Author: Ri-Ryn

Chapter: Tossici Tempesta e Acido Linguas(Toxic Gale and Acid Tongues)

Word Count: 5646

Rating: M* (Content suitable for Mature Teens)/ +T

Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn belongs to Akira Amano.

Warnings: Severe language and extremely depressive thoughts.

A/N: Thanks for the new thirteen, long written reviews guys. I decided, since I'm a day over my month long writing limit, I decided to reach a new level of word account. Also, I would like to apologize for using the F-word once in this chapter, I HATE THAT WORD WITH A PASSION, but I felt it needed to be done. Now that I think of it, I "write like a literate sailor" in this story: my apologies. And now, enjoy the chapter!

Music:"Feet on the Ground" by: Britney Spears (her lyrics have become Tsuna's theme song for this part of his life in this story; it's actually a really good song! Till..well, you'll see…)

Tsuna sighed as a tick mark appeared on Gokudera's forehead. "And I said," the storm hissed, slamming his hand down on the table, "that's bullshit! It should be pretty clear to everyone in this room that your suggestion favors the Occhetti."

Lambo was slouching on the back of Tsuna's chair. "Yare yare, you have the guts to try cheating the Vongola?"

The boss of the Occhetti family, a short man with a round stature, started to sweat before their eyes and speckle his suit with dark spots. "No-no, I would never!" The egotistical coward abruptly stood up, smashing his papers together in an attempt to gather them. "I'll be sure to tailor them again to a more favorable liking for you sir!"

Tsuna sighed and closed his eyes, his chin propped on an arm and elbow atop his armrest. He waved his left hand in a careless motion, as if swatting a fly, when a maid took the cue and led the disgraceful boss from the negotiation table and room.

Immediately after the door closed, Lambo straightened up with a small bow of apology. "I'm terribly sorry for being so disrespectful."

"It's fine." Tsuna clicked on the small mike on his collar. "All clear Renz, couldn't see the difference~"

Static and then a voice came through, "That's not funny at all Decimo, a joke in the poorest of tastes."

The illusion fell and the real form of Diva and Andrea appeared.

"Yes, yes," Tsuna brushed off the remark rubbing his eyes. "If I knew I wasn't going to be reading anything today I would've worn my plain brown contacts instead."

All of his 'guardians' knew he was blind; he made sure to tell them after the assembly a few days ago when thy made the pact with him. It took him hours to convince them not to kill his real guardians.

"You never know so you should always be prepared sir." Ever so helpful, Tsuna thought sarcastically.

Andrea fumed as she glared towards the older woman. "Decimo doesn't make any mistakes! How dare you say that to him!"

Diva gave the naïve girl a critical eye. "You say that but you don't know." She gave an antagonizing tilt of her head, "You're too young to possibly understand what I'm saying."

Andrea stood her ground. This was her boss and it was her duty to defend him. The two lionesses locked eyes, their rivalry gleaming within.

Tsuna stepped in, hoping to cease the progression of the cat fight taking place and about to worsen. "Ladies, it's fine. Points are taken and we're past this. Andrea, what do we have next on the agenda, if you will so kindly?"

Andrea un-pocketed her flip notebook, turning to this day's date. She cleared her throat, trying to send her wave of satisfaction of being more useful towards the old hag. Decimo trusted her with his schedule. "In accordance with today, next we're to prepare for the yearly Mafia social with rival and allied families. Vongola is hosting this year. We need to decide on food to be served, decorations, seating arrangements, attire for you and us caterers as well as music." She choked up, "I…uh…sir," she shifted uncomfortably.

Tsuna looked at her sadly. He knew exactly what she was trying to say and how she was trying to spare his feeling. Andrea was too sweet for her own good sometimes. "Yes, I understand I must contact them, don't I?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Tsuna moved his attention to the ebony haired woman. "Diva, please retrieve the numbers of the guardians on their missions. I need to call them back home temporarily."

"How are you going to convince them to do so sir?" Prodding gently this time, eh Diva? Usually you're more direct.

The brunette frowned. "Considering how swimmingly we're interacting with each other, a charming conversation with them individually might be the trick. Then I have to warn them to behave in front of our guests since I don't favor the idea of being attacked again. I suppose I should take care of this road block." He sighed again. Damn, this is starting to become habitual for me. He untangled himself from the plush chair, cracking his bones into place.

