Heh, I felt sorry while writing this :/

DISCLAIMER: I don't own KHR's characters or plot, only the idea of this story and the actual writing (took me months, ya know!).

Amnesiac Goldfish: xD Reborn and Tsuna are a tease xP Thank you! Don't kill old men!

BoyishBlue: Who knows! The shift is about Viper literally invading Vongola mansion xD And no one lifting even an eyebrow about it . Well, that's Reborn for you xD Thank you! Here it is!

Lunary: Read this ;D Arcobaleno are a powerhouse, not that Tsuna doesn't have some already. Who knows! Thank you!

Thank you, everyone!

DICTIONARY (because I use romanized Japanese vocabulary a lot):

Yakuza: Japanese Syndicate;

Oyabun: bosses of smaller parts of Yakuza;

Gumi: turfs in which Japan is split, each led by an Oyabun;

Kumicho: Boss of Yakuza;

Saiko-komon: senior advisor of the Kumicho;

So-honbucho: headquarters' chief;

Ryuukaze: Dragon, Wind;

Ryuuken: Dragon, Sword;

Ryuunoiki: Breath of Dragon;

Kyodai: big brothers of the Yakuza, higher-placed than the Shatei;

Shatei: little brothers of the Yakuza, basically the new recruits;

Sageo: hanging cord of the sword;

Tsuka: handle of the sword.

WARNINGS (read if you want some spoilers):

- walking in;

- Iemitsu;

- coldness;

- Benihime;

- steam;

- Kyouya;

- Takeshi;

- proposition;

- emotional wound;

- plans;

- bonding.

Words: 5420.

Enjoy!

26 – Burdens

Tsuna wiggled his way out of Reborn's arms and stretched while sitting on the bed's edge. He was glad he'd showered before going to sleep, the feeling of not cleaning up after sex coupled with the night's sleep was not comfortable. An arm snuck around his waist and pulled him back under the covers. The brunet sighed, patting the hand and trying again to regain his freedom.

"Reborn…"

"Uhm."

"Let me go or you'll have to deal with someone you don't like."

The arm tightened and he felt lips on his shoulder. "Tsuna, you literally took the worst man roaming this planet as your Element yesterday, there's no one worse."

"… I wouldn't say that, in your shoes."

Reborn gripped his waist and flipped him over. The brunet found himself straddling the hitman's hips and leaned down on the broad chest. Onyx eyes searched brown orbs, suspicious.

"Who's worse?"

Tsuna bit his lower lip, but that caused Reborn to have the urge to kiss him deep and the brunet didn't get to say what his Intuition was warning him about. He felt hands on his hips and moaned in the kiss, wanting what his lover was about to give him but knowing he wouldn't have it. Reborn got to grab his ass, and Tsuna briefly thanked the bedsheets covering them, before the door to their room burst open.

They broke their kiss, moving only their gazes to the door with annoyance more than shame. The brunet suddenly noticed how shameless he'd become. Reborn's fault. Sure, seeing his father go pale and drop his jaw to the floor was a one-time experience that he decided was worth whatever Iemitsu would think about his current predicament, but Tsuna decided against letting Reborn keep going – as he seemed to be doing even if they had an audience – and rolled over, taking one bedsheet and disappearing in his bathroom.

He brushed his teeth, washed his face, dressed in his suit and got out. His father was petrified in the threshold and Reborn was sitting with crossed legs on one armchair, perfectly dressed up in his suit. Tsuna resisted the urge to mess him up and addressed CEDEF's Boss.

"Good morning, father, how are you?"

Iemitsu, however, didn't unfreeze. Tsuna tapped his cheek, not knowing how to deal with this new situation. He saw Nara yawn just outside, nodding in apology. Not that he blamed him, who could stop CEDEF's Boss from entering Vongola mansion's rooms? Atsushi joined him and Fon entered the living room while softly face-palming. He could relate.

With a sigh, Tsuna approached his father and tapped his shoulder. He guessed this was the worst situation possible for a parent, to find their child having fun in the bed… with a hitman. Yes, maybe Iemitsu was not overreacting.

The taps slowly worked their magic, he also added a wisp of Sky Flames, and his father blinked as if falling down a castle up on the clouds. The man looked down at Tsuna and gave him a goofy smile.

