A/N:

@twilightserius: I think Ira will kill her. She did something unforgivable even though Wrath already told her to keep her nose out of his business.

@ChuLian: Thanks! Hahaha..

@MichiruLeIdiota: Nah. My environment is okay. I don't go out that often either (I did go out once, and I vowed to never do it again cause I can't breathe behind a mask), so I doubt it that I'll get sick. I do plan on posting this on AO3 but not on Wattpad. I have to separate my fanfic to my orig stories. Hope you get your phone fixed though. It sucks not to have one especially now. Was the ending of the last chapter a cliffhanger? I thought it wasn't (it felt right ending it that way). Reborn and Tsuna's talk was pretty stressful to make cause I've contemplated whether to make Reborn explain his side about the 'you-know' part (God. This is awkward) or no ('no' prevailed). They'll probably solve the problem once Reborn starts to understand Tsuna as Tsuna understands him. Viper and Tsuna's contract are pending. Let's see how that will do. And sleep properly sometimes, aye?

Anyway, onwards with the next chapter. Hahaha.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Viper gazed at the brunet with hidden worry as he approached. The young man looked so... Out of it. Like he wasted all his energy on something and he needed sleep but he couldn't find a good time to have one. Maybe the dreams about Reborn is still there?

He had been feeling the Sky's progress. And the aura is getting weaker. It will be a matter of time before it gives up. He wonders if Reborn even knows what's happening. The hitman has been volunteering a lot whenever they're going to do a recon in some places. He hadn't even said Tsuna's name for a month. He wonders what's wrong.

"Why are you here?" Tsuna's voice sounded weak when he asked that. He even had his eyes closed.

"Just checking on you. Reborn won't be here. He's in Aqion with Fon, Skull, Bermuda and Colonnello."

"It's Bermuda's first mission?" A query.

"Yes." And Viper looked at the swimming fishes who looked at him too.

"How's..." The Arcobaleno looked back to the young man, and saw a little hesitation before continuing the question. Why though? "How's Reborn? Is he okay?"

"He's fine." He bluntly answered. "He has been in a good mood lately."

"Oh." A single response before evened breathing resounded.

"Possessed." A bubble popped from the lake.

"Cloud." Another popped.

"Check it, Arcobaleno." A fish requested.

"What are they-" The child yawned. "-saying?"

"Nothing." And the Mist crouched beside the child. He took the human's wrist and checked his pulse as a started to point to check everything.

"Incubus." The brunet chirped just as the Mist felt a strong cloud trying to tear apart the child's aura into pieces. "It's strong... Can't fight it... Off."

"For how many days?" He asked.

"A month... or so." The child started to breath evenly, but opened his eyes to stay awake. "God... My head is starting to hurt."

"Because you haven't slept for a good month and a half, you imbecile!" Viper hissed. "You should've said something if you suspected it to be a mental parasite! You could've died!"

"And I didn't." The young man replied positively on one breathe.

"Tsunayoshi!"

"Sorry. I only realized it... last three days." The brown eyes flutter close, unable to resist. "I couldn't think straight for awhile... That's why it took a while... Too tired to ask anyone."

Viper resisted to smack the other in the head. "You're an idiot for making it this far."

The brunet chuckled weakly. "It's because... I have good reserves. Reborn... said so."

"You didn't tell him?"

A pause.

Viper began to worry before cursing the sun demon. 'Stupid bastard. You call yourself a contractor?!'

"No... I didn't... want to... trouble him." The reply sucked as twice as the Mist expected.

The Arcobaleno sat on the grass properly and cradled the child's wrist delicately. "Mou. I'll help you get that incubus out of your head."

The human sluggishly turned to his side to face his companion. "Really?"

Viper responded without a beat. "Off charge."

A bright smile graced the child's lips. "I didn't mean that... But thank you."

"Yeah yeah. Now sleep." He ordered.

Tsuna didn't need to be told twice. He was already asleep before Viper finished his order. The Mist closed his eyes, and with a tiny concentration, he plunged in to Tsuna's mind.

Viper hummed at the huge mindscape of one Tsunayoshi Sawada. The mist arcobaleno found himself in a huge colorful library. It has so many books with second floor even. The shelves have color coding, probably by genre of books he read. There's only one table set in the middle of the big room, and a door by the far end.

Shaking himself out of his sightseeing, he walked towards the door. As he passes by many shelves that aren't facing him, he noticed some drawings on the walls and the surfaces of the bookcases. They're like child's scrabbles with stick figurines until to some detailed drawings of circles and demons. He brought his attention to the brown door and its shiny gold doorknob. He gripped the knob and was about to turn it when he felt a tug on his cloak. He looked back to see... A cute child.

