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000

Heiji sighed as he finished his Kendo practice.

(Flashback)

"...so that's what happened..." Shinichi slowly said. He watched Heiji's face, there was no emotion, but his eyes held sadness until they quickly changed cold. "So now you know" He simply said, exhaling deeply.

"That's why I haven't gone out with another girl ever since" he paused for a second, "I don't want to go through that ever again..."

Shinichi carefully chose his next words, "But then...what about Kazuha...? You're feeling something for her aren't you? That's why you're acting differently and remembering the past..."

He waited for him to answer, but the school bell rang, signaling everyone to get back to class.

"Heiji wait!"

(End of Flashback)

He went on packing up his gear, Kazuha's JUST a childhood friend, that's it!

"...right?" he asked out loud...

"Heiji? You okay?" Her light voice startled him, his muscles tensed. "W-What!" she laughed knowing that she had managed to scare him. He took a few seconds to adjust himself, "What took you so long ahou?" he countered back, knowing that the nick name would bother her. And sure enough, she stomped her foot and crossed her arms, gritting her teeth, "Who are you calling ahou, ahou!"

He let out a laugh which surprised her, "Come on, let's go"

It was a quiet walk back home, Kazuha stayed a few paces behind him, staring at him. Is it me, or is he acting a little...different? She pondered, but chose to think about it later on when she got home. She smiled and decided to enjoy the silence...but her patience soon broke. He HAS been dazing off into space these past few days...I don't know, maybe something's wrong? She pulled on her shirt, unsure whether to ask him or not.

She let out a soft groan, and decided to ask about it later. But when she saw him staring at her with one eyebrow raised, she decided it was now or never.

"Ne Heiji?" he continued looking at her, "Yeah?"

She tilted her head a little bit, "Is something...bothering you?"

It was an innocent question, but still startled him. "Umm no? Why?" With a slightly touch of pink on her cheeks, she shrugged and laughed nervously, "Well, see...you've been quiet recently" she gave him a look, "and we both know that's not normal for you" she teased, making him scowl. She laughed, but then got sincere.

"No really, I'm serious Heiji" she stared straight at him, "it's like lately you've been preoccupied with something, and it's bothering you" she sighed, "you're always staring off into space, and I know it's not something good because every time you do, you look almost...well...sad..."

Now it was her turn to stay quiet. She stared at him, waiting for an explanation. But Heiji was too surprised to answer. He didn't know he had let his 'problem' affect him enough to have her notice.

Feeling uncomfortable, she decided to break the silence. "Is it a case?" Her voice brought him back to reality, "Ahou, it's nothing, you're probably just imagining things" he answered as he continued walking

She looked at him, and walked right up next to him. "you're lying Heiji, why wont you just admit it"

"It's nothing" he said flatly

Liar! She thought, but she knew he wasn't about to tell her any time soon, so she decided to give him some space, maybe this 'problem' will work itself out she told herself, hoping.

(Few days later)

"Kazuha! Over here!" Her head went up and soon found Ran at their usual lunch table. She smiled and went over to her, taking a seat right in front of her. "Hey Ran" she said cheerfully while looking around for him."Heiji will be here in a little bit, apparently Shinichi and he need to go over a few details on their new case"

"Oh, okay" her voice with a hint of pang.

She was startled when Ran began laughing, "W-What?" But Ran continued laughing for a few more seconds before she placed her hand over her mouth, forcing herself to stop. "I just think it's cute that you're a little sad that Heiji's not here"

Kazuha turned tomato red, "I-I am not!"

Ran rolled her eyes, "oh you don't have to lie, it's obvious that you like Heiji" she said in a matter of fact tone.

"that's not true! He's just my...my best friend since we were kids"

Ran smiled at her, "just like Shinichi and me, and see how we ended up?"

Kazuha looked at her, yeah they were also childhood friends and soon ended up in a relationship, but...

"You guys are lucky, but it doesn't always happen, I bet he'd freak out and then say that he just wants us to be friends, but then that never happens and I...I..." she imagined the scene, "I just can't risk it, not if it means there's a chance I'll lose him"

Both girls stayed quiet, "I know the feeling...that's how I felt before" Ran softly said, remembering

Kazuha looked up at her, "wait, what?" the thought of Ran having to go through this as well seemed unreal, Shinichi and she just seem...so perfect. How could they ever have had any problems telling each other their feelings? she crosses her arms and slouches back in her chair.

"...then how did you guys end up together?"

Ran instantly lit up, "With him being a known detective, he had more cases, not always so near by. I'd always wait for him to come home, but it was always hard" Kazuha waited patiently, "I was considering if whether I should tell him my feelings or not, but decided not to because it may ruin our relationship." Kazuha nodded in understanding, "Every time he'd come home, we'd spend the whole time together. I always relished the moment because another case would soon come up and he'd be gone for months"

She had a little smile on her face, "I guess looking back now, his excitement seemed to fade away because he knew he'd be gone and leave me alone. But I told him I'd always wait for him, always"

"Then one day, he told me he had a case and that he'd be gone for a year..a year!" Kazuha's eyes went wide at the outburst from her friend. But Ran just kept shaking her head, "Who knows what kind of case it was!" Kazuha stifled a laugh at the irritated look Ran had.

"He obviously could see how sad I was, and when we were at the train station, we said our goodbyes and I guess I was too depressed to realize he was staring at me for a while, like he was waiting for something, I don't know, but when they called his train once again, he turned to leave"

"I didn't even stay to watch it go, I just left the train station" she stared into space, remembering, "I didn't get too far before hearing my name being shouted. I turned around and..." a small smile tugged at her lips, "...and there he was, running at me! I remember being startled and him panting for air, I asked him what he was doing and that he missed his train, but then...

