Alex:And were back with chapter 7! So sorry for the late update, my motivation to write tanked so I had been taking it easy all week but it's finally hear! 14 pages later we are here. Enjoy my lovelies:)
XxxXxx
Chapter 7:Chaos
For an hour and a half they all trained. Mari supervised and instructed the best she could when it came to her skill. Yamamoto caught on quickly, being on the baseball team really helped him, he was very athletic and surprisingly flexible Mari realized as she watched him closely.
Gokudera didn't do much due to Bianchi and poor Tsuna practically died. His body wasn't used to such harsh ministrations. Then again it didn't help that Reborn was beating him with a mallet every time he messed up or complained.
Besides showing a bars routine she also showcased her skills on the balance beam. She messed up one flip but managed to recover quickly enough. Had she been at a competition a lot of points would have been deducted from her overall score.
Tsuna and everyone seemed really amazed at her balance. Mari personally couldn't figure out what the fuss was about.
"That should do it for the day." Reborn declared loudly. Tsuna was crumpled on the floor next to him crying silently. Yamamoto laughed as he stood arms akimbo while Gokudera looked displeased he couldn't do more.
Mari felt like she had to say something to him so she did. "You don't want to overwork yourself. Do that and you can't perform at your best, overwork and you're liable to injure yourself or get sick," She says firmly as she nudges Gokudera with her finger. "If that happens you can't protect your precious Juudaime."
Gokudera's eyes practically sparkled as he nodded his head vigorously.
"Thank you for your wise words, Hime!"
Could he not call her that?
"Mari is right. You can learn a lot from your wife, Tsuna."
Could he not call her that!?
Eye twitching she groans as she glares lividly at the hitman baby who merely offers her an innocent smile. There was no innocence in Reborn!
"She's not my wife!" Tsuna cries getting to his feet.
The echo of a loud smack is heard and Tsuna is once again on the floor. Mari winces at the outcome, deciding to keep her silence lest Reborn punish her as well. Sorry Tsuna, I can't help you on this one.
"Now that training is over, let's head home. Mari, you should join us at Tsuna's house as we do homework." Reborn says, turning to her.
The young girl perks up slightly at his words but she doesn't say anything as Tsuna's eyes go wide in frantic shock.
Go over to Tsuna's and thus get pulled into even more chaos? Rachel disagreed with that most vehemently. Mari opened her mouth to decline the offer but snapped her jaw shut clicking her teeth together.
It took a few minutes but she managed to get out the words. "Sure why not."
Laughing again Yamamoto once again slings his arm over her shoulders. "This will be fun!"
"Hey hands off Hime!"
"She doesn't seem to mind. We're just friends, Gokudera."
Before the one sided argument could become worse Mari slips out of Yamamoto's grasp.
"I'm gonna stop at home first and shower." She had worked up quite a sweat the last hour and a half. The last thing she wanted was to smell when meeting new people because she was sure to meet Tsuna's mother, Lambo, and I-Pin.
Nodding his head Reborn agreed to let her go and with that she turned on her heel and went to the locker room to change clothes.
XxxXxx
Once Mari was all clean and dressed in comfortable attire, really she was bumming it in leggings and a sweatshirt, she told her mother she was going over to Tsuna's to complete homework. Her mother, ever ecstatic, insisted she take over the Chiffon cake she had made earlier that day.
And that's how Mari greeted Tsuna's mother, Nana Sawada.
Nana was pleased to see her, Mari could see her caramel colored eyes lighting up in excitement over the fact her son had another friend. Welcoming her in, Nana explained how Tsuna was upstairs in his room with the others. Thanking her for the cake she heads into the kitchen while Mari stares down the stairs leading up to the second floor. Leading up to her doom.
She was hesitating. Everything inside her was telling her to run away as fast as she could, that this house was the epitome of death. Rachel was ever loud within her.
Taking a deep breath Mari plunders forward. Gotta nut up or shut up her mind screams.
"Your Mari not Rachel….Mari not Rachel…." she mutters softly to herself as she treads lightly.
