About the story:

A story about Edogawa Conan battling head to head with the most controversial Black Organization with a different twist from the original series. This fan fiction is based until the arrival of Haibara Ai only.

Author's Note:

I'm very sorry that I've updated just now. It's been more than two months since my first publication of this fan fiction. School here in our country has resumed. I hope you would understand. I could not promise anything but I'll try my best to upload at least once or twice a month.

Happy reading everyone!

CASE 1

*Weeks before the current disaster…*

"Ne, Conan-kun? Or should I say, Kudo Shinichi."

"H-how?!"

"Run, Shin-chan!"

"Otousan! Okaasan!"

"Here's my latest invention. You can't allow for them to see you. I hope with my last invention, you can use this to protect everyone, especially yourself."

"Don't say that, Hakase!"

"Don't be intimidated by them, Kudo! Just do what you have to do!" BANG!

"Ha-Hattori!"

"The two of you have to hide! I'll distract them! Hurry! We don't have much time. They're getting close. Conan, you take care of Ran, okay?"

"Dame, Occhan!"

"It's too late, Kudo-kun. We can't do anything anymore. They've discovered us. We're like trapped rats now. We could now say goodbye to dear life."

"Stop it, Haibara!"

"Sshh. Don't cry. I understand why you lied to me. You just wanted to protect me. Even though I won't be here anymore, just always remember I'm always at your side. I-I l-lo…"

"Ran? Wake up! Ran? Ran?! RAAAAANNN!"

"RAN!"

Edogawa Conan bolted upright as he screamed for Ran's name, as if his life depended on it. Well, in his case, it actually was. He breathed heavily; sweat enveloped his forehead. He realized where he currently was incredibly dark and he cannot see anything. He started to panic and by impulse, he reached for the watch on his wrist to turn on the flashlight but he realized it was not there.

He cursed and a million thoughts started rushing through his head per minute. Before he could do anything, he heard an awfully familiar noise. It might not be the most delightful sound to hear and could be annoying but this time, he was very thankful for hearing it. His eyes had finally adjusted to the dark and he wanted to slap himself for being such an idiot.

A futon. A comforter. And Occhan.

He finally let out the breath he unknowingly held and smiled to himself.

How ridiculous can he get?

He finally recognized the place where he was. It was the room of Mouri Kogorou, Ran's father. The self-proclaimed great detective snored again, this time louder than before. He has been freeloading here for almost a year now.

"It was just a dream. And I'm acting weird. Idiot." Without minding to find his glasses, he placed the comforter aside and stood up.

He turned off the faucet as the water filled the glass. The brim of the glass reached his lips and he slowly drank the comforting liquid. After he finished the drink, he placed the glass on the sink and walked out the kitchen. He stopped as he saw Ran's room. He figured he would catch a few glimpse of her before going back to sleep. It won't hurt. Just to reassure him that what was earlier was really just a dream.

He carefully turned the knob and slowly opened the door, just enough for him to peep through. He held his breath as he searched the room for Ran's futon. There. He saw it. He saw the lady that stole his heart all these years, she slept soundly under the silver shade of the moon.

He exhaled and smiled. He felt his heart lighten a bit. It's impossible for the Black Organization to discover him. The thought of someone shrinking into a seven year old kid sounded ridiculous enough for anyone to believe it. No one would think that's possible.

But then, they did. Not the Black Organization in general and he was still not very sure if that person really is a member. However, the possibility was high since she knew about the drug very well. She was not supposed to be able to know about that. Only the people who are a part of the Organization, including him were the ones who were suppose to know about the Aptoxin 4869.

But how?

For now, assuming she is a member, he could not just ignore it. That person had discovered him. What would happen next? Bloodshed? A possibility. Yes.

Because of that confrontation he had been having nightmares lately and it had been leaving him restless. It was the reason for his strange behavior lately, being paranoid in particular.

