Kaito stared entrance of the Keishichō. The building never looked more towering than now as he stood before it. Taking in a deep breath, Kaito adjusted the mouthpiece Jii gave him for drastic measurement. For example:

Pretending to be unwell.

He opened the front doors, instantly meeting his rival's environment. Metres ahead of him, officers of all ranks were lining up for elevators at one corner, leaning in to converse about mundane occurrences or a case, now and then. While others took the stairs, briefcase raised as they strode upwards in solitude, bypassing others or ramming into them but not without calling a swift apology over their shoulders. And there were some workers, buzzing left and right to deliver some papers or case fills, if not the occasional coffee. All in all, exactly what Kaito expected.

With slouched shoulders, he sauntered to the reception area of the police Headquarters and prepared himself for the worst. From what he could tell, the lady whose name was- he squinted the insignia pinned to her blouse but the characters were too long for him to discern, either that or he was standing too far to be able to read it, Kaito was sure it was the latter- something, sat behind the desk looking as though she was out for his head. But that was to be suspected he thought, gazing at her dark primed hair and harsh knitted brows. He was out of place after all.

"Excuse me?" Kaito begun, nearing her but still made sure to stand several steps away from the desk. He adjusted his voice to near hoarse and yet husky enough to be heard over the rustling papers and the distant lulling beep from the photocopier. "Nakamori-Keibu asked for my presence-"

"Kuroba Kaito?" The lady chimed, brows shooting upwards. All traces of animosity cascaded away as she sized him up and down. Eyes flicking at him from all direction and Kaito shifted his feet from side to side to at least avert some of her laser beam like eyes. "The elite weapon? You?" She breathed out. Seemingly done scrutinising him and Kaito frowned.

What was up with that lady?

"I'm sorry. Nakamori-san must be waiting for you. We'll go right away." She bolted from her seat. Snatched loose papers lolling on her desk and tucked them into a binder she fished out from the drawers beneath her. The lady- whose name was Tachibana, Kaito disovered, peeking at her identification card once more- turned her head towards another other women at the far end of the room. She was leaning against a wall, chatting with collegues she was having coffeee with, if the thick smell of grained and roosted coffee beans was anything to go by.

"Tanaka-san!" Kaito jumped when the Tachibana raised her voice and waved a hand at her. "He's here!"

The women- Tanaka- perked up, lifting her head above the others. "The elite- like weapon?" Kaito dropped a sweat when rest of the room stared at him. Muffled voices and whispers roused up, but Tanaka's voice blared on top of it all with a blasting "Where?" Her dark hair bobbed, flaring around as she gazed around the room and landed on Kaito for a split of a second but continued on her search until Tachibana pointed a pen at Kaito. Her sparkling eyes dimmed as her eyes flashed back at him, unimpressed. Kaito huffed and crossed his arms. He might not know what the deal was, but it was sort of unflattering as much as it was scathing and it annoyed him. Greatly.

"Look-" he started but discontinued after noticing at Tanaka's intense stare and gulped. Swallowing down the uneasiness that well inside him as her eyes remaining seconds too long on his mouth-guard.

"You don't mean that kid? He's the secret baton? That sicky?"

"Ahem!" Tachibana coughed, her eyes glinting dangerously and Tanaka squeaked out an apology, bowing low in Kaito's direction and he took a step back in response. "Yes, now go on your post. You're covering for me, if you haven't forgotten." Tachibana tucked the pen behind her ear, holding the binder under her arm as she strode forwards. "Kuroba-san, follow me. We're behind schedule."

Kaito send a last lingering look at Tanaka before catching up to her.

Policewomen sure are strange.

But so was Nakamori and he was man. Kaito shrugged, opting that all police-people associated with Nakamori must have a least one weird trait.

Tachibana dragged him down varieties of white washed walls, escalators and hallways. Giving him information here and there as they walked through the maze until they finally reached a double door at the end of the hallway they turned in. Kaito bowed slightly, shuffled on the scruffy floor and coughed now and then which earned him pitiful glances from Tachibana. Kaito hid a grin, pride and satisfaction swelled warm in his chest. His plan was working, For, Tachibana patted his shoulders whispering a low, "Don't strain yourself too much." and "Be sure to take it easy with those blokes." before opening one of the doors and announced his arrival.

