Fall For Me Chapter 24: Distance, a katekyo hitman reborn! fanfic

Ohohoho? Lookie here~

New chapter, new chapter! Huzzah.

We finally got around to publishing this. Nice.

uh nothing new i think. same old razzle dazzle

KHR isnt ours. Just the 6 OCs.

Chapter 24- Distance

"La. La. La. La. La. LaLa. LaLaLaLaLa. Byakuran~ How is it. Is it interesting? It was too boring so I came to play! Want some?" Byakuran joked, eating from his ice cream sundae. "Actually, I'm here for some business regarding 'choice'. That's right even though we decided a time, the location isn't set yet, right? 6 days later, 12 noon, gather at Namimori temple."

"Ugh… Him again… Whatever… Sakura, how do you think everything'll hold up, now that we know some of what Byakuran has in store for us?"

"No clue as of now." Sakurako replied to Aoyuki, "Let's just wait and see for now."

Once Byakuran finished his monologue, he ended it by stating, "At least bring everyone from the past in Japan at Namimori Shrine."

Hearing this, Ryohei shouted "SAWADA!", and punched the wall hard enough to leave an impact crater.

"Speaking of which, how did Byakuran invade the network?" A voice came from the doorway. "You amateurs!" Squalo entered the room carrying a large tuna in his right hand.

"Oh no… my baby…." Aoyuki whispered unhappily, remembering what was about to happen to Yamamoto.

Sakurako covered her eyes, hearing a few steps arriving at the scene.

"Eh? My training tutor is…" Yamamoto started, but stopped as he was attacked by Squalo, causing him to faint.

"Goodbye Yamamoto." Wincing, Aoyuki turned away to look at Sakurako.

"At least you were able to mend your friendship." Sakurako reminded Aoyuki, even though she was still covering her eyes on what's to arrive next. A loud punch was heard in the background, "I think I can open my eyes now."

"Nice punch." Laughing, Aoyuki grabbed his friend's arm to lead her away from the chaos. "Let's resume our practice."

"Okay." Sakurako responded.

As days went by, the success of everyone's training became true within the time limit they were given.

"Ayyy nice clothes. I mean, personally, I dislike suits, but whatever. This's cool." Aoyuki mentioned, adjusting the collar on the sleek black suit and tie, similar to the rest of the guardians' outfits.

Sakurako twirled a bit and straighten the sleeves, the outfit wasn't as different from Haru and Kyoko's style, except it was a complete black suit close to Chrome's, just not the same skirt, "Battle skirt. Perfect."

"Ready?" Sakurako asked Aoyuki, pointing over to the door.

"As ready as I'll be. You?" Aoyuki replied, taking a step backwards towards the door.

"Quite." She replied following Aoyuki, as they regrouped with the others.

It was hard trying to stare at the sky. A floating Byakuran head isn't always fun to see.

"You know… his head is actually pretty damn ugly. Especially since it's all patchy and shit." Aoyuki commented offhandedly to Sakurako.

"You're right." Sakurako answered back, "Plus...Yamamoto and Hibari sure take awhile to get here."

The light was beginning to fade away, and yet Yamamoto and Hibari were still missing. Though when all hope seemed lost, the two missing beings finally decided to appear.

"What are you all doing?" Hibari questioned, jumping towards the circle with tonfas bared.

"Hey." Yamamoto did the same covered in bandage while holding his katanas, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Awww my love's covered in bandages... " Aoyuki sighed happily as he gazed upon Yamamoto's arrival.

"Well they sure got here on time." Sakurako watched as group proceeded to unleash their Vongola Boxes.

"Vongola box…" Tsuna lit his ring, "Open!"

Sakurako admitted,"So colorful."

"Yep, too bad we can't open ours." Agreeing, Aoyuki observed the group's box animals appearing.

"Right." Sakurako nodded, "I wonder what happens now that we're involved."

"Hopefully nothing. I swear to god if something does end up happening I'm gonna get angry." Aoyuki glared at Byakuran and the 6 Real Funeral Wreaths, not really paying attention to what they were saying.

Sakurako remembered at the last minute, "Hey, do you remember that bet we made? You know the one that depended whether or not Byakuran created opponents for us?"

