Title: Land of Roses
Author: Dreamcloud
Fandom: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Pairing: 80/59 18/27
Setting: A Modern Romeo + Juliet era so yes they do have mobile phones
Word Count: 11,352
Warnings: Use of guns, most probable blood and guts scenes
Author's Note(s): So this is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, so there will be a lot of reference to that.
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Japan, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;"
The family of Yamamoto were the only family of hitman; they are respected, yet feared. They lead the traditional life, high up in the mountains, away from the vast and bustling city below them full of flashing lights and noise. The sword is their weapon and its secrets are passed down from one generation to the next. They kill without the use of technology instead relying on their instincts and skills alone. The current head of this formidable family is Tsuyoshi Yamamoto. Tsuyoshi has one son, Takeshi Yamamoto, who he hopes to one day leave the family to…
The young Yamamoto has much potential, of which his father can see. He's quick to pick things up and learns best while on the job. His instincts as a hitman are strong and his tutor Squalo has high hopes for him. However, Takeshi has two faults that hold him back…
Takeshi has a love for baseball, and can't see to tear himself away from it, and while his father wants him to be happy; he also wants him to succeed as a hitman. However he refuses to give baseball up and Squalo complains that it might make him soft.
The other problem is that he won't use the sharp side of his blade. This is another thing that Squalo thinks will make him weak.
But the Yamamoto family now have other things to worry about, asides from their unwilling son.
Around the time that Takeshi was born a powerful and very much influential family moved to the area.
The Gokudera family.
Unlike the Yamamoto family they use advanced technology to hunt for their kills and train their hitmen to be proficient with many weapons. The family own a lavish mansion within the city and use this as their main home. They believe strongly in getting hits done fast and without much conflict, even if this means playing using underhanded means, stealing and lying. The head of their family also only has one heir.
Hayato Gokudera.
From a young age he was trained to use dynamite by his tutor Shamal, who also used dynamite as one of his mediums. Hayato then went on to self-teach himself to be proficient in handling a gun after Shamal refused to show him something so dangerous at such a young age. Although he has many skill and most believe he will one day be able to take over the family with little trouble, Hayato's quick temper and bad manners often left him down and make his parents cringe.
Yet one would find it strange that these two boys both from such exceedingly different lifestyles could clash so perfectly.
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Vongola Mansion
Time: 10:00pm
The lights were far too bright and the floor so clean one could see their face perfectly in the reflection beaming back up. It was true when people said the Vongola family were flashy people. There was soft music playing from a 5 man band in the corner, and people had gathered in a neat crowd in the middle of the floor and began to sway to the beat in slow circles. I could even see a large away of buffet tables against the back wall and people dressed immaculately in black and white scurrying about to serve people fresh glasses of wine and nibbles on trays of sparkling silver.
But my eyes were searching for something different and a smile tugged my lips as I found it.
A head of brown spikes bounced into my vision suddenly, making their way from person to person a strained smile upon their pale face.
"Yo Tsuna!" I called loudly trying to be heard over the light chatter and soft music.
Tsuna turned to me and as soon as he spotted me and distinguished who I was that confused look marched into a bright smile.
"Ah Takeshi" he greeted. "I'm glad you could make it, I was worried when you didn't come to the wedding, I thought you might be busy"
"Haha, yeah I'm really sorry I didn't come. But I thought I could make up for it by coming to the reception" I told him scratching the back of my neck nervously.
Tsuna only smiled fondly and shook his forest of spikes dismissively adding that slight wave of his hand in.
"No, no, honestly it's fine. Don't worry about it. I know your busy at the moment, I'm just glad you're here now"
I laughed in response and realised that Tsuna must be feeling stressed having to entertain so many people, all of which would want his undivided attention. Tsuna had never been great with big crowds and having to host flashy parties that showcased just how rich his family really was.
My gaze drifted for a moment and landed on a dark haired man surrounded by a host of enquiring people, and I nod my head in his direction.
"Ah Kyoya will be a good match for you though. He's always liked you after all; it must be a dream come true right?"
Tsuna follows my gaze and I watch in amusement as his face lights up red and his eyes slowly soften. Tsuna's got such a soft spot for him after all.
"Yeah, I really like him too and we've known each other for years so it's not awkward I suppose. Plus my dad likes him because of his family being so powerful. You know he wanted me to marry someone like that anyway, so it all worked out in the end"
I went to open my mouth again to say something when another voice cuts me off.
"Hey Tsuna!"
We both turn towards the voice to find a silver haired boy come bolting towards us smiling.
"Hayato?" I hear Tsuna whisper in surprise. "Wow I really didn't expect to see you here" he adds as the boy reaches us.
The newcomer only smiles enthusiastically and hands Tsuna a neatly wrapped parcel to Tsuna.
"Well my dad said I could come if I took Shamal with me" he then frowns ad folds his arms, eyes scanning about for a moment as if looking for someone. "But I left him somewhere near the door. By the way that's to say congratulations from me and the family" he adds nodding towards the parcel again.
Tsuna glances at the package and give a soft thank you to him. I watch as Hayayo gives a look of confusion, as if only realising he's never met me before. Tsuna must have noticed as he breaks into another smile and introduces us.
"AH, Hayato this is Takeshi a good friend of mine" he explains direction a hand to me.
I immediately remember my manners and give a Hayato a friendly smile and slight bow; adding a polite hello.
In return he smiles slightly, and I suddenly feel like grinning, he's much prettier when he smiles. He then extends his hand to mine and I recognise it as a more western way of greeting and take his hand and mine as we shake. I've also found it an odd greeting, but I don't want to offend him.
From the corner of my eye I see Tsuna give a secretive smile, as though he knows something we don't, but let it go in favour of watching Hayato.
"Well I had better get back to Kyoya. I really don't want him biting any of the guests to death" Tsuna tells us and he suddenly disappears into the crowd once more leaving me and Hayato alone.
Hayato takes his hand back and stands awkwardly for a moment, glancing away nervously. I give an equally nervous laugh and watch as his cheeks blossom a faint rosy colour. I take the chance to look around the room again and my eye catches the dancers once more still twirling in endless circles.
