Author's notes: Rated M for later chapters which will involve YAOI lemon scenes between Kaito KID and specifically at times Conan and at others Shinichi (I will make it explicitly clear what chapters this happens so one can skip it if they wish).

Additional: this fanfic references episode 76 (the first episode Kaito Kid appeared in) and the movie: 'The Lost Ship in the Sky'. The author's notes at the end explain exactly where these occur so as not to spoil anything in this chapter.

It had happened. Once again. Almost everyone in the immediate area were buzzing with excitement, eager chatter spreading rumours and ideas of what he would do... What trick he would perform... Kaito KID, that is. He'd issued another notice - except this one was stranger than usual. Indeed, it implied the mysterious magician would show the world who he was.

Or does it? Would be Conan's, his major rival, response.

Regardless, Mouri had been hired to investigate. Assured by the famous detective's confidence, or rather over-confidence, the true genius behind his solved cases knew he would take a fair amount of time. Giving Edogawa-kun the perfect opportunity to figure out his note.

Which brings us to now. The famous sleeping Kogoro's "assistant" sat back in his office's chair - normally there for clients. Clutched tightly between both his hand's thumb and index finger, out of irritation, was his greatest opponent's most recent challenge. A near un-decipherable code (at least for all except Conan) was being scanned over and over again by his eyes as his powerful mind was full to the brim of plausible ideas for the meaning of each line. Heaving a heavy sigh and wishing solving Kaito's code was as easy as exhaling, he leaned back into the comfortable leather of the chair. As Mouri's fame had increased, so had the comfort of his furniture and this was one positive consequence Conan's aid had achieved.

"Now if only Uncle's ego hadn't inflated disproportionately then there wouldn't be a problem." He muttered to himself, before finally focusing back to the small piece of paper crinkling under his grasp.

"To the one who failed to press the switch,
My deep hidden identity will be revealed,
On the anniversary of the firework,
There I shall steal the precious item,
Shadowed by the beginning of the summer event.
- Kaito KID"

Was what it read. The context to which this was apparently related to was assumed to be the fireworks display that had occurred at the Hanabi festival last year. Nearby his agency there had been accident with the show, nothing major, just that there had been a fault with lighting them off. Coincidentally enough the one responsible for the festival, as he owned the place it was held at, was a wealthy individual who had recently purchased some expensive jewel of some sort. However, this didn't interest Conan. For he knew this wasn't really what the letter was referring to. In spite of the fact that Nakamori and many others who were pursuing KID were certain it meant he would appear at that festival this year, Conan knew otherwise. The real evidence for this was "shadowed"; Kaito loved to play on words in his riddles and clearly it was impossible to be shadowed by bright fireworks. And although KID was known for making the impossible, possible... There was something else more pressing here. While the wealthy owner had organised the festival, he was not the one who specifically attempted to light the fireworks.

Rather, as stated earlier, this code really was impossible to understand unless one actually had the young-in-appearance tantei-san's mind. For it was his mind, and his alone, which held the vivid memories of what the letter meant. The one who "failed to press the switch" was not the rich man but Conan himself. An embarrassed light blush formed over his cheeks when he thought back to it: the two were in a pinch. Kaito had successfully landed himself and the chibi-tantei on the blimp but there was a problem. The wind speed at such altitudes on top of the moving blimp was too great for the magician's hand glider to manage and the two were blown backwards. In a hasty attempt to the salvage the situation, Conan had reached his hand inside Kaito's clothes to press the switch but he had ended up... Well... Rather than pressing on the button, his fingers had roughly glided over a different surface.

Cringing internally at the past occurrence, his vision focused back to the next lines. The rest was what he couldn't figure out... The word "deep" had great significance here but the glasses-wearing-boy couldn't quite think why or how. The line after that was a bit more helpful, as the use of "the" meant it was only a single firework, which could only be referring to when they first met. Conan had pretended, in his usual child-like manner, to release a signalling light as a firework; an act which Kaito swiftly saw right through. Knowing when and where this happened, it allowed him to reason that would be the date of when the law-breaker would appear, whilst the "beginning of the summer event" giving him the time (when the festival started).

"But what does the rest mean!?" He glared hard at the paper, as if only his condescending expression would reveal the answers to him.

