AN: Rhododendron symbolizes danger and warning, if anyone's curious onto which flower it is: .

Disclaimers~: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! does not belong to me, it respectfully belongs to Akira Amano.

Chapter 4: Of bad dreams and lateness

He found himself in a quite familiar place. Adorned in light grass, sailing clouds and cool winds, he felt like he was at peace. Seeing the small flowers under his white and clean socked feet, his shirt fluttered with the wind blowing, and his hair joined the sway as well. Long strands flowing naturally like if was born to be blown, he sat on the flowered soil, fingering a small pink flower, feeling the delicacy of the tiny little beauty.

Rokudou could tell these small flowers were baby rhododendrons. They weren't matured yet, and were waiting to be watered and fed, but yet they, like his hair, danced with the wind. He looked up to the sky, which was finally a light blue colour, being adorned by the small gold and grey rims, as if the blue and gold mixing became grey.

It was still not a bright day, but it looked like dawn. It didn't look like it was going to get any brighter than it had, even if the light still didn't touch his face, it was rather shady.

When the "sun" was supposed to rise up, it got covered by the clouds, blocking its light entirely, making it a cloudy day. The winds began to pick up its pace as the petals from the rhododendrons fluttered off its stamens and remnants of pollen flew off. As the winds grew, the clouds had already looked dark enough to look like it was blackening. The blackening continued as he looked at the final petal of a few flowers fly off it, leaving a stem with nothing on it.

He frowned as moved his knees closer to him, reaching out a petal that recently flew off, managing to lightly grasp it, only to let it go in the wind, away from him, and away from the garden.

Green and pink were soon replaced with a dull green, as the light on the leaves vanished with the pink. It was like people who had to separate from one another, leaving the other person hollow and feeling agonized.

He wondered why he compared plants, one of the things he loved most, to humans, something he didn't like so much save for a select few.

But he made no comment on it as the wind continued to blow, making it the only sound in the garden, other than one of his pair of earrings. Because it was one of the three pairs that only had hanging attachments, it clittered and clattered with the wind blowing.
He remained seated there, staring without an expression in the direction the petals flew. Upon realizing that sitting there doing nothing was doing him no good, he stood up, dusted himself off and then began to walk in no particular direction.

As he walked, he saw three children who only looked at least four years old running happily, so he turned his head to look at them. Although he couldn't see their faces as they run in the opposite direction, he could tell they were happy little ones. One of the three children were leading them, as his short little hair swayed, almost blowing away a hat his friend wore. All three of them were wearing the same clothing, which was a white collared, black gown, with sleeves far too wide for children, shorts underneath their knee high socks, and black shoes. The children looked extremely familiar to him as he heard them laugh.

But these dreams can never always be so peaceful forever, and they never will.

When he saw the children playing among each other, he realized who they were. When he realized that, he noticed the other children were still laughing, while the other child looked sad, holding the tip of a familiar weapon. Because it didn't have the long rod part, he held onto the silver edge of it as he turned away from the happy children.

He saw three more children come by as the child left them, his small shoulders shaking as veils of crimson began to shed itself, covering the cute laughing children, soon to be revealing to be people covered in crimson, the colour of their own blood and the children were crying as their 'leader' had his back facing them. Rokudou could tell by just looking at him that his expression was empty, like his, and how he refused to tell them anything they asked for.

Even if he couldn't hear the questions, he knew what they were asking. He tried to say something to them, but even he couldn't hear his own voice as his mouth slowly moved. The children didn't seem to hear it but the leading child; Rokudou, turned around to face them. He had a smile so sad that the children who saw it were frozen with tears dripping down their small faces.

Rokudou noticed that the little Rokudou wasn't looking at them, and he froze in place. His eyes widened when he realized that the little Rokudou was looking straight at him. For once in the whole time, the only thing he heard was the little one saying "I'm sorry" before his trident reddened, even though he made no motion to move, all of the children who were following him finally crashed to the ground after losing too much blood.

The little Rokudou simply stood there, watching the people behind Rokudou began to fall like rain, making him snap his head to look infront of him, seeing all the flowers were replaced by corpses and blood adorned the once dull green, leaving a grey and red mess, with a foul stench of blood everywhere.

