::The big one-one! I hope I can still update this fast when the school year kicks in. You probably know what bold italics are, but they're said in Italian, just for those who are still wondering. Oh, and written stuff will be in italics, like thoughts, unless they were read out loud.
::I don't own KHR.
".Departure."
It was just a piece of paper, tear-streaked, tarnished and yellowing with age… but the words the ink spelled out on it meant so much…
I've received all eighty-five of your wonderful letters, but I am afraid that this might be the only reply I can muster up the time and strength to make...
It was right after I played the piano at a small restaurant in Italy when I first saw you. You can imagine the surprise I had when I saw a young man in a suit holding a bouquet of flowers right in front of me. I also wondered where everyone went. You were the only one there… and that would be how my world would be for the next months. Those months had some of the best moments of my life. I don't regret anything, from giving up my career as a pianist, to bringing our son into this world.
That is why I hope you understand why I chose not to marry you.
If love was the only measure, then would have gladly accepted. But it is also out of love that I must decline. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with a long life. This disease will continue to eat away at me, and I cannot hope to be a good wife in that state, much less a good mother. I am afraid I cannot accept to see either you or our son crying at my deathbed, for I am sure that death will take me while our son is at too young an age to lose his mother. I know that you will love and raise him wonderfully.
I hope that the lucky woman you will take as your wife will treat him as her own, or at least treat him kindly. Though I may not live long enough to see it, I am sure he will grow up to be a great young man. His eyes are so alike to yours, and that is why I cannot bear to see tears from them.
Tell him that his mother loves him very much.
If I could be so bold, I would ask of you only three things:
First, that you name him Hayato, a name from my father's native tongue.
Second, that he learn to play the piano… so that he can play beautifully for you as I once did.
And third, that he does not find out the truth, so that he may be protected from its pain.
I will always love the both of you, and know that wherever I am, you will always be in my thoughts.
Haru tossed and turned in her bed, the contents of the letter that were not for her eyes still lingered on her mind. And I thought I had it tough… I just hope… I did the right thing.
Earlier…
"What's with you all of a sudden?" Gokudera said as they were on the train home from the library.
"Hahi? Why?" Haru said, feigning her surprise.
"Don't 'Hahi!' me." He said, eyeing her suspiciously. "You're never this quiet."
"What do you mean Haru's never this quiet?" she said, sounding annoyed.
"I'm starting to think that 'Hahi' and speaking in third person is kind of a coping mechanism for you." He muttered.
"No it is not!" she replied in the usual Haru fashion.
Then why is it that when you just lost your memories, you never talked that way… I think you talk like that when you're trying to hide something… He mused. …like how worried you really were for everyone when we went to the future… "It can't be helped. You really can't stay quiet."
"You were the one who started talking!" she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
"That's really childish, you know." He commented.
"I'm not the one being childish here." She muttered under her breath.
"Then who is? Me?" he said in disbelief.
"Of course!" she said. "How could you blame someone for something they didn't even do?"
The few people that were on the train were now staring at them. And they, being Gokudera Hayato, and Miura Haru, were either totally oblivious that some people weren't happy at all at their shouting match, or they just didn't care. Well, some of the passengers sighed at how young people acted these days.
"What?" he said. Don't tell me she read the letter… she can't have read the letter… she doesn't know Italian.
She gasped, realizing how she let herself slip, she tried to think quickly of a good excuse. "I meant you! You're just following me around because you still blame yourself for that stupid car hitting me, don't you?"
"What the… no I'm not!" he said, horrified. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Stupid women with their stupid issues.
"Then why do you keep going… with me?" she fumbled at her own words. "I never asked you to."
"Because…" he thought of an answer that did not involve 'Juudaime told me to keep you safe.' Or 'there are dangerous people from the mafia that are after you.' "…because…well…"
"Just tell her you love her already." A random middle-aged man in a business suit told him.
"Yeah, man. Go with the truth… the truth always works!" a younger passenger added.
WHAT THE FUCK? Was all that was going through Hayato's head at the time.
Another one chimed in "If you don't tell her, then I will!"
Haru was just… uncharacteristically speechless. That wasn't exactly what I was going for… but at least he didn't find out I read that letter.
"COULD YOU PEOPLE MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS?" Gokudera finally burst out.
Everyone dispersed, newspapers returned to their opened and upright positions, media players were turned on, text message replies were sent, other conversations continued, and everyone who was doing something else went back to doing whatever the hell they were doing, each saying their own version of 'fine, whatever', 'tch, young people these days' or 'it's your loss.'
