Hi Hi~~

Soooo it's been a while huh?

Yeah...

Nothing much to say currently. I'm a little rusty for this story soz and also it is SO much harder than I thought to do Kawa27 dammit. Romance is hard lol

Anyway I hope you tell me whatcha think about this~

...So-

Enjoy~~


There wasn't much to say for the first day since Tsuna locked himself in his room. It was rather uneventful.

Well as uneventful as having an immortal being currently holed up in the household could be.

Reborn and Shamal took the time to determine their history concerning this deceivingly youthful looking enigma. Taking the day to wrap their heads around who or what was currently residing in the closed room of the Sawada residence.

"Did you have any idea that he was.." Reborn hesitated, for once quite unsure how to word it, "..abnormal?"

Shamal looked thoughtful. "Tsunayoshi was strange I guess but I never thought he was, well, not human. I mean thinking about it now I've never seen him hurt or sick despite being so close to me who contracted so many diseases. But I just chalked it up to a really good immune system."

"So nothing weird."

The doctor looked at the hitman strangely. "No. He didn't make me and Iemitsu do any blood sacrifices or offerings or anything like that if that's what you're thinking."

Reborn had the decency to look a little sheepish at that. "I see."

Shamal sighed. "Speaking of which, I cannot believe Iemitsu didn't connect the dots. He was his son for god's sakes!" Reborn snorted.

"An idiot through and through."

The two men both chuckled and began spending the rest of the day reminiscing. Only stopping to take their food and thank and reassure a worried Nana.


Midway through the second day trouble struck. Trouble in the form of Hibari Kyouya.

"Where is the Carnivore?" The teen all but growled at the two men- or one man and a baby- who were currently restraining the skylark all in order to stop him from barging into the room. "Where is he?"

"Tsunayoshi is currently- oof- resting and should not be disturbed." Shamal answered in his best doctor voice whilst getting elbowed in the ribs. The skylark calmed down at that but not much. Hibari grit his teeth and pushed away from this herbivorous man's grasp and paced across the floor trying to wear off his irritation.

"Akambo." Steel grey met obsidian black. "When can I see Tsunayoshi?"

Reborn internally sighed. Such a troublesome cloud. "I do not know however the brunette is not in any critical danger. Just recovering. The soonest you'll probably be able to see him is at most the day after next."

Hibari didn't seem to be fully satisfied with the answer but nonetheless the teen retracted his weapons and leaned against the wall directly opposite to the brunette's room. At the questioning look of the older males the teen curtly replied, "I will wait for Tsunayoshi. He owes me three days worth of lessons."

The hitman adjusted his fedora to hide his amusement. Troublesome cloud indeed.


Apparently a skylark's patience should never be tested because by late morning on the third and final day the raven haired teen would no longer accept the usual excuses to why he could not possibly see Tsuna. It was one thing for it to be infectious but a completely different story to not even feed the bedridden brunette! They hadn't even brought water for him. It made Hibari furious at such terrible care-taking for the Carnivore.

The door handled exactly three hits before it finally broke. Honestly the hitman and the doctor probably could have stopped the animalistic teen but their attempts were half hearted at best, curiosity practically eating them up inside. Who could blame them? Anyone would be dying of intrigue in their situation as well. Of course breaking the door really wasn't necessary but what is, is.

The first thing the three males noticed was the temperature. It was sweltering. The inside of a furnace was preferable to this heat. They could already feel the beads of sweat form on their skin.

"Tsuna?" Shamal called out nervously, the small child in him was worried both for Tsunayoshi and himself who had defied Tsunayoshi's rules. "Tsuna a-are you okay?"

"I don't think he can hear you," Reborn answered, eyes glued onto the figure on the bed.

Or more like, the cocoon on the bed.

It was a pale orange. The whole thing was semi-translucent and there was a brightness, a fire inside at its very core. It was a rather beautiful sight. In a completely horrifying way. Upon closer inspection the threads of the cocoon looked more... veiny. Fleshy. And it pulsed as if alive.

