**EDIT!** Guys, please vote for the poll in my profile! O^O It really does affect the story if you do vote!
:) The poll result will be shown after I post up the third chapter!
3~ I love you all! Now er, back to the er, un-edited story. _
AN: Continuing on with my fail. Haha, thank you guys for the reviews! I was so damn happy about them, I tried my best to keep writing, and apparently finished before the week was over!
So here's a fast update for y'all!
I try to update every week, and keep this story a secret from my friends .O *shhhh!* Thank you all for the support! I find it very annoying to respond to every review in the actual fanfiction chapter, especially if some people won't even read the next chapter, so I'll only be answering questions here (But there's no questions to answer at the moment. AHAHA).
Thank you sTrAwbErRi009, fictionreader18, Kichou, ben4kevin, shinnifura-chan, and Scarletnight13 for reviewing! :D I LOVE YOU ALL!
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR in any way.
Beta: Not beta'd. Er, BY ME?
By the way, if you're going to flame me, or send some harsh criticism, at least use proper grammar and punctuation. Thank you. I take criticism very seriously O^O
You'll never realize it… but even so, I still love you…
Chapter 02: Even so, I Still Love You
-o~~ ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ~~o-
It was already so close to fourteen hours, and I had to bring a few towels and napkins along just because I was scared that my sweat was going to start pooling somewhere. Hibari chuckled at how cautious I was. I merely scowled at him and playfully threw the towel at him, smiling at the smack that resounded across the carriage. Afterwards, I had to climb across the seats to avoid getting bitten to death the second time that day.
Kusakabe had informed us in a very discreet manner that we were going to arrive in a few moments. This made my hands clammy with sweat, and I cast nervous glances at random places, not minding the heat all of a sudden.
"E-Eh?" I squeaked out loud when I felt a cup of hot liquid being shoved into my face unceremoniously. I jerked up when I realized it was Hibari. Taking a further inspection of the container, I saw that it was a delicate cup filled with Hibari's favorite type of tea.
Looking into the dark eyes above me, I squeaked again when I felt him murmur softly, "Drink, herbivore."
I smiled at the commanding figure, and did exactly as he demanded. I knew this was his way of caring for people. Closing my eyes as I let the rich tea heighten my senses, I almost moaned in delight when I felt hands brushing my hair in a smooth motion. They pinpricked out all the knots and tangles, and was almost comforting.
The only comfort I had before the battle.
While I was drinking my tea absent-mindedly, I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander towards a certain golden eyed teen. I hoped from the bottom of my heart he was doing well. Heaven knows that if he lost, I'd be traumatized. Heck, I don't even know if I could recover from my instant depression if I lost him in anyway…
Ahhh! Bad thoughts! Turn off brain!
Deciding to turn my gaze to the other person in the carriage, I wondered why Hibari was so against me marrying Ietsuna. It wasn't like Hibari himself could marry me; it was highly forbidden for someone such of high position to sink so low as to even treat the lower as an individual.
I knew that everybody who knew of us regarded me as either "Hime" or a sort of royal title. That status directed to a slave was unheard of.
Finally, Kusakabe opened the door to the carriage very slightly, and whispered, "Hibari-sama, Tsunayoshi-sama. It is time to go to the battlefield. Any later, and we might be late." His eyes resumed their vigilant watching, and started surveying the salient, judging the environment quickly.
Hibari got out first and held open the door for me, making me blush a bit before stepping out and using his hand as leverage. I winced slightly, since the bruises still hurt. Hibari took no notice of this, and dragged me even closer battle ground. Even though just a glimpse of the globe would make some people faint by just being in the presence of it, Hibari just yawned and murmured a few nothings about Hibrid. Then, he promptly started walking towards the arena, taking in its massive appearance.
It was a well constructed transparent globe, which of no one knew what it was made of except for the Vongola Kingdom's leaders. It only had one entrance, and it was around fifteen meters high. The transparent material used to make the globe was unbreakable. Even the dumbest person in both Vongola and Namimori could tell you that.
It was legendary.
Other than the fact it was made by the most beautiful transparent items found on the face of the earth, many crucial battles took place inside the dome, wracking its insides but not leaving a single scratch on the surface. Anyone would whistle in amazement if they touched the stainless globe's outside, even once.
