Hi, how are you all doing?
It's been a few months since I updated and well I have a lot of reasons.

One, I finished my college applications. Currently, I am just focusing on school and my social life. There's a lot of things going on, and I feel like I just don't have the time to squeeze in writing.

But that all doesn't matter one bit.

Anyway, I received comments about Hotaru's personality. I apologize how she isn't acting the age she is supposed to be (meaning she should be more mature). I have not edited these chapters, but after this update, I will be going back to my chapters and re-editing them starting from Chapter 1. I will make sure not to make too many changes in case I decide to change a scenario or what the dialogues are. However, there will be changes to chapter 1 since I feel like whatever I wrote just doesn't feel realistic enough.

I know the story is really dull. No action whatsoever. I want to throw it in, but for now it just would not fit into the plot.
Thank you and here is Chapter 19!

Pitch black darkness. There was no feeling. I couldn't see, couldn't hear a thing. Suddenly I realized there was nothing to grasp-nothing to secure my stability. Maybe I was floating, or maybe I wasn't. Who knows. Then in a blink of an eye, I'm not in the that pitch black darkness anymore. Now I'm in a dim lighted room. Recognition hits me like a bullet. My old computer, my old bed and sheets, the familiar coolness of the worm and the window frame. It was my old room; the one I lived in until I left the world. My body reacted on its own. My legs moved, one small step at a time. With a raised arm, my fingers trace the smooth surface of my wooden desk. I find myself picking up pieces of scattered papers. Small dark, letters written all over. I gently place the various pieces separately on my desk. I stare at them, a wave of nostalgia hitting me. Although its incomprehensible now I knew what it said, what my original thoughts at the moment I wrote this. Really, it almost feels like it was yesterday. My lips trudges with gravity.

Light escapes into my room from my window. Like a signal, I follow it. With my face almost touching the glass, I peered down at the colorful world of green, healthy grass and the clearest cerulean sky. Someone catches my eye. My eyes kept its strained widening as more people appeared outside the glass. In full blast uniforms were three students walking; Gokudera, Tsuna and... Takeshi. Even with audio, I could see the happiness radiating off them. The smile filled with life from Takeshi as his mouth moved. Tsuna's nervous expression was evident, but when he talked there was something serene about his face when he gazed upon his two friends. Gokudera looked ticked off with one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other with his bag thrown behind his shoulders. His face was a nasty frown, but it seemed to lessen as Tsuna smiled at him.

They started to pass by my window and I did something I never expected to.

I tapped my window loudly to catch their attention. "Tsuna-kun! Takeshi-kun!" My voice echoed in the room and I rubbed my arms thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me as the room got somewhat dimmer.

But all I could really think about was how they didn't notice. And something in my brain nudged me-hard.

My legs moved on instinct to the door, but it wouldn't budge. I ran back to the window, their figures were fading whilst a light was blinding my eyes.

"-wake up..."

The voice...then something smacked into my face. Its fuzzy surface tickled my nose as I groaned, pulling my hand to rub my nose. Sleepiness mulled me back into sleep as I made no effort whatsoever to lift my eyelids.

"Wake up Hotaru."

I recognized the squeaky voice of the sun acrobaleno almost instantly. I was still groggy and with that weird dream, I almost felt as if I wasn't in this world. Without a second thought I sat up although I instantly regretted, already missing the warmth of the blanket. Cold sweat spread on my palm, making me feel colder than normal. When I turned to the familiar voice calling me, I see Reborn already up. He stood on the right side of my bed, his hands adjusting his tie. He even creased on the creases on his suit. Reborn then adverts my gaze by pointing at a pile of clothes next to me. "Change and meet me outside." And with that, he walked outside.

I did as I was told. I ran inside the bathroom and slipped on my clothes from yesterday. However there was a difference in the clothes as I could smell a nice gentle smell of flowers from it. They probably washed it yesterday. I turned the faucet on and started to splash water on my face. I gurgled my mouth with some water I filled in a cup I found in one of the cabinets. A fluffy towel hung on the side of the bathroom and I instantly grabbed it. I dried my face and hung it back where it belonged. Feeling refreshed, I walked out of the bathroom, but then I walked back into the bathroom one last time to look in the mirror. I looked at my reflection grudgingly. I used my hands to flatten down my hair. "I guess this looks alright..." I mutter to myself.

