Sorry for the slow update! This is perhaps the chapter that I absolutely dreaded to write! Guess it's because I was really afraid of what your opinion will become of this chapter. I hate the twosome's development, and as much as I wanted to discontinue this story and start anew, I don't want to conceptualize the first chapter all over again.

Warning: Typos, excessive angst, OOCness (development of the characters), and dark setting. Read at your own risk.

~K27~

When I can't feel you,

I have learned to reach out just the same

When I can't hear you,

I know you still hear every word I pray

And I want you,

More than I want to live another day

And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful

-Taken from Brooke Fraser's 'Faithful'

~K27~

The wind blows more harshly now.

I wrap the scarf closer into my frosted face. The snow continues to fall from the grey sky as I close the door. My cellphone then began to beep once more.

I hold it close.

"Hello?" I call out on the other line, the voice I remembered from three years ago now gone from memory.

"Kyoko? You still okay out there?"

"Onii-chan…"

I couldn't mask the emptiness lost in my voice. My brother for the years gone in Italy for sumo matches still hadn't known what had happened when he left.

"Yes… don't worry…I…" Onii-chan should really stop being too protective of me. I'm already seventeen.

"Okay." Onii-chan somehow understands it when needed. "Goodbye then. I'll call you soon."

"Bye…" I whisper, as the receiver went dead. There was something else that I had to take care of. My homework was already finished last night. The bentos I made for Haru and myself were already prepared. My mechanical pencils were already bought the day before. I should be doing my part time job later after class until seven o'clock. I look at my watch. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

"Kyoko-chan!" someone calls outside. As usual, Haru was already on cue to pick me up. Slinging my bag on my shoulder? Check. My shoes polished? Check. Hair clipped? Check. Another extra comb? Check. Double check on my books, notebooks, etc.? Triple check.

I open the door. Also check.

As usual, since the three years that we were together at high school she waves at me.

"Hey, guess what?"

"What?" I ask, doing a mental check that my voice sounds energetic and on par with the zest my friend was displaying.

"I'm dating Touya-kun! Can you believe it? I was just ogling at him on English class and now we're going out! Aww, Kyoko-chan! Jealous?" She eggs me, her eyes awaiting evilly my reaction.

"Oh. Right." I reply, doing another mental check at my reaction. "Haha. I'm jealous. Right."

"Why not make a more believable jelly-jelly face, Kyoko-chan? You are sooo looking that way again… So, anyway it just happened we were watching this movie last Saturday when…"

I did a mental check to make myself look like I was listening to Haru. Since what happened three years ago, I never really had the time to be on matters that involved crushes and stuff like that. I've been too busy feeding myself without the help of onii-chan. I don't want him to worry and let that thing happen again.

Since three years ago, when I received that call.

In honesty, without onii-chan and my other friends, things… they're just not like what it used to be.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and wonder why I couldn't hear my brother training or screaming 'Fight!' all the while hitting something. I wonder why I couldn't see any terror in the bullies' faces whenever Hibari-san was around. Why I cannot hear Gokudera-kun's and Yamamoto-kun's bickering and Tsuna-kun's…

No. I mustn't be thinking these things. I made a triple mental check. They shouldn't be on my mind right now. They're in Italy, for goodness' sake! Their still busy training for the sumo matches! Hmm… now I probably wonder what they look like. With those sumo matches, fat bellies were always common…

"And he said he's going to pick me up after class! Oh, Kyoko-chan! Come on. You wouldn't want to miss at what classrooms we're going to take! Stop spacing out!"

"Right, Haru-shan!"

"Shan?"

"N-no!" I sweated, doing a check to make myself look embarrassed. Since we became classmates, Haru became more… she became more lady-like than from three years ago. She'd been dating a lot of guys since they find her really pretty. She's been letting her hair down more than before and everytime she lets me style it, I guess she must've looked more- umm, pretty?

Many guys had already asked me out, but because of having three part time jobs with two on weekdays and one on week-ends I had to turn them down. Haru, on the other hand, thinks otherwise.

"It's Tsuna-san holding you back," she smirked a month ago as she took my hand and danced around. "Kyoko-chan's in love with Tsuuuunnnaaaa! Tra-la-la-la~"

Every time I explained to her it wasn't him but work that was holding me back, she'd just shake her head.

"Tut-tut-tut, Kyoko-chan! Stop being in-denial. I can honestly read your mind."

If she can read my mind, I asked myself then, she'd know why I was acting that way.

