A/N:

Having trouble with writer's block. Who said KHRxBNHA is easy to make? Ugh...

Anyway, go on.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tsuna knocked on the door. After he heard a faint 'come in', he twisted the knob and went in. Xanxus looked up from his goblet of wine to see the brunet closing the door behind him.

He studied his nephew. He observed that Tsuna is not skinny anymore, nor looking weak despite the massive strength he possessed. His aura is calm. No killing intent flowing. Eyes are warm, not cold nor lifeless. But his expression is still there; stoic and relaxed.

"What?" Xanxus asked.

Tsuna said nothing, but he shook his head.

Xanxus looked at his goblet and took a sip. Tsuna took a sit on his right and started reading. The older Vongola felt nostalgia wash over his system as he gazed at the young Vongola. They were like this back in those times. Just sitting there, keeping each other company despite the silence they share.

Tsuna flipped a page just as Xanxus took a sip on his wine. He was so engrossed to the book he was reading. And when he looked up, he stared at his sleeping uncle. He gave a small chuckle before returning his attention to his book.

'Old times.'

"Mammon?"

The said mist guardian of Varia looked up to the person who called out her name. She stared at Tsuna's face who sat beside her. "What is it, Tsunayoshi?"

"Can you tell me when is Reborn's birthday?" Tsuna asked with a small smile.

"What for?"

"So I can celebrate it."

Mammon nodded. "It will be pricey."

"I'll pay."

Mammon stared at his face before cooing a 'mou'. "Never mind. I'll make it free."

"Eh? Why?"

"You can use that money to buy some cake for yourself."

"O-Okay. So when?"

"Tomorrow."

Tsuna blinked before his eyes drifted to his left. "Tomorrow huh..."

Mammon stared at him.

"Thank you, Mammon. Here's a chocolate." Tsuna said as he took the lady's hand and put a tab of chocolate there. "Even if it's free, I don't want to go without giving anything."

"Hn..."

Mammon watched as Tsuna got up from his seat and started walking away from her. She brought her gaze down to the chocolate on her hands. It was always like that. Even though the kid was hard to the core back in his miserable days, he always gives Mammon chocolate even though the brunet doesn't know her taste in food. Nevertheless, she still accepts it.

Tsuna looked between Hayato, Lussuria and Bianchi. His original plan was to ask the last two to help him on something. But when Hayato heard it, he couldn't let go of Tsuna without helping him, so the boss let him in.

"Takeshi, Ryohei-nii and Chrome are looking after the kids, right?" Tsuna verified as he tied the knot behind his waist.

"Yes, Juudaime." Hayato answered as he tied his hair.

"I can't really cook, Tsuna." Bianchi informed.

Tsuna smiled. "It's okay. As long as you can give us the things we need and help us on some things, you're fine staying here."

"Besides. The more the merrier." Lussuria sang as he washed his hands. "Ready to make some food?"

"Yes!" Tsuna and Hayato answered in unison.

"Then let's start." Bianchi said.

"Come on." Tsuna urged as he directed Reborn.

"Don't be hasty, Tsuna." Reborn hissed.

"But I'm hungry and I want to eat with you. And I want to eat. And I'm hungry. And-"

"Alright alright." Reborn resigned at the antics, making Tsuna grin.

"Reborn?"

"What?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Favor? What favor?"

"Cook for me tomorrow? Will you?"

Reborn stared at him. "I do it almost everyday in the house, so why do it as a favor now?"

"Hmmm?" Tsuna hummed as he thought. "I missed your cooking."

"Heh." Reborn smirked. "Don't flatter me."

"Am not." Tsuna pouted as they stopped in front of the dining room door. "Anyways, cook for me okay?"

"Yeah. Sure."

Tsuna smiled widely before he opened the doors. Confetties were popped as people greeted them happy birthday. Reborn blinked his eyes twice before staring at the people in front of him. The Varia were pulled in with Tsuna's group. Even Kyouya and Mukuro with Chrome were there. Food is laid on the table with a four layered vanilla birthday cake and a small black cake. Then he turned his head to the brunet beside him.

"I went to Mammon. She told me your birthday when I asked her. Don't worry. It's just a small celebration. Happy birthday, Reborn." Tsuna said with a smile.

"Cheeky." Reborn mumbled.

"Won't want the hitman discover the surprise." Tsuna teased as he motioned him to follow, he did. "Just relax and enjoy the night."

"You didn't bribe them, did you?"

Tsuna mocked a hurt look. "But you taught me how to bribe."

Leon turned into a gun in the hitman's hand. "Tsuna-"

"No!" Tsuna yelped as he ran behind Kyouya. "Just eat already! And it's dinner, so everyone will really come. The black cake is coffee. No need to worry, I'll eat it with you."

Reborn let go of Leon and bridged the chameleon to the table. "Fine."

After eating a proper dinner, they sang Reborn a 'happy birthday' song with candles on top of the cakes. The hitman stared at the brunet when the latter told him to make a wish. He was being treated like a kid, but it also mean that Tsuna wants everyone to experience something every once in a while. So he did wish for something before he blew the candles.

"What did you wish for?" Tsuna asked as they ate Reborn's cake late at night with everyone asleep.

"It's for me to know, and for you to shut up." Reborn answered before sipping his espresso.

Tsuna laughed. "Hmm... Okay."

'I wish Tsuna will always be happy.'

"Salisburry steak?" Reborn repeated as he arranged the foldings of his sleeves.

Tsuna nodded. "Can you do it? I want to eat some."

"Anymore request?"

Tsuna smiled, knowing Reborn already agreed on the steak. "Your soup. That's all."

"O-Kay." Reborn replied, a little reluctant. 'What is the problem, Tsuna?'

Reborn cooked what Tsuna asked him to do. After finishing it and putting it down on the table, he watched the brunet's expression. Tsuna was obviously happy with the smile on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes. But what worried the hitman was the tears in the corner of the child's eyes. It was almost like he was crying for something.

He kept on watching Tsuna as the latter played and talk with his guardian. He was sitting on one of the chairs on the side when he felt a presence join him.

"It's an unusual sight for the greatest hitman to be this interested on something." Belphegor said with his laugh.

"Belphegor." Reborn acknowledged.

"I heard you cooked salisburry steak for Tsunayoshi."

"I did."

"It's his favorite." Reborn looked at Squalo who joined in their conversation. "He made Lussuria cook the same dish when he stayed with us. He cried when he ate the food."

Reborn's brows furrowed. 'Cried? Why?'

"Levi investigated why. He found out that it was his birthday that day."

Reborn looked at Tsuna who's laughter rang in the garden.

"So basically, today is his birthday." Belphegor summed up.

Silence.

"What was he like when he was with you?"

Squalo smirked. "The kid is a demon. Who would attack the Varia with just himself? No weapons, just himself."

"It's a disgrace, but he did beat us. He almost killed Boss, but he was too wounded to continue. We could've killed him there if only boss didn't see Iemitsu in him." Belphegor continued, arms propped on the table. "Tsunayoshi was patched up by Lussuria. The moment he opened his eyes, he didn't talk. Just stayed inside his room. He won't eat even. He was always on the corner, hugging his knees. Whenever one of our men approaches him, they'll receive a glare. The immediate response was to flee."

"Boss got annoyed with the killing intent the brat was emitting so he went to him. But it ended up with a battle. They almost destroyed the mansion, if only I didn't interfere. The sole reason why that shitty boss tried to kill the brat was because the latter wanted to die. Boss got pissed off and tried to educate him."

"We got transferred to another mansion, with him in tow. Like always, he stayed in his room. The only time he went out was when he asked Lussuria to cook him a steak." Belphegor continued. "Could've mistaken the brat as a scaredy-cat with his stuttering."

"When Lussuria told us that he was crying while eating, Levi investigated on his own. He found out that it was the brat's birthday that day. So to compensate, Lussuria made another steak for him when dinner came."

Belphegor laughed. "But I'm grateful to Tsunayoshi. He saved boss when we couldn't. He took down a family by himself when he discovered that boss is his family."

'Of course. He doesn't want to lose another one.' Reborn thought.

"Even Levi bowed down to him."

"The brat is the only one who can sit beside boss without getting thrash talked. Though killing intent was still oozing from him back in those days, he still is the only one who can talk and come near to boss."

"Tsunayoshi!" They all looked up to the source of call. It was Xanxus. "Oi Trash!"

"What is it, Xanxus?" Tsuna asked as he put Lambo to Hayato's lap.

Xanxus just tutted before pivoting. Tsuna jogged towards the Varia leader. But before he went in, he looked at Reborn, Belphegor and Squalo's spot and gave a nod.

"Boss thinks that Tsunayoshi deserves the ring. He needs it more than we do." Squalo confessed. "But I'm not letting that sword brat take the ring from me without a fight."

"Yeah yeah. I guess the his cloud guardian got the whole already. We don't have a cloud anyway." Belphegor said.

"Levi is still considering the cow-brat while Lussuria already gave the ring to that loud one." Squalo sighed. "Why can't be Vongola normal."

Belphegor gave a laugh. "Like you're one to talk."

"Shut up, fake prince."

Reborn shook his head as a fight broke between the two.

Tsuna brushed a hand through his hair. Then he brought his hand to his face and dried the tears that streamed down his face.

One thing he hated was nightmare. Always nightmare. Hearing his scream inside his head, watching himself suffer and feel the pain he experience once again, it's unbearable. And to will himself to wake up from his own dreamscape is something that weakens him. What if he doesn't wake up? What if he died in his sleep because of his nightmare. What if...

Pushing his blanket to the side, he took his jacket on his headrest before stepping down from the bed. He glanced at Reborn's space before looking at the veranda.

"What?" A baritone voice asked, taking him by surprise. "Don't just stare, Tsuna."

"Can't sleep again." Tsuna replied softly.

"Nightmare?"

"A little."

"Like that time?"

"No. It's..." Tsuna hung his head low. "I was... Being experimented."

"Mio dio. Come here, baka." Reborn said as he got up.

Tsuna stood up and walked towards him. He sat down beside Reborn and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry."

"Wake me up whenever that happens. It doesn't matter if it's midnight or two, three."

"I..." Tsuna's eyes teared up. "I'm scared... What if they catch me? W-What if they do it again? W-What if I-I won't be able to escape again?" Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Reborn... I don't want to go."

"No one is telling you to go, Tsuna." Reborn replied as he hugged the brunet by his shoulders. "No one is going to take you away from us."

Tsuna cried in silence. Reborn patted his shoulder in comfort. Then a knock was heard. Reborn gave a small reply before the other side opened it. Hayato, Takeshi, Ryohei, and Lambo entered. Worry itched in their faces. Reborn's brows furrowed mentally then he eyed the brunet who was crying his heart out silently.

He knew Tsuna's bond with his guardians is strong. But he didn't knew it's this strong. To the point that they can feel his pain. Even the skylark and the two mist appeared in the room.

"W-What happened to Juudaime?" Hayato asked worriedly.

"Nightmare." Reborn answered. "Why are you here?"

Takeshi gave a small laugh. "We felt something painful. I thought of Tsuna when I felt it."

Lambo wiggled out of Ryohei's grasp and ran to Tsuna. "Tsuna-nii."

"Sawada is really crying. It's extreme bad dream." Ryohei pointed out.

"What was the dream about? Did he tell you, Reborn?" Takeshi asked as he kneeled in front of Tsuna with Lambo.

"He was back in that base. Being experimented."

All of them tensed up.

"Mukuro-sama." Chrome mumbled as he looked at Mukuro.

"He once told me that his dreams can mean things." Reborn said.

Lambo shook his head. "No..."

"He believes that he'll return there." Hayato deduced.

"Partly." Reborn replied.

"It's extremely okay, Sawada. We won't let them." Ryohei assured.

"Yeah Tsuna." Takeshi seconded as he patted his friend's knee, unconsciously letting of his flame. "No one will hurt you nor take you from us. Mukuro and Hibari-sempai will never allow that."

Mukuro gave a laugh. "Of course I won't. We already suffered enough. We don't need more."

"Hn."

Tsuna opened his eyes and looked at his guardians. "Promise?"

"We promise, Juudaime." Hayato said.

Tsuna smiled. "Thank you, everyone."

Reborn let go of Tsuna. He watched them make the brunet smile and feel at ease. In the end, they all slept in the room with Tsuna in their center while Reborn slept on his bed.

"E-Eh?" Tsuna blurted out. "I understand the cake, but what's the occasion?"

"A belated happy birthday celebration for you and boss!" Lussuria answered.

"O-Oh..." Tsuna said before looking at Xanxus. "Happy birthday, Ojii-san."

"Tsunayoshi." Xanxus growled.

Tsuna laughed. "Okay okay. I'll call you Xanxus-nii."

"Come on Juudaime! Blow your candles!" Hayato urged.

"But we need to eat dinner first." Tsuna pointed out before staring at the cake. "On second thought, we should. I think I need a cake right now."

"Eat cake and I'll never cook a soup." Reborn blackmailed.

Tsuna gaped at him. "But it's your lifelong contract to make one!"

"At home. Not here."

"But..." Tsuna sighed, making the others laugh at him. "This is so not fair."

"Life is unfair, Baka."

"Fine. Let's blow, Hayato."

"Yes!"

Tsuna worriedly stared at Takeshi. The latter just smiled at him. Tsuna sighed, obviously surrendering. This made all the guardians smile and laugh.

Takeshi is going to have a battle against Squalo for the ring of rain guardian. The former accepted the challenge, wanting to know how far can he go, or will he win against the greatest swordsman. So here they are, by the river in the forest.

But what piqued their interest more was Tsuna's worry. When he heard the news, he was adamant to stop the two and go for a negotiation. But the two rains were stubborn just like him, so he has to accept their decision and move on. All day, he wore this worried, nervous expression on his face. He was fidgeting a little, almost wanting to pace. Good thing Takeshi didn't go anywhere else other than Tsuna's side, and calmed down his friend. Even Hayato didn't go away from the two.

When the fight started, Tsuna was biting his lower lip in worry as he watched. Hands clasped together in prayer as others cheer for their companion. He winced when Takeshi took a blow. He almost died when his rain almost severed an eye when Squalo attacked. But he sighed in relief when he won.

"Tsuna! I got the ring!" Takeshi said with a happy smile. "Told you I'll win."

"I had faith." Tsuna answered with a smile. "But that doesn't mean I won't worry, Takeshi. You know that."

The ravenet laughed. "I know."

Tsuna sighed. "Let's go to Lussuria to patch you up."

"Roger boss!"