In fact, he was still very lucky to be still alive until now, knowing that a possible member already knew about his identity. She might still have not told the Organization about him. If so, why did she confront him? What had worried him most was her warning of being careful. An indirect message she wanted to deliver? Or is she playing some kind of a game? She's really hiding something.

He even did not have the chance to ask that person on how that person figured out his identity and a lot more. Maybe some other time. He will find his chance and all of his questions would be answered.

At this moment, all he wanted was to protect the people around him, to protect Ran. No matter what it takes, even if he will die, he would never allow anyone to hurt Ran. Never.

The next day, a Saturday, Conan was greeted early in the morning by unexpected visitors, the Osakan detective Hattori Heiji and his childhood friend Touyama Kazuha. Luckily, Mouri Kogorou was not around because he had an appointment to meet up with his high school friend.

While Ran and Kazuha prepared for the breakfast at the kitchen, Conan and Heiji waited at the dining table for them.

"Oi, Hattori," he said boredly. "What made the two of you come here this early in the morning? Don't you know it is a Saturday today?"

"Sorry. Sorry," he apologized in shame while scratching the back of his head. "Kazuha insisted in coming to surprise Ran."

"Surprise?" Conan asked curiously.

"Huh?" he said in confusion. "Isn't it her birthday tomorrow? Kazuha told me that."

His eyes suddenly widened and his pupils dilated in realization. 'Oh yeah. I forgot. So that's the reason why she had been so insistent these past days,' he thought in alarm.

"Oi, Kudo, don't tell me…." he teased.

"I know it already," he said in annoyance.

He chuckled. "People are right. Kudo Shinichi really is something."

"Don't even start," he warned.

"What about Shinichi?" Both froze as they heard an awfully familiar voice asked. Ran placed the tray for the food on the table while Kazuha placed the drinks. "Did the two of you meet?" she asked darkly at Heiji.

Both did their best to hide the shivers that ran down their spine and gulped. It was one of the sights that everyone would not want to see from Ran.

"A-ah… I-I meant…" he stuttered nervously.

"I was just telling Heiji-niichan some interesting things that I and Shinichi-niichan did before," Conan quickly chimed in.

Ran's expression suddenly shifted. "Oh," she said quietly. "I see." Her expression shifted again and she smiled. "I'm sure everyone's hungry now. Let's eat!"

Both slowly nodded and sighed in relief.

"Thanks about that. Ya've absolutely saved my life there," he said in a low voice.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to use my name when Ran's around?"

"Sorry. I forgot. But I've realized nothing can really defeat a woman's mood swings."

"Aa. I agree."

"A-ano… Sumimasen." Everyone's attention turned to the source of the voice, specifically to the front door.

The front door had been opened slightly and a lady with the same age as of the teens inside the room peeped through. Her jet black hair flowed freely on her back and her silver eyes looked at the teens with slight discomfort but her face had that cheery look on.

Conan's eyes suddenly widened as he recognized the other unexpected visitor. Heiji seemed to notice Conan's sudden change of expression and he looked at the visitor to see if he would recognize her but failed and he looked back at Conan.

"Oi, Kudo. What's with that violent reaction? Who is that neechan?"

"Long story. I'll explain later."

"Ohayou gusaimasu. I knocked so many times but no one seemed to notice. I saw the door was unlocked and since there are people in the room, I decided to… I'm sorry for being rude."

"Harumi-chan!" Ran exclaimed as she approached her. "Ohayou gusaimasu! We're sorry, too. We've been quite occupied that we did not hear your knock." She opened the door wider. "Come in."

"I'll be intruding the house," she said cheerfully as she stepped inside and Ran closed the door.

She looked at Conan and smiled. "Ohayou gusaimasu, Conan-kun!"

Heiji gave him a weird look while Conan just ignored it and tried his best to give back the smile and greeted actively just like what a seven year old kid does. "Ohayou gusaimasu, Harumi-neechan!"