"We were supposed to be rivals in love." She said to me, simpering, albeit glumly now, and looking at the fading pale orange sky that was turning a darker shade of purple and black. "But as I'm realizing lately, I guess I was just getting too conceited regarding his feelings. And it's been already three years, Kyoko-chan! You can really wait that long?"

"W-well Haru-chan you've been really-"

"And you still is as cold-shouldered as ever! Sigh, you two do so share Mutual Understanding!"

"W-what the hell-" bewildered as I was, my protest was suddenly cut off by her.

"You're perfectly made for each other, can you believe it? OMG, need you to be prepped up. And will you stop losing that smile?"

"Eh…?" So, I said to myself then that I wasn't really grinning anymore. I made a mental check to myself to smile whenever Haru-chan was around.

~K27~

Just like what I'm doing now.

Even though she was cursing a lot, a thing that wasn't supposed to be in her character manual.

"Stupid class arrangements!" she shouted, kicking the bulletin board much to the freshmens' surprise. They've always thought that Namimori High students were a respectful, polite and soft-spoken sort.

"Damn it all!"

Now they'll get straightened at what students here are like.

"Aww… I can't be sitting with Kyoko-chan. Sorry. I really thought we were still classmates…" Haru bawled as she took comfort in my arms. All I could do was stroke her hair back and forth while murmuring words of comfort. After two years we've always been seatmates, and ironically, only in our senior year will we ever be apart.

I'm really feeling lonely now.

"I'll see you in class then!" She waved as she shuffled off to class. A dark-haired teen suddenly approaches her, and hand-in-hand, they walk inside.

That must be Touya-san.

I did a mental check. I should not involve myself in Haru's love life. Instead of being by his side, like I'm always at, I did a check to walk onto my next class.

Everything feels cold all of a sudden.

~K27~

I look at the sky by the window. There were a few clouds that lazily drift about. There were many shapes that they were showing off… a cow… a baby… a bullet… a dynamite stick… a bat… a tonfa…

Why was I looking at the sky now? I give my attention to my teacher, who was now writing an equation on the board. I made a check to focus. I have to study. I put my mechanical pencil on the blank notebook paper on my desk and began to copy the formula. What was I doing? This was what I wasn't supposed to do. I have to focus. There is still the cake shop I have to go to after class. There is still onii-chan's call I have to be ready for. There is still the homework I should be doing and the studying for my English class…

But then, I continue looking at the clouds. Their fluffy exterior was now chalked and pastelled in grey with each curvy shade. And suddenly, I see it… a familiar face… his face.

I feel something fall to my cheek.

It had been a long time, since I saw these things fall from my eyes. Since that time- that starry night.

These- these thoughts! What's happening to me? Why do I keep thinking about these things! Why now?

My mechanical pencil shook on edges. I keep putting on mental checks. This was definitely not the time to be putting my thoughts on these things. All I was supposed to do this morning was think about my classes. My grades were now already improving. If I don't put much thought to it then…

I take a deep breath before scribbling like mad. There was the formula on front. I just have to copy it. When the teacher calls out for someone to solve, I just raise my hand. I began to look at the equations I copied and memorize it. If the teacher calls out then…

"To all the students and faculty of Namimori High, I have an urgent announcement to tell you," the speakers suddenly blared. All of us, caught off guard waited in silence.

"The principal is now resigning."

Stillness. My classmates looked at each other. According to my mental check, the principal had been in this place of higher learning for only two years. Why now-?

"My successor will be none other than Reborn-san."

"Ciaossu!"

I couldn't believe what my ears were hearing. Reborn-chan… of all people- no of all babies- did this really mean- and onii-chan- and Gokudera-kun- and Yamamoto-kun and Tsuna-kun-

I really thought of it. I slap my hand on my mouth. Tsuna-kun. Tsuna-kun. Tsuna-kun.

"From here on tomorrow, this school is under the jurisdiction of the Vongola family. If anyone tries to stop it, they'll die. Any questions?"

None came. I did a mental check to chastise Reborn-chan in saying such words. Wait- but Reborn-chan's not a baby anymore right?

I did a mental check to ready for whatever appearance he might have.

"If not, to celebrate the Vongola's ascent to power classes will be suspended. Everyone out."

And just like that, the class- no- the whole school erupts.

For me, this was a downer. I have nothing else good to do at home. The classes, being discontinued meant less schoolwork and less schoolwork meant nothing to do. My job's still several hours away.