Nakamori sprang from his seats about to receive him when he stopped dead on his tracks. The curve of his mouth sank and his gaze wandered around his face, staring visibly hard at his mouthpiece and at his swollen eye lids. Fidgeting, Kaito watched Nakamori mumble and eventually sighing. Deeply.

"You shouldn't have come. Go back and rest."

Before Kaito could spew his well practiced speech as to why Nakamori should let him assist him in his current condition. The other policemen spoke up.

"Is that the one you told me of? Your super surprise weapon?" His brows drew down as he continued. "He doesn't look all too promising now, does he?"

"No. Not anymore, Chaki-Keishi." Nakamori rubbed his neck, shoulders slumping the tiniest bit as he said, "Although, I did hope he'll be the break through."

"I can still help, Keibu." Kaito spoke up still standing near the entrance. "After all we won't do anything that requires tremendous strength, right? I will be okay."

"I'm not sure. You might get worse."

"But the kid still seems eager enough to give a hand. Tell me, why is that?" Chaki's eyes fell on him, icy and frigid and yet so hard, Kaito suppressed a shudder and smile instead, carelessly and easy. The outline discernible underneath the fabric of his mouth cover and slightly singsonged his answered but made sure to reinforce the conviction and acuteness as he spoke. Chaki listened quietly as he rumbled on and on, using small gestures every now and then.

In all honesty, Kaito himself didn't know what came out of his mouth. All he knew was to bring out his Kid loving side, play the card of a good family friend and ultimately speak of his personal gain from it all. The thrill of meeting and competing to a 'professional' magician and hey, he might get to be bold printed on the newspaper this time and might appear on the news. Not that he cared much, but Kaito needs to act his age sometimes, even if it was only acting on his part.

Though, he hadn't expected for them both to be staring at him as though he was- well, alien like. It was after all normal for a teenager to gush at their hero or heroine at times.

. . . right?

Kaito didn't know anymore when neither of them moved. Their eyes were a little wide and their mouth opened just a bit to see a strip of pink lurking between their teeth. If anything they were surprised and astounded. But what about though? Kaito frowned before he remembered and coughed somewhat sheepishly, momentarily forgetting his other act and engaged himself into a self made coughing fit, waking the policeman out of their stupor as his body recoiled and shook. Nakamori held out a bottle of water which Kaito took and drank as if he just came from a desert straight from Northern Africa and breathed out a feeble "Thanks."

"He's pretty motivated for it." Chaki-Keishi begun, swivelling his chair to face Nakamori. "As long as he doesn't push himself too much, I don't see why can't help you."

But, Nakamori still sent and unsure gaze at Kaito. His brows were furrowed and his fingers grazed his chin. From the looks of it Kaito was sure his efforts were for nought. He hung his head a little and sighed, exaggeratedly loud but that did it. For Nakamori sighed too, a little less audibly and scratched his head, something he had been doing a lot more lately. He'll grow bold if he keeps this up, Kaito thought, touching his own hair crown.

I'll need to stop doing that, too.

"Alright then," Nakamori stood up, pushed his chair back and saluted, nudging Kaito to do the same. "You're one of us, now." He told him as they walked back through the maze to the front doors. They also stumbled onto Tachibana. She congratulated him by handing him a newly made identification card. It was his own, even if it was temporary.

"Get used to it." Was all Nakamori said but that was enough. Kaito knew he was handling fire by agreeing to this fiasco and now apparently got his hands burned. His stomach lurched slightly for guilt as he gazed down at his insignia. After all, he was deceiving them. They gave him nothing but kindness although they were mad around the edges but-

Hold on a minute, Kaito thought touching his stomach, he was just hungry.

He snickered to himself. Maybe he should step by Aoko's later. . . He quickly discarded that thought. Kaito told her he'd be absent for the day, coming over as a liar was one of the things he didn't want at all, (which is sort of strange considering he was a trickster).