Aoyuki gasped, and looked at Sakurako wide-eyed. "Ohhhhh shit. Damn man I forgot about that."

"You do realize who won that bet right?" Sakurako gave a small smile to Aoyuki, "Good luck at your date with Yamamoto-san."

"Ughhh…. Well… If I'm going on a date because of a bet….. Then how about we raise the stakes? Another bet!" Aoyuki grinned, a wild look in his eyes.

"Another?" Sakurako frowned.

"Yeah another. Let's say…. That we won't fight in the battle. Even if that jerk-face Byaka puts our flames in. If we are, I'll go on a second date. If not… then you have to go on one too!" Aoyuki declared.

"Do I need to remind you of how much I hate bets?"

Grinning Aoyuki patted Sakurako on the shoulder. "Yeah, but humor me will ya? It's just a bit of fun. Someone's gonna get a laugh out of it. Hopefully I will this time."

"Ugh…" Sakurako groaned getting a bad feeling about this, "Fine."

"Heheheh." Aoyuki laughed, praying that they wouldn't have to fight in the Choice battle. But paused, noticing an additional two figures standing with Byakuran. "Hey…. Look over there. Are they…"

"Oh my gawd." Sakurako blanched in shock, "Didn't I shoot him to death and had Leo used his wings as a scratch post?"

"Shiiiiit… I hope… I hope… Do you think he put our flames on that damned roulette?" Aoyuki began to panic, his eyes locked on to a very bright pink haired figure in particular.

Sakurako turned over to the roulette tugging Aoyuki's sleeve, "Yuki...you might wanna look at this."

Directing Aoyuki's gaze to where Sakurako was looking, lo and behold there on the roulette had their other flame attributes. Wind and Star flames.

"He knows." Sakurako muttered in shock, "Yuki, what're we going to do?!"

"Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! He… that bastard! Of course he knows. Why else would he send us those 'gifts'? What I'm more worried about is that he had the nerve to put our flames on the wheel." Aoyuki whispered to Sakurako, face twisting in mockery at the word "gifts".

"Better yet how in the world are they still alive?!" Sakurako didn't like where this is leading.

"I don't know! Byakuran can grow wings and heal Yama's wounds and you're asking me how they're still alive?! He must have used some sort of magic from one of the other timelines. Or something…" Aoyuki finished in a huff, hoping that the wheel turned in their favor.

Gripping her hands into fists, Sakurako hoped the story went as according to the original storyline, even if it means losing the bet against Aoyuki. Heck, it's much better than facing those two again.

"Huh?" Tsuna noticed three symbols completely different from the original seven flames of the sky, "These symbols?"

"Oh those? Well, its easy Tsunayoshi-kun! The white square is for non elemental. In other words, it's for people who don't have any rings. And the other two…" Byakuran paused, smiling, "Those two are also flames!"

Panic shot through Sakurako the moment Byakuran mentioned the other two symbols.

Aoyuki grimaced, taking a few slow steps back. His eyes glancing at the symbols and the group.

Sakurako quietly calmed herself down. It was still unnerving to see that happen.

"But...But we don't have anyone with those kinds of flames!" Tsuna said in a panicked voice. "Those aren't any of the normal sky flames!"

"Actually," Byakuran declared, "You do. Did they not-"

"Actually, why don't you just shut up and spin the damn roulette?" Aoyuki growled mockingly, cutting Byakuran off from saying anything further, eyes dark and angry.

"Yuki?" Yamamoto took notice of Aoyuki's sudden change in demeanor.

"Fuu...you don't need to be so harsh." Byakuran breathed, "After all we're not in a rush are we, Tsunayoshi-kun?"

"..." Tsuna didn't know how to respond at first. In fact he found it strange seeing Aoyuki respond like that.

"Anyways...Think of it as a mystery, Tsunayoshi-kun! It'll be fun! Now place your hand with the ring on this side of the gears, Tsunayoshi-kun." Byakuran waved it off before placing the spinner close between them. When I say Choice, the gears will spin to the right."

"Eh…?! Wait a minu-" Tsuna sputtered, however Byakuran took no heed in waiting for the 10th generation Vongola boss.

"Choice."

As the roulette came to a stop, there in giant holographic images appeared the results. Sakurako and Aoyuki sighed in relief when they saw the counter on the star and wind wind up at 0 for both sides.

