Falling Slowly

Fanfiction by Ryukansen

Chapter Twelve: Just Something to Remember

--

Author's Note: My summer has officially started. Get ready to receive more Fanfiction! I think this storyline either expanded, or is about to end. I'm pretty sure there are like four more chapters till this Fanfiction finishes….Ah, and then I need to rework on this old Fanfiction too…sighs

--

Tsuna had entered the house with a depressed look on his face. His collar was distorted, as if he had been squeezing and twisting it with angst, while his hair and eyes seemed to look wet; they seemed barely dry too. Nana, who had welcomed him got the message as her little boy came home tired and drowsy - probably from a drama at work.

"How was your day, Tsu-kun?" She asked her child tenderly as he flopped onto the couch while breathing quietly. He was in no mood to respond, and she felt a heavy weight plunge deep into her heart. "Tsu-kun?" She repeated, more concerned over her son than the dish she was making. The boy snorted quietly; obviously having one of his stubborn moments. "Tsuna?" She muttered and kneeled beside her poor baby while touching his forehead with her backhand. "You don't have a fever…" She whispered, and crossed her arms slightly annoyed by what was going on.

"I'm fine, mom…" Tsuna murmured while sweating heavily. His face was pink and his normally huge eyes were narrow and quite…dark. There was like there was no life in them.

"…" Without a word she went back into the kitchen and began to cut up some radishes for the hotpot tonight. After all…they should be celebrating over the boy's return.

It had been so long….so…long.

--

"Now remember, after your schooling is done in Italy try to remember to come home as quick as possible!" Nana replied seriously while looking at her sister's son. The young boy nodded obediently while carrying the map she had given him indicating where he should go for his tutoring. "And, please…don't take Iemitsu's words so critically…he just has issues with any or all the relatives we have!" She smiled kindly and ruffled the boy's golden locks. "Now, go on…It's almost time!"

"Yes, ma'am." He smiled and bowed low, before getting into the dock.

"Oh, and Dino! Call me when you get there!" She shouted, and waved a goodbye before seeing his shadow disappear.

--

Tsuna will love this! Nana thought in her head while adding chicken broth into the pot. She started the oven and then began to add a few vegetables and lamb in it. A sigh escaped her lips as she thought so much over her other little boy who was to come back home from hard training.

No matter if he was her dead sister's son, she still thought of him as her own…Her own little boy.

--

He stepped out of the station with a rather careless look upon him, his golden locks bobbed up and down as he walked passed the fragile, small women who seemed to gaze upon him with interest. A smirk wiped on his face as the women blushed towards his way; yet he did not stop to talk to them. He had another person in mind. His little Tsuna. His beloved little brother.

--

It had been a while since he had slept in an actual bed, and ate normal food. He had practically starved himself after his parents had both passed away from that freak car accident. And he thought he had no where else to go after everything almost went downhill for him.

He was blessed after one of his aunts decided to bring him back to the human world…And he was even more blessed to have been taken in by the Sawada family themselves.

"Ano, Tsu-kun…meet your cousin, Dino-kun!" Nana clasped her hands together while her husband remained in the back nodding in approval over his existence. The small boy who was playing on one of the stools, hopped off and stumbled only to fall flat on the floor; small tears started to form as his face turned pink as well. "Oh, no…I told you not to play too aggressively." The woman whispered while taking her small boy in her arms and gathering him back up. He had quickly stopped crying after his mother held him and Dino could only feel a little jealousy.

"Dino, let's take you up to your new room, okay?" Nana smiled as she held his hand as well as Tsuna's. Was this a new future?

--

"Hello?" He had dialed the Sawada family household number and was expected to either hear from Nana or Tsuna, but the father just had to pick up the phone. "Yes, it's me…I'm coming home in at least an hour or so…Yes, yes…I'll go by taxi. Yes, sir." He sighed and shut his phone as quickly as possible, too embarrassed by the commanding tone of his little brother's father. He sighed and ruffled his locks while glancing at the many taxis zooming passed by him.

"Over here!" A man called out to him, and he quickly realized one of Tsuna's grandfather's subordinates. "Giotto-sama is inside, Dino-san, please….enter!" The man smiled while taking his suitcases and putting it in the back of the sleek, black car. "He anticipates your return." And as he opened the door, Dino found the old man in the back seat, waiting patiently for his arrival.

"H-Hello, sir." Dino bowed before getting into the car. He felt extreme pressure rise in him as he touched his chest, feeling his heart beat.

"It's been a while Cavallone…" Giotto murmured quietly while gazing apathetically at the bystander nearby selling useless and worthless newspapers. The blonde did not reply back, but remained quiet - knowing fully well what the conversation was going to be about between them.

"If it's about-"

"Tsuna's health is deteriorating…" Giotto replied automatically before giving Dino the chance to speak. "His heart is failing from the doctor's description, and he seems to be less active in the company." He retorted harshly, but in his eyes a glint of sympathy and sorrow twinkled as he mentioned his own grandson's name. "When he-"

"--Don't mention it!" Dino clasped his hands over his ears, protecting whatever cruel words were about to enter into his little mind. "Don't you dare say anything about it!" He shouted, clenching his teeth. "I just came back…I don't want anything to have to worry about…" The blonde whispered while staring apologetically at Tsuna's grandfather. "I haven't seen him for so long…to just speak about his health like this…in front of me…it's…an insult." He whispered while bowing.

"You've grown attached to him these passed years, haven't you?" Giotto smirked as the dark atmosphere dissipated and a much more light air was between them. "Heh."

"What are you laughing at old man?" Dino grumbled, suddenly losing his formality. A large cane whacked him on the head, followed by a grunt.

"Remember who you are speaking to." Giotto reminded him.

--

"Hibari-san!!" Nana was calling all of Tsuna's friends over to introduce them to his 'older brother'. She was excited and had finished topping a vanilla, cherry-cake with whip cream and was excited to hear one of her favorite employee's voices.

"Hello?" His dark, brooding voice had finally spoken after he had realized who was speaking. "Ah…Sawada-san, what may I do for you?" He asked as he stared absentmindedly at the window while flipping his micro pen around with boredom. "Ah…you would like me to come over…?" He asked, his heart pounding restlessly after hearing her request. "Very well…I'll come…around…2 I suppose.' He smiled quietly to himself and stared at the clock. Damn. One more hour…

Upon giving her his farewell, and turning off his phone he found two idiots quite annoying, babbling behind his office door. They were probably invited as well, and were in a quick hurry as they seemed in a rush and their voices speaking without a breath. "W-What should I wear?" Yamamoto asked as he talked like an idiot behind his door. Gokudera's shadow shrugged and claimed him to be an idiot himself, before whacking him on the head with his fists. "Now, now…you shouldn't get all violent here." Yamamoto teased lightly before earning another punch.

Hibari sighed while glaring at the foggy glass windowpane that acted as a barrier between them and him. Another voice had tagged along as he wished hopefully for them to all leave. "Hey, no fighting in the halls!" The scruffy voice of Ryohei Sasagawa caught Hibari's attention. "After all, since Tsuna-san has left the business in my care…"

"Not really." Gokudera hissed back. "As Tsuna's top friend I was the one who was in charge!"

"Ano…Gokudera….Sasagawa-san, I thought I was in charge…" Yamamoto had intervened their idiotic conversation, and Hibari tried his hardest to refrain from yelling at them…but he couldn't.

So he stepped out and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "I'm…the one in charge." He muttered coldly, and he received a silent hallway.

--

Meanwhile as the four men were babbling, an unexpected presence had come early to meet the Sawada family.

"Ah!! Mukuro-san! Nice to see you again!" Nana had opened the door and got her first visitor! "But it's only 1:32..." She replied while checking the clock hung on the wall. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he bowed politely towards his host.

"I just wanted to keep Tsuna company before the whole cast arrives, is that alright Sawada-san?" He asked while retaining his smile. The mother blushed as he seemed so formal compared to Tsuna's other friends (other than Hibari), and allowed him in.

As the two began to walk, she had stopped him from entering the living room before notifying him of Tsuna's current condition. "It seems to me…he has…reawakened…his bad habit." Nana whispered looking tragically at the room where her little boy was silently insulting himself. Mukuro nodded, and his smile had faded as he entered the cold, quiet room.

