Date: Monday, September 20, 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 23: Omae Wa Tanabata No Hoshi Da!
Light-brown eyes gazed worriedly at the slightly messy scrawl that was their owner's handwriting.
They glanced upwards at the specially erected bamboo tree.
Small hands raised the white paper before hesitating.
Should he...? But, what if it didn't come true?
His hands lowered.
Maybe he shouldn't... That way he won't be disappointed later on.
He paused as a new thought drifted in.
Would he regret it?
He bit the bottom of his lips.
What if his bad luck interfered with his wish?
He looked at the dark print again.
Only the higher beings know why it even settled down for so long.
Unless…
Was it a certain dark brunette's doing…?
His musings were cut short as a warm body barreled into his.
"TSUNA-FISH~!"
His cheeks flushed red.
Speak of the devil.
Wide eyes met with dark-brown ones as a grin appeared on the latter owner's lips.
"I was looking for you!"
Tsuna gave a nervous smile, "S-Sorry, Li. I got lost…"
He trailed off and added in his mind, 'Lost in thought.'
Li blinked before resting her cheek against his and humming, "Heh~?"
A grin reappeared on her lips as she pushed him lightly in a direction before spinning to the front.
"Well! You're not lost anymore! You're with me!"
The boy sweatdropped but relaxed and smiled at the girl, "Hai!"
Tugging on one hand, the dark brunette guided Tsuna to the waiting redhead with a chirp, "Come on! Let's grab Shou and check out that contest!"
She never saw the white paper tucked back into his pockets.
"Kekekeke~!"
Li cackled lowly as she worked diligently at the colorful papers.
The redhead sweatdropped and sighed, "Li-san, why is it that you only work hard if there's a prize?"
The dark brunette paused in her work and looked at the boy with wide eyes, "Why, whatever do you mean, Shou?"
Green eyes deadpanned at the (not) innocent face, "Well… Remember the carnival and the darts game?"
The memory of Li throwing the projectiles at the annoyingly colorful balloons popped into mind.
The gender-bender thought for a moment before nodding happily with a kittenish smile.
"I gave the bunny and kitty plushies to you and Tsuna!"
A sweatdrop appeared on the redhead at the wording before he shook it off.
Shouichi sighed, but nodded in agreement, before another memory occurred, "Then, what about the name-plates?"
The memory of Li's frustration and wasting 5600 yen on the air rifle game played briefly.
Li pouted and crossed her arms, "At least we got it on the ninth time!"
Shouichi shook his head and sulked, "Not the point, Li-san…"
The redhead crossed his arms and placed a finger on his chin before snapping his fingers, "How 'bout school?"
Dark-brown eyes blinked, "School…?"
Li tilted her head innocently, "I work hard at school?"
Shouichi nearly fell over, but composed himself while waving his arms, "See! That's what I mean!"
He didn't notice the widening of her eyes nor the mischievous sparkle in them as he continued to rant.
"Since you're not interested, you don't bother with school!"
Li placed her fists below her chin and continued the mock-naivety, "I still go, don't I?"
Exasperation began to creep up on the redhead as he mussed his hair, "But, you only use the minimal effort to pass!"
The dark brunette widened her eyes even more and placed her palms on her cheeks, "I still pass, don't I?"
"MOU~!"
Two hands ruffled the red hair roughly before the redhead dropped his head and sighed, "I give up…"
Off to the side, Li gave a glittering smile and two thumbs-up to the sweatdropping light brunette.
"Mission: Tease Shou - Complete!"
"Shou~!"
The redhead had his eyes closed and his head turned away.
"Shou~!"
Came the whine again as the dark brunette tried to get her friend to look at her.
"I said, I'm sorry~!"
Still, the boy looked away, even adding a huff.
Tears pricked at the edge of dark-brown eyes before their owner turned to look pathetically at the light brunette.
"Tsuna~!" She whimpered with watery eyes, "Help me~!"
Tsuna sweatdropped before sighing and shaking his head, "Sorry, Li, but you already knew about Shouichi-kun's temper..."
He trailed off as his sweatdrop tripled when the girl's lower lip trembled dramatically.
