The room was peaceful, and the sound of birds chirping filtered in through the open window, along with the relaxing smell of lavender flowers wafting in from the bushes below the window. The occupant of the double bed inside sighed, and then coughed.
A certain aged Storm Guardian lurched quickly to Neo Vongola Primo's side, feeling his knees pop and strain from the sudden movement. The Guardians bodies weren't what they were once, even Hibari felt an occasional ache in his lower back from time to time, even though he was too proud to admit it.
Tsuna coughed again, snapping Gokudera back to attention. He hurriedly took the Sky's slightly wrinkled hand in his own, clutching as hard as he dared. They had all known Tsuna was slipping, ever so slowly, ever so slightly. He had been getting worse over the past few months, finally being confined to his bed about three weeks ago.
The most infuriating thing about it was that Tsuna didn't seem to care at all. He lay on his bed, a smile on his face most of the time, excepting the days when there was too much pain to pretend otherwise. When he was asked why he seemed to be so at peace with his rapidly approaching death, he had responded simply:
"I am content." And he really was. He had friends, a spouse and children whom he loved very much, a family. He had accomplished his goals, and he had enough money left to ensure that his family lived on for at least four generations, not that they were incapable of making a respectable amount of money themselves.
He had raise his children well, teaching them by his principles, and leaving Reborn to train them, because Reborn's training was probably what had changed him the most, had helped him form the strongest bonds, and he knew his children would benefit from it as well.
They had, and had branched out to form various Famiglia, which had of course been allied with the Vongola, forming a coalition of sorts, which guaranteed their lasting safety.
All in all, Tsuna had accomplished much in his life, and he was ready to move on. Above all, he just wanted to rest. He was so tired. Not a 'Rest in bed and take a nap' tired, but a tiredness that seeped in to his skin, that he could feel in his bones, silently telling him 'Enough'. He was more inclined to listen with every passing day, slowly inching towards the point of no return.
Here he was, teetering on the edge, almost, almost.
He faintly felt a hand clasping his, muffled somehow, as if through a heavy fog. He opened his eyes with more effort than it usually took, and looked at Gokudera's face hovering over him, responding to his question with:
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine", As he had done for every other time Gokudera asked the question during the past few months. Gokudera pursed his lips in disbelief, as he always did when Tsuna answered this way, but this time his eyes narrowed too, and he called the other guardians over- at least, those that were left.
Chrome had passed away three years ago, when Mukuro had become too weak to maintain her illusionary organs, and Mukuro had never been the same since, hardly talking and preferring a reclusive life shut up in his house than the rigors of the outside world.
He would attend this last meeting though. He loved Tsuna too much not to be present at his deathbed, shared too many memories with the elderly Mafia Don to not pay him this final respect. There he was, materializing out of thin air as he was prone to do.
Slowly, the rest of the guardians trickled in; Yamamoto, with his cane nobody truly believed he needed; Ryohei, his enthusiasm and love of life undiminished; Lambo, closer to tears than he had been in the last few decades; Hibari, leaning back casually against the wall, but more tension present than there was normally, his brows drawn lower over his eyes; and the ever-felt absence of Chrome, an unoccupied chair at the dinner table, an empty spot at Tsuna's bedside, an almost tangible presence waiting for him on the other side, waiting.
He could almost see her already, and so he bid a last goodbye to his guardians, his friends, his family, wishing them all happiness, safety, and fulfillment, for what more could anyone wish for?
Lambo surprised him by flinging himself onto the four-poster bed, for one last hug, Yamamoto, Gokudera and Ryohei following soon after. Hibari offered him a heartfelt handshake, and a hint of wetness in his eyes. Mukuro made do with a salute, and a smirk saturated in sadness.
They all stayed with him till the very end, until he almost felt the grip of death slowly pulling him under and he sent them all one last tired smile, feeling as if he was sinking into the bed.
He realized then. Like a spark exploding outward from his body, he understood; he wasn't ready to go at all. He wanted so much more. He wanted to spend endless days in the sun with his family, laughing and chatting until the sun set, and to do it again the following morning. He wanted to spend the rest of eternity with his family, always together, never drifting apart. He wasn't ready to pass on at all, he was resolved to linger on.
A spark of Dying Will lit upon his forehead, perking up all the Guardians with one last wild hope. Another spark, larger, stronger this time, burning with more intensity. It turned into a full-fledged Flame, his eyes a vivid orange, alive with Dying Will, burning and pleading for just one more second, just one more day, just one more lifetime to spend with his loved ones.
The Flame dwindled, faded, died, Tsuna's eyes still open in one last plea.
Thus, Neo Vongola Primo passed away peacefully in his bed at the age of eighty-six.
A/n: God, I thought I could write this without too much angst, but it turns out it was impossible. Also, it turned out really long, so accept my sincere apologies, and hopefully you enjoyed this first chapter.
Stay tuned!