Rated M for language, possible gore, violence, and safety reasons.
Disclaimer: Belongs to Amano-sensei only. I only own this plot and any future OCs.
Thanks for the reviews(!):XxShadowfangxX , NightHunterHime, guest reviewer: jazlaura, Mischievously , Polar Pig, silent-insaneminako, KhRfan12, calypso tchaka, guest reviewer: Angel, liaxing, NaturalSam14, Latui, v. victory, Esperanz, my [anonymous reviewer], RenegadeWarrior, Magical. x. Melody, Final Syai Lunar Generation, and Dark Bless.
Enjoy loves~!
Unbeta'd: all mistakes are my own and I will fix them when you or I catch them :)
Capitolo Tre:
Storm [Tempesta] I
"I am the relentless storm,"
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Gokudera preferred guns. Or better yet; bombs.
In a way they were less messy, quick and easy, and if used correctly [with the proper use of his natural skill and years of experience] it was just about 100% accurate. He flicked his lighter, cupping the flame around his cigarette together. Taking a deep breath he inhaled and then exhaled the bittersweet smoke.
Knives were too personal; to upfront. He preferred to take his enemies by surprise. Light them up with a flash and a bang.
To bad for - the silverlette cocked his head as he studied the slumped over figure bleeding in his computer chair - oh yes, Timothy Janet. His employer wanted it to be personal. So despite his distaste for the method he completed his mission efficiently and without objection.
His target was very much an anti-social workaholic butterfly which made his job easy. Not having to sneak around the condo, avoiding loud-mouth children, or self-medicating wives, or even the sometime black-handed lover(s). No, Gokudera would almost say Signore Janet was a self-claimed celibate or even eunuch. Unfortunately, Signore Janet did have a family, and once they came home [Signora Janet from her "meeting" at the book club and his only son from his baseball game] they would surely find a rigor mortis Timothy Janet.
But they shouldn't worry; death came swiftly to Signore Janet. Out crept the silverlette from the shadows only a flickering desk lamp as a witness. Signore had his back to him, unaware of the reaper writing his time, and death pulling him closer in an inescapable hug. No, Signore was unaware of all his surroundings except his over abundant paperwork. Gokudera's green eyes flashed jade as he quickly, without hesitation, grabbed the man's mouth, stifling any scream. Which came short and muted as Gokudera maneuvered his head back and cut one slit on the fragile flesh of the throat. It was quick and clean despite the bloody mess. If anything, Gokudera should be considered an benevolent creature. He didn't relish or gloat or take pleasure in it. He still had his pride as man. Timothy Janet was just another pay check; simple as that.
Now if only he could explain that to this fucking kid.
"You!" the dark brunette screamed and lunged. Gokudera dodged without a second thought and sighed. How could he allow himself to get in such a mess? Disgraceful. Not leaving like he should have when he completed his mission, he was now stuck with this little problem. The problem being Timothy Janet's son, who should be at his baseball game, but came home after a forfeit. A mixture of adrenaline, a winning high, and the kid's natural need for his father's approval that spurred him into entering his father's study.
Creating this whole damn mess.
"Che," Gokudera clicked his tongue in distaste. Now he was going to have to kill the kid. The brat turned back around with wild eyes as he charged again. Arms open in full intention of tackling the silverlette. Gokudera stepped aside and held out his foot catching the kid's. The kid tumbled down onto the floor catching himself with his hands. Before he could get back on his feet, Gokudera kicked him in the backside. The kid grunted and toppled over as the silverlette took that moment to step on the kid and hold him down.
"Now, pay attention," Gokudera hissed and pinned the kid'a head down with a black cane to the temple, "This isn't a toy." he added pressure and the kid let out a muffled whimper. "This cane holds more power than your puny mind could possibly imagine. So if you're not careful-" he added more pressure and the kid screamed. The smell of burning flesh irritated the silverlette's nose, "-I will just burn your fucking face off."
The brat started gasping like a fish, chanting a dark promise.
"I'll kill you...I'll kill you...I'll kill you,"
Gokudera smirked, "You're a hundred years too early to be dreaming of that shit, brat."
Especially since the kid looked like he was on the verge of fainting or pissing his pants, just from a mild threat and a little torture.
"Stay down and be good," Gokudera growled relieving some of the pressure but kept his cane firmly placed on the kid's temple, "I have to think."
Well what in the hell do I do know? the silverlette thought and dragged in a deep breath of smoke, The contract didn't state anything about what would happen if witnesses intervened. Not that first time employers ever thought about that kind of things. Oh yes, Gokudera knew his boss was a - well, noob per say. All about the how and why, never the when, what, and if. Sometimes Gokudera wondered who the real blood thirsty monsters where. The ones that did the killings or the ones that encouraged it. Reveled in it.
His employer was as about as giggly as a school girl at the thought of Timothy Janet's demise. Gokudera thought his employer was a sick son of a bitch, but he had no qualms about it as long as he was paid.
"Get off...me!" the brat yelled from under foot. The silverlette smacked him with the edge of his cane.
"You broke my train of thought, brat," he hissed, "I had almost forgotten about you. How unfortunate."
He could just stab the kid, he still had the knife.
He could blow him up. He had a hidden stick of dynamite tucked behind his ear ready for use.
Shoot him? He had a gun in his chest holster.
So many choices. So little time.
"I'll give you a choice," Gokudera mumbled with a wicked smile, "How would you like to die?"
"With your blood on my hands!"
"Are all youth these days so melodramatic?" Gokudera gave a good stomp to the teens backside. The kid lost his breath and his ribs caved in with a satisfying crack. "Don't get lippy, brat." The silverlette rubbed his chin fondly as he stared down at the crippled teen below him. He smiled.
He had an idea.
"Hey, hey, brat," Gokudera called. He received a glare from watery red eyes. Blood and saliva dripped from his pale lips as he bared his teeth up at the silverlette.
"Fuck you,"
"Che," the silverlette clicked pressing the cane into the kid's skull, "Didn't your parents teach you to respect your superiors? Keep this up and you'll end up dead. Like your father and then where would your revenge go, brat?"
