Thalia_wong: Here is the second chapter, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Detective Conan.

*~*~*~*~*~( Chapter 2: The Truth really hurts )~*~*~*~*~*

~ Next day morning, Mouri Detective Agency

The doorbell rang, broking the golden silence of morning.

" I'll get it!" Ran said, rushing to the door.

" Good morning, Miss Mouri." Yukiko, once again disguised as Conan's mother, Fumiyo Edogawa, greeted her when the door opened. " Good morning, Mrs Edogawa. Why are you here so early in the morning?" Ran was very surprised at seeing her.

" I am here to take back my son, Conan. Haven't he told you?" " Ah, he didn't. Please come in while I go and wake him." Ran invited her in and walked to his room .

" Good morning, Ran-neechan" Conan said as cheerfully as he could, a big smile plastered on his face.

" Why didn't you tell me that you are leaving?" Ran confronted him angrily, hands balled into fists.

" I didn't want you to get upset, onesan. " And I must leave you, for I do not want to implicate you as well.

" But still, you must tell me first! At least give me enough time to give you a farewell present or something." Ran was upset. She thought he would stay for as long as she needed him to.

" Well, I could come over as often as you like." " You sure? Then, could you give me your address, Conan? So that I can also visit you? " " Sure, wait." Without thinking, Conan scribbled down something on paper and gave it to her.

" Thank you so much for taking care of my son. Sometimes he can be a real handful." " Mum…" Conan growled. Yukiko winked at him and smoothed his hair lovingly.

" Oh, he's more help than trouble." Ran jumped to his defence immediately. " Conan has even helped Father to solve some cases, right?"

" Yeah, remember that …" He started to interrupt." That's enough for now, Conan. We got a plane to catch. Goodbye, Miss Mouri." After she finished, she turned to go.

" Goodbye, Ran-neechan. See you. Take care." Conan bade her farewell before running down the stairs. " Bye, Conan." With her back to the door, she studied the piece of paper in her hand.

" America? This looks familiar. Isn't it… Shinichi's parents' address?" Ran was shocked.

" Conan, you ARE Shinichi, aren't you? Why, you baka, why did you lie? Why did you leave?" Tears began to flow. " That means, Mrs Edogawa is his real mother after all! What about Professor Agasa? Heji called Conan Kudo sometimes…" Revelation shown on her tear-stained face. " They are in it together… I want to know the truth." Turning into the toilet, she washed her face and went straight to Professor Agasa's house.

~ Professor Agasa's house

Shinichi, why did you lie to me? Why? I hate you for this. Ran thought angrily, tears threatening to fall once more, and rang the bell.

" Ran, why are you doing here?" Professor Agasa showed his face.

Ran pushed past him and asked. " Where is Shinichi hiding? Tell me." She held a fist up in threat.

" He's not here. Believe me, you won't find him here." Professor pretended to be brave but inside, he was frightened to death for Ran's fists usually send people into hospital.

" Ran-neechan." Ai appeared, holding up a black cassette tape. " Shinichi-nisan left this for you."

Ran put down her hand and took the black tape. She put the tape in with trembling hands and pushed the play button.

" Ran, I think you already guessed who I am." Conan's voice, Ran thought, of course.

" Yes, I am Shinichi. But believe me, I have reasons for my lies." Shinichi, I will never believe you again. Never. A crystal like tear spilled on the cassette player.

" Soon, I promise, I will tell you everything. But not now. If not, you will be in danger and I do not want anything to happen to you." Why promise when you can't keep it?

" Please take care of yourself. I will see you on Saturday."

The tape ended and Ai took it out. She proceeded into the kitchen to burn it.

" Why? Tell me. I want to know." Ran felt cheated by Shinichi. She had trusted him so much, yet he had to do it. What reason has he got to keep her in the dark like this?

" He will tell you himself, personally. That was what he promised." Agasa said, relieved that Ran did not beat him up.

" I…do not want to hear his lies again."

" Haven't your childhood until now friendship put some trust in him, Ran-neechan? At least, this last time, believe in him." The reddish brown haired girl reappeared, this time carrying coffee.

" Really? I should?" Ran was feeling pain, an excruciating pain she had never felt before and confusion. She sat down, cradling her head, trying to relieve the pain. " Drink some coffee, it may soothe some of your pain." A mug of coffee was pressed into her cold hands.

Why is she so insensitive to Kudo's feelings? Even though he lied to her, he tried all ways to make her happy. Can' t she even appreciate his feelings? Ai thought bitterly as she handed her coffee. She went back to the kitchen. Conan was there, his face sadden. Ai revealed no surprise.

" Ran, believe one more time in me. I only need one more chance." Conan said quietly, apparently sadden by Ran's reactions.

" Don't be such a baka, Edogawa. I think Ran was hoping, in a small fraction, that you would appear and tell the truth." Ai replied loudly.

" Be quiet! You want her to hear us?" He covered her mouth quickly.

" Well…you better be mental prepared on Saturday. She is very aggravated now. Did you saw what she nearly did to Agasa? If she doesn't do anything to you on Saturday, I will be very amazed, Kudo." She took his hand off and smirked at his face, which was full of horror at what was going to happen to him.

Don't you feel anything for me? She asked silently.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thalia_wong: Please review!!!!!! Thank you very much!!!!!