PLACE CALLED HOME

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Disclaimer: Kazue Kato & Amano Akira

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Genre (s): Hurt/Comfort/Family

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Warning: Typo is my most loyal fans, spelling mistakes because English is not my mother language, Possibly OOC, Mostly Fluff.

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A/N: STOP spamming the review box and tell me to update. I have other things I wanna do besides writing a fanfic, thank you :D

...I'm sorry. I didn't mad, honest. That's why I put the smiley face at the end of the sentence? I do that when I wanna get my point across but didn't want it to sound too harsh. When I'm mad, I don't use emoticon at all, so rest assured~~

I stay on Tumblr too much, I literally forget how to write a story lol. Blame Ace Attorney. That game was soooo good; it even rivaled Undertale (in my opinion. Opinion is biased, so don't flame me for my judgment, 'kay?) Don't worry, I'm not gonna write my review on this game like before. Because I believe it'll take almost two pages just so I can get my point across of how awesome this game is!

My fav character is Franziska von Karma, btw. Then Apollo then Sherlock Holmes. Honestly, Franziska is the only prosecutor I love at the first sight. Apollo is so strong, his background story is too f*cked up but he still says he's fine? And Sherlock is too stupid, you can't help but love him :'D

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Beta'ed by Notepadhalffull

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Takeshi knit his brows together, lips curved down. He observed his friends behind his short bangs; the bento gave him the pretense of an ordinary teenager having a nice meal. He saw how Hayato begged—practically forced—Tsuna to take his lunch, while the brown haired boy declined it politely and kept eating the melon bread he bought before the morning classes.

People may know him as easy-going, baseball lover Yamamoto Takeshi. They may know him as a carefree person who cares dearly for his dearest comrades. But carefree is not the same as clueless. He may not be as observant as Tsuna, or as smart as Hayato, but he has his own sharing. The Rain Guardian knows it was unusual for Tsuna to forget to bring his lunch. Especially that heavenly food—oh, especially that heavenly food. Takeshi just repeated himself, but he couldn't help it. Nana's cooking is amazingly delicious, even his dad always has the biggest smile whenever Tsuna visits them with homemade food.

The only explanation is that Tsuna gave his lunch to someone.

And—based on yesterday incident, a small satisfaction he felt from his bond with his family—Takeshi thought, he knew who that lucky person is.

They wanted to ask about yesterday fiasco this morning too; no matter how much Hayato denied it ("As long as he didn't worry Jyuudaime too much, then he's not my fucking concern." or something along that line). But they felt the uneasiness from their connections. Nothing too bad, judging from the fact that Tsuna's smile was not forced; and Takeshi knows what a 'forced smile' looks like, as he'd worn that mask for almost half a year beforehand. It still worried them naturally, he decided to annoy Hayato, so they'll start to banter and maybe it will take whatever Tsuna had on his mind away.

Even though in the end, he would have to confront the problem himself.

Maybe Tsuna realized he was being watched, or at least his hyper-intuition warned him, he turned his honey-brown eyes to him. Where Takeshi schooled his expression and grin before he ate another tamagoyaki (hmm, sweet. Just as he like it). Tsuna tilted his head, trying to gauge whether he had faked that quirk of his lips or not, then shrugged. Takeshi didn't fake his laugh, not anymore. Especially not in front of his family. And boy, how grateful he was, that with their presence alone, he can relax. He can be himself.

So back to the topic. Takeshi was sure that Tsuna gave his meal to Rin this morning. Or more specifically when they separated on that T-junction for a minute—Tsuna must really want to give him a heart attack, pulling that stunt. So it was not a plan from the beginning, he can tolerate that. What troubling his mind is: why?

Hayato called them yesterday. He said that the boy ran away from Tsuna's home and that made Juudaime's mom and Juudaime himself worried sick that stupid bastard! Hayato may curse and spat at the stranger boy. But judging from his tone, he's worried about his whereabouts too. And not in "he's- an-unknown-enemy-so-we-have-to-watch-over-him-and-make-sure-Juudaime-is-safe" way but in "I'm-worried-for-the-health-of-my-family-but-I'm-too-proud-to-admit-it" way. And it kind of puzzled him. They'd never met this boy before. Even Tsuna's story is not enough to make them care as one of their family—but enough to care as a civilian that need to be protected. But Hayato worried for him? That Hayato who took years to finally relented and admitted yes, yes he has a family now no matter how much he whines about it? Much like Hibari and Mukuro?

