Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kaito opened his eyes to discover he was lying in his own bed.  His room was exactly the way he left it before the heist, nothing out of place.  And no Pandora anywhere either.  Had it all been a dream?  Maybe the heist hadn't even started yet, and it all had been one terrible nightmare -

I am afraid not.

Kaito bit back a yelp as Pandora's voice echoed in his mind. 

"What was that?!"  He snapped, raising a hand to his face, feeling slightly disoriented.

I told you, I can communicate to you in your thoughts.  This will likely be the most common form of communication between us, so I suggest you become accustomed to it.

"I hate it."  Kaito scowled, begrudgingly sitting up.  "So what, you can hear my thoughts now?"

That is correct.  You can respond to me in your thoughts as well.

"I guess I have no choice unless I want it to seem like I'm talking to myself all the time."  Kaito grumbled. "I don't even want to know what Hakuba-"  He froze mid-sentence, eyes widening in horror.  "Oh.  Oh shit."

Yes?

"Did any of the police see me get shot out of the sky?  There would be rumors flying everywhere -"  Kaito quickly unlocked his phone, immediately running a search.  "Dammit."  He said after a moment, sinking back against his pillows.  "It's all over the news.  Someone even got a brief video."

Once people see you are alive and well will they not simply assume it was a dummy?

"It's not about that...people will want to know who fired the bullets in the first place.  And if Aoko's dad starts poking around the Organization -"  Kaito broke off, an icy cold feeling spreading up his spine.

...I think, Pandora offered after a moment of silence.  That given the unwanted media attention this will bring, your Organization will fade into the shadows for a little while.  But this is all the more reason to begin sealing away items...new heists will keep him busy.

"Yeah."  Kaito felt his stomach settle slightly at Pandora's words.  "Wait.  Did you just try to comfort me and force me to do what you want all in the same two sentences?"

I am hardly forcing you, I can accomplish the task myself.

"By possessing me, that's not happening."  Kaito shook his head.  "I'm making breakfast."

It is well past noon, my vessel.

Kaito paused, checking the time on his phone.  It was past three in the afternoon.  Luckily, he didn't have school today.  It was a bit surprising Aoko hadn't woken him up though...then he processed the rest of Pandora's sentence and whipped around to face a mirror.

"Fine.  Late lunch.  But never call me that again."

What should I call you?

"Kaito is fine."  Kaito rubbed his forehead wearily.  "I should contact Jii-chan, he's probably worried sick by now.  I just hope he didn't try to find me..."  Pressing his lips together in a grimace, Kaito pulled up Jii-chan's contact.

Jii-chan replied as Kaito was making a sandwich, his relief and joy evident even through a text.  Kaito smiled slightly.  It was nice to know Jii-chan cared so much...although he did feel guilty for putting him through this situation in the first place.

After you consume your food we have pressing matters to attend to.  You must learn to use your new powers as quickly as possible.

Now if only there was a way to get rid of the annoying nuisance in his head...Kaito sighed, taking a bite of sandwich.

I can, in fact, hear you, you realize.

Kaito smirked and did not reply.

-

Do you have a room that can be used in secret?  Such as the room in which you keep your equipment?

Kaito blinked, pulled from his thoughts.  "I guess, yeah...we won't be doing anything that could damage my stuff in there, right?"

Not if you do it right.

"Comforting."  Kaito stood up and stretched, picking up his plate and carrying it to the dishwasher.  "Do I need any supplies, or...?"

Not for our purposes today.

"Great."  Kaito absently flipped a coin across his fingers as he headed to his bedroom.  "So...what are we doing?"

We will begin learning the motions of the sealing spell.  I also need to locate the Shapeshifting Sands.

"The what?"  Kaito asked as he entered the KID room.  The lights flickered on as usual, and given the fact that his world had flipped upside down and shattered, Kaito found the familiarity comforting.

The Shapeshifting Sands.  Created by a sorcerer thousands of years ago.  They are capable of replicating the mass and design of any object.  They are just what we need to make replicas of dangerous magical items.

"Won't they just duplicate the magic itself too?"  Kaito frowned, crossing his arms in irritation.  "And can you just come out right now?  No one else is around."

