CHAPTER 7- Flower

Ack! My neck hurts from bending over from drawing and my back hurts cos I've been sitting for way too long! But that didn't stop me from writing this story! I kind of like it already but then again, I am not a ShinRan fan. I just wanted to do this story as a tribute to them and to understand how writers of ShinRan fanfics feel. And I found my answer. Writing a ShinRan story gives the author a headache! That's what I felt!

For those who reviewed and favourite this story, thank you! I really appreciate it!

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I love you Ran.

Those words repeated themselves in her mind over and over, like a broken radio. She couldn't believe that he told her those three words that she had wanted to hear so much and he did that publically with everyone around. She never felt happier in her entire life. Those three words had lightened up her day and had erased all the terrible memories that she had collected over the years. She just wanted to be with him forever.

Ran glanced to her side where Shinichi walked beside her. As soon as she stopped crying and released him, he immediately took her out of the party partly because of embarrassment and partly because of business. When she moved away from him, Shinichi glared at the crowd who was ogling at them, causing them to move on with the party and pretend as though nothing happened. Shinichi then quickly brought her out and just asked her to walk with him. She agreed of course.

They walked slowly past the numerous buildings in Beika. Shinichi wasn't looking at her; he was looking at the buildings with a sad smile on his face. Ran could see that same expression in his eyes; the sheer joy and appreciation of the surroundings mixed with a hint of sadness. It was the same when he looked around the school. Ran wanted to ask him but she decided to wait and allow Shinichi to take in the sights. Somehow she felt that it was best to let him do as he pleased.

Shinichi stopped and said softly, "Let's go to the park."

Ran nodded in agreement and they turned around a corner which led to the street that they were so familiar with since their childhood days. Flashes of those carefree days past through her mind. They were so young then. Who would ever know that they would grow up to love each other even more? Ran remembered how Yukiko teased her mother, Eri about them being together when they grew up. Well, Yukiko was the only one who guessed it. Eri was never pleased with them being together and Ran felt a sense of amusement when she remembered Eri's endless warnings about Shinichi.

You're wrong Okaa-san, she thought, giving Shinichi a fleeting look, we would be together forever.

They came to the playground which was their favourite place to go when they were just kids. Shinichi liked to play soccer here and Ran loved to watch him. Shinichi was wonderful in soccer even when he was just a kid. Ran had always thought he was cool as.

They sat down on a bench and Shinichi stooped down to pluck a wildflower by the bench. He smelt it and handed it to Ran who took it without a word. She smelt it as well. The flower had the smell of summer, warm and sweet but it was cold like winter. Ran grasped it tightly in her hands, wondering why she had suddenly thought of such thoughts.

Shinichi sighed, his eyes fixed on the playground.

"Ran," he said finally.

Ran looked at him, waiting for him to continue. His eyes were distant as he took in the familiar sights of their childhood hangout spot.

"Ran," he said again, more softly, "I am going to tell you everything but I need you to just listen. Don't say anything till I'm done."

"Shinichi," Ran started, shocked at his request.

"Just don't say anything till I'm done Ran," Shinichi replied, his voice filled with sadness, "I might never be able to push myself to say it again."

Ran snapped her mouths shut and nodded solemnly. She realised that Shinichi wasn't joking and he really meant what he said.

"All this time Ran," Shinichi began, "I was on a case but I was never away from you."

Ran looked at him, puzzled. What was he talking about? Didn't he tell her that he was far away for a case?

"I was here," Shinichi continued, "as the little boy you know as Edogawa Conan. How I became Edogawa Conan started from the day we went to Tropical Land. This is what happened…"

~an hour later~

Impossible, Ran thought, it's simply impossible.

Shinichi stopped, understanding Ran's apparent disbelief. Ran's face was the very image of incredulity and despair. Shinichi waited for her to say something. He knew that the story so far was hard to believe; actually near to impossible. Who would believe that there was something that could shrink someone? Who would believe that the little boy who stayed with you was your first love and the little girl you knew was a genius scientist? It was extremely unbelievable and now Shinichi was insisting that that was the truth.

Ran clenched her fist, crushing the delicate flower. She just couldn't believe that the lies she thought he was hiding was more terrible then she thought. Memories of Conan, no Shinichi, flooded into her mind. Conan smiling at her with his child-like grin; Conan saving her for endless times. Conan saying that he loved her. All this time, it was Shinichi.

Ran took in a deep breath to calm her raging nerves. She stilled her shaking body and released the breath she inhaled. She knew; she knew that Conan was too alike Shinichi and she had a lingering suspicion that Conan and Shinichi was closer than she thought. She sometimes thought that Conan was Shinichi but everytime; her doubts were dashed due to some kind of event that would explain Conan and Shinichi's similarities. But to actually be told that Conan was Shinichi, she couldn't help but to shake all over in comprehension of the truth.

Ran slowed her quick breathing and looked at Shinichi who was watching her with fear and worry. His blue eyes were hooded as though he had been beside himself with anxiety. Beneath his left eye, the scar which he had gained when he was going against the Organization attracted Ran's attention. Shinichi said that a bullet grazed him and that caused the scar. She raised her free hand and slowly touched the scar. Her fingers traced over the light lump that ran all the way to his left ear. Shinichi's eyes locked into hers, his sapphire eyes begging her to understand.

Ran smiled at him. She knew that whatever Shinichi did, it was for her. That scar was the only remaining reminder of the dark days when Shinichi lived in fear of being found. But it wasn't all that dark. She treasured those days that Shinichi was Conan and the special moments that they shared. She was a little mad of the times that she was fooled and did embarrassing things like bathing with Shinichi, but she forgave him. He never told her to protect her. Despite her belief that she didn't need protection, she appreciated everything he had done for her.

She smiled again and leaned towards him tentatively. Shinichi leaned in as well. Their breaths became quicker as their faces touched. Their warm breaths tickled their cheeks as they lowered their gaze, too shy to look into each other's eyes. Their noses touched and they moved closer.

A sudden movement stopped their progress. They turned their heads slightly to look at what had moved. Ran had dropped the flower and it was now drifting to the ground. They watched the flower float to the ground, wondering about its significance. The flower was cold as death but the smell it was still as sweet as it used to be. The truth might be hard to hear but it was always nicer to know it.

The flower landed on the ground noiselessly and finally stilled. They glanced at each other and realised what they were doing. They smiled slightly at each other and continued what they were doing.

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Done for this chapter! Terrible ending again I know but I think it's better to let you guys' imagination run wild. Better than me explaining every little detail. You ShinRan fans should be able to picture it. Do review after reading!