11. Pairing Up Is Hard To Do (Part 2)
It took the last of their shift to clean up all the pastries and creams off the wall. The good news was that it didn't take half as long to get Tsuki to forgive him. He did truly feel guilty for dumping Mukuro, Mui, Yamamoto and Tohru, and then the Reborns on her. It took some puppy eyes and smashing some cream on his own face to get a laugh and her forgiveness.
"Thanks, you two." Lavi said as Tsuna cleaned his face. "Even though you caused all of those problems today." Tsuna chuckled nervously in response. Lavi was not one to pull punches.
"Sorry. We didn't mean for it to end up like this," he apologized.
"It's alright." Lavi waved away his concerns. He didn't seem angry or put out. He was smiling. "I like you guys."
"Yeah, come visit me sometime Tsuki-chan. And introduce me to you friend, alright?" Mami asked. Tsuki smiled back. She planned on coming back. But she wouldn't let her meet Mukuro again. She liked her too much.
"Here." Yuusuke handed them each a thick envelope and both of their mouths fell open. Inside was a stack of cash way too large for a single day's work. Especially one that had racked up so many damages.
"Why...? Why is there so much?" Tsuki stuttered out. While she hated to admit it, their presence seemed to could more harm than good. She looked up at the large man searching for an answer. He smiled gently back.
"I like you. You work hard." He said simply.
"Also, we can't have our future boss thinking we cheated her out of fair wages. That wouldn't end well for us." Lavi chimed in. Tsuki looked at Tsuna but he was just as confused by the red-head's comment.
"Ha? Tsuki, are you planning to buy the shop? Aren't you a little young?" Mami asked. She didn't understand her co-worker either. Tsuki shook her head frantically. "NO! I-I don't know what he means-"
Lavi laughed at her reaction, "Sure you don't, boss. Sure."
"Good job, Tsuki you did got paid well, based on your hard work and connections. Just like a true mafia boss would." Reborn interjected.
The two teenagers jumped and screamed by the sudden appearance of the two babies. They were both dressed as actual babies. Her Reborn was wearing jean overalls that ended in a skirt and a pink shirt underneath adorned with pink bows on each sleeve. Her counterpart wore matching overalls and a blue shirt with a duck on each sleeve. They had forgone shoes and only wore socks that corresponded with their shirt. Instead of their natural wild black hair, both had long smooth blonds. They had both somehow acquired a slice of cake for each of them.
"When did you get here!" she asked (screeched) in surprise.
"Why are you dressed that way?" Tsuna asked in a similar voice.
Both Reborns smirked at the question.
"Me and my big brother like to match!" Tsuki's Reborn stated in a cutesy voice.
"Papa told us to make sure you go to the mall next then make it home for dinner. Aren't we so good?" the other said. They both took another bite of their cake.
Tsuki sighed. At least they were being weird instead of violent. She walked over to their table with Tsuna close at her heels.
She started asking what they were doing but stopped at the look her Reborn was giving her.
"Why are you giving me that look? Is something wrong?" she asked worried. She didn't recognize that look and it put her on edge. A look of what might have been bemusement passed over the baby's face before it was gone.
"Nothing's wrong, Dame-Tsuki, let's go." The child said normally. They must have gotten bored with their game. Both stood at the same, signaling it was time to say goodbye.
"Goodbye, everyone."
"It was nice meeting you all." The other workers waved and called out their goodbyes. Mami even got Tsuki to promise to visit before she left. She had every intention of keeping it.
Their parting left a warm feeling with Tsuki as they walked back to the clothing district. There were some problems but she liked the cake shop. She silently hoped the rest of the day was as pleasant as her shift.
"You'll have a couple hours to pick out everyone in Tsuna's group at least three outfits. Your father wants you back before dark and everyone will need those clothes."
Then at least one pair had to be pajamas, Tsuna mused, if they were going to be sleeping over. She would had to make sure did laundry for them tonight also. A soft tug on her hair drew her out of her thoughts.
"We're here." Tsuki picked the baby out of her hair, a little surprised at how easy it was. Reborn never let really let her hold her, instead choosing to hitch a ride in her hair or shoulder. She never realized how small she really was; she fit easily into her hands. Maybe because she never got a chance to do this it didn't feel … right. It didn't help that Reborn was still giving her a strange look.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong, Reborn?" she asked again. The baby smirked up at her.
