Under a Virtual Sky [Online]
A/N: Pretty short chapter, just.. uh. Wanted to update to get this part out of here LOL. Kind of a lazy one and I apologize ;_; I'll be putting up a more interesting (hopefully) chapter by the weekend, an actual progression into the true plot. This was just a few meetings that I wanted to establish already. The omake at the end will be in third person point of view, limited on Hibari, of what happened last chapter. :o
And for your awesome reviews:
Haru: "Haru appreciates your cows! Moo desu!"
...I don't know.
Friendly 'random' note until you get to that section: Four in Japanese is either yon or shi. I wonder if anyone can already guess why I'm mentioning this. :)
CHAPTER FOUR
Pounding.
Panting.
Running. Hoping. Wishing. Praying.
Is he okay?
Or did he really-
I turned left on the next corridor, just blindly hoping for an answer- No, blindly hoping for something to prove me wrong. Please, please-
I was almost numb to anything even if I just slammed into someone.
"Who the fuck are you? Can't you watch where the hell you're going? Trash," someone grumbled in a deep voice.
"Sorry," I mumbled not really having heard what they said. Well I heard it, but I paid it no mind. Perhaps if I did, I wouldn't have apologized. It doesn't matter-
I have to- I have to..
So I kept running, pushing through people.
"O-Oy! Watch it, woman!" another voice.
Damnit, I cursed under my breath as I continued running in the outside cooridors.
I have to find Tsuna- He'd know. He has to. Perhaps I should've asked people instead of mowing them over in my struggle to find the Vongola guild leader.
I have to find.. I have to find- Not there. Not there either. Where?
Is that-
Please.
Please, please, please.
I walked, no, ran. Sprinted. Almost launching myself to the grass.
The lean, stern figure. The tousled black hair. The purple dress shirt.
Yes-
Thank god. Thank god.
I'm glad.
"I'm so glad," I whispered.
Collapsing onto the ground.
One palm onto the grass, one pressed against my chest.
My heart was beating rapidly. I was panting but at least I could breathe now.
He's okay.. He's okay.
He's alive.
I heard a sound. My own laughter.
Choking, breathless. But I laughed. "You're alive."
Crazy. Stressed. But relieved. So, so, so relieved.
Tearful. I sat up now, my chest rumbling as I laughed. Shuddering as I cried.
I wiped off a tear. All whispers, loss of voice as I spoke, "What? Don't scare me like that."
"Sakura-chan?!"
I turned around to meet Tsuna's worried expression. He pulled me up gently with a hand on my arm. "What's wrong?! Are you okay?! Why are you-" He looked up to where Hibari was stationed and his mouth dropped. "H-Hibari-san?! ...Did he-"
I laughed, clutching onto Tsuna's shirt. All smiles. "He's alive!" I jumped. "He's okay," I laughed again.
Tsuna's face softened as he smiled, nodding. "He is. I'm so glad. Are you okay though?"
I nodded quickly, wiping off a tear. "Yeah," I grinned. Relief washed over me and I could finally feel like I could breathe again.
I finally looked over at Hibari but to my dismay, it was his retreating back.
"Hibari-san! You should at least thank her-"
Hibari stopped and I think my heart did too.
He turned around, just a fraction, a slight turn of the head. I caught one of his steel eyes and my breath was caught in my throat. Entranced. Speechless.
"Hn," was all I got.
But perhaps I was willing to throw away the rest of me just to catch that.
And he continued to leave. Just like that.
"Sakura-chan?"
I snapped out of my trance and turned to Tsuna. "Hm?"
"You seem pale," his eyebrows knitted.
"I'm always pale," I reassured him. "Though I was scared to death. When I woke up and… and he wasn't there… I was… I was so worried."
He smiled understandingly even though he shuddered slightly. "I was scared to death too. I came when he WAS awake. I thought it'd be safe to get another support. I was right when I saw you knocked out on his arm." My eyes widened. That's right. That means when he woke up- Oh no.
"But he glared daggers at me AND her," Tsuna shuddered. "I thought I was going to die. The poor girl was so excited and she became so terrified after. There goes one of his fans." he chuckled, ruffling the back of his hair.
