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


"Where are you going?" I stop her as she quietly moves to the door, as if to avoid me. Messy ponytail, crop top, and sweat shorts. It's nothing so remarkable, but my eyes linger on her the same. I'm still adjusting to this version of her.

It's rare that she's out before me, prefect duties and all.

"Practice! I'll see you at lunch~" She quickly hurries out before I can respond. Practice for WHAT? Certainly I would know if she joined a new club - all club requests go through me.

She's always had places to go, things to do. And it seems even now, that's more true than ever. Even if I don't want to admit it to myself, it gnaws at me. But somehow the time to ask has passed. Asking now would be a concession. And do Hibari's concede? Fuck no. And wait a second - on further thought - shouldn't SHE be the one to just tell me. I mean SHE was the one who left all those years ago. She left and didn't look back once -

"Bye Kyo~! The door shuts behind her. And there she goes again.

Over the years she's built a life I'm not a part of. Continues to do so. Though I know it's true for myself as well.

I set my tea cup down and grab my prefect jacket.

How utterly annoying.


I know a version of Kyoya that doesn't exist any more. He's quieter than he was before. Probably owing to his improved self-control. When he was younger, he would rage at the smallest of things. Well, he certainly still has a terrible temper, but oh boy when we were kids he was just a little fuse! It was adorable though, really! It was like "I'm going to bite this to death, I'm going to bite that to death" all day long. He's much more observant. Even if he disapproves of you (AND THAT'S MOST EVERYONE), he'll at least take stock of you in the room. As a kid he was quick to disregard, and now he is quick to ascertain everyone's power level.

I sigh to myself as I walk down the street toward the batting cages. I hate not knowing him to a tee.

He's upset with me. Or impatient. Some combination of the two.

Even though our reunion was so warm, it was like the emptying of a pool, only to have it slowly and steadily refill after.

"Hatsu-chan! Over here." Yamamoto waves at me from inside the batting cage.

But even if I could bring up the past, how could I possibly give him the answer he wants to hear?

"You brought all your baseball stuff!"

"It's my old gear, you can have it."

"What? I couldn't accept that."

"Hahaha don't be silly, I won't use it again anyway. C'mon I'll show you how it's done." He pulls the bat up, taking up his stance in front of the machine. I analyze every angle, every twitch of his muscle, and every flicker of his eye. He swings and a loud CRACK echoes out.

"Ohhhh!" I clap from the sidelines. "So cool coach!"

"Hahaha come here, I'll help you." Well at least I have Yamamoto-kun to help take my mind off things.

He gently places the bat in my hands, adjusting my grip one finger at a time. His brow creases as he analyzes my positioning. He takes his role so seriously hehe.

"I've got it, I've got it. You know at some point I might actually want to take a SWING!" I swat him away as he leans in to adjust for the 100th time, wanting perfection.

He blushes. "Sorry, I can't help it."

"Don't worry coach, I think I've got it."

He smiles supportively. "Of course you do."

I pull that bat up, micro adjusting to the exact stance Yamamoto had moments before. And as the baseball flies toward me I swing. CRACK!

Yamamoto's eyes widen. "Hatsu-chan that was amazing! You've really never played baseball before?"

"No, I'm not much of a sports person if you know what I mean."

"Not really, but let me show you some more difficult swings."

"Hai hai!"


It's only been two weeks into her learning baseball that she's excelled over everyone else on the team. She was obviously a prodigious talent of some sort, though she lacked any real drive to pursue baseball long term. In fact, she refused to actually play in any games, even just practice games, and really only participated in warmup drills.

I watch as my little protege runs to pick up equipment for the team. The most surprising thing was her ability to pin-point everyone else's points of improvement. She could discern the exact shift in posture to help someone swing a homerun. I'd asked her about it, to which she simply responded "I just pay attention to things." It was strange to be her coach, yet see her basically coach the entire team into form.