The closer she got to Tsuna's bedroom the louder she heard noises. She could hear Gokudera yelling at Yamamoto, Tsuna trying to calm him down, and Yamamoto laughing not taking anything seriously as per usual. Hopeless idiots she thinks as she knocks once on the door before entering.
"Chaos." she waves as she enters.
Reborn's head tilts to the side as everyone greets her though they question her choice of greeting.
"Oh, it's nothing just being silly." she states before sitting down on a nearby cushion. Tsuna's room was as she remembered in the anime. Small but cozy with a bed in the right hand corner of the room while a desk sat at the left. A small television and gaming system sat in one section of the room while most things were more or less put back in their rightful place. Despite the haphazard cleaning it still looked a bit messy. Not that Mari minded, she in turn was messy herself. What teenager cleaned up after themselves?
Pulling out her textbook and notebook she flips them open to their rightful pages.
"So what are we working on first?" she questions.
"Math. The worksheet is due tomorrow and there's twenty questions." Tsuna groans. Mari couldn't help but groan with him. Math was her worst subject by far, never was good at it before and she sure as hell wasn't good at it now.
"Whining gets you nowhere." Reborn states simply as Leon transforms into an electric fly swatter. Mari narrowly dodges a slap to the face, ducking down in time, poor Tsuna who was sitting on her right, got nailed. The young girl couldn't help but wince as a sizzling pop sounded followed by Tsuna whimpering in pain. Perhaps she should have taken one for the team and gotten hit?
Reaching down she plucks Tsuna up and dusts him off before nudging her notes towards him. Perhaps that would help him in some way? As she does this Reborn offers her a knowing smirk which Mari rudely follows by flipping him the bird.
"Don't worry will get through this together!" Yamamoto laughs. Gokudera clicks his tongue in annoyance before turning to her and Tsuna. His eyes take on a twinkling appearance as they practically grow to the size of large anime eyes.
"Don't worry Juudaime, Hime I'd be happy to explain anything you don't understand." His tone was prideful with a tinge of happiness. Always wanting to please and show support but somehow Mari got the feeling he was shit at explaining things.
She was right.
After listening to Gokudera lecture for ten minutes Mari was at a loss for words. It was like he was speaking his own language! The formula should have been bloody simple to explain but with him explaining it it sounded like something out of the Twilight zone. Tsuna couldn't comprehend anything as he tried to keep up while Mari simply threw in the towel and went groveling to Reborn.
He had a degree in math, didn't he she wondered as she eyed him hopefully.
Reborn, who was cleaning his gun glanced at her for a split second before returning to his ministrations.
"Accept your place in Vongola as Tsuna's wife and then I'll help you." he states nonchalantly without missing a beat. Brow furrowing in exasperation Mari huffs tossing her notebook down onto the small square table.
"Ya know what, I'll take the failing grade." There was simply no way she was accepting Vongola!
In the end math was put on pause in favor of starting English. The class had an essay to write about where they saw themselves ten years from now. Mari was half tempted to write 'Not Dead' in big bold letters in red ink. Instead she merely wrote zookeeper because again she liked animals and felt it would be an interesting career of choice after her school days. Perhaps even less dangerous.
Gokudera was already done with his essay and of course he wrote all about being Tsuna's right hand man.
"For me I'd say professional baseball player." Yamamoto smiles pleasantly as he writes.
"You have good talent to achieve it." Mari states as she leans back in her seat. She couldn't help but wonder if things had been different if he would have achieved that.
"Thank you!"
Nodding her head she smiles softly just as the bedroom door slams open. A high pitched annoying laugh fills the air and soon a small cow jumps onto the center table.
"Lambo-San wants to play!" he declares loudly. I-Pin lands next to him most likely wanting to play as well but not being as insistent and rude as Lambo.
"Stupid cow were busy so don't bother us!" Gokudera hisses glaring.
"Lambo were doing homework so we can play later." Tsuna sighs, shaking his head. Lambo ignored him as he began to kick up a fuss on the table wanting to get his way. Before violence of any kind could take place Mari reaches into her bag and pulls out two lollipops.
