Yama: A slightly longer chapter we hoped...

Oki: Long time no see, please enjoy and review (please . ) :D

Yama: We don't own KHR~

First Night - Second Round, Namimori Forest

Reborn swiftly avoided trees as he dashed through the forest, aiming to find a suitable place for rest before night falls. He was sure that once the sky darkens, the dangers lurking in Namimori forest would then come out for hunting.

Including –Nashi-.

The black-haired man had mocked Tsuna for being naïve, bringing little stuff into the risky forest, but now, he regretted his own actions.

The backpack on his shoulder began to feel like an extra weight to him, together with the heavy atmosphere the forest was giving. If not for the items and food in his bag, Reborn would have just thrown his bag to one side and go on without it.

Frowning as he searched around him, Reborn sped up when he heard chilling wails and rustling coming from deeper into the forest.

The chill down his neck was getting stronger.

"Hey, hurry up; we have to start searching for a target if we want to win!" a group of four tall men were currently resting around a fireplace, all of them a little exhausted.

All of them were confident of their own abilities and stamina, attempting the Trehunt, in order to gain fame and title of a 'numbered' treasure hunter.

Yet, the confusing routes and harsh surroundings had drained them of their drive and energy to continue further, no matter how much they wanted to start their mission.

"Don't worry, we can rest here first, we had set traps around, so if anyone gets caught in them…"

"We can get their tokens!" laughing in self-assurance, the four men settled down and started rummaging through their packs for food.

"Man, I need to recharge my energy! I'm kind of hungry!" one of them, a bearded man exclaimed as he took out a loaf of dried bread and some hard cheese. The others nodded in agreement, but out of nowhere, an unfamiliar voice replied.

"I totally agree. Food makes one's tummy happy!"

Scanning their surrounding frantically at the sudden voice, all four of them had a shock of their lives when they realized a young man sitting between them, right beside the bearded man. The newcomer had a head of brown hair, a limp backpack hanging around his waist and was wearing a cheerful smile on his face.

At first glance, this younger man seemed harmless.

"Can I share your bread? In return, I offer you these apples!" Tsuna grinned as he held up the fruits to the man with the bread. Nodding silently and still a little stunned; the latter cut as slice of bread with cheese and cautiously handed it to the brown-haired man.

To the older man, there was no reason to fear the unexpected visitor, as from the looks of it; the brunette was young and not as experienced as any of them there. Even if he did have a motive or getting their tokens, the shorter man would not be able to win against the four of them…

Yet, something tells him that it was too soon to lower his guard around the brown-haired competitor.

The four people sat in silence, all of them concentrating on the seemingly-oblivious brunette, who was chewing on his dried bread.

They noticed the '27' treasure hunter crest on the brunette's chest.

They understood that judging from the number and ranks; the brown-haired treasure hunter was one of the weaker ones.

However, there was something that bugged them.

How did the brunette appear out of nowhere, right between them? They could not feel his presence before he talked at all! They are skilled and sensitive treasure hunters, there was no way they could not feel or realize anything at all!

What about the traps they set up?

Almost immediately and all at the same time, the four older men jumped up and whipped out their weapons, instantly alert and tensed.

The brunette was no harmless creature.

"I don't know how you avoid the traps, but there is no way you are going to defeat us!" with that, all of them charged towards Tsuna, who licked his fingers before a smirk stretched across his face.

"Ah, don't be so impatient." Right in front of their eyes, Tsuna's image shimmered and disappeared.

"What the…!" before they even have the time to be confused or react, Tsuna had gracefully swiped them off balanced and roughly kicked them all towards a tree.

"You are just '27', how…?"

"Who are you?"

Tsuna did not reply as he slowly raised a short knife above his head, the wicked grin on his face stretching even wider.

"Ah, I can't tell you that, because I must kill you if I told you."

Orange orbs stared straight at them, driving fear into the four men. For a moment, they could see the killer in Tsuna.

"You won't want to know anyway." Tsuna shrugged innocently as he grinned brightly, the deadly glint in his eyes giving him away.

The last time thing they saw before losing conscious was the brunette's eerie orange eyes.

Gokudera cursed rudely as he angrily hacked at the thick tree branches and vines blocking his way.

