Okay... since I'm entering college and things had been hectic for the past few weeks...I can't update weekly apparently...but that doesn't mean I'm stopping. At most is once every 2 weeks (IF my assignments aren't many) so as an apology I'll publish two chapters. KHR fandom is dwindling in numbers and that's expected since the show ended years ago. I hoped they would continue the story though...and properly choose Tsuna's better half... anyway please review that would mean a lot...like really lots... please I'm begging you and spread the word about this story too please because I want people to comment on it be it bad or good...I'll accept both so please comment..even an okay is nice...
Tsuna flutter his eyes open, it takes him a few minutes before his vision is better. Tons of questions lingers in his mind but the biggest of them all is where in the world is he? The room is unfamiliar but accomodating not to mention very lavish. A wooden oak cabinat glimmers in front of him and there's a three foot mirror place just the opposite of his bed. From his reflection he could see that he's bandage from head to toe and looking more and more like a mummy. Scanning the room, he sees nothing out of the ordinary until the sweet marshmallows fragrance wafts into the room making his stomach rumbles in hunger.
'So you're awake Tsu-chan', a familiar sing sang voice state. A few meter next to him, Byakuran is leaning leisurely on the door frame munching a dozen marshmallows at once. His cheeks is a magical thing, it bloats into the size of a basket ball and he can still shove more of his marshmallows in. In his hand is a king size marshmallow packet, but something else resting in his finger catch Tsuna's attention. There's no way he'll forget the oval shape studed ring with wings by its side. A ring which should be in Vindice's possession. He rather not pursue the matter just yet.
'Where am I?', he ask.
Byakuran step into the room with a creepy smile 'In Gesso's family guest room. Your mansion is in a pretty bad shape, so I, as your good friend take the liberty and invite all of your friends here for a sleep over!!', Byakuran cheer, a couple of his marshmallows shot out. It amazes Tsuna how he can still pronounce words with that much stuff in his mouth. 'Anyway, you're asleep for three days straight and we were starting to get worried especially that little lap dog of yours. Any how, there's a meeting due four days after you wake up. Bye bye bi~', is all Byakuran says before he poof out of existence. Tsuna blink away the puff of smokes, Byakuran have an eccentric sense of entering and leaving.
A good half an hour later,three of his guardians come parading into his room, each of them have their certains body parts wrapped in bandages though Ryohei seems to have it worse. His face consist of nothing else but bruises and scratches whilst the rest of his body are full of blues and blacks. Tsuna open his mouth to ask why was he so heavily injured but Yamamoto beat him to it.
'Kyouya', that name alone is enough to explain ninety percent of the boxer's condition. What surprise him more is the sight of their box animals tailing behind them like ducklings. Now this is odd, his guardians know better than to let their animals loose especially summoning their animals requires flames and energy. Out of nowhere, Roll and Hibird lands on his bed with a smile an animal could do. He was surprised at first when this two animals suddenly appear in front of him a week ago and they have been following him ever since, save the conflict that happen a few days ago.
'Here, Tsuna', Yamamoto place a small table on his bed, he then present him with varieties of sushi's and an apple juice. Tsuna shot his friend a grateful look, honestly he thought he would die starving.
During his meals, his guardians are surprisingly quiet. Even Ryohei and Gokudera didn't engage in a verbal fight. From the corner of his eyes, he could see each of them have something weighting their minds. Almost finishing his meals Mukuro suddenly shows up panting and sweaty, he trudge into the room before tripping over a pillow and shamlessly fall face first on the rug.
'M-Mukuro! Are you alright?', looking at how tired his mist is, Tsuna couldn't help but think he had take part in a fight.
'Don't worry boss, Mukuro-sama is fine. He is just tired', his other half mist reassures. Tsuna shift his gaze towards Chrome. The girl isn't in a better shape than Mukuro, she too look worse for wear.
'Chrome did you guys got ambushed?', thousands of possible scenes flash into his mind as he tries to figure out what cause his mists to be so worn out. He flash Mukuro a concern look but the latter seems to has drift of to slumber land judging by how his shoulder rise and fall. He had never seen his fearsome mist looking so... pathetic in all his life.
'No', Chrome state.
