Bleed You a River

by Platipus

Gokudera married Haru only to save Tsuna from having to choose between her and Kyoko. He told himself that the relationship was purely for Tsuna's sake, but he ended up having to examine his feelings when Haru suddenly died.

6. Yamamoto

"Too long," Yamamoto Takeshi murmured uneasily as the light emphasizing a new day only got brighter and brighter.

The man went out of his car and ran through the slightly opened gates.

Bringing someone back from death is impossible. I tried to convince myself that Aho-ushi can't be serious. But then again, nobody believed that time traveling was feasible. Yet the Bovinos proved it with their bazookas.

"Wait here."

Seriously, wait for what? That brat..

Is the cow guy planning to get his ten year bazooka? Maybe ten years later, his mafia famiglia will have found a way to bring people back from death. But.. is that really possible?

Or maybe.. it wouldn't be about correcting what was already done. Maybe the brat was planning to have me shot with a ten-years-ago bazooka? Maybe I was going to be given a chance to prevent this to happen?

But even if that was true, how? How could I prevent Baka-onna's death?

The kitchen clock rang. It was already the start of a new day. Outside, the machine of a high-end sports car roared, signaling the leave of the guests for the night.

"They're done? Finally.." the woman said as she reached for a new bottle of wine.

"Bianchi, you need to stay sober," advised her drinking mate, "Share the coffee with me. It'll be enough for the three of us."

Bianchi's hand stayed in mid-air. She needed half a minute to -even then, reluctantly- pull her arm back to the side of her slender body.

"I didn't know you love alcohol that much, Bianchi," commented the doctor from the doorway, "And to think I have known you since you were illegal for me to touch.. Have your collection of boyfriends changed you?"

"Shut up, Shamal. Just sit," the young woman glared at the homeowner coldly, "You know how nervous I am about this. You promised to explain the result of your examination on my brother."

"Yeah. An examination and an explanation which I would have never agreed to do if Reborn here hadn't gone through great lengths to ensure my participation," Shamal stroked his hurting left shoulder, one of the many unfortunate victims of Hibari Kyoya's tonfa swings. He shivered at the memory of the awfully terrifying things he and Tsuna had to endure in order to convince Hibari not to murder Shamal on the spot.

"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do," Reborn smiled so very sweetly, "Let's start, Shamal. We don't want to trouble you too much longer, do we?"

Shamal grunted, but he grabbed a cup for himself and started talking with a serious tone, one that he habitually hid behind the semi-parade of a perverted man, "I don't think I can cure Hayato."

The air in the kitchen got tremendously heavier. Bianchi took a deep breath and whispered, "Why?"

Shamal poured his coffee, not averting his gaze from the pot, "I don't even know what is actually wrong with your brother. I can't just drown him in a pool of drugs, can I?"

Silence hung for a few minutes until Bianchi raised another question, "I understand. But hasn't anything came to your mind at all?"

Shamal's eyed darkened, "I have considered several.. possibilities. But I can't prove any of them."

"Like what?"

Shamal warned slowly, "Well, I am not completely sure of anything at all, keep that in mind."

Bianchi's left eyebrow rose, "Okay.."

"The fact that they are possible doesn't make them true," the doctor carefully added, again.

As the mature beauty nodded, Shamal continued, "Don't let them harm you."

"Shamal, please!" growled the rose-haired woman impatiently.

Without letting his sight leave his coffee, Reborn chuckled, "You don't seem to want to have this conversation, Shamal?"

Slowly, the doctor turned his face to the baby, barely controlling his anger, "I don't. I've told you loud and clear," he hissed, "You know I don't, Reborn."

Reborn fixed his fedora, "You're already here anyway. Just do it."

"Shamal, when are you planning to begin your explanation?" Bianchi stared at the two men, suspicious.

The tired man's head rotated back to face his patient's sister, "Bianchi, you won't like this."

Bianchi only snorted, "I figured."

It took the unconvinced doctor a few more seconds to make up his mind, but in the end, he gave in, "My first guess is that Hayato bled because of psychological reasons. He wouldn't admit his real feelings for Haru-chan, but her death might have affected him much more than what he realized. That's it. Satisfied?"

The woman's eyes bore deep into Shamal's, she repeated, "Your 'first guess'? There's more?"

Shamal's grip on his coffee cup tightened. He replied, a little too fast, "Well, like most conditions in medicine, there are a whole bunch of other factors which might be involved. His diet, activities, unknown genetic defects, environmental hazards, maybe even side effects of the flames that we haven't yet discovered. I honestly think they're a lot less likely, so I wouldn't waste my time blindly digging into any. If you still want a list of them, though, I can make a list longer than a list of my favorite adult magazines' models."

