THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! Love ya!

Enjoy this Chapter, Authors Note at the end


Chapter nine

You are not alone, Part II


"Good morning!" Ran and Shinichi greeted their class as they entered the classroom in Teitan High.

"Oh look, its our long time married couple!" a guy screamed and the others around him laughed and whistled loudly.

"Oh man, your jokes are as lame as they have been back in kindergarten! Youll never grow up, will you?" Shinichi answered, annoyed and rosy cheeked.

"What, what? Is our great detective blushing? Never thought that was possible!"

"Just because I am ashamed of your stupidness!" Shinichi retorted, not as loudly as before though, while putting his bag on his table. The other guys laughed and dropped the topic.

"Hey, have you seen our new exchange student? Her name is Heidi and shes from Germany! Oh man, shes so hot!"

"Soo?" all the other guys nearby asked exited. All the guys, except for Shinichi.

While one was telling the others about the advantages of a real woman, like Heidi or Asami, Shinichi looked over to where Ran was standing, telling a few girls just how great the last football match had been and explaining why the schools football team was the best anyway. He grinned. She caught his grin and grinned back with rosy cheeks.


"Shinichi! Look, all the lights outside! Arent they beautiful?"

She looked outside and waited for a reply but nothing came.

"Shinichi?" she looked at him and found him deep asleep in his seat.

'Sheesh, he is missing the best again! How can he possibly be asleep already? He was probably reading till late again!'

She looked at the moving lights underneath them as the plane took off completely. Ran leaned back and looked over Shinichi, who was sitting at the windows seat, to the tiny lights that were still Tokyo. They were moving quickly by and becoming smaller and smaller. Her eyes trailed off and she looked around the plane until after some time her gaze came to a halt on Shinichis sleeping face.

She observed a little his sleeping face and her gaze turned very soft without her noticing. He had his head leaned a little to one side, his lips slightly parted and was sleeping deeply. She did not know why, but his face was fascinating her in so many ways, especially the last few weeks. And there had not even happened anything that might have caused that change in her, right?

Ran sighed. Tearing her gaze away, she had already started blushing, she realized it had become pretty cold and wondered whether Shinichi was freezing or not. She stood up and took two blankets out of the cub- board above their heads. Sitting down again, she bend over and threw slowly one blanket over Shinichi, tucking him in to his chin. Satisfied with her work and sure he would not freeze or catch a cold, she leaned back, shifted a little in her own seat, covered herself up and closed her eyes as well.

Ran quickly fell asleep, being pretty exhausted herself. Deep in her sleep, she moved unconsciously her head to her left…

Soon after, Shinichi awoke from a tingling sensation on his right arm. A little puzzled, he opened his eyes slowly and looked around. It took him a second to take in the unused surroundings but he soon remembered where he was. Looking down, he realized he was covered up with a blanket but was sure he did not fall asleep with one.

'Who covered me up, then?'

Just then he looked down on his right arm. Blushing furiously, he recognized the brown fluffy ball of hair on his shoulder as Rans head. He looked straight again, his cheeks burning as he did not dare to move at all. He could wake her after all… His heart suddenly began beating uncontrollably.

'Why am I so nervous? Heck, there is nothing special about the whole situation! Its not like… I…am in lo-.. I mean.. it is not even t- the first time…'

He dropped his dangerous trail of thoughts and figured it must have been Ran who had covered him up. Who else? Sometimes they really were like an old married couple…

He blushed deeper and began to distract himself with studying all the people walking pass him, going to the toilet and simply walking around the plane. He found it impossible to fall asleep again, not with her this close. He felt a little stupid but could do nothing about it. He was, after all, not a little boy anymore!

At some point, she shifted her head a little but remained on his shoulder, close to him, her mouth opening the tiniest bit. Her sight totally fascinated him and he stared at her, not able removing his gaze, ignoring his fire red cheeks, absolutely losing all reality around him.

'She looks so beautiful.'

She shifted again, this time moving her head a little to the right and with that off his shoulder. He noticed the blanket had dropped to her waist, and wihtout a second thought carefully took it and covered her up again. Up to her mouth to keep her warm for he did not believe her dress would keep the cold temperatures in the plane off her skin.

'Speaking of old married couple!'he joked to himself and sighed quietly as he lay back in his seat.


