Summer Rain.

A/N: Happy April Fools! I hope you enjoy this chapter while I'll be hiding in the comforts my home (away from all of civilization). I'll be holed up in my room playing League of Legends' URF mode all day HAHA.
Anyways. I didn't update the past weekend because I was having a hard time trying to sort out the direction I want this 'book' to go in. I have a lot of ideas but it's hard to chronologically place it. However, APRIL FOOLS helped me decide what to place in chapter two.
I decided to 'celebrate' April Fools differently for you guys c: It's not a joke, I can reassure you (I swear on the lives of KHR characters) LOL. Instead, I'll reveal to you two (I don't really want to say) "plot twists". It's not really a plot twist but things I kind of vaguely placed in the chapters, waiting to reveal it (though they were planned for later). They'll be explained in the end. Enjoy!

Announcement: If you're bored with nothing to read after this *ahem* 2 new stories! ^_^ Foxfire Enchantment, AU inspired by Kamisama Hajimemashita featuring a human god Sakura and yokai/fox familiar Hibari Kyoya (also other chars)! Also, Engage Me, a marriage between Sakura and Kyoya because of Kyoya's ill mother's last wish. A lot of bickering/teasing in that one LOL. Both of these obviously have no ties to this story and I'm sure you can already tell who I favor so there's no point hiding it anymore. :'c

CHAPTER 2

"Move out of the way, move out of the way!" I yelled as I ran down the hallway, weaving through the crowds of students. So many people! I skidded around the corner and jumped down a few stairs, making my way to the exit. I wasn't going to outrun him, I know. But I could at least gain distance and have time to somehow get out of it.

I ran through the lockers and almost bumped into a group of girls. Okay, well I avoided two and I bumped into the last. "Ow, ow, ow," I muttered, rubbing my injured head.

"Sakura?!" a familiar female voice. I looked up to find Riri, surrounded by her two friends whom I started to recognize. The blonde one, Mari, laughed softly at the scene while Kaori, the black haired one, seemed indifferent as usual.

"Sorry, Riri-chan," I smiled and placed clapped my hands together in apology.

"It's okay but what are you in a rush for?" She laughed softly, her hand up at her head.

"Rush- Oh god. Not good. I have to go." Her face was full of confusion but I placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll explain later-"

"Why don't you explain to me first?" his low voice threatened from behind me. A chill ran up my spine and turned around slowly, almost mechanically.

"Shit." I backed up behind Riri by instinct but I knew nothing was going to save me from his wrath.

"Hibari-san?" Riri asked quietly.

"I said I was sorry!" I called out as he took a few more threatening steps closer to me.

"Get over here."

"No! If I was going to listen to you in the first place, I wouldn't have ran."

"Oh? So you admit to running in the hallway? Which is strictly prohibited at school?" He smirked, taking out his tonfas. "That's two strikes today, including the morning. Get back here and take your punishment."

"No! I told you it was a mistake. I was half asleep-" I defended myself but his eyes glinted with malevolence.

"You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

"It's not my fault. There's… There are too many rooms!" Bad idea. That only seemed to feed his smirk.

"Oh? So now it's my fault? And the rooms'?"

"No. I mean yes. I mean- I didn't even see anything," I rambled on like a fool. He reached out his arm, over Riri's stunned shoulders and past the two confused friends.

"Three." Strikes? Oh no.

He took a step closer and I took one back, afraid. More and more people started pausing as they strolled by, wondering and looking. This is going to ruin my image, stained by blood. Hibari glanced around, unamused by the slight hint of crowding.

When he turned back to me, his expression seemed to have softened. JUST a bit.

"Come here."

Was all he said. Two words.

But it left me breathless, my heart felt uncomfortable due to a small skip. A skip of a beat. And to think it was just an expression.

And without thinking, I took my steps towards him.

Even from Hibari Kyoya, why did those words sound so innocent and simple yet at the same time, so entirely possessive?

