File 6

"WHAT?!"

Shiho immediately got up and went over. "Well, don't just stand there, get a warm wet towel," she said, starting to take charge. "Call a doctor too---like Araide-sensei whom you always talk about."

"I'll make the call," Heiji volunteered before rushing out to the phone. Shinichi went to do his job.

When both returned, Shiho stood up after examining Ran. "She's having a high fever, probably from all the excitement. We can't leave her here though, she must be moved to another room." She glanced at Shinichi with a meaningful smile.

Shinichi gulped. "I-I have to carry her?"

"Why, I thought you always want to do that," Heiji teased. Shinichi glared at him.

"What are you waiting for then?" Shiho asked.

Grumbling, Shinichi went over and tried his best to pick her up into his arms. He turned unsteadily, swaying too much. Finally, he fell back into the couch. "Aik!"

Shiho smiled in amusement as Heiji tried to cover up his laughter with his hands. "Being a weak child too long, Kudo?" he teased.

"Shut up and help me!" Shinichi snapped.

"I noticed that Kid could carry both of you at once, but you can't carry Ran alone," Shiho commented as Heiji helped him up.

Shinichi glared at her again. Without anymore hesitation, he heaved Ran up again and carried her to the nearest room, walking very awkwardly and bumping against the wall several times. When he finally dropped Ran onto the bed, he arched his back painfully. Shiho came in and covered Ran with some blankets.

Shinichi began to pace the room, stressed out. "This is not good. If Ran's condition gets worse, we can't get her to a hospital or those men will find us!"

"Don't worry, she'll be fine," Heiji said encouragingly. "Where's Mouri-san? Should we let him know?"

Shinichi did not stop pacing. "He's probably still at the studio...safer there. No, it's better not to let him worry. If he comes here, those men might follow him. Aaargh, it's like living in a cage!"

"At least this 'cage' got the things you need," Heiji said, gesturing around him.

"When are you going back to Osaka, Hattori-kun?" Shiho suddenly asked, standing up.

"Eh? Oh, I think it's better for me to stay and take care of you," Heiji replied. "You need someone to do the shopping, deliver messages and such, right?"

"Does Kazuha know where you are?" Shinichi asked, stopping.

"Who? Oh, Kazuha! Of course she doesn't know, otherwise I would have to drag her here. Hey, it's really late...are you hungry? I'm going to grab something to eat, I haven't eaten the whole day," he said, starting to head out.

"Better get something to eat, we didn't have much for dinner," Shiho agreed, following Heiji. "What about you, Kudo-kun? It's no use standing there and watching her. She'll be safe."

Shinichi looked at Ran, and then at Shiho. He sighed. "I guess so." He went after her.

In the kitchen, Heiji pulled out a loaf of bread that he had brought alone. "I can only make sandwiches," he remarked, taking more ingredients out.

"There's a can of tuna here, we can have it," Shiho said, taking the can out of the cupboard which she had been looking in.

"No thanks, I don't like tuna," Heiji declined.

Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "I never knew that."

"Well, you don't know much about me either. Excuse me, I have to make a phone call." Heiji left the kitchen. Shinichi stared after him.

"You think he's acting strange, right?"

Shinichi started when Shiho said so. She was calmly making herself a simple sandwich with tuna in it. "Okay, I admit it," he said with a sigh. "Hattori doesn't act like himself...I wonder why."

"Ask him then," Shiho told him, as if it was an easy thing to do.

Shinichi was glaring at Shiho when Heiji returned. "Okay, I get more helpings," Heiji declared, taking the loaf of bread.

"Hey...Hattori. Are you okay?"

"Mmm?" Heiji was busy piling sandwich filling on his bread, not looking up. "Oh---of course, I'm okay. Why?"

"You don't sound as if you are."

Heiji looked up and stared at Shinichi for a moment. He finally let out a sigh. "Okay, okay. I have a Kendo tournament tomorrow, but I can't go because I'm here."

"Nobody told you to stay," Shinichi told him firmly.

"Nobody told me to leave you here either," Heiji replied as he completed making his sandwich. "They'll work fine without me, don't worry."

He took a large bite of the sandwich. Shinichi could only gaze at him with grateful eyes.

---

Less than an hour later, Araide had arrived and checked on Ran. Shinichi was with him in the room, gazing out of the window. Heiji and Shiho were asleep downstairs, tired out.

It was already four in the morning. Dawn would be breaking in a couple of hours. Shinichi did not feel like sleeping though. He had too much on his mind.

First was the Black Organization. They were probably around, searching for him.

Next was Kaitou Kid. Was he really dead? There was still no news from him. Of course, Shinichi doubted that if he were alive, he would still go around as Kid and make himself a target again. But there was the gun shot. Maybe he was really dead...

Last of all, Ran. The girl was all tired out, and it was because of him. He should not have dragged her into the mess. It could cost her life as well. He mentally hit himself for being so careless. Everyone around him was in danger, and it was his fault. With Heiji around here, he could get into serious danger as well, but he would not leave.

"She's fine, just suffering from high fever," Araide suddenly spoke up, scribbling something on his pad. "When she wakes up, make sure she takes her medicine, and she'll be fine in no time."

Shinichi turned to him. "Ah...arigatou gozaimasu, Araide-sensei," he murmured.

"Dou itashimashite." Araide smiled at him as he stood up. "I haven't seen you around that much, but Ran-chan told me a lot about you, Kudo-kun."

"Oh? What did she say?" Shinichi asked curiously.

Araide chuckled. "I thought you would know."

Shinichi gave him a confused look. "What?"

"She said that 'Shinichi is trustworthy, he won't let me down, and I won't question about him if he would come back'..." Araide recalled. "She really missed you, you know."

Yeah, I know... Shinichi looked at Ran, his eyes soft. "Um, thanks again, Araide-sensei..."

"No problem. Let me know if you need anything else. Ja ne." Araide bowed a little before he left.

When Araide was gone, Shinichi walked over to Ran and sat down on the chair next to the bed. He picked up the damp cloth on the bedside desk and slowly dabbed it on Ran's sweating forehead. She looked so peaceful---and it wasn't the first time he had seen her asleep. His eyes went soft and a small smile formed on his face. He reached out to touch her face.

Suddenly, Ran stirred. Shinichi started so much that he almost fell off his chair. She slowly opened her eyes. "Sh-Shinichi?" she whispered, looking around. "What am I doing here?"

"R-Ran, awaken already?" Shinichi said nervously with a smile. "You---you got high fever. Araide-sensei had been here. Err, let me get your medicine..."

He ran out before Ran could say another word. She sighed.

Shinichi stood at the top of the stairs with one hand on the rail, panting hard. Idiot, Kudo! You aren't supposed to run away! You had your chance and you tried to escape from it! Be brave...be brave...

Just then, his heart suddenly stung. "Aik!" He grasped it, cringing. His body felt so hot that he felt as if he was going to die.

No...not now!