Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or stuff.

Word Count: 6119

The first few hours back was spent explaining to Nana and Iemitsu (who was video called immediately after their arrival) what had happened. Tsuna explained most of it with some input from Natsume, but they didn't go into explicit detail. Whatever memories Nana and Iemitsu had received (and they were still trying to figure out how that had happened) Tsuna gave just enough detail to calm them down.

Or least that was the point, Iemitsu wasn't looking too happy, "Two weeks, all you kids were missing for two weeks and we had no clue."

"How can we avoid a situation like this happening again?"

Natsume had gone quiet, resting her head against Nana's shoulder, just enjoying the way her mother combed her fingers through her hair. She didn't hear what Tsuna said about making sure that whatever equipment had been sent out – especially to Lambo – needed to be made sure it was checked.

Even if it was an apology package, the Bovino shouldn't have sent out items that were highly questionable to a civilian.

"I don't understand why they bothered doing that anyway," Tsuna said, quieting down a little as he heard a loud cheer from upstairs. "Didn't they give him up? Why did they bother sending stuff?"

Iemitsu shrugged, "Who knows how long Irie had that, regardless Lambo is one of theirs and until he is properly inducted into Vongola, they still answer for him and whatever situation he makes."

"I just assumed since they sent him on an impossible job…." Tsuna paused, looking at his father, "What do you mean properly inducted into Vongola."

"Is there a special ceremony?" Nana asked, actually curious, remembering when the oldest of her cousins brought in the youngest one of them.

(Of course she had no idea that's what Zack was doing when Reno came around.)

"Of sorts, but that's still awhile away," Iemitsu answered, "I'll get in touch with the Bovino and see what else they may have sent and to who, why'd they thought –"

"It's the Bovino," Reborn cut in, making Nana flinch at his sudden appearance, which woke Natsume. Nana apologized to Natsume, patting her back lightly and lulling her back to sleep, "They're not exactly known for thinking things through."

Iemitsu didn't agree or disagree, "Iemitsu! Is that Reborn?" Lal Mirch's voice was heard as a door slammed open, not giving the man much of a chance to answer as she appeared on screen. "Answer your damn phone Reborn!"

"I'm not Reborn," Reborn said, wearing Leon who had turned into a fake mask over his face. Lal didn't bother to respond to that and just left, having said her part and definitely not going to repeat herself again.

"Coworker?" Nana asked, a little amused by the way Iemitsu rested his head in his hand.

"Of sorts," Iemitsu answered, "While I hate to cut this short, I have to finish up here." Iemitsu looked at Tsuna, "Tsuna, I'm happy to see you and your sister are well….whatever that dream is we all got, I'm glad you're all safe and home."

"….it wasn't a dream…"

Iemitsu's mouth pressed into a thin line as he nodded, "We'll talk again, I love you all."

"Love you too, 'Mitsu, take care."

The video cut out and it got quiet after that. Nana leaned back against the couch as she moved Natsume to lay her head in her lap, "I forgot what time it was in Italy."

"I'm sure they've been awake for a while," Iemitsu may have hidden it well, but Reborn could see the exhaustion coming from the man. That and the fact that Lal had barged in like that meant that the kids missing for two weeks without word may have panicked everyone. "I'm going out."

"But we just got back," Tsuna said, raising his phone which he had gotten up to get from where it had been charging by the television. "Everyone's checked in."

"Are you telling me I can't go out, Tsuna?"

Tsuna held up his hands in defeat, laying his head on Natsume's stomach, "Wouldn't dream of telling you what to do."

"Hmph, thought so," and the hitman hopped off the couch and headed out the door, leaving the family to have their time together.

"Tsu-kun…did you want to set up a hair appointment?" Nana asked, reaching over to tug at the ends of Tsuna's hair, which he realized now had grown out. The soft spikes that usually stuck out were grown out, the tips of them brushing past his shoulders, before curling out.

"Hm, I think it's okay," he said, giving his mom a soft smile. "I think I'll look like Uncle Toyo now."

Nana chuckled, her eyes looking shiny for a moment, "He's going to be happy about that."

"Can we call them….I want to say hi to tutu and Pa."

"Rest a little and we'll call them in a bit, your tutu is probably busy right now."

Nana watched as Tsuna got up from where he was and moved to her other side, amused at the way her youngest laid his head down on her leg and immediately fell asleep.

"Ooh," she sighed out, feeling her throat tighten up. "Keiki, you really worry me. 'm glad you're home now."

/ | \

"It was you."

"It was me."

Reborn stared at Kawahira and Kawahira stared back, one brow quirking before he resumed placing the new trinkets Wonomichi brought, "I don't appreciate being stared at so pointedly."

"I don't appreciate being fooled around with."

Kawahira's smiled and though Reborn could tell that the man was coming off as calm, he was getting more annoyed by the fact that it had been under his nose the whole time. The man placed the last figurine inside a small box, the glass angel overlooking the entryway, "I'm glad you held your temper for me instead of Natsume."

"You should be glad, I've taught her well," he had experienced the memories himself, had witnessed the tragedy that was that future. Even now he felt Natsume was keeping to herself, the wisps of her previous Mist usage in his shop hesitant as they didn't meet his own.

"I don't like when things are kept secret, so now that I know, explain yourself."

Leon sagged in his hands and Reborn didn't back down, even as his weapon seemed to shrink into itself when Kawahira turned to fully face him, "I helped a child in need, being kept back from their fullest potential, I helped a child get better."

Reborn couldn't see the man's eyes, the lights from above reflecting off of Kawahira's glasses, "Since I've come into her life, she's been better, wouldn't you agree?" The smile disappeared off Kawahira's face as he lifted his chin, his eyes looking into Reborn's. "What have you done, Reborn-san?"

"Now if you'll excuse me," he lazily gestured to the front door, where the sign flipped from open to close. "This old man needs some rest."

"I'm watching you."

"I would expect no less."

Kawahira turned his back once again to Reborn, heading to the back of the shop, curtained beads clinking together and the chime of the front door closing letting him know he could relax.

There were phantom aches and pains that hadn't been there before and would linger for a while, so he would rest and consider his options for what was to come.

/ | \

"Like the hair Tsuna," Toyo commented, running his fingers through his own long hair. "You should do a mullet."

Tsuna squinted at his mother's Uncle, who laughed. It was hearty and loud, his head tilted back and his eyes closed, not at all feeling when Tutu Alana swatted his arm and told him to quiet down.

"Don't do a mullet, you'll look like a lolo," his Tutu said, eyeing Toyo who snorted and muttered, lies. "I'm glad you keiki are fine, you gave ya mama a scare and had all us worried."

"Sorry, we uh….yeah…."

Alana smacked her lips, mouth pursed as she eyed the three through the camera, Toyo deciding to speak up, his serious face on, "Someting going on, eh? I know you can't talk 'bout it, but don't be in trouble like Zack and em."

"Look at their faces," Alana sighed, shaking her head. "My goodness, always finding trouble. Lucky I can't throw my slippahs from here."

"Mama, I'm so happy you don't throw slippahs at us," Natsume said, voice soft as fiddled with the ends of her hair.

"That's cause this Tita here is violent," Toyo said, brown eyes bright with concern as he noted how reserved Natsume was. "Nothing bad happened?"

The twin's stayed quiet, who shrugged, "We're still here."

"Alana," the long haired woman got up when her name was called, leaving Toyo with them. The man tracked his sister and waited, before turning to them, "Nana, kids, you know when you in trouble, we'll be here."

Nana was about to say something but Toyo held up a finger, "Let me finish…." And he took a deep breath before staring straight at Tsuna. "Zack's been hearing things and we may be far from the mainland, but we still hear things, prolly late, but we hear it."

"I'm not gonna say it over this and Zack told me this, so…..we know Tsunayoshi."

Toyo watched as his grandnephew's face crumpled, "Ay, ay none of that, it's not your fault."

"Just….be careful –"

"What advice you giving him now? Better not be saying how he can get girls again!" Alana's voice was heard yelling from wherever she was in the house.

"My handsome nephew can get all the wahine with those looks of his," Toyo nodded, cupping his chin. "I can't let him go on without a few tricks –"

"Whatever tricks you got don't work, where's your woman?"

"Shh, Aya, ya~ let off," Toyo winked at Tsuna, "Don't forget what I –"

"No more talk, you putting crap in their heads," the world blurred about them as Alana picked up the webcam, turning around so it wouldn't show Toyo. "Pa says hello and its about time for us old people here to go to sleep."

" Take care of yourselves and call more often, yea? Love you," Alana blew a kiss at them, Uncle Toyo could be heard in the back saying 'goodnight' before the call cut off.

