Full Summary: Curiosity killed the cat, just like it did to the other curious people. But in some case, satisfaction brought it back. Where him and his mix-match friends fit just right. [Pre-Reborn] [Unbeta'd]
-00000000000000000-
If Tsuna had been faster to warn his brother; stopping him from trying to chase that cat. The future would take a different turn wouldn't it?
DangerDon'tFollowIgnoreIgnore! The tiny bells in his head warned him just as the feline creature appeared in his eye-view. The bells were his most trusted friend, always rang whenever danger would befall upon him or his precious people. He, of course obeyed it and turned to warn his brother the same but it was too late. A yellow blur passed by him and with wide eyes, he watched as his brother ran to the cat's direction. "I-Ie!" Tsuna cried in horror.
Startled by his shout, the cat ran with his twin brother on its tail. "No! Don't!" Tsuna cried, leaving their mother side in turn to chase after his brother. He was scared to leave his safe sanctuary but the thought of his brother in danger harden his resolve.
-00000000000000000-
His breathing was ragged as he run. Ienari was the athletic one between them, not him. He was at the edge of collapsing when he finally catches up to his brother who thankfully stopped running, "Ie…." He called between his breathing.
Fortunately, this time, he got his brother's attention. Ienari quickly rushed to him and by the lack of a certain feline, he didn't manage to catch it. "Nii-chan! Are you okay?" Ienari asked worriedly.
Instead of answering, Tsuna hugged him, tighter at every breath. "I-I'm fine, Ie…" As long as you're okay, it's fine.
"C-can't breathe, nii-chan." Ienari gagged, smacking his brother's back, an effort to break from his hold. Hearing this, Tsuna promptly release him, a blush creep to his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Ie! I didn't mean to! I-I.." Tsuna spluttered his words in embarrassed.
After getting a better hold of his breath, Ienari laugh at his brother's spluttering in amuse. "Tsu-nii, you never cease to make me laugh." He said with fondness while Tsuna pouted, both cheeks even redder than before. Taking a side glance, Ienari paled, finally noticed their current surrounding. He tugged his brother's hem, snapping him out of his thoughts, "Tsu-ni… Where are we?"
One look at his brother's grimace, Tsuna anxiously peered at their surroundings. He could feel the goosebumps creeped under his skin, the previous ringing bells in his mind were going even haywire than before, warning him. GetawayGetawayRunMoveDangerCloserRun!
Tsuna gulped down the saliva, balling up his hand to a tight fist and pulled his brother closer to him. He, himself felt like running with tail between his legs but he can't, not now, not when Ienari –his brave younger twin brother– trembling in fear. Tsuna gave a side-smile, "I-It'll be fine, Ie. We just need to re-trace our steps and we'll reunite with Kaa-san. I promise, we will."
His efforts were awarded as Ienari smiled back. "Y-yeah. Okay."
Tsuna's eyes went back to the run-down buildings around them. He inhaled and exhaled the air, taking another glance at his brother. He frown to see him still shaking with worry. Ienari shouldn't be scared, fearing for his life. He should be smiling without a worry, blinding with happiness, the light between the two. His job was to protect him, making sure it stays like that. Papa told him it's his duty as the older brother.
Suddenly, a sharp pang in his mind took over his attention. The bells were louder and sound closer –DangerGetawayRunDangerMoveRun! Tsuna couldn't pinpoint the direction the danger would coming from. He pressed his lips to a tight line, taking another glace behind him and finally come to a decision. "Ie…" He whispered, getting Ienari's full attention on him, "When I say 'run', you run as fast as you can away from here, got it?"
Ienari's eyes widened, "Wait! What about you? I'm not leave-""Ie, just do it." Tsuna harden his voice, causing Ienari to flinch.
GetawayRunDangerFastRunRunDangerGetaway The bells rang wilder.
"I won't leave you here, Tsu-nii!"
"Just do as I say, Ie!"
Warning!Warning!Run!Danger!
"You're my brother! I can't just run!"
RunDangerRunGetway!
"Ie! This is for your own go-…od" The words died in his throat. "Tsu-nii?" Ienari called out in concerned but it didn't registered in Tsuna's mind.
