Spring Winds.

A/N: A lot of dialogue this chapter. :c Nothing too exciting. The next 'book' for this will be a lot more .. fun? I guess. A lot more light. Not too emotional like this one, oops. Sorry. I know it's a bit too much to read sometimes so I'll try my best to make it better. I'm sorry that the future arc won't be till the 3rd 'book' but the 2nd is fairly short in my opinion. The future arc will be more SI and I'm sorry it hasn't really been at all since the first few chapters.

Also I added a few things to the older chapters (if you're a reader that has been kept up). Mostly Spring 1-8 so if you're bored, just skim through it LOL.

Announcement: I will be changing the title SOON. Whether completely or just adding onto it like 'Spring Winds, Summer Rain'. This is the LAST chapter of Spring Winds but the next is the FIRST chapter for Summer Rain and will be uploaded in the same 'story'; it will not be separated.
In other words: STILL ONGOING.

CHAPTER 18

"You're completely and entirely, an idiot. A herbivorous idiot."

"And you're the most unromantic, uncooperative person ever."

"And since when did I have to be anything of that sort?"

"I never said you had to be. If you were, I think I'd be a bit scared."

"Oh? Are you saying you aren't scared now?.."

"W-What are you- Wait-! I uh.. I .. I take it back! That'd be uh… That'd be wonderful! Wow, imagine Hibari Kyoya and roses- and uh.. and uh.. Ferris wheels. And uh.. squirrels."

"Squirrels? ..Herbivore."

"What, you don't like squirrels?"

"I don't do roses."

"..And what about the squirrels?"

"Herbivore."

"Squirrel plushes?"

"Nanase Sakura."

"Wha- OW. Geez! If you didn't like the squirrels, just say so- OW. STOP! ….Then how about ferris wheels-"

"You have a death wish."

"You see, this is why we're good for each other. You're a sadistic jerk and-"

"I will bite you to death."

I woke up to a bright morning and a very hot one too. I groaned as I stirred on the overly warm bed. Yesterday night… felt like a dream. Was he really here? Did I really say all those things? I felt my face grow a bit a warmer when I realized how entirely embarrassing it was. With a soft smack, I slapped both my cheeks with my hands. Get over it!

Speaking of dreams….. What the hell.

I stood up, ruffling my hair in agitation. I do like squirrels though. I wonder if he does. Perhaps I'll ask.

I'm dumb. Completely and entirely, dumb. I made my way over and used the very small bathroom the room provided. After a nice cool shower and everything, I felt refreshed. I don't think I should stay here any longer anyways. I didn't like the idea of taking advantage of a stranger's generosity.

Apparently Dino sent Romario to buy me a pretty simple white dress, thank god. I really didn''t like the pjs, not that I don't appreciate it. But it's too hot for this weather and I'm tired of wearing the same thing.

That reminds me… My whole...entire...closet. I mean is it wrong to be upset that all my wonderful clothes burned down? Not to mention… everything else…-

Knocks.

And I think I was relieved, relieved to be away from my own poisonous thoughts.

"Come in," I called out.

The door slid open to reveal Tsuna, Dino, and the ever so strange Reborn (wearing a suit as always) that was sitting on Dino's shoulder.

"Goodmorning, Sakura-chan," Tsuna smiled. Tsuna was dressed in a yellow shirt and khaki shorts.

"Goodmorning," I replied back with my own.

"How are you feeling now?" Dino asked as he approached me. He was dressed in a loose black t-shirt and denim pants, his hair disheveled and sticking out as usual.

"Good," I nodded. Actually for once, I felt better.

He nodded too. "I'm sorry I couldn't get Kyoya to come."

I raised an eyebrow. I supposed he didn't know. "Oh. Uh-"

"He came," the kid stated simply.

Dino widened his eyes. "Really?"

"Anyways. Tsuna here, needs to fill you in on everything that has been happening," Reborn said to me before smirking. "Well. If you want to know."

I want to know! But I simply nodded in anticipation.

"Eh?! Me?!" Tsuna exclaimed.

