I'm back with another epic chapter in Alana's POV.

Also, with another new character! Hope you like him!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Katekyo Hitman Reborn, it characters, and its scenes. My original characters (Karasu, Alana, etc.) and my original scenes all belong to me. Must I say it again?

Enjoy the story!

Warriors Don't Cry

Chapter 8: Pocky Sticks – Alana

A brunette sat at the window ledge in boredom.

Her mother wouldn't let her go out and play today. She said that she didn't want even the sun to see her, if that made any sense. The girl rolled her eyes and played with a flower her mother had given to her as a gift.

The flower didn't die yet.

Of course it didn't, none of the flowers ever end up dead. She tried her best on killing it many times out of boredom. It always came back to life no matter how many times she tried to cut it up, stomp it flat, or burn it, it always came back to life.

"I wish something fun happens to me for once." The girl thought aloud.

A light breeze blew through the open window. Getting an idea, the blonde looked around to make sure that no one was watching her and began to climb out of the window.

The girl smiled with glee as a cool sensation spread though her bare feet as they touched the ground. It's been too long since the last time she last did this and if she wasn't careful this may be her last.

She picked a flower and admired it before crushing it in her hands.

For once, the flower stayed crushed.

For once, the flower stayed dead.

Seriously, how did things turn out like this?

I was minding my own business, walking to school alone, before my pompadour buddies kidnapped me. Kidnapped me! Not that I minded that I didn't have to go to school that day, but still! I hated being surprised like that!

"Lemme go! I demand to be put down!"

Does that sound familiar? I thought it did too.

"Please forgive us, Alana-sama, but Kyo-san ordered this from us!" Kusakabe apologized. At the mention of Hibari, I stopped struggling. Not because I was afraid of the guy (God NO) but because I got curious in what my President/Teacher/Sort of Tormentor wanted of me. I hoped it wasn't a mock battle. I saw how he beat the shit out of the other students.

No way in hell will I ever challenge the guy to a battle. I'll lose. I'll most definitely lose. Even I wasn't crazy enough to challenge that guy.

"So…what was it that he wanted from me?" I piped up after a moment of awkward silence. Kusakabe shook his head. "He wouldn't say. He just said to bring you here."

Oh

Well that was enlightening.

I allowed my pompadour friends to carry me into the hospital (I have absolutely NO idea why we came here but I didn't ask.) I hummed the school anthem to myself and twiddled my thumbs while they carried me through a random hallway. Gah, I hated hospitals. Everything looked the same and it was all white.

CRASH!

I stopped humming and looked up from my twiddling to see a badly beaten up fat dude lying on the floor. I got myself put down and I walked up to the guy. I cautiously poked him and jumped a little when he twitched. "He's still alive!"

"Hey."

I looked up and oogled at my school prefect. He was sitting in one of those hospital beds like he had no care in the world. "Um, why was I brought here? I mean, I have to go to school." And make sure that Octopus-head and Baseball-nut would keep their hands off of my buddy!

I heard dramatic sobbing from behind me.

"What passion for the school! As expected from Kaichio's student!" One pompadour lackey wailed and blew his nose on a poka-dotted handkerchief like they did in the movies or cartoons.

I gave my pompadour buddies an 'are-you-kidding-me' look. "Really guys? Really?"

Hibari gave his lackeys a look. "Leave us or I'll bite you all to death."

Nobody in their right mind would want that.

The dramatically saluted and left me alone with the carnivore. I shifted around a bit nervously and gave him a suspicious look. "So…what's so important that you had to pull me out of school. It must be serious. And why the hell are you in the hospital of all places?"

"I caught a little cold." Hibari explained shortly. I nodded slowly. "And I brought you here because I'm bored. You amuse me, Chibi-Omnivore."

"What is THAT supposed to mean?" I asked testily. "And DON'T CALL ME SHORT, DAMMIT!" Didn't I already make it clear that I hated being reminded of that? I have to live with looking up and talking to most of (all of them, really) my classmates every single day!

