(A/N: so this story has a prologue, but im not going to comment on it, it's just to give you a basis)
PROLOGUE: THE FIRST NIGHT IT HAPPENED It was early in the evening when the sun sunk down in the horizon, Tsuna had begged his parents to let him watch a scary movie with them. It was strange, especially since Tsuna hated anything that had to deal with blood. But he wanted to be brave in their eyes for once, to brag about how he watched it like the other kids in his school. His parents tried warning him as the movie started that it was probably best he go to sleep now than stay up with them so late in the night. Tsuna ignored their insistence, reassuring with a smiling face that he'd be fine. Iemitsu shoved the disc into drive, a doubtful look on his face. The small family sat down curled around their bowl of popcorn. Already, ten minutes into the movie Tsuna was scared senseless. He knew what was going to come. First, the movie started out happy and normally, like it always does, then, things would turn out bad and gets worse from there on out. But even knowing this, Tsuna sat throughout the entire movie, forcing his eyes to never leave the screen. He was determined to at least watch this movie through—he did not want to lie to everyone. His parents had given him worried glances when the scariest parts came, his tiny fists clutching the couch like it could possibly make time go faster. Tsuna stubbornly refused to take his eyes from the television. Because Tsuna was still a young child, his imagination tends to be more boundless, more inventive, more creative than adults. His fantasies went haywire. He replayed his death often after that, an unhealthy train of thought for children. As his parents tucked him in and turned on his nighty-light, he sat in the darkness, staring paranoidly around his room. Tsuna wrapped his blankets around himself, pulse racing. He kept a small peephole to breathe from in between the many folds. When he heard a soft creak of the floorboards, Tsuna prayed that it was only his head speaking. When another creak rippled through the room, Tsuna unwrapped himself out of his cocoon and grabbed the flashlight on his night stand with sweaty palms. Another creak of the floorboards. Shakily, Tsuna looked at the direction of his half opened closet. Strange. He didn't remember it being opened. He always closes his closet door before he sleeps. Slowly, Tsuna got off his bed; his feet touched the hard cold floor. He curled his toes up to keep them warm. He shuffled towards the closet and moved to close it. But stupidly, curiosity had gotten the better of him. Tsuna's tiny hand wrapped around the cold door knob and opened it slowly. Darkness. He squinted into the abyss. He recognized his clothes, his box of toys…It never occurred to him to turn on the closet lights. Tsuna aimed his flashlight into the dark abyss of the closet—and clicked it on. "I'll bite you to death." A low voice hissed. Tsuna screamed so loud the house vibrated. That was the first night it happened.
(A/N: this is a really popular story you guys should check it out)
-before story time-
Tsuna woke up groggily this morning, since last night he made another stupid decision- to conquer at least one of his fears inviting Yamamoto and Gokudera over to watch the latest horror film, The Grudge.
Yamamoto and Gokudera were both hesitant to letting Tsuna watch the film, since they knew he is a sensitive boy, but gave in at the end.
Tsuna watched it the whole way through, leaving scratch marks on the couch. The movie was watched with a shaky pillow in front of his face, his whimpers as loud as the terror screams. He told the guys to stay over, secretly hoping it'd help him sleep.
It didn't.
He couldn't sleep a wink, for he kept watching his closet, his door, his everything that could move, hoping no one would jump out and drag him to his slow impending death.
Reborn slapped him awake, telling him it was story day.
'Hopefully it will a calm, sad story' Tsuna thought.
-At Story time-
Walking in, Tsuna sees the title of the story and his heart drops to his feet.
The Boogie Man.
Just great.
Actual story:
THE SECOND ENCOUNTER Ever since that night, Tsuna decided he would never go in his room ever again. In fact, he never went in his room at all. It had come as a surprise because the Sawada parents had always believed that Tsuna's personal haven, his room, was his refuge since birth. He now resided as a self-proclaimed permanent resident in Nana's and Iemitsu's bed. Together, they both tried to get him back to his own room. But whenever Iemitsu would tuck a sleepy Tsuna in his bed, Tsuna would scream at the top of his lungs and never let go of his father until they were out of the room. Nana had actually tried grabbing Tsuna, (something she never did before because he was a naturally good kid) with her most reassuring smile but Tsuna had clawed at the floor to hold himself there until Nana gave up. On this particular night, the Sawadas sat across from each other at the table, not because they were eating, but because they simply had to try to get their kid into his own bed again. "Tsuna, please, can't you tell us what's wrong?" She held a hand to his smaller ones and watched Tsuna's expression morphed into terror. It always did whenever they brought up this subject. Tsuna shook his head, "I keep telling you though," he bit his lip, and lowered his voice to barely a whisper, "The boogie man was there. And he's still there."
A hard smack resounds in the reading room.
"OW! What the hell was that for, Reborn?!" Tsuna yelps, holding his face in pain.
Reborn, dressed as a snowman, looks up to the ceiling.
"I'm the abominable snowman. Cower in fear, Dame-Tsuna" Reborn says lowly.
"Don't worry Juudaime. Once you have a thorough understanding of urban myths, you won't be afraid anymore" Gokudera announces, pulling out a large book and a blackboard.
"It's just a story! I'm not afraid of kiddie stuff like that!" Tsuna protests.
"Are you saying you aren't afraid of me, the abominable snowman?" Reborn growls behind the boy, holding a flashlight under his face.
"Eek! Get away from me!" Tsuna snarls, crawling in a corner of the room.
The two parents exchanged gazes and the young father sighed. "Tsuna, there is no such thing as the boogie man." Iemitsu said, wrapping his arm around Tsuna. "I admit that I was trying to scare you one day, but they really do not exist. I'm sorry. Really." Tsuna shook his head. Didn't they know anything? Even though he never seen him again, he could feel his presence. Call it crazy, but Tsuna's instincts told him that someone was there. And even if his father had joked there was a boogie man once upon a time, there really was one now. "There is!" Realizing his raised voice, he dropped to a hush, "He's there, really, I feel it. He's watching me." Tsuna insisted, leaning in his seat."Tsuna," Iemitsu said as he clamped his humongous hands around Tsuna's small shoulders, "Me and mama would like to sleep together. Alone." There was a moment of silence and Nana coughed politely to hide her obvious embarassment. Tsuna gave his father a beseeching stare, "You don't want me sleeping with you anymore?" Iemitsu opened his mouth, and then closed it. When his son put it that way, it was incredibly hard to say no. He was just about to give into Tsuna's whim before Nana cut in and saved him when she sensed his hesitance. "Of course not, Tsuna. We love you." "But why is mama and papa making me go back to my room?" "Because Tsuna, as much as we love you, we love each other as well." Iemitsu said smiling as he wrapped an arm around Nana, "And we haven't spent much alone time together for so long. And grownups need privacy."
Reborn sighs dramatically. "Of course, a cherry boy like Tsuna couldn't understand that his parents couldn't have sex with him in the way"
Tsuna's face turns a few shades, along with everyone in the room (excluding Hibari)
"Don't talk about my mom and dad doing that! It's disturbing for everyone!"
"it certainly didn't disturb Nana and Iemitsu or you wouldn't have been born"
"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP"
And suddenly, with a wave of guilt crashing over him, he realized why his parents were doing this. He had only been looking after his own well-being and he had troubled his parents enough, even going as far as to sleep in their bed whenever he was scared. He couldn't believe he was so selfish. Tsuna sniffed and nodding with an air of surrendering, "Okay…I'll sleep in my room tonight." Nana and Iemitsu grinned at each other and hugged Tsuna with wide, open arms. Their son brightened up a little at this, his parents were so happy now. Nana gathered Tsuna up in her arms and the three of them made their way up the stairs. With each step, Tsuna became more noticeably ill at ease. When Iemitsu and Nana placed Tsuna in his bed, they smiled. Tsuna stared back at them fearfully. "Are you still scared, Tsuna?" Iemitsu said, grinning. Tsuna nodded earnestly, not bothering to at least lie. Iemitsu glowed happily and whispered excitedly to Nana, "Hold on to him, I think I know how to cure this." Tsuna's face furrowed in confusion as Nana began hugging him tightly, and immediately he could tell something was up. Iemitsu grinned and got up from Tsuna's side to move towards the closed closet. Then it clicked suddenly. Tsuna realized what his papa was trying to do. Tsuna stared in absolute horror as his papa drawn near the blasted hell hole in his room. He was going to get killed! He didn't want papa to die! "No! No papa, don't!" Tsuna thrashed in his mama's arms trying to stop his papa, "Don't—" Tsuna cut off into a shrill scream as Iemitsu yanked the closet door open. He buried himself in his mother's shoulder, unable to watch his father's impending death. There was silence, and then Iemitsu spun around to beam, "See Tsuna? There no boogie man here! I probably scared him away!" Tsuna peeked over his father's shoulder to stare into the closet behind him. His papa was right. There was no monster there anymore. Did he really run away? Well, his papa was very scary to most people. So maybe he did! Tsuna slowly peeled himself from his mother's arms and moved close to his papa. He peeked over the man's leg to get a better look inside. There was nothing there but his clothes and his toys…Tsuna gulped and gave his father a soft stare, "Will you scare him away if he ever comes again, papa?" "Of course I will, Tsuna! You know it, kiddo!" Tsuna was grabbed and spun around playfully, "You got to get some sleep, boy! You have school tomorrow!" With newfound courage, Tsuna allowed Iemitsu tickle him and dump him on his bed. His papa would come if something happened! He was so lucky to have such a brave papa! Nana pulled the covers up to Tsuna's chin and kissed him on the forehead, "We'll see you in the morning, Tsuna." Tsuna laughed and hugged his parents, "Goodnight mama, papa." When Iemitsu turned off the lights, Tsuna closed his eyes with a smile in his face, resolute to fall in a quick sleep and dream happily. Or so he thought he would. Tsuna laid in the dark, staring at the ceiling. Occasionally, his eyes would dart around the room to spot anything suspicious…or worse, moving. Tsuna didn't dare move a muscle, if he was here-it would be best to remain as inconspicuous as he could. His nose was feeling ticklish at the most inconvenient time. Fearing he would sneeze, he glanced at the clock to distract himself. It was already three hours since his parents tucked him in. He tried going to sleep—he really did. But his horrific imaginations kept attacking him, jerking him from unconsciousness and back. It was frustrating. He wanted to go asleep and make this night quick and easy. But if he moved too much—the monster might come out from hiding and bite him to death—wait. What was he thinking? He had papa! Papa was right down the hall! If Tsuna were to call, his papa would come running to save him! Smiling cheekily with a swell of pride in his chest, Tsuna sat up. "I'm not afraid." He said to the darkness. When the darkness didn't respond (he really was hoping it didn't. Ever.), Tsuna smiled smugly and laid back down. He wasn't afraid. Now that his papa promised to protect him. "Is that so?" Tsuna's eyes snapped open and he stared agape at the blackness, petrified. Had he imagined that voice? He had to, there was no way someone could be in this room but him because his dad scared the boogie man away! He waited, with bated breath, and secretly hoped that his imagination replied instead. He was highly tempted to call for his parents but he was afraid that the boogie man would get him before he even screamed. Then, for the first time in weeks, he saw him again. And only this time, he came out from under his bed. Tsuna gawked as the boogie man straightened out his suit, soundlessly. Tsuna stared numbly as the man turned to stare down at little Tsuna. "I know what you are trying to do." The boogie man said in a cold, fortifying voice. "Pathetic little herbivore."
"the only person that says herbivore is hibari… so he's the guy stalking my closet…" Tsuna shudders, glancing at hibari, who was shooting lasers at the narrator.
"such dishonesty of the protection of Namimori is to be punished, along with everybody involved. Prepare to pay the price, filthy Sawada" he booms, lunging at Tsuna.
Tsuna yelps before Gokudera steps in front and grabs hibari's arms, barely blocking the attack. Hibari swings a leg and hits him in the stomach-hard. Gokudera winces in pain as he grabs his ankle in an attempt to flip him over, but backfired. The black haired boy saw what he was trying to do and lifted his foot higher, aiming at Gokudera's chin. He flung his head back just in time to see the sole of a black shoe hover past his face. Hibari pulled his arm back, ready to land a tonfa hit, when brown leather suddenly wraps around his weapon and yanks it from his grasp.
A blonde haired man sighs as he pulls back his whip along with his captured target. "Kyoya, can't you go one day without hurting anybody? Don't try to take it out on everyone just because you're a pedophilic stalker. If anything, you're the one that needs medical he-" he stops mid-sentence, sensing the skylark behind him.
"don't say that bullshit" was the last thing Dino heard before he felt a brutal hit to the head.