"GET LOST FROM THIS AREA, NOW!" the tall, long haired man screamed at the young girl. He then turned to his colleague who was quickly approaching them.

"Can we leave her alone?"he asked the tall man in english.

"No problem. Every crossing to this street is secure already…"he answered in the same language.

Akai Suichi left with his colleague, leaving a scared girl behind.

'Oh no… The serial killer… Hes somewhere close by… I have to tell Shinichi! We have to get out of here…' Ran though worried. She entered the old building and screamed for Shinichi.

"Shinichi.. Hey… AH.."

'Huh?' she kneeled down, looking for what had just dropped down.

'I think I saw… something red around here… Blood? Could it be Shinichis? Something must have happened to him!'

She looked up and saw a door quiecking. Worried to the bones, she ran up the stairs to the door, ignoring the blurry feeling in her.

"SH- SHINICHI!" she screamed. Suddenly she came to a halt, feeling dizzy and her vision was blurred and unclear. For a second everything faded but returned again and she held one hand to her head, panting a little.

'Uh- oh… No… I am feeling sick again… Come on Ran! Pull yourself together! Shinichi came in here because you lost your handkerchief.' She encouraged herself, wanting more than anything to find Shinichi and get him out of the dangerous area.

Ran reached the door and opened it. Stepping through it she realized that she was outside again, on the emergency stairs.

'Yes… Its… its all my fault… All… my fault…' she lowered her head in unbearable shame and pain. With tears in her eyes she had to think at the murder that had occurred a few hours ago. She still thought it was her fault because she had saved the murderer before. Although she really did not know that Rose would… that she would…

'If it wouldnt be for me…' she thought sadly as a noise took her attention.

'Oh… somebody is coming down… Sh.. Shinichi?'

She was looking up the stairs anxiously. A man she had never seen before appearedout of nowhere, obviously in a hurry to escape and walked out of the house and down the outdoor stairs, in direction of Ran.

'S.. silver hair? Blood?' she thought as she looked at him with widening eyes.

"GET OUT OF HERE, RAN!" Shinichi screamed in horror as he saw her standing not far away from the fleeing person. He had come running after the man. "THATS THE SERIAL KILLER!"

The man with the long silver hair just laughed.

"Hehehe… now that you know who I am, girl…"he trailed off for a seconf and took his gun out. "I managed to hide myself in here but that damn kid caught me…"

He was leaning against the railing and preparing his gun with his silencer, readening it to shoot, holding with the other hand his bleeding wound on his stomach, a gift from an earlier battle with the New Yorkers police.

"Well, if you must, resent the one who prepared such an ending for you… Yes, the so called God himself…"

All of a sudden the railing against which he had been leaning broke and he started falling down. Ran was immediately alarmed and jumped forward without another thought, catching the man in midfly by his arm. His silence, he had not had the chance to install properly, fell down on the cold stone ground with a dull noise.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" the silver haired man screamed up at her, completely bewildered. Ran was still holding his arm tightly, fighting with his weight and the gravitation which made it hard for her to hold on for much longer.

"HURRY! HOLD ON TO MY ARM! COME ON! I cant… the rain is…" she was beginning to lose the grip, as suddenly another arm appeared next to her, now as well holding on the hand of the man about to fall down. Ran looked surprised at him and felt his other arm come around her for better hold.

'Sh.. Shinichi…'

"Geez… you really are some trouble…" he managed to say, looking at the man.

The man grabbed on two steal bars next to Ran and Shinichi, then made a jump and pulled himself on top. Shinichi, who had an arm protectively around Ran since the beginning, pulled her quickly behind himself, shielding her from any possible danger. She held on to him from behind, scared and dizzy.

"W.. why? Why did you save me?" the man asked them confused, facing the two who had just saved his life. "WHY?" he suddenly screamed as no answer came from the teenagers. It was far beyond himself why one would risc ones life in order to save somebody else.

Shinichi only grinned, almost amused. "Humph! Is a reason necessary?"

'Huh?' Ran looked surprised at him. She had not expected this as an answer. Neither had the killer judging from his look he gave Shinichi.

"I dont know the motives for a person killing another, but… as far as helping a person is concerned, why should there be a logical mind?" Shinichi went on.

