Guys, have I ever mention how deeply I love each single sweet one of you?? I do, honestly!! Thank you SO much for all the sweet sweet reviews I receives so far for my stories, especially for THIS one! I want to great EVERY SINGLE SOUL who cared reviewing! I wish you all a Merry Merry Christmas and may all your dreams come true! This is the first one of the presents I have prepared, my favorite Chapter of BWHB so far. Please enjoy and read on faithfully ;) Love, jojo


Chapter Six

Confessions in the snow


The picture you should imagine right now is the following: Imagine a lake, crystal clear, waving gently because of the warm, late afternoon breeze and a few ducks swimming around on it. The sun, fire red, about to set, was reflecting itself with its greatest colors on it. The path that passed through the whole place, the trees and bushes, benches and lanterns so as everything else around, were covered by a shining blanket of pure, white snow.

A few children were playing in the snow, building snowmen, making snow angels, playing soccer and running around, chasing each other with snowballs.

Couples were going for a walk, holding hands, flirting, sitting on benches, chatting happily or simply feeding the ducks and when you look more closely you may catch a glimpse of one or two couples kissing in a silent corner of the park.

In the middle of that peacefully scene, our Sherlock Holmes of the new century and his childhood friend were walking around, hand in hand, chatting and admiring the landscape.

"Yeah, you are right. Its really beautiful here! Its been a long while since we came here the last time. I think about fife years, remember?"

"How could I forget that? Ive never been so close to fall into that pond in my whole life! And that only because a certain wanna-be detective had had to play 'Catch-the-murderer!' Your luck you saved me in time, boy!"

"Oh come on! Youre still mad at me because of that? I apologized more than once! And I was really sorry, too!"

'Now that I think about it… he really was. He felt so bad about it that he got me chocolate to forgive him. That had been so sweet of him then! Like as if I could stay mad at him! Plus, he saved me so heroic… But its better if I let him wriggle a bit..'

"Yeah, its easy for you to say NOW….."

"But Raahaaannn!"

She had to giggle at his boyish voice! It was always so sweet when he did that, begging her in that voice… it made her forget immediately why she was mad at him…

"Ok, ok, I am not mad anymore!"

"Oh REALLY?"

"Yes!"

"Promise!"

"I promise."

"Oh cool!! And besides, we dont have only bad memories of this park, right? Remember when we went ice-scating and you kept falling the whole time on your butt?"

Again she had to giggle but stopped as his laughing didnt ease...

"Duh, it was not THAT funny, you know? You really could stop laughing! But you taught me how to skate, remember? That was so funny."

'And exiting!' she thought as she remembered her heartbeat going crazy as he did so…then..

"Yeah, that was funny…"

"And remember when we came here to pick nick with our families?"

"When was that?"

"Oh, it was a long time ago. I guess we were fife or something.."

"Oh right, I remember! Wasnt it that time with your Dad spilling the whole juice over the blanket?"

"Yeah and our Moms talking the whole time about who would have won with that last vote the title of the beauty- queen in their school time."

"Right. That was fun!"

"Yeah" Ran looked to the trees far away which were also covered in white. She was thinking about that time when her Mom and Dad still had been living together… 'If only….'

"Dont think too much about it Ran!" he told her, looking straight ahead. She turned her head to look at him but he still didnt turn to face her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your parents. You cant force them into anything, you know? Maybe someday they will realize their mistake and go back to each other. If fate has that for them in mind, then so be it. But until then, you shouldnt worry too much about it!"

She was silent for a while.

"How.. how did you..?"

"It was kinda obvious. And after all, its me, remember?"

She looked surprised at him and he gave her a smile. She was stunned, then couldnt do anything but gently smile back into that kind and loving face that always looked right through her. She gave his hand a grateful squeeze.

"Yeah, you are right. Thank you."

"Youre welcome."

'Always!' he thought.

'I know that, my Shinichi!' her thoughts answered his.