'Then, why are you guys looking so damn tired', the irate Storm finally say.
The girl sheepishly scratch her head, 'Ano... I was chasing Mukuro-sama'.
Tsuna tilt his head in confusion, 'Huh? Why would Mukuro run away?'.
Chrome then let out a little chuckle, 'You see boss, Mukuro-sama had been working out since morning'. A heavy silence dawns on them before the occupants of the room roar in laughter, surprisingly Mukuro is still fast asleep despite the loudness they cause. The tense atmosphere finally soothe out, calming Tsuna's nerve. But seeing how hurt Chrome look, Tsuna couldn't help but ask.
'Are you serious Chrome', he tries to sounds as nonchalant as possible, but it prove to be a really hard thing to do. The said girl shyly nod her head.
'That was surprising', Tsuna add when the information sinks in. A loud whimpers caught his attention, he turn his head to his right a bit shock to see Jiro sitting in the far corner of the room shaking in absolute fear and Kojiro looking so stiff. Yamamoto laugh as he pats the dog's head. 'Maa...ma.. Jiro, Kojiro. There's nothing to be afraid off', he coax the two animals. Just then, Uri appear in front of them so suddenly, it shot the two animals into frenzy. Panicked, Jiro start to run around the room, hitting everything in sight while Kojiro keeps on flying on top of them spraying rain flames everywhere. Yamamoto tries to calm them down but his effort is worthless. God bless Mukuro, the boy is so fast asleep, he didn't twitch a muscle despite being trample on countless time by a thirty pound canine. Uri on the other hand makes matter worst by puffing suddenly infront of Jiro scaring the poor mutt. It seems to enjoy the terror it instil into the canine much to it's owner chagrin. 'Uri!', Gokudera shouts.
Poof*
On top of his bed Natsu stand tall, its eyes shrewed and it seems irritated by the chaos it's friends are doing. 'Gao!', one roar and the animals stop. Uri stop poofing, Jiro stop running, Kojiro finally calm enough to perch on the cabinet and both Hibari's pet stiffen but Kangaryuu remain nonchalant. Tsuna couldn't believe his eyes, Natsu has never been this authoritive before. 'Gao!', his roar sounds stern and deadly, the humans doesn't need to learn animal language to know Natsu is throwing threats- death threats to be precise. Uri shook its frozen state, it let out a mewl before disappearing into thin air. Now that Tsuna has a closer look, he could see some mist flames mingling with Uri's storm ones. Gokudera click his tongue in annoyance 'Tch, troublesome cat', he murmurs under his breath. Tsuna isn't sure how Natsu did it but the little cub manage to calm both rain animals and herd all of them including Kangaryuu to a corner near the window. It let out another small roar and the animal nods in unison except for the kangaroo. It stands up and hop away from the room through the window, which cause Tsuna to sweat dropped. Now why do I have a feeling that's a habit of someone I know, he inwardly muse.
Ryohei seems not to be bothered by it, he instead leans on the cabinet with his eyes close and his hand folded across his chest. Tsuna thought he was thinking but the loud snores he gave out cause Tsuna to face palm himself. Feeling content when the animals is under control, Natsu happily jump onto Tsuna's bed and lick it's owner's face.
'Hahaha, that tickles', Tsuna lift the cub from his face and let it down on his feet, Tsuna rub it's head lovingly. 'Thanks Nuts, you save me back there'.
'Gao!', Natsu roar happily, clearly ecstastic with the compliment it's receives. Albiet Natsu rein all the animals; the room is not in the best shape it's suppose to be with the shattered glass and the damp carpets and furnitures.
Tsuna rub Natsu's head earning a purr form the cub, he sigh, he'll have to write a cheque to Byakuran for the damages they had done.
'Hayato', the said guardian turn to look at his boss.
'Yes, Juudaime'.
'Why are the animals acting weird? As in really weird even Mukuro is odd'.
A troubled expression flits across his Storm face. Gokudera ruffles his silveric hair in a stress manner, 'I'm not so sure myself Juudiame. But, from what I have observe. Those who have drink that potion will have some sort of things changing as a result from the side effect. This side effect doesn't affect the drinker only, it can affect anything that specific drinker posses for example box animals', Gokudera shut one of his eyes and jab his thumb towards Yamamoto 'Baseball idiot over there is the perfect example for problematic box animals and the pineapples are the result of direct side effect'.