"Here you go. We're a bit busy but will play later." she says softly as she hands the grape lolli to Lambo. The small child stops his tantrum to blink up at her, snatching the treat from her hand
Lambo rips off the plastic and stuffs it into his mouth. "Thank you lady!" he squeals happily.
"Stupid cow show some respect to Juudiames girl!" Gokudera shouts, hitting Lambo upside the head. Sighing Mari ignores the argument unfolding as she hands I-Pin a strawberry lollipop.
"Don't worry I'm not forgetting you as well. My name is Mariko, call me Mari." she smiles as I-Pin takes the candy. A happy grin adorns her oversized head as she bows respectfully to her.
"Xie Xie, Mari. I'm I-Pin." Mari couldn't help the soft smile that curls her lips as she bows back to the young Chinese girl. She was cute in a way Mari thinks.
Lambo, who had calmed down at this point, noticed I-Pin had a treat as well. Swiftly stealing it he jumps off the table, running out of the room declaring that all candy is his. I-Pin follows closely behind him calling him a thief. Well that went as expected.
"Will add good with children to your list of qualities, Mari." Reborn speaks up. Taking notes into a little black notebook Mari's jaw drops as a look of horror crosses her face. Oh, hell no she was not having children with Tsuna. Tsuna seemed to be on the same page as his face turned a bright shade of red as he kept glancing at Mari and then away. Let it be known Tsuna was never slow on the uptake.
Laughing Yamamoto rests his arm against his knee. "You two would have cute kids."
Heat flooded Mari's face as she looked wildly around everyone. How could they think of something like that?
"Don't worry I'll babysit!" Gokudera shouts gleefully. You don't even like kids Mari's mind screams as she slams her hands on the table. Her palms sting from the force but she ignores the slight pain as she stands up.
"I'm using the bathroom!" she declares before darting out of the room. Mari narrowly dodges Haru who seemed to have stopped by.
"Mari-Chan!" the eccentric brunette shouts joyfully.
"Talk later!" Mari manages to shout over her shoulder as she scurries down the hall. Taking the stairs down two at a time she slams into Bianchi who was beginning to head up the stairs with a plate of noxious snacks. Mari stumbles back but effortlessly with one hand Bianchi grabs her arm steadying her before she falls on her backside.
Green eyes examine Mari closely taking in her appearance. A smile graces the slender hit woman's face as a blush dusts her cheeks. "Ah young love. Love is pure and amazing!" she gushes. Mari could just envision Bianchi was thinking of Reborn at that moment. A strangled noise escapes her throat as she darts around the slender woman and towards the bathroom.
Once inside Mari slams and locks the door. Back pressed against the wood of the door she slowly slides down to the ground. Pressing her head against her knees Mari takes slow and even breaths. In and out….in…...and out…... her once erratic breathing slowly began to calm. She didn't feel as flustered or panicked before which was good but even despite that feeling her mind was working into overdrive.
Leave the house. You can just take your bag and leave and none would be the wiser, it's getting late anyway. The sun was beginning to set.
Rachel was nagging in her head wanting her to run away, to abort the mission and get the hell out of dodge.
"No...I won't do that….I'm not you anymore." Mari whispers to herself. She wanted to be here no matter what, she wanted to be friends with everyone. Regret was welled deep within her from rejecting Tsuna that day all those years ago. But she had been scared and thus hadn't accepted things, a part of her still hadn't accepted. Rachel was still a huge part of her but how could she lay her to rest?
With a shaky breath Mari clambers to her feet. Heading to the sink she turns on the faucet and cups her hands under the steady flow of cold water. Splashing the water on her face a few times Mari feels more alert. The sudden rush of cold cleared her mind, calming her even more.
