14: Identifiable

"Where is it?" Snake shouted, pointing a knife at Kaito's chest threateningly. Despite his restraints and the torture he knew was to come, Kaito grinned his KID grin and told the truth. "I destroyed it as promised, Pandora now rests in shards on the bottom of the ocean." He laughed even as the blade sliced through his flesh and agony seared in its wake. Kaito didn't care; always wear your poker face, because no matter what they did to him… he had ultimately won.

The room was white and time was indeterminable. The room was still white, but smeared with blood. Kaito smiled and wrapped his arms around his knees. The room was white.

The door was creaking open. Kaito had heard what was happening outside, the sounds of fighting, The door opened and a couple people peered in, looking queasy at all the blood. Kaito smiled. "Welcome to my humble abode", he greeted them cheerfully with a bow, "I am afraid I am hardly decent to welcome guests, but well… beggars can't be choosers." His violet-blue eyes glimmered with madness, "and prisoners usually aren't the ones who entertain guests."

Two people pushed through the uniformed crowds and the police drew back. Two detectives entered: one with blond hair and golden eyes, the other with dark hair and blue eyes who looked very much like Kaito himself. "K-Kuroba Kaito?" The blond one gaped. Kaito smiled nostalgically, "ah yes… I did go by that name didn't I? I haven't been called that in… well I don't believe I marked the passing of time, but I recognize you…." He frowned in mock concentration, "tantei-san it was and tantei-kun is with you!" He clapped his hands in delight.

"No more chibi-tantei I presume." Kaito grinned sharply. "What happened to you KID?" Shinichi asked softly, his eyes roaming over the thief's emaciated form. Kaito laughed, "I'm not sure I understand what you mean." He said sincerely. He straightened his bloodstained ukata, "I merely got too caught up in the game!" He giggled.

"Have you looked at yourself?" Saguru asked emptily.

Kaito froze with a conflicted expression, "I know what I'll see, there are no mirrors here, but if I were to gaze upon my reflection… I would not recognize myself." Kaito smiled morosely, "am I hideous? They said they would make it so I could always be recognized for the thief I am. Does it repel you? To think, I only ever wanted to make people smile. Am I gruesome? Ha! I'm still the victor in my game. Was it worth it? Is it over?"

The half-Brit detective was pale while Shinichi took in each scar that Snake had left on the thief. '1412' over and over again, carved into his skin. Some smooth and delicate, others messy and angry; some old and healed over with silvery tissue, others recent and still oozing red liquid, the number repeated from head to toe. And the smile was the same manic grin as always, defiant in the face of KID's pain and the scarred numbers written even across his face. "It's over." Shinichi muttered.

Kaito's smile slowly faded. "Over." He repeated dumbly. His face was blank and pale, his hands trembled, his body swayed on weak legs. "Over." He said again and then he was falling to his knees while laughing and crying. "Over!" Kaito's heart was light, "it's over…. Oyaji." For the first time in years Kaito removed his poker face.