'Yes… you are right… I couldnt realize it myself… I am so…' Ran thought relieved after thinking about his words, understanding it had not been her fault that the murder had happened. She closed her eyes, holding on to him and collapsed slowly against Shinichis back, losing consciousness.

"H.. hey! RAN?" Shinichi turned, shocked and worried and looked down at Ran who he was now holding. He felt her forehead, shocked at the fact that it was really hot and gently started to gather her in his arms. Then he stood up. He had her tightly against his chest and started walking down the stairs calmly.

He noticed from a familiar noise that the serial killer was loading his gun and stopped for a moment, telling him in a cool but frightening voice.

"Dont bother… Youre injured. That means the police is nearby. If you fire a gun without a silencer, theyll definitely come and get you… Too bad I cant do anything to capture you at the moment as well. I will have to let you go for now…

However, I wont show any mercy if I ever see you again… I will prove your cumulated crimes and evil deeds with all evidence necessary. Trust me, I will definitely put you in jail for good."

With that he started moving again, leaving him behind without another look. Ran was more important and he had to get her to a hospital as soon as possible. He looked down at her in concern. Shortly, his gaze softened as he remember what she just did.

'Thats so typical for her! Feeling sick but coming after me! Feeling sick but using all of her energy to save a serial killer. Oh Ran, you have simply a too good heart! But thats exactly what makes her so special and unique!'

And that was one of the reasons he was feeling for her the way he did, he knew it very well.

----

The next day, in Central Park, New York.

Ran had had a good long sleep and her fever had subsided. She was feeling alright again and was outside to take a little fresh air with Shinichi and his mother Yukiko who had come to visit and pick them up. She was currently on the phone. Shinichi had spend the night next to her bed, worried about her.

"Hey, Ran!"he called her.

"Hm?"she turned around and looked at him.

"Look what I have found!"Shinichi had his hands together so that they were forming a sphere. He held his hands in front of her and did not open them. She looked at them curiously.

"What have you got in there?"

"That was what I was wondering. Lets look!" he opened his hands.

"OH, its so cuuutteeeee!" Ran said with big, shiny eyes and moved closer to him.

Shinichi just grinned brightly. The squirrel looked around uncertain and puzzled, still sitting on his hands as Ran observed it with childish delight. He let the little animal crawl up his arm, putting up a little show for her.

After some time he turned to let the squirrel down as he saw from one corner of his eyes Ran putting a hand against her forehead, checking her temperature.

"Hey, are you still feeling feverish?" he asked her concerned.

"Oh, no! Im fine!" she smiled.

"Hold still…Ill check your temperature…" he said, coming closer to her. Shinichi held his pony up with one hand and her hair out of her face with his other. Then he leaned his forehead closer to Rans,his look concentrated . She blushed at the closeness and automatically tried to stop him.

"I told you, I am fine!"

But it was too late. He had already pressed his forehead against hers, holding this position for a few moments, his concern preventing him from blushing because of the unused contact.

"Seems like the doctor was right. It has gone down!" he said and slowly pulled away, looking at her for any sign of discomfort. Relieved, he found none. Not really.

"T- thank you!" she said and looked at him.

"Huh? Whatfor?" he looked confused at Ran.

"Well, for taking me to the hospital and for caring for me…"

"Aahh that! It was nothing! After all, you are my -"

"Come kids! Lets go to eat something! I bet you two are starving as well!" Yukiko said merrily as she closed her cellphone and looked at the two teenager.

"Yeah!" Ran answered, having, after all, eaten nothing since yesterday afternoon.

"Come on, I know this great restaurant right over there! Oh, and Ran-chan, before I forget it: Sharon sends greetings to you. She said that you were right and that an angel did smile upon her. She did not want to tell me what exactly happened but I promised to tell you."

"Oh… thats really great, thanks!" Ran smiled back at Yukiko, being confused but happy.

They started walking, although Shinichi seemed to be a little taken aback. He had been about to tell Ran what she is to him before his mother had interfered.

He had to admit, he was too much of a coward. He could have said, she was his love, which was by now safe to say for him. But he was too scared, having no clue what he was to her, how she thought about it. About him… He guessed he would have said "my best friend" which would have disappointed his heart. Although of course, to some extend, this was resembling the truth as well.

