AN: Well, with the revelation in the previous chapters, I guess it's nice to take a nice breather first before moving on. So yeah, a relatively short /canon-ish/ chapter about Tsuna's normal every day life. Or not. Sort of. Hahaha

WARNING: Unbeta'ed

Vongola Prince

by pseudonym08

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Chapter Five: Two Teams

It had almost been a week since Gokudera Hayato started occupying the extra room they had. But although he was living with them, Tsuna hardly felt his presence inside the house. Gokudera would wake up earlier than him, most of the time at the same time with Tsuna's mother, Nana; and would occasionally help out in the kitchen. After so however, and breakfast, by the time Tsuna woke up, he would already be out and gone. And at night, he would come back a little past bedtime, when the Sawada family are all asleep.

Tsuna knew he should be suspicious of this. People behaving like that only meant they were up to no good. Even so, like the first time the brunette had seen and helped the silverette collapsed on the ground, no warning bells were triggered. In fact, contrary to it. He felt a strange calmness, like he could wholeheartedly trust this guy.

Tsuna sighed. He grabbed a bread on a plate and his packed lunch, took his bamboo sword by the corner and head out for school, only hearing a faint 'take care' from his mom behind.

.

Tsuna was particularly early today; so rather than rushing, he took his time eating his bread and enjoying the city. Although some merchants in town were still preparing for the day, most already had their tents and shops set up, and a lot of buyers were up and about shopping for goods. Seeing the usual peaceful air in the city made Tsuna smile.

As he was finishing the last piece of his bread, he caught sight of a familiar jet-black hair. "Riku!" he called without a second thought.

The called lad searched the crowd for the voice; and upon violet eyes landing on brown ones, Riku smiled and waved a hand back. Beside him turned another silverette lad. Gokudera. Tsuna cringed. He almost had the urge to turn around and run. But then it would be rude of him.

"You're early today, Tsuna!" Riku slapped Tsuna's shoulders when the latter was finally within arm's length; and casually slung his arm right after. Tch. Tsuna heard someone curse from the other side, but paid it no mind. He was, after all, the one butting in where he's not wanted — ahh… because he just squeezed himself in on someone's bonding time with his 'heika.'

"Speak for yourself, Riku," the brunette replied, desperately trying his best not to flinch from the icy stares he's receiving. "Inspection?"

Whether Riku was intentionally pretending not to notice the aura or not, he merely shrugged. His mood light and happy as ever in the morning. "And breakfast too! Gokudera here hasn't eaten breakfast yet," he pointed at Gokudera. Tsuna looked at the silverette, who by now was bowing a perfect 90 degree at Riku.

"You don't have to trouble yourself with me, heika-sama. It was my fault, my absolute fault for waking up late!" He bowed again and again.

"Nope! Your stomach was growling all the time. You need to eat." With that, discussions were over. Riku dismissed the silverette and turned to looking at some pastries. "Oh! Look at that bread. It looked tasty!" Riku beamed at the seller. "How much for it?"

Tsuna scratched his head and sweat-dropped. Gokudera, who had been bitter and sour the past second, was now brimming with happiness, eyes sparkling as he looked at his heika-sama buy him some bread. His heika-sama was so kind and considerate.

"Oh! Gokudera-kun, you're wearing our uniform?" the brunette asked, finally noticing the silverette's clothes.

"Gokudera didn't tell you? He was given Reborn's permission to attend school," Riku answered, as he handed a hot bun to the silver-haired teen.

"Arigatou, heika-sama. Arigatou!"

"You want one, Tsuna?" Riku offered an extra piece. Tsuna simply smiled and waved no. And so, the three of them began walking to school.

The walk to school was uneventful and — Tsuna might dare add — normal for once and Reborn-free. The three hadn't talked much aside from the previous and upcoming quizzes they'll be having which, obviously, Tsuna had forgotten to study about. Again.

Upon hearing this pathetic news, Gokudera would curse and frown, thinking how useless the brunette was as compared to his heika-sama. His heika-sama…! His heika-sama who's now laughing beside him. And just that, realising his heika-sama was beside, Gokudera would be all smiles again. His heart filled with pride, while Tsuna was left shaking, exaggeratedly speaking of course, from the silverette's glares prior to it.

Over and over, the entire walk went like that. All the while with Riku seemingly the only one enjoying the whole thing.

By the time they reached school, Tsuna was already mentally and psychologically exhausted. And when they reached class, the first bell rang.

.

Nezu-sensei was on time as always for Monday's homeroom. Seeing the brunette present for it, the old man raised a brow. He scoffed, a bit disappointed he couldn't bully anyone today. Said brunette could only laugh awkwardly.

"Today, you'll be having a new classmate," Nezu closed the attendance book and cleared his throat. "Please come in."

On cue, Gokudera Hayato entered the room and glared at everyone, both hands inside his pockets. He nonchalantly said his name, earning screams from the girls and whispers from some guys. He scanned the room. Riku, his heika-sama, was seated on the second row from the back, the brunette beside him by the window. Noticing a seat behind his heika-sama empty, he grinned inwardly.

