AN: Thanks for being patient. I'm sorry for the long gap between updates, but I'm afraid this is how it is going to be now. While my main examinations have not yet begun, the practicals are underway and I must be concentrating on those now. Writing is now purely recreational - unlike the zeal I had before to simply complete my stories :P

Thank you, all of you, who gave me your opinions on Episode 43. It helped me write this chapter.

So, do let me know how you liked it!

Enjoy~

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Guys, please check out "The Never Ending Tale". It will literally never end as long as you keep reading, reviewing and writing! Yes - this is a mass collaboration fic that anyone can contribute to!

I, myself have written Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 is has been written By Disconsolate Mist and Chapter 3 is already being written By TheDarkKunoichi, but ANY interested author can pick up their pen and write its continuation - just read the Introduction for details!

I promise you, it won't disappoint!

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"Dialogues"

'Thoughts'


Chapter 2: The Shounen Tantei-dan Reunite


"Yukiko-kun! Yusaku-kun!"

At Agasa Hakase's loud shout, and insisting knocks, Yukiko immediately opened the door, her face set into a worried frown. Seeing the Hakase's relieved expression, she lit up with hope,

"Hakase?"

"H-He sent me a letter!"

In two minutes, the Kudo couple and the professor were seated around the kitchen table, letter spread out in front of them. Unfortunately, it contained only four words:

Stay safe. I am.

The meaning was very clear.

Putting her face in her hands, Yukiko sobbed dry tears, "I should never have played such a prank on Shin-chan! It's all my fault! If we'd only –"

"Shh, Yukiko," her husband comforted her, "I am equally at fault,"

"As am I," Hakase told her, "and I feel even more guilty, knowing that Shinichi-kun trusted me to never tell anyone…seeing this letter, my guilt only increases…"

"No Hakase," Yusaku denied, "we are his parents, it was only right that you told us everything. I, however, miscalculated the danger he associated with this case. I merely wished to test his detective skills and see if he was prepared to deal with the situation…"

"He ran away!" Yukiko sobbed, "H-He actually thought he was in danger! I never meant to put my baby through all that! Who knows where he's been? All we'd searched, from orphanages to old shrines, he was nowhere!"

"Well, the postmark on this letter is Kyoto's," Hakase said, "Do you think he's there?"

"No," Yusaku shook his head, "he'd never leave such an obvious trail. Wherever he is, it is definitely not Kyoto."

"But," Yukiko opposed, "he might have known we'd think that so he probably is in Kyoto!"

"And there is the flaw, dear," Yusaku intoned sadly, "He has not posted this from Kyoto to fool us, but the men in black. Had I not known my son, even I would have assumed he was in Kyoto or somewhere close to it. Shinichi has sent this letter assuming he actually is in danger, which is why he's waited for so long to send it. Which is also why he's only written a few words, telling the Hakase that he's safe and cautioning him to do the same."

"So," Agasa Hakase concluded, "you can't deduce anything from this letter?"

"Oh no," Yusaku denied, "I can deduce a great many things, but nothing about Shinichi. There lies the problem. But…it also fills me with pride, knowing he's gone to such great lengths that even I cannot trace it back to him!"

"I don't care about all that!" Yukiko cried, "I just want my baby back! Who knows where he is, how he is! He may be seventeen, but he's stuck as a seven-year old! Please, Yusaku! Find him!"

It was truly a mother's desperate cry for her child, but Yusaku could provide her with nothing but murmurs of assurances that Shinichi was fine, wherever he was.

"You know that we've tried our best Yukiko," Yusaku reminded her, "but nowhere has there been a sighting of a lost child, never mind one bearing 'Conan's' identifications. Besides, if I know Shinichi, he would have discarded everything that would identify him as Conan, immediately."

"Hakase," she turned to the professor, "are you sure we cannot track him?"

"Yukiko-kun," the Hakase said sadly, "both the detective badges as well as the tracker placed in his glasses have only one way to be located – with the glasses themselves. I've no way to track him. And if I did, I'm pretty sure Shinichi-kun would have destroyed it. He does truly believe that he's in danger."

"Don't worry, Yuki-chan," Yusaku told her soothingly, "we've asked Ran-chan to call us if Shinichi ever contacts her. You know, he will contact her sooner or later. Then we might be able to establish contact with him, okay?"

"Okay," Yukiko whispered, before murmuring, "I'm sorry baby! I'm so, so, so sorry, Shin-chan!"

The three of them could do nothing but wait, however. Because, in the end, the blame did lie with them. These were simply the consequences of their actions.


