A Different Path

AN: Alright, here is my first pure Detective Conan fanfic. I know, I know, if I am going to write for Detective Conan, then I should continue 'Death of a Detective, Birth of a Shinobi'. However, this idea hit me like a freight train, and demanded to be written. Since it is the perfect set up for my favorite pairing, Conan x Ai, it is quite enjoyable to write, too.

I will be using the JAPANESE names, as well as some Japanese words and suffixes. I will add translations for the words and suffixes, though.

And without further ado, I present the story.

Chapter 1: For the Love of a Sister

Miyano Shiho was annoyed. She was the head researcher for APTX-4869, important enough that she had her own code name, Sherry, yet her lab was in the very back of the top floor of the building she worked in. Sure, it helped with security, but did it have to be such a long walk?

However, as she is approaching the elevators, (she was grateful that she at least did not have to take the stairs,) she heard a familiar voice, as one of the elevators opened. Gin. The whole building is owned by the Organization, so it is not surprising to see him here, but the two have never gotten along. 'Then again,' she thought, 'Gin may just be a sadist that enjoys the misery of others.' So, she ducks into a nearby room, to avoid contact with him completely.

However, she can still hear his voice. "So, she thinks she can just leave the Organization, and take her sister with her? Ha! There is a reason that her sister has a codename, and she does not." Silence for a few moments, and Shiho realizes that he must be on his cell phone. "That makes sense; we get as much use out of her as we can, then silence the little brat." Silence again. "Of course, Boss, but it will be tricky. Sherry is smart; she may realize that the Organization was responsible for her sister's death."

Shiho froze. She did not hear any more, as her mind whirled. 'Akemi, he was talking about AKEMI!' She thought of rushing out of the room, attacking him, begging that he leave her Onee-chan (1) alone, any number of things. However, the logical side of her mind took over enough to hold her back. She did not know how long Akemi had, but Gin had mentioned "we get as much use out of her as we can", so it was likely that they wanted her to do something first, which gave Shiho at least a little time.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day that Gin will come to her lab for the monthly report, as well as to take first batch of APTX-4869 for field testing. She will confront him then.

Shiho stood patiently before the door to her lab, waiting for it to open. Or at least, that is how she appeared. On the inside, she was terrified. The seconds seemed to drag into hours, as her eyes repeated flicked to the clock on the wall. Had her Onee-chan's life not been on the line, she may have chuckled at the irony. One of the Organization's goals was to 'turn back time', and here she was wishing that it would speed up.

Finally, the door opened, and two familiar faces walked in. First was the one she had been waiting for, Gin. Behind him came Vodka, who she had never really had a problem with. 'Then again,' she could not help but think, 'how can you have an issue with someone, when they have all the personality of a brick wall?'

"I see we kept you waiting, Sherry. My most sincere apologies." Although, by the tone of his voice and the smirk on his face, it was quite clear to Shiho that Gin was ANYTHING but sincere.

"You and I both know that you do not even know the meaning of the word sincere, Gin." She said with a neutral expression. Rather than be offended, though, the blonde's smirk merely widened. Picking up a folder, she handed it to Gin. "The monthly report." She said shortly.

Gin merely glanced at it, before handing it to Vodka. "And the pills? I am looking forward to testing their effectiveness." The look in his eyes left little doubt to Shiho that Gin would enjoy testing them FAR too much.

Despite the dirty feeling she felt whenever she thought about what her research was going to do to people, she grabbed the small metal case off the desk, and handed it to Gin. The man's cruel smile spread even further, as he opened the case and let his eyes slide over the red and white pills.

As the two men turned to leave the room, Shiho spoke up again. "When you give the report to 'that person' please let them know that I would like to see my sister again soon."

Gin turned back towards her, a malevolent glint in his eye, as he spoke. "Oh, didn't you hear? Your sister has been sent on a long term assignment. I am afraid that trying to contact her would blow her cover."

A determined note entered her voice. "Then I want to speak with her as soon as she gets back. How long will it be?" She knew that she could simply ask 'that person' herself, but as impossible as it may seem to an outsider, those within the organization knew the truth. If there was one person more dangerous to confront than Gin, it was 'that person'; the Boss of the Organization.

"Oh, she will be busy for a couple of months. Depending on how 'that person' feels, maybe he will let me send you to her afterwards." His tone left no doubt as to the meaning of his words.

Something in her mind snapped, and all of her logical thinking seemed to just disappear. "Bastard!" She snarled at him, catching both men by surprise. "I know what you are planning, and I will NOT let you harm Akemi!" Before either man could react, she continued on. "If so much as a hair on her head is harmed, I will never work on this accursed pill again!"

Gin recovered from the surprise quickly, a feral grin spreading across her face. "Gotten a bit arrogant, eh, Sherry?" Suddenly, his hand shot out of his pocket, lashing out with the gun gripped firmly in his hand, the barrel striking the side of her head.

