Engage Me.

A/N: It has come to my attention in a review that I want to be clear about something. I really like this story so I put more time into it than I do with my other ones. Meaning I will take longer to update if it I am not satisfied. :c I had this written for some weeks now, around 6k words- but it was all messy. Things were out of order and there were no transitions. I took the time to add them in, take some things out, and make things work. Also, I only write things I can imagine.
[ Important for GUESTS ] The same reviewer, a guest, also asked me if there is a certain time I update. Well for my guest readers, I normally strive for a weekly update but things happen (this time it was an anime convention / cosplay problems along with laptop issues).. but if you want to check, I usually only update Thursdays, Sunday, and Monday (perhaps tuesday, but not as likely). I tend to go out with my friends often and I don't know when. If there is no update, try again next week.. ^_^;; Sorry :c

Reviewer Replies: (Thank you so much for the amount of reviews last chapter, you're all amazing!)
xenocanaan : Of course you are the first one again LOL. I am no longer even surprised. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the chapter! I hope you'll like this one just as much and that you'll be satisfied. c:
icyzelda: Thank you for your opinion! I definitely thought about it. :') And still technically thinking.
Cookiezfreak: Well it's a good thing I know how to swim, I'll save you! LOL. I hope this chapter is what you were waiting for. :)
OceanRuins: Eep, thanks for your wonderfully long review! Well I guess you'll find out specifically what the kiss was. :) Ah, that was such a good insight about the flames and I appreciate it a lot! I'm also lucky that you mentioned tensen, or I would never have learned about it. I will now use the whole 'tensen' idea. c: Thank you again!
Dolce-tasie: Yes, Hibari, please don't. ;_; Thank you for liking it! :') I am really happy to hear. I will continue to try my best to keep them in character.
Kiki: Well, they'll find out for sure in the a few chapters! I apologize for the wait, I've been busy with cosplay for an anime convention and laptop problems. ;_; But I really did try my best to finish everything once I read your review. It just took awhile (a day) longer than I expected.
Like I said above, there is no way that I will know when I update. I really do try for once a week. The only thing I can tell you is that it would probably be easier for you to make a fanfiction account and follow the story so that it'll send you an email when I update, instead of you having to check every morning (which I appreciate a lot and I find it really touching how much you want to read the story). :c But other than that, I really don't know. I mean, I could email you my progress.. or.. you could follow my tumblr ( chrihstie )? I tend to update on there. But uh...yeah. I think the best would be the FF acc if you're willing. :c
TintedRain: It always makes me really happy to hear that people ship my OC with Hibari. Thank you so much! And I am so glad I met you through this fic. :') I've never had someone thank me for writing in general so that was really sweet of you. I appreciate you loving the plot, descriptions, and romance. Your review definitely put a smile to my face. :')
Akashicchi-ssu: I like how the p.s. is like way longer than the 'actual' message HAHA. Thank you for your opinion! I'm actually leaning on both of your choices right now.
Guest-san: It's hot because it's summer- hah! ... JUST KIDDING. I'm really bad at jokes- that wasn't even a joke.. I'm just going to shut up now. I hope this chapter is what you were excited for. c:
Belbovino: Well my writing style and plot loves youuu~... I'm lame. HAHA Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the way I portray Hibari. c: I'm sorry you had to wait for awhile though :c

CHAPTER 8

First Person ; Nanase Sakura

Oh man. Okay. No big deal. If I crash Hibari's fancy car, he'll just run me over with a new one if I survive the hypothetical accident. Awesome. Nooo pressure.

I pressed the button to start the car as I held down the brake. No need for keys, I rolled my eyes. State of the art car.

I put the car on reverse and made sure I check, a million couple of times. Can't be too careful. It wasn't my car. And if anything, it was Hibari Kyoya's car.

I let go a sigh of relief before shifting into drive. First obstacle, cleared-

"Eek! ..Sorry, Akane-san." Holy shit the engine was powerful. Of course. I was also used to having to press a little harder on the petal in my car. So that was a lot faster than I expected..

"Don't worry about it," she smiled reassuringly- I was pretty sure. I wasn't quite looking. But I did hear it her tone.

I had to definitely get this car back in one piece (or I won't be in one piece).

At the red light, I would glance around his cleanly kept car. Black leather, black..almost everything. With some grays and silver here and there in the interior.

It smelled like new car, and leather. But also very slight traces of his cologne and what I recognized to be his body wash- which was not something weird to be recognizing if you spent some years sometime showering after he does. Or if you were curious- but mostly because sometimes you just happened to run out of yours and he really didn't need to know.

Thinking about the scent and glancing down at his piano music.. I felt a very faint squeeze at my chest. Ridiculous. I would have associated the feeling with missing him. But I just saw him off at the airport. That.. That wasn't even the point. I spent months not seeing him.

"Do you miss him already?"

I stiffened at her words. How..? Then again, mother's instincts.. was it? Or was I that readable like M.M. always claim me to be? Well. Even if I didn't, shouldn't I say I do? I feign a short but awkward laugh. "I do a little."