Looking into the mirror a horrified gasp escapes Mari's lips. What stood in the mirror was not her normal appearance. There were no green eyes, toffee colored hair, or smooth skin. Instead what looked back at her was blonde hair tousled and tangled, bits of twigs and leaves intertwined the mess mimicking a rats nest, pale faded blue eyes blankly stare at her, they were devoid of emotion. The girl's face was so sickly pale it looked almost white white, Mari could see the veins in her flesh sticking out clearly for all to see. Her lips were a shade of blue; it was as if death had graced her with a gentle kiss like that of Sleeping Beauty's prince. But instead of being awoken from a deathlike sleep the chaste kiss had brought about her demise.
Blood seeped down the young girl's face. Some spots were fresh, caressing down her cheeks to dribble down her chin making their way slowly down her neck. Other portions were dry, congealed against the flesh blemishing it.
"Rachel…." Mari gasps out. A scream climbs up her throat, clawing its way up and out but Mari slams a hand over her mouth to stop it in its tracks. Her body feels rooted, frozen to the spot as a chill curls up her spine. This wasn't real, it can't be real!
At the call of her name pale eyes flicker in recognition.
That was enough to have Mari stumbling backwards away from the mirror. The back of her heel connects with the shower and is tumbling down onto the tile floor with a loud thud. Pain laces up through her but she pays it no mind. Heart racing rapidly in her chest Mari keeps her mouth covered as she tries to control her breathing, it was becoming erratic once more.
Take a breath she thinks as she shakily let's go of her mouth after a couple minutes. Her hand trembles violently, her body shaking in fear from the horrid visage. It was hard to gain control of her limbs, she felt like jelly, unable to keep still as it tumbled all over the place.
Mari manages to suck in some air and hold it briefly for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. It was a stuttering breath. She attempts the process of breathing a few more times till she manages to calm down enough, her heart continues to race in her chest as she slowly crawls forward. Taking it slow and steady she crawls towards the sink making sure to stay out of it's reflection.
Was she gone? Mari didn't know.
Fingers curl around the porcelain sink as she rests on her knees. Taking a deep breath Mari closes her eyes tightly before lifting herself up to her full height. She waits one moment then another and then on the third moment she opens her eyes.
Peeking out slowly Mari only sees familiar green eyes, long toffee colored locks, and clear skin that was not deathly pale. There was no sight of blood anywhere. A deep sigh of relief escapes her as the relief spreads throughout her entire being. It's just me…...only me…..not Rachel.
Still she had to wonder why she saw that. It was unnerving to say the least.
Grabbing a towel she dries her face and keeps the soft cotton pressed against it as she takes more steadying breaths. A soft knock on the door startles her.
"Mari are you alright? You've been gone awhile." Tsuna's voice is muffled by the door separating them but she could hear the telltale of worry in his tone. Crap, how long have I been gone? She hadn't meant to be gone too long.
"I'm okay! Be right out." she calls. Glancing once more in the mirror she's satisfied to see herself. Placing the towel back on the rack neatly she plasters a smile onto her face and opens the door. Tsuna stares at her with wide doe-like eyes as he takes in her appearance.
That smile is fake, he thinks as he continues to examine her. Tsuna noticed her complexion seemed pale as her hand trembled slightly. Something had spooked her really badly. Perhaps it was Reborn with all his nonsense from earlier? But to Tsuna that didn't seem right, she had been flustered yes but she hadn't been scared. This worried him.
A boldness overcomes him as he reaches out, taking her trembling hand into his, Tsuna squeezes as tightly as he could. Tsuna gives her a warm comforting smile.
"I don't know what scared you and it's alright if you don't want to talk but know I'm here." he whispers softly. Mari had always been there for him so this time he wanted to be there for her if she would let him.
Mari's eyes widened in surprise at his words but all too quickly tears came. Her throat felt tight as she fought back her tears, afterall she had done enough crying to last a lifetime. With her free hand she reaches out and pulls Tsuna into a tight hug. Tsuna tenses not expecting it but manages to wrap his free arm around her back. Face pressed into the crook of his neck a few tears escape Mari's eyes and fall onto his skin. The young boy doesn't say anything, he merely rubs soothing circles into her back.
The two stand in silence as they merely hug one another. Mari crying silently and Tsuna offering her much needed support. One day she would confide in him what had scared her so badly but until that day Tsuna would wait. He would simply be there for her.
