Alone

-x-

Dino hummed himself a simple American Christmas tune he had heard earlier in the holidays. It was already past Christmas. And he knew…

It was surely a quiet Christmas in the Vongola household.

He went to visit. And everybody he knew was there. All except one. And just because that one person was there, though the happy holiday spirit was present with the arrays of color and food, it was obvious to everyone…

That the air was different with him missing.

And it truly frustrated Dino. So much, that as he was thinking about it now, the wooden pencil in his hand cracked. He set down the leftover of the now broken pencil and leaned back in his chair uneasily. He couldn't just sit still and wait for him to appear. For all he knew, the one he dubbed little brother could be DEAD. And knowing that he wasn't home, and that no one knew where he could possibly be; that alone bothered him.

Dino closed him eyes, shutting himself out the world he saw. He knew he was in his room, in a simple little house far from his mafia home, a place of solace, far from the city districts, in Italy. But with his eyes closed, now he could only think of the simplest thing.

When you lose something, it's normal to ask, "If I were whatever it was I lost, where would I be?"

And he knew, however strange it may sound, he couldn't help but ask. "If I were Tsuna, where would I be right now?" But that too, alone, was a hard answer. And if it were to be on a test, he would surely miss that question.

Truthfully, considering the Tsuna now, the one he knew that has grown and matured greatly, Dino wouldn't know what to expect anymore. Even setting eyes on him eleven years ago, when Tsuna had come from the past to save this world, he was already becoming amazing, perhaps even more than Dino would ever expect.

Though, it frustrates him more. The Tsuna that had changed the future and returned to the past must have changed the Tsuna who was already great at this time. But whoever stepped out of Irie Shoichi's device…

Dino never got to meet.

Nor did anyone else.

The blonde dropped his head back to his chair. He opened his eyes to the ceiling, hopeless he would get anywhere. After all, the simple little question had already failed him… ten times now. 'But he's bound to show up sometime…' Dino thought, then added. 'I surely hope so…If I were him, I'd think I'd come and stay here.' He chuckled at the meager thought, wondering what he would think if that actually were to happen. But he was pretty ashamed at his poor humor to himself. There was no way it could happen.

He turned around in his chair to face the window behind him, never expecting his eyes to meet with a mottled, muddy, shadowed face with ruffled and matted hair, the clothes being torn and shredded, black skin bare, a cut and bruised hand leaning against his window. Dino practically fell back in his chair in surprise, moving as far away as possible from the window, incredibly shocked at what monster could possibly be leaning away on his window. And in the cold?

"H-How did that find my house?" Dino mumbled out loud, still staring at the unusual, filthy sight. Of course, he knew that whoever it was outside couldn't see inside due to window tints on this certain window. Once the black hand fell from the window, Dino decided to stand up from his chair and take a closer look as to who stood outside his window.

Dino knew his house was only one floor, level with the ground it was built upon, which means, he realized, the person outside was around the same height as him, if not a little bit shorter. The person was close to the window, his warm white breath seen against the glass, puffing every other five seconds. Dino examined his clothing. The person barely had anything on his skin, enough to keep him warm in such a cold time. A hand rose to the window again, leaving a smudge of mud, while another, glowing with a brilliant red emerged from under his shirt, reaching for his face. Dino watched him rub his face with his hand slowly, to drop his hand decorated with scars, and raise his face to the tinted reflected window on his side.

And his face alone, it gave Dino shivers as he couldn't tear his eyes away from what he was seeing. He may not see Dino, but clearly, Dino saw him. Through all the scars, cuts and mud. Dino couldn't bear to turn away from the flaming orange eyes that burned brightly right back at him blindly. The eyes hardened a bit, a hand flying to grip his stomach, and with that, the man outside his window collapsed.

Dino quickly sped out of his house, thrashing through everything in his way, to go against the cold wind that tried to keep him away from his want. He winced at the cold, as his socks sunk through the icy snow. He practically slid as he turned around the corner of his house, seeing the limp body, lay beside the window he was just beyond. Dino took no time to look no more and grabbed for an arm, hoisting the body on his back. It surprised Dino, that compared to his own body, the other was practically as cold as ice and very light too, which frightened him so much that it caused him to get inside his house twice as fast as he did while going out.

'All that matters now,' Dino thought quickly, 'is getting his body warm.' He quickly sped down into his room, putting down the unconscious body on his little couch. He flew to his bathroom and turned the knob of the faucet all the way to hot. ' I need to get him warm… Quick!' He thought to himself.

-x-

Dino finally sat down on a chair next to the bed. He had finished buttoning his shirt on the other's body, who was now sleeping intently with a new set of clothes in Dino's bed. Dino was relieved to know that the body at least warmed up in the shower, after cleaning out all the dirt and letting him soak there for about an hour. He tended to the wounds all over his body, which was a considerable amount, and some quite severe too, but none life-threatening…

'Thank goodness too…' Dino thought, rubbing the back of his neck. 'All he needs to do now… is sleep.'

But Dino still couldn't keep his eyes away. He couldn't ever since he saw those eyes, and now it was just thrice as hard now that the face and body was clear of all the dirt.

Same chocolate hair, same eyes, same skin, same face. It just had to be him. It just had to be…

"Tsuna…" Dino breathed.

It was like gazing at a masterpiece, that was so eye-catching and keeps you staring at it with awe. It was like there was always something new to find out as you keep on looking, and that if you look away, you would miss something extraordinary. As of right now, Tsuna, laying there on his bed contently, was like that.

But the masterpiece was torn, ripped, shattered, and broken. All the scars, cuts, wounds that Dino saw never seemed to fade away from his memory. They were tended to now, but some of those wounds were obviously not recently. And perhaps, the older ones not well cared for either.

What has this masterpiece been through? Where had it went? Where would it go, to end up being like this?

"What happened, Tsuna?" Dino asked quietly, not expecting an answer. "Where did you go?"

"…..Everywhere." A quiet tone responded.

Dino looked up to Tsuna's face, seeing the eyes open slightly and a little smile form on his face. Tsuna turned his head to look at Dino, who's face was surprised.

"…..Good morning, Dino-san." A pause… "…That is… If you are Dino-sa-"

Instantly, a hand smacked down on Tsuna's mouth.

Dino cried. "AAAHHH! DON'T SAY ANYTHING!"

And from under his hand. "AGH! THAT HURTS!"

Dino quickly threw his hand away. "Eeeeii, sorry…"

Tsuna glared at his dubbed older brother over the rim of the blanket covering him, then his eyes turned soft and friendly, eyes that Dino hadn't met in a long while. "It's good to see you…who would've thought…. That the house I stumbled upon…."

"Would be mine…" Dino chuckled, rubbing his nose. "No one would've expected it…" He then smiled. "Earlier I told myself that if I were you, I'd come and stay here. Didn't think it would actually come true."

Tsuna took a while to respond, but his smile was evident. "You sure know me well then."

"Really now?" Dino nodded slowly… then gripped the edges of his chair. "Then if I knew you so well, I would have known where you have been for a year now…"

To this, Tsuna made no response at all. He just closed his eyes and muffled. "This bed sure is comfy."

"Don't try to change the subject on me, mister. I've got all day." Dino then patted his head. "Which means you should get some rest for now. You've got some explaining to do later. But for now, just rest."

Tsuna raised a brow at him.

"And don't think of escaping either." Dino added harshly, adding a pointing finger for emphasis. "By heaven you will feel the wrath of a might older brother ready to rampage the world with my iron fist looking for a tuna."

And now, a smile. "Will do, Dino-san. I won't go anywhere."

-x-

Tsuna stretched out his muscles from under the bed, feeling his elbows pop. His body felt wonderful now, and he knew he was fully rested. He sat up on the bed, the blankets falling to his side. The air was warm, but not as warm as it was under the covers, which he preferred more right now. He turned slowly, hoping not to re-open any wounds that Dino had fixed up for him and stared at the clock on the bed stand.

2:50 … in the morning. It said.

'It's late… really late.' Tsuna thought to himself bitterly, 'Probably late enough for me to sneak out without Dino-san's notice…' Yes, he said he would stay, and he really would like to also, but he knew he couldn't stay long. And Dino should be asleep by now, which he thought was a good chance. 'After all…' Tsuna thought to himself, slipping on the provided slippers and walking out of the room, 'A farewell would be too sad for me to see again.' He opened the door and found Dino sitting on a pillow on the floor next to the door reading a book.

"Eh, you're not asleep?" Tsuna asked, surprise in his tone. So much for that plan. He watched it flying out the nearby window.

"Does it look like I'm sleeping?" Dino asked smartly. He stood up, dropping the book from his hands into the pillow he was sitting upon. "I couldn't sleep. Someone was occupying the space in my bed. And that someone also made me worry he might run away…"

Tsuna grinned. "Heh, you don't say…Sorry about that."

Dino shook his head. "Neh, it's fine. All that matters is if you got fully rested."

The younger truthfully replied. "Perhaps the best rest I've gotten this whole year." Suddenly, his stomach grumbled loudly. "Ah…"

Dino flashed a grin. "Good thing I had a big dinner last night. Let's go eat." He added before starting to walk, "Do you need help walking?"

"I'll be fine, thanks."

Though, throughout their little journey, Dino was checking on Tsuna every other second, ready to dive if he were to fall, which he didn't. Tsuna saw, as they headed toward the kitchen, that a modern day table was already set up, ready to welcome any who eat upon it. And the seats, especially Tsuna's, was incredibly comfortably cushioned. Basically, pillows everywhere galore.

"Why is it that I get the feeling that I'm being treated like a glass vase traveling through hazardous areas?" Tsuna asked quite irritated, staring at his seat.

"Don't ask questions and sit down." Dino said, gently pushing him to a sitting position in his seat. "Today, I get to treat you. I'll get the food." The older brother quickly scurried into the kitchen and soon clinks and clanks were heard. "Ah, I'm okay." He said loud enough from the kitchen.

Tsuna chuckled to himself. It seemed that over the year, Dino still hadn't changed from his clumsy self if his men weren't around, even if it had improved a little bit. But another thought was brought up in Tsuna's mind after thinking such a thing. Where exactly were they? Why was Dino in a house in the middle of who knows where in apparently Italy? How far away were they from the city, from Dino's Cavallone Base?

"Hmm…" Dino grumbled as he came back with a heated pot in his hands. "I thought I fixed up that flaw for good now."

"Why? Still can't not fall over when your men aren't around?"

"At least 5 kilometers away, I'd still be fine." Dino answered proudly as he went back to get more food.

'Which means that we aren't too far from a city of some kind…' Tsuna thought. 'It doesn't really matter anyway. I don't even remember how I got here in the first place.'

Dino returned with a huge bowl of rice and a large bowl of soup, then brought in many appetizers and condiments. "All for the hungry gourmet."

"I can't eat this all." Tsuna complained. "You're going to make me fat. And that doesn't really look great on the pictures, Dino."

"Oh, complaining?" Dino sat down on the side next to Tsuna's side. "Are you on a diet? And since when were you a celebrity?" He laughed and ordered instantly, "Eat. Now."

"Yes, Dino-san…" Tsuna picked up his chopsticks. "I'll gladly eat." He gave thanks to the food and with his usual manners, began eating. After how many minutes of slurps and chewing, Tsuna grinned with red cheeks from the heat. "This is delicious!"

Dino smiled. "I was wondering when you were going to say something."

"You cooked all of this?" Tsuna asked, in between slurps.

"Yeah, I did."

"Amazing, Dino-san." And that's when Tsuna realized. "Aren't you going to eat too?"

Dino shook his head. "I ate earlier; I'll just eat some snacks."

Tsuna nodded, eating more.

To Dino, it looked as if Tsuna was craving for all of it, as if there was going to be none left. "You look really hungry." He couldn't help but comment.

"Well, of course." Tsuna answered, taking his pick of all the rest of the food he had yet to eat. "The food is so delicious, and I haven't had such a good meal like this for months now."

Dino felt a pang freeze in his chest... 'Months?' He asks himself, then asks out loud, "You haven't been eating?"

Tsuna looked at him, then by realizing what he said, quickly shook his head. "Ah, don't worry about it. I have been eating."

Dino still gave him a serious look which made Tsuna stop his eating, feeling the glowering affects of the 'I-must-know' aura radiating off of the older. It was quiet, with none saying a word, nor any movements at all.

Dino's eyes fell to the table, a part of the view including Tsuna's bruised hand which laid on the table surface lifelessly. "Please explain to me."

Tsuna's eyes hardened, his eyes also falling to his hands.

They couldn't bare look at each other anymore, not eye to eye.

After no connecting between Tsuna and anybody for about a year, it was only inevitable that it would be awkward, which Tsuna prepared for.

Dino continued. "Why'd you disappear and cut off all connections with everyone, including your family?"

"That… I cannot answer…" Tsuna said quietly.

His tone was harsher. "What have you been doing this whole time? Why is it that I have to look at you like this, battered and beaten, and I can't do anything about it?"

Tsuna didn't answer.

