It was hard to shake off Reborn especially now that it seemed he increased his observation. And Reborn was not the only problem he had. Tsuna also needed to avoid his friends from following him. After all, the one he wanted to meet right now would not feel happy with the extra companies. He was finally able to sneak out with the help of his mother and Lambo who accidentally kept Reborn busy enough. By the time they finished, it would be hard for Reborn to track him down especially Tsuna got further advantage with the existence of mist flames.
Tsuna stopped walking. He was in the middle of a park. It was quiet and the sun was about to set. The sky started to get darker. It started to get misty and cold all of a sudden.
"Ku fu fu fu~" a familiar laugh was heard.
"Mukuro, stop with the creepy laugh and show yourself," said Tsuna unamused.
The mist started to disperse and Tsuna could get a clear look of his surrounding. Several figures of body appeared.
"Ah, Full-team?" Tsuna smiled at the group. "Hello Lancia-san, Ken, Chikusa, Mukuro and Na- ah Chrome. You go by that name now, right?" the last was addressed at the only girl in the group.
"Hai," answered the girl with a timid smile.
"Ah, and who's this new face I see? Your apprentice I assume, Mukuro?" Tsuna asked with a grin.
"And I assume you already know him, even his name. After all you're the one who pointed me to him," Mukuro said with his usual smirk intact.
"Even if I already know his name, isn't it rude to not introduce us?" The brunet did not even deny the accusation.
"Yes, it is rude, Master." The boy with green hair and green apple hat joined in. His expression was really flat. But it brought another smile to Tsuna's face.
"Hi there! I'm Sawada Tsunayoshi, just call me Tsuna. What's your name?" Tsuna decided to just introduce himself before Mukuro prolonged it with a fight with his apprentice.
"I'm Fran. The pineapple-head's disciple." Hearing the taboo word which was an insult to Mukuro's great hairstyle, Mukuro immediately stabbed the boy's head with his trident, pierced it through the boy's head.
"Master, it hurts. Please stop." Fran complained, still in flat tone and same expression.
"I know it isn't, brat!" Mukuro pushed his trident harder. Tsuna who saw the exchange just smiled amusedly.
"So what brings you here? You didn't say it in your message," Tsuna asked still with a smile on his face.
"Fu fu fu~ we're looking for someone and I think you know where that person is. After all you know more than you let on." Mukuro narrowed his eyes, he retracted his trident.
"And who are you looking for?" asked Tsuna again.
"We're looking for the Vongola heir. We hear that the heir is here in Japan. Though, we don't know which part in Japan he is. But still, we have an inkling that he might be around this region," explained Lancia.
"What's your business with him?"
"Fu fu fu, just some intimate chit-chat," answered Mukuro.
"and what will y-"
"You asked too many questions, byon! Just say it whether you know him or not" Ken cut in impatiently. Tsuna just let out a chuckle.
"Well," Tsuna started, "he is," he paused for a dramatic effect, "he is standing in front of you," he finished with an innocent smile. His statement surprised them, rendered them into silence. However, the silence was broken by a manic laugh.
"Ku fu fu- FU FUFUFUFU! I knew it! I knew it!" The kanji in Mukuro's red eye flashed. They changed rapidly. "You are deep in the mafia! You are the same, aren't you? Playing with us like that! KUFUFUFU"
Tsuna let out a sigh. "I wasn't playing with you. I truly want to be your friend. As for the Vongola, I was informed by Reborn just a few months ago. I wasn't really involved, even until now I stil ain't involved in any mafia business except training. And like what I've said before. My goal is to change the mafia from inside, and perhaps I can just use this chance to do it. So, now what do you want me for?" Tsuna waited for the boy to cease his laugh. The other just kept silent as they did not grasp the conversation. They could not follow the conversation as they were missing something which was only known by the two boys.
"Then perhaps I'll just wait and see what you will do. It can be an entertainment for me." Mukuro said after he stopped laughing.
"Why everyone keeps thinking my life is an entertainment for them?" muttered Tsuna grouchily.
"I'll join you Sawada Tsunayoshi," declared Mukuro. It seemed as it was a sudden decision in which his other colleagues did not know. Ken gasped, Chikusa's eyes widened, Lancia stared in wonder at Mukuro, and Chrome just smiled.
"Then, I'll do so too," said Chrome. "Please take care of me," the girl stepped to Tsuna "Bossu," then she kissed Tsuna's cheek. Tsuna blushed. After all this time he still got blushed from such an innocent kiss. Ah, perhaps it is the suddenness of the kiss that made him blushed. After allReborn would scold him if Vongola Decimo could not handle and easily got flustered from kiss like that.
