The epilogue is basically just a wrap-up for this part, as well as foreshadowing some stuff that will happen later. (Remember that all five parts make up an overall plot arc!) This is going to seem a bit boring after the action of last time, but I hope you'll enjoy it all the same. Ran acts a bit OOC in this chapter, but that's because she's either worried, ticked off, or just plain mad.

Epilogue

Gin and Vodka sat in a bar, watching the news on the overhead TV.

At 3:30 this afternoon, the citizens of Tokyo were shocked when a shootout occurred on the streets. From what the police have said, the shooting was done by a fleeing kidnapper trying to shake a police tail. Conflicting civilian reports have confirmed that after the van nearly ran over two pedestrians, they took offense and returned fire, causing the van to overturn and crash into a building. The two pedestrians fled the scene and have not been found by police.

The chase was initiated by a failed police sting, which took out three kidnappers and sent the last fleeing in the van. The hostage, who was retrieved without incident, has been confirmed to be the daughter of the Suzuki Zaibatsu's Chairman, Suzuki Sonoko. The hostage was retrieved before the chase commenced. The reporter paused as she listened to something from an earpiece. This just in: the police have confirmed that the sting operation was coordinated by a visiting high school detective, Kudo Sakura, cousin of missing local high school detective Kudo Shinichi. Sakura-san was shot by the kidnappers during the initial abduction, prompting a massive manhunt. Not to worry though, Sakura-san is doing well at an undisclosed hospital outside the city limits.

"Nice break, huh Aniki?" Vodka remarked as the reporter moved on to another topic.

"There wasn't any police tail," said Gin, lighting another cigarette. "There weren't any police sirens or any other gunfire. Something doesn't add up."

"Do you think it was an FBI sting or something?" asked Vodka.

"If that were the case, we'd both have a bullet through the head for exposing ourselves," said Gin dryly. "The police are covering something up, which that person has already confirmed." Gin brought his phone into Vodka's line of sight briefly, displaying the text message before Gin deleted it.

"So, what did he say?" asked Vodka, who hadn't been able to read the message completely.

"Bourbon was on scene and called Vermouth about it," said Gin, his tone indicating his dislike of Bourbon. "Vermouth didn't relay any information about the kidnapper's pursuer, so that person assumes that Bourbon didn't get a good look before the police arrived."

"Right; Bourbon got that undercover job. That paid off though; he and Vermouth ensured that Sherry won't be spilling any secrets on us. Speaking of, where has she been lately?"

"I tend to not bother myself with Vermouth's business," said Gin, taking in a puff of his cigarette. "Back to the point, though, that person has given us a new assignment, one he says will shed some light on all these mysteries."

"Where are we going?" asked Vodka, hurriedly downing his drink as Gin stood up.

Gin said nothing, but showed Vodka his phone again, where he had just received another message from that person. Vodka read the message and grinned.

XXX

Minami was glad to be able to sit down; the events of the last few days had been taxing. Despite the structural damage, Agasa had been able to repair the exoskeleton enough so that he would still be able to show it off at the scientific convention at the start of the New Year he'd signed up for.

Ran, on the other hand, was still worried about Sakura, so Minami had had to call her with Sakura's voice to reassure her that she was fine. That conversation had lasted so long Minami had almost been busted by three hyperactive kids who had spotted her on the phone in Beika Park.

Haibara, on the other hand, had become incredibly jumpy. She didn't know why Gin and Vodka had been in Tokyo at the time, but she was so worried they'd spotted her that Conan had had to reassure her several times that the Organization believed she was dead. The only loose end in this regard was that Conan was unsure how much intel Bourbon had passed on to his superiors, although the fact they were all still alive probably meant that he had called Vermouth, who had likely filtered some of the details.

The weekend after the ordeal, Ran and Sonoko went up to Hokkaido to hopefully catch up with Sakura at whatever hospital she was staying at. Kogoro didn't care to go, but Minami made sure to go, so she could keep an eye on them. Haibara went as well, if only to get away from Tokyo for a while.

The trip there was largely uneventful. Sonoko and Haibara spent the trip looking through the fashion magazines Haibara had brought along while Ran planned the trip, with Minami supplying fake information to avoid making Ran angry.

Once there, the four skipped the sightseeing since it was late and went straight to the hotel. They had only booked one room, since they were all girls, and Minami knew instantly that she'd get murdered if Ran found out who she was.

"I'll…I'll sleep on the floor," said Minami quietly as they all claimed beds.

"Don't be silly!" said Ran as Haibara smirked. "You and Ai-chan will bunk together!"

Instantly Haibara's smirk vanished. Both she and Minami had assumed that Ran would bunk with Minami. It wasn't in Haibara's nature to complain, though, so she rolled her eyes as Minami looked between her and Ran, horror-struck. Sonoko looked on in surprise at the look of shock that had passed over Minami's face.

After everything was settled down, they went downstairs and got a bite to eat in the hotel's restaurant. "Isn't it great to get away from everything?" Ran asked, trying to make conversation.

"You mean away from all the murders?" asked Sonoko, laughing. "You bet!"

'Please don't jinx us,' Haibara thought to herself as she glanced at Minami, who was picking at her food.

"By the way, Haibara," Minami whispered as the two physically older girls began chatting about the next day's plans, "why did you decide to come along? Normally we have to force you."

"I'm open to trying new things," said Haibara quietly, which made Minami roll her eyes.

"We both know better than that. Spill."

Haibara sighed before putting down her chopsticks and wiping her mouth with her napkin. Then she looked up and her face drained of color. In a flash, she had slipped out of her chair and raced away as fast as she could go.

"Ai-chan?" Ran asked as she watched the little girl run back upstairs.

