Author's note:
Sorry for the late update! Lately I have some errands to do and I'm not sure about this chapter since I'm a bit hurry making it and rather spontaneously while writing it. Sorry if it's boring DX
Waterfall, Namimori Mountain
Lifting his hands and closing his eyes, Hide concentrated. The flames on his forehead and bracers started to flicker. Saki pointed her sky flames coated crossbow to her brother, ready to pull the trigger any second without any hesitation. Saki muttered under her breath, count downing before she pulled the trigger.
1…
2…
…3!
Saki pulled the trigger, sending a single arrow to Hide who just stood still with his hands still on the same position and his flames still flickered. As the arrow only several inches to him, Hide shot his eyes open and caught the arrow with his hands as he froze it, sealing the Dying Will Flame away.
"You did it brother!" Saki exclaimed and approached him. "That's Vongola Primo's technique, Zero Point Breakthrough: First Edition."
Hide looked amazed by the result. "…this technique…is really unexpected…" Hide looked at the frozen arrow. "But I think now I understand…what Vongola Primo tried to achieve for creating this technique. Saki, do you able to use this technique too?"
Saki nodded. "Uncle Reborn taught me with the same training method to master this technique. At first it kind of hard since I'm using middle-range weapon, but now I able to perfectly master it."
Reborn gave the two siblings a punch on their heads. "Don't be so happy yet. There's still one more technique that you need to master that will help you to win the upcoming battle. Though, I praise you for able to using that technique just within three days. Both of you really are Mitsusada's younger siblings…"
Hide scratched the back of his head as he smiled and blushed, so does his younger sister who was smiling sweetly at the compliment from the home-tutor.
"But you still far from Mitsusada especially with that brain capacity of yours and naivety, Hide." Reborn immediately added. Hide's smile quickly turned into scowl and Saki giggled as she felt that she heard a cracking sound from Hide.
"Well, in the end, aren't I as the one who tutor three of you, the best?" Reborn added again proudly. "So you're saying that just to praise yourself!" Hide twitched. "Argh…! Just continue to the next step already!" Hide snapped, his urge to strangle the baby boiling inside him even though he's quick to regain his composure.
"Zero Point Breakthrough: Revised." Reborn said. "It's your father's own version of Zero Point Breakthrough. He created it when he's trying to master Vongola Primo's Zero Point Breakthrough during the battle with Varia for Vongola 10th successor."
"What's the difference between those two techniques?" Hide asked
"First Edition is a technique to seal away Dying Will Flames. Revised is a technique to absorb Dying Will Flames and make it our own."
"Make it our own…?" Hide tilted his head.
"Well, first you have to be in minus state to use this technique and receive your enemy's Dying Will Flames. Let yourself to be hit by their flames."
Hide paled. "Wait a minute! I could've been killed if I just let myself being attacked!" Hide protested.
Reborn uppercut Hide with his leg, making the boy lay on the ground while holding cry of pain. "That's why you have to learn to be in minus state, stupid-Hide." The baby presented Hide with one prize of his kick on the stomach, making the second candidate rolling around while holding his stomach. "Saki, have you learn to be in minus state?" Reborn turned to the younger girl.
Saki shook her head. "No. Not yet. How do I put this? Umm…I just don't understand yet…what kind of condition to be in that state…" Saki replied unsurely.
"Minus state is a state where you have an even emptier dying will than when you're doing nothing. Because of this a part will become empty allowing you to receive the enemy's flame and negate the damage." Reborn explained.
"That's the part that I do not understand."
"I see…" Reborn then noticed that Saki holding her hairclip. The hairclip she had received from Disscordo Lightning Guardian, Azzo Yakumo three days ago. Now that he think about it, ever since that day, Saki seemed cannot focus on her training and asked records of battles seven years ago that took place in Italy. It was like she's bothered by something. She must be still bothered by whether the story about Azzo Yakumo's parents were killed by Vongola was true or not.
"You still wear that hairclip. I take that you like it very much?" Reborn finally say it.
Hide sat up and gave her a look that asking the same question and demanded answer like the baby. Saki sighed in defeat as her touch on her hairclip tightened. "This hairclip is really pretty so I cannot help but to like and wear it. And if you look closely the gem of this hairclip it must be very expensive. I'm not sure it's all right to throw it away…" Saki admitted.
