A/N:

@Caleo Ignacium: Thank you for the wonderful inspirational quote. Hahaha! But really, thank you. Your encouragement made my day.

@Alynoe: Everything will be fine. This is Tsuna we're talking about.

Thank you for all the reviews you made. They make me flattered. I can't really answer all of you because I have limited time for typing (the signal here for internet ranges from 3am to 6am, with momentary pauses at certain times that requires a lot of airplane switching). Though, if you don't wanna write a review, it's okay. I don't really mind. As long as you read them, I'm already good.

And I'm taking down the warning. Whether I like it or not, I'll be updating anyway. It's probably the urge to have something to do in the middle of the night.

Anyway, onwards.

Chapter Seventeen

"How was your year, Tsunayoshi?" Timoteo asked, eyeing the young man in front of him.

Tsuna looked at him with contemplation before answering. "Pleasant."

Timoteo watched as the usual dull eyes shone with light. 'Interesting.'

"Very pleasant." Tsuna repeated before nodding. "How was yours? I presume it has a lot of headaches since I did plenty of troubles again."

The old man waved a dismissive hand. "Your troubles were my breather with all the papers works I needed to do."

The corners of the lad's lips quirked a little. "You could at least give Ganauche a stack of papers for revenge though."

"He does not work with papers." The guardian sighed.

"Well, it's never too late to teach someone." Tsuna shrugged before taking a cup and poured tea from the pot to it. "Enough with the pleasantries. What's the purpose of my appearance here, other than diss and talk about my recommender?"

"Oi!" Ganauche pouted.

"Childish." Tsuna huffed before taking a sip on his cup.

"What do you think of your acquaintances?" Timoteo asked carefully, recalling Ganauche's information about the child in front of him. Tsuna only has three friends and he hates his companions, except for Xanxus, his son, and Dino Cavallone.

"Generally, they're stupid. Except for two people in there." The brunet leaned back, and crossed his legs. The guardian took note the calm posture of the lad. "They kept on ranting about things, degrading the staffs for doing average jobs, and dismissing them rudely. No wonder the staffs don't smile at them. They kept going on and on about their achievement even if no one asked. If you invite them here, you'll never get the end of it."

Timoteo acknowledged the look of impressed amusement on Coyote's and Visconti's faces. "I'll think about the latter."

Tsuna snorted before eyeing the old man a look. "Good luck with that."

"What can you say about them in terms of specification?"

"That will be very broad." The brunet answered truthfully. "I cannot judge a person cause telling you what I think about them literally means I'm judging them. I did say they are stupid in general because they do stupid things. Being conshitted- Excuse me. I mean conceited about a lot of things is one of them."

Bouche quirked an eyebrow at the statement that Ganauche preened. Timoteo nodded. "Then tell me what you have observed about them at least."

Tsuna took a gulp on his drink before putting it down. "Kazuya Tohen is probably good to work with, just eliminate his little universe of a pride. From what I heard over the past two years, that guy is good at taking suggestions and never turns away from criticism since he deems that as a good sign to grow more. He can be polite, just don't ignore him like I usually do. It ticks him off. Something about being a leader that needs to be heard most of the time, so his words are considered to be gold.

"Eric de Vries is probably the most fitting person for financial things. He loves to calculate big numbers with computers or manually. Of how he can do that, you need to find out since he is Nie's charge. He is... Understanding about a lot of things, but not in a good way. Suzuki once apologized for her incompetence, and he accepted it but he remarked that as one of the traits of a commoner."

"What did you do about it?" Ganauche asked.

"I throw a plate on him. He caught it with his face. The plate was the reason why his nose is still broken." Tsuna shrugged. "He can also be very lazy, except if you give him something good to jumble his mind with. Not pretty good with long term jobs.

"John Green is pretty much the life of the party. He's average but nice enough to be with, as long as you don't mind his self-praises. If he doesn't like you, he doesn't like you. That's that. He can be pretty violent, but Xanxus is my favorite rampage. He can destroy everything when he does. Anyways, John can keep everybody hopeful as long as he is hopeful. When he frowns, that's the end of it.

"Draco Gorski likes to gloat. He likes to use blackmails, bribery, coercions and such when he wants something and is difficult to obtain. But he is nice, patient and a worrywart. He doesn't mind people and never been rude to the staffs, except for that one time he splashed a glass of water on Terry. To defend and make him apologize, I made him swim on my food and drinks too. If you're going to ask about what I did to retaliate, Ganauche."

