Lion
I do not own Reborn! (Except Hard-copies and Blu-Rays), but I wrote this fanfiction myself.
Sawada Tsunayoshi was only fifteen when he found about his family's past. A man known for his weak-willed and half-assed ability was then and there crowned as an official head of the 10th Vongola Famiglia.
This however, confused the man in question.
All his life was filled with regret and suffering. More or less, it could be said that Sawada Tsunayoshi dislike living. Still, he continued to live and doubting himself no more. In reality, he only needs a purpose in life, and being someone with a purpose now makes him happier as a human being.
Being the head of the Vongola was just the start. He knows that being only him and Reborn was unwise. Even if Reborn is the best of all assassins, Reborn is only one person. He can't always be there forever for Tsuna, and having only Reborn for company is a little sad.
Waiting for a chance meeting, one "affectionally" called No Good Tsuna by everyone began to train his dying will. Incorporating the art of controlling "The Flames". In a week he succeeds on staying tranced for two hours straight.
Yet it is still not enough.
Something is missing.
One day he was confronted by a young man his age. He just transfered, and he got the mean looks down pat. Where the males are afraid of him, the females gleefully fan over him, except for one or two who seeks different interests.
One such female is Sasagawa Kyoko. A blonde and a girl which Tsuna admired. The reason was incredibly sad: She is the first girl he ever talked with. It was almost a year before and they're stil in primary school. It could be said that Tsuna had a crush on her, but he can't ascertain his feelings. Thinking it was just a twisted-sort of admiration coupled with adoration. Like how someone prayed onto an idol.
At lunch-time, the transfer student called Tsuna to the back of the old-school building.
The atmosphere was dreary, but the transfer student was fired up. Determined.
"My name is Gokudera Hayato." He said before litting up a cigar. "I don't approve of you as the 10th head of the Vongola. That's why, I will annihilate you."
Tsuna was somewhat happy.
No, it was excitement. Happiness makes someone warm, while excitements stimulates those warm feelings, turning it into adrenaline.
Being challenged by someone he do not know excites him. It was not the thrill of facing a foreign and mysterious enemy. It was the fact that he now has a purpose.
Beat this aggresor!
When Gokudera tossed ten bombs, Tsuna defused eleven.
"Defuse!" He said as he trapped the dynamite's fuse with his hand.
Finished with one, he continued with the other.
Being pushed into the limit of his weak physique, his only tactic is to charge straight on.
Gokudera himself was pushed into a corner. Tossing dynamites in itself is a dangerous way to fight. Regardless of how it is done, after one is done tossing, a small opening will surface itself on the user's front.
Passing through the rain of dynamites, Tsuna defused those he could see while ignoring those which have already exploded. Closing in on Gokudera, he strikes a clean hit on Gokudera's stomach.
Gokudera perseveres.
Numb and mumbling, he lits up triple the amount of dynamites without thinking, but he cannot launch them, and scatters them all over him.
He was digging his own grave without knowing.
Realizing too late, he tried to escape, but he couldn't make it far from the explotion.
If it wasn't for Tsuna's immediate action, Gokudera would be toasted octopus. In a flash, Tsuna moved around him, defusing dynamites left and right without thinking. Even if it was an act of ridiculous heights (Not to mention he was in his boxer), Gokudera admires it, that sorts of thing.
Thus, a member is added into the 10th Vongola Party.
Gokudera is restless.
So is Tsuna.
Now that there is a friend his age that he could get along with, he was glad. Yet m eeting with him face to face after having a rough start is sort of awkward, to say the least.
It was only the two of them in the pizzeria Gokudera recommended. They've already ordered, but it surprisingly took a long-time to serve. So in the mean-time, there was only silence. Looking to the side, Gokudera awkwardly made a face. Honest to god, Gokudera have never made those kinds of faces before.
"So, 10th. I guess I'll be supporting you from now."
The head of Vongola nodded. "I'll be in your care then."
Convenient or not, their dinner is served. Finished with eating, Tsuna was surprised that for being the boss of the Mafia, he can eat there for free whenever he wants to, but it doesn't seem fair to him, so he pays them in full.
Gokudera grinned as his new-found leader's action keeps on impressing him. Walking after him, he felt a sense of proud swirling inside him.
It was P.E and they are having baseball.
Gokudera was away to stock-up on dynamites, so Tsuna was alone in a sea of hatred.
No-good Tsuna was his name, and being harassed by them was the game. Everyone in his class participates in it. Tsuna doesn't mind that because it is true, but being a better man now, he can feel proud for himself.
Yet a classmate of his didn't mock him, but he approached him with a big grin.
"Yo, Tsuna." He said calmly. "Don't mind them, I'll keep those guys from scoring. So just do your best."
Tsuna knows him.
The ace of P.E in his class. He is Yamamoto Takeshi. He is cheerful, always-happy, and very skilled in baseball. Tsuna doesn't really pay any attention to him, but he at least try to know how his friend looked like after he became the 10th of Vongola.