At first the room seemed dark, no matter if there was a chandelier hanging in the center…And it was really cold, even though the heater was on. It was probably his imagination, but as he loomed over the couch to find Tsuna, he sighed while gazing at the boy. "Hey…are you alright?" He asked while leaning closer to the Vongola President. Tsuna remained quiet and shook his head. He continued hugging onto the throw pillow he found beside him, and looked away; finding himself too pathetic to even catch a glimpse of Mukuro. "Tsuna…" Mukuro sighed in a stern manner and took the pillow away from Tsuna who glared at him at first, but then decided to stare at the ceiling; trying to find something to preoccupy his mind.

"I'm not in the mood, Mukuro." He spoke flatly. A chuckle left the other boy's mouth as Tsuna flushed pink while facing another wall, and intentionally ignoring him.

"I see…you feel pathetic again, don't you Tsuna?" Mukuro smirked while walking over to the other side, trying his hardest to make Tsuna look at him - and trying his best to not use force. "Tsuna, face me." He commanded rather gently while making his thumb and forefinger clasp softly onto one of Tsuna's cheeks. The boy grumbled incoherent words, but Mukuro had a feeling what those words were. "Well, forgive me, for being too personal." He grumbled back, and Tsuna growled at him.

"Leave me alone…" He whined while gazing hard-eyed at Mukuro. The other president gasped under his breath while touching his own forehead; thinking of a way to make Tsuna happy. "I'm going to die soon anyways…better start preparing…" He whispered - his pessimism was returning to how it was before.

"Did something happen during work?" The pineapple head asked while pushing Tsuna slightly more into the couch and hopping on it himself. By then he could feel Tsuna's little heart beat quickly, feeling his warmth touch his back. "What happened, Tsunayoshi?" He whispered, his breath tickling the nape of his neck. By then small tears formed his caramel eyes, but he tightened his lips. "If you don't tell anyone, you won't be able to get over it." Mukuro smiled, his words reaching his little friend's ears.

"…Gokudera made me sad.." He murmured, and for once Mukuro was in a shock. The Gokudera Hayato…the follower of Tsuna Sawada, actually made the boy cry? Well…that was amusing. "He…was sad today…so he made me sad." Tsuna murmured while clutching tightly onto the leather pillow of the couch. Mukuro closed his eyes, and embraced the small body he lay next to.

"Will Mukuro make you happy?" He asked…needing to hear the child want him. Tsuna remained silent. "Will I make you happy?" He repeated, fearing that maybe his grasp on the child's heart had maybe loosened.

"Of course…" Tsuna murmured. "I need you…" He replied in that strange, quiet voice. Mukuro seemed unsatisfied though. Feeling that he had loosened his hold on Tsuna's heart. What did he do wrong?

"I need everyone…" Tsuna whispered in the end. "…I'm going to die…anyways." He murmured, before Mukuro tightened his embrace on his waist.

"If you think that way…than maybe you will die early." He whispered harshly. Honestly, he hated how this child's pessimism could go so far. It hurt sometimes… And sometimes being alive hurt so much more than being dead. If you were dead you can feel no pain.

"Mukuro…"

The door bell rung, and the two sat up finding themselves too close together. Tsuna blushed furiously and decided to open the door himself while his mother was finishing the dinner, and Mukuro followed behind. Iemitsu at the meantime was outside, finishing the barbeque, Nana had requested all too of a sudden. He appeared a charcoal gray since he was inexperienced with such cooking style.

"Oh! Hibari-san!" He seemed so much more in the mood to play…and Mukuro could tell the sudden shift of personality with his little Tsuna. Hibari had appeared wearing his normal business suit while carrying a bouquet in which Nana had asked of him to bring if possible. Honestly, Nana could manipulate any man to her bidding. "What are you doing here?" Tsuna asked all fluffily and Mukuro thought so as well.

"Your mother invited me." He muttered, a scowl plastered onto his face as soon as he saw that pineapple hair. "Apparently something huge is taking place, I suppose?" He murmured entering the house himself while walking into the kitchen and handing the woman her desired roses. In the faint part of the house Tsuna and Mukuro could hear a warm thank you, which made the latter's skin cringe in jealousy.

"I wonder what's going on?" Tsuna whispered childishly, speaking to Mukuro in such a clandestine way. The man nodded, and held onto Tsuna's hand as the two walked towards the kitchen themselves.

"Oh you two! Can you help Hibari with the barbeque outside? Iemitsu gave up….and…"

"I didn't give up!" A retort replied from upstairs after the showering room had opened. "I-I just wanted to see if you guys know how to cook…like I do!" He excused himself to dry by shutting the door in a hurry.

"Very well." Mukuro smirked and the two entered the back porch. The doorbell by then rung, and Nana opened the door to find the other three men. "Ah! Gokudera-kun!! Yamamoto-san, Ryohei-san! Please come in!" She smiled while letting the three men enter before taking their shoes off outside. "Tsuna is in the back." She smiled while heading off to polish the silver. "Dinner is almost ready!" She chimed in as the three went to the back porch as well.

"TENTH!" Gokudera flung the door open and found the boy staring at two squabbling men. They were at each other's throats, insulting one another with a glare or few words.

"You bastard…" Hibari replied while wiping his mouth as he heard the self-proclaimed laugh of the pineapple head.

"What's wrong, Kyouya-kun?" The other teased and Tsuna just remained standing between them wide-eyed and quiet. Gokudera at that time managed to take Tsuna away from the two violent men, and hugged him tightly reassuring him everything was perfectly fine.

"What happened anyways?" He asked as Tsuna recovered from the strange situation.

"Mukuro just punched him." Tsuna murmured while fiddling with his fingers. "He just got angry…and punched him." He repeated while entering the house, after finding himself thirsty. Gokudera rolled his eyes. Sometimes Tsuna was such a child…so careless at some serious times.

"M-master!" Ryohei was too shocked to say words after finding out his employer was in the same dinner meeting as him. He was so in shock he left to go find Tsuna and stay there until Mukuro came in himself. Yamamoto just stared suspicious of the two before leaving as well.

"The hell did you do that for?" Hibari hissed while taking out his pair of tonfas. Mukuro growled as he adjusted his cuffs and looked at the dark blue sky. "Answer me, bastard." He whispered in such a dangerous tone that many people would find it quite hard for him not to kill the man in front of him.

"I just felt like it." Mukuro smirked. "I just wanted to somehow…maybe show you that you can't be with him?" He laughed mocking a question. "After all…he has me." He muttered, and then Nana called the two in - no matter if they hadn't started the barbeque at all.

Obeying the mother of their interest, they entered the quiet kitchen only to find a happy Tsuna clinging onto an unknown man.

"Brother!!" He shouted holding onto the blonde's waist while chirping happily. Mukuro, finally noticing who it was seemed as dark as Gokudera, Iemitsu and Yamamoto's behavior. Ryohei and Hibari were the only ones who had no clue who he was.

"Ah…it's good to be home…" He smiled while kissing the small boy on the forehead. Iemitsu grunted while turning away while Nana looked especially happy.

"Well, well, well…if it isn't Golden Boy." Mukuro grumbled.

Gokudera…was reminded of something….a promise he made to himself, but he was sane now…so he kept it well hidden in his mind. "Y-Yamamoto it's him…" He whispered shaking his finger at him as if he was a ghost or monster. Yamamoto calmed the white-haired man down.

"It's alright…he just came over for a family reunion…nothing more." He whispered, his voice trying his hardest to soothe the crazed octopus head.

"I'm sorry I came later than as expected." The unknown man (in Hibari and Ryohei's eyes) bowed apologetically while holding onto the little figure beside him. Blood boiled, but at the same time dissipated. For some reason…Hibari could feel that Tsuna was leaving his world behind. "Ah…how careless of me…" The blonde replied while staring at the two men he could not mention. "My name is Dino…I am Tsuna's older brother…Pleased to meet you." He smiled.

"…Here's a reason why you can't be with him." Mukuro taunted looking more pale and depressed than normal. Hibari stared at the one named Dino. "Just remember this…" Mukuro advised him. "You can never get too close to Tsuna, if he's around."

"ALRIGHT! TIME FOR DINNER!" Iemitsu roared already digging into the food before his wife's consent.

'Ah--! DEAR, how could you?" Nana was in her most angriest form yet. Though it didn't seem angry at all. All five men continued standing, ignoring the scene, and gazing at Dino and Tsuna.

You can never get too close to him, if he's around….because compared to all of us…Dino is the only one who can make Tsuna smile no matter what…