Chapter 8: Sacrifice, Death & Truth

In the island, the men kept running around, trying to find the group who were trying to escape. Romolo who was the boss of the famiglia really want nothing but kill the person who dare to interrupt him from taking the princess and his sister.

"Hide if you can" Romolo murmured but the tone was venom one, "For when I found you, you are all gone."


To the place where they are hiding, the preparation of the boat was complete and ready to go. Iemitsu took a sigh before turning to Tsuna who was still sleeping. He turn to Scarlet who seems having a deep though. He decided to approach the child.

"Scarlet what's wrong?" Iemitsu asked as he approached her. Scarlet turn to him and gave a small smile, "Nothing. Just thinking that finally we can get out of this island."

Iemitsu could hear his intuition otherwise. "I can hear lies Scarlet."

'How do I always forget he could read my lies?' Scarlet mentally face palm as she wanted to bump her head to the nearest wall. She turned to Iemitsu who seems waiting for her reply. She took a sigh before telling the truth, "Just thinking how I could divert their attention to me while you two escape from here."

Iemitsu's eyes widen as he could guess what she was trying to do, "Divert? Are you going to stay behind so we could escape?"

"It's not like we have a choice Mister. I mean, surely they will keep watch over the water. We can't fight as we ride on the boat you know. They will just destroy the boat and that's the end!"

"True so all we have to do was escape as we hide within the darkness."

"But the sound of water can't be covered right?"

"So that is why you're suggesting to be left behind? Scarlet I can't let that happen."

"Sure you could Mister. Just take your daughter and get out of here."

"Scarlet"

"This is the only thing I can do mister." Scarlet's eyes were showing resolve, "Everything started because of my family, so I as part of this family wanted to end it."

"She won't be happy if she learned about this."

"I know but its fine. I am nothing importance, her real family could heal the small pain that will inflict to her." She said with the reflection of sadness within her eyes as she stared at the sleeping body before turning back to him. "Please Mister, believe me to this."

"Scarlet you can't."

Scarlet smiled, "I finally decided my faith Mister. If I could, I will return back alive. I promise."

Iemitsu could see her full resolve, not holding back. He took a sigh, "Promise me that"

"I will"

Iemitsu and Scarlet went to Tsuna, seeing she's still sleeping and still alive. Iemitsu carefully carry her in bride way, not wanting to wake her up as he carefully carried her to the boat. Scarlet only watch as Iemitsu stepped on the boat and put her down. She went to them and gave a last look on Tsuna before facing him.

"Keep your daughter safe Mister." Scarlet said with a smile. Iemitsu patted her head, "Your also my child too Scarlet." Scarlet was surprise to hear that. Iemitsu gave a kiss to her forehead and smiled, "Didn't expect that right?"

Scarlet blink for a moment before nodding, "Not at all" She honestly said. 'When was the last time I heard those words?' She wondered, feeling warmness to her heart. She turned to the man and smiled, "Thanks."

"Don't create something that could endanger your life. If something flow according your plan, just come back here and hide. I'll be coming back to pick you up."

"Don't make me do the impossible thing Mister." Iemitsu narrowed his eyes, "If only there's a better way… Should we change place?"

"Which I immediately decline. Just have her come back to her home."

"Will do"

Scarlet turn to Tsuna and smiled, "Please be safe Tsunayuki" She whispered. She took a step back as Iemitsu took the paddle and pushed the boat to make it move.

Scarlet continue to smile as she wave her hand in farewell. Iemitsu can't help but grip his hand to the paddle he was holding, not liking the fact Scarlet was about to do. There is a high chance it would endanger her life which he wanted to prevent such thing but… why? Why is her strong resolve stopping him?

"Because this is the only thing I could do to resolve everything, and so my resentment for making my brother turn out like this." She whispered as she watched them leave.

Scarlet gave deep bow before running to the torches, taking one of them and run back to the entrance while Iemitsu kept paddling until they got out the hidden underground. Feeling the cold wind from the breeze, he heard men yelling. He looked up to see what's happening to the island and it shocked him. There, a fire was starting to spread.

This widen his eyes from shock, "Scarlet"


In the island, Scarlet kept running as she spread the fire as fast as she can, disturbing the men around the island to keep them from noticing the boat.

