Nana's Secret
Chapter 25: Summer of Spirits: Part 4
Katekyo Hitman Reborn and its characters belong to Akira Amano
- Reverse harem
- Genderbent Tsunayoshi
Tsunami couldn't swim. Her friends learned about her inability to swim when she first met Haru and had to be saved by Hayato. Tsunami had blamed it on being a bat…but most of her family members could swim…even in bat form. So it was it was just her being typically no-good. She tried to learn, every year she practiced kicking during P.E. She never got the hang of it. Her friends tried to help her out. Haru tried with gentle guidance and encouragement. Takeshi tried to show her they way his dad taught him, which was by making strange sounds that Tsunami didn't understand. Hayato tried to help using mathematical theory and physics! She didn't understand anymore than she did with Takeshi! Ryohei tried to help…but the older teen couldn't swim either and he sunk like a rock!
But Tsunami wasn't going to let not being able to swim stop her from having fun on the beach with her friends! Tsunami was preparing for the trip. She packed her special sunscreen, body-suit and even holy tools, just in case there were any spirits by the sea. Tsunami pauses and turns to the window and was surprised to see a green-haired baby in glasses and a small lab coat on her windowsill. The baby was surprised that she noticed him.
"Incredible," he pushes up his glasses. "So you sensed me."
She notices the pacifier, green in color, and recognizes the signature of an old soul, "You're a….what's that word…um…Arco…Arco…"
"I am an Arcobaleno. My name is Verde."
"Verde? You're the one who sent those assassins to kill me!"
"Don't be ridiculous. I didn't send them to kill you. I've only built suits giving the means for the assassins to do their job. I didn't have any concerns for you…until now. Somehow, you were able to see them. I installed hidden cameras into the suits to observe how the suits work out in the field. You clearly saw them when they were muttering on the telephone pole. At first I believed it to be the power of the first Vongola, his hyper intuition."
"'Hyper intuition'?"
Verde arches a brow, "Reborn hasn't told you about that yet, honestly. Hyper intuition is the ability to sense or predict the movements of your enemies. Sort of an advanced foresight. But that isn't the case. My concern is with your mother, Sawada Nana."
"My mom?"
"After Gokudera Hayato defeated the assassins he tossed them out of the house in front of your mother's feet. Curious thing, what she did. She dragged both men away…and she fed off blood from them. Truly, horrifyingly interesting."
"I'm more into building technological devices. Studying people is annoying and sometimes gross. But I can't ignore how not normal you two are. I want to know…need to know what you are? What you can do and if I can build something to counter your abilities! Reborn had mentioned that you're a priestess in training and have spiritual talents. You will tell me everything I need to know…or I will reveal to the mafia of Sawada Nana's thirst for blood."
Tsunami becomes pale. Her legs give out and she falls onto the bed. This was very bad! Verde knew that her mother was a vampire, or was under the assumption that she was a vampire. For her mother's sake, Tsunami goes through the history of the Tejinaka clan. Verde listens to Tsunami without interrupting. At the end of her discussion, Verde begins asking questions. He confirms that Tsunami and her clan are not vampires. Tsunami explains they are flesh, blood and bone and mortal just like Verde.
"I've decided to branch out and study you, Tsunami. I have already started but there were some questions that I had that couldn't be answered from observing."
Verde digs into his coat pocket and tosses a bottle to Tsunami.
"To show my appreciation of giving me such extensive data, I have noticed that you have issues with UV rays. That's a rare allergen. It's a powerful ointment that might possibly protect you from the rays. You don't have to use it but I'm sure you would like to wear less clothing during the summer days."
Verde turns to jump down the window, "Also, let's not mention this meeting to Reborn."
Tsunami nods and Verde disappears into the night. Tsunami sighs and stares at the bottle in her hand. Verde didn't lie to her but was it safe?
It was a beautiful summer day at the beach. It was full of people with their family and friends enjoying the sun. Bright colored beach balls and inner tubes littered the sands with towels and umbrellas. Hayato and Takeshi had found a spot close to the water and were setting the area up. Takeshi handles the umbrella and Hayato set up the cooler. The girls went to changing rooms to change into their suits. They had finished their set-up when they heard the murmuring and low whistles of men and boys making comments.
