Beauty and the Beasts
*gong sounds*
Gokudera: …What's the point of this corner?
Me: Ahaha…Yeah, I just thought that since I have so many dedicated readers, I'd do something to appreciate them for reading this story! Anyway, welcome again to the Reader Appreciation Corner! *applause* This week's guest is Gokudera Hayato!
Gokudera: Che. *pulls out list* *reads off list in a monotonous voice* Thanks to everybody who read the last two chapters.
Me: At least say it with more enthusiasm! *sigh* Alright, moving on. Thanks to MakInAxAlicE, ZiaLiaLis, mogu95, Kichou, RoxasIsReal13 and Yorukifon for reviewing!
Gokudera: The author's appreciation goes out to Akuma Mame, Caithdean, kikyokyoyahibari, mogu95, MoyaMetalDango13, MissMom, GaaralovesMihoko, RoxasIsReal and Yorukifon for making this story a favorite.
Me: Last but not least, the newest story alerts! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! anonymousgirl028, AgentMia2011, Caithdean, Kichou, mogu95, Storm's Pride, Otakufanlover, GaaralovesMihoko and YamiNoRei.
Gokudera: Are we done? I'm leaving now. I have a feeling the rest of them need my help.
Me: Ah. Okay. Bye naoz! *waves* Ah. The disclaimer! I don't own KHR! But this story and plot is mine, so paws off.
3: Introducing the Situation
"What are you doing in my office?"
A flat, emotionless voice startled the brunette. She whirled around, her brown eyes meeting cold blue-gray eyes.
"Kamikurosu(4)." Hibari hissed, silver tonfas in hand.
Tsuna backed up against the window, feeling goose-bumps rise up on her arms as her warm palms pressed against the cool window panes. The cat Beast's eyes bore holes through her skull and Tsuna pressed further against the window, hoping, with all her might, that the window was strong enough to support her.
The cat Beast flicked his tail, his lips parting ever so slightly, revealing the sharp points of white fangs. He wore a cloak around his shoulders, black and knee-length. The silky material shone in the sunlight streaming through the window. Underneath…Underneath, he wore a simple pressed white shirt and black pants.
Suddenly, the black cloak was all that filled her vision as Hibari rushed her, his eyes murderous. She fell to the ground, Hibari's tonfa stopping just in front of the glass window, a few centimeters above her head. He leaned in close, and paused there for a long second, close enough that Tsuna could smell a sweet scent wafting off of him and feel his cool breath on her face. She felt her cheeks begin to burn and turned her head away, pushing her hands into Hibari's chest in a vain effort to push the intimidating boy away.
"Kufufu~. Hiba-pii, you're being selfish again…" Mukuro appeared in the doorway, trident in hand, smirk in place. His mismatched eyes challenged Hibari, who immediately forgot about the weak herbivore pressed against the window, his tonfas up by his face.
"For existing, I'll bite you to death," Hibari snarled, racing forward. Mukuro met him in the middle of the room and they began to dance.
Tsuna, taking this chance, crawled to the side, stumbling to her feet and nearly falling again as she reached the hallway. Luckily, the wall braced her and she managed to regain her balance. Turning around, she dodged to the side to avoid being hit by wooden furniture. Thoroughly freaked and confused, she started to run. Her breath was coming in quick gasps and she began to feel light-headed. Panic was starting to set in. I want to go home! She thought furiously, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Turning the corner, she crashed into Yamamoto, who was whistling happily, hands behind his head, fluffy dog tail swishing happily.
Tsuna stumbled into his chest and he took a step backwards, arms reaching out and steadying Tsuna by gripping her shoulders. His eyes widened when he caught sight of the tears flowing down Tsuna's cheeks. With his right hand, he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her silently, a strange, but not exactly unfriendly look, on his face.
"What's wrong?" Yamamoto asked quietly.
Tsuna sniffled, blowing her nose in the pale blue cloth. She couldn't find any words to say, but she began to feel safe again, with Yamamoto. Mukuro and Hibari were still lingering on her mind, but Yamamoto was probably the only guy she trusted completely. It must have been his happy-go-lucky smile, or the way he didn't press her when she didn't answer.
"C-Can I go home, please?" Tsuna whispered, her voice muffled by the handkerchief. Yamamoto's face darkened slightly, as he silently patted the brunette on the shoulder. Tsuna looked up, her eyes wide and her nose red.
"There's something that has to be explained to you," Yamamoto ducked his head, the shadows hiding his eyes. "And I'm not the best guy to explain it to you. Go find Gokudera. He should still be in the library."
Tsuna nodded slowly, a little mystified but not missing the way Yamamoto said Gokudera's name. There was something different about it, but she decided not to dwell too long. She wanted to go home and they were keeping her here. A little bit of anger began to smolder in her stomach as she turned away from Yamamoto, her face growing impassive. If Gokudera's explanation persuaded her to stay, she would stay. But if the silverette couldn't find a good reason to keep her here, she was leaving.
Yamamoto lead her to the library, their footsteps echoing in the hallway, covering the sounds of the metal on metal that grew fainter and fainter as they walked further and further away. However, Yamamoto only became alerted when he heard shattering. "There goes the window again," the black haired Beast muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Waruii na(1), Tsuna-chan," he said sheepishly. "I'm going to go check on Hibari and Mukuro. If Gokudera's not in the library, then he should be in his garden. It's a few doors down from the library," Yamamoto said before gently pushing Tsuna into the library. The door shut behind her and she froze.
