Alex:*Gasp* What's this! An actual update! It couldn't be! Haha It is! I am not dead and I have returned! God it's been like what 3 years? Good golly gosh it's been far too long. These past years have been really crazy on my end. Lots of ups and downs and lack of motivation to write, changing jobs, figuring out life, a pandemic. It's a lot. But I'm back and in the grove to write so I hope you will stay with me on this adventure. I have quite a bit planned for this and I strive to work hard and showcase my work to you all.

Enjoy the long awaited chapter 2

XxxXxx

Chapter 2:Foolproof Plan

After her first day of school, Mariko Himuro had a mission. It was one of utmost importance, involving a lot of skill, precision, and of course cute facial expressions. Mari had to convince her parents that she didn't wish to attend school anymore and instead wanted to stay home. All throughout the day she had kept to herself developing plans and backup plans to ensure everything would work in her favor.

When the final bell sounded and the hordes of children were released onto their parents. Mari put her plan into action as she sprinted towards her awaiting parents; school bag dragging on the ground she willed crocodile tears to her eyes and bounded into her mother's legs.

Her mother was pleasantly surprised but quickly hefted her up into her arms, shushing her softly as a soft hand rubbed Mari's back. Picking up her bag from the ground her father stared curiously in concern and wonderment about her behavior. The two parents shared a look before departing for home. This was not at all how they thought their daughter would act, especially since she seemed so excited earlier in the morning.

Upon reaching home Mari sobbed on how she missed her parents and she didn't want to go to school anymore.

"I want to stay home!" she cries clinging to the front of her mother's shirt. By this point it was tear stained and gross but her mother didn't seem to mind as she held her comfortingly. "I wanna bake cookies with mama! Everyday!"

Of course she knew what she was doing was cruel. Tugging on the heartstrings of her mother and all that jazz but it was the best shot she had of achieving her goal.

Gasping her mother held her tightly, gentle fingers danced through her light toffee colored hair. Her mother turned to stare at her father with big serious hopeful brown eyes while her father frowned, his green eyes narrowing slightly in warning at his wife. They had after all been over this before, they knew Mari would have to attend school and be away from them for awhile.

"Sweetie, I know school can be scary but you have to go. Mama and I want you to learn, to grow up and be a big girl." her father soothed as he shook his head lightly. Raven locks fell into his eyes as he gave his daughter a soothing charming smile.

Of course her father would be harder to deal with. He was often the voice of reason in the household.

"You can always bake cookies with mama after school." he says firmly as his eyes flickered to stare at his wife momentarily before landing back on her. Mari felt her mother's grip on her slacken slightly as she heaved a deep weary sigh.

No! The voice of reason was getting to her Mari's mind screamed as she turned big green eyes onto her mother. Giving her best kicked puppy look she let her bottom lip tremble as soft keening whines escaped her throat. Attagirl Mari keep it up, look soft and vulnerable and most importantly cute! For dramatic effect she let a few more crocodile tears slide down her baby faced cheeks. Without a doubt she could see the inner conflict within her mother's chocolate brown eyes.

The fight was intense. Replicating like the march of the Crusades as they marched their way towards a bloody battle and an even bloodier victory.

Her mother chewed on her bottom lip as her father rested his hand gently on her shoulder.

"We could all bake cookies together and have fun after school." her father offered helpfully supporting his wife. His words felt like a judge slamming the gavel down upon the desk. The battle within her mother came to an end, the victor was revealed and it was not in favor of letting Mari get what she wanted. Damn her parents for being healthy parents raising a child!

Cupping her cheeks gently, her mother wiped her tears away. Kissing her forehead she smiles lovingly. "Your daddy is right. We can make cookies and have fun afterwards. School is important, my love."

And thus Mari lost the battle. It was the first of many losses.

I am so screwed Mari thinks one morning as she's dropped off at school. The past several weeks had been trial and error, an endless battle of arguments and fighting. Every attempt she had made to keep from attending school hadn't worked. Mari had pulled every trick in the book and still it failed.

