Title: Under The Endless Sky
Chapter Title: When the Sky is Falling
Author: Primal Red
Character(s): Miura Haru. Sawada Tsunayoshi. Also Reborn, Dino Cavallone, and a little bit of Gokudera Hayato, Yamamoto Takeshi, Sasagawa Ryohei, Sawada Nana, Sasagawa Kyoko.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: PG-13 for combat injuries, including broken bones and second-degree burns (might become R later because of combat violence and blood and gore and really intense psychological themes…like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and such)
Warnings: Burn injuries and slight mention of broken bones, SPOILERS for the Future Arc up to Chapter 256.
Summary: The hospital was a place that she had never wanted to visit very often…[from Ch. 256 in the manga, eventual TsuHaru, 1896]
A/N: So, repeating: the story is going to be alternate to the actual manga from chapter 256. I came up with this idea before the manga chapters came out up to 269, so don't attack me if I write certain details differently from the manga's canon. My story diverges at chapter 256 in KHR.
Oh, and I should mention this before I leave: I have no way to write anything until during the Winter Break, because I have finals coming in, and I have no way of writing fanfiction AND prepare for the finals all at once. I'm not a multitasker, and I am incapable of writing well under pressure, so please wait until December 24. That will be around the time I update with chapter 3.
"Truth is like a fear,
fear of heaven.
Truth ain't always clear,
clear like heaven"
—Chemda in Conjure One, "Forever Lost"
Chapter 2: When the Sky is Falling
The hospital was a place that she had never wanted to visit very often. It was a place for the dead, the suffering, and the miserable. It was not a place for smiles, joy and contentment.
Haru glanced at Tsuna's pallid face and wondered, for a moment, whether it was a premonition to come for any training in the future that he would have to undertake.
No, she must not think such thoughts. Tsuna-san was going to be alright, and he will be in the future. And, if not, SHE will make sure of that.
Haru will take it into her own hands to make sure that Tsuna-san will be alright in the future.
The dark-haired girl shook her head, and allowed herself to look determinedly at the ground. Reborn was currently talking to the doctor, and she hoped to high heavens that Tsuna would be at peace here for some time. Though she didn't know how far the extent of injuries had gone, from what she had seen…it was quite bad in the sense that he had overextended himself. The skin on his arms were red and slightly peeling, as though they had suffered major burns from the Dying Will fire. The way that he had walked determinedly to their designated meeting place had indicated that he had broken a leg.
The worst part, however, was the fact that he had smiled through all that pain and injury when he spotted her.
That he actually had the nerve and grace to smile at her despite being so badly hurt…
That he had the nerve and will to be relieved when he saw her…
Damn it…
…damn it…
It was then that Haru realized she was crying.
She blinked through her tears. Damn it, she wasn't supposed to do this in front of Tsuna-san! She may not know very much, but she did know that her upset expression would only make him even more worried, even though he was supposed to care more about the full extent of his injuries right now.
Haru paused for a moment, began thinking, and reached quickly for a napkin in her pocket; it seemed that she was going to have to learn how to keep her emotions in check from now on. From what she did know, Tsuna-san was very good at figuring out the thoughts of the people around him—and though she didn't know how well he could read her expressions, she did know that he had known to an extent that she was upset when he told her about the entire truth.
The truth about what he had been doing all those months with Reborn, and the status that he had been so reluctant to tell her about…was the fact that he happened to be the Tenth Generation Vongola Mafia Family Leader.
She had, during that time, found it difficult to believe, for she wasn't well-aware of the world's workings and how much he had been trying to hide from her and Kyoko-chan. What it had meant, however, was that Tsuna was actually a descendant of one of those families that did work with crime and the underworld.
In other words, it meant that there was a mountain of responsibility that Tsuna will have to carry eventually.
What it also meant, of course, was the fact that she would have to support him in that task, since she didn't want to be part of the burden.
She was going to have to learn how to maintain her emotional stability in case she would face any serious situations in the future.
"…Haru?"
"Tsuna-san…" Haru quietly and eagerly grasped Tsuna's hand. "Haru's sorry…Haru didn't—"
The edge on Tsuna's mouth frowned when he heard her apologize. "…it's not your fault."