If anyone would have told Conan that he would eagerly anticipate his first day at primary school (for his third time attending it), he would have laughed and sent them packing to a loony bin. But it was true. Perhaps he was not so much anticipating the school days, but to be reunited with his friends.

"Class," Kobayashi-sensei announced, "we have a new student starting today. Please welcome Fuyuhiko Daichi-kun!"

His first day as 'Daichi' passed just like his first day as 'Conan' had gone. Only difference being, the notable absence of the detective boys. They seemed to be a more tight-knit group than they had been before, Conan's absence taking their toll on them. Looking at them, it was for the first time that Conan realised just how much he'd influenced them.

As Conan walked home from the bus stop, he made a slight detour towards the coin-lockers and retrieved a little money from the stash he'd kept – his earnings from working as a newspaper delivery boy and a babysitter, both jobs now over and done with – and walked over to a road-side florist.

It had been a long time since he'd called Ran, and the last time he'd tried, she'd not picked up her phone. Today, he'd passed by Teitan High School to see if he could peek a glance at her. She'd seemed cheerful, talking and laughing with Sonoko. But Shinichi, who'd known her since they were kids, could easily see the stressful lines adorning her youthful face and the slight slump in her shoulders.

Apparently, learning that your life is at risk – really at risk, like a 'going to die soon' possibility – is quite the wake-up call. It had quite possibly set fire to a few neurons in his brain that were in charge of his more thoughtful and romantic gestures, because Conan was going to send her flowers. Honest to God, beautiful – blue orchids – flowers as a gift to Ran.

He knew Ran well enough to know that she wouldn't tell anyone that he'd sent them. So the safety factor was not an issue.


Conan was not the only customer, though, and he was quite willing to wait till the other teen finished his order.

"Two red roses, four yellow and four white," the teen said, "Oh no, not quite so long! Cut the stems. Make them five inches at most. Yup, that's right."

The stall owner dutifully complied, "Anything else?"

"Yes, two lilies, five blue and five violet orchids and a couple of camellias." The teen nodded, "Oh come on Oji-san! How many times have I bought flowers from you? You should know by now how I want them cut…"

"Kuroba-san," the owner sighed in exasperation, "you rarely come to my shop – something about my flowers not being pretty enough for your friends – but every time you do, do you have to be so fussy?"

The teen, Kuroba, smiled, "Of course! Can't have them be anything short of perfect."

"Hai, hai. How would you like a few bellflowers? I've got plenty today."

"Let me check if I've enough money…"

As Conan browsed through the display of flowers, he watched the teen fiddle with his wallet, before nodding and adding bellflowers to his already long list of flowers. When Conan finally got a good look at Kuroba's face, he stopped and stared in shock.

Kuroba looked disturbingly similar to Kudo Shinichi.

A perfectly identical face!

Quickly schooling his face into one of polite interest, Conan looked over the teen, cataloguing the differences – glad to find differences – hair had a distinctive lack of cowlick and seemed to be naturally messy, his face was more full and less angular, his shoulders were not quite as broad as Shinichi's (but seemed to be just as muscular), his feet were; perhaps, maybe, he wasn't quite sure, but possibly; a size smaller too, and his hands…his hands were not that of a violinist. No, the calluses were different. They seemed to be that of a –

"Yo, kid," Kuroba called out to him, "what are you looking at?"

"Magician," only when Conan had spoken out loud that it struck him, 'Yes, his hands are that of a magician.'

His response had clearly startled Kuroba, because he was looking at Conan with blatant curiosity.

"I am," Kuroba admitted as he paid for his flowers, tucking them away methodically about his person, till they were no longer visible, "but, how did you know that?"

"Now," Conan smirked, wanting to have a bit of fun, "that would be telling…and magicians never reveal their secrets!"

Kuroba laughed at that, crouching down in front of him and presenting him with a small yellow rose with a flick of his wrist.

Conan stared at it curiously, knowing what the yellow rose symbolised: joy, friendship, new beginnings. He looked up at Kuroba, and seeing the genuine smile on his face, accepted the rose.

"Thank you," Conan muttered softly, 'Kuroba, you will probably never realise just how much you defined my life by giving me this rose – it symbolises everything that has happened to me. It truly is a new beginning for me.'

Kuroba merely ruffled Conan's hair at the thanks and was about to get up and leave when he spoke up,

"Magicians," Conan began softly, before clearing his throat and continuing firmly, "magicians perform their show by showing their audience a trick and then proceeding to carefully hide the secret behind it from the viewers' watchful eyes."

