Haru Loves You
note: …I don't even know when I'm supposed to update or not. High school is killing me, my friends.
Chapter 17- The Ocean
"So…are you here to take me back?"
"What do you think?" Reborn asked. Haru frowned. It didn't make sense for her to go back. Colonello would've surely told Reborn that she was not ready. Her head hung in shame. If she hadn't gotten distracted…"I don't think I should go back." Haru said slowly. Inside her chest, she could feel her heart sinking into a pool of dismay.
No.
It wasn't time for her to go back yet. If she went back, she would surely encounter Tsuna-san. And then all of Haru's training would plummet down the drain. All of her efforts up to now would be worthless. "Your training will continue after you return to Namimori." Haru's eyes narrowed. "Reborn-san. Why do you want me to go back? I've been here for seven years. I don't need to go back yet. Once I've completed my training, I will return. It's not time yet."
"Listen to me, Haru." The tone in Reborn's voice made it clear to Haru that he wouldn't concede to her wishes.
"Reborn-san!" Her voice was hinging on desperation now. She could hear it. He could hear it. Haru couldn't go back. She couldn't, she wouldn't-If she did, she would-she would…No, she couldn't let her thoughts get carried away like this. "I…Must I go? If I go back now…"
"Tsuna's hurt."
"What happened to him?" Haru asked. Her voice was steady and light. She wasn't concerned. She wasn't concerned. No, she wouldn't be concerned. Tsuna-san was the strongest out of everybody in the world. If he was hurt, it would be because of something mild like a broken finger or a sprained ankle. Not something dangerous and life-threatening. Why was Reborn-san telling her this? He wouldn't have come all the way to the island unless…
"Oh. I see. What happened to him?"
Reborn glanced at the ocean. "That idiot…He threw himself into the ocean." The ocean?! And at a very high height. Gokudera and Yamamoto reported that he tossed himself into the ocean a couple of days ago. He's with Shamal right now. We don't know why he did such a thing-Well, I've thought of a couple of reasons. So I need you to come back to Namimori in order to see if they're not true or not."
"Can't you just ask Tsuna-san?" Haru asked. Reborn sighed. "I would but he can't wake up. Well…more like he won't wake up. Shamal's been injecting a couple of mosquitoes into Tsuna's body to help him but Tsuna still hasn't shown any signs of recovery. So come with me." Something struck Reborn as odd. Normally, wouldn't have Haru jumped up at the prospect of seeing Tsuna? Wouldn't she have poured out her concerns for him? She had changed.
"So if I come back…" Haru's voice recovered. "You think he'll recover if I come back?" Reborn shrugged. "Who knows? It's just a theory. You can see your parents as well. You can see your friends too. You haven't seen Chrome and Kyoko for a long time, right?" Haru's mouth closed. She had seen Kyoko recently…She shuddered at the illusion she'd undergone during Colonello's test. "Will you come? Colonello's given permission."
Haru bit her lip. She wanted to refuse. She wanted to say no. It was at the tip of her tongue; just waiting to escape from her lips. But her heart was fervently screaming to return, to go back and take advantage of the opportunity presented to her. In her mind's eye, a pale face with drenched hair flashed in her mind before fading away. With a thick swallow, Haru nodded her consent. She would be returning to Namimori after all.
Reborn touched the tip of his hat before patting Haru's hand. "You should go tell Colonello about your decision. Pack up your things and say your goodbyes. Bianchi will escort you to the port. I'll go back to check up on the ship in the meantime." Haru nodded and set off towards Colonello, who'd been polishing his gun with a cloth during the conversation.
"So what did you say-kora?" Haru smiled apologetically at Colonello. "I'll return as soon as I can, Colonello-san. I'm not going to let my efforts go to waste." Colonello nodded. "You better-kora! And once Sawada wakes up, throw a good punch at him-kora!" Haru winked and saluted him before striding away.
If Tsuna-san didn't wake up, she would force him to. Unknowingly, Haru's heart was screaming out prayers to the boy. Praying that he would be alright. He had to be. He was Tsuna-san after all. Right…?
"Everything seems to be okay. We'll be in Namimori in about two to three hours. Maybe four or more, if the currents are against us. The captain told me that we'll be leaving in about twenty minutes or so. He and the crew have to check over the ship." Haru smiled warmly at the charismatic woman standing next to her.
"I missed you a lot, Bianchi-san." Bianchi smiled back. "Of course. I missed you too, Haru. We all did. I'm impressed. It's taken you a long time, but you're doing fine." She eyed the rings on Haru's fingers and her lips pursed. Haru smiled at the sight of the rings on her fingers. They'd been a gift from Colonello.
