Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Title: The Journal of Memories
Author: Gin Nanashi
Creation Type: Fanfiction
Main Rating: K+
Main Genre: One-Shot Series; Fluff, Friendship
Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman REBORN! belongs to Amano Akira; Sasaki Li, Sasaki Xue Fang, Sasaki Daisuke, Sasaki Kiyoshi and every other non-identifiable characters belongs to me (Gin Nanashi).
Summary: Sasaki Li came from a bloodline that allows her to gender-bend. Unfortunately, Li has yet to figure out how to control her ability. Fortunately, it leads to a whole bit of fun for the readers!
The Journal of Memories
Omake: Never Play With The Silent One.
The bright sun shined down from the cloudless sky, making the large river shimmer beautifully.
A group of people were playing about, splashing, swimming, wading or just dipping their toes.
It is within this group that one's focus shifts to a smaller group.
To the edge, two brunettes were located, but they are not the focus.
The focus is on one confused redhead who was swimming outwards and towards the middle of the river.
Bobbing excitedly in the water was a girl with spiky black hair, waving enthusiastically at the boy.
Green eyes blinked as their owner approached the older child.
"Ano… Kiyoshi-san? Li-san said that you were calling me…?"
A wide grin appeared on Kiyoshi's lips as she snaked an arm around the boy and pulled him close.
"Say Shou-chan…"
Heat rushed to his cheeks as the redhead sputtered and attempted to pull away, but the ravenette held strong and paid no mind while continuing.
"How 'bout we play a little game?"
The boy calmed a bit though his mind clearly sensed a trap.
He glanced over to his friends before sweatdropping when seeing the dark brunette pounce at the other.
He turned back and asked warily, "What kind of game?"
Kiyoshi's paid no mind to the other's cautiousness though her lips twitched downwards for a brief second when her eyes flashed over to the sight of the close brunettes.
Grey eyes forced themselves back to the redhead, glinting with a steeliness.
Kiyoshi allowed a devilish smile to play on her lips, not unlike a certain brunette's.
"A Scavenger Hunt."
Green eyes flickered briefly to the more populated side as the redhead trudged to the opposite of the river.
They flickered to the area around their owner: there was no one near him.
His heart thumped in his chest as he thought back to Kiyoshi's words.
The first treasure comes from the body of the giant, yet the giant is but a child of Mother.
Shouichi frowned a bit with furrowed brows as he exited the body of water.
Something that comes form the body of the giant is also a child of mother…?
He paused and thought, eyes not quite seeing the beautiful greenery.
Well, a giant is basically something big.
But, what was a child of mother?
He shook his head, his wet hair flicked as water droplets flew, before pondering the next task.
The second treasure twists and turns; it's both dominating and submissive.
The first part seemed pretty straightforward, but the second part was strange.
How can something control another while being controlled?
Shouichi pursed his lips as he moved on.
The third treasure can bring things together, or push them away. How it's used is up to you.
Small hands ruffled the messy red locks as Shouichi crouched down in frustration.
The hints made no sense!
There were too many contradictions!
How can something grown still be a child?
How can something strong still be weak?
How can something attractive still be repellent?
There's no logic in these riddles!
He groaned as the telltale signs of cramps began to surface.
Then again, riddles always have a twisted logic to them…
An exasperated sigh escaped the redhead's lips.
Why did he always get roped into doing something?
First, it was into becoming friends with the brunettes (not that he's complaining).
Then, it was into distracting Tsuna for a surprise party (though that was really of his own accord).
Next, it was into rescuing Li (which was actually a good deed).
After that, it was into celebrating his birthday (even though he was upset).
And now, it's this!
Nonetheless, Shouichi forced back his oncoming stomachache and continued to ponder.
The first treasure comes from the body of the giant, yet the giant is but a child of Mother.
Kiyoshi seemed to have emphasized the word "Mother" - but why?
His eyes glared into the dirt ground before he mussed his hair again.
What mother of giants?
He shivered a bit as wind blew at his damp body.
A single leaf flew towards him and landed on his nose.
Green eyes blinked before crossing to look at it.
