Disclaimer: I do not own KHR.

A Reluctant Party of One

He was the one who often made decisions off intuition. In other words, instinct, guts, emotions and all the other sorts of influence. He doesn't associate himself as someone who was completely useless or oblivious to the world around him. He had perfectly working ears which did their job of hearing. Like many others, he was unable to avoid the criticism he received from the citizens of his village.

He had done his best to set aside his emotions and allow the people to think and say what they liked, however, a fuse would be lit as soon as someone dared to whisper a negative thing about his family. His mother, weak in constitution however strong in heart, had supported him throughout his growth. When he was going through his early teens, then did he realise that his mother was naïve, in a way, but nonetheless, a caring mother that he would never trade another for. It didn't hurt anyone, but it pained him to say that she was bound to pass away soon enough. No one was willing to aid his mother nor him, so all he could do was to keep his mother happy and ignorant to the shadowing future.

He would say he hated his father. A man he was told and described to be adventurous, strong and overall, warm hearted. All seemed to have faded away as soon as news arrived that the man had betrayed the kingdom and left the village unprotected by either running away or died in the unknown conflict. It was still unknown what the true outcome was. He had accepted the fact that since the man had done whatever he had done, his mother and he were doomed to a world of being shunned by the village people. Yet, he had never met the man, so he had no right to judge the man's decisions. No one knew why, nor exactly on what basis the man had betrayed the kingdom, but the only thing they knew was that the man was never returning. That fact alone was enough to have the village disavow him and his mother.

He created options for himself and what came first, was, obviously, his mother. He wanted his mother to live peacefully. Little children who threw rocks and pebbles at their window and the shops who refused to sell anything to her was enough trouble to deal with. He forced himself to work, although many were hesitant to hire him. The pay was low, no matter how hard the job was. If he was lucky, he'd get one copper coin. The currency, lowest value to highest, went from a piece, copper, silver, gold and the rumoured kata. A copper was worth 25 pieces, silver was 75 copper, gold was 250 silver and a kata was worth 1000 gold. If he were to count what he had earned, he had about twenty silver. That was approximately 9 years' worth of work. An amount a farmer could get four times in that time.

He sincerely believed that this was the life he'd have to stick to. Until his mother's health took for the worst. Bedridden, the bubbly woman was barely able to keep her eyes open or open her mouth to speak to her son. The fated and feared day had already appeared so soon. At 17, it was difficult for him. This time he was actually alone. Her last words, a simple 'Thank you.'

…

I want to live.

Simple words, great meaning. Not to him though. The words "I want to live" were simply words to bring him out of his self-pity. He despised having that uncomfortable feeling holding back making him lethargic towards all the work he had. As soon as he had enough money, he could find a way around and leave the damned village. It was suffocating to have people constantly stare at you.

He grunted as he managed to throw the last of the hay bales onto the carriage. That was it for the day.

There was always some sort of work to be completed, it just so happens that not everyone would trust him to help them. He had no ill intent to them unlike they did to him. Slightly disappointing and he had all the right to dislike the village people due to the mistreatment. He shuddered at the thought of having a different personality to what he had. Violence truly wasn't his thing if he were to ever become angry. He had seen what some of the villagers were capable of when they were angry since he had been the direct target of that anger. As a village who tended to farms and small factories, most of the men were well built and the women were feisty in their own way. Going against anyone would lead to trouble. Something that Tsuna wanted to avoid at all costs.

He already had enough attention on him. He didn't need any more.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the brunet slumped against the wall in exhaustion. He wondered how things would have been if he had someone to rely on. A friend. What a nice thought. Sadly, none were willing to be his friend.

…

"Why is there a traveller?"

Everyone was asking that one question. A single traveller had supposedly stumbled across the village. The most that anyone ever visited was to transport goods and material for clothing and so on. Mostly traders and merchants but never just one single traveller. There was nothing to see at or near the village.

Tsuna wasn't particularly interested in the newcomer however a small glance wouldn't hurt, would it? He peeked around the corner of one of the buildings, noticing the strange hairstyle the traveller had. He had jet black hair, spiky, and the curliest sideburns he had ever seen and also wore a strange hat that he had never seen before. Then he noticed the companion that the man had. A small green creature which he could not confirm what species. He made direct eye contact with the creature in which it responded by sticking out its tongue. Tsuna smiled at it. It was kind of adorable. He returned back to his work. He was to harvest some of the fruits that had been growing throughout the season.

With apples in season, the village was sure to profit. However, many were far too interested in the traveller, it was only Tsuna who was doing any work. He was okay with that, since, being by himself felt far nicer than being stifled under public scrutiny. He picked a tree which he saw the reddest apples on and hauled himself up one of the lower branches. Plucking the stem of the fruit from the tree, he placed the apple into the basket. The snap of the stem was rather satisfying. Snap after snap, he was almost complete with one of the branches.

He lowered the almost full basket to the group and picked up an empty basket. Scaling back up the tree, he begun the same process again.

"Nice day isn't it?"

Startled, Tsuna composed himself after almost letting out a shriek. He turned towards the voice and met face to face to pitch black eyes. Now that made him shriek.

…

"Travel with me."

It wasn't a question. It was an order. The man with curly sideburns had 'asked' Tsuna to travel with him just 'around the place.' It was a ticket to freedom, he supposed. But he was rather reluctant to be with the man. Any sane person could tell that the man was dangerous to hang around. That didn't stop Tsuna though this was a one in a lifetime chance that he would never let go.

"How can I trust you?"

"You can lead the way." Tsuna scrunched up his face in confusion. He didn't have a place in mind to go. So were they merely going to end up exploring? The whole aspect wasn't that bad but there were the dangers of the wild. If they were talking about forests and caves, there was bound to be monsters to lurk around. Tsuna was not a fighter, but the monsters were.

"If you're worried about safety, I can fight."

"But you would not protect me," said Tsuna. The man smirked in reply, as if acknowledging the fact that the brunet did have some common sense. It was rather insulting to Tsuna. "When do we leave?"

"I'm an impatient man."

"One could mistake such a handsome face like yours for a female's," stated Tsuna.

"Oho? Not an insult however, one would say your face is a female's." The man was simply amused. Tsuna was not.

"Then I'll go get my belongings and we can leave."

"Are you not going to say goodbye to the village people?" He was surprised at how eager the brunet was willing to leave from the tone of his voice.

"They wouldn't even notice me gone." That's when the man frowned.

…

"Reborn."

"What?"

"That's my name. What is yours?" Tsuna stared at the man for a moment and then returned his focus to the question.

"Tsuna."

"Then, Tsuna, I wish that we do not ask about each other's personal information, such as our past and such," said Reborn, trailing behind the teenager.

"It's kind of hard when we are most likely to be travelling for quite some time." No reply.

The pair had already made some distance. They were closer to a different village than the one that Tsuna had spent his life there. Deep down, Tsuna was extremely excited and… scared. It was the first time had ever left the village. But he made his first 'friend' now. He just hoped that this 'friend' of his wouldn't be his last.

"Why did you choose me to go with you?" asked Tsuna, slowing down his pace. The two had been walking for the past few hours after all. The man answered after some speculation of the question.

"No reason." Tsuna raised an eyebrow.

"What's the little guy's name?" asked Tsuna. Reborn seemed clueless for a second but realised that the teenager had referred to the lizard.

"Leon. He's a chameleon."

"Never heard of a chameleon."

"Now you have."

Tsuna chuckled to himself.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, really. But it feels really great to have someone to talk to." It was going to be hard to let go if the two ever parted. It may be one sided – that Tsuna would miss Reborn's company. But both would soon realise that the two would share an inseparable friendship.

…

"A party."

"To slay monsters? Are you kidding me?"

"I'll train you," offered Reborn. He had proposed the idea that they'd form a formal party. However, that required the two to go to a major city and sign up. To be in a party, it meant that they'd have to meet certain deadlines. It was usually to at least partake one mission every few weeks. Dedication and restriction that Tsuna did not like.

"That isn't the issue."

"Then what is?" Reborn was pushing a small boundary. He knew what he was doing but he didn't feel as though he'd get a better chance of doing so if Tsuna were to remain as adamant as he was.

"… Nevermind…" Perhaps it was time for some change. He had heard of the stories about some of the strongest parties and individuals who had slayed almost mythical beasts and monsters and gained so much fame and fortune. It was incredible but not. Since one of them was his father who was more known as a traitor. Fancy title. It went from the Young Lion to the Traitor.

"Let's do it," concluded Tsuna. "Do you know where a city would be?"

"We're already on the way there. Perhaps you were just travelling unconsciously," said Reborn. It was always Tsuna in the lead. Most of the trip was in silence. When they took a break, they would eat in silence. It was the second night of their travel together and they were lying down, readying to sleep.

"I believe that the night time is a blessing," said Tsuna out of the blue.

"Do you know what you are saying, Tsuna?" asked Reborn. "The night time is where the monsters are active."

"Yes, but humans sleep at this time, no? If everyone were asleep, the world would be quiet. The creatures stay away from civilisation and they don't go out of their territory."

"And how would you know that, considering you have lived in that village for so long."

"I've spoken to some before."

