him.

…though anyone else wouldn't hold out an umbrella for him either. they would more likely leave him there to get the police or something…

was it jii-chan after all? or on the off chance, his mother?

somehow, kaito doubted it. this was some stranger…who was showing him kindness?

the stranger looked at him for a moment longer, shock dominating his face, and kaito's eyes cleared up a bit to see the other more clearly.

the stranger was a boy…about his age, kaito guessed. in fact…unless his eyes were tricking him, the stranger looked much like him.

"oi! you are bleeding!" the stranger called out.

or was it kaito? the voice sounded so much like his own…but the stranger wasn't bleeding, and kaito didn't think he spoke…

"oi, can you hear me?" his look-alike bent down, still covering the thief with the umbrella.

the other raised his hand, and kaito would have flinched, after all he was the infamous kaitou kid and everyone hated him, but all he could do was gaze unblinkingly into the other's eyes.

his vision was getting blurry again…

there was warmth on his neck…it was the stranger's hand…what…

somehow kaito realized the stranger was looking for a pulse…

"good. you are still alive. hang in there a moment longer…i'll go get help." the stranger said.

kaito somehow managed to lift his arm, but he didn't have enough strength to clutch at the stranger. luckily, the stranger saw his moment and leaned in closer, trying to his the barely audible whisper.

"don't…" kaito said…or at least tried to. he couldn't even hear his own voice…then again…he couldn't hear the patter of rain hitting the umbrella either…

the stranger pulled back and gave a worried look…then he nodded and said something else, but kaito couldn't hear anything anymore.

kaito still felt like he needed more air, but his lungs were no longer in pain…

the stranger moved his lips again, then again, and again…kaito couldn't make out what he was saying…

his vision was too blurry to read lips and his ears seemed to have stopped working…

his eyes were getting even heavier…

kaito felt his head falling to the side as his eyelids slowly slipped closed.

the last thing he saw was the stranger lunging forward, worried …

…but that worry couldn't be for him…right?

…kaito couldn't think much more on it…

…he couldn't make out anything anymore…

kaito was taken out of his memories by jii coming in the room and fussing over him.

while kaito reassured the old man that he was fine over and over again, one thought rang through his head.

if it wasn't for the mysterious detective...he would have died that night…

Kaito, hurry up! Aoko will only take a few minutes but with you walking so slowly it'll be dinner time before we even reach the police station!"

Kaito let out a huff, loud enough so that his childhood friend could hear even when she was ten steps ahead, and purposefully let his strides slow. "Why are you in such a hurry, Ahouko?" He taunted, ignoring the strain it was putting on his stomach to talk. "It's not like the station is going to disappear if we don't get there soon and you were the one who insisted I come even though I said I didn't want to."

"BaKaito! You promised Aoko so you need to stick to your promise! It'll only take a few minutes so hurry up!"

With another huff Kaito hurried his steps a bit until he was side by side with Aoko, not really wanting to aggravate her enough to start a chase. It's been five days since the strange detective had saved him and Kaito was still in pain. But, at least he was in pain outside of a jail cell, which was much more than he thought could have been possible with someone besides his mother and Jii-chan knowing what Kaitou KID's real face looked like.

He even managed to go to school today, returning from his 'sudden family emergency leave'. Aoko wasn't happy about his sudden disappearance and to make up for it she made him promise to treat her to some ice cream after school. Kaito — who was being threatened by a mop and with the hole in his stomach not feeling so up to doing acrobatics — agreed.

Except now he was following Aoko as she led him to the police station, needing to drop off her father's dinner since he had to stay late today.

Kaito always hated going to the police station. Everything about it just reminded him about how much everyone hated KID and just wanted him behind bars. Really, it was filled with people who dedicated their work to see him caught and he rather not be stuck in a building surrounded by them.

Though, he supposed it was rather hard to not be surrounded by KID-haters when literally everyone was one. Except for his mother and Jii-chan…and that detective, maybe.

The thought of the detective distracted Kaito as he tried yet again to reason out why his identity wasn't reveled yet.

Not that he wanted to have the police at his doorstep or anything. (And how fast the police could be knocking on his door when the Inspector in charge of bringing him down was living right next door.) But ever since he could remember, people hated KID.

So why would the detective not expose him?

He researched as much as he could on the detective but everything he read only confused him further. Apparently this Kudou Shinichi was rather famous with tons of fans across Japan — and even some in New York and London due to some case he solved there. People praised his high morals and his sense of justice, always going above and beyond to solve a case with as little casualties as possible.

But, if that was true…why didn't he turn Kaito in?

He could maybe understand why the detective might have treated his wounds, if the stories of how he 'bravely' stopped murders from committing suicide are real, but once Kaito's life wasn't at stake what was stopping Kudou from turning him in?

It just didn't make any sense…

"—ito! Kaito! Kaito!"