The light brunette hesitated.
Dark-brown eyes widened and turned glassy.
Tsuna swallowed thickly as the familiar feeling of guilt began to churn in his guts.
Thin brows furrowed as Li sniffled softly, tears beginning to leak.
The boy bit the bottom of his lips to prevent a soft whimper from leaving.
He glanced briefly at the redhead.
Shouichi was waving vigorously at him from behind the girl before crossing his arms in an x-formation.
Li caught the shift in attention and turned around.
The redhead returned to his previous pose and remained immovable; this time, though, his arms were crossed.
She pouted and turned back before her jaw dropped at the sight of the light brunette's back.
The one-ton weight of guilt hit her and, boy, did it hit her hard.
POOF!
Random by-standers coughed at the sudden appearance of the white smoke, baffled.
The boys had jumped a bit at the sudden transformation, but quickly calmed.
Wisps lingered in the air, but the area was clear enough to reveal a dark cloud hovering over the gender-bender.
He was huddled near one of the many trees in the large urban park of Namimori.
Violet will-o'-wisps floated mockingly around him with a few indigo ones here and there.
Tsuna sweatdropped again and turned to the redhead.
The sweatdrop doubled when he saw that the boy was still ignoring the gender-bender.
'Shouichi-kun sure can hold a grudge…' The light brunette thought before tugging on the redhead's shirt.
Green eyes glanced at him.
He gave a smile, though it turned nervous upon looking again at Li's depressed aura.
"M-Maybe you should forgive Li…?"
The redhead blinked before shifting his gaze to the gender-bender.
He, too, sweatdropped at the sight before they doubled when the dark brunette began tending to mushrooms.
Shouichi sighed before running his fingers through his hair, "Fine."
Li's ears perked up as he turned to the pair with eyes sparkling in expectation.
Behind him, a metaphorical cat's tail raised and gently curled in attention.
Tsuna couldn't help but grin at the obvious reaction as Shouichi chuckled softly.
Green eyes softened at the gender-bender as their owner held out a hand.
"Let's go see if you won that decorating contest."
Li gave a quirky grin and grabbed it, singing.
"Hai~!"
"… And first place goes to Contestant Number 100!"
A round of applause came from the large audience as the person went up to get the Japanese Tea Set Prize.
To the back, a certain dark brunette huddled in the corner as a dark cloud hovered over him.
Shouichi sweatdropped as Tsuna crouched next to Li and patted his back.
"Don't worry, Li. You'll win next time!"
Predictably, instead of cheering up, the dark brunette sunk deeper in misery.
This time, the light brunette sweatdropped at the depressed boy.
Shouichi facepalmed before he too crouched down to comfort him.
"Come on, Li-san. You tried your best."
Li mechanically turned his head and deadpanned at the redhead, "Then, how come I didn't win?"
Shouichi opened his mouth to reply before closing it and sweating.
Should he tell Li that the design he chose wasn't quite so… cute?
The redhead scratched his cheek, "Well…"
Li caught the hesitation and dropped his head as the weight of shame descended upon him.
"A-Ah! B-But that doesn't mean that it wasn't good!"
The boys could practically see the metaphorical cat's ears drooping and the tail drawing circles on the floor.
Tsuna sweatdropped as Shouichi sighed with slumped shoulders.
The light brunette thought for a moment with a forefinger on his lips.
Li's streamer was well-made: precisely cut and balanced.
The only problem was that-
The image of glowing gold eyes and snarling teeth popped into mind, making Tsuna shiver.
-Li's choice of design was that of a ferocious dragon.
The youngest boy sighed.
If Li had chosen something more positive, then he might've won.
After all, the Star Festival was a celebration of wishes and not a spook-fest.
The light brunette bit the bottom of his lips as he fingered the paper in his pocket.
Thinking about wishes, Tsuna had yet to decide if he should go through with it.
What if it didn't come true?
He frowned as light-brown eyes dulled.
If it didn't, then he would never be able to…!
A light blur ran across his vision.
Light-brown eyes blinked.
Dark-brown ones looked on in worry.