The silver-haired man sincerely wanted to just bomb his way through the forest, yet he knew that it was not a good idea to just thoughtlessly alert enemies of his location during night.

Gokudera was disappointed when Tsuna had hurriedly away before Gokudera even got the chance to talk to him. The bomb user was even irritated when a purple-haired stranger with questionable background was travelling with Tsuna.

He knew that Tsuna was able to take care of himself; it was just that he simply did not trust the fortune-teller that was travelling with Tsuna. Mukuro was searching for 72, and Gokudera was afraid of his motives…especially when –Nashi- himself was journeying with the purple-haired man.

Even if Tsuna did not fear the possibility of his real identity being revealed or found out, Gokudera was fearful for him.

Tsuna truly enjoyed treasure hunter and exploring, but if the public do know his true rank, Tsuna would be chased and dared by many greedy opponents who wanted his title and treasures.

Gritting his teeth in determination, Gokudera decided to stay by his –Nashi- and protect him. Well, if he could find him first that is…

Kicking the last tree branch aside, Gokudera beamed when he (barely) spotted Tsuna not far away from him, sitting alone by a tree. The brunette was staring blankly at the night sky, mumbling softly to himself.

Not caring whether he was dirty or tired, Gokudera straightaway rushed towards Tsuna, his eyes full of excitement and surprise. Tsuna was hard to find and trace and Gokudera did not expect to find him so soon by chance. He could finally stay by Tsuna's side and be useful to him!

"Tsuna-san, I finally found you!" Gokudera cried as he attempted to hug the shorter man, only to be elbowed in the face.

"Ah, sorry, I thought you were another opponent!" Tsuna waved a hand in feigned apology when Gokudera yelped in pain. The night was young but there was nothing much Tsuna could do. The four men that he thought would be worthy opponents were a little too weak…

Maybe finding Reborn and challenging him will be more interesting for Tsuna, but it required consideration as Tsuna could easily expose himself.

Right now, -Nashi- was bored.

The mission of collecting 3 tokens in total no longer mattered to Tsuna. It had been a while since he last felt so…sharp and serious. It had been a while since he had moved around without his bell.

His senses were getting sharper and sharper. The bloodlust and calmness that he had hidden deep was getting out…

-Nashi- was just getting started.

"I'm bored…" Tsuna's disappointment in his words got Gokudera's attention. Shifting his glance to the brown-haired treasure hunter's neck, the silver-haired frowned inwardly when he realized that the bell was gone.

-Nashi- was truly out and running.

Should he try to persuade Tsuna to wear his bell back?

Maybe not…in the Tsuna's current state it was too risky to displease or annoy the brunette. Yet, leaving a wild Tsuna on the run might not be a better idea.

"Tsuna-san, I…" turning his attention back to Tsuna's Gokudera was shocked and frustrated when the latter was nowhere to be seen. Not after he had finally found Tsuna!

His eyes narrowing in concentration, Gokudera started off in the direction where panicked shouts along with cold laughter came from.

27 the treasure hunter might be an easy target, but 72 never was.

Never.

Natsu snickered in disbelief as he tried to follow Tsuna's trail through the forest. Vines, hanging branches and many trees, these were all hard to avoid in the night if not focused. There were even random traps hanging and lurking around.

He had to admit that he was getting more and more impressed by his younger brother's skills and speed. Even Natsu had a hard time catching up, losing Tsuna in the middle of his chase.

Yawning lazily, the brunette decided to slow down his pace and enjoy the tension in the night air. Tsuna was easy to locate in Natsu really tried. The amount and intensity of aura that Tsuna emitted was easy for Natsu to recognize and track down.

That would take time though. Right now, there was something more interesting that Natsu could do.

Lying down on a pile of slightly wet leaves, Natsu ran a hand through his hair was he slothfully called out.

"If you are looking for Tsuna or –Nashi-, you won't find them here," Natsu started, a plan forming in his head.

He did promised Tsuna that he would not interfere with Tsuna's actions or decisions, but that did not mean that Natsu would not try to drop hints about Tsuna's true identity.

A slow sneer creeping onto his face, Natsu continued, unconcerned by the unusual silence around him.

"You won't find them here…Mr Reborn."

Oki: Hope you all enjoyed it!:)

Yama: See ya soon! Plz do review or comment ^^