DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Katekyo Hitman Reborn or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it!
CLAIMER: I OWN the craziness of my Self-Inserted Gary-Stue. Beware!
WARNING: This is a SLASH/MALExMALE/YAOI fan-fiction. If you do NOT like same-sex relationships, then this story is NOT for you. The reborn/self-inserted character may be a Gary-Stue. This story is also FAST-PACED.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm not very good at writing fight scenes. I'm atrocious at it actually. It was a little touch and go for a while, but I don't think I could do it any better than what I did…*sighs* Oh well, enjoy.
P.S.: Two chapters in as many days? Oh. My. Gods.
-Chapter 13-
"Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday." – Wilma Rudolph
Darkness fell over the onsen, the half moon casting soft glows of light to mingle with the growing shadows of the night. In a child sized futon near the center of the room, Fuuta slept heavily with a look of content on his soft features. Across from the sleeping child and in the single adult futon lay Tsuna and Kyoya, both relaxed and partially dozing with the brunette held close by his skylark.
"A new year of school will be starting soon," Tsuna whispered, muffling a yawn in the groove of Kyoya's arm as the brunette snuggled closer.
Kyoya's arm tightened around Tsuna's waist.
"Have you decided which school you'll be going to for your final years?" Tsuna asked, his fingers drawing lazy patterns along Kyoya's yukata covered chest.
"Aa," Kyoya sounded. "Home school."
"Eh?" Tsuna voiced, leaning up to peer down at his skylark. "So you'll still be patrolling Namimori?"
Kyoya smirked, his steel gaze flashing from a ray of moonlight that shone through the room when a cloud moved out of the way. Tsuna shuddered to think of all the chaos the raven would be up to and all of the students who held high hopes of not having to be bitten to death by the trigger-haired skylark.
"They'll be disappointed," Tsuna stated, his lips twitching upwards in a grin.
Kyoya's smirk sharpened.
"And you?"
Amber orbs brightened and a soft, breathy chuckle left the mousy haired brunette. It was all the answer Kyoya needed and he leaned up to meet Tsuna's lips with an unspoken promise.
-KHR-
Savoring a bite of takoyaki, I continued my slow gate around the surprisingly sparse Namimori shopping district with Tsuna right beside me. With one arm looped through mine, Tsuna took another bite of his matcha green tea ice cream and caramelized banana crepe with chocolate drizzle. Just ahead of us were Gokudera, Yamamoto and Sasagawa snacking on their own chosen foods with the silver haired bomber throwing non-subtle glances over his shoulder to make sure his Juudaime was still alive and breathing.
"Sorry about them," Tsuna voiced quietly after swallowing another bite of his sweet treat.
"Hn."
I was still annoyed that those three herbivores crashed our date. It was supposed to be a couple of hours spent with each other without interruption. Tsuna had wanted to see a new action movie that came out a few weeks ago and had been unable to go with all of the training Reborn had put them through. There was also a new bakery that had opened within the shopping district not at all far from the cinema Tsuna had mentioned in passing during our visit at the onsen.
'Damn infant. I know he was the one to tell that silver herbivore,' I thought bitterly, biting a takoyaki ball with a little more force than was strictly necessary.
A soft laugh had me glance down at Tsuna. Seeing his amused amber orbs peering up at me and attempting to hide his smile behind his crepe, I felt my annoyance dissipate. That lasted for all of five seconds as I glared over my shoulder at those trailing behind us. Reborn, with a knowing glint in his dark orbs, sat on Dino's shoulder. Not far behind that clumsy fool were his men.
"Che," I snapped under my breath, before biting the last takoyaki ball and throwing the small container away in the trash.
"VOOOIIII!"
Everyone seemed to pause as one at the strange shout and watched as a sandy blonde haired, blue eyed teen hopped over a stone wall and landed safely in a crouch with a box held close to his chest. Not even seconds later the new arrival began sprinting as whoever was behind the teen appeared just as quickly. Long waist length straight white hair and black leather from collar to boots marked the individual chasing the blonde in an obvious way.
'Superbi Squalo, a member of Vongola's elite independent assassination squad,' I mused, not taking my eyes off of the long haired sword wielder swiping dangerously close to the blonde teen's head.
"Kyoya-kun, we have to do something," Tsuna started, his grip on my arm tightening as he watched the game of cat and mouse.
Knowing who the blonde with blue fire blazing on his forehead was and who he was associated with, I was slightly hesitant in doing anything.
"Hn, the omnivore will be fine," I voiced, beginning to walk away and casually steering Tsuna with me.
There was some resistance and I was met with pursed lips and a raised brow from my mousy haired brunette. We stood staring at one another, neither one of us budging as the fight continued nearby. The corner of Tsuna's mouth began to curve downward and his brows began to furrow as he stared up at me. A muffled cry sounded from the blonde as the blue fire burnt out and Tsuna released his grip on my arm. He took a step away with something close to disappointment dulling his amber gaze and something clenched inside my chest knowing that that look was aimed at me.
Withholding a sigh of defeat, I glanced over to see Squalo raising his sword to strike a killing blow to Basil. Unsheathing one of my collapsible tonfas, I threw it before Tsuna could intervene. Steel clashed and the blow of my tonfa knocked Squalo's blade off course, causing it to strike cement and giving Basil the chance to roll out of the way.
"Voi! Don't get in my way!" Squalo shouted with annoyance, narrowing his light grey eyes in mine and Tsuna's direction.
It was then Gokudera, Yamamoto, and Sasagawa went on the offensive in an attempt to assist the blonde stranger.
"Wao," I murmured as the three were quickly defeated one right after the other.
Basil remained crouched with one knee resting on the ground, his breath coming in harsh pants as he winced from one of Squalo's previous blows. Sharing a glance with Tsuna and knowing he would not leave the matter alone, I gave a barely noticeable nod. Together we rushed Varia's Sword Emperor.
-KHR-
'Damn shark,' I thought with a hidden wince, a smirk taking over my lips as excitement ran through me at the challenge.
A line of blood trailed down the right side of my face from where my tonfa deflected Squalo's blade from a deadly strike, the force still enough to leave a cut deep enough to scar. Next to me stood a less bloody Tsuna; with me having blocked most of the sword attacks for the brunette to land an attack of his own.
"Are you okay, Kyoya-kun?" Tsuna asked, his amber orbs bright and focused solely on the irritated Varia member.
Instead of answering, I moved to intercept Squalo once more. Training with my uncle made me stronger, but even now I knew that I would be unable to walk away from this fight the victor. Squalo held more experience and skill than what I currently possess. He is a ranking member of a squad of genius assassins, him being second-in-command by choice. Squalo's next sword strike locked in the criss-cross of my tonfas, my feet skidding back even as Tsuna used my steady shoulders as a spring board with a gloved fist pulled back for a hit and a brightly lit orange flame donning his forehead.
Recognition lit up light grey orbs as Squalo became aware of exactly who Tsuna was, the shark unlocking our weapons to dodge Tsuna's attack. Leaping back a step, Squalo held up his sword in a different stance from his earlier attacks, a sharp smirk tugging upwards on his lips. Noticing the new stance, Tsuna pushed off the ground and landed beside me. In blink Squalo was there clashing his blade against my tonfas, the collision causing sparks to fly. My steel orbs widened at the increase in the swordsman's speed.
"Ju-uda...ime," Gokudera gasped quietly as he struggled to push himself up.
The distraction cost Tsuna's attention and Squalo took full advantage of the moment. Using his free hand, Squalo locked his hand over Tsuna's gloved fist and jerked the brunette forward to deliver a brutal knee to the unguarded area. Without thinking, I did a twist kick to Squalo's knee. The move blocked the shark's knee and protected Tsuna, but it shifted my tonfas and a stinging sensation ran along my left shoulder. Amber orbs flared at the sight of blood staining my shirt, but nothing could stop Squalo's next attack.
