Detective Bunnie part 2

Bunnie just continued to ponder as she paced back and forth across the floor of Roll's bedroom. Roll was just sitting quietly, her ankles crossed, and using a spare cloth to wipe away her tears. Rosie was just holding Roll's hand for moral support but was also looking rather annoyed at Bunnie. The orange rabbit didn't seem to take notice.

"Yes, yes indeed," Bunnie pondered to herself, "I can sense a robbery for sure, tee hee."

"And how may I ask did you come to that conclusion, professor goofball?" Rosie asked with a smarty tone.

"Well let's think about it, my dear sister," said Bunnie in a serious tone, "Does Roll look like someone who is...irresponsible?" Rosie blinked and Roll just looked at her with curiosity.

"No, not one bit, silly," said Rosie, "And what does that got to do with anything?"

"Well most people Roll's age can be prone to losing and misplacing things," said Bunnie, "But Roll is very responsible and until she came to live here. She didn't really have much of anything to misplace. Roll isn't like usual children her age. She's a high school graduate and very mature as well. Sometimes I often forget she's so young because she acts like an adult. My point is dear Rosie that Roll isn't the type of person to misplace something like this."

"I agree," said Rosie, "But still...everyone has memory lapses from time to time. Even I can misplace something on occasion. I'm just saying that you can't just jump to conclusions about this kind of stuff, silly. You can't just assume he was stolen!"

"She's not," said Roll sadly, "I've already looked everywhere."

"Not everywhere," said Rosie, "We still haven't checked around the house. Maybe he might be in another room and you just forgot about it. You never know." Roll didn't have much confidence that Komasan would be anywhere downstairs, but was willing to still try to look around.

"Okay..." said Roll quietly as Rosie cuddled her close.

"Actually, Rosie has a good idea," said Bunnie, "Maybe we can find some more clues about the kidnapper downstairs."

"I sure hope so," said Roll as Rosie gave her a "are you serious" look.

"I'll find the culprit Roll don't you worry, tee hee," said Bunnie, "now to the lower level to investigate!" Bunnie made a determined pose before venturing downstairs in a hurry. Roll soon rose to her feet and followed closely behind her. Rosie just stared at the two before rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"This is so gonna be a long day," said Rosie to herself as she was the last to make her way downstairs. The next couple of hours were spent searching the house as thoroughly as possible in order to find Roll's lost Komasan. First they checked the kitchen. Rosie was rather surprised to see that Roll didn't seem as concerned about being tidy as she began throwing pot after pot from her cabinets. She was more careful in searching through the cabinets that had plates, cups, and other fragile items, but the blonde girl didn't waste any time putting them back once she had emptied the cabinet of all its contents. The only items she bothered putting away after taking them out were the items in her refrigerator. Bunnie used her magnifying glass to search around for any clues.

"Nothing in this room," she said casually.

"Obviously," said Rosie in a spiteful tone. Bunnie gave her a death glare.

"Anyways, as the law of deductive reasoning would suggest," said Bunnie, trying to get back on task, "One room down, three others to go."

"Are we going to check the basement too?" said Roll, "I'm so desperate to find my doll that I'll check anywhere now! I just want my Komasan back!" Roll whimpered a bit as Bunnie gave her a comforting smile.

"We'll find him," said Rosie, "Don't you worry about it, silly."

"Yeah," Bunnie added, "Maybe we'll find some clues in another room." Roll nodded as she and Bunnie headed towards her work room. Rosie was left behind and saw that Roll didn't bother to put anything away.

"Gee...thanks you guys," said Rosie in annoyance. By the time Rosie had finished, she walked into Roll's office to find items laying everywhere, especially a bunch of books from the two shelves Roll had literally demolished trying to see if Komasan was behind any of them. They were about to exit when Rosie blocked the door.

"Oh no you don't!" said Rosie sternly in a motherly tone, "You two are not leaving this room until everything you threw all over the floor is picked up and put back into its proper place! You understand me, silly!" Bunnie looked indignant as Roll looked a bit fearful.

"Yes, maim," said Roll and started to pick up the books. Bunnie just glared back at Rosie until the blue cat growled and leaned forward into the rabbit's face. Rosie was not going to tolerate any back talk and even Bunnie was smart enough to stand down.

"Okay, okay!" Bunnie bellowed, "It's not like there was any clues in this room anyway, tee hee." Bunnie then walked away and started to help Roll with the mess. Rosie just rolled her eyes at the rabbit.

"Even I could have told you that," Rosie muttered to herself. But then she heard the sound of sniffling and saw that Roll was had started crying as she continued to fix her bookshelf. Rosie approached her gently.

"Hey," said Rosie gently, "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I was just annoyed that you guys left me to clean to kitchen alone." Roll blinked in surprise.

"I...I would have cleaned it myself," Roll whimpered, "I'm just not too worried about leaving a mess. I just want my doll back...I'm sorry..." Rosie soften instantly.

"I know you're worried about your doll," said Rosie, "But no need to tear your house apart and leave the place looking like a demolition derby, silly. Promise me you'll clean up your mess and I'll help you okay." Roll nodded as she dried her eyes and they finished cleaning up the office room and headed towards the guest bedroom. While Bunnie was still rather sloppy with her "investigating", Roll just said nothing and cleaned up the mess the orange rabbit left behind. The basement didn't have much to shuffle about so searching there was rather quick. The main room was last and they only had to search for a couple of minutes before Bunnie gasped loudly.

"AH-HA!" she exclaimed excitedly, "A CLUE!" Roll gasped as she sloppily put back a sofa pillow and rushed towards the rabbit.

"What did you find Bunnie?" Roll asked curiously.

"Take a look at this, tee hee," said Bunnie as she pointed at Roll's spare pair of pumps next to the door. Rosie just looked at the shoes bluntly and then at the rabbit.

"Bunnie," said Roll slowly, "Roll always keeps a pair of shoes by the door. That's nothing unusual. They are there for emergencies."

"Yes it is," said Roll, "Look at where my shoes are! I usually put my shoes on the right side of the door. My shoes are on the left side now and they look like they were knocked about."