I didn't. I could actually do things without being threatened now, like the more recent years…. I didn't have to be glared at, frowned at, or scoffed at. Or maybe even smirked at.

"Remember when you used to sleep in his room whenever you had a nightmare?" -?!

The car in the back almost rammed into mine for the sudden brake- not really, thankfully. But it was a really, really sudden brake. "...Um.." I glanced over at her for I was given the chance due to the red light.

She laughed before clapping her hand together. "That's a good expression. You don't have to look so mortified." And why would I look anything other than mortified? "You think I didn't notice," it was a playful accusation.

"I…"

"Green light," she reminded.

I turned my eyes to the road but gave her a flitting glance. "..It was scary."

She hummed teasingly at my response. The rearview mirror told me that I was blushing ten shades of red. "You weren't home," I added.

"Sometimes."

"It..became a n-natural- a habit- You're enjoying this," I accused with a frown once I saw her grin.

"I thought it was cute. Very sibling like."

"Then you're promoting incest," I mumbled.

"If it was true love," she shrugged happily.

Another sigh escaped my lips. True love, huh. "It was only five times, okay," I muttered with defeat.

"You kept count?"

For sleeping in the lion's den and surviving? Yes, I kept count. I probably would have published a journal or a newspaper article for my experience of being a miraculous survivor- but then I wouldn't be surviving after that.

Wait. "Why did you bring that up?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I find it a bit weird to think of you guys apart but.." But we were always apart, I finished for her inside my mind. In fact, unless for very specific reasons, we were never 'together'.

I was pondering over the strange idea that she seemed to had always ship us, though it only became obvious as of lately and plainly blunt.

Dully, I wondered if he ever brought anyone home since I moved out.. but I doubted it. The image of the overly sex appealing woman surfaced my mind. But…..

My hand tightened over the steering wheel.

Akane's amused laughter broke my train of thoughts and I glanced quickly over to her. "Yes, he is yours."

My eyes widened, lips parted, but I faithfully turn my eyes back to the front. Did I…

"You always have the habit of mumbling things to yourself," she answered my suspicion.

If I weren't overly meticulous about Hibari's car and some for my own well being, I might have slammed my head onto the wheel due to major embarrassment.

He's mine..? Did I really- ...Stupid. Embarrassing. Idiot. You're wrong if you think you're the one in possession, my mind sneered at me- and I sunk a bit lower into my seat.

"Come in for tea, Sakura."

"Ah, okay," I answered before following Akane into the house after making sure I locked the car doors. Over the years, I gradually got used to not calling it 'home'. Though deep down, I supposed that it would always be 'home'.

I was focused on pulling off my heels when I saw someone stop in front of me. The ends of a red...

"Welcome back, Akane-san." ..Who? "Ah, Sakura-san is here too." That voice! I looked up and met onyx eyes. I almost thought I missed Hibari enough to hallucinate him, but the kind smile threw me off.

It wasn't abnormal for him to be here but I didn't quite expect it either. "Fon!"

"I hope you weren't too bored at home," Akane spoke.

He shook his head. "Thank you for offering me a stay."

"Of course. What are family for?" She smiled before patting the taller adult on the shoulder. "I'm feeling a bit tired so.. I'll be lying down unless you guys need me. And don't hesitate."

"Are you okay?" I asked as a precaution, eyebrows knitted.

"Just want a short rest," she reassured before retreating down the hallway.

"How are you?"

"I'm well! And you?"

"Same as always."

"I didn't know you were visiting."

"I just arrived yesterday," he smiled.

I hummed before walking along with him. "You look like you haven't aged a day," I mused. "In a good way, of course!"

He chuckled into his long red sleeve. "Is that so?"

I nodded slowly. The two of us took a seat on the tatami mat, opposite sides to the low table. He had both his arms in the other long, draping sleeve as he sat.

"I heard from Akane-san that you and Kyoya are getting married?"

I stiffened by habit and laughed rather awkwardly. "Yeah.. We are."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," I answered. "Um.. Did you.. Did you see it coming?" I mumbled. "I-I mean, Akane-san thinks…"

Fon laughed softly into one sleeve. "Ah, I suppose I did. Or well, I was hoping."

"Hoping?"

"Kyoya doesn't seem to be quite honest with his feelings."

I nodded, looking down at my hands, wondering why I even brought it up. I mean, who wants to talk about Hibari anyway? "How long are you staying?"

"A week, maybe." So around the time Hibari would be staying in France.

"You're going to be here when he gets back?" ...And it got back to Hibari again.

"Most likely," Fon smiled. "Though I don't think he cares much about seeing me. I'm here to visit Akane-san."

"Ah."

"So, have you been practicing?"

I blinked a few unnecessary times. Practicing? Oh. "Just when I have time.. maybe once a week really."

He nodded in approval. "Want a session?"

"Kind of embarrassing," I muttered.

"Why not? We used to practice whenever I came over."

"But.. I'm kind of rusty so.."

