Another Path Part 13 : That got answers
Hi, here's this week's chapter. Not much going on, but I felt the need to explain a few things, so that took some place. I might also have been stalling to avoid writing the next chapter, since I have trouble writing the 'new' character...
Thanks once more to all those that followed, favorite-d and that took the time to review. Each and every message makes me smile when I read it. You have no idea how good it feels to see people appreciate your work.
: Sorry, but I don't think I'll do that : Tsuna won't meet Reborn before a long while, and I don't plan for him to meet the Arcobaleno as such, but rather individually, which would be hard if I tackle the problem of the curse.
To the Guest who reviewed many chapters at once (I assume it's one person due to the timing, sorry if that's not the case) : their identity cards and passports have a fake family name and fake ages. But since they refer to each other by their names, it would have been unpractical to change that, so those are the same. Besides, most adults call children by their given name, so they have no reason to know, or at least remember the kids' surnames, real or fake, so there's not much risk there.
Disclaimer : I am sad to say that I still don't own KHR.
Shoichi and Hayato rushed to the training room as soon as Tsuna told them that Fon could answer some of their questions. Those two had been the most involved in the Flame research -which basically meant they experimented while Tsuna and Kyoya were test only subjects- and any new lead was more than welcome.
Tsuna checked that the two youngest were still safely busy -which meant no grenades, knives or gyoza buns were involved- before he returned to the basement as well. Lambo was still unaware of the existence of Flames, and I-pin's knowledge of them depended on what Fon wanted her to know. Tsuna wouldn't meddle.
He followed his two intellectual friends' example and sat on the floor in front of the Chinese infant. Kyoya was standing against a wall behind them.
"As you probably already know," Began Fon as if he was a professor. He seemed to enjoy teaching others, maybe that was why he took I-pin in, mused Tsuna. "Dying Will Flames are a manifestation of one's will. The stronger the will, the more powerful the Flames." Hayato was taking notes frantically while Shoichi listened intently. It felt like they would have a test later on. "There are seven different types of Flames, that can be easily identified by their color. Usually an individual only possesses a single type, but there are instances where people have multiple types. As I understood, it is your case Hayato."
The silveret raised his head long enough to give a silent nod, before returning to his notepad. Fon was obviously amused by his assiduity. "Each type also has a specific side ability, which is mostly used for battle, as the Mafia is the main user of Dying Will Flames -and jealously keeps them secret.
From the most common to the rarest type, there are the Lightning Flames, which resembles green electricity. Its characteristic is actually 'hardening', so you were very close with your theories. In fact, most of your hypothesizes were fairly accurate. Lightning users are usually on the front lines and direct attacks away from their comrades, though there are some exceptions." Verde, for instance, would never even think of shielding his fellow Arcobaleno...
"Then, there are Storm Flames, like mine" He demonstrated by lighting a small flame in his hand. "And apparently Hayato's main one. It is red and the most violent type. Its specificity is 'disintegration', and is used almost solely to cause damage.
Next is the Sun Flame, a yellow flame that looks sparkling. I was told it is Shoichi's type. Its characteristic is 'activation', and is mostly used as support. Like healing injuries. It is not a Flame very often used in battle, although I know from experience that being a Sun Flame user doesn't mean you're inept in a fight." In fact, the strongest man alive was a Sun, but Fon didn't want to scare the boys with stories of Reborn.
"The fourth most common type is Rain. It appears more like water than fire and is light blue. Its specialty is 'tranquility', and has numbing effects. Once again, it is not often used directly in battle, but is very useful when taking prisoners or even just immobilizing an opponent.
Then, there are the rarer Flame types, the first being the Mist. It looks like indigo fog and has the characteristic of 'construction'. Its users are mostly versed in the art of illusions and deceit." Viper was the most powerful illusionist, even if you didn't count her esper powers.
"Cloud Flames are even more unusual. It is purple and hold the characteristic of 'propagation'. It is mostly used to attack, but to be honest, that may be due to its users. Most of them tend to be quite violent." All eyes turned to Kyoya who scowled against his wall. Nothing they could say against that. "But then again, there are meeker Clouds too." Skull wasn't exactly meek, but it would be a stretch to call him 'violent' when he was always bossed around by his fellow Arcobaleno.
"Finally, the rarest of all types by a large margin is the Sky Flame. It is orange and its characteristic is 'harmony'." That earned him four doubtful stares. "I should explain. Sky users tend to attract other types, and keep a group of different people with opposing personalities together and relatively coherent. To be honest, I think this is taking place in your group as well. At the very least, I know Kyoya well enough to tell that he wouldn't stay and live with other people unless something was pushing him to."
