I was worried no one would like this due to them being OOC so I am really happy there are still others who liked it. And so I would like to thank you for the reviews. X-Minri-X, puripuri, Sinsora, Caroline, KHR Lover, Hurricane59Uri and Goatlet. Thank you very much.
Disclaimer: KHR is not mine.
Gokudera glared at his friends or more accurately, he glared at Yamamoto who had been trying so hard to erase the smug look on his face since a while ago. He returned here expecting to get away from the place as soon as his business here is done for.
But his father had made a mess out of his life by making that attachment to his last will and testament. Gokudera knew what that meant for him.
His life would be changed.
His dream of forever living in freedom would die.
The severity of it just hit him in his gut as he finally understood that there is nothing he can do about it. He was not one to be forced to do something mind you but for the life of him, this was the first time he realized he had an obligation towards his father no matter how many times they have argued before about his choice of life.
And he'll be damned to just hand his father's wealth to unknown people in a silver platter. It is not like he wanted it for himself but he felt like it is the least he could do for his father to atone a little for his misgivings
"Seriously?" Ryohei asked, his eyes widening in excitement.
Gokudera scowled at the blond who paid no mind at all.
"Well, it's not like it is something tough," Lambo, the teen, said not really helping at all so Gokudera scowled even more while Yamamoto snickered this time.
"Well, it's not that tough of a job scoping women and making babies," he commented and Lambo chuckled.
"And you have to make sure she's a real chic," the teen added.
Frustrated and annoyed, Gokudera raked his hair as he drank his wine while the others seemed to be enjoying his dilemma right now. He set the glass down and leaned on the chair.
"I don't plan to live with anyone," he muttered finally.
"Since when did you ever have a plan anyway?" Ryohei asked again, pretty much enjoying torturing him.
"Shut up turf-head!" he barked and this time, Yamamoto laughed with the three others while Gokudera sat there, waiting for what they would say next. "I did not call you out here to laugh at my expense," he said dryly.
"But it's really funny you know," Tsuna spoke for the first time, hiding his grin.
"What's funny?" he asked darkly now.
"Well you see, you've been running away from commitments and now it came running back at you," he said and Gokudera cocked one eyebrow while the others suppressed another grin.
"Look who's talking…it's not like you never run away from it either," he answered sourly while Tsuna chuckled.
"But then getting married with the right woman has its merit," he said seriously this time. "Just because you are being forced to marry does not mean that you have to marry anyone. It has to be someone you can picture your life with."
The others almost spat their drink and eyed Tsuna weirdly. "Am I seriously hearing this from a notorious womanizer like myself?"
The brunette gave a cheeky grin. "Count me out from that category now. There had always been only one woman I liked since we were young even though I dated many." He stood up and patted Gokudera's shoulder. "I have to go and meet Kyoko in thirty minutes."
"So soon?" Ryohei asked. He stood up as well. "It's nice to see you back octopus head," he said cheerfully adding to Gokudera's vexation. "I wish you all the luck."
"If you plan to leave, then hurry up. You are annoying the hell out of me," the half-Italian growled, his temper spiking, making the teen shiver a little. He always feared Gokudera when he exploded.
"Call us when you need help," Tsuna spoke when he was on the door with Ryohei following behind.
"Sure," was Gokudera's short reply.
When left alone, Yamamoto asked. "So what do you plan to do now?"
"Find a wife."
"What sort of woman are you looking for anyway?" the raven head asked curiously since their taste in women is almost the same.
"Someone who would not hold me back in the confines of an old home," he answered. "And someone who is willing to stay home to raise my kids and not expecting much from me."
The baseball player shook his head.
"Be careful with your words, you might regret saying it later on," he said finally getting serious.
"You're not one to advise me on that baseball freak since we are basically the same," he barked again while Yamamoto raised his brow and contemplated on what he said but it did not take him long to have a comeback.
"Last time I checked, we're not the same. You're about to get married and I am not," he said and filled his glass with more wine when Lambo stood up and went to grab some more pizza from the kitchen. "So when do you plan your wife hunting?"