The martial artist stood up without another word and extended a hand out to me. I sighed before grabbing his and was hauled up. "Go change, I'll be in the dojo."

Having no choice really, I simply nodded before heading off. I still kept clothes at the Hibari house in my old room that Akane never really touched because she felt like I should always have a place to come back to.

...

"You're a smaller and petite person, so you're going to need to put all your weight into a lot of things," the martial artist advised as he straightened up. I nodded as he continued. "But you can always use your size to your advantage."

"I think Hi- Kyoya would laugh at me," I mumbled glumly after letting down my stance.

Fon chuckled at my dismay. "Have you sparred with him?" Have you been murdered by him, was the more appropriate way to word it.

"He doesn't know," I answered. "He would give me that devious smirk! And scoff. Oh, he would so scoff-" ..I pressed my hand over my mouth for a short moment. "I talk about him too much, don't I?" I admitted quietly, feeling more flustered than anything.

The chinese man hummed as he watched me. "You really like him." It wasn't a question.

My cheeks grew warmer. I wanted to say 'of course, we are getting married' but I knew it wasn't true at first. Not the reason, I mean. And I wonder if Fon knew that too. He did use to awkwardly sit between two people that don't really talk to each other- well one of us doesn't talk, period.

"He doesn't speak much but.. I'm sure he thinks of you just as often."

I laughed softly, shaking my head in doubt. "He only thinks about Namimori, fighting, and pets." Then again.. he called me his pet once. …..That punk. I was itching to call him just to vent my frustration all over again.

But.. he treats Hibird rather nicely. Oh, and Roll too. So..

"Have you been doing anything else?" I snapped out of my thoughts at Fon's question.

"Anything else?"

"Self defense wise."

"I sometimes attend tensen lessons.. I-I think fans are really pretty."

"Bring them out," he urged with a hand, stance ready and all.

"I don't take them with me."

His arms fell down to his side. I watched as his eyes grew serious, only temporarily. "You should."

"I think your lessons on martial art would be enough."

Fon shook his head. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

Was it just me, or was everyone suddenly been so tense about safety? "I see. I'll start bringing them along," I complied to reassure him. "Thank you for teaching me by the way."

He nodded with a smile. "Well I'd like a shower now."

I agreed before going back inside the house along with him. "You go first," he offered kindly. I took the opportunity and went to grab my spare clothes along with my towel. The two of us separated, me to my old room and him to the guest one.

A relaxing nice shower after and I felt completely renewed. I was already feeling a bit sore from the exercise already. I noted that he still used the same products as I pulled a brush through the tangles of my hair. Hm.

...I… I had gone from hating him to being lovestruck in the matter of a few weeks. What was the matter of me? I sighed and exited the bathroom.

"Ah-"

I poked my head back around the corner of the hallway. "Something the matter?"

"I seemed to have forgotten my towel." Fon sighed as he stepped out of the room. "Do you think Kyoya would mind me borrowing one?"

I stiffened immediately at the thought. I imagined Hibari and his evil dark aura behind me, ready to strangle me for letting people use his things without his permission. I shuddered. "U-Um..let me.. uh, let me text him.."

Wise. That would be wise.

I walked into Hibari's room and.. His scent. I-

I shook my head quickly and navigated through the neat room, finding the cabinet. I found several black towels in the nearest one. I pulled out my phone and took a huge breath. Well, Fon was going to need a towel anyway. If anything, I supposed I could go buy one..

What time was it over there? Would he be busy..? Or sleeping..? 'Can Fon borrow one of your towels?' I typed before pressing enter.

I sat down onto the chair of his desk and sighed for the upteenth time. I was prepared for the worst, snarky reply ever. I slumped down and leaned back, but…. I turned to look at the fabric behind my head. His jacket? ...It smelled like him.

...I miss him already- How pathetic. I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. I don't miss Hibari Kyoya. I had been without him for plenty of time..! I- The vibration made me jump and I almost threw my phone.

'Better wash it.'

I found myself the corners of my lips curved.

The next words I texted were fast, with the purpose of not giving it much thought.

'And… Can I borrow your jacket?' I forced myself to press the send button as soon as I finished, knowing that I would have changed my mind if I didn't.

I saw him type, then delete. Then started typing again, then deleting. I was about to text 'never mind'-

'Do not dirty it, rip it, or lose it.'

Ah. I really did wish he weren't so far away.

I shrugged on his black jacket and shrunk down into it, hugging it around me. The mirror in the room revealed the blush on my face, I ignored it.

Oh- The towel. I got up quickly and grabbed the towel with me as I made my way over to the guest room. "Fon, he said it's fine." Well, he didn't say that.. But I was sure Fon would wash it anyway.

"Ah, thanks Sakura," the Chinese man replied before taking the towel from me and entering the bathroom.

I glanced at Akane's door but I assumed she'd be sleeping. I hope she's doing okay.. But I decided to not disturb her, leaving her to her rest instead. I guess back to the apartment, it is.