The thought of another girl helping him made me feel unpleasant. "Is that so? It's okay. I'm a very dedicated fan," I joked but little did he know, I was not entirely joking. At least not about the 'fan' part. I don't know about 'dedicated' but then again I did spend hours casting spells till I collapsed.
Not to mention my conversation with Byakuran…..I hope I won't regret that later. Speaking of which... Is he okay because- … Whatever. The only thing that matters is that…
He's okay.
And I think knowing that is enough to place the biggest grin of my face even though my body felt like crashing out of exhaustion.
Because out of all the people in this world,
I was able to somehow, maybe,
help at least one,
him…..
[ Hours later. ]
Ugh. I groaned as I stirred. I opened my eyes and-
Screamed. Holy hell.
A black frog? Its eyes were staring right into mine.
"Ah. You're awake." Deadpan, monotone voice. The thing backed up until I realized it was just a hat. The person wearing a hat had teal colored straight hair, almost reaching to his shoulders. His eyes were the same color as his hair.
"You startled her." This time it came from a female voice. I sat up slowly, finding the girl sitting across from me on the other couch. The girl had dark almond eyes and pitch black hair that seemed to be tied in the back along with some silver clips in the front. She had on a black scarf, black and white slanted striped jacket-like vest, and ash gray cargo capris. On her left cheek were tattoos of a heart, diamond, spade, and clover.
"Where am I?" I mumbled. Though in normal observation, I happened to be in a burgundy colored room with dark colored furniture, expensive looking if I bothered to note. There were a few couches, a piano, some bookcases. I realized I was probably still somewhere in Vongola headquarters.
"You were brought here by Tsuna and Hibari, quite surprisingly actually. Anyways, they had to go and Tsuna asked for us to look after you," she explained.
Hibari? So he really was okay. I felt my shoulders relaxed as the tension I didn't know I was holding was finally relieved.
I nodded. "And they aren't coming back?"
"Probably not, they seemed busy," she replied. That means I can't thank them.
"How rude, Alyss-chan. You didn't even introduce yourself," the frog hat guy said, still in a monotone voice. "I'm Fran," he stated.
The girl sighed. "I'm Alyssandra. But you can just call me Alyss."
"Don't trust anything she says. Despite that innocent facade, that girl's a thief," he said before turning over to her, swaying his index finger with a 'tsk tsk tsk'. A thief?
She grumbled something that couldn't be heard before taking a sip to what I assume would safely be some apple drink by the color. Since well, she looked too young to be drinking beer. Perhaps it was apple cider.
"Uh. Well I'm Sakura," I smiled. "Thank you for looking out for me."
"Thank you for waking up," he replied with some nods. "I didn't want to be alone with these weirdos." These?
Her eyebrow twitched slightly but she said nothing else as she bit into a bar of chocolate, too dark to be milk. All of a sudden, silver blurred my vision as it made their target-
"Bel-senpai! That hurt," Fran dragged out with no indication of any emotion. The silver daggers were piercing through his hat/head and I was trying to calculate whether or not it actually punctured his head.
"Shut up, frog. How dare you refer to your prince as a 'weirdo'?" I turned to see a teen with blonde hair, messy and covering his eyes. He was dressed in a purple and black striped shirt with a black jacket over.
"Prince?" I mumbled. Though there was a crown on the side of his head. Ah. Tacky.
His attention shifted over to me.
"And you are? Why are you not bowing down to your prince?" he laughed in some sort of 'shishishi' sound and all I'm thinking is...
"Four four four?"
"THAT'S NOT IT!" He exclaimed and I think I just gained Fran's approval of something. Alyss on the other hand was smirking to herself, taking another bite of chocolate. "Bow down and apologize," he frowned.
"Bow down?" I frowned. "Why should I?" And I don't think I like him already.
"I'm a titanium player-"
"Was," Fran corrected from behind.
He ignored it. "A prince, and not to mention. A true genius," he smirked.
"Bel-senpai~ Is that all in your resume?"
"Shut up!" Daggers. Puncturing Fran's hat.. or head. Whatever. He seemed to be fine and that's all that matters- Wait.
Isn't this out of the safe zone?!
