Chapter 9: I am Batman

MARCH 2017

Part 1:

I know, sounds strange right? You'll understand soon enough. Here's a little background I didn't even know until a few years later: TC had decided, that because of the events unfolding with Notics, I needed more protection than he and KT alone could give me. So, he brought together a small group of American guardians. They were given the elements that were left out; the elements, in Asian mythology, that were the building blocks of everything: Air, water, fire and Ice. Enma, as you know, already has earth. I, for obvious reasons, am fire. And now, I will get on telling you about the others…

Exams were over, and we were all relieved. March was nearly over, which meant it was SpringBreak. In true fashion, I acquired tickets to a music festival, and second row seats (first row is too flashy) to the Jason Mraz concert at the end of it. I was excited, because I was going to bring Melody along. I was finally able to drive again, having lost the full arm cast and neck brace somewhere along the way. I was stuck in a wrist brace during the day. My new car, funded by my insurance, was a sporty 2017 Corvette Stingray. It was a roomy two door in metallic orange, much like my 350z.

We packed up and headed out. Melody was grinning like a child as we entered the highway. "I'm surprised my parents are letting me do this…All they've ever heard about Spring Break in America is getting high and having sex on the beach. They really,really trust you."

"Well, we're not going to the beach, which is only part of their view." I grinned as I changed lanes to pass a slower car. "They know, as well as you do, I wouldn't do that."

"Which part? The drugs or the sex?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Yes, Melody, I'm a drug addict. We're going to Columbus so I can get some weed at a Jason Mraz concert. I can only imagine seeing him live while high."

She giggled. "That would explain a lot."

I cracked open a can of Arizona Tea. "Man, we have two hours of road ahead of us."

"They'll go quick," she assured me. She took my phone and rummaged through its contents. "Nice music selection. I never saw you as the Evanescence type."

"They're good. Those are the tunes I dance around the house to when there's no one home."

"No way, me too." She plugged it into the car stereo and let the Shuffle-Bug do its thing with my music. "I sing in the shower, too," I quipped.

"You're very good."

"Mm, well, maybe."

"Aw, don't sell yourself short. Do I have to make you sing for me?"

"Maybe one day I will…"

The hours flew by and we were suddenly surrounded again by buildings and traffic. "Columbus, Ohio…home of the great Ohio State University."

"And high Jason Mraz groupies?"

I laughed. "Yes."

I pulled off down a city street to find the hotel we were going to be staying at. "There's the expo center…" she pointed out. "Which means our hotel should be over there."

I pulled into the parking lot, which was replete with cars. "Groupies…everywhere."

I found a spot closer to the hotel entrance. "Let's get checked in before it gets too crazy out here."

"Yeah."

We hopped out. The winter months were beginning to thaw out. The sun was out and the air was cool. We lugged our bags inside and took in the atmosphere: a modern look with a Starbucks in one corner and a section closed in with glass walls that held a computer café. I walked up to the reception desk. "Checking in?"

"Yes."

"What's the name?"

"Sawada." Melody appeared beside me and placed her hand at the small of my back. I was handed a key card. "You're all set. Have a great stay."

We thanked the clerk and took our bags up to the next floor. I swiped the card and the door opened. The room was one step down from a consecutive suite, with all the amenities of a small apartment. "Wow, you are spoiling me."

"You deserve only the best."

"You're too sweet."

I threw my bag by one of the beds and pulled out my phone to text KT. Melody laid out her pajamas on her bed. "So, what is the plan for the next three days?"

"Whatever you want to do…There's a park by here, we can chill there tomorrow. There's a pool, well, more like a small waterpark, around here as well."

"Ah, the bathing suit."

"Mhm…It's warming up."

"Yeah…you're right. That sounds great! The music fest is the last day, so we'll be pretty occupied."

"Exactly! See, I'm good at planning ahead."

"Yeah, I guess you are."

"You guess? Come on, you've got to have a bit more faith in me than that."

She wrapped her arms around my neck in careful fashion. "You know I do."

I smiled. "I'm just messing with ya."

She pouted. "That's not very nice."

I kissed her pout. "I don't see you complaining now."

She giggled. "Drugs and sex, huh?"

I rolled my eyes and kissed her again, fuller than before. We stood together for a couple of minutes before the silence became too unbearable for me. "What do you want to eat tonight?"

"Surprise me." She placed her hands on my face. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You can tell me if you're unhappy, Tsuna."

I smiled slightly. ~I wish I could tell you everything. I wish I didn't have so much left unsaid…~

She looked into my eyes and for a moment I thought she could see exactly how I felt. "Hun?"

I leaned into her and began to cry. It was out of nowhere. She held me tight, regardless. ~So much stress…too many lies…I wish…I wish…~

She was stroking my neck and rocking us both gently. "Shh…it's okay."