Guess, I'll stop by the convenience store later.

Kaito looked out of the window as Nakamori was filling him in with information with eyes poised on the windscreen. Mostly materials he already knew. Instead, he concentrated on the passing scenery in his view as they drove up to their agreed 'showdown' building and focused on the matters at hand.

There's a lot he needs to do, after all.

Time- 17:46:32:12

"Baaya, don't worry." Saguru said with a slight smile, opening the car door and stepped out onto the grey pavement. "I will be fine, you'll see."

"Hmm, just don't get yourself hurt." she said swirling the key, roaring the motor alive before poking her head through the half opened window, shouting a hurried goodbye at his retreating back before driving away. Saguru nodded at the receding car and adjusted his penny coloured collar, hugging his coat closer to him as walked over to the large glass made double doors of Suzuki's gallery.

Inside, he was instantly met by display cases lined up near the walls adjacent to another row filled with varieties of burnished jewels and gems, leading up to the middle where other cases were positioned in snake like circles, twirling and twisting in one way into another and yet never touching the middle where a single case stood and in its interior, piled upon ample cushion, was the Mother Of Pearl's Necklace.

Saguru blinked and then smiled. That's different.

He stepped further in, looking away from the glass covers and noted his surroundings, gazing at the many valuable stones whose names he didn't know.

"ACHOO!"

Saguru jumped at the sudden sound. Gazing upwards where it emerged from. Near the railings stood a familiar figure, hunching over. Rubbing his nose with a forefinger as he apologised to inspector Nakamori.

Now, now, if that isn't school skipper Kuroba-kun.

Kaito turned slightly, his side profile in full view and Saguru felt bad for his previous thought. Kaito looked awful. His eyelids were sloppy almost completely drooping over his orbs and his cheeks were flushed, shaded the deepest crimson he'd ever seen on anybody's face, much less expected it to appear on Kaito's deathly pale one.

What was he doing here as ill as he was?

And then, almost unnecessarily another thought popped in which Saguru immediately discarded.

I wonder if he can even breathe through that cloth.

Saguru shook his head. It shouldn't be- biologically- be possible to look that aguish. "Kuroba-kun! you're feeling all right?"

"Hakuba!" Kaito bolted around, feet tripping over his own and- Saguru shut his eyes, gazed away-

Crash!

"Kaito-kun!" Nakamori quickly helped him up, pulling him away from the railing he fell onto and leaned him against the wall. Kaito was breathing hard, even from downstairs Saguru could see, and abnormally fast, too. Just what kind of bug did he actually catch? For a moment Saguru though whether it was contagious, after all he did wear that mouthpiece.

With a nod of his head, Saguru decided to stay away from him just in case. Precautionary measurements, he told himself, there's no harm in that.

"A-A-ACHOO!

Maybe Kaito could bring more harm than Saguru could ever managed. He coughed though, held a fist near his mouth and lowered his eyes, trying to regain his lost vigour before the russet haired stretched his arm out, hand gesturing at the cases as he said, "Was this your doing?"

"That was mine." Footsteps echoed behind him and came to a complete stop. Saguru turned, meeting the grinning face of Suzuki who gazed around them as though he was speaking in public, about to present his newest assets to whole Japan. "A great idea, don't you think? With this design, all eyes will be directed at the Mother Of Pearl's Necklace- tomorrow's main attraction. Quiet a feast, hmm?"

"A win-win situation, I see." Saguru smiled and glanced at Kaito, fast and fleeting. "I'm sure you know, why."

"Don't know what you're talking about. For I know, this layout could obstruct your objectives." Kaito voice cut in. Easy. Light. With an air of indifference and Saguru smirked, noticing that Kaito was now standing up, clutching onto the railing and threw- what Saguru presumed was- an irritated look at him. But he couldn't say for sure, Kaito's reddish cheeks took the menace away (if there was any at all, that's it). "Having too many eyes on the scene might be a disturbance. After all, a gathering is an easy gateway."