Something clicks in my mind and I suddenly really want to dance with this familiar stranger. If he'll let me that is' but I'll test my luck.
"Hey" I call to him, he turns to me and it seems he may have followed my gaze. I stretch out my hand towards hi, much like he had to me before. "Do you want to dance?"
He must have been caught off guard as he blinks a little owlishly at me, but after a moment of contemplation he sighs and give a subtle nod of his head and gives me his hand. I can't help but smile leading him through the throngs of people before setting us just on the outskirts of our fellow dancers.
I set my right hand behind his shoulder blade and the other in his right hand and begin to lead him around the room in a slow waltz. Something tells me he's not impressed when I accidently step on his foot once or twice.
"Haha, sorry I'm not much of a dancer really" I can't help but, hoping maybe this will appease him and he won't think I'm doing it on purpose.
"Why did you ask me to dance then?" he frowns and tries to avoid my misplaced feet again. He's a really good dancer I note and really he puts me to shame easily.
"I'm not sure. I know I just really wanted to dance with is all" I'm being honest too, which I hope he doesn't take the wrong way. To my relief he doesn't seem to either, he just looks a little flustered again; which makes me smile.
"O-oh right. Well thank you I suppose" he mumbles and looks away from me.
"Haha, you're really cute when you get all flustered"
"W-what! I am not. Besides who says I'm flustered anyway?" he's getting hyped up and I noticed that it really makes his eyes sparkle, so again I only smile which irritates him more.
"Hayato!" someone yells, abruptly pulling the two of us out of whatever moment we were having. I glance round to try and see who it was and spot a guy standing over by the buffet table watching us with a trained eye.
The slight frown from Hayato doesn't go unnoticed by me and he breaks away from me, and then turns back as though remembering that I'm here again.
"Sorry, but I think I've got to now" he tells me glancing back to the guy again with a moody look.
"Oh okay" I really don't want him to go. "Will I get to see you again?" I ask hopefully.
"Sure, I'll get Tsuna to keep us in touch" he says and takes his lead after he's called again, leaving me standing a little abandoned in the middle of a crowed dance floor.
"VOOOIII!"
I have to physically wince as the noise makes it to my ears. I'd know that voice anywhere. The owner of that voice soon finds me and drags me from the cluster of swirling people towards one of the open verandas.
"Ah Squalo, you found me" I say cheerfully to him hoping he won't punch me in the middle of a party. It doesn't seem to work and he still looks like he wants to rip me to pieces.
"The hell do you think you're doing to useless but of trash! How the hell am I going to explain that to your father if he finds out?" he rants at me waving his hands about in dramatic gestures and at one point he's pointing back to where Hayato is just leaving through the front door.
"Urmm…" I blink looking confused because I'm not making any connections here.
He smacks a hand to his face and gives me a long considering look, followed by a weary sigh.
"Do you know who you were just dancing with?" he asks and I know that something wrong from the serious tone he's using.
Had Hayato been someone important? Someone I should have been more respectful and polite with? Was he the son of one of my father's top clients? I had no idea, but clearly Squalo did.
"No" I tell him. "Tsuna introduced us, so I just thought that he was a friend of his. Is he someone important?"
My tutor only gives an annoyed huff ad slams his hand into the balcony.
"And I suppose Tsuna only introduced you on first name terms did he?" now he just sounds angry, and an angry Squalo is not a friendly Squalo.
"Yeah he did, what's the big deal?"
The speed at which he turns on me is quite frightening I suppose, but I'm too busy avoided his fist that just tried to take me out to feel frightened.
"The fucking big deal is that that kid is the Gokudera family's heir, Hayato Gokudera!" he yells at me in frustration.
For a moment I don't properly process what he just said. I'm doing busy gaping at him like a fish. It can't be.
"Yeah, you were just getting cosy with your families biggest enemies heir" Squalo tells me harshly.
But…
But that's not fair! I had just sort of fallen for hi a little, and had been hoping to see him again. But if he really was who Squalo was saying he was then I knew for sure that my chances of seeing him again anywhere other than behind the barrel of a gun were next to none.
LINE BREAK:-
"Oi! What's wrong? I was doing fine on my own you know!"
Stupid Shamal was being…
Stupid.
Which I suppose is normal for him. Always bothering me and telling me what to do.
He whirls round to me as we make it to the door to leave; which he's made it clear we're doing (just when I was starting to enjoy myself). Parties aren't normal my thing. But my sister, for one, isn't here to try ad poison me with her god awful cooking.
"Oh you were fine were you?" he asks with a warning tone. "Do you even realise who it was you were just flaunting about with?"
The question takes me aback and I just look at him for a minute. This is why he's so pissed off? Because I was dancing with the wrong person? He moans at me when I do nothing but pester Tsuna and for once I take a chance with someone I may or may not have had a good feeling about and I still get moaned at.
I'm feeling pissed off and so I don't dignify him with an answer, only turn my head away from him to show that I don't have a fucking clue as to what he's on about. He takes the hint and gives me a hard look as though thinking how to phase what he's about to say.
"That was Takeshi Yamamoto"
My eyes fly open wide and I whip my head to him as if to check if he's leading me on. I'm met with a stony look that tells me he's not fucking about. I drop my head down again. That can't be right… But there again I've never met the Yamamoto heir, so I wouldn't be able to point him out in a crowd of people.
But he had seemed so, normal. He didn't come across as the son of a hitman at all. There was no serious look on his eyes or hint of a killer aura. Nothing to distinguish he as someone allied with that family at all…
I had really liked him too. He was sort of sweet in an idiotic way. He'd had the manners to ask me to dance, not just drag me out there like a ragdoll like most of my other suitors had.
Why the hell did this have to happen…
"Hayato, the cars here"
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Yamamoto Dojo
Time: 9:00am
"Hey did you know the Gokudera family is having a party tomorrow night?"
It's been a week since I got my heart broken in a way. Meeting someone you were attracted to be couldn't be with was a big of downer; and I had been down ever since. Squalo hadn't mentioned it to my father and I knew he was intending to keep it that way. So I had said nothing either. But of course he knew something was up, he always did.
