Here's to another successful update! Anyways, I just want to warn you guys something. All of my on-going stories are going to be on hold until this one is complete. This gives me time to focus on one story and get the inspiration flowing. And if there are some left, I would use it on the other stories. But they'll be on hold until further notice. Thanks.
Beta'd by: happygolucky27
Acceptance or Death
"So, you're telling me he's not accepting the offer?"
"I'm not going to waste my time repeating myself, Iemitsu. Your son isn't showing any sign of wanting assistance. Besides, he already convinced himself that he doesn't want anything to do with the Vampire Realm."
"He's only a mere child. He can't decide anything on his own. And you better make it quick... The Ninth isn't doing so well..."
"Understood..."
Reborn threw aside his cell phone on the bed as the other line went dead. He sighed tiredly at the unexpected pressure fallen upon him. His dark eyes trailed to the glass wall with a balcony across from him. He loosens his tie as he makes his way to the balcony. The night breeze caressed his cheeks as he slid open the glass door. In front of him were thousands of city buildings lit with lights. It was the next best thing he would consider to be a starry night. His pulled back hair began to move as another gush of gentle breeze passed him again. It felt as if it had been forever since he had the chance to feel at peace without worrying about someone hunting for his head. He took in the scene before him as an image crawled into his thoughts. A corner of his lips slid up as a side smirk as his eyes closed. He leaned forward on the balcony, arms resting on it.
Gentle laughter played inside his mind. A young beautiful woman appeared as she was running away. She looked over her shoulder with a wide smile and her cheeks were flushed. She was calling his name with joy as she kept running. Her short dark teal hair flowed gracefully around her cheeks as her ponytail swayed wildly. Determined blue eyes were staring directly at him. Reborn could almost remember her calling his name numerously until she couldn't anymore. The voice made it all seem too real. It was as if there was really a woman that he once knew. All his senses were screaming for him to chase her.
Reborn snapped open his eyes.
The illusion disappeared as he could no longer hear his name being called. Now, the noises from crowds of busy humans and traffic entered his ears. He turned around with ease as he stared back into his hotel room. It looked as if there was no occupant living inside. Everything was neat and none were his belongings, except for his cell phone on the bed , were scattered around. His side smirk was no longer on his face as his eyes darkened as he blocked it out the background noises from behind.
"Luce..."
Tsuna was standing outside of his homeroom. His body was undergoing a breakdown. There was only one reason for it: Takeshi Yamamoto. There was no denying it when he knew his life was in the hands of a mortal. The mere thought has not been to his favor as he only saw the negativity to it. However, Yamamoto had stated that he won't reveal his secret. When in history has a vampire ever trusted a human? Never. Tsuna gulped fearfully as his legs trembled on the spot. He was too scared to enter.
"Are you planning on going in or staying out here? I'm not getting any younger."
Tsuna immediately jumped aside, scared. He tried to calm himself as he saw Reborn standing in front of him. The man stared at him irritably as he opened the door. The little vampire took it as a silent gesture to tell him to 'come in or else'. He quickly did so as he proceeds to his seat. Reborn closed the door before heading to the podium. He laid down his folder and flipped it open, scrolling down the list. He called his students' name and made their attendance. The class was in complete silence as they watch their teacher throw aside the folder and turn to the blackboard. Tsuna took that opportunity to glance at Yamamoto. His classmate had his attention locked in front of class, apparently.
"As you and I know I should be teaching you Calculus, but I think I should take a different approach."
Reborn began writing down the students' name on two sides. The list was at random as the man stepped away from the board. He stared at it for a brief minute before connecting random names to one another. Tsuna noticed how Reborn was connecting his to Yamamoto's, his brown eyes wide when it was completed. Reborn clapped his hands after setting aside the chalk. His dark eyes immediately landed on the little vampire.
"Starting today, you're going to have a partner. Every assignment, project, and group work you get will be with the same person until the school year ends. Make sure you know who you're paired up at the end of class."
Tsuna, at this point, was not sure what Reborn had planned. He wasn't sure if the man was aware of his exposure to Yamamoto a few weeks ago and that he was also confronted by the same person just yesterday. The little vampire wandered his head to Yamamoto. For a split second, he just realized that the baseball ace was staring back at him. Girls and some boys were whining to not partner up with him. Some girls were latching themselves onto him as they wept. Yamamoto didn't pay any heed to them apparently. Tsuna quickly turned away as he stared down his blank notebook. He bit his lower lip in aggravation.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tsuna exclaimed.
The little vampire had no other choice than to confront Reborn himself. He knew that the man was scheming something. Reborn was staring at him as if he was nothing but air. They were alone on the rooftop. Since Tsuna had not been here for a while, Yamamoto thought that it would be better to find him elsewhere. The little vampire brought his umbrella closer to his body as he hissed at the sunlight. Reborn watched him struggle while he was leaning against the railings, arms crossed. The sun didn't seem to bother him as much as he remembered his younger years. Then again, the sun doesn't bother a vampire at all if they were as old as he was. Tsuna seems to have not hit that age yet.
"Why did you pair me up with Yamamoto? I'm trying my best to not expose myself as a vampire and you did all that. What were you thinking?"
"I don't think you're in the position to question my teaching method."
"I can and will if it risks my secret."
"Then, it shouldn't be a problem since he knows about your little 'secret'."
Tsuna's eyes widened, surprised. Reborn return it by staring at the boy with his eyes growing sharper. The little vampire felt his words being caught in his throat. His mouth was opened unconsciously as he tried to force his words out. Reborn kept his facade up, but he was enjoying the sight of the boy's silent struggle mentally. He saw how the boy's hold the umbrella tightened as small noises escaped his mouth. He also noticed how Tsuna's brown eyes were wandering around wildly as he tried to collect his thoughts. It was too amusing of a sight to possibly miss. His lips slowly formed a smirk from the entertainment.
"You don't think I know about that little stunt a few weeks ago. It had your name written all over it. There was also the sudden attachment from that classmate of yours. It wasn't too hard to figure out."
"Then you should know that we can't expose any evidence that vampires are real. You're endangering us both."
"The only thing that is endangering you is yourself. Besides, humans that are aware of our existence would become a guardian naturally."
"A guardian...? Those Human Familiars...? Those humans are nothing but slaves forced into our world! I won't allow you to drag Yamamoto into this."
"Kill him if you don't want to involve him. A human that knows our existence must become a Human Familiar or they will face death. Those are the laws set in the Vampire Realm."
Tsuna felt his words locked inside his throat again. Even for him, he knew that he couldn't go against the laws created in the Vampire Realm. He couldn't help himself from feeling discouraged. He didn't want to drag Yamamoto in something that is dangerous. Then again, he couldn't sentence him to his death. It was a cruel law in his opinion. However, he has no say against the law. Tsuna dropped his head. His hands unconsciously turned into fists as the consequences were sinking in. Reborn took it as an answer. He removes himself from the railing and stood right next to the little vampire. His dark eyes were still sharp.
"This is for the best... Consider this as an opportunity to make a new friend. There's also the offer for your training. I'll come by your house two days from now. Be prepared..."
With that, Reborn was gone. That left Tsuna alone with his thoughts.
"But I don't want to make friends like that..."
That's it for the update. I can't wait until the next update. There's going to be a surprise for all of you. I'm just happy to update this on my birthday because I just realized that I missed 8027 day. Maybe next year. Review, favorite, follow to show some love!