One thing was clear: KID wanted to meet him. And he wanted to meet him on the building where they first met, a place which was in the opposite direction to the festival. It was a fair assumption to say by "shadowed", he probably meant that he'd anticipated what Nakamori and the like would interpret his words to be and furthermore it'd be safe for them to go there. The only issue was what exactly Kaito intended to steal; what did Conan have that was of any worth to him? Could it perhaps be... His life? A chilling shudder was sent down his spine at the thought, however... Somehow he knew that would not be the case. Although neither would ever admit it, they enjoyed the competition shared solely between one another. Nevertheless, he'd have his usual artillery of power-increase shoes and a football belt at the ready anyway, just in case. Sliding off the chair which his short legs couldn't even fully cover the side of, he turned and shoved the small card in his pocket. But just as he was about to dash off...

"Oh, Conan-kun? Are you ready to go to the festival? Sonoko's outside waiting for us." Ran opened the door, looking at him expectantly, not knowing his real intention.

"Um... Ran-neechan I just need to sort out something! I'll catch up with you later!" He hurriedly made up an excuse and dashed passed her, heading straight for the door and squarely missing running into the so-called deduction queen before he was finally on his way.

"Jeez, what was that about?" Sonoko muttered to herself, raising an annoyed eyebrow in the (as she called him) brat's direction.

Unaware of her remark, he continued on his path, knowing exactly where his rival meant. Luckily for Conan most people had already arrived at the festival and the area he sped through was fairly bare - giving him enough time before the other made it. Although, throughout his adventures, his child-body had become rather athletic, he could still feel his pulse race as he ran but was unsure whether it was due to fatigue or nervous-ness.

Like that guy would ever worry me. He replied to that train of thought, now facing the building he needed to reach.

Pushing the glass doors open, the place was eerily quiet. What had it even been used for before? Not taking the time to look around, Conan took the path to the top of the building he had when the first met, and soon reached the required area. Panting in slight exhaustion, he took a good look around but couldn't make out anyone yet. Until, eventually...

~ text ~

Meanwhile back where Ran and Sonoko were, a large crowd had gathered and people stuck close together in groups as fans called out KID's name in excitement. Pleasant weather meant that people were dressed in comfortable summer festival clothes and some waited holding billboards of support for KID, others with various snacks they'd bought. Nakamori and his security were there as well, of course. Especially concentrated around where the fireworks had been placed, they watched carefully but were instructed to in no way prevent the fireworks from being released. The jewel was safely secured inside the building a short distance away from the fireworks and that too had a large number of police guarding it warily. The eager murmuring of his fans became louder as the time drew nearer, the time when the fireworks would be let out and KID would appear.

After a short few minutes, it was time. People yelled out KID's name in support, trying to draw him out with their voices. The one in charge of catching the elusive criminal became more tense as seconds ticked by, knowing that - at any minute - the one he had spent so many resources on would come forth. In between the loud supportive cheers, Ran could barely make herself heard.

"I wonder where Conan-kun ran off in such a hurry, normally he's busy working with the police force to catch KID." She commented to Sonoko, who seemed to respond with an un-caring eye roll.

"Who cares about that kid, he's always running off to do something or other. What matters right now is that KID-sama will be here~!" She squealed, clasping her hands together in a typical fangirl-like manner. When it came to attractive guys, she was hopeless.

Ran sighed at her response but was soon drawn away from their conversation as an explosion was heard from the sky. As the smoke cleared, the whole crowd gasped in unison as KID flew past them. Accurately he shot a number of cards at a number of pre-ascertained places in the ground where the police would easily reach; smirking in his usual trademark way as he did so. Once the task was complete, the display immediately began. The audience's attention was snatched from KID and instead directed towards the sudden bang which marked the beginning a series of fireworks. Utilising this opportunity, KID managed to "disappear" by making a U-turn and souring behind a building whilst the majority of the crowd was shocked by the show. Just as planned. He thought smugly to himself, once out of sight.

"Ah, where'd KID go!" Sonoko complained, her tone disappointed; ignoring the remainder of the display now that the surprise of the initial one had worn off.

The police themselves were hurriedly dashing around, attempting to grab every "gift" Kaito had left for them. Whilst they did so, they noticed there was text written on the cards. Handing them to the head of the investigation, Nakamori read them out.