Why?
Why was suddenly everything she had seen, had assumed, been turned upside down?
Trying to make sense of it all, she stepped forward, one foot in front of the other. She could hear the rustling of pages, quiet muttering and the scratching of a quill pen against parchment. She could hear the faint crackling of a fireplace and the loud crunch, followed by chewing.
"G-Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna peered around a bookshelf, her eyes widening slightly as she was confronted by a two stacks of thick books. Seated between the volumes, a stick of red bamboo in his hand, glasses slipping off his nose and his hair tied back, was Gokudera.
He looked up, quickly swallowing the last bit of his food and pushing his glasses back into place. "Ah, Tsuna," he grinned briefly before putting his quill down and half-standing. Tsuna shook her head.
"Am I bothering you?" she asked quietly, walking over and picking up one of the books. She flipped through it and she looked rather astonished. There were few pictures in the books. It was mostly words. Words she didn't understand.
"No," Gokudera smiled. "I can always make time for you. Is there anything you needed?"
Tsuna stayed silent for a little, wondering the best way to phrase her question.
"What's going on?" she finally asked.
Gokudera's hand, tracing the title of the book in front of him, paused as he narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. Tsuna bit her lip, telling herself to be brave. If she was this important, he wouldn't hurt her. But then again, Hibari almost had.
"Who told you to ask me?" Gokudera's voice turned cold.
"Y-Yamamoto-kun…" Tsuna blinked.
Gokudera exhaled sharply, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another stick of bamboo. He stuck it in his mouth, nibbling and chewing, as he began to pace. "Damn it." He muttered quietly. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." He turned to look at Tsuna, a rather wild look in his dark green eyes, wringing his hands. "Look, Tsuna," he began slowly. "I'm sorry, but I can only think of one person who can explain this well enough to you."
"…"
"He should be here already, so, if you'll come with me?" Gokudera tried to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Tsuna fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her head down and her eyes focused on the suddenly very interesting carpet.
"…Fine." Tsuna said, then realizing she had forgotten the promise she had made to herself. But he hadn't really offered her an explanation to begin with…
"Reborn-san?" Gokudera called out as he began to lead Tsuna to the back of the library.
Hearing that name made the girl stop in her tracks.
"U-Uncle Reborn?" she squeaked.
Gokudera stopped. "You know him?" his voice betrayed the shock he was feeling. A tall, thin man stepped out from behind a bookshelf, a fedora on his head, smirking as he twirled one of his curly side burns.
"Hello, my dear niece," he said. "I see you haven't been able to accomplish your job correctly. That package is still undelivered."
Tsuna flinched. "I-I got kidnapped," she muttered.
"No excuses," Reborn shook his head. "This is why you'll always be Dame Tsuna."
Tsuna pouted, her eyes downcast. It wasn't her fault! "…What did you want me to deliver anyway?" she muttered.
"Open the package," Reborn ordered. Gokudera stood against a bookshelf, a little awkwardly.
Tsuna reached into her apron and pulled out the white box. She held it up to her ear and shook it slightly. Reborn began to look impatient, so she quickly opened it.
Inside was a ring, a flame burning on it.
"That flame is the time limit on how long these Beasts have to live," Reborn said. "And Tsuna, only you can control it. The Beasts are under a curse, forced upon them by a witch. She gave them until the flame dies to find someone to save them. But she warned that only one could be saved. That choice is the one given to you today, Tsuna. Because you have Beast blood flowing through your veins, you were able to withstand the bamboo that Gokudera gave you. The flame is made up of human will to survive. Given that will, the receiver will live for as long as the giver does. The bamboo that Gokudera grows? It's a substitute. But they need to eat it every day, and lots of it, just to survive. But as their days grow shorter, the more they need the food. It won't last forever."
Tsuna looked down at the glowing flame in her palms. It wasn't even strong, but it wasn't exactly smoldering either. It was burning, but it was about the size of a large candle. "How long?" she whispered.
"A week." Reborn's voice was precise, almost unfeeling.
Tsuna looked up in anguish. "Why do I have to choose?" she whispered.
Gokudera stepped in, one hand half-way raised, as his voice, soft and comforting, tried to explain. "Because…you're our savior. Because you are part Beast and part human…" he murmured.
Tsuna remained quiet. Part Beast? Since when? She thought back to when her father had left to go to that mine where he worked. Be strong, my little girl. Because you have the blood of the wilderness flowing through your veins. Back then, she had thought he had been talking about himself. In a way, he maybe was, but Tsuna realized that her father's side of the family was completely mysterious. There was a possibility she had a Beast grandfather or grandmother. It was still mind-blowing, however. But in the past few hours (had it only been a couple of hours?), Tsuna had learned how to deal with shock.
"How do I choose?" her voice remained soft, her mind racing. This was unfair. Totally unfair. Why only one of them?
"Your heart will, Tsuna," Gokudera's eyes flashed. "The one that your heart is drawn to, the one that you love, the one that you truly love, will be the one that the flame will save."
I'm sorry that this chapter was a lot shorter than other chapters. But I think I ended it at a good place. :)
So, how was it? Please review~~
Akai no Kumo
Japanese-English glossary
(4)Kamikurosu - I'll bite you to death
(1)Waruii-na - Sorry