I wanted to thank those who read the first chapter and thank-you for the review. Here comes chapter 2. I hope you enjoy. Sorry if this one seems to kind of take its time.

Me owning Detective Conan, or it's characters, is a no-no.

Chapter II:

A girls Secret hopes

It had been a few weeks since graduation, now the middle of June Ran was helping her father around the house cleaning, making food the things she always did only he's paying her for it. Her other friends have already got their college plans set Ran herself got accepted to a few good schools but she's waiting to find out if she'll be able to afford to go so she hasn't mentioned anything to her father or Conan. So she spends her days tending the house, and spending time with Sonoko when she feels up to going out in the first place.

Conan tried to enjoy his summer break he was glad for the break from elementary school but things were slow. Kogoro hadn't gotten many cases and none of them brought him any closer to the black organization. He spent most of his days with the Junior Detective League, he tries to help Ran whenever he can though she she often declines any help since she's getting paid now. And he's been worried about her, she's been getting headaches that would keep her in bed all day, and she's been complaining of feeling sick but she refuses to go to the doctor blaming it on the summer heat which he unwillingly accepted. It was a late afternoon in the middle of June and he was out with his friends mostly in part to Ran's insistence. They were over Genta's house watching an all day Masked Yaiba marathon that was on before the new Masked Yaiba movie which was airing that night at 9.00. He on the other hand mostly read one of his Sherlock Holmes novels.

"Conan-kun, don't you want to watch the show with us?" Ayumi asked with a small frown, Conan looked up at her with a heavy sigh. "I'm multi-tasking." He lied with a chuckle seeing the girl smile he looked back to the television a moment till she did as well his eyes returning to his book. "Hey you guys my mom said if it's olright with your parents you can all stay the night and watch the Masked Yaiba movie." Genta announced his friends all cheered, "Yay..." He said mocking enthusiasm. They watched the show a while longer before they all called their parents excited when they'd agreed to let them stay. Conan was the last one putting his phone earring on after dialing the Mouri's number blushing a little when Ran answered, "Ran-neechan, Genta wanted to know if I can stay the night...?" he asked. "Of course Conan-kun, do you need me to bring you anything?" She asked he thought a moment, "Umm, could you bring me some pajamas and a change of clothes." He asked hesitantly not sure if it was a good idea to have her poking around his room but ignored it. "Sure Conan-kun." Ran spoke before hanging up the phone. A half an hour later the doorbell rang, Ayumi's mom came over bringing stuff for the young girl ten minutes after that it rang once more. Conan's gaze rose from his book hearing Ran's voice. Getting to his feet he ran to the doorway seeing her smiling as she greeted Genta's mom before waving to Conan. "Here ya go Conan-kun. I'd also made some melon pan today, I had quite a bit so I brought some for you and your friends." She said in her usual cheerful tone but he could tell just by looking at her she didn't feel well she looked tired and something about her just seemed off but he couldn't place it and at the moment he didn't feel like trying.

"Thank-you Ran-neechan." He said taking the bags blushing when she rustled his hair, "You guys have fun." She said waving to him before she turned and left heading back home. After the door was shut Conan headed back into the living room seeing Ayumi standing in the doorway, "Ran-neechan looks a little pudgy." She said turning heading into the other room. Conan gave her a strange look sighing as he walked in placing the bag with the melon pan on the table, "Hey you guys if any of you want some melon bread help yourself." He said sitting once more picking up his book.