The kid's words were interesting enough that both the stall owner and Kuroba turned to pay attention to it. Conan simply kept his eyes trained on the rose, staring at it with obvious fascination.

"A detective's show, on the other hand," Conan continued, "is to observe and analyse their subject and then explain the trick behind it all."

Conan smiled at the teen and proceeded to give the explanation he'd been asked for, "Your hands, they have calluses. Small and thin, healed cuts from a wire and new playing cards. Must be from years of practice. Your fingers are also dextrous; you were flipping that coin between your fingers and over your knuckles when you checked your wallet for spare change. And the specific size of stems you ordered your flowers to be… Everything pointed to the fact that you are a magician,"

Kuroba let out a low whistle of appreciation, while the shopkeeper couldn't close his mouth due to his surprise.

"You came to know that by simply looking? That's awesome!" Kuroba praised.

Conan smiled at the genuine compliment, "Fuyuhiko Daichi, tantei sa!"

It was only after he'd spoken that Conan realised his slip; he'd introduced himself as a detective. But then, he sighed. Being a detective was an integral part of him, he couldn't abandon that.

"Kuroba Kaito, magician extraordinaire!" The teen bowed dramatically in front of him.

Conan let out an involuntary snort of laughter at that.

"And, you know, Fuyuhiko-kun?" Kuroba said thoughtfully, "If you could do away with your deductions for about half an hour, drop by Ekoda Park in evenings on weekends. I'll be performing then,"

'I can't really spare any free time I have.' Conan thought, 'I need every moment I have to try and pursue the men in black and their organisation…but, perhaps an hour or so at the park might not be so bad…'

"Okay!" Conan chirped sweetly, reverting back into his kid persona, "Thanks for inviting me Kuroba-nii-chan!"

Kuroba waved at him as he walked away.

"Ah…so," the florist cleared his throat, "what kind of flowers would you like?"

"Do you have a delivery service, Oji-san?" Conan asked him, snapping back to attention too, filing away Kuroba's eccentric quirks and personality for later perusal at the back of his mind.

"Yes, but all deliveries will be after 6:00 pm and before 8:00 am,"

"That's okay, I want you to deliver a bouquet of blue orchids to this place," Conan showed him a piece of paper, Mouri Detective Agency's address scrawled upon it, "by tonight."

"All right," the owner nodded, "who is it for and from?"

"To Mouri Ran, from…" Conan pondered, should he even write a name or not? "…from, Meitantei."

The florist raised an eyebrow at the name but complied.


Kaito's flowers had not bloomed that day, which was quite bothersome, seriously. He preferred to use his own flowers, grown by yours truly, in his magic tricks. Buying them from a florist seemed cheap, but he was doing a show tonight at Ekoda Park, so flowers were a must. He anticipated his visit to Mogi's Flower Shop to go as it usually did – him ordering his flowers, always having to remind the owner of his special requirements, paying and returning.

Fuyuhiko Daichi had been an unexpected surprise.

The boy had entered the small, open flower stall midway through his shopping and patiently waited while he ordered his flowers. That was nothing to take note of, really. The boy browsed the flowers displayed and Kaito was content to leave his thoughts on the boy at that.

However, nearly a minute later, he felt a piercing stare upon him. It was quite similar to the one Hakuba usually levelled at him, as if trying to see through his mask and grasping at every straw available to prove he was Kaitou Kid (Which he was not! Thank you very much!...Or at least that's what he would say to everyone who asked).

Which is why, to feel that particular brand of glare upon him in a flower shop was…strange. Even more strange was the fact that it was the kid who was looking at him in that manner. What had he ever done to the boy to be stared at like that? He'd never even seen the boy before!

Upon questioning him, the boy had replied, "Magician."

'The hell?!' Kaito slammed down his poker face after a brief moment of shock, 'How did he know that?'

The kid's answer to that question was what had amused Kaito the most, 'A magician never reveals his secrets, huh? Of course, and now that you've said that, I've no choice but to back off. No matter how curious I am, pressing you to reveal the trick is against a magician's code of conduct.'

Kaito had then presented the boy with a yellow rose, 'Because, someone like you, kid, certainly deserves this. For a kid, you're certainly quite bright…'

"A detective's show, on the other hand, is to observe and analyse their subject and then explain the trick behind it all," Conan had said as Kaito had been about to leave.