With a jolt (Ouch. Right. Hole in stomach. Sudden movements not good.) Kaito was startled out of his musings. Gathering his bearings, Kaito pointedly covered his ear that was being yelled in a moment ago. "What is it? You don't need to be so loud, you know."

"Really?" Kaito was expecting Aoko to get riled up and start shouting, not give him a concerned look. "Kaito's been acting strange all day. You didn't do any of the things you usually do and you've been…quite. Aoko's worried."

And damn, that just shows how out of it he's been today, huh? Maybe he shouldn't have returned to school so quickly, his wound has been bothering him so he didn't want to make any unnecessary stunts, but of course that would seem strange when he would usually never stop with them. He quickly masked his face to drop, giving a tired grin, "Sorry, Aoko. I just returned home this morning and didn't have much sleep is all."

Immediately Aoko's face lit with understanding and Kaito felt the familiar guilt for lying to her hit. But, it was necessary, even if he wished he didn't have to trick his own childhood friend so often.

"Idiot, why didn't you say so before? We could have just gotten ice-cream another day…" And now Aoko is looking guilty and that was not what Kaito wanted at all.

With a quick snap and a small burst of smoke, a dove was perched on his finger before it jumped to Aoko's shoulder to tuck a rose behind her ear. Aoko smiled, the worry fading slight from her face (but still lingering), and reached over to pet the dove gently.

"Don't worry so much," Kaito reassured as he watched his dove nuzzle into Aoko's touch. "If I was really not feeling up to it I would have said something. Besides, who could resist ice-cream? Even if I was threatened to pay for it all…"

"Aoko never threatened you!" Aoko's sudden voice made the dove fly up in the air, disappear in a puff of smoke.

Kaito made his grin turn teasing, "Really? I'm pretty sure if you brandish a weapon at someone it's considered threatening behavior. Shouldn't the daughter of an inspector know this? Actually, wouldn't your father be really disappointed if he knew that you were threatening poor, innocent, magicians?"

Although the resulting chase had him aching, the way the worry disappeared completely from Aoko's face was well worth it in his opinion.

Kaito was an idiot. He was an idiot who was going to be put in jail and never see the light of day again. (Except not really since he was sure he could break out of any jail cell they put him in, but he still wasn't looking forward to having to go into hiding for the rest of his life.)

Point was, he was an idiot.

Aoko had given him a chance to back out. To get ice-cream another day so he would rest (and more importantly not go to the police station), but no, he just had to go anyways and now he was going to go to jail.

The reason for his current mental freak out was sitting at the conference table. Kudou Shinichi, the one who knew what KID looked like, was sitting at a police conference table. During a conference about KID.

Which meant he was helping the task force and likely giving any information he knew which included KID's identity and now Kaito just walked in like an idiot and he was so going to jail now wasn't he and oh my gosh they just made eye contact poker face poker face —

He quickly cut off his mental tirade because while he was surely justified in doing so, it didn't really help with his act of being an innocent teenager who was not the infamous Kaitou KID.

The fact that Kaito could see the recognition in Kudou's eyes didn't help so much either, but he tried to ignore it and instead slowly inched his way to the door so he could get a head start on his escape.

He managed to make it to the door when the scraping of chair legs on the floor startled him enough to freeze and turn immediately to the source of the sound.

Kudou gave a polite smile before he coughed and said, "I'll be right back. Bathroom." And then made he his way to the door. Which, incidentally because of his attempt to get a head start, was exactly where Kaito was standing.

His first instinct was to bolt right there and it was only because of how obviously detrimental that would be to his cover that he didn't. After all, Kudou had said he was going to the bathroom, right? He didn't say anything about Kaito being KID. But what if he had said something before Kaito came in and now was approaching Kaito in a casual way to catch him off-guard? No, he highly doubted Nakamori could pretend to act so calm if he knew KID's real identity.

But then what?

Shoot, he was out of time Kudou was right there and coming closer.

Instantly Kaito jumped to the side, wincing when the movement pulled at his stomach unpleasantly, and watched for any signed of handcuffs. Kudou for his part merely raised his eyebrow — Kaito swore there was a smirk there too — and closed the door behind him.

Not before giving a little tilt of his head towards the hallway. Kaito only wished he didn't know what that meant.

So, right. He had a decision to make. Because obviously Kudou wanted him to go out to the hallway as well (why was anyone's guess) but frankly, being alone with the detective that knew his identity was the last thing he wanted to do. Who knew what Kudou had planned? What if the detective was going to gloat about his identity being exposed and then blackmail Kaito into doing all sorts of things?

(Kaito knew how ridiculous that sounded — that didn't sound like anything the Kudou he read about in the papers would do.)

But so what if he was being paranoid? He had every right to be. Kudou knew his identity and that was his worst not fish related nightmare come true.

(But, his mind nudged him, Kudou hasn't done anything with the information yet. And he did help Kaito big time and probably saved his life. The dull ache in Kaito's stomach was proof of that.)