Ran had an uneventful day she finished cleaning the house around 2, and even had dinner made and made some melon bread. She'd been hankering some lately. Melon pan and peaches. She was just about to sit down for the first time and relax when the phone rang. She just let it go to the answering machine hearing Conan's voice she jumped up answering the call with quick hello, after Conan asked if he could stay over his friends she smiled, "Of course." they chatted a little and he told her he'd need some PJ's and a change of clothes. She opened the door peeking into his room before she stepped in turning on the light. She stretched as she made her way to dresser. Not sure where he'd kept things she looked through all the drawers. Opening the first she saw his underwear and socks grabbing a pair of each closing that drawer she moved onto the next one seeing his clothes grabbing a pair of jeans and t-shirt placing them on the top of the dresser as well closing the drawer. She opened the next one finding his pajama's pulling out a pair of blue flannel bottoms and a dark blue t-shirt. Taking them from the drawer she closed the drawer about to get to her feet when something fell from the pocket. Bending down with a small groan she grabbed a piece of paper before standing. Placing it in her pocket she hurried to gather his clothes leaving the room gathering everything in a plastic bag deciding to wrap up some of the melon bread she'd made taking some Tylenol before making her way out the door. She checked her mail before leaving finding a letter addressed to her, pocketing it she made her way to Genta's dropping the stuff off for Conan. After a few minutes she was on her way once more. Putting her hands in her pocket as she walked down the street. "Oh yea..." she mumbled suddenly remembering the envelope in her pulling it out she stopped staring at it before she finally opened it reading the words carefully slowly a big grin curled her lips jumping up and down she ran the rest of the way to her home stopping short her nausea getting the better of her throwing up in an alleyway by her home. Slowly standing to her feet she wiped her mouth taking her time the rest of the way to her apartment.

Stepping through her door she took off her shoes hearing the television nervously making her way into the living room after she removed her shoes. "Hey dad." She said with a smile as she made her way to the couch sitting beside him, "Hey honey." He said taking a bite of the food on his plate glancing over at him seeing her smile. "What's got you so happy?" he asked cautiously. She took the envelop from her pocket handing it to him; setting the plate he'd balanced on his knee on the table he opened it. "Really Ran?" He asked questioningly, "This is the first I even heard of you wanting to go to school." He said looking towards her. She nodded sheepishly. "I know I took the exams with Sonoko-chan and I passed. But I wanted to find out about this before I told you and Conan-kun." she explained looking at him with a hopeful expression. "There's nothing I can do. If you want to do this and you can... I shouldn't stop you." He said with a heavy sigh. She grinned hugging him tightly. "Are you sure you want to go so far away? You'll be all alone." He said as she pulled away.

"I won't Sonoko-chan will be going too. And if I was able to go she said we could live together. Plus mom's office is around there so she'll be close by." She said with a nod. "Fine" he grumbled picking up his plate again taking another bite of his food. Ran jumped to her feet till she made a dash for the bathroom feeling sick again. Kogoro called after her worriedly after she flushed she made her way into her bedroom calling down the hall, assuring him she was fine, she just caught a stomach bug. He was hesitant to believe her but didn't push the topic he too noticed she'd been a bit pale and tired looking lately.

Even she'd noticed how much she hasn't been herself, at one point she'd thought she could be pregnant but she'd had her monthly friend since that night... so she knew that wasn't it. She wanted to go to a doctor but now that she knew she could go to school she knew her father and Conan wouldn't let her if she was sick. Running her hands through her hair she closed her eyes deciding she'd see a doctor if she still felt sick after she was settled in with Sonoko. "I wonder what he's doing now..." She thought out loud as she laid on her bed staring at her ceiling her mind wandering to Shinichi. Reaching in her pocket she remembered something. Looking at the piece of paper in her hand she inspected it not yet opening it. She wasn't sure why she'd even taken it. Opening it slowly a picture fell out. She was a little surprised to see a small photo of her and Shinichi. She'd remembered it. The last day they'd seen one another at the amusement park. They'd gone into a photo booth, and she'd surprised him by kissing his cheek in one of the photo's. She smiled remembering that day with a sad smile. "The last time I really saw him... but why...?" She wondered looking to the piece of paper as she slowly sat up. "Dear Ran." She read quietly finding herself confused as she read the letter till it was replaced with shocked surprise. She read the letter twice making sure she'd read it completely and she still wasn't sure what to make of its contents. Her hand dropping to her side she closed her eyes drifting off to sleep her final conscious thoughts coming back to Shinichi.

