A/N: Reading your guys' views/advice/stories/guesses is really a blast. xD A lot of times it seems this story makes you laugh, so I'll continue with the comedy (of course) but at the same time plot will be added!

…some guesses in particular seem to get spot on or quite close I've noticed. That's one of the best parts. …well, besides the fact that I feel predictable afterwards. xD''

Maybe you guys are just really good at finding the 'single truth'. –shot-

There's a little random…'insert' at the beginning of this. Don't worry, you'll understand what it's about…in due time. :B A small hint is that if you're good with your Japanese the names kind of give a nudge in the direction I'm going. …At least I hope so. (Used a internet English to Japanese translator)

Something you guys may notice is that now all the surnames come before the first names. I actually went back and fixed this for the other chapters as well because…Kogoro Mouri just…didn't sound right. xD'

The Hellish Colored Woman

Black. Everything was black. Shadows enveloped his clothes and face. As far as Shinichi could tell, no walls existed. Gazing skyward, he noticed no roof. Underfoot he couldn't tell what was there. If it hadn't seemed so illogical he could've sworn he was literally standing on nothing. Even if he was only four, he knew that couldn't happen.

Suddenly, he heard something: a woman, crying. Turning toward the source of the sound he saw her. As he did, the street lamp that shone down on her seemed to expand its light and soon twilight had fallen on a secluded street. Shinichi could only stare at the other occupant of the strange place. She looked so sad. He'd do something.

His parents had always told him not to talk to strangers, but surely that was okay when all he aimed to do was cheer them up. As he approached, her figure cleared more and more. Wearing a black hoodie and jeans, she leaned against the lamp post. Strands of familiar red hair dangled from under the hood. With this, Shinichi realized this woman not to be a stranger, but one of his mother's friends, one he had just seen a few hours ago. He wasn't sure if she'd seen him – in fact, he was almost positive that she hadn't – but at the mention of his last name she would most likely trust him.

She didn't look at him as he stepped up next to her. Standing there, Shinichi realized that she hadn't actually been crying; she almost was but not one tear lined her face. Her eyes remained closed. Something stood out to him about her: her hair. Lines of black started to streak through the brilliant red. Not knowing what to say, he quietly stuttered, "H-Hello, lady."

Still not responding, Shinichi tried again. "You look so sad. Why is that, lady?"

Much to young Shinichi's surprise, she actually responded. "I'm just…remembering the good times." Her breath faltered, still holding back tears, "…but that's all I can do: remember. Those times are behind me now. Never…coming…back…" each word was slow, but not due to crying. Pain lined her words. The poor woman. "…I'm sorry child, but could you leave me be?" her eyes were still closed. She still hadn't looked at him.

Shinichi leaned forward to get a better look under her hood. He smiled. "But that's what makes the good times good! If I got ice cream everyday, I wouldn't like it as much. …and even if I couldn't have regular ice cream no more, sooner or later mom and dad would get me a sundae!" He spread out his arms for effect. Even though the woman just buried her face further into her knees Shinichi wasn't about to give up.

A fatal piece of information had crept back into his mind. Just as the woman finished saying, "Thank you for trying, boy. But good times don't exist for me anymore…" he responded using her surname.

"That's not true, Houseki-san."

With this she twitched. Finally opening her eyes she started to look up, "How do you know-" she stopped, her eyes wide. Shinichi blinked. From what he could hear she had stopped breathing. Worried, he was about to check her pulse when she breathed out. But with her breath came an unfamiliar name.

"…Hoshi…?"

It was a last name. Obviously Houseki had mistaken Shinichi for this 'Hoshi' person. Smiling, he corrected her, "No. My name's Shinichi. Kudo Shinichi. I saw you today when you were…visiting my…H-Houseki-san…?"

Her stare – it was demonic. Grinning so wide her teeth were showing, Shinichi noticed that a few were unnaturally pointed, like a wolf's. Complimenting her cannibal smile were her wild eyes. Shinichi had remembered them being green, but at that moment he swore them to be…red. The red that had existed before, her hair, continued to line with black. Rising slowly and menacingly the clouded shadows that had formed on her face seemed to multiply as she stared down at the frightened boy.

Even her voice had transformed. Instead of pain filled and kind it was now lined with power and evil intent. "You may not be Hoshi but…why don't we change that?"

Shinichi stood mortified staring up at the dark figure in front of him. He needed to run. He wanted to run. …But he couldn't move. The only thing he managed to do was stutter. "…H-Houseki…san…?" His words clogged his throat. He couldn't even speak anymore.