Kaito was really not liking his mind right now. And people wondered why he hated logic.

With a silent groan, he whispered a quick excuse to Aoko and exited the room to face the one person who had the most blackmail material on him in forever. (Akako didn't count for various reasons.)

Kudou was waiting for him, not even trying to hide the fact that he was. With that smug look of his, he was leaning against the wall directly opposite of the door with his hands in his pockets — the epitome of nonchalance.

With another head tilt — would it kill the guy to say something instead of making vague gestures? — Kudou indicated for Kaito to follow as he made his way down the hall.

With more than a little reluctance, and Kaito firmly believed he had every right to be reluctant, he followed. The pace they were walking was rather slow, which was good for Kaito's wound, but made him suspicious and Kaito made sure to keep a good distance from the detective at all times. Despite doing his best effort to avoid the police station at all cost, he did know the layout very well (insurance for the worse case scenarios) so he was already planning the best routes to take to get to the nearest exits, when the detective stopped walking.

Blinking in confusion — they were only a little bit away from the room of the KID conference, though this hallway was void of other people — Kaito wondered what the other was up to, when Kudou did the last thing Kaito expected him to do.

"Kudou Shinichi, detective."

Kaito blinked again. An introduction. Kaito already knew the other's name and knew he was a detective, but it was still an introduction. Which obviously meant Kaito should give one in return.

So Kudou wanted a name?

Kaito's first instinct's shouted no, but honestly, what was the harm? Kudou could probably find out his name easily by now. He only really needed to ask Nakamori — passing it off as a simple curiosity would work — and it wasn't like not giving his name would mean Kaito was free from conviction or anything. Again, finding his name would be a simple matter. Kudou really had all the blackmail materials he needed.

So with an inclination of his head, and making sure his voice would be steady and calm like he still had all the cards (the biggest lie of the century but Kaito was good at making lies seem believable), he said simply, "Kuroba Kaito." He didn't add onto his introduction even though normally he would be doing magic tricks and aweing people.

He steeled his nerves and thought he was prepared for whatever Kudou threw at him, but then, Kudou did another unexpected thing. He smiled.

About what, Kaito honestly had no idea. This detective was really confusing him more and more and it was such a change from normal Kaito was feeling lost despite himself. Wasn't he supposed to be the unpredictable one?

"What are you up to?" It took a moment before Kaito realized he was the one who spoke.

It turns out his words were a surprise to Kudou as well (did he get points for that?) because he gave Kaito a strange look before he shrugged.

"Not sure what you mean." He said in a voice way too calm for Kaito's liking. (He found detectives are best when kept unsteady otherwise they were able to think and their thinking usually got in Kaito's way of well, everything.)

Though Kaito wasn't exactly sure what he meant either, but he wanted answers and talking was better than the silence so he asked again, "What are you planning? Why are you doing—" Kaito made vague hand motions, "—this?"

Kudou cocked his head to the side (it somehow reminded Kaito of a curious child though he had no idea why), and shrugged again, "I was just curious. If you would really follow me and what your name was. Couldn't that be reason enough?"

"No."

That made Kudou chuckle, though it turned into a cough (a pretty poor attempt to cover up his amusement in Kaito's opinion).

Kudou cleared his throat before responding, "Well, sorry to disappoint, but I don't know what you were expecting. This isn't some elaborate trap to put you in jail, though, if you were worried."

"As if I would be worried about that." Kaito denied, even if it was spot on. There was no way he would give any more leverage to the detective. "Though I have to wonder, why wouldn't you? You certainty have a lot of evidence against me. I didn't even try to look for old bloodstained bandages before I left," something Kaito regretted two hours after he was safely in his home, "and who knows what other DNA you took while I was asleep." Hair, fingerprints, maybe even both. Anything could spell big trouble for Kaito.

Kudou gave him another weird look, "…You don't sound worried at all. Yeah." He gave a smirk in response to Kaito's frown and kept talking after clearing his throat again, "But you don't have to worry. I took none of those things. Though I guess your bloodstained bandages are still in the trash at my house, I wasn't planning to take them to the police or anything either."

Kaito's disbelief must have shown on his face because the detective continued.

"Don't you think if I wanted you in jail I wouldn't have let you leave in the first place?"

Well yes, that was pretty logical but — "What if you just wanted me to heal first?" Which, now that Kaito actually said it aloud, sounded pretty stupid.

"I could have kept you confined in my house if that was the case." Kaito had a vague feeling that the detective was laughing at him. "Do you really not believe that I won't do anything to compromise your identity?"

The 'yes' slipped out before Kaito could stop it.

Kudou gave another shrug, "Well, by now an—" he cut off with a cough that shook his entire body. Which, was a bit worrying, especially when he didn't seem to be stopping.

