Chapter 10 : Fireworks in My Eyes

"Are you excited about the new classes, Cheyenne?" Skull was perched on my shoulder as I calmly ate my breakfast.

"I don't know. I'm a little nervous. What if I have no classes with Hayato? Or Tunafish? Who will I talk to?" I frown and blow a piece of hair away from my face.

"You can always talk to the Disciplinary Committee!" He tries to comfort me.

"Right. Because Kyoya is just such a peach to be around!"

"I'm only trying to help!" He gets off my head. Skull grabs my cheeks. "You can always make new friends!" I sigh and place my spoon down before looking out the kitchen window. My appetite was at an all time low. I couldn't help it. It was natural for me to be anxious. Over the course of the year, I've gotten used to the Vongola crew. They were like my home away from home and I didn't plan on getting close with any more people.

These guys were all I needed.

"Hey! Snap out of it! You gotta be early!" I turn back to Skull. Blinking, I furrow my brows.

"Early? What for?"

He facepalms and says, "You have to greet the new students at the gate! You're a Disciplinary Committee member now."

"Oh. I forgot all about that," I admit, laughing.

"That carnivore guy will get mad! Get going! Come on!" He jumped off the table and started pushing my legs. I stand up and he continues pushing me.

"I'm not in a rush! It's not like Kyoya expects me to be there. I was gonna walk with Hayato today."

"Gah! You have to be responsible! Come on, Cheyenne!" He pulled on my socks, too. Skull ran around, panicking. The purple Arcobaleno suddenly ran upstairs. Scratching my head, I wondered what he was doing. An orange armband fell from off the side of the stairs. I caught it. He came back down and pointed at it.

"You have to put that on!" How come he was suddenly acting like a mom?

"Are you okay, Skully?" He blushed.

"W-well yeah."

"Then calm down. I've been late plenty of times before."

"But today is your first official day as a member of the Disciplinary Committee!" He waves his arms around. It was very cute, I noticed.

"Aww Skully! Look at you!" I squeal and pick him up, bringing him close to my face. He blushed and stuttered. I smiled and kissed his pudgy cheek.

"H-h-hey!"

"Don't worry about me so much. I can take care of myself."

"B-but that tonfa guy-"

"Oh hush. Lussuria scares me more than him." I wave him off. He pales.

"That's because Lussuria is scary..." Giggling, I place him back on the ground before kneeling. Patting his little head, I smile and play with his hair. The purple Arcobaleno relaxes.

"I'm happy you care so much. I'll be fine. Kyoya would never fight me seriously anyway." I laugh. "He's a lot more patient than he lets on."

"How do you know?" Skull was curious. "You always complain about him and talk about him being a huge asshole." Rubbing my neck, I look away.

Did I really talk about him in such a bad light? He wasn't so bad...most of the time. The guy just had a stick shoved so far up his ass that he could see it. Well, he lets me sit on the roof with him! Actually, he only did that because I gave him food. There was that one time he accepted the chocolates I gave him! He proceeded to chase me, though... No wait! He pat me on the back! Now that I think about it, I remember that I was choking on a grape he threw at me while I was talking...he called me annoying that day, too.

"Okay I've got nothing." I deadpan and slump over. That guy had no redeeming qualities.

"See!"

"Skull, we're getting off topic!" Whipping around, I gasped and stood up when I saw the time. I quickly tossed the plate in the sink and put on my shoes.

"Where are you going in a rush?! I thought you didn't care about the Committee?!" Skull watched as I ran around collecting my belongings.

"I don't!"

"Then why?!"

"Hayato's waiting for me!" I nearly smack into the door as I pull it open.

"Wait!" I stop and look at Skull. He handed me the orange armband. I smile at him.

"Thanks, Skully. You're a good sidekick." He blushed, but urged me out of the door.

"I'm glad you think so. But seriously-"

"I'm going!" Laughing, I bend down and give him one last kiss on the head before slamming the door closed. I fumbled to get the armband on my arm and ended up pricking myself. I wince and ignore it. Why were safety pins called safety pins if they could hurt you?! I sling my bag over my shoulder and run over to where Hayato was meeting up with me.

On my way there, I passed by Reborn and Tsuna.

"Hi, Tuna!"

"Cheyenne-san!" He grinned. Although I was in a rush, I couldn't just run past him like that. I stopped and caught my breath.

"Cryenne, how's the arm?" I stood up straight again and gently squeezed my previously injured arm.

"It's fine now. I've had worse in the V-" I quickly stopped myself. Reborn raised an eyebrow while Tsuna watched me, confused.

