Enjoy!

"Don't expect someone to tell what they're keeping inside their heart, because you don't know how much it hurts to say it let alone to be asked of that. You can never see the painful looks on their faces"

The young Vongola boss opened his eyes slowly and found himself lying on the ground while the rain showered the earth with the rage of furious lightning within the clouds. He looked around the wide clearing he was at and one thing was missing, Haru.

"Are you alright?" the missing girl suddenly showed up from the forest. "I've called Gokudera-san. They'll be here shortly"

"…"

"What's with the silence, Tsuna-san?"

"Explain your situation" he mumbled while holding his indignant as he stood up.

"Come again? I can't hear you" Haru approached Tsuna.

"Is this what you've been hiding for me? Did you undergo training? Who taught you how to fight, Haru?" shadow casted over his face, as if he was holding his anger. But Haru didn't answer him, but with his intuition, he didn't need her to answer.

"Lal, isn't it? I'm guessing Reborn is behind all of this too"

"You don't have the right to concern about me. I have my reason for doing this. And besides, you didn't even bother to look at my change, so let me ask you this. Why should you be worry about me now when you even didn't bother to look at me as a person before?"

"You could've died!"

"I'm talking to you right now. I'm still alive and I've been undergo my training for a year, everything's fine"

"For a… year? That's even worst! What were you thinking, Haru? What could possibly make you want to fight that much?"

"…"

"Just say it!" he grabbed her shoulder for an answer.

.

"It's such a shame, Tsuna. You never realized her effort. You probably can never see it, knowing how much you fell for Kyoko"

.

Suddenly, Tsuna remembered his father's words and he absorbed what he meant by that.

Not a moment after, Gokudera and the others finally found the two after went searching through the forest.

"Ah! That's juudaime! And that woman too" he growled at the last sentence as he was about to go to him.

"Wait" Ryohei pulled his collar, choking him as the result.

"Oi, what was that for?" he rubbed his neck.

"Something's not right" Yamamoto said with Reborn on his shoulder. So, they hid behind the trees to see the situation.

Back to Tsuna and Haru, Tsuna's eyes shot open and quivered as he finally realized the unseen goal.

"You… you did this… to protect me?"

"What's with the looks, Tsuna-san? I know knowing me, you wouldn't believe it" she peeled away from his grip and walked few steps to the other side as rain washed over her face gloomily. "…but when I know I have the potential, I want to use it for good. I want to repay your kindness, but all I can do is nothing but to protect you. I can't make you happy like Kyoko-chan"

"Haru…"

"That's why I'll do anything to protect everyone, Kyoko-chan, and you" she whirled around and smiled like she was happy, but nothing could be hidden from his intuition. Having heard that, he clenched his fist, trembling of emotion.

"…My father's also helping you, am I right?"

"I know what you're thinking. You're in no position to blame them"

"Neither are you in the position to smile as if you're happy to feel that way"

"But I am happy"

"No, you're not!"

"No, you're not, but I am. None of this is their fault. I asked them to train me, I dragged them into my own selfishness"

This was the very first experience he had with the current Miura Haru. She was changed for sure, completely, he thought. This Haru had a side of rebellion inside, such as she was able to speak that way to Tsuna while she never did that before. She became more straightforward and sharp, like 180 degree of change. Seeing this was his first, he didn't know well how to confront this new Haru.

"Please, listen to me. I can't drag you into this mafia business. You're just a normal person, a normal untainted citizen"

"…Is it because I'm a girl? Is that why?" she cupped her fists. "Don't bother worrying about me, I have my own life! I'm not worthy of your attention, unlike Kyoko-chan!" she ran away from him.

"Wait!"

Tsuna chased her and then the eavesdropper group exposed themselves. "Yamamoto, everyone, let's catch up to them" Reborn spoke. "Why?" Yamamoto asked. "Just do it"

"Got it!" they said in unison and ran to them.