"O-oi!" Kaito made a move to reach out, uncaring about the way his stomach protested but froze before he made contact anyways, suddenly unsure of what to do. "A-are you — I mean — what's wrong?" Because it was obvious that the detective was not okay but Kaito couldn't see why.

Kudou waved him off even as he continued his coughing fit, turning a bit away from Kaito and Kaito was left with nothing to do but to debate with himself if he should get someone to help or just continue to stand there unhelpfully like Kudou apparently wanted him to do.

He never got to make a choice because soon the coughing stopped. Kudou slowly took his hand away from his mouth with a resigned air, before he looked at his palm and seemed relieved. It was all strange to Kaito, but he was too busy realizing that now that he was actually looking at Kudou instead of freaking out, there was sweat forming on the detective's forehead and he seemed to be breathing a bit too heavily for normal.

"Ahh, sorry about that." Kudou's voice brought Kaito out from his observations, and Kudou just carried on like nothing happened. "Well, I suppose I can't really give you proof of my intentions, but I really don't plan to turn you in. It was nice meeting you, though."

And with that apparently Kudou was done with the conversation, but Kaito was not.

Before the detective could take more than three steps, Kaito grabbed his arm. "Oi, you can't just walk away like that." Kaito was still completely confused on what the detective was planning, but more importantly, "Those coughs made you sound like you were dying."

Kudou just gave a smile that Kaito suspects was supposed to reassure him, but it wasn't working. "I just have a bit of a cold, is all. I wasn't expecting it to get so bad so quickly, but it isn't anything to worry about. I'll wear a mask next time."

Kaito allowed the incredulous expression to show on his face because really? Did Kudou think Kaito was trying to scold him on not using a face mask? "That's—"

But Kaito stopped talking abruptly as Kudou coughed some more and he could feel how badly the detective's body shook with each cough.

"There is no way you are okay." Kaito decided to state the obvious since it seemed that Kudou wanted to ignore it. "You should head home and rest…"

Kudou managed to control his coughing and pulled away from Kaito's grasp to wave at the air again. "I was going to, don't worry. I'll just—" it was only because Kaito was paying attention that he saw how the detective swayed a bit on his feet, "I'll just be going now."

Making an impulsive decision as he could see the detective's eyes glazing over, Kaito stated, "I'll walk you there."

"…huh?"

"How long do you plan to stalk me?"

Kaito let himself grin widely at that remark, "It's not really stalking if you know that I'm here, and invited me in."

Kudou grumbled, saying something that sounded like 'Like I had a choice, you crazy phantom thief', which only made his grin grow ever wider.

They were in the Kudou manor now, Kaito having following the detective home despite the other's protests.

Truthfully, Kaito was debating if he should leave Kudou to rest in peace, but honestly, Kaito did want answers and he wasn't sure if he would be able to muster enough courage up to search out the detective himself after this.

Though then again, he wasn't very inclined to interrogate a sick person, so there is that.

"Are you going to watch me sleep or something?"

Kaito blinked out of his musing to wonder what the detective was talking about before, oh, they were now in Kudou's bedroom (the same room Kaito remembered being in almost a week ago), and Shinichi was sitting on his bed with a pointed look.

Um.

Before Kaito could do much then stare like an idiot, Kudou sighed and crossed his arms. "So? You have more questions, right? Go ahead."

Kaito wondered how Kudou could have possibly known that before he remembered, right, detective. The way he was breathing was probably some sort of obscure indicator to the other.

Except now Kaito was feeling vaguely lost again because he pretty much asked everything he wanted to of Kudou — pretty much only 'Why am I still jail-free?' — and he hasn't gotten an answer.

Kudou, as if reading this thoughts (Kaito couldn't stand detectives for this reason), sighed again. "It's not that hard to believe, is it?" He raised an eyebrow at Kaito, who had no idea how to answer or what he was even talking about.

"I mean," Kudou continued even without a response, "Even without the debt I owe, I don't have much reason to want to turn Kaitou KID in. He hasn't ever physically harmed anyone, and he would always return his heist targets, so…"

Kaito stared in shock, his mouth hanging open and he didn't even care because — "What…did you say?"

Kudou looked at him in confusion, apparently not understanding how shocking his own words were, "Hmm? Did I misunderstand something?"

And Kaito was wondering if he maybe misheard something, or maybe Kudou was sicker than he thought and was now delirious because —

"KID hasn't returned a jewel in eleven years."

It all started when Kaito was still six. He didn't remember the event, but he's seen plenty of news reports talking about it — it was mentioned every time KID announced a heist, even eleven years later. Everyone knew about the night when KID stopped returning his heist targets.

An elderly, rich man sent a notice out to KID through the newspaper about how he would allow KID to take any jewelry from his possession — as long as it was safely returned. It made the police protest with vengeance and KID fans happy with anticipation every day following the man's proclamation until KID sent a heist note targeting the man's family's heirloom.

