Umm…hey there? (twitch and sweatdrops) It's been quite a while eh? I've been busy writing for every story except for this one! LOL. I suck. Big time. Anyway…I really am considering deleting the poll I have right now and putting up a new version. I put it up so early that you guys didn't get the chance to read my interpretation of Tsuna's connection to his Guardians. So, what do you think? New version or just leave it? Please let me know! Also, I hope you like my OC! I plan on posting another chapter soon after this to make up for my long absence! Please enjoy! As usual…forgive all OOC-ness!
Guarding Tsuna: chapter 10- The Deal
With Tsuna and Ryohei…
"Who are you?" Tsuna asked, dreading the answer.
The stranger made him jump as he burst into laughter. Tsuna's face paled and he felt his heart race. I know that laugh! It sounds just like…
"Dearest Tsunayoshi…I am truly sorry it has taken so long for us to meet. My name is Rokudo Kira…Rokuda Mukuro is my brother."
To say that Tsuna was shocked would be a huge understatement. He felt his body tremble and his blood run cold. I never knew Mukuro had a brother! But the resemblance is uncanny…
The man before him had dark red hair spiked in a spiral-shaped ponytail, reminding Tsuna of a peacock. He had two sparkling blue eyes and appeared to be the same height as Mukuro…perhaps a bit taller. His skin tone was an almost sickly white and he wore what Tsuna deemed to be a designer blue suit. Yes, he was very similar to Mukuro, but Tsuna could immediately sense the difference between the brothers. Mukuro was a bitter teenager with a dark past but he still put on the façade of a playful pervert. Kira emitted pure darkness and hatred. His smile sent chills up Tsuna's spine and he could have sworn he saw a thick black smoke surrounding the older male. If Mukuro, who claimed to have been to hell and back, was a demon…then Kira was the devil incarnate.
"I've never heard of you," Tsuna told him while trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
He got to his feet, gently pulling Ryohei up with him, and faced his new foe with an air of confidence.
Kira chuckled and twirled his left wrist in a dismissive gesture. Tsuna could hear his hoop bracelets clanging against each other. He wears jewelry? As if he wasn't weird enough already…
"Of course you haven't. Mukuro would never mention his long lost brother. Only someone he completely trusts would know his deepest, darkest secrets. You're not that special to him. You're unworthy."
Tsuna felt Ryohei shiver beside him as the boxer leaned on him heavily for support. True, this man had bad intentions, but why was Ryohei particularly terrified? Kira stepped closer to them and Tsuna quickly pushed his Sun Guardian back behind him. Kira stopped a few feet away and his fake smile disappeared. His blue eyes seemed to darken and swirl as he glared at Tsuna and scowled.
"Now if you don't mind, I would like to retrieve what I have come for. Ryohei-kun…come here."
The smile was back in place and if Tsuna didn't know better he would actually believe that the warmth in Kira's tone and the gentility in his eyes was genuine.
Behind him, Ryohei shook his head, and shakily said, "N-n-no."
Kira was not pleased with Ryohei's act of disobedience and a cloud of rage grew above his head as he growled, "Come here…NOW."
This time, it was Tsuna who shouted, "No! Leave Onii-san alone!"
Ryohei whimpered and gripped Tsuna's shoulders tightly as the smog around Kira grew larger. The air became heavy and hot, leaving them struggling to breathe. Tsuna felt the cold hands of fear wrap around his heart and squeeze. The sheer pressure of Kira's aura made Tsuna and Ryohei fall to their knees, gasping for air. I have to do something to stop him…or else we'll suffocate. But I'm so…tired.
Just as Tsuna thought all hope was lost, he heard a familiar voice shout, "Hey, you bastard! Get away from Juudaime and the Lawn Head!"
Through the smoke…Tsuna could make out the forms of his other Guardians. He smiled weakly and whispered to Ryohei (who was barely conscious also) that everything would be all right and that they were safe now. Then, he gave in and passed out.
With Reborn and the other Guardians (since Tsuna is out cold)…
Kira suddenly lifted his smoke off of Tsuna and Ryohei as he felt them succumb to unconsciousness. Malicious smile in place, he turned to greet the others, but his eyes shone as they came upon the sight of his brother.
