All of you may recognize the title. This is the remake of my horrifying first start. I hope this one will receive as much praise as its original.

With out further adieu, enjoy.

Second Chances

Chapter One: Those who wander are sometimes lost

God, I was tired, dogged, bone deep, sleep for three weeks straight kind of tired. The rain was coming down in buckets seemingly right on top of my head. I shivered against the chill and limped along the alley. Glancing over my shoulder I made sure there wasn't any one following. Friend or foe, I didn't want any one around me at the moment. Leaned against the wall I managed to find the time to catch my breath and look at my wounds, however brief that might be. The clothes were ruined with blood, dirt, trash from that impulsive move to hide in a freaking dumpster; which I will not be doing again, ever, period. I closed my eyes and gave myself a few moments of rest before deciding to move again. The sound of cans crashing behind me caused me to ever so gracefully jump nearly out of my skin and whirl on nothing.

'You're jumping at cats, stupid.' I thought and sighed.

Hissing I gripped at the wound on my thigh as blood seeped through the denim. This was great, just great, now how was I supposed to sneak my way through Beika with blood trailing behind me and not get noticed?

'Good bye comfy couch, Doyle, dry, clean clothes, and hot coffee.' Pessimist laughed.

Pinching the bridge of my nose I limped to a fairly clear area before looking over my shoulder one more time. I didn't want to sit down and give them a chance to chance upon me. I was safe, for now at least.

"You look as if you're running from something, young man."

To my credit I didn't scream but I did try to scale the wall behind me. Looking down I stared at the older man sitting hunched on ground who had made the statement. Clamping down on my fear I got my heart rate under control and leaned off my bad leg.

"You could say that." I replied in a quiet, worn voice.

The man didn't say anything for a moment as he watched me with a calm expression and calculating eyes. I watched him warily from the corner of my eye and felt unease creep on me. Then he smiled softly and understandingly. In spite of my predicament I relaxed somewhat and we lapsed into silence. Life carried on the ever busy streets of Beika, without me. I suddenly felt really tiny and insignificant. With my parents overseas and my stupid 'I don't need friends' act left me alone and now with Ran … I clenched my fists and fought grief with every fiber in my being.

The sound of sirens broke my thoughts and I forgot about both, my emotional and physical pain as I crouched down. Five patrol cars whizzed by and I watch Nakamouri-keibu and Hakuba-san drive by in the third. I watched them take a left at an intersection then disappear out of sight. Dumb asses don't they ever think to look up. I snickered and watched to skies and roof tops for a moment. Questions ran through my mind and for the first time in weeks I felt okay. Where was the heist and did he find it this time? I rose and rubbed my hands across my cheeks, smearing dirt, grime, and blood.

"Jii?" a voice whispered behind us.

I watched the old man stand and sigh in relief. "Kaitou-sama"

I barely turned my head to look behind me. Kaitou KID stood just ten feet back clad in his signature white. The lights and the rain cause his uniform to glow softly. A stark contrast to the dark shadows around him.

'Like a soft flame' my mind spoke.

'Touch that flame and you'll get seriously burned.' I shook my head and retorted inwardly.

His dark hair was plastered to his redden cheeks and the monocle was speckled with rain. I noticed his uniform hang heavy on his shoulders, water logged no doubt and probably really heavy. That all knowing smirk was playing at the corner of his mouth as he tried to keep his poker face and figure out who I was. I shivered slightly when he let it free. In all honesty his very presence always made my hairs stand on end and that is a secret that I plan on taking to the grave.

I kept my body as relaxed as I could when I saw KID tilt his head back. To look at me better, maybe? I wasn't sure. It wasn't till he took a step forward I turned to him.

"Jii, he's"

"Ah, Kaitou-sama, he's no one im-" The old man started.

"Kudo Shinichi, a dear friend. Could you please bring the car around?" KID finished.

The old man looked warily between us for a moment before slipping away into the shadows. Silence hung thick and heavy around us and as KID gazed intensely at me I found myself unable to meet his gaze. The sky flashed in a bright white light before a distant rumble announced the arrival of a storm. Turning on a sigh I peered out of the alley's mouth for a clear chance to slip out. An arm slung itself around my shoulders and pulled me gently back away from the street. Unjustifiable fear lanced through my system like a numbing drug before I managed a weakened struggle. KID's grip just grew soft and his hand rubbed down my arm soothingly.

