Disclaimer: Detective Conan and the characters belong to the original owner, Aoyama Gosho. I'm just borrowing them. (:

A/N: Also just a quick note. I know they live in the Mouri Detective Agency, but I'd rather them live in an apartment a few blocks away. Just to.. y'know.. um.. anyways, that's all. nn;

oOo

It was bright, and sunny outside.. it always seemed that way from the window of the Mouri Detective Agency, which was located in Beika City, Japan.

But, it wasn't all sunshine to the daughter of Mouri Kogoro, Ran. She had been inwardly depressed since the disappearance of Kudou Shinichi. Of course, she never showed it, in fear of being questioned by her father.

A young boy by the name of Edogawa Conan had been staying with her and her father. Professor Agasa, a close friend to the girl and Shinichi, had asked her to care of him, saying Conan was his niece's son.

At first, she was fooled, but little by little, the boy started to remind her of Shinichi. At one point, she even mistook Conan to be the secret love of her life.

She sighed, finally managing to pull her gaze from the window.

Across town, her friend, Suzuki Sonoko, laid on her bed in the gigantic mansion her parents were staying in.

She flipped through the TV in her bedroom, finding nothing of real interest to watch. The clock on her nightstand blinked: 2:33 pm in red. Sonoko yawned, but dragged herself out of bed. Grabbing a light sweater, she turned off her TV. She walked out of her room, down the hall and through the front door.

She walked down the streets of sunny Beika City, being slightly disgusted at how happy everyone seemed to be.

The building that was known as the Mouri Detective Agency loomed closer. Her best friend, Ran, would more than likely be there.

She climbed the steps and calmly knocked on the door, waiting for it to be answered.

Inside of the agency, Ran eyes landed on her father, drunk and passed out on the couch in front of the TV he had put in the office. She figured he had left it on all night again.

She shook her head at all the beer cans Kogoro had drank the previous night, after solving an extremely difficult case. She understood one or two beers, but her father went over the line.

She got up and cleared the little coffee table of the beer cans. She gazed at her father and sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. It amazed her so much. How could Kogoro drink, without being consumed by alcohol poisoning? She made a mental note to herself to talk to him later about his drinking later on.

Lately, things had been better with Conan around. Ran wasn't as lonely anymore. Having the yung boy around always made her smile, mainly because of the uncanny different between him and Shinichi.

She sighed once more, then looked up as there was a knock at the entrance of the office. Ran stood and walked over to the door, putting a hand on the handle. Before she opened it, Ran looked at the couch where her father was, making sure it looked decent for whoever stood on the other side of the door. She sighed again, and nodded her head as she turnd the door knob, and opened it a little, peeking out.

"Sonoko!" She exclaimed, happily and opened the door for her friend.

Sonoko grinned at Ran when the door opened, "Hey, Ran-chan!" She pushed her out of the way and walked into the agency as if it belonged to her, "How're ya?"

Ran stumbled a little but quickly regained her balance. Being the karate champion that she was, she was able to make it look as if she didn't almost fall. As Sonoko waited for her reply, she took a look around the office.

Looked like Ran didn't get a chance to clean up properly before Sonoko suddenly decided to dropped in for a visit. Sonoko's eyes landed on Detective Mouri, who looked like he was passed out and drunk on the couch.

Ran noticed Sonoko observing the office that belonged to her father. Her cheeks turned a very, very light shade of pink as she blushed in embarrassment. Ran would've liked for her friend to have called before she popped in so unexpectedly.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Sonoko turned her attention to her friend. To Sonoko, something didn't seem right about the office--minus the fact Kogoro was passed out of the couch.

The girl's cheeks darkened in colour when Kogoro began to snore, quite loudly. Ran coughed, trying to cover up her father's loud snoring, but to no avail, "I'm fine, Sonoko.. no, you didn't come at a bad time." She lied. Ran scowled herself for not thinking to wake up her father before inviting Sonoko inside the agency.

"Where's the shrimp at?" Sonoko asked, looking around for the little who guy was staying with her friend and Kogoro.

