30 Cases - Conan & KID
Aug. 20th, 2009 04:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mancha_sama30 Cases
Thirty not-quite-unrelated stories that lead our darling detective and his frustrating foe along the path of romance (that's Shinichi and Kid, for the unenlightened). Will be KaitoxShinichi.
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KID's favorite critic is in top form, and KID is having far too much fun.
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Case 02 - Conan & KID"
Conan frowned, shifting his shoulders and hunching a bit more into the tight corner he'd wedged himself. Peering around the statue that inhabited the alcove, he surveyed the scene in front of him.
Police officers were milling about industriously, every one of them sporting red cheeks as they scurried around. Just below his hiding spot a jewel glittered in its display case, already surrounded by several attentive officers. In the middle of it all, Nakamori-keibu was shouting orders, curses, and threats, all the while gesturing madly and stomping around the ground floor of the museum. All the signs of an impending KID heist.
Conan shifted again, then sighed, reflecting on just how he'd come to be scrunched uncomfortably out of sight, waiting for a certain white-clad thief to make his appearance.
After their initial (and unfortunate for Conan) meeting, Ran and Aoko had hit off a surprisingly enthusiastic friendship. Hearing of all the previous KID heists Ran had attended (accidentally or because of Sonoko dragging her along), Aoko expressed her surprise that they hadn't run into each other before. When word of a new heist had come up, the girls had all agreed to meet up for the event, Conan dragged not-quite-reluctantly along.
He'd hoped this 'Kaito' guy would show up with Aoko, but was disappointed when only the policeman's daughter had greeted them. Strange for a KID 'enthusiast' to miss a heist. That actually gave more weight to Conan's suspicions, but he hadn't had a chance to try and meet Aoko's friend yet and so was reserving his opinion for now.
As the crowd gathered outside the museum, Conan had managed to slip away from his distracted guardian, feeling a twinge of guilt. Not for sneaking away, as Ran had long ago resigned herself to that inevitability, but for leaving Ran sandwiched between Aoko who was furiously waving about "KID go home!" signs, and Sonoko who was shouting and cheering passionately for her "KID-sama!"
Slipping past all the police officers hadn't been easy, but his size had helped. None of them consciously noticed a body obviously too small to be KID in disguise, whereas any adult was scrutinized mercilessly. Scoping out the pending crime scene, Conan had decided an ambush would be the best chance of catching KID this time. Ruling out the roof as having too many potential escape routes, he'd decided to try and catch KID at the source, so to speak.
So here he was, growing uncomfortably cramped in a space too small even for him, waiting as the hour KID was supposed to appear ticked closer and closer. Judging by the noise level and increased activity, that time was close at hand. Conan fingered his watch, fighting the temptation to take another look around.
KID was close (Conan had no doubt that KID was probably one of the red-cheeked officers. Make-up could imitate pinched cheeks, and why check someone who's obviously already been checked?), and would almost certainly notice him if he kept peering around. He needed every moment of surprise he could get if he wanted a chance at hitting the thief with one of his tranquilizer darts.
Conan grinned suddenly as the noise and shouts changed from orderly purpose to a more disorderly panic. KID had arrived in his usual flair, amidst a cloud of pink (why pink?!) smoke and an odd splattering sound. A quick peek showed about half of the officers slipping in what looked like custard (banana, he found out later), with the thief maneuvering easily out of the way of the others who were attempting to play dog-pile-on-the-bandit. It looked like KID was in a playful mood tonight, rather than his more cunning heist antics.
Nakamori-keibu executed an impressive flying tackle, slamming solidly into KID. But what had been the white clad thief a moment before now exploded in a burst of smoke, confetti, and a net that covered the swearing police officer and his men. The real thief landed lightly and mockingly near the jewel and its display case, giving the lurking Conan an unimpeded view of his exposed back.
Conan quickly brought his watch up, aiming carefully as he waited for the perfect moment. KID was laughing at the officers, but there would be a second, just a second when the thief's attention would be distracted by the sparkling jewel beside him.
Now!
