A/N:My apologies for the massive delay, but it turns out that my parents were reading my story :P I'm hoping they've decided to quit staring at this, but if they're still around, I'm making another account and starting over from there once I finish the massive wrapup for this part of the story, but I'll eventually get around to post the second part elsewhere.

Chapter 5: They Still Haven't Invented an Alternative to Murder Yet

Conan staggered off the motorcycle, barely managing to hold the contents of his stomach where it belonged. Akai neatly landed besides him, in perfect condition despite the 90 miles-per-hour ride they had ended up on.

"I am never going on a vehicle with you again."

"In case you've forgotten, we still have to make a return journey," Akai said wickedly.

Conan groaned. "I'm just hoping we didn't miss the murder. That would really stink."

"We made it fine," Akai replied as a scream tore through the air, followed by a sickening crunch. "I guess they still haven't found a scar-free alternative to murder yet."

"By the way, just what excuse do you have to give to Kogoro for us traipsing over here and poking our noses into everything?"

"You know, you're supposed to contribute to our effort too."

"I also know that it's hard to take you seriously when you're acting your apparent age and gender." The way he was crossing his arms reminded him of Ran when she was annoyed, but it was better for his health not to mention that.

Shuichi sighed, carefully keeping his temper in check. "Very well, then. I suggest that we get a move on, since they're calling the police right---- now," he said, the panicked screeches in the restaurant fading to an anxious hubbub as if he had flipped a switch. He took a deep breath, steeling himself to hold the guise of a teenager as they walked towards the crowd---- and froze.

"What is it?", Conan asked, puzzled.

"First of all, get rid of the dog quip you're about to say."

"The Black Orginization? Here?," he asked, biting back said comment.

"It's odd in more ways than one. First, although the mix of motorcycle fumes and the murder case threw off my nose at first, the stench is bordering on overwhelming once you notice it. Either there are a lot of operatives in this region, or some high-level officers are at work."

"Could it be Vermouth?"

"Nope. She's not easy to sense in the first place, compared to those close to her rank. The main question is that, why are they still around when the police are coming, since an idiot a mile away could've heard the ruckus over here. Either they're deaf, blind, and dumber than I thought, or----"

"Their target is so important to them that they're willing to risk head-firsting into police for it," finished Conan softly.

"In both cases, ther's going to be trouble ahead."

"Come on then! We've got to find them before they manage to finish what they're trying to do!" Conan jumped onto the motorcycle, willing to face more of Akai's driving if a clue to the Black Orginization was at stake.

"Haven't you forgotten? There's still a murderer at loose, and one that isn't wearing black. Isn't a detective supposed to protect the innocent?"

"Kogoro's not as stupid as he looks, and----"

"Divide and conquer. My job, even as a teenager wearing a miniskirt, is to destroy the Black Org. Not to mention even beyond that, screw Vermouth's manipulation, I have my own revenge to look forward to. And shouldn't you be looking out for your girl?" He looked away. "Not doing so was how I lost mine."

The boy blinked. Akai was showing a lot more emotion than he usually did. Part of him, though, wanted to yell that Ran was his job too, who cared about his dislike of Vermouth, but something stopped him. The night Akemi died, he had laid in bed unable to sleep for wondering if, had he arrived a moment earlier, had he been not so prejudiced against the ensnared girl desperate to save her world, if she might have lived. He owed that much to Shuichi, at least.

"Very well, then."

Darting to Mouri's car and removing a small black button from behind the licensce plate, he handed it to Akai.

"The tracker's to help me keep track where you are. And----"

"Hm?"

"Good luck."

A/N: Again, I apologize for the massive delay. Here's part one of the wrap-up, and there's going to be more to come ASAP! I'm hoping to return to my old update pace, if possible, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter, despite its uncustomary seriousness. Eh, I'm writing so much humor I'm starting to suck at serious stuff. Plot is as miserable as conversation, no matter what kind of randomness I can put into it.

On a lighter note, I am very happy to say that I have maintained an average of around 1000 words for chapter! I'm a very rambley kind of person, but I always end up making the chapters too choppy. The story should reach at least 10000 words, despite the premature ending.

Review, Please!