"That was nice," Nana hummed, exiting out of the Skype window. "….Uncle Toyo did surprise me there."

"I'm surprise you didn't tell Uncle Zack and 'em," Tsuna said as he stood up, taking Natsume's hands when she held them up so he could pull her up. They both then held out their hands to Nana, who grasped them and allowed them to help her up.

"Don't think it's something you talk 'bout on the phone."

"She's right," Natsume said, making a sound as she cleared her throat. "Mama I want tea."

"Go put some water on," Nana responded, earning a groan from her eldest, following after her as she headed into the kitchen. While Natsume filled up the kettle, Nana pulled out some mugs and tea packets, "Tsu-kun you want some?"

"Do we have the green lemons?"

Nana pointed at the fruit bowl, were beside it there was a smaller bowl filled with lemons, "Chiyo-san brought some yesterday, said there was a sale."

"I think she's secretly asking for you to bake a pie again," Natsume yawned as she leaned against the counter and watched Tsuna cut two limes.

Nana tapped a finger against her nose, nodding her head slowly, "Hmm, I think her roommates birthday is coming up."

"I thought they were married," Tsuna whispered as he handed two slices to his sister who gave him a weird look, before shrugging.

"We can't assume things like that, Tsu-kun," Nana said as she reached into the cupboard above and pulled out a bottle of honey. "Probably not married…..just together?"

"Mama, what did you just say?"

Nana pursed her lips as she rubbed the back of her head, "Curiosity kills, nothing wrong."

They were quiet after that and Nana for a moment wondered if she had said something wrong. She was about to say something when Natsume put her arms around her shoulder, "You think too loud." Nana chuckled, wrapping her arms around Natsume, lifting her up and swaying side to side with her. "Mama's strong."

Nana snorted, putting Natsume down, who kept one arm around her shoulder as she used the other to reach for the mug Tsuna had poured water into, handing one too Nana and thanking Tsuna for handing her the last one.

"You don't want a tea packet?"

"Just the lemon and honey is fine."

Nana hummed, eyeing her eldest before looking over at Tsuna, who immediately took a drink from his cup and burned himself, "Ouww."

Well….if they wanted to talk about it, they would, she wasn't going to push them.

….they would tell her what was wrong….

Right?

Part 87: No Need for That

It was too quiet and Natsume felt as if she couldn't breathe.

(They had all been together for what felt like ever, they were nearby, but now they were so far and it felt as if they were gone.

The space that had been filled was now empty and it just reminded her of – no.)

She grabbed her pillow, pressing her face into it, trying to muffle the sobs that started. Emi chirped, having been awoken by her human's sudden movement. Her ears flicked back before she stood up, crouching, tail low as she carefully approached her human.

Mew.

"E-mi," Natsume hiccupped, pulling away from the pillow. "'m so sorry, I woke you up."

The cat sniffed at her fingers, lightly bumping her head against the back of Natsume's hand, mew. Natsume's inhaled shakily letting out the breath at the same time she dropped her face back onto the pillow.

Emi butted her head once more against Natsume, curling up against the girl as she shook, trying to keep her cries quiet.

(How long? When would she get over this? It wasn't their reality anymore, but it had still happened. Was that still a possible reality for them?)

Natsume coughed, turning onto her back, bringing a hand up to wipe her face.

Life was still going on just like it had been before they left.

"Nothing and everything happened," she murmured, closing her eyes. "I just have to live with it now…"

She would be better eventually, but everything would get better.

At least she hoped so.

/ | \

Reborn knew he should make them get ready for school, but he also knew they more than deserved to exist a few days without trivial matters.

(See that's what he would do if he was a good person.)

Plus they had the weekend so they should be fine.

Which is why Tsuna woke up shrieking early on Monday morning, eyes wide as he stared at the mess that the Leon cannon made and then at Reborn who smiled all cutesy at him, "Wakey, wakey."

"I don't like you."

"Go wake up your sister."

Tsuna didn't move from his spot in the bed, shaking his head, "You think I'm lolo, I am not." Reborn just stared at Tsuna, Leon shifting into a fly swatter, "….you don't scare me."

Tsuna was inside Natsume's room, moving over her and laying in the free space where Emi had been, "Tuna….what the hell?"

"Shh, sleep, I refuse to go to school."

Natsume sleepily stared at her brother, pulling the blanket up to her nose, "If Reborn does any shit, I am losing it."