It felt so good to cry. It had been so long since I'd let out my frustration, my fears, my truest emotions. Even though I couldn't tell her anything, it still felt nice to have her comfort. I took a deep breath. "I'm okay…I needed that…All this stress, lately…It's been killing me."

She had her hands on my face again, wiping away my tears. "I'm so sorry…"

I smiled and laughed slightly, closing my eyes and leaning into her hand. "You have nothing to be sorry for…you're here for me, that's all I need."

She smiled back. "How about we just stay here for dinner? A movie and room service? Let's save any special dinner plans for later…"

"Okay…Are you sure?"

"Of course…"

The room was dark, save the flickering light from the television, and I was still awake staring at the ceiling. I could hear Melody's soft breathing beside me, the hum of the TV on mute. I looked at her and could make out her facial features: the curve of her upturned lips, her tiny nose, and the slightest bit of wet on her eyelashes that made them glisten in the dark. She was beautiful. It made me wonder how I got her in the first place. I smiled and got up quietly, covered her with a blanket, and then went to my own bed where I would lay awake until I found sleep an hour later.

Melody was up before me the next morning. I was asleep on my stomach, my head buried in the pillow, and one arm dangling off the bed. The blanket was balled up on the floor. She giggled to herself as she picked it up and spread it out over me. The TV was still on. She shut it off and looked back at me. I'd really hate to wake him…That break down last night…I hope everything is okay. She sat on her bed. This is all so sweet…but all this money…I can't imagine where he's getting it from. I moved my position to lie on my side, trying to get comfortable all the while. It was then she resolved she would get me up, for it was almost ten in the morning. She sat beside me and placed her hand on the space behind my back. "Wake up sleepy head."

The sound was enough to bring me to consciousness. I blinked in the light. "Good…morning…" I yawned. She moved her hand so I could sit up, placing my own hand where hers was. I brushed the sleep scrunched hair out of her face and smiled. "You're the only girl I know who looks good in the morning."

She blushed and took my hand. "I am not."

We interlocked our fingers. "Yes, you are…"

She looked at our hands. "I wish you could see yourself the way I do…"

She looked back at me, beautiful eyes glittering. She looked like she would cry, but instead, she smiled. "Thank you…"

I pulled her into a kiss with my hand at the back of her head. ~I am in love with you~ I thought, but the thought shocked me. Love, I knew, could cause future problems, but love was what I felt. A deep passion for the return of such feelings, but I wouldn't speak the words out loud. I wanted her to be comfortable with me too. But another thought crept into my head. ~What if I scare her? What if, when she knows the real me, it runs her off? I become the monster and not her true love…~ I stared into her eyes again and those thoughts went away slowly. ~Worry about now, and what's in front of you.~

~"Couldn't have said it better myself."~

I had a granola bar in my hand and a carton of orange juice in the other. Melody was in the shower. My phone buzzed beside me. I stared at it for a moment as I sipped from my juice. I put the carton aside and picked up my phone.

*KT: Is everything going alright?

*Me: Yeah, of course. What do you think would go wrong?

*KT: . You know exactly what I think would go wrong when you leave two teenagers alone together.

*Me: O.O I'm shocked you think of me that way.

There was a long pause between my reply and hers.

*KT: Shut-up, Tsuna.

I laughed and placed my phone in my pocket. The bathroom door opened and Melody stepped out, gently brushing the wet tangles out of her hair with her fingers. "What do you think? Is it too much for a day in the park?" She spun around, the sun-dress she was wearing spun out with her. "Of course not…You look perfect."

She stood still and smiled, running her fingers through her hair again. "Thank you."

She went to the desk and picked up her jewelry, placing a heart-shaped locket around her neck first. I got up and threw out the granola bar wrapper and the juice carton. I got a closer look at the sun-dress. It was different shades of blue and green. I looked at myself. I was in simple blue jeans and a t-shirt with a brown jean-material jacket. She turned around to look at me. She fixed the collar on the jacket. "Don't forget your wrist brace."

I was going to speak, but I looked at my left arm, turned around and walked to my bedside where the brace was. She giggled. "What would you do without me?"

I strapped the brace on and then grabbed my pill case from my bag, took out my dosage, and took them. "I remembered my medication."

I walked back to her. She was slipping her shoes on her feet. I rearranged the contents of my pockets to the pockets of my jacket, keys in one, phone, wallet and the keycard in the other. She placed the thin strap of her very small purse over her shoulder. "How do you hold anything in that?"

"I don't…I just have my phone and a pack of gum in there."

"The necessities of life: phone and gum!"

She placed her arm around mine and interlocked our fingers. "I'm ready."

We walked the short distance from the hotel to the park, which was fairly large. The grass was unnaturally green, and the water blue. Even at eleven in the morning, there were children running around the small playground that was set up. We walked through, hand in hand. The sun was warm, and the wind was cool. "It's so beautiful today…"

I was looking around. Melody looked at me and nudged me with her elbow. I looked at her apologetically. "Sorry…Yes, it is."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…I was watching the kids play. I remember when I was that age."

