The Lycanthropy of a Shrunken Detective

Chapter Fourteen

Heiji groaned holding an icepack to the back of his head as the train shuttled through the night. "I'm so glad all of that is finally over."

Conan let out a slow breath. "Honestly… me too."

Heiji eyed the other skeptically. "So…" He said glancing around to make sure the girls weren't heading back from their run to the bathroom. "What exactly happened back there? What possessed ya to jump between me and the guy trying to recreate the murder we were tryin' ta solve?"

Conan crossed his arms glaring out the window. "I don't know. I just saw him move and the next thing I know you're tackling me from behind and I'm having a mini heart attack as the only thought running through my head is that I couldn't let you get hurt."

"Hu…" Heiji looked confused and concerned. "Ya usually only act that reckless around Ran."

Conan's face went red. "I do not!"

"Yer not developin' some kinda crush on me are ya?" Heiji taunted with a chuckle. "'Cause as falterin' as that is I'm not interested- child body aside- yer not what I'm lookin' for in a romantic partner."

Conan was glaring daggers at him by the time he'd gotten that all out. "No. I'm not interested. It's just…" Conan ran a hand through his hair. "Something… like… camaraderie… brotherhood? I don't know… I don't want you hurt. I don't want Kazuha hurt… I can't even-" He swallowed. "I don't think it would have gone as smoothly as it had if Shiori had gone for Ran."

"You call that smooth?" Heiji laughed cringing as the action jostled his head. "Though I gotta give ya props for callin' the killer out rather than attacking Shiori strait out."

"I was being crushed by an idiot." Conan countered with a frown.

Heiji smiled. "Well, you still focused most of yer verbal attacks on the actual issue rather than just cussing out the guy that hit me."

"I was just trying to get the whole stupid thing over with." Conan said crossing his arms and looking away.

"Maybe so… but I appreciate it all the same. It's nice ta know ya actually care." Conan felt a bit embarrassed and maybe even touched until he looked to see that Hattori's smile was teasing.

"See if I ever try to help you out again!"

Hattori faltered frowning slightly. "I'd rather you didn't… that was a little too close a call. If it weren't for my hard head I don't know if this trip wouldn't of had a trip to the hospital or worse if that guy had hit ya."

"He's right." Ran said stepping up behind Conan making the boy jump. "I know you like to do everything yourself but you're still just a kid!"

Conan sent Hattori a glare that seemed to scream. 'Why didn't you tell me they were back?'

Hattori made a face. "Didn't you realize?" He asked aloud.

"Realize what?" Ran asked.

"I figured Conan heard ya comin' ya ain't exactly quiet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kazuha growled teasingly punching his shoulder lightly. "Are ya suggestin' we aren't graceful as hell?"

"Maybe Ran, but definitely not Kazuha- right Conan?"

"Heh…" Conan managed. He did not want to get the two hot-blooded Osaka's started not when he was so tired. He'd barely recovered from the energy drain of transforming let alone the emotional roller coaster that was the conclusion of the case. He felt a flutter in his chest and a flash of panic rushed through his vanes. 'It's probably just anxiety.' Conan reasoned to himself. 'What are the chances that I'd transform again so soon.'

"Well, we're about 15 minutes from home now." Ran said sitting next to Conan. "You eager to get back?" There was worry in her expression.

Conan nodded trying to put in as much of his child acting skill's as possible. "I can't wait to see my friends!"

A relieved smile fell across Ran's face just as he hoped and Conan began to kick his legs so he wouldn't have to think about the fact that the Detective Boy's were probably really eager to see him- and how the hell he was going to deal with that train wreck waiting to happen. The more he wanted to cringe the more he forced himself to smile. No one noticed it was so strained. Ran was just happy to see Conan in higher spirits and Hattori was focused on Kazuha at the moment. Looking out the window Conan tried to focus on anything else.

It wasn't long before they were piling out of the train. Hattori stretched his arms up above his head and brought one of his hands down to touch the back of his head gingerly as the other fell thoughtlessly by his side. "Well… that was fun. I don't know about ya all but I'm about ready to collapse."

"Right." Kazuha started messing with her phone. "I'm gonna wake ya up every two hours though."

"What- Kazuha… I'm fine."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. Ya can sleep on the train home tomorrow."

Hattori grumbled but didn't have a good counter. "Come on. Dad's expecting us." Ran said.

"Hold up." Hattori said. "I need ta run ta the little boy's room. Mind waitin' a bit?"

"Oh, okay." Ran said. "We'll wait here."

"Cool." Hattori waved as he walked away. "I'll be right back."

"You better be!" Kazuha said shaking a fist.

Conan had frozen as Hattori began to walk away his voice caught in his through as his hand went up to his chest.

"No…" He looked up to Ran worried. 'Not again. Not now. Conan can't run off again. Ran will freak!'

A spasm and a shock of pain racked his body making him gasp and Ran looked down in concern. "Conan? Are you okay?"

Conan took a step back shaking his head. He had to leave. Now. Spinning he took off down the hall. "CONAN!" He could hear Ran's frantic voice behind him but he couldn't transform in front of her. It would be disastrous.

"Please! Please!" Conan barely knew what he was begging for as he ran his vision blurring with pain. He spotted a door and a sign on it. His vision was too clouded to read it but he rushed through it slamming it closed and turning the lock as his breath came out in ragged gasps. This wasn't good. It couldn't be good to shift between forms so much- he was still sore from changing earlier in the day! He gritted his teeth unable to stop the yelp of pain. Without much thought, he discarded his clothes. He barely got his pant's off when the small space he'd found himself in was filled with his screaming as his body grew in a matter of seconds. He stumbled knocking over a mop making it fall, causing his muscles to jerk painfully in shocked surprise. His eyes were still blurry with pain but he could make out a jumpsuit of some kind hanging on the wall. Desperately he gripped the fabric in his hands struggling more than he thought was possible to pull it down from its hook. He wobbled a bit as he squinted to read the large white words printed on the back. "JANITOR"

Lethargically he pulled the janitor's jumpsuit on and leaned against the door as he tried to catch his breath. The fabric was itchy and smelled of chemicals and bile. Shinichi didn't care. His vision was wavering in and out and he knew he was just moments from passing out- but Ran would be frantic and he could at least try to reassure her and help "look for Conan."

He grunted balling his kid clothes up and slipping them into a small trash bag. His heart was still racing and he felt like his blood was boiling but he had to move- if for no other reason than to avoid the actual janitor.

He opened the door and stumbled out into the too bright hall.

Authours Notes:
I think this is an okay place to stop... I don't want to spoil anything but man it's hard not to blab about what I'm thinking or why I'm doing things this way because that'll give away the story... Conan's life is just getting a bit more complicated is all...

(Word's Used 1343. Chapter posted 3-11-2018.)