He pressed the switch, hearing the hiss as the dart left his watch and sped for the thief's unprotected neck. A sudden twist and tilt of the white top hat, and his attack was wasted as the needle embedded itself harmlessly into the brim. Monocle flashing in the light, KID tilted his face up toward the crouching boy, and smirked.
"Nice try, Conan-chan!"
Conan saw red.
He launched himself at the surprised thief, ignoring the startled yelp--definitely male, he noticed absently --as his hands scrabbled at KIDs clothes, trying to get a good enough grip so he could haul back and punch that smug face. There was a sudden 'click', and then Conan was falling to the floor in a tangle of white as KID's cape fluttered around him. The hang glider mechanism made a loud 'thunk' as it hit the floor, and Conan grunted as he too landed, wind knocked out of him. Struggling both for breath and to free himself from the clinging fabric, he looked wildly around for the thief.
KID had retreated to the (currently empty) second floor balcony, and was staring down at the chaos below him with an oddly blank face. Well, at least Conan had managed to wipe the smirk off his face...
"Who the hell let that brat in here!" Nakamori roared, still struggling to free himself from his own entanglement. Around him police officers cringed, already anticipating the chewing out they'd be getting at the end of this. "And why isn't anyone getting that damn thief!”
As he regained his feet, Conan saw with some exasperation that KID was grinning again. Even worse, he was grinning at Conan.
"Why Tantei-kun! I had no idea you were that...eager to see me out of uniform!" KID sang out. Then he ducked as a soccer ball went flying past his head. He tsked, "Temper temper, Tantei-kun."
"Shut up!" Conan yelled, face flushed in a combination of anger and embarrassment. He kicked aside the discarded cape and charged across the floor toward the stairs. Around him the officers had finally freed themselves or regained their feet, and those that were able joined in the mad rush for the stairs. Nakamori was still swearing alternately at KID, Conan, his subordinates, and the universe in general, but he was right on Conan's heels.
"Well then, since you were so anxious to see me grounded, how about a chase?" KID said cheekily as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He whirled around and disappeared down the dark hallway.
Conan crested the top of the stairs, skidding a little as he turned sharply into the hall. There were several closed doors, and no sign of the white clad figure. Conan dismissed the doors on the right; the moonlight was streaming into them and he could see no shadows moving under them. A quick scan of the remaining doors had Conan diving for the next one down the hall. It had been just slightly ajar, as if it had been closed but not latched.
He was rewarded with the sight of KID perched on the window ledge, already disappearing up the outside wall. Before he passed out of sight KID gave a playful wave at the panting boy. Conan raced for the window, peering up in time to see KID unlatch another window up and to the left of his position. Conan turned to find an alternate route to the higher floor, but found the doorway packed with bewildered and angry police officers, a red-faced Nakamori striding purposefully toward him.
There was no time for this! KID would probably already be long gone! Except....hadn't he challenged Conan to a chase? That meant the KID would play along so long as someone was actually chasing him.
Conan hopped onto the sill, peering along the wall until he found the drain pipe KID must have used to scale the wall. Ignoring the furious shouts from inside, he quickly scrambled up the precarious obstacle, determinedly not thinking about the very long drop below him. He made it level with the upper window, but found to his consternation that there was no way to get over to it. Even an adult couldn't...
He was distracted by vibrations on the pipe, and glanced down to see a couple of athletic officers edging carefully up behind him. Dismissing them, he glanced higher up the building, then grinned. Shimmying up the pipe, he stepped out onto a thin ledge one story up. An adult's arms length away was a gargoyle, but Conan's smaller feet fit well enough on the ledge that he could edge along it and scramble up the statue. From there it was just a short drop (well, a bit longer than that for him), and he ignored the panicked cries from below as he slipped inside the still open window.
He strained his senses, trying to detect any sign of KID. Nothing but the open door leading out of the room. Hurrying over, he found another dark hallway stretching to either side of the door. He heard the shouts and cries of officers from the right, so figured KID had gone the other way. The other doors along the hall were closed, and Conan didn't hear any sounds coming from them, so he continued along to the end of the hall.
