Author: Krys Yuy
Summary: Tsukino Usagi has to conceal her feelings for a certain detective, namely Shinichi Kudo, because he's in love with her cousin, Mouri Ran. But when he gets shrunk to kid-size, will he discover the secret she's trying so desperately to hide?
Pairings: UsagixShinichi, ShinichixRan, Ranx?
Warnings: Possible swearing, violence, possible OOCness, and spoilers for Case Closed a.k.a. Detective Conan.
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Set in the Case Closed universe, so no Sailor Moon mystical elements. I'm starting from the beginning of the series, and working my way down. I'll refer to either the graphic novels or anime, so there may be some inconsistencies concerning mysteries or story lines. Yes, I do know how long Detective Conan has been running and rest assured, I won't be writing about every episode. I'll be choosing key ones, and Usagi will have her own story line about her parents. Read and review, please!
Characters: Kudo Shinichi – Jimmy Kudo, Mouri Ran – Rachel Moore, Mouri Kogoro – Richard Moore, Megure – Meguire, etc. (For now.)
Archive/Distribution: Fanfiction-Net, otherwise ask first.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters used. 0P Nor do I own the lines of dialogue taken from the Case Closed graphic novel 01.
"Only one truth prevails!" – Kudo Shinichi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prologue – Complicated Love Triangle
My name is Tsukino Usagi and I have a secret.
"Usa-chan! How was your math test?"
Usagi scowled, swinging her book bag next to her in anger. "Ugh. Math is evil," she muttered. She looked up at her cousin hopelessly. "Ran-chan! Why am I such a failure?"
"Don't be a drama queen," Ran scolded even as she smiled sympathetically. "You'll just have to review more next time."
Usagi shuddered. "At home trapped with all those numbers and equations? No thank you!" She skipped ahead of the tall brunette and started walking backwards, so she was once again facing her. "Besides, if I'm stuck at home, you'll have to go to martial arts class by yourself."
Ran shook her finger at her. "Nice try, missy, but I have no problem going to class alone. You can pick up the phone if Dad gets a call for a case." She frowned in thought. "Maybe this week he'll finally get some clients."
I live with my uncle Mouri Kogoro and his daughter Ran at his detective agency. Even though I'm a year younger than her, Ran and I are more like sisters than cousins. We've been together since I was three.
Usagi nodded encouragingly. "Don't worry. Uncle will get some work soon. He's just been in a slump this last month," she commented matter-of-factly. "Besides, my next paycheck should be coming soon. I know it's not a lot, but-"
"Usa-chan, it's fine," Ran interrupted, shaking her head. "It's always enough. I just wish you wouldn't give up your paycheck. You should be putting it in a savings account or something like that." She gazed up at the sky. "You might need it in the future."
The blonde shrugged passively. "Nah. I got my nest egg, remember?" She smiled. "I'm only at the center now because I love working with kids. If we didn't need the money from time to time, I'd actually just volunteer."
"To tell you the truth, Usa-chan, you're making me feel kinda guilty," Ran admitted quietly, bowing her head. "I should be working too. I mean, it's my dad and-"
"Who is also my uncle." This time it was Usagi's turn to interrupt. "Ran-chan, we've already had this conversation. Your dad has put a roof over my head for the past twelve years. It's the least I can do." She reached out and patted Ran's shoulder. "Don't worry about it."
Ran squeezed the blonde's hand. "Auntie and Uncle would be so proud of you, Usagi," she stated softly.
Usagi smiled brightly. "Thanks Ran-chan." She turned her body to face forward again. "I hope so."
My parents were murdered four months after my birthday on November 15. I can hardly remember them but I know they loved me very much. All I have left of the past is a photo album, my mom's diary, and my dad's personal files on all his cases. You see, Tsukino Kenji was a great undercover cop, and he met my mom, Mouri Ikuko, on the job. They had a pretty tough time the first couple years of their romance, but it all finally settled down when they had me. My uncle says that when I turn eighteen, I'll inherit all my parents' assets, which are rumored to be quite a lot. I'd rather have my parents back, but since that obviously won't happen, I've decided on the next best thing. I'm going to avenge my parents' murders, and the only way to do that is to find their killers. I don't care how long it takes, but nothing is going to stop me.
The two cousins passed by an electronic store, where the news channel was blaring on every television. "Last night, Inspector Megure and the police once again relied on Kudo Shinichi's amazing detective abilities. He truly is-"
"Shinichi..." Ran nearly growled the name. "He's the one taking cases away from Dad!"
Usagi patted Ran's back reassuringly. "Now, now… Shinichi's just being who he was born to be..."
"A detective!" the two girls said together. They exchanged amused looks and burst out laughing.
"You're right," Ran sighed. "I suppose I really can't blame him for being so good at mysteries. Dad just doesn't think like Shinichi does."