She WAS his best friend, and to his benefit he was in love with her. 'What was better than loving the person you have trusted and liked and have been with for your whole life?' He asked himself and eventually came up with an answer.

'Knowing she loves me back. If I only knew that!'

"What are you grumbling about, Shin- chan?" Yukiko asked him in her merry voice.

"Nuthin. And dont call me Shin- chan!"

The girls smiled at each other but said nothing as they looked after Shinichi who was walking ahead, his hands in his pockets, his body stiff.

Ran was running to him and poked him in his side, making him jump slightly and in the same time tore him out of his thoughts. He turned to her bewildered, only to look into her beautiful, smiling face.

"No time to be grumbling! Were on vacations! Catch me, you mystery jerk!" she screamed playfully over her back, already running away from him.

He looked after her surprised and it took him less than two seconds to smile and run after her.

She hid behind a tree and made him seek her. As he almost caught her, she ran away and laughed, making him laugh as well and Yukiko shook her head, smiling warmly at the kids. She had this feeling that what she had told Rose yesterday was true. That this sweet girl she knew already for so long, might become her daughter in law someday. To be honest, she had known it all along and had hoped that her son would find the guts and ask her. Like his father had, so many years ago, asked her.

Shinichi decided to stop brooding. He could do nothing about the soothing effect Ran was having on him absolutely unconsciously.

'But I guess, it is not important right now. Most important is, that she is alright. And, after all, I have time to find out about her feelings! Lots of time. And till then, I can simply enjoy her closeness.'

"GOTTCHA!" he screamed as he found her behind a tree and startled her, making her run away once again, laughing badly as he caught and tickled her, but gently, afraid she might faint again.

After some time they calmed down and walked to Yukikos side who had seemed lost in her own thoughts but was smiling warmly at 'her' children.


"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"YOU IDIOT! THATS NOT FUNNY!"

"I think it is! HAHAHAHA!"

"Fine, Ill just GO then!"

"Oh Ran, come on, dont be mad! You just look so funny, falling again and again!"

"Humpf!" she looked annoyed at him, then turned her head away.

"COME ON! Dont be mad!" he said while scating around her.

"Why shouldnt I be?"

"Coz I am so cute and you can not be mad at me for longer than a minute?"

He told her and gave her his cutest, puppy-eyes he could manage. She slowly turned her head to look at him and raised an eyebrow in disbelief and puzzlement.

"Huh?"

He laughed and dropped the fake face.

"JOKE! You can not be mad at me coz you are such a nice person and I will get you to icescate no matter what!" he said with a grin and kneeled down, offering her an arm.

Hesitating a little, she looked into his eyes with doubtful gaze, one eyebrow still raised, trying to decide if he was speaking the truth. He was right. She could not be mad at him for long. So she just took his arm and let herself being helped to stand up again.

"Now, lets try again!" he suggested and slowly started moving.

"Aaiiikk!" Ran screamed as she clung on to his arm.

He just smiled down at her and held one of her arms, moving slow, giving her time to adjust to the gliding over the cold ice.

"See, its working!" he beamed at her. She looked down at her feet doubtfully, then smiled up at him.

"Yeah!"

His heart started beating faster but he showed nothing on the outside, pretending his rosy cheeks were coming from the cold of the ice. Then she suddenly fell again, landing on her behind. He just could not help himself.

"Hahahahaha!" Shinichi burts out laughing.

"SHINICHI!" she growled but he was already kneeling at her side, taking the arm of the surprised Ran and lifting her up again.

"Lets try again. This time, hold on to my hand and try to remain upright, okay?"

"O- okay!" she answered, so surprised that she had not had even time to be mad.

They tried again. Ran was swaying dangerously and he put a hand flat on her back, helping her stand straight. It was working. She could now manage to hold herself upright.

They continued scating a few rounds around the ice.

"Its.. its working!"

"Yeah! You are doing this great! I even took my hand away from your back. You are standing all alone!"

"What?" she was amazed to find out he was saying the truth. The only thing he was holding now was her hand. She stayed silent and concentrated on scating which was a little difficult considering the light and pleasant tingles that were constantly running up her hand that was entwined with his.

"I.. I can scate!Yiippiiiii!" she screamed a little and started moving faster.