"Takeshi-kun! Hayato-kun!"
The boys turn at the sound of Tsunami's voice and they forgot what they were going to say. Tsunami, Haru and Kyoko looked amazing. To their surprise though, Tsunami was wearing less skin than usual and it was burning day light! She wore a half-sleeve black swim shirt with a zipper from the bottom to the top of collar. Her bottoms were an orange bikini with a pink, yellow and white stripe. She didn't even wear her favorite large floppy sun hat! She was exposed to the sun but wasn't in any pain or discomfort.
"Boss! Are…are you okay?" Hayato blushes trying to keep his eyes above her collarbone.
Tsunami had nice legs! They had seen her wear less clothes, but there was something about a girl in a swimsuit with her naked skin exposed to the sun that was making them swelter.
"I'm fine, Hayato. I got new sun screen that's very strong! I love it!"
"Me too!" Takeshi grins.
"Huh?" Tsunami tilts her head, but she sniffs the air and realizes that Takeshi was admiring her.
Hayato elbows Takeshi in the gut. Hard. Ryohei was working at the beach as a lifeguard and had invited his friends to visit. Tsunami had been to this beach when she was younger. One time she had been swept away from the beach. It was terrifying to see the beach get farther and farther away. She started crying. It was a fishermen's boat that spotted her finally. She remembered the captain diving into the ocean and swimming out to get her. He introduced himself as Mizuwari, Takeru. She and her mother were very grateful to the man and to this day she had never forgotten him or his name. She wonders if he was still out there. Ryohei finds and greets the group.
"Thank you for coming!" He yells on top of his lungs. "Welcome to the beach! Let me introduce you to my coworkers."
Ryohei takes them to the lifeguard chair. He introduces Reborn as Master Pao Pao. Tsunami rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
"Hello, Tsunami…you sure are baring your skin to the sun. I don't see rash!"
"Have a new sunscreen! It's amazing!" She beams.
Ryohei points out the senior lifeguards. They were young adults, had dark tan skin and stylish hairstyles. One of them, the leader, had dyed blonde hair. He was holding a small child to his face by the poor kid's shirt with his feet dangling over the sand. They were threatening the boy for dropping an empty can of soda on the beach. The boy promises to clean up, teary-eyed and afraid. He is thrown by the blonde lifeguard onto the sand. Sniffling, the boy picks up the can and runs away. Tsunami had to bite her tongue to keep herself from growling. She couldn't believe that three grown men gang up together to bully a small child. They approach the group and the three bullies immediately noticed the girls. The leader certainly liked what he was seeing from Tsunami. Out of the girls, her bust was larger under the skin-tight shirt.
"Hello, there!" He grins.
"Hi." Tsunami snorts.
Reborn, Hayato and Takeshi knew that Tsunami was unhappy with the man for treating the child so badly. She loved children and was quick to jump to their aid no matter the situation.
"You're my type of girl. How about we take you and your friends out for a tour around the beach."
A tanned hand slinks around her shoulders and touches her shoulder. He points out teen boys, "You guys watch over the beach for us…"
Tsunami throws off the lead lifeguard's hand.
"I'm fine where I am thanks. I want to stay with my friends."
"I want to be with my brother," Kyoko ducks under the arm of her suitor and hides behind Ryohei.
"This beach ain't our responsibility!" Hayato takes Tsunami and places her behind himself and Takeshi.
The leader gets into Hayato's face.
"I'll tell you what…how about we have a swimming challenge. Losers spend the rest of the day as the winner's lackeys."
"They accept!"
The group stare down at Master Pao Pao accepts the challenge for them. They each try to complain but the boxing master stops their protests. It was proposed to be two-on-two. Takeshi and Hayato were against the lead lifeguard and one of his friends. The course was to swim from the beach to the rocky islet that was about over a hundred meters away.
"Please be careful you two!" Tsunami calls to them.
"Of course, Boss!"
"You got it," winks Takeshi.
