A/N:
@bbbk007: Thank you. Hahaha. I hope it wasn't cringy? Damn. Thank you for the review. Yie. :)
Anyway, go on.
Chapter Thirty-One
"Surprised?"
Tsuna gritted his teeth in displeasure as he stared at the man in front of him. The said man chuckled as he put his weight on his left leg.
They're in a middle of a clearing. Tsuna's guardians with Reborn are rampaging at the base situated in Russia when he felt someone is watching him. He was about to hide when a gunshot was heard and the man made his appearance.
Much more of a coincidence there.
"You're looking healthy, Twenty-seven. I can see some meat. Being free for four years did you good." He said and waited for a response, only to receive silence. "Hmm... Cat got your tongue?"
"No." Tsuna answered before giving a lazy smirk. "I prefer being quiet. You can't handle my smartass."
The man quirked a brow. "Touché. Aren't you surprised that I rose from the dead?"
"Why would I, Doctor Bene Canzone?" Tsuna asked back. "I wasn't that dense when I killed you back then. Well, your clone. Besides, even if I killed you, you'll find a way to live. You are a doctor and a scientist. You also have the Estranos-" Then a loud explosion was heard, making him smile a little. "-who are promptly on the verge of suffering many things at the moment."
"I applaud your observation. To think you saw through my clone."
"I learned from you, didn't I?"
Tsuna cocked his head to his right when a bullet wheezed past him. He glared at the doctor who's wearing an angry face. When he was going to enter hyper dying will mode, a bullet embodied itself to his shoulder. Tsuna stayed impassive about it as he entered the mode and flew towards the doctor in great speed.
They exchanged blows. Tsuna's brows are furrowed in concentration as retaliated a kick with burst of his flame before lunging towards the man and sent him flying after kicking him. He huffed as he watched the scientist hit trees.
"Reborn is way better than him." He muttered under his breath before flying off.
The mentioned hitman was out of the building when Tsuna landed in front of him. The first thing he noticed on the kid was the angry eyes before the bullet wound. His eyes widened a little as he took the brunet's shoulder gently and inspected the bullet hole. Tsuna hissed in pain. And Reborn knew he needs to remove it fast.
Leon went to his hand and transformed into small tweezers. Reborn spared him a glance and Tsuna knew what to do. As the teacher inserted th tweezers to get the bullet, the student bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood to refrain from shouting in pain. When the bullet was removed, Tsuna felt sun flame patching him up. But still, his body felt stiff for seconds before he slowly relaxed.
"What the hell happened?" Reborn asked.
"Bene Canzone happened." Tsuna clipped. "He's alive. We had an encounter on the spot you told me not to leave. He shot me but I got my revenge."
"But you didn't kill him."
"Not yet." Tsuna replied as he tugged his scarf down to loose it up. "Not yet. I want him to see how this facility burn up with all their files gone."
"Reborn is rubbing on you, Tsuna." The two looked at Takeshi who was approaching them. The ravenet smiled. "I won't be surprised if you torture the scientist."
Reborn rolled his eyes before smirking. "I am a great teacher after all."
"And I learn from the best." Tsuna chirped.
"Best... You mean me?"
Tsuna gritted his teeth before looking back to the man who voice that. Bene Canzone stood by the edge of the crater, looking down at them. The brunet stilled his look. It made the scientist feel fear as he finds himself slowly succumbing to the stare.
Reborn patted Tsuna's shoulder, smirking with pride. He knew that the doctor is slowly submitting to Tsuna's superiority. It only comes out when he's pissed off. And now, he can say that the Decimo is angry.
Bene Canzone was about to open his mouth when a wave of flame went towards him. He dodged and was about to shoot when a thunderbolt struck on his spot and dynamites came to view. A little baffled with the attacks, he defended himself when a tonfa almost hit his face. He started to get pushed back. Feeling desperate, he removed the safety of his gun and aimed at Tsuna's direction.
Tsuna's head throbbed in pain. He positioned himself in front of Reborn as what his intuition told him so. Just then, a gunshot was heard. He stared at the bullet zooming towards him. Only to be blocked by a body.
Tsuna had his mouth agape as he recognized Reborn's clothe. Everything went slow-mo. Reborn took the shot by his shoulder and staggered backwards. Tsuna caught him from behind and cushioned his fall. He looked at the hitman's grimacing expression and felt panic rule over him.
"Reborn!" He shouted.
