Summer Rain.

A/N: Wow, I'm sorry that took me 1 month to update. First, I wrote one entire chapter.. Realized I didn't like it.. So that will now be separated into two omakes. Then I wrote half of this chapter in an entire day, put in a section of a different chapter that I also scrapped. :c Well yeah. Also working on Same Difference, Uncharted Waters, and Engage Me instead. ;_; Updates will no longer be weekly, I apologize.

Some Reviewer Replies c:

Thank you to Seere Klein for all your reviews almost on every chapter LOL. It was really interesting to have read your reactions, which are hilarious by the way. And though I do feel bad for Takeshi, it's also sad to keep dragging him on so.. :c Yeah. Soon, soon. But not yet anyway. c: About the Hibari and Sakura's loneliness thing.. That's a good point! But Sakura never really felt all that lonely or well it wasn't a huge factor, rather she was used to it. But.. All future stuff.. you'll find out sometime! ^_^ Byakuran and her were friends, I guess. They had some good talks. :) They'll have some interactions in the future arc.

And to Pie480, I agree that it does feel cruel to Takeshi. As to why after next chapter, things will hopefully wrap up. I think I already replied in PM but in case anyone wants to know too:
Since I am excited for the future arc, which should be in perhaps.. 5 chapters? :) Give or take. I'm not sure. And the weapon box (which I'm glad Pie480 took note of)...well.. you'll see. It'll be back for sure. c:

CHAPTER 3

Last week, I cheered for the end of a school session. And...cheered for an end to Reborn's horrifying training. How to Get Over Your Fear of Explosions (due to a recent accident) 101. In other words, dodging grenades and- Anyways. Finally, a release to the heaven that was summer break. If it wasn't…

"So hot…" I whined as I slumped onto the patio in a fried heap. It was over a hundred degrees, I was pretty sure. How did he look so… fine. As if the heat wasn't murdering me and frying everything under the sun.

"Perhaps if you'd stop complaining," Hibari grumbled under his breath.

I groaned but couldn't move an inch. It was too hot to do anything. To even retort or reply to him. Instead, I listened to the sound of cicadas until it was replaced by familiar chirping and the fluttering sound of wings.

"Hibari, Hibari!" The yellow canary chirped as it flew down to land on Hibari's silky black hair.

"Sakura, Sakura~" I mimicked its tone... I must've looked a little crazy. The guy arched an amused eyebrow at me. Maybe if I keep repeating it to the bird, it'll start saying it too.

"Let's go swim.." Wow. Swimming sounded great. The beautiful blue cold water, inviting smell of chlorine..

"Go swim by yourself," he frowned. Bubble burster. The unspoken words of 'why should I go with you' lingered above us along with the invisible heatwaves.

"Do you… know how to swim?" A playful smile tugged at my lips.

"None of your business." …...Heh~? Perhaps he really didn't. But..then that meant he really wouldn't go swim.

I sighed before giving a strained attempt to sit back up. Even the patio was burning up, forget my skin. This was terrible. Suddenly I missed my house where the air conditioner blasted during this time and weather.

Now there was only a fan inside the room the circled lazily to the two of us. Forget trying to spend time with him, I was going back inside. I crawled my way into the room and slumped back down, sprawled out with my arms outstretched.

I was only trying to mend what little of our relationship existed, whatever kind of relationship it was. 'Friends' happened to be of the herbivorous category for Hibari Kyoya.

The last week of the school year, he gave me the cold shoulder. Probably because of the student council president's words. "You two seem close," the president remarked. And that was all it took.

Hibari Kyoya shouldn't be close with anyone, so he probably thought. The guy practically ignored me for an entire week, trying to cut off every connection. Except the fact that I lived with him. But even then he didn't speak to me.

Then…

My face must have turned red from the recollection because the temperature seemed to have risen even more, if that were possible.

{ Flashback }

My fingertips were tapping idly on the wooden desks as the voices droned on and on and on. The paper was held in front of my face but the words held no meaning to me.

I just wanted to leave.

It was so hot. Too hot for this boring meeting. Or anything, for the matter.

