Chapter 9

Reborn didn't expect for anything like this to happen. Tomoko was at her limit both mentally and psychologically. She was clearly unstable. He crumpled the paper in his hands. Who knew what she was going to do next?

Leon morphed into a cellphone, snugly fitting into his small palm. He dialed a number. If written word can't get through the idiot's head, he hoped a bullet or two would.

"Hello?" a cheerful voice said through the receiver.

"Iemitsu," Reborn said calmly, "we need to talk."

"Ah, Reborn, how is my beautiful Tomo-chan doing?"

Reborn's brow twitched ever so slightly, but his expression didn't change. Even over the phone, the man managed to grate on his nerves. "She will be the focus of our discussion."

He watched Dame-Tsuna hug the crying girl, a flicker of orange passing through his eyes. The boy winced when Tomoko buried her head into his wounded shoulder, her form shaking from sobs.

"There was an assassination attempt on her life two days ago," Reborn said. "It seems like they have been notified about her status. Your defenses are weak, Iemitsu."

You are weak, Reborn thought.

"Is she - "

"No. She's alive. I arrived on time."

A relieved sigh came from the other line. "Thank you, Reborn."

"Her friend Hyuuga Kasumi was instantly killed on contact," Reborn continued nonchalantly. "Gokudera Hayato was almost killed if it wasn't for Dame-Tsuna."

He could feel the man flinch through the phone and could instantly tell what he was thinking. An innocent person was killed, more importantly Tomoko's friend.

"Wait, Tuna-chan is involved?" Iemitsu almost shouted. "You had your orders, Reborn! Don't bring Nana and Tu - "

"Tsuna was already involved," Reborn interrupted. It took all of his willpower from shouting into his phone. "He's not stupid, Iemitsu. Not to mention, he was almost killed on several occasions since he was five. Where were you? You had enough time to visit yearly for at least a day or two more. Your absence is only breaking the family apart."

"I never wanted them to get involved in the first place!" Iemitsu yelled into the phone. Reborn pulled away a bit, his ear ringing from the sudden shout. "It's - "

"Just shut up and listen," Reborn said. "Right now, Tomoko is unfit for the title of Vongola Decimo. In fact, I'm vouching for Tsuna and willing to take him under my wing. He has a much greater potential than - "

"No," Iemitsu growled. Reborn blinked. Did this fool interrupt him? "I will not have my decision changed. You of all people should know better than that. Tsuna is weak and incapable of taking the burden of a mafia on his shoulders, including the fact that - "

"Iemitsu," Reborn said coldly, "you are a blind fool. You have now justified more than enough reasons for me to shoot the living hell out of you. Sawada Tsunayoshi will be Vongola Decimo. Whether or not you change your decision, I'll - "

"Nono is dying, Reborn," Iemitsu said, a desperate tinge in his voice.

Just how pathetic is this man? Using the boss' condition as an excuse and an escape.

"Shamal doesn't know if he'll even be breathing at sunrise," the idiot continued. "You do know what that means, right?"

If Nono died, the decision cannot be changed. The highest Tsuna could go was being the leader of the CEDEF and that was not what Reborn wanted.

"I will see you in Italy," Reborn said tersely. "Tonight. I'm bringing them with me."

"Wait, what are you ta - "

Reborn hung up. His hand tightened around the phone, his tiny knuckles turning white. For the first time, he felt his true age catching up with him. If only he wasn't in this form...

He looked back at the siblings and just hoped that he made the right decision.

No, he did. And he knew it. He was and always will be the greatest hitman after all.


Tsuna winced as the nurse cleaned up his wound.

"There," she said with a smile. "Be careful next time, okay?"

Tsuna nodded. "Okay. Thank you, nurse-san."

The doors slammed open. "Tsu-kun?"

Mio ran inside, waving the nurse off and dismissing her. She looked terrible. Her hair was messy and her eyes were red from crying and lack of sleep. Dark circles were prominent under her dull eyes. It was scary to see her in such a state. It was even worse to know that it was all his fault.