The lead lifeguard glares at Hayato and Takeshi. The girl he wanted cared too much about them. Takeshi takes the first leg of the race against the lifeguard with the thick dreads. Being a hardcore athlete that trained daily, Takeshi had the edge. He was quick to pull ahead of dread-lock lifeguard. Around the islet he goes around. At the back of the islet several other tanned young men were in waiting. Dread-lock lifeguard returns to the beach. There was no sign of Takeshi!
"Takeshi-kun! What happened to him?" Tsunami strains to spot him.
"Awwww, he got tired once he reached the islet," shrugs the dread-lock.
"That's impossible!"
"Don't worry, Boss! I'll look into it…let's go!"
Blonde lifeguard winks at Tsunami over his shoulder, "You stay put and wait for me sweetie, mwah!"
"Hey, keep your eyes off the Boss!" Hayato snarls.
The second leg begins and Blonde lifeguard and Hayato race across the sand and dove into the sea. They were half-way to the islet when there was a scream from the beach.
"Help! Help me, please! Someone save my daughter!"
Far pass the islet, a little girl in an inner tube had been swept out to sea. She calls for her mother crying in fear. Hayato looks to lifeguard he was racing.
"You're the lifeguard, dammit! Go get her!"
"Pfft, I became a lifeguard to pickup girls, kid, not risk my neck…"
"You bastard!"
"Mooommmy!" wails the girl.
Tsunami's heart went out to the girl. She knew that the girl was terrified. Why wasn't the lifeguard making his way to her! Both Haru and Tsunami shiver. There was a sudden chill that wash over them. Tsunami looks between them and sees a man with a pain-stricken face.
"Suki!"
Tsunami's eyes widen. She recognized this ghost. It was the ghost of the fisherman that had saved her when she was a little girl. He died!?
"That's my Suki! My daughter!"
"Your daughter?!"
Haru and the ghost of the fisherman Mizuwari look at Tsunami.
"Hahi?"
"You…you can see me!?"
Tsunami nods.
"I know you…you saved me when I was small…stay here!"
Tsunami goes there beach spot and digs through her duffle. She pulls out a rosary and returns to the beaches edge.
"I know a way you can save. I can't swim, but you take my body you can use it to save your daughter!"
"Let's do it!"
"Hahi! Tsunami-chan, is there a ghost here?"
Tsunami wraps the rosary around her hand and makes praying hands. She rubs her hands together making the beads clink together. She concentrates on the sound of the beads and says a prayer:
"My mind is clear
My soul is pure
My body is willing
Live again through me
Reveal your wishes through me
Mizuwari, Takeru-san!"
Mizuwari focuses on Tsunami and senses an opening within her. He takes possession of her body immediately and sprints across the beach.
"Hahi! Tsunami-chan!"
"Where are you going? I thought you couldn't swim, Tsunami-chan!" Kyoko calls.
Mizuwari doesn't respond to the girls and makes a beautiful dive in the water. The mother of the stranded child and her mother-in-law watch the girl dive and they couldn't help but recognize the dive. They watch the girl cut through the water like a shark, hand going over hand, treading through the water.
Mizuwari makes it to his daughter. He smiles through Tsunami and strokes her head.
"You okay, little starfish?"
"I'm scared!" she cries.
"I've got you now. We're going back!"
Mizuwari takes Suki back, talking and giving her assurance that they were okay. Seeing the girl save the stranded girl, Blond lifeguard attempts to show that he was doing his job and was going to help the cute girl out. Hayato stops him and pulls him down into the water.
"Oh no you don't, you damn coward!"
Mizuwari and Suki make it to shore. Suki runs to her mother and grandmother. Mizuwari approaches the family and smiles at the mother.
"Oh, thank you so much for saving her!"
"No problem, we can't lose our little starfish!"
The mother and grandmother were stunned.
"What?!"
Mizuwari smiles sadly at his family. He gives Suki, his daughter, one last stroke on her head and leaves Tsunami's body. Tsunami gasps and she staggers on her feet. The possession and swimming over a hundred meters exhausted her body. She closes her eyes and loses consciousness.
