It's funny you should mention the phrase "the calm before the storm" MsDreamer93, as this chapter is about storms. I hope you like it, and no. I did not decide to write it after you left your review. You just read my mind a little...

Chapter 2

Yusaku and Yukiko almost never fought, but when they did, it was bound to be heard by at least Professor Agasa next door. That was why when Yukiko saw the headlights of Yusaku's car as he pulled into the driveway amidst the thunderstorm outside, she told her eight-year old children to go to bed. She tried to protect them if there was going to be a loud argument, but neither child had the heart to tell her they could hear their parents shouting through the walls of their rooms. They obediently went to bed, Shino closing her door just as the shouting began.

Shinichi stood with his back to his bedroom door for a moment, soaking in the sounds of their arguing. He hated when they argued, even though it was rare, because it was always over something stupid his mother misunderstood or just couldn't understand. He loved her, but he just wished that she would be more intelligent like his father. A clap of thunder sounded outside as if in agreement with him, but the sound made him shudder. He wasn't afraid of thunder, but the sound always managed to shake him to his core. He climbed into his bed and leaned against the headboard, wrapping himself in his blanket. He pulled his knees close to his torso and covered his ears, attempting in vain to drown out the sound that couldn't be silenced because it could be felt. At least I can't hear them arguing anymore like this...

A soft knock on his door a few minutes later disturbed his temporary peace though. He knew it was coming. He had been waiting, as he did whenever there was an argument, for his sister to come to his room for comfort. He lowered his hands and uncurled himself as she opened the door. He would give up his peace for hers, especially when he saw the tears tracing patterns along her cheeks. She hated to hear their parents fight even more than he did. Shino closed the door behind her, and moved slowly through the dark room to his bed so she wouldn't trip. Shinichi was glad it was dark in the room because it would keep her from seeing the chill run down his spine every time the thunder roared outside.

She curled up next to him in the blanket, and he put his arm around her so he could place his hand over her ear. Her other ear was covered by his shoulder, which she leaned into as if she couldn't hold herself up. He felt her tears slowly soaking into his shirt, but he didn't mind. It was moments like those when there could be nothing else in the world. In his mind, it was simple: she was his sister and he was her brother. Nothing else mattered except the shelter he promised himself he would always provide for her.

As loving and caring as their parents were, Shinichi didn't think they were protective enough. He had learned that from being scolded by Ran's parents so much. The thunder struck again in tune with his thoughts, and Shinichi found himself unable to keep from shivering. Shino raised her eyes up to meet his, but he wouldn't look at her directly. "Are you afraid of thunder, Shinichi?" she whispered, her voice the only sound audible over the distant shouting and the pouring rain. He shook his head.

"No," he replied just as quietly, taking his hand momentarily off her ear. "It's just...it's more of a feeling like an earthquake than a sound." He didn't know how else to explain it to her. He knew for sure it wasn't fear, but a lack of control on his part. The thunder shook him, and he didn't like that because he wanted to grow up to be as steadfast and immovable as stone. All of the heroes from the stories he read were that way, and he strived to emulate them. Shinichi suddenly noticed Shino wrapping her arm around his middle from the side.

"I'll hold you still, then," she whispered as she leaned back into his shoulder. He stared out at the wall across from him as he put his hand back over her ear, somewhat in awe of her. He knew he could never doubt her again. She was still fragile, but not as fragile as he had believed. True to her word, each time the thunder clapped she held him tighter, preventing him from moving; in his mind, keeping him grounded the way he wanted to be.

When the fighting had calmed down and their parents went upstairs to apologize to their children, they found them both asleep against the headboard of Shinichi's bed: she defending him from the storm outside, and he protecting her from the storm within.

Before you tell me that Shinichi is acting too old for an eight-year old in this chapter, just remember how mature Shinichi tries to act when he and Ran try to solve the riddles from Kaitou Kid as children. (This story from the manga is part of the next chapter by the way. files 570-573 and anime episode: 472) That being said, I would still love to hear your opinion on this chapter. I really like the way it turned out. Thanks for reading. (Sorry the chapter was so short. It just turned out that way.)