In Their Story, There was a Girl

Chapter 11: Mission

Ah, thinking it won't disappear,

Not just this, the feeling of sadness won't fade.

Within the eyes that endured tears, the light that is prettier than all else is collected.

Let's walk on the other side of the clouds.

After the rain, a rainbow will appear.

"Over The Rain" by flumpool

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The streets of Namimori were empty although it was a clear day. The weather wasn't too hot or too cold. It was the perfect day for sakura viewing. Instead of running to find a good spot to view sakura, Yotsuba stood in front of the most expensive café in Namimori, Bliss Café. Yotsuba was reluctant to come to the café; Dino had called her out, and by the tone of his voice it didn't sound like anything pleasant.

After letting out a big breath, Yotsuba pulled the door open. The bells attached to the door jingled, bringing Dino's head up to meet Yotsuba's eyes. There were not many people in the café. Dino smiled and waved for Yotsuba to come over. She hobbled over to the seat in front of Dino and sat into it. Dino pushed a steaming cup in front of her.

"I had them put in extra sugar," said Dino, "Drink some. It's my treat."

Yotsuba murmured a "thank you" and put the cup to her lips. She stole a glance at Dino through the white steam traveling upwards in the air. He didn't seem to be mad or anything. She drank the coffee with relief, but didn't realize that she looked exactly like a kid caught being naughty in Dino's eyes. Dino chuckled to himself. I got you this time, Yocchan!

"Saa," Dino said, "Why don't you spit everything?"

"…………" Yotsuba stared at Dino. Holding the cup close to her mouth, she spat a mouthful of coffee back into the cup.

"NOT LITERALLY!!" Dino cried. "I meant your wound! How did you get it and why?!"

Damn that Shamal… thought Yotsuba. "It's nothing. Someone didn't like my attitude and beat me up."

Dino frowned at her; Yotsuba stared into the cup of coffee. Of course he didn't believe her. If it really was someone who randomly wanted to beat her up, Kabi would've taken care of him. The girl was really hard-headed.

"Yocchan," Dino started, looking at her sternly, "Stop being stubborn. I don't know what you're afraid of, but everyone's worried about you! I mean, to the point that Shamal had to call me… it must be something serious!"

Yotsuba opened her mouth to make another excuse, but she closed it as soon as Dino sent her another reprimanding look. Yotsuba sighed; maybe she should just tell him about Rokudou Mukuro. But when she thought about the horrid name, she cowered again. She shivered when she remembered the red eye and his eerie laughter. Dino stared at Yotsuba face, getting more and more worried as her face turned blue.

She shook her head. Quickly grabbing the cup containing black coffee in front of Dino, Yotsuba gulped it all down. It was bitter and it stung a little.

"Dino…" Yotsuba said, "Do you know about… a person named… Rokudou Mukuro?"

As soon as she finished her sentence, she covered her nose and mouth with her hands. Dino was horrified to see blood stream down the gaps in between her fingers. He reached over to support her shoulder when she almost fell over in her chair.

"Yocchan! Are you okay?" Dino asked nervously. "Hang on, let me call Shamal! Ah! I'll call Reborn and Tsuna, too!"

Yotsuba grabbed Dino's hand that was reaching for his cell phone. "No! Don't call Tsuna or Reborn! I'm fine! I actually feel better right now!"

Dino stared at Yotsuba questioningly; her face does seem to gain a bit more color. "All right. But I'm going to call Shamal… you can't expect me to just ignore that!"

Yotsuba nodded, grabbing a napkin to clean her face. She listened closely as Dino made his phone call. Shamal didn't pick up his phone for a long time, and when he did, he sounded drunk. Yotsuba couldn't help but sweat-drop at this.

"Shamal?" Dino called. "Are you drunk? We need you right now!"

"What? What? I'm totally sober! The sakura blossoms are so pretty today! Hello? Are you there, Dino? Aloha! Bonjour! Ni Hao! Hola!"

"Shamal! Shamal!" Dino shouted into the phone. "Come over to Bliss Café right now! It's about Yocchan!"

Yotsuba couldn't hear anymore sound from the other side of the phone. Then Dino clicked his phone shut, saying that Shamal will be here soon. Surprisingly, Shamal arrived in a few minutes, looking serious and sober. He marched toward the two and began examining Yotsuba as soon as he stopped in front of her.