-KHR-
"Really, Squalo, have you fallen so far as to attack children?" Dino sighed with fake sadness, his brown orbs reflecting his silent strength even as his weapon of choice held the shark's sword back.
Slipping free of Dino's whip and outwardly ignoring the Cavallone boss, Squalo snatched up the discarded box Basil had been carrying and darted off. Basil went to give chase, but Dino stopped him. From his perch on Dino's shoulder, Reborn stared down at his student and four of his guardians. Gokudera had managed to get to his feet and was currently assisting Yamamoto in helping Sasagawa up. Tsuna, himself was leaning with his back up against Kyoya's, neither one able to move despite being conscious. Tsuna's flame had vanished and Kyoya's tonfas lay at the skylark's feet.
Kyoya's fingers twitched and Tsuna inhaled long and slow to recover from having the wind knocked so harshly out of him during Squalo's last attack. It was unlike anything Tsuna had ever seen so far, something like a blast of blue energy slammed right into him and Kyoya, who took the brunt of the attack.
'I thought Rain flames were supposed to be tranquil…this felt like being slammed into a wall and then becoming numb,' Tsuna thought, the pins and needles in his limbs causing minor discomfort.
"What the hell was that?" Gokudera practically demanded, moving toward Tsuna in order to help the brunette. "Juudaime, are you alright? And who in the hell are you?"
The last question was aimed at Basil who had by now fully recovered and had relented his reasoning for being in Namimori to Reborn.
"This is Basil. He works with CEDEF as Baka-mitsu's apprentice," Reborn stated, ignoring Basil's gapping mouth at how the hitman addressed the blonde's teacher.
With the feeling coming back into their bodies, Kyoya and Tsuna stood up only for the brunette to freeze at Reborn's words…or rather the mention of his father.
"What?" Tsuna asked quietly, looking straight at Reborn for clarification.
Understanding washed over Reborn and he lowered his head slightly until the shadow of his fedora covered his hardening gaze. Iemitsu really was an idiot.
"Basil is Sawada Iemitsu's apprentice and he has been entrusted by Iemitsu to be a distraction in delivering a fake set of rings," Reborn said calmly, no other emotion registering in his voice.
"He's…alive?" Tsuna whispered, amber orbs wide in disbelief even as Kyoya's steel orbs flashed dangerously.
"He never died," Reborn answered solemnly.
-KHR-
"So I'm staying with you now, Kyoya-nii?" Fuuta asked with a beaming smile even though the nine years old was slightly confused with the sudden change.
I nodded, setting out a clean futon for the small child to use in the guest bedroom. I did not bother asking for permission seeing as my parents had flown back overseas. They would find out regardless.
'Where exactly do they go?' I thought to myself, honestly surprised to have no memories regarding the location of the original Kyoya's parents.
"Kyoya-nii?" Fuuta asked softly and I turned around to give him my full attention. "Is this because Tsuna-nii's papa is back?"
'Oh, how I wish to bite that herbivorous cloaked carnivore to death.' I inwardly sneered, my face remaining passive to the child as not to scare him.
Across the hall in my room was Tsuna, the brunette having gone home to share a few words with Nana regarding staying with me for a few days, before packing a bag and coming over. I had opened the door to my mousy haired brunette holding not only his duffle bag, but Fuuta's as well with the child's hand clutched gently in Tsuna's.
"I assume so," I answered calmly.
Tsuna…he was not handling the fact that for years he was led to believe that his father was dead with the man having 'become a star' very well. He was currently attempting to calm down enough to come out of my bedroom, his main emotions of rage and betrayal fighting for dominance. Placing a hand on the small child's silky light brunette locks, I gave a comforting pat.
"Have you met my companion Hibird?" I asked while leading the small child down the hall and towards the back patio.
"Mm, no, I haven't," Fuuta answered, an excited skip in his steps as I opened the traditional shoji doors.
