OMG! I'm so sorry! I think this is the latest update ever!D: How could it be any other way, I had tests to write and study for, so I really didn't have any time to write anything. But finally, an update is here! So please, finally enjoy this...:D
Tsunayoshi was sitting in his wooden throne in the meeting hall. Despite his rather small and feminine appearance, he emitted an aura that demanded utmost respect and allegiance. His guardians were standing before him, heads held high and their eyes solemnly directed at their leader. All of them were clad in dark black suits, contributed by white undershirts and the obligatory black tie. Tsunayoshi though wore a white suit, with an additional cape thrown over his shoulder, fastened at the front with a strap bearing the Vongola crest.
Reborn was standing to the left side of Tsuna's throne, looking impassive as ever and observing the group of people before him. On the right side of Tsuna, the Ninth stood, his face a mask of neutral acceptance.
''It's finally time. Now that I have gathered all of my guardians, there is no need to waste any more time. I'm prepared for what I am destined to do. So I will ask all of you now and please answer me in all honesty. I swear that I will not judge you or look at you any different than I do now. So answer me: will you swear on your life to protect me from whatever harm might befall me and my family in the future? Will you swear on your life to accept my decisions and act in terms that would never harm this family? Will you swear on your life to devote all that you are to this family and accept it as your own? Speak up, loud and clear for everyone to hear, Gokudera Hayato!''
Gokudera took a step forward and knelt down before Tsuna, his right arm placed over his heart. He looked Tsuna in the eyes, a fire burning within the green depth.
''I swear this, Juudaime. I will protect you with everything that I am, even at the cost of my own life. I am your right-hand-man, your guardian and most of all: your friend. Like a storm riling up the endless blue sky, I will defend you from every disturbance that might veil or stain your radiance. With this, I, Gokudera Hayato, accept you Tsunayoshi Sawada, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and for all time to come.''
With that Gokudera ignited his stormy, red flame. Tsunayoshi's look softened and nodded at his strom guardian. The grey-haired boy stood up and regained his position he was in before.
''Answer me, Yamamoto Takeshi!''
Yamamoto fell into the same pose that Gokudera had been in before and focused his russet eyes on Tsuna.
''I swear this, Tsuna. I will be your faithful follower to aid you in every way. I am the rain that will cry your every tear, so that your smile can remain forever. With this, I, Yamamoto Takeshi, accept you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and for all time to come.
And again, Yamamoto let his clear blue flame spark, showing his devotion.
With a nod, Tsuna released his rain guardian, who stepped back into line.
''Answer me, Ryohei Sasagawa!''
Ryohei mimicked Yamamoto's previous position and smiled at Tsuna.
''I swear this to the extreme, Tsuna! I will follow you wherever you go, and fight every challenge thrown my way for you. I am the sun that will give you your light back, whenever darkness tries to overcome your heart. With this, I, Ryohei Sasagawa, accept you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and all time to come.''
A yellow, radiant flame danced on his sun guardian's right hand.
Ryohei stepped back after Tsuna nodded in approval.
''Answer me, Lambo!''
Lambo stepped in front of Tsuna and did his usual 'gyahahahah', but still put his right hand over his heart.
''I swear this, Tsuna-nii. I am your shield to prevent whatever harm you might come in contact with. Like lightning and thunder I will destroy all enemies with ferocious accuracy. With this, I, Lambo, accept you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and all time to come.''
A green, lively flame sparked and Lambo went back to his place in the line.
Tsunayoshi felt his throat become tight with all the emotions that raced through him. He would have never thought that he would find people in his life that would lay their trust and life in his hands. Reborn, feeling Tsuna's inner turmoil, placed his big, warm hand on Tsuna's slender shoulder. Tsuna was thankful for that ounce of comfort and continued.
''Answer me, Hibari Kyouya!''
With fast, determined strides, the prefect stood before Tsuna. He placed his right hand over his heart, but refrained from kneeling down.
''I swear this, omnivore. I will be your shadow, tracing your every step. I will be the restriction, whenever you are out of line to make sure, that you never lose this kindness in your heart. Like a cloud, I will accept the sky as my home. I will cover it, when need is be. I, Hibari Kyouya, accept you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and all time to come.''
A strong, defiant purple flame ignited from Hibari's ring. Tsuna nodded; silently relived that Hibari wasn't threating him.
Hibari went back to his place and crossed his arms over his chest.
''Answer me, Rokudo Mukuro!''
Mukuro knelt down before Tsuna, one hand over his heart and winked, causing Tsuna to sweat-drop.
