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Chapter 8: Burden

Haru internally sighed in relief, placing her Midori High book bag on the teachers desk to fill it with her textbooks. She'd gotten a fair amount of reading done while at her tutoring session, but there was still homework she had to finish once she got home.

"Miura-san."

Haru looked up and internally groaned at the sight of whatever-his-name-was Kei.

She plastered a polite smile on her lips.

"Kei-san, thank you for coming! I hope I was able to help you a little bit," she said. Politeness was sometimes such an annoying thing that needed to be fulfilled, but Haru couldn't have a bad attitude when dealing with someone from a different school. She was the sole representative of Midori High at Namimori and acting rudely would reflect badly on her school.

"Yeah, you were a big help! It's so generous of you to take time out of your schedule to help others," Kei replied, a charming smile curving over his lips. But Haru was unaffected by it, her expression not changing in the slightest.

"Can I help you with something, Kei-san?" Haru asked, hoping to quickly get to the point so she could go home… with Tsuna-san! Her expression changed into one of anticipation, eyes sparkling as she imagined a romantic stroll down the sidewalk at sunset, hands linked and Tsuna-san's manly voice telling her how much he loved her—

"—and I was hoping, maybe, you could ask Kyoko-san what she thinks of me, so I can get an idea of whether or not I should con… confess… to her…"

Haru warped back into the conversation, leaving her beautiful fantasy behind and staring slightly jaw-slacked at the boy in front of her.

He liked Kyoko-chan?! He wanted to confess to Kyoko-chan?!

"So… so how about it?" He asked, his expression filled with nervousness. He seemed earnest, fidgeting a bit as he waited for her response.

"Hahi…" Haru muttered. Kei-san liked Kyoko-chan and wanted her help to confess? The shock rendered Haru completely immobile. She stood frozen before him, her fingers stiff like ice. But they warmed as Tsuna's fingers intertwined with them, dissolving the ice with trails of fire. His face suddenly appeared in front of her. "Hahi! Tsuna-san!" she exclaimed. The fire travelled up to her face, lighting her cheeks aflame.

"Haru, are you ready? Let's go," he said. His hand tugged hers, and Haru wondered why the tug felt so insistent even though his movements were gentle and calm. And then Haru looked over at Kei, whose face seemed to hold an undertone of urgency. He reached out and grasped her forearm.

"Haru-san, wait—"

There was another tug from Tsuna, but it was ten times stronger this time.

"Hahi!"

The tug ended with Haru pressed flush against Tsuna, her nose squished into his collarbone. Both her arms were free now, but Tsuna's arm was like an iron band around her shoulders. All she could see was his adam's apple bobbing as he spoke to his classmate.

"Sorry Murakami-san, but we really have to get going."

Tsuna's arm was herding her out of the classroom and into the hallway. "Ah! Tsuna-san, my bag—"

"I have it," Tsuna said, holding up his free arm and presenting her Midori High school bag to her. He wasn't looking at her, but Haru could swear that she could see his eyes glinting orange.

Haru quickly quieted, knowing that orange eyes was never a good sign. It usually meant that danger was imminent. Her mind started working quickly. Was there an enemy nearby? Yamamoto and Gokudera were absent from Tsuna's side; an abnormal occurrence. A series of questions flashed through her head.

Were they fighting the enemy and waiting for Tsuna to come help?

Why hadn't Tsuna gone with them?

Was it because of her?

Haru pursed her lips. That could be it. He was probably trying to make sure she was safe first before engaging the enemy. She clenched her hands tightly in frustration; Haru hated being seen as a burden.

"It's okay Tsuna-san, I can walk home by myself! You should go help Yamamoto-kun and Gokudera!" she exclaimed. She swiped her bag from Tsuna, who was shocked that she'd managed to snatch it from him.

"Huh?! What are you talking about Haru?"

Haru pouted, irritated that he still wanted to play dumb with her.

"You have some Vongola business to handle, right? Don't worry about me and do what you need to do!" With that said, Haru turned and started running.

"Wha—?! Haru!" Tsuna called, but Haru ignored him and kept running. She headed towards the shoe lockers, where her outdoor shoes were waiting. Hopefully, Tsuna would have gone to help Yamamoto and Gokudera by the time she switched shoes. She could loop around and try to figure out where the enemy was, and then attempt to help in some way. Haru didn't want to be a burden anymore!

But then she bumped into the Leader of the Disciplinary Committee.

"Running in the halls? I'll bite you to death."

Haru paled. "Hahi!" She trembled a bit at Hibari Kyoya's face sneering down at her. One of the Hibird's was on his shoulder, tweeting at her.

But wait… Hibari was commonly known to be one of the best fighters in the Family. If he helped fight, the enemy would be a goner for sure! Haru's face became resolute. "Hibari-san!" she exclaimed, "Yamamoto-kun and Gokudera need your help!"

"Rule-breakers should be punished," Hibari said, completely ignoring Haru. "I'll bite you so you never break another rule again."

Haru squeaked, backing up a bit from the bloodlustful look on Hibari's face. The look changed into annoyance, though, when there was a shout from behind her.

"Hibari!"

Suddenly, Tsuna appeared and shielded Haru behind him. Hibari only cocked his head at the appearance of the Vongola heir.

"Hm? It's the Herbivore. Move aside. I need to punish rule-breakers," Hibari said. Tsuna's eyes narrowed.

"You can't hurt innocents, Hibari," Tsuna said commandingly. But Hibari had always been a wild card; difficult to control and constantly disobedient. The bearer of the Cloud Flames only smirked in amusement.

"So you will take the punishment for this rule-breaker?" he said. "Interesting. It's been a while since we last fought, Herbivore." Tsuna sighed in defeat, knowing that Hibari wouldn't accept any other alternative.

"Okay, fine, I'll fight you Hibari. But I'll do it later, I have to take Haru home," Tsuna said.

"Don't make me wait long," Hibari told him before making his exit by jumping out a window.

Haru watched Tsuna sigh, his bunched up shoulders relaxing as his breath left him. She felt a little bad for being the cause of this development, as Hibari wouldn't have stopped her if she hadn't been running.

"Tsuna-san…"

Tsuna turned and smiled comfortingly at her. "Let's get you home, okay Haru?" he said.

"But Yamamoto-kun and Gokudera—"

Tsuna grasped her hand in his, gently tugging her down the hallway. His smile was full of surety.

"They'll be fine. Let's go," he said. Haru blushed and looked at their twined hands.

"Okay."