Shouichi blew at it and watched as it swirled and landed at the base of a tall tree...
He paused in thought.
Wait…
A tree can be considered a giant with its great height!
Also, if one were to refer to the Earth, then wouldn't one call it Mother Nature?
Mother Nature is like a god, ruling over all natural things from dirt to rocks to living organisms.
And one can refer to themselves as a child of their god so…
Trees are the giant children of Mother Nature!
An excited grin played across Shouichi's lips as he started towards the forest.
This Scavenger Hunt might not be such a bust after all!
Shouichi grunted as he dropped the large, yet light, wooden planks onto a pile near the river's edge.
He found these pieces hidden between two closely bunched trees.
The redhead plopped onto the pile to rest his tired body though his mind was still alert.
The second treasure twists and turns; it's both dominating and submissive.
Green eyes searched the area as he thought.
Since they were in a wildlife park, it's highly doubtful that Kiyoshi could've hidden something conspicuous in such a short amount of time.
Therefore, the objects are probably things that can be hidden in plain sight, like the planks.
But, what did the hint mean?
The treasure twists and turns… Does that mean that the appearance is twisted?
Or, does it refer to its properties?
He frowned as the familiar feeling of uncertainty stirred inside.
Shouichi stood once more as he glanced into the forest.
Maybe he should try looking in there again?
Parting away some bushes, Shouichi blinked before sighing.
So far, he has yet to figure out the second hint.
He pulled back from the bushes and crossed his arms, brows furrowed in thought.
What naturally-found thing twists and turns?
It's highly doubtful that the treasure's an actual animal so a nonliving thing is most likely the target.
But the question is...
He stepped back.
What exactly is it?
His heel bumped into an obstacle.
"Whoa~!"
Thump!
"Itai!"
Shouichi rubbed his sore bottom before blinking at the sight in front of him.
It was of a fallen branch, part of it was shredded to reveal sharp splinters.
The redhead flinched at the sight and inched away, mumbling, "How dangerous…"
As he was about to turn away, his green eyes caught sight of small movements on the splinters.
Feeling thoroughly curious, Shouichi faced the dead wood again and peered closely.
Small creatures of various colors and shapes roamed freely and comfortably.
The rotting wood was home to hundreds, if not thousands, of such critters.
Suddenly, the last riddle came to mind.
The third treasure can bring things together, or push them away.
Understanding filled his being as Shouichi continued to observe the scene.
The branch, being as wretched as it was, repelled him from getting too close.
Yet, to the many organisms living in it, the branch attracted them to its core.
It both snubbed and welcomed a variety of life.
His lips twitched upwards as Shouichi carefully rolled the branch aside.
Green eyes sparkled at the sight of two slim, but strong, oars.
"Two down, one to go."
Now, all the redhead was stuck on was the second riddle given to him.
To be both dominating yet submissive…
A thing that's naturally found in nature…
Shouichi briefly mussed his drying hair as he continued to think.
Something that's twisted, or something that twists…
One which can control and be controlled…
Green eyes drifted over to his pile of treasures.
A pile of wooden planks and two oars.
Just why did Kiyoshi hide these things?
Shouichi knew that planks have a multitude of purposes, like building something.
But, what about oars?
Well, he could hit someone with it.
A sweatdrop rolled down the side of his face as he deadpanned.
Maybe Li was having too much of a violent influence on him…?
Red locks flew with a shake of his head.
He was getting off track.
Now, what's the other use of oars…
Shouchi came to a start before facepalming.
"Of course! Oars are used to propel boats!"
He paused.
"But, I don't have a boat…"
A dark cloud hovered over him.
"Don't tell me that Kiyoshi-san expects me to make one…"
He seethed for a few seconds before sighing exaggeratedly, "Still that's the only clue I got…"
Gazing over the pile, Shouichi hummed to himself before the metaphorical lightbulb switched on.
"If I'm right, then all I need is…"
"Bing, bong~!" A cheerful voice called out as the ravenette made her appearance, "You were correct in your deductions and found everything~!"
Green eyes deadpanned at the gender-bender, "Kiyoshi-san…"
Kiyoshi grinned and sang, "Yeees~?"
