Disclaimer: Characters of Detective Conan does not belong to me.

*~*~*~*~*~( Chapter 8: Memories of Shiho Miyano)~*~*~*~*~*

" Did any of you hear anything?" Agasa asked, worrying his ears might have a hearing problem. " Was the sound like a police car's siren?" Yusaku said, turning his attention to him. "That was what I heard too." Yukiko turned her head towards this white haired neighbour who had helped her son so many times.

Ai pointed at a patch of clearing outside the window. " Is that the FBI?" She sounded as though she was bored. In fact, she was worrying inside, concerned about the person she cared about the most.

Five cars bearing the familiar FBI sign arrived and stopped by their van.

A very attractive, blond haired woman stepped out from one of the cars and walked to where Yukiko stood.

She felt pressed by a sinister atmosphere. It was like an aimed sharp arrow, piecing through her every bone, nerve, muscle and she could not even breath properly.

" Ai? what's wrong?" Agasa noticed Ai's shaking hands and came to her. " They are... here... here..." She was shaking violently by now, beads of sweat evident on her frightened. " Who?" Yusaku who was outside with Yukiko, asked.

" ......." Ai was too shaky to answer. Thoughts of death started appearing and haunted her every now and then.

She's here...to kill me, the traitor!!!!

Agasa gently led her outside for fresh air, holding her firmly. Yusaku went inside the van to take over from her, giving Agasa a worry glance.

Jodie Satemillion and Shuichi Akai were discussing something with Yukiko who looked delighted. Several officers were walking around, occasionally speaking into black walkie-talkies which they carried with them. Others were surrounding the ruined building, guns drawn as though they were expecting some dangerous serial killers popping out.

" Hello, little Ai." Jodie smiled sweetly at her and examined her from head to toe. Yup, this was the girl they was looking for. " Why are you shaking so much? Are you having a heat stroke?" She asked in an affectionate manner. Shuichi just stared at the girl coldly, not revealing any emotions.

Ai saw Shuichi and blacked out without saying a word, falling onto the soft ground with a soft plop. Agasa gave Yukiko a concerned look and picked her up gently. " She's feverish. Ai had a rather high temperature last night and did not sleep well. I think it's better to let her rest." With that, he carried her to the front seat of the green van and covered her with a brown jacket he found conveniently behind the seat.

Meanwhile, Ai Haibara slipped back into her long forgotten memories as Shiho in her feverish state.

" You are suppose to be my flatmate?" Shuichi Akai was very surprised at finding a 16 year old girl, suitcase and all, at his door.

" Guess so, this is the address they gave me." Shiho Miyano was terrible annoyed by this man's reaction. She had travelled at least 14 hours from Japan to New York and she was so tired that she could drop on the spot and sleep through an earthquake. She was expecting a warm welcome, not interrogation.

" I was expecting someone else called Shiho." He stood his ground, refusing entry to the weary girl. She look mature for her age. Shuichi thought when he first saw her. She looks tired too, but I can't let a stranger into my house like that. What if she's a spy?

" I'm Shiho." Now she was furious, fire danced wildly in her fierce blue eyes, her hand reaching for her passport.

" Really? I think Shiho is a guy's name, not a lady's. " Shuichi grinned at her.

" Look," She flashed her passport angrily in front of him. " I am a female and I'm not planning any sex change operation."

" Oh," He moved to one side and proceeded to carry her luggage. " Well, sorry for the mix-up." Shiho marched behind him, making every step as loud as possible, and slammed the door as hard as she could. Curses from neighbours were heard.

" Are you still angry?" He leaned against the dark blue door frame of her room. She ignored and pushed past him, slamming the door again, this time in his face.

" Touchy, aren't you?" He commented loudly to the door and went to nurse his bruised nose.

