Ahahaha...I finally finished this chapter! I honestly thought I'd never finish...
Thank you to the following people who actually reviewed:
Joyce
RolleRBiVi'sCAstle
one99five
EtoileCyberPrima
I hope to write more later...maybe after I finish my homework (GLOOM)
Disclaimer:The day I own Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn is the day Dino dresses up as a turtle for Halloween.
"Ahahah...nice to meet you Haru-chan. My name's Dino and these are my buddies, Romario and Lucas."
Haru looked skeptically at the trio. They were going to be her escorts?
She sighed, a bit frustruated that Kyoko was allowed to stay while she wasn't. Jealous? No...perhaps jealous isn't the word.
To be truthful, Haru felt responsible for Hana's death...she felt that she HAD to do something to make up. And here she was, just about to leave everything behind. She gritted her teeth. Damn that Tsuna...She didn't even get a chance to hug Kyoko-chan one last time before she was pulled away.
"So you're Kyoko's friend, right?" The blond male, who'd called himself Dino, asked. The other two men followed closely behind them, making sure no one would attack from the behind.
Haru nodded wordlessly.
Dino whistled in wonder. Few people from other towns ever visited, or at least lasted long enough as her. Many had fallen victim to the blood-thirsty beasts, and a couple of months after the unwelcome arrival of the vampires, humans stopped visiting altogether. Hell, there weren't even police here. The ones that were here were the ones who died first.
"Ano," Haru began, "Aren't we taking a car?" They'd already walked fifteen minutes outside of Tsuna's underground headquarters and there was still no sign of any vehicle.
The blond hunter chuckled. "It's too risky. The noise will instantly alert the monsters. They've got really good ears, you know. We would've used an underground route to get out, but unfortunately, there are none that leads outside of Namimori...I'll have to ask Giannini to fix that."
She nodded, not quite sure understanding who Giannini was, but perhaps, it's best not to ask. After all, it's not like she'd see them again.
"Why is it just Namimori?" This was one question that had been bothering her throughout their walk. Tsuna never explained.
"Pardon?" Dino asked.
"Why are there vampires only in Namimori?"
"Miss Haru, there are vampires all over the world; Italy, America, China...even Antarctica," Romario replied before Dino could utter a word, "However, most have changed their eating habits. For example, many decided that they prefer the blood of rabbits over human blood..."
Haru shivered. Rabbit blood? How barbaric...and Antarctica?!
"However, two families of vampires refused to change; and these families, for some reason, chose to reside in Namimori...maybe it's because it's rarely sunny here," Dino added, laughing, "Thanks Romario."
Romario bowed and returned to Lucas' side.
As they crossed a sidewalk, Haru froze.
Dino glanced at his surroundings fearfully. There was nothing abnormal to be seen. "What is it, Haru? Did you see something?" Reaching into the pocket of his green jacket, the hunter pulled out a whip. At the same time, both Romario and Lucas pulled out their guns, ready for any sort of attack.
"No, it's nothing like that," Haru laughed softly. "But...is there a bathroom nearby?"
"Oh..."
The tension on all of them slowly lifted as Dino cautiously placed his weapon back into his pocket. They weren't being attacked...at least not yet...
Filled with relief, the hunter managed a smile. "There's an empty restaurant far ahead. I think the bathroom there still works."
Haru let out a sigh of relief as she washed her hands. Thankfully, the bathrooms still worked, though it took a while for water from the faucet to come out.
Outside the bathroom, Lucas was waiting at the door, and outside the restaurant, Dino and Romario were waiting outside of the building.
She shuddered. Though she was thankful for the working bathrooms, it was hard to see for the electricity didn't work that well. The only light she had was a single dim light bulb that was flickering threateningly. She had to wait for her eyes to get used to the dim light first. Outside the bathroom, the lights weren't even working.
"How are doing in there?" Lucas called anxiously.
"I'm fine, thank you," Haru called back as she turned off the faucet and forced herself to stop crying.
Drying her hands with the last few pieces of paper towels, she hurried to open the door, revealing pitch black.
There was no answer, not even an acknowledgement of her presence.
"Lucas?"
This was no time to panic. She could still see her other two escorts waiting patiently outside, their backs turned to the door. Perhaps, he went outside as well.
But as she stepped out of the bathroom, she heard a sickening crunch...there was something underneath her feet...something soft...
Her heart started pounding and a feeling of dread overcame Haru. She had a feeling she knew what she was stepping on. It was a decapitated hand.
To confirm her fears, she turned around to meet a pair of green eyes.
The orbs glistened brightly despite the dim lighting as they examined the girl.
Before she could scream, the vampire clamped a hand over her mouth and forcefully pulled her back into the restroom before anyone could hear.
Gokudera growled angrily. It was simple and easy to sneak in through the backdoor, but it will be rather difficult to sneak out with a screaming brat.
Should he kill her? No...that would be suicide. Hibari-san wanted her alive.
Would it be easier to knock the girl unconscious and leave? No...his strength had increased ever since he became a vampire...a monster... and he couldn't risk hurting her.
Maybe just take his chances with the escorts outside? No...he knew one of them. Dino(also known as Buckin' Bronco) was known to be one of the strongest members of the Vongola Hunters and besides...he didn't want to face them...
