I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN, ALL BELONGS TO AKIRA AMANO AND IT'S RESPECTED COPYRIGHTERS...

CHAPTER 33: A LONG WAIT

[Kusakabe]

For now things have calmed down, but nothing is completely calm until our troubles are over, and the Millefiore defeated. Everyone has fought their own battles, some had won and some had their fair share of loss; Yamamoto-san was one of them, his fight with The Phantom Knight, Genkishi, was a great loss. Kyo-san too, had his fair share of injuries from the same opponent as Yamamoto-san, coming in the future at such a critical time and facing the Phantom Knight off the bat. It was an underhanded situation, but it couldn't be helped.

And Tanakuse-san, we found her while escaping from Kyo-san's box weapon that went out of control. She was lying on the floor, unconscious and bloodied up, deep gashing injuries on her arm, shoulder and broken bones in many places. She had fought someone, but at that moment, found no one; maybe the person escaped thinking they had killed Tanakuse-san, but clearly she's alive and breathing. I already tended to her wounds and gave her pills to give her some strength.

Obviously, Tanakuse-san was looking for Kyo-san even after I tended to her. I knew she was still weak yet why did I just watch her walk away? I could have made an excuse to make her stay and sit still and yet I did so anyway. Maybe because I wanted her to have a little time with Kyo-san? I don't even think Kyo-san would be very pleased; he was already put in a foul mood when he took a pounding from Genkishi and also from when we had found Tanakuse-san. At least that's what I assumed.

I let them be so to talk amongst themselves; but Kyo-san wasn't very pleased and shunned Tanakuse-san away. I don't blame him; she needed rest to gain more strength.

"When we return, you can talk to me all you want, you damn woman." I heard Kyo-san say to Tanakuse-san… It was amusing; I guess I didn't expect him to say something like that. I suppose he'd say anything to get her away from him, or to make her sit still.

Such is love.

After I checked on the other members of the Vongola, I planned on tending her wounds again to see if she had other injuries that needed fixing. But by the time I turned to her, there was a man running towards her, a sword in his hand. The next thing I knew, Tanakuse-san was swaying with her hands on the bloody sword. She turned to Kyo-san; I don't know whether it was for help or to try to steal a last glance.

I can't be sure.

I called out to her hoping it would reach her and ran to catch her falling body, but by the time I reached her, she was covered with a puff of smoke.

Tanakuse-san was no more by the time the smoke cleared up, just a pool of blood remained.

***

Falling, falling. I feel like my body is falling; heavy and weak as I fight to keep awake. But everything seemed against it, as I continue to fall away from all things that made sense.

Tanakuse-san!

The smell of fresh linen and antiseptics filled my nostrils; my body felt stiff and heavy from what seemed like a cloth wrapped around my skin and my head, covering my left eye. I slowly opened my available eye to examine where exactly I am. It was a small room; a room so bare that it only consists of a bed—which I happened to be lying on—a couch under the only window, a nightstand next to my bed and a wooden chair.

The window was open and the cool breeze blew the curtains up carrying the smell of flowers; it smelled like Lavender, mixed with the scent of dust and fresh rain. It had just rained outside, and I can see droplets still clinging on the glass window. The sound of rushing water filled my ears, it sounds like a nearby creek and I can hear it loud and clear.

I wonder where this is.

I took a deep breath, taking in the fresh air into my lungs. It smelled good and relaxing. I don't remember much, like what had happened before I came here. Everything was a blur and it happened too fast for me to take in. The pain, the blood…and Alessandro, all of it were a haze but I knew it happened.

Hibari too, I wonder what happened to him. And Kusakabe-san…I hope they're safe.

I heard a door open then lightly closed, I turned my head to my left, and standing by the door with a big bouquet of white lilies and white roses was my blonde brother figure, Dino. He smiled at me; I saw a hint of relief in his eyes as he walked towards the bed.

"Riza-chan…I'm glad that you're finally awake." His voice was soft and almost in a whisper. He walked over to the nightstand where a blue vase stood and placed the flowers in it. He pulled the wooden chair close to the bed and sat on it as he looked at me with sad eyes.

"Dino-nii…what happened?" I asked him, he looked different than the one I recently talked to. He looked younger and more inexperienced. I probably returned to my right time, back in the past…or the present.

"I should be asking you that Riza…Tsuna's mom found you in her yard a couple days ago and called me." He stated.

