I have nothing to say other than to please enjoy this new chapter I hope you love it. Oh and to thank Amandy-san and Sardnyx for they were the only two people who reviewed my last chapter, ;~; I did all I can.

I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn or characters.

*&* Eight *&*

Following the boy that seems to have caught a hold of her affection, Haru brought her eyes back to her dark haired friend, who looked straight ahead and was oblivious to the girl's stare. Yamamoto Takeshi is a laid back friendly guy who could cheer up even the darkest of moods, that is what she likes about him. She never thought she would have feelings for him but what happened earlier made it so. Also if it wasn't for the psychic lady who told me so I would have never known, Haru thought. She looked ahead and saw her others friends. Happy to see them she waved her hand and yelled out.

"Tsuna-san, Kyoko-chan!" She caught their attention and ran close to her best friend Kyoko as Yamamoto joined near.

"Yamamoto, Haru, you just in time for the fireworks." Their light brown haired friend said. Tsuna stood between Kyoko and Gokudera as they watched the fireworks in the sky.

"Haru-chan where were you guys?" Kyoko asked the girl, "I was worried we wouldn't see the fireworks together."

"Sorry Kyoko-chan but I'll tell you about it later." Haru said and looked up at the fireworks.

"Ne, Haru-chan, where's your turtle?" Kind hearted Kyoko asked. Haru's face froze as she stared blankly at Kyoko, looking as if she was the most interesting thing. Kyoko gave a questioning look to the unusually quiet girl.

***********

"Is that so." Kyoko said next to the sniffling girl. Poor Haru as soon as the fireworks ended and the guys made their leave with Lambo and I-pin, after Kyoko nicely told them she and Haru could go on their own, she broke down into tears and told Kyoko about the fate of Shelly. "And you tried really hard to get her as your pet."

Haru nodded as she whipped away tears and blew her nose on a handkerchief. She treasured the time they had together, 6 minutes 54 seconds and 0.9 milliseconds. "I wasted all that I had but I just can't blame anyone but me."

"Don't say that Haru-chan, even you said it was an accident, I'm sure you do a lot better when you get another pet." Kyoko told the teary eyed girl that stared admirably at her.

"Kyoko-chan! Waaah!" Haru hugged Kyoko as she cried with appreciation, Kyoko patted her head and just smiled at how amusing Haru could be. Kyoko noticed that she saw close to her house and said good-bye as they parted and for Haru to call her when she made it safely to her house.

Haru stretched her arms in the air feeling better now that she no longer felt the burden of death on her shoulders. "Ah I should get home before papa gets worried, I wonder if he ate dinner already." Haru wondered as she walked steadily but quickly. Just a block before her house she saw a white cat walk across the alley and sit on top of a brick fence front of her. Ah so cute! she thought and walked up to pet the feline. The cat noticed the reaching hand and scratched it and screeched at Haru. The bleeding girl jumped in surprised and stared blankly at the retreating cat. Haru noticed the big bump in the cat's stomach before it disappeared. She must be pregnant, maybe that's why she reacted the way.

"Hahi? It hurts." she exclaimed as she noticed the cut on her hand, it wasn't deep but blood sure was oozing out. Haru slumped feeling a little depressed that the cat hurt her, if she wasn't pregnant how would she have acted? Oddly the act was similar to someone Haru knew, someone who would get angry for no reason and may or may not attack out of nowhere. Now I see Gokudera as a cat, how funny, I shouldn't say this to him though, she thought then idea popped in her head. If Gokudera is a cat then Yamamoto is a dog, he's loyal, friendly, fun, and can make me happy in an instant. Haru blushed that she was thinking of the guys like animals and embarrassing stuff and quickly walked home.

"Papa! I'm back," She called out and walked to his study where he was reading a book on his favorite chair.

"Welcome back Haru-chan did you have fun at the festival?' Papa asked her. Haru gave her father a kiss on the forehead and smiled brightly.

"Yup though many odd things happened but it was a lot of fun in the end." She replied sitting on an empty chair next to him. It was a lot cooler and calm in the room, weird. Usually her mom would pop out of no where and spread some type of commotion. Haru missed her very much but she knew her mom would come back in just two days.(today is Wednesday)

"Well then," he shifted his glasses upward and narrowed his eyes on Haru. "I hope nothing happened between you and a boy while you were out now would there?"