Wait- I suddenly came back to my senses and attempted to make a dash for it but he gripped the back of my collars. "Kyoya-" I turned around to meet his eyes. From the corner of my own, I could see the shocked expressions.

His gaze seems to have softened from having his name called. I almost took note of that until he spoke again. "Your punishment awaits. You're making a scene here."

"You're the one making the scene!" I accused as he hauled me away of three very confused people. "S-Stop! I'll walk, I'll walk."

"You're going to run."

"No, I won't. Just stop pulling me like this," I pouted as I stumbled backwards. Mercifully, he released his grip on my poor shirt collars. But instead he clasped his hand around my wrist and hauled me towards what seemed to be the reception room. I sighed but I couldn't hold back the smile that spread across my face as I looked down at his hand. Past well, the gaping stares and whispers (that he gave a cold glare to, sending the mass scurrying off to different directions).

Because well,

this,

was progression.

[ After school. ]

"Ready to go?" Takeshi smiled as he waited for me, bag slung over his shoulder as he kept a grip on it.

"Yeah," I zipped up my school bag and placed it through my arm, over my shoulder. "Let's go," I smiled as we walked together towards Tsuna and Gokudera who were waiting at the door.

"How is training?" Tsuna asked me with knitted eyebrows.

"Oh. It's fine," I smiled. "Nothing too bad. Just some reflex training and a bit of combat," I answered. ...It was tiring. Not to mention difficult. But I didn't want to complain.

Tsuna nodded, knowing more than I said out loud. "Reborn can be tough sometimes. B-But… It does pay off though," he ruffled the back of his hair. I nodded with a smile. He really is different from what I used to think he was.

"That's right, juudaime! You were strong- but you became even stronger! And it's amazing how you can protect everyone!" Gokudera chimed in, encouraging and praising the boss he admired deeply while Takeshi just chuckled.

The rest of the conversation was about a bunch of random things I kind of blocked out by accident, too used to doing it that I didn't even notice. Instead, I was more focused on dodging the mass of students than what they were saying. I didn't give it my full attention but I did catch a few things here and there.

"Now, now, Gokudera. It's not a big deal," Takeshi said as he walked, hands folded together behind his head, arms bent.

"Shut up, baseball brain," Gokudera grumbled.

When we almost reached the front gate, I could feel someone's stare upon me. I turned back to scan the surroundings and found someone I suppose I expected. He was on the school roof as always, arms on the railing.

So I smiled and waved just for the heck of it. But he glanced away and I imagined him scoffing.

"Sakura-chan?" I turned to Takeshi who watched me before shifting his attention to where I was looking previously.

"Hm?"

Takeshi hummed but faced forward and said nothing more. So neither did I.

[ 1 hour later. ]

Ugh. The rice is sticky- it makes my hands feel weird.

I frowned. I'm not good at this and I don't think I like doing this one bit.

"Sakura-chan, you need to wrap it better," Takeshi stated. "Let me show you?"

I sighed and scooted aside, letting him step in front of it and show me.

"Like that. You try now," he smiled encouragingly.

So I did.

And it didn't turn out very great. "It's harder than it looks."

"Of course it is!" I heard from the back from Takeshi's father.

"I really don't think I'm cut out for this," I mumbled. This job is too much for me. Perhaps I should just wash the dishes- Wait. Why aren't I doing that?

"You'll get the hang of it if you keep trying!" ...Right. Because of his encouragements.

And I suppose I am trying because well- I should be old enough to somewhat try and support myself. And I kind of didn't want to be a spoiled princess who didn't know how to do anything. So I tried.

But sometimes even if you try, you don't quite succeed.

And the whole night was just…. tiring. And hard. And I messed up on most of them. Everything I make kind of just breaks apart. At this point, I'm just wasting away food.

"Want to take a walk before we call it a night?" He asked after he finished his part.

"A walk? Yeah. That'd be nice," I smiled as I washed my hands. Sighing, when I finished.

Thank god, it's over. At least for today.

