New chapter that is pretty long considering me...well I had to get a few things set up any way. A few introductions, and mysteries started up, and just so you know there will be more deaths to come. All OC of course.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, All rights belong to Takeshi Konomi.

She knew…all along she knew, but Sakuno ignored it and denied that a person who talked to her as a friend would be gone from this world in such a horrible manner. Miku was an interesting girl with interesting things to say. She spoke her mind, and was proud of herself.

Sakuno tried to take deep calm breathes as her thoughts collected, her eyes began to get watery, but she was trying very hard not to cry.

"Why?" She whispered to herself.

"Hm…I have a theory." Nana replied softly.

"Eh?"

"First let me tell you a few things about the case though, don't worry I wont get descriptive and if I do stop me please." Nana said as she pushed some of her shoulder length hair behind her ear.

"O-Okay." Sakuno said.

"Miku was kidnapped, from the details I've gathered and when the perpetrator became bored of her he must have decided to just dispose of her. The person must have been trusted by the mother also, and because of that he could manipulate her into going to the same location with no struggle. The mother's body did not have any signs of fighting for freedom or any rope burns on her body, like one might see."

"O-oh…"

"Furthermore at the scene there was no sign of her being dragged, and actually it seemed she walked willingly to the edge."

"But I thought she was drugged." Sakuno said curiously.

"That's just it; the drug they used was not a knock out drug but what I believe to be a sedative. Which one is hard to say at the moment, but the woman didn't touch liquor and the woman was seen by a witness who was driving by. It was reported that he saw her walk across the street like a drunk to the edge, and then she was out of sight." Nana said in a monotone voice.

"That's …very sad, but…" Sakuno started.

"Quiet. I'm not finished. Miku was killed for one reason I believe, and that is her hope."

"H-her hope?" Sakuno questioned finding that to very odd coming form a future detective.

"It is strange but the family is a flawless family, good people with no enemies. Except for maybe someone being jealous, or not wanting there to be a girl like that in the world. I've heard her talk before, she is bright with a lot of charisma, a good person." Nana said while checking her watch.

"So…someone killed her and her mother because they were happy?" Sakuno asked confused.

"Listen, and try to pay attention. I'll be blunt…she was killed because her personality proved a threat to someone else. Her mother was killed to make it look like it was just an ignorant killing. There are no reasons for their deaths other than that, unless they had some secret agenda my friend didn't find." Nana said telling the last part as she walked away.

"W-wait!" Sakuno called out.

"No need to screech." Came Nana's smooth answer.

"I…what type of person?" Her eyes began to overflow.

"H-how? W-why would someone be so scared o-of something…" She was breathing heavily now, and trying to remain calm as she held her hands tightly.

"A person who fears change, maybe they should come to this school." She said mostly to herself.

"I most go to class now." She said while continuing to walk away.

Sakuno watched he retreating figure for a moment before slumping down under the tree to stare up at the leaves as tears formed every once in a while.

"Miku had a good heart…what's so wrong about that?" She whispered to herself.

"Sakuno-chan!!!" A voice rang and suddenly her body was tackled and pulled into someone's lap.

"Don't worry, I'm here for you, cry it all out." He said.

"R-Rai-sempai!?" Sakuno yelled surprised by this sudden affection.

"You can cry on me." He said to her with a determined face.

She was a little taken aback, but then she gave a soft smile.

"Sempai, it's okay." She said.

"Huh?" He let her go and she got up and kneeled beside him.

"It's true I did like her, but I didn't know her that long. I mean…." Sakuno trailed off and fumbled with her skirt.

"Does it matter?" Rai asked.

"Well…"

"I don't think it does, the only reason you shouldn't be crying is because Miku won't be happy to see you so sad."

"Uh….Th-thank you Rai-sempai, you're right…I guess I need to get my act together, don't I?" Sakuno asked with a forced smile as tears starting to stream done her face again.

"Gah!…I didn't mean to make you cry, sorry about that."

"No, I'm glad you care, thank you sempai, you are a good friend." She said trying to wipe her tears away and blushing in embarrassment.

"Do you really think that?" He asked.

"Huh?" Sakuno replied.

"Uh, nothing let's go to the bathroom to clean you up a bit. Splashing your face with some water can do you some good." He said standing up and offering her a hand.

"Yes, I probably look horrible r-right now." Sakuno said with a sheepish smile.

"Nah, but when you finish up in the bathroom I need to ask you something." He said putting his hands in his pockets.

"W-what is it?" Sakuno asked.

"Secret." He said bluntly.

Sakuno gave a sigh and she walked inside the girls' bathroom while he waited outside. Rai leaned against the wall and started to hit the back of his head to the wall lightly. He was annoyed, and trying to think his plan through but found it all lead to disaster.

"Rai-kun! There you are." Came a light hearted voice.

"Eh? Jiro-kun?" Rai said standing up straight and looking at his friend.

