Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

A/N: Written for ChibaHaya Week 2018 Day 2- Fear.

Fear

Fear.

The mind-numbing, freezing, death grip of horror. The one thing that made people revert back to their primal instincts of survival.

The sound of a gun firing reverberated through the small theatre, and Chiba's heart felt like it had stopped beating. His sweaty hands clutched his pistol and his head snapped to where the bullet was. He knew that was where Hayami was hidden, where she had made that risky shot, where she could be in grave danger at the moment-

To his relief, Hayami was safe, her back pressed against a cushy seat. She stiffly turned around, having remembered Chiba's position. She met his gaze and gave a weak, terrified smile. Even in this lighting, Chiba noticed that her hands were slightly trembling.

Fear morphed into anger. This was Hayami Rinka, ever-reliable, ever-calm, readily agreeing to whatever mission she had. How dare the hitman shoot at her! How dare the hitman scare her! Hayami-

Chiba forced himself to return to the task, blood boiling with suppressed fury. He wanted to make the hitman pay. He wanted him to feel pain because of what he had done to Hayami. Pain. Blood. Death.

I want to kill him.

Ritsu's calm yet alert face on his phone screen brought Chiba's common sense back. Chiba scolded himself for having such thoughts. It was what Korosensei had warned him. The gun would not be used for killing. They would try to accomplish their mission with the least bloodshed possible.

But the cold fingers of fear crept on Chiba's spine again. What if Hayami died? What if she died and it was all his fault? They were the only two who had a useful weapon.

I don't want her to die.

Chiba's throat restricted, and he made a promise to himself.

I have to protect her.

When the second gunshot echoed around, Hayami nearly jumped. Chiba's not hit Chiba's not hit-

Now that her position was exposed, everyone would be relying on Chiba. And the hitman knew that. She knew the hitman would specifically target Chiba, as he was the most dangerous person to the hitman.

And everyone knew that.

That was why everyone was covering for him.

She was ever so thankful that the extremely talented Sugaya had somehow managed to whip up a dummy in a few tense minutes. She was so glad that it was the dummy whose forehead had been pierced, not Chiba's.

The third gunshot rang clearly, and Hayami knew it was Chiba who opened fire. She readied her position and aim, green eyes zoning on her target.

Now it was up to her. She knew Chiba would have to be in the open to shoot, so he would be extremely vulnerable.

And she was downright terrified for him.

It was even more terrifying that she could be responsible for his death.

"Ha ha, so that's where the other one is," the hitman laughed like a maniac, and he pointed his gun towards Chiba-

Like a machine, Hayami instinctively pulled the trigger before she could think. She didn't have time to think whether she could hit the gun or not, whether Chiba could shoot in time if she failed, if Chiba could survive the night-

BANG!

The gun flew out of the hitman's hand and clattered on the floor. Hayami held up her smoking gun, beads of perspiration on her stoic face. "I finally hit the mark," she muttered, voice coming out as a breathless whisper.

I hit the gun.

Chiba is safe.

Everyone is safe.

What happened next was a whirl, as the students emerged from their hiding places and tied the hitman up. Hayami began to walk, feeling as light as air. Her gun was heavy and slicked with her sweat.

Chiba readjusted his beanie and felt his heartbeat slowly return to normal. Hayami's shot was right on time; Chiba was sure the hitman could shoot faster than him. Chiba allowed himself a little grin. He knew Hayami would come to his aid because that was what they did. They were partners. They protected each other.

So when he saw her, standing solemnly to the side, he smiled. They looked up in unison and their gazes met.

I was so scared for you, they wanted to say. I'm so happy you're alright.

But words weren't really their thing, so they just grinned and bumped their arms together, like always.

It was no surprise that the sleazy Korosensei would host something like "a tunnel of fear" to matchmake his students.

It was no surprise that Chiba and Hayami were paired together. Their classmates had been shipping them for months, and after their little episode in the theatre, they were sure the class just shipped them more.