There was a doorway leading to stairs, and the placard on the wall proclaimed "Roof Access". No question, then, on where the thief had gone. Grounded or not, KID loved heights.
A shout from the other end of the hall, and Conan turned to see Nakamori-keibu and officers running for him. This was getting repetitive! He groaned to himself, turning to sprint up the stairs before he was caught. Why on earth did that damn thief find being chased by police officers so entertaining?
He burst out onto the rooftop moments before the officers caught him up, and then they were all distracted by the white clad figure holding the stolen jewel up to the moonlight admiringly. When had KID managed to get it, anyway?
"A jewel's true worth is best seen by the night's shining glory," KID murmured, but in a carrying voice that was easily heard. KID was standing on the edge of the roof, not seeming to notice the officers who were spreading out to corner him there. Conan panted for breath, wondering what the thief was up to. He didn't go spouting out things like that randomly...
"You have no where to run, KID!" Nakamori crowed triumphantly, pointing an accusing finger at the thief. KID tilted his head toward the officer, the moonlight glinting off his monocle as he regarded the crowd around him. From below, shouts from the fans at the sight of their hero rose to a crescendo.
Conan stiffened when KID's gaze rested on him, growling under his breath when the thief grinned. KID said nothing, however, turning his attention back to the one who'd addressed him.
"Ah, Keibu-san, do you really think me so crippled by my loss of wings that I cannot run from those that hound me?" With a smirk and an idle flip of the hand, KID sent the jewel spinning over the edge of the roof. Cackling, the thief leapt the other way, landing on an adjacent rooftop and dashing away.
"Get that rock!" Nakamori bellowed, and more than one officer dove after the vanishing twinkle. Conan didn't spare the energy to worry about them (KID would have some trick set up that would probably leave the impulsive officers safe but slightly humiliated) and raced after KID. He heard Nakamori shouting after him, but ignored it and leapt for the rooftop.
He landed hard, rolling when he couldn't keep his feet, but was up again in an instant, chasing after the retreating white figure. KID was already on the next roof over, prancing along as he called teasingly over his shoulder, "Watch your step, my little critic, lest you drop down a rabbit hole!"
Conan hadn't the breath to spare to shout back. As he approached the next gap between roofs, he noticed what looked like rocks scattered across the ground. Cursing, he swerved to the right, leaping onto the ledge of the building and running along it. Behind him, he heard several poofs and crackles as other officers stepped on the little pellets, sending colorful bursts of light and smoke into the air. The thudding of bodies indicated the narcotic effect of the smoke.
Leaping nimbly to the next roof, Conan was already looking around for the next likely trap. KID had paused dramatically on a ledge a few roofs away, and was pointing his card gun straight at him.
"Beware the Queen of Hearts, lest you lose your head!"
Conan ducked as the first card went whizzing past his head. At this new angle, he could actually see the glint of moonlight off of the tripwires strung all over the rooftop. When had that idiot had the time to set this up?
He didn't have much time to wonder as the next card came zipping by again. Rolling to the side, and being very careful not to hit the wire he rolled under, Conan scrambled to his feet, hand already at his glasses. A quick push of the button, and he could now see the wires through the night-vision lens. From there it was short work maneuvering through the obstacle, dodging the occasional card (he was sure they were all Queen of Hearts, too), and jumping to the next roof.
Behind him he heard the first 'twang' as an unfortunate officer tripped one of the wires. One mortified shriek later, and Conan twisted to see said officer dressed in a quite revealing evening gown.
"You...you're crazy, you know that?" Conan demanded of the grinning thief.
"Why Tantei-kun, didn't you know? We're all mad! After all, what sort of person leaps off skyscrapers just to get one's attention?" The last part was almost a reprimand, but Conan just smirked.
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Indeed," KID replied, allowing a grimace to cross his face.
"There he is!"
Apparently some of the officers had managed to avoid KID's various traps, because two of them were even now climbing over the edge of the roof. KID grinned at Conan, then stepped backward off the roof.
"KID!" He couldn't help the startled cry as he raced for the edge. KID had landed on an apartment balcony, and slipped inside.
