I'm back and feeling like my old self.

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Without further ado, enjoy!

Love…?

What real meaning does that word holds?

Does it mean that losing someone precious is love?

Will love let me be together with the person I love?

No…

Love… is nothing but toxic

It's just a wasteful feelings, like a radioactive emotion that consumes body and mind, eventually lead us to death and sickness. Ever since 7 years ago, I become incapable to see through my own feelings…

…Because of love

Love… hurts

Love… is the incapability to live alone

Love… doesn't wish for a person to be happy. It just brings more despair

Love… separates me from the girl I love

After all that's happened, should I… still believe in love?

-0-0-0-

The rain washed the earth smoothly, along with the red tinge on the ground. A glimpse of a person who wore a black cloak was in his eyesight, holding a scythe and whispered "I am your reaper, Sawada Tsunayoshi" with an evilly smirk. Before he knew it, a big X mark had been etched through his body and blood splattered. As he was falling, he could see the eerie smirk on the person's lips.

At that time, he looked at the cloudy sky with the incapability to move. He couldn't open his eyes much longer. When his body felt cold, he was willing to accept death, but a warm touch on his hand was suddenly felt along with a figure in his sight. It was uncertain who that person was for he couldn't see anything with blurry sight, however the person spoke one sentence, a simple yet difficult sentence.

"…Save me"

…

The boss of Vongola opened his eyes and rose up slowly. It was a sentence which he could never forget. As he was reminiscing about it, he opened up a drawer of a side table next to his bed and grabbed a dagger. While lamenting on his dream as he gazed the dagger intently, a little figure came inside his room.

"Tsuna—what's with that face in this early morning?"

"Morning, Reborn. It's nothing, really"

"You had that dream, hadn't you?"

"This is the first time ever since that event 2 years ago. I'm… glad that I survived"

"To tell you the truth, no one expected you to stay alive with your scar. That time… a miracle happened" the sun arcobaleno lowered his head rather solemnly.

"Wow, it's rare to see you talk about miracle. Were you that worried about me?" he smiled amiably.

"Not a bit. You're no longer a Dame-Tsuna anymore—well, maybe"

"That's not very convincing. Anyway, what brings you here?"

"Ah, I almost forgot. Get ready first. We'll be waiting at the command room" Reborn jumped down and headed towards the door.

"We?"

"Morning, everyone. Where's onii-san?" Tsuna entered the command room.

"He's still sharpening his fists. We can't let him see this" Shoichi answered hesitantly. As he typed on the keyboard, a loading video popped into the wide screen and everyone waited calmly as if there was no surprise waiting for them.

Eventually, they were surprised by the video. A familiar girlish room was tinged by the color of clear red of blood. Everyone was bewildered and gobsmacked by the gruesome and horrible video.

"…When did you get this?" a trembling voice of Tsuna's was heard.

Shoichi paused it and answered "Around 4 am, but I couldn't track the whereabouts of who sent this. I have tried to find an identity, but it was protected by a virus"

"She's still moving. We have to go save Kyoko-chan!"

"Don't make unnecessary movements. Who knows when this video is taken" Reborn spoke.

"That's not all. There's… more, but…"

"Just show it, Shoichi-kun"

"O-Okay" Shoichi played it again and then a figure appeared on the screen and stood in front of Kyoko, turned her back to the camera above.

"That's… Haru?" Yamamoto spoke in surprise and didn't let his eyes off the screen, like everyone else. Kyoko looked like she was saying something, but her voice was too small for the audio to pick up. Haru simply pointed a gun at her and thus, everyone witnessed the murder. She turned her head a bit to the back and eyed on the camera with her right eye that was seen, and then Tsuna paused it at that moment.

"Tsunayoshi-kun…" Shoichi stared at him in concern. Shadow casted over his face as he froze, then he walked towards the door without giving a stare to anyone. "All guardians please follow me. We're going to the meeting room" Tsuna said without looking back.

"7 years of disappearance and this is how she makes her grand appearance!" their boss's sudden scream startled them as he banged the long table with his balled fists in anger.

"Calm down, Tsuna. This isn't like you. Besides, we feel the same way" Yamamoto patted his shoulder gingerly.