"When have I ever been unsure?" she hopped out of Tsuki's arms and stood next to her male counterpart. "Ciaossu." The two were gone before Tsuki or Tsuna could respond.
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"That isn't the right size." Tsuki said. Tsuna looked at the white leaf- printed shirt in his hands. It looked fine to him. He looked back at her.
"Why do you say that?"
"It's too small for Yamamoto. It needs to be at least two sizes bigger," she answered.
"This was for Gokudera." Tsuki blushed.
"It's just- I thought- it would look better on Yamamoto. Not that I don't think Gokudera wouldn't like it!" She amended.
"It's alright, you're just trying to help and it's not like I've done this before. I really need your advice," he appeased.
They had found a small outlet store that catered to both men and women. It wasn't high-end but Tsuki assured him their clothes were good quality, she had shopped there a few times before. They had earned a lot but it would be safer to look for a bargain.
"Why? It's a nice shirt for either of them, right?" Tsuna didn't think Gokudera wouldn't like the shirt. He didn't like the thought but he was sure the bomber would enthusiastically accept whatever Tsuna brought back.
"It just would, I think." She answered. "How about this for Sasawaga-kun?" she held up a plain black t-shirt. Tsuna thought it was a good choice, considering how he was sure the elder boy would insist on sticking to his work- out regime. It would be a good idea to buy him lighter clothes.
"Okay, how about…" he searched for another piece of clothing, "this." He held up a pair skinny black jeans. She nodded.
"They would look good on Gokudera," she insisted.
It went on like that for a while. Both picking out items of clothing they thought would be acceptable and holding it up to the other for inspection. More of Tsuki's of picks passed. Tsuna's had mostly failed the first time.
"A bigger size."
"A Smaller size."
"No. Just no."
Tsuna looked down at the shirt in his hand. It wasn't that bad, just a bit… bright.
"But-" he tried to defend.
"No."
"Maybe…"
"NO."
Tsuna set the shirt down. Tsuki showed him three plain white buttoned up shirts, mostly in an attempt to distract him from his terrible choice. She also had a black-as-oil jacket. Tsuna couldn't tell what material was where he was standing, but he knew it would be smooth and slick to the touch.
"For who?" None of his friends really wore such plain shirts except with their uniforms.
"Hibari-kun," she responded simply. She grimaced at his incredulous look.
"Yeah, I know. I just can't imagine him in anything else. This was as close to the school uniform as I could get." Tsuna thought about it and realized he couldn't imagine Hibari in anything but his school uniform. Or black. He was sure the prefect had a very extensive wardrobe, he had just never seen it. And if they had to buy Hibari clothes, it was best to play it safe and avoid getting bitten to death.
Tsuki was looking toward him for approval, slightly apprehensive. She was also aware this was a dangerous choice.
"I think- I think it'll be okay." The only other option was to get him nothing, which was much worse.
"Is that it for that boys?" Tsuki asked. Tsuna looked to the piles they had made. There was one for every boy. He quickly checked to make sure there was there of everything.
"Yeah."
"Wait!" Tsuki called out. A strange mixture of realization, embarrassment, and horror. "Socks and underwear."
Tsuna blinked at her and pulled a face too. They would definitely need underwear, they all would. That would be weird, right? He would have to buy them underwear. That they would wear. He would have to pick out underwear that they would have to wear. While picking them out he would have to picture them wearing- no. Stop. He didn't need to think about that.
Wait- boxers or briefs? No. Stop.
He wasn't even accounting for the girls yet.
Oh, god. Stop! The girls.
Tsuna was blushing bright red as he tried to banish the mental imagine of Kyoko in nothing but underwear. This wasn't the place for that!
"Tsuna?" Tsuki's call brought him down to earth. "Are you alright?" Tsuna took note of her red cheeks. Maybe she was thinking of Kyohei.
No way she's as big a per as I am.
"I'm fine. I'll get the underwear for the boys. Can you- for the girls..?" She nodded, sparing him from embarrassing himself more.
