Chapter TWENTY FIVE

Sakura watches as the Vongola X hurries off towards the stores, then turns her attention back to the woman in front of her. The pacifier hanging from a chain around her neck is a clear sign, but Sakura can also detect something about this kind looking woman that she knows puts her on the same level as Reborn. Not to mention Gokudera, Ryohei and Takeshi were watching them from a little away. Reborn and Lal Mirch were also there. That alone suggested that this was a Trial.

"You should stay here and wait." The woman, Aria, says. "I'm sure Tsunayoshi-kun will be back in no time.

She nods stiffly in reply.

"Still, I'm glad we could see you again," Haru exclaims.

"What have you been doing?" Kyoko asks.

Sakura glances down and away from the two bright girls that flank her. She is saved from having to reply, though, by Aria, who throws them a question.

"So, what do you think of Tsunayoshi-kun."

"Wha-why do you ask?" Haru flushes. "Tsuna-san is very kind and very cool."

"Sometimes, he can surprise you, but being with him is very reassuring," Kyoko adds.

Sakura blinks when everyone turns to her. "Sawada Tsunayoshi is...my link to someone important to me." She says carefully. While she does not necessarily lie, she does not speak the complete truth.

He is naive and innocent and weak and just a boy who was dragged into a world he did not belong in. She does not say any of this though, because she can recognize that their answers, while appearing insignificant, will play a part in influencing whatever view this woman has on Tsunayoshi, and she remembers that the Arcobaleno hold one of the keys to their victory over Byakuran in the future.

She turns back to Aria, who is still smiling. This woman before her is dangerous, though in ways Sakura cannot really tell. "He is a kind person."

He holds a kindness that will only crush him in the world he currently lives in, but it is a kind of weakness that can change those around him.

"I see," Aria says thoughtfully. "You guys like him."

"It's not only us," Kyoko says. "Everyone likes him."

"Exactly." Haru agrees.

Sakura looks up and away, though, when she feels an approaching presence. Seconds later, they all hear a voice. "Hello there, Ladies. Want to have tea with me?"

Sakura eyes man who had approached them, arms spread.

Aria turns around. "Are you talking to us?"

The man instantly stiffens, and he does not even appear fazed when Haru and Kyoko calls out to him. The man makes a lame excuse and hurries off. Sakura narrows her eyes just a little, because he had just confirmed that the man was a part of their world, and the woman was not just some random lady carrying the name of the Sky Arcobaleno.

And people like that always had other people after them. Sakura narrows her eyes, something tickling her senses. There are a dozen or so figures slowly approaching them. Sakura casually places her hand on her trident. She does not make any signs of noticing, though, and she remains where she is seated.

Who were they after?

"Sorry for the wait!"

Sakura turns around, this time to see Tsunayoshi rushing back towards them. "Did something happen?" He asks.

"Welcome back," Haru calls.

"Nothing happened," Aria tells him, a smile on her face. "However, I am a little thirsty. Could you go buy me something to drink?"

"Haru will go." The girl offers.

"Yeah." Kyoko agrees. "You wait here, Tsuna-kun."

Tsuna begins to stutter. "O-oh, but-"

Aria turns to the girls. "I guess I'll ask you girls, then."

"We'll be right back," Haru says, getting to her feet.

"Would you like to come with us?" Kyoko asks, and it takes Sakura a second to realize that she is addressing her.

Sakura eyes the girl. The mysterious figures are approaching. If they leave now, she will not be involved in whatever conflict is to come.

However, can she leave Tsunayoshi, who is technically her boss, when she knows shady figures are approaching? She shifted her gaze back to the smiling girls. But letting them off on their own was dangerous as well, and technically Tsunayoshi can defend himself. Not to mention, the other Guardians are nearby. She makes her decision. "Okay."

She places her bag slowly onto the table but purposefully holds her trident to her chest. She sends Tsunayoshi, who is watching her, a meaningful look and wonders if he understands before she turns and allows the two girls to lead her away.

"I know a really nice juice place," Haru says.

Kyoko smiles, then turns to her. "So, Chrome-chan, what have you been doing while you were gone?"

Sakura takes a deep breath. "Nothing, really." She says, only half listening. The figures do not make any moves towards them. They must be after either Tsunayoshi or Aria. Still, Sakura does not relax.

"We-well, maybe we could hang out sometime," Haru says.

"Yeah." Kyoko agrees. "Hana-chan was telling me about this new store..."

Sakura watches the two girls chatter on happily about nothing in particular and wonders, unfairly, if it is this innocence that draws Tsunayoshi to these two.

When they return from their trip to the stores, Sakura sees that the rest of the Guardians are standing around Tsunayoshi. She cannot see any enemies lying around, but she can only assume that they had been defeated. The two girls beside her instantly rush off to greet the boys, who awkwardly try to match their stories. Sakura watches as Aria prepares to leave, and she feels her ring warm for a second as Aria gives Tsunayoshi her Seal. She can also feel her companions approaching her and, wanting to avoid a clash between the two parties, she leaves the cups of juice she had been holding and quietly slips away.

She receives an earful from Ken when she appears before them. Apparently, the two had noticed that she was missing halfway through their argument and had doubled back to look for her.

"I'm sorry." She tells them. "I wasn't bothered to chase after you, though."

Ken scowls. "You should have said something byon!"

"It's because you ran off," Chikusa says bluntly.

Ken whips around to glare at him. "What did you say?"

Sakura smiles at the familiar scene and simply watches them as they make their way back to the store.

Update~

Darque: Approaching next is Reborn's Trail.

Raven: Oh yes. I've been looking forward to this part.

Darque: Me too, though what I'm looking forward to the most is things like Choice, and Daem-

Raven: Hey!

Darque: Oooo, right. Imma say nothing.

Raven: Atta girl.

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