Everyone stared at the thing with a mixture of both curiousity, fear and nausea.

"Tsunayoshi is in that?" Shamal stuttered out. Hibari was speechless. It just occurred to the older men that the teen was probably completely unaware of Tsuna's not so human condition. Damn, after this there was going to be some explaining to do.

Out of habit Reborn scanned the room, his sharp eyes caught something that was out of place on the floor. Something he swore wasn't there before. A small piece of crumpled paper. Grasping and smoothing out the sheet the hitman knew his instincts were correct. It was a note.

Of course the other two had noticed the infant's actions and by then had gathered around (much to the young skylark's irritation and reluctance) to read what it contained.

If you're reading this then you've probably gone into this room before the third day is up. Really. You couldn't wait for three days. I kind of expected it but that's a little sad. We'll have to have a long, long 'talk' about this later. Nicoli, I'm sure you know what this means.

Shamal shuddered. Oh yes. He knew what that meant.

Also since we forgot to notify the school at such short notice Hibari should either be coming here soon or he already has. Hopefully you two haven't become truly incompetent and made sure to not let him in the room. Because explaining everything will not only be a pain but compromise my whole species. Of course I do believe you two would not commit such a stupid mistake.

The two elder men winced as they read that. The youngest of the unlikely group raised a confused brow. He was going to have to confront the carnivore of this.

Anyway there was no major reason why you guys couldn't come in, though if this is still the second day please do not touch the cocoon. I told you not to enter because my appearance to humans can be seen as rather ugly to say the least and it's a little embarrassing.

By the third day I should be pretty stable but please refrain from touching me in case. Also loud noises. By around late afternoon the outer shell would have hardened and by midnight I will have the strength to I guess you could say 'awaken'.
If you are curious about what is currently happening to me (which if your reading this proves you are) then think about this much like how caterpillars turn into butterflies. I do not really wish to explain the concept much.

P.S. I'm going to be really hungry. Makes sure there is a lot of food ready. A lot.

The trio spent most of the day in and out of the brunette's room. Hibari went to patrol a bit. Shamal and Reborn accompanied Nana grocery shopping, insisting to buy much more ingredients than for a usual dinner. But mainly they watched the strange cocoon.

It was almost hypnotic. Something that was hard to pull your eyes away from. Because when you did it felt like you'd have imagined the whole thing. Every time the thing pulsed it glowed a little, the flame inside brightened but over time they noticed the skin began to harder. The texture became less flesh-like and took on a more woody, rough, solid look. The color began to dim as it slowly changed and that bright fire inside became less and less visible to the outsiders.

Shamal being the most sociable of the three had by then long given up all attempts at small talk with the other two. Currently he was marveling and examining this unique biological construction, mentally noting down things he had to ask the brunette once he awakened. The doctor felt a pang at the thought of Tsunayoshi.

He didn't love the man any more. Not really. Not with the same intensity, passion nor need. But he still remembered it. That yearning, one sided crush was quite a big part of his childhood. And when Tsunayoshi had left; without any sign, any word, any trace, there was the feeling of hurt, confusion and most of all- the betrayal.

The doctor had meant what he'd said before to Tsuna. He didn't, would never see the brunette as a disappointment. He had helped him when no one else did, had talked when everyone chose to ignore, had accepted him when he couldn't even do so to himself. The man had saved his life. Granted him a brilliant education. A family that cherished him. A home to grow up in. How could he ever be disappointed with him? Tsunayoshi had been his whole world.

But that didn't change the fact that he left.

And that it hurt.

Bad.

Now that he knew why, the reason, Shamal had thought, hoped, everything would finally be over. That dull ache every time he reminisces, the feeling of anger and betrayal that rises in him at that memory. But it doesn't, it didn't. It didn't change anything then nor now.

The logical adult part of him knew it takes time, closure was just a step closer to fully getting over it, not an end in itself. But the rest of him felt just so frustrated that after years of wondering, searching, imagining the answers to his questions yet when it had finally been answered there was none of the satisfaction, the peace he so desired. Maybe it was because that child inside him, that teenager inside him, hell, the young adult inside him, still adored, idolized and loved Tsunayoshi.

