Disclaimer: All characters from DC belong to Gosho Aoyama, except my original ones, Masako and Ron.^^
Notes: the conversations with "..." around them are in real English, because they originally speak Japanese.
Chapter 5: The Beginning
"Masako, you can't play that card!" Sonoko frowned as Masako laid down an ace of spades.
"Ehh, how come?" Masako glanced down at the card. It hadn't changed. "We are playing Big Two."
"I know, but you're going to make me lose!!!!" Sonoko whined.
Masako sighed. "Come on, it's your turn, Ron."
Ron raised an eyebrow at Masako. "Okay." He laid down a two of hearts.
"Ron, that's so not fair!!! You guys both know that I don't have any twos!!!"
"Here, Sonoko," Masako said as she took the cards out of Sonoko's hands and stuffed them, along with the ones on the table, into the box. "Let's watch a movie, okay?"
"A movie? Cool! What do you have?"
"Some romance ones. They're over there on the shelf. Pick on while I go refill the teapot."
Sonoko squealed. "I love romance movies!"
Ron got up and went over to Sonoko to help pick out a movie to watch.
Masako stole a glance at Conan and Ran, but could tell that Conan was still telling his story. Masako felt bad when she saw that sad smile on his face. It's hurting him...Hang in there, Kudo. I just know she'll understand. Masako turned away and walked to the kitchen. As she was filing up the teapot, the phone rang. Masako ran to pick it up.
"Hello, Takashiki residence."
"Oh, it's Masako! How's everything going?" Yukiko said cheerfully.
"Yukiko-san! I wasn't expecting your call."
"I know, I'm waiting for my husband now, so I thought I'd call and see what's up."
"Oh, well, Kudo's sort of in the middle of telling his story to Ran-san."
"Ehh?????" The cheerfulness was now gone from her voice.
"Yukiko-san, he needs her. He's had to suffer for almost ten years now." There was a pause. "I told him about the fall of the organization."
"But Masako, you promised."
"I'm sorry, but I can't stand to see a friend be in so much pain."
"Masako, you know that there are still some agents out there. They may be individuals since the organization has fallen apart, but they're still dangerous and this is for Shinichi's good. Don't you underst-"
"Look, Yukiko-san. I understand why you are protecting Kudo, but he's had enough. I can understand your reasoning, but you're putting him in too much pain. How would you feel if you were in his shoes?"
Yukiko sighed. "I know that Shin-chan is hurting, but it's all for his good. I don't want him to die. He's already had enough with the organization and now that he's living here with you, he's sort of gotten a burden off his back."
"You're wrong. His burden has just gotten heavier."
"Masako, what are you talking about?"
"Listen, Yukiko-san. I've been living with Kudo-kun for almost ten years now. I know what he's like when he's relaxed and I know what he's like when he's not. He's not. The burden of lying to Ran is getting heavier each day, especially since she and Sonoko are here on vacation. How do you expect Kudo to keep lying? He came here to start over, to forget, but that didn't happen and we can't change that. Think about the pain Ran-san and Kudo had to suffer over the years." Masako took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if I've upset you, Yukiko-san, but I know what I've let Kudo do so trust me. Please."
Yukiko sighed. "Alright Masako. I really can't do anything even if I wanted to, can I?"
"Guess not."
"Being a thousand miles away is sort of far."
"Yeah."
"So, I'll talk to you later."
"Thanks."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Masako sighed. This situation is just annoying. Those damn agents. Why do they have to go around ruining people's lives? Masako picked up the now filled teapot and left the kitchen. Who am I to complain? My life isn't that bad... When she arrived at the living room, she found Sonoko sitting next to Ron on the couch deeply engrossed in the movie "Titanic". Masako shook her head as she set the teapot down on the coffee table. The two lovebirds didn't even look up. Masako left the room quietly and headed for the balcony.
As Masako put her hand on the glass door to slide it open, she saw that Ran was crying. She was also smiling. All of a sudden, she pitched forward and hugged Conan. Masako smiled. They worked it out. She took a step backwards, turned and left the room to join Sonoko and Ron in the living room.
