Waking Up With the Sun: Chapter 6 Spiritual State

"I'm going back to Tokyo."

Those were the first words Tsuna heard as he picked up his phone, recognizing Hino on the other end. It had been almost a full week since the last IB meeting, where Hino managed to send four adult male Vongola guardians into near cardiac arrest.

"The girls need to go back to work and so do I. And I think I've had enough of a vacation here to last me a while, but I need to go home. I can still help you from Tokyo, and I know that you and everyone else needs to go back to Italy. In a month the representative from America will be here to visit, and I can send you information if you desire. Niochavi hasn't brought up the Vongola name in our recent e-mails either, so I think I've bought you some time to figure out your plans…"

Tsuna turned the page of the file he was reading, listening to her explanation responding only with one worded affirmations and concern, "…Will you be okay, Hazuki-san?"

"I… yeah. Tokyo is my home. And I have responsibilities to take care of, just as you have your family to protect. Once A Smile for Smiles activity picks up again, the IB activity on my side will die down a lot. All of us representatives have real-world jobs and it's understood when our schedules start to get busy. Any movement against representatives made not during IB hours are strictly prohibited and addressed immediately…"

Tsuna let out a tired sigh, "Hazuki-san… I understand your decision, however… You aren't just someone I need connected to the Blacklist, you're also a good friend. I'm concerned about your welfare."

"Tsuna-chan, it's okay. I'm a grown woman, remember? I'm still your onee-san!" the woman chirped. He chuckled and blushed at the nick-names from their youth and smiled to himself.

"…Very well… Let's at least spend some time with each other before we all leave Namimori, ne?"

*U*U*U*

The days flew by as Hazuki slumped over her temporary office desk, swamped with letters from her assistant, the producer for A Smile for Smiles, and other tedious task work. The idol group would start working on a new album as soon as they reached Tokyo, and songwriters were already sending in their submissions. Recording would start the next week.

She looked at the phone Gokudera had given her upon their first 'reunion', if she could call it that. There were no calls or messages, and though that meant no additional stress, she felt a little (though she would refuse to ever admit it)…lonely.

*U*U*U*

When Tsuna had told his guardians that their associate was heading back to Tokyo, he was met with loud protest and vulgarity and negative responses from his two loudest guardians. Though one was obviously more relieved to head back to Italy, the other appeared more restless.

Tsuna could tell what they were all thinking, and before anyone opened up their mouth to say another word, he lifted up his hand to stop them, and gave his guardians instructions.

One would be staying behind to observe and protect Hazuki, but only after Tsuna had given him the signal allowing his presence to be revealed.

He was met with protest when he said just who would be staying.

*U*U*U*

Three Days Later, Takesushi, 20:23

The sushi joint owned by Takeshi's father was loud and rambunctious, as always with a certain crowd. It would be a few days before Hino and her associates would go back to Tokyo, and though she wouldn't admit to it, she was having the time of her life as her young pop stars sang karaoke for the adults, cheering them on. The scent of sake and cigarette smoke lingered in the air, filled with cheers and singing, except for one corner where two former Midori Middle and Midori High School students sat.

Hino smiled as the girls performed, patting Haru on the head for a job well done in entertaining, chaperoning, and babysitting them. The latter was also crying as she held a gold plaque with her name engraved on it.

Snot and tears mixed together as Haru wiped her face with a handkerchief, "Waaahhhhhh Hazuki-senpai!"

"Haru-chan, please! I really appreciate everything you've done for me. Please accept my praise and if you ever, I repeat ever need help, I am a call away!"

The younger woman only cried more. She continued her wailing and sobbing, and Hazuki continued her patting, breathing a huge sigh of relief as Kyoko made her way over, "Kyoko-hime! Please take care of this for me!"

The woman smiled and laughed, taking a seat next to her friend as the older woman clasped her hands together and bowed, mouthing silent 'thank yous'. Hazuki then ran off to applaud the four teen performers, ushering them off the makeshift karaoke stage of crates and cement bricks.