I'm currently taking a break from training with Basil, a boy who was a hitman in training along with me and lived in the student quarters. He'd sort of been adopted by my family when they had found him abounded at a young age. My father saw potential and took a shine to him and he's been here ever since.
"Hmm, they are, are they?" I respond to him, of course I'm interested after all this is Hayato's family we're talking about here. Plus I'm thinking about going.
Unbeknown to Basil I had already known about the party after overhearing my cousin, Xanxus and my dad talking about it earlier in the week. Not that I was about to tell anyone I had. Eavesdropping was highly frowned upon, intentional or not.
However I still wanted to go. If there was even a chance of seeing Hayato again then I was going to take it. The only problem was getting there and not getting caught, by the Gokudera family and my own. I knew I could use Tsuna as an excuse to get out of the house. It would be easy enough to tell my father that I was going to see Tsuna and would be staying late; he would demand I take someone though. Being as I was the next heir to out family it was vital I stayed alive long enough to inherit the family. I could always take Basil though, my father trusted him enough to handle me.
Here lay the next challenge. Basil would not be willing to sneak around behind my father's back. He held a deep respect and loyalty towards him, and while this was a good thing, it wouldn't do any favours for me regarding the current situation. So the only thing I could do was tell him as close to the truth as possible, leaving out the part that I may or may not have feelings towards my father's greatest enemy's son. With this in mind I began to set my half put together plan into action and hoped for the best.
Hey do you want to go?" I started trying to make the question sound as innocent as I could while watching for his reaction, no matter what he had to go along with this.
However he didn't quite take it that way…
He's up on his feet in an instance in shook over the fact that I just suggested the idea, staring at me like I just stabbed him with my blade.
"W-what!" he yells in horror before lowering his voice and glancing about, most likely for Squalo who only just left us for a break. "Are you insane?" he then asks frantically. "Your father would never allow that"
I smile easily and lay back on the wooden floor of the dojo.
"Well we don't have to tell him" I suggest sneakily adding a slight shrug of my shoulders. "I can always tell him we're going to Tsuna's for the evening; he's going to tell me to take someone anyway"
I know this isn't going to be easy to get Basil to go along with me. He's too scared of getting into trouble and disobeying my father. I can understand why though, he feels indebted to my father because he saved him the day he found him.
"But that would be lying!" he hisses sounding aghast. "Plus even if we did and he still found out, we could get in huge trouble" he reasons.
I ignore him and try to act unconcerned, even though I am slightly worried.
I don't really like the idea of lying to my father either. I don't want him worrying about me, or getting angry. But I just feel as if I really need to see Hayato again, even if it's just to find out what he thinks of me knowing who I am. Which I'm assuming that guy told him, being as he was giving me a look of severe hatred and loathing.
"Well I'm going" I conclude "We're going to have to do this whole sneaking around thing sooner or later so why prolong it" I say with a grin.
He gives an exasperated sigh and shakes his head at me.
"Why do you even want to go in the first place?" He enquires curiously.
In response I give a thoughtful hum and sit back up again hanging one arm loosely over a drawn up knee.
"I'm just interested I suppose"
And I really am, just not in what Basil probably thinks.
Another sighs escapes him and this time it's him flopping back against the floor behind us.
"Fine. But not a word to your father okay?"
Inwardly I give a cry of joy and some kind of messed up cheerleader routine. Not that I let this on in any kind of way.
"Plus it's a masquerade, so that should make it easier to go undetected right? We could hide costumes in a bag so as your father doesn't find out and we're set…"
Basil continues to lay out a battle strategy, but I'm too busy trying to calm myself down and wipe the pure look of happiness off my face before Squalo returns and literally smacks it off.
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Gokudera Mansion
Time: 9:00pm
It's been a week and one day since that night. I try not to think about what happened. For some reason this annoying sinking feeling overwhelms me and I've yet to completely figure it out.
Mothers been worried, as mother's do, and she been making an annoying habit of charging into my room claiming she checking to make sure I'm still alive. Bianchi, my annoying sister has been following her example; however her methods are slightly more drastic and involve her threatening to shove a mouthful of her god awful cooking down my throat if I refuse to tell her what happened. Unfortunately they know it has something to do with the party, as that is where my sudden mood change stems from.
Since I'm clearly not letting anything on their pestering slid to Shamal who was the one who accompanied me to the reception. Thank god he's not letting anything on either; although this is because he doesn't want word getting back to my father out of fear of being systematically disposed of.
So for now, I hope my secrets safe for prying ears. But this does little to make me feel any better.
I know for sure I'm never going to see Takeshi again…
"Hayato!" a loud shriek sends my jerking my feet, and low and behold my mother appears at my door dolled up as though she's about to step out onto a red carpet somewhere down in Paris. No matter what she wear she always looks beautiful and at her best.
She places a delicate piano playing hand on her hip and shakes her head at me smiling softly, and I watch as it reaches her eyes and they light up with that pretty sort of glow.
"Are you still not ready?" she asks me looking me over before stepping into the room, and lighting it up in with that talent of hers that attracts everyone's attention and holds it.
"I'm not feeling well, so I don't think I'll be attending" I tell her looking away. It's a lie and she probably knows it.
Her eyes fall into a concerned look and I know already that's she won't say anything about the lie and will let me stay here well away from the festivities. This is why I can't bear to look at her, knowing I'm taking advantage of her kindness. Knowing that she will stand before my father as he asks where I am, and spin a white lie to him as to why I'm not there standing with them entertaining.
"I see…" she replies once more. "Well perhaps it's better if you stay here then and not attend"
She then glances me over again and her pretty face contorts into a frown. Her hands move out to take my collar into dainty hands and she fixes my collar down and smooth's it out.
"Honestly" she chuckles. "Hayato, you must learn to properly dress yourself. How on earth do you expect to take of the family looking like you've just got out of bed?"
She then brushes a hand through my hair, hair that is so much like her own and I know I inherited from her, just like most of my looks.