It was too focus on the fact the bells stopped ringing. No warning. No noise. It just stopped and was silence like it hadn't ringing crazy before. This never occurred before –Not so suddenly, of course.
Was it a false alarm? Or maybe the danger already passed without him noticing. But that doesn't seem right. The bells only rang when something harmful –physically, mentally would befall him –them. It rang so loudly and alarmed, it must been big –highly dangerous. There's no way he would missed it so easily. No. It's still here. Lingering around.
Tsuna gulped, peering the premises with wary, his guard was up, fearing for the worst. He stood in front of his brother possessively –ignoring his brother's calls, defending him from anything that might jump the- "How unusual." "Hiieeee!" Tsuna shrieked, taking a wrong step and tumbled to the ground. He hissed in pain but tried to focus his eyes to the figure in front them. How did that person get so close?!
"W-Who are you?!" Ienari bravely question despite the fear evidences in his voice.
The stranger stood quietly under his? Her? Their hood –observing them, maybe? Tsuna shifted to stand, his brown caramel orbs stayed on them, confusion filtered on his face.
The bells reacted towards their sudden appearance but it wasn't ringing with alarms of certain danger but something else. Gentler, like it was trying to comfort him that the person is safe. It was hard to do than said with their suspicious clothing, looking like the bad guys in the movie he watched. Still, Tsuna trust the bells. It always did help him to keep his family safe; it wouldn't betray him now, right?
"I apologise," The stranger finally spoke, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I did not mean to startle neither of you. It is rather rare to see a pair of such young children around this peculiar type of area. Ah, but then again, maybe it is not that rare."
Tsuna could feel the stranger's gaze but it didn't hold any ill-intention, just genuine curiosity. His eyes flickered from his brother to them. He licked his dry lips and gulped. "Um, Ie- I mean, we got lost and… Somehow made it here." He answered the stranger's unspoken question, testing the waters.
They gave an understanding hum, "A common mistake. Even if the person memories the path, it is so easy to take a wrong turn when distracted or perhaps…" They cut their own words, shaking their head. "Nay, not everyone would follow their curiosity so blindly like her." They mumbled under their breath but was loud enough for Tsuna to catch.
He flickered his eyes towards his now cautious blond brother, remembering how exactly they got lost in the first place. His eyes widen, he forgot about Kaa-san! She didn't know where they had run off. He never told her before taking of. She must be worried sick right now.
"A-ah... Excuse me, um… s-sir?" He voice out, capturing the stranger's attention. Tsuna flinched back but continued anyways, "I-I'm sorry but c-could you help us get back? Kaa-san didn't know that we run off so-"
"Tsu-nii!" Ienari hissed, cutting his words. "Why are you asking him that?! Don't you remember what happened to those kids in the movie? Kaa-san even told us to not trust strangers!"
Tsuna's lips twitch upwards, feeling a bit happy that his brother worries about their safety but… "Its fine, Ie. The bells told me that he's safe." He whispered back.
"BUT TSUNA! LOOK AT HIM! HOW CAN YOU TRUST HIM?! HE'S WAY TOO SUSPICIOUS!" Ienari waved his hands, making gestured.
"Ahem." The said stranger coughed, Ienari immediately yelped. "I have you know it is rude to talk people like that. In front of or behind. But, I will agree that you should not trust someone you barely know of. And I will admit, I do appeared a bit dubious. Another reason why-"
"Seeee! He even admitted he shouldn't be trust! The way he talks is weird too! Let's run while he's distracted!" The blond twin whispered –loudly to Tsuna. In which he respond with a horrid look, "Ie!"
The stranger huffed, "At least one of you were raise with manners."
Ienari glared. "Shut up! You're the reason Tsu-nii is mad with me right now!"
"You dug your own grave child. Do not blame others for your own misfortune. Let this be your lesson." They spoke, arms crossed, looking unimpressed at Ienari's actions –covering his ears and keep repeating, "I'm not listening! I'm not listening!"
Tsuna panicked and swiftly plead, "I-I'm so sorry for my brother. You have to help us. Please." He didn't think he could trust his lucky stars that the next person they'll met would be as nice as this one.
Fuming with anger, Ienari grabbed his arms, "Let's go, Tsu-nii! We don't need him to get back to Kaa-san!"
Yes we do! "W-wait, Ie! We don't even know where we are?!"