I tried to stifled a yawn but to no avail, and then heard one behind me. I turned to witness a yawn coming from the prefect's mouth. And then a small realization hit me. Could it be? People tend to say that yawns are contagious, so if someone yawned after you, it meant….

When he opened his eyes again with a tear brimming at the corner, our gaze met. Though it lasted only a sweet moment before he narrowed his eyes, lazily pointing (arms still crossed in front of his chest) to the student council president. I felt my eyebrows knit as I gave a small pout. It wasn't like HE was paying attention.

But it was little things like this that was enough to satisfy me. So I twirled the pink lead pencil in my hand before tapping it against the paper, willing myself to try and take more notes.

The meeting ended in another painful fifteen minutes and everyone filed out of the room as soon as possible.

"Nanase-san," Minori stepped back in and I halted all the shuffling of trying to place the papers into my bag.

"What is it, Minoru-san?" Hopefully not more work for me to do.

"Are you doing anything for summer break?" he smiled gently, walking closer.

My eyes, without thinking, flitted over to Hibari who watched the scene intently as he remained leaning on the wall.

"I'm not sure-"

"Well, I mean.. do you you think maybe you can spare a day for me?"

I didn't like the direction this was heading. "For the student council?"

"No," he glanced away as he ruffled the back of his hair with a timid smile. "I mean like, as a d-da-"

"Surely there are more student council members to help you and that you wouldn't need to resort to asking a favor from a class representative?" The voice from the corner of the room demanded mine and Minoru's attention.

"H-Hibari-san?!" his voice took on a tone of utter disbelief. "I- Uh- I.. You- You're right.. E-Excuse me." He bowed to Hibari and then turned to give me a quick nod before almost running out the door.

I ignored what just happened to turn and face the person of more importance. "You've been avoiding me," I finally confronted after some days.

"I always try to avoid annoyance."

"Why?" I asked, not talking about the whole 'avoiding annoyance' part. "Is it because people assume that we're 'close'? Do you think they'll look at you differently? Softer? More approachable? Do you-"

"So noisy," he frowned. "Move out of the way."

"You're so unfair," I muttered. As if he cared. As if he didn't know he was unfair, and never really anything but. "Why..? Do you really care what people think?" I challenged.

"And why would I care what a bunch of herbivores think?"

"Then.." I took a step closer to him. So does he? Or does he not? "...Can I lean against you?"

"What-"

"Well, take it as a warning-"

"Wh-" I leaned the side of my head against his chest, my palms pressed upon it. He tensed up in surprise, I could feel it.

I couldn't really hug him since he was leaning against the wall. Plus, I'm sure he'd object to that. He'd object to this too but, well- whatever. He didn't push me off and I supposed that's what mattered.

I wonder why being by him made me feel like all the tension in my body left but at the same time, my heart worked incredibly fast to made me feel much more aware than usual. Perhaps the first part had always been ironic anyways. He was dangerous.

In general.

But more importantly, to me- my heart.

….

"Sakura-chan?"

I pulled away, shocked by the sound of Takeshi's voice. And I had a bad feeling inside me. I didn't want him to get hurt. I shifted my attention back to Hibari's face and the twisting feeling in the pit of my stomach only grew worse.

He was looking down at me with an expression I couldn't really categorize. But one thing was sure-

I messed up.

All I knew was the fact that he let me embrace him for over five seconds- And I ruined it.

"Sorry-" A clearly hurt expression Takeshi's face. "Did I interrupt something? I was waiting for you to come out but you didn't so.."

He was waiting? So surely he heard everything.

Hibari scoffed, grumbled something about 'crowding' before shoving past me, leaving. But we were finally-

I watched helplessly as he walked away until Takeshi's voice broke through my trance.

"...Uh. Did you need something specific-"

"Who do you like, Sakura?"

My eyes widened as his blunt question. "What?" Whatever he actually came for seemed to have little importance now, so it seemed. "Um." I wasn't sure what to say. I wasn't even sure how I truly felt. "I-"

"Is it Hibari-san?" he asked with a small smile but his eyes contrasted it.

