*Same thing as last chapter. This is a story preview, and therefore, the real story will be better, more detailed, and updated much more frequently. I am not updating this until MSK is over as a heads up, but I would still appreciate reviews. For readers of MSK, I posted a drawing of Viura on deviantart, my profile link is iluvshadowclaw. deviantart. com (without spaces.) Thank you, and continue reading.*

Chapter 1
Late

"Thank you, tou-chan!" crowed tiny Conan, holding up a new mini-detective set. He had a huge smile on his face, full of childish enthusiasm. Several people had showed up to the little boy's birthday party, including Kazuha and Heiji Hattori with their daughter who was a year older than Conan. Sonoko was there, with her husband Makoto, Inspector Satou with Detective Takagi, and many others. It was a reunion of sorts, a reunion of everybody who had helped bring down the Organization.

Haibara Ai sat next to Conan, helping to direct the boy's hands over the next present. She had refused to drink the antidote, preferring to remain ten years younger, but she was now seventeen and acted like a sister to the child.

The only one missing from the festivities was Chris, who Shinichi was having trouble contacting. "That's weird," he muttered to no one in particular, retreating into a quiet corner in an attempt to call her. "Chris isn't picking up.

"Ran appeared at his side, deciding that Ai was capable of looking after her son for the moment being. Sometimes she found it hard to trust the girl despite the fact that she had proven herself to be on their side. However, most of the time she forgot about her paranoia and dismissed it as parental stress.

She peered over his shoulder and stared at the luminous screen of the cell phone. "Didn't she say she had something to do before she could come? Maybe she's just late, Shinichi."

"Yeah, but Chris isn't the type of person to just not warn us if her appointment is taking longer than she thought. She always tells us if she'll be late; even if it's just one of Conan's acting lessons." His eyebrows are furrowed in frustration and worry. He knew that just a slight change in normal behavior could indicate that something was wrong. He had a strange premonition, telling him of death and revenge. A fearful shiver went up his spine. It had been a while since his last murder case; he tried to avoid those mysteries now. It just brought back too many hard memories, memories he didn't care to remember.
"Don't worry, Shinichi! Just come back and have some cake; Conan's waiting for you." She tugged on his arm, trying to pull him towards their son. So far, he hadn't seemed to notice their absence, and she didn't want him to.

"Remember when I was Conan?" asked Shinichi, glancing fondly at his son, who was still opening presents. The enthusiastic, real smile on Conan's face reminded him of his own childish façade so many years before.

"You gave me a nightmare you know!" she scolded teasingly at the memory of 'Conan's' last days. "How do you think I felt when my little brother disappeared for a whole week? Hell, even the police force were too busy to help me find you. And then when I discovered you were in the hospital, you practically gave me a heart attack with three bullet wounds and all."

"Had to do what I had to do." He smiled slightly apologetically. "I wonder when Conan'll be ready to listen to the story of his namesake," he commented, watching the boy open his 'neechan''s present.

"Not yet. My little Conan-kun isn't old enough; it would scare him to death. He's not the same Conan you were, even if you were almost identical." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "You know, sometimes I almost think that he's you, just smaller. I just expect him to blurt out something extremely strange, and then just try to cover up for himself. It's surprising to hear him so cheerful all the time. I hope he'll just be able to live like that; no trouble, no fear."

"Hmm? What's this text?" Shinichi opened it. His eyes widened in shock.

"Shinichi, what's wrong?"

"This is for you, Conan-kun!" said Hattori Tsukiko, daughter of Heiji and Kazuha. Her emerald eyes, so much like her mother's, shine with warmth as she stared at her best friend.

"Thanks, Tsukiko-chan!" he cheered as he ripped open the wrapping paper. Even though he already opened tens of gifts, he is not sick of the presents, enthusiastically smiling at each one. "Wow! A remote-control car! Thank you!" He hugs the girl, and she blushed slightly. Her parents laughed, and she stuck her tongue out at them.

"Conan-kun!" called an unexpected voice. Yukiko and Yuusaku appeared from the entrance, arms laden with packages.

"Jii-chan! Baa-chan!" He smiled even wider as they embrace him. "I thought you guys said you were busy!"

"We were, but I couldn't stand missing my grandson's fourth birthday!" Yukiko has still not lost her youthful energy, teasing Conan despite his whining protests. "You look just like your father. Where is my Shin-chan anyways?"

Conan laughed at the thought of his father being called 'Shin-chan' and pointed at the corner where Shinichi and Ran were huddled, staring shellshocked at the screen.

You may remember me, Kudo Shinichi, or maybe not. Either way, it doesn't keep me from coming. Your friend 'Chris' is already dead. Many more will be once I've finished my revenge. You will be the last.
-Gin

*And there starts the story, and the months of waiting! So, may I have a review please? Warning, MSK will be seriously delayed because my dad is taking the laptop with him in a couple of days and I do all of my writing on the laptop. We have other computers, but writing on the laptop is just so much more comfortable...*