(Flashback, Ran's POV)

"Shinichi, w-what are you doing? Did you just miss your train!" He shook his head, and stared right at me.

His expression was different, as if he was scared, but why?

And as if reading my thoughts, he softly said "you didn't say you'd wait for me..."

...what? I thought back and realized I didn't, but did it matter? He should know I'll always be waiting for him...right?

But then I felt his arms wrap around me, pulling me into him.

"Sh-shinichi!"

"I'm not loosing you...am I?" his voice quivered, making my heart jump

Realizing he was waiting for an answer, I hugged him back, "...never" and that's when I felt his lips on mine...

(End of Flashback)

Ran smiled at the memories, "After that day, we began dating" she paused, "and now look where we are"

Kazuha watched the happy expression Ran had on, "That's the most sweetest story I've ever heard!"

Ran laughed, "I guess, but listen" she smiled, "don't ever let fear get the best of you"

Kazuha sat still, and after a moment she sighed "...you're right" Ran grinned, liking the idea of being right "but now doesn't feel like the right time to tell him"

Her victory soon vanished though. She rolled her eyes, and was about to question her when she noticed the boys coming over. "Oh, hey guys" she quickly said adding a smile

"Hey, sorry we took long"

Kazuha watched Heiji take his regular seat that was next to hers. "It's fine" everyone else began conversing with each other like always, except Kazuha. She didn't feel like talking much, her mind was too preoccupied with something else.

Something's still bothering him, I know it...

she began playing with her food

Why wont he just tell me?

she heard the bell go off. Saying their goodbyes, she went off to class

Should I talk to him again? No...he'd probably get mad at me for bringing it up again.

She slouched back in her seat, ignoring the teacher. She was too worried to be thinking about class.

I feel like he's distancing himself from me...

She left after class for her aikido practice. "Miss Toyama, are you alright?" She looked up, "Oh, umm yeah" she stuttered out

Her teacher gave her one long look before nodding, "Then please pay attention, now class-"

She tried listening, but found herself tuning everything out. Instead she turned her head towards his direction. He was so fixed on the guy in front of him, not once breaking eye contact.

When practice was over, she quickly packed her things and walked over to him. But apparently his practice wouldn't end till an hour later. So she waited patiently for him. Once it ended, she went up to him.

"Hey Heiji, how was practice?"

He was knelt down on the grass, putting everything away into his bag. "Good, yours?"

"Same"

As he got up, Kazuha began walking towards the direction of their houses. Maybe she could ask him again? Or should she?
She was too preoccupied in her thoughts that she didn't realize that he wasn't walking beside her. Until his voice brought her back to reality.

"Err, umm Kazuha?"

She stopped and turned, "Yeah?" she asked, confused as to why he wasn't walking with her.

Heiji nervously ran his fingers through his black hair. "I was gonna go hang out with some friends after class" he nervously said. She stared at him, confused and it took her a moment before she understood what he was telling her.

When she didn't answer, Heiji added on, "Is it alright if you walk home by yourself today?"

She stared back blankly, "Oh...umm yeah! Sure" she did her best to put on a smile, "see you later then, bye!" she quickly said and added a small wave before turning her back on him and walking away. Once out of his sight, she sighed and let her shoulders drop. "...he could of at least told me before making me wait an hour for him...ahou"

Once her house was in sight, she decided to not let it bother her and that she doesn't always have to be with him! I mean, she's not a lost puppy you know! Sigh...it still bothers me though...

"Well...it was just today, I'll see him tomorrow" she muttered to herself, and a smile slowly appeared on her face.

000

(Days Later)

"...(sigh)..."

She let her shoulders drop down after picking up her aikido equipment. A knot soon presented itself at the bottom pit of her stomach, she knew by now she shouldn't even bother, but she couldn't help it. Hesitating, she slowly turned her head towards his direction.

her heart twisted

never set you hopes high, she sneered at the voice in her head and turned her attention back to him.

Heiji was already walking the other way with some guys. "looks like it's just me alone...again" she let out what would probably be her hundredth sigh, and forced her legs to move and do her best to not look back.

Lately it had just been her walking home alone, a daily ritual now. After the first time he didn't walk with her home, she saw nothing wrong with it, I mean, he HAS a life, he doesn't always have to be with me she thought. But then he'd have another excuse the next day and the next...and the next. Until finally the excuses just stopped and he wouldn't even bother say goodbye or so much of a wave.

And that wasn't even the worst part! Things had become awkward at lunch at their table. He'd still sit with them, okay, maybe she was just being over paranoid or something, but she would swear he'd move his chair as far away from her as he could! And when she'd try to start a conversation with him, he would just reply with one word, even when she'd try to make him mad at her to start an argument!

Now they barely make small-talk, and she can't help feel...hurt. Did she do something wrong?
She reached home and went straight to her bed. Heiji was becoming so distant, she hardly recognized him anymore.

a shaky laugh escaped her mouth, "...talk about childhood friends"

000

Okay, this is becoming some sort of a routine, but I'm truly, utterly sorry for updating so late! I had to re-write this chapter like 4 times because I had no idea where to go with it, but then I went off on a family vacation trip and now I'm back! I'll do my best the next chapter!

Anyways, thank you ALL who reviewed and are still with this fanfic!

Please review and tell me what you think! It will greatly help me for the next chapter!

Love you guys!

Dreambee =)