"Of course. You're the boss," Reborn whacked him on the head. Boss? Tsuna stumbled closer and ended up timidly sitting at the other end of the bed.

So it was like ten minutes or fifteen minutes of an unbelievable explanation and many, many questions. But I listened nonetheless.

About the mafia, about Vongola, about how Tsuna was supposed to inherit said mafia, about Tsuna's guardians (all my friends), about some weather sounding things that were supposedly attributes, some Mukuro guy in Kokuyo land, some terrible sounding ring battle, about the rings…...About a lot of things.

But after all the things I went through. All the things I ignored. I can't push this away as some madman's talk or some dumb kid's imagination. Though my head was spinning.

"That sounds…..crazy," I sighed. 'Crazy' was the understatement of the year. Though 'crazy' was all I managed at the moment. "But I guess I'm not so ignorant...And my father's research?" I frowned.

"Vongola members got a hold of information that he was researching on a new way to..fight. Though it was not detrimental to the world, we wanted to withhold the progress or at least limit it due to possible outcome that it may land in the wrong hands," Reborn explained.

I nodded slowly, biting my lip. "And the murderers?" I asked hatefully as my voice lowered, narrowing my eyes.

"We don't know of them yet. We're still investigating."

I felt my fists clench without thinking.

"Well. Sakura, are you interested in joining Tsuna's Family?" What?

"R-Reborn! Don't get her dragged into this!" Tsuna protested.

I laughed softly. "I think my house burning down was already a pretty huge factor." I pressed my lips in thought, my nails started to dig into my skin as I remembered the way my father laid. The stunned expression. The blood- I wanted to… I want to… "I know this is wrong, maybe. But I…. I want to avenge my father," I stated as I steeled my voice.

Purple. What the-

I gasped, looking down at my hand that was clenched way too tightly. But that wasn't the problem.

Tsuna's eyes widened along with everyone else in the room.

"Dino," Reborn called.

"Ah," Dino made an agreeing noise as he stepped up closer. "A cloud dying will flame."

"U-Um…" I did not know what to say. What the heck is this? Flame? Cloud?

"It ignites with a strong resolve," Dino explained. "It'll soon be a new way to fight." Fight? God. is this not-hot-at-all-flame that ignited out of NO WHERE supposed to be normal?

"Like my father's research?" I whispered.

Dear mother, I think I was just thrown into a world of fantasy. Gone was my ignorant mind and role as a bystander, knowing nothing better than what appeared to have been a 'regular life'.

"We don't know too much about that," Dino smiled gently. "But this," he pointed to the little flame like glow on top of my cherry blossom ring, the one my father gave me. "Will be extremely useful to you."

I nodded slowly, the thing still kind of freaks me out. I feel like it should be hot and that my finger should be burning. But it wasn't.

"That proves it. What do you say, Tsuna?" Reborn jumped on him and kicked his cheek.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiieeee! Reborn!" He exclaimed, rubbing his cheek with a pout. "Why me?" Really, why him? Not like ... he just... He seemed kind of unprepared.

"Because you're the boss, no-good-Tsuna."

Tsuna fidgeted before turning to me, his warm eyes wavering. Clearly, he really did not want me getting dragged into it. But it's not like I could be a bystander. Not after that. "U-Um… Sakura-chan… Would you join me.. I mean… us… I mean- the Vongola family?" He smiled but his eyebrows were knitted with worry.

I smiled, putting a hand onto his clenched ones. "Yes. It's my pleasure."

When I sat back, Reborn walked over on the bed towards me. "You'll have to go through a bit of training though. But after what I saw, you already have the basics down."

"Eh?!" Tsuna exclaimed in disbelief.

I laughed at his reaction. "Training? Is it tough?"

"Y-Yes!" Tsuna replied passionately. "Reborn…"

"It's okay, it won't be strength training or endurance or anything.. At least not yet," Reborn replied and I didn't feel reassured at all. "Anyways. So have you figured out what you're going to do now?"

I'm sure my mouth remained open for awhile before I collected my...nonexistent thoughts. I had no idea where to go. "No."

"Oy, no-good-Tsuna! Is there still room in your house?" Reborn turned around to ask.