The kid looked ready to pop a blood vessel from anger. Or maybe it was just from pain? Frankly, Gokudera didn't care.
"I'm going to let you live, brat," Gokudera muttered and grabbed his cigarette, "I'm not in the mood to kill your punk ass. Aren't I kind?"
The brat just wheezed, drooling on the carpet. How uncute.
"You can live, bury you father, mourn a little, and then move on; forgetting this whole thing. Or-,' Gokudera stepped back then, moving himself off the teen, letting him free.
"You don't forget. You don't move on. You instead, seek revenge for this worthless piece of shit. You become stronger and when you are ready," he paused inhaling the bittersweet smoke into his lungs; watching the kid as his eyes burned with fire, "You come kill me." The silence was thick with tension as the kid stared at him with disbelief. Jade stared back him with amusement, enjoying the flickering and wavering emotions that crossed the teen's face.
"W-w-wha - you think I'm an idiot! You're lying!" he yelled with anger and suspicion. Gokudera raised his hands in defense.
"I'm anything but a liar. I maybe a killer, but I'm an honest killer. I've never broken a promise in my life," he muttered with a smirk.
"I-I-I don't believe you," he whispered before closing his eyes as an agonizing expression appeared on his face. He coughed violently rolling his face on the floor coughing up blood. The burn on his temple gleamed ruby red in the dimly lit light.
"Believe what you want," he shrugged turning around, his back open to the kid, "Do what you want. Go back to your life and forget, but-" his hand grasped the brass knob before he looked back.
"-I wonder. Can you live with yourself if you do?" he questioned touching his chin inquisitively. Eyes burned with rage as the kid dragged his nails into the carpet.
"I'll kill you! I swear! I swear on my father! I swear on my family! I swear on my life!"
Gokudera smiled as he cocked his head and pointed two fingers at his temple. Mirroring a gun.
"Can't wait, brat."
And he pulled the trigger.
He was dead. That was the only answer Tsuna could come up with for being in this large white room: alone. His fingers gently caressed the glass coffee table placed strategically in the center of the room. The break between two opposing couches.
Huh, he did not know heaven was into Martha Stewart*.
There was a open kitchen, pristine and clean almost like it had never been used before. Tsuna could feel the drool forming at the end of his mouth. His hands itched to touch, to cook, to make, to create! This must be heaven. Tsuna had never seen so many kitchen utensils in his life! There was so many things in that kitchen Tsuna had only read in books, and many more he didn't recognize.
Tsuna had to look away as tears came to his eyes. It was almost too beautiful to look at. Something bright caught his eyes across the room. Tsuna looked and noticed a desk was also present, along with a king sized bed not too far away.
He was in a flat. A very large flat.
Tsuna frowned. How had he gotten here?
"Hello?" the brunette called timidly walking into the living room portion, "Is anyone here?"
Silence was his only answer. His frown deepened.
"Strange," he whispered and turned around grasping his chin in thought. Was he dead? If he was, where was his mama, grandma, and grandpa? Where was he if not i heaven? Tsuna looked up and noticed gigantic windows reflecting to the outside.
Tsuna's eyes widened at what he saw. Large, gigantic skyscrapers. Skyscrapers that seemed to overrun the earth and sky. They consumed all of his vision. He could not see where the buildings began or end, just the endless outlines of blue, black, silver, and white.
"W-w-where am I?" he whispered in fear taking a step back. Something wasn't right here. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. This place...this place was a-
"Oya~? I haven't had a visitor in a long time," a voice stated cheerfully causing the brunette to jump in fright. Turning around frantic caramel eyes widened at the sight of a figure standing by the doorway. Blocking his only exit. The stranger's terrifying grin widened, stretching on his pale face.
"So tell me? Do you like to play chess?"
Before Tsuna could answer or even think of a reply, his world shattered. The background cracked into millions of tiny jagged pieces and fell like broken glass. It cascaded down like rain suddenly leaving the brunette feeling bare and exposed. The room disappeared leaving him and the albino alone in a dark world. Pale violet held caramel in an intense but curious stare. Tsuna didn't know what to do. The air felt to thick to even breathe. He felt the darkness enclosing on him, consuming him whole. Then before Tsuna could break, lose all control of his sanity, and release into the fear that coiled around him like a thick black rope - the albino broke.
His face split from his temple to his chin and then small webs branched; consuming his body.
"Oya~?" the albino laughed and looked down at himself then back at the brunette. His grin widened, if not looking a little strained. "You could of just said no, ne?"
And he shattered, leaving Tsuna alone, to pick up the pieces.
Awareness came to him slowly. It was pain he registered first before anything else. Pain wrecked his body like he had been power-drived into the concrete and then promptly shoved into a dryer on full speed. There was even a ringing in his ears that made his forming headache even more painful. Tears burned in his eyes as he resisted a whimper.
He wanted his mama.
Next came fatigue. He didn't have the energy to open his eyes or even a finger. He never felt more useless in his entire life. He couldn't even wipe the tears that were leaking down his cheek and leaving a cold trail to his chin.
He wanted to go home.
Next came the voices. They were low and soft keeping in mind of the resting brunette, but still rather heated and deadly. Almost blood thirsty.
"Shouldn't you be attacking innocent bystanders, Kyoya-san?" the voice was laced with contempt and sarcasm.
"I don't attack the innocent, Kensuke Mochida, I bite those who disturb the peace and break the rules."
"So that's everyone and then some, huh, Kyoya-san?"
There was a tense silence that seemed to last forever before Mochida let out a deep and disturbing chuckle.
"So the birdie wants to play, huh? Bring it on, you bastard!"
"Are you sure you want a repeat of what happened last time, herbivore? I'm sure you are still licking your wounds,"
"Has anyone ever told you how irritating you are?"