"Shall we dance our first diabolic waltz before the awaited night comes?"

The two women agreed as Diva went to scavenge for foreign phone numbers and Andrea dutifully trailed Tsuna to his office where they were seated.

"I can tell you right now," Tsuna grimaced, "anything meant to be pleasing to the eye isn't my forte. Hopefully you have a gift for creating beauty. Reborn once told me, if Leonardo was told to paint the scene of what I had planned once for my mother's birthday or die, he would forfeit his life without a second thought." Tsuna huffed humorously, "I'd seen his paintings and to this day I still feel insulted."

"You're pushing the work onto your right hand man?" The spitfire teased.

"No, trying to prevent genocide of the Mafia variety." His teeth flashed, "Otherwise yes, without hesitation and with confidence. Lay it on me."

Andrea entered thinking pose when her eyes snapped open. "Classical! For decorations it'll be olive green table cloths, gold silverware, burgundy napkins, clear streamers, and varying purple flower arrangements. As for attire…" The girl tucked a loose strand of striking blue hair behind her ear. "How about all maid wear a black dress of their choosing and the butlers a tuxedo? Then the woman could war white scarves and the men have white handkerchiefs so guests can distinguish us from the crowd at the gathering."

The young coordinator drummed her fingers on her thigh before snapping them together. "As for food, how about a taste of fine cuisine from around the world? Nighty five percent of the cooking staff are imported anyway."

Tsuna made a chastising noise in the back of his throat at her choice of words.

For once, the girl ignored him. "Seating can be by alliances and good relations with several small tables surrounding an open circle of space. The little cloud man can DJ since I know he does it for the CEDEF parties no matter how much he denies it!"

Tsuna who had been nodding along with the planning froze. Fuuta is a DJ in his spare time? He shook his head vigorously; that wasn't important! Parties? Now I know where all the shortcomings in the Vongola budget came from. Basil and Fuuta don't seem like the type to do that though…

The Vongola boss snapped out of his reverie to the hope filled eyes of Andrea. Better than I could've come up with, why not? "Sounds good to me, would you like to put into action?" The girl was brimming with excitement. "Then run and tell Fuuta so he can start getting everyone to prepare while getting us supplies, ne?"

The young storm shot out of her seat and was out his door in seconds. He found himself chuckling at her antics until Diva replaced the energetic girl's presence. "I have all the numbers." Ah, and then my moment of happiness comes crashing down.

He wasn't near ready for this. "Can you wait outside?" He reached for his phones. He needed his family, even if its meaning had deteriorated to being just for show now.

She didn't respond but quietly walked out; he wasn't focusing on her anymore. The door was closed by her hand and she was surprised to see Andrea in the hallway, looking uncharacteristically worried. The younger girl put a finger to her lips before motioning to the door. Andrea put an ear to it and Diva hesitated to listen as well. It would break both of their hearts, she found out later…

Tsuna stared at the family photo of everyone after they graduated high school on his floor; he had knocked it over when reaching for the telephone. Everyone was happy and the only cracks that appeared in the glass were over his image. Did he even belong in that photo to begin with?

Tsuna dialed Hibari when a click was heard and wasted no time in speaking first. "You're to come ho- back for the Vongola Social."

"You called to tell me something so useless carnivore?"

Tsuna stiffened at his label. "No, I called because the guardians need to look like they actually give a fuck. I don't care what you feel about this, just be there," was his icy command. The phone was slammed down into place on the receiver. Oh yes, the party is useless to a fellow carnivore, is it? What a 'promising' start! He tried erasing his bitter thoughts.

Number two on the list was Yamamoto, maybe it would be easier?

Yamamoto picked up, his tone annoyed and cold. "What do you want, Tsunayoshi?" He must have caller ID.

"I need you here immediately for the Vongola Social, leave afterwards if you want."

"…Mandatory?"

Does he even need to ask? I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't. "Yes."

The line dropped as he redialed. Calmer? Yes. Any easier? No.

Gokudera waited till the last ring before picking up. "Decimo."

Tsuna put a hand to his mouth to try quieting the chattering of his teeth from nerves. Gokudera had never spoken to him like that: he faintly tasted the rising vile in the back of his throat but swallowed it back down.