Then, turning my head away from the impressive structure, I noticed a few figures far away, inside the globe. Even from a distance, I could see that Ietsuna and his guardians were already there, with the exception of Lambo and Ryohei. I guess, for better reasoning, they had forced the young lightning and sun guardian to stay home and mind his own business (which probably involved candy eating and horseplay).
I felt myself blush once more as Ietsuna directed his gaze at me and shot me a wink. Sometimes, this made me bubble with jealousy, thinking that he might have done this with other people. But then again, I snapped up, knowing that Ietsuna was very anti-social with those who he didn't know. Giggling happily in my head, I wondered why I doubted him in the first place. I would be the closest one to his heart.
Always.
Letting out a sharp cry, I glared at Hibari who had now had my wrist in his hand, squeezing and tugging it towards him. He was starting at Ietsuna intently, almost as if there was a spark in between the two. Ietsuna seemed quite annoyed by that, and quickly made his way towards us, pointing to his watch. He started saying something – but I couldn't make it out from far away.
However, it became clear that he was counting down the seconds until the final battle arrived.
I could see the words on his lips.
"3…" Hibari had released me from his hold, and bolted towards the training ground marked by a border of white chalk.
"2…" By now, Ietsuna had already pulled out his gloves, and to my amazement, a dying will lit on his head.
"1…"
"H-HIEE!" I screamed as I felt myself shudder because someone held their hand over my eyes, not allowing me to see the action that was taking place. I immediately recognized the smoky smell, and I yelled out, "Goku-" But was silenced when he brought his other hand to my mouth.
I managed to choke out, "Mmmphg!" He explained quickly in my ear, "Hime, you don't need to see this." Then, he made me face the other direction of the fight, even though I was struggling the best I could. Hearing metal hit things and random objects behind me made the feeling of being blinded and silenced no better. I had no idea who was winning or who was getting hurt.
I tried biting Gokudera's hand, but he wouldn't release his iron hold, even as I made blood drip slightly from a cut due to my constant biting. I whimpered slightly, but Gokudera still wouldn't let go. After awhile, I started feeling guilty causing him so much pain when he obviously had a good intentive.
Soon after we were quite a distance from the ongoing battle, he lifted his hands from their hold and shocked me with his electric green eyes. He brushed away a strand of hair that fell into my place and sighed heavily.
"Hime, this really isn't for your innocent eyes to see."
-o~~ ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ~~o-
The feeling of knowing something, maybe the most important event that has happened in quite a while is going on behind your back is maddening.
Yamamoto and Gokudera both stood in front of my vision towards the battle, just in the way so I couldn't even capture a glimpse of what was happening. This almost made angry tears spring to my eyes. What if one of them got hurt badly? I wouldn't live it down if either had died without perhaps futile attempts of help by me. So, for the longest fifteen minutes of my life, I just stood there and tried to stare the two sturdy guardians down.
"Dammit…" I cussed, when I realized there was no way I was going to get through them. Finally giving up, I took a seat on the ground and glared at whatever was there.
Suddenly, a humongous boom went off, indicating that the battle was soon over. I was scared to see what the damage was though. Gokudera had ushered me under a platform, where I received shade from the sun. He said that it was to protect my porcelain skin. I knew he was only saying that because he just wanted me as far as possible from the fighting.
Soon, Yamamoto ran over to the place where the battlefield took place, and disappeared from my line of sight. Gokudera was right next to me, just to make sure I wouldn't see any of the brutal scene. Then, my eyes clicked into place, myself gasping when I noticed that Gokudera had taken out a cigarette box to replenish his smoke. This was my chance.
Racing over to where the battle originally took place, I ignored all the cries that came from Gokudera saying to stop, don't look. Like heck I would. I finally got the chance to see the people dear to me, and he tells me to stop?
Hell no.
However, being the clumsy idiot I am, I fell to the ground, tripping over a rock, when I was only a few feet away from the entrance of the smoke. I let out a shrilly "hieeeee" and tumbled over.
So close too…
I felt fear and anticipation rebound in my stomach. Stealing a glance upwards and into the settling smoke, my eyes widened a fraction before realizing that I was looking at dark colored eyes, it meant only one thing.
Hibari was the winner.
I saw a dark, almost burnt patch directly behind him, where Yamamoto was performing his Shigure forms, spraying water over the residing flames. I felt the breath escape me as images of the golden eyed boy flashed through my head, making me whimper in worry. Clutching the hem of my dress, I tried racing forward to the darkened area, confirming the worst of my fears.