"Thank the gods." Aoyuki muttered, releasing the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Sakurako side glanced to the others, a few of them seemed to be watching her and Aoyuki.

"Hey, Yuki." Sakurako nudged Yuki to avoid her friend from noticing the group's expression toward them, "Do you want to play cards?"

Turning to Sakurako, Aoyuki quietly asked, "Cards?", sounding a little lost and tired.

"Yeah, let's play goldfish." Sakurako smiled, and out of the corner of her eye, watched the five choice members head off.

"Sure." Aoyuki nodded, and walked with Sakurako to the waiting room.

-In choice-

As Gokudera helped Yamamoto fix his necktie, Tsuna pondered over Sakurako's and Aoyuki's reaction toward Byakuran.

Of course he tried to place it in the back of his mind for some time in order to focus on Choice. However, seeing their reactions for the second time made Tsuna return to what happened at Melone Base.

"Kaji-san...Sakura-chan…" Tsuna unconsciously spoke their names out loud, without realization.

"10th! I knew it from the beginning! Those two are hiding something from us! We shouldn't have trusted them at all! They could be working with the enemy!" Gokudera shouted, finally having finished helping Yamamoto with his tie.

"Gokudera-kun." Tsuna's eyes widened, "W-We still don't know the reason as to why they're acting like this in the first place."

"Tsuna is right." Yamamoto agreed, " After all they promised to tell us when all of this is over."

"Yamamoto..." Tsuna felt at ease, however he hoped the two would be willing to answer.

One of the Cervello announced, "Your three minutes are up. Well, then….Let the Choice battle begin!"

-Outside of the Choice Battle-

As everyone continued watching the Choice battles taking place live, Chrome silently watched the lone duo playing cards. Ignoring the battles, she began to wonder why they would rather play cards than watch the battle.

...Why?

Chrome questioned. It was hard to understand the two who prefered to stay within the sidelines rather than fight on equal grounds as the others. Not only that, the way the two answered to the man named Byakuran worried her. But, Chrome knew that even she couldn't be trusted as the current mist guardian of the Vongola family. Did she felt sympathy toward the two who suddenly became outsiders?

My dear Nagi… A familiar voice called out in her head.

Mukuro-sama…?!

Chrome's eyes widened, but quietly announced in her mind.

Yes, Nagi. The unease you feel is justified, however, you can trust them. You will learn the truth from them soon, and it will all become clear.

Chrome wanted to say more to Mukuro, however his short presence vanished from her mind. Returning to reality, Chrome shortly turned her gaze over to the group watching the battles then over to the duo.

Mukuro-sama wants me to trust them.

Chrome remembered a few times when she encountered Aoyuki and Sakurako in the underground base. They had a similar kindness to that one girl. The one who nearly took over Kokuyo Land. Similar to Tetsume Kimiko.

Kiki-san…

Chrome asked herself.

If those two made it to the future...is it possible that Kiki-san arrived too?

-Over to Aoyuki and Sakurako-

"Got any sixes?" Aoyuki glanced at Sakurako above his hand of cards.

Sakurako shook her head, "Go fish."

Cursing, Aoyuki reached for another card from the pile. "Your turn."

"Have any queens?" Sakurako asked this time.

With a sigh, Aoyuki passed over his card. "One actually. Go again."

"How about an...eight?" Sakurako placed her match into a pile of cards beside her.

"Lol nope. Go fish" Aoyuki smirked at Sakurako. "Got an Ace?"

"Boo." Sakurako pouted as she revealed the ace of hearts from her deck.

Making a move to grab the card from Sakurako, Aoyuki paused hearing the room shout in panic. "Guess they're done?"

"I guess so," Sakurako quickly gathered the cards together, "We should get a move on as well."

Following the group out to the wounded fighters, the pair glanced at each other and stepped back and tuned out Reborn's explanation on parallel worlds.

"...So, we're going to see Yuni and the pineapple man before Kiki does, huh?" Sakurako started.

"I suppose it means so, yeah." Aoyuki mumbled, quickly looking at Yamamoto, before facing Sakurako.

"Do you think its possible for Yuni to know about us?" Sakurako continued.

"I would think so. If we were in on Shouroku's plan, then we should be…" Aoyuki shrugged his shoulders.