"Please tell me that I don't have to make a boat."
Grey eyes blinked before the ravenette laughed.
The flat expression stayed on Shouichi's face.
Kiyoshi waved a hand and shook her head, "Don't worry. You're not making a boat."
The redhead breathed a sigh of relief.
"You're making a raft!"
THUD!
Shouichi fell over, but quickly composed himself.
"I'M DOING WHAT?"
Or, not.
"I can't believe that I'm doing this…"
The comment came from the redheaded uke as he tightened a knot with the rope.
"It's not that bad~!" Kiyoshi sang as she did the same.
The boy deadpanned once more, "I spent hours looking for so-called treasures and now I have to spend another hour or so building a raft."
The ravenette appeared to be oblivious to the redhead's growing annoyance, "You just proved to me how perceptive you can be."
Shouichi paused in his work as Kiyoshi placed a hand on the wooden planks.
"You proved that life is continuous; how one never grows up, yet one grows nonetheless."
She then brushed against the smooth handle of the oars that laid to her side.
"You understand that even the dead has an impact on the living; that the dead can harm as well as support."
The ravenette shifted over to the unused rope on her lap.
"You figured out that contradictions lie within, yet harmonize, everything; what appears to be one thing can be another and both will represent the whole."
A small smile graced her lips as she briefly looked over at the dark brunette on the opposite side of the river.
"And, lastly, you're working them together."
Grey eyes slid close in acceptance.
"After all, everything is interlinked."
Shouichi stayed silent as he regarded the older child before slowly nodding, "Yeah…"
To some extent, he comprehended the words.
Yet, to another, he also didn't understand them.
Why was Kiyoshi telling him this?
Did any of it have something to do with Li?
And, how come he was the only one doing the Scavenger Hunt?
An irritated feeling bubbled within the boy as he opened his mouth to comment.
"Done!"
Green eyes blinked before their owner gaped at the handiwork.
It was a pretty well-built raft, sturdy and well-fitted to seat four people.
Granted, the materials were pretty good but they were still kids so it would be difficult.
Although...
Shouichi glanced over at Kiyoshi.
The ravenette did appear to be much more mature at that moment.
"BANZAI~!"
SPLASH!
The redhead was drenched once more when a wave crashed down on him.
He twitched a bit.
Kiyoshi grinned and gave a thumbs-up as her teeth shined.
"It does float!"
Of course, the key word being that she appeared to be much more mature.
(Extended Ending)
"Say, Shou-chan…" Kiyoshi started as she easily balanced herself on the raft.
The redhead got on the floating piece of wood and blinked, "Yes?"
A smile was plastered onto the ravenette's lips.
"After I had said all those really cool things."
Green eyes blinked again as their owner stood straight.
"And after I cheered 'BANZAI~!' and dropped the raft onto the water."
An uneasy feeling filled the boy as the smile seemed to have tightened.
"You thought that I was an idiot, didn't you?"
Shouichi paled and stuttered, "Th-That is-! I can explain-!"
A vein throbbed though she continued to smile.
"Then, explain to my stick."
A poke to the side and-
SPLASH!
-the redhead went under.
"By the way," Kiyoshi continued as if nothing happened, "There's another use for the oar besides hitting and rowing."
Bubbles popped to the surface before the redhead reappeared with a sputter.
The long stick came swiftly down and pushed the poor boy under once more.
"And that's measuring how far you can push someone (your victim) underwater."
Author's Note:
:3 I personally love this chapter.
It showed off Shouichi's SMARTNESS~! xD
And it revealed Kiyoshi's (sadistic) personality when he's not around Li!
KEKEKEKE~! *fanged grin*
Can anyone see a similarity among the gender-benders?
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR READING/REVIEWING/ETCETERA-ING THE JOURNAL OF MEMORIES~!
Loose Translation:
(1) Itai! - Ow!
(2) BANZAI~! - HOORAY~!
Preview:
His heart thumped erratically in his chest.
There was no one around him.
No comforting voice, no soothing warmth.
Just the unknown within each shadow...