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Woopa - Tsuna sure does doesn't he? You would think he would choose his words carefully around Yuki-chan. And with Akane near her, jumping at every chance to change her mind, Yukiko might actually switch again. Thanks for your support and I hope you like this chapter! =]
Disclaimer: I don't own KHR but I do own my characters
I grabbed Annerie's legs as Akane grabbed her arms or at least attempted to. After a few tries, she managed to grab them. We slowly moved her out of the container and placed her on one of the stretchers that Irie had brought. I sighed softly letting go of her legs and Akane walked over to where I was.
"I warned you." She hissed into my ear. Reborn looked over to me and I gave him a blank smile. "Leave them and come with me. I'll find a way to let you return to the past and you could break us out of there. We could rebuild Orphan. We could finally get rid of their kind."
I shoved her away from me. What was I thinking in the future of teaming up with her? Why did I even put up with this in the first place?
"Yukiko-san." Chrome said softly catching my attention. I turned to her trying to put Akane's comments in the back of my mind. "Thank you for helping me earlier." It took me a moment to get what she meant.
"Iie." I waved my hands frantically in front of me giving her a sheepish smile. "It's okay. We're friends right? I know you'll do the same for me."
"Friends?" She repeated slowly her eyes brightening. "Ah, your hands."
"Eh?"
I looked down at my hands seeing smeared blood. My eyes widen slightly when I realized where it had came from. I scratched my head nervously and let out a small laugh.
"Oh it's nothing. I was wounded earlier and tried to stop the blood from flowing too much." I reassured her wiping my hands on my jeans again. I smiled at her my eyes traveling a bit past her. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, flickering my eyes away from who was behind her. My fingers felt the small scars formed onto my neck making me freeze slightly.
"The pain, the suffering, nothing could ever amount to this. We'll show it or we'll hide it, but no matter what the pain'll still be there. But this time, we'll proudly wear it on us. We're not going to let those monsters get away with this! Are you in Yuki?"
"Daijabou?" Chrome asked softly. I snapped my eyes back to her and forced a smile on. She nodded a bit unsure and I turned away from her. My hand fell from my neck limply and I stared into the air blankly. Forgive me for lying, but the past or presentI still fee like I can't belong just yet. Did my future-self feel like this too? With two sides gripping my arm, one is slowly slipping as the other grips tighter. Will there ever be an end to this?
I sighed softly before coughing into my hands. My throat felt sore and like I swallowed about thirty needles. I rubbed my throat lightly, trying to think of something other than the coppery taste in my mouth. But it was hard, my mouth was coated with the taste.
"Yukiko?" I spun around hiding my hands behind my back. Tsuna stared at me worriedly. "Daijabou?"
"H-Hai." I stuttered lightly, rubbing my hands vigorously on my backside. I gave him a lopsided grin begging to Kami there was no blood on my teeth.
"Ano..." He began to fidget slightly, rubbing his head nervously. "I...I didn't make you wait long right?"
Wait...long? I tilted my head slightly not understanding what he meant. He sent me a nervous smile scratching his slightly pink cheeks. My eyes widen slightly and I could feel my cheeks heat up a bit. He remembered what I had said to him earlier before he left. I couldn't help but smile brightly as my chest filled with happiness.
"Nope not at all." I giggled lightly and watched as his face became more relaxed. He smiled at me before Reborn took his attention. I watched him walk away feeling my happiness die down a bit. My hand flew up and clutched my heart which wasn't going the normal speed. Odd, it's been like that lately. Maybe I'm getting sick.
"How sly of him." Someone whispered down my neck. I jumped up and turned back to look at Akane. She smirked at me and stood straight before walking closer to me. "Remember he brought innocent people here for motivation. Do you honestly think he cares about something small like that." She began to circle around me. "Feelings are one's greatest enemy. They will destroy you if you keep going on like this." She paused for a moment before grabbing my shoulders. She forced me to turn around towards Tsuna and Reborn.