Sometimes I wonder why I do things I don't like doing.

Perhaps I shouldn't. Isn't life too short to do what you hate to do anyways?

...

And we were talking about baseball. Again. Somehow. Though I supposed it made me happy hearing him talk so enthusiastically about something. At least, I think it should- And that I think it does.

"Baseball is really fun. Are you sure you don't want me to coach you?"

"Coach?" I laughed softly. "I'm okay. Really. Sports of any kind isn't really my thing."

"Ehhh? But you'd be good if you practice. I'm sure of it!" He encouraged with a wide grin.

"No thank you," I declined politely. "But you're very kind. I'm sure even a terrible baseball player like myself would improve greatly under your help," I reassured him. "Though.. I'm not really a sports person."

He nodded slowly, understandingly but I feel like I just ruined something. Whatever it was. I should've tried. I should try. I should've said yes. I could still-

"I guess I don't really know." Know what? "So.. What kind of person are you?" He asked but he wasn't looking at me. Rather, he was looking up at the night sky.

"What do you mean?" I questioned. That's an awfully vague question.

He hummed. "For starters.. What do you like to do?"

What do I like to do? "Uh.." I read but it was because I had nothing better to do. I played the piano because I had nothing better to do. But did I really like it? "Um. That's actually a pretty tough question."

"Is it?" he chuckled. For him, it's easy. Baseball, obviously. "Well what do you like in general, then?"

Well I suppose that was an easier one. "Desserts," I answered confidently and quickly which made him laugh.

"Anything else?"

"Let's see… I like the piano though I don't know if I really do like playing it. I like.. to swim. Oh, there you go," I laughed. "Uh… I like flowers, roses. And spring. I like.. cats. Mmm. Melon soda?"

He chuckled. "I see, I see. And what don't you like?"

I frowned. "I don't like a lot of things." Loud people, loud volumes. Overly crowded places. Weather that's too hot. Crying children. Obnoxious people- But I didn't tell him. It was too much. I was too used to preserving my 'image' and was not used to letting people know too much for me. The mentality that they never had to know. And right when I was about to actually answer the question-

"Eh? You seem like the type to be okay with a lot of things," he smiled at me. And there it is again. 'Seem' and other similar words. Assumptions. Because he doesn't really know me- Though I couldn't blame him. It was entirely my fault after all, that he didn't really know me.

"Then…" he stopped walking and I did the same, glancing back as I waited for him. De ja vu. This scene, these actions- They were way too familiar.

And deep down, I knew- I knew I didn't like where this was headed.

"Who do you like?" There it is.

I watched him. His soft but serious expression. His silent, unwavering eyes. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting for an answer.

I, too, was silent. For I, was unsure how to answer, though not entirely unsure of my answer.

I let go of a breath, shutting my eyes before opening them back to an inevitable scene in front of me. Even though the weakling like me just wanted to hide or sink into the ground. Let it swallow me up like the words I swallowed instead of releasing.

"Takeshi-"

"Nevermind," he laughed it off. "I don't want to hear it after all."

Is he scared? Is he scared of my answer? Like I am? I frowned. I felt a pang in my heart and I.. I didn't want him to feel that way. But. But what am I supposed to say? To do? When I wasn't sure what to say? What to do?

So I let it go.

"Okay."

"Though you're not off the hook, you know," he gave a small smile. "I'm still waiting for a proper answer- But not right now."

He was too kind. Too, too kind.

"Okay."

I turned my attention to the sky, speckled by stars. The golden full moon was a witness to my weakness. My indecisiveness. My cruelty. And suddenly, this scenery didn't look as pretty as it once did.

"Shall we go back?" he broke my trance.

I nodded, still not looking at him. I couldn't. I'm stupid.

I have to answer him. Soon.

[ Flashback. ]

"I've fallen in love with you."

"...Takeshi-kun. I can't- You can't- I have to move...soon. Sometime soon."