"My Tuna-fishie!"

Tsuna lost any and every good intention and walked past the idiot, snapping his fingers so that his brothers understood. Iemitsu made to follow but they blocked him, this time. They had a direct order. Maybe he should have let Reborn do what he wanted, would have served the buffoon right.

"How are Verde and Viper?"

"Resting, didn't want to wake them up," Nara yawned and opened the door the corridor. "Skull's taking care of them, just sent Fon to sleep."

The brunet turned to the martial artist and tilted his head. "Go to sleep." Fon smiled, bowed and left. "What about your info gathering?"

"Tuna-fishie…?"

"We have enough, they're planning a coup during the Ceremony."

"I've informed Kyouya," Atsushi added, "they're ready and will nip it in the bud."

"T-Tuna-fishie?!"

"Good, the Russians?"

"They're in Italy," Reborn answered, "I don't think they'll try anything funny, but, if they do, they'll stick to something that won't be connected to them."

The brunet nodded, "they're orchestrating the Coup."

Nara sighed. "Most probably, but I have no proofs."

"Let's try to collect something during the Ceremony, even if tiny it could prove to be helpful."

"Yes, Ryuunoiki," Atsushi said before bowing and leaving in the opposite direction than the dining room.

".. T-Tsuna…?"

With a smile, the Kumicho stopped just before the staircase and turned to his father, "yes?"

Iemitsu blinked, dumbfounded. "I… I wanted to talk with you?"

"What about?" Nara sneakily passed him a paper that Tsuna quickly read, folded and hid in a pocket.

"Well, about… things?"

His first impression of his father was totally spot on. He took a deep breath, sent everyone minus Reborn to have breakfast without him and took a hopefully brief detour.

"Tsuna…?"

"Follow me."

His lover walked right at his side, probably knowing what he was about to do. Iemitsu did follow him, albeit dumbfounded again. He led them deeper in the mansion, recognized the two maids in front of a door and nodded at them, that immediately left.

He turned to the man, deadly serious. "I don't know how she will react, she may try to kill you."

Without any more words, Tsuna pushed the door open and zeroed on the woman sitting up from the bed, dressed in a faint yellow yukata, recognizing him and nodding at him. Her eyes were sad and… almost…

"You're so tall now, Ryuunoiki-sama."

The comment on his height would have made him grimace, but the coldness of that statement struck his core. "Mother, how are you feeling?"

"A bit light-headed," she gave a half-hearted chuckle. "I must ask, where are we, Ryuunoiki-sama? The maids–"

Tsuna approached her, keeping a comfortable, polite distance. "Have you read my letter for you?"

She attempted a smile, but failed. "I did, I'm… happy for you, Ryuunoiki-sama."

Just like another stranger would react. "And the other letter?"

Nana tensed, her hands flinching, her eyes looking elsewhere, wide. "… I've read it."

"Your Benihime is in that drawer, if you need it."

She blinked at him in astonishment. "B-but… Otou-sama…"

"I am the Kumicho now. I think it's time for you to solve your problems. It will heal you, either if you kill him or if he manages to make amends." She pursed her lips, looking down again. "I know it's hard for you, but you'll feel better afterwards. I've written you what I've discovered during these years, take those into consideration for your decision." Tsuna kept tightly in the desire to break the icy atmosphere of politeness of a meeting and decided to offer the only thing he could as a family head. "Whatever you choose to do, I'll clean up the mess."

He turned, took Reborn's hand, pushed Iemitsu inside and locked the door. His lover seemed unsure as he caressed the brunet's hand, but then he trapped him against the wall, stealing a deep kiss.

"It will be alright," he settled to say, massaging his hips and nuzzling his neck.

"I know," he answered, swallowing, feeling a bit confused. "But I don't think my father will come out of that unscathed."

"Benihime… there are stories still alive about that katana."

Tsuna sighed, bottling everything up, and leaned forward to bite down on his lover's neck and lick the spot. "My mother… was not, and I know won't stay as, someone to trifle with."

Reborn hummed, subtly searching for a door he could open and lock them behind. "Good to know she's happy for you and not out for my head."

"Indeed."

