Chapter 4: Moving Forward

A/N: Well, here's another chapter.

Dy, wherever you are, I'll thank you here since I can't send you a pm to do just that and to answer your questions.

Thank you so much for leaving a review and a well thought one at that. I would have argued with Gosho on how perfect ShinShi is for each other but my heart still bleeds from disappointment. I agree with you, Conan needs Ai. Ran is an enabler; Ai keeps him on his toes and from his suicidal heroics, no matter how stupendous they look. But I also want to explore this possibility of ShiRei/ FuruShi/ Reishi. I think they could have an interesting dynamic. I think Shiho also needs someone who would take her out of her shell and be more open.

Regarding Rei's hair, well I don't have any excuse other than my lack of research. haha. Let's just pretend that it's dyed in this fan fic. lol

Anyway, Please don't hate me for this chapter. Shinshi will have their moment.

Disclaimer: I claim no right over DC. If I have, ShinShi would have been canon. Now, let's all cry together.

Shiho

I slowly cracked my other eye open, only to be momentarily blinded by the light. When I'm sure enough that my eyes have adapted to the brightness around me, I flung them open.

'Where am I? It's too bright. I tried to move. I noticed that my face is on top of something hard. Muscular.'

It steadily rises and falls. My body stiffened as a sudden awareness struck my less functional brain at the moment. I can't move. I'm being held by something. No, Someone, I concurred as I felt human warmth wrapped around my waist.A leg comfortably seated between mine.

I grunted. Where Am I? I tried to focus and saw my hand lying on top of a white shirt. Shit.

My suspicions were confirmed when I looked up and saw a mop of bleached blonde hair and a tanned and rather good looking face.

I mentally face-palmed myself. 'Shiho what did you get yourself into?'

He must have felt my stare and stirred awake. He has this adorable sleepy face, So far from the assassin of the black organization and the undercover agent of the PSB.

He cracked his eyes open. "Morning"

He must have seen the panic that's written all over my face and all of a sudden became conscious of our current..errr..situation." Ugh. Don't worry, nothing happened. I think…" he immediately said to placate me. I saw the blush on his cheeks though. It's rather ….cute.

It made me smile. Then the events slowly came back to me.

I kissed him, out of his challenge. Or was it? Sure I was teasing him and I'm determined to embarrass him to himself, but as soon as his warm lips glazed mine, my mind went blank. All rational thoughts went out of the window. All I could feel is his soft tentative lips beneath my very own. He tasted like.. well, bourbon and I'm surprised to not have hated it. I moved my lips slowly, cautiously, trying to gauge whether he liked it or not. Then his mouth opened up, tongue snaking out and seeking to caress my tongue. I felt his hands on my nape, pressing me urgently against him. My breath mixed with his. His breath hot against mine.

He changed the angle of his head, deepening the kiss. This elicited a moan from my very own lips. Everything is warm, we are burning. Bodies slowly melding with each other. His hands are entangled in my hair and I slipped my fingers between his. I kissed him with abandon. For the first time, I let myself want.

I'm so tired of holding back,of secretely pining for something I know I couldn't have- couldn't take.

The unending cycle of sacrificing my happiness so others could have theirs.

His hands slid. Curious and exploring.

I didn't mind though. I'm lost in the moment.

In the way his lips drops tiny wet kisses slowly on my neck under the stars. I wouldn't have pegged myself as a romantic but it is what I felt at the moment.

I'm drenched. Drenched in ecstacy knowing that someone wants me.

His breath, against my skin is … freeing.

It silently says that I don't have to think about everything else at the moment and just be here.

Gasping. Breathing.

Ignited.

I was taken out of my reverie when he slowly shifted. We have been sleeping here all night. He must have felt stiff.

I looked up to him and found him staring at me.

I blurted the first thing that came to my mind. " Say, Do you happen to have a childhood friend?"

He seemed to be taken aback by my sudden question then shook his head with a smirk on his face." No, no childhood friend for you to be worried about"

"Great."

" Anyone waiting for your love confession?" I said next. Apparently, my brain has decided to give up on me together with my filter.

He laughed out loud at that. Then he caught my chin with his fingers and tipped it forward.

"No one for you to worry about"

I blushed at that, as he lowered his lips to touch mine.

Warmth.

I was covered in warmth.

And I let myself bask in it.

Nostalgia hit me like a foe as I stand in the middle of the living room, surrounded by a number of boxes. This place had filled me with so many unforgettable memories, both good and bad. I let my eyes roam around one last time before I closed them.

I never expected to grow so attached to a place. For me, attachment translates to suffering but never did I expect such turn of events.

It was here that I sought refuge after running away from the Organization.

It was within these walls that I felt safe for the first time.

Cherished, loved and protected by the very people who taught me to trust.

Dark and sleepless nights on the laboratory below, painfully boring times when she had to sit through to yet another Kamen Kaiba episode, somber days spent relaxing on the sofa, watching movies with Conan, making and having breakfast together with Hakase and Conan while senselessly teasing them of their horrible cooking skills, silently sipping on coffee on the porch.

All these little seemingly insignificant things, I hold dear to my heart.

" You know, I really don't like you to move." Hakase said as he approached me from behind.

I know that. It's not like I want to either.

I have grown to love my dysfunctional, only father figure and I worry that he would go back to his unhealthy eating habits when I'm not there to pester him anymore.

But I had to do it. As special as this place is, lately, it has also begun to bring her pain. Constantly missing what used to be is not good for my mental and emotional health. I have to take care of that. I have to take care of herself from now on. She was given a second chance after all and she's determined not to waste it.

And it starts with this. One little step after the other.

I gave Hakase a sad, grateful smile. I could never thank him enough for everything he has done for me. For both of us.

"Don't worry I'll come here two or three times a week. I can never really trust you to watch out for your health, could I? I bet as soon as I step out of the door, you'll rush to the store to buy your stash of junk foods" I said with a smirk.

He flashed me a guilty look and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that. Surprisingly though, he took slow steps towards me and pulled me in a tight embrace.

I felt a lump in my throat and willed my voice not to break. We felt like a family but we were never touchy. Feeling his arms around me felt like..home.

" Good luck, Ai- chan" he whispered.

And by that, I knew that I never have to explain my decision. He understands.

Stepping at the door with boxes in hand, I spied as familiar white Mazda RX-7 car on the opposite side of the road and a tall figure with blonde hair leaning on the door of the driver's seat.

I narrowed my eyes.

Undeterred, the man just grinned.

Throwing a final glance at the house next door, I took a deep breath and took a step.

' Moving forward.'

- End of Chapter-

he he. (insert peace sign here) .

Oh no, Shiho is really moving on.

Where are you Kudo?