"I'm okay, Onee-chan," Tsuna said, forcing a smile.

Mio slumped onto a chair, her body limp. "Thank Kami-sama. I thought you..."

She left the word hanging in the tense silence. Tsuna just realized that she wasn't wearing her uniform. She looked like she just got out of bed and ran all the way here.

"I'm sorry," Tsuna said, choking on his words. He looked down at his trembling hands. "It's all my fault."

Mio looked at him with slightly wide eyes before cracking a tight smile. "No, it's not, Tsu-kun. What are you s - "

"I could've stopped it from happening," Tsuna said almost frantically, Kasumi's eyes flashing in his mind. "I had the chance to do it, Onee-chan. I - I - "

"Tsuna, calm down," Mio said, her voice firm. "Stop - "

"No!" Tsuna said, the rush of memories flowing freely in his head. The explosions, the eyes, the head, the blood. Oh, Kami, so much blood. The sketch vividly stood out. "I knew it was going to happen! I saw it, I drew it. And - "

"Tsu-kun, what are you talking about?" There was fear in her voice, fear for the boy's state.

" - I should've been there earlier," Tsuna continued. "If I did, then I could've - "

Pain exploded in his cheek. He widened his eyes as he touched the aching spot.

Mio ran her hands through her hair, her eyes mirroring his. "I'm sorry, Tsu-kun. I didn't mean for that to happen. I just - You were scaring me."

Tsuna smiled shakily and shook his head. "N-no, it was my fault. I...I lost myself."

Mio placed her face into her hands. "Nothing is your fault, Tsu-kun."

Tsuna snatched his knapsack that had stuck to him like glue and took out his sketchbook. He flipped through the pages until he finally settled the one on Kasumi. His eyes flickered hesitantly to the grieving woman before he said, "Onee-chan, this...this is proof."

The woman slowly looked up and her eyes were threatening to pop out of their sockets as she studied the sketch. She reached for it but stopped when Tsuna's hands tightened around the book.

"I - I've always had this ability," he whispered, hugging the book to his chest protectively, "ever since I was young. I can't explain it. It just comes to me. But...they're all people I've known, even for a few minutes. I can't control it and...I can't change anything. I'm sorry I couldn't save Kasumi. It's okay if - "

A pair of arms wrapped around him tightly but in a reassuring, comforting manner. Mio shushed him gently just like how Nana would do when a three year old Tomoko fell on the sidewalk.

"It's okay, Tsu-kun," she whispered in his ear. "You can't control it so it's not your fault. So, please, don't beat yourself up like this. It's okay. I...forgive you. You - No, we have to move on. Kasumi would want us to do that."

Tsuna raised his arms slowly to hug Mio back, his anchor in life. He buried his heads into her shoulder, letting the tears fall.

"You don't hate me?" he said meekly.

"I would never bring myself to hate you."

And, for that, Tsuna kept his lips closed about the mafia. It would be best for her to not get involved.

"Ciaossu~"

Tsuna tensed when Gokudera and Reborn walked in. The tall boy wasn't in his hospital garbs but in fresh, street clothing. Reborn was on his shoulder.

"You must be Tsuna's friends," Mio said, eying Gokudera warily.

"My name is Reborn," the baby hitman said. "I am the greatest hitman in the world."

Mio raised a brow and stood up. "So you're the infamous hitman I heard about. Tsu-kun, do you want me to stay?"

Tauna shook his head. "I'll be fine, Onee-chan. You should go home and rest."

"I'll come back," Mio promised, giving him another hug. Tsuna saw Gokudera scowl a bit at the corner of his eye, confusing him.

After she left, Reborn hopped onto Tsuna's bed. "Dame-Tsuna, you are full of surprises."

Tsuna blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Juudaime!" Gokudera said, bowing ninety degrees. "I owe you for saving my life not once but twice! I will become the best right-hand man you can ever imagine."

His eyes were all starry and wide with a bit of hope in them.

"W-wait, what's going on? Why are you - "

"Normally, you would have to fight with one another with the loser being indebted to the winner," Reborn said. "However, Gokudera made some exceptions. You saved him twice. That enough made him accept you."

