I'm baaaaaack! And with another chapter (yay!)

This time, it's Karasu's POV and there's some Karasu/Gokudera! Meh, just in a fluffy mood so enjoy it!

Warriors Don't Cry

Chapter 18: Don't Go – Karasu

I haven't seen Alana in a while.

She dropped out of school completely to spend more time with her sister. Alana seldom visited the house and, when she did, she would come home with dark rings under her puffy eyes.

Hibari-sempai didn't say anything about her absence but I noticed that he was far more violent lately without her presence.

If I didn't value my life at all, I would say that our prefect missed Alana.

I heard Pocky whimper beside me.

I shushed the little puppy and let him curl on my lap. Guess it's true that dogs could sense people's feelings. But it didn't take a dog to see that I was covered with a cloud of nervousness. I think Tsuna is also catching on to my attitude too.

Gah, I better lighten up before he asks about it. My poor brother is stressed enough.

"Hey, Karasu? Is there anything wrong? You've been acting really strange lately." Tsuna asked while putting down the bento that he was eating. All attention was on me and the chatter ceased almost immediately.

Then:

"Oh no! Are you sick, Juuhime?" Gokudera panicked.

"Maa, Karasu-chan, you've been studying all night again, haven't you?" Takeshi asked accusingly (in a concerned way).

"Are you okay?" The two asked at the same time.

I smiled and nodded my head. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it guys. It's just a girl thing that I'm having a little problem with."

"Maybe we can help?" Kyoko suggested kindly. Hana nodded in agreement.

"A-Ah…well…." I trailed off nervously while looking at the ground. Kami, how am I supposed to get out of this one? I struggled with the words to say but it seems that the pair made their minds up by themselves. "Okay! Lets have a girl's day out after school! Haru can also join us!"

"Um-

"That's a great idea!" Tsuna said enthusiastically. "Karasu can take a break from all that studying."

"But I-

"I agree with Juudaime. Juuhime deserves a break!" Gokudera agreed.

"Guys-

"I think Karasu-chan should have a say in this, don't you think?" Takeshi stated, causing all the attention to snap back to me. Even though I was thankful that Takeshi noticed my reluctance, I was a bit uncomfortable about the 'all eyes on Karasu' thing.

Pocky buried his face into his paws as if it was his job to act out my emotions.

"Um…" I bit my lip before making my decision. It's not like I'm handing my soul over to Satan. Besides, I needed a break from all the stress. "I-I'll go."

Being part of the Megumareta, an all-girl's group, one would expect me to me used to having this…girl-bonding time.

Well, I wasn't.

We're technically involved with the freaking mafia. We had to go on crazy missions every other day and, when we weren't, we would me training.

Or, have a crazy blonde teacher chase us around with butcher knives occasionally.

Our teachers bonded with us by torturing us and our four-man group bonded by being tortured.

Lovely, wasn't it?

I can honestly say that the connection that the four of us had for each other were different. My bond with Alana was pure friendship and trust. With Nina…I would say that we respected each other. Our trust toward each other is another matter completely. She was hiding something and she knew that I knew so she kept her distance.

My relationship with our fourth member…

No.

I forced myself to stop lingering over that sore subject. It seems that Kyoko was trying to get my attention. I shook out of my reverie and turned to the sweet girl. "Yes? Sorry about that, I was thinking about something."'

We were currently sitting at a sweet shop. If Alana were here, she'd have a field day with the candy. Heck, she'd empty both of our wallets. Maybe I should buy some for her before I get back…

"Was it about a certain baseball player?" Hana asked with a strange gleam in her eye.

"Or maybe a silver-haired delinquent?" Haru, who joined in on our 'girl's day out', suggested with a similar gleam.

"Hey now, daydreaming about a certain dunderhead, Karasu? Awww, how cute! Our little Crow-girl has a crush on Rico!"

A pang of nostalgia almost caused me to double over.

I silently cursed myself for letting my thoughts wander over to the past. What the hell was I even thinking? A memory like that shouldn't have incited those kinds of teasing words! Kyoko, Hana, and Haru were nothing like-

"Hahi! Karasu-chan? Are you okay?" Haru began to fuss over me. Both Hana and Kyoko gave me concerned looks.

My stomach dropped and I looked down in defeat.

Who was I kidding?

The looks they're giving me right now, the breezy way of accepting me despite me awkwardness, the incessant teasing,

They reminded me of her.

The last member of our four-man group

I quickly recovered and slapped on a smile. "It's fine, fine! I think I swallowed my cake too quickly." I lied and coughed a little to make my statement more believable. They fell for my act, unsurprisingly, and went back to their worry-free girl chatter.

"I bet you choked because I mentioned Yamamoto-kun." Hana said cheekily. For a person who hated kids, Hana acted a bit like one herself sometimes.

"No, I bet she choked 'cause I mentioned Stupidera!" Haru argued.

"Guys…" Kyoko said with a sweatdrop.