'A detective – I should have realised that,' Kaito sighed, 'only another detective could use that particular brand of Hakuba's 'I-know-what-you're-hiding-and-I'll-prove-it' glare, after all,'

Then the kid had explained his deductions and Kaito couldn't deny the admiration he felt, 'Seriously, he's too good for a kid! But…the way he's clutching at the rose, as if…as if it's something precious.'

Kaito's countenance softened, 'Has the kid ever been to a magic show? He certainly seemed happy when I did the flower trick… well, no child should ever miss out on magic!'

"Drop by Ekoda Park in evenings on weekends. I'll be performing then," Kaito had invited, 'I'll give you a performance to remember, Tantei-kun! You will see the joy and wonder I can bring about with my magic…because; you clearly seem to be in need of it. I'll wait for you…'

"Ba-Kaito!" Aoko's loud yell brought him out of his thoughts, "Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

"Ah! Yes, of course, Aoko," Kaito flicked out a red rose for her.

She huffed and accepted it as usual and Kaito felt a twinge of irritation, 'Does she even realise what colour it is? Well, I've been giving her flowers since years…they are probably all the same to her now.'

Kaito felt a smile come upon his lips though, when Aoko placed the flower behind her ear, turning slightly to show it off to him before she went back to chattering about everything and nothing, as they walked to Ekoda Park.

"I'll go find a good spot to sit," Aoko told him with a smile, "before all the kids surround you, okay?"

Kaito nodded with a smile of his own. No matter how many times he performed in the park, and how many times Aoko had already seen some of his tricks, she faithfully attended each and every one of his shows. As the children playing in the park noticed his entrance, they immediately crowded around him, waiting for his magic show. Some of the parents moved a bit closer too, clearly interested. A little further away, seated on a bench, Aoko waved at him.

Kaito took a deep breath, smiling at his audience. Looking at their bright and eager faces, Kaito was reminded once again of the reason he was a magician – to bring about joy and wonder, to show others the beauty of magic, to spread happiness – and he began his show.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome…"


Ran felt Conan's absence to be tangible.

When her father would be out, mostly in a bar to drink like he was doing at the moment, she would be comforted by his presence. He would hop upon a kitchen stool with either his homework or a book, and watch her silently as she cooked dinner. With him, it felt more like a family.

She knew he would not be staying for long, Agasa Hakase had told her it was only till his parents got better. Then it would be goodbye…but when the time came – when she had opened the door to welcome in Edogawa Fumiyo – she had selfishly wished that Conan-kun could have stayed longer. Just a little while more… Fumiyo-san had promised that he would call, and probably visit too, but it had been more than four weeks now since she had heard from him.

With Shinichi's infrequent and unexpected phone calls, that she could never predict, she was satisfied. Not happy, no, certainly not happy; but…satisfied. However, Conan-kun's silence vexed her.

Ran sighed, there was no use thinking of that now. It was nearly eight o' clock and she should start dinner preparations soon. Taking a moment to deliberate upon her choices – fish or meat? – she leaned against the open fridge door and peered inside.

Ding-dong!

'Huh?' Ran was surprised, 'Who could it be at this time? Dad would just use his key, and we don't accept clients in our home…'

"Good evening," A young man greeted as Ran opened the door, "Delivery for Mouri Ran-sama?"

'Delivery?' Ran looked at the bouquet of blue orchids in his hand, 'For me? I wonder who sent it…'

"Yes, I'm Mouri Ran,"

Ran accepted the flower bouquet and signed the delivery pad before asking, "Ano…could you tell me who sent it?"

The delivery boy shrugged, "I've no idea ma'am. I just deliver where the boss tells me to. But there's a card with the flowers, maybe it's written? See ya!"

Ran shut the door closed before taking a better look at the bouquet. Tucked between the flowers was a small, white card, and upon it in neat calligraphy, the words: To Mouri Ran, From Meitantei.

Unbidden, a smile came upon Ran's lips, 'Meitantei, huh? You proud, Holmes crazy, mystery-otaku! Sending me flowers, are you? They don't make up for your absence…but,' Ran took in the fragrance of the orchids; if she imagined harder, they smelt of Shinichi, and surprisingly, Conan-kun, '…but, thank you. For coming to meet me in the form of these flowers…'

When Mouri Kogoro stumbled home late at night, drunk and hungry, it was to see Ran gaze blissfully at a vase full of blue flowers. For some reason though, she refused to mention where they came from.


It was by the end of Conan's second week at school that he began to notice it. Now that he had begun life as Fuyuhiko Daichi, and started living with the Tsuchida family, his dark tan had begun to gradually fade away. His thin countenance was also giving way to a more healthy appearance.