I did a check to panic. What the heck am I supposed to do?

"S-sasagawa-san," someone taps from my shoulder.

I wasn't prepared to see the one behind me.

There is a grinning Yamamoto-kun, except he didn't look like the Yamamoto-kun I remembered. He's taller- taller than before and his smile was less goofier than before. He's also wearing those black suits that businessmen normally wear.

"Whew!" He assuages, still smiling toothily and now taking my arm. "Nice hair." He adds, now laughing. Many of my classmates were already flooding at the door, not noticing Yamamoto-kun at all despite being such a stand-out. Seeing the problem with the people at the door, he opens the window.

"W-wait where are we-" I say in fright, mentally checking that THIS wasn't my plan at all. He smashes the window open, and now my classmates were looking at us, some whispering and others giggling.

"We have to hurry Sasagawa-san. Otherwise, the other Sasagawa-san might get a little impatient. Haru-chan will be coming with us. Reborn-san's orders."

"Uh.." I say panicking, adding another check as I looked at the looming danger below. This fall, from this fourth-floor room was definitely gonna hurt. "Yamamoto-kun, will this hurt?"

"Oh? Depends if we're lucky." He replied, looking like he was merely discussing the weather. "Ready to fly?"

"F-fly?" My voice was suddenly getting squeakier by the minute. THIS is so gonna hurt!

"Yeah. Hold on tight." He grins, as he forces my body to climb on his back. "Any last words to say?"

Even though the ground was a gazillion of meters below us, I smile at him. Somehow, it was the melancholic nostalgia that swept over me.

"It's good to see you, Yamamoto-kun." I said finally, before we left the earth and touched air.

"You can say that again." He replies as we fall.

And just like that, it almost seemed like I was in a dream.

Fire- there was some kind of bluish fire now being sent off by Yamamoto-kun's shoes and suddenly, we were ricocheting off into the sky.

"Tsuna will definitely be happy to see you." He shouts against the roaring wind as we approached the clouds. Surprisingly, though the sun was hot, it didn't feel that way when I was with Yamamoto-kun. The more I held onto him, the more I felt cool.

"Hey, baseball-nut!" someone says from below. "Quit flying so high!"

I look down, and immediately beamed so hard it almost hurt.

"Hey, Kyoko-chan!"

"Oi! Quit moving around like that or we'll be kissing the ground anytime soon, idiot!"

"Shut up! I should be the one mad here! You ruined my freakin' date you Octopus head!"

"Since when did you try calling me Octopus head? You're so unoriginal!"

"And you're such a fail flyer!" Haru shots back. Yamamoto-kun goes for a quick, yet agile dive and in no time we're now beside Haru and Gokudera-kun. He looks so different and taller like Yamamoto-kun. And his aura too, as well as his voice changed like Yamamoto-kun.

"Don't provoke me you hag or you'll be crashing below like a damned meteorite!"

"Try me!"

But thank goodness his attitude's still Gokudera-kun like.

"I didn't know sumo matches can make you fly." I stated to Yamamoto-kun who looked at me quizzically.

"Sumo matches? Oh yeah, right! They can if you really go through intense training." He titters nervously, when Gokudera-kun and his eyes met. Somehow, there's a feeling in the back of my spine that's telling me there's something more regarding that matter.

But upon remembering the job I had to take on later, it slips my mind.

"Where are we going?" I ask when we went for a slow plummet to the ground.

"The Tenth's house! Gah- quit strangling me!" Gokudera-kun said through muffled voices as Haru begins to panic.

I also tighten my hold onto Yamamoto-kun. The thrill of flying was now really wearing off the more the buildings became less like ants and became more detailed and textured. Oh, gawd this might be the end.

"Why are we going there?" I inquire Yamamoto-kun, trying to make my voice calm despite the descending feet that we were now plunging into with every second.

"Boss wants to see you two." He just says.

Those words were enough for me to trust him fully and enjoy the ride.

~K27~

But I never managed to see him.

The moment we made a landing in the yard of his Namimori home, I only saw Tsuna-kun's mother, Nana-san. There was no Reborn-chan either. But there was onii-chan.

In the end, all I can do then was cry in his arms.

Onii-chan definitely took it warmly. He complimented my hair-length, and asked where my smile was. I didn't answer him as I found my comfort- the only family I had left.

But I didn't tell him. That wasn't the time for me to tell such bad news when he just returned to Namimori.