The child must be around four to five years old, and tall enough to reach his hips. He has brown eyes and messy, gravity-defying hair. He's wearing a blue shirt with a simple drawn fish on the front under a yellow jacket that is too big for a kid to wear, a knee-length moss green shorts and light yellow rubbershoes. The kid gives a shy timid aura, but his eyes held a strong determination.

"Yes?" He asked.

"You're the one who offered to help, right?"

Viper nodded. "I am."

"Yoshi-nii sent me to get you." And the child tugged the end of his cloak again. "Come on. Follow me."

The child led him to a rainbow colored door with a touch of black, white and brown on it. Viper watched him let go of his cover and gripped the knob with his two hands. On the tip of his toes, the child tried to open the door by twisting it. Unable to do so, the Mist gave an aid by placing his hand on top of the small ones and twisted the knob. The kid said a small shy 'thank you' before signing the Mist to follow him outside.

The Arcobaleno closed the door behind him and tailed the brunet. The child kept glancing towards his direction, as if making sure that the latter is following him. Viper considered offering a smile, but he backed out. He's not someone who smile often.

The hallway they're walking on have a lot of doors. One door contains one or two colors from the rainbow, and is four entries away from the next door. The walls have words written on them in different languages. He can identify three ancient languages and five still existing.

"S-Sorry. I'm not really talkative." The child apologized.

"I figured." Viper replied.

"T-Thank you for helping us. Tsuna-nii hadn't been able to sleep properly since. I'm worried that it may affect our health."

"No problem."

"You can call me, Tsu-kun." The child supplied with a small smile.

The Mist fell into steps with Tsu-kun. "I'm Viper."

"Nice to meet you, V-Vi-Vi..."

"Don't force yourself. Call me anything you want."

The child nodded. "Okay."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes. I'm okay."

Viper contemplated, thinking a way to make the child talk more. "So do you know where is Tsuna?"

"Tsuna-nii is in the chambers. But Yoshi-nii told me not to go there. It seems dangerous too so I complied." Then the child's expression become a frown. "I'm really worried of Tsuna-nii. Even Yoshi-nii is fretting. They've been up for a lot of night. Tsuna-nii didn't even sleep most of the time and it made him cranky, snappy and out of energy. Yoshi-nii has to be out at the same time because Tsuna-nii always picks up a fight with the bullies whenever they piss him off. This morning, Yoshi-nii fought them off because they touched Hana-chan. We were really angry, so now, Tsuna-nii is out of energy again."

The Arcobaleno felt satisfied for being able to make the child say his worries. "Who is Yoshi?"

"Yoshi-nii?" Tsu-kun asked with a small tilt of his head. "Yoshi-nii is the delinquent side of Tsunayoshi Sawada, and also the keeper of information. His domain is the library we were in. When Tsuna-nii reads, Yoshi-nii's the one who compiles them, and when the former wants it, Yoshi-nii gives the information. It's the reason why Tsuna-nii can remember most of the things he reads even though he read a lot of books already. He's also the delinquent side. He's the one who assist Tsuna-nii when he's engaged into a fight. Yoshi-nii said that to fight, one needs physical and mental strength to survive, so they read a lot."

Viper noted that the child said 'survive'. "Yoshi is a meticulous fellow."

"Oh. You mean the shelves? It's not him. They got rearranged because of the intruder. It used to be disarranged. Tsuna-nii never likes it when things are in order. He likes it scattered because he can say or think random stuffs when he wants to. It was pretty colorful in there. Yoshi-nii assured me that it won't last long though." Tsu-kun, then, smiled a little relieved, but frown of worry is still there.

"Well, aren't you mature for your age."

The child blush adorably. "Reading books can make us think a lot. Jii-jii said so. Jii-jii also told me that things are done for a reason. When we can't find the reason, we need to find one that fits for the sake of goodness. Besides, if we only think the bad side of everything, how will we see the silver lining that can give us an opportunity to grow?"

The Mist stared at the child in fascination. It's like he's... Really Tsuna with his unthinkable reasoning. "Who are you as Tsunayoshi Sawada?"

"Me? I'm Tsu-kun, the foundation." And the brunet smiled fondly. "I'm the one who made Tsuna-nii as he is right now. And probably keeps him as he is till the future. I'm the one who remembers the warmth of a family, the kindness of humans and demons, the hardship of childhood and the torment of solitude. I am the reason why he is like that today, and the very cause of his sanity up until the future. Without me, there will be no Tsuna-nii you'll ever met, or probably the Tsuna-nii you know won't the one today. I'm also the voice of reason in his head. The one he seeks when he needs answers he can't take out from the books, and the source of memory he needed to give conclusion of what's in front of him."

