"Hayato," Yakyuu-baka's infrequently deep voice rang through my ears, "It's time to go."

I nodded. The two of us were the last to leave the fresh grave. Juudaime had left earlier, carrying his unconscious wife, Sawada Kyoko, back home. I stayed to make sure that no other famiglias would gossip around about Don Vongola's right hand man not caring enough for the death of a wife. I didn't, couldn't, bring myself to cry, but this should be enough to shut their blabbering mouth.

"Hahi? Hayato-kun?" a familiar female voice called out, "Are you injured?"

"I'm fine," I sighed wearily, "Just scratches."

The girl shook her head and strode to the door, "Haru will get the first aid kit."

"Oi, Baka-onna! I said it's fine!" I shouted annoyedly, "I'm off to Juudaime's to report my mission!"

She turned around and yelled back, "That's not good, Hayato-kun! If Tsuna-san sees you like this, he will be worried, desu!"

My mouth fell open, but no sound went out. Baka-onna was already out of the room when I finally got myself together. Sullenly, I threw my worn-out body to the nearest sofa. Oh well. I took a deep breath. She was right anyway.

The woman came back a few minutes later with a white box filled with bandages and medications. She treated my wounds while filling the room with an irritatingly long lecture about the importance of proper care for injuries. And more. My thoughts wandered far, habitually obstructing her voice from entering my mind. I was just recalling the latest issue of Mysteries of The World when, out of nowhere, I felt a tender surface pressing my forehead.

I blinked.

Looking up, I saw Baka-onna kissing a just-plastered spot on the top of my head.

"What are you-?" my eyes widened in confusion.

Baka-onna blinked, too, "Eh?" her cheeks turned pink, "Ha-Haru was kissing Hayato-kun's wound better.. Didn't Haru say so?"

I stared at her, unbelieving, "Why would you-?" I stopped. I was well aware that there is no use in questioning her methods, having witnessed her idiocy a thousand times and over for years, even before I took her as my fiancee, "Oh, whatever," I finally said, "I'm off."

I got to my feet, waving my hands as a reply to Baka-onna's stuttered 'have a safe trip'. I spent the journey to Juudaime's office praising myself. After all, I have saved Juudaime from the huge amount of stupidity that Baka-onna throws around on a daily basis. For Juudaime's sake, enduring Baka-onna's antics is absolutely worthwile.

Purely for Juudaime's sake.

I knocked on the heavy wooden door and entered Juudaime's office, "Juudaime, this is yesterday's mission report."

The leader of Vongola lifted his head from the desk, "Eh? Hayato?" he blinked, "Aren't you supposed to be resting at home? Not even a week has passed since.." the man struggled to find the proper term, "..the funeral."

I forced a smile, "It's fine, Juudaime," I approached the don's desk and laid my report on the ever-present stack of papers, "I won't be worthy of the title of Don Vongola's right hand man if I were to drown myself in sorrow over.. things.. that are.. inevitable."

Juudaime's eyes only narrowed, openly worried, "Hayato.. You know I don't care about titles. Maybe you should-"

"Juudaime, please," I begged, "I'm fine. Really."

The boss fell silent. I stood as he weighed whether or not to trust me. He finally sighed, probably unsatisfied, but somehow willing to let it pass. He permitted me to leave, shaking his head hopelessly.

I have just reached the doorway when Juudaime called me again, "Err, Hayato?"

I turned, "Yeah, Juudaime?"

"Is this blood?" the man lifted the file I just put on his desk. He pointed on a trail of red marks along the left edge of the folder.

"Uhh.. Seems so," I raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Where could the blood came from?" I scanned my body from head to toe, and twitched when I spotted the loose bandage circling my index finger, supposedly covering a cut I obtained for being careless in my most recent mission. Small drops of blood are dripping down the end of the white cloth. Strange. I'm sure I've tied the band tight enough. I shook my head fast and bowed deeply to my boss, "I apologize, Juudaime. I'm really, deeply, sorry. It shouldn't have happened. I'll rewrite the report right away."

"No, Hayato! No!" Juudaime stood abruptly, "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head again, "I am well enough to write another report, Juudaime. My wound is not too deep, it can surely wait."

Juudaime groaned, "Oh, stop joking, Hayato! Your health is more important! It shouldn't have bled like that if it's not deep! Go and have Haru tend-"

The man didn't finish his sentence, his eyes widened. It was clear that he was already regretting the words that flew out of his mouth. He then turned his face away, and said in an unsteady voice, "Go see Shamal.. Or any other doctor, if he refuse to treat you," he added in a lower tone, "It's an order."

Tch. Of all the cars I could've ride in, why in the world am I in Yakyuu-baka's?

The idiot that I've been cursing in my heart for almost an hour chuckled from behind the wheel, his natural qualities allowing him to drive far beyond the speed limit and annoy me at the same time, "Maa maa, Hayato~ What's with the grim face?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I scowled, "I'm stuck here with YOU!"

"Isn't it fine, Hayato?" the freak laughed, cheerfully, "Tsuna's the one who asked me to drive you to Shamal's anyway. He feared that you'd hurt your finger more if you have to drive alone."

Alone. I haven't been alone for the last month, or maybe even longer because of Juudaime's overprotective stance. I froze, "Yeah, well.. I'm here because of Juudaime. I wouldn't be here otherwise."

I have mentally prepared myself to shout some more at Yakyuu-baka, expecting him to let out another round of sickeningly gleeful laughter, but he didn't laugh, "Your finger," he said with concern so genuine that made me shiver just from hearing it, "It's been a couple of months and it hasn't stopped bleeding, has it?"

I stared at Yakyuu-baka for a minute. The traces of giggles have gone out of the window, his face looked serious, which is quite rare for him, considering there were no enemies nearby to slash. I cleared my throat, "No. No it hasn't. Which is why we're paying Shamal a visit."

He only nodded, and said nothing more until we reached the perverted doctor's residence.

A/N - Glossary:

Yakyuu-baka : baseball nut, the nickname that Gokudera made up for Yamamoto

Juudaime: the tenth, the nickname that Gokudera made up for Tsuna

Baka-onna: stupid woman, the nickname that Gokudera made up for Haru