Haru felt her head become dizzier as the vampire's cold hands over her mouth prevented her from breathing. Her assaulter didn't seem to even notice her scratching or kicks...or the fact that they were becoming weaker. This is bad... Resorting to her last option, she squeezed her eyes shut.
And Gokudera's thoughts were cut off as he felt something wet and slimy slide against the palm of his hand...Shit! The girl needs to breathe.
He released her, and she fell to the ground, desperately trying to take in as much air as possible.
Hayato let out a disgusted grunt and wiped his hands on his black pants. He'd forgotten. Humans were weak and needed air.
Second option then...knock the girl unconscious...He'd have to be careful not to strike too hard thou-
"G-go...kudera?" Was that his name? Haru couldn't quite remember.
He narrowed his eyes. "How do you know my name?"
"Hahi?"
"Not hahi, you stupid woman. I asked you how you know my name?!" He was becoming impatient. Because they were in an enclosed space, the girl's scent had spread and it was driving Gokudera crazy. He winced in pain as a sharp fang cut his tongue.
Shit! Not at this time! The gray-haired vampire put his hands over his mouth, willing himself to contain his blood lust.
She clenched her fists. The vampire's back was blocking the only exit. She couldn't escape. She would soon end up just like Hana...I deserve this...don't I... Tears started forming.
Time was running out. It would only be a matter of seconds before Dino bursts in.
"Tch! Never mind then." Gokudera grabbed the girl by the wrist. "If you scream, I'll kill you, just like I killed that other guy," he hissed, referring to Lucas.
She whimpered. Why even bother? She was dead anyways.
Nevertheless, fear drove her to nod.
Cautiously, Gokudera opened the door. Dino and Romario were still waiting outside, but Dino was now tapping his foot impatiently, glancing every now and then, at his watch.
Kicking a bloody body part out of his way, he dragged the girl to the kitchen, where the back door was.
How foolish of the others to only guard the main entrance...
He wrinkled his nose. Though the kitchen had been abandoned long ago, the stench of rotting food still remained. Garlic...This goddammed place used it a lot...
He kicked the back door open, allowing fresh air to seep in and banish the unwanted odor.
"Haru-san! Are you done yet? It's been ten minutes. We should leave before it becomes dark!"
"Romario, I'll take a look inside. Lucas, is everything alright? Luc- oh God! Lucas!"
Crap...there's no time!
And Gokudera Hayato walked outside, exposed to the bright sun.
...It burned...his whole body burned...of all days for it to be sunny...it just HAD to be today... He clenched his teeth. Even doing that hurt immensely. Just bear the pain for now...
Haru's eyes widened as her captor suddenly collapsed in pain several minutes after they left the restaurant. He was on his knees now. His grip on her became weaker. What's happening?
"Yamamoto, there's a 45 chance that it might be sunny tomorrow."
"It's too dangerous. We can't risk everything on only 45!"
"It's 35 chance more than usual. Another opportunity won't come again that easily."
She looked up at the sky, basking in the light and warmth of the sun.
The sun...Tsuna was right...
And it occurred to her that with the vampire weakened and barely conscious, there was a chance that she could escape...
Haru wrenched herself free from his weakened grasp. There was no effort from him.
Instead, he groaned in pain for the sudden movement made him feel as if his arm was being ripped off. Forget the girl...the pain was too much. Though sunlight itself wouldn't kill him, it hurt like hell.
She bit her lip. All of her senses were shrieking at her too escape. She could run...or scream. Dino and his partner would find her. It was an opportunity to run back to safety...
...and yet...
The sight of the pitiful crumpled being in front of her made it hard to do so...
Forget about him...he'd only kill you after...Just have your escorts kill him...
But...even so...
You won't be the one doing the killing. The world would be a better place if he died...
Haru took a step closer...
He killed Lucas! And don't forget, he killed Hana!! one of your childhood friends!!
"H-hey!"
No response.
The tip of her finger gently brushed against his arm...It was burning...no normal human could've withstood such a high temperature.
It did not look like the sun would disappear behind the clouds for some time...Haru shook off her jacket and threw it over the body.
"Haru! HARU!!"
"Dino-san!" She ran back to the run-down restaurant to where her remaining two escorts were.
"Miss Haru! Thank god you're okay...but how?" Romario asked worriedly. There was no sign that she was even bitten.
"It's okay Romario, the sun's still out," Dino assured. Though Lucas' death deeply saddened him, it was still a relief that their client was still fine.
Haru looked behind her as if looking for something...or someone... before she looked back at them. "Are we still leaving?"
The blond escort glanced at his watch before shaking his head. "Even though the sun's still out, it won't be like that in a couple of hours. We won't make it...we're going back...what happened to your jacket?"
It was night. Gokudera finally became conscious, the pain of this morning all forgotten.
The girl escaped...he was sure to be punished...Hibari would make him suffer...
He threw his head back in frustration only to hit his head hard on something...wood...he was under a tree.
Didn't he become unconscious on the street? Puzzled, the gray-haired vampire stood up, allowing the bright blue jacket fall to the ground.
Jacket?
He picked it up. It wasn't his. It was too small to be his...more likely a girl's...
...it couldn't be...
He turned it over and in the dark, he read the black letters embroidered into the right side of her jacket...Miura Haru...