I looked at all of them one-by-one. From this point of view, I couldn't sense anything special, besides the fact that they act like they're not normal human beings. As if I was joining a group of aliens.
The lady, who seem to have this permanent star-slash-flower mark on her face, stood and called for our attention.
"We're a bit quiet than usual everybody! Why don't we talk about something?"
"Like what?" the soft-spoken raven-haired man asked.
"Don't ask her that, idiot," the purple-haired boy reprimanded him. "It's probably going to be mushy, girl's stuff, I'm sure of it."
"Besides, I like this silence," the green-haired guy chimed in. "It gives me a chance to read this book in peace."
Reborn and the other light-blue haired member remained silent.
"Oh, come on, guys," Luce invited. "This is going to be meaningful, I promise."
They all gave silent groans before giving consent. Luce beamed as she sat down.
"Okay, our question for the day is: 'What is your strongest desire in life?'"
"I told you all so," Skull nagged in a sing-song voice.
"Skull, don't be rude," Fon told him softly.
"Okay, Skull, since you're so open-minded with yourself, you go first."
"Wha-? Why me?" Skull's face almost turned as purple as his locks, but he simply let it go, and answered.
"My dream in life is to be the best stuntman there is! Yeah, I'll be called Skull the Great, and everybody will bow down to my awesomeness!"
They all stared at him compliantly.
"Charming," Reborn spoke, throwing an empty canteen at him. "Now, go fill this up, your Awesomeness."
"I will not be ordered around with the likes of you!"
"What's that?"
"N-nothing, Reborn-senpai!" Quickly, Skull picked up the empty bottle, and ran away. I almost laughed if it weren't so pitiful.
"My dream, if I may state, is very simple," Fon said. "To be able to master Martial Arts and have a class of my own. I do not wish for fame, like how our dear purple-haired friend desires, but rather, I want everyone to recognize that force is not synonymous to true power."
"What about you Mammon?"
Mammon looked up from under his patterned cap to stare at all of us. Then he sighed.
"All I want in life is to be rich," he answered simply, returning back to his original business.
"Yeah, good luck with that," Reborn replied, taking a small sip from his cola. Luce gave him a warning glare before beaming at the next person to answer.
"And, you Verde?"
"I wish for all of you to shut the fuck up. This is filled with nonsense and giddiness—two of my most hated things in life."
"You have my support, brother," Reborn said sarcastically, raising his fist up to be ignored by Verde. Again, Luce provided him with a chastise glower.
"Do you always have to be sarcastic? I mean, is that some sort of involuntary thing with you?"
"What?" Reborn reasoned out. "Sarcasm is my body's natural defense against stupidity. If I don't do this, then I may as well end up like a few certain people I know of." Suddenly, his face contorted into something that showed of pain, and he bent down to rub what seems like his bruised leg. I covered an accidental laughter with a few fake coughs.
"NEVER kick me in the thighs, woman," he cried calmly, if ever that was possible to be described.
"My dream is to be married," Luce said dreamily, ignoring Reborn's disgusted expression. "To be able to settle down and start a family. If ever I'm blessed a son, I'll call him Aries, and if a girl, I'll call her Aria." Instinctively, she stared bluntly at Reborn to warn him that she does not like a reaction. Reborn, on the other hand, took it in another way.
"Don't look at me," he said plainly. "Currently, I'm unavailable."
SLAP.
"Okay, Mr. Hotshot," Luce sighed, rubbing her hand and looking away. "What's you're dream?"
"For Verde's dream to come true . . ."
"Would you like another kick, Sir Satorini?" Luce asked in her own adaptation of derision.
"Fine," Reborn sighed, adjusting himself. "I want to finish law school, and become a first-grade lawyer, so I could one day replace my dad and be my girlfriend's new lawyer. That way, I will be able to convince myself that I am worthy to stand by her side and protect her."
We all stared at him with surprised expression while he countered us with a blank stare as he sipped loudly from his drink.
"Reborn," Luce breathed. "That's so . . . sweet and beautiful."
Said Arcobaleno smiled, and threw the empty cup away, towards the head of a passer-by.
"Bull's-eye," he muttered, pumping his fist as Luce rolled her eyes.
"And, what about you, Colonello?"
I looked up at Luce's smiling face.
"H-huh?"
"What's your dream?"
"My . . . dream, kora?"
"It could be a desire, for all we care," Reborn chimed in again.
