Title: A Storm, Fifteen Years Ago (bound to change)

Rating: T

Genre(s): Friendship/Angst/Tragedy/Hurt/Comfort

Summary: (Very, very light x-over with xxxHOLiC. Warnings/Pairings inside. Post-manga.) For Gokudera Hayato, this is the easiest decision he has ever made. Without any hesitation, he accepts the consequences, all for a chance to change something and everything; and also for a chance to apologize, apologize for what he hadn't done.

Warnings: Swearing, homo/heterosexuality, violence, character death, time travel, angst, spoilers, the works. Un-beta-ed.

Pairings: 8059, All59 friendship, 2795, 1869, XS; more to come.

Side Notes: Yes, Watanuki WILL play a very large role in this story, but he doesn't appear very often. Ask questions if you have any. Please leave a review telling me your thoughts on this fanfiction, and how I can improve. I am NOT looking for a beta. Therefore, if you spot a grammatical mistake or spelling mistake, PM or review. I do not and will never own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! or xxxHOLiC.

~oOo~

Gokudera Hayato, despite his scientifically wired mind, believes in ghosts, demons; generally the supernatural.

He also believes in wishes.

~oOo~

He barely makes it to the place he's staying—it's not home, never, never will be again—before crumpling on the floor of in front of the bed he's been sleeping in—no it's not his, never, never will be again because this isn't home anymore—and digging his fingernails into his scalp.

He draws in a shaky and rattling breath, forcing himself to calm down—but what's the point, he'll be killed anyway—and think clearly. But he can't—how could he, when everyone else is gone, when they've all left him behind in this cruel, cruel world—and is on the verge of having a panic attack but he digs his nails in harder and the pain—biting and sharp and brings him clarity—manages to just barely shake him out of it.

Somehow he passes out, leaning against the bed, cursing that bastard Hibari to hell and back—because how dare you, how dare you leave me alone—and wishing with his entire being that he would get another chance to apologize.

~oOo~

A boy he doesn't recognize is sitting on a rock, smoking a pipe. He wears decorative kimonos that, while they look like they were designed for females, fit him quite well.

"Who the hell are you?"

There's green grass everywhere and the boy turns his mismatched eyes on him, bending down and running his fingers slightly through the grass. "I am Watanuki Kimihiro. It's nice to meet you, Gokudera-san." The boy, Watanuki, seems to be maybe fifteen. But Gokudera feels he's far older than he really appears.

"Are you a threat?"

"No, but you could be," Watanuki says mildly. "It really depends on what you wish for, and how much you are able and willing to pay."

What you wish for… how much you are able and willing to pay… He knows the answer to that. "This isn't real, is it?"

"That really depends on how you define reality and illusion," Watanuki answers. "But this is a dream, if you are wondering. Dreams are where I am the strongest."

Gokudera sighs and just drops to the ground, looking up at the other. "Are you giving me an offer?"

"I suppose. It is entirely up to you what you wish for, but I am the one who decides the price." Watanuki takes a drag on the pipe, and oddly colored smoke plumes around him as he exhales. "Of course, I am already aware of what you're wishing for."

"I… I am willing to pay any price for it." He hopes this is real, that this isn't some cruel illusion his mind made up.

"'Anything' is a very high price, Gokudera-san," Watanuki warns. "I can take literally anything away from you."

"Anything to keep them alive, healthy, and happy," Gokudera insists. "I don't fucking care if I can't ever see them again."

"Alright then. In exchange for them to be alive, well, and happy, your price…" Watanuki pauses. "It is only right that you are to bear the scars of your friends. Do you still accept?"

Gokudera blinks and nearly laughs. This is the easiest decision he has ever made in his life.

"I accept."

~oOo~

Author's Note: Whelp, there's the prologue. I promise, the following chapters will be longer! I don't know what I want as a word goal per chapter, but I promise, it'll be at least 2k words.

I'll attempt to update at least once a week, but to be honest, I think once a month sounds a lot more realistic, considering my procrastination tendencies. So yeah, maybe once a month. I update sporadically.

Please read and review. :'D I'll appreciate it.