"That's true." Nakamori tipped his head towards Kaito. "But, Kaitou Kid won't perform without an audience in most cases. We have to permit some leniency to get him working with us."

"Especially when the audience's keeping an eye on the target." Saguru supplied, relishing in the idea of lecturing him. Although Saguru was certain Kaito was aware of everything already. "He'll have trouble stealing it."

"Not necessarily. Distracting an audience is easier than you may think. In fact the larger it is, the easier it will be." Kaito glanced at Saguru from the corner of his eyes, but held the stern gaze of Suzuki for the most part. "You shouldn't give him anything to work with. But this is good, too. This something we could work with."

"You sound like your have a steadfast plan." Nakamori quickly caught on, patting his chest for a pen and fished out his notepad. "What do you suggest we do, Kaito?"

Saguru's brows shot up at the gesture and only now connected the dots.

Kaito's helping the police?

Of course, how could he not have noticed. Kaito was here. Kaito. However ill as he was, Kaito was still Kid. So, Kid was here, too. Stirring everything into place for his heist and Nakamori was helping him along with it. Unknowingly, as well. Saguru wanted swat his forehead but refrained himself from doing so. It wouldn't go well with his Self-Image. Instead, he breathed out sharply from his nose and sensibly pieced it together.

(Kaito = Kid) * (helping + police) + (unaware + Nakamori) * (No + Aoko) = Not good. At all.

Saguru looked back at Kaito- who was rubbing his red nose with his forefinger- with furrowed brows. Why washe doing this? The way Saguru saw it was too risky. Stimulating the Task Force while preparing a heist corresponding to it- simultaneously no less- was in his opinion suicidal.

Is Kuroba-kun throwing in the towel? Is he giving himself up for the police?

No, Saguru thought grimly, shaking his.He's ridiculing us. Entirely underestimating us or overvaluing his own abilities. But why? Has the disease messed up with Kaito's head? Is he even thinking straight?

His gaze on him hardened. From the way, Kaito has behaved up to now, there's no doubt in his mind that Kaito's mental health wasn't affected in anyway. His speaking abilities seemed to be fine, too.

Too normal to be true, in fact. There was no cheekiness. No annoyance. No arrogance that usually came along with Kaito. Or-

Saguru shook his head.I'm reading too deep in to this. Kuroba-kun might have only resorted to a different approach. There's no need to overreact. Saguru breathed out, long and deep. Just focus like you always do. This might get interesting, after all.

"-see, it's not plan per se," He saw Kaito shook the his head and concentrated back on the conversation. Seemingly Saguru hasn't missed much. "More like a hunch. An idea, if you'd like."

"Go on," Saguru urged, a smile loitering on his lips. Keen on figuring Kaito out.

The brunette scrunched his nose and then sniffed, suppressing another sneeze from the looks of it, "It's really simple. Magicians prepare themselves for their demonstrations, whether its by coming here as a civilian or sending somebody else. It's safe to assume that they know their stage like the back of their hand. But what if," he halted, stretching the last consonant as he glanced at Nakamori, breathing out faintly, "They one day came ill prepared?"

Saguru snorted, if that will ever happen. As long as Kaito was here giving ideas, Kid will always know what will hit him. He'll probably know how too avert it, too.

"You mean to exploit this situation? But how?" Nakamori gazed around. What he was looking for though, Saguru honestly did not know. But he gave him a hand anyway. Laying out a path for Nakamori to work through as he said:

"You're thinking of using the audience to your advantage." Saguru smirked. "Cunning but risky. It lowers the general security and promotes disorder among your men."

"But, Kid won't suspect anything like it!" Nakamori grinned and pumped a fist into his hand. "Brilliant!"

"Did you listen to any words I said?" Saguru raised a brow. "It's not safe at all. In the contrary-"

"I'll set up necessary requirements!" The elder bellowed, eyes fiery and blazing as he cackled to himself. "Tomorrow will be the end of Kaitou Kid!"

