Title: Till Next Time
Note: This is set in an alternate universe although the guys are still together but not in the mafia. Some are OOC since I'm not going to portray Gokudera like he was portrayed in the manga. There are so much like that already. Still, I would stick with his bombshell attitude. Tsuna in this story is not the no-good Tsuna.
Summary: Gokudera was not the stick-around-forever kind of man. Everyone knows that…even the only woman who got away from his clutches way back in highschool. Now back at the same time in their hometown, Haru had returned to put down roots and he was definitely not on her long-term plan. Gokudera returned because of some damned codicil his father had attached to his last will and testament before he died. Old flame rekindled, can they both meet each other half way or will the famous jetsetter be always a go-it-alone guy?
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR.
Prologue:
Gokudera Hayato is definitely one of the most sought of guy even in high school along with his other friends, Yamamoto, Ryohei and a few others, . These men didn't have to go look for women because the female species go to them even without invitation.
Still in high school, these people had already been notorious womanizer and the most subtle to keep his affairs to himself would probably be Kyoya or Tsuna…the others are just as brazen. They never give a rat's ass about what people say to them or if women were hurt because of expectations.
Gokudera never really hated women in general but he just hated one in particular. Being a product of a disastrous marriage, he had always harbored an ill feeling towards his estranged mother who left him and his dad in exchange for her career. By the time, he grew up to understand that, he never paid much attention to women's feelings. They are just some toys for him. But that doesn't mean his relationship with his father is also good. It was just as strained as his relationship with his sister and one could probably say that he was a product of a dysfunctional family.
Back on track, way back in high school, there was one girl who managed to get away even before he could actually lay out his plan for her. They dated twice and then it was over…the next he knew, he was getting over her by dating a lady gaga personified who goes with the name of Shittopi.
Miura Haru.
It was a name that stuck out in his memory even after all those years that passed. The last he heard about her is that she moved to another place after graduation. Her mom said that it was a good start for her.
Now, after years of jet setting, he came back for two reasons. One is to witness the wedding of his friend and the other is to meet with his father's lawyers. He spotted Yamamoto waiting in his car and he grinned.
It seemed not much have changed about the cheerful guy. Careless as ever…
"I didn't actually think you'd come to meet me," he said as they clasped hands together in an affectionate manly gesture.
"I figured you'd be needing a ride knowing you don't have your key with you," he answered and entered the car afterwards. Gokudera rounded the front and settled in the front seat while Yamamoto drove.
"So, Tsuna finally nailed it with Kyoko eh?" he smirked, still unable to believe that one of his friend had actually decided to settle down. So it turned out, Tsuna kissed his bachelorhood goodbye.
"Ah," Yamamoto answered shortly. "He was not expecting you'd come, after all, you rarely return here." Truth be told, Gokudera rarely settles in Japan especially after high school. If not globetrotting, he spent most of his time in Italy where he came from before his family migrated. He spent his time there with his paternal grandparents.
Gokudera chuckled. "I love flying man," he said as if to explain why he seldom comes home. "It's my passion."
"A globe trotter," Yamamoto mumbled. "The women would be thrilled to learn you're back."
This time, the silver haired laughed and shook his head. "It's not like you really bore them now."
"I ran across Haru some time ago," the raven haired reported and glanced at him, gauging for his reaction. Oh his friend knew about Haru…even Tsuna, Ryohei and the teen, Lambo knew about her…because she is basically the only woman who walked out on him…
The mention of the name brought short-memories he had with her…in all his time dating different women, he would admit to himself that Haru's memory is the one that lingered most…
It was as if she made sure he'd stick out to remember that there is also a woman who could resist his charm…that is if she really was able to do so…but Gokudera had a feeling there is a deeper reason why she walked out on him and called it quits…
"She's a friend of Kyoko right?" he asked. "So that would mean she'll come."
Yamamoto did not comment further while Gokudera settled back on the seat and watched the buildings outside. Among the group, he was the globe trotter indeed. He would fly from here to there and not able to sit in one place at a long time.
There had always been a rebellious streak in him ever since he learned his mom had left them for the glitters of gold. That is what people told him. He had always given his dad a headache especially when at a young age he had already announced his intention to leave town and fly around the globe…he never paid much attention to his father's business…
He loves freedom.
That was what he told to justify his action. He always felt confined in the small town of Namimori so he set off in the latter year of his college life. He wanted adventure. He wanted freedom.
The same with his friends so it puzzled him why Tsuna finally decided to tie the knots.
"Where'd you want me to drop you?" he heard his friend asked.
"Apartment. I want to know what the lawyers had been nagging me about. Jeez…dad had died two years ago and there has never been a problem coming from the lawyers. Bianchi never told me anything."
"He died with the belief that you'd learn to get a life."
The last line triggered something in his memory and it was helpful that they were talking about Haru a while ago so it was easy for him to remember whom it came from.
It came from her.
She said those words on the night she walked out on him after he told her his plan to leave town after college and decide to merely travel around.
"I have a life," he said wryly. "In fact, I love the life I made for myself…women, travels, planes…everything…what's more to create?"
Yamamoto feigned a choke as if to clear his throat then he gave his friend a wry look, a small smile hinted at the corner of his lips. Gokudera, annoyed, glared at him.
"I meant to refer about settling down."
Now, it was Gokudera who choked and it was not fake as he gave his friend a killing glare. "Bloody hell! No way. I just told you…I love freedom."
"Whatever."
Haru was busy choosing a good design for her gown when Hana and Ipin walked in. Kyoko had somewhere important to go and asked her friends to choose for her.