"We are only meant to be corpses" he lastly said, using the name 'Mukuro' when he said corpses, as if he was referring to himself. Rokudou made one last glance at the little Rokudou who without any movement lodged his trident's silver tip into Rokudou's heart, immediately seeing his own blood flying as he was falling.. falling.. falling..

…

Falling back into reality.

Rokudou awoken frightened, putting his heart to his chest with a lowered face. He usually had dreams which involved murder, but it never came to the point that he himself would be murdered within that dream. By he himself.

It wasn't an entirely scary- like horrifying dream, but it only scared him because it was like he actually felt all what was going on in it, like if it was a projection rather than a dream itself. He wanted to scream and cry, but he only let the sweat dampen himself as he lightened the grip on his shirt, unsure of how early it was as the sun wasn't out yet, or to him it wasn't. He never seen the sun brighten. Ever.

Once his heart stopped thundering in his chest, he looked at his phone to check for messages, which once again found nothing on. There really was no mission for the day and he had himself frantic over it. But wait..

That could also mean he was fired? Maybe they found someone else that they can use, and therefore disposed of him. No that's impossible. They can't. They won't.

Can they?

Rokudou swallowed a lump in his throat, shaking as he started texting on his phone asking them about any new sort of mission, after sending, he dropped his phone due to his willpower failing on him as he continued to shake. He felt a familiar feeling of coldness again as he struggled to throw himself off bed because his body was refusing, tired out by a dream that wasn't even real.

Once he managed to force himself out, he went to the bathroom, gazing at a mirror. All he saw was a teenage boy who looked really tired. Tired of everything he has to live with, tired of being alive. Was he even alive? He didn't even know.

He washed his sweat drenched face with cold water, feeling the icy cold liquid freeze his already cold face and letting the tap run slowly on his hands. He didn't care if his face was still wet as he watched the water flowing on his hands, and then looked again at his reflection. Still so tired looking, but this time rather than having an expressionless shaded eyes, they were filled with worry now.

He needs to stop involving himself in things he doesn't want to. But he knew that Jyoushima, Kakimoto, Dokuro, M.M and Fran would be the ones who'd suffer for his selfishness.

Quitting was never an option, and it still isn't now.

He sighed, turning off the faucet, but he kept his hand on it, the other on the counter top of the sink. He certainly did feel a lot more calmer now, the shaking subsided and he didn't look like he just woke up now, but his thoughts were still the same; scared, shaken and most likely lost.

Lost and never to be found.

He doesn't belong to a lost and found, and nor will he be able to find his way there.

Forever to be dangling from chain to chain, butterfly like eye lashes begin to veil his heterochromatic eyes. Someday if things get a little more settled with his family, he'd be able to escape the seventh hell he was going through.

Just like his name: Rokudou Mukuro. The Six Paths of Death.

He was once told that it had to do with Buddhists' belief of the cycle of death, and because he felt like he was a child who bypassed so much phases of hell, he thought it was a rather suiting name for him when he called himself that.

No one disagreed.

Because when he was asked about these different paths of hell he 'experienced', he was able to give full details of the paths, from the path of the Naraka, to Hungry Ghosts, Beasts, Demons, Humans, and finally Heavens. Upon telling them everything he 'personally saw', they were able to conclude that knowledge didn't come from any book and decided, that would also be his new name.

It was at least a better name than just numbers, as it was able to bring shivers down everyone's spines who heard that name during that time.

But that was a long past, even if people feared him now, it was because he was a stranger. Not many knew of his current skill set, and how he behaves, all they know is he is a force to be reckoned with. They only know that because the unnatural heterochromia.

It wasn't like he shown them any of it though.

He let go of the faucet and dried his face and hands which were almost dry by now, but did so anyway. Maybe someday he'll be able to change that life of his. Just maybe.

All he can do for now is continue living.

Even if it was a drag.

He stepped out of the bathroom and changed clothes, changing to a black dress shirt rather than a white v necked one, putting on a vest, then his tie and coat, with his signature belts, black pants and white socks. He'll put his boots on later, when he leaves.

Speaking of leaving.. What time was it?

He put on his watch and then put his boots on. He was pretty darn late compared to his usual waking up time. It was a Wednesday morning, so that meant he would be able to stay in his dorm for Thursday because it's a day off for him. He ran out of the room, taking whatever he needed as he locked the door as he was told then saw Giotto was waiting for him outside the building with a small smile on his face.