All business-like, the sniper duo readied their guns and stared at the dark opening of the cave.

"I'll be taking the torch," Chiba said. He used his right hand, also his dominant hand, to hold a gun, while using his left hand to grab the torch.

"Don't stray," Hayami mentioned and she followed behind Chiba. There was a very awkward silence. Chiba clumsily illuminated their surroundings with the torch, but so far, nothing seemed to be suspicious.

Chiba wasn't really used to handling things with his left hand, so he accidentally dropped it on the rocky cave floor and the torch rolled away, out of sight, leaving the duo in pitch darkness.

"I'll retrieve it," Chiba said and went away.

"We're not supposed to go in different directions!" Hayami reached out blindly and clutched Chiba's arm. "Okay, do you see it?"

"... Hayami, are you afraid of the dark?" Chiba chose to disregard her question.

"What? No. I'm afraid that we'll get lost," Hayami replied. "Where's Korosensei?"

As if to answer her, two high pitched screams sounded from the end of the cave, which felt very far from her.

Chiba couldn't see very well due to being in a dark environment and his black bangs swaying in front of his sight. Maybe Hayami should hold the torch next time.

Hayami's eyes had just begun to adjust to the minimal light when they saw the handle of a torch, peeking out from behind a rock. "There!" Hayami gasped.

Chiba walked faster and as a result, he tripped and hit his head on the rock. Hayami had enough tact to let go of his arm, but she still ended up falling to the ground.

The girl slowly picked herself up and ignored the burning pain from her spine. She winced and reached for the torch. "Chiba? You okay?"

There was an achingly long silence.

Hayami shone the torch on her partner, and blanched.

Chiba was sprawled out on the floor, a little bit of blood seeping out of his forehead. His bangs were swept to the side, revealing his closed eyes.

"Chiba!" Hayami immediately put the torch down and gently slapped both of Chiba's cheeks. "Wake up!"

No reply.

Hayami began to panic, fear creeping in her stomach. The same feeling she had when the hitman aimed that gun at Chiba. She shook his shoulders. "Hello?"

No response

The girl's breathing quickened. What should she do? He was hurt again. Because of her.

The blood on his forehead was making her mind swirl… like a gunshot to the head… his unconscious body going pale… death….

Chiba's eyes snapped open, and Hayami blinked, shocked by the redness of his eyes and him waking up.

"I was just joking!" Chiba said, brushing his bangs to cover his eyes again. "I wasn't really asleep. You think a blow like that would've knocked me out-"

Hayami then punched his arm. Hard. Chiba flinched.

"Don't do that again!" Hayami exclaimed. "I was so worried for you, and here you are, just messing with my feelings…"

"I'm sorry," Chiba murmured, surprised by Hayami's reaction. But he recognized that face; that was the terrified face Hayami had when she was nearly shot by Gastro.

Was she really that concerned for me?

"People don't usually die when they trip." Chiba sat up and felt his back, biting his lip as he did so.

"Well yes," Hayami frowned at him, then her face softened. "But you just reminded me of when… when we faced Gastro… I was so scared you might die, Chiba."

Chiba's eyes widened upon hearing Hayami's raw feelings. It wasn't often that they truly opened up to each other. Her eyes were wide and sincere, and Chiba found himself holding her stare.

"For the record… I was also scared for you too," Chiba admitted.

The heartfelt silence was interrupted by a nearby screech, and that little moment was broken. Hayami wiped the blood off Chiba's forehead and helped him up.

"This time, I'm taking the torch," Hayami clutched the torch and light bounced off the cave walls.

Then she turned to Chiba and smiled, "Won't want you in danger again."

A/N: … I'm still convinced that Hayami grabbed Chiba's arm during the Tunnel of Fear. Matsui, being the huge shiptease he is, just cut off the bottom part of the panel.

Thank you for the kind reviews! I'm glad people still read this a year later. :D

See you guys tomorrow! Feedback is appreciated!