His expression dropped drastically. "I know… I know but-"

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. I just wanted you to know," he chuckled softly. He tried to pull up a smile though his eyebrows were still knitted. "I wish you didn't have to move," he said softly.

I nodded, biting my lip.

"Me too."

[ The Next Day. ]

I was humming heartily to a song that was stuck in my head as I rinsed the rest of the conditioner out of my hair, feeling the silkiness that it left afterwards. My hair smelled like the cherry blossom shampoo and conditioner that I used. I have to keep up the effect. Sakura has to smell like sakura.

I stepped out and placed my undergarments on- then literally face palmed myself. I forgot the yukata. I sighed exasperatedly and draped the pink towel around me after using it to partially dry my hair. I brought the brush through the tangled mess of pink and it took around five minutes even with the previous help of the conditioner.

Now for the harder part. I stared at the door as if it was my mortal enemy. Well. He shouldn't be home yet so there's nothing to worry about. Hopefully.

So I stepped outside, making a quick dash to my room which wasn't too far. When I made it in, I let out a breath of relief. Safe. I picked up my yukata and let the towel unwrap-

"JOOOIIINNN THE BOXING CLUB, TO THE EXTREME-"

I blinked at Ryohei who barged right into my room through the outside shoji. And his jaw drop. Until I looked down and everything just sunk in-

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

I let out the loudest shriek a girl could manage to produce as I was almost only in a towel and a guy I hardly know was- JUST WHAT THE HELL.

"GET OUT," I threw the nearest thing at him which happened to be a textbook, covering myself with my arm.

"O-OW! W-WHAT? WHY ARE YOU-" he yelled, covering his eyes.

I scurried for my towel as I yelled. "JUST GET-"

"What's going on?" a deep voice behind me made me jump, I fell over onto my behind as I looked up to a very shocked expression- I was so done. "You-"

"GET OUT. BOTH OF YOU. WHAT THE HELL?" I yelled, my face must have turned scarlet- black. I pulled the fabric that was thrown over my head and even though I was embarrassed by the scent, I draped it over me without another word. A bit more grateful than anything.

He glanced away and shifted his attention over to the most random person here. "What. Do you. Think. You're doing," he pronounced threateningly as he lunged over to Ryohei, pulling out his tonfas out of no where.

"HIBARI- I W-WAS-" He was still blushing madly and I think that ticked me off more. I was also waiting for the answer. "I WAS HERE TO RECRUIT YOU TO THE BOXING CLUB. TO THE EXTREME!"

"I told you to never come here. And now- you're dead. I'm going to bite you to death," he hissed as he sprang forth.

"I THOUGHT THIS WAS YOUR ROOM," he tried to explain. Loudly. Very loudly.

"My room is next door, you idiotic herbivore."

"FIGHT ELSEWHERE," I commanded with a distressed tone, having enough of this silliness. The two lunged out- well Hibari attempting to murder Ryohei.

I sighed exasperatedly as I managed to walk over, shutting the shoji with the loudest slam I could produce without destroying anything. Boys, I groaned.

I ruffled the back of my head frustratedly as I pulled the gakuen off my shoulders, staring at it for a moment. "At least he had some decency," I mumbled to myself as I got dressed with the cherry blossom yukata.

Well at least I was wearing my bra and panties- That's like a bikini. Right? Right?...I was still annoyed. Fuming almost. And I could see why Kusakabe had a hard time dealing with Ryohei.

Geez. I don't even want to go outside at this point… But I'm hungry.

I twisted my hair into a quick bun minus the layer that cupped my face before stepping outside. I got over it. Kind of.

I could HEAR the crashing and screaming outside but I ignored it.

When I got closer to the kitchen, I could already smell the food. "Kusakabe-san, good evening," I greeted as I found the older male at the stove- with an apron.

"Ah. Nanase-san," he smiled.

"Sakura is fine," I repeated again. At least it wasn't 'Nanase-sama'. Now, that, was awkward.

"Sorry, it's habits. Sakura-san." ….Well that was close enough I guess.

