The person slowly walked out of the shadows. It was a muscular man with an evil face and dressed in black, he was wearing a hat as well. Kaito immediately had a good idea of who it was. He smirked, despite the pain in his arm:

- Well, isn't it my old friend Snake! Long time no see! How have you been doing?

Snake laughed evilly:

- Still optimistic, huh? Today I'll finish my job... For good!

KID's smirked was still on his face:

- Sorry, don't think so. It's impossible to kill the Kaitou KID, you should know that.

Then, with a swift movement, KID used his uninjured hand to retrieve his card gun and shot. The card hit Snake's wrist, making him drop the gun on the floor. He gritted his teeth and proceeded to take the gun back but another card was plunged into the ground next to the gun, making him step back. Snake looked at KID angrily, his eyes went red:

- You bastard!

KID smirked again:

- See, I can beat you even when I'm injured. Now would you please be nice and...

He was cut off as another bullet hit his shoulder, making him drop the card gun as well. He winced in pain and look to his side. Another person with long silver hair stepped out of the shadow:

- I thought you were an experienced assassin, Snake. And you was fooled by your old target?

Snake snapped at the new person:

- Shut up Whisky! I was caught off guard!

The person called Whisky smirked dangerously as Snake went to retrieve his own gun, then they both turned to face Kaito, who was beginning to pant and sweat from the loss of blood.

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No sooner had Shinichi reached the door than he heard the sound of gunshot echoed through the air. His eyes widened in fear as he ran to the fence. When he realized that the shot came from the direction of Kaito's landing spot, he became extremely frightened. He took out a large gun and shot an anchor at the nearby building's fence, then he tightened the rope and used a wheel to get to the place. When he reached the building, he heard another gun shot and swiftly took cover. He peeked his eyes out to see two people, each holding a gun pointing at a severely injured Kaito. His eyes widened even more (if possible) as he realized the situation his friend was in. He quickly sent Nakamori a message, then pulled out another switch (which was similar to the one he used against Hakuba earlier):

- Well, here goes nothing! Hope Kaito installed it thoroughly...

Then, after taking a deep breath, he pushed it.

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The two man were all pointing their guns at Kaito. Whisky smirked:

- Well Snake, would you like the honor to finish your job?

Snake also smirked, dangerously:

- Gladly!

Kaito straightened himself:

- You know, two against one is unfair, especially two armed men against one with no weapon!

Snake growled:

- Shut up KID! Prepare for your one-way trip to hell!

But as he was beginning to pull the trigger, a soccer ball flew towards him, hit the gun and sent it flying away. Whisky immediately turned towards the direction just to receive another ball, which also sent his gun away.

Standing not far from the three of them was a figure dressed in black as well. However his suit, apart from the colour and the white gloves, is 100% the same as KID. He also wore black vest with a white shirt inside, black trousers and a black cape as well as a black top hat. Even his face is amazingly similar to KID, and he also had a monocle on his right eye as well. Attached to the monocle is also a charm, the number 1 instead of KID's four-leaf clover. He was wearing a smirk on his face.

The figure began to walked towards them, until he was standing next to the Kaitou KID, which made the two of them an identical pair of black and white.

The newcomer grinned at KID:

- Is the fight fair now, KID?

KID grinned back:

- I'm hurt, so I still don't think it's fair!

Snake looked from left to right at the two of them before he shouted:

- Who are you, twerp?

The newcomer turned towards Snake, his eyes blinked for a moment before he smiled:

- Ahh, you must be Snake, nice to meet you!

And he bowed down, his right hand on his left chest:

- My name is Night Baron, and I'm a friend of Kaitou KID. - he straightened himself again.

Whisky said, calmly:

- This is none of your business. Step aside or we'll have to take care of you as well.

Night Baron grinned:

- What kind of gentleman would leave his friend when he's in need?

Snake growled angrily:

- Fine! We'll take care of them both! Let's

But he was cut off as the sound of police sirens were heard and they are coming nearer and nearer. Whisky waved his hand:
- Another time, Snake. We have to take our leave now before the police get to us.

And Whisky turned towards the door that led to the stairs and left. Moments later Snake followed him.

After making sure the two of them had left, Night Baron rushed towards Kaitou KID, put his injured arm around his neck:

- KID, are you ok? I'm sorry I came too late! I'm going to take you to the hospital, ok?

KID shook his head:

- No, not the hospital, the doctors will immediately recognise bullet wounds. Let's go home first.

Night Baron nodded before he took out his cellphone:

- Professor Agasa, can you pick us up? Severe injury, please hurry up!

When he flipped down the cellphone was also the moment the police burst through the door. Hakuba and Nakamori came out and needless to say, they were shocked to find KID injured and his contrast twin helping him stabilize. Hakuba questioned:

- Hey, who are you?