Haru felt a little chill on her back and was surprised by the sudden question. The safest way to get out of this is to lie, I'm sorry Papa but I don't want to hear anymore lectures, Haru made an excuse in her head. "Uh nope I was with Kyoko-chan the whole time, except when I had to rescue Lambo-chan by dogs but we came back together with no guys near." The greatest thing was what she said was absolutely true. Haru just prayed in her mind he would leave it at that and let her go. She remembered the close embrace she and Yamamoto had during the fireworks.

Her father smiled and his ominous aura disappeared, though Haru didn't sense it at first. "That's a relief, I'm glad my advice worked for you." He called that two hour lecture of torture 'advice'? Haru sweat dropped as she stood up and left her father's study so he can continue reading. "Ah I forgot to mention Haru-chan, it seems the dinner I ate tonight was the last of our food, so tomorrow would you buy groceries, just enough to last until you mother comes back?"

"Hahi how could there not be any food?" Haru asked in disbelief.

"Well you do remember that our robbery incident included stolen food right?" Her father said wondering how could she forget what happened two days ago.

Haru felt kind of dumb as realization struck in her hard in the head. She had a lump in her throat as she knew she would start to panic. It okay no need to panic, I just forgot yeah nothing bad would have happened anyways. She convinced herself. But something in the back of her head made itself known as doubt grew more and more. Before her father could called out to Haru he was taken aback be her outburst.

"I'M SO SORRY! I should have remember something as important as a lack of food, what if you couldn't find anything edible or cook and have starved?! What if you collapsed of hunger, I would be responsible for another living being's death! First Shelly, which I finally got over with, and now Papa?! How could I explain this to Mama and what would we do without your support?! Mama would have to quit her dream and get her old job back. I'll have to work two jobs, maybe three, and I wouldn't be able to go to college. IF ONLY I REMEMBER TO CHECK THE FRIDGE FOR FOOD BEFORE I WENT OUT!"

Haru's father looked at his daughter as she ran around in a tiny circle waving her arms in panic over something unbelievable. As much as he enjoyed watching her panic like her mom used to do he had to stop her before she hurts herself. "Haru-chan don't not get ahead of yourselves none of that never happened so your was safe." He said. To bad she didn't hear what he said as she came up with more wild conclusions.

"After I get out of jail for your death it'll be much harder to find a suitable husband, nobody would take in a girl for neglecting her father, especially their mothers. Mama would still be in the institute for the mentally ill because of her violent ways and unpredictable behavior. She wouldn't like it there and have the place destroyed, then she defiantly will be placed in jail."

"HARU!" Her father yelled out making the girl freeze in her tracks. Because of his outburst and the fact that he was still alive, she was able to calm down. "Your getting out of control, please calm down. None of what you said will ever happen so would you please remember to go groceries shopping tomorrow?"

Haru nodded her head since the headache she got made her forget how to speak.

"Good now off to bed you used to much energy over your spasm attack." He said focusing now on his book. Who's Shelly and why would Mama be in an institute for the mentally ill? He thought.

Haru stared blankly and walked upstairs to her room. She thought a shower would help calm herself as she grabbed a towel and her night clothes to the bathroom. She walked into the bathroom and striped off her kimono and her under garments very much robotic-like. She stepped into the shower and turned the knob, still spacing out she accidentally turned the knob for the cold water.

"HAHIIIII!!!!!!" Haru's screaming voice was so loud even the neighbors jumped in surprised.

"What was that?" The lady neighbor asked her dear old husband, who was going bald from the crown of his head. She stood up from the living room chair and looked out the front window.

"Huh? Did you hear something?" The old man said his aging wife. He was watching a very entertaining game show and did not hear any of the noise other than his loud wife.

"It came from that outrageous woman next door, I bet that woman is doing something crazy again, I swear it's amazing how sane that husband and daughter of hers are! I'm surprised they haven't taken her to a sanitarium where she belong then everyone can finally live in peace." She ranted to herself and her husband.

