Shifting Truth

Part 25

Updates will probs be every other week now, if not longer space in between...

I will need time to figure out some stuff, and actually be able to write that.

Thank you for your patience, and I hope things work out well enough in the future.

Either way, I hope you enjoy!

************

Conan stood on Kogorou's desk chair to lean out the window of the Agency. The sun was setting, but a scoff left the boy as he watched the street below. A police car stood parked right by the stairs, an officer escorting another violent intruder away.

Just over a week had passed since the first time people tried to barge into their home, and there had been multiple happenings during that time. Most seemed to happen during the evening when it was dark outside, but there had been another which happened during the daytime.

Irene gave out a concerned whine as she walked over to the windows and next to the chair. Conan glanced down at her, and a small sigh left him, but he fell down to sit on the chair instead. "What's with these sudden attacks...? And how do they know exactly which floor I'm on?" he muttered, then ruffled his bangs in frustration. "When will they learn it's futile? Ran and Occhan won't ever leave me alone at home like this."

Another short whine came from Irene, and she reached up to nuzzle her head into him for comfort. Conan sighed yet again from how tired he was of this. He placed his hands on either side of Irene, and he leaned his head down to her. He was getting really tired of it all, and he was sure the other two were as well. Guilt built up in the boy as he felt himself becoming such a burden for the Mouris.

The door to the office opened, and Conan lifted his head to see Ran peek inside. "Conan-kun," she softly called with a strained smile. "Let's head up."

"Hai..." muttered Conan in answer, and he closed the window and jumped down the chair. He walked out of the office, and Ran turned off the lights and locked the door after them. They walked up to the apartment, but Conan glanced around in confusion as Kogorou wasn't in sight. "Where's Oji-san?" he asked, tilting his head up at Ran.

"He said he needed to make some calls right after the police left," Ran answered. Conan stared up at her, and his features dropped slightly as he lowered his eyes to the floor. He could see how tired Ran was becoming from this, her and her father constantly having to fight off the intruders until help arrived. "Conan-kun, what's wrong?" asked Ran, kneeling down in front of him when she took notice of him.

"I'm sorry..." muttered Conan, still staring at the floor, even when Ran placed her hands on his shoulder. "It's because of me being here that you and Oji-san are so tired... All the attacks are because of me..."

"Conan-kun..." murmured Ran, but she brought him into a hug. "Never think that it's your fault. It's true that we're getting tired, but so are you. And know that we're glad that you're letting us protect you, instead of you trying to go against them yourself..." she stated, giving out a smile as she hugged him tightly. "We'll continue to be by your side, no matter what. Do you understand?" she asked, leaning back to look at him.

Conan stood still for a moment, but he looked up to give a faint nod. "Hai..." he muttered, but his features were still down, not lifting up, concerning Ran slightly.

Ran tried to give him a reassuring smile, but she was too concerned about him. She was afraid that her pseudo-otouto was blaming himself for something he couldn't control. Her hands on his shoulders gave a slight squeeze, but before she could word out anything else, the door next to them opened, and she glanced up.