Gokudera examined his feet. It looked badly bruised with an ugly big patch of blue black. It would be a miracle if he could even stagger his way out of the clearing. It even hurts when he remained immobile, sitting underneath the lightly shaded area of the clearing. But he knew he couldn't stay here for long. If he were to give in to a 'minor injury' and settle his ass here for a long period of time, its going to get dark and then he's probably going to be devoured by nocturnal beasts or die from cold.

"Ngh…" Gokudera got mentally prepared as he pushed the ground below him with a hand and rose up REALLY slowly to his feet (foot). As predicted, his ankle, as what he described, 'hurt like fuck'. "Damn this thing…" Gokudera looked up into the sky. "The time now is probably around 4… I have just 2 hours more before sunset. This is a whole piece of shit."

He knew he had to get back fast. Or else some idiot will get epic full-blown panic attack. And start to sprout crap and starts to hug him stubbornly. Gokudera rolled his eyes as he concentrated on the slanted terrain that will probably be the easiest for him to gain access to the ground level above. If he could just set foot upon the secure looking rocks, he could easily push himself out of this place, hurry up and see Yamamoto again.

Just as Gokudera was struggling to the opposite side of the circle, he felt wind. It was abnormal, considering its strength from where he could be.

Gokudera's eyes grew wide as something shot out from his side, and his own blood was sent flying in a messy splatter forward.

Wha?

Gokudera was too stunned to register the shock his body took, not until he unconsciously fell to his knees, and let out a loud cough. Blood splattered once again like a shower of red rain, dying the grass.

"Fuck… what's going on?" Gokudera stammered, his body quivering from the sudden massive amount of blood lost. He turned around and tried to adjust his murky vision. He distinguished a large figure of… a dog.

"A wolf?" He muttered as he squinted in irritation. No. It was more than that. That… creature, had size thrice the size of the largest dog, and that its fur was thrice as thick. There weren't any features Gokudera could make out, until the beast turned its head around, that unmistakable unblinking pair of indigo eyes. It looked like two large pearls. It growled, the low-sounding noise sent the leaves of trees swaying. Gokudera gritted his teeth as his hair swayed to the back.

The beast, or what Gokudera concluded as a demon wolf, opened its snout to let out a hell of a roar, spit flying astray. "If you're planning on playing with me, then I won't really hold back either." Gokudera instantly produced his own weapons, his dynamites, getting ready. The looks of that puppy was enough to make Gokudera feel its murderous intent, and judging from how much it was burning, it was clear to the bomber that this is not going to end with a clear win.

But he didn't set out to never return. Gokudera just needed to try, even if he's going to die. The beast lunged forward, baring its fangs as sharp as blades.

"So fast," Gokudera tried to dodge since he didn't have time to block or strike. It got him in his left arm, 3 crimson red lines running almost symmetrically down its length. Gokudera winced and cursed.

The bomber had no time to waste. Now learning its speed, another attack can very well happen. Whipping around, Gokudera only saw one of its galaxy indigo eyes, and the rest was the black fur of his. It leaned over that close before Gokudera realized what was happening. Quickly, he launched a mini stick of dynamite propelling into the air in cartwheel motion with a flick of his thumb. The small explosive done a great deal of damage as it exploded between him and the demon wolf.

But with his simple style of defense by locking his arms in an X infront of his face was not enough to full evade the impact. Gokudera found himself flying a short distance before crashing hard onto the ground. Groaning, he tried to sit up, but his back won't listen. The wolf charged forward once again. He needed to defend himself fast before he was sent to the gates of heaven, the last thing he wanted to remember before departing was fangs and blood.

Summoning strength, he hurled two more explosives ahead without thinking it through. He just needed to survive. Even if it means he's going to get severely injured, so be. His strength proved little, for the bombs exploded only a mere distance before him. The wolf manage to get out unscathed, but the explosion broke the already broken Gokudera some more. Wounds opened wider as physically conditions depleted.

