Once again, all who have reviewed the previous chapter, you have my thanks. I was going to upload this chapter after my exam, but I have a week of free time before the next subject. So, I'll be using these 7 days to work on my stories aside studying. I'm beginning to think there's too much depression in this story, but hey, not everything has to go on smoothly. And probably in the future chapters, hopefully the depression will decrease.

Buona lettura!

Disclaimer: I do not own KHR. It belongs to its rightful and respectful owner.


CHAPTER VIII


None could face the fear that stood in front of them. With eyes as clear as fresh blood, cold stare that meant no humanity or mercy. Her ring emitted black, almost invisible flame. One Mafioso mustered up, ran towards her while attempting to hit her head with his gun. In swift, Haru moved sideways and a bit forward. The Mafioso was open to attack. Without doubt, she pressed a small switch on the hilt; the sword's blade shrank to a dagger blade. She twirled the hilt to holding it upside down and stabbed his back.

It was inconceivable such action was done by a vulnerable young woman. The other enemy charged towards her with an axe he just picked up and about to swing it, but he stopped and froze as his forehead was pointed by a gun. Again with no hesitation, she shot his head, blood sprayed to her face. The redness of that blood mingled with her eyes.

The boss just stood watching his men died before him. He, too, was undeniably scared. How she looked at him emotionless snapped him. He was terribly afraid to the point he fled for his life.

Haru looked back, noticed the Mafioso she stabbed tried to stand up. That merciless attempt didn't stop there as she approached him and aimed her gun at his head.

At that moment, Tsuna was losing much blood, his vision blurred. All he could see was his enemy that widened his eyes at someone who he could see was the feet only. Shortly after, he lost to the pain on his head and fainted.


In a clear day where the blue vast sky was so open to watch, one man with fedora hat watched the sky while smoking. The way he looked at that sky as if almost an addiction for he looked at it in every of his free time, as if it reminded him of a memory.

"Since when you started smoking, kora?" the fedora man turned around, seeing a blonde crossed his arms with his usual smile.

"Never. I just thought it would be nice to smoke for once, now that I have my real body back."

Colonnello chuckled at Reborn's statement. Of course, he agreed with him. Thanks to Verde, all former arcobaleno now had their original body back. He walked towards Reborn and watched the sky with him. "9 years, huh."

"What? You missed Lal?"

Colonnello blushed. "What's that supposed to mean, kora? It's just… we're here in this unknown place for that long. Hey, Reborn. Do you have regrets leaving your student and not being able to see him until our matter is finished?"

"The only regret I have is whether he's become a great boss. But knowing him, he probably is one now, with that Dame side he brings with him."

"So, you didn't tell anyone why you're leaving? That kid probably thinks you left because he spoke his decision to become the tenth."

"He can think whatever he wants. His opinion doesn't matter. We're here based on Yuni's prediction about the dusk flame and whoever it is that bears the flame. She wants us to prevent that dark future to happen; it's as simple as that. For that, we have to live here, in this island where no human can touch or set foot on. We're not allowed to make contact with anyone. So, I have no reason to even care about anyone's thought about my disappearance."

"You two," the two looked around to see Mammon. "Verde calls."

With that, Colonnello, Reborn, and Mammon went to the monitor room. Verde himself was already there, sitting on his 'throne'. Fong and Skull were also seen.

"What's that red beeping?" Colonnello asked. "An activity has been sensed." Verde replied.

"That flame?" Reborn questioned and Verde nodded.

"I don't want to confront another person who actually doesn't have the flame. Are you even sure this time?" Skull crossed his arms.

"It can't be helped. I can only search a potential owner or place based on recent odd flame activities and his or her potential to have the flame."

"Stop whining, kora. If you don't want to go, stay here, again."

"Fine! I'll go."

"This time, you'll be going here." Verde showed them a map. Everyone couldn't help but to be surprised at what they saw, especially Reborn who felt very familiar of the place. "Hey, are you sure it's there? But that's…" Colonnello doubted. Everyone looked at Reborn. His expression wasn't seen, it was shadowed by his fedora hat.

"Who is it?" Fong asked.

"There's no specific information regarding that, but it's there, at Namimori Mountain."


Tsuna opened his eyes, though he was confused as he saw the ceiling of a room at the underground HQ and Lambo and Chrome. He lifted his body upright and held his head. Sensing something odd, he jabbed the wound with his finger and he flinched; it was a surprise as he no longer felt the pain. Normally, that wasn't supposed to happen.

