Chapter 8-Before the big day

Place: Kudo's Mansion

The FBI, TMPD Criminal Department, Public Security Bureau had gathered. Rei and Shiho were also present. They were discussing the plan regarding the attack on Black Organization. Shiho was standing in a corner listening to their discussion.

"We need to know how many people are in there. And whether their Boss is there or not." Akai Shuichi said.

"That, you can leave it to me." Furuya smirked. "I am still Bourbon for them. Moreover, we need to distract black organization members so you guys can march in without any problem. Kaito Kid won't be enough." He added further and everyone got into thinking.

"I will be the one to distract them." Shiho stepped forward. "And if they came to know that Sherry has been found, Boss and Rum will be there too. Bourbon can inform in early about it."

"NO!" Akai, Shinichi and Rei yelled in unison. Akai and Shinichi both looked at Rei taken aback by his response. Even Shiho was surprised.

"Why? It sounds like a perfect plan." She asked.

"We can't use you for that Shiho." Akai replied.

"Shuu-nii, please!" she still insisted.

After Akai talked about his identity to Shiho. He told her everything about their mothers' relation and that they are actually cousins. Since then, Shiho calls him Shuu-nii.

"Oi Shiho! When we said no, then it's a no! They can even try to kill you!" Shinichi told her.

Shiho sighed.

"I think it's a good plan!" Furuya changed his thoughts.

"Furuya-san, you were disagreeing before!" Shinichi pouted.

"Yes, but then I thought that this work great!"

"What if they try to kill her?" Akai asked.

"Then I promise I will save her putting my life at stake." He replied with a serious expression.

At first Akai and Shinichi thought that he is trying to act cool but his expressions told something else. He was serious. Shiho was looking at Rei, astonished and feeling a little relieved.

Shinichi just smiled and replied, "I am okay with this plan then."

Akai had to agree over it. The discussion continued little more. After the preparations were done, Shiho went in the gallery. She stood there looking at the moon. She can't help but feel scared. She don't want anyone to get hurt because of her anymore and moreover she don't want anyone to die. Her eyes widened when she imagined the people, she loves lying covered in blood.

"No!" she screamed as she covered her face letting the tears out of her eyes. "I don't want anyone to get hurt!"

"Shiho?" she heard someone calling her and she quickly wiped her tears moved her gaze towards the moon. It was Furuya Rei. He could tell that she was scared, and crying.

He slowly walked towards her and stood beside her looking at the moon. He took 2-3 glances towards her. She seemed sad too.

"Feeling scared?" he asked. "It's obvious though." He added.

"I'm worried about others." She told him slowly.

"I know." He replied.

"I don't want anyone to get hurt or die. I am worried sick about Kudo-kun, Shuu-nii" further with a very slow volume she added, "and you!"

Rei's eyebrows raised in surprise and then a small smile formed on his lips.

"You're worried about me, huh?" he asked her.

"Be-because you said something idiotic like you will put your life at stake for protecting me and all!" she pouted angrily.

"Don't make such faces, it's intriguing!" he said as he moved closer to her.

He held her hand and pulled her in a hug, one hand on her waist and other on the back of her head as he buried her head in his chest.

For a few seconds they stayed in the hug. Shiho never felt so warm and safe. Her face was red like a cherry. And his scent was making her feel intriguing. Why was she feeling like this? Till now his scent and presence was only making her feel scared. But ever since he told her truth, those feelings disappeared. She was actually feeling safe around him. His touches give her goosebumps, his voice gives her shivers, his smile makes her smile. She is worried about him. Why? Why she feels all of this for him? She had never felt like this before, maybe except when she was in love with Shinichi.

'So, am I in love?' she asked herself. 'Am I in love with Furuya Rei? All these feelings, they are of love. Yes, I'm in love with him!'

She had given up on love long before when she was a part of the organization. Her life was in darkness, at least till she met Shinichi. She never thought she could fall in love. But meeting Shinichi changed her. Even though he had Ran, she was fine as long as she was by his side. She never expected something to happen between them. Gradually, those feelings disappeared. She properly accepted him as her best friend, which she was longing for.