"Ah, just call me Tsuna, Chrome, Mukuro."
"W-what the heck just happened, byon?" Ken shouted confusedly.
"Kufufu~ you don't need to know Ken. And you and Chikusa also don't need to follow this Vongola as you are my followers, not the Vongola underlings. The same applies to you, Fran" said Mukuro.
"Yes, Mukuro-sama," answered Chikusa.
"Tsuna, I think I can trust you with Mukuro. I can go back to Italy soon. My business here is just to be an escort for these boys and young lady. I entrusted them to your capable hand." Mukuro twitched. Did Lancia just treat him as a brat?
"Fufufu~ I am not some kind of brat," Mukuro said darkly.
"Ah yes!" Tsuna shouted, like he just remembered something. It made the others turned their attention to the brunet. Tsuna then stared at Mukuro and Chrome alternately. "Will you both become my mist guardians?" Tsuna asked with a wide smile. His words once again succeeded in making the others speechless.
Mukuro twitched again. How come this boy just asked that kind of question so casually and randomly? But Mukuro just decided to take it on stride. Well, that position would only get him closer to gain more influence underground. If he could not take the body of the boss of the most powerful mafia in the world, then he could be a guardian that perhaps could influence him and the others. His initial plan was to take control over the heir and make some big change in the world especially in the existence of several famiglia. But seeing who the heir was, he knew it would be really difficult and painful. Not that he did not love challenges, he did love it. He just knew what kind of thing that was out of his reach. Though, he decided that he would still try to take over the body from time to time. After all, he indeed loved challenge. It would be fun.
"Fine," Mukuro gave his answer, followed by a nod from Chrome.
"W-hat, w-what?" Ken spluttered. Poor boy, he was confused with the fast pace of this meeting. Everyone ignored him.
"Then perhaps there will be future alliance of Vongola and Serpente famiglia. I'll report this development to my boss." Tsuna just nodded, giving his consent.
"By the way before all of you go, there is one more thing," said Tsuna. The other just raised their eyebrows at that.
Today was a busy day, or at least that what seemed to Tsuna's circle of friends. They had their own agenda and could not go home together. Today, it was only Tsuna alone. However, he also had his own agenda and it was perfect that no one followed him home. He needed to have a private talk with his tutor.
"I'm home," called Tsuna as he went in.
"Okaeri, Dame-Tsuna," greeted his tutor.
"Where are Kaa-san and the kids?" asked Tsuna when he did not find his mother around to greet him.
"They go grocery shopping."
Tsuna nodded then looked at Reborn seriously. Reborn raised his eyebrow in question.
"Reborn, can I have a word with you? I have several questions and things to say," said the brunet seriously. Reborn felt that it would be a serious talk. He decided to regard his student seriously.
"Let's go to your room." They walked to Tsuna's room. Then Tsuna sat on his bed while Reborn stood at Tsuna's desk.
"Okay, shoot."
"Hmm, how to start this?" Tsuna muttered to himself. Then he decided to be just blunt about it. "Reborn, tell me honestly," he started, "Am I really the only one candidate? I mean what about the boss's nephew or something. And what will the others say about an outsider and half-blood like me become a boss to them just out of the blue? I mean won't someone protest. I don't want to be involved in any family feud or something. If there is other candidate, I'll gladly give my position to him."
Reborn smirked. He was pleased that his student seemed to be sharp. He decided to grace his effort with truth.
"Good thinking, Dame-Tsuna. It seems your brain is not there only for decoration." He then looked at Tsuna's eyes. He saw determination, resignation, guilt, pain, and confusion. He did not know what made Tsuna had those feelings. Did he really think about this issue for a long time? Did he was really that worry about this issue?
"There is a possible feud. Nono doesn't have nephew or niece. But he does have another son. However, he is not considered as a candidate anymore because he had staged a coup against Nono. Nono is also afraid that Xanxus will bring Vongola to another era of bloodshed. While he believes you will bring back Vongola to its root when Vongola was a vigilante group who went against injustice. Xanxus is a head of Vongola elite assassin group. The members are still loyal to him. He was imprisoned or frozen to be exact, but then just this morning I got news that he was missing or his frozen body was not in its place. Perhaps when the ice melt, he would go after you. But then he can also ask for a battle for the rights for Vongola rings with the supervision of neutral family, Cervello, and under Nono consent."