A bright blush flourished on Tsuna's cheeks as he jumped up and stuttered out an apology.
Lips pulled down in a familiar caret-shaped frown before Li cupped the younger brunette's cheek and rested his forehead against the other's.
"You alright, Tsuna?"
Blush never fading, the boy clamped his mouth shut and nodded meekly.
Li blinked and gazed a little longer at his best friend in wonder.
Tsuna, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel jumpy as his grip tightened on the hidden paper.
He purposely avoided the dark-brown eyes and gave a nervous smile to the redhead.
Catching onto the other's discomfort, Shouichi piped up.
"I think that they're selling takoyaki and nikuman!"
Immediately, Li perked up and turned to the redhead as the background shined.
"And udon?"
Shouichi laughed softly at the excited sparkle in Li's eyes as Tsuna relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, they have udon, too." The redhead responded with a mirthful smile, "Don't they always?"
A vigorous nod from the gender-bender sparked another laugh from Shouichi as Tsuna smiled softly.
Retracting his hand from his pocket, the light brunette lightly tugged on Li's hand, "Let's go eat!"
"Un!" Shouichi nodded in agreement as he turned and pointed to one of the many stalls lined up in the park, "Look! There's one over there!"
Lips curled up in a joyful grin as Li threw up his arms, "BANZAI FOR UDON~!"
POOF!
"EH? AGAIN?"
The boys laughed as they tugged Li towards the stall while she whined about the second transformation.
In the midst of their laughter, dark-brown eyes flashed over the light brunette's back with an unreadable expression.
A small caret-like frown appeared for a split second.
"Gochisousama deshita~!"
Three voices called out, thanking the chef, as each owner walked away from the stand.
"Ah~!" Li sighed exaggeratedly, yet happily, as she patted her stomach, "That was some good grub!"
Shouichi sweatdropped and deadpanned, "I would assume so since you ate three bowls."
The dark brunette clicked her tongue and waggled her forefinger, "Now, now, Shou. You shouldn't assume."
Green eyes rolled upwards as the redhead responded, "I know, I know. Otherwise, I'll make an ass out of you and me, right?"
Two thumbs-up and a sparkly smile was flashed, "Bing, bong~!"
Shouichi shook his head as Tsuna laughed softly.
A thoughtful look crossed onto the gender-bender's face as she mused aloud while looking over at the slowly descending sun.
"We should probably head over to the tanabata tree now."
The light brunette froze.
Shouichi hummed softly before nodding in agreement, "Yeah, it's almost nighttime."
Tsuna robotically turned around.
"Meh, we're good since we still have an hour or so."
One slow step forward and then another.
"So, Li-san, have you figured out what your wish is?"
So far, so good.
"Yup! But, I'm not telling~!"
Maybe, they won't notice?
"Where are you going, Tsuna-Fish?"
"GACK!"
Tsuna nearly choked as a tug on the back of his collar jerked him back.
"Tsunayoshi-kun, the tanabata tree is that way."
"O-Oh."
They saw…
Waterfalls poured down his face as he felt himself being lifted.
Now, he has to put it up.
He dropped his head and allowed himself to be carried by the dark brunette.
A low sigh released from his lips before a thought came into mind.
Or, maybe not?
He perked up.
Maybe he can fool them!
It's not possible.
At all!
With slumped shoulders, the light brunette stood in front of the bamboo tree with the orange paper in hand.
The memory of his… elimination of the tanzaku was followed by a certain dark brunette's bringing them many colorful papers.
It then moved to his plan of distraction through the usage of food stalls, but the redhead's pointing out the time messed that up.
And, then, when he tried to hide, the gender-bender easily found him and carried him back to the tree!
Now, he was stuck putting up his wish.
He sighed, bowing his head.
There was just no way he can beat the cunning gender-bender and the genius redhead when he's considered hopeless.
Tears ran down his face, "Huu… Why do I have to do this?"
The ruffling of his hair stopped his self-pity as light-brown eyes looked up.
His vision was met with a quirky grin.
"Silly Tsuna! It's nothing bad!"
It is bad!
The light brunette frowned.
It might not even come true!
He bit his lower lip.
