A.N.: Thank you all for your patience! I loved every last one of your reviews! :) I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Pity. I do not own any of the songs I refer to in here unless specified otherwise.
Warnings: Future drug usage/references, cursing, and dirty innuendoes.
Extra Warning: Slight Iemitsu bashing. You have been warned. (Obviously lol)
KHR
Tsunayoshi seethed within Tsuna's mindscape. How he despised the man that had made their lives and their Kaa-san's miserable. The few times he had come home had been to just drink, sleep, watch television, and worry Kaa-san sick. He made his Light feel pain…it was unacceptable. Tsuna however refused to hate their…Otou-san.
He said that hatred was a parasite that will make one's inner peace crack irreparably. Tsunayoshi had scoffed as usual when his Light went into such gentle tirades. He had retorted that Iemitsu was a parasite. Poor Kaa-san would always, always be happy about his return as though every time he came home he would never leave again. But he always did. He was a worthless Otou-san.
The only thing he ever did right was help create Tsuna.
Nana had skipped off to the kitchen where Bianchi was helping her make that night's dinner. Nana would no doubt be up all night making food for Iemitsu's return.
Lambo and I-pin remained staring worriedly up at Tsuna's face. He had an expression of discomfort. Tsunayoshi was angry that Iemitsu was coming home and making it very much known to Tsuna through the intrusion of Tsuna's mind. He tried to shut it out or at least mute it-to no avail. He knew how Tsunayoshi-his Dark-felt.
But he refused to let his aura be tainted by hate. It was not in his nature. He slowly went past Lambo and I-pin, gently tousling their hair as he headed for the stairs to his bedroom. When he came in he found Reborn and Dino sitting on his bed and floor respectively. Tsuna blinked.
He wasn't expecting Dino to be in his room. But he supposed that he had come back from whatever duties he had to attend for some food. He briefly wondered where Dino's subordinates were then shrugged it off.
"Tsuna…we need you to tell us everything you can about Tsunayoshi…and we mean everything," Reborn said, his unfathomable black eyes staring Tsuna down. Dino let out a carefree laugh.
"Don't scare him off, Reborn…we're just concerned about your wellbeing, Tsuna," Dino said with a warm smile. Tsuna chuckled.
"Eh…there is really not much to tell, dudes…but I guess if he approves I'll tell you what I haven't," Tsuna replied, stifling a yawn behind his hand. Tsunayoshi frowned within Tsuna's mind. He really didn't want those…fucking interlopers to know such intimate things that belonged between him and his Light but if his Light was willing then he would grudgingly consent.
Tsuna let out a barely unnoticeable sigh. He felt bad for ignoring and confining Tsunayoshi within his mind for nearly 5 years but this was exactly why he did. Tsunayoshi was the very core of what Tsuna didn't accept due to his gentle, peaceful nature. Right now he was sullen at having to agree for Tsuna to tell his dear friends about him…them. He believed it should remain between just them.
Tsuna only partially agreed but he knew that in the end it would be better to talk.
He slouched as he sat down cross-legged on the floor. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. It has been so long since he had to deal with such negativity within him. He had to learn to readjust to it again. It was a daunting prospect to be sure.
'Hm, alright…I'll tell give ya'll a compare and contrast report thingy on the both of us before I get down to the deep shit," Tsuna said as he rummaged in the drawer next to him. He let out a hum of satisfaction at having found what he was looking for. He slid it across to Reborn and Dino. They both raised an eyebrow. Tsuna had something like this lying around and Reborn didn't know it?
That…was scary. It made Reborn scowl.
It was a chart of similarities and differences between Tsuna and Tsunayoshi dated over 4 years ago. The handwriting was elegant and refined like a gentlemen's. They looked at Tsuna for an explanation. No child of nine should have such handwriting.
"Ne…Tsunayoshi wrote it out for me," Tsuna said innocently. That explained it.
They looked down at the worn paper.
Differences: Tsuna is Light spirited. I am Dark spirited. I prefer death while he prefers life. He is pure. I am tainted. He desires peace while I crave chaos. His music is harmonic while mine is demonic. His flames are pure Sky while mine are a tainted, darker version. I am possessive he is not. He is at times crass while mostly carefree, happy, and positive. I am cultured, at times mannerly, negative, and resentful. He prefers bright colors while I prefer dull colors.