Conan cursed, hauling his suspenders off and securing them. Leaping over the side, his progress was slowed by the durable elastic, and he let go at the bottom of the stretch to drop lightly onto the balcony. There was a startled yelp from above as the suspenders snapped back.
"KID! Come back here dammit!" he called, charging in through the open door. He passed by a wide-eyed lady (who was clutching her hand to her chest and blushing), wincing as he heard her scream and the unmistakable sound of skin slapping skin as other officers came tumbling into her apartment.
Barreling out the front door of the apartment, he saw KID waiting patiently in front of the elevators. Conan started to dash forward, but paused. The thief wouldn't be standing there if he hadn't of set up another trick...
He scanned the hallway frantically, cursing when he didn't see anything out of place. Well then, what was in place? The first officer came stumbling out of the apartment, red handprint on his cheek. Conan leapt, grabbing the gun from the surprised man's belt.
"Hey! You can't--" The cry was cut off as Conan aimed and fired three quick shots (recoil making him stumble back into the officer's legs), taking out the light bulbs in the hallway. As they were plunged into darkness, he saw through the night-vision lens a splash of what looked like oil, a shower of glitter and confetti, and a net fall from each respective light bulb.
Pushing the gun into the cursing officer's hand, Conan raced forward, sliding expertly across the oil for acceleration. He stumbled as the oil was rubbed off the bottom of his shoes and he gained traction again, but managed to stay upright just as the pleasant 'ding' of the elevator echoed through the hall.
KID's grin vanished behind the closing doors just as Conan slammed into them, pounding one fist ineffectually against the cold metal.
Other doors in the hallway were opening as people cautiously peered out to see what the commotion was about. Conan raced for the nearest one held open by a surly looking man, ducking under his awkward grab as he slipped inside. He wrenched open the shoe closet, pulling one of the shelves out and dumping the shoes on the floor.
Conan squawked as he was suddenly lifted by the back of his shirt to come face to face with the angry resident.
"What do you think you're doing you littl--" Conan swung with the board still clutched in his hands, smacking the man squarely in the face. He was released as the man clutched at his injury, more startled than hurt.
"Sorry!" Conan yelped, ducking past the lumbering body out to the now chaotic hallway. Ignoring the officers and bystanders alike, he raced for the door to the stairs. A moment later he was using the pilfered board to slide down the steps at a reckless pace, leaping off at each landing before he crashed to slide down the next set.
He burst out to the ground floor just in time to see KID dash out the front doors of the building. Following the thief, Conan almost groaned when he saw the white clad figure duck into a construction site. The amount of mischief KID could wreak in there....
Hearing the sound of many footsteps behind him, Conan spared a moment of reluctant admiration; the KID task force was nothing if not tenacious. Now if they'd just learn from their mistakes, they'd have caught the thief long ago.
No time to think. Conan raced into the quiet work area after KID. The thief scampered up metal scaffolding, pranced along thin beams and rickety boards, and seemed to have no fear of the looming dangers around him. Conan was hard pressed to keep up, breath coming in harsh pants as his legs burned with the effort. He was so close, if he could just run a little faster...
The thud of his heart pounding seemed to swallow up all other sounds, and his vision had narrowed to the white figure always just out of reach. He barely noticed the shifting ground when he slid down a gravel pile, didn't even see the pile of bags of dry cement topple and narrowly miss him after he'd run into them, could only focus on catching that thief.
KID had stopped, perched cockily on a hanging I-beam. Shinichi judged the gap, knew he could make it if he jumped, and leapt--
--only to be snatched out of the air by a pair of strong arms, as sound returned and Conan heard the voice of Nakamori cursing in his ears. Gasping for breath, Conan realized he'd just been about to leap over empty space seven stories up that he'd never have been able to make...and KID didn't have his glider to save him this time.
"Wake up, Tantei-kun. It's time for tea," KID murmured. "Please remember which side of the mushroom you've eaten before chasing me again." The thief hopped backward off the beam, and Conan heard the whine of a wire reeling out as KID vanished into the gloom.