Hibari just smirked as if I just proved his point.

I sighed in defeat and sat down at the foot of his hospital bed. I knew that if others did that, they would be bitten to death but I guess I was some sort of exception to that rule. Maybe its because I was his student.

God, I have the craziest teachers, I tell you.

"What crazy teachers?" Oops, did I say that out loud? "Yes, you did Omnivore."

I slapped my hands over my mouth to keep it from saying anything more but my prefect/teacher/personal tormentor was already interested. "Were they the ones who taught you how to fight?"

I paused and debated whether or not to answer his question. Just the mention of them was a taboo for both Karasu and me. It was hellish training, it was. But because my sister came to Japan, I guess that taboo was lifted. I mean, the taboo was sitting right there in the breakfast table this morning chatting with Karasu's mom.

"Yeah, they did…why?" I asked cautiously. He looked strong enough to stand against my sister but I didn't want Japan to be reduced to rubble because of their fight.

"Are they strong, Chibi-omnivore? What are they like?" He asked instead, ignoring my question. Oh no he did not just do what I thought he just did! Hibari smirked, telling me clearly that he ignored my question on purpose.

That jerk!

"Answer the question. Do you want to be bitten to death?" He threatened, after my long moment of silence. I decided that I did not want that so I opened my mouth to spill the info. Sorry Japan, I guess you're all going to go down into rubble but I tried!

"Yeah, they're all strong. Why the hell do you think I'm so afraid of them in the first place? I had three teachers back in America. One of them threw butcher knives at me during random times to 'keep me on my toes'. Che, as if I would've had any left if I didn't leave!"

"And the others?" Hibari asked almost curiously. For a second, I thought he was actually interested in what I was saying.

…Nah

"Well, the other teacher was like the ringleader of the whole training. She was cool but I never really seen her in action. But, judging how my other two teachers treated her with respect, she must be a lot stronger than both combined. I never want to fight her, that's for sure." Yeah, she was pretty awesome even though she barely taught me anything.

"But she disappeared." I added, furrowing my brows in thought. "I don't know what happened to her after that but I think she was about to teach us something very crucial and important before she became M.I.A."

Hibari interrupted my solemn moment with a "and what's the third like?"

I froze for a moment before lying own abruptly with a not-so-epic plop. "I'm tired. Can we talk about my other teacher after I get some shut-eye? I hardly slept last night because of a science test that I'm missing right now." Not that I mind. But still.

"Answer the question." Hibari demanded, taking his tonfas out of nowhere and holding them up threateningly. I admit, the threat was very effective on me because it made me spill everything I had.

"She's my older sister!" I wailed. Please don't fight her! I just came to Japan and I don't want it sinking into the ocean after spending only less than three weeks in it and it's Karasu's home!

Hibari just nodded and leaned back into the bed.

I blinked.

Hibari yawned.

I blinked again just to make sure that this wasn't just a trick in my mind. I even pinched myself until it bruised. It was only after that when I allowed myself to sigh in relief. Thank God! I really thought he was going to consider facing my sister. Now that would be some epic battle. Maybe somewhere else would be okay.

Somewhere that wasn't in Japan

I rubbed my eyes and yawned.

Hey, it's true when they say yawns are contagious.

In the middle if my yawn, I felt myself jerked back like some…some…gah, I can't think of it right now but like something. I bit my tongue (which hurt like hell) but had to ignore that 'cause it was Hibari (who else could it be?) who pulled me back into the not-so-comfy-but-sleepable hospital bed.

"Sleep." He ordered and lied back down, himself.

I sweatdropped.

Is he aware that this situation was kinda awkward-looking by normal bystanders?

I looked at him as he closed his eyes and shrugged. I mean this was Hibari we're talking about. He didn't care about anything but the school and its overrated rules. Oh well, I wanted some sleep and I was getting it right now. Better yet, I was missing school so who am I to complain?

I closed my eyes and transported myself to my personal la la land.

"Hiii! Are you guys trying to get me killed?"

Nnngh? What? Tsuna-fish?