The old me would've gave a passionate 'no', I was sure. But after everything that happened- Perhaps I could've managed more but in this moment, I was a coward. "I'm not sure."

"You say that but that pained expression you gave while watching him walk away was more than words alone," he spoke sadly.

I didn't know how to reply. But I won't deny it. Surely he was right because the moment Hibari walked away, my mind yelled 'NO!' and my heart felt like it took a plunge into the deepest parts of an ocean. Lost in darkness, suffocating, pressured, unable to breathe.

I felt bad for doing this to Takeshi.

I felt bad but..

Even if I don't know whether or not Hibari cared..

But the thought, the chance, of him pained- hurt me the most. More than hurting anyone, even myself. Even Takeshi.

"Even if I tried to stop you, you'd still end up running after him, huh?" He chuckled softly, ruffling the back of his hair. A gesture that I warmed up to, but one that only made me feel worse at this moment.

"Sorry, Takeshi."

And I ran.

….

Up the flight of stairs and to the metal door I found myself facing quite often nowadays. I drew a quick breath, no time to sit here and think about my decisions, and turned the door knob. Greeted by a sunset hued sky and warm air.

As expected, he was leaning against the railing, overlooking the town. Hibari tossed a glance over his shoulder but returned his attention back ahead.

I took a step out and refused to let myself stop until I stood a few feet in front of him. My lips parted, and I so wanted to just leave, retreat back into my shell that was a comfort zone. Where did all my courage go? ...Though I guess you couldn't really lose something you never had.

"Leave-"

"I'm scared… I'm scared of a lot of things." I drew a deep breath after starting. Go. Keep going.

"Of trusting the wrong people- Or even bugs, or ghosts," I shook my head.

"Of losing people I care about, or being abandoned-

...Of hurting people, getting hurt- Or even my own feelings," I mumbled before finding the strength to my voice again.

"But! But what scares me the most,...

..is not be able to be by your side."

….

When I spoke now, I realized I could no longer feign ignorance against my true feelings.

Sorry, Takeshi.

He turned now, watching me with those steel blue eyes that couldn't really be described. Couldn't be read. But they didn't seem so sharp right now, rather a bit gentle. As gentle as an expression that Hibari Kyoya could own anyways.

And I felt like the spell was broken when I took that extra step closer, pressing the palm of my hands against his chest. Waiting for an objection, a rejection..but I received none.

Leaning in slowly, I tilted up my head to the extra few inches he had over me as I gazed into the color of his eyes that I had become too entirely fascinated with.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Idiot."

Intoxicated by the enticing scent of his breath, I wonder who it was that closed the distance between our lips first.

As we met, he shielded me away from the all too bright sunset. Clouded by an overbearing heart and the name that was lost on my lips, taken away by him, lingering somewhere in a forgotten mind.

Hibari Kyoya.

….

"I rather die," I muttered but I wasn't sure if I was speaking from embarrassment of from the subjugation of heat. Well, shit. That was not a wise thing to say around Hibari Kyoya.

To play it off, and rather just a stupid feat to somehow rid my embarrassment, I started rolling around. Which only made the heat worse. But.. It was a better alternative than slamming my head against the floor to forget the memory anyways.

Embarrassing. Embarrassing. Embarrassing. Dumb, stupid, idiot. My own words made me shudder and want to hide for the rest of my life. How awkward.

"Oh? Shall I accomplish that for you?" I could hear the smirk in his tone.

"If you toss me into a nice cold pool to drown," I answered lazily after calming down, returned to the position of my back on the floor which was me and my arms sprawled out, staring up at the unchanging ceiling.

From over the humming fan, I heard his footsteps come closer. Oh- Is he serious- "Eek!" I yelped as he bent down swiftly and grabbed my wrist. "What are you-" He yanked me up harshly and I stumbled to get to my footing. "Hey-" Why was he dragging me outside?

Oh my- It's too hot. I'm going to die. My feet was even burning against the stone. Stone? "Where are you taking meeeee-EEEK!"

I shrieked as he-

SPLASH.

-THREW me into the POND.

I gasped as I sat, with an aching bottom and… fish. I must have blinked an extra few times, unsure what had just happened. Did he just…

"You wanted to swim," he stated casually. In a pool. I wanted to swim in a pool.

Instead, I was drenched in pond water but.. it didn't seem so bad. And even though that pretty much hurt, it was also… funny. The utter surprise turned into bubbles that forced its way up into a fit of giggles.

"KYOYA!" I yelled in between laughs. He had an amused smirk yet it was also a ghost of a smile. Definitely entertained. Satisfied with his work. The demon. "You will pay," I threatened before splashing him with water.

He frowned for a moment and I could swear there was dark aura coming off of him. Creepy. Perhaps splashing him was a bad idea- But then he just walked away.

What..? I raised an eyebrow at the sight of his retreating back. Now what? I looked down at my position and stared at the koi fishes who were obviously not happy to have a giant friend. "Why hello there. You don't have to worry, I'll leave now," I murmured before getting up carefully.

"Where did he-" What the- Now I would have finished my sentence if it weren't for the force of water that just attacked my face. I spat it out as I blocked it with my hand- Ow, that stings. Holy-

I carefully turned to the evil sight of Hibari Kyoya and a hose.

He was crazy. Definitely.

"You're a demon!" I jumped to the side and lunged at him, grabbing the hose.

His smirk widened before cupping the mouth of it, forcing the direction into my face.

And then the battle over the water direction and the hose begun. Though it wasn't much of a fight, of course. For he was way stronger.

It was so childish yet so fun at the same time. Wow. A moment like this with Hibari Kyoya. It must be a dream. The heat must be getting to me and surely I had to be hallucinating to be playing with a hose and splashing water onto Hibari Kyoya without dying.

And…. We were now completely soaked. Our clothes clung to our skin along with our hair that stuck to our faces, flat and completely wet. The white short sleeved button up that he was wearing… I… It was starting to get especially warm despite being drenched in water.

"What? Done already?" He smirked, still holding the hose mischievously.

As much fun as it was.. The sight of him was making it really hard to think. "Um-"

A step back was all it took to escalate the situation. One slippery rock that shaped the pond, and I slipped backwards. Hibari Kyoya and the house flipped till I saw a whirl of the blue sky- Grabbed. I felt a hand enclose over my wrist but-

SPLASH.

"Ow, ow, ow," I muttered while hearing a low growl. My bottom stung again. I opened my eyes to only have them widen more than I intended, meeting his annoyed steel blue ones. Oh. This… was an awkward position indeed.

One of his arms were outstretched past my head, his hand on the rock behind my head. The other hand was now on one of my hands, both of which are holding me up into a sitting position. His legs were caging mine and… I felt dizzier than before.

Now that his warm breath was tickling my lips and the droplets from his hair teasingly fell upon my face as it slid down.

"You're truly an idiot," he muttered. But oh how I wished he didn't talk. His scent and I… My heart was skyrocketing and the heat was now especially overwhelming.

And I was speechless.

Instead my hand, which seemed to have a mind of its own, reached up to brush the wet hair away from his face. Hand lightly skimming and caressing his skin, my fingers tangled into his damped black locks.

His entrancing steel blue eyes gleamed in a way I did not truly understand. My lips parted in hopes of saying something, anything. But I was at a loss for words, for thoughts and all reason that's now beyond me.

My mind had only one predominant thought as of the moment, and that was: I really wanted to kiss him.

Why does he have such an effect on me nowadays?

It might have been the summer heat, or I might have been crazy. But I-

"Excuse the intrusion, leader! I-" Our heads snapped over to the incoming disciplinary member, skidding to a stop upon the sight of us.

I looked down and realized we were still in the utmost uncomfortable position. Hibari got up casually as if nothing happened and I continued to sit in a probable blushing phase for another few moments. Kusakabe was probably wondering why the hell we were both in the pond in a questionable position, but it wasn't in his job description to ask. So thankfully he didn't, but probably for his own sake as well.

