Oneshot [WT Arc]

Chapter 1 - Your Hand

"Woah, that view is just amazing.", the Detective Boys marveled while looking out the window of the plane that just flew over the Statue of Liberty. This was the first time Conan and the Detective Boys had flown to America and exploited that lottery trip to such a high degree.

"You must be looking forward to coming up here, right?", Ran asked, who had been sitting in front of them and now turned to them.

"Of course! We still have to find out who made this trip possible for us in the first place.", Conan answered, who was sitting next to Ayumi and Mitsuhiko. Ran smiled.

"That makes me happy. After all, everyone has their own reasons for being here and what they are most looking forward to."

"Ran's right.", said a voice behind her. She turned and spotted Ai, who joined them, while brushing the dirt off the clothes.

"And what are you going to do, Ai?", Ran asked curiously.

"First of all, I will prevent our professor from getting a sugar shock. Once I've done that, I'll have a quick look around in some district of the city.", she said.

"What kind of district?", Mitsuhiko and Ayumi asked curiously.

"It's a secret.", she said, smiling, putting her index finger to her lips.

"C'mon, I want to know.", Ayumi protested.

"Exactly, that's pretty unfair of you, Ai.", Mitsuhiko replied.

"Hey, I have my secrets too, alright? Don't play around with me like that.", she answered indignantly and crossed her arms.

"Quiet on the back seats now, pronto!", Kogoro shouted, who had been sitting next to Ran the whole time and joined them angrily.

"Sorry.", Ayumi, Conan and Mitsuhiko answered at the same time and looked embarrassed to the ground.

"Now don't be so harsh to them, Dad. They're just excited because they're going on a plane trip together."

"I don't care, I deserve my sleep after everything you guys did in Italy and Germany."

"Did someone say schnitzel?", Genta called out, who immediately thought of the schnitzel he had eaten en masse there a few days ago when he heard the word Germany. So much so that Kogoro's wallet looked like it was desperately crying out for help.

"And if I hear the word schnitzel again, I'll lose it.", he shouted, until he realized that he had let a lot of annoyed looks rest on him and then sat back down silently and with an annoyed "I will never forgive the Germans…" mumbling to himself.

They landed safely at the Washington DC airport. When Kogoro, Ran and the Detective Boys entered the docking station together with Professor Agasa and their suitcases and thus left the plane, the gentle summer breeze hit them and Conan could finally take a deep breath. All the turbulence in Italy and Germany had made him think so much that he almost forgot the case of the attempted mass murder in Tokyo. Hive's message hasn't been forgotten and he still hasn't told Shuichi Akai about it, but after Jodie advised him to keep it to himself before they left Japan, he still felt kind of guilty of an explanation and toyed with the idea of doing it anyways. Should Natsume find out about it, however, she would do everything in her power to launch a tactical all-out attack on the Men in Black, which, frankly, he would have endorsed, if it hadn't been for one of the new additions to the organization. Cunning as he was, it's possible he was the one responsible for Hive's disappearance. He would certainly be too dangerous for her, so he decided to keep the message to himself. Speaking of the Black Organization...

Conan looked around the airport. The now almost worldwide chase for Gin and Vodka turned out to be much more complicated than previously expected, even though they had once flown side by side to the same airport. But now it felt like both of them had disappeared from the face of the earth. Ai hadn't shown a similar reaction since the incident either. Were they really safe here still?

Ayumi followed his gaze.

"What are you looking for?", she asked curiously.

"Nothing special, I'm just glad that we survived the flight safely."

"Oh, and why did you all applaud like that after landing?"

"Oh Ayumi, that's easy. The passengers always applaud after landing to congratulate the pilot for flying us safely to the airport.", Mitsuhiko replied, raising his finger to emphasize his statement. Ayumi winced in fear.

"Are the flights always that bad?", she stuttered and Conan, Genta and Mitsuhiko could see the confused shock on her face.

"Well... uh...", he mumbled.