Bianchi's focus didn't falter, "That was not something you'd try so hard to avoid, Shamal."

She was met with an awkward shrug, "Well, I can't help you cure your brother's broken heart, nor can I reanimate a dead girl, no matter how cute she is. That surely wasn't a very pleasant news for you?"

"You're hiding something, Shamal," it wasn't a question. It was a statement, one decorated with hostility.

The only sound filling the kitchen was the ticking of the clock and Reborn sipping his drink. Only after a few minutes later did Shamal put his cup down with a soft thud, "Are you sure you really want to hear this?"

"Absolutely," the female voice had no trace of doubt.

Shamal shot Reborn with virtual daggers, feeling overly mad and hopeless at the same time, "Then so be it.."

Maybe I should tell Baka-onna not to be with me? Ah, but that wouldn't work, since then she would be free to run after Juudaime. Her prolonging the competition with Sasagawa would definitely fish irritation out of the people who simply needed Juudaime's marriage settled as soon as it can. And then it'd be even worse, she'd probably just be targeted by people from allied famiglias, if not from inside the Vongola itself.

I groaned. How come is it that the storm guardian of the Vongola, who is feared by assassins, who has settled numerous deals under the most horrifying conditions in the mafia business, survived countless deadly battles, not able to find one –seriously, just ONE- safe way to ensure a law-abiding civilian to live past 25 years?

But even if I were to be able to find something to tell Baka-onna, would she even listen to me? I mean, her agreeing to be my spouse was already magical enough.

By the way, why again did she agree to marry me?

My mind went blank for a few long minutes. It felt weird. How come I have never asked her that? To think about it, there are actually a lot more questions in my mind that I haven't asked her. Like, the very basic: did she love me? Didn't she hate me?

Did I.. really not care about her feelings that bad?

I cursed at the chilling wind. How long was that brat planning to make me wait?

Ghosts sneeze? I pondered in awe. I wouldn't have known that if this filthy woman didn't badmouth me earlier.

What was that talk about killing me when I'm already dead? That greedy woman, I haven't even been able to take her life, and she planned to take mine twice? Bianchi.. she was seriously the biggest mistake in my life.

I sat on the kitchen counter, stealthily –well, actually, it's rare for humans to be able to see me, even without me doing anything- listening to my last ex-girlfriend talking to that surprisingly intelligent baby.

They didn't say anything interesting, though. I guess my stalking - I mean, spying - session on the woman tonight is pretty much useless. Just like the night before.. And the day before that..

I sighed wearily, hoping that someday my effort of haunting (definitely not stalking) that woman would pay off.

I thought some more on ghosts' sneezes. I'd say it was a very interesting subject. Do we, ghosts, spread diseases to other ghosts through sneezing, too? Or is it simply a natural reaction we brought from our living days?

I haven't found an answer to any of my questions when the silence of the kitchen pulled me back to boring earth. What's this? When did that old man join the conversation?

I once considered him as a possible future romance partner for the woman. One that I might be able to take advantage of. But since the time my eyes witnessed the woman throwing her phone to the wall because of the inspirational – I don't know about other people, but since I was, and should always be, even in death, a ladies' man, I appreciate the man's words and deemed them inspirational at the very least - voice mails he left on the woman's phone, I crossed him from my list.

Oh, and of course I have a list.

"Are you sure you really want to hear this?" his tone sounded serious. That's rare.

"Absolutely," that prideful voice.. I really want to break it, but how?

"Then so be it," the man -uh, what was his name again? Sammy?- continued with the same tone, "I think.. it's possible.. that your brother might be suffering from the effects of years and years of continuously taking various doses of your poison cooking."

Hnn, so the woman was poisoning her brother, too? I thought the talk would have been more surprising than the famed poison scorpion poisoning some guy? This planet is still boring.

"What are you talking about? Didn't everyone say Hayato wasn't poisoned?"

"Bianchi.. You know your own weapon. I've said it might not be true, but if it is.. It doesn't have to be detectable. Besides, Hayato's been taking it for so long that his body would probably just appear normal.."

"I.. I was the one who did this to Hayato?" the woman was trembling, some of her coffee spilling on the dining table, "Hayato.. he could've died.. Because of me?"

"Bianchi," the baby spoke grimly, "Your brother isn't going to die as long as his wound is properly taken care of."

Wait.

Her brother?

Her Hayato?

The person she loved the most in the whole world?

Bianchi might be in the process of murdering her own precious little brother?

"I've told you, Bianchi," I remembered that the talking man was Bianchi's family doctor, but still I couldn't seem to recall his name, "It might not be your fault. It might have all been caused by his mind. And, good for everyone, your brother's instinctively trying to help himself get better. He was just going to Haru-chan's grave. It's likely that he's starting to confront his feelings."

