Response to Darkened Fire Dragon's Challenge on FFN KHR Community on FB.

Yep, another challenge. Well, I can't seem to update any of my ongoing stories, so might as well do this for now. So yeah! Expect more challenge responses to come and occasionally some One shots.

I don't own KHR.

Grammatical errors and Typos might be visible...Read contents with your Dying Will!


Takeshi Yamamoto never expected for that one particular moment to come, nor does he have any idea that he would receive that one letter that would leave him debating very much with himself. Why? Well it's been almost ten years since he decided to quit, giving up and trying to forget everything that has to do with the sport he learned to value much in life. Ten years since he quit playing Baseball.

So when he received that letter asking him to join the National Baseball Team as one of their official players; he was in for a shock and honestly he can't figure out what to do. It was baseball. It was his sport.

Baseball.

Since when did the last time he played the sport officially? Since when did he last held his trusted bat and hit a home run? Since when was the last time his hands got numb from too much batting or his feet almost collapsing from running too much? Sure he played from time to time during his university days but those games never went official. Heck, he never even officially joined his university's baseball club.

Takeshi read the letter one more time.

Takeshi Yamamoto-san,

We, the members and officials of the Japanese National Baseball Team have come across your exceptional Baseball skills and your positive attitude when it comes to sportsmanship. We have watched some of your team's old videos and saw how much of a remarkable player you are. We have seen your dedication, your passion and your willingness to strive for the win. We know how much of a great Baseball player you are and as a progressive measure, we the members and officials have unanimously decided to scout you as a member of our league.

We would be waiting for your official say upon said matters. Included in this letter are our contact details. Good Day.

Signed,

The Japanese National Baseball Team.

Takeshi folded the letter back and safely tucked it inside one of his clothes many pockets. The rain guardian stood up and decided to take a walk, maybe to get a bit of fresh air and do some thinking?

Yep, Thinking.

Takeshi Yamamoto rarely do the serious thinking, he mostly acted as the family's comic relief. The one that acts oblivious. He is that rain; it is his duty to become the blessed rain that washes the others' worry away.

However, today is not one of those days.

When he had first had an encounter with the 'mafia'. Sure at first he thought that it was just some cool role playing game with high-class, realistic effects. When they had to travel into the future to go against Byakuran and the Millefiore, all the lies he chose to believe have been completely wiped out, making him embrace the reality that everything had been real the whole time. The Mafia with all the darkness and blood that travels along with it is no joking matter. It was real. It was no role-playing game.

However, even after knowing the truth and accepting everything with a slight hesitation that the Mafia was no game, he still like to think of it as one.

He pretended. He lied to himself and his Familgia and acted oblivious, repeatedly telling himself with an obvious lie that the dark and cruel underground world that he and his friends had been caught into is just one game that they all love to play. He acted. He lived in pretense despite knowing that one bitter reality that even with pretending, there would be no escape.

So then, if he can't escape and quitting is as impossible as being immortal. Then he'll just continue forward with the fight and win.

In the shadows, he worked real hard to get stronger. To be far more capable of his own abilities. He practiced day in, day out in order to perfect his invisible sword style. He asked even Squalo's help to learn how to properly handle his Rain flames. He trained. He wanted to do something to protect those he hold dear.

He wanted to fight alongside their Sky.

But within his decision, Sacrifices must be paid. In order to gain something then another thing with equal value must be sacrificed. There's a law of life that goes along that line and no matter what, it's something even the rain can't run away from. It was inevitable like change.

He gave up on a lot of things: His innocence. His own protection. His normal life.

Most importantly, he gave up on his Dreams. He quit Baseball.

Baseball is his life before knowing his Familgia. Ever since he first held that baseball bat, he had known that he wanted to play the sport. That he would make home runs and get trophies for Sports Excellency. Aside from his old man, Baseball became his everything.

That is, until he met him.

His boss. His Sky and most importantly, his first true friend: Sawada, Tsunayoshi.

Tsuna was his savior. His salvation. Tsuna was the one who slapped some good sense into his mind and proved to him that his worth so much more than just being a popular kid. He told him that sure he wasn't perfect but who ever was? The Sky showed the rain how valuable he is.

Right then and there, he swore that no matter what, he will never leave his friend's side. That he'll fight alongside him. Do whatever it takes to protect the Sky that without any hesitation pulled him back into track when he had drowned within his own miseries.

Takeshi stared at the clear blue sky above as his thoughts reminded him of the very reason why he chose to give up on his dreams.

That reason? One Sawada, Tsunayoshi.

Takeshi smiled, realizing that he doesn't have any ounce of regret with that decision he had chosen a long time ago. Sure Baseball had always been his dream but even dreams are never as important nor as valuable as the people who became significant in his life. People that he learned to love and trust. To laugh with and to comfort. To support and to Fight for.

People whom he learned to care for more than he did for Baseball.

The Rain guardian flipped his phone open and dialed.

"This is Takeshi Yamamoto speaking...Yes, I've received your letter...To be honest, it was quite thrilling...Yes...But I'm sorry I would have to decline your offer...Why? Because there are things in my life far more valuable than my dreams...Yes, my decision is final...Goodbye."

Ah! since he's got nothing to do now. Maybe the others would like some homemade Sushi?

-end-


I did it! Finally^^

My title is lame... *sighs*

Thank You for reading. :)