Third Person (Limited) ; Hibari Kyoya

[ a few hours ago ]

Kyoya sighed for the third time since he sat down on the plane. He stared out the small, rounded square window as it flew through the sky.

"Want a drink?"

The cloud guardian glanced up lazily to the one of the very few people on this private jet. With distaste, Kyoya frowned at the drink in that person's hand.

"I brought sake too. Just for you, Kyoya," the older male chuckled.

"Wao. How considerate, bucking horse."

Dino smiled, all too annoying and gentle as he sat down. Too close. "Go sit elsewhere."

"Ehh? But I'm offering you a drink."

"Sit further, you're in my personal space." Kyoya's eyes narrowed, in which caused Dino to wave his hands about.

"Okay, okay." The Cavallone boss scooted over to the edge of his seat. "There, are you happy now?"

The younger male scoffed and glanced out the window. From behind, he heard Dino call for Romario to bring over the sake. And something about how 'Kyoya is being mean to me!' which only made Kyoya roll his eyes. Why does such a pretty capable person have to pretend to be all vulnerable and act annoying?

He half listened Romario from afar asking if it was wise to be drinking before the job. But Dino only told the man that they weren't starting till tomorrow night.

The sound of liquid being poured into a cup brought the guardian's attention back to the mafia boss. "Kyoya, want to go around the city after the whole business is over?"

He regarded the other male for a second before sipping his drink. 'Who drinks sake on a plane?' ….The raven haired guy almost scoffed at his own thought, his own imagination- but it was her annoying voice that he heard.

"Don't ignore me!"

Kyoya pointedly exhaled through his nose before setting the cup down. "You talk too much." And the plane ride barely started. He should've known better to have taken the same jet as Dino.

"We can check out girls together!" Dino grinned before throwing his arms over Kyoya's shoulder- "OW!" And then getting elbowed in the face. "That hurt, Kyoya! Not the face!" Really, what did this guy expect?

"Don't be stupid." But, then again, that was a lot to ask for.

"Could it be...that you're settled?" The bucking horse's tone was ridiculous, and irritating. His expression was worse. Kyoya wasn't even going to let those waggling eyebrows bother him at this point- "Or..are you gay- OW!" A jab to the rib.

What a masochistic, suicidal man.

...There was too much time on this jet. Too far of a distance to Paris- and not enough distance here. Kyoya frowned. "How about I knock you out for the rest of the trip?"

"Take a joke, Kyoya!" He gave Dino an unamused expression. Sadly, it didn't seem to stop the man from his 'fun'. Kyoya will never understand why the bucking horse loved to tease him, only to complain about getting hurt. "I know you've been in love with Sakura-chan since foreeevvvverr-"

This time, the younger was too tired, so he merely cocked an eyebrow. Then turned around, having chosen to ignore the ridiculous man instead of fueling his amusement. Kyoya knew the bucking horse was lightweight, but to be drunk this fast?

"Remember that one time when I flirted with her and you got sooo angry."

….."You were disruptive."

"She was doing nothing."

…..Kyoya was running through the idea of knocking out Dino for the entire ride. He didn't only because the mafia boss would be five times more annoying once he woke up. To endure this..or to endure that?

"Just admit it, Kyoyaaaa."

The cloud guardian sighed to himself before turning around, looking directly into dazed brown eyes. He felt a smirk curving his lips as he spoke. "She's mine. What about it?"

The man's eyes widened, blinking several extra unnecessary times. "Kyoya's all grown up-"

Then the rest was silent. Kyoya watched as the man slumped down into his seat, unconscious. Kyoya really had no patience for these things. Though he sometimes found himself wondering why Dino let him land a hit so easily. Perhaps the guy really was masochistic.

But ah, finally, peace.

...His, hn.

It reminded of him about how easily of a point he made. The point that she was his, and not anyone's to even think about. After all, Hibari Kyoya didn't very well like people trying to lay a hand what belonged to him.

- Flashback -

He hated whispers. He hated hearing annoying things that usually weren't true. And he usually bit people to death for it.

Though what he hated more, was people touching what was his. And those were people he didn't like in general, ones that didn't know their places.

But there were times when unfortunate people, rather dumb than unfortunate, didn't realize he was around. Didn't realize he was walking behind them. And didn't realize they probably shouldn't be talking about what they were talking about.

Things along the line such as these (because it was annoying, nothing else).

"Ah, really? I heard she was single."

"Nanase-san? I don't know. But my friend, you know the one in the same class as her? Asked her out the other day and she didn't seem interested at all. And he's pretty popular, you know."

"Ah.. I thought I would have a chance because.. I haven't really seen her with anyone. But…"

"But?"

"Hibari-san…."

They stiffened. And it was only that he was curious that he didn't scoff and march up to give them the appropriate discipline.

"Actually, I heard they were together."

"What?"

"Yeah. I mean… If you think about it, doesn't it just make sense?"

"Yeah, like, why else wouldn't she go to mixers with other schools?"

"...You're right. They're… They're usually together- I mean.. As much 'together' as Hibari can get."

His eye twitched there, but he insisted to hear the rest of this nonsense. Just to know. So that he could properly bite them to death for it. Though it wasn't much different than the other times he heard it, from other herbivores.

"I'm pretty sure I saw them walking together!"

"And aren't they always spending time in his office..?"

"I saw her bring him a bento once."

And then more things that they really shouldn't touch upon. Though these he didn't care as much (because they were going to be disciplined for it anyway).

By then, he was gauging how much brain cells, out of the little they had, that he should leave them. Well, it wouldn't be good if Namimori's scores were to plummet.

...

Two knocks on the door, two minutes passed the assigned time.

"Where were you?" The prefect looked up from the single sheet of paper in his hand the moment she stepped in, itching to discipline her for tardiness.

Steel blue eyes narrowed onto the slim figure at the other side of the room, dressed in Namimori High's spring uniform with a short sleeved tannish yellow sweater vest.

"Someone asked to meet me in the school yard," the girl muttered before closing the door behind her, temporarily leaning against it as she sighed with closed eyes.

When opened again, she lazily glanced away and her fingers idly ran through her long pink hair.

He frowned, setting the paper down. Another one? Do they not learn? Bunch of herbivorous idiots. Going on and on about useless feelings such as 'like'. He would never understand.

Hibari's eyes flitted shortly to the clock on the wall. What a waste of time. "You're late."

"It's not like I want to either.." she grumbled quietly before crossing her arms in front of her chest. "It's annoying." It was.

They loved to flock around the student council president. She was like the peacock of the school, and he knew she enjoyed her feathers- her image. Irritating.

"Then, do something about it." Or he was going to have to bite them to death. Herbivores were especially bothersome in the fact that they never solve problems they complain about.

It didn't help that she runs around pretending to be all social and approachable. The girl cared too much about her image, Kyoya found it to be a useless waste of time.

"You make it sound so simple," the student council president spoke with a tired voice as she walked over to the front of his desk.

He arched an eyebrow at her reply. And what was so hard about making it clear that she would never be interested? "It is," the male answered matter of factly.

"Maybe for you," she sighed. Maybe for him... hn. "It's…. Let's just get to work."

His attention shifted to the files on his desk. Upcoming events and things to approve. Well, now he supposed he had two things on his plate. That, and.. to make sure the student council would never have that reason to be late for again.

Not only that it was making her tardy. But there was something those herbivores didn't seem to understand.

Nanase Sakura was the student council president of Namimori High School. His school. Therefore, she belonged to him as well. And those herbivores, trying to obtain what was his? Ridiculous. Don't make him laugh (impossible, anyway).

"Hibari?" The girl was watching him with a questioning expression.

"Hn." He split up the work load and pushed it towards her, who took it without another word and left to the glass coffee table to sit on the black leather couch in front of it.

His lips curved into a smirk, watching her from afar for a short moment. What a simple solution.

- End -

"Kyoya, what are you creepishly smirking to yourself about?"

Ah, seemed like he missed. He'd just have to fix that.

First Person ; Nanase Sakura

These recent days had been what I used to deem Hibari's Happier Days. Creative, I know. Happier was a loose term if you think about it, considering the '-er' since Hibari wasn't technically ever described as happy.

Days as in it wasn't a one sided conversations. On Hibari's more solemn days, rather neutral than angry (since angry days would be filled with threats) then any 'conversation' with him was basically you talking to yourself.

Lately, he had been more responsive and filled with breathtaking smirks along with speech he utilized quite leisurely given he was a man of little words. I'd say he played his cards well. In what? I wasn't so sure.

But since my mind has been swamped with thoughts of him, all day on end, I supposed I had a clue.

I hugged my knees closer and rested my chin on top of them. My gaze was dully idly in front of me, at a dresser and a reflection of my miserable looking self.

It had been awhile since I felt pretty lonely. Awhile was more like.. since years ago when father was too immersed into his research to play with me. Awhile, as in 'play' was still a thing for the child me. Awhile like, when-I-actually-cared-awhile.

But I was being silly. It barely been some hours into the next day. I was being clingy in a way, and it kind of irked me.

It reminded me a little of the time when I first moved out. To be more accurate, it was a month really until I felt loneliness. Sure, I missed Akane. But I visited or met up with her often, without Hibari Kyoya around of course.

The reason I didn't miss him in any way, wasn't the fact that we didn't even consider each other friends or anything above that, but because I was angry.

Furious, and hateful. Rightly mad in my opinion.

But.. that was in the past.

Every time the kiss slipped into my mind, I'd bury my head into my pillows after flopping down, simmering in a heated face. Pathetic.. Was I some teenage girl or something?

…

I was falling into a very dangerous pit, I reminded myself. The train of thoughts took a turn down a road I pushed to the back of my mind, a memory I dwelled over years ago but was very much the 'past'.

To my dismay, I remembered that time well. The time of our first kiss.

I probably shouldn't have considered yesterday as our second kiss. But rather kissing. There was a huge difference.

