Full Summary: From the beginning, there was something odd about Namimori. In a world where every city had its own method of dealing with the bane of humanity that were ghouls, Namimori was the first place Reborn had ever been that felt safe to him. People were calm and unafraid on the streets, even after dark. It was remarkable and at first he thought it was due to the fact that Namimori's police force had some sort of foolproof guard against ghouls.
But then he noticed the distinct lack of graveyards.
By the time Reborn really understood what kept Namimori safe, it was too late to do anything about it. After all, the successor was being tutored, the guardians were chosen, and Xanxus was bearing down on them with half the Vongola rings and all of his wrath. All there was left to do was wait and see.
Hayato staggered out of the rubble, smoke rising in the air and the sounds of the explosions still echoing sound him. His foot slipped and he fell, face first, towards the ground. He flinched, fully expecting the concrete to hit him in the face, but the contact never came.
Arms caught him and held him off the ground. "Gokudera," Tsuna said, his expression filled with relief, "you're all right."
"Sorry," he croaked out, "I… I lost the ring." Hayato looked down and away, mumbling, "I wanted to see the fireworks again…"
"Yeah," Tsuna said. "Yeah of course." He shifted his grip and asked, "Can you stand? C'mon." He helped Hayato back up to his feet, steadying him when he swayed, and grinned. "You did great!"
The other teen flushed, "Thanks, but I still…" He bit his lip. Then, catching the way Tsuna stared at his mouth, he made himself stop and cleared his throat in embarrassment. Right, lip biting was one of the Tenth's distractions. Hayato had to remember to look out for his boss, even when he was blown up half to hell. "Sorry, Tenth."
Tsuna stepped back. He shook his head, "It's more important to me that you live, Gokudera, than you get the ring. Do you understand? Your life is worth more than that."
"Tenth…" Hayato blinked.
"It's hardly worth anything at all, I think," interjected a loud voice. Hayato flinched again, this time for the way Tsuna's eyes darkened at those words and that voice. Tsuna's face was set in a neutral expression when he turned around to face the members of the Varia that stood down the hall from them.
Superbi Squalo sneered at them, one hand resting as a fist on his hip. "But then bratty kids like you end up dead all the time, don't they? Without managing to get the ring, your life is pretty worthless."
Hayato opened his mouth to argue, but stopped at Tsuna's hand. It squeezed his arm tightly and he shut his mouth with a click of his teeth. Tsuna relaxed his grip and spoke gently, "Gokudera's life means more to me than his ring. He made the right choice in returning. I hope that all my guardians make the same decision if they are faced with the same situation."
Tsuna glanced back to Hayato and said, "It's probably selfish, but I'd be lonely if my friends threw away their lives in exchange for a bit of metal. I'd rather keep them by my side."
"Tenth," Hayato blinked hard. It was the fatigue from battle and the fading adrenaline that made his eyes water. Of course it was. He wasn't about to- to cry in front of the Varia because of a few words. Of course not.
He put his hand over Tsuna's on his arm and pressed down to show his conviction. "Of course. I'll never forget that."
"Ugh," Squalo spat. "What a bunch of sentimental little brats."
Tsuna ignored him completely, giving his attention instead to the Cervello. "Who fights in the next match?"
The identical women turn to face him. "The next match is between the rain guardians, Superbi Squalo and Takeshi Yamamoto."
Tsuna, still at Hayato's side, still his support beam, turned his head to look at Yamamoto. Hayato is drawn to look as well at the baseball freak who throws them an impossibly wide smile and laughs. "Yeah? Already? Nice. Exciting."
"You better win for the boss," Hayato says, as threatening as he can manage on shaking legs. He points a finger at Yamamoto, "Take it seriously. I'm entrusting the victory of the next battle to you."
Yamamoto obliges his angry finger pointing by stepping close enough for Hayato to prod him in the chest. He takes ahold of Hayato's elbow, supporting him, grinning, "Of course! I'll do the proper stretches and get a full meal before I fight."
"Mmm," Tsuna hums, so soft it's like he's talking to himself, not to either of them, "Maybe not a full meal."
Before Hayato can question why not -Yamamoto should be at the top of his form for the battle after all- there's a crash of glass and an injured man is flung through the window to land against the far wall. He's bleeding and catches everyone's attention instantly. Hayato swallowed hard. Both Yamamoto's and Tsuna's hands on his arms dug in so tightly for a second he's sure that they left bruises behind.
"There's a …. Monster…" the man grunts, then gasps and coughs, "Broke through the perimeter…."
