It was getting colder. The cool breeze cut against Shinichi's bare skin. She wished she brought a jacket.

"Meitantei-chan?" Ah, there he was. In his pristine suit. His pale, silk-like skin. His blue-violet gaze that sent shivers down her spine. "What're doing here?"

Shinichi frowned. He sounded confused, distressed. "The heist note-"

"Get away!" He ran to her, tackling her to the ground. Her hand landed on his side. She felt something warm in her hand. It was a red, hot liquid seeping out of a fresh bullet wound. "Watch out!" He grunted.

Shinichi's breath quicken. The white suit was stained with blood, and she could see the bright shine leaving the thief's eyes. He was getting pale. White. Cold.

"You need to-Ngh!" A splatter of crimson flew out of Kid's arm, causing him to fall on Shinichi. A drop landed on her cheek, right next to her wide, teary eyes. "Need to... n-need to... get away."

Kid lifted his head and locked gazes with Shinchi. He forced a simper knowing it was his last.

"Shin-chan~" was the last word he uttered before the bullet pierced his head, missing Shinichi's ear by centimeters.

Shinichi woke up and ran to the toilet.

It was Monday. Hattori had gone back to Osaka and Subaru had made quite a nice breakfast for Shinichi, yet she barely touched it. Understanding, he wrapped the food and put it in the fridge for later.

"Rough night?" He asked, washing the dish he ate from. Shinichi nodded. "You were tossing and turning."

Shinichi took a sip of her coffee and shrugged. "It's been happening all the time lately."

"Hmmm?"

"It's a different, terrible nightmare each time I close my eyes. I'm not sure why I'm getting them." After only one cup of coffee, Shinichi grabbed her bag a made her way the door.

Subaru stopped her. He reached for her tie and began to straighten it. "Maybe it's your body, subconsciously telling you something important is about to happen." Subaru opened one of his eyes and stared hard at Shinichi blank expression.

"I hope nothing in these nightmares come true." She turned and walked out the door. "Goodbye."

Subaru frowned. "So do I." His thoughts shifted to his most recent nightmare. Sera. "So do I..."

Shinichi hurried down the steps of her house to be greeted by an over enthusiastic Ran and a somewhat surprised Sonoko.

"So, look who finally decided to stop letting her wife wait for her." Sonoko smirked in a cat like manner.

Shinichi and Ran blushed in sync. "Sonoko!" Ran complained.

"Geez. Still as cheeky as ever." Shinichi refused to look Sonoko in the eye.

"Whatever. Glad you're back, detective freak." Shinichi rolled her eyes. Sonoko snickered. "So anyway, where've you been this whole time?"

"Doing undercover cases and such."

"Specifically?"

"That's classified."

Sonoko groaned. "Aww. You're no fun!"

Shinichi shrugged. "Sorry. They were undercover for a reason."

Ran smiled. Shinichi was the same as before. Arrogant, yet sweet. She blushed internally. D-Does that mean her confession from London is still true?

"Oi, Ran!" Shinichi was in front of her. Her face had a clearly annoyed expression, signaling she had been calling her for a while.

"Eh?"

"What's with that stupid look on your face? Nevermind. I asked, has anyone forgotten me over these past few months?" Shinichi put her hands behind her head in a relaxed way.

Ran scoffed. "Who could forget you, you mystery otaku?"

"Actually," Sonoko interjected, "you're the talk around the school!"

"Huh?"

"Come on, you've been gone for more than five months. Everyone's wondering what happened and what's gonna happen to you! Though, you're probably not gonna be held back is because you were pretty much a year ahead of us before you disappeared." Sonoko sighed. "That would suck if you had to repeat your second year again."

I had to repeat first grade again, Shinichi thought somewhat bitterly. "Yeah." Was her only response.

Sonoko chuckled. "Then, the wives couldn't be together! Shinichi would be calling Ran, '*Senpai!'"

"I'm older than both of you, though."Shinichi said with an irritated sigh, as they walked to the corner.

"Hey!" A boyish voice called out. A girl with short hair and a flat chest appeared from the corner and ran toward them. "Ran-chan, Sonoko-chan! Good morning!" She paused in front of the girls. "And, who's this?" She gestured to Shinichi.

"Ah, good morning, Sera-san." Ran smiled. "This is Kudo Shinichi-"

"Kudo Shinichi!?" Sera interrupted, shocked. "The Kudo Shinichi who disappeared five months ago?" She got really close to Shinichi's face, eager for an answer.

"Ah, yeah. You're Sera Masumi, right?" Shinichi took two steps back, uncomfortable with their proximity.

Sera grinned, showing her uneven tooth. Shinichi studied the expression before she chimed, "You remember me!" and tackled Shinichi in a hug, causing them both to fall on the ground. Shinichi shivered remembering her dream.

Sonoko sighed and looked away, blushing slightly. "No more **yuri..."

