Actually, I wanted to update when I finished this chapter but I couldn't let you guys waiting any longer so I publish what I wrote so far.

Please, don't hate me for what comes next ;-)

The first thing she noticed was her dry mouth. Not just dry. Dried up. When opening one eye, the stream of light from the window stitched merciless. Heatache. She closed her eye again, remaining in the current position. Trying to not provoke the throbbing pain in her head. One the other hand, she needed some water. Immediately! God, why did she feel so bad? Get hit by a bus would have been a more pleasant feeling at the moment. The opened both eyes, fitting against the pain in her eyes and the upcoming queasiness. Where was she? Not in her bedroom. But where? When she turned her head slowly, a sleeping person lay beside her. One arm loosely around her waist. Heiji?! Was she in his appartment? Turning the head slowly, she observed the room. Very tidy. Typical Heiji! she concluded. He has always been a stickler for order. Even when a few crumbles on the floor had caused an angry look from him in their childhood.

But why am I in his bedroom and….Oh shit! Where are my clothes?! Why am I lying naked in his bed?! Is he also….? Kazuha peeked over to Heiji. He was bare-chested but the lower body covered by the duvet. She thought about taking a peek under the blanket but opted against it. The situation if he woke up while doing it would be more than awkward. And she was more desperate for something to drink and also to wear. Not wanting to run around naked in his appartment. But there was no piece of clothes lying around in the room. Did I get here naked?! God, what happened?! Her head aked even more. Even though, Kazuha slipped slowly out of the bed and tiptoed out of the bedroom. After closing the door, she eavesdroped on it for any noise, then inhaling relieved, he's still sleeping! She decided to walk into the bathroom in search of a towel and was more than glad to find one big enough to cover her up before heading to the kitchen. After slaking the thirst, she felt a bit better. Also a few memories came back. I forgot my keys at the wedding! Right! And therefore…. I stayed here. But why did I choose to sleep without clothes while Heiji also sleeps in the bed? Anyway, I came her with clothes because I was dressed back there. So where are they?

Kazuha decided to look into the living room. Walking in, the first thing she noticed was a bunch of clothes all over the floor. Her green dress sticked out but was half covered by a white shirt and an ivory-colored tie. A bad feeling was forming in her tummy. But when she also found her torn thong, there couldn't hardly been another explanation for what happened last night. Suddenly, scene pieces flashed before her eyes, forming a vague picture about the recent events. Oh my god! Please tell me I hadn't tried to force Heijito have sex with me! And that I stripped to convince him! Convince him! This is a nightmare! He cleary didn't want to but I…..Oh God! Kazuha felt like she could die of embarrassment right on the spot. She couldn't stay in the flat for any more second. But where to go? She decided for Sonoko's place to get her purse and more importantly her keys back. Hastily putting her dress and bra on while pausing for a moment with her thong. I can't wear it anymore. It's totally ripped but I also can't leave it here. Would be so weird and inappropriate. Finally deciding to take it with her, she left the appartment.

Kazuha stormed into Sonoko's bedroom, startled her out of the sleep. „I need my purse. Now!," she declared loud.

Behind her, the butler arrived. „I'm so sorry, Sonoko-san. I tried to stop her but your mother allowed to disturbed you."

Sonoko yawned loudly, still a dizzy expression on her face, while examining the two persons her doorstep. Kazuha looked a bit wild. Her hair was messy and around her eyes was slurred mascara. „I need my money! I drove here with a taxi but you took my purse with you last night and the driver is waiting outside for me to pay him," Kazuha explained hectic.

Sonoko looked to the butler. „Could you handle the payments with the driver, please," she said. The man took a bow and closed the door behind him.

„Thank you!" Kazuha sighed relieved. „I'll pay you back later because I think I don't have enough cash for it in the purse."

„No need to rush," Sonoko declared offhanded and moved out of the bed. „But why are you here so early? I thought you at Heiji's place. He could have driven you here later."