The raven boy looked like he was about to protest the idea of him being influenced against his will before Fon stopped him. "I didn't say it was manipulating you or forcing you to act against your will. Just that a Sky Flame user usually unconsciously keeps groups harmonized. You're always free to act as you wish to and even leave if you want." That was a bit of a lie. Especially strong Skies could harmonize with other Elements they were compatible with so strongly that said Elements didn't even want to leave their side. From what Fon had seen of Tsuna's Flame and influence and his nephew's behavior so far, he was almost sure that the brunet was one of those Skies.
But he didn't want to alienate the two boys against each other for something they could do nothing about and wasn't harmful, so he kept that detail for himself. He also purposefully failed to mention that he himself felt the pull of Tsuna's Sky. Kyoya was sufficiently on edge around him...
"The harmony characteristic does indeed soothe the people around the user -as long as they are recognized as friendly- and can be used offensively as well. It can force matter to 'harmonize' with its surroundings, and transform it into the same matter. In here, for instance, it would most likely turn into stone, since that's the main component of the walls." True, Shoichi had the training rooms reinforced with stone to lessen the destruction. It was harder when you slammed into them, but much less painful for the wallet.
"What about the bursts of flames that Tsuna does?" Inquired Shoichi. "And for that matter, the times when his eyes turn orange and a flame appears on his forehead? That never happened to any of us."
Fon smiled at the pertinent question. It was always a pleasure to teach committed students. "I believe that that the burst of flames are due to Tsunayoshi's very high amount of flames. Most Sky users don't have nearly as much." The brunet received glances that seemed to say 'See, just like we told you' and pouted slightly. "As for the second part... Tsunayoshi, it is just a guess, but was the time you had Flames on your forehead and in your eyes the same time you said you felt abnormally calm and composed?"
The boy looked surprised at the question, but nodded nonetheless. Fon continued. "Also, this might be a bit intrusive of me, but I assume you are actually related to Sawada Iemitsu and that you have a good intuition? My sister only said that your father worked for the Vongola Famiglia."
Tsuna had frozen when his father's name was said and looked all but pleased. But he still wanted answers, so he obliged. "Yes." He said in a cold tone that surprised Fon. Thankfully, the martial artist didn't comment. "That man is my father, and I have what Yukiko-san called 'Hyper Intuition', but what does it have to do with anything?"
"Well, you see, you father -and you as well, obviously- come from a specific bloodline of Vongola. I won't elaborate, since it is Mafia matters and you said you didn't want to be involved, but that bloodline was fairly famous for allowing access to two states. The Dying Will Mode and the Hyper Dying Will mode." Hayato was frantically taking notes (it was about his Tsuna-san, after all) and Shoichi looked fascinated while Kyoya snickered at the name. The Sky sported a guarded look : he didn't like anything related to his Mafioso of a father.
"Yes, I know the names sound quite silly." Admitted Fon with half a smile. But he quickly returned to his serious appearance. That was a grave topic that anyone outside of the Vongola sphere of influence shouldn't know about. The infant only heard about it thanks to Reborn and his affiliation with the Famiglia. "But you shouldn't underestimate those states. The first one removes all external limiters of the body, allowing for increased strength and agility. It also focuses the mind so much that you can only think of one objective and nothing else. For that very reason, it is dangerous for the user and hardly ever relied upon if you have the choice.
The other state, which is harder to achieve, removes the internal limiters. You can think more clearly and logically, distance yourself from your emotions. It also increases you physical ability.
Both modes are characterized by a Flame appearing on your forehead and for some people, flaming eyes. They are almost exclusive to your bloodline, Tsunayoshi, but I heard some rare individuals can access those states as well with the help of special pills. But they need years of training before that, and a specific mindset. And no, Kyoya, I don't think you can achieve those modes. And it is too dangerous to try it without testing your suitability beforehand." Fon added quickly when he saw the glint in his nephew's eye. Thankfully, the boy seemed to understand and let the matter go. He respected the baby Carnivore's experience enough to trust him on battle-related topics.
"Anyway, I think that the state you were in, Tsunayoshi, was the Hyper Dying Will Mode. It matches all the descriptions. Although I am surprised you achieved it so young and without going through Dying Will Mode first."
The boy just smiled shyly and said nothing. At least that problem was explained.
"I don't know much more about the Flames of the Sky. I mostly focus on their practical uses and know only the bare minimum of their scientific theories. The only thing I can add is that most Flame users prefer to use a catalyst to invoke their Flames. It purifies them a little and makes it easier to summon them. Vongola notably uses special rings, and all the Arcobaleno have our pacifiers, though some never use it since it reminds them of the curse."
Silence fell on the training rooms, and no-one broke it. Fon had nothing to add, Shoichi and Hayato were pondering their recent discoveries, Tsuna was still a bit pissed at the allusion to his father and Kyoya just didn't like to talk for nothing.
Until an obnoxious laugh resounded around the walls. "Kyahaha! Lambo-san heard everything! And Lambo-san is going to master that power and rule all Italia!"