"K-KID …" I whispered breathlessly.

"You're hurt pretty bad aren't you?" He asked softly. Like one would with a skittish animal.

Unable to trust my voice from trembling I merely nodded and looked to his face. The smile he wore was gentle and caring and so understanding. I felt my knees give a little. No, no I wasn't going to break now. I started a stronger struggle and jumped when a second hand found my gashed thigh. I blushed and went stock still as white finger tips brushed feather like touches along the tear.

"So tell me great detective, how does it feel to know this is entirely your fault?" Gin's voice hissed through the darkness and plunged the knife along the outside of my thigh.

I scrambled at the sudden memory and knocked KID away from me. I could feel his confusion and concern like raw salt into my wounds. Shaking my head I wrapped my arms around myself and shuddered. My control was slipping away. I could feel it. It was sliding away like slimy thick ropes straight through my fingers. My mind began to panic against the flood of pent up reactions I had managed to keep at bay. Clenching my teeth I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. To hell I was going to hyperventilate and make a fool of myself here and in front of KID.

"Tantei …" KID voice cut through the darkness and the fog in an instant.

Opening my eyes I realized that in my moment of panic he managed to get closer and cup my face gently. He was so close, too close. I burned hotly under his hands and gaze. A series of emotions flittered across KID's eyes before he pinched my cheeks and stretched them out. Gasping against the sudden pain I heard him laugh and swatted his hands away.

"What in the hell was that for?" I shouted and clamped down on my voice and looked behind me.

KID continued to laugh a hooked his arm around my shoulders again. "I had to make sure you were still there."

As he lead me deeper into the depths of the alley I hesitated and resisted. "Now what are you doing?"

"I'm taking you home with me." He stated simply.

I gaped at him. "What are you, nuts!?"

He grinned wildly and leaned his face just towards my own. "Just a little. I'm going to let you in on a secret, tantei. I hate leaving wounded things lying around, especially when I can help and heal them."

"I'm not some dog that got hit by a car!" I shouted and inched my face back from his.

"Oh, believe me tantei-kun I know that all too well."

It was the implication in his voice and the hand on my hip that made me blush and squirm out from under his arm. I heard him whine slightly before throwing his arm around me again playfully.

"Kaitou-sama." Jii spoke suddenly causing me jump again.

"We're coming." KID said and pulled me along. "Tantei-kun before you go and start making excuses I'm going to tell you right now that they are going to fall on deaf ears. You're hurt and exhausted and I have far too much of a soft heart to just leave you here. So, please indulge my brief moment into sainthood."

I blinked at his sudden confession and stared at the ground. Realizing I wasn't going to hinder him KID rubbed my shoulder gently.

What am I doing? Sitting shot gun as KID's companion drives us to who knows where? Thinking of the said thief I glanced into the mirror and watched him towel dry his hair with the monocle sitting nonchalantly on a pants-less thigh. Good thing he was wearing some kind of body suit otherwise this car would have been awkward. I snorted and leaned against my palm.

'Never mind it was still awkward' I thought and watched the scenery slip by.

"Forgive me tantei-kun but" KID said suddenly and directly behind me. In a swift movement I found my eyes blindfolded.

"Oi, KID!" I protested.

"Gomen, gomen but please understand we're getting close to the exit and there is someone who has yet to be informed of your presence." KID laughed.

He sure didn't sound very sorry with that laugh of his. Reaching for the blindfold I grumbled and jolted as hands clamped down onto my wrist.

"Please, Kudo I don't want to gas you" KID said so seriously that I froze.

I sat there with my wrists in KID grip and thought back to the past hour. Gritting my teeth I realized I was being ungrateful and unreasonable. He has done nothing but offer ('forcefully' my suspicious side chimed in) help without question. Probably going against everything he learned.

"KID you can let go. I give you my word that I won't remove it."

He hesitated before releasing my hands. The sudden spike of adrenaline I didn't register till now was ebbing and now that I felt it so was my pain medication. My legs were trembling. Embarrassed at my weakness I held my hands on my knees to hide it.

