Okay, I know I should be finishing up "Tsuna's Black Flame" before starting this, but this had to be released on Tsuna's birthday so... here it is! xD
And this is not a sequel or a spin-off, this is an entirely different story... just with the same title structure. LOL
Important Note:
Everyone is TYL! except for Tsuna and Fuuta, and the Arcobalenos aren't babies. Yay! :'D
Happy Birthday, Tsuna~! ;D
"Tsuna's White Flame"
Chapter 01: The Dark Sky.
It was the happiest day of his life.
"We're going on a trip, Tsu-kun!" His father announced with the biggest smile on his face, before turning to his wife for a chorus. "TO ITALY!"
He was only four years old then, but he remembered everything as vivid as he was just watching it in front of his eyes.
It was the first time he's ever boarded a plane, his first time to fly.
He couldn't believe how happy he was, bouncing in his seat in the middle of his parents. Then climbing up on his father's lap to watch the clouds through the window seat. His father pointed at the scenery as the plane was slowly taking off. First there was land, next the wide sea and then nothing but fluffy white clouds in a huge blue, blue, blue.
It was amazing, just to be above the clouds, high in the sky.
And he will never forget that feeling.
Tsuna opened his eyes, it was ten years later and just like that time, he was on a flight bound for Italy. He looked out the window and it was ever the same. Nothing but fluffy white clouds in a huge blue, blue, blue.
"Your eyes are orange," Reborn suddenly spoke from beside him. He was reading a newspaper, not even looking at him. When he didn't get an answer, he continued, "what was it, this time?"
"Oh, sorry," he rubs his eyes, trying to wake the mode away. "Nothing much, just... an old memory."
Reborn glanced at him, but he avoided the gaze.
"We're landing in a few minutes, get ready."
Reborn had brought him to Italy for two reasons, his coming-of-age ceremony and his introduction to the family. But to be honest, he didn't understand any of those things. What was the point of a coming-of-age ceremony? It's just his fourteenth birthday. And what was that about being introduced to the family? The only family he ever had were his parents, once upon a time in a memory long, long ago.
He sighed, this was getting depressing. And things were only getting started.
He looked down on the pure white attire Reborn was making him wear. A white suit with a white cravat, paired with white pants and white shoes. Heck, even his undershirt and boxers were white. And what is the deal with that white cloak? The only thing that isn't white is the golden chains attached to it. He sighed again, he could just imagine what he would look like with all of those put together. But he was no prince, he was just dame-Tsuna. A somewhat normal dorky kid with a not-so-normal demon tutor, who shoots magical bullets at him that lights his body up in flames. And he sighed yet again.
Tonight is going to be a long night.
Twenty-four year old Hayato Gokudera walked briskly through the hallways of the mansion, the ceremony was starting soon but there was still no sign of Reborn and his "supposed" future Boss. The guests were already arriving, and even though Nono-sama tried to assure him that they will come, well, what if they didn't? Besides, who arrives fashionably late for their own inheritance ceremony?
Gokudera barged into a sitting room where all of the assigned Decimo guardians were supposed to wait. "It's almost time, we're heading out."
"Finally! I was starting to get butt cramp from all the sitting I had to do, waiting to get this over with." Fifteen-year-old Lambo whined as he usually does.
"So, did you get to see him? Our extreme Boss..." Ryohei Sasagawa, twenty-five, was the one who managed to ask first.
Gokudera shook his head. "He's not here yet, but Iemitsu-sama already gave instructions for us to stand-by in the grand ballroom."
"Not here yet? You mean, he's late? Most of the guests are already at the hall, right?" Yamamoto Takeshi, twenty-four, stood up from where he sat.
Gokudera sighed in defeat. "Unfortunately, that seems to be the case."
"What, he's going to make everyone wait for him? He isn't even the Boss yet, and he's already acting like Xanxus." Mukuro Rokudo, twenty-five, scoffed off-handedly.
