I took more time to write this one, I'm sorry about it.

Chapter 3: Gokudera's fear

Gokudera was sitting in a chair in the hallway of the hospital, alone. He was staring at the floor. He could not do anything else. He felt as if he was not in the real world, as if he was floating in a strange dimension while ghostly images plagued his mind. Perhaps he was still in that nightmare. Maybe his Juudaime was somewhere outside that place, speaking with that lovely voice about his concerns while his loyal right hand man assured him that everything would be fine and that he would never let anything bad happen to the Tenth.

"Gokudera, what happened to Dame Tsuna?" Reborn questioned, tense. The guardian of the storm did not realize when the arcobaleno had sat in the chair at his right.

"How did you know we were here?" It was the first thing Hayato asked. He was not really curious. Possibly, he hadn't even realized what he had asked.

"I have informants in the entire city. I tried contacting the other guardians, but I only got to talk to Yamamoto. Oh, there he comes."

"Kid, Gokudera, what happened to Tsuna?" Yamamoto questioned in concern, running towards them.

"Apparently he collapsed outside a movie theater and was brought here. Did the doctors say anything, Gokudera? GOKUDERA!"

Hayato had not heard anything. Water dripped from his face and wet his knees.

"Why did I let Juudaime get away from me?" The question came from the lips of the young silver-haired man in a whisper. "Juudaime was on the floor, still... so pale."

Gokudera was thrown to the ground, suddenly, by a strong kick from Reborn

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"Pull yourself together, Gokudera." Reborn ordered coldly. Yamamoto tried to help him to get up, but the guardian of the storm refused.

"So you also came, stupid baseball freak?"

"Ha ha, I thought you were in need of a friendly shoulder."

"Damn, how can you laugh when Juudaime...?"

"Tsuna will be fine, Gokudera," Yamamoto said with serenity and confidence, "he's very strong. He's able to overcome anything."

Hayato looked away after Takeshi told him that and said no more. He would not admit that those words had comforted him. Thanks, baseball idiot.

"Excuse me, are you the family of Sawada Tsunayoshi-kun?" A doctor, coming from a room at the end of the hall, asked.

"Yes, we are." Reborn replied without hesitation, "How is Tsuna?"

Before the doctor answered, a horrific and excruciating scream, full of agony, was heard. Gokudera, Yamamoto and Reborn knew that voice very well. They ran into the room where the cry had come from.

There, two nurses tried to stop the movements of the future head of the Vongola, who was writhing frantically, screaming and sobbing. One of the nurses tried to make the visitors leave the room, but Hayato resisted, pushed the man against the wall and went to the bed where Tsuna was lying. He climbed on top of his boss and held his arms tightly, in order to avoid the Tenth to harm himself. The remaining nurse, not really understanding the teenager's attitude, held the legs of the young Vongola.

"Juudaime, I'm here, please wake up." Gokudera begged. Juudaime is in pain. Why does he have to feel pain? I can't stand seeing him like that. Someone, please, make it stop. Juudaime...

And then, Tsuna stopped moving, opened his eyes and saw Gokudera on top of him.

"Juudaime?" Gokudera asked in emotion. Yamamoto, a few steps away, grinned. However, Reborn was serious. Something was wrong. That became more evident when an orange flame appeared on Tsuna's forehead and he sent Hayato flying away, throwing him against the nurse who held his legs, knocking both to the ground.

In the next chapter: Tsuna's dream.