They continued their walk, talking about past times. How he used to read her his favorite novels, or how they went walking around the forest, searching for treasures and thieves and pirates. It was so funny talking about these things and it did them very good. They stood in front of a bench, cleaning it and sitting down together, watching the cold winter sun set and dive the pond, which lay practically in front of their feet, in its most beautiful colours.

"So, what was this important thing you wanted to tell me, anyway?"

"Huh?" He looked stupefied at her.

"Dont you remember? Yesterday before you solved that murder case you told me you had something important to tell me. And right before Professor Agasa came, you wanted to tell me, too, so what is it?"

"O-oh..t-that…Well it was actually just that…"

He took a breath and told her the whole story about what he had to say and in the end her eyes widened and she looked amazed at him.

"You must be kidding?!?!"

"No, I am serious!"

"Wow! He really solved the case with only these clues? Thats amazing! Sherlock Holmes is so great!"

"I told you!" he said with a content smile. Suddenly she stopped talking and he did too, turning to her, looking puzzled. Through knowing eyes she asked him with a grin:

"What did you really want to say?"

He stocked, knowing he had been found out.

"Eh..that..is..eh.." She sighed, closing her eyes and started talking again:

"I know its hard for you to say. But a man should be brave and you should just say it."

'Oh man, I am really found out! What to do? Oh gods..'

"You should just say it, if you want to borrow the notebook I used during your absence…" She looked a little annoyed at him, but not directly angry.

He felt from all heavens. 'Notebook? What was she talking about? Didnt she mean…'

So his clever response, as he looked surprised and lost at her, was nothing else but..

"Nani??"

Now it was her turn to look confused.

"Wasnt that what you wanted to ask?"

His eyes becoming dots in a state of shock and wonderment, a few sweat drops forming on his forehead.

'Ah.. No?? Absolutely bloody freaking NO?' his mind screamed a response.

'She thinks I wanted to ask for.. her notebook? Oh my god, how can she… cant she see that I.. I.... oh geez!!'

Putting a hand behind his head, he decided for unknown reasons to play along for another moment, smiling embarrassed.

"Ah..no. Thats exactly it!"

Now she smiled knowingly at him.

"I knew it!"

'No you dont!! Dammit!'

Shinichi suddenly leaned forward, so close to her that their faces were only an inch apart from each other, while blushing deeply at their closeness and at what he was about to say and looked sternly in her deep eyes.

"You should know thats not it!" he burst out.

"What?" now she was the shocked one because his words made no sense to her. If not that, what else could he mean? Maybe.. no, he would never.. why would he.. oh I am so naïve, hoping like that.. but… what COULD he mean?

"Its that.. I mean.. what I wanted to say is… that is.."

He looked away, somehow embarrassed and unsure of himself. But what was he actually afraid of? Was there anything to worry about? But then…..What if she rejected him? What if he made a fool of himself? And what if she started screaming at him and beating him up and.. laughing at him? Hating him and leaving him? He couldnt bare that… but why was it so hard to say? Why could his heart not stop racing?

'You are Shinichi Kudo, not afraid of anything, remember?' his brain told him.

But his heart answered…

'Except of losing her!"

This time his brain didnt respond.

"Shinichi?" her sweet innocent voice brought him back. He turned his head and looked at her.

"What is wrong, Shinichi?"

"No-nothing is wrong…."

"Is it so bad you cant tell me? Cant you trust me anymore?"

She looked away, not wanting him to see her sad face.

'Oh no, shes thinking that.. that.. oh Ran, my innocent angel, you should know better than that!'

He stood up and kneeled in front of her. Turning her face gently with his left hand so that she was looking down at him with her surprised look. He remained kneeled and held her hands in his as he looked up into her surprised face.

"Ran, look at me, please. Listen, this is important and you have to know its not easy for me to say, but I cant wait even another moment to tell you. Its nothing bad, really not…I guess.. and please… before you object or feel like beating somebody up or anything like that.. hear me out first, ok?"

