Thank you everyone who have review my story! I'll do my best to make it interesting! Your reviews are everything to me.

I hope I won't fail all of my readers!

Thankfully, I'm able to update another chapter before my exam ^^

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or the characters. If I do, I'll pair Tsuna with Haru and make her strong.

"Have you really searched everywhere? What about her school?" Tsuna inquired.

"We can't continue our search due to the earthquake. So since it has stopped, all of you will continue our search now" Reborn explained.

"Us?"

"Yeah, since we have to go somewhere"

"But we're at school, how can we—"

"Attention to all, due to the earthquake we just encountered, the school will be closed for 3 days and all teachers, students, including personnel should go home immediately and be careful on your way home" a voice from the intercom had spoken.

"See? There's your queue. We'll leave the rest to you" with that, Reborn and the others went off.

Thus, they immediately packed their bags and went to search for the missing girl. However, like Reborn said, they didn't separate because of Reborn's warning. First, they went to her house. Her parents who were sorting out their messy house due to the tremor said she was at school. And so, they went there, but she wasn't there also. In the end, they went to the park and thankfully, Haru was there, hanging out on the swing with the corrupted arcobaleno on her lap.

"Haru-chan!" Kyoko, Tsuna and the others approached her. "Are you alright, Haru-chan?"

"Everyone? Don't you have school to attend?"

"The same goes for you. Why aren't you at school?" Tsuna questioned. "Haru was, until Lal-san came to the rescue and brought me to a safe place and then here"

"Haru. I want to explain you about something. It's about—"

"Mare ring, right? Don't trouble yourself, Lal-san has told me about it"

"What? You knew, Lal?"

"Of course. I'm one of the arcolabeno, even though I'm corrupted. In any case, all of you should go home now"

Without any dispute, they walked back home. Haru was in the back all the time they walked, alone with Lal on her shoulder, staring at Tsuna who was with Kyoko. She was walking way behind them, but neither of them noticed, not even her first love. Her heart trembled every time she saw them together, but she knew she couldn't do anything about it. Tsuna was her love and Kyoko was her best friend.

"You've improved" Lal voiced. "Excuse me?"

"You're not trembling like you used to and you didn't even cry, not like before the train began. But I don't know about your heart though"

"Humans are strong on their exterior, but that doesn't hide the fact they're fragile on the inside" Haru quoted. "So, you still won't tell them? Lal asked.

"No, I don't want anyone, especially Tsuna-san to know I'm training, knowing his soft nature. Let alone he's occupied with this mare business" she answered while eyeing on Kyoko and Tsuna.

"Don't let that bother the training. I still won't take an easy on you"

Haru shook her head and said "People become stronger when they have something to protect. Even the weakest human could grow strong for the purpose of protecting something precious. I train because I want to protect Tsuna-san, not to get his attention. I just… want to see his smile, be happy. That's why please don't go easy on me"

"Haru… I know it's none of my business, though I don't want to know, I'm still your tutor. Are you going to give up on him?"

"Who knows? At this time, I don't want to give up on him, but…"

"Haru" Tsuna voiced and she flinched. "Eh?"

"'Eh'? Are you really okay? You're not using your usual catchphrase, that 'hahi' anymore"

"Ah, Haru just feel that Haru should stop using that, since Haru is a young woman now. But Haru is still Haru, so don't worry about me!" she chirped cheerfully and smiled gleefully.

"I haven't been using it since a year ago, but I guess you're too busy concerning Kyoko and just realized it today" Haru thought inwardly as her real face spoke differently. While wearing happy mask, her true face showed sadness and pain.

"I see… anyway, what are you talking about just now?"

"N-No, Haru was talking with Lal-san. By the way, where are the others?" she looked around and noticed they were at intersection. "Everyone went home ahead. I guess you're really into the topic you were talking about with Lal that you forget your surroundings, huh. Do you want me to walk you home? Although it seems you already have this spartan tutor" he whispered at the last sentence.

"Watch your tongue, Sawada! I can hear you" Lal raised her voice. "S-Sorry"

"It's fine" Haru voiced.

"Eh?"

"Haru can take care of herself. See you, Tsuna-san" Haru ran to her right, leaving Tsuna behind alone. But to Tsuna, it looked like she was running away from him. But then again, it was Haru. She couldn't be running away like that, so he didn't bother to think about it too much.

"Perhaps she was in a hurry or something" he mumbled as he continued walking.

