Last time...

"Huh? Who are you?" Tsuna-san asked, confused.

"Nakamura Akiyama!" He muttered, walking past. "New member. Cloud."

"Eh?" Tsuna-san said before Nakamura quickly exited the scene. "EH?"

"Tsuna-san!" I said, grabbing his attention. "That's the new member of the famiglia. Nakamura Akiyama is his name and he's the Cloud Guardian."

Continuing on...

"A new member?" Vixen asked curiously. "I was wondering about what was going on outside."

"Thanks for staying inside the room." I said gratefully. "I'm glad some people actually think before they act!"

"Hey!" Mys protested.

The three of us were inside the Japanese-styled place we called our room. We were sitting in a circle; I was cross-legged, Mys was laying back lazily, and Vixen was sitting with her knees propping up against her chest.

"So who's the new member?" Vixen asked curiously. "I didn't hear anything from where I was."

I quickly explained the events following how Nakamura became a member of Melo and everything I knew about him.

"Family problems? I bet the kid just ran away." Vixen scoffed. "He sounds like one of those delinquents!"

"And that's worse than being a thief?" Mys asked curiously, holding up her hands to mean no offense at Vixen's former work.

"At least we didn't beat each other up on a moment's notice." Vixen snorted. "Mafioso aren't any better from what I've heard though."

"Depends on who you're talking about." I agreed. "Tsuna doesn't seem like one either. What he told us when he battled all those people... it feels like a story."

"Nah, seems believable when I think about your flames." Mys said, shaking her head. "What's really unbelievable is the way Tsuna's supposed to be all 'cool' or something!"

"...Ah!" Vixen shook her head as if it seemed unbelievable that she didn't notice it before.

"How many more members do we have to find now?" Vixen asked, confused. "I thought we already had all the members!"

"It's amazing how you seem so smart but you're really just dumb." Mys muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"So far, we have every position filled except Thunder and Sky." I said, ignoring Mys's comment. I felt slight twinge of sadness as I said Thunder's and Sky's names.

"Shouldn't we just be looking for Thunder?" Mys sighed. "You keep saying you aren't our leader, but you are! What else can you be?"

"I could very well be Thunder, you know!" I reminded her, though I didn't really think so. But then, I didn't exactly think I was Sky either. Or, to be honest, I didn't think of it at all. I just didn't want to be nothing more than a holder for the rings. I didn't want Tsuna's theory to be true. All those years, talking to each and every flame... that was it? If so, the Dying Will Bullet couldn't save me then.

"I don't think that would be a good idea or conclusion to the team." Vixen frowned. "If someone else was the leader, I think all the members would rebel."

"You can't fight that though!" I protested. "It's Fate and Destiny against kids who are barely teenagers! Plus, if the flames will it, it'll be that way no matter what!"

"But you deserve to keep the rings." Mys said softly. It felt like that one moment froze in time for me. "That meltdown before. I haven't seen you that way since Jun stole your rings."

Several moments passed while I stared past Mys, digging into past memories.

"Jenna?" Vixen asked. "What do you mean by Jun?"

"He certainly wasn't obedient." I muttered finally. In answer to Vixen's question, I said, "The kid I was training before I left. He decided to pull a prank on me. He stole the rings while I was taking a shower. When I thought I'd lost them..."

I pursed my lips at the memory.

"I half-flew into a rampage, burst into tears, started gibbering like Mys after a shot at the doctor's-

"-Hey!-"

"-and finally just stared at the wall like I didn't care about the world anymore. Like I didn't care about living." I finished. Vixen stared at me with wide eyes, her fingers touching the ring on her right hand. "So, uh, if you don't mind, don't touch me next time. Kay?"

Vixen opened her mouth to protest, but quickly shut it when I gave her a glare. Or was it because of the plea in my eyes that came out before the glare?

"The two of you can chatter here if you want, but I'm going on a walk." I said, standing up.

"You wanted to die?" I stopped, my hand outstretched towards the screen door. "I didn't even... you were going to leave me?"

