The will to protect
An eleven-year-old Tsuna sprinted away, ran as fast as he could with frantic, panicky steps. He could hear the sound of rushed footsteps of his pursuers, drawing closer by the moment. He turned around a corner, trying despretly to shake off his persuers, ignoring the alarm bells shouting in his body, indicating just how tired he was.
He leaped over a fence landing a bit roughly on his side-the tiredness he felt getting into him- showing some atheltic talent he never knew he had, maybe it had something to do with that strange flame earlier or his strong tenacity to survive, he thought briefly before shaking it, he had to focus on surviving, on escaping. He had to, his mother told him so.
The thought of her brought more tears to his already teary eyes, his mom died protecting him just because he was weak, just because he wasn't strong to protect her. And for a moment Tsuna barely kept himself from wailing and weeping. He missed his mamma's smile already, missed his mama's kind nature and Mama's cheerful attitude.
He wiped his tears away, as he rested his back on the fence behind him. He figured he could rest his exaushted body for a little bit since he could hear the sounds fading into the distance. A slight tinge of hope grewin his chest as he thought that he may have giving them the slip. He released an tired sigh. Looking around him, the brunet couldn't recognise where he was- a green clearing filled with flowers and plants- He never ventured to these parts, that realisation made a stir of dread wash over him, realsing that he could not return home easily, not that he wanted to return right away. His previous residence held a dreadful memory he didn't think he could forget easily.
The setting sun was casting long red shadows through the trees, lighting up the carpet of daisies and bluebells. It was beautiful, he pondered for a moment before shaking the thought away. He had no time for such a pleasent thought, just the strong urge to escape the black clad mens.
Tsuna shakily stood up as the sound of footsteps reached his ear sugesting that they were still close, right on his tail. He made a move to leave the clearing and head toward the river he could see up ahead, he was, however, able to hear the words exchanged by the men.
"We can't let that brat escape. Our orders were clear : Kill Sawada Lemitsu's family. We can't let him survive."
"We can't call ourselves mafiosi if we can't catch a boy even if he's that vongola's scun child."
'Mafiosi ? Vongola ? They're after us because of dad ?'
Now, Sawada Tsunayoushi was no fool, no matter how you looked at it. He may not be good at adamedics or even literature but he was certain that his father was hiding something from them, something big and he realised that as soon as he heard his lame and unrealistic cover story. And his certainty only furthered, because what part of helping the traffic caused by the penguins in the south pole would get the mafia on your back and make a move for your family.
He could already form thousands conspiracy theories... Well not exactly.
Pushing the thought and the growing resentment he now has for his father to the back of his head. Tsuna focused on getting more distance as he could from his pursuers, but he could assume he was safe for now since no one got the idea to leap over the fence right before their eyes. All he had to do was leap over a fence to escape, if only he knew.
Tsuna's sprint halted to slow calm steps as his breathing became less elabored. He allowed his lips to stretch into a curl similiar to akin to a smile that quickly got replaced by a frown as Tsuna remembered the predicament he was in. Even though he managed to escape, he was still lost. Tears threatened to flow freely from his eyes but he quickly blinked them away. He promised to be strong right besides his mother's body.
He let his gaze wander around, looking for anywhere that he could take shelter in until he could figure out what to do next. His eyes instantly fell on a distant large old mansion on the other riverside, consilled by few trees here and there. About thirty minutes walk.
He beamed, things are looking up for a bit here.
Tsuna slowly and carefully pushed the huge black iron gate of the mansion before stepping into the stone path that devided the huge garden into two segments. Looking around Tsuna could distinguish different blooming plants from peruvian lily to pineapple sage to lavender and glorisa daisy and all other kind of perennial flowers giving the garden a magestic beauty.
The brunet was amazed by the scenery and appreciated the work done to grow those plants. He was a nature loving boy and gardenning was one of his few hobbies aside of videogames.
The grass however grew long and unkempt giving off an unpleasent sight as it covered most of the plants but that was mainly due to lack of care for the gardens for maybe years. The boy could even spot several dead plants.
He walked past the old tarnished porch that covered the entrance to the building. Tsuna steeled himself before pushing the door open.
In contrast to the exterior, the bulding was not faring that well, time inflicted quite the damage to the once proud and mighty mansion. Still, Tsuna couldn't help but marvel at the huge entrance hall, it was big enough to fit twice the size of his ancient house. there was couple decorations here and there that accumulated dust, yet were still giving a positive vibe to its surroundings. A certain portrait in the wall facing him caught his eye as he noticed a blonde man surrounded by friends. The dust assemled on the frame of the picture prevented him from noticing any further detail.
That blonde hair was the same shade as his father's. He thought as his mind tried to make some assumptions. Tsuna never met his grandfather. Was that him in the picture ? Of course he couldn't get much detail but from the breif glance he could see the unmistakable resemblance he beared to that man. And he was left to wonder, was he related to that man ? Has he stumbled upon his ancestors land by a strange twist of fate ? That thought produced a small snort of amusement.
Just exploring the mansion, the boy's eyes darted taking in everything about the mansion amased by the sight of colourful walls, magnificant chandiliers and huge tables, laying stagnant , dusty, yet held the weight of many memories, laughter and heartfelt moments. He didn't know how but Tsuna could sense the magic still vibrating within the walls, he could imagine the life the ocuupants of this building enjoyed.