Bianchi and I have different mothers after all. Bianchi's mother died after giving birth to her, so she never really got to meet her other than looking through old pictures that my father kept for her. Everyone says it was a loveless marriage though and my father married her a young age, not really knowing what he was doing. Bianchi doesn't seem to mind though and treats my mother like her own, much as my mother treats her like her own daughter.
My mother then moves away from me and offers one last smile, withdrawing her hands and taking a step back.
"There" she announces. "You look much more presentable now" she tells me. "I'll be down in the ball room if you need anything okay, or you can send one of the maids to fetch me if you don't feel up for coming down" she then bends down to kiss my forehead, leaving e one last offer of comfort and leaves the room soft closing the door behind her.
I'm then left alone with only the old open topped grand piano for company.
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Gokudera Mansion
Time: 10:00pm
I've never been to the Gokudera Mansion before, but it's easily as grand as the Vongola estate.
Huge chandeliers hang ominously from the high topped ceilings, golden and all lit by candle. The room decorated with tables on one side for eating and chatting at with plenty of space on the other side for dancing and standing in small groups for the occasional chat. They don't seem to skimp on the food either with not on tables and tables of many fine a cuisine but also have people dotted around offering appetisers and refills of champagne.
It reminds faintly of the Vongola party not a week ago, but this party is spread out over more than one room and everyone's face is hidden by some sort of decorated mask.
But Basil and I fit right in with our own masks and well-dressed attires. At least I hope to whatever God is watching that we do.
My father had brought our well versed lie and let us go on our merry way. I had of course previously called Tsuna and asked him cover for me of my father happened to call or send someone round to hunt for me. But I had made it pretty clear that I wouldn't be back until late and would call for someone to pick me if needed. Tsuna had sounded concerned about what it was I was up to until I had told him just where I was going and had suddenly dropped his worry and laughed softly before agreeing oddly enough. However I wasn't going to press him on it if he was so eager to help.
So far so good; but I was still on my guard.
It was almost too easy to spot the Lord and Lady of the establishment. The current head of the Gokudera family and his wife were perched on the staircase of the manor chatting away quite happily with a few of the guests and generally keeping everyone as happy as they could.
Next I made out the figure of Bianchi, the Poison Scorpion. My family are well acquainted with her supposedly. Squalo had told me some grim tales about how she had taken out team B and C, who had been doing to investigating into a famous hitman called Reborn. Needless to say no-one dared to take the case back up after all.
But now as I look at her, entertaining as if she had born for this sole purpose, she seemed as harmless as the rest of the ocupants of the room.
I was left to re-search the room once more, glancing over everyone else around me, keeping a close eye for that distinctive glossy silver hair. But there appeared to be no sign of him. Technically he should by right have been stood close to his family, so as everyone would be able to associate him as being one of the hosts of the evening. Especially being as this was a masquerade ball.
So where was he?
A sudden thought hit me and I went to move away from Basil, who had been glued to my side since our arrival. However as I did he noticed straight away and grabbed the sleeve of my suite jacket.
"Where are you going now?" he asked me just above a whisper.
"The bathroom" I reply innocently, then letting a coy look fall across my face. "Surely you're not going to accompany me there too?"
His face explodes with colour violently and he firmly shakes his head dropping my sleeve.
"Don't be stupid!" he hisses. "But please hurry up, I've got a bad feeling" he tells me allowing me to leave his side.
My best bet is that Hayato is somewhere else in the house. But if I had any intention of searching the house then I had to loose Basil. He would never agree to me trying to get cosy with the son of the head of the Gokudera family, no matter had close our friendship was. Even Basil had his limits, and I didn't want to push them.
Carefully I began to sneak up the staircase on the opposite side to where the head of the family and his pretty wife were still standing chatting away to fairly important people. They didn't take notice of me as I snuck by and disappeared down the hall, totally unaware that I was currently searching madly for their son.
I honestly had no idea where it was I was going. My plan seemed to have fallen through and I had managed to lose track of where I was going and how to get to where I had come from. I really did have no sense of direction and normally just relied on gut instinct to see me through. But even my instincts seemed to fail me this time.
Although I was smart enough to know that I couldn't really ask for help at this stage of the game. I had wandered too far in and now any of the house staff who found me would probably think I was a thief trying to make a good catch while everyone was preoccupied with the party way back down the halls.
So I ended up carrying on with plan A and kept wandering down the endless halls, most likely walking in circles while trying to find my way back.
That was until I heard the soft sound of a piano playing. It was a sad sounding hymn, played with plenty of high notes, not that I knew much about music.
Curiosity caught me and I was interested to know who was playing such a tune. Slowly, so as not to caught prying, I pushed the door open and peered inside. The room was fairly dark with the curtains pulled across the long windows, and only two lit lights glowing against the walls. A figure was sat at a large open grand piano in the far corner fingers dancing elegantly across the keys.
I had found.
By some miracle or gift from whatever God had taken pity upon me, I had found him.
I didn't voice my entry for a while, simply standing there enjoying the music and view. If he noticed me he didn't voice it either, though something told me he hadn't by the tense look of concentration on his face.
However once he had finished his piece and I began clapping in appreciation, he soon noticed that.
But I had to admit, I hadn't expect him to react so violently…
One minuet he had been sitting quite contently perched on the piano stool and the next he was up on his feet, piano seat overturned and a gun in his hands pointed directly at me.
No I hadn't expected that.
"Woah, wait a minute. Don't shoot" I quickly told him holding both hands up in defeat, hoping to God I didn't yell out too late.
Luckily Lady Luck has taken a shine to me and Hayato doesn't shoot a hole through me. Instead he settles for gaping at me like it's me pointing a gun at me as appose to him aiming one at my chest.
"Takeshi?" he says in wonder, like he doesn't believe I'm standing here in front of him. He gathers himself as I shoot a smile and lower my hands thinking it safe to do so. "What are you doing here?" he then hisses at me. "If anyone finds out you're here then you'll be killed!" he explains feisty.