"I'm sorry for shoving you away when we first met. I should have let you build blocks with me." Mari whispers lightly against Tsuna's skin. She expected this regret to be with her for a long while, Mari wondered how her life would have been if she had simply let him play with her.
Tsuna couldn't help but laugh. "It's okay. We're friends now."
Pulling out of his grasp Mari stares at Tsuna who merely smiles warmly at him. He'll be a great boss, she thinks as a small smile of her own curls her lips.
"Yeah."
From where he stood on the staircase Reborn couldn't help but smirk at the proceedings he saw before him. He had been worried for Mari once twenty minutes had gone by and had been about to check on her himself when Tsuna volunteered. When a lot of time had passed since he left the hitman got curious and sought to check things out for himself.
Seeing Tsuna offer her comfort as the girl cried spoke volumes. He was a prime candidate for Vongola, there was no doubt about it. Reborn would shape him into a great mafia boss that he swore but watching the two of them only reaffirmed that they were a good match. Though she denied it now Mariko had the makings of a good mafia wife. She would be good for Vongola and even those around her.
Smirking, Reborn's fedora covers his eyes.
"Stupid Mari you fail to see how much Tsuna cares for you."
A butterfly indeed.
XxxXxx
After Mari had calmed down enough Tsuna and her made their way upstairs. They talked about random topics as they slowly trekked to his room. Mari found herself enjoying the conversation, sure Tsuna was hopeless at a lot of stuff but he wasn't all that bad. Why did others have to be so mean?
Loud noises rumbled loudly from within his room.
"Stupid cow!" Oh, Lambo had returned.
"How dare you hit a precious child!"
"Calm down, Gokudera, he's just playing hitman."
More noises and what sounded like a desk breaking in half echoes loudly in the air.
"We're back!" Tsuna calls with a sigh. He was so over this, no one else had these problems he thought as he simply sought a normal life.
"Heads up, Juudaime! Hime!" Gokudera shouted, alerting them.
Looking up Mari only manages to see a large purple projectile catapulting towards her. After that her world is surrounded by purple smoke. Her body is weightless, the ground beneath her was gone and she was zooming quickly somewhere but she couldn't see where. As quickly as it came the weightlessness vanished, her feet were on the ground once more. Mari coughs harshly from the purple smoke. It felt like breathing in rotten cotton candy.
"Hey!" she coughs waving her hands wildly blowing the smoke away. Once the smoke has cleared Mari opens her eyes and looks around.
This isn't Tsuna's room!
Mari stood on a beautiful balcony that overlooked a grand garden, all sorts of flowers were laid out below her and in the distance she could make out a fountain spewing water. The stars shone brightly overhead as the sky was blanketed by a velvet darkness with the stars acting at bright jewels.
Discombobulated Mari slowly backs away from the balcony and heads inside, where the hell am I!?
Okay when in an unfamiliar place it was always good to get your bearings so perhaps there was someone she could talk to to figure out where she was?
Elegant music reached her ears, gaining her attention as she headed back inside. Her head was on a swivel as she looked about, everything was so grand and beautiful, the architect of this place was certainly amazing. Judging from the size of the place Mari concluded she was in a mansion of some kind.
As she peeked over the railing to stare down at the bottom floor she saw many people dressed extravagantly. Women wore all sorts of beautiful dresses, their hair was done elegantly as make up and jewelry adorned their skin. Men wore tuxedos, their hair neat and tidy. A full blown orchestra stood on one side of the room playing various music pieces Mari didn't recognize but found enchanting. There was also a buffet with all sorts of delicious looking food. She could smell it from here, it had her mouthwatering as her stomach growled loudly. Mari was most amazed at the five tier cake standing in the center of the food as if it was a grand centerpiece.
This whole room stunk of filthy rich. From the attire, food, orchestra, to even the tables for folks to sit.
"Whoever owned this was big ballin 'in the fat stacks." Mari muttered, impressed. This still didn't answer her question of where she was.
