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Blood is thicker then Water.
Chapter.01.
Faint and blurred clouds were twisted and floating in a dull sky. The ground was wet with newly fallen raindrops and the air was hot and sticky with humid heat that although warm, had a foreboding feel to it - a storm was on it's way. The earth was covered with a veil of mist, that could be seen if one was stood on greet height, in the distance, casting shadows and creating games in the minds of many.
It was a strange day - the weather. One man was feeling it's affects; his head throbbed and a heavy ache was behind his slightly slanted, chocolate eyes. He was sat behind an expensive looking desk which had a simple design carved onto the corners and footed legs. He propped himself up with one arm - that hand rubbing his temples as he tried to concentrate on the document in front of him.
This man, hard at work, was of the name Tsunayoshi Sawada. And he wasn't a normal man - he was important - powerful. He was the leader of a powerful group that had, a few years back, wormed it's way into the mafia.
At first, no one had taken too much notice, until that is, they started to grow in number and wealth. It had been a long time, and they were still going strong. They were climbing the leader to the top. They had beaten down all the expectations given to them and were getting formidable.
Fuuta, a little brother-figure to Tsuna, informed them rather out of the blue - because Tsunayoshi simply did not and would not ask for any kind of information - that the Vongola were now in the top twenty of 'The most powerful mafia families'.
The dark figure standing behind him as he worked, he could sense all too well. Their onyx eyes staring at him worriedly burned his already hot skin. Something had been concerning Tsuna for a few days now and what had stated as a bad feeling had slowly turned all consuming and suffocating - it was making him ill which worried nearly everyone he knew. His advisor was no different.
His guardians - everyone, had been telling him that maybe he should take a break. He hadn't thought twice about it. He moved on with work. That decision was met with many-a frown, but he was now running a mafia family, he didn't have the time to sit back and put his feet up for feelings that hadn't shown any result. He couldn't afford to.
"Move the meeting with Giegue back" tired eyes glanced behind him, to the man he saw as a mentor - a friend and then went back to the document he was readying himself to sign after thoroughly reading and scrutinizing every single detail.
Tsunayoshi paused and his pen lingered over the line, still very much hunched over his desk as he sighed and allowed one exhausted word to drag itself over his tongue "Why?"
The mentor - the friend - Reborn, twitched before making a disgruntled noise and saying flatly "Your running yourself into the ground, Tsuna. Your routines too much" Reborn, himself, was no light weight and had even trained the brunet somewhat, but there was a thin line between that and killing oneself. Just when Tsunayoshi looked like he was about to give a half-hearted retort, Reborn elaborated "training with Yamamoto. Training with Ryohei. Fighting with Hibari -"
Note: Hibari's sense of training doesn't translate to the physical activity of trying to keep oneself fit. It was cold, hard combat. Blood was common - bruises were often thrown into the mix and a broken bone or two wasn't unheard of.
"- Appeasing Chrome. 'Entertaining' Mukuro. Playing with Lambo. Keeping the recruits inline" by the end of the list, Reborn himself sounded tired - but he wasn't done "looking after the children. Tsuna, I can understand the need to make sure everyone feels included but you just can't -"
Stony eyes met Reborn's, but still Tsuna didn't budge from his position - Reborn was starting to think that he simply couldn't "Reborn, I appreciate the time you took to stalk my day-to-day planner, but please. I'm the one who dragged them into this, it's the least I can do"
Reborn actually felt the need to rub his temples or show some kind of disgruntlement, but kept himself still as a board as he stared at the brunet with an impressed look - Not this again "Tsuna" his voice was exasperated "you haven't 'dragged' anyone into anything. They all walked, willingly may I add, with you"
Tsunayoshi's expression told the hit-man just how much of what he said the man agreed with and for the first time in a long time, Reborn felt the need to ready his gun "Just move the date back" Tsuna made no move to do as he asked and he started to feel irritated "Tsunayoshi Sawada So help me -"
He stopped himself and tried to calm his fraying nerves - His Boss being possibly ill had everyone on edge after all "As you advisor" he tried again - the title still had him feeling weird; trust wasn't something a normal person - anyone would bestow upon an assassin and he was still getting used to it "I'm advising you to postpone that meeting. Your not physically cable of it. Your body can't keep up with you"
Reborn watched as Tsuna's eyes seemed to mull it over and in some relief, see the brunet sigh resignedly and turn the right way around in his seat. Tsunayoshi tilted slightly in his leather chair - the padding shifting with his weight as he reached over to the top draw of his desk and used all his strength to pull the metal handle and open it - his other arm still propping himself up all the while.