"The girls clothes too?"
"Please," he practically begged. He really didn't trust himself around girl things.
He grabbed an unattended cart and shoved everything inside. They spilt up once they got to the underwear section of the store. Tsuna forced himself to relax. He could handle underwear. He wears underwear! All the time!
He looked through what they had. There was mostly packaged sets instead of individual pairs. He guessed that was better, at least he wouldn't have to look through each pair and imagine if the others could fit it. That would have been more than he could handle. He grabbed a large pile of boxers and briefs and told himself they could figure it out between themselves. After a moment's thought he grabbed one more of each to ensure there was enough for everyone.
"Are you ready?" Tsuki asked from besides him. Tsuna jumped. He hadn't seen her come back. She had already added her finds to the cart.
"Y-yeah. Let's pay for all this." He was tired, he wanted to go home- or rather Tsuki's home. He pushed down a sharp pang of sorrow. He had to have hope that Irie and Spanner will be able to bring them back home.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"We have a bit left, do you want anything?" he asked Tsuki. After paying they only had a few yen left. Not enough for anything big, maybe just a small trinket. There wasn't anything that Tsuna wanted (other than a long rest) but he did see Tsuki staring at something in another store's window. "We could try to get it."
"Huh? Oh no, no," she waved away his offer, red- faced. "I don't need anything, besides the money was for you and your friends."
"It's okay, we were meant to get my friends clothes and we did. Without you I would have gotten everything wrong. I want to thank you."
"But- really?" she asked, still a bit unsure.
"Yes, won't you accept my gift?" Tsuna knew it was dirty move, but he knew that if he couldn't turn down a request or be impolite, then Tsuki most likely can't either.
"Ah- um. Okay. Thank you, Tsuna." He smiled back at her.
"Was it over there?" he pointed in the direction he caught her staring in. she nodded slowly. "Come on."
The first thing Tsuna noticed about the store was that it smelled really good for some reason. The second was that it mostly sold knick- knacks and tourist-y things. It was really a store for out- of- towners, not really for natives. What could Tsuki want out of here? He looked at her and she point to an aisle near the register, very easily seen from the wide front window. There was wide variety of small boxed trinkets hanging off hooks. Tsuki pulled off a box and showed it to him.
It was a key. It was thin and long with a golden color. It had three small prongs at the end. The top shaped into a thin heart with the word 'Namimori' engraved into it, a diamond dotted the first 'I'. The box advised it as the key to the city. It was a show key. It's main purpose in life to look pretty.
He wasn't sure what he was expecting he to pick, maybe a necklace or something like that. Why was she so interested in a play key?
"Do you like it?" she asked, insecure.
"Of course. It's nice. Is this it?" he didn't want to hurt her feelings. And he did offer to get whatever she wanted.
The key wiped out what meager funds they had left. The cashier wished them a good day and they left the outlet. Tsuna was glad the day was over, finally. His sigh of relief turned into a sharp cry when a sudden weigh on his head almost tipped him over. His efforts to regain balance nearly knocked Tsuki over too.
"Are you done shopping, big brother of mine?" a squeaky voice asked from the top of his head.
"Reborn!" he cried out, trying to look up at the baby. "What are you doing?!" the infant hopped and turned back to look at the brunette. He was still dressed in that strange outfit. He had a strange twinkle in his eye.
"We wanted to see if you were done yet. Right, little sister?"
"Right, big brother!"
They were still doing the act too. Great.
"Are you walking home with us, Reborn?" Tsuki asked. She seemed as if she was studying the little hitman. Did she sense them planning something?
"No, we called for a ride. She should he here in a moment."
"Who?" they both asked at the same time, just as a fancy pink car pulled out in front of them. Tsuna was glad it was late and there barely anyone around because he was sure the driver was speeding and the way they parked was illegal. They all had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit.
The window rolled down to reveal a dark-haired woman wearing glasses in the passenger seat. Her hair was slicked back into a small ponytail and she wore a black expensive suit. Her eyes landed on Tsuna first as if she was sizing him up, then they shifted to Tsuki. She gave the girl a tiny respectful smile.
"Decima."