But for the two, the train ride turned into twenty-seven minutes of awkward, deafening silence, while both their brains were on overdrive just thinking 'WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?'.
Currently, at Tsuna's house…
Gokudera was slowly recovering from his most recent bout of stomach pain when he felt a black paper bag thrown at him.
"W-what's this?" he said weakly.
"You'll need something to wear if you're going back to Italy." Bianchi said, now wearing her orange-tinted goggles.
"Italian." He said, after sitting up and examining the bags contents. There was a black suit, coat, and tie, and a maroon long-sleeve.
"When in Rome…" Bianchi smiled. "…by the way, your shoes are over there in that box."
"Uh… thanks, I guess." He mumbled back.
Back to Haru's flashback…
"Uh… Gokudera-san…" Haru muttered before he dropped her off at her house.
"What now?" he said. "Did someone try to bother you again? Is that why you're being weirder than usual?"
"Haru isn't weird!" she said. "I was going to apologize for what happened at the train… but Haru won't anymore."
"Then why bother telling me?" Here we go again… I still think she's being like this because of that letter… But I can't just ask her straight if she can read Italian… I think I've got an idea… "Stupid woman."
"HARU IS NOT STUPID!" she said out loud, and gasped right afterwards. "H-hahi?"
"So you do understand Italian…" he said. "…you read this, didn't you?" holding the old letter out.
"No, no! Haru can only understand a few words… Haru can't read Italian…" she lied.
"Come on, Miura." He said, almost getting angry. "We both know you're not that stupid."
"So you admit it then?" she said. "Haru isn't stupid." She said in Italian.
"Don't try to change the subject."
"I wasn't." she replied. "Because I'm not stupid… I want you know that… that Bianchi-san is right. And I may not be part of your family… and I should mind my own business…" she was faltering. "…but I'm telling you as a friend, you have to visit your father. He deserves your forgiveness… and… and…" she couldn't stop her tears from flowing at this point. "…your mother would have wanted you to."
"And you're right, you should mind your own business." He said gruffly. "We don't know what she wants. She's gone."
Haru slapped him on the face. "You're the one who's stupid! You're horrible, insensitive, and STUPID!" She muttered, her bangs hiding her tear-stained eyes. "DID YOU EVEN READ THAT LETTER?"
"Of course I did." He muttered. "And you shouldn't have."
"THEN WHY?" she said. "How can you still think your father could do that?"
"…I don't…" he said. "But-"
"Then go to Italy." She said, facing him. "If it's because you have to protect me that you can't leave, well, you don't have to keep an eye on me anymore."
"Where did you get that idea? You're not that lucky." Gokudera smirked. The strange thing was… he wasn't sure if he was lying or not. "I am going to Italy." He said. "But don't think that I'm going to because of you."
"That's okay with me." She said, taking in a deep breath and rubbing her eyes. "Well… uh… it's getting late… and you've got an early flight tomorrow… so… bye, then."
"Yeah… oh, and you're wrong." He said, before turning to leave. "You are part of the family, Stupid Woman."
"I AM NOT STUPID!" she shouted back as she slammed the door. She didn't know why she was laughing after she closed it, though.
I guess everything's back to normal. He thought to himself as he made his way to his boss's house to tell him his decision.
The next day, at Tsuna's house…
"How did you get all my stuff from my apartment?" Hayato asked as he put on a Kevlar bulletproof vest before the maroon long-sleeve his sister gave him the night before. "Do I really have to wear this?"
"Oh… your landlady is actually a minor member of the Vongola." Giovanni answered as if it was nothing important. "And yes, you do have to wear that. We can't take any chances. Young Master."
"I told you to stop calling me that." He replied, now fixing his tie. Now I know how Bianchi gets into my apartment so easily.
After closing up the last of Hayato's luggage, Giovanni proceeded to reload his 45-caliber pistol.
"People in Japan aren't usually allowed to carry guns you know." Gokudera commented.
"You aren't seriously telling me that, are you?" He replied. "We won't be taking a commercial flight anyway…" Though a couple of decoys will be taking your seats.
"So how the hell are we going to get there?" he scoffed. "I won't go on a ship. It would take too long."
"You didn't think your father would let you go home without the private jet, did you?" Giovanni said teasingly. "And we don't intend to separate you from your cheerful young lady for too long… Master Hayato."
"What the-!" he said, clearly getting the point. "And I told you not to call me that."