"…but…Haru didn't realize that your training would require so much out of you."
She paused as Tsuna flinched at her words. So, she probably shouldn't talk about his training in front of him and the others, then; from what it seemed, Tsuna-san was hesitant to speak too much about the training and what he was thinking about regarding it. At this, Haru decided to change the topic, keeping in mind that the other subject was something she had best keep away.
"So…how are you feeling? Should Haru notify the others about this? Or…should Haru get you something to eat?"
The dark-haired girl watched as Tsuna panicked at the mention of the word "others", then wince in pain from moving his bandaged arms. "N—No! Really! It…it's okay."
"Really? Um…then…"
"Just…stay here for a bit…"
"…Okay..."
The silence that followed was, unfortunately, awkward, and Haru suspected that it was mostly because neither of them knew exactly what to say to the other. For a future mafia boss's wife, she was an idiot.
An idiot for not knowing what her prospective future husband liked to talk about.
Haru sighed mentally, and began to bite her lip. "…um…Haru doesn't know what Haru should talk about, Tsuna-san…"
"Well…" Tsuna winced at his injuries as he attempted to sit up, then decided to give up on the task. "How about let's talk about what you really want to be when you grow up?"
"Hahi?"
"Since you are going to be part of the family anyways…it's better if you know what you are doing in the Vongola."
"Okay!"
Haru stopped for a moment. What exactly did she want to be? What was it that she wanted? Well…she didn't exactly know as much, that's for sure. The problem was, she had so many interests that it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what she was most fascinated with. She had many things that she loved to read about, and that she wanted to do with her life. If anything, she would prefer discussing and reading and talking to people all day so that she could resolve problems and be part of something that was helpful to humanity in general.
That, and…she didn't exactly understand what it meant to have a job, at least…not yet. She wasn't old enough.
Until now.
Haru thought for a moment, then glanced at Tsuna straight in the eye and said, "Haru is willing to help you in any way that you allow her to."
For the first time in his life, Tsuna was inexpressibly stunned by a girl's determination.
And it wasn't just any girl, but Miura Haru. It was Haru, the girl who lived in his neighborhood who walked on walls and flipped from them to introduce herself to Reborn.
Haru, the girl who would make silly "beloved wife" lunches for him, as well as help out the rest of the team.
She was…willing to do just about anything that he would let her.
It was beyond stunning. It was extraordinary.
It was extraordinary in the fact that the girl was so determined to help him.
Damn…this was going to be difficult. But, all the same, he was glad that she was so determined to help him, even though he didn't like the idea of obliging her to work for him.
Tsuna thought for a moment, then turned to Haru. "You mean…a strategist position would be okay with you?"
"…yeah!" Haru nodded determinedly. "…if Tsuna-san doesn't mind, Haru will definitely train herself to be the best strategist in the world, then!"
"…damn, that means that you will get pulled into the mafia business as well."
"But…Haru is already IN the mafia business. Haru managed to get Tsuna-san to tell Haru and Kyoko-chan about everything…"
At this, Haru trailed off, and there was a tinge of guilt at the last word. Damn, so she was still feeling bad about that situation.
Tsuna sighed, then placed a hand on Haru's hand at the edge of the hospital bed. "Haru, I will protect you and Kyoko-chan with everything I have. It doesn't matter if I die in the process—"
"Hahi! Haru doesn't want Tsuna-san to die!"
Tsuna chuckled nervously. "Well, yeah, neither do I, but…still…when worse comes to worse…I will defend all of you."
"Hahi! But, Haru wants to defend you as well! Haru wants to fight!"
The last word that shot out of her mouth made Tsuna's hand stiffen. "What? Hiiii! No, no! Don't do that!"
"But, why? If there are more fighters on your side, wouldn't that help?"
"Well…" Tsuna's voice trailed off as he realized that the girl before him had a point. "Um…you see, it wouldn't be a good thing if Kyoko-chan and everyone else found out that you were injured in combat."
"It isn't a good thing if YOU were found injured in combat, either…"
Damn, she did have a point there.
"…right?"
Tsuna sighed resignedly. "…right."