"Damn it…" Gokudera was too angry with himself but only had enough energy to grit his teeth tightly down. He glared angrily but helplessly as the wolf approached. It's not going to end like this. It simply can't. Gokudera struggled against all odds just to stand up on his two feet, though he his ankle still stung. Dirt fell off him as he nearly staggered to a side off balance.

What's wrong young assassin? I'm the storyteller in this puppet show. And this is a story you won't survive. You failed me, so I'm going to dismiss your meaningless life, right here, right now.

I won't die like this. For my special idiot, I refuse.

The wolf's eyes were as good as red, like it could only see the colour of blood. It exposed its jagged teeth and came forward again. Gokudera saw his chance. He either do the last thing he could, or just suck it all up and die horribly. He threw his dynamites one more time, allowing his weak and now rather fragile body to be once again struck by his own attack. The wolf took in a little of the damage as Gokudera heard its yelp. The bomber on the other hand, was propelled backwards, waiting for his body to hit into something and fall into debris.

Until someone caught hold of him gently from behind.

There was a sharp sound of a swinging blade sliced the air.

They landed on the grass safely. He sat down and allowed her to rest against him on his lap.

"Dera that was rather reckless of you." The usual mocking, cheerful voice was heard, and it was also the voice Gokudera wanted to hear the most.

"Takeshi what are you…" Gokudera lifted his chin up high to look at his soft hazel eyes and the usual warm, sweet smile. He didn't understand it at all. Why did this idiot keep appearing whenever he is suffering, be it in silence or in obvious pain? How was it that every time he needed help the most, this idiot will always be there for him?

"Takeshi. Run."

"Eh?"

"DO YOU HEAR ME YOU BASTARD! I SAID RUN!" Gokudera shouted out, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth as he grabbed his collar, pulling himself closer to the stunned prince to make his words clear. "IF YOU STAY HERE ANY LONGER, WE'LL BOTH DIE! AS YOU CAN SEE I'M FINE, AND I DON'T NEED HELP TO DEAL WITH SOME OVERSIZED PUPPY, ESPECIALLY FROM A BIG IDIOT LIKE YOU! SO LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Dera you…" Yamamoto looked saddened by it, but then he smirked, a cocky smile across his face like he refused to take his princess's advice. "Sorry Dera, just let me protect you, even if its just this once. I don't intend to run, but I will risk my live for the sake of yours," The prince lifted his lover carefully off his lap and shifted her next to his side. He stood up and the bamboo sword he was armed with all this while revealed a simple long blade.

"…" Gokudera watched his determined smile as he turned back.

"I'll be back, don't miss me too much alright?^^"

"DO I LOOK LIKE I GIVE A SHIT TO YOU!"

The blue rain-classed flame burning fiercely with resolution that even Gokudera was spellbound by it watching the flame go ablaze with the slight trace of moving water. The prince approached the kicking beast. It suffered a deep cut across its neck from his previous attack. Just a little bit more above then it would most probably be fatal. Now it looked nothing more than a whimpering puppy. Yamamoto didn't wanted to hurt it, but if it means to use force to subdue it before it gets out of control and cause bloodshed, the usual merry prince would not hesitate to hold back.

Oh? Kufufufu… so a new puppet decides to join my storytelling session? That's perfect… as they say, the more the merrier, I bet this is going to be a really interesting story…

The prince squatted down beside it on his guard. Almost fearless, Yamamoto stroked the side of the demon wolf's face. It growled furiously, like an enemy who refuses to be taken pity upon. "I'm sorry about that. But you threatened to hurt someone really special to me. So I had no other choice. Now if you just be a good…" The prince didn't even get to finish his sentence when the wolf shot up all of a sudden.

"TAKESHI!"

Crimson blood showered.

And they lived happily ever after…

Gokudera trembled at a loss for words. There was a brief pause of time and the air was still. No one moved.

"Dera…" Yamamoto turned around and gave her a sunny grin, like everything's alright.

When everything was clearly not.

The wolf was dead on the grass, a huge gash on its side. Yamamoto killed split second before it could do damage upon him. The wolf's last blow didn't put the prince mortally in danger, but it has still caused a frightening injury. Yamamoto's smile didn't last long, as Gokudera predicted. He dropped to his knees and fall onto all fours.