"Very well."  Pandora said, appearing in a swirl of black cloth.  "The Shapeshifting Sands are capable of making a replica of any object, but they cannot recreate abstract ideas.  Magic, essence, life...none of those can be replicated using them."

"So a magicless duplicate of the original item."  Kaito mused, running a hand along the car parked in the room.  "All right.  What do we need to do in order to locate it?"

"Some deep meditation will suit our needs."  Pandora nodded at him.  "It will allow us to connect with our universe and pinpoint a rough location."

"Like sensing energy signatures?"  Kaito raised an eyebrow.

Pandora peered at him, seeming to consider how to respond. 

"If that is how you can understand it."  Pandora decided on at last.

"Cool.  One last thing before we start."  Kaito eyed Pandora with a narrowed gaze.

"Yes?"

"How did you come into existence anyways?"

Pandora paused, considering him again for several moments.

"I am afraid the exact details would be so complex with your current mortal mind that it would break your very consciousness."  Pandora said after a moment.  "Although perhaps one day you will have attained the necessary mental fortitude.  However, think of me as pure, untainted magical essence.  One of the most powerful in the universe.  You will not be able to access even a fraction of my true power at first, as the energy required for that would render you unconscious immediately.  But it is still there and will eventually be at your disposal to use."

"Why?"  Kaito pressed his lips together.

"Why what?"

"Why just...give it to me?"

Pandora actually seemed taken aback by his question.  "You are my vessel.  The very thing that allows me to exist in a solid form on this planet.  I have read your heart, searched through your mind.  Your intentions are pure, though your methods are not always so.  As you are my vessel, and dependent on me for life itself, it is my duty to take care of you.  Should you ever use my power in ways I do not approve of - I can simply take complete control over you or abandon you altogether."

"I...see."  Kaito resisted the urge to clench his hands.  "So.  Meditation?"

"Indeed.  Sit."  Pandora commanded, settling down onto the floor themself.

"You've heard of the word please, right?"  Kaito grumbled, but mirrored Pandora's posture.

"I have, I merely see no reason to use it.  Close your eyes."

Kaito glowered at Pandora for a moment before closing his eyes. 

"Focus on your breathing.  Take deep breaths."

Kaito obeyed.

"Excellent.  Now clear your mind...begin to feel the world around you."

"How am I supposed to do that right now?"

Pandora sighed.  "Given the events of the past several hours, perhaps it would be a bit much for you to achieve a completely clear mind...I could help you with -"

"No."  Kaito cut them off at once.  "Not happening."

"Perhaps it would be better if I simply did it this time."  Pandora mused.  "You are wondering about that Aoko girl, are you not?  How about you visit her while I find the location?  We can begin practice on the sealing spell at a later time."

"Great idea."  Kaito hastily jumped to his feet.  "Don't appear in front of her though!"

"I will not."  Pandora replied, and vanished again.

-

Kaito didn't even get a chance to ring the doorbell before the door burst open and Aoko jumped out, grabbing him in a tight hug.

"Hey...what's with the assault?!"  Kaito yelped, stumbling backwards, trying to regain his balance.

"Aoko's dad is still down at the station."  Aoko's voice was tight and watery.  "He said that KID was shot out of the sky last night...they're trying to figure out where he would have crashed."

Oh.

"Do they have any leads on the shooters?"  Kaito soothingly patted Aoko's back.  He couldn't even imagine what would have happened had he actually died last night.

"No.  There's no evidence of them anywhere."  Aoko buried her head in Kaito's chest, voice muffled.  "Aoko doesn't like KID, but...he still doesn't deserve to die in such a horrible way."

"I'm sure he's fine."  Kaito tried, going for flippant.  "This is KID-sama we're talking about, there's no way he didn't have a plan!"

"You don't know that!"  Aoko jerked out of Kaito's grip, eyes watery.  "How could anyone prepare for snipers shooting at them?!"

Well...I tried to prepare at any rate.  Shaking those thoughts out of his head, Kaito swallowed.  "I think you should just wait...KID-sama will be back to sending out heist notices in no time!"