And speaking about them, they must also notice the hidden worry beneath his tone. Because in the next second, they tried to cheer him up in their own way; Hibari called him a weak herbivore while Mukuro snorted and laughed annoyingly. It distracted him long enough, those three started a verbal war, while Ryohei shouted 'extreme' every now and then.

Why, though? Rin decided to run away? Judging from Tsuna's story and a little talk with Nana yesterday morning, his injuries are so bad, it took hours and hours of patience for Sawada matriarch to treat them. He should not be walking around. Scratch that, he should not be waking up within a day.

Takeshi tried to take another bite of his lunch yet bite on nothing. Too caught up with his thought it seems, he practically ate the whole thing in a trance. Now his friend totally aware of his strange behavior, as they shot another glance at his direction; Tsuna looks worried and Hayato annoyed. The baseball lover just waved them off.

Really, there's nothing to be worried about, he was just spacing out. Never before he'll be so lost in thought, however, he lowered his guard; not after the ceremony, not after he decided to stick around the petite boss and become one of his guardians. As his left-hand man (because Hayato is Tsuna's right-hand man and he wouldn't budge from his position now or ever) he has to always keep his guard up or else assassin will take advantage and hurt what's mine. And the whole 'space out' thingies was because of his family; ironically. What's up with that? Takeshi chuckled.

"Oi, baseball freak! How dare you finish your meal while Juudaime is starving himself here?!"

Seriously, he loves his family.


From that day onward, Tsuna asks his mother to packed two lunches for him. She understood her son request immediately without the need to explain the reason and, with so much vigor and gusto her cheeks practically turned pink, agreed and cooked basically a feast. Not that he minds, he'll eat as much as his stomach capacity could handle. And there are children here (not including Reborn), sometimes he wonders how could they eat that much food and still have a room for dessert.

Nana then chirped that it applied to Tsuna either. But eh...don't mind the details.

It becomes a routine for him too, to visit Rin every morning in the abandoned park; Tsuna is so grateful that the dark blue haired boy didn't go anywhere, still hunched inside his 'safe spot'. Though it honestly concerns him too no end being; besides of those meals he brought to him, how did he eat for the rest of the day? Don't tell me he famished himself? His skin was a little sunken the last time he saw him but…

He looks miserable still, his clothes rumpled and hair askew. At least he ate the bento Tsuna gave to him, judging from the empty box every time he came to visit. The tenth Vongola boss always tried to at least have a word or two before going to school. Rin sat there motionless, regrettably; eyes still distrustful and posture uptight though not as guarded as before.

Hayato and Takeshi keep fussing over his wellbeing whenever Tsuna went of his own accord. And whenever they do that, he just scoffed warmly. They shouldn't overreact like that. He'll just fly away, back to them if he thought he can't handle an opposite Mafioso himself. Tsuna eyes flash from brown to honey-red colored one, his charming smile look a little too sharp for comfort. Or and especially when those enemy dares tries to hurt his friend, family, mine!

His best friends and guardians of Vongola Tenth relented after some days. Takeshi sighed and smile, though it was a little strain ("I'm just worried, Tsuna. He sounds like a wildcard to me, ya know?") while Hayato turned his head aside, didn't want to see his boss begged orbs (if his Hyper Intuition didn't deceive him, it seems like the silver-haired teen was pouting.) More resistance begets more pouty lips and puppy eyes, they realize. It'll prolong their suffering so maybe allowing him doing what his heart whispered was the right thing to do. And besides, since when Tsuna's hyper intuition lie to him? When that ability rang a bell and literally guide him instinctively, nothing will stop them even if the end of the world is nigh at hand.

Their bond hum, Tsuna laughed in appreciation; that wide quirk of mouth was pulled so wide, his honey-brown orbs hidden behind the squinted eyes. Takeshi and Hayato almost thought that hey, their worries are almost worth it. Almost. One week has already passed, and just like always, Tsuna will start his separate way and do his usual business.

Something is different this morning, however.

"You...want to come along?" Tsuna blinked.

Those three stood motionlessly in the middle of the T-Junction, critical optic scrutinying each other and asking a silent question with perception alone. Hayato nodded, lips thinned and eyes piercing. He clasped his knuckles on either side of his lean body while figure straightened, a form he proceeds everytime he demand recognition, "yes. Let me accompany you this morning, Juudaime."

