The Beast Within (Shinkai/Kaishin)

The Hunt is Open

Shinichi was honestly glad Nakamori-keibu banned any civilian within or outside the museum from this heist, regarding KID's last actions.
Those words forced a cold shiver down his spine and Shinichi swallowed dry, eyes searching desperately for the source of the booming voice.

Where was the gentleman thief?

A loud explosion behind him and the following shockwave threw Shinichi against one of the walls. The boy collapsed with a strangled groan but was back on his shaking legs within a second, whirling around to see KID perched on top of the casket like an oversized cockatoo.
Nakamori-keibu was livid. Screaming orders, he attacked KID who simply settled instead on top of the large chandelier above, statue in hand.
"KID!" Shinichi exclaimed and indigo eyes caught his own, the cold smile vanishing into thin air as KID recognized his target from last heist.
"Meitantei~!" he cooed, arms with the statue spreading wide open to greet him, "What a coincidence!"
His voice dropped, so did this expression full of horrible coldness. It settled into an emotionless look, something which could freeze Shinichi's soul and send shivers down his entire body.
"I didn't think I would see you again."
"Kudo-kun, RUN! " Nakamori roared, clear about KID's intentions on his last heist. Shinichi swallowed but took off as fast as possible. He didn't hear anything behind him, everything was quiet. Too quiet for a KID heist.

But Shinichi didn't stop, couldn't stop, mustn't stop. He knew just as well that KID was waiting here, somewhere, following his every step just to pick out a time to attack for real. The hunt was open and this time Shinichi came to terms with himself that he preferred chasing the KID much more over the KID chasing him.
But where to go? Every corner was as dangerous as the last one, every room was a signed contract with death itself. Shinichi slowed down just a tiny bit to think and finally changed his direction to march out of the entrance. He was KID's goal, right? The least he could do was luring his enemy away from those he could harm.
Shinichi bit down on his bottom lip as he passed the patrol cars covering the parking lot and entered the eery forest, never slowing down. KID was behind him, he felt it deep down in his guts. It was him against the moonlight magician and yet things weren't as before. This time, his life was on the line.

His breath slowed down together with his heartbeat as he finally stopped. Shinichi didn't know how much and long he had run but his limbs were shaking and he was high on adrenaline rushing through his veins. His pulse still ringing in his ears, the boy whirled around to try and make out any speck of white among the dark trees surrounding him. Nothing.
Shinichi collapsed against a tree with a quiet wheeze and closed his eyes for a moment to get himself back under control. He had never feared anybody other than the Black Organization to this extent. Just what was KID trying to accomplish? Was he blackmailed? No, that wasn't possible.

Suddenly, Shinichi jerked up and aimed his watch into the pitch black area around him.
"Show yourself!! I know it's you!!"
And he was right, out of the trees approached him the male with the white tuxedo, cape and hat. He smiled... it sent chills down Shinichi's spine.
"Meitantei..." he purred, indigo eyes drilling into his companion's body, "How lovely to see you here... you didn't want Division Two to die, hm? You have such a good heart..."
KID snickered, covering his mouth with his gloved hand.
"...I would love to rip it out of your ribcage."
Shinichi swallowed, this was downright terrifying. His aim was still steady but the detective noticed how much the rest of him trembled.
"KID, what happened? We used to be rivals, even allies. What about your goals? Morals? Did you forget all the nice memories you made both as KID and your hidden identity?"

KID let out a playful sigh and lifted his chin to stare his rival down with a cold smile.
"Meitantei... you are so naive."
"Naive? I doubt it."
Yet Shinichi slowly lowered the watch. For now, he had to try and coax the KID into a safe atmosphere. That changed immediately as KID began to chuckle what turned into an insanely loud and hollow laugh, his gloved hand covering half of his face. Every cell within Shinichi screamed at him to run for his life and yet his body wouldn't obey him.

"Memories... memories have left me hanging since a couple of days. Who am I? Why am I here?"
KID let out another halfhearted chuckle and his gloved right hand scratched slowly downwards his face, undoubtedly leaving a trail of red marks on his pale skin.
"I just know that I have a goal..."
Shinichi took a step back, watch ready and pointed towards the phantom. KID was acting weird, literally out of his mind, and Shinichi could smell the danger rising from the tall figure in front of him.
"And you, Meitantei..."
Shinichi caught sight of the card gun which KID pulled slowly out of his jacket and his breath hitched; Shinichi got into a defense position to dodge possible cards.
"...are in my way."

The shot fell faster than Shinichi could have watched but this time he was glad he once had a battle against the KID. He evaded and instead activated the powerkick boots, eyes searching wildly for anything he could possibly kick at the magician. There were a few stones yet Shinichi hesitated. A blow to the head with his boots meant instant death for the Kaitou and Shinichi wasn't going to let him go that easy.
But as the phantom pulled out a small grenade, Shinichi changed his mind. With clenched teeth he fired the stone at the magician, hitting bullseye into his ribcage. KID screamed and was sent flying into the tree behind him.
Within seconds, Shinichi was over him, restraining the deadly hands of his to prevent another attack. KID coughed up blood onto his white jacket and a few sprinkles even landed on Shinichi's clothes.
"Why, KID?! Answer me before you pass out! What happened to you?!"
Shinichi had figured out by now that it wasn't KID's fault he had become like this. Someone else was pulling the strings here, just who? The Black Organization was down... right?

KID glared at Shinichi with the same emotionless expression he had come to hate from the thief.
"I know I have to kill you to get to my goal."
"Who says that?!" Shinichi barked, voice filled with anger and panic. Finally, there was a change which Shinichi hadn't awaited at all.
"...I-I don't know..." KID admitted in a quiet voice. Suddenly he looked so helpless, so vulnerable, so... destroyed. Shinichi allowed his interal panic to die down as he sat down on KID's stomach to keep him still.
"Come with me, KID. I'm sure I can help you. We'll get your memories back for sure. If you still want to kill me afterwards... do so," he offered, voice a little calmer than before. KID quietened down and eyed the stubborn face in front of him with a mix of confusion and distrust.
"For the beginning, let me see your real face. I promise I won't sell you out. But... Like that, we can find your real identity," Shinichi quietly asked and let slowly go of the magician's left wrist. The detective swallowed down the nervousity as best as he could. KID wasn't resisting him. Hesitantly, almost shy, Shinichi's hand travelled over his arm, shoulder and up towards his face. He was going to reveal Kaitou KID's identity. KID hadn't made a move yet. Shinichi hesitated another time to check for any change of mind, then gripped gently the edge of the monocle.

Suddenly the noise of a gunshot disturbed the eery silence and Shinichi's eyes went wide. Limbs weakened, his vision began to spin, his mind turned foggy... Shinichi coughed up blood, the strengh and will to close his mouth gone after that.
The detective collapsed onto the white phantom, blood seeping from his mouth. His hand slid off of KID's face into the grass, the monocle remained untouched at its place. KID pushed the male off of him with a disgusted expression and raised himself onto weak legs. He was sure his ribs were broken through that bastard's soccer abilities.
"Looks like I came in the last second. Is he dead?"
KID turned towards the voice and then crouched down to feel Shinichi's neck.
"He is dead," he stated in a matter of fact and a chuckle followed shortly after that, "Let's go back."
"I've got the car."
"Lead the way."
KID left the place of act without even glancing back. He had done his work.

Kudo Shinichi, you are a fool. But you cannot provide the answers I seek.
Sleep well.