"RAN! Wait, or well…" it was too late. She has already slipped and was falling backwards but since he held her hand, he caught her so that she landed on him. But he also slipped from the extra weight and fell backwards on his behind, with her on top of him.

"Umpf!" he made and as he opened his eyes, looked into her stunned face.

They looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing loudly, seeing the funny looks of the other. Eventually, they calmed down again.

"Come on, lets try again."he said softly and held his hand out to her.

"Yeah!"she smiled back and took it.


"Hey, Conan?"

"Huh? Oh.. yes? What is it Ran..-neechan?"

"Do you already have a girlfriend?"

"Huh?" the little boy asked surprised.

"A girlfriend! If there is a girl you like really much?"

"N- no, not really!" he answered a little shyly, wondering inwardly where this was leading.

"I do! I have somebody I really like a whoooole lot! He really means a lot to me!" she was looking up the sky like as if lost in thoughts.

"Yes?… Do you mean this Shinichi- niichan you were looking for earlier?" he giggled a little knowingly.

"…"

She was looking down at him, slightly taken aback but then suddenly her expression changed.

"Thats right!" She smiled down at the little boy very warmly.

"Oh?…" his mouth opened in surprise as he stared blankly up at her, his cheeks coloring even more with every word escaping her lips as she started telling about Shinichi while looking up the sky with a blissful expression.

"Even since we were little he had only troubles in his head… always full of himself… always a mystery jerk…But when you need him he is dependable.. he is so strong. And brave. And cool.. My Shinichi…." She smiled up the sky, now blushing a little herself while the boy was looking at her with big eyes and a deep blush.

"I love you! But… dont tell him, ok?" she ended her statement with smiling down at him and pressing a finger to her lips, trying to make it clear he should not tell Shinichi about her little secret.

"O- okay…" the little boy stammered, his blushing reaching the highest grade of red. He tore his gaze away for he could not look into her eyes anymore. Instead he looked straight, his eyes huge in realization. His look yet changed a little later to shame and sadness. Emotions so unlike for normal boys at his age.


Ran was on the way home from shopping with Conan. It was snowing but a rather light snow was falling and they were walking hand in hand in the direction of their house.

"So they found the fingerprints after all. Just like Paps had said, right on the hairbrush! I never knew he was so smart!"

"Oh really…." a slight sarcastic undertone was swinging in his voice but remained undiscovered by her.

"And Yoko- san decided not to sue Yuuko- san after all… she just said theyll be rivals."

"Hm…"

"Ah there she is…Yoko- san!" Ran was looking up at a huge television over a store where you could see Yoko singing a sample from her new album.

"Shes so strong! Already back to her feet after what happened to her!" she admired.

'No Ran, shes just trying her hardest to perform and hide her grief… Idols always.. need their fans.' The little boy thought, also looking up at the screen.

"Huh?" he felt something drip on his hand he had linked with Ran and looked up at her as another drop touched his hand.

"But I couldnt do that! I could never be as strong as she is!" Ran was brushing some tears away from her eyes.

"Ran- neechan?" he looked concerned and with slightly opened mouth at her.

"I cant even sleep at nights, just because Shinichi is gone…." she smiled sadly as she brushed more tears away.

"I am really hopeless, arent I?" she forced a smile and closed her eyes as she looked down at the boy who was looking at the ground in front of him sadly.

"Y- yeah…" he said after some hesitation with an undefined expression

"I really am…" she said and trailed off.

An extreme sad and worried expression was playing on the face of the little boy as they continued walking.

----

'Its too weird, for Shinichi to be gone for an entire week…. Something must have happened…' Ran thought, sitting on the couch in the dark living room. She was extreme worried about Shinichi. She had not seen or heard anything from him for an entire week. He never was away this long without telling her where he was. She wondered frightened and concerned what could have happened to him.

'But nothing could do that to Shinichi… oh Shinichi…' the image of the smiling Shinichi came into her mind and tears started forming in her eyes again.

'Please come back soon… SHINICHI!' she screamed inwardly, clenching her eyes tightly closed. Her hands clenched to fists as well. Her whole body tensed.

Suddenly the telephone rang and cut through the silence of the room. She looked at it for a moment, then stood up, walked over to it and cleaned her face before answering it.

"Hello? Mouri detective agency?"

"Ran… its me!" her eyes widened in realization and shock.