"Shhh! Broccoli Monster made I-pin discovered. I-pin not supposed be here."
The four older boys and the not-infant turned to see Lambo and I-pin sticking their heads out of the door leading to the stairs. They had been so engrossed in the explanation that they hadn't noticed the two children sneaking in.
"What did you hear exactly, Lambo?" asked Tsuna a bit fearfully. He knew that if the boy asked, he wouldn't be able to refuse to teach him the Flames. He wanted to make Lambo feel that he belonged with them, and excluding him from their Flame training would have the opposite effect. And he could hardly protest to his face that the afro-haired child was too young when he was already a year older than Tsuna when he discovered his ability.
"Since Tail-Head's master told the types of fires. And I want to learn it too, if Tsuna-nii and the others can do it!" There it was. The Sky shared a glance with the others in the room before sighing.
"Alright, Lambo. I will teach you, but you must promise not to use it when none of us is present and in front of strangers. Unless it is to defend yourself."
The cow-child nodded frantically with a beaming expression. He loved doing things with his big brothers. The girl at his side chose that moment to speak. "Master teach I-pin also?"
"Yes, I-pin, I believe I will. I hadn't intended to tell you about it for a few years, but now that you already know... And it would be unfair to keep you alone in the dark when your playmate is getting lessons." Answered Fon with an even voice. His plans just got changed, but it was not a big deal. He trusted his apprentice not to use her ability rashly.
()()()()()()
Fon and I-pin stayed a month. During that time, both the younger children managed to summon their flames for the first time, thanks to the cursed infant and Tsuna's patient lessons.
The first to awaken his flames was Lambo. Although it was not during one of his lessons. He was playing catch with I-pin when he fell hard on the ground. He started crying and tendrils of green electricity surged from his body. A couple weeks later, and he could summon a small amount of Lightning Flames almost at will.
His friend took the more conventional path and first called upon her Flames as she was meditating with her Master, a week after Lambo. Like Fon, she had red Storm Flames. She had more trouble summoning her ability when she wanted than Lambo but her vastly superior martial skills still allowed her to beat him to the ground when he started a fight. Or just when he pulled her braid.
Fon had gotten used to participating in the spars of the older children. Either as a referee, a teacher or even a contestant a few times. Kyoya especially enjoyed fighting against him and trying to smash his head with his tonfas. Unfortunately for the raven, his uncle was still much stronger than him and he didn't touch him even once. You didn't earn the title of 'world's greatest martial artist' without skills. Still, it made for great practice.
He taught Tsunayoshi a few moves, more refined than what his nephew had shown him. Kyoya was a great fighter, but he tended to rely mostly on brute force. His technique was good, the problem was that he rarely needed to use it, so it was a bit rough. The brunet's style required a bit more finesse -at least when he wasn't just throwing his flames all over the battlefield, something which would work against most enemies to be honest. So Fon took it upon himself to demonstrate a few moves that would fit the boy's fighting style. Tsunayoshi liked to rely on his speed and launch precise hits, something that Fon could help improve.
The infant even had the opportunity to see the boy go briefly into Hyper Dying Will Mode a few time, during spars. He had been able to access it from time to time since it manifested itself the first time, when he had saved Hayato, when he concentrated hard enough.
After observing the characteristic burning forehead and glowing eyes -those calm orange orbs were truly mesmerizing- Fon confirmed that this indeed was the famed Hyper Dying Will Mode. It was still a mystery how the boy had simply bypassed the standard Dying Will Mode, but the martial artist supposed it was for the best. The first state had to be carefully monitored to keep the user safe. You would be so focused on one goal in that mode that you wouldn't even notice someone attacking you.
Caeruleus kept receiving jobs and life went on peacefully. The cursed baby found himself actually enjoying this rare time of peace.
()()()()()()
About a month after first entering Caeruleus, Fon decided that it was finally time to leave. He had seen all that he needed to report to his younger sister, and even more. He could set her worries at ease.
But before taking his leave, he had a request.
All the older members of Caeruleus were gathered in the Office to say goodbye (Kyoya was waiting silently in a corner) and Lambo was chasing I-pin as a final farewell in the bedrooms when Fon spoke up. "Actually, there is something that I would like you to do."
Here it comes thought Tsuna. He had expected the infant to ask for weeks now, and had a fairly good idea what his request was.
"I would like you to allow I-pin to stay with you. If she keeps following me as my apprentice, she will eventually be forced to work as an assassin for the Triads. She doesn't deserve that. Her parents were killed by Triad members for refusing to pay them a 'protection fee'. I-pin was brought to obtain an equivalent of payment. I stumbled across her and claimed her as my apprentice to buy her some time before she fully enters the life of an assassin, but it is only a temporary measure.
She likes living here very much and it would spare her a life of struggling in the darkness. Please take her in." Fon bowed deeply. He was very attached to the girl and couldn't bear to see her fall into the twisted criminal world he lived in.