(With Sakuno)

Sakuno was splashing her faces with water and rubbing her face a bit before looking at her face in the mirror. She saw puffy eyes and red all around her face, not a very pretty look. She gave a sigh.

"Can you not cry so much?" A voice rang.

Sakuno's eyes widened in shock for a moment then she looked around then back to her reflection.

"Sakuno! Girls aren't pretty when they're crying!"

"T-Tomo-chan?"

"Ryuuzaki, why are you acting so dramatic?"

"E-eh?" She looked to her at the mirror scared and confused.

"You can't answer me can you?"

"Che, What a pain."

"R-Ryoma-kun, I-I'm" Sakuno kneeled to the ground with one hand at the sink as she tried to shake away her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, so sorry, Ryoma-kun. I'm sorry, forgive me, I can't help it. I'm sorry." She thought to herself.

Her world seemed to be spinning and her chest was hurting and becoming tight she felt tired.

(With Rai)

"I'm not waiting for anyone, just go!" Rai yelled at Jiro impatiently.

"What? So soon? I've barely seen you." Jiro exclaimed.

"We have the same class, I've told you!" He countered.

"Huh? You sure about that?" Jiro questioned finding the news rather interesting.

"I sit behind you in class everyday…" Rai said as vein's throbbed in his head.

"That so! Ohhh…I remember now, I asked to borrow your notes yesterday." Jiro said while snapping his figures.

"Y-yes." Rai said clenching his hands trying to stay calm.

"You still haven't given them back too."

"Oh! Sorry about that, here let me get them out!" He put his bag on the floor and kneeled down to rummage through his things as Rai waited impatiently.

Rai could hardly believe this guy could find his way home or find his mouth to put his food in, but the guy was smart from his test scores. If it wasn't for the fact he was scared of young girls he would have been a genius in his class if he wanted to be. Jiro was a lazy kid or as a lot of people have noticed, oblivious to everything around him, if the teacher started to lecture he wouldn't notice until he was called on.

Rai let out a sigh remembering the sight of Jiro's smiling face when receiving a perfect score on his report.

The door for the bathroom door opened suddenly and Sakuno stepped out solemnly looking at the ground then to Rai.

"Sempai…"

"Aha! Found it!…"

Rai's eyes widened with fear and surprise, he forgot he was trying to get Jiro away from this area because of Sakuno and now….

Jiro who took the papers out and was smiling at Rai with triumph was now staring at Sakuno in shock a fear. Sakuno looking at him perplexed and confused forgot about his phobia and found it all to be very weird.

"U-Ummm…" She started before Jiro fell back on his but with his eyes dilated.

"J-jiro." Rai said to his friend in concern.

Ah…AH!…Ahh!!!" He screamed as he crawled backwards and ran away from them in terror.

Rai let out a sigh and held his head.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I forgot…" Sakuno said to him with a bow.

"No, it's not your fault…I've known him for a long time I should have saw it coming. Don't think badly of him, he's a good guy." Rai said

"I-I understand, but w-why is he…never mind." Sakuno said to him.

"That is a conversation for another day, let's go to class now. I'll take you to yours now, remember what I told you?" Rai questioned.

"N-never be alone." Sakuno answered softly.

"Right." He said with a smile.

As the two walked back to the classroom Rai seemed to be in deep thought, and Sakuno could see he looked deeply worried. She tried to ask, but her voice stopped her from doing anything, she didn't feel like she could talk. Her thoughts wandered back to the time in the bathroom and it closed off her wanting to speak.

When they got close to her classroom door Rai finally stopped and looked at Sakuno seriously.

"Sakuno who else beside me do you know?" He asked seriously.

Ah….ummm…I-Ikeda-san, Nana-s-san, and U-usagi-s-sama." She said sheepishly.

"That it? Hmm…well let me write down a few names of the some people you should keep in contact with." He got out a pen and paper and started to write some names.

"They are nice people, so you can trust them for advice or if you are alone." He said when he finished and handed it to her.

"Now, get to class young lady!" He said jokingly.

"Y-yes!" She said before giving a bow.

"W-wait, ummm…about Jiro-sempai."

"Don't worry, I got it covered!"

"A-Ah. Thank you." She said looking at her hands and then entering the classroom.

She sat in class next to Ikeda giving a small forced smile before looking to the teacher and the board. He seemed to be going over some literature and old history, and Sakuno took this chance to look at the list Rai gave her.

There were names and next to each one was a little description of the person.

The only girl in her age group on the list was called Yoi Manami who apparently was afraid of being tickled by feathers. Sakuno almost found it amusing but knew better than to laugh at something like that, the girl was describe to having light blue curly hair that made her look young and cute with blue eyes to match her.

"Eh…" Sakuno whispered to herself when she thought she remembered seeing someone like that, maybe she was in her class. Sakuno looked in front and to the side, and didn't see anyone who matched the description. Sakuno was waiting till the teacher was facing the board to look behind her and saw that a couple desks back was that girl. She was concentrating while taking notes, and looked to be a very calm person she reminded Sakuno of someone she has met before.

