In Their Story, There was a Girl

Chapter 17: A New Page

Pink clouds and blue marshmallows. Warm snowflakes fall down from the sky. A herd of baby yetis run along the fields. Ah, was the only thing that Yotsuba could say, or have the strength to say. It seemed like a long time since she had a good sleep. Ever since the group defeated Mukuro, Yotsuba had been missing the first third of school hours just to catch up on sleeping, which is not so great for the "thing" that she's decided to commit to recently. But she could not help it. she needed to get back the sleep she'd missed out for so long.

Perhaps there was also something on her mind, or perhaps she had wanted to wait for something to come into her dreams. But none of that is important anymore as she would fall right to sleep when she lay her head down. After all the painful things she had gone through, let's just say that the only thing that could irritate her now was –DING DONG—the door bell. With a low grunt, Yotsuba left the comfort of her bed for the door. Her usual early morning guest, Dino, was at the door.

"Could you pick a better time next time? Perhaps when the hour turns double digits?" Yotsuba growled, but with zero attack points.

Dino only smiled. "I haven't seen you in a while, the sharp-tongued Princess Yotsuba."

Yotsuba stared at Dino's smile wordlessly for a moment, and then walked back into the living room. Taking the silence as an invitation, Dino entered the apartment. They sat at their usual places on the couch. Yotsuba placed two coffee mugs on the table. Steam from the coffee filled the silence in the room.

"It seems like… we haven't sat like this face to face for a long time…" said Yotsuba, finally, breaking the silence.

"Yeah…" agreed Dino gently, "but for some reason, it doesn't feel like how it used to be…"

Yotsuba nodded, and they fell into silence again. Dino chuckled lightly to himself. Even a princess has to grow up…

"Reborn told me about your new, um, commitment," began Dino, "it's hard to imagine… to have you work under someone's command willingly, that person must be something. I'd love to meet this guy one day."

"I'm not so sure," Yotsuba smirked. "He might be dangerous for you…"

-----FLASHBACK-----

"Homerun!"

"Takeshi-kun! How cool!"

"Yamamoto-kun is so good!" Tsuna said excitedly with the audience.

"Hmph! It's just Yamamoto! Oi! You guys on the other team! I'll bow you guys up if you don't play seriously!" Gokudera shouted at the opposing team.

The morning sun lit every corner of Namimori. A cloudless day like this was great for any sports game. Today, all the students of Namimori gathered at the baseball field. It was the day of the baseball tournament.

"Go…Gokudera-kun! Calm down!"

"Ohhh!! Extreme!! Don't play baseball anymore! Join the boxing club!"

The audience on the bleachers cheered loudly as Yamamoto hit a homerun. Yamamoto, hearing the cheers, waved in his friends' direction. His face was filled with joy; the injury on his arm had completely healed. However, even with all the excitement in the place, Yotsuba could not perk up. Her heart was still lingering on that day, that battle…

Mukuro… why did you show me those things? Is it because… our pasts are the same…?

But Yotsuba already had a feeling about what Mukuro wanted her to know. The events in Kokuyou were just a prelude. As long as Yotsuba stays in their world, things will just get more and more violent and painful.

"The world of mafias isn't as wonderful as you think. Hatred, betrayal, violence, blood, everything is filled with sin. Not just the mafias, the world is the same."

But…

"Why don't we let everything become a beautiful, red sea?"

Mukuro's tempting voice echoed in Yotsuba's head, but…

But…

Watching her friends go back to their usual, noisy lives, it seemed like the fight with Mukuro had never happened. But Yotsuba knew that even when returning to the peaceful days, something is slowly changing, for herself or for Tsuna. Something is different now. The past will never turn back around. The lost things will never return to your hands, either. It's time to say good-bye to the naïve self. The laughter and smiles of every persons were deeply inscribed into Yotsuba's eyes at this moment.

"Reborn-san…" As everyone else was busy with the game, Yotsuba made a decision. She muttered Reborn's name, and the latter turned his head toward her.

Reborn thought for a while, and said, "if it's your decision, then do as you think."

Reborn could see that after the battle days ago, Yotsuba's iron eyes had different colors. The previous childishness had disappeared, and replaced with her belief and determination. That kind of courage is something that Tsuna and the Vongola cannot lose. Earning the permission from Reborn, Yotsuba smiled appreciatively at Reborn and stood from her spot. As the wind caressed her long, black locks, she quietly walked away from the group.

