Hey, I'm back, everyone! See, I told you I wouldn't abandon this story. ^^ Life will be life, and school will be school, so I've been extremely occupied. However, I've worked hard these past few days to write this difficult chapter. I remember why I wanted to delay writing this now... ^^'

So, this chapter might be a bit confusing in its organization. There will be a LOT of changes in point of view, and when there is one, the story will either continue from the same point or backtrack a bit. You can tell which of the two it is if any dialogue is repeated. Oh, about that dialogue...in this chapter, there will be quite a bit of dialogue that is both italicized and in between quotation marks. This dialogue is what's heard over the communicator by either Shinichi or Kaito. Don't confuse this dialogue with the characters' personal thoughts, which are only italicized!

Well anyways, without further ado, here it is, the chapter you've all been waiting so many months for! I hope you all enjoy! :)

The Raven's Eclipse
by pikacutie25

Chapter 6: The Rescue

Being in tricky situations was not new to Kaito. Playing the part of Kaitou Kid has taught him how to deal with them, and dealt with them he has. However, there is a distinct difference between a lawful, slightly incompetent (well, maybe more than slightly) police force and an evil, ruthless organization. These people wouldn't hesitate to kill on sight, and they probably already have numerous times. No opportunities for witty banter here, Kaito sighed, continuing his lonely trek in the darkness. It seemed like he would never reach his destination.

I still don't know what to expect, but hey, I'll just deal with it as it comes, Kaito told himself optimistically. Just as he was thinking this, he reached the end of two warehouses he was passing between, and an open space came into view. The area was still dark, but there were two lampposts illuminating one area. And in this very area stood one man dressed all in black.

Let's see…shady-looking guy, check. All in black, check. Dramatic setting, check. Now, unless the local dock worker happens to be practicing for his next big play, it looks like this is my guy, Kaito decided. Steeling himself for what was sure to come back and haunt him later, he walked forward into the light.

"Kudou Shinichi," the man greeted him immediately with an evil-looking smile. He could practically see the malicious intent hidden behind it. "We meet at last."

The man paused his speech, allowing Kaito to finish closing the distance between them. As the man's silhouette became clearer, Kaito could see his distinct features better. The guy couldn't be older than in the mid-20s; he looked so young. He had short, smooth black hair with a single lock coming down on his forehead. He looked stereotypically Japanese for the most part, save for his bright hazel eyes which were currently boring into him with all the force of a giant drill. Is he part foreigner, I wonder…? As Kaito came to rest a few meters in front of him, he kept silent, waiting for this mysterious figure to continue.

After a lengthy silence (during which the man seemed to examine every part of his body with those intense eyes of his), he finally spoke again. "You know, you're quite the interesting person. You had consistently been solving cases that left even the most experienced authorities baffled—at the age of 16, no less—and then you would go on with your life as if nothing had happened. Well, that is, until that night when you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time," the man smirked. These guys always creep me out…

"Ah, but where are my manners? I have yet to introduce myself. I go by the name of Rum; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he bowed dramatically, one hand on his chest. As Rum returned his hand to his pocket, Kaito could make out yet again that irritatingly familiar bulge. "But enough with the formalities; let's get straight to the point. That night, as I'm sure you're well aware, a certain deal was going on. Now, to be completely honest, I'm not proud of what we do," Rum remarked with not-so-genuine sadness, "but it is necessary to our mission. Therefore, though it saddens me to admit this, we must eliminate anyone who could become a detriment to our aims."

"Sounds like some pretty twisted logic there," Kaito shot back, not able to resist.

Rum shrugged, seeming momentarily amused, and stated, "Different people have different opinions on these kinds of issues." You got that right… "Returning to my previous statement, it then follows that we would have to eliminate you as well. Gin was quite certain he had gotten rid of you, and yet here you are, in perfect condition," Rum remarked, seeming honestly perplexed by this issue. "My question to you, then, is quite simple: how did you survive our perfect lethal drug?" Drug? I knew that guy wasn't telling me something…

Kaito could practically hear Kudou scrambling to cover for himself as he told him, "Ah, yeah, he had tried using that, too…but that didn't work either." Of course he's still hiding the truth, why am I not surprised…but just what is he so desperate to hide? "Just tell him that, that it didn't work," Kudou urged.

