Ay, new chapter!

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Of Incidents and Exercise

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Being able to flip about and learn more complex tricks was wonderful – but the learning of specific routines wasn't. Routines were fun, but if I got them stuck in my head I was liable to fall into patterns upon using gymnastics in a right. But, then again, falling into patterns was likely going to be a risk anyways; now I was just more aware of it.

"Ahh, how annoying." I rolled my neck, rubbing it gently as I peered at the fresh vegetables. "Now what do –"

"Taka-nee! H-Help me!" Suddenly, in my face was none other than Adult Lambo. And if he was running for his life like this, it must mean that Bianchi was more than likely after him.

He yelped once as I grabbed the lapels of his shirt, shoving him unceremoniously behind the curtains of the vegetable stall. Apparently it was just in time, too, as Bianchi came skidding around the corner the moment I turned to face forward. I raised my hand, voice cheery –

"Oh, hi! You're Gokudera's sister, right? Bianchi-san? I'm Yamamoto Takara! Are you looking for someone?"

"Romeo!" She was in front of me in no time, face fierce. "Have you seen Romeo?!"

"Ah, a former lover who needs his just deserts? Tall, dark wavy hair, green eyes, and deep voice?" She nodded fiercely, eyes darting around to make sure 'Romeo' didn't slip by. I jerked my thumb over my shoulder. "Ran that way, like he'd been stuck with a cattle prod."

Bianchi took off without any hesitation, and boy was her run rather impressive. Hands were on my shoulders, slightly shaky as Adult Lambo peered around me, and I wanted to laugh – because this poor child still couldn't find a way to get Bianchi to stop her murder attempts.

"Thanks, Taka-nee. She just never understands."

"A woman scorned is never a pretty thing; if one isn't careful they'll find themselves well-done in no time." I peered up at the boy, taking in his now much-more relaxed face and stance.

He raised his hands in a shrug, lips quirked into a smirk. "Some men appreciate a woman with a fiery passion, though. Makes them much hotter."

I leered up at him, "So lame. Man, I corrupted you real good, didn't I?"

Adult Lambo laughed, both eyes closing as he did, his smirk now a smile. "Everyone was quite stormy about it at first – the skies mostly cleared though."

"That was horrible. You rained on such a nice parade with that. My eyes are misting."

And then, he disappeared in a cloud of pink, leaving behind our time's Lambo. Said child practically attached himself to my leg, wailing –

"Takara! The Great Lambo-san is hungry!"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go; my place is closer so let's go stuff you full of sushi and tell Nana-san you'll me spending the night."

"Lambo-san loves sushi and sleepovers!"

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From: Enma

Say…can we talk later?

Sender: Takara

We can talk now, if you want.

[~Incoming Call From: Kozato Enma~]

"What's up my friend? Did you fall from a tree? Bruise your precious red head?"

A weak snort. "Did you just compare me to an apple?"

I grinned. "You have quite the crisp hair, you know?"

Another weak laugh.

"Enma?" I frowned. "What's wrong?"

"It's just…" He swallowed thickly, stayed silent for a moment. "Today is just…a day of bad memories. I – I probably shouldn't…"

My lips parted for a moment – a bad day with bad memories would mean –

"Enma! Do you want to hear about the Watermelon Incident?"

"H-Huh? The Watermelon Incident?"

"Yeah! You see, I was…"

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Every morning that I happened to come across a Dying Will Mode Tsuna, I knew that the day would be an entertaining one. Or, as this day happened to be, a day to get a new member added to Tsuna's family – whether he really wanted such a thing to happen or not. Because today just had to be the day that the Karate vs. Boxing club debacle happened. It was with a little sadness and a little relief that I realized I wouldn't be getting to witness said events, though.

"Looks like today is going to be an interesting one, huh?" It was with little effort that I kept up with Gokudera's light jog, Tsuna's bag clutched in his arms.

"Tch, not like you needed to be there anyways!"

Vaguely, I wondered how long it would take for Gokudera to really kind of warm up to me. Or if he ever would, really – he'd been standoffish most of the series, except for in a few moments. He seemed especially so now, though, and if I had to wager a guess I would say it's because I haven't really done much that he would consider worthwhile.

"Juudaime!" Tsuna looked up for a moment, his face still a bit stunned from what I guessed was his encounter with Ryohei. "You left your bag behind!"

"Oi! Dame-Tsuna!" Hana had her hip jutted out, hand placed on top of it. "Are you gonna come talk about this project or not?"