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Case: Conan & KID - Closed
Next case: Nakamori & Conan
Thirty not-quite-unrelated stories that lead our darling detective and his frustrating foe along the path of romance (that's Shinichi and Kid, for the unenlightened). Will be KaitoxShinichi.
KID's favorite critic is in top form, and KID is having far too much fun.
-
Case 02 - Conan & KID"
Conan frowned, shifting his shoulders and hunching a bit more into the tight corner he'd wedged himself. Peering around the statue that inhabited the alcove, he surveyed the scene in front of him.
Police officers were milling about industriously, every one of them sporting red cheeks as they scurried around. Just below his hiding spot a jewel glittered in its display case, already surrounded by several attentive officers. In the middle of it all, Nakamori-keibu was shouting orders, curses, and threats, all the while gesturing madly and stomping around the ground floor of the museum. All the signs of an impending KID heist.
Conan shifted again, then sighed, reflecting on just how he'd come to be scrunched uncomfortably out of sight, waiting for a certain white-clad thief to make his appearance.
After their initial (and unfortunate for Conan) meeting, Ran and Aoko had hit off a surprisingly enthusiastic friendship. Hearing of all the previous KID heists Ran had attended (accidentally or because of Sonoko dragging her along), Aoko expressed her surprise that they hadn't run into each other before. When word of a new heist had come up, the girls had all agreed to meet up for the event, Conan dragged not-quite-reluctantly along.
He'd hoped this 'Kaito' guy would show up with Aoko, but was disappointed when only the policeman's daughter had greeted them. Strange for a KID 'enthusiast' to miss a heist. That actually gave more weight to Conan's suspicions, but he hadn't had a chance to try and meet Aoko's friend yet and so was reserving his opinion for now.
As the crowd gathered outside the museum, Conan had managed to slip away from his distracted guardian, feeling a twinge of guilt. Not for sneaking away, as Ran had long ago resigned herself to that inevitability, but for leaving Ran sandwiched between Aoko who was furiously waving about "KID go home!" signs, and Sonoko who was shouting and cheering passionately for her "KID-sama!"
Slipping past all the police officers hadn't been easy, but his size had helped. None of them consciously noticed a body obviously too small to be KID in disguise, whereas any adult was scrutinized mercilessly. Scoping out the pending crime scene, Conan had decided an ambush would be the best chance of catching KID this time. Ruling out the roof as having too many potential escape routes, he'd decided to try and catch KID at the source, so to speak.
So here he was, growing uncomfortably cramped in a space too small even for him, waiting as the hour KID was supposed to appear ticked closer and closer. Judging by the noise level and increased activity, that time was close at hand. Conan fingered his watch, fighting the temptation to take another look around.
KID was close (Conan had no doubt that KID was probably one of the red-cheeked officers. Make-up could imitate pinched cheeks, and why check someone who's obviously already been checked?), and would almost certainly notice him if he kept peering around. He needed every moment of surprise he could get if he wanted a chance at hitting the thief with one of his tranquilizer darts.
Conan grinned suddenly as the noise and shouts changed from orderly purpose to a more disorderly panic. KID had arrived in his usual flair, amidst a cloud of pink (why pink?!) smoke and an odd splattering sound. A quick peek showed about half of the officers slipping in what looked like custard (banana, he found out later), with the thief maneuvering easily out of the way of the others who were attempting to play dog-pile-on-the-bandit. It looked like KID was in a playful mood tonight, rather than his more cunning heist antics.
Nakamori-keibu executed an impressive flying tackle, slamming solidly into KID. But what had been the white clad thief a moment before now exploded in a burst of smoke, confetti, and a net that covered the swearing police officer and his men. The real thief landed lightly and mockingly near the jewel and its display case, giving the lurking Conan an unimpeded view of his exposed back.
Conan quickly brought his watch up, aiming carefully as he waited for the perfect moment. KID was laughing at the officers, but there would be a second, just a second when the thief's attention would be distracted by the sparkling jewel beside him.
Now!
