Gokudera's wet eyes widened in surprised.

Against the soft light from the evening moon under the stars, just two of them alone on the balcony, he found his target, the prince of Blue, Yamamoto Takeshi.

Staring into his soft hazel-brown eyes, Gokudera lips parted slightly in a lost for words. His prey, someone he was after for blood, actually asked him why he was crying and was comforting him? Somehow his first impression wasn't bloodlust or any murderous intend.

Instead, it was soft, warm and comforting. Gokudera knew he felt like this before, but that was years before, when he still had something called a family.

"Idiot…" Gokudera started off, hoping it would put him at the upperhand. But the teen infront of him smiled as gentle as the night sky itself, and that only made the silver-haired teen fall into his eyes some more. "That's not rather nice?" He laughed nervously. "But…" He slowly lifted a hand to caress his head from the back. "It must be lonely, isn't it? To realise that you can never find someone to cry on his shoulders." Gokudera felt like running away, or simply slap his hand off. But somehow he couldn't do it, he just allowed him to touch him on the head affectionately.

"You don't know anything," Gokudera said, looking upon the garden view at his left after propping his hand onto the column. Yamamoto smiled down at her blushing face. "I would like to know," He leaned over to smiled in his hair, picking up the beautiful smell of gunpowder. Gokudera closed his eyes and relaxed at his touch. He wondered why he would allow himself to get closer to the taller teen when he's about to get murdered with his own hands. "There was never such thing called love since I was 8, especially when your father's a complete bastard, and you're all alone and expected to handle everything by yourself. If you don't catch up, you'll just fall back to the ground. It's hard and it hurts," Gokudera received an honest and comforting reply: a sorry smile from the other teen. "…Is there any way you wish me to address you?"

"… Dera." He smiled back in an 'it's okay' sign. Behind his back, Gokudera shifted the pocket knife out from a secret compartment at the back of the dress, rubbing the hilt with his thumb, like a Venus flytrap allowing its prey to fall into its trap.

The prince stared down at Hayato in silence. Was she really experiencing this much? Did so much love have to abandon and deny her since young? Yamamoto hoped he could at least make her feel better. Tears fell as if all the memories are as sharp and painful as gathering shattered glass.

Yamamoto couldn't bear to see her like that anymore. "What are you…" The silver haired teen flustered when the prince pulled him into his arms and allowed his head to rest against his own shoulders, not caring what might happen next. "…What are you doing?" The assassin asked, his fist clenching onto the back of the prince's velvet coat. The golden hilted knife nearly slip off his grasp. "I know you need this badly, and I understand that it really hurts when you're alone," Yamamoto closed his eyes and spoke calmly. "If you are here with me, I'll make sure you have no reason to cry, least to say by yourself."

"…Idiot…" And the Prince of Yakyuu felt his shoulders damping. Yamamoto's face ceased to a frown. "Hey," He reluctantly pulled Gokudera away and smiled softly, lips slightly parted to expose a small area of his white teeth. Gokudera looked to the floor to hide his blushing face. "If you have any problems, you can share it with me, okay? After all, we kind of have something in common." The prince held his princess's hand and lifted her chin, only to find himself staring into the pale emerald green eyes of a weeping and stunned face.

"Like what?"

The prince smiled and looked into the starry night. "I lost my mom at the age of 11. She told me to give my everything at what I love, and then do whatever it takes to reach for something. I don't know how many nights I reminisce about her dismiss…" He stated.

Gokudera looked at him. It seems as if all these while he just needed somebody to love him, and at the same time the teen in front just needed someone to love. The silver-haired bomber looked down at his hand being lifted near to the other's face. "But it's okay, my mom also thought me that so long as I keep smiling like everything's okay, then everything will," Then he planted a soft but long kiss on his cheek with his eyes closed. "So I think you should too."

"…" Gokudera stared at him surprised. He was lost for words, when he knew very well all he needed to say was a 'thank you'. It wouldn't come. He knew really well that you don't say 'thank you' to someone when their blood was about to stain his hands. He didn't understand why his heart was racing like it was about to go out of control. Was it the atmosphere? His smile? Or just out of anxiety? Gokudera didn't really know what was happening to him. No, it couldn't possibly be what he thinks. How can he feel that way to someone right when you were about to kill him? He felt himself quite out of breath as his body had to get accustomed to this new feeling that wasn't registered to him. Somehow, he also couldn't comprehend why tears were flowing. Was he happy, or sad, or plainly confused?

