Reincarnation by Lianne Sabrina
Disclaimer: Lianne Sabrina do not own KHR characters (...cross her heart amen…)
Pairings: Asari Ugetsu and Miura Haru
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
"Please get well soon," a young man with blonde spiky hair and caramel eyes said in soft and caring voice to the old man lying on the hospital bed, the said old man wears the usual hospital gown; there are forced fluids and sugar into him and some of machines that's allowing the old man to breathe. Sawada Giotto lightly squeezes the old man's hand and smiles at him.
"I'm looking forward of playing chess with you Feliciano-san," he added. Feliciano Bruno, the current Boss of the Bruno Famiglia, smiles gently at the young Vongola Boss before squeezing back the young man's hand.
"I am too Giotto, or if I am allowed to say, I am looking forward into leaving this hospital anytime soon," he said jokingly and chuckles, Giotto curve his lips into a soft smile, the old man's blue and
weakened-looking eyes travels to the two more young men behind the blonde young boss. Standing right behind Giotto is his red haired right-hand man, G, next to G stands a man in Japanese style clothes named Asari Ugetsu, one of Giotto's guardian.
"G, I'm still looking forward into beating you in chess, geez you're not making this poor old man win even just once,"
The red haired young man chuckles softly at the old man. "Well if I do let you win easily wouldn't that makes you eager to beat me more?"
"True, true I wanted to beat you in chess fair and square but can't you be a little more... how to put this... easy on me?" the old man said and let out a heartily laugh. G and Giotto chuckles with him.
He then turns his eyes to the young Japanese man beside G. "Oh, Asari, can you play for me another song from your flute?"
Asari smiles and nodded at the old man. "Of course Feliciano-san,"
He smiles again. "But what I'm looking forward is you to play piano for me too," he added.
"I'm much a good flute musician but I'll try my best to please you with my piano skills," the young man answered politely.
The old man chuckles and glances at the bed side table where a single picture frame standing one it. The picture has a young man with blue eyes just like the old man and a young woman with braided reddish brown hair and gentle looking face and brown eyes. His blue eyes sparkles a sad and longing expression that didn't passed unnoticed to the three young men. Giotto's smiles slowly fades as he watch the faint sadness in Feliciano's eyes, it's as if the old man is trying his best not to show his true feelings. G averted his eye from the old man and mutters something in Japanese tongue. Asari just stares at the old man and watches the sadness invades the blue eyes that used to be sparkling with happiness but now only sadness lingers in it.
"If only God will give me another chance to live. I would spend it all by searching for my lost granddaughter," he whispered, his voice is full of regret and sadness that pierce right through the young men's heart.
Giotto remembers Feliciano telling him about his son, Antonio Bruno, who apparently runs away from home refusing to inherent the mafia business of Feliciano, his big dream is to become a famous song
composer and he fly away from Italy to Japan to start his big dream. Feliciano, enraged by his son's action, disowned him and cut any connections he had with him. Not even bothering into searching his lost son, Feliciano acted as if he doesn't even had a son in the first place, muttering that he doesn't need a son whom doesn't want to inherent his family business. Feliciano is once famous of being the most cruel mafia leader underground. His way of harsh judgment earns him multiple enemies and fake friends. Only Giotto and his guardians unmask the true personality of the old Feliciano. And now their families had a very tight alliance and bond.
"Well we should be going now, Feliciano-san. Get well soon okay?" Giotto said after letting out a fake cough. Feliciano drifted back his mind into the reality, nodded at Giotto and his friends slash guardians.
"Come visit me anytime," he said earning a nod from the young men. With one last look, Giotto closed the door of the old man's private hospital suite.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
The meeting ended nicely and after that Giotto wanted the rest of the Vongola to have a day off from their exhausting mafia affairs. Giotto said that relaxing once in awhile is very good for their health too – earning an amuse roll of eyes from the Storm Guardian.
Giotto's spending his whole day playing golf with Lampo at the back of their Headquarters, G is comfortably seating at the reclining chair under the shed of a tree with a book on his hand. Knuckles decided to spend his day in the church, praying. The aloof Guardian, Alaude, is inside his room, avoiding any crowd. Their Mist Guardian is off to who-knows-where that they didn't even bother to know.
As for Asari, he decided a nice walk in the street of the Florence would be relaxing. Walking along with ordinary people, Asari's starting to feel that he's an ordinary young man too, temporarily forgetting anything about mafia, Asari enjoys his day off.
Late afternoon of the same day, Asari just exited Sabrina Music Instrument shop with a small smile on his lips when he heard something. A subtle sound of an instrument. A piano. Asari turn his head at the narrowed alley next to the shop. The music is coming from this alley.
Asari doesn't know why but he suddenly felt like listening to the music, that explains why his feet automatically step towards the alley. The music is too faint to hear by an ordinary person but Asari is sure that the music is coming from someone who's playing a piano.
The sound is getting a little bit clearer and louder the more he enters the alley; the Rain Guardian can slowly recognize the notes of the piano sounds. The music is soft and heartwarming but Asari felt that the notes have a subtle hint of longing as if the composer of the music is suffering from a broken heart.
As if being hypnotize by the sound, Asari closed his eyes and used his hearing senses to follow the sound. The young man found himself standing in front of an old two storey antique shop. His eyes roam around the empty street as if looking for someone. Asari drag back his eyes into the door of the antique shop when he heard the piano sound again.
The antique shop is a Japanese style shop, Asari stares longingly at the fusuma – a sliding door made out of wood and papers. An old sign board that held Japanese characters that says さくらの骨董品 (Sakura's Antiques) Asari felt nostalgic by staring at it, it has been years since the last time he laid his eyes in a house that is so familiar to him, connected to the culture he had grown to. He lightly smiles, his hand move forward to the door.