The next morning came and went finding Ran still deeply asleep, when she finally roused from her bed it was only because of Conan slamming the door when he got home. Sitting up she looked at the piece of paper a moment before placing it in the top drawer of her nightstand. Getting to her feet slowly she fought back the overwhelming nausea as she made her way to her door opening it slowly as Conan walked past finding herself staring at him, "Morning... Conan-kun" She said putting on a cheerful tone, he looked at her strangely bowing politely, "It's two in the afternoon Ran-neechan, I just got back from Genta's" he said giving her a concerned look. Looking to the clock by the phone she nodded, "So it is." she replied with a stretch debating questioning him on what she'd found but for the time being left well enough alone she was too confused to confront him about what she'd found.

Conan watched her concerned, about to speak when she did first, "Conan-kun I didn't get to tell you the news. I got a letter the other day saying I was accepted for a scholarship. I'll be going to college in the fall." She said a smile curling her lips. Conan didn't share her happiness simply staring back at her. "When will you be leaving?" He asked trying not to sound too depressed by the news. "The end of next month, I'll be staying with Sonoko-chan and she wants to get into her place early so she can decorate and all that." she sighed with a chuckle. "I see." was his response before he turned walking into his room shutting the door behind him. He didn't bother changing into his pajamas simply crawling into his bed curled up in his blanket staring out the window his mind on Ran.

From that day til it would be time for Ran to leave Conan spent as much time with her as he could not hiding that he didn't want her to leave. Though he'd decided that it might be safer for her to be away from him. She'd be harder to find least that's how he convinced himself it would be. Deep down he didn't want her to go, he didn't want to be away from her, and he didn't want her to find someone new. He knew it was selfish, she deserved so much better than him, but there was a jealous selfishness that didn't want her to find anyone else. But he did his best to quash those feelings. And as the weeks seemed to fly by he couldn't help but notice more and more how often she was getting sick, but she insisted everything was fine.

Finally the day that Conan was dreading was nearly here in just 24 short hours Ran would be leaving with Sonoko to the other side of the continent. The morning passed as Conan watched TV sitting on the couch. Hearing footsteps behind him he turned his head seeing Ran walking out. She was still beautiful in his eyes but she looked different, she's been wearing larger clothes, hiding her figure though he wasn't sure why. She hasn't thrown up in a while though she still complains of nausea, and headaches. He's asked her time and time again to see the doctor but she refused insisting she was fine, and it was just nerves since she'd be starting school and leaving home soon.

"Hi Conan-kun, how are you this morning?" She asked with a warm smile disrupting his thoughts. "Fine" he replied absently, she nodded making her way into the kitchen grabbing a bowl of cinnamon cereal sitting at the table slowly eating her food looking to her side as Conan sat beside her offering him a small smile. She stared at the boy a minute not able to help but think about Shinichi. "Conan-kun... I know you've heard this more times than you care to. But you look so much like Shinichi..." She said looking at her hand a gentle smile curling her lips as she looked at the ring still on her finger. Conan laughed, "Yea you've mentioned that once or twice before." He said, "Sorry." She apologized.

"It's fine I remind you of someone you like it's OK." He said with a nod she looked up at him seeing his smile, smiling in return taking a bite of her cereal. "Ran-neechan..." Conan spoke, "Will you try to forget about him? Shinichi-san?" He asked looking down at the table as he awaited her answer. She looked up hearing his voice she sighed when he'd sounded like her answer was meant for him, she looked at her finger once more. "Even if I wanted to... I could never forget Shinichi. He's to important to me. And Shinichi promised to come back, and I silently promised I'd wait for him." she said looking back towards Conan for a moment before taking another bite of her cereal. "I know it'll sound dumb... but this whole time I've been hoping he'd do something unlike him. Show up at the airport in a grand romantic gesture. Even if just to see me off." She finished with a sad smile. "But that's not his thing." She said forcing a small laugh. "Ran-neechan, I'm sure he wants to be there and see you off with a hug and a smile..." he nodded getting to his feet walking back into the living room. Finishing her cereal she got to her feet and left the kitchen after washing her dish.

