A/N:
Last and the third update of the week.
Anyway, go on.
Chapter Eleven
"Ken, calm down. He means good. And have a common sense. I won't be freeing you if he didn't help me out of my confines." Chikusa reasoned out as he picklock on the shackles.
"But Kakipi-"
"Should I just knock him out?" Mukuro suggested.
Tsuna glared at his friend. "No."
Mukuro almost pouted. "Fine."
Ken clammed up. Chikusa signaled Tsuna to free the blond from his chains. But the moment the blond's hands were free, Tsuna found himself hissing in pain because of Ken. The latter has his teeth sunk on the brunet's shoulder. The brunet gave a small scream of hurt when he felt Ken trying to bite his shoulder off.
Chikusa tried to pry Ken off, but the latter won't budge and stubbornly held on. Mukuro is tempted to do something, but he can't dare hurt them. Heck, the brunet will get mad at him.
"Ken! Let him go!" Chikusa yelled.
Ken only growled.
"Ack!" Tsuna resounded before petting Ken's hair. The bite slacken a little. "H-Hold on, Ken." Then sunny yellow started to pour out of Tsuna's hands.
"Ken Joukishima, let go of Tsunayoshi this instance!" Mukuro ordered.
A little startled, Ken let go of Tsuna. Chikusa attended the brunet, who put a pressure on his own wound, wincing in pain a little. Tsuna tried to heal the wound even, but he feels too sluggish and out of energy.
"He's not looking too good." Chikusa noted, brows almost knitting.
"His true flame is Sky. It's not a wonder that he'll feel drained after using sun flames on you two. You look all well now, not even a scratch is visible. Just some scars." Mukuro explained. "Ken, carry Tsunayoshi on your back."
"I'll bandage his shoulder first." Chikusa said as he patted the brunet's pockets for some hankies. He got a blue on Tsuna's right back pocket. But instead of handkie, it's a piece of clothe big enough to cover a wound. "Well, he's quite ready." He commented as he folded it.
"You might want to speed up, Chikusa. I can hear some people." Mukuro advised, eyeing the door for any possible incoming.
Chikusa only nodded. Ken watched, a little tamed after Mukuro's scolding. After Chikusa did his little first aid, he helped Ken carry Tsuna on the blond's back. Mukuro led their party out of the room.
Chikusa and Ken noticed Mukuro becoming a little too harsh on their attackers as they make their way out of the halls. Snakes are here and there, trapping the scientists and other experiments that are trying to attack them. There are even wild animals that jump on their attackers when the snakes can't stop the latter.
When they got out, there were three people in the lobby. Ken and Chikusa went on alert mode when those three noticed them and tried to approach. Mukuro peered back to them too.
"They're Tsunayoshi's... Friends." Mukuro tried to explain.
The two relaxed a bit.
"C-Can we get Tsuna-nii?" A afro noiret teen stuttered, reluctant and almost afraid.
Chikusa nodded.
The teen (they heard his name as Lambo) went to them. Ken lowered himself a little. Lambo inspected Tsuna for any injury. When he saw the bite wound, he beckoned a delinquent silveret (who's name is Hayato) to come closer. The latter did. When silveret saw the injury, he looked at Chikusa and Ken before muttering curses in different languages.
Hayato was about to take Tsuna when the latter stirred. The brunet opened his eyes, and with disoriented gaze, he looked around where he is. Then it looked like he remembered everything making him jump. The reaction startled Ken and both went down to the ground. Tsuna shrieked a little while Ken gave a yelp as they fell.
"Eh? Ken? You okay?" Tsuna asked when he recognized the person below him.
"I will be if you get off me." Ken grunted.
"Waah! Sorry!" Tsuna apologized in Japanese as he got off the blond and helped him up. "But are you okay? No more injury? Hungry? I told you, Hayato. We should've brought some food."
"But Tenth, this cow will eat them all!" Hayato reasoned out.
"He won't. And cow? How did Lambo become a cow?" Tsuna asked as he turned to Hayato with questioning gaze.
Hayato snickered while the said teen glared at him. "He saw a cow awhile ago and started to scream like a fangirl that he wants one. He even showed me a cow onesie he kept in him. He said it's his clothe when he was little."
"Tsuna-nii! Bakadera is bullying me!" Lambo complained, froze then turned to Kyouya. "Ah no! Kyo-nii!"