"Crazy idea but it's the only thing I have in mind." Scarlet murmured as she kept running.

One of her brother's men came out and shock that it was her who's spreading the fire. Scarlet smirked before taking out her knife and stab the man. She pulled it out and continues to run away, leaving the body fall down.

Scarlet continue to spread the fire and thankfully, the wind was helping her because it spread really fast than she could ever imagine. The fire was all around, maybe it can be seen from afar the island.

Seeing she has no place to run, she stopped her running. For some reason, she felt satisfaction as flame spread around the forest. There is no escape from her too since the flame already blocked her way.

"Don't feel satisfied my dear sister." A familiar voice said which shock Scarlet and turn to where the voice was coming from. There, she saw her own brother walking forward to her. "I know what you were planning, using yourself as a bait to have them escape right?"

Scarlet was shock to hear that. If ever her brother knew what she had plan, that would mean…

"That's right. I have my men ready to eradicate them and take the princess back to my hand." Romolo said his evil grin.

He was right. On the sea still not far from the island, Iemitsu was shooting the men that were coming in jet. He was actually surprise that they were still caught after what Scarlet had gone through to create a fire so she can divert all their attention to the fire and not them.

"Damn that man" Iemitsu mumble as he shoot again and as expected, he didn't miss the target.

On the firing island, Scarlet and Romolo were standing to each other. Scarlet gather her courage to point the firing torch to him.

"Oh? You didn't just disobey me Scarlet" He narrowed his eyes, "You're also fighting against me?"

Scarlet gulp before answering, "Y-yes" She glared, "I won't let you do as you please anymore brother. You had already done too far, it's enough!"

"No it's not Scarlet." He walked forward, "Remember, who was the person who always stayed by your side when people call you demon?" Scarlet was shock on the sudden words. He continued, "Who stayed by your side when our parents were gone? Who was it that made you feel better and… who was it that understood all your pain Scarlet?"

Scarlet's hand were shaking, eyes were shaking in fear, knowing full well the answer was. "Y-you"

"Exactly!" Scarlet didn't immediately realize he was already in front of her. Before she could do anything, Romolo took the torch from her hand, taking the knife from her and grab her neck using his free hand and raised her up.

Scarlet tried to get free as she's losing air and his gripping was becoming even harder which pains her.

"And look what you have done? Betraying me Scarlet, is this how you treat your own brother!?" He shouted as he grip it even more. Scarlet was more than aggressive to get free but he was too strong for her.

"How much it pains me Scarlet." Romolo said with a sad tone. Suddenly, Scarlet felt something went in to her stomach.

There, Romolo used her knife to stab her, no hesitation was shown at all. Scarlet vomited some blood before being released from his hand, fell on the ground as the knife still in her stomach and now bleeding out.

"Say hello to our parents in the afterlife Scarlet." Romolo said with his final smirk before leaving her from the spot.

Scarlet was now huffing hard, knowing her end was nearing. Her last sight was the night sky with smokes around due to the fire from the forest.

'This is my end… seems pathetic.' Scarlet mentally laugh at herself. 'If ever there's a God who truly exists… please… keep Mister… and Tsunayuki… safe…'

Gentle but cold breeze came as it gently blows Scarlet. She gave her one last smile.

'I also pray… that their family would become a whole… unlike me... and my family.'

Scarlet closed her eyes and died on the spot.


On the place where the boat was, Iemitsu kept row as fast as he could, still seeing the pursuers coming their way. As he does that, he suddenly felt something from the island and turn to the burning place. Tsuna who was resting woke up, same reason from Iemitsu why he suddenly stop.

Tsuna's eyes were eying the burning forest as tears came out. Iemitsu on the other hand wanted to punch something, blaming himself for what happen.

Both knew as they sense it from their intuition.

Scarlet died.

"N-no… why?" Tsuna began to burst crying.

Iemitsu can't do anything but let her be, knowing he has no right to say comforting words. The current situation strikes his mind and immediately moved the boat away.

Tsuna turn to the man, "F-Father-"

"Don't say it" Tsuna was shock. He continued, "It was her desire to stay behind. I can't do anything to stop her… if you want to blame someone, blame me."