He pressed the switch, hearing the hiss as the dart left his watch and sped for the thief's unprotected neck. A sudden twist and tilt of the white top hat, and his attack was wasted as the needle embedded itself harmlessly into the brim. Monocle flashing in the light, KID tilted his face up toward the crouching boy, and smirked.
"Nice try, Conan-chan!"
Conan saw red.
He launched himself at the surprised thief, ignoring the startled yelp--definitely male, he noticed absently --as his hands scrabbled at KIDs clothes, trying to get a good enough grip so he could haul back and punch that smug face. There was a sudden 'click', and then Conan was falling to the floor in a tangle of white as KID's cape fluttered around him. The hang glider mechanism made a loud 'thunk' as it hit the floor, and Conan grunted as he too landed, wind knocked out of him. Struggling both for breath and to free himself from the clinging fabric, he looked wildly around for the thief.
KID had retreated to the (currently empty) second floor balcony, and was staring down at the chaos below him with an oddly blank face. Well, at least Conan had managed to wipe the smirk off his face...
"Who the hell let that brat in here!" Nakamori roared, still struggling to free himself from his own entanglement. Around him police officers cringed, already anticipating the chewing out they'd be getting at the end of this. "And why isn't anyone getting that damn thief!”
As he regained his feet, Conan saw with some exasperation that KID was grinning again. Even worse, he was grinning at Conan.
"Why Tantei-kun! I had no idea you were that...eager to see me out of uniform!" KID sang out. Then he ducked as a soccer ball went flying past his head. He tsked, "Temper temper, Tantei-kun."
"Shut up!" Conan yelled, face flushed in a combination of anger and embarrassment. He kicked aside the discarded cape and charged across the floor toward the stairs. Around him the officers had finally freed themselves or regained their feet, and those that were able joined in the mad rush for the stairs. Nakamori was still swearing alternately at KID, Conan, his subordinates, and the universe in general, but he was right on Conan's heels.
"Well then, since you were so anxious to see me grounded, how about a chase?" KID said cheekily as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He whirled around and disappeared down the dark hallway.
Conan crested the top of the stairs, skidding a little as he turned sharply into the hall. There were several closed doors, and no sign of the white clad figure. Conan dismissed the doors on the right; the moonlight was streaming into them and he could see no shadows moving under them. A quick scan of the remaining doors had Conan diving for the next one down the hall. It had been just slightly ajar, as if it had been closed but not latched.
He was rewarded with the sight of KID perched on the window ledge, already disappearing up the outside wall. Before he passed out of sight KID gave a playful wave at the panting boy. Conan raced for the window, peering up in time to see KID unlatch another window up and to the left of his position. Conan turned to find an alternate route to the higher floor, but found the doorway packed with bewildered and angry police officers, a red-faced Nakamori striding purposefully toward him.
There was no time for this! KID would probably already be long gone! Except....hadn't he challenged Conan to a chase? That meant the KID would play along so long as someone was actually chasing him.
Conan hopped onto the sill, peering along the wall until he found the drain pipe KID must have used to scale the wall. Ignoring the furious shouts from inside, he quickly scrambled up the precarious obstacle, determinedly not thinking about the very long drop below him. He made it level with the upper window, but found to his consternation that there was no way to get over to it. Even an adult couldn't...
He was distracted by vibrations on the pipe, and glanced down to see a couple of athletic officers edging carefully up behind him. Dismissing them, he glanced higher up the building, then grinned. Shimmying up the pipe, he stepped out onto a thin ledge one story up. An adult's arms length away was a gargoyle, but Conan's smaller feet fit well enough on the ledge that he could edge along it and scramble up the statue. From there it was just a short drop (well, a bit longer than that for him), and he ignored the panicked cries from below as he slipped inside the still open window.
He strained his senses, trying to detect any sign of KID. Nothing but the open door leading out of the room. Hurrying over, he found another dark hallway stretching to either side of the door. He heard the shouts and cries of officers from the right, so figured KID had gone the other way. The other doors along the hall were closed, and Conan didn't hear any sounds coming from them, so he continued along to the end of the hall.
