A/N:

@Illusteph: Nah. The academy was doing a one-time thing punishment. It was Tsuna who didn't want to go home nor call them because of a promise. As mentioned. And just when did Giotto became 'not awesome' in any fanfiction we've read? (Except for those twin stuffs, most of the time) I sympathize with you about the listening part. I think we all have experienced this at some point in our lives. But not all of us are listeners, so we just got to understand them and get used to it. Though that's how I adapted in that kind of situation.

Anyways... Thanks for the reads, People.

Chapter Six

Reborn studied the brunet who is so caught up at staring the book he was holding. Today, Tsuna took some pastry with him from the camp and put it between them. He even took some water bottles and reminded Reborn to put the wrappers in the cellophane he provided. Reborn could only roll his eyes at the bossy yet endearing brunet.

To be honest, he finds himself enjoying the company. He likes how Tsuna's face lit up whenever he urges the kid to speak more of what he has in his head. The way those lips curve into a beautiful smile directed at him. The way those eyes are filled with curiosity, mischievousness, innocence and hunger for knowledge. And when his laughs and voice reach his ears. They sounded so soft and held so much freedom.

Everyday, he waits. He waits for thirteen days and goes for the lake by the fourteenth to see him. He sees himself dropping all the things he needs to do for the fourteenth day just for the kid who sometimes makes Reborn smile due to his antics. And he wasn't known to be patient. But he knew the wait will be worth it.

"Ah Reborn! You won't mind reading another essay? I mean you didn't say anything regarding the one... I wrote... So I wanted to give you another since I got so excited on reading this one novel I stumbled upon last two days ago. And without even thinking, I kinda wrote an essay on it. Then I remembered you read an essay of mine when I was about to burn it, so, I thought you could read another... One?" Reborn watched him fidget with eyes looking elsewhere than him. "Y-You can refuse. My trashcan will be very happy to... Catch my flaming..." Tsuna started to mumble. "Papers..."

"Where is it?" He asked, staring at his companion's face so attentively.

The brunet's eyes snapped to him and his face lit up like a Christmas tree accompanied by a happy smile. "I have it here! Holy macaroni! Thank you!"

And Reborn watched the kid bounce on his seat out of happiness as he hands the man the papers. He chuckled. He knew he'll have a blast on reading another essay. But first, he needs to say something about the first literature he received.

"It was good."

"Hmmm?" Tsuna hummed in question before looking at him.

Reborn took a small treat. "Your essay was good. It was spot on. You didn't sound defensive when you defended your theory and speculations. You also cited references. It was direct to the point, it has evidences and the way your essay sounded held professionalism and assertiveness in a good way. For someone who is picky on what to read, your writing was a worthwhile." 'I did read it five times already and memorized some nice lines.' Reborn admitted internally.

Tsuna blushed scarlet at the sudden compliment and spluttered before laughing sheepishly. "Thank you."

"Oh. My friends read it too."

"Eh?!"

Reborn smirked at the dumbfounded and pale expression. "They find it interesting. They told me to compliment you. And I just did. Feel honored for that."

"Oh good grief." Tsuna muttered to himself then looked at Reborn with stupified face. "Wait. You have friends?"

"Yeah." Reborn shrugs.

"As in S?" Tsuna asked, still not believing.

"Yes. We're seven. And we live in a house."

"Oh. That's nice. I really thought you're not the sociable type."

"Huh."

"D-Don't get offended!" Reborn watched the brunet panicked in amazement. "I didn't mean it in a bad way. Cause I mean you look really strong and it means you don't like being surrounded by burden and such. So I thought you're being acquainted with small number of people. And you did say you're very picky. Also, acquaintance doesn't mean they're your friends. They're just people you met in some occasions and had their names out of courtesy."

"Have you attended parties?"

"Yeah." The brunet answered, looking away as if not wanting to talk about it. "Sorry about gibbering and offending you."

"It's fine. It's your nature."

