Through the next passing years, Tsuna experienced a sense of peace. Reborn was by his side, punching knowledge into his skull - still harking on that Tsuna was to be Vongola Decimo under the guise of Neo Vongola Prime. Tsuna refused, of course. Helping him along the way were his friends and family.
As years came and went, Tsuna found himself growing distant from Kyoko and Haru, different high schools and different interests separated them all. In his heart, he would always love them, for he did end up loving them both, but knew they weren't meant to last. There was also the not so distant memory of their lives in danger that made Tsuna more forgiving towards them growing apart. Tsuna found himself in the centre of Gokuderu and Yamamoto all too often, which amused them all to no end.
His training continued, much to his chagrin. Though he complained and whined to Reborn, the nickname Loser Tsuna passed from use completely, even by Reborn himself. A subtle width grew over his shoulders and a height which came from confidence seem to linger in his step. Of course, he never excelled at anything. But through constant training, Tsuna achieved a high mediocrity which seemed to satisfy himself and those supporting him. He still suffered a hammering from Reborn when he got marks back, but the hits began to hurt less and less until Tsuna was finally able to laugh it off.
Every now and again, he'd find an itch he couldn't seem to scratch away growing inside him, leaving something of a hollow in its wake.
In high school, the career talk became big and Tsuna was wracked with anxiety. He'd never thought about it. He remembered his stupid young dreams of becoming a robot and he laughed. He talked it over with those closest to him and they put to him an important question, "What did he like to do?" It took him a week to think of a response. By then the assignment was late and Reborn punished him, but Tsuna had an answer.
He liked helping people.
In the last year of his schooling, Tsuna was arranging to enter college to study counselling. It somehow surprised no one.
Mysteriously Reborn disappeared one day. Like it always did, it saddened Tsuna - for he realised Reborn had finally given up on him.
A few months passed and graduation came and went and university applications were sent out. Tsuna spent his time hanging out with his family, making sure he knew how he'd be able to keep in touch with them wherever they all ended up. That summer was one Tsuna would never forget, because it was everything his youth had wished for. Friends, fun and a future.
Whilst packing his bags, his mother brought in the mail. Tsuna received three letters. Two from universities. One from Italy. He opened that one last. The first two offered him a position in their courses. He took a deep breath before reading the last.
"Take care of them.
- 9".
Tsuna felt tears rushing down his face. He bit them back before returning to packing. Over the past years many things about Tsuna had changed. Confidence, ability, intuition, but according to Futa's ranking, there was still one thing that he was number one in throughout the whole Mafia and would be until he died.
Tsuna kissed his mother goodbye and sent out a mass text to his Family, his packed bag trailing behind him.
When he arrived at his fated destination one word greeted him.
"Ciaossu."