"Yamamoto-kun! I have to go, but I'll see you next week." She waves to me from across the field, quickly jetting off in the other direction. That was another thing I learned about her. She would leave suddenly or not show up at all or even once arrived in the last 5 minutes of practice. Seems like it's one of those days. I wave back. "Great job today!"

She felt like a light summer breeze. Passing in and out on a whim. Never staying long enough to call the team her comrades, but long enough to smile warmly.

"Do you think she'll remember the game tomorrow?"

"We'll see hahaha." I already adore her.


I glare out the window at the baseball team practicing on the field.

What an eyesore.

How many times has it been already? Watching Yamamoto encroach on her space. He should be grateful I don't kill him for the way he places the helmet on her head or pats her shoulder.

Why would she waste her time with a bunch of herbivores? Well obviously I know WHY baseball. But really, hasn't she learned everything she needs to know by now? How hard could the sport be for someone like her?

She laughs at something one of her club mates says as she waves one more goodbye.

She skips to the school gates, pausing for a brief moment.

And then she looks back, directly at my office window.

My heart skips a beat.

She flashes me a peace sign and a smile.

And maybe I'm not as mad as I was a moment ago.

And maybe I've forgotten what could possibly be upsetting at all.

And maybe I smile right back.


"What's your favorite cake, Hatsu-chan?"

"This one." She points to the strawberry cake. "Oh but also this one!" Her finger moves to the tiramisu. "Oh but we can't forget this one…" she takes another bite of the raspberry tart.

Haru and I giggle across from her. "All of them can't be your favorite."

"Hahaha, I guess you're right."

I'd finally managed to convince Hatsu to join us on an outing for Haru's monthly Appreciation Day. She seems close with Tsuna - I mean everyone - so I'd love to get to know her more.

"How has baseball practice been?"

"Hahi! You play baseball?"

"I mostly just help pickup the equipment haha, but Yamamoto-kun has been a great teacher. Do you two play any sports?"

"Gymnastics!" Haru shouts. "I'm in the gymnastics club at Midori."

"Ballet." I smile. "I actually wanted to become a ballerina when I was younger."

"Hahi! You would be the most beautiful prima ballerina!"

"Thanks Haru-chan." I beam at her.

BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ. The subtle sound of a cell phone vibrating. Hatsu fishes into her pocket and pulls out her phone.

"Ah! I forgot I had a work shift today. I'm sorry you'll need to continue Haru Appreciation Day without me." She looks at us with guilty eyes.

I smile at her "Don't worry, we'll bring the extras to Tsuna's house."

"Tsuna-san~" Haru's eyes light up with hearts. I wish I could tell her how I really felt, but… "Let's go now!" She jumps up excited at the idea of seeing him. She's so bold. It's why I love her so much, but how could I mention my feelings now? No… better to keep them hidden.

I glance away and catch Hatsu staring at me. As if she knows what I'm thinking. I blush lightly.

"You two are too good to them." Hatsu says with a wink. "But have fun~" she walks off to the train station as we depart in the opposite direction toward Tsuna's house.

"Hatsu's always so busy."

"Yeah she must be working hard." I agree. "I wonder where she works."

"A maid cafe? So she can dress up in cute outfits!"

"Hahahaha she would look great in it. Maybe she does part time deliveries? Somehow I can imagine her zipping around town in a scooter."

"Oh what about a tutor! Does she get good greats?"

"Mm…" Does she? "I don't know. But I could see that too!"

Haru and I lock eyes. "I guess we don't really know much about her…"

Hatsu is someone who can blend into the group, but somehow manages to not disclose anything about herself. There was definitely a distance she put between herself and others… Whether intentional or not, it always exists.

Where did she go after school?

What was her favorite class?

Who were her friends?

What did she want to be in the future?

"Well at least we know she loves sweets just as much as us!" Haru shouts. I love Haru's optimism - another one of her traits I admire.

"You're right! We'll have to introduce her to all our favorite shops."

"Mm!"

Haru runs through the gates to Tsuna's house.

"Tsuna-san~"

She knocks on the door.

"Tsuna-san?"

No answer. Is he busy today?