'Shi… SHINICHI…' tears started to gather again.

"I just figured, youd be probably crying your eyes out by now, worried about me…so I just called."

"You JERK… WHY WOULD I BE CRYING?" she screamed as she brushed the tears away.

"Where are you now, Shinichi?" she asked concerned, anger and everything else but her worry forgotten quickly.

"Ive gotten involved in a really tough case… I dont think Ill be able to come home soon…"

"A case?"

"Hey, dont worry…. Ill be back as soon as I finish it! So you dont have to worry!"

A little boy was in a telephone box, talking to her through his bow tie, his expression turning serious at his last words he meant with all his heart. Now, hearing her relieved voice, he was smiling, feeling his own hearts relief. And, hearing his voice was reason enough for her smile.

'You can not imagine, Ran, how sorry I am for making you sad and causing you to worry… But as soon as I get my body back, and lose my childs voice… then Ill let you hear it….. My real voice… with all my feelings for you!'

They continued talking until he had to stop. He hung up, her last words ringing over and over in his mind, grief and sadness increasing inside of him.

"Come back soon, Shinichi! Please take care!"

He held on to the receiver he had just hung up gently for a few more moments, looking lost at it with an empty and also lost gaze.


"Yes, exactly Takagi. From the situation we can conclude that it was suicide." Inspector Megure concluded.

"No, it was not suicide…" the black knight spoke up.

"What?" the Inspector turned surprised to him as did almost all the other people in the big hall.

"It was a very simple, elementary murder." The knight went on, sounding certain of himself as he walked closer to the others.

'Huh' Ran looked surprised at him, still in her princess dress.

"Yes, Mr Putian was poisoned. Someone took advantage of the darkness, and his insignificant little habit. And the murderer is still carrying the evidence. If my deduction of this daring action, is indeed the truth."

By now everybody in the room was looking at him and at his deductions. The whole teitan students that were responsible for the play this year, just as much as the visitors, parents and guests where looking surprised and confused at the actor in the costume of the black knight they had thought was only a common and normal student.

As he slowly lifted his helmet and revealed his face, the whole room was gasping and staring with open mouths at him, not believing what they were seeing. The man was grinning.

"Ku.. Kudo- kun…?" Inspector Megure spoke first, very surprised.

"KUDO?" Heiji was shocked as all hell.

'What..?' Ran thought surprised, looking at him with open mouth.

"But why…?" she turned to look at Conan and looked confused back.

At once, the whole room started to speak, surprised and enthusiastically, making it sound like as if suddenly a large bomb had exploded.

'But.. that cant be true! Shinichi is… Shinichi is…' Ran looked at Shinichi, then at Conan again.

Everybody was cheering loudly because of the return of their most famous student, the pride of Teitan High, the great detective, Shinichi Kudo! He, on the other hand, only looked surprised around the crowd and put a finger to his lips although he was more than pleased they had not forgotten him while he had been away.

"Please, be quiet! Lets continue our celebration after the curtain of this bloody stage closes!"

The whole people closed their mouths and made others close it, listening to Shinichi without hesitation.

"Shinichi…" Ran spoke up quietly as she walked a little closer to him.

"Are you really Shinichi?"

"Idiot, what kind of question is that? Who else should I be?" he looked at her as if she was crazy for a second as his look turned serious, a faint rose painting his cheeks.

"I have to tell you something important after this…"

"Huh?" Ran listened confused to his words.

".. so dont run away." he whispered to the surprised Ran.

Then he gave her his helmet without another word, like as if it was the most normal thing to do, trusting her and only her with his things right after his return like as if nothing had happened, showing their intimacy and familiarity, and eventually started explaining to the waiting audience his deductions.

----

After successfully solving the case, the murderer had to admit in defeat.

"Ive been defeated. As someone who went to the same school I take pride in you." Wuyi said, looking at the detective that had just returned.

"Save the rest for later!" Takagi said and took her away.

"That was so great! You are still so reliable!" Inspector Megure beamed at Shinichi brightly.

"Hehe, I am doing okay!" he smiled a little embarrassed.

'If you knew, how much practice I get…' Shinichi thought, still smiling the same smile at the Inspector.

"Not bad but you still can not beat me!" Kogoro said, looking pretty sure of himself and then shocked and puzzles as nobody noticed him and even Megure had pushed him to the side, talking to Shinichi excited.

