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Five Times

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Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! in any way or fashion.

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Summary: The five times Haru approached Gokudera because she liked him and the one time he approached her because he liked her back.

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(A/N: Oh yeah. Here we go.)

IV. Wait, She What?!

When they meet with Haru that morning before school, the first thing she does is greet Hayato. There are no words spoken to Tsuna, not to Takeshi, she says hi to Kyoko of course, but other than that, she and Hayato hit it off right away. Not that the latter notices, nor does he see his friends reactions as he continues to converse with Haru.

Without arguing this time.

"What do you want for dinner today?" She asks him. The two of them are walking a few steps ahead of the rest of their group. Hayato rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

"Umm... I really liked the sukiyaki you made last week. Can we have that again?" He asks. Haru nods her head.

"Yeah! I want it too. But we'll need stuff for it if we want it tonight." She says. The silver haired teen nods his head in understanding.

"Okay, I'll come with you then to get the stuff." He tells her softly, smiling. Tsuna's eyes widen at this while Kyoko and Takeshi laugh. A little blush covers Haru's face as she nervously tucks a strand of black hair behind her ear.

"R-Right. Also, I saw this new chem set at the store. Want to check it out?" Questions Haru. "I think you'd like it. I know I do, it would make making bombs easier." Tsuna blanches at what he's hearing by this time. Kyoko gives her friend a secretive, supportive thumbs up with Takeshi joining in her antics. Hayato, however, can feel the weight of his wallet grow heavy inside his pants pocket.

"Umm..." He hesitates to reply.

"It's right next to the new bookstore." She sings while poking his arm. "You know, where they have those magazines you like to read about UMA's?" He twitches at that. "I'll buy you a copy." Hook, line, and sinker.

The Storm Guardian begins to grin, stupidly at that. "I don't see why we can't just look at the chemistry lab set." He chuckles. Haru cheers before looking ahead of them.

"Oh! This is me, I'll see you later Gokudera-san." She reaches in for a quick hug, wrapping her arms around his torso. Hayato, not repulsed by it, wraps only one arm around her. However, he squeezes her just as tight before they let go and Haru gives everyone else a wave before leaving for her high school.

"See you." He calls after her softly, even though he knows she can't hear him. Turning back to look at the rest of his friends, Hayato cringes at their facial reactions.

Kyoko and Takeshi look like a pair of twins, their grins nearly splitting their face while Tsuna gapes like a fish. The Decimo is the first to react, asking a question with huge curiosity. "Do you like her?!" He nearly yells, his tone sounding like a girlish shriek.

"What? No." He says with absolute truth. Kyoko releases a really deep, disappointed sigh at that.

"Really?" Questions the pretty girl. She folds her arms across her chest and blows a raspberry. "Not even a little bit?" Hayato shakes his head, making Kyoko groan. "My poor best friend." She murmurs under her breath.

Takeshi is about to swing an arm over his shoulder, only for Hayato to dodge him. "Don't touch me." He sneers. Takeshi, not surprised at his friend's reaction, looks at Kyoko and for a moment, it's like they speak telepathically with each other. Then she nods her head before going over and wrapping her arms around Hayato, just as Haru did earlier. Tsuna gasps loudly, heartbroken for a moment.

Hayato just stiffens before growling. He presses a finger against her forehead before pushing her away slowly. In a low, dangerous tone, he says ever so slowly so that she will understand him. "Don't. Ever. Do. That." Then he flicks her forehead. "Again."

"Owie." Kyoko moans, Tsuna coming to her aid. Takeshi places his hands on his hips at that.

"Are you sure you don't like Haru?" He asks, not willing to believe his friend's previous answer. Hayato nods his head as a reply. "Really?" The Rain Guardian presses on. "I just want you to be sure."

Hayato rolls his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you idiot." Snaps the teen, beginning to feel irritated. "Now stop asking me stupid questions." Much to his growing annoyance, Takeshi brings a hand to his chin and rubs it, curious. The taller teen looks so doubtful that it's beginning to make Hayato feel a little embarrassed.

And that's annoying.

"What is it?!" Growls Hayato. Takeshi only grins before shrugging his shoulders.

"I mean, it's a little weird seeing you two hug like that. You pushed me and Sasagawa-chan away. But Haru..." He motions his hands in a suggestive way. Before Hayato can verbally rip him to shred, Kyoko steps in whilst shooting a little glare at the silver haired boy.

"It's just a bit disappointing, that's all." She states.

"How is this disappointing?" Asks Hayato, bewildered. The three just stare at him with a blank look. He mentally groans. "...fine, we didn't get along before but Haru's been coming over lately," Kyoko gasps and he has to restrain himself from flipping her off, "and she's not weird. We're...friends now." He's reminded of all the times Haru had assured him that he was her friend and smiled. "We're good friends." Hayato nods his head at that explanation, wanting it to be enough to leave this conversation.

It's not enough.

"Friends?" Kyoko pouts. "That's all?"

"Why would it be anything more?" He questions, narrowing his eyes at her. Her lips tremble a bit. It looks like she wants to say something but she can't. Takeshi flinched a bit at his choice of words.

"Well..." Tsuna begins softly. "I know I'm not really good at these kind of things but... Haru-chan...she likes you, doesn't she?" He asks with all the innocence of the world. Kyoko harshly pulls on his sleeve and shushes him while Takeshi ends up shaking his head, his hand going down in his face in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Hayato(.exe) stops working.

(A/N: Oh ho ho ho! What will you do now, Gokudera-san!?)