"Cheyenne-san, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. So how do you feel about the new classes?" I quickly changed the subject.

"I'm nervous. I really hope I get a class with Kyoko-chan!" His eyes sparkled with joy. I smile. He was so in love with that girl. She was lucky to have someone as devoted as Tsuna after her.

"Yeah. I'm nervous, too. I hope I get classes with you guys." Tsuna nodded and looked down at the ground. He noticed my armband. He laughed anxiously.

"I see that you're wearing that proudly..." I tug at the ugly, orange band.

"Not really. Skull forced me to put it on."

"Who?" Freezing, I realized what I said. Reborn was smirking again.

"A friend."

"Ah. He must take care of you."

"Haha! A little too much! I didn't even want to put this on." Phew. Dodged that bullet. That much was true, though. Honestly, I wouldn't put it on just to spite Hibari.

"Trying to make Hibari mad?" The baby finally spoke.

"That's all I enjoy doing nowadays." Reborn chuckles and I grin with him. Tsuna didn't seem to agree with us.

"H-Hibari is scary when he's mad..." He said genuinely.

"Don't worry! Now that I'm higher on the food chain, I'll definitely get Hibari off your back!" I rub his back reassuringly.

"Um...thank you, Cheyenne-san."

"Using your position of power to topple the skylark, I see."

"I'll do more than just topple him!" Laughing in an evil manner, I wave. "I've gotta go. Hayato is waiting for me."

"I'll see you later, Cheyenne-san!" Running off again, I sigh. It was too early to be doing this much exercise. I ran about five blocks before catching sight of my favorite octopus.

Gokudera was stomping his feet impatiently. He caught sight of me and made an upset face.

"Seriously?! It took you this long?!" I hold my finger up, signaling him to wait. The boy held his head in his hand. "You're so frustrating."

"Hey! Take pity on me!" I whine. "I had to stop because Tsuna saw me an-"

"Judaime?!" His eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas. Allow me to put a dog tail and some ears on him. He was a puppy when it came to his precious Judaime.

"Yeah. I talked with him."

"Let's hurry to school, then!" I blink. Wouldn't he want to go find Tsuna so he could walk to school with him? Gokudera seemed to hear my thoughts. "We have to go see if we're in the same class so that I can tell him the good news!" He sparkled. I giggle. The guy was already assuming he would be in the same class as Tsuna.

Even if he wasn't in the same class as Tsuna, he would find a way to be in the same class. That doesn't exclude more...violent means.

"Fine. It would do me well to run a bit anyway. This break spoiled me." I pat my belly. He rolled his eyes at me.

"Women." Then, he ran off. Watching him leave, I huffed.

"I change my mind. Let me be lazy a little longer."

When I finally reached school, Tsuna and the rest of the gang were already there.

"...whether I accept it or not, don't blow anything up!" I could hear Tsuna protest. Gokudera probably ended up in a different class. Bummer. Hopefully I would be with Tsuna or Hayato. Before I could fully reach them, a certain brunette appeared. My mood significantly lifted. I didn't really get why...

"H-Hibari-san!"

"You're being fairly boisterous." He smirked. Thankfully, he didn't notice me yet. Everyone aside from the group of five left. Hibari really had an effect on the student body. No wonder he was the head of the Disciplinary Committee; he exudes power.

"Didn't you already graduate?" Wait...I counted on my fingers. Yeah! He's right! He's 16 so he should be in high school now!

"I can choose to be in any year I wish." I sigh and rub my face. Wasn't he just a pretentious little ball of cockiness? Tsuna blinked. I was pretty confused, too, but it made sense. Hibari was always going on about Namimori middle.

"Eh?! What the hell are you talking about, bastard?!" Poor Gokudera. He just wanted to be in a class with his Judaime and now he had to deal with Hibari.

"No one can restrain me with logic." I squat down with my head between my hands. His level of self-absorption was beyond my comprehension.

"That makes no sense," I whisper to myself.

"So allow me to begin acting as a member of the Disciplinary Committee." I gulp and stand up. It starting to get serious. Maybe I should stop this now before anyone gets seriously hurt. I was just about to intervene when Hibari's gaze shifted. "Who planted the Sakura here?" I grimace.

"They've always been here." Walking up to them, Kyoko noticed me first and smiled. The pitiful frown on my face was still present and I couldn't find it in me to smile back; I was too worried about Hibari.

"Not now. I can't fight here." I follow Hibari wordlessly as he walks away.