"What is it?" Hibari frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I brought the ice cream and everything else that you requested," Kusakabe reported as he straightened up, raising up a grocery bag. I fought my eyes from rolling.

Hibari couldn't have gotten it himself? But that was a dumb question. Then again, I supposed I wouldn't go in this heat either. But I'm sure it wasn't the heat that stopped him from getting his own ice cream.

"Hn."

Hibari nodded before entering the house, probably to change. Or… shower. I gave Kusakabe a short nod of greeting before dashing into the house.

…..And he beat me to it. I barely reached the hallway when Hibari started entering the bathroom. He really had no manners!

"Hey, ladies first-" But my view was blanketed in darkness and sense of smell enveloped by the scent of laundry detergent.

I pulled the fluffy thing off of my head and was now staring at a white towel. A smile tugged its way onto my lips. So at least he put some thought into it. "Thanks," I called out even though the door was closed in my face. Very nice.

I sighed defeatedly before ruffling my hair with the towel, making my way out into the kitchen where Kusakabe was trying to fit the food into the freezer.

"Need help?" I offered though I was sure he had it.

"It's fine, Nanase-san," he smiled but continued to try and shove the box in. Though the male had to end up taking a lot of things out of the freezer before rearranging them into a fashion that fit. It took some minutes.

I helped myself to a box of juice while sometimes handing him an item or two. After the freezer, he had to place a few into the refrigerator as well with almost the same difficulty. "He won't tell you himself so.. Thank you," I said. "For getting the ice cream and everything else," I added.

Kusakabe blinked a few extra times after closing the door. "You don't have to thank me. It's just my job." Working under Hibari sure made him forget about appreciation. Something seemed to have distracted him because he stood up straight and walked over to me.

"Excuse me, Nanase-san. But you're going to catch a cold," he murmured as he pulled the towel away from my hand and ruffled my hair with it.

I stared at him with wide eyes, unsure what was going on. Kusakabe Tetsuya was drying my hair. That made me burst into laughter. I don't know why but that was just so… strange. "What are you? My mom?" The thought of him as a woman, still with his hair do and everything, just made it all more entertaining.

His eyes widened larger than mine as he stepped back quickly. "I-I'm sorry! Please forgive me-"

"It's okay," I said after calming down. "I don't mind. Thank you.." But then I realized he wasn't truly apologizing to me. Well, he was at first. Now he looked he like was ready to throw himself down onto his knees and begged for mercy.

I turned only to have met Hibari's scowl. His hair was still damp, nicely disheveled- but he was at least wearing dry clothes. A gray tshirt and black shorts.

..But I still couldn't really look at him. "I'll go shower now," I muttered quietly. I ducked under his gaze and made my way to the shower as quickly as possible.

I wasn't sure it was any better with the fact that the shower smelled like his body wash. …..Geez.

I was losing my mind. Definitely.

The sky was slowly starting to darken, setting into the mood of a summer evening.

I gasped happily as I quickly made my way over to the patio, where a plate of watermelons seemed to be awaiting me. "Kusakabe-san! You brought watermelons?" I asked excitedly.

"Help yourself, Nanase-san," he smiled. "Well then leader, if you don't need any more assistance.."

"Hn."

"Then I'll take my leave now," Kusakabe excused himself with a bow.

"See you," I waved before sitting down a few feet from Hibari, knowing he'd complain if I were to get too close. I picked up the slice fruit and took a bite, savoring the sweet water. "Watermelons really are the best for summer," I mused.

"Simple idiot," he muttered.

I gave him a small 'hmph' noise but nothing was going to ruin this moment. Me and the watermelon-

"Ah! You should really ring the doorbell first- Yamamoto-san!" Yama-what?

The two of us turned our head over to the fence in which Kusakabe was having a hard time keeping the almost equally tall teen from entering. I stood up quickly after placing down the finished slice but he was the one to approach the patio instead.

"Takeshi? What are you doing here?" You...Really shouldn't be here. I gave a nervous glance to Hibari who looked ready to toss out a trespassing, unwanted guest to his home. This might be worse than catching someone sneaking into school on the weekend.