"Monster?" Squalo's sneer has dropped and he turns to look to the window. Another one of the Varia, Levi if Hayato remembers right, goes to the man.
"What was that? What monster? A ghoul?" Levi asks the man. The only answer he gets is a wet, bloody cough.
"Don't tell me," Squalo narrows his eyes, "we've got a ghoul problem on top of all of this." His gaze slid from the window, past Tsuna, towards Reborn. "Namimori has some sort of ghoul prevention society or some shit right? These battles can get bloody, even with brats like these ones. The last thing we need are those inhuman shits coming and getting in our damn way."
"Mm," Reborn says, his voice carrying surprisingly well in the otherwise silent hallway, "There is something like that in place, yes."
"Takeshi," Tsuna murmurs and steps away. Hayato sways, but is steadied by Yamamoto. He scowled at the other teen, but when he tried to pull away, he couldn't break Yamamoto's grip.
"Sorry," he smiled, "Just let Tsuna take care of it, okay?"
"But ghouls are-" Hayato stops. The words catch in his suddenly very dry throat. Of course there are ghouls everywhere in the world but Namimori, well, Namimori had been different than Italy. He'd seen so little evidence that they lived in the area that for the first time in his life, Hayato hadn't thought of them, hadn't looked for them, hadn't been afraid.
He'd gotten used to not looking over his shoulder. How many nights had he walked alone, without a stick of dynamite rolling between his fingers? And now he was covered in blood, weak, and-
Yamamoto shook him. "Hey now. Don't forget to breathe okay? Don't worry about it. Tsuna's got it."
Hayato opened his mouth again to say that that was not a relaxing idea, okay. The Tenth fighting against ghouls was utterly terrifying. He'd been training to survive against Xanxus. A ghoul would tear Tsuna apart.
"Hibari-san."
Turning to look, Hayato saw Hibari step into view, his tonfas in hand. They were splattered with blood. A little of it flecked one of his cheeks, too, but when Hayato saw his eyes, they were white sclera and black irises. Human eyes. He relaxed a little. If there was any human that could pass as a monstrous ghoul, it would have definitely been Hibari.
"Sawada," Hibari's eyes settled on Tsuna and then moved past him towards Yamamoto. "And you." He huffed out a breath, turned his chin to look at the Varia and said, "That's right. The rings." His lips twitched down into a scowl, "Unlawfully breaking into the school and vandalizing the premises is against regulations. Brawling is also prohibited within the school building."
"We're aware, Hibari-san," Tsuna said quickly, raising his hands in a calming gesture. "The location was chosen by the Cervello for the ring battles."
Hibari turned on his heel to look at the Cervello women. "The damages to the school will be repaired?"
"Yes. We've accepted that responsibility." One of them said. The other simply inclined her head.
"VOI," Squalo snapped, taking a few steps forward, "And who is this brat?"
Hayato shivered as Hibari's gaze passed over him on its way back to the Varia, in particular Squalo. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "...Herbivore," He muttered softly. "All of them?" There was another deep breath and then the barest of nods.
Hayato really wished he could stop paying attention but dammit, Hibari was kind of terrifying and the whole scene was just. Off. Somehow.
"Are you the one who took out my subordinates?" Levi stood and asked. The man at his feet didn't look like he was breathing anymore. "Are you the monster?"
"Please do not call Hibari-san a monster," Tsuna's voice was soft, but cutting. "He is the one who looks after Namimori and the citizens who live here. If your subordinates were attacked it is because they broke rules."
"Hn," Hibari shifted his grip on his tonfa. "If they belong to you then their crimes lie at your feet." His lips twisted into a smile, "For that, I'll bite you to death."
"Yeah? Fucking try it you piece of shit!" Levi said, grabbing his weapons.
"Hibari-san," Tsuna stepped in the way. Hayato lurched against Yamamoto's grip, wanting nothing more than to help his boss in any way. His instincts screamed to get Tsuna out of Hibari's way. He'd seen plenty of times how Hibari had gone after Tsuna, after anyone really, and it still brought cold shivers to Hayato's spine. "Please calm down, okay? This is not the time to pick a fight."
"That is correct," A Cervello woman said, "If the guardians enter unregulated brawls outside of the scramble battle they will be disqualified."
"Can you wait, Hibari-san?" Tsuna smiled at the taller teen, his hand still up, almost touching Hibari's chest. "After all, what fun will it be if you get disqualified on someone who already fought his match? And you can't fight the long haired one. That's Takeshi's prey."
Hibari's gaze never lowered from Squalo as he asked, "And mine?"