"The hitman," she began whispering into my ear, "he can easily pierce one's mask. Don't you think he made Tsunayoshi come here to talk to you." At that moment, Reborn looked at us a frown on his face. Tsuna looked over as well sending me a small smile. "Fake. The boy can't even act yet you fall for it because your emotions have blinded you. The past you would have known in an instance."
"Shut up!" I hissed pushing her away from me. "You don't know anything!"
"I know that your future-self had left the Vongola for a while. She wanted what she yearned for since the beginning." She bent her neck, moving her face close to mine. "Normality." She smirked whispering something else into my ear.
"In fact, of the Millefiore's seven Funeral Wreaths, he who possesses the Mare Ring of Storm is the older twin of Belphegor, a member of the Varia, the Vongola's independent assassination squad." Irie cut in making Akane back away from me. I stared back at her wide-eyed to what she had told me after that. It couldn't be true. There was no way it could have been true. It's...it's not possible for that to have happened. Why would I do something so stupid like that? But...it sounded tempting.
"Nani!" Lal Mirch cried out before bending over in pain.
"L-Lal!" Tsuna cried out hurrying to her side. "Don't push yourself." He turned to Irie. "Is that so shocking?"
"According to our records, Belphegor's brother supposedly died over ten years ago." Kusakabe answered.
"Th-That's right." Lal added. "By Belphegor's hand too."
"A dead man coming back to life?" Akane asked tauntingly to me. "Is that normal?"
I shook my head crazily trying to get her words out of my mind. She was messing with me. She was taunting me. Why couldn't she just leave me alone? She's not making anything easier for me!
"This is Spanner-san." Tsuna said catching my attention. "He saved me after I was beat up by King Moska. He's been a big help."
"R-Really?" Gokudera said embarrassedly. I felt Akane tense up from behind me. I moved a bit away from her. There was no way I was going to stay a bit close to her.
"Well, Spanner was the one who used King Moska to attack Tsuna." Reborn added immediately making Gokudera changes moods. Tsuna held Gokudera back as he tried to attack Spanner.
"Ne," I asked raspingly, "you're good with mechanics right?"
"Yes." Spanner replied looking over at me. I looked back at Akane who seemingly had disappeared. I shouldn't do this, but it was my fault that her arm is gone.
"Can you fix Akane's arm?"
"NANI!" Akane screeched appearing. She pointed a finger at Spanner. "I'd rather die than get help from him!" Spanner smirked at her fueling her irritation.
"Why are you so bothered about it when I was the one who helped you make it?" He asked innocently. Akane's nostrils flared and I, along with Tsuna, held her back. All I wanted to do was help not cause another fight. Last time I'm being considerate for her sake.
"By the way Irie," she stopped and turned towards the Sun Funeral Wreath, "it was you wasn't it! You dare kill one of my creations! I swear to God Irie, when no one is paying attention I will drug you, tie you up in a chair and make you suffer! Every wound I will rub in salt and lemon! Every scream I will take pleasure in! You better hope no one is going to leave you alone." She threatened darkly. Immediately, both Tsuna and I backed away from her. She was in one of her silent rampaging moods. She'll kill everything in the way. Everything.
Irie fell to the floor his eyes wide in fear. Good things looks can't kill or he'll already just be ash on the floor.
"So a dead man's alive." Reborn cut in. "Byakuran's power is probably involved right?" Irie nodded.
A sigh left my mouth as I ran my fingers through my hair. I walked over to Alba's stretcher and sat down, leaning my head against it. My eyes stared down at my smeared bloody hands in dismay. This was the setback of using the snow ability too much or too long. Not only will it freeze your blood cells, but they defrost at the same time causing a small rupture in parts of my body when they all rush in. Too much will cause strain in my body from the blood loss. Or so from what Akane had told me about it.
My eyes closed as I took in a deep breath. My arms slumped down as I thought about everything, including what Akane had proposed to me and informed of what my future-self had done. It's very likely that she could be lying to me right now, but what reason is there for that? Akane had already join sides with my future-self and Vongola. Going so far as to become a double-agent with my future-self for the sake of Hiro. But if it wasn't for me joining the Vongola and letting my emotions get the best of ma, then perhaps his death would've been prolonged. She could want that because Reina was all we had and when she died we only had each other. When Hiro died...Akane must've felt so alone and heartbroken. I wasn't there for her like we promised each other we would be...
