Reed makes a friend. Heiji makes life difficult.

Reed sat perched on the roof of an Osaka skyscraper, staring idly at the lights of the squad cars below. The Archetype sighed. Sometimes it was all-too-exciting being on sniper watch; tonight, it was dull. All the action was going on below. Not that he begrudged Kid his fun, but . . . well, sometimes it was boring playing the assistant.

A slight shuffling sound caught his attention. Reed stood, suddenly on alert. Someone was on the roof. He faded back into the shadows, invisible to human eyes. It couldn't be Kid - not unless something had gone very wrong. A sniper this late in the game was unlikely, but not impossible. Reed waited . . . and raised an eyebrow as the figure stepped into view.

Well, well. Hattori Heiji, the Great Detective of the West.

It seemed the teen had anticipated Kid's escape route. He made for the edge of the roof, but stopped abruptly and looked around through narrowed eyes. One hand crept toward a long item slung across his back - some type of weapon, most likely.

Don't tell me you know I'm here? Reed grinned. Tantei-han was sharp. Very well then, he thought, flickering back into visibility. I'll play fair for you. He pulled his hood low over his face and shifted deliberately.

Hattori's eyes snapped to him. "I know ya're there," he drawled, leveling a shinai in Reed's direction. "Ya might as well come out, Kid."

Reed laughed and stepped forward. "Flattering, Tantei-han, but incorrect."

Hattori frowned, squinting in the dim light. "Who are ya?"

"Only a humble assistant." Reed swept his cape out to one side as he bowed slightly.

"Kid's assistants tend ta stay in the shadows," Hattori observed. "They don't go 'round in flashy outfits actin' like him."

Reed smirked. "Oh? I suppose you're right. A partner, then. Although," he added in a teasing voice, "I generally do stay in the shadows. Consider yourself lucky, Tantei-han~!"

Hattori winced. "Ya even talk like Kid," he grumbled.

"Of course! We're starting a brand."

The detective glared at him. "We already got one Kaitou Kid. Two's overkill." He shifted his stance, shinai held out in front of him. "That cape's too short for a glider, meaning your only exit is through me."

Not true, but we'll ignore that for now.

Hattori smirked. "Sorry, but I'll be takin' ya in tonight!"

Reed dodged the first swing, slipping around behind the detective. He still wasn't as acrobatic as Kid, but he was getting better. Could he beat Hattori without relying on his more 'extracurricular' abilities? Another strike came at him, and the Archetype laughed. This would be a challenge.

~oOo~

Heiji cursed under his breath as the thief flipped away from his shinai - again. Not only had the other dodged all his strikes, but he kept spouting off those stupid, Kid-like remarks. It was seriously pissing him off. "Don't ya have anything original ta say?" he demanded. "Or are ya just a bad imitation of Kid?"

The thief paused, dropping his smile. ". . . What?"

"You're like a broken record a' the guy," Heiji taunted.

"And what would you have me do, Tantei-han?" The thief scowled.

Heiji grinned. "Ya could start by talkin' ta me in your own voice, 'stead a' Kid's."

The other seemed to think about it for a moment, then sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Ah, well. So much for my method acting. Did I do a good job channeling him?"

"Hah?" Heiji watched, disbelieving, as the thief moved into something resembling a kendo stance. Where he had pulled a shinai from, the detective didn't know. Wasn't sure he wanted to, either. And . . . "Method acting?"

"Nevermind. I'm going to assume I did."

The thief was grinning again. Heiji's eyebrow twitched. "Congrats. You're good at playin' freakin' insane."

"It's one of my talents." The thief tilted his head. "So is this more interesting, Senshi-kun?"

"Sen-" Heiji shook his head. Apparently, stupid nicknames were a thief thing. He supposed it was a bit flattering. "Depends on if you're any good with that." He gestured at the other's shinai and smirked. "Kage-kun."

"Eeeeh? I get a nickname too?"

Heiji raised an eyebrow; suddenly, the thief's smile seemed a lot more genuine. "What? There a problem with that?"

"Nope!"

"Good, 'cause I wouldn't a' cared!" Without further warning, Heiji was back on the attack. This time, however, the thief met his charge head on, and Heiji found himself grinning as they fought. Competitions were fun and all, but there was something thrilling about fighting without protective gear. Besides, the other teen was good.

Ten minutes of battle found him staring the thief down through crossed swords. It didn't look like the other was going to give - of course, neither was Heiji. The detective allowed himself a slight smirk. The thief had a weird style, but if he could push 'Kage-kun' back a few more steps . . . .

Much to his frustration, the Kaitou Kid chose that moment to come flying through the roof access.

Within seconds, his opponent had leapt backward and joined the white-clad kaitou on the edge of the roof. "Sorry, but it looks like we'll have to continue this next time," the thief called. "I'll look forward to it!"

Heiji rushed forward, knowing he would be too late. "Wait just a minute, you-!"

"Seeya, Senshi-kun!"

A cheery wave from the shadow-thief, a jaunty salute from Kid, and they were both over the edge. Hattori caught sight of the familiar white glider as it flew away, but there was no sign of either a parachute or another passenger. Or a falling body, for that matter.

The Detective of the West stood for a minute, theorizing, then shrugged. Just wait until Kudo heard about this.

"I'll get you next time, Kage . . . you and Kid."

~o0o~

Somewhere over Osaka, a figure on a white glider turned to the person flying casually alongside him. "So, have fun playing with Tantei-han?"

"Mm-hm," Reed hummed. "Senshi-kun is good with a sword."

Kid grinned. "And you gave him a nickname." The thief sighed and clasped his hands dramatically over his heart. "Aww, my little partner is becoming a full-fledged kaitou!"

Reed laughed, flipping over in the air and folding his hands behind his head. "What does that make Hattori, I wonder?"

"Eh?"

"I wasn't the only one handing out nicknames." The Archetype smiled. "I feel special."

Kid snickered. "I should send him a Kaitou Membership Card."

"We have those?"

"I'll make some~!"

"Ha!"

Senshi - warrior, brave fighter

Kage - shadow