"You think he's going to be like Xanxus?" Lambo asked in intimidation.
"Well, technically, they are related aren't they? To be frank, I won't be surprised if he ends up worse. This family is rotten to the core," Mukuro sneered, but it was obvious he wasn't enjoying this.
"The pot calling the kettle black again..." Gokudera rolled his eyes before taking notice of twenty-five year old Hibari Kyouya who moved towards the door first.
"Let's move."
The tenth Vongola guardians filed out of the room and entered the hall in an orderly fashion. They stood in their positions in front of the stage, lined up in threes. Gokudera, Yamamoto and Lambo on the right side; while Hibari, Sasagawa and Mukuro on the left. In between the two sides was the long red carpet leading to the big double doors, from where their supposed Boss would be walking in any time now. The lights dimmed down, and most of the guests held their breaths. Silence ensued, before everyone heard the traditional bell ringing thrice in the distance, and doors opened.
Everyone stood in complete awe and marveled at the young heir, dressed in pure white. That mere child of fourteen, who walked steadily and firmly towards the front. His every step was commanding, with fiery orange eyes deadly resolute. The Tenth Boss of Vongola, and no one could say otherwise.
With every step, with every passing of each guest, everyone felt inclined to bow their heads. There was something different in the air, something so humbling that you feel the need to lower yourself, in respect and reverence. It wasn't stifling nor heavy, it was just a great feeling of beyond. The distance of oneself to this child, it was almost holy, but God forbid.
Tsuna passed his guardians unnoticed, and they all had to pause and recollect themselves. He was nothing like Xanxus, in fact he was everything they weren't expecting. He was indeed above them, as the Boss.
Stopping in front of Timoteo, his grandfather, who met him at the stage, they both bowed down equally regal.
"I, Timoteo, Vongola Nono, hereby deem you, Tsunayoshi Sawada, the Boss of the Tenth Generation, Vongola Decimo." Timoteo proceeded to take off Tsuna's white cloak and let it fall to the ground, then he took off his black coat and placed it on Tsuna's shoulders, symbolizing the passing of his duties, of the famiglia, of Vongola.
Timoteo then proceeded to remove the sky ring and hand it over to Tsuna, inserting it in his grandson's right middle finger.
It was supposed to be just a simple passing of the heirloom, but suddenly, orange sky flames burst out from the ring and encircled Tsuna in a powerful blaze. Gentle, longing, embracing. The Vongola sky ring has accepted Tsuna, more than any other Boss after Primo. And that was proof.
Each of Vongola Decimo's guardian's rings also sparked their own fires, acknowledging the awakening of their sky.
Everyone was left dumbfounded, but Tsuna payed no heed. With a swift dismissive motion of his hand, and a turn to face the crowd, the flames were gone. And everyone knelt down before him.
As the rest of the guests celebrated, drank and ate at the ballroom, Tsuna was quietly escorted to the family sitting room, where he was introduced to the rest of Nono's family.
"Congratulations, Tsu-kun." Timoteo smiled fondly at him, before kissing his forehead.
"For what?" Tsuna was surprised at the affectionate gesture, but it didn't show in his still orange eyes.
"You have been formally introduced as Vongola's heir." His grandfather took a seat in front of him.
"Vongola?"
"Yes, the name of our famiglia." Timoteo had a smile on his face, but still looked worried.
"I told you about that already, didn't I?" Reborn frowned at him from beside his grandfather.
Tsuna looked down in thought, face expressionless, before replying in a monotone. "Yeah..."
The silence that came afterwards felt unnerving, everyone took notice of the lack of interest in Tsuna's part, and it seemed he was not willing to participate in any more of the conversation. Timoteo could sense Tsuna was not in good mood, he was probably tired from the trip. "By the way, we have a surprise for you."
Tsuna looked up at him but didn't say anything.
Timoteo just smiled and motioned for the doors to be opened, revealing Iemitsu with a small smile.
"Long time no see, Tsu-kun."
But if they expected Tsuna to run into his arms crying, they were dead wrong. Tsuna just stared.
"Who is he?" He blinked.
Reborn started sweating, he had a bad feeling about this. He glanced and caught eyes with Timoteo.
"Don't you remember me? I'm your father." Iemitsu knelt down in front of him, as if talking to a child.
...
"You're my... father?" Tsuna lifted a hand and held his father's cheek.
"Yes," Iemitsu was close to tearing up, but Tsuna's next words stopped him.
"I hope you died."
Everyone in the room froze at that. Nono's guardians, the Tenth guardians, Reborn and Timoteo, all had the same horrified/puzzled expression on their faces. But Tsuna wasn't deterred.
"I hate you. You abandoned me for so long, and now you want me back because you need an heir? If Grandpa's sons didn't die, would you have come back for me? If I didn't awaken my powers, would you have even spared me a glance?"
"It's not like that, Tsu-kun!" Iemitsu tried to protest but Tsuna suddenly shouted.
"NOT ONCE DID YOU VISIT MAMA'S GRAVE! YOU NEVER EVEN CAME TO SEE ME, EVEN THOUGH I'M SURE YOU KNOW REBORN PUTS ME THROUGH HELL EVERYDAY! FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, PAPA!"
To say Iemitsu was shocked was an understatement, all of them to be honest. Tsuna was shaking where he stood, eyes glassy with unshed tears as he glared down at his father. Reborn was the first to make a move, being more used to Tsuna's tantrums.
"Decimo guardians, escort your Boss to his room." He tried to pull on Tsuna's arm to lead him out, but Tsuna batted his hand away, and walked out of the room by himself. His guardians followed, leaving a slumped Iemitsu on the floor.
Gokudera was the one who led the group to Tsuna's room, no one dared to speak. When they got there, he opened the door and moved aside to allow Tsuna to enter first.
Tsuna stopped in the middle of the door way.
"Thank you, please leave me for tonight." And then he quietly closed the door on them.
Seven in the morning the next day, the six guardians found themselves in front of their Boss's door again. They gave one another nervous and helpless glances, save for Mukuro and Hibari, before Gokudera moved to knock. Once, twice, and then another one in threes, but no one answered.
"You think he's still sleeping?" Yamamoto asked aloud.
Gokudera sighed and twisted the door knob, it was locked, but he had the key. Opening the door without permission, he quietly crept in. "Bocchan?"
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for the clothes thrown about. His cloak, suit and pants, socks and shoes haphazardly thrown around. He was only wearing his dress shirt and boxers on the bed, obviously still sleeping soundly, even hugging a pillow.
"Wow, he looks so harmless and innocent sleeping like that. So cute~" Yamamoto commented upon seeing the sight of their little Boss.
"Indeed, unfortunately he proved to be otherwise just last night." Mukuro couldn't help countering. "This child is still of Vongola blood."
"Shut it." Gokudera glared at them both, before kneeling on the side of Tsuna's bed, in front of him. "Bocchan... Wake up, Bocchan. It's time for breakfast."
Tsuna slowly stirred and groggily opened his eyes, he blinked twice. "Who?"
Gokudera was shocked for a moment, because Tsuna's eyes weren't the same fiery orange they were last night. His eyes were a gentle shade of chocolate brown. "I'm Gokudera Hayato, your Storm guardian and right-hand man. We met last night, Bocchan."
"Bocchan?"
"Yes, because you are Decimo."
"Breakfast?"
"Yes, your grandfather is waiting at the dining hall."
Tsuna blinked twice again. "Is Papa gonna be there?"
"No, he left earlier this morning for an appointment." Gokudera offered a shaky smile.
Tsuna seemed in thought. "What about Reborn?"
"Reborn also went out, but without saying where he was going."
"Hmmm..." Tsuna got up and rubbed at his eyes.
Gokudera proceeded to the walk-in closet to pick out a change of clothes.