"I think you taking this too much ever since she broke your window dear," He said sipping his tea, he knew what he said would make her angry, but actually he was right.

"Well I think they should get rid of her before she brakes anymore of our property, you know she can this close to barging down our door just for a cup of sugar!" She told him still staring outside the window looking at Haru's house. Now she could hear banging, but didn't know why.

"That's not true she didn't ask us for sugar, she asked us for some strawberry yogurt, that's clearly different." He corrected his wife. He shook his head at how odd she is acting toward their nice and generous neighbor next door. Perhaps I should have a friendly chat towards Miura-kun, it's been sometime since I talked to someone other this woman. (he is clearly older than Haru's dad, and clearly doesn't want to talk to his wife, much)

After telling her worrisome dad she is alright, Haru finally got warm water and calmed her cold shaking body. Now wide awake she can properly lather, rinse, and repeat. Finished with her shower she dried herself and put on her night clothes. Before anything else could happen she walked to her room and laid on her bed, now she's feeling very tired. Haru heard a jingle coming from her cell phone and checked her text messages.

Haru-chan are you home yet, Kyoko. Haru blinked as sleep was getting to her.

"Ah I forgot to call Kyoko-chan, she must be worried." Haru told herself and text Kyoko back, she also bid her good-night. Haru feel asleep as soon as she pressed the send button, forgetting to cover herself with her blanket.

*************

"Hmm I should get some celery and eggplants, Papa loves those, let's see what else?" Haru asked herself as she carried a basket full of vegetables, meat, some fruit, and fish. She looked at her list and found she didn't get anything of her mom's favorite yogurt. If she comes home out of the blue and find no yogurt, she'll get really angry, then depressed, then evil, then tired, Haru thought and grabbed some strawberry yogurt, while I'm here I should get some snacks also but not so much.

She hummed a tune and grabbed some more food ingredients and some snacks. As promised she woke up early and went shopping for food, after asking her father for some money. Haru went to many stores that gave discounts on some certain foods, she also bargained here and there and won, using her secret weapon, and got the groceries she needed for a delicious dinner for two days. After an hour of shopping she walked merrily outside the stores, watching older ladies shop for their needs, she felt very adult all of a sudden. Was that a good thing or not? She doesn't know.

Haru spotted a person who she adored as a mother figure, other than her own mom but even Haru can say her own mom is something else. Nana Sawada is the mother of Tsuna and a very nice person, as she taught Haru and Kyoko some recipes or two when they visited her home. She ran a little to the older woman, careful not to drop the bags in her arms though they weren't heavy. She noticed another person who she recognize as Bianchi, who is a very good cook though Haru never got a taste of her food which was weird.

"Sawada-san, Bianchi-san, good morning!" Haru said in a high voice in front of them.

"Ah Haru-chan! Good morning!" Tsuna's mom replied.

"Were you doing some shopping?" Bianchi asked the teenage girl noticing the bags she carried.

"Yup, I just finished and was going to get something to eat before I head home, are you going shopping too?" Haru asked.

"Just some clothes I saw yesterday and asked Maman to buy it for me." Bianchi replied nonchalantly. Everything about Bianchi was calm and cool which is why Haru liked her very much, she wanted to be just like that. That would be very weird and not Haru-like.

"Why won't you join us Haru-chan, we'll go to a nice shop to eat after." Nana asked her. Haru smiled, she felt her day was going to be a great one. Too bad she wasn't a fortune teller to actually say she was going to have a good day, but that is part of life's mysteries that could never be found out.

"I would love to!" She chirped and walked together with the two older women. Of course being women they took their time looking through other merchandise and other stores that it took almost two hours. Haru wished she had extra money to buy herself something but alas she did not. Instead she made a note to herself to what to get when she gets her paycheck tomorrow. The thought of her paycheck made her think about looking for another job while she and the other two walked into a cute shop that served sweets as well as other foods to eat.

"Hahi, this place looks awfully familiar." She said to herself as well as the other two who she accompanied. She look around the shop and searched her memory if she ever came to this shop before.

