A/N: We had our art project yesterday entitled free art XD! And guess what I drew? Hahaha!
The Ghost of a Past Love
By ilYamaTsunali
Chapter 9- Lies, Secrets, and Insecurities
The next day….
"What? Hibari-san isn't back yet?" Giotto in Tsuna's body said as he talked with a disciplinary committee member. Tsuna was too scared to talk to them himself.
"Ah." The disciplinary member said. "But that is to be expected since Kokuyo is in the next town over."
Giotto nodded as he walked away, in the process he got out of Tsuna's body. The brunet steadied himself before taking a deep breath.
"For now we don't know if Hibari-san is safe or not…" Tsuna said as he leaned in against the wall.
But the fact that it's taking this long for Alaude, of all people, to finish… something is wrong. Giotto said worriedly. That guy has always been reckless; he always goes alone during missions because he believes he protects the family in an independent stance.
"Well he is the cloud guardian." Tsuna said with a small smile. "A solitary, independent, and floating cloud."
Before Giotto could answer however, two people sudden rushed up to Tsuna.
"Jyuudaime there you are!" Gokudera said as he and Yamamoto rushed up to the brunet.
"A-ah, Yamamoto, Gokudera-kun…" Tsuna said, slightly shocked.
"Tsuna, we've been looking for you everywhere! What are you doing here?" Yamamoto asked with a slight frown.
Tsuna looked at Giotto who gave him an 'it's up to you to tell them or not' look. Tsuna avoided his two classmates' glances as he answered.
"I was just strolling around." He said in a casual tone. Gokudera and Yamamoto frowned at this obvious lie.
"Jyuudaime, please don't lie to us." Gokudera said slightly frowning. "We know something is wrong, the fact that you've been going around during breaks and in-between classes proves that something's up."
"Yeah, Tsuna." Yamamoto said his eyes looking at Tsuna worriedly. "And we know it's serious, judging by how you're acting."
"I-" Tsuna began not knowing what to say.
Yamamoto sighed as he took matter into his own hands. "Tsuna, does this have something to do with the fact that some students from another school are attacking Namimori students?"
Tsuna's eyes widened. While Gokudera gapped.
"You idiot! You're not supposed to tell jyuudaime that!" Gokudera hissed.
"H-How d-did-?" Tsuna asked his eyes wide. Gokudera faltered and his eyes widened as well. So the tenth was doing something related to that incident!
"Well, the rumors have spread throughout the school lately." Yamamoto said slightly happy that he hit the jackpot. "Although, the disciplinary committee is trying to keep it quiet."
"I-I see." Tsuna said his expression changing into one that contemplates. Well that is to be expected especially since the ones being attacked are the people with high combat ability in Namimori.
Yamamoto and Gokudera saw the thinking look on Tsuna's face and immediately they got worried. What was the brunet not telling them?
Tsuna looked at his two friends, there was a very high possibility that the two of them were in the ranking since after all: Yamamoto was an athlete and Gokudera was a mafia trained in the art of explosives.
I think you should tell them. Giotto said, interrupting Tsuna's thoughts. There's a high possibility that they are in the ranking and alerting them to the danger might help them.
Tsuna's eyes drifted over to the spot where Giotto was and he couldn't help but frown. He took a deep breath and sighed, he looked at Yamamoto and Gokudera worriedly.
"What's wrong Tsuna?" Yamamoto asked, noticing the look.
"Well, guys you see…" Tsuna said slightly fidgeting and not knowing what to say. Giotto sighed as he neared his successor and overtook his body. Tsuna couldn't help but sigh in relief when he found himself back in his mind.
"Let's go somewhere more private." Giotto in Tsuna's body said seriously. Yamamoto blushed slightly while Gokudera looked at the baseball idol in confusion.
"So you figured out the order of attacks?" Gokudera said his eyes widening. "As expected of jyuudaime!"
Tsuna thought about the Vongola information network and sweat dropped guiltily. It was actually them who did all the work.
"And? What are these attacks based on?" Yamamoto asked. They were currently at the back of the school, away from prying eyes and eavesdropping ears.
"It's based on the ranking of the best fighters in Namimori." Giotto said as he leaned against the wall casually.
"Ranking?" Yamamoto asked.
"Best fighters?" Gokudera repeated.
"Ah." Giotto said. "And I have a strong suspicion that the two of you are somehow one of the targets."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. So that was why Tsuna sounded worried at that time…
And from what I gather Yamamoto and Gokudera-kun could also be in the ranking which makes them targets too and I-
"Jyuudaime, if we're in the ranking then you too must be-!" Gokudera began worriedly.