"Let me help you get dressed, Bocchan." Yamamoto knelt down and started unbuttoning his shirt. When he took if off, Gokudera helped him put on a new one.
"Uhmmm, on second thought, I think can dress myself." Tsuna stood up and took the boxers and pants from Gokudera, before heading to the bathroom. After changing, he also washed his face and brushed his teeth. Walking back out, Gokudera handed him a towel, which he gladly accepted.
After wiping his face, he sat down and started to put on socks. Gokudera wordlessly knelt down and helped him put on and tie his shoes.
"Are you a butler?" Tsuna couldn't help but ask.
Mukuro and Lambo laughed, while Gokudera could only gape in embarrassment.
"No, Bocchan. As I said earlier, I am your Storm guardian and right-hand man."
"I'm not sure what that means..." Tsuna admitted.
"It's like a butler and a bodyguard at the same time." Mukuro clarified with a sneer.
Tsuna looked at Mukuro, then back down at Gokudera.
"Yeah... something like that, maybe." Gokudera relented, finishing up with both shoes.
"Thank you." Tsuna stood up and stared at all of them one-by-one. "Sorry, I may have forgotten your names."
"Gokudera Hayato," he lined up with the rest of the guardians.
"Yamamoto Takeshi."
"Bovino Lambo."
"Sasagawa Ryohei."
"Rokudo Mukuro."
"Hibari Kyouya."
Tsuna nodded, and with a smile brighter than the sun he said, "Nice to meet all of you!" He slowly opened his eyes, and added in a remorseful tone. "Sorry about last night."
"It's all right, Bocchan. We understand," Gokudera was the one who answered.
Tsuna sighed in relief and took a deep breath, "Okay, let's go."
"Good morning, Tsu-kun," Timoteo greeted him as soon as the doors opened.
"Good morning, Grandpa," Tsuna bowed slightly before taking the seat offered to him, Gokudera pulled it out for him.
"Did you have a good night's rest?" Timoteo smiled as if nothing happened last night.
"Yes," Tsuna looked around and saw the Ninth guardians all standing on the other side of the table, while his own guardians lined up behind him.
"Your eyes have changed," Timoteo remarked.
"My eyes are only orange when I'm in my Hyper mode... I was like that the entire time yesterday."
"I see, your eyes look much softer now. I like it."
"Sorry... about last night," Tsuna suddenly blurted out.
Timoteo smiled ruefully, "You need not be sorry, we are the ones at fault... from the very beginning."
...
"But please understand, Tsu-kun. The truth is, your father tried to hide you away from us. He couldn't visit you, or your mother's grave, in fear that he would be followed, and your location would be discovered."
"I know, but just because I understand doesn't mean I could accept it." Tsuna looked down on his lap. "Besides, it doesn't matter anymore since I'm here now. What was the use of those ten years, when everything would come down to this anyway?"
"You aren't supposed to be the heir, your father didn't want you to have anything to do with this family." Visconti suddenly spoke from the far of Timoteo's right.
"Visconti," Timoteo tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen.
"All of this happened outside any of our control, and we can't do anything else but deal with it. You are the last candidate, after Nono's deceased sons. Your father tried to remove you from that option by working in CEDEF, but we don't have any other choice now." Visconti glared at Tsuna, obviously not in favor of him. "Your father hate us equally... but he loved you, more than anything."
"He hated leaving you at the hands of Reborn, but Reborn is the only person he could trust that is capable of protecting you all by himself." Nougat added.
"Iemitsu wanted to keep you away from the mafia, from us... but we still brought you here." Timoteo finished for them. "Please forgive us, Tsu-kun."
"Is this family so important that you would do anything to keep it?"
They all paused at that, the question seemed out of the blue.
"Tsu-kun?" Timoteo called out.
"I mean... I'm not even sure if this family is worth redemption."
AN:
LOL the drama! LOL the angst! LOL why the hell am I still here? ;;
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TSU-CHAN~!
Please Review!
— Lynx
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