I dug my memory of the recent data collected from all the eavesdropping I did. So to summarize, Hayato, the essence of Bianchi's heart (after my death), hasn't been able to stop bleeding from his finger. One cause that might explain this is that toxic substances in his systems –put in by Bianchi- finally kicked in. All that it'd take to kill the guy now would be making him bleed to death, and didn't that doctor said that the poor guy's currently getting all messed up and emotional at his dead wife's tomb?

Oh, man. This doctor guy is seriously the coolest living person on earth! He made this disgusting ex of mine devastated and enlightened me with the golden chance to crush Bianchi's heart! Sweet!

With the sobs of my ex-girlfriend in the background, I went through the walls of that man's house. Straight to the graveyard!

My body felt heavy. The list of unasked questions seemed endless. I've already lost count. My head is spinning wildly, the neat thought pattern of my save-Baka-onna-strategy has been lost somewhere along the way.

Just now, I'm not quite sure why, but my resolve was fixed.

If I were to be able to meet her again, I'd tell her I love her, and then I'd say all the other things that I haven't told her. Ask all that I haven't. Be it through the Bovinos' technology, or some random shaman's service.

I'll say it: I love her.

"Hahi? Hayato-kun?"

"Tsuna?" Yamamoto's voice sounded grim as he shoved aside the curtains hanging as the temporary replacement of Tsuna's broken office door.

"Takeshi?" the grieving don answered.

Yamamoto handed his friend a newly written bundle of papers, "This is the report. You know, maybe you should read it later and get downstairs now. The ceremony's starting in ten minutes."

Tsuna nodded halfheartedly, more eager to read the file than lifting himself off his seat, "It's fine. I'm going to skip the prayers."

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed, "If you say so, I guess," and he repeated the sentence he has said a few hundred times in the last couple of days to Bianchi, to Tsuna, to their friends, "I'm sorry, Tsuna. I should have-"

"What are you saying, Takeshi? Stop it," Tsuna gloomily cut his guardian's apology, "It's not your fault.. Not Bianchi's.. Noone's.."

"Tsuna.."

"Please give me some time to myself, Takeshi."

The Rain Guardian shook his head, but his talent of empathy dragged his feet out of the depressing room, "Tsuna.. You're not alone in this."

The number one man in Vongola could only smile ironically. He knew that he wasn't the only one having to face the unwanted tragedy. Though, he wasn't sure whether that made the situation better or worse. Surely he had more people to share his burdens with, but that also means he had to witness more people whom he cared deeply of getting hurt.

Shaking the undesirable thoughts away, Tsuna started planting his eyes on the report he was dying to understand. The firsthand accounts of Yamamoto, which hopefully would explain how the young leader sending Gokudera to meet the best doctor he could find resulted in.. this.

The rather messy handwriting started with dates, timestamps, names, and numbers that Tsuna currently couldn't care less of. His gaze immediately jumped to scan the latter, seemingly more meaningful part of the script:

...I was asked by Gokudera Hayato to leave him in the graveyard. Instead of doing so, I chose to wait for him just outside of the gates. It was around five or six hours later did I notice the sun rising, and, judging from the fact that Gokudera Hayato never showed up, I concluded that something wasn't right. I decided that I've given him enough time, so I proceeded to go to Gokudera Haru's grave in order to look for Gokudera Hayato. I then found...

"Hahi? Hayato-kun? You're here!" exclaimed Haru passionately as she sat herself next to her husband.

"Baka-onna?" Gokudera blinked rapidly, "Why are you here?"

The girl pouted, "Hayato-kun is so mean, desu. You're still calling Haru stupid.."

Gokudera skimmed his surroundings, and, quite unexpectedly, located the man he was waiting for, "Lambo? What does this mean?"

The said person sighed, "First of all, if you haven't recognized me, Hayato.. My name's Romeo, not Lambo." His voice was bland with a vague tint of happiness, "As for your question, the answer is: You're dead."

"Romeo..?" Gokudera winced, "You're aneki's ex-boyfriend?"

"Hayato-kun.. Romeo-san was the one who told Haru that Hayato-kun was coming to meet Haru," Haru said in a low tone, "I didn't believe Romeo-san at first, because Hayato-kun was strong.. But Romeo-san said he'd make sure himself that you'd come here soon.."

Gokudera's face was furious when he glared at Romeo, "You killed me?"

The pleased man only shrugged, "Well, technically, you killed yourself, Hayato."

Gokudera punched the ground at his side, "Why are you doing this?"

A smile crept it's was into Romeo's face as he rose, "Any guess?"

Then, it struck Gokudera, "No.. Aneki.. You're trying to.."

