"For some reason, I thought that dogs would love you. I mean, how horrible do you have to be for a dog to hate you?"

Lupin growled again, hackles going up as Kid tried to loop closer but retreated back with his palms raised.

"That dog just has an overblown sense of justice. Dogs in general love me," Kid defended, looking down the empty road around them and then back to him and the dog. "You know, my plans only really go off the rails because of you. We'd both be warm and dry right now if you'd just let me leave."

"And if you hadn't tried to take the Wolf's Heart then we'd both be warm and dry right now, too." Conan tugged the goggles off Lupin's nose to hand around his neck, ruffling the dog's ears as Lupin turned his attention to Conan.

"And if Jirokichi didn't taunt me, I wouldn't have tried to steal it," Kid argued, "No! I did steal it! Hah!"

Conan watched over his shoulder as the thief pulled out the dark ruby-studded collar, spinning it on his finger and holding it up triumphantly.

"You're still the thief here. And it's your fault we're stuck here." Conan left a hand on Lupin's back and stared back at the route they'd have to trek to get back to civilization. It was a really long way to walk.

"I think we can blame this one also on Jirokichi." Kid walked over to the motorcycle, leaving a wide berth between him and the dog, and tried to start the motorcycle again.

"You did steal his motorcycle that one time. Of course he would put anti-theft measures in place."

"You blew it up! And tried to blow me up too!" Kid stopped fiddling with the starter and planted his hands on his hips. Eerily similar pose to Ran's when she was also upset with him.

"You were fine." Conan gestured to his broken skateboard. "Plus, this seems like payback."

Kid huffed, shrugging his cape back and digging through his pockets. He pulled out a flashlight and turned it on, lighting up the road back to Jirokichi's secluded chateau.

Lupin barked at Kid, standing between Conan and Kid.

Kid slumped, tapping a finger to his chin, and then snapped.

Conan just knew this was going to be another bad idea.

Kid set off a smokebomb, and when it dissipated, Kid was once again in his Shinichi-disguise.

Lupin settled down with a happy bark, tail wagging excitedly, and Kid dropped to his knees to ruffle the dog's ears. Conan looked on in disappointment.

"That's just not fair," Conan complained, scuffing his shoe on the asphalt.

"Told you dogs like me." Kid made kissy faces at Lupin, laughing when the dog started to lick his face. "It would be a faster trip this way too."

"What wa-" Conan bit off a shout as he was picked up and tossed over Kid's shoulder.

"There we are," Kid said, snapping his fingers, and then starting to rollerskate back the way they came, Lupin trotting beside him.

"Why." Conan asked in general.

"I always have a backup plan," Kid said, "I guess Jirokichi did too."

"I'm really interested in hearing what your story is going to be when we get back and I expose you as Kid."

Kid laughed, jostling Conan on his shoulder.