She smiled. "They're so little."

I went back to looking around; subconsciously something didn't feel right. We were passing the playground and two little girls ran up to us. Actually, they stood near us as we walked, and they kept whispering to each other like we couldn't hear.

One: Isn't she pretty?

Two: Yes!

Both would giggle and follow us some more. Eventually I stopped and looked at them. "Hey there."

They both blushed and waved. "H-hello."

I knelt in front of them. One stood behind the other. "Keely wanted to say something!"

"Nuh-uh, Kaylee!"

"Keely and Kaylee, huh? I'm Tsuna, and this is my girlfriend Melody."

"Hello," Melody said. The girls smiled and looked at me.

"She looks like a Princess."

"Does she now?"

"Mhm!" Kaylee said, nodding. "And you're her Prince, aren't you?"

"Something like that."

Melody joined me. "Can we do your hair, Princess?"

"Yeah! I found some flowers over there!"

"O-okay."

They squealed in delight, Keely running off to get her flowers and Kaylee dragging Melody to a spot she could sit. "Sit here and I'll braid!"

She sat there for a while, the girls braiding flowers in her hair, I laid on a bench, watching the clouds float in the sky. "Keely! Kaylee! It's time to go!"

They both made the same sound of disappointment. "Goodbye, Princess."

They both gave her a hug before running off to their mother. Melody appeared above me. "They called me Princess."

I sat up. "You are indeed. They did a good job."

My arm hurt a bit, but I pushed the pain aside. I wouldn't show minor pain, not when I'd been through so much worse.

We continued to walked through the park as the clock struck noon. I reached into one of the jacket pockets and retrieved my wallet. There was a popcorn vendor ahead of us. "Popcorn, anyone?"

She smiled. "Sure."

We walked up to it. "Hello there! What can I interest you in today!"

"The most medium sized bag of popcorn you've got."

"Right away!"

We heard laughing behind us, but didn't really look. I got the bag and paid for it, and then we were on our way again. "Thank you, Tsuna."

"You're welcome."

"NEVER FEAR. BATMAN IS HERE."

We both turned around; running at us was Batman. I didn't know whether to laugh or be horribly terrified. Melody was almost rolling. Batman stopped and seemed to look at us both, then settled on me. "You!"

~Not again…Please, please not again!~

The mask came off and she was a female. "Hi!"

"Do I know you?"

"No…" She scratched her head. "But I feel like I know you…" She thought a moment. "Oh, yeah!" She whispered in my ear. "I know who youare."

My blood went cold. I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. "Explain yourself or I will—"

"Calm down, Hotshot. I'm not your enemy. I'm actually here to help you. TC contracted me. Look, I understand your situation, but I'm a college student and I can't always assist."

"I'm confused, who are you?"

She sighed. "I'm Azreal, your Guardian of Water."

Melody was watching worriedly. I smiled to signal it was okay. Azreal went on. "I'll help when I can, but there are two more back in Solon that will be help as well." She got a goofy look on her face, getting back into creepy-stranger-mode. "Call me Batman!"

"I'd rather not."

"BATMAN." And with that she ran off. ~More Guardians?~

Melody walked over. "What was that about?"

"She went off on me because she thought she knew me…"

"Oh, okay."

~A college student running around in a Batman costume? I don't think so.~ "She was one brand of crazy."

Melody touched my arm and I flinched, the random pain caught me off guard. "Sh-shoot. Sorry."

"Wrong arm! I'm sorry!"

"No, no, it's okay. I don't know why it's been hurting…"

"You're in pain?"

"Y-yes and no. I'll be fine. Pain is all part of the healing process."

She switched sides. "Okay…but tell me if it worsens?"

"I will. We're here to have fun. I won't let anything ruin that."

We stood on a bridge and stared at the water below. The fish swam back and forth. "Yuck, I hate fish."

I smiled. "Really?"

"They freak me out. I don't know why."

"Interesting fact about you, huh?"

She shrugged. "I guess."

I dropped popcorn into the water on accident and the fish went after them furiously. "Let's go back to the room so we can have some real food…Buffet, my treat!"

(Next Day)

I was searching my bag furiously, trying to find my pain pills. The pain hadn't gone away. I kept quiet, though. Melody was in the bathroom changing. We were going to the water-park. The weather was unusually warm for the time of year, but I welcomed it. I was tired of being cold. "Tsuna!"

I looked up. "Yeah?"

"Can you come tie this for me?"

"Sure." I left my bag and walked to the bathroom door. She opened it. She was clinging to the bikini top with one hand, desperately trying to keep it on her chest. We both stared at each other. He's shirtless! (And virtually hairless!)

~She's showing off skin!~

We both snapped out of our dazes. "You needed me to tie something?"