"Cheyenne-kun?" I hear Kyoko's voice. Turning back, I give her a wave. Hibari's jacket rustled a bit as he placed his tonfas back. We walked in silence as the breeze messed with my hair. He didn't say anything even though I knew he was aware of me.

Hibari was still traumatized by the Sakura. I didn't blame him, although I wished he would try to hit me or something. Seeing him upset made me uncomfortable.

"You're late for duty, woman."

"Yeah. I was-well actually I don't have any excuse." He smirked. "So how was your morning?" I smiled. Hibari turned to me.

"The same."

"What does 'the same' mean?"

"I had to deal with annoying herbivores. Much like you." He closes his eyes, probably feeling smug. Jerk.

"Hey! Didn't I tell you that I'm an omnivore?" His hand met the back of my head. "Ouch! That really hurt." I was secretly happy. Hibari was acting normal now. Somehow, I wished that it was me that caused that change.

"Your reflexes have gotten slow."

"It's not that they're slow, it's just that you smacked me not even five minutes into our conversation!"

"Hn."

"Hn?! What do you mean 'hn'?! Apologize! Hitting me was uncalled for!" He tried smacking me again, but I dodged. "And you tried hitting me again, you dirty cannibal!"

"You're giving me a headache with your irritating voice, herbivore." His smirk turned into a thin line.

"My voice isn't annoying! And for the last time, I'm not a herbivore!" Hibari looked on my person as if he just remembered something. Smirking when he saw the armband, he pulled on it.

"This clearly states that you are both annoying and a herbivore." I pout and exhale angrily. That stupid armband-!

"This is so-ugh! No one will take me seriously with this 'thing' on!" I pull on the armband for emphasis.

"You have to wear it. Everyone has to know exactly what you are." Seriously. I felt like the smirk was going to pop off of his face and fly away.

"You are such a smug douchebag..." I cross my arms.

"What was that? Care to repeat it?" He held my shoulder tightly. It hurt. I stared at the hand holding my shoulder and then the arm.

'Leader'

"Do all of them say the same thing?" I ask genuinely. He lets go of my shoulder when he realizes that he wasn't going to get a reaction from me.

"No. You and I are the only ones with an armband."

"You got this special for me?" I grinned.

"I-" I didn't even let him finish.

"I knew that you liked me! Deep down in that cold, frigid, freezing, black heart of yours!" I jabbed my finger into his chest with each word. He hit my hand, really hard at that, with his tonfa. I wince and retract it.

"I will prick you with your own safety pin."

"But you're already a prick!" I felt like I was gaining the upper hand.

"Don't test me, woman."

"Okay. That's the testing proctors job, after all." Raising my eyebrows, I laugh.

"You're especially irritating today." He stopped walking to stare me down. "I'll bite you to death."

"Especially irritating or especially funny?" I smile. "I'd say my jokes are on 'point'." I snicker. He whacks the back of my head.

"Ouch!"

"Enough."

"Party pooper..." I whine. He just smirks. That's something I've learned during the time I've known Hibari.

He always wins.

I looked at the clock. 1 hour until it was summer break. The semester exams were easy this year, but I had Gokudera to thank for that. It was stressful at first, but Gokudera was such a great teacher that he made learning easy and fun. He explained it in Italian, too so that probably influenced my understanding of the subjects. Italian was my first language so it was only natural that everything suddenly made way more sense.

Did I forget to mention that we were all in the same class by some miraculous luck? Reborn probably had something to with it, I think. That baby was always up to something. As for Kyoko and Tsuna, he was still as shy as ever. Well, I can't say he didn't try because he managed to take her out on a date, but Kyoko obviously didn't see it as that.

But come on. I was a great wing-man/woman! I was dropping all the hints and good stuff. It ended well, but Kyoko could try to be a little bit less oblivious, for her sake and Tsuna's. Yamamoto was just a nice and fun as always. I did notice that he smelled distinctly of sushi and plain soap. It reminded me of Squalo.

Speaking of the Varia, I missed them terribly. The heat of the summer only reminded me of that. It reminded me of that day we all went outside to fix the limousine. Squalo yelling, Lussuria trying to get a tan, Mammon watching us waste time, and maybe money, Levi being Levi and Xanxus barking orders.

I missed Belphegor the most. It took all my willpower to not start crying on the spot. I remember the sweet hug we shared on the day I left.

"Cheyenne?" Gokudera whispered from my right. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" He was actually worried. I shook my head and touched my cheek. It was wet there.

"I just want to go home..." My eyes were downcast.