"Mikami!" Reborn called out to her, and she stopped in her place without turning back. "Throughout the whole time that your father spied inside the Estraneo Family, he only performed a single operation."

Yotsuba did not reply for a while, nor turn to look at Reborn. But after a pause she said with a soft voice, "thank you, Reborn."

With that, she took off.

Mukuro… You chose to accept the darkness of the world and chose the endless road of death. But… sorry, I cannot choose the same route. I want to believe in that small light of hope. I want to live in this ugly, but also beautiful, world… with them.

Suddenly, a little boy bumped into Yotsuba's arm as he ran past her.

"Sorry!" the little boy said with a sweet voice.

"Mi-kun! Come over here!" his mother called out in the distance.

"It's all right," Yotsuba replied gently. "Go catch up to your mommy!"

"Right," the little boy said before taking his leave. "Again… someday…"

"Eh?" looking back towards the little, Yotsuba could not believe her ears. But when she looks at the little boy again, he was already far away with his mother. Shaking the bad feelings off her shoulders, she continued to her destination.

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Aside from all the noise and excitement in Nami Junior High, there was still a quiet place. The rooftop of the school stayed secluded, and only the sound of the wind could be heard. Yet from the wind came a high-pitched, off-key singing. A little yellow creature flapped its wings towards a black silhouette on the rooftop as it sings the school anthem. Being probably the only thing that is not scared of the demon-like boy, the yellow bird landed upon his head.

The sky was high and blue and white clouds carelessly floated in the air. It was the perfect day and Hibari did not want to ruin his mood by going near the baseball field. He yawned as he laid on his back, closing his eyes for a nap.

"Kyouya!!!!"

The door suddenly flew open. The yellow bird flew from its spot to the huge sound, and a strand of leaf fell from the wide open mouth of Kusakabe, who rushed over to the intruder immediately.

"What are you doing here?!" Kusakabe scolded in a hushed voice. "You should know not to disturb Iinchou when he's slee—"

"Nice weather today, eh, Kusakabe-san?" said Yotsuba cheerfully as she waltzed toward Hibari, who was still in his sleeping position.

Kusakabe was in shock again as the raven girl ignored him completely. He watched in panic as Yotsuba made her way to the disturbed beast. The said beast opened one of his eyes to glare at Yotsuba. His expression told her how much annoyance he's getting. Still, Yotsuba isn't the shy kind.

"Kyouya…" Yotsuba began, with a serious tone that could not compare to her previous behavior, "Please let me join the Disciplinary Committee!"

At this, Hibari opened both of his eyes to study Yotsuba, who bowed her head. The fearlessness in her voice sparked his interest. Yotsuba peeked into Hibari's dark eyes. Crystal lights sparkled in his beautiful eyes; Yotsuba's face heated up without her realization.

Hibari spoke roughly, "Why?"

"I want to become stronger."

The wind breezed by softly through the two of them. A few yellowed flower petals danced in the air as the wind carried them and through Yotsuba's jet black hair. Everything was beautiful, like a painting, in Hibari's eyes.

"……I see."

Letting out an inaudible sigh, Hibari turned away to go back to his sleep again. Seeing as Hibari did not give her an answer, Yotsuba began to speak again. But before she could get anything out, she was interrupted.

"If you disturb my sleep again, I'm going to bite you to death," said Hibari dangerously.

Hearing that, Yotsuba was stuck. She looked to Kusakabe for help, but found Kusakabe with an unusual gentle smile on his face. Kusakabe motioned for her to go into the door quietly and Yotsuba followed him. Cupping his hand, Kusakabe whispered, "If Iinchou didn't refuse, then that means you're in! Come find me in the Reception Room tomorrow, and I'll give you some work to do."

A bright smile spread across Yotsuba's face. Bowing to Kusakabe quickly, she shouted out the door.

"THANKS, KYOUYA!!!"

Once again, Kusakabe was put to shock. He hurriedly chased Yotsuba back down stairs before his violent superior decides to kill them both. Meanwhile, he ponders on how busy his life will become with this crazy addition to the committee.

"Hmph."

As Yotsuba's voice faded in the background, Hibari let out a short chuckle.

Today's sky… is so blue.

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TBC.

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A/N: So marks the end of the Kokuyou Arc! This chapter serves as a kind of epilogue and prologue at the same time. We won't be seeing Mukuro for a while now, but there will definitely be a lot of HibariXYotsuba action! Please continue to read this story as all kinds of outrageous things occur with Yotsuba as the new member of the Disciplinary Committee! And also, don't forget to review!