O.V.E.R.T.I.M.E

Chapter 5: Family

Thanks to all who reviewed and all those who actually bothered to read my story :3

jrlrock ,KuroMimi-chan and The Last Page!

KuroMimi-chan, thanks for noticing the apple peel thingo heheh.

"How did you do it?" Gokudera grabbed me on the arm, pulling me away from Tsuna and the rest of the gang.

This was the first time I've talked to Gokudera since the Kokuyo incident. We were still in hospital but it wouldn't be long before we could check out.

"Sup brah" I did the head nod, tryna act all gangster, "What chu talkin' about?"

Gokudera face palmed. I think I have a thing for making people face palm.

"Where did you learn to fight?" His grip became tighter, "and stop talking like that!"

"Oh erh, my mother taught me to fling marbles when I was young…" I trailed off, realising how stupid that sounded.

"…Anyone can fling marbles, woman."

"I mean like! Fling em really quickly and stuff! Well it's kinda like knife throwing except the weapons are smaller and are meant to be hidden up your sleeves."

Gokudera looked puzzled, "And why would your mother teach you that? You'd better not be a spy Watanabe, I don't buy that shit."

"My god you are so paranoid Gokudera, it's just tradition, I'm guessing the Watanabe's have a lot of history." I spoke as though I was not part of the family, "Truth be told, I don't really know much about them. My dad agreed to take on my mother's surname because apparently they were more dominant, but I don't know the details. My mother left us when I was nine."

"Oh" Gokudera simply said, as though he could relate.

Wanting to change the subject, I quickly blurted out "Hey last time you called me by my first name! Getting more intimate are we? Should I call you Hayato then? Heheheh"

The boy's cheek's reddened, "Shut up stupid woman! I was just...EURGH! I NEEDA PEE" He hastily let go and spun around. I was about to call out and tell him he went the wrong way but he had already stormed off too far for my voice to reach.

…

A summer festival, that's where we were gonna party hard YERH! Well Reborn did say it served as a little celebration after the whole Mukuro ordeal. We were to meet there at around five so I had an hour to prepare.

I dug through my wardrobe, looking for my mother's Yukata. She hadn't taken much with her when she left, so I thought I'd keep the yukata for myself, I liked it after all. My father told me it was something she had worn when she was around my age.

After a few minutes of frantic searching I finally found the yukata hidden deep under the pile of clothes. I pulled it out and held it up in the air, admiring the golden sakuras imprinted on its black fabric.

Excited, I then proceeded towards the mirror and tried it on, relieved that it was a perfect fit. I stretched my arms out and did a 180 spin before applying some mild makeup. My hair was pulled into its usual bun, high on the side of my head. A few accessories such as hairpins and bracelets were added to the finishing touch.

I glanced at my clock to check the time before grabbing my fan, purse and keys then headed out.

…

I walked up a few steps and towards the festival. In the distance I could hear the mingled voices of the crowds. It was getting dark and the stalls had begun to set up the lanterns, brightly lit ones of various colours. The sight was a pretty one.

"Yoko-chan!" I turned around to see Kyoko and a brunette girl rushing up the stairs.

"Hey~" I waved at the two as they caught up to me.

"You look so pretty!" The girl exclaimed, "Oh this is Haru by the way, and Haru this is Yoko"

"Nice to meet you" Haru smiled, "I'm from Midori girls and am the future wife of Tsuna-san!"

I wondered if the girl was aware of the fact that the person Tsuna liked was actually standing right beside her. Nevertheless, I thought her claim was cute.

Emitting a soft chuckle, I replied "Hmm nice to meet you too Haru, I'm expecting a wedding invitation in the near future yes?"

"Of course!" Her eyes gleamed at the thought, hands balled into fists before her chest.

"Let's go guys, we're meeting under the oak tree" Kyoko put an arm around ours and pulled us towards the said oak tree.

Her pace grew faster as the sight of a small bunch standing under a tree was spotted.

"Minna!" I heard Tsuna call out to us, guessing that he was particularly happy about the fact that Kyoko made it.

"Yo" I waved at the lively bunch. Bianchi, I-pin and Lambo were here too. So was Fuuta, I was glad he had recovered from the Kokuyo incident. Apparently he had been taken as a hostage.

After a few more greetings, we headed off towards the festival in a large group and stopped at nearly every stall we passed. Because of our large numbers, we would spread out around certain areas but stayed close enough for us to see one another.

I wandered off alone towards a goldfish catching stall; pulling my sleeves up and handing over some coins to the old oji-san.

The poi was held tightly in my hands as my eyes trailed after a specific goldfish. It was black with red blotches all over it – I wanted it because it was fat.