"We can find them ourselves! Just like you said, 'We just need to re-trace our steps'!"
That's because I want you to stop worrying! Tsuna snapped a desperate look at the stranger, Please! They sigh and shook their head. "Alright, that is enough. Stop causing trouble for your brother, child."
"I AM NOT!" He denied, turning to Tsuna. "Right, Tsu-nii?"
The brunet gulped, breaking eye contact with his brother and thanked the stranger for agreeing to help them. Ienari felt betrayed and glared at the other party, blaming them for his brother's current actions.
The hood person ignored him, in favour for the older twin. "Yes, while I did agree to give my assistant. Unfortunately, you caught me in a busy schedule."
The hopeful expression on Tsuna's face dropped, they continued, "Instead, Mio will guide you back."
"And where is this, 'Mio'?" Ienari snapped, in which Tsuna apologies once more.
Again, ignoring Ienari, the stranger peered around the premises. "Hmm? How odd." They commented. "She usually would arrived here by now." Closing their eyes –not that the twins could see them, they thought of the possibilities why.
"Ah!" They snapped their fingers, startling the two twins, "How could I forgot. Of course, she is late. This place is far from…" Their words trailed, turning their gazes towards the twin's direction.
"W-what?" Ienari shouted, feeling uncomfortable being stared at.
"How old are you?" They blurted.
"What?" He repeated again, baffled by the question but managed to get his speaking abilities back working, "Why should we tell you our age?! So you could categories us after you kidnap us to you evil hideout!? So that you could-" Tsuna gritted his teeth, "Ie, that's enough." "Prices us for sale?! So that you could-"
"Ienari, I said stop, didn't I?" Ienari froze, a chill went down his spine. Tsuna, his loving, kind older brother was glaring at him. Him! "T-Tsu-nii?"
Tsuna exhaled, and turn. Trust the bells, Tsuna. "We're turning ten this year, sir."
They hum back. "I see. I suppose that is still in-range."
The hooded person brought their gloved hand in front of their chest and both twin eyes widen. Golden coloured sparks came out, cridle crackle, glimpsing with light contrast with the dark surrounding them. It shot up to the sky like a laser then vanished as quickly as it came. Leaving Tsuna speechless while Ienari cold only whispers of awe.
"That should do it." The stranger's voice snapped them from their daze.
"WHAT. WAS. THAT?" Ienari immediately demand.
"A trick of the lights." They replied without skipping a beat.
"That can't just be a tick of the lights! They-They just shot up from your hand!"
"Ah. How observant of you, child." They dryly commented.
"Tsu-nii! You saw that too, right!" He turned to his brunet brother.
"I-I… yeah… I… did." Tsuna said, unsure about it himself. It was too bizarre, the bells didn't warn him about it.
"See! So what was it?"
"You know, child. There is a saying that goes, 'Ignorant is bless.'"
"You just say that because you don't to tell us!" Ienari pointed out.
"Exactly."
Ienari groaned. "Seriously? Just tell us!"
"And why should I?" They raised an eyebrow. "You are a stranger to me as I am to you. I do not see a reason why I should tell something as private to you."
When Ienari didn't reply, they nod, "That is what you tried to tell you brother earlier. Everyone have their secret and it is better it stayed to be a secret. With that out of the way, let's move on to another topic. Mio have already arrived."
The twins snapped out of their thoughts as a squirrel climbed to the stranger's hand. "Wait… Mio is a squirrel?!" The blond gapped.
"No." The stranger denied.
"She is! What do you call that creature then?"
"A squirrel."
"There! You just said, Mio is a squirrel."
"Since when did I? Mio is definitely not a squirrel. I just confirm the creature on my hand is what you call a squirrel."
"Argh!" Tsuna pat his brother's back. "Ie, remember what Kaa-san told us, 'Respect other people's opinion.'" He whispered.
"But, it is a-" He cut his own sentences when he made contact with Tsuna's glare. He grumbled, "Fine. Mio is NOT A SQUIRREL."
"Yes, that is correct. She's not." They nod.
"Um… Hi, Mio. Thank you helping us to get home." Tsuna greeted. Ienari followed his lead, still grumbling on his own.
"Mio, can you lead them back to their mother?" The stranger asked the 'not squirrel'.