Tsuna stuttered out a response after the two girls – both of which were headed to the classroom now – before accepting his bag from Gokudera with a faint call of thanks and a mutter of something involving 'brother.'

I grinned. "Did you meet Ryohei this morning, Tsuna? Bet you didn't even know he was Kyoko's brother, did you?"

The look he gave me was a little wide-eyed and still somewhat stunned – I could understand why he'd be a bit surprised, what with the extreme personality differences, but I didn't think Kyoko and Ryohei's relationship was that shocking. Then again I had known about it before I had ever officially met the two, so it wasn't a surprise to me.

"I just… they're so different." Tsuna mumbled before shaking his head. "Never mind that…I gotta go work on that project."

"Oh, yeah. We probably need to get on that too, huh, 'Dera?"

"Tch. I can't believe I got paired with you." His hands were shoved deep into his pockets as he stalked off. "And don't call me that."

"Aw, but we're friends, and friends call each other by nicknames, right?"

A rather violent twitch. "Friends?! Says who, Taka-baka?!"

"Oh! Oh! A nickname! But you stole that from Hana-chama; so uncreative! I expected something more explosive."

He reeled around. "I hate you."

"Love you too, 'Dera."

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Upon learning that I wouldn't be going with Tsuna to his afternoon 'showdown' with Ryohei following school I had gotten various reactions. Gokudera had been insulting and dismissive – "See, Juudaime? That Taka-baka isn't worthy of you at all." – Tsuna had been understanding upon hearing why, and Reborn also seemed to dismiss me easily enough, saying something about listening to my father. Which, considering his vast knowledge, meant he knew I was going to be getting stronger even if I was missing out on the 'recruiting session', which was his end goal regarding all of us guardians in the first place.

What I wasn't completely expecting was the strictness and seriousness that I was greeted with upon changing and entering the dojo. Tou-chan, I knew, would be serious – I just didn't expect him to be so much so.

"Your stance is weak!" The first smack elicited a yelp from me and I was a bit wary of the on-coming ones. "Your feet aren't stable enough. And what is that grip?"

"Ah, is it that bad?" Admittedly, I had only been trained in kendo for a short time – but I'd always been commended on having good stances. "Was there something fishy with my lessons?"

He lashed out so fast I was almost sent reeling in my attempt to block the shinai that was no doubt aimed for my head. And tou-chan could hit – he was both fast and strong.

"No joking around, Takara." His face was stern and I had to fight off a bit of a grimace as he released the pressure and moved away. "Especially not with such a weak constitution. And weak arms, for that matter."

I managed a nod accompanied by a sheepish grin. "I get it. But – my arms too?"

"Your upper arm strength isn't very good. It will increase with your gymnastics, most likely, but," Tou-chan crossed his arms and inclined his head, "But you will need to do more. Because the way you are now – you won't win against a strong opponent."

And that made my stomach sink. Sure, I was quick and knew enough to participate in a kendo match or win a little scuffle – but I had thought, maybe, I was better than I apparently was. I couldn't help but to wonder how I would have fared with the likes of the Kokuyo Gang had I not gotten myself this head start in training.

Would I have done as good as Takeshi had?

Worse?

I sucked in a deep breath and attempted to push back the sinking feeling in my gut –

"So, what do I need to do, tou-chan-shishou?"

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Sender: Takara

Yo, I bet today's activities were ringers, huh?

From: Dera

How the hell did you get my number?!

Sender: Takara

Bianchi-nee, of course!

Now tell me the whole story. I bet it's a knockout. An extreme K.O.

From: Dera

Go die.

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I've been so distracted by another KHR plot bunny, but I didn't forget! Bianchi and Tou-chan. Takara has now been met with the realization that maybe she isn't as strong as she should be. Also, Dino should be showing up real soon. And Fuuta. Yes.

Ame: Takara and Kyoya would be an interesting couple, I suppose. :P We'll have plenty of HibaTaka moments, I assure you. (I was tempted to reply in Spanish but I'm not that good even if I can kind-of read it haha)

Prince: Yes. He did. It was vital information. If only Takara could have seen his face once he read that.

I aim to pun whenever possible tbh. I'd also been waiting to use punder. And I haven't! I do know erimies though (wonderful author) and I love One Piece. And your poor, poor roomie.

Dragonlily22: Ahh! I'll try! I'll try! uwu