"You should know Haru, this is the place you used to work at a few days ago, before it was destroyed." Bianchi told her. She seems to forget that she was also part of the destructiveness, but being Bianchi she ignored it. What happened, happened. That was her motto, actually she has many mottos but this was one of them.

"My, is that so, I didn't realize since it got remodeled." The good natured mother said also looking around. She noticed the different paint job, different chair and table styles, the settings was rearranged, and the workers had different uniforms. The whole change was a lot better from before thus bringing in more customers, maybe the destruction was a good thing, for the shop that is not for Haru though. "It sure looks good, oh my there are changes to the menu too."

"I want to eat that one, hmm Haru are you going to get something?" Bianchi asked skeptical by Haru's unresponsive actions. What is that girl doing? She thought looking at Haru depressive state. Haru hugged her knees as she rested her head on the wall staring into a world far from earth. Bianchi could sense the depressing aura radiating off of Haru but paid no mind as she also requested a drink with her meal. How cold but she is Bianchi, wouldn't have her any other way.

For a while they were oblivious to Haru as she continued sulking in her dark area, but the growl in her stomach broke her out of her trance. She looked around wondering where she was when she remember she was at the place where she got fired, she went back to being depressed.

"Is being here bothering Haru-chan, we could go if it is." Nana Sawada told Bianchi, sitting across the room from where Haru was. Bianchi took a drink from her beverage and looked back at Haru, she now has hollow eyes and was muttering incoherent words, people near ran out screaming saying something about a dead corpse coming to life.

"Nah she's just tired, let's leave her alone while she gathers her energy, she'll come when she feels like it." Bianchi said and took a bite out of her food. Nana just shrugged and also ate her food.

It was about ten minutes when one of the employees finally got the courage to go near the corpse-like girl and poke her with a broom. He wanted her to stop scaring the customers and the staff but she was unresponsive to the poke. He turned around looking scared as he gestured to his co-workers that nothing happened, they just signaled him to continue for they were scared too. He poke her again and this time she came to.

"Hahi? What happened?" She asked looking around confused. All traces of negative energy disappeared as she stood up from the ground grabbing her bags full of food, she needs to put them in the refrigerator before they rot. She looked at the worker, who looked to be relieved for some reason. Then she remember she came here to eat with Sawada-san and Bianchi-san and went to them. "Hahi, your done already?" She asked looking at the empty plates. But I didn't get to eat. She cried on the inside. It was her fault for taking so much time being depressed but she doesn't know that.

"Ah that's right but we got you something to take home, we figured you'd take long to gather up your energy." Bianchi told her showing a medium size box with a meal inside, a good looking meal.

"I'm sorry Haru-chan we didn't know you were so tired to eat so we went ahead to get you this." Sawada-san said. Both women smiled at the teary and happy girl in front of them.

Haru was touched deeply by their kindness, if she didn't hold in her tears she be crying her eyes out of appreciation. "Thank you so much, I'm sorry for being an inconvenience."

"Don't say such thing Haru-chan, we're glad you were with us but I think it's time to head home, the kids should be hungry for lunch about now." Nana and Bianchi stood up and all three walked out the shop.

"I-is she gone?" A scared employee ask another when the women left.

"Y-yeah, I've n-never seen a-anything s-so scary in my entire l-life." The other replied remembering the look on whoever that person's face was. Both prayed to Buddha to never see another corpse or being like that again.

"By the way I noticed there weren't so much customers, isn't suppose to be packed during lunchtime?" Haru asked as she carried her load walking next to Bianchi.

"Guess not that many people were hungry or went to another place to eat." Bianchi told the girl who went along with the reply.

Haru saw a candy store on the other side of the street and thought about getting something for Lambo and I-pin. She told the two to go ahead without her and that she'll see them later as she ran across and entered the store. Haru had enough to buy two small bags of candy with a variety of it and placed them inside one of the three bags she carried.

She walked out the store and was surprised to find she almost trip over a dog. "Hahi? Are you lost?" She crouched down and looked at the dogs tag. Bowser, hmm what a cute name for a cute dog. He was a dark brown medium size canine with a sharp face and soft fur. Distracted by his cuteness Haru didn't see the dog snatch her meal that Nana gave her and ran away. "HAHI?!" She yelled out surprised and chased after the dog and her meal. It was a good thing it was sealed tight otherwise she wouldn't be able to eat it, if she caught it.

