Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Summary: I had always thought that high school was all about fun, love and friendship. Of course, who in their right mind would think that high school would involve things such as mafia? *sigh* I should have never associated myself with that silver-haired delinquent.

Black and Silver

Chapter 3: Midnight Nightmare

Tik... Tok... Tik... Tok...

"Add 35... Multiply by Y..."

Tik... Tok... Tik... Tok...

"Divide by 19... Then square root... Integrate... So what is X... X is... is... Ugh! I give up! What does 'integrate' even mean?"

I had been trying to answer my Math assignment for more than three hours now. I knew Fujiwara-sensei would give us problems even University students would have a hard time answering. He wanted to make sure that Gokudera-san won't be able to answer it. That Gokudera! It was his fault we even had this assignment. Well, maybe not entirely because Hibari-san took his time in beating up the delinquent, but since I was too scared to blame Hibari-san even in my own thoughts, I blame it all to that silver-haired guy.

I placed down my pen and stretched out my arms. I glanced over the wall clock and saw that it was already past 11:30 in the evening. I stood up, and felt that my back was already strained for all those hours of sitting. "Time for midnight snack."

I wondered what I could eat in the fridge. My mom has the habit of storing food that's only enough for a week. 'We'll just buy some more if it's not enough rather than buy too much and waste the leftovers,' is what Mom would say whenever we shop for groceries.

The house was now quiet; of course, my family would have been asleep by this time. Seeing that there's not much to eat in the fridge, I resort to making myself a sandwich. Surprisingly, I was having fun while preparing the sandwich. I guess that dreadful assignment managed to affect my emotional welfare. It caused me to feel happiness at such simple things. I took a bite in the sandwich I made and thought to myself that I might as well have something to drink with it. I checked the fridge again, and saw a carton of milk. For a moment I contemplated whether to drinking the milk but decided to buy coffee instead in the convenience store. I had read in some article that milk can cause drowsiness, and that's the last thing I need right now.

The night is warm, I thought to myself while walking to the convenience store a couple of blocks away from my house. In just two months, it'll be summer holidays. Yes, I know it's too early for me to get excited, heck, it's not even mid-term yet! But the heat gives me images of swimming pools and beaches, I just couldn't resist.

Brushing off the thought of summer holiday aside, I still have to worry about my Math assignment. I took out my phone and checked the time: 12 midnight.

Sigh.

"I hope there won't be any punishment just in case I couldn't manage to pass it tomorrow," feeling dismayed, I stared up the night sky. At least the stars give me comfort. I let out another sigh and was about to turn by the corner of the street when something caught my eye.

A faint glow of red and violet light floats over the bridge, a couple of miles away. At first it seemed like the lights were caused by the reflection of the stars in the river, but I noticed that the faint glow of lights moved around as if someone was playing with fireworks. For a second, I thought of ignoring it, but finally decided to check it out since it'll only take a couple of minutes.

"I wonder what those lights are," I thought to myself as I made quick steps towards the bridge. "Are those fireworks? Though the way it lights is really unusual. Maybe it's a new kind of fireworks, and they're testing it." I felt excited as I imagined what kind of sparks and patterns the fireworks would have. I looked again to where the lights are and saw that the red light was slowly diminishing. The thought that the testing of the fireworks might be over crossed my mind. I dreaded that I might not make it in time, so I started running as fast as I could towards the bridge.

As I was nearing the foot of the bridge, a sudden thought made me stop on my tracks. What if it wasn't fireworks? What if it was something else? I glanced over the bridge and tried to recognize what those lights really are. I almost laughed at my self when I thought that it might be UFOs. Well, I am almost there; just a simple peek won't hurt. I'll just scream as loud as I can if it's something life threatening.

I slowly made my way towards the bridge. I took out my cellphone and immediately had the police hotline on speed dial just in case it is dangerous.

The red light is continually diminishing its glow, while the violet light was steadily shining. As I walked closer, I noticed that what I'm seeing aren't lights, they're flames. I was initially confused by the oddly colored flames when I heard a familiar voice. Though at first I couldn't recognize whose voice it was, but the way the guy curses and shout vaguely reminds me of the silver-haired delinquent back at school.

"Damn you! Using such tricks and calling for help! You guys are really the scum of the mafia world!" I heard him shout.

What? Is that Gokudera-san? Is he in a fight with someone? Ugh... I shouldn't have come! I don't want to get involved in this kind of mess. I repeatedly scolded myself for letting my curiosity out of hand.

Oh God please don't let them notice me. I swear I won't wonder off out at night ever again. I turned and tried to get away as quietly as possible. But still, I wonder what those flames are... I glanced back just to make certain when all of a sudden violet flames came rushing down at me and wrapped itself around my body that I didn't even have the time to scream.