"Probably by the very culprit who came in here to take Komasan!" said Bunnie.

"Or you could have just kicked her shoes when we walked in," said Rosie indignantly.

"Wouldn't you or Bunnie have noticed you did that when you walked in?" Roll asked, "You would have felt your foot hit them." Rosie was a bit baffled at her statement until she realized that the blonde girl was right.

"Okay...good point, silly," said Rosie, "But that still doesn't say that someone came in here and stole Komasan."

"Then about this?" Roll asked as she noticed some brown cloth near the floor. Bunnie picked it off of the floor.

"This looks like it was ripped off when the thief came into the house," said Bunnie, showing he torn side of the fabric, "I know for a fact that Roll has no clothing of this particular shade of brown."

"Well she does have a brown-striped shirt," said Rosie as a matter of fact.

"That brown is a darker hue," said Roll, "This is...more of a chocolate brown...milk chocolate color to be exact. I don't have anything like this in my dresser."

"Speaking of dressers," said Rosie, "Roll it's already half past eleven. You should get dressed!" Roll then remembered she was still on her pajamas and just sighed.

"Does it really matter if I don't dress?" she asked, "I don't care if people see me in my pajamas. I don't care if my hair is a mess! I...just don't care about how I look."

"Roll, didn't you forget that your secret storage room is complete," Rosie pointed out, "Don't you want to know where it is?"

"I don't care about that anymore!" Roll snapped, "I just want my Komasan!"

"Well, it is clear to me that he is no longer anywhere in this house, tee hee," said Bunnie, "We'll need to take this investigation outdoors. So go get dressed and freshen up Roll and we can head to Tom Nook. We might even find the culprit inside the very room! After all, his construction crew were the only people who had access to your house last night." Roll just stared before sighing in agreement.

"Good point," said Roll, "How's the weather outside?" Rosie cracked open the door and was surprised.

"Whoa! It's raining outside!" said Rosie, "and there wasn't a cloud in the sky a few hours ago, silly!"

"That's late autumn for you, tee hee," said Bunnie. Roll growled.

"First I lost my Komasan, now I have to wear shoes," said Roll, "This is not my day."

"If it helps lessen the wound, tee hee," said Bunnie, "you could wear a pair of sandals. You did it when you first came here in early spring." Roll just chuckled lightly before smiling.

"Maybe," said Roll, "But I gotta see what I want to wear first. I'll be down in a few minutes." Roll headed upstairs to wash up and change as Rosie and Bunnie just sat quietly in the living room. Bunnie began writing things down into a spare notepad she kept in her trench coat pocket.

"Rosie..." Bunnie said quietly.

"Yeah?" Rosie asked as she tilted her head towards the rabbit.

"I'm a bit worried," said Bunnie, "This cloth isn't something that I've seen on any clothing from Gracie or the Able Sisters. And we've both practically memorized the clothing catalogue from cover to cover!" Rosie giggled in agreement.

"I just don't understand something," said Bunnie, "Why would anyone want to take away Roll's doll? We don't steal from each other around here. At least...not anything extensive as personal possessions. We've borrowed from each other and forgotten about it sometimes...but...we never flat out break into other people's houses and take their items."

"What if Roll forgot to lock the door last night?" Rosie asked, "that can happen occasionally."

"True, but I did hear her door click when we came this morning," said Bunnie, "that means she must have locked it. I asked her when we were in the basement. She said she locked the door long before ever playing with Komasan last night." Rosie hummed.

"I'd hate to say it Bunnie, but you might be right," said Rosie, "since we searched the entire house...what if Roll accidentally dropped him into the trash can? It could be at the recycling center being processed right now!"

"EEEEEEEEEEEEK!" THUD

"Nice," said Bunnie as she rushed upstairs and Rosie clasped her mouth, realizing her mistake. Bunnie raced upstairs to revive the now passed out blonde girl. By the time the orange rabbit had returned downstairs, Roll had dressed into a beatnik shirt, black pedal pushers, and had just left her hair down with nothing in it. Rosie took notice that Roll's hair wasn't properly brushed.

"You look cute, silly," said Rosie, "but I think you're hair could use a brush." Roll just rolled her eyes.

"Roll, don't neglect yourself, silly," said Rosie, "Komasan wouldn't like that you're neglecting your beautiful hair."

"Well I don't feel beautiful right now," Roll snapped, "Besides...I don't know what to do with my hair anyway."

"Don't you have a black or a magenta headband, tee hee?" Bunnie asked. Roll just sighed.

"If I put one on, will that make you happy?" she asked. Bunnie and Rosie smiled as Roll then headed back upstairs. She just grabbed her black headband and tucked it into her hair, even giving it a quick brush and then headed downstairs. However, they noticed that Roll was rubbing her head.

"What happened, silly?" Rosie asked with concern.

"My stupid hairbrush got caught in a knot and I had to tear it out," said Roll, "my day keeps getting worse."

"You're just having a rough morning," said Bunnie, "At least we've got some sort of idea about some possible suspects. From what I can tell someone came into your house last night and since Tom Nook's crew was supposed to be adding your secret storage room. There a good chance it was one of them."

"But...but why would Tom send someone to steal Komasan?" said Roll, "I'm not behind in any debt and I have the bells to pay the cost of the storage room in full!"

"We'll find out when we trap the culprit in the act, tee hee!" said Bunnie with determination, "Since it's well past 10am, Nook's Homes should be open for business. Let's go!" Bunnie then charged out of the house and straight into the rain. Roll and Rosie just watched her leave for a second before Roll pulled on her black pumps and the two girls both went to catch up with the orange rabbit. At least until Roll realized she had forgotten an umbrella and headed back to grab her red one before they continued their pursuit. By the time they were able to catch up, Bunnie was already at Nook's shop, where she had Tom Nook pinned against the wall.

"Bunnie what the blazes are you talking about?" he asked rather annoyed.

"You know exactly what I am talking about!" said Bunnie sternly, "Now hand it over!"

