Disclaimer: Detective Conan does not belong to me; all characters belong to Gosho Aoyama. I do wish the cute guys belonged to me, though...^^ No, wait. I forgot, Masako belongs to me because I created her. ^^

Chapter 3: Reunion

"Sonoko, are you sure you know your way around here?" Ran looked around the airport. It was completely in English. She could read most of it, but it would take a long time getting used to it.

"Of course, here," Sonoko gestured to the taxi, "let's go. The hotel's name is Hilton. Let's tell the taxi driver and he'll take us there." Sonoko piled her three bags in the trunk and put in Ran's duffel bag. She slammed closed the trunk. The girls got into the car and told the driver where to go.

"I'm still not sure about this." Ran looked out the window and could barely understand the signs. "I know English, but it's just really different."

"You may need a guide, ladies. California is a good place for a vacation, but it's hard when you've never been here." The taxi driver smiled and nodded. He stopped the car in front of a big building. "Here you are, Hilton Hotel. Hope you have a nice stay."

"Wow, he was real nice." Ran remarked as the girls walked into the lobby with their bags.

"Everyone here is nice, I told you. By the way, how come there are no taxis around here. I haven't seen one since we arrived at the airport," Sonoko said. "Let's check in and drop off these bags. They're killin' me."

Ran smiled. "You packed like your whole wardrobe. I'm not surprised." Ran giggled and walked over to the registration desk.

It took a while for the girls to get checked in and find their room, but eventually they made it. As the girls settled into the room, Ran looked out the window. "Wow, that beach looks great. You want to go for a swim, Sonoko?" She asked as she turned back to face her friend.

"Sure, we might even meet some cute guys!" Sonoko grinned. "Maybe even one for you!"

"Sonoko, I'm twenty seven, not seventeen. I can find my own guys. Besides, I've already dated many guys. They just aren't right for me." Ran changed the subject. "Let's get those bathing suits on and go for a swim!"

Ran and Sonoko reached the beach at about four in the afternoon. The sun was getting lower and the colors it reflected into the ocean were a wonderful sight. Ran stood in awe as she stared at the colors. She hadn't seen such a beautiful sight since she was last on a date with Shinichi. Ran saddened at the thought, but was knocked down as a soccer ball hit her in the head. As she stood up and shook the sand out of her hair, she found herself staring into Shinichi, a smaller version of Shinichi.

"Shinichi? Is that you?"

"Ran." The boy stared at her. A girl with long brown hair came running over to him.

"Conan-kun, what are you doing? Weren't you-"she stopped when she caught sight of Ran. "Oh, Ran-san. Long time no see."

Conan-kun? Who's Conan? Oh right, Conan used to live with us, that is, until he came back to America. I almost thought Shinichi was still alive. Ran thought. Ran turned to the girl. She looks familiar, I think I've seen her in Japan. "Oh, right. You're Takashiki-san, aren't you?" The girl smiled as they shook hands. "What brings you to California?"

"Oh, well, vacation with Sonoko." Ran pointed behind but found that Sonoko had disappeared. She looked a big farther and found that she was talking to some American guys already. Ran sighed. She turned back to look at her two friends. "What are you two doing here?"

"I live here. My house is about a block from here. I love the ocean so I bought a house here." Masako grinned. "It's wonderful." She messed up Conan's hair.

Ran giggled. She knew that Conan used to hate it when people messed up his hair and could tell he still did when he glared at Masako. "By the way Conan, how come you're here with Takashiki-san?"

Conan stopped glaring and smiled. "I live with her. She's my cousin."

Ran blinked. "Your cousin? What about your parents? You're always living with a cousin. Where are your parents?"

Conan's smile faded. He looked down at the sand. "They died in a car accident 6 years ago, while vacationing. Takashiki-san came to the funeral and talked this out with me. She was living alone, so I thought it would be okay."

Ran smiled as she patted Conan on the shoulder. "Sorry to bring up those memories. Let's forget it and have a nice day at the beach!" She grinned as Conan stared at her with a surprised expression.

"Okay, come over here," he said as he pulled Ran over to a big blanket spread out on the sand with an oversized umbrella over it. There was basket near the umbrella. "We have a picnic ready. Care for lunch, anyone?"

Ran, Masako and Conan talked a lot about the years between that they haven't seen each other. Sonoko joined them later with a tall, tan American boy. Everyone chatted during lunch and went swimming in the ocean afterwards. The sun went down and the friends decided to go home. Masako invited them all to her house for a friendly reunion tomorrow.

~that night at Masako's house~

"Takashiki," Conan said.

"Yeah?" Masako answered while drying her hair. She had just walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower.

"I miss Ran."

Masako froze. She knew what he was going to say. "Conan, Kudo is dead. There's nothing you can do to change that."

"I know, but I can't help it. I want to embrace her as Shinichi, not as Conan." Conan turned his gaze from the table to Masako. "I love her, you know that. Looking at her reminds me of my past, the damn organization and how idiotic I was." He looked back down to the table.

"Conan," Masako kneeled down next to where Conan sat on the floor. "I know you'll kill me for not saying this earlier, but to tell you the truth, the organization has been brought down."

Conan snapped his head around to look at her. "WHAT?"

"It's been ten years. Slowly, with all the information you and Ai had, which I gave the FBI, the police had destroyed the organization. Although it's saddening to tell you that there still isn't an antidote as that drug has vanished off the face of this earth so that no can use it again, I think it's safe to tell Ran everything. Whether she understands you and accepts you again or not, that's for fate to decide." Masako sighed. "You should tell her. It'll make the pain in your heart heal better." Masako tried to smile. "At least you have a chance."

"Masako, thank you."

"Ehh?"

"I'm going to tell Ran tomorrow when she comes. As for Sonoko, I don't know. She blabbers too much." Conan glanced at Masako.

Masako smirked. "I know, I'll do something to distract her. Besides, she too caught with Ron to worry."

"Ron?"

"The American dude."

"You know him?"

"Old school friend."

"I see."

Masako stood up and walked off to her room. Before entering, she turned and smiled at Conan. "I wish you luck."

Conan smiled. "Thanks," he said as she closed the door, "and good night."

~to be continued~ Sorry it took so long. I had projects to do and I went on vacation. Anyways, the next chapter may take a while as school's back in and we've going to Yosemite soon. So, thanks to those who reviewed and I hope you'll liked it so far. ^^ Keep reviewing!!