"You could always leave early-"

"I mean home." I interrupt. He frowned with sympathy.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gokudera kept trying to help but it only served to irritate me more.

"No." I put my head down and wiped my cheek of any tears.

"Ms. Balotelli," the teacher says. "Could you please pay attention." He said it as if it were a statement.

"Yes." I responded, but kept my head down.

"You're being defiant and disrespectful. You should listen to me-" I lift my head up and glare at him. Today was not the day to irritate me.

"There's very few people in this world who have my respect and you're not one of them!" My voice raised toward the end as I stood up, palms firmly on the desk. My friends were surprised by my reaction, having never seen me act like this. I was surprised, too. This time away from the Varia was affecting me more than I cared to admit.

"Cheyenne! Calm down! You're not getting sent to the principal over something as sill-" Yamamoto tried to reason with me, but Gokudera shook his head.

"Let her work it out." The teacher finally got over the shock and pointed at the door.

"Go outside! I'll have a stern talk with you after the lesson." I push past the desks, bumping into a few along the way. Closing the door behind me with a huff, I stand outside before sliding down the wall. Tucking my knees to my chest, I rest my head on my legs and hug them.

I shouldn't be this upset, but I was. It wasn't that I disliked Namimori, but I wanted to see my famiglia again. Hearing heavy footsteps, I lifted my head up. Hibari. He smirked when he saw me leaning on the wall. Looking down on me liking a predator would with its prey, he teased me.

"What did you do now?"

"Save it, Hibari." He frowned. I usually took the bait, but I was too upset to care. The teacher came outside and paled when he saw Hibari.

"H-Hibari."

"I'm taking her with me." Hibari grabbed my arm and dragged me to my feet in a less-than-gentle way. We walked all the way up to the roof. He let me go and I went to go sit on the ground. I looked at my hands, clenching and unclenching my fist.

"What do you want? Don't you have a committee to take care of?" I ask, wanting to be alone.

"I do, but I have a stupid woman to take care of now." You didn't have to try to hear the annoyance in his voice.

"Why?"

"Because you're crying." I blink and touch my cheek. No. There was nothing there. Hibari rolls his eyes. "I don't have to see it to know, woman."

"Why are you paying so much attention to me? Just leave me alone to wallow in my misery." He suddenly smacked the back of my head. This time, I was really seeing stars. Damn! That was the most painful one!

"What the fuck, Kyoya?!" I glare at him while I held the my head.

"There."

"What?!"

"You were being depressing so I made you whiney instead." I blinked multiple times and watched him in curiosity.

"I thought you hated me being whiney?"

"I do."

"Then-"

"But that's less annoying than you being depressed." He lies down on the ground beside me while I stared at him the whole time.

Suddenly, a grin splits on my face.

"Awww~ You do care about me~" He smacked the back of my head again. "Ow! Okay, sorry."

"Shut up now. I need to sleep."

"Okay~"

I licked my banana lollipop. It was French chocolate. Somehow, Gokudera convinced me to get this flavor. Poor them, though. The Disciplinary Committee was expecting 500 bananas by the end and I knew that number was impossible to reach. Well, unless each and every one of Yamamoto and Gokudera's fangirls were here. Doubtful.

Boredom. That was what I could use to describe how I was feeling right now. Uncomfortable, too. I didn't understand these Japanese festivals and their traditional clothing was difficult to move in. Kusekabe told me to wear it to boost the morale of the Disciplinary Committee since I was the only female member. Too bad I still had to do my job while wearing it.

Hibari never let me take breaks. A lot of my summer has consisted of coming and going to school. He had to take care of a lot of the expenses and schedules along with more sketchy activity. Sketchy activity including what I was doing right now: taking money from stalls and occasionally stealing from people. All in a day's work, I suppose.

The only thing I had to look forward to were the fireworks and that wouldn't be for a while. It wasn't sunset yet.

"Woman." I flinched upon hearing Hibari's voice. I turn around.

"What is it, Kyoya?" He smacked the back of my head, as if on cue, and then started walking. I frowned, but followed.

"Have you collected where I told you?"

"Yeah. Is that all you want me to do?" I ask, ready to be done for the day.

"Meet me by the temple entrance when the fireworks start."

"Why?"

"Don't ask so many questions and just do it." He sounded...frustrated? It wasn't his normal kind of frustrated, though. I shook my head. I didn't have time to analyze his damn voice.

"Fine." I sigh and drop it. He walks off. So what can I do for the last few hours?