"Hand over what?" Tom asked angrily as Roll and Rosie entered the shop.

"Bunnie what in the name of candy bars are you doing, silly?" Rosie asked sternly.

"I've got the culprit red handed, tee hee," Bunnie retorted, "Now if you'll excuse me I'm about to make an arrest."

"An arrest?!" said Tom Nook in shock.

"Oh just ignore her, she's just being stupid," said Rosie as she pulled Bunnie away from the tanooki, "Long story short, Roll had something taken from her last night and we're wondering if you might have an idea where it might be."

"Yeah, tee hee," Bunnie retorted, "I mean. Roll does owe you for the secret storage! What better way to make Roll pay right away then talking her stuffed lion dog hostage!"

"Oh Bunnie will you just shut up!" said Rosie sternly. Tom Nook looked rather indignant.

"You know, I've been called many things over the years, from greedy tanooki to Tom Crook," he said sternly, "but stealing stuffed dolls from little girls is just below the belt! I have standards too you know. Ethical standards!"

"I know you do Tom," said Roll, "I'm not blaming you. But I do know your crew did come to install my secret storage room. I found my shoes had been kicked and a piece of torn brown cloth stuck in the front door. I don't why they would have any interest in my lion dog. It's just a worn stuffed animal that could fall apart at any moment! (Oh please forgive me for saying that, but I can see nobody but me understanding your true value Komasan)." Tom Nook softened at seeing Roll looking so upset.

"So that's what's going on, yes," said Tom, "Roll had a doll stolen and my crew was the only ones who could have been inside of your house, hmm."

"Yes indeed," said Bunnie, "I wonder if you might have any crooked workers or sick minds working for you!" Tom glared as Lyle stepped in.

"No way. No how. Not possible," Lyle responded, "Want ethics? You want 'em. We've got 'em! BANG. Check workers. Yes we do. Tools and items scanned here. By who? Yours truly! Make sure workers don't steal. No take anything unless offered. BANG!"

"So you checked the workers to make sure they didn't take anything then," said Roll with a sigh, "Then...where's my Komasan?"

"Komasan?" said Tom, "Ah! That's the name of your lion dog, hmm?" Roll nodded.

"I just don't know who would take it," said Roll, "and why? That toy is very special to me! It's the only toy I have from my...past."

"I see," said Tom, "well, I'm sure you'll find it in good time."

"I've checked my entire house top to bottom this morning," said Roll, "I can't find it anywhere..." Tom pondered a bit when a particular pink otter wearing a HHA jacket with a yellow necktie instead of the regular tie, a blue knee length skirt and light blue pumps with a blue polka dot ribbon in her mini bun. She had on a warm smile on her face.

"Hi there!" said the pink Otter, "I was hearing the conversation as I was walking out from the back room. Maybe I can offer some assistance with finding that lost doll of yours." Roll blinked at the pink otter.

"Umm, sure," said Roll, "But first...who are you?" The pink otter just stared and then laughed.

"Oh now where are my manners," said the otter, "It must be weird seeing another random otter here isn't it!"

"Indeed it is," said Bunnie skeptically, "A new person appears just as Roll's doll has gone missing very suspicious..." Rosie and Tom rolled their eyes at her.

"Ignore her," said Rosie, "but if you got any information about that. I hope you'll help us out. This doll is very important to Roll." The otter just nodded.

"I'm sorry," said the otter, "I just got here not too long ago."

"Can vouch! Can confirm! BOOM!" said Lyle, "She with me. Has not left office. Came with me. Left with me. Been by my side. Since last night. Just not in bathroom. That be weird. Indeed. BANG!" Lottie blushed a bit before giving the otter a glare.

"Yeah...too much information there, Uncle," she replied.

"Uncle?!" said Bunnie, Rosie, and Roll together.

"Yes indeed," said Lyle, "Family man. Had relatives. Yes I do. Not many. But still family. BOOM! This here. This Lottie. Niece she is. But like daughter. Parents good to her. No doubts there. But they suffer fate. Yes they did. Lottie my own pride. Yes she is. Great worker. A pleasure to raise. Just wears too much make up. BANG!" Lottie just let Lyle banter until he mentioned the makeup and turned around to give him another glare.

"Being honest. You need no makeup. But that my say. Not yours. BOOM," he answered. Lottie just rolled her eyes before chuckling to herself.

"I get it, I'm beautiful with makeup," said Lottie, "but I still want to look my best. Makeup helps me feel beautiful when I look at myself in the mirror."

"At least you can feel beautiful looking at your face," Roll muttered quietly as Tom approached her.

"Anyways Roll, Lottie has traveled all this way as part of the completion of your new secret storage room," said Tom, "First of all, you might be wondering where your new storage room is, yes?" Roll just nodded.

"Well whenever, you enter any one of your rooms," said Tom, "Look for a grey door next to your light switch. Inside is a button that will call up a special pipe that will take you to your secret storage room that has all the storing capacity you could have ever dreamed of!"

"Wow...cool..." said Roll, trying to sound excited, but her worrying about Komasan dampened her mood a bit.

"So...now I'll turn you to over to Lottie, who has plenty of advice to share with you in regards to interior decorating," said Tom, "take it away Miss Lottie."

"Thank you Mr. Nook," said Lottie politely, "My Uncle Lyle has told me about how proficient you've become in making your house a proud sponsor of the HHA. However, even I understand that such decorating can get a bit cumbersome, especially when you have a large number of items in the same room."

"That's true," said Roll.

"Well then, how about I show you a new feature that has been added to your house for interior decorating?" said Lottie, "I've got a training room all set up for you in the back if you're ready."

"Give me a second Lottie," said Roll and she removed her black pumps, tucked them into her pockets, and curled her toes into the tile flooring of the shop. Lottie looked at but puzzled at her action. Roll noticed her confused look.

"I think and concentrate better barefoot," said Roll, plain and simply. Lottie giggled to herself, finding the idea rather cute as she gestured for Roll to follow her to the back room that was 6 by 6 units. When they entered, the inside was rather empty, only a desk and a flower pot inside of the room.