„Well, umm…I-I didn't want to bother him. And I really want to go home now, soo…," she answered cagey.

„And he didn't want to bring you. That's really…."

„I didn't ask," Kazuha cut her off. „And he was still sleeping. Could you please give me my purse. I've got a massive heatache and I'm also very tired."

„Tired? Didn't you get enough sleep last night," Sonoko winked playfully but seeing Kazuha's embarrassed expression, she yelled, „No, you didn't! Hah, great! You two had…."

„Sonoko, my purse! Now!"

„Why so snippy? You should be more than happy. Or was it not good?"

„I really don't want to talk about it," Kazuha replied sharp. „Just give me my purse," she said exhausted, putting her palms together in a pleading gesture. Suddenly, her ripped thong, which she had hid in her fist, fell to the floor. She looked terrified to Sonoko, who first looked surprised before a smug smile appeared on her face. „Seriously?!" she chuckled. „You know, I really think Heiji's a pain in the ass. But it seems he has some qualities not obvious at first sight. In that point, you're very lucky."

„No, I'm not," Kazuha sighed deeply.

Sonoko frowned. „What happened?"

„You know, I really …"

„Come on. I promise I won't tease you. Let's sit down and talk. I order breakfast. And some headache pills," she winked.

Kazuha nodded finally and took a seat on a sofa close by. When she was about to start, Sonoko's phone ringed. „That can wait," she rejected with a shrug.

Great! Not even Sonoko, Heiji cursed, walking through the living room just wearing some boxer shorts and staring on his cellphone. He tried another time but with no success. Crossing arms before his bare chest, he frowned. When Kazuha's not with Sonoko, where else could she be without money or keys?

When Heiji woke up twenty minutes ago, he assumed that Kazuha might be in the bathroom or kitchen or somewhere else in his appartment. But after looking in every room and not finding her, he noticed that also her clothes were gone. What bothered him the most was that she didn't leave a note. Nothing to tell him where she was. More than unusual. And to be honest: he was worried. What if something happened to her? And why did she leave the appartment? Where did she go? Public transport wasn't an option without money. Taxi? Maybe but she also needs to pay in the end. By foot? Most logical but not very effective. Her appartment and Sonoko's place were too far away. Especially with the high heels she wore yesterday. And she couldn't go int the flat. To Ran? Hmm, not too close but also not too far away. Heiji paused for a moment, knowing that Shinichi gonna be pissed for disturbing them. But it was more important for him to know if Kazuha was alright.

„I really hope you have a really good explanation for calling on this morning," Shinichi bluffed into the phone as a greeting. „Like you're kidnapped by a bunch of terrorists or hanging off of a cliff."

„Is Kazuha with you?" Heiji asked, letting the comments unnoticed.

„WHAT! Are you serious?! Why should she? No, it's just me and my wife trying to enjoy our first morning as married couple," he replied snappy. „Thought about looking into her appartment?"

„She can't be there. Yesterday she forgot her purse with the keys and so on and stayed at my place. But she's gone now and I have no idea whereto. And Sonoko-san took her purse but I can't reach her," he replied in a worried undertone.

Shinichi inhaled deeply. „What have you done?"

„What?! Me?! Nothing!"

„But when she left without an option to go somewhere else, there has to be an extraordinary reason for this behaviour. And I assume the reason is you."

„No, it's not!" Heiji replied grumpy.

„But what else? The past proves that it's always you who upset her."

„What!? NOOO! This is not…you are so….," he took a deep breath, trying to get the raising anger under control. Calm down! Arguing with Shinichi won't help. After another deep breath: „I'm absolutley not in the mood for this! I'm really worried about her. Could you tell me if you hear something?"

„Sure."