"He had better not!"  Aoko snapped, eyes blazing.  "But he had better not have died either!"  She added with a huff, storming back inside her house.  "Dad said he might be back for supper, so you're helping Aoko make it!"  She told him, grabbing Kaito's arm and dragging him inside of the house with her.

"Hey - wait a moment!"  Kaito cried after her.

-

Nakamori trudged in shortly after they had set the table, looking grim and defeated.

"No leads, Dad?"  Aoko asked quietly, pulling out a chair for him.

"None."  Nakamori dropped down onto the chair, staring blankly ahead.  "We searched for hours, checked all around the location KID should have been at...all we can hope is that that bastard survived.  No leads on the shooters either, any trace of them is gone."

"Maybe KID's injuries weren't as bad as they seemed to be?"  Kaito offered, sitting down across from Nakamori.  Nakamori blinked, seeming to notice him for the first time.

"Ah, Kaito-kun."  He said, the usual cheer to his voice gone, replaced with a dead quality.  "Heard the news I see."

"It's kind of everywhere."  Kaito propped an elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand.  "But if you haven't found him, he probably lived."

"Either that or the people who killed him took his corpse before we could find it."  Nakamori's hands clenched into fists.

"Hey, you don't actually know he died."  Kaito tried, pushing back the guilt bubbling up in his stomach.

"Even that bastard can't survive being shot in the chest and crashing."  Nakamori muttered.  "We can hope he lived, but the evidence isn't pointing to that."

"Maybe he just faked it so the shooters would think they succeeded and leave him alone."  Kaito suggested.

"Maybe."  Nakamori stared down at his plate.  "I don't know what to think anymore.  Damn snipers.  Why were they even targeting KID in the first place?!"

"You should eat, keibu."  Kaito pushed a bowl of food closer to Nakamori.  "You'll be able to think better on a full stomach."

"Ah...thanks Kaito-kun."  Nakamori murmured, almost robotically serving himself the food.  "How are you holding up, Aoko?"

"Aoko's fine, Dad."  Aoko said quietly, watching her father with concern.  Staring at both of the Nakamoris, Kaito swallowed, the wave of guilt harder to push down this time.  He had known all along acting as KID could very well be suicide, but actually seeing the people around him be affected like this...was it worth it?

I have located the Shapeshifting Sands.  Fortunately for us, they are merely in a storage room in a museum in Osaka.  The seal on them has recently broken, therefore we should retrieve them tomorrow.

Pandora's voice cut through his head, and it took all of Kaito's self control to not react.  Tuning out the Nakamori's awkward attempts to make small talk, Kaito attempted to reply nonverbally.

So...I'm just supposed to break in and grab them?  I have school tomorrow.

Very well, but we must go to retrieve them immediately after.  Should someone else get their hands on the Sands before we do...

Pandora's voice was terse and Kaito inwardly grimaced.  Pandora had a point, and it was manageable.  It would just take up his entire day.

All right, fine.  We'll get the sand thing tomorrow after school.

Excellent.

"o-kun?  Can you hear us?"

Kaito blinked, returning his attention to the Nakamoris.  Both Nakamori and Aoko were staring at him, concern evident in their faces.

"Ahaha - sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night."  Kaito said quickly, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.  "I should probably go home after supper, try to get some shuteye."

"Make sure you do...you were completely zoned out there, Kaito-kun."  Nakamori frowned at him.

"You also need sleep tonight, Dad."  Aoko snapped at him.

"I will."  Nakamori replied meekly, averting his eyes.

Kaito smiled slightly at their interactions as he quickly ate the rest of his supper.

-

"All right, going to sleep now."  Kaito announced to Pandora as he plopped onto his bed.  "No taking advantage of that."

"There is no reason for me to possess your body while you are unable to stop me."  Pandora informed him.  "For now."  They added, almost absently.

"...Great."  Too tired to argue about that remark, Kaito pulled the covers over his head.  "You can disappear now or whatever."

Pandora didn't reply, but when Kaito lowered the covers, the room was empty.  Giving a sigh of relief, he closed his eyes, curling onto his side.  It had been a long day.