"That doesn't mean I'll stop it." He chuckled. "You were the one who said I didn't work for you anymore. So I don't have to follow your orders… YOUNG MASTER."
"Tch. Forget it." He gave up and carried his suitcase downstairs.
"Good morning, Juudaime!" He said cheerfully. "I'm very sorry for the trouble."
"It's no problem, Gokudera-kun." Tsuna said, fumbling with his tie.
"Yo! Gokudera!" Yamamoto greeted from the dining room.
"Baseball-nut." He muttered in reply. Then he noticed something. "HOW CAN YOU STILL NOT KNOW HOW TO TIE A TIE?"
"I don't usually wear them." He replied, smiling and rubbing the back of his head like his answer made sense.
"Real men know how to tie ties." Reborn said as he entered the room.
Does Reborn mean me? Tsuna thought as he saw the mess of cloth hanging on his neck.
"See. Even Reborn-san knows." Gokudera said, matter-of-factly.
"TO THE EXTREME!" A thundering Ryohei barged in. Oh, and he wasn't wearing a tie.
"Calm down, Nii-san." A Kyoko in semi-formals said as she entered.
"Do you need help with your tie, Tsu-kun?" Nana said after placing the food on the dining table.
"Uh…" Tsuna sweat-dropped.
"Let me fix it up for you." She said. "Your dad used to do his like this all the time."
Juudaime knows how to tie a tie… he just has a unique way of doing it… not like that clueless baseball-idiot or that turf-top. Hayato thought. "Wait, what is everyone doing here?"
"We're going to see you off at the airport, of course." Yamamoto said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"It's only natural for members of the Vongola Family. Tsuna should get used to dealing with other families as well." Reborn stated once Nana was out of the room. "Basil is already at the airport and he'll be patrolling around the perimeters, so we probably won't be able to see him."
"They're talking about our next Sumo match to the extreme, Kyoko." Ryohei whispered to his sister.
"I already know you're in the Mafia, Nii-san." She sighed.
"Why do we have to wear suits anyway?" Tsuna sighed, looking at his now perfect tie.
"Do you want the Vongola Family to look bad in front of Gokudera's Father's Men?" Reborn said sarcastically. "You're already being viewed as kids and brats by most of the mafia, so you need to keep up your appearances."
"But won't Haru get suspicious or something?" Tsuna argued.
"She wears costumes all the time. Dressing up should be natural for her." Reborn said. "It's customary in the mafia to wear formal clothes when interacting with other families."
"Alright, alright." Tsuna sighed. It's not like Reborn listens anyway…
"They've got food! ~byon!" Ken said as he entered and helped himself.
"Is that the only reason why you came here, Ken?" Chikusa said in his usual monotone as he entered the room with Chrome.
"Why else?" he said between mouthfuls.
"Hibari-san is outside." Chrome mumbled.
"He said something about it being too crowded." Chikusa added.
I guess it's to be expected. Well, at least he came. Tsuna thought.
"Lambo-sama is here!" Lambo, who was wearing an extra-extra-extra-extra-extra small suit, announced as he tried to grab as much food from Ken as possible. "What is this animal?"
"That's my steak ~byon!" Ken said after Lambo just took it from his plate. Chikusa sighed in the background. "Hey stupid Chrome! Eat up before this cow eats everything!"
"Don't fight, Lambo." I-pin said. She was wearing a Chinese dress.
If Lambo is a cow… wouldn't it be cannibalism if he ate steak? Pushing random thoughts out of his cluttered mind, Tsuna gives a relieved sigh. "I can't believe everyone's here." Tsuna said. And nothing has gone wrong!
"HAHI? PLEASE STOP!" a flustered Haru was screaming outside.
Spoke too soon. Tsuna thought.
"Get away from her!" Gokudera ran outside dynamites at the ready.
Everyone was so surprised, they stared at the doorway for five whole seconds before they followed behind him. They were all thinking along the lines of… 'since when have they been-'
Kyoya was as silent as ever in the background, inwardly sighing at all these stupid, pitiful noisy brats, but still had his ominous theme music, catchphrase, and tonfas at the ready just in case any of them dare disturb the peace of his beloved Namimori.
"I didn't do anything… yet." The man winked at her.
"Pervert!" Haru pointed a finger at him.
"I was only talking to her, promise!" he said defensively.
"Shamal? What the hell?" Hayato said, when he realized it was his former mentor. The sticks of dynamite died out.