"Tch, I know that. Everything's my fault, I… how am I supposed to explain this to onii-san?" eyebrows were furrowed as he looked down.

"Rather than that, how are you going to deal with this?" Reborn crossed his arms. "This requires further actions" he added.

"What can we do? The video is protected by a virus. And also, is that video even real?" Gokudera voiced out. "Kufufu… you Vongola are always getting on my nerves. Let me remind you it's not an ordinary virus. It also seals away an illusionist's sight, sadly even mine" Mukuro said as he crossed his arms too with Chrome next to him. "So, you're suggesting for us to go to Japan to make sure?" Tsuna inquired.

"Highly unlikely"

"Then, what do you suggest?" he asked again.

"Don't mess around with her"

"What?"

"Though it's just a feeling I got" he added with a smile.

Having heard that, Gokudera snapped and spoke his remark, "Oi, Mukuro. This isn't a game. She killed Byakuran, hurt the arcobaleno, and now she's trying to terrorize Vongola. After all that's happen, whether the video is real or not, can we even consider her as a friend?"

The air filled with heavy silence over the question. No one could answer such question, not even Reborn and Tsuna. "Reborn, you're one of the people who agree to train her. I'm not blaming you, but what do you have to say about it?"

"I say you should forget about the past" Reborn instantly reached out to Tsuna's pocket and brought out a dagger. "What's that?" Gokudera asked.

"It doesn't concern this matter" Tsuna hastily grabbed it.

"It's a dagger he found on his hand on that day and he believes it's from the person who saved him from death" Reborn replied.

"Naïve as ever. What would you do if that thing is a trap from your killer 2 years ago?"

"I wonder…" he contemplated on the dagger he held as he gazed upon it. The feelings he felt every time he gazed upon the dagger was perplexing yet somehow relaxing. That dagger was his charm.

"Tsuna—" Reborn's words were suddenly interrupted by an alarm sound constantly ringing throughout the place.

"Emergency level A! Tsunayoshi-kun and all guardians, please come back to the command room at once!" as soon as they heard Shoichi's voice, they scuttled towards the mentioned room. All were taken in surprise as they saw the crack screen and a pair of boxing gloves on the ground. What made it worst and concluded; the screen played the previous footage.

"I just went out for 5 minutes and this happened. I have a bad feeling about this" Shoichi said as he picked up the gloves.

"It could be worse if he knows about the teleportation pad you've been working on" Reborn spoke.

"Does he know?" Tsuna asked.

"He… knows" Shoichi answered while averting his eyes away, as if showing a sign of guilt.

"Then, let's catch up to him! We can use the same method as his" Gokudera was the first and about to go out of the room and no one stopped him. "It's useless" except for Shoichi. "Since it's a prototype, it can't be used more than one time and even if it did, it's a high probability you'd be sent to unknown place"

"Then, we'll go manually" with Tsuna had made his decision, Gokudera called for Vongola's private jet plane and everyone hurried on going to a mentioned place where the plane would come to pick them up. It wasn't far from their HQ since there was a large and broad area which was usually a landing spot for chopper or such air transportation.

With a jet plane, arriving at Namimori really took less time, but they couldn't assume that Ryohei hadn't done anything. They hurriedly went to his household and when they did, as they opened the door of Kyoko's room, the room was exactly like what the video had represented. What was more, on the corner of the room, Ryohei's coat covered a familiar cold body. Hoping she was alive, Tsuna checked on her pulse, but a simple yet heavy shook from his head brought out even more despair and realization.

Everyone wondered where he could've been. It wasn't like him to leave Kyoko's body behind. That came up with a conclusion; he might have gone somewhere that would lead them to another surprise. They didn't have to look far away, they didn't have to find a place. One place had been tagged and all went to Tsuna's home. It was feared that his mother might have been in danger.

Gladly, in spite of the messy house, both Ryohei and Nana were okay, seeing both were hiding in Tsuna's room. He looked tattered but Tsuna sighed in relief as he saw both were okay and his mother was unscathed.

"You've fought hard, Ryohei" Reborn said in somewhat proud tone.