"Better not let the others see them. Anyways, what are you going to say to the others once they know you're back?"
"Well, I'd like to know how my parents have been dealing with my disappearance…Not once in my letters with Reborn-san has he ever informed me about it." Bianchi sighed. "That's because there wasn't a need to." Haru's eyebrows scrunched with confusion. There wasn't a need to…? "They don't know that you've disappeared."
Silence.
"They don't know…? Or is it that they don't care?"
"No, it's not like that. Haru, get a hold of yourself. You're letting your imagination run wild again. Look at me. They don't know that you're gone. They think that you're still in Namimori. A few days after your disappearance, Chrome created an illusion of you. For several years, she and Mukuro have been maintaining that illusion. They maintained it so well that your parents aren't aware that you disappeared." Haru looked down at her feet. "I didn't know that I caused trouble for Chrome-chan…"
"She volunteered to. And by maintaining your fake, Chrome's powers have improved and expanded. You'll see what I mean when you see her." Haru swallowed. She didn't want to think of illusions. She didn't like them. She never had. Illusions were tricky and deceitful. They were risky, too. Those who were tricked by illusions usually died or went mad. "I should thank Chrome-chan. Bianchi-san, I have another question. What do I say to the others if they see me?"
"You don't have to see them, if you want. But you'll have to eventually tell the Famiglia about your training if you want to be one of Vongola's assassins." Haru's heart sank. "So…Regardless, I'll have to tell them, won't I?"
"Yes."
"Unless I hide from them, right?"
"You could, but that would be cowardly. And that's unlike you."
No. She wasn't. She was cowardly. Isn't that why she had decided to become an assassin? It was the only way she'd been able to run away. "I'll tell them if I see them. But I don't really plan to stay in Namimori for long. I have to hurry up and finish my training, after all. Ah Bianchi-san. Where are we going?"
"To Reborn."
"Reborn-san? Why?"
"You'll see."
A few minutes later, Haru was led to a room where a small figure was sitting on a chair. Haru released a small 'eep' when she saw Reborn's face. It was completely black; covered with the legs, bodies and antennas of ants. "Re-Reborn-san! What's going on?!"
"Quiet, Haru. They're my agents. They gather information for me. They're very useful." Haru swallowed but remained silent. Bianchi folded her arms and leaned against the chair with a peaceful expression on her face. Slowly, the ants crawled off of Reborn's face and left the room through the crack in the door. "Haru, can you step outside for a minute?"
Haru nodded, leaving the room after shooting Bianchi a confused look.
"Shamal injected a mosquito into Tsuna that'll wake him in about three hours or so. The only problem is…That mosquito is supposed to be used in dire situations only, meaning that Tsuna's condition must've been pretty bad. The side effects are paralysis and a sleep-induced state." "Shamal must've used another mosquito to counter the paralysis, right?"
"Yes. But he can't do anything about the sleep-induced state."
"Why not?"
"I'm not sure. The ants are still collecting information so I can only guess. Well, we have enough information anyways. Don't tell Haru everything. I don't want her making any rash decisions." Bianchi ran a hand through her hair. "Seven years…That girl's grown up quite a bit." "But she hasn't changed much." Bianchi nodded in agreement as she headed out of the room .
"You're right. She really hasn't changed much." For a moment, the look in Bianchi and Reborn's eyes darkened as they cast suspicious glances at the windows. Reborn's hold on his gun tightened while Bianchi readied herself to whip out some of her Poison Cooking. Their eyes found each other and whispered thoughts that only close partners such as themselves could exchange without saying a single word. "Be careful, Bianchi. You might get seasick." "No need to worry, Reborn. I came prepared."
"Good."
Churning waters dragged her down and the taste of salt invaded her mouth. She was drowning and no one was coming to save her…Would she just die like this?
"Haru! Wake up!" Haru shot up, panting with huge, wild eyes. Her hands pressed against her eyes, clammy and cold with sweat. So it was nothing but a dream…No, it wasn't a dream. It was far scarier and much more frightening than a dream. A nightmare.
"Bianchi-san, what-what's-"
"Ssh! Lower your voice. Listen, Haru. I want you to be on guard." The suspicion and chill in Bianchi's tone made Haru understand that something was wrong. "Why?" Haru's voice was quiet, as loud as a faint whisper. "There's someone on the boat who's not supposed to be here. You have to stick by me or Reborn at all times. Do you understand? We're going to go track him down right now, alright?" Shivers ran down Haru's back. Someone…dangerous was on this boat? She swallowed. No worries. Hadn't she trained for something like this?
