Author's Note: Can't help it when inspiration came to me, so I just GOTTA put it down in paper (or computer, in this case) :P Do not worry, I'll update all the other fics as soon as possible too! One more thing: I can't come up with a title, Teaming Up is just temporary, so it'll be great if you give any suggestion. It used to be Exposure, but since I have 'Exposed' already...well, I didn't have any other choice. All right, enough rambling and enjoy!

PART 1

...Just a little more...

A white gloved hand closed on the gem.

Got it!

"KAITOU KIDDO!"

Kaitou Kid spun around, hanging on ropes from the ceiling. He was right over the empty case, the gem in his hand. Police officers burst in from all sides of the room, including Inspector Nakamori, who was leading one of the groups. "Kiddo!" he roared, his eyes burning. He took out his gun and fired. The bullet zipped through Kid's rope, and Kid fell, but landed gracefully on the case.

"Konbanwa, Nakamori-keibu," Kid greeted with a smile, tipping down his hat. "Not a moment too soon."

"Get him, get him!" Nakamori screamed.

A group of police officers pounced for Kid. He leaped up, and they crashed into the case. He stepped onto the highest window sill, laughing.

"Get down here and fight like a man, Kiddo!" Nakamori bellowed, waving a fist at Kid.

"I prefer otherwise, Nakamori-keibu," Kid said with a wink. "Now, if you would excuse me, I---"

A gunshot rang out from among the officers. Blood spurted out from Kid's right arm as the bullet whizzed past it. He fell backward and disappeared out of the window.

Inspector Nakamori looked around fiercely. "Who did that?! Who shot Kid?! You're NOT supposed to shoot at him, he's only a thief!" he bellowed angrily. But all the officers were utterly confused as well.

Meanwhile, outside the building, a bush stirred. Kid emerged out of it, grasping his wounded arm in pain. Why are they so aggressive tonight? he thought in confusion as he stumbled out onto the street. It had started to rain. I have to get home quickly and mend this arm, or---

As he passed a telephone booth, he heard it ring. He turned, staring at it as the phone continued to ring. He staggered in and picked up the receiver. "H-hello?"

There was a low snicker at the other end of the line. Then it hung up. That was when Kid heard a ticking noise. He looked up.

A time bomb was taped above him, ticking away. One second left.

Kid slammed the door opened and pounced out just as the telephone booth exploded. He landed hard on the road, feeling the heat and pain on every inch of his body. He was almost knocked out to unconsciousness, but he was still aware of his surrounding.

Someone's trying to kill me, he thought, cringing as he climbed up. He swayed a little. His vision slipped in and out of focus. Not good, he grimaced, burying his eyes in his hand and hoping they would clear, but nothing happened. He took one step---and almost fell. His left ankle stung.

I bet they're happy now, Kid thought bitterly as he limped down the road. Happy to see me like this. I look like an idiot! There's only one person who has been plotting to kill me...

The same person who killed Otou-san eight years ago.

Just then, he slipped on a puddle, and fell forward. "Ouch," he murmured, but he couldn't move. He was in his worst condition, and his arm and ankle were killing him. He lifted his head a little, and saw a pair of large gates. On the pillar at one side, he managed to spot the word on it in the blur of the rain:

Kudo.

During the next few minutes, he found himself forcing the gates open and staggering up the path towards the big house. When he reached the door, he used the last ounce of strength to pound on it. Then, he drifted into unconsciousness.

---

"Wh-what?" Kudo Shinichi lifted his head off his book in surprise. He rubbed his eyes groggily, glancing at the clock on the library wall. It was midnight. He didn't know when he fell asleep reading Sherlock Holmes (for the umpteenth time). But he definitely heard the poundings on his front door.

"Coming, coming," he muttered crankily, trudging to the front door. It was still raining heavily outside, lightning and thunder beginning to accompany it. He flung open the door---and was immediately taken back by what he saw.

Kaitou Kid was lying on the ground before him, unconscious.