So…he was going to have to accept Haru into the mafia's fighting team.
Dang it…
Well, at least he would be able to keep an eye on her better, if that was the case.
Tsuna thought for a moment, then began to speak. "Well, first off, I'm going to have to set up a few rules here. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that a mafia member has certain responsibilities. I am not sure to what extent you would want live up to them as of yet…"
As he spoke, he carefully glanced at the girl in front of him. Haru was willing to do just about anything for his safety for now, but that was exactly why he was going to have to regulate her role to an extent first. If there was one thing for sure, he knew that he didn't want to see her get hurt in a fight, and so far, he didn't know much about how to set up anything, and he really wasn't sure what he could do for her yet other than to make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.
"The thing is, even I don't know much about the mafia's workings, so I am not quite sure what I can tell you about yet."
"Hahi?"
"How about this…I'll ask Reborn about what the standards are for each open role in the mafia. That ways, we could look over those roles and find out which one works best."
Haru smiled. "Sure! Why not? Reborn-chan definitely should know, even though…"
"…yeah, I know." Even though he is just a baby.
"Who are you calling a baby?"
Tsuna jumped, and painfully regretted it. "Hiiii! Reborn! Don't scare me like that!"
The arcobaleno smirked. "I think that means you have another aspect that you need to improve on: knowing when anyone is approaching you."
Tsuna frowned. Damn it! He knew he was weak, but if there was something that annoyed him, it was when those weaknesses were pointed out in front of him and others as well.
The brown-haired boy turned hesitantly to Haru, embarrassed that she had heard Reborn talk of his weakness, and spoke. "Looks like we might have to talk about those rules later, then, after we decide on a few things."
"Okay."
"That said…how long do I have to say in here?"
Reborn glanced at the papers he held in his hands. "Well, it seems that you ended up with second-degree burns, though they're not going to leave any scars or stay permanent. What's more, you ended up breaking your leg when you tried to avoid crashing into that cliff. I believe Dino's medical professionals will be here in a minute to help you with those problems."
"Huh?"
"I called a few people over."
The impact of Reborn's implications began to hit him, and Tsuna felt a headache forming. "B-but, Rebor—!"
"Tenth!"
It was then that Tsuna felt a throbbing headache take place and grow in his mind. It seemed like most of the entire group—Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, Dino, and even his mother—had found out about his hospitalization, and were here to see how he was doing.
"Tenth! What happened to you?"
"Hey, Tsuna!"
"Tsu-kun! What did you do this time?"
"Sawada! It must have been so extreme! You trained so hard that you burned yourself!"
"Hey, Tsuna! How are you feeling?"
"…Tsuna-kun?"
Tsuna looked up just in time to see Kyoko standing behind Ryohei, smiling at him. "Er…uh…h—hi, Kyoko-chan."
Kyoko giggled. "Looks like you overdid it again, huh?"
Tsuna blushed. Even now, he was unable to speak properly in front of his school idol. It was embarrassing, and though he hoped that he didn't seem stupid for overtraining, he was just glad that she simply walked by to see how he was.
Even now, he still couldn't quite make himself ask her out, no matter how hard he tried.
Tsuna suddenly felt a gentle pat on his shoulder, and noticed that Haru was looking suspiciously sad and frowning at the people looking in outside the window. "Huh?"
"Who are those people?"
"Ah…those people you're referring to are the medics of the Cavallone family," Dino replied, as he stepped forward. "My name is Dino Cavallone. I believe your name is Miura Haru?"
"Hahi! How does this stranger know my name? I didn't tell you who I am, and you already know? Tsuna-san! Tell me what's going on!"
"Of course he knows your name, stupid woman!" Gokudera gritted out. "He's one of the Tenth's allies!"
"Hahi! Haru's not a stupid woman!"
Tsuna reached painfully to the side and patted Haru on the arm. "Don't worry. Dino is one of our allies. And, he's kinda like my big brother."
At the mention, Haru's suspicion was replaced with awe. "Tsuna-san has an older brother mentor? Wow! I didn't know!"
Tsuna sighed. This was going to be a long day…
But at least everyone now knows he is okay.