Pretending to be ill, acting more childish than usual, throwing tantrums, hiding. You name it she did it. And each and every tactic had failed and now she was back to square one. Her parents, God love them, had been patient with her as she pushed their buttons. Traversed ever closer to their boundaries. But it didn't take a genius to see that they were at their breaking point. Mari had finally stopped when she had heard her mother crying one evening before bed.

Her sweet mother had completely broken down due to the stress of everything. Her father comforted her, promising that they would get through it, that Mari was just going through a phase.

As she peered behind the corner leading into the room Mari felt horrible. To know she was the reason for her mother's tears made a lump form in her throat. Her heart hung heavy as it ached at what she had done. And so as she ran into the room to hug her mother Mari decided to attend school and not try and run from it.

"There are other ways to survive this world." she whispers to herself as she puts her bag into her little cubby. She would simply have to ignore Tsunayoshi Sawada like her life depended on it because it literally did.

No, she thinks walking into the classroom. It was more than just Tsuna; she would have to avoid everyone he's involved with. Taking a seat at her desk her mind flickers to all that her friend told her about this anime. Mari recalled her friend also showing her various episodes and even pictures of characters. Obviously a good deal of people wouldn't show up till they were much older she thought but let's focus on the now.

Let's see.

Eyes flickering around the room she spots a little girl with golden brown hair and a cute face. She wore a cute pink dress with flowers on it. She chatted gleefully with a girl who had short wavy black hair and light blue eyes.

Kyoko and Hana!

Yes, they were important. Kyoko was Tsuna's crush and Hana was her best friend. Somehow Mari had a sense that Hana was more involved in some way but didn't know how. Must have missed that episode or something. Or, perhaps she had zoned out when her friend was gushing about the show? Either way she made a mental note to stay clear of her.

Now who else she thinks as once again her eyes rove around the room. A cacophony of noise fills the air as the other students laughed and chatted away as the teacher wrote on the chalkboard. No one stuck out to her like Kyoko and Hana had. Perhaps another character wasn't in this class?

Breaking through the loud chatter the sounds of hands clapping in a rhythmic beat caught everyone's attention. Mari's focus became centered to the front of the room. Everyone around her fell into a hush as they all mimicked the sound with their own hands. Smiling, the teacher began the morning lesson. Mari decided to focus on the lesson at hand. Obviously she didn't need to know it but for something to do and focus on she paid attention. It wouldn't do any good to worry herself sick on trying to figure out who to stay away from.

Taking pencil in hand she focused on her letters.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough and when it did they were allowed to have it outside. The weather was nice, the sun nice and warm with an even warmer breeze. Taking her small bento box Mari sat underneath a tree and watched as all the other children ran about playing on the playscape. She eats in silence watching and waiting silently.

Several long minutes' pass. Hanging her head she groans in frustration as she puts her food away. "Give me something! Just let me know who to stay away from." As if the gods heard her plea she hears a happy shout from nearby.

"Wow Yamamoto you threw the ball really far!"

"You should play baseball!"

Head snapping to the right Mari sees a boy with soft spiky black hair and honey brown eyes rubbing the back of his neck. A happy smile adorned his face as he laughed, his small body shook with joyful mirth.

"I love baseball so maybe one day!"

Yamamoto Takeshi popular baseball star and local idiot Mari thinks as she stands up and edges away. He was much too close. Running to the swing set she stays there for the duration of lunch.

Alright she had her people for now.

Mari liked to think she had a pretty solid plan.

Stay away from Tsuna and those involved with him. It was foolproof. She had to stay in her lane till high school graduation and then that would be that. They would go their separate ways and Mari could live a LONG peaceful life. And she wouldn't die! Again Foolproof! She was a genius! Nothing could go wrong.

Only it did.