The hit-man eyed him calculatedly - things weren't looking good. Reborn, since the first day he had met the dishevelled-down-on-his-luck teen, who had somehow managed to save his life and stop - stand in the way of that bullet that had aimed itself to his chest, knew that the kid had great intuition. But that superior, almost inhuman like sense, was now dragging the rest of Tsunayoshi's body down.
Tsuna took out his reserved letter paper and placed it over the document as he started to write what he hoped would be coherent words of sincerity at being unable to attend the wanted appointment and tried to assure them - himself that they still wanted the peace offering and was respectively asking for another date.
It took an hour - Reborn would say half-an-hour too long for writing a simple letter, before it was signed and folded into the envelope and then sealed with a dying will flame, but the hit-man was glad to see it done, it would just be their luck that Tsuna collapsed from exhaustion or an assassin somehow got to the brunet and unneeded rumours circulated.
"Happy?" Tsuna grumbled.
Reborn kept silent; the brunet couldn't handle too much more and he was man enough to put up with the odd moan seeing as Tsuna really just needed a stress reliever right now - before he broke down.
Though maybe Tsuna wanted a reaction? Reborn wasn't sure, but he did know that if this persisted for much longer that they were going to have to take drastic measures. Ones that their Boss, he was sure, wouldn't be at all too pleased with.
A smirked forced it's way through his defences and Tsunayoshi shivered despite the fact he was still looking the other way. Reborn schooled his expression and reminded himself how sensitive Tsuna was at the moment - it had been boarding on ridiculous; the kid had been like Sherlock on crack.
Tsunayoshi turned slightly - worriedly "Reborn. What're you planning?"
Reborn kept his face flat as he raised an eyebrow at the brunet. It could have been read as anything - a challenge, a sign of questioning on what he could be implying. But the assassin refused to say anything else on the matter and Tsuna seemed to drop it because, with his own raised eyebrow, he turned back around.
Tsunayoshi put the letter into his out-tray and went on to reach for a new unknown document, that was laying oh-so innocently on the other side of his desk. Only briefly getting the gist of it before a familiar knock echoed from his offices doors.
Blinking the moister out of his eyes, Tsuna placed his pen on his desk and lowered the arm that was still holding him up and tried to keep himself up straight without it - that one side of him was dead now "Come in" he called, and cursed slightly as he had forgotten to swallow beforehand and his voice sounded extremely hoarse. He could feel Reborn's questioning gaze but ignored it in favour of his new guest.
A half-timid figure poked their way through the crack in the door - curiously prepping into see if they were disturbing anything and after one of Tsuna's reassuring smiles, nodded and walked in fully, stepping into the room and making their way to their uncle's desk
"How may I help you -" the smile on his face was so hard to keep there - it was tiring and it actually strained his muscles to do so but he persisted and continued to blink and try to focus on the little boy who was now standing in front of him "Gabriel?"
The boy - the redhead - the son of one of one of his most precious friends eyed him for a moment before shrugging. His young, ruby eyes took everything in; how red and watery his uncle's eyes were. The large and heavy bags under them. The limp chestnut hair. The slight tremble to the man's posture. The wrinkles in his suit, which probably hadn't been swapped for new - cleaner clothes in a day or two.
He saw everything. Gabriel - or G, despite his short life, respected all his uncles, but Tsunayoshi even more so; the man put everything he had into everything he did and G found that amazing, though it was also extremely worrying.