"I just noticed now," She blinked, "How come you keep calling Shouichi different numbers?"

"Oh yeah that! Ahahah. Well you know how Irie's name is 'Shouichi'? Like as in the number one? I just kept going with it. So two, three, four… That thing." With a grin on his face, Aoyuki sheepishly scratched his cheek.

Sakurako nodded, "Ah...I see. Did Shouichi asked you the same question?"

"Not yet. But I'm betting on it, that he'll get to it eventually." He laughed, and brushed his bangs away from his face. "Damn bangs."

A silence fell over the chatter of the group, making Sakurako and Aoyuki turn to find that Yuni had appeared.

"Please protect me." Yuni asked of Tsuna.

"What?!" Tsuna exclaimed in shock, "Pro..to...Protect...Aren't you the leader of Millefiore?!"

"Not just me," Yuni revealed four colorless pacifiers from her cloak, "Also...the pacifiers of my comrades."

Aoyuki turned back to Sakurako, "Welp. This'll be long again. Tsuna has like zero contact with the female population before all this happened. That boy blushes at every female."

"Definitely," Sakurako sighed, "And yet you wonder as to how my TYL self was able to get him. It's going to take me forever to put sense into his dense mind."

"Absolutely." Aoyuki nodded in agreement. "You think yours has a dense mind? Let's talk straight (not that I am) for a second here. Ayyyymaoto def takes the first prize."

"Ayyyymaoto?" Sakurako paused for a moment, before realizing who the person is, "Oh...yeah. He sure does."

Chrome's ring began glowing, mist started spilling out from it. "Ah." Chrome exclaimed, staring at her ring.

Out of the mist, a voice could be heard laughing, "Kuhuhuhu. Won't be stopped?" Mukuro's body formed as the mist disappeared, "I'll stop you."

"Mukuro-sama…" Chrome gasped in surprise.

"Poor Kiki, she'll never get to see him." Sakurako sympathized, "Well at least Kiki is able to meet TYL Mukuro...never going to happen for me at all."

"Same with me… And Tsuna remains the most elusive in the end." Aoyuki glared at Mukuro's back. "This old flamingo, on the other hand. I wanna punch his parrot haired head. In the face. With a boulder. A pointy one, preferably."

"Still the foul mouth, Kaji-kun?" Mukuro commented, focused on Byakuran.

Aoyuki frowned, before flicking the bird in Mukuro's general direction.

"Yuki. Remember that he's stopping Byakuran for us right now." Sakurako tried to restrain her friend.

"As neutral as ever, Shimizu-san," Mukuro continued.

Sakurako knew how much Yuki detests Mukuro, however Kimiko would throw a fit whenever it deals with him in particular.

"Kufufufu. No matter." He laughed. "...That being said…. Hurry...your flame to the transport system."

"Oh.. Okay!" Tsuna responded. "Chrome! E...Everyone!"

By the time the whole group returned to Namimori, Sakurako and Aoyuki find themselves groaning in pain. Sakurako landing on a bush while Aoyuki landed in a nearby tree.

"We should've gotten inside with the others than out here...ow…" Sakurako placed a hand against her wrist, only to wince upon contact, "My wrist."

"At least your wrist is the worst of your injuries. My entire back is in pain." Aoyuki groaned. Covered in twigs and leaves, he began rolling on the floor to relieve some of the pain.

"Yuki." Yamamoto lent his hand over to Aoyuki, "Need some help?"

Aoyuki paused in his floor movements to look up at Yamamoto's extended hand. "Ah? Oh...Yeah. Thanks." With a small smile, he grabbed Yamamoto's hand and stood up, then moved away to de-branch himself.

Tsuna decided to lend a hand toward Sakurako, "Sakura-chan."

Gokudera, noticing Tsuna moving to help Sakurako, decided to intervene in this possible help of a traitor, shouting "Don't trust her! Don't even help these traitors baseball idiot! Jyuudaime! They're all liars!"

Sakurako's eyes widened in shock for a moment before returning to a solemn expression, "...I."

"Gokudera-kun." Tsuna glanced at Gokudera then toward Sakurako, "But...she needs help."

"Traitors don't need help from us." Gokudera spat, crossing his arms over his chest.

