A/N: I don't own KHR or any of its characters.

"Neh neh neh neh neh let's gooooo~" I attempt to drag Kyoya from his chair to the door.

"No."

"You like all that old-man traditional stuff - you'll have funnnn."

"No."

"You can beat up as many pick-pockets and hoodlums as you want - there will be so many!"

He pauses at this (the lil sadist), but still - "No."

Kyoya hates many things - no seriously, he's so fucking picky. Nothing is up to Kyoya Hibari's goddamn high standards. And at the VERY TOP of that list, Kyoya hates crowds. Because a crowd is just a shit ton of herbivores. And herbivores are weak. And weakness goes against the Hibari pride. So yes, crowds are basically a personal affront to him. When even the promise of beating said herbivores to a pulp can't convince him to go, then you know that there are just way too many shitty herbivores.

"Seriously Kyoya? Seriousllyyyy?" Yes I know I'm whining, but I have good reason to!

He sighs and pulls out his tonfa.

"OKAY OKAY I got it, jeez. I'm not getting you anything though loser!" I probably will still get him something, but it's the heat of the moment!

I run to the front door, loudly grabbing my jacket from the closet. Purposely stomping about in a huff.

"Bring an umbrella. It's about to rain." Chieko-sama

"Haiiiii."

Intense coughs rack Chieko-sama's frame.

I quickly turn to run back to her side, but she holds up her other hand to stop me.

"You still aren't feeling any better? Go lie down."

COUGH COUGH. "I'm fine, girl."

"Chieko-sama…"

Kyoya stands up, his hand pulling at her elbow. "You should rest."

Chieko-sama chuckles, "Oh please, just a small cold. I feel lively enough to join you even." She looks at me.

"No way in hell." Kyoya and I deadpan in unison.

Chieko-sama lifts her brow. "You two practicing telepathy now?"

"No, he just copies everything I do." I say. "Are you sure you don't need anything? I can pick up some fresh ginger on my way home and make you some Shogayu before bed."

"That sounds lovely girl. Now go, you've been talking about this festival non-stop."

"Haiii!" I fix Kyoya with one last suuuper intimidating glare and slam the door behind me.

I jump onto the rooftops, scaling them instead of trying to make my way through the now jam-packed streets.

Colorful twinkle lights wrap around trees lining the streets. A rainbow of color paints once-dull streets. I smile to myself. I'm glad I could be here at this time of year, even if it is really fucking cold.

My light footsteps go unnoticed. I stop at the last rooftop, staring out into the crowd forming below the temple stairs. Stalls lining as far as the eye can see to the left and to the right. "Hmmm, where's the best spot to get a view of everyone?"

My eyes survey the patterns of traffic. The majority of the crowd is moving from left to right, a few trickling off to climb the steps to the shrine. Families with young children gathering at the western corner. High schoolers on the eastern corner. Guess it's to the west for me.

But through the crowd of indistinguishables, I spot gravity-defying pompadours… like, a LOT of them. "TETSUUUUUU!" I wave eagerly from my rooftop perch. A group of look-a-like Tetsuya's turn in unison.

"Hatsu?! What're you doing up there - wait - wait don't jump I'll get you - WAIT -"

But I'm already sprinting across the roof shingles, bolting quickly down the spine of the roof, launching myself from the last shingle with as much force as I can muster - and boy do I SOAR through the sky.

I can hear the frantic shouts of random passersby until I stick a perfect landing right in front of Tetsuya.

His jaw hangs to the ground. "Hatsu please be more careful!"

"Isn't that what I should be saying to you?" I give him an up and down, surprised to see the minor amount of small bandages covering almost fully-healed wounds. "Oh, nevermind. Damn, what medicine did the doctor give you?"

He chuckles, "I might not be the fighters you and Hibari-san are, but I heal quickly and I'm sturdy as hell." I can tell it's true.

"Not bad.." I glance at all his pompadour friends - intense glares and obvious delinquent vibes quickly frighten off the crowds around them. "Who are these look-alikes?"