"Are you okay, boss?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, I'm okay."

"Everyone's waiting for you at the command room, Vongola."

"Everyone?"

Both Lambo and Chrome gave hesitant look at each other briefly before giving him a nod. Thus, Tsuna followed them to the command room, where every one of his guardians assembled, including Hibari who leaned against the wall, standing a bit far from everybody.

"How's the wound, Sawada?" Ryohei asked. Just as Tsuna was going to speak, Yamamoto interrupted, "He means you can't feel anything, can you?"

Tsuna was at loss of words, more so when his guardians had their eyes on him. Seeing that stare, he knew something had reached them. "Haru confessed, Tsuna. To be sure, Irie ran a test for her." Yamamoto said. "Not to mention her ring." Gokudera added.

"What do you mean? Where's she?"

"There's no doubt she has the dusk flame. The rock responded to her and became a Vongola ring." Shoichi stated.

"Oi, Irie. That doesn't mean she can be a guardian." Gokudera narrowed his eyes at him.

"Where is Haru?" Tsuna asked again, only this time more stern.

"She's still unconscious in the infirmary, boss. Don't worry."

Contradict to Chrome's belief, the girl they spoke of was standing behind the wall, hearing every bit of their conversation with shadow that casted over her face.

Her eyes regained its true color. Two dead bodies were near her. There was no memory of what happened to the two men, but all she cared about was Tsuna. She immediately put the gun back to the leg holster, the weapon she dropped disappeared into black misty flame, and she scurried to him.

He was losing his conscious, his pulse was weakening. At that time, all she thought about was his safety. She didn't care if she had to suffer his pain again, she absorbed his pain to save him, and she would keep doing it as much as she had to in order to keep him safe.

After that absorption, she could feel the pain in her head. She didn't lose any blood, but that pain was enough for her to collapse, in addition of her awakening that caused her energy to drain significantly.

"In any case, what should we do? Now that we know she's the bearer." Yamamoto asked.

"We can't forget the fact that dusk flame is the entire mafia organization's target. We have to protect her." Ryohei answered.

"The dusk flame is an unstable and wild flame if it's not used properly. Unless we put her to deep slumber, we have to think the worst scenario if her flame is never used." Shoichi explained.

"But that woman can't fight!" Gokudera disputed.

"There's a reason why the rock turned into a sword and a Vongola ring. But to make Haru-chan as a guardian…"

"We can't ask Haru-san to join the mafia. She doesn't know how to fight." Lambo said.

"Then who incapacitated those two Mafioso? She put up an extreme fight, I say."

"They were killed. Haru-chan would never do that."

"Putting that aside, the attribute of the dusk flame is 'consuming'. It's true she might be useful in battle…" Yamamoto said as he crossed his arms.

"With training, she will be a good force to the Vongola. She could protect herself in case anything happens. The baby said it she has a resolve of a true Mafioso."

Everyone was silenced by Hibari's statement. They all looked down, deep down, they agreed with him. Training her wasn't a problem if it had to be done. Shoichi knew more about the flame and they knew they should listen to him. But only one who was glued to his belief and wish.

"Stop this talk. I won't make Haru as a guardian. I won't let her draw her weapon even for a second. She will stay with us, but as a civilian we must protect, not as a fellow Mafioso." Tsuna stated in authoritative tone.

"But Tsunayoshi-kun…"

"No matter what you say, I won't let her become a Mafioso."

"If Reborn-san was here…"

"He's not here!" Tsuna stated loudly, interrupted Gokudera. "We don't need someone who's gone! We don't need a teacher who selfishly left his student without goodbye, and leaving him to face the dark mafia world alone! Haru is never a part of Vongola, and she—"

"Haru-chan!"

Tsuna froze, hearing that name from Chrome. As he turned around slowly, what he first saw was Haru's hurtful face. He didn't know what to say. He was afraid of another misunderstanding that led to a tragic disappearance of Haru. "H… Haru… I…"

"I know," she said. "I know I have no connection with the mafia unlike Kyoko-chan, I know I can leave all of you and live a normal life, but that's not what I want…"

"What are you…?"

"Please look into my eyes, Tsuna-san! I want to be a part of your family! I want to be a mafia!"

"You are my family, but you're not a mafia!"