While that was overall a good sign, it meant he was not slowly starving himself by living on melon-breads and Aya-san's lunch, it also meant he would soon regain his looks of 'Edogawa Conan'. And that was not a good thing.

'I can't do anything about my physical appearance,' Conan thought realistically, 'but my skin colour can be changed with a bit of makeup,'

"Daichi-kun!" Aya-san called up the stairs, "I'm going to the market to buy groceries with Miyuki-chan! Do you want to come along?"

Quickly making a decision, Conan ran out of his room – a guest bedroom had been converted for him – and peered down the railings, "No, thank you, Aya-san! I've got a book I want to finish reading."

"That Sherlock Holmes book again?" Aya-san sighed, "You need to return it to the library by the end of the week, so make sure you've read it by then. And if you go out, take the spare keys with you. You know where I keep them, yes?"

"Yes," Conan nodded, "see you! Bye, Miyuki-chan!"

"Bye, Dai-nii-chan!" Miyuki-chan waved from her perch on her mother's hip.

Conan was very grateful, and humbled, by Aya-san's trust in him. In the two weeks he'd lived with them, she'd treated him as her own son, showing him where she kept her safe, her spare keys, the emergency money pouch – everything.

True, he might have proved her innocence in a murder case, and looked after her daughter faithfully when she went out to work, but that was a great deal of trust she placed in a strange boy she'd abruptly adopted into her family. At that moment, Conan vowed to never break that trust in her.

Even though he was tangled up in this huge case, he would make sure they would never trace him back to them. He would lie to her about many things in the future, he knew, but he would never betray her or Miyuki in any way that could cause them harm. He would keep them safe from Them.

Waiting for about ten minutes, when he was sure they would not be returning, he went to retrieve the spare keys. While he could have always told Aya-san that he was going out, this outing served a different purpose.

He first made a trip to the old coin-locker he'd stored his gadgets and money in, and withdrew a large amount of cash. Aya-san usually gave him quite a bit of pocket money to spend, which he saved inside the locker, but it would not be enough for what he was planning to buy. Catching a bus to go to the other side of the city, Conan made himself comfortable on the plush leather seats.

Absently, Conan made a note to find another job. He could not keep using Aya-san's money if he needed it for his case or investigations. And the money he'd earned when he'd lived on the streets would get depleted sooner than later. The job would have to be suitable too, he couldn't leave the house early morning to deliver papers or spend the day babysitting when he had school. He'd also have to tell Aya-san about it. Best to think about it later…

"Next stop, Harajuku. Next stop, Harajuku. All those who wish to get off, please press the bell."

When the mechanical voice rang out, Conan immediately pressed the bell, moving stand near the doors. Harajuku was a famous shopping centre with the most popular fashion and styles available in almost every shop. Interspersed between these clothing stores, one could even find a few costume stores, the one where most schools rented their dresses from, for school plays. Luckily, these stores also sold makeup.

A bit of skin foundation that would make his skin darker and Fuyuhiko Daichi's identity would remain separate from Edogawa Conan's. Kudo Yukiko had taught her son enough about makeup and disguises to make it possible for Conan to pull it off.

It was as Conan was leaving the store, box of foundation – water proof, he did not want his own sweat to rub it off and give him away – carefully stored in his jean pocket, that he saw them. The Shounen Tantei-dan were here, in Harajuku.

Conan blinked, 'What are they doing?'

Spying a notebook in Mitsuhiko's hand – the detective notebook they all carried, Conan realised – he understood what they were here for.

"Huh, it's a case, is it?" Conan smirked.

Unable to help himself, knowing how many times they'd solved cases together when he was Conan, he walked over to them. He missed them, truthfully, and a chance to be their friend again, even if it was as 'Daichi', was appealing.

"Hey," Conan called out, "what are you doing?"

The notebook snapped shut at his arrival, Conan had barely taken a peek, and the three of them turned to face him with innocent smiles.

"Oh, it's you, Daichi-kun!" Ayumi exclaimed in surprise.

"We ain't doing nothing," Genta denied at the same time.

He could understand the sentiment; they used to be a group along with Conan and now that he is no longer with them, allowing Daichi, or anyone else to solve cases with them would not be the same. However, if they would not include him, he would just have to be even more persistent.

'How ironic,' Conan thought, 'that the first time around, Ayumi had forcefully dragged me along to be friends with her, Mitsuhiko and Genta. And now, I'm the one who is determined to be friends with them.'

"You're looking for someone's wallet, aren't you?"

Conan's statement brought gasps of surprise from all three of them.

"How did you –?" Mitsuhiko stuttered uncertainly.

Conan gave them a smile, "It's all in that notebook of yours. There was a rough map drawn of the area, with tiny circles around the route. You also had a number written at the top of the page."

They were listening raptly to his explanation now, their expressions very familiar to what Conan had seen when he presented his deductions.

"6800. That can be neither a phone number, nor a bus or train number. Therefore it's an amount, of money. The map must be the route they travelled by, the circles could be places they visited. Thus, you're looking for someone's wallet around here, yes?"

"You're right, Daichi-kun," Mitsuhiko said, "Sumire-san from class 1-D asked us to look for her older sister's wallet. She'd misplaced it somewhere along this route yesterday, and she couldn't find it."

"We asked at the police station first," Genta said, "but tha' keiji said no one had brought in a wallet in the past few days at all!"

"Hmm, so may I join you? I may be able to help a bit," Conan suggested.

The three appeared uncertain for a while. Turning their backs to him, they huddled close to converse with each other, their voices too soft to reach Conan's ears. In the end however, they agreed and Conan joined the group, and for the first time in weeks, he was once again investigating with his little friends.


It took them two more hours before they found it, dropped between a few bushes in the park when Sumire-chan's sister had stopped to rest.

"That was great!" Mitsuhiko told him, "You could be a good detective you know!"

'I already am a detective,' Conan thought wryly.

"Yeah, you're not too bad," Genta gave him a toothy grin.

"He was a wonderful detective!" Ayumi beamed, "You should join us."

"We're the Shounen Tantei-dan!" Mitsuhiko announced proudly,

"No case is hard for us!" Genta proclaimed, his chest puffed out.

"Really?" Conan's eyes widened, 'I did not expect this at all!'

"Yeah, we'd love to have you Conan-kun!" Ayumi said cheerfully.

"T-thank you!" then he froze, 'W-what did they just call me?'

Meanwhile, their faces turned triumphant.

"I knew it!" Ayumi said in a hushed voice.

Genta and Mitsuhiko were silently watching for his reaction.

"Ah, you must be mistaken, I'm Daichi. Fuyuhiko Daichi."

"Nah, you're Conan," Genta asserted, "I can tell it!"

"All those deductions," Mitsuhiko continued, "that particular way in which you change the tone of your voice when you're with us, there's no mistake."

"Ayumi thought she was only imagining it," the girl whispered softly, as if to be any louder would shatter the moment, "but Daichi-kun feels so much like Conan-kun…"

"I'm sure you're making a mistake," Conan tried to point out, only to be cut off.

"Ayumi is not mistaken! Ayumi can recognise Conan-kun anywhere!"

Perhaps it was the visible desperation in their faces, or the undeniable hope, Conan didn't know, but he conceded to it.

"Yes," he whispered, "I'm Edogawa Conan."

The four of them quickly adjourned to a more private place than the footpath, seating themselves down under the shade of a huge Peepal tree.

"Am I really so recognisable?" Conan asked as soon as they huddled close.

"No, actually," Mitsuhiko shook his head, "without your glasses and that tan, we didn't recognise you at all…it's just…"

"You acted a lot like Conan-kun around us," Ayumi tried to put into words and failed, "It was just a feeling,"

"But," Genta began, confused, "why did you go away?"

And wasn't that the most difficult question of all? Why did Conan go away? Without any prior notice, without even saying goodbye? What should he tell them?

More lies? No, he'd had enough of it. As Conan, being around the Shounen Tantei-dan was the only time he didn't have to hide his obvious intelligence. And the kids had accepted him, odd quirks and all. To lie to them

But he couldn't tell them the truth either. Not the complete truth anyway, but a half-truth perhaps…?

"I need you to listen to me carefully," Conan began, "and no interruptions!"

When the three of them nodded, he continued, "I'm on a case. A very huge case, where it is necessary for me to hide."

"Are you in danger, Conan-kun?" Ayumi whispered carefully, interrupting despite his admonishment.

"No," Conan lied to reassure her, "just a very difficult case. That's why you can't call me Conan-kun any more. I am Daichi-kun now."

"So Daichi-kun is your cover then?" Mitsuhiko tried to understand, "like Clark Kent was for Superman?"

Conan chuckled at the comparison before pausing thoughtfully. What the young detective said actually made sense. He could technically keep his Daichi persona for a perfectly normal civilian life, while Conan could be his detective front. All it would require was a removal of make-up and donning on his glasses, bow-tie and suit. Very Superman-ly…

'An alias for an alias,' Conan thought wryly, "You're right, Mitsuhiko. So, no telling anyone my true identity, okay?"