Ran's mind started to fuction properly when Sonoko asked about Conan, "Huh? Oh.. he went with his friends to the park. He should be back later." She replied, over her father's loud snoring.

Sonoko saw the hint of color in her friend's cheeks and raised a brow. It finally occured to her that she was embarrassed. Her eyes widened when Kogoro began to snore louder.

Ran's eyes landed on the clock, hanging from the wall: 3:15. She didn't want to spend all day in the agency with her sleeping dad, "Hey, Sonoko. Do you want to go out or something? It's find of stuffy in here.." Ran motioned to the office with a hand, hoping Sonoko would want to leave.

Sonoko's eyes followed hers to the clock that hung above the TV: 3:15--.. no, 3:16 now. Sonoko nodded her head.

"Sure! We can see if we can find the brats and give them a scare!" Sonoko laughed, evilly as she rubbed her hands together.

Ran immediately sighed with relief without meaning to. She smiled at her friend, laughing softly. It always amused her how Sonoko loved to torment Conan and his friends. Her smile grew a little at the thought of Conan. He reminded her so much of Shinichi.

Oh, Shinichi.. where are you?

Ran realized she was frowning, so she quickly forced on a weak smile. She wanted to ask Sonoko to leave. Thinking about her beloved detective made Ran want to curl up in the corner and cry--atleast until Conan came home, and she'd have to think of a lame excuse to explain her red eyes and tear-stricken face. She didn't have to worry about Kogoro finding her crying. He hardly ever woke up when she broke down over Shinichi's sudden disappearance. The girl's little episodes began happening more frequently as time passed. She missed Shinichi terribly.

Her eyes landed on Sonoko, as she forced another smile, "Let's go!"

Ran quickly pushed her out. Sonoko almost tripped over various objects that were lying around on the ground as her friend hurried her out of the agency, locking the door behind her as the two left.

Sonoko eyed her, susiciously. Ran's awkward behavior was getting to her. She was about to question her friend when a look passed your face--a heartbroken look. Suddenly, Sonoko knew. It was that Kudou boy again. The snobby, rich girl felt so angry whenever she thought of Shinichi. He was breaking Ran's heart. Sonoko had noticed the weak smiles being sent her way. Of course, she didn't buy any of them.

"Hey! Watch it!" Sonoko instinctively snarled, stumbling down the stairs as Ran pushed past her. She managed to make it to the bottom, unharmed. Sonoko watched her best friend's back as she hurried away. She had to jog a bit to catch up with the girl, "Ran! Wait up!"

"Oh! Sorry, Sonoko." Ran said, apologetically, rubbing the back of her head. She didn't mean to push Sonoko out of the way. She smiled weakly and turned back around, walking towards the direction of the park. The first five minutes were silent ones. Ran kept quiet, a troubled look fleeting across her countance. Since her head was so far in the clouds, Ran failed to noticed the man walking directly toward her. She achieved the goal of accidentally bumping into the stranger and knocking whatever he was holding out of his hands.

"Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Ran quickly bent down to pick up a couple books. One title immediately caught her attention The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

"Uh.. excuse me?" A voice caused Ran to look up. They locked with a pair of blue orbs. Ran seemed to lose her voice for a moment.

"U-uh.. y-yes?" She stammered, clutching the book.

"May I please have my book back?" She blinked in confusion then realized what he was talking about. A blush swept across her face as she accepted the hand he held out for her, smiling at her teasingly. She handed the man his books, blush still present on her face.

The man chuckled, "I take it you're a fan of mysteries too?"

"Oh.. no, I have a friend who idolizes Sherlock Holmes." responded Ran.

"That sounds like my kind of person," He chuckled again, "Thanks. See ya." He gave a short wave as he walked away. Ran let out a heavy sigh before continuing in the direction of the park.

Sonoko's attention was immediately distracted by the guy Ran bumped into. She temporarily forgot about her friend as she eyed the guy, up and down. He was taller than both girls and lanky, standing at about 5'8". His messy brown hair fell into his blue eyes. He was clad in a green T-shirt and blue jeans. He had been carrying a few books and some papers before Ran dropped them.