Tsuna hummed. "No but.. I guess if you wanted to share a room with Bianchi-"

I frowned at the thought of living with children. Too loud. "Um. If it's okay, I'd like to explore other options," I mumbled and Tsuna nodded. "Uh. I'll think about it by myself so you don't have to worry. Thank you so much though," I smiled.

"Well you're welcome to stay here until you figure it out," Dino spoke up with a gentle smile and I nodded.

"Thank you," I smiled back. "Then-"

"Hime!"

What- The door busted open, loudly.

All eyes went to the entrance in shock.

"Jun..?" He was wearing a black shirt, dark gray vest, and dark denim jeans. The sight of him made my heart twist. It reminded me of so many things I didn't want to remember.

He seemed breathless, slightly panting as he strode over, Basil trailing behind him who was wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts. I was about to greet them when-

My eyes widened as I hit his chest, stunned that he would actually hug me. For a second I thought maybe… That it was….

But when he pulled back, the thought completely dissolved and I was painfully reminded that I would probably never see that 'person' again.

His deep ocean blue eyes were a sea of sorrow and I smiled for him, showing him that I was okay. "I'm sorry, I meant to contact you-"

But he pulled me into him again and I was once again engulfed by a slight scent of cologne. His large hands gripped the sides of my arm tightly but not enough to hurt. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm the worst, terrible. I don't deserve-"

I placed a hand on his back, touching the low back ponytail behind him. "It's not your fault, Jun." It's no one's fault. Except the murderers. And perhaps, maybe. Just a bit of mine. Because no matter what, I will never forgive myself.

"But if I was there-"

I shook my head despite the lack of space, still in his arms. "I hate to say this but.. things happen for a reason, you know?" I frowned. "If you keep this up, I'll really cry," I laughed softly and Jun reluctantly pulled back, his eyes still glistening with remorse. And I was suddenly realizing how tall he was, not like I didn't before though.

"Basil?!" I heard from behind, from Tsuna.

"Sawada-dono? Reborn-san? Dino-san?" Basil seemed to know everyone and I raised an eyebrow.

"You guys know each other?" I asked.

"Basil is part of our Vongola external advisor's team, they work outside the organization but for it," Reborn explained. And everything just…. Wow.

"I'm surprised you know him, Sakura-chan," Tsuna pitched in.

"He was a student that studied with me when I was homeschooled, under Oregano.."

"She's part of the external advisor team too, Sakura-dono," Basil smiled.

What- "Wait-" I pursed my lips in thought. "So… You're both… In Vongola…"

Basil chuckled and nodded. What is going on? Since when was this Vongola so big? Had I always been surrounded by this all the time?

"About Oregano-san.. She had always wanted to apologize to you about the day in the office. She had the power of using illusions." My dad's clone...impostor? Illusions? "Since you know now, we wanted to tell you the truth eventually anyways.. but, we were under orders to investigate whether or not your father was really researching about the weapons. We didn't mean any harm so if..If you could forgive us, even though I'm asking for-"

I smiled. "It's okay. As long as you didn't harm him…"

He took a step closer. "We definitely did not! If only.. If only we were...If-"

"It's fine, thank you." I didn't like people saying 'if only'. All the 'if only's didn't happen. None. What happened, happened. And I don't think anyone could've changed that for being there.

"Ma, what a turn of events," Dino said from behind.

I looked up at Jun, "what are you going to do now?"

His eyes shone with determination, "I'll stay by your side to protect you, Hime."

I shook my head. "It is not necessary anymore. I can take care of myself, Jun, but thank you," I smiled. Not that I didn't like him or want to be with him but… I kind of wanted to start new. Kind of didn't want to be reminded of …. whatever happened. I looked over to the other people. "Uh… Jun is really capable.. and maybe if he could…"

"Join?" Basil pitched in for me and I nodded. He chuckled. "I would have to ask the others but I think Jun would be a valuable addition to our team."

Reborn nodded with a curl of a smile, "I think so too."

"E-Eh?!" Tsuna looked around to everyone in disbelief.

