| Part 2 " The Date" Tomoaki suddenly tensed. He could sense someone was spying on him. He turned around slowly. Conan knew he was in hot soup now. Tomoaki was turning�. He could not run away now. It is all too late. Tomoaki turned and saw Conan. He smirked. � Kudo Shinichi,� he greeted Conan. � Hello.� Conan was stunned and speechless. Tomoaki shrugged as to nothing in particular and bent down. � Sorry. But in order to save Ran, I will do just about anything,� Tomoaki told Conan. �Come on.� Tomoaki brought Conan to a wine cellar. He tied him up and gagged him. The wine cellar was filthy and foul smelling. However, Conan did not care about all these. In his brilliant mind, he was brainstorming as to how can he rescue Ran from danger. He knew Tomoaki did not wish to obey every command of Gin and Vodka. He, as a detective, predicted that Gin and Vodka would exterminate Tomoaki once he had finished doing their dirty work. They had to keep the people who know about the organization to their minimum. Conan knew they would kill Tomoaki cold-blooded, just like how they killed Ai�s elder sister� He tried to warn Tomoaki. However, his pleads and advice fell into deaf ears. � But they will kill you! You�re just their lackey!� Conan told him desperately. � Shut up!� Tomoaki exclaimed furiously. �But�� Conan tried again. �No buts!� Tomoaki interrupted cutting Conan�s torrent of explanation short. Conan sighed inwardly. Looks like it is totally a waste of time trying to explain to Tomoaki how vicious they are. Tomoaki stormed out of the cellar and slammed the door shut behind him. The door shook under such strong impact. Conan waited for another 5 minutes, to make sure that Tomoaki is not returning. Then he looked around the room. He spotted an empty glass jar. He managed to break the jar and started sawing through the ropes using the sharp edges of the broken pieces. After about half an hour, the ropes finally gave way. Conan sneaked out of the cellar and wanted to confront Tomoaki in front of Ran. He thought, it was the only way. To get Tomoaki to see the light and pull him into helping them escape from the claws of the black organization. As he was creeping round a corner, a pair of hands grabbed his shoulder. � Kudo-kun,� the voice sounded. �Wait.� Conan turned and saw it was Ai. � Habara! What are you doing here?!� he exclaimed softly, though, very much surprised. � Gin and Vodka are listening into their conversation. If you make an attempt of confronting Tomoaki, Ran will be in greater danger,� Ai explained to Conan, instead of answering his question. Conan jerked backwards in realization. � Oh yeah! Why didn�t I think of it?! Now what?� Conan asked Ai. �Watch and wait,� was the only reply. As worried �sick as Conan was, he knew that was the safest way. It was not long before Gin and Vodka came into the restaurant. They sat at the table next to Tomoaki�s and Ran. Conan muttered under his breath, � What are they doing here? To make sure their dirty work are done without any errors?� Ai asked Conan, � What will Tomoaki do if Ran asks him where are you?� Conan looked at her. � Lie to her that I want to go home and went home early�. Maybe.� Ai nodded. � I hope Ran buys it.� Suddenly, Conan and Ai spotted Gin walking over to Tomoaki and Ran�s table. Tomoaki looked nervous and fearful. Ai seethed. � Looks like I have no choice again,� she said to herself. She took out a small container out of her pocket and handed on pill to Conan. She then popped one into her mouth. � Kudo-kun,� she said. � Another experiment. Hope this works as well.� Conan nodded silently and muttered a prayer mentally and swallowed the pill. This time, the pain reacted instantly. He and Ai were crouching in pain and bent almost double. Soon, they were Minayo Shiiho and Kudo Shinichi again. They were sweating furiously and panting in exhaustion. They noticed that Gin was asking Ran a question. Ran�s expression was doubtful. Then she shook his head. Gin frowned as if he was not satisfied with her answer. He seemed to repeat his question. When he got the same answer, his temper flared. He stood up all of a sudden and banged on the table to vent his frustration. Everyone turned to look. The action triggered a sense of fear for Ran into Shinichi and Shiiho. Gin dug into his black coat and fished out a gun. He pointed to Ran�s temple. Some women screamed. Shinichi felt it was too much and rushed forward. � Kudo-kun!� Shiiho cried and tried to pull him back. However, it was too late. Shinichi had rushed to Ran�s side. �Let her go. Ran is clueless as to what is happening here,� Shinichi spoke to Gin. Gin smirked as if he expected Shinichi to appear at the nick of time to save Ran�s hide. Suddenly, there was a shout. � Please let all of them go. If its I who you want to kill, then claim my life, not theirs!� All of them turned. Everyone�s face expressed astonishment. Especially Gin. Shinichi, who stood just next to Gin, heard a name escaped his mouth softly. � Shiiho�� Shiiho fell onto her knees in front of Gin. She only said four words. � Kill me. Spare them.� She then closed her eyes, as if ready to be shot in the head. Gin was taken by surprise. However, the gun swiftly changed its target. Gin pointed the gun at Shiiho�s temple. � Die. Die for betraying me!� Gin said. Some more women screamed again. Tomoaki did not expect this to happen. At least Ran is safe for the time being�. Tension was as thick as hot fudge. Shinichi could practically smell it in the air. He was holding Ran in his arms. She was trembling out of fear for what she just experience and for Shiiho. He knew no one could stop Gin from killing Shiiho now� Gin asked Shiiho, � Any last words?� A tear dropped onto the marble floor. �Yes,� Shiiho answered. Gin replied, � Say it now.� Silence for solid one minute. � I never cheated on you. It was he who drugged me. I tried to escape. I really did tried and I tried very hard. I�. I��Shiiho�s voice trailed off. Gin was silent, trying to digest the information Shiiho just provided. � I love you.� Gin dropped his gun. �Why didn�t you tell me earlier?� Gin finally spoke his voice soft and warm. �You were so furious at me at that time�� Shiiho was sobbing hysterically by now. Gin pulled Shiiho up gently and held her close. �I�m so sorry. It�s entirely my fault. Please forgive me,� Gin whispered. �Oh, Gin! I already have. I already have long ago��was the reply. Gin smiled. He will never let anything come between them again. |