"That's not good enough!" she shouted. "I can learn how to fight by myself. I'll do anything you say if that will make me to be your guardian."

"Are you… serious?"

Haru looked at him intently with furrowed brows. He realized nothing could sway her mind to become a Mafioso. However if she were one, she would be exposed to danger more and that was the least he wanted. His fists were clenched. He had to say it no matter how hard it was. "…I'm sorry, Haru…"

There it was again, that shocked and hurtful look. He rolled his eyes of not wanting to see that look. And the other thing he didn't want to watch was her figure as she was leaving, running like she didn't want to be in that place again. Everyone gave a sympathetic stare at him. Either it was the best decision or not, no one knew. It was like, in every choice, there would be many losses instead of the advantage and Tsuna had to choose the least loss.


He wanted to meet her at her room, but he was a coward, still the same Dame-Tsuna. He couldn't even knock the door. He just wanted to see if she was okay, he wanted to apologize if he hurt her again. Eventually, he inhaled and exhaled deeply and knocked the door. But there was no answer. He opened it, but the room was dark, indicating she hadn't been inside for—he assumed ever since she ran away from him.

He searched around the base, he set foot at almost all floor of the base from up to bottom, but there was no Haru. He feared she would disappear again. He didn't want to feel the same way again, he didn't want to lose a friend again. Just thinking about it should be able to stiffen him, but adrenalin took control of his body. He couldn't think of anything but her.

He went out to the forest. With a flashlight, he searched through the forest at night. He called her name over and over again, but it was a dead silence. He kept on running and searching for almost half an hour until that nonstop running paid off as he spotted Haru, standing on the edge of a cliff.

To his surprise, he saw she was going to throw something away, the ring. He hurriedly dropped the flashlight, ran to her, and wrapped his arm around her waist and his other hand grabbed her hand, pulling her back to his chest. She looked up to his face, seeing it was Tsuna. "Tsuna…-san?"

"What are you doing, Haru?!"

"If I can't protect you as a guardian, then I don't need this."

"Why are you so persistent?" he let her go and looked at Haru, but she didn't answer and looked away. "You can't throw this away." he held and lifted her hand that had the ring.

"Why?"

"I just don't want you to throw it away. Someone might use it."

"No one can use this ring but me."

He went quiet for a while. "You won't give up, huh?" she nodded. "Even though you can't fight?"

"I'll learn."

Having heard that, he sighed. "Tell you what; I'll leave my decision open until we get an answer from Nero."

"Nero?"

"He's a scientist who knows about your flame. He lives in Italy."

"You're moving there, too, right?"

Tsuna nodded. "Also…" he untied his tie and blindfolded Haru with it. Then, he held her hand while walking back to the base.

"T-Tsuna-san…?"

Tsuna just looked back at Haru. He smiled knowing she was surely confused by his action. He wanted to give her a surprise. He brought her to the party hall and then removed the blindfold.

As her eyes were opened, confetti was thrown above her head, and she was greeted by everyone's smile. "Welcome back, Haru!" all cheered. She looked at the wall with decorations, it said: 'Merry Christmas and welcome back, Haru!'

She also looked at the clock, it was 1 am. She was stunned, captivated by her friends' effort to create a party for her when before, the atmosphere around them was intense. Kyoko immediately hugged her with tears of joy. "I missed you, Haru-chan…"

Haru could feel Kyoko's body was shaking. She knew how much Kyoko cared for her and missed her. But somehow, as much as she wanted to hug her back, she couldn't. "I'm sorry to make you worry…"

Kyoko peeled away and wiped her tears with a smile. "Let's get this party started to the extreme!" Ryohei shouted.

Cheeriness, merriness, smiles, laughter, she surely missed to see them. The urge to be with them as friends came back to her. It was like a dream she could be with them again. Seeing how she was circled by them, she realized she didn't see her as a killer. She wasn't as easygoing and cheerful as before, but she was still able to maintain her usual smile—even if no one knew some of her smiles were forced.

Of course when Yamamoto circled his arm around her neck in friendly manner and told her everything about their lives, which annoyed Gokudera, she laughed. But only one who noticed the falsity in that smile, he who was bestowed with hyper intuition.