'Oh how I hope nobody interferes! Please let nobody disturb us now or I will lose my courage.'

She looked curiously and so innocently at him…. Then Ran nodded slowly.

'She has no idea, has she?'

'What could he want? I dont know what he is talking about…..and then….maybe?…NO! Stop dreaming and just listen to him, girl!!'

"Ok..how to start this…uhm.."

'Dammit, why didnt I prepare something? Stupid, stupid, stupid!'

He looked back into her eyes. Eyes that hypnotized and fascinated him in many ways. Her eyes caught his and he didnt seem to be able to tear his gaze away as he continued staring into them deeply. Then Shinichi caressed her hands, took a deep breath and let his heart speak.

"Ran…as I already said..this here is not easy…not at all easy…a- and I am so clumsy when it comes to things like that, you know that.. But it has to be said. I told you I realized many things while I was away, right? Yes..and one of those things is…is for example t-the reason.. reason why I never had a girlfriend, never dated although there were many girls who would have liked to...No, let me finish! But hell, I never even looked at a girl twice!

O- or the reason .. why I tried my best to come back as soon as possible.

And the reason why I had countless nights, thinking about the special person in my life. The most important person for me that I want to protect with everything I got! You know how many nightmares I had? How many times I wanted to quit everything and return to see that beautiful face again that lightens up my heart and makes me forget all my nightmares and problems? Do you know?"

She was shocked at his honest statement and literally stunned! She didnt know what she was supposed to think and ignored the jealousy that was slowly rising within her. Nor did she know what he was trying to say. She only felt that this person she was looking at right now, was totally opening himself up as he kneeled completely vulnerably and open in front of her.

Ran slightly shook her head.

"Shinichi.. I.."

"I didnt think you know, Ran. How could you? I never talked to you about it because I was too much of a coward. I was afraid and scared… but I grew strong while having to be separated and apart… a- apart from YOU, Ran."

-Silence-

Her eyes widened and she had to think a couple of times about his last sentence but still doubted she had understood it right. Before she could ask or answer, he went on, needing to say this in one piece before he lost it.

"Yes Ran, its you. It was always you! Why should I look at another girl when I have the right one by my side since childhood? Why would I, when I have the best, most beautiful, strong, loyal, kindhearted, polite, loving, caring, best… lets just say PERFECT girl you can find, already by my side? There is no other that would fit better to me and my life or that I would prefer, in the whole world.

Believe me, there was never a moment of doubt for me that you are the girl in my life and I need no other!

You are my reason for coming back! Always have been my only reason.

Because of you, I turn jealous, and I really am not the jealous type, usually, am I? No… see?

Because of you, I was laying countless times in my bed, thinking about you and if you were safe and alright and I was cursing the guys who had to tear me apart from you.

Because of you, I had the worst nightmares, because losing you is the only thing I am truly afraid of!

I told you once it hurts me when you cry, remember? I meant it! I cant bare seeing you hurt and I partly still hate myself for being the one who keep hurting you the most while being away, even though I couldnt help it, I swear!"

He made a pause, looking into her face. He couldnt recognize any emotions, she just looked at him with wide eyes and was listening to what he had to say. After all he himself had asked her to do so…

"You are my sunshine, my light at the end of the tunnel! You can lighten my heart up with only one smile. Holding you close is truly the worlds greatest pleasure and being apart from you.. is…is… it is like hell! The purest torture!

Because of you, Ran, my life makes sense! You are the most special, precious and most important person in my life and I dont want to have to miss another day telling you all that. You have a right to know and even if you might not feel the same way… You should know… that… that I .. oh my….. Ran… I… I l- love y- you! I have l- loved you for as long as I can think. Always and only you!"