"Would you like any help?" I offered as I got closer. He was here often and he always seemed to be the one to prepare Hibari's (and now mine as well) food. But he never stayed to eat it which I believe is rather sad.

"I can handle it," he reassured me as he picked up the saucer, taking a sip of the stew. We both flinched when we heard a loud crash.

Kusakabe sighed. "Sasagawa-san again?" he glanced nervously out the window. "Ah. Sakura-san please take over the stirring," he requested as he pulled off the apron and handed me the wooden spoon.

I didn't even agree before he dashed outside. "Sasagawa-san, please stop!- AH. You're disturbing the neighbors- L-Leader!"

I watched the semi amusing scene from the window as I stirred the pot of stew. Well- Ooh. Ouch.

Cue cat shrieking noises. Poor cats. Why do animators use such sound effects like that anyways?

Wait. How long has it been? How long was I supposed to stir this? "Kusakabe-san!" I called out.

He appeared soon after, panting. And with a few scrapes. "Are you okay?!" I asked with a bit of worry though I'm sure he was used to it.

"Perfectly fine!" He answered as he resumed the task he was doing before the whole mess happened which was transferring the food onto the plates and setting up the meals onto the dining table with some of my help. Tough man. But you have to be tough if you're working under.. him.

Hibari entered without a sweat broken, running a hand through his hair with annoyance as he walked over to the zataku, low dining table and taking his usual seat on the cushion. Kusakabe excused himself with a bow and left quickly after.

I went in to my room to retrieve the gakuren he left me. "Thank you for earlier. I'm glad you were home," I smiled as I handed it to him. He eyed me for a moment before taking it without a word. I sat down onto the cushion, both legs to one side.

"Guess we're even huh," I teased- gasped. The world spun and I was suddenly staring up at the ceiling as my back hit the tatami mats. But the sight of ceiling was just a dream now.

I looked up to a man that was now caging me with his arms on either sides of my head and knees on either sides of my legs. But I was breathless, speechless.

Something gleamed in those beautiful steel blue eyes of his as a smirked tugged at the corner of his lips. And suddenly a warm breath was tickling my ear. "You want to get even with me, Nanase Sakura?" a low whisper that ran a chill up my spine.

"I-" What were we talking about- My eyes widened as I felt his warm, calloused hand on my hip. My bare hip. His hand was under my shirt. "Kyo-" Warm. Everything was so warm. His hand- the weather- my face.

"What? I thought you wanted to be even," he teased, his nose lightly brushing against mine. I- he- His hand slowly trailed upwards and my breath hitched. I should stop him- I should but-

He leaned in closer. Closer to my lips- And I shut my eyes, tilted my head upwards, ready to meet his lips halfway-

"Excuse me, leader. I forgot-" My eyes snapped open and we both shifted our attention over to the door where Kusakabe was standing, eyes widened before he glanced away quickly. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to i-interrupt anything-" I suddenly realized the.. 'compromising situation' we were in. Surely this would raise some questions and misunderstanding conclusions.

And my face must have been bright and red as a tomato. Hibari frowned but he said nothing more as he got up and I did too, sitting back timidly on the cushion.

"Hurry up and get what you came for," Hibari said indifferently.

"Y-Yessir!" Kusakabe scurried in quickly and grabbed what he forgot- his apron and left after excusing himself (and apologizing multiple times).

This might be even more awkward than accidentally walking into Hibari's room- WHILE HE WAS CHANGING. So he was just in his boxers- That. Was Awkward. (And the reason why he chased after me yesterday morning). Which is probably what he meant by 'truly getting even'. ...But a girl without a top and a guy without a top is a totally different thing. Jerk. Perverted jerk.

I gave a flitting glance over to the guy across from me- completely casual as he ate without another word. A bowl of rice in one hand, chopsticks in the other.

He placed a piece of potato into his mouth and chewed- only then he looked up at me with his usual narrowed gray eyes. "What?"