My arms wrapped around my knees. Why am I believing what she had told me? He isn't that bad of a guy and who am I to say anything?
"Yukiko?" My eyes opened slowly as he sat down next to me. I stared straight ahead not wanting to meet his chocolate hues. "I'm sorry."
I turned to him in surprise. What could he possibly mean by that? What was there to be sorry about exactly?
"I-I never wanted to bring you in this." Tsuna said staring down at the floor with genuine remorse. Guilt tugged at my heart at what I was thinking about earlier. "Because of me, you're something that you hate."
Baka that was my choice. I knew what I was getting myself into but I let my emotions tangle around me. Because for some reason you have been plaguing my mind lately and making my heart race slightly. Right now you're making feel like a total bitch and my heart hurts slightly. Why do you have such of a control over me? I shouldn't be feeling this way! Though...knowing that you're doing all this for me makes me happy. Kami-sama don't tell me...
"I'm the worst." His eyes became regretful. "Because of me, Kyoko-chan, Haru, and I-Pin came to such a dangerous place. You must hate me..."
Unconsciously my arms unwrapped themselves and my hand grabbed his own. He looked at me in surprise with a tint of pink on his cheeks. My eyes met his and I shook my head. How could have I ever doubted him? Because he will become what you fear. A tiny voice answered back. But...but it could be different and maybe I misunderstood this all. Akane didn't help much either but there's no way I could trust her word.
"You're wrong." I heard myself say. "You're not the worst. I don't hate you...I couldn't hate you. Besides if anyone's the worst it's me. I killed innocent people after all."
"B-But," He looked at me sadly, "I'm the reason you're something you hate! And if you were the worst, you wouldn't have helped me or Chrome!"
Baka baka baka! If it's for you I would repeat everything a hundred times! I came back to Namimori for you! I joined your famiglia for you! Then soon not only was it just for you but everyone else. For them I would go against Akane and Hiro a hundred times, because that's how much of a family you guys are to me. You don't force me to do anything or do any experiments on me. We don't fight for something so horribly wrong.
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and shook my head again. "Sawada Tsunayoshi, believe me when I say that you're not the worst. We didn't become your guardians because of something stupid. You gave us, me, a reason to join. I don't care that you're something I hate, because you could never be one of them."
"But what if I do become like that?"
I pulled him to me and enveloped him in a hug. He tensed up a bit hesitating greatly to wrap his arms around me. I closed my eyes tightly. Forgive me for doubting you. Forgive me for letting my emotions be so twisted and torn in so many ways. But knows this Tsu-kun, I'll always be here for you because...I don't think my heart could take it. Something so obvious but hid so expertly to our eyes. Why didn't I see before I was already knee-deep? I had a crush on Sawada Tsunayoshi, who was my childhood best friend and kind of now my boss, and dare I say it, I think I'm falling for him.
"You won't. Trust me." How long can I have faith in those words? My emotions won't sit still for long, but maybe fear will paralyze me. I don't want to lose him a third time.
Was that necessary? Akane sneered a the sight not too far away from her. If the girl didn't agree to proposition all she had to do was say so. She didn't need to put on a show for godsake. Fortunately to Akane's satisfaction they had finally pulled apart.
A little away from her, Reborn stared at the two as well. A devious smirked played on his lips. He knew what Yukiko had felt for Tsuna long before she had even thought about it. It was as plain as day but Dame-Tsuna couldn't even see that. His smirk fell a bit at the trouble that would form if Yukiko would ever decide to confess. Tsuna liked another girl, but Reborn was known as an amazing match-maker and this was a pair he himself would take a challenge on.
Not too long after, he was told more news that made him smirk even more.
"We've just received information about the main battle in Italy." Reborn stated catching everyone's attention.
"Really Reborn-san!" Gokudera cried out happily. Watching that damn woman tell his Jyudaime lies was not the highlight of his days. If it wasn't for the fact that Jyudaime tolerated her, he wouldn't even bother. But since the battle between them two, the static has disappeared. It's only when she's hogs Jyudaime's attention does it bother him. Sometimes he's sure she's trying to steal his rightful position next to Jyudaime!