"It's been awhile since he could do his funny stuff."

"A confetti cannon blasting in my ear at six am is not funny stuff," she grumbled, drifting back to sleep. "I swear…."

She was out not even seconds after that and Tsuna stayed huddled, wondering if Reborn would come inside to get them up. While he waited for Reborn to kick open the door, Tsuna stared at his sister's sleeping face, noting the way her brow was furrowed even when she was unconscious.

He hesitated reaching out to boop her nose.

Boop.

Her nose wrinkled, but she didn't turn away, just sighing heavily as she kept trying to sleep. He poked it again and she sighed again, opening her eyes to glare at him, "I will end you."

They stared at each other, Natsume's eyes narrowing even more and Tsuna apologized. He sat himself up, fiddling with his fingers, "Would you?"

She exhaled heavily through her nose, realizing she wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep with Tsuna there. She sat up, keeping her grip on the blanket so that it stayed around her shoulders, "Don't be dumb."

She bumped her shoulder with his, getting him to look at her and without much thought, he hugged her. Natsume's brows were raised in surprise, "Tsuna?"

He squeezed her, before letting go, putting one of his hands on top of her head, slightly ruffling her hair, "Let's get ready for school, eh?" He moved over her to get off her bed, making his way to the door. He pointed at the door, "Before Reborn breaks down the door."

Natsume made a sound of annoyance, rubbing the back of her head as she also got off her bed and headed for her closet, muttering things beneath her breath.

Tsuna stared at his sister's back, before heading out, eyes downcast as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Don't be so glum."

"She's trying to hide it," Tsuna said, bringing a hand up to his chest, just over his heart. "…I don't know how to help her."

Reborn stared at Tsuna's back, turning around so that he wouldn't see the frustrated tears fall, "Sometimes there's nothing you can do."

"I feel so useless," he mumbled, reaching up to wipe his tears.

"You shouldn't," Reborn said as he headed downstairs, his voice loud enough for Tsuna to hear him. "You're doing your best, Tsuna."

Tsuna's lower lip jutted out slightly, glancing at Natsume's door, "Wouldn't doing my best at least feel right?"

/ | \

As they got closer to school they saw more of the Namimori students.

"Tch."

"It's weird," Tsuna commented, hands in the pockets of his sweater. His phone beeped as he said that and he pulled it out, not at all surprised by Takeshi's text. "He says he's staying home with his dad today."

"No yeah," Natsume said, just barely lifting her fingers to wave at Hayato who was waiting at the front gates for them. She stopped in front of the gates, looking as if she was glaring at the school building, but really she was just trying to remember, "I forgot my class."

Tsuna groaned as he realized that he didn't remember either, "Hayato, any idea?" They were together right?

"We're in the same class," Hayato gestured to him and Natsume, who blinked not at all remembering that. "You and the baseball idiot are in 3B."

Tsuna sighed at what Hayato called Takeshi, "I'm telling him you called him that."

Hayato shrugged, shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants, "He can't do shit."

"Maybe not right now," Tsuna said as he flipped his phone shut and put his hand back in his pocket. "But later he can."

The silver haired teen scoffed, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the ground, "Whatever, should we go?"

"Like we have a choice," Natsume muttered, pointing with her chin up ahead at the familiar figure standing near the steps of the school entrance. "Hibari's seen us."

"I wish he took a break," Hayato muttered as he started walking, the twins following and walking on either side of him. They felt the gazes of other students, though it was more intense as they met up with Hibari who merely glanced over them before walking past them.

"Your school work is in your lockers," he said over his shoulder before walking down the corner to patrol the school yard.

"…wait why is he still here?" Natsume asked, scratching the side of her head. "Isn't he older than Ryohei?"

"Y'know….I'm not going to question it."

"I'll ask Kusakabe-san whenever I see him," Natsume said, actually curious as to why Hibari was around the middle school. He also wasn't wearing the high school uniform or his gakuran, though she wasn't sure if that was because he had a later start or what.

She might actually just ask him, not that she was going to go out of her way to look for him.

"See you at lunch, Tsuna."

"Yeah, see you then."

Her and Hayato walked off to their classroom, while Tsuna went to his.

"Mama packed an extra lunch for you by the way," Natsume yawned, covering her mouth and slightly muffling her words. "Tsuna has it."