"Oh yeah," she said, and turned around. I took hold of the strings and pulled them together. "How tight?"

"As tight as you can."

I tied them together, making sure it was double-knotted. "There…"

She turned back to face me. "Is this too…showy?"

It showed off her curves in all the right places. "No, not at all…You'll fit in with everyone else."

"We need sunscreen. You do my back, I'll do yours?"

"Of course.."

She walked past me and grabbed the sunscreen. "Come here."

I waltzed over while she placed a glob in her hand. She turned me around and lathered it in. "Cold!" ~I am so glad KT was able to conceal my tattoo...Who knows what trouble that would cause…~

"I know."

She rubbed in my shoulders. You would never know he was built this way…My God, what does he do in his free time? She turned me around and took the excess to my face. I can't ask him; that would be too creepy…She looked at my chest, noticing the scar there. She ran her hand across it. "What happened?"

"I was in an accident when I was 12…"

She noticed all the other scars, as well, but didn't say anything. What has he been through?

"Do you want me to get your back now?"

"Oh, yeah…" she handed the bottle over. "Thanks."

"No problem."

I quickly rubbed it in on her back and then the excess on her face. She smiled. "Thank you."

She took the bottle back and we finished getting protected from the sun. She grabbed our towels and stuffed them into a bag with the sunscreen bottle, her phone and the keycard. She pulled a sheer robe looking wrap on and tied it together, then slipped flip flops on her feet. I threw a shirt on and sandals, then grabbed my car keys. "Ready?"

She nodded. "Absolutely."

We took the elevator down and walked through the lobby. "I love to swim…I wish we had a swim team at the school, I could do it every day."

~Maybe the water park wasn't my…best…idea…~

I didn't like to swim, but not only that, I couldn't swim. All my life I had never had the knack for it, even when they forced us to do it in school. ~I can't tell her that, it will make her feel bad…maybe I can come up with something…~

We got into the car. "You've been pretty quiet today," Melody commented. "Is something the matter?"

We were on the road before I answered. "Nah, everything's fine." I opened and closed my left hand a couple of times, trying to release the tension in my arm. It worked for the moment. "What do they have at this water park?"

"I'm not sure if I remember everything…uh…I think there's a lazy river, a lot of slides…A wave pool and a normal pool."

"Is it big?"

"Not really, no…Not compared to how big it could be."

"Hm…okay. Is there anything you want to do first?"

~Why did she have to ask-~ "No, not really…"

"Okay…maybe we can sit on the lazy river for a while, get used to the water?"

"Sure, that sounds fine."

~"You're a horrible liar."~

~Shut-up, I know I am. I really don't want to lie to her but I honestly can't swim!~

~"Then tell her and stop acting a fool! Nothing good will come from you lying to her about your ability to swim."~

"Do you think there's going to be a lot of people there?"

I shrugged. "Maybe. I don't think people are used to it being this warm yet…May is when the temperatures really skyrocket around here."

She shifted in her seat and adjusted the wrap. The material shimmered in the sunlight.

The waterpark was quiet. There weren't many people, and there was enough space that those that were there were spread out. I had a locker rented out and we placed the bag with the towels and things in it and left our footwear. I took off my shirt as we walked towards the park itself. The layout was simple: slides on one side, the pool and the lazy river in the middle, one behind the other, and the wave pool on the other side. Children were laughing as the waves crashed on the "shore". My feet felt heavy as we got closer to the water. ~I'm going to fall off, I'm going to drown…I'm going to drown…~

I stopped walking. Melody hadn't noticed until she was a few feet ahead. She turned. "You coming?" She then noticed my look of fear and ran back. "What's wrong?"

~I'll drown…I'm going to die here…~ "I-I can't." I shook my head. "I can't go in."

"Why not, Hun? What's the matter?" she looked at the water and then back at me. "There's nothing in it." She took my hands. He's actually afraid of something over there…"I promise."

"I-I just can't…I can't swim, Melody…"

"Can't…swim? Why didn't you tell me before, we didn't have to come."

"I wanted to, I…I thought I could do it. I can't. I want you to have fun. I'll be okay. I can sit on the side and watch…"

"But you need to have fun too…" She looked at the water again. "Come on…"

She started to pull towards the lazy river. "You have nothing to be afraid of, this water is shallow."

We stepped into the water, and the chill made us both shiver. "See? Shallow."

We walked in up to our middles, where it stopped. "Nothing bad can happen to you in here…"

She grabbed a passing float. "Lean on this and walk around with me."

I took it and clung to it for dear life. She started to giggle. "What?" I asked.

"You. You're always so calm about things, but I'm seeing sides of you the past few days I never thought existed in you."

"Yeah? I used to be afraid of everything…but I learned that being afraid of everything doesn't work. So I got over those fears…Some things I can't change, like being unable to swim…" I pushed all of my thoughts aside. "I have more important things than being able to swim. I have to worry about just passing my classes."