Her smile widened. She started to bend. Her hand reached for him. Shinichi stared. He yelled mentally at his legs to run, but they wouldn't listen. The palm closed in. The small boy's eyes widened with each closing inch.

"NO!"

Conan shouted at the top of his lungs, rising instantly out of bed. The sudden movement caused the towel on his head to fall off. Breathing heavily, he surveyed the situation around him. Sitting on Kogoro's bed, the window let in light from the afternoon sun. Glancing at the clock, Conan realized the time. He also realized the pain in his head, stomach, throat and pretty much everywhere else.

To the side there was soup on the small night stand. Coughing, Conan reached for it. Taking a spoonful, he paused before putting it in his mouth. '…was that just a dream? …or…'

Ran burst into the room, followed by four children and an oh-so-concerned Kogoro. Searching the room for anything harmful, Ran went over to Conan and asked, "Are you alright? Why did you scream like that?" her voice was laced with worry.

Flustered by the sudden brigade of concern, Conan waved his hands in front of his face defensively, "O-Oh! It was nothing, really! J-Just a bad dream, that's all! Heheh…H-Heh…"

Looking down, Conan noticed something odd. "Hey, Ran-neechan. Why am I still wearing my clothes from yesterday?"

At this Kogoro stepped forward, "Well, when you came back – from wherever you were – you just opened the door and fell face down. As it turns out, you had a very high fever." Annoyed – but he also seemed to be somewhat concerned – Kogoro finished with, "Don't you ever do that again!"

Outside the door to the detective agency opened and another walked into Kogoro's room. Sonoko seemed to be glowing with more smugness than usual that day. "You can't be too rough on the kid; he was probably attempting some magic tricks. …and failing at them, of course."

Below her hip, the disagreements sounded. Ayumi glared up at Sonoko, "Hey! That was mean!" Mitsuhiko nodded, "Yeah! I'd like to see you do better!" Genta finished, poking fun at her personally, "She acts just like an angry old lady." Haibara smiled at the comments, but she chuckled at Sonoko's reaction to them. Soon the kids had wished they hadn't come to visit Conan at that particular time. All of them resorted to hiding behind Haibara.

Once she had dealt with the children, Sonoko felt it was her job to inform everyone of the latest news cast. "It seems like Koizumi-chan still hasn't told anyone who her apprentice is. To make matters worse, Kid-sama's notice stated that he'd attack yesterday, and that Koizumi-chan says she's already given the jewel to her apprentice!" Sonoko pouted. "No one even knows if Kid-sama managed to steal it or not…"

"He probably did." Kogoro looked down condescendingly at Conan. He could just guess at the older detective's thoughts: It'd be easy with this kid as the target.

Feeling his front, the new bump appeared as he expected. It was still there, hanging around his neck. The Kaitou Kid hadn't even shown, though. What had happened the night before?

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Conan staggered a breath. He should go back to bed. His condition was getting worse by the second. Things were beginning to blur and even his hearing was starting to get effected. Kogoro's voice came from the side "Geez, the kid's really down in the dumps, isn't he?" Conan thought he must be at the bottom of the dumps. Although Kogoro's voice – however muffled – had sounded, his mouth didn't appear to be moving when Conan had glanced over. …He definitely needed to go back to bed.

Before he could lie back, Ran grabbed the bottom of his shirt. "You're all covered in sweat. You don't need a sweaty shirt, too. Wear this one instead." She nudged her head toward the shirt on the bed. It was a little large, but that was good for people who sweat too much. Starting to lift, Ran obviously was unaware of the Apprentice Amethyst concealed under his shirt. As Conan realized this, he attempted to shout but it was too late.

Dangling, it caught a ray from the sun and glittered fantastically. This caught the attention of everyone in the room. They all had the same expression – bar Conan – and that was shock.

Each expression changed in its own way. The shock from the three children soon morphed into toothy grins. Ran looked impressed (most likely because she had thought Kid had stolen it). Sonoko…

Conan smirked. 'Damn. Where's a camera when you need one?'

Her look of utter distraught quickly melted – much to Conan's dismay – and instead she stared at him. Examining him up and down, Conan was about to tell her she was creeping him out when she muttered something. His hearing still not at his best he asked, "…What?"

"A trick. Do a magic trick. Now."