It's a lot to take in but luckily Tsuna manage to understand most of what his Storm had said. 'Then, how do we overcome this?', he asks after pondering for awhile. As a response Gokudera quickly bow down to a ninety degree pose whilst chanting his apology for not being able to figure out how to cure them.
'Maa...ma.. Hayato. It's okay, maybe Aria has an idea on how to fix this', Tsuna offers, albiet he himself isn't so sure. Then a thought cross his mind 'By the way where is Aria?'.
Hearing his question, Yamamoto stop consoling his pets, his eyes turn serious and there's a killer vibe oozing out of his body. To see the usually cherry guardian so intense is unnerving to say the least. 'Tsuna', it may have come out soft but they can sense the tense pressure it emits, 'I got a bad feeling about that Aria girl. She may be Reborn's relative. But... There's more to her than meets the eye.'
Gokudera straighten his pose, he put his hands on his pockets as he slouch on the wall next to Tsuna. There's something he knows and he's dying to tell Tsuna everything, yet he couldn't. He could still hear that marshmallow loving bastard words.
Ara, ara, the answer to your question lies right infront of you. Gokudera Hayato, I've overestimate your abilities~
Everytime he remembers those words it leaves a vile taste in his mouth. That will be the first and the last time he ask question from that sick psycho. Letting out a strained huff, Gokudera peel away from the wall, he excuse himself and walks out heading towards a room at the end of the hallway. If there's anything that could answer his questions it will be the library.
Tsuna watch his friend go with a sad face, his Storm have never been so conflicted before. Sensing Tsuna's distress, Yamamoto pats his back catching the brunette's attention. Rain flash him a small smile, 'Hayato was just frustrated because he didn't know how to handle this predicament. So are we, even Kyouya book a flight to Nanimori this morning because of all this stress but he'll be back after a day or two. Regardless, there's more pressing matter at hand', Tsuna realise how Yamamoto voice change from happy to anguish within a few sentence.
This intrigue the don, 'What is more important than this?'.
'Haru', as if on cue, Ryohei wakes up from his nap with a jolt. He turns around facing Yamamoto with a weird expression, if Tsuna didn't know better he would guess Ryohei is constipating. His Rain reply with the same gestures giving Tsuna little to no hints about their facial conversation.
'Ha..ha... Sorry Tsuna, me and senpai have something we need to do. I'll be taking this', he carefully collects the dishes and table, 'Get better soon okay', he flash Tsuna a sincere smile before leaving with Ryohei and the rest of the box animals. The only company he have left is Natsu who is napping by his side.
'Tsuna-nii!!', howl a cherry voice, whom he miss so much. Lambo hop and skip into the room on the balls of his feet with a few of his friends behind him namely- Fran, I-pin and two unfamiliar faces. Tsuna shot the newcomers a smile which in their opinion is too bright for their eyes.
'Its good to see you Lambo. And who are your new friends?', Tsuna asks.
Hearing his brother's questions, Lambo quickly stand next to the twins. 'This is Maki', he gesture to a girl with coppery wavy hair, she give Tsuna a slight nod, 'Pleasure to meet your acquaintance'. 'This is Haki', he points to a boy with coppery tousled hair, the boy lift his hand 'Yo!', he state nonchalantly.
'Pleasure is all mine'.
Feeling happy, Lambo pulls the twin closer to Tsuna. 'Ne..ne.. Tsuna-nii, did you know. If it weren't for these two we wouldn't have known about the enemy'.
Tsuna is taken a back by that statement, but he quickly conceal it with a smile. Patting Lambo's head lovingly, he ask the boy to go play leaving him with the two siblings. 'Why don't you-'.
'We already know what you're going to ask', the boy interjects, his voice firm.
'We're very sorry Tsuna-san. We cannot say much without our sister's consent', the girl adds.
'Then what purpose did you come and see me?'.