Ganauche chuckled, still preening on his charge's antics. "Go on. You have five more people to describe."

Tsuna drank some of his tea before taking a big cookie from the plate. "Jimin Ko is a good president. He did say he's the president of his company. Of what Lady told me, his employees like him even though he lashes out when things get stressed out in the building, or when something goes wrong. But he does encourage them to work hard. In general terms, he takes care of his employees. There's nothing negative about him. He doesn't include himself with the things I do, but he does throw an insult or two when needed. But nothing Dino-nii can't shot down.

"Carlo Seirge." Tsuna pondered his words. "He is a good friend. He defends. But that's what bad about him. He's like a child who doesn't know who is right or who is wrong. As long as you're his friend, he will defend you even if you did the most hideous crime. He can be fooled if he doesn't fix that.

"Iguchi Itadori is a bully. He brags. He hurts people. He even did something unforgivable to one of the staffs that almost caused me to break some promising bones in his body. But I did crack his ribs and burned all his contracts just for revenge and made him apologize. He loves to insert domination that probably works to lesser humans, amusing to people like you, while overly idiotic for me. He likes to down people just to put himself on top of the food chain. If Kyouya was here, he'll call that guy an insignificant insect, while Hana-chan will call him a brainless baboon. However, he has good points too. He plans his assaults, takes consideration that he has to explain things for his men, and his courage can be useful to light dimming hope if he put it in the right place."

"What about my son?" Timoteo asked, eager to hear what this young man can say about his son.

Tsuna smiled a little, munching a little of the cookie. "Xanxus is the epitome of all bad things a man does in this world. I even doubt that he's a virgin." Schnitten choked while Timoteo laughed. "But he's nice. He thinks about Varia in his everyday here. He said he's not worried cause if their group get attacked and they did not survive without them, it means Squalo and the others are trashes. That echoes a lot of trust. I even heard him call Lussuria to check on them. He looks out for me and Dino-nii. If he orders us to stay, we need to follow because it's for a good cause. Over-all, he's a great guy."

"Did he say something... You know..." Timoteo hesitated.

Tsuna stared at him before responding. "He was insecure about his scars. He didn't tell, but I saw it since he almost put bulletholes on Iguchi and John when they pointed it out on our first day together. It took a lot of power for him to calm down."

"Who calmed him down?" Visconti asked.

"Me." Tsuna shrugs. "I told him that his scars didn't make him lesser. It made him look fiercer, like a liger since that animal has black lines in its face too. He did go red, out of anger or something after I said that. He never talked to me for two days but did on the third day.

"Anyways, he told me that he's not really your son by blood, causing you to trap him in some kind of ice that caused his scars. Not that I have something to say to you, Timoteo. But I'd advice you to make him sit down and talk to him. Tell him why you didn't tell him in the first place. Rather than have a bad relationship with your son, you must pursue a civil interaction. It's not only us who evolves from time to time, communication develops too." And Tsuna smiled knowingly.

Coyote nodded, impressed with the facts the young man said.

The sky guardian took a deep breathe before smiling with gratefulness. "What about Dino Cavallone?"

"Ah. Dino-nii is like a brother I really want to introduce to my parents. Even Xanxus. He's a natural sky, if I felt it right. He's compassionate, understanding and a protector. Though he is clumsy most of the time, whenever me and Xanxus aren't with him, it is also the most endearing trait he has. He likes to keep a peaceful environment as much as possible, but when desperate measures are needed on desperate times, he won't hesitate doing it. He isn't as gullible as Carlo though. He knew what is wrong and what is right. He might make you believe that he is naive and stupid, but once you try deceiving him, he'll start manipulating you too, turning the tables on his side and leave you abandoned." The brunet described with an occasional munch on his treat.

Visconti nodded, proud of his charge.

"Then what can you say about yourself?" Coyote asked, too late to see Ganauche's shake of head and expression of worry.

"A recommendation." Tsuna answered with arrogance, a small smirk on his lips as he leaned back, elbows at both arms of the chair with fingers laced togethed on his stomach and legs crossed. "I don't know my value to the society but I know I'm only here because I have my brain. I don't even know why Ganauche tolerates me since I cause the majority of people around me a round of headaches within the day. I have my own rules, and I rarely abid to yours."

"But you're a sky."

Tsuna scoffed. "People tried to kill me when I was called colorless, and now they kiss every steps I make because I'm a sky, trying to bond with me because it's what is right and they want to be protected. Idiots, I tell you. Hypocrites and liars. Some humans are worse than demons, no offense meant. I'd rather bond with a plant than be with them for the rest of my life."