"No, I didn't really fight that hard. Whoever it is, that person's playing on me" he said in heavy breath, holding an injury on his waist.

"What do you mean? So, it's not Haru?" Reborn raised a brow. "Can't tell. A black cloak covered that person's body"

"Tell us what's happened before we arrived. Are you planning on fighting her?" Tsuna questioned.

"I can't believe that… she did that to Kyoko, so I came here to find out, hoping that the video is a false, but…"

"It isn't?"

"When I found Kyoko's body and a hole on her forehead, I know I couldn't do anything. The heat inside me extremely wanted to come out, but I know Kyoko wouldn't like it if I blow up. To tell you the truth, I came to this house just by a hunch and bad feelings. Glad I came just in time, though"

"Tsu-kun…" Nana caught their attention with her serious face. "I heard everything from Ryohei-kun. About the mafia and what you did"

"Sorry, Sawada" Ryohei suddenly groaned in pain after he said that.

"You did the right thing, Ryohei. Besides, you can't fool mama if she already sees it all" Reborn commented.

A phone in Tsuna's pocket rang in the midst of their situation and Chrome's name appeared on the screen, but knowing it might've been urgent, he picked it up. "Boss, you're needed for a meeting" her tone seemed hesitant for some reason. "What? I can't go back for a while. Tell them I'll be available tomorrow"

"…But, she said it'll just briefly"

"She? What family?"

"It's best… that you see it for yourself. She said she'll be here once you get back"

"Okay, I'm on my way. Oh and please tell my father I'll bring my mother to Italy" he hung up. There was silence in him, but it was just for a moment. "I'm sorry to hide this from you, mom"

"I'm not mad"

"What?" Tsuna bulged and glanced at his mother intently. "But I'm mad for not trusting me"

"Well, we thought you'd get angry. I mean, we're Mafioso"

"Of course I would, but you did it for a noble thing, right?" she beamed. "I accept the truth wholeheartedly, even if it's still a bit confusing and surprising for me"

"Mom…" he really wanted to thank her, his soft side wanted to come out, but he was a man, an adult.

"I'll stay here, Sawada. I need to take care of Kyoko's funeral"

"Okay, then I'll call Kurokawa. Is it okay with you?" he prepared to dial the number.

"Just do it"

"Sorry..."

"It's not your fault, Sawada. It's my fault. If only I protected her more often, she wouldn't have to die this way..."

"But..."

"Just... call her, okay?"

The morning felt unpleasant as start of the day. Leaving him behind, the rest including Nana were back to the mansion, of course Nana was immediately greeted by Iemitsu's hug. Harmony was brought to the two couple and a little bit to the famiglia, even when before the harmony was the tragedy that befell on them. But tragedy was still a tragedy. They simply couldn't and didn't forget that it wasn't the time to be joyous or carefree like they used to. Their friend just died by the hands of their other 'friend'. One didn't simply take it as little. But they grew as an adult. They didn't overreact for any death matter. Even Ryohei tried his best to hide his sadness and grief.

"Sorry, dad. I don't have any choice" with regret looks, he said that. "Don't sweat it, Tsuna. You did a good job" although he was trying to comfort his son, Tsuna still felt regret and sorry for anything that had happened. Is letting her live is a bad choice? Does he have to find her now and annihilate her? Those questions kept haunting him. What kind of man who would have the heart to kill his love one? He even wasn't sure anymore whether to believe in love or not. Believe in it or not, Tsuna wasn't the kind of man who would do that. He never painted his hands with anyone's blood, much less to paint it with Haru's blood.

"Boss" Chrome entered his office. "She's here" from how she spoke the message questioned Gokudera, Tsuna, and Reborn himself. As the person took a step inside the office, it was another shocking surprise.

As if the time had stopped at that moment, not even Reborn could see this one coming, to see what had been missing 7 years ago but with a black hair and eyepatch on her left eye were the differences. They didn't focus on the man next to her, but to herself.

"You're…" with trembling voice, the young boss spoke.

"Could you excuse us for a moment? Please sit on the sofa" Gokudera pushed Tsuna outside. "Juudaime, I strongly suggest she shouldn't be here. She killed her own best friend!"

