Okay, this is where Mat's suggestion takes place. Although, I don't think it's exactly how he imaged it to be… And you know what, I'll stick to my plot already—anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Gosho Aoyama is the creator of DC. I'm just a mere fan.

Chapter 10

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Later on that day as everyone stayed inside their houses, hoping not to be attacked by that killer. Ran was as always, left in the dojo—cleaning. It took her longer than usual that she passed the curfew already. But she had a problem—it was raining hard outside and she didn't bring an umbrella. If a kidnapping were to occur, tonight would be the best time.

She was scared; she didn't want to be alone in the dark dojo. So she ran to the school's covered pool where there were glass windows, it was also nearest to the dojo and the nearest to the school gate. She can't see the guard though. She shivered in fear and the coldness and darkness of the night. The only light she had was the glistening water beside her. She stared at it for so long until she saw a figure outside. It seemed to be looking at her.

She stood up to ready herself to attack him as soon as she saw it move away. She looked around, being much alert. She heard footsteps from behind—slow footsteps. No wait~! It was more like someone walking in his or her own pace. Or was it? She positioned herself and as soon as she sensed it near her, she raised her leg to give it a back kick.

"Hey, relax. It's just me." Shinichi said as he caught Ran's leg that was as high as his head. He pushed it gently downwards.

"How come you're here?" Ran asked, her eyebrows meeting at the center of her forehead.

"Well—you haven't come back yet—so I figured."

"How'd you know I was here?"

"It's not like you'll stay in a dark gym or a dark dojo where you can't see people from outside. You're a logical girl." Shinichi pushed Ran's forehead gently with his pointing finger. "Nice place to pick." He commented with a smile.

"Tch! Yeah, right. You're just trying to be nice to me so I wouldn't beat you up again."

"Fine. Think whatever you want to think. I know what I'm saying anyway."

"Yeah, you really are trying to be nice to me." Ran said convincingly. She managed to giggle.

Shinichi giggled along with her and then he just rolled his eyes and pushed Ran to the pool, which was about seven feet deep. As Ran popped her head out of the water she shouted, "Shinichi Kudo! You're a dead man! What was that for?!" she slammed both her fists on the water.

"You said I'm just trying to be nice to you right? I'm proving you wrong." He stuck out his tongue.

"Ugh! The clothes I have left are the one for karate and our uniform!"

"Then wear your uniform when go back to your place. It's not such a big deal." Shinichi chuckled at the sight of Ran just staying there and not trying to go back up.

Ran turned to him with a glare, "What's so funny, Kudo?"

"You're not going to try to go back up?" Shinichi answered, still chuckling.

"Oh yeah." Ran swam towards the gutter where Shinichi was. "Could you please help me up?" she requested, handing him her hand.

"Why? Can't you use those metal bars over there?"

"I'm already here! Could you just help me?"

Shinichi went to Ran and bent down, "Come on." He grabbed her arm and pulled her upwards but instead, she pulled him downwards resulting to a big splash. He swam upwards and shouted, "What the heck?!"

"What? You pushed me here. I'm paying you back." Ran tried to go up from the gutter by pushing herself upwards, which what she always witnessed the swim team do whenever they're finished with their workout.

"That's very thoughtful of you." Shinichi replied sarcastically while nodding slightly. He saw Ran trying to get out from the gutter but she was always left unsuccessful until she was about to get the hang of it when Shinichi pulled her downwards.

"KUDO!"

"You pulled me downwards. I'm bringing back the favor."

Ran giggled evilly, "Time to get a taste of your own medicine Kudo." She started splashing some water on his face. "This is for bringing me here twice!"

"Hey! The water hurts!" Shinichi was shielding his face or more likely, his eyes with both his arms as he looked sideways. He was swimming away from her as he did so until his back touched the end of the pool, where the diving boards were. "You know we should stop."

"I'm not letting you off the hook!" Ran continued to splash him water. Shinichi squinted and grabbed her wrists and he drew her to his place thus exchanging places. He pinned her there.

"Ha! I'm quite sure you can't splash water on me anymore. Huh? Well? Well?" He challenged.

Ran just stared at him. She was petrified. She could feel his breath touch her face. She could see nothing else from his face but his eyes and a small portion of his nose bridge. She made her eyes look from up then downwards then back again. That made Shinichi realize that he'd gotten close—too close. He swam a bit backwards as he let her wrists free.

"S-Sorry about t-that." Shinichi stammered as he tried not to look at her but he can't help curiosity get the better of him by glancing at her every time he finished a word. Did he make her angry?