"If you make noise in this room, something terrible is going to happen!"

I tried to ignore the noises. It was pretty bearable until I heard two, not one, but two explosions. I made a sound of annoyance and burrowed under my pillow, hoping that would make the sounds go away.

Then, I heard the sounds of squeals and whimpers of pain.

That's it!

I threw my pillow to a random direction and sat up. "What's all this noise? Can't anyone see I'm SLEEPING?" GOD! Never knew hospitals were this loud.

I froze when I saw where my pillow landed.

On Hibari's face

Who was currently beating up our favorite Tsuna-fish.

Dammit, why me?

"…Oops?" I offered weakly at the apparently pissed off face of Hibari. I grabbed my schoolbag and took out a box of chocolate-flavored pocky sticks I was saving for snack. "Pocky stick?"

Forgetting his victim, he began to march toward me. Not really thinking clearly, I jumped out of the now-open window. Of course, it was like me to forget that I was in the ninth floor.

I was lucky (or unlucky, take your pick) enough to have Hibari catch me before I ended up becoming Alana-mush and that wouldn't be pretty at all.

"Where do you think you are going, Chibi-omnivore?" Hibari questioned in an uber-scary way that would've made any normal person (keyword: normal) to pee in their pants in fear. The tonfas in his hand was a nice side effect too.

I laughed nervously. "I'm…hungry and I need fresh air?"

Hibari stared at me for a while before carrying me (more like holding me by the back of my shirt like I was some sort of puppy) out of the room. "I'm leaving." He told the nurse abruptly and she nodded as if her head was some kind of maraca. "Y-Yes, Hibari-san!"

She completely ignored my existence and went on her way.

How very nice of her.

I waited semi-patiently to be put down, which was a while. When he did, I gaped at the place we were in front of. "No way…"

It was a Ramen Shop!

I grinned like a fool and looked at Hibari expectantly. He ignored me and walked right in. I followed him right in as a man ushered him to a table, also ignoring my existence.

Maybe it was because I was short…

I whacked myself on the head for thinking that. What was I just thinking? I'm NOT short! I'm still growing!

I sat on the seat across from Hibari's and opened the menu.

I'm actually going to eat ramen! Karasu promised me that we'd eat together sometime but because all of the mafia insanity I guess we both forgot.

Who cares? I'm going to eat it now!

Awesomeness!

A ramen bowl was placed in front of me and I snapped my wooden chopsticks. "Itadakmasu! Time to chow down!" I announced loudly before slurping the delicious noodles down.

Heaven

I let out a content sigh as I walked next to Hibari. "That was great! I always wanted to eat ramen in Japan, thanks!"

Hibari just grunted.

Then…silence

A very awkward silence

"So…" I began hesitantly, "you have any siblings?"

"No."

"A favorite color?"

"None."

"Favorite food?"

"Nothing sweet."

I paused at that and stared at him with glassy eyes. "W-What? No…sweets? How can you NOT like sweets? I mean, how can you survive without them? How?"

"Do you want to be bitten to death, Chibi-omnivore?" Hibari asked me in annoyance and I shook my head. "Nope. Who in the world would want that?"

It was that moment when both of us heard a high-pitched whimper.

I have never believed in fate, destiny, or all that 'meant to be' mumbo jumbos. Seriously, who made up that idea? It was pure coincidence and the right timing made by the insane gods above.

I turned my head cautiously and looked around. I heard the whimper again except closer so I, being an…okay, short person, looked down.

To you peeps around the world who think I'm the type to squeal over every cute thing, I'm going to say this one time.

I'm no squealer if it has nothing to do with sweets.

So, I looked down and came face to face with an uber-small puppy.

I mean the 'if-I-didn't-look-down-I-might've-stepped-on-it-and-broke-it's-back' sort of small.

Don't ask me what kind of puppy it was! I'm not even sure if it was even a puppy! It's a bit grayish and fluffy-looking if that helps.

What about this: Go to some professional 'cause I'm not a puppy person. I mean, dogs are okay and all, but they never really gave me that much of an interest.