"You…Vongola Social…That's all I need from you."

The cynical voice wasn't finished with him, "Is it? No more loyalty? No more blood?"

The memory of him making the Notturna Angelo di Scambio mere days ago faintly popped into the back of his mind. I don't need your blood, I've been given enough to last me my life time and so much more than I deserve without you trying to burn me . "Yes, a pretend family is all I need if you're taking orders for once!"

Adamant retaliation, "Still chaining people to your will? !"

Brown eyes widened in horror before fury. "This isn't about me Gokudera! I'm thinking about all the people who could be hurt if we screw this up as you should too!"

The phone went silent for a moment. "…You're still a coward in my eyes, trying to hide behind others, mainly us. Haven't we done enough yet?"

The broken man's response was laced with pain and detest. "I'm not using anyone or anything as a shield, for my actions are made for the duty I hold to my family with full acknowledgement of the consequences, and you would do well to remember it. Tell me I'm a coward to my face after you've earned the right and have stopped running away yourself." It was a faint whisper, "You're the coward who's been hiding behind any available possibility at every turn, never me."

He cut the call as the salty drops of sorrow started to fall. "Damn it," he hiccupped as he wiped his face on a sleeve before calling Ryohei, to hell with using a tissue.

There were 'extremely' four more left: the pain kept growing with reckless abandon, literally. Onii-san, Ryohei-san,…Sasagawa-san?

"For appearances' sake, Sasagawa-san, you need to come back to the manor for a day and bring formal wear with you."

He had never been more grateful to leave a message.

Mukuro was as scathing as ever. "What do you require?"

"A brat's presence." Why can't I shut-up? I don't even know who's talking anymore: me or the image they came to conjure of me? "It's an order."

"Anything else?" was the terse reply. Tsuna could easily imagine the mist's leather gloves tightening around the phone.

"An illusion."

"Kufu, you're kidding! And what could you possibly want it of, hm?"

A whimper of weakness and resignation till bitter, "Family."

"Don't sound so bitter," he always was exceptional at reading people, "that illusion shouldn't be anything new, sir."

"…It's an order."

"No surprises there for me, will more families wind up missing it?" I was a low blow said with a sneer and followed by an impromptu hang up.

It was after Chrome breaking down and Lambo's parting insults, one's revolving around him being involved in the young lightning's life while growing up and how much he's come to regret it now, that they collectively shattered his resolve for them till he could haphazardly piece it back together again at a later time: alone and far away from prying, caring eyes he didn't deserve.

I don't know them anymore. He spared a look for his trembling hand. Family bonds are meaningless if they can be stretched, manipulated, and broken so easily. Look at us, constantly at each other's wind pipes. They keep laying on the guilt and abandonment of their feelings. I keep trying to justify myself, to explain my actions. Analyzing the center of this; Gokudera was right, it is all about me. In this room, sitting, is a dangerous monster from Hell, a beast that continues to shove his misfortune onto others. I'm disgusting, repulsive: unnatural.

Tremors coursed through his body and his hands shook violently; they were cold, he was cold: numb, defeated. He curled into himself on the chair, seeking warmth, comfort; he kept this position to stay sane, alone and by himself, for himself. Noise threatened to escape his last remaining will power, but he, himself, didn't allow it. Selfish and self-centered as always.

The fluttering shreds of his torn soul continued to fall. It wasn't right, this wasn't right was it?

UNIDENTIFIED THING- ~`[*/{O}\*]'~

(A/N: LOL, what the heck is that that I put up above! ? Sorry for ruining everyone's concentration, but a break in the depression was necessary.)

Diva's eyes watered while Andrea's gold one's held a glassy appearance. Both stood frozen until Andrea spoke, visibly shaken. "Is there really nothing we can do for him?"

Olive eyes reflected the hidden fear but the woman chose to place a hand delicately on the bright blue hair and stroke it. "We can always be there for him."

But would it be enough?

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

It was four days later Tsuna stared his guardians down unflinchingly. This was the same scene as the nightmare he had had every night up until this point. Is former family would stand before him until their shadows would connect to his. He would see the ground break as unknown blood flooded through the cracks relentlessly. The red torrents would then jump, now as crystallized spikes, and impale everyone around him. Then the finishing touch, that voice, that truly satanic voice so like his own, would whisper a truth he would die if admitted to himself, if acknowledged even the slightest bit. "This is what you deserve: no one."

