Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! By the way, I should have explained earlier...this is set in a time after Conan managed to turn back to himself. I hope that clears up some confusion!

PART 3

Shinichi could not help staring at the face that was almost like his reflection. Even though Kaito's hair was messier, he looked almost like Shinichi himself---and it was too weird to be true, in Shinichi's opinion.

Kaito shook his head a little. "There, you see me," he said coolly, "and you know who I really am."

"W-why?" Shinichi murmured, slowly walking back to the boy.

"You always want to know who I am, don't you?"

"No, I mean---you aren't scared I'll turn you in?"

"I don't think you would if you know that this is a matter of life and death."

Shinichi bit his lip. "Okay, you got me. But first, who are you?"

"My name is Kuroba Kaito. I'm seventeen years old and a high school student, like you." He paused as astonishment registered on Shinichi's face. "But I am not the Kid who disappeared eight years ago. That was my father. In other words, I'm Kaitou Kid the Second. The only reason I decided to become Kid is to find out who killed my father. He was murdered in a magic show eight years ago. I thought if I become him, I can lure the murderer out."

"And you succeeded?" Shinichi asked.

"Unfortunately, yes, including the reason to why they killed him. They're looking for this." Kaito showed him the gem. "It's called the Holy Gem Pandora...just peer through it under the moonlight, and you'll get immortality---or so they say."

Shinichi examined it. "How do you get immortality from this?"

"That's what I would like to know." Kaito suddenly paused. He shook his head quickly. "No! I can't let you get involved. This is my business, not yours!" He shoved the blanket away and got off the couch before Shinichi could stop her. Pain struck from his ankle, and he would have fallen over if Shinichi had not seized him before he fell.

"Your ankle is hurt too?"

"I told you, It's none of your business!" Kaito snapped, pulling away. He immediately collapsed, grasping the arm of the couch for support and his face twisting in pain.

Shinichi watched with compassion as Kaito forced himself up. He had never seen this side of Kid before. For one reason, he never thought Kid would be this persistent. After all, he had given up countless of heists when Shinichi was around. And it was also the first time he saw cold, calm Kid at his most desperate and helpless measure.

But, after all, Kaitou Kid is also a human, and his name is Kuroba Kaito.

"Kiddo---I mean, Kuroba," Shinichi began. "I still don't fully understand the situation, but---" He took Kaito by the arm, helping him up. "...but I understand how you feel. Even though I'm not supposed to get involved, I want to help you. Believe me."

Kaito didn't answer. Then he started to chuckle in his usual cold way. "Thanks for the effort, Kudo...but I'm not buying it. You don't know how I feel. You never lost your father. You never be Kid. You are not me." He whipped out his card gun and pointed it at Shinichi's face. "I've made my point. Let me go, before I slice your face in half."

"Hmph, like you'll actually use it on me," Shinichi said coolly. "But if that's what you want, fine."

He let go, and Kaito momentarily leaned on the couch until he regained his footing. He picked up his hat and eyepiece and put them on. He smiled lightly as he tipped his hat down. He started to limp awkwardly out.

"My offer as a detective will be open whenever you need it."

Kid paused when he heard Shinichi saying so. He didn't turn around, but shook his head. "You're wasting your time, meitantei."

He waved his cloak, and disappeared. But Shinichi could hear a thud in the hallway, an "Ouch!" from Kid, and the door slamming close. Shinichi let out a sigh. Looks like I just saw a bigger other side of Kuroba Kaito a.k.a. Kaitou Kid... "You're a stubborn fool."

---

"SHINICHI, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!"

Shinichi lifted his head, looking blurry. Mouri Ran was standing in front of his desk, hands on hips and glaring at him. "Oh! Gomen nasai...what did you say?" he asked quickly.

"Forget it! Tell me what's going on in YOUR head that made you look unconscious for a while."

The word 'unconscious' made Shinichi start thinking again. He could not help it---his encounter with Kid that morning was too much. He wondered what happened to the boy...and he found himself hoping that whoever that was trying to kill him would not find him.

"KUDO SHINICHI!"

Shinichi snapped out of his daydream, blinking. "What?"

"I said, tell me what you're thinking!" Ran snapped in frustration. "I was talking to you and you don't seem to be listening! I'm not talking to you anymore." She turned around so that her back faced Shinichi, her head high.

"Ehhh, Ran!" Shinichi quickly jumped up and put his hand on Ran's shoulder. "I'm sorry! I just got a lot on my mind."

"Well, tell me what's on your mind then," Ran said, turning back to face him.

Shinichi winced. It was not that he did not want to tell Ran---but he had sworn himself already. He chuckled softly. "That's okay, Ran, it's just stupid. Hey, listen, want to go out tonight? I mean, err, we could have dinner somewhere and then maybe catch a movie."

Ran peered at him. "Sure, if they're all on you."

"Of course!" Shinichi said gleefully. He had been planning the 'date' for a while, and while Ran had agreed, all he had to do now was to figure out how to confess to her (he had been putting it off, apparently one of the bad habits he should change).

By this time, he had forgotten about Kid.

---

In his room, Kaito was seated at his desk, inspecting the Pandora gem. It looked very beautiful. He set it down and picked up another that was an exact replica of the original gem. He took a knife and cut its side a little. Then he held it up towards the sunlight. He could see his signature in it.

That's it, I found the gem. So...why am I hesitating? He gazed at the original gem, looking thoughtful. I should be destroying it before the bad guys get their hands on it. But...

He bit his lip. If I destroy it, will I be Kid again?

This frustration had cut deep into him. The gem seemed to be mocking him as it stood there. Kaito could not take it. "DARN IT!" he yelled as he stood up very fast, snatching it up. But his hand stopped there, trembling. He did not toss it down. He was that way for a minute.

"AAAAAARGH!!" he let out a scream of frustration and hurled it.

The gem landed in one piece on his bed.

He collapsed into his chair, his fingers dug into his hair. "Why..."