"Great job Mitsuhiko. Really great, now you've scared her.", Genta answered angrily, turned to Mitsuhiko and grabbed his shirt.

"I haven't, Genta! Put me down now!", he shouted, struggling angrily as he tried to break free of Genta's grip.

"Stop it Genta, the people here are all looking at us, because of you guys.", Conan admonished him, but Genta ignored him.

"Not if you apologize to Ayumi."

"Genta, let him go.", Ayumi said and pulled Mitsuhiko's shirt from the other side. Genta released him and Mitsuhiko and Ayumi landed on the ground. They both rubbed their sore buttocks and helped each other up.

"Genta, Mitsuhiko, please stop arguing.", the professor asked and tried to settle the argument.

"S-sorry.", Genta answered first.

"Geez, so early and you're arguing again. Just unbelievable.", complained Ai and stood in front of the three with crossed arms.

"Sorry...", all three murmured.

"So, you settle this peacefully now and come with us to the bus, alright?"

Both shook hands in reconciliation and didn't speak to each other until they left the airport. Apparently, they were still angry with each other, Conan thought to himself.

They took a bus provided by the airline and headed towards New York, where they were taken to a hotel near the city and as they got off, they contemplated the incredible height of the hotel, which seemed almost surreal to them. Above the entrance was the inscription 'Hotel Wonder', decorated with lights. The entrance itself had an automatic sliding door with small stairs leading up to them and a white marble canopy around it.

"Goodness... are we really gonna be spending time in this hotel this week?", Kogoro answered full of astonishment and turned questioningly to Professor Agasa.

"Yes, that's right... that's the closest one we can get to the science fair."

"And when is it starting again, Professor?", Ran asked curiously.

"Well, as far as I know, around this Saturday if I'm not mistaken. But that's two days away, so you can take it easy.", he said, laughing as they climbed the stairs and walked through the sliding doors that opened.

"Oh, then... don't let us stop you."

"It's okay, Ran. As I said, we still have time until then, so there's no need to worry."

"Well, if you say so..."

"Excuse me, I still have to register us at the hotel.", he said and went to the reception, which was opposite the front door.

"Oh, of course...", she mumbled after him.

"Hello, dear guests.", a hotel receptionist greeted him in English.

"Oh... uh..."

He almost forgot the most important thing... he turned to Conan, who had been talking to the Detective Boys, for help.

"Conan?", he called out to him.

"Yes…? Oh, that's right!", he said and walked over to him.

"We'd like to register for this hotel here.", he replied in English.

"All right, let's see... Yes, we have a few rooms available."

"What kind of rooms are they?"

"Ask her if they have some rooms on the same floor.", Professor Agasa whispered to him and Conan nodded in agreement.

"Could you see if you have some rooms on the same floor?", he added.

"My, my… so many questions at once. Let me see if there's anything I can do for you first, little boy.", she said smiling and typed something on her computer. After a while she looked up again and leaned towards Conan again.

"As lucky as you are, we actually found a floor that mostly has vacant rooms.", she said and winked at him.

Conan smiled and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Professor Agasa leaned towards Conan and asked him: "What did she say?"

"She says there are a few rooms available on the same floor."

"That's great."

"May I ask where you're from?", the woman asked, turning to the professor.

"Huh?"

"She's asking you where we're from, Professor.", Conan translated.

"Oh, I... uh, we are… fu-from Japan.", he said in the best English he could managed to bring up. The receptionist covered her mouth and chuckled. Conan also tried his best not to laugh. The professor gave them a confused look.

"What's so funny about that?"

"Nothing Professor, you just need to work on your pronunciation."

"At least I tried, okay? I'm not as good at English like you or Ai.", he answered desperately.

"It's okay, it's okay… I can understand you, too.", the receptionist suddenly answered and Conan and the professor turned around and stared at her in astonishment. So this woman really could speak Japanese after all!

"You're speaking Japanese too?", Professor Agasa asked.