I snickered causing all attention to zero in on me…again. "Takeshi-kun loves baseball and Gokudera-kun seems to love my brother. What makes you think they'll ever be interested in me? A relationship with either seems a bit unlikely." Well, Takeshi did confess to me but they didn't have to know.

The two girls sweatdropped

"Ano… she's right." Haru confessed sheepishly.

Hana sighed. "Poor Karasu-chan. Such unluckiness in romance."

And just like that, the subject was dropped like a hot potato. The three began talking about other things like homework, family, school, shopping, etc.

I took another bite out of my strawberry cake. I couldn't help but feel envious of them. I used to be like that: worry-free, innocent, and optimistic.

Why did everything have to change?

The K-10 burn on the back of my neck began to itch, reminding me.

That's right, I had to change so nothing like that will ever happen again. Even now I have to change, change, and change again so I could get stronger for everyone.

I swore to her that I would get stronger, didn't I?

"You're still weak. What makes you think that you'd be able to avenge Rico at that pitiful state? Get stronger Crow-girl. For Rico, for all of us, you have to become untouchable by the enemy. Only then I will acknowledge you to be fit enough to hunt them down."

Only then.

"So Karasu-chan, what do you think about the kimono that was displayed in old man Yakama's store? Isn't it so cute?" Haru asked me, pulling me back into the conversation. I gave her a small smile.

"Yes, it does look a little cute."

I stared at Gokudera dumbly as he broke the news that he had to go back to Italy.

I knew that he was acting a little strange today. He was a little jumpier than usual and a little anxious. It seemed that he wanted to help Tsuna in any way possible but, in all honesty, he made things worse.

Well, now I know why.

"Congratulations!" Tsuna gushed and sat up.

Gokudera looked down. "Well, I didn't really make up my mind yet-

"Oh, this is great! This is fantastic!" Tsuna interrupted him excitedly. "Oh wait! You're leaving tomorrow, right? We need to prepare a foarewell party! Mom!"

Gokudera looked gob smacked by my brother's reaction. Tsuna ran out of the room yelling to Mom about preparing a farewell party for Gokudera. That left me alone with Gokudera (I didn't count Reborn).

I was shocked and a little happy for him.

Gokudera was promoted.

I was about to congratulate him like Tsuna did but a thought hit me.

Gokudera…was going back to Italy.

Gokudera…was leaving Japan.

Gokudera…was leaving me.

The mere thought of him leaving caused panic to rush into my bloodstream. No, a selfish little part of me whispered, I'm not going to let him leave.

What makes you the boss of his life? Isn't that Tsuna's job? A bitter, more realistic side of me argued. It isn't like he would actually stay because you suggested it. Only Tsuna matters.

What if I matter to him at least a little bit?

The bitter side had nothing to say.

That's better than nothing, right?

I was about to tell him to stay. I was about to shake him and tell him that he'd be no use to Tsuna if he were in Italy working for the Ninth.

I was about to tell him that-

"I decided. I'm going to Italy." Gokudera muttered to himself before I could get a word out.

I think my world just shattered then at what he said.

The finality of his tone assured me that my words would be useless to his decision.

I shakily stood up. "This…this is great, Gokudera-kun. You got promoted. You're going back to Italy…heh, I always wanted to go there. So lucky!" I stuttered, trying to be as cheerful as possible. "I-I think I need a little air. Excuse me Gokudera-kun."

I stumbled out of the room, ignored I-pin and Lambo's demands for some 'play-time', and I even pushed past Tsuna without acknowledging him. I took a step out of the house.

And I ran.

"Hmm, I thought you would be here."

I didn't even look up from the ground. It was a voice that I would recognize from anywhere.

I was back in the playground, the same place where Gokudera comforted me back on Valentines Day. It was the only comforting place I could think of. My eyes glanced at the setting sun and I realized that it was beginning to get a little dark.

"…Nina-senpai."

"Oui, It is I." She said softly in French while taking a seat right next to me. I looked at her and was faintly surprised that she wasn't wearing her cloak this time. Nina usually hid her face when she went out so it was nice to see her act casual for once. "Is there anything you want?" I asked also in French.

"I've become aware of your troubles and I came here to help. I am not that much of a help to Alana." She added sadly.

I nodded grimly. "It's not you, Nina. She's really concerned for Seonsaeng-nim. It's unsettling that she's injured so easily."

Nina shifted uncomfortably. "Well…I think I have an idea who did this to her…"

I perked up. "Really? Who?"

"No…it's a bit too far-fetched. I have a suspicion that the attacker may be a friend of mine but Seonsaeng-nim is much more powerful. She would overpower him in seconds. And he also has no advantage or gain in her." Nina thought aloud.

Amusement flickered in my eyes. "Him? Nina, I never knew you had any interests in boys. You usually rejected them in seconds back in America."

Nina frowned.

"No, it's not like that at all."

I playfully stuck my tongue out. "Bummer, and I thought I finally had something to tease you with."

"You're unhappy." Nina noted. I resisted from flinching. "Now, what makes you think that? I'm just a little stressed, that's all."

"You're lying. The notes in your voice rise an octave higher when you lie. I know."

