PART 2

Shinichi stood there, speechless. He thought that his eyes were playing tricks on him. Kaitou Kid, an internationally famous wanted thief, had fainted at his doorstep. Not only that, he was injured.

Finally, he found his voice. "H-hey! Are you okay?" Shinichi exclaimed, dropping to his knees and shaking Kid a little. He bit his lip. He couldn't just stand there and watch someone suffer in the cold, even if it was his nemesis. "Hang in there!" he said, lifting Kid up. Supporting him with his shoulder, Shinichi dragged him into the house.

After settling Kid on the couch in the living room (and putting his hat on the coffee table), Shinichi quickly inspected the wound in his arm. He was shot...that's cruel even for a thief.

He got out the first-aid kit and started applying his knowledge on first-aid. After wrapping bandages awkwardly on the wound, Shinichi let out a sigh. Then he noticed that Kid's hand was grasping onto something tightly. Curious, he tugged the fingers off from their grip.

In Kid's hand was a green gem. Shinichi took it and examined it. He must had been stealing this...I better return it later then.

Shinichi took Kid's hat from the table where he had set it and examined it. It was soaked. He looked up at Kid. His hair was quite a mess. His eyes were still closed.

He had always wanted to know Kid's real identity. Ever since he first met the thief when he was still Edogawa Conan, he never stopped trying to capture him. He wanted to take off the eyepiece and find out who Kid really looked like. His hand started to reach out for it.

No! He quickly pulled back, shaking his head vigorously. I can't do it. I just---can't do it. He looked at Kid, his eyes soft. Without anymore thought, he tucked the thief in some blankets.

Rain continued to pour outside.

---

Kid opened his eyes forcefully. He winced, reaching up with his left hand to grasp his head. The first thing he saw was a fancy ceiling above him. Where---am I?

Then it came back to him. He had fallen in front of Kudo's front door. He got up very fast, only to result with a sharp pain running through his body. "Aik..." he groaned, grasping his arm. It was bandaged. He reached up and felt the eyepiece still there. It's still on...

He turned his head, and immediately saw Kudo Shinichi, fast asleep on the armchair across from him. He started a little. He brought me in...and stayed there. He didn't even bother to find out my real identity...why?

Just then, Shinichi stirred. He slowly woke up, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he yawned. He lifted his head, and saw Kid staring at him. He started. "Oh! Err..." He started to blush, rubbing the back of his head and looking away. "O-Ohayoo gozaimasu...awoken already?"

Kid merely nodded, still gazing at him.

"I, err...you're probably hungry," Shinichi said, getting up. "I'll get breakfast..." He left for the kitchen, leaving Kid to his thoughts.

When Shinichi returned with coffee and toasts, Kid spoke up, "Why?"

Shinichi looked at him. "What?"

"Why did you save me?"

Shinichi looked at the floor. "Only because you helped out a lot in the past," he muttered. "I mean, a little...besides, I can't just stand there and watch someone in trouble."

There was an awkward silence.

"If you're so eager to know who I am, why didn't you bother to find out then?"

That was the question Shinichi had been trying to figure out all night. And he still hadn't come up with an answer. "Well...because...of the same reason I gave you," he retorted.

Another awkward silence. I hate this, Shinichi thought, cursing. "Why were you at my doorstep, and why are you injured? I want the whole story," he countered.

Kid looked down at his hands, almost as if he was trying to decide whether to tell him or not. He finally spoke, "Someone's trying to kill me...not me, I mean...well, generally speaking, yes, they're after me. He was probably disguised, blended in the officers and shot me when he got the chance. Then, he lured me into a bomb trap and almost killed me."

"Wait, why is he trying to kill you?" Shinichi interrupted.

Suddenly remembering, Kid searched around himself frantically. Ehhhh?! Where is it?!

"You're looking for this?"

Kid looked up to see Shinichi holding up the gem he had stolen. "The Pandora gem!" he exclaimed, trying to reach for it. He cringed, pulling back his arm and grasping his injury.

"Pandora gem?" Shinichi echoed. "You mean, they're trying to get this from you?" Kid nodded forcefully. "Then why did you steal it in the first place? If you don't, then you won't be hunted down."

Kid bit his lip. "I have to. And I have to destroy it before---"

"Whoa, hang on! Destroy it?!" Shinichi exclaimed.

"Yes," Kid answered bluntly. "It's too dangerous. Give it back!" He tried to reach for it again, but immediately recoiled in pain.

Shinichi looked at the gem, then at Kid. He felt that there was a reason behind all these---and he had to find out. But he didn't know why he was trying to push the thoughts out of his mind.

"Take it, and leave," he muttered, tossing the gem back to Kid. He got up, and started to head out. Kid stared at the gem, and looked up at Shinichi.

"Hey, wait."

Shinichi turned around. "What---" His eyes widened, and for the second time, he was speechless.

Kid had taken off his eyepiece, revealing the handsome face of Kuroba Kaito.