It is different with Furuya Rei. For her, he has become someone important. At first, she thought that it is because he was someone her family loved and vice versa. But slowly those thoughts turned into feelings of love. Both of them had always been longing for a warm family. They both have lost their family because of the organization.

Lost family!

Organization!

Killed!

And then, the fear of losing someone took upon her. She doesn't want anyone to leave her. She didn't want to leave him. She slowly put her on hand on his chest and clutched his shirt tightly. Rei could feel her getting anxious. He removed his hand from the back of her head and placed it on her waist. He then hugged her tight, more than before trying to get all the fear out of her.

"Everything is going to be alright, Shiho!" he reassured her. "I will definitely protect you and the people you love. You're not going to lose anyone anymore."

And ironically, his words did make her calm, feel fine.

Shinichi was on his way to go out. So, he went to tell Shiho that he will come soon. The door of the room in which Shiho was staying was open to he peeped to see what she was doing but he saw her in a hug with Furuya-san. He could tell that Furuya-san was trying to comfort her. He secretly wished for both of them to be 'a thing'. More than that, he just wants Shiho's life to be in happiness and light. He smiled and left. There is someone whom he wants to make happy too.

He walked out of his house on his way to Mouri Agency. Though the agency is closed now, Ran and her father still lived there. Shinichi was worried how Ran will react. She did message him saying that Conan is nowhere to be found. Hakase later on explained her that Conan and Ai-chan went to America for a while. Somehow, she had stopped contacting him frequently. He reached the agency and climbed the stairs. He stood in front of the door and thought for a while before knocking on the door. Gaining the courage, he knocked on the door and waited for Ran to open the door.

"Hai!" he heard her responding from the other side.

In a few seconds, the door was opened.

"Yo, Ran!" he raised his hand and greeted her smiling.

Ran was astonished to see him, to see he is actually Shinichi and not Conan. How did he turned back to Shinichi? She was thinking only about it.

"Shi-nichi?"

"Sorry, I got very late!" he smiled sheepishly.

"You've gotten late for lot of things Shinichi." She looked down, sadness in her eyes. "But it's fine. I know you were caught up in something that you can't tell me. I know it's for my sake." She looked at him again. Now here expressions were different.

"What do you mean Ran?" he asked her confused about what she meant.

"Something is going to happen; I'm feeling like this in the last 3-4 days. Conan-kun and Ai-chan disappearing and you coming back is related, right?" she asked him.

Shinichi was astonished. Akai-san had told him to be vary of Ran because she was feeling suspicious about Conan and Shinichi being the same person but now, he was sure that she is sure Conan and Shinichi are same. He decided to not lie anymore.

"I'm sorry, Ran. I will tell you everything once I end this!" he apologized. "I know I am being selfish saying this and that I have always made you wait, just a little longer, please wait for me!" Shinichi bowed and pleaded her.

Ran moved closer to him and held his hand. "I will always wait for you, Shinichi! Because I love you!" she smiled with tears in her eyes.

"Ran!" he pulled her in a hug, "I love you too!"

After a few seconds, they broke the hug.

"I can't stay much longer. Sorry!" he apologized again.

"It's okay. I have habit of it now." Ran teased him. "Ganbatte (Do your best), Shinichi!" she smiled. "And the same to Hattori-kun too."

"I will! Bye, Ran!" he gave her a smile and left.

'I promise I will come back to you Ran.'

Place: Aoko is kept kidnapped

Aoko's face was pale. She had cried a lot, because of Kaito. Even though the kidnappers gave her food, she refused to eat. She has been tied to that chair for hours. Even though she knows Kaito will come to save her, she doesn't want to face him.

"Baka Kaito!" she muttered to herself, more tears making way out of her eyes.

Just then a small cute white bird flew inside from the window. It made its way to her and dropped a small page in her lap. She looked at the page.

It was written;

I will definitely come to save you, Aoko!

She closed her eyes. No matter what, he is the person she loves. Even if he is the same person that she has hated for all her life.

Kaito on the other hand was worried sick. Is Aoko fine? Did they hurt her? Does she know about me? Too many questions in his mind. He now has to face Aoko no matter what but more than that, he has decided to convey his feelings after everything is over.

'Wait for me Aoko, I'm definitely saving you!'

Then comes the big day, the start of something and the end of something.