„Thanks." Heiji hung up, more pissed than ever. Why is everyone blaming me all the time? Kazuha left without a word and I'm the jerk. Nice! He stood in his living room, not sure about the next step. Okay, let's see. She doens't know much people in Tokyo. In Osaka but not here. Where the hell did she go? And why? Was it really my fault like Shinichi assumed? But I didn't do anything? Really! And she couldn't blame me for yesterday night! I desperatley tried to be a gentleman and not taking advantage of her condition. But it was really impossible! Wanna see a man who can stay strong when the woman he loves takes all her clothes off and kisses him senseless. By the way, she didn't complain. Rather the opposite, he smiled mischievous but shaking the head in the next second. Stay focused. Other things are more important right now. It does not help anything, I have to search in the immediate vicinty for her. Heiji headed to the bedroom for some clothes to put on.

„Wow, I had no idea that you would do that," Sonoko declared, listened to Kazuha for the last fifteen minutes.

„Me either. But it was like my brain was switched off," Kazuha shaked her head in disbelieve.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Sonoko's mother appeared, a phone in hands. „Sonoko, could you for once answer the calls on your phone. Ran called me. She said she tried to contact you several times," she criticized her daughter. „Here," she handed it over.

„Sonoko?" Ran's voice was heard.

„Yeah, is something wrong?"

„I just want to know if Kazuha-chan's or was with you?"

„Yes, she's here."

„Oh, that's great. Heiji-kun is searching after her. He said she had disappeared all of a sudden and is very worried about her. Could you tell her to give him a call?"

„Sure."

„Thanks, bye!"

„Bye"

Sonoko gave the phone back to her mother who disappeared without another word. Then she looked on her own. „Puh, got a few calls in the meantime. From Ran-chan and also from Heiji-kun…"

„Heiji called you?!" Kazuha's head shot up.

„Yeah, Ran-chan said he is searching after you. God, he's so annoying. Couldn't he wait until at least half a day to talk to you?"

„Umm…maybe, because I didn't leave a note so he doesn't know where I am…," she replied ashamed, feeling even more like an idiot. „God, I can't talk to him right now!" Covering her burning cheeks with her hands.

„Wow! You didn't! That's tough and somehow cool. You're like a maneater. Take whoever you want, use him and disappear in the morning without remorse. I want that, too!" Sonoko looked dreamy into the distance.

„Are you nuts?! At first, I'm not a maneater. I don't do this constantly! It happened in a tanked condition with the man I know since childhood and the only one I ever had sex with. And second: what are you talking about? You don't want to sleep with a complete stranger. You love Makoto-san!" Her headache seemed to got stronger through this conversation.

„Yeah, but….I'm tired of waiting!" She flopped melodramatically on her bed, spread-eagled. The next second, she was up again, a conspiratorial smile on the face. „Do you think that what you did would also work with Makoto?"

„What?!" Kazuha's jaw dropped down. „I didn't…That wasn't planned! I didn't thought this through. It just happened."

„I got that but it was very effective in the end."

„If you want to call utterly embarrassement on my side effective, yes it was," Kazuha replied snippy. „Also considering the fact that I might not look into his eyes again without an overwhelming feeling of shame."

„Come on! You didn't shackle and rape him. If he wouldn't want to, he hadn't done it, right?"

„Maybe…," she commented cagey. But…," inhaling deeply," I don't know. Just need a bit space from him to regather my thoughts."

„If you think so but you need to tell him that you're alright. It's the least you can do at the moment."

„Yeah, you're right. But I don't want to talk to him."

„Send him a message: I'm alive. Bye!" Sonoko smiled cheeky. „Then you gonna help me with a new plan for Makoto. I thought…"

Oh shit! Let's scram! „You know, I need some rest now. Let's do this another day, okay? And thanks for taking care of my stuff. Bye!" Kazuha grabbed her purse and left the room before Sonoko got a change to reply something.

Downstairs, she asked the butler for a train station or cab stand close by. Fortunately, there was a train station not far away. But the man informed her that Sonoko already arranged a ride for her with the family's chauffeur. Now, she felt a bit remorseful for her sudden escape. She promised herself to make it up to her another time.

