Author's note: Been busy! Sorry for the late update! Thanks for the reviews guys! Really appreciated it!
Summary: The trouble with the future was finally over and everyone was back to the present time. However, what happens when Tsuna travels back to the future and realizes he still dies? Will he be able to change the outcome once more?
Chapter 2
"Is jyuudaime really sure?" 24-year-old Gokudera said bouncing excitedly as Tsuna headed to the storm's room. "Jyuudaime really wants to sleep in my room?"
"Yeah." Tsuna sighed at the question which had been repeated several times. "I'm sure Gokudera-kun." He said as he tugged the slightly large cow printed pajamas he was wearing.
"I'm honored jyuudaime!" Gokudera said, still a little giddy from the alcohol intake. The storm immediately opened the door to his room and hastily began arranging the littlest disturbances in his room as he persuaded Tsuna to sleep on his bed rather than on the futon.
"N-No Gokudera-kun y-you should…" Tsuna stated feebly but Gokudera had that look on his face (dubbed the 'right-hand man look') that just made the brunet accept the arrangements.
After settling on Gokudera's comfortable bed, the bomber went to his personal bathroom to shower as Tsuna looked around in the room. However he was suddenly roused from his observation when someone knocked timidly on the door.
Seeing as Gokudera was still busy, Tsuna got up and opened the door. His eyes widened when he saw Lambo in the same pair of cow-printed pajamas as him, hugging a pillow while looking at him.
"Hey Vongola." Lambo said as he looked past the brunet and into the room. "Is Gokudera-shi showering?" When Tsuna nodded, the young Bovino entered the room immediately, closing the door quietly. "Good. Now I can ask you without disruption… Can I sleep here for the night?"
"Wha-?" But Tsuna was distracted from answering when another knock resounded on the door. Tsuna rushed to open the door and this time it was Ryohei with two pillows under his arms. He was wearing some comfy pajama bottoms and a sleeveless white shirt.
"Oh! You're already here Lambo! Extreme!" The older sun guardian said. "And I thought I thought of the extreme idea first!"
"O-Onii-san-?"
"Boss I'm here too." Chrome said as she peered shyly from behind Ryohei. She was wearing some violet pajama bottom and long-sleeved top with lavender imprints.
"C-Chrome? B-But you're a girl-!"
There was a sound of the door opening. "Jyuudaime is something-?" Gokudera said as he came out of the shower dressed in a red pair of jogging pants and gray shirt. "What the hell turf-top and ahoshi? What are you doing here?"
"We're having an extreme sleep over!" Ryohei shouted, outside, Hibari was leaning against the wall yawning since he was dragged by the sun guardian. He was wearing the traditional black yukatta for night time.
Gokudera face-palmed himself. "Damn it, the only person missing now is…"
"Hey Tsuna I brought you some milk- Arre?" The door opened wider revealing Yamamoto carrying a tray with two mugs of milk. "Eh? What's everyone doing here with pillows?"
"Well I came here to sleep next to Vongola." Lambo said honestly.
"We came for an extreme sleep over!" Ryohei shouted. "And Hibari's outside!" But then the cloud guardian had already disappeared when he deemed the place to be too 'crowded'.
"U-Uhm…" Chrome said shyly.
"Guys…" Tsuna sighed but in the inside he was smiling with exasperation.
"Well, since almost everyone is here, we can just sleep over in Gokudera's room like onii-san said." Yamamoto said, being the rain that resolved conflicts.
"Wha-?" Gokudera said, wanting to protest vehemently.
"YEAH!" Ryohei pumped his fist while Lambo smiled. Chrome giggled at Gokudera's downfallen expression.
"Maa… I'll go get my pillow." Yamamoto said as he trusted the tray to Tsuna before going.
And so, that was how it ended up this way.
He, Tsuna, was lying on the bed with Lambo hugging his arm, Ryohei grabbing his foot, Gokudera protectively holding his hand and Yamamoto sleeping on his stomach. Chrome was a bit farther apart from the boys since she was the only girl but her fingers were touching Tsuna's fingers as she slept.