This time when I walk out of the bathroom, my legs lead my to the bedroom door. I open it and look left and right before seeing Reborn leaning against the wall. He looked bored, but I can't tell for sure. He's nearly expressionless most of the time anyway.

Reborn looks at me and gives me a nod, as if he was giving me approval for my appearance.

As he walked I followed right behind him. I didn't feel that comfortable to stand right next to him. After all, I didn't know what to talk to him and there is no way I want to suffer being awkward around him. Plus walking behind him gave me time to appreciate the designs of the building. The light colored walls and the really intricate wooden doors. Some doors even have these elaborate designs on them like embroideries on fabric. I don't take any chances to stare too long, otherwise I feel like I'll lose the sight of Reborn. We kept on walking through a long winded hallway, up a few stairs, and continuing down the road of hallways. I realized by now that breakfast is probably not the first thing on Reborn's mind. Clearly, we're not going to the dinning room.

I kept my mouth shut the entire time. I spent my time looking around and trying to find something to interesting to look at. By the second flight of stairs and wondering through the hallways, I was starting to get bored. Every single hallway looked the same with its chandeliers and tan walls. The floor was carpet but the patterns were also repetitive. I thought about staring at the back of Reborn's head, but I managed to talk myself out of it. After all, a hitman like Reborn would probably notice someone (aka me) looking at him. And I didn't want to catch his attention in anyway. I haven't a gut feeling- being in Reborn's presence wasn't a miracle , no it was more like a curse. With this I was sure to somehow dig a hole for myself in the mafia world.

We finally stopped walking. Reborn knocked on the door in front of us. He didn't say a word. Instead he looked at me and gave a nod. He pulled he pulled the door open and led me in.

Inside was nicely furnished. A comfy looking chair here, a bookshelf on both side of the room, a table with some refreshments, a vase in one corner of the room and finally a grand desk smacked in the middle of the room with piles of folders and papers there. There was a man there and I nearly had to take a double-take. Sitting there with their pen paused, they laid it down and looked up with a kind smile.

"Nono," Reborn greeted the Vongola Ninth with a tip of his hat. Although there was a silence between them, I felt the great respect they had for each other.

Then it was my turn. I knew it was going to come sooner or later. As Timoteo's eyes landed on mine he smiled like that of a kind grandfather.

"Reborn," the ninth greeted him back before pausing, "this young guest is...?"

I decided to introduce myself, but my voice decided to give out near the end like car running out of fuel. "I'm Nakarui Hotaru...sir." Thoughts ran through my head. Is that how you greet someone older than you? Especially if they're Italian?

The second that he paused, as if analyzing me, was dreadful. It was important to make good first impressions with others.

"Well welcome Hotaru-chan. My name is Timoteo." He said with a smile. He looked like he was in thought for a second before clearing his threat and speaking in a language I understood more of, Japanese.
"I'm surprised such a young child as yourself is alright after yesterday's shock." He said choosing his words carefully. His swap from Italian to Japanese was so smooth I almost didn't catch it. But I was sure glad he started speaking in Japanese, otherwise I'm not sure I could understand what he would be talking about.

"Now you two please take a seat."

I followed Reborn to the center of the room and sat one of the chairs. The cushion crushed under my weight while my legs dangled above the carpet ground. I had my hands together as an act of politeness, but also because I was so desperately nervous that I needed something to cling on.

My surroundings started to disappear as fear and anxiety ate me away, but then I was pulled away. "Hotaru-chan, do you know why you're here?" Timoteo asked slowly. He had a patient expression as if telling me that I could take my time to answer.

The question stumped me, so I said the first thing I could think of, "because it was too late to search for my house?" My voice quivered slightly from being unsure. I didn't miss the brief glance between glance between the two individuals in front of me.

"Well that too." Timoteo said calmly, "Reborn has brought you here for your safety."

Safety? Am I in danger of some sort? But I'm not that special , I'm just a normal girl.

I wanted to spill thoughts and make a complaint, but I couldn't. Did kids my age even think like this? Getting myself stuck in a situation like this makes it even harder for me to stop my facade fade. No matter how much fun I like playing as a kid, I couldn't pretend to be as innocent as a real kid was. I knew about things around me. I knew I was kidnapped by some crazy woman. Although the reason isn't so apparent, she had to be crazy. Who threatens a kid about breaking their limbs?