'You're fine, Kudo. It's just KID' Oh God, I just lumped the thoughts of KID and safe.

We weren't in the car that much longer, just about twenty minutes or so but the uneasiness I felt with the blindfold made it feel so much longer. Everything seemed heighten to a brutal level. If I didn't get it off I was going the have a panic attack.

"Kudo-sama, we're here." Jii said softly as if sensing my edgy nerves.

I waited for the sound of the engine cut off and the doors before moving.

"Kudo-sama, please take my hand." He spoke again in the same manner brushing his hand along mine. As I took it I felt a surprising amount of strength in it. We made our way from the car and I could hear KID involved in a heated conversation.

"I know you mean well Kaito, but damn it another detective?!"

"He's nothing like Hakuba. If he was I wouldn't bring him anywhere near here."

I could feel eyes on me. I struggled not to squirm.

"What is his name?"

There was a pause and a shuffling sound. Was KID hesitating? Why?

"Kudo"

"You brought a Kudo here!?" The female voice shouted in shock.

I felt Jii's hand tighten on mine and listened carefully. It got so quiet I thought they disappeared.

"He's hurt … bad." KID finally said weakly.

I heard the woman sigh and felt a sharp tug, leading me back to where I left.

"Jii! Wait!" KID's voice became loud and footsteps raced towards us.

"Kaitou-sama, I am merely making the best decision. I won't risk your safety and freedom for some pathetic detective."

I glared from under the blindfold. That pathetic jab hurt even if it was a bit true at the moment but I was trying not be, damn it. I listened to the argument continue and felt little spikes of pain dart around my skull. Great, the meds were officially gone and so was my patience.

"Enough!" I shouted and ripped my hand from the grip on it. "I won't be the object of a family squabble. I shouldn't have even allowed you to take me, nor should I have allowed myself to accept your pity or concern or whatever it is."

My balled fists twitched by my sides. I wanted to rip the blindfold off of my eyes. There was only so much I could take in not being able to see and I've reached my limit. Too mad to even think about taking it slow I began to turn a walk away from the tension. I wasn't going to dishonor them by taking it off in front of the. The sound of sharp movement to my right made me jump from it, tearing my thigh completely open again and slipping on what I could only assume was a step.

"Kudo!"

In a matter of seconds the blindfold was gone and I was staring at KID's unfocused monocle. I was shaking so bad but the relief was immense. I sighed and tried to relax in KID's hold.

"Look" I started while straitening making sure to keep my back to them. "I have no intension of turning KID in. I merely indulge myself in his heist for the fun, the test of it. The thrill of the chase. He's" I paused to clear my throat and collect my thoughts. "Quite the enigma. One I thoroughly enjoy trying to figure out."

"What are you going to do if you figure that out?" She asked.

I thought for a moment, not for her but for myself. Even though what I had just said was the complete truth for my actions now I never really gave much thought to the future or the afterwards.

"Honestly, I don't know. I'm having a hard time in pinpointing an exact crime I can label him without it failing to stick." I shrugged and glanced over at KID.

He was gaping like a fish, unable to find words. I suddenly felt really bashful and began to look everywhere besides him. I heard the woman laugh behind me.

"You ofer us up on a silver platter and what does the detective do? Shrugs his shoulders and says 'no, thank you though. I have bigger prize to catch'."

"I told you he was different." KID smirked.

"You sure do attract some of the weirdest unwanted attention." She huffed and I could imagine her with her hands on her hips. "Alright, let's get him inside and looked at."

It was as if someone popped a balloon. All of the tension that was in the air was suddenly gone. Carefully I turned and looked at the woman. She was pretty, with short hair that hung around her face. I blinked at her eye color though. KID's indigo violet color. It didn't take me long to put two and two together. Shaking my head I smirked.

'Mother and son, huh? Now that is interesting.'

Taking the first step I forgot about my bad thigh momentarily and nearly screamed. Clamping my hand down like a vice on the wound I felt blood trickle from my fingers. Black spider webs were crawling across my vision. The un-buffered pain, lack of sleep, constant state of movement was entire too much for me to take and my body made that known. On a breathy sob I felt my mind slip and drop into darkness.