Tsunami wakes up on a cot at the first aid station of the beach. With her was Hayato and he yells in relief. From outside, Takeshi, Ryohei and the others rush in. She was caught up with the events after helping Mizuwari save Suki. During the race, the lifeguards were cheating, having their swim club prevent Takeshi from leaving the islet. Takeshi fought back and had helped Hayato when he was attacked from underwater. The three senior lifeguards were fired for leaving their post and when witnesses stated that Blonde lifeguard did nothing while he was in the water. Tsunami was relieved that everyone was safe.
"Sempai…I thought you couldn't swim!" Haru yells. "That beautiful dive! You were like a mermaid, Tsunami-chan!"
Tsunami blushes from the compliment, "Well, it wasn't me…it was a ghost that I allow to possess me. He was the father of that little girl."
The sun was setting and most of the beach populace had gone home. Tsunami walks along the beach search for Mizuwari. She finds him looking out to the sea.
"Mizuwari-san."
"You said that you met me before. Before I died. I think I remember saving a little girl with big hair that out at sea like Suki was. It was you."
Tsunami nods. Mizuwari smiles.
"There was storm. I was out fishing with my crew. I did my best to keep the boat steady but it was a storm, a tsunami. I had them go to the lifeboats as I fought against the waves. They all made it but I stayed with the ship and it capsized. I felt terrible, leaving my family behind, but I wanted to protect my crew. My crew was my family too. So I stayed behind and watch them struggle to live. My grandmother took them in and they were able to live again without me. But, I still worried. Thank god that you were here today…"
"I don't know…I'm sure you would have possessed someone you knew or someone to save your daughter."
"Hah, maybe…I had no idea how to do that until today. But, there's no need. I think I'm ready to rest now. I just don't…"
"I can help you."
"You've already done so much for me!"
"It's no problem. It's my job!" Tsunami beams.
Tsunami has Mizuwari face her and she says a prayer for him. Mizuwari closes his eyes and his body slowly dissolves. He turns into an orb of fire like Toramora and disappears as the sun lowered into the sea.
It was finally Obon and Tsunami could feel both of the worlds of the spirits and of the living merge. The atmosphere was charged with supernatural activity. Nekomasa and the cats felt it as well. They were rowdy and playful. Nekomasa had invited Tsunami and Hayato to a cat party being held on a hill somewhere in Namimori. They politely turned him down wanting to spend Obon with each other and their friends. They thanked him for the nekomata's considerate offer.
Tsunami and her mother were running a stand together dressed in priestess attire, the non-Tejinaka style. The Tejinaka sent them charms to sell. The charms have been made by the Tejinaka for over a hundred years. The clothed charms are handmade and are decorated with intricate embroidery. The Tejinaka have sharp eyes and could embroider in their bats forms. Their charms are very popular for such tiny and detailed designs. Inside the charms strips of paper with blessed prayers and spells. Depending of what blessings are inside, many of the spells work for a long-period of time. The spells do where out and their customers keep coming back. Some members of the family, mostly the younger priests and priestesses in training, are tasked to sell the charms on small trips to the city during the summer. It was the first time Tsunami was tasked to sell Tejinaka charms. She hopes that she could sell them all. Bianchi was taking the kids around the festival. She hadn't seen Reborn. Hayato and Takeshi promised to come by and visit her stand.
"Oh? You're selling, my pet."
"Kyoya-sempai! Good evening!" Tsunami bows to him. "Yes! Would you like a charm?"
Kyoya arches a brow.
"Do I really need one?"
Tsunami wonders about that too. Kyoya probably wouldn't a charm to ward off danger. He welcomed it! Prosperity and good fortune, Kyoya made his own prosperity and didn't believe in fate. Kyoya waits patiently and Tsunami finally picks up a charm that had green fabric and gold leaves and branches.
"How about a charm for health? Nobody can fight sickness. Who knows, it might protect you from cherry blossoms."
Kyoya's brow twitches. He shouldn't be under threat of cherry blossoms…they were out of season. But the charm had a nice color and finely crafted. He decides to humor his pet, he pays for the charm and takes it.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt, thank you, pet."
"Thank you, Kyoya-sempai!" Tsunami's eyes sparkle in delight.
Kyoka smirks and leaves their stand, "Since this is your first year selling, I won't ask for payment."
"Payment?"
Kyoya goes to the stand next door and demands fifty-thousand or he'll destroy his stand. The stand owner pales but little hesitation gives him the money.
'He's extorting money for protection!?' Tsunami was shocked.
"Tsunami-chan!"
Haru and Kyoko were in their summer kimono. They were very lovely and Tsunami complimented on them.
"Hahi! I didn't know you were having a stand! And you're selling charms! Haru would have wanted to help!"
"Oh, I'm sorry Haru, but I didn't want you to work during the festival."
"You should have asked me anyway!" pouts Haru.
"It's too bad though. I would have liked to have seen the fireworks together," said Kyoko.
"Tsunami-chan, if we sell all the charms we could close up early and you can go out with your friends! In fact, your friends could help us. They could promote our charms by wearing them." Said Nana.
The girls look over the charms seeing they were quite beautiful and were amazed when told that they were made by the members of her family.
"I'll take good luck charm for myself," said Kyoko, "And a protection charm for my brother."
"I want a good luck charm too! That pink one is so cute!"
Tsunami thanks them for their purchase and hopes to join them for the fireworks. Hayato and Takeshi arrive at the stand together.
"Good evening, Boss!"
"Hey, Tsu-chan!"
"Hi! Would you like a charm?"
"Wow, these look great!" Takeshi looks over them.
"They're were made by my family," Tsunami smiles proudly.
"Of course! Look at that craftsmanship!" Hayato stares.
"I still have the good luck charm you gave me to protect me from the evil spirit. It helped out me a lot for a bit."
"You do?" Tsunami blinks surprised. "You should get a new one. The spells in each charm don't last forever. They eventually wear with use. That spirit that possessed you was very powerful and the charm probably wore out."
"Haha, okay. I'll take another good luck charm. Can I have the blue one?"
"Boss, I wish to support you in every way! I'll take a charm of every use!"
"H-Hayato there is quite a lot of them for everything!"
"I'll take them! Hey, you should show more of your support! There's a charm for passing exams! You'll need it. You probably use the spell on one test!"
"Oh, good idea!"
"Boys, we thank you for your purchases. Could you do us a favor and wear these charms around. Kyoko-chan and Haru-chan are already out doing same. It could help us a lot!"
"Sure, Sawada-san!" Takeshi nods.
"Sawada-san! We could carry a few around and sell them!"
"Really!?" both Tsunami and Nana were excited.
Nana decides to have the boys carry a few good luck charms. Tsunami suggests that they also sell love charms. Nana winks at her daughter for her good business sense. The boys happily take the charms and promised to bring back the profits and take up more charms to sell. More customers arrived after the girls and boys walked about with the charms. Between slow sales, Tsunami was visited by ghosts that had passed. She even saw Toramora. Visiting ghosts wore traditional white funeral clothes of a robe with a triangle handkerchief tied around their heads. Ghosts find their way to their families by their living families visit their graves and make offerings of their favorite food. After visiting the graves, the families would go straight home leading their deceased family home.
"We did it!" Tsunami cheers.
All the Tejinaka charms were sold! Nana counts the money and places it in a box on top of the stand. There was paper bag on the ground and Nana bends below the stand counter to reach for it. She gives the bag to Tsunami.
"For you, Tsu-chan! Thank you for your hard work! This was sent from home with the charms."
Tsunami takes the bag and opens it. She gasps at what was inside.
"Go change into it and join your friends. Hurry, the fireworks are going to start!"
Tsunami thanks her mother and hurries to the restrooms to change. Nana cleans up while her daughter was gone. While her back was turned a boy walks by with a cap shadowing his face. He casually stalks by the stand and snatches the box. Nana notices a split second too late and the boy was gone, disappearing in the crowd. Tsunami returns in a sky blue kimono finding her mother very upset.
"I'm so, so sorry, Tsu-chan!" Nana cries. "I wasn't paying attention at all and I left the box of money out in the open! It was stolen…and I had heard there was someone going around stealing stand money!"
"Don't worry, mama…I'll get it back! We worked too hard!"
Nana sniffs and nods. Tsunami searches through the festival grounds. Ghosts had seen the thief and were willing to help. One ghost in particular was a female ghost with bright eyes and dark hair in a ponytail.
"Hey, sweetie! I've seen your box! It was carried by a boy in hat! He took it uphill to the shrine up there!"
"Thank you, ma'am!"
"Say, maybe you should get your friends, especially that tall, handsome one!"
"It will be fine! Thank you!"
Tsunami runs to the shrine on the hill. She finally spots the boy going up the stairs. She chases after him and on top of the steps she sees the boy hand the box to a man. The man was Blond lifeguard, or rather the Blonde (former) Lifeguard! He and his two friends from the beach were in front of the shrine. She notices their faces were bruised and battered. It looked like Hayato and Takeshi had done a number on them.
"Well, well, well! Hey, baby, long time no see!"
Perhaps the lady ghost was right, she shouldn't have come alone. Tsunami takes a step back but she was surrounded by the bullying lifeguards' friends. She was so focus on getting back their earnings that she didn't notice their presence at all!
"Hmm, so this box is yours, huh? I might be generous and give it back to you…if you give us a little show!"
The gang licks their lips and leer. The scent of their excitement made her sick. Some yells from the back of the group before the top of the stairs. One of their own was rolling on the ground, holding the back of his head in great pain. Kyoya stood over him with his tonfa out. He flicks a spot of blood off the tonfa.
"I was thought I've found another punk gang in my territory. But even better, I find the pilferers that are impacting our cut of the festival proceeds."
"Pet. Why are you here?"
"They…they stolen money from me!"
"….They stole from you, my pet!" Kyoya's aura grew dangerously high.
Blonde (former) Lifeguard was still confident and snaps his fingers. More members of his gang appear. It looked about over 50 in number. They surround Kyoya, holding clubs, switchblades, bats and other weapons. Blonde (former) Lifeguard yanks Tsunami close to him and forces her to look at him.
"I'm sorry! But it looks like we're going to have to take your friend out! There's no way he'll win!"
"Kyoyo-sempai won't fall easily!"
Kyoya smirks, hearing Tsunami's confidence in him, "Hold on, pet."
"Take him…"
A section of the gang was blown off their feet by two loud ka-booms. Hayato and Takeshi arrived armed with their dynamite and transforming sword.
"Hayato-kun! Takeshi-kun!"
"Tch, is just two more middle school brats! They're nothing!"
Tsunami shivers and the wind picks up. She senses the spiritual energies of the spirits growing around them. At the energy levels rise blue fireballs spark and appear in the air. Everyone sees them.
"What…what's going on!?" The gang was panicking.
"Tsu-chan?!"
"It's the spirits that are celebrating Obon!" Tsunami explains.
"Don't be dumb!" Blonde (former) Lifeguards jerks her arm. "There's no such things as ghosts!"
"How dare you!" one of the fireballs speaks.
The speaking fireball grows and forms into a familiar person Tsunami recognized. Toramora, the boxing Namimori ghost!
"Gooooarr! You leave her alone!"
Another fireball forms revealing itself to be Mizumari. Mizumari smiles at Tsunami.
"I had forgotten that Obon was close. Wasn't expecting to come back to this world so soon!"
Only Tsunami could see all the ghosts' true forms as they take them. Kyoya starts the fight and the boys follow. The ghosts contribute to the fight. They possessed many of the gang members and forced them to fight against each other! The fight ends quickly, leaving Blonde (former) Lifeguard and his two closest associates. They leave Tsunami alone and try to escape but a large army of cats blocked their exit. At the head was Nekomasa. The nekomata's single lime-green eye sparks with glee and he growls lowly. The other cats' eye glow and they stalk towards the three humans.
"Nekomasa-sama!?" Tsunami and Hayato were stunned.
Nekomasa snarls signaling his cats to attack. The former lifeguards are chased down the hill by the cats. Kyoya picks up the box of money and hands it Tsunami.
"Thank you, Kyoya-sempai!"
"Hmph, I will be taking the rest of the stolen money for our activity costs."
Tsunami sighs and doesn't complain. She was happy to get her money back. Kyoya leaves the area going down the stairs, with Kyoko and Haru climbing up.
"You made it Tsunami-chan!" they cheer. "Oh, we love your kimono!"
Tsunami's kimono was decorated by bats that were handling silver threat around their wings, claws and through their fangs. Their eyes were embroidered a subdued red. The silver thread shimmered in the half-moon light. Nekomasa approaches Tsunami and rubs himself around her ankles.
"So you did come?"
"Eh?"
"I told you and my servant, Hayato, that I was throwing a party on the hill. So good of you to come."
"Eh…a talking cat?" asks Kyoko.
"Teehee, he's Tsunami-chan's cat friend!"
"Wow, so good to meet you sir!"
"Of course, Tsunami would befriend a very polite and cute girl."
Kyoko giggles. Tsunami was surprised that Nekomasa would hold a party on the hill they were on. Nekomasa explains that he was put up a barrier to reroute uninvited guests away from the area. The ghosts depart the area to find their families before the fireworks. One of them stays, the lady ghost that told Tsunami where to find the thief.
"Phew, that was a close one~! I told you to wait, sweetie!"
"Yes ma'am I'm sorry. Thank you for helping me." Tsunami bows to her.
The woman ghost looks at Takeshi.
"No problem, I found my Takeshi by the throwing booth, of course. I kept having to tug at his collar to warn him!"
"Your Takeshi?" Tsunami gasps, "You must be his…"
"Tsuna-chan? Are you talking to a ghost?" asks Takeshi.
Tsunami reaches into her kimono and pulls out a talisman. She touches the talisman to the woman's head and she becomes visble to the naked human eye. Takeshi's eyes widen. He stood still as the ghost makes eye contact with him. She tilts her head and looks around herself, but Takeshi was staring directly at her.
"Can you see me?"
Takeshi nods his head. The woman becomes teary-eyed and she covers her mouth but couldn't hide her smile.
"Oh, it's so good to be seen by you, Takeshi! I've always wanted to tell you how proud of you I am."
Takeshi grows the brightest smile Tsunami had ever seen. His own eyes become watery.
"Hi, Mom! It's good to see you too!"
"EHHHH!?" Everyone but Tsunami yell.
Takeshi's mother had visited Takeshi and his father every year during Obon. Takeshi and Tsuyoshi visited her grave, cleaned it. At her shrine in their home they place a plate of her favorite sushi in front of a mini grave tablet. She hadn't missed the opportunity to see her family. Takeshi and his mother sat together and talked until the fireworks started. The cats began to party, dancing on their hind legs. Haru and Kyoko learned a new folk dance from the cats along with I-Pin and Lambo. Tsunami, Hayato and Reborn sat away watching the fireworks from the shrine's steps. Hayato watches Takeshi speaking with his mother. He was very envious of the baseball player. Tsunami reaches for his hand and holds it.
"Hayato-kun?"
"I'm okay. It must be nice to see your mother after she's been dead."
"Did you lose your mother?"
Hayato nods, "Yes. I'm afraid that it would be hard to see her during Obon. She died in Italy, though she was from Japan."
"I see. I'm sorry…um, maybe by next year I could find a way to call her!"
"Really?"
"Yes! I'll work very hard until next Obon to learn how to call a soul from beyond."
Hayato smiles and squeezes her hand, "That is very kind of you, Boss. Thank you."
"Moooooooom!" Takeshi yells.
"What? She's cute!"
Hayato frowns wondering what kind of conversation the mother and son were having. They were looking over in their direction. Mama Yamamoto waves at Tsunami. Takeshi was blushing and rubbing the back of his neck.
"I would love to meet your mother, Hayato-kun!" giggles Tsunami.
"She would like to meet you too, Boss."