Tsuna's face scrunched into a disgusted face. "I don't like it. I mean yeah, the world can't go round if there are no bad things. But I want to at least get a reign over it. I don't like offending people like you, those who didn't do anything bad. I don't want to be one of those people who already put you down. If possible, I'll be one of those who cheers you up."

The demon picked up the book the brunet brought ang shoved it on the latter's face. "Read up already."

Reborn laid on his side, back to his companion who looked lost at the sudden attitude. Unknown to the brunet, the creature he's with is blushing red from the speech he said. They weren't accurate. But the sympathy is there. Reborn is used to insults being thrown towards him, to demons like them. Yet Tsuna praises them like they're mystical wonders that should be admired, respected and remembered.

"Neh Reborn."

"Hn."

"Do you know someone who's name is Skull?" Reborn looked at him by his shoulders.

"What happened?"

Tsuna grinned. "Nothing much. After being banned from going here, I was called up to do a summon. I couldn't sense I'm colorless-"

"Wait. You're colorless?" Tsuna shied away by looking away and gulping. Reborn saw the fear in his eyes. "No. I didn't mean- What I was asking is why I didn't know of this."

"I never brought it up." Tsuna gnawed on his lower lip, embarrassed. "It's not that I'm embarrassed about it. I just hate seeing disappointed looks or pitiful ones. It's not my fault that they enrolled me here. I'm just a recommendation after all."

"No. Tell me everything."

"I just turned nineteen when a person from the society came into my home and told me that I was recommended by one of the seven elders. That same day, I was taken. The Saint Academy wants to train great potentials immediately for greater use. When I got to the school, I went to various tests. I aced them all. But the last test disappointed them. Before I do a simple summoning, they needed to know my affinity using this kind of machine. I had suspicions that the machine was broke from the start because I had this fellow examiner that told me he's a storm, but the machine told them that he's a rain, regardless, I was labeled colorless. They only accepted me because I have brains. I can be a tactician in case of war, or become the principal, or an informer about things. Like a google and such."

"You said you were able to summon this demon named Skull."

"Yeah. I was just improvising the pentagram they gave me. Hana-chan- You know her right?"

"Yeah. The girl who loves to glare a lot."

Tsuna chuckled. "Yeah. So Hana-chan saw the pentagram and told me to try doing the summoning. I did my own version-"

"You did your own version?"

"Yup. I did then poof! There he is, Skull of cloud affinity." Tsuna smiled. "He was same as you. Powerful and kinda strong since his demon form was really big. He was a Western dragon with two pointy horns. He can maintain a human form too."

Reborn disregarded the description of Skull's demon form. "You seem interested in him."

"He was nice." The brunet answered. "He even asked if I would like a contract with him. I declined, but he did give me a piece of paper with his symbol in it."

"You declined a contract offered by him?" Reborn asked in a surprised tone.

The young man nodded. "It was a fluke, Reborn. We aren't even sure if I have cloud affinity or not since I was able to summon Skull. And I'm not able to have contracts because I'm not applicable. Although Hana-chan told me that I have affinity because all of us have, just that mine is dormant so it's not seen."

"Even if I offer it to you?" Reborn asked.

Another nod. "But not to reject, but because out of my own defect."

Tsuna closed an eye when a hand reached out for his hair and ruffled it. He heard the demon sigh. The brunet could only smile in disappointment on himself. He won't be even be surprised if Reborn won't be friends with him. The latter is very picky after all. He can understand Hibari because that guy loves strong people to fight, even his summons like Tsuna. Nezu-sensei likes him since the man sees him as his own child. And Hana likes him because he's not a monkey and they think alike.

"Don't smile like that, idiot. I'm not gonna push you away." Reborn said softly. "I'm not disappointed that you're colorless or you can't even summon. Or the fact that you declined my contract with you. I'm... Glad that you told me this even though we don't really know each other that much since we only meet eight times now with limited interactions."

"Can I just hug you? You're the best friend I can ever wish for."