The Vongola Don shook it off. "I've already explained. We will show, though at odds, we stand strong together. Act as if it isn't one of my naïve pipe dreams at night." And please, please don't show me my nightmare either. Stay safe and alive everyone.

The seven young adults across from him stood unaffected by his words, their only muse being the question of why there were six people standing behind their "boss." Tsuna followed their eyes to the family at his back; it figured they would be curious. "As you've noticed the ones behind me; they'll be my guards. You need even let the painful thought of actually protecting me pass through your minds."

Gokudera was puzzled at the sight of mini female duplicate of him standing behind Decimo. "You're actually protecting it?" The silver haired man could not comprehend the thought anymore.

Gold flashed, seeing red, as she flipped the true storm off, "SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH," she spat with animosity. Tsuna gave her a pointed glance to straighten up. "Hmph!" She scathingly complied with a few, choice parting words, "Since none of you dipshi-" The girl was cut off by Fuuta slapping his hand over her liberal mouth.

He icily eyed the conjugation in front through his beige bangs, "What she meant to say," the lieutenant finished, "be civil and keep your distance."

Tsuna agreed and turned to enter the party with Fuuta, Andrea, Diva, Renz, and Signor Machiavelli following his lead diligently.

Ryohei watched, having heard Tsuna's words about a dream and put them in the back of his mind for now. "Let's extremely finish this," he whispered to the other guardians. They followed suit, entering the room filled with other Mafioso.

Mafia families from all over Italy and some based outside the homeland stood chattering away. Elusive creatures of the night, all trying to gather information on other families, doing their best to get a one up on enemies. Hands exchanged money in the corners of the room and under table cloths, along with suspicious pill bottles and 'salt' packets. Tsuna noticed and made a mental note for Fuuta to confiscate the contraband before sending the offenders home with a threat and tail between their legs.

The don sighed as yet another delusional mafia man tried to hit him up for investing in their family's shady activities, yet another thing to investigate and put an end to. He stiffened; he felt it, that nightmare's presence before a vixen's voice fell over his ears.

"And imagine that, I've had the honor of running into the little host of this shindig!"

Camilla Vulpiani: a woman who sought to ally herself with his family. Tsuna hadn't said yes, put off by his hyper intuition.

"I see you still haven't gotten back to me on that treaty."

Eyes flashed orange as she carefully advanced on him. A strong leader for a female, but as underhand if not even more so than other families. She had dirty blonde hair with scattered brown streaks in her pixie cut, a bad combination with her square jaw line. Her skin was unnaturally gray that contrasted with the bright red lipstick and navy suit she adorned for this evening. "Just reviewing, it could be a fatal mistake to jump in head first.

Camilla placed a charming French manicured finger nail under his chin. "Something I can change in it for you?"

Hands off of me would be an appreciated change. The brunette lifted his head away from her talon in a dignified manner, scoffing. "There wasn't anything glaringly wrong with it."

She smiled what was better known as a sneer. "Are we not good enough for the Vongola?" Ms. Vulpiani pouted disgracefully. "I'm deeply hurt by your rejection!"

The Don couldn't stop himself. Poisonous Vixen! "No, never would that be the cause. I only need more time to glance over it better, conceive a more accurate analysis of it. Being caught in a slick business deal wouldn't bode well."

Camilla plucked an appetizer from a passing silver platter and let it disappear between her thin slips, then slowly drew the clean toothpick out, eyeing him all to make her point. She swiped her plump, pale tongue along her upper and bottom lip as if dispelling the taste, "But dear Don, we are the Mafia. We thrive in the night and by being slick, oily, sly- one should do what they will to get what they want, always. Pray tell, do you really think of yourself as any different?"

Tsuna retaliated in disgust. "No, I've yet to fall so low and try to be as pleasant as possible, depending on the situation. My luck's been appeasing my will so far."

The vile woman shook a condescending finger with a pointed look. "Ah, but when will that luck run dry? When will your image mirror mine, perhaps?"

Images flashed of his hand impaling Giovanni and when he let his dagger fly through Baldassare's skull. He was on his way to being a reflection instead. "Unfortunately, I can assure you I have soiled my hands personally." His glare challenged her. And I don't particularly mind adding you to the list.