"I didn't know you liked her type, Hayato." He said. "Well, she is cute."
"Hahi?" Haru said, noticing what Hayato was holding. "What are those?"
Shit. "Oh these… they're… giant cigarettes!" he said stupidly, praying to every supernatural entity he knew that she would be stupid too, just this one time.
"U-uh… YEAH!" Tsuna added hastily. "Gokudera-kun has a really bad smoking problem, you see…"
"He smokes to the extreme!" Ryohei said, trying to help, and… failing.
Kyoko didn't know if she should be worried or laughing. Hayato face-palmed.
"That's why we told him to quit it." Takeshi said, quickly disposing of the dynamite and hiding them from view.
"I agree, Gokudera-san." Haru said, giggling. "You should stop smoking."
But I haven't smoked… in… forever? He thought.
"You were smoking again, Hayato?" Bianchi went outside wearing a sleek black Italian dress and her hair tied up. Gokudera was thankful she was also wearing her sunglasses. "Didn't you stop smoking already?"
"Hahi! You're beautiful, Bianchi-san!" Haru exclaimed.
"Thanks. We haven't been home in a while, after all." She replied, smiling.
"Bianchi! You're even more beautiful than I remember!" Shamal then proceeded to try to flirt with her. He got a punch in the face as a reply.
They then took a black stretch-limousine to the airport.
"You're taking a private jet?" Haru said in amazement when she saw it. "Haru is so jealous."
"You can come with us next time, miss." Shamal said.
"I'd rather not." She replied.
"You're coming with us?" Hayato said.
"The higher-ups told me it was only natural." He replied, sighing. "It's so troublesome. Japanese girls are so much cuter… ah, well… at least Bianchi will be there…"
Giovanni's grip on Hayato's suitcase tightened so much, he broke the handle off. Luckily, no-one noticed. Then, a man in an expensive looking suit came down from the plane and whispered to Tsuna. "The boss is very thankful for all your help, Vongola Decimo."
"I didn't really do anything." He replied.
"On the contrary." He said. "You've provided Master Hayato and Master Bianchi with so much. The boss would like to express his outmost gratitude… and he promises to be of assistance whenever the Vongola requires."
"Thank you." Tsuna said, and the man went to help load Bianchi's, Gokudera's and Shamal's luggage.
"You're becoming a natural at this, Tsuna." Reborn smiled.
But I didn't do anything! He faced the imaginary camera with his what-the-heck face on.
"I'm really sorry to leave at such a crucial time, Juudaime! I'll be back as soon as possible." Gokudera bowed.
"It's alright." Tsuna said.
"Good luck, Gokudera." Yamamoto said.
"Like I need it, baseball-nut." He replied. "Oi, and if you're going to take over my duty you better do it properly."
"She'll be fine. Don't worry." Yamamoto smiled like he knew something.
"Go for it to the EXTREME octopus-head!" Ryohei said, with a matching fist up in the air.
"Yeah, turf-top." He stepped on to the ladder.
"Take care, Bianchi-san." Kyoko said as she hugged her goodbye.
"We'll see each other again soon." She replied.
"Take care of yourself, and don't skip meals, okay Chrome?" Bianchi said.
Chrome blushed and mumbled an agreement.
"I hate to leave you, Reborn…" Bianchi said as he snuggled him for the last time that day and finally started to board the plane.
"Oi! Stupidera! Don't forget about Lambo-sama's candy!" Lambo added.
"Fine, fine, Stupid cow." He said back.
"I hope everything goes alright." Tsuna said to the siblings as they were about to get inside.
"Leave it to me, Juu- I mean Tsuna-san." He said, noticing Haru.
"Take care of yourselves." Bianchi said as she waved goodbye.
"Don't smoke, okay?" Haru said loudly.
Gokudera was laughing on the inside. She actually fell for it? "I won't if you don't get hit by a car again!"
Bianchi went inside and took her seat. The last thing Haru said to him was also the last thing Hayato heard before he got inside:
"I won't if you don't die!"
::Dun-dun-duuun… and now it begins… will this be the end to this awkwardly opposite pairing? (Aww man, it's not like it's even begun yet.)
::I hope I got everyone in character though. This is the longest chapter ever. It should've been longer, but I decided to move the next stuff to the next chapter. I'm dreadfully sorry for my ghastly humor. I promise the next chapters won't get this random… unless you guys actually liked it.
::Anyone read the latest manga chapter? It totally stirred up a hundred theories in my head.
::Thanks for reading… please review!