"As soon as possible," he grumbled.
"I've got a list of women I can suggest But then you would not need it because women would just line up if you tell them. As mentioned, it's not that hard scoping some women."
Gokudera only smirked. He had been going on through the list of women he dated here but to his chagrin only one name comes out whenever he does.
And he does not need to tell because Yamamoto had sensed it as if the guy had some radar. "So how about getting your first chance at scoping a candidate by dropping by the flower shop? She's helping out Hana for the time being."
As if the woman would be interested, he thought to himself. Last he could remember is she walked out on him some years back without much hint of remorse. But he would not deny the strong sense of connection he had with her even in just a few days of dating each other. He had always known Haru to be someone hyper but with a kind heart. How many times was it that she would listen when he would talk? It was only with her that he felt like someone outside his circle of friends really listened to him.
He basically opened his soul for her…something he never did to any woman…he shared his dreams and plans for the future like flying away from place to place…and then everything ended for them both…after a few dates, she rejected him…
"Sorry but you're basically someone who would walk away soon and I don't plan to attach myself to you any deeper," she had said then smiled, her beautiful eyes showing sadness. "Get a life first…till next time."
He never understood why she said those words about walking away and all…at least not until now, thanks to the adult wisdom he lacked in his youth. Her statement was clear. She does not want a man who would come and go as he pleased…she wanted a man who would put down roots on one place…
And that's definitely not him.
He groaned. He had considered her as a potential candidate but he realized she does not fit the criteria. He is a man who loves his freedom and does not want to provide what a typical marriage entails such as emotional attachment and all…
He wasn't a husband for all seasons, he had repeated those lines to himself. Where in the world can he find a woman who would give him what he wants? Because honestly he planned to get married, impregnate his wife then get the hell out of Namimori and back to his old lifestyle.
Lambo returned with another box of pizza and sat lazily on the floor, his back on Gokudera's couch while he watched soccer. Noticing this, Gokudera frowned. "Aren't you comfortable enough?" he asked.
"That's right," Lambo agreed.
"Why the hell are you lazing out here, you stupid cow?" he scowled, calling him the name he used to call him when he was still a kid due to his love for shirts with cow prints. Lambo was probably four or five when Gokudera found him in a dead winter and brought him home. He would learn later that he was an adopted child of the Bovino family, a well-known family in the society as well. One meeting led to another and before he knew it, the kid had grown into him no matter how many times he denied it and he worried for the boy's welfare especially when he showed signs of laziness.
"It's rare to see you home, Bakadera," the teen answered back though he tried his hardest to look cool while answering. He forever owed it to this guy that he managed to earn the confidence he always lacked before. He knew that the man cared for him though he had an odd way of showing it. Still, even if away, he never failed to contact him and ask about his studies. Sometimes when Gokudera inquires about his grades, he truly wished he had the man's intelligence.
Expectedly, Gokudera exploded even more and yanked Lambo's collar. "That's not good enough reason for you to laze out stupid. The last I checked with the school, you flanked Math and Science."
The teen's eyes widened in surprise while Yamamoto shook his head in amusement. Well, Gokudera had always kept tab at Lambo's life, wanting to make sure that the boy who is actually idolizing the genius would not follow in his footsteps. He had come to care for the boy on his own way and the baseball player could even bet that Lambo received more calls from him than them.
He watched as Gokudera actually dragged the wailing boy towards the spare room designated for the teen whenever he decided to have a sleep over. "There are tons of problems there which you can practice on. I will call your family and inform them that you will sleep here tonight."
Yamamoto chuckled. He wondered if Gokudera knew that Haru had given the same care to Lambo too when they were younger.
Haru was busy at the counter when she spotted a smaller woman walked in. she's a looker. With her small frame, it did nothing to hide her alluring presence and her grace. Since she only came back in town, she does not know most of the people yet.
"Can I help you miss?" she asked kindly.
The woman turned her violet eyes towards her then smiled. "Yes please…I'm looking for a perfect flower…" she said.
