Kaito stiffened turning to the other teen. "What the hell did you just say?" He growled.

"I confronted him after you left. He ran out of the back door and… I lost him when he jumped over the fence." The Brit didn't have time to flinch as the other teen socked him in the jaw. The force of the punch landed the tall teen on his ass. Kaito loomed over him. The scowl on his face said everything.

"What were you thinking?" His voice was full of ice.

"What were you thinking?" Hakuba spat back, while rubbing his cheek.

"You kidnapped someone! You made that poor kid wear fake kitten ears and tail. Just what ever did you need from him!?"

This seemed to make the other teen falter somewhat. "Get inside…now." The thief turned and opened the door and walked inside. Hakuba followed behind him and sat on the couch at Kaito's gesturing. The magician disappeared for a minute before reappearing with an ice pack. "Here. For your face."

Saguru nodded and took the pack. "Thanks." He mumbled as he applied it.

Kaito breathed deeply as he sat down cross legged in one of the living room chairs. "First things first. We need to find that kid before anyone sees him, or worse identify him."

"Well." Saguru stated shifting the pack. "It's been three days since he saw his family. Wouldn't he try to find them?"

"No." Kaito said flatly. "He's got a problem that he doesn't want anyone to see. Which is why he ran in the first place." Hakuba cocked an eyebrow. "It's really hard to explain." Kaito assured.

"Look, I need to know what's happened to him." Hakuba seemed to be listening; which calmed Kaito down a little.

"I'm not going to tell you. Mostly because it's not my secret to tell. I will tell you that it's not life threatening."

"Alright." Saguru said leaning back into the couch; first looking at his pocket watch, then up at the ceiling. "He's been gone for 43 minuets. Where would a child go when he doesn't want to be found?"

"He probably would somewhere secluded." Kaito pondered. He's really resourceful so he would try to stay away from places that a lost child would stick out."

"Good point. Downtown has too many adults." Suddenly Saguru straitened. "Are there any parks in the area?"

Kaito pondered.

"Yeah, three. One only two blocks away." Suddenly Kaito jumped up. "Of course. That's perfect! He could transform without anyone noticing." The teen jumped to his feet and raced to his shoes.

They didn't find of a trace of the child. After hours, it stared raining. The park was deserted. Everything seemed especially dark and forbidding to the two teens.

After more searching Kaito noticed a dark clump behind some bushes. He approached cautiously as he noticed they were the clothes Conan had been wearing when he left earlier.

"Hakuba!!"

"Did you find something?!" The detective yelled back. It only took him a couple seconds to sprint back to the other teen. Kaito lifted the clothes to show Saguru. He gave Kaito a look that seemed to be a mix of worry and confusion.

Kaito looked back at the clothes and gestured to the sidewalk. Hakuba followed and saw the clothes Conan wore earlier. "What the…" Hakuba looked up and around the park. "Why did the brat strip?"

Kaito drew in a deep breath. "This is going to get very complicated. Right now we need to find a little…"

"Are you talking about your little friend here?" A sickening sweet voice asked. Both boys snapped their heads to see the Red Witch Akako standing in the clearing. She was in full witch regalia. In her hand Conan was clutched tightly. Kaito ran towards the clearing that the witch stood. Hakuba was close behind. "Stop right there." She stated coldly. Kaito stopped and assessed the situation. They all were in the very center of the park. There was a fountain on his left. On the right were street lights brightening the area. The magician looked at the helpless kitten in the witch's hand.

"Conan?" Kaito called out. The kitten made no sign of movement. His stomach clenched.

"Don't worry about him." Akako said nonchalantly. "Anyway it's a good thing that I found him when I did. I found a couple of dogs chewing on him. Honestly Kaito you should look after your pets better." The smile she gave made Kaito shudder in anger.

"Just change him back!" He snapped back. The teen was furious.

The witch laughed and made a tsking sound. "I don't think that's going to happen Kaito." She mused coolly.

