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 4: The Ballad of Flames

"Why did you arrive to school just now? The afternoon classes are about to start. Are you feeling okay? I heard from Fujiwara-sensei that you failed to pass your Math assignment. You should know that this would affect your conduct."

It was already half-past twelve in the afternoon. I was called over to the faculty office by our homeroom teacher for arriving late at school. To be honest, I consider myself lucky being scolded by sensei. I'd rather face him instead of the Disciplinary Committee. Who knows what kind of punishment Kyouya Hibari would do to me. I felt myself shrivel at the thought.

"Anyway, I asked Fujiwara-sensei to give you an extension for your assignment. I can see that you're a diligent student, and it'll be waste if your conduct drops now. So make sure this'll never happen again, okay?"

I nodded.

The homeroom teacher brushed back his hair, "Ah well, you're not the only one who arrived late. There's also Gokudera-kun," I frowned at the mention of his name. The homeroom teacher sighed and continued, "As usual, he has no plan of showing himself here. But nevertheless, I'd like you to tell him to come see me after school today."

I nodded in reply and he bid me to go. As I was about to leave the office he called out to me, "By the way, have your self checked up in the infirmary. Your cold seems worse."

"Achoo!" *sniff* *sniff*

I took out a tissue from my pocket and wiped my nose clean. Ugh, this is the worst! Thanks to this cold, my eyes are red and puffy, my head aches, and my body feels really heavy. I swear with this face mask on, I definitely looked like a gloomy little girl. I don't want to go to class looking like this. If only my mom wasn't pestering me about going to school today, I would have been lying on my bed all day!

I gave a deep sigh and breathe in through my mouth. I'll just do what sensei told me. I'll go to the infirmary and ask the doctor to let me rest for the afternoon.

The hallway was empty and I can hear faint sounds of chalk rubbed against the blackboard. The afternoon classes must've already started. I glanced out the window but immediately looked away – the brightness of the sun hurt my eyes a bit. The climate today was a little hotter than the usual. I would've enjoyed P.E. if only I wasn't feeling so sick. I walked along the hallway until I reached the door to the infirmary.

I opened the door and, instead of meeting with the doctor, I met a pair of brown eyes from the popular baseball rookie in school.

"Ah –" he said. He smiled at me and was about to stand up when I suddenly slammed the door shut.

I was so shocked at what I did that I froze in front of the door with my hand still holding the doorknob. Before I could decide whether to open the door again or just walk away, Yamamoto-san had already opened the door. I couldn't look up to him as I was embarrassed at how rude I acted.

"Are you sick too?" he asked. "The doctor said he'll be back in a few minutes, so why don't you just come in and let's wait for him together."

Ah, that's right. Yamamoto-san fell down the river last night. He must've also caught a cold. I looked up and saw him smiling down on me, though I noticed a hint of concern or guilt in his eyes. Was he thinking that it was his fault I got sick? "The doctor gave me a cup of tea to drink while waiting so maybe it's alright to give you one too," he said. I nodded and tried to smile back at him when I remembered that I'm wearing a face mask and he won't be able to see my lips curve. Instead, I thanked him and went inside the room.

I sat down on the bed since the two chairs are for Yamamoto-san and the doctor. Soon, Yamamoto-san handed me my cup of tea. I removed my face mask before taking a sip. I never knew that the tea in the infirmary tastes so good, or maybe it's because I have a cold that any hot drink tastes better than the usual.

"Drinking tea while having a cold makes you feel better, and that's why it also tastes better," Yamamoto-san told me. I blinked at him. "That's what you were thinking, right?" he continued. "I mean, it's written in your face." Then he gave a small laugh. I felt myself blush knowing that my thoughts are easily read. I frowned at him and was about to argue but his laugh made me smile, so I just took another sip on the tea to hide my embarrassment.

