God, it feels like its been years since I updated. (#TT^TT#) Gomen! I just had so much going on with me, especially because I just graduated middle school. The school was my third home, right after my best friend's house and I've gone there all my life. Even before I could start Pre-K I went their a lot because my mom was and still is a teacher there. It was a pretty big thing for me and since they were only two of us who had been there since the very beginning (myself and my other best friend), it became really important. And this year was the best year of my life, school-wise. I mean, yeah, rebellion and crappy teachers and stuff, but this year my class just came together.
We've all known each other for over two years at the least and eleven at the most, and our last year was just so perfect in so many ways. I went to Islands of Adventure for the end-of-the-year trip because I live in Florida and my friends and I spent hours in Harry Potter world and I apparently inspired the rest of my class to not only watch the entire series, but read it too and it was just really, really, awesome.
My best friend was completely stupid though because when I started crying a bit at the graduation he went "HOLY SHIT" really loudly and started singing "For the first time in forever, she's finally crying" and everybody started hugging me and laughing and we made a video of the year and my speech had hobbit and HP references that made my LA teacher laugh and I'm practically babbling right now because everything was perfect.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the newest chapter of Playing With Fire. Warnings: Nowhere near as fluffy as other chapters, creepy-Yuno-like-people.
A world away from Tsuna and Kyouya there was a deep, dark forest, thick with tangled roots and filled with horrors from one's worst nightmares and fears. Inside this forest, where no one sane dared venture too far, stood a hauntingly beautiful mansion. And there, beneath the blood-red moon's lighting a man sat on his bed and wished the world wasn't so cruel for the thousandth time.
"You went to see him."
The man remained silent, his eyes still closed as the words broke the peaceful silence.
"I told you that you wouldn't be able to stay away," the voice continued.
His words rang out in the air, a truth the man couldn't deny. (Just like before, he was always right)
"Mou, you know I don't like being ignored."
The man sighed even as the familiar words brought a lighter feeling to his chest, back straightening as pale eyelids opening to reveal glowing amber orbs that focused on the white-haired intruder who grinned at him (and oh, how it made his chest ache and think of better times) and spread his wings, eyes softening just the slightest bit.
"Ne, ne, what was he like?" the white-haired man asked, jumping on top of a desk adjacent to the bed and swinging his legs as he leaned forward interestedly.
The amber-eyed man studied him for a moment, eyes flickering to the upside-down crown mark on his cheek before answering.
"He was everything we thought he would be and more," he whispered, a faint smile touching his lips as he remembered the adorable boy with his soft features. "Almost like what we used to be. He just makes you forget it all."
Silence reigned once more, broken by the sound of feathers ruffling. (Glorious white wings burdened with hardship, spreading, spreading to fly away far from him)
"Is that so?" the white-haired man whispered. A pause. "Was he-was he happy?"
Amber eyes hardening, he shook his head and flexed his hands in anger before running them through brown hair. "He would have lived worse than us if I had not interfered and changed his path. His Fate-it spoke of things dark and undeserving of someone like him. Better than ours, but nowhere near satisfactory. I only wish I had done something earlier."
The white-haired man shook his head, his wings closing in on him. "You didn't want things to change," he whispered, his curved crescents opening to reveal violet eyes.
"It doesn't matter," he whispered sadly as he looked at his old friend. "I should have realized they would anyway."
Violet eyes softened imperceptibly before he gave a small laugh. "No, you shouldn't have. I always loved that part about you best. The part that refused to give up, always hoping and fighting. It saved me."
"It can't save you anymore, can it?" the brown-haired man asked wryly, eyes wet as he clenched his fists and stared at his bedsheets. "Even if you wanted it to."
Violet eyes closed and a sigh pushed themselves past the winged guest's lips. He smiled somewhat sadly, by the other man's side in an instant and hugging him as if they were children once again.
"Oh, otouto," he whispered as the other visibly started at his words, "everyone wants to be saved. I just want to save you more."
