A/N:
Warning: Grammar and spelling errors ahead. (Just why didn't I thought of telling you this from the very first chapter?)
@animeanimal12: Thanks. If you're having a writer's block, try reading your story from the beginning until where you stopped. You might get an idea what to write after. But it's just a suggestion. You can disregard it.
@Espeon35: Sorry about the grammar mistakes. English isn't my first language. Or second even. It's my third. And I kept on interchanging the words I use. I'll fix that in the future. Thank you for pointing it out.
Thanks for the reviews and hearts. So, onwards.
Chapter Seven
Tsuna looked up from the book his reading to see Professor Crowley walking in with her usual book. The room quieted down and heard the small 'thud' of the book she placed on the table. The teacher isn't really strict. But she's known to have the meanest glare one can receive. Tsuna hasn't received one yet, even Hana, since they are very attentive and answers her properly.
One thing he doesn't like about her is the point that she's the administrative of once in three months summon battles. Even Hana is against it, but it's the school's tradition. What breaks Tsuna's heart is the fact that weak summons have to fight stronger once in some match ups. It wasn't fair. It's not like everybody can have semis as their summons. Everytime he hears the howl of pain, Tsuna cries. Good thing he doesn't and can't have a summon, because he honestly don't know what he'll do if his summon get hurt.
"Three days from now is the tri-monthly summon battle." The teacher announced as she put a hand on the table and looked at them one by one. "And yesterday, I received a new additions of summoners who will be part of the battles. Of course we all know that a lot of our battlers last year have graduated, thus it will not be surprising if we get a new list. You will know who are these people tomorrow, but I will announce certain individuals who are especially mentioned."
Tsuna looked at Hana who nodded, also anticipating while dreading. She has a summon after all.
"Hana Kurokawa, you are stationed to the healers side for your contractor is a healing type according to the staffs." The teacher said.
"Yes, Sensei." Hana answered.
Tsuna gulped when those eyes pinned him. "Tsunayoshi Sawada."
"Yes, Mam." He responded.
"You don't have a summon, I presume."
"Yes Mam. No summons."
"But I heard a demon has been hanging out with you." Tsuna clamped up as his classmates give him a probing stare in shock. "They said it is rather a powerful one, but they haven't determined if it is a semi or a higher."
"That it is a he, Mam." Tsuna corrected. "And he offered me a contract, I declined."
"Like the other one you were able to summon with a peculiar pentagram and incantation."
Tsuna nodded. "Yes."
"Will you enlighten me why, Tsunayoshi?" She dared as she crossed her arms.
"As far as I can say, I was said to be colorless. A colorless person cannot summon nor have a contract with any demon. My only ticket here is the knowledge I acquired through reading."
"Yet you were on the list yesterday. Madam Cara was the one who wrote your name in it."
Tsuna almost cursed. "Is there any possible way to back out, Mam? I cannot do it. I do not have any summons."
"Then you die there. You did say that your only ticket here is your brain. Think of a way, Tsunayoshi."
"Then expect my corpse tomorrow, Mam."
"Sawada!" Hana chided.
Professor Crowley smirked before nodding. They started the lesson. Tsuna was gritting his teeth in frustration when they went out of the room. Hana tried to tell him to get Reborn or Skull, but he declined. He doesn't want to trouble them with his problems. He's not that close with the latter anyway.
For three days, he didn't say anything. Hibari even stalked him in his classes, persuading him to at least take Mukuro to be his summoner for the battle. Hana adds on Hibari's persuasion too whenever she gets a chance. Even Nezu-sensei glances at his direction with worry. But he declined. He will never get a summon.
His reason isn't just because he's colorless. He read a book that even colorless people can have contracts, as long as they do the proper method. The reason why he doesn't want one nor decline when offered is because he can't have himself rob the freedom of those demons to do what they want. Other than that, he doesn't want them to get hurt, and he doubt himself of giving them the things they desired on the contract both parties formed. He'd rather die in the battlefield, than have someone defend him.