"A-Are you okay?" I decided to ask. "Like is your HP-"
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan," he smiled as he flashed out a thumbs up. "This happens every day." Every day…
"Oy, are you listening to me, you bronze player?" Bronze player?!
I turned around, narrowing my eyes. "Just because you have a tacky looking crown equip on your head, doesn't mean anything."
"Ah! She sure told you!" Fran mockingly stated.
"Oh?" he took out more daggers.
But why care? I was offended. "You do a lot of talking. Are you sure you can walk? You know, with all that hair in your face."
'Bel' seemed shocked for a moment before regaining composure. "You have a death wish."
"No. What she has is a point. You really ought to get a haircut, I'm concerned for your wellbeing as well," Fran nodded.
"I'm going to turn both of you into porcupines," he threatened as he pulled out another set of daggers into his other hand, positioned in between his fingers.
I looked at the time, deciding to ignore him. Shit. If this was the 'next' day, that means I had to meet up with the others. "Ah, I have to go soon."
"Where to?" Alyss spoke up.
"Don't ignore me!" 'Bel' shouted. I ignored him.
"Back to Lyncra. They're gathering for a raid to the tower. I supposed Vongola is coming too?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Ah, that's right!" Fran stated in yet what I assume to be a never changing monotone voice, his fist pressing to his other hand's palm. He didn't remember?!
Alyss hummed. "Interesting. Mind if I come too?" she smiled. A few daggers came closer to my vision and Fran tilted his head, gathering it onto his hat.
"Um- Fran-"
"Don't mind me, this is a hobby. Continue your conversation," he gave me another thumbs up. I nodded slowly before turning to Alyss.
"Uh- of course not. But aren't you in Vongola?" I raised an eyebrow. I scanned her expression just to be safe. I didn't really detect anything but it wasn't like I was expecting to find anything.
"Nope," she answered. "I was just dropping off a gift."
"That wasn't hers," Fran coughed from behind and her lips twitched a bit. From what I can tell, it seems to be that she's trying her best to ignore him. But whoever he is to her, he seems to be quite capable of getting under her skin though if I wasn't paying attention, I wouldn't have noticed.
"Okay. Well I don't mind and I'm sure no one does. The more the better actually-"
"VOIIIIIIIIIIII!"
I flinched, slightly jumping as the voice rang through the room and echoed down the hallway.
"Shit-" 'Bel' grumbled.
"Bel-senpai, what did you do this time-"
The door slammed loudly against the wall as a man with long white hair charged in, waving around his sword.
"IF YOU TWO HAVE TIME TO SLACK, YOU BETTER GET YOUR ASSES OVER TO XANXUS RIGHT NOW BEFORE HE THROWS ANOTHER FIT!"
'Bel' and Fran looked at each other for a moment, 'Bel' grumbling something under his breath before leaving.
"That was...interesting," I muttered. Vongola, huh. I mused to myself as I turned back to Alyss who took another sip of her apple drink, finishing the last of it. Is that even a good combination with dark chocolate?
"Well then we should go," I asked as I stood up, taking out a teleport rock. "Nice meeting you, Fran," I smiled.
Fran opened his mouth as if ready to say something else but it was replaced with a very impassive 'ow' as Alyss seemed to…'accidentally' stepped on his feet as she stood up.
I turned to Alyss who took out her own teleport rock as well with a casual smile on her face.
Fran walked over to the door and only turned back before disappearing out the door after the two to say something else. "See ya later, Alyss-chan, Sakura-chan!" A hand appeared, grabbing his collar and yanking him away.
I laughed again before holding the teleport rock up, looking to Alyss for confirmation.
"Teleport, Lyncra!"
[ 30 mins later. ]
"Okay, listen up everyone!" Kizuna called out. She was a diamond player, Jazmin's guild leader. Sword Crossed Lovers. "Today's objective is to simply clear out the remaining floors of the tower but we will NOT engage the boss in combat until we figure out something more about them," she explained. "Be sure to stick to your parties and take care of one another," she smiled.
A few people mumbled some sort of agreement. There were about a total of four different parties here, each of six or so players. We were going together as a raid to the tower and apparently the bigger guilds aren't participating because they're going to save their resources for the boss.
But whatever. It shouldn't be too hard.