"But Hime," he frowned.

"We could always see each other," I smiled and grabbed his hand. "It's okay. By the way I would like you to meet…" And I introduced him to everyone in the room.

He turned around. "I would only like to leave you after I know you're in good hands."

"Uh… What do you mean by good hands?"

"I want to see that there is someone that is capable of protecting you."

I scanned the room. "Tsuna! You'd protect me right?!"

"E-Eh?! Uh.. O-Of course, Sakura-chan."

Jun frowned. "He doesn't sound very sure." Jun shook his head, "though what I mean is that.. I want you to have someone that puts you as a priority, over everything else."

G-Geez. "You sound like a father that's trying to marry me off.." I laughed awkwardly.

He didn't budge.

"Jun."

"Hime, I don't mean for you to be in a relationship. But if you insist on being without my watch, I would rather you be with someone that will."

"I.. I can take care of myself," I frowned.

"I know you can. It's just.. It's a dangerous world. And I'm sure I won't be able to stop you in entering a much more dangerous one?" He raised an eyebrow as he took a quick glance over to the other people in the room.

"You're right," I said as I stood up. "But that won't change. I will take care of myself, Jun. And that is final."

And I wonder when it was that he became much more demanding. Was it when everything happened? Which was just the other day? Though I knew his loyalty was his stubbornness, his persistence.

"Hime, this once, I apologize but I cannot push it by. Please. It may be selfish but I'd be much more assured.. Since what happened-"

"I understand." Can we just please stop talking about what happened? This and this. 'If only' this 'if only' that.

"Then, I'll check back sometime to see."

"I-" I meant I understood what he was saying. Not the situation. I sighed exasperatedly.

"Well uh… Let's give Sakura-chan her rest," Dino broke in amidst the silence as he tried to push everyone out of the room. Thank you.

I looked out the window. Ah, what the hell.

Since when did my life take a complete 180? 360?

Since when did everything but the sky seemed to look different?

Too much. There was too much to take in.

I'm starting to wonder why life was designed a certain way, why things happen the way they do. But I guess, for a reason.

For a reason.

And my father, was he a reason..?

{ ... }

I decided it was time to leave in another few days and I was fine to go my own way, start new now that I had nothing left really. Go where? Start what?

I looked up at the ever so serene, light blue sky, infinite. Infinite possibilities.

My feet started moving without thinking and I let it carry me to where my heart decided to take me.

I ended up in front of the only sushi restaurant I visit nowadays. I walked in and was greeted by Takeshi in his white employee attire.

"Welcome!" He called out normally until he looked up, his eyes widened. "Sakura-chan! You've healed up," he ran up to me. "I'm glad."

I nodded and held up the gift I got him, "This is my thanks, for being a great friend to me" I smiled.

He thanked me as he took it from my hands which lightly brushed his. He looked into my eyes for a moment till he cleared his throat, "Can I... uh… Can I open it?"

"...Sure," I said and blinked out of my trance.

After a careful moment of him prying open the wrapping and the box, he finally pulled out his present.

"How did you know?!" He grinned widely, "I needed new baseball gloves!"

"That's good to hear," I laughed softly, glad that he liked it.

"Then...Can I give you something too?" he asked, blushing slightly.

"You don't have to, I mean.. I just-" he leaned in towards me and I felt my eyes widen. What- He was so close that I froze in my spot, unsure and unable to move.

"Takeshi!" a voice made us jump. It came from his father who seemed to take it back, "Sorry! Did I interrupt something?" He chuckled loudly and grinned.

"I'll find you something you like, another day" Takeshi said, awkwardly ruffling his hair. I only nodded, feeling my face turn bright at the thought of the possible outcome of that situation.

"Um.. About something else." I should mention the house problem. And maybe..

He hummed. "What is it?"

…...

"I'll talk to my father about it. I'm sure he'd be okay with it though," he grinned.

"Then, thank you! I'll be back later," I smiled, waving.

He nodded cheerfully. "Okay, Sakura. See you!" And I wonder when it was that he dropped the horrifics. It seemed more intimate. More close.

And I wonder when it was that I was no longer scared.