-

The next day at school, Kaito discovered both Hakuba and Akako were staring at him, faces much paler than usual.  They must have heard the news too, then.

"Kuroba-kun."  Hakuba's eyes swept over his figure.  "What...what happened?"  He added in a lower voice, genuine shock and...was that relief? in his eyes.

Kaito rewarded him with a shiny poker face.  "What are you talking about, Hakubaka?"  He asked, keeping his voice bored and irritated. 

"Don't try to deny it!"  Hakuba hissed at him, hands clenching into fists.  "You were shot two nights ago!  Do you need medical attention?"

"That was KID, not me."  Kaito rolled his eyes.  "Hakuba.  Does it look like I'm injured?"

"You are KID and appearances mean nothing when it comes to you."  Hakuba's eyes narrowed.  "KID crashed from several hundred feet in the air, even if the bullets didn't pierce through his suit."

"Well I'm not KID, so I guess I'm fine."  Kaito snipped, turning away from him.  "Do I need to do a summersault or something?"

"Are you insane?  Don't strain yourself because -"  Hakuba broke off, sounding frustrated.  "Kuroba-kun.  If you are injured or in danger...I can help you."

What?

It appears your classmate is concerned about you.  Pandora murmured in his head.  He could become a valuable resource should -

No, there's no way I'm letting him get involved with this.  If they could kill me, they could easily kill Hakuba.  He's safer being an enemy to KID.  Kaito interrupted Pandora, before refocusing to the outside world.

Hakuba was still standing there, looking concerned about Kaito's zoning out, hand slightly raised as if he were about to wave it in front of Kaito's face.

"I don't need your help."  Kaito told him clearly.  "Because I'm not KID."

Hakuba pressed his lips together, frustrated anger burning in his eyes.

"Have it your way, Kuroba-kun."  He said, voice curt.  "But should you ever be in danger, please seek help." 

With that, he turned and walked back to his desk.  Kaito heaved a sigh, rolling his eyes.  Why did Hakuba care so much anyways?  At least now he would be left alone -

Kaito sat up straighter, feeling eyes burn into him.  He recognized that feeling by now.

I forgot to mention...that witch of yours is likely able to sense you have a magic signature now.  Pandora spoke up.  She has been well trained in magical history...she will doubtlessly recognize me.

You forgot huh?

There was a multitude of other events occurring, as I am sure you recall.

Just be quiet, class is starting.

Pandora was quiet all throughout the morning classes, much to Kaito's relief.  Rushing up to the rooftop for lunch, he desperately hoped Akako wouldn't come after him.

Such hopes were in vain, because not even a minute after Kaito had finished his sandwich, Akako burst out onto the rooftop.

"KUROBA KAITO."  She nearly shouted, stalking over to him.  "What have you done?"

"What are you talking about?"  Kaito snapped at her, in a weak attempt to avoid the conversation.

"Don't play dumb."  Akako hissed.  "Your aura, your essence - it's all tangled up in red."

"Auras?  Really?"  Kaito crossed his arms.

"What happened that night?"  Akako demanded.  "What happened to you?"

"Nothing and why would you even care?!"  Kaito attempted to move past her, but Akako blocked him.

"I don't care but you have magic when you never had it before!  Powerful magic too, not belonging to any of the individual groups, like..."  Akako trailed off, eyes widening in horror.  "Kuroba-kun.  What have you done?"

"I didn't do anything."  Kaito insisted, which was technically not a lie.  "Leave me alone!"

"Let me speak with your other half."  Akako's voice was low and almost had a growl to it.

"You're crazy."  Kaito told her.

You should let me speak with her.

Like hell you are.

I can clear things up with her much faster than you can.

I don't care.

"Pandora's talking to you now, isn't it?"  Akako crossed her arms.

IT?

What else would you be?  I've just been thinking of you as an entity.

Hm...I have no gender.  Therefore I will take yours.

A lovely way to put things as usual.

"Look, unless you know a way to get rid of him, I don't want to talk about it."  Kaito tried to brush past her again, but Akako once again blocked him.