"Stop please give me back my food!" She yelled out but the dog didn't listen. Passersby were confused why a girl was chasing a dog carrying grocery bags but ignored her. Her growling stomach made her run slow and add the load she was carrying, three bags seemed too much to carry right now. She looked ahead to see the dog about to cross the street in front, she also saw the truck heading for the dog if he continued running. Fear and anxiety erupted inside Haru as she screamed loudly for the dog to stop and ran faster. She closed her eyes fearing for the worse as she heard gasps all around her. When she didn't hear a noise that signaled a crashing she opened her eyes confused.

"EH?" She said bluntly as she looked at the dog in front of her eating her meal, clearly unfazed that he was about to get hit. The truck far away by now as traffic continued. Then what were those gasps from the people.

"Wow you made that dog stop, you must be a good trainer!"

"He was so close to getting hit, you came in the right time."

"You save a dog and stopped an accident from happening!"

People around her were praising her but Haru stood lifeless, like a robot, very confused. Looks like they gasped in amazement on Haru's skills that she clearly did not have. She wondered why the dog finally listened her and how the heck did he open the tray to her meal. Haru stomach growled not for the first time and she stared at the meal being devoured. T-that was my food. She mentally whined and cried in front of the dog.

Haru walked down the neighborhood looking for the house that the dog belong to. After crying for the lost meal she decided to take the dog back to where he belong. She checked his tag for an address and had him follower her to his home. Now she was looking for a house with the dog next to her walking merrily, looks like he was satisfied with the meal. Haru slumped and thought if she should be annoyed by the dog, but she couldn't since it looks like he's been away from home for sometime. Haru has such a soft heart for animals and children.

"Where could your owner's house be?" She asked the dog who didn't respond in a way Haru hopped he would. She sigh and checked the tag again. "It should be around here, ah there it is!"

She walked near the gate of the property, looking around and wondered how a dog could get lost away from home and end up in town. Both girl and dog walked through the gate and Haru rang the doorbell. Haru was surprised to see the dog sat straight up as they wait for someone to answer. He looks like a guard dog all of a sudden.

"Yes may I- Oh my goodness Bowser was found! Kids, kids Bowser's home!" An attractive looking woman cried out as she hugged the dog, a little tightly and putting her weight onto him. Haru heard running noises as three small children ran to hug the dog also. Haru was surprised to find that he was able to hold four people hugging him tightly, no wonder he was like a statue before.

"Thank you so much for finding him. My husband searched everywhere for him. How could I repay you…erm?" Obviously she was asking for Haru's name.

"Ah it's Haru and I couldn't accept anything, I just found him in front of a store." She laughed nervously, why was she nervous? Maybe it was the way the mom looked at her with teary eyes.

"No you should take the reward money, that's right wait here." She ran inside before Haru could object. Reward money? She looked at the dog who seemed to be tired of the hugs the three children were giving him.

"Uh.." They are so cute! Haru thought swooning over their cuteness, she thinks all children are cute.

"Thank you so much for bringing him back lady" Child 1 said. He looked to be the oldest of the three.

"Yeah he was gone for weeks" Child 2 said. Haru noticed that he had very bright brown eyes, like Tsuna.

"Eh really, for weeks, how?" Haru asked. She crouched down to their level to look at them better.

"Yeah the last time we saw him we were at the beach," Child 2 said.

"When we turned around he was suddenly gone." Child 1 said.

"Waah I was so sad!" Child 3 cried. Haru was a little confused but she had to admit the dog was strong to survive that long. She suddenly appreciated the dog for being tough out in the world, heck she would give him a treat if she had something edible a dog could eat. She saw the mother come back out and handed her some money.

"Here's the reward that was promised, please accept our token of gratitude." She told Haru.

"No, no I really shouldn't, I just wanted to bring Bowser home where he belongs." She was never given money for something like this before, working for money is a lot different and something she was used to. That's why she felt weird accepting the reward.