Tsuna's expression did not change. No single reaction. It was off. How came the boy did not get scared? Wasn't he supposed be a little bit scaredy cat and afraid of conflict? Iemitsu's data really couldn't be trusted.
"Now let's teach you a little about Vongola inheritance," continued Reborn, "Vongola has seven rings for each guardian. The first one is the boss, the sky who embraces all. The other sixs are named after the weather. Storm who goes raging through the problem; the tranquil Rain that washes away all problems; the Lightning who diverts the dangers, the Mist who creates something from nothing and makes something into nothing, the bright Sun who able to shine through the pain, and the aloof Cloud who is not binded by anything but will always be there."
The brunet's expression was still serious. However Reborn could see recognition in his eyes. Reborn then continued his lecture.
"Each element has its own property. But we won't go there yet until you learn about your flame. Which reminds me I haven't got a chance to shoot you. Che!" Reborn grumbled as he held Leon who then turned to gun.
"HIIEEE~! Reborn don't joke like that." Tsuna put a front, although inside he was relieved and even laughed a bit because his effort to avoid the bullet succeeded. He only hoped that that his luck would not run out. Hmm.. he needed to look for a way out soon. He needed a reason to access his flame freely.
"I'm not joking." Replied Reborn flatly. Tsuna stared blankly at Reborn, before "HIEEE~!" Reborn who tired of the brunet shouts immediately shot near the brunet head to shut him up. However, the brunet scream got louder.
"Shut up! Or I will really aim for your body parts next time," threatened Reborn which immediately silenced Tsuna. Despite the scream, Reborn noticed that the boy did not flinch at all. Reborn narrowed his eyes. His student was really something more than what he let on.
"Any other questions Dame-Tsuna?" Tsuna thought for a moment, then asked with a firm and serious expression.
"I know that I've asked this before. But I'll ask you once again. Do I really have no choice in this? I mean I don't even really have emotional ties with Vongola nor do I have interest in it. And this is my life, I'm living." Tsuna cringed internally at his words. At this point he could not just say 'fuck it' and run away. He was already too deep into this world and if he did that the world would crash down.
"You already know the answer."
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Tsuna said with a sad smile.
Reborn answer was silence. He only stared at the brunet.
Tsuna let out a sigh. "Okay then, but I still have a say in this whole mafia things. After all it involves my life," Tsuna stared straight at Reborn's eyes. "First of all, I will be the one that decide my own guardians and I hope no one will really give a big fuss. Second, I will tell my friends about my involvement with the mafia along with the real dangers entitle to it and if they choose to not get involved with me, I want Vongola stay away from them and still give them protections." Tsuna then stood up. His eyes bore into Reborn's eyes.
"Lastly, tell Nono that I challenge Xanxus on that so-called Ring Battle after his guardians succeed in freeing him. I know that sooner or later he will get out whether someone will forcely free him or Nono will do it himself. This way we can prepare more and the event will go under my conditions."
There was silence for a few moments before it was broken by Reborn's kick to Tsuna head. "Ittai!" Tsuna shouted in pain.
"Dame Tsuna, you are a million year too soon to order me around." Although you got me there. You're already thinking like a great leader. Reborn smirked.
"Hai, wakatteruyo. I understand. Then that's all Reborn. I will get some snacks downstairs." Tsuna walked to the door. But he stopped after he opened it. He looked back at Reborn while one hand still on the door knob. "Ah, Reborn…"
Reborn raised his eyebrow in question. "What?"
Tsuna looked hesistant for a few seconds before his expression changed to 'whatever-just-fuck-it-and-let-the-ball-rolls.' Tsuna raised the hand that was free and suddenly his hand lit up in bright and beautiful orange flame.
"By flame, do you mean this?"
"Che. It took longer than my estimation. Jyuudaime must be at home already. I'm sorry Jyuudaime!" a silver haired teenager seemed grumbling to himself. He fastened his pace as it was already late. He was thinking to drop by Jyuudaime's house, just to check on him.
The boy suddenly stopped. His body got tense. His hand went to his pocket, ready to get out his dynamite if the situation called for it. "Who's there? Show yourself!" shouted Gokudera as he looked at an alley near him.
A boy walked out from the alley. He wore a greenish uniform, showing that he was from other school. Gokudera relaxed a bit, thinking it was just another student asking for a fight.
"Gokudera Hayato, Namimori Middle School, Class 1 A." stated the boy.