He - his brothers, saw the highs and lows of that resolve. They saw the times were the head of the table would be left empty - times Tsuna forgot to eat. Times when rooms, whole hallways were silent because Tsuna had worked himself stupid and had gotten himself sick. Times were everything way dull and tense.
They saw the results of that. New members - new family to love. Times were there was laughter and jokes and they could forget how hard Tsuna was killing himself to do it. They could forget how tired the man must be and the injures he must be hiding and be the family they were.
G knew no one - no one, who didn't at least respect his uncle and he'd give them a piece of his mind and - fist, if he found someone who dared go against that "'nuh'thing much" the boy said nonchalantly. He really just wanted to see Tsuna - to see how 'Okay' he was. They took turns on it.
Tsunayoshi nodded in understanding and slid his chair out from out beneath his desk and turned it to the side while gesturing the boy to come over. G did so without hesitation and walked around the working space to the area behind and once he got in front of his uncle, did what he always did - climbed up and sat himself down on Tsuna's lap.
The soon-to-be eight year old didn't really allow himself much affection; he found it embarrassing but he'd allow the few moments when his father was feeling sappy, or this. Tsuna was always soft hearted and would give hugs out like most would give out glances - so this was completely normal.
"Is that so" Tsuna hummed, this probably wasn't the smartest thing he could have done. His body was throbbing - aching but doing something that avoided another person so close, was just proving how spent he was.
G glanced to Reborn at the side, who was watching with an expressionless face, before his eyes flickered back his uncle "We were wondering…if your eating with us?" he asked evenly, though the family was desperate to get Tsuna at the table with them - to at least see him eat.
Tsunayoshi through all this, just tried to keep his shaky smile on his face as he looked down to his nephew "Well…I'll certainly try"
G's face faltered for a moment before his usual expression was back in force. They wanted him there, Gabriel and been hearing whispers of Tsuna being sick from the maids, and looking at the brunet now - he was inclined to think they were right. Tsunayoshi couldn't look more tired if he tried.
"Jose said that he was cooking your favourite to night" G informed off-handedly. If you wanted Tsuna to do something he otherwise wouldn't - you could always try guilt. Poor guy was too kind for his own good.
Gabriel watched as Tsuna grew paler from his earlier white and felt slightly guilty but it needed to be done!.
Tsuna blinked "W-well…" he swallowed and seemed more unsteady. Reborn smirked as he eyed the redhead; the brat was good "I-I suppose the paperwork…could wait until I've eaten…and I' am starting to feel a little hungry" he glanced at his workload before sighing resignedly and motioning for the boy to get off.
G bit down the triumphant grin that wanted to spread across his lips and nodded, moving off of his uncle's lap carefully. The brunet would usually just lower him to the floor, but he was obviously too tired for that and Gabriel really didn't want to push his luck with this.
Tsuna had just gotten up for his seat when vertigo hit him and he vaguely heard two alarmed voices as he came crashing down onto his desk. Years of training - years of fighting saved him from fainting as he clung to the world around him and the wooden surface or he'd fall. His vision was tunnelled and his head was heavy - like his body.
But he quickly remembered where - and more importantly, who he was with and picked himself up as best he could. He could feel their worried looks burn his skin 'Let's try this again' Tsuna thought as he took G's smaller hand in his and continued out the room, vaguely hearing Reborn's footsteps echo behind his.
Everyone at the dinner table was waiting in pregnant silence - they had sent G this time. It was his turn and hoped that it worked today. It had been close to two weeks since Tsuna had eaten with them and one week since his intuition had started to act up - His guardians couldn't help but curse; the man put himself through enough physical torture without that on top of everything else.
Nearly all eyes - even the help, were looking at the empty chair at the head of the table. Want shinning in their different coloured orbs, while sitting through their own versions of tense before the door creaked opened and everyone's heads snapped at the new arrival.