'Oh, simply minding our manners and to distinguish between truth and lies', is all the answer Tsuna gets before the children left and join Lambo and the others. Tsuna harshly lay down on his bed making it creaks a little. Things have gotten way out of hand, there's so much he wants to know, so many questions unanswered and here he is, immobilized and useless for four straight days. If he was his fourteen year old self, he would thank god for giving him a chance at peace and rest. At the age of nineteen he beg to differ, things will only complicates itself whenever he prolong it, especially problems concerning his family. Letting out a sigh, he pulls the cover over his head, letting Natsu's soft snores lull him to sleep.
0987654331097654321986521@086421
This shouldn't be her first time exploring these woods but the twisting and winding path always confused her, getting in is a piece of cake but getting out is another story. After three hours of endless walking she finally come across an old oak tree. Perch on one of the highest branch is a man wrap in nothing but bandages and a worn out cape. Sitting on his shoulder is Bermuda.
'You finally made it', the baby muse.
'I could've gotten here earlier if your instruction isn't so vague', the girl retorts, clearly a map drawn on a piece of tissue and looks nothing more than a child's scrawl would get her lost in this winding forest- why did Vongola preserve such forest again?
'Tch! We use what we have. It's not like we're living in a luxurious mansion.' The girl bit her bottom lip, groaning she trudge her way through the sea of fallen leaves before easily climbing on one of the branches. After comfortably placing herself on it, a dark figure in the shape of a duck lands on a trunk on top of her.
'Ciaossu!', the duck figure greet.
'Ah! Uncle Reborn. I take it the mission is a success', the girl beam, it has been weeks since she last saw her uncle and she couldn't help but worry about his well being after that crazy stunt they pull.
'Tch! Late as always ea.. Reborn', Bermuda interjects.
'Of course, we save the best for last after all', the fedora wearing boy say. 'Hey Bermuda, did you give Byakuran and the six funeral wreaths their respective Mare rings?'.
Bermuda snorts, 'Of course I did. This is a dangerous gamble, Reborn. There's a ninety-nine percent chance we would fail'.
'I'll stick with the one percent then'.
Bermuda click his tongue,' Always so incompetent'.
Anger by what his fellow Ex Arcobaleno had said, Reborn fish out his gun. 'Do you want to be a burned mummy next Bermuda?', Reborn ask.
'H-Hey Uncle calm down. You can't use that gun it'll blow your cover'. Reborn tilt his fedora down, he's contemplating about the truth in his niece's words. Sure enough, he retract his gun before carefully storing them back in his duck suit.
'You're lucky Aria manage to stop me', he state. 'Anyway, Aria. How's Dame-Tsuna and the rest are doing. I hope they didn't give you a whole lot of trouble.'
Aria sweat dropped, they've given me more trouble than an army.
'They're doing fine. Uncle Reborn, I have been meaning to ask. Why did you give Haru the sacred stone? She posses Lightning flames. From what I can see that Sasagawa girl concieve Sky flames. Wouldn't it be better if we awaken a sky instead of the other?'.
'Hmph, you'll see soon enough Aria.'
'Is this one of your scheme Uncle. If it is, it isn't really nice to force two people into union', Aria is one of those few people who would dare to doubt Reborn's decision; sure the Ex-sun Arcobaleno is one of the best decision maker but a matter of heart cannot be toy carelessly. And careless is what she sees her uncle is doing.
'Who knows', is her uncle's answer. 'Aria, your role will end soon. When you're finish you need to bring those brats to their respective places and make sure you come and meet Bermuda here'.
'Yes, Uncle', without another word spoken, the three figure quickly disperse from the spot not wishing to wind up with any of Vongola's guard patrolling around.
'Bermuda-sama, I have been wondering. Why did you agree so easily with their terms?', the man ask.
Bermuda didn't reply straight away, in actuality he doubt this plan would work. It's a suicide and reckless judging by the amount of people who will be pull in this task. If there's one thing Bermuda would care less, it's the lives of those humans but he do question Reborn's standing. As far as he knew, Reborn isn't a person who would blindly agree to a plan with the least chance of surviving. That was before, now the boy is more than daring to go through with any kind of plan as long as there's number present even zero is counted. This drastic change intrigue the baby, he is certain that Tsunayoshi boy had a part in this. Other than that, he have his reasons.