"I figured you wouldn't tell me anything. And I don't know why. Nobody knows why." Dino's hand slammed down against the table. "But it's hard, Tsuna. You disappearing on us affected everybody. And here you are, in front of me, the same person. The same person I thought I knew is like a stranger now."

Tsuna looked at him now. "What?"

"You here right now. I've known you for so long, but somehow seeing you like this." Dino shook his head angrily. "It frustrates me. That I've known you for years, spent many memories with you and your family and friends. But somehow, with you gone for one year, not hearing from you at all, then you suddenly appear with scars and cuts and bruises from reason you won't tell me." Dino gripped his hands tightly, confessing, "It scared me… It scares me, Tsuna."

"You… shouldn't worry about me." Tsuna said coldly. "After all, I shouldn't have met with you at all."

Dino yelled, "How could you say that? I looked at you right outside my window and it looked like you were going to DIE! Saying that you shouldn't have met with me, not stumbling upon here, YOU WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD WITHOUT US KNOWING!" Dino breathed, settling himself down, but the anger still rising. "This whole year, everyone has been wondering where you have been, worrying about you. What are you doing… And we realize, that you would be … alone."

"Alone…" Tsuna repeated. "As of right now, I must be alone, Dino-san."

Dino spat. "And why do you say that? So you could go off on another year, doing things we don't know?"

"You mustn't know."

"But why?" Dino said furiously. "The Tsuna I'd know wouldn't just keep things to himself. And he especially wouldn't suddenly disappear on us without any warning. He would stay connected with us and keep us reassured. He would always give encouragement and cheer to the people around him. He wouldn't dare to disappoint anybody purposely. He wouldn't hide anything. He would always be reliable. He wouldn't be alone!"

"Then I guess I'm not the Tsuna you know."

Dino paused, now looking clearly to the face of the young Vongola Boss.

"But… I'll say this as it is all I can say." Tsuna said. "I can't tell you or anybody else because I know if any of you knew, it would cause grief. I am not happy with leaving you all behind without a single trace and notice of how I am doing because I must keep you safe. I disappeared with a reason, and this reason, though it reflects my absence, would be for your future. I hide things from you so you wouldn't have to worry. I keep things to myself to burden the pain and aches that I would never want to see on anybody else. The things I am doing must not be known, no matter how placid or destructive, but it's for a greater cause and will change your lives to my comfort. I cause the sorrow now so in the end I may return to smiles and to find a better future than what could possibly happen and that you all wouldn't have to bear something even more stronger than the feeling of loss... I must be alone…"

Tsuna paused, not knowing why, but continued. "I must be alone to accomplish this all."

Dino was shaken. The man before him, he looked like Tsuna, talked like Tsuna, acted like Tsuna, through and through. But Dino knew, that the same Tsuna he knew, also became another Tsuna..

"And I'm sorry." Tsuna looked down. " I really am sorry for all that I have caused, but please…please trust me. You may hate me, but all I ask is that you trust me."

Dino clenched his fist tighter, then loosened his muscles completely. "… I could never hate you… And for sure, I trust you, Tsuna. But I can't forgive you…"

Tsuna nodded. " Of cour -" He was interrupted by a large warm hand, ruffling his hair.

"I can't forgive you…" Dino continued. "Until you return home for good."

Tsuna's eyes widened and he nodded.

"Your words…" Dino said, withdrawing his hand and leaning back in his chair, "Each one has become amazing. I, too, am sorry. I shouldn't have lost my cool like that."

"I can't blame you for being angry…"

"But whatever your doing, I see now…"

"Hmm?"

Dino looked at his brother. "It's for the Family right?"

Tsuna smiled a little, nodding slowly. "Yes… and for everybody else, including you."

"I knew it. Then that reason alone can set me at ease." Dino smiled. "Haa~ You seriously can't tell me?"

"Unless you're willing to risk your life."

"I'm up for the job."

"Sorry, no openings right now."

Dino grinned. "Not only have you changed, but your humor too."

"Oh, I've come across some jokes." Tsuna said proudly. "Though they're pretty lame."

"When you return, go for it." Dino said.

After a while of needed silence, Tsuna asked hesitantly, "You're okay, letting me go like this?"

Dino shook his head. "No, not at all. Your wounds are clearly visible and won't heal anytime soon, even with the Sun's regeneration ability." Dino noticed the coiling look on Tsuna's face and decided to finally give up. "But who am I to stop you?"

"Oh?"