If I were to be factually honest, then it was our third. …...Maybe our fourth. I never counted the first for a simple reason. It seemed like one of convenience. And I never questioned it passed convenience. And then the second was something I almost never wanted to think about. The third shouldn't count either...

Now if I were to tell anyone that we kissed. They would probably ask 'what did you trip over?' or something along the lines of 'accidental'. It wasn't an accident. Maybe.

Perhaps it was something we both might have regretted, though I doubt Hibari Kyoya bothered with such a concept as 'regret'.

But it wasn't a mistake.

- Flashback -

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom at this time. Which meant a few things.

One, was the wake of a new school year. For me, it was my second year of attending Namimori High School. Also, what I deem to be a much more lively year with the company of Sawada Tsunayoshi and the rest of his group of friends.

Secondly, it was nearing the time of my birthday. Just another aspect as to why my parents decided to name me after cherry blossoms. My hair color, eye color, and my birthday.

It was one of the beginning days of the new term. Nothing was really amiss, all was mostly the normal. Except for what I already mentioned to be a more 'lively'. Loud, chaotic, and a bit strange. But I learned to not question it.

The morning of my birthday was mostly the same. Akane was not home since she usually leaves to work early, but she promised me yesterday that we'd celebrate during dinner. It wasn't a big deal for me but I appreciated the fact that she cared. Hibari, as per usual, woke up and left earlier than I did. Even though this year we were attending the same school, since he chose to 'keep watch' over Tsuna and friends during their years at middle school.

It was like every morning that I eventually joined a few crowds of people as they walked to school, ten minutes away from the house. It was like every morning that some of my friends or classmates would either catch up to me, say a few words, wave, greet me, or walk alongside me.

It was when I passed the school gate, was when it got a little off track. Hibari, though as always, was stationed there, lying in wait as a predator for those who fell prey to tardiness and the disruption of 'school rules', though was more of Hibari's rules than anything.

These were the mere seconds where I either caught his gaze, or didn't. Though sometimes a nod, sometimes none. We never really exchanged words unless it was for matters regarding the student council. And those were usually exchanged after school anyway.

It was then, that was the abnormal occurrence. Even during the midst of random noises and my friends' all too excited conversations about classes, that I would still be able to catch his voice amongst many.

"Nanase Sakura," he spoke. What, was he going to actually wish me a happy birthday, I teased myself inside my head.

I stopped walking and my friends were probably as startled, if not more, than I was. "Hibari," I raised an eyebrow.

He pushed up from this original position, leaned against the gate, to stand in front of me. Did I do something wrong?

I mentally ran through a check list. I was on time, clearly. I was wearing the light tannish yellow cardigan with the Namimori high crest on the right pocket that I opted for instead of a blazer like he was wearing. My hair was still unnatural, but it wasn't dyed, so….

I was being ridiculous.

I looked up to meet his steel blue gaze, around five inches taller than I was. His expression was stoic as ever, unreadable as always.

Though the next action happened all too fast. I froze, and even if I could move, I don't think I would have. If I recalled the action in a slower motion, then I would have seen the way his head tilted, the messy bangs falling slightly into his lower eye.

But instead, all I really noticed was the way he neared quickly yet in such a fluid motion. And captured my lips in the next.

I was pretty sure I stiffened, straightened my back, and froze. I froze because, my mind wasn't working. The only thing that really worked, was my heart. And it was working especially overtime.

It was a swift, chaste, and a quite gentle kiss. Though during that time, I don't think my messy thoughts had even registered it as a 'kiss'.

It was short but it felt like time had slowed to an eternity. He casually pulled away in the next, his expression as stoic as before. But..why?

I was sure I was all widened eyes, red faced.

"Consider your problem solved," was all he said. Clearly, low, and simply. If I were to speak, if I could, I was sure I would have been a stuttering mess.

But there was no chance. He was already walking away, hand in his pocket, casual as if…..

I was just blinking, watching him leave without another word. My..problem..?

Ah, I understood. Then I realized I must have heard gasps. And now that I was looking around, there were definitely concerned and overly surprised faces. That would have been me too, in fact that was me. If Hibari Kyoya had just kissed someone. But that person, was me.

- End -

Well, that wasn't..technically..the only time. But...the other time..

I rolled around and threw a pillow over my head- whether from embarrassment or slight frustration, I wasn't sure..probably both.

That was in the past, I told myself. It was different now..right? I sighed and placed the pillow down, instead covering my eyes with my forearm. Scent… The jacket sleeve still carried his scent. I miss him, I want to see him-

And I am also stupid. He left me once. Why wouldn't he leave me again?

I let go of a short, quiet dry laugh. It was funny how easy moods were turned upside down. The recollection rushed to my mind immediately, a memory I couldn't forget easily. Even though sometimes I wanted to.

- Flashback -

It was around one AM in the morning that I finally closed the book that I was immersed in. Though instead of going to sleep, I was quite thirsty. So off to the kitchen it was.

I slid open the shoji of my room and- ?!