Reborn said that if he wants to be a great leader, he has to know the face of his friends (subordinate) and memorize them even to the smallest details.
Still, Tsuna nods. Understanding that Yamamoto is standing up for him, he smiled at him.
"That's a great smile," Said Yamato. "Alright guys! Let's do our best! Team A, ho!"
"Ho!"
Still, Team A lost the game by a margin of one.
Tsuna scored a hit once and earned a score, while Yamamoto ruled the game by taking a home-run from the other team, but the other team was too far in the lead. The total score was a "6 – 5" with the winner being Team B.
"Tsuna, you caused our loss."
"Yeah, go clean the field!"
Said a group of Tsuna's classmates as they walked away from him, laughing. Even though it wasn't fair, Tsuna doesn't mind. He was used to this kind of treatment, and it was better this way.
Sweeping the field, he noticed someone sweeping alongside him.
"Yamamoto."
"Yo, Tsuna. Help has arrived!"
Yamamoto replied with a big grin, and Tsuna couldn't help but laugh.
There was no talking after that, but Yamamoto did hum something obscure. It was not until Yamamoto asked Tsuna on how to improve one-self.
Yamamoto was missing something in Baseball, and seeing that Tsuna has become someone capable, he didn't hesitate to ask him.
"Tell me Tsuna, how can I shake off this feeling of helplesness."
"...I think putting effort into something will give you some clue."
Tsuna reluctantly said that.
He wasn't sure of how to answer Yamamoto's question. It's just that, he knows that Yamamoto is seeking some help. He knows for sure that effort was not the key, but it was a purpose that he is missing right now.
"Are you not satisfied with your life, Yamamoto?"
"Kinda, yeah." Yamamoto stopped. "My whole life is playing baseball. I'm the best in school and many from other schools envy me. Yet, there is something I lacked. Something missing from me that I don't know how to describe. Do you know what it is, Tsuna?"
"Your purpose in life, maybe?"
"Yeah, that's it!" Yamamoto points at Tsuna. "I knew you were reliable, Tsuna."
"I'm not though."
"Don't try to be humble!" Yamamoto roped his arm around Tsuna. "You're surprisingly reliable, you know that, Tsuna?"
"Thanks." Tsuna smiled. "I appreciate that."
"Now, let's finish our share of workload and head for the next class!" Yamamoto cheered. "The last one to clean-up is a rotten egg!"
"Yeah!"
By the end of the period, nobody was a rotten egg, they finished at the same time.
The next day, Yamamoto was not in-class for the whole morning period.
What's even stranger is that there are no morning classes, all of them turned into self-studies.
It was an afternoon class, and the bell have rang. What's weird is that there are many empty seats in the classroom. Tsuna looked everywhere and only a handful of guys and girls are sitting there. Their expression tells the world that theyre bored out of their wits. It was not until the sudden appearance of a classmate as he yelled aloud.
"Guys! Yamamoto is going to commit suicide!"
"What! Why!?"
More or less, it was the voice of his classmates.
"He's on the rooftops! Come on, let's check it out!"
Tsuna was ticked of how he worded that. Come check it out? Do they really consider Yamamoto like a dancing bear on television, or a contestant from a variety show? His life is on stake here, and...
He stopped.
Thinking no more, he got up from his seat and ran up the roof, confronting Yamamoto amidst the crowd of people. He recklessly pushed his classmates and schoolmates, possibly some upperclassmen too.
Finally, he is face to face with him.
"Yo, Tsuna. Nice of you to come check on me."
Yamamoto's right hand was on support. Tsuna immediately knows that it was his fault that he broke his arm. Seeing that more effort doesn't take him anyway and only made him lose more, he decides to quit everything.
How simple-minded and near-sighted, but Tsuna can sympathize with him.
He too was once a coward. He had considered this option many, many times, but he kept on clinging to his thinning thread of life.
Glaring at Yamamoto, he started.
"It's not safe, Yamamoto." Tsuna said as he walked closer to him. "Come on, stop endangering yourself."
"I can't, I'm not like you, Tsuna."
"I'm not like you too."
"So you think you're higher than me!" Yamamoto clicked his tongue. "What, have being dependable makes you above me? Above us? Is that it Tsuna!?"
Tsuna bit his lower lip. His hand trembling.
"That's not it at all!" Tsuna said. "I'm selfish. I can't do anything right. I always do things half-assed. Even my whole life until now was a mess. I am no-good Tsuna, but I don't want that nickname anymore, so I started making an effort for myself."
Yamamoto's eyes widen. Clearly baffled by Tsuna's sudden outburst.
"...You know what. I was really glad that someone like you was asking me for advise, but I wasn't even sure of myself at the time. Seeing you trying to kill yourself right now fills me with guilt. I don't want you to think like this, and I was not fit to give you advise. For that, I am sorry, Yamamoto."
Tsuna gasped for air.
That took a lot from him.