"According to the information we have just gathered on his training, Sawada-san is now incapable of training for at least two months. He has burns on his arms, and it appears that those are going to require icing for three weeks. What's more, his leg has broken, and needs to be casted for the entire time. Hopefully, during this period of time, Sawada-san will not engage in any sort of training other than with his mind."
The room was silent as the doctor noted the list of reasons that Tsuna needed to heal. Soon, however, the silence was broken by Gokudera's unrestrained wails, and Haru stood to the side as she wondered if this was the way that subordinates behaved in front of their leaders in the mafia world.
"Tenth! I'm so sorry! I didn't know that you would have to go through training! I'm so sorry that I wasn't there! I will definitely be there next time you train, Tenth. Definitely!"
Okay, so…that was the reason why he felt bad, Haru thought. For a moment, she smiled at Gokudera-san's antics, then frowned. Why was she smiling? Tsuna-san was injured, and needed her help soon.
"…Tsuna-kun, I just…hope that you won't do this again."
Tsuna blushed and smiled brightly at Kyoko-chan. "Definitely! Er…I mean…um…sure. Okay."
Haru frowned. So much for her hope that Tsuna will even look at herself as a future mafia boss's wife; it seemed that Kyoko made Tsuna happier in terms of just her presence alone.
She wondered if she could ever do the same.
"So…you really like him, don't you?"
Haru immediately blushed at the question. "Huh? Oh! Um…well…"
The older brother mentor of Tsuna, Dino, smiled knowingly. "I guess Tsuna's lucky to have you around. Thanks for looking after him while he was at the hospital."
"Eh…no problem!" Haru smiled slightly, a bit nervous at the fact that she was talking to the Cavallone mafia leader, "It's always something I will to do for Tsuna-san, after all. He's…uh…one of my first friends."
"Ah, I see. I take it that you're the one who asked Tsuna if she could be part of the Vongola?"
Haru turned bright red at Dino's words. "Eh! Erm…well…it's just that I want to help. That's all!"
"Well, you were always being helpful for Tsuna and the others. It's not like they don't notice that."
"Um…I guess it's just that I still think that I could do more than just cook and clean after them."
"…I see," Dino glanced at her for a moment, considering the meaning of her words, then nodded. "You're a brave girl to decide that."
"…thanks," Haru couldn't help but blush at his compliment.
"You'll see what I mean one day," the mafia leader smiled, then looked at Tsuna for a moment, and his tone became a bit more serious. "I think you know what it means to an extent on what it means to be a mafioso, right? After all…we're not all upright and everything nice."
Haru stopped. Dino was right on this, for sure. From what she knew, the mafia business was often bloody and terrible according to the newspapers that spoke of their workings. What's more, she had known of the fact that the Vongola, the most powerful mafia family in the world, was most likely not as merciful and considerate of every individual in this world as Tsuna was. She didn't know of the existence of such a mafia family before, due to the fact that she was unable to find any links or information on the existence of the Vongola. Now, however, she had a premonition that she was about to find out something that might very well test her faith in Tsuna's kindness.
Well, so be it, then. Tsuna may have to become a mafia boss one day, but she was going to help him and everyone else with everything she had without interfering too much. She was going to ensure their safety and well-being and watch their backs for them.
In short, she may not know if she was the kind of person who wanted to be a mafioso, but she was willing to fight for the sake of her friends at least. That alone gave her the responsibility to help them.
Haru nodded determinedly, and spoke with a conviction that she didn't know she had "I might not know everything about what it means to be a mafioso, but I am willing to understand…for I wish to help them in any way I can to ensure their safety."
Dino smiled calmly as he and Haru watched the rest of the group talk with Tsuna. "If that's the case, then Reborn and I will tell you everything you need to know."
So far, the following things have happened to him during the afternoon.
He had trained, and had gotten injured.
Haru had taken him to the hospital, and almost everyone in his circle of friends showed up.
It had been a headache to deal with. Gokudera had threatened the nurses with dynamite to ensure that they took good care of him, and Yamamoto had simply laughed and promised him to bring him his homework. His mother had, as usual, embarrassed him in front of Kyoko-chan again, and Ryohei had commented on the extremity he must have trained himself to have second-degree burns.