Ran returned to her room spending the rest of the day making sure everything was in order and rechecking. She only came out to use the bathroom, and have lunch with her father. The conversation was awkward she could tell he was trying not to let on just how much he'd miss her. "It'll be just you and Conan-kun." She said with a chuckle wondering how that will work out. Kogoro growled, "Do not remind me." he groaned. "Just me and the brat, and he can't cook." He grumbled. Ran laughed at his comment leaning back looking into the living room. "Dad, where is Conan-kun?" she asked realizing he'd been in his room for a while. Her father simply shrugged and she sighed looking back to him, "You two will be just fine without me, I'm sure." She smiled getting to her feet, "I'm going to head to bed early." She said wanting to be well rested for her travels tomorrow.

Kogoro nodded watching his daughter as she left a saddened smile on his face. Getting to his feet he put his dishes in the sink grabbing a bottle from the fridge plopping at his desk taking a swig of the bottle in his hand turning to look out the window watching the afternoon slowly fade into darkness.

The next day came Ran had been up since six o'clock that morning she was having a hard time sleeping she was nervous and had an unsettling feeling. Her father was passed out in his chair sitting at his desk and around half past six Conan stepped out into the hall surprising the girl who offered him a smile. "Couldn't sleep?" she asked the young boy looked to the television nodding. As he sat on the couch glancing at her. Her hair was still wet from her shower pulled back in a pony-tail and she was wearing a beige tank top covered by a dark blue cropped terry cloth hooded shirt and a cream colored skirt. It had been a while since she wore anything that showed off her figure though he wasn't sure why. She'd gained a little weight but she was still beautiful as far as he was concerned. He finally realized he was staring at her and with a bright blush coloring his cheeks he turned away looking to the TV once more. Ran looked over at him with a slight smile leaning over wrapping her arm around him firmly. "Conan-kun... can I ask a favor of you?"she asked her voice a whisper across his ear making him blush harder as he nodded. "Can you look after my dad for me. He's kind of hopeless without me around and I'm worried about him..." He was about to speak when she continued after a brief pause. "And also... Shinichi... As much as that's possible." She said hugging him tighter her face buried in his hair, "I... will Ran-neechan." He said softly. She pulled back looking at him with a smile.

As evening came the setting changed at the airport Ran, Sonoko, Conan, and Kogoro all stood in front of the security gate anxiously awaiting their goodbyes. Sonoko stood aside giving her friend her time to say goodbye. It was hard for Ran, even though she knew she'd see them again soon. After a few minutes of awkwardness Sonoko grabbed the brunette's shoulders assuring her father she'd look out for her friend pulling her along with her through security. Ran gave them one last wave before she hurried behind her friend making it to their gate with 10 minutes till it was time to board, passengers were already lining up. The line moved and she handed her ticket to the woman taking it back, when a voice broke over the intercom. Ran's eyes widened hearing it "Ran I hope you're still there. I can't be there to send you off with a smile but remember our promise I'll see you before you know it." a familiar male voice boomed over the system making Ran's face brighten nodding to herself as she stepped onto the plane a few moments later with the biggest grin on her lips ready to start the next chapter of her life. Unaware of the strange and unexpected turns ahead of her.

Well chapter 2 has come and gone. I hope you liked it. I couldn't resist another sweet Shinichi moment. Hope it wasn't too much.

In the next chapter Ran and Sonoko start their new independent life, Sonoko checks out the local male population, while Ran gets some news that throws her for a loop, complicated by phone trouble. Keep an eye out for Chapter 3: Her Secret fear.