"I guess your so-called 'perfect drug' wasn't so perfect after all," Kaito challenged. Rum smirked again at the fire he was showing.

"Interesting," Rum remarked. "Very interesting..."

How could I be so careless? I should have known he would mention the apoptoxin, Shinichi cursed himself internally. Well, I sure hope he bought that explanation…

Meanwhile, Shinichi had been running all over the docks looking for any sign of Ran, to no avail. He began to doubt she was even there. For all he knew, Rum could have hidden her somewhere else. Losing his patience and his composure, he commanded Kaito, "Ask him where she is, already!" He'll probably hate me for demanding like that…

Geez, so bossy, Tantei-kun! I may have to get back at him for that one, Kaito mused. "Alright, enough!" Kaito asserted. "I answered your question, now answer mine: where is Ran?"

"Feisty, aren't we? Don't worry, she's out of harm's way…for the moment," Rum added maliciously. For the moment? I don't like the sound of that, and neither does tantei-kun, I'm sure… "You know, you really made it too easy for me. Your own carelessness has put you in this situation…"

For the moment? The hell does that mean!? Shinichi became instantly terrified for Ran's life. Is she in some kind of situation where she could lose her life at any moment…? Then I have to find her, now more than ever! He told himself firmly.

He stopped for a second to think about the situation more clearly. Alright, let's think about what's known. The last time anyone had seen her was when she had stopped at home first. She had run out to…meet a friend, she said. But is that really the case…?

"You know, you really made it too easy for me," Shinichi heard Rum say over the radio. "Your own carelessness has put you in this situation…" Of course, it must have been because of that case during the play. I should have known it would get out somehow, even with Hattori helping… "You see, I am in charge of our database. I make sure everything checks out, and I check for any discrepancies. So I guess you could say I'm a detective like you, eh?" Don't you dare compare yourself to me!

"I am nothing like you!" Kid voiced perfectly his thought.

"Be that as it may, we are both intelligent individuals," Rum surmised. "I had recently seen your file, which of course said that you were dead. However, a certain newspaper just revealed something to the contrary. A story about how you, the supposedly dead great detective, had just solved a murder case during your high school play." I knew it… Haibara had warned him, and he hadn't listened. I should be punished for this though, not Ran…none of this is her fault…

Shinichi looked around at the shipyard, this cursed place he would have never had the intention to visit. Just then, he noticed a strange set of tracks leading to the warehouse right in front of him. They weren't straight and uniform like what a set of wheels would make, but instead they were irregular and had an abnormal outline to them. Could it be…?

Shinichi walked to the entrance and looked for anything out of the ordinary. It didn't seem to be booby-trapped, so he tested the door. It opened without a hitch, to his surprise. "So of course, I had to verify the validity of this source," Rum continued. Shinichi walked into the dark room of the warehouse, then turned on the flashlight he was carrying. "Shinichi!" The familiar voice called out to him. There, in the center of the room, sat the very person he had been searching for all night…plus another person?

"I had to verify the validity of this source," Rum went on. "I hacked into the government file of the author who wrote the article, and I found out she has a daughter who just happens to go to the same school as you. I followed her after school yesterday, and I…"met" with her in an alley." He really knows how to dodge the truth, doesn't he… "I brought her here and asked her a few questions, and that's when she directed me to your girlfriend. I decided to eavesdrop on her conversations for a while, so I disguised myself as a student at your school and planted a bug on her," I hate to admit it, but this Rum person really knows his stuff. "I heard her talking about you as if you were still alive, so that's when I decided to take action. This time I hacked into the school's mainframe and obtained both of your phone numbers, and from there it was pretty simple." Simple…tch. Every word this guy says makes me more irritated. "I sent a text message to the girl's phone and made it look like it was from you, and she took the bait like a fish." A f-fish… "She rushed over to your house, and it was an even simpler task to knock her out and bring her here to bait you in turn. And so, here we are, at the fated place," Rum finished with a flourish. "You know, I was almost worried you wouldn't figure out my simple riddle, but I'm glad you proved me wrong, meitantei Kudou Shinichi," he enunciated.