~outside on the balcony~
Ran was crying. I must have gotten her upset. Conan looked down. I'm sorry, I just wanted to let you know the truth. He looked up at Ran again was surprised to see Ran smiling. Suddenly, she pitched forward and hugged him.
"Ran........."
"I love you, Shinichi."
Conan's eyes shot up. It's so nice to hear her call me by my real name. I haven't heard that name in ten years. "Ran......"
As Ran let the small Shinichi go, she said, "Thank you, Shinichi, for telling me the truth."
"You deserved to know. I'm really sorry to keep it hidden for so long. You know that it was for you safety, right?"
"Yes and I'm glad you're still alive. I had almost completely given you up and was going to start dating another guy."
"You should have. It's not like I can help you in this form. Besides, I don't deserve your trust. I lied to you so many times." Conan's face showed pain as he remembered how he had lied one lie on top of another to keep her from finding out his identity.
"But Shinichi," Ran said taking Conan's face and turning it so he looked right at her, "You are taking the blame for something you had no choice in."
"I DID have a choice. I could have told you! I'm really sorry. I made you cry so many times. Every time I saw you crying, I knew that I had caused those tears and that I was the one who could have stopped them."
"Shinichi." Ran's tone was firm. "I'm forgiving you now because after all, you are the one I love the most, and I can't be mad at the person I love most, can I?"
Conan was surprised at how Ran had taken in the information so easily. He blinked and stared. "I would have thought that you'd have forgotten me by now."
"Hey, don't stare at me with that clueless expression, Shinichi!" Ran giggled as she got up and pulled Conan over to the railing of the balcony. "I love you too much Shinichi, to ever forget you."
Conan smiled as true smile in ten years. "I love you too, Ran."
Ran giggled again. "You're so cute, like this!" She patted his head.
Conan snorted.
"Conan! That's very childish."
Conan smirked.
"Wipe that grin off your face, you're going me the creeps."
Conan laughed. "Let's go inside now."
Ran nodded.
~back inside~
Ran and Conan noiselessly joined Ron and Sonoko in the living room. Masako was no where to be seen. Conan looked at Ran and mouthed the words, "I need to go find Takashiki."
Ran nodded and then looked back at the screen of the TV. Conan slipped from the room and started for the kitchen. As he neared the kitchen, he heard Masako's voice.
"I understand, but is it possible that you.......?" He couldn't hear the rest. Conan leaned against the door and listened. She's speaking English. It must be some important business.
"But, I really need to talk to him NOW!" Masako's voice was very urgent.
There was pause as she listened to the reply.
"Fine. Fine, but have him call me back ASAP."
She paused again.
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll do that. Make sure you get the info. Thanks, bye."
Conan drew back from the door and knocked.
Masako's head whipped toward the door as he came in. He crossed his arms.
"So what exactly is so urgent?"
"Nothing," she said as she placed the phone back into its cradle.
"You can't lie to me, Takashiki. I've known you too long now."
"Aren't you supposed to be with Ran? What are you doing here?"
"I have finished telling her my story, she accepts me and is currently watching 'Titanic' with Ron and Sonoko."
Masako sighed. "I'm trying to contact the FBI to see if they have caught the few remaining members. I don't know why, but I can't seem to get in contact with them."
"Why is this so important now?"
"Because your mother called and she's all worried about you getting hurt, and I can't just let her worry."
"My mom again?"
Masako nodded.
"Here, let me use your phone."
"Okay, should I stay?"
"Doesn't matter." Conan picked up the phone and started to dial a number.
"Hello? Yes, it's me." He paused. "No, everything is fine. I just wanted to-" He was cut off. He growled. "Listen to me you butthead, I need to talk to your dad NOW, so get him on the phone!"
Masako blinked.
"Hello, yes. No, yes, no no, it's fine. I just need-" Conan's eyebrows shot up. "No, really? Are you serious?" He nodded. "Okay, okay. Hang on a sec."