"Sorry for intruding," he stated casually to Hibari with an emotionless smile.

"I….I know how you probably feel but… One last time. For closure." Straight to the point..

"For closure?" I raised an eyebrow. What is he talking about again?

"Will you go on a date with me?"

My eyes widened and I must have looked entirely confused, staring at him if I didn't understand. But… Didn't we… But… "As..friends?" I ended up stammering out like a real idiot.

"One more chance."

"But…" Hibari… "As friends..?"

"I don't care what you think of it as. Just...Please."

"I don't think…" Not 'think'. It was definitely not a good idea. Say no. Just say no-

"Say yes," he said firmly, determination ignited in his eyes.

"..Yes.." stammered out before I could stop myself. And how could I not? Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But...

The burning gaze that he left me under, eyes pleading along with his tone. For the anger and the betrayal that I seemed to have thrown him into once I finally told him I was staying at Hibari's home. For all the things I put him through. But isn't this another? Isn't this something else I'm putting him to-

No! Take it back. NOW.

"Um-"

"Then, see you tomorrow!"

….And it was too late. Or I was just a pathetic whimp, poor excuse of a decent human being that could only watch as he jogged away. Too scared to call after him, too scared to tell him 'no' or 'on a second thought..'

And now….too scared to turn back to the gaze opposite from Takeshi. Takeshi was a burning fuel, almond brown eyes lit in some sort of passion. While…

"Hibari, I.." I'm sorry. And I'm stupid. And I didn't actually want to go… but I said yes. Because I'm stupid. Terribly, terribly stupid. Did I mention 'stupid'?

His was a cold, icy gaze. Even in the midst of summer, under blazing heat, his steel blue eyes still sent a shiver down my spine. One that made it entirely too hard to think, in fact every part of him made it difficult to form thoughts.

"Are you..angry?" Are you REALLY that stupid, my mind sneered back at me for even uttering such stupid words.

"Why should I be?" He asked as he stood up, already making his way back inside the house.

"I don't have to go.. Even though it's just.. friends. We're just.." Perhaps if he snapped at me, yelled at me, made me stay. Perhaps if he really didn't want me to go, perhaps then I'd have the courage to tell Takeshi otherwise. But-

"It's none of my concern," he stated coldly, shooting me one last look over his shoulder before retreating.

Reborn, shoot me. I shook my head before dragging my hands down my face in utter frustration. I hated myself so much at the moment I could gouge out my own eyes-...Pathetic.

I…

I'm stupid. I'm so, so, so stupid. I'm….. Why. Why can't I just….

I slumped down onto the patio, staring out into the backyard. Over to the hose, down to the pond. Remembering the afternoon.. Compared to now. Now that he seemed as cold and distant as before. Uncaring and...far away.

Nothing ever goes right. Or.. I never make the right decisions.

I…..I messed up again.

No.

I'm going to set things straight tomorrow.

A/N: She's pretty wishy washy isn't she? The ending of the chapter made me roll around and want to face palm. I don't know why I didn't leave it out, maybe because I already wrote some of the next. Also if this is getting too boring, let me know LOL.
I would like to note that Sakura only calls Hibari by Kyoya usually by the spur of a moment. But uhm, anyways..
Here's an omake that was supposed to be the beginning of chapter 3.. though I didn't really like how it turned out. So.. read it if you feel like it. c: This is the after effects of being trained by Reborn.

This omake occurred around 1 1/2 week ago from the chapter above.

OMAKE
Paranoia.

"Isn't it enough that I have to see you at my house?" He could've just said 'home'.

"Well good afternoon to you too," I sighed upon entering the reception room.

"Get out, Nanase Sakura."

I frowned, walking over and placing the bento on his desk nevertheless. "You're welcome."

"I didn't thank you."

"Yeah, of course not." Hibari raised an eyebrow to my response. "What?" I mumbled, not in the mood to entertain him today.

"Where's your annoying optimism?"

My what? I just stared at him for a moment. I didn't feel like talking back today. I was just tired.

"Gone along with the rest of my energy in training," I replied before turning around and leaving.