"I'll bite you to death,"
"Those are fighting words, Kyo-chan,"
In Tsuna's mind eye, he could see the last fragile string holding Hibari's temperament together fall apart with one clean cut. The skylark's eyes would narrower ever so slightly as they darken to the color of cool metal. Then with grace he would raise the two twin tonfa's grasped in each hand and step forward in a battle ready stance. Mochida would be smiling manically at the other corner a wicked glee shining in his coal burning eyes. Then reaching behind him he would grasp the woven hilt of a long silver katana. Why a katana? Tsuna truly didn't know. Maybe it was because Mochida always seemed to be carrying that kendo sword where ever he went. In Tsuna's drugged induced mind a deadly replacement for that long wooden instrument was a Katana. Either way, for some reason the sharp but straightforward weapon seemed to be better suited for the raven.
Whatever the reason was, having two emotionally unstable people fighting in an populated area couldn't possibly - scratch that - wasn't good, at all.
He had to stop them some how.
"Stop-," he gasped as he weakly licked his chapped lips; was that blood he tasted?, "D-do-don't...f-f-f-fighhhah-" he ended it was a sigh. Suddenly, just breathing caused pain to bloom in the brunette's chest.
"T-T-Tsuna?" Mochida exclaimed in surprise, "D-did you say something dame-tsuna?"
Tsuna opened his mouth to answer but instead a deep tingling sensation went up his throat from his chest. Instantly he turned and began coughing chronically.
"Oi? Tsuna! Are you okay? Oi! Oi! Don't just stand there, Kyoya! Go get a nurse damn it! Can't you see he's dying!"
"Don't exaggerate, and don't presume you can order me around,"
"Just go, Kyoya!"
Hibari closed his eyes in an attempt to avoid rolling his eyes at the spastic raven. Turning around he left leaving Mochida to his flustered attempts at trying to calm the brunette.
"Just breathe dame-tsuna," Mochida exclaimed looking frantically around, "Do you need a kleenex? Water? Wine? Fuck. Where is that fucking nurse!"
If Tsuna could, he would of smiled fondly at hearing his friend so frantic and at a loss of what to do.
"I'mma...f-f-fine," he let out a deep throaty cough, "J-j-j-just...ah...second."
Mochida stopped moving and went to Tsuna's bedside.
"Oh," came his intelligent reply and he shifted uncomfortably watching the man's spamming body. Soon the coughs settled down leaving Tsuna with searing pain in his chest and a painful wheezing sound every time he breathed.
"Ah, w-why can't I-," Tsuna let out an uncomfortable wheeze, "-open my eyes?"
"Oh, dear, excuse me!" came a feminine voice then a cold hand touched Tsuna's forehead. The brunette sighed and leaned against the cool touch.
"You're running a fever," she mumbled and pulled away; Tsuna wanted to cry over the loss, "Sawada-san can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
Tsuna swallowed thickly down a clump of fear. Where was he? He tried to think back to last thing he remembered but it only came back in pieces. He remembered leaving to go visit his mother. Then staring at the white tombstone as the incense twirled and swirled merging with the sky. Then the kitchen staring at the blue tiles as the stew bubbled and steamed before him. Then...then...nothing? He couldn't remember anything past that. What had happened? Was he still at home? No, he couldn't be. First, Hibari didn't know where he lived, and second there was no way Mochida would allow an unknown woman, much less Hibari, into their house. There was only one other possibility.
"H-h-hospital?" he croaked.
"Yes, good. You are at Namimori Hospital. Sawada-san, do you remember what happened?" the woman asked kindly.
"N-n-no," he replied, "I-I don't even know how I got here."
There was pregnant pause before Mochida let out a number of colorful curses.
"Mother fucking-! I'm going to kill them!" He yelled and there was a loud shattering sound. Tsuna jumped in surprise and the nurse's hand flinched away from his wrist.
"S-s-sen-?"
"What are you doing! Get out! You are upsetting Sawada-san!" the nurse screamed and moved from the brunette's bedside, "Go! Go before I call security."
"Oi! Oi! Watch where you're shoving woman!" Mochida yelled as he was violently removed from the room by the petite female.
"Good riddance!" she growled dusting off her hands. She turned again and gave a smile at the frail man who was sitting up with a panicked expression.
"Don't worry, Sawada-san. It would do him some good to get out. He has hardly left your side since you've arrived. Him and Hibari-sama," she explained unraveling her stethoscope.
"Y-you mean-" he began only to end up coughing violently again. That couldn't be true, why would Hibari be worried about him? Why was he even in Namimori in the first place? In fact, how did Hibari even know he was in the hospital?
...
What happened to him?
"Oh my," the nurse muttered distressed as her fingers skimmed over the brunette's blue hospital dress, "I'm going to touch your chest okay? To check your lungs and heartbeat."
Tsuna nodded vigorously as he continued coughing. The nurses cool hand moved down the collar of his hospital dress touching freezing metal against his chest. Tsuna couldn't help but flinch in reflex.
"Sorry," she mumbled sympathetically, pressing the instrument against his skin, "It should heat up in a second."
"Its...okay," he whispered leaning back against his bed waiting patently as the nurse moved the scope across his chest.
"It looks like you have liquid in your lungs, Sawada-san. The reason for your coughing seems that they are trying to dispel it," she stated sounding concerned, "I'm going to have to tell the doctor and she will most likely have to prescribe you medicine to speed up the process and lessen your discomfort."
"W-what is it?" Tsuna inquired softly.
"Could be many of things, but more then likely it is blood," she stated calmly. Tsuna heart hammered in his chest. Panic rose alarmingly as his fist clenched against the white sheets of his bed.
"B-b-b-blood?" he squeaked out in fear.
"Don't worry. As long as its nothing internal it should be like hacking up water. Though you're going to be watched closely so it doesn't turn into Mono,"
That didn't make the brunette feel better at all. Forcing himself to relax he pulled the blankets closer over his chest. How in the world did this all happen? Why couldn't he remember?
"W-w-what happened?"
"Slight amnesia is to be expected," she stated calmly as she sat next to the brunette, "Do you remember anything that happened Sawada-san. Anything at all?"