Just that mere sight made Gokudera panic to the point of tears. Enduring the pain that was creeping up his torso, he staggered to a standing position, taking what seemed like eternity to reach the prince, all the while muttering his name out in desperate need. It made him feel the sudden urge to move faster, not giving a care to his own body which was screaming out in pain. He fell to his knees next to him. The grass below the young tanned prince was dyed slowly with the bold colour of red, and it was still creeping across the soil. The prince took a deep breath and looked up. Despite his frightening blood soaked wound that penetrated deep into his body, Gokudera could see his eyes filled with merry.

"Dera, you okay?" The prince asked gently, almost smiling. Gokudera didn't answer, too scared by the sight of Yamamoto's pain ridden face. He removed the prince's palm off his face and nodded slightly. The look upon his face... it made Gokudera's eyes sting. Because of his rashness, someone he really cared for was injured. Gokudera hated himself for it and watching Yamamoto suffer was his own mistake and punishment.

The slight nod he received made Yamamoto's eyes relax in relief. Smiling with joy, he whispered, his voice dying every second. "Dera… that's great," And with that he collapsed onto the soft wet grass below. Gokudera finally understood that Yamamoto could stay so cheerful despite his life was at stake was because all he didn't want was to make Gokudera worry about him.

"You big idiot…" Gokudera finally allowed his tears to fall onto the grass below once he made sure he was alone. Gokudera looked up.

The wolf vanished without a trace.

Yamamoto was alone, surrounded in empty space of pitch black.

He looked all around but he couldn't find anyone. Worried, he called out her name. He received no response. He called for her some more. Where is she? Why isn't she by his side?

"Kufufufu… Yamamoto Takeshi. We meet again."

That snigger. Yamamoto's heart skipped a beat as cold sweat was on the verge of breaking loose. Why…. Why is he? I thought he is…

"MUKURO! Where's DERA!" Yamamoto demanded, shouting into the emptiness infront, behind, everywhere. The voice continued. "Kufufufufu…Calm down, young heir. Look behind you. I didn't touch your precious princess at all."

Yamamoto whipped back, only to see the familiar lady he loved standing still there, looking fine and just as beautiful. She wasn't smiling, she wasn't crying. She just… stood there. Yamamoto noticed how her usual jade green eyes didn't flash annoyance, but rather it looked dull, like she just woke up. Yamamoto didn't mind. So long as it's Dera, and it's the very person he felt love for, how she looked didn't really matter, he's simply glad that she's alright. Overwhelmed with relief, Yamamoto ran forward to hug her tightly before Mukuro could do anything to her. Gokudera made no attempt to duck away like how she always does. Yamamoto shut his eyes tightly. Dera what happened? Are you scared? Don't worry, I'm here now.

Yamamoto looked up from the other side of the embrace, gritting his teeth, he tried to search for the man that he hated so badly. He found no one, just his voice resounding through the darkness. The evil intend in the atmosphere made Yamamoto pull Dera closer to himself. What exactly did he plan to do?

"Prince Yamamoto-sama, just simply how long do you intend to run? It must be pretty hard for you isn't it… talk about such a painful past…"

"…" Yamamoto glared up furiously. It was all his fault that he made to suffer so much. "You… I can't believe it… you didn't die…WHY DID YOU COME BACK? ITS ABOUT YOUR DREAM RIGHT? I WON'T LET YOU." Yamamoto shouted out. For once, he was furious, no, ONCE AGAIN, after so long, he was furious.

"Oh?" There was a brief paused. Yamamoto knew very well that that man most probably was smirking. "Hmm… I find that rather unlikely, young heir. Destiny has fated you to lose, and by then. You will lose EVERYTHING."