"Well then Roll, " Lottie began, "first of all, notice the tablet hanging against the wall in the hallway here?" Roll looked around and found a tablet hanging behind Lottie.

"Please pick it up and we'll get started," Lottie instructed as Roll picked up the tablet which activated on its own.

"Now with this tablet, interior designing is even easier than ever!" Lottie explained, "First of all noticed the shapes as well as the marking on them. I'm pretty sure you understand that different shaped items represent the size of each object in your room, correct?"

"Uh huh," Roll answered.

"Okay," said Lottie, "first thing were gonna do it rotate an item. Simply use your finger to tap the object of your choice to rotate it exactly 90 degrees. Give it a try on the desk!" Roll nodded as gave the shape representing the desk a light tap with her finger on the screen. She jumped as the desk rotated before her.

"Whoa!" she said in surprise.

"Pretty cool isn't it," said Lottie, "Now hold your finger down on the desk and try moving your finger around the screen." Roll just looked a bit stunned before giving it a try and looked up. As she held her finger down, the desk rose into the air and began to move about the room.

"This is so cool and so scary," said Roll, clearly impressed as she released her finger and the desk dropped down into its new location.

"Very impressive Roll," said Lottie, "You can also do the same with items hanging on the ceiling as well. Try moving that wall painting by dragging your finger on the rectangle along the walls of the screen." Roll did so and marveled at how the painting moved about the wall and set hung itself back into the wall when Roll let go.

"Bravo Roll!" said Lottie, "Are you sure you've never done this before?" Roll just giggled to herself and shook her head.

"Okay then," said Lottie, "If you noticed the two items, one it bluish-green in color and the other light green. The bluish green items with dots on it means the items cannot be placed on top of something or have items placed on top of it. Bluish-green items with plus signs can have items placed on top of them like the desk. Light green items with plus signs, like the flower pot, are items that are made to be placed into top of other items. Give it a try Roll! Pick up the flower pot and place it on any side of the desk." Roll nodded as she held her finger on the flower pot and dragged her finger on the screen and it was set on the left side of the desk.

"Awesome work Roll," said Lottie as she clapped for the blonde girl, "You're a natural at this."

"Thanks," said Roll, "This will definitely make interior decorating easier. It might even help me look for my doll...I sure hope I can find him. If can't find him anywhere in my house...(sigh). I never take him out of the house either. If he was taken, I don't know would and why. Why would someone take my own toy? This is the first time I've told anyone about it. And...I guess I must just be talking your ears off over nothing right now..."

"No, it's okay," said Lottie, "I had a special doll myself. But when I moved away, it got misplaced and I never found it again. I cried for nearly a year before I was able to move on."

"I don't wanna move on from Komasan," Roll croaked, "at least you grew up with an Uncle who loved you and at least gave you stuff! I didn't have the luxury! I was a reject! I...I don't know why I'm even telling you this! I don't even know you..." Lottie just chuckled to herself before pulling her into a hug.

"That might be true," said Lottie, "but I understand how upsetting it is to misplace something that is precious to you. It's emotional, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure if you keep up hope and keep searching that you'll find him. May this upgrade prove useful in your search for your Komasan doll. By the way...you said he was a lion dog right?"

"Yeah," said Roll, "a white lion dog with light blue eyebrows, stomach, and tail. He even has one yellow-green eye cause he's so old and worn." Lottie's eyes widened as she grabbed a separate tablet and began doing some scrolling on it.

"Like this?" said Lottie and Roll gasped in shock.

"That's it!" said Roll, "That's Komasan!"

"Roll, that doll you have is a vintage lion dog doll," said Lottie, "Those things went out of production nearly 70 years ago! Toy collectors would sell their souls to get such a doll to their collection!" Roll then grew worried.

"So that means...if they discovered him..." Roll began to realize the horrible truth, "someone would have a reason to take him. They'll play hostage until they get a good price for him!"

"Good price indeed!" said Lottie, "The last doll I saw on T-bay was priced at over 5,000,000 bells!" Roll just grunted angrily.

"I don't care," said Roll, "I'd pay everything, even the clothes on my back to get him home. I was happy living in a trash can once with nothing but a sackcloth and my Komasan once...I could do it again if it meant I'd get him back..." Roll's couldn't help but feel tears stream down her face. Lottie looked concerned as she handed Roll a spare cloth to dry her eyes so she could feel better.

"And I thought I had it bad when I lost my parents as a child," said Lottie, "At least I had Lyle to take me in. You poor thing. You had nothing."

"Pretty much," Roll replied sadly, as she wiped her cheeks.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck," said Lottie gently, "and maybe we'll see each other again."

"Thanks Lottie," said Roll, "for hearing me out." Lottie smiled as she handed her a card.

"Take this," said Lottie, "if you ever wanna chat, whatever the topic, you give me a call anytime. It's my way of saying that I want to be your friend." Roll smiled, deeply touched by the otter's gesture.

"Thank you," said Roll and tucked the card into her pocket so she could add her number into her smart phone later. They exited the back room only to find Bunnie and Rosie shouting over each other angrily. Roll growled before she grabbed both of their heads and smacked them together.

BONK!

"OW!" they shouted together as they rubbed their now sore foreheads.

"If you two can't get along with each other," Roll warned sternly, "I'm just gonna go look for Komasan by myself!" Bunnie and Rosie just glared at Roll and then at each other.

"Well Rosie isn't being much of a help!" Bunnie said angrily, "I'm trying to come up with some leads regarding the clues I've gathered and..."

"What clues, silly?" Rosie barked, "All you've been saying is that Lottie is a shady character and you think she's up to no good. What grounds do you have to prove that?"

"Well...tee hee," said Bunnie, trying to collect her thoughts, "Well...see..."

"Exactly, silly!" Rosie exclaimed, "You've got nothing other than Roll's shoes being moved and a piece of torn cloth, which nobody owns in this area!"