"Accept me?"

"Congratulations, Dame-Tsuna," Reborn said, his tone never-changing. "You have your Storm Guardian."

"Wait!" Tsuna said, anger seeping into his voice. "What are you talking about? I didn't agree to this. Storm Guardian? Juudaime?"

A hammer smacked him in the head. "You're too loud, Dame-Tsuna."

"Juudaime, are you okay?" Gokudera said, his eyes wide.

"Stop calling me that," Tsuna said, rubbing his head.

"We're going to Italy," Reborn said. "I already have your things packed. We'll be leaving for the airport now."

"I didn't agree to this!" Tsuna felt like ripping the baby into shreds if he could.

"Shut up and listen," Reborn said. "We are going to meet with Vongola Nono. From there, I will handle it. Just make sure you don't do anything stupid."

"You're not the boss of me!" Tsuna almost shrieked. "Aren't you supposed to be with Onee-san? I don't want to be involved with the mafia and - "

He was silenced when a gun was pointed at his forehead.

"You were already involved one way or another, Sawada Tsunayoshi," Reborn said, evenly. "I will not hesitate to shoot."

Tsuna's body tensed up considerably but he forced a stiff nod. The gun stayed.

"I'm doing this for your own good," Reborn continued. "Tomoko is unstable and unfit for the Vongola Decimo title as of now. She's at her breaking point. One wrong move and we won't be able to stop her. She'll become unpredictable and will eventually break the Vongola Famiglia."

"Are you using me...?"

"I guess you can say that."

Tsuna's heart sank at the blunt answer.

"However, this isn't for the famiglia, this is also for you. I don't want potential to be wasted."

"I still don't have a say," Tsuna said quietly.

"Because you're not in the position to," Reborn said, his large black eyes looking into his own. "Even if you so much as look at the mafia, your fate is sealed. You are only going to be pulled in deeper. There is no escape. Tell me, Tsuna, do you think Tomoko is fit for the title right now?"

"I - "

"Do you think Tomoko is fit for the title right now?"

Tsuna looked down at his hands, trying to ignore the pointed gun in front of him. Honestly, he didn't know anymore. He didn't want this. He never wanted it. But...

"No," he whispered sadly. "But - "

He flinched, a tugging at his chest. Silence rang in his ears, piercing, unrelenting. He reached for his knapsack but fell to the ground into a pair of strong arms.

"Juudaime!"

Tsuna pushed him aside, reaching for his sketchbook. He grabbed a pencil, flipping to a fresh page. His hand moved rapidly, causing his wrist and shoulder to ache. Steel sang in his ears. A single loud, maniacal laughter came and went. The intense feeling of fear, confusion, and terror spread through every vein in his body. Multiple shrieks of pain came from every angle. The scent of blood overwhelmed him. There was too much, so much blood. And then finally silence.

He didn't realize he was panting until he felt a drop of sweat slide down his face. He clutched his right hand as if he was burned.

"J-Juudaime," Gokudera said.

Reborn jumped to Tsuna's side and observed the gruesome picture. Tsuna looked down and his heart almost stopped. Several mangled bodies lied everywhere. Doctors, nurses, and patients were slumped over, blood leaking from their necks and chests. They were all gaping in shock and terror.

A massacre, Tsuna thought with wide eyes. But when?

Frustration welled up inside of him. Why did it always had to be this way?

"I'm staying," he said unconsciously. "I'm not changing my decision."

"You - "

"Reborn," Tsuna said sharply, "you're not my tutor. I'm staying. Either you leave me alone or get the hell out of my life. I have more important things to worry about."

There was a moment of tense silence. Gokudera looked between them, trying to keep his cool facade.

"I will be taking Tomoko," Reborn said, walking to the door. Tsuna looked at him in surprise, expecting him to lash out at him somehow. "We'll be staying there for a whole year. However - "

Reborn turned around and Tsuna saw a flash of amusement and pride in his eyes. " - I am not changing my decision either. I will be sending a friend of mine to train you. I will make you Vongola Decimo. That decision will not be changed."