"Get off me!" Shinichi snapped, pushing the other female detective off of her. Sera fell onto the sidewalk. She laughed as Shinichi got up and brushed her clothes off.

"Sorry, sorry." Sera smiled.

Shinichi frowned. "And about remembering you," Sera's happy expression was quickly replaced with a serious one, "I don't think I've ever seen you before."

"I see." Sera replied, pondering what Shinichi just said. After a few minutes, she just shook her head and jumped up off the ground. "Oh well~ We better get going! We don't wanna be late for school!" Sera grabbed Ran and Shinichi's hand all while pushing Sonoko in the direction of Teitan High.

Shinichi barely kept up. She was too busy wondering if she really did know Sera at one point in her life.

School was... eventful. Filled with dozens and dozens of students asking Shinichi where she's been and why she left. Shinichi answered as vague and incorrect as possible. Even the teachers were constantly bothering her about it.

Once the final bell rang, Shinichi quickly gathered her things and sprinted out the school. She felt suffocated under all the attention, which was actually a first for the usual flashy detective.

She met up with Ran and Sonoko outside the school. "Where's Sera-san?" Shinichi asked.

"She said she had something to do." Sonoko recalled. "Anyway, let's go to Ekoda!"

Ran and Shinichi looked at her questionably. "Sonoko, if you're going for Kid-"

"I know, I know. The heist is tomorrow." Sonoko looked to Shinichi. "You have inside connections so I expect you're coming." Shinichi shrugged. "Whatever. The real reason I wanna go to Ekoda is because of the new mall that open up!"

Ran's eyes lit up. "Ah, the one they built by the high school?" Sonoko nodded, beaming.

Shinichi scoffed. "You guys can go. I'll pass." She began to walk away until Sonoko grabbed her blazer. "What-"

"Are you kidding me!?" Sonoko snarled. "You've been gone for five months! Don't you wanna hang out with us!?" She glared daggers at Shinichi.

Shinichi just sighed. "Fine. But you're not making me carry everything like you usually make me do."

Sonoko shook her head, smirked, and pulled Shinichi and Ran along to the bus stop. "No promises." Shinichi groaned, but still followed.

The bus ride took thirty long minutes filled with talk of clothing and fashion. Shinichi was fine with it, to a certain extent, of course. She was relieved when they got off at Ekoda and began used their own feet. Shinichi purposely walked a few strides slower than her two other friends just to escape their bland conversation.

That is until Ran turned around and said in her pretty voice, "Come on, Shinichi. Hurry up!" Shinichi blushed and quicken her pace, catching up with the brunette.

"So, is this new mall big?" Shinichi asked as they passed Ekoda High.

Sonoko snickered. "See for yourself." She motioned to the a huge building, at least four stories tall. Students, adults, and even the elderly were waking through the large double doors that lead them inside the mall. "The Suzuki branch helped fund it, so we get special treatment." Sonoko grinned.

"Special treatment?" Ran questioned.

"As in we don't have to pay for anything the first three days!" Sonoko said cheerfully.

Shinichi's eyes widened. "That's some special treatment." She murmured.

"Well, I don't have to pay for anything," Sonoko admitted, "but I'm not gonna let you two pay for anything either."

"That's too kind Sonoko!" Ran protested.

Sonoko held a hand up, telling her to stop. "Really, it's not fair if I get everything for free and you two have to pay. Just think of this as another birthday present from me, Ran."

"But-"

"Just stop arguing!" Sonoko huffed in annoyance. "You're too nice for your own good."

"You don't-" Shinichi began.

"You stop, too." Sonoko interjected. "I know you're not hurting with money, but you're Ran's wife and I have to be nice to you, too." Shinichi rolled her eyes.

Ran blushed. "E-Even in public, Sonoko!?"

*Senpai: Uppeclassman/woman or (not story use) someone you look up to or respect

**Yuri: GirlxGirl

A/N: THIS IS REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I SHIP SHINICHI (Female or not) WITH EVERYONE! RanxShinichi, KaitoxShinichi, HeijixShinichi, AixShinichi, SeraxShinichi. EVEN VermonthxShinichi TO A CERTAIN EXTENT o(TTATT)o! I am such a multi-shipper, it's not even funny...

*Awkward cough* Anyway, I hate filler. This chapter really sucked, didn't it? I apologize. The next chapter is gonna be filler too, but it's gonna be more interesting... Spoiler Alert: Kaito and Aoko are in it :) They may or may not meet Shinichi, Ran, and Sonoko... Maybe.

(I've copied and pasted this on every review but...) As far as updating goes... The past few weeks have been insane. My 3 day field trip with NO internet was two weeks ago and then there was graduation! I was also busy with lots of personal issues... I'm almost done with the next chapter and I'll try (TRY! I'm not good at things!) to stay more consistent.