The brunet searched for his lover's lips and caught them with his, letting Reborn hold him higher against the wall. He hooked his ankles on the other's back. Sounds of destruction filled the steamy silence and Tsuna stopped kissing Reborn just to send a worried glance to the door in front of him.

"Don't worry," his lover harshly bit down on his neck, eliciting a muffled moan. "They'll soon be doing what we are about to do."

Tsuna couldn't hold back an eye-roll. The hitman pushed open a random door, locked it and claimed the nearest comfy surface he found, which happened to be a sofa. The brunet was pushed down and soon stripped of his suit. He let Reborn do whatever he wanted and just enjoyed the whole morning.

When he finally got to leave that room, thankful for the adjacent bathroom and guilty for whoever was to use or clean it, the door to his mother's room was closed, intact and silent. He took that as a good sign and beckoned Reborn to the dining room for lunch.

His brothers were there already, all of them. Viper and Verde seemed to be feeling much better, though the former was too focused tapping away on a laptop. As soon as he sat down, Nara pushed a folder to him. He opened it and quickly read the contents. Slowly, a smirk bloomed on his lips.

"Who do I have to thank for this?"

"Viper."

Tsuna looked at the Mist user, that ducked his head and stopped tapping the keyboard. "I was informed about the issue this morning and dug a bit deeper. Found the proofs and those are what you needed, right?"

Ryuunoiki nodded. "Yes, these are priceless, thank you."

Viper waved his hands, "duty."

Which he could accept, so he nodded and pushed the folder back to Nara. "Got any idea about the new recruits for Ienari?"

Surprisingly, none of his brothers answered. The voice came from his left, where the Vongola Cloud was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, only one eye narrowly open.

"I'm taking care of that, carnivore."

"Oh? Can I know how?"

Hibari Kyouya tch-ed, "spread a rumour, there are many mistreated by Nono."

Seemed like a good plan. "Who will make sure about their loyalties?"

"Vongola Guardians."

Good, at least they were starting to move on their own. Tsuna waited for the Cloud to leave, but he didn't. Instead, he kept staring at the brunet, immobile. Ryuunoiki felt Velvet purr against his arm and petted her on her head. Byakuran got off her back, hugged him and skipped to his chair, visibly happy like a child should be.

"Do you, perhaps, need something?"

There was a minute of silence, but his patience earned an answer. "The herbivorous Rain wants to talk to you."

That said, Hibari Kyouya left through the door, almost sending the Vongola Mist girl on the floor as she came in. Tsuna took a deep breath, waving back at the girl, and arched a brow at Atsushi.

"I know nothing, Ryuunoiki, I'm sorry."

He shook his head, "don't worry. Whatever this is, I'll know soon. However, I'd like to know where my brother is."

"Busy, tomorrow's come."

Reborn was right. "Does he need any help?"

His lover shook his head. "Just let him be, he's ready and informed about what will happen."

He could go with that. Tsuna eyed the Vongola Guardians on the other side, they were less wild than the usual, the tension was starting to be felt. He hoped for them everything went according to plan.

Two knocks made the brunet look up from the chessboard. The door to the living room they were using was open, but the knocks were very much appreciated. Yamamoto Takeshi was smiling sheepishly at him.

"Hello, am I interrupting something?"

Tsuna asked himself where had that politeness come from, then shook his head and motioned for the two sofas in the middle of the room. Byakuran pouted, so the brunet kept up the chess game.

"I hope you don't mind if I indulge him."

The Rain sat down after nodding at Nara, that was feigning being asleep on one sofa, and Kagami, that was standing near the window. "Oh no, go on."

"Thank you!"

Byakuran was growing up fine, in his opinion. Tsuna moved his tower and addressed the Rain.

"Is there something I can do for you?"

Yamamoto Takeshi nodded, hands on his knees. "Yes, actually… Uhm, it's more like a request. I've talked about it with Nari and he said he's fine with it."

Well, it sounded kind of official. Tsuna motioned for him to go on, curious, while eating Byakuran's pawn. The child pouted, crossing his arms in defiance.

"Do you remember when you told me our difference was the experience on the field?"

"Yes, it was during our spars, am I right?"