Reborn didn't even had time to reject when Tsuna tackled him to the ground and hugged him tight. He reluctantly hugged back before smiling a little with the childishness. He should he irritated at the embrace. He should be cocking his gun on the brunet and threatened him to let go before he pulls the trigger.

But he didn't because he adores the little human who blabbers a lot about books instead of his life.

Hana's brow rose in suspicion as she observed what Tsuna is reading. It's an Italian delicacy magazine. He has this very serious look and intense focus while reading them, occasionally writing something on the mag with his trusty pen (how does that thing never gets out of ink?!), muttering between 'I think he'll like this' and 'alternatives, alternatives'.

Tsuna has been weird since his third visit in Fiant, she recalls. He looks more open, relaxed and peaceful. His smiles are more free and the way his body sags makes her think that the invisible burden on his shoulders were lifted. Even though she's his friend, Tsuna doesn't like sharing his troubles, emotions and thoughts. He points out his interests and likes to know if everything is fine and if anyone needs help. Regardless of how emotionless he is outside, he has raging feelings inside. The fucking hypocrite.

"What's with the magazines?" She asked out of impatience.

"Reborn dared me to make something for him when he learned that Mom is a good cook in my family." Tsuna answered her before biting his lower lip and scratched the back of the pen on his head out of visible frustration. "I asked what he wants but he told me to take a guess and surprise him."

"And you chose Italian?"

The brunet smiled shyly. "Reborn looks like an Italian in my point of view."

Hana rationalized. "He looks like one."

"Yey! I'm not the only one!"

"So?'

"I figured that I'll have him try a classic Italian spaghetti, a dessert and a beverage. Do you think he's no-no to sugar?"

"Maybe. I don't really know. I'm not the one he always hang out with in Fiant every time I visit there." She teased lightly.

Tsuna blushed. Hana noticed how frequent that reaction nowadays. "Don't say it like that. Reborn is just being nice. He'll eventually..."

"What? Eventually what?" Hana asked, trying to know the other part of the sentence the brunet mumbled away.

Tsuna smiled. "Nothing. Just glad that he's my friend."

"Uh-huh. So what else are you going to do?"

"Borrow a kitchen every nine pm. Neh Hana-chan."

"What?"

Tsuna smiled brightly. "Will you be my taste tester?"

She nodded then realized that Tsuna didn't deny that he can cook.

Every nine in the evening, Tsuna will go to the kitchen and cook. Hana waits and watches him do all the kitchen stuffs. She perused how skilled the brunet is with the knife, how homey he was while humming lightly under his breathe and looked so at home with the kitchen. It wasn't like he's still trying to learn, she perceived him as an old man trying to remember what he always do for years. When he slowly got a hang of it, he was skilled, precise and did things beautifully.

Hana always praise Tsuna. It wasn't known to the universe how priceless her praises are. She was known to be very sarcastic and rude. No one heard her say positive adjective in a sincere way. But with Tsuna, she couldn't help it. Tsuna is just so... She doesn't know. Compassionate with a mix of innocence, a dash of mischief and rational violence, then a sprinkle of casual stupidity. He's like a baby that needs to get praised to work on his self-confidence and self-esteem, that with the right amount of persistence he will get motivated to do the things he denied. He wasn't someone who will answer 'no' when a request is placed in front of him even if he is pretty reluctant to do it. It's rather nice to see someone so determined to do something even though he's hesitant.

"Make me something not this." Hana ordered.

Tsuna made a thinking pose before nodding. "Yes, your majesty."

She chucked him the fork she's using. Tsuna laughed at that.

"Sawada, you can't take that in Fiant." Nezu-sensei admonished lightly with a sigh.

"It's just a picnic, Sensei. And I'm tired of eating the same thing in there." Tsuna protested.

"Fine. Just don't get this information to the higher up. Madam Cara will surely throw a fit if she finds out about this."

"As long as the Headmaster and chancellor are okay with it, she won't have a say. Besides, Hibari approved."

"Because you gave him hamburger steak!" The teacher scowled. Tsuna only chuckled. "Don't give me that innocent act."