"I'm sorry, Yamamoto. I can't force you to not jump, but if you're okay with it..."
Tsuna walked closer to Yamamoto, climbing up the steel fence that forms a wall between them. As he reached the top, he extends his arm to him.
"Will you take my hand... as a sort of an apology?"
The whole rooftop was filled with silence, and many were stunned on what Tsuna just said. Many began to tlk about it as they watched the scene played out. Yamamoto himself doesn't know what to do. It was a long pause, silence filled the air until Yamamoto reached for Tsuna's arm and holds it tightly.
"Apology accepted."
Tsuna smiled as Yamamoto smirked. Pulling Yamamoto up, Tsuna felt himself being pulled down. It was the steel fence that was breaking apart. Slowly hunching towards the edge of the rooftop.
"Oh my god they're falling!"
"Somebody help them!"
But it was too late. Tsuna and Yamamoto both fell down after the fence failed to support both of them. This is it for them. The conflict was resolved, but they do not want to end it with a sour and tragic note like this.
Unconsciously, something flickered inside of Tsuna.
A dying will's flame of miniscule size appeared on Tsuna's forehead. He then instinctively used what is called a "Burst Flame" phenomenon to lessen the fall damage, but it still took a toll on Tsuna's leg.
He did land on two feet, but the shock of Yamamoto's own weight affecting him was still painful.
Yamamoto hurriedly jumped out of Tsuna's arms, just in time to catch him as he fell. His classmates looked from above and was in-shocked that the two of them were okay. Some of them scoured while some of them called for ambulance. The point is, both of them were still alive, even with some minor injury to their limbs.
Looking at who saved him, Yamamoto couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're really great, Tsuna."
Being put into the hospital suddenly was not pleasing to Tsuna.
At least, Yamamoto came for a visit everyday.
As Yamamoto brought another basket of sushi, he grinned cheerfully. Saying another line he had used before over and over again for the whole week.
"Tsuna, sorry for intruding!"
"Tsuna, it's lunch, how about some sushi!?"
"I know it's late, but do you mind some midnight sushi?"
It was both amusing and calming at the same time, even if Tsuna doesn't find it very funny that he used the same gag over and over again. He's just glad that someone other than his mom is keeping him company. The face where his mom met with Yamamoto is a face he will remember for years out of pure embarassment. His mom always says something without thinking, and this time it felt like an arrow just stabbed him dead.
"Y-You're a friend of Tsuna!? Please take care of him! You might be his only friend in years!"
It was more humiliating the first time, but remembering what Yamamoto said after that makes his day in the hospital less depressing.
"I'm glad that he thinks of me as his friend."
Tsuna giggled.
He couldn't help it. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to him.
"Oh, so that's how you cracked a smile." Said Yamamoto as he hands a plate with two pieces of tuna on top of a rice. "Here's your order Tsuna. I recommend eating unagi next."
Free sushi is always nice. He needs to remember to visit his shop from time to time. Pays a visit to his father and mother, and pays them in full for how many sushi he owns them. For the time being, eating Sushi with Reborn and Gokudera was a nice breather for him.
Yamamoto's hand also healed shortly, he was really embarassed about that whole event.
"Damnit, why's your sushi so good?" Gokudera lamented, frowning at the thought of this nightmarish delicacy.
Yamamoto smiled.
"We just make the greatest and tastiest sushi. Nothing to be suspicious about."
Reborn nods as he downed another salmon egg roe.
So does Tsuna after he gladly accepted the offer for unagi.
Finally, Tsuna was discharged from the hospital.
The fresh air.
He longs to go back to his school and hang-out with Yamamoto and Gokudera, but that doesn't mean that he'll neglect his training to become the 10th of Vongola. Reborn said that an unused room is located somewhere in the old-school building, and checking it is Tsuna's mission of the day.
"Morning 10th."
"Yo, Tsuna-san."
"Don't address 10th so casually, seaweed hair."
"Oh why not? I do respect the leader of our group." Yamamoto chuckled. "Don't worry about it too much Gokudera."
"Why you—"
Tsuna stepped in-between them.
"Alright let's not fight. How about you guys join me in hunting a mystery room?"
"Was there ever any?" Yamamoto asked. Clearly he was not familiar with such gossips.
"Reborn said so."
"Well, if Reborn said so, there must be a meaning to it."
"Yup. Let's investigate after school ends." Tsuna walked in-front of them. "We don't want to skip classes now, do we?"
"No sir." Said Yamato, still grinning happily.
"Not a chance, 10th." Gokudera happily agreed.
Noticing Kyoko was the first to stood up from her seat, Tsuna got up as well. He thought about asking Kyoko to go on a fun scavenging hunt, but he was not ready. His heart is still insecure about stuff, and it is probably for the better of everyone if he doesn't act selfishly.
In the end, it was just the usal gang of people. All three of them in-fact.