"Kazuha-chan, Hattori-kun, I'd like you to meet Fujiwara Harumi-chan, an old friend of mine," Ran introduced.

She bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Fujiwara… Harumi…?" Heiji muttered. "Hmm…?"

"Rings a bell?" Conan asked boredly.

"Aa. Where have I heard it before…?"

"And Harumi-chan, please meet Touyama Kazuha-chan."

Kazuha smiled and bowed. "Domo."

"And Hattori Heiji-kun."

He waved his hand. "Konnichiwa, nee-chan."

"They are our friends all the way from Osaka."

"Wait. Hattori… Heiji? You mean the famous High School Detective of the West?" she asked, her attention directed at Heiji.

"Ah… Yeah. That's me," he answered proudly.

"Ah! Sugoi!" she exclaimed. She walked towards Heiji and smiled. "I could not believe that I would see him in person! I'm so lucky!"

He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Hehehe… Well… I'm flattered."

Kazuha growled and narrowed her eyes in jealousy.

Conan narrowed his eyes. "Oi, oi. You must be kidding me."

She faced Ran. "Good thing I came, ne Ran? I did not expect you are an acquaintance of Hattori-san. I guess my trip all the way from Gunma was rewarded more than what I've intended."

'Rewarded more… than what I've intended?' Conan thought.

Ran just gave a laugh out of that.

"Gunma? Fujiwara Harumi... Ah!" Heiji exclaimed, finally realizing the connection as he looked at Conan.

"What? Stop staring at me," he whispered.

He returned his attention to the newcomer. "Yer that famous High School Detective from Gunma! When Kudo Shinichi was occupied by a case and another case happened, yer the one solving it! That's why ya seem so familiar."

Kazuha's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way…" she gave Ran a look and she confirmed it with a nod.

She smiled, again. "Well, it's an honor for someone like you to know me."

"Ya went to America more than a year ago, right? And ya came back weeks ago. I heard from the news."

"That's right. Really can't help the media, ne?" she said and let out a light laugh.

"She really is a cheerful person, huh?" Heiji whispered to Conan.

"Aa. She's been like that ever since. Hiding behind a mask."

"Mask?"

"Harumi-chan, since you're already here, you can eat together with us," Ran offered.

"Everything looks delicious but then, I have to decline. I won't be here long. I just came by to invite you and Conan-kun for stargazing at a mountain in Gunma later. I heard by midnight there will be a meteor shower. I would like to see it together with you guys. So, will you be available, Ran?" She invitted. "Touyama-san and Hattori-san can come too."

She smiled. "I'd love too! It would be great, ne Conan-kun?"

"A-ah… Yeah," he answered skeptically.

"Great!" she exclaimed in delight. She turned to Kazuha and Heiji. "How about you?"

Kazuha smiled shyly. "As much as we love to, we can't. We have to go back to Osaka by sundown."

"Oh," she said in dismay. "Well, I think it can't be helped. Maybe next time, the two of you can come," she offered in a smile.

Kazuha nodded. "Yes, hopefully."

"Well, this settles it! I'll pick the two of you up by nine o'clock, okay?"

Ran nodded. "Got it."

She bowed to everyone and straightened her back after a reasonable moment later. "So, I'll be going, then." She was about to turn around when she added, "Oh, before I forget." She approached Conan and placed a hand on his head, irritating the shrunken teen instantaneously. "Can I borrow this little kid for a while? I just want to show him something. It won't take long."

"Sure," Ran answered.

She smiled in return and turned to Conan. "Let's go, Conan-kun." Upon seeing the usual suspicious look Conan gives to people he did not trust, she added in a low voice, "Don't worry. I won't do anything stupid."

Without any choice, he stood up from his sitting position and followed Harumi. Before closing the door, he said, "I will be right back, Ran-neechan."

She nodded. "We'll be waiting for you so we can eat together." He nodded and finally closed the door.

