Sorry for the wait, everyone! I know I usually update around Friday, but, uh... nope.

Basically, I've been spending the past week writing this fic. It started out as a random little idea, but then I was like, "Weeeell, I've gotten this far. Might as well keep going." It's eight chapters total and I've finished writing all of it. I'm thinking I'll update every few days, if that's okay with everyone...?

As for the plot itself, the summary just about says it all. There's going to be eventual shounen-ai. (What else is new?) Er... there might be some grammar mistakes/errors because I'm far too lazy to go reread this. Also there's a bit of OC x OC. I hope it doesn't bug you guys *hides in corner*. I'll put a warning on the chapter it happens in.

And because of the obvious fact that this contains character "death," you should keep in mind that this is quite a bit less lighthearted than what I usually write. But eventual fluff!

Oh! In case you were wondering about the title(s) (of the chapters and the fic itself), all of them are lyrics from the song Ghost by Parachute. Not because it actually fits or anything. I just like that song.

Anyway, this isn't all that well-written or well-paced or well-anythinged, really, but I thought I'd share it regardless. I hope you enjoy this! - Luna

chapter one / look behind you

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It's funny how your perspective changes if you know you're going to die. To think about what you would've done differently if you knew you weren't going to see them again. To wish you didn't say that and admit you didn't mean that and tell them everything you want them to know.

It's really quite funny.

"Look, I'm just saying that it's dangerous."

Kuroba Kaito pinched his nose bridge, rubbing his face wearily before he met Kudou Shinichi's eyes. The two of them were standing in Shinichi's entry, and Kaito had been about to leave for a heist when Shinichi had sprung the question on him.

Will you let me help you take down Snake and his men?

Kaito's immediate response of "Hell no," had led to this predicament.

Exhaling resignedly, Kaito leaned against the door. "Look, I appreciate your concern, Kudou. I really do. But you know that I can handle them by myself."

Shinichi's eyes flashed. "You don't understand, Kuroba. This Snake guy and his crew? They sound like an offshoot of the Black Organization. Do you know how many people we had to get involved to take down the Black Organization? Both the CIA and the FBI were involved, Kuroba." He crossed his arms tightly across his chest, frowning so hard it was a wonder his face didn't break. "You're just a single person, you know."

Ugh. Kaito really didn't need this conversation right before a heist. He hefted his bag of disguises higher up on his shoulder, forcing himself to remain calm. "So what? If you help me, that's going to be better? Two people facing a crime syndicate rather than one?"

"Yes," answered Shinichi emphatically, miffed. "I have experience with them. I can help you." He lowered his voice. "Kuroba, I just… I just I don't want you to get hurt."

The look on his face made Kaito melt a little bit. After all, it wasn't every day that a proud, slightly rigid detective showed you that expression – eyes smoldering fierce azure, mouth clamped in a stick-straight line, something almost imploring about the set of the jaw.

And it was precisely because Shinichi looked so worried, so concerned, so beautiful, that Kaito clenched his teeth and glared. "No. I'm not going to let you help me with this. Leave me alone, Kudou," he ground out, hating himself as Shinichi's eyes darkened to navy ink.

But he just couldn't let Shinichi help with this. Not when these people had already taken his father from him. He wouldn't let them have Shinichi too, dammit. He wouldn't be able to survive that.

The detective dragged down a breath, his face flattening into a blank canvas. "Fine. Go to your heist," he said quietly, pivoting around to head for the Kudou family library. "I'll talk to you later." His footsteps faded off, punctuated by the sound of the door shutting.

Kaito bit back the question that had arisen in his mouth – You're not coming to the heist, then? – and turned back to the door. He took a deep, shuddering breath, and pushed it open. He stepped out into the cool evening breeze, which pressed comfortingly against his skin.

Behind him, the door closed with an air of finality.

Kaito watched in satisfaction as streams of alarm-blaring police cars took off down the street below, chasing after the dummy Kid he had set up. He could almost hear them swearing violently as they swerved after the floating white doll. Even after all these years, it was still all too easy to trick the inspector. The man really never learned.

He felt a slight pang thinking how Shinichi never would've fallen for that, imagining what the cocky bastard would say. Something like, "As if I'd fall for that ridiculous trick" or "Really, Kid, you should know better by now"?

Kaito quickly brushed the thought off. No use thinking about Shinichi. He'd already been distracted the whole heist, replaying their fight over and over again in his head; he didn't need to think about him now.

Digging the jewel out of his inner pocket, Kaito held it up to the moon. He squinted at the light that filtered through it, disappointment filling his stomach. Nothing unexpected, no magical glow, just red-tinted light. It wasjust a ruby, in the end.

With a sigh, Kaito tucked the gem back into his pocket. Well, that had been a waste. He'd just go home for tonight. Hm… maybe he could stop by Shinichi's place and try to talk to him, get everything sorted out – he didn't like the feeling of being in a fight with him.

He wondered briefly if Shinichi would be awake, then shook his head at the thought. Of course he'd be awake. And knowing him, he was probably poring over some fifteen-year-old cold case and solving it in under three minutes. That was his detective. Kaito smiled at the thought, stepping to the edge of the building. Wind ruffled his hair, the feeling familiar and calming. He was about to snap open his hang glider –

– when there was a loud bang and suddenly pain shot through him, stabbing through his back with a stinging fury. Kaito gasped in shock, pitching forward slightly, head snapping down to see a red coronation blossoming across the front of his chest. Dizzily, head pounding, he lifted a hand to press against the red. The glove on his hand came away wet, glittering an unmistakably bright crimson even in the dim moonlight. There was no mistake.

Blood.

But what –

Kaito's eyes widened in horror as realization struck. Snake.

He barely managed to look behind him and catch sight of the glinting barrel of a gun protruding from a window on the opposite building before he fell over the edge of the building, cape whipping violently. The wind was no longer even vaguely calming, tearing at his face as he dropped and his chest throbbed and he coughed, blood filling his mouth – metallic, bitter –

As the concrete rushed up to meet him, a strange thought occurred to Kaito, bringing with it an unexpected feeling of acceptance. He really wished he hadn't fought with Shinichi tonight of all nights. He wished he had told him that he just hadn't wanted Shinichi to get hurt. He wished he'd confessed that he'd been in love with him for the longest time.

He almost smiled at the irony, even as his arm slammed into the ground and he felt bones shatter, pain forcing a choked breath out of his searing, searing lungs.

It was really quite funny.