Asari slowly slide the door revealing the inside of the shop. To the left where the vases and anything old Japanese furniture, that might interest a collector of a Japanese items, are displayed. To the right is an empty counter with an old cashier machine and a tabby cat that was sleeping on top of the counter; its ears twitched when Asari opens the door slowly the cat opens his eyes and stared at Asari.
Asari closed the door; his eyes are fixed upon the stairs just across the entrance door of the shop. He heard the music again and he's sure the music is coming from the second floor of the shop. The cat ignores Asari's presence and continues to sleep.
"Sorry for intruding," Asari chanted before stepping further inside of the shop towards the stairs. Every step, the stairs let out a faint creak, Asari slowly ascends the wooden stairs while his ears are busy listening to the sound of the music.
The young Rain Guardian reaches the second floor, the narrow hall way of the second floor is separated in left and right; Asari felt his feet moves towards the door to the left and stands in front of it.
The door was ajar; the sound is coming from the other side of the door, Asari reach for the door knob and quietly pushes the door of the room. The room is small compared to the rooms of their Headquarters. An orange tinge of sunlight is entering the room from the two windows. There's only a set of an old couch – a long one and two single couches – to the left of the room that is facing an old fireplace.
Asari turn his eyes to the right part of the room, there a woman sitting in front of a black grand piano, her slender back facing him, innocently playing the instrument obviously unaware of her sudden audience. Asari stares at the curly waist length reddish brown hair of the woman, her hair waves slightly as her body moves to play the piano.
Asari blink twice, surprisingly the sound is mysteriously calming his heart. Asari finds his body slowly relaxing while he undividedly listens to the music, his eyelids slowly dropping. With his eyes close, memories suddenly flitted through his mind, memories of laughing with his friends when he was young boy, memories of his happy moments with his deceased family, memories the day he first met Giotto and everyone. Memory of the day he had been accepted as one of the Guardians of the Vongola family.
A smile curves his lips. His mind is so much absorbed by remembering his happy memories that he did not notice the music suddenly stops. Suddenly becoming aware of his surroundings, Asari open his eyes and was surprised to see the woman had stop playing the piano and is now staring eagerly at Asari, as if it's her first time to see a man.
Her body is now facing Asari. The young lady wears a soft pink spaghetti-strap summer dress designed with petals of Sakura tree, the famous tree in Japan; just below the chest part is a belt-like ribbon wrap around her thin body. The dress reaches two inches above the knee revealing the pinkish knee and slender legs of the young lady.
The lady's brown expressive eyes softly and firmly entrenched on Asari, which causing for him to blush in deep red. Her waist length reddish brown hair freely loose behind her back, her one-sided bangs neatly comb on her right face adorn with simple pink rose hairpin. Asari stares back (with red face) at heart-shape face of the lady, she's pretty, though not as pretty as the Italian ladies he use to
associate with but nevertheless the young lady is pretty in her own accord.
"Anata wa daredesu ka?" The young lady asks, which he guessed that she's the same age as him or probably a year younger, followed by a small smile. Soft smile that causes for the first Rain Guardian to blush again.
"Daijoubudesu ka?" She repeated. Asari finally notice that the young lady uses his native language. Besides from his friends Giotto and every Guardians who speaks fluent Japanese, it's the first time Asari met someone who speaks Japanese as fluent as him.
"Mi dispiace. Non capasci il giapponese?" She suddenly said in Italian tongue which surprises the young man. So she knows Japanese and Italian language. Impressive.
"Uhh, no. I can understand Japanese. See I'm Japanese myself." Asari reply in his native tongue, which earning a smile on the lady.
"Are you here to buy something?" she asks again. Her pale skin sparkles like a diamond when the ray of light coming from the window hits her. She looks like a fragile angel, who descends from the heaven to play the piano and mesmerize anyone who heard her playing.
"Uhh no," Asari replies still with red face. Staring at the young lady is starting to become his habit. "I... I heard you playing piano. I was curious. I'm a music lover myself," Asari added waving his flute for emphasize. Silence fall between the young adults. The smile stretches on the thin lips of the young lady never once faltered; even her stares never once flicker away from Asari.
"I'm sorry. I'm being completely rude. The name's Asari Ugetsu. Nice to meet you, uhh..." he said never moving from the spot where's he standing.
"Haru... my name is Miura Haru." she said with her very soft and dreamy voice. "You should go," she suddenly said, making Asari twitched. He turns her head back to Asari with a small smile on her lips. "It's already late," she added. Asari, looking disoriented, turn his head at the window and saw the orange sky outside. The sun is already setting. Probably it's already five or six o'clock.
"Right. I better go. Sayonara." Asari said and without saying anything his hand reach for the door knob and take his leave. Halfway through the stairs, the Rain Guardian suddenly stops and abruptly turns his body back to the second floor.
Expecting to see the young lady still seating in front of the grand piano, Asari's shoulders drop, seeing the room is already empty. He turns his eyes around the small room as if trying to look for the young lady which is obviously useless. Asari heaves a disappointed sigh before walking out the room.
Where is she? He badly wants to search the whole house for Haru but he suddenly remembers that Giotto said something about late meeting for the new recruitment or something. Heaving a disappointment sigh, Asari exited the room again.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
"Asari, are you feeling okay?" Giotto finally asks stopping midway of explaining about something when he notices that his Rain Guardian slash best friend weren't paying attention to him. Asari blink his eyes and gave Giotto a humorless laugh.
"Sorry Giotto. I was spacing out." Asari said while scratching the back of his head. G gave him a disapproving look.