Tsuna holds the map, and Yamamoto scouts them. Gokudera also scouts, but on an entirely different margin. Using his perception, he knows that a blueprint fraud caused this whole mess. Judging from a large space in-between the supply room and the old teacher's lounge, he is sure that this is where something illegal was built.
The front of the room is a red-painted door with black glass that shades the room inside. Gokudera considers blowing the lock forcefully, but it was open.
Tsuna went in first, happily taking pride as he fulfilled one of Reborn's mission.
Then he met a punch in the face.
It sends Tsuna out of the room and into the hallway, almost knocked out.
Next was Gokudera, and the last one was Yamamoto.
"Hmph. You guys barged in without permission and you're actually this weak? Pathetic."
Tsuna regained his consciousness, and before him is a person known as the demon of Namimori High. The king of all that is Namimori, the high council of terror, the raging ashura of Namimori. The list goes on and on until it was too bothersome to count, and that person himself is standing in-front of him. Looking down at him.
Seeing that his friend is hurt, he cautiously approached him.
"Excuse me, my name is Tsunayoshi Sawada."
Hibari doesn't need any pleasantries. It's just a waste of time for him.
"Are you done talking, because I'm going to bite you to death now."
"Then let's talk as we fight!"
Something was wrong with Tsuna today. He was aggresive without any reason or logic. Todya's just really something for Tsuna, and it kinda confuses him. He can't refuse any fight, and he's more outgoing. Almost as if that he's looking away from his past self and became arrogant.
The word he just said supports his belief.
He does not really need to fight Hibari Kyoya.
His friend was knocked unconscious because they did break the rules, and he also deserves to be hit in the face by him. Calming down himself, he shuts the rage and pride inside him, and toned down his voice, sounding humbly for one.
"Excuse me, can we use this room?"
"What for?"
It was unusual for Hibari to answer a question directed to him.
"For me and my friend's secret hideout." Tsuna groggily laughed.
"No."
That can't be more obvious.
"For your indecency and for breaking the rules, I will bite you to death now."
"It seems we can't find an understanding, then let's part for now." Tsuna activates his dying will power and picked up the unconscious Yamamoto and Gokudera onto his shoulders. "You wouldn't hurt a person who can't fight back, right?"
As if ignoring Tsuna's words, Hibari strikes with his tonfa.
Tsuna retaliates by taking the hit head on and headbutts Hibari through his tonfa.
"Why you—"
A gas bomb was shot an entered the hallway through the open window. No suspicion on who shot it, and Tsuna needs to give his thank you to him later. For now, he's just glad that he have a great mentor.
Coughing, Hibari finds no one behind the walls of smoke.
His interest of Tsunayoshi Sawada was piqued, he needs to know more about this man that managed to make him bleed, and guards his attack at the same time.
For now, he entered the room behind him and closed the door. Presumably, Hibari is now taking a nap.
One time there was Lambo.
Now there is I-Pin.
Both of them a child, and somehow became a member of Tsuna's family. He doesn't mind, and so does his mom. It made the family a little bit brighter than before. Eating breakfast with just Mom was annoying, but with Reborn it was slightly comedic. Now they're eating with both I-Pin and Lambo, and it gets hectic by the second.
Yet Tsuna doesn't mind, and so does his mom. Reborn tolerates with children, but he doesn't really oppose the thoughts of having more potential members for the family.
He knows many people in the world. The leader of the Cavallone Famiglia, a renowned hitman that uses poison food as means of attacking, a famous back alley doctor, a death faker specialists, et cetera.
Even if he can call them with just a phone call, he rather like the notion of having younger generations to lead the young. Why he picked Tsuna is exactly because he fits the first criteria: "Young".
There was also many shebangs of the Ninth's childrens, but people refused to recall those atrocities.
Finishing breakfast, it was time for school. Reborn usually went with Tsuna to supervise him. In-case he starts being foolish and cheeky. Trailing a stone fence, he was greeted by a girl he does not know of.
"Hello, my name is Haru! Haru Miura! What's your name?"
"Reborn."
"Is that foreign? That's so cute!" She excitedly squealed. "May I call you Reborn-san?"
"Suit yourself."
"Reborn, do you know this girl?" Tsuna pointed at the strange and overly cheery girl in-front of him. "Someone you know from the mafia?"
"The mafia!?" Haru jumped from the fence and landed a punch in Tsuna's gut. "What are you teaching this baby!? Babies are precious treasures of the world!"
It hits him by surprise and knocked him down. How could he be so careless? He never once fight against a girl, and he really does not like seeing a girl hurt. It was a sever complex that Reborn knows of and hate.
"Anyway, don't joke around about being in a mafia!"
"But it's true." Reborn answered. "I am his mentor, this guy is the 10th boss of Vongola Famigla."
"You shouldn't lie like that you know." Haru said. "People might misunderstood!"
"But it isn't a lie. How about asking the 10th of Vongola himself?"
"Is this true, whoever your name was?"
Tsuna blinked as he stood up. Dusting his shirt and pants, he proceeds to stood up straight and looked the random girl in the eyes.
"...I don't want to brag but I am the 10th Head of the Vongola Famiglia." He calmly stated. His eyes full of determination and not once did his eyes wander from Haru's. "What Reborn just said was true. All of it. It doesn't matter if you believe me or not, but I don't think you should associate with us any further."
"Because I may be in danger for being an acquintance you know? Psh. Get real. Mafias are only in movies and you, sir, are a big fat liar." Haru laughed. "Fine then, if you can prove to me that you're a mafia, I'll believe you."
Tsuna looked at Reborn, and Reborn fired a bullet that grazed his left cheek.
"Can't you find a more gentle way to prove that we're in the mafia?"
"I could, but where's the fun in that?"
Haru was shocked. What she just saw was a bullet being fired. It also seemed that the bullet was real as it grazed the cheek of the man in-front of him. Still, she is in denial that Reborn is in the mafia. Not an angel like Reborn, oh no. He's too precious to be in anything like the mafia.
Drawing the conclusion that it must be the man before her who is corrupting Reborn, he issued a challenge.
"You, give me your name."
Tsuna doesn't like the sound of this, but he can't help but go along with the flow.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi."
"My name is Haru Miura." She said. "At four in the evening, meet me at Namimori Bridge. We'll settle it there!"
The girl than ran away, leaving a trail of dust... and then gone.
"What was that all about?" Tsuna wondered.
Reborn shrugs.
Class was over and Tsuna was on time.
It is now four in the evening, but the girl named Haru Miura was still not in sight.
"It's getting late..." Tsuna thought. "I wonder what mom's cooking for dinner."
"I bet it's fried rice." A voice chimed in. "With lots of salt!"
From his left came the figure of Haru Miura.
She's still wearing her school uniform, but something peculiar caught Tsuna's attention. It was her stance of fighting. Tsuna kind of knows what martial art she is using. There are many of those in kung-fu flicks.
It seems Tsuna is dealing with a troublesome individual.
Still, a challenge is a challenge. He needs to get serious, or else Reborn will snipe him from afar. Though it was the least of his concerns right now.
To hit a girl without endangering them are hard. Tsuna have asked Reborn many times about it and he was given a solid answer just before he fought. A solid chop to the nerves behind their neck.
"Are you ready, Tsuna?"
Tsuna nodded, but he didn't move.
So did Haru.
The sun is already so far in the west, slowly sinking down the horizon as it was reflected onto the river's calm and shallow stream.
Then they both moved at the same time. Haru tried to kick Tsuna, but Tsuna jumped above her. Finally behind her, he lightly karate-choped Haru with the side of his hand, but it was blocked with a hand.
"Do you think that battling me will be that easy? I still have an ace in my sleeve!"
Tsuna wasn't really keen to find out what it is, so he instinctively pulled away from Haru.
"No good, huh?"
In Haru's hand is a stun-gun.
"I don't particularly like these types of weapons, but I don't like prolonged fights." She looked at Tsuna, eyeing him from top to bottom. "You're not bad yourself, but you seemed really unreliable. I guess I need to change the way I look at people."
"You don't have to." Tsuna positioned himself. "Ready when you are."
Haru nodded.
Both of them dashed and met at the center of the bridge. Two stun-guns are each being held in Haru's hands. She looked at the man in-front of her that is about to dodge and move behind her again.
Tsuna, knowing that he's going to be lured into going behind her, passed the chance and went for the chin instead. Forming his fist into a knuckle, he launched a fast uppercut. Being blocked with a slap, Tsuna couldn't risk using a kick, so he withdrew.
Looking from afar, Tsuna grumbled.
"There's no end to this."
"I can fight like this until the sun goes down." Haru smirked. "Ready to admit defeat, Mafia boy?"
"No." Tsuna raised a hand. "Let's settle a condition. If you can hit me anywhere, even once, you win. On the other hand, if I can hit you anywhere, you win."
"...No. From your display of strength, I am clearly outclassed."
"Then I'll handicap myself. I will not move my feet from here."
Tsuna tapped the ashpalt below him confidently.
"I don't know what you're planning, but... is that the only way I'm going to win?"
Tsuna nodded.
"Then tell me one thing. Who is Reborn, and why are you with him. What is your connection to him? Tell me something, anything." She hastily said. "I still can't accept that you're a part of the mafia, but deep inside, I believed that you're a part of it. To tell you the truth, I've asked Reborn about it. The word that came out of him is sincere. It was not a lie, and it made me so mad. Why do you know what he doesn't want to share with me? Who are you, Sawada Tsunayoshi!?"
"I'm the 10th boss of the Vongola Famigla. Haven't I told you that?"
"I see." Haru replied. "About that condition. What will happen if you moved from that spot?"
"...Then I'll admit my defeat."
Haru giggled.
"You really are a foolish man."
Haru proceeds to walk onto the handrailing of the bridge. She grabs the railings as she looked to the river's distance. It was a long pause, and it even confused Tsuna. Then she looked at Tsuna, smiling warmly.