She grinned widely, disappointingly not enough to split her face, maybe seeing her on the inside would let him know what she was thinking. "I wasn't talking about killing. Turning over the issue, it seems your guard dogs weren't flanking you tonight. Did something happen I wonder." Camilla casually examined her left hand's nails. "Normally, you're difficult to find alone in functions such as these. Although, a few little girls who don't comprehend their places had eyes for us all night."

Tsuna spared a peek to his left, feeling the stares of Diva and Andrea, and faintly Renz, all on guard. He turned towards her, smoothly covering their absence with a lie. "Ah, well, we haven't clustered because we're trying to make as many beneficial connections as possible tonight. Splitting up increases our chance of accomplishing that." He glided towards Diva's direction, "Maybe it would be a more successful shot* for you to try."

Camilla's black eyes gleamed as she followed the Vongola Don's retreating figure. "Maybe I would if you weren't too much fun Decimo. We'll play again~" she laughed to herself, leaving to in search of a new wine glass: a pure white wine this time with red mixed in?

Tsuna hurried away from the disconcerting conversation toward Diva. The poor woman was being harassed by nomadic hands and suggestive remarks; Tsuna knew the feeling. He spared a safety check towards the horde of woman hovering nearby, ready to drug and rape him by the end of tonight. He gently grabbed the refreshment tray from the surprised lighting user. "There is a song that I simply adore coming up. So, I shall abuse my powers as your employer. You are now off the clock," the Vongola leader handed off the tray to an unsuspecting harasser, "and on a special mission."

The wink he gave Diva made her blush as he led the way to the dance floor and Fuuta who was in charge of music. He switched to Japanese, leaving his future dance partner confused and unaware. "Hey Fuuta, do you think you can play Corruption by MUCC, please? It's too boring at this gathering and I intend to spice things up. My blood is boiling to move."

"Show them what you've got, Tsuna-nii!" Fuuta exclaimed, readying the song.

Tsuna smiled enchantingly as he offered a hand to take but was full on grinning when she accepted the offer. The music started as he placed his hand in hers correctly with the other on her waist and hers on his shoulder.

He swayed elegantly with her in time to the bass, moving in a flowing motion to the left and right. Olive eyes looked at him in amusement as they spun and continued the original motion. "Is this all you can muster, sir? If so, serving drinks was more pleasurable."

Brown eyes traced her face bemusedly. "This is far from what I'm capable of." He leaned in to sing in time one of his favored lines to her before pulling back. "I'm just waiting for the excitement."

With a frown she told him her opinion, "The excitement? I would hate it if this is what-" Diva yelped.

Fuuta couldn't contain the information to himself any longer. "Tsunayoshi Sawada, ranked second amongst the Mafia as the most passionate and alluring dancer, only under Reborn-san." Reborn had trained Tsuna too, except he had his first kiss during this training period and first on the scene surgery to remove the bullets.

There was a small pause within the song before the signer came back more forcefully. Tsuna used the advantage to dip his partner backwards and down from the waist over his arm. He swiftly followed the maneuver by pulling her up and twirling her to his other awaiting arm and extending her and it out to the right. She was breathless by the twirl that carried her body back into his arms.

"This is what I'm known for," he whispered coyly. He switched styles to something more of a tango and moved at alternating legs up the dance floor. Her dress swished as he expertly moved her to his whim and took complete control of their performance. More than a youthful blushed adorned her cheeks as he continued his flirtatious attitude towards her, a habit he had picked up from the world's greatest hit man, translating and singing the lyrics seductively to her in Italian.

They finished the ending gathering dance with a more provocative dip with flair. Her leg was wrapped around his to steady the pose as he supported her back with one hand and had the other on her unoccupied leg, her dress hitched to show a little more thigh and their faces inches apart and breathing heavily.

"Did I perform to your expectations?"

"…I'm not fueling your delusion…" she pouted in defeat.

He placed her standing again with care. "Your face is saying otherwise~" He brushed a loose ebony lock back behind an ear before going to dismiss guests as this was the last song of the night, a smirk that had graced his features fading away. It's time to say good-bye.

Countless hands passed his as he smiled and repeated meaningless formalities before a smaller hand, but by no definition delicate, clutched his own in a vice. Fake finger nails drew his blood as he returned the aggression, smiling as her lip twitched in pain.

"Maybe we'll see each other soon, eh?" Vulpiani's black orbs were serious.

"For you and your family's sake, you shouldn't plan on it," Tsuna countered.

"Our sake? What a joke; it should be you who's watching their back, every single one." With a last squeeze of his hand she was gone, melting into the dark of the late night.

Tsuna could feel the strength of his families ever absent flames approaching as he faced the closed entrance doors. She's planning something. But why? When? What does she want? I don't doubt her words; she will do whatever it takes to satisfy her desires. He flinched, hearing the sounds of footsteps and packed luggage behind him, ever painful. "Leaving so soon?"

"Kufufufu, what a stupid question to ask. It will not change the obvious." Mukuro watched, gauging Tsuna's reaction.

Slowly, the smaller man turned but kept his focus on the floor. His voice was soft and less demanding in comparison. "I suppose it can't." His plea of "stay with me" remained unheard to the deaf of mind and heart. "What other options could we look into?" Dead eyes and technical contacts observed the opposing adults ready to flee from his presence.

"None." The youngest spoke up. "Nobody can see them because they don't and will never exist."

"You're wrong, all of you. There is one choice, my favorite." He closed his eye lids in preparation. It's time. He felt as all of his emotions gathered to fill him, ready to boil over and smother those unlucky enough to be in the way. I'm going to HURT them. They started to open slowly, eyelashes parted to make way for chaos. And myself.

The floodgate lashed open as the room's ambiance was stifled with the chill of unchecked and unreserved hatred. His eyes reflected the darkness he felt. "Get out." His normally soft and expressive eyes were vindictive and harsh.

The guardians shied away at the onslaught of emotions and drew their respective weapons in apprehension. Their former friend was glaring with the intent to kill backing it up. A chocked expression graced each member's face; everyone was surprised that such an unsettling countenance could befall the fallen angel's face, even after what he had done. "Vacate my property at once, traitors."

Yamamoto grasped a hold of his senses and standing. "As if you have the right to call us as such. And," he became more aggressive, "Your property?"

They shivered as his void and hollow laugh overwhelmed their senses. "This is my property, on the contrary." Tsuna snarled at their implications and gall, "I am Decimo, your boss. My orders are absolute and clearly are stating that I want all of you out of my sight." His mouth twitched upwards, contorting into a malicious smile. "None of your filthy bodies belong here. You're all akin to décor so hideous; it's a struggle to resist my urge to puke. Anything that clashes in such a volatile way with my family should be burned, you ill-place pieces, to ash. I'm going to break you, erase your existence so I can forget the mere though that things so disgraceful muddled my mind."

Tsuna caught everyone's eyes to finish. "Before that," he opened his arms in a crueler way that put Giovanni's to shame. "I'm benevolently offering your worthless selves a chance to disappear."

Chrome and Lambo broke first again as the Don muttered "weaklings" at the sight of their blotched faces. Yamamoto didn't trust himself to speak. Mukuro and Hibari were unimpressed by his speech, but inside both felt their one true bond finish dissolving. Ryohei couldn't help his thoughts; earlier was a fluke, this wasn't even reminiscent of the man he once knew.

The brunette wasn't finished yet as he turned on his sleek shoes to slam the doors open with enough force that the wood quivered in response. The smirk that found delight in their pain was donned again as he faced the others off to walk around them leisurely. "Don't bother closing it on your way out; the blood stains from your hands will mar the surface. The door is too expensive to replace." He melted into a corridor and away from the stressed men and woman.

The shadows blurred to reveal Fuuta walking out of the cross hallway, solemnity oozing off of him. "I've loved everyone, but I adore Tsuna-nii alone. Leave."

Gokudera lost his temper, snapping finally, "And that monster didn't make that blaringly obvious!" No one dared to disagree until hay colored irises narrowed in anger.

"That saint was correct. Decimo was correct; this is his property for Vongola. I'm surprised those rings haven't burned you fingers off to be released from those so unworthy of the Vongola name. This place is for the loving, devoted family. Maybe, just maybe, if you can find the meaning and truth in that, you should come back. Until then, keep your distance. Each one of you is unbefitting of the honor to reside here any longer."