And maybe, maybe it'd be okay.

The sun was setting into a sea of orange sky and the comforts of duller clouds, it was a beautiful sight to see. I was now standing at the best spot, arms on the railing as I overlooked the small yet peaceful town. One that I started to associate with 'home'.

Today will be the end of a chapter but it will mark a new beginning of a new one.

I only had to wait a few moments. As expected, I heard the click of the metal door to the roof behind me. He's late. I twirled around to meet my expected visitor as the wind picked up along with my light pink hair. But then again, technically I was the visitor.

My hand instinctively reached up to hold my bangs in place. away from my eyes. I suppose I didn't want anything ruining this scene before me.

This ever so entrancing scene. It was like a dream. Much like it was every time I was with…

Him.

I wonder when it was that these feelings became natural to me, normal.

The ever so demanding heartbeat, the uncollective thoughts. The whispers of heart in an interlocking internal argument with the more reasonable mind.

I wonder if it was washed up along with the mass of chaos lately, taking a ride with the ever changing, unpredictable waves. Only noticeable, buried in the sand, after the waves retreated.

"Nanase Sakura," he said, a first for two different reasons.

He simply raised an eyebrow at me and took a few steps toward me.

I smiled, as I, took a few steps toward him.

"Hibari," I said, a first for two new reasons.

Or had it always been here, lightly brushing by me

since Spring,

carried along with the gentle wind?

Fin.

/Quotes.

CHAPTER ONE: All I see when I look around are people that don't understand me.
A bird that was born in a cage knew not of freedom. Did not yearn for something it never experienced. Did not hope to fly because it didn't know how to. The outside world was nothing more than the bird's painted picture from imagination.

CHAPTER FOUR: Innocenti: "Sakura. Be careful." And I don't think he was talking about any danger. Except the danger of getting too close to people.

Hibari: "Don't put words in my mouth, Nanase Sakura."
Sakura: "You're ruining their hopes and dreams."
Hibari: "You're going to give them the wrong idea. And the false hopes and dreams."

CHAPTER SEVEN: And that is how Hibari and I always crossed paths. Meaningless, short. Nothing more, nothing less.

CHAPTER EIGHT: Yamamoto: "And I... I've fallen... I've fallen in love with you."

CHAPTER NINE: Yamamoto: "Even if you move.. I'll find you. No matter what.

CHAPTER TEN: We stayed that way, not moving, not talking, just breathing as petals fell all around us like a light snow.
But instead, I was more like those petals. Picked up and carried by the Spring Winds against their will.
Sakura: "It's kind of funny. One day you're here, one day you're somewhere else."
Sakura: "The thing about people is that they miss you for awhile, realize there is nothing they could do, and then they just move on. Then you're just a memory."
I felt like we gazed into each other's eyes for so long that those gray orbs would mix into my light brown ones like overflowing paint on a palette.

Sakura: "So why did you run at me?!"
Hibari: "You looked like an idiot."
Sakura: "That's it?! OW. And what was that for?!
Hibari: "Because you ARE an idiot."

Yamamoto: "It must be because you're special to him."
Sakura: "Please don't say something that could sound misleading."

Yamamoto: "I know the risk of you moving but I don't care. I want to be with you no matter what."

Sakura: "You're making this difficult."
Takeshi: "You're making it difficult for yourself."

CHAPTER ELEVEN: What good was a world if you never experienced pain, what gains would you have ever received worthwhile?
Sakura: "You know, your lame death threats. The same old catch phrase. The scowl that's going to become permanent if you keep it up."
I'll climb till I at least see light because it is all I need, no matter how long it'll take me to scale up this seemingly hopeless obstacle.
As if forgiveness came from wooden ponies of childhood or cheesecake bribes. As if understanding paralleled trust and unconditional love for family.
I wasn't Rapunzel, and I wasn't waiting to get rescued.

Hibari: "I'll find you."
Sakura: "..Okay."
Sakura: "I wonder... what is this feeling I have for you?"

Innocenti: "I can't have you lingering onto the past."
Sakura: "It's all I have now."
Innocenti: "No, it's all you're willing to hold onto."