Usagi hugged her quickly before spotting the subject of their conversation walking along the other side of the street, looking very pleased with himself. "There goes our fearless hero now," she commented wryly, pointing towards the tall teenager.
Ran followed her line of sight. "Well, well. Doesn't he look..." Her eye twitched. "… more arrogant than usual?" Her right fist clenched and she grabbed Usagi's hand with her left one, dragging her across the street.
Ahh… the great detective Kudo Shinichi. He's a junior at Teitan High School like Ran, but he's literally a genius at solving mysteries. He has keen detective skills and an awesome perception. People call him the savior of the Japanese police force. Sometimes it gets to his head and Ran has to… pound his ego down to size.
Ran crept up behind the laughing teenager and knocked him on the head with her bag. "Hmph." She only glared as he turned, wincing in pain. "What's with the stupid grin?" she asked, raising one eyebrow.
Shinichi glanced at her in confusion and nudged Usagi, who now stood beside him. "What's she so mad about?" he asked, scratching the top of his head.
"Hmm..." Usagi pretended to think about it. "Oh, it's nothing. Who cares if your face is plastered all over the news and-"
"- that you're taking cases away from my Dad?" Ran finished, pursing her lips and turning her head away from him. "It doesn't bother me. Not at all!" She blew a raspberry at him.
Shinichi stuck his tongue out at her and laughed. "Your dad's still a P.I.? I thought he would have given up by now!"
"What was that?" Both girls stated menacingly.
Shinichi continued on, unaware of the hole he was digging himself in. "It's not my fault he's not getting any cases. It's his ability..."
"I told you-" Ran smashed her fist into the post right by Shinichi's face, startling him. "- I'm not mad!" She pulled back her fist as a smirking Usagi took in the teen detective's wide-eyed expression.
"Eh..." Shinichi glanced sideways at the crater-sized dent in the post and bit back the urge to gulp audibly. "Guess that's why you're captain of the karate club..." he commented squeakily.
A soccer ball rolled in front of the three friends. "Ball please!" yelled some children from the playing field.
"Here ya go, kid!" Shinichi replied. He kicked the ball and it landed in the middle of the field with no problem at all.
Usagi looked at him in admiration. "Wow, Shinichi. You shouldn't have quit soccer! You're so skilled!" she complimented.
Ran nodded in agreement. "I'd hate to inflate that ego anymore, but…Usa-chan's right. You could be a hero at the nationals by now." She poked him in the ribs. "Imagine all your adoring fans then..."
But when push comes to shove, Shinichi's the best. He's brave, smart, and totally cool. Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. While my "sister" finds his obsessions with mysteries to be a little too much at times, I find it rather endearing. We've all been friends since childhood, and even then Shinichi could never stop playing detective. You should see the look he gets when on a case – he's like a kid in a candy store.
Shinichi situated himself between both girls as they were walking. "I only played soccer to develop the physical coordination a detective needs." A gleam entered his eye.
"Uh-oh, here it comes," Ran murmured, hanging her head.
"Y'know, even Holmes fenced," Shinichi informed them for the hundredth time.
Ran groaned. "That's just a novel..."
Usagi hid her grin behind her hands. "Not the Sherlock Holmes!" She pretended to swoon.
"But of course!" Shinichi bowed in exaggeration. "He is the most famous detective after all." The young teen got a faraway look in his eyes. "Always calm and collected, his powers of observation and reasoning are unmatched! Plus he plays the violin like a pro!" He pumped a fist in the air. "Novelist Conan Doyle's creation, Sherlock Holmes, is a masterpiece. He is the world's greatest detective!"
What'd I tell you? Kid in a candy store. He's just soooo cute.
"Why sister, I do believe our friend is gushing!" Usagi shared a look with Ran, stifling their giggles.
Shinichi continued in his detective tirade. "Besides Conan Doyle, I have detective novels from all around the world at home!" he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide. He clapped his hands and looked from side to side at his friends. "Can I interest you or Usagi to borrow one, Ran-chan?"
"No thanks," she replied dismissively. "I wouldn't want to become a detective geek or anything."
He looked disappointed, but his expression grew hopeful when he turned towards Usagi. "What about you, Usa-chan?" he asked, deliberately shortening her name.
Usagi blushed under his scrutinizing gaze and nodded jerkily. "I- I suppose o-one or t-two," she mumbled. She always got nervous attacks when he paid too much attention to her.
As usual, his friend's stammering went right over his head. "Great!" Shinichi replied. "You'll have to read Conan Doyle first before anything else. Some say you should save the best for last, but we'll ignore that saying for now."
Ran muttered something suspiciously like "geek" under her breath.
Shinichi's sharp ears, however, picked it up. "Geek, huh?" he repeated slyly. He made a quick movement with his hand, and suddenly it was full of envelopes. "Take a look at all these fan letters!" He waved them in front of her face. "They love this here detective geek!"