Once again Tsuna shook his head, "Nothing. I don't remember anything at all."
"Hmm," she touched her face in thought, "It seems, according to the statements given to us by the paramedics, you were attacked by local gang members. You were severely beaten and shot."
Tsuna felt the blood drain from his face. He suddenly felt very light headed.
"Sawada-san? Are you alright? Your lips are green," The nurse stated in concern.
"I'm f-f-fine. I just...need a moment...to process...this," he stated in short gasps. No. No. He will not have a panic attack. Not here. Not now.
"Maybe I should get you something to relax?"
Tsuna shook his head, "I'm fine, please continue."
"I don't think-"
"Continue," he state firmly; there was no room for argument in his tone, "Please."
"Ah. Um." the nurse mumbled slightly flustered, "Of course, Sawada-san." The thugs who had jumped him she explained, if their intention had been to kill him they would of nearly succeeded in doing so. His injuries were severe enough he had to be taken to immediate surgery. His liver began to fail him as he continued to bleed to death on their table. He had so much blood loss that his body began shutting down organs to persevere the little life source it still had. Which resulted in his kidneys failing. While they were able to do a blood transfusion, repair the liver, and stop any more internal bleeding he may of had; they were unable to completely save one of his kidneys. While it was true that a human could survive on one kidney alone, the thought that he had lost that little organ that had just been fine and healthy just a couple weeks ago; made him visibly ill.
The bullet thankfully enough was a clean shot. It when through and out his shoulder with out internal damage. It was going to leave a scar, and he may have some discomfort for awhile but he would fine. He had survived death, but lost an organ along the way, had a broken leg and shattered an arm, but he would survive [he just had to work through months of therapy]. A miracle according to the nurse. Tsuna swallowed thickly as he processed the information as calmly as he could. Already he could feel the familiar uncomfortable squeezing around his heart and the uneasiness in his chest. His head felt light.
"What-what about my eyes?"
The nurse shifted: either in discomfort or in attempt to get comfortable, "We felt it better to cover both eyes when you awoken, but only your left is severely injured. You got damage and scratches to the cornea and multiple blood vessels that burst inside the sclera. You have the possibility of going blind or having permanent damage that will affect your vision."
"Can you...take it off? I want to...see,"
"I don't recommend it. It would be good for both of your eyes if you let them rest, but if you insist-"
"I do," Tsuna replied cocking his head to the nurse, "I wish to see the person I am talking to."
He could hear the smile in her voice.
"Alright, Sawada-san. Lift your head,"
He did as he was told and waited patiently as small hands unwove the cloth around his head.
"Okay, just take a moment. Remember you only have one working eye so don't strain yourself," the nurse consoled pulling back.
"Alright," Tsuna replied as he slowly opened his eye. White light blinded him at first causing him to blink rapidly. Then gray and black blurred together like fog forming into jagged shapes. Colors finally came in slowly, only in specs at first, there was blue, purple, gray, green and red before everything settled and cleared. Tsuna blinked once, twice before taking in his surroundings.
"Everything okay?" the nurse stated standing up clicking on a pen light. She shined the light in his eye causing the brunette to squint. The blonde, at least he assumed she was blonde [he couldn't tell anymore because there was a white dot that formed around her entire head every time he blinked] smiled warmly at him.
"Your pupil dilated perfectly," she reassured tucking the pen back in her breast pocket, "Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No...I'm alright..."
There was an aggressive knock on the door causing the two to look up.
"Oi! Is dame-tsuna okay? I've been waiting out here for 20 minutes!" Mochida tense voice reverberated through the door. The nurse scowled as she felt her eye twitch in annoyance.
"That guy has no respect for other people," she hissed grasping onto the clip board and pushed up her glasses on the bridge of her nose. Her blue eyes burned intensely through the lens. That man had been nothing but disruptive and rude his entire stay at the hospital. She would of surely had kicked him out already if it hadn't been for Hibari. Hibari always seemed to be able to divert the raving raven's attention; calming him with a fight. How a fight was relaxing she had no idea. She thought it was juvenile, brutish, incorrigible, and obscene; but it worked. The raven would shut up and everyone could relax. At lease, for a little while.
She turned to her patient and was surprised to see the brunette smiling. His sole caramel eye softened as he stared at the door with relief and happiness. The nurse pulled the clip board to her chest as she watched the brunette with eyes warming.
"You're lucky," the nurse said suddenly earning the brunette's attention, "To have such a good friend to stick by you."
Tsuna looked down and touched his cast with his free hand. A faint tint of red on his cheeks.
"Yeah, I am," he whispered with a small smile.
The nurse smiled fondly, "Would you like another blanket, Sawada-san."
Tsuna shook his head, "No thank you."
"Alright then, I'll be back later. Just press that button if you need me," the nurse stated pointing to the button wrapped conveniently on the hospital bed.
"Thanks," he replied watching as the blonde nurse turn the doorknob, "Oh, wait. I never caught your name?"
The nurse paused and turned back with a raised brow.
"He didn't say? Oh, of course not. That would be just like him." she sighed waving it off before placing a hand on her hip, "The name is Aria Fujimara. I am one of Hibari-sama's personal nurses."
She didn't think the introduction would cause such an alarm in the brunette. It was a simple statement to a not so simple job. Hibari was very sensitive when it came to his health. Though he rarely became sick, he still had a staff on hand of highly trained doctors and nurses for whatever should ail him. She, personally, considered the whole thing a side paying job. Nothing note worthy. The brunette, from the way he was reacting, didn't seem to agree with her notion.
Tsuna sputtered in surprise, "H-H-Hiba-HIIIEE-ack!" He ended up in another coughing fit. Aria hurried to the brunette side and immediately began rubbing his back in a comforting and soothing manner.
Through his wheezing and coughing, he was vaguely aware of the door being thrown open and a wide eyed raven marching in.
"Tsuna! Are you okay?"
He knew someone was in his room the moment he stood before his door.