But hopefully, hopefully it'll all finally fade. Fade into just a nice memory to look upon with no hurt, no worthless meaningless regret that didn't even make sense and then, then he can move on.


He was floating in the darkness.

If he could focus hard enough he could feel his physical self changing, adapting. At first it was painful. The feeling of breaking down cell by cell as the already mind-numbing pain in his broken bones was shadowed by the excruciating feeling of said bones being chipped slowly away. Unbearable.

Yet somehow he clung onto this anguish. The pain that flashed a piercing white and buzzed, clawing furiously in the back of his head. It was better than that empty darkness, that darkness that made him question if he was really even alive.

He knew the first thing that would go was his mind; the memories, then the dreams and finally the emotions. The last feeling he had was fear, fear of the darkness and what it could mean. That last shred of fear that imbeds in him and pushes him to hold onto the pain. The pain that proves he's alive, he's here, that he is still and always will be, a person.

It was in a way, a form of pure torture. To be forced to feel the end of your nerves fray, your skin to slowly melt, the muscles reducing into nothing but liquid only to burn up in the fire of his core. To cling still onto this pain that would easily bring a god to his knees and a statue to tears because the alternative was so much more terrifying. Darkness was an all consuming dangerous being. It didn't favor, it could not judge and it was constantly hungry.

But slowly and surely the pain began to dull, it was still searing but it was now what Tsunayoshi could deem as 'tolerable'. And when the pain fades, the mind comes. First was the fear. The hardest most primal instinct to overcome. Once fear came the urge to let go of the pain, to no longer hurt was great. Waiting for the rest of himself to come back was hard but after fear came courage and finally he knew that the worst of this whole process was over.

More of himself returned. He suddenly felt bouts of irrational and unexplained anger, sadness, joy, everything. It was a confusing yet at the same time oddly amusing sensation. Tsunayoshi knew better than to fight it after all. And it was kinda nice experiencing his unrestrained emotions, unrestricted by morality and judgements. Just pure feeling free to be savored for what it is.

Memories had now decided to come back. In the beginning it was blurry, just colors and undefinable sounds. The immortal couldn't exactly blame them. It had been a while since he looked back so far. Then came his first clear image in his head.

A white haired boy was right in his face, looking at him with an expressionless face. But those eyes, a stunning crimson red that hypnotically drew Tsunayoshi's gaze, those still hopeful innocent eyes, looked at him with curiosity, wonderment and awe. He remembered smiling, the first time ever actually and somehow could sense the boy's shock as he did so.

The brunette wanted to reach out to the larger figure with the pretty white hair and even prettier red eyes. Their was something innate about this person, attracted and pulled him in. He didn't know much less understand this strong need to be close to the other. All he knew was that he simply wanted to. His body didn't seem to agree however as all it did was squirm a bit. That had frustrated him immensely.

But then the older child smiled at him and suddenly Tsunayoshi had felt rather content to just lie that and soak in that warm, happy smile. It was a nice smile.

...

"Kawahira come on!"

Tsunayoshi could now see the world had shifted as images of grassy hills, lush greenery and smells of mildew and rain filled his mind. The white haired boy- Kawahira- that's his name- Kawahira was running down a hill toward him. On top of the hill was a large group of people watching them. The brunette could feel the content smiles and idle ease emanating from them.

There was laughter filling his ears. It took a moment to realize it was his own. High pitched and light and so unburdened.

Kawahira wasn't laughing like him but he was smiling. A big cheeky grin as he showed no sign of slowing down in his chase toward him. Tsunayoshi shrieked and his view turned from the older boy to the endless rolling hills and blue skies beyond as he too began to run.

He remembered the adrenaline and bubbling excitement filled his blood as the young immortals pursued each other as young children do. Remembered the lighthearted sounds of joyful laughter and voices filled the sky. And most of all-

Remembering his heart fill with the hope these moments would never end and memories like these filled his mind.

...