Lose… everything…? "I WON'T LET YOU! YOU WON'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM ME. NOT HER!" To the prince, the young girl in his arms right now was his everything. "FOR ALL I KNOW, DERA HAD EXPERIENCED A PAST FAR MORE HEARTBREAKING. SO I DON'T NEED YOUR SYMPATHY. IF THERE'S SOMEONE WHO I WISH MORE THAN TO COMFORT, IT WOULD BE SHE! I ABSOLUTELY RE…"

The prince was abruptly silenced from an outburst. It was deafening, but if it was abnormal that the prince felt something was amiss.

"YOU took away EVERYTHING from ME! I could have had EVERYTHING! If you and your MOTHER didn't interfere, then probably you STILL HAD ARMS TO RUN INTO! YAMAMOTO TAKESHI YOU HAVE DESTROYED MY GREATEST DREAMS ONCE AND I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO DO THE SAME THING EVER AGAIN! AND I DO NOT HESITATE TO TAKE ANYONE YOU LOVE AWAY FROM YOU!"

Then silence. Mukuro was usually such a laidback person who calmly receives anything thrown his way. It was as rare as finding a diamonds under your pillow for the magician to shout. He meant business. Yamamoto on the other hand, was trembling. Not from shock, but from sorrow beyond repair. He was reminded of his mother. And the voice who responded to everything word….

Was the murderer.

For once after so long, tears of sorrow came from the merry prince. He felt ashamed. He has disobeyed his mother, when she used to tell him that he should always smile and feel forever cheerful. It hurts to think back. When you realized that the good memories you had once upon a time is no longer going to happen ever again.

I lost someone really important to me, so I'll make sure that I'll do everything I can to protect you, and that I won't ever repeat this mistake ever again.

"Oh. And about that young lady...?" Mukuro raised an eyebrow in the shadows of the darkness in displeasure, "She's your love right? Apparently she's someone you have a fond attachment to… but…" Yamamoto eyes grew wide at the last few words. It left his mouth, dead soft and questioning.

"Do you really think she loves you?"

"… Mukuro, just what are you implying?"

"If you think she loves you… then why doesn't she look a tad happier when you smile at her? Why could she cry everytime you are around? Why doesn't she even laugh with joy together with you at every single moment you two spend together?"

"…" Yamamoto, for once, remained silent. Of all the questions he could find the smallest answer to fight back… but now he couldn't. After all, Mukuro wasn't lying. Looking down at her, she didn't move at all and kept looking ahead with her sad dull eyes. She made no response when cold tears dripped down onto of her silver locks, sliding down and off.

"The rest is up to you know, young heir of Yakyuu. No matter how you struggle, I'll eventually emerge as the fine, glorious winner of this silent battle that will mark a significant milestone in Vongola History..."

Yamamoto felt the heavy tension lifted, thus concluding that he left. Yamamoto didn't know what to do know. Still trapped in this illusionary space, he was left alone with Dera collected in his arms.

"Dera…" Yamamoto stopped once he faced her. She looked so… dead. Did Mukuro do anything to her? Why does she look so pale? Yamamoto brushed the stray hair away from her face. Her body felt just as warm, a reassuring sign. Yamamoto didn't know what had become of her. Whatever it was, her condition worried him.

"Ya…ma…"

"DERA!" Yamamoto's voice perked up in excitement. Her voice was all he wanted to hear the most right then. He was happy that she finally said his name after so long of silence.

White light burst infront of the prince's eyes. He felt something bladed run through him, driving mercilessly through his heart at jet speed, slicing across with so much force he felt the whole arm and weapon bursting through his other side. Yamamoto looked down at the girl that pressed close to him, her eyes shadowed. She looked up and faced him. She was not laughing, smiling, or even crying. The usually irritation that flashed in her eyes was gone as they continued to stay flat and nearly souless. Yamamoto just tried to whip away his blood that stained her face like a modern art masterpiece before he fell away into yet another darkness. The parting words he heard from a distance hurt him far more than his wound that burnt in pain.

"She never liked you."