He laughed. Timoteo just chuckles heartily while I'm here worrying about what my next move should be!

A warm smile wraped on his face, "don't worry about a thing dear." He paused elegantly and gave a brief glance again to Reborn. How many secret messages do they need to have? I purposely diverted my eyes to the corner of the room. They got nothing to worry about- I'm not even listening or looking if they're mouthing some sort of secret code.

Reborn jumped and landed on Timoteo's desk with a small thump. He doesn't speak instantly, but when he does his voice is almost harsh. "Are you sure about that Nono? Introducing her to..."

I just stand there while the two talk, voices becoming lower and lower. Well, how fun it is to sit here knowing not a single thing when this situation literally revolves around me. I bite my lip. Makes me wish to think about meeting any more canon characters. I knew other dangers would tumble at me if I stuck around the cast and got too deep into the story. Maybe I'll go hit the gym, then get some muscles and learn ways to defend myself. Whatever comes my way, I'll just kick them away. At this thought, my brain hums in amusement. It'll work (maybe).

"Hotaru, do you know what flames are?"

This question! Again? I nearly choked on my saliva when those words rang my ears.

I frown and tap my chin with a finger, "you mean fire? already asked me about fire." I answered as calmly as I could. My heart pounded, and an eerie feeling gnawed on me. A trap, this is what it really felt like. But by whatever means, I wanted to get away from the mafia as far away as I could. Just imagining fighting with violence and flames; I couldn't even dream of it. I mean me? Doing all of that- even being a part of it? No way. It just...didn't seem the slightest bit realistic.

Timoteo smiled as he politely shook his head before bring his hand up, and almost in slow motion a flicker of orange appeared on his hand. Then it started to grow larger, and larger until his whole hand was glowing with this gentle orange flame. "In a way it is like the regular flame, but these- they can do much more than that."

When he paused, all I could think about was the sky flame in front of me looking more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. My brain stopped its proper functioning at that moment. I was lost in the gentle orange, staring at its small flicker. For a minute, I was away from here and sitting somewhere with a peace of mind. No trouble of trying to be someone different; I was just me. But then I blinked and like a sudden jolt, I was back. Back to being in Italy. Back to being interrogated by Timoteo and Reborn. And finally, back into being Nakarui Hotaru- a girl whose existence crossing the canon characters is a mystery to me. I gently rub my eyes. My thoughts is storming in my brain and it isn't making any of my decisions easier for me.

Since I did not reply to the orange flame, Timoteo started to speak vaguely, "these flames are a flame. Of a person's will. The stronger you are both mentally and physically, the brighter and clearer the flame will light up."

"Why do I need to know about these flames?" I blurt out without thinking. I never wanted to join the mafia. But with the current events, it feels like I'm already in the lion's den. "I never seen flames like that, are you doing magic?" I ask while keeping my gaze at Timoteo steady. Instead of replying like I thought he would, he pauses and closes his eyes slowly. He's thinking, I thought to myself, is he going to give me a true, legit answer or will he throw in some lies to trip me up because I'm a kid?

I glance at Reborn again. I couldn't guess what he was doing. With his fedora covering his eyes like that, I wouldn't be surprised if he was just staring at me in secret. At that thought, I swiftly readjust my gaze back to Timoteo. My fingers spread on my lap and I continuously tap on my thigh in an impatient rhythm. Whatever tension I'm feeling, the two of didn't seem to care or perhaps they didn't even notice.

"Well," Timoteo started to say.

At the sound of his voice, I gave him my upmost attention.

"I guess you can say I'm sort of a hero." He gives me a trusting smile, "I fight against the evil and make sure the people here are taken care of." And with that the conversation was over. It seemed as if Timoteo was satisfied with me just seeing the flame.

I wondered what was even the point for me to see those flames. Saying he was a hero and all, I think Timoteo is trying to show me something. Maybe this is a test or something, but thinking over it I doubt this is a test. Why would the head of Vongola go out of his way to test out a six year old. Whatever it was, I was curious and I wanted to get to the bottom of it. First, however, I need food.