Time seemed to slow as she fell, despair washing away her anger. 'How could I have been so stupid?' she found herself thinking. 'There is no escape from the Organization's judgment. But… maybe, just maybe, if I am gone, than they might spare Onee-chan. Please, please be alright, Onee-chan.'

Gin said something, but she could not understand it through the dizziness and pain. He raised the gun, but stopped when Vodka said something. She saw the cruel smirk twist into a scowl of annoyance. Grabbing her wrist, he pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and used them to shackle her to one of the sturdier pipes in the room. Pulling out his phone, he was already dialing as he swept out of the room. Her hearing finally clearing up, all she heard before the door closed was, "Vodka, clear the floor, while I contact 'that person'."

She thought she was about to die, but what if there was something worse planned for her? What if they were planning to hold her Onee-chan as a hostage, just to force her to make more of the accursed APTX-4869? At that moment she came to a decision. She did not know why she had done it at the time, but she had stored one of the pills in a hidden pocket inside her lab coat. Pulling it out with her free hand, she stared at the innocuous little red and white pill.

'If there is a chance, even the slightest chance, that my death will keep Onee-chan safe… there is not even a choice to make.' Hardening her resolve, she brought the pill to her trembling lips. The agonized thrashing of the lab rats told her that it would be quite painful. She slid the pill into her mouth. 'Last chance to back out…' Before she had a chance for her resolve to weaken further, she swallowed.

There was nothing for a moment, and then the pain blasted throughout her body. Agony like nothing she had ever felt before. It was like molten lead was coursing through her veins, like a furnace was trying to melt her very bones.

Nonetheless, she did not cry out. She was not sure why, but she felt the need to see this end before either of her 'colleagues' returned. The pain started to fade, the hellish heat subsiding. At first she felt nothing, and thought, 'Is this what death feels like?' Then, much to her shock, she felt her hand slip through the oddly loose handcuff, and impact the floor. She just laid there in shock, for a moment. 'Impossible! I couldn't have survived! Out of all the rats I tested on, less than one percent survived, and those…' She looked down at herself, raising her hand to see them more clearly as well. Sure enough, her body was much too small, the adult clothes far too loose.

Still somewhat dazed by the incredible unlikely situation she found herself in, she forced herself to think about what to do next. If she was caught now, there was little doubt that she would be held prisoner and experimented on. After all, if becoming a child again did not qualify as 'turning back time' she did not know what did. And if she was able to survive it, then chances were good Akemi may survive as well. At least, so long as her theory about it being reliant on a certain gene sequence was correct. Even if it was wrong, though, someone else was sure to come up with the same theory, and may try to test it using her Onee-chan.

Her only choice was escape. Escape AND find someone to help save her Onee-chan. There was only one door, and either Gin or Vodka could walk through it at any moment, so that was out. There was a window, but it was too high for her to get through in her current form, and even if she could, she was dozens of stories up. That was out, as well. Then, she spotted a ventilation duct. It was far too small for an adult to get through, but it her current form she could likely fit.

The cover was only pressure fit, so it was fairly easy to get off, as well as to replace it from the inside. No sooner had she started to crawl further into the tight passage, she heard the door open and Vodka's voice shout "Aniki!" (2). Ignoring it, she continued on.

It was already the middle of the afternoon by the time she made it outside via a rear door. Making her way away from the building as quickly as possible, she wracked her brain for what to do next. Going to the police is out of the question. Mostly because there is little chance of them believing her, due to her looking like a child. In addition, the Organization has many connections in the police force, and she does not want to risk running into one of them.

Another possibility would be a private detective, but, again, there is the problem with them believing her, as well as the fact that it was unlikely that a normal detective would be able to do anything against such a powerful and well established criminal Organization.

Then, inspiration struck. 'What if it was not a normal detective?' she thought, as a smile graced her face for the first time in two days. 'He might be able to help me. I have never met him, but I have seen him on the news quite often. The 'Savior of the Japanese Police Force', the Famous High School Detective; Kudo Shinichi.' The smile faded slightly. 'I will still have to find a way to convince him that I am telling the truth, but he is my best chance of rescuing Akemi. Just hold on a little longer, Onee-chan.'

With that thought in mind, she changed directions, and started heading toward Beika City.

AN: Phew! That is literally my longest starting chapter yet. I hope you all enjoyed it! While my chapters may not be the longest out there, I hope that I usually make up for it with the originality. Please make sure to let me know what you think. ^_^

Also, if you are interested in hearing some of the other ideas I have had, but have not yet had the time/motivation to write out, just let me know. I love to share, and the ones posted on my profile are just the tip of the iceberg. Chances are, any that you like would be okay to take, too.

Until next time, ja ne! (3)

Notes/Translations: (1): Onee-chan is an informal, affectionate way of addressing an older sister.
(2): Aniki: Bro, Older Brother, Boss. 'Boss' is likely the best translation for Vodka's use of it.
(3): Ja ne: See you later.

Any flames will be used to like Gin's cigarettes.