Haze

Chapter 6

~ The Beginning ~

Tsuna stood up from his seat, and turned body towards to the class. "Um…I'm Sawada Tsunayoushi." He introduced himself. He noticed Gokudera was looking quite fervently at him from his seat that was quite near the front of the class.

"My specialization…" He hesitated to continue his next words, "I'm still not sure yet."

The class burst into murmurs, astounded by his statement. He could vaguely hear them mocking him and inwardly cringed; looking down onto the table, not wanting to make eye contact with anybody.

An angry shout made him tilt up his head. It was Gokudera; raging at how they should stop laughing at him, causing the teacher to reprimand him to get back to his seat and to keep quiet. It was only after Gokudera huffed and went back to his seat, crossing his arms with narrowed eyes that the class went back to its quiet state.

"Next." The teacher said exasperatedly.

Yamamoto stood up. "I'm Yamamoto Takeshi. I specialize in katanas." He said briefly, and sat down. He turned back towards Tsuna, "Don't mind it, Tsuna."

Tsuna nodded his head, trying to keep a calm expression on his face. It was only the first day of school and he became a laughing stock. Again. In middle school he was called useless Tsuna, for everything he did was useless – ranging from his behaviour to his grades. He had hoped with a new beginning, he could start afresh, but it was useless.

"Tsuna" A girl's voice broke him out of his thoughts. Tsuna turned sideways at Naomi who sat beside him. For some reason, all his friends, whether by fluke or by fate ended up in the same class as him. He did not know whether to consider this as his misfortune or his luck.

"Remember what you did during the tournament. You're not useless." She whispered.

"You heard me?" Tsuna asked with trepidation.

Seeing Naomi's nod, he sighed. Once again he had been voicing his thoughts. "That was just you helping me. It was not my own power." Tsuna said despondently.

Naomi shook her head quickly. "No, what you did was completely in your own power. I just helped to release it."

Tsuna's chocolate eyes widened, stunned by her words. "I suppose I should've taken the time to explain it." She said sheepishly as she rubbed her nape. "Let's talk about this during lunch."

Hence due to this, Tsuna was on the edge of the seat throughout class, endlessly fidgeting until the bell rung, signalling the lunch break. Naomi immediately scooted over to his desk, bringing her chair along. Tsuna was too absorbed paying attention on Naomi that he did not notice two other chairs converging to his desk.

It was only when Naomi kept staring across to his other side that Tsuna noticed their presence.

"Yo, Tsuna!" Yamamoto greeted with a light smile on his face. "Are we eating together?"

His question made Gokudera scowl. "No one said so! Why are you even here?" He rebutted back, before his face morphed into a polite smile, asking whether Tsuna wanted bread from the canteen. At loss regarding who to answer, Tsuna kept looking back and forth from Yamamoto to Gokudera.

Naomi had to cough lightly to catch their attention. "Sorry, Naomi! I was not paying attention!" Tsuna waved his hands frantically. "D-Did you say anything?"

"No, I didn't." She shot Yamamoto and Gokudera a glare. "The both of you, how about you go buy some bread for Tsuna?" She asserted.

Without waiting for their response, she pinned Tsuna with a look that compelled him to answer. "Tsuna, what type of bread do you like?"

Under her sharp gaze, Tsuna felt as small an ant. "Yakisoba would do." he forcefully squeezed out.

"Yakisoba? Alright then, I shall go buy, Tsuna!" Gokudera said in a voice full of energy, eyes lighting up and stood up from his seat vigorously.

"Yamamoto, would you go with him?" Naomi urged, orange eyes non-verbally transmitting her desire to be alone with Tsuna. Yamamoto nodded faintly, took the cue and followed behind Gokudera.

Before Gokudera walked out, he turned back and stared at Naomi. "By the way, get this right, Naomi. I'm not abiding what you say. It's what Tsuna wants." He said huffily. Naomi rolled her eyes. He was such a subservient person.

Once they were out of the room, Tsuna visibly seemed to sigh in relief, his stiffed shoulders relaxing.

Naomi leaned forward, concerned. "Not used to having company?" She asked.

