A/N:

@Tenma Kirin: I completely and absolutely agree with you. Thanks for the review, and here is the update!

@Plew A.E: Hahaha! I love this review of yours. You're like summoning Reborn and all, and trying to summon Tsuna and his guardian too. Love you too. Thank you for the review!

@Thunder-Death: We can't kill him yet. We're going to strip him all of his power first before we bury him alive. Mwahaha! Anyway, thank you for the review.

@qiaraz97: Haha. I'll make an omake of what was happening in Namimori for the past months Tsuna was out. Probably, three parts? Who knows. I'm just about to make them alongside my main ones. Reborn, version EI, says no problem on punching the a-hole for all the readers. He has wanted to do the same thing for the longest time. Thank you for the review.

@Kunn: Same! Went satisfied with what happened to Oregano. That lady needed some reality check more than Iemitsu needs it. And I think this update will be two parts- Sh... Thank you for the review.

@Middernacht: HAHAHA! Nice one! Thank you for the review.

@Aylako-hime: Nope. Not pulling Tsuna in Namimori against his will. Well, I think Hayato and Takeshi do regret leaving Tsuna, but remember, only the strongest can bond with another strongest when it comes to flames. Thanks for the review.

@Outerjay: Thank you.

Thoughts about this chapter:

* Oh. Reborn went and avenged Tsuna by attacking Iemitsu because he couldn't help his student back when the latter was still in Namimori.

* The others as well. Why did I just realized this?

* Soma is protective af.

* I think I made some kind of illicit affair among Ieyasu, Tsuna and Reborn, where Ieyasu discovered that Reborn has a contact with Tsuna while the brunet is on hiding.

* Ek. Ieyasu grew up alongside Nana in terms of personality and mentality. That's good.

Anyway, go on. Don't mind me here. Hahaha!

Chapter Forty-Six

Tsuna opened his eyes as he hears some loud noises of water and screaming and other things. He blinked his eyes and stared at the empty space in front of him. He's curled on it. Thinking that Soma was probably on that spot, he dismissed the redhead's missing presence and propped himself away from the mattress. After sitting up, he rubbed an eye with a fist, went for the edge of the bed and searched for his slippers. After he got his slippers, he decided to go out of his room, not forgetting to slip his phone in his pocket.

He first went for the bathroom and did his thing then washed his face, before trudging for the kitchen after. He greeted Fumio, who was wearing a yellow helmet, on the way, and blinked at Yuki and Sato carrying some big hose that he sees being used by firefighters when he was about to enter. Shrugging, he went for the fridge, took out the milk, pulled a glass from the racks and poured the white liquid in it. He took a sip, tasted it before downing everything. He returned the box back to the fridge before washing the glass under the tap and put it back to the racks.

When he went out, everything is still in chaos. He blinked at them and decided, again, to go back to his room. On the way there, he stared at some teenagers, a little older than him, approaching the window at the end of the hallway he was about to take before he turns left. His brows furrowed when he saw one of them posing as if going to hit the glasses. Why would they do that when they could just knock or something to get some of his dorm mates' attentions?

"Oi." He called out as he stopped just by the window and stared at the teenagers who went attentive on him. "What are you doing?"

He watched them go stiff, before they started to back away then turned tail as if they saw something they should not have.

Tsuna tilted his head in confusion at the reaction, before he shrugged. "Weird."

(He didn't know that he looked so intimidating with his half-lidded tawny eyes and relaxed posture. Like a lion staring straight at his prey, lazily calculating the distance and ways to attack.)

"Tsuna-kun!" He turned back to see Ryouko and Aoki approaching him. "When did you wake up?" Ryouko asked.

"Five minutes ago? I went for the bathroom then to the kitchen to drink milk. I'm about to go back to my room." He answered truthfully.

"Oh. Thanks God." The lady sighed.

"We thought you're going to do what you were planning." Aoki said, smiling at him. "Don't do it, okay? Yukihira is doing what he could do to save the dorm."

His brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? What plan? And what are you saying about Soma?"

The two glanced at each other before Ryouko opened her mouth to answer. "Well, you see-"

"Ah?!"

The three of them looked at the other end of the hallway where Marui's shout was heard. Tsuna was tugged by Ryouko to run towards the sound. They arrived in the room where most of their dorm mates have gathered. Curiously, Tsuna looked at what they were seeing in the TV. He stared at the score where Soma got three votes while Eizan has zero.

"Wait." He cut through the noise his friends were making. "Soma challenged Eizan-sempai to a Shokugeki?"

"Yes." Megumi replied, stepping up in front of him. "He stated that he's going to challenge Eizan-sempai to a Shokugeki and told us to never let you out of the dorms until he arrives."

"What for?" He queried, puzzled.

"He wrote that you're planning to leave us to save the dorm." Shun disclosed, arms crossed over his chest. "We don't know in what way, but it sounded dangerous and something you won't do willingly."

"Guys-"

"You told us that everything will be alright." Yuki said, staring at him with sadness. "But how will everything be okay if you're gone and became a somewhat sacrifice?"

"Don't do it again, Sawada." Aoki admonished. "Polar Star dorm won't be complete without you in here."

"It won't be fun anymore if you're not here." Sato added.

He pursed his lips as he bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry."

"Oh Tsuna-kun." Arato cooed as she patted his head. "Please raise your head. They forgive you."

He breathed, raised his head and smiled. "Thank you."

The others smiled back to him.

"Wait a sec!" They eyed the TV again when they heard Soma's voice. "All right... Everyone in Central! Are you listening?!"

Tsuna can't help his snickering when the redhead's expression turned blank and went comical as he cupped his chin.

"Man..." Yukihira drawled. "Realizing I'm on camera is making me kinda nervous. It'd be a teensy bit embarrassing if I messed up what I was saying or something."

"If you're gonna say something, just say it already!" Someone from the side shouted.

"Um.. Well," Soma coughed a little and stared straight at the camera. "If you try to mess with my friends, I won't forgive you. You might think of us all as weaklings, but we're not about to lie back and let you walk all over us. If you're looking for a fight, we'll give you one and mercilessly kick all your asses. Even if," He crossed his arms and gave the camera a stern look. "it's an Elite ten member who's looking for that fight."

"Huh." He uttered, snickering a little. "Soma looked a little cooler there."

"Ah." The ranga blurted as if he remembered something. "Pass me a message too. If there is someone out there who wants to expel one Tsunayoshi Sawada from Tootsuki, you have to go through us, me, first. Just so you know," He pulled out something underneath his Yukihira diner's shirt, that made Tsuna almost choke on his saliva. It was the Version Vongola storm Ring. Since when did it evolve like that? "I'm one of his friends, and both parties won't be nice if one of us suddenly gets taken away."

The TV went blank after that. The Polar Star dorm shouted in happiness and triumph when those goons under Eizan started to walk away from the mansion. Tsuna slipped out as his intuition knocked on him that Soma is about to arrive. Someone must've saw the ranga enter the compound since the others started to go out of the room too and went out of the house. He went for the stairs instead and stood by there.

He listened to them reprimand and welcome the redhead with cheers. He can't help himself from smiling as he remembered Soma's words. He doesn't know where did Yukihira got those words, but that was so gutsy. Something his elements will do.

He blinked and watched as Soma came in, grinning like a winner. He laughed as the redhead raised his arms and beckoned him to come. Tsuna did and hugged his best friend tight. Soma hugged him back equally tight.

"I'm home, Tsuna." Yukihira hummed.

"Welcome back, Soma. That was reckless, but good. So like you." He responded.

"I had some motivations."

"Really?"

"Yup. Ah. I didn't write you a note, right? Reborn called last night."

Sawada parted from Yukihira, mouth agape. "What?!"

"I talked to him while you were sleeping." Soma elaborated, smiling without a care about Tsuna's trouble. "Did you know that you're so adorable when you're asleep? You keep on mumbling things I don't understand."

Tsuna flushed. "S-Soma!"

"Okay okay." Soma snickered before laying his hand. "Can I have your phone? I need to do something."

Tsuna cluelessly pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed his phone. "Here."

He watched as Soma tap around his phone, yellow eyes scanning things on the screen before he clicked something and put the gadget by his ear. Before long, he saw him beam. "Yo Reborn!"

Tsuna's jaw unhinged. "S-Soma...!"

"Tsuna is with me... My Shokugeki?... Yeah! I won! I told you, didn't I?" Yellow eyes looked down at him. "Did you?... Damn. I wish I was there..."

"What happened?" He asked, concerned with the sudden closeness.

"Here." Soma handed, smiling brightly. "Reborn wants to talk to you."

He visibly paled. "He's not mad, is he?"

"Nope." Tsuna took the phone and put it by his ear. He watched as the redhead's smile turned into a mischievous grin. "He's furious."

"Soma!" He shouted in indignation that the redhead only laughed at.

"Dame-Tsuna." A voice called out from the phone.

"Y-Yes!" He snappily responded. "I-I'm so sorry about last night, Reborn. I-I was tired and I cried a lot- I mean I was tired and I didn't hear the phone ringing so it was Soma who answered it. I'm so sorry."

"What did I say about stuttering?"

"Hie! I wasn't! I wasn't!" He squealed in panic, unaware of his dorm mates tinkering in. "Don't shot! Don't shot!"

"I won't. Tootsuki is too far from Namimori, idiot." He heard rustles from the other side. "I heard you cried. You haven't done that for months. So I made Iemitsu pay."

"E-Eh?"

"I attacked him last night. I also talked to Oregano. I'm not expecting her to apologize to you. But she looks threatened enough not to call you selfish again."

Tsuna can't help his eyes water. "Thank you."

"You are not selfish, Tsuna. You've done your job, but still under my tutelage. Remember that."

"I-I will."

"Now wipe those tears away. Your family is doing what they could to help."

Tsuna pursed his lips as his intuition detected tire from the hitman's voice. "How about you? Are you okay? You sound tired, Reborn. I'm sorry if I'm dumping you all the work."

"I am tired, Dame-Tsuna." A sigh. "But as much as I tire myself, I know you're being bothered by your intuition too."

"I'm sorry."

A soft croon. "You better make it up with your cooking."

He beamed. "I will. I promise. I'll cook you all the things you like. Just... Just hang in there, okay? This will go away soon. By the time we're done, it's done. No more troubles from him."

"That's a promise."

"Between us."

"Among the three of us." Soma corrected as he draped himself on Tsuna's back. "You can't keep all the secrets to yourselves. That won't be fair."

"Hmm. True." Tsuna stared at the phone in horror.

"Tsuna-kun looked like he saw a ghost." Megumi pointed out to the other who were still listening to the conversation.

"Oh my God." Tsuna moaned. "I knew you two will be the cause of my headaches in the future."

Soma's delighted laugh and Reborn's smirk haunted him in both ways.

(He was glad that the two were getting along though.)

Tsuna glanced at the Aldini brothers who came in, Takumi shouting Soma's name. He slipped to the kitchen again, undetected as the ruckus goes up, to clean away the utensils they used for cooking the food they served for the celebration.

Singing under his breath, he relished what happened after they ended the call with Reborn. Although Reborn sounded exhausted, he was able to detect the relief and ease in the hitman's tone of voice. The others also greeted his tutor goodbye before the latter ended the call. After that, he got roped up to cook with the others.

He honestly felt chastised when his dorm mates talked to him in different time while they cooked. One by one, from Marui to Fumio, they told him how worried they were for days he won't go out of his room, and he shouldn't do reckless things like his best friend does. Well, he is the rational one between them. But they didn't blame him for thinking like that too.

"Tsuna?" He looked back to see Soma by the threshold. "You're separating yourself again. Come on."

"I wasn't." He negated as he dried his hands.

Soma made a face. "He wasn't, he says. Isshiki-sempai is in his naked apron! It's been days since he did that! And Arato and Nakiri are surprised to it!"

"Fine fine. I'm coming." He relented.

Tsuna found himself getting dragged to the party, a cup of juice in his hands as everyone chattered here and there. They talked about school works (which he got teased by Soma because he has a lot to catch up with) and some fun memories.

He relaxed for a bit, reminding himself to message Reborn later that night. He's afraid that he's straining Reborn's growth. The hitman should be relaxing and keeping himself stress-free since he's still experiencing body pains with all the muscles stretching. Probably ask about the kids and their other family, never mentioning about Iemitsu. Then later, plan how to approach his teachers for the whole week of school works he missed.

He was conversing with Erina and Arato about the wonders of the dorm when the doorbell rang. His intuition throbbed, causing him to sit straighter and stand up as Soma took it upon himself to open the door.

"T-Tsuna-kun?" Erina called, a little confused of why is he standing up in front of them.

"Someone troublesome is here." He said, causing Arato and Erina to be alert. "Don't worry. I won't let them take you unwillingly, Erina-chan."

Just then, they heard footsteps coming in and Azami Nakiri strode in with all his glory. Tsuna tensed up, an arm on his side where Erina was, who stood up. "F-Father."

"Why have you come here?!" Yuki questioned, stationing herself in front of Erina too, with Sato and Aoki.

"Stay back! Don't come any closer!" Aoki half shouted with his hands cupping his mouth.

Tawny eyes flitted around and met yellow ones.

"Headmaster." Isshiki greeted. "What brings you here?"

"I would like to speak with Erina." Azami answered.

Isshiki smiled. "As we're in the middle of an enjoyable victory celebration, would you mind taking your leave?"

"Erina." Azami called. "Come here."

Tsuna stuck to Erina, coaxing his sky flames to calm the blondie as his intuition alerted him of 'no harm'. "It's alright, Erina-chan. He won't hurt you nor take you away from us."

Purple eyes looked at him in assurance.

"I promise." He vowed, making her relax a bit.

"Nakiri-san!" Ryouko shouted as Erina took a step forward.

"Erinacchi! Don't go!" Yuki yelled.

"Guys." He placated. "He's not gonna hurt Erina."

"But-"

"Nor is he going to take her away." He continued, just as Azami patted his daughter's head. "See?"

"Everyone, I leave my daughter in your care." The man stated, as if trusting them that put shock to their core.

"You aren't here... To take her back with you?" Megumi queried with uncertainty and worry.

"Did not I say I only wish to speak with Erina? I will respect her wishes. If she desires to remain here for now, remain here she shall." Azami answered as Erina took steps back and went back to Tsuna's side.

"W-Wait a sec!" Aoki cut through. "We all know what you've done! You did horrible things to Erinacchi! And you tried to destroy our dorm too! How dare you-"

"Aoki-san." Tsuna chided softly, causing the noiret to close his mouth and grit his teeth. "Regardless of what he did and how he came in uninvited, he is still a guest."

Azami's eyes lit up. "Ah. Tsunayoshi. Good to see you well. Oregano didn't succeed, I see."

He mustered a small respectful smile before giving a nod. "Good to see you too, Nakiri-san. And yes. Oregano couldn't take me back under some circumstances."

"T-Tsuna-kun!" The others gasped, shocked that he was supposed to be taken away.

"And I thought it was noisy in here." All of them turned to Fumio who walked out of the kitchen with a wooden spoon, probably cooking something again for their group. "Looks like we have an unusual guest. This isn't a place that someone like you can enter."

"Fumio-san!" The lots of them exclaimed in relief.

"You can't just appear in the academy and do whatever the hell you want." Fumio admonished before she sighed. "Geez, I'm really surprised by your behaviour, Nakamura."

"Eh?" Megumi blurted, blinking.

"Nakamura?" Ryouko voiced.

"Ah! Fumio-san, you know I go by Nakiri now." Azami respectfully replied, before his eyes went a little serious. "Moreover, you're quite cold, despite me being a former resident here."

Tsuna urged Erina to stand between the others, just beside Fumio, before he tried to slip away as they dived themselves to Azami's past, only to get caught. Soma had his hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping him from going away. He relented and listened to everything.

Apparently, Azami took the third seat when he was about their age and became the first seat a year after. He was known to be remarkable and desired to reach more greater heights. Then he married the daughter of Nakiri household, became a part of them and went more prominent. Until he got exiled by Senzaemon Nakiri. Which was, as he recalled what Soma told him, out for Erina's good because he was corrupting her at the tender age.

Tsuna puffed his cheeks and signaled Soma that he has to make a call. The redhead let him go and glared at him to not make any stupid things. He showed his tongue to the other before slipping out of the room and going for his room. He pulled out his phone and let himself fall on his bed. He made himself comfortable as he could and started to compose a message to Reborn, only to hesitate and made a call instead.

"H-Hello?"

Tsuna's eyes widened, almost sitting on his bed in surprise. "Ieyasu."

"T-Tsuna?"

"Damn. Did you take Reborn's phone? He's going to kill you if you did."

"No. He told me to keep Leon safe and answer a number's call or text while he sleeps. I-I didn't know it's you."

Tsuna sighed in relief. "Hoo. I thought you took Leon. That guy is so sadistic sometimes."

"Tell me about it." A snort.

"Is Iemitsu there?" He questioned.

"No. Kaasan kicked him out just an hour ago. He was being unbearable again. He kept on sending glares on Reborn. Probably about the black eye he was sporting, and Kaasan scolded him before she ushered him out."

He winced. "Kaasan is scary."

"Oh. You won't believe how she threatened Dad with a knife that one time. It was pretty bad timing for Dad to say stupid things when Kaasan is cooking. She's scary with knives."

Tsuna chuckled. "Did she now?"

"Yup."

Silence.

"How is everyone, Ieyasu?"

"I don't really know." A rustle. "Enma and the others are pretty busy here in Namimori. They kept on beating up Vongola and CEDEF mafiosi under Hibari's command. The kids are okay too. Keeping up with their classes and they welcome me home with Kaasan. Hayato and Takeshi are just as they are. The rest... I don't really know. I'm not that... Close to them."

Tsuna can't help himself from grimacing. "I'm sorry, Ieyasu."

"It's fine. It's my fault. If only I was brave enough to step up for the mantle. And I should be the one apologizing. I could've apologized to you more earlier for making you my..." Ieyasu cleared his throat. "Cover. It... It wasn't right. You fought hard and you did what you could for the family, only for me to take them away from you. I-I realized how selfish I was. And I couldn't blame you for running away because of what Dad and I did."

The brunet pursed his lips. "I don't really blame you for anything, Ieyasu. Yes, you were the trigger to why I runaway, but I never really blamed you for everything. I'm not even blaming Iemitsu. I... Just don't want to go back there, where I know he'll keep me."

"He said he needs you to be here so you don't run around and claiming you're the Vongola Decimo, instead of me. He said you're a coward who can't man up with his responsibilities."

"But I don't have any more responsibilities there. He took it and gave it to you."

"I know. And I'm sorry."

Tsuna took a deep breath, just as Soma came in. "No. I should be thanking you instead, Ieyasu." Yellow eyes perked up. "Because of you, I'm a civilian now. I can do whatever I want with my life. I can be who I want to be without him dictating the course of my life."

"You... Don't really want the Vongola Decimo position anymore?"

His brows furrowed. "Why?"

"I don't want to have it."