Oops, sorry. There wasn't any Black Organization yet. Gomenasai! _ Estimation error haha. Anyway my logic isn't that great recently so if there are any parts that aren't logical please tell me! Thanks!


9:30pm, Heiji's house, Osaka

"Kudo, what are you thinking about?" Heiji asked as he pressed a can of Cola against Conan's cheeks. Conan opened it and sipped while lying back against the warm, cozy sofa, "um, nothing."

"Don't worry, Kudo. Those guys aren't that smart to investigate the police HQ of Osaka. I promise that you're safe!" Heiji said confidently. "Moreover, I turned back into Hattori Heiji, so that fake Kudo Shinichi has already disappeared. They're probably looking for you all over Tokyo!"

"Hmm, true. But we shouldn't be too…"

"Yup. Just relax and everything should be all right for now. And how will you reward me for running all over Japan in the middle of the night, saving you and bringing you home?"

"Tsk. I'm going to sleep now. See you tomorrow." Conan turned and walked straight into the guest room.

The moon shone on the ground, making the atmosphere so sad and mystical. Conan sat by the bed, looking into the sky. His mind was blank, his heart overwhelmed by the sense of imminent danger in the air.

Heiji stared at the closed door and sighed. How much burden did you carry by yourself? You really don't need to take it alone, Kudo…

The next day, Tokyo

The weather today is really good. Thought Ran as she headed for school, her bag slung over one shoulder. She took a deep breath, feeling all her sorrow being blown out and swept away in the cool, fresh spring breeze. A new day, a new beginning, thousands of new opportunities. Opportunities. Is that what motivates her to move on when Shinichi isn't around?

She looked up at the rows of sakura trees, pale green and budding with spots of light pink. Shinichi, will you come back to find me during the sakura season? Then we can sit under the trees and look at the sakura, just like before…

Heiji's house

Conan gazed out of the window at the budding sakura trees bathed in the golden sunrays. Ran, do you remember the days we went to see the sakura flowers? You stood under the tree, smiling; your beauty made the prettiest flower lose its colour. I regret not treasuring those peaceful, happy days. Now, a peaceful day is what I would pay anything for. It's happiness that I see as a real luxury.

He picked up his handphone.

"Hello?" a familiar voice was heard on the other end.

"Hello Ran nee-san, I'm in America now. Everything is great, so don't worry."

"Ah, Conan-kun. Be happy there and keep in touch!"

"Sure, I will."

"Then, bye!"

"Bye, Ran nee-san!" I really hope this is the last time 'Conan' talks to you.

For the rest of the month, Conan stays at Heiji's house, investigating the Black Organization and discussing it with Heiji over dinner, when he returns from school. Days passed and there was not much information gathered, so Conan just studied, listened to music, admired the scenery, watched the news. Often, Kazuha comes over to visit Heiji and they would quarrel in the living room while Conan went into hiding. As he listens to Heiji and Kazuha shouting "Ahou!" and "Baka!" to each other, he began to think about Ran and how they used to do that too. This seems so familiar yet strange. Those memories filled him up, making him contented each day.

For as long as he could remember, he believed that people should always help one another, even if feelings like hatred or jealousy exists among them, even if there is not a single reason for helping. But now, he realised that the amount of sacrifice one puts in is beyond what he could take. Despite that, he has to protect Ran, to protect all those he loved. He has to protect all of them with his seven-year-old body. Then, he needs to fight the Black Organization. He cannot lose this battle. He must not. Because there is nothing left behind if he lost.

"Kudo, I'm back." Heiji's voice interrupted his trail of thoughts.

"Oh, how was it?" Conan stared out of the window without turning back.

"Nothing from the Black Organisation, but I got a call from Haibara."

"The antidote is complete?" Conan spun back, his voice tingling with a silver of excitement.

"Yeah, but…" Heiji sighed.

"But what?" Conan couldn't control his excitement.

"50% chance of survival. Why didn't you tell me that?" Heiji stared at Conan.

"I…I…I didn't want you to worry about me." Conan lowered his head like a little boy who just made a mistake.

Heiji pushed his cap up, "Remember, I am always your friend. Forever. You don't have to hide anything from me." His voice so serious, unlike the usual casual and playful tone he had.

"Thanks." A simple word, full of so much appreciation and trust. Conan turned back. He didn't want Heiji to see his moist eyes.