"Reborn-san!" Tsuna heard Ryohei yelled.
Ryohei went to their side. Tsuna gave way. He watched as Ryohei attended the hitman. Leon gave his assistance by turning himself to a pair of tweezers. He started to have a bad feeling even after his sun guardian removed the bullet and healed the wound.
Reborn is still grimacing in pain. And it's not normal.
"Reborn? Are you okay?" Tsuna asked.
"N-No." Reborn answered honestly, surprising him and Ryohei. "I'm feeling weak, Tsuna. And black spots are covering my sights." The hitman looked at the brunet before looking down to his partner. "T-The bu-bullet..." Tsuna became alert.
"Don't tell me-"
"I-It has poison... In it."
Tsuna stiffened. It has poison in it. But he was hit by the same gun and obviously with the replica of the said bullet. So how come he's not dead-
"N-No..." Tsuna whispered as he grasped Reborn's sleeve. "No no. Don't die on me."
Reborn smirked weakly, eyes dropping close. "H-Heh..."
"No. Please Reborn. Please. You can't die. Not another one. Please."
Reborn closed his eyes and sighed. "I-It's good... That I-I di... Died saving... You T-Tsuna."
"N-No. Wait! Reborn! You promised! You promised you won't die until I smiled properly! You have a life long contract in the house, right? You said you'll cook my soup! Hey!"
"Shh..." Reborn chided softly then went limp.
Tsuna couldn't stop the tears flowing. He gripped Reborn's hand tightly before screaming in agony. Ryohei, who witnessed the interaction, could only clenched his fists.
"Reborn..." Tsuna wept. He cupped his parent's cheek and rested his forehead to his. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I'm so incompetent. I'm a failure. I'm not yet ready to become a don. I'm not yet the leader you pictured for the Vongola..."
"Tsuna..." Takeshi called as he approached the crying brunet.
"So please... Please wake up..." He begged. Eyes closed in defeat, he continued to beg. "Please..."
"Tsunayoshi. Stop it. You can't bring back the dead." Mukuro tried to console.
Tsuna sat back and looked at them with teary eyes. "But... I can't lose another parent. My kaasan and tousan. I can't lose Reborn... He's the only one left."
"Juudaime." Hayato whispered, sympathizing with him. He knew the feeling of losing someone dear to your heart.
"Come back, Reborn. Come back to us..." Tsuna chanted as he shakes Reborn. "Please... Please..."
"Another death, Tsunayoshi. Another death!" The doctor, Bene Canzone, shouted happily. "This won't stop not until you come with me or you die!"
The guardians looked at their sky as Tsuna stopped crying suddenly. Takeshi leaped back, instincts telling him to back away immediately. Hayato took Lambo and ran far with Ryohei carrying the hitman's body, while Mukuro and Chrome hid within the mist as Kyouya stepped back.
Tsuna stood up from kneeling, bangs covering his eyes. Then slowly, killing intent started to leak out from him. Every mafioso who were still alive there felt chills went down their spines as the brunet's aura became stronger. Kyouya smiled with satisfaction, while the others are on high alert for anything.
Then flames started to burst out from the Decimo's body.
"You just had to mess with a Vongola." Hayato whispered in the air as Tsuna disappeared from his spot. "A family-loving person of all people."
And a shriek of pain was heard. In the battle field, Bene Canzone has his shoulders and legs dislocated, making him immobile. Tsuna is in front of him, glowing in bright orange. The Decimo is growling at him like a ferocious wild beast who he messed up with big time.
The doctor stared at his experiment. The said boy has his face void of any emotion. His eyes are orange but darker. The body is rigid and in attack mode. One thing that scares him is the aura of the boy that is slowly glowing. He cursed at his helplessness.
He just clicked him.
Tsuna sat on the ground. He stared straight at the panicking man in front of him. Of course he knew what's happening. Doctor Bene Canzone was the doctor and scientist that toyed him with pleasure. And he knew how to tick him off.
Surely, Tsuna can describe himself as a gun. Already loaded with a powerful bullet. The only thing left to do is put the safety off, aim and pull the trigger. Easy. Very easy yet dangerous. Who knew he'd take on Reborn's trigger happy reaction even though the hitman almost never does the reaction. Now, he's just ready to pull the trigger.
And he did.
Bene Canzone began to scream for help when he saw Tsuna smiled. The brunet's aura began to give light until suddenly... A loud explosion resonated and gusts of wind almost blew the other guardians away. It took minutes before it stopped but the whole battlefield is covered with swirl of dusts, making it harder for them to see their sky.