"You've really become a mafia boss that the world needs. You've become the Vongola Boss everyone would look forward to seeing." Dino smiled. "I'm very impressed. It's beyond my reach."

"You've done wonders too, Dino." Tsuna added. "And very commendable ones too."

"And when you return, you'll tell me all about the wonders you've accomplished which surpasses mine. Are you done eating?" After receiving a nod, Dino began picking up the bowls on the table. "After all, you've beaten the Milliefiore." He instantly noticed how Tsuna's nerves reacted to the word and gave him an odd look. "Oh, have I stumbled upon a hint?"

"Like I said, if you don't want to die, then you might as well stop trying to pass the line." Tsuna said annoyed. He drew a line on the table with his finger. "You see, this is the line." And now, pointing out to fingers to represent a man walking. "And this is you walking over the line." He made his finger man walk over the line, just to get smacked away by a boulder created by a free fisted hand. "Was my speech really for nothing? Did it just go into one ear and came out on the other?" He also joined in with the cleaning now, waiting for an answer.

"No, every word was like a morsel of heaven." Dino answered, his voice as suave as ever.

"Lovely." Tsuna plainly replied. "Then start treating it like as so."

"But you will have to tell me."

Tsuna sighed. "You're already making plans…"

"And they are sure to stay, but you make it sound like whatever your doing is a free ticket to death." Dino shrugged, walking toward the kitchen. "I don't see how I can be sure you'd make it back safely to tell me of all your wonderful, extra adventures."

"I'll come back alive. That is a fact." Tsuna now blanched. "But I just realized if whether or not I'm going to live long enough when I'm back..."

Dino gave him a questioning look. "Why?"

"At least you are Dino-san, even though you are angry with me, didn't kill me… But for Hibari-san and Mukuro…"

"Eee…" Dino blanched too, realizing the younger one's thoughts. "They'd be worse than me, damage included with the package."

"Agreed."

"Well, good luck with your escape plan." Dino encouraged, retreating to the kitchen.

-x-

"Ah, Dino-san, thank you for the day.. And the clothes… and food… and hospitality." Tsuna grinned sheepishly, looking down at his new warm coat. He also had a suitcase full of clothes prepared by Dino, and a full bag of food, leftovers from the night and many snacks as well as extra things Dino could pack in there. He also had a new hat to wear which he liked very much. "I must return my gratitude."

"Just come home. That and everyone's reactions would be enough." Dino said warmly. "When are you going to return?"

"I don't know."

"Well, as long as you come back then all is good."

Tsuna could only smile now.

"I really enjoyed this day today." Dino chuckled, "We played some games and talked about a lot. I figured my days here would be pretty boring, but you surely made it moments that I would never forget."

"The same feeling here, Dino-san." Tsuna nodded, feeling mutual with it all. "I must leave now. Before it becomes night."

"Hey," Dino said with a serious look. "This isn't good-bye."

"No farewell?"

"It'd be too sad for me."

Tsuna was amused as he also thought the same. "So, what will we do? We can't just stand here and stare at each other."

Dino smiled. "Well, I think it's like the first time we met actually."

Tsuna raised a brow. "Why's that?"

"Maybe not for you, but for me it surely is. And a very interesting one too." Dino nodded. "It's like the first time we met. And I'll only think this. That I will want another day to meet with Tsuna. Never Good-bye."

"Then… I guess I'll think the same Dino-san." Tsuna nodded. "I have to go now… Let's… meet again, Dino-san?"

"Let's."

Tsuna nodded and turned for the view of white, it was snowing outside.

"Ah.. I missed Christmas right?" Tsuna said, turning around in the snow to look at Dino.

"Yep. But there's a whole avalanche of presents waiting for you at home."

"Then I'll look forward to that too." One last smile for the show and he was already walking away.

Dino watched as Tsuna walked along, until his figure faded away behind a blanket of falling snow. He stood there with a nostalgic feeling, the warm smile of Tsuna's still vivid in his mind. He had an odd sense that probably, he had never had a guest in his home at all. Like a déjàvu feeling. But that wasn't true.

Dino thought he had found the Tsuna he knew for all those many years. He thought it was the same Tsuna that would be the same through and through. But Dino knew, the same Tsuna he thought he knew had also become someone else. Another Tsuna. And this Tsuna was someone that Dino knew he would want to know more about. But for now, he would be left to wait, as he couldn't do anything and let him go.

-x-

I hope you liked it. Dis ish da longest chapter! Care to review?

- DoJo