This time, Haru smiled. "What kind of flower are you looking for?"
"Normally I would say it's for a dead…but I'm looking for lilies…it's my friend's," she said as an afterthought. Haru walked away from the counter and led her to where different types of lilies bloomed.
"You can take your pick," she suggested kindly.
The woman flashed a bashful smile. "Thank you…" then as if she had realized it, she stared at Haru with silent scrutiny while latter stared back as well…giving her the same curiosity…
"Haru…" she finally spoke her name. "My name is Miura Haru."
"Chrome," she said. "I was wondering why you looked someone new," she said. "Whenever I dropped by, it's Hana who is around."
"Well, I just returned to town. I'm helping her out while I figure how to live life here," she explained and Chrome nodded.
"Oh," she managed to say before pointing at a particular flower. "I'll take a dozen of those."
Haru picked a dozen and wrapped it up before punching the amount while Chrome waited quietly. "There goes."
"Thanks," Chrome said and waved goodbye. "I'll see you around."
She nodded and watched her leave just as Hana walked in. she talked a little with Chrome before approaching her who was now watching them both.
"She's a regular customer," Hana answered the unspoken question.
"Is she from this town?"
"No…she settled down here two or three years ago…no one basically knew where she came from…but the family she is living with sure is widely known. Rurmor has it that she is Mukuro's kept woman though I hardly believe that. It was rare to see them mingling with others but on rare occasions that they managed to come join social group, I noticed he treated her more like a sister."
"Ah. Mukuro huh?" she said and shook her head. One cannot know one without knowing the others. "Anyway, I've arranged all the flowers needed for delivery."
Hana smiled. "Thanks. Don't you want to go out?"
"Out where?" she asked with curiosity.
"Nothing really – "
The chimes sounded and both women turned towards the door to find a man wearing a scowl…
"Had Chrome dropped here?," he said roughly as if he's in a bad mood.
"She did. She left just a little while ago, Ken," Hana answered. "She's a grown woman already and you should stop treating her like a child. The way I see it, Chrome can very well take care of herself. Mukuro made very sure of that." The guy named Ken was not listening though because he already stormed out to Hana's amusement.
"Does that always happen?" she asked when finally alone with her friend.
"Yes. You'll get used to different scenes if you stay here which you had already planned anyway," Hana answered and sat down just as the chimes rang and a man with dyed hair entered.
A wide grin was tugging on his thin lips when he spotted her and Haru's mood was already ruined…
"My, my, if it ain't little Haru," the man said as his bodyguards came in with him. Trust him not to walk on his own, she thought. He never changed a bit…still cocky as ever…and she hated the smile he's giving her…it was leery…
Sensing the tremor, Hana sighed. "What are you doing here Zakuro?"
The said guy grinned widely. "That ain't no way to greet a customer. I heard Haru is back so I dropped by to say hello."
"Now that you said it, you can actually take your leave," Haru spoke casually while putting up a brave front.
Zakuro's smile widened and Haru hated it…that smile brought back memories…something she wished she could just bury deep down…
"Now, now, you're being awfully rude Haru," he said and walked towards her while she remained unmoving. But when she recognized that dangerous spark in his eyes, she knew she had to walk away so even before any of them could react, she rounded the counter and headed straight for the door outside only to walk smack into someone's broad chest as she furiously latched the door open.
The first that registered in her mind is the musky scent…and when she looked up, she saw Gokudera looking down at her. Great, from Zakuro to his enemy…
She took a step back with unsteady feet but he held her with both his hands. "Easy there."
Haru's mind went blank at the close contact. Is this man for real? Oh well, he never did know that just his presence alone is enough to stir different unwanted emotions from her. She realized that even after all these years, he still had the same effect on her.
"Out of my way, Gokudera," she said exasperatedly, not wanting to have a scene with both men in a row. His green eyes showed amusement and surprise.