At one point where she sat alone, seeing how stormy and excited her friends were, she made up her mind. She was the Void, a being who fed on lives. She didn't want to hurt her friends. Her promise to Reborn and her resolve to protect them were her passion and strength. Her lips curved up, an ironic smile, thinking she would live with them again to protect Tsuna, but she, too, could hurt them by staying. The only way to keep all of them safe was to keep them safe from her. And the only way to do that… was to build no connection with them.

She was an arcobaleno. They couldn't be friends anymore, she was just an outsider who lived on the same roof.

Kyoko and Chrome dragged her to a big cake. They wanted her to cut it, so she did it. The first person she gave was Bianchi. Second her best friend. And then the third, fourth, and fifth were Chrome, Lambo, and I-pin.

Deep down, Tsuna was actually disappointed she didn't give it to him, but he didn't wonder why. He knew he held no special place in her heart. He let his disappointment hidden by maintaining his smile.

After the party was over three hours later, everyone went back to their room. Just when he was going to sleep, a knock on the door cancelled his intention. He was stunned, seeing Haru in front of him holding a plate of cake, particularly the best cut.

She noticed his black pajamas. "I'm sorry to bother you. I'll be going—" Tsuna grabbed her arm before she could turn around. "I'm not sleepy yet. Come in."

Haru nodded and entered his room. She then handed the cake over to him. He held his breath and stiffened with wide-eyed until he smiled and accepted the cake. "Thanks."

He climbed up to his bed with the cake and beckoned Haru to sit in front of him. She hesitated at first, had looked at the door briefly before turning back to him. She couldn't say no, especially when he seemingly had high hopes. Therefore, she also climbed up to his bed. "Can I eat this now?" he asked and she nodded.

She silently watched him eating the cake. For some reason, he looked delighted. "When will you go to Italy?" she asked.

"Eh? December 26th."

"I see."

He was going to continue eating, but his attention to Haru stopped him. "Why are you avoiding us?"

"Eh? What do you mean? I'm not avoiding anyone." she played dumb very smoothly, as if it wasn't a lie.

"You've changed, Haru. Your personality."

"That I know."

"I missed your smile."

"Eh?"

"You always had this unique bright you radiated through your cheeriness and smiles. You were always so cheery and outgoing. And your 'hahi' makes you… you. So, when I see you now, I know you changed. I don't know what happened when you were gone, but you're not alone now. I'm here for you, and… I'm sorry I hurt you all this time. I never realized I've been hurting you for years."

"The past is the past, Tsuna-san. Besides, it's not your fault. I was the one who hurt Kyoko-chan."

"It was an accident."

"It doesn't change the fact I hurt your feelings." she replied. "Tsuna-san, do you still love Kyoko-chan?" he was dumbfounded by her question, but he nodded hesitantly. Seeing his answer, she smiled. "Good. I just hope… when you two get married, I hope Kyoko-chan will pick me as her bridesmaid."

She stood up and walked away from him. "Wait." he grabbed her hand. But it was all out of reflex. He flinched as he noticed his action. Why did he stop her? Why did he act below his conscious? He wasn't sure, but as he tightened his grip, seeing his face that told her she shouldn't leave, he realized he didn't want her to leave just yet.

His next movement was much unexpected—for both of them. He pulled her to his chest, circling his arms around her waist from her back. He leaned his face to her neck, his nose that was rested on her nape made her shivered. Either he realized what he was doing—or he couldn't control himself and surrender to his body.

The smell of her scent, that strawberry scent, his favorite smell was just too endearing to be neglected. Even when Kyoko had that scent, it was never as craving as Haru. Arms tightened the hug, pressing her body closer to him; the feeling of embracing her small figure was also intoxicating and satisfying. Haru was confused and flushed at what he was doing to her.

As much as she wanted to move, her body froze, she couldn't breathe. The way he hugged her was just so caring yet possessive. He never did this before to her. He loved Kyoko, for God's sake!

"Hey, Haru," he whispered to her ear, she shivered again as his lips touched her earlobe. "You're a bad liar."

Haru flinched at his statement. "I won't let you leave until you confess your lies. You're avoiding us, aren't you?"

"L-Let me go…"

"Why would I? Like how you're different from the girl I knew 10 years ago, I'm not the boy you used to know 10 years ago. My parent's death, mafia world… it changed me, too. Sure I'm still the same Sawada Tsunayoshi, but I'm a man now. I'm not a boy forever, you know."

"Please… l-let me go…"

"Why are you avoiding us, Haru? Why are you avoiding me?"

