Lost and Found
Chapter 2: But I never forgot you.
Now guys, promise me you'll put down the pitchforks and grab a box of tissues instead… Alright? If you kill me now, you're not going to get the next shocking chapter.
"Juudaime! Juudaime"
Tsuna sighs and puts down the piece of paperwork he was holding. "Hayato, I'm no longer the '10th' of anything. We don't know how many generations of Arcobaleno there have been. Since Bermuda was still a baby in the Visions during our battle with Shimon, it suggests more than 10 generations. Unless you've decided to celebrate the 10th year we've been cursed?"
"Hehe, sorry Cielo, force of habit." Gokudera looks at the mark under Tsunayoshi's left eye before looking down at the floor in embarrassment. "I came to inform you that the others have arrived for the meeting"
"Oh, so you found them all then? Where were they?" asks Tsuna, slightly surprised. Getting everyone together was hard to do.
"Sole was off winning a war in India. Fulmine was busy tutoring the next Giglio Nero Heir. Pioggia was in Antarctica training again. Nuvola was back in the Stock Markets, following your latest mission orders." Recites Hayato from memory. Tempesta was by Cielo's side as usual. Nothing would change that.
"And Nebbia?" asks Cielo, standing up from his seat.
"Kufufufu, I've been around as usual." Remarks Nebbia from nowhere. Cielo doesn't even jump at the sourceless voice, more than used to it.
"VROIIII! Can we get on with this meeting already?" Shouts Pioggia as he slams the office door open. He blinks as a rubber hits him centre forehead. "vroiii! What was that for?"
Cielo giggles to himself. "I've always wanted to do that. It was either the rubber or my coffee, and I'd like to drink the rest of my coffee thank you." Pioggia looks down and to the side, sadness flickering in his eyes for a moment. Xanxus used to do that. In fact it if was anyone other than Tsuna who had thrown something at him, they would have been dead already, no matter their standing. But Tsuna had become a close second, and was the only other person he was willing to follow than Xanxus.
But Tsuna too had a sad look in his eyes. Yes, he'd been reminded of Xanxus, but more importantly, it was the fact that it was Takeshi's Shigure Kintoki that was strapped to Squalo's arm instead of his usual sword. He swears he can see the swallow mark glow blue on the sword and hear Takeshi's phantom laughter in his ears, telling him to forget the past. Squalo was now his Rain. Tsuna was now Squalo's Sky. Sure both were different than the one they were used to- Xanxus had never risked his life for Squalo before, nor had Takeshi ever slapped Tsuna around the face and told him to stop being such an idiot worrying over nothing- but they were still compatible, still fulfilled the roles required of them.
"Hey Bubu, do you think we can die of boredom? It'll be something we haven't tried yet. Oh, Oh, that could be a new torture technique. But dying of boredom is so boring." Cielo turns to Sole, chuckling silently to himself, before sighing.
"We get it, we're going. And I have it on good authority that you cannot die from boredom- no Boss has died from doing paperwork yet. It kind of makes me glad that I'm not Vongola Decimo anymore, there's far too much paperwork involved." Sole smiles sadly and flicks Bubu's ears.
"Oh dear, we can't die of boredom. I was so hopeful." It was a running, yet morbid, joke about all of the ways Sole could or could not die. Of course Sole couldn't die due to his Sun Flames. In this case, the Flames kept on 'Activating' his body whenever he died. Once more Daisy was very different from Ryohei, but his sense of humour and general demeanour still kept Tsuna smiling at times. I mean who else brings a bunny into battle? In return, Tsuna allowed Daisy to drop the pretence of being scared of injuries and being paranoid that Byakuran had forced upon him and allowed his more violent side out- he had dealt with Mukuro and Hibari for long enough to deal with the violence tendencies. Tsuna kept a close eye on how often Daisy killed, since the boy was fascinated with death and violence, caused by his own immortalness. Not being able to die gave Daisy almost as much confidence as Ryohei had- without the ear splitting 'extreme'. Daisy's confidence became contagious and gave Tsuna and the other hope during any battles they had had to face.
"Let's get going then" says Tsuna, knowing that at this rate they'd never get to the meeting room, just argue over not being there.
As they get to the meeting room, it's to find two foxes standing guard outside. Both bound up to Cielo and bark happily. Cielo gives them both a pat, not being electrocuted like anyone other than the Arcobaleno would. He just felt a pleasurable tingle in his hand instead. "Looks like Fulmine is here then. Widget, Colulu, let's go." He remarks to the others in general.
Tempesta holds the door open for Cielo, who nods in thanks before entering.
"Good afternoon Fulmi- Oi Natsu! What are you doing?" starts Cielo before Tsuna notices what's happening in the corner of the room. Natsu was currently holding Uri over a tank of water, which contained Squalo's shark, Feroce.
"Uri you Melon head! What have you done this time to annoy Natsu?" shouts Gokudera, stomping over to Tsuna's side. "Che, let the shark eat the cat for all I care" Tsuna smiles, knowing that Gokudera would be the first one to save Uri should Natsu actually let go. Not that the Shark would eat Uri either.
Mukurowl dives in and snatches Uri from Natsu's grip before swooping around the room and dropping Uri on Gokudera's face. Which of course starts another fight between Master and Familiar.
"O-ho, even after 10 years you still can't get the furball to follow your orders?" says Nuvola, leaning against the wall at the back of the room. "Velocita follows my every order, just like a good pet should. It's a good thing you're no longer Vongola Decimo's Right Hand man. If you can't even control a cat, how could you control a team of Mafioso?"
"Kikyo that was uncalled for" scolds Tsuna. "Hayato would have made an excellent right hand man. Or are you forgetting who handles Boss duties whilst I'm away."
"Why I meant no disrespect to you, Cielo, Tempesta. I was just making a passing comment. Tempesta does a great job covering for you during your… episodes." Kikyo smiles, bowing slightly in that sycophantic way of his. Hayato growls at the mention of Tsuna's illness, and everyone else in the room gives a death glare to their Cloud. Nuvola was a Cloud that stayed close to his Sky. Unlike Byakuran during the future trip, Tsuna actually cared about Nuvola's wellbeing, rather than his uses. Nuvola was someone who worked best by himself, got things done quickly and returned for praise. Yet his underhanded methods and snide remarks often kept him away from the others, totally different from Hibari's quietness and directness. Yet both still did whatever they wanted to.
Fulmine is quick to stand before Cielo, peering into his eyes. "You're not… Like the Princesses are you? It's not that time yet?" In this way Tsuna felt sorry for Gamma. He'd seen so many other Giglio Nero Bosses, other Sky Arcobaleno, die. Everyone here had had everyone near and dear to them die. But Gamma had always had it worse. Aria, Yuni, and in time, him too. Cielo smiles that calming smile he has, reassuring Gamma that it was not yet his time.
Not that he was going to tell them when it was. How soon his time will end. How little time the sandglass of his life had left. He didn't want to worry the others.
Gamma was a fierce Protector, both for Cielo and Giglio Nero, or what was left of it. Just like Reborn had bound himself to Vongola in his cursed state, Gamma was still loyal to Giglio Nero, keeping the Family together and tutoring the Heir. Very like Reborn. But just like Lambo, Gamma was always there whenever Tsuna needed him, cool, calm and collected.
This was them, ten years after that day. For ten long years they had been the Arcobaleno, protecting the world from natural disasters, keeping an eye over Flame users, keeping the balance. They had been cursed into baby bodies. Sure that was bad, but that wasn't the worst thing Checkerface had done to them. Oh no. Checkerface had done something much worse to them.
It was in Chrome's eyepatch becoming Mukuro's bracelet.
It was in Takeshi's Shigure Kintoki Squalo wore.
It was in Lambo's horns hanging from Colulu and Widget's collars.
It was in Lussuria's feather Boa wrapped round Bubu.
It was in Hibari's tonfas peeking out of Kikyo's boots.
It was in Bel's knives hanging off of Hayato's belts.
It was in the Marshmallows Tsuna ate and the Feather earing he wore.
It was in lots of things around the house. Certain items, trinkets, weapons and jewellery as well as habits, sayings and rituals. So painful yet so comforting and dearly needed.
All to remember those who had been lost.
Damn it, he was running out of time to complete this mission. He had to work harder, let nothing stop him, let nothing hinder him. Nothing at all. He must keep on moving forwards.
Cielo spins around after feeling the aura suddenly bloom behind him. Only one set of people had this aura.
"Hn. To think I would meet you like this. Can you not do anything without me? Naughty Naughty."
No… It couldn't be. But the orange banded top hat, the tight fitting cloak, those sideburns poking out of the bandages. This Vindice was…
It was Him.
Cielo's eyes widen in disbelief. It wasn't possible. This situation was totally and utterly wrong. Wrong, wrong, WRONG!
"Y-You… b-b…but… you're dead!"
*yawns* I came out of hibernation to give this to you and now I'm going back. Please leave your comments by the door on your way out, there's also a bin for tissues there.
Good Night
Phantom Hitman 1412
First Published 11 August 2012