Tsuna's eyes saddened while Giotto didn't know what to say. He left the brunet's body letting him speak.
"N-No, I'm pretty sure that I'm not in the ranking Gokudera-kun." Tsuna said smiling a bit.
"What are you saying jyuudaime! Of course you are! You beat Hibari! You might as well be the rank one-!" Gokudera said indignantly.
Tsuna continued to smile as he hid his eyes beneath his bangs. "I'm not in that ranking Gokudera-kun…" Because I'm not the one who defeated Hibari…
Gokudera was about to argue back but Yamamoto raised a hand to silence the Italian. He could see that expression on Tsuna's face again. The expression that hid what he was thinking and what he was feeling.
He stepped closer to the brunet and placed an arm around him. Tsuna looked up slightly surprised. Yamamoto smiled down at him kindly.
"We should head back to class." Yamamoto said as he looked at Gokudera who was glaring at him for all its worth. "Or else the teacher will bite as to death." He added jokingly.
Tsuna blushed as he hid his eyes beneath his bangs once more while Gokudera shouted insults at Yamamoto for acting so close with Tsuna.
Tsuna looked at his cell phone every few minutes in worry. He had requested the Vongola information Agency to call or text him when they get anymore additional information on the Vendice escapees.
Gokudera and Yamamoto noticed the tension around the brunet and they looked at him once more in worry. Was the brunet hiding something more from them?
Tsunayoshi, stop acting so jumpy. Giotto said with a sigh. Your friends are getting worried again. Tsuna flinched at the words 'your friends' and he gave Giotto a small reluctant smile.
"Gomen, I just feel like the more we know about them, the better." Tsuna said playing with his fingers. "I just have a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach."
Giotto frowned, he won't admit it out loud but he also had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly Tsuna jumped when his cell phone rang, Yamamoto and Gokudera automatically stood up but Tsuna wasn't looking at them.
"Sensei, please excuse me, I have an important call!" Tsuna said as he got out of his seat, his cell phone vibrating in his hand.
"Sawada, can't you postpone that call for later?" The teacher said sighing. Yamamoto and Gokudera looked at each other then at Tsuna.
Tsuna's expression grew very serious as he said in a monotone voice, "Gomen, but this is something that can't be postponed." He said. The look in his face made the teacher drop his chalk and the students of the classroom all gaped at him. Even Yamamoto and Gokudera were taken aback.
"I-I see…" the teacher said gulping, his mouth had gone dry. "T-Then please take the call outside."
Tsuna nodded as he walked to the door purposefully with Giotto behind him. Yamamoto and Gokudera were about to follow but…
"You two sit down, you don't have an important phone call as well, right?" The teacher said annoyed that a mere middle schooler managed to scare him. Yamamoto and Gokudera reluctantly sat down, staring at the door Tsuna left in.
"Rokudo Mukuro, Joshima Ken, and Kakimoto Chikusa…" Tsuna repeated intent on memorizing the names. "Those are the escaped convicts' names?"
Tsuna nodded as he listened to the business-like voice on the other side of the phone. Giotto looked at the expression on his successor's face and the way the other's fist curled and uncurled.
"And? Has it been confirmed that Yamamoto Takeshi and Gokudera Hayato are part of the ranking?" Tsuna asked his voice dropping down an octave. The person on the other side actually stuttered.
"A-ah yes… we have run the tests and statistics many times and from the results, Yamamoto Takeshi of Class 2-A and Gokudera Hayato of Class 2-A place 2nd and 3rd in the Namimori best fighter ranking list." The informant answered.
The expression on Tsuna's face hardened. "I understand. I will take care of it and I will send a report immediately."
"Please do… and take care Tsunayoshi-sama." The voice at the other end said.
"Ah." And with that Tsuna hung up. He sighed as the expression on his face relaxed and he rubbed his temples in frustration.
Tsunayoshi. Giotto said as he patted the other on the shoulder. What are you planning?
"Well, if Hibari-san doesn't come back tomorrow then I'm going over to Kokuyo to look for him." Tsuna said as he pocketed his phone. "I cannot let civilians get involve no matter how strong they are." Tsuna shivered.
Giotto expression grew stern as he said in a serious voice, No Tsunayoshi I can't allow you to go there the way you are and alone nonetheless!