He left.

Tsuna turned to a quiet Gokudera. "Aren't you going?"

"If Juudaime doesn't see me as fit for him, then I will take care of it," came the sullen voice.

As soon as he took out a pair of dynamites, Tsuna lunged at him, snatching them from the other boy's hands. "Are you crazy? What good will it be if you killed yourself? It's not going to change anything!"

Gokudera widened his eyes. Tsuna was on edge as he took ahold of the boy's collar, his eyes gleaming. "Don't kill yourself for such a trivial reason. Just please...Don't ever do that again."

Tsuna loosened his grip. Just no more death...please.

Gokudera was still shell-shocked, his expression frozen.

Tsuna smiled softly and reached up to wipe away the tears that were leaking from the taller boy's eyes. "It's okay. I'm sorry. Please don't cry."

The bomb user blinked slowly as if coming back to his senses. He wiped away his tears with his arm sleeves quickly. "I'm sorry, Juudaime. I'm ashamed to be in this state. I am not worthy for you..."

Tsuna hugged him unconsciously, ignoring the way the boy flinched. "You don't need to be sorry. And stop saying that about yourself. You can just let it out. I won't tell anyone. Besides, you have more value than you think. You just need to acknowledge it. So please...for me?"

Gokudera tried to hold back in the sobs but he finally broke down. Tsuna was suddenly angry. This boy was born into the mafia, forced through terror and fear that he should've never faced or witnessed. Comfort and support was rather nonexistent from what he could tell. But he couldn't jump to conclusions.

"And my name is Tsuna. Don't call me Juudaime or I will stab you with a fork," Tsuna deadpanned.

Gokudera chuckled through his tears at the adorable threat, but didn't say anything.

"I don't need a right hand man, but I would like a friend."

Gokudera smiled into Tsuna's shirt. He knew that he made the right choice. He will protect the boy with his life, Vongola Decimo or not.

Friends, he thought happily. That's not a bad idea. I can live with that. Forever and always, Juudaime.


Tomoko gripped the orange soda in her hand and popped the lid, a small hiss escaping the opening. She took a long sip from the can before tossing it in the garbage can, not caring if it went in or not.

"I - I've always had this ability ever since I was young. I can't explain it. It just comes to me. But...they're all people I've known, even for a few minutes. I can't control it and...I can't change anything. I'm sorry I couldn't save Kasumi."

Tomoko didn't know what she was feeling. She just felt so empty, so dull inside. There was a vibration from her pocket and she took out her phone, surprised to see Shunsuke Maita as the caller ID.

"Hello?" a voice said from the other line. "Sawada-san?"

Tomoko blinked. Was this really Maita? He sounded...different. She checked the ID again before saying, "What?"

"If you tell me who the men were, I'll go with you."

"Oh?"

"I'm not doing this for you," Maita said, his tone sharp. "This is for Hyuuga-san."

"I see," Tomoko said, leaning against the wall. "Meet me at Namimori Hospital. I won't accept tardiness."

"Hai," was the bland reply before he hung up.

Tomoko shoved her phone in her pocket, ignoring the many text messages and missed calls from her mother.

I wonder what Reborn would think of another person coming along, she thought airily.


A/N I'm sorry if my updates weren't as fast as usual! School caught up with me and I've been sick for a couple of days. TT^TT

Anyway, thank you for leaving reviews and favoriting the story! I appreciate it very much! ^^

I've noticed that Tomoko isn't as appealing but I try to make her...as realistic as possible? Haha...? 0_0ll

Finally, Gokudera was done with! He's officially Team Tsuna. Yay! I'm sorry if he was a bit OOC (along with Reborn). I might change his past a little as well. But don't worry! Bianchi, Lambo, I-pin, and everyone else will come in due time! Altered backstory-wise but they'll have their roles and personalities (for the most part)! XD

If there are any inconstancies or very strange wording and such, I apologize! Allergies mixed with a cold isn't fun. TT^TT

Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you have the time!

Ciao~