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Warriors Don't Cry

Chapter 17: Bonds of Blood - Alana

Has anyone watched the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch?

It's a pretty good movie about an alien and a little girl living in Hawaii causing mayhem and trouble. I even dressed up as Stitch in Halloween once. I had a hell of a time stealing candy from the other kids.

I got into trouble (of course) and was grounded for a month by Jung-won Unni.

Unni…

I really did mean it when I hardly remembered my parents. Their faces are too blurry and I couldn't even remember hearing their voices. Comfort only came from Unni's voice, believe it or not.

Yeah, she could be scary sometimes. She could also be really mean and steal something off of you. But she always made up for it…eventually.

She always has your back when it's bare to the world.

She was someone who would rather bite off her tongue before she could betray her family and friends.

But, back to that Disney Movie, I feel a little like Lilo now.

No, I don't have a cute, fluffy alien who could destroy about everything but does a kick-ass prefect who could kill you count?

But my sister raised me too and that was something that I should've appreciated. And now, she was being taken away from me. Not by men in black suits, if that was the case, she could've destroyed them with her infamous staff of doom.

No, it was death that was taking her away from me.

Well, technically, she wasn't dead but she was sure close to it.

That was what I thought as I stared at Unni's comatose state. The bald doctor said something about her having a traumatic head injury and that there is a possibility that she…would never wake up.

He told us that a car had accidentally hit her and caused her to go into this state.

A car had hit her.

A freakin' car

What kind of excuse was that?! Such a thing would never hit my sister! She was a ninja! An assaisn! She was a Megumareta!

I threw myself at the doctor and bit his shiny, bald, head until his bald head wasn't as shiny anymore. It took about twenty nurses (plus this really bulky nurse who I think is a male but I can't tell) to yank me off of him.

If Dino didn't have my back, I would've been kicked out of the hospital.

He scolded me after, of course.

"Alana, you shouldn't bite other people's heads. That wasn't nice, not to mention, unprovoked."

"He said that Unni was hit by a car. She would never! She always looked both sides before she crossed and she never listened to music while walking!"

"It's just a cover story, Alana! We can't have other people knowing what really happened. Jung-won would be upset to hear that you're behaving this way."

"Well she isn't here to whack me over with a staff, is she? She isn't here to defend her honor, is she? As far as I'm concerned, her thoughts are useless right now. Besides, she would've beaten the crap out of that doctor too if she was awake right now!"

Dino couldn't say anything against that. He knew that it was true more than anyone.

Karasu stayed by my side during my first day of waiting for her to make some sort of movement. When the hospital hours were over, she had to literally drag me out. Dino drove us back home.

School went by quicker than usual. I guess that's what happens when you're worried sick about your loved one. I ignored everyone and rushed over to the hospital the moment school ended, detention be damned.

I didn't tell anyone what happened. It would just worry Tsuna-fish and Nana.

Gokudera would just snort and tell me not to bother his 'Juudaime' and 'Juuhime' about it.

That Baseball-nut…I just didn't want to tell him. I still hate him for what he was doing to Karasu.

"I can only rely on you, buddy." I sighed.

Pocky barked and wagged his tail.

I'm a hopeless wreck. Relying on only a puppy for emotional support sort of proves that.

I turned back to my sister and held her hand. "I'll stay here as long as I can, Unni. So you better wake up soon or I'll skip school and I won't eat my veggies. I mean it."

Okay Universe, I promise that I'll never complain at whatever you throw at me. I'll also be nicer to Stupidera. Promise. I'll train everyday and I'll give up candy. I will be better in class and I'll attend to every detention. I'll work harder. I'll do better. I'll be better. I won't even mind if I stay short forever.

Just please…

Please

Give my big sis back to me?

"Unni, why am I cursed?"

My older sister helped clean my wounds before hugging me. She made sure to avoid the bruises all over my body and to not add too much pressure because of my skinniness. It wasn't the type of skinny that most girls would aim for, it was the bony and unhealthy kind of skinny. It was only after the first year of training with our three Sensei before mafia goons, who knew about our curse, kidnapped the four of us.

Since day one, we were experimented on.

I was separated from Karasu and the others for two years.