"Shut up, Reborn," Luce countered.
"A desire . . ." I mumbled, and then looked up at all of them.
"All I could ever want in life is forgiveness, kora."
-m16-
Wake up . . . wake up . . .
Please, open your eyes and wake up.
Slowly, my eyes fluttered open only to be forced shut by a blinding white light. I blinked furiously to adjust to the sudden luminosity, and soon, I found her face looking at me with worry and, soon, with joy.
"Lal," I whispered.
"You're awake," she choked, trying but failing to hold back the tears. Soon, she was crying, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face into my shoulder. I weakly returned her embrace.
"Worried about me, Angel?"
"Idiot," she grumbled. "I almost died with agony! Never try and jeopardize your life again, alright?"
"Alright, alright," I consoled her, running my hand against her back. "I won't, as long as you promise me you stop crying, okay?"
She raised her tear-stained face and smiled at me.
"I'll try," she mumbled before leaning forward to brush her lips against mine.
My heart skipped a beat.
Wait . . . my heart?
Immediately, I sprang up, and involuntarily reached for my chest.
My heart was still beating.
But . . .
"Don't worry," Lal answered my silent question. "You're safe now."
"Really?"
She nodded as she held my lips once more. I didn't deprive her, and simply kissed her back.
Yet, strange . . .
Why does my heart seem to doubt this? It's as if I couldn't accept this wholeheartedly, and yet, a strong part of me is jumping with joy as I held her in my arms like so.
She broke away for a moment to breathe.
"Lal?" I called to her. She looked at me. "What happened? How was I saved? Aren't I supposed to be dead? My heart failed, remember?"
She looked at me solemnly as she reached for my closed hand. Then again, why has it kept itself closed all this time? I feel like I'm holding something, but, how come I can't remember what it is?
"It's true," she whispered, enveloping my fist with her warm hands. "You were supposed to be dead by now, but . . ." She didn't continue, and just started crying. I tried reaching for her trembling shoulder, but she easily composed herself and instead asked me to open my hand for an answer.
Shakily, I did, and what flashed before me was a blue pendant that shone ever so brightly under the bright light. It reminded me of someone's eyes.
But, wait . . . this pacifier isn't mine. Mine was yellow. This should belong to the Rain Arcobaleno, the group's tranquilizer . . .
"Is this yours?" I asked Lal, and she shook her head, showing me her gray pacifier.
"If not, then . . ."
Suddenly, it all came back to me. The dreaded memory of a previous night. It all became clear now.
This . . . I . . . All this time, I was in here because I saw them; Lal and Colonello . . . my girlfriend and my bestfriend . . . I saw them! Now, I remember why everything hurts right now . . .
I was betrayed . . .
By the man I've treated almost equal to a brother . . .
"Colonello . . ." I muttered through gritted teeth, and I attempted to jump off bed, but she stopped me.
"Where the fuck is that bastard?" I growled. She didn't answer me, and just focused from preventing me to get anywhere near the floor.
"Don't hide that traitor from me, Lal!" I cried. "Where is he?"
"He's six feet under the ground!" she finally answered, letting me go and backing away. Again, she started weeping as I watched her in shock.
"What?"
"Colonello, he . . ." She looked at me directly in the eye, and then pointed at the pacifier in my hand.
It was starting to fade.
-m16-
"Reborn!" she yelled after me as I marched out of the room, towards the flight of stairs that will lead me to the rooftop.
I needed air.
I might get suffocated if don't.
Finally, I reached the middle of the open space, and there I fell down on my knees, bawling like I've never did in a long time.
And, it was because I never had the chance to cry like this.
Lal knelt beside me, and closed me in another comforting embrace, but it wasn't enough. My heart berated as if this was prohibited for me.
As if I was never allowed to love her.
Like our love was forbidden.
But, then again, this was Colonello's heart; his own heart that was forever filled with eternal regret and the hopelessness for love.
Colonello's heart that now beats within my chest, letting me live another lifetime.
"Why . . ." I muttered, looking at the small pendant that rolled itself in front of me, letting itself get soak with my hot, bitter tears. "Colonello, you bastard, why?"
"Reborn," Lal whispered. "Please, you're over-exerting yourself again."
"How come you didn't stop him?" I cried, and she stared at me with such big, mournful eyes.