"How about a confession! You havent heard one in a long time!"

'Confession, he says. How funny, I am about to make my own confession and thats way more important!' Shinichi thought and then answered the Inspector politely.

"No, thank you but it is not necessary! I still have some personal business to attend to."

Shinichi was looking at the surprised and puzzled Ran from the side, a slight smile playing on his lips.

'She seems still really surprised. I gotta hurry and talk to her before… I already lost lots of time!'

"Oh Inspector, by the way. Please keep my part in this case a secret."

"No problem. But youve been so modest lately."Megure walked away, followed my Kogoro.

"Why dont you go and hear the confession? You never know when you can use the experience!" Heiji asked him, now standing next to him.

"Theres no need. You know, the way a murder is committed, is just a riddle written by mankind. As long as mankind ponders over it, the answer will be found!"

Shinichi started to sweat a little.

"But its sad that no matter how hard I try, I cannot figure out the reason a person kills another." He sweated even more and started panting heavily.

"There is no logical mind behind it, no riddle, o- only emo- tions!" he broke down on a chair, trying to hold himself upright as his heart started beating powerfully.

"Kudo!" Heiji screamed alarmed.

'Damn… my time is up sooner than I thought… I finally changed back… it was going so well…' he gripped his heart, panting and swearing inwardly.

-"This is the antidote to APTX 4869, I made it by studying Vodkas ingrendients. You might die. Do you want to try it?" These had been Ais exact words.-

'Of course I wanted to try it! I had to try it! After all, this was about Ran!

And if I turn back into Conan now, Ran will know…' he slid down off the chairs and on the floor, his body burning, sweating heavenly, heart racing, not being able of holding himself up anymore.

'Damn.. I cant go on… my body... cant move…anymore…" laying on the floor, he lost consciousness.

"SHINICHI!" Ran, who had kneeled beside him, screamed and immediately took his head in her lap, preventing it from touching the cold and hard ground.

"A doctor! Please, somebody get a doctor! QUICK!" she screamed, lost in her concern. She held his face, stroking it, looking worried at him and saw he was still panting, so she brushed sweat off his forehead.

"SHINICHI!" she tried a last time, panic underlining her voice.


"SHINICHI!"

A pain as hot as a lightning shoot through his body, going from his feet to head and right to his chest. His hand came immediately up to grip his heart tightly, preventing it from being torn out by some unknown force. Loud, ragging pantings were escaping his mouth as his eyes shoot open and he sat up abruptly. In his mind Rans cries for him were ringing over and over again. Her crying out his name loudly and with shaking voice, full of fear, breaking halfway.

Still gripping his heart and panting, he looked around confused and found himself in his bed, covered with sweat. He realized it was still deep night for the sun had not rose, not even a little.

His grip on his heart loosened as the pain slowly faded and soon his breathing had returned to normal. He thought he must have imagined everything because, a second ago, he had been dreaming about his turning back into Conan. Or his almost turning back, for this time he did not! Turn back into Conan that is and the antidote seemed to be permanent indeed.

Letting go of his chest completely but slowly, he looked down on himself and found himself still in his own body. A sigh of relief escaped him. He did NOT turn! Just then he realized the weight on his legs. Looking at it, he saw a girl lying in his lap, her hair messy, deep asleep on him. He must have let go of her as he had suddenly sat up. Good thing she was a heavy sleeper.

Everything came back to his mind. What happened after he broke down in the school. His first night in his own bed for a long time, his almost first day in school which he never attended because he had spend some time with Ran.

And Ran… they had spend the whole day together, in his bed, outside, everywhere! He had confessed his love to her, finally, and she loved him back. They had eaten together and had played together and had fell asleep together in each others arms. He had never imagined for it to feel this good, this great, this… right.

Everything was perfect!

Shinichi slowly stroked her hair back, revealing the beautiful face of his love underneath the veil of brown, satinlike courtains. He gripped her shoulder gently with one hand, and cupped her head with his other and tenderly heaved her over to the pillow. Brushing a few bangs of hair out of her face, his hand absentmindly continued stroking her hair as he simply looked at her.

