Starting Over

A/N: Hello! First of all, I want to say that I am BEYOND SORRY! I haven't updated for... 2 months! Crazy, right? Well, for me, school started 2 months ago and naturally, I've already been procrastinating with homework... I've been incredibly busy and I BEG for your forgiveness because you readers mean the WORLD to me!

Well, since in the last chapter, I threatened to not update if I didn't get enough reviews, you guys seem to have a sudden interest in reviewing my fictions! Wow, I should really threaten you more often! Only joking. Lol. Kind of...

Anyways, thanks to all of you reviewers. Especially thanks to roankun (once more) and a certain anonymous "amelia" who generously promoted my story to Facebook and Twitter. Well.. here's Chapter 9! Things are starting to get interesting... (;

Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan/Case Closed. [:


(3rd Person POV)

Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko were walking side-by-side, swinging their shopping bags cheerfully. The shopping center was always crowded around December, but the two girls had a very important shopping list. They had spent the last hour comparing different shades of eyeshadow and nail polish, carefully selecting the colors they thought to be the most attractive. In addition, they had both managed to purchase a pair of decent looking heels (which were delicately wrapped and placed in boxes with ribbons tied at the top). The last thing on their list was the most important: their dresses.

Sonoko abruptly stopped in front of a lavish looking boutique. "This it it, Ran! This is the place!" she exclaimed, pulling her best friend towards the entrance. "I saw the most amazing dresses in here the other day!" The brunette laughed nervously, but allowed her companion to drag her into the store without complaint. Within twenty minutes, the two teenagers had already managed to pick out a variety of different dresses to try on, and headed excitedly into the dressing rooms.

"Oooh, Ran, how about this one?" Sonoko questioned breathlessly, gazing admiringly into the mirror. She was wearing a tight purple cocktail dress, with thin straps and a beaded front.

"Isn't that a little short, Sonoko...?" Ran asked quietly. Sonoko inspected the dress once more, attempting to pull the skirt down a little longer.

"Yeah... yeah, I suppose you're right," she muttered, clearly disappointed. But it didn't last long as she glimpsed the large pile of dresses still awaiting her approval. Ran, on the other hand, was calmly pulling on a gown from her own pile (which was noticeably smaller). She had been unusually quiet.

"Are you OK, Ran?" Her best friend was eying her with concern.

"I – yeah, of course, Sonoko," she replied, zipping up a pretty pink gown. For a minute, she glanced at it with distaste, before quickly pulling it off and tossing it into another pile.

"Ran, that was gorgeous on you!" Sonoko scolded disapprovingly. "Shinichi would've loved it!" Ran winced, frowning. Sonoko paused. "Wait – " she said, narrowing her eyes, "This is about Shinichi, isn't it? Ran... what's up?"

"I... Oh, Sonoko..." Ran shook her head dispiritedly. "I have to tell you something..."


Meanwhile, Miyano Shiho was sitting motionlessly at her desk, looking out the window and contemplating. The sky was a dreary gray. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door of her bedroom. Professor Agasa peeked his head in.

"Ai-chan? Are you alright?" the old man asked gently.

Shiho nodded. "Of course I am."

"Well, then," Hakase entered her room quietly, taking a seat at the foot of her bed and facing her with a kind smile. "Are you planning to go to the dance that Shinichi was talking about?"

Shiho tensed. "I actually wasn't planning on it..."

"Why not?" Agasa questioned innocently. "Don't you have a date? I'm sure plenty of boys asked you..." Shiho grimaced. Professor Agasa only grinned.

"I have something for you, Ai-chan."


If there was one thing Shinichi hated more than crime, it was the bustling of activity that came with the holidays. But add a high school dance to the picture and the busyness nearly doubles. Honestly, he couldn't give less of a care about what he was going to wear! Of course, if it wasn't for Sonoko, who had been insistently pestering him for the past couple days about the dance, he'd be in a much better mood.

Hoping to avoid all the rushing holiday shoppers, Shinichi had bought a decent suit online. He also managed to rent a limousine and purchase a pretty corsage for Ran.

And so, on December 1st, Shinichi stood in front of a full-length mirror, nervously adjusting his bow tie. He looked quite dashing in his suit and his smirk was wider than ever. Kudo Shinichi was one to impress.