"So you're happy to see him then?" I ask taking it as a good thing that's he's worrying about me.
He doesn't respond only giving me a heated look and lowers the gun back down with a sigh.
"What are you doing here?" he asks again, with less anger and more curiosity.
To keep him happy and from shoving the gun back in my face I comply and answer his questions.
"I just wanted to see you again" I tell him honestly smiling sincerely. He glances away from a moment and I'm positive he's blushing again.
"So you snuck into your enemy's house just to see me?" he asks facing me again looking surprised.
"You make it sound a terrible thing when you say it like it that!" I tell him laughing slightly at the look of surprise on his face. "Didn't you want to see me again?"
"Yes, but you know who I am don't you?" he says watching me again with a guarded look. I nod my head at him and he continues. "I thought after you found out that you wouldn't want to see me again. After all I'm the son of your father's enemy, so technically that makes us enemies to right?"
I blink for a moment. To be honest I had never even really thought about that before, but that's because I didn't really care for it. Even if Hayato was meant to be my enemy I didn't really care. I liked him and he's never really done anything to e to warrant any sort of hate or enemy status. I'd only just met him a week ago. Wow, things were moving fast.
"I don't really see you as an enemy to be honest" I tell him scratching the back of my head. "I just know I really like you, so I wanted to see you again, even if it meant sneaking in here to do that. Besides aren't we meant to be training to do all this sneaking about? I thought I had better get the training in" I laugh again, and he seems a little more at ease, which in turn makes me feel better.
"I guess so… But even so! It's still a dangerous and stupid idea. What are you going to do if you get caught?" He demands frowning like he's trying to come up with some sort of plan to get us out of this situation.
"I'll deal with that when it happens. I've done well so far relying on my gut instincts haven't I?" I say smiling walking closer to him.
He drops back down onto the piano stool and stares at the keys once more. He'd been playing when I had come in; it had been that sad tune from before…
"Hey, what were you playing before when I came in? it sounded really sad, not that I'd really know, I'm not good with music. My dad tried to get me to play the flute, but I wasn't any good"
He blinks at me for a moment and then looks back to the keys smiling again, tracing his fingers over the keys slowly.
"It was a song my mother taught me. She used to play it to my father when they were younger. He told her it was his favourite song that she played for him. I asked her to teach me a while back, I haven't mastered it yet but it's getting there I suppose"
I smile once more at him. He seemed happy talking about music and the piano. Faintly I wondered whether he'd play for me if I asked him. Something happier though, I wasn't keen on the song he had played before, It sounded like something you were meant to play for a funeral or when you sad.
"Will you play something for me, something happy" I asked him hopefully. Again he looked stunned I had asked but melted into a softer look and nodded, placing his finger back against the keys slowly thinking of something to play.
This tune seemed simpler, much simpler. But it was a happier tune and his fingers were dancing along at the lower end of the piano. I found myself humming along half way through and I caught the sneaky smile on his face at the fact I was. He played it to me for a while before his fingers came to a stop, drawing out one last note and holding it. After it faded into the back ground he looked up at me for my opinion. I could only grin, I hadn't expected him to indulge my request let alone even think about it. But that fact that he had made me grin from ear to ear.
"Teach me?" I asked, not sure what had possessed me to even ask him in the first place. My mouth just tended to voice whatever I was thinking most of the time. But it didn't seem like a bad idea, a way to pass the time and become closer to him maybe.
He laughed and grabbed my hands giving them a look over within his.
"Have you even played before?" He asked me and I shook my head. "Your hands are really rough, I don't think they were made for playing the piano" he tells me still smiling slightly. "But I suppose we could give it a go right?"
He pulls him closer to him and rest my hands over the piano, positioning them where their supposed to go. He then lays his fingers over mine, and I can't help but notice that mine are definitely bigger than his petit ones, his are so smooth as well, whereas mine are rough from handling a sword much and training for long hard hours with Squalo.
"Right, now press down on this key first and then onto this one, after that press those two here together when you press that one there. You got that?" he's explaining to me what to do and I try to remember as I start, He's no longer guiding my hands and letter me go on my own. But he hover close watching me as I try to remember what he said and which keys to press when. I forget for a while, but he only smiles and guides my hands back to where their meant to go, and laughs when I give him an apologetic look.
However he does get a frustrated when I forget for the fourth time…
We decide in the end I shouldn't really take up music and it would be best if I stick to just wielding a sword. Instead he plays me another song and I just sit and listen and watch his own flick across the keys where I had just had my own.
When he eventually stops I take a moment just to watch him, and slowly lean in closer to him brushing a stray lock from his face and then place a kiss against his lips. He doesn't move for a second, probably shocked that I had been so daring.
I'd never kissed anyone before, so I was unsure what to expect. I'd heard it was meant to be this amazing feeling of pure and utter bliss. Fireworks were supposed the go off all around you, and you were supposed to feel like everything was right in the world.
I had to admit it was nothing like that and I wasn't all of sudden on cloud nine. Instead I was still in the dimly lit piano room sat on a fairly uncomfortable piano seat kissing a boy I thought that world of and had only met last week.
But even so I still liked it; especially when Hayato got his act together and kissed me back. He kissed me slowly and unsurely at first but then seemed to find a sort of rhythm and I guessed it was safe to pull him closer without him freaking out on me. He seemed the type that had to be sure of what he doing before giving a little more. But he didn't pull away from me in fact he slid his arms around my neck and pulled me a little closer pressing out bodies together.
Okay so I did feel like I was on cloud nine a little. He obviously felt the same way about me that I did for him. He would have been kissing me otherwise and clearly wanting more if he didn't. It had to be a good thing right?
"Hayato!"
A voice breaks through my musings randomly and I break away from him to glance at the door. Oh God if someone walked in now it wouldn't be pretty. The voice belonged to a man, and it faintly sounded like the guys who had come for Hayato last time when we had been dancing at Tsuna's wedding reception.
Hayato jerks from his dazed look and stares at the door.
"Hayato!" the voice comes again and he jumps from my lap onto his feet.