"I'm SORRY!" Gokudera hit his wrist to free his own hand, much to the Prince's surprise. Yamamoto was upset with himself as tears rained down her face as her long fringe fell over to cover her heartbroken look.

"But I'll always remember you, so buzz off, Princey. I have other things to tend to," Gokudera smirked at him as he just tried his best not to trip over the gown as he dashed into the crowd, hoping it would buy himself enough time to think it through. If he recalled correctly, he heard the prince shouting his name before the indiscernible chatter of all the guests. He didn't want to turn back.

I left you, because I can't forgive myself for what I'm going to do. I had to leave, because I can't stand the thought of hurting you.

"Yamamoto-sama," Hibari appeared from behind. Under normal circumstances, people would be frightened out of their wits if they find someone appearing behind them in the next moment like a phantom. But being his butler, Yamamoto knew better. "Hey, Kyoya."

The butler's eyes narrowed in serious concern. "Sir, there's something suspicious about her… I don't really like this. Are you sure she's her."

"…How so?"

" I'm not obliged to answer a herbivore."

"Ahaha, simple minded as always, Kyoya." The prince tried to laugh. But it wasn't enough to cure his broken heart. She left him, crying.

If I can't even reach you, how can I love you.

Gokudera didn't stop running till he stopped outside at a quiet and isolated garden, far away where he could just openly cry to himself.

"DAMN THIS FUCKING THING!" Gokudera cursed out, hitting the tree trunk with his fist so hard that two apples fell off. Wincing to the ground, he tried to comprehend himself why he couldn't. It was because.

He was really nice and caring.

He was the first person who was ever concerned about him.

He could smile at him and tell him not to worry, and

He was the first to ever shown love to him in so many years.

Gokudera was too happy to find someone who truly cares for him, and to think he has to kill him…

With his head brimming with confusion, Gokudera hit his head onto the tree trunk and laughed at himself. "Anyone would feel sorry if they had to live my life."

"3 more hours, young assassin," a voice spoke from behind. Gokudera glared menacingly at the tree infront of him. Anyone could recognise this voice that brought him into such a dilemma. "Rokudo, why are you here?"

The tall magician stepped out of the dark and pulled his top hat down in a sigh of courtesy. "I'm here to observe you're progress. And I was to say, well done! Now that the prince seems to be quite close to you, you have an easier chance to do it. But," He glared and his pleased smile dropped to a solemn one. "Why didn't you kill him there and then?" He asked.

"…" Gokudera turned around. "Pardon me, that prince was quite an idiot. He was busy blabbering away I didn't had the chance to." Gokudera knew he lied. He wasn't blabbering. They were truthful and comforting words of concern, the kind that he yearned for since the start of his sad life. "Kufufufufu… alright then, but remember." The magician clicked his stopwatch, and it revealed a clock behind the casing. "3 hours, kill him, and then your mother will be the best of."

With that, the magician vanished into indigo mist, and the troubled assassin sat down at the root of the apple tree to ponder for a decision.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto was taking a walk outside the mansion, away from the fangirls, hoping the atmosphere would cheer himself up. It was getting kind of chilly in the night's wind, even when he pulled his coat closer to his body, continuing his aimless walk into The Adam's Apple Garden. Then, he stiffened and looked left. "Dera?"

There was no one.

"Dera, you're here, aren't you?" He quickened his stroll into a jog, and a jog into a run with each passing second. "Dera?" He turned round the corner, running. "DERA?"

No response.

"Dera…" He grew worried. She was there, why wouldn't she answer? He turned down to the corner only to find his princess staring into space in tears, leaning against his favourite tree of the garden. Fallen leaves adorned the hem of her dress and some on her lap. Under the soft light patches from the tree's canopy, if she wasn't crying, she was simply described, breathtakingly beautiful.

"DERA." Yamamoto said softly and in disbelief as he ran infront of her and fell to his knees. The sudden appearance of the prince snapped Gokudera out of his sorrow-ridden trance. "Dera, why are you doing here? You might catch a cold." Was the first thing the Prince said, shedding his coat off to cover her. Gokudera looked down to the coat and kept silent for a while. Yamamoto's worried expression relaxed into a soft smile as he finally saw her again.

