(A/N): I know… you're all confused about what's really going on. As I said in the first chapter, I really don't know where I want to take this story other than weave a vague story.
A 'more direct' shout to dragoon-zerox, who I scorn for not typing me a review, but withdraw said scorn immediately for sending me a message with his critique. I reply to you by saying "it's not a time-skip, but a 'reliving through memory' deal" and that "that's what the italics were for." As for everything else you asked, we'll just have to wait and see how the deal pans out; I quite literally am making this up as I go.
Having said that, let's begin… my muse came back to me and I had a sudden inspiration to type this chapter.
(Uh… much later) Sorry about the delay, explanation below.
Chapter 2: Memories
Conan sat dejected at the table in the library. Being surrounded by the mystery novels of the greats always had a calming effect that could not be achieved anywhere else. The room itself looked both a disaster but also had the feeling of something lived in, and since moving back in had been rearranged to suit his needs. In the end, it meant that there were two sofas with a coffee table sandwiched in between. The table was littered with papers, books, pencils, pens… normal things. One of the sofas had his backpack occupying one side, while the other side sat a stuffed animal. It had been a gift…
'Ran…'
The downfall of the organization meant that she was no longer in danger, and thus free to travel anywhere. Thanks to the efforts of the FBI and Jodie-san, she was only made aware of the bare details of the Black Organization and its connections to the legendary Kudou Shinichi. It was the same 'red-tape' that she had to adhere to that perhaps made her unnoticed by those in the Organization. It was only after the downfall of the Organization, on that day, that she questioned the whereabouts of him.
It was, however, to no avail…
She stood there, looking into the distance. The building was surrounded and there was no chance to escape. For months she had been worried about where Shinichi could possibly be, and why there had been no contact for so long. Cell phone calls went unanswered, text messages not replied, and even Heiji was of no use. It seems that he had just… disappeared.
She feared the worse, and yet despite that she remained optimistic. 'It would never help if I don't put a strong front for the kids.' she would tell herself daily.
It wasn't until Jodie-sensei had walked up to her after class one day that she knew just how complicated it was. A sticky note posted on her paper while she was handing tests back to the students. Instead of finding a grade on the corner, took its place was a simple message:
"Do not try to contact Kudou Shinichi."
Confused. Shocked. Angered… only some of the emotions running through her head through that class period. What did Jodie-sensei know that she didn't?! After class and a lunch period later, she understood everything. Shinichi was undercover as an agent with the FBI targeting a crime syndicate only known as the 'Black Organization' and had left everything in the possession of the FBI. She was concerned that there were leaks within' the FBI and great lengths were taken to make sure nobody knew of his identity. Calling his cell phone asking where he was and why he wasn't calling back certainly wasn't helping his case.
She stopped calling after that; all contact ceased entirely. "It's to ensure his safety." they said, but in reality she knew that it was also for her own as well. She continued to go to school, accompany her father on murder cases, and everything that defined her life. "Don't stray too far away from that Cool Kid of yours." she once heard Jodie-sensei tell her. She always did question his demeanor, but always just guessed that it was something attributed with being around Professor Agasa all the time.
… but that was the past, and this is the present. She stood there, staring at the entrance of the building. People clad in all black, white lab coats, and police uniforms alike continued to pour out of the building. Not one of them was Shinichi. "Where is he?!" she shouted to no one in particular, but hoping that somebody would be able to answer her question.
"He's not coming back, nee-chan."
Ran turned around to see the bespectacled boy staring into her eyes. "Conan-kun, what ar-"
"It's too late."
… with that, he walked forward, closer to the entrance, stopping just in front of the police barricade denying him entrance. She continued to stare not at where he was, but instead where he was walking to. The entrance that he wanted to move forward to; where Shinichi was supposed to come out of. It was the symbol of their relationship; for her, always waiting for the answer to appear. For him, the end of one journey and yet the start of another.
"Kudou, stop looking so melancholy. It's not going to help your plight for sympathy."
He snapped out of his wonderment, looking up from the spot he laid on the couch to find piercing eyes looking at him from above. There were no looks of sympathy from the girl, no looks of compassion. There were just the eyes of a girl who could see through him into his soul; the truth.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Haibara."
"She's gone, but it's not like she's never coming back. Stop beating yourself over it."
"I let a part of me die that day…"
The hustle and bustle of the airport was never one to be judged; many people entered and exited the place after all. For him however, it was as if time stood still. There she was, her things all packed and readying to leave for the world outside. She was going to London; starting a new part of her life. They didn't say much to each other; a simple sentence between the both of them.
"Don't worry Conan, I'll come back and visit."
"Take care of yourself Ran-neechan."
And with that, she turned around and walked through the gate. It was time for her to start her journey.
"She gave you a chance to move on." Once again it was Haibara's voice that brought him back from a dream. "Why not use it?"
"What do you want me to do!? I loved her! How am I supposed to handle that I just let her leave like that?! Tell me Haibara! JUST TEL-"
She grabbed his head and pulled it forward, planting her lips on his. It was sudden; his face was riddled with surprise and shock. She stopped just as soon as she started, release his from her hold and backing away. His mind was blank; himself speechless. All she did was smirk, turn around, and begin to walk away.
"You know Kudou, moving forward requires you to look ahead."
All he could do was sit there and stare aimlessly at the girl, wondering what was possibly going through her mind as to do something so unlike her character. As she rounded the corner however, another memory jolted his mind.
She had left him for good. He stared at the gate that she had walked through. It seemed as though she was never going to come back.
"I suppose it's time to move forward, but what do I do? She was a part of me, and now she's gone. What do I do no-"
He was stopped, instead flung around 180 degrees and could only see strawberry blonde locks, the smell of Haibara's shampoo flaring through and blinding his senses. She was holding him tightly in a hug, as if he was about to leave…
… and then she let go; walked back to the group of people waiting at the security checkpoint for the two to go out to eat. She stopped before the door, however, and looked back.
"Moving forward requires you to look ahead Kudou."
(A/N): Hey look, I actually finished the chapter. It's quite a feat seeing as how Architecture is really starting to take its toll on me. I habitually try to try something in anything I'm working on, but I never really am satisfied with it, and then more typing ensues and I just don't post it. I could've sworn the last time I typed this it was about 3 pages longer… oh well.