"Either that baby or the robot, whichever is their cloud," Tsuna murmured. Hayato leaned forward, straining his ears to hear. It was in vain, though, because Tsuna's words dropped below his hearing and his mouth was at an angle.
Whatever he said, though, made Hibari's head jerk around to stare at him. And then he smiled. Goosebumps ran up Hayato's arms at the expression. Glancing to Yamamoto, he muttered, "So, even he can smile huh?"
"Of course," Yamamoto said, grinning. "We can all smile."
"Acceptable," Hibari withdrew, lowering his tonfas. "When?"
"After the final match," Tsuna says, stepping back as well, "I'll be pretty starving after all that exercise so dinner would be fantastic."
"I know just the place to go," Hibari said as he turned away. His dark eyes flit to Yamamoto for a moment. "Bite the long hair for his crimes."
"Sure thing!" Yamamoto laughed, "I can do that."
Hibari left without another word. Tsuna rubbed the back of his head as he gave a little bow to the Varia members. "Sorry about him. He gets temperamental in regards to destruction to Namimori and those breaking the rules. I'm sure he was just doing his regular patrols when he saw your men loitering."
"Tch," Squalo said, "Clouds. You stupid brats have a lot to learn, you really do. But we'll continue this tomorrow." He pointed at Yamamoto, "Don't forget to show up, kid."
"Oh believe me," Yamamoto said, "I'm very excited about this match. I don't think I'll even be able to sleep tonight!"
"Takeshi," Tsuna sighed in exasperation. "C'mon, let's get Hayato home to Mama to bandage him up."
He turned his back to the Varia, walking back towards the group. For a moment, Hayato thought he saw Squalo's face twist in annoyance at the gesture, but ultimately he and the Varia left as well. Hayato sighed. Damn. He was really, really exhausted. It was good that Yamamoto was so strong and could help him walk.
Oh, and Ryouhei too. Hayato let his famiglia help him away from the school, confident that they could take care of him- even from the ghouls that hid in the shadows.
Xanxus was as terrifying as the rumors made him out to be. He sneered down at them, his tanned face twisted in his disgust as he spat, "Pathetic dogs should just disappear."
Hayato's heart was pounding in his chest and his body ached from his own match the day before, but there was no way he wouldn't be there for the Tenth. He snuck glances to Yamamoto, but besides the weird goggles on his head and the metal bamboo sword on his shoulders, he looked completely normal.
"That's their boss?" Ryouhei asks, brows furrowed together, "He is extremely tall!"
Tsuna cocked his head to the side, "He looks sweet."
"S-sweet?" Hayato gasped out. He heard Dino make a similar noise of shock but Ryouhei and Yamamoto just looked consideringly at Xanxus. Honestly, it was like he was a cake behind a glass window or something, the way they studied him. "T-tenth! He's a fucking monster!"
Tsuna glanced at Hayato out of the corner of his eye. There was a disapproving frown on his lips that made him flinch. "He is not a monster. He's just a man."
"An extremely tall one!" Ryouhei repeated.
Yamamoto laughed. "You'll have a lot of fun fighting him, won't you, Tsuna?"
"Yeah," Tsuna murmured, smiling. His eyes were half closed as he looked up at Xanxus. "I will." Then he tilted his head towards Yamamoto and said, "Are you ready for your match? You have everything you need?"
"All but one thing." Yamamoto turned to face Tsuna suddenly, putting his back to the Varia as he did so. This effectively diverted attention to him and away from Xanxus. Hayato glanced up to see that the man was watching them, a scowl on his lips. Scary.
"Oh?" Tsuna blinked. "What is it?"
Yamamoto looked oddly serious as he spoke, "Permission to wear my mask, Boss?"
Tsuna, now just as serious, nodded. "Careful though. Remember the point of these battles, Takeshi. The ring isn't worth your life."
"Yes, Boss," Yamamoto bowed and then, when the straightened, was beaming again. "I'm ready then!"
"Fight to the extreme!" Ryouhei said excitedly. "You shall triumph over your prey!"
Tsuna gave him a thumbs up, grabbed Hayato by the arm and said, "Good luck, Takeshi! Have fun!"
"Y-yeah," Hayato added, "Don't fuck it up! Get the damn ring and win!"
Yamamoto laughed and turned back, one hand reaching for his pocket, the other still holding his sword across his shoulders. "Long hair! C'mon, let's get started!"
Hayato glanced over his shoulder in time to see the Varia departing, leaving Squalo on the other side of the flooding room while he and the others went back out of the building to watch from outside. Tsuna didn't look concerned, but Hayato couldn't help the clench of worry and fear around his heart. Yamamoto didn't look like he was taking this serious enough.