"I don't think anyone's home…" Haru turns to me, dejected.

"GYAHAHAHAHA~" We both glance up at the balcony, where the noise came from.

"Isn't that Lambo?"

"Hahi! They must be home!" She turns the knob, letting herself in. "Tsuna-san, we're coming in! We have cake~"

"Haru-chan, wait we shouldn't -" but just as I say that a cow-printed mass flings itself at me. "GYAHAHAHAHA~ LAMBO-SAN'S CAKE!" He grabs the box from me.

"Wait Lambo, where is everyone?"

"Gyahahahah, Tsuna go BOOM."

"Eh?"

Haru chases after him "Lambo what does that mean?! Is Tsuna-san alright?"

"Gyahahah~"

"Lambo wait up!"

They wouldn't just leave Lambo here all alone… where is everyone?

I glance around the room, hoping they'll suddenly appear.

I'm so worried… I hope everyone is safe.


Job after job after job, I really can't catch a break. It's just like Edoardo, the cheapskate, to work me to the bone even though I was already raking in money by just being here. But noooooo I had to go on 5 missions last week, and he even had the audacity to call me to go on a mission at 2am last night. I get we're on different time zones and all… but he's really going above and beyond to be an asshole.

"Ahhh well at least I got cake." The best pre-mission food, amiright?

No. Actually it's probably the opposite. That shit will put you straight to bed. But at least the VIBES are good.

The train ride took me about 2 hours out of Namimori, but the travel is probably the longest part of the mission. All I need to do is sneak in, make a copy of a ledger from the office of the richest person in town, and then send the information back to the boss man. The only area of difficulty is that Edoardo needed the info in his hands in exactly 49 minutes and 12 seconds. They texted to inform me it had to be NOW since this was the only time period during which the office was empty for a full-day company retreat. If only they'd gotten that information EARLIER then I wouldn't have wasted so much time just trying to get here.

I finish a lap around the premises, deciding on the best point of entry.

Security cameras on every corner. Definitely on the inside, based on how visible they're making it on the outside. Ahh there's no way around it. I throw on my hoodie, baggy pants and a nondescript mask. If I'm fast enough their sensors won't pick up on me, but I'm bound to show up in some area of their cameras if I don't know the layout. As long as I'm not distinguishable it's not an issue.

I quickly tilt one of the security cameras near the back alleyway. Just a fraction of an angle different, but enough to avoid it picking up the door. I easily pick the lock then slide inside.

It's quiet. Empty rows of boring white office desks. I quickly undo the paneling for the vents, entering into the crawlspace to avoid detection. Alright, now just up from here.

I navigate through to the fifth floor, and hop out the vents once I reach the main office.

"Oh? I guess the tip was right." A raspy voice sounds from behind me.

I turn around quickly, avoiding a knife being thrown my way. Fuck. If I didn't sense him right away, that's already enough to tell his level of skill. This won't be easy. He clicks his phone shut - ready with reinforcements too? They took the tip seriously wherever it came from.

"Which family do you belong to huh?" He slips on gloves with spikes on the knuckles. The lining of a pistol in his right pocket.

"Not talking?" He smiles. "Well, you'll be screaming soon enough." I want to talk back so bad, but even my voice can be an identifier and I can't have it traced back to the Vecchio's. 15 minutes to go. I can do this…

I unsheathe the thin double short swords on my back. I'll have to take this seriously.


I text her again. My finger hovers the call button. Don't. Don't be desperate. She'll respond any second.

It was embarrassing to be waiting over a piece of plastic for a text.

A HIBARI waiting for a text? Ridiculous.

But also… isn't she my guest? Isn't she also the woman that my family believes I will marry (even if 'temporarily')? So really it's my RESPONSIBILITY to make sure she comes back home. That's the RESPECTABLE thing to do. What any Hibari would do. Yes, obviously.

So where IS my guest?

A groan sounds from below me. I kick the half-corpse again. Oh yeah, I was beating up this group of hooligans smoking in a no-smoking area. I kick him again for good measure.