Faces lit up as soon as they say the glimpse of gravity defying hair, but once they got a proper look at him - they looked brought down to earth. They could tell how unsteady Tsuna was on his feet and the way G was pulling him along was nearly forced. The guardians glanced to the hit-man who was a few steps behind, before turning back to the brunet just as Gabriel was pulling out the man's chair for him.
The redhead made sure Tsuna was properly seated before he found his own chair next to his father - Hayato, who when he got there, gave him a pat on the head with a grateful smile. G nodded in understanding of the silent massage and settled himself, glancing to Asari who was sat the other side, who was giving him a questioned look. G shook his head in reply of 'Not now. I'll tell you later'
"Tsuna…" Takeshi was the first to speak having watch his son interact with Hayato's, and nearly winced when weak chocolate eyes tried to zero in on him "your not looking after yourself again" the brunet averted his unsteady gaze for a moment, before they returned and he smiled shakily.
"I'm sorry" he laughed, sweat prickling his brow. He knew he was going overboard, but his intuition was driving him crazy and he just couldn't stop this dreadful feeling that was beginning to seep into him. Ridiculous as that sounds but he didn't feel safe - even around his family "I've just had…a lot to do"
Everyone frowned at that "Tsunayoshi" it was Mukuro this time, and he didn't look at all amused "we understand that being a big, important boss is…difficult" he left out the word 'mafia' for the shake of the children, but everyone else knew it was at tip of his tongue.
"- but you look just about ready to fall over" G snorted at that.
'Too late' something in Gabriel whispered, but he kept his mouth shut; it wasn't his place to speak in one of these discussion - not his or his brothers.
Tsuna grimaced, but it seemed they weren't through with him just yet "Your body's weakening, omnivore" Kyouya warned, those steely eyes narrowed onto him "what good will you be if you kill yourself?"
Tsuna understood what Kyouya meant and nodded wearily. He felt like a kid being told off by his teacher "…I…know, and I really am sorry" flashing another forced smile "and I'm working on it"
"Boss" Lambo spoke up, his one eye closed and slouched lazily in his seat to the far end of the table "that's what you always say" this bought about silence and a sullen looking Tsuna as he swallowed harshly.
"Well…" Tsuna started hoarsely "I really am working on it"
A few minutes later, the head chief - Jose, came through the kitchen door, maids rushing out around him with the food. His eyes swept the room and settled on the brunet with a smile, however strained it got with worry when he grasped just how tired his boss was "Good to see you this evening, sir" he bowed.
Tsuna gestured for him to stop and smiled at him kindly once he had straightened "It's nice to see you too" he replied, just as one of the maids - Anne, placed his plate respectfully in front of him "and thank you for another meal"
Jose's smile grew in pride; he loved working for Tsunayoshi. It had been a big gamble - siding with an unknown, but it was completely worth it and no matter what happened in the future, he would never regret it, because here, he was valued.
"My pleasure" Jose said before he return to the large kitchen.
Tsuna eyed where the man was once stood before looking down to the plate of hot, steaming food in front of him and paled slightly; it had been so long since he had eaten anything substantial that just thinking about eating this made him feel sick but dug hastily in when he noticed all the eyes watching him.
Dinner was mostly eaten in silence, with a few of the children talking about what they had done that day. Tsuna tried to listen, he really did, but he felt himself falling asleep at the table. His eyes were half-lidded, and his body wasn't listening to him anymore as his smile dropped of his face and the knife and fork that had been held limply in his hands fell to either side of his plate.
The clatter of cutlery stopped the comfortable chatter cold as everyone turned to face Tsuna. The brunet didn't notice, he was too busy trying to stay awake, but Reborn had had enough and had abandoned his meal and started striding along the tall table before anyone could blink.
Tsuna froze when he was easily pulled off of his chair and woke up completely when he realised he was being carried away "H-hey!" he shouted indignantly, and struggled as best as he could against strength, that right now, he just couldn't match.
'Too light' Reborn thought, ignoring Tsuna's protest as he started to walk - brunet in his arms as he made his way to leaving "Shut up, Tsuna." Reborn sighed. The day he got down on one knee and swore on those damn words was the day he stuck himself with the most idiotic boss he could find. So he'd be fucked if he allowed said idiot to kill himself over paperwork of all things.