But if Tsuna had faith, then Hayato had to find some as well. After all, Yamamoto couldn't lose or that would be it for all of them.
Takeshi couldn't believe his luck.
Shigure Kintoki rested easily on his shoulders and a smile rested lightly on his lips. Squalo was a delight to see, standing across from him with his lovely long hair and dark outfit. He was a delight to smell, as well, like steel and strong, lively flesh. He had some of that salty, almost fishy scent to him that reminded Takeshi of his father's kitchen where he would cut up flesh and fish alike depending on the taste of the customer.
Takeshi's hands flexed, wanting to do more than smell and hear and see Squalo. What would he look like under those clothes? What kind of shape did he keep his body in? Takeshi doubted there was much fat on him, which would cause some despair over the flavor, but not in the sight. Besides, there were many ways to taste and Takeshi wasn't very hungry.
Yet.
Anyway.
He took a deep breath and centered himself. Right. No reason to jump head first into battle. Takeshi wanted to enjoy himself. Fighting against Ryouhei or Hibari wasn't the same as going against another swordsman and, well, fighting his father didn't give much room for diversity. As Takeshi prepared himself for Squalo's fight, whenever the loudmouthed man got around to striking anyway, he savored the thought of fighting someone who had fought countless other swordsmen.
A human who fought that well would surely be a lot of fun to battle against.
Squalo didn't disappoint him in the least. His strikes were fast and biting. Takeshi dodged and ducked and watched Squalo dance with his blade as an extension of his own body, literally and figuratively. He laughed brightly when that sword cut open a wound along his shoulder. The pain was fierce but his blood was already knitting the flesh back together when Squalo came in for another attack.
Even Squalo knowing his movements didn't dim Takeshi's smile. Of course a human could learn the same steps as he had learned with his blade. If they were talented enough, a human could do many, many things. As their swords crossed, Takeshi looked up at Squalo and said, "You're a very talented human, longhair."
"Tch, shut the fuck up you brat!"
Takeshi laughed and moved backwards. Squalo sure had a loud voice to go with his lovely looks. And a temper to match it. Squalo's next attack destroyed a column, sending shards of stone spraying out like splashed water. With a shouted, "Yikes!" Takeshi jerked his goggles down over his eyes just in time to save them from being damaged. "That was a close one! Almost got me right in the eye!"
"Good!"
"I like my eyes!" Takeshi chirped, "They're lovely. Do you want to see?"
"I already did, you idiot," Squalo snapped.
"Well, not really." Takeshi laughed. "Here. Take a good look!" It only took a little bit of effort, almost none at all really, for Takeshi to shift his eyes from their human appearance to that of his ghoulish self. He pushed his goggles up with one hand and opened his eyes as wide as he could.
Grinning, with all of his teeth, Takeshi said, "Have I mentioned just how delicious you look, long hair?" He laughed and reached down with one hand to his pocket. "I could just eat. You. Up."
He brought up his mask, the familiar design that of a monstrous beast's mouth, and slipped it on with practiced ease. His laughter was muffled, deeper, behind the mask, but he was used to that by now. He wanted to get Squalo used to it too. Bringing his goggles back down, Takeshi cocked his head to the side. "What? Nothing to say to that? Not even a thank you for the compliment? I'm kind of a picky eater. My dad always said that nothing but the best cuts of meat were good enough for me and I guess that spoils a person, you know?"
"You're a-," Squalo's face was as white as his hair. "This whole time… you were a ghoul this whole time."
"Uh. Yes? That's how it works." Takeshi readied himself into his next stance. Squalo was caught off guard and there wouldn't be another chance like this to strike. "It's not like I stop being a ghoul when the mask comes off." As the words fell from his tongue, Takeshi struck. Squalo's eyes were enormous as he approached, faster and stronger than before.
Shigure Kintoki shifted into a blade as Takeshi struck with an offensive form. Squalo gave a shout, a cry of pain, and then there was the heady smell of blood in the air, in the water. Takeshi took a deep breath in, savoring the scent of it even through his mask. He saw Squalo shudder at the sound, or perhaps something else if Takeshi didn't want to be too egotistical, and he chuckled again.
"You smell good too," Takeshi said as he ducked under Squalo's next attack, weaker than the ones previous. His body was moving, but with his eyes so wide it was clear that he was still shaken. "I know I ate before I came to fight but I'd still… like a little taste… Eh? How about it?"
