Chapter 25
Mochida wasn't a happy camper. His mom yelled at him for not cleaning his room and his dad...well, his dad was rarely home in the first place. He couldn't do much about it anyway. It wasn't that he didn't care, but it was the fact that he couldn't do anything about it. His father was some kind of wandering hippie, ranting about peace or some shit and doing whatever the hell he wanted. No offense to hippies out there.
"Kensuke!" his mother said from the kitchen. "Your room better be clean by the time I get there or else I'm confiscating your Xbox and whatever shit you play on that damn device!"
"I know, Okaa-san!" Mochida said irritably, shoving his clothes in the closet.
"Goddamn woman," he mumbled under his breath, grimacing when he found an old pizza box under his bed.
His phone rang from the desk and he eagerly grabbed it. He sighed when he looked at the caller I.D.
"Look, I don't know where Tsuna is and - "
"He's been arrested!"
Mochida blinked. "What?"
"Tsuna's been arrested along with Hibari."
"Wait, what?"
Tsuna, Hibari, and arrest on the same line was not something he would've expected. Sure the brunette was a trouble magnet, but for him to get arrested? He shuddered. Whatever Hibari did must've been something.
"I'm going to the station now. You coming?"
"Yamamoto," Mochida said, looking around his chaotic room with pained eyes, "my room."
"I'll help you later," the other teen said cheerfully. "It'll be better with more people."
Mochida sighed as he grabbed a random jacket and put it on. "You owe me, bastard."
He ran down the stairs and grabbed a pair of sneakers by the front door.
"Kensuke, where are you going?" his mother said from the kitchen doorway, a knife in her hand.
Mochida tried not to pale as much. "I swear to all the gods out there that I will clean my room. Let me off the hook just this once, Okaa-san."
"That was you said last time!"
"Ken-nii, last time!" his baby sister said from her high chair, smacking her spoon on the table.
"I need to help a friend," Mochida said, his hand on the doorknob. "Please, Okaa-san."
He bolted out of the house when his mom opened her mouth. He ran down the streets towards the Namimori Police Station. Maybe his father could help even though they barely talk with each other.
You really owe me, Yamamoto, he thought.
Iemitsu was beyond furious as he practically stormed in the police station. "Where are my children?"
Nana followed meekly behind him, tugging on her handbag. "Mitsu-kun, lower your voice."
Reborn looked on impassively from Bianchi's shoulder, Leon still remaining in his cocoon.
"Are you the parents of Sawada Tsunayoshi and Sawada Tomoko?" the man at the desk said in bored tone. "Please wait here."
He picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Yes. They're here. Please send in Sawada Tomoko."
The doors opened from the right and a man walked out with Tomoko by his side. Her lips were cracked and bleeding. A bruise was forming on her cheek.
"Tomo-chan!" Nana said, dashing to her side and embracing her tightly in her arms. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
Iemitsu tensed at how cold his daughter's eyes were and wheeled himself forward, stopping in front of the man. His dark eyes were keen, charisma and confidence leaking from his tall, erect stance. Even though he was wearing a casual suit and had prominent circles under his eyes, Iemitsu knew instantly that this was someone who shouldn't be underestimated.
"Excuse me," he said, "but where is my son?"
"Mitsu-kun, we have Tomo-chan," Nana said with a smile. "Let's go home now."
Iemitsu's jaws tightened, his stomach churning uncomfortably. "Where is my son?"
The man met his gaze and an invisible spark seem to fly between them. "He is under our custody along with Hibari Kyoya. They are under suspicions of jointed murder and physical assault."
He pointed at Tomoko's face. "That is what your son did."
"That's impossible!" Iemitsu said. "He wouldn't do anything of those things."
"I saw it with my own eyes," the man said. "Since he's still a minor, we will have a private trial that will be two days from now. Get a lawyer. He needs it."
"I'm not leaving until I meet with my son and Hibari Kyoya," Iemitsu said with a growl.
"Then you will be under suspicion for aiding them as well," the man said.
"Mitsu-kun," Nana said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder, "let's go home."
Iemitsu snapped. This was the final straw. "You can go home. Take Tomoko with you. I don't care. I want to meet with my son and Hibari Kyoya now!"
Nana flinched and drew her hand back, her eyes wide. Iemitsu looked at her blankly. Strangely, there was no guilt or remorse. He felt that she somewhat deserved it. Deep inside, he knew that their relationship was already shaky as it is and he could find only himself to blame.
The man rubbed the bridge of his nose with a small scowl. "Your son is under suspicions of murder, Sawada-san."
"I heard you the first time," Iemitsu said with a glare. "Just because I'm on a wheelchair doesn't make me deaf or blind either."
He rubbed his face with his hands. "I ask for ten minutes. Ten fucking minutes."
The chief police stared him down, but Iemitsu never relented. The man sighed heavily.
"Five," he said.
"Done."