"Isn't that great Yukiko!" Tsuna cried out turning to the Snow Guardian. To his surprise, she had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. He felt his cheeks up slightly and didn't know what to do. If he moved he could end up waking her. But if doesn't move her, then he wouldn't be able to move.
"It appears Xanxus defeated the enemy's general." Reborn continued smirking at his student's situation. It seems that he wouldn't need to work that hard after all.
After a moment, Tsuna decided to move Yukiko from him. It took him a bit of time and strength, even if the girl was light, to place her onto a empty stretcher. He placed the covers over her not noticing the menacing glare sent to the person that he attended too.
Tsuna turned back to others not helping the grin that formed on his face. Xanxus had did it. Xanxus actually...
A sound came from Irie's mouth as he grabbed his stomach. "Sorry to break up the party, but it's too early to celebrate."
"What's that?" Gokudera turned his glare to the red-head.
"Even with the general defeated, they still have an overwhelming numerical advantage."
"To hell with that!" Akane cut in. "You can't always base on everything on that Irie. Look how they survived," she pointed to everyone else except him and Spanner. "Hell you didn't even predict that Spanner was going to betray you or me."
"But if the Millefiore bring in a new general and drag out the battle..."
"There's no need to worry about that." Reborn cut in. Akane was starting to like the hitman baby, but soon she would change her mind when she learns of the motives he had put on hold for the moment. "The enemy has apparently begun to retreat."
"Doesn't that mean that they've won?" Irie cried out happily. Akane rolled her eyes slightly at the obvious question. "There's a chance! The Vongola's capabilities are beyond what I expected. They were able to chase off the main force..." She frowned and looked away from the smiling man. She wasn't as stupid as her little sister had been when it came to this. She knew where her loyalty lay.
"Now he's getting all excited." Gokudera muttered.
"This means our plan was a success." Kusakabe added.
A woman in her mid-twenties stared at the picture before her unimpressed. This is what she had become after so many years. Life wasted its' time on the girl. She wasn't worth her time or day.
"Love, this time you'll receive what should have been yours long ago." She hissed darkly, her golden irises becoming slits like that of a cat as the picture that she held in her hand was crumpled into a small ball. The woman's white and black tresses fell into her face. She didn't bother with them as she tossed the ball into the trash can across the nice room.
The woman stood up feeling her hair break loose from the weak band that had held it back for a few moments. She glared down at the cheap black rubber band before her eyes rose up to the long mirror. Her black and white hair fell around her messily as the lavendar Chinese dress hugged what little curves she had. A rather small purple and white anemone was held in place by her ear Her eyes narrowed at the scar that ran from her left eyebrow to the bottom of her eye. It was a reminder of a miscalculation. The day she had died and was reborn all at the same time. Shame that the person responsible was in for a surprise when they had the wrong person.
"Fiore!" Someone yelled taking her attention away from herself. A smirked formed on her face. Soon it'll be showtime for her. Ever since that day, the one thing she had yearned for the most had finally came. She owed Byakuran for this. Hell she'll buy the man the lifetime supply of marshmallows as gratitude for this request she had asked him for. Thanks to him, what was rightfully hers will finally be revenged for being painfully torn away. All she needed to do was kill the person who was originally supposed to be the target. Yes it was cruel of her for holding the revenge this long and planning on her kin's blood. But because of her, she was thrusted into a world that her aunt had been in years ago before Fiore had killed her. Though it doesn't seem like the apple falls far from the tree since her daughter had no problem in joining them after claiming she hated them.
"Mio piccolo bucaneve,*" Fiore whispered breathlessly after hearing her name being called again. She looked back at the crumpled paper that hadn't met its destination a gave a menacing grin. "Aspettarmi.**"
Hey mina thanks for reading this! Please tell me in the review and tell me how you guys like this chapter of Of Magic and Dances! Though did Tsuna seem a bit OOC?
*"My little snowdrop,"
**"Wait for me."