Title: "People Like Us"
Summary: They all came from different pasts, from different backgrounds. They were broken, shattered, or close to it. And when everyone, even those they had loved, had given up on their existences; he came into their lives with an outstretched hand. "After all, people like us have to stick together."
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the amazing characters of Katekyo Hitman Reborn! I own the plot of this story, though, but I do not own the original KHR!
Chapter Title: "The Mask that Covers All"
"He knew that the Boss had no pick in the people that needed saving, but why did it have to be an athletic, happy-go-lucky idiot!"
Yamamoto's face felt over stretched as he smiled at his baseball teammates, the ones he considered his friends. Even though they knew nothing of the war going on within him, he still saw them as close companions. Even though they didn't notice how fake the grin on his face was, or the dullness of his amber eyes, they continued to smile right back at him. They continued to be oblivious to the signs of his struggle, and just conversed over random subjects with him.
"We can't lose the game tonight," one of them said in determination, eyes shining brightly as he made a fist. Yamamoto's face became stiffer at the mention of the baseball game that afternoon, having forgotten about it. He allowed his eyebrows to furrow as doubt clouded his thoughts.
"Yeah," his other 'friend' stated confidently, a smug smirk placed upon his lips. "We can't lose! Not with Yamamoto on our team!"
Their sparkling and trusting gazes turned to him, making the dark-haired baseball star flinch on the inside. Of course he didn't show it, though. No, the ever-present smile just grew wider as he mentally placed his well-sculpted mask onto his face completely, hiding away all of his true emotions or thoughts.
"Haha," he laughed obliviously, completely fake to his own ears, but his 'friends' continued to grin over at him. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, amber eyes closing, "I won't let the team down!"
At the response, the two of his teammates laughed with him, looking at each other and talking about the win they would get that afternoon. Yamamoto continued to listen in, feeling the unmistakable feeling dread settle in on his heart.
Gokudera glared heatedly at the field in front of him, watching all of the jocks of the school slide in the dirt and throw balls. Baseball was an idiotic game. A very idiotic, stupid game that only an idiot would play.
The Storm Guardian made a Tch sound as the crack of the ball hitting the bat echoed in the stands, the white ball with red stitching flying high up into the air. The students from the other team cheered as they scored another goal, tying the game. His silver-green eyes turned their piercing gaze over to Reborn and his target, the supposed Rain Guardian.
The teen was tall and had a nice build, but was lean. His tan face was shadowed lightly from the white and blue baseball cap on his head, making part of his skin seem darker. Those amber eyes were focused in on the batter, a narrowed scowl to take apart his competitor.
Yamamoto Takeshi, Gokudera thought sourly, arms crossed in front of his chest in disapproval, What makes you worthy to be saved by the Boss?
The pianist gritted his teeth in frustration as the two teams switched sides, Namimori going up for bat. You're athletic, have friends and admirers. You have your father, an ordinary life, and a future restaurant you can take over if necessary. What is it? What do you need to be saved from?
"It should be easy to tell."
Gokudera's head spun around at high speed at the mesmerizing voice that could only have belonged to one person. At the sight of his precious brunet Boss, the silver-head's eyes sparkled brightly with admiration and joy. Those dog-ears and tail once again appeared around the teen genius, and flowers spun around him.
Tsuna smiled down at his enthusiastic Storm Guardian, finding the reaction adorable. His brown eyes held fondness in them as he watched the teen talk animatedly about his three days on his first undercover mission, unable to hold back a chuckle in the middle of the rant.
At the sound of the laughter, realization came at full speed. "Boss," Gokudera asked in a serious tone, fighting back the urge to be a happy, skipping fool at the presence of the brunet. "Why are you here? Neither Reborn-san nor I have contacted you-" A fist crashing down onto the silver-haired teen's head made the pianist be quiet as he writhed in pain.
"Don't speak for me," Reborn scolded, sighing. He took off his fedora and placed it onto his ex-student's head, flattening the locks under it with a bit of force. The Vongola Boss cried out in surprise, tilting the hat up after the Hitman retracted his hand. The Sun Arcobaleno smirked smugly, running a hand through his black hair without having to hold his hat. "I called Dame-Tsuna in."
At the news, Gokudera was immediately revived. He jumped to his feet and looked at the undercover Hitman in shock, his mouth hanging open. "Why would you-? But Reborn-san…!"
"But nothing," Reborn huffed in annoyance, dark eyes narrowing in a glare at the teen, "I've already confirmed he's the Rain Guardian. I told you that, even gave you a signal the minute I decided that he needed saving."
"He has a perfect life," the pianist yelled in anger, for once talking back to the Arcobaleno. His hands were clutched into tight fists at his side, and his eyes were shadowed as he gritted his teeth. "He's athletic, has a ton of friends as well as his family, and has a career waiting for him on a silver-platter! Everything!"
"Just because you have everything doesn't mean you're happy," Reborn countered, half of his face shadowed thanks to his returned fedora. "You should know that. You had a family, you had a career planned out for you, and you're a genius and a skilled fighter."
"But still-!"
Tsuna, ignoring the feud going on between two of his comrades, watched the game unfold, intently focusing on the pitcher. His brown eyes bore into the back of the tan, tall being that was Yamamoto, deciphering him. His gaze didn't turn away from the teen even when the baseball star turned to look at him, feeling the brunet's gaze on him.
The smile that was thrown at him made the decision clear in the Vongola Boss's mind, and he closed his eyes to turn away. "It's obvious why Reborn has called me here," Tsuna stated softly, watching as those shocked silver-green eyes of his Storm Guardian turned to him. Reborn smirked smugly, tilting his fedora down as he turned and left, dragging the pianist with him.
Tsuna's gaze once again turned to the baseball field, watching as his destined Rain Guardian gave in everything he had. Every facial expression was completely fake, a lie. All except the desperation to win