We got around to the other side. "I wish you didn't have to worry."

"Sometimes, I do too…"

We ran around for a while. I watched her take on the slides, from the largest one to the smallest one. She had a wonderful smile on her face. It was like the inner child was unlocked in her. Eventually, it became afternoon, and the park filled up a bit. We made our way to the wave pool. "Do you want me to sit with you? I've been in the water all day, the least I can do is dry off a bit."

"No, it's alright. I'll be fine. I'll let my feet get wet and you can splash me all you want."

She smiled. Okay, I'll meet you at the side!" She ran into the calm water. The children all stood in anticipation, awaiting the moment the alarm goes off and the water gets stirred up. I sat at the edge and Melody came over, taking hold of the edged wall. "It's so nice."

"The air and the water feel about the same to me."

"Yeah, just a bit cooler, though."

The alarm sounded and the kids cheered. Slowly the water became choppy until it was as wavy as the ocean during a storm. The buoyed ropes were bouncing. Everyone was having a good time. I looked around just in time to see a younger boy shrinking away from an older one. I turned to get up, and when I looked back, the boys were behind the ropes in the water, I knew exactly what would happen next. Melody noticed me getting up as quick as I did. She leaned up in the water. "Tsuna?"

The little boy hit the water and I ran into action. I ducked under the rope barring any entry and quickly dove into the water. The waves made it hard to stay in one place, and the suction of the wave makers was worse. I knew if either of us got too close, we were done for. The water was cold. No body heat to make it warm. I looked frantically in the chlorinated water for anything I could see. I heightened my senses, knowing it would be the only way either of us would survive.

On the ground, Melody was getting out of the water as quick as she could. The mother of the boy was frantically trying to get past a lifeguard. "Let me go! That's my son!"

Melody held onto the woman, scared for both of our lives.

I grabbed the boy, and readied for our escape. We were too close to the suction, and it took all the strength I had to get us away from it. I held onto the boy tight. ~This is bad, this is very bad…~ I let myself become completely overcome by my powers, decreasing my heart rate and decreasing the need for oxygen. That was the push I needed. I reached the edge and grabbed it, then pulled the both of us out of the water, landing back against the fence as I took in gulps of air. The boy was coughing. A medic came to our aid. "Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine…"

All of my power wore off. I coughed violently, the oxygen loss getting to me. "Here."

The medic handed me an oxygen mask, which I took graciously. The boy's mother ran over to grab him in a hug. "Thank God you're safe…Thank God…"

I stood up and handed the oxygen mask back to the medic. "Thanks…"

I ducked under the rope and went up to Melody. "Hey."

"Hey?" She crossed her arms. "You tell me you can't swim and then you pull a stunt like that?"

"I had to do something. He hit those pumps he was done for."

"You would have been too!"

"I know…But his life meant more to me than mine."

She stared at me, letting my words sink in. The boy ran up to me and hugged me from behind. "Thank you…"

I turned around and knelt down. "You're welcome…What's your name?"

"James."

I pushed his hair out of his face. "What happened over there?"

He frowned. "That kid doesn't like me…I don't even know him."

"You might not believe it, but I used to be in your position once…The same kid picked on me from the time I was 5 until I was 12. He's my best friend now."

"Really? How'd you get him to stop?"

"I told him I forgave him for everything he ever did to me…It's hard to forgive, but sometimes we just have to do it."

"Ow, dad!"

"Apologize!"

The bully was brought before us both, his angry father holding him in place. "Apologize, Gale."

"I'm sorry!"

James moved closer to me. "O-okay…"

"There, I apologized. Can we go now?"

I stood up. "Hold on a second…Not to overstep my boundaries, but you think that just apologizing, as weak as it was, can change the fact that you put his life at risk?"

"I was just messing around with him."

"And I have the scars to prove that just messing around is actually harmful. I don't think you really understand that what you did was wrong."

"So what? If the weak can't survive, then they shouldn't be here."

I clenched my fists, seeing an evil in the eyes of Gale that I'd only ever seen in my only enemy, CT. "I was one of the weak, but I became strong."

The boy shrugged. "Whatever…"

The boy's father was shocked. "Gale!"

He pulled away from his father and stormed off. James was watching me. "I want to be just like you."

Everything calmed down again after a while. I grabbed my towel from the locker and wiped away the water on my face. Melody was silent. She hadn't spoken a word since. I placed the towel over my shoulder. "Melody…What's going on…"

She sat on a bench, and I quickly sat beside her. "What?"

"I shouldn't have gotten angry at you."

"Well why not? You have every right to be angry at me. I risked my life."

"You saved someone. I shouldn't be angry at you for that."

I took her hand. "I knew what I was doing…I wouldn't let someone lose their life, not while I'm around."