It a beautiful necklace with a large gem that would fall just below the wearer's collarbone. And more importantly, a myth about how the owner would be granted one wish during every full moon. It wasn't likely Pandora, but Kaito had found in his father's notes that he just wanted to create a spectacular heist for the man and world to witness.

The man refused to cooperate with the police, much to their frustration, and countless fans surrounded the house and cheered the thief on from way before the start of the heist, until way after it had ended. The heist was a success, spectacular in every sense of the word, and every single one of the people who came out for the night found a rose somewhere among their possessions when they arrived back home, including the police. The owner himself received a thank you note along with a bouquet and a promise to return the gem in the morrow.

The following morning, the gem was still missing.

Days passed and the man had pleaded with KID to return the necklace, made his pleas on both the newspaper and on television, but still there was nothing from KID.

And the man was simply the first of many victims of Kaitou KID, the once beloved thief, whose good deeds in the past were now forgotten with each jewel stolen and never returned..

Haibara was going to kill him.

Shinichi distinctly remembered her warning him about looking after his health — repeatedly saying things like he shouldn't stay out too long and that he needs to get a lot of sleep. The night Shinichi called and asked Agasa to help transport KID back to his house Haibara had lectured him about his drenched state the moment she saw him. Which he though was completely unfair since it wasn't like he meant to come across a thief bleeding out in an alleyway on a rainy night.

Ever since he took the antidote his immune system has been extremely weak. Haibara developed pills he was supposed to take every month to help slowly build it up again, but until it was completely recovered he was stuck getting sick from something as simple as standing out in the cold without a jacket for an hour. And after standing out in the rain, even if it had only been for a few minutes, Shinichi found himself bedridden the next morning. It had actually been left up to Haibara and the professor to take care of both KID and him for an entire day and a half before Shinichi felt better again.

He was lucky KID woke up when he did, actually. Shinichi felt better for only roughly twenty eight hours before he was sick again. He really only just managed to make it back to his house after dropping off his report before he collapsed with another fever. It was probably the worst thing about his immune system right now. When he was sick he was really, really sick. Sicker than what was usual and although he got better in a day or two, it would come back again soon enough. It kept going on and off again and frankly, it was rather inconvenient. It's been an entire week and he was still not completely better. It was rather ridiculous in his opinion.

Though Haibara continuously told him it was because of him that his fever kept coming back, but if it was up to her then Shinichi would have been confined at home for a week anyways. Which was still ridiculous. So he decided he might as well get what he could done in the few hours he felt okay before the fever returned, much to Haibara's displeasure.

But really, it wasn't like he could help it. He finally got his body back not even a month ago and he already spent a year as Conan. He wasn't about to let the antidote dictate his life like the APTX did. If he got sick a little more than usual, well at least he was able to still get things done in his life.

Besides, today he was really only out for a few hours. And most of the time he was inside the police building so it's not like Haibara could scold him about being reckless. (Though no doubt she would anyways.)

He coughed again, slumping back into his bed with a sigh. Downstairs he could hear KID fiddling in his kitchen, presumably to make some chicken soup.

It was a pretty strange situation.

He had gone to the meeting about KID to see if he could learn anything about the snipers. He hoped the meeting could give him answers, but once he arrived he immediately wondered if he should have just not come. Inspector Nakamori was displeased to see him and attempted to kick him out, but Shinichi managed to convince him to let him stay (really only by sure stubbornness and simply staying seated at the table until the inspector relented and began the meeting.) And even after all that, in the end he was still as clueless about the shootings as he was before the meeting. Just his luck really.

Though it turns out Nakamori was there when KID got shot, he was adamant about the thief still being alive because they never found a body. It was pretty amusing, how much faith the police inspector had for KID's skills. Amusing, but probably not surprising since he was the one who has been chasing KID even before KID stopped returning his heist targets.

The door to his bedroom opened and Shinichi immediately focused on the scent of chicken soup. He wasn't even that hungry a few minutes ago, but realizing that food was available to him made his stomach growl, much to his embarrassment.

KID for his part merely grinned, pulling up a chair next to the bed and placing the tray neatly on Shinichi's lap.

After KID had misunderstood what Shinichi had said — he only meant that he was sure that if it was completely up to KID he would have continued to return the jewels he stole like he used to — Shinichi had begun to cough again. Abruptly the thief had stood and announced that he was going to make him some soup and left.

The detective snuck a glance at the other as he mumbled a thanks and began to eat. KID looked fine, but Shinichi could tell that he was upset. Upset about what, he couldn't be really sure, but it was obvious it was somehow his fault.

Just great.

"…I met him a couple of times, is all." Shinichi ignored how the other's head snapped up and continued with his explanation. "I know he didn't keep hold of the jewels because he wanted to. I don't know why," here Shinichi gave KID a curious glance but continued speaking, "but it was obvious that even back then it wasn't by choice. I figured you, as his son, would feel the same way. Though I figure it probably has to do with whatever reason you guys have for stealing them in the first place."

