Minawa: Here is another update now that I've rid myself of that goddamn arts block that's been on my mind FOREVER... *sigh*

Enjoy!

Two hours later I was still in a chair, tried down very uncomfortably. Trust me when I say it sucks and I'd rather hear Sonoko rant about dresses and shoes. I glanced at Kid who sat in the kitchen with a predatory look in his eyes. I had been fine with him sitting like that... the first 3 minutes. Now he would do nothing but stare at me and it was driving me nuts.

We were both obviously thinking this over whole thing over. He didn't fully trust me, understandable, and I didn't know... if... he and I. No. Maybe. Did I like him?

I shook my head the moment the thought hit me but it hung around for quite a while. After all, I could use it for my advantage... if my pride would allow me to. I glanced at Kid again, who no longer stared at me intently (thank whatever God that might have passed by this lonely cabin) and preoccupied himself in the kitchen. I rolled my eyes but thought seriously for a moment. What did Kid want? How would I show he could trust me enough to release me? I sighed heavily but swallowed whatever pride I had in myself. What could be the harm?

"Kid." I said, expecting him to turn around. He didn't.

"Kiiiiiiid" I said, trying to hide my twitching right eye. Still, no reaction.

"YOU DUMB-ASS THIEF, I'M TALKING TO YOU!" it slipped out of me before I really thought about it but it had seemed to work, seeing how Kid now spun around with surprise in his eyes. I caught my breath and swallowed before looking into his eyes, holding them firmly.

"I want you to... kiss me." I said, trying to not look utterly red and insecure. Kid stood in the kitchen like a deer in headlights. I bit my lip.

"But you won't get anywhere with me if I'm stuck in this chair. Please... untie me." I said, trying to get through to him. With that Kid suddenly had a sneaky look in his eyes and a confident grin was plastered across his face.

"Ooh, I see. You go for the blackmail then, detective? I like that." He said and waltzed over to my chair. He placed his hands on my arms and leaned down slightly.

"Not that you can resist me in any way right now, seeing your arms like this." He said and glanced down at my restrained limbs. I knew he was right; I had no leverage at all. All I had to go on was the gut feeling that Kid really didn't want to hurt me.

"You're right but... I believe in you." I said carefully, trying not to push the wrong buttons. Kid eyed me carefully but seemed happy. Then he grinned and I feared for my life.

"So I can do whatever I'd like?" he asked and something in his tone made me shiver with fear. I pulled myself together.

"N-no, just kissing. You can kiss me but nothing else!" I said and realized that my stubbornness might mess my chances up. Kid raised an eyebrow and seemed to think for a few seconds. To my relief he begun to work on the ropes that held my body restrained. I waited until he was done before I started to move, stretching my body and caressing my sore wrists. I stood up and felt how Kid's hand curled around mine, holding my hand and wrist gently. He had an empty face but I figured I understood him a little bit.

"I'm alright." I said and met his eyes when he glanced up. He tried not to show it behind his famous poker face but I could see it hidden; his guilt and regret.

I snuck my arm around his waist and pulled him in for comfort. I felt ridiculous but he in turn held me tight and just like that it felt like we understood everything.

We pulled apart but still stood close as Kid's hand gripped the back of my neck carefully. The moment our lips met I was struck by the thought that indeed; Kid was a good kisser. Maybe too good a kisser...

Our tongues wrestled as if we couldn't get enough of each other and despite my efforts to come back down to earth Kid kept pulling me along waaay up in space. You know what I mean...

I finally got the chance to break us apart, letting fresh air rush into my lungs. Kid, like always, grinned like a mischievous cat before kissing butteflies down my neck, al least whatever parts that were covered by the necklace I was locked inside. I tried my best to ignore the ticklish sensation enough to speak.

"Kid?" I said, getting a sound from the male in front of me as an answer. I felt my eyebrow twitch.

"What do you think you're doing?" I said, trying veeeery hard not to let panic show in my voice as Kid licked my throat. He pulled away but didn't release me from his grip.

"Oh? I remember distinctively that you, Detective, said I could kiss you. You didn't specify a location, a time limit or a number of kisses I had to restrain myself with. Therefore I can kiss you as much as I please, wherever I please" Kid slowly explained and I felt my face go pale. Seeing Kid's childlike yet... sexy grin, I realized the cat had indeed caught the mouse.

Kid easily dragged my over to the large couch and pushed me down. I had a voice in the back of my mind that this was all a very bad idea, I had slept badly and not eaten well, I was confused and being fooled by this charming criminal. Somehow I just couldn't find the will to care about reason as Kid once again kissed my neck and snuck his warm hands underneath my shirt. My stomach was doing flips as our breaths mixed and eyes met. Kid climbed down the couch and rolled up my shirt halfway, leaving kisses on my stomach and hips. At this point I could barely lie still without going crazy. Kid, seeing my reaction, smiled a teasing grin that made my guts flip once again.

"Kid...?" I tried, earning his attention. He kissed my stomach again.

"What, Detective?" he asked. I bit my lip and ignored my burning cheeks.

"I don't know what... you do when... this." I tried to form a sentence but realized I failed and looked down on my own chest. Kid stopped for a second, probably confused.

"I mean, I'm not experienced..." I explained. Kid was in my face within 2 seconds and kissed me violent... no, passionately. When pulling away he looked me in the eyes.

"Idiot, you think I know more than you do? You're the first guy that I've... like this way" Kid said and even he looked a little embarrassed. I smiled.

"Right now I just want to touch you, can I?" Kid asked and made me blush a deep red.

"You idiot! You ask that now?" I yelled at him but he just grinned and kissed me again. Well, not that I minded.

Our newly found activity would however have to wait as a bell started ringing violently. Kid pulled away and looked over at the kitchen, seeing something I couldn't when lying down. The bell stopped just as suddenly as it had started.