"Oho!" A booming voice echoed throughout his house. "You look charming, Shinichi!" Agasa grinned toothily, striding into the room and slapping the detective enthusiastically on the back.

Chuckling, Shinichi turned to face the old man. "Thanks, Hakase." He grabbed the small box in which the corsage was delicately placed and hurried out the door with a wave.


"Wow, Shinichi! A limousine! ...thank you!" Ran exclaimed in awe. But for some reason, Shinichi noticed something holding her back. It seemed almost as though his thoughtfulness was causing her more distress.

"By the way, you look great tonight, Ran," the young detective smiled, pointing out her pretty red gown, which almost reached her ankles. Her long brown hair was let down as usual and she looked very nice.

Shinichi politely held the car door open for Ran and followed as she climbed in. They headed on their way to pick up Sonoko and Kyogoku Makoto, her long distance boyfriend and crush.

Before long, the four teenagers had all arrived at Teiten High School, nervously walking into the doors of the gym, where the event was being held.

"Wow!" Ran and Sonoko both gasped. The massive room looked even bigger than usual; small, round, clothed tables which could seat around six people bordered the edge of the room, leaving an empty space in the middle for dancers. The lights had been dimmed, though brightly colored ones danced across the floor and walls. Streamers, banners, and balloons decorated the place beautifully. The color scheme was an icy blue and silver, and Shinichi felt as if he were stepping into a winter wonderland. The staff had really outdone themselves. There were even sparkling snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. The place was extravagant.

Ran seemed to be getting nervous, gripping Shinichi's arm tighter.

"Something wrong, Ran?" her date asked, concerned.

"No, it's nothing," Ran replied, smiling. "Me and Sonoko are gonna get some drinks, okay?" She hurried off with her best friend (who had just given Shinichi a meaningful glance) to the buffet tables. Makoto and Shinichi sat down and began to make small talk.

Finally! he thought once the girls hurried back with drinks. The four of them ate and chatted for a bit. It had only been ten minutes later and Shinichi had already began to feel bored. Makoto had asked Sonoko to dance. Watching some of the couples on the dance floor, Shinichi figured it wouldn't hurt to ask Ran either. Besides, she looked beyond nervous and he was beyond bored.

"Would you care to dance?" the young detective asked politely, holding out his arm for her to take.

Ran managed a half-smile and took his arm, allowing him to guide her onto the dance floor along with the many other couples.

And that was when it happened.

The front doors were pushed open. Everything seemed to have stopped. Shinichi turned, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever had suddenly caught everyone's attention...

And that was when he saw her. The most beautiful girl in the world, with her dark blue eyes, wavy gold hair, and slight, aristocratic frown. Never had he seen anything quite so breathtaking.

A sudden wave of anger and hatred rippled through him. And yet he couldn't take his eyes off of her as she walked calmly and elegantly into the gym, arm in arm with none other than Hakuba Saguru.


A/N: Aw man! I'm getting really good at these suspenseful endings! I realize, of course, that you readers absolutely HATE them but... well... Haha, they're just so much fun. xD

Anyways, my apologies for the short chapter. Sometimes, you just know the perfect spot to end... You know, so you readers can soak in all the information and whatnot. (; It's NOT because I'm lazy! (No, it really isn't. Especially since I feel so bad about taking so long to update.)

Truthfully, I've had this chapter planned out since the very beginning of the story. Actually, I had this in my mind before I even BEGAN the story! Hopefully, you'll enjoy all the drama I worked hard to create. I apologize if you don't. But PLEASE no hateful comments/reviews.

Speaking of reviews! I know you guys hate me right now for not updating, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! Understand that if I feel that more people are about to hunt me down if I don't update sooner, I'll be inclined to work harder! :D

Once again, I'm super sorry for taking so long with this chapter! (And I cannot guarantee the next chapter will come any sooner.) However, now that the idea is fresh in my mind (and the plot is almost complete), I'll hopefully be able to finish Chapter 10 soon!

Feel free to PM me with any questions/comments! AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!

Gracias! ;D

-Miss Annie

NOTE: Edited slightly.. just slightly. [1/15/2011]