"Oh, my I must say I didn't think she had a sibling." a femine voice says, catching Mari's attention. Glancing back Mari sees a middle aged man and woman standing together, like those down below they were dressed extravagantly.
"Surely not, dear. The child must be a cousin." the man drawled. Hand clasped on a wine glass he spins the liquid inside ever so slightly before taking a sip.
"But the resemblance is so uncanny!" the woman gushes as she uses her fan to cover her mouth.
They know I can hear them right?
Mari, unsure of what to do, smiles and waves at the couple and apparently that was their green light to go talk to her. Now she regrets responding to them at all.
"I must say you surely need to dress in more appropriate attire!" The woman admonishes as her hazel eyes assess her. Commoner attire was not fitting for this sort of party. "An engagement party is such a big deal, you must hurry to your quarters and change at once."
Mari almost fired back with "You're not my mom." but held her tongue. "Oh, forgive me I was going to go change in a moment…..just ya know…..looking around." she laughs. Rubbing the back of her head she decides to play along with whatever is happening. If you can't beat 'em, join them.
"I must say since you're related to the bride to be you must be elated." the man says once again sipping his wine.
Mari was still at a loss as to what was going on. Related to the bride?
"Sure." she smiles. Can I go now?
Mari was itching to leave; and as if the heavens heard her she was saved.
Before anyone could say anything further another voice called out, it sounded familiar as a gentle arm wrapped around Mari's shoulders. It was a familiar weight. "There you are! We must be going." Looking up Mari's eyes widened in shock at the sight of Yamamoto…..an older Yamamoto leading her away. Smiling at the couple she was conversing with, the baseball lover leads her down the hall and out of sight. Only when they're behind a large pillar and out of the sight of prying eyes does he release her.
"Yamamoto!?" She cries incredulously. He seemed so much older and hardened, a small scar adorned his chin.
Wait! The object that hit me was the ten year bazooka! Realization hit her like a ton of bricks as she realized she was ten years in the future. Oh shit!
To be fair this was kinda cool. Mari couldn't deny the excitement that thrummed through her body at this insane realization.
Yamamoto's face softens as he smiles at her. "Hello Mari-Chan."
Mari opens and closes her mouth like a fish out of water as she tries to formulate words but none come to mind.
"Yamamoto, did you find her!" Gokudera's voice is loud and clear. Looking over she sees the silver haired boy….well man running towards them. He was dressed in a tux with a red undershirt. To Mari he looked ever more like a delinquent.
At the sight of her his green eyes widen before a sigh escapes him.
"Damn cow." he grumbles, coming to a halt before them.
"This certainly wasn't planned but man I forgot how small you were Mari-Chan!" Yamamoto laughs pleasantly causing Gokudera to slap him upside the head. Yamamoto deftly dodges as he continues to laugh.
"Don't insult Hime!" he hisses glaring.
Mari's eye twitches in annoyance. He was still calling her that ridiculous name ten years later and she did not appreciate it.
"Can you two stop your arguing and tell me what's going on…..please?" She questions adding please at the end because her parents raised her to be polite. As her arms crossed her chest, Mari tapped her foot on the ground impatiently as she watched as Gokduera and Yamamoto share a knowing look. Wow she really felt out of the loop.
"Oh, dear, it looks like Lambo used the ten year bazooka but missed it's intended target." a calm gentle voice calls from behind. That voice? It was familiar.
"Tsuna?" she questions slowly turning around. Her vision is suddenly enveloped by purple smoke once more and once more she's hacking away at the fumes. Mari was back in Tsuna's room.
Five minutes were up.
Coughing she looks around with watery eyes at everyone. Yamamoto as always took things in stride while the others stared at her in shock. Tsuna's face was beet red as he stared at her which confused her.
"What's with you guys?"
Jumping on her shoulder, Reborn smirks. "Don't worry about it. Mama called us for dinner."
With a heavy sigh she hangs her head but nods as they make their way down the stairs to dinner. All this nonsense was making her even more hungry and seriously why was Tsuna so flustered?
