Another Path Part 11 : That heralded lightning
So, since I love trolling people (actually, since I had this chapter written for over a month), no Mukuro this week.
The age of the 'new' character is different from the manga, but I don't think it's much of a problem, and it should allow for more development in the future. I think. And there's more 'baby-talk'. Please be merciful if you decide to leave a review. Or better yet, give advice, please!
Disclaimer : Once again, I don't own KHR. And I'm actually amazed at myself for remembering to write something so obvious before so many chapters.
Things went well for the four boys. They had built a steady reputation and a good skill base, so they hardly ever had to direct customers to more competent companies anymore. Even the 'artistic' jobs could now mostly be handled thanks to Hayato. Who would have guessed he had a creative side?
It was now the end of November. The three Japanese boys had recently surprised the Italian bomber with his birthday. Sure, Hayato knew they celebrated the others', but he thought himself to be too new to their lives to have a party prepared for him.
He had been truly shocked to discover the piano wrapped in red paper waiting for him in the 'Office' (public living room where they welcomed customers) when he returned from his most recent job on the night of September the 14th. Tsuna, Shoichi and Kyoya had gathered their money to buy the expensive instrument. The silveret had been honestly touched, and went to play on his new gift. He was out of practice, but still remembered most of the lessons his mother had taught him. The music piece he performed was a bit clumsy and shaky, but it was still beautiful to his friends' ears. They could not have made him a better present.
Anyway, in the couple weeks that followed, Hayato had found time each day to practice and even started to teach Tsuna and Shoichi the basics, as well as a few customers who hired him as a music teacher. Kyoya had unsurprisingly declined the offer, but still sat in the corner of the room to hear them play.
()()()()()()
It was late at night when Tsuna was walking home. He had went to deliver the contracts he had translated to the client, and ended up staying longer than intended. The client had started talking about his work and he never found an excuse to take his leave. At least he had learnt a lot about legal contracts and how to exploit their flaws. Not that he planned to use that knowledge any time soon, but it was always good to know.
The sun had already set and it was freezing. The brunet had been prepared for low temperatures, but that was pushing it a bit. Wasn't it supposed to be warm in Italy?
He was blowing hot air on his hands in an attempt to warm them when he heard a voice from a narrow alley. A young, very young voice.
"Must... To-le-rate..." came the childish voice once Tsuna had come close enough to distinguish the words.
Sitting in the middle of the alley was a child, probably no older than 5, trying desperately and failing to hold back his tears. Tsuna's heart broke and he rushed to ask what was wrong.
The boy looked a tiny bit better now that someone was worrying about him. "Lam-Lambo-sama is... is absolutely no-not lost!" he answered in what was meant to be a proud tone between his sobs. At least, now Tsunayoshi knew what was wrong. The brunet also noted the unusual use of Japanese suffixes. Yet Lambo was definitely not a Japanese name and spoke in Italian. He'll ponder about that later.
"I see. Well, my name is Tsunayoshi Sawada, but you can call me Tsuna. And I would be delighted to escort Lambo-sama to his house if he could tell me the address." He smiled. No use in upsetting further the already upset kid and call him out on his obvious lie. And he wasn't about to let the afro-haired child alone and outside in such a cold night.
Normally, a child should refuse such an offer, but apparently, this one's parents had never told him not to trust strangers. Or he was too shaken to remember that piece of advice. Tsuna had only extended his hand that the boy latched onto it and his cries calmed down considerably.
Lambo had thankfully memorized the address of his house and Tsuna knew Naples well enough to figure out the way. It was quite far, especially with a child, so the brunet tried to speak to the boy to keep his mind occupied.
"So, Lambo, can I call you Lambo? How old are you to be alone at night?"
"Kyahaha!" Laughed the child. He had went over his fear and cries pretty fast. "As Lambo-sama's servant I will let you call me that. It's a great honor! And Lambo-sama is 5." He was more endearing than annoying in Tsuna's eyes. Due to his own experience, he could see that the kid was only trying to get attention, even if others saw him as obnoxious and arrogant. Tsuna could sympathize.
"Why do you use Japanese suffixes?" Inquired the brunet. He hadn't heard anyone speak his mother tongue in a while. They had decided when they reached Italy to avoid talking in Japanese, even when only together, to practice their Italian and blend in (thus their attempts to have Hayato drop the 'san' at the end of 'Tsuna'. But the silveret was stubborn in his marks of respect). They could pretend to be Italian people, born from Japanese parents that way. With his European looks, Tsunayoshi could even pretend to be Italian of far Japanese descent.
"My Nanny taught me her tongue before she left for the stars." Explained Lambo. His eyes were looking blindly ahead and Tsuna realized that he knew more than any 5-year old should. He was close to his Nanny, if his longing look was any indication, and he knew she was dead. What kind of parents did he have to be so lucid at an age where he should be carefree? And to have the reflex to hide his knowledge...
"You must have been close to your Nanny." Continued the brunet in his mother tongue. He could see the little boy's eyes light up when he recognized something familiar. "Did she teach you anything else?"
"Yes!" Almost sang Lambo in Japanese as well, eager to flaunt his skills. It must have truly been a while since anyone paid him any attention. "She told Lambo-sama all about defending himself. She was the one who stayed with Lambo-sama when Mama left for the stars first and Papa was too busy."
So his mother was dead and his father didn't take proper care of him, translated Tsuna.
Before any more questions could be asked, they were standing in front of the gates of Lambo's house. Well, manor would be more appropriate thought Tsuna. It was an old building, many times larger than he neighboring houses. And that was not counting the humongous garden.
There were men in suits standing guard before the gates. Not the friendly kind, but Lambo kept walking without hesitation. He was evidently used to them and them to him, since they didn't spare him a glance.
However, they sent threatening glares towards Tsunayoshi. Mafiosi whispered his Intuition. That meant that Lambo was probably a part of the Mafia too, though the brunet desperately hoped that that was not the case. His traitorous Intuition told him that his hopes were not to be. Lambo had too much knowledge of death to have been spared.
How unfair.
A tugging on his arm brought Tsuna back to reality. Lambo was staring at him. "I have to go home, Tsuna-nii." He said in Italian again, with his eyes glued on the ground. The brunet's heart warmed at the nickname. "Will I see you again?"
Tsuna was guiltily glad that Lambo hadn't asked him to come in. He wouldn't have the heart to decline anything from the child, but didn't want to enter a Mafioso's lair. At least he could answer the last question honestly. "I'm sure we will meet again soon, Lambo. I can feel it." And it was true, his Hyper Intuition was positive. "We can play together next time."
The smile on Lambo's face was blinding. He turned around and ran giddily to the entrance. Tsuna left once the little boy was out of his sight.
He had information to find.
()()()()()()
Hayato and Shoichi had been worried when Tsuna had ran late. Hayato because of his devotion to his Boss -he didn't call him that out loud, but saw him as such-, and Shoichi because he was a constantly worried boy.
They were about to search the streets despite Kyoya's disapproving glares when Tsuna came back home. The Sky reassured them that he was alright before telling them about his encounter with Lambo. Hayato's face turned dark. He could sympathize with being born into a Famiglia better than any of the others.
When Tsuna asked if they agreed to secretly gathering information about Lambo's Famiglia, they nodded without hesitation. They already had the address, so it would be easy with the contacts Kyoya had made since their arrival. He had steadily built up a network of small-time criminals from the day they set foot in Italy. Apparently, delinquents of any country could look up to the raven.
On the evening of the next day, they had all the data about Lambo's Famiglia that they needed. It was called the Bovino and its Boss was Lambo's father. The Bovino was a rather small Famiglia, but was pretty well-known for their technological advance.
The Boss' wife had died when Lambo was only 3. His father had then neglected the boy and left him to be cared by a servant. The servant had passed away four months ago and Lambo was left to fend for himself. The other Bovino members didn't like the brat and tried their best to ignore him, which only amplified his obnoxious attitude.