"Hmm maybe we should take a break. I'm tired too," Giotto said with an understanding smile on his lips.
Asari gave Giotto an apologetic expression. Everyone stood up and exited the meeting room. Lampo murmurs the words 'At last!' and was the first to leave the room; Giotto wants to have some tea so with G following behind him he went straight towards the kitchen. Alaude disappear into god-who-knows-where. The Mist Guardian, Daemon Spade never even once attends their usual meeting.
Asari went to the balcony after Giotto calls for half an hour break from their meeting. He run his hands into his face, looking tired, when a face of a young lady he met yesterday pop through his mind so suddenly. The young man stares at the large garden of the Vongola Headquarters.
Asari felt a longing feeling to meet the young lady again. His mind pictures the heart-shape face of the young lady, her soft smile, her slender figure, and her thin lips. Asari shook his head when he felt his face heat up. He barely even knows the lady, except for her name, so why in the world did he badly want to see Haru again. No lady affects him like Haru does to him now. Asari let out a weary sigh.
Unaware of the presence of Giotto standing behind him. The Vongola Boss taps Asari's shoulder gently, Asari look behind him looking a bit startled.
"Hey," Giotto greeted.
"Yo," Silence fell between the two best friends. Asari continues to stares out at the garden while Giotto studies his friend's solemn expression, the first Vongola Boss chuckles faintly which didn't passed unnoticed from his Rain Guardian. Asari raised his eyebrows at his amused best friend.
"I never knew I would witness the day when you will act like a love struck teen, Asari," Giotto amusedly said. "So who was it? Rica-chan? Cyrene-chan? Wait, don't tell me it's Kathy-san,"
Asari chuckles at Giotto and shook his head. "I don't know if I'm in love but I just... I just wanted to see her face again. That's all." Asari said while his eyes stares out at the garden but his mind pictures the fragile images of Haru.
Giotto amusedly chuckles at Asari once more before tapping his friend's shoulder. "Go ahead, Asari. Just don't take too long or G will wring my neck for letting you wonder off in the middle of the meeting." he said before walking out the balcony. Asari watch his friend take his leave before uttering the word 'Thank You'. Asari, with wide steps, walk towards the main door of the Headquarters.
Just one glance. Asari said inwardly. Excitement wonders inside his chest. Excited to the fact that he will be able to see Haru again. His paced increases while a wide smile appears on his lips.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
Panting slightly, Asari find himself standing in front of the old antique shop just like yesterday. His heart leap with gladness when he heard a music coming from the second floor of the shop. That means Haru is upstairs, still playing the old piano. His hand moves towards the sliding door.
He excitedly enters the shop, quietly closed the door behind him. The same as yesterday, the counter on the first floor is empty again. The tabby cat, which was sleeping yesterday, is now quietly seating on top of the counter. Its dark gray pupils stare deeply at Asari, while the young man enters the shop. The cat purrs softly, stretches its body and decided to ignore the young man again, the cat curled up on top of the counter and fell asleep.
"Excuse me," Asari chanted and walk towards the stairs. The young man pushes the door of the room and there his eyes lay upon the back of the young lady he met yesterday.
Haru... he whispered inwardly. The notes that the young lady is playing today is the same like yesterday. Asari notice that there is something about the sounds that is alluring to his ears. Asari find himself closing his eyes again and listens to the music.
"You're back," someone said. Asari snap his eyes open and saw the young lady, Haru, is now facing him again. The young man let out a small smile and nodded at her.
"I wanted to see you again," Asari suddenly blurted out without thinking. The young lady was surprise at what he said but she merely raises her eyebrows at him then a sweet smile follows making Asari blush a deep red.
Haru taps the free space on the wooden chair she's currently seating. "Have a sit," she said. Asari nodded and walk towards the lady. Haru turns her body to face the piano again. Asari occupies the space beside Haru while the young lady played the piano once more. Asari listen to Haru plays the piano with his eyes gently closed.
"That music. It's beautiful. I'm not familiar with it though. Do you mind telling me who composed it?"
Haru smiles with her eyes still focus on the keyboard. "My daddy composed it. He dreams of becoming a famous composer." she said.
"Where are your parents?" A twinkle of sadness. Asari frowns at Haru.
"They're... dead," she said almost whispered.
"I-I'm sorry..." Asari said in a low voice. Haru gave Asari a sidelong glance and smiles lightly.
"Don't be," Haru said. Then silence followed. Asari felt a little awkward. He thought that he somewhat made Haru sad for asking about her parents. Haru, meanwhile with her one hand, plays on the keyboard.
"Do you mind telling me the title of that music?"
"He said it was dedicated to my grandfather, the title was 'Per mio padre' – 'For my father'." she glances at Asari. "Ne, Asari-san, do you play piano too?"
"I'm much into flute though I can play some notes with piano too but I'm not as good as you," Asari said. The young lady chuckles but a distinct blush appears on her pale cheeks. Asari raises his hand into the keyboards and play a soft and famous piano piece, Haru's smile widen while she listen to Asari.
"Canon," she said after Asari pause. "Its one of my favorite music piece in piano."
"Me too, I always played it whenever I get the chance," Asari said and once more plays the catchy beat of the Canon with a smile on his lips. Haru watch him play the piano.
"My father promised me to play this song on my wedding day," she said then she joins Asari plays the Canon.
"Haru-san," Asari whispers in a low voice. Haru turn her head to Asari and blinks her eyes. "Can you teach me to play that song? The one your father composes," he said suddenly. Haru stares deeply at Asari, the latter straighten up his expression when she gazes at him with an unreadable calm expression but then she smiles and nodded at him.