"No wonder you're mature. You hold a lot of responsibilities."

Tsu-kun shook his head in disagreement. "No, actually. I'm the one who causes him pain most of the time. I store the memories that gives him too much to think of. Too much to hate. Too much to make him feel sadness and regrets."

"Hey, that pain makes a person stronger." The child looked at him. Viper offered a small smile. "You also store the things that makes him happy. Those things that makes him rationalize why he hate a certain thing and drives him to protect and forgive when needed. Sadness is also needed, Tsu-kun. Sometimes, we need to be sad before we become happy again. Or gain a lesson that will be able to motivate us to go on in life. The regrets he feels will be the things that will inspire him to do more, and to think what will be the best course of action he must commence as he does things for his and others' sake. Regardless of how humans say that they will live without any regrets, they still will until they die. Satisfaction-"

"-and contentment will only make you happy in the end." Both of them said.

Tsu-kun smiled at him and reach for his hand. "I can't call you your name, but I know what to call you now."

"Call me what?"

"I'll call you Mama! Just lika Kaasan!"

"But I'm a demon." The Mist reasoned, skeptical.

"Demons have mamas too! I remember one demon saying that to me." The child argued.

"I'm a man." Viper pointed out. Tsu-kun pouted. "Just why Mama?"

"Because you care about us like Kaasan. You also made me smile and assured me like Kaasan does. And you smiled like Kaasan! And you explained to me things I need to understand like Kaasan! So Mama is what I should call you!"

"Why not Papa, instead?"

Tsu-kun scrunched his face in disapproval. "Nope."

"Hmmm... Make it a little bearable for a man like me?"

"Eh... Wait." Tsu-kun tapped his chin as Viper gave the child's hand a small squeeze. "Mama... Mommy... Mother... Hmm... Mamma..."

"Mammon?" Viper suggested, already crossing his fingers.

"Mammon!" The child enthusiastically repeated.

The demon sighed. "Yes?"

"We're here." The child cheekily announced as he opened the door by his right. "Yoshi-nii? We're here."

"Tsu-kun!" A teen called and kneeled in front of the child. "Did you fell again? Did you-"

Viper, now with the nickname Mammon (the Mist wishes that the name won't stick (wish not granted)), watched the teen frantically inspect Tsu-kun for injuries, scratches and dirt. It's as if the child is a complete klutz. Based on the delinquent attire, the teen must be Yoshi. The difference between him and the Tsuna today is... A lot actually.

Yoshi has this short brown hair with some falling on his forehead and making him look... Cool. He's also wearing studs with two on left ear and one on the right, bangles on the left wrist while a watch on the right, and a military tag as a necklace. He also wears a lot of bandages and some band aid here and there. Regardless, he is still a handsome teen around fourteen to fifteen years old.

Taking off his attention from the teenager, Viper looked around the room they're in. It looked like a living room with complete set of sofa. Papers are scattered and laying everywhere. There are even crayons of different shades of colors on the center table. And if overlooked carefully, you can see drawings of people, circles, demons and many things that can be seen in demonology books. Viper nodded to himself, knowing that the room is Tsu-kun's domain.

"Yoshi-nii, I'm okay." Tsu-kun answered with flustered yet exasperated expression. "I should be the one asking if you're okay or not. You've been awake for a while with Tsuna-nii. Look at you. You looked so worn out and ready to keel. Are you even resting like you told me so? Do you want Kaasan, Tousan and Jii-jii to worry?"

Viper hummed in amusement. Tsu-kun is quite a worrywart. "Tsu-kun, Yoshi is tired. Do you want him to get more exhausted?"

Tsu-kun depleted. "I'm sorry. I'm just so worried. I'm the one who tends to get reckless and very prone to injuries, not the two of them. I know that Tsuna-nii is strong. Stronger than anyone else. But that doesn't mean he can stay like that for a long time. He'll need help in the long run. That's why I'm worried because he dragged this for a month and a week before he sought help."

"Maa. It's okay, Tsu-kun." Yoshi assured with a sheepish apologising smile. "I should be the one who has to say sorry. We should be apologizing. We left you in the dark. But you know that it's for your own good, right?"

"Yes. I understand that's why I never pry." Tsu-kun responded softly.

"When things are settled, we'll tell you everything, okay? And you can nag on Tsuna all you want." And the teen let out his right pinky. "I promise."

The child smiled with warmth as he lopped his own pinky to the teen's. "Promise."

"Yoosh." And the teen stood up. "Let's go Viper. We don't have much time left."