The Rain nodded. "Right, I… I've thought about it. We don't have many field experience and things will probably calm down a lot after the Inheritance." The teen sighed and looked straight at Tsuna. "I want to be able to protect my friends, to do that I need more experience. I was wondering if… If I could tag along with Yakuza to gain more of that."

Tsuna pursed his lips, game forgotten. "I deal with things very differently from Ienari."

He nodded. "Yes, I know. You kill, I'm not right with that, but… You are right, there will be times we have no choice. Thinking back about the future, didn't Ienari kill Bya–" His eyes widened, "sorry!"

"Don't worry, it's in the past," Byakuran laughed, messing with the chessboard just to win.

"Yes, Ienari killed him," Tsuna confirmed. "Are you sure about this?"

"I–"

The brunet stopped him with a lifted hand. "I'll be direct, Yamamoto. If you decide to do this, and I'm saying I have no problem with you or someone else tagging along with Yakuza, you won't be able to interfere with what we'll be doing. You will be a mere witness, no more. If you try to stop us because you think what we are doing is wrong, we will stop you and I'll send you back."

The Rain looked down. "I thought about that, too." He sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I won't interfere, I'll only look and learn and, if you allow me, I will fight."

Tsuna narrowed his eyes. "I usually don't let my brothers deliver the finishing blow, but it may happen. If I tell you to kill, will you?"

Yamamoto bit his lower lip, took a deep breath and nodded. "I will be under your command, I… I will."

Ryuunoiki was not convinced, but he would see himself how the boy behaved. "Are you the only one with this kind of idea?" Because, Intuition.

"No, Gokudera and Sasagawa would do this, too, taking turns. I don't know about Hibari."

He nodded, "tell them my conditions, then decide by yourselves about your turns."

Yamamoto brightened. "Thank you!" He jumped from the sofa and rushed out.

Tsuna leaned back in his chair, not truly seeing the ruined chess game, tapping one finger on his cheekbone. He was definitely not convinced.

"We could take care of them, Ryuunoiki."

He shook his head, not looking at Kagami. "That's not the problem, though giving you another babysitter job would be very cruel of me."

"You can't shield them forever." He eyed Nara, that stretched on the couch. "Don't coddle them. Give them exactly what they fear the most, and they will grow up. Don't sweeten the pill either."

Tsuna sighed, taking the black king chess piece and rolling it in his hands. His brother was right, they needed to face these possibilities, they needed to understand that a moment's distraction could mean their death. He needed to plan things beforehand.

"Do you think you can orchestrate something?"

Nara looked up at the ceiling, mind racing. "If everything goes to plan, we'll have a war in our hands by the time we get back. It will prove to be a good training ground for them, plus, Vongola is our ally. They will have to intervene by alliance's contract. Yes, we can plan something along the way, leave it to me."

"Never a dull moment here," Kagami snorted.

Byakuran dangled his feet with a chuckle. "But they're fun!"

Tsuna pointed a finger at the chess board, "next time you decide to cheat, I'm banning marshmallows for a week." The child's eyes widened, pity the brunet had been subjected to many puppy eyes during his life and they were ineffective on him. "My threat is valid, remember that." He smiled at the defeated nod he received and looked again towards the door. "I think someone should take a nap."

Byakuran pouted, but accepted Kagami's hand and waved at the two in the room, following the man to his bedroom for the afternoon nap. It was not a rule, just a habit he used whenever he needed the child away from certain places. Nara caught on that and stood behind the couch, where Tsuna sat down with Ryuuken sheathed on his thighs.

Kagami's last comment felt very easy to agree with, though this was a mess the brunet himself had brought in the mansion. He was guilty like that, but he had asked for permission first. This was not his turf and he would not disrespect Vongola Decimo by doing whatever he felt like without consulting him first. He expected the same in Japan and the few that had dared going against that had paid the costly price.

"Tsuna?"

The brunet nodded at his father and motioned for his parents to sit on the couch in front of him. They dipped their heads, hand-in-hand, before sitting down. They looked at each other. Iemitsu sported many cuts on his visible skin, which kind of satisfied Tsuna a tiny bit.

His father cleared his throat, clenching his hand around hers. "We wanted to… thank you. We talked and… well, we clashed, too, but we came to… an agreement. Things are clear now and we also wanted to… apologize."