Tsuna flinched away mutely as the boogie man sat on the foot of his bed. His features were hard to see, but his figure was sharp and strangely elegant in a deadly way. Tsuna leaned as far as he could away from him, almost teetering over the edge of the bed. Tsuna's eyes never left the stranger. The strange man that lived in closets and under beds. The boogie man. The dark man continued, his sharp eyes never leaving the boy, "Clawing at the floors, screaming and begging. I've watched you the whole time." He shivered violently to himself and together they sat on his bed, in deep suspenseful silence. Tsuna gasped loudly as the boogie man's hand shot out and grabbed at Tsuna by his forearm. He yanked him close enough to devour. He felt his sickeningly real warm breath fan out his face and shuddered in absolute horror at the white row of teeth when it stretched. The man whispered, "Live up to my expectations, child. You can never escape your fate, Sawada Tsunayoshi." Tsuna whimpered through chattering teeth as the man repeated with finality, "Never." "emPapa/em! Papa! Papa!" Tsuna screamed and thrashed away from him, going as far as he could against the headboard of his bed. He was trapped, his bed leaned against the corner of two walls. Only the window was his closest escape and he didn't fancy dying a pathetic death from the second story. He grabbed at the pale hands to pry them away and the boy was vaguely surprised to find that it felt…normal. Not at all slimy, or gooey as he imagined monsters would be like. The boogie man remained calm, just scrutinizing Tsuna's reaction. The boy finally ripped his arm out of his grip and the strange man stood up, straighten out once again, and walked into Tsuna's closet without a word. It shut silently behind him. "Tsuna?" Iemitsu called loudly through their room. A door slammed open and Tsuna could hear two pairs of feet dashing down the hallway. "Help!" Tsuna screamed again. The two parents bursted into Tsuna's room. They did a quick sweep of the room and zeroed in on Tsuna, his knees to his chest and cried between hysterical gasps. Nana immediately made a beeline to Tsuna and cradled him on her shoulder. Iemitsu had a pistol in his hand, not yet off its safety, but ready to use. "He's in the closet!" Tsuna spluttered between sobs. Iemitsu darted towards the closet and opened it, pistol positioned determinedly. The three stared at the inside walls of his closet. Nothing. Nothing was in there. Iemitsu gritted his teeth, forcing himself to be calm. His father scared him, almost as much as the stranger had. He also never seen a gun up so close, and it absolutely frightened him to grasp the sudden knowledge that there was one in their house. Iemitsu's voice was hard as he whirled to look back, "Tsuna. I told you, there's no such thing as boogie men." Nana bit her lip, a quiet, "Dear," escaping softly. "He just wants attention, Nana! That's all!" Tsuna shook his head, he couldn't speak. He couldn't understand what just happened just now. Was that a dream? Had he imagined that entire encounter? But, there was no way, it was too real. He could still feel the heat of the monsters hand on his arm. "No more scary movies!" The young father scolded, with a ragged sigh, Iemitsu covered his face with his hands and sat on the bed next to Nana and Tsuna."Dad?" Tsuna said hesitantly, his hand extending. "I'm so sorry, Tsuna. I was just frustrated ….it's all too much…" Iemitsu hugged Tsuna one more time before taking his gun with him and walking out of the room sluggishly. Nana sighed and kissed Tsuna on the forehead, "I'll sleep here tonight, okay Tsuna?" Tsuna didn't answer his heart still pumping with adreneline. He was too busy staring at the closet.
"So Hibari's an undercover freak huh" Reborn scoffs, sipping a cup of cocoa as he sported the latest space suit, astro cap and everything.
"Are those your last words?" Hibari barks, lying on the floor. After fighting with Dino, Reborn came up from behind and was able to give him a strong sedative that left his entire body numb. Hibari was resistant enough to move part of his arms, but it was gonna take a while to get to the other side of the room.
"Are you sure that sedative will hold him down long enough?" Tsuna asks quietly, eyeing the corner of the room.
"Nope. Actually, it'll only work for a few more minutes, possibly 5. This is the boy that was able to knock down a tower under an elephant sedative. Trust me, he's gonna kill you" Reborn answers coolly, looking off in the distance.
"Don't worry Juudaime, I'd never let that pedo inappropriately touch you in any way!" Gokudera exclaims, close at Tsuna's side.
"Hibari likes it when you fight back, Tsuna. It allows him to grab you so he can hold you down. No wonder Alaude gave him those handcuffs…" Reborn coos, making faces at Tsuna as he dodges a rock groggily thrown by Hibari.
"I hate all these sexual innuendos" Tsuna cries out as Hibari shakily stands up, eyes in a death glare.