I gasped and jumped, hand flying to my heart. … Then sighed in relief. "Hibari-" What- ?!

But it didn't last very long. I took a full look at him, a better one. His uniform was stained. In blood. I couldn't quite tell if it was his or some unfortunate soul. But he was limping slightly and clutching at his arm with the opposite hand. "Hibari-"

"Quiet," he hissed. The injured man gave me a warning glance before opening his door and retreating into his room without another word.

I automatically ran into the bathroom to grab the first aid kit, something that by now I could find with my eyes closed, before quickly going back to his. "I'm coming in," I mumbled before entering without waiting for a reply.

I found him sitting on his futon in the darkness, glaring unhappily at me. "Get out."

"No. Let me treat you," I insisted as I closed the door behind me.

"I don't need you to."

"I want to," I muttered in reply before walking towards him.

"I'm tired. Leave." His conviction didn't seem strong, rather more exhausted than anything.

"No." I sat down stubbornly in front of him and looked him straight in the eye, placing the first aid kit down. I slowly reached up, waited for an objection (but received none physically), then cautiously removed the blood stained tan blazer from him. He watched me carefully and I was a bit wary of his expression, his eyes.

I focused on my hands, undoing button by button of his shirt, willing my hands to not show any sign of nervousness. I was not nervous, I told myself. I had done this before. This was just.. just a bit awkward. I didn't have to look up to feel his watchful gaze upon me.

His grip tightened on my wrist as his eyes narrowed.

"If you don't let me, I'm going to- mmf." Hibari?!

My eyes widened and his simply closed, pressing nearer. I half noticed an arm wrapped around me, hand on my waist. One calloused hand cupping my face.

He- I… It was warm- My cheeks were probably flushed, and my heart was pounding so fast, I was ready for it to leap out of my chest.

..What a sneaky fellow. I fumbled through the box, trying to focus on the task while… Well, I couldn't push him off even if I tried. And honestly, it wasn't like I would want to. But he was still injured. I tried to do what I could without looking- though it was a challenge and I was sure it wasn't the best job ever.

"You're persistent," he muttered, and his breath tickled me. My lips curved into a smile, but it didn't matter anyway when the contact started again.

I lost time- I lost myself, actually. I melted, and I relaxed into his arms without too much of a choice. Some, many kisses away and messy disinfecting with bandages before the passion died and we adjusted into a comfortable position.

The moonlight filtered through the cracks of the shoji, basking half of his face in the pale light.

I was afraid of breaking the moment, so the words were replaced with gentle kisses. He seemed exhausted, eyes half lidded perhaps for maybe for two different reasons.

I ran my fingers idly through his raven black hair, and he was silent, as was I. I snuggled closer into the crook of his neck and closed my eyes, feeling the rise and fall of his chest where my hand laid.

We fell asleep together.

But I woke up alone.

- End -

The next few days were the same- well, he was the same. I tried talking to him more, but it was the same usual nonchalant replies, or worse. I visited him more often in his office, to only have been kicked out. I came up to the rooftop a few times, but he threatened me for disrupting his nap.

It was probably then that I realized, or rather reminded myself, that Hibari Kyoya had always been and will always be like this. And I was okay with it.

I just thought.. I thought maybe we could be together more often, spend a little more time together. Now that I knew he had some regards for me.

But, those were just my thoughts.

It was probably the night that he came home, battered in a worse condition that he was the night we kissed. It was probably that night, that put a much taller wall between us than ever before. It was probably that night, or it was probably all just me.

Looking back at it, it was probably what I said that did it. I knew part of Hibari's life was to fight people, to assert his dominance, and to satisfy his bloodthirstiness. But… the sight of him that night made my stomach twist. There was a hard lump in my throat and my heart was strained.

I remembered my voice well. And more importantly, his.

"Please.. I know that you enjoy fighting.. And I never once asked what exactly it is that you do, but.. please, don't do such dangerous things."

"It's none of your business."

"It is my business! I.. I care about you."

"And why would that matter to me?"

I was flabberghasted. But I tried anyway. "It hurts me to see you that way, so please-"

His scoff echoed deep within my mind. "And you think I care?" His eyes narrowed. My hand fell down to my side as his expression darkened even more. "You herbivores are so simple. Give them something small and they think they can run with it." What-

My throat felt dry. "What are you.."

"I'm saying, I only did what I did that night because I felt like it. There was nothing more to it."

"Hiba-"

"I never cared. And I never will." He.. He was just being how he always was-

"L-Let me just treat your-"

"So you can stop your annoying little acts and leave me alone. It's bothersome, along with your stupid herbivorous feelings. And it's not gaining you anything."

…. "..." …. "I… see."

Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. There was a turbulence of emotions.

My eyes burned. My throat itched. I wanted to cry into depression. I wanted to scream my maddening frustration.

I rested into an empty in between.

"Just.. Take care of yourself. I'll leave the first aid kit here."

