SUMMARY: Sawada Tsunayoshi is still adamant about not being a mafia boss; his constant denial falling on deaf ears. But a new enemy famiglia hell-bent on dominating the world, and a mysterious woman, threatens to ruin the peace he'd finally achieved (or as much peace as he could get). Will he be able to continue running away from his position as Neo Vongola Primo? Or will he be forced to take the title to save everyone he cherish?

DISCLAIMER: KHR is by Amano Akira-sensei. I can't draw shit so even if I want to own it, it's impossible.

CHAPTER 1: The Dream

It was the same forest. He would always find himself in the middle of a clearing, a space in the middle of the woods that shouldn't have been there. As if, the trees moved on their own to give him a space to stand. As if, the trees moved so they can all stare at him and scrutinize.

He would then walk with determination he wouldn't normally have in such situations. He was a scaredy-cat and he knows it. No point in denying the truth. He was alone in the middle of a forest in God-knows-where, with the dark and probably hungry beasts stalking in the dark for company. He would normally shriek like he's prone to do, or climb a tree and wait it all out until morning, with the probability of not knowing how to climb down from the tree he, himself, climbed.

But that's not how it happens in his dream. He would walk purposely, with sure steps towards the thick collection of trees until his whole being is swallowed by the shadows. He would walk until he reaches the lake. And there, she will always be waiting for him, with a smile and his name on her lips as a greeting.

"Tsunayoshi…"

Since after the Arcobaleno trial, and Reborn and the others' curse are lifted, he's been having the same dream. He doesn't know her, that's for sure. But there's something oddly familiar with her. Her dark hair, her eyes so blue it's almost cold if not for the obvious warmth in it whenever she looks at him. She reminds him of someone. Of who, he cannot seem to find out. And whenever he tries to focus on it, the memory slowly fades out and he forgets it. Until he see her again.

Above all of these, he felt safe with her, like when his mother would hold him when he was scared. He was drawn to her. Not in the I-think-I'm-in-love-with-the-woman-in-my-dreams way, but he's drawn to her anyway. He felt like she's been part of his life all along.

The first time he'd dreamed of her, she didn't say anything else after his name. He tried to talk to her and ask her some questions like how did she know his name. But she just motioned for him to sit beside her and said no more.

They just sat by the lake staring at the moon's reflection on the water. He felt so relaxed and peaceful he didn't notice the sun was rising until she said so. He stood half-heartedly, not really wanting to leave such a peaceful place. He was about to go back to the woods, somehow sure that's the way back, when she spoke.

"Thank you and… I'm sorry."

It was at that exact moment that he was kindly awakened by a 10-ton mallet.

It's been six months since then and almost every day he'll dream of her. Every time he'll walk to the lake, she would greet him with only his name, and they'll sit by the lake. Sometimes, he tells her of his day, his chaotic guardians, and pretty much just everything while she listens quietly. Sometimes, he'll look at her and see amusement and mirth in her eyes. Sometimes, he sees a shadow of guilt and pain. He wants to ask her why she had such look, as if being with him pains her while she gives him nothing but peace. But he's scared of the answer. So he never asked.

He told no one about his dreams but he suspects Reborn knows. No one can actually keep a secret from Reborn. But he never pries. And he just left it at that.

But that night was different. He saw the sun starting to rise from the east so he readied himself to leave. But before he could even take a step back to the woods, she grabbed his hand which made him stop. She looked at him with so much pain and guilt he could almost feel it as his own. Then it was gone.

"I know you've already undergone so much hardships and I hope I could have refrain you from experiencing all of that. I could… but you needed it." She blinked a couple of times, willing the tears away. "It's a difficult path that awaits you, my dear, and it will only get more difficult. And for that reason that I shall take it from you. You shall not be burdened by it anymore than you already have. But I will have to ask for your help one last time."

He opened his mouth to ask her what she meant but she just shook her head, a silent plea for him not to ask. Not now, it seemed to say.

"Wake up Tsunayoshi," she said finally letting go of his hand. "We shall see each other in the waking world soon…"

Sawada Tsunayoshi, 15 years old, a third year Namimori Middle School student, woke up inside his still-dark room, with only a hint of the rising sun slipping through his curtains. He remembered nothing of the dream. In fact, he had no memory of ever dreaming about a lady at a lake at all.

AN: It's been a long time since I last read KHR so some characters may be a little OC. Please bear with it. No matter how much I want to, I can never be Amano-sensei so I can never write her characters the same way she did. On another note, I posted this story already before but was accidentally deleted by me. It was really stupid. XD Anyway, thank you so much for reading. Leave a review if you want, I would really love it. And if you're curious what'll happen next, please stay tuned. :D