"So she's still here, then?" Kaito asked again. Meanwhile, he had been hearing extra sounds and hushed voices over the communicator as Rum was speaking. He got to thinking that maybe, just maybe, that detective had finally found her.

"Yes," Rum confirmed, "and again, worry not, for she is unharmed. I can't say the same for you though, Kudou Shinichi. You weren't supposed to survive, yet you're still alive. Our scientists would be interested to find out just how you survived, as would I. So I'm going to take you back to our lab, and we'll all find out the answer together," Rum finished with an evil grin.

Could it be? Is Kudou-kun actually here to rescue us…? Mizuna found herself staring in awe at their savior who had just come through the door so majestically. When their visitor turned on the flashlight he was holding, her suspicion was confirmed.

"Shinichi!" Ran called out right beside her.

"Shh!" He silenced her. He seemed surprised to see Mizuna, but he shook it off in a split second. Well, I know he isn't here for me, but…I didn't know I wasn't mentioned at all, Mizuna thought sadly, feeling a strong sense of insignificance. "I don't know who might be nearby listening, so keep your voices down," he whispered, walking up to them. He kneeled down and inquired, "Did he hurt you at all? Are you all right?"

"No, I don't think so. I'm fine," Ran replied. She looked so relieved to see him, she probably wouldn't have admitted it even if she was hurt. I feel like such a third wheel right now…

"What about you?" Shinichi turned to Mizuna. Oh, me? Wow…

"Ah, I'm fine," Mizuna admitted. Shinichi nodded, seeming equally relieved. Suddenly, he seemed distracted and angry about something, but he shook it off again.

"I'll explain all this later," Shinichi promised. He moved around to their backs, and he proceeded to examine them. For some reason, Mizuna suddenly felt very self-conscious. Oh, he's here, he's actually here! I hope I look alright… "So," he said after a bit, "it looks like he's tied you both up with some pretty complex knots. I'll have you free in a minute, don't worry," he reassured them. He suddenly seemed terrified of something, but this too passed in a flash. He began cutting through Ran's ropes in a hurry with the knife he was carrying, when he suddenly stopped, frozen by terror again. He dropped the knife he was using and looked frantically around the room. Seeming to find nothing, he looked at the ropes closely again, when something seemed to dawn on him. "No…"

"And what makes you think I'm going to cooperate with the likes of you?" Kaito shot at Rum, momentarily forgetting his mission.

"Have you forgotten?" Rum asked, seeming genuinely amused by the strength of the responses he was getting. "I have your girlfriend here captive. Now, if you don't want her and the other girl's lives ended prematurely," he paused with yet another evil grin, "you'll come with me willingly."

Kaito remained silent, waiting for instructions from Shinichi, but none came. What should I do now? I don't know for sure if he's freed them yet, and I sure can't ask him…wait…Rum seems to be alone, so how could he affect them from here?

"You're probably wondering how I could have that influence from here," Rum read his mind. "Well, I don't think I need to familiarize you with the workings of a remotely-detonated bomb, now do I?" Rum asked, patting his other pocket that had seemed empty before. This is bad…I hope tantei-kun heard that one, Kaito thought, worried about the way things were turning out.

"So," Rum continued, "this is where we stand. You have two choices, Kudou Shinichi." Not this again… "You can come with me peacefully, and everyone lives," Rum said a little too happily. I am not buying what he's saying… "Or you can stubbornly refuse my generous offer, and all three of you will die. Our scientists are just as capable of examining a dead body as a live one," Rum shrugged. Generous…? "Make your decision, Kudou Shinichi. We don't have all night," he said with a tone of boredom.

Crap, crap, crap…what am I gonna do? Tantei-kun, why won't you talk to me!?