"Hey, just for a head's up, I can't swim."
Tsuna froze from confusion, but he soon moved from where he stood as he saw Haru willingly jumps from the bridge. Hurriedly, Tsuna removed his shoes and took out his wallet and cellphone before jumping from where Haru was previously standing.
Haru hits the cold water with a big splash, and instead of moving, she accepted her fate of drowning.
Surely, her intuition was not wrong.
It was proven to be true, her intuition.
"Why did you do something so stupid?" Tsuna said with Haru in his arm. He's floating on the water, letting the slow stream carry him slowly onto the shore. "You could have died, what can you achieve from killing yourself?"
"I can make you move and lose the fight."
Tsuna was shocked. He was angry, but hearing the playful tone of Haru's voice, he can only laugh merrily.
"You sure did. Why don't you go all the way and kill me while you're at it?"
"I can do that."
Haru moved her lips into Tsuna's cheeks, successfully making Tsuna's heart skips a beat.
Blushing hard, he looked at Haru.
Seeing Tsuna stuttering to form even a word, Haru chuckled.
"Did I successfully killed you?"
Forcefully calming himself, he replied.
"...You made my heart skipped a beat, that's for sure."
Haru cheerfully hugged Tsuna. She wouldn't let go even after they arrived into the shore. Tsuna couldn't swim well, but using his dying will, he somehow know how to at least stay afloat long enough to arrive to the shore.
It was weird.
Having him carry a girl her age in a bridal position, saving a suicidal girl that became affectionate to him, and the dying will powers itself. Slowly, and surely, he felt that sometime later, the dying will's power will eat him in the darkness.
Slowly.
Little by little.
"Good morning, Reborn."
"Ciaossu, Haru." Reborn greeted. "Are you here to walk the tenth to his school? Isn't it troublesome to be with someone as no good as him?"
"What are you saying, Reborn? Aren't you the one who encouraged me to be with Tsuna instead? Didn't I thank you already for that?"
"Never said encouraged."
"Aww, don't be shy Reborn." Haru quietly whispered. "I know you care for that guy. You sure are working him to the bone though, let him have some fun once in a while."
"Having fun with him is your job, not mine."
"We can share, you know." Haru said. It was then that Tsuna went out of his house, greeting his mother good bye. "Well, see you later Reborn, and thanks again for making me trust in Tsuna-san more."
"Never said trust."
Haru giggled as she began to run towards Tsuna. As she catched up to him, she slowed down, and began to walk beside him.
"Way to go Tenth!"
Gokudera ran towards Tsuna in neck-breaking speed. Shaking his hands up and down passionately. He looked at Tsuna with admiration while Yamamoto is smiling cheerily beside him, nodding continously.
"Yup, that was indeed amazing."
"Did I do something?"
"The whole school is talking about you, Tenth! They saw you walking here with a girl from an elite school here! That's my Tenth! Having a girlfriend while you're still so young, I'm really proud of you!"
"We're the same age, Gokudera-kun." Tsuna laughed. "And she's just a friend. I like her as one and I don't really want to go further than that."
"Oh, that's okay." Gokudera chuckled. "I respect that decision of yours."
Yamamoto nodded.
"It's good that having a girl flocking around you doesn't make you cocky. I guess I should have thinked more highly of you."
"Don't you dare insult the 10th, jagged seaweed."
Gokudera grabbed Yamamoto's collar rather strongly.
"I'm not, I'm not!" he laughed.
"That's okay Gokudera-kun. I don't mind."
"If you say so Tenth." Gokudera said, releasing his hand from Yamamoto's collar. Mumbling something about anger and disrespect. "Count yourself lucky today."
"Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna said nervously.
It was going to be an ordinary school day, until an upperclassmen slides the door open. His hair is blonde-colored, also short and spiky. A bandage is plastered onto the bridge of his nose, and an extremely potent battle aura slips out from every inch, corner, and fibre of his body.
"Is Sawada Tsunayoshi here!?"
Instinctively, he raised his hand.
"Great. My name is Sasagawa Ryohei. Meet me at the school's boxing club after-school. I want you to join the boxing club. If you refuse, you'll have to fight me on the ring though, so be prepared!" He laughed as he strongly crosses his arms. "Don't worry, I'm not bullying anyone. I just want to see if his strength can be used on something a little more productive!"
With that he left, laughing out loud.
"Sasagawa... does that mean he's Kyoko's brother?" Yamamoto wondered.
"Yes, he is my brother."
From behind him, Kyoko appeared with an ashamed face. She was painting her face beet red, and she was sweating.
"I'm really sorry about that, Tsuna."
Kyoko is bowing her head to Tsuna, and this startled him.
"N-No! Please, Raise your head. It's fine, I don't mind!"
"Well I do." Kyoko retaliated. "Tsuna, you should try to say no to people."
"I was planning to refuse his offer though."