"Not even Agasa Hakase?" Genta asked, "Or Ran-nee-chan?"

Conan froze, eyes closing painfully at that, then nodded, "Yes, not even them. No one can know, okay? Only the three of you. Promise me?"

Immediately, determined expressions appeared on their faces.

"Yes, of course, Daichi-kun!" Mitsuhiko declared.

Conan smiled proudly, 'Already they're using my alias. They may grow up to be really good detectives in the future.'

"But, Co – Daichi," Genta hastily corrected, "You're still joining the Shounen Tantei-dan, yeah?"

"Of course," Conan assured him, "I wouldn't leave you guys for anything. That's why I returned to Teitan, you know?"

His words nearly brought his young friends to tears due to joy, but they contained it. As they took the bus home, all four of them, standing side by side; it almost felt like everything was normal again.

'No,' Conan realised as he took in their happy faces, 'not yet. It won't be till I bring down those men in black and their organisation, but it is much better now. I'd truly missed them; having them back feels like…'

"Hey, Daichi!" Genta spoke up then, getting the name right this time, "Wanna go for an ice-cream? Or a bowl of unaju?"

"Mou, Genta-kun!" Mitsuhiko groaned, "We're going to be having dinner soon!"

'Same old Genta!' Conan laughed delightfully at his friend's persisting innocence, "Sure! Let's go for ice-cream. My treat,"

At his final words, even Ayumi and Mitsuhiko perked up and agreed joyously. Nothing's better that free ice-cream, after all.


The next day dawned. Everything remained the same. Applying a very light make-up, deciding to change its colour tone gradually so as not to be obvious, he got ready for school. Bidding Aya-san and Miyuki goodbye, he caught a bus to Teitan Primary School. There, for the first time since he'd become Daichi, he was greeted by friends. It certainly came as a surprise to Kobayashi-sensei, but she was pleased to see the kids happy.

It was as he returned from school that he decided to give Ran a call. It had been more than a month since he'd last talked to her and he was probably as anxious as she was to hear from him to hear from her. Now that he no longer lived with her, he could feel the worry he knew for sure Ran must have felt at Shinichi's infrequent calls.

Occupying a lonely phone booth at the end of a desolated road, he dialled her number. She picked up almost immediately.

"Hello?"

"Yo, Ran. It's me."

"Shinichi!" She nearly squealed in happiness.

"Hey…"

"Don't you 'hey' me! It's been more than a month since you called! Do you know that? Sending flowers is not going to make me feel any better about your absence! Also, ever since Conan-kun has returned back, I am feeling quite lonely…"

Of course, that was expected. When Conan had been there, she could divert her mind and attention onto her new found 'brother', but with both Conan and Shinichi gone, she constantly worried.

"I know; I'm sorry." Conan paused, wondering what to tell her.

The truth was a certain 'no', but now that he wasn't – couldn't be – there beside her, to protect her, she needed to know something at least.

"Listen, Ran," Conan said urgently, "I'm on a case –"

"I know," Ran interrupted forlornly, "that's what you've been telling me every time you call. I just wished you called more often."

"No, Ran," Conan denied, "listen carefully. I'm about to tell you something very important. Something you can't tell anyone."

"What's wrong?" There was worry in her voice now.

"I'm not on different cases, just the one case."

"One case?" Ran was sceptical, "And it's taking you so long?"

"It's a difficult case. And dangerous. I – I can't meet you, or see you because of this case. I'm in hiding."

There was silence on the other end.

"Is that why your parents have returned back?"

"My parents –?" Conan began in confusion, before it struck him. 'Oh no! Could that be…? Did I misunderstand…?'

Conan gulped before answering, "Yes. That's why I can't call you so often either. So, Ran, I want you to promise me one thing. Don't speak about me to anyone. If anyone asks about me, tell them you don't know anything. Anyone."

"Anyone?"

"Yes; be it a client or a friend or a neighbour…anyone! If word gets out somehow, my case…my case will be jeopardized."

"Shinichi…" Ran struggled with words, "You – you are not in danger, are you?"

"Not any more than usual," Conan quipped,

"Shinichi! Be serious!"

"Seriously, Ran. Not any more than usual. And don't worry; I am safe and completely fine. And I'll return back to you soon enough, okay?"

"Okay," Ran whispered.

"Oh, and Ran," Conan remembered, "Did Kaa-san or Tou-san tell you something?"