By this time, everyone from inside the small base made Shouichi and Spanner walked out wondering

"I'm fine." Sakurako replied reassuring Tsuna, sending him a fake smile as she headed over to help TYL Bianchi by tugging on the sleeve of her blazer, "Can I help you...please."

Bianchi nodded in return, understanding Sakurako's dilemma.

Gokudera turned to Aoyuki and pointed in his face, "Don't think we didn't notice that you two talking with that purple bastard back there! Why did he talk to you? He's a criminal that tried to kill the Tenth before! There's no way that you have met him before either! He was sent to Vindice! Explain yourselves!"

"..." Aoyuki glared at Gokudera, then slapped his finger away. "Get your finger out of my face."

Shouichi's voice cut through, "That's great! Destroy the transportation system right away! That way they can't follow us!"

"Tch. We'll deal with you and her later," Gokudera clicked his tongue as he aimed a flame missile toward the transportation system, "Leave it to me, Jyuudaime!"

Kaboom. Kablooie. Psuhwwww.

Although, the transportation system vanished afterwards. A few minutes later, the blasted machine returned...along with nine other lights.

"Nine!?" Aoyuki whispered, vexed. "Who are the other thre…" He stopped before turning to look at Sakurako with wide eyes. "Oh no…"

"..." Sakurako seemed numb at the moment from hearing Gokudera's speech about them, she didn't even see the nine lights that landed throughout Namimori. However, Aoyuki's face explained everything by one glance, "...Just great."

-Back inside the Base-

Changing back into regular clothes, Sakurako sighed, "...Ha."

Having finished changing already, Aoyuki walked over to Sakurako. "So… Now what? They….. They know… Things are happening much faster than we'd like."

"...I'm going to alert Reborn." Sakurako decided straightening her jeans. Patting off wrinkles on her light blue long sleeved shirt.

"Are we…? Really?" Aoyuki frowned, disgusted at the events happening.

Sakurako closed her eyes, "...I'm unsure whether or not we can tell them about our flames, but we can tell them the truth behind how we got here to say the least."

"... F**********ck…." He sighed loudly. "We're gonna need to move out then, huh?"

"I'll go get Reborn." Sakurako stated as she made her way down the hallway, only to find Tsuna with Reborn on his shoulder as well as Gokudera and Yamamoto.

...Do the walls have ears or something…?

Sakurako deadpanned. Calming herself down, Sakurako proceeded in telling Reborn, "It's time we have a talk."

"...Now?" Reborn, this time got up from his sitting position to standing atop of Tsuna's shoulder, "Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto. It seems Sakurako and Aoyuki have something to say."

The trio turned to the duo. The first one to speak up is Sakurako, "You know how we said in the beginning that all three of us came back from a reunion?"

"Woo boy. This is a loooooong story." Aoyuki grumbled quietly.

"Well...we didn't exactly arrive to Japan...this version of Japan." Sakurako voiced.

Tsuna began scratching at his head in shock. "What do you mean? Are you guys from another timeline? Like Byakuran?!"

Sakurako shook her head, "No. More like we come from another world. One where this world is just a regular manga and animated series."

"I knew it! They weren't normal! I told you so Tenth!" Gokudera exclaimed, pointing fingers again.

"Ugh. Shut up Gokudera. We know, we know." Aoyuki rolled his eyes at Gokudera before continuing in a whiny, high-pitched voice, "Oh! Tenth! Look! I knew it! Blah bla blah! They're all suspicious and we shouldn't trust them just because they came from somewhere else." Resuming his normal voice, he straightened and stared at Gokudera. "Like you didn't come from somewhere else in the first place either, you foreigner."

Yamamoto blinked, "Then are you guys aliens?"

Aoyuki stared at Yamamoto. "No. I meant that we're not from Japan. Like Gokudera."

Sakurako coughed to return everyone's attention back to her, "As I was saying...Aoyuki, Kimiko, and I came from another world. We were having a reunion in the Japan of our world at the airport. However we ended up taken to this world...a world that only appears in manga and anime."

"...We're from a manga and anime?" Gokudera's eyes narrowed.

"Yeaaaah. Betcha never expected that? Of course not. I wouldn't either." Aoyuki drawled. "Who would believe that what happened to you, your life, was recorded and illustrated for someone else?"