"How do we know that Lottie doesn't have anything made of this material, tee hee?" Bunnie asked, holding the cloth in her hands as Lottie examined it.

"Nope...I don't have anything of this color in my closet," said Lottie.

"A likely story," said Bunnie.

"I believe her," said Roll sternly. Bunnie just sighed.

"Alright, but I'm keeping her on my suspect list," said Bunnie, "Now let's go see if there might be any other clues on main street." Rosie just conceded quietly as Roll nodded in agreement.

"Let's get going to the post office and then T&T Emporium," said Roll as she put her pumps back on, "Thank you for the storage room and for the seminar Lottie. Sorry for my best friend's interrogative nature Tom. She's just trying to be helpful and means well. I just want my doll back." Bunnie smiled while Rosie just pouted and looked away. Roll glared at the blue cat before Tom coughed to get her attention.

"We're glad to be of service," said Tom, "and I'm sure you're doll will turn up eventually."

"Yes indeed," said Lottie, "If it will help with your investigation detective, I do know that Roll's lion dog is a vintage collector's item."

"Ah!" said Bunnie as she wrote that down in her notebook, "Roll's lion dog is a collector toy, making it very rare and very valuable. A thief must have known this fact. Otherwise, why bother taking such a toy?"

"I really hope nobody would be so greedy as to take away my toy just for...for fun and profit!" Roll snapped, trying to recompose herself.

"I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of this," said Lottie.

"Yes we will," said Bunnie, "every bit of information is helpful in an investigation like this. Now come on.." Bunnie made her exit while Rosie just followed behind with a skeptical look on her face. Roll just sighed as they left Nook's homes and then headed to the post office. It seemed like no matter where they went, Bunnie was eager to question everyone she met. But in the end, Luna, Pelly, Pete, even Phyllis had nothing to really add the investigation. (Well Phyllis had some choice words to say...but Pelly covered her mouth and asked the three to just leave.) Timmy and Tommy had nothing to say but took offense to Bunnie accusation of collecting the door to sell for profit, even after saying that they had no interest in collecting stuffed animals and that they had enough wealth from the profits made by the emporium. Gracie was not afraid to fight back and nearly picked Bunnie up the throw her out of the shop when Rosie dragged Bunnie away. Gracie was furious afterward.

"I'm your friend Roll!" she yelled angrily, "How dare you accuse me of doing something so low!"

"I just want my doll back!" Roll yelled, "I'm sorry if Bunnie upset you, but don't blame me for actions. Just cause she's my best friend doesn't mean I can control her! Someone broke into my house and took him!"

"Well how is that my fault?" Gracie retorted.

"I'm not saying it was your fault!" Roll shot back angrily, "I just can't find who took and why they would take away the only toy I've ever owned in my ENTIRE LIFE!" Roll then dashed downstairs and catch up with her friends when she tripped and nearly fell down the stairs. She managed to catch herself and found that one of her pumps had fallen off her foot about six steps above her.

"I hate shoes!" Roll yelled before pulling off the other and throwing it into a corner near the T&T catalogue machine and stomped towards the exit. She was then cut off by Margie, who had been browsing the flowers and saplings and saw Roll trying to leave the emporium barefoot.

"You're not leaving here without your shoes young lady!" said Margie, "It's rain rather heavily outside you're gonna catch a cold, tootie!"

"I don't care!" Roll protested, "My most precious possession was taken from me! I could care less I caught my death out there! I hate wearing shoes! I don't care if I get sick. I don't care about myself anymore!"

"Don't say that, tootie!" Margie retorted, now in tears and deeply hurt by what the blonde girl had said, "I won't let you do that to yourself...I love you..." Now Margie was crying. Roll then just walked up to her and hugged her.

"I'm sorry Margie," said Roll, "I'm just really frustrated today."

"We all have bad days," said Margie, still in tears, "Doesn't mean we have to neglect our health and well-being. Now what's this all about?"

"Someone stole Roll's toy doll," said Bunnie.

"Nobody stole her doll!" said Rosie in exasperation.

"YES THEY DID!" Roll screamed and Rosie jumped back at her tone. Roll just panted a bit before calming down.

"I've torn my house apart and found nothing," said Roll, "Someone had to have taken him."

"Do you have any proof, tootie?" Margie asked.

"I've found that my shoes were moved last night and they looked like they had been kicked around," Roll explained, "and there a piece of cloth torn off from whatever the kidnapper was wearing. Plus I learned from Lyle's niece Lottie..."

"Lyle has a niece?" Margie exclaimed in shock.

"Pretty much," Roll answered hastily, "She told me that my doll was a vintage lion dog." Margie's eyes enlarged in shock.

"You...you mean you actually own a white and blue lion dog doll, tootie?!" Margie exclaimed. Roll nodded.

"At least I used to until someone took him," said Roll sadly. Margie pondered.

"Wait! How would you..."

"I don't have it and I wouldn't steal it, you know me by now, tootie," said Margie, "I found out about them when I was alone reading stuff on the internet one day."

"Alright...fine," said Bunnie, crossing Margie off her suspect list as Rosie shook her head indignantly.

"Well if I might give some advice," said Margie kindly, "Why not ask people who would actually have interest in collecting dolls or even toys for that matter, tootie. It might help you narrow down the search."

"Hmm," Bunnie pondered, "Who...who would be interested in claiming that doll for their own interests? Hmm..." Everyone else waited impatiently before Bunnie got an idea.

"Wait a second...Blathers!" said Bunnie excitedly.

"Blathers?!" Rosie, Roll, and Margie said at once.

"Sure, tee hee," said Bunnie, "He is a collector after all and Roll's doll is a vintage item! Why wouldn't he want to have Roll's toy on display in the museum?"

"But Blather's is no thief, silly!" said Rosie in frustration, "Blathers is into much older items and not something as trivial as a toy!" Roll growled fiercely as Rosie took a step back.

"S-s-sorry," said Rosie nervously, "I just meant in general. I know Komasan is more than just a toy."

