29. Birth

29. Birth

She was running. She was crying.

She struggled to put a foot in front of the other, moving forward, forward-- forward? She was running, she was proceeding, but she was running on a hallway that had no end.

Desperately, desperately... She was escaping. She was running-- for her life. She was scared. She was fearful. And so, she kept on running. From what? Who knows? She just knew she had to run.

She tripped.

She looked down, and there-- a shadow in the form of a hand had grasped at her right ankle, and she had no other chance to react before she was pulled away towards the direction she was running away from.

She punched at the shadow, but her fist went through it, hitting her leg instead.

No, she screamed. Please, no.

Another shadow reached out from the darkness, and despite her struggles, got a grasps on her left wrist. The dragging ceased, and she realized she was out of the hallway. She was submerged in nothingness.

And in front of her, will-o-wisps floated out of the darkness, the purple flames scattering out of its shape to form a wicked, sick smile.

Ninomiya Rei woke up screaming.

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I was wrapped in a tight embrace.

My eyes were wide and my whole body was shaking. My ears rang and I could feel the tears at the corners of my eyes and down my cheek. My breathing came in and out in short pants and gasps, my heart was beating loudly, rapidly-- painfully.

I was covered in sweat.

"It's alright," Dad's deep voice soothed me, speaking softly into my ears. He patted my head in a calming manner, his other arm wrapped tightly around my body, holding me close. "It's alright, Rei. It's just a bad dream."

Dream?

That was a dream?

Shakily, I brought my hands up, clutching tightly at the back of my Father's shirt, clenching the fabric tightly. I know I was grasping on so tightly my nails may be digging into his back, but I didn't want to let go.

I held on, as if for dear life, as if I feared losing this moment of body contact. I lowered my head, burying my nose into his shoulder. I sniffled, feeling another tear fall out of my eyes.

"Breathe slowly," he urged softly.

And I obeyed. I forcefully calmed my breathing. It took me a long while to manage even one deep breath, and letting it out slowly took me another long while.

But Dad was patient. "Just like that," he rubbed soothing circles on my back. "In... and out."

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May 1st

When I woke up a second time, it was noon. It was a Sunday, so it was quite alright.

I lifted my head off the pillow and stretched. I was tempted to go back to sleep, but I dismissed the idea and got up from the bed. Yawning and rubbing my eyes, I walked towards the mirror to fix myself up.

And suddenly my room door burst open.

"Yo, Rei!" Takeshi greeted boisterously.

Huh?

"Geez, you just woke up?" Gokudera frowned, showing himself from behind Takeshi. "You have horrible sleeping habits!" he reprimanded, staying at the doorway.

"Uh- Excuse the intrusion." Tsuna peeked in from behind the two.

I rubbed my eyes again. Nope, not an illusion. "What... are y'all doing here?" I asked, slurring.

Tsuna closes the door behind him. "Ac-Actually, we were thinking of heading to the arcade today... and we were wondering if you'd like to join." he asked hesitantly, as if this was his first ever time asking his friend to hang out.

Takeshi's hands were on my shoulders now as he shoved me along. "C'mon, Rei, to the washroom! Wash your face!" he laughed, "Hurry up!"

"I'll grab his clothes." Gokudera muttered in the background.

Huh?

Still drowsy, I was pushed onto a chair after changing. Tsuna was desperately trying to tame my bedhair as Takeshi hunted for my hairclips. Gokudera was trying to figure out where the hell in that mess of blankets was my phone buried.

And well let's just say the next I knew I was getting led towards the arcade.

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"Well, you hold the dart like this..." I demonstrated, showing them how I held the dart in my right hand, "and stand behind the line. There are guides on the ground for where you feet are supposed to poise, so you should follow them."

I turned toward the dart board. I breathed in, and breathed out. I moved my right arm a little to the right, then aimed a higher angle-- and threw.

"Woah! Nine!" Tsuna was first to react.

"Tch. I would've gotten a bullseye." Gokudera tutted, turning away.

"I wanna try too!" Takeshi stepped up.

Hearing that, I stepped away and handed him the dart. Well, it was just a game of darts, even if it's Yamamoto Takeshi throwing it. I mean, the needle isn't even very sharp.

"So, you hold the dart like this? Oh, it's kinda like a baseball." he realized. He stepped into position. "Okay, then..."

Baseball? I think he's holding it wrong. Oh well, it's just darts, what's the worst that could-

CRACK

-happen.

"Hiee!!" Tsuna whined, holding his head, "He just destroyed the board and the wall behind it!" he complained, more afraid of his friend now than amazed.

"Baseball Idiot, what the fuck are you thinking??" Gokudera scolded angrily, "This is a public area, don't destroy things!" he reprimanded.

"Oops," Takeshi laughed. "Sorry!"

"I'm sorry for triggering the flag, Tsuna." I mumbled to Tsuna, covering my face with my hands, hoping to just curl up and die.

"Huh?"

-

"Oh no, look at the time!" Tsuna suddenly spoke up in the middle of a one-sidedly intense shooting game between Takeshi and Gokudera.

(On a side note, this is their tenth game and fifth machine.)

"Hm?" I checked the time. It was nearly five. Have we really been here that long? "Oh, it's already five o'clock. That's a surprise."