"I can't wait to see Bianchi at your funeral, Hayato," with the same satisfied smirk, Romeo's body gradually ruptured into dust and vanished.

Gokudera cursed loudly, "You-"

"Hayato-kun," the sound Haru produced was meek, "I'm sorry, Hayato-kun.. Haru couldn't do anything.."

As he turned his face, Gokudera caught the sight of his wife starting to cry. He exhaled and reached her with his hand, "It's fine.. It's already done anyway."

Tears raced down Haru's cheeks, "But.. Bianchi-neechan..? And what about Tsuna-san and the others if you die, Hayato-kun?"

"Listen, we can't change what already happened. They'll manage somehow, they have to, and they will," Gokudera stroke her hair, a little rougher than what he actually planned, "Don't be such a crybaby.. At least we're together now."

"But.." Haru's sobs only grew louder.

"Sheesh, you idiot," Gokudera leaned closer to kiss her. When he finally broke the kiss, he whispered, "Haru.. I love you."

Bianchi's wails was loud. in fact, so very loud that it could still reach Tsuna's office, even when the woman was crouching in the garden several stories below.

Romeo stood in mid-air with utmost happiness painted all over his grinning face, observing the commotion caused by the woman he hated with all his rotten heart. Just as he wanted, Bianchi roared and screamed, claiming that her brother's death was her fault, oblivious to the desperate attempts of her family and friends to calm her down.

The paper in Tsuna's hand crumbled from his trembling squeeze. He tried his best to gently put it down, not wanting to damage it any further. Only with great effort did he manage to bring himself down the flight of stairs to deal with Bianchi.

To attend his right-hand-man's funeral.

In Tsuna's now-empty office, the wrinkled paper danced lightly when poked by the sneaking wind. The report continued:

...I then found Gokudera Hayato's body, already...

The last word of the sentence, even when compared with the untidy nature of it's preceding and succeeding scriptures, was especially malformed:

...dead.

The dead man kept his words of saying everything which haven't been said, "I actually loved those little dumplings you cooked on new year's eve."

The girl lying in his arms giggled, "Really? You said they were hideous, desu!"

"Obviously I lied, silly. They were addicting."

Haru laughed cheerily, "Tell me another secret, Hayato-kun!"

"Sure," Gokudera slowly explored his mind while toying with the brunette's short hair, "Hmm.. I've got one.. Haru?"

"Hnn~?"

Gokudera looked straight into his wife's eyes, "One of my biggest regret is not being able to cry when you died."

Haru's smile softened, "That's fine, Hayato-kun."

The man's brows fell down, "It's not fine! I'm your husband! I love you, but I couldn't even bring myself to-"

His words was stopped with a shy kiss, "Hayato-kun.. You've done something much much better for Haru.."

Unbelieving, Gokudera maintained his frown, "Really?"

Haru nodded in assurance, "Yup~ Hayato-kun have done the most romantic act any prince charming could ever done to his princess, desu!"

"Charming.. Prince..?" one side of Gokudera's brows rose, "What did I do.. exactly?"

Gleefully, Haru pointed at the more transparent part of the surreal ground beneath them. Though they couldn't hear the shouts of Yamamoto, who was just arriving at Haru's grave, the two lovebirds could still see Gokudera's cold body leaning on the marble tombstone below.

Following the paragraph, Yamamoto prolonged the report with a more detailed description of the unnerving scene. He mainly noted the presence of a large pool of blood, streaming down from the top of the grave and continued further towards a lower plane of land.

What Yamamoto wasn't able to observe was that the overflowing dark liquid wasn't only moving above the brown soil. A trail seeped into the earth beneath it. It went deeper and deeper until the current stroked Haru's coffin. The red fluid then leaked through a narrow gap in the death box's hard exterior. Inside, gravity pulled the soaking droplets closer to the buried body. The now dying flow fought it's way ahead, and finally stopped when it circled what was left of Haru's little finger, making a smaller pool not visible from the outside.

Unfortunately, even the dead soul mates weren't able to see what lied below the earth. Therefore, neither Haru nor Gokudera had any idea how true her words were when she said, "Though Haru once told Hayato-kun to care for injuries properly.. Hayato-kun bled Haru a river! It's almost as if we're bound with a scarlet thread of fate!"

"I.. Bled you a river?"

"Yup~ It's so romantic desu!"

Slowly, Gokudera turned his head back to Haru and pulled her closer for a lengthier kiss, "I bled you a river.. That's kinda cool."

A/n:

I'm so very sorry for not being able to put and end to this fanfic sooner. Please blame real life!

I made this last chapter much longer from the others.. I hope it'd make up for the delay, and thanks for reading this fanfic! :3

June 2014: I revamped the story, ran a major typo hunt. I hope it's easier in the eye now. Enjoy!