Tsuna was perplexed. "What for?"

His mother straightened, Benihime sheathed and secured at her side. "Because of us, you are now the Kumicho. I understand that, by now, it is a burden that's become like your second skin, believe me I… I understand, but I feel guilty. Because of my pain, I left you alone with Otou-sama, let them do with you what they wanted… I'm sorry for that."

He saw Reborn linger outside the room, felt his throat constrict. "It was not a problem, mother."

She looked at him with steely eyes. "You've become good at lying… but you won't be able to fool your mother." Tsuna almost swallowed. "However, I understand. It's too late, you have changed, I am too late to save you. I hope… I know you have capable brothers and a caring lover, so I will… I will let you go." She bowed her head deep down, the brunet instinctively made to stop her. "Ryuunoiki-dono, I officially request to be removed from the family tree. I would like to live my life with my lover, unaffiliated to Yakuza. May I?"

His hand silently dropped to his thigh. Tsuna shut everything down, deep down. He felt the rage of his Mist behind him, of his Sun right out of the door. He swallowed his pain and forced a smile on his lips.

"Permission granted, Beniryuu. You have my blessing, you may leave now."

His mother– Nana lifted his head with the brightest smile he'd ever seen on her lips, thanked him, pulled her lover up and left the room with a skip to her feet, sword forgotten against the couch. Mist Flames covered him, but Nara left as he closed the door and Reborn was pushed inside. Tsuna watched everything as if he was not living it.

The woman's words kept repeating themselves in his head in a cacophony of pain, his stomach churned, his eyes stung, his head hurt, his hands trembled. Reborn kneeled in front of him, took his hands, caressed them and his cheek, called him. Burning tears streamed down his face, his lover carefully gathered them with a handkerchief. Tsuna shook his head, looked down, tried to recollect himself, but he failed.

This was not the outcome he'd expected… but he should have.

Abandoned once, abandoned twice.

People do not change.

"Tsuna, please, answer me…"

The brunet swallowed, sniffing. "Sorry, what did you say?"

One hand cupped his cheek, making him lock gazes with the hitman. "I know what you're thinking, I would have gladly made her understand, but you don't want that, right?"

No, he didn't, so he slowly shook his head. "For what purpose?" He took a shaky breath. "I'd like to defend her, but I find it quite difficult at the moment." He pursed his lips. "She knows I'm protected and decides I can be abandoned, again." He shrugged. "She did what she thought right? I guess that is debatable."

"Tsuna," Reborn kissed him softly on the lips. "You are in pain because she reopened an old wound. You are suffering because she abandoned you again without a second thought. You are crying because you're hurt, but also because you feel free now."

The brunet blinked, focusing on that last sentence. He felt free? Did he? He remembered that his mother had always been the reason why he'd never tried to flee the Ryuu's mansion. That was it? The reason why he felt like he was walking on the clouds? And his churning insides? He felt pain… Reborn was right.

He nodded. "I'm sorry," he covered his eyes with his hands. "I…"

Two strong arms embraced him, lulled him. "You are not weak, Tsuna. You've just been strong for too long. Let me take some of that burden, ok?"

He did that. He let Reborn hold him, take Ryuuken away, carry him to the bed and cuddle him for the whole afternoon. His love slowly warmed him, calmed him, softened him. He accepted the kisses, sometimes answered to them, thanked his lover, cried some more. But he felt ok…

He felt safe.

When he woke up, it was barely time for dinner. Reborn had not fallen asleep, instead combing through his hair. He greeted the brunet with a soft kiss and nudged him towards the shower, not joining him for once. Tsuna freshened up, wore a clean suit and thanked whatever he had no blood-shot eyes. Reborn took his hand and led him to the private living room.

"Everyone's too busy because of tomorrow, romantic dinner for the two of us tonight."

The brunet smiled and sat on the couch, bending his legs on his left, feet shoeless. The hitman placed a tray of sandwiches on the low table and sat at his right, immediately slinging one arm around his shoulders. A simple dinner, which he appreciated.

"Any news while I was out?"