Sakuno turned back to look at the rest of the list to be boys older than her, she became uncomfortable with the thought of trying to talk to them. Sakuno decided to put the paper away and try to concentrate on her studies, but her mind would sometimes wander off to her friends, and her teacher who was acting a bit too giddy today.

When the class was released for lunch Sakuno took a deep breathe and walked over to Yoi who looked up at her calmly with a blank expression at first then with a smile.

"Hello, Ryuuzaki-san." Yoi said softly to her while standing up and giving a bow.

"Ahh…It is nice to meet you." Sakuno said in a hurry giving a bow.

"I've heard about you from Rai-sempai." Yoi said with smile and tilt of the head.

"A-ah, same here." Sakuno said nervously.

Yoi gave a sympathetic look and smiled to her.

"Would eat with me?" She asked.

Sakuno blinked for a moment.

"I-If it wouldn't be any trouble…" Sakuno said to her with a bow.

"No trouble at all, come with me." Yoi said taking hold of Sakuno's wrist, her grip was strong and Sakuno was starting to lose feeling in her fingers.

"U-umm…" She said softly.

Yoi didn't notice and continued to tug Sakuno to a bench between two large trees.

"Oww…" Sakuno said in a whisper.

Yoi turned back to Sakuno and then looked down at their hands and quickly let go of her.

"Oh my, I'm sorry I don't know my own strength." Yoi apologized.

"N-No, it's okay." Sakuno said with a small smile.

"Haha! I like you Sakuno-san!"

"Huh?" Sakuno sweat dropped confused by this sudden declaration.

"I see you found our cute Manami-chan!" Came the all too familiar voice of Rai.

"You are too kind." Yoi said softly to him with a smile and blush.

"Well I have a couple more people to introduce you too." Rai looked to the side to a boy with black hair in flat layers that gave him a business look, with black eyes that peered into the soul. He seemed to be needing sleep but gave a wave to Sakuno with mild enthusiasm

"Call him Kaito, he is a computer genius so be careful."

The next boy was a cute/shota type with dirty blonde hair and golden brown eyes. He had an eager smile on his face, and was hanging on Rai like they were best friends forever.

"This monkey is Shiro; he has a cool ability of smelling." Rai said with a smirk.

"No, that's not what it sounds like Sakuno-chan! Honest! Rai don't confuse her! I don't smell!" He said defensively while trying to strangle Rai

"Yes, yes I got it, what I mean is he can smell things miles away, like people for example like a dog." He said grabbing both Shiro's hand and pushing him away.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Sakuno exclaimed when she heard the news, how many people do you know with the ability to do that?

Shiro smiled and puffed out his chest, but Kaito grabbed hold of his head and shook him side to side.

"No, need to get a big ego." He said in his calm deep voice that matches his looks perfectly.

"Ow! Owwy!" Shiro yelped.

"Hahaa…" Yoi laughed beside Sakuno calmly, used to her friend's antics and enjoying the time together.

Sakuno felt a bit out of place, but Rai, Yoi, and Shiro made sure to make her feel comfortable when they sat down and talked about random things. Kaito was sipping on a juice box seemingly in his own world, but content to be near his friends plus Sakuno. At many times Shiro tried to make Sakuno smile and laugh and succeeded a few times, but he could tell that they weren't always true. Sakuno was happy, but she must have felt lonely in a place full of good friends so she couldn't be truly happy, maybe she felt as if she didn't deserve it but who is to know.

In a moment of silence that all groups have after conversing for a while Yoi stood up with a bottle in her hand.

"Well, I probably have no right to do this, but I want to give a toast to Miku who has gone to a better place." She said softly her eyes portraying sadness.

Sakuno too stood up and held up her bottle as well. "Y-yes, I didn't know her long, but she was defiantly a good person."

"To Miku, the spunky girl who kicked me the first time we met." Rai said with an awkward smile.

"Miku, the girl who stuck up for me all the time." Shiro said.

"Miku, that girl who couldn't solve any of my riddles, but tried hard." Kaito joined.

Sakuno listened to what the others had to say and wished that she knew the Miku they knew. Still, she felt lucky to have met her at all.

When Sakuno got home she was drained and went straight to her room with no word to her grandmother. She fell onto her bed with a sigh, but she felt good about today. A lot of things happened, but in the end Sakuno was able to meet some interesting people, and cope with them about her feelings that she wasn't able to do with her other friends.

"Sakuno!!" Her grandmothers' voice bellowed.

Sakuno groaned inwardly.

"Yes?" She said when she opened her bedroom door.

"Tezuka is on the phone, he wishes to speak with you." Her grandmother said hoarsely.

"What the…?"

I hope you like this chapter, and thank you to all that have reviewed my story so far.

I'll try to tell you guys the special skill Usagi has, but we will see.