This made Takeshi and Gokudera drop their guns at the same time.

I was left in a '???' as Gokudera started apologizing to Tsuna about not noticing the time and Takeshi started apologizing to me because I didn't get to play much.

"We can always come some other time again." I chuckled. "Or we can always stay longer...?"

"Nope!" Takeshi cut me off, "Something's happening later and we need to get you home before six!" he demanded in a panicked tone, obviously hiding something from me now.

Hmm? Strange. Is there something happening today? I wondered. I tried to recall events, but nothing came to mind. Did anything happen in May in the canon timeline? Takeshi usually never hid things from me, so what was happening?

"Anyway," Gokudera led the way, "We're leaving. Baseball Idiot, I'll settle our match next time!" he declared, pointing a rude finger.

"Alright, alright." Takeshi laughed.

"We gotta go before Reborn gets angry!" Tsuna was the most panicked of us all.

"Huh?" I was being pulled along again, "Wait, guys, is something happening today?" I asked.

This made them stop in their tracks and turn to me. Gokudera 'pfft'ed and turned away. Tsuna let out a soft chuckle. Takeshi laughed.

"Well," Takeshi grinned at me, "You'll find out when you get home!"

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"Happy Birthday!" Colourful party poppers exploded in my face, sending multi-coloured ribbons scattering all over me.

Silence.

A moment of no reaction later, Takeshi decided to wave a hand at my face. "Hello?" he asked.

It came as a sudden realization. Oh, so that's what it was. But what hit me was not entirely joy. It was a flurry of mixed emotions that sent me into a cloudy, confused state.

Today is the day she died, and the day he was born.

"Eh-??" surprised reactions were heard, "Wait, Rei??"

Oh, I realized. I'm crying. Tears were dripping down my cheeks, and a pain burned at the back of my throat. I feel sad, sad, sad.

But I feel so, so happy.

"Rei-san??" Tsuna spoke up next, worriedly. "Wait, what's wrong?"

"Hahi! Rei-san, does it hurt somewhere or something?" Haru spoke up in concern as well.

More words and questions were raised from the crowd. I recognized everyone. Haru, Kyoko, Bianchi. I-pin and Lambo. Nana. Even Dino. Of course, Sae and Sui were there too, with Dad.

A smile naturally crept up to my face.

I burst out into laughter, wiping away my tears with my sleeve.

"Thanks, guys!"

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"Happy Birthday, Rei-chan!" Sae and Sui barreled into me, smiling brightly.

I stayed my ground, and hugged the girls back. "I'm home, girls." I greet them, "And thanks. I love you." Lambo jumps on me next, yelling something prideful. I-pin greets me in Chinese.

And when I step into the kitchen, I just froze at the sight of a... that's a cake, right?

"Dad..." I mustered out a mumble, my mouth agape in well, what the fuck? "Even for a cake, isn't..." I began counting, "ten tiers a bit crazy?"

Dad laughed. "No, not at all!" he denies, obviously proud of his work.

-

"This is a lot!" I awed at the small stack of notebooks now in my hand.

My eyes sparkled. Some were simple, with retro covers and spring binders; some were cool, with unique designs that inspired me; a few were cute, with adorable little animal-theme patterns; and there were even some with fanciful script emblazoned on the leather covers!

Nana giggled. "Kyoko-chan told us you loved notebooks." she explained nudging at Kyoko. "So it was actually Kyoko-chan's idea."

Kyoko blushed, "Well, I just thought you'd like it!" she smiled.

"I hope you'll use them with us in mind!" Haru told me excitedly.

I smiled, my cheeks pulling up widely. I felt like a child, smiling and gaining blessings left and right. Still, I felt joy. I felt elated. I felt blessed.

Just then, Bianchi handed me another book. A single flip of the page made me realize this was a cookbook. An absolutely dangerous cookbook.

"This is from me," she said, "it's a Poison Cooking recipe Book."

I had to stare speechless for a long moment before I just burst out in laughter at how ridiculous this gift was.

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When the night ran late and everyone bid their goodbyes, the guests scattered back to their homes happily and feeling really satisfied.

Takeshi was last. He turned back around, grinning at me. "Did you have fun, Rei?" he asked me. 

My lips curled up slightly. "Uhn!" I nodded at him. "It was the best birthday ever!"

Just then, behind me, Dad quietly nudged the girls back in. The girls, although curious, ducked into the house and peeked out from a window upstairs.

"Oh!" Takeshi suddenly said, as if remembering something, "Before I forget..." he dropped his bag, digging around the contents, looking for something.

I eyed him curiously. What else was in store for me today?

And what Takeshi tossed at me was small, about the size of my palm. I landed right in my hands-- and upon seeing it, my breath got caught in my throat.

It was a plush toy keychain, in the shape of a small squirrel. I took extra note that its tail was super duper fluffy. A bright green ribbon was tied around its neck like a collar.

"It so cute..." I couldn't resist saying. My eyes were stuck on the item, my hands cradling it like it was alive, because-- goodness, it's so cute.

Takeshi chuckles.

"Happy Birthday, Rei!"

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Fun Fact: Rei is born on May 1st, and the Birthstone of May is the Emerald.