Finally alone to rest, she studied the room she was given. The room and furniture were in shades of blue and silver, her and her sister's favourite colours. A round disc above gave out a warm yellow light, making her homesick for Japan. She pulled the floor length curtains apart, revealing New York's beautiful night scene. It was simply breathtaking, with the colourful lights and stars adorning the city. From her battered dark blue suitcase, she took out a framed photograph and placed it on a small table located near the window.

" Hello, Sis. I have reached US safely. How are you now?" Shiho asked the photograph which showed a twelve year old Akemi Miyano hugging a two years younger Shiho. Both of them were smiling in happiness. But the organisation had shattered this happiness, tearing apart them, one living a normal life but under surveillance and she getting deeply involved in the dirty work.

They only meet up twice a year and were allowed only three hours each time. Did they have a choice? Yes, to die or be one of them. Akemi wanted to get her out of this and she would replace her younger sister. Alas, the organisation wanted talent like Shiho and refused, threatening to kill them both if she ever make such a suggestion again. However, they promised to let Shiho go when she completed her studies and a project and would not involve her in any other thing. Akemi agreed to this agreement, waiting for the day she would be release from their clutches.

Shiho broke out of her thoughts and looked at her watch. It was near midnight and university were starting the next day. She quickly unpacked the rest of her luggage and settled for the night.

That hair... could it be? Shuichi saw the reddish brown haired girl fainted in front of him, thinking about the familiarity of her face. But she's a 18 year old! How could she be a child? Unless it really happened... Jodie had discussed the possibility of adults shrinking into children with him but Shuichi did not believe in the impossible. How can a full grown man turn back into a child? Only God can do that, not human.

" Is she all right?" Yukiko asked when Agasa returned frowning. " I think so. I left her at the front seat to rest. Maybe it's the heat that got to her."

" I'll go and watch her." Shuichi announced and left the group. He took a few swift steps and reached the van. Ai's eyes were closed and she was mumbling some stuff he could not hear.

~ Cafe Louffe

Despite their first bad meeting, they were in love with each other within three months. They enjoyed many happy moments in each other's company, like celebrating Shiho's first Christmas. They put up a enormous white Christmas tree in the centre of the living room and laughed themselves silly, watching how the tree was weighted down by the heavy ornaments they hanged.

Shiho had arranged to meet him at this small cafe which served delicious submarine sandwiches. Perhaps to think a way to celebrate her early graduation? Shuichi smiled at the thought. Shiho was a genius in way of science. Her work was even praised by the top scientist in US and was allowed to graduate much early than her other classmates. Her graduation ceremony was held yesterday and he attended with much delight.

Shuichi stirred his coffee and waited patiently for her. Fifteen minutes later, she walked in flushed in the face, her blue scarf trailing behind her. He signalled her over and asked the waitress for a cappuccino. He noticed her azure coloured eyes were covered with a mist of sadness and awareness. The arrived shortly and she placed her hands around the steaming cup, eyes looking around nervously. Shuichi reached out and brushed away the snow in her reddish brown hair.

" Are you working for the FBI?" She asked suddenly, eyes burning a hole in him. Shuichi was stunned by her question.

How did you know? How on earth did you know I was an undercover? He asked her mentally for an answer, keeping a straight face.

" Yes or not?" Shiho demanded an reply. She did not believe what Gin told her last night. She had to know. If he was from the FBI, she had only one choice; silence him. Gin was waiting outside in his black Porsche, observing her every move and waiting to hear the gun shot. He lit a cigarette and took out his gun, smiling coldly.

I can't lie to her... He began to nod his head, his eyes avoiding her reproaching, cold eyes.

The glass shattered almost immediately behind him, the bullet grazing his shoulder. Blood gushed out. Shiho looked out and saw Gin's black revolver and his smirk. Her eyes widened in shock.

" Everyone get down right now!" Shuichi yelled in English, pulling Shiho down. He took out a small cell phone. " Lisa, backup! Gunshot at 7th Avenue, near Trafalgar Square, Cafe Louffe." He said, not giving any concern to his injury. " Sorry, Shuichi." She struggled out of his hold and ran out of the cafe. " Forget me." He saw her getting into the very same Porsche with the enemy.