He had chosen his hotel room with purpose. The second floor, directly in the far back of the hotel. The second floor so his pursuers would take some time to get to his room, and also he could easily jump out the window if need be (despite the window sealed shut inside and out. He could easily just throw a chair at the glass, shattering the whole damn thing. It was less of a worry on his part, because he knew no one could break through without alerting him, the entire hotel staff, and indirectly; the police.) At the end of the hall was also the easily accessible emergency exit door; another possible get away if need be. It was a one way, conveniently locked to the outside. So there was precisely only one way for him and possible pursuers to enter from: his front door. Just the way he liked it.
His trick was one he had learned in the Americas. It was simple, easy, but effective. He stuck a plain piece of paper, no bigger than an inch, at the bottom of his door every time he left; so if someone entered his room without his knowledge it would lay on the floor innocently. Alerting him of a presence of an intruder. The silverlette stood by his door not even a foot away staring at the white piece of paper solemnly. The wistful paper seemed to be screaming at him, foretelling him the danger that lay past the wooden door, but Gokudera felt like turning an ear. It could of been the house keeping in his room, he thought but then quickly dismissed the idea because the 'do not disturb' sign he had placed on his door this morning was still there; mocking him. He sighed rubbing his temples, what a taxing day.
And he still hadn't met his employer yet either. Fucking great.
Rolling the cane mindlessly through his fingers, he thought upon what to do.
Leave? His things were still in there: clothes, books, knives, dynamite, guns, etc. He supposed he could always get new ones, but the money-!
Fight? That would be more troublesome and time consuming. Not to mention messy, dirty, and an even more waste in money. [Bribery is a bitch.]
Alert the staff? Oh, yes that would amusing. "Ah, yes. I think I have an assassin in my room? Could you please take care of it for me? Also I would some food, I'm quite famished. Grazie!"
...
Not.
Gokudera clicked his tongue. He guessed he should find out what sort of person took refuge in his homey room before he chose a course of action. The old fight or flight reaction. He twirled his cane for a second or two in thought before gripping the head in his fist. Concentrating on his resolution he summoned the soft bright blue flame that danced inside his body. He then pushed that power from his stomach to his arm down to his hand and into the black cane. The cane coated itself in the subtle flame glowing faintly in the dimly lit light. Gokudera promptly tapped the cane to the floor.
Ruggente Fiume Pioggia
The flame leaked onto the floor like a river. Flowing away and free, till it became transparent, only visible to its master. The flame rolled under the door leading into his room and expanded. It formed and shaped over the carpet coating it with the soft blue flame. It kept going until it was a like second skin to the entire room, then Gokudera concentrated. He gently touched with the tips of his fingers, almost like he rubbing a purring kitten, across the flame: the room. Though he was not personally there himself: his essence, his spirit, was.
And he would catch what should not be.
It was there on his bed, laying in wait for him. His flame rolled over the intruder, and he could tell the person wasn't an ordinary assassin. He also knew and carried his own flames well. He was alert and aware. He was on edge as his pores leaked with his own protective flame. Gokudera could taste it on the back of his tongue.
It was spicy, hot, forward, and familiar.
The silverlette cut off his flame so fast he felt almost nauseous. Immediately and without a second thought he promptly turned around.
Flight. It was defiantly time to flight.
"Hayato, I know you are there. I have watched your shadow from under the door for about 10 minutes now. Come in will you,"
Gokudera froze before he could take two steps. He closed his eyes and cursed his luck.
With a sigh, a curse, and a grunt all in one, he reluctantly turned around and walked into his own room. There was hell to pay.
As he turned on the lights, he was blinded by the face of the one person he did not want to see.
"Aneki," he growled through gritted teeth, "You should of called."
"I did," she said without hesitation and uncrossed her legs, "You've just been avoiding me."
Not well enough, he thought scornfully as he undid his jacket and tossed it on a chair. He glanced over at his older sister taking in her appearance. When was the last time he had seen her? Seven months? Nine? A year? He didn't remember. She had grown her hair longer: if he remembered correctly, it was just past her shoulders. Now the puce colored hair was down to mid back. She seemed shorter too, but that could of been because Gokudera had grown taller. Identical jade gems stared at him with warmth and relief.
"I was worried," she stated suddenly standing, dusting off her black skinny jeans, "That something may have happened to you."
"Che, I can take care of myself," he replied stubbornly lighting a cigarette between his lips.
"I know," she said softly a small gracing her lips. They stood there in silence. Gokudera leaning against the wall avoiding his sister's gaze. Bianchi standing only a few feet away, her eyes roaming her brother's distant figure. He seemed to have gotten more scars on his beautiful face, he also seemed to have developed a nervous tick in his right hand. She did not though, like the dead look he was wearing. Underneath his brilliant green eyes there was dead light that peaked through.
Bianchi frowned.
"Hayato," she called softly.
"Hn?"
There was pause as the sister reached behind her and pulled out a magazine.
" 'Sighting in England: Farmer swears his cattle was taken by UFO' " she quoted looking at the article with an elegantly raised brow, "I thought you had grown out of this, Hayato."
That got a reaction from the silverlette. His cheeks burned red as his eyes flashed jade: anger over taking the dead spot. She couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. Gokudera took the look as her mocking him.
"What I do in my free time is none of your business!" he roared snatching the magazine from her hand. He quickly turned and promptly shoved it into a desk drawer with a slam. His face was painted red as Bianchi chuckled behind her hand in amusement.
"Oh, Hayato,"
The silverlette glared grinding his teeth into his cigarette. The taste of tobacco staining his tongue.
"I suspect you didn't come here just to investigate my pass times, aneki," he seethed closing his eyes; brow twitching, "Is there something you wanted?"
Bianchi sobered almost immediately as sympathetic jade overlooked him.
"You look good, Hayato," she said sincerely, "How has been your eyesight? Shamal has told me that you stop coming to see him."