"Well maybe if you actually helped instead of criticizing Bunnie all day WE MIGHT ACTUALLY GET SOMEWHERE!" Roll exploded. Rosie just looked at Roll fearfully before dashing out of the emporium in tears. Roll just watched her take off with a heavy heart.

"Rosie..." she whimpered.

"Just give her some space, tee hee," said Bunnie, "and then you can apologize for lashing out at her. But you were on the mark about one thing."

"And that would be?" Roll asked.

"Rosie wasn't being too helpful," said Bunnie, "The clues we've found all point to someone taking your doll. Even if they didn't just flat out steal her. There has to be a reason why someone would sneak into your house and take it."

"That's what's agitating me right now!" said Roll, "I never told anyone about Komasan. I just wanted to be entitled to one secret. I might have told you about him eventually...but I didn't want to reveal him like this. I just want my doll back." Roll just crossed her arms together, curling her toes into the carpet to relax a bit as Margie pulled her into a hug.

"Don't worry Roll," said Margie, "We'll get to the bottom of this. Just calm down and let's think about this for a moment. Who do we know might be interested in wanting to collect a vintage doll and why? Think realistically for a moment here. Nobody in this town is in some sort of toy snatching crime spree or seeking the collect a payoff for that doll. Such collectors would only, and this is no offense to you Roll, want mint condition vintage dolls. From what Roll said about her past and the way she used to live, I'm guessing this doll wouldn't have any monetary value."

"I'll agree to that," said Roll, "the poor thing could fall apart any day now. Sable's sewing lessons can only do so much. But...I gotta make it last...it was my only toy..." Margie hugged her gently as Bunnie was in deep thought.

"Hmm..." Bunnie pondered, "I have a few more possible suspects."

"Okay," said Margie slowly, "we're listening..."

"I'm considering Alfonso, Benjamin, and Marshal," said Bunnie, "Those three are big on collecting items and such and I wouldn't put it past them to still collect toys either. I'm also adding Whitney and Purrl. They aren't exactly spring chickens, but the lion dog doll does seem like they a common toy when they were Roll's age...(WHACK) OW!"

"I beg your pardon, kitten," said Purrl angrily, for she had smacked Bunnie on the head with her shopping bag, "I might not, as you say, be as young as I used to be, but I'm no thief. Besides, lion dog plushies were around before I was ever born!"

"And that goes double for me, snappy!" Whitney retorted as well, "Just how old you think we are!?"

"Obviously not old enough to be interested in taking a little girl's lion dog doll for reminiscent purposes, tee hee" said Bunnie, groaning as she rubbed her sore head since the shopping bag Purrl was holding wasn't empty. Margie and Roll just looked at each other.

"I didn't think Bunnie even knew words like that," said Roll in surprise but Bunnie ignored her.

"Well we still have three possible suspects," said Bunnie, "I don't think Kicks would have any interest in it. The Ables Sisters...don't see any motives there. Digby? Not really. Isabelle? Possibly, but...it's not in her character to take things. She's too humble. Reese and Cyrus...they might have some interest, but...well I'll add them anyway, they might have some information about it and if anyone tried to sell it for recycling."

"Let's go see them first," said Roll, "if he's been sent for processing already, I'll lose him forever!"

"Wait!" said Margie and pointed down. Roll then remembered she was still barefoot.

"Margie..."

"You might not care about your health and well-being Roll," said Margie, "but the rain has picked up outside and walking barefoot out there, especially this time of year, isn't smart, tootie. Please put your shoes back on. Please...for me. I don't want you to get sick." Roll just sighed and put her black pumps back on her feet, even giving them a click on the heel for good measure. Margie smiled.

"Thank you," said Margie, "now come on." The three girls then exited the emporium and headed towards Re-tail. They eagerly made their way inside and were still trying to get the excess water off of their umbrellas as Reese walked up to them.

"Oh hello there!" said Reese, "a bit of nasty weather outside."

"You can say that again," said Roll as she tapped the bottom of her pumps, "A girl can't enjoy the crisp grass with her feet in this weather." Reese chuckled.

"Well rain doesn't last forever dear," said Reese, "How can I help you guys today?"

"We dropped by cause we have a few questions to ask you and your husband," said Bunnie. Cyrus overheard as he walked over to his wife.

"I know that tone of voice," said Cyrus, "Those are accusation tones. Tones of someone who think we've committed a crime!"

"Cyrus please!" said Reese, "Everyone is aware that you used to be involved in a gang, but you've straightened out and paid your dues. Just calm down and hear her out." Cyrus snorted.

"I'll I can say is I didn't do it!" he remarked and Reese rolled her eyes at his defensive nature.

"Very suspicious," said Bunnie, "Tell me, Reese. What kind of criminal activities did Cyrus used to do?"

"That is none of your..."

"Stealing," said Reese plainly, cutting her husband off, "but only at convenience stores. Just magazines, candy, and such. Nothing expensive or highly valuable." Bunnie gasped in surprise as she wrote that down in her notebook.

"Would toys be a part of that list, tee hee?" Bunnie asked.

"Seriously?" Cyrus asked shocked, "Unless you count capsule toys or a pack of playing cards, those were the only "toys" I ever laid my hands on."

"Not dolls?" Bunnie asked. Cyrus looked dumbfounded.

"Is that what this is all about?" he asked sternly, "Look Bunnie, That past is long behind me. I don't steal other people stuff anymore! I live the straight and narrow and that's the end of it. What good does it do me to steal toy dolls?!"

"Cyrus settle down!" said Reese.

"We're sorry to make you angry Cyrus," said Roll in her defense, "Someone broke into my house last night and stole a very old lion dog doll from me. It was a white and blue one too." Cyrus blinked but still gave them all a death glare.

"So cause I had a habit of stealing in the past makes me a prime suspect huh?" Cyrus shot back.

"Cyrus, chill out!" Bunnie asked, "I wasn't accusing you of taking her doll, tee hee...not yet anyway..."

"WHY YOU..."

"Enough!" said Reese as she pinned the blue Alpaca down, "Look if you're done with this "investigation" of yours and not here to recycle anything, then please just..."