"Fuck off." Squalo shouted, "Fuck off and die, ghoul!"
"Rude," Takeshi muttered. He heaved a sigh and then, adjusting for his next form, said, "I'll stop playing around then, if that's what you want. Dad always says I play too much with my food anyway."
"F-fuck," Squalo breathed out.
Takeshi winked, though he didn't think Squalo could see it behind the goggles, and said, "Maybe later. If you live through this." Then, with a twist of his body and a surge of muscles, Takeshi struck with an attacking form.
Squalo crumpled under the strike. Takeshi watched with wide eyes as white hair spilled into the dark water. Blood seeped on the platform underneath the man and Takeshi could just hear the rasp of his breath. He took a sliding step forward, watching, silent, staring.
When Squalo lay there, still, for another minute, Takeshi took another step. "Get up," he whispered. "Get up." That couldn't be it.
Squalo stirred. Takeshi made a guttural sound of pleasure in the back of his throat. The man pushed himself up, panting, eyes narrowed, and then got to his feet. "Is that… all you have… you fucking ghoul?"
Takeshi laughed. "Good. You're up. Let's continue then?"
"Yeah. We'll continue until one of us is dead."
"Ah, ah," Takeshi shook his head. "The fight isn't for our lives. It's for rings. And for pleasure. I don't want you dead."
"That's a fucking relief," Squalo sneered, "Because here I was thinking you were interested in cutting me open and getting a mouthful of my guts, you sick fuck. What's with all the you're delicious and tasty looking talk then, huh? Or is that just a thing that you ghouls enjoy?"
"More than one way to gut a fish," Takeshi said as he came in for another attack, "More than one way to taste a man." Their swords crossed and he leaned in so that Squalo was sure to see his eyes beneath the goggles. "I don't think I like the idea of you getting involved with any other ghouls, Squalo. I'm calling dibs." He gave an exaggerated wink at Squalo's offended shout.
Back out of range, Takeshi lifted his voice, "You hear me Hibari? I'm calling dibs!" He pointed his sword at Squalo and shouted, "Superbi Squalo's body is mine."
"What the fuck," Squalo said, "What the actual fuck."
"There," Takeshi beamed. Though the effect was cut by the mask, he didn't much care. Squalo's dumbstruck expression was out and out charming. "Now you don't have to worry about being bitten to death in town."
"You don't get to just-" Squalo began and then stopped. "You can't just go and-" he started again and then stopped, again. "What the fuck, kid," he ended up saying, "How old are you anyway? Fourteen?"
"Yeah. Sorry?" Takeshi rubbed the back of his head. "How old are you?"
"...twenty two," Squalo replied. "Way too old for you."
"Mm," Takeshi shook his head. "Only for a little while."
"Are you seriously… What the fuck, kid? Are you hitting on me? Is this really fucking happening? You're a ghoul! And I'm human. That's not how this fucking works!"
"Why not?" Takeshi asked. "Who says? Are there rules against it? Because if there were rules against it, Hibari won't listen to my dibs."
"You cannot call dibs on my body," Squalo shouted. "You are not going to fucking kill me and eat me."
"You're right." Takeshi said. "I'm not."
There was a pause where Squalo's mouth opened and shut a few times and then he put his hand over his face and said, "This is a nightmare."
"You know, for all your pretty looks and nice smell and impressive body, you are incredibly rude," Takeshi said, narrowing his eyes. "So what if I'm a ghoul? Does that mean I don't get to enjoy being with someone that I think is nice to look at? I'm not a mindless beast. I make sure I eat regularly and keep myself fit and I socialize with humans and other ghouls. What makes me so different than any other person, huh?"
Squalo lowered his hand and blinked at Takeshi before glaring at him. "The food you eat? Is humans. And let me guess, you keep yourself fit by hunting humans, don't you? So you know how to laugh and know how to smile. Does that make you fucking human? No!"
"I don't want to be human," Takeshi shouted, cutting Squalo off with words and his sword. "I just want to be treated like a person. What's so difficult about that, huh? If you can be decent to a human, can't you be decent to me?"
"That isn't- This isn't- What are you-" Squalo shook his head, "Look. Kid. Ghoul. Fuck."
"I have a fucking name," Takeshi snarled. "Would it kill you to use it, Superbi?"
There was a long moment of silence, filled with the sound of running water, where Squalo stared at him. And then he said, slowly, uncertainly. "I don't know. Will it, Takeshi?"
Takeshi couldn't help the noise he made in the back of his throat. He was simply so pleased by his choice in Squalo. "Actually, it might just save your life."