"Just as I thought…" Shamal muttered, "this Rokudou Mukuro person must've done something to her that restricted her from telling anyone anything about him. Yocchan probably strained herself very hard just to get his name out, which is why her nose started bleeding. But it seems like that something has been broken by Yocchan, so she should be fine now."

Dino looked at Yotsuba worriedly. "Rokudou Mukuro… was he the person that attacked you?"

Yotsuba nodded warily. "Please don't tell Tsuna or Reborn or anyone… I don't want to worry them…"

"What are you saying, Yocchan?" Dino grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "They are all worried already! Please tell me everything you know about this person, and we can figure out a way to help you!"

"Dino, if you shake me again I'm going to spew blood on you." Yotsuba said, making Dino stop the shaking action. "Now, honestly, I don't even know anything about that person… or thing…"

"What?"

"He's not human, Dino…" Yotsuba muttered, tightening her grip. "He's dangerous… I don't want Tsuna to get hurt. I don't want Tsuna to even know about him…"

"This Rokudou Mukuro… he's after Sawada Tsunayoshi?" asked Shamal.

Yotsuba nodded again.

"Then you should know that they will have to confront each other sooner or later, right?"

"No!" Yotsuba snapped. "He… he'll get killed! Rokudou Mukuro is not someone Tsuna can handle! I'm… I'm going to call The Ninth… and ask for professional hit men to take care of this!"

Dino reached over to take hold of her shoulders. "Yocchan, calm down!"

Yotsuba raised her head to look at Dino, only to find the older man smiling gently at her. Yotsuba's breathing slowed and she regained her composure after a while. She stared at Dino's smiling face, more confused than ever. Dino held her hands softly.

"You've changed, Yocchan," Dino said soothingly, "if it was a year ago, Yocchan wouldn't even care what happens to Tsuna. I'm so impressed! I can understand why you don't want the direct confrontation between Tsuna and that Rokudou Mukuro… but it's really inevitable. But it will be a good way for Tsuna to grow…"

"But…"

"You trust Tsuna, don't you?" said Dino. "I think you do… just like how you trust The Ninth!"

Yotsuba lowered her head. Tsuna… the almost-useless boy who had saved her so many times. He really could make things better, couldn't he? But what if things turn out unexpectedly? What would Rokudou Mukuro do to him? Would his eyes be filled with fear like hers? She didn't want to see it. She didn't want to see the day that innocence leaves his eyes, or Yamamoto's or Gokudera's or anyone else's.

"Yocchan…" Dino's voice brought her back to reality. "You want to protect them, right? To protect someone, you can't just pull them back. You have to stand with them, side by side, and fight."

Stand side by side with them? I can't… I'm not strong enough… I'll just run away in the end, like I always did…

"Yocchan… everyone is born into the world with a mission…"

Dino's hands felt so warm.

"…What is yours?"

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The cherry blossoms this year were exceptionally beautiful. They were blooming so proudly all over Namimori, petals filled even the usual busy streets. It was also the year that Hibari Kyouya started to detest cherry blossoms. During the fight with Shamal earlier, Hibari was diseased with the Sakura-kura Disease. Hibari wasn't used to feeling weak, or not being able to walk straight. He hobbled, like a certain sleepy-eyed girl he knew, down the streets of Namimori.

"Kyouya?" a familiar voice reached to Hibari's ears.

He looked up to see the said sleepy-eyed girl walking up to him. He hadn't been paying attention to the road, which was very unlike him to do so. Hibari cursed at the sakura petals dancing in the air, and tried to give the clueless girl the fiercest glare he could make. Yotsuba, in turn, frowned at the skylark's hostility.

"Are you okay, Kyouya?" Yotsuba asked carefully. "You don't look too good."

Hibari kept quiet. Did he really look that ill that Yotsuba, who was always scared of him, is actually talking to him straight in the face? It's all the sakura's fault. Not having enough energy to take out his tonfa, Hibari walked passed Yotsuba and just kept walking.

Yotsuba raised an eyebrow. "Kyouya? Where are you going?"

"Your herbivore friends are viewing sakura at the park." said Hibari monotonously.

"Eh?"

