Author's Notes: This is the smut free version of this chapter. For the M-rated version go to my profile. (Storyname: Smutty Goodness) Just keep in mind that the M-rated version misses the end of this chapter so it can be read on its own as well.

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Thanks,

Ria :)

Oh, and I do not own anything... Not even the Spice Girls...

Chapter 12: I love you...

When Kazuha woke up the next morning she had to blink a few times before she realized where she was. She was lying cocooned in Heiji's embrace. It felt warm and safe and she snuggled deeper into his frame, inhaling his scent and listening to his deep, steady breaths. She had never believed she would one day wake up like this in reality and it felt even even better than in her dreams. Her heart beat like it wanted to jump from her chest as she nuzzled Heiji's neck, making him moan softly in his sleep. His reaction made Kazuha smile and she started to gently kiss his jaw up to his mouth, before lovingly nudging his nose with hers. He stirred a little but didn't wake up.

"Are you still asleep, Ahou?" she whispered, her lips hovering inches from his. Again, he stirred but his eyes did not open. "Heiji," she purred, kissing his lips again, running her tongue along them. He moaned and opened his mouth a little, but she wasn't sure if it was an actual response to her kiss or mere reflex.

Kazuha sighed and murmured "All right, I'm getting up without you", leaning down to press one last kiss to his mouth, when his grip around her tightened and he kept her firmly pressed against himself.

"I knew you weren't asleep!" she giggled in between kisses and he groaned, shaking his head a little.

"I was," he mumbled, opening his eyes for the first time, "but this sure is one hell of a way to be woken up." He grinned and she blushed a little, feeling his breath on her skin. "I woke you? I'm so sorry," she smiled, trying to sound innocent, "How can I ever make that up to you?"

Heiji reached out quickly and turned them over, pinning her to the bed. "Oh, there's so many ideas that come to mind!" He pushed a strand of hair out of her face, tracing the lines of it with his fingertips. His face looked like a predator's playing with his food and Kazuha felt a tickle in her stomach as she anxiously waited for him to move. When he finally leaned down to kiss her again she felt a rush of adrenaline run through her body, making her fingertips tingle.

"What about Ran-chan and Shinichi-kun?" she whispered when he moved his lips from her mouth to her cheek, trailing along her jaw to her neck, lazily kissing every patch of skin available. She could feel his grin against her skin.

"I heard them move downstairs about half an hour ago," he told her, continuing to explore her throat with kisses. When he reached an especially sensitive spot Kazuha moaned. "That's good, I guess," she breathed, entangling her fingers in his hair.

/Part Missing/

Afterwards they lay together contently as Heiji played with Kazuha's slightly sweaty locks, while she drew lazy circles on his chest watching goosebumps forming on his skin under her fingers. Kazuha sighed and looked up at him, her whole face glowing. Heiji had to smile, kissing the top of her nose and her lips. She giggled and contently sighed again, brushing her fingertips along his jaw.

"That was perfect," she whispered and he grinned. "More than perfect, Ahou," he countered, entwining his fingers with hers.

For a moment she became very quiet, just looking at him. "Something wrong, 'Zuha? Are you hurt?" he inquired, starting to sit up when she stopped him.

"I love you, Ahou, you know?" she told him, her face all smiles. Heiji gasped and looked at her, surprise visible on his face at her sudden declaration. When he finally realized what she had just told him he hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair.

"I love you, too, Ahou."

When the couple finally descended for breakfast, Ran and Shinichi had already eaten. "We thought you'd never wake up!" Ran joked, handing Kazuha a basket with rolls while Heiji prepared their drinks.

"We were really tired," Kazuha lied and even though Ran did not seem to notice, Heiji spotted the blush on her neck. The neck he had been kissing some minutes ago in the shower, Heiji thought, grinning at the memory.