I decide to spend the rest of the evening with Kyoko and Haru. Truthfully, the only reason I wasn't with Gokudera or everyone else was because I was a terrible salesman. People scared me and trying to sell products to them is even more terrifying. It was a big enough miracle that I became friends with Tsuna and his gang.

"Cheyenne!" A hand waves in front of my face, effectively snapping me out of my trance.

"What?" Kyoko giggles at my lost-looking expression.

"We were asking you something important!" Haru interjected.

"What's that?"

"Have you asked Gokudera out yet?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Remember? You confessed on Valentine's Day!" They reminded me. Oh yeah. I forgot all about my lie.

"He rejected me."

"Oh no desu~" Haru was so sad. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest.

"Was it bad?"

"It's okay. I'm not that sad about it." Haru smirked.

"We know." I blinked, surprised at her suddenly evil face.

"Yeah. It's no use hiding your true crush." Kyoko nodded furiously.

"You guys have had a little too much green tea, I think." I shake my head at their strange behavior.

"Don't change the subject!" I put my hands up. They were persistent with whatever they were doing.

"Okay. So who is my true crush?" I was curious. Who was my true crush because I sure didn't know. Perhaps they would enlighten me.

"Hibari!"

"Kyoya!"

"Of course!" They said in unison. I watched them. These girls were actually serious...

I burst out laughing.

"You guys are funny. We hate each other's guts!" They look between each other.

"But you guys are so cute desu!"

"And he's always with you!"

"He's around me to torture me," I say very honestly. "Hibari is a real slave driver." Nodding at what I said, I close my eyes.

"Wow! I never knew!" Haru was amazed.

"That's a pity. I truly liked you two as a couple." I shake my head.

"He can barely stand me as it is. If we were a couple, he would have to see me twice as often. That wouldn't end well for anyone."

"I see..." Kyoko smiled.

"Don't worry! There's someone out there for you!"

"Hah. I hope so." I laugh. Was there someone? The person I got along with best was Squalo and I could never fall in love with my uncle-figure. Looking up at the sky, I suddenly realized it was getting dark.

"The fireworks should be starting soon. Wanna watch them with us?" Kyoko invited me.

"Actually, someone is expecting me." They smile.

"I'll see you later, then."

"Bye bye, Cheyenne-chan!" They wave as I walk to the temple entrance.

It was night by the time I reached it. Hibari was already there. He noticed me.

"You're late, woman."

"No, I'm not. You're just early."

"Late."

"Early."

"This is childish. Sit down before the fireworks start." I watch him warily. He sits down and I place myself next to him. For some reason, I felt really out of place. Hibari was wearing his uniform while I sat in this itchy yukata.

"Do you ever take your uniform off?" He turned to me and glared. I took that as my cue to shut up and look at the sky. "...What did you need me here for?"

"Just sit and keep quiet, woman." I could tell he was trying his hardest not to smack me.

"Kyoya-"

"Stop call-"

"Oh, look!" I pointed at the sky with excitement. It was beautiful. My eyes sparkled. A green one exploded. Then a red. A blue. Another green. There was a yellow one. Grinning, I comment, "The blue one is my favorite!" Hibari looks at me with something similar to disgust. It was so pretty. I've never seen fireworks before. The Varia never got out much since we were an assassin organization.

Voicing my thoughts, I said, "I've never seen fireworks before..." I was in awe. Hibari lied down and stared at the sky. "Good idea!" I copied him and lied down next to him.

They exploded so brightly and beautifully. I've seen Gokudera blow up stuff hundreds of times, but this was different. It was art. Like a mini painting on the sky. Every explosion was a new art piece. I giggled at my own musings.

"What are you laughing for?"

"They look like little paintings!"

"That was the most pathetic thing I've heard today."

"Nuh-uh! Everything I say is true!"

"Not even close."

"Oh shush, Kyoya! Don't be so-oh another flower!" I was quickly distracted by another firework.

I was so happy. This would be the most memorable moment of my summer for sure. It was relaxing even if Hibari Kyoya, the ultimate grump, was next to me. In fact, his presence was nice. I didn't feel the need to fill the air with words. The fireworks were pretty and I enjoyed them in silence. Sometimes getting away from the chaos was good, too. Lights danced in my eyes. I hoped that this night would never end.

Unbeknownst to me, Hibari was a bit more distracted watching the fireworks in my eyes than the ones in the sky.

If there are any errors, PM me and I will rectify them as soon as I can! If you have any character/episode/plot you want me to write about, tell me and I might include it! Please leave a review! I love reading them!