When Kazuha sat in the backseat of the car, she stared absentminded outside, her phone in hands. She had no idea what to write to Heiji. Knowing that she had to but having no words. Didn't know that Heiji was in the same position, sitting on his couch also with his phone. Because of Ran, he knew that Kazuha had been with Sonoko. The first relief was now replace by other feelings. Incomprehension and also a bit anger. Asking himself several times why she did that. Why did she leave after this night? When he fell asleep yesterday, he was incredibly happy. Certain that they did a huge step in their relationship. But now, the feeling of uncertainty and fear which had accompanied him over the last weeks came back, stronger than ever. What if she thinks it was a mistake? What if she realised that she doesn't feel the same way for me like I do for her? We were separated for so long. Or her feelings changed because she couldn't forgive me for my involvement in her imprisonment. My own father didn't. Why should Kazuha? He felt exhausted by now. Why can't life be simple? The only thing he was certain about was that he missed her. Maybe a short message. To check out the atmosphere. But what?

After a minute, he decided to be honest. I MISSED YOU THIS MORNING WHEN I WOKE UP, he typed, then paused. Should I really send that? Maybe to much pressure for her. No, I'm tired of this. DO IT! Heiji was about to push the send button when a new message came. From Kazuha. DRIVING HOME NOW. NEED SOME REST. LET'S TALK SOMETIME. BYE!

Seriously! After everything that happened, she sends me that! Like I'm not more than a casual acquaintance she wants to get rid of very fast. Heiji removed his former message, just writing OKAY and sent it back to her, before throwing his phone through the room. „It's alright. I don't want to talk to you, either," he snapped into the direction where it had landed. Then, he took a beer out of the fridge before slouching on the couch and switching through the channels to distract his mind.

Two days later, Kazuha sat together with Ran and Sonoko in the living room of the Kudo's. Ran asked for help with writing thank-you cards for the wedding presents. Shinichi popped off as fast as he could, saying something about an emergency meeting with the club. Although his wife looked through his lie easily, she let him of the hook, also glad to have a nice afternoon chat with her friends. And after Kazuha was sure Heiji wouldn't show up, she agreed to help.

„Wow, there're a lot of people, " Kazuha studied the name's list Ran had made for them.

„Yes! It was really overwhelming how many people presented us. So very nice," Ran smiled warmly.

„How many guests…?" Kazuha was about to ask.

„About 80. But there are also people who just send us somehing, so I have to write about 150 thank-you cards," Ran answered, still smiling.

„ That's readily comprehensible. I have about 500 people for my wedding," Sonoko said with a shrug.

„Your wedding?!" Ran and Kazuha looked astonished to their friend.

„Yes! My and Makoto-san's wedding," she nodded in approval.

„Did I miss something?" Kazuha made a silly face while Ran made a happy scream and jumped over to her friend to hug her euphorical. „Oh, I'm so happy for you, Sonoko! When did he propose? Tell us everything!" Ran shouted.

Sonoko shoved her away, shaking her head. „No, he didn't. I meant, when we're going to get married, there will be 500 guests."

„Huh?!" Kazuha's expression got even sillier while Ran took place again. „Have you already planned your future wedding?"

„Of course!" Sonoko replied wholehearted, as if it would be the most natural thing in the world. „Me and my mother! We are prepared for every situation. Four different locations, so we're able to cover every season of the year considering that we don't know when Makoto-san is going to propose. But when he does, the wedding will be four weeks after. That's settled. A woman have to be prepared!" Sonoko raised her fist confidently, a resolute expression on her face. „And to get Maokoto-san on the right track, I think I'll try Kazuha-chan's trick."

„Kazuha-chan's trick?" Ran looked baffled.

„I have a trick?" Kazuha had no idea what she was talking about.

„Of course! At the wedding! When you seduced Heiji-kun…"

„You did what?!" Ran yelled shocked.

„SONOKO!" Kazuha screamed red as a beet. „How could you?! I trusted you not to tell anyone!"