Differences in Weapons: My Light's weapon is a warm colored acoustic guitar well suited for his pure soul holding within unique gadgets and a Flame converter that feeds off positive energy and pure Sky Flame. Mine takes two different forms depending upon mood. It is either an ebony acoustic guitar or an ebony electric guitar coated in the blood of many. The symbols of peace may become crueler versions of their original selves. I would hope no one of simple mind with malicious intentions against my Light will trigger my wrath for me to use this particular tool of destruction.
It would be…unpleasant.
Similarities: We love the same food. We can feel each other's thoughts, feelings, and condition of mind, body, soul, and emotional states. Hm…the similarities end there I'm afraid.
That was all that was on the paper. Reborn's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Tsuna…why do you have a document such as this lying around?" he asked with feigned clam. Tsuna blinked slowly at him.
"Eh? Why not?" Tsuna questioned back. Dino hid his smirk behind his hand as Reborn looked ready to throttle Tsuna.
"Because-Reborn said through gritted teeth- this is private information not to be found by those who would use it against you."
Tsuna still looked as though he didn't comprehend. "You're an odd one dude…" Tsuna mumbled, scratching his head. Reborn clenched his little hands. Sometimes his student really, really infuriated him.
Before an amused Dino could stop Reborn-though he doubted he would be able to being clumsy and all- Reborn yanked out a silver gun. Leon peered down at Reborn's face, flicking his tongue out as though saying Reborn was overreacting.
Tsunayoshi scowled. He didn't like that cocky Arcobaleno hitman threatening his Light- and him.
"Ne, ne~ Keep the peace…what did I like do, man?" Tsuna grumbled.
Reborn stared down with dark, inscrutable at his foolish, peace loving, moronic, loveable, adorable, pretty…
He immediately stopped that train of thought before it got him in trouble. Scowling, he roughly pocketed the gun and hopped off the bed.
"Come-Maman is calling us down for dinner," he muttered.
Dino looked after him knowingly before smiling cheerfully at a confused Tsuna.
"Let's go eat, little bro!" Dino exclaimed.
KHR
Tsuna had escaped to his favorite spot in his favorite park. It was barely peaking dawn. The brilliant splash of reds, pinks, and oranges painted the horizon. The birds were chirping around him as he gently strummed his new song on his guitar. He needed to calm Tsunayoshi down for the arrival of Iemitsu.
The man had called last night after dinner to say that he was going to be in Namimori today at noon. Nana was going to pick him up. Tsuna had the sneaking suspicion that Nana wanted him to come but didn't ask knowing how he probably felt about Iemitsu. Or rather how Tsunayoshi felt anyways. Tsunayoshi was resting within his consciousness, no doubt annoyed by how his Light preferred to get up so early.
Tsunayoshi preferred sleeping from dawn to night-but he doubted that he would today. Not when he wanted to torture Iemitsu. So he would be out for five more hours. Tsuna sighed, puffing out his cheeks comically.
He thought about Tsunayoshi's new song and winced.
Tsunayoshi's songs were always dark, depressing, and frightening…nightmarishly so. It made his inner peace waver by the cruelty of them. And the fact that he was planning on using it on Iemitsu didn't help matters. He knew that Tsunayoshi tried to keep any and all harmful information he didn't like locked away but when you both owned one mind it was easy to find out what the other knew or was trying to hide.
He took a deep, rejuvenating breath when he felt Tsunayoshi fall fully into sleep. Perhaps he could realign his inner peace and aura now that Tsunayoshi's overwhelming dark influence had abated for a few hours at least. It was difficult getting used to his presence again he reflected. But it wasn't…entirely unpleasant. Smiling gently, he continued to strum and began to softly hum.
KHR
Tsuna grinned lazily down at Lambo and I-pin as they ran around his legs. Nana and Iemitsu should be home soon. It made Tsuna want to hide because Tsunayoshi would be taking over come hell or high water. Things always seem to go wrong when he had free will. Tsuna was just thankful he didn't always abuse the fact that he could take over Tsuna's body at will.
Such was the dominance he wielded. But he supposed he could wrestle control if he had to.
Tsuna hopped around with Lambo and I-pin with Reborn and Bianchi watching. Tsuna laughed as the two little kids tackled him-or tried to. But Tsuna humored them and fell backwards. He frowned slightly when the kids on top of him went quiet-their giggling fading. Tsuna leaned his head back to see two sets of feet-one in flats another in dress shoes.