"Mys, I-"

"Do you even understand what you're saying? I-If you actually meant that..." Mys pushed herself up, glaring at me. "If you died on me for a stupid reason like that, I will take those rings and I will crush them! I will hate you for the rest of my life! Human life is precious and you will not waste it! Do you promise not to die for a stupid cause?"

I stayed silent, unsure if I could promise it. Or even if I wanted to.

"Jenna Maki Smith. Do you promise?"

"Don't call me that!" I turned around, grinding my teeth. "My middle name has nothing to do with this! I can't give you hope! I can't promise anything! I-I can't do anything!"

The both of us stood there, staring at each other. Mys glared at me, tight-lipped. My eyes pleaded with her, my face pale with shame.

I'm not the mighty Jenna. I'm tiny, meek, can't-do-anything Jenna! The past is the past, but I can never forget it. I never will.

"Take a walk. You need it." Mys said, sitting back down with her back facing me.

"Mys-!" I tried, but I wasn't sure why.

"Get out!" Mys yelled. I dropped my hands and turned towards Vixen.

"I'm not the Sky."

I slid open the door and walked out. Sliding it back in place, I felt almost like crying. But I didn't. Tears wouldn't solve my insecurity or my faults. Tears would only make it worse afterwards.

"Jenna, what's wro-?" Tsuna asked, panting from his torture run. I passed by him without looking up, my eyes studying the wood panels. As usual... "Jenna?"

"Nothing. I'm going on a walk." I said tonelessly. This tone was... familiar. Deep, uncaring, it fitted a straight face whose eyes could be fitted with the status 'sociopath' perfectly. "I'll be back later."

I left the house, staring at the ground. Now what? Wait until things cooled down back at the house? Or...inside me? As I thought about my emotions turning inside, I was almost scared to touch them. I'd kept them locked up in a heart of stone, ice, indifference. That swirling tornado managed to escape from time to time, scarring me. More and more. Emotions are scary, aren't they?

But even so. I needed to sort out these feelings. It wasn't the time to simply lock them away. It wasn't time to pretend it wasn't there. But even so...

I'm a coward. Wallowing in my own thoughts, my own problems, my own self-pity, I need to pay attention to othe-

And there lay the problems. If there was a light bulb, it would be one of shadows. This was the answer to my problems. Resilence... is it really the key to my problems now? Every day, bearing the load of problems I found, bearing the problems I knew other people had. Trying. Trying so hard to figure out how to help them. Myself. I never figured out how to make peace with myself. All the problems I had. Maybe growing older coincided with trying to figure out yourself. My problems just came sooner, rather than later because of my unique situation.

I told myself that I wasn't special. All the time. Even in the times I succeeded, I always thought to myself. "These people can do it better. I'm just lucky." No wonder I started thinking about Fate and Destiny. Somehow, it felt nicer to think that it's all a predestined path and not anyone controlling my life. That sounded scary to me. And it was more frightening when I thought if I were controlling my own life...

What would happen then?

What an annoying person. Yelling "Maki! Maki!" I hate that name. "True hope"? Ha! There's no room left for hope here...

"Maki!" A hand touched my shoulder. I looked up, expecting to see Mys. What I didn't register was the fact that the voice had obviously belonged to a boy.

"Oh, Mys. Here's that childhood friend." I whispered.

"What?" Jayden said, confused. His blond hair made people look at him when they walked past.

"It's a foreigner." They whispered. Or at least I thought so. It sure seemed like it to me. He was a foreigner to my world, looking so bright... Wait. WHAT WAS HE DOING HERE?!

"J-Jayden?" I said, backing off and bumping into a passing man.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" The man grumbled before walking past.

"S-sorry!" I mumbled, staring at Jayden. Jayden. A childhood friend I forgot about! B-But it's been years and I only remember fleeting moments now...!

"It's only been four years!" Jayden said, grinning. "You've changed a lot though!"

"And you haven't changed at all." I said, my eyes wide.

Four years ago, I was nine. I won't even bother with a flash back this time. After all, it happened so fast...