In a rapid movement, I attempted to scoop the fish up into the basin but failed quite miserably. The rice paper broke at the impact.

"Eurgh.." I groaned before handing over some more coins to the oji-san.

"It's hard, you need patience" he commented as he took out another poi.

The steps repeated and I soon realised I had already emptied half of the coins in my purse.

"Fwwwwack" I needed to save the rest of my cash for food! But then again I really wanted this goldfish… what about my takoya –

"Oi, what are you doing idiot?" I could FEEL something towering above me. I looked up to see Gokudera's face staring down onto mine.

"Trying to catch goldfish" I stated, looking back down at the pool of fishies before me.

"Che, lemme guess, you haven't caught any yet?" The boy behind me mocked, earning a stomp on his foot.

"WATCH ME!" I challenged, sending him a glare before swooping my poi down into the water and at the fat goldfish.

It seems like today just wasn't my day.

"Watch you fail?" He cocked an eyebrow before reaching down into his pouch. It was then that I realised how good Gokudera looked in a yukata. He was wearing a deep red one with dark coloured petals imprinted on them.

I was surprised when he claimed that he would catch one for me.

"Why are you aiming for the fat one? It's hard to get"

"It's cute!"

"..It's fat"

"I like how its belly just bulges out in such a handsome manner"

Gokudera sighed before looking down at the pool of goldfish, hovering his poi above the water and stalking the fat fish.

In an instant, he scooped the fish into the bowl without breaking the rice paper below. The motion was fast but gentle. The boy didn't just stop there; he then aimed for another entirely white goldfish. Though he caught it, this time he ended up breaking the paper.

"Ah crap" He held the broken poi before him.

"Wow you actually caught two!" I clapped and giggled like a retarded seal.

"Ye" He handed the bowl to the old oji-san who also congratulated him, "you keep the fat one and I'll keep the other."

"How bout I keep both?"

"How bout no?"

I scoffed but started giggling again when the stall owned handed me the goldfish in a small, see through bag.

"What's so funny?" Gokudera asked, holding onto his own bag of goldfish.

"Huh? Oh nothing, I just giggle when I'm happy" I looked up at him with a big smile, "By the way, THANKS HAYATO!"

The boy blushed, "T-toilet!" He said before running off, leaving me once again alone and confused as to why he suddenly couldn't control his bladder.

…

I was lost.

Lost as in I was unable to find my friends through the hoard of crowds that seem to be against my sense of direction.

Realising the chances of finding them were slim, I settled down onto a nearby bench and regretted straying away alone. Damn those takoyaki, they smelled so nice and intoxicating I just couldn't get enough.

I sighed, knowing that I wouldn't be able to watch the fireworks with my friends anymore.

Holding up the goldfish, I spoke, "at least I still have you…" Upon my words, the goldfish abruptly turned its back on me, causing me to send a string of colourful words at it.

"Maybe I'll just stuff myself up with takoyaki…" I trailed off, staring at the glowing stalls before me.

The trees behind rustled in the wind, sending a few shivers down my spine. It was getting a little cold even for a summer's night.

"What are you doing here alone, herbivore?"

"Eh?" I turned my head around only to see Hibari in a plain dark purple yukata. For some reason, it seemed very fitting… "Whoa Hibari, you come to festivals? Mind blown."

The boy narrowed his eyes, "I'm patrolling."

"Patrolling? You were PATROLLING all night? Holy carps you are such a no life Hibari…" I commented, giving him a tut of my head.

Before Hibari could speak, I thought of another brilliant idea, "HEY I KNOW, YOU CAN COME WITH MEE!"

"No" He blatantly replied.

"Why?" I pouted, "I'm lonely! So lonley~! I have nobooody~! All on my owwwwwwn OOOOH!"

Hibari covered his ears and walked away. Was my voice THAT horrible?

"H-hey Hibari! Wait up!" I tailed after him, clutching onto the sleeves of his Yukata and refusing to let go. "You can't just leave a girl there by herself right? She might get raped!"

"You'll manage" He said, looking straight ahead.

"OOH HIBARI COME ONNN" I tugged at the yukata, "I promise I won't be a bother!"

"You already are a bother"

"No I ain't – OH MY GOD TOFFEE APPLES OMGOMGOGMOMG LET'S GET SOME!" I pulled an annoyed Hibari (who surprisingly didn't bash me) towards the stall and bought two, "here this one's for you."

"I don't like sweet stuff" He remarked, pushing my hand back.

"It's sour" I noted, before standing up on tippy toes and stuffing the thing into his mouth.