Nana was smiling happily down at him. Iemitsu was forcefully chuckling. Tsuna could tell it was forced-it hurt him. His uncharacteristic frown deepened as he stood up with Lambo and I-pin in his arms.
Reborn and Iemitsu started to converse in hushed whispers while Nana-at a loss-decided to take the kids inside to get cleaned up. So Tsuna was left standing awkwardly next to Bianchi.
"Ne, ne…just a warning but like if I start acting weird, it's not me, yeah?" Tsuna mumbled to Bianchi. He was referring to Tsunayoshi of course. She blinked at him before nodding briskly.
"Got it," she answered, watching with narrowed eyes on Iemitsu and Reborn. "Her" Reborn looked frosty though outsiders wouldn't be able to tell. But she could. Tsuna scratched the back of his head, patting the pocket where his miracles lay within. He ached to get some out to smoke-his stress levels rising but shook it off.
He slouched his shoulders and looked at the sky-ignoring the steadily growing tension between Reborn and Iemitsu. The sun was almost level with the clouds signaling that Tsunayoshi would be awaking soon.
Tsuna stuffed his hands into his pockets. It was going to be a long two weeks.
KHR
Tsunayoshi gritted his teeth in anger. He clenched his hands. His eyes were darkened into narrow slits.
Iemitsu was lounging on the couch, drunk, with a bottle of sake in his hands. The television was blaring obnoxiously loud on a channel that wasn't appropriate for the two kids in the house-Mafia born and raised kids or not, it was bad even by his standards. His Light was worrying internally-not showing it outwardly but kami did he feel it. It was pissing him off. He was tired of having to watch Nana gently shove off his Light's attempts at helping her feed his gluttonous "Otou-san".
Reborn was sneering at his foolish coworker- Boss of the CEDF. Their argument hadn't been pretty.
Flashback
"I see my son hasn't become much since I left last time," Iemitsu muttered sullenly. Reborn stiffened. It was a good thing Tsuna couldn't hear his "Otou-san's" words. Tsunayoshi was not one to be trifled with-even he freely admitted to that. Iemitsu's words were a blow to his pride and capability as a tutor and also to Tsuna whom he grudgingly admitted to having a fondness for.
'You would be surprised by his capabilities," Reborn said through gritted teeth. Iemitsu glanced at him skeptically.
"Really? I can't see it…though I'm sure it's not you that's at fault…my son has always been rather wimpy, non-aggressive, and such," he said offhandedly. Reborn growled low in his throat.
'Iemitsu…you damn idiotic fool…'Reborn thought, barely controlling the urge to shoot the callous man next to him.
"Perhaps we should go inside now," Reborn suggested, his voice not betraying what he felt.
"Yeah you're right…my Nana's food is waiting!" he cried moronically, running inside. Reborn rolled his eyes.
Leon shook his little head sadly. That poor, foolish, blonde human male was going to suffer.
Oh well.
Flashback End
KHR
It's been less than a day since Iemitsu had come home and the house was more chaotic than usual. It set Tsuna's teeth on edge. Tsunayoshi had been restraining himself for Tsuna sake but he knew that would only last so long-and he was right. Tsuna had been working on his Algebra homework at gun point when Nana called them down for dinner around 8:30. Reborn glanced towards the door in slight irritation. He had mostly been holding Tsuna at gunpoint to see if he could somehow unnerve him even just a little since he never seemed to care about the gun pointed at him(too much). He thought he saw some perspiration on his temple but now he'll never know. Damn Maman and her impeccable timing.
Sighing, he followed Tsuna to the kitchen. It was hectic when they got in there; Lambo and I-pin were fighting for the closest part of the chair next to Tsuna-again. Bianchi was trying to quell her attempts at cooking from it eating the table in goopy, living puddles. Nana was scurrying around setting the plates of food on the table. And Iemitsu wasn't even helping. He just stood there and guffawed at the chaos. Reborn scowled.
Perhaps he'll get to use his gun after all. He raised it and shot it off with a sharp crack. Silence reigned after that with Nana humming cheerfully as she set the last serving down and sat in her chair next to Iemitsu who eyed Reborn warily. Lambo and I-pin laughed when Tsuna flung them up and set them on his lap with a gentle smile. Bianchi sat down next to Reborn, who started to carefully savor his food.
For a while the only sounds were sipping and the crude slurping and chomping coming from Iemitsu.
Then eventually Iemitsu had to open his mouth.
"So…Tsuna, how are you doing in your studies? When I looked a few years ago they were horribly abysmal…hopefully for my sake they are better than they were before," he spoke casually, his eyes glinting. Tsuna gulped softly.
"Ne…they are better, thanks to Reborn, man" Tsuna replied, carefully keeping his eyes lowered so no one would see Tsunayoshi's ire.
Iemitsu's eyes flashed.
"I wish you would quit talking like that…it makes you sound uneducated," Iemitsu grumbled.
Everyone started to glare at Iemitsu, even Nana who usually remained oblivious to things around her.
Lambo snorted in derision. "It's you who sounds uneducated, saying such bad things about Tsuna-nii!" he shouted angrily. I-pin was glaring at Iemitsu too but knew better than to say anything lest her Nii-chan got hurt.
"Lambo, calm down," she whispered urgently when she saw Iemitsu's eyes turn cold.
Tsuna patted Lambo's afro calmly. He calmed down but still glowered at Iemitsu.
Reborn tilted his fedora away from his dark eyes to give a warning look at Iemitsu when he was about to say something. The blithering fool ignored him-now Reborn didn't give a shit what happened to him. It was fault for not heeding his warning.
"I see you're still wearing all those girly, bright colors and your hair is still long," he sneered. "You look like a girl, dammit."
It got deadly silent. They could practically taste the blood lust coming off Nana, Reborn, and the two little kids. Good thing Dino wasn't there or he too would be enraged. But their anger couldn't match up to Tsunayoshi's.
Tsuna's lowered head came up. His eyes looked cold, scary. Not his at all. And Reborn knew that shit was about to hit the fan. Tsuna's normally slouched shoulders straightened.
"You horrid man…how dare you speak to my Light…your son like that? I ought to disembowel you of your black heart," Tsunayoshi hissed.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Bianchi hurriedly grabbed Nana and led her out of the house. Nana's surprised, anxious voice echoed as they left.
Tsunayoshi, despite how angry he was, gently put Lambo and I-pin onto the other chair next to him.
"Ha, finally decided to grow a backbone, eh?" Iemitsu scoffed. Tsunayoshi's fingers clenched the edge of the table and it started to crack ominously.
Reborn sat back and watched the show. It was bound to be interesting.
Lambo and I-pin had run out of the room so that they wouldn't be in Tsuna-nii's way. They know he was going to be serving some form of justice even as they knew it wasn't really Tsuna. However, they still poked their heads around the corner of the kitchen that led to the living room which stunk of sake.
"You are quite fortunate that I do not have my weapon…thank my Light for that small mercy for it is the only thing saving you at the moment…however that does not mean I will hesitate to inflict damage in a different way upon you…puny human," Tsunayoshi murmured threateningly. Iemitsu shivered.
Something was wrong with his son. This…wasn't his son. It was a monster.
Reborn couldn't help the shiver that ran down his spine. Things were getting intense.
Suddenly, a string of words in a monotonous chant started to stream from Tsunayoshi's mouth. Iemitsu couldn't move. He was stunned by the sheer coldness, hatred, and utter lack of life in that voice. He was frozen, unable to twitch. Something was happening to his muscles, they wouldn't obey his demands!
It was alike a restraining force of doom had taken over him, forcing him to listen to those words, that depressingly dark and sinfully beautiful song that didn't belong to his son.
"Your breathing is strained, your face pained.
Your life only sustaining enough to flicker faintly.
So,
Is it a loss for your eyes to dim?
An atmosphere so tense and grim it pervades the senses
Some are startled by your lack of pleas,
For it is truly a loss if you drain your strength for begging that your pitiful life be spared
Silence,
The blessed silence pervades,
Much to your relief
In the living,
Almost no loss is taken lightly
Does a heart need a beat?
A mind a thought?
Flesh a bone?
Or eyes without life?
Does loss coincide with the anguish you hide?
A frail protest not yet heard,
Perhaps being so close to the end has weakened your resolve to speak with a voice you no longer possess
Is it a loss for you to die?"