"A couple of my friends. Thought we'd help keep the peace tonight."

I sweatdrop as a kid accidentally runs into one of them and instantly bursts into tears. You guys are the scariest people here…

Tetsu turns toward his twins, quickly parsing out strategic orders. "You two to the first sector. There will be plenty of elderly folk, so stay vigilant for any scams. You to the second sector. Let the teenagers have their fun, but careful that they damage any property. You two take the third sector. Traffic will move quickest through this area, so divide and conquer. I'll take the fourth sector." His thumb pointing behind him toward the west.

Lucky me. "Can you kneel down for a sec?" I motion to Tetsu as if to whisper him a secret. Tetsu is freakishly tall for his age. Exactly what I need...

Well-natured, he easily aquiesses and kneels to the ground. "What is it Hatsu?"

I boost myself up onto his shoulders, legs dangling at his chest. "I'm hitching a ride!"

"Just be careful up there." He stands.

"Be careful of what? The wonderfully crisp air from up here?! The expansive views without any annoying barriers in the way? Is this what it's like to be tall, this is fantastic. Everyone looks like tiny little dolls that I could just pick up and place wherever I wanted! I feel drunk with tall power already EVERYONE BOW TO MEeeee!" I yell maniacally into the crowd as I throw my hands up.

He laughs. "Don't accidentally knock your head on anything. The city isn't catered for tall folk like me."

"Are you sure you won't join her?"

Kyoya grimaces, "I hate crowds. Why would she even want to go there? Where all the herbivores will be."

"She's never been to a winter solstice festival before."

"It's always the same every single festival."

"She's never pushed you so hard for anything. She must have her reasons."

He scoffs, but I can tell he stops to think about it. She had hounded him for a week straight that they absolutely must go to the winter festival. Everyone in Namimori and even neighboring cities would be there. It is a wonderful spectacle of dance, food, giving, community, culture… a place Kyoya would abhor. Nonetheless she persisted with a multitude of violent threats, followed by promises of practice. She used her best version of a Kyoya-death-glare and she used her puppy dog eyes. But Kyoya would not budge. Isn't it time I give it a shot?

"Well then, I suppose you'll never know for sure what her reasons are."

"... Hn."

That should be enough.

The idea that some piece of knowledge eludes him, forever. That some mystery surrounding Hatsu would remain just that, a mystery.

"I'm going to my room."

I smile. I still know him best, better yet than even himself. Because far greater than any hatred of crowds or inconvenient annoyance, is his desire to know her. He wouldn't understand it yet, but he would at least feel the gnawing inside of him that pushes him to action. From the moment he started watching her, he's wanted to know her more than he's ever known anyone else.

"Are you looking for Hibari-san?" I ask her, looking up at her on my shoulders as we navigate the crowd. Her eyes wide with focus on the streams of passerby.

"Haa? Why would I be looking for that loooooser."

"Aren't you always together?"

"Kyoya hates crowds - AH!" She suddenly pulls at my hair. "Ow!"

"Sorry, to the left! Gogogogogogooo!"

"Hai!" I veer quickly to the left toward a craft stall full of wooden good luck charms and cell phone charms. A giant stuffed-animal baby bird sits at the forefront of the store to attract customers.

"Doesn't this somehow remind you of Kyoya?" she asks, pointing to the cute bird. HOW...?

"Frankly not at all…"

"Really? This is totally his style." Again, HOW…? This definitely shouts cute, and Kyoya… well, his violence-loving nature doesn't really align with that… right…?

I lean over the stand so Hatsu can peruse the goods.

"Oji-san how much is this one?" She points to a miniature wooden bird phone charm, much like the stuffed-animal.

"1000 yen." She bites her lip.

"Sir, please, this can't be more than 500 yen or else we'll go to another stall." I chime in.

The old man grumbles, "You think you can get this at any old shop? Just because you're young I can go to 800 yen."

"500 yen." I hold firm.

His eyes narrow, "600 yen."

"We'll take it." I nod at Hatsu who looks at me with wide eyes. She pulls out a few very crumpled bills and exchanges for the charm. So crumpled and worn, like the kinds of bills that stay in your wallet for decades only to be removed on special occasions.