I don't want him to get another scar.

Everyone was there to welcome us with open arms. Then, I wondered why he didn't come. Reborn-chan came when we were about to leave to inform us Tsuna-kun escaped him making him 'still a baby-boss unworthy of succeeding the Bongola e-fami-guh-li-ya' and such whatnot that I didn't know about. I had to go to my job late because of being stuffed to death by Italian foods made by Tsuna's mother and had a bad case of indigestion.

By the time we got home my brother slept like a light in the sofa, making me safe for a while if he asks where mom and dad were.

I was also safe the following morning.

But in the afternoon, when Reborn-chan invited us for another visit at Tsuna-kun's home to only end with Tsuna-kun's no-show did onii-chan finally caught up.

"Where's mom and dad anyway, Kyoko-chan?" asked onii-chan innocently when he gulped down the miso soup. "Shouldn't they be here normally before Friday?"

I didn't say anything as I left another serving at the table. This was planned on my check list. If he asks further, I'd just lie.

"Do you know about that, Kyoko-chan?" he asked again, his tone still light-hearted as he gulped more soup.

I still didn't say anything as I went inside my room to prepare for my part time job at the local store.

And just like that, I realized that onii-chan was no longer easy to fool.

He rapped the door as soon as I closed it.

"You know something about this, don't you?" he said, his tone I never imagined him to have.

I kept mum as more knocks followed it, this time louder than every last rap.

"Tell me Kyoko-chan." He pleaded, now trying to force the door open. I bit my lip and forced my back at the door while praying he'll just go away.

"Where are they Kyoko-chan?" He now thundered as he easily knocked the door, making me fall to the floor and bruise my knee. "Why are they letting you go to part time jobs like this?"

I force myself to keep quiet, mentally checking to bite my lip to prevent my tears from falling.

"Don't tell me…" he was catching on now. I just lay down on the floor, wishing this- this predicament we were in would just stop.

"They're gone now?"

I continued looking down, with teardrops falling.

"They're not coming back?"

I shake my head. I wanted it all to be a secret, not to be revealed just now. I didn't want my brother to work hard again for my sake and forcing me not to do even one tiny thing for him.

"That's why you're taking part time jobs? To go to school?"

"Yes, onii-chan." I murmured.

"To buy food?"

"Yes, onii-chan." I sniffed.

"To pay for the house rent and electricity?"

"Yes, onii-chan." I sobbed.

"To… not make me worry?"

"Yes, onii-chan!" I finally broke down, slamming my fist hard on the wooden floor.

It had been three years since I cried so hard.

And just like that, it ended.

"You're my only sister, right?"

"Y-yes, onii-chan."

"And I'm your only brother?"

"Y-yes." I didn't know where his questions were leading to.

"But together, we're not 'only', right?"

I stop. I look at my brother. His face had a weak smile stamped upon it. His eyes… they weren't like what I remembered from my onii-chan.

"Yes." I answered back, before giving him a full hug.

My simple-minded brother had more than enough talked true sense.

"We can do this together, believe it." He said, holding my hands firmly, yet trustingly.

"You're sounding more like Naruto." I tittered, with he returning me with an amiable-enough grin.

"Isn't it extreme?" He asked, becoming the old brother once more.

"Oh, onii-chan!"

Yeah. To the extreme.

~K27~

And just like that, somehow I believed that life can really start again once you reach the dead end.

It's already been a week since then. My brother became the captain of the boxing club while Yamamoto-kun's the new student council president.

Haru's my classmate again, along with Yamamoto-kun. Hibari-san became brother's classmate as well as the head of the discipline committee.

But still no Tsuna-kun.

I didn't put much thought about it now.

Because with onii-chan around, things became much easier. He found the time making money in small-time construction jobs and helped me pool for our income. It was an honest share but enough for the two of us.

Haru-chan meanwhile, broke up with Touya-san the moment Gokudera-kun dared her to try not hooking up with boys for a month. It was torture even for her, who had to cut off her landline and Net access all for the sake of 'alone time'.

While inside the classroom, scanning the book for a quiz, Yamamoto-kun sat beside me.

"The baby wants you to go to Tsuna's house after class." He quickly informs, before standing up and going to his baseball team mates for a practice. I shrug it off. Everyday, I come to Tsuna-kun's place on Reborn-chan's invitations to only return home late for work because of his absence. It turns out every morning, he'd go out and come back after dark. Reborn-chan assures me that he's determined to make sure Tsuna will be there but in the days that passed, I lost hope that I'll catch a sight of his spiky hair.