I noticed that Yamamoto-san placed down his cup and suddenly looked serious. His eyes were focused down on his fists. "Listen," he started. "About last night... We're..." he paused for a while and his eyebrows narrowed slightly, and then continued, "I'm really sorry. If only I carried you sooner away from the fight, you wouldn't –"

"It's alright," I immediately said. Yamamoto-san looked up to me. "It's alright," I repeated.

Of course, I blamed Gokudera-san and all his friends for what happened last night. I've gone through so many things that I never thought I would experience in my entire life. I was even worried that it might leave me a traumatic memory that would affect my psychological welfare. I was so mad and confused that I decided to avoid anyone involved in last night's incident, if possible, for my entire life. But I couldn't bear Yamamoto-san apologizing to me like everything was his fault. Yamamoto-san is a good person, and he doesn't deserve to be burden with guilt all his life.

What happened last night was a mere twist of fate. I convinced myself to perceive it that way because I know that it could never again happen to me. I couldn't even remember what exactly happened after I was drugged and put to sleep. All that's left was just a vague memory of rainbow colored flames...

[flash back]

I can feel the breeze of air hitting my face harder than usual. It was a bit irritating really, since I'm trying to sleep.

Did I leave the window in my room open?

I groaned. I just want to sleep in– –

I abruptly woke as I felt myself falling from the sky.

Then I heard someone laughing behind the sound of wind gushing through my ears. Not a second later, something caught me by the stomach. The laughter grew louder, and closer.

"Awake now, li'l meezzy?" I cranked my head to see the person talking. He was a large man with heavily built body. I saw him sneering down at me. I felt the blood drain from my face as I remembered that I was now held hostage by a madman.

He threw me upward and I gave out a shriek, but instead of hearing my scream, I only managed to let out muffled noise. It was then that I realized my mouth was covered tightly. Again as I fell, I was caught by a violet rope around my waist. The force of my weight being dragged down by gravity and the sudden hold of the rope around my waist gave a sharp pain like someone had punched me hard on my stomach. Small tears involuntarily formed from my eyes.

I was carried clumsily with my face looking down at the busy streets of Namimori. Aniello had been leaping from one skyscraper to another dragging me with him. We were up so high that I felt nauseous just by looking down. Of course, with us bouncing up and down, it was like I was riding a roller coaster, except, there are no cars to ride on, and just the seatbelt tied around my body.

He threw me down as we landed in one of the highest building in the city. Aniello started to speak again, "Now le'z zee... Only 30 minutes 'ave passed, maybe an hour eez quite long to wait for..." he looked maliciously at me. "Then I'll 'ave a bit of fun with you while we wait." He cast me a sinister smile that made the hair at the back of my neck stand. With the given circumstances and knowing that it was impossible for me to get out; I can only predict the most horrible thing that could happen to me. My eyes swell up, and tears start to fall silently on the side of my face.

So this is how my life will end: a hostage wearing the lousiest sweat pants and t-shirt, not to mention getting raped by the ugliest man I had even seen. I can count every second that passed by as he moved closer to me.

Any time now, he'll jump on me and everything will be over. But... I won't give in. It's already over for me, and I know that. But I won't let him get what he wants. I won't let things go on his way!

With a new determination, I clumsily tried to get away from him as far as possible. He laughed hysterically and said, "Of course, it ezz always much more fun if the prey feebly tries to espace." I felt the ropes around my body loosen up, "Go ahead and try to run. There ezz no escape from 'ere, not when we're so high up on this building." And he laughed again, more maniacally than before.

I run towards the door, and tried to open it. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Locked, huh?" He shouted with a grin on his face. I frantically looked around for a way to escape, even for ladders. And there, by corner of the rooftop I saw a ledge that might be for the ladder used for emergency exit.

Feeling hopeful, I ran as fast as I can towards it. Just a few more feet... HISSS!

I gave a muffled shriek, as a snake cut off my path. "I think we've played enough game of tag. You've 'ad your run, now let me 'ave my fun." I turned around and saw Aniello walks towards me. Slowly, being careful not to take my gaze away from his eyes, I backed towards the edge of the rooftop. He must've predicted what I was thinking since he stopped on his tracks when he realized I'm on the edge of the building. I saw the smile on his face disappear.