Before I even lived in California, I was born and raised in Florida. For nine years, with continuous visits to California in the summer, I lived in my hometown. I was little, young, still not conscious of the world around me. Yes, it was when I was dragged to California that these buds of feelings called regret, loneliness, and sadness started to bloom...

I made friends easily. There isn't many I can remember now. As far as I know, Jayden was the one to stand out by far. I suppose Anthony was one too, though all he did was chase me round the playground...

It started when I tripped. By that time, the jerk, known as Anthony Rodriguez, had been chasing me around the playground. Past the monkey bars, under the slide, through the itchy grass, I thought it was fun. Once again. I was little and young. I half-wonder if I even knew that I was being bullied?

Navigating the playground was hard though, for my weak and clumsy body. I flopped to the ground in front of Jayden, even made that anime-style slide when I think about it.

He'd asked me if I was okay. I said yes. He was looking at Anthony suspiciously. I didn't care. I think that's when I asked Anthony if we were going to have more fun. Jayden asked what kind of fun. I responded with something along the lines of "He chases me and I run aaaallll around, trying not to get caught!" And then I went on saying I'd never gotten caught before and whatever spouted from my head. Were most nine-year-olds like that?

Jayden listened to me, nodding, and it seems to me now that Jayden was really mature back then. Is it because he traveled a lot? He was a transfer student back then too.

From there, it's fuzzy. I think Jayden set himself as the protective guardian. I'd really forgotten the early years of my life. What I do remember? Riding on a little tricycle and playing House. I think I was fond with the stove.

He left first. And then I left two months after. I never thought about it really. Then again, I always thought my parents were on a business trip every time they went out for several weeks at a time. Before I found out about the relations with the Mafia of course.

"You're a lot more mature now. Your hair's still pretty fuzzy though." Jayden tilted his head inquisitively.

I blinked. Twice.

"What're you doing here?" I asked, facing reality again. "I thought you moved to-"

"Georgia?" Jayden finished. "Right. I spent a year there. And then I moved to Illinois. Then I spent a few months in Hawaii. I moved back to Florida... but you weren't there?"

"I moved to California after you left." I said, shrugging. "That's why. Sounds like you've been traveling around."

I figured that I'd get around to solving these problems later. Now, I had to work my way around someone I never thought I'd see again.

"Well. This is a real nice surprise!" Jayden said, smiling. "How about we talk about the last few years over drinks?"

"Wha-? Whoa!" I found myself pushed towards a café, where a teenage waitress came out and guided us towards a table. Next thing I knew, I was sitting at a booth with a glass of water in my hand. I took a sip. "You better have the cash for this."

"I do, I do." Jayden laughed a little at my response. Then he folded his hands together and looked curious as he asked, "Anything interesting happen lately?"

"I'd say the last few weeks is worth a try." I said vaguely, choosing to look out the window instead.

"Really? More interesting than traveling around the world?" Jayden asked, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Something along those lines."

"Would you tell me?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On what happens in the near future." I said, sipping my water. "Top secret. Confidential and on a need-to-know basis."

"What kind of confidential?" Jayden asked curiously. "Something to do with the Yakuza? Or a secret with your sister? Or maybe you just don't want to tell-?"

"What are you, a nosy reporter?" I asked, chuckling slightly. Jayden shrugged.

"A wannabe detective, more like." Jayden answered. "So?"

"It's neither A, B, or C." I said drily. "Really? The Yakuza? Where'd you dream that up?"

"Eavesdropping in a dark alleyway." Jayden said with a shrug, as if he eavesdropped on people all the time.

"Eaves-? I'm sorry, what?" I asked in disbelief. "Why?"

Jayden shrugged again. "I keep hearing about this "Dancing Rabbit" everywhere. I was curious, so I went to the most reliable source."

"And that was?" D-?! Are you-?! What exactly did Vixen say and how much?!

"The Animilia!"

*Thack!*

"What did you slam your head on the table for?"

"No, no. Carry on, wannabe detective."

"...Afterwards, I talked to one of their informants and I managed to get a few more pieces of the puzzle."

"Did you get the name of that informant?" I asked calmly.

"Yeah. Her name is Vixen."

*Thack!*

"Again?"

"No, no. Carry on. "

"...I'm going to ask you about that later. Anyways, I've been trying to figure out more, but I haven't had any luck." Jayden sighed in disappointment.

"Hmm." No way I'm telling him the truth now! "So what did you find out?" But might as well see how much he's found then.

"From the name, I could guess that the 'Rabbit' was a girl, youngish from the 'Rabbit" part and innocent-like. It's possible that the "Dancing" part is from the way she moves and fights, considering I heard about her from those delinquents. Vixen told me that she just left one gang to join another, but not any of the groups around here. She also said that the 'Rabbit' is a leader of that 'group' but she just doesn't know it yet. You seem to know Vixen. Got any idea who the 'Rabbit' is and what the group's about?"

"Not really." I said in a bored tone. "She didn't join any of the gangs? She's called the "Dancing Rabbit"? That name sounds stupid to me and I don't think there's an organization around here except for the Animilia."

"You know about Animilia though." Jayden pointed out. "You know some things, I bet. Got a theory?"

I was just about ready to say, "Oops, gotta go! Homework to do, places to go!" but I figured I could stay awhile longer. I mean, he is my childhood friend. After all, what are the chances he could be one of the guardians of Melo, right? Ha ha ha...

"Hmm. Truthfully, I've only been here for mostly a week." I said with a shrug. "I don't know anything really, except from what my Dad found."

"Oh, right. Your dad's a news reporter!" Jayden said, lighting up. "Could you tell me if he finds anything else out?

My dad's alias was a news reporter. He wasn't all that important, but his job allowed him to snoop around for juicy info. I assumed it was for the Ninth.

"Sure, but he's not coming home for a while. His boss is making him find all sorts of things far away from here." I said, sighing. "This was supposed to be a change of location so Dad could rest at home more."

"So that's why you're here!" Jayden said. "I thought you would've stayed in California or gone back to Florida!"

"Hm. I wish." I said, shrugging. "But world-wide coverage isn't exactly an easy thing to get."

"So I guess I'll have to sneak around more then." Jayden sighed. "I have another question to ask. Well, two more."

"What is it?" I asked.

"One. How did you meet Vixen? Two. Why are you in high school?"

"Hm. I met Vixen while I was shopping for groceries. She tried to steal my wallet. I stole it back." I answered, telling the small picture. "I'm in high school because my grades are good enough. It was hard skipping grades, but apparently my dad has 'special' contacts."

"How did you steal your wallet back?" Jayden asked, frowning. Well, frick!

"She wasn't very good." I said vaguely. Okay, lies without details are best. Add more and you're-

"She sure didn't seem like it." Jayden said, scrunching up his eyebrows. "I almost didn't catch her that time."

-screwed. Dang it, are you serious?!

"..." I did the best thing I could do. "..."

"Jenna? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"But you weren't saying anything. Do you have a stomach ache? You have a constipated look on your face."

"It's called frowning!" I said, pursing my lips. "And no, I am not constipated, thank you very much!"

"Alright, alright." Jayden said, holding his hands up in an easy-going manner. "If you don't want to answer the question, I'll just ask Vixen next time."

"Sure. Try your very best." I muttered loud enough for Jayden to hear.

"I will." Jayden said, leaning back against the booth. "Oh, right. I have another question."

"What is it?" I sighed out loud.

"What's with the flame thing?"

I deliberately took my cup and drank as slowly as I could to find small picture in this answer.

"Don't lie to me." Jayden said, frowning.

"I'm not. Unlike you, I respect privacy and the truth." I said calmly. "Here's the small picture. I have a talent very few people have and I found another person who has one too. We're forming a small group of people who have the same talent."

"Could I-?"

"And it is a very private group where the entrance is only for people who pass my test." I interrupted. "I won't tell you anything about it, unless I see if you have the same talent."

"Aw, what?" Jayden said, pretending to pout. "I can't even try to pass it?"

"Nope. Any more questions?" I asked.

"Not really. I'm just finding more to answer for myself." Jayden shook his head.

"Good. I have a few to ask about then." I said. "Keep track. One, why are you here now? Two, why are you in high school? Three, why didn't you just come up to me the first day at school? Four-"

"Anymore and I'll get confused." Jayden interrupted. "I'm here because my mom's job made us travel here. It's for her research apparently."

"Your mom's an author, right?" I said curiously. "Research? I haven't read any new books written by her recently."

"That's because she's teamed up with a manga artist." Jayden thumped his head on the table in pretend agony. "That guy's there, every night and day!"

"A guy? Do you think that she might-?" I asked before Jayden said quickly, "He's sweet on her, but she isn't interested!"

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Really! She told me herself!" Jayden protested. Jayden's mom divorced her husband years before Jayden was born. I didn't know a lot of details, but Jayden told me before that it was because his dad always came home drunk after he was fired from his job for slacking. "Mom doesn't even want to date another guy again!"

"She'll meet the right guy another time." I shrugged. "Anyways, the other questions I asked?"

"Oh, right. Uh, I'm in high school because my mom's work is famous in Japan. She had me skip a few grades because she knew where I was in my studies. But it's hard with all the homework we have!"

"Not really." I said absently.

"You were always a quick learner." Jayden sighed enviously. "Even though you were always daydreaming."

"Fat load of good it did me." I grumbled. "Anyways, why didn't you come up to me the first day?"

"Oh, well. You sort of changed a lot. You're taller, more mature, smarter..." Jayden drifted off with a frazzled smile."...And you scared both the Homeroom and the P.E. teacher."

I shrugged. "You can learn a lot having a news reporter as a dad."

"But you can see why I hesitated before?" Jayden asked. I nodded. "Good, because I have to admit that I followed you around a lot."

"Do you know how stalker-ish you sound right now?" I bet that yellow blur after Akiko joined was him!

"Yeah..."

"Anyways, I have one more question." I said, sighing. "How long have you been living in Japan?"

"That's it?" Jayden asked, frowning. "Just a simple question?"

"Well, of course! I could use a tour guide, you know!" I said, crossing my arms. "So?"

"Sure, just call on me anytime and I can show you anywhere you want to go!" Jayden grinned.

"Great!" I said, nodding. "So, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to Mys."

"Okay." Jayden said, taking out his wallet. I started to stand up, but then Jayden quickly said, "Oh, wait! I almost forgot!"

"What?" I asked, sitting back down.

"Why are you friends with some of the most popular kids in class?" He asked. "And that Tsuna guy too."

"Hm. They were interesting and they were the first people I got to know when I got here." I answered. "Is that it?"

"Yeah, I guess." Jayden said, nodding. "It was nice meeting you again."

"It was nice meeting again too." I said. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Traveling around the world has its downsides." Jayden gave a resigned shrug. "See you tomorrow."

"See you then." I said, standing up. I walked out of the café, looking up to see the name of the place was Luna Café. Interesting name.

As I walked down the street, I picked up the subject that had been plaguing my mind before with a much calmer heart.

These problems I have need to be solved. And soon. Before, when my feelings were tearing me up, I was clouded and unable to see that what I needed... was to let it go. I needed to face my problems by releasing them. And I couldn't do that mentally, of course. Believe me, I tried before in both Yume Sekai and in reality. I needed a... physical way. Fighting wasn't going to solve my problems and fighting usually didn't get the job done in these kinds of situations. So then, that got me thinking. Maybe I just needed to... talk about it. Yes, talk. It's worked before. However, who is there to talk to?

I don't want to saddle anyone with my problems. Tsuna might be the best choice here, but that doesn't mean he won't still be affected by this in a negative way. Even if he was able to worm my feelings out of me before. Mys, I don't know. She has her own problems. And trauma. I never noticed, but Mys was broken after she realized that Mom and Dad weren't coming back.