I was horrified that I thought I was about to get burned. I closed my eyes waiting for the pain of being on fire but instead I only felt warmth and the tight binding around my body. I opened my eyes and was confused that the fire around me wasn't burning. Maybe I was dreaming. Just as I was about to feel relieved, I was abruptly pulled towards the other end of this violet rope-liked flame. I thought that the force was too strong that I almost flew towards the center of the bridge, when I realized that the flame itself was lifting me towards the other end.

I stumbled down by the feet of a man, and judging by the size of his shoes, he's probably an adult, or at least a very large man. "Oho~ What eez this?" said the man holding the other end of the violet flame rope, "Your f-friend?" He chuckled menacingly as he placed the sharp end of a knife below my chin to lift my head up. My body started to shake uncontrollably.

Oh my God! Wh-what is this? Is he criminal? Why is he threatening me with a knife? Shouldn't the police have jailed these types of people?

I wanted to glance up and look at the man's face, but fear of getting instantly killed by him kept me from doing anything. I kept my eyes down and just looked on the ground. Another man came up to me and snatched the phone from my hand, which I unconsciously gripped tightly due to all this confusion. "Seems like she was planning to call the cops," he said. I was surprised at his words, and swiftly turned my head to him, earning myself a slight cut from the knife under my chin. I saw that the man who took my phone has a firm body built, like the ones I see in action movies. He has sandy blonde hair, which was trimmed on the side and its long tail tied at the back. I instantly thought that he's from another country.

"So she eez your friend, eh, Storm Guardian? But you should've told 'er that calling the cops eez against the rules of the mafia," said the man with the knife. He motioned towards the guy crouching on the ground. I followed my gaze to him and brought my eyes to meet a pair of green ones.

There, on the other side of the bridge, was Gokudera-san. He was surprised and confused in seeing me in front of him. The moment I made eye contact with him, my tears started to flow. Even though I was filled fear, I felt a bit of relief when I saw him in front of me.

I'm not alone. I'm sure Gokudera-san can find a way to get the both of us out of here. He's good in fights, right? He'll definitely find a way.

"Aniello, dispose that girl. I'll take care of the Storm Guardian."

"Alright, but make it quick."

The man with the knife grabbed me by the neck, "Sorry, miss. But it's unfortunate for you to try and help the Vongola Guardian." More tears flowed down my eyes as he was strangling me.

"You bastard! Let go of her!" I heard Gokudera-san shout. Red flames burst from his right hand. He was about to charge in to us, when he was intercepted by the blonde man. "Whoa! Don't be so hasty. After she died, you'll soon join her," the blonde man said and hit Gokudera-san by the stomach. The impact of the punch was so strong that Gokudera-san almost fell off the bridge. "Damn, you!" cursed Gokudera-san under his breath as he cough off blood.

Soon my vision began to blur. I can only recognize the violet and red flames swaying around my view. Is this the end for me? Moments ago, I was only worrying about my assignment, but now, even if I worry for my life, there's nothing I can do. I wonder what my mom would think once she found out that I died in the middle of the night. I'm sure they'll be surprised that I went outside at such a late hour .It'll be hilarious once the headlines of the news paper say 'A first year high school girl died on her way to the convenience store for a can of coffee'. I felt myself smile a bit in this thought. As I was about to loose consciousness, blue flames clouded my vision, and I felt myself got loose from the tight binding around my body and grip around my neck. I coughed violently as I tried to catch my breath.

Once my consciousness stabilized, I felt someone's warm embrace around me. I opened my eyes and was surprised to see Yamamoto-san, the rookie from the baseball club, gently carrying me on his arms.

"Don't worry. You're safe now," he said with a soft smile on his face. The blue flames were smoothly pouring down on us and I felt secured in his arms. It's like the flames were washing all my worries away. "My flame's attribute is tranquillity, it'll help you calm down," he added. I didn't know what he mean, but I am unnaturally calm, despite the fact that there are two criminals loose that could possibly kill us anytime now.

Ah! That's right!

"Yamamoto-san! Thank goodness! We have to call the police! And Gokudera-san, he –"

"Yuki Minamoto-san, right? Don't worry. Gokudera can handle himself," Yamamoto-san said to me. I was surprise in what he said, knowing that Gokudera-san had taken a lot of injuries from those two. He even coughed off blood! "We have to get you to a hospital first."

"Wha – ? No! We have to help Gokudera-san!" I pushed him aside and ran pass him.

I realized that we were by the riverside. How did we get here from way over the bridge? Did we fall off? Ah! I don't have time to think about this, I have to go to Gokudera-san! If only they didn't take my cellphone, I would've called the police!

As I reached the bridge, I saw yellow colored flame sturdily blazing over the red and violet flames. "I don't need your help, lawn-head!" protested the guy I was worried about. "What was that? Comrades should always help each other TO THE EXTREME!" exclaimed the guy beside him, raising both his arms. Again, I was confused at what was happening and I noticed that Gokudera-san's injuries were miraculously gone. "What are you two herbivores doing here? The curfew time has long passed," said, unbelievably, by the head prefect of Namimori High.

"Oh, Hibari! Did you also come here to help TO THE EXTREME?"

"No, I'm only here to dispose of the garbage that's disturbing the peace in Namimori. And it seems like the two of you are also disturbing the peace," Hibari-san raised his tonfas threateningly. Violet flames were coated around his tonfas.

What the hell's going on?

"I told you. There's nothing to worry about," Yamamoto-san said behind me. "Both Senpai and Hibari-san are on Gokudera's side. Those two guys are no match for them." I looked at him and he gave a soft laugh.

"A-are the four of you friends?" was the only thing I managed to say with all these confusion in my head. At the very least, I know Hibari-san and Gokudara-san aren't friends. The head prefect just beat the crap out of Gokudera-san earlier this morning, and friends don't do that to each other.

Yamamoto-san scratched the back of his head and said, "Well, you could put it that way. We're related in a very unusual way." Once more, I didn't understand what he meant.

"Four Guardians in one night? Must be our lucky day, Ramil!" said Aniello. His violet flame ropes blazed even more brightly than before.

"Ah hm hm hm~ The boss will be very pleased," said his companion. Ramil then took out an oddly decorated box and fiery violet flames lit over his right arm. I wasn't sure what I was seeing, but it seemed like he inserted the flames inside the box. Moments later, violet flamed ropes, the same as Aniello's, appeared in front of him. "You, Vongolas, are finished!"

The violet ropes grew larger and larger, until they're about as big as the electric poles. Soon, the ropes then changed its form into what seemed like giant snakes. Is this for real? I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like I'm in a sci-fi movie! How the hell are we supposed to beat those two gigantic snakes? And by the looks of those two guys, they're a total villain whose only goal was to kill the protagonists, us!

I took a step back, prepared to run away once opportunity comes. I glanced over to Yamamoto-san, and was amazed that instead of preparing to escape like me, he seemed determined in facing the enemies. "Minamoto-san, it'll be dangerous if you stay here. So I suggest that you get away as far as possible," he said without looking at me. His eyes were completely focused to the two large snakes floating over head. It was only then that I noticed he was holding a sword. Earlier, I thought that the thing hanging on his back was a baseball bat.

"WHA – ? Yamamoto-san! How did you manage to have a sword? That's dangerous! You shouldn't hold one even if we're in this kind of situation! You might accidentally cut yourself or – " I was cut off when suddenly, one of the violet snakes plunges down to attack me.

"Really, girls are irritatingly noisy!" said Ramil.

Noisy? But that's the first time I said anything in front of you! I thought angrily. Wait. I opened my eyes. I'm still alive?

I glanced up and saw disks coated with red flames hovering over me. Yamamoto-san had stood in front of me positioned to cover me from anymore attacks. "Tsk! Hey, you baseball idiot! Get that woman out of here! She'll only be a burden to us," shouted Gokudera-san over his shoulder. He was standing right in front of me and Yamamoto-san with a big red disk shielding the three of us from the attacking snake.

I wanted to protest at what he said, heck, I'll even throw a rock on that big head of his if there was any within my reach. But before I could even do anything, Yamamoto-san swiftly carried me on his arms and said, "I'll go ahead," to Gokudera-san.

"Do you think we'll let anyone of you get away? Get them, Serpente!" ordered Aniello. The other giant snake charged in towards us, but was intercepted by a yellow kangaroo. "I'll defeat you TO THE EXTREME! Let's go Kangaryū!" like some transformation in a fighting anime, Kyoko's brother blazed up with yellow flames. The flames were then concentrated on his right fist and hit the snake under its jaw.

The yellow flame was so bright that I had to turn my eyes away. I didn't know that Kyoko's brother was this strong, I wonder if Kyoko also has such hidden strength, and such bizarre flames.

"Alright, Senpai!" cheered Yamamoto-san beside me. He turned to look at me and said, "Well, we better get going, Minamoto-san." He tightened his grip on me and I was embarrassed at how physically close he is to me.

Yamamoto-san was about to run when we were immediately thrown by the side. I tumbled over the edge of the bridge while Yamamoto-san fell off into the river. "Yamamoto-san!" I called out to him. I don't understand. Why did we suddenly fly off?

I heard someone laugh, the kind of laugh that only villains can pull off. "Have you brats forgotten? The cloud flames' attribute is propagation," Aniello said as he motioned to what was in front of him. Hundreds of violet flamed snakes were scattered around, all intent to bite us with just a simple snap of the finger from their master.