Fuuta silently watch them leave with a blank face so he could close the doors and sighed to himself. That was so taxing, but I had better improve my mood. Proudly, he hurried down the hallway, humming. It's almost time, two more minutes till twelve o' one a.m.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Tsuna was tired and drained when he was abducted in the hallway. Renz placed a blindfold on him for ascetic purposes. "Come," the dark hair man said in his deep, resonating voice, "We have a surprise waiting for you."

He let himself be absentmindedly guided to another room, the second ballroom he guessed. Renz removed the blindfold and his contacts registered the sudden presence of now present lighting. A crowed of sharply dressed people were beaming at him: it was his family. "Buon compleanno venticinquesimo, il nostro Decimo amata!**"

Cheers and clapping followed with humorous cat calls of "Sei ancora sensuale così tardi nel gioco, Signore Vongola!***"

"Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno caro Don Vongola,

Buon Compleanno a te!****"

Tsuna quaked like a leaf under their loving eyes, no one could see it. His face lifted, thoroughly embarrassed but as bright as the sun. "Thank-you everyone! I love each and every single one of you more than you'll ever know!"

Signore Machiavelli spoke for the touched mass, "We know sir, happy birthday. We couldn't me gladder that you were born and part of the family."

The second party, or celebration, started as he was reined with gifts. An abstract clay pot defined as a flower vase from Andrea; a new fine inked pen and engraved paper weight set from the Machiavelli; Ever-Clear brewed by Renz's family? with a challenge of "when you're ready" , huh?; a mangled scarf attempt from Fuuta – unfashionable, functional, and lovable while irreplaceable all the same; and a 'decked out' first aid kit from Dr. Mantua. He couldn't even remember all the other varied gifts bestowed that early in the morning.

He lovingly spent time with everyone until he grew tired and his eye lids drooped. Inconspicuously, he escaped into the hallway, feeling worse with every step. He shivered as he stumbled on the flooring rug. His head was pounding, chaotic with incoherent thoughts. His body crashed into a side table, sending the items atop it to the floor broken or clattering to a stop.

His breath came in short bursts before he screamed in agony, desperately clutching at his head to rip at his brown tresses. His blood roared in his ears and pain ripped through him as the fever savagely plowed its course. The stress burst a blood vessel near his nose, letting the warmer liquid drip to the floor as it mixed with his tears and vague cries of distress.

The blackness had almost settled around him as he had his last, self understood thought. It is an illusion. Everything isn't right. It is horribly wrong. Danger…

Renz and Fuuta were panicking. They saw Tsuna leave and made to follow him when his screams echoed in the dark passage; both raced to find him. The disturbing image of wet tears and blood smeared across his face lay at the end of their search where he was unconscious. Renz almost dropped his boss from the temperature of his skin. "Fuuta, go get a doctor, hurry up and contact Dr. Mantua!" The Russian sprinted with the limp for the Don's bedroom bathroom and cold water.

Fuuta ran back desperately in compliance, his mind filled his limp, dear older brother's form.

Tsuna was a crippled angle in more than one way and his injuries would run deeper still… A fox would clip the dove's wings...

and devour through

its breast

the remainder of an all embracing, pure-hearted man.

Chapter 9:

Aria Corrotta: Devozione Esaurito Risorgendo

(Corrupted Air: Exhausted Devotion Rebirthed)

[EXTRA A/N:

Shot* = This word is used as a pun or with double meaning: shot as in another chance and shot as in a bullet, something Vulpiani is fond of using to get her away.

Buon compleanno venticinquesimo, il nostro Decimo amata!** = Happy 25th Birthday, our beloved Decimo!

Sei ancora sensuale così tardi nel gioco, Signore Vongola!*** = You're still sexy/sensual this late in the game, Signore Vongola!

Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno caro Don Vongola,

Buon Compleanno a te!****

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Don Vongola,

Happy Birthday to you!

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and that these translations help you understand the story better; sorry for putting the stuff in Italian instead of winging it under "assumptions," it just didn't feel right to do that at this part in the story. Also, unlike recent developments in Chu-Chan's story, the voice in Tsuna's dream isn't a Black Flame talking nor is it Camilla Vulpiani as hinted for some strange reason. It isn't really anybody, but you'll see what I mean later!]