Staring at her in disbelief, Conan was about to point out that he had nothing to do the trick with when Ayumi spoke up, "Yeah, Conan-kun! Show us what you can do!" shouts of agreement sounded from the two boys beside her. Ran and Haibara even agreed to the idea, as absurd as it was.

Kogoro was the only one who hadn't spoken his opinion when, off to the side out of Conan's sight, he stated "Heh, yeah. Maybe he could make Nakamori-keibu appear out of thin air. Then he'd see that amulet, safe and sound. That'd show him for calling me a stupid, lousy, no good son of a-"

"Ojiisan!" Conan turned toward Kogoro. He was known to use fowl language often, but he should at least be careful around children. "You shouldn't say words like that!"

The room was silent. Conan felt awkward as he looked away from Kogoro and scanned the other faces in the room. Simultaneously, once again everyone had the same expression. This time it was confusion.

Not one to bear the silence, Conan said, "…What is it?"

Looking from one to the other, it seemed they silently agreed that Ran would speak. "Conan-kun," bending by the bed, she was now eye level with him. "Dad didn't say anything."

Kogoro glared at him. "Yeah, what she said. Besides, if you're going to put words in my mouth, make them good ones. From the tone you had, it sounded like you thought I swore or something."

Conan was defiant. "But I heard you! You said something about Nakamori-keibu and the amulet then you were talking about how he called you a stupid, lousy, no good son…" he paused, flushed. "Well…you know."

Sonoko laughed. "Hah! Never mind about the trick for now, he needs rest. He's becoming delusional!"

"Sonoko's right…well, not the delusional part." Ran corrected herself. "We should leave Conan-kun to rest. I wouldn't want him to get more sick than he already is." She smiled down at him, but he didn't notice. He was staring at Kogoro.

In turn, Kogoro was staring back. But the stare wasn't what Ran expected. She had expected the usual glare but…his face was twisted in a mixture of surprise and confusion. Uncertainly, Ran asked, "…Dad?"

Blinking, it seemed he was brought back to reality. "What? O-Oh." Pausing he looked out the window. Suddenly a smile burst across his face. "Oh right! I heard there was a huge sale at the mall today!" He grinned wider, obviously thinking of the money he could save.

You didn't need to say the word 'sale' twice to get Sonoko's attention, "A sale? Come on, Ran! We need to hurry if we want to get in on it!" Grabbing Ran's arm, she started to drag the other girl away. Resisting, Ran looked back at her father while yelling, "W-Wait a second! Sonoko!" Her 'captor' didn't listen.

As soon as the older girls were out of hearing range, Kogoro started to frown. "Oh…wait. Damn, that's right. It was a sale on some stupid children's toys. Kaiba or something…"

The three children corrected him. "It's 'Yaiba'!" instantly they gasped, "Wait, there's a sale on Kamen Yaiba toys?" Haibara was the only one not ecstatic, but whether she had been happy or not, she still got dragged along by the hyperactive children.

Conan looked at Kogoro who stood watching the others go. 'What is he doing?' Thinking back on the earlier conversation he realized he had pretty much badly insulted the man, even if it was what he swore he'd heard from the old guy's own mouth. Memories of countless beatings to the head all came flooding back. With the combination from the pain already in his skull, he was sure the upcoming punch would nearly kill him. He watched Kogoro step closer to the bed, slight anger on his face. He closed his eyes and waited for the worst.

…It never came.

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

In a voice a little too meek for his liking, Conan replied, "…Aren't you going to hit me?"

"What? No! I wasn't going to-" he stared at his fist that had naturally risen into the air. Moving awkwardly, he made it seem as if he'd brought up the fist to cough into, but Conan knew better. "A-Anyway, before…why did you think I'd said that?"

It was then Conan's turn to be confused. "W-Well…you said it. I didn't see you but I-" he froze. He hadn't seen him. Words said only minutes before came back: He's becoming delusional!

"O-Ojiisan, I think I need to go back to bed."

Still serious, Kogoro only stared. After a long pause, he nodded and smiled faintly. "Alright then." Turning toward the door he paused once again. Taking a deep breath he added, "But before you go to sleep, finish that soup. Ran went through a lot of trouble to make that for you."

"I will, Ojiisan." Kogoro flinched at the reply. Curious, Conan said, "…Ojiisan?"

"It's nothing. …Get better." The door closed silently behind him.

Before picking up the spoon once again, Conan heard something. It was faint, but it was definitely Kogoro. Only a few words slipped through the door. "…mind...that runt…how did…" other things were said in between but with the door barricading the way and the fact that Conan's hearing was getting worse he couldn't make them out.

But something was wrong. What had Kogoro just done?

"He read my mind. That runt just read my mind. Just how did he manage that?"

With each sentence, Kogoro reminded himself that that same runt was just behind the door and that he should be quiet, but each word seemed to crescendo as it tumbled out of his mouth. This was too weird. As far as he could tell the kid couldn't do that before, and if he did, he kept it a damn good secret. If that was the case then why would he just suddenly break his cover like that?

…No, it had happened recently. He could feel it.

Hand to his chin, Kogoro began to rewind the past few days. 'What could've made the little guy a mind-reader?' he thought and then realized what had just happened. Making sure he was a fair distance from said 'mind-reader' he then began to think. It felt strange, worrying about someone hearing your thoughts.

Few images flashed through his head, most of them consisted of Ran making dinner, Okino's TV shows, horse racing, and alcohol: lots of alcohol. He laughed at himself, "Maybe I should cut down a bit…" Resuming the venture through the alcohol filled memories – which obviously were quite blurry – Kogoro finally settled on the one event that made sense. One of which he – luckily – hadn't been drunk.

That competition. He shook his head. "No, that amethyst."

Staring back at the door to his room, he thought for another minute. The kid would probably be asleep again within the hour. If that thing made him read minds, Kogoro personally didn't want him to have it anymore. It was far too strange.

But then an idea hit him. That amethyst let people read minds, what if he had it? Kogoro smiled widely, thinking of riches. 'Mah-jong would be simple! The money would just flood in!' His imagination took hold, anonymous shouts of Who can beat the champ! and He wins yet again! sounded.

Sitting in chair, he started to watch reruns of Okino's four minute cooking broadcasts. Turning down the volume, he waited quietly and patiently for his chance at the amazing amethyst to hang around a sleeping neck.

The soup had been hot, but Conan felt it was nowhere near his own temperature. He felt as if it just kept rising. On more than one occasion he had pulled up the blanket after pushing it down. It was too warm for him to be under it, but the bowl of soup needed to rest somewhere (unfortunately it seemed Ran either forgot the tray or they were all in need of a washing) and the best place for that was his knees. Heat from the soup seeped through the bowl, however, so he needed the blanket to protect himself from the burning sensation. Bowl now empty, he set it back down on the night stand along with his glasses.

The shirt Ran had brought him had no buttons, so he continually pulled the collar this way and that in an attempt to cool his boiling skin. Unfortunately for him, Conan couldn't blame his suffering on anything but himself. Specifically, he had to blame his horrid immune system. Although he felt like he were literally in hell no signs of poisoning or the occasional 'growth spurt' existed. All he had was a really, really bad cold.

'…Or is it the flu…? Agh…that won't change the fact that I'm dying here…' he smiled. '…Well…dying is a bit over exaggerated…' coughing madly, Conan withdrew that last statement.

Closing his eyes, he attempted to sleep. Coughs still made their way through somehow, even with his heavy breathing. He was still hot, but without the blanket he was uncomfortable so he had pulled it up high.

A hand rested on his forehead. It didn't seem to have a temperature. 'I didn't hear anyone…come in…' Even thinking was hard. His breath started to hasten.

Relief came from the hand. Calm and cooling it stopped his breathing fit. He still felt his high temperature piercing through the sensation. A smile came from the hand, he felt it. With difficulty he attempted to speak while slowly opening his eyes, "Who-"

Words fell short. Despite his temperature, Conan's entire body froze. His eyes nearly burst their sockets and his pupils felt the size of peas.

Red hair lacking the black dangled as she bent over him. She smiled. It was less devious then before, but sweat still ran down Conan's cheek; not from heat, but fear.

The woman from the dream stood, hovering over him. Just as in the dream, he couldn't move a muscle in his body. Only his mouth agreed to move, the words coming out stuttered, "…Y-You…B-But…Hou…seki…?" It wasn't the sudden panic attack that minced his words; he honestly didn't know what to say.

"Oh. It seems you remember me." Her voice wasn't devious as in the dream, but it wasn't kind, either. "I would say I do as well, but that'd only be…half true…" Pointed teeth flashed, and she accented each next syllable, "Shi-ni-chi."

He attempted to speak again but as he did, she brought up her finger and shushed him. "You shouldn't talk. You're in bad condition. …but I'll make it better," looking highly amused, the nickname fell on her lips like sugar. "Little Hoshi."

Defiance pushed through his petrified body. "…I-I'm…not…"

But the room went black.

Kogoro checked the time. It had been about an hour. 'The kid should be asleep by now and Ran won't be home for at least a few minutes.' Slightly snickering, he rose from his chair and approached the door to his room slowly. As quiet as he possibly could he started to turn the doorknob when-

"OJIISAN!"

BAM!

"Ojiisan! Ojiisan! Ojii-…Ojiisan?" the small face appeared around the door that had nearly done the older man's nose in. Quickly apologizing, Conan then went back to shouting. "Ojiisan, did a woman with long red hair come in here? Please tell me you know where she is…or…or who! First name! Maybe a phone number? Please, Ojiisan!"

Still quite taken aback by the sudden door to the face, Kogoro had missed the bombarding questions aimed at him. "…Who did what when…?" he shook his head. Then, still unresponsive, he spat out a "Huh?"

"A woman! A woman by the name Houseki! Did anyone by that name come in here?"

Raising his brow, Kogoro instinctively looked at the area where the amethyst hung. "…your dreams must really seem…persuasive." He nodded toward his chair where he'd been previously and the door. "I've been watching TV for the past hour and no one's come in or out since."

Conan looked up at him confused, but soon he smiled. Kogoro heard him mutter something under his breath. It had sounded like: It was just a dream.

Blinking, Kogoro bent down and examined Conan closer. When the boy's eyes stared at him with a glint of inquiry, the older detective placed his hand on the kid's forehead. "Huh, whadaya know, it seems like your fever's gone."

"…It seems like your fever's gone." Kogoro had stated simply. It was simple, definitely. Simply frightening.

The woman appeared once again in Conan's mind. Her words echoed hauntingly.

You shouldn't talk. You're in bad condition…but I'll make it better.

You're in bad condition…but I'll make it better.

…but I'll make it better.

"…better." The word chimed in once more, but in a pleasant voice. Looking for the source, Conan stared at Ran, who had just walked in. Seeming to know he hadn't quite heard her, she restated, "Conan-kun, you look much better." She smiled, "I'm glad."

Haibara walked in nonchalantly, "I wouldn't say he's completely recovered. Look, his face is still pale." She pointed towards him, forming a bridge for the other children to his whiten face. Her own stare walked the bridge and noticed something other than the snowish plane before it. 'Fear?'

Before Haibara could question the emotion, Sonoko stomped in. Immediately she stepped up to Kogoro and grabbed his tie. "You liar. We just spent the past hour looking for that sale only to be looked at like freaks!" she smiled deviously, "But luckily I did find a sale! Quite a great one! It's the Payback sale! Know what the deal is? You buy us dinner!"

Looking up at Kogoro, Haibara thought 'Kudo-kun's not the only one in fear now…' Her eyes shifted toward him, but her view was blocked by Ran.

Checking his temperature, Ran looked uncertain, "Well, its definitely lower, possibly even completely gone, but we should check with a doctor to be sure." Taking his hand, Ran led him towards and out the door. His feet dragged on the floor with each step.

Soon the entire group was heading for the car rental shop. Sonoko still continued to glare at Kogoro while the three children spoke about their favourite show, sometimes taking their own chances to throw a piercing stare at the lying old man. Haibara, Conan and Ran walked on silently, the females each eying Conan from time to time. He had quietly asked Ran to stop holding his hand – she did – but she had been reluctant to do so. Something was wrong.

Hearing sirens, soon everyone knew that something else was wrong.

A dark green car screeched around the corner ahead, followed closely by police cars, their numbers growing. Not abiding by the laws of the road, it took up a new route on the sidewalk, heading straight for the group. Everyone jumped out of the way into the nearby alley. Turning to observe the car about to go by, the seven sets of eyes stared in horror at what they saw.

Standing still as a statue staring at the sidewalk, was Conan. His eyes were still wide as they had been for since they left the detective agency.

Haibara, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, Genta, Sonoko, Kogoro and Ran felt the time slow down as the lights of the car dimly glinted off the boy's large glasses and the sound of the horn pierced the air along with the sirens.

Seven mouths opened, each yelled out the same thing.

"CONAN!"

Their shouts were drowned out by the sound of crashing metal.

…CLIFFHANGER. =D

Wow, I … seriously, I'm so fast right now. What's wrong with me? xD

I really enjoy writing this, and I really hope you enjoy reading it. To put it into easy words: I honestly feel more like a reader than the author. Which is weird, but I highly enjoy it.

I, as much as you, can't wait for the next chapter! xD