She smiled and looked at me. "You truly are an amazing human being…"

Water. So much water…I can't breathe! Help! Help, help me! I'm drowning! Help me, I'm—"Tsuna! Tsuna wake up!"

I shot out of my sleep, gasping for air. She placed her hands on my face. "It's okay, you're okay…"

I leaned into her stomach and wrapped my arms around her. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"

She stroked the back of my head calmingly. "You're fine, Hun..."

I remembered the look in Gale's eyes, and the smirk only I was able to see. I held on tighter. She sat on the bed and held me in her arms. "You're okay…"

I turned in her arms to be on my side. "I'm sorry if I woke you…"

"No, no, Hunny…you're okay…it was just a nightmare…"

I took a shaky breath. "Just a nightmare…just a nightmare…god…I was drowning…"

She closed her eyes and leaned her chin on the top of my head. "As long as you're with me, you'll be just fine…"

Morning came soon after. I woke up, still in Melody's arms. I sat up and stretched. She was awakened by my movement. "Morning…"

She scratched her head and pushed the hair out of her face. "Morning…"

I checked the clock. "11:30?!"

"What?" She shot up and looked at the clock. "It's already started!"

"Craaap." I grabbed my bag and dumped out its contents on my bed, trying to find the clothes I packed for it. Melody was doing the same. "I can't find my shirt!"

"My outfit is messed up!"

Eventually we were set. "Okay…I'm ready."

Melody placed the last pin in her hair. "Me too…"

We looked like a pair of punk teenagers. "I like this look on you," I commented, "very Rock-N-Roll."

"Thanks. I'm not really a big fan of Rock-N-Roll...You look good too, very natural."

"What can I say, Baby, I was born to Rock and Roll."

She laughed. "Alrighty then…Let's get this show on the road."

I grabbed our passes and threw them both around my neck. "After you."

The convention center was packed with people, all wearing the attire of their favorite bands. There was music echoing through the place, all different sounds meshing together. I felt right at home. "Welcome!" We were both handed a bag. There were a few goodies inside: a slap bracelet with the sponsors on it, a voucher for a free soda, and a couple of hard candies. "This place is loaded with free stuff from beginning bands hoping to make it big."

"We might need bigger bags!"

"We'll see!" I looked all around. "Which way?"

"Left!"

We walked down a long corridor, and vendors lined it with equipment and instruments. "Wow, look at that guitar…" I walked over and lifted it off its display, holding it like I knew what I was doing. "Absolutely amazing…"

She looked at the price tag, holding it gently in her fingers. "With a hefty price tag: $2,500? That's crazy."

I put it back. "Crazy cool…I have no need for a guitar, but if I did…"

Around the corner a band began to play. "Let's go watch!"

They were a newer band, with a really long name. They had a sound like Paramore. Their lead was a petite brunette. She walked up to us. "What do you think? You seem to be the only ones that care about us starters."

Melody wrapped her arm around me. "I like the style you're going for."

"Thanks. What about you big guy? You look like you've just walked out of an album cover."

"Ha, thanks…I think you're good, but you might want to tweak your sound a bit. You've got Paramore mixed with grunge. Try to find the right medium."

The girl smiled. "See, some constructive criticism. That's a wonderful thing. We will definitely work on it."

I gave a thumbs-up. "Other than that, you're doing very well. I hope to see you on the big stage sometime soon."

"Us too, man."

We walked on. "You're so nice."

"They were good, and I told them what to work on."

"You were so nice about it, though. You weren't like most people who go on about how they suck just because of one little thing."

"I guess so…"

The day went on and came close to the end. "Ladies and Gentleman, the sound-stage is now open for entry. Please have your tickets ready and follow all seating directions. Thank you."

"I've been waiting all day for this!" Melody jumped for joy. "Jason Mraz in live concert!"

"And you, my dear, have second row seats."

"I don't know how you managed this, but I cannot thank you enough."

We got in the doors and stared at the stage. Guys were setting up the equipment and moving the wiring. The usher pointed us to our seats. We sat and looked around us. The room was filling fast. There was smoke in the air. "I found the groupies."

"Yeah, they're probably going to be everywhere…but they probably have the cheaper seats up in the back, so we'll be out of the way."

"I hope so; I don't need any of that in my system."

With the room filled to capacity, the lights dimmed and the spot lights brightened. The curtains opened. "Good evening Columbus!"

The whole crowd cheered. "I've got a special surprise for you tonight! We're going to have a wonderful time!"

The stoners cheered in the back. He cued to his drummer, who started to play. Everyone in the crowd clapped along to the beat.

The smoke began to settle on us in the lower seats. The world around us became fuzzy, and we lost the concept of time. I could finally say I knew how it felt to see Jason Mraz live while high. "It's like he's having sex with a unicorn," someone beside me said. "So beautiful."