The man waved before he walked away. Sonoko frowned at not getting a phone number from the guy. She looked at the spot where Ran had previously been standing. Sonoko groaned, then looked around. Ran had already taken off towards the park, leaving the short-haired girl behind.

"Ran, wait up!" She called out and quickened her pace to catch up with Ran.

Ran folded her arms over her chest, eyes downcasted. How long had it been since he left? It seemed like forever to the distraught girl. At first, it hadn't been such a big deal. But as each day passed, it began getting to her. She had spent every day with him since they were kids. Then, he suddenly decided to abandon his best friend for so long to solve a case. Shinichi no longer there every day to annoy Ran was just so strange.

Shinichi, look what you've done to me. Why did you leave me like that?

Ran walked straight into the heart of the park where little kids where running around, yelling and laughing. She sat on one of the available swings and continued to allow her mind run wildly.

She felt bad for blaming Shinichi. It wasn't exactly his fault she was in love with him.

Ran looked up in time to see a couple walking, hand in hand on the sidewalk that was laid infront of the swingset. They stopped underneath a huge oak and sat down on the bench. The man leaned over and kissed the girl on her cheek. She blushed and giggled, kissing him back.

Ran averted her gaze. She couldn't help but feel jealousy towards the couple.. it made her a little mad that they were so happy.. that, that girl had someone when she didn't.

Shinichi should been there with her, but he wasn't. Ran wanted so badly to tell Shinichi how much she loved him. She never got a chance to tell him anything before he left.

Her grip tightened on the swing as she glared at the sand beneath her feet.

Sonoko had to run to catch up with her friend. She stopped, and panted, nearly out of breath. Sonoko looked around the crowded park. Little kids ran widly, screaming, yelling, laughing. Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

Eventually, Sonoko spotted Ran over by a swingset.

Sonoko decided to stay put to see what her friend might do. She noticed the look on her face when she looked at the couple by the oak. It was the same look she saw earlier at the agency.

Finally, she went over to Ran. The swing next to her was being occupied but Sonoko took care of that.

"Move it, kid." The boy glared at Sonoko.

"No!"

She growled "Move!" The boy looked at her before he took off, leaving the swing open for her. Sonoko took a seat and began to swing herself a little. It was silent for a couple minutes before Sonoko spoke, "Ran--what's wrong?"

Ran looked up, startled when she realized someone was talking to her, "What?"

"Is it Shinichi?" Ran stared at her friend's uncharacteristically sympathetic face for a moment before sighing and nodding her head, "What happened? What did that Kudou boy do to you?"

Just hearing his name coming from Sonoko's lips made her stomach tingle, "I miss him."

"That much is obvious," Sonoko smirked, causing Ran to let out a small laugh, "Maybe you should just give up on him, Ran. I mean.. if he's really that blind that he can't see that he has a great girl in front of him, then he sure as hell doesn't deserve you."

"I really would like to drop my feelings for him, Sonoko, I would but.. we've been friends for so long. We've never been apart for longer than a day since we were kids.. and he's been away for so long. I feel as if I've taken him for granted, you know?"

"Well, he is a pompous jerk." stated Sonoko, matter-of-factly. Ran laughed again, feeling tons better.

"I know, I know. I'm just feeling the blues since my birthday is coming up and he hasn't even bothered calling to let me know how he is."

"What're you doing for your birthday anyways?"

"I'm not sure," Ran shrugged a shoulder, head against the chained supporter of the swing she was on, "Probably nothing."

"But it's your birthday, Ran!" Sonoko exclaimed, "How about I take you on a shopping spree? And we can have a huge sleepover. I feel like we haven't really had a chance to hang out lately. I miss my Ran-chan." Ran beamed at Sonoko. She never ceased to amaze her. It was strange, with Sonoko's attitude and personality, she didn't seem like the type of person that would be able to cheer anyone up. But Ran had been friends with her for a long time too and she knew better than anybody that there was a side to the girl not too widely known.

Ran, of course, has had the pleasure of seeing the kind-hearted Sonoko on many occasions. That was one of the things Ran loved about Sonoko, "That sounds great."