Ran just looked where her things were, then she glanced outside and saw that the rain was still the same. It didn't go harder nor lighter. "I-I think we should—yeah, we'd better leave. Dad might call and if no one answers—we'll be dead for sure." She swam towards the metal stairs.

Shinichi was worried that she might be angry with him so he didn't do anything but tread and watch her get off the pool. Ran looked back and giggled, "What's wrong? Get back up here slowpoke!"

"You're not—angry?"

"Nothing happened anyway. C'mon! Get back up here."

Shinichi let out a sigh of relief. He went back up as well. "It's a good thing I don't have my wallet and my phone in my pockets by the time you pulled me in there."

"Where are they then?" Ran asked, both were still dripping wet.

Shinichi pointed at the two umbrellas he brought, of course he used the other one so he put his things next to the dry one.

"Ah right." Ran said with a nod. "Anyway, don't look at me until I say so. I'll change back to my uniform. Go on. Turn around."

"Why not change in the bathrooms?"

"It's night time! And weren't you the one who said that there's a killer on the loose? I don't want to get killed!" She lied. She was actually scared of darkness because she believed that there were monsters and many other things there.

"Fine." Shinichi turned around.

"No peeking, okay?"

"I'm not a pervert! Just hurry up!"

Ran took off her clothes but not her underwear. Well—she took off her bra to squeeze the water out of it. But that was just it. She put it back on and looked at her back, good! Shinichi still has his back turned and he seemed to be unbuttoning his shirt. She continued dressing herself. And she yelled, "Okay, I'm done." She turned around and saw Shinichi squeezing the water off his shirt. "Oh sorry!" she turned back again.

"Idiot! I'm a guy! It's fine! It's just the shirt."

Ran turned around again, "I am not an idiot!"

"Okay." He looked at Ran.

"What? Put those back on already."

He let out a heavy sigh, "At least you have extra clothes."

"Sorry about that." She raised two peace signs.

"I'm the one who's supposed to apologize for starting the whole thing. Sorry, Mouri. Hey! It rhymes! Sorry, Mouri. Get it? Never mind."

"Just put your shirt on already! Stop squeezing it! The buttons might go loose!" Ran shouted and her voice rang throughout the place.

Shinichi just dressed himself as fast as he could, as if he was late for school. "Let's go!"

Ran held up his tie. "Forgot this, detective." She threw it to him and giggled. "I guess someone tends to forget some stuff, huh? Wait~! How come you're still in your uniform?"

"Huh? Well—by the time I went to the house, I kind of did the assignments and read some stuff."

"Bookworm! I can't find leisure in reading."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Get your bags already. Let's head back."

Meanwhile, Aoko was just starting to doze off but even for her it was hard to sleep. The wind was strong that the branches and leaves of the tree near her window were scratching each other. Finally, she was able to shut her eyes and sleep peacefully. Too peaceful that she didn't realize that someone was carrying her from her bed.

Outside, Inspector Nakamori was just parking his car and he saw a van driving in front of him. Who could that be in this time of night? He asked himself. He tailed it to make sure. Since they were the only private cars in the street, the van sped up. He knew it was tailing him. It was too obvious. Right then and there, Inspector Nakamori knew that it was the serial killer then he sped up after him.

He found it difficult to follow it, for the rain was pouring down heavier and heavier. But he didn't give up, not until they reached a muddy trail. His tire got stuck and couldn't move any further. He called out to some of his men to get him and trace the hideaway of that friggin' killer.

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"WHAT?!" Shinichi shouted on the phone as Ran cooked their dinner. "Are you serious?!"

"Yeah. I heard this from Inspector Megure, who heard it from Inspector Nakamori's men. It was a close one. At least we were somehow able to get a hint where that criminal is hiding."

"I doubt it."

"Hey! You'd better be watching that daughter of mine carefully!" Mr. Mouri warned with a stern voice. "She tends to run away."

I think I've noticed that bit. Shinichi gulped a big one, "Yes, sir. I am. Don't worry."

"I want a more secure protection."

"I will. Don't worry. Oh yeah, you think you can keep me posted?"

"Sure will. Just take care of my daughter, she's the only one I have."

"YES! How many times do you have to—anyway, get back to work. I can hear Inspector Megure."

"Bye Shinichi. Take care of my daughter!" Mr. Mouri hung up.

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Okay, this was a bit umm—weird. I think. I don't really know. So umm—I hope you enjoyed it! Man! Before I didn't have any inspiration but now I'm overflowing with it! I'll go make the next chapter now! Hope you liked this one!