"I missed her cooking," Hayato admitted as they stood outside their classroom, his gaze soft for a moment before changing to a glare. "The hell are you staring at?!"

"oop, run, I forgot about his temper!"

"Tch, dumbasses."

"Calm there, young padawan, it's too early for this."

Hayato smirked at that, heading in and taking his seat, while Natsume took hers in the back near the window.

"Oh Sawada! You're back!"

"Practice is going to be fun today," another girl commented, giving Natsume a thumbs up. "Those poor first years are in for surprise."

"This year we'll definitely beat Midori!"

Natsume rolled her shoulder back, appreciating the crack that followed as she nodded along to what Hayashi was saying.

It felt odd.

It felt as if she needed to be doing something other than being at school.

(But everything is normal now, right? What is there to worry about? No more trouble from the future, the present is okay. Everyone's fine.

There's nothing to worry about.)

"You okay, Sawada?" Hayashi asked, noticing the faraway look in her teammates eye.

"Yeah," Natsume answered quietly, a hand coming up to scratch the side of her face. "Sorry, I got caught up in my thoughts, you said Takahashi got captain?"

"Oh yeah, she was so surprised," Suzuki said as she took a seat behind Natsume. "She really deserves it though."

"She was the one who could get us all to calm down," Hayashi said, snickering when she noticed the way Natsume's nose wrinkled. "You thought you could get away with it."

"I would have if someone hadn't snitched," she retorted, earning a full out laugh from Hayashi who shook her head. The bell rang, signaling the start of class and Hayashi headed to her desk to sit down. Their homeroom teacher walked in, Aoba-sensei greeted the class before taking roll, slightly pausing before Hayato's name and then before hers.

She wondered if for once in their three years of being at Namimori Middle if they'd get sent to the office.

(Did they ever come up with a cover up for why they were gone for so long? Was Reborn going to do his thing or were they finally going to get a talking too?)

"The spring festival will be happening in a few weeks, I want you all to consider what kind of stand you'll be having. The class that raises the most amount of tickets gets to choose the theme for the midyear dance.

"Remember to stay on top of your school work, I know it's your third year, but that doesn't mean you can slack off," at that Natsume pursed her lips, not bothering to look at Aoba-sensei who very obviously gave her and Hayato a look. "That's all for my announcements, see you all tomorrow."

/ | \

"Sawada-kun! Hello! Hello!"

"Oh shit I forgot about him," Hayato muttered under his breath as Naito Longchamp ran up to her, arms reaching to envelope her into a hug only to nearly trip as she moved out of the way to avoid him.

"Longchamp."

"I don't see you for weeks and that's the greeting I get!" the now blond said as he righted himself, hands on his hips and giving Natsume a pout.

She sighed, "Go ahead, Hayato."

"Oh, Goku-chan! You're looking mean as ever!"

Hayato scoffed, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he headed to where Tsuna had texted them he would be. Longchamp and Natsume watched him turn the corner to head downstairs and that was when the blond got serious, "There were some scary dreams these last couple days, kind of creepy they started up after that big earthquake."

Natsume blinked, honestly confused, "Huh? What earthquake?"

"So you weren't around here at all, eh?" Mangusta voiced, a bit breathless as he had to run to catch up to Longchamp.

"I mean…" Natsume trailed off, keeping her hands down at her sides, though she did mess with one of the plaits of her skirt. "It's complicated."

Longchamp laughed at that, putting an arm around her shoulder and blinking, "Oh, were you this tall before?"

"You've always been short," she asked, shrugging off his arm. She held up her hand to her forehead and then moved it over so that it was over his head. "Maybe Pantera took an inch off you."

"Shhh," he held a finger up to his mouth, eyes going wide as he looked around. "Don't summon her –"

"She's mad at you again."

He stuck out his lower lip as he nodded, "Not that I'm scared of her, but…she's uh you know."

Natsume sighed, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear, "Look, I have to go get my lunch, talk to Tsuna if you need anything okay?"

She left before Longchamp could hold her back again, though she did hear Mangusta say how they shouldn't have to rely on Vongola to get an answer.

"Have you considered that their appearance coincides with the earthquake? Maybe Vongola is up to something…" she heard the English man say and she sighed.

Was the earthquake even their fault? How much power was released when returning a bunch of people from the future? The few times Lambo had used the bazooka there had been slight tremors, but that was typical of being close range to a weapon like that.