"I didn't know myself what he was planning . . ." she whispered, casting a side-long glance. "I-I just woke up, and received the news that you have a donor. Amazed, and surprised, I asked the doctors if I could meet with the family. They told me that the donor didn't have a family, but they allowed me to see who he was . . ."
Colonello's and his goofy grin passed by my head as Lal utter the next words.
"What they showed me was the dead body of Colonello."
"No . . ." I breathed, shaking my head furiously. "This shouldn't have happened! He shouldn't have done this! What was there to take? He could've had what he wished for if I was never around and yet . . ."
All I could ever want in life is forgiveness, kora . . .
Colonello.
That bastard.
He knew he didn't have to do this, and yet, he did.
I looked to my side and found Lal still trying to hold back the tears.
He did this because he loved her.
"Lal . . ." I muttered, gently pulling her towards me. She easily gave consent, and recommenced her lament on my shoulders, leaving me to pat her comfortingly.
That's all I could do for now. Besides, no matter how hard I try, I can never top off what he had done for her. My rival for Lal's feelings and for everything else had done the most implausible act of all times.
He gave his heart away so the love of his life could be with who she wanted to be.
And that "who" never became him.
Lal loved me instead of him.
"All he ever wanted was forgiveness," I found myself muttering to the wind. Lal looked at me, and watched as I reached for the fading pendant. "Nobody ever gave him that . . . not even his own best friend. All he did was wander from place to place, trying to achieve it by any means he could think of, and, when he reached this place, he found it . . ." I raised the now faded blue pendant to make it at least catch the light of the sun before it sets. To my delight, it did, and for a brief moment, I watched how it shimmered before our very eyes until, ever so slowly, it faded into nothing but a dull little orb.
"He found it in the hands of his bestfriend and the girl he loved more than anything in this world."
-m16-
I'm sorry . . .
Received: 12:13 a.m.
From: Colonello
To be honest with you, I've . . . nevermind. Lal might read this, and the both of you might remember me as a perverted asshole, so no. What I do want to tell you is that I REGRET what I have done, and I hope that you might find it in the day to forgive me, even if it is last minute. Knowing that you still accept me as your bestfriend (or acquaintance at least) will surely keep my mind at peace.
Received: 12:47 a.m.
From: Colonello
Suddenly, I was reminded. Didn't you once mention that your dream was to finish law school so you could prove yourself worthy of the love of your girlfriend? Were you talking about Lal back then? Of course you were . . . so, all this time that I've known you, you were already shagging on a girl who would someday be my future crush! Reborn, you lucky bastard :D
Received: 2: 34 a.m.
From: Colonello
I was thinking . . . what if you two had children? That's a big possibility, I can tell. Say, would you mind naming your first child after me? I won't mind, surely, as long as you don't give the name to a girl. If that happens, then in mercy's name, I will pray that the child turn lesbian. =))))))) Kidding, of course.
Received: 3:01 a.m.
From: Colonello
Man, I've just had a run-through of all the things I've been sending, and wow . . . talk about crap gone gay! Where am I getting all the things I'm saying? My money is on you, since I've spent four years of my life hanging around you. Partly, this is your fault, but that's okay. Good things also happen, so, I'll forgive you . . . for now.
Received: 3:39 a.m.
From: Colonello
One last thing, before I cut this phone's connections with everyone else. Remember that you kept a promise to me, and don't play dumb, I know you remember it! If not, then I'll refresh your mind.
Lal.
I want you to love her, so much that even married women will get jealous of her. Love her like how I could've loved her if I were given a chance. Don't be such a wimp and leave her, or else, I'll haunt you.
See you on the other side, buddy (though I'm not saying soon. If ever you kill yourself early and leave Lal alone, then, so help me, I will kick your ghostly ass out of heaven and force it back to your body)!
Received: 4:00 a.m.
From: Unknown Source
-m16-
I treaded the almost murky path below me, careful not to step on any marble stone in respect of those who still commemorate on the owner. The sky was never clearer the other days, yet strange, today, it was as blue and peaceful as I would have never thought possible. I returned my eyes back to my direction, and finally found what I was looking for.
Carefully, I crept behind her, and when I was near enough, I covered her eyes with one hand.
"Guess who?" I teased.
"It's not really a difficult question," she answered, putting her hands on mine, and pulling it down. "Really cheesy, Reborn."
She turned around and smiled, and I immediately presented to her the bouquet of long-stemmed roses with a romantic gesture.
The best one I could do.
"Happy birthday, Angel," I greeted, giving her a wink.
"Thanks," she purred, reaching for them. "And, gross."
I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around her, and stared down to where her eyes were casted a while ago.
"Do you miss him?" I asked.
"Of course," she whispered. "He's my father."
"You know who I mean, Lal."
She gave a small giggle as she raised her head to look at me, but only to direct her stare at something behind me. I followed her gaze, and found someone familiar behind me.
"Lucio," Lal mumbled.
"What's he doing here?" I hissed, subtly putting myself forward in case something might happen.
Lucio looked at us both with an expression I couldn't decipher, and then he looked away to walk towards a nearby marble stone, setting beneath it a bouquet of daisies. With a short moment of just staring at the stone, and intermittently running his hand against its smooth surface, he stood up, and began walking away.
"Wait," Lal called out. He turned around, and Lal, without any second thought dragged me near him.
"Lal, wha—"
"I have a question," she started. "How the hell did you meet my mother?"
Lucio looked at her with uncertainty, but, then he sighed.
"Simple," he answered. "I was her boyfriend, long before you were born."
"What?" I hissed again, and she gave me a gentle jab on the ribs.
"That comes with an explanation, right?" she asked.
He nodded.
"Your mother and your father's first wife were best friends. We all used to be . . . the four of us, until they got married. Your mother and I planned to do that as well, but, then she was diagnosed as having a heart disease, and is in dire need of a transplant. That's when Lal, the first wife, volunteered to give hers. When your mother was revived, I came to get her, only to realize that your father had claimed her as his. There, I was left with no choice but to back off."
"Lal was her name? The first wife I mean."
"Yes. Hasn't your father told you that he named you after her?"
Her gaze turned inward, and then back at him again.
"Can I really trust that story?" she asked.
He shrugged, and turned to walk away.
"I can't instill on you what you don't want to trust, Lal Mirch. Believe what you want to believe and I won't care, but, just so you know, I have no reason to lie to you."
Lal looked down, and then, surprisingly, ran towards Lucio.
"Lal!" I called for her. To my surprise, she stopped, and looked at him piercingly.
"Tonight," she started, her lips quavering into a smile. "I will celebrate my 26th birthday. I want you to be there . . ." Tears rolled down her cheeks. " . . . Father."
Lucio's eyes widened as tears began to come out of them.
"Of course," he answered with a small smile. "Why wouldn't I be there on the birthday of my own daughter? Until then . . ."
"Indeed," she muttered as we watched him walk away. Tenderly, I rested a hand on her shoulder, and she wrapped her arms around me.
"That was really remarkable, what you did back then," I commended her. "Though, it makes me wonder. What pushed you to finally accept him after three years?"
She wiped away the tears and handed me a long, white envelope.
It was the letter from her father.
After reading it, I understood what she meant.
"I see," I breathed as I set the letter down, but she stopped me.
"Wait, there's still more behind it," she told me.
I turned it around, read it, and smiled.
Who knew that the bastard I always ran around with and the idiot whom I always depended on for support as much as he depended on me would one day open my eyes to the truth I have once believed?
"Everyone's hearts knows how to want, doubt, hurt, grieve, need, betray, and, most of all love. My heart experienced all these before I met my time, and thankfully, I survived them all. Thank you for that. I hope that you and Reborn experience the same way.
Love, and be loved, kora."
-Colonello
-FIN-
Well, there you have it! That was my latest chappy, Colonello's Heart! I know the ending is not as gratifying as anyone would've expected, but my onee-chan, COLONELA, requested for a twist, and so, I gave her a twist she'll never forget!
Thanks for subscribing until the end, you guys! I appreciate the support you give me!
Oh, and if you have an FB account, and you're a fan of Katekyo Hitman Reborn, please join our group, "Katekyo Hitman Reborn Committee"! You can find me there! I'll be the Lal Mirch roleplayer!
As a goodbye, I'll ask my pleasant readers to add to their final review their favorite quote from this fic! I just want to know, and the one who gets reposted as a review the most I will use for my next "FicTure". An example would be my new avatar! Check my profile if you like!
Now, here's mine:
"Every heart has its use in life, that's what I believe, and we are born to this world to find where our hearts belong. Be it dedicated for a special someone, or for an even worthier cause." – Lal's Father
LoveLots~