Date: Thursday, September 16, 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
Event 22: Where Are You?
The golden sun shined onto the dense forest that rustled with hidden life.
Worried dark-brown eyes flickered around their owner's surroundings.
"Tsuna…?" The dark brunette whispered in confusion before her voice grew louder, "Tsuna?"
Her heart thumped erratically in her chest as her voice took on a desperate tinge, "TSUNA!"
Poof!
Wisps of smoke floated through the forest, but there was no reply.
The boy swallowed thickly as he found himself alone in the densely wooded area before taking a deep breath.
"TSUNA! OMAE WA DOKO KA?"
Above, birds departed to the sky while, below, unknown critters scattered away.
But, even then...
Only silence greeted him.
Passed the thick shrubbery, some distance away, a small boy with light-brown hair shivered and huddled under a tree.
In his trembling hands was a familiar silver chain.
Two silver plates dangled from the chain, slightly dirtied.
A shaking finger traced the engraving of the boy's name before he held the object close to his chest.
He squeezed his eyes shut, whimpering softly.
"Li… Doko ni iru no…?"
The leaves above rustled as various birds flew overhead, making him snap his head up in surprise.
Light-brown eyes gazed forlornly at the free creatures before widening when thick bushes rustled.
Tsuna jumped when spotting a pair of golden eyes staring at him from the green surroundings.
His body froze as wide eyes locked with predatory ones.
He tried to swallow his fear but it stuck to the back of his throat.
Slowly, the bushes parted as a dusky paw stepped onto the soft dirt ground, not making a sound.
Tears clung to the edge of his eyes as another paw revealed itself.
Small arms went up in an attempt to shield their owner.
A soft crunch was heard.
Hands clutched at the tree branch below as their owner frowned.
Dark-brown eyes sharpened as they scanned below.
The forest appeared to be abandoned, but the dark brunette knew better than that.
"Nature is never to be underestimated," He recalled his mother saying once, "The moment you do that, you'll be facing death."
Jaws clenched tightly as lips pulled back to partly reveal sharp canines.
There was absolutely no way that he was going to allow himself to be defeated.
After all, his dearest friend was lost and, possibly, in danger.
He took a deep breath before his voice rang strong and loud.
"TSUNA!"
The light brunette jumped at the call, his head snapping towards it's direction.
But, he wasn't the only one startled.
The thick shrubbery rustled as the unknown creature bounded away.
The sound caught Tsuna's attention as he turned back, but the animal was no longer there.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the boy placed a hand against his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.
Somehow, he was safe.
Light-brown eyes blinked as his heartbeat began to slow to normal before shifting towards the direction of the call.
Lips pursed before he slowly got to his feet.
His legs shook visibly, but he forced them to steady.
Hesitantly, he trekked towards his goal.
Maybe he'll find help.
Li scowled as he jumped onto another tree branch.
Some time had passed, possibly half an hour, and he still had no luck at finding the other brunette.
He tensed, getting ready to continue on, when his eyes caught sight of something shiny.
Not spotting any immediate danger, Li leapt off of his perch and landed safely on the soft dirt ground with nary a sound.
He crouched to the ground and brushed away some dry leaves, making them crunch.
Color left his face as he stared at the object.
It was a silver chain with two plates.
Plates that clearly read "Sawada Tsunayoshi" on them.
Eyes darkened as a hand clutched onto the object tightly.
"Tsuna…"
Thump!
"Itai!"
The light brunette pushed himself up before wincing as some fallen bark dug into his knees and palms.
His surroundings rustled with continuous, ambiguous movements.
He bit the bottom of his lips to prevent himself from crying out loud.
Still, a whimper escaped as he tried to blink back tears.
Arms wrapped around his shivering body, he closed his eyes as tears splashed down.
"Kowai yo…"
The dark brunette crouched down to the forest ground.
Fingers brushed gingerly around the indentation on the dirt floor.
It was no wider than the dark brunette's own foot, and definitely no longer.
Dark-brown eyes narrowed as their owner stood up abruptly.
Li hurriedly headed in the same direction as the prints.
"Matte kure yo, Tsuna."
Tsuna panted softly, breath coming out in irregularly short intervals, before stumbled over to a fallen tree.
Leaning against it, he slid down to the soft ground and sighed.
His breath began to calm though his heart still ached.
Pulling his knees to his chest, the boy hid his face, pursing his lips to steady his emotions.
He had been wandering around for at least an hour.
He was hot, tired and, above all else, lonely.