The day they've waited had come. With dejected faces, Hibari and Hana stood beside Tsuna who was flipping on a book. When they reached the door for the inside circular auditorium, more of a stadium, Tsuna closed his book and opened the door. He sighed deeply, worrying his usually stoic companions, before stepping in. He waved at Hana who reluctantly went for the healers' stations, swearing to God that she will never heal someone unless they are him, and to Hibari who promised to enter the battle with his twin summons when the brunet's fight become unbearable. Tsuna is really amused at their worrying tendency over him. Well, he is worth worrying since this day must be his last day.
Deciding where to sit, he went for the one farthest to the lower stage and the people. His eyes riffled around before he focused his eyes on particular people. Like any battle days he was required to attend, big shots outside the walls of academy came to scout and observe. Mostly are part of the World Society and some exorcist houses. Other than summons, they are also interested of how good the summoners are. Of course, if the summoner isn't strong, how can they get such powerful demon?
Caring less, Tsuna found himself slowly going through a book he had read yesterday. He is pretty excited to talk about it with Reborn. In spite of how demanding the demon is with his coffee and some food (Tsuna is suspecting that he'll be hired as a cook anytime now), Reborn likes to hear him talk and talk even if the topic is boring. But the man is pretty attentive since he does rise some good questions that Tsuna did not think about. However, Reborn does not like it when the brunet berates himself out of not thinking of the question. He did say that he formulated the questions due to Tsuna's rhetoric quizzes. Eventually, their meet ups becomes a book sharing day, a flitting topics or just rest day.
"First battle of the day, Kara Feli versus Zwiss Devrotski." A monotone voice, probably a girl in accordance to the pitch of it, announced.
Tsuna looked at the stage as two people entered through different gates. The two faced each other, one is an American and the other is obviously a Russian. Certainly, no one is proud enough to laugh at their enemy and mock them for being weak. Probably anxious that their opponent's contractor is powerful.
Tsuna inspected every single detail on both summoners. He saw the markings: one is a mermaid like, while the other is like a merkat. They have papers with written purpose on them already. No weapons to dispose. He can't help fingering the hunter knife he has on his back. Tsuna was never fond of hurting anyone, but for self-defense, he's either knife or hand to hand.
Tsuna watched two of them call forth their own summons after Professor Crowley announced the start of the battle. He watched and predicted what are the possible attacks of both summons. A small Merkat and a mermaid holding a harp. A merkat can possibly grow to a massive one, has claws to scratch, teeth to bite and agility when its size is alright. The mermaid can bring forth water out of no where, stun her opponent with the use of the harp, and use her powerful tail to swat them out of the way.
The fight did began. Tsuna didn't really watch properly. When it became too much to bear, he looked away and focused his senses to something else. His heart did break when the mermaid cried in pain. The Russian with the merkat was announced to be the winner.
"Second battle: Enma Kozato and Lu Zing."
He perked up on that. His eyes trained only on the red head who is nervously walking inside. Tsuna winced as he felt the nervousness all the way to his spot. He stood up, bringing all the attention on him, and walked down. His eyes still on Enma who was looking around, blushing in embarrassment at the stares of disgust, underestimation and mockery. He saw his classmate's contract mark on his wrist. Tsuna's intuition tugged him to watch, a little relieved that the red head's summoner is a semi.
When the battle started, Enma didn't have the time to call forth his summon when the opponent attacked him. The brunet suspected that the other party already mumbled the incantation and said the name of his contractor after the start of battle was announced. Nice tactic.
"I won't let you call your summon, Loser Enma!" Lu Zing shouted in glee as his summoner attacked Enma who clumsily dodged away. The insult called forth for the audience's 'boo'-ing.
Tsuna clenched his hands tightly at the jeer. He can feel his anger surfacing. That Chinese doesn't deserve any recommendation. This is one of the reason why Tsuna despised the tri-month battle. They show up here just to get their grades. Summons battle for the sake of their summoners' grades. They intend to be part of the society or any house that may want to take them in. And instead of helping each other, they bring the other down.
Tsuna, a benevolent creature, loathes this kind of mentality. Loathes this kind of situation. Enma doesn't deserve this kind of treatment just because he doesn't have a good family background, because he looks weak or easy to tease. The brunet knew how painful it is to be insulted, because he was there once a upon a time.