BAM!

The door slammed open.

"Gomen, Nezu-sensei," a tall lad with raven hair and blue eyes stood by the door; baseball bat strapped on his back. It was obvious he had been running. His sweaty polo said so. But his breathing was even and pulse normal.

"Yamamoto-kun!"

"Kyaa! Yamamoto is late again!"

"Yamamoto!" Nezu yelled amidst the frantic screams of fans — mostly girls — to which the lad named Yamamoto plainly ignored. He put on his goofy grin and bowed to the teacher. And as Yamamoto was heading towards his seat-.

!

Gokudera's brows furrowed. His hand instinctively reached out and grabbed the other's arm. "Oyy," he called. Yamamoto turned around to meet the silverette's glare.

The two were silent for a while, with most of the class wondering whether Gokudera had known Yamamoto before. Well, after all, it wouldn't be much of a shock anyway, considering how famous Yamamoto was in the baseball field of their district. Perhaps the good rumours had reached even the neighbouring towns…?

"Ah!" Yamamoto broke the ice. "I suppose you're the new student? Yoroshiku, I'm Yamamoto Takeshi!" he offered the free hand for a shake, but Gokudera only slapped it away before releasing the other. Yamamoto didn't take offence in it however and folded his hands behind his head instead. Then, he went on merrily marching towards his seat, the very same seat our new student Gokudera was previously eyeing on.

"Che." Gokudera cursed, clenching and unclenching his hand. Surprisingly, he didn't argue when Nezu gave the free seat behind Tsuna instead. Either way, it was still technically right next to his heika-sama; so it's fine. It made one brunette uncomfortable of course, but who was he to care anyway whether said brunette was comfortable or not.

Every time Gokudera would look to his right, even with his heika-sama on sight, he'd take more notice on the same idiotic smile plastered on that baseball idiot's face. Sometimes even, their eyes would meet and that smile would turn more idiotic. To say he was annoyed would be a huge understatement.

"Tch."

And so, with that, the rest of the morning classes went on with him glaring at everyone, sans his heika-sama, leaving one lad in front of him near fainting.

.

When afternoon came, the last class for Monday, physicals — or also called by some as PE.

Everyone in class was gathered on the big field of the school. Today was the first round for kemari, but a rather modified version of kemari. There would be two teams of mixed gender, each with a goal. So aside from keeping the ball up, one must shoot the ball to the enemy's goal to earn a point.

It was decided early on that the two leaders were Yamamoto Takeshi and Vongola Riku.

"Now, does everyone have teams?" their PE teacher called.

"Sensei," one lad raised his hand. "Tsuna still doesn't have one."

"Ah."

And the class erupted in laughter. One might wonder why he wasn't in Riku's team, considering it's the most obvious circumstance. One answer: his team was full. Before Riku knew it, even if he does include Tsuna, the brunette would still spend the rest of the period sitting on a bench. Riku pinched the bridge of his nose. Well, maybe it's okay as long as Tsuna's in a team? Riku sighed.

"Tsuna-!"

"Ah, I'll take Tsuna, sensei!"

"Yamamoto?!"

Yamamoto's teammates began voicing their complaints.

"No way, Yamamoto!"

"We'll lose if Tsuna's on our team."

Yamamoto smiled. He approached the concerned brunette and slung an arm on his shoulder. "It's fine, isn't it? I'd just keep them from kicking the ball to our goal."

"!"

Seeing their leader all fine and confident, eventually, the rest of the group desist. And so, everything was settled. Gokudera clicked his tongue; whether of annoyance or mockery, no one really knew.

In no time, their PE teacher blew the whistle. And the game began.

Everyone formed one big circle as the teacher did the ceremonial toss. The two leaders jumped to get the first kick and pass the ball to a teammate. Unfortunately, it was Riku who got the ball. Fortunately, he accidentally passed it on to Tsuna, who then randomly bounced the ball to Gokudera.

Tsuna struggled to be of use to the team and not disappoint Yamamoto, but the muscle and speed gods were not to his favour like usual. Every time the ball is passed to him, he would, without control, pass it on to the opposing team. Eventually, even his teammates began rerouting the ball whenever it was headed his way.

After a while, Tsuna slowed down to a jog, choosing to be an infield observer instead. It's not like someone would pass the ball now to him anyway. Tsuna's shoulders sagged. Even though he was now friends with Riku, nothing really changed. He hasn't changed. Still the same no-good Tsuna.

Everyone around him was working so hard, and it made him feel sad being useless once again. Yamamoto, in particular, despite all stress on him as their leader, kept his carefree smile to cheer them on. He was giving his best, driving himself to exhaustion despite a district baseball game just a few days away.

'It must be nice being Yamamoto-kun,' Tsuna sincerely thought. To be able to give his best despite the pressure of a competition… Are? Tsuna's brow crossed. Now that I thought of it…

Tsuna snapped out of his reverie when he heard the whistle again. He hadn't realised, but the game was ending. His team lost.

"Nice game, Yamamoto-kun!"

"Haha! Same, Riku!"

"Teme! How can you not call heika-sama, heika-sama?! Baseball freak!"

"Maa, maa, it's fine, Gokudera-kun."

"Ah! Gomenasai, heika-sama!"

"Haha! It's fine, Gokudera. No need to apologise," Riku wiped off the sweat on his neck with a towel. "Let's go."

"We're leaving, Yamamoto-kun!"

As the two left, Yamamoto nodded at their direction.

"Yamamoto-kun," at this, Tsuna approached his leader. "Are you okay?"

For a second, Yamamoto showed a hint of surprise. But just as quickly as it came, he masked it with nonchalance. "Of course, Tsuna! Sorry we lost though," Yamamoto stretched his arms. "I've been busy practicing with baseball but my average just seemed to keep on dropping. I end up distracted on today's game."

Tsuna waved his hand. "No, it's no problem Yamamoto-kun!" he bowed. For a while, Tsuna thought hard. Yamamoto must've been through a lot. He wanted to at least say something to show his support. "But it seems like dropping from average is normal, Yamamoto-kun! I'm sure, with practice, you can get back in top shape again!"

"Ah!" Yamamoto exclaimed. "Ahahaha! Practice, huh?" Tsuna felt there was something wrong with that laugh. "Thanks, Tsuna!" But, thinking it was just his imagination, he decided to ignore it. Tsuna bowed once again. "Again, I am very sorry for being very useless today, Yamamoto."

"It's fine, Tsuna-!"

"No, it is NOT fine, Yamamoto!" The rest of their teammates were already done packing and ready to leave. The only person they're all probably waiting was Yamamoto.

"That's right! It was Tsuna's fault why we lost."

"So, right now, Tsuna will be in-charge of cleaning the field!"

"But-!"

Before Yamamoto could protest, "It's fine, Yamamoto-kun," Tsuna cut him off. "Please leave this to me and prepare for the contest!" Please don't forget to rest, he wanted to add; but his teammates had already dragged Yamamoto away from the field. A faint 'okay' was his only answer.

.

The next day

Tsuna was still sleepy, even when he was just a few steps away from the school gates. For some weird reason, he couldn't sleep last night; something like the pit of his stomach jumbling in knots, feeling like something could go wrong any minute. He didn't get to meet Riku or Gokudera today too.

He was just rubbing the sleep off his eyes when a panicky student bumped him on the shoulders. He forced himself awake as he bent down to pick his fallen sword.

"Hey, hey, did you hear?" Tsuna took a sideway glance at two students whispering not too far away.

"What? No way!"

Tsuna's brow crossed. Every student around him was in a state of uproar before, one by one, they start running towards the school. Well, he knew he only has about two minutes 'til bell, but cases like that was so common it should no longer alarm the students. So why-?

"Hurry! Yamamoto's about to jump off the building!" a lad screamed from the gates.

At this, Tsuna's mind blanked. Yama...moto? And he dashed towards the school.

Tsuna searched the building where the crowd was gathered and looked up. Confirming a silhouette on top, he dove inside without hesitation and ran like hell towards the rooftop.

"Yamamoto!"

Tsuna opened the door.

"Yo, Tsuna!" Yamamoto was already over the fence, right hand on a cast. Tsuna's eyes widened. His brows furrowed.

"Are you an idiot?" Tsuna yelled. At this, Yamamoto's sombre expression only worsened and he laughed.

"Yes, you're right, Tsuna. I must be," he answered and sighed. Everyone must think of him now as an idiot. Or maybe, all this time, he was already one? Yamamoto smiled bitterly. "If you're here to stop me-"

"Yamamoto."

"!"

Yamamoto's eyes widened. The voice that called him... was a voice both familiar and new. It was calm, so sure and yet so full of emotions — deep and understanding. It rooted Yamamoto in his place. And for a while, he stayed like that, unmoving. Even the concerned screams of the crowd were drowned in by that voice that conveyed so much despite with just his name.

"It's a waste to die from something like this," the other breathed. "Don't you think so, Yamamoto?"

Yamamoto scoffed and turned around. And the moment he did, his deep blue eyes were greeted by pure orange ones. A smile so honest and compassionate was painted on the lad's face, so far off from the image he'd usually display. But Yamamoto knew, had known in fact for a long time now. Sure, every now and then, he'd had his doubts; but this time around…

This was his sky.

And to think of meeting him like this… Yamamoto laughed. He looked at those orange eyes once again, as they slowly fade back into a hazy brown.

So you finally called, huh… Tsuna?

Yey! I updated. That said, I'm really very very sorry for this very late update! And thank you very much for all the patience and support! :) More so to foxchick1 for the constant reminder. XD

Thank you very much for reading! Feedbacks are highly appreciated. :)