"What do you want? A fight?" Gokudera let out a sigh, already had enough of people asking for a fight. "Why they always ask a fight? Don't they know already to not pick a fight with me?" muttered him again. "Okay then, this won't be l-" Gokudera moved his body to the left. His eyes narrowed. Something just went passed his head. He could also feel something pricked his cheek, drawing a blood. He then focused his gaze at his attacker, seeing the boy held a pair of yoyo.
"Who are you?" asked the silver-haired boy. He started to get serious. It seemed the enemy posed more threat than the average thugs he faced.
"Chikusa Kikomoto," the black haired boy said as he fixed his glasses. He then threw out the yoyo once again. Already seeing the movement, Gokudera jumped back then he ran. He has underestimated his enemy, now he needed to gain space and thought a strategy. He needed to gather himself. He turned to an alley with the boy ran after him.
Chikusa followed to the alley, but when he turned to the alley he was met by lit dynamites. His eyes widened in shock but his experiences did not betray him. He in reflex threw both of his yo-yo to disarm the dynamites. Gokudera who saw it from his hiding place realized that this person who attacked him was not a mere middle-schooler. The way he fought, the tricks he used, it was no way he was only a civilian. He was precise and deadly. The attack was meant to maim or kill not only to hurt. He had the killing intent and did not hesitate to kill. He was an assassin, a hitman. With this realization, Gokudera also came into a conclusion that his opponent was from mafia, most likely from rival famiglia. Just as he realized this, the yoyos were being thrown to his hiding place, forcing him to roll out from there. And it was the right decision as when the yoyos made contact with the bricks, some explosion occurred.
"Che. Fortunately I just got my supply of dynamite," Gokudera muttered to himself, before facing Chikusa and glared at him. "Who sent you?"
Chikusa grinned. "Ah, I got the right target. Tell me who is your boss? the heir of Vongola? I want name."
"I won't tell you," growled Gokudera. He then brought out more dynamites. If his target is Jyuudaime, I won't let him go. Both of us specialized in mid to long range attack, therefore strategy will be the determinant factor.
Double Bomb.Chikusa was rained by dynamites but he just clicked his tongue and disarmed the dynamites. He retaliated with another attack but this time the movement of the yoyos got faster, he was determined to put needles to the silverette body. Gokudera knew that he could not avoid the attack with his speed alone. Thus, he threw one mini bomb backward. The explosion gave him boost in speed to move forward. His fist was ready to connect with Chikusa's face. Chikusa was taken aback by the sudden attack and the increase of speed, however, he was not an amateur. He stepped aside and avoided the punch.
Gokudera forced himself to stop and to make a turn which resulted in him losing balance and started to fall. However, before his fall he succeeded making his counterattack, throwing another batch of dynamites.
"Che. You don't have other tricks? This won't defeat me." Chikusa who saw the attack immediately threw his yoyos to once again disarm the dynamites. Unfortunately for him, he did not saw the tiny bombs among the normal ones. The tiny bombs exploded upon contact.
"Don't underestimate Vongola," stated Gokudera as he trew another batch of dynamites to finish his opponent. The last attack was surely hurted the Kokuyo student badly. Gokudera was satisfied with the result. Now as the battle had finished, he needed to check on Jyuudaime. He needed to make sure that no other assassin reached Jyuudaime.
He stood up just to fall again on one knee. He could feel his heartbeat was faster than normal and he was sweating. His view started to blur. "Shit, what's wrong with me?"
"Ah, my poison worked later than usual?" a voice seemed to answer the question that the silverette had. The voice made Gokudera to look up and looked at the origin of the voice. He saw Chikusa stood up with a lot of blood, showing that the last attack really put a number on his body.
Gokudera who heard that knew what it meant for him. It meant that he would lose if he continued this fight. He could end up dead. He needed help, medical help and although it wounded his pride he needed to retreat for now. So he gathered his last energy to stand up and run. He hoped that he could outrun the other boy to seek for some help. He knew he could not run for long as he could already see some black spot and everything got more blurred by seconds.
He turned right to an alley and at the end of the alley he turned right again. It was just his luck that upon the exit he bumped into someone. Whether it was good luck or bad luck was remained to be questioned. The impact made him lose his balance and he prepared himself to meet the hard concrete. He closed his eyes, but instead of hard concret he found himself in the arm of someone.
"Hey Gokudera~ Nice to meet you here! Be careful, you need to watch your step!" a familiar voice greeted Gokudera, which made the silverette opened his eyes to look at the owner of the arm who caught him.
"Y-y-ya-YAKYUU BAKA! What are you doing?" Gokudera suddenly gained strength to stand up and to free himself from his classmate's arm.