A bomb…of course there's a bomb, Shinichi cursed his luck. I'm lucky I hadn't gotten any further with my cutting, otherwise I'd have cut a wire to this bomb…

What Shinichi could plainly see now was that there was a bomb connected to the ropes binding Ran. There didn't seem to be one connected to Mizuna, so there was a stroke of luck. What he couldn't see was a good way to go about defusing the bomb. The actual bomb part of the mechanism with the gunpowder was in a single tiny black box, which was what tipped him off to the bomb in the first place. However, it seemed that the entirety of the bomb's wiring ran through the center of the rope, so there was absolutely no way to tell what he should or shouldn't cut without risking all their lives. I'd have to carefully trace the path of each part of the rope, and decide where I should—

"Shinichi?" Ran spoke up, sensing something was very wrong.

"Ran…there's a bomb attached to your ropes," Shinichi admitted, turning to face her. He could immediately see the terror in her eyes and immediately wished he hadn't said anything. "It's pretty complicated, but I'll work it out. I swear, I'll get us all out of this safely. Just trust me on this, all right?" Shinichi asked her.

Ran stayed silent a moment, apparently gauging his emotions. Finally, she said, "I trust you, Shinichi," with a determined look in her eyes.

"Make your decision, Kudou Shinichi," he heard Rum say over the communicator. "We don't have all night."

Damn! There's no way he can stall long enough for me to defuse this bomb, Shinichi cursed. I'm going to have to ask him to do something very risky…

He looks so desperate to find a way out of all this, Rum thought to himself with a grin.

After a lengthy pause, Kudou finally made his decision. "Alright, fine. I'll go with you," he conceded.

"Good choice," Rum offered. "After all, you wouldn't want your girlfriend to die because of your own mistake." This time, there was no noticeable reaction to his statement. He must have really given up…what a shame.

Having decided to wrap things up, Rum walked up to Kudou and proceeded to handcuff him. This way he won't be trying any tricks… Satisfied with the state of his new prize, he began to walk him over to his car, which was quite a ways away.

Deciding taunting his captive would be a good way to pass the time, Rum asked congenially, "So, why is she so important to you, anyway? What's the story between you two?" As expected, Kudou didn't respond. "You see, this is why I don't care for relationships of any sort. They only add on extra baggage and pose an obstacle to your goals. I don't see any real benefit from them, at any rate. The only way to get ahead in life is to use people to your advantage and move on. I find it impossible for any right-minded person to care more about someone else. All the powerful people in the world have gotten where they're at through deception and seizing every opportunity. What do you see in such a troublesome thing as a relationship?" Rum finished, genuinely interested in what Kudou would have to say.

"You wouldn't understand," Kudou responded finally. "Loving another person and receiving the same in return is a unique experience, one that many hold dear. It's this caring for others that differentiates humans from simple animals," Kudou finished, confident in his belief.

What an interesting viewpoint, Rum admitted to himself. Suddenly, before he could register what was happening, Kudou was free of his handcuffs and already moving away from him. What? Tch! I should have figured he wouldn't give up that easily. Rum quickly pulled out his gun to cease Kudou's movement, but Kudou was somehow faster. He already had his own oddly-shaped gun out, and accurately shot Rum's gun out of his hand with what appeared to be an abnormally large bullet.

"Agh!" Rum flinched from the pain of the gun being blasted out of his hand. "So, that's how it's going to be after all, huh? Fine!" Rum then quickly pulled the detonator out of his pocket and pressed the switch.

.

..

…

Nothing happened. "What? How!?" Rum shouted, unable to believe what had just happened.

"I guess your bomb wasn't so perfect either, huh?" Kudou bragged with an annoying grin on his face. Becoming instantly serious, he then added, "And don't you dare touch my loved ones again," before quickly running off. Not bothering to give chase, Rum remained standing in the same place, mulling over what had just happened.

Hm, I guess I underestimated meitantei Kudou Shinichi after all, Rum was left thinking. I won't make that mistake again…

Author's Note: It's finally over! Well, not the story, of course, just this cursed chapter...

...anyways! That was a really exciting chapter, huh? In which Rum is finally characterized. What do you think of him? He's intelligent as a detective, but he's on the other side of the law...hm...

PLEASE tell me what you thought of this chapter! Your reviews give me the fuel to keep writing!