"Tsuna!" Takeshi shouted, panic is evident in his voice.
"He'll be okay, Takeshi!" Ryohei assured to his kouhai.
"We'll navigate." Mukuro muttered. Mist flame went out from him and Chrome. He gritted his teeth. 'Don't die on us too, Tsunayoshi.'
"Where's Tsuna."
They all looked back to see the person who asked. No. He demanded. Standing in his glory, Reborn looked at them as he dusted his suit from dirt. He took his fedora from the ground and put it on. He moved as if he didn't die awhile ago. Even Kyouya stared at him in disbelief. They all saw him went limp and Tsuna confirmed that he's died. So how?
Reborn tutted before glaring at the guardians. The action snapped them out of their reverie. Hayato barked orders before he took out dynamites himself and flung it the covered battlefield. The dynamites went in different direction and blasted off with white smokes. But it blew off the dust.
Then they saw Mukuro struggling to get near Tsuna.
Tsuna was just standing in the middle of the clearing. Eyes far from the world. Cold and dull... Lifeless. Other than that, he's being surrounded with light again. Hayato immediately jumped down with the others. Reborn just stood on his spot, wanting to watch what will the others do even though he really wants to help them.
Reborn knew he became the trigger. The click Tsuna said back then. It wasn't his fault. He knew it wasn't. But the fact that he died because of poison... He could've been stronger than that.
"We need to stop the light!" Hayato shouted towards them. "That aura surrounding Juudaime is like a bomb! The stronger the light, the stronger the impact! And I don't think he's going to explode like awhile ago!"
"You mean he's going to implode?!" Ryohei questioned as they surround Tsuna.
"Yes!" Hayato answered.
Takeshi's expression became angry. "That doctor..."
"They're is no time thinking about the dead, Yamamoto!" Mukuro chided. "We must focus on Tsunayoshi first then curse that pest."
"But how do we stop it?!" Takeshi asked as he touched the barrier like dome surrounding the brunet and keeping them five meters away from him. "We can't even destroy this barrier."
"I can." They all looked at Lambo who's attaching his horns on his head. "Step aside. I'm going to blast that damn barrier."
'Lambo is angry.' They all thought.
They scrammed away from Lambo's path and the barrier. In seconds, lightnings started to attack the barrier simultaneously. They waited for a crack. And it did, but a small one. It was enough for the cloud guardian, Kyouya, to attack the certain spot though.
He continuously attacked the barrier until the crack widened and it broke. He charged in with the others. The moment they stepped in, their rings lit up with their respective colors. They went to Tsuna and orbited around the brunet. Slowly, Tsuna's eyes came back to his normal brown ones. Seeing the development, Hayato and Takeshi immediately went to him, followed by Ryohei who has Lambo in his arms.
"Tsuna!" Takeshi called as his sky fell down on his knees.
"He's injured!" Hayato shouted. "Some are burns!"
"I extremely got him!" Ryohei assured.
They surrounded Tsuna as Ryohei tended him with sun flames. The brunet was breathing shallowly, worrying all of them. After the boxer gave his treatment, Kyouya kneeled on the side of Tsuna and took the brunet in his arms before sprinting with Takeshi in tow.
Hayato sighed, frown still in his face before facing his fellow guardians. With understanding, they went back to their unfinished works, focusing their anger on the died doctor to the remaining things of the famiglia that destroyed their sky's life.
Little did they know, Reborn did his own fill.
Three days.
Tsuna has been asleep for three straight days. According to Verde, the child is recharging for his used up flames. Although the scientist is worried as the others, he can't bring himself to see the kid to himself. He has to know what revived Reborn from the dead.
He was perplexed when Hayato told them, the arcobalenos, what happened in their mission. When he asked Reborn, the hitman told him everything for the first time. Probably for the sake of the brunet who he deemed his son. He did his research and came up with one conclusion...
Tsuna revived Reborn.
He took some blood from Tsuna. Even some tears when he saw the child crying in his sleep. He pitied the child for thinking that he's a monster. If only he knew that he's more than that.
Going through his laptop, he glanced at the sleeping brunet before typing away. Truly, he can't understand why he's so attached to the child. He won't be surprised if Aria, Fon, Skull and Colonnello get attached to him, but him, Mammon, Reborn and Lal? A kind of mystery indeed. Maybe it's the flame of the child. The encompassing sky flame that hugs all of them and makes them safe, at home and warm. Or is it just the child himself? So physically strong yet mentally and emotionally weak. Externally impenetrable, but internally breaking.