Wh- He lifted up a hand and out of reflex, I took a quick stance. One hand already at my side, finger brushing against the fan keychains.

He parted his lips slightly and I found myself sighing once he slowly rested it onto the desk, watching my reactions.

I let out a breath of relief. What am I doing? But him attacking me wouldn't be uncommon. Though I was wrong (this time). "S-Sorry," I mumbled, putting down my arms. I was slightly embarrassed. But more than anything, I was relieved that he wasn't trying to attack me.

"See you later."

I nodded in greeting to Kusakabe once I stepped outside but I didn't wait for his reply. I had to get out of here before-

"Sakura."

I stiffened at the sound of the childish voice. Great. I turned mechanically over to Reborn who was sitting comfortably on Tsuna's shoulder. "Reborn, Tsuna," I forged a smile.

"Good afternoon, Sakura-chan," Tsuna greeted.

"Is there something else you'd like me to do?" I asked Reborn. Please say no. Please say no.

"No." Phew- Wait, what?

"Really?" I asked, disbelief evident in my voice. "N-Not like I want anything to do."

He nodded but there was a smirk on his face. That damn smirk. "Nope. You deserve a rest."

I do? "Thanks..?" I was wary of his words. There was no way this demon was giving me a rest. Or perhaps he was tired of me and realized I was no good. What if he kills me for knowing about the mafia? Like 'now that you know too much, we'll have to kill you.' Oh no, that wouldn't be good.

"Sakura-chan?"

I snapped back to reality with a soft laugh. "S-Should we go eat lunch?"

"Yeah, the rest are waiting on the rooftop," he answered, warm brown eyes filled with concern.

The whole time while we were walking up the flight of stairs, I half expected Reborn to kick me down or throw a random grenade at me or- I don't even know.

I was absolutely, positively paranoid.

"Good afternoon," I greeted to Kyoko, Hana, Takeshi, and Ryohei- who glanced away immediately. I didn't fail to notice the red in his face which only made me sigh. Right, that happened. Towel incident.

Tsuna looked from me to him, already noticing something and I started to wonder how sharp Tsuna's intuition was.

Even 'peacefully' eating lunch under a beautiful sky and warm sun wasn't enough to calm me.

I was drowning out the conversation like always- kind of. More like I was keeping an eye on Reborn at all times. But he was conversing with everyone else-

"Sakura."

I stiffened, straightened up immediately as I glanced down at the baby that jumped to my side. "Yes, Reborn?" I asked, warily. My hand already darting to the side. But Kyoko and Hana were present, he wouldn't try anything. Would he? Or would my death be explained some other way? Like I magnificently choked on food to my misery or I had a heart attack (even regardless of some type of bullet to my head or bomb in the background).

"You've been staring at me for awhile," his lips curved. "Is it my attractive curly sideburns?"

His what? Oh. "Yes..?"

He smirked, raising a hand up- And I flinched instinctively. "Thanks!" was all he said. HE WAS ENJOYING THIS.

Tsuna seemed to notice. "Reborn!"

"What?" he asked casually.

"What did you DO to her?" Tsuna exclaimed with a fearful tone. "She's been scared of you all this time."

"I'm not SCARED," I mumbled begrudgingly. Reborn totally nodded in that whole 'yeah-you-shouldn't-be-because-you-should-be-tough' kind of way but if he thinks that way... then what if he ends up throwing me into a tank of sharks or like making me climb up mount fuji in one hour or, or, or-

"Dame-Tsuna. You shouldn't be worrying about anyone else but yourself. You'll be back in training after she is done."

Oh god. And suddenly training still seemed like a long, long, long journey. I shuddered at the thought of what he's been making me do and what he could possibly still have in store for me.

Takeshi laughed, "Seems like everyone is working hard, huh?" Working hard! More like working me to the bones- A large hand was placed on my shoulder and I jumped. "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" Takeshi's eyebrows knitted. Hell no!

"Yeah," I smiled to reassure him. But I was in one piece and that was all that mattered. Right, right? 'For now' lingered in my mind but I managed to push it away.