Tsuna blinked and stared at Hayato with pride radiating from him. "My brother grew up so well."
Hayato face palmed. "Going to that stupid skylark isn't really a grown up thing to do, Tenth."
"Lambo! Go to Mukuro instead!"
"That doesn't count either!" Hayato cried.
Mukuro laughed while Chikusa and Ken looked at each other. The latter two were a little perplexed with the commotion. They aren't accustomed to these kind of scenes, although Ken as loud as them too.
To see Tsunayoshi fussing around, saying things that makes his three friends do things. They do all of these kind of faces that make the brunet say more ridiculous and hilarious things. If Mukuro could roll on the ground to laugh his ass out, he might have done it already.
Tsunayoshi stopped talking suddenly. A little confused of the action, Mukuro was about to ask why he stopped when a sudden cold settled in the destroyed mansion. The three Estrano victims tensed up, knowing why the temperature dropped. Cold fog swept in as chains scrapping the ground echoed in the whole vicinity. Then three men in long coats with top hats appeared within the smoke.
The Vindice.
Tsunayoshi went in front of Mukuro, Chikusa and Ken, while Hayato and Kyouya are in front of Lambo and behind the former three. Mukuro wants to move Tsunayoshi out of the way. There aren't no indication that the men in front of them won't harm him. Be it he's the next Vongola Capo of the tenth generation.
"Tsunayoshi Sawada." The one in the middle man acknowledged. "What is the Vongola Decimo doing here?"
"Ah. I was saving some of my old friends from the Estranos. They kind of, you know, kidnapped them under my watch." Tsunayoshi answered casually then a gentle smile graced his lips. "How are you? I haven't seen Bermuda for what? Four years?"
The one on their right sighed. "We are fine, Tsunayoshi. The Alps is cold, but bearable. Sir Bermuda is okay too. He's busy with paper works. And you were in the damps for six years, of course you won't be seeing him if he triggers your emotions."
Tsunayoshi blinked. "Oh." Then he bit his lower lip. "I was going to talk to him though. About Mukuro, Ken and Chikusa."
Mukuro sucked some air at the casual statement.
"The convicts?" The man on the left queried.
Tsunayoshi nodded. "Yes. They're my friends, and I know their pasts from the root to the top. Then I asked Vongola to do me some digging. Recently, Ken and Chikusa were taken so I took some measures. Don't worry. I have Mukuro with me. They've been behave for six years. No need to talk to him."
The three men noticed how Tsuna tried to stand a little taller so they can't see Mukuro behind him, who's taller than he is.
"We sensed some trouble happening here." The man in left stated.
"Ah! We did some operations." Tsunayoshi replied. "Can you tell Bermuda to get them off the hook? I'll be their little ol' warden. I promise."
"The three aren't proven innocent yet." The man in the middle said.
Hayato stepped in and walked towards Tsuna with papers and a big external storage device in hand. "Here, Tenth."
"Thank you." Tsuna said, taking the things then walked towards the men. "Here are the evidences of their innocence. If you still find them guilty of accusations, feel free to visit Vongola. We will be residing there for the mean time."
The man took the proofs and nodded. "I will send your regards to Sir Bermuda."
Tsuna visibly beamed. "Okay. Take care."
And the Vindice were gone, along with the coolness of the mansion. Tsuna turned to them with a bright grin. Hayato could only sigh with Kyouya while Lambo gave in to his wobbling knees. The other three just stood there, stupefied with what happened.
"I'm acquainted with them." Tsuna provided, as if that brief explanation can ease their curiosity and wariness. "Anyway, let's go home."
"The experiments." Kyouya voiced out.
Tsuna's grin dropped, alerting Hayato, Lambo and Kyouya. "The only ones alive were Ken and Chikusa since they're being used as baits to lure Mukuro out."
"If I guess it right, they'll start doing something to them once they capture Pineapple here." Hayato put in.
Tsuna nodded. "Yes. They'll do that."
"What happened to the others?" Lambo asked.
"Died." Ken growled.
"Some that turned to something were given duties to be guards, attackers or assistants of carrying the dead bodies to somewhere." Chikusa added.
Tsuna sighed. "You won't mind me finishing them off, will you? Mukuro? Ken? Chikusa?"
Mukuro's dark expression wasn't even a clear answer for Tsuna. "We can't let them suffer anymore."
Tsuna nodded as he lights his both hands. "Okay."