You've probably guessed it, haven't you? Well, I wish I could tell him how I feel. But there's this little problem…
Ran rolled her eyes in irritation. "Yipee..." she said unenthusiastically. She grabbed his letters and looked through them. "It's fine to daydream about these girls now, but you should pick one and stick with her! No point in leading all of them around!"
Shinichi considered her words thoughtfully. "Just one, huh?" he repeated slowly. His eyes immediately slid over to Ran's face, studying her features carefully.
Ran caught his stare and blushed lightly. She turned away from him. "And why are you staring at me like that?" she demanded.
"Huh?" The teen blinked and remembered his surroundings, blushing crimson. "Oh, uh..."
Usagi watched this exchange with the same pang she always felt in her heart.
Yep. Ran and Shinichi are head over heels for each other. Both of them are just a little too stubborn to admit it to one another. How can I get in the way of that? I mean, they're perfect for each other. So my secret remains hidden deep inside my most private of thoughts.
"All these cases, Shinichi..." Ran gave him a warning look. "You're going to find yourself in real trouble one of these days."
He waved his hand in the air. "Maybe!" he replied dismissively.
"Ran-chan, Shinichi doesn't have to be a detective," Usagi stated thoughtfully. "He could always write about mysteries."
"Sounds a lot safer," her cousin agreed.
Shinichi shook his head, knowing that wasn't an option. "I don't want to write about detectives." He winked. "I want to be one! A modern-day Sherlock Holmes!"
Ran sighed. "Again with Holmes..."
The young detective ignored her and only chuckled elatedly. "The harder the case, the more excited I get!" He wrapped an arm around both his friends. "The thrill of tracking down the cunning criminal – it's such a rush!" His grip on them tightened with every word. "Detective work is great."
Both girls pried themselves from his arms. "Well, we'll leave the detective work to you," Ran commented, stretching her muscles.
"Good cause it's addicting!" Shinichi grinned and noticed the sign for his street. "Well, I'll see ya guys later!"
Ran lifted her hand to stop him. "Hey wait!"
I promised myself I wouldn't get in their way no matter what. If anything, I'll help them out. I just wish I hadn't fallen so deep…
"You haven't forgotten about tomorrow, have you?" she asked.
Shinichi stopped and the girls hurried up to him. "Tomorrow?" he repeated dumbly.
"Your memory's especially bad when it comes to ordinary stuff, Shinichi," Usagi commented casually. "I guess all your effort goes into detective work."
However, that only caused Ran to blow up at Shinichi. "You promised!" she exclaimed, kicking at him. "You said you'd take me to the amusement park if I won the city tournament!" He evaded every blow and leapt away from her easily.
"When was this?" he asked.
"And yet again, you underestimate Ran-chan's abilities," Usagi stated, tapping Shinichi's head. "You promised about a week before the tournament."
"Ha! I have a witness!" Ran exclaimed triumphantly.
"How can you not have a witness? You're always together," he mumbled.
When he continued to look at her blankly, Ran turned away from him angrily. "Fine, forget it!" she said, gritting her teeth. "It's not like I wanted to go with you anyway!"
"Liar," Usagi muttered, but neither teenager heard her.
"Amuse yourself with one of your fan letter girls!" Ran exclaimed, hands tightening on her book bag. "I'm sure they'll entertain you..."
Shinichi placed his hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Hey, don't be mad! I was just kidding!" Ran turned to look at him warily. "Of course I remember. Tomorrow at ten! Tropical Land! Usagi's welcome too."
Usagi bit her lip as both teenagers turned to look at her. She shook her head. "Thanks, but I promised Minako I would hang out with her tomorrow," she replied.
"Oh well. Maybe next time then." Shinichi shrugged.
"That's probably best since it's Shinichi's treat, anyway," Ran commented, winking at Usagi. "He's paying for everything tomorrow."
"Yikes!" The young detective gulped. "Really?"
Usagi laughed at his expression, missing the slight bump in the sidewalk. "Eep!" she squeaked as she tripped.
My name is Tsukino Usagi and I have a secret.
Usagi could only brace herself for the impact, but was surprised when she landed in a pair of strong arms. She cracked open her eyes slowly to meet an amused azure gaze.
"Gotta be more careful, Usa-chan," Shinichi warned softly. He lifted her up and set her down on her feet. Usagi had to hold onto him a moment more or she was sure her knees would fail her.
"That's my klutzy sister, all right." Ran laughed and patted the blonde's head affectionately.
Usagi blushed a deep crimson and immediately took a step back from Shinichi. "T-thank you," she murmured, bowing once. "S-sorry about the fall."
"What are you apologizing for?" he wondered, tilting his head to the side. He flashed her a brilliant smile and winked. "It's not every day a beautiful girl falls into my arms so easily."
Though she knew he was only teasing like he always did, Usagi felt her heart skip a beat.
I'm in love with Kudo Shinichi, which won't do. Not at all.