"What? He requested it, I asked before I gave him the food. I did nothing wrong."

Tsuna quickly evaded Nezu's smack on his upside and ran towards the portal. He waved a good bye to Hana who was holding her own share of food before rushing to the lake. As he go along, he waved at some semi (not his attackers) who was watching him, they waved back with small smiles. It was a routine he established. It's not that bad to wave at them. They're pretty harmless, unless malevolent in nature.

He ducked under the big branch and looked around to see his challenger. Reborn did challenge him to cook something. The brunet shouldn't have bragged about his mother's great culinary skills, but he couldn't since it is a thing to be bragged around. However, he didn't say he knows how to cook or he helps his mom when the latter cooks. Reborn just tossed him a dare, taunted him so Tsuna will agree. If only that black clad man knew how many times Tsuna smacked his forehead for taking the bait. Now don't wonder why he put a plaster on his forehead, it's throbbing out of self-punishment.

Since the demon isn't there yet, Tsuna walked on and placed the basket beside him. He stuck a paper with a wrritten 'barrier' on the handles then laid on his back. After giving out a yawn, stretch and one last look on his surroundings, he closed his eyes to get a shut eye. He doesn't know how many hours he slept. All he remembered when he woke up was he sprang up and looked around out of sudden danger he sensed.

He doesn't know where the danger is. The whole area is quiet under the past noon hour. Reborn isn't with him and he only has two papers left with him and a pen. A crunch was heard on his three o'clock, he craned his head there and saw two people emerged from the forest. They looked all ragged up and panting. Haunted and panicky. They even have scratches all over.

"What happened with you two?" Tsuna asked.

"A-A-" One stammered out before he keeled.

"What?" Tsuna questioned, worried.

"A wolf! A Siberian black wolf chased us!" The other shouted. "Help us! Please!"

"Did you go to the camp?" He asked again.

The one who answered him shook his head while the other looked back. "N-No. We couldn't find it."

The brunet took out one of his papers and started to write a map on it with his pen while approaching them. "You're a summon right?"

The one who kept answering him nodded. "Yes."

"Take care of your human, and follow this map." Tsuna gave him the paper. "Don't look back, keep running until you get inside the camp barrier."

"How can I go-"

"You can because you have a contract." He pushed the other to the direction of the camp, helping him with the frightened other. "Now go. I'll take care of the tiger who attacked you."

"Thank you." The other said. Tsuna only nodded.

Just as the two ran towards the camp, Tsuna was pounced by a big furry wolf. His eyes widened before he held his breathe. He doesn't know what to do. But his intuition is telling him to punch the other under its chin. He did. The tiger howled in pain, so Tsuna crawled under the tiger and went out from its side. He made a run for it. Not even sparing a single glance of the semi who is running after him.

The brunet saw the basket on its spot, he didn't went for it, afraid that the food in there will get into trouble. Just when he was about to enter the forest, Reborn came. Tsuna's eyes widened and took the other's hand, pulling him.

"Come on! We need to run!" He pulled.

"From what?" The man questioned.

"That wolf!" The brunet replied.

"You go run. I'll handle him."

Tsuna's face twisted into horror. "No! No way! Why the hell would I leave you alone with it?! Are you stupid?! I'm saying we run so we won't get killed!"

"I won't get killed."

"Don't be suicidal, Reborn!" Tsuna yelled, angry at the sudden declaration. "I know you're strong! Stronger than it! But I can't just leave you alone like I don't care! What if it kills you out of chance?! Who would eat the food I made for you?!"

"Wait. You made the food?"

"Reborn!"

Tsuna shouted in fear as the wolf pounced at them with open mouth. Then out of no where, a gun materialized in Reborn's hand. The man pulled the brunet behind and shot the wolf in five successions. The bullets were coated with yellow auras that burst whenever made in contact and disintegrates the parts they hit.