I was going to die anyway, so it's better if I just die now instead of being used as a hostage, or even being touched by this ugly creature.

I grinned at him while still shedding tears. I took a deep breath then jumped over the edge.

[end of flashback]

"Oh, Minamoto-san, is there something I can help you with?" The school doctor asked as he returned to the infirmary.

I stood up and place the cup of tea on the table and said, "Uhm, yes... Sensei told me to have my cold checked up."

"Strange. Yamamoto here also caught a cold. It's not even the rainy season yet," he flashed a teasing smile then continued, "I hope you're not doing anything suspicious after school." Yamamoto-san and I laughed weakly.

The doctor gave us some medicine to drink. Yamamoto-san asked if he could go back to class, since he's not feeling too bad about his cold. He bid me goodbye and said that he'll tell Mina and Ayame that I'm in the infirmary.

"Thank you," I said. He paused by the door and looked at me uncertainly like something was bothering him. "I'll see you later," I waved at him. He smiled at me, as if that phrase took away what he was dreading and answered back, "Yeah, see you later." Then he left.

"Ho ho ho. I see you know how to read a man's thoughts." The doctor said to my back. I quickly turned to him and said "What? No, I don't know how to read a man's thoughts, my dear Uncle!" He chuckled heartily then scratched my head, "Yes, yes. You are still too young for love, my sweet Minamoto-san." He said mockingly. I gave him my fake angry look and glared at him, "Now, no guy will like you if put on that kind of face, though that may be an improvement."

I gave a sarcastic "Haha" then hit him on face with the pillow and threw myself on the bed. "Thanks for letting me rest here for the afternoon," I said. He smiled down at me then said, "You better draw the curtains, I wouldn't want any other guys see your sleeping face, they might die of fright." With one last glare, I drew down the curtains then stared up on the ceilings.

See you later, huh?

I smiled.

[flashback]

I kept my eyes closed. At least I wouldn't dread about how much farther before I hit the ground. The gush of wind over my ears was deafening. I can only think of so many regrets in life. Regret that I didn't finish my last sandwich. Regret that I didn't get to eat all the cakes in that pastry shop. Regret that I wouldn't know the ending of the TV program I've faithfully watched everyday. Regret that I spent the last remaining hours of my life answering Fujiwara-sensei's horrible assignment instead of calling Mina and ask her about her day. Regret that... *sigh* just how long will I keep falling like this? I've made enough regrets to be depressed 'til afterlife, at least make my death quicker and spare me from all this miserable thoughts!

Feeling impatient, I took a small peak to see just how much longer will I fall. I was surprised to see that I wasn't falling, instead, I was flying! I was confused to what was happening before I noticed that someone was holding me by the waist. I was probably too engrossed thinking about my death that I didn't notice someone grabbed me.

I looked at the person's face. He seemed familiar.

We landed on a building nearby when it started to rain. "Yamamoto must've been on to the enemy. Gokudera-kun, would you please send her home?" the guy said, looking over behind me. "You'll be safe with him," he assured me. I looked up at him and saw myself reflected on his pale golden brown eyes.

Ah, I remember. He's that guy on the front gates earlier this morning, though he seemed much more different now. It's like he's full of confidence – no – determination, and that I could rely on him. Even under this rain, I feel warm just by standing next to him.

"But Juudaime! I want to stay and fight! I can take care of that scumbag on my own! You didn't have to come, if only this girl wasn't taken –," said the familiar voice of my delinquent classmate.

I was a bit hurt with his words. It wasn't my fault that I was taken hostage! If you have done more effort in protecting me back at the riverside then I wouldn't have been caught in the first place!

"No. Her safety comes first," said the guy beside me firmly.

"That's right. Otherwise, you kids wouldn't be able to fight efficiently while worrying about her welfare," said an unfamiliar voice that sounded like a baby. I turned around and saw an infant wearing tuxedo and holding a green umbrella.