Tsuna sighed as he felt Lambo's grip on him tighten and Gokudera growled in his sleep like some overprotective mama bear. He smiled though as he looked at his guardians around him, not wanting to let go of him even for a moment.
Even though he wanted to stay and make them happy, he knew that he only had limited time in the future…
Already he was feeling like he was fading…
But then Tsuna was distracted from his thoughts when he felt a presence by the door. Gokudera's door opened quietly and a small and familiar hand peeked through it, urging Tsuna to get up and go after the owner.
Resolved to know what was happening (although Tsuna already had an idea who it was), Tsuna gently sat up and pried the fingers and arms holding him. He took a pillow and replaced it with his arm that Lambo was previously hugging. Then he took another pillow and placed it on Gokudera's searching hands.
"Jyuudaime's so soft…" Gokudera mumbled as he continued to sleep. Tsuna took another pillow and placed it underneath Yamamoto's head as the rain guardian tensed ever-so slightly at the change. The brunet took another pillow and pried off Ryohei's hand that had a hold of his foot and replaced it with a pillow.
Brushing his fingers over Chrome's for the last time, Tsuna got up from the bed and nimbly made his way to the open door.
"Hello?" Tsuna called out to the empty hall as he closed the door behind him. He looked at the window and saw a small silhouette of someone familiar. "Reborn?"
The silhouette turned and Reborn's familiar smirking face greeted him. "I see you've improved No-good Tsuna."
"Reborn." Tsuna said relieved as he approached his tutor. "Where have you been? Why did you come only now?"
"Too many questions." Reborn said and Tsuna braced for the oncoming kick but it never came. The brunet looked at his tutor perplexed by his lack of violence.
"Reborn?"
"When I heard that you got switched with your future self I came as fast as I could." Reborn said quietly. "I thought the same as those idiots…" He said pointing to Gokudera's room. "I thought that I could tell you how you died and help you keep yourself alive…"
Tsuna continued to watch his tutor silently.
"But then I realized something baka-Tsuna." Reborn said as he stared at Tsuna. "I realized that this was just like the last time, when I came to the future and found you dead in a coffin in the middle of a forest. You probably staged this death like the last one."
"Wha-?"
"Don't ask me what you were thinking because I don't know." Reborn stated. "The only one who knows what you were thinking is yourself. Like what the future Yamamoto told you before in that twisted future with Byakuran in it. No one knew what the older Tsuna was thinking when he destroyed the rings… He hoped that you, the past Tsuna, knew at least… but I guess you don't have the answer."
Tsuna gulped silently as he looked at Reborn's weary features.
"I don't know what you were thinking at that time dame-Tsuna but please remember when you plan these grand schemes of yours…" Reborn said as he gave Tsuna a hard stare. "That your life just doesn't belong to only you…"
Tsuna's eyes widened.
"When you die, all the people who cares about you and love you also feel like a huge part of them died with you. If you don't want to hurt anyone then think about them first before you go off sacrificing your life like it didn't matter." Reborn's eyes shadowed. "But if sacrificing your life is something you can't avoid… If destiny really has to take away your life… you still shouldn't sit around doing nothing. Fight it!"
"Reborn?" Tsuna said, shocked.
"You were the one who told me to keep finding a solution to the arcobaleno curse. You were the one who told me to fight destiny. Who would believe what you say if you don't even try doing your own advice?" Reborn gritted his teeth.
"I don't-" Tsuna said in confusion but then Reborn sighed.
"Of course you don't know…" Reborn said as his eyes shadowed. "Just remember Dame-Tsuna, that if you have a problem or anything… I want you to tell us, your family. We can help you. Don't carry the burden by yourself."
Tsuna looked at the arcobaleno, surprised. "Y-Yeah, I-I'll keep that in mind. And Reborn…"
The arcobaleno looked at his student who smiled but then Reborn's eyes widened when the other was suddenly surrounded by pink smoke.
POOF!
Tell everyone thank you for me…
Reborn bit his lip as his expression shadowed.
"Stupid Tsuna, we should be thanking you."
POOF!
"Tsuna!"
"Jyuudaime!"
The brunet coughed slightly at the smoke as he waved it away and he was met by the sight of his two younger best friends sitting in front of the bazooka.
"I see you're finally back no-good Tsuna." Reborn said with his arms crossed and his expression suspicious.
Oops, he might be wondering why no one replaced Tsuna in this time.
"Jyuudaime, it looks like the bazooka malfunctioned because ahoshi dumped it in water." Gokudera explained. "That's why you were gone for more than five minutes."
Yamamoto laughed. "You really scared us Tsuna. Disappearing out of nowhere and with no one replacing you here, we thought something like Byakuran happened again. We nearly jumped into the bazooka."
Thank goodness that you didn't. The brunet sighed in relief.
"Since it wasn't the whole mishap with Byakuran, and we know the bazooka malfunctioned because of the water… that leaves the question of why no one replaced you here dame-Tsuna." Reborn's eyes narrowed. "Did something happen in the future again?"
The brunet gulped. "I…"
Just remember Dame-Tsuna, that if you have a problem or anything… I want you to tell us, your family. We can help you. Don't carry the burden by yourself.
"It was because…" Tsuna bit his lip. "You see in the future I…"
Don't.
The brunet's eyes widened as images of his beaten up friends in the future flashed in his mind. He remembered all the suffering, all the injuries and worry.
Don't tell them.
Tsuna felt his hands clenched and suddenly the brunet felt his mouth move on his own, felt lies tumble out in his confusion.
"I'm not sure why no replaced me here." Tsuna's said shaking slightly. "Future Gokudera and Yamamoto said that I was supposed to be sleeping when they last saw me, so maybe the future me not appearing is part of the malfunction."
"Oh! I see!" Gokudera said, ready to believe whatever words the young boss said. "Then it's all that stupid cow's fault that I didn't get to see the future jyuudaime!"
"Ahaha! Too bad! I would've liked to see the grown-up Tsuna." Yamamoto grinned.
"Hm." Reborn said not convinced but then he shook his head. "Well, have you had anything to eat yet?"
"Y-Yeah, they fed me well there." Tsuna said tiredly as he felt guilt override his senses.
Gokudera and Yamamoto's eyebrows crinkled at the change in Tsuna's tone.
"Was there some sort of celebration or something?" Reborn asked and Tsuna smiled bitterly.
"Something like that…" Tsuna stated and he got up dusting his pants. "A-Anyway, I'm going to get changed." He said referring to the cow-printed pajamas he was wearing.
"Yeah, well since it's late the two of us will be heading back." Yamamoto said as he stood up.
"Actually, I think I'll stay here for the night. I've already asked okaa-sama." Gokudera said and Yamamoto shrugged.
"I'll go with you Yamamoto. Dame-Tsuna be a proper host to Gokudera and bring out an extra futon." Reborn said to the brunet who nodded.
"Hai… Hai…" Tsuna said as he went out of his room to change in the bathroom.
Tsuna stayed awake the whole night as he stared at the ceiling wondering what could've made him say those lies to his best friends and tutor. Was he really afraid that they'd figure it out? He probably didn't want anything like the future happening again.
Everyone injured, beaten up, fighting for people who had already died… He didn't want them t go through that again. And besides, what were they going to do when they found out?
Reborn would take it seriously and station guards around Tsuna. He'd try to observe Tsuna more and do some unnecessary things again. Gokudera would just hate himself when he found aout that Tsuna died again, and Yamamoto… the other didn't even know he died in the other future…
Brown eyes strayed towards the pink bazooka left in the room earlier and resolve set Tsuna's lips into a firm line.
Since he can't get help from the present, he was going to go back to the future, whatever it takes.
It was Sunday. Everyone was out of the house and Tsuna was left alone in his room, claiming he wanted to be left alone with homework and studying. This got a weird look from Reborn but a happy one from Nana as she dragged everyone out of the house to help the brunet in studying.
Tsuna hoped she could keep Reborn away long enough.
Tugging his clothes self-consciously (he was wearing his favorite blue hoodie and some cargo pants) the brunet looked at the bazooka and took a deep breath. He had a small bag with him containing his books so that when Reborn came home to question him later, he would be able to answer.
Walking over to the bazooka, Tsuna closed his eyes and shot himself.
POOF!
POOF!
Not even bothering to pause to see if he was in the right place, Tsuna pushed and felt the top give way as he sat up and found himself in the familiar dark room.
Shivering at the coldness, Tsuna climbed out of the coffin and stumbled as he ran towards the door. He had no time to waste in finding his guardians. He pushed the door open with force as he ran through the huge hallways looking for any indication that his guardians were near.
However he was barely able to run a few feet when someone suddenly grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth.
Brown eyes widened in shock as he felt the strong hand choking him and a blade was pointed at his neck. The knife was so sharp that it drew out blood, trickling form Tsuna's neck to his shirt, tainting it.
"Are you the Vongola Decimo?" A harsh voice whispered in his ear and Tsuna struggled harder but it just made the blade dig in deeper on his neck. This effectively stopped his struggling. "It can't be. The Decimo is dead, and he is older than you. Perhaps you are the unidecimo? The Decimo's secret son?"
Tsuna thought this assassin was stupid. Because seriously how could he answer with a hand covering his mouth? The brunet tried to claw the arm away and he tried to bite the hand but the glove the other was wearing prevented the pain to register.
"Hn, either way, it won't make much of a difference if I kill you will it?" The assassin stated as he traced the blade down Tsuna's neck successfully creating a scar and making more blood trickle down the other's neck. "I'll find out your identity later…"
Tsuna winced at the pain and he felt his struggles weaken.
"Not so fast." Tsuna's eyes widened at the voice but before the assassin could plunge the knife into him, said knife was suddenly halved in two and its sharp blade upper part fell onto the floor with a loud 'clang'.
A second after that happened, the assassin was pulled away from the weakened brunet and was tied down to the floor, as a familiar teen with horns sat on top of the other constricting his movements.
Tsuna got up with a hand on his neck, and his eyes widened in relief when he saw his guardians glaring at the assassin that very nearly took away his life.
"Sneaking in here was the worst mistake of your life." Gokudera growled as he pointed a gun at the other.
Ryohei was tightening the bandages around his fists as he looked at the man on the floor who was shaking in fear.
Tsuna's mouth opened, telling his guardians to stop but then Chrome blocked his vision as she kneeled down and covered the Vongola's ears while she hugged him.
"Boss." She said just as Gokudera pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The brunet buried his face into Chrome's shoulder as Hibari called for clean-up.
"Boss, we're glad you're safe." Chrome murmured and Tsuna felt other hands helping in carrying him up and the sound of Gokudera's panicked voice at the blood on his neck.
Tsuna trembled delicately as he was carried away from the bloody scene.
"Here this'll make you feel better." Yamamoto said as he offered the young boss tea. Tsuna weakly shook his head as he shivered despite the blankets around him. Bandage was rolled delicately around his thin neck.
Gokudera and Yamamoto exchanged frowns at the other's reaction.
"Jyuudaime, we're sorry for making you experience something so terrible." Gokudera said as he kneeled beside the other. "But we're really glad that you came back."
"Yeah Sawada. Imagine our shock when we woke up and you weren't there." Ryohei stated with a grin.
"Vongola, you could've at least left a note you know." Lambo said with a 'hmph'. Smiling weakly Tsuna nodded.
"Yeah, sorry about that Lambo." Tsuna said as he accepted the tea and Yamamoto smiled at the other gently.
"Herbivore." Hibari said and Tsuna looked up in surprise. "Tell me, if you have gone back to the past and with the knowledge you possessed from the future, why has nothing changed? Why are you still dead?"
Tsuna put down his cup, eyes wide as the Gokudera glared at Hibari for his probing questions.
"Boss, cloud man's right. Didn't you tell anyone about…?" Chrome choked and she rubbed her visible eye.
Tsuna's bangs shadowed his eyes. "I-I didn't want to tell them." He said.
The guardians' eyes widened.
"But jyuudaime! We could've helped you! I could've done something! I would-!" Gokudera began but Tsuna stopped him.
"What good would changing the past do?" Tsuna asked tiredly. He put down his cup and buried his face in his hands. "I didn't want everyone to go through the same thing they did in the future."
"But we won't Tsuna!" Yamamoto insisted. "We won't go through that again I promise you! We just want to protect you and laugh with you in the future-!"
"But I'm just one person…" Tsuna said in a small voice."Just one person… It's not worth it…"
Silence.
"Boss, I thought…" Chrome broke the silence. "I thought you were going to help us to get our boss back. To get you back…"
"What changed your mind Vongola?" Lambo stated as his hands formed fists. "Why are you so eager to leave us?"
"I just thought that, if I still die even after we've already defeated Byakuran then I guess it'sjust supposed to happen…" Tsuna began.
"Stop lying Sawada!" Ryohei shouted, surprising the young brunet. "We know you. You're lying."
"I'm not-"
"Of course he's lying. Mafia bosses are liars after all." Mist suddenly formed beside Chrome and Tsuna blinked when he came face-to-face with older Mukuro once more.
"M-Mukuro!" Tsuna squeaked and instead of standing in front of Tsuna like his past self usually did, the bomber just glared at the other.
"Here again pineapple head?" He said with a frown.
Mukuro ignored the insult and continued. "The Vongola changed his decision after seeing youmafia exterminate that assassin. He thinks he turned you into killers."
Tsuna paled as eyes turned to him for confirmation. He shook his head."W-Why are you…?"
"Tsuna it was to protect you! That person has also killed a lot of people." Yamamoto convinced the brunet and Tsuna's blood ran cold at the words that came out of the other's mouth.
"Jyuudaime, it was our choice to do that. You didn't turn us into killers. It's just that in the mafia things like that must happen." Gokudera placed a hand on the thin arm. The brunet twitched.
Lambo also inserted his say. "Vongola, we couldn't let him kill you. After laying a hand on you he deserved to die-"
"STOP!" Tsuna stood up, surprising his friends. "Stop saying that! Things like that don't just happen! You can't just go and kill someone like that!" He was shaking, sweating, these people… he didn't know them. They couldn't be what his friends turned out to be after ten years with him. They couldn't be…
"He would've killed you Sawada!" Ryohei protested.
"But killing him would've made you just like him!" Disbelieving brown eyes turned to each of them making everyone flinch at the look. Tears gathered in those brown eyes. "I didn't want this." Tsuna closed his eyes as he held up the blanket to cover his eyes.
"We're sorry."Chrome said quietly but Tsuna continued to stand there silently. Hibari had a frown on his face.
"It's just that…" Gokudera gulped down the awkward words. "We were so happy that we got you back…"
"The thought of losing you again…" Yamamoto's hands clenched as he bowed his head. "We couldn't bear to think about it."
"We missed you Vongola." Lambo said in a small voice. "When you died we…"
Silence.
"Stop crying already herbivore." Hibari spoke up finally. "If you don't want us to turn out to be killers, then do something about it." He walked towards the brunet and took away the blanket. Tsuna looked up at Hibari shocked.
The carnivore was looking at him seriously. "Stay alive and make sure we don't turn out to be killers."
It was then that Tsuna finally understood what Reborn said to him.
Your life doesn't belong to only you…
These people were the people he had left behind. The ones he had hurt and he had taken something precious from them. The fifteen-year-old brunet still didn't know why his future self died but he knew that what had happened was his responsibility. He was the cause as to why his friends were miserable. That's why…
…he had to do everything he could to make this right again.
Tsuna nodded his head, aware that everyone in the room was looking at him. "A-Ah, I understand."
And for the first time since he arrived today, everyone smiled.
Author's note: About Mukuro, he had been watching since Tsuna arrived. This'll be revealed in the next chapter. Please review again! Thank you!