"Rokudou-kun, there you are" Giotto sighed out of relief upon seeing his friend, Rokudou nervously smiled "Yeah, sorry for my lateness. Did I keep you waiting" he asked, trying to look pleasant, then Giotto shook his head "You haven't. You have nothing to fear, I was only waiting for ten minutes" then Rokudou frowned, and Giotto looked confused

"Did I say something wrong, Rokudou-kun?" he asked, looking truly concerned, so Rokudou waved his hands while shaking his head "No, just feeling a bit bad for making you wait all this time" then Giotto smiled "Rokudou-kun. Don't feel bad, friends wait for each other all the time, it's a routine thing" he reassured, Rokudou looked confused then, but smiled at the blond "Thanks for understanding" he said as they both walked over to the school building.

Giotto didn't tell him, but he noticed that Rokudou looked a lot more down spirited than he already had looked. Sure, Rokudou did have a sad look for most point, but today he looked a lot more than usual, and Giotto wasn't someone who'd force people to look more pleasant when they are not in the mood for it, so he kept it quiet.

Rokudou knew Giotto was looking at him from time to time, but he didn't want to ask, because he thought it to be embarrassing to ask him about anything unrelated to homework. So he decided to spring up a conversation "So.. The assignment" he started, before awkwardly looking away, then to Giotto "Hm. The group would be doing it today, I'm glad you'll be able to join us, Rokudou-kun" the blond replied with a smile, making Rokudou look away with a slight blush "I'm sorry Rokudou-kun, I might be embarrassing you, but I'm really glad to have you working with us" Rokudou then looked back at him "Ah, n-no. Its fine, just a foreign feeling" Giotto smiled again "You're not used to having friends, aren't you?" to avoid speaking too much, Rokudou nodded.

"Well, remember this then" Giotto walked faster and stopped infront of him "You'll always be our friend, alright?" Rokudou smiled "Even if you just got to know me in a day?" Giotto laughed "You don't have to know friends for so long to count them as a friend, you may only know them for two seconds and still call them a friend" he then went behind Rokudou and pushed him forward even if they were still walking. "H-Hey, no need to push me, I'm walking, I'm walking" feeling more embarrassed, he almost fell because he was losing his footing.
"Can't be helped, lean bones" Giotto teased as he went to the door "I'll even make sure you eat fine, you're too light, I believe even Sasagawa Kyouko chan can pick you up with no problem" he said as held the door knob, Rokudou just stared surprised at him "And no, putting on layers only makes you look more thin, Rokudou-kun" he scolded.

Now Giotto was just downright embarrassing him. He was aware of his bad weight because he refuses to spend a lot of money on himself other than a required amount to keep him alive, but not to keep himself at a really good rate. He was a light weight after all, but it wasn't like Giotto was some big guy himself, even he looked pretty thin for a short boy his hair looked like it had everything it needed as it was always in style.

When Giotto opened the door, he saw everyone turned their heads over to him and waved, some said "Good morning" to him, as he returned the gesture by greeting them back and waving at them, motioning Rokudou to stop hesitating and come inside.

Rokudou awkwardly waved his hand as they all returned it to him as well. He noted that Gokudera, the one who skips a lot, was there too, and was scolding everyone for their "Lack of enthusiasm in greeting him" which made Giotto laugh

"It's alright, Gokudera-kun, they said it just well. There's no special requirement after all, I'm no king" he said after laughing and sitting down, Rokudou didn't know where to sit so Kurokawa motioned him to sit beside her as that seat was empty, and Gokudera was with Giotto, along with Yamamoto.

"By the way, Yamamoto kun, how's Lambo kun doing?" Giotto asked as he took out his notebook "Oh he's doing fine, he said he made a new friend with a shy girl" at the mention of 'shy girl' Rokudou looked up at Yamamoto "Chrome?" he thought as he looked, suddenly interested in what the black haired man was talking about.

"Yeah, he treated her to some lunch one time because she looked so hungry at one point, and they became friends after she helped him with homework" Yamamoto said, not noticing that Rokudou was still glancing at him from his notes.

Rokudou had a brow raised 'That sounds a bit how I met Giotto' then looked at the time again. Wasn't he a bit late today? Why was it still feeling like it was so early?