Reborn passed him a sandwich and took one for himself, shrugging. "Your Elements are enraged, but that's to be expected. Iemitsu tried to come back, Kagami and Byakuran stopped him. Nara is writing the official document for your mother, told me it will be ready by tomorrow. Colonnello successfully found the weapons for the coup and made them useless. Verde and Viper noticed the Rings, that's your job so I did nothing. Atsushi sniffed around, Dame-Nari's Cloud is interested in that exchanging program, too."

"Surprising, I guess we won't have a minute's rest." He took a bite, recognizing raw ham and cheese. "What about Skull?"

Reborn took two glasses and poured water for both. "He's seduced a maid while watching after the pups, one involved in the coup. Said he might feign being on their side, Viper hid his Ring with Mist Flames. For free." He shook his head. "I think the world's ending, to be honest."

Tsuna shrugged. "He came to me, to the mansion back in Japan. I did nothing."

"That's the entire problem, you know?" Reborn kissed him on the forehead. "You do nothing and the world kneels to you."

The brunet softly patted the other's shoulder, "it's not true, though my and your and my brother's reputation precede us, right?"

"Even too well, golden-eyed demon," he smirked. "What's your plan for tomorrow?"

Tsuna hummed, sending his Flames searching for his brothers. "I guess it's time to decide." Reborn sighed, kissed him deeply and moved slightly aside, giving him space. "Sorry."

His lover took his hand to place another kiss. "Duty first, and it's not like I won't take my revenge tonight."

The brunet leaned forward to ravish those alluring lips, licked his own and relished in the teasing he'd just delivered. "Bring it on."

Reborn looked like a raging bull. Yes, he would love the night. Two soft knocks saved him from a hungry beast eyeing its prey. He smirked briefly before turning to the door and voicing the permission to come in. His brothers flowed through, Nara as the head of the line. He pointed to the various seats around him, but Kagami and Atsushi chose to stand behind the couch in front of him.

Nara lazily slouched in an armchair and put a folder on the low table, wary of the tray with food. "Ready for your signature, if you're still convinced about your decision."

Tsuna nodded, looking at it like it was about to attack. "Thank you." He decided to ignore it for the time being and eyed his brothers, then Reborn. "Do you mind taking them?" His lover just stood to disappear in their bedroom. "Have you caught up to our current situation, Viper, Verde?"

The two nodded. The Mist was hovering/sitting with crossed arms, the Lightning was leaning his head on his fisted hand, elbow on the armrest of the couch. They seemed better, well-rested. Their bonds were tight, possessive, they felt almost desperate to not be let go.

Reborn returned, gave him the box. Tsuna opened it and took the two Rings, offering the items to them.

"These are the symbol of our bonds and a weapon, not like Vongola's, but they're quite similar."

The men took them with a thanking nod and immediately put them on. They pushed their Flames through, causing a small clash of wills in the air. Crackling Lightning and cotton-soft Mist touched, fought, then merged, accepting. Tsuna smiled.

"Is there someone here, Nara aside, that prefers keeping his involvement with Yakuza a secret in front of our society?"

He half-expected the following silence. No one voiced that intention. He took it as a firm no.

"So, everyone wants to attend tomorrow's Ceremony?" His brother made to protest, "Nara aside. I know you hate these happenings." He clamped his mouth shut and smiled, closing his eyes and dozing off.

"I think the Arcobalenos should be with you while we check that the coup is taken care of and collect evidence," Atsushi spoke, nodding.

Kagami grunted. "It should be good to make them see that, without using our complete strength, we're able to come out of this unscathed."

"I agree with this, though I also think it unfair," Fon commented.

Atsushi waved it off. "We'll come out when everything is settled, we don't care about visibility."

"Our reputation in Yakuza is already solid," Nara butted in, one eye open, "but yours need to be flaunted during events just like this one. Show our world what we have, what we can but do not do. This way, our future contestants will be labelled as reckless idiots."

"And that is why he is the strategist!" Skull laughed, looking at Viper.

"Your laziness baffles me," the Mist whispered, but Nara simply shrugged and closed his eye again.

"He isn't that lazy in a fight," Fon assured him.

Verde huffed, "we'll see." He then turned to Tsuna. "Ryuunoiki?"