"Anyway, what did Reborn mean by stay alert?" he thought as he stared into the sky. "Will there be a person like Byakuran?"

At the next day, they underwent their normal day, but none saw Haru or met her. The next 3 days, school went normally, without Haru on their eyes.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to a new transfer student. You can come in now" the teacher signaled and the student entered the room.

"My name is Miura Haru. Nice to meet you" she bowed. Tsuna, Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Kyoko were very surprised to see her, but they also surprised by the change of her hairstyle. From middle school until high school, her hair was always tied up, but this time, her shoulder-length hair was let loose.

"Okay, Miura. You can sit next to Sawada" the teacher said and Haru came to her seat. The boys whispered to themselves, saying that a new beauty came to their school and on top of that, in their class. Though Tsuna had to admit, Haru looked more beautiful with loosen hair.

At recess, they assembled in the hallway.

"Haru, what are you doing here?" Tsuna asked.

"Iemitsu and I arranged it for her" Lal made her appearance and jumped on Haru's shoulder. "Father did? He's here?"

"At hotel. He's on business"

"Is that why you're always with Haru? But why?"

"Whether Iemitsu's here or not, I always stick close to Haru"

"Anyway, I'm glad you're here, Haru-chan" Kyoko chirped. "Me too, Kyoko-chan" Haru gave her usual gleeful smile.

"Is it just my imagination or Haru looks different?" Tsuna inspected Haru who was talking with Kyoko. Much to his question, Haru looked normal, her smile, everything seemed normal.

"I guess I'm thinking too much"

"Tsuna-kun. Haru and I will eat our lunch by ourselves"

"Ah, okay" he nodded. With that, the girls walked away.

"Wait!" Yamamoto called. "There'll be fireworks at the beach tonight. Do you want to come with us?" Yamamoto asked. The girls nodded and continued walking.

"Yamamoto, what was that all about? I don't know there'll be fireworks there" Tsuna questioned.

"Really? A baseball idiot like you could come up with that? What would you tell them if it's a fake?" Gokudera crossed his arms. "Haha… come on, Gokudera. You're still calling me that like when we're in middle school? Actually, that event is real and will be held at beach. I was about to ask you guys"

"I see. Then, I'll go, since Reborn is not here"

"The kid? Where is he?"

"I don't know. He's been off ever since that quake happened"

"Don't worry, Juudaime. Knowing Reborn-san, I'm sure he'll be back" Gokudera reassured.

"Y… Yeah, I hope so"

The night sky was filled with many shining stars, it was the most perfect day to launch fireworks. The beach was quite crowded. Everyone's faces filled with indulgence and smile, waiting for the fireworks, but again, Haru had to stand in the back while watching Tsuna and Kyoko together, much to Haru's expectation. It was only her who didn't show any smile. Again, her heart got ripped into pieces seeing the two together.

She knew the consequences of having the resolve to become strong and train. For that, she had to avoid Tsuna and focused on her goal more. She had to put aside her feelings if she wanted to protect Tsuna in near future. She didn't regret her choice, since it was herself who asked Rebon and Lal to become strong, but the painful thud in her heart always made her felt vulnerable and incapable.

"Here" Yamamoto gave her a drink. "What are you doing here alone, Haru? You did it before 3 days ago"

"You… noticed? I thought no one knew" her eyes bulged in surprise. "If there's anything on your mind that's bothering you, feel free to tell me, okay?" he offered with a smile.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Yamamoto. I'm fine though" she smiled. "It seems the beach is getting crowded, huh" she spoke as she looked to Yamamoto's right.

"Whoa, you're right. It's amazing! There are so many people here. I guess a lot of people like fireworks" Yamamoto kept talking, but didn't notice that Haru didn't set ears on his words. Instead, she shut her ears in order to set her eyes on Tsuna and Kyoko who were way in front of her.

"Oi, baseball freak. What are you spewing about? And who are you talking to?" Gokudera approached.

"Oh, I was talking to—eh? Where did she go?" Yamamoto looked to his left, but she wasn't there anymore.

Meanwhile, Haru was walking back home. She walked as her eyes were staring at the road expressionless. Suddenly, her phone rang, which snapped her. When she looked at the caller's name, she was surprised. To her, it was better that Tsuna didn't call her. The scar on her heart was too much to bear and now, she had to accept his call.

She let the phone rang for a moment of hesitation and then picked it up reluctantly.