"Here," Harumi said as she passed him something while she had her back on him.

Conan was unprepared by it but by impulse, he caught the small thing which was quite too familiar to him. He opened his palms and was surprised to what he was currently seeing. The bubblegum which he had stuck on Harumi's car days ago and inside it were a tracking device and a bug.

"That's why I've had an uneasily feeling whenever I get on the car lately." She faced Conan. "And that's the reason. You're still aggressive and stubborn as ever, even with your current condition."

"What is it with you?" he replied harshly. "So, what's the other reason for singling me out from the group?"

"Still sharp as ever, huh?" she praised. "Well, you may already know what I'm planning to do with Ran this midnight. So, let me give you a friendly advice: Buy the most interesting gift you can think of to give her because I'm telling you, you might regret it if you're not going to do it."

"So you're definitely planning something."

"All I can say for now is tonight's going to be a long and fun night for both Ran and you. So, it's better to prepare yourself well."

"What made you so sure I will let Ran go after everything you've said to me?"

She smirked. "I'm sure you will because I'm telling you, if you won't, things will be much worse than what I've originally planned."

He glared at her. "What?!"

She turned her back. "Remember, don't you ever dare do anything stupid, Shinichi."

His expression suddenly softened to that. "Harumi…" he muttered softly in realization.

"Well, I'll be going ahead. Nine o'clock, okay?" she concluded without looking back at him and she finally made her way down the agency to leave.

Conan sighed and let out a small smile to that. "Taku…" He opened the door and entered the room. The three teens had their attention at him. When he finally sat down, Ran asked, "So, what was that about, Conan-kun?"

"Oh, she just let me see some things. Nothing important, Ran-neechan," he lied, using his childish charms once again.

"Is that so? So, let's eat?"

"Thank you for the food!" The four exclaimed in unison.

Ran and Kazuha may have fallen for that but Heiji did not. He had his eyes on him and he can't fool him. Fool anyone but him. He can sense something really is up.

"Oi, Kudo," he whispered as Conan helped himself with an omelet. "Yer lying. Something is up."

"Aa," he confirmed directly. "I'll tell you the whole story later."

XXXTHE ONLY TRUTHXXX

"What?!" Heiji exclaimed.

"Sshh!" Conan silenced. "Don't be too loud! Even though we're in my room, with that big mouth, they would definitely hear you."

Both of them were inside the shared room of Conan and Kogorou and were sitting on Conan's futon.

"Sorry. I just can't help it. How did she know about yer identity?"

"She coincidentally passed by the crime scene where Occhan is involved and caught me doing the deduction using the bow-tie and all sorts of things."

"And now yer suspecting her that she may be a member of that Black Organization because she knows about the drug and the Org?"

"It's still a possibility but it's better to be cautious."

"So, what are ya planning? Yer still going tonight?"

"Aa. I've been her mentor and I can sense something. Something within me is telling me that I should hear her out first."

"Oi, Kudo, now is not the time to be soft and all. Ya've just said it's better to be cautious."

"I know I've just said that but… maybe I should give her a chance. If I feel little anxious about what she had said, I've also felt that she had good intentions for Ran. I don't know. I could say I'm not being soft but it's more of a detective's instinct."

"That's if she does not have the slightest dark intention. If she does, this could be the worst birthday for Ran. Think about it carefully, Kudo. You can't be reckless now, can't you?"

"Don't worry, I have a plan and that's why you're here, right? If she's planning something involving the Black Organization, I'm going to turn it back to them. They'll see. They're going to regret for fighting against me face to face. And when I would succeed and recover my true form, I'm going to give Ran a great birthday."

Another case coming soon!

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading!

So, how was it? Did I excite a nerve there? Or was it boring? Come on! Leave me comments, constructive criticisms or suggestions! I would deeply appreciate it! See you next case!

August 7, 2012

Edited: August 25, 2012