Tsuna clutched Reborn's hand so tight as the gun went off again. He let his tears flow as the tiger groaned and howled in pain. Every moan struck him to heart, like knives with sharp blades. It hurts to see a demon die in front of him. As a human, he knew how painful death is. How fearful he is to it. He watched as the wolf fell on his side and wailed in pain. He watched as the wolf struggled to open his eyes and eyed him. Tsuna sobbed and unconsciously mouthed 'I'm sorry'. The wolf huffed his last breathe before closing his eyes. He sobbed uncontrollably and fell on his knees.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Tsuna sobbed.

"Tsuna. There's no use crying."

"I-I know. But..." He hiccuped. "It was crying in pain. And I couldn't help him ease it up."

He watched as Reborn kneeled on one knee in front of him. "Did you forget that this is Fiant? The demon world?" He shook his head. "Demons, when killed, regenerates in the place they grew up."

"I-I read about that."

"Okay. So when that wolf died, he is either regenerated as a demon."

"Or?"

"Or he got accepted by heavens after so many years of being held here."

Tsuna looked up to him. "Those can happen? Really?"

Reborn nodded. "Yes. Now stop crying, Crybaby-Tsuna."

"Oh shut up. I won't forgive you for saying suicidal things awhile ago." He mumbled while wiping his tears off his face.

"Then I humbly apologize for being selfish and conceited." Reborn almost pouted (though he never does) when Tsuna only looked away but the latter eyed him again and smiled. The man sighed in relief.

"Apology accepted. Let's go. You need to eat those food and give me a comment."

Tsuna went for the basket and took out all the contents. He opened the spaghetti container and the tiramisu's before placing it in front of the demon. After that, he opened the thermos he brought, pour some on its cup and gently set it on the side with balance. He watched Reborn's expression as the latter surveyed all the food. He waited until the man took the fork, and stood up to interact with his fish friends, carrying packs of biscuits he baked himself for Hana last night.

Tsuna kept on entertaining them while glancing back. Not on Reborn's way, but the spot where the wolf died. The fishes noticed this but didn't say anything. They had their own fill of making him blush out of flattery when they thanked him for the crackers.

"Oi Tsuna."

"Yup?" Tsuna responded as he peeped at Reborn.

"Pour me a drink." The demon bossed while he raised the small cup.

Tsuna made a joking apprehensive look. "No please?"

"Want me to shoot you?"

"Eh! No!" Tsuna clapped his hands to remove the crumbs before standing up. "I'll be right back."

"No. Take your time with him." One bubble popped.

Tsuna chuckled. "He's quite bossy, huh?"

Another pop produced giggles. "Shhh."

"I heard that." Reborn glared as the brunet approached him.

"Hmmm?" The young man hummed innocently before taking the thermos. "You liked the coffee?"

"Just pour me some."

Tsuna cheekily smiled as he did what was 'asked'. "I can give you powdered ones. I was going for an espresso since you seems to like bitter things. Like that bitter vegetable. But I couldn't cause there's no espresso machine, so I settled with double dosage of coffee powder."

"That doesn't mean I like bitter things."

"Then let's say sweet things. You don't like overly sugared things." Tsuna corrected himself. "Like those tasteless biscuits I always had with me. You're always the one who eats them."

"Because you're too slow to get one."

Tsuna gave him an offended look before closing the thermos. "No more coffee."

"What?!"

Tsuna puffed and faced away. "I'm not slow! You just like them that much."

"Fine fine. Give me that coffee thing."

The brunet peaked at the man who eyed the thermos and give it to him at the end. "I'll give you granulated and powdered coffee to compensate. Once I have enough money to go out and buy things, I'll buy an espresso machine for you, with that provided, you can drink that kind of coffee as much as you like. Even so, you need coffee beans to do that."

"No." Reborn declined. "I want you to make my coffee."

"But we're not meeting everyday-"

"I'll wait." Reborn cut him off before drinking.

"But at least take the powdered coffee?" Tsuna asked as he snatched the paperbag from the basket.

"Fine. I expect something bitter next time."

"Aye Sir." The young man saluted with a teasing grin.