She was back.
Just a while ago.
And she never planned of leaving this place again. This is her hometown after all.
"I heard Yamamoto went to fetch Gokudera," Hana informed as she settled on the couch and reached for one magazine as well. News travels fast in a small town like Namimori so it wouldn't be a surprise if something so insignificant like what Hana said would reach anyone's ears. Then again, the guys are famous way back and people loved talking about them.
Haru blinked and looked at her. Gokudera? As in Gokudera Hayato? The genius playboy in the group?
"He probably came for the wedding then he'd set off once again," Ipin said. "You know the guy. He felt suffocated just staying here longer than necessary. That's what Lambo told me about Gokudera-kun."
Haru sighed. When she was in high school, she was just one of those girls who adored him and his sex appeal but she's the only girl who walked out on him.
Oh, she had a crush on him and they dated for just a few days but after learning about his plan for the future, she realized she can't love a man like him. He's the type who would soon bring you pain more than you could have hoped for.
So before her feelings for him could deepen, she decided to call it off and walked away without offering any explanation but she did suggest that he should learn to get a life.
Even at a young age, she was able to see his rebellious streak as if hurting all those girls would hurt his mom as well. She can very well understand where he's coming at but HAru had always been an optimist unlike him.
She had never seen him for years but she sure heard a lot about his escapades especially when her friends visits her outside Namimori where she put up a small business just after her mother died.
"So one of the eligible bachelors decided to tie the knot. Honestly speaking, I find it hard for Tsuna to settle down…given his personality and all I had always thought he was not the stick-around-forever type. But I supposed, that was how people saw him because of his group of friends. I think Tsuna was just influenced by the group he hang out with," Hana expressed her opinion. "But to think Kyoko made a change in him is something worth noting."
"Well, basically, all of them are not the type to settle down and start a family. Heck, they're reaching thirty and they still enjoy their freedom," Haru said. "That's their first in their lists."
Hana shrugged. "But one had broken his own rule. It must have taken a lot of thinking for Tsuna…to give up his freedom for Kyoko who demanded a wedding," she mused. "Take note, she demanded a wedding and refused to go out with him."
"He's just too hooked up with her to mind it," Haru said. A wry smile curved her lips as she said that. It was something Ipin had noticed but kept quiet about. According to Haru, she fell in love with Tsuna when they were in their earlier high school years but eventually, she had given up on him when she noticed how Tsuna would only look at Kyoko when the latter was not looking.
"You're certainly right about that," Hana agreed.
When silence ruled, Haru started thinking about her past here…one that involved Gokudera…she wondered what her reaction would be if they meet since it is already inevitable knowing both their friends are to wed…
Would he be able to recognize her? She doubted that. After all, why waste your time remembering someone who had actually duped you?
With his harem of girls, she doubted if he could even remember a name…her name. But she would admit that what they had despite being short-lived is something special. It was something she never expected to feel with the bombshell that was Gokudera Hayato.
He blinked after the lawyer had spoken while his friends, Yamamoto and Tsuna stifled their laugh. They have tagged along saying they really had nothing to do so why not listen to Gokudera's lawyer instead?
"That's just a fucking lie," he spat at the lawyer who seemed unfazed by his temper.
"No, it was made clear to me to tell you about it when you near the age of thirty. If you don't want to do it, that's up to you but all of your father's properties and wealth would go to people not even related to you. Bianchi was already aware of this and found it unnecessary to attend this meeting. Your father was more worried about your future than hers."
Gokudera stood up, feeling anger swell inside him…his father had manipulated him…damn it…
Giannini sighed. "This is for your own good."
"My own good?" he barked. "I know what's good for me and I don't give a rat's ass about a fucking codicil that you refrained from telling me after my father's death. Besides what does he know about what I want for my own good?"
Giannini glared this time. "You don't give a damn?" he asked in mock tone. "For heaven's sake Gokudera, your father had worked so hard for these wealth and you just want to give it away? Just how cruel could you be? You left before finishing college and barely comes home…"
Guilt flooded the man's face but he refused to admit it. He was right of course.
"Guess my hunch is right," Yamamoto piped in and choked again much to Gokudera's annoyance.
"You sure know how to annoy me even more," he snarled but his friend merely shrugged before standing up. "So about that, why don't you start with your wife hunting?"
He scowled at him even more. "Damn you baseball freak! Don't make this sound like a game."
"Well, it's not really a game," he said. "You see finding someone to escort towards the altar is easy…there are many wannabes out there who would love to oblige your request."
"Shut up. I never planned to marry in the first place but my father put me into this position," he then turned to Giannini. "All I need is a wife right?"
Knowing where this leads, Giannini merely raised his brow. "Yes but you should remain married for at least three years."
"It does not require me to stay in town right?" he asked again.
"No."
Gokudera nodded. "Then I'd go find a wife who would love my passion that she does not need me back here."
At that he turned on his heels and headed towards the door when Giannini stopped him.
"Another thing…"
Fearing this is something he does not want to hear more, Gokudera's face darkened. "What now?"
"Within your three years of marriage, you should produce an heir because by the time you have decided to annul your marriage, all of your father's property would be named to your son or daughter."
This time, Yamamoto and Ryohei could not contain their laughs anymore and Gokudera wanted to smack Giannini for the smug look he gave him. He wondered how a man of science chose to become a lawyer instead.
"Your father anticipated your way of thinking so he had it this way…"
Furious, the guy slammed the door shut, the sound of his friends' laughter still ringing in his ears.