A/N : Here it is, to anyone who remembers. I had to rewrite the story because when I deleted it I realized that I didn't save a copy. Stupid me. Anyway, I may have changed lots of things in the story, because my poor memory failed me once again and I started from scratch. The story is based on HetaOni, but I did not fix any roles for the characters, so some may represent more than one, some may share roles with the other. The plot is roughly based on the game as well, but changes are made in certain parts. Lots of them.
Warning (edited on 5/Nov/2012) : AU, because it is based on HetaOni after all. By the way, the story takes place in the present and no arcs are involved. The arcobalenos, if involved, are in their adult forms. OOC, for Fear does strange things to its victims. So does the author that sucks. Confusion, because I'm a little confused myself, but I do hope the storyline is clear.
Disclaimer : I own nothing but the idea of this story. HetaOni belongs to Tomoyoshi (Japanese version) and Pianodream (English version). Katekyo Hitman Reborn! belongs to Amano Akira. No copyright infringement is intended. This disclaimer applies to all chapters of this story.
Enjoy. I hope.
~ Beginning of Prologue ~
Their footsteps echoed down the halls in disordered pitter-patters, some drowned out by heavy thuds closing in behind them. They had to run tens of their own steps to outrun that one step.
"Don't look back, keep running!"
She wasn't listening.
"What are you doing?!"
She didn't answer.
A ferocious roar shook the building.
White walls were splashed red.
The last of her comrades fell before her eyes.
Both her hope and hesitation disappeared.
A faint glow engulfed her whole body, as she turned around to completely face the predator.
"Turn back the time."
The lone boy stood unfazed, glaring at the tall figure before him, precisely the arcobaleno sitting on the shoulder of the creature.
The arcobaleno dipped his head, staring down at the last survivor with apathy.
"You outran it."
"That shouldn't have happened..."
Dull brown eyes gleamed with anger and spite.
"But it did."
"It was supposed to be targeting on me only!"
"They were in the way."
"They are my friends!"
"That's what friends are for."
"Wrong!"
"Wrong?"
The arcobaleno cocked his eyebrow.
"I see nothing wrong. Without them, you won't have family; without you, they won't be family. Things go either way."
"I want the end to go the other way."
"So you demand another chance?"
The boy nodded. His eyes were filled with resolve.
"You know the compensation, don't you?"
The arcobaleno was amused.
The boy nodded once again.
"Turn back the time."
A deserted mansion in the dark woods,
about three hours by foot from where the Vongola Don resides.
No one knows how long it has been there,
or who used to live in it.
Rumour has it that,
it is haunted.
"That's what Haru heard when we were buying the cake you wanted, Tsuna-san!" Haru grinned as she handed a delicate box to Tsuna, Kyoko beaming beside her. She then put a finger on her chin, "I'm sure those guys said we should head north from Namimori town, but..."
"Seriously, woman, you don't even remember such an easy detail?" Gokudera scoffed from beside Tsuna, "It's a wonder why you never get lost!"
"It's north-west," Tsuna murmured, barely audible. He held onto the box he received, smiling down at it. The smile never reached his eyes, which held overflowing, negative emotions - sadness and conflict.
"How did you know?" Kyoko questioned, but it was dismissed by Tsuna, who was immersed in his own thoughts.
Yamamoto quickly noticed that Tsuna was not his usual self. He patted the boy on the shoulder, "What's wrong, Tsuna?"
The boy flinched upon contact, and Yamamoto immediately withdrew his hand. Tsuna shook his head and widened his smile, "It's nothing, Yamamoto!"
"Really? You look extremely pale, Sawada!" Ryohei folded his hands in front of his chest and studied Tsuna closely. Unnerved, Tsuna looked away, and his gaze met Haru's enthusiastic smile.
"Tsuna-san, it sounds like a great challenge! Should we go and find out about it?"
"It's Sunday tomorrow, I suppose we could check it out," Kyoko piped up, seeming equally interested.
Another smile ghosted over Tsuna's lips. He knew how easier things would go with the help of naïvety, "Of course, but we need someone to look after Lambo and Ipin, right?"
"Hm, you've become braver, Tsuna," Reborn popped up out of nowhere, "my training is the best after all."
"We can ask Bianchi-san to help out!" Haru suggested, and Gokudera paled at the name of his sibling, "Reborn-san, are you going with us?"
"I have a date with Mama. She's bringing us kids shopping tomorrow," Reborn intentionally hinted that he was going to leave his student alone to conquer his fear, but Tsuna remained calm. Reborn continued, "I've heard about a new coffee shop in town."
"You are leaving me just for coffee?!" Tsuna reacted after a few seconds, which was considered slow for Reborn. Reborn tipped his hat, "As a boss you should show your true feelings, especially fear."
"How did you know?!"
"I am your tutor after all."
Then you should know.
"Jyuudaime! Don't hide your fear, we'll all be there for you!" Gokudera.
"Yeah, Tsuna, we'll protect you from any harm!" Yamamoto.
Please don't.
"I'll be the one to protect Jyuudaime, you can just protect yourself!" Gokudera snapped at the cheerful swordsman, "Besides, it's not like there's anyth-"
"We must work together to be extremely strong!" Ryohei interrupted, and Gokudera began fuming, "Don't interrupt me, lawn head!"
"What did you call me, octopus head?!"
"Maa, stop it guys!"
"We'll meet here tomorrow, alright?" Tsuna suggested, "You should all go back home and rest for tomorrow."
The rain fell like thousands of needles, hitting him hard all over. Lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled. The boy limped away in no particular direction, panting and weeping.
The sky was mourning.
He fell to his knees, sobbing loudly as his fist hit the muddy ground again and again.
"Why..."
The same arcobaleno appeared and squatted down before him, extending his hand to pat on the hair of the crying boy.
"Why?!"
The thunder roared like a hungry monster.
"I keep forgetting everything, I keep forgetting that this is not a dream! Why am I so stupid...Why can't I remember anything until the end?!"
"It is meant to be so."
The arcobaleno watched as the boy choked, coughing as more tears overflowed, mixing with the cold rain.
"Help me..."
"I'm afraid I cannot."
The arcobaleno shook his head, his voice laced with sympathy, but it was hard to tell if it was true.
"I can help you though, for it is the order of the owner of this."
A worn book appeared on the ground between the two.
The boy picked it up and flipped through it, only to see his own friends drawn in every page, their deaths gruesome.
He flung the book away, but the arcobaleno caught the flying book and tossed it back to the boy.
"This, can help you to remember."
"W-What?"
"This journal will help you to remember how all of them died, and how you remained alive. It gives you many, many chances, even without my help."
The boy recollected the book.
A gust of wind flipped it open, and a glow surrounded the confused boy, who looked down at the book in his hands.
"Do remember, the consequences are severe."
The arcobaleno reminded the boy, who was smiling in realization misled by emotions.
Had he not realize the punishment behind everything he had tried?
A drawn clock and handwritten words, all in a bloody crimson colour.
Turn back the time.
~ End of Prologue ~
I hope you are not disappointed.
I appreciate reviews very, very much. It increases my HP like onigiri.
Constructive criticism is welcomed. I really like them.
Do remember to collect your virtual, freshly baked cookies. No preservatives or artificial colouring and flavour are added. :)
Hime-chan.