Mio climbed down from their hand to the ground and blinked. "Just follow Mio's lead. She will lead you out safely."
"Thank you so much, Sir." Tsuna bowed to them.
"I still don't trust him. OW!" Ienari rubbed his elbow. He continued under his breath, "He called a squirrel to take us back. Who does that?"
"Ienari…" The brunet said with a warning tone.
"Sheesh, fine. Respect, I get it."
"Farewell now children." The stranger bid.
"We'll be going now!" Tsuna waved as they walk further away.
-00000000000000000-
A fond smile slipped to their lips. "Those children remind me so much about her. And speaking of which,"
With a snapped of a finger, the illusion dropped, revealing a more ruin version of the place. "I should better finish my duties here. They're lucky, I notice them entering the zone before something happen."
A loud explosion occur and pieces of concrete shattered towards their direction. They sigh, shaking their head. "While I'm grateful you made my job easier. I do not compute why on earth you did not take this chance to run, escape? People are confusing sometimes."
"But in any case, I will present myself again." They bowed to the creature appeared in front of them. "By the order of The Academy. I will capture you. I highly advice you to cooperate with me than making an unfavourable scene."
The creature roared. "Of course, people would pick the other option. It's a bit tiresome to have the same scene to repeat itself, but then again, a little excitement would not hurt anybody." Their look morphed to a surprise one, "Ah, it seems her attitude seems to influent with mine. But then, I suppose it is not that bad. My apologies, I will conduct my duty right away."
-00000000000000000-
Following the 'not squirrel', both of the twins made out safely to a familiar neighbourhood.
Tsuna spoke up, "Um… I think we took a wrong turn back there. We actually run off somewhere at the market, and I'm pretty sure we're getting even further from there."
"I knew this squirrel didn't know anything!"
"Ie!"
"Oh, come on, Tsu-nii! It's a squirrel! Maybe a magical one since that person is definitely a magician or something! He shot a laser to the sky from their hand for crying out loud! If that squirrel actually know where our Kaa-san is, it should just teleport us there!" Ienari ranted.
"Maybe it's not a magical one?" Tsuna offers, which Ienari look at him unbelievably. "Oh, come one, Tsu-nii! You saw it with your own eyes. That laser. SHOT. UP. FROM. THEIR. HAND. You said it yourself earlier."
"So that person might be a magician. That doesn't mean this squi- Mio would be too. Maybe it was well trained? Ow!" Something hit his head.
"Why did throw at Tsu-nii for, you squirrel!?" Roared Ienari.
Mio quickly took action and ran to a nearby tree. Ienari made haste to chase after it but Mio already climb up to the highest branch. He glared at Mio's position like it mocked him and was about to climb the tree when his brother pulled him back. "Ie, I'm fine. It didn't hurt that much." Tsuna reason with him.
"But it thrown a nut at you. A NUT!"
"I'm fine. I don't think Mio would just throw a nut at people like that. I guess I done something to upset her."
Ienari pouted, "You always those kind of things. You barely know the squirrel less than an hour. How exactly you know it's not like that?"
"The bells?" He lamely replied.
The blond groaned, "I really hate it when you answer with that."
Tsuna awkwardly laugh. "Sorry… That's the only-""Tsu-kun? Ie-kun?"
Both of the twins snapped their head at the familiar voice. Their eyes widen, "Kaa-san? Kaa-san!" Both them ran towards their mother and hug her tight.
"Were have you two been? Don't you know worried I was when both of you weren't there?" Nana scold, checking for any injuries on them.
"I'm sorry, Kaa-san… We got lo-""I tried to catch a cat and Tsu-nii was worried, so he followed me. Please don't punish him, Kaa-san." Ienari cut his brother's word, knowing he will try to take the blame too.
Nana felt her heart ache, "Oh, Ie-kun. I won't punish both of you. The important thing is that both of you are safe." She hug them deeply. "Let's go, home."
"Hai." Both of the chorused.
Tsuna realised he almost forgot and turn to the tree to thank Mio for her help but she was no longer there. Ienari tugged his hand to join their walk home and for some reason, there was a fuzzy image of a person sitting on top of the branch. Tsuna push the thought away, dismissing it as his imagination, joining the chat shared between mother-son.