KID had stiffened completely, though his face was as impassive as always. It was a bit irritating. Shinichi couldn't read the thief at all and he was beginning to think he only made things worse by bringing up the original KID.

He knew who the first KID was and that he had been murdered, even though he didn't figure it all out until recently.

When he was old enough to wonder what happened and investigate on his own, he began to look into the disappearance of the phantom thief, though he hadn't gotten very far before his father had stopped him. His father had been unusually serious and explained to Shinichi that KID had died and that Shinichi should stop investigating and just let it go. It didn't sit well with Shinichi and he wanted to continue investigating, but his father then said how it was dangerous for KID's family if Shinichi tried to look into who KID was.

Still, Shinichi was young and brash and insisted that he wanted to know who KID was. To be fair, Shinichi really had sort of admired the thief. KID had made a pretty big impression on Shinichi when he was young and he was pretty disappointed when the phantom thief disappeared.

So with a sigh, his father told him KID was the late Kuroba Touichi and that he had died in a stage accident and that there was no evidence to suggest it was anything but an accident. He then made Shinichi promise that besides looking at an old newspaper article about Touichi's death he wouldn't investigate further. He wasn't even allowed to look up anything about Touichi from when he was alive, much to his puzzlement. He suspected that there was something else going on, but during the article it had said that the accident was confirmed as such by Kudou Yuusaku. His mother then explained to him how Touichi was the one who taught her to disguise and the two families had formed a sort of companionship even if they didn't meet very often.

She had begun to tear so Shinichi allowed the matter to drop.

Then Conan had happened.

And he learned about the existence of the Black Organization. How there were murders going unsolved because there was absolutely no evidence to investigate. How sometimes openly investigating something could turn you and everyone around you into a target.

It didn't occur to him until much later, but when he had asked his father if KID had come across the organization and was murdered, his father answered more truthfully. He said he wasn't sure who was exactly responsible, but Touichi had requested that should anything happen to him to make sure the case of his death would be closed as soon as possible. Touichi was afraid of something, afraid not really for himself, but for the family and friends he would no longer be able to protect if he were to die. Touichi believed that if his death was investigated for too long others would be in danger next.

Shinichi observed carefully as his father spoke. How while his gaze was calm, his hands were clenched into fists and his voice was soft with repressed emotion. How he looked at Shinichi — who was still several feet too short at the time — and spoke of how Touichi had been a friend, even if they didn't behave as such by conventional terms. How Touichi had warned him to be careful and to think of his family if he were to think about investigating. How despite the warning, he had tried to see if he could find at least one clue about what happened, only to come up completely empty.

He didn't bring up KID again to his parents.

It wasn't until after Shinichi was already halfway done with his soup when KID spoke again. He was quiet, but since there was no other noise in the room it was easy to hear him, and the uncertainty in his voice.

"…Why?"

Giving up on the pretense of giving the thief some space, he spoke up first after all so Shinichi figured it was an okay to continue the conversation, he turned to face KID more directly. "Why what? Shouldn't that be my question?"

KID stared directly at Shinichi, and even then the detective couldn't make out what the other was thinking.

"Why? How could you think all that? Even if you met — met him once, it's not like he told you anything if you don't know why KID exists in the first place. So what makes you think that KID isn't stealing for keeps out on a whim?" KID's voice was raw, there was an underlining sadness and desperation Shinichi could detect even though he had no doubt the thief was trying to hide it.

Shinichi bit his lip, choosing his words carefully. It was true, he really didn't know anything, but while he never liked to make conclusions without evidence, he also knew that sometimes he just had to trust his instincts. "Not everyone believes KID is the bad guy, you know. There are those who remember him before that incident with the old man are still hoping that KID would change back to how he was."

"Well he isn't going to!" The exclamation seemed to shock KID as much as it did Shinichi, and he watched as KID visibly regained control of his emotions. "KID is going to continue to steal and not return the jewels. You are hoping for something that will not — cannot happen. KID is nothing more than another phantom thief stealing for his own gain…It's no wonder people hate him so much."

It looked like KID was about to leave so Shinichi reached over and grabbed his wrist. Before he could really think about what he was saying, he blurted, "I don't hate KID."

He wouldn't have normally admitted such a thing, but the other looked…not broken, but like he was getting there. (Like he had his entire world changed in the span of one night. Like he had to make hard decisions even if it ended up hurting someone close to him. Like how Shinichi looked sometimes when he put on those glasses a year ago.) It was a bit startling to realize when KID was always depicted as confident. "Why is it that you can't? Like I said, you want to. I can tell. So why can't you? Once whatever is preventing you is gone, KID will return his jewels once again, right?" KID was looking at him like he had grown three legs and Shinichi came to a decision. Because he was a detective. Because while he didn't really know KID, he knew KID. Because the first KID had been murdered and Shinichi knew that but couldn't do anything about it. Because he looked at the teen in front of him and only saw someone in need of help.

