E C H O

Note: Apparently, since the Future Arc for KHR is finished. There's a new one called the Inheritance Arc. And I absolutely hated the first chap of that. There are 7 transfer students from Shimon Middle: ones are a kid that gets bullied a lot, some Lady Gaga reincarnation named Shitt P, and the head of some liquidation committee that threatened Hibari for the Recreation Room!! That's unforgivable!! Beat her up Kyo-kun!

I do not own Katekyou Hitman Reborn! Thank you.


- BULLET 2 - - A Case of Retentions


Ah, the weather's finally cooling down. And I have to wear the other uniform again. It's not that bad..... Ok, forget what I said, I hate uniforms, period.

I have to report to Reborn. I stretched my arms out, yawning. Head Perfect's sleeping disease is catching on to me. Lovely. And I'm especially tired from Reborn's birthday party. That was great. I got 95 points, hehe.

I stopped in front of my house, swinging open the iron gate. Actually, it's not a permanent house since I just moved here. I might move again, depending on a situation I hope that won't happen.

It wasn't too big but pretty big for someone living alone. I had a wide front yard, fenced. And all modern equipment necessary for teenage survival.

How I afforded it?

That's a secret!

Plus, I live alone so I get all the space to myself. It's not lonely, I only need this place to store and sleep in. I'm usually with the others at Tsuna's and Reborn's place. But some entertainment isn't bad.

Reminds me, I need to get changed a get going.

I strided down the street in brown boots, black sockings, a maroon skirt and a black jacket. It was the first few things I saw and the easiest to slip on so let it be.

I soon arrived to the future Vongola boss' house. The sun was setting making the sky turn bright orange. I rang the door bell.

"Oh, Yoriko-chan! You came to visit Reborn?" Nana greeted happily at the door. I gave a grin and nodded.

As I entered, I recognized one very familiar blond sitting in the dining room. "Dino!" I said cheerfully, grabbing him from behind, keeping a tight bear hug around his neck. He made a sound as if he was choking.

"Wha- Yori!?" he exclaimed, surprised.

I criticized, still in my cheerful antics, "How come I don't get a hello?" I continued to dangle from his neck, obviously choking him.

"Gack! Yori can't breathe..."

I finally loosen my hold. He took several deep breaths to recompose himself. "I didn't know you were in Japan, Yori."

"Reborn-sensei invited me. So, why are you here?"

"Ah, Yoriko!" I looked up at the voice that called my name. Tsuna and Reborn were coming down the stairs.

"Ciaossu, Yoriko."

"Reporting in," I replied, giving a bright salute.

"Yoriko, you know Dino-san?" Tsuna asked, confused.

"This clumsy fool over here? Yeah."

"You don't have to affront me on every comment you say, Yori," Dino replied, sighing. I just continued smiling.

"Though it is true. You are a klutz," Reborn added.

"Geez you two!" Dino exclaimed, embarrassed. Tsuna sweat dropped. Typical day between the three of us. After all, me and Reborn are close friends, and he mentors me sometimes.

"I used to substitute for Reborn when he had other things to take care of."

"Don't remind me," Dino said tiredly, head hanging. I snorted.

"You mean how embarrassing that a 20 year old grown man is getting beat up by a 12 year old girl. Ah, those old times were fun," I sparkled, remembering some good times. I found out around then, how fun scissors and chainsaws were.

"Indeed," Reborn joined in with my memory reruns.

"Those two are close aren't they."

"No, it's like they're the same."

"What?" Reborn and I challenged at the same time, turning back to face the two students. They gulped.

"I see what you mean."


"Hibari, why don't you do something fun for once."

"Why are you still here herbivore?"

"'Cause there's nothing to do during my 2-class break." Coincidentally, right after lunch I have a study hall so I get about 2 hours and 15 minutes of free time.

He starts his 'ignore that idiot' thing again and goes back to reading papers. I pout and play with a pencil he has on his desk. What should I do now? I still have about and hour and a half to waste. I tried balancing the black pencil on my nose, watching it tip back and forth. Wow, I just noticed all his pencils have 'Student Head Perfect' printed on them. Custom-made, no where did he get something like that?

Sooner or later, he swipes the pencil from my grasp and places it back, giving me a glare. I stick my tongue out is reply.

"Kyou-kyou is so moody," I chided. "You really need something to lighten up."

"It has nothing that concerns you," he retorted, going back to the paperwork.

"Of course it does, because I'm amazing that way."

He raised one eyebrow but didn't bother to answer. I'm still surprised how I managed to stay here so long without getting booted yet. A miracle has happened.


Dino and Tsuna had some 'training' today. It seems they had a bit of an accident with Enzio and Tsuna ended up in the hospital with a broken leg.

"Dino, did you have to come visit with every single one of your men?" I asked, looking behind at the marching band of husky guys in suits following their boss.