He was finished, and looking down at their hands, away from her face, did not dare looking into her eyes.. didnt know if he should go on, stop, run away or maybe just drop dead? Did he talk too much? Not enough? Did he do it right or did he make a fool of himself? Did he lose everything? His heart was beating like crazy. He had never been so scared of anything in his whole life, than to hear what she would say or see how she would react.

He felt like he would explode any moment. His face burned and his stomach was clenched painfully, and so was his heart. He kept looking at their twined hands, feeling his shake even when being enveloped by hers, and was waiting for whatever came next. Time seemed to work extra slowly only to torture him.

In reality he didnt have to wait very long as he felt something drip on his hand. He looked up at her and saw her crying. Oh god, what had he done?? He began to panic.

"Ra-ran, I am so sorry! Its ok, I understand, I am sorry and I wont bug you anymore, but please dont cry, please! I can go if you want.."

She couldnt stop crying, but her face didnt look very sad and that surprised him. Still, he stood up and was about to go, run away, cursing himself for causing her pain, again, as her hand held him back and she stood too.

"Sh-shinichi, dont go, please… its not like that… I….. god.. I am just so overwhelmed… I would never ever have dreamed that you would come back and confess your love for me the same day. I-its just… I mean, what you just said… is… its just everything I ever dreamed of! Everything I was hoping for, for so long."

"What?" He looked surprised and confused at her, his mouth dropping open.

"Yes. Didnt you ever realized? The way I never looked at another guy twice, too? The way I was always together with you, hanging around with you, caring for you? You say I am loyal? What else can I do? I think about you the whole day and in the night I dream about you. I wake up with you as my first thought and go to sleep with you as my last thought. There is no other person I care for more than you, Shinichi. You are my happiness. When you are away you take a part of me with you but when you come back I am complete again. My reason for living is back and just then, everything makes sense again.

Because of you, I get jealous, too.

Because of you, I always give my best.

Because of you, I cry, because of you, I laugh and smile.

Because of you, I even make chocolate, tea pots and pullovers.."

She smiled and he smiled back at her, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Shinichi… you.. you are my everything, the most important and precious person in my life, too, and Ive waited way too long myself to tell you that…. but I..I… Oh Shinichi..I..I love y- yo- ou, too! Ive loved you for so long and didnt even realize it at first. But now I am sure and you are the one I want to spend my life with."

She ended her own statement, waiting for him to say something, anything. But he just stayed still, stunned and shocked as hell. He couldnt believe it. Did she just really say that all or was it just his imagination? 'Wouldnt be the first time'. He just had to make sure.

"Ran.. I I am really speechless…I dont know what to say.. I … did… did you really mean that? I you repeat that? Cause I wanna make sure if I dont hear things suddenly."

She giggled and repeated it for him, feeling a lot more confident having said it once.

"Shinichi, I love you!"

"Ok, I am in heaven. Mind telling me when exactly I died? Oh my god, this cant be reality. You know, Ive been dreaming of this moment for so long… and now… it.. it must be another dream. Okay, I am outta here!"

He turned, ready to walk away but she held him back, turning him to her again and taking his head in her hands, looking straight into his eyes.

"Listen to me and listen good, because I wont repeat myself another time. Shinichi, I really love you! More than anything else. I mean it with my very soul and I am real! This is real! No need to run away, understand?"

He looked deeply into her eyes and slowly nodded. She nodded as well, taking her hands slowly away from his face.

"Ok."

"But.. but Ran.. are you sure about that? My life is so dangerous and so stressing… are you sure this is what you want? I mean…"

"Shinichi… I have never been so sure of anything in my whole life. Thats what I´ve wanted for so long now and my father is a detective as well, remember? I know exactly what I am getting myself into."

"Detective… right… how could I forget that?!" he asked, slightly sarcastically.

-Silence-

"Wh- what now?" he asked, unsure of what to do next, still badly blushed, just like her, looking at his feet.

"You…well.. maybe… you c- c- could h-hug me?!" she replied shyly with her eyes on the ground, unsure herself, just speaking out loud what her heart told her.

"S- sounds good to me…"

Uncertain of himself he took a step forward and then looked at her. She had a beautiful smile on her face as she looked at him and that made his heart overflow with emotions. She really meant it, she loved him too! Closing the distance between them he took her in his arms first shyly, then tightly, holding her as close as it was possible and she wound her arms around his neck and held him close to herself. He tightened his grip around her waist, pressing her more tightly against himself. Their hearts were beating like crazy but neither of them cared nor did it matter right now. All that mattered was that they loved each other, finally admitted it and that they were together, finally.

"Thank you, Ran. Thank you for the most precious gift that exists! Your love!" he whispered in her ear, his voice thick with emotions.

With teary eyes she replied…

"Oh Shinichi, there is no need to thank me. I got the most precious gift from you, too. And thats your own love!"

"Always!"

"Always!"

They kept staring into each others eyes, getting lost in the other, both wanting to go further but neither knowing how to broach the subject, nor did they know how far the other was ready and willing to go. Shinichi moved forward, leaning is face closer to hers, then stopped and waited, looking into her eyes again, questioning, blushing. Ran looked at him too, and slightly nodded her assent. Grinning, Shinichi completed the movement and their lips brushed.

His touch was like fire! Ran felt like her whole body was glowing! Where he was having his hand on her back to hold her close, she could have sworn she was getting burned and her back arched involuntarily towards him as his lips brushed hers. It felt so good she faintly moaned her assent again, standing a little on her tiptoes to reach him better and held his head closer. Shinichi then leaned in and gently kissed her closed mouth while holding her still closer. His lips were somewhat moist and the electric sensation he was provocating in her were making her blush furiously and shake all over as she still tightened her grip on him.

Actually moaning again into his closed mouth, Ran opened her lips slightly, prompting without words for Shinichi to go further.

Shinichi in turn was shocked as all hell but opened his lips slightly, too, taking her invitation, one hand buried in her hair, holding her head carefully and with his other he still held her around her waist, while one of her hands was gently playing with his hair and her other was tangled in them. Suddenly his grip on her waist tightened even more and he gently lifted her a little so she could kiss him easier. Her grip on his neck tightened as she made good use of his action.

The couple stood like that for a long time, blushed faces, holding each other close and kissing lovingly, forgetting everything around them. Nothing else existed for them, but their own little world with only them in it.

After some time the need for air rose.

'Damn natural urgencies!"

They gently broke the kiss, regretfully pulling away from each other but staying close and they slowly opened their eyes again. She looked at him with her big eyes, smiling and he returned the smile, grinning slightly. All he could say was:

"Wow!"

"Yeah…wow! Shinichi I .."

"Sshhhh, dont. Lets just enjoy the moment, ok? Come here!"

He sat down on the bench where they had been sitting before and held his hand out for her. She accepted his invitation and let herself be pulled onto his lap. As she sat, he wrapped his arms around her and letting them come to a rest on her stomach where his fingers lovingly twined with hers. She leaned back so she could lay her head on his shoulder. His cheek came in contact with hers and he kissed hers gently before turning his head to let it rest comfortably against it. He had felt her cheek redden at his kiss and he smiled at this sweet girl that was now his. She would probably still blush years later whenever he kissed her cheek. His sweet, innocent little angel. He tightened his grip on her possessively.

They sat there like that for a long while, giving each other warmth and watching the pond catching the last rays of the sun.

Nothing had ever felt this good to them, as this moment.

"It was the best idea youve ever had, Ran!"

"What?"

"Going for a walk in the snow!"

"Yeah. Definitely the best!"


So... is there anyone out there still not sure why this one is my favorite Chapter so far? hehe for those.. just email me and I will see what I can do for you :)

I hope you enjoyed it. Tell me, kay? Love you all, jojo