A/N: I'M BACK! I apologize for being away for so long. To clear any misunderstandings, I did not, will not, and would never abandon my stories unless something really horrible happens, which I hope not. As to why I was on hiatus for a while, I've been in and out of the hospital for getting sick and other diagnosed things, eek. And well, studies are hell! Genetics, Parasitology, Ichthyology, and Organic Chemistry are not a good combination, damn! Anyway, I'm here now and will be for awhile, though I need to get back in to the groove for it's been so long since I've written anything. For those new readers and for all the comments, messages, and alerts, thank you so so much! I'll be updating my stories soon, so please anticipate it. For now, please tell me what you think of this chapter. Thank you and love you all! :)

BETA: gracefulsunshine

Disclaimer: I do not own KHR or any of its characters. I am not promoting or disregarding any rules or regulations by posting my story. This idea is mine solely, and if ever be the off chance that this idea could be similar to stories once posted before, rest assured that the contents and way of writing are all mine and no one else's. THANK YOU.

When he woke up that day, Tsuna knew something was amiss. He blearily looked around him while trying his hardest to remember what he was forgetting, and then swiveled around to look at his bedside clock. The numbers 7:20 stared back, almost accusingly in bright red, at him. He squinted his eyes, before turning away, knowing it was futile to initiate a staring match with his clock so early in the morning. Besides, it did nothing to warrant his attention. A knock on his door alerted him of his mother's presence and he answered with a sleepy, 'come in.'

"Ara, Tsu-kun, you're awake. Isn't it about time you leave for your field trip?" One, two, three…click.

"HIEEEEE! I'm late!" Tsuna scrambled out of his bed, his crumpled sheets turning into an unintentional obstacle as he waddled out and literally pranced around the room. His mother stood by his bedroom door, giggling. She smiled cheerily one more time, and then left him to his own devices. This had been his unrelenting routine for so many years. The brunet stopped in thought, his hands pulling his shirt over his head.

Nothing had changed when it came to his usual lifestyle, except for maybe, the new people who were added to his life. A brief smile flashed across his lips, his gaze a bit glazed and nostalgic as he prepped one last time for their trip. It was true that, at first, he was neither excited, nor joyful, knowing they would be spending a month away from their town. However, now, a complete change overcame him when he had met them. It wouldn't be so bad if he had people he could enjoy it with.

Tsuna looked back, his eyes surveying his room. A head check, per say. It would do no good if he forgot something important. His sketchbook was safely tucked in his carry-on bag along with other art materials that could fit; his oils and other painting materials were carefully wrapped and placed within the confines of his luggage. To be honest, these were the times he was grateful to his father and his almost non-existent presence over his life. If it had not been for his travels around the world, Tsuna wouldn't have anything to place his clothes and other necessities in. He also had never been on an airplane before. It was only to his luck that he didn't get easily nauseous, but the mere thought of the deadly contraption had him shivering where he stood. The brunet turned to his clock, and his eyes widened. There was only twenty minutes left before eight – when attendance would be taken.

"Hieeeee! I'm late! I'm late! Kaa-san! I need to leave now!" Tsuna hurriedly shouted over his shoulder, wheeling his luggage away. His mother had insisted on driving him to school today, excited about his trip. True, he was reluctant to leave her alone, but she only brushed him away, happily cooing over the fact that 'her little boy was growing up'. An embarrassed flush had formed on his face then, starting from the back of his neck, steadily creeping up to his cheeks and ears. For some reason, his mother had been incessantly asking about his two new friends who had walked him back home.

Yamamoto insisted that they walk him back home, after he had shamefully slept on Gokudera's newly made bed. For all his foul language and brash actions, the silver-haired teen was actually considerate. He made sure the brunet slept peacefully and comfortably – changing his sheets beforehand – and waited for him to wake up. Tsuna felt an immense amount of appreciation, aside from shame, for what Gokudera had done for him. Yamamoto just stood by; bringing his good cheer everywhere he went. Sure, their relationship was a far cry from being called 'friendship,' but it was a sure milestone from where he was before. They were talking now, weren't they? Haru wasn't any different.

"Tsu-kun, let's go!" The drive was uneventful and it wasn't long before they were parking by the gates of his school. Tsuna's gaze was stuck to his wristwatch right away, and the brunet could only sigh in mild relief that it was exactly eight. It was better than later, right? He quickly got off the car, before pulling his luggage out, and made sure to remember that his papers were signed and in his bag.

"Tsu-kun." Tsuna peeked from the window, his gaze questioning, before his mother beckoned him to come inside, which he did. He watched as her mother reached behind their seats, before pulling out a paper bag filled with two boxes. The brunet pursed his lips in thought, knowing that he was already late, but he couldn't help it; not when his curiosity overpowered everything else at the moment.

Nana smiled at her son, her gaze loving and warm. It had been sixteen long years since she had sired her only child. Even with the absence of her husband most of the time, she didn't feel any ill will towards Iemitsu. She knew that all he was doing was for their own good, though sometimes she felt that he was hiding some things from her. She trusted him wholeheartedly, and she knew that it would come to her eventually.

She was more worried for Tsuna. His social awkwardness had always made her wonder if she had done anything wrong. Lifting her hand, she pinched his cheek slightly. Nana could only smile when her son flinched but didn't push her hand away. He had always been a good child, and he didn't know how thankful she was that she had him. Her Tsu-kun finally had friends too, and by the looks of it, they would take good care of her beloved son. With a smile, she placed the paper bag on his lap, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"I bought these for you yesterday and ah, ah." Tsuna stopped from opening them when his mother shook her head. "You can open them on the way, Tsu-kun. You're late already."

The brunet's eyes widened. He had forgotten for a moment that he was already very late, but nonetheless, he turned back to his mother and smiled. "I'll see you then, kaa-san."

Nana nodded, her smile still in place before waving her goodbye. A tear dropped from her cheek. Oh, words could not express how proud and glad she was. The hands of her son's 'clock' had finally begun moving again after a long, long period of time. He would be safe, Nana concluded. He had his friends with him, after all.

…...

"Yo Tsuna, wanna sit beside me later?" Yamamoto piped from beside him. Haru quickly retaliated by hugging his arm to her chest, tugging him away from his athletic friend.

"Tsuna-san is sitting with Haru!" Said girl frowned at him while Yamamoto only laughed. Tsuna felt his hand being pulled, and it wasn't long before he was tugged away from Haru's embrace.

"Back off, woman. Juudaime wouldn't be sitting beside you." Gokudera glared hard, yet Haru didn't seem to be backing down. Yamamoto tried to pacify the argument, but it only proved to be futile. Tsuna stared at them, before sighing. For reasons unknown to him, Gokudera had suddenly started calling him 'tenth' after he had 'saved' – in his silver haired friend's words – him from his sister last night.

Gokudera's sister, Bianchi, was…how was it put? Incredibly unique…no, maybe strange was the better word. Aside from being horribly incapable of cooking, the brunet still couldn't understand how she was able to turn food into something so disgustingly purple and foul-smelling. Tsuna wasn't embarrassed to admit that his first try at cooking didn't turn out well. Most of the food he had cooked was burnt and rarely edible. However, under the tutelage, expertise, and patient teachings of his mother, his once non-existent cooking skills flourished marvellously, but he would never be as good as her - Nana was a culinary genius.

Cleaning and other house chores were a different story. Tsuna was too clumsy to learn even with his mother's capabilities. The only reason he sucked was because he was always too nervous to act on his own, and someone always seemed hell-bent on destroying his dishes. They were too salty, too sweet, too bitter, too sour…and other countless things. After twelve consecutive failures, Tsuna had given up cooking in class, and satisfied himself with helping his mother at home.

For this reason, Tsuna couldn't understand how Bianchi was able concoct something so dreadful. No wonder Gokudera always seemed sick when he saw her face. She had tried to feed all three of them those deadly things, which they quickly refused. Bianchi, however, was very forceful and if it wasn't for his suggesting to cook instead, the situation would have turned incredibly messy.

Tsuna had no doubts that if they tasted even just a spoonful of her food, they wouldn't be able to attend the trip, and would be bedridden for days. Yes, it looked and smelled that bad. From then, Gokudera's personality seemed to have turned a complete 360 when it came to him. The silver-haired teenager was still as harsh to other people but when it came to him, he seemed so…different. He couldn't even describe it.

The brunet looked around him warily, trying not to shrink with all the stares the other students were giving them. Tsuna knew they were causing a ruckus, but he knew better than that. It had only just been a few days ago when they were all but strangers, but now they were all conversing with each other as if they were long-time friends.

He wasn't naïve to think it was just that. It was also the blaring fact that the poplar duo was actually friends or just simply talking to Dame-Tsuna. Well, they weren't alone. He still couldn't figure out why they would want to be friends with the likes of him, much less talk to him.

"I said fuck off! Don't get near Juudaime, bitchy woman!"

Tsuna cringed when Haru screeched in indignation. "You gay bastard should leave Tsuna-san alone!"

Gokudera stepped forward, barring his teeth towards her. The brunet couldn't help but think he looked like a cat, ready to scratch you till you bleed to death. "You leave him alone, stalker freak."

Haru glared hard and it only urged the silver-haired teen more. Tsuna sighed before shaking his head. This sorely reminded him of children fighting over their favourite toy. Sadly, that toy happened to be him, but somehow, he didn't feel as exasperated as he should be. It warmed him, no matter how unseemly it was. This was better than being alone and being brushed off.

"U-Uhm…Haru-chan?" Tsuna spoke, hesitantly but they stopped and turned to him, waiting for him to continue.

"Is it alright if I sit beside Gokudera-kun?" It was the only option left. If he sat beside Yamamoto, Gokudera and Haru would claw at each other like two wounded animals. If he sat beside Haru, Gokudera would unleash his anger at everyone on sight. He just had that feeling the silver-haired teenager would do just that, and Tsuna couldn't risk that. Who knew what could happen?

The whole disciplinary committee was coming along, along with the other councils. And from day one, only one specific rule had been established among the students. Never get involved with any of the councils. Now, that the classes had been reduced to one per grade level, it would be easier to pinpoint the troublemakers. Tsuna wasn't one to believe in rumours but he didn't want to take chances.

He looked up, only to see Haru tearing up while sniffing with Gokudera laughing at her face. Yamamoto stood by the side, laughing at the comedic scene. The brunet was at a loss, but he had to do this anyway. With unsure steps, he neared Haru, gently patted her shoulder, and leaned towards her – taking their distance in consideration – whispering, "It's ok, Haru-chan. I'll let you see my sketchbook if you want." Tsuna moved away, only to see her sparkling eyes, with a grin gracing her lips. He could only stare at the sudden change in mild disbelief. Girls really were amazing when expressing themselves, aren't they?

"Promise, desu?" He could only nod in slight apprehension before he was promptly glomped, almost losing his balance if it weren't for Yamamoto's fast reflexes.

"You idiot woman! What if Juudaime fell?" Gokudera shouted in anger. Haru quickly let go of him, retaliating quickly.

"Shut up, desu! He didn't get hurt, so stop shouting!" Tsuna watched them, at a complete loss on what to do. He could only lean on Yamamoto, since his energy had drained quickly. Said friend didn't seem to mind and just held Tsuna against him. He didn't even have the strength to move away.

"Are you alright, Tsuna?" Yamamoto whispered from behind him, and he could only nod slowly as he watched them bicker once again. The brunet sighed as his friend laughed from behind him. What a long day this day would be. What more for this coming month? He just hoped that everything would go smoothly. More than anything, Tsuna hoped he would survive this field trip of theirs.

…..

It had been quite rowdy when they stepped out of the school. It wasn't surprising as the students were excited for the field trip. However, it wasn't lost to them how one certain group of people had been garnering attention so callously that he feared for their lives. Dino glanced at his side before sighing, defeated. His second-in-hand was not in a good mood. With the countless chattering and crowding, he knew that Kyoya wouldn't last long. As always, they would be riding a car separate from the bus to avoid the 'crowd.' The blond sighed and silently decided that it was time he took matters into his own hands.

"Kyoya, why don't you rest in the car?" Dino smiled, somehow hoping that the other would listen for once. Steel blue eyes met his before Kyoya turned away and proceeded to where their car was parked. Surprisingly, when it came to his daily naps, he didn't argue. Dino watched as Kyoya disappeared from sight before turning to where that certain crowd was making a fuss. It was a good thing that the bus still had not arrived, and Byakuran was out of sight.

Walking closer, Dino wondered if those distinctly familiar locks of hair belonged to people he knew. He walked around the crowd only to grin in satisfaction moments later. Yep, definitely people I know. Who wouldn't know of the troublesome second year duo? Gokudera Hayato and Yamamoto Takeshi—outstanding individuals with intelligence beyond comprehension for the former and athletic prowess for the latter.

They had been constantly the talk among the students, even reaching the ears of the juniors and seniors. And of course, Byakuran knew immediately, thus, recruiting them immediately for the councils. They became members all too soon; they didn't have a choice anyway. What Byakuran wants, Byakuran gets. Gokudera was part of the Student Council and Yamamoto was only part of the other councils. It was confusing but one could say that the Student Council was the tree and the councils were its branches.

Their extraordinary school employed a scheme of power different than the norm. The Student Council, you could say, was the ultimate bearer of said power with many branches as its hands. The councils or hands per say were the logistics committee—they were only mobilized when there were events in the school for they manage mostly the whole of the workings of the event.

The student representative committee consisted of the representative of every class in each year level. The student morale committee consisted of people who had considerable amounts of popularity among the students, since they had the capabilities to influence and encourage other students to do what the student council dictated.

There was also the student advisory committee—the council directly responsible for the student council, meaning they were the right-hand of the student council president, and the mediators for other schools. Last but not the least, the disciplinary committee—the council that exacted punishment on the law breakers. Aside from the confusing social structure, the members of the student council were the heads of the councils.

It would mean that the heads of the committees answered directly to the student council president. The positions went as followed: Byakuran—president and commanding officer of all councils, Shoichi Irie—vice president and head of the logistics committee, Yuni—secretary and leader of the student representative committee, Gokudera Hayato—treasurer and student morale committee president, although Yamamoto did most of the committee duties since Gokudera wasn't the most patient person around, Kikyo—the social chairperson and student advisory committee head, and Dino Cavallone—historian and disciplinary committee chairman. The Guidance Council was a separate entity and Yuni was also a part of it, though their teacher, Lal, was its adviser.

Unfortunately for Dino, he was assigned with the task of recruiting the dynamic duo ever since Byakuran first laid his eyes on them. He only had one complaint after everything came to an end and the impossible task of luring them in the lion's den had been completed – he did not want to do it again. Ever. For the blond Italian, he had never been as beaten as he had when it came to those two, though he did not regret any of it. If anything, he was grateful, since Yamamoto was such a diligent worker when he found something interesting, while Gokudera was just too smart for his own good. It had been an almighty combo bagged in the form of this troublesome, inseparable pair of second years.

Making them work as he bid was the trick of the trade, and after a year of pestering the isolated teens, Dino was finally able to crack a miniscule part of their barrier. So seeing them now, acting like their usual selves without pretences whatsoever out here in the open, and interacting freely with other people was very, very surprising indeed, especially since the people they were with were considered the 'outcasts' of the school. Dino frowned, his handsome features unmarred in the slightest, as he tried to browse through his mental library of the students' names. His golden brown eyes lit with recognition in a matter of seconds.