Two years of being alone.

They placed me with other children my age who were there far longer than I had. It was a miracle that I didn't die there. The food and water that they provided us were very small quantities. I had to fight to get at least a crumb of bread or a sip of water.

The experiment was to inject me with this greenish liquid and place me in a place where my life would be in danger.

And the danger was the other children who long since fell into insanity.

It was hell.

Every day, there were always a dozen kids who were slaughtered by a dozen others. I managed to stay safe for about three weeks until the rest of the children targeted me.

That was when I discovered what that green liquid did to me.

Since then, the earth moved to my will and this ability saved me multiple times. I knew they were doing something similar to this to the others too.

But this ability was just some stopper, some clog to a much more powerful ability that my curse had and it scared them, thus the injection of green goo and the torture.

Thank god our teachers found us.

But…

They were a little too late. The danger was over and our wounds were healing, but we were far from recovering mentally.

"Never think that you are cursed, Alana." My sister told me reverently, "You are just far more gifted than others. Now, the things that they put into your system are cursed because you never wanted it to be part of you."

"But I don't want this curse." I repeated.

"It's a gift." Unni told me.

I looked at her questioningly. "Then why can't I give it back?"

"My condolences, Alana."

I didn't even bother to look up. "Go away."

If my day was bad, Nina just made it worse by dropping in to see if Unni was okay. She wasn't wearing that annoying cloak this time but she came in via. Window. Scared the crap out of me when she spoke the first time.

As I expected, there was no expression on her face. It matched her tone perfectly. She's indifferent inside and out. Why wasn't I surprised?

Oh believe me, she's really pretty and all but the way she acts pisses me off. I also hate blondes, which she also is. Nina also had blue eyes that reminded me of the sky, which reminded me of riding the airplane…yeah, that thought made me a bit queasy. Her perfect skin also made her overall appearance look like some porcelain doll. I despised dolls. I abhorred them! (Ha! Vocabulary word!) They're just…creepy. With those glass eyes that stare at you all night if you ever sleep with them, they're just…(shiver). Those horror movies about dolls coming to life that Unni showed me didn't help about my opinion.

And she's half French (father's side is Japanese)!

Not that I have anything against France but I had terrible nightmares about frog legs chasing me after Unni tricked me into eating the so-called "chicken". I still think the other frogs are just waiting for me to let my guard down so they can avenge their cousin that I accidentally ate.

So…yeah. All in all, I had a really bad experience in France. Even though the Eiffel Tower was really cool.

Ugh, everything that I hated was placed right in front of my face in the form of Nina.

"…I meant what I said, Alana. I care about Seonsaeng-nim too." Nina sat at the window's edge. She was close enough for me to push her off and I was really tempted to do it. "I'm…sorry about your loss."

"Go to hell. Unni is still alive."

Nina quickly amended her mistake. "Of course."

Cue the awkward silence that lasts for an absurdly long time.

I broke it. I liked breaking things, including silences so I broke even though I really didn't like that girl. That just shows how bored I was. "Do you really think that she's going to die?"

"Who knows?" Nina stated while shrugging. I cringed at her indifferent tone. Looking for comfort from that girl wasn't the brightest idea, was it? I should've kept quiet.

"Personally, I feel that she'll pull through like she always did. She has you waiting for her, no? I have no doubt that our teacher will fight until the end. She is probably fighting right now to wake up. She can't leave her precious baby sister alone in this cruel world. La voix du sang parle toujours plus fort. (1)" Nina added after a thought before smiling faintly.

I blinked dumbly at her expression before rubbing my eyes. I must be dreaming. Yeah, this is a dream. Nina being nice then Nina smiling…yup, definitely some figment of my imagination.

"You're not dreaming."

I jumped. "Wha-? No! What made you think that I was thinking that?"

"…I read minds." There was suddenly a creepy aura that surrounded the blonde and I gulped. It suddenly disappeared and Nina giggled.

…giggled

"You're so serious, Alana! And they said that you had the most humor in the group! Do you truly believe that I can read your mind? Absurdités! You are more childish than I thought!"

I crossed my arms and huffed indignantly. "I am not a kid! I'm fourteen!"