"Ciassu!" the child greeted. "I am Reborn, Tsuna's home tutor."

I stared. First the flames, then the psychopathic criminals, and now a baby with fedora hat shows up being involved in this whole fiasco? Okay, all that's left is a walking, talking zebra.

"Please, Gokudera-kun. Take her," the brunette guy took off his jacket and placed it over my shoulders then handed me over to Gokudera-san.

I heard the silver haired delinquent click his tongue. It's obvious he didn't want to escort me, but he didn't have a choice, especially now that his Juudaime asked him.

He held me by the arm, rather more rough than gentle. "Come on, let's get out of here," he said without looking at me. I looked back and saw the brunette fly away with orange flames trailing down his hands.

[end of flashback]

"Oh my gosh! What happened to you?" cried Ayame as she threw herself down to hug me. "I tried to call you on your phone when you didn't show up by the bookstore earlier this morning! But for some reason, your number is not available! Did you turn it off? I mean, what happened, really?"

I was amazed on how Ayame said all of that non-stop, and in high pitch. I glanced up and saw Mina standing by the bedside, with the same worried face.

I was happy that Ayame and Mina came over to the infirmary room as soon as the classes are over. I hugged Ayame back tightly before pulling her up. "I'm fine, really. Sorry for not leaving you any message, or even calling you. Last night, I went for a stroll and seemed to have misplaced my phone. So..." I perked up my shoulders and rolled my eyes.

"What? So you lost your cellphone? When are you going to get a new one? Oh! You had us so worried!" said Ayame.

"Mom said we could buy a new one on the weekends. She really scolded me when I said I lost it. If it weren't because a cellphone's already a necessity these days, she wouldn't have bothered buying me a new one," I answered exasperatedly as I lied down the bed again.

"Well, it is your fault for wondering around at night. Why did you even bother to go out? You have that assignment with Fujiwara-sensei to do, right?" Mina asked, sitting on the chair.

"Actually, that assignment was the reason I went out. It's giving me a headache and I thought I need fresh air to escape the mental stress I'm having," I replied. "By the way, my cold's getting better now, thank you for asking," I added sarcastically.

Ayame gave a small laugh, "Oh come on, Yuki! I thought us, cool girls, aren't allowed to catch a cold? What, have you gone lame over the night?"

At this, both Mina and I laughed.

"Hey, how 'bout we go to that pastry shop you went to yesterday? I almost died when Ayame kept on making me jealous for not coming," Mina said. They both looked at me as if asking if it's fine for me to go to the pastry shop with this cold.

"Sure, let's go. Let's invite Kyoko and Haru-chan. The more the merrier," I said.

I bid my Uncle thanks, and then left the infirmary with Ayame and Mina. I decided to go with them to their room since I have a feeling I'd be seeing the person I needed to talk to in there. And sure enough, there he was, that silver-haired punk with his bag over his shoulder, standing next to Yamamoto-san. If it weren't for the homeroom teacher's request, I would have preferred avoiding him as much as I can.

Yamamoto-san greeted me as soon as I entered the room, and I waived back at him. Gokudera-san on the other hand didn't even bother to turn his head.

*sigh* Well, here goes. I told Ayame and Mina to invite Kyoko and Haru-chan, and then I walked towards the two guys.

"Hi, Minamoto-san! What's up?" asked Yamamoto-san smiling brightly at me. Why can't it be just Yamamoto-san whom Sensei wants to see, instead of this very unpleasant creature standing next to him?

"Oh, Minamoto-san?" I was surprised to hear that there was a third guy with them. Well, he was so small standing next to these two, that I didn't notice him. I looked at him and saw that he was the flying brunette that saved me when I was falling. "How are you?" He asked. For a moment I felt myself blush, but before I could say anything, someone called behind me.

"Tsuna-san!" I turned around and saw Haru-chan waiving enthusiastically at our direction. I heard Gokudera-san saying 'that idiot' from my side.