'I'll tell you soon enough Jaeger. Make haste, we need to finish the preparation for the upcoming meeting. Remind me, this will be the first and the last time I'm doing anybody's favour.' Jaeger nods in response, truth to be told he admit it, Reborn had change for the better and he couldn't wait to see the result of this plan Reborn created.
098776543321098764210864210742109
Aria let out a strangled breath, the way these events progress are impressive. One by one, each occurrence that had happened match with what Reborn had predicted, everything is falling into place.
Stepping into Vongola's ground manage to calm her nerves. Eyes wary, she brings out the last vial of liquid. Aria didn't have to guess who would be the eighth drinker. What she fear is the curse the eighth drinker will bear. She caress the glassy sides, feeling every bumps and coldness the vial could offer before stuffing it back into her coat, as she inspect the mansion restorement process. She give a few smiles and exchange words with some of the staff who are repairing the mansion. On the outside she looks fine and dandy but in the inside she feel troubled. As heavy as her heart is, this liquid will be a cure but also a poison. With that thought in mind, she climbs into a sleek black limousine parked outside their gate, right after finishing her task.
She give the driver a nod as acknowledgement, 'Gesso's Famiglia mansion', Aria state firmly. This is the last stage of her part, after this she'll pass her baton back to Reborn. As assuring as that sounds to everyone else, it only brings malice and fear for her. A few weeks ago she had overheard the conversation in between the Ex-sky Arcobaleno and the Ex-sun Arcobale
no, regarding this last part.
'Uncle your choice will only hurt the both of them', a soft voice state.
'I know Uni, I'm giving that girl a chance. Whether this will be a curse or it'll be a blessing is up to them. I only forge a path the choice is theirs alone to make'.
'You're really fond of that Haru girl aren't you?', Uni muse.
'Hmph, I only want the best for Dame-Tsuna'.
'Will the best make Sawada-san happy?', there no answer from Reborn so Uni continues, 'Uncle, I know you have something you want to achieve and prove and I believe your good intentions. It isn't my place to say whether you're right or your wrong. After all, I only know this Haru girl for a while. I hope you make the right choice'.
'You have seen it haven't you. The outcome of all this', Reborn says.
Uni chuckled, 'Maybe. At last, it can change for better or worse', Uni softly murmurs.
Reborn click his tongue, 'It better be for the better. I'll change your future vision Uni, just so you wait'.
The girl giggle, 'I know Uncle. Good luck'.
Aria contemplament is broken when the car stop right on front of the Gesso's family gate- a golden gate with their crest in the center. It is pure luck, they didn't use marshmallows as their insignia, everyone in the mafia world knows what a marshmallow freak the Gesso's famiglia boss is, but no one dare to voice it out, probably afraid to face the wrath of his guardians. Standing right in front of it are three guards armed with a riffle each. From the corner of her eyes, she can feel blankets of mists engulfing the whole place including the ebony wall. After a brief inspection, the car start to move again. The main HQ is just a good five hundred meters away from the gate, the area in between it are fill with the outmost peculiar shape bushes. The red cobblestone path is align with white marble stones, and traps. If one aren't careful, they might accidentally activates all of them at once.
'They've been busy', Aria murmurs, 'Ah! We're here already?', she beam when the wooden oak door comes to view. This is the first time she set foot in Gesso's turf and one of those things she likes about this place is their beautiful carved front door. 'Thank you Rico', she chime as she step out. Waving the driver good bye, Aria let out a huff. This place, despite being newly built, is very beautiful and strategic. Like Vongola, this mansion is built on top of a hill far from the nearest civilization for safety reasons. Sighing, she push open the huge oak door.
The first thing she sees are red carpets blanketing the cold marble floor. In front of her is a big winding staircase leading up to the second level. On each wall, antique painting are hanged. Standing on the first flight of stairs is a girl with light blue hair.
'Bluebell, nice meeting you', Aria beam.
'Bubu~ Byakuran-nii sent me here as your guide. Say, where do you want to go?', the little girl chided with her arms cross and her mouth pucker up. She wear a light green mermaid printed T-shit with light blue leggings and a pair of white flats.
'I'm sorry for troubling you. Can you show me where Vongola are staying'.
Bluebell nod, she grab the silverette hand and lead her down a hallway on her right. The hallway decoration is simple, there's nothing much to describe. Engrave on white walls are rolls of waves that represents Mare embodiment- the raging sea. There's also a few collections of knight's armory and weapons. Much like Vongola mansion, in each hallways there will be adjacent path leading to the many corners of the mansion. Sometimes choosing the wrong turn can get you lost.
'We're here', Bluebell state, pulling Aria back to earth. 'This is the library,' Bluebell gesture to a room a few doors ahead, inside they could see Gokudera pulling books from various shelves before putting all of them on a heavy oak table. 'This is Vongola Donna's room', the child points to a golden brown door with silver door knobs in the shape of a tiger.
Aria furrows her eyebrows, Tsuna isn't married yet, so who the heck suddenly gain that title? Bluebell grab the sleeves of her dress, catching the silverette's attention. 'Byakuran-nii told me to call her that. Don't know why though. And the Don's room is the last one on this hallway. Can you remember all that?', the child inquiry. Still abit shock about the sudden info, Aria dumbly nods her head.
'Good, cause I'm leaving', in a blink of an eye, Bluebell disappear in a flurry of light blue dust. Murmuring a thank you under her breath, Aria step forward to open the door only to find it locked.
'Who are you?'. She calmly crane her neck backwards to see the owner of the voice. Behind her, a black haired girl, maybe in her early twenties is shooting her a glare that could kill. In the girl's hand is a tray full of medicines and a water bottle.
'Those medicines will not work. Let me in, I can cure her', Aria bluntly state.
The black haired girl scoff, 'You could be lying. How can I trust you?'.
Aria grunt, 'I'm with Vongola. If that's not enough, then how can I be here when this whole place is guarded.'
'Tch, there's always a weakness in everything. It's hard but not impossible to breach their defenses'.
'Fine. I'll leave, if that's what you wish. But let me tell you, her organs and cells are deteriorating per se, she could die either tomorrow or tonight. So good luck curing her', Aria give the girl a slight nod and step away.
A bear like grip encase her wrist, halting the silverette's steps. A triumph smirk adorn her face, 'Yes?', she ask mockingly.
'How did you know about her illness?'.
Aria rub the bridge of her nose when she hears that statement. A trouble groan escape her lips, 'I'm a doctor and her illness happens to be in my field of expertise. So you've to let me in'.
From the corner of her eyes she could see the black haired girl weighting her sentences, pondering for an answer.
'Alright', the girl says after ten minutes of silence. She rummage through her jeans and pull out a bronze key. With a click the door creaks open. Both of them are about to step in when Aria suddenly stop.
Then Aria remembers something, ' You have to stay outside', she sternly but politely ask.
The girl is against the idea, so Aria have to pull Only-I-can-cure-her card making the girl agree albeit reluctantly. 'Don't worry, no harm will befall your Mistress', she offer words of encouragement to the latter.
'Just, save her', the girl murmurs the last part barely audible but Aria could hear it loud and clear also the gruff and intimidating voice she use earlier is no more; instead, she pleads rather desperately.
'I understand', Aria step into the door, locking the door behind it. The room is moderate in size, bottles of medicines piles up on one of the dressers, and some of it are empty. From a description on one of the bottles, Aria could guess they had uses the strongest antibiotics there is to counter what ever is invading the sleeping brunette's body. Slowly, she waltz her way towards the lone bed near the curtained window. On it lies a half living girl with various tubes sticking into her body. Her colors had flush leaving her skin looking pale as a ghost, her lips chapped and blue with her chest barely moving to deter whether she's breathing or not. 'Look at you, we haven't even begin training yet. And here you're lying in your death bed', she state before pulling the chains around her neck revealing a covered binky.
Aria momentarily close her eyes, her fingers fumbles with the the clasp. When she opens them again, her irises are tainted in light blue color. She could feel the cover sliding off her colourless binky into her palm. The minute she pulls it away, the color blue dance around her palms.