"A child."

"Am NOT!"

"You're in denial. Like how you are about your height. You're height is below average, accept it."

"I'm not SHORT, dammit!"

"QUIET!" A bulky nurse (different from the one before but I have a sneaking suspicion that she(?) might be a twin) screamed us silent before shutting the door.

Both of us looked at the other.

Both of us slowly brought our hands, which instinctively were brought up to out mouths, back down to our laps.

And…

Both of us ended up giggling hopelessly. Then, we laughed. And laughed.

Until we cried uncontrollably for reasons that even we didn't comprehend.

"Mom won a trip to an island on a cruise. Do you want to come with us?"

Tsuna-fish traced the carpet nervously while waiting for my answer. I shook my head. "Nah, have fun without me. It's crazy enough here. I think you deserve a break from all this." I gestured around everything before pointing at myself. "Including me."

Should I feel a little offended that the boy looked relieved?

"Oh…okay. So what are you going to do, Alana?"

I looked out of the window. "I'll spend some time with my older sister."

"Ah, yes. Spending time with your family is important!" Tsuna said quickly. He rushed out of the room. "I'll tell Mom and Karasu that you don't want to come!"

I nodded even though he was long gone.

"Yeah, it's really important."

I felt someone shake me awake roughly. I swapped their hands away and was rewarded with a few more seconds of peace before I was attacked again.

"Mmmmh. Go away."

"As bold as usual, Omnivore. As a reward, I'll grant you eternal sleep."

Were the nurses that weird? I know that I probably overslept and remained here past visiting hours but really? Eternal sleep? Wait…

Omnivore?

Only Hi-

Oh crap.

My eyes snapped open just in time to see a tonfa descending onto my head. Holy shi-he's really trying to kill me! In a hospital!

I instinctively caught it with my right hand before it hit the bed. It wouldn't really wake Unni up but I was worried that she might get shocked into a heart attack or something.

"Whoa! Cool it, Prefect! There's an injured person in the room if you haven't noticed!"

Rule #1 to survival: Don't sass Hibari.

I obviously have no survival instincts whatsoever.

Hibari's eyes narrowed at me. Probably at my tone and attitude toward him. "Was that a challenge I hear, Omnivore?"

I gulped.

"Um, yes? An unintentional challenge because there is a poor, helpless, sick person in the same room?" I suggested weakly. I rubbed my eyes and shook my head to clear the sleepiness away. "You also woke me up from my nap. I can't think clearly when people wake me up."

"You missed detention."

I snorted. "Can we do this later? I'm a little busy and it's school break." I turned away from him and faced Unni.

I could feel Hibari's gaze drilling holes into my head. It's a very creepy and uncomfortable experience, not to mention downright scary.

"Is that Herbivore your sister?"

I bristled. "She's no herbivore, goddammit! She's a hardcore carnivore who would eat you up in seconds!"

"Oh?"

"Yeah! She's just…sleeping right now! I bet she'll be able to beat you up the moment she wakes up! And I'll be right here to watch her!" I stated proudly before facing Hibari. "And I'll stay here until she wakes up!"

I huffed and pretended that Hibari didn't exist for a few minutes.

It worked.

For, well, a few minutes

"Gah! Stop staring at me already! It's creeping me out!" I yelled at him. He smirked, that jerk. He knew that he was making me feel uncomfortable.

I mean seriously, ever since Valentine's Day he's been making me feel weird and out of whack. My stomach feels like it's going through indigestion when he comes around or does something OOC (in case you don't know what that means, Out Of Character), which he does a lot.

I checked with Shamal about it and he told me that I was fine. Tch, liar. He was smirking while he said that! And smirking in this annoyingly knowing way!

"Okay, visiting hours are over." A young, blonde nurse came into the room cheerfully with her clipboard of doom. Seriously, that lady woke me up yesterday in the harshest way with that thing. My head still has a bump! I glared at her cheerfulness and at her clipboard. "Give me at least five more minutes. She might wake up while I'm gone."

"I'm sorry dear, but visiting hours are over." The irritation in her voice revealed her American accent. Well, she looked like a California girl so I shouldn't really be surprised. She didn't look French so that was the other option.

