~.~.~

Title: Ayakashi

Arc 5: Arcobaleno Trial

~.~.~

Chapter 129 Precious people

Of course, Tsuna wasn't the only one worried about Reborn. He wasn't even the only one realize something wasn't right, though the world's greatest hitman would have been horrified if he knew how much his self-control had slipped.

The looks he would send them sometimes, the way Reborn by turns pushed them harder than ever and then indulged them in all kinds or nonsense… Even Reborn couldn't hide the ugly direction his thoughts were taking as the appointed time drew closer.

So Tsuna wasn't precisely surprised when Bianchi cornered him at the lunch table one afternoon and said bluntly, "Reborn has been acting strange lately. What do you know about it?"

Reborn wasn't the only one, of course. Ipin's master Fon, who had come to spend time with his student, Colonnello, who had stopped by to see Ryohei, and even Varia's Mammon, the last time they had seen him… All of them were showing the subtle signs of strain.

Tsuna carefully swallowed the bite he had taken out of his sandwich, using the time to think.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you," he finally replied, settling on equal bluntness. "I'm not supposed to know either, and if Reborn realized anyone knew…"

"It's that dangerous?" Bianchi said, her eyes narrowing. It wasn't as if she and Dino had never asked questions about Reborn's situation and about the Arcobaleno, but Reborn had always refused to answer and all other venues of inquiry had led from one infuriating dead end to another.

"Yeah," Tsuna muttered. "Getting involved in this… Reborn would definitely not allow it. But we're working on it. I promise, we'll take care of it. Leave it to us."

"Lambo's in on this too?" she guessed, having noticed the boy's unusual resolve and dedication to something he insisted on hiding from her for the last while.

Tsuna nodded. "I didn't want to drag him into it, but we need the full set," he admitted. Tsuna hesitated for a moment, then added, "It'll be soon, you know? And when it's time… please look after Mom, Fuuta and Ipin. Just keep them out of danger, okay?"

His Guardians would be accompanying him, but with this the rest of his family would be safe. Tsuna knew Ryohei, sharing his concerns, had once again sent Kyoko out of town with her friend Haru, and Yamamoto had given some excuse to his father as well.

Chrome would be joining the evacuation, with her own part to play, but Tsuna imagined Mukuro had given a very similar talk about guarding her to Ken and Chikusa.

Their release from Vendicare was theoretically Mukuro's requirement for his cooperation, which Tsuna had insisted was absolutely necessary for his plan to succeed. The Vindice had conveyed a certain degree of doubt regarding that — not Mukuro's necessity, but rather that he would refuse otherwise — but they had still been reeling somewhat from the sheer magnitude and insanity of Tsuna's plan, and had wisely decided not to concern themselves with minor details.

Sighing, Bianchi smiled faintly. "Alright. But I expect a full success. And… bring them back, that brat and my brother."

"I will," Tsuna promised. "We'll all come back. And Reborn will take it out of my hide for hiding things from him and doing something so stupid and dangerous."

When he found out the full extent of whet Tsuna had been hiding, Reborn's reaction was bound to be nothing short of apocalyptic. Honestly, the thought was scary enough to make Tsuna almost wish for failure…

~.~.~

Chapter 130 A special place

"Welcome to Namimori, Grandpa," Tsuna greeted the Ninth cheerfully. "How was the trip?"

"Oh, it was fine," Nono said easily. "Quite peaceful."

Xanxus snorted, from his position in the corner of the hotel room, serving as the Ninth's bodyguard.

"There was a minor incident with a rival famiglia, the Carcassa," Nono admitted, his lips twitching, "but the Varia took care of it handily. Your suggestion to have them accompany me worked out rather well."

Xanxus muttered something about incompetence, inwardly already coming up with measures to track down and deal with whoever had leaked the Ninth's travel plans to such a third rate little famiglia.

'Good. That accounts for Mammon and Skull,' thought Tsuna, the responsible one in question. 'If Mukuro's contacts come through, that'll be all of them…'

"If it's the Varia, I knew you'd be safe," Tsuna said instead. Indeed, he had been counting on Xanxus's power to keep Nono safe, despite slipping the Carcassa — and the Arcobaleno who worked for them — information about the Vongola boss's movements.

"But as much as I enjoy visiting Japan, I think there was a specific reason you asked me to come, isn't there?" Nono said, smiling kindly. The sheer amount of good will the old man had for his successor still bemused Tsuna, and also made him feel increasingly guilty for keeping Nono in the dark and using him, to a certain extent.