" I won't, Shiho Miyano. I will make you pay by crying tears of blood." Shuichi swore, clutching her left behind scarf which he was staining with his blood. All his love for her now turned into hatred, a raging fire threatening to swallow him whole and Nemesis, the goddess of revenge had became his patron god.

A day later, Shiho and Gin were back in Japan. She was given Project D and given a lab located near Beika City to work in. Time passed quickly and her invention, APTX- 4869 was soon ready for human experiments.

Shiho, now codenamed as Sherry, was wrapping up her work for the day when her colleague, Grenache, walked in with a face of concern.

" Have you heard about your sister, Sherry?" They could only call each other by their codenames to prevent betrayal and leakage of information. They did not know anything about the head except a couple of codenames and rumours. The codenames were based on names of wines.

" Not since we met two months ago. Why?" Sherry was surprised he would ask about her. The topic he usually talked about was either APTX-4869's development or the organisation, rarely they would talk about their family.

" I heard some news about her from another friend." Sherry was suddenly grasped by a sense of foreboding. Her sister was in danger, she just knew it. She told her to stop dabbling in the organisation's work but Akemi would not listen, and said she was doing all this for her own good. " You will be released soon, little sis. Gin promised me." Akemi said happily before parting.

" Sherry, she's rumoured to be dead." Grenache said gravely, ruffling his dark hair and looking away. He took out a old, crumpled article out of his pocket and gave it to her. It was the one on the billion yen bank heist that happened two days ago. Two suspects were killed by the remaining person and it was stated she killed herself in guilt. She scanned through the article quickly and stopped at the names of the robbers. Her sister! She could recognise her false name anywhere. Akemi had made up that name based on her favourite lecturer.

It must their work! No wonder Sis said she could get me out much earlier! She thought furiously, blood steaming through her vessels. She dashed out of the lab immediately and went to the headquarters, demanding a reason for Akemi's death. They refused to tell her anything. Sherry halted the development of APTX-4869 until they gave her a good explanation. They imprisoned her after a few days of her protest, locking her in the gas room of the lab.

" Sis..." Ai murmured, a tear rolled down her cheek.

Her recollection stopped and she woke up, feeling weak and hot. The memories were as though they happened yesterday. She could still felt Shuichi's blood on her arm and the agony she went through to shrink back into a child.

A hand reached out and grabbed her little hand. Ai looked around frantically for its owner and saw Shuichi's calm face. " You!" Ai uttered in shock and tried to wrestle her hand out of his grip but he was too strong for her. Shuichi opened the door wider and sat beside her. She shrank back against the other door, shivering with uncertainty in her eyes.

" Shiho." He said quietly, staring at her straight in the face. Ai slipped on her veil of deception. " Who?" She answered innocently. " Don't pretend to be a child." He increased the pressure on her hand. Ai winced in pain. " I don't know what you are talking about, oniisan." She continued her act, playing for time and feigned ignorance.

" Ai, trouble!" Yusaku called out from the back. Ai used the chance to escape from Shuichi and ran to him. Everyone except Jodie was there, crowding the tracking machine. Many bright red dots were surrounding two green ones. Shinichi and Heji were in danger.

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

Thalia: Finally finished!!!! Thanks to Applejack and Sherry who answered the questions that were bugging my mind!!!! I'm explaining some weird stuff in the fic below...

1) Ai was supposed to go with Shinichi and Heji, but out of concern of her high temperature and Gin's appearance, they made her stay out of the actual mission.

2) Shiho went university at 16, which is the youngest the U can admit. If she clever enough to invent APTX- 4869, Shiho should be capable of attending U at 16. ( Us at USA requires at least a Year 12 certificate, if I'm not wrong)

Thalia: By the way, I thinking of killing someone off in the next chapter. Anyone got suggestions to who to kill? Please review!!!!