Sweets are my first love.

But, back to the puppy (or whatever), I ended up having a staring contest with the mutt. Why? I have no clue but it seemed most fitting for the situation.

Then, we were interrupted by a growl.

No, not the 'I'm-going-to-kill-you' growl but the 'I'm hungry' growl that your stomach makes when you're…well, hungry.

The puppy whimpered again in such a pitiful way that I couldn't help but feel sorry for the thing. I reached into my bag and pulled out a box of pocky. In my defense, it was the only snack that I brought and the puppy was hungry.

I'm not heartless. I may be crazy and completely violent, but not heartless.

I held out a pocky stick. The puppy stared at it and sniffed cautiously. I lifted my eyebrow. "Well? It's not doggie food, but it's something."

As if it understood what I just said, the puppy obediently took it from my hand and munched on it. I'm happy to say that it appeared to have liked the little treat so I offered it more.

All in that while, Hibari watched.

"Dude, slow down! You're going to give yourself indigestion if you scarf it all down like that! Believe me, I know from experience. Now don't give me that look, I'm the giving you food here!"

The puppy yipped cheerfully and continued to scarf.

I dusted off the invisible dust from my lap and showed the puppy I didn't have any more of the delicious treats. "Sorry dude, you munched it all."

I waved at the puppy. "Later, maybe next time?"

I walked away from the puppy and toward Hibari. "Okay, I'm ready to go!"

"Him too?"

"Wha-?"

I looked back to see the puppy trailing behind me like some…lost puppy. When I stopped, it stopped. When I turned, it sat and stared at me with these huge eyes. Sort of reminded me of a bug. I crossed my arms. "Dude, that's not cool. I already told you that I don't have any more treats on me! Now shoo and go home!"

The puppy looked crestfallen and whimpered pathetically again before turning and walking slowly the other way.

If you folks thought that this was about the time I would break down and bring the little thing, you're wrong. The little guy is probably better off living in the streets than back at home. I mean, really. How do you expect a puppy to survive in that environment?

I turned away and whistled my happy tune and went off on my way.

Hibari just followed, looking at me in a weird way. I guess he expected me to be nice and take the puppy home. Proves that he doesn't know me that well.

We parted ways in front of the school.

"I expect you to be here on time as usual, Omnivore."

"Right." I nodded, "And you won't kidnap me like today, right?"

He didn't answer, that jerk. Instead, he walked away with a smirk that told me that this would definitely happen again. "Sleep well, Omnivore."

"Hey! You didn't answer the question, you JERK!"

Funny how he didn't tonfa me for that statement.

"Alana?" I heard Karasu call from the kitchen. I looked up from my studying (yes, I do study, thank you very much!) and hollered back, letting her know I heard her. "Yeah, what is it?"

A high-pitched bark answered instead, making me drop my pencil in surprise.

I jumped down the stairs and lo and behold, the puppy was in my best buddy's arms. She smiled softly and patted the sneaky puppy on the head. "Can we keep him?"

I wanted to tell her that the puppy was going to be no-good and a pain to take care of. I was also tempted to tell her that I found him among the trash but wiped that out of my mind. She would pity the canine even more.

Instead, I sighed. "Yeah, I'll take care of it for you."

Darn it, more responsibilities. As if my hands aren't full already at school.

NEXT DAY~

I walked by Hibari, whistling to a small tune, before I was abruptly pulled back. I met his questioning eyes as he pointed behind me. "Him too?"

I looked back and slapped my forehead in despair.

"Darn it, Pocky! I told you to stay home!"

Yeah, I named him after my favorite snack. So what? It made him seem much more likeable.

Another chapter finished (go me!)

Hopefully, you liked Pocky. He's going to serve as a comic relief and our favorite Korean midget's sidekick in the future.

Up next will be Alana's POV again in Dino's crazy hiking trip! Plus Pocky!

REVIEW! Or Pocky will cry!

Pocky: (whimpers with huge, glassy eyes)