The silverlette cursed and muttered something along the lines of 'fucking old man' and 'perverted doctor'. Bianchi took advantage of his distraction to stare at his face once more. The long scar that stretched from temple to temple was white on his flushed skin. It was a good three inches in height covering from the tips of his brow to the top of the cheek bones. His eyes, his pretty jade eyes that were so much like her own, were lighter almost white in appearance. They moved around unfocused not clearly staying on object for long. Bianchi wanted to weep.
"I told him, I didn't want to see him anymore. I don't need my eyes to fucking see," he growled, "I'm perfectly capable of surviving on my own."
"I'm just concerned-" she started looking at him with watery eyes; the twin pools reflecting her raw emotions to him.
Gokudera snapped, "I don't need your concern! I don't want it! Now tell me what you want or get the hell out!"
His sister visibly flinched closing her eyes cutting off his window into her soul. Her face scrunched in anger, pain, and irritation before it was completely wiped clean. Taking her hands, she rubbed her eyes clearing them of tears, then as she pulled away she opened them slowly.
They were dead as his own. Gokudera had to look away or he would of been eaten by guilt.
"Father wants you home," she stated in a matter of fact tone. Gokudera suppressed a bitter laugh.
"Home? I have no home,"
"You do. You're just blind to it,"
"Was that suppose to be some sort of pun?"
"You know what I mean,"
"No. No I don't,"
The siblings glared at each other both challenging each others words. Bianchi sighed and looked away first, he was so stubborn. Like their father.
"He's sick, Hayato."
"He's been sick before,"
"Not like this,"
"Get Shamal. He could cure him if that crappy self-appointed hypocrite couldn't help," Gokudera snubbed closing his eyes.
"Tamaki already called him. There was nothing Shamal could do. We've been told to make him comfortable as possible and prepare for the worst," Gokudera was silent as he rested his head against the wall conflicting emotions storming in his body.
"And the wench? How is she taking it?" he said finally; his voice soft.
"She is worried, Hayato. Her husband is dying. Our father,"
"And I guess she pulled out the best linen just for my arrival didn't she?" he inquired with a bitter chuckle.
"Mother," Bianchi paused trying to think of the right words to say, "Mother isn't thrilled, but she understands. We're family, Hayato."
"Family! Family!" the silverlette snapped his eyes blazing with anger as they peered at his sister, "We are not family! They have proven that long ago."
Bianchi was silent as she watched her brother's angered face. He meant his words. At least he believed in them. He truly did not believe them family. Bianchi's heart broke in two. She had to look away from the eyes that were so similar to her own.
"I believe you family, little brother," she whispered softly, but the silverlette heard her. Gokudera's anger faltered draining away from his face leaving him with cold guilt. His shoulders lowered as he bowed his head feeling shame burn at his cheeks. Bianchi walked away hugging herself as she stood side by side her brother inches from the door.
"Please, Hayato. Its fathers dying wish, you owe him, at least this much," she stated before walking out and closing the door with a soft click. Hayato stood frozen by the door hands clenched at his sides.
"Damn it!" he yelled and kicked off the wall. Walking over to his bed he sat down and pulled out his cellphone. Grabbing a little black box from his back pocket, he connected it to his phone. After a few moments his phone beeped confirming his phone was now safe from being tapped. Flipping open the contraption, he speed dialed a number.
It rang three times before he hung up. Waiting one second, he redialed. It rang once before a deep velvet male voice answered.
"'ello?"
"Est votre patron dedans," the silverlette replied in french, "Je dois lui parler," [Is your boss in?; I need to speak to him.]
"Qui veut savoir?" [Who wants to know?]
Gokudera spit out his ruined cigarette and lit up another. Taking a deep drag of the smoke he replied.
" 'Black Storm' "
There was a pause on the other end before the sound of shuffling came.
"un moment," came the hurried reply. [One moment.]
Gokudera breathed out the smoke from his nostrils taking solace in the tingling sensation at the back of his throat. His tense muscles relaxed and his stomach uncurled at each inhale of the bittersweet smoke.
He needed to get out. He need to leave. Somewhere to think. Some where peaceful. Some where not here.
"Ciao, Black Storm," came an Italian greeting from a thickly accented french man.
"Ciao, Signore Antoine," he stated opening his eyes slowly; jade flashed, "How is business?"
Antoine chuckled, "Same same. Extortion can be a tricky business."
"Really? Now," Gokudera said a dark smile flitting on his face, "Prostitution not working out for you? Or was it slavery?"
"Now. Now. I don't go exploiting trade secrets, Monsieur Black. Now this isn't just a social call is it? As I much as I love our little bouts together. I regret to say I am very busy at the moment."
Gokudera chuckled, "No. This pertains to the request you asked me awhile ago."
"Oh~? Have you change your mind?"
"You could say that," he inhaled as he stared at the wall across from him, "I just thought to myself 'Why the fuck not? Its almost like a vacation.' "
"Only you would think killing a man a vacation,"
"In another country I would. Here its a job, there its a vacation,"
"How grotesque,"
"That's like the pot calling the kettle black."
"Hmm, true. Alright, Monsieur Black, shall I mail your plane fare to the usual location?"
"Yes,"
"Good, good. Then as always, its a pleasure doing business with you,"
And the fucker hung up without another word. Gokudera pulled back and stared at his cellphone for a second before shaking his head. Setting the phone on the in-table he laid back down on his bed staring at the ceiling, watching the smoke rise from the burning tip of his cigarette.
Tomorrow he would call his employer and tell him the news of Timothy Janet's death. Not that he wouldn't already know. No doubt it would be on the news his employer would be eagerly watching. Then, after he was paid his sum of money, he would head off to Sicily then to Giappone.
Where he would kill a certain man named Tsunayoshi Sawada.
Irritation, would be the best word to describe the emotion Hibari was feeling at the moment. Pure and burning irritation.
"We found five men that entered Japan around the arrival of the Calzetta. All five were headed with destinations closest to Namimori. None as far as I could see had any relation to our men or anything related to the mafia," Tetsuya stated through the phone. Hibari closed his eyes as he pressed the receiver close to his ear.
"Is it possible he could be using a fake persona?"
"Yes, and we're checking into that now, Hibari-san. Give us a few days,"
Hibari's brow twitched. It was not going as fast as the skylark had originally planned but if things kept progressing as they have been, they should find the leader before the month was out.
That was good, he was itching to bite something.
"E-excuse me, Hibari-san. But I was wondering if I may inquire about Sawada-san? Is he alright? I know you two were close in the past-"
"The herbivore is fine. Get back to work, or I'll bite you to death," came his instant reply as he immediately cut off the connection. He placed the phone back in his back pocket as he leaned against the hospital wall. Ignoring everything in the world around him as he closed his eyes and relaxed. Tsunayoshi was awake and the puppy was annoying as ever. Barking and growling at everything that came near his master. Even their fights had lost their original luster after the herbivore had awakened. It was almost like the puppy had lost its will to fight. It was irritating and made him want to bite him even more.
Then the effect the herbivore had on the skylark himself. He felt relief. He was relieved when the herbivore had sat up spewing his herbivorous nonsense. Then when the herbivore went into his relentless coughing fit, he knew immediately the brunette was still not well, and went to fetch his nurse.
His, meaning Hibari's, nurse. Hibari had order his personal nurses and doctors to take care of the herbivore. Why had he done that? Now that he thought back, he didn't clearly remember the reason. It just seemed like the logical thing to do at the time.
Hibari was worried.
The skylark eyes opened in a flash, gray melting into silver. Tonfa's slid gracefully in his hands before he raised them and promptly took his wrath upon a innocent passing pedestrian.
The herbivore needed to be properly punished for jay walking and disturbing the peace with his off key tune.
The sky opened letting a free fall of pelting rain. The clouds crowded together covering the sky in grayish pillows as bolts of green light struck the earth. Hibari stood against the school under the over hang watching the crowds of herbivores rush into the school; some in rain coats, others covering their heads with books, and waited patiently, eyes scoping out beyond the gates for any straggling herbivores. And as the bell rang one, twice, thrice, the lonely herbivore appeared. Hibari raised an elegant brow at his appearance. He wore no coat nor did he have any bag or book covering his head. In fact, the herbivore carried nothing on his person except his clothes which were sticking to him like a second skin. Hibari charged at him stepping out into the rain ignoring how the fat droplets immediately soaked into his own uniform. Stepping in the way of the herbivore, he watched with mild satisfaction as the brunette's eyes widened in terror.
"H-H-H-Hibari-HIIIIEEE!" he skidded to a stop. His only way blocked by a terrify monster.
"Herbivore, for arriving late and appearing in such a disheveled state, I will bit you to death," he stated and raised a tonfa. If he thought it was impossible for the herbivore's eyes to get any bigger, he would of been proven wrong. The caramel eyes doubled in sized as he jumped in fear.
"No! No! Hiiee! I'm sorry!" and he turned away and ran. But before the skylark could give chase like a carnivore hunting down its prey, the herbivore tripped. Not even taking two steps away, the brunette's foot caught in mud and slid forward landing face first on the ground. Hibari sighed lowering his arms and calmingly walked over to the cornered brunette.
"Itai itai," the herbivore groaned turning around tentatively touching his face. A flash of silver caught his attention breaking any more thoughts of pain. He watched in fear as Hibari raised back his tonfa.
"Ack! No, H-Hibari-san wai - UGH!" Hibari hit the brunette squarely on the forehead. Completely knocking the herbivore unconscious.
"Hn," the skylark turned away and brushed off the blood. He then promptly walked off, leaving Tsunayoshi dead by the gates.
For some reason that herbivore always pissed the skylark off.
Hibari had not walked more then a couple feet from the crime scene when Tetsuya came jogging to his side.
"Hibari-san," Tetsuya bowed his once retro hair style was now gone with the rain. His natural curls seemed to tighten in the humid rain and clumped against his face.
"Hn?" Hibari just stared at him with a raised brow.
"Group 3 that was dispatched to back gate encountered a rebel group from Ishikawa High school trying to sneak in. They were caught and thoroughly dealt with. Apparently, Hbiari-san, they were here to attack you."
Hibari smirked, "Oh? Herbivores got bite?"
"We would like to know what course of action you would like to take, Hibari-san?" The skylark turned away and walked back to the under hang of the school. Leaning against the cool wall he closed his eyes.
"Tell the others we will have a meeting after school,"
"Ah, yes, Hibari-san. I will tell them right away!" Tetsuya replied bowing once again before running off in the rain. Hibari grinned, time to finally put plans into action.
He sent them on their own.
If they couldn't take care of simple herbivorous group on their own, then he had no need for them. He didn't have any use for weak herbivores. Hibari stood impatiently against a wall 3 blocks away from the intended meeting he would not show up to. He stood there arms crossed under a dimly lit light, eyes closed listening to the peace of Namimori. The storm had settle down to a subtle rain fall that fell to the earth lazily.
This was a test and they knew it. One that would decide their fate in the disciplinary committee and maybe, in the future. Hibari needed faithful and strong subordinates for the plans he had. So this would test their will. Would they stay and fight? Or run with their tails between their legs like the herbivores Hibari thought them to be? Only time would tell now.
"Hiiiee! H-Hibari-san?" came a familiar voice. The skylark slowly opened his eyes; pinning caramel with gray.
"Herbivore," he stated, threatened, and growled all in one. He wasn't in the mood to deal with his obnoxious herbivore self. He closed his eyes completely dismissing the brunette.
What if they failed? Then he would just have to find another loyal group of subordinates despite the fact how time consuming it was. But what else could he do? The weak were easily replaceable despite how tedious it was.
There was a sound that broke the skylarks thoughts; again. As Hibari opened his eyes his pupils slitted as he tracked the source of the disturbance. The herbivore, Tsunayoshi, did not run away like the skylark originally thought. Instead he got closer. He was only a few feet away at the opening of an alleyway squatting down with a herbivorous look on his face. In his hands, which Hibari hadn't notice before, was a plastic container.
What in the world was he doing?