Yotsuba, a little taken back, stared at Hibari's retrieving back. She had forgotten that Tsuna and the others invited her to view sakura with them in the morning. Although she had just finished talking with Dino, but she suddenly didn't want to go to the park. Maybe she didn't know how to face them. Why? She didn't even know herself. She took a step and, having no reason, followed behind Hibari.

She was somewhat nervous while walking behind the skylark. He didn't look to be in a good mood; she kept a five-feet distance in between him and her. After ten minutes, she realized that they were in front of Namimori Junior High. Yotsuba was at awe again for Hibari's deep affection toward the school; he even comes to the school when there is no class! Nonetheless, she kept on following him.

Yotsuba wasn't so surprised when they arrived at the Reception Room. She was surprised, however, at the immediate recovery of Hibari as he entered the room. His footsteps were firm and his eyes regained their usual vicious glint. He advanced toward the couch and plopped down on it, sending Yotsuba a death glare all the while. Yotsuba was considering running for it while she can.

"I'm in a very bad mood," said Hibari in a warning tone. "So if you disturb me while I sleep, I'll release all my anger on that Sakura-kura Disease on you."

Hibari lied down on the couch and fell asleep quickly after the warning. Yotsuba gaped at the sleeping boy's unreasonable warning, but didn't make a single protest. How did he get diseased with that rare disease? Yotsuba wondered.

Yotsuba tiptoed over to the couch where Hibari slept on and knelt down in front of it. Even with closed eyes, he still made her nervous. Soundlessly, she watched Hibari fall into a deep slumber.

Kyouya… is such a blithe person, Yotsuba couldn't help but think while she stared at Hibari's sleeping face.

Always doing things according to his own will; no one could restrict him, no one could control him. Like the clouds floating freely in the enormous sky. Like the colossal castle that she'd always fantasized about. If she followed him, will she be able to become strong like him? Will she be able to do what she wants? Say what she wants to say?

She remembered the conversation with Tsuna and the others on the rooftop a few days ago. Even though knowing how much Tsuna worried about her, she couldn't tell him anything. Shamal had said that part of it was Rokudou Mukuro's doing, but deep down inside, Yotsuba knew, clearly, why she couldn't say anything at that moment. She knew it better than anyone. She was scared. She was scared of so many things that she even felt sorry for herself. She was scared of Rokudou Mukuro, of getting hurt, of her own world. Through Mukuro, she remembered when the world of mafia took everything away from her, gave her all the happiness she wanted, and took everything away again. Sooner or later, Tsuna will be an important part of this cruel world. She didn't want to see the true, honest, innocent smile of Tsuna, which had always pulled her from her fall, to disappear forever in the mafia world.

If I could become like Kyouya… not dwelling on these fears, will I be able to return those honest feelings to them?

Yotsuba's eyes drooped as she thought. A short moment passed before Yotsuba fell asleep, on her arms, by the couch.

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"Oi." A clear and deep voice traveled to Yotsuba's ears.

Hmm?

"Oi." The owner of the voice, receiving no reply from Yotsuba, called again.

Let me sleep longer…

Yotsuba's eyes fluttered open unwillingly. But in the next second, Yotsuba jumped up like a bee had stung her, and she was wild awake. Hibari, with a very ticked-off expression, was standing above her with his tonfa in hands.

"I'm, I'm sorry!" Yotsuba stuttered.

Surprisingly, Hibari didn't send Yotsuba flying across the room. He merely scanned his eyes over Yotsuba's face briefly, put his tonfa away, and made for the door.

"Let's go."

"Eh?"

Hibari glowered at Yotsuba and cut off everything she was going to say afterwards. She knew that if she said another word, Hibari would swing his tonfa at her instantly. Having no other choice, she started to follow him again. It was not until they left the school building did Yotsuba realize that the day was almost over. The sky made a mixture of orange and blue. It added to the awkwardness Yotsuba was feeling during this silent walk with Hibari. Hibari was really someone that Yotsuba couldn't read. In fact, no one can really read him.

The wind has calmed and the sakura petals weren't filled in the sky anymore. Hibari made quick strides in front of Yotsuba, while she quickened her pace as she was afraid to protest. In only a couple of minutes, they passed the residence area and entered the shopping district.