"Right," Tsuna said awkwardly, wiping his sweaty palms against his shorts. He took a deep breath and met Nono's gaze squarely. "I want to borrow Vongola's power."

Nono's smile only widened, and Tsuna didn't dare to look away to check Xanxus's reaction.

"Um… You probably heard, right? That there's going to be a major earthquake here," Tsuna went on. "The government issued a warning, but I want to be sure that everyone in the town is really safe. That's why I want Vongola to help with the evacuations, just before the appointed time, and to look after the townspeople until after the earthquake passes."

"I did hear about that warning," Nono said thoughtfully, "but it seems you believe it will be much more serious than was announced."

"I'm not sure how bad it will be. It could be just a tremor, or Namimori might leveled completely. But I want to be sure that as few people are hurt as possible," Tsuna said firmly.

"Evacuating one small town and watching over the citizens for a short while is certainly within Vongola's power, and if it is the Decimo's wish, then it will be done," Nono acquiesced. However, his gaze was considering and almost knowing. "But for you to ask me here in person, does that mean you will not be directing Vongola's efforts yourself?"

It didn't sound like an accusation, the tone far too mild, but Tsuna still found himself fidgeting nervously.

"There's… something I need to do at the same time?" he said, ending in a question.

Nono watched him for a moment longer, then nodded, still smiling. "I will take care of it."

Relieved, Tsuna beamed. "Hibari's Disciplinary Committee can give you the details," he said.

However, before the meeting could adjourn, Xanxus put in the last word. "Didn't know earthquakes could be predicted to the day and hour," he commented sourly. His considering look was notably more fierce, and Tsuna twitched a little.

"Namimori is a special place," he replied evasively. He knew they would assume that it was an ayakashi thing, somehow allowing for a more accurate prediction. In truth, he knew when it would occur because they would be the ones causing the event.

At least there probably would really be an earthquake. Among other things.

~.~.~

Chapter 131 A limit to coincidence

"Tsunayoshi has really grown, hasn't he?" Nono all but beamed at Reborn when they finally met up, a little later.

As promised, Kusakabe from the Disciplinary Committee had delivered all the information regarding the evacuation — the routes, the rosters, the safe evacuation sites beyond the borders of the town. It seemed that the Committee had everything worked out; they were just a bit short on manpower.

When he was more young and optimistic, Timoteo had wanted to use Vongola's resources to help with disaster relief. Of course, it never happened, both from his own fear of the curse his mother had warned him about and from the pressure of his advisors.

But now, he had the chance to help truly turn Vongola around. It was quite invigorating.

Of course, Nono knew Tsuna was hiding something from him. It was obvious. Fortunately, Nono found it charming, adorable really. A lifetime in the mafia had warped his perceptions somewhat.

"I think it's past time to hold the official Inheritance Ceremony," Nono continued. "What do you think about a week after Tsunayoshi's next birthday? He'll be sixteen — a good age."

"If you think he's so ready, why not a week from now?" Reborn snorted.

The thoughtful silence that followed made him look up. He had been half-heartedly baiting Nono, but considering the possibility of it was not what had the old man so thoughtful.

No matter his current appearance, Reborn was old, experienced and talented to start with. So sometimes he forgot that there were some even more experienced and just as talented. Timoteo had already been Vongola's boss when Reborn was a wet behind the ears newbie, and his calculating gaze said all too clearly that he read the meaning behind Reborn's seemingly throwaway, needling comment.

It was like he had read Reborn's mind, and the thoughts hidden there — do it sooner, I want to see it, by October I won't be here anymore.

It really was annoying, Reborn admitted to himself. He almost felt bad about doing it so often to others.

"It's that close?" Nono asked finally, his tone pensive.

Reborn nodded slowly. "I knew it was coming," he admitted, "and now we're all gathering here — Colonnello and Fon coming to see their students, Viper coming with you, that idiot Skull attacking with the Carcassa, and even Verde is in the area for some reason… It can't be just a coincidence. It must be that man."

Checkerface, the one who monitored and controlled the Arcobaleno Pacifiers.

Who else would have reason to gather the Arcobaleno like this?

Nono sighed, an old and weary sound. He had lost many friends, over his many years, and at some point, he stopped fighting the inevitability of it. Still, the ache never quite went away.

"Then I suppose it might be for the best that we'll be evacuating the town shortly," he said.

He and Reborn exchanged a long look.

There was a limit to coincidence. That earthquake prediction had to come from somewhere, and they shared the same thought about its source.

'So that'll be the day?' Reborn thought. 'As good as any I suppose.'

But somehow, he couldn't help but feel as if something didn't quite add up.

~.~.~