Chapter 7: The root of Armira's Resolve

One week had past ever since Armino moved in to Sawada Home, it became beautiful each day for him. He able to enjoy it at the same time knows more about Tsuna and his mother. Armino on his mind really admit that Tsuna's mother was an air-head person, he can easily lie to her about how he got bruises over his body which was in fact from Hibari Kyoya and so on.

Tsuna's sprain also healed which they were all glad about. Armino and Tsuna soon catch up to their lost days training which became even more intense and harder that Tsuna can now compare it hell. Both climbing up on the cliff, jumping to trees and so more. Tsuna was always tired and beat while Armino could still run around like nothing happened.

Armino this time was staring on the calendar, thinking about the fateful day that will soon change Tsuna's way of life. He smiled before taking his phone from his desk and went out to his room. His room was just beside Tsuna's and it seems this room will soon be used by Fuuta and the kids, Lambo and I-pin.

Breakfast was about to be served and Nana greeted him a happy morning and so was he. He helped Nana from preparing the food until it was ready to eat. Armino smiled brightly and he heard Nana calling over her son, Tsuna.

Nana sighs and looked to him. Nana gave a small smile, "Sorry Armi-kun but… can you wake Tsu-kun for me?" Armino nod, saying sure.

Armino went in front of Tsuna's room. For some reason, he felt bit nervous, well he was actually a she and entering to a boy's room without permission is… well, it was his mother that asked him/her so it's fine.

Armino knock his door so loud and three times, he waited but no respond. Armino sigh as he slowly took the knob of the door and twist it. It was opened and so he decide to open the door and looked around inside. Armino can't help but sweat drop on sight.

'Just how the heck did Tsuna able to ruin his room for a short time?' Armino thought loudly to his mind as he see how wreck his room was. Books and papers everywhere and even the snacks they had left when they finish their study were just around opened, it seems Tsuna ate it before sleeping.

Armino face palm and sigh, how did this happen? He looked on the person who was on bed and it was Tsuna, still sleeping soundly. He sighs again before walking to be on his side and shake him.

"Tsuna wake up, its morning and we need to go to school." Armino said as he shakes him. Tsuna moved a bit but still continue to sleep. Armino sighs again, 'For some reason, I think I know why he enjoyed beating him just to wake him up.'

He looked around and when he spotted something, he smirk, an evil one. He was staring on the baseball bat that was just resting on the wall. Remembering he actually asked him to put him there.

'It seems you will be in used.' Armino evilly thought.

… … … … …

"WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!"

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

"HIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Later, the two were heading to school quietly. Tsuna was beat while Armino was walking normally. The two kept quiet until Tsuna broke the silence.

"Why did you wake me up that way?" Tsuna asked, he can still feel the pain of his body, since he hit him all around without any hesitation. Armino answered him, "You won't wake up on the gentle way so I just did the harsh way. It's your fault that I have no choice but to do it Tsuna."

'How come it end up my fault!?' Tsuna yelled in mind as he looked away. Armino could somehow guess what he was thinking and laugh silently.

'Looks like I could feel the fun that he usually do' Armino thought in his mind.

Later in class, everyone was on their sits and it seems Nezu-sensei came with paper results. Armino gave a questioning look and whispered a question to Tsuna.

"Did we have a test before?" Armino asked in whisper. Tsuna answered in low tone, "We did before you come here Armi" Armino nod on answer, understanding it.

Nezu raised the papers to them. "When I call your name, come here and take it" he then began calling student one by one.

Armino didn't mind much on the result he was hearing to every student. Thinking back a bit, he heard Kurosawa Hana was the highest and it seems Yamamoto Takeshi's score was bad. He sighs inwardly, only he can hear was praises and insults which was tiring on his ears but all ended when he heard his insults on Tsuna's exam.