Bringing a hand to rub at her eye, she really wished that she had stayed home for a few more days. With her vision a bit distorted, Natsume missed a step going down and would have fallen the rest of the way if she hadn't grabbed the handrail.

"Can today be over already?"

/ | \

"Welcome back Sawada!" one of the second years clapped her on the back and Natsume stared, not bothering to look away even as she pulled her practice shirt over her head. "Please blink, that's kind of scary."

She didn't blink.

"I swear –"

"Come on ladies! Daylights wasting!"

"Like we've told Mirai, we're inside, how are we wasting daylight when the lights are always on?

"Because we'll be kicked out after a certain hour," someone else answered Hayashi, who huffed because it was a first year that said that.

Natsume laughed, though it wasn't really a laugh since she just exhaled through her nose. She closed her locker, heading out to the gym where she joined the few that were already stretching.

"Congratulations Takahashi," she said to the short brunette, who smiled, inclining her head in thanks.

"Thank you Sawada, it was close though."

Natsume frowned, beginning her stretches but decided to ask, "Close how?"

"You could have been captain."

She clucked her tongue, actually looking up at Takahashi, "I'm not meant to lead." She gave the girl a sharp grin, "You just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"We actually want to beat Midori for once right? Then let's do that and win in the prefecture championships."

"Oh, Sawada's thinking big."

Natsume scoffed as she resumed her stretching.

Later on she'll be thankful for the distraction that was the volleyball team, but right now she was thinking that they were lucky that she really wasn't captain. Tsuna and the others knew what a pain it was when she joined their training sessions and did as she pleased.

She finished her stretching, glancing over at Coach Harada and Yuna-sensei, who surprisingly showed up. They saw her looking and she averted her gaze, but it seemed she got their attention and reminded them of something.

"Sawada! Come over here!"

"Hai!"

She went over and stopped in front of them, "Hello."

"You've been missing for the past two weeks, Yuna-sensei here brought some paperwork that says it was a family emergency," Harada said, hands resting on his hips. "You haven't missed much, but I can't let slide that you've missed important meetings."

"If you can show in these next practices that you can keep up, you'll stay in the rotation, but a warning Sawada, miss anymore without any warning like you did this last time and you'll be benched."

She bowed, "Hai, Coach."

"Good."

Harada walked away to gather the rest of the team as Yuna-sensei stepped in his place, "I've already spoken with the others that have had similar paperwork submitted to excuse their absences, you'll be coming in this Saturday and any other Saturday if needed to finish up your makeup work."

"Oh, really?"

Yuna nodded, her cheeks turning slightly pink, "Rebo-sensei has even volunteered to help you all with your studies."

"Rebo-sensei?" Natsume felt her eye twitch as she recalled one of Reborn's aliases.

"Oh yes, he vouched for you all to be given a chance and to be given a light punishment for the suddenness of your disappearances, seeing as," Yuna looked down at the paperwork in her hands, an odd smile curling her mouth. "Oh yes, family emergency should pertain to obvious relatives and the names given and the group of students missing aren't exactly related, are they?"

"….."

"Hopefully you'll all learn your lesson and know better than to do this again."

"….hai, sensei."

Part 88: Oh Simple Fear

"Haven't lost your spark Sawada," Suzuki commented as the three new first years grumbled past them.

Natsume hummed, adjusting the strap of her bag across her chest, "I guess."

"Yup!" Hayashi came in, arms wrapping around Suzuki's shoulders. "That was fun today! Sawada hasn't lost her score either! Good to know!"

Natsume brought a hand up over face as the two laughed, "My face still scored a point, so does it matter?"

"The fact that you get a ball to the face at every practice brings me the greatest joy," Hayashi purposefully stood on Suzuki's other side so Natsume wouldn't swat her.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Natsume sniffed putting her hands in her sweaters pockets. "Your serves were on point today, Hayashi."

"Hell yeah they were!"

"Her head is going to swell with so much ego now," Suzuki sighed, catching Natsume's eye and winking when Hayashi made an offended sound.

"Whatever," Hayashi tossed her hair over her shoulder, picking up speed and walking a head of them, only to turn around and wave at them. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Bye," the two said as Hayashi ran ahead, turning left at the gate and disappearing from view.

"You usually go that way, right?" Suzuki asked as she headed right, gesturing in the direction Hayashi took off.

"Yeah…I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you."

Natsume kept walking, her hands balling up into fists the closer she got to the plaza.