Tsuna finaly found himself in a huge office, a desk bigger than any he had seen before was placed in front of a big, slightly broken window but still giving a really beautiful view on the world outside. The desk was made of fancy wood. Tsuna was no expert but he appreciated its elegance. On either side of the office were cabinets covered by doors of glass, filled to the brim by books.
He walked toward the desk, barely noticing the glint the marble gave off as the sun's last rays shone through the window.
He brushed his hands against the wooden desk, stopping besides the chair as his gaze wandered beyond the window, eyes twinkled with astounishment at the orange sky and the beautiful sea of trees underneath it. What a sight to behold !
Tearing his gaze off the wonderful scenery, Tsuna sat on the comfortable chair as his hand immediately shot for a picture frame on the desk. He quickly wiped the dust collected by the frame. The same blonde man was there, surrounded by five people, his friends. Tsuna guessed. The man was laughing heartidly as two of his friends, a red haired one and green haired teenager seemed to be in a glaring contest. Another seemed to laugh at their anticts while trying to calm them. Another seemed to be enthusiastic about something while a white greenish haired boy was trying to keep a bit of distance between them, but the small unmistakble smile was there.
'I wonder If I can have friends as good a his.' It was the last thought he had before he slumped on the desk, the tiredness of the day came rushing in.
"Tsu-Kun, don't stay here ! Run !." Her face was twisted in fear lacking the usual kindness and warmth. Her voice came impulsively, without a second of forethought."RUN !" her hand gripping the kitchen knife in a shaky manner as she positioned herself between me and the suit wearing man. I know it was pointless anyway since that man carried a gun with that sound supressing thingy I've seen in movies.
He made no move, simply watching in amusement, cruel smirk sticking throughout it all like some kind of glue.
I couldn't run for two reasons : The fear paralysed me, I couldn't move a muscle, the other : I couldn't just leave my mother behind, no matter what.
"GO ! I'll be okay." She said louder than I ever heard before, her voice so full of authority, firm, unyielding tenacity. So unlike her.
At that exact moment, the mafiosi decided it was enough for him. He rolled his eyes in a bored manner, lifting his gun, the other hand quickly cancelling the safety trigger.
My mother turned to me smiling in a sad manner, urging me to move, to run, to survive.
The man prepared himself to fire the bullet and my face settled into a horrified expression.
I was weak.
I couldn't even carry the shopping bags that my mother usually cary without much effort.
I was clumsy.
I was always tripping, even over my own feet.
I was useless.
I couldn't protect my mother like I promised my dad.
I was nothing but a dame, a dame that failed in everything.
Emotions swirled in me. I felt a strange warmth inside me, I couldn't comprehend that feeling. How could I feel warm, when I'm on the brink of death ? When my mother was on the brink of death ?
The answers came rushing in as I felt a new found power, speed I never felt before. Flame unleashed around me in a wild manner before settling down as fast as it came.
I desprately leaped forward trying to stop the man before any bullet was shot, before the smile on his mother leaved for good, before he could never see her again.
I was not fast enough.
I was useless, yet again.
The bullet was shot before I could do anything and I was too much of a coward to think of shielding my mother with my own body in the first place.
A fraction of a second is what made the difference. I was a fraction of a second late, because as soon as the bullet left the gun, heading for my mother I was in front of the man, my hand cocked backward.
As soon as my fist connected, the man fell to the ground unconcious. I barely had time to register my satisfaction at seeing the blood drip from his mouth tinting the ground, deciding to rush to my mother's side.
She brushed her hand against my cheek, her touch as gentle and kind as ever. She smiled slightly, wiping the tears that welled up in my eyes with her other hand.
"Tsu-kun ! My tsu-kun." She mumbled softly. She brushed my hair back and forth gently as I clang to her, refusing to let go, my tears staining her shirt, but I didn't care and she didn't seem to mind either."You're such a strong boy ! I'm proud of you." My eyes grew wide hearing those words.
Her smile stretched further and I couldn't think it would possibly get any kinder than that.
"Mom..." I sobbed."Please don't leave me ! I ... Can't live without you."
I looked terrified when she coughed a bit of blood, but her smile never left her face.
"Oh You will... Young man ! You're gonna survive ! You're my baby... after all ! Sorry... I couldn't stay with you longer. But, you're gonna have to promise that you'll remain strong and survive.
"I... promise."
"I love you... my boy ! I...I regret not being there to meet your ... girlfriend... Not getting to spoil my little... grandchildren. Not seeing you bloom .. into ... a powerful and reliable man." She coughed again."But I'll always ... be in your heart, right young man ? Because... I'll be watching over you ... And you better not forget me or do anything stupid. And keep yourself healthy, okay ? I ... don't want you... to lose weight. That would be a problem. wouldn't it ?"
I just nodded so quickly, taking everything to heart, that I thought my neck was gonna get snapped out of place.
"Get stronger so you can protect your friends and yourself , alright ? I don't want you joining me quickly." I could feel her heart beating slower indicating that it's gonna stop beating anytime soon, and her breathing became even more shallow and her pulse seemed to fade.
"Now go ... Before any of those mens come here ! Go !" She smile softly as I left her side hesitantly before running off trying to canceel my tears.
And with that Nana Sawada gave her last breath, yet a fond smile stubbornly remained in place.
Words count : 2,321 word(s)
Published : August ,3th, 2016