Hide placed a hand on her head. "I know you still bothered by the story. I'm curious too. About his parents were killed by our Family is hard to believe but since your intuition told you that he's not lying…the possibility it really happened is big."
"Grandfather hasn't confirm it was true or not. I'm…a bit uneasy if I meet him again…what if it's true? Then Vongola…we-" Saki frowned.
Reborn presented the two siblings another smack on their head. "Geez, both of you are so pessimist."
"U-Uncle?" Saki stuttered.
"For that reason both of you train hard to become the next Boss, to prevent this from ever happening. Even if the Family was the ones responsible for Azzo Yakumo's parents' death, that doesn't make any of you two a killer. And I don't think you will ever be one." Reborn assured.
"Reborn…" Hide uttered his tutor's name with awe.
But as usual, that awe didn't last long since the baby immediately added and done something that end up getting on Hide's nerve. "Beside, right now, you're still ten years far from becoming the boss and as your great tutor I will accelerate your worth to become boss. After all, I'm the greatest hitman tutor not for nothing." Reborn shot Hide that he barely dodge by a hair.
"In the end you said that just to praise yourself again!"
As Hide started to his one-sided bickering with Reborn, Saki looked at the sky as she remembered Yakumo. Even after what Reborn has said, she was still unsure…
Street, Namimori Town
Saki went home earlier, her older brother collapsed once the training was finished, so Reborn has no choice but to stay until his student is awake. Though, Saki could guess that after several minutes, Reborn will slap her brother several times to forcefully wake him up since Reborn will never miss dinner. The Arcobaleno's stomach comes first than the training.
Saki stopped her track when she saw two familiar people in a flower shop. It was the Rokudo twins. Arisa was holding a bouquet of Nerine masonorum flowers while Ryou was paying. Remembering that two always visiting the cemetery, Saki decided to join them as she pay visit the graves of two people she knew well.
"Arisa-senpai! Ryou-senpai!" Saki called them out. The twins turned to her, and Arisa waved back at her.
"Hi, the younger Sawada." Ryou greeted to the blond girl.
"You two are going to the cemetery, right? Can I go with you too?" Saki asked.
"Sure. We actually want to visit Sawada-san's grave as well. Our mother asked us to." Arisa told the blond girl.
"Chrome-san did?" Saki tilted her head a bit.
"Mother told us that lately everyone have been too busy that they doesn't visit Mitsusada Sawada's grave for a while now. And since tomorrow will be the decisive battle against Disscordo, we should pray for him. We actually tried to call you and Hide about this, but none of you answering your phone." Ryou explained, showing his phone.
"Sorry. Reborn told us to left our phone at home so our training won't be interrupted." Saki apologized. She then felt ashamed of herself. Mitsusada was her older brother, but yet until a while ago she didn't even think to pray for her oldest brother while tomorrow will be the end of the seven years war against Disscordo. What kind of sister she is?
Ryou patted Saki's head, snapping the girl back from her thought.
"Don't punish yourself. Let's just go." Ryou pushed her back so she was between him and Arisa.
"W-wait! I need to buy one more bouquet!" Saki rushed to the flower shop.
"Eh? But we already bought one." Arisa said. Ryou then patted her shoulder, making her looked up and saw her brother shaking his head.
"It's for the other grave." Ryou said.
Namimori Cemetery II, Namimori Town
Saki, Arisa, and Ryou were standing in front of two tombstones, the tombstone on the right, Mitsusada Sawada, and the tombstone on the left, Stella Suzuhara. Saki and Arisa placed a bouquet on each tombstone and then the three prayed for the two souls who are resting in the heaven. Arisa actually wanted to ask who Stella Suzuhara is before praying, but seeing Saki's face, she decided that she ask the question later.
Saki was praying with all her heart. Not only for her brother but also for those who had lost their lives throughout the struggles against the Disscordo. Tomorrow they will end everything. She will give everything she has to achieve victory so there will be no more casualties, so she, her family, and her friends can go back to their happy days…
"Seven years ago, your Family, Vongola, killed my parents during the battle in Italy that took place in Sicily."
The words suddenly came into her mind. It was like a switch. The guilt she had suppressed resurfaced again. Remembering her day with the Lightning Disscordo Guardian made her remembering his past that he had told her. True, she didn't personally kill his parents or anything, but it's still her father's Family that had done it. She couldn't help but feel partly responsible for it. Her mood dropped 180 degree. Feeling tired all of the sudden she decided to buy a hot chocolate to drink.
Saki sighed while staring at her own reflection on the glass of chocolate milk she was holding. She was sitting at a small store nearby, but yet she was still feeling cold. Even after she drank half of the chocolate to warm herself, the cold won't fade away.
"What's with the gloomy aura?"
Saki felt a hand on her head and turned up, meeting Ryou who was carrying a cup of chocolate milk for himself to drink. Instead of answering, Saki looked down again. She sighed again while Ryou took a seat beside her.
"Where is Arisa-senpai?" She finally asked.
"She's still talking with her." Ryou answered, seeping his chocolate milk. "So, what's going on this time? You look like you have a severe case of HSDD."
Saki almost burst out her chocolate milk at the comment. She slapped Ryou's arm as she spat out words not found in any dictionary with her face reddened like an apple. Ryou waited until Saki finally found proper words to tell the exact story and stopped stuttering. Ryou inwardly snickered. She reminded him of Hide whenever he was having a fit. Like brother like sister.
Saki finally gave Ryou the full summary of her 'date' with Yakumo the other day. How she met him, how they spent the day together, and especially how Yakumo told her about his past, which resulting her current state. Ryou, who just heard the whole story only came to one conclusion: Saki and Hide were idiots.
"That's why…I don't know how to face him next time… I can't help but be bothered by the case… I mean…" Saki halted, suddenly feeling hesitant.
"Mean…?" Ryou repeated, waiting for the words to come out.
"If you think realistically, that kind of case is not rare. It happens a lot, innocent bystanders got involved in crossfire and such. If that kind of situation comes…I don't know what should I do. Once life is lost, there's no way to return it… What should I do for the people who lost their loved ones if that happens?"
This is the first time she thought of it. When she first decided to become Vongola Boss and train hard to become stronger, all she thought was only protecting her family and her friends. It was a determination. She is still naïve. She never thought of the cruelty of reality. No, to be precise, she didn't want to think about it out of fear.
She didn't want to face it, so she forced herself not to think about it. The thought about people dying… It always reminded her about her oldest brother's death.
Dizziness. Nauseous in its penetrated her skull, and pounded into her brain as hard as it could. Pain was seething into each and every muscle, bleeding through her body, gripping and crawling over her skin. She gritted her teeth as a wave of nausea rolled over her, then tensed and swallowed the bile back.
A firm hand gripped her shoulder and shook her gently.
"Hey! Breathe! You are hyperventilating!" Ryou have seen these symptoms before. It was when she suddenly collapsed from mental trauma she has at the Japanese sweet festival.
But Saki didn't listen to Ryou. This is what makes it difficult for her trauma to be cured. Once relapsed, she couldn't hear anyone and could only feel the pain that hit throughout her body. She couldn't stop it. When she tried, it only got worse.
"We're here, don't worry." Arisa's voice called and the male illusionist looked up to meet his younger twin sister, smiling assuredly at him.
The female Mist Guardian candidate surrounded the blond girl with her mist flames, to calm her. The blond girl felt herself calm down as her senses and the indigo mist dulled her feelings. Her trembling stopped and she looked on blankly for a few minutes before the light in her eyes returned. Saki shook her head and breathed out, looking at the female illusionist with embarrassment mixed with gratitude.
"Thank you, Arisa-senpai…" Saki said shyly.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you're okay now." Arisa took a seat beside Saki. "I actually overheard your conversation."
"Oh, yeah. Back to the topic," Ryou suddenly head slapped Saki, much to the shock of the two girls. Ryou stood from the couch and placed his right foot on the table right in front of Saki with his arms crossed.
"I'll be straight, you and your brother are pacifistic idiots." Before Saki could react, she was given a pinch on her forehead as Ryou continued.
"This is war. We cannot expect there will be no casualties. Even with the best strategy, there will definitely be sacrifices. Those bearing responsibility can only minimize the sacrifices and not to forget those who died."
Saki frowned, her face showing disagreement with the male illusionist's thought. She could never make sacrifices. She doesn't want anyone, not a single one to die. Is there really no way? Is there really no solution to prevent sacrifices?
"But…we're…people are not just numbers on paper…! That's just not right…" Saki's hand clenched tight. It was like she didn't want Ryou to continue.
Arisa leaned her head on Saki's shoulder and held Saki's hand gently to comfort the upset blond girl. "What you said is completely correct. I also understand your feelings. But… Reality is not ideal. In war, human feelings does not apply, the only thing matters is survive. Surviving means shouldering the burdens of the lives that have lost."
Saki frowned even deeper. The burden of life… She had to admit that Ryou was right about her. She is an idiot. She should have understood the weight of life more than the others. Her mental trauma was the very proof of it. She survived while her oldest brother didn't. She lives while her oldest brother died. By surviving from that dreaded night, she was shouldering her oldest brother's life.
"Words of condolences, sympathy, that will only make those who are left behind grieving even more. Some people may even blame us for the deaths or we blame ourselves. There's nothing we can do for them who lost their loved ones."
Ryou's lips pursed a bit at his own cold tone. His body trembled lightly, probably because of the cold air brought by the ice rink, or maybe because of old memories that stirred in his mind…
XoXoXoXoX
The young Ryou turned his visible eyes at the people who were around the room, surrounding his older brother who was staring at the photograph of the deceased. They all expressed their sympathies for his older brother along the lines of condolences that seemed only to increase his guilt and sadness.
The hands that tightly clenched…
The blood dripping from the palm of his hands…
The sleeves that wet from tears…
Ryou understood what his brother felt. There was nothing he could say to console him. Anything he said won't move his heart, not even an inch. The expression his brother was making only meant one thing…
…He wanted the deceased ones to be by his side…
XoXoXoXoX
"In the end, the only thing we can do is to keep living while remembering them. That way, they keep living in this world as memories." Ryou sighed and placed his foot back. He made a sound of disapproval before leaving without saying anything further, leaving the two girls alone.
"Ryou…" Arisa mused as she watched her brother's retreating figure.
"Both of you really knows this kind of things really well…" Saki commented. Her body seemed to have relaxed compared from a while ago, but Arisa still won't let go of her hand.
"We are children of a mafia criminal after all… Though, Ryou is the one who is at the shortest end of the stick." Arisa stood up and extended her hand for Saki to take, which she did.
"…I never thought that you are this tough, Arisa-senpai… You're…amazing in your own way…" Saki said in a quite blunt manner, making the older girl blushing.
"I-It's not true…! I-I'm, umm, I just said b-based on what M-Mother told me…" Arisa returned to her usual shy-self. It was a very rare occasion of her being praised by someone and it embarrassed her that she didn't know what to say. People other than her family always called her useless or freak.
"I-I'm going to buy some drink! Go to the gate first without me!" Arisa made a run to a nearby store with what it looked like a mach speed while Saki giggled at the older girl's shyness.
Entrance Gate, Namimori Cemetery, Namimori Town
A bitter smile flickered across Ryou's face. And of course, this was all Vongola Boss candidates' fault. He couldn't help it. When he saw Saki's troubled face, Ryou didn't like it one a bit and he, without himself realizing, indirectly conveyed what he feels. Ryou had withdrawn then, filled with frustration and something else. And it was that something else that frustrated him now. He felt it even now. That something else started to take over again, and Ryou would feel that same light, glowing feeling in his heart that had briefly touched him when he realized the two Vongola candidates had given him free reign in their minds.
"Why is it…I allow myself to feel like this…?"
Heaving a sigh, the blue-haired illusionist tilted his back so that he could rest it on the gate… Until…
"Ryou-senpai!"
Ryou sighed silently, turning behind him and saw Saki rushed to him.
"S-sorry! And…thank you…" Saki looked down, not wanting Ryou to see her face. "To be honest, I'm still not completely agreeing about the whole thing you've said. But, I'll try my best from now on to understand it. It'll take times, but I'll do my best. Also,"
Saki looked up and smiled brightly at the illusionist. "It seems you're livelier than that time when we went to Japanese sweet festival. You've grown for the better. I'm glad."
The way Saki smiled reminded him of Arisa's smile whenever she was happy. Oh. So that's it. Seeing Hide made him reminded of himself since like him, Hide is also an older brother. And that automatically made him seeing Saki like his younger twin sister. No, no, that's just not right. Arisa is his number one sister, so how could he see Saki like he see Arisa? Arisa is so much cuter after all. Furthermore…
"Say it once you've become a proper woman. Not only you're short but also you're flat for a middle school student. Are you sure you're actually not an elementary school student?" Ryou placed a hand above Saki's head, emphasizing her height.
Saki instantly blushed. She did like any other girl would do. She punched Ryou on his jaw and rushed out the ice rink, running back home all the while shouting angry retorts at Ryou such as, "Why were you saying the same thing as Yakumo-san?!" or "Why people are so obsessed with sizes?!" and so on…
Ryou rubbed his jaw, twitching at the pain Saki has inflicted, but this soon replaced with small smile. Seeing the girl returned to her normal self somehow made him at ease. Strange, even though her attitude was nothing like his beloved twin sister, yet he felt that Saki and Arisa were somehow similar. No. There's more than that, but he didn't know what was it. But for now…
"That suits her better."
Saki's Room, 2nd Floor, Sawada Residence
Saki hugged her pillow while looking at the hairclip given by Yakumo after he saved her. She replayed in her mind of what happened for the past few days including today, especially several specific words that unconsciously latched within her mind like glue.
"Even if the Family was the ones responsible for Azzo Yakumo's parents' death, that doesn't make any of you two a killer. And I don't think you will ever be one."
"Reality is not ideal. In war, human feelings does not apply, the only thing matters is survive. Surviving means shouldering the burdens of the lives that have lost."
"In the end, the only thing we can do is to keep living while remembering them. That way, they keep living in this world as memories."
"Next time we met, it would be as enemies…huh…" Saki slapped her cheeks before her determined look resurfacing once again.
"Yeah…I won't be holding back if I were to fight you… Yakumo-san!"
Yakumo's Room, Disscordo Hideout, Namimori Town
Yakumo seated up at window bay, looking out of the window, staring at the dark sky filled with crescent moon and stars. He scratched his head, his face showed confusion.
"Weird…why did I suddenly thinking about that shortie?" Yakumo mused, not quite understanding why Saki's face suddenly came into his mind. A while ago he was remembering his past, but then Saki's face suddenly popped out.
"Probably because tomorrow is the promised day." Yakumo thought, remembering that five days have passed. And if Saki was telling the truth, the Vongola will come to this base tomorrow.
"Can't sleep, Azzo?"
Yakumo inwardly felt his heart coming out from his body when he heard the voice. He looked back and was met with Azarel's piercing gaze on him, before smirking slightly.
"The same goes for you, Azarel." Yakumo replied. "Do you have any business with me at this time?"
"Nothing. You didn't close the door, so I was just checking what are you doing." Azarel pointed at the opened door behind them.
"Oh, yeah. I'll do it later." Yakumo said nonchalantly. He personally didn't really care if he slept with door open though.
"Are you reminiscing, Azzo?" The mist guardian suddenly asked.
"…No." Yakumo answered calmly.
"Normal person would bought that lie, but I won't." Azarel quickly said back, seeing through the lightning guardian's lie. "You know, out of all of people that I knew, you are one of two persons whose thought I can't comprehend nor predict."
"And the other person would be?"
"My, the Boss, of course!"
"It was stupid of me to ask."
"Fufufufufu…! Actually, ever since I first met you, I also sense something different from you from the others…" Azarel walked closer to Yakumo and then placed his hand on his shoulder while the latter was looking back at the moon.
"I didn't sense any hatred, feeling indebted, or excitement like other guardians have. Just what is actually your reason for joining this family?"
The room instantly became silent. Even without looking at him, Yakumo could sense Azarel unleashing his mist flames for unknown reason. The flames were making the room's temperature to drop. However, Yakumo remained sitting on his place as if nothing happened. As if he was alone in the room. After for what it feels like eternity, Azarel let go of Yakumo and stepped back.
"But it is not my business. Every person has his own privacy, after all. Buonanotte" With that, Azarel disappeared into mist.
Yakumo sighed tiredly. He walked to his bed and lay there, not minding to close the door like he has said he will. He really can't help but to feel tired whenever he was talking with the mist guardian. Ever since he met the mist guardian, he has this strong feeling that the illusionist was a dreadful man. Shaking his head, Yakumo shifted his head into the pillow as he pondered the illusionist's question once again.
"Why I'm joining, huh…"
XoXoXoXoX
Yakumo's aunt threw a bucket of water to her nephew, making him all wet. "Hey! Do your work well! Hurry up, clean the entire house!"
Yakumo glanced at his aunt emotionlessly, not minding to protest, whining, or cry. Instead, he opted to do what his aunt told him to, leaving the room with broomstick in his hand.
"I actually don't want even want to take you in but I don't have a choice so at least be grateful!" His uncle shouted as Yakumo left, drinking his rum angrily. He huffed, slamming his bottle of rum on the desk till it cracked.
"Geez…this was all because of that younger brother of yours and his wife. I don't care if they want to raise the child of the wife's affair, but don't take him here! It would be shaming our family's name especially in this small town! They should've take him along to the afterlife"
Seeing his husband got agitated, she stood behind him and started to massage his shoulder. "Dear, but if we didn't take care of him, we wouldn't have gotten their moneys. Let's let him here a bit longer, then when the time is ripe, let's get rid of him and make it like it was because of an accident or burglar!"
Cunning smile formed in his face at the idea. "Ahh…now that's a good idea…" He rubbed his chin happily. "That boy is nothing but source of moneys, until we get them all, he's no longer needed."
Unknown to them, Yakumo didn't budge from the front door of the room, eaves dropping the conversation the whole time.
XoXoXoXoX
All those times he had experiences.
The happiness…
The pain…
Everything…
He wanted to understand the lesser aspects of humanity. He wanted to know why the world is filled with people with innate dark intentions and inconsiderate of other people's suffering. He wanted to know why did people keep fighting to live in such a violent world.
"That's the only reason…I'm joining mafia society…"
Hide's Room, 2nd Floor, Sawada Residence, Evening
"I wonder what's wrong with Saki. Ever since she came back, she has been moping in her room and mumbling something that I don't understand. Did something happen during the outing?"
Hide wondered out loud. Ever since his sister came back, she refused to leave the room and won't even come down for dinner. Not only that, she even made strange noises inside the room and just told anybody who knock her door room to leave her alone. Hide didn't know what exactly happened, but he relented anyway. He needs to relax himself and got much rest. After all, tomorrow will be the start of the decisive battle with Disscordo.
He needs to get a hold of himself together. He's not alone. His friends will be there with him. There's no need to worry. Yawning, he looked at clock. It was still eight o'clock, but he decided to sleep early.
XoXoXoXoX
"It won't hurt to sleep early." Hide closed his eyes as he drifted to sleep.
He spotted someone kneeling near the bench. Hide tilted his head in confusion when the person didn't look well. He approached the person closely, looking at him worriedly.
"Umm…mister, are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asked in concern.
The man had long grey hair, wearing blue vest with a cross-like design lined in white and a gray coat. When the man turned to him, he revealed his cold pairs of purple eyes and a tattoo that said Dhuos 02 around his neck.
XoXoXoXoX
Hide abruptly awoke. His eyes wide open and he sat up. Without him noticing, a cold sweat formed on his face and dropped. His body trembling at the dream, no, the memory, he just remembered. He covered part of his face before he ran a hand through his hair, frustration pounding at his head. His mind casted back to the lean, longhaired Italian and a flash of uneasiness and fear rushed through him.
Neither his feature nor the Dhuos 02 tattoo means anything to him.
But those purple eyes that was staring with his golden ones.
He had seen those eyes before.
Even though his hair was longer and there were no tattoo all over his face aside from the tattoo around his neck, Hide is positive who he was…
"…Azarel…Mehitos…?"