[ Foreshadow. ]
Is what I thought…..
Though as people shattered-
one by one.
Shatter.
Shattered.
Gone. Forever.
And as the girl broke down, falling onto her knees.
Broken. Her heart and the man she held in her arms.
Shattering in pieces as she weeped. Screamed- Broke.
I started to wonder as I stood there, numb and useless-
Is this even worth the try?
OMAKE
Hibari's POV
(Just for fun. Totally pointless to read but if you're bored...)
The darkness he was in. Enveloped, numb. All but his thoughts and voices of the 'outside'. Wherever outside was really. It was like being stuck in between.
He hated feeling weak. Vulnerable, incapable. Unable.
He knew his body was failing him for once. But what could he do? He had no control over it. Only his mind. But because of his body, it weighed down his mind as well.
He never felt so helpless. Herbivorous. This was not like him.
Faintly, he could feel the soothing effects of the rain flame. Most likely Athena's. He hated getting her help. No, anyone's help.
This was stupid. Ridiculous. Unnecessary. If only he could tell them to stop.
That dumb herbivore, Sawada Tsunayoshi, and his unnecessary concern. Going in and out of his room, saying this and that.
Not to mention crowding. Hibari made a mental note that once he gets out of this, he will make sure Sawada Tsunayoshi will never make that same mistake again.
And yes, he will get out of this. Hibari Kyoya did not know defeat. And this, surely, was just a setback.
But he was also not stupid. He knew he was lacking water, food. It was essential but somehow, someway or another, as he always had, he will overcome this.
"How is it, Athena?"
"Obviously not working. It's not like this body needed the help."
He was sure that someone as idiotic as that brunette knew that too. But why did he keep trying?
"I already sent in for someone else.. Just in case.. We should do whatever we can." But he was still stupid nonetheless. Why in the world would any other herbivore make a difference? Especially if their 'high-ranked' support can't?
No one can. The only person that could help him, was himself. But in this state…
This was frustrating. Aggravating. Irritating. He wanted to rip something- no, someone to shreds.
"Tsuna-san! She said she's here," the annoying voice came from what Hibari recognized as Miura Haru. And 'she'? Another herbivorous women? He had enough of them.
They were annoying. Whispering, staring. Blushing, glancing. If he could, he would frown. Perhaps he was frowning.
He heard the door open along with footsteps that clattered on his wooden floors. More despicable crowding.
Almost inaudible, he heard a short and low gasp. Probably from the female. As always, annoying.
"Is something wrong?" Sawada Tsunayoshi asked.
Yes. Something is wrong. Get yourself and the rest of your herbivores out of here before I bite all of you to death, Hibari thought. If only he could get up.
"Uh. N-No." New. Chimes.
Then the light feeling of the flames stopped, he assumed Athena was dismissed. The assumption was proven once he heard the clattering footsteps.
"Sorry, don't mind her, she doesn't speak much," Sawada Tsunayoshi stated.
"So what's the matter?" he heard after awhile, from the female.
The 'matter' is once I'm up, you're dead, is what Hibari thought.
"I'm sure you're aware that people are becoming 'offline' lately?"
"Yes. I think it's because they're being transferred to hospitals," she replied. Not too bad. Perhaps she is a bit better off than the rest of the idiots.
"Well Hibari-san seemed to be doing fine. But slowly he seemed to be more out of it. Eventually he just collapsed. It's been two days and he still hasn't woken up."
"TWO DAYS?" she raised her voice. Too loud for his liking. He would bite her to death. If he could, he'd glare at her or frown. "Sorry- But… But that's really.." her voice lowered in a weak type of way. "That's really bad," she whispered. Obviously.
"We tried what we could. We don't have very many supports. Athena basically does debuffs, nullifying movements kind of thing. We thought it would work if he was somehow in pain and.." Tsunayoshi paused. "Our other supports aren't very skilled. And we thought maybe we could find someone else to..try." 'Aren't very skilled' is an understatement, they were useless. Not to mention weak.
"I'm not very.. uh. I mean after the reset, it kind of affected a lot of my power but..I could produce something. So I could definitely try but.." Just leave. "This might be because of his nutritional state." What a genius.
"I think so too. Hibari-san, I'm sure, lives alone.. and dislikes company or visitors." 'Dislikes'. Try, despise.
Hibari could barely catch the light hitch in breath. "If he lives alone.. And… His food and water intake…." Silence. For awhile at least. "Well I … I honestly don't think my in game skills can do anything for him… But everything is worth the try, right?"
No. You're useless and wasting time. And you're annoying me, Hibari added in his head.
"Yeah." Short silence. "Uh.. Okay. Since I'm party leader with Hibari in it, I'll add you to it."
Hibari made a mental note to kill Sawada Tsunayoshi for using his lifeless hand to accept the party request.
[ Nanase Sakura has now joined your party. ]
Nanase Sakura.
Hibari made another note to bite previously mentioned name to death later.
"Thank you," he heard from Nanase Sakura.
"No, I should be thanking you," A soft chuckle from Sawada Tsunayoshi. "Well I'll be leaving you to it then. If it he wakes up, just scream. Though I don't think I'd have to tell you."
If Hibari could, he would've smirked. She'd be dead before she could scream.
He heard the door close.
Now it was just him and unseen herbivorous woman.
For a moment, no. For a few moments, she did nothing.
And he wondered why she was even there.
If she was being creepy and wanted to stare at him, he was sure she could do it from a stream. Distasteful as that sounded.
Though he only felt her gaze linger for a short moment.
Then he heard her take a deep breath.
Sounds of something appearing, he assumed she equipped her weapon.
Then the silence was broken.
Casting some healing spells. "...Heal!" Some cleansing spells. "...Summer Rain!"
He supposed it didn't feel so bad. Though it wasn't helping- of course not. This was a waste of time and he wasn't sure why she bothered.
"This is stupid." Glad you realize, he thought.
He heard footsteps. A sound of an opening door.
Perhaps she left, finally. At least close the door, he grumbled internally.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of running water. He felt something cold, damp- but soft. A towel? He doesn't have a fever. What was this girl thinking? Idiot.
Silence. A sound of ringing. Was she making a call?
"Byakuran!" What? They're friends?
"Sakura, Sakura. This is the millionth time you've called me. Miss me?"
"Sixth. And this time, hear me out. Please."
"Sakura-chan, I'm not going to release-"
"That's not it. There's a player that lives alone.. And his health is deteriorating.."
"And why would I care?"
"Because it's Hibari Kyoya. Surely you've heard of him."
"Hibari Kyoya? And your point?"
"He's strong." Hibari would've smirked.
"Is he?"
"You know it. Would you really want to lose an interesting player like that?" Such reasoning.
"Sakura-chan, though I'm easily bored. I'm doing this for other reasons."
"This is a GAME, Byakuran. And you can't enjoy a game without a good opponent."
"And what makes you think I can do anything about that?"
"Oh please. A man like you would not make himself stuck in a game without a way out or a back up plan. I'm sure you can get connections to the real world somehow."
"And why are you so sure?"
"Because I know you."
Interesting. This is quite the turn of events.
"Oh? Do you really?"
"Enough at least." Just what is their relationship? "Well, will you get him medical attention?"
"I don't guarantee anything, Sakura-chan. There are many other enemies I can have fun with. That man is nothing to me. But what's he to you?"
Really, why does this woman care so much?
"Byakuran-"
"Sakura-chan, surely I don't owe you anything."
"Then. About your request-" What request?
"Ah, ah. That. Sakura-chan, you see that's no longer a problem. Now that we're here.. Unless you know, you loved me anyways-"
Hibari's mind was trying to piece the bits and pieces together. But there was too much missing.
"Byakuran."
"That tone isn't making me feel any more obliged to fulfill your silly little request."
"It's not silly. Byakuran, if he dosen't-"
"Why do you care?"
Hibari would like to know too.
"...Because…. Because it'd be my fault too." Why would it be? How is this woman related to this incident? "And why-"
"Byakuran-sama. Yuni-sama is requesting an audience from you," a voice came from the background.
"Tell Yuni-chan I'm on my way." A pause. "Well, Sakura-chan. I'm busy."
"Byaku-"
Click.
"Damnit." Though he felt like an important discovery was ruined.