Once Iemitsu laid eyes on his son, he couldn't help but tear up at how terrible Tsuna looked. He wheeled himself inside the room and immediately hugged the brunette tightly.
"Tsuna, I'm sorry," he said quietly in his ear. "How are you?"
"Never felt better," Tsuna said weakly, attempting to smile. It looked more like a grimace. "How is everyone?"
"Hayato is resting at our house. We found Falco in a bush and brought Colonello back safely. Lambo is practically crying for you."
Tsuna widened his eyes. "What happened to Falco?"
"He's in the same state as Colonello," Iemitsu said grimly. He looked at Tsuna with determination in his eyes. "Don't worry. I know how to undo it. I'll also get you out. I promise."
Tsuna nodded with a small quirk of his lips. "Okay. I'll be waiting, Otou-san."
"Whatever they say, don't let them get to you," Iemitsu said in a quiet, rushed tone. "I know that you're strong inside and out. You know why?"
His son laughed gently. "Very original, Otou-san."
"Just say why," Iemitsu said with a grin.
"Okay, why?"
"Because you're my son," the blonde man said, his eyes glowing with pride. "I know you can get yourself through this. Always remember that I'm there for you. I wasn't much of a father to begin with but I'm trying. I know it's not enough but I'll do the best I can. Remember, Tsuna, that I love you."
He patted Tsuna's shoulder roughly but in a proud manner. "I'll get you out. You won't have to wait for long."
"Otou-san, do you know...who did that to Falco and Colonello?"
Someone knocked at the door rapidly. Iemitsu hugged Tsuna one last time and held him by te shoulders, feeling weary. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry I was such a fool."
The door opened and the man in charge peered inside with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Five minutes up. Get out."
Iemitsu looked at Tsuna again, wincing at the damage done to his eye, which was closed. He placed his hand gingerly on the wound. "I'm sorry, Tsuna..."
He turned his wheelchair around and wheeled himself towards the door. He turned his head back slightly.
"I'm going to make things right."
When the man closed the door behind him, he started to lead Iemitsu to Hibari's room. Iemitsu sighed for what seemed to be the umpteenth time that day.
"You seem to be doing your job well," the man said dryly.
"I'm a father," Iemitsu said with a stony face. "I can only assume you know how I feel."
The man didn't say anything.
Iemitsu winced slightly when he saw Hibari handcuffed to the table. His face was a bit bruised and his lips were split. He pushed the wheels of his wheelchair forward. The prefect glared at him.
"Herbivore," he said with a growl.
"I know," Iemitsu said. "I apologize for this uncalled-for situation, Hibari-san. I will take full weight of this responsibility."
Hibari sized him up sharply, his eyes narrowed. "What about the carnivore?"
"The same goes for him as well," Iemitsu said, smiling when he saw a brief flash of relief pass in Hibari's eyes. "I know what I'm doing. Satoshi and Maya are over at my house. Your subordinates are lying low for now. The Discipline Committee is keeping up with their regular schedule."
The boy's body relaxed a bit. "I expect results, herbivore."
Iemitsu nodded. "I'll give them to you. I'll have a lawyer immediately. Is there any request you would like to make?"
Hibari's face stayed the same stoic expression before regret and frustration flooded in his eyes. "Tell the herb - Hagiwara Maya that I'm...sorry."
He spat the word out in a bitter manner, his hands clenched into fists. Iemitsu raised a brow but didn't say anything about it.
"I'll do that. Do me a favor. Don't lose your temper. You may think that you run Namimori, Hibari-san, but it won't take long until the police finds out about your family."
No one cam stay in the shadows forever, Iemitsu thought. Not even if it includes the Hibari yakuza family.
Hibari glared. "Is that a challenge, herbivore?"
"It's a request," Iemitsu said. "Life isn't just about fighting, Hibari-san. You have to breath sometime. I'll see you at the trial. I'll get you out. Until then, tame yourself. Think of it as a self-management exercise. Now that's a good challenge for someone like you."
He grinned cheekily, turned around, and wheeled himself to the door, opening it.
"Thank you," he said to the man. "Can I have your name?"
"Mochida Ren," the man said nonchalantly, sipping from his cup. "No need to tell me yours. I know it already."
"Sawada Iemitsu," Iemitsu said anyway. "I'll see you at court. Don't lay a hand on my son or Hibari. I don't know what I'll do if you did."
"You'll beat the shit out of me," Ren said. "I know."
If they had met under different circumstances, they could've been friends if possible. But...Iemitsu knew that their lives were completely different and that this was bound to happen somehow. He just never expected it to be like this.
When they arrived at the front desk, two young boys stood up from their seat and walked over to them. One of them had a bright, if not tight, smile on his face while the other held a hopeful expression on his face.
"Kensuke?" Ren said, surprise evident in his voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Sorry, Otou-san," the shorter boy said with a sheepish smile, "but I have something to ask of you."
"Is it about Sawada Tsunayoshi?" Ren said, his eyes blank.
Kensuke blinked. "Uh, yeah. Did you hear about it?"