It was around eleven o'clock when Giotto and Rokudou made it to the study rooms, and time from then seemed to pass for eternities as they all chatted around, pointing each other's mistakes and giving each other advice on how to fix those errors.
Kurokawa noticed that Rokudou wasn't really noting anything down as she looked over to him "You already have it done, don't you?" she asked with a smile "Kufu.. Yeah, seems so" he replied, looking at his own notes, suddenly thinking he might've missed something. "Would you let us see it? I'll show you mine" She asked, showing her book to him, making him give his to her.

"Kyouko-chan, look at his handwriting" she said as soon as she started reading, Sasagawa looked over her shoulder and smiled "Hana-chan, you should tell him directly that he has good handwriting" Kurokawa raised a brow "That's why I'm showing it to you" she pointed out, making Sasagawa giggle as she turned her gaze from the book to Rokudou

"Rokudou-kun, you have really nice handwriting" Sasagawa said with a smile on her ever smiling face, and Rokudou smiled back "Thanks" he said as they went back to revising. He thought Kurokawa's sounded a little morbid with her writing, but it matched her personality of being a bit of a sarcastic one, who makes the best morbidity in his point of view.

Kurokawa thought Rokudou sounded very elegant with his style of writing, which was similar to Giotto, except for some reason, his book smelled flowery. Now Kurokawa wasn't the person who loved flowers and stuff like that, but the book didn't have a bad smell to it, in her thoughts. She just found it unique, but not too interesting. Maybe he had flower perfumes, she began to think and started laughing.

Everyone looked up at her, but she threatened to hit them if they kept it up so they looked away, as they went back to revisions. Giotto helped out the most when it came to grammar mistakes that the others asked about, while Gokudera fixed punctuations, as he already done it himself. His was well written, except some things were too descriptive, so they had it cut a bit, to a more considerable level.

Rokudou for most point kept himself quiet until he was pointed out for having a good flowing tone, so they had him help them with the tone of voice in their paragraphs. He added a few more notes on his as well, even if they said it wasn't necessary. The only one who actually had to add more was Yamamoto and Miura, who's paragraphs sometimes were going off or too short.

~Little time pass~

They were done within a half an hour, everyone's paragraphs at least reaching a page's length. They decided to go to the Marketplace, or otherwise called the Cafeteria for easy words to have a break.

It was almost time for lunch, and there were not so so many people there, but there was a considerable amount of people, but it didn't fill in the huge spaces within the room. Giotto got a bench spot which filled his group up, not leaving a single member behind.

"So, now what do you want to do?" Giotto asked as he sat down again, seeing as everyone filed in as well. "Giotto san, do you want to get something to eat?" Miura asked as she stood up "That's alright, thank you Haru san" he bowed as he sat, she went over to buy a little snack, Yamamoto and Kurokawa following her. Kurokawa because she just wanted to look and mock the quality of things there.

Rokudou checked his phone for messages, seeing one from Kakimoto asking how he's bringing himself up. He quickly replied with a vague message, just telling him he was alright, and that he was in the college building right now, having class in another hour. He went back to an expressionless face when he messaged him, and received another which said something along the lines of 'Please take care of yourself as well' to which Rokudou had a slight twitch on his mouth, lowering the same second. For no real reason, Giotto observed, before finding it rude to stare, so he checked his message and saw one from his uncle, otherwise known as the Vice Principal, Sawada Tsunayoshi.

They all looked up to the speaker when they heard "Sawada Ieyasu, please report to the Vice Principal's office, Sawada Ieyasu" then it shut off. Giotto had a sweat rolling down his cheek as he stood up "Sorry guys, I'll be back" he waved at them, Rokudou raised a brow "Sawada Ieyasu?" was that his real name? Then what about Giotto?

Everyone calls him 'Giotto', even the teachers, even if they knew him for just a day.

"Sawada Ieyasu" Rokudou said, then Giotto looked down at the seated Rokudou "Rokudou-kun, please continue calling me 'Giotto'. My uncle can't help but still call me by my name, and it confuses everyone" he smiled, looking clearly troubled. Rokudou nodded as Giotto went away from the Cafeteria just when Kurokawa, Yamamoto and Miura came back.