„And I didn't! But it's Ran-chan, " she tried to justify herself.

„But it doesn't mean that wouldn't be less embarrassing for me. Don't you really get it?! REALLY!?" she yelled accusing. „Oh, and I didn't seduce him, " she added in Ran's direction.

„Guys, what is going on here? What are you talking about?" Ran looked bewildered at her friends. Sonoko seemed very busy with one of the card in front of her while Kazuha looked hurt in another direction. „Please, Kazuha-chan. I won't tell. I swear," she asked softly.

Kazuha's face showed the inner battle she fought. A minute passed while non of them said a word.

„Fine," Kazuha sighed. „But you won't tell. Not like someone else." She glanced reproachfully over to Sonoko who at least had the tact to look guilty. She summarized the important facts for Ran who listened with wide eyes.

„Wow," was everything she was able to say when Kazuha ended.

„See! Worked with the detective freak, will also work with Makoto-san," Sonoko nodded enthusiastic.

„I think I'll make some tea for us, okay," Kazuha replied weary and stood up.

„Sure, if you want to," Ran looked concerned after her while Sonoko kept babbling.

After starting the water boiler, Kazuha leaned against the kichen counter, inhaling deep. She felt so exhausted at the moment. The last days had been a real rollercoaster of mixed emotions for her. And it seemed that today wouldn't be an exception. I really need to get used to it. It just happened and I have to except that. And someday, I also have to face Heiji again. Can't hide forever. Maybe for a few more days but not forever. But today, I can face Sonoko and Ran. Standing tall, Kazuha walked out of the kitchen back to her friends.

While turning around a corner, she saw a bunch of people at the entrance of the living room, walking in. The whole detective club, headed by Shinichi with Heiji right behind. Her eyes widened in shock by his sudden appearance. Not sure what to do, she paused in the movement, just a few metres away. When Heiji looked casually into her direction, his face showed the same surprise as hers. Suddenly, Kazuha turned around and walked into the direction, she came from.

Now, Heiji was completely taken aback. Oh my god! She is not really running away from me, is she?! Anger built up inside him. Are we really on such point now?! Oh no missy, say good-bye to that!

„Kazuha!" he yelled over the whole floor while following her. The young woman gave a jump. Shit! She cursed silent and stopped in the movement before turning around, facing her friend. „Oh, hey Heiji! I haven't seen y…."

„Yeah! Can stop your fake surprise. Not buying it," he cut her off harshly. „You're avoiding me!" he declared, crossing arms before his chest.

Kazuha looked sheepishly to the side, knowing that her face would show the truth of his words. „No, I'm not!" she replied stubborn, jutting her chin forward like a little girl. Heiji's response was a snarky snorting. „ I think we really have to talk."

His voice changed into the tone she knew far too well. The tone he uses when he is questioning a suspect. At this point, he is like a bulldog, gets his teeth into it and won't let go until a final success. Great! Now, he treats me like a criminal subject, she concluded unhappy, feeling extreme self-conscious under his scrutinizing look. „I want an explanation about your behaviour back then. And don't even try to play dumb, Kazuha. You know exactly what I mean." Suddenly, Kazuha's head jumped up, panic showing in her eyes. Oh god, he wants an explanation! How can I explain my behaviour? You know, I was angry at you and jealous of Mio so I really hit the bottle. Unfortunately, my dignity was also flushed down my throat with a lot of long island ice tea. And since I have a huge crush on you and found you more than hot in your suit, I saw no problem in throwing myself at you like a needy slut! Yeah, doesn't sound pitfully, she commented sarcatically. „You know…umm….Heiji… I…umm...," she beat around the bush with burning cheeks, examining the floor closely.