"Oh no, they just asked me to tell them if you called." Ran paused then, remembering his previous order of not telling 'anyone', "Should I tell them?"

"No," Conan grit his teeth, "I'll call them myself. Like I said, Ran, don't tell anyone."

They talked of trivial matters then; school, Sonoko, the soccer club, the lack of regular cases her father has had since Conan disappeared (Conan had laughed at that, while Ran berated him, "He was Otou-san's lucky charm!").

When he finally disconnected the call, he felt relieved. Talking to Ran had always felt therapeutic; she simply had that effect on him.

What had irked him however, was the mention of his parents. Because that had been the final clue he needed to realize what that mask had been – The Night Baron! That left Edogawa Fumiyo, who could be none other than Kudo Yukiko.

And if his reasoning was correct, which it was, then the whole kidnapping had been a set-up. And the only way they could have learned anything about him was through Hakase.

Anger bubbled in his chest. How dare they! He'd been terrified out of his wits and worried to death about Hakase. The letter he'd composed and sent to Agasa Hakase out of concern for him – now knowing that the Hakase had been part of this plan, it galled him. But then, taking a calming breath, Conan smirked.

'Okay, Tou-san, Kaa-san, if that's how you want to play it. Because what is done is done. Even though I know the truth now, I cannot return. Edogawa Conan has left the Mouri's, and Fuyuhiko Daichi has already made his place in society. The goal remains the same. I will fight to bring down that vile organisation. Only, now I no longer have access to cases as 'Sleeping Kogoro.' It is a challenge, a hurdle; but I will overcome it.'


AN: Okay, so...thoughts? Reactions? Let me know...am I going too fast? Is the plot line feeling rushed? Anything not making sense?

Also, just wanted to let you guys know - here the Detective Boys are playing Heiji's role. Like, Conan became more sneakier and better at hiding secrets after Heiji deduced that he was Kudo, right? So, they are the catalysts here, to make Daichi more hidden about his secrets, so that no one else will ever figure him out. Also, considering they did not have to take into account any 'shrinking', the deduction that Conan and Daichi were the same was easy for the kids. It took them a few weeks, but yes, they did find out.

By the way, guys, there are people like Tsuchida Aya - who would trust so easily. I've met a couple of them myself, and the total belief they have in humanity and that we would not betray them - it is staggering, that innocence...

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To Guest - Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you're enjoying this story.

To Kiwi - Thanks for reviewing! Nice to know that you're enjoying the story! As for your questions...Conan's literally out of options here and a small connection to his past would be grounding. Like he lived with Ran when he was Conan even though the Mouri's had a connection with Kudo Shinichi. The Detective Boys were never good at keeping secrets, but when in the middle of a case, they always knew the importance of knowing what to do, and what not to. Besides, Conan does miss everyone. And, it's been more than a month, so the danger factor is considerably reduced. Hiding in plain sight is another motive - no one will expect him to be there. Hope that answered everything. Also, he will not include them in the case as long as he thinks the BO is involved. If you find anymore inconsistencies, do let me know so that I can improve them! Thanks for your insightful comments! They helped me write quite a bit of this chapter! :)

To Rockster - Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked the start of the story! Let's go by order - the tear. I know that Shinichi would never shed a tear, but in one movie (Private Eye in the Distant Sea) Conan does shed a tear because he feels Ran is as good as dead and can no longer be found and he is *helpless* to do anything. So, I felt that, here was a similar case of helplessness - the BO finding him even when he'd been so careful not to give out any clues. Besides, that's the only time he's going to shed a tear. Never again. Besides, the primary emotion will be anger when he finds out about the prank, yeah ? :)

Fan-art? I've no idea how to go about making anything like that...Do you? Also, lack of details for the Tsuchidas and the police officers...hmm. Thanks for pointing those out. I'll make sure to do that a bit later...like after some time has passed, a bit more interaction and the like...

Ah, about Fuyuhiko Daich! Mainly, I chose "Fuyu" because it means 'winter' and it was snowing when Conan escaped from those "men in black". And on checking, the only names beginning with "Fuyu" and that matched well with "Daichi" as name, were "Fuyuhiko". So, that was just on a whim :P And as a slight pun :P

(from the thesaurus) genii - masterminds, prodigies, intellects, whiz kids. Basically the plural form of 'genius'.

Hope that answered everything! Thanks again!

To winx club - Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked this story! I'm hoping to do a good job at this spin off, so your feedback is vital :)

To a new Fan - Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked it! Hope this chapter is well received too!

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