"Great! I'll make the invitations for the sleepover. I'm not going to invite Yuri. She thinks her family's better than mine because she got to see the Sailor Starlights. I was grounded that day because I failed my geometry test.." As Sonoko rambled on about her extreme dislike for Yuri, Ran glanced back at the oak and noticed the couple had left. Her attention was redirected back to Sonoko as she finished her story.

"Let's find Conan." The other girl nodded, and the two removed themselves from the swings, conversation going back to the Sailor Starlights and how amazing they looked.

The friends walked throughout the park, spotting neither hide nor hair of Conan or his band of friends. Sonoko suggested they go to the diner they were accustomed to going to after school for a sundae or just to hang out. She made it a point for Ran to know how hungry she was. Ran agreed and they left the park, and eventually they found themselves across the street from their destination.

The two hurried across the street, Ran being the first to reach the door. She pushed it open and walked in, immediately greeted by the aroma of food. Sonoko pointed to a booth in the corner and the friends walked over to to it, sliding into the seats across from each other.

Ran looked at the salt and pepper shakers on the table, then slowly looked up and out the big window they were seated beside. Cars zoomed by and people happily skipped along, without a teenage detective to occupy their minds.

Ran couldn't help but constantly think about him. He was haunting her, day and night. No matter how many times she tried to convince herself, she couldn't lie. She did need him. She needed him.. she wanted him. Again, Sonoko noticed the distant look in her eyes and knew she was thinking about him. Sonoko had never been in love before. And if love did to a person what it was doing to her best friend now, she never wanted to fall in love.

A waitress made her way to their table and asked for their orders. Since Sonoko was dying of starvation, she ordered their largest hamburger, their biggest order of fries and a vanilla milkshake to wash it all down. Ran stared at Sonoko as she made her order and burst out laughing. Sonoko shot her friend a playful glare as a smile threatened to grace her face. The waitress chuckled at the two before turning to Ran, "What'll you have, doll?"

"Just a milkshake, please." She managed out between fits of laughter. The patrons of the diner couldn't help but glance in the girls' direction, drawn to Ran's laughter. When she calmed down, a hand rested on her stomach, it ached from her mirth. The other hand wiped away the tears that had formed at the corners of her eyes.

"It wasn't that funny." snorted Sonoko.

"I know! But at the same time, that was the funniest thing in the world." Sonoko shook her head at her friend as she drummed her fingers against the table top, impatiently, "You know, we just gave our orders. It takes time to prepare food." Ran teased.

"Well, I'm starving!" huffed her friend in response. Ran chuckled, elbows on the table, chin resting in the palms of her hands. After a while, their food made it to their table, much to Sonoko's happiness. Their conversation contained everything under the sun, and Ran was the happiest she had been in a very long time. She sipped at her milkshake as she watched Sonoko gobble her food and wondered how her friend could eat so much and never gain a pound.

Once they were finished, they paid and exited the eating establishment, waving goodbye to the owner, "I have to get home. I wasn't even supposed to leave." Sonoko said, arms in the pockets of her sweater.

"What're you grounded for this time?"

"Something really dumb. I maxed out one of my dad's credit cards." Ran blinked at her friend, rubbing the back of her head. Before she could make any sort of comment, Sonoko continued speaking, "Well, I'll see you later, Ran-chan."

"Okay.. thanks again for everything, Sonoko. You're a great friend." She smiled as Sonoko beamed.

"No problem. Anything for my Ran-chan." The two shared a hug before going their different ways.

Ran's feet had a mind of their own again as she allowed herself, once again, to think about Shinichi. But she didn't feel the sadness she felt before. She was happy, and her thoughts were the memories she had with him and how he effortlessly made her laugh.

She managed to bump into two or three people as she walked down the busy streets of Beika City. She proclaimed her sorry's and excuse me's as she wandered home.

The sun began setting as Ran stopped at a corner, waiting at the crosswalk so she could get to the opposite side of the street. A bus drove by, Shinichi's grinning face plastered on the side, along with a quote "Once truth will prevail!" Ran stared at it until the bus disappeared around a corner. Her brows furrowed in silent determination as she clutched her hands into fists.

I'm going to find you, Shinichi, wherever you are.