"But I need you," he whispered, burying his face into an alabaster neck and wrapping his arms around the other, mindful of the wings there. "Why can't it be me? Why does it always have to be you?"
"Because," he said as he tightened his grip on the amber-eyed man, "you're the only one I can't lose. No matter what, you have to go on."
"And what about me?" the amber-eyed demanded angrily, staring him in the eye. "You-out of all people, you-should understand! We have only each other left! How am I supposed to keep living if even you've left me! Stop being so selfish, damnit! Who are you to decide what I can or cannot do?!"
"Not even he is here anymore," he whispered brokenly as tears flowed down his face freely and his grip slackened. (Both of you, leaving me over and over again)
"I know, otouto, I know," the white-haired man answered with the smallest quirk of his lips as he lifted the other's face and looked him in the eye, violet orbs soft. "And he would agree with me. You're more than I will ever be. It has to be me because you're the only one who can do it, make everything right. Besides, you always knew I was the selfish one anyways."
The other man hiccupped with laughter before slipping out of the embrace and scrubbing his face with his sleeve. "I hate you."
"Okay."
"I'll find a way to save you."
"Go ahead."
"I'll never forgive you if you don't help me do it."
"Alright," the violet eyed man agreed, leaning back. The amber-eyed man shoved him off the bed and scowled at him.
"I'm serious!" he said angrily.
Violet eyes closed once more and his grinned like the cat that got the cream, pecking him on his cheek softly.
"You wouldn't be you if you weren't," the violet-eyed man whispered with a grin. Chuckling as he avoided another attack and running across the room to the window, he turned one last time.
"Bye-bye," he said, waving his fingers in the air reminiscent of their childhood days as the red moon shone on his amethyst earrings. The grin he received in turn made his chest ache in the most beautiful way, blinding him for a second.
"Bye-bye, Byakuran-nii," the other said as he wiggled his fingers in turn, his own orange opals shining upon his ears. And then Byakuran jumped, flying off and leaving him alone to fix his mistakes.
"It's good I've already started," he murmured, staring at the twinkling sky.
"N-Ne, Bya-kun, why are you f-friends with me?" asked a timid brunet as he pushed his forefingers together. Byakuran hummed thoughtfully as he threaded flowers through the younger boy's fluffy hair, pausing for a moment to place his forefinger on his chin.
"Why am I friends with you?" he pondered out loud before looking down at the brunet with a wide grin. "Because I like you of course!"
The brown-haired boy turned beet red and spluttered embarrassedly, causing Byakuran to laugh and pinch his cheeks while cooing.
"And you're too adorable to stay away from," he teased as he pulled red cheeks in all sorts of directions. The younger boy pouted and tried to slap the offending hands off.
"Mou," he whined, puffing his cheeks and crossing his arms, "stop it, Bya-kun!"
Byakuran laughed even as his arms left the now apple red face, ruffling sienna hair fondly as he grinned at the brunet.
"Don't worry," he said, his eyes turning into oh-so-familiar crescent. "I'll be your friend always!"
"Really?" the other asked, eyes wide.
"Uh-huh," Byakuran agreed, "and nothing anyone says or does will eeeeeeveeer change that!"
The brunet grinned widely, his cheeks flushed pink as he pulled on his shirt's sleeves.
"M-Me too," he said resolutely, slipping his hands into Byakuran's. "I'll be with you always, Bya-kun!"
Surprised, the violet-eyed boy felt his breath catch at the determination in that statement and the look in his friend's eyes. They seemed to flicker for a moment, a glowing orange burn that made his heart go into overdrive. Caught off surprise, he was still for a moment before he shook his head with a small smirk, lifting his pinky up.
"Pinky promise?" he asked as his heart thudded in his chest, flashing back to darker times, needing, hoping, he would say yes.
"Un!" the other nodded, linking their pinky's together. The two grinned at each other from behind their bangs and for a moment, both of them forgetting the troubles in their life to revel in that glorious promise.