"It's not that." Tsuna murmured, "Yamamoto is fine, but Gokudera…I don't know how to react to him. He's a bit…" He trailed off, not sure what to say.

Naomi laughed, "I understand. He's strangely serious at times—whenever it concerns you, and sometimes can be quite scary. I suspect he's a bit bipolar, seeing him change expressions with a snap of a finger…" Mirth filled her orange eyes.

"He's so serious most of the time!" Tsuna deadpanned. "Like just now. But he can be quite friendly at times."

This made Naomi laugh even harder. "Only to you, Tsuna. Alright…" She raised a hand and took a deep breath, willing the laughter down. "Back to what I wanted to discuss—we don't have much time before they come back. The bullet that I shot you was the Dying Will Bullet." She said proudly. "It's my creation—I'm also a researcher. It helps to induce dying will mode. The dying will mode is basically a state where your senses are enhanced both physically and mentally."

Tsuna raised his eyebrows. "That's incredible. So, this dying will bullet draws out my power."

Naomi nodded. "Diving into the details—mentally, the dying will bullet helps to strengthen your mind set by implanting a powerful suggestion that "you are strong". This allows you to do reckless stuff, as you have experienced with the dynamites, whereas physically, the dying will mode enables your body transforms into the one that has the strength of around ten men. However, currently, the dying will mode only stays for five minutes—that is until I come up with a further solution." She said dramatically, smiling cheekily. "So use that time wisely."

Hearing the details, Tsuna's jaw dropped. "I-It's such a brilliant invention, Naomi. How did you learn this? Does this work for the others too?" If possible, he wanted Yamamoto to have it to become stronger, and defend himself.

Naomi smiled knowingly. "I had... help. And no, this only works for you, so far." She grinned. "Certain conditions need to be present for it to be activated."

He did not miss the pause back there. "Oh..." His shoulders slumped forward in disappointment. "I thought this could help like, Yamamoto."

A smirk appeared. "I assure you, he needs no help from the bullet. He's a natural born hitman, and also has loads of training compared to you, Tsuna."

"Ah, I didn't know that." From Naomi's eyes, he could tell she was telling the truth. A wave of relief washed off him knowing that Yamamoto was strong; meaning he wouldn't fall to the others easily.

"That's the least of your concern." Naomi interrupted, reading his thoughts, "From now onwards, be prepared for me to use the Dying Will Bullet on you in various situations. It's to help you adapt in drawing out your latent potential."

"You're still going to use that bullet on me?" He cried out in horror.

"Of course, Tsuna." Naomi smiled evilly with a promise behind it. "I will whip you up strong in no time."

Upon leaving the classroom, Gokudera walked swiftly, determined to reach the canteen quickly in order to buy the bread for Tsuna. He smiled to himself, delighted that Tsuna asked him to buy Yakisoba—it would be the first favour he could do for him. Now, everything in the world was great, except that there was this person behind him currently that he hated with his guts.

He gritted his teeth. "Must you follow me?" He bit out, not even bothering to glance behind.

Yamamoto shrugged. "They seemed to not want me in the classroom. So I'm just following you to pass the time."

The infuriating nonchalant response made him grit his teeth. "I don't want you following me!" He hollered, stepping up his pace.

Nonetheless, Yamamoto continued following him, which pissed him further. The hallways seemed long with the two of them. Too concentrated on trying to brush off Yamamoto on his tail, Gokudera did not notice the stares directed his way. He finally reached the stairs—just a little more. He ran down, legs taking two steps at a time down the steps, when several flashes blinded his sight, making him stop in his tracks.

"Hurricane Bomb Hayato, and Yamamoto! Two who are within the top 20 of the tournament! How lucky I am!" A student with flamboyant orange hair was crying in an overjoyed manner on the lower steps, camera flashing away.

After the tournament, a list of the top fifty who knocked out the most enemies was posted up everywhere. On the notice boards in the school grounds, and was sent to every student through the screen in the dorm. Naomi was at top of the list, followed by Hibari. In the top twenties were Gokudera and Yamamoto.