She set her binky aflame but small enough to not be detected. Carefully, she hover her palms over the wounds. One on Haru's thigh, another on her shouder blade. Increasing her concentration, her hands light up with rains flames whilst Haru's wounds combust into wild storm flames. Seeing how big and wild the flames are, Aria knows this process will be tiring. Fisting both her palms, she let the flames snake it's way into Haru's skin neutralizing the toxin flames from her body. She keeps on channeling her energy non-stop for an hour before she's a hundred percent certain, all the excess flames are gone.
With a smile, Aria close her eyes once again. She opens them once more, this time with a yellowish hue tainting her orbs and hands.She hover her hand on top of Haru's stomach. Collecting her thoughts, she summons her sun flames before brushing it over the brunette's body. A good two hour later, she stops.
As if on cue, Haru open her daze eyes. Aria quickly recaps her binky and stuff it in her shirt. 'Where am I?', Haru croaks, her voice raw. She let out a muffled groan when a soaring pain wash over her body especially her head.
'Drink some water first', Haru shakily grab the glass that is handed to her. She drinks the whole thing in one go and her throat still feel perched nonetheless a bit better. She take a glance to her right. Her eyes widen just a tad bit when she see her company.
Aria muster a smile, she pull a chair to sit next to Haru. She's famished for the day. 'You're at Gesso's Famiglia HQ', Aria reply.
Haru's mouth turn to an 'O' shape clearly not a bit surprise or afraid to hear such name rolling off Aria's tongue. Deciding not to wait any longer, Aria bring out the vial she keep. Haru's eyes twinkle on excitement upon seeing the glassy tube once again. She's a bit baffled when Aria's push it into her hands. Confuse, she accepts it with a frown.
'That's a special brew', Aria continues, not paying heed towards Haru's complications on harnessing her words both because of her pounding but manageable headache and the fact she had no idea what's going on. 'It was made specifically for those who wields Dying will Flames'.
'Then, why are you giving me this?', Haru ask her head tilting to one side.
Aria sigh for the umpteenth time that day, she place her elbows on the bed leaning on them, cutting the distance in between their faces. Her eyes shines in serious and mean business. 'It's a booster to simply put it. But for you, it's a poison'.
After hearing that explanation the thing in her hand metaphorically feels heavier like a ten ton brick. 'Why should I have this poison', she stutters, still a bit wary about the liquid in the vial. Why is it the most dangerous things would fall in her possession? Is she a trouble magnet?
'I may have gotten rid of those toxin flames from your body but I won't always be here. That's a precaution. Drink that and your body would build resistance against their weapons and flames. The reason why I imply this as poison is because of your condition. Like I told you before, making flames flare up involuntarily will strain your body, if you add this thing, it'll be twice as painful.'
Haru listen silently as Aria rambles on and on about the affect she'll have to face on a later date. 'If I drink this. Can I stand on my ground beside them?'.
Aria smirk, she knows fair well who are 'them' Haru is mentioning. 'Yes', there's no need for her to lie, even if she did, Aria's certain the brunette would drink that concoction anyway. Like she has anticipate, Haru unclapse the cork and drinks the whole thing with one gulp, putting the bottle aside, she throws Aria an excited look. 'So, when can we begin training?'.
'The day after tomorrow if you bathe yourself in sunflames, you still need your rest. If you manage to do all that I had ask of you, then I can guarantee you, we'll start right away. By the way Haru, you know Tsuna and the others would want an explanation don't you?'.
Haru's face look grim, in her mind she could only hope Tsuna would forget about her promise though she's certain that wish is pretty much far fetched. 'Yeah', she agree tiredly.
'Good, well I better be going then. There's a whole bunch of little kids I need to look after', Aria state jokingly as she emphasis on the little kids part.
'I know. Thank you and Good luck'. Aria shot the girl a smile before exiting the room. Outside she could see the black haired girl and some new faces including kids sitting on the bench near the door. Their wary face abruptly change to an anticipating one when she step out.
'Is she alright?', the black haired girl bluntly ask.
'Yes, she's fine. You can see her for yourself. Make sure she eats something healthy and nourishing, please note on food that replenish the blood cells. Oh. Don't mention anything stressful as of late, give her time to rest make sure she sticks with her regular dosage of sun flames and she'll be back on her feet soon.'