"Let's get back to Haibara quickly! Argh, we'll have to take the train again. How troublesome!" Heiji was back to his loud, obnoxious self, as if nothing happened at all.

Conan smiled. I'll never find another friend like you, Hattori.

(A/N: Not yaoi! _ just pure friendship ^^)

Tokyo, Professor Agasa's house

Conan, Heiji, Prof. Agasa, Haibara. Four people, eight eyes, all staring at the red and white pill lying in a glass bottle on the table. The late afternoon sun reflected off the glass bottle, blinding their eyes. All of Conan's life condensed into that one pill. After an awkward silence, Heiji spoke, "Kudo, are you sure you'll take this? It's only 50% chance…"

"Stop saying that, Hattori. I know very well what my consequences are. The worst situation is death, but I have no way back now. I'll just have to try. Before that, promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"If I really…couldn't make it, you will tell Ran that I died in a car accident. Tell her not to wait anymore and move on. She's really strong, she will forget me." He spoke so calmly, as if telling the story of a stranger.

"Tell her that you aren't around anymore? What are you thinking about? Don't you know how sad she would be?"

"I know. I've already thought of it. If you say that I went to America or something, she'll just waste her precious youth waiting for someone who will never return. I don't want her to destroy herself waiting for me. So, promise me?" Conan's eyes sparkled with tears. He is waiting for a reply.

That's the best thing for Ran, isn't it? No more lies, no more promises. Ran can live her own life. Heiji turned around, afraid to look at Conan's eyes. "Okay, I promise you!" A sudden light tone used to cover the deepest emotions. The atmosphere became heavier.

"Why so serious, Great Detective? No faith in my work, huh?" Haibara joked. She was surprised by her own sentence. Shouldn't she be looking at all these calmly? Shouldn't she be cold towards everyone, no exceptions? Her appearance ever cool and untouched, but inside, she began to feel a special emotion for this boy - Edogawa Conan- like an iceberg starting to melt.

She knew so long ago that there was not going to be anything between them. Their relationship was beyond friends, but not lovers. More like partners or confidants. Yeah, confidants. She thought. But that's more than enough for me.

That is why she put so much effort into making the antidote despite her selfish thought of not letting Conan turn back into Shinichi, not letting him leave to stay with that angel.

Conan smiled at Haibara appreciatively. This girl never shows her emotions unless we're taking about the Organisation. Yet she is always there to give me the best support and advice.

Okay. Conan thought. I'm ready for the pill. There are only two consequences: I live, or I die. The red and white pill was shaking vigorously in Conan's palm. Not that I'm scared, but if I die I'll lose Ran forever. He swallowed the pill.

Waves of excruciating pain and nausea hit him continuously, making him collapse to the ground. He felt as if his muscles were torn, his bones dislocated. His body was like a giant jigsaw puzzle being reconstructed again. He gritted his teeth in agony. Heiji quickly put him onto a bed with all the necessary medical equipment ready nearby.

His vision began to blur, but one image became more vivid.

It was a girl, his angel.

"Shinichi, when are you coming back?"

"Shin…Shinichi! Where did you go? I thought you met an accident, I was so worried!"

He remembered the way she used to worry for him.

"Shinichi is so overconfident and dense and he loves to crack cases too much. But when danger comes, he becomes so trustworthy and brave! I love him so much. Don't tell him this secret!"

"Shinichi…I love you…"

That's what she said to Conan and herself when she misses him.

And there's way more, like when she saves Conan with her karate; when she laughs at him for being into detective works…

"Ran…!" Conan struggles as he tugged on the bedsheets.

Haibara stared at the various readings of Conan's breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat and body temperature. Everything is normal. But she frowned upon seeing another set of data.

Observing her, Heiji quickly but cautiously asked, "What's wrong?"

"He won't die, but the situation's not really positive either, because he took the temporary antidote many times and his body produced a resistant. I've already made the dosage in that pill stronger so that the change is one-off. According to his muscle and bone density now, he probably has some sequela.

"Memory loss?" Heiji panicked.

"No, no, not memory loss. Probably just spasms of skeletal contraction, but I'm not sure of the duration, length and intensity of each contraction." Haibara continued staring at Shinichi's pale face as she deliberately made her voice monotone and emotionless. At least he turned back into Shinichi. She sighed.


How was it? I had a hard time writing the Haibara part haha.

Next chapter: Shinichi and Ran meets! Haha. This time I won't estimate wrongly again (: