Read: Any Italian translation below had been google translated and may not be 100% accurate. There may be a few reveals of what really happened so please do not be too overwhelmed by them. Oh yes, and the 'sky trapped by darkness' chapter 3, I'm sure everyone knows that the last chapter referred to Byakuran- but wait, it might've referred to someone else as well… Oh well, we'll see!
Setting: The first part is set in an old grand abandoned building somewhere around the area of Namimori. It's about to be renovated so that a new mall can be built there. The second part was a small apartment in Italy, who's in Italy? You may ask, well read to find out!
Warning: Failed attempt at humor below, please do not kill me! Also, we found out what happened with Byakuran in the last chapter. Some of the question I posed on the Notes yesterday will be answered here.
This anime is not owned by me, happy readings!
Cuore Oscuro
Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.
–William Shakespeare, Macbeth
IV. Anyone but Her
Gokudera walked through the halls of the abandoned building, he and his sister were hiding out in. Lambo and Yamamoto were outside waiting for him so that he could break the news to his sister about staying in Namimori. Lambo had started whining when Ryohei was taking him home, so Yamamoto decided to take the Bovino with him instead.
While the Italian was wandering about the old building, he suddenly heard a desperate sobbing noise from one of the rooms. A desperate voice mixed with hiccups and barely held sobs…
"…Please, please we need your help. A-Answer me! I-I think he's found us and H-Hayato doesn't want to l-leave… I can't leave h-him and I don't know what t-to do…" The voice definitely belonged to his sister. Gokudera's eyes widened as he flattened himself against the walls. His heart was beating loud and he felt pain stab through it at the way his sister was begging.
His sister, the strongest person he knew, aside from his boss, was actually crying.
"I-I don't want to go back t-there. You k-know what he's like…" Gokudera suddenly heard a soft 'thump' and he peeked hurriedly in worry. Bianchi was on her knees, sobbing onto a phone. "P-Please help us…! R-Reborn…!"
Silence.
Gokudera's fists clenched, green eyes wider than before when his sister sobbed even louder. He knew from the tone of her voice that Reborn wasn't answering, and he hasn't probably answered the poison scorpion's calls even once. The thought sent shivers down the storm's spine and he also felt anger boiled in his gut.
What was the hitman doing?
Wasn't Bianchi his lover? And wasn't Tsuna his student?
How had he let something like this happen?
How could he let Tsuna drive Bianchi out of Italy? Their own home!
The Reborn he knew would never let Tsuna do all those things Bianchi said he did. The Reborn he knew would tell Tsuna to treasure ally families, especially Bianchi…
And yet… and yet…
Things had turned out like this.
What had happened in this world that made his kind, loving jyuudaime this way?
"Aneki." Before Gokudera knew it, he had already entered the room where his sister was in. He ignored the shocked expression on her face as she hastily wiped away the tears on her pretty face.
"H-Hayato… How long have you been there?" Bianchi said with a forced smile as she hid the phone on the pocket of her jeans. "So, are you ready yet? We have to leave before-"
"Aneki." Gokudera said again, but more firmly this time. "I already told you, I'm not leaving Namimori until I see jyuudaime."
Bianchi's green eyes hardened and her thin arms began to shake as she looked at her brother. "Hayato, I've already told you. Meeting with that m-monster won't do any good. He's ruthless and-"
"Stop it." Gokudera said in a soft tone that seemed more frightening than shouting. His eyes seemed to say that Bianchi should choose her next words carefully. The poison scorpion gulped as she listened to what her brother had to say.
"I've found us a place to stay." Gokudera continued, not bothering to say anything about her earlier statements. "A-A friend…" Gokudera winced at the fact he called the baseball idiot a friend of his. "…of mine, offered us a place to stay. I've known him for awhile and he's very strong. He can protect you from those guys who're after us."
"Hayato…" Bianchi said, her eyes wide as she gasped. "A friend? Someone strong who can protect me? What about you? And why go through all this trouble? We can avoid those men if we leave Namimori tonight and-"
"I'm tired of running, aneki." Gokudera said with a sigh, eyelashes fluttering over his cheeks, making his eyes look half-lidded and sad. "I want to stay in Namimori a-and I want to talk to jyuudaime..."
"Hayato!" Bianchi raised her voice as she rushed to the other's side, holding onto his arms tightly, making the storm guardian stumble back in surprise. "I don't know what's wrong with you, or why you're talking like this… but…" Bianchi shook her head. "Tsunayoshi Vongola is the most ruthless person out there!" She said in a desperate tone. "He killed several men when he was seven! Seven! Almost Lambo's age! He became the Vongola Don at ten years old and there are rumors going around that he killed his own grandfather! Remember what he did to me Hayato! What he did to you, to our family!"
Gokudera's eyes widened at what Bianchi said and he felt his body freeze and his heart seemed to have stopped. "H-He k-killed… w-what? A-And kyuudaime, as well?"
"Hayato what's wrong with you?" Bianchi shook her little brother who was in a shocked trance. "You know all of this, which is why we ran away! You hate him and wanted to take revenge on him! But you knew we were too weak to do anything!"
When Gokudera didn't respond, Bianchi started shouting his name again in worry. "Hayato? Hayato are you alright?"
"Maa... maa… I think that's enough." A voice suddenly came from the doorway. Bianchi looked up, her stance in defense as she took out her whip, stretching it threateningly at the newcomer. She raised an eyebrow when she saw that it was guy about the same age as Hayato. He had black hair, a tough build for someone his age, tall, and had a dark complexion. He was smiling at her like they were friends who met after a long separation.
"Hey there Bianchi! Ahaha, I see you still look the same!" Yamamoto Takeshi stated as he entered the room. Bianchi snarled at him but her green eyes reflected confusion. This person knew her? Was it one of the men he had swindled before? Confused and wary, the poison scorpion was about to hit him with her whip, when she suddenly saw Lambo on Yamamoto's shoulder. She faltered. Her mouth opening in shock. "L-Lambo?"
"Neh, Bakadera! Lambo-san is hungry!" The young Bovino stated, ignoring Bianchi as he swung his fist while sitting on Yamamoto's broad shoulders. The rain guardian laughed at his antics. The sudden noise, snapped Gokudera out of his horrified trance.
The bomber growled at the lightning guardian and at Yamamoto. He seemed to be back to normal but he was still a little bit pale. "I thought I told you to wait outside."
Yamamoto shrugged with a smile. "You were taking too long."
"Neh, neh! Let's go and eat sushi already Bakadera!" Lambo shouted and Gokudera popped a vein.
"Shut up, stupid cow!" Gokudera shouted and Yamamoto laughed as he calmed the two down. Lambo was pulling faces at the Italian. Bianchi stood on her spot, looking out of place with her whip and stance. She was watching the exchange among the three with wide eyes.
"Hayato…" She finally said as Gokudera turned to her. "Is that him? The friend you're talking about?"
Gokudera grunted while Yamamoto gave off another laugh as he raised a greeting hand. "Yoh! So Gokudera actually called me a friend? Haha! Miracles do happen! How do you say 'hello' in Italian again? Arrivederci!"
"You idiot! That means, goodbye!" Gokudera hissed at the rain.
"Haha! Oh then it's: Ho visto la tua mucca nel mio bagno, then!" Yamamoto grinned. Gokudera's jaw dropped and Lambo laughed obnoxiously.
"How the hell were you able to say: I saw your cow in my bathroom, and still be unable to say 'hello'?" Gokudera screeched making Yamamoto laugh harder.
"Probably just lucky I guess."
"Lucky my ass! You're probably messing with me-"
However, Gokudera was cut off when Bianchi suddenly started laughing. Gokudera turned to her in surprise. "A-Aneki?" The sound of Bianchi's laugh was a little desperate but it was still a relief to hear it.
Bianchi's laughter slowly died down as she looked at her little brother. Her teary green eyes searching his face. "Hayato, I know you're smart and I can see that you're determined to stay here, but…" The pink-haired woman chewed on her lower lip. "For you to involve an innocent civilian… Are you sure? Tsunayoshi Vongola will have him killed if he gets in the way."
Gokudera and Yamamoto flinched at the word 'killed'.
"Jyuudaime won't kill the baseball idiot." Gokudera said with certainty before he added in exasperation, "Besides, this guy is already more involved than you think."
Bianchi turned her curious green eyes at the baseball idol who shrugged. "More or less." He stated with a wink.
Bianchi then turned to her brother and seeing the stubborn look on his face, she thought things through. She very well knew that she could never ever leave her brother behind. They were family, they had to stick together, especially now since Hayato looked like he was making very unwise decisions which was both a shock but not. Her brother was hot-headed and he charges into situations without thinking things through because of that…
But…
Bianchi stared at her brother who was having a one-sided bicker with the dark-haired teen and Lambo.
"I'll protect this kid." She remembered the sad but certain Hayato on the day they found Lambo. His beautiful green eyes were dull with years of pain under Vongola Tsunayoshi but Bianchi could see a bit of light returning to them at the prospect of protecting someone. The little cow child was sniffling, his face bruised as he hugged Gokudera's leg. "I'll protect this kid and kill that bastard."
Bianchi nibbled on her lower lip as she nervously twisted the whip in her hands.
She couldn't, wouldn't let Hayato and Lambo face Tsunayoshi Vongola alone, not after all that he's done and all that had happened.
What sort of older sister would she be if she did?
"Aneki?"
Bianchi looked up and half-smiled, but her green eyes showed uncertainty and fear. All she could do now was trust that her little brother had a plan. "F-Fine." The words were harder to get out of than she'd thought. "It's your call now, Hayato."
Green eyes, brighter than she'd remembered, not yet dulled by pain and suffering-or maybe they had been blank before but was saved before they could become the dull green eyes she remembered- shined brightly at his sister. And for the first time in a while…
Bianchi saw her brother smile.
"P-Please help us…! R-Reborn…!" A sobbing voice could be heard coming from an old receiver. A certain man sitting in an old and dingy couch frowned at the message as he tilted his fedora down.
A resounding beep echoed throughout the dark room as the message ended. No doubt, Bianchi was crying her eyes out again because he didn't answer. The hitman's hands shook as he leaned forward and buried his face in his hands.
What should he do?
Beep!
The tall man looked up as his receiver received another message.
"-still in critical condition! It's been 5 months Reborn! What the hell do you think you're doing? You're her uncle for Pete's sake! Get your ass over here and-!" But before the person could finish his sentence, Reborn had already pulled the plug out.
Normally emotionless onyx eyes, shone in frustration and desperation as his grip on the wire tightened.
"Reborn-ojii-sama!"
Reborn bit his lower lip as his body began to shake. He grabbed the front of his face as though wanting to tear off his own skin using his nails.
"Do you want me to break the curse?"
Anger, resentment, and unimaginable hate churned his guts as he recalled blank brown eyes staring at him in superiority. A growl resounded from his lips which were already bleeding.
"I don't care about what you have to say, he's Timoteo's grandson, he can be trusted."
Blue eyes in the back of his mind stared at him in worry and hidden sadness.
"You can't trust him right now. He's not who he's supposed to be."
The memories were overwhelming. Reborn's knees buckled as he remembered the pain that enveloped him the process of removing the curse. If he didn't know better, he'd think that bastard made it as painful as he could.
He probably did.
"It's done." That bastard had said in a cold tone. Blood red eyes were staring at him curiously as he stood up in his new body, his old form. "And the price has been paid."
Gratitude had immediately turned to horror when onyx eyes spotted a certain figure lying on the ground by that bastard's feet. He hadn't notice throughout the whole process that a girl had been brought. She looked like she was barely eleven, wearing a white blouse and orange skirt. The long tied back dark hair had been an indication of Reborn's worst fear.
"UNI!" His voice came out more horrible than he imagined. It was riddled with pain, growing fear, and disbelief.
A fist slammed into the floor as Reborn's breathing came out in harsh pants. His arms trembled, remembering the warm weight of the girl he had taken care of, in her mother's stead.
"D-Don't- don't…"
A small hand reached up to caress Reborn's pale face. Blue eyes were sad and were rapidly losing their light as Uni's pale lips uttered her final words for a long while.
"D-Don't h-hate…" She had murmured as her eyes closed. "S-So sad… i-in pain…"
Reborn trembled, his adult form, hugging the small girl closer. Had Uni always been so frail and small? "N-No, you're not going to be in pain much longer Uni. I-I'll take you to the h-hospital. T-They'll- They'll do something…" His voice was soft, urgent, trying to be reassuring.
He got one last glimpse of the endless dark blue eyes before they closed in finality.
"N-Not me…" She had said before a ragged breathe left her body… Her eyes opened no more.
Those were her last words on that day. Reborn remembered shouting in frustration and in pain. He remembered lashing out on the men who had been there to witness everything. But the person he had been wanting to kill hadn't even flinched as he looked down at the bodies Reborn had knocked down.
"You can't kill me."
A sharp pain went through the ex-arcobaleno as he collapsed onto the floor while the brunet had taken his exit.
"For the greatest hitman in the world, you sure are pathetic… Reborn."
The tall figure laid on the floor, staring blankly at Uni's unconscious and dying form not far.
"D-Damn you, T-Tsuna."
Then he had blacked out.
He had woken up a few days later, much to his disappointment. He had hoped that he had died with Uni during the commotion, but I guess hell just didn't want him yet. He remembered Colonello and Lal were there. They were asking him about how he got his form back, but when he had told them the price, they had kept quiet.
"And Uni? Where is she?" Reborn had asked in a blank tone. The two exchanged looks as they shook their heads. Reborn felt something cold stab his heart.
"She's still alive, kora…" Colonello had said slowly allowing Reborn a minute of relief, but it was Lal who finished his sentence and confirmed the sun arcobaleno's dread with words that sent Reborn's world spiraling down.
"…but she's brain dead, Reborn. The doctors said she'll never wake up again."
No… Not Uni…
Please…
Anyone but Uni…
And that's when the adult Reborn knew no more.
Notes: So? Like it so far? Yes, Uni has been brain-dead for a while now and Reborn has locked himself in depression because of that. I have thought of something great for the next chapter, actually I never thought of making Tsuna have new guardians but thanks to the following reviewers: Fiana Ocrisielt, iKitsuneNeko for reviewing and asking if Tsuna had his own guardians. I actually thought of something pretty good for that! I hope it surprises everyone - like it did me!
So some of the questions have been answered but there are still other things that remain a mystery. To find out the answers to the other questions, you mus stay tuned!
Sorry again for the late update this week. Hopefully I'll be able to update some time next week if I'm not busy.
If you have time, please review!