Yamamoto slowly adjusted himself to the soft but glaring light. He saw the canopy of tall pine trees infront of him, giving him a better shade from the afternoon sun. The first thing he heard was the murmuring trickle of springwater. Sitting up arduously to search for the source, he discovered a small stream not far from him. He also found his entire body (from chest to waist) covered with red silk cloth that was more of a shred of cloth than a medical bandage. All the blood that he was bleeding from his massive wound disappeared, leaving his toned skin clean, spotless. Sighing, Yamamoto recalled his terrible nightmare. In his dream, both the person he loved and hated. Rokudo Mukuro… he felt so vivid, almost as if his being is there. Yamamoto slapped himself mentally. Of course not, the magician is… dead. He died long ago. How could he… the prince was well aware what the magician was capable, and one of them he was certain of was dream visiting. But could that REALLY be the Mukuro?

The Mukuro who took his mother away?

He then remembered how his nightmare ended. Dera she…

Yamamoto let out a small gasp from the sudden realization. Dera! Where is she now! Forgetting how broken his body still felt, he rushed to his feet, only felt himself get pulled back. Still shaken, he thought Mukuro was about to do something devious. Whipping back with held breathe, Yamamoto's frightened face slacked to relax.

She was beside him all the time, leaning against the tree sleeping. Yamamoto raised an eyebrow in curiosity, for even in oblivion, her grip to his own bruised hand was iron, stubbornly grabbing it, not letting go. The prince paused and gazed at her sleeping face for a beautifully long period of time. He leaned forward, mind filled with doubts, confusions. He wanted to ask her far too many questions. Mukuro's suspicion made Yamamoto really disturbed, and that he himself started to doubt if she ever loved him. If so, then why does she refuse to laugh, or even smile? Ever since their first meet, their first kiss, Dera never acknowledged him, sometimes even angry at him, and even tried to avoid him. Yamamoto knew she had problems she has to face now, since she always looked unhappy, sometimes troubled to the extent of tears. But as much as Yamamoto wanted to reach out to her, she seemed as if she was forced not to do the same back.

It made him feel heartbroken. To think he couldn't do anything to help her. And she is acting like she really didn't need any, especially from the prince himself.

Realizing that her sleeping position may be quiet uncomfortable, Yamamoto made her relax and slack against him. Why was she trembling, as if there was mini earthquake erupting within the core of her body? Is she having a nightmare? Yamamoto just wanted to wake her up when she suddenly nestled closer, demanding warmth. Yamamoto smiled when he heard his name being mumbled in the middle of her sleep.

It certainly felt as if she was experiencing something rather terrifying. Yamamoto patted her head softly. "It's okay. I understand how it feels when you have a nightmare, you want to escape out of the space so badly but you realized that you have nowhere to run…"

"…" Yamamoto noticed in her other clasped palm, between her slender white fingers was a piece of red silk cloth that reeked of dried bitter blood. Yamamoto smiled goofily at the sight. So does that mean that his Dera has been taking care of him? It was only THEN he realized how much her dress has reduced from the full length gown that brushed against the marble floor to nothing but a skirt that exposed up to her mid calf.

Still caressing her in her what seemed like an unpleasant dream, Yamamoto looked around. Although both of them looked and felt better, neither has the strength to venture far. If it wasn't the worry for leaving her alone, Yamamoto would have bore the pain and searched for help. He just sat there under the tree, thinking with his simple-minded head (which didn't bring him far).

Their was a whinney. And trotting hoaves over crisp dried leaves. Yamamoto looked up and a bright smile lit up his face as he gazed ahead.

Stop. STOP. PLEASE STOP. DAMN IT WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO ME!

Gokudera was screaming out loud, but no voice came out. He was screaming in his head, his lips forced shut. The person he was screaming to was no other than himself, to his own body.

It was taken over. It hurt too much when he saw Yamamoto's face filled with worry as he called for him again and again, and that he could not reply. He was forced to stay immobilized. His body received a certain's person's instructions. He didn't know where he was, and why he was kept immobilized. Yamamoto was shouting to someone, but to whom? He heard no reply before Yamamoto starts shouting back. He looked so angry he appeared to be crying. Gokudera had the urge to hug back tightly, telling him not to worry, and that he's fine. But like he remembered, he was kept immobilized, or rather, lost control over his own being.