It was obvious to everyone that this ranking was indication of each individual's level of prowess. Being a journalist, this student probably wanted to interview the top few freshmen to learn about their skills and publish them. Needless to say, it would definitely become one of the most popular news articles, for everyone was curious about the top freshmen whose skills were still unknown.

Gokudera's sight flashed red from anger. This person was so dead for taking a picture of him.

But unfortunately for him and fortunately for the student, a hand that pressed onto shoulder restrained him from doing so. He growled loudly, trying to shrug away that hand that was most likely Yamamoto's.

Yamamoto leaned forward, his hair almost touching his ears. "Didn't you promise Tsuna not to hurt anyone?" An urgent voice reached his ears, trying to reason with him. The words helped him calm down like a dash of cool water. He schemed silently for a moment, before shooting daggers at the student.

"I promise you, if I see that you publish that picture, I will come and personally deal with you." Gokudera threatened lowly.

The student squeaked and ran away immediately, muttering curses under his breath for his bad luck. Yamamoto sighed seeing the student scurrying away in fear. "This is why I can't leave you alone, seeing how reckless you are."

Without any reply, Gokudera stomped his way towards the canteen, a permanent scowl on his face. He bought the bread quickly, tolerating the stares shot along his way, and glared back at some. This was why the rankings were a huge hassle.

Walking back, Gokudera noticed many students surrounding his classroom, staring through the windows. The crowd was bigger than normal. Some of them noticed him and turned to gaze him in admiration, whispering among themselves.

It was most probably due to the three top freshmen being in the same class. Finding it ridiculous, Gokudera snorted under his breath. He vented his frustration onto the door, sliding the door open nosily. It made quite an entrance that had Tsuna and Naomi looking at him.

He walked towards Tsuna's table, eyeing the students outside warily. Luckily the windows were sealed shut, constraining the noise they made outside the classroom or he would've went and chase them away. Yamamoto trailed silently behind him, taking in his actions.

In a bad mood due to all the commotion caused by the blasted tournament list that he wished did not exist in the first place, he sat down on the chair roughly beside Tsuna, and dragged the chair noisily towards the table. Hearing the sharp noise, Tsuna winced. Gokudera was busy digging through the plastic bag for Tsuna's yakisoba bread that he didn't notice or he would've immediately apologised.

"Ah, thank you, Gokudera. How much is it?" Tsuna's small smile as he received the bread helped lightened his mood considerably.

A small smile flitted across Gokudera's face—Tsuna was kind as usual, "It's alright; you don't have to pay me."

Tsuna straightened his shoulders. "No, Gokudera, I'm not allowing that. How much is it?" He argued back.

Not used to hearing no, Gokudera shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Reluctantly, he stated the price and was paid back.

"Let's eat!" Tsuna said enthusiastically, opening the wrapper and stuffing his face in the Yakisoba bread. "It's tastes great!" He licked his lips with a carefree smile.

"Really?" Gokudera's face brightened, and started chewing into his curry bread.

"Mm…That's true." Both Gokudera and Naomi chorused in response, and glanced in surprise at each other, albeit amused. They were even performing the same actions, just different bread—a red bean bun for Naomi's case.

"Haha… I guess that's because this school is rich." Yamamoto inputted.

The three continued digging into their bread, ignoring the people staring like creeps outside the classroom. It was not a few minutes later when the moment of peace was broken by the girls screaming outside their classroom. The screams became even louder as footsteps approached their classroom.

Gokudera's eyebrows knit together, clicking his tongue, annoyance rising once more.

The door slid open, and a blonde hair guy with emerald eyes whom Tsuna, Yamamoto and Gokudera had never seen before entered.

"Nedrik." Naomi muttered under her breath. The three of them heard it, and vaguely recalled the name being in the list of rankings which explained the commotion caused just a minute ago. He was the fifth in the tournament, meaning he was quite capable.

He sauntered in the classroom, glancing over the four of them crowded on one table with one brow arched in surprise. His gaze landed on Naomi, who likewise looked back at him.

"Naomi." He greeted.

"Nedrik." Naomi nodded back, a smirk on her face. "Fanning the atmosphere again?"

A calculating smile was reciprocated. "I take advantage of such situations. The opposite of what you will do."

Naomi laughed slightly. "As expected of my childhood friend. So, why are you here?"

He gave a sweeping bow. "I came here to congratulate you. For being the top."

"Thanks."

He pouted a little. "Do you not have anything else to say? Like the fact that you didn't even come and say hi when you arrived here." He said with a small accusing tone.

Naomi changed into an exasperated look. "I was busy with the tournament. Being the strategic leader, as you should've known."

The pout turned into an unsatisfied expression. "Still. Oh well. You've been this way since young." He pursed his lips together, before forming a slightly smug smirk. His gaze shifted to the others beside Naomi, and waved a hand at their presences. "So who're they?"

"Here's Gokudera, Yamamoto and Tsuna." Naomi introduced the three of them at once, and they immediately said their greetings back.

Yamamoto and Tsuna displayed a curious look seeing Naomi's childhood friend, whereas Gokudera remained passive.

"Ah. Gokudera and Yamamoto. The both of you got top twenty right? I think congratulations are in order." He held out a hand towards Yamamoto first. "Impressive for a newcomer."

"Thanks." Yamamoto grinned cheekily, shaking his hand tightly. "It was nothing, really."

Another hand was held out towards Gokudera, who shook back a bit reluctantly.

"Thanks, but I was nothing compared to Tsuna here. He saved my life." He proclaimed proudly. Tsuna's mouth gaped open like a fish.

Surprised, Nedrik swivelled his head towards Tsuna. "Oh?"

"N-Nothing! It was nothing! I only just stopped their fight." Tsuna waved his hands in front of his chest defensively in panic.

"Hmm…" Nedrik stared into Tsuna's eyes for a while, before he let it go, turning back to Naomi. "What an interesting group you have."

"I agree with that." Naomi smirked.


The room was dark; the only source of light was the lamp on the ornate wooden table. A posh elderly man wearing a suit focused on the files lying on his table, the light from the lamp casting shadows below his eyes.

Slowly, he closed his eyes, a calm expression on his face similar to a state of meditation. However, the random twitching of the veins on his forehead indicated that he was not as calm as he seemed.

"Hmm..." He glanced down at the information once more, and sighed. "I guess it's time to summon her."

Pulling the drawer, he took out a piece of paper and began writing in cursively with a fountain pen. After he was done, he pressed the top of the paper with the tip of his index finger lit in sky flame.

He flashed back to the time he met Yuni, second-in-command of Millefiore Famiglia and the previous boss of Giglio Nero Famiglia.

"Boss." His right-hand man, Coyote rushed into the room, anxiety written all over his face. "Yuni is here. She wants to speak with you. What shall we do?"

Yuni. She was previously from the Giglio Nero Famiglia, who was one of their allies that provided constant support. However one day without any warning, they unexpectedly switched sides to the Millefiore Famiglia. The family head had always possessed the clairvoyance ability. Maybe that was why they switched sides without any resistance. But then why was she doing here now?

Timoteo pondered for a while, before he spoke, "Allow her in. I'd like to hear what she wants to say."

Coyote nodded, and exited the room. Not less than a minute, Yuni was brought in, a Millefiore coat draped over her shoulders, an indication she was the leader of the Black Spell.

"Thank you for allowing me in." She bowed deeply towards Timoteo.

A flicker of surprise passed across Timoteo's face seeing her respectful behaviour. "Why did you, the head of the previous Giglio Nero Famiglia join the Millefiore Famiglia?" He asked curiously, for her behaviour didn't correspond with the high standing she was in. She was afterall, the head of the other half of the Millefiore Famiglia.

Her blue eyes met Timoteo's, which transmitted an emotion full of anguish and guilt. "I have no excuse for what I've done, but believe that I bear you no hostility. In fact, I am still loyal towards the Vongola Famigila. I've come here to offer you my advice using my clairvoyance ability to help the Vongola Famigila out."

"What a bull load of rubbish!" Schnitten, the rain guardian snarled, his fist clenched tightly as he stood near the opened door, the rest of the Vongola guardians streaming into the room behind him.

"Boss, this woman betrayed our family. She is not to be trusted!" he insisted, pointing a finger at Yuni, causing Timoteo to wear a difficult expression on his face. He looked back at Yuni who was looking at him with a pair of straight and unyielding eyes. His instincts told him she was not lying.

"Well… Settle down, Schnitten. Let's hear what she has to say." Timoteo consoled.

"Boss…" Schnitten murmured weakly, his mouth turning into a frown. He turned towards Ganauche III, the lightning guardian. "Boss is too kind for his own good. Aren't you going to back me up?"

Ganauche III stroked his moustache; eyes lightning up in interest as he examined Yuni. "I think it's alright. I don't sense any hostility from her." Not gaining any support, Schnitten sighed heavily and slumped against the wall.

Brow Nie Jr, the sun guardian and the youngest out of the guardians chuckled at one side. "As usual, Schnitten. Don't get too worked up all the time."

"Hmm…" Timoteo swept a glance at the whole group of guardians who somehow received news of Yuni and came to his room. They were probably interested in hearing what she had to say. He stood up from his chair. "Yuni, how about we take our discussion to the sofa over there. And since everyone is here, come and join us."

Yuni nodded, and sat. Timoteo sat right opposite, while the rest of the guardians sat on the two other couches beside them.

When they settled, Yuni looked towards Timoteo, eyes asking if she could start. He gave imperceptible nod.

"As you know, the haze guardian is one of the strongest member out of all the Vongola guardians. They are able to control all elements except sky and the unique haze element allows stealth and a power of extraordinary sight to protect the family. This year, a haze user has enrolled into the Mafia School. Pick her as the haze guardian and allow her to choose the other guardians for the tenth, Sawada Tsunayoushi. She already has skills beyond her age and will not fail your expectations."

Timoteo shot a hard glance at Yuni. "So you already know who I have mind for the tenth? Or is it already pre-determined?"

Yuni did not answer.

"The Omertà of silence, huh." He clasped his hands together as he leaned forward from the couch. "I've heard about the haze user and her prowess, and I'd also want her to be the haze guardian, but ultimately the decision is left up to her. And in the case she does accept, allowing her to choose the other guardians is too rash. That decision still needs to be left to us."

She immediately stood up and bowed ninety degrees. "I sincerely ask that you and your guardians to at least hear out the choices that she will give. They will definitely be the most suitable guardians for their role in the future."

"I assume you know all these due to your clairvoyance, right?" Timoteo's eyes narrowed, his lips pursed together. Most of the other guardians bore the same expression.

"…" Yuni again didn't answer, and left them to their thoughts.

"That is all I have to say." Yuni raised her head back up after a while. "Thank you for listening, uncle. I'll leave now." She wore a bitter smile and strode out of the room.

Once her presence was gone, and the rest of the guardians stirred within the room.

"She goes and says what she wants, and leaves so soon!?" Schnitten raged.

"Calm down." Timoteo consoled, and turned towards the rest of the guardians. "What do you guys think?"

Visconti, the cloud guardian spoke first. "Even though she may have become one of Milliefiore, I get the feeling she still supports Vongola. Or else she would not have specially come to visit ninth."

"I feel the same way. She came here unarmed and bore no hostility towards us." Ganauche III spoke next.

Timoteo turned towards Brow Nie Jr, signalling him to talk. "Hmm~ that petite girl did not bear us any ill will. It's up to boss whether to trust her."

"What about you, Bouche?" Timoteo inquired.

"Boss… I feel that it is suspicious. Why would she help us?" Bouche, the mist guardian said in low tones as his brows furrowed together.

"Coyote?"

Coyote, his right-hand man who was quite old, yet still retained his handsome looks gave a slight smile. "You should follow your intuition, boss. But judging from the way boss acted, I can tell that boss is thinking that she's telling the truth."

Satisfied with his guardians' responses, Timoteo smiled and stood up. "Then, I will consult the haze user as she asks, since there isn't any harm in doing so. I will write to the principal of Mafia School to request that she is to leave the island to meet us."