"But will you promise me one thing?"
Asari frowns at her. "What is it?"
"Will you play this song to me afterwards?"
Asari pause for a second but nodded afterwards. "Yes. Yes I will,"
Haru smiles at him. "Come back tomorrow, I'll be happy to teach you this song,"
Asari step out of the shop light-heartedly. He was glad that he will be able to see the young lady again tomorrow. With every step, his smile grew wider and wider. He didn't mind people glancing over him, with their curious look.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
Giotto, G, Knuckles and Lampo, heck even the aloof Alaude, sweat drop and gave Asari a curious look. Ever since he returns yesterday from who-knows-where, Asari has been smiling ear to ear. Curious about their Rain Guardian's newly found happiness, but nevertheless Giotto chuckles silently.
One way or another, he somewhat know why Asari's smiling widely all the time, though he doesn't know the girl, he thinks the girl their Rain Guardian's crushing on – or maybe falling in love with – is one special girl since no other women affects Asari like this before. Asari was not completely rude about the other lady who wants to flirt with him but his Rain Guardian tends to dissociates himself from them, with a very polite manner of course.
They've just finished the breakfast, Lampo's off to his school, G drop their youngest Guardian and he's off to do his assigned mission afterwards. Alaude is busy with his own stuff. Daemon, well he's being Daemon all the time.
Asari was left with Giotto inside the Vongola Mansion. The Rain Guardian restlessly taps his left foot while waiting for the time to pass, Giotto ignores his best friend's tapping foot and focused his mind reading the daily newspaper, but from time to time he will give him a side along glance with an amused expression on his handsome face.
Asari keeps on glancing at the grandfather clock in one corner of the room unaware from the glances Giotto throwing into him. He sighs from the slowness of the time. He agrees to meet Haru back to the shop in ten o'clock but it's only eight forty five.
"Are you going somewhere?" Giotto finally asks, startling Asari lightly. This is sure becoming his habit. Letting off his guard is something Asari never do, not until these recent days. The young man with Rain Flame nodded at his boss slash best friend.
"I'm supposed to meet someone later," he said. Giotto hums then flip the newspaper to the next page acting casual.
"And by that someone means... it's 'her' right?" Giotto said teasingly making Asari chuckles amusedly.
"Yes," he answered.
"You never mention what she looks like, Asari, mind telling me how special this girl is?"
Asari pictures Haru through his mind, a soft smile appears on his lips afterwards.
"Her name's Miura Haru. She's about the same age as us or a year younger maybe. She had reddish brown hair that, she had a pale skin and she always smile softly but mysteriously." Asari said dreamily. "Haru's pretty lady. She looks like a fragile China doll if you asks me," Asari added and chuckles at the end.
"Haru, huh? If I'm correct that name is Japanese of 'spring' right? Asari nodded at his boss. "The rain and the spring. Very compatible." Giotto teases. "Where did you meet her?" he asked while folding his newspapers, curiosity is evident on his face.
"Beside Sabrina's music shop, there's narrowed alley that leads to the other side of the street. There's an old antique shop called Sakura's Antique. Probably own by Japanese. Haru lives on the second floor of that shop,"
"She must be a special girl then," Giotto complimented.
Asari paused for a second, looking thoughtful, and then he chuckles and nodded. "Yeah, you can say that again. But she's also mysterious,"
The First Vongola Boss frowns in confusion at Asari. "What do you mean?"
"She seems so reserve and stoic sometimes as if she's afraid to tell me everything about her."
"Maybe she had some traumatic experience that she doesn't want you to know?" Giotto said, looking mildly concerned.
"Maybe." Asari shrug his shoulders. "But I'm determined to know more about her,"
Giotto blinks his caramel eyes at Asari's determined expression, he sure wanted to tease his friend but it's seems his beloved Rain Guardian is madly in love with this mysterious girl and is determine to win her heart. Ahh, love. Giotto sighs and suddenly wished that he has a woman to love too.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
Asari is excited about his first tutorial with Haru. The moment the clock strikes ten he swiftly leaves the Headquarters leaving the startled but amused Vongola Boss behind. His pace towards the antique shop is quick and careful. The sight of the shop's sign boards makes Asari's heart leap with gladness. He opens the sliding door just like before; the tabby cat is taking its leisure sleep on top of the counter. Asari quicken his footsteps the moment his ears heard a piano music.
"Hi," Asari softly said careful not to startle the young lady. Haru pause from playing the piano and gracefully turn her head at Asari. A smile automatically appears on her pale lips and nodded to the young man.
"Hi," she greeted back.
Asari walk forward to Haru and stand beside her. Haru patted the free space besides her gesturing for Asari to sit next to her. The young man occupies the space beside her and stares down at the keyboard while Haru plays the piano.
"Shall we start?" Haru then said after the period of silence. She smiles at Asari while the latter nodded and smile back to her.
The two young adult spend almost three hours, Asari constantly blush (which he try to hide from her) whenever his hands made a slight contact with Haru. Even though Haru's hands are as cold as ice, Asari's been startled by the subtle electric current that travels through his vein in every contact. Haru, unaware about all these, continues to teach Asari about her favorite piano notes which her father personally composed.
This routine continues for the last seven days. Asari will go to the antique shop at the three of the afternoon. Haru will always be in the room on the second floor playing the piano while waiting for Asari. In between their lesson, Asari will ask questions about Haru's life. Even though she answers his question, Asari can't help but notice that she's very careful with her words. Sometimes she will merely shrug her shoulders, smiles at him or stays quiet.