"Then I'll accompany you!"
Kyoko slammed her hands onto Tsuna's desk. Her head slowly moving closer to Tsuna's.
"N-No really, I can do this myself."
"Oh no mister, I'm going to accompany you to face my brother and that's final. No ifs, no buts, no nothing. Got it!?"
"Y-Yes sir!"
Kyoko moved her head away from Tsuna's, and then showing Tsuna a gentle smile before leaving him.
"...What's up with her?" Gokudera questioned.
"Hm..." Yamamoto rubbed his chin as he hummed quietly.
The boxing club was almost entire made from second years and third years. Tsuna came there alone, but to his surprise, Yamamoto, Gokudera, Haru, Reborn, and Kyoko was already there.
And he said that he doesn't need any help.
"Don't worry Tenth, we'll help you if things get rowdy."
"Yup, count on us."
"I just want to see you, Tsuna-san."
"I came here to see you fight. Do not disappoint me."
"Fight! Tsuna-kun!"
Even though Tsuna wasn't here to fight, the situation seems to forbid him from rejecting it softly, for the captain of boxers himself is already set on the ring. Sasagawa Ryohei looked down upon Tsuna with a large grin on his face.
"Are you ready, Tsuna?"
Tsuna reluctantly went inside the ring.
"Do I have to?"
"Not if you don't wanna." Ryohei flaunts a one-two punch into the air. "You can't possibly refuse me when there are many students watching, right?"
"...Not really. I totally can."
Ryohei frowns.
"Then don't! I'm already pumped up over here!" Ryohei is now angry. He released a barrage of punches into the air. "Listen up Tsuna. My motto is " ! ! !" you got that!? That means, I have to give it my all when I'm fighting! Then I'll go past the extreme, and become The Ultimate!"
Tsuna looked at Reborn.
Reborn smirked as if saying "Go crazy."
Tsuna snorted as he replied with a wide smile and a raised eyebrow.
Realizing that Tsuna is ready, Ryohei started.
"Whoever knocks the opponent out first win. The rules of boxing is applied for this match, so no hitting below the waist, or hitting the top of the head or neck. Make sure your gears aren't loose, and those mouthpiece doesn't hurt when it's inserted."
Tsuna did all he was told and is now ready for battle.
Nodding silently, both of them stares onto each other. Casually moving both feet, Ryohei closes in while staying low.
Tsuna didn't anticipate his swiftness, and is given a hard knuckle to his right cheek.
Ryohei paused but retracted his fist too late, for Tsuna have countered with a punch of middle power, but it definitely strikes at a critical spot. Ryohei's interest rose sky high as he dodged back to dodge any other blows that Tsuna may assault.
Ryohei grinned.
"You're pretty good, Tsuna."
Tsuna nods before shabbily copying Ryohei's style of boxing. He moved from side to side with ease, and then managed to land a punch on Ryohei's chest. This chance was not spoiled by Ryohei as he proceeds to one-two Tsuna's cheeks. Being hit like that was the first time for Tsuna, and it was... exciting, for a lack of a better term.
Noticing an opening, Tsuna unleashed a cockscrew that hits Ryohei on the cheek, but Ryohei punched Tsuna's cheek at the same time Tsuna's cockscrew lands on him.
" – ! ?"
Everyone was shocked when after both of them regained balance, they unleashed blows after blows after blows of fists. Tsuna being someone from a feather-weight can only hope to foot his way around Ryohei's lethal assaults. Ryohei himself being on a middle-weight class, can only hope to outlast Tsuna in stamina. Tsuna's fist doesn't hurt that much, but the effectiveness of his punches scares him.
Like a bee, Tsuna's fists are like a bee's stinger. It's size is small, but the damage it unleashed was devastating. He had been hit by that twice, and the sting from that attack is still lingering on his cheek.
Tsuna wasn't off any better. His feet is burning from being moved so rapidly. He is still holding his ground, but his body can't really keep up with this particular battle. His muscles are far too untrained while Ryohei's have been trained since how long ago it was that he started boxing.
Still, it was decided that one punch will settle it all.
Then it happened.
It was a decisive strike the knocked the two fighters out.
Tsuna hits Ryohei directly at his nerves, while Ryohei punched Tsuna on the abdomen. Both of them stood lazily before keeling over at the same time. Realizing that the two fighters have fainted, the referee calls the match a draw.
"Tsuna, I appreciate that you're being active at school now, but this is just pushing my patience."
Tsuna's mom is at the hospital while I-Pin and Lambo guards the house with a babysitter that Reborn had called. A woman named Bianchi if Tsuna's mom remembered correctly. She is peeling an apple and is making a bunny-shaped slices with it.
"I'm sorry mom."
"It's okay Tsuna. Mom's happy that you're finally opening yourself to people." Tsuna's mom laughed. "I guess hiring Reborn half a year ago was a right decision afterall. I knew he was a great home tutor for you."