Tsuna looked down, not wanting to blame her own father at all. Even if she didn't know what exactly happened, her intuition was enough to know it was indeed her own decision to stay behind. She looked around and saw some pursuers are coming their way. Tsuna's eyes widen while Iemitsu grunted as he pulled out his gun and shoot them. Tsuna covered her ears from the sound, not because she's afraid but because she hates the sound it produce.

Iemitsu turn to his daughter who was covering her ears but not showing any fear at all. It actually surprised him, "Not afraid from the guns?" Tsuna turn to him and shook her head, "Not really, I just hate the sound."

'Of course she does, she's the wife of that Hitman.' Iemitsu said mentally. Finishing the pursuers, he took the puddle and moved themselves before more of the enemies come.

Tsuna took off her hand from her ears and looked down. She knew this is not the time to talk about it but still, she can't help but ask it.

"F-Father" Tsuna called. Iemitsu glance to Tsuna for a bit before turning away, "I can't believe you could still call me father for all these years."

Tsuna blushed a bit but still continue, "Can you tell me about your side?" Iemitsu asked, "What do you mean?"

"About me." Tsuna pause and continued, "What do you think about me?"

He didn't turn to face her, since in this moment, he was showing his guilt about what he had done. Mind was debating, should he tell or lies. No, lies is no longer an option since she possess intuition like him and her brothers, it won't work at all. So should he tell the truth? If he did then what? It's not like it's easy to accept such truth, especially to something the person never expected to hear.

Sensing he'll stay silence, Tsuna spoke, "I heard my Kaasan's side Father… please… I want to hear yours. I don't care if it's painful… it's just that… I want to put my mind to rest."

'So everything happened still bothers her. People usually forget about it and let it be but her?' Iemitsu thought as he gave a sigh. Seeing no enemies around and seems still safe except the fire on the island, he spoke, "How much do you want to learn?"

Tsuna looked up in wide eyes, surprise at the same time, glad that he was actually letting her learn his side story. Tsuna spoke, "E-everything."

Iemitsu kept rowing as he began his side, starting from when she was born. He told everything he was thinking, his action, everything. Not missing any spot before he progress. Tsuna wasn't asking as she let him speak, in mind she was actually shock to what she was hearing. Was this what really her father felt for her? She was abandon not really because of the impure flame but for her faith because she had that in such young age?

"I knew impure flame could change… I knew that…" Iemitsu said, still not facing her. "But still I'm afraid. What if Nono do something when he sensed your flame? What will the world do if they learn that someone within the Vongola has impure flame? I can't let any bad things happen to you." Iemitsu pause for a moment before continuing, "Even if I knew Nono wouldn't do anything to you, I'm still afraid he might behind my back. I can trust Nono for everything but not when comes to my family."

'Father' Tsuna mentally call.

Everything became silence, only a moment before Iemitsu laugh. "Funny right? Well don't take it too much since what I did about abandoning you and about the time I was about to finish you will never change. Just continue what you feel about me and-"

He suddenly felt warmness, not expecting her, Tsuna was embracing him from behind. He could hear some sniff, is she crying?

"Fa… no, Otosan" Tsuna called, shocking Iemitsu the most. Did he hear it right? Did she just call him 'Otosan' like his sons!?

"I'm… I'm sorry" Tsuna's tears continue to fall down. Iemitsu felt something strike inside him and asked as he lowers his head, "S-sorry? What for?"

"For everything" Tsuna answered. "I didn't know how much pain you had gone through ever since I appeared before everyone. I knew it's the best I didn't show up, I know that… but I can't help get the fact I want to learn about my real family. Reborn helped me find them which were the reason I met Kaasan. After that I decide not to show myself to anyone, even you and my brothers… but… did fate really just playing us? Why is the world so cruel?"

"Because the world was never nice to begin with." Iemitsu answered, even though he knew she knew the answer.

"Otosan… let's go back." Iemitsu was shock. Tsuna slowly pulled out the hug and ask permission to face him. Iemitsu didn't move but in the end comply as he turned around to face her. She smiled, a warm smile, "Can we become a family again? Kaasan, Giotto-nii, Natsu-nii, me and Otosan… I also want you to meet our son… and so is the coming baby from both Natsu-nii and Chrome's."