Their snickers and giggles were cut off by a voice calling for Kawahira. Tsunayoshi felt worry and something else grip him as the albino's expression changed so quickly from a kind smile to a disturbed frown. He had noticed that the older immortal was smiling less these days.

"I'm sorry Tsunayoshi, I need to go for a bit."

Kawahira must have noticed his worry as he gave a small reassuring smile that didn't truly reach his eyes. He didn't like this smile. But Tsunayoshi didn't show it. Kawahira was older, almost an adult now. Adults had adult responsibilities. He knew and respected that. So he mustered up all the happiness he had on hand and squashed the feeling of worry and disappointment as he smiled back.

"That's okay Kawahira!" He chirped cheerily, hoping that the other couldn't see past his facade, "I understand. I'll go inside first then. Will you tell me about it later?"

The white haired immortal must have seen through a little bit of him because he still looked a little unsure though he had relaxed quite a bit at the answer.

"I'm really sorry Tsunayoshi. You know I can't."

The brunette laughed. He remembered it feeling empty and hollow.

"Don't worry," he reassured half to the other, half to himself. "You'll tell me when I'm ready right?"

Crimson eyes looked at vibrant orange with guilt and uncertainty.

"Yeah, when you're ready."

Tsunayoshi couldn't stop the sinking feeling that gnawed at his empty stomach. But he still kept smiling.

...

"Sepira."

The woman turned, smiling that usual sweet smile she almost always wore. Tsunayoshi didn't understand why he didn't like her as much as he was supposed to. She was nice enough. Actually she was very kindhearted. Maybe it was just their personalities didn't match up. Unfortunately she didn't seem to think so considering the amount of times the woman hung around fussing over him.

"Ah Tsun-kun! How are you?"

The brunette nodded politely. Inwardly he winced at the nickname. "I'm fine Sepira-"

"Auntie Sepira." She corrected cheerfully.

"Auntie Sepira," he amended through clenched teeth. "I was looking for Kawahira. He promised to teach me the game of chess."

There was a quick flash of something that went through the woman's eyes. Just a split second that even he, with his hyper intuition and observation could barely grasp. And then it was gone. Replaced completely with that stupid innocent look that Tsunayoshi wanted to slap off her face.

"Kawahira is busy right now. Do you want to play with Auntie Sepira instead? I have acquired a new chessboard from a nearby village."

A disappointing lie and a disappointing excuse. Sepira knew where Kawahira was. In fact he was sure she knew he knew that. It filled the brunette with unexplainable, irrational anger that she knew where the albino was and he didn't. Kawahira was his best friend.

Squishing down the slight irritation the brunette felt, Tsunayoshi forced himself to smile a smile equally as sweet. He was getting good at masking his emotions. Not as good as the adults of his kind but enough to fool the majority of them. It was sad really. They were supposed to pride themselves to be better than those lesser species that were a poor imitation of their kind. But really, Tsunayoshi thought they were pretty much the same.

...

"Don't go."

The white haired teen looked surprised as a warm hand gripped the edge of his pajama sleeve. As his gaze followed the slim arm Kawahira saw a sleepy but equally dismayed Tsunayoshi.

"Please don't go Kawahira." He pleaded softly.

"Tsunayoshi.. I-"

"You never laugh anymore." The brunette interrupted, voice wavering as it carried the weight of all his past doubts and worries and hurt and confusion. "You don't smile much and when you do its one of those fake reassuring smiles all the other adults give when they don't want to answer anymore questions. It's because you keep going to those meetings that you've started changing! We barely play together nowadays and you always seem so tired and sad now."

He looked up imploringly at his best friend, the person who he trusted and loved. "Please... I don't want to see you like this anymore. Don't go. Stay with me."

There was a flicker in those crimson orbs, a waver. There was uncertainty in those eyes that probably revealed more doubts and anguish than Kawahira had wanted to reveal. The older teen looked like he wanted to say something, wanted to so desperately break down in front of him.

It made his heart ache at the thought.