"Ah, where's Giotto-san going?" Miura asked as she looked at him when he was leaving, still walking to the table. "Oh, there was an announcement for him" Rokudou shrugged as she understood something he didn't. "Only the third day and he's already so busy" She commented, followed by Kurokawa's comment "Well he is Mr. Sawada's nephew. They're busy people" while shrugging.

Rokudou then looked at his contacts and then decided to text Hibari just for the hell of it. He smiled when he received an immediate response from him, so he began chatting with him over texts.

Giotto came back sometime later, looking a little uncertain, but when he came closer to his friends' table, he went back to plastering a pleasant looking face. Rokudou could tell by glancing that he was trying to look fine about everything, but he was thinking hard about something. He could tell because he does the same thing most of the time, including today.

Rokudou stopped chatting with Hibari because he replied with a 'Going for a nap, talk to you later', Rokudou responded with 'sleep well' before putting his phone back. "Rokudou-kun" as soon as he put his phone back he looked up to Giotto who was sitting again "Sorry to bother you if you were still talking to them, you looked so excited" he apologized as he saw Rokudou looking curiously at him once he called him. "It's fine, he just went for a nap just now" he shrugged.

Once they all regrouped again, they begun to talk about a lot of things, and everyone had a chance to actually speak out what they were wanting to say. Rokudou was amazed by how easily Giotto was able to manage that, because usually in a group chat, one or three get left behind, but Giotto has a way to pull them back in just right. He really was a powerful one, he noted. Maybe that was why the tough Gokudera even looked up to him, even though he should be literally and metaphorically looking down on him.

Rokudou didn't have much to say, but nonetheless kept a smile as everyone chatted. He was brought up a few times by Giotto who asked him a few things, and those were one of the times he began to talk, realizing it was fine to be chatty with friends, as long as they listen to you, which this group managed very well. He then heard his phone ringing and quickly excused himself as he ran out of the cafeteria to attend the call.

Once he was far from everyone, technically in a bathroom stall, he began to speak on it "Rokudou Mukuro reporting." he breathed out, keeping the phone close to his ear as the one who phoned continued to speak. "A teenage?" he asked, not realizing the inaudibility of his voice as he heard the details and received an email of the same thing as well.

He looked at the photo of who it was, showing a white haired person with a playful smile on his face. He had a strange marking on his left eye, which was one of the most distinctive feature about him. This boy was named Byakuran, and was known for being in a rich family called the Gesso. Currently he was travelling from his team the Millefiore back to home, so Rokudou's job was to protect him till he reaches his destination. The mission might take him a day, and the payment was rather high, so he considered taking it even if he can't do it. At least he had a day off tomorrow, which was the assigned time.

He wasn't sure if he could tell Giotto about this, but he might have to make an excuse if he asked him about something. He went back to them within a few minutes, and once again Giotto asked him if he wanted to hang out with them on Thursday, which was tomorrow. Rokudou wouldn't have minded going just for browsing, but because of this job he had, he had to refuse it saying he has family plans, which Giotto didn't press further because family matters are better left confidential, like for example his family stuff. If he never told anyone of it, then why should Rokudou?

They all went to class shortly, and Rokudou had his phone off so that he won't disrupt the class, but seeing as though almost everyone was on their phones, it didn't look like it mattered, but because of his worry about them phoning him again, he didn't turn his phone on.

Instead he just listened to the lecture, seeing that Gokudera was taking notes, and Yamamoto almost fell asleep, Giotto just had his hands on his lap, hearing every word the teacher was saying, Kurokawa was looking bored but was listening here and there, Miura took notes as well as Sasagawa, who looked the most diligent out of the girls in class.

Rokudou then lost his thoughts thinking about Dokuro who was attending Namimori High because of the cleanliness which was good for her, again he was the one paying for her, which was why he was mostly concerned about her when it came to her schooling.

No, he wasn't overly protective, but he wanted to make sure that she didn't come across bad people, not in an obnoxious way, but as a brother would protect their sister when she needed it. The teacher then stopped as she took a look at Rokudou

"Rokudou-kun, was it?" he looked as he was being addressed "Are you feeling alright?" she went over to his desk, he nodded to her "You look a little ill, should I get something for you? Can you stand?" she began to ask, clearly evident that she was concerned for her student's well-being. "I'm fine, really" he tried saying, but then she had the health committee called, speaking of an ill-looking student who needed their attention.

