Disclaimer: I do not own Reborn, nor G2000.

What If…?

Chapter 1: Earlier Than Planned

Oh no. This can't be! What to do… What to do?

A teenage boy was furiously pacing around the sidewalk, unintelligibly muttering nervously to himself, while he kept on adjusting the thick frame resting on the bridge of his nose.

Well, it's not like he wasn't going there soon as well… There's no harm in having him going earlier… Right?

His internal debate continued as he tried to convince himself of his safety. Shuddering at the thought of what will happen to him should the person who ordered the task find out about his mistake, the hands clutching his mouse-brown hair immediately moved to his stomach as if in great pain and utter discomfort, profusely breaking in a cold sweat and slowly crumpling to the floor.

Ugh… My stomach hurts…

Almost 10 years later…

As the pink smoke emitted by the 10-year Bazooka cleared, a panicked voice in the dark could be heard.

"…Huh? It's so dark! Where am I…?"

He bumped his head hard and elbows hard when he jolted in surprise at the darkness. It was after all still daylight before he got hit by the 10-year Bazooka, and from what Reborn had told him, the exchange with their future selves would be immediate, thus it would be impossible for him to have switched with his future self during the morning and end up at night time at the future dimension.

Unless he was overseas or something… In this case, it seems more likely to be the 'something'. He mused.

"Itai…"

He groaned in pain as he clutched his head as best as he could, given the tight space he was in.

"I must have been sleeping then, if it were this dark… But why is it so cramped?"

Rubbing his elbows to relieve the traces of pain, he was greatly bewildered as to what his 10-year later self would be doing lying in such a cramped and dark place. As he reached out his hands to figure out his current situation, he realized that he was boxed in the tight space.

Something doesn't feel right here…

Slowly, his eyes began adjusting to the dark, and he sighted a tiny gap on the wall closing him in the box. Bracing himself with what little space he had, he began to push at the top 'wall'. He was starting to have his suspicions as to where he was currently in, given the smell of the wood, the flowers and the cushion he was lying on- unlike popular belief, he was actually not as dumb as everyone thought, he was just plain lazy to exert any effort. But that had begun to change with the arrival of Reborn- the story which is to be told at another time.

Or more like… just read the manga or watch the anime if you still don't know about it… It's too long for me to elaborate on. He thought exasperatedly.

But back on the issue at hand, he preferred to think of it as a 'wall'. Call it being in denial stage or whatnot, but he preferred to think positively about his future, and thinking about what it most likely really is would not bode well for his sanity at present.

So, bracing himself, he pushed on the 'wall' with all his might. Surprisingly, it was indeed heavy, but was easy enough to slide open. Blinking as he sat up, his eyes once again readjusting to the sudden presence of light, he began to survey his immediate surroundings.

It seems as though he was in a small forest clearing. More specifically, the forest area was cleared for his 'box'. The worst of his fears was confirmed. The silk covering of the cushion a color of deep violet, white lilies surrounding the edges and a bunch on his lap, the polished black wood gleaming as the sunlight reflected on it, the symbol of the Vongola Crest and the 'X' to show the Vongola Decimo rank were elegantly embossed in gold and silver respectively, and magnificently stood out on the pure black background of the cover. The workmanship was intricate, the curves expertly carved, transition between the black and gold clearly evident yet smooth.

It was beautiful. If only it was not a coffin.


He realized that he might have just died only recently as the lilies were still fresh.

Very recently in fact… Given that these flowers are barely wilted, I'd say about 2 days, 3 at most.

He thought bitterly. What had happened?

The thought of having been there a few days earlier chilled him to the bone. He was kind of relieved at still being alive though. Call it selfish if you must, well he is still himself even though it was in 10 years later. Granted, his future self was now dead, but he was glad- that as his present self- he will still be able to live for at least a few more years, until this death, and not died prematurely should he have been the one shot in the place of his ten-year later self. But in the end, he was still dead.

His looping thought of 'being alive and yet inevitably dying in ten years' time' was interrupted as he heard the rustling of leaves in the bushes behind him.

Turning his head to face whatever was making the noise, he was surprised to come face-to-face with another man.


From his earlier observation of his surroundings, he concluded that the place was far from any form of civilization, of human life, yet here he was, staring exactly at just that. Or what looked to be like one.

His skin was fair, almost pale in the sunlight. Teal eyes sharp and clear, showing an unidentifiable glint to it. His long hair was teal also, reaching low down his waist even though it was tied up in a high-ponytail, thick and wavy at the end.

Unique hair… Maybe Gokudera-kun was right, and that aliens have invaded the Earth… Either that or the people having unusual hair color, like Bianchi (Gokudera-kun still counted as normal) was increasing…

…Ah! And what exactly is that gold thing on his ears… Earrings? Pfft! More like ear covers! It's so big, only the top of his ears are showing! Can he even hear people with that? Oooh, not to forget his green eye-shadow! Wearing that outside is strange enough for a guy… But green? He mused to himself as he continued staring at the man in front of him, trying not to gawk too much and end up laughing at the unusual getup.

Maybe a cosplayer? Yeah right… Cosplay in the woods... He IS green enough to fit in… He deadpanned to himself, sighing at the internal joke.

Well, at least he dresses normally enough… Somehow looks like a high-class host… With make-up. Green make-up. And gold ear covers… Okay, I gotta stop. The guy just wants to make a fashion statement… Not that it's a disaster or what… In fact, he looks kinda cool in that getup... Minus the green and gold of course.

True enough, the man wore normal clothing as opposed to his unique facial ensemble. A black textured silk tie with gold tie pin on a crisp purple shirt buttoned up to the collar, tucked in his pristine white slacks, riding low on his hips, seemingly held safely in place by a black leather belt, a matching white coat and an inch-high heeled, clean, black, shiny dress-shoes to finish. His attire emphasized his slim figure and height. He was tall, but not exceedingly so, about the same height as Xanxus, if not slightly taller.

He looks like he's modeling for G2000…

Overall, normal-enough-looking attire.

As he was brought back to his present state, he noticed the other person seem to blink at him confusedly, looking him up and down and sights scouring the area for presence of any other. He turned his head around as well, a reflex action, looking for nothing in particular. As his eyes returned to stare at the man, he realized that he was being eyed rather suspiciously.

Belatedly, he realized that he was still in his, or rather his future self's, coffin.

"Ah! Wait! Let me explain!" Well that's just stupid… I don't even know why I'm here… He thought offhandedly as he began to stir from his position. Debating whether he should move or not, considering that in a few more minutes his future self- who is very much dead, if where he was in was enough of an indication- would switch back with him.

Oh, the hell with it! I'll just go back in here before the time's up. It's not exactly reassuring to see a boy in a coffin and for me to know that I am lying in mine ten years from now… Ugh…

In his haste to stand up to explain himself, he tripped on the silk of the cushion and the lilies. Bracing himself for a painful fall, he was surprised to land on a comparably softer surface than the ground. It was still hard, but less painful than he would have experienced.

"Ooof!"

His breath was knocked out of him as he was caught by the stranger, saving him from his imminent and painful fall, the scent of Chinese Bellflowers immediately invading his senses.


Opening his eyes to face the man who caught him, he was startled out of his reverie by the deep, smooth, modulated voice, causing him to feel flustered more than he already was.

"Are you all right?"