"There is no way to get rid of Pandora, Kuroba-kun.  Your consciousnesses are intertwined.  Your life force depends on...'him'."  Akako sounded grim.  "Do you understand 'he' could possess you at any moment?"

"We worked out an arrangement about that."  Kaito told her.

"And what ensures Pandora has to actually honor that agreement?"  Akako's eyes pierced into his own.  Kaito frowned.

I object...does my word mean so little?

YES.

Your words wound me, vessel.

Stop calling me that!

"Is there no way for the three of us to talk face to face?"  Akako raised an eyebrow.

"No, there's -"  Kaito began, but before he could finish, the familiar black cloth swirled.  "...Never mind."  He said weakly.

"Pandora."  Akako grimly nodded at him.

"Witch."  Pandora replied.

They were silent for a moment.

"If you hurt Kuroba-kun."  Akako said at last, voice containing a murderous edge Kaito hadn't heard since the last time she tried to kill him, "I will end you.  I don't care how powerful you are."

"I was not aware you cared for my vessel so much, Witch."  Pandora tilted his head, a sly smile coming over his face.

"I said not to call me -"  Kaito started, but Akako cut him off.

"I don't.  But Kuroba-kun is the only man who can resist my charm, and someday I will make him mine."  Akako's posture was straight, words firm.

"I am afraid you are too late for that...Kuroba Kaito is, assuredly mine."  Pandora replied, and Akako's eyes narrowed.

"I'm what?  Hold up -"  Kaito tried, but this time Pandora cut him off.

"However.  I will protect and look after my vessel.  I have no desire to harm him...and even should I gain the desire, it would only hurt my own being as well."  He added, voice firm but a soft quality underlaying his words.

Akako stared at Pandora for several long moments before nodding her head.

"See to it that you continue to keep him alive.  Evidently he cannot manage the task on his own."

"With me by his side, he shall never have to fear death again."  Pandora nodded at her.

"Just for the record, I hate both of you."  Kaito announced.  "So. Much."

Akako turned a sickly sweet smile on him.  "One day, Kuroba Kaito, you will regret those words."

"Not nearly as much as you will regret threatening him."  Pandora returned a pleasant smile.

"Hm."  Akako's eyes swept over both of them again before she vanished from the rooftop.

The moment she was gone, Kaito whirled on Pandora.

"Disappear. Now.  What is your problem?"  He hissed.

"That witch could have been a threat to your wellbeing."  Pandora answered calmly.  "Had she attacked you, like she has in the past, I needed to be ready to protect you."

"I don't need your protection.  I can handle her just fine."  Kaito rolled his eyes, returning to his lunch. 

"I understand that in the past you were always a loner."  Pandora settled down next to him.  "However, you are not alone anymore.  I am on your side...Kaito."

Kaito glanced at him, then away, not speaking.  After a moment Pandora vanished, and Kaito resumed munching on his chips, doing his best not to reflect on Pandora's words.

-

After school ended, Kaito rushed home, gathering his supplies.  Pandora was mostly quiet as he boarded the train, only making a few vague comments.

The trip to the museum was just as uneventful, Kaito entering the building without any problems.  Everything was going smoothly, and he was plotting for the best time to sneak into the staff doors when a voice yelled out,

"Kudou?!"

Eyes widening, Kaito whirled around.  What was -

"Ah, wait."  The person that had yelled out stopped and scrutinized him.  "Ya aren't Kudou.  My bad."

Before Kaito could reply, the person stuck out his hand.

"Hattori Heiji.  Nice ta meet ya!  What's yer name?"

Oh shit.  Kaito had only run into him a few times, but it was enough to know Hattori was a fairly good detective.  Of course he was there the day he was trying to break into a room unnoticed.

"I'm Kuroba Kaito.  Nice to meet you as well."  Kaito forced a friendly look onto his face.

"Yer not from around here, are ya?"  Hattori smirked knowingly.

"I'm from Ekoda.  How'd you know?"  Kaito played along, desperately hoping Hattori would get bored soon.

"Yer accent!"  Hattori pointed at himself.  "I'm sure ya have heard of me.  The great detective?"