"Ano… Kyouya, what exactly are we doing?" Yotsuba asked, unable to hold it in anymore.

"Patrolling," answered Hibari.

Hibari's one-word answer made Yotsuba even more confused. As Yotsuba tried to catch up with Hibari, she bumped into his back as he suddenly made a stop.

"Hibari-san?!" a panicking voice drew Yotsuba's attention as she rubbed her pained nose.

Yotsuba peeked from behind Hibari. "Tsuna-kun?"

"Yotsuba-chan?" Yamamoto, who was closest to her, noticed Yotsuba first.

"Stupid woman! Where were you all this time?!" Gokudera snapped in his usual rude tone. "How dare you make Juudaime wait for you?!"

"Wait for me?" Yotsuba repeated uncertainly.

Tsuna scratched the back of his head. "Yotsuba-chan, the truth is that… we noticed that you've been really tense for the past couple of days, so we wanted to ease up the atmosphere during the sakura viewing. Although you said that you had priorities with Dino this morning, but I still wanted to wait, in case you had time to come."

Yotsuba felt a gush of warmth overflow throughout her body. Her face flustered at the sight of everyone's smiles. She was ashamed for not telling them the truth.

"Let's go." Hibari said coldly as he moved on ahead. Tsuna and the others watched Hibari leave, puzzled by why Hibari didn't attempt to bite them to death. Yotsuba smiled and followed behind Hibari. She turned back to look at the puzzled boys before going far.

"Tsuna-kun," she said cheerfully, "Sorry for my absence today! Let's eat lunch together on the rooftop tomorrow, okay?"

It only took Tsuna a couple of seconds to react. "Okay!"

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The sun was soon settled under the horizon after Hibari and Yotsuba's departure from Tsuna. The patrolling couple was walking along the sidewalk of the shopping district. There was no one out, for the clouds tonight were thick and it hid the moon's light from the streets. Yotsuba walked faster as the night got eerie, but still trailing behind Hibari's flowing school jacket.

"Kyouya…" said Yotsuba tiredly, "just how long do you patrol everyday?"

Hibari didn't answer. Hibari was really a quiet person, Yotsuba thought. But if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be fearlessly walking on the streets at night. She thought about the encounter with Tsuna earlier in the day. Did Hibari purposefully take her to see them? That was the least possible thing, but Yotsuba wanted to believe that.

"Kyouya, thanks for taking me to see Tsuna today." Yotsuba said.

Hibari stopped in his track. He turned around to look at her coldly, as if telling her that she was out of her mind. Nonetheless, Yotsuba smiled. Hibari only glared at her before starting to walk ahead again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that her smile was small and sweet. Unconsciously, he slowed his footsteps subtly. Yotsuba didn't even realize as she had caught up with the skylark and was walking with him, side by side.

"Herbivores are supposed to act like herbivores." Hibari said coldly.

"Eh?"

Before Yotsuba could react to what Hibari had just said, an ear-ripping shriek captivated their attentions. Both of their heads shot toward the origin of the sound, which came from behind an alley close by. Without thinking, both of them darted toward the same direction. As they turned the corner, they were shocked to see a tall, muscular teen passed out on the ground. The boy was beaten up mercilessly, and blood almost made his face unrecognizable.

With one look at the injured boy's clothing and hairstyle, Yotsuba and Hibari knew that the boy was from Namimori Junior High. The old school uniform and the pompadour hairdo indicated that the boy was a part of the Disciplinary Committee. Hibari stood in his place as Yotsuba rushed over to the injured boy. She turned the boy over so that his head rested on her thighs, and she inspected the boy's wounds.

She was horrified when she inspected the boy's face.

"Kyouya…" she said with a shaken voice as she looked back at the chairman.

"His teeth… they're all gone!"

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TBC.

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A/N: Hey readers! I have just finished with final exams and I hope I will have a lot more time to write! Some of you probably noticed that I skipped Longchamp. I thought he was not very relevant to the plot and I want to get on with the Kokuyou battle. I'll give you all a warning that… I'm going to be making up a past for Mukuro a couple of chapters later! So if I totally ruin your image of Mukuro's childhood… I'm sorry!

Please review! Some of your feedbacks really give me great ideas, even if you don't realize it! THANK YOU!