I wasn't focusing on the show anymore. Beside me, Melody refused to breathe in the smoke. She took my arm and pulled me up the steps out of the auditorium. "I can't do it anymore…"

I laughed as she pulled me along. "It's not so bad, you know…"

"Not so bad? First off, it's illegal.-"

"Uh-huh."

"—And second, it stays in your system."

"Well it's not like I was doing it. There's such a thing as…" I stopped; a pain in my chest making itself prominent beyond my daze brought me to attention. I gripped my shirt at the spot. Melody stopped. "What?"

"I don't know…I just started to hurt all of the sudden."

I looked at her. She was angry. A deep frown graced her features. "You're probably imagining things."

She continued on to the front of the building and out into the night. I followed after her, slowly, and the pain went away. "Melody…"

"What."

"Melody…"

"What?"

"Mel-O-Dy!"

"WHAT?"

I grabbed her arm. "No need to yell…"

She wanted to pull away. "You are acting like a jerk."

I leaned my head on her shoulder. "Mel-o-deee."

She sighed, and stifled a laugh. "What, Tsuna, what?"

"I love you."

She felt her heart skip, and her stomach flop. She blushed. I moved away but kept a grip on her hand. "You love me?"

"Of course! You're my girlfriend, why wouldn't I?"

"You've just…never said it before."

"I wasn't sure how you'd react…Was I going to fast, was I going too slow, would it make you think you had to love me back…"

She pulled me to a stop. "It can't make me love you back because I already do."

I pulled her to me and kissed her.

Part 2:

The car ride home the next afternoon was quiet. I didn't really remember anything that happened the night before, nothing except for the time we had under the moonlight. And the pain. The excruciating pain that came out of nowhere, but I knew it was real. The highway slowed, and traffic became backed up. I sighed and leaned back in my seat when we came to a standstill. I looked over at Melody. "I guess i should take this time to apologize."

"For what?" She glanced over. I sat up and scratched my cheek. "I feel like I said something or did something wrong..." I frowned.

She turned in her seat. "No, no, honey...you didn't do anything wrong."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry I got so angry."

I leaned over and kissed her. "I meant what I said last night...I hope you don't doubt it."

She smiled. "Of course not." I didn't know what to think...was it just the drugs? He's saying he meant it... I placed my hand on her face and stroked it with my thumb. "You're so pretty..."

She blushed. "Stop that."

I placed my other hand on her face and pulled her into a kiss. "Stop what?"

"Stop that," she chuckled. "You treat me so well and compliment me so much…"

"It's all true, though. You are beautiful. You make me happy. You're all I can think about, day and night. I sound so sappy, but I mean it."

You're so amazing, she thought. Absolutely amazing…

It took an hour to get out of traffic, and by then, the sun was setting. I helped Melody bring her things inside. "Thank you, Tsuna…I had so much fun. I learned so much about you…"

I smiled. "I had fun, too. I love to make you happy."

She walked me outside to the porch. "Text me later?"

"I will."

I leaned in and kissed her. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you, too."

I hopped in the car and pulled out my phone. I had a message from Ashley.

Ashley: Are you home yet? Something is wrong. Call me, please.

I stared at it as I placed the keys in the ignition, and called her as I pulled away. "Ash, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure. No one is telling me anything."

"What do you mean? What is going on?"

She took a deep breath. "Something is wrong with Ty."

I pulled the car off the road and sat in shock. "What's wrong with Ty?"

"I don't know…He was with me when he started getting…sick, I guess…It wasn't like a cold type of sick, more like the flu. But faster. He told me to bring him to the hospital…he said he had no idea what it was, or how to deal with it!"

I drove home as quickly as possible, hoping it was a joke. I ran into the house. KT was on the phone, demanding information.If it were a joke, it was working. She put the phone down. "KT, what's going on?"

"We need to go. Get in the car."

"I can drive, you know—"

"Get. In. The. Car." She was completely serious.

"Okay, I'll get in the car."

She drove us to Hillcrest. Visitor hours were coming close to ending when we rushed in the doors. Ashley was sitting by herself in the lobby; she was staring at the door I could only imagine to be Ty's. "Ash!"

She looked over and quickly approached me, and crumpled into my arms, weak and scared. "God…I don't know what is going on…"

"We're just as in the dark as you are…"

KT found Jean and demanded him information. "You don't understand. If he's sick and he can't do anything about it, there's a problem."

"I'm sorry, we don't know anything yet. We're trying to get his blood work done as quickly as we can, KT."

"Jean, I admire what you do, but this isn't the way I want to spend my Sunday night…"

Ashley wiped her eyes. "He was so sick, Tsuna…He'd been like this for days…I should have said something…Done something."

"He's stubborn…probably wanted to fix it on his own."

"But if he couldn't, then it must be something bad…"

I looked away. ~Something very, very bad…~

KT sat in a chair angrily. "Damn them…They're doing all they can. Bullshit."