But before I could step inside the few yards leading to the secluded rubble, Hibari had secured his hand around my hand and pulled gently, who was suddenly aware of all the bruises and injuries he had inflicted on me, even though he didn't give a care in the world a while before.
"H-Hibari-san…" I stuttered out, my eyes clearly showing the desire to make sure that Ietsuna was dare I say, alive.
He growled in irritation and stated in an almost rushed manner, "Tsunayoshi. You're mine, and always will be. I will cage you up if you resist. You saw it yourself. I won. Now, let's move along back to Namimori."
Unknowingly, I knew that from anybody else's point of view, my eyes were dilating in worry. Casting worried glances toward the dead patch of land adjacent to myself.
Suddenly, the pressure on my hand disappeared, and I looked back, shocked to hear a thud.
Hibari had collapsed.
Kusakabe had rushed towards his leader with a air filled with worry, and I only stared in horror, not understanding what was happening.
"…Hibari-san?" I whispered, breathless.
I looked at the figure on the ground, whose face was turned the other way, not facing me in the least. "Tsunayoshi, my right leg-" not waiting for him to finish, I almost immediately grabbed his pant leg and rolled it up, Kusakabe passing me some herbs and medicine. Dropping some of the herbs, I realized the ground was shaking.
Wait, what?
The ground was trembling, the tremors coming from behind me. Feeling the vibrations rush through the dirt under me, I let out a surprised squeak when the ground began to fluctuate wildly, making me gaze behind me, at the spot where Ietsuna was supposedly buried.
I almost fainted when I saw a pair of familiar amber eyes burning brighter than I had ever seen them, poking out of the dirt along with a body, slowly rising up and making its way through the ground.
"I-Ietsuna…" I nearly dropped all the items I was carrying, but remembered that I had to treat Hibari-san.
Hibari merely growled at the offending human now on the field and glared harshly. Ietsuna only continued to make his way out of the ground, with Yamamoto's help.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of warm arms embrace me.
"Tsunayoshi, don't even try. The only way to cure that poison is to feed him an antidote that only Yamamoto has."
I immediately knew from the warmth and the sound of the voice it was Ietsuna, and I let myself relax in his hold. "U-um… then can I er, have it? Hibari-san needs treatment…" I trailed off hopelessly.
Ietsuna smirked. "Hibari Kyouya. You may have won the fight, but…"
He gestured to Yamamoto.
"It's not over yet."
I felt my whole body freeze, looking at Hibari in horror. I couldn't bear to look behind me, for I knew that Ietsuna's warm and unassuming gaze would be there, sure to change my mind about him.
"How could he do this?" played through my mind again and again, making me choke.
And if looks could kill, Ietsuna would be long dead by now. However, Hibari was losing breath, and I could tell that he wouldn't last long, especially his infected right leg if we didn't give him the antidote. Then, Hibari finally rasped out, "What do you want for the antidote, herbivore?"
Smirking in victory, Ietsuna laughed, "Only one thing."
"For you to go along with the contract, and all of its terms at the moment."
I felt scared.
Hibari was the maddest I had seen him in awhile, his eyes burning in anger and his lips shaking in frustration. His teeth were showing, and it looked like he could murder a whole army with those eyes. Ietsuna only stood there, with his face in my hair, only smiling gently at him.
I couldn't help but feel pity for Hibari, since he was in such a sad state. Had he no choice?
"Fine. I accept." Was heard, almost barely, from Hibari's lips.
I snapped my head up in shock, not believing what I had heard. But then, I was suddenly tugged down by Hibari grabbing the end strands of my hair and I leant towards him, trying to hear what he said.
"I can't love you if I'm not alive…"
Feeling the intense stare from him, I couldn't turn him down and I looked up, meeting dark, black hues with almost tear stained caramel eyes.
"H-Hibari-san…" I sniffed.
Ietsuna, having enough of it, motioned to Yamamoto for him to apply the antidote. The process was quick and easy, and if it hurt, Hibari showed no sign of pain. It was almost a given from his stoic attitude all the time.