"Some what?"

"The creatures you call monsters," said Tsuna.

"…"

…

"You're a good cook."

It was rather heart felt. It was the first genuine compliment Tsuna had ever received which was not from his mother. The two had been feeding off the food supply in which Tsuna had stocked up and bought from the village. Small chunks of dried meat, vegetables and some rice were mixed together in a pan that Tsuna owned.

The two would eat in silence, as stated before, but it did not stop Leon from doing his own thing. The reptile would often rest on Tsuna's shoulder as he ate. There was no comment from either person.

"We'll probably reach the city within the next day."

"It's already been four days…"

"Have you received any education?"

"Well I'm not the best with numbers, but in the end I don't need them." Tsuna felt Reborn's hand smack the top of his head. It made a loud noise, but it didn't hurt. A good sign, he guessed.

"I'll teach you."

"Are you a scholar or something? First you're a traveller, then a partner, now a scholar?"

"One can be everything if one decides so."

"Egotistic." A small tick mark appeared on Reborn's head.

"Now who taught you that word?" Tsuna subconsciously sweat dropped as the partner now turned demon begun his forceful education lessons.

…

Cruel.

He found it sincerely cruel.

The two had stumbled across the carcass of a 'monster.' The once proud beast, most likely to have been captured and then slain, laid dying in front of them. The thing they, namely Tsuna, found more cruel was the fact that the monster had a child. Reborn had offered to kill the spawn however, being against violence, Tsuna decided to take the monster baby under his wing.

Reborn was against the idea, believing that all monsters were all the same – being hazardous to their lives. Tsuna simply commented that the one who was most likely to kill or harm was Reborn.

"Did your parents get slain by monsters?" asked Tsuna. He knew he was being insensitive, but he needed the answer directly spoken by the man's mouth.

"No. But my comrades have."

Your friends, correct? Thought Tsuna. It wasn't astonishing for Reborn to have had friends. It was almost inhumanly possible for a man like him to not have any friends, even if he considered them to be associates or 'comrades.' Tsuna grimaced. It wouldn't have been a pretty sight if Reborn had witnessed his friends being devoured or killed by the monsters. A conflict and memory of Reborn's that Tsuna decided to stay out of and never ask about again.

The brunet hummed a small melody that his mother often sung and cradled the small creature in his arms. It had a mane and small feline body. Tsuna had seen similar creatures to it, such as the cats. What was so different from the little guy to cats?

"This is how it's different." Tsuna returned his attention to Reborn, noticing his singed sleeve. He then stared at the cat like creature in his arms, noticing the lick of flames that encircled it.

"So it doesn't like you, does that mean you'd kill it?" questioned Tsuna.

"Yes."

"Then if I didn't like you, would you kill me?"

…

"You're my friend."

"We are merely associates."

"But we hold conversations that make us happy, sad or feel."

"Then I feel as though you only continue to make me belittled." Tsuna laughed at that.

"Trust me, if I purposely made you feel belittled, then that's a step closer to being a close friend or associate, as you say."

"As though you even had any friends for that matter," refuted Reborn.

"Says you." Reborn glared at Tsuna. "Look, we may end up parting ways in the end, but we're already on our journey to this city to become this party you speak of. So in this short or long trip, we are to be friends."

"Are you saying that once we part ways, we are strangers?" If we ever do? You mean, thought Tsuna to himself. A bit devilish of him he'd say to think of that.

"If you take it that way." Tsuna exhaled, stretching his body. "You may not enjoy my company but I'm loving every moment of it."

"Why is that?"

"Because I have someone beside me. And because of you, I was also able to meet this little guy," said Tsuna, petting the feline monster.

"Monsters eat meat."

"I know you eat meat, Reborn," smirked Tsuna.

"You-"

"Oh! I can see the city!" exclaimed Tsuna, excited at the new sight. They had travelled across plains of the mixture of trees, sand and earth. It was rather delightful to finally see some civilisation. It was also possible that the city residents would not recognise him as the 'son of a traitor' and whole heartedly allow him to sight see.

Reborn sighed, reluctantly marvelling the fact that the teenager was so eager to explore the city life. The teenager was both mature yet sly. Not well educated but he was smart. He fell under all the qualities that Reborn required his fellow adventurer to be. This was only the start, after all.

And so, the reluctant party one, became the start of a party of two.

…

This story, with whom we made our journey, is about Tsuna escaping the confinement of his village. He may be faced with the dangers and benefits of travelling, but he will gain people who will stay by his side. It's a fantasy/adventure/friendship sort of story that I'd been wanting to write.

It was really fun to write this.

Thanks for reading,

Zaira Swift.