Yet looking back on it now, Tsunayoshi could see a selfish part of him, a part of him that wanted that to happen. For his beloved trusting kind strong older brother figure to break in front of him, to tell him everything. To choose him over the duties and secrecy and whatever those damned meetings held. He didn't understand- still didn't actually- why he even so young felt such possessive dark horribly selfish thoughts but what was, was.

But then one of the elders knocked on their door, asking softly for Kawahira. And suddenly those unsure eyes hardened. His face expressionless, betraying nothing.

"Sorry Tsunayoshi. I have to do this." He curtly murmured. Coldly shaking him off with more force than really needed.

And then he left.

...

*BAM*

Tsunayoshi looked up to see the white haired young adult stagger into his room, the stench of alcohol permeating from the half slumped figure at the door. Alcohol and grapes. He tilted his head slightly in curiousity. Nowadays when the group traveled he was deemed old enough for his own room, he didn't exactly expect Kawahira to come in, especially not this late in the night. Of course he didn't expect the male to be completely smashed either.

"Kawahira?"

Then the albino made a muffled noise. But Tsunayoshi heard it. It was dry and heaving and wrecked with guilt and anguish.

It was the sound of a man slowly cracking at the seams.

"Kawahira!" Immediately he was by the other's side, slowly trying to support the older male toward his bed. Worry spiked as he made more of those heart wrenching sounds which were practically choked out of his mouth. Honestly he didn't feel this much fear and anxiety grip his chest when their species began to show the first signs of dying out. "Kawahira what's wrong?" He asked again, trying his best to be soothing and assuring just like how Kawahira was to him when he was young.

"I-I screwed up Tsunayoshi." His hands were shaking violently and his eyes were glazed, almost unseeing. "I didn't think- oh god- when they said they would free those cursed souls I thought- I didn't know- I didn't-" The older man crumpled, shaking hands covering his face as he took in a harsh shuddering breath.

The brunette was at a loss at what to do. Never had he ever seen Kawahira, big strong powerful Kawahira like this. Tentatively, like the albino was made of glass, he gently albeit rather awkwardly gave the other a hug. He'd seen the humans do this for comfort and honestly, he'd always wished to try it. This seemed to be the best time to do so.

Kawahira of course was unused to this sudden close comfort offered and for a moment stiffened. Quickly however emotion must have won over that stone wall that was the albino's sense of reason, duty and rules that he always held firmly to. Or maybe the elder was just too tired and distraught to care about all those ridiculous sense of etiquette and social norms. Either way Kawahira hesitantly melted into the hug.

Kawahira was warm and so was Tsunayoshi if the larger male shifting closer to his embrace was any indication. They spent minutes, maybe an hour or so just like that- Tsunayoshi holding the other close, quietly murmuring anything in soothing tones as he stroked fondly white hair or gently massaged little circles on the other's back. Kawahira leaning into the warmth and comfort and most of all, the silent, unconditional acceptance as he quietly sobbed, mumbling things that only he could understand. A selfish despicable voice in the brunette's head whispered a wish for this to continue forever. The more righteous side shushed it, Kawahira was sad and hurt and that was all that mattered.

Finally when the shaking and trembling and tears stopped, the brunette sensed it was time to let go. Reluctantly he pulled back from the heat of his dearest friend's body, however he still allowed one hand to comb through Kawahira's soft snowy hair. Red eyes gazed at orange as if desperately trying to convey something, something deep and complicated that a single look could never truly convey. But he still said nothing.

The room seemed to have gotten hotter at once. The atmosphere of the room heavy and laced with a tension that they couldn't name. It was like time had stilled, holding its breath as slowly Kawahira leaned closer to him, eyes never breaking contact from each other. Tsunayoshi too felt the strange undeniable compulsion to move closer too, their lips just a hairs breath away. So close that they could feel the heat, the buzzing tingling sensation emanating from each other. Yet it was far enough that they moved no further like a frustratingly confusing tug of war.

Finally whatever magic or spell between them broke. And the two glanced away from each other. Tsunayoshi remembered heat rising to his cheeks, from embarrassment or something else he wasn't exactly certain.

"I uh, I'll take my l-leave now." The elder stood up awkwardly, a faint dusting of pink evident on his own cheeks. The brunette was just glad he wasn't the only one flustered in this situation.

As Kawahira was just about to close the door shut Tsunayoshi heard a soft whisper of, "Thank you." before the sound of wood closed behind him.

Tsunayoshi allowed himself a small smile.

...

Now memories had began speeding up, blurring and being skipped over with no rhyme or reason to why. Not that the immortal really had the energy to care.

Tsunayoshi was now looking at the moon. It was the only thing visible among the gloomy cloud cover. The wind nipped at his skin, cold and biting. He could feel the soft moss and earth beneath him as he sat on the edge of a cliff a good way away from where they had camped for the night. To a human he looked close to a young adult now, sixteen at least, considering his age to a human though he should be long dead and buried.

Their species numbers have dwindled to pathetic numbers now. They were just... Dying. It was the elders who went first. They were old yes, but it had been clear they had tens of centuries to still live, there had been no sign of the peaceful eternal slumber that signaled the end of their very long journey. For seemingly no reason they would begin losing strength, slowly, unnoticeably till it was too late and all they could do was watch in fear as their bodies shut down and the lights in their eyes fades as well. Then the moment they closed their eyes to the world their bodies slowly fade into ashes, picked up by the wind and disappear.

It was scary and unnerving and the only ones who would have possibly have an inkling to what was happening had either fallen to this sickness or was long gone, mercifully consumed by time and their old age.

Either way there was no point in sticking around with them in Tsunayoshi's opinion. It was a good excuse anyway to leave, truth be told he'd gotten rather sick of it all.

He loved his kind, they were family, raising him and loving him in their own detached kind of way. It would be wrong to be ungrateful. But as he grew older Tsunayoshi could no longer see past the fine webs of lies and secrets they had tried to hide from him and had grown tired of being the only one they refused to tell.

Even Kawahira knew everything. Their reason for coming, their role, their whole purpose- the brunette more than suspected that the albino not only knew but had now long played an active role in whatever ritual or thing they did. And still he too had told him absolutely nothing. Somehow this, out of everything was the worst.

Tears stung his eyes and the feeling of resentment and betrayal stung his heart as all the frustration and doubts and insecurities and well, everything had decided to bubble to the forefront of his mind. This time however he refused to bite down everything, to bottle it up. He didn't care who heard him as he cried his heart out to the night sky.

...

"You're leaving?!"

Silently Tsunayoshi cursed. He had planned to leave quietly, only taking a moment the night before to inform the new elders who tiredly accepted. He had felt a little bad about that looking at the worn faces before him, apparently with all the sudden deaths and this plague there had been much anxiety and panic in their kind as there should be. People were talking about leaving, letting themselves have a small break from everything. Tsunayoshi was just the first to actually ask.

Of course what he was planning was not a mere small vacation but they didn't need to know that.

The brunette turned to see a familiar panting figure, white hair tousled by the wind and red eyes wide and confused and oh so hurt. Something inside him clenched at seeing Kawahira like this yet at the same time preened on the fact that he was the one to make him like this. However his face betrayed nothing and his cursed honest eyes were for once blank, hardened with resolve.

"Yes." Then Tsunayoshi relaxed his features and put on a serene smile that was only half fake. "I've always wished to explore the world myself. Listen to all the winds can offer. Mingle with the humans I've for so long only really watched from afar. I wish to read all the books and learn new things- maybe I can even teach just like I wanted!" His smile widened at the idea.

The white haired man did not seem to share his delight in the others fantasies. Instead he looked so.. sad and lost. Tsunayoshi back then wouldn't have noticed but now, looking at the older male, the brunette could see that Kawahira had never looked so defeated and hopeless. As he heard himself prattle on about his dreams, his desires, how he'll maybe find love, a family, friends, he watched the albino crumble. Not physically of course but there was so much pain in those crimson eyes he used to adore, pain that was masked under a disgustingly fake smile that back then he failed to notice.