''I swear this, little rabbit. I am your companion, loyal for all eternity. You gave the earth-bound mist a place in your wide sky, embracing it with open arms, where before no one cared. Like mist I will create illusions for you, to lighten up your mood and let anyone fall into my traps, when they try to come near you. I, Rokudo Mukuro, accept you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola family. I am yours for now and all time to come.''
Another, fiercer blue flame sparked and Tsuna nodded.
When Mukuro reclaimed his place, Tsuna stood up from his seat, locking eyes with every one of his guardians. And then, he smiled. All the previous tension was suddenly lifted, leaving only warmth and comfort behind. The guardians felt their hearts throb when they saw the happiness and kindness in their leader's smile, reinforcing them, that they had made the right decision.
''Strom, rain, sun, lightning, cloud and mist: I accept you as my guardians. I swear this to all of you. I will be the sky that envelops all, giving them a place to call their own, accepting them and keeping them safe. I will cast away all your worries, I will put yourselves before me, without delay, I will be your friend in every way, if you'll have me. Thank you for being with me, for being so strong for me. I will give my life to all of you. I am yours, for now and all time to come.''
Tears welt up in Tsuna's eyes, flowing down his cheeks. But his smile lasted during his whole speech, only gaining radiance. The guardian's hearts fluttered. And suddenly Tsuna found himself being surrounded by his friends.
''Everything will be alright, Tsuna.''
''I will be here for you, Tenth!''
''Why are you crying, omnivore? Do you want to be a herbivore again?''
''Don't worry, Tsuna , to the extreme!''
''Gyahahahaha…stupid Tsuna-nii! Here, you can have my candy!''
''Aww, do you want me to kiss your tears away, little rabbit?''
Tsuna felt his heart soar. How could he ever deserve these kind people? He was just, 'dame-Tsuna', nothing special..and yet…these people had faith in him. They trusted him and wanted to be with him.
''T-Thank y-you SO much!*sob*…a-all of y-you*sob*''
And then he felt himself being enveloped by strong arms and pulled back into a firm, warm chest.
''Dame-Tsuna, stop your whining. Or do you want me to shoot you again?''
Tsuna chuckled at the typical threat and returned the hug in putting his hands on Reborn's. Suddenly the older man leaned forward and licked the wet trails of tears away from the brunette's round cheeks, causing the other to blush in embarrassment. Gokudera was furious at seeing his beloved Tenth being held by Reborn, but he knew he couldn't go against the hitman. Lambo, Ryohei and Yamamoto were just standing there, smiling, while Hibari and Mukuro stared at the two with envious glares.
Tsuna squirmed in Reborn's embrace. His guardians knew about his relationship with the older hitman, but it was still kinda embarrassing for the young Vongola decimo to be so open about their public affections.
''Little Tsunayoshi.''
Tsuna turned around at the familiar voice and came face to face with the Ninth.
''I have made an arrangement with Xanxus, regarding the battle that has to take place to determine your position in this family. Other rival families will also be there. This tournament will decide your fate, Tsunayoshi. I have seen the devotion of your guardians and you know that I have placed all my trust in you. I didn't want to put this pressure on your shoulders, believe me, but I do not have another choice. I will recognize you, Sawada Tsunayoshi, as the rightful leader of the Vongola, if you win the oncoming battle. I don't want to lie to you, so please, listen to me: the other candidate families will stop at nothing to kill you and those important to you, so please, please be careful. I'm sorry for putting you through this, little Tsuna…so sorry. I hope you can one day find it in your heart to forgive me.''
The Ninth had knelt down in front of Tsuna during his speech, his head held low and eyes closed. Suddenly the old man felt warm arms envelop him, and a small body pressed to his chest.
''It's alright, Noni. I have already forgiven you. You had no choice and you don't know how thankful I am to you. If you hadn't shown me the kindness of a leader, the strength of love and the devotion to fight for the ones you love the most, I wouldn't have met my most precious people. I can only be thankful to you, Noni. I love you grandpa, no matter how the battle will turn out.''
The Ninth felt tears flow down his cheeks and a sob escaped his dry lips. With trembling fingers, the old man embraced the small boy before him as tight as he could and pressed his cheek against the brunette's.
''Thank you, little Tsuna. Thank you so much.''
After some minutes, the two separated with smiles adoring both of their faces. And then Tsuna turned around, facing his family.
''Tomorrow everything will begin or everything will end. We all know our fate, so let us fight this battle with the passion and the devotion of the Vongola family. Let us show the world, who we are and teach them our ways. And after this, we will renew this world of useless blood-spilling and hate. We will change them, show them what can be done without taking lives and then, we will bring peace to the world once again.''
well...that was the chapter...0.0