Winter Solstice

Thousands of fans were screaming loudly, chanting the name of the notorious phantom thief who had sent a message stating he'd steal a large emerald tonight from one of the most highly guarded museums in the whole of Tokyo.

"You know," Conan commented idly from his perch on the building adjacent to the museum, hidden in the shadows on the roof, "you'd think the fans would realize by now that there's not terribly much to see from the outside. All the real action is on the inside."

"Yes, but it's not like they can gain access to the inside. Not everyone is as resourceful as you are, Tantei-kun," A silky voice purred in his ear, lifting the binoculars from his grasp and putting them to his own face, looking down to where the police were scurrying around, making last minute preparations. "Hmm, looks like Hakuba decided to join in on the fun. And yet, Mouri-tantei's not down there. How did you manage to come here without him?"

Conan shrugged. "I have my resources. Ran thinks I'm staying over at Agasa's; Agasa-hakase thinks I'm at Ran's. As such, nobody actually knows that I'm unaccounted for. Which is lucky for you, otherwise I wouldn't be here to help you out." He sighed lightly. "I do kind of miss the chase, though. It was always the most enjoyable challenge."

"Not to worry," Kaitou Kid grinned. "After all, you can always chase me on our own time, preferably when we don't have murderous alcoholics after us.

"Heh. Yeah, that would be best, wouldn't it? A challenge without the threat to life. That's something I haven't seen in a long time."

"I know," Kid whispered softly, wrapping an arm around him. "But don't worry. Today marks the beginning of winter."

"So?"

"Be poetic, Tantei-kun. Winter symbolizes the end before a new beginning can rise anew."

"Like I said, so?"

Kid sighed. "With any luck, the dead of winter will hurt the alcohol and spring's rebirth will be gifted only to those of us with less…murderous intentions."

"Pretty thoughts, Kid, but you realize there's hardly any chance of that."

"Be optimistic for once, Tantei-kun. You never know what favors fate may bring upon us. After all, the merciful lady brought me you, didn't she?" He laughed, pressing a kiss to the boy's forehead.

"Idiot," he muttered in response, but there was no heat behind his words and he willingly leaned back against the thief in the moments before the show.