"How did you find me? I didn't even respond just now, did I?" Gokudera stated plainly, and he later found himself surrounded by his embrace. "That's because lonely silence is the loudest thing in the world." He laughed, hugging her tighter, as if he didn't wish to let go.

"…The nonsense you sprout." Gokudera smiled in the comfort, but it was the comfort that made him even more guilty.

"Dera… why?"

"Huh?"

Yamamoto parted him and grabbed her shoulders, looking her straight into her eyes. "I told you that when you feel like crying, I'll always be there for you. Why do you still cry here all alone?" He asked.

Idiot, I'm crying here alone because I simply can't cry to you.

"You'll never understand," But he doesn't want to be questioned by Yamamoto any further, so he smiled. He knew that that would be enough to reassure him. Sure enough, Yamamoto sighed to himself like he was defeated. Standing up, he showed Gokudera an outstretched palm. "Let's go home, okay?"

"…Idiot. I don't live with you, stop talking like we're so close you bastard." Gokudera's regular delinquent attitude kicked in. Yamamoto just smiled. "Ma,ma, Dera."

Gokudera looked down at the prince's hand which was ready to receive his. Gingerly, he placed his hand on his and take a glance up at him. Yamamoto was giving him a pleasant smile again as he folded his fingers in. Gently, he pulled her up to her feet and laughed. "Then let's go."

"…Yeah."

Gokudera stared up at the ceiling.

He was in bed.

In his own room. (did anyone fall for it? XP)

Gokudera was escorted back into Tsuna's mansion. The maids attended to him and brought him into a room where the amount of frills and Victorian laces was too much for him to handle. No matter where he turned, there were pink velvet cushions with black laces decorated around it. And the wallpaper was surrounded with luscious violet. Gokudera didn't belong here. And he thought the scarlet dress was the last thing he'll ever need to tolerate, now he has a Victorian designed room for lounging that was obviously for maidens and ladies that do high tea and gossiping.

Earlier on, he recalled him and the prince entering the grand doors hand in hand. The crowning of the new boss just ended, and there were only half of the guest left who would like to stay a little longer for somehow pep talks and helpings from the large spread of the buffet.

"Tsuna, do you mind if Lady Dera stay over for the night?" Yamamoto requested. Gokudera started to panic and sputter. "No, NO! That's not necessary, I… I don't wish to be trouble to anyone, really." He may be an assassin, but he knew his manners. Tsuna smiled. "It's okay. Of course she can, Yamamoto."

Gokudera flustered and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry for intruding, Jyuudaime!"

Tsuna laughed. "It's okay!"

"Isn't that great, Dera?" Yamamoto smiled down at her.

"Urusai! I never wanted to be a nuisance to the Tenth!"

Now Gokudera was trying to calmly think everything through. He stared at the clock at the opposite side of the room.

11 pm.

Gokudera has exactly one hour left to make a decision and do it. Getting quite a headache, Gokudera hugged the embarrassing pillow closer to bury his face into it. It didn't help.

For once, he felt like he lost. He never failed a single mission. This was one of the toughest he ever met.

What was the obstruction, why couldn't he kill him.

It was love.

Love overpowered everything. Gokudera winced at that thought.

He fell in love with the prince, and he couldn't find ANY reason to kill him. He loved him so much at how much he loved him back. He didn't want to betray him and himself. It would be too painful. He'll never forgive himself.

But he needed it. He needed the money. He still has a mother who loved him since the start of his birth.

"My life sucks." And with that he tried to suffocate himself by pressing his face into the pink pillows, thinking that it was the perfect way to die of shame.

11.15 pm.

11.30pm.

11.45pm.

Gokudera was starting to find himself soaked in cold sweat as he covered half of his face with the blanket. The memories of him and his mother filled his head as he pondered and pondered the situation over and over again. The times they laughed, the times they had fun, the times when they stood for each other despite their age difference…

Gokudera, without a doubt, respects and loves the person who brought him into this world.

But how about the prince?

He was royalty. He had girls practically FUSSING over him. Among all the girls, he couldn't possibly love him the most. He probably forgotten what true love is. Maybe it was all just a flirt.

But why was his heart racing back then?

It was all a scheme. That Prince only toyed with him. That's for sure. With his status, he can easily date one, dump her, and date another. Gokudera thought that he would never fall for such a dirty trick.