"Yah, don't run away, byon! I haven't finished playing with you, byon!" Another voice took away both boys' attention. The new voice belonged to a blond boy with greenish uniform, the same uniform as the boy who attacked Gokudera previously. He had scar went through his nose from one cheek to the other. His teeth were sharp, and were that fangs? His nails were long, almost like claws. He looked like a dog, a rabid one at that or at least an unfriendly one.
"Hahaha! You sure to play dangerous game! Hahaha! Can we play another game? How 'bout baseball?" Gokudera heard the baseball-idiot stating his dumb idea. Couldn't he see that this situation really serious? Gokudera was sure that the boy was the accomplice of his attacker. He could see that Yamamoto already had some wounds on his body.
"Ah Gokudera, He's Joshima Ken. He asked me to play with him and he's strong. I have to use the sword. Hahahaa!" Yamamoto, or the idiot Gokudera had the pleasure to know, somewhat introduced him to their enemy. His sword was leaned on his right shoulder. "Ah, and he asked me about Vo..vo.. bo.. ,no it's vo- something. Do you know what he's talking about, Gokudera?"
"It's Vongola, BAKA! And it's not a game! Mafia's life is not a game!" Gokudera growled.
"Ara? You know about it?" The blond grinned widely. "Then, I'll force the information out of you!"
Gokudera's face went pale. He had no energy left, the poison really had gone through his system. He knew that he would lose consciousness in few minutes, if not seconds. He could only stand up due to his stubbornness and strong will, and the shock of meeting the baseball-idiot. They were doomed. He did not know how to make their way out of this situation alive.
"Cheetah Channel!" Ken shouted out as he ran toward both Gokudera and Yamamoto with great speed.
"Ah, shit! I.. I'm sorry.." Jyuudaime, Yakyuu-baka… Those were his last words before he lost consciousness. The last thing he saw was Yamamoto jumped in front of him and received the attack with his sword.
When Yamamoto realized that Gokudera had lost consciousness, he got panicked because for him it was so sudden, but at the same time it also gave him the determination to finish the 'game' quickly.
"Ah, I think we have to stop playing, right now. Perhaps we can play later. I need to make sure Gokudera is fine," Yamamoto said and pushed Ken with his strength. After that, he fixed his stance and readied himself for his own counterattack. He jumped toward Ken and thrust his sword but Ken with his extraordinary speed in his cheetah form avoided the attack easily and went to Yamamoto's back, one claw aimed for Yamamoto's neck and one aimed for his back. Yamamoto tried to turn back and stepped away from the attack but he was not fast enough. He had succeded in avoiding the fatal attack to his vital part which was his neck. The attack grazed his neck, blood seeped out from his neck. However, the attack on his back was a clean hit. Ken twisted his arm a bit to make more damage then quickly pulled out. Blood spurted from Yamamoto's back side.
Yamamoto immediately went pale due the blood loss. He fell down and lost his grip on his sword. Ken was prepared to make another blow but he was stopped by several voices. He could see that crowd started to gather, trying to break up the fights. Polices were coming. He recognized one of the voices but it came from the opposite direction from the crowd.
"Ken, it's enough. We can't get more information when they are in that condition. You can play another time." Hearing those words, Ken stood up and took out his catridge, letting his form changed to his normal one.
"Ah, Kakipi. What happened to you? Don't tell me you lost? You looked like a mess" Ken laughed seeing the state Chikusa was in, with a lot of blood decorated his wholed body.
"Che." Hearing that Chikusa looked away in annoyance. "Let's just go back. Polices are coming."
"Okay, okay~ let's get back and treat your wounds. Want me to lick it to get it better, byon?" teased Ken.
"Shut up!" They left, leaving two Namimori Middle School students wounded and in need of immediate medical help.
A/N: HEY ALLL~ Oh I don't know that this story will still receive much love from all of you, although now I rarely updated this. I am truly sorry. As I'm in college break right now, I try to update. Actually I want to write more, but I don't want you to wait longer especially since I'm not sure that I will be able access to my laptop in one week or two as I'm going to my grandma's house.
I hope all of you like this chapter. I am really embarrassed about the fight scene. I love action movies, I can imagine the scene, but I'm bad about writing it :( I can't really put my imaginations into written words T.T Hope I'll get better at it in the future.
Okay, have fun everyone! Enjoy your summer break! ^o^
Once again thank you for the love! I don't expect it to receive more than a hundred reviews, and more than 200 followers and favorites. You guys really make me happy 3
See you again~