Miura Haru, the girl who had won the pageant a few days ago, and…Sawada Tsunayoshi, the school's number one loner and bully-magnet extraordinaire? There were many things Dino questioned in life but not once did he find himself so stumped that it rendered him speechless. The blond knew that Gokudera would never waste his time on anyone he deemed weak and pathetic. For Yamamoto, his carefree and kind features were just a mask, beneath that was a man as cold as ice. Why would they hang around him of all people?

Now, he wasn't one to judge, but it was too baffling. It was all too sudden, and by the looks of his fellow schoolmates, this development was unheard of – until now, that is. Dino stared for a bit longer before shaking his head and clearing his mind of his stupor. Well, no matter, it would just be a matter of time before he found out the mystery surrounding that young brunet.

He was not the head of the Disciplinary Committee for nothing, and the historian to boot. Everything and anything that happened to the school—within, outside, and around—didn't get past him. Dino Cavallone was the best informant of the Student Council, well aside from Kyoya and Byakuran, of course. The chairman of the Disciplinary Committee grinned widely; maybe, he still had something he could look forward to before he graduated from Namimori High. Yeah, maybe, Dino thought wistfully. With that in mind, he trotted suavely towards his car, his good mood now heightened. Maybe, he would try asking Byakuran about it. And maybe Kyoya, Shoichi, Spanner, and who else? Hmm… As the saying went, the more the merrier, right?

…

There was a constant buzz in his ears and if it weren't for his tight grip on the handles of his seat, he would be flailing his arms like a drowning man. Tsuna closed his eyes tightly, his body quivering with the force of his grip on the metal handles, while he tried to convince his lungs to take some much-needed air. He did not sign up for this, he really did not. On a flimsy whim of their principal and student council president, their field trip's destination changed from Osaka to Hokkaido. What better way to travel to a faraway place than ride a plane, right? Not. The brunet did not seem to think so.

Alright, maybe, he was overreacting, but he had never been on a plane and not once in his life did he find the need to travel on one. Tsuna was not afraid of heights, but knowing that one was in a giant device, about 40, 000 feet off the ground, and it could crash any moment….well, he was downright terrified.

Sure, even to Osaka, they had to ride the plane, but that would be for about an hour or so. To Hokkaido, however, it would take about four to five hours to reach their destination, and the brunet didn't know if he could last that long. The horrible part about it was that he did not get to sit beside anyone he knew. Come to think of it, the wing he was in did not house any of the rambunctious bunch of people he had come to be familiar with.

The intercom blared on again and the monotone voice of the captain informed them that they were now able to take off their belts and do what they wanted to do. Though Tsuna was shaking like a leaf, and he looked like a man deprived of water—it was a good thing his seatmate was fast asleep—he opened his window. Caramel-colored eyes opened abruptly, and his irises contracted as his gaze was held captivated by the bluest sky he had ever seen in his life.

It was just so blue. His left hand lost its grip on the seat arm and both of his hands pressed against the window, his eyes wide in wonder and amazement. Everything was just so beautiful. The sky that he had adored ever since he was a kid was now so near, close enough to touch yet still out of reach. The majestic display of Mother Nature's greatest creation was displayed before him that tears began streaking down his cheeks, their owner unaware of their descent down his face.

None of his art could compare to nature's beauty, and most of all, nothing could compare to a sky's glorious brilliance. The display of colors greatly varied as the day went from sunrise to noon to sunset to twilight to night to midnight, with the cycle repeating all over again after that. A small smile graced the brunet's lips and with a contented sigh, he reached for his bag under his seat, pulled out his trustee sketchpad and other art materials, and began illustrating his new piece of inspiration. All these actions were done and completely unmindful of the mini audience he had come to attract. It was too unfortunate for Tsuna that the person's attention he had unfortunately garnered was not the best among men. In fact, his obliviousness only caused him to attain a new impending force in his life, in the name of one Hibari Kyoya.

P.S. I'm back! In celebration to this wonderful month of May, please read and review! Thank you ^^