Shinichi just watched them intently, seemingly relaxed in his chair. "You seem to be in a good mood," the Tokyo detective observed, curiously staring at Heiji. When the latter sat down with a plate full of food and a cup of coffee, he could not wipe the grin of his face. It seemed to be edged in permanently.

"Had a good nights' sleep," the dark skinned boy muttered, stuffing his face with his breakfast. "What would you like to do today?" he asked his guests, his mouth still full of roll and cheese.

"Oh, I'd love to go to to the aquarium!" Ran exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I read about baby dolphins they have there," she excitedly told Kazuha who was just peeling an egg.

"Really?" Kazuha gasped, looking at Heiji. "How didn't I know that?!"

Heiji just laughed. "It seems the ladies have made a choice," he informed Shinichi who only shrugged.

"Whatever the girls want," the other man said, but Heiji knew something was bothering his pal. Still, his mood was just too good to be bothered by that.

After spending most of the day in the aquarium (mostly because the girls would not leave the dolphin pool after an employee allowed them to feed the animals - much to Heiji's and Shinichi's displeasure), they decided to go out for dinner.

Sitting in an Italian restaurant Kazuha and Ran chatted away about the cute dolphin babies, while the boys rolled their eyes every now and then.

"Mark was so nice!" Ran just cheered, referring to the aquarium's employee.

"Yep, I don't think anybody else was allowed to feed the cute babies!" Kazuha agreed, just then catching sight of the boys' faces. "What's the matter?" she asked innocently.

"Oh, come on, Kazuha!" Heiji exclaimed, rolling his eyes for the umpteenth time since they arrived. "That guy was only so nice because he wanted to get into your knickers!" he huffed while Shinichi nodded affirmatively.

"What? No!" Kazuha and Ran both blushed. "He was only being polite!" Ran explained, lightly slapping her boyfriend's arm, who shook his head. "Yeah, right. That guy was only polite and I am the new lead singer of the Spice Girls," he retorted and Heiji snorted with laughter.

"Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree," Ran shrugged taking Shinichi's hand. "And I'll call you Babyspice from now on, just in case," she added, winking at Kazuha who only grinned.

"It was a great experience either way," the Osaka girl added, taking Heiji's hand as well.

"I'm starving, doesn't anybody work here?!" Heiji started whining just as a girl appeared behind him. "Oh my," the waitress squealed, making Kazuha blanch, "what a coincidence, Heiji-kun!" Kazuha groaned, while Heiji frowned, making Ran and Shinichi stare at them in a confused manner. "Eliza," Heiji murmured, glancing at Kazuha whose lips were pressed into a thin line, "what are you doing here?"

The blond girl prettily tossed her locks back over her shoulder and smiled at Heiji. "I work here," she giggled, evoking a gagging sound and an annoyed eye roll from Kazuha.

"I thought your parents were so rich, you'd never have to lift a finger in your life!" Kazuha taunted, smiling sweetly at Eliza who looked at her in surprise.

"Oh, Toyama-chan, you're here, too. I didn't notice you there," Eliza countered, putting her hands on her hips. "Sooooo," she started, looking from Kazuha to Heiji and at their entwined hands, "you're still dating that, Heiji-kun?" she stated, dissatisfaction visible on her face.

Before either Heiji or Kazuha, who was fuming, could answer anything, Ran disrupted them.

"Oooooh, you are Eliza?" she asked, looking at the girl. "Wow, Kazuha was right, you are special!" she praised, making Kazuha frown in response.

"Toyama-chan said that about me?" Eliza inquired in surprise, suspicion audible in her voice.

"Yep and I must say, she was right," Ran assured, turning towards Kazuha. "I have never seen such a beautiful girl with such a rotten inside!" she called out loudly, standing up. "Let's go somewhere else. If they hire something like that," she nodded in Eliza's direction, "I don't want to know how bad the food is."

With that they left the restaurant. Outside the establishment Kazuha fiercely hugged her friend. "I'm so happy you are here!" she stated, laughing while remembering Eliza's featherbrained facial expression.

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