Chapter 10

Tsuna didn't see Tomoko leave nor did he get any message about her departure. That was two days ago. It was immediate just like Reborn said it would. He didn't go back home, afraid of how Nana would react, and stayed at the hospital with Mio visiting daily.

Yet here he was, staring at his house. He told Gokudera to go home, but the boy refused and stayed at the hospital for him in case of any attacks. That boy was too loyal for his own good. Tsuna gulped and tugged at his shirt nervously.

He had to be careful. He didn't know how Nana would react and it was best to be cautious. When the door opened, it was eerily quiet. The lights were off but everything was still the same - well, mostly everything. The atmosphere was rather thick and his senses tingled with each step he took.

"O-Okaa-san?" He said, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "Okaa-san, where are you?"

He looked in the kitchen to see that it was empty. Did they get Nana as well? He didn't smell blood and there was no sign of a struggle. He unconsciously shrugged.

As he looked through each room, he was surprised to see Tomoko's bare. They must've took everything aside from the bed and desk. Her desk was empty. He closed the door quietly and moved on to his mother's room.

"Okaa-san?"

There was an inaudible groan of pain from behind the door. Tsuna opened it and saw a large lump on the bed.

"Okaa-san?" he said, walking towards her bed.

His mother looked terrible. Her face was pale and covered with sweat. Dark bags were under her dull eyes.

She attempted to keep her eyes open and a small smile appeared on her face. Tsuna's heart sank when she said, "Tomo-chan, is that you? What a relief. I thought you really went to Italy."

Tsuna placed the back of his hand on her forehead. She had a high fever.

"Why didn't you take some medicine?" Tsuna said quietly.

"I knew Tomo-chan would come back..."

She suddenly went slack and her eyes closed. Tsuna watched as her breaths came out ragged and heavy.

She was mumbling in her sleep, but Tsuna knew what she was saying as tears leaked from her eyes. "Iemitsu...Iemitsu..."

Tsuna sighed tiredly and took out his phone. First, he'll have her go to the hospital and then he would have to make a call.

He hated his life.

Reborn watched as Tomoko struggled with the gun in her hands. She was doing nothing but shooting targets all day. Yesterday was no different.

She had potential for the weapon however and was coming along nicely despite the slow progress. When she stopped, her companion handed her a towel.

He observed the blank boy carefully ever since Tomoko brought him along. Shunsuke Maita, a member of the Student Council. He had a long crush on Hyuuga Kasumi and was severely traumatized after the incident. It was no surprise to see him impassive and closed off. And yet he also had potential. He could become the Storm Guardian for Tomoko, but...

"Reborn, 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."

"Reborn," a voice said, "I'm going for another round."

"You're too stiff," the hitman said. "Relax your arms. Keep your eyes on the target."

Tomoko didn't say anything as she went back to shooting.

Reborn studied her blank face. He didn't know how long it would last until she finally snapped.

"Reborn-san, would you like some expresso?"

"Gratzie," he said, taking the offered cup. He sipped, relishing in the rich flavor that he had missed while back in Japan.

"You're welcome," Maita said with a forced smile.

"Don't smile unless you mean it," Reborn said evenly. "Why are you here, Maita?"

"To give you expresso?"

"In Italy."

There was a brief silence between them. They could hear Tomoko shooting bullet after bullet in the background.

"If it isn't for Tomoko, is it for Hyuuga Kasumi?"

The boy flinched.

"What will you do if you get revenge? You're weak and incapable of doing anything. All you can do is read books and pick up languages like it's nothing to you."

"I-I know," was the sullen answer. "But I want to get stronger. I have to."

"You don't have to," Reborn said. "You could've stayed home in Japan and have a normal life. So why get involved?"

Maita was looking down at the floor, avoiding eye-contact. Reborn would have to fix that.

"I am here for Hyuuga-san," he said quietly. "But I'm also here for Sawada-san. She's...not herself anymore. I don't know if there is anyone else who could help her. I doubt her brother could do anything."

"You're here out of guilt," Reborn said, bluntly.

Maita slowly nodded.

Reborn hopped down from his seat. "Tell Tomoko to come to her room at 4 P.M. sharp. Stay here with her. Practice shooting if you want."

Stay by her side, Shuunsuke Maita, he thought darkly. She needs an anchor.

Tsuna watched his mother sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed for a couple of minutes before leaving the building. He walked to the back of the hospital where there were no people around. He sighed as he looked through his mother's phone. She called Tomoko several times and sent a lot of text messages, both not responded.

He finally found the person he was looking for. Sawada Iemitsu.

He pressed the call button and placed the phone on his ear. It's been years since he talked to the man.

"Hello, Nana-chan?" a cheerful voice said through the receiver. "How a - "

"It's me," Tsuna said emotionlessly. "Tsuna."

"Ah, Tuna-chan! How are you? Why do you have Okaa-san's phone?"

Tsuna's brow twitched. Were they really related?

"She's in the hospital," he said.

"What?"

"I suppose that you will visit her, right?"

There was no response from the man until Tsuna heard a weary sigh. "I-I can't right now, Tuna-chan. There's - "

"Because of you she's been like this," Tsuna said, gripping the phone tightly in his hand. "You never called, never visited. You're breaking her apart. And now you have Onee-san trying to become a mafia boss."

Tsuna took in a deep breath. "I don't know what to do with you anymore. You're a terrible father."

There was a long silence. Birds chirped before flying off. The wind blew, making the leaves in the tree gently rustle. Tsuna was afraid that the man hung up and checked the timer on the phone's screen. It was still running.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," Iemitsu said quietly, "or for Tomo-chan. All I can do is make excuses. But...I couldn't bear the thought of losing any of you. Keeping distance is what I thought was for the best."

There was regret in the man's voice and Tsuna almost felt bad for confronting him, but, in the back of his mind, he knew that the man deserved it one way or another. A choked sob escaped from his throat. Kami-sama, all he could do is cry. Why was he so weak?

"Are you crying, Tsuna?"

"Otou-san," Tsuna said, wiping his eyes, "Okaa-san needs you. So, please, just come home..."

There were sudden gunshots in the background, causing Tsuna to jump.

"Lal Mirch, what the hell is going on?" he heard Iemitsu shout.

There were distant voices and yells coming from the receiver.

"Tsuna," Iemitsu said hurriedly, "I'm sorry but something came up. I'll call you later."

"Wait!"

"Don't worry, Tuna-chan," Iemitsu said with forced cheerfulness. "Papa will live. Lal Mirch, cover me!"

The phone went dead. Tsuna's hand trembled as he dropped the phone to the ground.

Don't die, he thought. Please, don't die. You have to come back home...for Okaa-san.

This was all for his mother. That was all he could do for her at this point. He couldn't change into Tomoko and win her favor.

Tsuna picked up the phone and walked back inside the hospital. He tried to deny this feeling of worry in his chest. His father barely came home and contacted them, only sending them postcards that had bullshit clearly written inside. So why did he want to forgive him?

I need you, he suddenly thought. But I don't know if I'll be able to face you.

Gokudera found it a bit boring to patrol the hospital all day and night. He was even rattled by a few staff members and security guards who didn't take his constant presence too well. With a couple of elaborate lies, they were taken care of. If Juudaime wanted him to protect the hospital, then he will carry out the duty with his life. Anything for his savior and boss.

He endured this task of keeping an eye for any suspicious activity. He tried to make it a game for himself but failed. He didn't know any other games aside from poker and chess. Apparently, he had a knack when it came to gambling and was used to rake in any money for his greedy father - but he digressed.

After picking up a can of soda from a vending machine, his phone started to vibrate in his pocket.

"Hello?" he said, sipping his drink.

"Hayato."

