Disclaimer: It doesn't belong to me.....sigh

Masked Memories

By: t0ky0-chan

Chapter 9: The End?

It had been three years since Chris Vineyard committed suicide in Kudo Shinichi's house.

Since it was such a horrible memory, living in the house all day, the Kudo family moved to another house just down the street, two houses down from Hagase's house. It turns out that what really happened was that Chris shot Shinichi just across the chin, barely hitting the pressure point to knock him out. Hagase heard the shot from next door so he went over to investigate and found Chirs dead with Shinichi unconscious. The professor hurriedly called the police and ambulance, and that's what the police found. (Shinichi DID have to live with a sore jaw for quite a while)

After the incident, Shinichi moved out into Ran's house. A month and a half later, they got married, finally bringing Eri back home, where she said she only remained because she needed watch over the 'drunken man' since Ran's moving out. Another month later, Heiji and Kazuha were married in Osaka. Everyone went down to attend and visit, including Kaito and Aoko. These two hadn't gotten married yet....but they finally did a year later. Now, Shinichi and Ran lived together in a house down the street from Hagase, with Shinichi's parents living in a side wing. But since his parents were still having fun traveling, it didn't bother the newlyweds. Heiji and Kazuha lived in a small apartment in Osaka. Kaito and Aoko lived in a small complex about a half away from Shinichi's house.

One day in the spring, when school had let out and flowers were in bloom, Ran and Shinichi were walking home from work, Ran from a modeling agency and Shinichi from the police's office.

"Shinichi, three years ago, your nightmare ended. When I think back upon it, I don't know what we ever made such a big fuss over it...." Ran reached hand out to catch a falling leaf.

Shinichi smiled. "I know. Things are so different from three years ago. But at that time, all I wanted was for people to be safe and for you to be happy, Ran."

Ran blushed at the statement, but smiled, leaning her head against Shinichi's strong shoulder. "I know. I know. But Shinichi....what happened to Ai-chan and everyone else?"

Shinichi stopped. "I didn't tell you?"

Ran shook her head, worry in her eyes. "What, is it bad?"

Shinichi shook his head and laughed. "No, just amusing. I thought I had told you. So, after Chris committed suicide, Ai realized that she would rather live the way she is now, unlike me, she's wasn't into returning to her previous 'state'. So, she's still Haibara Ai, but she's living somewhere else now."

"Where?"

Shinichi smiled. "Abroad. Somewhere around the world."

"What?"

"She seems to be a prodigy to everyone else, so someone suggested a school to her, so she's majoring in chemistry or something." Shinichi shrugged.

Ran smiled. "I see....So, you want to go anywhere this weekend? I'm off on Friday so you want to take me somewhere?" Ran put her arms around Shinichi and grinned.

Shinichi laughed, taking her into his arms. "Sure, but where?"

"Tropical Land."

Something flashed through Shinichi's eyes. "You...you want to go back there?"

Ran shook her head. "No, I want to bring that story to an end. To go back to where it all began, it's the only way to finish it."

Shinichi nodded. "Alright. I'll take the day off."

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As Shinichi approached the spot where his whole nightmare started year ago, memories, good and bad, hit him hard, he felt the reason why Ran had chosen to come back here. As Ran stood behind him, Shinichi smiled. No matter where he went, or who he became, he was always Kudo Shinichi and no one else. What he had gone through was something no one of the ordinary would believe, but to him, it was a memory, a lesson learned through experience, lessons taught through pain, and trust gained through hardships. It was confidence gained by hurting and love stretched by separation. Everything, all the good and bad, packed into one little story. Some things are painful to remember and some things are happy, but together these memories and experience give us wisdom and guidance in life.

Ran came up behind Shinichi and slipped her arms around his waist. Shinichi held her hands and stood with his eyes closed.

I may never have to experience something like that again, but having what I have now, I'm a pretty lucky guy. Shinichi opened his eyes and pulled on one of Ran's hands, leading her back to the crowded lines of the amusement park.

"That story has ended, but here starts another. Let's have some fun!!" Shinichi said, dragging Ran along to one of the rides.

Ran smiled. "The End. Then, Once Upon a Time, again." Laughing, she followed her husband, and together the couple put one book of their lives away and took out another.

THE END

Completed December 15, 2004

So it's over. I hope you liked it. I will be on vacation for two weeks, so no new stories will be up. Please review!!!!