The hospital was quiet. KT sat up and looked at us. "You know, between the two of you, I have a full time job. All the time I'm worrying about you two, and then I find out you're in the hospital. Gah, I can't live like this!"

I knew this wasn't her. And I knew it wasn't directed towards me, either. "KT…I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize to me; it's not your place."

Jean walked over. "I got the results back, but…I'm not sure you'll like it very much."

"Tell me, Jean, please…" She got up. "What is it?"

"He's contracted…Mono."

"Mono?" She looked at us. "Like, the kissing disease?"

Ash shook her head. "I swear it wasn't me. I've never had Mono. You can test me. I play football, for Christ's sake!"

I felt in the back of my mind a presence. "Yeah, but I bet I know who did…"

KT felt it too. "Sonofabitch."

I ran to the sliding doors. "Ash, stay here!"

KT followed. "That coward!"

Outside, it was clear of people. A perfect battle ground. "Well done, Tsunayoshi! You survived…Isn't that pleasant?"

"I am going to tear you to shreds!" I activated my power and looked around. "Get out here so I can kick your ass!"

"Temper, temper…You don't want to do anything rash, now do you?"

"I swear to god…"

KT spotted Notics and sent a lightning bolt crashing at him. "Stop playing games!"

He appeared from his hiding, grinning like mad. "You two really are simply so much fun to play with!"

I had my gloves on and abruptly began my attack. Notics chuckled. "I bet you'd like to know how I did it? I'll tell you either way."

"Shut-up and let me hit you!"

He dodged. "Everything was set into motion the night of the dance."

KT went after him as well, her sword shining green. "Do you know how hard it is to rig a stack of cups and to know the exact time you would be getting refreshments? All the probabilities were overwhelming!" He jumped into a tree, onto an awning, and to the roof of the hospital. KT and I weren't far behind. "You're really starting to piss me off!" she yelled. "Leave us alone!"

I came up behind him and got a hit. He wavered to the side and looked at us both. He went to speak, but the sky darkened. "What the hell is going on here!"

Notics looked to see TC, in his signature god form, staring us all down. He took notice of everything. "Whoa, whoa...What the hell. I leave for a couple of months and everything just goes downhill. There's a new car in the drive way, and you...You've got a wrist brace on! What the hell, people!?"

Notics took this opportunity to escape. "Damnit!" KT looked at TC. "You let him get away."

"That was the point."

I deactivated my power. "Where have you been?"

"My ex-wife decided she wanted to cause some issues…" He looked at his nails. "So, what happened to your car?"

"Notics put me into a wall."

"You're so lucky I used all my anger up while I was away, because I would totally be kicking your ass right now."

"I know, but I did get a car I thought you'd like."

"Yes...a Stingray. Not bad. Not bad. So, what are we doing here?"

"Ty is sick."

TC kind of scrunched his eyebrows together like he was thinking. "Well, I can't do anything about it now. It'll have to run its course."

"But he'll be okay, right?"

He patted my back. "Of course!"

We were transported down to the ground. "Okay…"

We walked inside casually. Ashley was sitting again. "They started giving him penicillin...You can see him if you want."

I bolted to the room and opened the door. Ty had his head leaned back. He was pale, and looked absolutely pitiful. "Hey, Ty…"

He glanced at me. "Hey…" His voice was not much more than a croak. "I couldn't figure it out…"

"I'm glad you gave up...It could have been much worse."

He frowned. "I know...Ash was so scared…"

"She's strong, but not that strong."

He sighed; the air wheezed out. "Did you have fun?"

"Oh yeah. I even got high off of smoke."

"Only you…" He tried to laugh, but ended up coughing violently. "Sorry…"

"Hey, don't apologize to me. None of this is your fault."

"Yeah," he wheezed. "Notics, right? I knew Ash was clean."

I sighed. "I hate this guy…"

"At least you're not the victim this time."

"But it shouldn't be you guys," I snapped. "You guys don't deserve this! You have nothing to do with it." I leaned against the wall. "I don't understand...If he wants me, then take me. Kill me off. But stop pushing my buttons."

"That's not his style, I guess."

"Yeah, well, it won't be long til he pushes me off the deep end."

Ty was frozen a moment, staring off at the blank white wall. "Ty? Hey."

He shook his head. "What?"

"You okay?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, just peachy."

I looked at my phone.

Melody: Hey, you home?

"You should go home...You have school in the morning."

I nodded. "You'll be okay, right?"

"Of course! I'll be better in a matter of days."

I took a deep breath. "I hope so...Try to rest, alright?"

He smiled. "Get out of here, Mother..."

I walked out to KT and TC. "He seems okay…"

Ashley grabbed my arm gently. "You'll protect him, right?"

KT and TC watched me. "I'm going to protect everyone...This shouldn't have anything to do with any of you, but he seems to think that he'll break me. I'm not going to let that happen."