A/N : Some of you who have read this, might wonder if the story is slightly different than before. Yes, I've edited it. I've tried to make it longer, but since it's a one-short story, I don't think it's appropriate to write that long, or I could've just made this into multi-chapters story. So, it might seem 'rushed' but I've tried my best to grasp the characters' emotions. Speaking of which, Gokudera might seem a little different in this story from what was portrayed in both the anime and manga, but take note that he is much older here. So, I imagine him as someone who's a bit more matured.

Notice : I don't write the main character's name. The readers are welcome to consider this main character as themselves.

Disclaimer : KHR does not belong to me.

His smile meant a world to her, more than she could have ever imagined. She was not exactly sure how his smile had first attracted her, but before she knew it, she had fallen for him – hard. Reminiscing the past, she had noticed that he used to smile a lot. He might seem mad whenever someone disturbed his so-called Tenth, or grumpy when Yamamoto always wanted to tag along and ruined his precious moments with Tsuna, but she always managed to catch a glimpse of his smile – even when he did it discreetly.

They went to the same high school afterwards. It was on purpose. It was her choice. Despite being in the same class throughout their middle and high school days, she never had a chance to strike a conversation with him. She only managed to give a meek smile whenever their eyes met, which he would instantly ignore. However, years after years, she noticed his subtle change. Something had taken his smile away. Gokudera Hayato's face became sterner with each day passed. She wondered why.

In her second year at the university they were both studying, he and his friends disappeared. Moved, as people had said, but none could provide the exact location. All they repeated was, "He's returned to Italy." She could accept that, but why the rest had to tag along? It did not make sense. Yamamoto's father was still working at the shop, and Tsuna had his whole family residing in the same, old neighbourhood. She doubted that both Tsuna and Yamamoto got a scholarship of some sort, considering that they did not perform well academically.

Then, she came to know Vongola. At first, she had no clue what the word meant; she did hear it several times during middle school when those three loudly conversed among them. At that time, she felt curious, but she did not bother to actually ask since they were not even 'close friends.' Later, she knew about the organisation from her friend, Kurokawa Hana.

"I assure you, it's nothing," Hana had said when she begged her to tell the truth.

"But, Hana, I need to know. It's important!" She pleaded.

"It will only put you in danger," Hana sighed. Yet, Hana knew that she would not give up. Sooner or later, she would have found out – in dangerous way, most likely. It would be better if Hana herself told her about it.

That was how she came to know about the fact that Gokudera Hayato was involved in mafia. It was a terrible blow to her. At this point, she began to wonder if she should get herself involved, or retreat. At any rate, she doubted he even knew her name. Yet, her heart urged for her to see him. Yes, there was no reasonable reason behind her action, but she still followed her heart. As soon as she graduated, she packed and left for Italy.

She started joining Vongola as one of its many financial advisers, but she soon got promoted to Gokudera's personal assistant since he was the one in charge of handling matters such as this. Tsuna seemed to recognise her from their school days; maybe, that was the reason why she got the quick promotion. Gokudera, meanwhile, seemed not to remember her. It was not surprising, considering that she never had the courage to talk to him before.

Nevertheless, she still did her job well. She was happy - delighted, if that was an understatement - that she was finally able to be close to him. He seemed to mature a lot. It was hard, initially, to strike up a conversation with him as he seemed distant and aloof when he was not with Vongola's inner circle, but she managed. Sometimes, when she helped him with his work after finishing hers, he would pull out a faint smile. It was very faint which she doubted anyone could notice unless they were very observant, but it was better than nothing. Some other time, when she noticed that he was in a good mood, she would force him to smile by using annoying tactics like pinching or poking his cheeks.

"Can't you behave, at least once?" He had said, annoyed.

"I'm pretty sure I've already done that at least once," she would reply with a laugh, making him more irritated.

Their friendship lasted until about 5 years, when he finally confessed his feelings. It was totally unexpected, but she was in pure bliss. It was too good to be real. Certainly she would love to say yes right away, but unnecessary thoughts and doubts formed on her mind. Would she be good enough for him? Would he love her forever?

That night, she was expected to give him her answer; Gokudera Hayato was an impatient man, after all.

"It's either you love me, or you don't. What's so hard about that?" He had asked indignantly when she asked for more time. "I want your answer tonight, and no. No petty excuses will be entertained."

She huffed in annoyance as she strode through hallways, heading to his office to see him. Why could he not give her more time to think this over? It was such an important decision in her life.