"What is that?" I asked as Kid jumped up and pulled me with him.

"A trigger alarm. It means that someone is close to the cabin. Very close" Kid said with a serious voice, holding my hand as he dragged me over to the kitchen. There he let me go and rushed off to gather stuff. Feeling confused and still soaring on pink clouds I tried to cool off and regain whatever pride I had left. I had to get serious now, I thought and slapped my cheeks to wake up. Kid came up to me and pulled me along again, this time heading for the door.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

It was already lunchtime but the clouds hung grey and full of rain, leaving very little sunlight to seep through. Voices could be heard further away, deep in the woods.

"My assistant is on his way with a car but this is sooner than I'd thought..." Kid complained, looking at his watch. I stayed silent thinking it would be best to just follow along. My fingers grazed the metal piece that hung heavy on my neck and thought that maybe...

"Kid." I said, pulling to make him stop.

"What?" he asked, slightly to stressed out to sound patient. I pointed at my neck.

"They want this, right? Why else would they target me?" I said and Kid bit his lip, not convinced.

"You're a detective, remember? You have enemies." He said and continued to pull me along. I still had this gut-feeling that I was right.

"We could at least try to pick the lock. You're an expert at it! Just get it off." I said and Kid sighed, glancing back at me.

"Fine." He said and stopped, gesturing for me to sit down on a wet rock. I did and leaned over so that he would reach the lock at the back of my neck. He seemed to hesitate but finally started working. Before I knew it the necklace fell down into my hands, leaving my neck bare and cold. I smiled and turned to look at Kid. He in turn looked very uncomfortable. I stared at him and felt how pieces of information fell into place.

"That was really quick. What did you use?" I asked, glaring at him. He in turn glanced away, very suspiciously.

"Kiiiiid? What. Did. You. Use?" I asked again. He caved in and showed me a tiny pretty key, confirming my theory. I stood up and grabbed Kid by his collar, shaking him like crazy.

"You had that bloody damn key this WHOLE TIME?! You godamn thief, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" I yelled.

Our little fight was however stopped by the clicking sounds of guns. Stopping mid-shake I glanced around and found out we were surrounded by four men dressed in black, guns raised.

"Shinichi?" Kid said carefully. I snapped my head at him.

"What!" I asked, glaring at him. He placed his hands on mine.

"Maybe let me go now?" he said, looking around at our new friends.

"Get up! Hands in the air!" One very large man with a round belly yelled, waving with his gun. I slowly released my grip on Kid and stood. I raised the necklace in the air and waved it around.

"This is what you want, isn't?" I called out loud enough to have them all hear. Wide eyes could be seen behind their black ski masks and one of them stepped in closer.

"Here!" He grunted, shoving his hand out. I raised an eyebrow.

"You'll let us go?" I asked, knowing that I had no real power in this situation. All I could hope for was their will to get this business over with as quickly and clean as possible, avoiding the murder of two teenagers.

The man looked glanced at the man next to him like as if asking for permission before nodding yes. I quickly gave him the necklace and he backed off, soon surrounded by his buddies.

"Get on your knees! Cover your ears until we're gone, got it?!" The, probable, leader yelled at us. Kid gracefully sat down next to me on his knees. I too knelt down and covered my ears. A warning shot was heard right above us and the sound made my body shake and bow down as low as I could. Kid covered me in a protective manner and we stayed down until we could be sure that the group of men had left. Kid sighed heavily into my hair before getting off me and helping me up. Once up I brushed of my jeans and then turned to Kid, punching him in the face. It was a hard hit on his cheek and nothing got broken but he turned to me with a gasp.

"Y-you hit me?" He asked in a shocked manner and I sighed before walking off.

"That was for keeping me locked inside a choker! You better be sorry!" I yelled as he followed.

"Shinichi..." he tried but I cut him off.

"You have guts, don't you? Not that it matters, I can easily get the necklace back from them and give it to the police. If you want that damn thing get it yourself because I won't help you!" I ranted as Kid followed one step behind in the dense forest.

"Shinichi..." he tried again but I continued.

"I'm not talking to you, you manipulative, lying, deceiving piece of..." I said but this time got cut off myself.

"Shinichi! Do you even know where you are going?" Kid asked. I stopped and looked around, realizing I was indeed lost. I blushed with embarrassment and crossed my arms.

"No! You got a problem with it?!" I yelled back at him. He chuckled and walked of in another direction. I stood still a few seconds before I reluctantly followed the thief.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Once home Kid excused himself and left me alone at my house. We both had things to do and it was probably for the best, knowing I was still angry with him. I would probably crack him in the face again if he stuck around... or maybe I would kiss him. I wasn't sure about that yet.

A big cup of tea and an old time favorite book helped me calm down a few hours and think things over. I wasn't really childish enough to stay mad at him and soon enough I would have to get started on locating the men who were responsible for my past few days of turmoil. Mad or not, I would get that necklace before Kid did...

The sound of our doorbell rang through the hallway and I got up quickly. I smiled, knowing who was waiting at the door.

Ran smiled when I opened and gave me a hug. I was now wearing a newly bought t-shirt in order for her to see my bare neck and eventually create an alibi. I hated using my friends without their knowing but I still had my identity as Conan to protect.

"I haven't heard from you since you left school early. Did you catch a cold?" She asked in a kind voice and I realized I had missed my best friend very much. She had covered the bags under her eyes with make up, probably to ease my worry for her but she otherwise seemed all right. I smiled.

"Just a small one, I feel better already. I ever shopped a bit, does it look okay?" I asked and pulled on the dark green t-shirt. Ran looked up and down giving me a smile.

"It will pass. May I come in?" She asked and I stepped aside. Glancing up and down the street one final time I closed the front door.