My hands were clasped together as I paced in the hallway adjacent to the reception room. I had been weighing the pros and cons of seeing him since I woke up and there were enough pros to make me walk to the reception room… but not enough to make me go inside.

After the whole fiasco last night, I wanted to thank Hibari for the small acts of kindness I had been privy to since our training sessions. Unfortunately, Dino talked to me long enough for the prefect to walk out of our area meaning that if I wanted to say thank you, I would have to do it in private rather than the open setting with multiple people that I wanted. I really didn't want it to be as awkward as it already would be.

I could just leave it alone but there was a weird feeling in me that I couldn't put to words. I felt like I owed him and somehow, saying thank you was the way that I could. He probably wouldn't even listen or accept it and I honestly didn't know why I was thinking so hard about it. I weighed the possibility, again, that I wanted a death-wish.

"What are you doing in the hallway?" A tenor voice called out to me.

I whipped around, my muscles tense waiting for the flash of silver that would strike down on my head but relaxed when I saw otherwise.

He was wearing a black blazer with a white undershirt and he had a weed in his mouth. The thing that stood out the most was his hair. It was in a regent like hairstyle that took a lot of the self-control in me not to laugh, especially since I noticed the disciplinary committee armband around his left bicep.

"I was actually looking for Hibari-san," I gave the friendliest tone I could muster without sounding nervous.

His forehead scrunched in confusion. Hibari probably didn't have many people looking for him, "Oh, excuse me but my name is Kusakabe and Hibari-san is inside." He pointed to the reception room as if it were obvious.

My voice dropped to a whisper and I muttered, playing around with my fingers, "Yeah… I know." He raised an eyebrow. I wonder what he thought I was doing here.

Kusakabe went around me and opened the door room. He stood by the door and looked at me before calling out, "Hibari-san." I stiffened. Please don't tell him I'm here. Please don't tell him I'm here. "You have someone waiting outside for you," He finished. Shit.

Kusakabe made a silent jerk of his head in the direction of Hibari's office and I forced my feet to move from it's frozen position. I gave a quiet thanks to Kusakabe as I walked inside. The reception room was large and to be honest, was too big of a space for the club that's using it, not that anyone would admit that to Hibari.

Hibari was sitting on the green sofa that was in the middle of the room and I sat down across from him in one of the armchairs. His gaze was calculating and one of the things that unnerved me about him.

"Hi, Hibari-san," I said meekly and let my eyes meet his. It was at this moment that I actually took the time to really examine Hibari.

He had black hair that came to a point in the middle of his forehead. It didn't seem like it had any product in it and looked soft like a fleece blanket. His eyes were a striking gray color so focused that it could pierce anything it laid eyes on. He had sharp facial features, his jawline and his nose. If I didn't know who he was, I would admit that he was really good looking. Emphasis on the really and good looking part. But the one thing that unnerved me was his stare; it was so… intense.

I said that I met a lot of people in the mafia. Big, buff guys with arms the size of the weights they lifted and menacing stares that looked ready to kill. But for some reason, this lithe, tonfa-wielding, fight enthusiast was the person that could shake my composure. And I really didn't appreciate it.

"Herbivore," He shuffled some papers together on the desk and put them down, giving me his full attention.

It was quiet. I didn't know what to say. I wasn't even going to come in… That was a lie. I was going to… when I had what I wanted to say in mind. Stupid, Kusakabe. If you didn't come when you did I wouldn't be in here right now.

"Don't waste my time or I'll-," He started.

"I just wanted to say thank you," I stammered quickly. He took a moment, and then crossed his arms. An amused glint seemed to take over his eyes.

"And what for?" He asked.

I gave him a small smile, "Well, for one, that time on the roof on the day of Yamamoto's battle and then again for yesterday. I really would have lost control yesterday if you didn't stop me from saying more and acting more than I did."

Hibari let his arms drop to his side, "I didn't do that for you."

"I didn't think you did," I admitted. Who was I to think that the prefect actually cared about me individually? "But I did want to tell you I appreciated it." It was quiet again and the only thing I could hear was the air coming through the vent.

Hibari wasn't one to continue a conversation and, to be honest, I probably overstayed my welcome as soon as I walked through the door. I did what I came here to do, anyways. I was just about to push off the couch.

"How did you make that ice?" I was caught off guard by the question and plopped back down. I didn't think he would be curious about anything Vongola related.

I made two small snowballs appear and spin in a circle above my palm, "It's my flame. As long as there's moisture in the air, which there always is, I can create things made of snow or ice. It's sort of like Tsuna's flames that can create heat and burn things. Mine makes things freeze."

He did a single slow nod, "And why didn't you fight me with that?" I blinked. Of course he would just want to fight with me while I was using the flame. It would be a new challenge for him. Plus Tsuna probably doesn't spar with him and I'm a lot more willing to.

I replied, "It's not something that I really wanted known when we were training. I was still sort of hiding and you didn't even know I was a guardian. But we can fight again next time with me using my flames." I suggested but then panicked, "If you want, that is."

He didn't answer. I kept rambling, "I really don't mind training with you, I guess. It was okay when we were, minus the whole change of scenery thing, but you did challenge me and it would be nice to train with someone using my flames again."

He stood up, tonfas in hand. "How about now?" Geez, he was too excited.

I shielded the front of my body with my hands, "No, no! Not before the fight tonight… maybe another day? After this whole thing? When we've rested and are at full power?" I added that last part for my own benefit. The more rest I had, the better.

He gave it some thought, "Fine." After another second he continued, "Don't die tonight before we fight, herbivore."

I gave him a big smile, "I'll see you tonight, Hibari-san. Be safe, too."

A/N: Hello! Thank you for the reviews :) I love ya'll hehe. Small chapter so I can focus on the big sky battle and all. PLUS for my sanity I need more 18oc moments so yes. Even though stoic Hibari isn't great with affection or words and alla that. Its still enough to make me go uwu.