If it didn't…
Tsuna's eyes clouded over as worry pricked at him.
Then, he wouldn't know what to do…
Dark-brown eyes met with green ones in worry.
The caret-frown appeared once more as a hand mussed their owner's red locks.
The older ones glanced at one another before nodding.
Li pulled out a purple tanzaku as Shouichi pulled out a yellow one.
"Tsunayoshi-kun," The redhead started as he hung up his wishing paper, "You know that you don't have to do this, right?"
Light-brown eyes blinked in surprise, "Huh?"
One hand placed the purple paper onto the tree as Li added on, "This is a festival!"
Tsuna turned to the dark brunette with wide eyes.
Having placed her wish up, Li turned to the younger boy and gave a quirky grin, "You came to have fun, didn't you?"
He nodded slowly as dark-brown eyes closed in a smile.
"If this isn't fun to you, then don't do it."
They opened again with a soft look as their owner ruffled Tsuna's fluffy hair, "We're not forcing you, y'know?"
A light blush dusted across the younger one's cheeks as he nodded slightly, "Un."
However, a smile has yet to appear.
The dark brunette frowned her caret-frown as the redhead looked on with worry.
Tsuna's expression was… nonexistent, or close to it.
And for such an emotional boy, that was practically unheard of!
Li furrowed her brows as she questioned, 'Why was Tsuna so… worried?'
Dark-brown eyes closed as the girl thought back.
He's obviously hesitating about putting up his tanzaku onto the tanabata tree.
And a tanzaku is a paper on which one writes one's wishes.
Since that's the case, one can deduce that Tsuna's worried about his wish!
And the fact that the other two had already put up their's had probably placed some pressure on him.
After all, the three did practically everything together.
If the light brunette didn't, then it would appear as if he were trying to distance himself.
Thus, he's debating as to whether or not he should conform or follow his own feelings.
A silent sigh was released by the dark brunette.
How typical of Tsuna to be worrying about something like that...
Li hummed lightly as she met eyes with Shouichi.
His green eyes portrayed a similar understanding and affirmed her suspicions.
Suddenly, her ears twitched as a familiar music began to play.
The dark brunette grinned as her eyes lit up in remembrance.
Of course!
What better way to cheer up a friend than with a song?
Besides, it's not really a Star Festival if they don't sing the traditional song, right?
She casually slung an arm around the light brunette's shoulders and closed her eyes.
"Sasa no ha sara-sara~"
The sound of her strong voice made the light brunette blink and gaze widely at the gender-bender as she sung.
Doki doki!
Came the sound of his heart as another arm slung over his shoulders before Shouichi continued.
"Nokiba ni yureru~"
Doki doki!
A warm feeling stirred in his heart as his cheeks flushed red.
How could he have forgotten?
Tsuna closed his eyes and parted his lips.
"O-Ohoshi-sama kira-kira~"
They weren't friends because they had to be.
Li grinned lightly as she locked eyes with the relieved redhead before all three finished.
"Kingin sunago~!"
They were friends because they wanted to be.
Light-brown eyes opened again and blinked at the older ones.
Li gave a quirky grin as Shouichi smiled softly.
And, they'll continue being friends for as long as they want!
Tsuna rubbed the back of his neck, "U-Um…"
He needn't say more as he was pulled into a gentle hug by both.
Hiding a blush and wide grin, Tsuna returned the warm embrace.
"... Come on," The redhead whispered, leaning back a bit, "I think that the Miss Tanabata contest is about to start."
Tsuna shook his head.
Shouichi blinked as Li nodded in agreement before pausing, "Eh?"
She was taken aback and it showed on her confused look, "No?"
The light brunette turned around and stepped towards the tanabata tree.
Two pairs of eyes widened at the action.
Tsuna lifted a hand and placed the orange paper onto a branch.
Green and dark-brown eyes softened at the sight of it being nestled between the yellow and purple papers.
The light brunette turned back with red cheeks.
He opened his mouth to say something, before squeaking when the dark brunette tackled him into a hug.
"Tsunayoshi-kun…?" Shouichi started, still confused, "Why…?"