"But of course… sorry, I wasn't sure before if you're Japanese or not, so I hesitated a bit, if you understand.", the woman replied.

"Oh...", Conan said and jumped up to read her name tag.

"Reiko Matsumura. So you are Japanese after all, right?"

"Not quite, my mother is from Ohio and my father is from Okinomiya. I'm half American, half Japanese. But I grew up here in the USA."

"Amazing...", the professor replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Whoa, really? So you're half Japanese, right? How is it here in America?!", Conan suddenly heard a few voices behind him.

The Detective Boys, who had overheard, also arrived and were excited to bombard her with questions, while Ai desperately tried to hold the three back like moths from a light bulb.

"Calm down you guys, we're in another country!"

"You don't have it easy either, right Haibara?", Conan murmured and smiled crookedly. Ai rolled her eyes in boredom.

"You better not say anything, I already have my hands full.", she answered snippy and Conan held his hands in front of him.

"It's okay Haibara, I'm sorry."

Half an hour later, when they got to the floor that had been recommended to them beforehand, they chose the individual rooms in which they would spend their nights in the future.

"Hey, Conan!", Ayumi whispered into his ear from behind. Startled, he turned and instinctively put his hand to his right ear.

"Ayumi?"

She smiled.

"Do you know where you're going to sleep?", Ayumi asked.

"Wha-what do you mean?"

"Well, who do you want to sleep in the room with?"

Conan grinned sheepishly. Ai, standing not far from them, raised an eyebrow disinterestedly at the question. However, she couldn't help but be partially interested in his answer.

"That... well..."

"I-I just wanted to know who you'd rather sleep with."

"Ayumi, please don't put it like that.", Conan whispered back, now embarrassed.

"Why not?", she asked, turning her head in curiousity.

Conan could only pull on his hair. That damn innocence! How was he supposed to explain that to her now? He turned and searched for an answer before Genta and Mitsuhiko could've joined her. Then he felt the tension in him suddenly release as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You leave that to him, okay? If he wants to stay with someone else, please don't blame him.", Ai answered and smiled relaxed.

"Ye-yeah, you're probably right...", she murmured and looked down a bit disappointed.

Thank you Haibara, thank you very much! He almost wanted to kneel before her in gratitude. At least she had spared him this situation, otherwise he would certainly have said something wrong.

"Who knows, maybe he decides to stay with you after all, Ayumi.", Ai sneered and giggled while grinning and walking into the apartment with Professor Agasa.

Ayumi's face started to shine again.

"What? Really?!", she exclaimed enthusiastically and threw herself on him in all excitement.

"Sure, of co-... Wait, what?!"

Ai, that lousy snake! Hell, she definitely did that on purpose.

"Are you coming with us?", Ayumi asked curiously, with a face that made it difficult for him to say 'no' to her.

"Well…", he started, then gave it up. Looking around for help didn't do him any good either, because Ran and Kogoro had long since found a room.

"Okay. I'll stay with you guys for the night.", he said with a sigh and Ayumi could hardly contain her excitement with these words.

"Oh thank you, Conan!", she cried and hugged him warmly.

"Oye... Not so furiously, Ayumi..."

"Hey guys, how about this room here.", suggested Mitsuhiko, who was already in said room with Genta. So it was the room next to Ai and the professor, huh?

When Ayumi and Conan entered the room, they found a huge double bed and a wide flat screen TV on a TV table that was just as wide, both of which were standing opposite each other. The tall windows were open and the balcony was spacious giving plenty of room for the sun to shine into the room.

"Look Ayumi, we can also watch TV from the bed!", Genta replied, who had already thrown himself on his side of the bed.

"And the view...!", exclaimed Mitsuhiko, who was already standing on the balcony and watching the hustle and bustle of the city.

Conan smiled. With them in one room he certainly wouldn't get bored.

"Wouldn't you rather go over to Conan and the Detective Boys?", Professor Agasa asked while he and Ai both unpacked their suitcases and checked into the hotel room.