Tsuna smiled a strained smile at the ghost beside him. "It's no big deal. Besides you will never let me go alone no matter what happens right? You'll somehow tag along as always."
Yes I will. Giotto said indignantly. But I'd prefer it more if you brought Gokudera and Yamamoto with you.
Tsuna gave him a side-way glance before he turned towards the door to enter his classroom.
Tsunayoshi! Giotto said to the brunet. Tsuna stopped and sighed.
"I won't get civilians involved." Tsuna said firmly his back on Giotto as he entered the classroom.
Giotto sighed as the door to the classroom closed. Tsunayoshi, sometimes you become stubborn for the wrong reasons.
"Tsuna-kun." Tsuna looked up and he met the eyes of a worried Kyoko.
"Ah, Kyoko-chan." Tsuna said blinking up in surprise. But then Tsuna stood up when tears filled Kyoko's eyes. "Kyoko-chan! What's wrong?" He asked in worry as he placed his hands on the girl's shoulders. Some of their classmates' attention turned to them and Hana immediately went to her side.
"I-Its nii-chan, h-he w-was a-attacked b-by…" Kyoko said hiccupping. Although it was a bit hard to understand with Kyoko sniffling, Tsuna somehow managed to hear it. The brunet's eyes widened.
"N-no way! O-onii-san was attacked?" Tsuna said his face paling. Kyoko nodded in confirmation.
"I-I thought y-you should k-know s-since you and nii-chan are friends… a-and you might g-get attacked next." Kyoko said while Hana rubbed her back in comfort. Gokudera and Yamamoto also neared them when they saw Kyoko crying. The two boys exchanged looks before they looked at Tsuna.
This was to be expected. Giotto said clenching his fists. Ryohei is the captain of the boxing club and an incredibly able fighter.
"Expected or not…" Tsuna said as he gritted his teeth. "It's too much. Those people can't just go attacking anyone as they please."
The four people's gazes immediately snapped toward him. Tsuna hid his angered eyes beneath his long bangs. He settled with a frown on his face as he looked away.
"T-Tsuna-kun?" Kyoko asked worriedly as Tsuna retracted his hands from her shoulders.
"I'm fine." Tsuna said he said in a hollow voice. "You shouldn't worry about me Kyoko-chan, you should worry more about yourself."
"Tsuna…" Yamamoto said worriedly.
"Besides…" Tsuna said as he turned his back on the fully so that they wouldn't see the expression on his face as he said. "Those people… they won't be attacking us anymore after tomorrow."
"W-what jyuudaime-?" Gokudera asked his eyes widening.
"Sawada what are you planning?" Hana asked suspiciously.
Tsuna turned to them a smile on his face as he said, "Nothing. I just think that those people will soon be caught by the police since they are making the attacks public." He lied smoothly. Giotto frowned.
Kyoko and Yamamoto exchanged uneasy looks while Hana glared at Tsuna suspiciously. Gokudera had a frown on his face as he looked at his boss.
Tsuna dropped his smile as he looked away once more.
They won't be attacking anymore… Because… the person they've been looking for, is now coming to them….
Just like they planned.
Giotto looked at Tsuna, worry in his eyes.
A few hours later…
"Tsuna let's go." Yamamoto said to the brunet. "We're planning to visit sempai in the hospital today."
"A-ah, b-but I have library duty today." The brunet said looking uncertainly at the teacher.
"No it's fine, you can go Sawada." The teacher said. "Everyone should go home early today. Unless the conflict with the other school is solved your punishment will be canceled."
"Really?" Tsuna said. The teacher nodded in confirmation.
"Well I guess that means I can go with you." Tsuna said as he looked at Yamamoto's grinning face. "But let's go and visit the flower shop first."
"Hm? Okay." Yamamoto said as he and Tsuna walked out of the room.
"By the way, where's Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna asked as he looked around. And Giotto-san as well?
"Oh, Gokudera was called by the teacher because he blew up a random student that was talking badly about you." Yamamoto said. Tsuna sweat dropped.
"T-That's terrible." Tsuna said. And scary.
"Well, Gokudera will do anything for you." Yamamoto said shrugging. And then his expression turned serious as he looked ahead. "Just like how I'll do anything for you, too."
Tsuna's eyes widened as he looked at Yamamoto with a blush on his face. Yamamoto smiled at him gently.
"Don't worry about it. He said he'll meet us by the gate." Yamamoto said as he placed an arm around Tsuna. The brunet was speechless so he just nodded.
Yamamoto failed to notice Tsuna's expression turn sad as he looked down.
