Submitted for your approval is the very beginning of my first Detective Conan fic.
I do not own Detective Conan, any of its characters, or the lines taken from the anime series. Just like everything else, I'm using them for my own and others' enjoyment.
Note: although I am only using the Japanese names, I have left off the honorific suffixes, because I have so much trouble remembering who uses which one with whom. Also, I flip back and forth between using the names Shinichi and Conan ( /NOT A SPOILER/ because they're the same person), depending on my needs.
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Chapter 1: How did I get myself into this?
"The people in the neighborhood told me that the house is filled with all sorts of bizarre books and toys, and that the kid who lived there all alone was eaten by a monster!" Ayumi filled in her friends on her latest investigations.
'That is intriguing,' Shinichi thought. 'A young boy is living alone in a strange house on Second Street.' "So... are you sure it's the right place?"
"Pretty sure... I checked, it's the last house on the left."
The Detective Boys had just solved an extremely difficult case, one that had actually been going on for five or so years. The rush was too much for the four second-graders, and they were already contemplating their next adventure, while waiting for the final bell to ring.
The hair on the back of Conan's neck bristled along with the shiver that ran down his spine, at his friends' excitement. 'That sounds like my house!' It was all he could do to keep from letting this small detail escape his mouth, though.
Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta were already making plans for the after school detour. This made things all the more difficult for Conan. 'We can't go to my house, but if I try to stop them, they'll get suspicious... Maybe I can get them to postpone it, and then ask Professor Agasa what he thinks I should do.' He slammed one fist onto his other hand, and re-focused on the conversation.
Ayumi noticed. "What do you think, Conan," she asked.
"About what?"
"Checking out the abandoned house on Second Street," Mitsuhiko reminded him.
Conan gave his trademark 'trying to stall for an excuse' smile. "Um... today isn't a good day. I have a lot to do after school. I'll talk to Professor Agasa, though, and see if he can let us in or something, since I think you're talking about the house right next to his."
The other three wondered at his weird reaction, but before they could protest, the bell rang to end the school day, and they parted ways. However, instead of going back to the Mouri's (who he had been staying with since he was poisoned), Conan did in fact pay a visit to his good friend, Professor Agasa.
A rather tubby, balding man in a white lab coat answered the door and invited Conan inside. "Oh, Shinichi, it's been a while. How are you, my boy?"
The three-foot-tall former high school student walked in without answering. He sat down on the sofa in Agasa's living room and contemplated how to break the news of the dilemma to his friend.
"You're not usually this quiet when you stop by... it must be something important."
"Professor, you remember that last case I solved with the other kids?" Agasa nodded. "Well, it got them on a haunted house kick. I was so wrapped up in dealing with the effects of the poison in the days after I was attacked, that I didn't see there had been articles in the newspaper. The three of them have since heard rumors which must have spread based on those articles, and now they want to investigate my house because they're under the impression it might also be haunted. If I tell them no, they'll get suspicious, but if I go through with it, someone might figure out who I really am!" Conan made a face when Agasa started to chuckle. "It's not funny! What should I do?!?"
Agasa thought for a while about their new predicament. Everything Shinichi had said was absolutely correct, and they had to be very careful. It suddenly dawned on him that if Ran would be walking by and saw lights on, this could cause some serious trouble. He brought some snacks out from the kitchen, and sat down next to Conan while they ate.
After a while, he broke the silence. "You must not bring them over here."
"But, they're already set on it! And... I told them I'd see if you could let us in."
A puzzled look crossed Professor Agasa's face. "But you can..."
"I know that, but they don't." Conan was standing on the sofa cushion in anticipation of getting a straight answer out of the old man.
"Tell me, my boy, did you consider what would happen if Ran stopped by?"
Conan plopped back down. "No, I hadn't..." He remembered all the times he made her cry, just because he could no longer show her his real face. If she came by and saw that there were lights on... He looked up at Agasa, eyes wide with fear. "There are many more implications with this than I realized."
Agasa nodded. "I gave you my suggestion..."
"Yeah. I should be getting back before Ran worries too much. I'll call you later, after I've thought about it some more. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need your help, though."
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The next day at school, the Detective Boys were eager to hear if Conan had been successful.
'Well, here goes...' "Hey guys, guess what? I talked to Professor Agasa last night, and it looks like he'll be able to let us into that other house." ' /sigh/ I hope I'll be able to keep this according to the plan...'
Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko cheered and did a three-way high five, while Conan hid his face in his hand.
It was all they could do to wait patiently for the bell that marked the end of the school day. When that moment finally came, Ayumi took charge. She looked at the clock, feeling lucky that the sun was setting earlier this time of year. She smiled. "Okay. We'll meet in front of Professor Agasa's house at sunset." She walked away, assuming (correctly) that the boys would follow her instructions.
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Conan went back to the Mouri's apartment to drop off his backpack – there was no use in carrying it around. He figured he would head over a little early to make sure the plan was straight. He was about to walk back out the door, when he heard Ran come up behind him. He turned around to face her.
"What are you up to this afternoon, Conan," she asked with a smile.
He thought for a few seconds about the best way to answer. "I'm going over to Professor Agasa's house with the other kids for a little bit." Conan smiled – it wasn't a lie, but it certainly wasn't the whole truth. He hated doing this to her, but things could get very bad if she knew what was really going on. "Why?"
"I was just curious. Have fun!"
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End Chapter 1
A/N: Well, I hope you liked it. I'm being more patient with the progress of this story, so we'll see what happens!