A/N: I don't own KHR or any of its characters.


HATSU'S POV

I watch Kyoya swing two tonfa around in the courtyard. He spins, kicking up the leaves, then slicing down expertly.

Chieko-sama sits beside me, graceful and still, like a porcelain doll. "Why are you here girl?"

I open my mouth to utter my usual, automated (bull-shit) response about the splendor of the Vecchio family when she interjects again - "Why are you here?"

I smile, no one ever asks me. I reach my hand out, letting a stray sakura petal drift into my palm. "I like spring in Japan." I don't care for alliances, politics, power, but... I have a debt that needs to be paid.

I blow the petal out of my hand. Chieko-sama looks at me for a long while in silence. It's not her initial, calculative stare. It's softer. Like a mother's.

The look passes quickly and she moves to stand - "I'll prepare lunch and then your training will begin."

I freeze. Training. Of course. I hate this part the most. Not because I hate training, but because I never have a choice. Forced to become a political pawn in a loveless marriage. Every move I make is at the service of the Vecchio family - well, that's how Kazumi and Guido phrase it. I am born to be a loyal servant to the family. I am born to fight for it, kill for it, suffer for it, live for it, die for it.

Chieko watches my reaction, then leaves the room.

I watch as Kyoya lunges forward with another harsh swing.

I listen as Chieko's foot-steps grow distant.

I stealthily hop up from my position on the patio, grab the rooftop railing, then swing my body up into a crouch at the top. I peer out at the courtyard from my birds-eye view, observing everything: 2.5 meter tall wall around the perimeter, a dojo at the back end of the property, a koi pond at the center of it all.

I quietly scale the rooftop shingles, pattering across without making a sound. Judging by the rises and falls of the roof structure, there are at least 6 other rooms I wasn't able to glimpse from inside. It's a wealthy property, no doubt, but nothing is unnecessary or ostentatious. The Hibari's value aesthetics, but practicality walks hand-in-hand.

I lean over the awning and swing into an open window. My hands trace across the solid oak bed frame. The sheets, though pristinely washed and ironed, are crisp in the way of disuse. The space feels empty, though fully furnished.

On the drawer are a couple pictures. The largest is of Chieko holding a baby Kyoya. Another is a wedding picture of a beautiful woman with jet black hair, standing beside an elegant man with harsh, though handsome, features. Both bride and groom are stone-serious and spaced at least a foot apart. Intimidating and cold. So pretty much exactly what I've heard about the Hibaris.

I place my hand on the wall and close my eyes. I feel a slight vibration from the left side of the house - that must be where Chieko is.

And so I turn to the right to explore.


I hop off the roof just in time for Chieko to step back into the courtyard - "Lunch is ready. Girl, help me set the table."

"Hai, Chieko-sama."

I follow her into the kitchen and spoon out three bowls of rice.

I place Kyoya's in front of him just as he takes his seat.

Chieko then hands me a pot of tea - "Pour the tea." God, everyone is so bossy. But I do want the tea, so I pour a cup for Chieko and myself.

I turn to Kyoya - "Would you like some tea, Kyoya-san?"

He - who hasn't looked at me since my guardians left - snaps his head up, rage clear in his eyes.

"Call me that again and I'll bite you to death."

"..." Lol. K.

I blink, meeting his gaze.

Ooooh that's right. In Japan it's uncommon to refer to someone by their first name. In Italy, it would be strange not to. Well you live and you learn! But come on, his reaction was uncalled for.

Chieko intervenes by taking her seat at the table. She places a plate of beef at the center. "Kyoya, Hatsu will join you for training this afternoon." She piles beef onto each of our bowls.

He clenches his chopsticks tightly and continues glaring at me. "Training with the weak is a waste of time."

What. A. Dick.

I smile extra sweetly - "That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't want to waste my precious time, so I'll skip the training."

A tick mark appears on his head. "Herbivore, you dare - "

"Weak and dumb, huh, must be hard for your parents." I point to the meat on my bowl. "Obviously I'm not an herbivore, stuuuuuupid."

Chieko calmly eats her lunch while we glare at one another. "Both of you, eat before the food gets cold."

"Hai, Chieko-sama."

"Hai, Obaa-san."

I swear, this is NOT over.


"NAMIMORI SHRINE." I read the sign aloud. How peaceful.

I walk up the weathered, but well-maintained steps. I shiver slightly in the shade of the trees. Spring is warm, but with a subtle edge of cold that can creep up on you in the shadows.

I did manage to avoid training by slipping over the wall while they thought I was in the bathroom. Scouting the premises earlier had made it easy to do so. If he is going to be such an ass about training with me, then all the better. I don't want to anyway!

"Hmph!"

I stomp harder than necessary as I climb the stairs.

He is a sharp boy, only a year older than me, and strong. He knows it, too. And I don't even mind his obscene cockiness or violent tendencies.

It is his one-track fucking mind. Boy could not stop 'biting' things to death.

If I wanted to go to the market, he'd threaten to bite me to death.

If I opened the door for us both, he'd threaten to bite me to death.

If I ate two servings of rice, he'd threaten to bite me to death.

... Dude.

At least with Dario I could manipulate him into doing the things I wanted to do. With this kid I couldn't even get him past that one catchphrase.

I shake my head - okay, enough with this. He's not important.

I skip, two steps at a time, up the last few stairs. The shrine is empty - aka, just how I like it. It's Friday, so students must be still be in school and workers still at their jobs.

A school bell chimes from a far. I'd always wanted to go to school instead of home-schooling at the Vecchio compound. I had no peers my age and certainly no leniency. I have vague memories of a normal pre-school. Though something tells me I got into trouble a lot even then.

I curl up on the wood floors of the shrine, basking in the sun.

The serenity of it lulls me to sleep.

I dream of my life before I was a Vecchio.

My father's smile. My brother's beautiful, wide eyes. And a home.


A/N: Hope you enjoy!