"Crap!" he curses and turns to me. "It's Shamal! You've got to get out of here or at least hide" he tells me and begins dragging me over to a set of cabinets on the far side of the room. He opens up one of the doors and ushers me inside. I crawl in as he shuts the door behind me and urges me to stay quiet until he can get Shamal to leave.
The door opens just as Hayato shuts one behind me and I suddenly find myself holding my breath for no reason, other than I'm suddenly terrified of getting caught and being killed.
"There you are! I've been looking for you, you little skiver. Thought you could skip out on the party did you? Well you can't hide from me!" I peek through the gap in the door and see that it is indeed the guy who had interrupted me and Hayato dancing at the last party. He sounds drunk from the way his words are slurring together and he pulls Hayato into a one armed hug, much to Hayato's irritation. "Your mum said you weren't feeling to well, What's up still upset cause that guy you liked is a Yamamoto?" the question seems very blunt and to the point and it appears Hayato doesn't take to well to it.
"None of your damn business, your drunk get off me, you stink too!" Hayato tells him shrugging out of his hold and taking a step back to put some distance between them.
This only serves to make Shamal laugh and he takes another step forward peering into Hayato's face inspecting him for something.
"Ah, so it is because of that boy!" he claps he hands together and gives Hayato another drunken smile. "Don't worry we'll find you another guy or girl whatever you fancy!" he tells him making more dramatic hand gestures. "Anyway I only came to check on you and make sure you weren't dead or something. Now that I've made sure I'm off to find some more pretty girls to bed" there's far too much information and Hayato seems to agree as he frowns and makes a face at the eccentric man and his flirtatious ways.
"Ciao!" he then calls as he walks out the room closing to door behind him. Hayato follows and checks to make sure he's really gone before coming back in and closing the door once more with a sigh.
I crawl back out of the dresser and dust myself off with a smile.
"That was a close one eh?" I tell him as he walks back over to me and gently punches my shoulder for no reason.
"Yeah" he murmurs. "I really think you should go now though, I don't want you to get caught"
I only grin again and pull him up on his toes for another surprise kiss, he re-acts quicker this time and kisses me straight back without prompting and I manage to pry his mouth open. He gasps in surprise but submits and lets me do as I please, which is surprising for someone as feisty as him. A mini battle takes place for dominance and it neither of us seems eager to loose. But Hayato begins to waver and with a firm nip of his bottom lip I win and tilt his head back slightly.
But alas, the call for air brings us back down to reality and we break away, with him blushing like a cherry and I begin to wonder if all the blood in his body has gone to his head. A silence falls over us and I move from foot to foot nervously.
"So" he finally says. "When am I going to get to see you again?" he asks folding his arms and looking off to the side. That pride of his is so cute.
I go to answer him but get cut off but a vibration from my pocket. My hand reaches down to retrieve my phone and I stare at a worried message from Basil.
From: Basil
Subject: Where are you?
Where are you? Don't you still say in the bathroom, because unless your constipated I don't believe you!
I have to laugh and Hayato raises an eyebrow at him, and pears over my shoulder to look at what I'm reading, before gasping.
"You brought someone with you?" he asks stupefied.
"Erm, yes?" I say it more of a question scared that he'll blow up on me.
"Idiot! You had better go and find him and makes sure he doesn't get caught either!"
I laugh at him worrying for us and an idea comes to mind as I glance back down at my phone.
"Hey" I ask gaining his attention once more. "Do you have a mobile?"
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Yamamoto Estate
Time: 01:00am
After managing to find Basil and racing out of the mansion, calling for a ride home from Tsuna's house, which we had to walk to from the Gokudera mansion because otherwise our cover story would have failed, I found myself lying back on bed smiling like a fool despite being in trouble from my father for coming back so late. I couldn't believe it! I had not only found Hayato again, but I had kissed him and got his number off him ad given him mine. Lady Luck loved me for sure.
The best thing was that hopefully I would be seeing him again soon! Now we had constant contact there was chance we could make this work in our favour somehow. I had done a lot of texting to Tsuna back and forth and asked him if he could do some more covering for me. He had agreed after a bit of pleading and pressing, and I had managed to get away with not telling why by craftily diverting the conversation a few times.
Things couldn't be going more better!
A sudden buzz from my phone alerts me of an incoming message and I jerk up into a sitting position and yank my phone from the confides of my pocket bringing it up to read.
From: Dera
Subject: You're an idiot
Hey did you get home okay? You're not in trouble are you? x
I can't supress the grin as I see the tiny "x" at the end of the text, and quickly type back a message letting him know I'm okay and not in trouble, even though I am a little. Plans are laid down to meet again next week and I can't wait.
LINE BREAK:-
Location: The Gokudera Mansion
Time: 05:00pm
It seems I'm suddenly in a predicament. Somehow I had come to realise that I am love with my family's worst enemy's son, Takeshi Yamamoto.
We'd made an agreement to meet today. However this may be a problem. I cannot leave the mansion without some sort of protection with me. Normally this would be child's play; I would simply demand that Shamal take me wherever it was I wanted to go. However since I was going to be meeting Takeshi I could just simply do that. If Shamal found out what I was up to them he would surely tell my father and it would all be over. Something I sorely did not want to happen.
So I was stuck for what to do. If I simply snuck out the house someone would notice and my family would send mercenaries out the look for me. Again if that happened then Takeshi would most likely be shot as soon as they saw and identified him. This would then cause huge problems between both our families and would most likely end in a blood bath.
So what could I do? I couldn't even use Tsuna as an excuse because someone would have to escort me there too, and if his family saw me then then I would have to stay. I couldn't just sneak off then as they would expect me to be driven back home.
There was only one option left. I'd have to tell Shamal and hope to God that he would tell.
Shamal's room was close to mine being as he was my somewhat tutor and Godfather; though he was awful at playing either role. His door was also always open as well, in case I needed him to take me somewhere or needed him for something. I pocked my head round and found him reading over something at his desk. I rolled my eyes he was probably hiding porn behind that book.