The image froze and rippled like water before disappearing.
Seven year-old Byakuran Gesso awoke with a start, sweaty and panting. Wrestling himself out of his blanket, he stumbled out of bed with narrowed crescents and walked briskly to his desk, yanking its drawer out harshly. Hundreds of papers flew out like trapped birds, surrounding him as he grabbed his rarely used phone and dialed a number he never thought he'd use.
"Young master?"
He nearly laughed at the surprise and the title but chose to ignore it.
"I need you to find someone for me," he ordered as papers filled with drawings twirled and swayed around him, covering the ground.
"Information?"
The voice on the other end was brisk and serious, all business. Good. He had no time for lackeys.
"Japanese, possibly a half-age around five, brown hair and eyes. May or may not have a connection to La Cosa Nostra."
There was an intake on the other end before the reply came through.
"Understood. Time frame and resources?"
"Use anything and everything you need," he answered as a stray paper fluttered down in front of him and landed on the desk gently, his eyes hardening as he hung up before the other person could say anything else. Staring at the paper, his grip on the cellphone tightened, the device groaning under the pressure.
"I will find you," he whispered vehemently, violet eyes dark. "No matter who or what you are, I will find you."
The drawing of an innocently smiling Tsunayoshi Sawada looked up at him from atop the dark wood.
"Mama," Ienari said with a frown marring his face as he eyed the empty seat across his mother. "Where's Tsuna?"
"Hmm?" his mother hummed as she looked at her darling son. "He's sleeping over a friend's house."
"A friend?" he asked, his heart stopping for a moment before he scowled, pushing his chair out and stomping upstairs.
"Na-kun, where are you going? You haven't finished your dinner yet," Nana called out.
"I'm not hungry anymore," he yelled, his mother staring at the stairs in confusion. He almost stopped to turn around only to have his brother's room enter his view. Face twisting in distaste, he all but ran into his room, slamming the door on his way.
"What friends?" he asked angrily, walking back and forth as he ran a hand through his hair. "He's not supposed to have any friends!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the picture of the two twins grinning together, wearing matching lion hoodies. Growling, he pulled at his hair in frustration, his feet practically wearing a hole in the wood.
"This isn't supposed to happen," he cried out, eyes tearing up the slightest bit. Who could it have possibly been?! He was so sure that no one had liked his brother! Everyone picked on him, laughed at him!
Except...his eyes narrowed and a vicious snarl left his lips. Those two girls, Sasagawa and Kurokawa had been quite stubborn in defending the brunet. He knew of their daily exchanges but never did he think they would go as far to become friends with his brother! He knew he had left him alone for a while because of the plan, but this-!
Picking up a pair of scissors, he threw them at the wall with a vengeance, embedding them into the dry wall. A vicious smirk pulled at his lips and he laughed, throwing his head back.
"I'll just make sure they know not to mess with my things," he whispered in the dark, eyes glowing eerily.
"After all," he continued as he walked to the wall and calmly pulled out the scissors to stare at them shining in the moonlight. "Tsuna-nii only needs me."
"That's right," came a silky voice from beside him, a dark silhouette appearing out of the shadows. "He's all yours, Ienari, no one else's."
Ienari grinned, eyes dark and dangerous as his grip on the scissors tightened.
"Don't worry, Tsuna-nii," he whispered lovingly as he turned to look at the picture of them once more, his eyes softening. "I won't let anyone get in between us, I promise."
Miles away, said brunet shivered in his sleep, the smile on his face fading as he curled into himself for warmth.
Soooooo? Did it give you shivers? Is your blood boiling? Do you feel like forgiving my hopelessness? Questions, thoughts, and fears, type them all in a review and post them!...Please? (#QvQ#)
I hope this was what you were looking forward too, Sky-chan! :)
(Also, one of my favorite writers favorited and reviewed for this story so I spent like the entire past few months remembering it and fangirling like crazy.)
Published: 7/18/2014
~ForeverBlackSun