"I did not intend to steal what you thought,
but as you've gathered my beloved fans here,
you may have a magic show in my absence.
Enjoy.
- KID"

Yelling in rage, he threw them to the ground and stamped them into the dirt. The officers attempted to calm him down but to no avail, instead he went around violently pinching every member of his forces on the assumption that one was Kaito in disguise.

~ text ~

Having escaped the situation, KID continued on his way until he was right on course for the real place he specified he'd emerge. Landing on a higher building built recently next to the one he meant, he began setting up the remains of the mechanic he'd prepared before.

It was then that Conan, after a short delay, saw him.

Gracefully floating down, as if even the laws of gravity dare not defy him, was Kaito KID. However the one currently facing him would snigger at this description - clearing seeing the moonlight rays bouncing off the high tensile strength strings securely lowering his body. A suspicious mechanism seemed to be present on a nearby building and Conan cautiously noted its presence; snapping his gaze straight back to the dangerous magician.

"Yo, Kudo-kun." He greeted casually, implying the chibi-tentei's presence was expected.

As well it should be, he supposed, since the message was directed solely at him. Looking suspiciously up at the other, his hands in his pockets, Conan awaited his landing.

"I see you're reusing those wires from your old trick." He observed, contempt showing for Kaito's lack-of-originality this time.

"Hmmph, I'd like to see you set something like this up in the time I did." Kaito swiftly threw back, his feet now on the ground, as he disconnected the wires from the shoulder cloth of his outfit.

Conan shook his head and began to approach the other, still unsure quite what the magician intended to do.

"So? What was it you called me here for? I know that message couldn't be meant for anyone else." He began, narrowing his eyes and getting down to business.

"Oh? For all your confidence you didn't manage to de-code everything I wrote?" Kaito snickered to himself, stepping closer and kneeling down to his counterpart. Their faces were inches away from one another now and Conan looked more unsure by the moment.

"What do you mean...?" He questioned, feeling that annoying blush from earlier spreading across his skin as the distance between them lessened.

"Isn't it obvious? Surely what I addressed you as gave an idea..." Kaito easily answered, looking Conan directly in the eyes.

The switch! Was the last coherent thought Conan could manage, before he was promptly cut off. Cut off by the cunning criminal's lips. Pressed gently against his, almost without any warning, he had stolen a kiss from the younger-in-appearance detective. But this was not all he intended; Kaito KID never finished a job half-done.

~ text ~

Back at the magic show, much of the shock and enthusiastic cries for their idol's presence had calmed. Instead, many had began to focus on the fireworks; even some members of the police force temporarily stopped keeping a look out to gaze at them. Oddly enough the show seemed different than the years before, it was much more extravagant with the fireworks creating mesmerising patterns in the sky. Even Sonoko's disheartened mood at KID's short appearance had improved, as she and Ran happily watched the light show above them.

It was then when what KID meant in his letter became a reality. The rockets were let off in such away that they appeared to create something - a face of some sort.

"Wait a minute, is that..." Ran murmured, before the final piece had been let off.

It created an image remarkably similar to the little illustrations the showy thief had always left on his notices. A face with a top hat and a large grin lit up in the sky before the people and they all began to let out a simultaneous cheer in approval.

"What the!?..." The head of the 2nd division yelled, ripping his attention away from the task he was engrossed with to look out the window (his need to check every officer leading him to have to enter the building where the expensive item was). Perplexed it seemed that, yes, KID's face was in the sky. "So this is what he meant!" He shouted in increased aggravation, as easily irritated by his enemy's stunts as always.

~ text ~

Although the one all those present at the festival had their mind's on would've liked to see the reactions to his little set up there, he was much more content dealing with his current matter with Conan. He had to pull off the most important heist he'd ever attempted and, as such, there was no way his attention could be distracted from fulfilling it...

Author's notes: Where I mentioned the incident on the blimp was the movie and the first meeting they had with the firework was episode 76.

Hope you enjoyed! More to follow soon, I'll try to update this ASAP (probably in a day or two, unless something comes up). ^^ Reviews and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated as they encourage me to write more and help me improve on my work (as an amateur writer).