Disclaimer: Nothing from Detective Conan or Magic Kaito belongs to me.

Masked Memories

By: mysteriousangelgirl

Chapter 3: Who are you?

Shinichi visited Ran everyday, and with every passing day, her condition improved. With that, hope of her returning to a normal life increased greatly. Doctors that heard of Shinichi would call him "the miracle detective". Ran wasn't fully out of the vegetative state, but she was able to walk on her own and she even smiled once. Kogoro and Eri were eternally thankful for Shinichi, but Shinichi was still blaming himself, deep down underneath.

One day, after Shinichi had visited Ran again, he sat down on a bench in the Beika Central Park and sighed.

"Man, how I wish I could be a kid again, not having to worry about all this 'adult stuff'......." He put his arms on the back of the bench and slid down into a more comfortable position. Then looked up at the darkening sky and blew out a stream of air. "Wow....it's getting pretty cold....."

"Of course, it's almost going to snow," a voice said, as the person sad down next to Shinichi on the bench. Shinichi turned to look.

"Hattori??"

"What? Not glad to see me?" Heiji teased.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, just visiting. Kazuha and I just got back from London and our plane comes to the Tokyo Airport. I thought I'd just stop by and saw hi, since we'll be here for another day."

"You went to London??"

"Yeah, why?"

"Oh my gosh! Holmes lived there!!! I've always wanted to go to London!!!" Shinichi cried.

"Haha I see. Well, too bad we didn't get in touch before we went. Where's your girlfriend?"

"My girlfriend?"

"Yeah, don't you have a girlfriend yet? I mean, we're 23!"

"Umm....not really."

"What do you mean 'not really'? I've been married to Kazuha for 3 years now!!!!"

"Well, it's kind of complicated....."

"I'm listening."

"Okay.....well I did like this girl......." Shinichi began to Heiji the story of him and Ran. He told his friend how they were separated, and then once again reunited, but then how the car accident affected their relationship, and how Ran's doing right now. He ended the narrative by saying, "So, as long as she gets better, I'll be happy."

Heiji whistled. "Wow.....that's tough luck." He put a hand on Shinichi's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Shinichi sighed. "I didn't anyone else to worry. Partly because it's my fault and I think her parents already have enough on their hands....."

Heiji nodded, looking up at the sky. "Yes I know."

Then Shinichi changed the subject by talking about his recent cases. Pretty soon, he and Heiji and were so deep in the conversation, they didn't see a man wearing all black slip into a dark alley from his spot behind the big oak tree by the park bench that the two detectives were sitting on.

A few days later, Shinichi went back to the hospital after a long day at work. As he opened the door, he was surprised to find Ran awake and sitting up in her bed. Standing by her bed was Kogoro and Eri, who were talking to their daughter. Ran was smiling and when she caught sight of Shinichi, she smiled at him. To Shinichi's eyes, he knew that smile was fake even before he was close enough to make sure.

He greeted Ran's parents politely and then turned to Ran. "Hey, you feeling better?"

Ran blinked. "Umm....yeah sure."

Shinichi frowned. "Ran, what's wrong?"

Ran opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it and looked away.

Eri and Kogoro thought this was weird, but they explained for their daughter. "She came out of the coma thing today, and she's been talking to all her relatives. She must be tired," Eri said, putting a hand on Ran's shoulder.

Shinichi shook his head. "That's not it. I can feel it."

Kogoro grunted.

Ran looked up at Shinichi. She had on a sad expression. "I....I....."

"Hmm?" Shinichi asked, waiting for Ran to say something.

"Who are you?"

-to be continued-

Okay, a really really short chapter, partly because I just wanted to get the amnesia part over with. Again, I don't think I'm really into writing right now, I'm terribly sorry, but I was only able to sit down and write this because my internet broke down, so all I could was type. I saw a review with 'Case Closed' in it and I was kind of upset, but I guess not everyone knows. I absolutely refuse to call my fic 'case closed' it is ONLY Detective Conan. I will never use that dubbed title, moreover the dubbed names, so please don't ask or use those, okay? It may be kind of harsh to new people, but I'm stubborn with the original series. Again, I'm sorry for the delay and bad writing, but please bear with me. I'm so glad for your reviews!!! They always keep me going and thinking that people actually read my writing. Sorry that I can't personally thank the people who reviewed (my internet's down), but I'm really really thankful for your comments. I may have rushed things a bit, but I haven't had that much experience. I promise that the next chapter will be longer, okay? See you in the next chapter!