"Reese, please listen," Roll pleaded, "I just wanted to know if any of you saw someone come in here with that kind of doll today. I'm worried someone may have tried to recycle him and...I...didn't want him to end up being sent the recycling facility. Please tell me I'm not too late..." Roll gave them both watery eyes. Roll's distress mellowed out Cyrus instantly as he took a slow deep breath to calm down.

"Sorry Roll," said Cyrus, "I didn't mean to get so defensive and angry. Until I meet the love of my life over here, my past was pretty rough."

"Believe me Cyrus I understand about rough pasts," said Roll, "Getting over the wounds is harder than people think." Cyrus walked over to the blonde girl and gave her a warm hug.

"Well, I'm not below apologizing. So I'm sorry," said Cyrus, "But in all honesty, I've never seen such a toy ever enter the shop. I can reupholster many things, but lion dog dolls aren't one of them."

"I've haven't seen anyone come in with one today," Reese added, "I'm surprised that they still exist. The last time they were even on toy store shelves were when my grandmother was a little girl and even then they were quite rare. How did you come to own one?"

"My...mother was throwing stuff away when I was a baby," said Roll, "I found it when I fell inside of the box. I'm really hoping I can find it. I've searched my entire house from top to bottom. And Bunnie found...oh wait...I didn't even think of this earlier! Bunnie! Where's that piece of cloth?" Bunnie blinked in realization as she grabbed the item from her drench coat pocket and handed it to Roll.

"This is what was stuck inside of my door this morning," said Roll, "I know none of my clothes have this material. Do you know anyone who might have any clothes made with this?" Reese took the cloth and showed it to Cyrus. Cyrus examined the piece of cloth quietly and then handed it back to Roll.

"Did you find anything?" Roll asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not," said Cyrus, "All I can say is that the cloth to whatever they were wearing is very old. I don't even think Sable uses that kind of thread and materials anymore." Roll groaned as she leaned forward in defeat.

"I'm sorry sweetie," said Reese, "but if we see anything that resembles a lion dog, we will report it to you right away." Roll just sniffled as she handed Bunnie back the material.

"Okay," she whimpered, "Let's go you guys." Roll walked sadly out of the shop as Bunnie and Margie just followed closely behind. The alpaca couple just watched them leave quietly as Roll closed the door. Once they knew the three were out of range, Reese began to cry.

"Honey..." said Cyrus gently.

"You know I hate lying!" she yelled in tears, "That look on her face was devastating! You know as well as I do where that cloth came from!" Cyrus just hugged her close as the pink alpaca continued to weep on into his blue apron.

"Easy there sweetheart," said Cyrus, "It was for the greater good. We promised not to say anything. Roll will get her lion dog soon enough."

"But...but...it's such a long shot!"

"Have a little faith honey," said Cyrus, "Everything is going to be alright!"

"I still hated lying to her," said Reese, "I'm an adult! And you saw how broken I was when I thought I lost my stuffed toucan not too long ago. The poor thing..."

"Well, Roll, like you, is a tough cookie," said Cyrus, "She'll be alright. This will all be over soon." Reese's only reply was a few sobs in his blue apron. She still felt very guilty.

Meanwhile, Roll, Margie, and Bunnie decided to ask the others that Bunnie had suspected would have an interest in taking Roll's lion dog doll. The first person they bumped into while walking in the rain was Alfonso. Bunnie was quick to ask the alligator her questions regarding his collecting interests. Alfonso seemed more interesting in showing off hidden collections of baked goods and sweets, especially his large collection of donuts. On the bright side, Roll, Margie, and Bunnie were given one of his treats. Bunnie nearly tried to accuse Alfonso of bribing her until Margie smashed a vanilla cream filled donut into her face. In the end, Alfonso had absolutely no interest in toy dolls. In fact, Alfonso had never even heard of lion dog dolls at all. So that removed him the list of suspects and they left as Alfonso tried stuffing an entire jelly donut in his mouth.

Benjamin was the next villager they visited. While he admitted to having his own small collection of toy dolls, none of them were lion dogs. Like Alfonso, he too said he didn't even know they existed. He then went into talking about his own collection of action figures, giving a rather lengthy monologue about he got each and everyone. Bunnie, Margie, and Roll tried to be polite and listen but after hearing the dog babble about his collection of Robot Hero figures for a couple of hours, Roll found an opportunity to excuse the group and Benjamin said he would continue to share his collection another day. They all agreed, but inwardly they prayed he wouldn't remember to do so.

"Well...that was pure torture!" Margie snapped as they made their way from Benjamin's house and headed towards their next suspect.

"You can say that again," said Roll, "It was like he was trying to get me to give up searching with all that talking and he wouldn't stop, he...just...wouldn't...stop...EEEEK!" Everyone jumped when Roll screamed. The blonde girl just covered her mouth and her cheeks turned deep red.

"Sorry," said Roll as she just looked away, even tilting her umbrella to hide her face a bit. It wasn't like she couldn't hide her face without her umbrella. By now the sun was beginning to set, but the dark storm clouds made it seem like night was already here even though it was only 5pm. Margie readjusted Roll's umbrella so she could see the blonde girl's face but was still able to keep Roll from getting wet. She could tell the girl looked very depressed. Roll's blue eyes had no life to them and that made Margie very worried.

"We're gonna find him. I promise," she said firmly and Roll just looked at Margie sadly and nodded without another word. Bunnie began to think in deep thought until she stopped at the main junction of the town. The north path headed towards the cherry orchard and campsite where Marshal's house was located. South headed back to retail. They just come from the east leading to Roll's house and town hall. West headed towards the foreign and tropical fruit orchard as well as the town plaza.

"The more I think about it, the more I feel like asking Marshal would be a waste of time, tee hee," said Bunnie, "I mean ever since meeting Roll we've promised each other no more secrets and such. The only thing that squirrel is ga-ga over is trains and locomotives. He isn't interested in dolls at all."

"Are you sure you're not just being partial cause he's your boyfriend, tootie?" Margie asked with a smirk. Bunnie could feel a blush on her face but just ignored it.