Tsuna concentrated in closed eyes, then formed an 'X' with his arm across his body. His body was then surrounded by a bright orange flames. He opened his eyes and brought down his arms. Accompanied with the last action, the flames around his body were released and went to different directions like an expanding circle.
Ken and Chikusa brought up their arms in front of them, anticipating pain while the others just stood there. Instead of burning heat, they felt warmth as wave of sky flames came splashing on them. Hayato, Kyouya and Lambo sighed in content as Mukuro sported a small smile. Ken and Chikusa felt weird with the warmth of acceptance they felt. They aren't accustomed to this kind of... Reaction towards them.
After realising the force, Tsuna opened his eyes and smiled towards them.
"Let's go. Our family might be worried already." Tsuna said.
"Yes Tenth."
"Hn."
"Kufufufu."
"Coming Tsuna-nii."
Chikusa and Ken followed Mukuro. And they didn't point out that the mist accepted the word 'family'.
Mukuro stared at Tsunayoshi who was humming a song as he played with Lambo's locks. He then looked at Hayato who was playing shogi with Kyouya. Ken and Chikusa are on their beds, resting.
They're inside this big room with seven beds. He doesn't know what's inside Tsunayoshi's head. After Ken and Chikusa were checked for injuries or any sickness with them inside the clinic too, cause the two won't relax around unfamiliar people, they were ushered inside the room. The room is okay, spacious enough for a fight, but the reason why they're inside the same room is what he's curious about.
Huh. The brunet knows that Mukuro and Kyouya are on each other's throat, Hayato and Lambo can be very noisy with their bickering, also Ken and Chikusa aren't very fond of people, knowing their past with scientist. So why did he- oh.
Mukuro chuckled a little. Of course... Of course Tsunayoshi will pull that kind of plan. He's too kind hearted for his own good. And the others are going with it. Just to keep them (Mukuro, Ken and Chikusa) company and be accustomed to their presence, they're staying there. Even Kyouya who can't tolerate so much crowding is there to go along. And after these, Tsunayoshi will bring them to different places outside the mansion for them to be familiar to people's presence just like what Hayato did for Lambo.
They ate in the room that evening. It was quite a feast for Mukuro's opinion. But understandable cause Tsunayoshi wants to make Chikusa and Ken eat plenty to replenish their two months worth lose of weight. When they were all rested after a little fight courtesy of Lambo and Hayato pulling Kyouya and Mukuro in it, Mukuro noticed that the brunet isn't sleeping yet.
"Oya? Why aren't you sleeping yet, Tsunayoshi?" He asked in a small voice, enough for the brunet to hear.
"Hmm?" The asked man hummed across the room. "Nothing... Can't sleep."
He went for a sit. "Want some milk then?"
He felt Tsunayoshi's eyes on him. "Am I not disturbing you?"
"No. Come on."
Mukuro went out of his bed as well as Tsunayoshi. Instead of leading the brunet, he walked beside him. He doesn't know why though. He has this kind of feeling that he wants to be near the brunet.
They went to the nearest kitchen. There are no signs of people. He made Tsunayoshi sit by the counter while he took the box of milk from the fridge and two glasses from the rack of dishes. He sat beside the young man and let him do the servings. By the time Tsunayoshi brought down the almost empty box of milk, Mukuro is already nursing his own milk. He can trust the drinks enough to be safe, knowing no one in the Vongola can hate the little decimo.
They sat in silence. Sipping their own glasses of milks. Mukuro didn't need to talk, nor the brunet does. They just enjoy the company of each other.
"Sometimes I want to ask them why they do stupid things." Mukuro looked at the brunet by the corner of his eyes. "Why they kept on tormenting people who can't win against them or a kid who doesn't know enough courage until they learned the concept of surviving." The latter added.
"They want to dominate." Mukuro simply answered.
Tsunayoshi took a shaky breath. "Stupid. Stupid reasons not worth it for people's lives. Or the children's lives. Or any forms of lives. This is freaking stupid."
Silence settled itself between them.
"Do you think destroying Mafia and creating a new one can stop all this madness? Or just monitoring things that are evil enough can lower this kind of stupidity?"
Mukuro knew he might've broke his neck when he turned his head towards Tsunayoshi. "W-What?"
Tsunayoshi has this serious expression in his face, eyes trained on the glass of milk in front of him. It's as if his eyes are trained on each water gliding downwards from the glass because of the cold being heated up by the room temperature. But Mukuro knew better.