"Haru! Kyoko-chan! Hello!" said the brunette guy.

I stood aside as Haru-chan was telling Tsuna-san something about a costume. I noticed at how Haru-chan smiles brightly while talking to Tsuna. Well, she always smiles so brightly, but something feels different.

Along their conversations, Gokudera-san butted in saying that Haru-chan talks too much, and instantly her bright smile disappears.

I see. So that's how it is.

"Uhm... Gokudera-san," I said, rather more softly than I intended. They all turned to look at me. Feeling conscious, I continued, "The homeroom teacher wants to see you right now." I felt him glaring at me, but I have a feeling that he wouldn't ignore what I said, not if his Juudaime is here.

"Would you mind coming with me to the faculty office?" I asked.

[flashback]

The rain had stopped falling or maybe the rain was only falling around that building. Gokudera-san and I had been walking for quite some time now, and I had also been crying since we left the city district.

I must be looking dreadful; drenched by rain and tears all over my face. Yep, definitely dreadful.

But all the while, Gokudera-san had kept a tight hold of my arm even though he never turned to look at me. I stared at his back then down to his hand that's holding me. Well, I prefer it this way. I wouldn't want him to see me in this state.

He suddenly stopped walking that I bumped to his back. I immediately wiped my face trying to at least look decent, just in case he turn around and look at me.

"Hey," he called, his back still turned on me and his hand still clenched on my arm.

"What?" I said impulsively.

He turned around. I dropped down my head and tried, at the very least, to cover my face with my hair. "Where do you live?" he asked.

"Ah...it's just...you...I-I can go home by myself now. T-Thank you. So you should let go now," I stammered, still facing the ground. I tried to jerk off my arm from him.

"No," he said firmly. "Juudaime said to bring you home. So, where do you live?" He held more tightly that it hurts. That's right, he's pissed that he has to escort me instead of helping to fight. It'd be better if I just let him walk me to my house while his temper is still intact.

"A few blocks from the park, in Fubuki street," I told him.

"Fubuki?" he repeated.

[end of flashback]

Our way to the faculty office reminded me of the long walk we had when Gokudera-san was escorting me to my house. The awkwardness and this tense atmosphere around us feel just too similar back then that I wished I didn't offer to accompany him to the faculty office.

Well, I can't trust Gokudera-san that he will meet with Sensei, and I can't risk disappointing Sensei especially since he asked Fujiwara-sensei for an extension for my assignment. I even had to make occasional glances back at the silver punk just to make sure he's still following me to the faculty office.

With few more walks and finally we arrived at the faculty office. I checked inside the room and saw Sensei sitting by his desk. "Sensei's in there to see you, you should go in ahead," I said looking at Gokudera-san.

Surprisingly, he went inside without saying anything other than giving the scariest glare I had ever received from him.

Okay, that's that. Finally, I can just ignore him all the way 'til graduation!

I closed the door to the faculty office, then walked along towards room 1-3 where Ayame and the others are waiting for me.

I'll definitely taste all the cakes available this time.

Author's Notes:

Yes people, I'm still alive and kicking. Sorry, again, for the superduperoober late update. This chapter was a bit hard for me as I cannot entirely picture myself being held hostage. I wanted to make the readers [you] to feel how scary it was to have you life on the hands of some psychopath through the eyes of the protagonist. I just hope I managed to do that.

On the side note, I think my writing style is somewhat becoming more into too-much-details-too-many-words novel than few-words-more-dialogue light novel. I hope you wouldn't mind. I think the novels I'm reading are influencing me.

SweetzJunkie: Yey! My first and (sadly) only review! Haha. Nevertheless, I was so happy to have read your review. I even showed it to my brother! XD I hope you enjoy this chapter!

BTW, just in case some of you are wondering, Fubuki means Snowstorm. Since Yuki means Snow, and Gokudera's sky element is Storm. So...Yeah, thus the street name. :p