Judging from Takeshi tilted head and one raised eyebrow, he didn't see this seriousness he exuded coming also. It's day to day behavior for Hayato of asking Tsuna's permission whenever he tried to do something that involves their precious boss-even if that something was trivial;such as go to the movie with other friends from science club he attend, trying to contact a weapon dealer for bomb replenishment, going to the bathroom before lunch, etcetera. It tired him sometimes, but that attitude is too endearing for him to be mad at. Hayato may be brash, though he was just a little bit paranoid for people in his small circle of friends. Or he'll just resort to stalking them without anyone consent as he was just too stubborn to leave what he considered his alone. But this time, even the carefree taller teen knew, this request has some deep meaning beside the usual fanfare of Hayato trying to protect Tsuna from danger; if he wants to do that anyway, he'll just 'followed' the fluffy haired by from the beginning of the week no matter what.

Tsuna tried to stop him once, of course. Yet after a while, he just accepted it. Because, if Hayato thunderous feeling, that their family can feel even from yards away, their harmonized flames told them so, will be composed, then he'll just bear with it.

"Why the change, though?" Takeshi asked, at which Hayato glared. But as always, the baseball lover just harmlessly smile, hands folded behind his head and he leans back, an indistinct treatment of him allowing Hayato to continue. Or maybe an order, if that slowly-forming knowing stare deciphered it so.

"I..." the bomber suddenly hesitated, silver eyes darted around, a nervous tick Tsuna knows he possessed whenever he was cornered. He can see how Hayato counting some difficult formula inside his genius head, finger clicking in agitated tick within the same rhythm he does whenever he played the piano, he was trying to calm the sudden nerve he felt.

"Just…Please!" without answering any question and voice one octave higher, Hayato bowed, immediately hide his painful expression from view, "let me come along with you, Juudaime!"

Tsuna sputtered, arms flailing as he begs his storm to stop doing that bad habit in the open. He could see from his peripheral how thoughtful Takeshi was; index finger and thumb cradling his chin while those eyes turned sharp, though his charming, friendly grin still plastered on that tan complexion, hiding his real feeling from other people. Eyebrows raised, lips forming an O shape; realization finally struck upon him. Before Tsuna could ask something, his Rain placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, white teeth showing for people to appreciate "Can I come too? Please, Tsuna?"

The lean boy they ask their request for looks super confused, even his Hyper Intuition suddenly failed him and that kind of scared him (maybe he depend on it too much. But seriously. After a year of dodging every possible fatal injury or, worse, death—whereas the threat still looms over him like a hawk, remarkably after his ceremony—you can't just separate him from his, can you call it, an addiction?). At least his grand-grand-grandfather gift told him that it will not cause any harm to the blue haired boy…maybe? Because even his trusty partner can't say for sure how will Hayato, the emotional brother of Lightning will act, in which Takeshi have no hope to stop him if he decided he didn't like Rin a single bit with his Rain effect alone. Tsuna can and will. Rin is a friend, family, mine! And he will not let his friend, family, mine! mimed each other, no matter how bad their relationships are.

He can control the fighting tendencies of Hibari and Mukuro whenever they met. And tame—for the lack of better words—Xanxus and Byakuran from their urges to rules the world. So what's the problem of adding another one to the list?

With Hayato still not looking at him, fist tightened so hard it drain the color from his knuckles, and Takeshi grip on his shoulder trembled, Tsuna finally relented. He didn't know what and why, but they are super stubborn this morning. And if he didn't decide for another ten minutes, they'll be late—and of course, Namimori beast will wake up and strike them all—Tsuna didn't want to get punished by the teacher for showing up late for nth times too. His Homeworks are excessive enough, not counting Vongola paperwork that kept piling up every time one of his guardians create a trouble. And don't forget Reborn.

Totally don't forget that Satan direct spawn from hell, he inwardly shudder.


They arrive at the abandoned park, still deserted and not well maintained. It was such a shame too because this park held some memories for the young Boss. Well, not much of it was fond memories, though it still shaped him to be a person he was now. Hayato and Takeshi swerved their head around, taking every nook and cranny and, shoulder tensed, trying to pinpoint every possible spot for the assassin to hide and launch a surprise attack. Tsuna, less paranoid and walking fast enough he basically skipped, approached the playhouse, bento wrapped with blue strip cloth dangled in his right hand as he waved, "Rin, I bought another breakfast for you!"

