Thanks to LoirEStar, ilovecartoonsgirl, Takuz, PAVeY14 for reviewing!
Takuz: I'm giving out hints... if people can pick them up or bother to read the A/Ns for that matter. And you're... somewhat on the right track. Fables aren't exactly accurate because they're an over exaggeration create by people to make something look better or just lead them in the wrong direction. It can branch off as it passes down - especially if it's oral. When I was talking bout first generation, I meant those whose parents are, by no means, able to use flames... or aware of them for that matter. (A helpful analogy would be to look at first generation college students, they're people whose family members did not attend college) Tsuna's lives under a rock thanks to an oblivious mother and a secretive father and brother, so of course he would be considered a 'first'... to those who doesn't know his family's background - including Tsuna himself.
Yamamoto isn't one because, in my story, his father is a retired hitman. People who is in the mafia cannot completely server their connections with it. Yeah I know, well, it just has to do with the students' pride and the environment they live in :p (I technically prefer not to write on those kinds of antagonistic scenes since I don't know much about it, but well, I'm trying to show how society will treat a person whom they deem to deserve no respect because of their lack of capabilities. Strength and character rules above all - and Tsuna lacks both... for now.) I'll tell you now, but the conditions are going to be a bit different in how Tsuna will enter HDW mode and... I don't really think activating Hyper Intuition relates to being in HDW mode. In my opinion, HDW mode enhances it, not being HI's on and off switch.
PAVeY14: Lol, nice prediction and thank you for your concerns. ^^
I apologize ahead of time for any grammar mistakes and character OCCness if it were to occur.
AU. GEN Fic. No pairings.
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR
Summary: Sky, Storm, Lightning, Rain, Sun, Mist, and Cloud, these were known as the seven Knights - or Elements - of the Sky in legends and myths that once appeared out of nowhere and rescued the world from disaster and guide it to an era of change. Or so it was dictated in children's books. Nowadays, there are people who have rainbow colored flames that goes by the same names as the weathers.
He hadn't been into his subconsciousness too often. (If Tsuna hadn't been in that dark void dozens of times before, he would have been in panic and immediately jumping into the conclusion that he had died.)
Instead of feeling the damp coldness that darkness usually was the epitome of, Tsuna felt warm and safe. He had that feeling every time his consciousness came here.
The first time he has been to this dark space was when he got lost in the local forest near his hometown. His mom specifically warned him not to go off by himself but who could blame him? He was only six! And the neighbor's dog had some kind of grudge against him and ended up chasing him all the way to the edge of the forest.
With Tsuna running blindly, of course he didn't know he had entered the forest without knowing. He didn't know how deep into the forest he went, but he only stopped at the encounter of wolves.
(Yes, of course that forest has to have wolves. It was just Tsuna's rotten luck that he attracted trouble wherever he went.)
He had cried even harder at the scary looking animals that was obviously the ancestors to modern day dogs (He must have offended some canine god in his past life or something).
Then things got a bit blurry. Tsuna was almost positive that he remembering his surroundings glowing like a bright sun, and coalescing into a huge tower of orange blames in front of him.
What made him so sure was that right afterwards, he had lost his consciousness and entire this completely dark world. That was where he met -
A few meters in front of Tsuna, a swirl of orange began to appear and growing larger and larger until it was the size of his fist.
Tsuna beamed at the new, welcoming sentient presence. Even though fire was supposed to be nonliving, he felt a small strand of life in this ball of fire. It was warm, bright, and familiar.
His parents had told him not to play with fire because it was dangerous, but from the moment he first encountered the orange ball of fire, Tsuna knew that he would be safe from anything that would harm him.
It also became his first friend that would appear whenever Tsuna was feeling particularly down.
He named it Fire-san. (He was six back then okay?! He didn't know any better!)
"I'm alright," Tsuna assured meekly as the ball of flame circle his body as if to check for any sign of injuries. Another thing was that although his friend in this dark world couldn't communicate with him, Tsuna could clearly tell what it was trying to convey.
"I just had a very rough day." Tsuna confessed.
Even though Fire-san was small in appearance, Tsuna knew that if it ever took on a human appearance, it would be that of an adult. So when there was an invisible force - the flame's aura - gently patting down Tsuna's head, he wasn't surprised at all.
In fact, he got the vague sense of a father-figure comforting him, because although the touch was warm and gentle, it was also strong and protective.
"You know, a few weeks ago, my father... " Tsuna started to talk about what has been happening in his life recently; how he had been doing at home and school, about the admittance and transfer, and the ball of flame would hover steadily in front of Tsuna, as if listening attentively.
.
.
.
"I was wondering…" Tsuna stared hard at the ball of flame in his subconscious. "You look like those Flames that my classmates seem to be able to light up so... are you - do you belong to my Element?"
There was a brief moment where he felt no emotions from the ball of fire and the emptiness was so unnerving that the brunet panicked.
"I-I'm sorry if t-that's a touchy subject!" Tsuna blurted quickly. He didn't want his friend to think he was self-centered for thinking that it belong to him or anything! "I-I just - well, there's just this connection, y'know? The first time I met you, I had this sense of familiarity like I should have known you all my life, like- like family! Yeah, and -"
There was ruffle of his hair, a gesture of comfort - and he swear he just heard the echo of a chuckle!
Tsuna, for a moment, thought he was back in time -
(He stared up at the hand that was always so big and strong compared to his tiny ones. It would always rest on his head in affection, and he never mind at all that it would ruin his hair if it meant he could feel protected by its presence.)
- the image was a blur so he could only assume that it was his father who'd always reached out to him with those hands when he was once tiny and vulnerable... if only to insult his height indirectly. (Iemitsu never did have any qualms to make a jab at Tsuna, even if he had done it without knowing how much it would hurt the latter.)
Then the alarms in his head went off.
Tsuna woke up with a start and rolled to the side in the nick of time or he was pretty sure that tonfa would have crushed his skull.
"W-wha…" There was a familiarly warm heat in his chest and it was alerting Tsuna of danger. Wait, what danger?
"Skipping class is against the rules, Herbivore."
Tsuna looked up and paled when he saw a demon in the form of one Hibari Kyouya. He only knew because he had been informed (or rather, warned) by Yamamoto about the teen; black hair? Check. Steel-grey eyes? Check. A blazer draping down his back with a red armband that said 'Discipline' in Japanese? Check. Wield a pair of tonfas? Tsuna did not need to confirm that one. Bloodthirsty aura? He really, really did not want to take notice.
Hibari was the feared Prefect of the Disciplinary Committee that operates independently from other committees under Vongola's Student Council. The Council couldn't really do anything to the committee because one, it was doing it's job and two, no one orders Hibari around but Hibari himself.
Truth behold, Hibari monopolized the Disciplinary Committee in both Vongola and Mare, and neither faction dare to refute the prefect because the last time some idiots tried, it was dubbed as the Day of Judgement and Hibari was the judge.
So they let Hibari have his way - well, he was going to have his way anyways.
He didn't think he would meet infamous Demon on his second day at this academy.
"I-I'm sorry Hibari-san!" The heat in his chest intensified and something told Tsuna scrambled away from the Tonfas of Doom taht was about to strike down. "Hiiiee! I-I didn't -"
"Lying will result to being bitten to death." Hibari interjected, because he had seen the brunet skipping class. He was going to deal with him earlier, but another fight came up in another area so he had to bite those herbivores to death before coming back to bite Sawada Tsunayoshi to death.
"Hiiieee! I- I'm sorry! I'll never do it again so please don't bite me to death!" Tsuna pleaded as he ran because even though he loathes his incapabilities, he still wanted to live.
There was a hum - almost a buzz - in the back of his head that told him to - lean right - and he blindly followed, clumsily, with a few hops on his right foot.
Tuck to the side and roll, it whispered again and he did as he was told, unknowing following through the falling momentum of the movement prior.
Now run. That was something he didn't need to be told twice of doing.
He didn't realize it then, but because he evaded all of the Prefect's assaults, he made it onto Hibari's obscure hit list (He wouldn't know whether to feel proud or scared for his life if he ever finds out). As of now though, he was focusing on running for his life.
Tsuna didn't stop running until he got to the dormitory and locked himself in his room.
"That… that was close." Tsuna breathed, eyes still wide in horror. His hand went to his chest, thanking whatever higher beings up there for saving him yet again. Ever since the accident with the wolves, Tsuna had developed a strange survival instinct that warns him of anything that may threaten him - he attributed it to the first meeting with Fire-san. But it only works under life-threatening situations or he wouldn't have to deal with bullies.
... He then realized, with no small amount of horror, that Hibari pose enough of a threat to his life for the heat and the humming to kick in - and boy, was that scary thought!
Tsuna frowned, however, when the heat was still there and his mind was still buzzing somewhat. It was barely noticeable though, so maybe Hibari haven't given up on trying to bite Tsuna to death?
The thought was comforting enough so Tsuna brushed off the foreboding feeling. He was going to have a nice shower, and then sleep (because there was no way he was going to get food with Hibari within the perimeter!)
The next day, that feeling intensified and Tsuna found himself scared of going to class. But if he doesn't, it would give more reason for the demon Prefect to bite him to death and so, he, very reluctantly, went.
He didn't meet Hibari (thank the God for that) but the foreboding was starting to send him chills because he knows something is going to happen.
He really wish it was just people plotting to gang up on him. He could face the punches, the jeers, and the spites to the face instead of whatever the heat was forewarning him about.
"Whoa Takeshi! Your flames are so bright!"
Why are you looking at me like that?
"Hey Takeshi? We're friends right? Can you do me a favor?"
Can't you do it yourself before asking me?
"With you on our team, we can't lose! Don't worry about us and keep training! We'll look forward to the results!"
... team? Last time I check, there is no 'I' in 'team.'
"Man, can't you do better than that? I mean, you are supposed to be stronger than us."
I'm trying dammit! I don't see you guys making something of yourself!
"We expected better from you Takeshi. Maybe you should practice more of your swordsmanship. To better control those powerful flames of yours so that we won't lose again, right?"
I have been practice! What more do you expect from me? Do you expect us to win every single match that we fight in? Why can't you understand how hard it is to control those flames of mine? Why, why, why, why - crack, clang.
... huh. My arm won't move...
"The last member, Takeshi Yamamoto, is unable to fight. The winner goes to the opposing team!"
Oh...
.
.
.
Yamamoto Takeshi was absent.
He wasn't seen him in any of the morning lectures - but then again, his class was half emptied. Even though Tsuna told Yamamoto not to be his friend anymore, Tsuna still worries.
... Maybe Yamamoto was sick?
Again, Tsuna brushed off the alarm bells in his head in favor of the somewhat comforting assumption. (Because getting a fever wasn't something life-threatening - not when the school has the best medics around.)
Yamamoto Takeshi wasn't in class the next day either. It was nearing the weekends, and Tsuna had a thick pool of dread filling the pit of his stomach with the constant buzzing making it worst (he could hardly sleep last night!).
"I really hope Takeshi feels better soon." Someone said as Tsuna passed through the hallway. "He's been in the main infirmary for over a day already. "
What?
"He should have been all healed though like the rest of his teammates. Sun Flames are the most effective cure to all physical wounds!"
"I heard he refused treatment..."
"Maybe he's in a slump? I mean I would if I were to duel an Advanced student, even when I rely on my team!"
"But he's Takeshi! Don't tell me he can't even handle that much even when he's one of the students who has the most potential!"
What injuries? What duel?
The conversation was getting worrisome by the second and how did he even miss all of the rumors yesterday? Was he really that distracted?
Though he confirmed there was something wrong with Yamamoto since upon hearing the news, the heat caused an awful constriction in his chest. Without himself realizing it, Tsuna had already left the General Educations building and running towards the Main Infirmary of Vongola Castle.
He was told that main building of Vongola was where most Advanced students like the linger about, that and there are quite a lot of them residing in the building themselves since it has some of the better practice equipment. Same can be said for Mare and Arcobaleno - though the latter was reserved for teachers and staffs. A puny Beginner like him would only serve as an appetizer if he ever take a step into such a dangerous nesting place.
Not that it mattered now, because something was going very, very wrong and he was certain that Yamamoto was involved. And he didn't even need to see the directory because the humming was perhaps the best guide anyone could get.
He barely allowed himself to catch a breath once he was in front of a door with the gold plaque that labeled 'Main Infirmary'. His stomach did a flip and something told him to -
Open the goddamn door already!
- and he did.
... He did not expect to see Yamamoto Takeshi ready to kill himself with a katana - that thing he was carrying two days before was a real weapon?!
"What are you doing?!" Tsuna cried out in horror and practically flew to the other side of room to stop the teen from committing suicide. (And where was the doctor when you need one?!)
Yamamoto blinked - Tsuna tried not to grimace at how absolutely blank they were - and registered the person that as holding his uninjured arm in place. "... Sawada?"
"What were you trying to do?" He reiterated his question, carefully observing the teen before him.
"I…" Yamamoto paused and looked at what he was holding.
.
.
.
Yamamoto laughed. Not the happy ones, but the self-loathing laughs that people use when everything was falling apart, and they just gave up because there was nothing they can do to make it better. Tsuna found himself doing that that several times before so he would know what that would sound like.
... He didn't think he would associate that kind of laughter with the now not-so-cheerful raven haired teen.
"I'm really pathetic, aren't I?" The sadness, loneliness, and self-derision in his voice was absolutely disheartening. "My teammates were relying on me to win, but look at what happened? We were completely demolished by the upperclassmen from Mare in the duel. We were all injured to the point that three were unconscious and two came out with fractured bones. I'm the only one who managed to got off with just a few bruises and a fractured arm. My peers thought I should have been able to my teammates since I have a strong Flame quality. But they don't understand. They weren't in the arena to face the assaults, they didn't know how hard the fight was, and they didn't know my limit. Everyone seems to expect something out of me and - and I just can't take it anymore."
... At least Tsuna knew why he wore those smiles all the time.
Yamamoto had to meet everyone's expectations, but no one met his. No one saw Yamamoto as who he is, yet they still rely on him to solve the problems. And that unknowingly put so much weight that the teen started to crumble. How long has people been doing that to him?
"I…" Tsuna choked on the lump in his throat but pressed on. "I'm not really sure what exactly happened but - but you can't just kill yourself just because of one failure!"
"You would know all about failures wouldn't you," Yamamoto snarled back. "Dame-Tsuna."
"... I do know." He couldn't even be bothered to flinch at the degrading nickname as his mind scrambled for what to say in a times like this (It's a delicate situation here!). "I practically failed at life. Life is cruel, that much I know. But we only live once, Yamamoto-san. Don't end it just because you feel pressured by everyone's expectations."
He shouldn't be the one to comfort Yamamoto, since he has similar - yet also the opposite - problems that he didn't know the solutions to. But if he wasn't going to save him from drowning in despair, then who would? Obviously not his so-called friends when they didn't even notice Yamamoto's current mentality. He knew he has no rights to criticize Yamamoto's choice of friends, but some friends they turned out to be. Not that Tsuna was any better, since he gave up on Yamamoto when the going got tough.
He pushed him away once, he wasn't going to do it a second time. Not now. Not ever.
He leveled eyes with the teen and a wave of something washed over him that encouraged him to be firm and confident. "You don't have to meet their expectations."
"I don't…?" It seemed that those were the words that Yamamoto had been waiting to hear for his entire life as amber-brown eyes returned slowly return to the liveliness that they once held.
"No, of course not." Tsuna never wavered in his voice, and Yamamoto saw the determination flared as brown orbs suddenly flashed orange. "Unlike me, you have a future ahead of you Yamamoto-san, so don't end it so early. Just throw away everyone's expectations but your own. I wouldn't want you to leave over something like this. Your family wouldn't want you leaving them like this."
Tsuna slowly lower the blade wielding boy's arm, his eyes never straying from the other's to convey that he was, indeed, earnest. "Are we clear?"
Yamamoto blinked life back into his eyes and managed a weak - but real - smile. "Crystal."
"Good," Whatever spell that Tsuna was under disappeared and he jumped a feet in the air as he immediately let go of his hold. "Hiiiee! W-where did you even get that Yamamoto-san?!"
"Eh? This?" The boy waved said object around.
"D-don't do tha -" Tsuna gaped when all he saw was a shinai. "W-where - That's not possible! How did it even turn into a wooden sword?!"
Yamamoto laughed. "I didn't know you can be funny Sawada!"
"I'm being serious here!"
"Hey, what's with all the noise?" A man in a white coat barged in with a scowl. "This is the infirmary and - Takeshi, how many times do I have to tell you put that sword down?!"
"Was I supposed to count?" The boy returned with a grin.
The doctor, Kurt by the name tag, groaned. "Why doesn't anyone take a doctor's order seriously these days?"
"Hey doc?" Yamamoto said and with a sheepish look, he gestured towards the cast he was wearing. "Can you heal my arm?"
The man leveled the teen with a hard stare and released a sigh mixed with exhaustion and relief. "About time."
He walked over to where Tsuna and Yamamoto was and retrieve something from his pocket.
It was a scalpel.
.
.
.
Why the heck did he take out a scalpel?! Tsuna inwardly cried in alarm and worry. Was the doctor going to do surgery on Yamamoto? But he looks just find minus the -
Sparkly yellow Sun Flames lit the scalpel.
- Tsuna watched, in much waves of relief and amazement, as Doctor Kurt brought the scalpel near Yamamoto's bruises. (He could only attribute the scalpel to being the medium that drew out Sun Flames) Upon close contact, the injuries healed within minutes. The broken arm, though, took more time, but Yamamoto was brand new within half an hour's time.
"There," Kurt finished off as he placed his instrument back into his coat pocket. "You're all good physically." There was a pause as if Kurt was debating with his thoughts before relenting, "... How are you feeling?"
"Dandy!"
"... I see." Kurt looked at the boy blankly, then turned his attention to Tsuna - who reflexively shrink under the gaze. "You didn't get permission to come in did you." It was more of a statement because the brunet would've need his permission to come in.
"Um…"
"I don't mind if it's Sawada, doc," Yamamoto informed. "He's a friend after all."
"Huh, alright then." He went to his desk and jot down a few notes on the clipboard. "Since you're practically all fixed up, you can leave - And Takeshi?"
"Yeah?"
"What matters is that you have done your very best." The words were vague but it helped lift a huge weight off of Yamamoto's shoulders. His lips quivered and he ducked down.
"... Okay."
Tada! Let me just say, this is an AU so yeah, Takeshi did not jump off the roof but tried to commit Seppuku... this is just one of the scenes that spoke out to me in the manga and I just couldn't help but add incorporate it in. Although there are plenty of buildings to jump off of, I read enough fanfics to get tired of the suicide-by-jumping-off-the-roof thing (sorry if I offended anyone), so yeah.
I just wanna say, do not look down on depression and peer pressure, they can very dangerous to one's psychological health when left unattended.
Don't expect me to spend the same amount of effort on the meeting with the others though. Again, I read enough fanfics to get tired of how Tsuna meets his guardians... and the scenes would be predictable too since it's pretty much cannon.
On another note, Tsuna is slowly showing his capabilities :D
And Fire-san's presence is there to explain and showcase Tsuna's HI lol...
I'm leaving a lot of things unexplained aren't I? Well, I consider this the beginning arc where everything is being laid out bit by bit so if you don't have patience, then I don't think this fanfic is for you. (Gosh, I should have gave the warning in the first chapter... oh well.)