"Please," Squalo rolled his eyes, "I think I preferred the beginning of this battle when you were smiling and not saying a damn thing."
"My favorite part," Takeshi said, "Was when you were on your back. Let's do that part again, but with me closer this time? How does that sound."
"You're fourteen," Squalo choked out. "You're eight years younger than me! I'm twenty fucking two!"
"So what?" Takeshi shouted back, "Am I not allowed to want to have an older boyfriend? And we were doing so well on the ghouls are people too front!"
Outraged, Squalo launched himself forward in an attack. Takeshi deflected it, dodged the next one, and snuck in one of his own. He followed it through, though, not letting Squalo get too far. It was like a Hunt, almost. There was blood in the air and his pulse was racing. His back flexed under the strain of keeping his kagune under control, but with his sword and with Squalo on the run, he didn't need it. He was only excited. That was the trouble.
He was excited and chasing the perfect prey.
Squalo spun to face him; hair whipping around his body, blood making his clothes stick to his form and sword up. "Fuck it. I am not going to be your boyfriend." Despite how pale he'd looked before, his cheeks were flushed pink.
Takeshi grinned under his mask. He lingered just out of range, or so he figured anyway, and cocked his head to the side. "You sure? You're completely positive? There's nothing I could do to change your mind? Not even a little?" He inched forward a step, "I mean, c'mon, can't I even get a proper chance? One date?"
"That is- No." Squalo bit out the word. Takeshi grinned broader because Squalo shook his head and he could see the tips of his ears had turned pink too. "No. No dates. Not even one."
"Hmmm," Takeshi rocked back on a heel. "What about… what about this date? The one we're on now? Because this is a date now. I think it's going rather well."
"Are you fucking with me right now?" Squalo shouted. "Is that- Is that what this is? What the fuck! This isn't a date! We're trying to fucking kill each other for a pair of stupid fucking ring halves!"
"I already told you I don't want to kill you-"
"You said my blood smelled good. That you wanted to fucking taste it-"
"Yeah but, it doesn't take all of your blood to be outside your body for me to taste it, does it?"
"So, what, you want to bite me or some shit?"
"...yeah, pretty much."
Squalo was panting, now, staring at him again.
Takeshi glanced down at his feet, scuffing his toe on the platform. He looked back up to Squalo and shrugged sheepishly, "I mean… you can bite me back if that's the problem? And I'd be careful. I'm really good at being careful."
Squalo made some sort of strangled noise. His face was entirely red now and it looked like he was having trouble breathing. That was… worrying. Takeshi was worried. Was he pushing too hard? Was he going too far?
But no, when would he have another chance at this? Never. He had to keep trying until the end of the match. If he couldn't convince Squalo to go on a second date by then he'd give up and move on. There were, after all, plenty of fish in the sea.
"The match has continued long enough to necessitate the release of the great beast." A distant female voice said suddenly, startling Takeshi so bad he spun to locate it. When he turned back to Squalo it was to find the man clutching his hand to his chest like the voice had spooked him just as badly.
"Great beast?" Takeshi asked.
It was then that the shark was added to the water, and great it was. Takeshi's eyes widened at the sight of it, enormous and grey and dangerous. Then his eyes trailed through the water back to the platform Squalo stood on.
And the blood that was in the water around him.
The shark's fin faded beneath the water but Takeshi had seen nature films. Sharks had to get a running start, figuratively speaking of course, to breach the surface with any decent height. There probably wasn't very much space below them, now, but there had to be enough to-
There, a shadow in the water and-
Even with his sword he'd never get there in time to-
But with his kagune-
"Squalo!" Takeshi shouted, throwing himself forward as the shadow in the water became a silhouette.
"Fuck!" Squalo screamed, not because of the shark, no, but with his eyes wide and staring at Takeshi.
The four tentacles were red as blood as they burst out from Takeshi's back, tearing his shirt and arching around him. The shark broke the water at the same time as Takeshi reached Squalo's platform. He brought down his sword at the same time as his rinkaku pierced through the soft skin of the shark and deep into its body. He shouted in wordless triumph as they plunged into the body, found the center, and began to pull outwards, curled like barbed hooks at their ends.
With a great wet tearing sound, the shark burst into chunks. Blood and meat and teeth and cartilage filled the air. There was a flash of metal as the largest pieces headed towards Squalo were cut by his sword to prevent damage, but nothing could block the blood.
The tail half of the shark slid back into the water as Takeshi landed on the platform beside Squalo. He was drenched in the rank blood of the shark. With it all around, he could barely smell Squalo anymore, which was a damn shame of course. His goggles were covered with the muck as well, so he pushed them up to see clearly again.