"Romio!" Tsuki answered. Tsuna stayed quiet, trying to figure out who the woman was on his own. She looked familiar and her name sounded like Romario's. If he was right than that meant that the driver could only be…
A blond head poked its way besides Romio's. "Hey, little sister!"
"Dee Dee! What are you doing here?! Weren't you in Italy?"
Dino's counterpart laughed at her questions. "Reborn called, she said you needed me."
"Reborn did?" she glanced down at the hitman, who smirked up at her.
"I didn't think a meeting between two useless students would be necessary, but the Ninth insisted. For safety measures. She even wanted the Varia to come."
"The Varia?!" both screeched. A look of utter terror struck their faces. "Are they really coming?!"
The babies seemed to be enjoying their student's panic. They shrugged. "Who knows?"
Before Tsuna could protest, (he and his friends were not a threat, the Varia was NOT needed) Romio stepped out of the car and took all four large bags from them and placed them in the trunk. Then she held the door open for them.
"Thank you, Romio." Tsuki said as she got in. The Reborns hopped in after them, Tsuna last.
"Whoa, I'm seeing double. Reborn warned me but I wasn't prepared for this," She said, meeting their eyes in the rear mirror. "You could be twins."
The car ride was quick and quiet. Mostly because both Tsuki and Tsuna were too terrified to do more than hold tightly to the car door. When they finally stopped in front of Tsuki's house, Tsuna could swear that the whole car almost tipped over.
"We're here," Dee Dee happily announced, as they the two mafia bosses weren't already scrambling to get out of the car. She looked honestly confused as she got out. "Are you that happy to be back?"
Tsuna wondered if the only reason they were still alive was because Romio was present. He shivered at the thought of Dee Dee's driving without her right- hand around.
"Can we just go in please?" Tsuki begged. She wanted to get away from the car. Tsuna seconded the notion though he was still a little too wobbly to get immediately to his feet.
"What's taking so long," one of the Reborns asked (Tsuna couldn't tell he wasn't looking), "Do you want to go on another ride?"
They were both through the door at a moment's notice.
"Daddy, I'm home." Tsuki called out. Tsuna watched as the tension from her shoulders relaxed.
"Sorry for intruding." Dee Dee added.
"Tsuki-chan! You're just in time for dinner. Your friends are all in the back." Nano nearly shouted from the kitchen. "Go check on them please."
"Okay!" she called back. The small group followed her to the living room. Tsuna was surprised to find them so well-behaved. There was a mild chatter aand Lambo's and Lambi's voices could be heard over it but everyone seemed to be content to talk excitedly with their counterparts. Except the Gokuderas who were as far from each other as they could get.
"Whoa," Dee Dee repeated. She seemed bewildered to see so many doubles.
"It takes some getting used, huh?" Reborn smirked at her student.
"Yeah."
"Hey, guys," Tohru greeted them. The chatter quieted and everyone focused their attention on them. The two brunettes awkwardly waved.
"Welcome back, Tenth," both silverettes called out. Then they glared at each other.
"Give them the clothes, then we'll eat." Tsuki's Reborn commanded. She was impatient when it came to food. Romio handed them the bags and they handed them out. There was a general approval rate that made Tsuna hopeful. They wouldn't have to do this again tomorrow.
"You fail." The Reborns deadpanned.
"H-how?! They liked them! And they fit!" Tsuna protested.
"Yes, but you had to get everyone three outfits."
"We did!"
"Dame- Tsuna, where are your clothes?" The question made Tsuna stop and Tsuki blush.
We forgot to buy me clothes!
"Guess we know what you two are doing tomorrow," Girl- Reborn teased.
Both sighed in defeat.
Crap.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AN: Well, first I'm sorry for taking so long. The end of senior year should not be so demanding. But I have not forgotten this story. On that note I have to tell you I have been typing this on a school laptop. Which they want back on Friday. And I don't know when I'll get another. So, expect slooooow updates. I wanted to at least finish this before I sat down to type my final essay. But I will be writing by hand, so I'll have lots of chapters when I do get a new computer. So if anyone wants to tell me which character they want the next chapter to be based on or just review, feel free. I have no idea. I just know it won't be Tsuna and Tsuki.
Til next time. Ciao ciao.