"Wow…I'm surprised you still remember me," he said and Haru rolled her eyes while at the back of her mind she felt a sudden unwanted hurt…was she expecting that he remember her as well? Pathetic. So much for her fantasies that died during high school…
"Who wouldn't remember an intelligent silver haired guy who was notorious for his reputation with women?" she asked sourly and took a step aside. Gokudera smiled knowingly. He had sensed the effect he still had on her and she never knew she had the same effect on him…
Damn even if he denied that she's someone out of his league, he realized that the attraction he had with her since high school is still strong for him…and it even struck him to realize it never changed…if only he could add her in his list of prospective wife. But she's definitely scratched out from that. If anything, despite being jilted by her after a few days of dating and kissing, he still wished her to be with someone better.
"Tit for tat eh?" he mused and looked ahead only to find Zakuro looking at them mockingly…or rather at him…he frowned before turning to Haru…oh he knew there was also a history between the two…just as soon as she walked out on him, Haru had dated several guys one of which was this guy while he dated Shittopi too…suddenly an idea just struck his mind which as immediately forgotten when Zakuro spoke.
"Oh, so the prodigal son is back," he said in taunt, hoping for Gokudera to bite it but the latter had more sense than to create a scene in the flower shop where he was asked by Tsuna to get some delivery while he has a lot of free time. In fact, he wasn't expecting a run-in with Haru so soon…
Gokudera practically ignored Zakuro and asked Haru. "I came for the flower delivery blah, blah as per Tsuna's request."
"Talk it out with Hana. I'm out of here," she said before finally turning to leave. Not knowing what prompted him to do so, Gokudera immediately followed and grabbed Haru just as she was about to actually turn to an alley.
"Hey, that's not a good reunion for both of us," he said as she tried to jerk away.
"As if there is a nice reunion for both of us," she said and eyed him closely. Now that they were out from the other's watching eyes, she had the time to study him carefully. He is still good-looking no doubt about it. His green eyes shone with amusement when she took a step back while he stepped forward…
He matured now…she thought…
"Guess the attraction between the two of us never faded away neh?" he asked and leaned closer. Well, he still possessed that cocky attitude which was his charm yet at the same time his annoying trait.
Haru shook her head. "What attraction?"
This time, Gokudera chuckled. "When are you going to give in to me Haru?" he asked hoarsely now. "I've been pursuing you in high school and you rejected me."
This time, Haru chuckled as well. "When will you give up?" she asked.
He did not answer as he leaned closer still while she was beginning to panic now. He would not force her would he? They are in a public place and it would be so humiliating if one ever saw them here…with his lips close to her jaw…
Gokudera does not know what prompted him but he asked anyway. "Have dinner with me."
She could hear his husky voice as it reverberates through her ear and she knew she had to walk away while she can still fight the attraction between them…he was definitely right about one thing…it never faded away…this was their first meeting in so many years and it turns out this way…with her fighting off that attraction.
Then just as she decided that, he suddenly nibbled softly on her ear as he started tempting her again with that expert lips of his…Haru parted her lips to protest but he raised one finger to stop her from speaking…
He continued tempting her, sending her arrows of desire she does not want to acknowledge with this man…to her relief and disappointment, he backed away…then grinned…
"I take that as a yes," he said.
"No," Haru composed herself.
Gokudera stared at her for a couple of seconds, amused and wondering before he raked his hair…
"Damn…you have always been elusive…what went wrong Haru?" he suddenly asked in which she refused to answer.
"Nothing that concerns you," she said and pushed him aside. "There is no point talking about the past which did not even happen for both of us."
He stared at her hard, his green eyes searching something only he could see…and Haru looked away…
"You're a challenge to me…" he finally spoke. "We'll have a date soon." He really contradicted himself. What happened to scratching her name off his list?
This time, Haru turned to face him. She gave him one, hard look. "Not until you decided to stay in town. Let's face it Gokudera, I'm not like your harem who swooned over at your request…"
He chuckled. "Of course you were never like them that's why I always find you a challenge…"
A challenge, she thought bitterly and shook her head once more. That's basically another reason why she rejected him before…
Sensing the bitterness that instantly crossed her eyes, he regretted speaking those words. She never knew that way back in high school, her personality had elicited care from others…and he was one of those who cared no matter how much he refused to admit it…
But Haru needed someone…
Everyone who knew her knows that…
"Haru?"