"Yeah, I've...seen you on the news a couple of times."  Kaito amended quickly.  "What brings a great detective such as yourself to this museum?"  He added with a small smirk.

"I was actually just wrappin' up a case."  Hattori told him.  "What about ya?"

"Ah...I'm a bit of a history fan."  Kaito lied, scratching the back of his neck.  "But if my friends knew, they'd never let me live it down.  So I decided to come out here."

"Some friends."  Hattori shook his head.  "Well, if ya ever wanna try some local cuisine, let me know!  I know all the best places 'round here!"

"Thanks, I will!"  Kaito smiled at him.  Hattori grinned back at him and headed out of the room.

How would you let him know?  He did not leave a phone number.  Pandora pointed out.

Hush, it doesn't matter anyways...I'm not taking him up on the offer. Right now I need to focus on getting through that staff door.

That you do.

A few minutes passed, and Kaito got his opening, quickly slipping inside before anyone or the cameras could notice.  Once inside, he quickly found a spare staff uniform laying around and changed into it.  From there, it was only the matter of entering the storage room.

Getting in was not difficult, and once inside, Kaito looked around.

"All right.  Where are these sands..."  He murmured to himself, lifting up a box.

I can sense magic coming from that shelf.  Pandora spoke up.

"Shelf?  Ah."  Kaito spotted it quickly, hurrying over to it.  "These it?"

Yes.

Kaito exhaled, looking over the sand.  It was in a simple glass vial, filled with pure golden sand.  A thought occurred to him, and he frowned.

"How come the sand didn't just keep duplicating the vial it's in?"

It appears the vial itself has been charmed as to not replicate.  The humans are fortunate they did not move the Shapeshifting Sands to another, unprotected container.

"Hooray for my luck, I suppose."  Kaito picked it up then frowned.  "How am I supposed to replace the vial then?"

Ah.  Good question.  Perhaps I could carefully alter the charm so it allows one duplicate of itself to be made.

"Including the sand itself?  The duplicate shouldn't contain any power, right?"

Correct.  I believe I can, but I will either need the body or my construct.

"Construct it is."

Have it your way.

Pandora appeared, taking the vial from Kaito and examining it closely.  After a moment he motioned, a duplicate appearing in his other hand.  He handed it to Kaito, who put it back on the shelf, blinking as he noticed he suddenly felt much more tired than before.

"Apologies, but my using magic, even through the construct will drain your energy."  Pandora told him, handing him back the real vial.  Kaito carefully slipped it into a special pocket.  "Once you learn how to use magic yourself, you will also learn how to manage your energy levels better."

"That's great, but right now I'm focusing on how to get out of here."  Kaito told him, and Pandora vanished.  Heading out of the room, Kaito walked out of the staff area and straight to the bathrooms, where he discarded the uniform and headed out of the museum.

Back on the train, Kaito gave a sigh of relief, leaning his head back.  It had been a long couple of days and he hoped he could get some real rest tomorrow.  After dodging Hakuba at school, that is.

You did well, vessel.

Don't call me that.

Pandora went silent again, and Kaito busied himself with staring out the window, only paying attention to his surroundings as much as necessary.

-

The next few days passed with no major events.  There was still an ongoing investigation in the case of the 'KID Shooting' as it was being called.  Hakuba and Akako still gave him looks at school, but Kaito ignored them.  Pandora was mostly quiet, only occasionally making a comment or two unless it was during magic training.  Kaito was only learning the most basic of spells, along with the sealing spell. 

Aoko was still worried about her dad, so Kaito attempted to cheer her up during school.

And then, exactly six days after KID was shot down, Pandora popped into existence right as Kaito was about to bite into a chocolate bar.

"I have found a target that needs to be sealed."  He announced.  "While it could be dangerous if activated, it is currently in a semi-dormant state, only awakened once the right conditions are met.  It should be perfectly safe for your taskforce to be around, given that I do not believe any of them have magic.  Therefore, they cannot activate it."

Kaito took a deep breath, lowering his chocolate bar.  "So it's time to show the world that Kaitou KID is alive and well?"  He asked.

Pandora nodded.  "It is time to begin."