"They're worried about Tsuna too. It wouldn't be fair if only I came," he answered, giving a carefree smile. Take a picture and e-mail it to them, but I didn't say that. Instead I just told him he was a idiot and continued searching for Tsuna's hospital room.

We finally came across the room (scaring the wit out of some bystanders) and entered. Seems he has some roommates too.

"Dino-san, Yoriko!"

"Tsuna, you feel better?" I asked, propping myself up to sit on the side of the bed.

"Yeah, thanks for visiting...." I saw him eye the whole mafia family crowding the room. I patted his shoulder and sighed, showing my sympathy.

"Sorry about earlier, Tsuna, even if I was with you..." Dino apologized. Tsuna waved his hands furiously, dismissing the clumsy Italian's guilt.

"No, I tripped after you rescued me and this happened, um....besides....I feel fine!! The patients will get scared like this..." he trailed off, looking at the men in black again.

"Really?" Dino said, not even noticing the fact his men aren't perfectly cute angels floating around. Angels shouldn't be muscle man wearing a black suit and glaring down at you. I start to feel sorry for the other patients.

"Anyway," he said, getting back to his point, "hospitals are the easiest place for bosses to get targeted. You don't have one do you?" His hands dug into his pocket. "Here, take my trusty gun," he handed him a shiny gray gun with a smile.

Tsuna went through a hyperventilated gaping stage as I sighed at their stupidity.

The patients scrambled out screaming.

Overreaction? I don't blame them.

***

While the Cavallone 10th and family gets kicked out, I manage to sneak away and wander the halls. I stopped by a juice machine and bought a soda. Apple flavored.

I like apples.

I start fumbling for more change so I could buy something for Tsuna since I forgot to come with a present today.

~Bam

~Whack

I stared at the hospital door behind me. Some terrified moans and shouts emitted from it and then it went dead silent. What is this hospital?

I never trusted hospital anyways. I mean, they stick these giant long needles into you and insert god knows what and says it will help you. I don't see the point. And needles and me don't get along.

Being bold and shameless, I marched over and opened the door. I backed up a bit when I saw him.

"I didn't know the Head Perfect could get sick."

He turned to face me from where he had beaten up some dudes (roommates, probably). He wore black pajamas, I never thought I'd get to see that, and tonfa at hand. He merely glanced then sat back on his bed, pretending he didn't even hear me. I walked in casually and poked the poor victims of his. "Sheesh, Kyou-chan, Japan's health care costs just went up because of this."

"Why are you here?" he asked, going back to a literature book he was reading. Why does he always use that bored tone with me anyway?

"Tsuna broke his leg and I came to visit him," I answered, mimicking his monotonous voice. He perked up at Tsuna's name.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi, hm?" he said. He took the contact phone at the night stand at his right and dialed something. A faint clicked came from it and he said, "I'd like to request Sawada Tsunayoshi here."

I stood in awe for a moment. He just requested for Tsuna. Could he be worried, I thought. Most likely not but...

"...yaoi....."

He turned his head at me. "What?"

I covered my mouth, realizing I had randomly blurted that out. "No, I said nothing that concerns you," I smiled, excusing myself from that conversation. "Anyway, why are you here?" I asked, changing the topic.

"I caught a slight cold."

"I thought fools don't catch colds."

He glared hard at my eyes. "Who are you calling a fool?" his voice warning me of what danger I'd be in if I said anymore.

I looked away, ignoring his glare. I noticed I was still holding the juice I bought for Tsuna.

"Here," I said, chucking the cool metal can at him. He caught it deftly.

"What's this?"

"It's something called orange juice, chilled by something known as a freezer and made somewhere in this century," I replied sarcastically. Ok, I couldn't help it, plus, he started it first. "You're sick right? It's only natural you get a get well present."

He didn't reply and merely placed the tin on the night stand. I got up to leave. "Remember to drink it before it gets warm, I heard vitamin C helps colds," I said before I left from the door.

***

Later, I heard Tsuna was unfortunately beaten up by Hibari after he lost the 'don't wake me up or I'll bite you to death' game.

I have a feeling that I should have regret given him the drink. But I didn't.


He turned again, unable to fall asleep yet. His eyes saw the empty juice can still left on the table since he had been busy and hasn't thrown it away yet.

"It's because you sleep on the roof 24/7 you caught a cold. Don't you have any mind clock that tells you that it's fall, already. Geez." Her arms crossed, making that exaggerated sigh.

He could literally imagine her saying that. She was a strange and annoying herbivore, predictable yet unpredictable at the same time.

He had decided to stay in the hospital for the night since he still felt slightly light headed. Not that he'd let that pull him down. It's Sunday tomorrow anyway.

If he was going to fall asleep he should stop thinking about confusing things. Shuffling once more, he slowly drifted to sleep.


A/N: Hibari is so cute. And Yoriko is a talking master. I should make her a lawyer someday, not a mafia member. Anyway, I mainly follow the manga plot line, adding in some things for Yoriko and Hibari to get together. Enjoy.

Hoshiko