The fear the last part of his intense dream had awoken within him, was still sitting deep in his bones. He thought he almost had lost all that again. All he had worked and suffered for for so long, all he had longed for and all he had ever truly needed, all the happiness. Everything was laying in his bed at this very moment, sleeping peacefully on his pillow and next to him. She was his all, his everything. If he had changed back, he would have lost everything that was important to him, all over again.

But thank god it was not like that. She was still with him. And he was there with her. That was all that mattered in this moment.

Shinichi bend down and pressed a long and loving kiss on her forehead, closing his eyes during the process. Pulling back he grinned as he saw her content and blissful expression that had magically appeared on her face and she snuggled deeper into the blanket, breathing in deeply.

Everything was indeed perfect!

Finding it too early to stand up and not even liking the idea of standing up ever again as long as she was there with him, in his bed, asleep, nestled comfortable between his sheets, he decided to go back to holding her and back to sleep as long as it was possible. It was horribly hard to keep his hands off her now, even for another second.

He pulled his hands away from her and was about to lay back down and hug her again. Halfway down however, he suddenly felt very hot. He thought about standing up and opening the windows a little, wondering why it was so hot at this late hour, as he realized he was sweating again. A hand whipped his forehead off as he started panting involuntarily.

'Whats going on?'

Suddenly an immense pain ripped through his whole body once again. He sat up the whole way and realized he was panting heavily now. His hand came up to grip his head, for it had started to ache like crazy and his body started feeling like as if somebody had set it on fire, only to discover his forehead was covered in icy sweat.

'No, this cant happen, not now! I am only imaging it!'

He started panting even more and sweat ran now uncontrolably down the sides of his face. He looked down at Ran who still slept innocently next to him.

'Oh my god, please no! Not now, dont do that to me! Ive finally found her, you cant take her away from me, again! No, please my body, NO! Dont! DONT ! PLEASE! AAAAAARRRRRGGHH! NOOOOOOO!'

He bit his lip, trying not to scream out loud but knowing he cant hold back much longer. He had to get away from here and her as soon as possible. Had to get far away from her, right now. Panting harder and gripping his heart tightly as another wave of pain shoot through his body and he almost screamed out loud, biting his lip so hard it drew blood.

He stood up on shaky feet, pulling the blanket away and around her as good as possible with one hand and ran out of the room as silently as he could. He didnt want to wake her! Could not risk waking her! Did not want her to see him like this. God, life was so unfair! First he-

"Aaaarrrgh!" he screamed as silently as he could, forcefully grinting his teeth together to stuffle the noise and fell on his knees in front of his room. Tears started to form in his eyes, partly out of pain and partly out of grief! He couldnt believe that his body should turn back. Why now? Why at all? WHY?

With his last power, he crawles two meters away from the door and towards the stairs. However, soon all his powers left him.

Ran turned around in her sleep, one arm reaching over to his side but landing in nothing. Her forehead distorted, her dream starting to turn into a negative one, a cold one since she was beginning to feel cold as well. Her eyes were racing quickly underneath her eyelids and her head turned restlessly from one side to the other. Her mouth opened slightly but closed again. Then one single tear formed in the corner of her eye and ran down her cheek as her expression changed as well. It now did not seem blissful at all anymore, rather hunted and tormented, distorted and horror struck.

Like as if she was sensing something was happening. Something wrong. Her lips opened slightly.

"Shinichi…" she murmured quietly, her head still trashing a little as fresh tears followed her whisper.

'God, NO! Aargh! No, please! Aaaarrgghh! RAN!' were his last thoughts. He screamed out again as an overwhelming wave of pain tore through his body violently and eventually all of his powers left him. He fell forward, dropping unconsciously on the floor.


End Chapter nine


Well? What do you think? I know I am mean but what can I do? So, now I have finally uploaded the story as far as it was once... historically moment... This is the PRELAST Chapter! Only one more to go!

I do hope you are fully aware of the fact that it depends alone on your reviews IF, HOW FASTand simply HOW I will continue this. Everything is possible, what is going to happen now? Will she wake up alone? Will everything turn out as a bad dream? Will she discover him in that state and dump him, kill him, demand an answer, leave him?It really really depends on the amount of and on the reviews themselves, so... think about it please! I am waiting anxiously and do not forget, EVERYTHING is possible, and I mean it!

(hugs and kisses) jojo