"About a boy and the number one hitman as his tutor...who goes through struggles to protect those dear to him while under constant conflict of his mafia heritage...do you four know who these two are?" Sakurako asked of them besides Aoyuki.

"Three guesses to who they are. Oh! And if you need hints, I'm more than happy to give them. Let's see… How about it's a young, middle school boy who is absolutely horrible at everything he tries? How about that he finds himself stuck in the middle of a power struggle? How about that he finds himself guardians that take the trials with him? Still don't get it? Or was that too much for you to take in all at once?" Aoyuki sarcastically lectured, counting off on his fingers. He then cooed at the four, "You poor babies."

"M-Me?!" Tsuna pointed to himself, "I-I'm the main character?!"

Reborn smirked, "...You're still a dame even in their world, Dame-Tsuna."

Gokudera nodded, "That's Jyuudaime and Reborn-san alright...but that doesn't explain how you three arrived here as well as being able to fight us on equal grounds."

"I was getting to that," Sakurako continued her explanation, "Before we even arrived to your world, we were given weapons along with rings in some kind of space tear...we had absolutely no clue as to where that place is, but after we left the area...all three of us separated landing us in your world."

Aoyuki sighed, and leaned against the wall. "Like she said. We were in our world one second, and in what seemed like a space-time hole, the next. We trained. We learned how to use our rings and boxes and weapons, or rather, the two of them did. I just refreshed my memory. But once we were good and ready we just, you know. Kinda poofed into this world. And that's how you found us. So that story you heard at the beginning, absolute B.S."

"B.S?" Tsuna and Yamamoto had no clue as to what Aoyuki stated last.

"You've gotta be kidding me. B.S. Otherwise short for Bull. Shit." Aoyuki dragged his hand down his face in exasperation.

"Ah! Don't defile Jyuudaime's ears!" Gokudera covered Tsuna's ears.

"Wah! Gokudera-kun?!" Tsuna jumped unable to hear whatever Aoyuki was saying.

"Ohhhhhhh? What's so wrong with bull shit? It's natural, no?" Aoyuki turned up the sass meter. "You're a damned piece of shit, Gokudera. Don't you think he's already been defiled, especially from Shamal or Reborn or the Varia already? Don't you think he's been defiled already, from all the violence and death and lies and hidden meanings? Don't be so moronic as to think that someone can stay innocent forever, especially going into the mafia world as the next boss, Ahodera."

"…Lo siento, Tsuna, Reborn, Gokudera, y Yamamoto." Sakurako stopped her friend by placing a hand on his shoulder, "Espera, Yuki...es esto lo suficientemente bueno para usted?"

"Sakura enough. I'm not good at… What is that? Is that Spanish? I understood the lo siento… Look, I'm sorry, okay? Stop the Spanish." He put his hands up in apology, giving Sakurako a confused look, but whispered to himself quietly, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition."

"Sí...y gracias, Yuki." Sakurako returned to face the trio again, "And there you have it. Once we see the rest along with Kiki, we can formally explain the truth about us."

"Wait Yuki! Didn't you say something before? That you had a second flame?" Yamamoto recalled.

Gokudera interrupted Yamamoto by pointing to his own hand. "What are you talking about, you baseball-idiot? Even I have more than one flame! That's nothing new!"

"You know what I mean, Yuki. You said you have one that none of us know about." Yamamoto pressed on, ignoring Gokudera's outburst.

Aoyuki cursed inside his mind, and shrugged in a way to try and subtly hide the fact that he had taken a step back. "I… That'll come later. Don't forget, Yamamoto, you promised." With that, he turned on his heel and started walking away.

Gokudera took no heed in listening to whatever Yamamoto was trying to demand from Yuki, thus headed over to the direction of the conference room.

However Tsuna halted in motion, muttering to Reborn, "You can go on ahead, Reborn."

"You sure?" Reborn watched Tsuna, who nodded his head in return, "Alright."

Reborn followed Gokudera in suit. Finally Yamamoto decided to bring it up next time, since their other friend isn't available at the moment. He did promise Aoyuki that he'd wait.

Once alone, Tsuna turned to Sakurako, "What's wrong, Sakura-chan?"

"...Nothings wrong, Tsuna-kun. I'm probably just-" Sakurako tried to make an excuse, although Sakurako still remembered Gokudera's words.