Nezu not only he shouted on him, he also called him Dame Tsuna and embarrass him to the whole class. Everyone except Yamamoto, Kyoko and Hana were laughing on how Dame as they say he was. Tsuna was trying to take his paper in order to avoid even more embarrassment but Nezu kept his paper away and continue talking how bad he was. This snap Armino so bad that he stood up at the same time smash the table with his two fists, making everyone stopped and looked to him.

He walked, heading to so call teacher. He didn't hesitate at all as he showed his dark and scary side. He looked furious which made almost around him shrink in fear. Nezu froze on fear, seeing his eyes were only pointing to him and no one else until he was now in front of him. Armino stared at him for a second before snatching the paper from him and went away, making Nezu somehow felt relief.

Armino went to Tsuna with now his usual look as he express his assurance and gave the paper to him.

"Don't worry Tsuna, that test was already in the past. You're already improving so I know you can pass this so easily." Armino said in encouragement, making Tsuna feel better after his shame from his teacher and classmates.

Nezu scoffs on his words, "Dame Tsuna improving?" He laugh loudly, "That would be impossible, the more he became Dame, the more he became more useless in this world. It would really be better if he wasn't around, just what can he do exactly?"

"Actually I don't want to hear that from you who is a loser back then and also a failure back then. You are still a failure until now. So if you won't mind, I want you not to put the same virus you have around on Tsuna." Armino said, not glancing on him at all but he could feel the rage around him.

"Me? A failure? Caito I'm an-" Armino cut him off, "A failure." Nezu's eyes glared at him even more, Armino on the other hand smirk in amusement.

"You're a failure Nezu, at the same time an idiot. How naïve you are not to see how great a person could be. To someone like you who just kept dreaming on being elite are really impossible." Armino turn around to see him, "But dreaming is not a bad one at all. The dream we have is our way to show our path on our future that we have chosen. But you…" He sigh, "Your still dreaming but you're now declaring you're an elite… really an idiot. Mind asking, what are you? A child?"

'This monkey really has strong guts to fight against his own elders.' Hana thought as she watches them.

"WHAT!?" Nezu can no longer help but growled. Armino smirk, "I guess I'm correct"

"A-Armi please stop" Tsuna tried to stop him but Armino kept continuing. "Your still immature to become a teacher. Maybe you should return in grade school and hopefully you can finally mature that everyone could say you are ready enough to handle your own students."

"CAITO IS THIS THE WAY YOU TALK TO YOUR TEACHER!?" Nezu shouted. Armino gave a fake thinking expression and replied him, "Who knows…" This made Nezu irritate even more, "CAITO I WILL SEND YOU TO YOUR DETENTION! GO OUTSIDE NOW!"

Armino gave a laugh, "Great! That way I can have some fun while I wait for the class to finish… But," He gave a warning eyes and tone, "You have no right to bully any of your student, even Tsuna. Ever I heard another word and I'll send you to your grave, not just you," His gaze turn to everyone, more scarier that can compare to death, "But all of YOU"

Armino looked back to Tsuna with a smile as if nothing happened. He whispered to his ears, "Take notes again Tsuna. I'm counting on you"

"Armi!" Tsuna called but too late. Armino was already outside; he waved his hand before closing the door.

The room was too quiet, not only because he left, but also left with a dangerous warning and image of death to all of their brains. Everyone except Tsuna were affected, yup, even the school idol Kyoko, the smartest Hana and the Baseball player Yamamoto.

Outside, Armino took a deep breath and punched the nearest wall which ended cracked. He released all his annoyance he had held and thankfully, his play style and his provoking able to compose him so much that if he didn't, he may had already killed him not too long ago.

"Kill" Armino murmured to his breath. He looked up on the sky which was bright and clear. 'Can I already kill?' He shook his head and laugh inwardly, 'What am I thinking? Of course I have to kill to protect him… like I did back then too…'

He remembered the day on the dark place. He as she, wearing her hatest clothes of all, gown and was being held captive. Someone came to her rescue and killed everyone in front of her. He killed without hesitation as bloods of man was spilling around his hand and clear sky flame. She was amaze, at the same time hurt. She was thinking on that time as she witness him kill, to rescue her. 'Why do you sacrifice yourself for me? Please stop, this isn't not the thing you desire… PLEASE!'