"Kaleks!" The Chinese called, halting the demon tiger. Lu Zing smiled deviously to the panting red head. "I advice you to give up, Loser Enma."
"Enma." Tsuna called softly when the disadvantaged summoner is in front of him. "Gather your aura on one point."
"Huh?" His acquaintance blurted.
"Come on."
"How can I-"
"Calm your mind, don't listen to their teasing, and focus."
"O-Okay." Enma closed his eyes and slowly breathed out. Tsuna always knew that the red head has a good concentration after all their corresponding talk about the bullies' names.
"What now, Loser?!" Lu Zing laughed.
"Picture your summon in your head." Tsuna waited for a second. "Then call her name."
"I gave you time, Loser." Lu Zing sighed dramatically.
"But-"
"Call her name, Enma." He asked again, eyes on the laughing summoner across the room. "Call her name and she'll come forth for your aid."
"Attack him, Kalek!"
Enma let his tears pour out of fear and breathed. "Adelheid."
Tsuna stood proudly when a regal lady manifested in front of Enma and deflected the tiger's attack. Adelheid is a lady of ice, wearing a cloak made from a polar bear's fur and has a staff that reaches her height. Her hair is long and in ponytail, she has sharp features and piercing black eyes. The brunet can sense the anger radiating from the semi.
"Who dared to make my Enma cry?!" She demanded as cold air pressed in the room.
"A-Adelheid." The red head sobbed.
The lady turned to her summoner and caressed his cheeks, wiping away the tears. "Dear child. No one must make you cry."
"I'm okay."
"Yes. And you'll be happy once I get rid of that barbaric tiger and its stupid summoner." Adelheid promised before her eyes caught Tsuna's. "You must be the one who helped my Enma."
Tsuna shook his head. "I didn't."
"Hmp. We will talk."
The battle ended when the arena became an ice land with the opponent pair as statues. Enma rushed to Tsuna and hugged the latter so tight while crying. The brunet could only laugh lightly, soothing the red head with sweet nothings of assurance. Adelheid is behind its summoner, looking around and glaring every single person who calls Enma a loser.
"Thank you!" Enma cried as he faced Tsuna.
The brunet smiled while wiping away the tears. "I did nothing, Enma. You did all the work."
"But you taught me a shortcut." The red head protested.
"I just got so angry with their insults on you." Tsuna glared at the silent crowd. "They don't know how painful it is to be teased, insulted and underestimated."
"Tsuna."
He looked at his companion. "You don't deserve that treatment, Enma. You are what you are. The top of the class, my friend who loves to put bandages on his being."
Enma smiled at the warmth of solace. "Thank you."
"It is no doubt that you are a sky, young man." Both eyes snapped to the semi-demon. "Your aura is radiating inside this place."
"I can't be a sky." Tsuna said, already knowing he's the one being pertained. "I am regarded colorless."
"Are you really?" The demon asked with a brow raised. "Look around you, Human."
Tsuna did. And he noticed how people's eyes glances at his way, as if wanting to approach him. "What the heck..."
"I am not attracted since I already have my sky." Adelheid said as she put a hand on Enma's shoulder. "But you, young man, has unleashed his aura out of anger and attracted many attention. Be careful."
"Can't we help, Tsuna?" Enma asked.
Tsuna smiled. "No. It's okay, Enma. I can take care of myself."
"O-Okay. Don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything."
"Hai."
"My lord." Adelheid cooed as she hugged her human. "So kind."
"A-Adelheid!" Enma blushed, making the lady smile.
Tsuna smiled at the interaction.
Potent. Pure. Strong.
That's what everybody felt as wave after wave of sky aura washed over them. Although it seems angry, the strength of the heat is still there. The attraction is there. They can feel themselves being pulled into the owner who they never thought will have the very affinity. The delinquent of Saint Academy who's in par with Kyouya Hibari, Tsunayoshi Sawada.
The said boy is gripping his book so tight while standing behind the steel barricade of the arena. He especially went down from his spot from the upper rows just to watch one red head's fight. He's expression is clear but his brown eyes shone orange with so much emotion.
After the fight, they can't focus on the third battle. Their attention is on the brunet who is conversing with his friend and summon. They can't help the tingles and urges of wanting to be near the brunet, but they obviously can't. With just one surveying look from the hardened brown eyes made them tremble in their places, afraid of rejection and disappointment that the sky is apparently feeling at the moment.
Why didn't they think of the possibility? How did they bypassed such rare affinity? And they even treated him like a trash just because he was remarked to be colorless.
Even their guests of honors look at Tsunayoshi's way. They can see how those people itch to approach the young man who doesn't even care of how people are staring at him, nor acknowledge it even though he can plainly see them. Well, they know it will take a lot of convincing, talking, blackmailing, bribing and other means just to get him. Tsuna is known for being hard headed and pretty violent even though he is really rational. It takes one to fool a well read man such as him.
"Tsunayoshi Sawada versus Sousuke Takahashi."
And the stadium became a quiet place.
"If I die here, I want you to give my corpse to my family."
"Sawada."
"Then tell them I love them. That I'm always homesick. Tell them I missed them and I'm sorry for not being able to fulfill my promise of coming back with a title."
"You're not going to die, Sawada."
A laugh went out of his lips. "Just a precaution. Geez. And tell Reborn that he can buy the espresso machine himself, or just drink the powdered coffee. Then Skull's symbol is on my white hoody. Though we aren't really friends, I want you to tell him that I'm gone. Also look after Hibari. That one is my little brother despite the fact that I'm two years younger than him."
Hana remembered how she clenched her hands so tight on the carefree smile on the brunet's lips.
"And take care of yourself. You're also susceptible to trouble."
"You little-"
Hana stood up from her sit and put her hands on the table in front of her as Tsuna walked in the arena. His book is gone from his hand and he looked quite passive. She can't see any sign of anxiousness. But this is Tsuna. He faced countless bullies that threatened to make his life miserable and turned the tables around by making their lives like living hell. He is someone who faced Hibari's wrath so many times that the disciplinary room has to be renovated every time they fight there.
And this is Tsuna, the one who is now known to have amazing sky aura just awhile ago.
Hana looked at Takahashi who looks smug. The lady can't help herself from smirking. Everyone knows Tsuna has no summons, but they're forgetting how good he is with some things. They're forgetting that Tsuna is notorious of possessing strong barriers, good exorcism and breaking contracts even if a pair has a strong bond.
"Start!" Professor Crowley shouted.
"I summon-"
"Restrict, restrict. Untouch the weak. Push the tormentor. Away to relief." Tsuna started to mumble three times. And the opponent flew three miles away.
Before the other can even call his summon again, the brunet flung his knife to the summoner while running towards him. Takahashi paled when the knife embodied itself on the wall near his head. He didn't have time to call forth his summon when he felt himself falling forward after pain inflicted behind on his nape. Behind Takahashi is Tsuna with his hand posed after he struck a chop on his opponent's nape.
Hana heard Kyoko, her summon, cheered so loud and hugged her from the back. Hana can't help the smile from breaking on her lips. Not even Hibari expected Tsuna to dash on the summoner or even knock him out after injecting fear on the system.
"That is not valid!" A student yelled.
Hana glared at the young man. "That son of a bitch."
"Justify." Tsuna raised a brow. "The rule book of the tri-monthly battle did not say that one player cannot strike the other before the latter can summon his contractor. I just dealt my card right."
Silence prevailed.
Professor Crowley sighed. "Winner, Tsunayoshi Sawada."
"Go get them Sawada!" Hana shouted as the brunet raised his fist and waved at her.
Tsuna watched his hands shake in anxiety and fear. Not that he's not confident with his plans, but he knew he's running out of cards to place on the table. His incoming opponent isn't really merciful. He knew that since they once had a show off. He barely got out alive but he did give him the same fatal blow.
Sighing, he stood up. He can feel his other injuries sting and pull him down out of pain. But he can't do that. He needs to finish this. He needs to show them that he doesn't need a summon and he will die without one. He doesn't care about his grades. He just needs to prove them that they're all wrong.