"No thank you, I..." she began, but stopped herself to consider her choice of words.

"Fine, then you can stay with me."

Ai said nothing. The professor sighed heavily and continued to hang his clothes on the hangers in the closet.

"Tell me, Ai."

"What is it, Professor?"

"Do you really want to risk it?"

Ai was silent again.

"I don't want to make you answer, I'm just a little worried. Neither of us can know if they have followed us since they almost tracked us down before.", he continued. Ai smiled.

"Don't worry. Somehow I have a good feeling about it..."

...since she finally could trust her words, she finished her sentence in her mind.

"Okay. But if it goes wrong, let me know, okay?"

"I'll do it.", she said, glancing at the open suitcase that contained the professor's clothes, a small box and other inventions.

Still… somehow she was scared too. However, if she would've lied to her, this action would clearly be suicide.

"The last few months have taught me a lot, you know? And if I've learned anything in that time, Ai, it's this: If you don't seize the moment, it could pass faster than you think."

That's what Ran had told her a few months ago. She knew very well what she was saying. Why did it have to be her? Why…?

"...faster than you think."

She continued to stare at the contents of the suitcase.

"Ai, are you getting yourself ready? We'll do a tour of New York right after that.", Professor Agasa answered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Got it."

She went to the suitcase, took out the small box and put it in her pocket. Minutes later they left the room together and locked the door.

"Welcome to New York, folks!", Kogoro shouted happily as he stepped off the bus in his sunglasses and tropical shorts, enjoying the warm summer air.

"Don't be so loud, dad, you'll be the center of attention.", Ran replied, getting off the bus after him. Conan, Ai, the Professor and the Detective Boys followed them.

The sun hit their faces immediately and forced them to cover their eyes with their hands to be able to see something. A large park opened up in front of them, full of passers-by. Many children were playing with their families and shouting words at each other that made the Detective Boys, with the exception of Conan and Ai, bite on hard granite. Nevertheless, they were really looking forward to the city tour, but Kogoro, who excitedly presented his concept to them, suddenly blocked their view of the park.

"Well... to make the whole visit easier, I've put together a plan that will definitely top this trip all along the line!", he began and took a sheet of paper out of his shirt pocket. Everyone looked at him in confusement. When nobody said anything, Kogoro rolled his eyes in annoyance, cleared his throat and read the contents.

"Alrighty then… according to the plan here there is a museum near the park. How about that?", he suggested expectantly.

"But we want to see the park.", Mitsuhiko protested. Kogoro looked at the schedule again.

"The park? Wait, that'll come later, we can-"

"But we want to go there now!", Genta and Ayumi joined.

"I already said that..."

"Please dad... they're getting impatient, you can see that.", Ran replied, hoping to avoid a potential argument.

"But then why did I write the schedule for the day in the first place? For nothing?"

"Tomorrow is another day and we will stay here for a week or two before we continue, Mr. Mori. We have plenty of time for that.", the professor assured him.

Kogoro sighed and put his oh so precious schedule back in his shirt pocket.

"I give up, do what you want.", he mumbled annoyed. Ran just smiled sheepishly.

"So, what are you up to today? It's noon, so there's plenty of time for a visit.", she asked the group.

"Let's go see the park and have ice cream afterwards!", the three Detective Boys shouted like they were fired from a pistol. Conan grinned crookedly.

"I'll be gone then, okay?", Kogoro said, wanting to flee this convo, but Ran held him back.

"You don't go anywhere, especially a place or store anywhere that has alcohol in it. You know what you've had to explain in Germany."

"But that was only once!", he protested.

"I would think it would be better if we all went somewhere together.", Professor Agasa answered and the two stopped their conversation and looked at him cluelessly.

"Not a bad idea.", Kogoro agreed and was about to pull out his schedule plan, when Ran grabbed his hand.

"No, we agreed that we would watch what everyone wanted together."

"Well then, let's see the park first.", he murmured pouting and she let go of his hand.