Tsuna looked outside the window with a smile. The sun is being clouded by storm-clouds. Seeing that it is almost the winter season, it couldn't be helped if one of two snow-storm is coming.
"I've given the school your permission slip, and since Lambo and I-Pin is at home today, I'll be with you for the whole day, Tsuna. Aren't I the greatest mom?"
"You're the best Mom." Tsuna said as he grins happily.
Tsuna's mom smiled helplessly.
Then the room entrance is opened by a figure he knows best.
"Yo, Tsuna! I came here to bring another basket of sushi!"
"Yamamoto! It's nice to see you again!"
Yamamoto was startled of the appearance of Tsuna's mom. "H-Hello, Obaa-san! I came here to greet Tsuna."
"Wait, Tenth's mom is here!?" A sound of footsteps turned into running. "E-Excuse me! My name is Gokudera Hayato, I am Tenth—I mean, Sawada Tsunayoshi's right-hand man! It is nice—no, a pleasure to meet you!" Gokudera proceeds to bow politely, and Yamamoto followed.
"Tsuna you never told me that you have a right-hand!" Tsuna's mom was worried.
"He's not, Mom." Tsuna said calmly.
This shocked Gokudera as his reality was cracking before him.
"He's one of my best friend." Smiling cockily, he looked at Gokudera. "Right?"
Gokudera himself felt relieved as tears of joy flows from his eyes.
"Tenth! You're so cool!"
"Hahaha, I'm not." Tsuna gently refused. "I think you're cooler than me, Hayato."
"Hey~ Haru bought cakes and puddings for everyone!" Next is a female with an outfit from a private high-school. Noticing a woman that resembles Tsuna, she muttered. "Hahi? Tsuna, you never said that you have an older sister."
Tsuna couldn't help but smile as her mom laughed histerically. Tears rolled out of her eyes as she clutches her side.
"Oh, my. I didn't know I looked so young." The woman finally calmed down and introduced herself to her. "I'm not Tsuna's sister, young lady. My name is Sawada Nana, I am Tsuna's mom." She chuckled. "Though, I do like being called "Onee-san" again from time-to-time."
"O-Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Haru bowed. "P-Please accept these cakes as a token of apology!"
"Apology accepted." Nana grinned as she picked the cakes and puddings inside the plastic bag. So many variety that totaled into seven cakes and seven puddings, each in different colors. "Wow, you have great taste, Haru."
Haru snickered.
"I guess I do."
"EXTREME!" Yelled someone from outside the door. The person itself opened the door and excused himself inside. Behind him is Kyoko being extremely ashamed. With a loud voice, he greeted. "Good afternoon everyone, I'm Sasagawa Ryohei from the room next door. I heard Tsuna is allowed to be visited now!?"
"You must be Ryohei, right? Are you alright? Did my son give you a hard time?"
Ryohei grinned as he shows everyone his right hand that is on a supporting bandage.
"He sure did! Tsuna is really strong. I'm glad that I get to fight someone like him."
Nana pouts.
"I was expecting Tsuna to have a gentler hobby, but I guess this kind of thing is fine too."
"Actually it was my brother who forced Tsuna into doing it. I am absolutely ashamed to admit having a brother like him." Kyoko profusedly apologized as she bowed her head many, many time to Nana. "I hope you have the heart to forgive us."
"Nope." Nana smiled. Kyoko swears that a demon is slowly forming behind her.
"I knew it." Tears of regret came trickling down Kyoko's cheeks, but Ryohei only laughed at the sudden development of things.
It was another peaceful day at Namimori General Hospital.
One by one, they are hunted.
Like trophy animals released into the wild.
One by one, they fell.
One by one, they are claimed.
A raging animal and a calm, but strong wave wreaked havoc on the beach's midle.
One aims to kill, the other for thrill.
Namimori was not the same that night, as the moon began to fell, the beast howls his prey.
A/N: Hello, Saber Macro here.
This is rather unusual for me to post an author note, but let me have this chance to tell you that I really like the Reborn series. I know that changing some character's motivation and relation to one another is kinda iffy, but I wanted to integrate more females into the plot as a permanent and active member for the rest of the story all the way until the end.
No characters will be genderbended. I repeat, I won't do any genderbending. I will use only the casts of Reborn and I will not add Original Characters. Period.
I will however, power-up some character before they achieve that goal, so Tsuna and the others won't lose any fight after defeating the previous big bad, and make Hibari's fight scenes less anti-climactic, except when it needs to be anti-climactic, like a certain fight in the near future.
This chapter rewrotes the first 62 chapters of the manga with added scenes and reduced scenes for some character. I will omit characters who are either irrelevant in the long run, or have no effect whatsoever to the plot in-general. (Longchamp's girlfriend, High-school bullies A, B, C, et cetera)
I think that's it from me, if you're confused or found an error in grammar or a typo, please review or pm me directly so I can edit it, I'm sure that I did make some mistakes, so please, do not hesitate.
I think I've rambled long enough, time for me to go!
Arrivederci!