After our lovely conversation with Timoteo, Reborn and I were excused from his office as he said he was going back to some of his paperwork. We bid our goodbyes (well, just me actually while Reborn gave a nod). Now we were finally off to breakfast. As we walked, I pressed my palm on my stomach as I felt a pang of hunger. I should get some food quick.

one second.

two minutes.

three minutes.

one hour.

Time quickly passed as we ate silently. There was a lot of fresh foods and I couldn't help but want to try a bit of everything. Reborn didn't make a snarky comment which was a little surprising. I always thought he would be somewhat talkative with the way he threatens Tsuna with every word that flies out of his mouth. Then again, the brunette did take a place in the hitman's heart as the story progressed. I knew I kept glancing at Reborn because avoiding him would be too awkward.

"Mr. Reborn?" I asked from across the table. I set my pastry down on my plate and watched the said person lift his head. On his face was a normal expression that said literally nothing. The only way I could tell he acknowledged me calling out to him was his gaze that he never dropped. "Um," I faked a cough, "when will I be able to go home?"

Delaying the fact that I had to go home would be horrible. Just imagine the reactions of both Nick and Danielle. I still remember how I was taken away right under Emiko's nose. Dread instantly filled my mind. I just can't imagine what my family's reaction would be. And Emiko...I hope she isn't blamed for my disappearance.

I'm still in the midst of stuffing my mouth with a piece of pastry when I hear the clinking of Reborn's silverware. I instinctively look up and see him already done. He lightly dabs, not wipe, his mouth. Then he picks up his mug and sips the steaming drink. I'm betting that its black coffee. I chew slowly as I watch him. Anticipating his next move is quite stressful. Then he drops the bomb by saying, "after you finish breakfast."

I pause and awkwardly chew faster. Swallow. Gulp. Wipe. My breakfast is done. I look at Reborn without much thought and silently said, "I'm done eating."

His chair slides against the marble floor and I follow his action. I bow my head down to the maids who are rushing hurriedly to the table and cleaning up our finished dishes to show them my appreciation. A lady smiled and I timidly smiled back.

Reborn turns around and glances at me as if making sure I was still behind him. We go to the limo and our quiet ride begins. We pass trees and houses and its beautiful but I cannot find a slice of familiarity. It seems as if I would never go back home, but Reborn was taking me and well- I trusted him.

Then the neighborhood became stacks of grey buildings. I recognize them. With a lifted heart, I began to think of how things would become normal again. No more action, guns, no Vongola. I poke my fingers against each other. Was this not what I wanted?

"We're here." Reborn's voice was like a knife cutting through my crazy thoughts, "it's here isn't it?" He asked.

It took me a few seconds for my muddled brain to realize he was asking me to verify the location. I quickly stick my head out, "yes it is!"

The driver opens the door for me and as I step out, Reborn does the same. He glances at the house and I could see the smirk forming on his face. Whatever his thoughts were I did not want to know. A smirk always indicated some sort of planning was being done at the same moment. Or...perhaps he was ridiculing my house right in front of me? Just thinking about the latter, I could feel my emotions boiling.

Reborn places his hand on my head and pats it, "be safe Hotaru." He says before walking away. My fury dissipates just like that. I stare at his figure walking back into the limo. I must've stared at the limo a bit too long because the window rolled down and Reborn had his head sticking out. "Go on." He urges me like I was a kid. He looks more childish than me!

I take a few steps towards the door and even when I'm right in front, I have a feeling that I have to turn around. He's still there.

My hands become sweaty as I knock on the door. No answer. I knock louder. There's footsteps inside. The door swings open and my family's there. Emiko and Danielle has evidently the blotchiest eyes. They were crying I thought to myself guiltily. Emiko lunged at me and brought me into a crushing hug and tears spilled.

"Oh I'm so sorry Hotaru!" Emiko said in a muffled tone as she continued to cry, "I should have watched you."

Danielle hugged the both of us. "Hotaru where did you go? I was so worried. We called the police and had them search for you at night but you were no where to be found."

Nick said the words that made me feel genuinely happy, "welcome home."

As I was ushered inside, I turned to peek at the street. The limo had left. Reborn had left. I had this nagging feeling though; this is not the last time I would see him.

"Now tell us what happened to you."

I look at my family and can't help but freeze. How am I going to explain this ?