And when Kawahira hugged him. Hugged him so tightly that the air left his lungs and tears inadvertently filled his eyes. So tightly like how he pressed his lips to restrain what was so obviously his pleads for the brunette not to leave them, him. Guilt twisted horribly in him, like a knife in his gut. A knife with twisted mercilessly deeper as he realized how oblivious and joyful the Tsunayoshi then had been as they parted ways.

Kawahira hadn't been the best at friendship, what with all the secrecy and distance and everything. A part of the younger immortal always had blamed the albino completely on their state of crumbling relationship. That Kawahira was the sole reason and had given him every possible reason to be completely disappointed him.

Right now though, Tsunayoshi felt the startlingly unpleasant realisation that despite everything, he did not have every right to resent and be bitter toward his old friend as he has done for so long like he had thought.

That realisation was cold and yet it burned like his nerves simultaneously were hit by lightening. Some small objective part of him commented that the feeling was probably that turning point in his 'process' where his body quickly begins to form at an unnerving speed. If Tsunayoshi wasn't currently so distracted by the guilt and pain he would have complained that the turning point always seemed to only happen during a stupid revelation in his memory as if on purpose. Like that feeling of wanting to change was the catalyst to it all.

The immortal was sure it was just his body being a condescending ass though.


Finally he could flex his fingers, his real fingers. Well real in the sense it was tangible and not a dream. Blearily he forced his eyes open to the darkness. Darkness which, what seemed like ages ago, made him fear and terrified him. Now it meant nothing. The fear was probably still there inside him, just squashed under years of logic and strength and so many other things that made his original phobia of the dark now meaningless.

Weakly he raised his hand, the rough papery texture was quickly met by smooth silky untouched skin. The shell surrounding him easily broke away, crackling softly like dry leaves that smelt of fire and smoke and ash. It was a comforting scent in Tsunayoshi's opinion. He never understood why but it was.

It took an embarrassing amount of effort to sit up. The immortal grimaced. This is why he wished to take his time with the process. If he had a week he could've gathered some extra items that would have not only made the pain lessen but ensured an easier recovery. Damn Reborn that little princess.

Speaking of whom- Tsunayoshi stared at the three sleeping males in the room, his bright orange eyes and the waning light of the moon allowing him access to the peaceful rather endearing sight. Though... And he frowned slightly at this, three? Oh Reborn and Nicoli were definitely going to exchange words tomorrow. Words that will not be in the least bit pleasant.

Looking down he notices a tray of food by his bed. 'Ah. So they saw the note.' He mused as he picked up silently a large sandwich that had been generously stuffed with various meats, vegetables and a mouthwatering sauce that even cold Tsunayoshi could smell. Taking a bite out of the meal the brunette decided that maybe those words exchanged could be a little pleasant. Only a little.

Mid way through the large meal and his fifth sandwich the immortal could feel the familiar ebb of his strength and core come back to him. Enough to at least create a little silencing barrier made from Sky Flames that basically petrified the very air to suit his needs. With a few whispered words from the old language of the ancients, his phone was passed to him. Not the most appropriate use of his powers but there was no one to judge.

Tsunayoshi was nervous at what he was doing. Honestly Tsunayoshi felt like a right idiot and had half a mind to just drop the phone and do this some other time. Preferably in daylight. It wasn't well planned, it was stupid and it was the middle of the night. But after that, after all those memories and the guilt and the need and urge and resolve to change one of the one things he truly cared about, he couldn't find any reason goof enough to stop himself.

He waited as the phone on the other end began to ring. Then an audible click and he quietly gulped, of course with all his emotions settling back into place he had a very poor grip on his control and immediately he felt a flustered bashfulness that he had not felt in ages. 'Like how you haven't talked with Kawahira in ages.' A traitorous voice whispered. Tsunayoshi hastily shushed it.

"Hello?"

The brunette drew a deep breath as he heard the sleepy but all too familiar sleepy yet smooth baritone that just held that slight edge of deceiving light hearted casualty which Tsunayoshi knew better than to believe in.

"Kawahira we need to talk."