Reborn's heart felt encased in ice. The song hadn't been aimed at him but it seemed as though this time it cloaked the whole room. A quick glance towards Lambo and I-pin confirmed his suspicions. They were shaken, eyes wide and fearful but not at Tsuna. At the feeling Tsunayoshi's words inflicted.
He was thankful he wasn't Iemitsu. If he was then he knew he would perhaps be done for. That hurt his pride as the number one hitman to acknowledge but he couldn't deny logical truth. Tsuna and Tsunayoshi's abilities were not of this world. Perhaps they originated from some sort of psychological desire for defense against pain.
Or perhaps something deeper but he may or may never know but for damn sure he was going to find out.
Iemitsu was foaming at the mouth as though poisoned. He collapsed to the floor. His voice was coming out in pained keens of agony. His eyes were dilated. His skin was turning blue-the color of rigor mortis.
Tsunayoshi stared dispassionately down at him. Tsuna was crying within his mind to stop what he was doing. But this time…he wasn't sure he could stop. He didn't have anything against Tsuna's "Xan-chan" which was why he listened to his Light on sparing him among other reasons. But this man…this man had dared to hurt his Light emotionally, verbally, and physically during his drunken rants…it was unforgivable.
Nana never knew. If she did she would no doubt have left this despicable man. But he knew…he always knew. He was there for his Light for many years, sometimes in secret most times not.
The nights Tsuna had spent crying, the days he spent being faultlessly happy and peaceful while hurting inwardly deep below in his soul, always trying to make others happy while hurting himself to assure that, always settling disputes even with his life at risk…this man had dared to insult his Light when he himself was never there for him. To love, cherish, and hold Tsuna.
It made him sick. The force of his chant, the deadly poison weaved within his voice, his words strengthened with his hatred for Iemitsu. Tsuna's beautifully pure, harmonic voice weaved with love and peace was the only antidote.
'So be it my dear…if you can save him swiftly then he shall live…however, let this be his only warning.'
'Thank you Tsunayoshi…'
Tsuna came back to himself a second later. He only had a few seconds to reverse this.
He leant down to Iemitsu's ear. The panicking man watched with frightened, shocked eyes as Tsuna began to softly sing.
Reborn watched in curiosity. This would help him get to know his student better for his future post of Decimo. Besides if Iemitsu died it would be his own damn fault. But if he lived that was less paperwork and hassle to find a new CEDF leader. Either way it was a win-win situation for him.
Tsuna's beautiful words were muffled so they went unheard even for Reborn's superior hearing. But the effect it had on their surroundings was imminent. It warmed up, became brighter, and less dreary.
Iemitsu passed out a few moments later. Tsuna sighed, his face worn before it broke into his trademark lazy grin.
"He's like alive dudes…" he mumbled sleepily before collapsing himself. The strain of using such a mysterious power that Reborn mused he would have to investigate about more later was too much on Tsuna's body especially after Tsunayoshi had intonated it first.
Sighing, Reborn hopped to the floor. He demanded I-pin and Lambo help him move Tsuna to his bed and Iemitsu somewhere-he didn't care where really but after the trouble Tsuna went through he ordered I-pin to take him to the couch. He didn't trust Lambo.
After they got a snoring Tsuna onto his bed they went back downstairs. Reborn didn't know where Bianchi took Nana but was certain they would be back soon.
He needed to get Tsuna's Guardians together and discuss about how to approach what was sure to be a hysterical time ahead of them.
Iemitsu will surely tell the higher ups of Vongola about Tsuna's odd abilities. They probably already had suspicions since the Ring Battles especially the one with Xanxus and Tsuna/Tsunayoshi.
Reborn stared down at Iemitsu with pity.
"Foolish as always," Reborn murmured. Leon flicked his tongue out and scrunched up his eyes in agreement.
"We should blow him up! He hurt Tsuna-nii!" Lambo cried angrily, gritting his teeth.
Reborn barely acknowledged Lambo but internally he sort of agreed with the childish cow. I-pin nodded, her mouth set in a grim line.
KHR
A.N.: I didn't like this chapter. I hope you guys did though. Anyways please leave a comment :) It helps me a lot to know your thoughts! Thank you for loving this baby plot bunny throughout its maturing life so far 3 Perhaps it shall breed eventually.
-Tragic