Rokudou sighed. It wasn't like she wasn't listening to him, but she wasn't listening to him when he said he was fine. Giotto worriedly glanced at him, and noticed he did look a lot paler than he was. Like he was naturally pale, but right now he wasn't sure if he even had skin.

The teacher finished her call, snapping her hair behind as she heard a loud thud, followed by Giotto calling him. "Rokudou-kun!"
She went away from the phone to Rokudou who apparently fell off his desk and immediately called a few students to help him out to the health committee, which Yamamoto and Kurokawa volunteered, refusing to let Giotto do it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Line~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Just a little issue of low blood pressure" one of the members outlined to Yamamoto and the teacher who ended up coming by as well, since she put the students on a fifteen minute break. "Has he eaten anything today?" the student asked, looking at either the teacher or Yamamoto. The teacher also looked at Yamamoto because she didn't know "I don't think he has" Yamamoto smiled, troubled. The student gave him a blank look as he adjusted his clipboard, "That would explain it, when he wakes up, we'll give him something to eat" the student reassured, leaving the room. Giotto was at the door, waiting patiently

"Is he alright?" he asked as he came inside after the student left "Yeah, just a little blood pressure issue" Giotto sighed in relief. "Not too serious, is it?" he asked, looking at his phone afterward, the teacher shook her head "Thankfully. Do you know any of his relatives that could probably take him home?" Giotto looked at her for a few seconds before responding "No, he doesn't have.. relatives who live with him" which was why he went to Hibari's number and called him to take care of Rokudou when he will be discharged from the room.

Giotto looked less than done when he was talking to Hibari, who probably was refusing because he was doing something else, or simply being a rude one, or so what Giotto says. Rokudou opened his eyes and sat up, looking at the three "Ah, Ms. Kisaragi, Giotto kun and Yamamoto kun, aren't we in class?" before laying back down because he jolted awake once again, rather than slowly letting the blood flow.

"Rokudou-kun, it's alright. I'll have Giotto-kun here get the notes for you for today's class, but now that you're awake, please have something to eat. The doctor here recommended that" she advised him, as he frowned. As if he'd waste money on food here, it's a rip off artist! "I called Mr. Hibari over, he should be arriving in a few minutes" Giotto responded then, looking in the range of pity and laughter.

"Mr. Hibari?" Rokudou looked at him, perplexed. "Yeah, he said he'll be here in.." he looked at the door to see Hibari coming in "Right now" he smiled as Hibari reached for Giotto's head "Calling me on my sleep" he grumbled, tightly grabbing Giotto's head as Giotto laughed nervously "Mr. Hibari, don't tell me it's not an emergency. It was a legitimate reason" he still laughed as the pressure, and the teacher tried intervening between them

"Okay fine. I'll take Rokudou Mukuro back" he replied, letting go of Giotto's head before casting a glance at Rokudou, who blinked at him a few times. "Oi, can you stand?" he asked, looking straight at him, Rokudou nodded as he sat up, slowly this time, before standing. Hibari noticed he was still a bit wobbly, so when Kisaragi made him sit down again, he lowered himself to his level, back facing his.

Rokudou looked startled at first, until Hibari said "Come on", making Rokudou feel blood rushing through his head as he felt embarrassed. He bit his lip but then slowly got onto Hibari's back, who held him like a piggy back ride. Kisaragi then told Giotto and Yamamoto to come back to class with her as she told Hibari to take care of Rokudou who then said "Who said.. I'm taking care of him?"

~Some time later~

Because Rokudou's dorm room was locked this time, and Rokudou didn't look in a state to be waking up, Hibari had him in his couch in the office because he still had work to do. He had him covered in a blanket, and in case he ran with a fever, a towel was placed on his head.

Hibari simply watched for a few minutes as Rokudou slept. He was able to get a good detail on what he looked, now that he wasn't distracted by him, who always asked a question whenever he tried to study him.

The reports that he received from his personal research yesterday were proving to be correct though. After receiving his phone number yesterday, he conducted a quick research on him, finding the family doctor who tends to him and his 'friends', better called siblings, and found medical reports on him as well.