"Oi!" I yelled at him, walking in as though I owned the place, which I kind of did through my father. "I need a favour"
He jumped up and stared at me for a moment, hastily closing the book and sliding it back onto the overhead bookcase, Yeah he had definitely been reading porn before I had walked in.
"Oi!" he yelled back at me. "Don't just walk in peoples room like that Do you have any man-"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm a disrespectful brat and all that" I said waving him off and sitting on the edge of his bed. "I need a favour"
"So you say" he answers swirling round in his swivel chair to face me. "What's up?" he asks uninterestedly lighting up a cigarette, and suddenly I want one to, and so hold out my hand expectantly. He raised an eyebrow and gives me an irritated click of his tongue before handing me one and his lighter. "I should have never bloody introduced you to these things. Your mom still hasn't forgiven me and your hot sister keeps sending me daggers my way and thinks I'm corrupting you"
"Please refrain from calling sister "hot" it's not a nice mental image" I say scolding him before getting back to situation at hand. "I need you to promise you won't repeat what I'm about to tell you" I say fixing him with a serious look.
He looks taken aback for a minute and gives me a concerned look. Something I don't get often from him, then again I don't ask him questions like what I just did often either.
"Depends what it is" he says frowning and taking a drag of his cigarette.
"Look will you just promise me or not?" I all but order him huffily, glancing away from him and puffing out a stream of smoke.
"You're not doing drugs or have become a harlot have you?" he asked and I blush bright red at such a suggestion.
"No you moron!" I yell back completely flabbergasted. Stupid man! The bloody nerve!
"Oh" he simply says. "Well alright sure I promise, now what's this all about?" he's obviously not bothered now that's he's made sure that it's not what he was thinking. Wasn't he in for a shock?
"You remember at Tsuna's party when I was dancing with that boy?" I ask suddenly nervous. Shamal was a smart guy, he wasn't my tutor for nothing, he'd most likely put all of this together before I even told him the full story.
I can tell the cogs are already turning as I start to tell him. He's sending me a cautious look at the mention of Takeshi. After all he hadn't been happy when he had caught me with him.
"Yeah…" he replies slowly, calculating every move I make an scrutinising it.
"Well I sort of met up him again last week at the party. I hid him the cabinet when you came stumbling in…"
"You what?" he's suddenly on his feet staring down at me and I glance at the floor with narrowed eyes. It wasn't my fault that Takeshi had come and found me again; even though I had done little to discourage him. "Hayato!" he shouting at me now and then lowers his voice to avoid anyone from coming in a panic. "Do you realise who he is? We've been through this and I told you to stay away! Oh my God if you're father finds ou-"
"No!" I shout at him cutting him off from saying anything more. "You just promised me that you wouldn't" I remind him feistily.
He looks at me agape and puts out his cigarette sighing at me as he begins to piece it all together without me having to say anything. We sit in a further 5 more minutes of silence, left alone with our thoughts.
"So you really like him then?" Shamal finally asks me staring down at his crushed cigarette.
"Yes" I tell him softly.
"And I'm not to tell your father is that right? You want me to keep quiet?"
I nod once more getting the feeling that he's trying to make me feel guilty about the while situation. I want to yell something about me not being able to help who I fall in love with. But I know he'll something back about me not being able to properly control my feelings.
"And I suppose you still want to continue seeing him and you want me to help with that as well. Am I right?"
He already bloody knows that he's right! He's just trying to make me feel worse. But if I want his help then it's better to just play along. Fucking bastard!
"Yes. I agreed to meet him today" I say again trying to keep my voice down.
This time he doesn't look shocked. In fact he just sighs like he was expecting me to say that. Which if I know the craft bastard he probably was.
"Alright fine" he agrees. "I'll take you and try to keep this thing quiet and away from your dad okay? But Hayato you've got to promise to be careful. If your dad finds out he'll send Zakuro off on the hunt"
I have to physically hold back a wince as he mentions my psycho cousin. Zakuro is one of our top hitman from the Millefiore branch, as he's as deadly as they come. Once Zakuro has a target he won't let them go until their dead. He's had the most kills out of our entire family and he's my family's greatest weapon, did I mention he's fiercely loyal to my father.
"I know" I tell him. "I get it we've got to be careful" I say. But what the hell can I do? I hate not knowing what to do.
"You've got to be more than careful Hayato. You've got to act like none of this is happening while knowing that it is"
LINE BREAK:-
Location: 80/59 Street Restaurant
Time: 06:45pm
It's perfect weather outside and I've got every reason in the world to be happy, and enjoy it.
Once again I had managed to mislead my father and the others back home that I was spending the day with some close friends that I got to school with. My father had allowed me to go out unsupervised surprisingly, so this had meant that I hadn't had to go find myself a willing candidate to accompany me.
I had messaged Hayato earlier that morning to let him know where we were meeting and at what time and had wished him luck in managing to escape his crazy family. So far so good right?
I had chosen a pretty secluded restaurant to meet up with him, well away from prying eyes and ears. The reservation had been booked for seven in the evening and hopefully my plan was going to work brilliantly. I sneaked my hand back into my pocket running my finger over the sharp side object lying there.
Just fifteen more minutes and by then hopefully he would be here.
An expensive looking car pulls up on the other side of the road and onlookers are suddenly staring at it in awe. I myself blink and hope to God that it has nothing to do with me. If my father had found out that I wasn't hanging out with friend then I was so dead. For a moment it hovers there and then the door opens and out walks a silver haired angel that I've been waiting to see all week.
All of a sudden my heart won't stop beating at an erratic pace as he spots me and starts to walk over.
LINE BREAK:-
Location: 80/59 Street Restaurant
Time: 06:50pm
After Shamal finally manages to find this particularly restaurant and slows the car down to what would be considered a normal driving speed he has the nerve to start giving me strict instructions.
"And for Christ's sakes, do not have sex with him!" yes that was one of many odd instructions I was given while on the way here. But I think he's about done with them now, thank God.
I glance out of the window and make out a dark haired figure standing outside the restaurant I'm about to go into. Oh God I think that's him! Shit! Why the hell am I so nervous all of a sudden? I shouldn't be after what had happened the other week.