He heard a sigh then a shuffling noise and the sound of what he assumed to be a leg chair scraping against a floor.
Then he felt something soft against his cheek. Oy, this herbivore better not be touching his face-
"I'm so sorry." A whisper. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." And this is why herbivores are so silly. Why was she even apologizing?
"Don't die." Of course he wouldn't. Just who does she think he is? "We haven't even met yet." ...
Silence, for the most part. Occasionally he would hear a slight hitch in her breath, sniffles, and what he assumed to be very quiet sobbing.
Then as if unsure at first, he heard a break in the silence. "Relinquish in the.." Is she trying again? It's useless. Didn't she realize?
"Return what has been lost..." What's with these herbivores? He'd never understand. But he supposed.. it felt a bit warm. The spells. Whatever she was casting.
But he had no choice, no way of stopping her as he listened to her voice but at least it wasn't as annoying as the other herbivores. It seemed to slowly be losing strength, growing softer in volume. As if she was slowly drifting off to sleep.
Though deep down, he could slightly admit that he was impressed- no, surprised she had enough energy to keep this up.
Stop crying. Stop- It's annoying. Herbivores and their constant crying. They cry about everything.
But as her voice droned off and a weight pressing into his arm, he realized this must be the unwilling end of her efforts.
And slowly, he too was...
A/N: OC in this chapter by Aliathe
(other OC was Kizuna by Kizuna Tsukuyomi. Will be introduced properly later)
Name: Alyssandra Tang (Alyss, Alyss in Wonderland, Joker, Wildcard)
Gender: Female
Age: 16 1/3
Hair Color: Inky black.
Hair Style: Straight, and reaching shoulder-length when loose. Usually her hairstyle is two silver clips on each side of her face, holding back bangs, with the rest of her hair gathered into a low, neat twist-bun.
Eye Color: Almond eyes, of a dark brown-black.
Nationality: 1/4 Taiwanese, 1/2 Chinese, and 1/4 Japanese. Born in Hong Kong.
Family: Her father's a banker, and her mother's a white-hat hacker (and occasionally black-hat) living a quiet life with her father. They're close, but more in that fond, distant way. Neither of them play. No siblings.
Flame Attribute: Mist
Job: Thief/Merchant and Sabotage. (Stealth)
Weapon of Choice: Definitely more of a flight than fight person, but she has to fight, she prefers close-range combat with claw-gauntlets (silver and serrated edges) that slide over her hands and up to her elbows. The 'claws' are normally sheathed, and she unsheathes them from her gloves with a flick. Also has steel-tipped boots to add extra kick to her... well... kicks.
Normal Clothes and Equip: Black lace-up boots, black gloves, a black scarf. White-and-black slanted-striped water-proof flak jacket-like vest with pockets, and ash gray cargo capris. Has a row of tiny tattoos across her left cheek: a heart, diamond, spade, and clover. Those tattoos, coupled with her ever present grin, gave her the nicknames of Joker and Wildcard, especially since she prefers to ally with many guilds and join none.
Traits: Practical, disciplined, patient, careful, reserved, miserly, prudent. (A/N: Aliathe gave me a beautiful description of her OC's personality but it's long and well- hidden for purposes).
Other:
-Likes: Dark chocolate (the darker the better), collecting clocks, collecting smooth gemstones, stealing, warmth, efficiency, neatness, sparkling apple cider (instead of wine/champagne), simple high-quality things, collecting blackmail.
-Dislikes: Alcohol, smoking, wasting her time, getting dirty, being stolen from, the cold, roses, and marshmallows, sweets, sours, and spicy foods.
-Random: Allergic to roses and marshmallows. Does some spying if specially requested and she likes the payment. Will often casually blackmail you with a serenely charming smile to get what she wants.
-Appearance: Pretty, refined, vaguely Asian features, but not widely considered 'beautiful'. A few inches taller than the average, and a slim, slender, stately build. Lean, and angling for speed. Small feet, small hands, just right for darting in and lifting a steal. Has little presence, and very good at blending in with civilians. Nothing quite remarkable or defining about her, which gives Alyss a great advantage as a thief.
P.s. She has such wonderfully unique stories and is a really incredible writer.