Squalo stared at him, panting, eyes wide. Or rather. Squalo stared at the space just to the left of him. His rinkaku moved in the air like listless snakes, or tree branches in the wind.
Takeshi looked Squalo over. Other than blood and the wounds that Takeshi had given the man himself, he looked fine. Good. That was good.
He took a cautious step forward. Squalo's eyes flickered from the red to his face back to the rinkaku again. The man adjusted his stance, sword up and defensive.
Takeshi's shoulders slumped. He had royally fucked up his date. He probably shouldn't be calling it a date at all considering how badly he'd messed it up. Sighing, he said, "Squalo?"
There was a squeak in answer. Squalo's eyes bounced back to his face and away again. Takeshi recognized the gesture. Squalo had fought ghouls before. He knew where the true danger lay and it wasn't in Takeshi's body. At least, it wasn't anymore.
Disheartened, Takeshi retracted the kagune with a shudder. He flexed and drew in a deep breath when it was done. Lifting his chin, he met Squalo's gaze with human eyes once more. "I win," he declared, "Or do you want to continue?"
Squalo's fingers reached up and closed around the chain around his neck. It was as bloody as the rest of him. "Fuck," he whispered, "I didn't even see you- They came out so fast-"
Warily, Takeshi edged closer. "The ring?" He held out his free hand.
Squalo held the chain up from his body, but didn't take it off or hand it over. Annoyed, mostly with himself though, Takeshi moved up quickly and grabbed the ring. Squalo snatched his wrist the moment he did, though, and leaned in.
Takeshi's breath caught in his throat as his eyes met Squalo's grey ones from only inches away. "You get the fucking ring, kid," Squalo hissed, "and your stupid second date. But not until you're older."
Takeshi could have kissed him. If not for the bloody mask. And the fact that he'd probably lose that date opportunity if he did. Instead, he said, "My birthday's in April. I'll be fifteen. That old enough?"
"Brat," was all Squalo said before shoving his hand away. Takeshi scampered back, the ring half in hand, and laughed.
"Do you like sushi?" Takeshi asked, elated on victory of both the battle for the heart and for the ring. "My dad makes the best sushi. You could come by and visit before you go home to Italy!"
"I think I am done with fish for a while," Squalo muttered. "Now fuck off. Go! Miserable gloating bastard."
Takeshi laughed again. The ring's two halves snapped together seamlessly. Escaping from the room itself was a whole thing but it hardly mattered at all once he was outside again.
Takeshi peeled his mask off as he hit fresh air. The first thing that happened after that was a sweeping embrace from Ryouhei.
"YOU WON IN THE MOST EXTREME FASHION!" Ryouhei roared right into his ear. Takeshi could feel the prickle of his ear healing itself from the damage incurred. "To best your prey in such an extreme way is the most exhilarating thing! I am excited just witnessing your victory!" He dropped Takeshi out of the hug, clapping him with both hands on his shoulders, "Although you smell like you rolled in shit, you looked absolutely extreme in slaughtering that beast!"
"Yeah, I totally need a shower," Takeshi laughed. "Shark blood is gross." Ryouhei stepped aside so the others could greet him.
"Takeshi," Tsuna looked exasperated. "That was a bit… well…"
"Extreme?" Takeshi snickered, elbowing Ryouhei, who gave him a thumbs up.
"Yes." Tsuna laughed, "And chasing that man around too… I suppose you did get him to come around to your side?"
"Yup!" Takeshi grinned, "Guess who has a second date?" He jerked his thumb to his own chest, "This ghoul."
"And… about that…." Tsuna added. He gestured to the side. Gokudera sat on the ground, his head between his knees, taking in deep breaths. "I had thought Gokudera had figured it out… I mean, Reborn did so I just assumed that…"
"Ohhh," Takeshi said, "Yikes. Are they gonna be okay?"
"Holy shit!"
Takeshi jumped, but it was only Dino. Dino who came up and, after a moment of hesitation, clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done! That was. Haha, that was something else! I had no idea you could give him a run for his money like that. Wow!"
Takeshi laughed. "I couldn't help it. He was just so cute when he was stunned like that! And he looked really good too. Haha." He ran a hand through his hair. "It's a shame about all the shark blood. I was really hoping to get a taste of his before it was all over."
"Hahah, oh my god," Dino said, "You're really a fucking ghoul. That's. Woah. Completely unexpected."
Ryouhei grinned, "Takeshi is an extremely awesome ghoul!"