Ganauche smiled at the brunet who looked away.

"And to be honest, I don't see myself as a sky. I'm not a good leader like Kazuya and Jimin, a good friend like Carlos and John, compassionate as Dino-nii And Draco, strong like Xanxus or as smart as Eric. I'm just a young man who is attending a school half full of demons and demon incarnates, and being constantly reminded that I'm a recommendation."

"Don't forget disgrace."

Timoteo watched Tsuna's expression change from surprise to delight after hearing that addition. The teen swirled around and went to the man who is standing by the pathway of the Gazebo.

Timoteo tried to relax his shoulders as the demonic pressure from the man in black suit and fedora with an orange band got dumped on them. He can hear Schnitten trampling over, unable to withstand the dense aura that surround them. Even Coyote and Visconti are having a hard time standing straight. Good thing he is sitting.

Discreetly, Timoteo examined the high demon. The man is definitely not a lower demon. Maybe a semi who loves to wear human clothes and good enough to hide his features. Or a high demon that he rarely see in the Mundane world. But the question is, how did Tsuna meet this demon?

The brunet is talking with the male with a brilliant smile on his lips. He looks so happy and glowing. Almost... In love. The sky guardian blinked at the realization before looking at Ganauche who is smiling a little on his charge's way. Just like a brother being happy for his sibling.

"Timoteo." The old man looked back to the young man who is in front of the demon. The teen bowed. "I would like to take my leave."

"Ah yes." The sky guardian permitted, but before the brunet can turn his back on them, he called him out. "Can you lift it up?" He asked.

Tsuna blankly looked at him before closing his eyes. They immediately snapped open and looked at the demon in black who gave an innocent look. "Lift it up, Reborn. That's bullying."

"It is not." The demon argued.

"Do you want me to tell you every single thing I know about bullying then classify what kind of bullying are you doing with them?"

The demon smirked, the pressure lifting. "Try me."

"Bullying-"

The Vongola Society leader stared at the back of the two who walked away while Tsuna blabbers about bullying and the man is keeping up well enough. He stood up after and checked his guardians. Croquant coughed as if he was holding his breathe. Schnitten is kneeling on the floor, a hand on his heart. Nie Brown is leaning on the wall, sweating bullets and looking exhausted. The only ones who didn't keel are Visconti, Coyote and Ganauche, adding himself.

"Who was that?" Nie Brown croaked, astonished at the sheer power.

"A demon." Visconti answered. "A centuries old demon."

"W-Why is he here?" Schnitten groaned as he sat up properly. "It's been decades since the last century demon showed up. Why now?"

"Didn't you feel it?" Timoteo asked as he helped Croquant. "That demon's aura is bonded with Tsunayoshi. The sun aura he has is strong, stronger than any demons we have. Imagine him bonded to a strong sky-"

Ganauche coughed.

"-and tap on that sky's aura. He'll even be stronger." Timoteo elaborated before looking af his lightning. "How come you don't know?"

"I know. But they aren't bonded." Ganauche responded. "It will take a lot of persuasion to make Tsuna take a contact."

"But he's..." Timoteo trailed off, and the youngest among them got it.

"Yes." Ganauche sighed sadly. "I need to go. I have to take care of the usual battle."

"Wait." Coyote called out, eyes hardened. "How many demons are there?"

"There are eight demons with Tsuna."

"Reborn is one of the Arcobaleno." Gasps filled the gazebo. "And if Tsunayoshi is here with seven others, then all of them are Arcobalenos."

Ganauche snapped his mouth back to it's place. "I'll... Check."

And the gazebo went silent with contemplation.

Tsuna stared at Reborn's back as they walked around the garden of the hotel. He sighed internally in resignation and sadness. Of all creatures in the world to fell in love with, he felt it on the only being that may not be permitted to love him.

Reborn is too... Perfect. Everything is perfect. The way he walked, he talked, he smiled. The way he looked at everything inside and outside the box even if he overthinks sometimes. His patience is long, probably after enduring a lot for centuries. He maybe a tease, a bully or a killer, he never does it unless necessary. He maybe bossy and uncaring of others, expressionless and cold, sarcastic and dangerous in any forms, he is still a demon who supported him.

He doesn't deserve him at all.

Tsuna chuckled lightly. Will Reborn smack his head for degrading himself again? For thinking that he isn't the human worth for his attention? God. So many personal insecurities. So many degrading thoughts.

