Chapter 1

It's been nearly more than a year now she sadly mused to herself, wondering if he would ever fulfill his promise to her that he would return someday once he was finished with his case. Always using the same excuse over and over again every time he called her. A sad smile accommodated worried and sorrowful eyes as she turned away from the phone that sat innocently on her father's desk as if it hadn't been another reminder to her that her childhood friend had been 'missing' for over a year. Yes, he had just called her to let her know he was still alive and well, but that did little to ease away the pain she felt that was slowly suffocating her as time passed by. Wishing upon every star in hopes that the next time he shows up, that he would actually stay for good, not having to suddenly run away again and disappear somewhere only to call every once in a blue moon.

Suddenly the sound of a door creaking open brought the teenage girl out of her melancholy reverie. Turning around she smiled at the small child that had just entered the room. As he stepped into the room he noticed that Ran looked like she was nearing tears. Strange he thought, usually when I call her she would only get really angry that I'm still working on some 'case'. Worried for his childhood friend, the teenager turned child asked "Ran-neechan, are you okay?" He tried to mustered up as much childlike innocence he could into the tone and looked up at her with equally childlike innocence, worry, and curiosity as he could into his expression. Conan-kun has always been here for me whenever I feel down doesn't he. I feel like I had to lose a friend to gain such a nice little brother, her subconscious thought ran through her mind. Ran allowed herself a small smile before she wiped her eyes and nodded.

"There's no need to worry Conan-kun, I'm okay" she said giving him another smile although this one seemed more forced. Not convinced in the least bit, Conan gave her a reassuring smile before he looked her in the eye, face allr void of emotion but the sadness and worry that shined in his eyes. He walked up to her and looked up at her again. Shaking his head he said "Ran-neechan, it's okay to cry sometimes you know. I bet it was Shinichi-niichan who is making you sad again isn't he. I don't like seeing you sad like this, when Shinichi-niichan gets back I'll have to reprimand him for leaving you for so long and making you sad all the time." Ran had to admire her adopted little brother as he said this with all seriousness and determination. Bending down to scoop Conan in a tight hug, she said softly and quietly "thank you Conan-kun, sometimes I don't know what to do without you. You always seem to know how to make me feel better." With that, Ran gave Conan another tight squeeze and set out to make dinner, this time with a small genuine smile that played gracefully across her lips.

Watching his childhood friend go out the door and into their living space a few flight of stairs above, a grim expression crossed his face. If only you knew I'm the one hurting you as well, he thought melancholy. Slowly he made his way to follow Ran into their living space and as he passed the kitchen only one thought crossed his mind. He had to return to being Kudou Shinichi soon.

Heaving a heavy sigh as he sat on the couch with a detective book in hand, he opened the book and tried to read it to distract himself but try as he might he just couldn't focus on it. His mind kept wandering back to Ran and how he might never return to his original body if Haibara is unable to come up with a permanent antidote. Maybe I should talk to Haibara tomorrow and ask her on her progress for the APTX 4869 antidote, Conan thought himself with a firm nod before continuing to distract himself in the mystery novel once again.

Just as he was able to immerse himself into the world the book offered to him, he was thrown back into reality when Ran called out that dinner was ready. Sighing again, he close the book and set it down on the couch trudging slowly to the table and sat down on one of the cushions. He had noticed that the 'man' of the house, Mouri Kogoro, wasn't home when he got back; assuming he was out investigating on some small case, or he could be out drinking and gambling again. With a deadpan expression he thought that old man really is hopeless. Looking up at Ran he gave a cheery smile and said in a voice of innocent childish curiosity "Ran-neechan? Where's Ot-chan?"

"Dad got a call earlier for a case, he didn't explain what it was though. He just left in a hurry and told me not to worry about keeping his dinner warm for him."

"Maybe some 'pretty' lady asked him to find her cat for her" Conan suggested with a playful smile. Ran let out a soft giggle as she said "that would most likely explain why he said not to keep and food left waiting for him."

Throughout dinner time they just laugh and talked forgetting about their worries. When they had finished eating, Ran had went to wash the dishes as Conan returned to the couch to attempt reading the book again. This time he had no qualms in immersing himself in the book now that he was in a much better mood than he had been prior to that afternoon.

"Conan-kun, it's nearly time for bed" Ran said walking over to the couch where Conan sat reading his book. He gave a slight nod indicating that he heard her and continued reading. Seeing that Ran smiled gently and grabbed the book from Conan.

"Bedtime!" She said sternly when Conan began to protest. Giving Ran a childish pout he slowly got up from the couch and dragged his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Sighing as she watch the scene unfold before her, she muttered to herself, "he can really act his age at times huh? Sometimes I forget that he is a child due to how mature he seems. But I guess he really is a kid after all." She allowed herself another small smile before she set to clean up the house and check all the doors and windows before heading to bed.

Mouri Kogoro didn't come home until two in the morning. Earlier that day, some beautiful woman had ask him to help her find her pet parakeet. It took awhile but he had manage to find the bird which had flown out of its cage and into the neighbor's yard. She had been so grateful that she had offered to buy him dinner and drinks. Of course, he wouldn't refuse such an offer, so he delightedly and immediately agreed. Tiredly and drunkenly, he stumbled into the room and staggered to the bed - nearly missing stepping on Conan who was sleeping on a futon in the shared room ever since he had taken in Conan in a year and a half ago - falling asleep the moment his head had hit the pillow.

A/N: In this story, I'm having Conan/Shinichi around 7/17 years old because according to this story line he shrunk sometime during the beginning of his sophomore year when he was 16 years old. Almost everything else in this universe is going to be from the manga and anime canon. Anyway this is only the first chapter so not much happened but it'll progress over time as I upload more chapters. Enjoy!