"It's gonna be okay," she muttered under her breath. She relaxed her hands, flexing them before bringing them together, noticing that they were cold and sweaty. A nervous laugh left her, "Gonna be okay."

She passed by Takesushi and briefly thought of going inside to see Tsuyoshi-san and Takeshi, but she knew she had to get past this. She already knew that the two were fine, Tsuyoshi having stopped by to see them the day they had returned.

(The man had seemed a bit shook up, but mostly relieved now that his son was back. Tsuyoshi had come over not long after their video call with their family.

He had brought a box of food and had hesitated between bowing, before he pulled the two into a hug and thanked them for bringing his son back.

He's my only one, thank you….I don't understand what happened wherever it was, but thank you for bringing him back to me.)

She couldn't use seeing them as an excuse as to why she put off seeing Kawahira so late.

So she kept going, knowing that she would stop by afterwards depending on how she was feeling. The familiar murmur of the plaza, the light atmosphere made her long for what used to be.

It was just odd, because the memories of what happened here overlapped, making her feel like a confused mess.

Open.

"No bitching out," she muttered as she opened the door, greeted by the bell that chimed above her head. She stayed at the entryway, the door handle hitting her back as it closed making her step forward. Her eyes looked over the shop, taking note of what was new and what was the same.

She moved forward, stopping at one of the tables, reaching out to touch the glass angel that was holding a harp.

"Well, well," the voice made her jump and she looked up to see Kawahira standing beside the counter, hands hidden in the sleeves of his yukata. "I was thinking I'd have to pay you a visit."

She could feel her eyes sting, welling up with tears. Her mouth quivered and she bit down on her lip, realizing that she really didn't have anything to say to him.

The next thing she knew she had dropped her bags as she ran to him, wrapping her arms around him as she cried, "I-I….sorry."

Kawahira's features which had been shadowed by the lights above softened. He pulled his hands away, placing one on Natsume's head and the other on her shoulder to pull her away, "What are you apologizing for?"

"It's my fault you died."

"I'm alive," he stated, making sure she was looking at him. "Regardless, that was my decision to make, you are not at fault for anything."

"But….I….feel so guilty, because she…." She began to babble, stuttering through some of her words and unable to completely voice others as her tears kept falling. "If I hadn't taken us…..she would still have you."

Ah.

Kawahira sighed, guiding Natsume to the back.

The lights behind them flickered off, the sign turning to closed and the door locking so that no one would interrupt them.

There was nothing he could do for the future Natsume. There were too many possibilities to even consider of what happened after they had come back from what he had seen in the dreams. But there was one thing he knew that was certain.

"If you believe I am truly gone, then you are mistaken," he said softly, idly waving his hand so that the furniture in the room cleared. He guided her to sit and that's when the room lit up. A dark purple light formed a wide circle around them, various other colors flitting in the middle of it in the form of orbs.

There was a quiet chuckle from a bright amber orb, flitting around Kawahira's head, before stopping in front of Natsume and lightly bouncing off her forehead.

"….what?"

"We're always here even after we're gone," he said, holding out a hand, a light blue orb bouncing in the palm of his hand. The deep sigh left the orb as it rolled around in his palm, before it lifted off to push into the amber one. "The Natsume of the future should know this very well."

It was probably one of the reasons she had gone off like that after the connection broke with her brother when he had been 'killed.' There was no remnant of him when they forced his death like that; all aspects of him that should have stayed going to him to keep him in the death-like state.

She sniffed, wiping her face as she looked up at him. The lights that floated around him illuminating him in a way that she could swear it looked like he was crying. The lights shifted and he wasn't, though she wouldn't say anything.

An orb bounced off Kawahira's shoulder and onto hers, the green light rolling down her arm and into her palm were it splayed out, "There's no changing how you feel, but remember there's never an end."

"It all continues on, one way or another."

Author Note:

Before February hits and I am filled with guilt for not updating once again, even though I shouldn't feel guilty, but yet I do. AH.

This...took awhile...becaus I forgot to write somethings down so I had to reread my own story again and make notes of things and i STILL didn't write them down, so. yeah. You can guess that I didn't take notes well in college. lmao.

I briefly edited this, I'll probably look it over again later.

Please let me know if anything is weirdly worded or phrased. Though the conversation between the the family is meant to be written that way. Uh, yeah.

Hope ya enjoyed!

Sorugao