Ah... It's been what? Ten months and two weeks since the day they met. Two bans, four demon attacks, many visits to Fiant, two fights, one journey to the woods, one battle, meeting a lot of friends, and falling in love to the very demon who he should be afraid of.

"Tsuna."

The brunet looked at Reborn and hummed. "What?"

"I've been meaning to ask this, but why didn't you take any summons?" The demon asked as he halted on his steps.

Tsuna stopped walking. "Honestly, it never occured to me the thoughts of having one. And since I'm a sky," He sighed dejectedly. "I need to have one. But I can't bring myself to rob off the freedom of your kinds. Like living freely in Fiant, unbounded and undisturbed. And besides, I don't know if I can give the equivalent exchange to my possible contractor. And I don't want to be contracted to demons who doesn't like who I am and just reaching out for the aura I have in my soul. I don't want to be used as I don't want to use them too."

"Then do you think the Arcobalenos are like our kinds?"

The young man blinked. "No. You're different. Maybe because you've been exposed to humans a lot so you know who to bond and not. You don't reach out for strong auras since you're powerful enough to stay in the Mundane world. I think, and I don't mean to offend, that you will bond with the person who really interests you even if that someone has a small reserve of aura."

Then Tsuna rationalized what he said. Well, it is true. Reborn is picky of people he interacts with. There won't be no denying it if the hitman bound himself to someone with small aura as long as he's interesting. Tsuna knows he has a strong one since aura is also connected to one's will. The stronger the will of a person, the stronger the aura is.

He looked up to see Reborn steps forward towards him. There's a small waver, as if he is scared. Why would he be scared?

"Is something wrong, Reborn?" He asked.

A beat passed before Reborn sighed and looked away. "Nothing. Never mind."

Tsuna got worried. "Is there something wrong? You want to tell me something right?"

"No. It's nothing."

"I can see it Reborn." The brunet strode toward the man and took his hand then took the other's chin to make the demon face him and look at him in the eyes. "Tell me. Please."

"I want a contract with you." Reborn said softly.

Tsuna stood there stupefied.

"I know it's hard to persuade you to have one. You care too much of our freedom, our rights. You don't want to use us or even hurt us. You rejected me once, and it hurts me because that was my first time offering a contract to a human in my entire life.

"I don't mean this confession as a revenge for rejecting me. I don't mean this offer as something out of whim or just because you interest me a lot, Tsuna. I've been wanting to ask you this for weeks, after you went to Fiant to search for me, and even when you said you're colorless. Because I know colorless people can have their summons with the right procedure. I wanted to ask because I saw how compassionate you are and how forgiving of what I did. You showed me mercy that I cannot give to myself. You showed me the bad Tsuna, the good Tsuna, the silent Tsuna and the nerdy one. You're true. Not deceitful nor a liar.

"You didn't use me nor demanded anything. Or even pry in our lives even if you can ask away. You put us, me in my place when I'm being too much. And I can give you million more reasons why I want a contract with you."

Tsuna gripped the other's hand. "E-Even if I can't give you the equivalent exchange?"

"Yes. I don't care."

"Reborn-"

"Because I know I can protect you when I had to. My only desire for this contract is to make you safe. That's all, Tsuna."

Tsuna tried to swallow the big lump that's hurting his throat before he smiled a little. "When?"

Reborn's brows furrowed. "When what?"

"When do you want to make the contract?" Tsuna laughed as Reborn picked him up and twirled him around like a kid.

"Later." Reborn said as he held Tsuna high, looking up to him with his obsidian eyes that held so many emotions. "I want to do it later."

The young man nodded with a smile. "Okay."

"Hmmm..."

A demon with white hair with violet eyes and violet inverted crown tattoo on his left cheek hummed as he felt the shift in the air. He craned his neck to see the twilight sky of Fiant.

"Byakuran-sama." A voice called.

"Hmmm..." Byakuran hummed before he looked at his subject. "Let's see the sky later, Kikyo-kun."

Kikyo smiled and nodded. "Yes, Byakuran-sama."

"Princess?" A blond man with green eyes called out with worry.

A female teenager with midnight hair, blue eyes with a four petals flower tattoo on her right cheek, smiled assuringly. "I'm okay."

"Did you feel that, Yuni-chan?" A woman with the same features but older asked.

Yuni nodded. "Yes." The teen sighed in relief. "He finally took a summon."

"Hmmm..." The woman hummed.

And both of them looked upward to the sky.

A man with round glasses looked at the sky, blinked and hummed.

"Looks like the wheel of fate is starting to spin again."