Reborn and his reluctant companion left behind a silent room of blinking guardians and children, but no one commented on the oddity if it meant Tsuna was going to get some sleep. They'd keep quiet because they knew that if they didn't, they'd be a bullet with their name on it waiting.
Half way down the corridor Tsuna's struggles stopped and his numb body grew limp against Reborn as he tried not to think too much on the fact he was being carried by another man. Good grief, this was doing nothing for his self-esteem "Reborn…" he muttered tiredly.
Said hit-man glanced down and waited tentatively "I…don't want to sleep" Reborn raised an eyebrow. He hadn't not been sleeping deliberately, had he?…
Reborn sighed "Tsuna…I don't want to have to keep repeating myself, but there's a flame inside of you that if you don't take care of - like eating and sleeping - basic fuel - it will consume you" he felt Tsuna reluctantly nod against his chest after a moment or so and exhaled again; what was he going to do with him?.
It took awhile - longer then either of them wanted - to get to the living wing. The Vongola estate was big in it's own right and it cost a fortune, but Tsuna and his guardians sometimes longed for something that felt more like a house - a home and not building of business.
Finally reaching the two double doors which was Tsuna's bedroom, Reborn did some manoeuvring until he could open the barrier. He walked into the room filled with darkness, glancing at the shapes to make sure it was safe before he made his way to the king-size bed. He gently lowered the brunet onto the mattress and had turned to leave when a small tug on his dinner jacket stopped him.
Looking behind him, Reborn gave Tsuna a questioning expression but the grip on his clothes didn't falter and they remained still "What?" the hit-man relented with a sigh. Tsuna's eyes were becoming more and more glazed as his head settled on the pillow - chestnut strands scattered across the surface.
"Stay" Tsuna whispered in a soft voice, his eyes just starting to water from moister as they begged to be closed.
Reborn raised an eyebrow "Tsuna, your not…" he trailed off when he remembered another tired voice echo in his head.
"I…don't want to sleep" he sighed, was Tsuna having nightmares again?. Shaking a hand through his hair, he mutely nodded, shrugging off the weak grip before he took off his jacket, fedora and removed his tie and shoes. Just remembering to walk back over and close the door before coming back, hearing the bolt lock into place with satisfaction.
They moved in silence because no words were needed as Reborn coaxed Tsuna onto the other side of the bed so he could slip into the smooth bedding, allowing his body to relax some as he settled down "N'ight, Reborn…" he heard Tsuna whisper gently, before the young man's breathing evened out in sleep.
Reborn sighed, slowly and tenderly brushing his fingers across Tsuna's forehead to push back a stray hair that had fallen into the brunet's closed eyes. They had to sort this out before Tsuna's health suffered anymore then it already had and with that thought, a decision was made.
A phone call will be in order.
Translation/ Information -
Giegue Famiglia - is nicknamed the 'grave-diggers' and comes from Russia. In the manga they appear in the 'Inheritance Ceremony Arc'.
A/N (31.08.12) -
Here we go, boy that was long wasn't it?...well for me anyway. So I hope you enjoy this story, I'm afraid that I don't have much to say on this but I tried my best and hope that that was good enough.
The basic story, if you couldn't guess is the Tenth generation really being the First and the First generation being the Second. That's all I'm going to point out seeing as everything else will probably be explained as time goes on, though any questions you do have your more then welcome to ask.
By the way, I want to know and I'll appreciate any opinions given on the matter, but what pairing do you guys prefer TsunaXKyoko or TsunaXHaru, because I'm kind of stuck with which one to use...
Anyway I really hope I did this idea justice and just know that the real plot will unfold in the next chapter.
I Apologise if there are any mistakes in my spelling/ grammar, or if you find anything I have written offensive.
Thank you to everyone who added 'Blood is thicker then Water' to their favorites/ alerts or who took the time to review, you also have my gratitude for reading.
OW