If only those words were meant for me…
G. will do anything for you… Just like how I'll do anything for you too…
Giotto opened his eyes as he remembered that specific memory. He could still remember how serious those gentle blue eyes looked as he said that to him.
Asari… Giotto whispered as he closed his eyes. Not being next to his rain guardian felt strange and lonely. He missed him very much so.
The 400-year-old ghost walked towards the lake, he was currently by the Namimori Bridge. He looked at it and instead of his reflection, he saw Asari smiling back at him gently. Giotto's eyes softened immediately at the sight.
He leaned down and touched the surface of the water. The tiny ripples made by his touch made the image vanished and nothing was reflected on it. He was after all, just a ghost.
But then his thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly saw someone approach the spot where he was. His eyes widened when he saw a familiar pineapple hairstyle on said person's head.
Daemon? Giotto said his eyes widening but then he shook his head. It can't be! His mist guardian would never reincarnate into a girl of all things! No matter how much of a sadist and masochist he was.
Although Giotto thinks this he couldn't help but watch as the girl approach the lake. She was a rather pretty and slim girl. Too slim, like she was under-weight.
I wonder if she's eating well. Giotto said as she looked at the girl's pale face. She looked at her eyes. One eye was hidden beneath an eye patch; the other eye was a beautiful violet. The girl sat down on the grass as she hugged her bag to her chest. She stared at the water silently.
Giotto approached the girl and sat beside her. The girl shivered but she didn't move away.
You're thinking about something too huh? Giotto said as he looked at the lake. We're on the same boat.
The girl did not answer, Giotto wasn't expecting her too. After all, only Tsuna could see him and hear him. Although Giotto strangely can be heard by a normal person when the said person is sleeping, like the time he woke the rain guardian up a few years ago.
And so the two of them sat like that until sunset… The girl for who knows what reason? While Giotto sat there for the sake of company.
AT THE HOSPITAL…
Tsuna stood out of Ryohei's room slightly nervous as he held a bouquet of red tulips in his arms. Beside him were Yamamoto and Gokudera. Yamamoto had a grin on his face while Gokudera was scowling.
"Go inside already Tsuna." Yamamoto said a smile on his lips as he leaned in towards Tsuna. The brunet's face exploded in red.
"Oi! Get away from jyuudaime!" Gokudera said pulling the baseball idiot away from his precious boss. Yamamoto just laughed while Tsuna sighed in relief. He raised a hand and knocked on the door reluctantly.
"Come in." Came a rough voice that belonged to Ryohei. Gokudera immediately reached for the knob and opened the door for Tsuna.
"Thank you Gokudera-kun." Tsuna said smiling at the bomber who flushed at the gratitude.
"Ahaha! Thanks for opening the door Gokudera!" Yamamoto said cheerfully as he entered after Tsuna. Gokudera glared at the baseball player.
"I wasn't opening it for you!" Gokudera shouted but Yamamoto just laughed.
"Ah! Sawada! And Yamamoto too!" Ryohei said when he saw the visitors. Tsuna's eyes widened when he saw Ryohei's head, legs and arms wrapped in bandages.
Ryohei blinked at Tsuna's expression but his attention was diverted when Gokudera came up from behind them after closing the door.
"Oh! Tako-head you're here too!" Ryohei said in surprise. Gokudera anime-fell while Yamamoto sweat dropped.
Gokudera got up, his fist shaking as he looked at Ryohei angrily. "W-what did you call me, lawn-head?"
"Tako-head." Ryohei repeated honestly. A vein in Gokudera's forehead popped.
"Why you-!" Gokudera said about to march up to Ryohei and give him a piece of his mind, but Yamamoto grabbed him to stop him.
"Maa… maa… Sempai's already injured Gokudera." Yamamoto said as he tried to calm down the Italian. "Don't go blowing him up!"
"Let me go stupid baseball freak!" Gokudera said as he tried to wrestle out of Yamamoto's hold.
"Anyway, Sawada…" Ryohei said turning to the brunet while Gokudera continued to struggle in Yamamoto's hold. "What's up? You look EXTREMELY upset!"
Those words stopped Gokudera from what he was doing. Yamamoto and Gokudera immediately turned to look at the brunet. Tsuna's bangs were shadowing half of his face.
"W-what are you s-saying onii-san?" Tsuna said immediately pasting a smile on his face. "Who wouldn't be upset after seeing you like this?" And as he said that, the smile dropped from his face and he looked at Ryohei guiltily and worriedly.