"What got into her?" asked Sonoko. Minami, knowing exactly what would make her do that, took a look around the restaurant for anybody wearing black. She didn't see anybody she recognized, but she wasn't taking any chances. Making an excuse about checking on Haibara, she decided to investigate.

As Minami walked around, a waitress said suddenly, "Fancy meeting you here," and Minami knew exactly who it was.

"Keeping an eye on me?" asked Minami.

"Not my choice, but what can I do? I've got to follow all the orders I'm given."

"So no one knows you're here?"

"Well, looks like someone's pretty smart."

Vermouth was busy washing dishes in the back, disguised as a young Japanese college girl. Minami replied, "I wouldn't have thought you'd have been allowed so much freedom after your failure to kill us a while ago."

"Do you mean the first time or this last time? Well, this time on the train was Bourbon's mission; if I hadn't played along, they might have found out about you. Well, since your plan worked, they think that Sherry won't be a problem anymore, which prompted him to give me back my freedom. Well, I can't be an actress anymore due to the FBI's investigations, but reality is better than fantasy anyway, I've always thought."

"So you mean to tell me you're here alone and not on a mission?"

"See, you're getting it now. And don't bother trying to put me to sleep with that dart-watch; the owner won't take kindly to his employee sleeping on the job."

"You actually got a job? I assumed you would still be getting paid by Hollywood."

"I am, and I will be until the contract expires. I'm not in the gig for the money, kid. I'm in it for the reputation. I figure if I build myself up, I can seamlessly integrate into Japanese society. Now, I've got work to do, so why don't you go reunite with your Angel?"

"You…do realize I'll have to tell the FBI about this?"

"Just because I'm a blonde bombshell doesn't mean I'm stupid. Now…" she dropped what she was doing, grabbed Minami in a grip of steel, and brought her back to Ran and Sonoko. "I caught this one trying to snoop in the kitchen," she said, letting go of Minami, who promptly shivered from the glare Ran gave her.

"Why do you always do these things?" Ran exclaimed, grabbing Minami by the wrist and preparing to drag her away. "Thank you…"Ran began, but Vermouth had already disappeared. "Come on, Minami-chan!" Ran said, leading Minami away. Across the room, Vermouth smiled cruelly, knowing just how much the Organization would give to get their hands on that gender-changing formula.

XXX

"How odd," the nurse said as she looked through her files. "There's no one by that name here. Are you sure you got the right hospital?"

"It should be right," said Ran, glaring at Minami, who was purposely not making eye contact. "Thanks anyways."

Once they were outside, Ran started in on Minami, who winced from the guilt. Haibara and Sonoko, who had almost nothing in common, both decided to go find somewhere else to go, all without speaking.

Ran dragged Minami all over Sapporo looking for Sakura, but it was, of course, futile. At the end of the day, Ran and Minami joined Sonoko and Haibara back at the hotel. Ran wasn't speaking to Minami, which Haibara found particularly amusing and Sonoko found hilarious.

Ran cut the trip short, bringing them all back to Tokyo the next day. As Minami looked around at all the couples on the train along with them, she felt a pang of sadness as she watched Ran's mood grow even darker.

By midday they had arrived back in Tokyo, just in time to meet the hustle of the midday shopping rush. It was when they were passing a store selling rare fish that Ran caught sight of a Shinichi-lookalike leaning against the wall, who was clearly waiting for someone inside, although Ran got tunnel vision and didn't realize it.

"Shinichi!" Ran yelled loudly, causing everyone in the immediate area to look over in shock. The kid, who could only be told apart from Shinichi by his hairstyle, looked over at Ran rushing towards him, which made his face turn white. Unsurprisingly, he took off running as fast as he could go. Sonoko, Haibara, and Minami watched in silence as Ran and the boy disappeared around a far corner.

Less than a minute later, a girl came out of the fish store, took a look around, and muttered, "Geez, he's always running off, that Kaito."

Another girl emerged, who Minami recognized from when she and Ayumi had gone shopping for Halloween costumes. "Maybe the smell of the fish scared him away," she suggested sweetly, leading the duo away.

XXX

When Ran returned to the detective agency an hour later, she was absolutely fuming. Kogoro and Minami both had to barricade themselves inside Kogoro's room until she calmed down.

"What happened up there anyways?" Kogoro asked Minami as he peered through the keyhole. When Minami explained, Kogoro then said, "That detective girl; why did she lie like that? If I ever see her again, she's getting a judo flip!"

'He's still sore about the dunk tank,' Minami thought, making a mental resolution to not return as Sakura for a little while, which, as she was soon to find out, would be a very smart move.

"SHINICHI!" Ran yelled. A sound resembling a tin can being crushed filled the room as the television lost its ability to function.

END OF PART THREE

Don't worry about Ran; she'll cool off eventually. If there is anything that confuses you, don't hesitate to write a review or send me a PM so I can clarify. Of course, feel free to review anyways.

Since this is the end of this part, I am currently taking suggestions for possible plot ideas for Part Four. The only restriction is that it must be about Kid, since that's who I'm writing about, and it can't include any KidXMinami pairings. I've already decided to not go that route, so if that's what you want, I can already tell you that you're outta luck. Other than that, anything is fair game.

I personally had a great time writing Part Three, just as much as I've had writing this entire series. Combining the adaptation of Minami into society with the status quo of the series with constant criminal cases is just of the many fun things I've dealt with in the series. I'm not that much of a loli, either, so that probably helped keep the series light-hearted and fun while getting rid of all my perverted readers. (You wouldn't believe some of the stuff people PM me about sometimes!) I also thank you guys, my readers, for keeping my spirits up and giving me a reason to write. So don't forget to review, submit ideas, and submit an Author Alert so you'll know when I post Part Four. Remember: a Story Alert will NOT let you know, so don't hit that button! (Sorry, pet peeve :P)

Until next time,

CoolKid94