Then he felt his hands move. Wait. There was something in the grasp. Lifting his hand infront of him when Yamamoto was looking at him with such a forlorn and panicky face, he felt his heart race.

NO! STOP!

His very own hand disobeyed him, driving the knife through the prince who looked so sad and concerned for him. It penetrated deep and left him. Gokudera cried out loud, tears flowing endlessly like a gushing fountain. He shouted his name again and again, but no sound came out. Yamamoto died before his eyes, by his own hands, after wiping the blood off his own face.

Gokudera woke up by then. It wasn't abrupt, like how when you have a nightmare you just suddenly shoot up into a sitting position. He woke up like waking up from any ordinary day. It felt warm, really warm. And he found it different, and the ground below him was moving.

"FUCK! I FELL ASLEEP!" Gokudera cursed out, remembering the last thing he did was to watch over the unconscious prince in case anything happened. But maybe it was because of bring him strenuously around in search for aid, and how he worked without rest until he made sure Yamamoto's wound was properly taken care of, and that he was all cleaned up and comfortable, Gokudera was too overwhelmed by fatigue that he just let himself slip into the world of oblivion after staring at the prince for so long.

"Dera, you awake?"

Gokudera turned around and saw his prince gazing at him with his soft brown eyes. To see Yamamoto's smile, Gokudera nearly burst into tears. But he didn't want to feel so emotional now. He kept thinking about the nightmare he had.

Yamamoto, I won't forgive myself. Even if it's only a dream.

"Nee, Dera are you okay?"

"Sheesh," Gokudera ruffled his own silver hair in frustration, then he glared at the cheerful prince. Man he had absolutely NO idea what Gokudera had gone through. "What do you want? Idiot prince?"

Yamamoto's eyes opened as his smile suddenly looked kind of sad. "Hey Dera, you may need to rest some more. And about my injuries… thank you."

"Tch, you looked so gross with all the blood, what else can I do? Too bad I was low on resources." He snapped, looking down at his legs. After wearing dresses for so long, they felt naked. "Hey Takeshi," Gokudera looked left and right, watching the scene of the lush green foliage slowly move away behind him. "Where are we?"

"Oh right! Hahaha, I forgot to introduce you," Yamamoto pulled a rope at both ends, and Gokudera felt himself come to a halt. Curious, he sat up, resting in between Yamamoto's outstretched arms. Gokudera looked around below him and found himself settling on a rather handsome young cheery brown horse with a white belly. "Dera, this is Jirou! ^^" Yamamoto introduced proudly. Yamamoto watched it flicked its long face around, sort of like a greeting. Behind its long lashes, its big black pearl eyes flashed strength, youth and its energy set on a zesty burst. "I've had this big guy since I was my 11, and for 4 years we've been the best of pals."

"But I didn't remember a horse…"

"Ahaha oh yeah I forgot to mention. Jirou has an unusual ability of, apparently, sniffing people out. So I can leave him alone for a long time and go someone, you can bet he can find me. I came looking for you with him earlier today. He's quite something, huh?"

"Sniff people out? Isn't that like… like a dog?" Gokudera pointed at the horse and looked skeptically back at the prince. He smiled cheerfully.

"Yeah, just like a dog."

Gokudera sighed and leaned back against its neck, feeling its soft mane tickle his exposed back. Yamamoto got Jirou back into a brisk trot. "Great. So let's hurry up and go back. I had enough for one day."

"Eh? Did I ever said we're going back?"

"WHAT THE HELL! THEN WHERE ELSE CAN WE POSSIBLY GOING!"

The prince whistled and looked on. "It's a surprise okay~?" An uneasy feeling crept up Gokudera's stomach. Surprise? From this idiot? Well… if its only for him to stay cheerful then…

"After that, we'll turn straight back home okay?" Gokudera crossed his arms and turned away, making a side of his cheek fat with air in a mock angry manner. Yamamoto thought she looked really sweet.

"Ma, it'll be fun, Dera! Just the two of us…"

"Shut up you pervert."