"I'm EXTREMELY fine Sawada!" Ryohei said and as he said that he pumped his fist on the air but then groaned. Tsuna immediately rushed to his side.
"Onii-san! Don't move so much!" Tsuna said his expression troubled. Yamamoto also went near Ryohei.
"Tsuna's right sempai, you shouldn't move around with those types of injuries." Yamamoto said as he placed a hand on Tsuna's shoulder.
Ryohei was about to reply but then the door opened.
"Onii-chan, I brought your clothes- Arre?" Kyoko said as she entered. She stopped when she saw Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Tsuna in the room. "Tsuna-kun! Yamamoto-kun and Gokudera-kun too! You're here!"
"Ah! Yoh, Sasagawa!" Yamamoto said with a grin.
"Tch." Gokudera said crossing his arms. Kyoko entered smiling as she put down the bag on her arms.
"Hey there, Kyoko-chan." Tsuna said as he neared the orange-head. "Here, I brought some flowers." He said as he handed it to Kyoko.
"Oh you really didn't have to Tsuna-kun!" Kyoko said as she accepted it gratefully. She placed it by Ryohei's bedside before she took the vase and went to the bathroom to place some water on it.
"So Sawada, have those EXTREME people attacked you yet?" Ryohei asked. All three people in the room looked at him. Tsuna's eyes softened sadly as he looked at Ryohei.
"No. Not yet." Tsuna said quietly.
"Oh! Well then that's EXTREMELY good!" Ryohei said. "Sawada! After I get out of here… let's have an EXTREME spar okay?"
"Oi turf top! Do you really think jyuudaime will spar with the likes of you?" Gokudera said glaring at Ryohei.
"What do you mean by that, tako head?" Ryohei retorted.
"Maa… maa… calm down you two." Yamamoto said with a smile. But Tsuna was the one who made them stop with what he said next.
"Sure." The brunet said smiling. "Although I'll probably lose to you anyway."
"WHAT?" Gokudera said his jaw-dropping.
"EXTREME!" Ryohei shouted.
"J-jyuudaime, a-are you sure?" Gokudera asked his boss.
"Tako-head, of course he's sure!" Ryohei said with a triumphant smile.
"Wipe that smug smile off of your face, lawn-head!" Gokudera said growling at Ryohei. The two of them failed to notice the sad look that passed by Tsuna's face.
It's not technically an empty promise. Tsuna said to his guilty heart. I might just come back alive.
As Tsuna thought this, he failed to see a pair of worried amber eyes looking his way.
Tsuna, what are you hiding this time? Yamamoto thought as he saw the look on Tsuna's face.
Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Tsuna went out of the boxer's room while bidding their goodbyes.
"Get well soon, onii-san." Tsuna said to Ryohei as he waved.
"I'll bring some sushi the next time I visit!" Yamamoto said with a grin.
"Che." Gokudera said turning away.
"Ah! I'll see you guys later!" Ryohei said shouting form his bed.
"Thanks for coming again." Kyoko said with a smile. As Tsuna closed the door he did not miss the sad look that came across Kyoko's face. Tsuna stared at the closed door in guilt for a few moments.
"Coming Tsuna?" Yamamoto asked as he placed a hand on the brunet's shoulder. Tsuna looked up and smiled sadly.
"Yeah." Tsuna said giving Yamamoto a pained-smile. But Tsuna's eyes widened when the grip on his shoulder tightened. Tsuna looked up and he could see Yamamoto pursing his lips as though holding himself back.
"W-what?" Tsuna said an uncertain smile on his face. Yamamoto looked at Tsuna not-knowing what to do or say.
Tsuna, why do I feel like…?
Why do I feel like you're going to do something very dangerous…?
"Tsuna I-" Yamamoto began but then he was interrupted by Gokudera.
"Oi! What's happening?" Gokudera said as he strolled over, looking at Yamamoto suspiciously.
"It's nothing Gokudera-kun." Tsuna said he gently pushed Yamamoto's hand away. "Let's go."
Tsuna and Gokudera walked ahead, leaving Yamamoto staring at their backs.
"Oi baseball idiot! Are you coming?" Gokudera called out.
"A-ah! Wait for me!" Yamamoto said as he ran up to catch up with them.
And why…?
Why are you not telling us and handling it all by yourself?
Why are you doing it…
…all alone?
A/N: Sorry for the latev update I got a a migrain the day before yesterday and yesterday I didn't sleep to finih my art project and I just didn't have time! D:
