Shinichi sat alone in his room as the red sunset shone in through is window, shedding light onto the paper that lay unfolded in front of him on the bed.

"Expect a visit tonight.

KID

(ps. Don't tell the kid)"

A knock on the door was followed by a creak as it was pushed open. Conan peeked in at his older counterpart. Shinichi sitting alone in his room was nothing out of the ordinary, not in the least, but with Kid lurking about, there was no way to tell what was going on anymore it seemed.

"Another note from Kid?" he asked. Shinichi nodded, beginning to fold it back up. "What does it say?"

"Nothing important," said Shinichi, stuffing it into his pocket. Conan glared at him suspiciously.

"Kid never leaves something with no meaning behind it," he argued.

"It was a clue, confirming my previous suspicions about his next heist." Conan knew of it, if he'd have delivered a copy of it to the police earlier but he didn't feel like he was getting the truth. And at the same time, he knew himself well enough to see he wasn't going to get a straight answer.

"How was the aquarium?" Conan asked after a brief silence, almost amused. It was the sort of place elementary schools went on field trips, usually not high schools.

"It was alright. Kaito nearly had a panic attack when he saw the fish though."

Bingo.

"You talk about him a lot."

"We're friends."

"You're sure that's all?"

Shinichi shot the kid a warning glance. Conan shrugged innocently. "Just asking." Shinichi rose to his feet and tugged off his shirt.

"I'm taking a shower."

Conan nodded and courteously stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

After a couple minutes, he heard the water running from Shinichi's bathroom. Waiting just a little longer, he carefully turned the handle and slid silently into the room. Shinichi's clothes were tossed onto the bed in a messy pile. Digging through the pants pockets, Conan plucked the note out and crept back to his own room as quietly as he had come.

Locking his own door, he hurriedly opened it, scanning over the brief message scrawled on it. He ran his fingers through his hair in annoyance. Kaito was Kid, Conan was now positive of it, but Shinichi wouldn't admit that to himself for one reason or another, and he had his own suspicions. He didn't need to bother making a duplicate of the note, so he unlocked his door and went to replace the note. But as soon as he reached for the door handle he heard the water shut off and some shuffling. Cursing to himself, he placed it into his own pocket, hoping it's absence wouldn't be noticed. He descended the steps and settled himself on the couch, pretending to be absorbed in a thick book he'd pulled from the shelf. It had gotten dark outside and still Conan hadn't seen Shinichi come down. Becoming more than a little irritated, he closed the book, laying it on the arm of the couch and snuck back up the stairs, putting an ear to Shinichi's door.

Inside, Shinichi lay on his bed fully clothed, his head supported by his hands, waiting for Kid to appear. He didn't specify a meeting place, but it somehow seemed that Kaito meant to find him. So he'd just have to wait. It wasn't long before he heard a soft tapping on his window and it swung open, a white-clothed figure swinging in feet first, and tipped his hat to the detective.

"You've kept me waiting," teased Shinichi, sitting up.

"My apologies, Mr. Detective." Clapping his hands together, he produced, to Shinichi's shock, a bullet proof chest protector from somewhere in the folds of his cape.

"What the hell is that for?" he asked, suddenly a little frightened about what the kaitou had planned for him. Before replying, Kid clapped his hands twice more and a costume appeared in his hands; a white tux, top hat, cape, and monocle, everything one might need to impersonate Kid.

"Would you be willing to go in before me? I've provided you with some protection, as you can see, and a map with your way in and back out sketched on it. I'd do it myself, but it'd be far too hard for me to maneuver properly with all of it on., even with my skill."

"Wait, you want me to steal the jewel for you?!"

Kid hesitated, then nodded.

"Yes. I really think this one is the one," he replied with confidence.

"Is that what you thought this afternoon," asked Conan entering the room, his eyes fixed on Kid who only smiled calmly, "Kaito?" he added.

"Kid, if you please," replied Kid in his cool manner. Shinichi looked back and forth between the two a few times, then reached into his pocket and groaned.

"You weren't supposed to get involved," Shinichi sighed wearily, casting Kid an apologetic look.

"If you're going to risk your life for this thief, then I'm going to assist you."

Seeing the resolution in his younger self's eyes, he knew there was no way he was getting out of this one. He didn't want to see himself get shot either, bullet proof vest or no.

"You stay out of this for your own safety," said Kid sternly, his eyes locked with Conan's.

"No. You need all the help you can get."

"And the least civilians injured," Kid countered. Seeing this was a battle that wasn't going to be won, Conan turned and exited the room, silently promising himself he'd prove Kid's identity to Shinichi once and for all.

Shinichi sighed as Conan left them alone, and looked down at the pile of clothing Kid had placed on the bed.

"Yeah, I'll help," he said finally with a heavy sigh. He felt like it'd be unforgivable to refuse.

"The plan is in the pocket. Wait at that resterant a block down at 9 o'clock and I'll find you. Bring that with you in a bag but have the vest on." He k knocked on the hard bullet vest.

"I'll be there," Shinichi promised. Sparing only a brief smile, Kid disappeared, vanishing right before the detective's eyes.

"Idiot," said Conan accusingly as Shinichi came down the stairs in search of a suitable bag.

"If I can help him catch whoever's trying to kill him he'll stop thieving."

"And you actually think he'll keep his word?"

"If he doesn't I'll just have to catch him. But even if he doesn't, it will still mean that one more murderer will be off the streets."

"Have you ever considered this entire thing was schemed up to ruin your reputation?"

"You know as well as I do that's not the way Kid thinks, as tricky as he is. He enjoys a good chase."

Conan had to agree but it didn't relieve any of his worries over the situation. One way or another, he'd just have to find out for himself.

xxxxTo be continued

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Please forgive the briefness of this chapter, but it's the second to last one, and it would have killed me to break the last chapter up. But it'll be a long one, I promise!

And… eheh… yeah, kinda forgot to update this too. But just one more chapter for me to keep up with. That shouldn't be so bad, right?