Sakurako's eyes widened in shock for a moment before returning to a solemn expression, "...I."

"Gokudera-kun." Tsuna glanced at Gokudera then toward Sakurako, "But...she needs help."

"Traitors don't need help from us." Gokudera spat, crossing his arms over his chest.

By this time, everyone from inside the small base made Shouichi and Spanner walked out wondering

"I'm fine." Sakurako replied reassuring Tsuna, sending him a fake smile as she headed over to help TYL Bianchi by tugging on the sleeve of her blazer, "Can I help you...please."

Bianchi nodded in return, understanding Sakurako's dilemma.

"..." Aoyuki glared at Gokudera, then slapped his finger away. "Get your finger out of my face."

Then the dreaded monkey angel...Yanagi Yunokawa Masaru's words.

Dodging through minimal side steps, monkey boy smirked staring at his opponent, "Is that all you got? And to think you married my Tsu-Tsu."

Sakurako froze as anger flowed pointing her fan at the monkey boy named Yanagi Yunokawa Masaru, "Who the hell do you think you are claiming Tsuna-kun?! And why the heck are you calling him Tsu-Tsu?!"

"Ah. I forgot." He chuckled, "You're not married to him yet, right? Then..."

The same maniacal smile appeared against his perfect little face as black wings lifted him closer to the girl, "Allow me to take Sawada Tsunayoshi-kun off your weak hands."

Tsuna bristled, he felt strange senses coming from Sakurako. "Sakura-chan!" He yelled.

Sakurako tensed from Tsuna's sudden newfound tone.

Ignoring Sakurako's silence, Tsuna continued, "Why are you avoiding my questions? You always help me and the others through advice, and are always kind and able to find solutions to things... But...now you're being selfish!"

" Tsuna-kun…" Sakurako felt even more numb, trying to prevent herself from breaking down.

I...I can't cry in front of Tsuna-kun again.

Finally noticing the distraught look on Sakurako's face, Tsuna calmed down and tried to rephrase his words. "Please, Sakura-chan. I want to trust you and Kaji...Tell me...tell me what's going on with you."

"I...I want to say-" Unfortunately Sakurako's words were cut off.

"Hey Sakuraaaaa!" Aoyuki's voice could be heard down the hall, becoming louder as he ran closer. "I need to…"

Tsuna stepped over to look at Aoyuki, "Ah, Kaji, you're here. Good I also have questions for you too."

As Tsuna stepped out from behind Sakurako's frame, Aoyuki froze, skidding to a stop. "Ahh. You know what? It looks like you guys are having a very important discussion. My thing can wait. Ehheh. We can talk later Tsuna. Bye!" He about-faced, took a few steps, paused, turned back to look at Sakurako knowingly, tapped at his wrist a few times, and then quickly ran away.

"See even Kaji is the same," Tsuna pointed out to Sakurako, "But I know you'll tell me the truth Sakura-chan."

Sakurako swallowed back her fear, this time answering, "Tsuna-kun, I...I want to say it, but you wouldn't trust me...Can you still trust me even if I tell you?!"

Tsuna, giving Sakurako a determined expression, motioned for her to continue. "...I trust you."

"I have ano-" Yet again, Sakurako's words were stopped, except this time it wasn't by someone.

BWOOM. KWAPOWW.

"…Uwah!" Sakurako soon found herself falling.

In the nick of time, Tsuna caught Sakurako before she landed to the ground, "Are you alright?!"

"I'm fine, but…" Sakurako responded unsure of what else to say.

"We can continue this later, Sakura-chan! We need to check up on the others!" Tsuna pulled Sakurako along as he ran to where the others were.

A-Already?! Just when I was about to tell Tsuna about my star flames? Great...the funeral wreaths and Byakuran have the best timings in the world…

Sakurako rolled her eyes for a minute before realizing that Tsuna is holding her hand again.

...But is this alright? What if I...end up ruining the bond I have with Tsuna? My future self...is my trust in Tsuna weaker than you expected it to be?

You know what'd be nice?

Some feedback.

uhhh besides that

i dont think there's anything else

gonna have to wait a bit for chapter 25

sorry

but in other news

there's gonna be some great shit waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay later on

be excited for that