Forgotten Flame

Little Falcon: Hey guys, this is my first KHR chapter story. This has been in my head for the longest time since I first realized how disregarded Haru is in the story. It's still too early to choose who really deserves to be her partner… who do you think? Let me know…

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!

Chapter 1: Never Happened

The absence of warmth beside her woke her up. With her eyes closed, she blindly reached for the person that was supposed to be at her side that night. Feeling nothing, she slowly opened her chestnut brown eyes and scanned the expanse of the dark room.

Moonlight filtered through the thin curtains that hung on the wide open window, giving her the little light she needed to confirm that she was alone. The bathroom rood quietly opened. His eyes widened in surprise to see her awake and looking at him accusingly.

"Going out again?" she answered her own question as he only replied with a silent nod while he buttoned up his shirt. Why did she even bother asking? For years, this had been a normal event for the both of them. Only one reason calls for him to leave her side at the dead of the night. Vongola… She knew this from the very beginning and understood right away that there is one person whose importance is greater than her own in his life. The 10th Vongola boss…

Wrapping a blanket around her naked body, she walked over to him and arranged his tie. "Please be careful," she looked straight into his eyes and pleaded.

He tipped her chin and kissed her till she was breathless. His lips traveled to her slender neck and sucked on a sensitive spot. A smirk appeared on his handsome face as he touched the mark he made. "Even before this mark disappears, I'll be at your side," he whispered so close to her ear then he left.

The wind blew gently into the room. Somehow, the room grew colder now that he was gone.

"Kyoko-chan!" a girl with long layered brown hair waved enthusiastically at another girl from across the street. The bright afternoon sun showed no signs of disappearing in the clear sky.

"Haru!" the girl waved back as she waited for the pedestrian go light. Soon after meeting Haru, they walked around the shops of Namimori district. "I called you last night. No one answered. Where were you?" Kyoko casually inquired as they eyed the cute displays on the window.

"I was in a friend's house," this is a lie she has perfected since they started dating. Although, he didn't literally tell her to keep it a secret, some things are understood without need for words. It was never an issue that he was a guardian of the man her best friend was with. Somehow, they never realized that their relationship would last this long, but it did and the time to reveal their relationship never really came.

So far, nobody ever suspected that they were together. She had to congratulate herself for her superb acting. Countless times, Haru sees him with Sawada Tsunayoshi and in those times, she never gave a hint of their romantic involvement. It goes without saying that he was a great actor as well.

It had been three years now since they graduated from high school. Everyone has their own place now, pursuing the dreams they made and also fulfilling the duties of their 'other' life in the process. Kyoko knew about Tsuna being a mafia boss but she was still kept in the dark about the details. She was not happy with it but she understands.

Haru was completely aware of everything. Its not like 'he' tells her everything, in fact; he doesn't even mention anything about the mafia when he's with her. It was through her effort that she was able to find out every twist and turn the Vongola family made.

That night, Haru walked back to her apartment. He said he wouldn't be back tonight so there was no use in me being there. Her entire body froze as she saw a figure from a distance. It was standing right in front of her house.

Plucking out her courage, she began to approach the stranger. Her heart slamming against her ribcage like an imprisoned rat. Her stomach twist and turned uncomfortably as she grew nearer. The street lights flickered above the person, making her more nervous. Her throat felt dry and her body was involuntarily trembling as if sensing the danger ahead.

Instinctively, Haru stopped walking as the figure turned its head and looked directly as her. Her eyes widened in shock as she began to back away. The lights blacked out in the entire alley as she ran away towards an unknown path. For the longest minute in her life, she ran away not knowing where to go. Her legs tried to take huge strides as her body also fought to keep up.

In an instant, she felt someone behind her. He covered her mouth with a cloth that reeks of some chemical that knocked her out instantly. Her hands reached out to someone… someone she didn't want to leave.

I understand I can't run away from this any longer. I just… can't afford to sacrifice you right now.

"Tsu-kun!" Kyoko ran to her lover's arms in tears.

"What is it, Kyoko-chan?" the young Vongola boss immediately felt worry upon seeing the girl he had loved from their high school years and up until today, in tears that she didn't show openly.

"She's gone! Haru! She's gone! Please help me find her!" she cried into his chest as he protectively wound his arms around her.

Calling her wasn't an option, since the line was cut off. Together, Kyoko and Tsuna went to her apartment only to find it empty. The door was open as if waiting for another tenant. Not one trace of the person who lived there for years remained. Sensing trouble, he called for his trusted guardians to help with the search.

School records, registration files, photographs- everything was gone… taken or erased as if she never existed to begin with. Her parents had died, leaving her alone. Every single link she had was broken. Only in their memories did she ever exist.

His eyes narrowed in agitation as he stood in front of her empty doorstep. The flame in his ring roared dangerously mirroring his anger. He wanted so much to lash out but he knew it was unnecessary. Doing so would only cause unwanted problems, and it wouldn't make her come back.

From that day onwards, Miura Haru ceased to exist.

Little Falcon: Hmmm, now I'm left with two options… who do you like best for Haru Hibari or Yamamoto? Read and let me know what you think.