A sound of fabric rustling entered their ears, they unconsciously grip their respective weapon. Regardless Tsuna's lip widens, and without waiting any more seconds, start to climb the stairs. He turns his head in the middle of ascending, brown eyes instructing them to stay at their spot without a word. 'I'm gonna see his reaction first. Please, don't do anything rash' their brain mentally translate that furrowed brows. Hayato nod and Takeshi show a thumbs up. Another smile and his petit figure disappeared. Their sharpened hearing—train by the most powerful hitman, for even the slightest bit of sound can mean something. It saves them quite a lot in the past—caught a bit of their conversation; or Tsuna trying to start a conversation with the stubborn teen, asking about his day and do you need something? Maybe new clothes and bed to sleep? Oh, I can show you around town today if you don't mind. While the said teen is silent, they thought Tsuna was talking to himself if the sound of clothes moving around didn't tell them another presence in the vicinity.

Takeshi chuckled. His boss, best friend, and family is so nice; too nice course, his tutor said that that is the main reason of why he is such a trouble magnet. Mukuro and Chrome constantly watching over him via telepathy, so Takeshi was not that worry for the stranger boy to suddenly attack the nice boy who just wants to help anyone. If he does though, Takeshi eyes sharpened, the grip on the baseball-bat-that-will-change-into-a-real-katana-in-one-swing-literally squeezed, they'll count on their Mist to inform them in a blink. He may be Rain, an element of peace and will wash away any torments who stubbornly clung onto people lives and dragged them down to slump. But he's also Rain, where it'll blind everyone sight and bring calamity upon those antagonists that deserve no second chances.

So, being nothing wrong and nothing invisible contracted his lungs, Takeshi sits back.

Anyhow...

That cheery brown eyes peek behind the closed eyelids, drinking the bomber frivolous act, somewhat digging a hole almost half a meter deep being him keep pacing back and forth, stealing a glance once or twice to the playhouse. Hayato is remarkably weird today, Takeshi admits that. Pretty much everyone can see it from that constricting face, mainly that wrinkle of his keep piling up on that big forehead. He definitely needs to reduce that fixation. Or that smooth contraption going to age ten times faster and Hayato's fangirl will be disappointed. On the other hands, his life will be a lot less exciting, without that horde of girls following him around like some chicks (pun not intended) in need of food. Their life is exhilarating enough; enemy to take care off, a 'light' spar Reborn presented twice a week, enemy to take care of, helping Tsuna with his demon paperwork (nevertheless, the only one capable enough to really aid him are Hayato and Chrome, while Takeshi was too busy to sooth Hibari and Mukuro down, Ryohei from joining and Lambo from smearing his grape candy all over their boss work), enemy to take care of, club to be attended after school...did Takeshi mention enemy to take care of?

And, Takeshi mussed, he may know what on his brother in arm mind.

It's kinda hard to see because the temperamental boy is very skilled at hiding his feeling. His thought halt before he snorted, garnering a short glare from the preceding individual. Takeshi knew he just contradicted himself, saying 'temperamental' and 'hiding his feeling' in one sentence. From somebody who also applied a second persona, however, he knew the sign; a sign of someone trying to hide the loneliness with overreacting emotion. That maybe if he was loud enough, people will take notice of him and fill the too-big gap inside his heart. Could be so, that was the induction of why Takeshi will annoy Hayato as much as he could. And subtly remind him, remind him that he was never alone.

A pang of sadness washed him

Before it escalates into full hatred and sorrow so deep, Takeshi feels like he was staring straight into the abyss.

As the short black haired baseball player realized he was gasping for breath (dark. It was too dark, it's painful. Who-who's feeling is this? Even Mukuro who died and come back alive from hell didn't have this enormous, putrid self-anger. Takeshi feels like choking; make it stop, make it stop, make the pain stop—) he barely recognize the fleeting figure of Hayato running away. Yet specifically, running towards the playhouse, climbed the stair two at once he all but leaps through it and lands gracefully.

Hayato saw his boss, back hunched and, he assumes, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat to a normal pace. The cause of his hysterical panic was definitely that; that foreign innervation encompassing them, stealing their breath a second too long, uncomfortably closing their respiration. He saw that, he felt that, disgusted by that. Imagine Tsuna have to endure those agonies. The gravity-defying teen is the core, the main pole of Vongola family, those distasteful motilities was twice as painful than that fleeting moment they sensed; it must be a pure, unadulterated torture for such a tenderly, nice boy.

(His mind, no matter how overwrought he was, wonder how that unknown entity seeps inside their bond—their friend, family bond—without them knowing. Because they're very protective, too protective with what they already have, too cautious for new people to suddenly join in their circle. It takes a while, maybe, but even then the newcomer bond will not be as strong as theirs)

(Hayato have a hunch—most people didn't call him a genius for nothing. But not now. Now is not the appropriate time)

And in the end of the building, sat Rin—the blue-haired boy with startlingly bright electric blue eyes—hand outstretched and complexion pale. That gaze of him radiating shock, worried and guiltguiltguilt, I'm sorry is it my fault is it because I'm here should I go away should I disappear maybe I should maybe I really should just di—

"Don't you dare finish that thought, you bastard!"

Tsuna stifled a yelp, during Hayato suddenly knelt in front of the broken boy, finger latched robustly around the crumpled shirt Rin wore and slamming him back with enough force, the wood crackled. The boy itself flinch, dull eyes suddenly focused on the aforementioned guest, then dangerously growled. Weak, but still threatening being he pulled the mouth down, showing his sharp fangs that bit on his lower lips, it drew blood. His other hand suddenly shot toward the abandoned sword, intended to use his belonging so he could push the teen away. Hayato was faster unfortunately, he kicks the weapon away. The long katana which still covered in red cloth flew out of the building and drop uselessly on the dirt below with a small thump. Rin's orbs widen per millimeter, shock numb his movement, words of utter disbelief won't even came out. Before he returned his sight towards the angry delinquent and face the accusation full force.

Fear, anger, vengeance, then it settled on resignation.

Acceptance of his doom and that eyes—that eyes that are so different but familiar in a way at the same time—literally begged him to just...end it. End it here. End the suffering. End this endless torment he inflicted upon this sunken body because he was too scared. Too scared to do it himself. Since he was a coward. A pitiful, useless being that needs no remorse and should have never existed.

His stomach dropped a notch, it sickens him.

"Don't you dare...Don't you FUCKING dare finish that thought of yours..." Hayato snarled, green bright eyes clashed with that foggy blue eyes as the second pair widened, he visibly quailed. Hayato ignored the tremble and wincing body he held for dear life, as knuckles tightened, he could felt the nails are actually piercing the thin shirt. Or his grip was just too strong, "Don't you realize the implication of why Juudaime deigns himself to bring you that bento every fucking morning?!"

"He CARES about you. He freaking cares about you! And then what? Just cuz your family dead, you decided to mop around here like a damn weakling? " he heard another gasp from behind, chagrin. No wonder Tsuna thought his word was harsh. But Hayato pays it no mind. This boy, the foreign boy who got the attention of their admirable boss, who can literally light the whole dark underworld with that honest smile alone, who can literally down their enemy with a stare alone. How dare he ignored all of that and just "you...you—"

"Learn to appreciate what you have before you lose it again, goddammit!"

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Tsuna finally understood

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Aah...he still beat himself even now, huh?

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Hayato breath raced, face flushed in anguish and—Is that resentment he saw flashing on that sharp glare? The grip slackened and Rin's body slumped on the corner of the hardwood, bangs shadowing his peripheral and mouth agape. They sat there, staring—or glaring in Hayato case—at nothing entirely. Nobody makes a sound, not even a peep. Before Hayato tched and jumps down, ignoring the ladder completely. He briskly walked away and head to the school, neglecting Takeshi call nor Tsuna's following after him.

The swordsman stood awkwardly, contemplating what to do next, besides going to their study place quickly or else they'll be late and Hibari will have a reason to bit them to death. Of course, he heard everything, being Hayato practically hollered; the power of his exclamation startled every being in proximity, he saw two or three birds that were perched on the tree before flew away, frightened. Slender hand scratched his non-itchy head, chewing the bottom rim in consideration

"Rin-san, isn't it?" silent answer him, but Takeshi knew the boy heard him clearly, "Hayato is not as different from you as you thought he was."

"I'm not gonna said it. It his problem. He didn't even tell us, his friends, one month ago. Tho'..." that forlorn expression he bear seconds ago vanished. It still held a little sadness in that tan aspect, thought a small sense of pride can be found. Gentle breeze kissing the skin, some dried leaves flying around and gave the sense of pacific atmosphere, "even he can stand up, you know?"

And Takeshi was gone, leaving the still broken boy, mourning in the lonely playhouse in the lonely abandoned park.


Hayato was angry, no, he was seething. Blue sling bag of him slapping against his back, feet stomping like a petulant child. The fluffy brown haired boy still calling his name with that worried tone he despises. It didn't suit him, never should exist for such a bright individual.

Especially of how he was the one who made Tsuna felt that way, made Tsuna concern for his frantic mood. When he directly swore to himself that time, that time as he declared to be his right-hand man, to not distress the wonderful teen who secured him with open arm; so warm, so accepting, he never forgets that sensation for the rest of his life, will always be treasured, will always be preserved. For the person he cherished, how dare he burdened him this much?

But that blue haired boy image keeps coming back and the only thing he could do besides screaming like crazy is gnashing his teeth so hard he could hear them crackling under the pressure.

"Yeah, and you'll destroy them in a minute if you don't stop that. Do you want to be a grandpa that much, hmm?"

"Shut up, Mukuro!" Hayato grumbled, berating himself to scolded the pineapple-haired jerk inside his mind only, sans people will stare at him and will question his sanity, "stop invading other people mind without their permission! You look like a stalker"

"Kufufu you really should see yourself in the mirror, stalker-san~"

Hayato punched his palm, it produced a smack so loud, Tsuna cowered. Damn. It really was not as satisfying as he punched the man himself. Maybe he'll visit Kokuyo land this afternoon. And he can release this built-up energy inside his jittering body. Maybe redecorated their hideout at the same time. That place is a mess. Cup noodles everywhere, empty bags of snacks thrown haphazardly and the sun couldn't even shine that building properly, with tall tree covering almost nook and cranny. How could they live like a hobo and have their clothes still looks that pristine every day? Maybe he used an illusion to covered their battered appearance? That bastard is that cunning, he says.

"Hey, I don't mind having someone to play with, but leave our clothes and home alone" why does Hayato have this image of Mukuro pouting right now?

"Stop reading my mind, kuso yaro!"

The presence Hayato felt shifted—again, he has an image of Mukuro changing his posture from the tattered sofa he called his throne to more comfortable one. Seriously, why does that picture that involved the heterochromia teen keep popping out?—Mukuro hummed, a swishing of something can be heard; he's twirling his trident maybe? "your fault for waking me up this early in the morning. You and Tsunayoshi should really keep your feeling in a tight lid"

Said someone who kept riling the Prefect every time they met. His amusement and his anger are very palpable, very existing, and too common already they started to ignore it after a while, treat it like a background music buzzing in the distance. That doesn't mean it didn't annoy him sometimes. It really distracting when other needs to concentrate on the exam; not for himself, he could answer everything in his sleep. Japanese curriculum was that easy, he kind of miss the Italy school he attended

Judging from his laugh, Mukuro heard everything Hayato's inner mussing. Again. The nerve of that guy.

His semi-run slowed and it became a leisure walk after a while. Tsuna finally caught him, his breathing steady, never displayed to the other who caught a sight of him that he has been running for fifteen minutes tops. Hayato could sense the burning scrutiny he directed at him; and with that alone, his resolve to bottled everything inside started to crumble. Yet Tsuna opted to stay quiet and walk alongside him. The silver-haired teen halts the smile, appreciating the gesture. Juudaime is so nice, Hayato mussed, it warms his cold visage. He'll talk, but not now. He wants to stew for a couple minutes or two inside his mind, alone.

Well, there's Mukuro, the stalker bastard. Still, beggar can't choose. It's his fault otherwise if he prefers to stay and receive every torrent of curses in different language Hayato will release in a second.

That boy—Rin, he reminds himself. No matter how weak, how hopeless, how broken a person is, a name is still important. It builds who they are, being the thing they experience will always be acknowledged with that name as the title. Like some kind of a novel whereas the author needs to summarize everything within a single word—polluted him. No, not just him. But his entire family, even the annoying Mukuro and the berserker Xanxus. It amazing how a sob-story of some stranger distorted their perception like this, whereas Xanxus's situation didn't even deter him. Granted, the brother of lion lover was an enemy that time. And you can't really sympathize with him if he kept shooting that wrath flame, with you trying to evade everything to keep yourself alive.

When Tsuna start telling them the stranger he picked up and care yesterday, he could felt lump started forming, butterfly fluttering inside his stomach. That life-story of his so different but so similar. Albeit pieces here and there are missing, Hayato body straightened, sweaty palm clamped on his either laps that were folded. Nobody acknowledges his unnatural reaction that time—maybe Tsuna. Because he spared him a glance, afore he was back to the story—but it was there.

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He doesn't have parents.

"Papa. Where's mama?" Child Hayato asked, green orbs stared wide, full of innocent

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He lost his only family

"Why is the piano lady didn't come today?" child Hayato rest his chubby cheek on piano keys, "I missed her"

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I miss her, I miss her, I miss her so much. Why did you leave me, why did you leave me, mama? I'm lonely. So, so lonely. Please come back. Please, I beg you—

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"He was tortured"

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And then everything crashed.

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The atmosphere back there was tense, he could literally cut it with a knife. No one talk, no one even dares to breathe but Tsuna choked sob. Hayato mind whirled. Dangerous thoughts flashed inside his genius brain, filtering every important and non-important detail he needs to remember or need to discard. Question after question kept piling up, still no answer to offer, it was so frustrating.

Why? Who is he? Where is he come from? Why did someone torture him? For information? But he was just a teen! Is he dangerous? Or worse.

And worse.

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Is he...unwanted?

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(Just like he was? Just like Hayato was?)

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Those speculations were spinning and spinning and spinning, his vision started to blur. That unpleasant memory, why did it resurface after all this time? After everything he does to forget, after every battles he had to endure, after every scorns he had to soaked with no comeback or else he will just give them the hard evidence and justified the means, after every injuries his figure embrace, after everything. After everything!

Hayato needs to calm down. He may not be able to affect other so much when he was upset. Nevertheless, they still felt the nagging feeling of someone in a bind, that something occupying one of their family conceptions. He didn't want them to come here and start badgering him with uncomfortable questions (not that because he didn't want to worry them, mind you). It was hard, however, the boy existence really screws anything he builds these past years. Hayato may be wrong. Maybe he still has a family out there—just like Hayato who still have Bianchi (he'll never admit that poisonous sister half related to him though), sans he has another now—maybe someone waiting for him. But he was just too tired for the betrayal, for the disappointment, for the rejection, for the painpainpainithurt.

Rin reminds him with his past-self too much.

Maybe that's why he suddenly felt this insecure? Maybe he saw himself and then thought 'Is my current family really my family? Do they really care for me, just as much as they claim to be?' And the need to prove it to himself overwhelmed his rational thinking, prove it by slapping the grueling fact no matter how much Hayato hurt the morose boy? He physically blanched, fist crushing his bag strap. Oh Kami, he was terrible. You didn't just mock someone who just lost everything and get away with it without any penance or anything. Nothing gain without pain, he knew. But that was just plain cruel. He was ashamed, but—

"You okay now?"

Hayato blinked, become conscious of not only Tsuna but Mukuro ask him the same inquiry. The slender boy with eyes so honest, it started to hurt, Hayato felt like it stripped him naked; nothing could be hidden, nothing could be lost. Callous hand curling around two of his finger, bestowing pleasant and encouraging feeling that push him to nod his head. He felt...better. Still punching himself mentally for scaring the life of a wrecked teen, but better. It was wrong for him, he knew. He knew that, thought Tsuna didn't even chide him. Didn't even scolded him or calling him a heartless bastard. Instead, those honey-brown orbs were full of understanding and wise knowledge. Saying that it was not his fault at all, so stop hating yourself and stand straight up, okay?

(And Hayato have a feeling that words were directed not only at what he had done the past fifteen minutes before, but for that too)

Hayato groaned. Now the guilt return ten-fold. He has to apologize. After school. Even if he has to grovel and plead, he swears he'll apologize to Rin.

"Guys! You have to be quick!" Takeshi suddenly ran past them, cutting his thought. He turned his head around, shows them his regular blinding grin, "five minutes or we'll be late!"

"Hieee, are you serious?!"

"Have fun~ Oh, and give my regards to little skylark, hm?"

"Shut it, Mukuro! And wait, you baseball nuts! Come on, Juudaime!"

Well, he has to pray for his safety first beforehand. Hayato hopes he'll still alive after all this mess have been taken care off.


Rin still hasn't moved, stuck in an almost catatonically state. He watches his own hands, open and closed, open and closed, face expressing tableau of horrified bemusement. His back hurt after the boy pushed him and his ears ringing; maybe because thousand of coal tars won't go away and keep hovering around his pointed ears. Those tiny demons really love to talk, one time Rin thought to abuse that power and tell them some embarrassing moments his friends had so they could fly and just gossip. It was worth it because sometimes some of the news was delivered to his friends and they will flush red, they basically boiled themselves in mortification. That elicited a small laugh from his cracked lips before he sobered again.

(That was a fond memory)

(But that was it. Just a memory. A precious memory but hurt all the same)

Today, like any other day, Tsuna came and gave him his mother alluring cooks; the only things that kept Rin alive because a demon—a monster like him—still need to eat. He felt bad for that, felt bad for wasting his precious times and definitely worried those two rays of sunshine of people that help nursed him to healthiness. But today, he sensed something different. Rather, as his ears twitched like a cat, he realized the nice fluffy boy brought someone. Rin curled into a ball, nails unconsciously dug into the battered body of his, numerous torn of unorthodox feeling spasming, it clouded his mind.