That night I felt empty, a few tears. But I wasn't sobbing. The next night I cried. The third, the fourth, the rest- my thoughts ate away the walls of my mind. Then came the silent sobbing, the wracking shoulders, the hiccups, and the coughs- the suffocation.

I calmed as the days went on, but my mood felt like endless gloomy days. Empty, sorrow, then some anger. It was like a cycle.

It was a good thing school was already over. I didn't sleep very well unless I cried myself to it. I ate little, and I hardly left my room- I hardly left my futon, really.

When I felt better and more calm, I finally decided on one thing. I was going to move out. I had my bank account and the money my father left in there for me. I will find an affordable apartment, and then I will start working. That was my resolution.

Akane was completely worried about me, but she was understanding. She helped me find an apartment and even a good part time job.

It was challenging and lonesome, but it was a good process for what I deemed to be healing.

They said you couldn't hide from the truth. I didn't find that very much true.

What you can't hide from, was yourself. I believed and was rather successful from shutting down thoughts that weren't what I deemed to be beneficial or healthy. But, as inconvenient as it was, there would always be time when you feel a strain you can't ignore or the constant beating in your ears.

And in your dreams, I supposed were ironically the closest I found to 'truth', your barest of deepest thoughts were sometimes invoked in manners you weren't sure you even wished to see. If by the ache you feel in the waking moment, if it was a nightmare instead.

I was afraid to see him.

I was afraid of my heart throbbing if I were to see him and aching if I were to hear his voice.

I wasn't proven wrong.

I rarely saw Hibari every year.

It was rare and to my healing wound, thankfully. Though every time of those rares, I would be inflicted with a faint pang to my heart that grew duller as time passed, but never ending.

Time healed all wounds, they said. But they never said till when. And I started to have a feeling that I won't live to see that day.

Whenever I visited the Hibari household, he'd either be in the room or like most of the time, out of the country.

I never asked why and Akane never spoke about it either. But I would tell myself it's company business.

On holidays, usually during only Christmas and New Years, I would see him for some short hours. Every year, though strangely saddens me to do it, I would bring him a gift. It felt more obligatory than anything and though I always tell myself there was no point in caring, I end up taking hours in multiple days trying to find the appropriate gift. He would gift me back simple presents, I never complained. And I never thought anything more of it.

Then he would leave. It was strange to think that Hibari had people (friends) to celebrate with, even if he would never admit it.

Sometimes, random hours of different days on a variety of times a year, I would hear a knock on the door or to arrive home with a gift at my front door. Food, from the travels, taken to me by Kusakabe of course. Probably due to Akane's recommendation. I never questioned it. Sometimes I would ask Kusakabe to send him a word of text, and if it was left on the door, then it was a plain text he never replied to.

And every once a year, in the chilling October, Akane's birthday would arrive and I would find myself in the same room as him again.

He wouldn't speak, like always, so I supposed there was nothing altogether wrong about that. But there was definitely a strange tension in the air, invisible and intangible but heavy.

We were like siblings or family members in a fight that never quite dissipated. The only time you would see us together was during family gatherings or holidays, which were the only cases in one.

..I should stop thinking about the past.

I got up slowly, quite numbly, and went to go get myself some water in the kitchen.

You'd think after being hurt once, you'd be more careful the second time. You'd think it would irk you to fall for the same person that broke your heart once. But it wasn't like that, it wasn't easy like that. It wasn't easy to stay away, but it was so easy to just fall and let yourself drop- again

But I suppose, if I were being completely honest with myself, there wasn't a time when I truly was over him to begin with. Love just didn't happen that way. Once that person wormed their way into your heart, there will always be that space that only they will fit through. At least, that was what I knew. But what did I know? I only ever had feelings for one person anyway.

I sighed for another time, ending with a slight curve of a smile. Well, might as well make the most of it then.

I scrolled through my phone 'aimlessly' but there was really only one reason.

Hibari Kyoya. His name alone sent a strange feeling through me. He's seven hours ahead, hm..

Come to think of it, I don't think I ever really texted Hibari for the sake of talking to him. Well only for very specific purposes. School related, mostly. Sometimes I'd ask what he would want from the supermarket. Usually steak or coconut juice would be his short and simple answer.

Well there were more specific occurrences that lead to very rare concepts.

'Facecam me when you're not busy, yeah? ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ ' I sent.

The thought of doing something so ordinary with Hibari Kyoya made me smile happily to myself.

...I may like him a little too much. Like. ...Love.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Thank you to everyone who contributed their opinions for her flames. They were all wonderful and I definitely took all of them into consideration! However, I think I really will give her sun flames. Althouuuugh, I was debating on a whole dominant 95% (random stats) sun flame and like a 5% rain flame, for reasons in a near chapter. I don't like the idea of her having two flames because I do know people find it too op. But if it's a really tiny weak one, that she can only use for herself, then..would that be okay? Opinions?

Also, I made an OC RP blog for Sakura ( sakuratails on tumblr ). If you'd like, you can send her questions there. c: "Headcanons", "or" questions, and what not are all accepted as long as it won't spoil the story. :)