Though he badly wanted to know the mystery surrounding the young lady, Asari respected Haru's privacy about her life. She only tells simple things to him about her life. She's twenty years old. Half Japanese and half Italian. She's an only daughter of a Japanese mother and an Italian father. She used to live in an orphanage in Japan since she was seven when her father and mother died in an accident. When she turns eighteen she work and work until she have enough money to travel from Japan to Italy in conquest of searching the only relative she had – her grandfather. Three months ago, she fly from Japan to Florence to start searching for her grandfather but still luck is not on her side.
Asari listen at her every word and can't help but feel a familiarity about her story but he can't put a finger on it. Asari wanted to know more about her but it seems that she barricade a very tall wall in between them. The wall that the Rain Guardian wanted to climb off just to reach her.
"Asari-san, who's your favorite composer," she asked one day while they are in between their break.
Asari tilted his head on his side. "Well I really like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Pachelbel." He said and for some reason Haru seem to be a bit disappointed but the emotion faded as quickly as it appears on her calm eyes.
"Hmm…" she trails off while her hand presses the keyboard randomly. Asari creases his eyebrows then he remembers something.
"Oh, do you know Felice? I really like his music especially the Primavera amore?" he said and was a little confuse when Haru suddenly perks up, his eye glinting with gladness after she quickly turns her head at her when she heard the name 'Felice'.
She smiles widely at him. "I like him as well. Primavera amore… Spring love." She whispers after she drags back her eyes at the piano keyboard, her tone trails mixtures of happiness and sadness.
"Spring huh? That music is very compatible to you."
Haru smiles knowingly at him. "La primavera e l'autunno ha portato la felicità per me impagabile." She suddenly whispers that the young Vongola Guardian didn't catch earning a frown from Asari again.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. We should continue practicing ne?"
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
The next day, with the same routine Asari plays piano with Haru, together they play the music note her father composes. Asari can play the whole music note with a little help from Haru; sooner or later he will be able to play the song perfectly.
"Asari-san, do you believe in reincarnation?" she suddenly asks.
Asari stops playing the piano and his eyes automatically turn to Haru, still with her mysterious solemn expression.
"My mommy once said that when a person dies, his or her soul transferred into someone else's body and become completely different person. But she said that sometimes, someone retains their previous life's memory." Haru tilted her head to her side. Asari – whose unable how and what to respond - choose not to answer to the young lady. Haru's right hand plays on the keyboard. Slowly playing the music his father composed. A soft smile painted her lips.
"NeAsari-san, if I die and will be reincarnated to someone." Haru met Asari's gaze. Her brown eyes are full of emotion but Asari saw a visible emotion of hope sparks in her eyes. "Will you look for my reincarnated self?"
Asari was first mildly shock about her questions. Asari felt a sudden feeling of sadness. He looks straight onto her brown eyes it's as if her eyes are telling her that she will be going somewhere and will never come back. Asari clenched his teeth and fists.
"What are you talking about?" he asks trying to mask the agony and fear on his eyes.
"Just answer me. Yes or No," she insisted. Asari stares at Haru again.
"Yes I will. I most definitely will." Asari said with a determine face. Slowly a wide smile appears on Haru's petite face. Her smile turns into a giggle, she turns her eyes back to the piano and plays happily the piano.
Haru tilted her eyes to Asari's direction, her eyes stares pass right through Asari's shoulder.
"You should be going," she said. Asari turns his head to the window and saw the sun is already setting. It is one of the mysterious things that Asari notice about Haru, whenever the sun is setting she will ushers him to go home as if she always have an appointing when the sun already set. Asari chooses to ignore these and thought that she might not be comfortable of a young man inside her house in depths of the night.
Haru quietly plays the helm of her summer dress.
"Haru..." Asari whispers, the young lady turn her head back to Asari and were surprise when the young man presses his lips gently into hers. Asari close his eyes when his lips touch Haru's lips, which are cold but soft. He felt Haru's cold hand planted on his chest, Asari wants to caress Haru's cheek, he raised his hand and almost touches her but he chooses not to because he's afraid that it might scare Haru so he slow withdraw his hand away from her.
The simple kiss lasted only seconds. Asari stares at Haru's eyes but didn't say anything. His heart quietly leaping because of happiness. He knew now that the young lady feels the same way like him. Haru gave the Guardian a soft smile.
"See you tomorrow," Asari said, the young lady nodded as an answer. The Rain Guardian stands up and walks towards the door leaving the young lady inside the room.
After making sure that Asari is already gone out of the room, Haru raised her hand and planted it on her lips. Mix emotions inside her chest, mainly fears, sadness and of course happiness. Her fringes covered the sparkling tears on her brown eyes.
"Just give me a little more time..." she whispers before she let out a faint sob.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
The next day, Asari visited the old man Feliciano. He heard that he's gone out of the hospital one week ago and is now resting in his huge mansion. It seems that the old man found his source of strength, Giotto told him yesterday that one of Feliciano's men have a news about his long lost granddaughter. Knowing the where-about of his granddaughter, whom he spends half of his life searching, sparks the life out of him.
Seating inside the family room while waiting for Feliciano. Asari caught up a glimpse of a white grand piano in one corner of the room. A smile curve on his lips when he saw the image of Haru playing the piano.
Remembering the music she taught him, Asari walk towards the piano and decided, while waiting for the old man, to play the piano. His eyes are closed while playing the notes using his memory whilst his head projecting the images of Haru.
Haru... Today, after he visited the old man, he decided to confess his feelings to her. Though he knows she like him back, Asari felt a little bit scared, scared that she might reject him.
Okay, Asari... It'll be okay. Relax. He said. He tried to calm himself by concentrating on playing the musical notes. Unaware of the shocked face of the old man standing on the door way of the family room.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
Feliciano was excited. Weeks ago his trusted Thunder Guardian discovers the where-about of his long lost granddaughter. He heard from him that she's currently residing in Osaka, Japan in some sort of orphanage. It sadden him that his son and his daughter-in-law died in a car accident thirteen years ago, while his only granddaughter that was seven years old back then, survive the accident and was under the orphanage care. It seems that she dedicated her life to serve the orphanage who took her in after the accident, showing her gratitude to the institution who gave her a roof over her head and a food on her plate.
He mourns for days because of guilt, Antonio died without asking for his son's forgiveness and for not able to meet his wife, Aki. If only he wasn't being stubborn. If only he decided to look for his son and his family earlier. So many 'if only' flitted through his mind. The only consolation he had is the letter with music sheet inside from his son that his guardian gave him after telling him about his granddaughter – the letter that gave life to his old and battered body.
No doubt about Antonio's slanted way of writing; Feliciano will recognize his son's hand writing anywhere. The letter was dated seven years after he left to Japan to pursue his dream as a compositor – Antonio was not able to send the letter in fear of his father will only throw or burn this letter. He describe his life as he go on different audition to be a famous composer, the day he met his dear wife, his feeling he had when his daughter was born, he named his daughter in contrast the meaning of his wife's name – Aki means autumn while Haru means spring in Japanese language – and the pain that Antonio was not able to share these feeling with his father. Tears pour down from the blue eyes of the old man. Regret, happiness and lonely mix inside are chest.
He did become a famous composer under the name 'Felice' the counter part of his own name 'Feliciano'. The title of the music sheet enclose with the letter is 'Per mio padre' and according to the letter this was his very first music piece even before coming to Japan. It was dedicated to his future family but most especially it was dedicated to his father. Beneath the soft sound lies the prayer of a son to his father to understand that his passion lies in music not in violence and the hope of wanting to share this music to his future family.
Under his son's signature from the right corner of the music sheet the words 'La primavera e l'autunno ha portato la felicità per me impagabile' – it was roughly translated in 'The spring and autumn brought priceless happiness to me' – these words brought tears to the old man again. Priceless. Happiness. Autumn. Spring. Those words if translated in Italian they would form names. Priceless for Antonio, happiness for Feliciano, autumn for Aki and spring for Haru.
Antonio enclose he was never perform this piece of music notes out in public because it was a personal composition meant for him and his family. Only her wife and daughter – and him as well – heard this music.
His guardian gave him piece of picture where the children who're currently residing the orphanage, with three nuns and a fragile looking young lady are smiling in front of the camera. Feliciano vividly recognize Aki's soft smile and brown eyes on the young lady in the picture and instantly concluded that this is his missing granddaughter. The young lady – probably in eighteen or nineteen on the picture – has a shoulder length reddish brown hair that is tied in pony tail; its tail hangs on her left shoulder.
His guardian told him that she's currently using her mother's maiden name instead of her father's last name for unknown reason. Feliciano orders his guardian to be ready and they're all flying to Japan to pick up his granddaughter, she will be living her in Italy with him, she will most definitely going to be pampered and dress up by him, he will make up all those years he'd lost, he heard that she also plays piano, maybe he can play along with her – though he's not as good as his son – he can play piano and read music sheet and has been playing the note that his son composed.
A maid told him that the Rain Vongola was in the living room; apparently after hearing that he's already release from the hospital the young Vongola Guardian visited him. Feeling giddy and excited in sharing about the good news, he immediately follows the maid and went to the living only for him to frown. Someone is playing the piano inside the living room and realize that it must be Asari. The old man smiles and continues to walk towards the room when he recognizes the note the young Vongola is playing.
Color drain out of his face realizing that it is the very same music piece from his son's letter. How can it be? It should only be me, my son and wife and daughter know that music. How did he— "Asari-san…" he calls out with quivering voice.
Asari automatically stop from playing and turn his head at the old man. "Ahh, good day Feliciano-san, I'm sorry if—,"
"Where did you learn that music?" he said cutting off Asari's words. The latter furrowed his eyebrows at the old man.
"A girl taught me and—,"
"A girl? Where did you meet her? What is her name?" anxiety with mixtures of happiness is in the old man's voice. Still confuse the young man answers him.
"She lives in Sakura's Antique shop on the alley besides Sabrina's shop downtown and her name is—,"
"Boss!" a man in fifty's cut off Asari hurrying towards the old man, apprehension is on the newcomer's face, as if he brings a very bad news for Feliciano. The old man recognizing the expression on his Thunder Guardian's face, his heart pounded with fear.
"What is it?" he asks obviously trying to act calm.
"Bad news, it's about your granddaughter. One of the sister from the orphanage call just now. Your granddaughter, boss… they said that she's… she's dead." Asari felt like a cold water spills into his body. Shock washes over the old man's face.
Asari was quick and was instantly beside the old man before her collapse on the floor, Feliciano's guardian was quickly grab his boss' arm and help Asari to place the shock old man on the soft couch. The Thunder Guardian went to the kitchen to pick up some water for the old man.
Asari was left with Feliciano, who is openly howling about the news his guardian told him awhile ago.
"My granddaughter… why? Why, God?" the old man repeatedly mumbles with his agonizing voice. Feliciano face-palm his self while groaning. "Forgive me Antonio… I failed you again… my dear granddaughter… my sweet Haru…"
Asari was rubbing the old man's back trying to calm the old man but instantly stop when he heard the name. Haru? He repeated. His eyes budge out as realization dawned on him.
Half Japanese and half Italian. She's an only daughter of a Japanese mother and an Italian father. When she turns eighteen she work and work until she have enough money to travel from Japan to Italy in conquest of searching the only relative she had – her grandfather.
Asari shook his head when he was able to knit all his memories about Haru one by one. Connecting and slowly forming something that is connected to the old Feliciano Bruno.
'Forgive me Antonio… I failed you again… my dear granddaughter… my sweet Haru…' Asari's breathing started to become labor while still shaking his head, disbelief and fear battling inside his chest. The Thunder Guardian came back with glass of water gripping on his hand, he handed the water to the agonizing old man.
"Fragore-san, can you tell me anything about… about Feliciano-san's granddaughter?" Asari ask the Thunder Guardian, looking desperate.
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'Her name is Miura Haru, technically she's supposed to be Bruno Haru but for some unknown reason, Lady Haru used her mother's maiden name. Miura Aki. We don't know any details but the Mother Superior of the orphanage Lady Haru is living called me awhile ago telling me that Lady Haru is dead.' Voices of Fragore-san, the Thunder Guardian, echo inside Asari's head while they're on their way to the antique shop.
No… This can't be… Haru-san is NOT dead. Asari convince himself. He had a hard time convincing the old man Feliciano that he met a certain lady named 'Miura Haru' the description of Fragore of the 'Lady Haru' Feliciano's long-lost granddaughter is the same as the fragile-looking Haru he knew and fallen in love with. They're obviously the same person but Asari wanted to convince himself that they're different person.
Asari press the bridge of his nose. Kami-sama please tell me this is all a dream. He thought pleadingly.
When the driver pull over and park the car in front of the familiar alley street; Asari tried to pull his self together, forcing his feet to walk. With the old man and the Thunder Guardian following Asari behind, Asari lead the way towards the antique shop.
Asari frowns when he notice not a single sound of piano coming from the shop was heard. They place shop is awfully quiet. Asari felt his heart abruptly stop from beating. He gritted his teeth while mixture of fear and confusion stirs inside his chest. It can't be—then all of a sudden a sound of piano was heard. The old man and his Thunder Guardian was startle – Feliciano sob harder when he recognize the piano notes coming from the shop.
Per miopadre – his son's first ever music piece – a piece that no one should know except from him, his son, his daughter-in-law and his granddaughter. Apprehension and slight excitement – Feliciano slowly approach the fusuma and with quivering hand he slide the door to open. He saw a tabby cat sitting on top of the counter.
"Upstairs." Asari said in low voice. Feliciano nodded but before he continues he ask his guardian to stay here. Hesitantly, Fragore nodded and stay on the first floor while Asari and Feliciano climb the stairs towards the second floor.
Arriving in front of the room where they heard the sound of the piano – Asari halted for a second after grabbing the door knob, he sigh a wearily and deep breath before pushing the said door. Feliciano's eyes lay upon the back of a young lady while she's playing the old piano. The old man's eyes watered while staring at the slightly familiar reddish brown hair – exactly like the young lady on the picture.
Longing and sadness Feliciano step closer to the young lady and said. "Haru…" Feliciano whispers automatically the sound stop and the lady froze but she kept her back facing the two men. Asari closes his eyes tightly while the young lady turns her body slowly at them.
Haru stand up from the chair and face Feliciano and Asari – agony is in her brown eyes. Feliciano whimpers while hungrily stares at the young lady before him. Asari doesn't know what to feel. Happiness? Sadness?
"Ojii-chan…" Haru said.
The old man chuckles in between his sob and took a wide step towards the young lady obviously wanted to give her a big hug but Asari froze when the old man's arms passes through Haru's body. Feliciano is obviously startle as well, he flung his arms at Haru again but like the first time his hands only passes through the young lady's body as if her body is only a projection – just like a gh—Asari whisk away the thought and travel his eyes from Haru's darken face towards her feet only for him to pause again.
Finally noticing that the upper half of Haru is paler than before and her lower part – Asari felt the goose bump – his transparent, he can vividly see the wooden floor through Haru's body. The young Vongola Guardian shook his head slowly uttering the word 'no' repeatedly. Then his eyes met Haru's sad orbs.
"I'm sorry…" she said and turns her eyes at her still shock and speechless grandfather. "I've wanted to meet you Ojii-chan and my dream already came true, maybe I can finally rest peacefully."
"Not after you explain everything to us." Asari said.
He heard Haru heave a deep sigh before continuing. "I'm already dead the day we met, Asari-san, I don't know why but when I finally open my eyes after seeing a light I just found myself inside this antique shop. Neither the shop keeper – who has strange power to sense and see spirits – can't see me but she can feel my presence and can hear me playing this old piano."
"Imagine my surprise to see a young man standing behind me and listening to my music. I tried talking to you and I was not expecting you to hear me but you did and that made me so happy. I was so glad that finally someone can hear me, can talk to me but only last before the night come. The reason I don't want to keep you stay here when the night fall is because I always disappear instantly as the last ray of sun disappear as well. I don't want to disappear before you because I don't want you to be scared of me."
"I'm still confuse as to why you're the only one can see me – can even touch and hold me – and I thought maybe your connected to me somehow and I was right. Asari-san, you're connected to me because you know my grandfather; you're the bridge to the only thing I've only dream of. To meet my grandfather finally."
Asari notice that Haru's body is slowly fading. "Haru…" Feliciano said in desperate still waving his hand at his granddaughter wanting to hold her even once. A tear sparkle from the corner of Haru's eye.