"Just let me help you, KID."

KID was shocked. It was probably the first expression Shinichi could read so clearly, and he let the other's wrist go as KID slumped back into the chair and threw an arm across his eyes.

"You don't make any sense, detective."

Shinichi couldn't help but grin, because it almost sounded like the other was grateful.

However, his grin faded at the next words. "You're right. I would return the jewels if I could, but I can't. I can't for a reason, and it's safer for you to not get involved." Here KID sat up again and gave Shinichi a serious look. "It's dangerous. Don't go around poking your nose where it doesn't belong."

Shinichi almost scoffed. "Dangerous isn't exactly new to me." Seeing that KID was about to protest again, he held up a hand and continued, "You have an organization after you. Bad guys with guns, who aren't afraid to use whatever they can against you." It was hard to tell, but it looked like KID had paled. "People who can murder someone and fool everyone to make it look like an accident." Yeah, KID was definitely sheet white.

Shinichi allowed what he said to settle for a moment before he continued again, hoping that he could convince the thief to accept help. "I had an organization of my own, you know. For an entire year I went supposedly missing. In actuality, I…went into hiding. Because of them." KID was looking at Shinichi more carefully, almost inquisitively. Shinichi hoped that was a good sign. "For a while I wondered if we were facing the same organization, but mine has already been taken down for the most part. There are a few stragglers, but those are mostly lower members who didn't even have a codename within the organization. Somehow, I doubt they would provide much trouble for you."

Silence again. He tried to not fidget where he sat. As quietly as he could he cleared his throat, feeling a tickle there and drank some more soup. It wasn't really that warm anymore.

He couldn't tell if what he was saying was helping his case or not. For all he knew, KID would turn away his help and end up getting shot again during his next heist…only this time it'll be more fatal.

No, Shinichi didn't want that. He would not let that happen.

"It's hard," Shinichi continued, "If who you're facing is anything like who I was, you are probably doing whatever you can to make sure those close to you aren't becoming a target. I had help. I ended up making connections that helped me to be able to take down the organization. There was once a time where I thought I could do anything on my own. But I know that I would have died a long time ago if it wasn't for all of their help."

He thought of Haibara who warned him time and time again about the Black Organization and how they handled things before he truly understood who they were facing against. Of Jodie-sensei, Akai, and the other FBI who, while maybe was disapproving of a six year old getting involved, always was looking out for him and the Mouris to make sure they weren't going to be targeted. Of Hattori, who always was willing to lend a hand even if Shinichi continuously didn't give him all the information he wanted. "I can help. The ones who helped me are still around and can help too. KID, how long have you been facing these guys? Do you have help from anyone at all? Besides your assistant? I won't say it'll be over quickly if I help, but will it really be so bad to have someone to watch your back? Someone who has quick access to police files and connections with people who are used to investigating secret organizations despite the risks."

He wondered if he was saying too much too quickly. He couldn't tell. KID was just sitting there continuing to stare at him. Shinichi opened his mouth to try and convince KID some more, but then closed it. He was close to babbling at this point, it was better to stop while he was still ahead. (He hoped he was still ahead.)

It took a few minutes of awkward sitting before KID pursed his lips and asked again, "Why?" At Shinichi's look he expanded his question, "Why are you trying to…help me? I'm Kaitou KID. A thief. Aren't you a detective?"

Shinichi wondered if he should be taking offense. "Why would I choose to antagonize a harmless thief when there are criminal organizations filled with murders out there to arrest?" It looked like KID wasn't expecting that answer. "…My parents knew yours, by the way. Apparently they were close even though they didn't meet with each other often. I'm sure that if I asked they would want to help you too."

Somehow, while all of that was true, it felt like some kind of excuse. Shinichi frowned and tried to think before he added on, "And…well, even besides all that, why wouldn't I help? I can, and like you said, I'm a detective. It's my job to help people, you know? I just want to…So, I will. Even if you don't want me to." Here Shinichi leveled KID with a determined look, somehow feeling more himself after saying all that.

After all, since when did he need permission to stick his nose where it didn't belong?

"I'm going to investigate whether you want me to or not. Though I would rather you work with me. It'll save me a lot of time and probably lessen the chance of them noticing I'm looking." The last bit was probably a low blow, but Shinichi wasn't about to take it back.

He could see KID considering, before the thief let out a noisy sigh.

"Finish your soup, detective. It already got cold."

It was obviously a change in topic, but Shinichi allowed it. He already said his piece and if KID needed time thinking about it all, well it would give Shinichi time to contact Jodie-sensei and do some preliminary investigation.

Haibara had come by not long after. Not even caring that there was Kaitou KID in the room she berated him about his health and how he should be more careful and that she was just wasting her time because he was going to get himself sick again in a few days anyways.

KID looked rather amused with the whole situation, if not puzzled by Haibara's behavior — which was not how a normal seven year old would act.