Alarmed, he reached for the candy and attempted to pull it out but stopped when I told him wasting food was slack to the kids in Africa.

You'd think he wouldn't give a damn but I guess he had a heart...somewhere. (MY GOD, MAYBE HE'S LIKE HOWL FROM HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE AND HIS HEART IS ACTUALLY A DEMON LIKE CALICIFER.)

Hibari looked like he was having the time of his life eating the toffee apple. His face was scrunched up in disgust as he nibbled at the coat of candy.

"Dudeee…Hibari" I stared at him strangely, "The fireworks are starting soon."

"So?" He took his eyes off the apple.

"So…we should find a spot to sit and watch em!" I hooked an arm around his and pulled him towards a grassy area away from the stalls. There were a few trees around the area but I doubted they'd get in the way of our view.

"I can't believe you're not hurting me for doing all this" I remarked, settling down onto the ground.

Hibari merely shrugged and stood still where I left him. I pulled him down next to me, "sit!"

He grunted, "You'd better stop ordering me around Herbivore…"

"Hey I'm being thoughtful!" I frowned and lightly punched him on the arm but regretted it almost immediately after, "ERH DON'T HIT ME BACK PLEASE I WAS ONLY JOKING"

"I won't" He had his hands flat behind him on the ground,supporting his weight as he sat leaning back. A poker faced expression was on his face, "I don't want to ruin it…"

"Ruin what?" I tilted my head but was interrupted by the sudden explosion of fireworks that lit up the night sky before us.

"WHOOA" I exclaimed as I admired the fireworks, "So pretty…"

"Hn" Though a short response, I knew Hibari secretly liked them too.

"Why are you such a stoner Hibari?"

"Same reason as to why you're so annoying" The boy turned his head to face me. The light from the fireworks reflected onto his face, emitting a soft glow. I stared at his pretty face for awhile, earning myself a few weird looks.

"Who's there!" Hibari suddenly said, standing up and looking around the area.

"Erh Hibari…?" I too, brought myself up and scanned the place, wondering what Hibari was on about.

The fireworks had ceased and now all that was heard was the cry of the cicadas.

"Hmmm, I'm amazed you actually noticed my presence" a rough voice spoke.

I spun around to where Hibari was facing. A tall figure emerged behind the mess of trees and bushes.

The man was muscular but he was not bulky. Thanks to the moonlight, I could tell that he was dark skinned but light haired.

"The girl there" He pointed at me, "Watanabe Yoko correct? Hmm, you look a lot like her…"

I shifted closer towards Hibari and grasped onto his Yukata. There was something very frightening about this man… But I can't seem to put a finger on it.

"Come with me and no one gets hurt. Sound like a good deal to you?"

"You'll be the one getting hurt" Hibari glared at the man, pulling a pair of tonfa's out of his long, violet sleeves.

"Hmm? You…who are you to her?" The man advanced further towards us, eyes flickering from Hibari to me.

"That's none of your business" The prefect hissed, switching to a battle stance.

I took another good look at the man, now that he was closer; I noticed that his most distinct feature was his eyes. Eyes that were truly blue, but were so light they may be mistaken for white. Eyes that constantly reminded you of the winter…eyes of a Watanabe.

"You… your eyes" I was still clutching onto that somehow relieving touch of Hibari's sleeve, "...Watanabe?"

The man chuckled, "Hmm yes yes, we're family – which is another reason why you should come with me."

"F-family? Wait what?" I was confused. This may just out-confuzzle the Mukuro incident, "we're related?"

Hibari scoffed, "if you don't recognize him, then he's not family"

"A-actually Hibari…I've separated with my mum for awhile now and I don't really know much about my family." I corrected.

The boy looked down at me, "then why do they want you back now?"

"…I don't know…but hell naw am I going with that creepy tan-man!" My voice increasingly grew firm upon hearing Hibari's words.

That's right. Why do the Watanabe's suddenly want me to come with them? She was the one who left us in the first place! I ain't letting her screw around like this. I enjoy my current lifestyle. I'm not going to let it go no matter how powerful this "family" of mine is.

"Hmph" Hibari smirked, "Then… I'll bite him to death."

"Stubborn, are we now?" The man remarked sarcastically, "I guess I'll have to use force then… don't hate me for this."

It was a matter of seconds. With a quick swoosh of his arms, hundreds of small, flying daggers came crashing down upon us. Each exhibiting their own colourful strand of ribbon tied around their handles. It was like we were watching some sort of killer rainbow head towards our direction.

"Run" Hibari spoke, pushing me towards the right and away from the wave of daggers while he himself dodged the other way. His voice was surprisingly, calm as usual.

