[fic] Really old Ran AU

[ickaimp]

Okay, note to self: Get Oingo Boingo OUT of the alarm clock. ~_~ Just... weird.

Anyway, was digging through my Conan fanfic folder (which is up to 199 files o_O) and found the Second Conan fic we started writing almost 2 years ago.
... and it's a Ran/Shin'ichi AU. Go figure.
And looking at it, remember why we never posted it. The ending sucks. Ah, well.
Split story warning. Sorry for the crappy editing.



"Oi! You ready to go?"

Kudo Shin'ichi was a detective with a secret.

"We have another case?"

His secret was a small child.

"Yup. Inspector Megure is waiting for us at the place. Just had to wait for you to get out of school."

"You could have pulled me out for that. It's nothing I haven't learned already."

"I know. But we have to maintain appearances."

Several months ago, Kudo Shin'ichi and his not-quite-girlfriend Mouri Ran had gone to Tropical Land, a local amusement park.

It was a visit that had changed their lives.

"How many people?"

"Just one."

"Ah."

After solving a murder that had taken place on the Mystery Coaster there, Shin'ichi had gone off chasing some people he suspected where up to no good. He told Ran that he'd see her later.

Her instincts said otherwise.

"Can we get some flowers before we get there?"

"Of course."

So Ran had chased after him, catching up just in time to see a man dressed in black knock him out and shove a pill down his throat. Furious and understandably protective, she had coming running out of the trees towards them.

She got in a few good hits before meeting the same fate as Shin'ichi.

"What kind of flowers do you think?"

"Those small white ones are pretty."

"Okay."

Ran's attack had at least some benefits. Having been accidentally kicked in the stomach, Shin'ichi 's body threw up the pill before it could have any effect.

Ran wasn't so lucky.

"You have your glasses?"

"Of course."

"Just checking. Someone has to watch out for you, after all."

When the police arrived some time later, they found Shin'ichi cradling the small form of a child. Both were battered and bruised, and neither of them would say a word on what had happened.

Nothing was ever quite the same after that.

"Ah! Shin'ichi! Glad you could make it!"

"Inspector Megure."

"Oh, right. Right. Sorry. 'Edogawa Conan' when you're on a case."

"Thank you."

Some calls were quickly made. Sonoko believed that Ran had moved out of the country. Mouri Eri believed her daughter was living with her husband. Mouri Kogoro believed his daughter had gone to see her mother for a while. After all, a girl does need some feminine guidance in her life as well.

Ran moved in with Shin'ichi.

"And how is our little Ranko today?"

"I'm fine. How are you, Inspector?"

"Could be better. Come, I'll show you the crime scene."

"Thank you."

From then on, where ever Shin'ichi went, a small shadow by the name of 'Ranko' went with him. Either riding on his back or next to him, neither one would let other out of their sight, with the exception of school.

When asked who his little friend was, Shin'ichi would simply answer 'Family', and not say any more.

"Hello, Ranko-chan! Going to put the flowers on the body?"

"If it's alright."

"In a few minutes. Let Edogawa do his work first."

"Okay."

'Ranko' quickly became a favourite among the investigators. Small, shy and not squeamish about grisly crime scenes, yet some how managing to hold on to her innocence. She always managed to brighten their day.

She also made a point to give the victims flowers, no matter how or why they died. A small tribute in honour of her own brush with death.

"Find anything, Ranko?"

"Just some funny marks down here."

"Hmm? I see. That makes sense now. Thanks."

"You've got that gleam in your eyes again..."

"Heh."

Shin'ichi brought her for a different reason. She was his 'eyes and ears', her smaller stature noticing smaller details that the larger people often missed. She could get to places he couldn't, and often heard things he did not.

People rarely take notice of small children.

"Here you are, Inspector Megure."

"You've solved it already?"

"It wasn't hard."

They were a team, Brains and Brawn.

Although people were often surprised by which one was the brains, and which one was the brawn.

"Excellent work, Edogawa. Evidence, motive, it's all here. Saotome-san, you're under arrest."

"Never!"

"LOOK OUT!!!"

"Kiaaaaaaaaa!!"

*WHAM!*

Most first graders don't have a protective streak wider than they are tall.

Most first graders also don't have a third dan black belt in karate.

"He's out cold."

"Remind me again not to get on your bad on your bad side, Ranko-chan."

"Heh."

"With that, Inspector, I think we'll take our leave."

"Right. See you later, Edogawa, Ranko-chan."

"Bai Bai!"

And so life went on. Every case bringing them a little bit to their goal, a little bit closer to the Black Syndicate.

"Ready for bed, Ran?"

"Yeah."

Every day bringing them a little bit closer together.

"Shin'ichi?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wish things were... different?"

"Sometimes."

Ran appearance may have been childlike, but she remained the young woman she had always been on the inside.

Shin'ichi grew as well, maturing from the brash teenager he had been into a quieter, stable young man.

Their challenges made them stronger.

"Really?"

"Yeah. But not if it meant loosing you."

"Me too. Good night, Shin'ichi."

"Good night Ran."

And they learned to be happy. Together.

"Love you."

"Love you too. Always."

Fin.

Also re-found one fic based on some of the japanese fan art we found when we first started surfing the Japanese net and was easily startled by some of the art. Will post that one later.

Comments

**happy sigh**

[ysabet.livejournal.com]

I remember when you showed me that one; I *like* that. And the identity of the murderer always makes me laugh just a bit-- sounds like Ranma's dad finally offed his wife at last. Not surprising, really; however, the conservation people may get a wee bit upset when they find out that a protected-species-type panda is being held in jail on murder charges.