Night Baron looked up and grinned:

- My name is Night Baron and I'm an ally of Kaitou KID. Nice to meet you, the famous KID taskforce!

Nakamori claimed:

- You two are under arrested!

KID smirked

- Oh, sorry Inspector but not today! Maybe next time.

And Night Baron put his hand into KID's pocket to take out a smoke bomb and dropped it on the floor. When the smoke cleared, they're both gone.

Nakamori cursed:

- Damn! He got away again!

Hakuba didn't seem to pay attention to Nakamori's rage. 'The two of them look strikingly similar to each other... Twins?'

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Professor Agasa was driving on the night streets of Beika. Besides him sat Shinichi, still wearing his black suit and white shirt. At the back seat, Kaito was sitting with a frowning Haibara, who was examining his wound.

Kaito looked down at Haibara, smirking:

- Hey little girl, are you sure you can take care of bullet wounds?

She glared back at him, sending shiver down his spine. 'This girl is scary', he thought.

- Don't call me that, thief! Yes, I learnt medicine. And for your information, I've been shot before, and more than you, idiot!

Kaito grinned as she bandaged his wounds. Haibara continued:

- I guess they were caused by Snake, right?

Kaito looked forward:

- One was by Snake, the one on my left arm. The one on my right shoulder was the work of another one, a man with long silver hair called Whisky.

Kaito didn't notice upon hearing the name "Whisky", Haibara froze. Her eyes widened as fear took over her face.

Kaito tapped his chin:

- Come to think of it, this Whisky guy looks familiar... Have I seen him somewhere...?

Shinichi replied:

- He's one of the two guys wearing black outfit we saw at the roller coaster ride in Tropical Land, remember? Though the one I intended to follow was his...friend...

Kaito's eyes lit up:

- Ah, now I remember, yeah he... - He was cut off as he glanced down at Haibara, seeing the expression on her face.

- Hey Haibara, what's wrong? - Kaito asked.

- Whisky... He's the most dangerous assassin of the Organization...

The statement made Shinichi turned back as well.

- How dangerous? - Professor Agasa asked.

- He's a cold blooded assassin who would kill with no hesitation... And it is said that he killed too many people he doesn't even bother remembering their names or their faces...

Kaito grinned:

- Then we'd better be careful around him!

Shinichi, still wearing that unreadable expression since they got in the car, turning back up.

The car stopped in front of the Kudo mansion, just as Haibara finished bandaging Kaito. Shinichi got down:

- Thanks Professor, for the ride!

Professor Agasa smiled:

- Anything for you two. Just remember to be more careful and don't get shot next time, ok?

Shinichi's face turned extremely serious:

- There won't be a next time, I promise.

Kaito also got down the car. He didn't seem to have paid attention to Shinichi and Professor Agasa's conversation.

- Thank you, little girl! I didn't know you were so good at medicine!

She scowled:

- How many times do I have to tell you DON'T CALL ME THAT!

Then she shrugged:

- It's the least I can do... For the things you have done for me...

Kaito grinned:

- Well, thanks again! And good night!

And he closed the car door and followed Shinichi into the house.

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Kaito took off his tie as he entered the bedroom after Shinichi:

- Ahh, my shirt is blood-stained! Better wash it carefully otherwise...

But then he stopped. He realized since entering the room, Shinichi had been standing still, his hands in his pockets, not moving.

- Shinichi, what's wrong?

Shinichi turned around, facing Kaito. He was wearing an extremely serious expression which really scare Kaito.

- Shi..ni..chi? - Kaito spoke up hesitantly.

Shinichi slowly walked towards Kaito, making him stepping back on autopilot. He really didn't like the look on Shinichi's face. He kept backing until his back came into contact with the wall. He gulped as Shinichi grabbed the collar of his shirt, looking into his eyes with extreme anger. Those eyes... He felt like they were burning him...

- Shinichi, please... - Kaito spoke, quietly, almost like a whisper but the anger in Shinichi's eyes was still there. Shinichi then yanked his collar and pushed Kaito onto the bed, fiercely, making him winced in slight pain.

Kaito looked up to see his friend standing in front of him, his arms crossed at his chest.

- Shinichi, what...

- Is that your definition of "being careful", Kuroba?

Kaito froze. Kuroba? Shinichi...was calling him...Kuroba? He never called him that... Ever since their first meeting when they were kids. Kaito looked up to see Shinichi was still really angry.

- Shinichi... Look, I...

- You promised me you would always be careful - Shinichi cut him off - And you got shot! Not only once, but twice! Twice, Kuroba!

Kaito really didn't like this. The way Shinichi was calling him... The tone Shinichi was using... He didn't like. One bit.

- I'm sorry, but...

- And yet, you act as if nothing bad happened! Yeah right, this is just a game to you, isn't it? Life and death, it doesn't matter to you, does it? Well, it's your life, do whatever you want with it, I don't care!