"midori tanabiku namimori no dai naku shou naku nami ga ii…" My ringtone plays and I instantly pick up

"She's not back yet." Kusakabe says on the other side.

"Hn."

"And no one has seen her at the school either. Though it is the weekend, so I'm sure she's out exploring somewhere. You know how she is."

"Hn."

"Do you want me to keep watch?"

"No, I'll be back soon. You can leave."

"Hai." CLICK as the phone disconnects.

Rage simmers over me, building with each step I take to my front door.

It builds up higher and higher with each passing minute.

Deep into the night.

Into the early am.

When finally she walks through the gates to the front courtyard as if nothing is wrong.

"Wah! Kyo you're still up? You weren't waiting for me were you?"

Of course I was.

"Where were you?" I ignore her. Finally fury overtaking pride and the questions I need answering bubble to the surface.

"Mmm I had to take a trip out of town last-minute, and then someone smashed my phone, one of the trains broke down, it was a whole mess -"

"I don't care about the trains -"

"Well you ASKED -" She bites back, anger starting to seep out in step with me. Sensing a fight.

"Not about the TRAINS. I don't care about the fucking trains. What were you even doing outside of town?"

"Just family stuff. You know I still have to take missions."

"You're here to be MY family. Yet you still put them first."

"It's not that I prioritize them, it's that I HAVE to do what they say."

"No you don't. You always just do what they want."

"It's not like I'm doing it because I WANT TO. I told you I HAVE TO."

"Tsk, that's just an excuse." I can see on her face that I've hit a nerve. That that's the thing I shouldn't have said. And I almost wish I could take it back, but instead I can't help myself from taking it further when she doesn't respond. "You're scared to go against them. You've always been scared of them, but you act as if you aren't."

"Why should I be scared of them? I'm stronger than any of them even on a bad day. I'm stronger than YOU." She drops her bag to the ground, inviting a fight. Tempting it. And if she says something like that, I can't go easy on her.

I scoff, incredulous. I pull out my tonfa. "Then why didn't you stay?" Why didn't you stay all those years ago. I TOLD YOU TO STAY.

I swing at her, not holding back. She dodges, a quick kick to my back. I shift, narrowly avoiding it.

"You know I couldn't." My tonfa narrowly misses her cheek as I swing again, then comes up to block a punch from the side. "Your parents ordered me to leave."

I scoff, incredulous - "When has an order ever stopped you?" Fury fuels my next succession. She skids back from the force.

"You wouldn't know anything about what it's like to be in my position. YOU were born as the head of your family. YOU were born with power and position. You've never had to face repercussions like I have. AND it's not an excuse, it's a responsibility. I owe them EVERYTHING, so stop pinning this on ME." She jumps at me, using a speed I've never encountered. She's fast. Her kick lands, sending me back a few paces. " YOU have the means to choose as you want, but it's not like you EVER sought me out?"

I did.

I did a thousand times and more.

But I stopped myself from making contact because of pride. Because how could I run tail between my legs to talk to her as if I missed her or needed her when I don't… how could I when we treated her the way we did?

"You don't know anything about me." She says it, and I'm sure she can see the pain flash across my face, before I bury it beneath the anger. No matter what she says I do know her. I know what she wants more than anything else in this world. I know it. I know her. But all I can do is swing harder and faster than before. I land a hit on her left rib cage.

She winces. What? Why didn't she block she should be able to -

Blood seeps out, staining her shirt quickly.

"Fuck. You're hurt."

"I'm fine." She pushes me away.

"This - " This isn't from me, she must have been wounded before she got here, but who - "Who the hell did this?"

But she pushes harder.

"It's none of your business" She says coldly.

I should've noticed how heavily she was breathing. How she was standing defensively, protecting her left side.

"Show me."

"No."

"Hatsu."

"NO BAKA BAKA BAKA." She runs to her room and locks the door.

We used to fight. In fact our relationship was entirely fighting. But this is different. This fucking hurts.


A/N: Heading into future arc next one I think!