There was a doorway leading to stairs, and the placard on the wall proclaimed "Roof Access". No question, then, on where the thief had gone. Grounded or not, KID loved heights.
A shout from the other end of the hall, and Conan turned to see Nakamori-keibu and officers running for him. This was getting repetitive! He groaned to himself, turning to sprint up the stairs before he was caught. Why on earth did that damn thief find being chased by police officers so entertaining?
He burst out onto the rooftop moments before the officers caught him up, and then they were all distracted by the white clad figure holding the stolen jewel up to the moonlight admiringly. When had KID managed to get it, anyway?
"A jewel's true worth is best seen by the night's shining glory," KID murmured, but in a carrying voice that was easily heard. KID was standing on the edge of the roof, not seeming to notice the officers who were spreading out to corner him there. Conan panted for breath, wondering what the thief was up to. He didn't go spouting out things like that randomly...
"You have no where to run, KID!" Nakamori crowed triumphantly, pointing an accusing finger at the thief. KID tilted his head toward the officer, the moonlight glinting off his monocle as he regarded the crowd around him. From below, shouts from the fans at the sight of their hero rose to a crescendo.
Conan stiffened when KID's gaze rested on him, growling under his breath when the thief grinned. KID said nothing, however, turning his attention back to the one who'd addressed him.
"Ah, Keibu-san, do you really think me so crippled by my loss of wings that I cannot run from those that hound me?" With a smirk and an idle flip of the hand, KID sent the jewel spinning over the edge of the roof. Cackling, the thief leapt the other way, landing on an adjacent rooftop and dashing away.
"Get that rock!" Nakamori bellowed, and more than one officer dove after the vanishing twinkle. Conan didn't spare the energy to worry about them (KID would have some trick set up that would probably leave the impulsive officers safe but slightly humiliated) and raced after KID. He heard Nakamori shouting after him, but ignored it and leapt for the rooftop.
He landed hard, rolling when he couldn't keep his feet, but was up again in an instant, chasing after the retreating white figure. KID was already on the next roof over, prancing along as he called teasingly over his shoulder, "Watch your step, my little critic, lest you drop down a rabbit hole!"
Conan hadn't the breath to spare to shout back. As he approached the next gap between roofs, he noticed what looked like rocks scattered across the ground. Cursing, he swerved to the right, leaping onto the ledge of the building and running along it. Behind him, he heard several poofs and crackles as other officers stepped on the little pellets, sending colorful bursts of light and smoke into the air. The thudding of bodies indicated the narcotic effect of the smoke.
Leaping nimbly to the next roof, Conan was already looking around for the next likely trap. KID had paused dramatically on a ledge a few roofs away, and was pointing his card gun straight at him.
"Beware the Queen of Hearts, lest you lose your head!"
Conan ducked as the first card went whizzing past his head. At this new angle, he could actually see the glint of moonlight off of the tripwires strung all over the rooftop. When had that idiot had the time to set this up?
He didn't have much time to wonder as the next card came zipping by again. Rolling to the side, and being very careful not to hit the wire he rolled under, Conan scrambled to his feet, hand already at his glasses. A quick push of the button, and he could now see the wires through the night-vision lens. From there it was short work maneuvering through the obstacle, dodging the occasional card (he was sure they were all Queen of Hearts, too), and jumping to the next roof.
Behind him he heard the first 'twang' as an unfortunate officer tripped one of the wires. One mortified shriek later, and Conan twisted to see said officer dressed in a quite revealing evening gown.
"You...you're crazy, you know that?" Conan demanded of the grinning thief.
"Why Tantei-kun, didn't you know? We're all mad! After all, what sort of person leaps off skyscrapers just to get one's attention?" The last part was almost a reprimand, but Conan just smirked.
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Indeed," KID replied, allowing a grimace to cross his face.
"There he is!"
Apparently some of the officers had managed to avoid KID's various traps, because two of them were even now climbing over the edge of the roof. KID grinned at Conan, then stepped backward off the roof.
"KID!" He couldn't help the startled cry as he raced for the edge. KID had landed on an apartment balcony, and slipped inside.