Saguru's eyebrows twitched, but he stops himself from frowning. Keep your cool, Saguru. Those fools don't understand. Just try again. He cleared his throat and turned back to Nakamori who was nearing his standpoint and idled wondered when he descended the stairs when he said:

"Nakamori-Keibu, letting your men mingle with the audience will lead to confusion-"

"Ah, Suzuki! Tomorrow. . .-!"

Unbelievingly, Saguru stared at the Inspector. Eyes trailing after him as he engaged into a conversation with the owner. Had Nakamori forgotten who they were handling with? Dressing up some police officers will certainly be not enough to fool Kid. With this unsophisticated plan, the probability of catching Kid was near is zero.

Saguru rubbed his temple. How did even a person, as careless and ludicrous as Nakamori, made it this far?

"It's not the only thing Nakamori-Keibu will use." Kaito voiced then, climbing down the stairs sideways with both hands clutching onto the railing. "Just look at him. He's bursting with new ideas."

Saguru casted a glance at the Inspector again, whose back was now straight, brows wrinkled the tiniest bit as he inclined his head towards Suzuki, speaking in hushed whispers.

"Besides," he turned back to Kaito who was now smiling slow, secretive behind his mouth piece, walking towards him. "That's not all he's going to use. You'll be surprise tomorrow."

The russet haired was starting to get ill feelings. "What else have you told him?"

He waited for Kaito's smile to crook sharp and wicked, grinning evilly at him as he foretold his heinous schemes.

But nothing like that happened.

Instead, Kaito turned away, folded his arms behind his head and rose his nose into the air. "Nothing." -

"You don't expect me to believe that."

Kaito shrugged. "Believe what you want."

"And I believe you're Kid." Saguru crossed his arms and tipped his head at him, smirking. "Whatever you're planning, I won't let you get away."

"You freak. I told you I'm not Ki-i-i-ICHOO!" Kaito sniffed, holding a finger under his nose and turned away. Saguru stepped back too and reached into his pockets when an -ACHOO- resounded again. "S'cuse me." Kaito faced him again with brows twitching at Saguru in annoyance. "Why you holding that handkerchief for?"

"Protection and prevention." Saguru said through the fabric and added hastily. "Don't take it personally, Kuroba-kun. I like to stay healthy, that's all."

"If that's so, I'll make sure to get all that goo on you-"

"Kaito-kun!"

They turned their heads at Nakamori who waved a hand at his classmate, beckoning him towards him as he held up the entrance door. "Come, we're leaving."

Saguru's eyes trailed after Kaito's retreating back, waiting for him to trudge out the doors and disappear out of sight before he turned towards Suzuki who smiled back at him, slow and vicious.

"I hope everything is going according to plan." Suzuki said, gesturing Saguru to follow him. Getting right down to business. "It would be a shame to let my efforts go to waste."

"About that," Saguru started. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Fire away."

"I'm planning on handling the security myself."

"Ah, it's about that bozo, am I right? That newbie that came under Nakamori's wing. I knew he seemed fishy."

"Oh, you did?" Saguru smiled, fully amused. "Then do tell me, what's off about him?"

"For one, his speech was too fluid. He didn't appear to be nervous or fidgety like the rest of his men were. But," Suzuki turned to him, holding his chin between his thumb and index finger as he mulled, "What strikes me most about him is that he seems completely unfazed. Giving ideas here and there as though he doesn't feel any gravity, you know? As though his words are weightless."

"He doesn't feel any responsibility, you mean to say?" Saguru tipped his head towards him. "It's not uncommon for some-"

"No," Suzuki stepped closer to him, speaking low. "I mean, he speaks with some kind of strange assurance. That bozo is a hundred percent sure his plan won't fail. For a fledgling it is pretty suspicious."

Saguru took it all in, lead his head closer to Suzuki and flicked his head upwards, maintaining eye contact all the while as he said, slightly grinning, "Think he's Kid?"

Suzuki doubled at that, grabbed his stomach and fell forward, tears brimming at the corners of his eyes as he laughed out loud. Saguru was sure he could detect strings of "No, never", "That kid?" and "impossible!".

But that was enough.

The russet haired sighed and straightened. "Let's proceed, shall we?"

But was he was only met with more laughter.