"I will not take no for answer, you did something kind and brought back happiness to our house, it's the least we could do." The mother stated. Haru looked at her then the her children then Bowser. They really do look happy. Well Bowser didn't, as much. Haru gave up and took the reward, though she felt a little proud for doing something good. Heck she always do good things she should get reward. Now feeling confident she said good-bye and waved at them.

"Oh yeah I wonder how much the reward was." She said curiously as she counted the money and the results made her eyes pop out. "HAHI?! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHAT KIND OF FAMILY ARE THEY?" (in Japan it'll be around 186,168yen)

********&&&&&&&&&&&********

Haru sat in her room eating yogurt as she studied. While Haru walked cheerfully, very happily, back home she realized she hadn't studied for school for sometime and thought she was falling behind. Even if it's summer Haru was dedicated to her studies. She started on the easy subject after putting away all the groceries she bought and placing her reward money in a safe place, hint, hint, piggy bank.

"Hmm, I wonder what everyone is doing right now." She wondered out loud as she glanced at the two candy bags meant for Lambo and I-pin. She smiled as she thought of happy moments she spent with them, she would love to spend each and everyday with them. Haru planned to visit Tsuna's house later after she completed all of her studies. She groaned of impatience and went down stares for something to drink. Haru couldn't help but feel lonely as she entered the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice. It's been like this ever since her mom was kidnapped by her editor, she missed her very much.

"Hahi being gloomy is not like Haru, but being home is very lonely." Haru whined laying half of her upper body on the countertop, her arms straight out, pouting. Then she stood straight up as she couldn't take the loneliness. As quick as a fly she grabbed her bag with her cell phone, I-pod, and extra cash, just in case, and walked out the door.

Whenever Haru felt gloomy she takes a walk around the area, listening to her favorite music, until she felt satisfied. Sometimes interesting stuff happens from out of nowhere when she walks around, for instance she once saw a baby riding on the back of a huge dog. Haru attempted to follow but she ended up getting lost. So to figure out where she was she climbed a pole post and scouted the area, she ended getting stuck for five hours until the fire department pulled her down. She was embarrassed for the rest of the week because of that incident.

Ah the weather is so nice I feel better already, Haru thought passing by houses and small restaurants, listening to a new song playing. Oh yeah Yamamoto's family owns a sushi restaurant maybe I'll pay him a visit, Haru stopped walking as she suddenly felt nervous. She wondered what to say to him, if she'll make a fool of herself. She looked at her clothes and her hair, wondering if he'll think her unattractive. She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows, bold she needed to be bold instead of weak.

"Yosh I can do this, here I go to Yamamoto's place!" Haru cheered loudly for herself and walked confidently, only to miss the foot that blocked her way as she fell face forward on the concrete floor. "HAHI?" she yelled out in pain as her ear buds came off. She can hear somebody step closer to her head and she stared dumbfounded at the perpetrator.

"Geez you're a stupid woman, didn't you hear me talking to you?" Gokudera said standing over her, smoking his trade mark cancer stick. Haru was to angry to be confused on how he suddenly came here as glared at him. Great he completely destroyed her mood to go Yamamoto's house full of confidence. In fact she's going to yell at him for that reason but first she needs to get up from the floor, who know how dirty it is.

"Gokudera! How dare you trip me for no reason!" Haru started in full out argument, fuming in rage. She figured she should turn her confidence into winning this battle, something to feel proud of when she reaches the sushi place.

The people around the neighborhood turned their heads and enjoyed the scene of two teenagers, who they thought were lovebirds, argue as they grabbed a drink and ate popcorn, some had candy instead. If any luck the girl would slap the fellow, but that's if they had some. Man people now a days have no courtesy.

*&*

I had a major break through with this story it was hard to put things in order, I had to delete some stuff to actually make sense and to not have any boring stuff either. I hope you guys could wait for the next one, its going to be awesome, or I hope it does. By the way the incident where Haru return Bowser and got a reward actually happened to my sister earlier in the week, sadly the owner have her a hundred bucks. I wish I had a cut of that money, hehehe.

Review!! It shows how good a story is or bad =)