"Haru? Where are you? The fireworks is about to start"

"I'm sorry, Tsuna-san. Haru got caught into something at home. Maybe next time, Tsuna-san. Just enjoy the fireworks with Kyoko-chan. Bye" she hung up.

Tsuna stared at his phone. His hyper intuition could tell she was hiding something and he came up with a plan to make her talk. A plan only he knew.

As she arrived at her room, she immediately went to a certain door, typed in the passcode, walked down a circular stair, and entered a spacious room. There, she began her training, using two handguns by summoning them from the orange-color diamond-shaped ring. They trained for 3 hours to take a break after.

"I'm surprised by CEDEF's craftsmanship. This training room can withstand any damage even it has been used a year" she said as she sat on the ground and leaned to the wall. "Of course. We put our best effort into making one. That's why don't be a sissy and repay their kindness by getting stronger. You can achieve more, Haru"

"You don't have to say it. I will become stronger no matter what, even if my body had to crumble in the process. Though there's one thing I'm curious about"

"I would've never thought that Tsuna-san's father would agree to help me making this" she added. "Don't worry about that. Despite his stupid looks, Iemitsu is CEDEF's leader. He has his own reason"

"Then, one more time?" Haru offered. "Another 2 hours then. And I'll use my full power on you!"

"Fine by me" she made vanish her guns to summon a chained sword. As she got on her stance, the long chain removed itself from the sword and hovered around her.

Elsewhere at Namimori Island, all arcobaleno were inside a cave with pillars as its support and entrance where the mare rings were protected, staring at the sealed sky ring which was separated from the other rings on the podium.

"This is strange" Fon voiced. "Why is the seal still getting weaker after we strengthen it?"

"Because it doesn't work" Reborn replied.

"Then, what do you suggest, Reborn?"

"There must be something that triggers it. Fon, could you go to Italy? The sky arcobaleno will be there"

"Sky? You mean…"

"No, not Aria or this era Yuni. I want you to inspect Byakuran there. You can go with Iemitsu. We can't afford to let our sight off this rings, so I need all of you to find a shelter at Namimori to stay"

"Oi, are you sure about this, Reborn?" Colonello asked.

"Why not? They wouldn't mind. Stay at Ryohei's house then"

"That's not the point here, kora!"

"Then why don't you stay at Haru's house? Lal is there"

"Wh-What… fine, I'll give up"

"I'm not going to stay at this small town. I'm going back" Mammon said.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? I don't care where would you stay, you're not allowed to leave this town. You, Skull, at Yamamoto's place and Verde…"

"Don't bother. I recreate my own base at an island across this one"

"Then that settles. Everyone, dismissed"

The next day…

"I'm home" Tsuna took off his shoes.

"Ah, Tsu-kun. Come here!" Nana beckoned. She seems happy, he thought.

When he went to the living room, his no-good father was there.

"Tsuna! You've grown big and mature and handsome like me, eh. I bet you're really popular at school. So, tell me. Who's your girlfriend?" he placed his arm on Tsuna's shoulder casually.

"Huh? I don't have one and I'm not that popular at school"

"Is that so? But there's still some girls confessed, right? Right?" he elbowed him teasingly. "It's none of your business and stop acting childish!" he pushed him away. "Why are you here?"

"Why not? I'm your father. I want to see my son and my wife. It has been 3 years after all" he said as he walked to the door.

"Eh? You're leaving already? That was quick" Tsuna followed and asked, but he didn't answer. He just donned his shoes and adjusting it.

"Tsuna"

"What?"

"What do you feel about Haru?"

"Huh?"

"Answer me" his father said with serious and sharp stare.

"She's my close friend" he answered. "What about Kyoko?" as he heard that, Tsuna blushed. "Kyoko-chan is…"

"Forget it. I already know it" he walked to the gate. "It's such a shame, Tsuna. You never realized her effort. You probably can never see it, knowing how much you fell for Kyoko" he said quite sharply, which was the first time he spoke that way to Tsuna. And then, he left.

"So… that's how he looked at it?" he stared at the door. Then, he ruffled his hair and sighed. "Thank goodness. But, he's not that stupid. I wonder if he ever finds out"

"I hope not. I can't be found out"

Warning to all 2786 fans: I'll be putting one-sided Tsukyo. Nevertheless, this is Tsuharu fic. So, please bear with me.

Note: Since my exam will begin in a week (well, a bit more days to add), I really won't be updating before then.

This is the most important exam in my life, so wish me luck!