I whispered something into his ears, something that only he could hear, something that I could barely hear from myself. Something that I couldn't have discovered until now: "I know you'll find me."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Why was it that I felt so completely sad but frustratingly held no meaning to me? What was it that was pounding against the cages of my mind, wishing to be freed?
Mukuro/Rokudo: "I just know that you wouldn't be content with your life if you remember."
Sakura: Thinking about all the emptiness I felt. The sorrow, the tears. Perhaps it was better for me to not remember. "It's fine."

Mukuro/Rokudo: "I was just thinking that you were like a little bird stuck in a cage. Why don't you spread your wings?"
Sakura: "I don't know how to fly."
Mukuro: "Want me to set you free?"
Sakura: "I don't know what free is."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: The only thing that didn't agree with my mind.. was my heart. Sappy. Unreasonable. Reckless. But instinctive. And insticts are everything above, minus sappy, but there was something about that. Something that always had you listening. And before you know it, you were following.

Sakura: "I want to remember you. Who were you to me?"
Hibari: "Nothing."
Sakura: "I don't believe you. There's something about you... You make me feel a certain way."
Hibari: "You don't know what you're saying."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Sakura: "If you don't give your all in the present.. what good is the future?"
"I believe people should be destined to be together. And if something happens, if things fall apart... that is due to choices, reasons. Hence parallel worlds. But I feel like the underlying workings of fate is that.. you are tied to someone, at some point."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Byakuran: "No pain, no gain."
Sakura: "No need for gain, no need for pain."
Byakuran: "And what would be worthwhile without pain?"

Byakuran: "Trust should depend on what. You shouldn't trust everyone but you shouldn't neglect everybody all together."
"Saviors have a different section in one's heart."

He stared into my eyes and I was scared I would find anger but I didn't. I found something else.
Hibari: "Sakura."
I found myself.

Sakura: "You found me."
Hibari: "Idiot. Did you dare to ever doubt I would?"

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: But for some reason, I didn't want to forget this sorrow. This pain. This feeling. This hatred. Because... I suppose it made me feel alive.
I was no princess. I was never in a fairy tale. Never deserved or was obliged to have a happening ending. Perhaps I never wished for one. Because I never hoped to have one. I was not waiting to get rescued. But for some reason, why did I wait to be found?
I haven't changed. You just never knew me.
He always offered too much, always too kind. And with his special warm smile. It was too bright for me. For someone like me.
I could imagine myself as a glass of liquid, tipping over to a hard surface. The shell shattered and its content spilled everywehre for those present to witness. And I wondered if he would be in a hurry to clean up a mess such as myself.
There was nothing poetic about honesty or raw emotions. But perhaps it being just that is what made it a passionate, expressive symphony.
So here I was, standing before a man I could not possibly hope to understand. And then there was me, unsure whether my mind was a chaotic or a collective mess.
But I suppose that was life, you couldn't hope to understand other people because.. It was hard enough understanding yourself. And even then, do you really?
There was a guy with unwavering, piercing gray blue eyes who didn't like to rely on words. Then there was a girl with wavering brown eyes and dusted pink cheeks who made up for his lack of speech, honest and honestly a bit too reckless.
But for some reason, there was something about this completely plain scene that painted itself onto the canvas of my mind into something just a little bit more. We were just two people. And it just so happens that the person standing beside me.. In this otherwise easily forgettable scene, int his perfectly insignificant day to everyone else in the world, was... Him.

"Help me. Help me find myself.. like how you found me."

End.

Book one; Spring Winds.

A/N: Thank you for sticking with me throughout all these chapters. I hope you'll continue to like the story progression and offer me your much appreciated support. :) Also, if it's not too much to ask for, it would be wonderful if you could leave me reviews so I know what to do, what to keep, what to change for the next few books. :o Like is it too emotional? Too descriptive? Not funny enough (though I have like NO humor)? Too Mary sue? Too confusing? Too boring/not enough action?

Plus while you're waiting, new story: Under a Virtual Sky Online. *Coughs* (Shameless self promotion.)