She was ready. She would be fine. A small worry nagged at the back of Haru's mind. "How on earth did that suspicious person get on board, Bianchi-san?" Bianchi eyed the walls as if something awful would come out any minute. "I'm not sure. But we're going to go deal with that person. I want you to take orders and keep watch, alright?" Haru nodded. In the past, she would've shrieked about and fainted right there on the spot.
But no more.
That Haru was long gone.
As Haru followed Bianchi out of the room, her eyes stayed on the door. After a moment of hesitance, she reached out and slapped the door with a mighty thwack! Bianchi whipped around, words of reproach ready to spew out from her mouth. Haru shook her head and mouthed, 'I have a plan.' Now what did she need? A resolve. Her resolve molded itself into one of protecting Bianchi and Reborn, as well as herself.
A shoot of electricity flickered from one of her rings, licking up the air with a crackling noise. To Haru's annoyance, little flares of electricity shot into the air. She still lacked the ability to control her flames. Brushing this matter aside, Haru carved out four blocks of wood from the door and stashed the burnt wood into her pocket.
"Haru, this is no time for souvenirs!"
Haru shook her head in protest. "They aren't souvenirs. They'll come in handy, I think. I've recently come up with this kind of tactic and I think it'll work. Let's go, Bianchi-san." The two females ran down the long corridor. "By the way, Haru," Bianchi whispered. "You've improved. I'm proud of you." Haru smiled and accepted the praise whole-heartedly. "Thank you."
After a few more sprints, Bianchi and Haru arrived at the door that led to the stairway. "This'll take us to the deck," Bianchi informed Haru. Haru nodded and opened the door, only to jump back in fright.
A leering face snapped at her and Haru could only stare. This person...She'd seen this person before. Yes, she had. This was the man she'd fought before. Her ability to use her flames had awakened due to this man. Flames lit up the rings on Haru's second and third finger.
"You!" Haru snarled. Bianchi blinked in surprise before dragging Haru away from the door. "Run!" She hissed. The two sprinted away from the door, readying their weapons as they did so. A vile taste filled Haru's mouth. Never again, did she think that she would have to encounter this man a second time. The memories overwhelming were terrifying.
"After I'm done killing you, I'll kill that useless Sawada Tsunayoshi. That's his name, isn't it? That's the Vongola Tenth's name, right?"
"DON'T SAY THAT ABOUT HIM!"
Blood.
"Haru. That's enough."
How young and weak she had been… "Yah!" Bianchi tossed an oozing purple cake that reeked of sulfur. She hurled pastry after pastry and if Haru had not been in battle, she would've stood still in amazement. So this was Bianchi-san's infamous Poison Cooking. Haru quickly arranged her rings so that two rings were on her left and right hand each. She really didn't have any weapons; meaning she would have to make them.
Out of the corner of her eye, the man reached into his pockets and threw an object at Bianchi. Bianchi, who had lived in the world of the mafia her whole life, avoided the object without a single blink. Her eyes narrowed with recognition. "Haru," she hissed. "We need to lead this guy to the deck. That's where Reborn is. Come on."
Bianchi and Haru hurtled around the opponent, with Bianchi throwing her poison-filled pies as a distraction. They swung open the door and raced up the stairs. When the two women finally reached the deck, they were panting. "Bianchi-san, please search around the other side of the deck. There might be other suspicious people on board. I…I want to deal with this person by myself."
"If you die-"
"I won't. Please go."
To prove her statement, Haru unleashed all the flames she'd been holding back till now. Her flames were strong. Haru closed her eyes and willed them into the shapes she wanted them to become. The flames on the right hand molded into a crackling shield of electricity while the flames on her left-handed rings lengthened into blades. Haru felt a reassuring pat on her shoulder and a hurried 'Good luck' from Bianchi before she opened her eyes.
She could hear the hurried steps of the suspicious man arriving on the deck and soon enough, he materialized before her. "One on one," he leered. "Just like last time. Where'd your friend go?" Haru didn't bother replying. She lunged, moving her right hand in a slashing motion. Another lunge. Slash. Slash. All she had to do was slash away. She couldn't cringe.
She would not allow herself to cringe.
Haru knew that she could not show a single sign of weakness-nor could she relent. This was the path of an assassin. This was her first, real step to becoming one. Ignoring the crimson red that was pouring out before her, Haru willed all her resolve to explode into the finishing flame.
She let out a shriek as she was picked up by the man as if she was nothing but a sack of sugar. "Let me go!" Haru swiped her hand upwards, trying to free herself from her prisoner. But the man had already learned all of her moves. He snarled in annoyance and walked to the edge of the deck. Before she could do anything, she was tossed to sea.
It was as if everything were in slow motion. As Haru descended into the black waves, she swore that she could see a small black figure kick the man to the ground. A small sigh escaped her lips before the ocean swallowed her.