11:50pm.

Gokudera sat up and ran his five fingers through his hair. With a firmer grip to the knife that was bloodthirsty in his hands. He has found an answer.

Gokudera kicked his scarlet heels off as he ran out of his room quietly, hoping that there was no one in the hallway. The god of death granted his wish and he was able to make his way unnoticed into the outside of his room. He didn't want to think of anything right now, in case he has a sudden change of mind. He was determined to end his mission and live back his normal life.

He took a long breath and tried to push the door open. To his surprise, it swung open smoothly. Stealthily, he crept into the room with the knife behind. Everything looked normal in the room, lights off, everything in place. Looking across the room, Gokudera found his love sprawled across the king-size bed fast asleep in only his pants he wore tonight.

Closing in, Gokudera stared expressionlessly at the sleeping Prince. His true feelings were begging to enter his heart. But Gokudera knew they would be locked out till he was finished by 12, then he'll flee, with his hands stained with Takeshi's royal blood, and nobody would know who he is even when they knew who did it.

He gripped the knife as he stared at his sleeping face that was half illuminated by the white light shining through the long bedroom windows.

He looked amazing.

Gokudera smiled gently as he kept his knife away for awhile. He went forward and came close to the prince. Trying not to get distracted, he smirked and looked away, pouting,"Look at you, you're about to get killed, and here you are sleeping so comfortably like you will live to see tomorrow…"

There wasn't a laugh, or even a smile he would usually receive from the prince who was fast asleep. Gokudera looked down at the mattress infront of him. "But then again…"

He leaned over to kiss Yamamoto's soft hair. "Thanks for loving me. I hope to see you again someday, and I hope you can forgive me." Gokudera really wanted a reply, but he continued to sleep in that tangled position of his, mouth wide open as a line of drool escaped to his blanket. "I… just want to let you know that I love you." Gokudera smiled down, then he looked at the golden clock infront of the bed with dreaded eyes.

11:55 pm.

If there was one wish that he was able to make and come true, he wished tonight will never end. And the clock will not signify a tomorrow.

Gokudera stared outside the bedroom window, caressing the knife hilt in his hand as he polished the knife's blade with the edge of his out of the window up at the night sky, the stars seemed to be twinkling outside. Gokudera hope they could tell him what to do. "…"

"Ngh…"

Gokudera gasped as he spun around in shock. The knife in his hand jumped at the twitch of his hand. He was looking at Yamamoto, who was slowly waking up and groaning. Placing a hand on his forehead, he looked at his beloved. "Dera? What are you doing here?" he stood up from his bed and approached her, laughing. "Did you feel lonely sleeping by yourself?"

Gokudera didn't have time left. He was caught in his room with a knife. There was no turning back now. He wished he just have continue sleeping. The last thing Gokudera wanted was to kill Yamamoto and watch him struggle from the pain. He didn't want Yamamoto leave this world with the last impression of Gokudera stabbing him. "IDIOT!" Gokudera cried out, with tears flowing freely as he ran forward, pulling the knife up high.

"Ahahaha, Dera calm down," The prince chuckled as Gokudera has forcefully grabbed his arm as his other arm came down violently with the knife pointing blade-first. Yamamoto was able to grab her arm that held the weapon before it landed to its target: his heart. They were locked in a struggle to overpower each other and due to Yamamoto not fully awakened yet, Gokudera was able to pin him down when they both tripped and fell onto the bed together. "Okay Dera, I've lost. But that was fun, let's try again!" Yamamoto laughed as Gokudera climbed on top him with his scarlet dress flowing at the back, the knife held high, eyes wide open like he was mad and merciless.

11.58pm

All of a sudden, Gokudera's eyes met the prince's. It was filled with merry. That beautiful smile that melts Gokudera from inside, and simply, everything of him that Gokudera loved. "Don't give me that" Gokudera thought as the knife trembled in his hand. All of a sudden he felt like he was paralysed. He hasn't planted it into him yet.

Because the prince's gaze broke his heart, thinking Gokudera wasn't really meaning to kill him. He loved him too much, he just couldn't do it.

"Tch." Gokudera stared at him and tears fell endlessly down, her hair was falling over to veil her face. "Dera…" Yamamoto's happy face withered away into one filled with concern and worry said as Gokudera's tears hit his cheek drop by drop and slid down to the blanket below him. His eyes narrowed and he relaxed, closing his slightly ajar mouth back to normal. He didn't look upset or frightened as well, blankly grinning slightly back at her fogged up eyes.