Haru kept running away from him aimlessly. At the point, she didn't care where she was going. All she wanted was to go away from him, but he was fast and he quickly caught up to her.

"What do you want, Tsuna-san?" she looked back.

"Look at in front of you!"

She hastily looked forward and saw a cliff, though she immediately stopped at the edge. She just stared below.

"Haru… walk back slowly" he said quietly. Then, Haru whirled around and said "I can't"

In an instant, the edge where she stood crumbled and collapsed. In quick motion, he dashed towards her, trying to reach for her hand and pull her. Though his hand reached hers and as Gokudera and the others saw Tsuna was going for the fall, with a blink if an eye, his guardians had already missing him.

The two fell down together.

"Everyone!" Dino and Chrome ran their way to the group who was at the edge of a cliff. Gokudera was on his knees as he looked down to the forest below. "Where's Haru-chan and boss?" Chrome asked. "We didn't make it" Yamamoto replied with regretful face.

"No… that… can't be" Chrome fell on her trembling knees.

"They're alive" Reborn voiced. "They're not the ones who could die by a fall"

"What do you mean, Reborn-san? I know juudaime is strong, but with that wound, what can he do? Not to mention that woman"

"She's stronger and capable than what she appears to be"

"What are you talking about? You're extremely confusing" Ryohei crossed his arms.

"I'll tell you on the way. All of you go ahead first. I have a business to take care of, but I'll catch up" Reborn jumped from Yamamoto's shoulder and headed back to the town.

"Yes!" the guardians went ahead while Dino dialing Romario's number as he scampered as well.

"Romario, send a chopper to Namimori forest and as many men as you can get! Don't take too long!"

"…na"

Tsuna could faintly hear a voice, but he couldn't open his eyes.

"Tsu…na…"

There it was again.

"Tsuna-san!"

Tsuna's brown eyes opened abruptly and saw his loved one looking at him all worried. "Haru… are you okay?"

She sighed with a smile and said "Really? That's the first sentence coming from your mouth? I'm not the one who's lying on ground, Tsuna-san. I'm okay though. But, why would you do that?"

"What?"

"Why did you protect me from the fall?"

"It's my—ugh…" Tsuna was about to rose up when suddenly, he felt an agonizing pain all over his body. Seeing his incapability to stand up, Haru helped him, making his hand wrapped around the back of her neck to support him standing.

"Let's go before the rain gets worst"

Seeing Haru's effort, he couldn't help but to stare at her determination. It was amazing to see her that way, at least for him, since he always thought that she was a girl who must be protected. Women are truly amazing and strong, he thought as he remembered Bianchi's words.

Not too long after, they arrived at a cottage. She laid him on a bed, got a bucket of water and towel, and first aid kit. Then, he opened his shirt and she began cleaning his upper body.

"Is it okay for us to be here?"

"No one lives here anymore". As she had done with cleaning, she opened the first aid kit, but she just stared at it seeing the thin supply, it was enough only for one time use.

"What's wrong? What about it?" he peeked at the kit. "Do you think it won't enough?"

"No, it's enough. I was just surprised by it. This cottage used to belong to a hunter, so there's should be more of it than this"

"Maybe he ran out of supply"

"I guess. Either way, I have to change your bandage and add it more to your body"

"What about you?"

"I'm perfectly fine"

"Really, Haru?"

"Really. You protected me, after all. Thank you for that" she smiled reassuringly and then changed his bandage. It only took her 15 minutes to get it done.

"There. All done" she swatted his back.

"Wow, I feel much better now. Thank—" Tsuna's words were cut as he felt a sting from his skin. As he looked back a bit, he noticed a syringe that was stabbed on his nape and slowly, his vision began to blur. "What are you…"

"I'm sorry, but you have to rest your body and this is the only way"

After she said that, and as much as he wanted to struggle over the drug, he ended up fainted. Haru gingerly adjusted his sleeping position, staring at him with a smile that later on turned to sorrow. She slipped her hand inside her coat towards her stomach and when she let it out, blood painted her light complexion skin.