Heiji observed the changes in her face with a slightly confused expression. Not understanding why she looked so embarrassed because of her sudden dissapearance in the morning. Not leaving him a note was mean but that level of embarrassement was even for Kazuha too much. He took a step forward, putting on hand on her upper arm, the other under her chin, forcing her to look up. The fear and self-consciousness in her eyes made his anger dissapear. His hand wandered up to her cheek, stroking the skin with his thumb. „Hey, I didn't want to scare you, " he whispered tenderly. „Sorry." Kazuha's expression softened a bit, showing him a sheepish smile. „I just want to know how I should interpret your behaviour, 'zuha."

He's working with dirty tricks, Kazuha sighed heavily. Using the familiar form of her name, whispered in a tender and affectionate tone, was hard to resist. „ Heiji", she started. „ I …"

Suddenly, a sneezer brought their attention away from each other. They looked into the direction where it came from and found the whole detective club plus Sonoko and Ran standing at the entrance of the living room, observing the couple at the other side of the hallway with huge curiosity. „Hey! Stop staring, you bakas!" Heiji yelled annoyed into their direction. Got caught red-handed, the group dissolved immediately, trying to show a put-on disinterest. Except of two people: Sonoko kept standing at the doorframe, a curious expression on her face. Mio was close by but her look couldn't be more different. Hurt and sadness was relected in it, making Kazuha very uncomfortable. She turned her face back to Heiji who still looked at the two girls. But his expression showed very clear which one he had in focus. Kazuha knew this look way to good now. The Sonoko-is-a-pain-in-the-ass-look.

„Maybe we should talk later. With more privacy," Kazuha offered. He looked back to her, suspicious. She sighed. „I won't go away. I promise." He wasn't convinced. „I won't!" she looked straight in his eyes, determination showing in them. After a few seconds, he nodded in agreement.

„Okay. I think I gonna go back to the kitchen to prepare tea for all of us," Kazuha turned around while Heiji made a last look at her before walking to the living room. Back in the kitchen, she needed a minute to calm down and regather her thoughts.

„Hi," someone said. Kazuha's head turned to the door where Mio leaned against. Suddenly, Kazuha felt very self-conscious. As always when she was close to her. The feeling of not be able to compete with her. In any way. Her beautiful face, her silk long hair and her perfect figure, highlighted in a lovely dark blue dress which flattered her light blue eyes. Kazuha on the other side felt extremely chubby. The weight gain of the last months did bother her much more than usual. Suddenly, she remembered that also Heiji commented it a few weeks before. I'm pretty sure he never complained about her figure, she thought bitter.

„Hi," Kazuha replied, not sure what to say to her. „Do you want to help with the tea?" was the first thing that crossed her mind as a suitable conversation starter.

„Not really. Actualy, I want to talk to you," Mio replied, pushing herself away from the door frame and took a few steps in Kazuha's direction.

Oh, I have a bad feeling. „Really? About what?" Kazuha tried to sound relaxed.

„About Heiji."

Of course! Huge surprise! What comes now? Does she want to throw down the gauntlet and make our competition about him official?

„I want you to release him from his guilt feelings to you,"Mio continued, arms crossing.

„What?" Kazuha was completely startled by her words. Expected anything else but that. „What are you talking about?"

Mio was about to give a snide remark, but looking in Kazuha's face, she saw true lack of understanding. She always thought to have a crafty love rival but the woman in front of her didn't fit into the pattern. „I mean your prison term. You know that Heiji is blaming himself for that. More than just a bit," Seeing Kazuha looking guilty to the side, Mio noodded in approval and continued. „He feels responsible for you. For your happiness. And he would do whatever it takes to make it happens. Even if that means being in a relationship he doesn't want."

The last sentence made Kazuha's head jump up, looking shattered.

„You two had a teenager romance but face it: It's over now. Past. Time to move forward for you two. But Heiji can't. He feels obligated to you and would never reject when you wish a relationship with him. Even without considering his own feelings," Mio expression saddened. „Since two years I'm waiting for him now. And I know he wants to be with me, too. But we couldn't make it official because you never let him off the hook. If….if you really have feelings for Heiji, as a friend or more, you have to let him go. Let him be happy of his own choice."

I know, mean cliffhanger ^-^