The Bovino Don favored his nephew rather than his son for his succession. He let his right-hand man send Lambo on missions that he had no chance of managing. And scolded him for failing. Lambo must have been on one of said missions when Tsuna met him.
With that knowledge in mind, Tsuna vowed to do something for the boy when he met him again. And to ask Kyoya how a bunch of street thugs got their hands on such detailed information.
()()()()()()
November ended and December came. Tsuna was in charge of grocery shopping that day and was headed to the mall when he spotted a familiar afro and cow-suit.
Lambo was walking down the snowy street, alone once more. The brunet wasted no time to run towards him. "Hey, Lambo, how are you doing today?"
The 5-year-old started and turned to see his interlocutor while raising a hand to his hair in a gripping motion. Tsuna thought it strange, but didn't comment. And the hand lowered itself as soon as the boy recognized the brunet. "Tsuna-nii! It's Tsuna-nii!" He jumped into his arms. It was odd how fast Lambo had gotten attached.
"Yeah, it's me Lambo. What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, the meanie underling has sent Lambo-sama on a mission. And Lambo-sama always completes missions. But today he has decided to play with Tsuna-nii now that he is here." It was made to sound like an order, but Tsuna could hear the plea hidden behind it. He smiled.
"Of course, Lambo. I promised you last time didn't I? Just let me send a message to my friends and I'm free for the day." He was rewarded by a beaming grin.
The two spent the day playing in the park. Lambo was a very imaginative kid and Tsuna honestly had a lot of fun. He still couldn't help but notice that some of Lambo's games weren't as innocent as one would expect from a child. Like 'avoid-the-cop' which was a mix of catch and hide-and-seek. Or any game that involved throwing things at the other's face, especially when Lambo, who had used all his snowballs, started to throw pink grenades that he got out from his afro. Tsuna was quick to ask him to stop to prepare more appropriate ammo.
Tsuna bought them both sandwiches, hot chocolate and extra grape-candy for Lambo once the boy complained about hunger. They ate outside and the brunet used the occasion to learn more about his young companion's circumstances.
"So, Lambo. What exactly were you supposed to be doing today? I hope you won't get into trouble for playing the day off."
"The meanie underling" Tsuna guessed that it was the Bovino right-hand's nickname. "told Lambo-sama to assassinate an enemy of the Family. It is Lambo-sama's first hit!" There was equally pride and apprehension in those words. But he didn't hesitate even a second before answering his Nii-san.
Tsuna was furious. The Bovino had sent a 5-year old on a fucking hit! Even if Lambo had the skills to pull it off -which was dubious from what he had seen so far- you don't send a kid to murder someone! (You don't send anybody, normally, but that's beyond the point). And his Intuition was screaming that Lambo had not been expected to survive the mission. The child had been sent to his death!
His decision was made instantly. Lambo would not be left in the custody of those monsters. He forced a small smile to Lambo to appease him and took his phone out. He would need some back-up for this and luckily knew just the right people. A message was sent to his friends.
'Kyoya, Shoichi, Hayato, I'm going to ask the Bovino to hand over the custody of Lambo to me. Those bastards sent him on a suicide assassination mission. Kyoya and Hayato, please meet me in front of the Bovino mansion. Shoichi, stay at home and handle today's business.'
He received three positive answers in the next minute. They had never met Lambo, but they also couldn't leave a child to people like that in good conscience.
Tsuna turned to Lambo. "Lambo, how would you like to come live with me and my friends from now on?"
The child was flabbergast. "I would love it Tsuna-nii!" He replied with still too wide eyes. "But I'm not sure Boss would let me go like that." He sounded disappointed.
"Don't worry about that." reassured Tsuna. "Me and two of my friends are going to you house to convince him." He smiled encouragingly. At least Lambo didn't seem to have any objections to leaving his home. "But that means you won't be part of the Bovino anymore. Is that OK?"
The child pondered on it for a minute before nodding with a smile. "That's OK, Lambo-sama will be with Tsuna-nii and his friends, right?" The hope in his eyes was blinding. Lambo acted like an obnoxious brat to get attention, but he was cleverer than people gave him credit for.