'Okay, thank you. My name is Hana. Kurokawa Hana', Hana put her hand forward for a shake.
'Aria di Cielo. Pleasure meeting your acquaintance', she turn her attention towards the bunch behind Hana. 'I'm guessing I'll have your names later'.
They remain quiet which Aria take as a yes. She bit them good bye and continue walking down the hallway before stopping in front of the last door. This door is in light blue color with golden lion door knobs. Twisting the knob, she push the door slightly ajar; her eyes peeking into the room. From her position, she could see her boss's silhouette reading a book on his bed. 'If you keep peaking like that, people's going to misunderstand', Tsuna hollers, his eyes never leaving the book. Aria chuckle, she push the door open and step in, from her eyes she could see chaos had ensued but rather be ignorant about it. Since his bed is the only thing she finds dry, the silverette had no choice but to sit on the edge of it.
'Where were you?', Tsuna question, his voice calm and collected.
'At the mansion, manning the repairs. You need somebody to keep tabs on those people don't you?', she state.
'Is everybody okay?', Tsuna mark the page he had been reading and put it aside.
'Yeah', Aria quickly reply.
'The mansion, was it bad?'.
'Got holes here and there and some wreckage you and Xanxus cause underground, the whole front foyer abolish, one quater of our forest tarnished, other than that, yeah we're fine'.
'How many casualties?', Tsuna could feel his bile rising as those words roll out. As a soon to be Mafia boss, that question shouldn't mind him the least but he's Tsuna, the kind hearted useless Tsuna who treasures his comrades lives like daimonds. After hearing that, Aria look away. This is going to be hard to answer.
'We lost fifty of our men. Half our squads are wounded and by all means, we can't hold off another frontal attack like that'. She could hear the bed shifts like a boulder is slam on it.
'Oh god,' Tsuna voice comes out weak and vulnerable. He covers his face with his hands, rubbing it unconsciously. 'I was suppose to be in charge', he moans. 'I'm useless'.
'Tsuna things like that are bound to happen one way or another. You need to face it. When you turn twenty, you'll run the whole famiglia, if this kind of things bothers you, how can you function as a head?'.
'How can I not be bothered? Fifty of my men are dead! Not counting Haru's parents and the Arcobalenos. Tell me how can I not be bothered. I'm nineteen for god sake, I shouldn't have people's live on my hand. I'm a teenager, I should be having fun goofing off doing silly and stupid stunts! Not being some big shot in the middle of a mafia war. It hasn't begun yet, and look at me? I lost fifty men. Can you imagine the guilt of having that much men died for a scrawny nineteen year old who may or may not be able to restore the famiglia original legacy. Tell me Aria, how would you feel when you know such things?', Tsuna desperately ask.
Aria look dead into his eyes, she could see his sanity slipping away. She knows very well how that feel, so very well, but that was her choice to feel such guilt and remorse but Tsuna. Tsuna never had a choice, he was force into something he knows we can't get out off and Aria knows how that feel like.
'Then, do you want it to stop?', she inquiry.
'What?', Tsuna ask dumbly, that is not the kind of answer he wants to hear. Aria raise two of her fingers and poke him on the chest, right over his heart and he could feel something burning within it.
'Can you feel that? That's your flame and it's getting weaker.'
'I still can't understand what you're trying to say Aria'.
'What if I told you that you have a chance to step down from the inheritance'.
Tsuna's eyes turns wide, this information is interesting. 'How?'.
'That potion you drank. You heard about the side effects don't you.' Tsuna nod as a yes. 'You've been slipping in and out of your Dying Will Mode when you fought her. Do you want to know why?'.
'I guess', Tsuna answer though a bit unsure.
'It's the effect of that potion. You know flames are projected through your resolve. It seems your flames needs a higher resolve than usual or it won't flare up at all. Even if it did, it will be very short. This time, even those pills of yours couldn't help you to ignite your flames. Losing control of your flames or losing your ability to call out your flames will grant you your chance to step down as an heir. Especially when your coronation is within a few months', Aria climbs to her feet, her back facing Tsuna's. 'So, make your choice boss', is all she says before walking out of the room.