Detective Conan and Magic Kaito characters, settings, and ideas do not belong to me but to Aoyama Gōshō.

TMPD Antics

By Taliya

LXXV: Kudou and Kuroba

"A word." The quiet phrase, along with the distinctive voice, caused Shinichi to pause on his way out of his home library to retire for the evening, "If you will, Meitantei."

The homicide detective slowly spun on his heel, and he was not surprised to find Kaitou KID perched casually on the frame of an open window, single visible eye trained intently on him. "KID," he greeted, nodding. "What brings you out of the woodwork with no heist announcement?"

A chuckle drifted to Shinichi's ears. "Must I always require a heist to be out and about?" he lamented melodramatically.

Shinichi huffed in amusement. "It certainly fits your modus operandi," he answered flippantly.

KID allowed the air of congeniality to linger for a moment longer before his smile slid from his face. "Actually, I have a proposition for you, Meitantei."

The detective blinked. "Sorry, but I'm married," he said with a smirk, and the two shared a quiet laugh before he replied in a much more serious tone, "What sort of proposition?"

The phantom thief slid off the sill and approached, tucking his gloved hands in his pockets. "What would you do," he began with the air of one hypothesizing fantastical ideas, "if I told you that an organized crime ring was set on killing me? Theoretically speaking, of course."

"I would take them out," Shinichi replied bluntly, eyes narrowing as he recalled the reports of witnesses hearing shots fired, of the ballistic damage to property left behind at KID's heists. "Who are they?"

KID shrugged. "I cannot tell you that unless I can trust you," he answered.

Shinichi instantly thought of Kuroba Aoko and the grief she would suffer should her husband fail to return from a heist—placed Ran in her position if he were to be KID, and his heart stuttered and cringed. "What do I need to do to prove it?"

"Are you sure about this, Meitantei?" the thief asked, his mien solemn. "These men are quite similar to your own Organization several years back."

The homicide detective appreciated the magician's warning, but forged on regardless. "They didn't manage to kill me then, and I was stupid and reckless back then. I know better now to make a plan and have backup."

KID folded his arms across his chest. "But would your backup be willing to work with me?"

It was a valid point. Shinichi's eyes held KID's steadily. "I'll handpick my team if necessary."

A grin snaked its way across Kaitou KID's lips, and Shinichi wondered if he was wrong about placing his trust in the thief when he spied the anticipatory glint in his one exposed eye. "Well then, I look forwards to working with you, Meitantei."

Author's Note: And we're off to the races. This promises to be fun. I hope you enjoyed it.

Completed: 04.06.2016