"Right." answered Tsuna. He was going to get his 'little brother' out of there.
()()()()()()
The rest was rather underwhelming. Kyoya and Hayato were waiting for them in front of the Bovino manor, completely ignoring the distrustful glares of the guards. When Tsuna and Lambo joined them, they got in without trouble and requested an meeting with the Boss. Apparently, he wasn't too busy and saw them immediately. The man was slightly overweight and and looked bored out of his mind (probably the reason he agreed to meeting a bunch of teenagers). His first lieutenant was behind him and looked the whole part of a 'meanie underling' to be honest. He was aggressive-looking and obeyed whatever order his Don could emit. Tsuna prayed that outsiders didn't have the same impression of Hayato, whose behavior towards Tsuna was borderline worshiping.
The discussion was over very fast. Tsuna declared that he wanted custody of Lambo and that he be removed from the Bovino's activities. The right-hand man sneered at Lambo's name and the Boss only raised a lazy eyebrow. He asked why they would want him and what group they belonged to.
Tsuna -who was the leader of the team at the great surprise of the Mafiosi (he looked very meek compared to his two scowling companions)- quickly denied being a part of any Famiglia and said that they were only orphans living together. A lie, but their true situation was too complicated and risky to explain. He added that they had become fond of Lambo and were willing to take him in as well. Kyoya and Hayato were silent the whole time, but contributed greatly to the intimidating factor of their group. Tsuna was a master of the 'puppy eyes' pleading, but was usually pretty bad at looking imposing. When he wasn't openly furious or trying to negotiate peacefully at least.
A few sentences later and they left, with a document stating that Tsunayoshi was now Lambo Bovino's legal guardian. Truthfully, the Bovino Don and Famiglia had been all too happy at being rid of the brat. Tsuna would have raged at them, but didn't want to endanger his custody of his new little brother.
Lambo was ecstatic. Sure, the two new brother he just met were a bit scary, but Tsuna-nii had told him that they were actually really nice once you got to know them. And the raven one had been nice enough to give him some candy (Tsuna had almost burst in laughter when he saw that. He was all too aware of his friend's hidden soft spot for small animals and knew that Lambo qualified as such in Hibari's mind. Even more so since the teenager had actually bought candy beforehand...). The silveret had looked aggressive during the meeting with his Papa, but when they were out of sight of the Bovino mansion, he turned into some kind of puppy dog in front of Tsuna-nii.
()()()()()()
The reached the Caeruleus shop after half and hour of Hayato and Lambo bickering. The silveret frowned upon the familiar attitude of the 'stupid-cow' with Tsuna-san, while the 5-year-old didn't like the 'Bakadera's' way of yelling at anyone within reach of Tsuna-nii. Said brunet only smiled happily the whole way and only intervened to prevent them from going too far (exploding the closest block). He figured that it was their way of getting closer to each other, and he wasn't exactly wrong, given Hayato and Kyoya's first meetings.
The newly dubbed 'Kyo-nii' stayed a few feet away from the ruckus and pretended not to hear, see or otherwise know the Herbivores arguing.
Once inside, Lambo was introduced to Shoichi, or now 'Sho-nii'. The red head was clumsy with children, but was inherently softer and kinder than the silveret or raven, so there was no problem. Lambo secretly noted that Sho-nii would most likely yield to any of his tantrums.
Lambo's introduction to Caeruleus went well. He had his own room, but often went to sleep with either of his Nii-sans. The four older children were always looking over him and showing him how to do things. Thanks to Shoichi and Hayato's tutelage, he knew how to clean properly faster than Tsuna and Kyoya (who still struggled with the vacuum cleaner). He also helped in the kitchen, but only simple, harmless tasks. And never alone with Hayato.
His Nii-sans also understood that his afro worked like some kind of dimensional pocket, and Shoichi wanted to study it, but Lambo refused to have any of his hair cut. So the mystery remained...