What kind of sister am I not to notice that? But then again, I had my own problems too. The rest of Vongola, I wouldn't have talked to at all. Sadistic Reborn-san? No. Carefree, un-readable Yamamoto-san? No. Always-yelling Gokudera-san? In your dreams! I didn't even know my own guardians well enough to think about this. Not if I can only see them as generic archetypes*. The only one of the Melo guardians I could confide in was...

Ah ha. Well, as long as she doesn't hug me again, then I'm okay.

I felt a lot more lighter. I finally made some headway into my own insecurity. But first off, I need to explain to Mys why I couldn't swear to her promise. Because... what if we don't see eye to eye? This equally binds both of us. Even if it is just a simple spoken promise.

A promise... is still a promise.

Cross my heart and hope to die.

Stick a needle in my eye.

Promises are easy to make and just as easy to break. If possible, I don't want anyone sticking a needle in their eye.

"I'm back." I said loudly into the Sawada Household. It still surprises me how loud a house can get whenever I walk in. Lambo, I-Pin, and Fuuta were helping out in the kitchen while Nana-san and Bianchi-san were cooking. I made a cautious note not to eat the dessert. Making my way up the stairs, I could hear Tsuna-san, Yamamoto-san, and Gokudera-san talking in Tsuna-san's room. Yamamoto-san and Gokudera-san must've come in earlier while I was out. It was easy to hear that the trio were having a nice time, laughing. Looks like Reborn deigned to let them have a break.

"You're back, eh?" Mys said, before I could pull back the screen.

"How did-? Right, shadow." I automatically answered my own question. "Can I, er, come in?"

"Sure, this is your room too." Mys answered. I pulled back the screen. Mys still had her back towards me. Vixen looked uncomfortable in her corner. "So. Did the walk help?"

"...Maybe. Depends on what I do now." I answered after hesitating.

"What's with that pause there?" Mys asked, turning around with a irritated snarl. "Did it really? Or are you just staying quiet again!"

"Sometimes silence isn't golden." I said quietly, sitting down. "We've seen it everywhere. People usually don't see eye to eye. I'm worried that the same thing is going to happen if we make this promise."

"And how should I know you aren't lying? We've seen that excuse everywhere too!" Mys snapped.

"You know me. I twist the facts. I tell the smaller picture. But I never lie." I answered. "Not even a white lie."

"..." Mys still looked frustrated.

"I can't lie anyways." I tried a smile. It was probably an uneasy one. "I get too flustered. I turn red. I talk too much. You should know."

"Because I made you." Mys sighed. She relaxed and looked completely bored. "When did you turn into such a wuss? You used to be so bright and cheerful."

"Maybe because of-"

"Nah, it wasn't the trip here. I think it started when we moved to California." Mys said, thinking. "You started getting all shy and conscious of everything. It was really annoying-"

"I met Jayden!" I said quickly, trying to divert the subject. "Did you know he's in our class? He's been in Japan for a while and maybe tomorrow we could take a tour around Namimori-"

"Either you're lying or that's the truth." Mys said, frowning. "I already knew that! I recognized him the moment his folder fell on the floor."

"Folder?" I asked blankly. Well, at least we're not talking about my personality change anymore.

"Yeah. You didn't notice because you were busy scaring the teacher!" Mys said. Then she gave me a sneaky grin. "Oh, boy. I bet you were surprised when you met him! What did ya talk about?"

"Lots of things. Especially about a certain ex-thief." I gave Vixen a meaningful look. "Would you like to join the conversation now?"

"He swindled the info out of me." Vixen muttered, moving away from her corner. "S' not my fault."

"I know, I know." I said, nodding. "He's good at what he does. But, what exactly did you tell him?"

"Jayden, was that his name?" Vixen asked.

"Yeah."

"He asked about the Dancing Rabbit. He got me to say that she hadn't joined any gangs or organizations. She joined some kind of group and she was the leader." Vixen said. At that last part, she gave me a hard look. "You just don't know it."

"And I won't agree to it either! There's something weird going on." I said, scowling. I crossed my arms and sat back. "I mean, what if the next guardian is a Sky flame? I have all the flames, so it makes sense that I could be the guardian of any ring."