"Well I'm sure Roll will vouch for me that Marshal wouldn't have any interest in taking her doll," said Bunnie, "right Roll?" Roll nodded in agreement.

"Yeah...he wouldn't do that to me," said Roll, "He's too worried about hurting girls like me and Bunnie. He wants us happy..and to believe in ourselves."

"Yes he does, tee hee," said Bunnie with a smile and then she gasped silently. Margie and Roll grew worried as Bunnie's face turned into a angry growl.

"Why that no good...why didn't I see this before, tee hee?" Bunnie exclaimed.

"What are you talking about Bunnie?" Margie asked.

"Why didn't I see it before?" said Bunnie, "I bet Rosie took your doll!"

"Rosie!?" Margie and Roll said in surprise.

"Think about it you guys!" Bunnie pondered aloud, "Rosie's been acting grumpy all day, insulting and mocking my efforts to try and find whodunit! I bet she was the one who took the doll the whole time!"

"Bunnie that's a pretty strong accusation, tootie," said Margie, "Are you sure you're not just letting her attitude cloud your..."

"No...Bunnie's right," said Roll, feeling angry herself, "All Rosie's been doing in insulting her this entire time and she has not even made the effort to try and at least ask people if they had seen or saw anyone with my doll! She's probably the one holding my Komasan all to herself!" Roll then charged straight towards Rosie's house, nearly trampling a bunch of flowers in the process. Before Roll even caught her breath, Roll banged on Rosie's door loudly. Rosie opened the door casually with a blank expression on her face.

"You banged?" she asked in a bored tone.

"Hand it over," said Roll, fists balled and steaming.

"Excuse me, silly?" Rosie asked plainly and then yelped when Roll dropped her umbrella and grabbed the blue cat by the end of her dress and pushed her way inside.

"Give. Me. Back. MY DOLL!" Roll barked angrily. Rosie looked dumbfounded as Bunnie and Rosie arrived behind her. Margie wasted no time dropping her umbrella to the side and pulling Roll off of Rosie. Rosie quickly recomposed herself and bawled her fists, shaking one at the orange rabbit.

"That is low, silly," said Rosie darkly, "This is really, really low. It is one thing to accuse everyone in town of stealing it from her, but to brainwash her into thinking I did it going too far!" Roll gasped in shock and then growled angrily.

"How stupid do you think I am?" Roll yelled, "Do you think my mind is that fragile and worthless?!"

"Don't you put words in my mouth, silly!" Rosie yelled back, "I'm saying is that you've let Bunnie take advantage of you when your emotionally unstable and upset and now she thinks I'm the culprit! Why would you think I would ever do that to you!"

"All you could do was insult Bunnie all day!" Roll replied, "You weren't even trying to help me find out who did it!"

"Well I don't think someone took it, silly!" said Rosie, "That cloth might have always been there and I bet you just tripped over your own shoes and forgot about it!"

"THEN WHERE'S MY KOMASAN!" Roll screamed at the top of lungs, "HE'S NOT AT THE HOUSE SO WHERE IS HE!"

"Roll!" Margie said sternly as she turned to girl around and made eye contact with her, "Calm. Down!" Roll just panted heavily. Bunnie wasted no time waiting for Roll to calm down fully before speaking up.

"We're searching your house," said Bunnie sternly.

"You're not touching anything in here, silly!" Rosie yelled angrily, "I just cleaned. I already told you that her doll isn't here! So get out of my house and leave me alone!"

"Why are you quick to shoo us out?" Bunnie shouted back in an interrogative tone, "why can't you just help me find out who took it?"

"Cause you're an idiot who knows nothing about being a detective!" Rosie screamed. Now Rosie's true feelings were out. Bunnie just began to cry. There was about three seconds of silence before Bunnie started to cry.

"At least I'm trying," she sobbed, "I'm trying to help Roll. What have you been doing? Besides insulting me!" Now the guilt finally caught up with Rosie. She hated to admit it, but Bunnie was right. Other then searching Roll's house. What had she been doing to help find her doll? The truth was nothing. All Rosie did was just take a backseat and let her best friend make a fool of herself. She hadn't been a good friend to either of them. Rosie was about to speak when Roll cut her off.

"Just forget it!" Roll remarked in a broken tone, "Komasan is gone! He's gone forever and I'll never see him again!" Roll then dashed out of the house, not caring to grab her umbrella and rushed him. It wasn't until Roll started sobbing into the pillow on her bed that she ripped off her black pumps and threw them away from her as hard as she could. Since she threw them blindly, she ended up throwing them right into lovely lamp, knocking it over and make it crash into pieces on the floor.

"Broken," Roll sobbed loudly, "just like everything else in my life! BROKEN! BROKEN!" Roll wept heavily for the rest of the night. What had started as a good day had ended up in shambles. Bunnie and Rosie were fighting with each other. Gracie was mad at her and she figured Margie was too. But what hurt the most was that her Komasan was nowhere to be found.

She had lost who she still considered to be her closest companion. In spite of all the family she had now, Roll had never felt so lonely in her entire life at that very moment.

He may have been a just a toy, but for Roll...it felt like someone close to her had just passed away.

is just a parody to

Robot Hero figurines are basically this world's version of Transformers.

Many of you are probably asking...why didn't Roll file a report with Booker and Copper? They are the local authorities aren't they? Well, who do you think would be more competent in finding her doll? Two dogs who never leave their station or an over enthusiastic orange rabbit eager to prove herself with no detective experience? Roll doesn't have much of a choice in this case.

You have no idea how hard it was making Rosie look like the bad guy. But that is what happens in friendships as close as Bunnie and Rosie's. They see the best and the worst of each other. Those who've read "The Island" arc saw Bunnie at her worst. It's only fair that you see a situation where the tables are turned. Friendships can't always be all happy pappy you know. That's not realistic...or relatable either.

Roll's got her work cut out doesn't she? Is Komasan gone for good or have they missed an important clue? (There was a hint in the chapter).

See you next time!