Beyond the patio was an elaborate garden on the left side that was his mother's pride and joy, one that a few Discipline Committee members were in charge of caring for in my absence. A little towards the middle was a small koi pond with a Japanese maple shading an ornamental bridge. The right side of the area held the Hibari dojo where the original Kyoya learned to use tonfas for the first time. A sing-song like chirp sounded from above before a ball of bright yellow fluff landed on top of my head.
"Hibari! Hibari!" Hibird chirped happily and Fuuta's eyes grew with glee.
Raising a hand up to my head, Hibird hopped onto my offered finger and I lowered him to Fuuta's line of sight while kneeling down. With careful fingers, Fuuta pet Hibird's head and the bright yellow bird's chest puffed up from the attention. Passing Hibird to an awe-filled Fuuta, I motioned the small child to spread his arms out and remain still. Giving a single sharp whistle, I waited a few seconds before a dozen more identical bright yellow birds flew down from the large Japanese maple and landed on Fuuta's offered perch.
"There's so many!" Fuuta exclaimed happily, immediately sitting down on the lower step of the patio.
"I'll be right back. Keep an eye on him for me," I spoke, looking directly at Hibird Number One.
Turning, I quietly made my way back inside and to my bedroom where Tsuna was pacing from one end of the room to the other. He barely sent me an acknowledging glance as I entered the room. Frowning, I stepped into his path and earned an angered glare enhanced by the glow in Tsuna's amber orbs. Before he could say anything, I cupped his cheeks and brushed my thumbs right underneath his damp eyes. Tsuna had unknowingly been tearing up. His hands came up and circled my wrists, but he did not draw back. If anything, he leaned more into me and closed his eyes.
"He was at home when I went to speak with Mama. Do you want to know what he said to me?" Tsuna whispered, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his teeth. "Tuna-fishy, long time no see!"
Tsuna took a deep, shaky breath and opened his eyes again.
"He was surrounded by empty sake bottles and Mama was cooking dinner in the kitchen like the man has been around all this time," Tsuna hissed under his breath. "I don't know who was more surprised, him or me when I punched him through the living room wall."
"Wao," I murmured, impressed. "And Fuuta?"
Biting his bottom lip, Tsuna peered up at me through thick lashes.
"I wasn't about to leave him there alone," Tsuna whispered.
'Without one of us there to protect him' went unsaid. Tilting his head, Tsuna appeared to be listening closely to something, before he began to smile up at me.
"Did you introduce all of your Hibirds to Fuuta-kun?" Tsuna asked and a grin tugged at my lips as the school's anthem could be quietly heard from the back patio.
"Hn, not all of them," I voiced and Tsuna laughed softly.
-KHR-
"Baka-mitsu," Reborn voiced with a hint of disgust as he stared down at the swirly-eyed blonde still laying half in and half out of the house through the wall Tsuna had punched him through.
"Tuna-fishy…," Iemitus groaned dizzily, blinking his eyes to clear his wavering vision. "He's gotten strong."
Reborn's dark gaze sharpened, his mouth forming a tight line.
"You've done well, Reborn-san," Iemitus said, sounding happy all of a sudden as he struggled out of the hole in the wall.
Reborn wanted to scoff, but remained silent. His trigger fingers twitched and Leon shuffled along the brim of his fedora. Who knew the World's Greatest Hitman would become so protective of his student that he was willing to kill the idiot that caused him pain…even if that idiot was head of CEDEF and his student's father. With Bianchi at the park with Lambo and I-Pin, Reborn had half a mind to call the pink haired poison mistress and tell her to keep the kids with her. He knew very well what Iemitsu was planning to do with the Thunder Flame ring of Vongola and could honestly say Lambo would not survive a fight with his opponent. Reborn tilted his head until the brim of his fedora shadowed his eyes.
'Shamal does owe me another favor,' Reborn thought, a feeling of vindictiveness washing over him.
"Oh, Nana-chan, dinner smells heavenly!"
This time Reborn did scoff.