"We were wondering if you could help him," the taller boy said with a grin. "You're a police officer and all."
Ren threw put his cup in the trash can. "I'm sorry, boys, but I can't. I'm following the law here."
The boys blinked. Kensuke looked at him with a bit of fright in his eyes. "What are you talking about, Otou-san? Tsuna's practically innocent."
"You don't even know what's going on, Kensuke. He's been arrested for murder and physical assault."
The two boys flinched and widened their eyes. However, when Iemitsu saw the taller boy's eyes sharpened, three words instantly passed in his head.
A born hitman, he thought.
"What are you talking about, Mochida-san?" the boy said. "Tsuna wouldn't do anything like that."
Ren's eyes gleamed under the light. "I'm sorry but you both have to leave. Kensuke, I'll see you tonight."
"You're lying," Kensuke said quietly. "You never come home."
"Kensuke - "
"I can't deal with this bullshit you're giving us, Otou-san!" Kensuke said angrily. "You barely come home and Okaa-san practically cries in her sleep! Not everyone is fucking strong like you. Do you know what Kana does? She's always wandering out of the house looking for you because you barely come home. Why can't you just open your fucking eyes, huh? Just do me a favor this o - "
Ren struck him hard in the face, fury boiling beneath his eyes, making them look like coals.
"Mochida-taichou!" The policeman at the front desk stood up, his eyes wide.
"One word out of your mouth again and I won't hesitate to beat the shit out of you," Ren said darkly.
Iemitsu glared at him. "That was unnecessary, Ren-san."
"This is none of your damn business," Ren said. "Leave."
The other boy immediately helped Kensuke up who only swatted him away, wiping away some blood from his lips.
He glared at Ren. "I hate you. I hope you rot in fucking hell and never come back!"
Iemitsu quickly grabbed the boy's arm and said, "Calm down."
Kensuke's attention snapped to him. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Tsuna's father."
The boy immediately retreated and bowed. "I apologize, Sawada-san!"
Iemitsu couldn't help but smile a bit. Tsuna's influence must've been something, just like -
The sky, he thought bitterly.
"I'll be leaving," he said to Ren. "Thank you. You two boys, come with me."
"That's my son," Ren said, hissingly.
"You can call him your son when you can call yourself a father."
With that, the three of them left.
"How is Kyoya-sama?" Satoshi said once Iemitsu entered the Sawada household.
"He's fine," Iemitsu said blandly. "A few bruises here and there but breathing."
"What?" Satoshi looked like he wanted to bolt out the door and wreak havoc at the police station.
"We have guests," Iemitsu said warningly. "This is Mochida Kensuke and Yamamoto Takeshi."
"Hello," Yamamoto said with a forced grin, recognition flashing in his eyes.
"Hi," Kensuke said off-handedly.
Satoshi retreated back into the kitchen. "Nana-san went out to buy more food with Bianchi-san, Sawada-san, and Lambo-san."
Maya was sitting on a chair, playing a game feverishly on her phone. Her eyes were in deep thought and she didn't look quite into the game as she lost. She sighed and continued to play.
"Hey, what are you playing?" Yamamoto said, peering over her shoulder.
"A game I made," Maya said in a bored tone.
"Really?" Yamamoto stared at her with wide eyes. "You're kidding, right?"
"I'm not in the mood." She glared at him and left.
Iemitsu grabbed her arm firmly. "He said that he's sorry."
Maya blinked at him before sighing.
"He's an idiot," she mumbled, walking into the living room.
Kensuke and Yamamoto stood there awkwardly. Iemitsu smiled at them. "It's fine. Take a seat. We have much to discuss."
They complied, chairs scraping in the tense silence. Iemitsu wheeled himself to the head of the table.
"First things first," he said, taking out his phone. "Get a lawyer."
"I can get someone for you if you'd like, Iemitsu-san," Satoshi said.
Iemitsu shook his head. "I have someone in mind."
He dialed the phone and placed it over his ear. It rang once before it was picked up again.
"Hello?" he said.
"Oh, hello, Iemitsu-san," a bright voice said from the other line.
"Dino, I need a favor."
A/N Thank you for the reviews and favorites! This is what I like to call the "Let's bail Tsuna and Hibari out of jail" Arc. XD
Oh, a word of notice. Someone by the name of CassGoto offered to translate this story into Spanish. If you're interested in reading that, I'll be posting up a link on my profile once it's ready. ^^
I apologize if nothing much really happened in this chapter, but Dino will appear! Haha.
Yeah, Ren's got guts when he's with Hibari. I apologize if there's too many OC's but I don't like to see characters incomplete, meaning that they don't have a story behind their character and personality.
Tomoko's mind frame will be explained in the next chapter actually. We'll see what she has going on with that head of hers. Haha. Other elements will be explained as well much clearly, especially with what Lucy did to Tsuna's eye and his merging with his HDW self. ^^
Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you can!
See you in the next chapter.