As she was deep in her thoughts, a sudden, big explosion occurred at the end of the hallway she was walking in. People screamed in terror. Debris and dusts filled the air, concealing her sight and filling her lungs. Fortunately she had a keen sense, as she managed to dodge a pillar which would have fallen on top of her if she did not move away, with another explosion occurred nearby.

What was happening?, she thought. She felt completely confused and lost. Was it an ambush?

Quickly she started striding through the hallway again. She needed to find Gokudera! She knew it was very foolish of her to do that, but she needed to know if he was safe. In a minute, she was already in front of his office. The doors were already smashed to splinters. Papers were scattered. Broken glasses from the windows became a new decoration to the marbled floor. Yet, there was no sight of him.

Troubled, she hurried downstairs, where she had to go against the tide of screaming butlers and maids, armed guards and staff. Her eyes scanned the area. The hall was littered with lifeless bodies. Some were trying to crawl their way out of the rubble. Some were bleeding to death, hands in the air as if asking for help. Some were trampled by the servants who were busy running away. She felt nauseous instantly, feeling dizzy with both the commotion and the sight she was seeing. In the moment of confusion, a gunshot was heard.

Immediately, she knew that Gokudera would not be at the receiving end of the shot. Immediately, she knew that she could not figure out either he was safe or not after this. Her figure slowly yet unwillingly slid down the wall, hand on her stomach where the bullet had hit her. She could feel the warm blood gushing out between her fingers. She looked around; everyone was too busy to save themselves to notice. Few who actually did, quickly ran away from her to avoid being the next target. More screams were heard. People pushed each other. Slowly, tears welled up in her eyes as the pain took over her body.

"Is this the end for me?" She whispered to herself.

The last thing she saw was several armed men came bursting in and started shooting the remaining people in the hall, before her sight darkened.

"Hey..." She heard someone called for her; a voice that she once longed for. "H-Hey, wake up..."

Weakly, she opened her eyes, her eyelids feeling heavy. The pain had numbed her body, and she was feeling cold - extremely cold - as if all of her blood was drained out of her. There, in the dim light and grave silence, was Gokudera. He looked absolutely miserable. His face was covered with dust and his white shirt was stained with blood. She realised that she was no longer on the cold floor, but in his warm embrace.

"I'm sorry," he began. He sounded choked. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you into this. You shouldn't be here!"

She was too weak to even reply. She looked at him with tears filling her eyes again. How she badly wanted to hug him in return!

"Gokudera...," she tried to console him.

"I'm really sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am," he began again; this time, his tone sounded like a plea as if he wanted nothing but her forgiveness. "I... actually have noticed you since we were at school. I have known your feelings from before. It was too easy not to notice."

She smiled faintly at this, yet said nothing. Her drowsy mind had started reminiscing those old days. If only she had known this earlier, she would not have wasted many times, hiding her feelings in the dark.

"I wanted to know you more, wanted to talk to you, but I realised I had responsibility," he continued. "If only I did, if I only I had the courage to tell you the truth at that time, maybe you would've stopped liking me. You wouldn't have chased me to Italy. You wouldn't have worked for us. You wouldn't have been here tonight!" His voice began to get louder with each sentence, embracing her more tightly and securely.

"I'm truly sorry! I'm sorry for all the chances I let go. I'm sorry that I didn't find you early tonight. I'm sorry that I can't protect you," he kept apologising, knowing that he could have saved her if he had found her early, but he had to protect Tsuna. Tsuna's safety was his topmost priority and responsibility. He hated the fact that he had to choose between her and his boss, but he hated himself more that he still could not choose her even if time were to turn back - or even if he wanted to.

Gokudera held her cold hand tight, trying to warm it up with his own body heat, but deep down inside, he knew that his effort was futile. She lost too much blood. She was dying!

She did not say anything after his confession, as she just stared deeply into those green eyes. She tried to keep her breathing consistent, as the pain became more unbearable with the time passed. With the remaining strength left, she raised her hand and touched his cheek gently. She could not bear looking at his miserable state like this, and she knew he felt the same for her.

"Gokudera," she began in a whisper. She was supposed to help him regain his smile, but in the end, she would be just another reason as to why he lost his. She did not want that. "I don't need your apologies," she said softly, smiling consolingly with her hand trembling a little on his face. She held her breath and finished off her words; her words that would be her very last.

"I just need your smile..."

A/N : Reviews, Favourite and Alert are all welcomed and appreciated. Rudeness and bashes will not be tolerated.