Was anyone even looking for him?
Light-brown eyes darkened as small hands clutched at trembling arms.
Maybe no one knew that he was gone…
He shivered despite the humidity and huddled into a tight ball.
Nothing but the sound of leaves gently swaying and the soft chattering of animals were heard until...
FWOOSH!
Tsuna jumped as air seemed to have sliced pass him.
Wide eyes flickered around their owner before looking up.
They bored into large black ones.
"HIIIII!"
An icy chill ran up his spine as dark-brown eyes widened.
Li had froze at the horrified screech as a cold weight dropped into his guts.
"Sou na…" He whispered as he stepped forward, "Tsuna...?"
As much as he would like to deny it, he would recognize that voice anywhere.
Feet pounded into the ground as the dark brunette dashed forward, wind whipping at him.
Teeth gnashed at his lower lip, slicing through them, as a trail of red liquid began to trickle.
Stray branches scratched at him as his knuckles turned white from clutching the plates tightly.
His breath turned shallow, coming out in short puffs, but still he pressed forth.
Lungs burned from overexertion but, as he broke through one last barrier, his voice bellowed.
"TSUNA!"
A flurry of black with splashes of orange fluttered in a whirlwind, obscuring the area but clustering near the ground.
Dark-brown eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar light brown.
A low growl rumbled in the dark brunette's throat before he barreled into the flittering barrier.
Leathery wings slapped his already scratched up face, but Li ignored it as he forced his way through.
Dark eyes caught sight of the trembling figure in front of their owner.
Marked arms extended and wrapped around the shaking body, pulling the light brunette close.
Teeth gnashed together as eyes flashed dangerously before-
"DAKE NI SHITE KURE YO!"
The darkness scattered.
Everything seemed muffled to the light brunette.
The only thing that he was hypersensitive to was the warmth around him.
All he could feel was the comforting heat emitting from his protector.
His face was buried into soft and rumpled fabric.
There was the natural scent of the forest mixed with a faint, but distinct, other.
Dull light-brown eyes slowly blinked away the pain, the fear, the loneliness.
The roar had scattered away the fluttering obstruction that blocked him from safety.
The forest seemed silent as heavy breathing was heard from above him.
Light-brown locks swayed to the movement of the brunette's head as he shifted his gaze upwards to catch a glimpse of the various abrasions.
A cold hand raised and brushed against one before ghosting over the trail of blood.
Light began to return to his eyes as they widened and shimmered with unshed tears.
"Li…?"
The dark brunette stiffened at the hoarse voice before relaxing, closing his eyes.
Poof!
White smoke filled the area as she fell onto her bottom and pulled the light brunette onto her lap.
Her arms tightened in the embrace around the boy, bringing him closer.
A cheek rested against the mussed light-brown locks as Li rasped.
"Shinpai shinaide, Tsuna. Mou daijoubu dakara…"
Tears slid down the soft cherubic cheeks, soaking into the girl's shirt, before light-brown eyes closed.
"Un." The light brunette whimpered with a small nod.
Hands clung tightly onto the ripped shirt.
"Li… Hontou ni..."
His lips moved slowly.
"Arigatou…"
Author's Note:
(TT ^ TT)
Yes, this was a very suspenseful and dramatic chapter.
My prompt for this chapter was Tsuna's number one fear of bats.
From my research, Fruit Bats are common in Okinawa (and Japan, in general).
With such a terrifying experience, I would expect such a fear to last, but now I'm rambling.
Oh well...
The next one is a follow-up to this event, explaining how they got into that predicament and what happened afterwards.
Also, I uploaded two new pictures, so check out my profile for the information on them!
THANK YOU FOR READING/REVIEWING/ETCETERA-ING THE JOURNAL OF MEMORIES~!
Loose Translation:
(1) OMAE WA DOKO KA? - WHERE ARE YOU?
(2) Doko ni iru no...? - Where are you...?
(3) Kowai yo... - I'm scared...
(4) Matte kure yo, Tsuna. - Wait for me, Tsuna.
(5) Sou na... - No way...
(6) DAKE NI SHITE KURE YO! - LEAVE US ALONE!
(7) Shinpai shinai de, Tsuna. - Don't worry, Tsuna.
(8) Mou daijoubu dakara... - It's all okay now...
(9) Hontou ni... - Really...
(10) Arigatou... - Thank you...
Preview:
They've managed to flee the darkness.
But, even then, the feelings won't leave.
Wasn't life supposed to be fun?
So, why did this happen...?
How did this happen?