"Let me go, Sawada Tsunayoshi!" his brown eyes bulged at the way she addressed him. With shock, he loosened his grip, creating a gap for her to escape him and left the room. It appeared he was going too far, and he just realized it. It was supposed to be a hand grip and asking out the question, but he went out of the limit when he pulled her to a hug, a possessive hug at that.

What did he just do?

Why was it every time he wanted to fix things with her, it never worked out the way he wanted?

It was somehow very hurtful to know that Haru was mainly avoiding him. He couldn't blame him for running away from him like that. Facing the dark mafia organization alone without Reborn, all of that conflict that had been sent to his hometown, his parent's death that caused by the dark world he lived in, his new life had changed his perspective. He was slowly becoming a true mafia boss, he knew. It wasn't something he could avoid or run from, rather a possibility he had to accept.

She ran towards her room, but didn't go in. Instead, she leaned against the door and slithered down. She let out the pacifier from her pocket and gazed at it with glassy eyes.

She decided to let her feelings go, she decided not to love him again, she couldn't recreate her bond with them. Her heart throbbed in what was supposed to be warmth of love, now, it was painful. She was going to leave her feelings in the past, but knowing his concern for her, she started to fall in love with him all over again, and it hurt so much to the extent she wanted to cry, but she had to be strong.

They were no longer friends, but they weren't strangers. She couldn't be their friends anymore, even if they were her only friends. Protecting him while feeling the heartache every time he worried for her, or every time he drew closer to her was something new. Every time she saw him and heard his voice, her heart was gnawed with the incapability to not loving him, but even so, that feeling never died. It couldn't die.

Even until now… why do I still love you?

She could hold onto her tears, but not her feelings for him. She couldn't love him, knowing she shouldn't. She had sacrificed her cheerfulness, happiness, innocence, mortality, and her bond, all that described her as Miura Haru and a human. She wouldn't let it go to waste. With her resolved mind to bear that ache, she stood up and opened the door.

And much to her surprise, someone was inside sitting on her bed; Hibari.


The honey-colored hair girl entered her loved one's room, where she found him didn't sleep, but seemingly pondering while sitting on the bed.

"What's wrong?" she sat beside him.

"She's changed, Kyoko-chan."

"Eh? What do you mean? And don't call me that, Tsu-kun. Just Kyoko is enough."

"We're not together anymore," his remark clicked something in her heart, and it was painful. Her head was full of those words and her ears didn't function properly, so everything surrounded her, even Tsuna himself wasn't heard by her. "And why can't you see the difference in Haru? She's avoiding us."

"…I can't call you 'Tsu-kun' anymore?"

"Huh? No, you can call me that, if you want."

"Okay… so, what did you say about Haru-chan?"

"What? I said she's changed and she's avoiding us. I don't know what's in her head, but this isn't acceptable. She's our friend, and whatever it is she went through, we shouldn't let her avoid us and act like we're strangers to her."

"Don't you mean you, Tsu-kun?"

"Huh?"

"None of us feel that way. To me, she's still the same Haru-chan. You're alone in that perspective. Everyone changed when they grow, even you're not the Tsu-kun I met 10 years ago. You've grown mature, but you're still you. I'm sure Haru-chan changed, but she's still her. Maybe calmer." Tsuna stammered at her words. He froze and stared at Kyoko with disbelief face. "Is it possible that you… love her?" she asked.

"What's with the question?" he raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't deny."

"N-No, of course not. I don't love her."

"I'm glad," tears started forming in her eyes and she wiped it with a hurtful smile. "I also heard you'll be moving to Italy and I can't come with you, but Haru-chan can. Good luck on your work, Tsu-kun. Sleep tight." she stood up and walked out of the room.

He couldn't stop her from leaving. He stared at the door. Sooner or later, he would hurt her, he knew. It was one of the consequences of being a mafia boss. He shouldn't let his feelings play the part and ruined everything. If Kyoko came, she would be in danger, and he certainly didn't want that to happen. He wouldn't risk her again.

He didn't except her to accept his departure. He would entrust her to the best Mafioso he had in Italy, he shouldn't be worrying about Kyoko, because now, he had another thing that worth more of his time and concern, and it was all related to Haru.

[HUMANITY PERCENTAGE]

90%

l

88%


I'll be putting the 'humanity percentage' thing in every chapter to keep monitoring Haru's humanity.