We walk back into the horde of people.

"You're a master negotiator!"

"My mom used to run a stand like this. There's always room for negotiation and they pad on a little extra charge if you seem like you're from out of town."

"Oooh, you're pretty useful Tetsu. You'll be Mr. Reliable from now on."

"Maybe I can help you find who you are looking for."

"...Mmmm… he's five-years-old, athletic for his age. He has light brown hair, but slightly curled, especially at the front! He's suuuuuper cute! Big eyes, beautiful smile, the whole shabang."

"Hahaha, what's his name?"

"Hoshi." And as if speaking his name ushers him into existence, a small child darts straight through my legs at that moment, running from his parents who look distinctly dissimilar from him.

"Hoshi slow down, please."

"Mom, Dad, hurry! We have to find a good spot before the fireworks start."

"Okay, okay we're coming!" They chase after Hoshi, two big smiles on their faces.

"Should we follow them?" I ask Hatsu, as my eyes linger on their disappearing forms. "Hatsu?"

But her eyes and attention are plastered on Hoshi. A soft smile. Wishful eyes.

I smile to myself and follow after them at a distance, prolonging her moment. He must be very important to her, I wonder why she won't call out to him.

Her voice cuts through the crowd. "Ne, doesn't he look happy?"

"Very much so."

BOOM BOOM BOOM. Fireworks erupt in the sky.

I watch her, sitting atop the herbivore's shoulders, with the brightest smile.

And even through the crackle of fireworks and the giddy shouts of children, I can hear her laugh.

She smiles down at the herbivore and his hand squeezes around her legs, holding it steadily in place. I'm furious. He doesn't even know her so why should he touch her?

But seeing her so happy, I still. Frozen watching her.

And there's this overwhelming sense that I shouldn't disturb her peace.

...But I'm a Hibari.

And Hibari's don't wait passively.

Hibari's don't regret.

Hibari's always charge forward.

And so I maneuver through the crowd. Through all the annoying swarms of herbivores.

I grab his wrist - "Let go."

He turns to me in shock. "Hibari-san I didn't know you were here." My eyes narrow.

"Let her go." She turns, ripping her eyes off whatever had captured her attentions.

And she smiles with such genuine, open warmth - "Took you long enough, Kyo." It's the first time she's ever called me that. Her hand reaches down to my head to ruffle my hair. And I forget all about the crowd and the noise and the annoyance.

"Thanks for the ride Tetsu!~"

She hops off his shoulder. "Seriously, the view was so great from up there. You wouldn't know, Kyo, since you're a little pipsqueak."

"I'm taller than you."

"Yeah, but you're also older than me. I haven't had my growth spurt yet."

My hand reaches for hers. Fingers quickly intertwining - she squeezes back easily and naturally. It's warm. It's home. It's mine. There's a spark of something in our touch. Like the fireworks around us, a sudden charge. A surge of protectiveness and longing.

I lead her back the way I came from. "It's time to go."

"The fireworks JUST started."

"Don't care. Did you do what you came to do?" I drag her away from the herbivore who waves to us happily as we depart. Stupid herbivore.

She blinks at me. "I did."

"What was it?"

"Ehhhh, did you get curious Kyo? Huh? You wish you had joined me from the start, ne?"

"Shut up."

"I wanted to see someone. I knew he'd be here."

"Who?"

"Well, you should've been paying more attention then."

"Who?"

"You had alllll the opportunity to find out, not giving this one to you."

"Who?"

She rolls her eyes. "One of these thousands of people here right now, that's who!"

"Who?"

"Kyo shut the fuck up..."

My hand is still in hers, but this time she leads me. Through the sea of herbivores, who become blurs around us as we speed faster than any of them can decipher. Up the steps of the temple. Onto the rooftops of the temples themselves. Nestled into the shingles away from prying eyes. We lay on our backs, hand-in-hand, enjoying the glittering colors.

A/N: eh chapter, but will ramp up next one!