…

It feels déjà vu, Tsuna thought as he ended up in a pitch-black nothingness of surroundings again.

"Is Yuni going to tell me something?"

"Decimo"

"Eh? That voice…" he slowly looked to his back as he saw a manifestation of Vongola primo appeared. "P-Primo? But why?"

"Even though the rings had transformed into a gear, our will still resides within the symbol of Vongola"

"There's no crisis or some kind regarding the Vongola, so why are you here?"

"You don't know how much this is related to Vongola. Decimo, what I'm about to say is classified. Please hear through the details"

"O… Okay"

"Who do you think the owner of the sky Mare ring?"

"Eh? Byakuran, of course… isn't it?"

"Then, do you know who the real owner is?"

"Real… owner? Not new owner?"

Giotto shook his head and continued his explanation.

"The history of the true bearer of Mare rings had been erased from the world, including their existence. Like the rings bell, they were Mare Family. Nono doesn't know about this, because it was erased before the second generation started, so please don't say anything regarding this to him"

"I can keep my mouth shut"

"Good. In my era…"

…

Sawada Tsunayoshi opened his eyes from his deep slumber and was greeted by the ray of sunlight penetrated through the curtain of the bedroom. Having heard the truth from Giotto, he couldn't act not to think about it. He might not know the true bearer, but all of it seemed so sudden for him.

First, he was told that there would be 'new' owner, but just now, he was told by the person who saw and experienced the history that the so-called 'new' owner was actually the real owner. And he was positively sure that owner, the descendant would come to get the ring.

As he was thinking about it, he just realized that Haru wasn't inside. He searched through all rooms, but she wasn't there. When he went outside, which thankfully the weather turned bright clear, she was there, settling on ground as she faced a small lake near the cottage.

"Haru"

His call made her flinched and she hastily looked back. He was surprised when tears came out from her eyes. "What's wrong?" he approached her. "Eh? Nothing's wrong, Tsuna-san. I'm perfectly fine" she wiped her tears.

He just noticed. Why did she always put hurtful face? Mirthless eyes. Sometimes, he missed the old Haru. This Haru seemed like she was always in pain, always living the life of solitude since the first day of her resolve. Even when she had her friends who were always close to her, she was still lonely, even amongst the circle of her friends. What could possibly drive her to feel that way? Why did she think she was alone?

"Haru… you… your face look pale. Are you really okay?" he put worried expression.

"Eh? What are you talking about? Of course I'm positively fine! Anyway, since the weather has cleared, let's go back!" she smiled cheerfully.

"But…"

"Come on!" she whirled his body around and pushed him. "Okay… then, I'll look around the perimeter first" he then walked away from her as she stopped in her post. "I'll catch up, okay?" she waved at him and she just smiled a little. With that said, Haru lowered her hand a bit and Tsuna faced forwards towards the direction where he wanted to go.

However, after he faced forward, suddenly, he heard a hard bump behind him. When he looked back, she was lying on ground. He immediately rushed towards her and held her. As he was shaking her, he spotted a blood on her stomach which was hidden by coat. His face turned to horror, having felt the fatal injury on her. But he was certain that he protected her from the fall, so he was at confusion state.

"You… did" she spoke as if she could read his mind. "But… when I saw… wood fractures… it was so… sharp… and I… had to…"

"You held onto that fatal wound… all this time? You could die!" he yelled with teary eyes. "Tsuna-san… are you… about to… cry?" she said with a painful smile. "Don't speak! It'll worsen your condition" he cupped her cheek. "Thank… you" she closed her two eyes, which set his fear to its maximum limit.

He hastily carried her inside and laid her on the bed. He took off her coat and curled her blouse up. He widened his eyes as he saw a hole on her stomach. His intuition spoke more bad news, so he gingerly touched her back and it was true. She got stabbed from the back and it got through her stomach.