"Oi Hayato! Are you gonna get out of the car or you gonna sit there gawking at him?"
One day I'm going to commit murder…
Believe me it isn't going to be pretty either.
I fiddle with the handle on the car down and set myself free from the metal death contraption and into civilisation. Shamal learns across the seat and grabs my arms again.
"I'll come pick up eleven okay?" he says and lets me go again.
As I though Takeshi is waiting for me at the entrance and gives me a warm smile that makes me melt a little. He offers a soft "Hey" and plants a kiss at the corner of my lips, before taking my hand and leading me inside.
For saying this place is away from the main road and the bustle of the inner city it sure is nice, and rather packed to. But Takeshi thought ahead and had booked us a nice table in the far corner away from prying eyes and ears of the other dinners. We take out seats and a waiter immediately comes over to place out drink orders.
Takeshi goes for a coke and I order an expensive looking latte from the menu. The waiter bows and leaves us to talk and look over the starters.
"Latte huh?" Takeshi asks me sending a cheeky grin my way.
"Yeah" I respond. "I know it's not the normal thing to go for, but you have to remember I am 3/4's Italian. It's the norm to us"
He laughs and gives me another dashing smile before glancing back the menu again just as out drinks arrive. Once more we're asked if we've decided on what to order. I have to admit I'm still not all too familiar with Japanese food and quickly tell Takeshi to order me whatever he's having. From what I can make out of the conversation he's ordered fried shrimp for starters followed by some sort of noddle dish.
The waiter once again bows and scuttles off again, leaving us alone.
"So did that sound okay?" he asks me and I assume he's referring to the food he just ordered.
"Yeah that's fine. To be honest I'm still not sure on Japanese food. We tend to have European food served in the mansion, so this should be fun" I tell him taking a sip of my drink.
"Really? Wow I've never really had European food before" Takeshi says blinking at me like what I said would be unusual; and for him I guess it must be. "Can you cook any of it?"
"Well yeah" I begin. "I'm pretty good at cooking spaghetti bolognese and simple pasta dishes. But God whatever you do don't try anything that Bianchi's made"
"Haha! What's spaghetti bolognese?" he asks looking confused, and I realise I've forgotten that he's not going to know what I'm on about.
"It's like long noodles with a ragu sauce and you can put red wine in it and vegetables, it just depends how you like it I suppose" I explain watching him listening attentively to what I'm saying.
"Ah I see" and I wonder if he really does or not.
A moment passes again where we're in some sort of comfortable silence and I take that moment to look around and really take in the fact that I'm here without someone breathing down my shoulder to make sure I'm okay. It's… Really nice actually and for once I feel free and can forget for a moment that I'm the son of one of the most influential mafia families. It's weird but I've felt like this before, when I've been with Takeshi, when we were dancing and last week when I was showing him how to play the piano. It's him I realise!
"You know my dad wanted to have a restaurant when he was younger" Takeshi says as our starters arrive at the table and he begins to tuck in, and I follow his example and find to my surprise that fried shrimp isn't so bad.
"Your dad?" I repeat looking shocked, because really the head of the fearsome Yamamoto family wanted to own a restaurant in his younger days. Really?
"Yeah. He was really talented at making sushi and said that he had wanted to own his own sushi bar one day"
I find myself disbelieving what I'm hearing for second, but then I remember I had my own dreams too which I know are never going to come true because of who I am.
"It's sad really because he knew it would never happen because one day he was going to have to take over the family and he couldn't let anything get in the way of that. I think that's why he lets me play baseball still and stay on the team at school. Because he knows how I feel about it"
Again for the millionth time since meeting Takeshi I'm taken aback because I know exactly how he feels. Because we're in the same situation as each other, both having dreams and things we want to do, but being unable to see them through.
"Yeah I say softly, I know how that's feels. I want to have a place of my own one day, somewhere by the sea, and I want a cat, and to be able to just go anywhere I want to go without having to have people following me and having to know where I am all time… I guess I just want to have freedom to make my own decisions"
Takeshi gives me a considering look for a moment just as our waiter comes to take away our food. He looks like he wants to say something, but stops himself before he can.
Our main courses arrive and we eat the rest of dinner in a comfortable silence with the occasional light conversation about nothing in particular. Again I find that I enjoy whatever it is I'm eating, come sort of noodle dish, with this tangy sauce. I skip out on pudding on the fact that I've had my fill and we're escorted to another quiet room with an array of seats and a bar. Takeshi goes to order more drinks and I take a seat in the corner.
Another hour has passed and as I glance back up at the clock I find that I only have ten minutes left until Shamal is due to come and pick me up. The thought makes me frown, because if I'm honest I'm quite happy where I am, But if I don't go and wait now Shamal is bound to come and find me himself out of worry.
Takeshi must have felt my unease as he glances at the clock too.
"Have you got to go soon?" he asks softly sounding as upset as I am.
"Yeah" I reply back. "Shamal said he would come and get me at eleven. So if I don't go and wait for him, he'll come and get me himself"
"Ah" he replies laughing at the thought.
"Hey remember when you said earlier that you wanted to make you own decisions in your life?" he suddenly asks from out of nowhere.
"Yes" I respond faintly remember the conversation from earlier when we had been talking about his dad.
"Do you fancy making one now?"
He doesn't give me chance to respond as he pulls a small box from his trouser pocket and opens it and places it on the table in front of me.
Inside is a small golden ring, no jewels or anything fancy like that. Just a simple golden band, I pick it up and inspect it closely taking it from the box and reading the inscription engraved on the inner section.
The words "Forever and Always" stare back up at me, and I can't breathe nor think.
"I know it's a bit cheesy and all, but will you marry me?"
I was soooooo desperate to get this up by the end of the night, So I was sat here frantically writing away. But alsa it's finally up. There shall be a part two not to worry. Yes there may be mistakes but not to worry I shall be checking through tomorrow night for any mistakes and changing them so everything makes sense. So if you do spot any feel free to point them out. By the way the sad song Hayato was playing is called "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven and the happier one is "Ode to Joy"
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