Chapter eight: Ran's never going to be with Shinichi

Heiji and Kazuha had become closer since that night. However, they were still unwilling to show their love for each other in public. On the other hand, Shinichi and Ran were enjoying each other's company. Until something came along.

… Shinichi and Ran…

'Ding Dong!'

"Ran, can you please answer the door? I'm currently busy with something," Shinichi called out to Ran.

"Alright!" Ran rushed to the door and revealed no one but a letter on the doorstep.

"Please meet me at the Wedding Boutique down at the town for me at 3pm. You do remember that the wedding is in 1 week's time right?

Signing off, Kaito."

The letter was clearly meant for her. She felt like crying again. 'I'm getting married in 1 week's time. To someone I don't love and don't understand.' She silently cried in her heart, knees giving way and dropping to the floor. 'Why does it have to end up this way?'

She ran out of the house, leaving a message for Shinichi saying that she's gone to meet Kazuha and will not be coming back for dinner. She also contacted Kazuha to meet her at the boutique and promised not to tell Heiji about this meeting. She, herself, decided to walk her way there so as to give her time to decide and think about Kaito and her marriage. She was clear that she was the one who initiated the marriage, but that was because of Shinichi, and she also knew that she could never run away from this 'destined' marriage and she had no escape now. She is to succumb to her fate now.

---------------------------------------------------

Upon arriving at the boutique, Ran met Kazuha first, then saw Kaito with some of his men. He agreed to let Kazuha talk to Ran first, before their wedding gown fitting.

"What's wrong with you, Ran? Why marry Kaito when Shinichi is back by your side now?" Kazuha probed almost immediately when they were sure that they were left alone.

"I…I…have no choice…" Ran broke into tears once more, she could feel her heart break into million of pieces whenever she was reminded of this 'ill-fated' marriage.

"Tell me. Tell me what happened? Did he force you into this marriage? If he did, I would…."

"No, Kazuha. It's not his fault. I agreed to marry him myself." Ran interrupted sorrowfully.

"Wha…?" Kazuha was left speechless. 'She agreed to be married to Kaito? What's going on here?'

"I didn't want to marry him as well! Do you think I would ever feel happy with him?" Ran yelled at Kazuha and began sobbing miserably.

She told Kazuha the whole story; from what Dr Agasa told her to her settled marriage with Kaito, never failed to cast a pitiful look whenever she thought of the fact that she can never be Mrs. Kudo ever again. 'Why is life so unfair to me?'

Kazuha could not help but feel sad for Ran. 'She must be feeling miserable now….' Kazuha pat Ran's shoulder, attempting to console her.

Ran decided to change the subject of the conversation. "Never mind me, how are you and Heiji getting along?" she teased.

Kazuha blushed to the root of her hair. 'Does she know anything about that night?' Kazuha thought nervously.

"Ha! Ha! I can tell from your look now that the two of you must have been up to something right? You two must have been closer now than I thought." Ran chuckled.

"No! We didn't do anything… we just…. Just…." Kazuha stuttered and began to blush again.

Looking at her friend, she was happy that she finally found the love of her life, Heiji Hattori. "I wish you two all the best and don't forget to invite me to both your wedding alright?" Ran managed to force a grin for her friend. "Maybe by then, I would be able to bring Junior Kaito along…"she mumbled, casting the sadness in her eyes again. "Sorry I have to get back for the fitting now. Remember not to tell anyone about today. I don't want them to worry for me." Ran said quickly before waving good-bye to Kazuha. 'Good luck my friend. Hope that you and Kaito will live happily ever after.' Kazuha silently wished for Ran.

… Kazuha and Heiji…

"Where did you go? Didn't see you when I wake this morning. Kind of miss you…" Heiji whispered seductively into her ears.

"Cut it out." Kazuha hit him playfully. Heiji faked pain in his face.

"I went to see Ran for some matters." Kazuha left him alone in the room and went to the balcony of the hotel room.

Heiji can't help but wrapped his arms protectively around her waist, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. 'How much I love you Kazuha? Do you know?' Heiji thought in his mind. He will never ever let his love get hurt.

Kazuha turned around and captured Heiji's lips with hers and they kissed passionately.

"Aishiteru Kazuha," Heiji mumbled against her lips.

Kazuha was caught back by his confession and was shocked for a moment. 'I love you too," she replied simply.

… Shinichi and Ran…

"Hey Ran! I was going to bring you to see Heiji and Kazuha today, but couldn't find you anywhere," Shinichi approached Ran as soon as she stepped into the house in the evening and hugged her close to him, as if his body could not leave hers.

"I went to meet Kazuha. I thought I left you a message?" Ran replied, trying to hide her tiredness in her voice after the whole day of wedding gown fitting but was unsuccessful.

"You two went shopping till you drop today, is it? How come you are so tired?" Shinichi questioned with concern.

"I guess so. Sorry, Shinichi I'm very tired. Can I go and take a rest in my room for a while?" Ran answered, leaving Shinichi for her bedroom.

'What's wrong with her?' Shinichi watched as Ran walked up to her room. 'She seemed to be depressed again'.

The next morning, Ran left early to meet Kaito at his penthouse for wedding preparation, not that she would want to leave Shinichi without saying goodbye. But she's scared that she would miss Shinichi if she was to say bye to him and he would suspect that she was going to Kaito's place.

Shinichi woke up later that morning and was shocked to discover that Ran was not in her room anymore and this time there was no message left for him. He began to panic, worrying for Ran's safety. 'What if something bad had happened to Ran?' he was about to leave the house to search for Ran when a wedding invitation appeared at his doorstep.

Dear Mr. Shinichi Kudo,

You have been invited to Ms Ran Mouri and Mr. Kaito Kid's wedding this coming

Monday, 13th December 20047 p.m. at Amour de Verre Restaurant.

Shinichi dropped the letter momentarily and cried heart brokenly at the door.

To be continued