He entered the arena as his name was called. His opponent, Nicholas Coe, walked in with a smile. The prince charming of Saint Academy. He has the blond hair, blue eyes, perfect features and the nice reputation, except every single bullied people disagree on that part. The one who does the wrong things in the Academy while Tsuna and Hibari do the justification.
Tsuna averted his eyes away from the summoner and looked around to see Hana or Hibari. He doesn't want to look at that person's sinister smile. But so far, he couldn't see the two. He garnered too many attention to the point that the colosseum become packed. He can feel headaches coming from this kind of attention.
No wonder he always stir away from it.
"This is the final battle of the day." Professor Crowley announced, and made the crowd erupt into cheers. "Wow. I thank Tsunayoshi for giving us this number of crowd. This is the first time in six decades."
Tsuna kicked the ground while fingering his knife. He forgot to restock his papers.
"Are you ready, Tsunayoshi?"
Tsuna looked at the professor behind his bangs. "Others won't care if I'm not, will they?"
Everyone cringe at that.
The teacher looked at Nicholas Coe. "Ready, Nicholas?"
"Yes." The charming prince answered.
"Okay. Battle..." Tsuna stood straighter while Nicholas caressed the dragon tattoo in his arm. Professor Crowley eyes the two and opened her mouth. "Start!"
Tsuna instinctively dodged the fireball coming his way. He slid down just as his intuition instructed when a claw almost took out his head. He gritted his teeth as his right thigh twitched in pain at the sudden action. It stung but adrenaline washed it away as he rolled on the side of the dragon and ran backwards. He can't turn his back on an enemy, can he?
His intuition tugged him to duck, he did. He looked behind him and kicked Nicholas' leg. But he didn't see the incoming claws. He received five sharp talons on the center of his chest and flew away from the two. He groaned when his back hit the wall before he slid down. He covered his mouth when he coughed blood. He inspected himself briefly: bleeding chest, ragged breathing, and probably an injured back. Hana is so gonna kill him.
Tsuna laid when a tail was about to hit his spot. It hit the wall. He made a low tumbling before wincing when he felt the throbbing pain. He supposed that his adrenaline is slipping away. No wonder he got hit by his left shoulder with a fireball. He eyed Nicholas and his humanoid dragon. The human is gazing at him with hidden glee, obviously having fun at making him suffer with pain.
Tsuna sat up and leaned back on the wall behind him. He can distinctly hear Hana shouting and Hibari being restricted. He sighed and tried to regulate his breathing, taking his time since Nicholas is stupid enough not to attack him. After calming down, Tsuna slowly stood up. He saw prince charming made a scowl, and how he lovingly responded that with a smirk.
"Restrict, restrict. Untouch the weak. Push the tormentor. Away to relief." The brunet chanted as the dragon forms a fireball. "... Away to relief."
The pair blasted off. Tsuna keeled out of energy. His jaw locked, berating himself for forgetting that spells can take away one's energy. And since he is already weakened by his injuries, that last spell took plenty out of him.
'Dame-Tsuna.'
Tsuna almost rolled his eyes when he heard Reborn's taunting voice in his head. Of all times...
'You promised...'
Tsuna closed his eyes.
"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.
Tsuna opened his eyes and moved his head an inch from it's original spot. The tail aiming for his head smacked on the concrete. He slowly stood up and chuckled as he thought of the little promise he made with Reborn. And to think he entrusted that to Hana. Even in his little death, the demon never cease to amuse and support him.
A demon who has a sun affinity supports a lowlife human like him. Ah. His heart pulses at the support. If he is really a sky, Tsuna is really grateful to have a sun who support him.
"You're making me pretty guilty here, Reborn." Tsuna smiled.
Slowly, the room felt cold. Tsuna looked around with his opponents. Then he noticed a flickering light in front of him, that turned into a little yellow flame as the stadium become colder. With creased forehead, he tried to reach out but the yellow wisp went out of his reach like wanting to play with him. He rolled his eyes and about to reach out again when the flame become big enough for a person. He watched as a man in black with a fedora casually walked out of the portal and looked around until obsidian eyes met his brown ones.
"Reborn." He uttered.
An elegant brow was lifted before a smirk appeared. "You called, Tsuna?"