Disclaimer: Detective Conan or Meitante Conan is not mine; it all belongs to the clever Gosho Aoyama. Though, the plot and the unrecognizable characters are certainly mine.

A/N: My first DC fanfic! :D Please be nice, and I'll think of better and more exciting twists for you.

Case 1: The Case of the Missing Lover

It was April, and the warm summer air swept past the street and blew people's hairs away. One of these people was Ran Mouri. She walked down the street that led to her father's home with her closest friend, Sonoko Suzuki. It was nearing sun down, and the girls had just left the school.

When they had reached Ran's house, Sonoko spoke up, "Ran, are you really fine now?" She asked this because Ran was looking a bit under the weather since that afternoon. Sonoko was worried about her health and had asked Ran the same question a few times before.

Ran rolled her eyes and waved off her friend's concern. "Don't worry; I'll be fine. So, see you tomorrow?"

Sonoko nodded, smiling as she waved goodbye and walked away. "Bye, Ran!" Ran watched as she rounded the corner before climbing up the stairs. She heard her father watching and cheering for Yoko Okino on the television in his office which was named as Mouri's Detective Agency.

Kogoro Mouri hadn't been exactly the best detective, you see. He was formerly a police officer, but after a certain incident, he'd decided to be a detective. Customers were a rare thing in his office, that is, until a few months ago.

Ran couldn't help but mull over that her father's career bloomed when he had disappeared. By he, she meant her childhood friend, Shinichi Kudo. She felt a pang on her chest as she remembered him. He hadn't tried to contact her for a while. But according to Professor Agasa, a close friend of Shinichi's, he ran off to some place to solve a case. It appeared he was stuck in whatever situation it was.

She huffed. That deduction geek! All he cared about was his cases, Ran thought grimly. Shaking her head, she contemplated on what dish to prepare. To satisfy her father and Conan's appetite.

Ran staggered a bit. She was merely lying to Sonoko about her condition. She certainly wasn't feeling well. But she wanted to do her chores before resting.

Meanwhile, Conan Edogawa and the rest of his friends were on their way towards their respective homes. Haibara Ai turned in the direction of the Professor's home. Ayumi Yoshido, Genta Kojima, and Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, who were chatting happily about the Kamen Yaiba series, said their goodbyes to her.

"See you tomorrow, Haibara-san!" Ayumi energetically said.

"Oh," Mitsuhiko started, his face embarrassed. It was quite obvious that he fancied Haibara. "Be careful, Haibara," he said quietly. Genta punched his arm playfully.

"Stop being flattered, Mitsuhiko. You look very stupid." He grinned as Mitsuhiko's face became appalled. Genta reminded Haibara, "Professor Agasa promised to make us play video games at his place this weekend. Can you ask him what game is it?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll ask him that," Haibara muttered apathetically. She turned to Conan who was busy playing with his soccer ball and rolled her eyes.

Haibara was one of the "well-informed" persons. She knew that the know-it-all boy in front of her was actually the famous high school detective Shinichi Kudo. Sometimes, she wondered if Apotoxin 4869 affected the mental state of its victim, because Conan could pretty much act like kid most of the time.

She was a victim, too. Her real name was Shiho Miyano. A gifted chemist at a young age, she had worked for the Black Organization and was also the inventor of the Apotoxin 4869. So far, these two were the known victims and both were finding ways to get their hands on the Apotoxin to study and establish an antidote.

Haibara gave the group one last look with her sapphire eyes and left without another word.

The four continued their journey. Soon, they fell apart until Conan found himself waving goodbye to Genta. He sighed wearily, as if tired physically, but actually he had enough of pretending. Conan missed the teenage life. He missed his tall physique and his home. The lame treatment he got from the police squad–including Ran's father–was starting to get on his nerves. How was he supposed to solve cases with such hindrance?

But he was lucky Professor Agasa found ways for him. Conan was able to obtain inventions that allowed him to imitate one's voice–his red bowtie–to succumb people to unconsciousness–his silver wristwatch–and others – such as the belt and the solar-powered skateboard.

Although these gadgets were enough to satiate his self-esteem, he couldn't help but miss his childhood friend Ran. He managed to make a call or two using the bowtie as Shinichi, but it pained him to see her worried over him. What was ironic was that, what she was missing was right by her side. The new feelings surprised Conan more than ever. He'd had never felt this way around her before, but then, he wasn't "away" from her unlike the situation now.

He wanted to tell her so badly of the truth, but he was afraid for her. Conan and Shinichi–in both forms–didn't want any harm to come into Ran's way.

So, for now, he stayed with the Mouris to protect Ran and to find out more about the Black Organization.

"Ran-neechan, I'm home!" Conan greeted, lacking a bit enthusiasm in his voice, as he entered their high home.

Ran looked up blearily from the onions she was chopping, eyes red. "Oh, Conan-kun, how's your day?" she asked, sniffing. She hoped Conan would think the eyes and the sniffing were effects of the vegetable she was slicing.

But a detective's eyes were sharp and attentive. "Is there a problem?" Conan asked, not answering her question. Looking at her exhausted face was enough for him to figure out a problem.

Ran was surprised. "How can you say there is such?" she countered and then shook her head. "Never mind now. You go change while I finish this."

Conan stared at her for a few moments before walking away reluctantly. He knew something was wrong, but he hoped Ran would tell it to him soon.

After twenty minutes, Ran called her father and Conan to the table. Even the slightly drunk Kogoro Mouri noticed something aloof about his daughter but never questioned it. Nevertheless, dinner was a pleasant affair.

When they had finished, Conan could not help but discern the way Ran's eyes droop and open over and over again.

"Let me help you with the dishes, Ran-neechan," Conan offered, letting a few tones of worry color his voice. Against her protest, she found herself soaping and Conan rinsing the plates.

That night, Conan listened as Ran continued to cough and sneeze in the other room. She had taken the medicine, and when Conan had checked for her temperature, he was grim at what he'd seen. Ran was truly ill.

He wished he could do something for her. It seemed a rare thing for Ran to get sick, what with her karate and fierce nature. Conan didn't like seeing his friend tormented this way.

But then, what could he do? He sighed, and idea popped in his head. Getting up slowly so Kogoro would not wake, Conan crept out of the room he shared with his "uncle". Kogoro just continued snoring while he trudged to the kitchen and prepared a damp towel and a glass of water for Ran.

When he was done, he slowly crept to her room where he could hear nothing. She had finally slept, he supposed. He slid the door to the left quietly and got in.

Ran was breathing steadily as she slept. A small heap of tissues lay near her bed. She didn't stir as Conan walked until he reached her side. He placed the tall glass of water on her nightstand and gingerly placed the towel on her forehead. It was difficult with his height, but he managed.

He stared at her for a whole minute, watching her body rise in every breath. When he was contented, Conan turned back and wandered to his and Kogoro's room.

A/N: I'm not that familiar with anything Japanese, so forgive me, my dear Japanese readers, for the mistakes. Don't forget to review!

See you in the next chapter!

Much love,

Mistress Emira