He handed the phone to Masako. "Here, it's Heiji's dad."
"Oh."
"Hello?" Masako watched as Conan left the room. He mouthed the words, "I'm going back to Ran."
"Takashiki?"
"Yes, sir?" She nodded at Conan. He left.
"You tried to contact the FBI, am I correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"You wanted to know about the remaining uncaught members of the organization, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"I know that a year after you and Kudo left, we caught about 20 more."
"Yes, I know that."
"And then about 5 years ago, we found another secret hiding place and traced a whole bunch more."
"With their real names, right?"
"Yes and then 2 years ago, 5 of the last 10 or so were also caught."
"I know everything up to that. Has there been any more improvements?"
"Yes there has. We caught that Gin and Vodka that you were talking about."
"That's good. They scare the creeps out of me."
Heizo chuckled. "You are definitely right about that."
"Anything more?"
"Well, the leader hasn't been tracked down yet. We know his code name is Bourbon, but nothing else. He was last seen in the Tokyo airport, so we think that he may have escaped to another country."
"We do you think he is?"
"......."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just that we think he's in America."
"Oh."
"I know it's sort of shocking to you, but there is also some good news," Heizo said as he ruffled through some papers.
"What's that?"
"Just this weekend, we found Vermouth, the other big leader."
"That's wonderful. Where was she hiding?"
"She was being the so called "Dr. Araide."
"Oh dear."
"Yes and do you know that Jodie Saintemillion lady?"
"Yes, she was Ran's English teacher. Did you find anything on her? I always found her actions quite suspicious."
"She's part of the FBI, along with that Shuichi guy that Kudo suspected."
"I see, that would explain things."
"I'm told Kudo that we've caught most of the members but I didn't tell him that Bourbon was the only one still lose and that he's very dangerous. I heard that Mouri Ran is over there now and she knows everything now. Is that true?"
"Sort of. She is here, but like Kudo, she doesn't know everything about the organization yet and I don't intend to tell them until Bourbon is caught."
"I understand. I'll be sending some officers to America and get in touch with the FBI there. You may want to keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"I will and thanks for all your help in this."
"You're welcome. Bye."
"Bye."
Masako hung up the phone with a tingle of fear in here eyes. Then, she narrowed her eyes. I think I know this Bourbon. Then she shook her head, put on a fake smile and skipped out of the kitchen.
Outside, a man light a cigarette and glanced at the apartment. It's not over yet, Kudo. It's beginning. The green eyes flashed dangerous before disappearing into the shadows.
~back in Tokyo~
"Ai, are you ready for school?" Hagase called. "It's getting late."
"I'm not going to school today," the seventeen year old girl said.
"What?"
"I have very important matters to attend to."
"Like......"
"Like the antidote for APTX4869."
"But I thought that it was gone and that there's no way to make an antidote without the complete ingredients of the drug."
"I thought that too and I'm very glad that APTX4869 is gone forever. That kind of drug should never have been created."
"Ai......"
"Yes and I did think I could not create an antidote, but I'm very close to succeeding now as I've spent a lot of these ten years on experiments for it."
"I see, I'll make a call to the school and tell them you're not feeling well."
"Thank you."
"No problem, Ai."
Ai smiled. Thank you, Hagase. I've never felt more family from my sister than from you. I really feel comfortable in your house. I feel like I'm home, which I guess, now is home. As Ai walked down to her basement lab, she frowned a bit. Kudo-kun, I heard that the leader is in America. You better be careful since Mouri-san is near you now. She shut the door behind and her and turned on her computer. Just hold on a bit more, I'll get you the antidote.
~to be continued~
Well, I expected this to be the last chapter but then new ideas came up that told me to make some action. Well, I did. I hope you've all liked it so far and I'll try to update ASAP. Thank you to those who reviewed. I appreciate them. So, see you all in the next chapter! ^^
~mysteriousangelgirl~