"Alright, alright. We still have a few days to pack so go get a good night's rest before tomorrow."

The loudness of the room had quieted down once A Smile for Smiles finished their last song, the music being replaced with a local radio station. Everyone sat at tables conversing with each other, some happily more drunk than others.

"Ah? What's tomorrow, Hazuki-sensei?" Reina asked.

"Well, tomorrow I want you girls up bright and early. We need to get you ready for the trip back to Tokyo, but the local news station would like a radio interview at eleven, and then we have to start packing. I know you girls did a lot of shopping."

Tanaka pouted while Kori and Tanaka looked away. Reina shrugged her shoulders sheepishly and giggled.

"Hai, hai! I've already called for a taxi. The adults are gonna have some fun now!" Hazuki winked as she nudged them out the door. She was met with loud cries of protest and pouts, but they complied, "Oh! Taizo-sensei called me and said he's at the hotel, so he'll be there when you ladies arrive. Don't tell him I'm drinking, ne? Otherwise he'll have my head…"

"Haaai!"

Takesushi, 22:42

[Track: Spiritual State, Nujabes]

Those adults still conscious (meaning everyone sans Gokudera) weren't as loud as they were earlier, but they were still just as energetic. It was only in times of peace did they have a chance to relax like this and de-stress themselves from the tension of the underground world and the lifestyle of the mafia. Hoping to catch her breath from laughing and talking, Hazuki stepped outside, taking in the night air, sitting at the bench at the entrance.

She was joined quickly by a rather agitated Ryohei. His original drinking partner had been knocked out early and his other drinking partner was being a good person and taking care of the former.

"I'm going back to Tokyo."

"…I know."

Hino could hear the music from inside, since Namimori's loudest resident was now sitting next to her. She smiled at the familiarity of the song and gazed up at the night sky.

"When are you guys going back to Italy?"

"The day after you leave."

"So soon, huh?"

"Tch… the only real reason we came back is because you're here. And private jet and all that stuff, extremely convenient."

Hino let out a soft giggle.

He ran a bandaged hand through his messy hair and clicked his tongue in annoyance, "What's so funny?"

She looked at the man, hair out of it styled hold, collar askew and tie uneven, jacket long since discarded, sleeves of that disgusting orange shirt rolled up haphazardly and unevenly. Even the bandages that constantly adorned his arms had come undone a bit at the top.

"It's been over ten years since we met, and you still use 'extreme' so much," she said softly as she reached to fix his messy attire.

He rolled his eyes and let her do her thing, it was a habit of hers since they were young, "So? You're still obsessive about having things be even and orderly. Even though you didn't start doing that until high school. Plus, I bet you're still obsessed with cake."

Her eye twitched as she straightened his tie, "I was not obsessed, I enjoyed the taste of fine pastries. You're still loud and wild and running round like an idiot, shouting 'extreme' at everything. I'm pretty sure all of us are going to need hearing aids in the near future."

"Oi, oi, who're you calling an idiot? I live my life to the extreme!" he scowled.

"See? Like a kid!" she smiled, moving her closer so she could fix his hair. Delicate fingers ran through wild white hair shaken out of its hold. Her thumb brushed over the scar on his brow.

Neither was aware of how close they were to each other, knees bumping and body heat radiating. Hino smoothed out the hair on the side of his head, and her eyes trailed from her hand to his face, which was only a few inches from her.

"You didn't answer my question though, who are you calling an idiot, idiot?" he asked, leaning closer with furrowed eyebrows and a sour frown, their eyes locked.

Their bodies grew closer, and Hazuki stared into those steely eyes as his calloused hand brushed the stray hairs that fell naturally around her face.

"You, of course," she teased.

It was quiet except for the muffled sound of the music coming from inside. He could feel the warmth of her breath barely ghost his lips, and she the same. They stared at each other intensely, inching closer and closer.

Short chapter is short.