The shot was done quick, and Ietsuna surprisingly, wasn't smiling the whole time. Instead, I felt his eyes on me, frowning in disapproval. This left me wondering what was wrong, and what had happened. In a few moments however, the Namimori Prince was up and at it again, and the first thing he did when he got up was walk over to Ietsuna-
And deliver a strong punch with his tonfas, which had miraculously appeared out of nowhere, on the Vongola Prince's face.
Ietsuna had accepted it without any resistance, and I felt myself shrieking in worry as he fell to the ground, cupping his now bruised face.
Then, Hibari motioned to Kusakabe again, the butler carrying the before dropped herbs and putting them in the carriage. I watched the two warily, and could feel myself breaking with every second. Why was that expression on Hibari's face…
It was the saddest one I had seen, ever. And that's saying a lot, since Hibari didn't show many expressions except for irritation and coldness.
And to my dismay, I saw another emotion- one that I had never recognized in those dark eyes until now.
Love.
-o~~ ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ~~o-
Dino, one of the Vongola Prince's butlers, was standing up on unsteady legs after he had recovered from Hibari's mad attack. Even thinking about the thought made him shudder with fear. He knew that Hibari and Kusakuabe were coming home soon, and probably with Tsunayoshi.
Humming happily to himself, he managed the servants of the mansion for a bit more, until he saw the tiny figure of a carriage speeding to the front gates. Instantly knowing that it was the royal prince, he immediately hurried to the door in a few moments and opened the huge doors slowly.
He fiddled with the piece of paper in his hands, knowing almost exactly what was going to happen to him if he showed his prince the same paper that was ripped to shreds a day before. Gulping in despair, he sighed dejectedly and bowed low, along with the rest of the servants, welcoming the young prince home.
"Welcome home, Hibari-sama…" was heard throughout the front line of servants, all in perfect synchronization.
No one questioned the air of sadness around the prince, and the more deadly demeanor than usual. Hibari made his way through the crowd, and stopped at Dino. He spat out quickly, "Give me the paper."
Dino perked up, almost amazed that Hibari had asked for it. "The treaty, H-Hibari-sama?"
Another glare was directed towards the blond butler, making him shiver with apprehension. "What else, herbivore."
The treaty was quickly given to Hibari, who clenched his jaw with mad anger and smashed his tonfa in the nearest wall, cracks forming around it due to the strength exerted. The servants all rushed out of the main hall, getting supplies to fix the deformation in the wall.
"Kusakabe. Pen." Hibari hissed out, and his face said that if he didn't get what he wanted in the next few minutes, he was going to murder someone.
In a matter of seconds, too.
Kusakabe almost fainted to due the trepidation he felt, but quickly fetched a pen for the enraged prince, and watched himself as Hibari almost broke the pen with his anger, his knuckles going white from the effort. As the time ticked away, almost everybody passing stopped and looked at what was happening, and why the prince was staring so long at a simple sheet of paper.
Suddenly, the piece of paper flew to the ground with a pen, and it made a resounding crunch, making everyone in the room wince.
The treaty had been signed.
"H-Hibari-sama…" Kusakabe stuttered out, not liking how right after the prince signed the paper with much hesitation, he had raced to his room, shocking everybody by the inhuman speed. The door to the royal bedroom was almost ripped out, and was closed with a loud bam, one that everyone in the mansion could hear.
Dino gulped again, and stared at his feet unhappily. He had read what was in that treaty, and knew exactly why his prince was feeling so mad. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about it. His hand clenched in anger, feeling an almost protective aura rise around him, making him wonder about the little brunet who was soon to be married off.
After everyone had cleared out from the main hallway, sickening sounds of people entering and not exiting the prince's room was heard, and many screams of pain alongside with the sounds of crunching bones.
Nobody in their right mind would deliberately upset the prince for the rest of the day.
-o~~ ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ~~o-
I walked the rest of the way with Ietsuna home, the prince insisting that we take the chance to know each other better as we walked. However, I think that was only an excuse to just be with me, since for most of the time, we were leaning against each other, relishing in the other's warmth as we trudged towards the lightened castle.
Giving me some few light kisses which I squirmed with joy at, Ietsuna made me go to stay in his room, and left me there. He said that he had a few things to take care of first, and I didn't question him. After all, I knew that he was very busy at nights, and his bloodstained gloves were always the proof.
Looking wearily at the first few raindrops amongst my window, I sighed in displeasure that I wasn't with Ietsuna, so it was just lonely me.