It was the new year at school and they had been given a homework assignment on what they wanted to be when they were grown up. Mari had written zookeeper because she had thought that would be interesting and plus she liked animals.

As each student announced what they wanted to be and why she watched as it slowly trickled down to Tsuna's turn. The poor boy was shaking like a leaf and looked ready to keel over at any second but he managed to pluck up a sliver of courage and declare shyly that he wanted to be a robot. The classroom fell into silence and then instantaneous loud raucous laughter filled the air.

"You can't be that!"

"How dumb! He's dumb!"

"Perhaps pick a different profession."

Ridicules and teases littered the air making Tsuna deflate like a balloon. The poor boy curls in on himself as he tries to fight tears but fails.

Even the teacher was laughing! Mari watched as tears collected in the corner of the teacher's eyes as she held her stomach like this was the funniest thing in the world. The only one who didn't laugh was her. Everyone was being dumb, this was a perfectly kid response to being asked what they wanted to be when they were grown.

Huffing Mari crumples up her paper and stuffs it away. Climbing onto her desk she stands arms akimbo and lifts her head high and shouts as loud as she can.

"I want to be a cat when I grow up!" she declares happily as a smile curls her lips. All eyes are on her, even Tsuna is staring curiously at her. Now the laughter was on her as the students laughed and pointed at her antics. It was fine if the attention was on her, she could take it. At least they would leave Tsuna alone for a little bit, she thinks.

How did I get here?

She grunts as she swings back her arm to hit one of the bullies in the face. Her fist successfully connects with their nose causing them to cry out in pain and stagger. She barely feels the pain in her clenched hand. The guy's friend managed to grab wrists before she could do anything more. Slamming her against the chain link fence it rattles loudly.

Seriously, how did she get here?

Kneeing the boy in the groin he lets out a high pitched yelp that transforms into a low groan as his grip loosens on her. Dammit she was just trying to head to middle school but of course along the way she saw Tsuna about to be beat down by a couple of bullies. Ever since they were kids Mari had always gone out of her way to help this cute pipe cleaner. Despite the fact she swore she would stay away from him!

And for several years her mind muses as she shoves the schoolboy away from her. I watched over him and helped when I could cause people picking on him was bullshit! Maybe I'm too nice, she wonders as she aims a kick at the other guy's groin. He too falls like his friend.

Throughout the entire duration Tsuna sits behind her on the ground staring with wide eyes. His cheek is red from an obvious punch to the face by one of the bullies before she stepped in to finish the fight. She ignored him even now as she stood before the two hunched over school boys as they tried to gather their wits.

Grumbling, the two of them sluggishly staggered to their feet and shouted obscenities at her before hobbling away. Huffing Mari dusted off her skirt. Her back ached from behind slammed against the fence and she was sure to have a bruise on her cheek come later in the day.

It's fine. This. Is. Fine.

"M-M-Mariko….U-Ummm….." The sound of Tsuna stuttering behind her had her gritting her teeth. Mari had stayed here too long. If Tsuna began to talk it meant she overstayed her welcome. And if Tsuna began to talk, he might start thinking they were friends... And if he thought they were friends, she'd likely end up dead.

Scooping up her bag from the ground she quickly runs off without a glance towards him as she sprints full force to Namimori middle school. She was going to head straight to the bathroom and drown herself in the sink or perhaps if she was lucky she would run into Hibari Kyoya and he would put her out of her misery.

What kind of school vandlement can I do to garner his wrath?

God her middle school years had just started and somehow she had a feeling she was screwed six ways to Sunday.

XxxXxx

Alex:And chapter end! This was so much fun to write! A big thank you to my dear friend Necho who helped bounce ideas with me/helped me structure a few sentences better(Hehe KHR besties for life) I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know your thoughts, I'm always excited to hear them:) I shall see you all in the next chapter so stay tuned and I promise it won't be another 3 years till you get the next one haha(Seriously I promise!)

Ciao Ciao