Mukuro's weary gaze was set on Kira as he asked quietly, "Why are you here…after all this time?"
Kira's smile faltered as he recognized the sadness in Mukuro's tone, "Mukuro…I came here to find you. It's time we reunited and put the past behind us. I've missed you, my beloved little brother."
Gokudera and Yamamoto seemed torn between watching the tense conversation between Mukuro and his older brother and rushing over to Tsuna and Ryohei. Hibari clenched his jaw and fought the urge to tear the bastard herbivore to pieces for harming Tsunayoshi. The cute herbivore was his prey…and Hibari despised those who dared to go after what was rightfully his. Reborn was silent, simply taking in the scene before him. Chikusa and Ken were tense behind their leader, prepared to jump in to defend him if needed.
Mukuro sighed and glanced over to where Tsuna and Ryohei's bodies laid, "Why did you attack Tsunayoshi and Sasagawa-kun? If you're here for me then you had no cause for this. They have nothing to do with us and our history."
Kira completely dropped and he spoke with venom dripping off his voice, "The Vongola Decimo has EVERYTHING to do with why I am here. Have you forgotten what that family did to us? Do you not see what truly lies behind that cute face and cheerful personality? He's using you! He's got all of his Guardians wrapped around his finger! That's what these Vongola bastards do. How could you let yourself be drawn in with them?"
The illusionist flinched slightly at Kira's words but he spoke firmly in return, "You're wrong about him. At first I thought the same way…but Tsunayoshi proved that we cannot judge others based on what their predecessors have done. We are all here because we believe in him…and we love him…and we would give our lives for him. You would never understand what it's like to truly care for someone. You're too bitter and angry to see what's right in front of you."
Hibari had to admit that he was impressed with the strength and conviction he heard in the pineapple's voice. The others remained silent and observed cautiously as Mukuro left them and walked over to his brother. Mukuro reached out a hand and gently caressed Kira's left cheek. The sign of affection was clearly more intimate than was appropriate for siblings to display, and Hibari felt his stomach churn as Kira sighed and leaned into that hand with his eyes closed.
Kira opened his eyes and gazed lovingly into Mukuro's heterochromatic eyes, "Ku-chan…please…forgive me. Come with me. I don't want to lose you again."
Mukuro suddenly seemed unsure and quickly removed his hand and stepped away from the red head.
"No. You need to go now, Kira. I don't want to see you anymore. Just go…please."
Kira's eyes narrowed and he shook his head, "This is unacceptable. I am now absolutely certain that the Vongola have brainwashed you! I will leave…and you and Ryohei-kun are coming with me."
A pre-battle jolt of adrenalin surged through everyone, but before the fight could begin, Reborn jumped down from Yamamoto's shoulder and calmly stood in the middle of the battlefield, staring down the enraged peacock.
"You! You are one of the Arcobaleno! Normally I would not dare to fight you, but in your current state you are weak. Move out of the way or else be prepared to die!" Kira threatened.
Reborn said calmly, "Oh? Do what you will…but first…I have a proposition for you."
The others knew that Reborn had something up his sleeve, and they had a feeling that whatever it was would cause them nothing but trouble.
Kira's angry aura lessened and he stared down at Reborn, clearly intrigued, "Hmm…I suppose I could spare a minute to hear you out. Speak quickly cursed infant."
Reborn indulged him, "I hear you are a man who loves a challenge. You have been called the Master of Games…and so, I have a game in mind…a dangerous and exciting game. Are you interested?"
Mukuro stiffened and his loyal subjects gazed at him worriedly. He must know something bad was going to happen…and he seemed extremely nervous.
Kira's eyes widened before a Cheshire grin spread across his face and he stated proudly, "You have heard correct. No puzzle is too difficult for me to solve…no game too hard to beat…no sport too rough to win…for I am the Master of Games. Tell me, what is this game you speak of?"
Reborn tilted his fedora down to cover his beady black eyes and smirked, "A fight between you…and Tsuna…in the area of expertise of each of his Guardians. You and he will have seven days to train with these techniques and on the eighth day…you will battle each other."
Dread came to visit within the minds of the horrified spectators. Tsuna would have to fight this man? He was clearly insane…and they could feel the dark power emanating from him. Had Reborn lost his mind?
"Reborn-san!" Gokudera cried, distraught at the thought of losing his precious Tenth to that devil.
"Arcobaleno…this is hardly fair to Tsunayoshi. He is not even conscious to decide for himself whether he is willing to participate in this madness," Mukuro hissed, and everyone could see the panic in his eyes.
Kira laughed suddenly and the sound was enough to make the hairs on everyone's arms and back of the necks stand.
"What prize does the winner receive? And what befalls the loser?" Kira inquired gleefully.
Reborn said, "If you win, you get to take Mukuro and Ryohei…and you have the oath of the Vongola family that we will not hinder you in your endeavors or hunt you down…for the rest of your life. If you lose, you will turn yourself in and accept whatever judgment is placed upon you. You will also lose any claims you have on your brother and Tsuna's Sun Guardian. So…do we have a deal?"
They all waited in utter silence…no one dared to take or release a breath.
And then Kira spoke, "Yes, I accept your challenge."
The others could breathe again, but now they were paralyzed with fear and anger.
"However, I assure you…that you have only prolonged the inevitable. Sawada Tsunayoshi will fall before me…and I will have vengeance. I will leave and begin preparations."
He turned and was a foot away from the door before he stopped and glanced over his shoulder at Mukuro as he called out, "Take care Ku-chan! I swear that we will be together as soon as this is over. You know I will win…I always do."
With those chilling words…Rokuda Kira left the building…and Mukuro finally collapsed to the ground in a fit of sobs.
"What have you done? You don't know him like I do! Kira always wins. He won't stop until he gets what he wants! He'll kill Tsunayoshi…and he'll take me…don't let him take me again!"
Reborn's face remained expressionless as he nodded for Yamamoto and Gokudera to check on Tsuna and Ryohei. Ken and Chikusa seemed at a loss for what to do. It was Hibari who swooped in and literally smacked some sense back into the hysterical illusionist.
"Get a hold of yourself herbivore! Stop sniveling like a baby or else I will bite you to death."
His words were harsh and cruel as usual, but Mukuro could see the concern in those piercing eyes. He smiled and sniffled pathetically but he got to his feet and laughed half-heartedly.
"Kufufufu…aww…are you worried about me Kyouya? How adorable! Should we go back to the sick bay and continue where we left off?"
Hibari growled and raised a tonfa to strike the smirking pineapple but was stopped as he heard Tsuna's voice, "What's going on?"
The prefect sighed, his eye twitching in irritation, and shot the blue-haired menace a look which clearly stated, 'Piss me off one more time and you're dead'.
They all gathered around the small brunette, who had his arms wrapped protectively around Ryohei. They were both pale and shaking, but it was unclear whether they were cold or frightened.
Reborn explained briefly, "Rokudo Kira is gone now…but we only have seven days to train before you have to fight him Dame-Tsuna."
Tsuna's eyes bulged and he squeaked, "What?!"
Reborn spoke again, only more slowly, as if talking to a child, "You have to fight Mukuro's brother in eight days. Seven of those days you will train with your Guardians in their styles. If you lose…he will take Ryohei and Mukuro…and the Vongola will not be able to stop him while he attempts to destroy those who ruined his life. Do you understand now?"
The future leader of the Vongola family blinked and seemed to contemplate his tutor's words for a moment, until he said, "Can we at least go home and relax for tonight? Since I have to train for seven days…I'm going to need some rest. Plus, I'm pretty hungry."
The tension lifted and the exhausted group finally left the building. They went their separate ways and agreed to meet at the entrance to the forest on the edge of town. They would need space and privacy to train for the looming battle. As Tsuna curled up in his bed that night, his mind was overflowing with heavy thoughts, but only one stood out. Can I really defeat him?
So…whatcha think? Sorry for the shortness, but I will post the next chapter really soon! I promise! Reviews please! And also, if you read my above note, please let me know what you think about the poll!