"But what about your personality?" Mys put out. "There would only be a few flames you could actually fit then."

"..." I considered that. "I'd say Mist or Cloud and that's it!"

"Well, I'd say Sky and that's it!" Mys muttered.

"Look, we can talk about this all day and night, but I need to know if Vixen gave Jayden any cause to think I'm the Dancing Rabbit!" I said, changing the subject. "Did you?"

"Um, I don't think so." Vixen said, frowning in concentration. "I didn't say anything about Vongola or Melo. I just told about the Dancing Rabbit."

"Did you tell him how I got the title?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Oh, I did!" Vixen said. "I told him about how you tie up your hair into those fuzzy pig tails and it looks like you're a dancing rabbit when you fight."

"So many twists." Mys muttered.

"Maybe I should cut my hair then." I said, ignoring Mys's comment. "I wonder if that weird fashion club could cut it...?"

"I wouldn't step near those guys." Mys said, making a face. "They thought I was you before and did my hair too."

"They did? How come I didn't get to see the results?" I asked, frowning.

"Because pig-tails? Seriously?" Mys scoffed. "They look stupid on you, but they look stupider on me!"

"Ah, whatever!" I said. "I guess I'll just find someone else then."

"Why not try Bianchi?" Vixen asked curiously. I paused.

"Bianchi-san does hair?" I asked blankly.

"I don't know?" Vixen frowned. "She seems good with scissors though."

"..." The three of us considered that statement.

"Definitely not!" We chorused. I noticed that the tension in the air was gone, replaced with a happy air. The three of us had assumed our normal sitting positions. I was cross-legged, Mys was laying back, and Vixen had propped her knees against her chest again.

"You don't have to cut your hair." Mys pointed out, drawing back my attention.

"But Jayden's good at being a detective, even if he is a rookie." I said, raising a point.

"As long as you don't tie up your hair and fight, you're okay." Vixen said. "So don't."

"...That does seem kind of hard to do at once." I said, relaxing. "Anyways, about tomorrow-"

"I already know my way around Namimori, so you can go by yourself." Mys cut in.

"Huh?"

"I tried finding you in the mornings sometimes, but I never do." Mys shrugged. "I pretty much know my way around. But you don't, right?"

"No, I don't." I said, frowning.

"Then you can go by yourself with Jayden. All around town!" Mys smiled innocently. "Just you. And him."

"..." Did she...? "I'm only thirteen."

Mys kept smiling. "I know."

"...Never mind then." Vixen looked confused as I huffed.

"What?" Vixen asked.

"Nothing." I said, shaking my head. "Mys is just playing match maker again."

"Huh?" Vixen said, before she realized what I meant. "Never mind. I didn't say anything."

"Geez, what time is it?" Mys said, laying on her back.. "It feels like forever since we recruited Nekoyama."

"About lunch time." I said, checking my watch. "Wanna get some food?"

"Yeah!" Mys said, jumping up. "I bet Tsuna's mom is finished cooking now!"

Mys rushed out of the room in excitement, leaving Vixen and I in her wake.

"Let's go down in a calm and orderly fashion." I suggested.

"Yeah." Vixen agreed.

I suppose lunch this time is worth a mention.


T.T

Over 5, 000 words. I think that's a personal best.

I showed my sister this chapter in its earliest stages. Believe me, Jayden is a lot better now. I also told her about how the story is going to go.

Apparently, we're in for a road of plot twists. I suppose "Hang on" is one way to say it.

If you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to tell me. Does Jenna seem weird to you? Like...overly-dramatic, or a wuss, or a really pitiful archetype that no one would ever like?

Archetype means a certain type of a person. Like an out-going, brave main character. Or that shy, but pretty strong boy/girl? And especially the over-done tsundere type.

Just in case, tsundere means a person who's mean on the outside but is shy on the inside. You see these types in mostly girls and in romance genres.

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR. If I did, it would never have become an anime.

Heck, it wouldn't even be serialized.

Serialized: The act of publishing a manga for the public to read.

Oh, and the title is going to display the date and month that the story is currently going by.