He spit out the liquid from his mouth and paled. "A-Aneki?"

"Where are you?" his older sister said in concern.

"W-why do you need to know?" Gokudera said, ignoring the stares directed at him.

"Because you're not with Sawada."

Sawada? Ah, the female clone. He scowled. "So what if I'm not?"

"Are you okay, Hayato?" The concern in her voice was overwhelming, causing Gokudera to blink until his cheeks flushed.

"Of course I'm fine!" he said indignantly. "I have Juudaime with me."

"I heard from Reborn about the Vargas incident. Hayato, please be careful. Some of them are still in Japan. Who knows what else they will do."

"But the Sawada girl is in Italy," Gokudera said, not wanting to believe it. He clenched his fists by his sides. "I will protect Juudaime, Aneki. Don't even think about coming here."

Bianchi sighed on the other line. "I'm already occupied as it is. Right now I'm going to the CEDEF headquarters. They've been ambushed."

"The Varia?" Gokudera said, his eyes hard.

"No. It's a different family. I have to go now, Hayato. Promise me you'll be careful?"

Gokudera took in a deep breath and released it slowly. Sometimes it irked him to see his sister all worried about him. He could take care of himself, thank you very much. "I have Juudaime by my side so I'll always be fine."

Bianchi chuckled. "I'll have to meet this Juudaime of yours. I'm off."

"Aneki," Gokudera whispered, "be careful."

There was a few minutes of silence before Bianchi said, "What's there to worry about? You know I'll be fine. Ciao."

She hung up. Gokudera placed his phone back into his pocket. His relationship with Bianchi was complicated. He hated her yet deep inside he annoyingly knew that he loved her at the same time.

He downed his soda and threw it expertly in the garbage can as he walked down the hallway. He felt something bump into his shoulder and a tick mark appeared on his forehead as he faced the person.

"Oi! Watch where you're going!" he said.

"Herbivore."

Gokudera tensed. The prefect was dangerous and not someone who he would piss off. However, there could be only one reason he would be in the hospital.

"You're supposed to be in school, herbivore," Hibari said, getting his tonfas ready. "Cutting is against school regulations."

"I'm here for a good reason," Gokudera said evenly, sneaking a hand into his jacket for a dynamite in case.

Hibari slightly smirk. "Where is Sawada Tsunayoshi?"

Gokudera gritted his teeth. Dangerous or not, the prefect will never lay his hand on Juudaime and he would make sure of it. When they were about to pounce at each other's throats, a voice stopped them in their tracks.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Gokudera flinched and he saw the prefect tense ever so slightly before relaxing. He had never heard Juudaime speak like that and it was terrifying. He cursed at himself. How could he be so stupid and careless?

"Gokudera-kun, Hibari-san, we're in a fucking hospital," Tsuna continued, his irritation and anger shining through. His eyes were puffy and red. Was he...crying before he came?

Gokudera clenched his fists, thinking about blowing up the person who did that to Juudaime, and almost forgot about the angry brunette, almost.

"What if you destroyed the place?" Tsuna said, his voice going higher.

Gokudera blinked. Did orange just flicker in Juudaime's eyes again?

"Hibari-san, I thought y - "

Tsuna suddenly flinched. Gokudera widened his eyes. He knew that empty look, and his heart started to race against his chest as the brunette took out his sketchbook, flipping to a new page. His pencil glided feverishly across the paper with frantic yet composed strokes.

Gokudera kept his eyes warily on the prefect who placed his tonfas in God-knows-where. He shook his head. Now was not the time to think of Hibari's storage skill. He looked back at Tsuna who was taking in deep breaths, staring at the picture that he drew.

"It's...Yamamoto-san," Tsuna whispered fearfully. "I have to go."

Gokudera could see the conflict in his eyes: stay at the hospital or go? He knew that the boy didn't know when it would take place and, honestly, Gokudera didn't want him to leave. What if the Vargas Family attacked? They weren't as prominent as the Vongola but they were well-known in the underworld.

"I'll stay here, Juudaime," he said slowly, helping the boy up. "You can go."

Tsuna widened his eyes. "G-Gokudera-kun?"

"You can go, Juudaime," the bomb-user said softly. "Don't worry. I'll keep watch here."

He couldn't describe the emotions swimming in Juudaime's eyes but he could pinpoint the trust. That was enough for him.

"I'll be back quickly, Gokudera-kun."

Gokudera grinned. "You don't need to worry about me, Juudaime. Just be careful."

He sent a glare at Hibari. Lay a hand on him and I'll beat the living shit out of you.

The prefect only ignored him, pissing Gokudera off even more.

Tsuna ran with all of his energy to school. Hibari wasn't far and it was awkward when no words were exchanged along the way. He shook his head. He had to focus.

When he finally entered through the gates, he saw a large group of students ahead, pointing above them. His stomach tightened and his eyes widened when he saw Yamamoto hanging from the fence of the roof. Apparently, Hibari was about to beat the students for crowding until he realized the situation.

Tsuna ran inside the building, going up the stairs with heavy pants. His body ached when he reached the door to the roof.

Yamamoto-san, don't jump!

He bursted onto the roof, ignoring the students trying to coax the baseball player from doing the unthinkable as he shoved through.

"It's Dame-Tsuna!"

"I thought he dropped out."

"What is he doing here?"

"I bet he's going to push Yamamoto."

Tsuna tried hard to ignore the insults as he reached the fence. "Yamamoto-san, please don't do what I think you're going to do."

The baseball player smiled sarcastically and let out a hollow laugh. "Even Tsuna pities me. This is just great."

"What about your family?" Tsuna said quietly. "What would they think? Your friends...You have so much to live for. Don't throw it all away now."

"Friends?" Yamamoto said incredulously. "What friends? They never needed me in the first place. They used me for the gold. Now look at what happened."

Tsuna realized the cast around Yamamoto's right arm. A cold feeling gripped his heart. He suddenly climbed over the fence.

"H-hey, what are you doing?" Yamamoto said, his eyes wide.

There were whispers among the students as Tsuna settled himself next to Yamamoto. He stared him dead in the eye. "If you jump, I'll jump with you."

He knew the fence was old and about to break from the pressure of their pulling weights.

"Oi, Dame-Tsuna!"

Tsuna froze. It was Hiro. Aside from a couple of bruises, he didn't look all that bad. He was almost regretting the fact that he didn't kick the other boy harder.

The thing was, Hiro was furious, a malicious gleam in his dark eyes.

"This is for you," Hiro growled, reaching his hands and pushing him from behind.

There was a snap that echoed in the stunned silence. Tsuna widened his eyes, but reacted quickly. He shoved Yamamoto back with whatever force he had, relieved to see the boy land safely on the roof. However, he lost his footing.

"Tsuna!" Yamamoto screamed, reaching out to him with his good arm.

It was futile. Tsuna felt the wind rush behind him as he fell.

Youkatta. Yamamoto-san is safe.

A/N I am evil with cliffhangers. Hehe. Thank you for reviewing and favoriting the story! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ^^

Youkatta = Thank goodness.

I'm feeling much better now and there will be steady updates. I might even post a different story of KHR later on. Hehe.

I'm sorry if Tsuna cries too much, but with what he's going through I don't know any other way on how he would react...0_0 Kill bunnies...? But this will be the last of him crying. He won't cry too much from now on. Hehe.

If there are any choppy scenes or transitions, I apologize. ^^ll And for Gokudera, I decided that he will keep his puppy dog loyalty for Tsuna intact but know when to give Tsuna a little space. I'm sorry if this disappoints any of you...TT^TT

Not to spoil anything, but I already have plans for Tomoko's Guardians.

Please leave a review if you can. Much appreciated! Thank you for reading!

Ciao~