"Why do you forgive so easily? I might be saying a lie you know." Iemitsu said but Tsuna shook her head, "If you do my intuition reacted already. My husband taught me well Otosan, I could tell no lies at all."

'Reborn you bastard' Iemitsu can't help but curse the man, at the same time, grateful. "It's already too late for me."

"No it's not too late." Tsuna said and hugged her father, "Please? Kaasan was really sad when you left. No matter how bad you had done, she can't help but still love you Otosan. So… shall we go back? Let's restart a new again."

Tears suddenly came down, he can't believe it, his own daughter forgave him and now asking him to return back? The baby he had abandon even for a good reason, now here grown up with her own family… forgave him. For someone like him who had done too much sin, does he deserve to be a father for such pure child like her?

Before he could answer, a gunshot was heard that almost hit them. Tsuna was shock while Iemitsu turn to the origin, seeing larger group coming to them.

'Did we waste too much time?' He thought before looking down to see his own daughter, trembling in fear. He looked around, seeing the sun almost rising and for some reason, he could feel something on the other side. He can't see ahead but his intuition was telling something. He turned to his daughter and wiped her tears, making her face up to look at him.

"Tsunayuki" He spoke her name for the first time, "How much I really wanted to call you by your own name. You may not know but I was so happy when you call me Otosan, Tsuna."

"Otosan" Iemitsu smiled, his true smile as a father which made Tsuna's heart flatter in happiness. Iemitsu asked in serious tone, "Can you swim?"

"Eh?" Tsuna was shock on the sudden question. Iemitsu clarified, "In this boat, they will quickly capture us. I know your still in pain and your wound might reopen again but this is the only way. Tsuna swim on the other side as fast as you can, I will hold them here for you."

"B-but they would still be able to catch up with me." Tsuna reasoned but Iemitsu shook his head, "They won't as long as I'm here Tsuna. Can you swim for me?"

"B-but what about you? I can't leave you here Otosan."

"Don't worry Tsuna, I'm not a CEDEF Boss for nothing." Iemitsu gave a confident look. Tsuna pouted on the reasoning, "You mean former CEDEF Boss Otosan."

"Doesn't matter. Just do as I told you and just these ones, believe and obey me Tsuna."

Tsuna's eyes soften, seeing how desperate he is to stay here and give her time to swim ahead. She nodded, complying with his wish. "Just be sure to return back to us Otosan."

Iemitsu was silent for that, not knowing if he really could return back as she wish but… "I will" He promised, knowing he has no choice but to do so at the same time, give him a reason to live more.

Iemitsu kissed her forehead, "Swim as far as you can Tsuna and never turn back. Promise me that."

Tsuna nodded, "I will. Fight with your dying will Otosan."

Iemitsu just smiled and nodded. Tsuna turn to the side where she was about to head and swim. She turn back to see her father reloading his own carried gun, since the gun he was using that came from Scarlet was already out of bullets.

Iemitsu turn around and shouted, "Go!"

Tsuna nodded before taking a deep breath and jump to the water. Iemitsu faced the coming enemies and began shooting.

Tsuna swim from the bottom before going up to take some air. She turned on the boat and heard many gunshots as she can see her father was hiding below before shooting back.

"Huff huff nghh" Tsuna kept swimming away. She could feel the coldness from the water, cold wind, heck, her breathing was smoking from the coldness too. 'I-I have to hang on' She courage herself, her intuition was telling her to keep moving, like telling her something is ahead and she need to reach it and fast.

She kept swimming until she felt the pain from her wound that made her stop. The wound shot reopened, making her unable to move on even more. 'N-no not yet.' She thought as she tried to swim more but the pain was preventing her and she's beginning to sink as well.

'P-please! Give me more strength!' She pleads but her body gave up as she drowns from the water. She tried to swim up but blood was coming out too much, she can no longer breath too which was more reason she can no longer go on.

All she can do was stare the surface, can no longer reach as she will only sink deeper and deeper.

Her eyes were slowly closing. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was a shadow coming to reach her.

'Reborn'

I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn