Author's Notes: Okay, so this chapter is going to jump around a little. I do apologize in advance for anyone who happens to get confused. Hopefully it's not too bad, though. Also, this chapter is unedited. I apologize in advance for any mistakes!

x x x

Chapter 33: Facing The Consequences. . .

No. There had to be a mistake. Not his Enma. There were plenty of men with red hair in this world! But...his power. And the way his flame had stirred on that last day. Also, Enma had called him Vongola Decimo. But Enma had been so kind and gentle. There was no animosity at all. Of course, at the time, Enma hadn't really known him, he supposed. And that paper—the paper!

Folding the letter, he quickly tucked it back into the journal before closing it and moving off of the bed. He needed to see that paper again! He was sure it was still in his garbage can from the last day that Enma had visited him. He was just about to leave the clinic when he found himself stopping. Would he be allowed to leave? Surely! He wasn't a prisoner! And yet...something told him it wouldn't be that easy. Not without going through Reborn and Xanxus. He didn't have time for that, though. He wanted—no, needed to know. Now! Chewing on his bottom lip, he thought about his options.

He could try to just walk out, but he was sure there were eyes everywhere keeping track of his movements. Although, maybe he was just being paranoid. Maybe he really could just walk right out the front door. After all, this was for Vongola. It's not like he was trying to run away or anything. And his wound was doing okay—oh! Looking down at his side he was reminded of how he once again needed a clean pair of clothes. Thinking quick, he decided he would shower and change first. He could use that time to see how the household treated him and go from there.

Decided, he left the clinic only to pause once more in the hallway. Was his room where it had been? Or maybe they had cleaned it out like they had Rino's. He couldn't deny that that thought had him feeling a bit of sadness. Shaking it off, he decided that if he no longer had a room he could just go to Gokudera's and borrow clothes from him. He could then bring back clothes from Hibari's house once he made it there. Journal pressed to the front of his chest, he continued on his way.

No one seemed to pay him any attention. Of course, that could be because there seemed to be no one around to begin with. Which was a little odd but he didn't let it bother him. Maybe they were off doing something else. Which kind of made sense, especially if Xanxus brought all of Varia with him.

Making it to the room that had once been, and hopefully still was, his, he took in the double doors for a minute before reaching out for the right side. Testing it, he was happy to see that it remained unlocked. Pushing gently, he opened the door slowly before stepping inside. A small smile found his lips when he took in that the room looked the same as when he had last left it. It had been tidied up from the clothes he remembered having left on the floor and the bed had been made, but that was it. It was the same.

Relief, in more ways than one, washed over him. Stepping fully into the room, he closed the door quietly behind him before walking over to his bed. Looking at the journal in his hand, he tied it shut with the leather cord before placing it underneath his pillow. With the journal safe for now, he made his way over to his bathroom where he stripped the moment he had the lights on. Stepping into the shower, he turned it on hot and quickly washed the day's grime, blood, and sweat from his body.

In a way it felt so normal and repetitive, yet it was so new and different. Taking a shower, here and now, was completely different from when he had last taken a shower here. Even though everything about the motions of it was the same. It was the same, yet he was so different.

Sighing at his thoughts, he quickly finished his shower and got out. Finding a clean towel, he made to dry his face only to pause at the smell. He was so used to Hibari's that this was utterly foreign, now, and slightly unappealing. Catching his thoughts, he shook them away before quickly drying and finding clothes. Once dressed, he took one more look around his room before leaving it and making his way to where the garages lay. When he found no one, he figured he would be able to leave without trouble after all. Something that made him feel more at ease.

Safely making outside, he found himself running to the garages, only stopping as his heart nearly jumped from his chest when someone called his name. Eyes widening, he turned to see that it was Dino. With Hibari and Kusakabe. His heart rose at the sight of Hibari, only to sink a moment later when the older man purposefully looked away from him.

"Tsuna? What are you doing?" Dino asked lightly, seeming to take in how he was dressed to for travel.

"I..." He didn't know what to say. He didn't really want to explain—and he didn't have to. It wasn't Dino's place to question him. "I don't answer to you, Dino."

It felt awful to say. Yet he couldn't shake the memories of the older man and Hibari together. Intimately. Dino looked a bit taken aback at those words, frowning a second later.

"Tsuna, I don't think—" The blonde tried, a small bite of annoyance in his tone, until he was cut off.

"Last I checked, you weren't my boss." From there his eyes moved to where Hibari was standing. He had to talk to him, but not now. Although, he could use some company. And it wouldn't be bad to get him away from Dino. "Are you busy?"

When he was ignored he felt his anger rise, still completely lost as to why Hibari was so angry with him in the first place. But it didn't matter right now. He had things he needed to do and if Hibari was going to be like that, then fine. It hurt, but fine! Rolling his eyes, he walked past the three and into the garage. He ignored how Dino seemed to follow him and went straight to where his motorbike was parked. He could tell his brother didn't approve of his actions, but he didn't care. He was just starting to roll his bike out when Hibari seemed to finally decided he could be graced with his attention.

"Where are you going?" Hibari asked, eyes on his bike.

He returned the answer with an annoyed look before replying with a short, "I'm going home for a bit, if that's okay with you."

"But—!" Dino started to protest until Hibari caught his attention, walking toward where he stood with his bike. "Kyouya?"

He couldn't help feeling some pride in that his new Cloud guardian seemed to have understood what he meant. Even if he didn't look too happy with his tone. Well, that made two of them, then, didn't it?

"Tsuna, you can't just leave!" Dino yelled at him, confused yet with a demanding edge. "Reborn said that—"

"Move, Dino." Was his only reply as he swung a leg over his bike, straddling it. He stared his fellow boss down as he felt Hibari climb on behind him. When the blonde looked like he had no intention of doing so, he turned his bike on and revved the engine in warning.

When Dino didn't look like he was going to budge, both men were surprised when Kusakabe stepped in. He grabbed the Italian around the waist and hauled him off to the side, much to the Bucking Bronco's rage. Tsuna gave him a nod of thanks before taking off into the winter chill.

xXx

"I finally found you."

Steel blue eyes opened slowly at that voice as Hibari came to conclusion that there was no solitude whatsoever to be had in this house. Not even here, as high up as he could go on the top floor, on a ledge of a rather impressive two-story window where his only companions, until now, had been some potted plants that were taking in the afternoon sunshine.

Patience wearing dangerously thin, he looked down at down at where Dino now stood before answering with a curt, "What?"

Dino was quiet for a moment before answering lightly. "Tsuna's awake and he's on the mend. I thought you'd like to know...given your relationship."

Hibari merely arched a brow after a moment's silence. "Is that all?"

Those words confused Dino. The relationship of the two, it was a relationship. Yet he was acting—were they fighting? He knew how Hibari could be in a fight and it wasn't pleasant in the least. "Is everything okay?"

"Leave it, Dino." Was the response he got, the annoyance clear.

But...

"Kyouya, you can't." Dino sighed, running a hand through his hair. Today had been a long one and the fights still weren't over it would seem. With Xanxus and the dinner lying in wait, this one between Hibari and Tsuna was unneeded. Also, it would not be tolerated. "You can't continue to treat Tsuna the way you are. I don't know why you're angry, maybe it's even justified, but you can't be you about it. His family won't stand for it."

Those words made Hibari snort. "They are all weak."

Dino rolled his eyes then frowned as it hit him that the new Cloud guardian wasn't taking this seriously. He had accepted, or so he had said, but really? Their versions of acceptance could be two totally different things. This was not good. "Kyouya, you don't understand! His family won't stand for it. And, yes. You're strong. Probably stronger than each of them—individually. But they won't come at you one on one. They are a unit. And even if you were to, somehow, defeat all of them...there is still Reborn. If a man ever held a devil in his pocket, that would be Vongola with Reborn."

He could see he had caught Hibari's attention with those words. Good.

"Reborn, with the other Arcobaleno, are on a whole different level, Kyouya. And if it comes down to it, Reborn will step in." He warned further, crossing his arms over his chest. "Whatever you two are fighting about, just get over it!"

That seemed to set Hibari off. In a very rare burst of uncontrolled emotion.

"It's not that easy!" Was snapped back at him as Hibari jumped down from his ledge and stalked toward him in fury. "He lied to me!"

A shiver tingled up his spine in warning as he was backed into a wall, the enraged man advancing on him. "I'm sure he didn't mean—"

"Don't defend him! Don't defend his intentions when you have no idea! How could you know? You didn't even know he was alive!" The words were venomous and stung. "That whole time, all lies! And even if there was truth in there, how am I to know? How can I trust anything? His words, his actions—all to protect himself!"

"Tsuna wouldn't—" He tried to defend still, only to hiss in pain when he was shoved back against the wall roughly, an angry fist twisted at the neck of his shirt.

"What do you know?! What do you know of a man who abandoned you! Is that how you treat someone you love? Someone you call family? Is that the path of a leader?" Hibari spat at him before throwing him to the floor.

Fear spiked in his chest until something from the corner of his eye caught his attention. It promised safety, but things could get ugly if he didn't show there was no real threat. At least he hoped there was no real threat. "Reborn, it's okay."

Hibari tensed a little at those words, brows furrowing, before he slowly turned to take in the man stepping from the shadows as he lowered his gun. Once again, critical eyes were on him as the other man took him in silently. When had he gotten there? How had he not sensed him?

"Distraction." Reborn finally stated calmly, gun away, as he made it to where Dino lay.

"Distraction?" Dino asked in confusion as he accepted the hands up that was offered to him by the hitman.

Reborn kept his eyes on Hibari. "You are a distraction for Tsuna and that will end. Yes, your position of Cloud is different from the rest as you are free to stand alone but you are still subject to the rules laid down. No exceptions. If Tsuna is to continue, he needs to be focused on what lies ahead. Your reservations have no place here."

At Hibari's glare at the reprimand, Reborn glared right back.

"Unrest with Tsuna will lead to unrest with the others. I will not have you fighting among yourselves. All problems will be dealt with accordingly." The hitman warned lowly. "Figure out whatever it is that you need to figure out on your own. Before that, however, you're invited to a family dinner. I expect a full attendance."

Words said, he turned to leave.

He watched him go, fists clenched at his side. He breathed quietly until his anger was in check before turning to where Dino still stood, watching him thoughtfully. "I want to leave."

"Kyouya, you—" Dino started before catching himself and sighing lightly. "Come on."

He followed the blonde as he led the way to wherever he was taking him, thinking about the words just said to him. He was just about to ask about the mentioned dinner when a text chimed in from Kusakabe, talking about this dinner as well. "Where are we going?"

"To the garages." Dino answered simply.

Replying to the text, he told Kusakabe to meet them there before slipping his phone away. A distraction. He could say the same. And maybe that man was right. Maybe he needed to free himself from his own distractions as well.

xXx

"Gokudera, calm down!" Yamamoto sighed in exasperation, catching the bomber by the arm. "Look, all in all, I think this dinner will be good. Everyone can air everything out and we can all move on. I think Tsuna needs this. It will be good for him."

Those words actually had Gokudera thinking about what was said instead of just replying with whatever angry retort popped into his head.

"Fine! But it should have been Juudaime's decision! And not thrust at him if he's not ready!" Gokudera stated passionately, tugging his arm free.

He nodded along before carefully adding, "But maybe Tsuna needed this decided for him. That way he couldn't allow himself to keep backing out."

"He—" Gokudera started to protest, only to catch himself. He could tell the bomber reluctantly agreed with what he said after some thought. "Maybe."

"Also, all this stress isn't good for you. What good are you to Tsuna, or anyone, if you push yourself too much and worry about things unnecessarily?" He pushed to add, now that it seemed the storm had ebbed.

"What do you care?!" Was snapped back, a gut reaction, as sage eyes glared at him.

A small smile fell over his lips before he replied with a gentle and honest, "I love you."

It wasn't really how he had planned to present those words, especially after the first time he had said it, yet it also felt like it was now or never. Gokudera had given him the opening he needed. A small moment in time where he'd actually hear the words and not just brush them off as an offhand reply. It was an answer to a question that he had asked. He had no doubt that he had heard them either. Not with the way absolute, and slightly comical, surprise fell over his features.

The surprise didn't last forever, though. Soon a scowl had replaced it, followed by angry words. Luckily he was prepared for such a reaction.

"D...Don't play with me, bastard!" Gokudera yelled, face red, as he tried to throw a punch at him.

He was able to catch it, sliding his hand from a pale fist to a pale wrist, gripping it tightly and tugging the shorter man into his chest. "I promise I'm not. I love you."

Before any more protests could be made, he tangled his hand in silvery locks and pulled him into a kiss. He released it when there was a struggle after a few seconds, not wanting to upset him by pushing too hard. Instead he pulled him into a hug.

"Since the end of high school, Gokudera. Since that night, after Tsuna fell asleep, when you were just mine." He confessed. When he felt the bomber might protest once again, he pulled back and quickly pressed another kiss. He held it until Gokudera managed to push him away, meeting his gaze with guarded and stormy eyes.

He wanted to know what he was thinking, but wasn't given a chance when someone's cell phone suddenly went off. Both checked, only for it to be Gokudera's.

"What?!" The bomber snapped down the line, voice a little shaky. "Wait—wha...what do you mean he just left?!"

Yamamoto felt his heart sink a little at those words. Tsuna. Looked like Gokudera wouldn't be calming down any time soon. Nor would he be getting a response to his confession.

xXx

"Gokudera, calm down. I don't mean it like that." Dino sighed lowly, rubbing his forehead tiredly. "It's nothing to worry about, I'm sure. I just wanted to let you know in case Reborn goes looking for him."

Kusakabe listen distantly to the conversation as he thought about what he had been told. Dino had relayed Reborn's conversation with Hibari as they rode out to Hibari's place, since they were both pretty sure that's where the two were headed, before asking what he himself thought of the relationship between the two. He didn't reply, though. He felt it wasn't Dino's place to ask and it wasn't his to answer.

He was worried, though. For both of them. He could kind of see where that Reborn guy was coming from. Hibari was stubborn and the kid seemed to have a lot on his plate at the moment. He wanted them to get past this, but he didn't see how that was going to happen at this moment in time. Distracted from his thoughts when the car came to a stop, he turned to Dino to see the older man was staring out the window.

"Are you coming?" He asked when he made to get out and Dino didn't follow.

"No." Dino replied lightly, giving him a small, sad smile.

He nodded his understanding before getting out and walking up to the building. He made it to the second floor and was just about to go to the familiar unit when he noticed that the stairs to the roof were pulled down and the hatch was open. Curious, he climbed up. He found Hibari here, which wasn't surprising, though a little concerning. Usually Hibari came here for an escape. What was he trying to escape from now?

"Kyou-san?" He called out, not liking the conflicted expression on the younger man's face.

Hibari glanced at him before straightening his stance. He didn't reply, though, just walked toward him before walking past him to the roof entrance and going down. Confused, he followed him as his boss went into his apartment and to Tsuna's room.

Tsuna jumped at their entrance, slowly getting up from where he sat in a small pile of garbage. "Kyouya..."

"I'm done with you." Hibari stated firmly, staring the shorter man down.

Tsuna tensed at those words as his heart sunk into his stomach. What? This couldn't be happening. "Done...? Kyou—I don't understand! I don't understand why you're mad or what's—c-can't we talk about this?"

"I don't want to talk. It's not going to change anything, we need to separate." Hibari stated firmly before turning to leave the room.

"Kyouya!" He called out, hurt and slightly desperate to stop this all from happening. "Y-You...you said we should never be apart!"

Hibari paused in his steps at those words before replying with an annoyed, "I can't escape you fast enough."

"Kyou—" He started to call out again, only to be stopped by Kusakabe's hand on his shoulder. A small shake of the head from the older man had him finally accepting defeat as his heart broke in a whole new and even more painful way. He watched Hibari disappear from sight before tears started stinging his eyes.

Why?

Strong arms pulling him into a warm embrace had the dam of hurt and confusion breaking. As he was squeezed tightly, everything came out.

"This might be for the best, Tuna. For now." Kusakabe spoke softly, voice sympathetic. "Let him work out what he needs to work out and you focus on you. This is...this is a lot. This revelation is huge. Everything you are, what we thought you were...it's a lot."

He found himself with embarrassing hiccups from trying to stop his crying as he took those words in. Was this too much? But Hibari always seemed so...but that wasn't fair. To just expect him to accept everything. And he did have a lot going on on his end. But couldn't they just talk about it? Did they really have to break up? He needed Hibari, by his side. Maybe he was being too selfish. For the best, huh? That's right. He had to start doing what was for the best. But...

"But I love him." He confessed on a broken whisper before pulling away. He was just wiping his eyes when he was startled by his cell phone going off. Jumpy, he quickly answered it and found himself wincing when Reborn's threatening voice sounded from the other end. He was warned on how he had better be at the family dinner before the other line went dead. Shuddering mentally, he shot a glance at his friend before looking away. "I'm going to head back, Kabe-san."

After all, he had found what he needed. Now there were things to do: like find the family that was out to destroy his.

xXx

Hibari growled to himself, trying to shake the sound of Tsuna's crying from his mind. He hated this. He was angry at him and yet the pain in his chest crippled him. He could feel Tsuna's flame calling out for his. His distress had his own flame wanting to protect. Which was a bit pointless if he was the one causing the distress.

He hated Tsuna for reducing him to this. But he had done as the hitman wanted. They were both now free from their distractions and yet Tsuna was still on his mind. But with his trust shaken and not knowing who that man was anymore, he was unwilling to blindly accept that their relationship could continue as it had before.

He hated that he actually cared whether it should continue or not. Not that he should anymore. Because it wasn't. And yet...he was still connected. Gaze falling to the ring he now wore, he centered his flame until it bloomed to life. This strength. This calling. He had accepted and now he would learn what he could lose. Depending on the answer, he had no trouble changing his mind.

xXx

"That man, will he be a problem?"

Dino looked up at those words, quietly closing the book he had open on his lap. "A problem?"

When the hitman before him didn't bother to further explain, he sighed and thought about the question for a moment.

"No. At least, not really. You just have to know how to handle him. He's very set in his ways, but he's open to negotiation. You just have to know which lines not to cross. I know that it sounds complicated, but really it's quite simple." He carefully explained as he thought back to his many dealings with Hibari over the years.

Reborn hummed lightly before giving him a calculating look. "Where did you find him?"

He couldn't help the sudden hesitation to answer that built up in his chest at that question, at the way it sounded a bit accusing. A thought that had crossed his mind a few times since discovering Tsuna alive flitted through his mind once more. "Namimori..."

"Namimori?" Reborn repeated, not sounding surprised in the least.

Now guilt started to gnaw at him. "The school. I went to look at it before Tsuna attended and found Kyouya."

"I see." The hitman replied softly.

"But I didn't know—" Dino started, in an attempt to defend what he had done, but Reborn quickly shut him down.

"You interfered, Dino, intentional or not." Reborn told him bluntly, gaze unwavering. "That man was to be Vongola, yet you took him. You interfered with the part he had to play and the growth of Tsuna's famiglia together. You interfered with the bonding needed for them to learn how to respect one another. Most of them are agreeable enough but the two troublemakers will make this more tedious than need be at a time where that is unacceptable."

"I'm sorry." He winced as those words cut into him sharply. He really didn't know what else to say.

"Sorry is not going to make Mukuro behave or so easily accepting to a newcomer who can prove stronger than him and sorry is not going to make Gokudera back off if he feels he can't trust that man with Tsuna." Reborn cut in harshly before adding, "Sorry won't make Tsuna forgive you so easily."

He tensed at those words, eyes moving to meet the hitman's with surprise. He knew about that?

"You took what belongs to him. Worse, you came into his own house and took it. And now there are feelings involved." Now Reborn sounded annoyed. "Now there is a strain on your brotherhood!"

He tried to respond, with that he didn't know, but Reborn held up a hand and shook his head.

"Don't. Those are just things I want you to think about. And when Tsuna comes to you to assert his dominance, don't be too surprised. And leave that man alone, Dino. You've interfered enough and anymore will be seen as intentional. As I've said before, problems will be dealt with accordingly."

xXx

Hibari had been quiet ever since the kid had left. Dino, apparently, had left when Tsuna did and now it was just...quiet. Even Hibird had remained silent, sitting with his master while sleeping on and off. It was a little worrying to see the other man so still. Of course, with how the day had went so far he really couldn't blame him. Looking at the clock, he noted that it was getting later and that they should probably head back but he wasn't sure if it was something he should bring up yet or just wait and see what the other wanted to do.

Sighing, he moved to the kitchen and made tea to give himself something to do. Once finished, he poured a cup for his boss and moved to bring it to him only to pause in the hall when he spotted the pained expression of the other man's face.

'But I love him.'

So the kid wasn't the only one hurting over this. That was promising.

"Kyou-san, I have tea." He called out to announce his presence so the younger man had time to collect himself.

Surprisingly, for the first time it would seem, Hibari didn't bother to censor himself. The pained expression eased from his face, but he didn't become emotionless.

"Thank you, Kusakabe." Hibari spoke lightly, accepting the tea but not drinking from it as he looked off to some imaginary place.

He watched Hibari for a moment, wondering if he should try to get the man to talk before deciding, that yes. It should be okay. If he didn't want to, he'd back off but if he could use all the years of trust he had built up to get him to confess what he was feeling...why not try? But how to start? He couldn't use Hibari's feelings in a way that may make the other feel like it was against him. And he couldn't use Tsuna's because he didn't want him to feel like he was siding with one or the other.

Maybe if he stated a fact from a general point of view?

"He's so young." He commented lightly while looking down into his own tea cup. And really. It was true. When he felt Hibari's gaze on him, he continued, "Tsuna is only twenty-one and all that responsibility must be a little tough."

Hibari didn't respond in any way other than his posture became a little more rigid. Feeling it was safe to continue, though, he tried to do so.

"I feel bad for the way things ended between the two of you. The kid is crushed and you..."He found himself trailing off when words he had not meant to say came out anyway. He shot a glance at the other man while taking a sip of his tea.

Hibari looked annoyed.

The silence grew around them once more as he tried to figure out what to say next, feeling that he couldn't just end like that. Hibari, however, took care of that.

"He lied to me." He said lightly, glaring down into his own cup of tea.

He opened his mouth only to pause, wondering if it was safe to ask what he wanted to. To Hibari it was probably glaringly obvious, but to everyone else, Tsuna included, it wasn't.

"Forgive me, Kyou-san, but lied...how?" He asked carefully, trying to be obvious in his genuine confusion. He tensed at the icy look he was given.

"About everything!" Hibari sounded exasperated as he slammed his tea down on the coffee table, which startled Hibird into flight.

He winced slightly at the sound, shrinking back a little when the other man got to his feet but otherwise stood his ground.

"Who he is and where he came from! What happened to his so-called family! That power he hid! The way he hid!" Hibari growled out, pacing in agitation. "Everything we built here—how can I trust any of that to be what I thought it was when he isn't? Those lies he told and how he only tried to protect himself!"

He frowned. He could see Hibari's point. Although, he truly believed that it wasn't all lies. And he knew Tsuna hadn't done it maliciously. But he could see why Hibari thought that Tsuna had intentions of doing so. He didn't know the story but hopefully, if ever told, it would be satisfactory. That misunderstood things would be resolved. That Hibari and Tsuna could, one day, recover and start again with what they could have had.

"You have a point, Kyou-san." He told him, nodding his head slowly before sighing lightly. "But I also think that it's not that simple on Tsuna's side either. Hopefully he'll share his side and we can see."

Hibari didn't respond aggressively to his words, but he didn't look ready to accept that Tsuna wasn't the villain yet. That could be considered a good sign...maybe. Glancing at the time once more, he was about to point it out when the sound of a cell phone going off distracted him.

It was from Hibari's, who glanced at his phone before rolling his eyes.

"This man." Hibari muttered under his breath before looking to him. "The hitman wants us to be ready for this dinner in one hour."

"Okay?" He wasn't really sure what to say. Should he agree that this was a good idea, which he did, but he wouldn't mention that if Hibari didn't want to go.

A thoughtful frown fell over Hibari's face before a small smirk met his lips.

"Get ready." The younger man said lightly before leaving the room.

xXx

"Gokudera? Is something wrong?" Tsuna asked gently as he finished drying his hair from his third shower that day, eyes following the distracted movements of his best friend.

"I'm fine!" The bomber snapped at him, causing him to tense, before paling and dropping the tie he had just picked out. Dropping to his knees, he bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Juudaime!"

He stared, confused, before sighing and moving to sit on his bed. "Hayato, come here."

Gokudera twitched a little at the name used, but quickly did as requested by getting to his feet and moving to sit next to him on the bed. He looked over the face of his long time friend before smiling gently.

"Really, you worry too much. Tonight...will be fine." He hoped. He really, really hoped that was true.

Gokudera opened his mouth, probably to protest, only to then close it and look away. What got his attention, though, was the small blush that bloomed on his friend's cheeks. Well. Maybe his guardian wasn't worried about tonight.

"Gokudera?" He called softly, touching a warm hand. "Please, tell me what's bothering you."

His friend remained silent for a moment before bursting out with, "It's that damn sword idiot and the stupid things he says!"

He watched Gokudera jump to his feet and start pacing after he said those words. "Like?"

Gokudera blushed more before shaking his head and growling. "That he loves me, the bastard! S-Since high school! But I—I only love you, Juudaime!"

Frowning when his friend turned to him, dropping back to his knees before him, he started to reach out before stopping himself. "Gokudera, I...you don't love me. I think you're—"

"I do, I swear!" The bomber tried to insist, reaching out and gripping his knees tightly.

He felt his heart clench at the earnest expression on the other face. "No, you don't. That's not love! I love Kyou—"

"You can't tell me what I feel!" Gokudera ground out, hurt twisting his features as he sat back.

He couldn't help looking away at those words. There was truth in that. It wasn't fair. Maybe...

"You're right. I'm sorry." He apologized lightly before looking back into sage eyes. "Maybe you do love me, in your own way. But Gokudera, I don't think you're in love with me. And as for Yamamoto...I don't think you should just brush off what he says in the same you don't want me to. I can see he really does care about you, loves you even."

"But I—"

"I'm not saying you have to love him back!" He was quick to add, hoping to settle the other man down before he could work himself up again. "I'm not saying that at all, but please...actually take a look at your feelings before brushing him off. You two have been through a lot together. There could be more than friendship, which is okay."

He was happy when Gokudera actually took that into consideration.

"Please actually think about it. Or talk to him about it." He added softly, looking from his friend to his lap. "I didn't get that chance with Kyouya. Everything changed so fast and happened so quickly...I can see how it was too much for him. And then the dynamics to our relationship changed, which probably left him feeling a little out of his depth."

He tried to swallow around the sudden ache in his throat that almost had tears forming again. He hated this feeling. He could tell his friend was about to reach out to him before a buzz from his cell phone caught his attention.

Gokudera sighed, reading the text, before putting his phone away and retrieving the tie he had dropped. "We need to finish getting you ready."

Unable to help the watery laugh at those words, he sighed. "You're always taking care of me."

Those words were shrugged off. "It's my job."

That made his heart clench because no. No, it wasn't.

"No." His voice cracked on the words as a hazy memory of Gokudera's name being called out that day of the attack...

"Juudaime?" The concerned tone made him want to scream.

"No! No, that's not your job!" He yelled, jumping to his feet. The bomber seemed a little startled and confused. "You're my consigliere! You counsel! It's not your job to take care of me!"

"I only meant—" Gokudera tried to soothe but he cut him off.

"You have to stop, Hayato. You can't keep thinking I'm your responsibility. I need you as my right-hand and that's all. For my sanity, and yours, please...please. I can't keep worrying about you worrying about me. As we move forward I—" He was cut off as he was pulled into a tight hug. He sank into the embrace, hugging back just as tight.

"I understand." Was whispered against his ear before the taller man pulled back. They shared a small smile before Gokudera became serious. "We need to hurry. You should be one of the first to arrive. Usually you can arrive later, but seeing as this dinner is about, well, your return..."

Looking at the time, he nearly panicked when he saw how late it was getting. He really didn't want to get shot again!

xXx

"I hope you're not planning to cause trouble." Reborn stated casually as he took in the Varia leader, said man overseeing the rest of his group. It was almost time.

Xanxus didn't reply.

"I'm serious." The hitman warned while crossing his arms.

That got him a glare before the Varia leader snorted. "I make no promises. If trash needs taking out, we'll clean up where necessary."

With that, Xanxus called his group to attention before leaving to head to the dining room.

xXx

It only took once glance around the room for Tsuna to know that he had never been in this one before. It was huge! When he pointed this out to Gokudera, the other arched a brow before reminding him that Reborn had said all were to attend. Which made Tsuna stop short in their trek to the head of the large marble dining table.

"A-All?! B-But—there are so many!" He stuttered, trying to understand even as Gokudera placed a hand on his back and gently pushed to keep him moving.

"Well, not all all, but the most important to the actual famiglia." The other explained to him as they made it to their destination. "And that's just for who is all here."

He looked down the large dining hall once more and frowned lightly, not understanding something. "But...why? Why so many people? For what purpose?"

Before Gokudera could answer, Reborn appeared and made his way toward them, looking as serious as ever. "They're here to decide if they feel you are still fit to lead this family or not."

Tsuna found himself stunned at those words, his jaw dropping slightly. Wait. What? Looking to Gokudera for further explanation, he was even more stunned when his friend would not meet his eyes. "But..."

Reborn paused in whatever it was that he was doing, arching a brow at him. "Do you really think you could just come back as if nothing had happened?"

He didn't know how to reply to that.

Not that it mattered. He wasn't even given a chance as Reborn glanced at a clock hanging to their left before calling out that it was time. Taking him by the arm, the older man led him to the chair before making him sit. Then he made him turn the chair so that his back was to the rest of the room.

"Reborn? What—" He tried to ask what was going on, but the hitman told him to be silent. He didn't bother to argue.

It was only another minute before he could hear the rest of his guardians enter. He listened as Reborn directed them where to sit. Then Varia. They were the last seated at the dining table. Everyone else merely stood as they came in, according to importance to the family. It felt like forever but couldn't have been more than ten or fifteen minutes. Once everyone seemed to be here, Reborn called them all to silence before thanking them for attending on such short notice.

He told them how there were important matters to discuss and a very important decision to be made. This statement had questioning mutters rising among the members of the family. Most seemed to be on whether they were choosing a new boss suddenly.

With a smirk, Reborn answered those mutters with, "Something like that."

That got some of the muttering to stop.

"It seems our Sky has returned to us." Reborn stated casually, a hand still on Tsuna's chair as he slowly spun it to face the table once more. There were collected gasps and muttered confusion all around. Xanxus's anger floated down the table to him from where he sat, down at the other end.

The chair opposite of his was still empty, presumably left for Reborn. To his right, naturally, was Gokudera. To left, his heart jumped, was Hibari. Next to Hibari was Lambo then Ryohei. Seated to the right of Gokudera was Yamamoto then Chrome and Mukuro. Then Varia, with Xanxus seated to the right of the empty chair.

"And now all of you must decide..." Reborn continued with once he got silence to fall over the room once more. "Whether or not you feel he is still fit to lead."

Tsuna twitched at those words and the mutters that followed while a feeling of unease crept over him.

-Chapter 33 End-

x x x

Author's Notes 2: You guys! And your responses! They are so awesome! Thank you! ;_; -hearts-

So. Another chapter complete. I'm not really sure what to say about it. Other then I feel for Tsuna and his long-not-so-good-actually-pretty-awful-bad-day. Well, at least he has nowhere to go, now, but up. ;)

I hope that those who wanted to know Hibari's thoughts/ the reason he thinks Tsuna lied to him are now more satisfied. And aww, we got Reborn laying down the law. Go Reborn!

Dino. Poor Dino. A fight between him and Tsuna lies in store. Along with a fun fight for Hibari. Next chapter, actually!

But first? The dinner, continued!

x x x

NEXT CHAPTER: The Vongola Sky

"No." Xanxus said lowly, a devious smirk falling over the Varia leader's lips. "The trash will face us...alone."

A battle for the rings? Alone?!