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Transparency

Chapter Nine

Moon Kitty 2005

June 6th, 2006

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Yoshi crossed his arms and leaned against the couch, handing Shinichi a wet rag. "Press that to her forehead. She'll wake up any minute."

The other boy nodded nervously and bit his lip, whispering, "I didn't mean to make her faint or anything. But I guess from her reaction that she did know Ran. I'm sorry."

Yoshi shook his head. "Don't worry about it. She faints a lot, actually."

Shinichi blinked and dabbed the rag over her forehead. "Still, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

The woman gave a great shuddering gasp before her teal eyes popped open, her breath rattling in her throat. She looked at Yoshi, then at Shinichi, then smiled a little waveringly, her hands trembling. "I'm so sorry about... that," she whispered faintly.

Shinichi and Yoshi both shook their heads. "Don't be."

Sonoko sat up on the couch, her son's hands steadying her as he stood behind the couch, his eyes clouded in worry. She reached to her shoulder and patted his hand, staring intently at Shinichi. "I did know Mouri Ran... she was my best friend. Almost like a sister. What surprised me so much was... how does someone as young as you know her?"

Shinichi smiled bitterly. "I know this may seem crazy... but you know her house is still standing, right?"

The woman's eyes closed and she gave a great sigh. "Yes, I am aware."

"I don't mean to seem insane, but... I see her spirit. And I know it may seem crazy, but I talk to her and I can actually touch her, as if she were alive. But... I know she isn't."

There was awkward silence for a moment before Sonoko slid off the couch and clasped the young boy's hands in her wrinkled ones. "It isn't... because I still see the spirit of my beloved husband, Katsuyoshi... and I would like to see Ran. If that's all right with you."

Shinichi's stomach dropped at the name of her husband. Katsuyoshi? Wasn't that the person that Ran had a crush on? This must be... he looked at Yoshi. That must be their son. He smiled at the old woman and muttered, "I'm sure Ran would be happy to see you as well."

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Ran heard the door downstairs open, and she could faintly hear the shuffling of feet... but, not just one pair. It seemed like there were three people, and she was wondering if it was Shinichi, but then she heard his voice.

"I'll see where she is. Ran!" he yelled out. "You have visitors!" He looked over at the old woman and the boy, smiling a little. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"As sure as I'll ever be," she responded, sniffling a little as she pressed her hand against the wall.

Footsteps resounded from the staircase and a girl said, "Shinichi, I told you last time you brought people over that that was the end of it. Why don't you ever listen..." She trailed off as she caught sight of a pale-faced old woman, her hand shaking. "Shinichi... w-who is that?"

Shinichi smiled and put his hands in his pockets. "Remember Sonoko, Ran?"

Sonoko let out a strangled sob and walked forward, her arms outstretched, and it was only a moment before the two girls hugged each other fiercely, sobs echoing through the entryway. The two friends were finally reunited.

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Authoress Notes

Came out a little different than I expected, but not all that bad. (lol) Anyways, I'm off to write more. It feels good to be prepared. Leave a review if you please.