"Don't bow. It is unbecoming of a Carnivore." Scolded Kyoya from his corner. Fon was surprised he was the first to react. It seems they had gotten closer during this month of forced proximity.
"He's right." Added Tsunayoshi. "You don't have to bow to us, especially for something like that. We would love to keep I-pin with us, she's already like a little sister. But you have to promise to visit every now and then. She is going to miss you, you know."
"Yeah" Continued the shy Shoichi. "I-pin is a very nice girl, there is no problem with her staying here, if she's OK with that."
"If we can manage the stupid cow, we won't have a problem dealing with that girl." Finished Hayato with a huff. He considered Lambo like a little brother, but liked to call him with mean nicknames. Lambo always responded in kind, so the others figured it was their unique way of communicating and didn't think anymore of it.
"Thank you very much, I am in your debt." Said Fon as he raised his head. "I should announce the news to her right now. I shall have the rest of her belongings sent here as soon as possible. It is mostly clothes and a few personal items, but she might want to retrieve them."
"You're just going to ask the Triads to let her go?" questioned the red-head. It didn't seem so easy.
"Yes, my position as the Storm Arcobaleno grants me a few privileges. I-pin hasn't started hits yet and doesn't knows any dangerous pieces of informations. They probably won't fight too hard to keep her. I always intended to free her before she became to involved, but I had yet to find a place where she could settle in. Your shop seems like the perfect choice."
Fon had obviously expected the boys to agree to his request, since he then pulled out official looking papers that, upon closer inspection, actually handed over custody of his ward. Since Tsuna had already 'adopted' Lambo, he was the one to sign the papers (Kyoya wasn't interested, Hayato refused to take precedence over the brunet and Shoichi didn't think he could handle the responsibility, even if I-pin was a very calm child compared to Lambo).
Afterwards, they all went to tell the news to the youngest two.
They were found in Hayato's room, or what was left of it. The silveret didn't have many belongings, but what little he owned was pushed on the floor haphazardly. His bed had been trampled on and the covers thrown away with his pillow.
Lambo was promptly caught by the mad pianist who then shook him back and forth, all the while yelling his annoyance. Of course, Hayato wasn't harming the child, just making him a bit dizzy.
I-pin, who was only running to avoid the afro-haired brat pulling on her braid, stopped to see what was happening. "Master?"
Fon got closer to her before explaining softly in Chinese (only Lambo didn't understand, but both he and Hayato were too busy to listen). "I-pin, you know that I have always intended for you to leave the Triads?" She nodded. "Well, I believe this is the best time for that. You obviously enjoy living here with Lambo and the others, I've never seen you so happy and carefree before. So I think you should stay here and have a normal life from now on."
The girl was surprised, and before long, tears started gathering at the corners of her eyes. "Does that mean I-pin won't see Master anymore?" She always had a better grasp of Chinese than Italian or Japanese, which she only started learning recently.
"Of course not, I will visit often, as often as I can without drawing suspicions on this shop. Tsunayoshi has been given custody over you, but I still consider myself as your teacher and parent. I couldn't bear to stop seeing you at all." He answered with a smile.
I-pin dried her tears and nodded resolutely. She had known since she became Fon's apprentice that he always intended for her to leave and lead a normal life, she just didn't expect it to happen so fast and was afraid that he might abandon her for good when it happened.
His reassurance had calmed her down. She would still see her Master from time to time, since Fon never lied to her (or to anyone else for that matter). Also, she enjoyed living with another child her age -even if Lambo was obnoxious, he was fun to be around most of the time and was actually skilled enough to somehow keep up with her. The other boys were also all nice in their own way and took care of her.
That's how I-pin ended up staying definitively in Caeruleus. She was offered to have a room for herself, but rejected it. She was perfectly fine with sharing Lambo's room as they had done so far, despite the three remaining empty bedrooms. She was used to sleeping with another presence, and either way, Lambo had a habit of going to one of his Nii-sans to sleep every once in a while. So she would have the room for herself regularly.
Fon left with a promise to send her the rest of her belongings (which arrived a few days later : mostly clothes and a few mementos from her deceased parents) and to inform Kyoya's mother of their life in Italy. Mrs Hibari was not one to worry without reason, but she also liked to be sure that her only son was well and as happy as could be. The martial artist would confirm that he was.
I-pin was quickly introduced to her new duties as a full-time member of Caeruleus, the same as Lambo. She had to keep her room clean, would accompany one of the older boys on requests to give a hand (nothing too complicated, she was still 5) and see how things worked and would participate in the chores as much as a young child could. She had seen them work beforehand, and was accustomed to harsh training, so there was no trouble. She was even more dutiful than Lambo -which, honestly, is no feat at all.
It wasn't even a month before she and the others would meet the newest members.