"I'm not with Hibari-san either..." The thought flashed through my head, making me roll into a ball with unhappiness.
Tracing the patterns that appeared upon the windowsill, I laughed at how intricate the patterns came out to be and how my life would forever be like them, twisting, falling ad the ending abruptly at a very hard obstacle.
I jerked lightly to the right when I realized the chef's voice reminding me that dinner was soon. I yelled a simple reply that said I understood and would join the royal table soon. This really was too much for one slave, one that doesn't even have his own freedom to decide who to marry.
I sighed unhappily again as I thought of the impending wedding, soon to arrive next month. This would conclude the treaty of the Namimori-Vongola. I wonder thought, if even after I got married, if Hibari would still visit me. The chances were still very high, and I doubt he would leave me alone sometime soon. Finally getting up and collecting a handful of frills in my upturned hand, I started moving towards the dining room.
To my surprise, Ietsuna was waking right outside the door for me, leaning against the wall in a carefree manner. I chirped out a greeting to him, and smiled nervously when he took my hands and led us to the dining room.
He whispered into my ear, "You know that Hibari won't be joining us for dinner, right?"
Suddenly feeling dismayed, I stared at the floor some more, finding it suddenly interesting. I perked up however, when I felt unmistakably Ietsuna's warm hands run through my untamable locks slowly. He assured me smoothly, "Don't worry. I'll be here next to you, always."
I blushed slightly and smiled at him, knowing the sincerity in those words. Ietsuna then brought down his hand from my hair and smiled warmly. "Let's get a move on now. The chef won't be happy if we're even later than we already are."
Nodding in agreement, I followed him slowly down the stairs. Too bad Hibari wasn't going to be joining us.
-o~~ ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ~~o-
After our quick dinner of fine, deluxe food, Ietsuna led me outside, to the porch that allowed you to see all the stars shining from that certain place. It took away my breath by just staring at it, and I could never get enough.
Ietsuna only laughed happily when he saw my dumbfounded expression - it was one that he was going to get used to very soon.
I mouthed the words, "It's beautiful" and Ietsuna seemed to understand, his eyes slanting in agreement. Leading me over to a chair, he brought me to sit firmly on his lap, making me blush furiously. He paid no attention to my obvious embarrassment and smiled widely at how the stars seemed to twinkle in agreement.
"Tsuna..." he started to say. I responded by burying my face into his chest. Happily murmuring in content, I made no plans to leave soon.
"You're not against this marriage right? It's mutual?" his worried eyes shook slightly, and I turned my head upwards to just steal a glimpse of his current posture.
I bit my lip when I saw that in fact, his whole body was shaking, and now his eyes were dilating in fear, honestly waiting for my response.
"No. Ietsuna, I feel very... l-loved by you, and it's totally mutual..." I felt my words leave my lips before I realized it. Ietsuna seemed to stop shaking and settle down, but his eyes were still dilating in worry.
"Then, tell me... would you rather marry Hibari-san?"
My eyes snapped open, my face finally out of his chest, and for a change, it was me who was shaking in fear now. He couldn't possibly be telling me to choose. It was just that hard to do.
"…I really don't know…"
I felt my voice falter, and Ietsuna looked at me with understanding, as if he knew about the turmoil within me. He sighed out loud and smiled happily while petting my hair again.
"Thank you."
My eyes snapped open in surprise. "W-What for?"
I was lost again when amber eyes stared me down. "For even taking the chance to know me. I love you so much… so much…"
My heart beat increased.
And I loved him, so much… so much…
If only…
Hibari was the cold, calm one, but always protected me when times came. He may have not been the perfect husband, but he was definitely one that I would consider. I also knew that he would discipline me if I had done wrong, and for that, I was grateful. At least I would be on top of my game all the time.
Ietsuna was any girls' dream- but I suppose that I was probably one of the closest people he had because of his traumatic childhood. I smiled at the thought since I knew that there wouldn't be anybody who could replace me for Ietsuna. It would always be me, only me. This made me feel appreciated.
Another thought struck me.
I loved them both.
Try and see me for once, will you?
A/N: Um, I hope things don't seem so rushed! Sorry, I was really intent on uploading this today! OAO
I would appreciate it VERY much if you left a review!
o*~ Until next time! *chu-
5/8/11 – Chapter 1 edited, fixed some mistakes