"Yaaay!", the three Detective Boys triumphed.

"Without me."

"What?"

Everyone turned to look at the author of the voice. Ai stood in front of them and had her hand raised.

"But Ai...", Ran murmured.

"I'm already busy with something else.", she replied, waving her hand.

"But that would mean that you would go alone.", Ayumi interjected. Conan grew suspicious.

"I'll be fine on my own, too.", she assured them.

Exactly. After all, it was easier for her alone. She turned her back on them and looked down the street.

"Ai, we are here in America. You don't know your way around here."

"Don't think so. It's not far from here.", she said and slowly made her way.

"Okay, if it's not too far away...", the professor replied.

"Thank you, Professor."

She wanted to move on, but...

...a hand grabbed her arm.

"Wait, hold on Haibara.", she heard someone call after her. She turned and saw Conan in front of her, with a serious look in his eyes.

"What is it?"

Ai stared at him in astonishment, then smiled. She could already guess what it was that had driven him to do it.

"I... I'll come with you."

She wanted to say something about his decision, say something against him that would annoy him. Something that would make him give it up anyways and walk the other way with the others. But she couldn't find the words. She was speechless. Her torso trembled. Wouldn't she rather have him...?

…seize the moment.

"I'm sorry, Ran.", she murmured.

"Did you say something?", Conan asked.

"No… I'm just glad you decided to come with me after all.", she said.

Yet again. That look again. Conan hadn't seen that appearance on her face for a long time. Somehow it drew him in again. Just why? Was it possible that…?

"Well then, me and Ai are going away now and you're going to the park, okay?"

"Take care of yourselves!", Ran, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko and Genta called after them while they watched him and Ai leave the group.

"Goodbye!", Conan called and waved at them. Ai giggled.

"What is it?", he said and looked at her annoyed.

"Nothing… It's just, why are you coming with me now? Are you asking me out on a date?", she said, grinning maliciously.

"N-nonsense, what are you talking about? I came because..."

Conan stopped. Why had he actually come along? That's right, he hadn't thought about it until now. Maybe because she was up to something?

"You don't even know where I want to go.", she said, continuing to walk past him. Conan smiled defiantly.

"Don't worry, Ai. I'll find out.", he answered.

Ai stopped and turned to him. Was that a challenge invitation? She laughed.

"All right, my master detective. Then guess what I'm up to and where I'm going. If you don't make it by the evening before we get to my destination, there's a heavy punishment. I think Mitsuhiko, Genta and Ayumi will especially enjoy it."

"Heh... Nothing easier than that.", he said.

"Suppose if I win, I'll get the antidote for a whole day!", he announced, pointing his finger at her defiantly. Ai nodded in agreement and both shook hands.

"You haven't changed," she replied, grinning bravely.

They walked on, looking around at the bustle of the crowds. The panorama gave them a feeling of weightlessness, as if they were swimming in the current with the passer-bys. Lights everywhere... cars driving past them... music everywhere people gathered... Both were amazed at how different the hustle and bustle of America's most famous city was from any other.

"Your hand.", she said, turning to Conan and stretching out her hand to him.

"What?"

"Give me your hand."

Conan didn't say anything, just stared hesitantly at her hand. Ai rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"So we don't lose each other, idiot. A lot can happen here, it's only for our own good. Or are you thinking of something else right now?"

"Stop it.", Conan murmured and took it anyway.

Ai paused for a moment. His hands were soft and damp. Even so, they exuded a warmth that carefully traveled through her body. As if this moment would last forever.

She looked ahead.

"What is it now, Ai? I thought we'd go further.", Conan asked annoyed.

"Oh… ye-yeah.", she said, covering her mouth with her free hand. Why did she suddenly feel so hot? Was it the sun? Her hand began to tremble. She preferred to focus on getting where she planned to go. Although... if he was already there...

"Seize the moment... even if it is only once and only for a short time."

Ai could still hear her words in her head. She knew exactly what she was doing. Just for this one moment.

