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

Warnings: Language, minor violence

TMPD Antics

By Taliya

LXXXI: Kuroba and Hattori

Saguru, Heiji, Shinichi, and Kaito stood beyond the police cordon, watching the half-Briton's coworkers hold back the crowd of Kaitou KID fans as they stood at the entrance of the museum. The turnout was as large as ever, the phantom thief's popularity having only grown with the complexity of his shows. The former three watched curiously as Kaito lingered with them, curiosity causing them to monitor their friend closely as the starting time for KID's show neared. He was relaxed but alert, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

When Inspector Nakamori began the minute countdown, Heiji finally broke down. "Kuroba?"

Kaito turned towards the Osakan. "Yes?"

Shinichi and Saguru watched as Heiji fumbled once he had the Division Three officer's attention. "Uh," Heiji stuttered, "Aren't you going to…?"

"Am I going to…?" Kaito parroted, cocking his head inquisitively to the side.

Heiji huffed. "You know—escape?"

Kaito rolled his eyes. "Escape from who? You guys?"

The inspector bellowed thirty seconds until ten o'clock.

"You aren't going to leave us now?" Saguru asked with frank curiosity. "Is Kaitou KID not to appear this evening?"

Kaito's face stretched into an eager grin. "Oh, he better show up," he murmured.

The three other detectives shared bewildered glances but settled, choosing to wait alongside the now nearly vibrating Kaito.

At exactly ten o'clock, a floodlight snapped on, the focus of its beam on a solitary figure dressed in white standing on the roof of the museum. Heiji, Shinichi, and Saguru stared incredulously as Kaitou KID bowed with aplomb to the roar of the crowds below as Kaito licked his lips in excitement. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" KID greeted, sweeping his arms out, and a wide smile was easily visible on his partially hidden face.

"It is go time!" Kaito whispered just as KID dropped a smoke bomb and disappeared from sight. He took off into the depths of the museum, and the other three tore after him, unwilling to let their friend out of their sight now that there were potentially two Kaitou KIDs in play. The very idea made them shudder in the backs of their minds.

Author's Note: Kaito gets his face off with KID, and in the process bamboozles his friends—just how he likes it. I hope you enjoyed it.

Completed: 02.07.2016