Chapter 7 is finally up for grabs! I know I took a really looong time to put this up, but please pardon me! I was very busy with examinations and was a little carried away after that(Playstation, playstation and more playstation!). The sloutions to the clues would be revealed in the next chapter! Have you solve them all, yet? If not, solve them quick! I would'nt want to spoil all the fun for you! ^^ Well, expect the unexpected! Ok, here's Chapter 7!
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A Shinichian Conan
Chapter 7: NEED NOT TO KNOW?
A Detective Conan Fanfic
Superindent Matsumoto appeared out of nowhere the moment Ran was
out of sight, much to the two officers' surprise. It seemed too
much of a coincidence that he should appear the moment she was
gone, as if his appearance was timed deliberately......
"I want the both of you in my office." Superindent Matsumoto whispered to the two officers as he led them into his office, out of everyone's vision. The two officers obeyed dutifully, wondering whatever the matter was. As if anticipating their doubts, Superindent Matsumoto spoke in a demanding tone, "I want the both of you to hand over the case on Conan's disappearance."
"But..." both officers stuttered, totally taken in by his demand.
"This is an order!" turned down Superindent Matsumoto.
These four words left the two officers with no choice but to leave the case to the Superindent. He IS their superior and as subordinates, it was their rightful duty to follow orders.
However, Officer Satou was not about to concede defeat that easily. As Superindent Matsumoto slowly closed the doors behind them, she shot a question at him, a question which carried a hint of her anger and reluctance to hand the case over. "On what grounds have you to stop us from working on this case?"
It seemed that this question shocked or at least raised some concern from the Superindent. Whatever the reason was, he had left the door ajar and had walked back into his room, slowly pacing towards the windows. Officer Satou took no hesitation to enter back into the room with Officer Takagi following not far behind. After pausing for quite a while, Superindent Matsumoto finally spoke up with his back facing the two officers, "NEED NOT TO KNOW."
Both officers gasped in surprise as Superindent Matsumoto walked out of the room, leaving them alone in the still and silent place, stunned and speechless and more confused than ever.
**********
Conan steadied himself. A day has already passed by since he got to this cursed place. He had been moving on and on without any rest, only some timeouts to catch his breath, and now he felt like the world was going to collapse around him any minute. It was pretty obvious that this journey was draining life out of him.
He had felt like fainting on several occasions, but he managed to conquer it with sheer determination. He knew that this little body of his needed a good night's sleep badly, but he knew for certain that he had to get back to the others where his heart belongs... provided that they were still alive and well. With the small amount of supply finishing fast, out was the only way he could go.
Dragging his exhausted body along, he treaded on with heavy footsteps as he approached yet another dead end. With each step heavier than the previous, he dragged on miserably and took in every single detail laid out in front of him.
Two spiral stairways each facing the other stood out, one on the left of the entrance and the other on the right. Both stairways led to either up or down. No other distinct features pulled the two stairways apart.
A piece of note came right out of nowhere from the infinite space on top of Conan. It floated right into Conan's outstretched open palms. He straightened the note to unravel the message it had for him.
______________________________
To: Shinichi Kudo #3
Left or right for you to choose,
Ascend or descend you should know too
If pigs can fly,
then hot air will rise.
Dawn will arrive
and the Sun shall rise.
Next to obtain access to the iron doors,
by the pin of a cat's tale
with an additional square of four
Together with the Champions of champions,
queuing behind in line
End of clue
______________________________
Conan adjusted his spectacles and stared at the clue right ahead of him in deep thought. This clue was different from the previous two and he wondered if it could be true that the clue is telling him about his next stop.
He quickly scrambled onto the stairs, as he knew that the only way to find out was to advance ahead. As he did so, the clue flashed in his mind over and over again, provoking his detective instincts. 'The light is just ahead.' he thought to himself. With all the clues stored safely in the backpack, he was ready to face the next challenge that lies in wait.
**********
"Is he ready?" asked the mysterious man.
"Almost," his companion replied in a straightforward manner.
"Good, I guess its time we go according to plan." smiled the mystery man.
"My sentiments exactly." nodded his companion in agreement.
**********
There was nothing but silence at Professor Agasa's place as everyone, especially the two young detectives, rack their brains at figuring where to start looking for clues which may lead them to Conan.
Hajime had been told earlier by the Professor about Conan's disappearance. However, it had seemed to him that there was something which he had ought to know that the Professor was trying to conceal. But out of respect, he had kept to himself.
"Its quite late now, I think you guys would be better off searching for clues tomorrow. Hmm... I think there are enough rooms for you and Kazuha to stay in, Heiji." said Professor Agasa thoughtfully.
"Well... okay. Then I guess I'd better go over to Mr Mouri's place to fetch her." Heiji said in response to the Professor's invitation.
Before he could head for the gates, something went crashing down in front of the living room where everybody were. It totally took everyone by surprise.
"Argh... Hei... ji... don't... bother going t... to Ran's place. I'm already he... here." came a voice where the "thing" had crash landed.
"... just what are you up to, Kazuha!?" yelled Heiji.
"Well, you wouldn't let me come along with you, so..." Kazuha replied for her actions as she stood up slowly, looking at her bruises.
"So you dogged me! Look at how pathetic you are now!" Heiji raised his voice yet again, cutting Kazuha's explanation while he took her bruised arms for a closer look.
"And she is?" Hajime interrupted.
"Oh, let me introduce you to Kazuha. Kazuha Toyama. She's a very close friend of Heiji." explained the Professor.
"Girlfriend?" asked Miyuki innocently.
Kazuha quickly withdrew her arms from Heiji's gentle hands and turned a shade of red while Heiji looked away in embarrassment.
"No, no, she's just a close friend. A very good friend." Heiji stuttered in an attempt to explain himself.
"Yes, we're just good friends." Kazuha blushed as she tried to back up Heiji's statement.
"In any case, the girls shall share one room while the boys shall share another. Its getting late, so I guess we'd better get some rest." instructed the Professor.
The lights were off within the next second. Kazuha and Heiji were especially delighted as they were able to escape the the tight spot that they were put into. Everyone slowly drifted to sleep so that they were able to welcome the adventures the lies in Tomorrow.