"Come with me.", she said and suddenly pulled him with her.

"Wait a minute, not so fast!"

She pulled him to an open space where they were standing in front of a tall building.

"A shopping center? What do you want here?", Conan asked confused when they entered the entrance. Ai didn't answer.

Was that all? It couldn't be that all she wanted was to buy something. Conan was visibly confused, but Ai still didn't let go of his hand. Her free hand had a firm grip on the box.

"Ai!", Conan called after her, but she ignored him and walked on all the faster.

This might be the last chance. Her almost serious look showed how the determination flowed through her body and gave her an almost indescribable feeling.

"Ai!", he called again and this time he stopped and pulled her hand until they stopped in front of a shop.

"What's up with you?", he said when she turned and looked at his angry face.

"Sorry...", she mumbled. No, not now. Please not now. Why had she acted so quickly?

"I don't mind if you decide where to go, but could you at least take it a little slower this time?"

"Come with me, please.", she said and he noticed through his arm how much her hands were shaking.

"Hey..."

"This one time, please. Just this once."

Conan sighed in relief, then looked at her smiling and started to giggle as he looked around and saw the store they were standing in front of.

"What's so funny?", she replied annoyed.

"Was that really the place, where you wanted to go?", he said, laughing, pointing at a shop that sold children's toys. Ai smiled crookedly.

"And I thought old women didn't go for that stuff. I guess I was wrong.", he added and couldn't stop himself from laughing.

That's it. Now he was clearly getting on her nerves.

BONK!

"That was just a joke...", Conan mumbled pouting and rubbed the bump on the back of his head.

"Even when it comes to jokes, there are limits.", she said, glaring at him.

"Yeah… yeah, got it."

"It doesn't make any difference anymore anyway.", she answered bored and Conan looked up at her.

"What do you-... Ai, what the..."

She took him by the hand and pulled Conan, who was completely overwhelmed by this action, further with her and together they went deeper into the mall. What did she want from him? Should he just watch out for her? No, certainly not, because he knew her well enough to know that she would find her way around here despite everything. Why did she want to take him with her?

As they continued to pass from shop to shop, slowly but surely he could see a smile on her face. Confused, he followed her steps down the long corridor, still wondering where she would want to take him.

– Oneshot Chapter 1 END –

Authors Note: I've had a few comments asking for a continuation of the English Translation of my Two Bullets Fanfic and I can assure that I'm working hard on it. Past weeks were rough and I didn't really have enough time and motivation for translating, since I was focusing on writing the Original. I wanted to finish this Mini-Arc as soon as possible, so I can finally move on and concentrate myself on writing the next Two Bullets Oneshot, which as much as I can say, will mainly be based on Slice Of Life Events and Ayumi's Experience in the Teitan Highschool. I'm thinking about changing the perspective of this Oneshot and work on a few side-characters.

Anyways, as I'm currently writing on Chapter 16, my plans are to finish this 'Ichigo Household Mini-Arc' by around Chapter 18 or 20. That's just me assuming, depending on how much I want to put into this Mini-Arc itself. All I can say is, consider a major plot twist being around the corner. That's it. No more spoilers, since this chapter has spoiled too much of what I was planning to write in the future already.

This 'White Death Frequency' Arc, that I'm writing on, might not even be finished by a solid 5%, since a lot more is about to come and I'm honestly terrified of the amounts of Ideas I have for it, that I might not finish them before losing the motivation to it. I might even make this story longer than the whole Original Manga and Anime Series, just kidding.

Well, I'll be translating Chapter 2 of 3 now. Expect me to finish it tomorrow or something, I honestly don't know. Have a good one and thank you guys for all the support and your reviews. :D

(Also, go check out my Instagram layverxperia. There I'll be posting updates on the Fic and you can directly talk to me about it and give some Ideas for some future 'Custom Cases' as well, just to fill out this story. I'd gladly welcome each and every of your ideas with open arms!)

Thank you for reading this Oneshot.