"I-I won't...I won't leave! I want you to come w-with us! Please Takeshi!"
Yamamoto's hard expression soften when he turned to face Haru. Her shaking hands were clenching his loose, rolled up sleeve and she ducked her head in an attempt to hide her tears. Yamamoto stood in shock for a moment before gently placing one of his own hands on hers. His other hand went under her chin and lifted her delicate head up so that he could see her eyes.
"I will, Haru," he spoke with a soft voice meant only for her own ears and despite her uncertainty, she felt compelled to believe him. Then, Yamamoto continued, "I will join you right after I fulfill my duty"
The tears started to run thicker and faster, now and she choked out, "Do you promise?"
Suddenly, she was enveloped in Yamamoto's arms. Haru was too distraught to notice the sudden proximity, however she felt his lips brush across her forehead and felt his breath against her skin as he whispered, "I promise". She felt surrounded by his comforting, familiar scent and she attempted to commit the feel of him holding her to memory forever.
Then he was gone.
She could see his retreating figure darting in and out between enemy figures. A blue flame coated his sword and acted as a beacon amidst the chaos around him. She watched with fearful eyes as the metal doors slowly began closing while Yamamoto stood protectively in front of his only escape route. She held back the urge to yell to him and warn him that soon he would not have enough space to slip between the steel and bit her lip. Yamamoto would come back. He had promised.
When there was less than a meter between the crushing metal and Yamamoto had still made no move to slide back into the room, Haru decided to take action.
"Takeshi! Hurry up!"
She felt panic rise in her throat as he glanced back through the rapidly declining space. The expression on his face stunned her. It was a mix of fear and sadness. His eyes seemed to convey the message perfectly - he wasn't coming back.
"Takeshi!"
Haru screamed. The last thing she saw before the doors slid into their impenetrable state was his lips mouthing 'I'm sorry'.
She stood in shocked silence for a minute. Then she head a call behind her.
"Yamamoto!"
"What the hell is the baseball freak thinking?"
"Quickly! Open the doors! We have to help-"
"We can't! Once they've been closed...they won't open...ever"
Mindless babble to Haru.
She remained silent, even after the rest of the family had thrown themselves at the door and attacked it with everything they had. After they had finally given up and decided to try another entry point to the room where Yamamoto now battled for the Vongola's protection.
Now all she focused on were those empty words that were all she had to cling to.
"You promised..."
A/N: I'M NOT DEAD! I SWEAR! Sorry for the inconsistent updates but I'm feeling really unmotivated. Right now I'm trying to decide between two polar opposites - I'm wondering if I should start a multi-chapter KHR fic or take a break from writing for a while...Ah well. Enjoy the story for now.