He stopped running his hands on the keyboard and looked up again, only to see Tsuna awake and staring at one spot. He followed the trajectory, and saw Reborn, sleeping on the couch with his fedora covering his face from the world.
"... Re-Reborn..." The brunet whispered, voice almost cracking with so much emotion.
Verde stood up, placing his closed laptop on the table in front of him and walked up to the child. "Are you okay, Tsunayoshi?"
"Verde?" The child whispered hoarsely. The scientist gave a small smile. "I-Is Reborn..."
"Pretty much alive, Tsunayoshi. You and Ryohei helped him a lot."
"B-But h-he wa-was dead when-"
"Remember when you were crying? Trying to wake him up?" The child nodded. "A tear from your eyes slipped through his throat. That tear contained a cure from all poison you can think of. You made it yourself. You're not affected with poison right? That's the reason why Reborn is alive. You revived him, Tsunayoshi."
Tsuna's eyes were wide in shock. He weakly pointed a finger to himself and asked, "Me?"
"Yes, you. Now, are you okay? Is there any pain you feel?"
"Other than the parched throat, I'm okay. Weak but okay."
Verde turned to the bedside where a jug of water and a glass were situated. "You need to rest more. You almost imploded after erasing that blasted doctor's existence."
"Eh... So I erased him..."
Verde nodded as he turned to him, a glass of water in hand. "He died with the existence of his perfect experiment."
"But I am that perfect experiment." Tsuna murmured before taking the water.
"No. You're Tsunayoshi Sawada, the Vongola Decimo." 'And the encompassing sky.' He wanted to add.
Tsuna gave a small smile. "You're right." Then he drunk some water. "Where are the others?"
"Hayato will be here later. Checking up on you."
Tsuna wrinkled his nose. "He should always be with someone. Buddy-buddy system should be ensued in here. We'll never know what will happen, at least there's someone with us when a strike is taken."
"True." Verde agrees.
Tsuna put the glass to the table then removed his blanket. Verde didn't move a muscle to restrain the child from getting out of the bed. Who is he to take a child away from his parent?
Reborn snuggled closer. He sighed as he felt a hand pat his shoulder, an arm on his upper torso and keeping him right. He thought for a minute before snapping his eyes open and backed away a little. He heard a little giggle from the person who was hugging him.
Tsuna laughed more before letting himself fall from the couch. Verde shook his head on the brunet's antic with a smile on his face. Reborn was just staring.
"Good morning, Reborn!" Tsuna greeted, sitting Japanese style on the floor. "How are you feeling?"
"Should I be the one asking you that?" Reborn asked pointedly.
Tsuna tilted his head to the right a little, sporting a thinking expression. "Yes... I think... But I asked first."
"Other than I want to strangle Verde for not waking me up, I want to smack your head for startling me."
Tsuna chuckled. "In other words, you're fine. That's good."
"Excuse me." Verde silently announced as he stalked towards the door.
"Don't give me that, you reckless brat." Reborn chided as he sat up.
Tsuna pouted as he heard the click of the door. "But I wanted to sleep with you."
"Tsuna."
Tsuna hang his head. "I'm sorry for being reckless. Bene really flicked the click on. I couldn't restrain myself. Especially when you died and my guardians are partly in danger. I don't want them to be captured too."
Reborn reached out. He felt a sudden deja vu when he did. He remembered the first time he found out that his student was being hunt down by scientist. Poisoning him with stupid things that he thought made him go back to zero.
He remembered how the kid flinched when he tried to reach out. It made him back away, retreat his hand in hopes of erasing the scared look on the child's face. He knew it wasn't because of him. Tsuna wasn't scared of him. The kid was scared of those people who wants to torment him again and kill him. The touches that reminds him of those painful experiences he went through. And the nightmare they brought along with them.
Yet now, the child who was afraid of everything is sporting a small, happy, grateful smile as Reborn ruffled his hair. Gone with the scared look. Gone with the wish of death be brought to him. The kid in front of him is free of chains of the past... Of those painful experiences that will only be a lesson that must be remembered when needed.
"I'm glad I'm alive, Reborn." Tsuna said with a small smile.
Reborn chuckled. "So am I, Tsuna. So am I."