"Not bad" The man grinned, his blonde hair swayed in the wind – an effect of his attack.

Hibari did not speak, instead, he just sent the guy a few dirties before charging straight for him.

Tonfa clashed with dagger and a series of quick, flashy movements followed behind. The two struggled against each other, both sides trying to land a hit on the other. Their attacks were fast… to the point it just looked like a bunch of spastic movements to me.

I watched in awe as the clashing sounds unexpectedly ceased and Hibari stumbled backwards upon the floor.

"Yer a hundred years to early for me kid" The man arrogantly grunted, "I'm still warming up"

Hibari wiped the blood off his mouth and abruptly stood back up, asking for more. I knew he really didn't stand a chance. Hibari was strong, but this guy was even stronger.

"Wait Hibari! Don't fight anymore you'll get hurt!" I rushed towards the injured boy and beckoned for him to stop.

Surely we could just run? Or maybe I should just go with the man after all… I didn't want to get Hibari involved.

"Get away herbivore" He brushed me off.

"But you might get killed! Don't let pride get in the way of your LIFE Hibari, let's just bail YERH?"

"You know everything'll be alright if you just come with me right Yoko-chan? You don't want to get your friend here hurt do you?" The man stepped towards me, his pace slow and intimidating.

"I-I…" There was basically a mental argument going on in my head.

GO WITH THE FREAKY MAN AND DITCH MY BELOVED LIFE OR STAY BUT GET HIBARI KILLED?

"..Fine I'll go" I decided, "Just don't you lay a finger on Hibari okay? E-even if you damage a strand of his hair I-I'll –!"

"Shut up" The prefect beside me ordered, "you're not going anywhere."

"B-but you –"

"It's her decision boy, not yours." The tan-man was even closer now, "Well then Yoko-chan, shall we be off then?"

"…Y-yeah" I was frightened. My heart was thumping so fast it was threatening to tear my rib cage apart.

It won't be that bad right? They're family right? WHERE EVER HE'S TAKING ME WON'T BE THAT FAR…RIGHT?

I awkwardly ambled towards the man, only for a hand to wrap itself around my wrist and stop me in my tracks.

"You're not going anywhere" Hibari repeated, eyes boring into mine.

"I'm getting impatient" The blonde's voice grew even more intimidating, "If you don't let her go I might have to break my promise."

"Wait –" Before I could finish, the man suddenly turned his head towards the right. A few figures emerged from behind the trees and from the direction of the stalls.

"Yoko-chan?" A familiar voice called out.

I squinted at the figures but it didn't take me long to figure out who they were.

"Shit not them too! I don't wanna get em involved!" I cursed. Why now of all times?

"Yoko-chan!" Tsuna and the rest jogged towards us, "We finally found you!"

"T-tsuna! Get out of here, ALL OF YOU!"

"What happened?" Yamamoto looked right at the man before me, "who is that?"

"He's dangerous, get away from here!"

"Oh? More friends of yours? You sure are popular Yoko-chan…" The man chuckled.

"Is he hurting you?" Hayato pulled out a few dynamites from his pocket.

"N- I mean Yes! Erh I MEAN JUST RU –"

"Valentino" Reborn's voice quietened all, "What are you doing here?"

The blonde man had an unnatural smile attached to his lips, "Reborn… fancy meeting you here in Japan."

I shot the baby a confused look, "You know him?"

"..Yes. Valentino of the Watanabe clan."

"Watanabe… You knew them? You knew I was… Why didn't you tell me!"

"There was no reason to" Reborn said simply.

"Oh my god…" I was tired of all this random shit happening. This was supposed to be a good day. A GOOD DAY.

"Reborn" The man's deep voice spoke again, "Do me a favour and ask the kids here to back off? I don't want to hurt any of them, but little Yoko-chan here is definitely coming with me."

The baby did not look the least bit frightened, "If I'm not wrong Valentino, you are the one who owes me a favour."

"…" The man narrowed his eyes but inclined with a small nod of his head.

"And now I want you to return it. Go." The baby pointed towards a direction away from the festival, "Get out of here, get away from Watanabe Yoko."

"Che.." The man frowned but did not refuse, "Reborn, know who you're toying with…"

With one last glare at Reborn, he then stepped away from me and warned, "You can't escape from family, Yoko-chan." Upon those words, he turned his back on us and left.

dundundun, sorry if this chap was a bit of a boreeeee. Thanks for reading anyway! I LOVE YOU. Review please? :3

(Sorry if there are any retarded mistakes in here, I'm debating as to whether or not I should get a Beta-reader)