His already flushed cheeks were about to permanently stay red from Li's tight embrace, but he forced it back and squeaked.
"B-Because," Tsuna started as the dark brunette lightened on the cuddling.
He looked down for a moment before meeting gazes with the other boy, determined, "It'll definitely come true!"
Green eyes widened at the resolution before softening as Shouichi nodded in agreement with a grin, "Hai!"
Li grinned lightly and buried her face into fluffy locks, "Mochiron!"
Light-brown eyes closed as their owner's heart warmed.
As long as I have them...
A smile graced his lips as Tsuna leaned into the warmth.
I don't have to be afraid.
(Extended Ending)
A moment of fluffy goodness passed before the light brunette remembered.
"Ah!"
The older ones blinked and looked at him in curiosity.
"Sh-Shouldn't we be going to the contest now…?"
Li perked up and grinned with a thumbs-up, "I forgot!"
Shouichi sweatdropped and facepalmed, "Li-san, you're not supposed to be proud of that…"
The girl blinked (not) innocently in response, "Why not?"
The redhead slumped over, "Li-san… You really like testing my temper, don't you?"
Tsuna laughed softly at their antics before tugging them towards the music in the distance.
They allowed themselves to be guided as they continued on with their meaningless conversation.
The dark brunette had given a lop-sided and toothy grin, "Why, whatever do you mean, Shou?"
Shouichi nearly fell over before gaining a throbbing vein and shaking a fist, "You-!"
"Me?" The dark brunette pointed at herself, making the redhead sigh in exasperation, "I give…"
Li laughed before quickening her pace with a devious glint in her eyes.
"Race ya~!"
The boys nearly tripped as the gender-bender ran pass them, but composed themselves with wide eyes.
"A-Ah, Li!"
"Li-san! Matte kure yo!"
Their only response was the sound of her laughter.
(Extended Ending: Extra)
Back at the tanabata tree…
The three colorful papers swayed along with the gentle summer breeze.
Tsuna and Shou will always be my friends! - The purple one stated with a doodle of a bird.
I want to stay as friends with Tsunayoshi-kun and Li-san. - The neat handwriting on the yellow one stated with a smiley face.
I wish that Li and Shouichi-kun will always be with me in the end. - The somewhat-neat scrawl on the orange one wrote.
The leaves of the bamboo tree rustled as a three-colored bird appeared.
Black eyes blinked at the papers before it hopped over to the violet one.
It puffed out its white chest as another one appeared.
The second one looked at the orange paper in curiosity.
A third one soon joined the pair and tucked away its blue wings before picking at the yellow one with its beak.
Suddenly, the first one startled and grabbed the violet tanzaku, flying off into the distance.
The other two followed briefly before turning around and returning to the tree.
The wind blew gently as the area became silent.
The other two made no motion to go after the distancing magpie and simply waited.
Author's Note:
:3 TA DA~! A new chapter! Aren't you happy? xD
Anyway, there's a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter, the most obvious being the extra extended ending... :/
But, there were some foreshadowing throughout the entire thing.
Hm... What else? Oh, yeah!
The next chapter is a follow-up omake to this chapter and should appear either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Also, I have a pretty clear idea of how most of the other chapters will turn out though I haven't finished all of them... -.-'
But, I am planning on finishing them!
It'll just take a while with all that's going on right now... :/
Especially since I got an idea for a Super Smash Brothers Fanfiction and an original story...
But, I'm rambling again.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR READING/REVIEWING/ETCETERA-ING THE JOURNAL OF MEMORIES~!
Loose Translation:
(1) Takoyaki - Octopus Dumplings
(2) Nikuman - Meat Buns
(3) Udon - A type of noodle typically served in hot soup.
(4) Gochisousama deshita~! - Thank you for the food~! (Often said at the end of a meal.)
(5) Mochiron! - Of course!
Preview:
When Li encountered the winner of the contest...
"What… did you… call me… Oban-san?" The dark brunette's brow twitched in irritation.
"Don't do it! Li-san!" Her redhead friend cried out, trying to hold the girl back.
She didn't know that the so-called beauty could be so irritating!