I wonder if it's because he just doesn't want to come.

I told Reborn-chan that maybe he just wasn't in the mood to go and meet me. Reborn-chan, thinking hard told me that was highly unlikely for even him.

"I'll be damned if you are the real reason he's not popping around to see you." He often assures me. Though I wonder if he's just too tactful to hurt my feelings.

And still, I'm too stubborn to finally refuse his invitation.

Assuring onii-chan that I'll be back soon, I don a simple jeans-and-shirt get-up and hasten off to Tsuna-kun's.

It's such a beautiful day this time. There were small, cute clouds peppering the blue, blue sky. The sun was shimmering excitedly at me as I raced to Tsuna-kun's place.

I wasn't surprised to see only Nana-san there.

But I was surprised when I saw a black limousine just parking in front of the house. It looked really brand-new, being sleek and shiny and all. I did a check to look at myself in the windshield.

Just like that, the door opens.

And someone lunges at me, taking me by the mouth and forcing me inside.

~K27~

"Sorry about that, Sasagawa," Gokudera-kun apologizes as he skipped to the front seat and began to drive. "Reborn-san's orders."

"Ciaossu!" says the baby just beside me, flashing a thumbs-up sign. His fedora was nowhere to be found, leaving his hair stuck back at the back with lots of hair gel. "I really had to do this to make sure he comes around. That kid… even now I'm asking myself if he is really Nono's successor…"

I didn't seem to understand him. Was this involved with the sumo matches to Italy?

"Did you go to Italy for sumo?" I ask Reborn-chan who in turn hit me in the head with a paper fan which thankfully, didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

"Geez, in the end that Tsuna still haven't told you the truth? What the hell is that kid doing?" He shakes his head. "No matter. You will know the truth soon enough. Now-"

As sudden as that, the seat I was in suddenly swiveled at the back. And I didn't he expect what will happen next.

Just in front of me were none other than Bianchi-san and Haru. They were looking at me the way villains will normally look whenever they hatched their plans.

"You really need a makeover," said Haru, who now has a comb in one hand and a hair spray in another. "Since Tsuna-san left, you look like a rag."

Bianchi-san winked. She was wearing a white, simple short-cut dress with matching pumps.

"Get ready to be salvaged." She said as she stripped me off my shirt with myself screaming in shock.

Just like that, the makeover started. From behind them was none other than a small Jacuzzi, where they forced me to really strip and take a bath. After, when I was clean from head to foot, they put all this creams in my face and hands, with Haru supervising the amount. When my underwear was in place, they had to do my make-up, putting a little eyeliner and light blue eyeshadow with a little pale pink lipstick and gloss. The hair was raised up in a bun, with curls falling in few directions to frame my face.

"OMG, you look absolutely ravishing, dearest Kyoko!" Haru giggles admiringly at her own work. "Now for the dress. Bianchi-san."

It was just a long-cut summer dress. But what distinguished it was it was made of pure silk. It was also simply blue, but the color ranged with each stripe from sky blue to royal blue. What was more, when it came into contact with my skin, it was really comfortable to wear.

"Sweeet," whistles Haru-chan when she makes a close evaluation of my look. "Just a simple diamond touch with those ears, and we're ready to go."

She hands me a mirror. I'm awestruck, still surprised to see a Kyoko far from what I imagined. She looked really simple, but enough to look grown-up.

The door then opens.

"Ready out here, guys?" Yamamoto-kun's voice rings inside. "Wow, Sasagawa-san! Tsuna's gonna be so pleased to see you." He adds excitedly.

~K27~

I never imagined that the Bongola was this rich.

Just docking in front of us was none other than a massive liner. It looked as majestic as it should be. Its name was "Katekyo Hitman Reborn" with an exclamation point.

Gokudera-kun takes my hand and graciously leads me out into the stairs and up the ship.

"Sorry about taking the long way." He says. "Reborn-san said it would be more appropriate if we used the stairs than the elevator."

"It's fine." I assure. "I'm wearing slippers anyway."

"S-slippers?" he howls as he looks at me from head to foot. Sure enough, he spies my diamond-studded Havaianas peeking through my dress.

"The Bongola's has so much money." I say.

He laughs. "It's Vongola, Kyoko-san."

Sure enough, we reach the dock or whatever it was called. In the middle was just a simple round table covered in white with two metal seats. There was a chandelier to match the ambience.