And Haru, for the most part, had argued with Gokudera. Thankfully, his future right-hand man had not threatened the girl with dynamite, since Dino was there to keep an eye on him.
But the good news was that Kyoko-chan had shown up.
Sasagawa Kyoko-chan, the girl of his dreams.
"Tsuna-san?"
Tsuna broke out of his reverie and looked up. Haru was looking at him.
"Everyone seems to have gone."
"Oh." The brown-haired boy quickly glanced around the room, and noticed that only Yamamoto, and Gokudera had managed to stay outside in the hallway. He had particularly noticed, however, that Gokudera was heatedly arguing with Yamamoto, who laughed and cheerfully replied each time the silver-haired boy yelled at him.
So much for my hopes to rest in a quiet place, Tsuna thought dejectedly.
"So…um…what should we do?" Haru asked nervously.
Tsuna thought for a moment. "I don't know…really…"
Haru thought for a moment. "Maybe I should talk to you about the plan later. Talking about it right here in front of the others is a little…difficult."
Tsuna couldn't help but smile. "That is true."
"Or, how about both of you try reading a few things before making that sort of decision."
Tsuna looked up to see Reborn and Dino and another member of the Cavallone family bring in a few books. "…w—what?"
"Hahi! So many books!"
Tsuna glanced over at Haru, and widened his eyes. There was a glint in Haru's eyes that seemed to suggest that she was fond of the objects that Reborn had brought in.
Dino chuckled as he and his subordinate Romario placed the books on the desk. "It seems that your girlfriend likes reading."
"Eh? No, no! She's not my girlfriend!"
The Cavallone mafia leader smiled teasingly at the exclamation. "Sure. Why else would she be so concerned about your safety?"
"…huh?"
"Reborn told me that the girl wants to become part of the Vongola."
Tsuna sighed, and nodded. "She…just wants to defend me and everyone else. That's all."
He looked out of the corner of his eye at Haru. From what he knew, she was probably willing to go through a lot of danger just to ensure everyone's safety and so forth. The fact was that she had been angry when she was left out on everything, and she was overwhelmed when she had found out about the entire situation. If there was one thing for sure, though, he would say that he was most likely the one who needed to ensure that she didn't run into anything terrible down the line.
She was, after all, his responsibility.
Just like everyone else.
"So…she really IS your girlfriend."
"Wha—NO, NO! Seriously, no! Dino-san, Haru is only a frien—."
"Tsuna-san, look! It's the history of the Vongola!"
Tsuna glanced quickly at the book Haru was holding in her hands and blanched. "Haru! We're not supposed to read that yet!"
"Why not?"
"Because…Reborn, seriously, I don't know if Haru really wants to know about that aspect of the mafia."
Damn it…why?
Why did it have to end up like this?
Tsuna sighed and began rubbing his temples, ignoring the pain behind the bandages. Though he didn't know much about the mafia, he knew more than enough to understand that the history of mafia was written in blood and despair.
If he lets her read those books, chances are that she will lose all the innocence she has left, and it will be completely his fault.
"Stop worrying, Idiot-Tsuna. Haru knows more than you think."
"But…"
"I should also mention that you have to read the books as well. As long as you're in the hospital, you are going to have to study for school AND read through the history of the Vongola as well to understand what it is for the most part."
Tsuna began to protest, but then decided that it was useless anyways. He then glanced over at Haru, who was already looking through the first volume, and thought for a moment. If Haru was going to join the mafia and be part of something like the Vongola, then it was up to him as well to protect her integrity and innocence, no matter what it cost him. If Haru was going to become part of the family's business and work under his command, he was going to ensure that she did not get blood on her hands.
Because, if anything, he would never be able to look himself in the mirror if that happened.
He was going to make sure that Haru and everyone in his team was going to have a good life, and not be ruined by the likes of people like himself.
Even if it would cost him his blood.
"I'm not listenin'
Not anymore.
The more I learn
The more I know
I'm not listenin'
Not anymore.
The more I prepare
The more I know…"
—Papa Roach in "Not Listening"
To be continued…
Please review! :-)