He knew from the smell (bright, like a sky. Beautiful, like a sunset. And warm like a family) and his pitter-patter of footstep, it was definitely Tsuna. Thought who's the other—two people? They may move silently, but his demonic heard it nonetheless—accompanying him? Rin gulped, sweat starts rolling down from the temple. Did...Tsuna finally give up? That he finally get sick of him and decided to tell Grigory co. his whereabouts? Are those two people...exorcist? Will they kill him? Or will they captured him and interrogate me and torture me, like Iblis did—

.

Red fire—water splashed—he screa—

.

"Your breakfast, Rin. My mom made you a Salisbury stea—are you okay?"

Rin gasped, he hunched his back a second too fast, eyes flashed in dire scared. He didn't even hear Tsuna coming, but here's he was; wearing his school uniform and plastering a worried glance every time he saw Rin's crumpled appearance. Hands trembled, expiration hitched (is that concern real? Is he pretending?) he doubled up on himself more. At least, Tsuna didn't advance any further from his usual distance, so Rin could breathe a little safer. But he was so tired; tired of this suspicion, tired of this doubt, tired of this life keep scamming on him. Tired of…well, everything. That's why he didn't realize the outcome immediately when he hides his mouth behind the folding hands, mumbled something without thinking, Tsuna eyes benignly widen.

"You don't have to come here anymore. You have your friends. I'm nothing but a pathetic being anyway."

The next thing was a blur. He remembered the nice, fluffy boy suddenly drop and clutching his school pocket (or heart. Did Tsuna have an illness?), face paled significantly and sweat starts rolling down without pause. He remembered a stranger—another teen with silver-haired so bright, it hurt his demon eyesight. The same bright green eyes with the same pain reflected on his own—shouting at him, yelling at him, pouring every bit of his anger towards him. He remembers another voice—calmer, softer, full of understanding and encouraging—calling him and speaking to him, like a father trying to say to his son that 'you already do your best', 'I'm not disappointed at you', 'you just need time', 'I'm here, always behind you to catch you if you feel you want to rest for a bit'.

He surreptitiously realized his sight began to fade. And felt water start dripping out on the palm of his full-of-scratches hands.

I'm really useless, aren't I, Rin thought sardonically. After didn't-count-anymore years he was searching for support, for acceptance. And when they came, he pushes it away

Rin was just scared. He was so scared. So very, very scared

He clasped his hands close, wiping the tears at the same times. As he slowly, painstakingly stand up, Rin began descending the metal stairs. He has to get his sword back or bear the consequences someone stealing it for a yen or so. Alas, he couldn't let the only thing his father bestowed to him lost. The only thing that holds his entire existence, the only thing that was there to remind him the cruelty of life, the only things that fool everyone into thinking that Rin is a normal human being; not a half-demon, not a monster, not Satan son. The only thing that was his anchor, that will keep him down for falling and falling and falling into the deep, dark valley.

But he is human now.

His hand halt in mid-air.

He doesn't have any tail, nor his fangs, nor his horns.

His heart thumping in dread, fright, anxiousness, anticipation and—

Nor his fire.

—hope.

.

The night before the fate, the remnant of Okumura family decided to rest. On the top of their own dormitory building, Rin staring at the sky while hands combing Kuro's fur absentmindedly. Yukio was back from the kitchen, Ukobach riding on his shoulder. He offers a cold, melon juice to his older brother, who thanks in return, complete with his famous toothy grin.

They sat in complete silence, watching the starts blipping in and out of existence, breath puffing creating a small cloud in the wind of the night. A shuffling, silent movement, the cawing bird that flies high through the city and the busy town that never rest. Just a regular yet comfortable day, a calm before the storm

"Hey, Yukio. Humans...are nice, right?"

The bespectacled teen hummed and took another sip of his apple juice. Rin clutched his Karakura tight, eyes glossy but lips trammel in determination

"So...I can believe in them, right?"

.

"I can believe in you, right?"

As Tsuna unconsciously gape, Takeshi blink slowly and Hayato in the process of bowing, Rin embrace his anchor like a kid hugging his favorite toy and stood in the middle of attention.

.

.

I can believe...in second chance, right?


TO BE CONTINUED


(A/N): Oh yeah. I'll remind you guys that this fic will be mostly about Rin and Tsuna's family daily life. So there will be no special chapter such as Halloween special, Christmas special etc. Except as I decided to update the next chap it collided with those special days.

Please review guys. Critic, suggestions, whatever it is I'll accept it all

Best Regards

Akabane Kazama