"Takeshi… I don't understand." Gokudera said, choking back tears, "People who are about to die shouldn't smile like everything is okay. They are frightened and helpless, and upset. Don't you understand, you BIG IDIOT! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!"

Yamamoto slowly placed a palm onto his princess's cheek that made his princess jump slightly in the touch of such comforting warmth. It somehow manage to trigger her tears again, and then he used a thumb to wipe them away. He smiled pleasantly. "I know. I am afraid to die. But you look like you're in so much pain, so I knew you have no choice. If it means that I must die to stop your tears from flowing, I'm more than willing." He smiled.

"…" Time seemed to have stopped when Gokudera heard that, eyes widening in surprise. "Takeshi… you…" "Oh and please don't sit like this, ladies shouldn't expose their thighs this much." Yamamoto laughed nervously as her dress were flown back slightly too much. Gokudera blushed. "Urusai!" But the clock was still ticking.

11.59pm

He winced, biting his lower lip. The tears continued. The knife was then held higher. Yamamoto smiled as he closed his eyes, waiting for the pain.

The clock tower sounded. 12 am.

Puff.

Yamamoto opened his eyes, only to find Gokudera has dropped his knife onto the soft bedsheet. "Dera?" He looked at her, lost for words as her face started to contort from anguish and all the emotional agony. The prince sat up and cupped her face to make her face him. But Gokudera made sure his hair could cover his face enough to ignore the prince, or at least he tried him. Yamamoto hated that. He used his fingers to slowly unveil her hair and tucked them behind her ear. Gokudera was wincing as he tried to look away, biting down on his bottom lip so hard that he faintly tasted his own blood. The look on her face was enough to make the prince feel his heart shatter into a million pieces. "Dera, it's okay now, here."

He leaned forward to kiss her tears. Gokudera didn't flinch or back away, allowing the prince to cup his cheek with one hand, draw close slowly and crash his lips against his and passionate kiss him, drawing out all his sorrow. If Dera is going through all this pain, the Prince thought, then so am I. Gokudera closed his wet eyes and deepened it. It was beautiful, both sharing their first kiss in the dim room under the stars. The silver haired teen felt a sudden rush overcoming his entire being, and his heart started to race. He never felt so perfect before. Is this what a kiss is all about? To feel accepted, loved, and cared about? Gokudera was so enchanted and exhausted his whole body fell limp, only to find himself falling against the prince who caught hold of her, tasting her hot breathe of nicotine that he despite but love. Gokudera didn't want it to end as he continued to kiss him desperately in need, refusing to part even when he was running out of air. Yamamoto granted his wish even when he felt the same way. They both didn't want such a passionate moment to end. If there's something they wanted to confess, it all had to happen right there and then, at the heat of everything.

Gokudera leaning against him after they parted in between deep breathes, smiling slightly to himself. "Idiot, if you want to kiss someone you should have just asked." Yamamoto held her soft pale hand and kissed the back of it like he haven't had enough, chuckling down at her, panting heavily. "Hahaha, sorry, sorry, but I just had to,"

If a kiss would tell you how much I love you, then my lips will be on yours forever. Yamamoto thought.

Gokudera remained in silence. It was so warm. On the other hand, he felt disappointed to himself that he failed. But after wiping his own tears away, he smirked, and pushed himself away, falling away beside him to look away. "Idiot, like I would give a damn to what you say."

I'm glad you're safe, why do you have to be Yamamoto Takeshi and not any other name? Of all the people I am able to kill, why you?

Gokudera curled his hands up close to his face. Yamamoto smiled down, whispering tenderly into her ear, "Goodnight."

Yamamoto brought her closer to him as he pulled the covers up over themselves, ensuring that she gets most of it and watched over her as she slowly fell once he ensured that his princess is fast asleep, he took the knife up and examined it seriously. After a while of hesitance, he used the blade to pressed it softly against his fingers. The blade was so sharp he nicked his own finger. "Ita," he let out a soft gasp as the knife fell onto his lap.

It was the real deal. But the prince wasn't frightened. Turning towards her who was fast asleep, he lifted a lock of her fringe and caressed it.

Because no matter what happens, I'll still continue to love you.