Dino glanced to Ryouhei and then Tsuna, asking, "And that's just… cool here? Like, you already knew about it?"
Ryouhei blinked, "But of course we knew! Takeshi is our companion and part of the new family!"
Tsuna smiled. "Takeshi is my friend. Whether or not he is a ghoul doesn't really matter to me, in the end."
"But ghouls do make better friends," Takeshi said.
"Sure," Dino agreed. "Sure thing."
Takeshi grinned.
"So…"
Squalo looked up at Xanxus, who sat with his chin in his palm and one brow arched, staring at him. He glanced to the others, but then narrowed his eyes at his boss. "So what?"
"I'm just trying to figure out which part is worse," Xanxus said with a slow, malicious smirk spreading across his face, "The fact that you now have a fourteen year old boyfriend or the fact that said boyfriend is a fucking human eating ghoul."
Squalo grit his teeth. Every fiber of his being wanted to spit out the words, he is not my boyfriend. He didn't dare do it though. His dignity had suffered enough in that one battle alone. So he suffered in silence until Bel's snickering caught his attention.
Bel grinned, "Do you know how you look when you blush, Squalo? It's adorable."
Squalo hissed at him. He wasn't so badly injured that he couldn't kill that little bastard-
"Shut up." Xanxus growled out, "Both of you. Ugh. Go get fucking cleaned up you trash. You reek of fish guts and ghoul."
Seething, Squalo nodded and turned to go. He'd get stronger and then face that brat again. And this time, he would win. That was the only way he'd ever recover from this… humiliation.
It was a little after midnight, when Xanxus made his way into the room Squalo was staying in. He found the swordsman angrily brushing his hair out. When he walked in, he got a brief sharp glare and then a dismissing huff of breath.
Xanxus sat down next to him on the bed, swirling his drink in his hand. They sat silently for minutes as Squalo worried the knots from his hair and managed to get it smooth again.
Finally, he spoke. "Teen ghoul boyfriend, huh."
Squalo snarled in pure outrage and threw his brush at Xanxus. He ducked, but had to put up an arm to stop Squalo's hands from grabbing his throat. As his best friend attempted to strangle the life out of him, Xanxus laughed and laughed and laughed.
He had missed this, had really missed this, while he was frozen in the ice.
The laughter almost warmed him up inside, where he still felt frozen.
Almost.
"Hey," he said after Squalo had calmed down enough to go looking for his tossed brush. "Do you suppose you're going to have to meet his ghoul family? Has he got one of those?"
Squalo stopped, mid reach, and said, "A dad. He said I had to meet his dad. He makes sushi and… was the one who taught him that style of fighting..."
Xanxus snorted. "So… what kind of flowers do you want at your funeral?"
"DAD!" Takeshi shouted in excitement. "I got a boyfriend! He's a swordsman and he's got long hair and he's so lovely. You will love him!"
Tsuyoshi laughed as his son bounced up and down in the kitchen, excited and still a little damp from his shower. "Really now? What's this boyfriend's name? And when is he coming around to meet your dear old dad?"
"His name is Superbi Squalo and he's twenty two and he's kinda tall and I'm gonna bring him home as soon as I can I promise! It's just that I ripped open a shark all over him earlier and so he had to go clean up. But! We're going to have our second date soon and I'll bring him home. I promise!" Takeshi grinned, all but bouncing in place. "He's a human so you have to make the best sushi for him, okay? Please?"
"A human eh? I'm not sure if that's-" Tsuyoshi stopped slicing and slowly lowered his knife. As he turned to look at Takeshi, his son stopped bouncing and blinked in surprise. "Twenty two you say? That's a bit old to be fooling around with a kid like you, isn't it?"
"Does it really matter?" Takeshi shrugged a shoulder. "It's not like I won't do that kind of stuff with someone eventually, right? And besides, he can't hurt me, Dad. He's a human."
"Not all injuries are done to the flesh, Takeshi," Tsuyoshi said firmly. "I want you to bring this young man around before you go on your date. Your father will determine if he is of a worthy cut for you."
"Daaad," Takeshi groaned, leaning against the counter. "Don't scare away another pretty boy, please. I really like this one!"
"And if he's any good for you then he won't be scared away," Tsuyoshi said, turning back to his work. "Don't worry, son. Your father has a nose for the choicest meats. That's how he picked out your mother, after all."
Takeshi groaned again, sliding from the counter to the floor and into a heap. "Fiiine. Fine. I guess it can't be helped."
"No. It can't." Tsuyoshi chuckled and his son groaned again.