She lost a massive blood, moreover, there was no bandage left, and the kit was empty. Therefore, he rushed for a towel to stop the bleeding.

What have I done?

Will it be getting worst, if I keep hiding my feelings from her?

If this stays as misunderstanding, she'll go farther away from my reach

No…

I can't let that happen

But if I tell her, I'll lead her to more danger

But if I don't…

I'll indirectly lead her to her demise

No…

I certainly have to choose one

No regret and no turning back

I have to do it

"Juudaime! Are you here?" Tsuna flinched in surprise of hearing the familiar voice.

"I'm here, Gokudera-kun!" he shouted as he kept pressing onto her wound. With that, the rescue party went to the bedroom.

"Juudaime! I'm glad you're… what happened?" he stopped his words as he saw Haru's state.

"She… she protected me"

"Tsuna!" Dino then entered the room. He was at loss of words when he spotted Haru. "Leave her to me!" he carried her. "Careful! She lost a lot of blood" Tsuna followed Dino outside to find an unexpected chopper on the wide clearing near the cottage.

"I'll be careful, don't worry" After Dino said that, he and the chopper along with Haru inside went ahead to the hospital, leaving Tsuna, Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Ryohei.

"Are you okay, Tsuna?" Yamamoto questioned.

He nodded and said "Just bruises. Don't worry about me, it's Haru you should be worried about"

"What do you mean 'she lost a lot of blood'? Did you stop the bleeding?" Reborn inquired.

"I tried to, but… it was too late. She was injured from the fall and she hid it from me until I noticed it recently"

"Baka-Tsuna" Reborn kicked his head, which reminded them 3 years ago. "Ouch! I thought you stop doing that!"

"How could you notice it recently when she had been holding onto that fatal injury for hours? I'm guessing she didn't get proper treatment. Instead, she used all supply in this place to treat you" Tsuna nodded silently.

"It's my fault, I…"

"…How can I become a boss and protect everybody when I can't even protect her?" he shut his eyes and the guilt on his face was clearly seen. Everybody stayed silent seeing Tsuna like that, as if they were empathizing.

"This is no time for self-blaming" Reborn broke the silence. "I have made Giannini to look into footage from surveillance camera at the amusement park. All of you should see this, and Ryohei…"

"What?"

"Brace yourself"

All of the guardians, except Mukuro and Hibari watched the footage at Tsuna's room. No one believed what they saw. Their mouth created a gap and their eyes were widened.

"No… this is wrong" Ryohei muttered. "Kyoko wouldn't do something like that! This must be an illusion!" he screamed.

"This… isn't an illusion. I'm sure of it" Chrome spoke softly.

"But senpai's right. There's no way a girl like Sasagawa could do this"

"She's not capable of doing this let alone to fight" Gokudera commented.

"This was taken at the evening. So, where was she and what was she doing at that time?" Reborn asked.

"She was at home that entire time!" Ryohei raised his voice.

"Anyone can confirm that?" Reborn asked, which silencing the boxer over having no explanation.

"Reborn, I think you should save your speculation. Kyoko-chan isn't that kind of girl"

"You never learn, do you?" Reborn crossed his arms. "If we're dealing with the new owner, she could be dangerous"

"You mean she's the real owner?" Tsuna asked.

"Real owner? What did you know, Tsuna?" Reborn inquired.

"Who we are about to face isn't a new owner. It is in fact the real owner of the Mare ring. Vongola primo told me that through dream and I believe he was right. But Kyoko-chan isn't like that, Reborn. I'm sure of it"

"Hmm… if primo said that, then it must be true" he paused briefly. "Okay. Since you insist, I'll give another chance. I heard your school will conduct a trip 2 days from now, am I right? We'll see whether she's the Kyoko we know or we thought we know at that school trip. Any question or complain?"

No one answered.

"Then, dismissed"