What, he asked. As if he wasn't-

I looked back down to my food and ate it in silence. Although it was a bit harder to swallow. What's with him, I grumbled internally.

Even though it was awkward to look at him, his face- I couldn't help it. I don't know why but he always seemed so graceful when he ate. And I was staring again. And he hated that. So I should look away. But he was also.. handsome, I concluded after scanning his facial features again. I sighed, hated the way I've become.

"Nanase Sakura." A clank. He set his chopsticks down on the table, his elbow now propped up on the table with a half closed hand supported his head as he leaned onto the back of it.

I tensed up and straightened up my back as I cleared my throat. "What?" I asked.

"You've been staring at me," he stated bluntly, watching me with an unreadable expression. Sometimes I wonder if he was teasing me or honestly questioning what I was doing.

"Um. Sorry?" ...What was I supposed to say to that?

He scoffed. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's rude? Or do you need discipline?" Discipline? No thanks.

I frowned, glancing away after I decided to tell him the truth. "You seem graceful."

"What?"

"When you eat. ...You eat gracefully," I mumbled, clarifying myself. I dared to shift my attention from the food to him. He had on an genuinely amused expression before closing his eyes.

"You really are an idiot." Is that a smirk or…

"Yeah," I agreed quietly before continuing where I left off with my food- barely touched. I shrugged it off.

Hibari Kyoya does not smile- only smirks.

But it doesn't change the fact that it gave me a small flutter and the rise of questionable heartbeats.

I may be indecisive, I'm not so stupid (though he would beg to differ). Surely a person like me who spends time after time questioning herself and trying to figure out what she was thinking- feeling-

Surely, she, should know what these flutters mean. And these 'irrational' heartbeats-

"Elbow and arm off the table, Hibari Kyoya. Don't you know, it's rude?" I teased with a small smile.

"Oh?" he smirked, arching an eyebrow.

...

And she did.

A/N: So there it is! Here's the analysis.
1) Sakura lives in Hibari's house (after her house burned down). How did that come to be? It'll be explained in an omake later on. I was hoping that you readers would think that she lived with Yamamoto because of the previous chapter. Which was vague. Though Takeshi does live in a traditional Japanese home too- I assume. With the dojo and what not. And there was the note about 'sushi' being left for Sakura (note and food left by Kusakabe).
2) Sakura never told Yamamoto she loved him back. It was omitted since the beginning of the story (when it was a preview for chapter 1, there was a break in between the two statements: "I've fallen in love with you" and "me too") and even omitted in chapter 8, of the confession. Not to mention there were a few 'dots' (...) that have been there ever since. I've written this way even before I uploaded my story onto fanfiction. :o So I'm not fixing anything here for convenience.
I remember getting a review awhile back by NeitherSaneNorInsane. Asking if Sakura and Yamamoto was a 'thing' or if Sakura was indirectly 'cheating' on Yamamoto because it seemed like Sakura whispered a confesion to Hibari before her dad's employees took her back (though she whispered "I know you'll find me"). The answer is no to both :o (And to NeitherSaneNorInsane": I'm sorry I couldn't fully answer your question then because it wasn't revealed LOL)

Quick Acknowledgements.
I would like to take this time, since I mentioned a reviewer- To thank all of my favorites and followers. c: You guys are wonderful and it always brings a smile to my face whenever I check my email (which is often ;_;) and find another fav/follow. c: I also appreciate every reader that takes time out of their day to read my chapter updates. You are the reason I shrug off my homework (in the best way possible HAHA) and urges to watch anime or nap way too many hours than I should- to get my lazy off my lazy butt and write. c:
I would also like to specifically thank the people that take a bit more of their time to leave a review ^_^ Such as: NeitherSaneNorInsane, belladu57, Vendori, Purplelillies2476, animagirl, PileOfAsh, IsraAl'Attia-Theron, Riomi-senpai, BlackSakura-chi, AyumuMatsuoXIII, sakurayukari, HoneyGrl, 27tunafiamma72