-Ten Years In The Future-
"I forgot how cute and small you used to be." Mari laughs as she pokes Tsuna's cheek. The brunette couldn't help but blush at her words, he really wished she wouldn't describe his younger self as that even though it was true. Together the two of them made their way downstairs to the party, Mari's arm was curled around his own as they descended the carpeted steps slowly.
Everyone watched them clapping and shouting well wishes for the happy couple. Tsuna was dressed in a simple black tux with a black cloak draped over his shoulders. The cloak had simple yet intricate metal embellishments adorning the fabric. Mari was dressed in a nice red off the shoulder asymmetrical dress with black heels. She didn't wear much jewelry apart from a lovely butterfly necklace her mentor gifted her with and the engagement ring Tsuna had given her a few weeks prior. Her shoulder length hair was done simple and easy in a waterfall braid.
"Well I forgot how much of an attitude you used to have." Tsuna fires back. He recalled seeing younger Mari with her arms crossed over her chest, she was very much the picture perfect example of attitude as her foot tapped an uneven beat against the ground.
"Used to?" she questions huffing. Tsuna chuckles, shaking his head ever so slightly as they reach the bottom floor. Several people came up in person to congratulate them while a few others were already too drunk and making a provocative display of themselves as they moved towards Mari. Tsuna is quick to move his betrothed towards the buffet table and away from the crude prostration. Nodding his head curtly to Hibari,who stayed far back in the distance away from the crowd,the skylark is happy to oblige Tsuna's request and take out those who were making a nuisance of themselves.
Grabbing a flute of champagne Mari presses the rim of the glass to glossy lips and takes a small sip as she reclines back against the table.
"It was nice to see all our younger selves. Of course Reborn looked very pleased with himself." She comments as her eyes drift over all the guests. It filled her heart with warmth to see so many of their family members coming together in celebration as well as friends of the family to share in the festivities.
"Of course he was." Tsuna sighs, plucking up a small slice of cake. Reborn was always the confident type especially when it came to Mari and himself.
"Though I'm pretty sure I gave your younger self a heartache." Mari giggles as she stares at Tsuna lovingly.
"Oh is that right?" he questions as he holds the cake to her lips. Smiling, she let's Tsuna feed her and takes a bite. Mmmmm red velvet her favorite. Smiling, she knows frosting is staining her lips but rather than using a napkin to clean her face Mari grabs Tsuna by his tie. With a firm tug she pulls the taller man down till their lips touch in a sweet chaste kiss. He was quick to make sure there was no frosting left.
Another kiss is shared between the two though this time deeper as Tsuna's arm snakes around her waist tugging her close.
"VOI! YOU BASTARD!" The loud scream of Squalo pierces the air soon followed by the sound of shattering glass.
Parting ways the two of them share a heavy sigh, it was never a dull moment in the Vongola famiglia that was for sure. They were family through and through and while once they shared hard times, together they overcame the obstacles and stood firmly as one.
"Go on and tell the Varia not to trash our party," she laughs, shoving Tsuna forward. Despite his age he was still wary of dealing with Xanxus. "In the meantime I'm going to ask Fiore to be my maid of honor. Perhaps if you're lucky later you'll get more frosting." Mari winks as Tsuna's face turns a dark shade of red. Coughing into his hand he struggles to find words, he couldn't help but feel like his fumbling fourteen year old self again. The things this woman did to him.
Laughing Mari blows him a kiss before turning on her heel. "Oh and do ask Lussaria if he'll bake the wedding cake!" she calls over her shoulder.
Weaving her way through the crowd she leaves her dear fiancé to deal with damage control as she heads to find a longtime friend of hers. Smiling Mari lightly touches the inside of her right forearm where a butterfly tattoo graces her skin. It's wings were a multitude of bright colors.
To her everything changed for the better when Reborn came to Namimori.
XxxXxx
Chapter:And chapter end! Of course I had to add a ten year bazooka scene with poor Mari;) And how curious, I wonder who Fiore is? Hehe stayed tuned for future chapters to find out!
This chapter took me awhile to write but I am very happy with the outcome. As always let me know what you all think and I'll see you next time!
Ciao Ciao