Ever since the organization was taken down she's been a lot less careful about who noticed her. Honestly, it was pretty refreshing seeing her so open about things, even if that also meant he ended up being scolded in front of phantom thieves.

Although the danger of being found out was gone, they decided to keep the effects of the APTX4869 a secret. After all, who knows what people would do if they knew that de-aging was possible? After Haibara gave him the final antidote she destroyed all research about the apotoxin and the antidote, without bothering to create a cure for herself as well. She said she had no desire to take one and wanted to grow up the natural way. It wasn't a wish Shinichi could really relate to, but he somehow wasn't particularly surprised.

"Haibara." He interrupted her rant after a rather painful jab of a needle. "I'm okay. I'm just coughing a bit."

Before she could retort to that, and he knew she would have, KID decided it was time to inject his own comment, "More than 'a bit', detective. I seriously was wondering if you were dying for a bit there. You looked dizzy as well."

Shinichi ignored the look Haibara was giving him in favour of glaring at KID, who looked entirely unrepentant.

"Not surprising since you refuse to rest. Did you save another phantom thief from the rain today?" Haibara gave KID a glance and added, "Or just the same one since you brought this one back home?"

Shinichi hurried to explain at the flash of alarm that crossed the thief's face. "Haibara had to help take care of you the first day because I…got a little sick after standing in the rain."

"You fainted with a fever almost high enough to need to be hospitalized."

"But I'm fine now." Shinichi grumbled, trying very hard to ignore the amusement that was back on KID's face. Though, now that he was thinking about it, he was getting rather sleepy. A lot sleepy, actually. He felt his eyes slip close before he forced them open again to frown at Haibara was who putting the needle back into her case. "Did you just drug me?"

"Yes," She answered swiftly without even a hint of guilt. Shinichi wondered why he even expected anything else. "You'll wake up in time for dinner. Which I expect you to then eat. Something warm. Now go to sleep. I'll check up on you again in the morning."

"Haibara you—" But that was all he could get out before he found himself slipping from consciousness.

When he woke again it was already dark out and he was alone in his room. Grumbling about how unnecessary Haibara's actions were and about the slight grogginess he felt, he made his way to the kitchen. If he didn't eat something like she instructed she would definitely find out and probably deem he needed a babysitter or something.

...Nah, surely even Haibara wasn't that bad.

"Had a nice nap, detective?"

Shinichi almost tripped. "KID! What are you doing here still?"

KID shrugged as he stirred a large pot. "After you passed out the little doctor told me to stay and look after you if I didn't have anything better to do. And since I still need to give you an answer and it's the weekend tomorrow I figured I would do a good deed."

…He would need to talk to Haibara because it seems she already decided he needed a babysitter. And that KID would be a good candidate. On the other hand, if KID was willing to stick around to give an answer for his offer to help it was probably good. (He hoped.)

"You didn't need to stay, you know. I don't really need someone to look after me." Nevertheless he sat at the table as KID placed a bowl and pointed for him to eat. "So, what is your answer then?"

KID gave a hum, filling another bowl and sitting across from him. "Nope. First you need to eat."

Shinichi wanted to ask if he was kidding, but he figured that KID really wasn't. So with a huff he began to eat, wondering if KID had made more soup or if Haibara brought it over and KID was just heating it up. Should he be concerned that a thief was making use of his kitchen without his supervision? Maybe. Well, too late now.

"She's quiet the interesting little doctor you have."

Somehow hearing KID speak was surprising, though when Shinichi looked up he was the epitome of nonchalant, like the comment was just small talk for the sake of talking. Or maybe that was exactly what it was?

Still, Shinichi wasn't exactly sure how to respond. "…Did she tell you anything?" He didn't really expect Haibara to offer up information like that, but it seems she did spend some time to talk with KID.

"Nothing much. Just instructions on how to take care of a detective. Along with some…advice."

"Advice?" What kind of advice would a phantom thief want?

KID merely hummed again, making a show of eating until Shinichi followed suit.

"Apparently you are impossibly stubborn and hard to deal with."

Shinichi would have chocked on his soup, if he didn't already know Haibara would say something like that. Even to a complete stranger. Seriously, he wondered if she made it a hobby to offend him. Maybe he should suggest knitting. "I'm not that bad." He felt the need to defend himself.

KID snickered, probably in reaction to his expression, and placed his spoon in his now empty bowl — how did he finish so fast? — and with a snap of his fingers, KID's bowl disappeared in a puff of smoke. He wondered offhandedly if he should be expecting to see it again when he next did the dishes.

A little wearily, Shinichi watched as the thief walked around to his side and held out a hand with a lopsided grin. "Okay. I give."

Shinichi spent a bit of time trying to work through his confusion as he blinked at the offered hand. "Give?"

"Yeah. I'll accept your help. Looking forward to working with you, detective."