I was silent, unsure whether I should tell him about the future and the state it was in. He probably won't believe me if I tell him, and he'd get too angry if I even mention my bloody fight with Alessandro. He knew Alessandro, and believed he was dead.

"I'm not going to push you…you can take your time until you're ready to tell me."

I nodded.

"Are Tsuna and the others back yet?"

He shook his head, "No…you were the first one we found from the missing people. Kyoya disappeared a couple of days after you did. I was really worried Riza. I thought something might have happened to you."

I sighed, disappointed and sad. I was also angry, angry at myself for getting almost killed and returning while the other continued to fight in the future. Tears started to swell up in the corner of my eyes, my vision blurred from the tears. Dino looked at me worried and unsure to why I was crying.

"Is everything alright?" I wiped the tears from my eyes, and smiled. I don't want to make him more worried than he already had.

"So…where are we?" I finally asked him.

"Italy…I took you back here when you finally stabilized…I was worried and I thought you were going to die. I don't know what happened but a sword was stabbed through you."

Alessandro's sword, but I can't really tell him that.

He got up from the chair and looked down at me.

"I should probably go, you need to rest and I still need to assist everyone in searching for Tsuna and the others."

I nodded and watched him as he walk out of the room. I was alone again, and room was again filled with the rushing sounds of the creek. The refreshing sound, it slowly, dreamlessly lulled me into sleep.

I'm tired.

***

I spent weeks in the hospital Dino's family owned in Italy; it was small but privately owned. My health was almost back to normal but not quite, my wounds were healed, but I still had to walk around with a cast on my right arm. Dino insisted that I stay in Italy longer, but I just couldn't. I wanted to go back to Japan…maybe to wait for everyone's return.

I wanted to greet them when they came back.

Dino didn't say anything else afterwards, he wanted to come but things became hectic and problems piled up one after another. It was to be expected, he is the head of a family after all.

I left Italy that night.

The moment I arrived at Namimori, the first place I returned to was Namimori middle school. I felt like going there to see how things were after I left; maybe Kusakabe was worried about Hibari's disappearance… I felt I should at least assure him that Hibari would return soon.

I found him along with the other members outside, scouting the school's yard for any late students or students who were brave enough to skip their classes.

I cautiously approached them with a smile. One of them assumed that I was late and didn't wear my uniform to school; well of course I was student there, but right now, I didn't come here for that.

Kusakabe immediately ran towards me the moment he saw me, brushing the other member away.

"Ohayo, Kusakabe-san." I greeted with a smile.

"Tanakuse-san! I'm glad to see you today." He greeted.

"How's everything going?"

"A little hectic and full of disorder…ever since Hibari-san disappeared, most of the students are either coming in late, or skipping classes."

"Don't worry…Hibari-kun will come back soon."

I sighed; I felt bad that I couldn't tell him much about Hibari's whereabouts, and even when he asked me, I kept quiet and lied.

I spent the rest of my day on the roof of the school, watching the sky and counting the clouds that passed my line of vision. Though, it seems that I had fallen asleep because when I woke up it was already afternoon. The sun was already slowly setting over the horizon, painting the sky with the warm colors of orange mixed with hues of purples.

I made my way back inside; the hallway was already empty and no one in sight. I quietly let my feet take me wherever; I wasn't in any rush and I merely zoned out as I walked.

I stopped.

I was standing right in front of the reception room, where I knew Hibari mostly spent his time. I entered the room, slowly pushing the door in and walking quietly. The room was empty, only the few pieces of furniture remained. Nothing had changed whatsoever. The desk where Hibari would work on his papers, the couch where he would nap, and the coffee table where he used to eat…they were all the same as when I had left them.

I smiled when I saw the small bed that I had placed by the window, surprised that the committee still kept it in here.

The room felt different and odd now that it was unoccupied, but in a weird way, I could feel Hibari's faint presence in the room. Maybe it was because I was so used to him being there, but either way…it felt like he should.

I made my way to his desk and sat down on the chair. I stroked the surface of the desk where I knew Hibari used to write on. I laid my head and my available arm on the table, eyes staring out the window where I could see the setting sun. Too bad…I can't be in the future to help them…and Hibari. But I guess it wouldn't be too bad being back here in the past.

At least now, someone will be here to greet them when they return.

I'll be waiting…minna.

THE END...

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