The person kept fighting and killing them, until he was the only one left standing. She kept staring at him, pain and hurt. Even without any knowledge to read people's emotion around her, she can tell that he was suffering and crying. He was just acting strong, forcing himself to accept the reality and what done is done. He looked back to her and smiled, glad that she was okay and alive. It took much courage for her to stood up, wanting to walk and embrace him, telling its okay to cry if needed but can't. For some reason, her body won't let him.

She was about to speak when she noticed a man who was fallen was trying to stand, slowly raising his gun, pointing on him which until now still haven't notice him. Her panic of losing him made her body move as she slowly looked around and saw the gun which was the nearest to her. She immediately took the gun and run, heading to the man. The man who saved him thought it was the gun that was meant for him which he was wrong. He was surprise when she passed over him and shoots on someone. He turn around and surprise that the one she had shoot was the man who was about to kill him.

He was so surprise and finally turns his gaze on her. She saw her body was trembling, hands shaking and a horrified look. Not because of him, but because of the action she had done, to protect him. He grip his hand so much that he hugged her from behind, even there was blood on his hands. Her trembling stops because of the warm that was wrapped around her. Her hands slowly let go the gun and cried softly. That was the days she first time kill a person. The first time she murdered which she never regrets, because she kills to protect him, to protect the person who saved him that until now still suffers.

That was also the day where she decides to become stronger, in order to protect him and save him from this cruel world, where no one except him was there beside him since everyone left him. Those precious people that he cared the most almost over his entire life that he kept sacrificing himself to protect them… abandoned him.

His flashback snap as his eyes got hurt on the sudden sun ray. He looked away and rubs his eyes, after that he looked away.

'I'm weak on that time… now I want to repay him. Not because he saved me… because he needs it, as his friend… I will save you Tsuna… this time… you will not die in pain.'

He decides to walk away, leaving the crack wall behind.

Later at lunch, Tsuna immediately dash out with his bag and Armino's bag that was left behind and started to look over him. He looked first on the roof top but he wasn't there. Thinking, he tried searching on the library but there too has no sight of him. He sighs inwardly and tried running around, hopefully he could see him.

As he search, he unluckily bump to someone which was right now doesn't want to see and deal with, Hibari Kyoya.

Hibari narrowed his on him, "Herbivore" a dangerous tone. Tsuna gulp in fear and yelled on his mind, 'WHY HIM OF ALL PEOPLE!?'

Hibari was about to take out his tonfas when someone called him which irritates him more than Tsuna.

"Such child are you Kyoya"

Hibari turn around and glared on the person who spoke to him, it was Armino, composed and nothing more than cold eyes can see. Armino went beside Tsuna and asked, "Are you alright Tsuna? Did this animal kid hurt my friend?"

"Herbivore" Hibari growled but was just ignored by Armino.

"Come on Tsuna, let's have a walk" Armino said as he immediately took his hand and both run away, leaving Hibari there in full annoyance and the students who were just around frozen in shock.

The two went to the school's storage room and hid there. Armino took a deep breath.

"This place can be good for us to hide for a while" Armino said as he looked outside, checking if everything was still clear for them.

"Armi… why do you always seek a fight?" Tsuna can't help but asked. Armino pouted when he faced him, "Do I look like I'm someone who was asking for a fight? I thought it was Kyoya."

"N-No it's not like that… just that… I have noticed something… off and confusing around you that's all." Tsuna said as he looked down. Armino stayed quiet, letting him continue and so he did. "When you look to Yamamoto when he wasn't looking to you, your eyes turn cold, even to Hibari-san" the image of Armino's cold gaze around Yamamoto and Hibari showed to Tsuna's mind. He continued, "When K-Kyoko-chan and Kurosawa-san was talking to us, you show some kind of hatred between them." An image showed again to his mind, "Then in our classmates and Nezu-sensei" an image showed what happened just now. "J-just what's wrong Armi? I know there is some up to now and I know you don't want to tell me about it but I can't help it anymore. I want to help my friend, my friend who seems suffering all over his live!"

Armino was shocked, no, he was stunned. Tsuna's fist was gripping hand to his bag and Armino's bag.

"I… I don't want to be left out Armi… I want to help you, at least ease your pain." Tsuna said what he truly kept to his heart.

Armino took too much effort to kill all the uneasiness feeling he was having and walked, heading to him. When he was in front of him, he gave a hug which surprise Tsuna himself. Armino was smiling, his true smile.

"Thank you Tsuna and… I'm sorry… I cannot tell you anything at this moment but I know you will find that out soon, since all secrets reveal right" Armino said in soft tone, so much that Tsuna thought it was a girl who was talking to him.

"Armi" Tsuna called but he continued, "Don't get distracted over your life on someone like me… for some reason… I don't deserve such treat at all… don't make me suffer than I already am Tsuna… please." Armino said, as if he was about to cry.

Tsuna no longer speak or even argue more. He doesn't want to see his only friend suffer… just… just what can he do for him?

After school, for some reason, Armino able to escape from his detention which was surprising that made Nezu angrier more than ever. Armino was chuckling inwardly, knowing his power really can do a trick.

Soon enough, Tsuna was now wondering on why they are heading on the baseball field and Armino was holding a shovel, seems planning on digging something.

"Armi just what are we digging?" Tsuna finally asked. Armino looked back and smile, "You'll see"

They soon arrived on the baseball field and noticed someone who was practicing alone. It was Yamamoto Takeshi, swinging the baseball bat repeatedly with great strong. Tsuna looked around, seeing only Yamamoto was there to practice.

'Where are the others?' Tsuna asked mentally while Armino didn't react much, knowing this scenario already. He sighs before patting Tsuna's back. Tsuna looked to him in question.

"Go and keep him company, I think he needs someone to talk to." Armino said, making him shock a bit.

"W-why me? I think it should be you since you were always there for him when he needs help from his studies." Tsuna reasoned, making him grunted when Armino remembered that. "I did Tsuna but…" He looked to Tsuna in serious expression, "You're the one who is far better than me Tsuna and… it's the Sky who should confront the Rain, no one else."

"Sky?" Tsuna questioned and Armino only smile as his response. He pat his shoulder again before walking away, leaving him to talk to Yamamoto alone.

'Beside… this was the best decision I can do right now… they aren't them, that's the truth at the same time… true.' Armino thought as he walked away.

Tsuna sighs before looking back to Yamamoto who seems eager to practice more than ever. He decides to talk to him.

Yamamoto kept swaying the baseball bat on his hand until Tsuna called him.

"Y-Yamamoto"

Yamamoto stopped as he looked on the person who called him, it was Tsuna. Yamamoto gave his usual fake smile, "What's wrong Tsuna?"

"Umm… I… I was asking why you're the only one who's practicing and… where's everyone on the team?"

"H-huh? W-well…" Yamamoto wasn't unsure what to answer.

From afar, Armino already start digging on the certain spot. He took glance on them for a second, seeing both were now talking, he smiled as he get back to work.

Tsuna was bit nervous as he waited on what he will answer. After a long silence on the two, Yamamoto gave a laugh and finally answered him.

"W-well you see Tsuna I… everyone was busy and I'm the only one who has time to practice so here I am" Yamamoto laughs again.

For some reason, Tsuna can't seem to take his answer, more like his excuse. "You know Yamamoto… maybe you should stop lying yourself to everyone." Yamamoto all of the sudden was surprise on his words, he continued. "You always working hard on yourself that sometimes you already forgot who you truly are. Maybe its best if you show them what you truly feel and this time stop lying to yourself, I'm sure it pains you so much that you always hide it with that cheerfulness of yours."

Yamamoto was so shock that he can no longer help but asked himself. Was he happy from the way it seems to happen to him? Was this what he truly wanted? Was this was his life suppose to be? Thinking back, he was always alone. Everyone around him was fakes, they only desire his talent and he knows it. That's why he always shows his fake smile and cheerfulness, because he doesn't know what to do at all. He looked back to Tsuna who was the only one who made him realize his reality, all because of his simple question. Unknowingly, Yamamoto's tears drop, making Tsuna go in panic.

"Y-Ya-Yamamoto? Wha-why are you crying? Did I say something wrong? W-well I'm sorry" He bowed "please forgive me Yamamoto, it's not like I want to hurt your feelings and-"

"N-no, tha-that's not it Tsuna" Yamamoto said, making him looked up to him. "It's just that… I never realize how alone I truly am. You just made me realize it Tsuna, that's why I'm thankful and… I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Y-Yamamoto"

"Thank you Tsuna, really…" Yamamoto finally gave his real smile, smile of gladness and happiness. "Thank you"

Tsuna was surprised but smiled and nod. "For some reason Yamamoto… your smile today seems the greatest smile I had ever seen. I wonder why…"

"I wonder why either" Yamamoto said but inside he knew, it was because… he showed him how he truly feels at this moment.

Tsuna smiled even more, "It would have been better if you could smile like that every day. It suits you by the way." Yamamoto was bit shock but then laugh at it. "I-I'll try Tsuna… well Tsuna… can we… became friends? Real friends I mean…"

Tsuna this time was shock, "Me? To be your friend?"

Yamamoto looked down a bit, "I-I guess not huh…" Tsuna immediately shook his head and took his hand "No, I would absolutely love to Yamamoto. I want to be your friend too"

Yamamoto smiled brightly, "Thanks Tsuna"

Both soon began to laugh as the new bond was form between them. From afar, Armino was holding his phone, seems talking to someone.

"He did it. He showed the Rain to his rightful path… do you think I decide the right thing?" Armino asked the person on the phone.

The deep man's voice answered, "You did and well done"

Armino sighs, "We just made the friendship on the two forms earlier than the respective time. How many changes do you think we have done so far?"

"No one can answers that, for now focus on everything you needed to do. Remember the day, you don't have much time left."

Armino became serious and nod, "I know"

Armino saw Tsuna gaze at him and smiled brightly with Yamamoto. Armino smiled as he wave back to them.

"I'll have you next judge them and I need to hang up, he's coming"

"Indeed"

The call off and Armino hid his phone to his pocked as the two went to him.

"Who you were talking to Armi?" Tsuna asked. Armino answered with a smile, "No one Tsuna, for now it seems you and Takeshi was getting along well now."

Tsuna nod happily, "We became friends too, real friends" Yamamoto smiled brightly, "We sure did."

Armino nod, glad on the two and somehow he decide to give him a bit soft side of his, for Tsuna. "I'm happy for both of you."

Tsuna smiled brightly while Yamamoto asked a sudden question to him. "Caito… could you also be my friend too?" Armino gave a questioning look, "Are you sure you want me to become your friend?" Yamamoto nod, "Can we?"

Armino thought for a second before nodding, "I think it's not bad at all." Yamamoto smiled brightly "Thank you Caito."

Armino can't help but smile, 'So that was Takeshi's real smile… just like the Rain that washes the pain of others, it really suits you.'

"So Armi, just what did you dig out by the way?" Tsuna finally asked, making Armino smirk and showed a box to them.

Both looked curious as they decide to open it. They all saw papers and they decide to see each one of it. They were all shock on the discovery. Armino smirk even more, "This is the best blackmail I could ever ask for."

The two sweat drop, knowing what he was up to.

For a long minute, the three laugh. It was the best day ever!

I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn

Fragment of the past revealed.

Thank you Readers and also for the reviews, favorites and follows.