TITLE: Left Behind

PART: Drabble - One of One

AUTHOR: Simply Kim

WORD COUNT: 396

CHARACTERS: Reborn. Colonnello. Mentions of Lambo and I-pin.

GENRE: TYL/Angst/Drama

DISCLAIMER/S: I do not own "Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn!" This is merely a product of my weird imagination… XD

NOTE#1: This is a companion fic to "What I have Become".

NOTE#2: Blah or Blah is for emphasis. /Blah/is for conversations over the phone or flashbacks (if any). /Blah/ is for the conscience or whatever inner voice there is talking. Blah is for thoughts or random Japanese words.

LEFT BEHIND

The moment the orchestra started playing, Reborn knew he lost.

He watched in the shadows, eyes drinking in every detail of that white tuxedo, the neatly combed wavy hair and the brilliant smile. Even from afar, he could see a different man – someone whom he didn't know existed.

Or perhaps he knew but didn't take notice because his pride was in the way.

He couldn't believe he would lose to someone whom he considered beneath him in all aspects.

The one who cried when he wouldn't acknowledge…

… The one who threw tantrums when he didn't take his bait.

He pressed awkward fingers against the bridge of his nose, pinching it. He felt tired and lifeless, and he didn't like it. The fingers of his other hand twitched, aching to hold on to something, and throw that something – preferably one that explodes – towards that openly smitten face he had just now, begun to hate.

"Why so glum, chum?"

A vein ticked in his brow as he struggled to find his centre. Another annoyance. He thought hatefully, taking a deep cleansing breath as he turned away to face his newfound nemesis. "Colonnello." He muttered. "What are you doing here?"

"Same thing you're doing – attending Lambo-kun's wedding, what else?" The blonde, tall and seemingly imposing in his fancy formal wear, grinned mischievously, eyes gleaming with something Reborn couldn't quite place. "You did get that red lacy invitation, right?"

He sighed, nodding his head slightly in irritation. "Yes. Stupid card made me think it was Valentines." He muttered bitterly. "Could've picked a better colour."

A small measure of silence stretched between them, and for some strange reason, the energetic Colonnello was keeping an awkward distance from him. For all Reborn knew, the trigger-happy guy was –

Pain erupted in his chest, so intense that it rivalled the collective suffering he had taking bullets all his life.

A small chuckle escaped his lips.

Wry.

Bitter.

"I'm going to kill you." He grated out, slipping his hands in his coat pockets. "Stop that."

Colonnello remained silent as the tension thickened further. And finally, after a few moments, he spoke. "Went too far, didn't it? The game you were playing with him."

Reborn didn't come here for a psychiatry session.

Giving the ongoing ceremony a last, long glance, he turned and walked away.

He didn't want to see the pity in Colonnello's eyes.

OWARI

A/N: Feedbacks are greatly appreciated! :)