It was cold. It was deathly, deathly cold. In the water, there was no warmth. Not a ray of sunshine. Not a single particle of the sun was able to reach where he was. The sun had long died. Scum like him had no right to take receive the sun's warmth. He had chosen to end his life. And he was going to die. It wouldn't be long till death came for him.
Tsuna blinked. Where was he? Ah, yes that was right. He'd fallen into the water. He'd thrown himself into the ocean. He could still taste the ocean in his throat, spreading salty water into his organs, into his blood veins, into whatever it could reach. A small part of him fought death. His body, not his mind, was trying to fight off his inevitable death. It didn't matter anyways. He was going to die…
He was never going to see his mother or father again.
So what?
He was never going to see his friends again.
…He would miss them.
A thunderous roar of voices met his ears and he winced as he continued to drown. A multitude of faces appeared before him. Tsuna stared at the pained expressions of his friends as they watched him float deeper and deeper into the depths of the ocean. Where are you going? Don't leave-don't go. That's what their facial expressions were screaming at him, yelling at him.
"I sure must've been stupid. I'm sorry. Don't look at me like that, please. I'm sorry for making you guys worry. I just…I just couldn't think of anything else. How else could I have-No, never mind."
A twinge of sorry rang through his body. He needed to explain himself to his friends. "I sure must've been stupid. I'm sorry. Don't look at me like that, please. I'm sorry for making you guys worry. I just…I just couldn't think of anything else. How else could I have-No, never mind."
No, he had to get rid of it. Apologies had to stop. Explanations had to stop. He had to stop feeling. He couldn't-he had to die-He had to atone for his sin. After all, Tsuna brooded, he had hurt Kyoko, hadn't he? He had hurt Haru too, because of his lack of common sense. Haru's lively face appeared in Tsuna's mind.
The last time he'd seen her, she had been in tears. He had made her upset. And he had never once apologized. Is this really right? He wondered. Leaving without even apologizing?
"You're so stupid! You could have died!"
Haru…
That annoying voice. That annoying voice that he'd come to love too late. Tsuna could not see Haru-she would not be in this black ocean drowning with him. But he could hear her. He could hear resentment as she chided him.
"You hurt me and you're going to leave? You haven't been looking hard enough for me, Tsuna-san! If you really loved me, you would keep on living. You would keep on living and keep on searching. You would keep yourself safe, for my sake. You're being selfish, Tsuna-san. You're running away. I never once thought that you were a coward. I don't want to marry a coward, Tsuna-san. I want to marry the person I fell in love with-you. And you're not there right now. Snap out of it right now!"
Tsuna weakly shook his head. He couldn't-he couldn't live. He had hurt Haru. He had to make up for what he did and this was the only way…
Tsuna-san, would you do anything for me?
Anything? He would, he knew he would. Tsuna loved her too much-he knew he would do anything for her.
Then live.
The command rang through the water, bringing him out forcefully. No matter how he struggled, he felt her ripping him away from death's latch. Her will, always the overpowering one, was bringing him back to life against his will.
I don't want this, he thought. Haru, I still haven't done anything for you-
If you want to do something for me, then live. You can make everything up to me by living. By taking care of yourself. I want you to live. You said you would do anything for me, didn't you? Tsuna could feel the ocean's pull on him weakening and Haru's voice softened.
"Surely…Surely there was reason why I fell in love. I've never forgotten. Nor have I ever been able. I tried. It was just too hard. So, should I try asking again? But if I do, then won't all my hard work have been wasted?"
Tsuna opened his mouth to reply to her but it was too late. The ocean had brought him back to the shores of life. As the waves pulled back, Tsuna found himself staring at a yellow-painted ceiling with a flickering light. Somewhere next to him, he could hear an amazed hush of voices murmuring.
"He's alive," the voices said. "Tsuna's alive. Dr. Shamal, come quick! He's regained consciousness!"
a/n: To tell you the truth, I had really wanted to end Haru Loves You with this chapter…but…I had other plans that struck me at the last moment which is pretty much why I updated this fanfiction so late. (Insert evil laugh.) I think that this chapter was honestly awfully worded. If I have some free time, I might rewrite this chapter…Again, thank you so much to the people who've read, reviewed and enjoyed this fanfiction.
To all who showed support through reviews and to all who decided to check out this little fanfiction, I thank you. Thank you so much. Words cannot describe my gratitude.
(Next time on Haru Loves You…)
"She's…here?"
"You must promise me that you will never do anything like this again. Otherwise, I'll never forgive you."
"I heard you. I heard you. You heard me and I heard you. That's how I know. We're connected, aren't we?"
"…Thank you so much."