"I'm a challenge huh?" she spoke casually then she gave him a rueful smile. "See why it never worked for both of us? I wanted something you could not give me…"
His jaw clenched…her statement a while ago confirmed his suspicion about her reason for rejecting him years ago…
Yep, he was right also in saying that Haru would not make it on his list of potential wife…she expects too much…something he could not give…and that's why he has to scratch her name from his list because he does not want to hurt this woman…
Sensing he does not want to speak, Haru walked away. She was right in her decision before. She does not want to be involved with someone like him who travels a lot…because she does not want to end up abandoned and hurt…
"What is it you want?" he asked when she was a good distance away.
She looked over her shoulder. "Why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "Just curious."
Somehow, a soft smile curved her lips…
"You really don't have to know," she answered kindly.
"I want to…" he called. "Because even if we shared just a few dates and a few kisses back then…I always cared more than you could have imagined…and there could have been a past for both of us if you have only allowed it."
It was a good thing, his friends were not around to hear what he was saying right now or they would laugh at him again…but what he said is true…
"I'm thankful for the fact that you care…" she said with a nod. "But you see…you can't do anything about it either even if you wanted to know…but who knows…maybe someday I'll tell you…"
Then she left…
You don't always get what you want, she thought as she walked away. She learned that the hard way.
Yamamoto just stood there with hands on his pocket when he spotted a petite woman walked in the private cemetery. Their eyes met and the gaze broke immediately as she turned to one of the gravestone and laid the flower down…she said a silent prayer before standing there for a few minutes…
His interest was suddenly piqued as he became intrigued with her mysterious personality. He had heard a lot about her and had seen her in some parties he attended. It even surprised him to see her alone without the presence of her bodyguard whom Mukuro had specifically picked for her.
He shook his head then walked away. He's not really the type who delves into someone's personal life not unless he felt it necessary to push or shove someone…but he would admit that she's one of the few who never gave much of a second glance to him or his friends…there are few others…those who move in the same circle with Kyoko. Well this woman…Mukuro never confirmed nor denied the rumors about Chrome being his kept woman.
But that sort of difference is something all of them needed. No matter how notorious they are with women…there always is a time that they do not want unwanted attention…he realized that women who throw themselves at their feet bore him already…
Not that he needed a woman who was like Kyoko or her group…
Sometimes, it's just good for a change…as he walked away, he stared at the sky and realized perhaps Tsuna was right when he said marrying the right woman has its merit…
But then again, he never planned to marry just as much as Gokudera…in fact, he could not even picture himself a husband material…a husband for all seasons…and besides, he never fancied anyone…he had been in relationships which lasted only a week and some girls were just fortunate if his relationship with them lasted a month which was the maximum for him…in honesty though, Haru was the only woman he came to like and if not for the fact that what she had with Gokudera before was something special, he would have courted her before. But during his last talk with her before on her latest visit before she finally decided to stay here, he was so sure she still felt attached to Gokudera no matter how many years passed by, no matter how short-lived their relationship was and thus Yamamoto knew perhaps his friend could really have a chance with her.
He was like Tsuna at all who had someone he had fancied even before they hit college…but when he saw how she truly cared for him, he figured he'll just settle with short-lived affairs where no strings attached…so much for first loves…
And he could understand Gokudera's thoughts even if his friend did not speak about it…his thought concerning Haru…no matter how good she is, Haru can never provide what she had been yearning for…
And he doubted if Gokudera even realized what she really hoped for…
Stability and a solid future…
Something his friend had scoffed about…because Gokudera never believed in stability as he saw beforehand what happened to his father after his marriage broke…
He wondered if it ever occurred to his friend that he has very much in common with Haru…only, the woman is taking it in with optimism while Gokudera took it all with a scoff and hatred…