The biggest issue about his afro was that it mostly contained -pink- grenades and different other weapons. Tsuna banned the knifes and rifles, but allowed Lambo to keep his grenades on the condition that Hayato tampered them before and reduced drastically their damage. Lambo felt better with at least one weapon on him, and the grenades were deemed the less dangerous and most easily stopped. Kyoya and Hayato still made sure that the 5-year-old knew how to use them at least a little. Lambo might have been a 'Herbivore' or a 'stupid-cow', but neither boys wanted anything to happen to their little brother, so he should be able to defend himself well enough to have time to call for help. And the Bovino hardly taught him anything on how to fight or escape, besides throwing whatever was available at the opponent's face.
()()()()()()
It was Christmas' eve and Lambo was so excited he couldn't stay still. Hayato too, though it was slightly less obvious. The younger one had not spent many Christmas's at all, and the older one's last few Christmas's had been spent alone in the streets. They unconsciously expected a lot from this one.
Tsuna, Kyoya and Shoichi had discovered when they arrived in Italy that Christmas was a very important day in Europe, unlike in Japan. They hadn't prepared anything special before, but this year, they would celebrate properly. Gifts were bought, and Shoichi even brought home a Christmas tree and garlands to decorate it. Lambo had a blast and a now very colorful and chaotic tree stood proudly in the Office. It made the clients smile : it had obviously been done by an enthusiastic child.
Kyoya and Tsuna had been in charge of the meals. They were not sure they could pull off a traditional Italian feast, so they both prepared a large Japanese special meal. And no-one really minded as long as it was good.
The evening was very joyful, and Lambo had to be held back to make sure he didn't open the presents. Not that he minded, really. All his big brothers made sure he was comfortable, even Haya-nii, despite his grumbling. They all watched movies and played games.
The next morning, Lambo woke everyone up at 6 in the morning. They usually got up at 7, but let it slide with a light scolding this time. Especially after Kyoya and Shoichi noticed the way Hayato was eying the presents.
Said silveret had received a small chemistry kit from Shoichi for his explosives, a silver necklace from Tsuna and a modified taser that could be camouflaged as a lighter from Kyoya. Nobody asked where the raven got it. Lambo had made drawings for all his big brothers, and Hayato's represented him with dynamite in his hand, and what probably were puppy ears and a tail. The boy pretended to be offended, but still hung it in his room.
Shoichi got a new portable hard drive from Kyoya, carefully selected computer pieces from Hayato (who was the only one besides the inventor to know anything on the subject), a computer strategy game from Tsuna and a drawing of him, disguised as a mad scientist, manipulating jars that contained colorful and smoking liquids from Lambo.
Tsuna received a book teaching Dutch from Kyoya (Tsuna now knew Japanese, Italian, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, German and Hindi. It was becoming hard to find books to learn new ones) and new battle gloves that were his current size and could resist his Sky Flame better from Shoichi (who was working on creating an alloy that could conduct Flames perfectly, but with little success so far). Hayato got him a new set of pretty fountain pens and Lambo a drawing of him playing catch with the afro-haired boy in a park. It was immediately framed and hung in his room as well.
Kyoya got a traditional Japanese tea set from Tsuna, and imported tea from Hayato. The raven didn't like the local tea and his friends thought he would 'cheer up' -read as 'scowl less'- with some from his own country. Shoichi gave him a Flame resistant coat, since the one he liked to wear on his shoulders always ended up half burnt when he used his Cloud Flames, and Lambo's drawing was of him with his -red, please don't tell me it is blood thought Tsuna and Shoichi- tonfas out and a predatory smirk on his lips -yep, the red was definitely blood. A few unconscious bodies -not corpses!- were strewn behind him.
Lambo got many plushes from Kyoya, especially a cow one that he adored on sight (strangely, all the plush animals were herbivores, remarked Shoichi). He loved cow-printed things so Hayato got him cow-printed duvet covers. Tsuna bought him a lot of movies for kids -that had been carefully selected by the brunet to not show too much violence or death-, and Shoichi gave him a big, brand new drawing set.
It was a peaceful day and they all got to try their new gifts. Which was a bit less peaceful in the case of the battle-oriented ones, but let us not think to much about the new damage inflicted on the house...