I obviously won't go down without a fight. I won't be Alana if I didn't, after all. "I want to stay a little longer."

"Look, I think you need to go home."

It wasn't news for me that this nurse hooked up a lot with the handsome patients after visiting hours. I also caught her checking Dino out during one of his visits and annoyed the hell out of both of us when interrupted 90% of our conversation so she could get his attention. I also caught her giving death glares at my comatose sister for some weird reason. Did Unni pickpocket her or something?

Nah, if she did, that lady wouldn't know.

I didn't really like the nurse. She made this act of being all sweet, nice, and innocent in front of Dino and the other (*cough* handsome *cough*) patients.

She had hickeys all over her neck, who was she fooling?

Not me

Definitely not Dino, though he was too polite to admit it

She didn't like the fact that I was taking time away from her 'fun' but she has to deal with it! I need to stay by Unni's side!

"She'll wake up when I'm gone and she'll be all alone!"

The nurse gave me the sweetest smile. You know, the type that would make your teeth rot and make you throw up. "Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you but your sister isn't going to wake up. Ever." She said in…English. My fingers twitched toward my nunchucks.

I can't really see my own face now, but I'll bet that there's shock, outrage, and hurt written all over my face. "W-What did you just say just now?" (This was said in Japanese, mind you.)

"C'mon. You should know more than anyone that the Chinese slut is going to kick the bucket sooner or later." The nurse sneered in English again. She probably thought I couldn't understand her.

Dude, never try badmouthing my family in the American language. I am a native-born American so I will understand you.

Scratch that, never badmouth my family in any language ('cause I'll probably understand that too)!

WHACK!

I've never been more offended and angered in my whole lifetime. Not only the poor women of China were badmouthed (yeah, I'm angry about that too even though Unni and I aren't Chinese), but she dared to say that Unni would never wake up! Not even Reborn's crazy stunts could beat this.

And guess what?

I wasn't the one who beat her up.

What that nurse had weren't nunchuck wounds, they were from a pair of tonfas. No one said anything about the origins of the nurse's wounds the next day and they stopped making me leave after visiting hours.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the tonfa marks on the doctor's face the day after that has something to do with their new treatment toward me.

"So, how was your trip?" I asked Karasu and Tsuna.

Karasu looked like she was shining. "It was great!"

Tsuna groaned. "It was terrible."

"We met Reborn's childhood friends in Mafia Land!" Karasu told me excitedly. Pocky perked up at the mention of Reborn. "They were so cute! One was named Colonello and he trained Tsuna!"

Tsuna shivered. "That was a bad experience."

"Then, this other cute baby named Skull tried to attack Mafia Land with a giant octopus but Reborn and Tsuna got everything under control. Can you believe Tsuna led the mafia attack?"

No, no I didn't but I nodded to satisfy my friend.

"You should've come, Alana. Everyone else did." Karasu said with disappointment. "Say, do you want to come with us to Bianchi's wedding with Reborn?"

"What the- they're getting married?"

Karasu nodded. "Yeah, I guess. So are you coming?"

Tsuna looked at me curiously. I bet he's dreading whether or not I'm coming to join the very strange and undoubtedly crazy event. "Nah."

"Why?" Tsuna asked, obviously wondering why I was turning down a chance of something exciting.

"Unni needs me by her side." I stated simply.

"No matter what happens, you know that your Unni is going to be at your side, right?"

"Even if I become bad?"

"Even then."

"Why?"

"…" My Unni made me look at her in the eye. "We're sisters, that's why."

(1) Blood is thicker than water

Okay, another chapter done! I made this one with a little bit of a sisterly theme. Hopefully you all caught Hibari's little act of kindness (if it could be viewed that way).

I hope everyone liked this 'cause I think I'm proudest of this chapter.

So...

Any more requests for Alana/Hibari or Karasu/Gokudera 'cause the next chapter will be in Karasu's POV. Ah, the summer festival! The chocolate bananas! The fireworks! The...debts? Oh dear, this isn't going to be a peaceful event, is it?

Mukuro Arc coming really soon so keep your fingers crossed!

Otaku-sama out!