He wasn't able to get a total backstory, but he got things that explained his health and lifestyle, current lifestyle that is, not the one by the time he was twelve, but only when he was thirteen, when Dokuro was around eleven, when they started her medication.

The report said Rokudou was someone of pretty weak health, and sometimes would get blood loss because of his malnutrition that he refuses to treat even when the doctors told him to. Whenever he was asked as to why he never treated it was simple

"It's a waste of money" they quoted on his record, as he said that quite a lot whenever they asked him, so they thought it was noteworthy. They wanted him to go under therapy for better self-care, but he again refused saying too much to spend money on.
A lot of reasons that Rokudou said were either "waste of time" or "not enough money for it" or "can't afford it". It made him think Rokudou was actually someone who didn't have a lot of money for things. Where he made money he wasn't sure because it wasn't written about any employment, nor was it government provided.

But now he was dead set to know what kind of job Rokudou does to get the money he gets for Dokuro's treatment, as well as their well-care. Hibari then thought, perhaps he could help out this child, who seemed more of a child to him now, considering he never looked at him as an adult yet, but he looked at him as a child with too much responsibility thrown on lean shoulders.

It was too much for him. Whatever he was doing.

Then Alaude knocked on his door, making him go and open it for him. He had a tray with him, and of course greeted Hibari with the blankest of looks, much like his own "Sawada said your guest is not feeling well, so he brought this over" he simply replied as he gave the taller man the tray. "Please do keep up with your work, however, it is helpful" he then said before leaving, and Hibari raised a brow at that comment. Maybe Alaude felt bad about not saying anything to him. Or that was his way of saying 'Thanks for the hard work'.

Hibari set the tray on one of the desks and moved it close to Rokudou, who didn't seem to respond to it. Hibari wondered if he was even breathing, because he was breathing ever so slowly. "Is your sky blue?" he then asked as he removed the towel off his head, knowing he wouldn't get a response.

But he did, he received a smile from Rokudou who was resting. Hibari wondered if it was something he dreamt of, or he actually heard that comment and replying with a smile.

~pov switch~

Unbeknownst to Hibari, Rokudou while he was sleeping then had a dream that was something similar to what he had in the morning, which was like a repeat of the morning, except Hibari was there rather than his younger self, and he was still in the peaceful grounds, seeing the sky rain actual water rather the scarlet rain that happened in his previous dream, the sky was clearing by a little bit, rather than the absolute greyness that he always saw. Rokudou looked at Hibari who put a few of the flowers in his hair and asked "Is your sky blue?" to which made him really smile as he wasn't sure if he said it out loud or just in the dream, but it made him feel happier as his dream-self began to see the sky clearing by a little, and put him on ease if not just for a few hours, but it was all the time he needed for being prepared for tomorrow.

By the time it was evening, he woke up again, this time feeling a bit better than before, as he sat up, realizing he was on a black leather couch, and that it was long enough to have extra space for him rather than him filling all the space on it.

He turned himself over to be sitting with his feet dangling on the floor, glancing at Hibari who was typing something on a computer, having reading glasses on him. Hibari noticed his glance and then stopped typing, and walked over to him. Rokudou gulped as he saw him come by with an indifferent look, until he felt his hand on his forehead did he relax.

"Hm, no fever" he simply said before removing his hand off him. Rokudou looked a little confused until Hibari put the tray on Rokudou's lap. "Here, Sawada said you have to eat it" he said when he was receiving a confused look again. Rokudou said nothing but stared at the tray, which had at least three sandwiches, and a drink of tea, coffee? Rokudou checked that one to confirm; green tea.

He looked at Hibari, who waited for him "If you're not going to eat, I'm going to shove it down your throat" he said after a few minutes of awkward glancing. Rokudou smiled "I hope you're not serious" but by the look on Hibari's face, it said anything but jokes. So he slowly broke one of the sandwiches apart, making a final look at Hibari who wasn't looking anymore and ate parts of it, after saying a small 'thanks for the meal' they would traditionally do.

After finishing one, he put the tray back on the table, looking at Hibari "Do I owe you again?" who smiled at him "Who knows"

AN: I do hope that people not think Giotto is in love with Rokudou, theirs is only a friendship thing, like you know those best friend figures in anime? Yeah, Giotto is those people.

Aaand as always, any sort of feedback would be greatly appreciated~