"Its alright. I'm back. I said I would didn't I?" he stated soothingly as he pulled out a sopped cardboard box. Hibari raised a brow. There was movement from inside the box and Hibari could hear the soft desperate mews of kittens. Tsuna kept murmuring soothing nothings as he set the container down and pulled off his bag strapped to his back. Reaching in he pulled out a blue tarp and placed it on the concrete. Then removing, what seemed to be, a heavily soaked coat from the box, he tossed it into a plastic bag he had. Then gently he reached in and picked up a kitten.
There were three. Two were identical calico while the other was pure black with white mitten feet. Hibari watched with mild interest as he set each cat individually in the plastic container before covering the opened top with a blue tarp.
"There you are," he smiled, "I wish I could take you home, but mama is too sick. So I'll just take you to a shelter. They'll find you a nice home, okay?" The brunette stood up holding the container in his arms with the utmost care. The kittens mews got louder at the sudden startling movement. The herbivore turned to Hibari with bright eyes.
"I'm sorry, H-Hibari-san, I'll-I'll b-be going n-now," he stuttered bowing his head before running past the skylark. Hibari watched him go taking note of his careful footwork in not falling or tripping. Keeping in mind of the treasures he carried in his hands. Then before he rounded the corner and disappeared from the skylarks sight, he stopped. His small stature shuddered and his shoulders tensing. Turning around slowly caramel met gray.
"Hi-Hibari-san, on-on my way here - " he started than paused looking down, "I-I saw the rest of the d-disciplinary c-committee." The skylark waited for the herbivore to finish what he was going to say.
"They look - they might- are-are you going to help them?"
"Why would I help weak herbivores?" he stated clearly eyes narrowing. Tsuna swallowed thickly pushing down a scream, scary! He shook his head and gathered his courage. He could do this.
The herbivore's eyes blazed with determination, "You care about them right? They are your friends?"
Anger flared in Hibari's chest as the twin tonfas slid into his careful grasp.
"Don't presume to know me, herbivore," he threatened coldly stalking after the brunette. The herbivore let out a small scream as he stepped back.
"Hiiiee! I'm-I'm sorry! I-I-I just thought - I mean y-you seemed to care about everyone! I thought - I'm sorry! D-don't bite me to death!" Tsuna apologized his grip tightening on the container. Hibari raised his tonfa with the full intention of striking down the herbivore who presumed to much, when from the corner of his eye he saw a pink nose peak out from the tarp.
Hibari was once again taken back by the soft sounds of the kittens cries. Hibari's brow twitched, the last physical evidence of his irritation, before he turned around. He placed the tonfas back on his person before storming away.
"H-Hibari-san?" Tsuna called after him in confusion.
"Take those kittens to the shelter, herbivore. If I find you are still out in the rain when I get back, I'll thoroughly bite you to death," he threatened without turning around. The brunette screeched and ran away without having to be told twice.
The sole reason Hibari saved those herbivores that day, and killed everyone of those rebellious high school students, because the skylark was too pissed off to care anymore.
Simple as that.
Hibari looked up at the sky watching the sun set beyond the horizon. Clouds moved freely and unchained as they shined almost pink in the evening sun. Hibari then looked back down at the dead bodies crumbled at his feet. One groaned catching the skylark attention, Hibari blinked and slammed the end of the tonfa in the man's backside.
He went quiet.
Bending to one knee he took an unconscious herbivore's shirt to clean off his tonfas. He felt surprisingly calm now. His urge to bite and tear was lessened after these foolish herbivores challenged him. Hundreds had surrounded him and hundreds fell before him. Hibari's eyes had shined silver as he grinned almost manically at the feeling of bones crunching under his hand.
It was a tedious fight. Hibari almost wouldn't even call it a fight. More like a warm-up, but they were relentless and it kept Hibari entertained. If only for 10 minutes. Hibari stood up and placed his tonfas back on his person. Looking solemnly up at the sky again he noticed from the corner of his eyes clouds at the north building together. Forming into a ginormous black wall that seemed to cover the entire northern hemisphere. In the distant Hibari could hear thunder.
A storm was coming.
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"I am the right-hand man,"
*looks at the reviews* *screams* *promptly faints* Y-y-y-you guys...are fucking...awesome! I-I can't believe how many reviews I got! You guys totally went beyond my expectations. This story went beyond my expectations! I hope I can continue the good work!
I know Gokudera-kun is a bit OOC and I'm sorry for that! T^T But it IS an alternate universe so there IS going to be some of that, isn't there? Its just a life of an assassin can harden anyone's heart. Especial one as fragile a Gokudera-kun's. Then again, he never did show his true colors until Tsuna-kun brought it out in him, didn't he :p This is my interpretation of Gokudera if he never met our brunette and continued his life as a freelance hitman. Also, remember Gokudera can control multiple flames: storm, rain, sun, lightening, and cloud. Though his main flame is storm! Just wanted to clarify that to avoid any confusion! :3
In order to fully tell his story and the others, I broke this into two chapters. If not. It would just be ridiculously long! This chapter was more of an introduction to the silverlette and a continuation of Hibari-san's. I guess i should of called it Storm and Cloud or Storm of Clouds or the Clouds before the Storm. Something creative and unique~
:/ but whats done is done.
Gokudera: Onna, how dare you make me assassinate juudiame! I would never harm even a hair his head! I would kill you now to stop any further fallacy but juudiame was to kind hearted to sign the paperwork.
Calm down killer. Its just a story, sheesh! Wait? You handed Tsuna an order, to sign, asking to kill me? That's...so rude! Its only fanfiction, octopus head!
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Review~ Please~ Pretty Please~
Can you make me reach the 35 mark, maybe~ :)
even if its just to say you hate my Gokudera-kun or absolutely love him.
What pleases you pleases me, my masters~!
*Martha Stewart: a famous business woman with multiple companies. One being for comfort living. [aka furniture]
~Ciao Ciao~
Next Chapter!
Capitolo Quattro:
Storm [Tempesta] II
Edited 7/11/13 7:55 p.m.