My mouth is ajar because of all this- for just this?

"We went a little overboard," says Yamamoto-kun quickly when he escorted me to one seat. "But it was the baby's orders. He owns this ship!"

"That Tsuna should be greatful," adds Reborn-chan, hopping on Yamamoto-kun's shoulder. "If he doesn't come now and look at Kyoko, he'd be making his biggest mistake."

"But I have a job to attend…" I smile back to be only stopped by Reborn-chan.

"We'll kill the person who assigns you off that job." He replies curtly as he now sits on the empty seat beside me. "With this gun, I will be giving him the Dying Will shot to whoever it might be." He promises, drawing out a green toy gun and nodding his head.

"That's real cute." I beam, and didn't bother to say anything else.

After fifteen minutes, he still didn't arrive. Fuuta-kun gives me a detailed tour of the ship up into decks which might have lasted for two hours, since it was already dark outside when we returned.

Tsuna-kun still wasn't around.

I then take a little drink at the glass of water beside us. Haru also gives me a plate of Risotto and we shared it together.

Thirty minutes pass… and I was an hour late for my job. I told Reborn-san about it. He just tells me to wait.

Another thirty minutes come… and then an hour… and another hour… three hours… four hours…

It's already ten o'clock and he didn't come about.

I smile politely at everyone, most especially to Reborn-chan, before standing up and going for the stairs. Everyone immediately began to plead to let me wait for Tsuna-kun. I bow down and tells them in carefully-chosen words that maybe Tsuna-kun's busy.

No one grabs me and forces me back into my seat.

As I step down, none spoke a word. I continue walking down and down the stairs.

By the time I reach the ground, I burst into tears.

In the end, he still didn't come to greet me.

It was already really late, and I saw no more cars passing by. It then made me go into a full run, wiping my face as I go.

He really will never come. I'm really too stupid to not see that.

I was late for my job, late for onii-chan's dinner, late for my homework…

Late for everything.

I stopped running and started to sob once more all the while wiping my tears with the dress. I should probably return this dress after I washed it to Bianchi-san. There's also these earrings and the slippers…

Oh Gawd, everyone must be really down because of this. I should apologize on Monday or when I pass to the house.

I'm really sorry everyone.

I then realized I was already at the streetlights. I continued walking and walking, crying in forced silence to not wake anyone up. I was also close to the place where Tsuna-kun and I saw each other for the last time…

I looked above. The star-spangled blackness makes me wonder if I'll be able to see it again with Tsuna-kun like this.

I walk some more, trying to suppress my tears. I should pull myself together now. I should just go home as quickly as possible, take a shower, and then go to bed.

B-ump.

I collided with something. I knew it wasn't a pole, since I know it was really hard. My head wasn't hurt, since the thing must've been sturdy but it was also soft. And the more I realize it… warm.

"Sasagawa-san?"

This is all a joke right? I harmless yet cruel practical joke. I'm just played at. I'm not seeing the truth. This man is many inches taller than him. This person looked more able than him. This person was wearing a suit for crying out loud!

"Y-yes?"

And his voice… it wasn't definitely Tsuna-kun. It was deeper… more confident… more- different.

"It's Sawada-san."

His voice is gentler, more relaxed. This wasn't the stuttering Tsuna I remember so well.

But I look up, and I realize I was at face-to-face with the real thing.

He's taller- not as taller as Gokudera-kun or Yamamoto-kun but taller than how I imagine him to be, His eyes too… they weren't the big-eyed ones I remember to like from him. And his smile… it wasn't as troubled as I remembered it to be.

He notices my face, my dress, my expression. It made sense to him.

"This isn't the time to be crying, Sasagawa-san. I need to talk with your brother."

He didn't give me another look as he escorted me to my home.

This is really, just a cruel practical joke.

This isn't Tsuna-kun. This is… this is Sawada-san.

The sweet, thoughtful, little Tsuna I know so well.

He neither apologized, nor said anything at all.

I can't feel this Tsuna.

I can't hear this Tsuna.

I look at the stars once more, and remember how we giggled about it all before he left.

And I didn't want this Tsuna. More than I don't want to see my parents anymore.

~K27~

Wheew! I never thought this chapter could reach this much. Don't worry though; the next chapters would be shorter in length. This is the chapter I hated to type, and only did loving to write this chapter (I type as I write :P) I came up with this.

NEXT CHAPTER: Is this really Tsuna?