Tsunayoshi is thinking of so many impossible things.
"A friend once told me that there's a 'me' who was caught in an Estrano experiment. That 'me' lived for four years wanting to die for being the perfect experiment." The brunet spoke in a soft voice. "Knowing me, I know I did it for the sake of the world. Be the world cruel or innocent in its own way. But the knowledge that I suffered pain from those hands... That my innocence was ripped off from my being because I killed so many sinned people due to their stupid urge of dominance, I want to do my own vengeance."
"So you plan to clean the mafia?"
Tsunayoshi nodded. "Or maybe let them be except for the human trafficking and slavery."
(A sudden click was done.)
"But you need to start from your own famiglia."
A small smile lifted in Sawada's lips. "Yes. I'm planning after I took on the throne."
"But you need guardians."
"I'll make do." The other declared in a small voice as his eyes flashed orange with too many emotions that Mukuro can't decipher very well. "I'll get guardians who are ready to make this kind of plan with me. If they don't want to, I'll do it alone."
Mukuro laughed. "You have guts, Tsunayoshi. It makes me want to possess you so suddenly."
Tsunayoshi grinned. "You won't like that, Mukuro. I'm too dark for you."
"Heh."
And they spent the rest of their night in silence.
"Tenth? Here are your paperworks. I did the disposal of unimportant ones so all you need to do is sign them off." Hayato said as he placed a small stack of paper on Tsuna's desk.
Tsuna stared at the papers before looking at Hayato. "You did?"
The silveret nodded with a beam. "Yes. I already shredded them."
"You've been doing us a lot of favors, Hayato." He stated, a sheepish smile on his lips. "Thank you."
"It's okay, Tenth. It's the least I can do to help you with everything on your shoulder."
Tsuna agreed. "But who taught you though? I know you're not really used to this kind of works."
"The freaky skylark did. It's his payment after I taught him Italian."
"Oh." The brunet lamely said. "You were doing things behind my back."
Hayato choked, making Tsuna laugh. "N-No! It's not like that, Tenth! I was just curious and he wants to learn! And I-I-"
"It's okay, Hayato. I was kidding." The brunet tried to console. "You two were a great help. Really. I don't even know how I can repay you with all this kindness you gave me."
Gokudera smiled after calming down. "It's what friends do. Help each other right?"
Tsuna smiled back. "Yeah."
Hayato moved to the couch and sat there as Tsuna started to sign the papers. They're in a small routine since Tsuna managed to convince Chikusa and Ken to go out with them from the comfort of their room. Lambo was enthusiastic enough to show them around with Mukuro. And now, the Skylark and the Pineapple are in one of the sparring room, doing one of their death match. Chikusa is in the library, reading. While Lambo and Ken are either playing or eating the taste sample dishes of the chefs in the kitchen.
Doing some thinking, Hayato unconsciously counted the days Tsuna and Kyouya has been in Italy. From the day they met up until recent.
"Tenth?"
"Hmm?"
"You've been here for one month and two weeks already."
The brunet hummed. "Yes. What about it?"
"Are you going back to Japan?"
Tsuna looked up to Hayato and nodded. "Yes. I have work and Kyouya is going back to Namimori."
"Oh."
The other smiled. "No worries, Hayato. I'll visit you and Lambo every month. Or two months. It's just work."
"N-No! I'm okay Tenth. It's not like... I'm..." Gokudera bowed his head.
"To be honest, I want to invite you to Japan. But I don't want to impose nor tear you apart from your career. You just got it back."
"What about Lambo?"
"He'll be taking over the Bovino famiglia since he is the rightful heir and boss. If his father won't step down, I might forcefully take him down."
"The Pineapple and the mutts?"
Sawada cringe at the nicknames. "They'll be under Vongola's care. Do light mission from Nono. But I already bought a house for three people if they don't want to live here anymore or they feel suffocated. Chikusa is a decent cook for them, Mukuro likes to keep the house clean and Ken is like their gardener. He likes nature so likes to plant."
Hayato chuckled, impressed. "You planned everything."
"Just being cautious." Tsuna denied. "So want to have snacks? I bet the chefs have made us some."
"Sure."
Tsuna smiled again to Hayato who grinned. If only the silveret saw the hint of wistfulness in the brunet's smile.