"Good work, Aniello. But you should've made sure that the Rain Guardian was dead before throwing him off to the river," said Ramil as he walks up to Aniello with his giant snake hovering over him. "We'll deal with him after we're finished with these brats," replied the latter.

"Oh yeah? I can handle the both of you on my own, you scum!" cursed Gokudera-san. The red flames burned up, that I can almost feel its heat and intensity at such a distance. "Beside, that kind of attack won't even hurt that baseball idiot!" he smirked arrogantly.

"I'll wipe off that smirk off your face you brat!"

"I'll take you guys on too! TO THE EXTREME!"

Both sides charged on to each other, flames flew everywhere. I started to feel dizzy with all the commotion and I still don't understand what was happening. Soon, the ground begins to shake.

Oh, great! Now it's an earth quake? Just how worse could this night be?

As the ground shakes, large spikes emerged from the ground. Last time I checked, earth quakes don't cause spikes to form from earth. The bridge began to break, as more spikes grew out from it. Moments later, the foundation of the bridge shattered, and everything came crushing down the river. As I was already by the edge of the bridge, I fell down by the riverside. I quickly got on my feet and ran away from the falling debris.

"It's really annoying how you herbivores keep ignoring me," said a low voice which brings chill to anyone who hears it in Namimori High. Hibari-san stood on top of a spike in the middle of the river. I noticed that there was something moving on his shoulders. "Roll, needle ball form," he said lazily.

There was one, two, three… countless balls of needles appeared all around the river.

"Hibari! You should have warned us before you attack TO THE EXTREME!" Kyoko's brother shouted as he emerged from the water.

"Che! You bastard! Were you also aiming to hit us?" Gokudera-san protested while walking up to the riverside. I saw that he had fresh wounds on his body so I immediately run up to him. "Gokudera-san! Were these from the crash? We need to clean this up. The river is full of microorganisms that can infect your wound," I blushed on how Gokudera-san looked at me. He probably thinks I'm paranoid for making such a comment, or maybe he's just shocked that I approached him shamelessly. But that's not important right now. I still have to know whether Yamamoto-san's alright. I hope he didn't get caught up in the debris.

"Don't mind me, woman. Go look for that baseball freak," said Gokudera-san, pushing me aside.

"Err… Okay." Geez! What a snob.

I ran to where I think Yamamoto-san fell. It was so dark I can't see anything down the river. Hmm… Maybe I should just go swim, I'll have better chance of finding him that way. But first, I need a light –

"Senpai!" I called over to Kyoko's brother. "Could you please use that yellow flame of yours to light the river? I'm looking for – "

Before I could even finish my sentence, someone or something suddenly grabbed me and lifted me in mid-air.

Wha-what?

"You brats are really persistent!" said Aniello, as he walks out of the river. It was the first time I looked into his eyes. I saw malice and bloodlust. Once again, I was overwhelmed with fear.

One of the spiked balls charged towards Aniello, but a violet snake blocked the impact and caused a split second flash of violet light. "And aggressive," he continued glancing towards Hibari-san. "With all this commotion, the police will arrive soon. Let's continue this in the shrine. This time bring your boss with you," I saw Gokudera-san tense up on the mention of his boss.

"I'll wait for you in an hour. For the time being," I was suddenly plunged downward that I gave an involuntary scream, "I'll take this girl with us. So make sure you show up, before I get impatient."

Tears flowed from my eyes. Now, I'll be used as hostage.

"Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!" Gokudera-san yelled.

"That's not how real men fight!" added Kyoko's brother.

Aniello smirked and said, "In the mafia, anyone you know and knows you, even with the slightest bit of information, are always involved. And it doesn't matter how one uses their resources."

Tears continued to flow from my eyes and down my cheeks. I hiccupped and bit my lower lip, to keep myself from wailing.

Will I be taken away to someplace I don't know?

Will I be left alone with this dangerous guy?

I don't want that. Please, don't let him take me.

"Gokudera-san – "

I froze.

I was lost for words when I realized that I called out to the last person I'd ever want to be associated with. Because of my hesitation, I lost my last opportunity to call for help. Hundreds of snakes suddenly attacked the three guys.

Dusts and bright flash of light blinded me from what happened. Soon I felt something punctured on the side of my neck, and heard a low adult's voice, "This will keep you from yelling." I thought that he must have injected something on me.

My vision started to swirl. I heard a faint sound of siren and someone shouting in the distance. I couldn't understand what he's saying. I saw different color of lights smoothly dancing around. Then I felt the cool breeze of air on my face and slowly, my consciousness fades…

Author's Notes:

OMG! I'm so sorry it took a month before I updated this. I just didn't have enough time to work on this because of all the hassle I needed to do for the last three weeks of the semester. Well honestly, my sembreak already started a week ago. But I was too lazy to do anything. Sorry!

Anyway, tada! I really hope you guys liked it.

Read and review, please. I know you want to. :)