"I know… I've seen it"

"She could kill you, too! She's a threat!"

"Gokudera-kun, please…" seeing Tsuna's eyes that resembled sadness, he conceded and went along with him, although part of him really wanted to explode just by looking at her.

"Hey, let's speed this up, will you? I don't like how you stare at my boss like that" the black-haired man next to her spoke.

"Answer this first. I don't know your intention or what were you thinking, but why? Why, Haru?" with perplexity echoed through his voice, Tsuna asked as he sat across them.

"Haru?" she voiced. "What are you implying, Vongola? I'm Nevose Neve"

"Don't play dumb with us, woman. Dying your hair in black isn't going to hide your identity" Gokudera disputed with his usual glare.

"Don't you remember us?" Tsuna asked again. There was a little hope coming out from his voice.

"I don't understand what you are saying. Are you trying to waste my time going all the way here? Because this is not a good first impression" she said coldly. Just like her name symbolized, she was as cold as ice, unfettered, firm, and impenetrable. With one exposed cold eye, she could freeze anyone that had met her eye. It was completely not like the heartwarming Haru at all.

"Tsuna" Reborn voiced. "Let it go for now. I'm sure she has important things to do" he spoke while looking at her intently and alertly. "Thank you for your understanding, arcobaleno. I don't like being too much talkative, so I'll get straight to the point. As the boss of Mare Family, I hereby request of an alliance with the Vongola" she paused for a moment and gobsmacked them. "As you can see, my family is actually 'newly reborn' and not famous, so we as a small and weak family request for your protection and in return, we will lend our all to help you" just like a boss, spoke with conviction.

"Can we trust you?" Reborn inquired. "Is there something to lose?" she diverted her stare to Reborn. "There would be. You killed our friend" the glaring Gokudera answered. "I don't know what you're talking about"

"We have video as proof! Don't bluff with us, woman!" he banged the coffee table in front of her while maintaining his glare. Heating glare and the cold stare; no one could pull that off to Gokudera's glare.

"Hey, watch your tone, octopus!" the black-haired man abruptly rose up and yelled. "You're one to talk, freak!" Gokudera finally exploded and the two began their glaring contest.

"'Buried under the lie is the truth. Buried under the truth is the lie'. That's mist. That's deception" her sudden remark caught everyone's attention and it stopped their blind quarrel. "I don't know what you are accusing me for, but I didn't come here to know and be blamed". "Think clearly. If I killed your friend, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't mess with Vongola"

Silence was roaming over them after she stated her point. Looking at the heavy silence, she stood up and said "You don't seem to trust me. Very well, I'm sorry to take your time. Have a nice day" while walking towards the door.

"I accept your request" Tsuna's sudden decision halted her as she whirled around slowly. "Glad to know. Here's my number. You can call me anytime you need me" she handed him a card with number on it and then walked away, but unseen by everyone, she left with a smirk curved on her face.

"What did you just do, juudaime? She's dangerous!"

"He actually did the right thing" Reborn said. "She may be suspicious, but she's still Haru, even though she seems to lose her memories. In any case, we need to keep an eye on her"

"It's not just that" Tsuna muttered as he stared at the card and made everyone eyed on him. "Nothing, carry on" he was watched by Reborn and Gokudera as he left the room.

"Either way, there's something weird about all of this. I can tell she's Haru, but she's not" Gokudera stated.

"We feel the same way, but asking that to her won't get any answer" Reborn replied. "But after 7 years, why now?"

"Well, no use thinking about that now. Gokudera, you may have to explain to everyone about this. Remember, don't start making any unnecessary movement. She's still a person we should deal with carefully"

Unknown to them, outside the very office, Tsuna heard everything through the double door as he leaned against it. Then, he started dialing the number on the card while shadow covered over his face.

"Yes?"

"I forgot to tell you. There's one thing you have to do before you're officially a part of us"

-0-0-0-

Once again… love has proven its extinction

After all that's happened, am I still… in love with her?

Just to tell you, "Nevose Neve" is actually a name from my novel. I just love that name since it represents snow, the element I love.

So... can anyone guess will she recover her memories or not?

Well, one thing I have to say...

See you on the next chapter!