"I am beyond happy that I finally meet you, Ojii-chan… I'm so sorry I took so long but still I'm happy now I can finally rejoin my parents." She said her body is almost fading. "I love you Ojii-chan…"
"No… please, Haru…"
Asari, still stunned to move an inch watch as Haru's face fade away but he saw her eyes stares at her – looking rather happy – her lips move and mouthed something that cause for tears from the young man's eyes pour down uncontrollably. When she finally disappears, silence lingers between the two men. Feliciano's knee buckle weakly Asari automatically aided the old man, he wraps his arms around the sobbing old man while he himself cries as well.
Haru – Asari's mind repeatedly play the moving lips of Haru before she disappear. He unconsciously hugs the older man closer to him. Regret, happiness and sadness – three emotions that is hard to contain inside the broken heart of a grieving young man like Asari.
'I love you so much' the words that Haru mouthed at him before she fades towards the next life.
Ω =⁰ ώ ⁰= Ω
One week after that – Asari heard from Feliciano that Haru has been fighting a terminal illness and asked the nuns in the orphanage that to keep this as a secret. She was so glad when she heard that a man is looking for her under the order of an old man name Feliciano Bruno. She knew it was her grandfather; she wanted to keep this whole sickness as a secret to avoid her grandfather feeling the regrets of not finding her sooner. She's happy and glad that one of this day she'll be able to meet her grandfather whom she long to see but her weak body and progressing illness took toll on her and eventually she died even before meeting her grandfather.
It took the nuns days for them to contact Feliciano – they are not exactly in a town where technologies are always available and scarcity of money is present on that day. Feliciano order for the bodies – or whatever was let for his son and his daughter-in-law – of his Antonio, Aki and Haru to be brought in Italy and buried along side of his deceased wife, Arianna. Feliciano finance the orphanage that took Haru in all these year – returning a favor for what they have done for his granddaughter.
Giotto and the rest of the guardians heard the whole story and were not able to do anything about their grieving friend. Asari lock his self up inside his room for three day – avoiding people. It took Asari days before leave the room, talk to his family and friends. He still was not able to smile genuinely but Giotto and the other understand what their friend's going through right now.
Almost two weeks later, Asari find his self standing in front of the familiar alley. He doesn't know why but his feet brought him here – then he started walking towards the antique shop. Asari enters the shop and felt something out-of-place inside the shop. It seems something is change though there's nothing literally change from the shop.
The display antiques are the same like before. Asari turn his head at the counter was surprise to see not the tabby cat who use to sleep on the counter but an old lady sitting behind the counter silently watching Asari.
"Good afternoon, young man." She greeted.
This must be the shop keeper. "Good afternoon as well."
Silence lingers between them; Asari tilted his eyes at stairs. His heart is silently hoping that he'd see Haru upstairs, sitting in front of the piano and playing the instrument just like before.
"She's no longer here." The old lady suddenly said. Asari drag his eyes from the stair to the old lady. "I cannot feel her spirits inside the shop anymore just like before but I can sense to you the warmth of that young lady surrounding you." She said and strangely she let out a small smile. "You're in love with her aren't you?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Asari twitched but he chooses not to answer and only stares at the old lady. "I cannot blame you. I can sense the kindness of her heart when she's still here. It's amazing that you can see her. Maybe you're not just connected by her grandfather but you're also connected with her though music seeing that you also love music just like her and – ehh?" The old lady suddenly froze. The young man blinks his eyes.
"What is it?" Asari ask concern at the old lady.
"This can't be true—she's suppose to be in the afterlife what is—I can feel her presence outside the shop and—," he words were cut off when Asari immediately run outside the antique shop. His head flung to the left and right searching for a familiar pale and slim figure of Haru. His heart pounded with excitement. His lips curve a smile.
But when his eyes roam around the empty street, his smile slowly turning upside down and his shoulders slowly falling. She's not here. Asari disappointedly said he was about to turn and enter the shop when he heard a cry of cat from her right side. Asari tilted his head and saw the tabby that usually sleeps on top of the counter of the antique shop staring at him.
"Meow." Said the cat that stares straight at Asari.
"Sakura, there you are." An angelic an awfully familiar voice said from Asari left side, the cat's eyes look over Asari's shoulder – probably towards the owner of that very familiar voice. Sakura? Asari repeatedly inwardly unconsciously he tilted his eyes towards the shop's sign board. Sakura's Antique Shop.
"Here kitty, come here Sakura." Said the voice again. Asari slowly tilted his body towards the voice only for him to freeze again. His eyes lay upon the familiar reddish brown hair only this time it was cut in bob-style, the skin was still pale not as pale as before, her brown eyes are still expressive like before, slim body, her thin lips – everything about the young lady standing before him – looks awfully familiar to Asari.
She smiles noticing that Asari is staring at her with surprised expression. "You've finally found me." She said.
'Asari-san, do you believe in reincarnation?' 'Ne Asari-san, if I die and will be reincarnated to someone.' 'Will you look for my reincarnated self?'
The words that echoed inside the rain Guardian's head. Asari instantly took steps towards the young lady and wrap his arms around her, crashing the lady with her arms. Tears of gladness roll down from his eyes at the young lady snake her arms around him as well. Her body is warm and soft.
"I promise didn't I?"
She smiles. "Yes, you did."
He kisses his forehead. "I love you."
She closed her eyes. "I love you too."
Their lips met together with the cat silently watching them.
THE END
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Sabrina-chan' Musing Corner: Wow, it has been too long right? So sorry for making you guys wait uhh here's my Asari and Haru pairing. I do hope it turn out so good because this is not the original Asari-Haru… I kinda have writer's block before and well… anyways please continue to support. Fighting!
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Japanese/Italian Translation: Anata wa daredesu ka – Who are you?; Daijoubudesu ka – Are you okay?; Mi dispiace. Non capasci il giapponese – I'm so sorry. Can't you understand Japanese?; Sayonara – Good bye;