Conan cursed, hauling his suspenders off and securing them. Leaping over the side, his progress was slowed by the durable elastic, and he let go at the bottom of the stretch to drop lightly onto the balcony. There was a startled yelp from above as the suspenders snapped back.
"KID! Come back here dammit!" he called, charging in through the open door. He passed by a wide-eyed lady (who was clutching her hand to her chest and blushing), wincing as he heard her scream and the unmistakable sound of skin slapping skin as other officers came tumbling into her apartment.
Barreling out the front door of the apartment, he saw KID waiting patiently in front of the elevators. Conan started to dash forward, but paused. The thief wouldn't be standing there if he hadn't of set up another trick...
He scanned the hallway frantically, cursing when he didn't see anything out of place. Well then, what was in place? The first officer came stumbling out of the apartment, red handprint on his cheek. Conan leapt, grabbing the gun from the surprised man's belt.
"Hey! You can't--" The cry was cut off as Conan aimed and fired three quick shots (recoil making him stumble back into the officer's legs), taking out the light bulbs in the hallway. As they were plunged into darkness, he saw through the night-vision lens a splash of what looked like oil, a shower of glitter and confetti, and a net fall from each respective light bulb.
Pushing the gun into the cursing officer's hand, Conan raced forward, sliding expertly across the oil for acceleration. He stumbled as the oil was rubbed off the bottom of his shoes and he gained traction again, but managed to stay upright just as the pleasant 'ding' of the elevator echoed through the hall.
KID's grin vanished behind the closing doors just as Conan slammed into them, pounding one fist ineffectually against the cold metal.
Other doors in the hallway were opening as people cautiously peered out to see what the commotion was about. Conan raced for the nearest one held open by a surly looking man, ducking under his awkward grab as he slipped inside. He wrenched open the shoe closet, pulling one of the shelves out and dumping the shoes on the floor.
Conan squawked as he was suddenly lifted by the back of his shirt to come face to face with the angry resident.
"What do you think you're doing you littl--" Conan swung with the board still clutched in his hands, smacking the man squarely in the face. He was released as the man clutched at his injury, more startled than hurt.
"Sorry!" Conan yelped, ducking past the lumbering body out to the now chaotic hallway. Ignoring the officers and bystanders alike, he raced for the door to the stairs. A moment later he was using the pilfered board to slide down the steps at a reckless pace, leaping off at each landing before he crashed to slide down the next set.
He burst out to the ground floor just in time to see KID dash out the front doors of the building. Following the thief, Conan almost groaned when he saw the white clad figure duck into a construction site. The amount of mischief KID could wreak in there....
Hearing the sound of many footsteps behind him, Conan spared a moment of reluctant admiration; the KID task force was nothing if not tenacious. Now if they'd just learn from their mistakes, they'd have caught the thief long ago.
No time to think. Conan raced into the quiet work area after KID. The thief scampered up metal scaffolding, pranced along thin beams and rickety boards, and seemed to have no fear of the looming dangers around him. Conan was hard pressed to keep up, breath coming in harsh pants as his legs burned with the effort. He was so close, if he could just run a little faster...
The thud of his heart pounding seemed to swallow up all other sounds, and his vision had narrowed to the white figure always just out of reach. He barely noticed the shifting ground when he slid down a gravel pile, didn't even see the pile of bags of dry cement topple and narrowly miss him after he'd run into them, could only focus on catching that thief.
KID had stopped, perched cockily on a hanging I-beam. Shinichi judged the gap, knew he could make it if he jumped, and leapt--
--only to be snatched out of the air by a pair of strong arms, as sound returned and Conan heard the voice of Nakamori cursing in his ears. Gasping for breath, Conan realized he'd just been about to leap over empty space seven stories up that he'd never have been able to make...and KID didn't have his glider to save him this time.
"Wake up, Tantei-kun. It's time for tea," KID murmured. "Please remember which side of the mushroom you've eaten before chasing me again." The thief hopped backward off the beam, and Conan heard the whine of a wire reeling out as KID vanished into the gloom.
Case: Conan & KID - Closed
Next case: Nakamori & Conan