Chapter 1: Justice

Kaito knew there was something strange going on with Conan. During the heist, the boy seemed distant, and only half-heartedly pursued the thief. What was wrong?

Yes, he was a criminal, but he usually kept an eye out on his critics. Just because he was internationally wanted, it didn't mean he didn't care.

That was why, he decided, that he would humor the kid. Annoy the brat with his antics, drop by and bother the little pest. It would be healthy to for the squirt to drop the serious attitude.

Eventually, he found the little detective, who was resting on a grassy hill behind the Kudous' house. There was a sad look on the child's face, and he looked as if he was about to burst into tears any moment.

"Why so glum, tantei-kun?" Kid chirped, suddenly popping up from behind the boy.

There was a brief flicker of surprise from Conan, which suddenly disappeared. He had acknowledged the fact that the thief wasn't a threat – a thief was nothing compared to the murderers he encountered every day. Even if he lunged quickly, Kid would be gone in an instant. Anyways, the heist was over. What was the use?

"Don't you have better things to do than hassling me?" Conan asked.

An enigmatic smile crossed Kid's face. "There's nothing else for now, just the usual duty on my calendar."

Which was to: Avenge Dad's murder. Idly, Kid wondered how many teenagers planned to bend the law to destroy a mysterious organization after establishing another identity. Just him, as far as he knew.

"Kid," Conan rasped, "is there really such a thing as justice anymore? The justice we deserve, which allows us to be happy again – does that really exist?"

Kid raised an eyebrow. "Is that the sort of thing kids think about these days?"

Conan rolled his eyes. "Can't you treat me as your intellectual equal outside of a heist?"

A shrug. "It's my job to irritate one Nakamori-keibu, one Edogawa Conan, and one Saguru Hakuba." There was a thoughtful silence. "As for justice, you can use that word for anything."

"What do you use the word justice for, then?"

Kid grinned playfully. "Why would I tell you that?"

"Because I asked, after all."

"Well, if it would make you feel better, I also wish that murderers were brought to justice." Kid's voice was light and teasing, but there was not a single hint of playfulness on his face.

Dad. Kaito clenched a white gloved fist tightly, remembering his kind father who taught him everything…remembering the pain he felt after his father's death…remembering the vengeance that coursed through him which he wanted, so desperately, to wreck upon Them…

He would steal that cursed Pandora and destroy it to bits. He would make sure the whole lot of those murdering villains were arrested and thrown into jail for the rest of their lives. He would bring his own brand of justice upon Them.

"Kid, what are you thinking about?" Conan asked, jerking Kaito abruptly out of his thoughts. "You're angry about…something."

"Only about the past, tantei-kun," Kid finally said vaguely. There was a frustrated expression on Conan's face, who he was sure, wanted to know more. He decided to leave before he accidentally let something slip. "There's nothing else for me to say to you, and I, to learn from you." He turned to leave.

"'Is that really so?'" Conan quoted quietly. "'All you did was read the beginning of the novel's summary, and you're acting like you've seen through everything. This world is a lot more deep and full of mysteries.'"

"What?" Kid said, confused. "What are you talking about?"

A triumphant glint shone in Conan's eyes. "You're not the same Kaitou Kid from long ago. I knew it – I knew you were too young."

What? Kaito thought frantically, mentally recoiling. How does he know? Quickly, he slipped on his poker face and replied, "Why would you say that?"

There was a sly smile on Conan's face. "Only because of the past."

Kid groaned inside. Trust tantei-kun to leave him hanging. How did that child know? How much did Conan know? If he did know enough, what would he do?

"Farewell, thief," Conan said, his blue eyes bright. "You've cheered me up, you know. You're just another puzzle for me to solve, and you've made the game more interesting. I'll find everything about you."

A challenge? Kid smirked in anticipation. Very well, he thought, I'll beat tantei-kun at his own game. Kid tipped his white top hat politely to the child, and opened his glider. "Farewell, little detective."

As Kid prepared to fly off, a sudden thought came to him. He turned to Conan and said, "I hope you'll find the justice you believe in." He gazed at the little boy with his dark violet eyes, a sincere smile on his face.

Conan blinked in surprise, and after a thought, he smiled back. "Then I hope you find your justice, too."

With a nod, the Kaitou Kid took off into the night, the bright full moon looming ahead.