The brunet sipped his water, thinking through all they had told him. "So be it." He nodded, looking at each of them. "Arcobalenos will come with me since the beginning. Nara will orchestrate things without being seen, Kagami and Atsushi will have Vongola's back and come back to me when everything is over."

"What about the brat?" Kagami asked.

"With me. I won't leave him alone. Where is he right now?"

"Velvet and the puppies, the Vongola children are playing together with him."

That was reassuring. At least he had friends his age.

"It's strange to be in the same room as you and not listen to your annoying voice."

Tsuna looked at Verde, that was eyeing Reborn, that was smirking with his smug face. "If you missed me so much, you should have said so immediately."

The brunet almost rolled his eyes. He was about to sedate the conflict, but, surprisingly, a Rain's shower fell on them.

"Calm down, kora."

Reborn did roll his eyes. "Grown a pair, Bakanello?"

"Just saying you should calm down because this is a meeting and Ryuunoiki seems tired, kora."

Tsuna smiled, appreciating it. A Rain's attribute, huh? "If everything's decided for tomorrow, I'd suggest to all of you to have a good night's rest."

"Who do we need to kill, Ryuunoiki?"

He blinked at Fon, confused. "Kill?"

The martial artist inclined his head. "This afternoon, your Flames were deeply perturbed. I want to know who we need to kill for that."

"I second that, kora."

"So, that was not normal," Verde took his notebook, but the pen stayed still.

"How could that be, come on…" Skull had a sad frown on his face, closed in in his shoulders.

Tsuna pursed his lips, looking down. He took a long time to answer, not knowing well how to. Did he want someone killed for what had happened? Who would be the culprit? His grandfather? No. His mother? No. His father? Neither. No, no one needed to be killed for that, except his own weakness. But, as Reborn had said, a great weight had been lifted off his back. It was not all bad.

"Thank you, but this was a matter that needed to be addressed. No one deserves to be killed. Circumstances brought people to a certain situation, each of us would have acted differently. It's gone… better than I could have imagined, to be truthful."

Nara's Flames were greatly in disagreement. "With this signed," he nodded to the folder, "next time I see her, I won't hold back my weapons, Ryuunoiki."

Tsuna closed his eyes, dipping his head in acceptance. "You're not the only one." Then, he added, "let my father off the hook, though. He's still CEDEF's Boss and doesn't deserve such behaviour."

"He did nothing, in my book that means being an accomplice." Nara straightened in his chair. "But I'll follow your order, Ryuunoiki, as long as it is possible." He stood, "have a good night."

Atsushi, Kagami, Colonnello, Viper and Verde followed him outside. Fon and Skull stayed, looking at Tsuna with eyes that betrayed pain. He'd not noticed he had projected his feelings through his Flames. He should learn to keep them in check even in those moments. He'd worried them, again.

"I'd like to make a request," Fon said, leaning elbows on knees, fingers interlaced. "If you want to listen to me, Ryuunoiki."

Tsuna nodded, "I will always listen to you."

That stole a thin, brief smile. "Thank you." The man pursed his lips, thoughtful. "I know it is difficult, after all this time, to let others take care of things. I can understand… But you asked me to be your brother, to be part of your family. I can't be your brother if you don't let me help." Fon stopped talking and waved towards Skull, that took a deep breath.

"We are fine being pawns, but we also want you to know that we can shoulder more responsibilities. Just give us the order, explain to us what to do and we'll gladly lessen your burden." The biker shrugged. "We are your family, just like you always protect us, we want to protect you. Let us, please."

"They do have a point, you know?"

Tsuna glanced once at Reborn, then refocused on his brothers. "It is kind of hard to rely on others when I've been taught not to all my life." He paused, mind drowning in the many lessons taken as a child, before becoming the Kumicho. "I will try. If you think I'm trying to protect you instead of relying on you, make me notice."

Skull beamed, Fon smiled. They thanked him, bowed, bid him good night and left. Reborn hugged him and Tsuna leaned against his chest, sighing in tiredness.

"Truly never a dull moment here."

"Most of it, you brought on yourself."

The brunet hummed. "Might be true. Now, where's your vengeance gone?"

"… You will regret it tomorrow."

"As if you'd let me walk away without healing me, worrywart."

Let me know what you think! See ya!