The magician growled and took a step forward. Suddenly Kaito felt Hakuba's hand on his shoulder. "You need to calm down. She's getting you riled so you make a mistake."

"Well its working." Kaito gritted through his teeth as he slapped the Brit's hand away. He turned his attention back to the witch. "Anyway, what I don't get is why you targeted Kudo. You obviously had him in your sights from the beginning but why? I mean you two haven't even met before."

The witch's smile widened. "Oh this is a favor for a friend." Kaito looked back in surprise. "Actually I am doing two favours for him. Isn't that right Saguru?" Kaito slowly turned back at the other teen in shock.

"Is that true?" Kaito asked in disbelief. Saguru stood, wide eyed. The Brit looked back at Kaito with an equal look of shock etched into his face.

Suddenly Akako burst out laughing. "Come on Saguru. Didn't I tell you that I could do anything I wanted?" She held Conan in front of her. The kitten was still limp in her hand. "Since detective's like evidence, I decided to give you some."

"I have just about had it with you bitch." Kaito broke out into run for the witch. He was a couple of feet in front of her before Akako held Conan in front between the two of them; making Kaito stop in his tracks.

"Oh I don't think so." She stated as she tightened her grasp around the kitten. Kaito watched in horror as one of Conan's eyes cracked opened slightly and the helpless creature made a quiet mewing sound. "If you want this brat to live, tell Saguru who you really are."

Kaito clenched his teeth. "My name is Kaito Kubora." The witch's grip tightened even more and the small kitten started to wail. Kaito shivered. "It doesn't matter how much you torture him. I still have no idea what you're talking about!" Again her grip tightened to the point that Conan was starting to gasp for air.

"Oh come now. Is your true identity really so precious that you would really let him die?" Akako purred. Kaito looked at the small creature. It was clear Conan was going to suffocate soon. It was also clear that Akako knew his greatest weakness. She knew that he wasn't going to let someone die. Not for this.

Kaito sank to his knees. "Fine you win. Yes, I'm the Phantom Thief KID. Let him go." Akako shrugged her shoulders.

"I guess so." Kaito then watched in horror as she tossed Conan into the air. The kitten landed sprawled in front of him. As Kaito reached out to grab him a flame encircled him.

"Well Hakuba. What do you think? In one night I've captured the notorious KID and made you the best detective in all of Tokyo." Kaito glared as Saguru slowly walked by. "Now are you happy?" she said smugly.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Kaito shouted.

Saguru stopped just in front of the unmoving kitten.

Kaito tried to reach for Conan, but the flame was impenetrable. "Leave him alone!" He shouted.

"No." Hakuba said coolly. Kaito stopped. He swore that the air temperature dropped a few degrees. "I'm not happy. What on earth made you think this was the best way to convince me?"

"I'm just showing you what magic can really do." The witch cooed sweetly. "We could be together forever." She outstretched her arm, waiting for the detective to take it.

Saguru picked up the kitten carefully. "Who would ever want to be with you." He growled. "Now change the boy back."

If Akako was offended by his last comment she wasn't showing it. Kaito leaned back. From his point of view it seemed that Saguru was immune to her magic charms. But, how would that be possible? Wasn't he supposed to be the only one?

"I need to get him help." Saguru stated as he took out a handkerchief. The detective suddenly talking to Kaito shook him out of his thoughts. While covering the kitten he turned to Akako.

"Release him." Saguru's tone was ice cold.

Akako looked back with mock hurt. "Saguru are you telling me to release a known criminal?"

"Let him go." Saguru's tone remained steady.

Kaito slowly rose to his feet. "Saguru get out of here. Kudo needs help."

"No this is my mess. I'm not leaving you here with her." He nodded towards Akako.

"Please. Just go I'll be fine." Kaito gave Saguru a sly smile. "Besides I've survived tangles with her before."

Saguru held the kitten to his chest. "I'm so sorry."

"Yeah well I'll get you back for this later." Kaito mocked. Saguru nodded. He started running and didn't look back.