Damn Nina and her perfect ears.

I shrugged. "I should've known better than to lie to our second-best lie detector."

"Second?" Nina inquired curiously while quirking her head to the side.

"Yeah, Alana is better at detecting lies and you know it. Not all people's voices change when they lie, you know." I told her.

"Indeed," Nina murmured, "I will keep that in mind in the future. Now, about your current emotional troubles…"

Bummer, I thought she would forget about that.

"Well, I have a friend who is leaving Japan and I might not see him again in a while. I think that I should be happy for him, but for some reason I feel sad."

"That's normal. It's a feeling of goodbye." Nina assured me.

I touched the K-10 tattoo on the back of my neck. "Nina, do you regret taking that plane to America? Answer me honestly."

Nina's flickered up to the sunset thoughtfully.

"I regret it every day, Karasu."

Well, I can't really blame her. She hated America.

"But, I think I would have regretted it even more if I didn't take that plane." Nina continued, surprising me. "I learned many things and I met all of you. I am happy with who I am becoming because of my experience with the three of you. I was able to learn more about myself and learn more about other people."

"I am one step closer in accepting the fact that my life is worth something." Nina finished.

I smiled. "But your life is already worth so much to us."

"And it is because of all of your thoughts that I am able to think that way too." Nina told me softly. "Do you regret meeting me? Alana?"

"No! Never!" I quickly said, making the blonde smile. "There's your answer then."

I frowned. "So, are you saying that I should just let Gokudera-kun go and let him chase after the things that he wouldn't regret in the future?"

She stood up.

"Whatever you lost in the past is already lost."

Takeshi's face flashed across my mind. "Yeah, it is."

"But what about the things that we have now? If you focus too much on the past, then you might lose what you have in the present."

The events in the past with Takeshi flowed into my mind when she said that. Pain and sadness also filled my heart when the scene was replayed in my mind.

At that time…

"Takeshi-kun, I need to tell you something." A younger form of me had said suddenly to a young Takeshi. I took a deep breath and said: "I'm offered a chance to study abroad in America."

What I really wanted him to tell me was…

"Really? That's wonderful! You have to accept. I'm so jealous!" Takeshi had laughed, patting the younger me on the head affectionately. "I'm proud of Karasu-chan but now I have to look for a new tutor now!"

'Don't go.'

My eyes widened in realization. Nina saw it and smiled. "You see? Now go and say what you truly want to say to him, Karasu."

I was already gone before she finished her sentence.

I desperately ran to the direction of my house. Hopefully, he would still be there by the time I come. Please, please let him be there, I mentally prayed.

I think the fates heard me because, a moment later, I crashed into the said person I was looking for. "Oof!"

"Oi! Watch where you're going!" Gokudera snapped while rubbing the back of his head. It was obvious that he didn't know that it was me.

I was too relieved to be embarrassed.

"Gokudera-kun!"

Gokudera's scowl melted when he recognized my voice. "Juuhime! Ack! I'm sorry that I bumped into you, are you-

"Please don't go to Italy!" I begged him. Gokudera jerked back in surprise at my outburst. "Please, please, please stay here in Japan!"

His eyes softened. "Juuhime, I-

"I know that it's really selfish of me to ask you this when you're offered this once in a lifetime chance to get promoted at such a young age, but I really want you to stay with us!"

"I'm not-

"I had lots of fun with you during the last few months we knew each other and I want to spend more time with you."

"Karasu listen, I'm not-

"-I want to see the fireworks with you again and I really like-wait." I paused from my almost-confession and stared at him. "Did you…just call me by my name?"

Gokudera's face turned into the most interesting shade of red. He shook his head in denial. "No! Juuhime, I think you heard wrong! But never mind that," He cleared his throat, "What I was trying to tell you the whole time is…I already decided that I'm not going to Italy."

Oh

Well, this is a bit awkward.

I laughed nervously and got up. My face was probably ten shades redder than Gokudera's by now. "Ahem. Now that I've said everything that I needed to say," I looked up at the evening sky, "Kami, please shoot me now."

I heard the click of a gun. "Wish granted, Karasu."

I jumped out of the way quickly with my wind abilities just in time before the shower of bullets hit me. I shot a dirty glare at Reborn. "You knew that wasn't what I meant. And aren't you supposed to do these things to Tsuna?"

Reborn reloaded his gun with a wicked smile.

"It looks like you meant it to me. And your brother is sleeping now and you're more fun." He pointed the gun at me again. "Now die."

"KYAAA!"

Meanwhile, Gokudera looked like he was about to cry. "Juuhime, so you cared about me after all! You're the best! I'll serve you and Juudaime forever!"

"I think serving me NOW when I'm about to be SHOT by a BABY will be a good idea!"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

And done! I'm so happy that I managed to finish this one 'cause the Mukuro arc is finally coming up. Gah, it took like forever to reach to this point.

Now the next chapter will be in Alana's POV and it'll explain a little more about the curse and the enemies that are after Megumareta's lives.

So please wait patiently!

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