And with that, Shinichi walked out of the room, slammed the door shut behind him, leaving Kaito inside, who was still staring at the door for a long time after his friend had left.

Kaito knew he was careless that night, but he didn't figure Shinichi would be that mad.

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There were something wrong with the two boys, everyone in the class noticed.

Shinichi looked angry when he entered the classroom that morning. Kaito followed, he also didn't look as happy and energetic as usual.

Ever since they came, they hadn't spoken to each other. Kaito occasionally glanced at his friend through the corner of his eye, but Shinichi didn't seem to pay any attention. He just kept on reading his book.

And Kaito sighed, every once in a while, which is extremely worrying. Their magician, their prankster, never sighed, and...

That was when Hakuba burst through the door. He didn't seem to have paid any attention towards the two boys' attitude as he approached them:

- Kudo-kun, Kuroba-kun, can I speak with you for a second?

They both looked at them, blinking. Then Shinichi nodded and stood up, followed him. Kaito shrugged but followed as well.

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- OK Hakuba-san, what is it that you want to talk to us privately? - Shinichi asked once they were on the roof of the school.

Hakuba kept silent for a while. Then he turned around to face the two boys:

- Kuroba-kun is KID, am I right? And Kudo-kun, you are his ally.

Both blinked at Hakuba's statement. Then Shinichi narrowed his eyes:

- You're a detective as well, Hakuba-san. You should know better than accusing people of a crime without hard proof.

Kaito also nodded:

- Unless you have any evidence, you can't convict me, Hakuba-kun.

Hakuba's face stayed unchanged:

- Of course I have my reason. Kuroba-kun and Kaitou KID are both magicians, good ones I must say. And Kuroba-kun always claims he is the biggest KID fan, and KID fans would never reject the opportunity to see KID in close distance, and Kuroba-kun has just the chance as he is allowed into the heist scene. However he always disappears near the starting time of the heist. And since KID has an ally who looks just like him, I think the only possible person is you, Kudo-kun. You two do look alike, and live in the same house too.

Kaito was clearly annoyed:

- Just because I'm not near the scene doesn't mean I'm KID. I just want to join all the fans out there, to cheer for KID. And you can't accuse me of being KID just because we're both magicians. There are a lot of magicians out there, you know.

Hakuba retorted:
- I asked Nakamori-san, Mouri-san and Suzuki-san, and they said they never saw you at a heist, even though they attend almost every one of them. They said they thought you were with Kudo-kun.

Kaito smirked:

- Oh yeah, right, there's a huge chance that I would run into them in the middle of such a big crowd, right?

Hakuba was at a loss of words. Obviously he lacked hard evidence. He knew Kuroba-kun was KID, the proof he had was not enough to make him admit being KID.

Shinichi coughed:

- And one more thing Hakuba-san. KID's ally, he could be wearing disguise to look like him. I'm a detective, there's no way I'm helping an international wanted thief. Your accusation, it is an insult to me.

Kaito jerked his head up to stare wide-eyed, disbelievingly at Shinichi but he didn't seem to notice as he continued:

- Next time, if you want to convict someone, be sure to find more hard proof.

With that, Shinichi turned and left. Kaito was still staring at him, clearly shocked. After a while he followed as well, leaving Hakuba alone on the roof.

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Kaito kept on staring at his dish. He hadn't eaten anything. Shinichi tried to pretend not to care as he was still mad but after a while he gave up. Kaito was still a patient after all. The bullet wounds hadn't healed properly.

- Kaito, what's wrong?

He didn't reply. His mind kept replaying the sentence Shinichi just said when they were on the roof that afternoon. He felt extremely disappointed as he stood up:
- I'm sorry, I lost my appetite.

Then he turned, making way to his room. Shinichi stood up as well, followed and grabbed his wrist:

- OK I'm sorry, I might have been a little too harsh on you last night but that was only because I was really worried about you! Please get back and eat something, your wounds haven't healed properly, you need to eat!

Kaito stood still for a while, before shaking his head:

- It's not that. I understood that you were mad at me last night and that was my fault, I don't blame you... But...

Shinichi blinked:

- But... what?

Kaito yanked his wrist free as he turned around:
- Sorry but maybe you don't want to live in the same room with an international wanted thief. It would be more of an insult to you than helping him.

With that, Kaito changed his direction as he started walking towards the guest room.

Shinichi's eyes widened as he realized what he had said earlier. He walked after Kaito, trying to explain:

- Kaito, it's not what you think! I was just saying that to convince Hakuba! Come on, Kaito, let me explain!

But he was cut off as Kaito already entered the room and slammed the door shut right in his face.

Separated by just a door, they both sighed and leaned against it. Then they slowly slide down, sitting on the floor.

Why did they keep hurting the feelings of the person they love the most?