Viper was going to nod when he felt a tug on his end of his cloak. He looked down to Tsu-kun who is staring up to him with furrowed brows. "Yes, Tsu-kun?"

"Be careful, neh? I don't want to lose you too." The child reminded.

Viper glanced at Yoshi who only smiled, conveying he's on his own. The Mist rolled his eyes on the teen before crouching down and pulling his hood off to see the child clearly. "You don't need to worry about me, child. I'm one of the strongest demon, and no one can defeat me in my domain."

The small brunet nodded. "Got it, Mammon."

"Good." And he stood up, putting his hood on before gesturing Yoshi to come as he opened the door. "Come on."

"Stay here, Tsu-kun." The teen said with a ruffle on his younger version's hair before going out.

Viper waited for Yoshi to come to his side, the short haired brunet did and they walked further to the corridor. The teen gives off the aura of danger and confidence, total opposite of his young self. The way he walked is firm too, and pretty relax despite the alert eyes that are surveying everything within sight.

The Arcobaleno shook his head mentally to keep his head straight to the problem at hand. He only knew that it's an incubus, and lacked the info of how powerful it is.

"How powerful is it?" He asked.

The teen tensed up. "Tsuna tried to gauge it, and he said it's up to near high level demon. His aim is to penetrate Tsuna. In that way, he can suck all the aura he can get."

"And that will kill him."

"Yes. Tsuna kept it at bay even though we both know that it will be impossible for him to force himself to wake up when he's high on pleasure. It's like teasing, just fair to distract him and keep him away from Tsu-kun."

"Because he's the foundation."

Yoshi nodded. "We can't lose Tsu-kun. He's the one who keeps us sane and separated. If Tsuna fails, I know the incubus will get me before I can even retaliate because I'm just the subconscious. The best course of action is ask for some help, but apparently-"

"You can't because you don't want to trouble anyone."

"Yes." The teen winced. "We know it's a bad habit but we just can't get it out of our system."

"Hmm... If Tsu-kun is the memory, then who is Tsuna?" Viper asked, trying to steer away from the problem so he can ease the teen.

"He's the original." Yoshi answered, relaxing. "Tsuna is the one who is personality wise. We're just his helpers. Most of his opinions and ideals are just his, influenced by the things he read, his experiences and his views of the world."

"Personality wise?"

Yoshi hummed. "Just personality. The things you see he does. Tsuna is antisocial. It was the result after those people bullied him when he was a child. But when there is someone in need, he helps. He talks when you talk to him, he acts when you ask nicely, and he remains silent when you're bad to him. When he feels at ease with you, expect him to talk a lot of random things. You'll go from books to things to pictures and many things. He blabbers a lot. He cares a lot, especially when he thinks you need it. It's a trait he developed when other children don't give a shit about other people's feelings.

"When in trouble, he doesn't ask help, except if you're one of his family. Being isolated by his peers made him accept that help is only given if you're an important person. He has his own nervous breakdowns, especially when he tries to predict how would the people in the new environment will think of him. He tends to overthink too. A lot. But he eliminates the unneeded and sticks to one or two reasons. Another is he tends to accept things and move on. He never dwells. As long as you need him, he'll stay. If not anymore, he'll move. He doesn't want to insert himself to one's life. That's how he perceive himself."

"That's a new note." Viper muttered, thinking how different the Tsuna he knows to the brunet Yoshi had described.

"He's not one to make others worried. When you think he's in trouble, or he's thinking something, ask him. He'll refuse at first, but if you persist, he'll open up. And when he does open up, don't let him close it down again. Tsuna's trust relies on how well you'll accept his problems, and what measures you'll do just to understand him even if you don't know what he's saying. He's strong, just like what Tsu-kun said. He endured a lot of things. And that's saying something."

"Why does he act so differently from who you're describing?"

"Isn't everyone of us wearing masks? If you want to break the mask, expose half of yourself first. That's how humans work." Yoshi ran a hand through his hair. "I'm saying this because I know Tsuna more than he knows himself. And I know that he's not an hypocrite. He loves too much, cares too much, and protects too much. But he knows when to stop. He knows when one doesn't care about him anymore."

"Just like Reborn."

The name caused a depressed air around the delinquent. "Probably."

"Tsuna thinks he doesn't care anymore, doesn't he?" Viper whispered carefully.

"Why won't he consider it like that if Reborn can feel distress signals all the fucking time and doesn't respond like a fucking contractor he is? Not that Tsuna is angry. He's actually accepting it! And I, as his subconscious, am angry with Reborn!"

"Relax. Tsuna understands because he loves Reborn."

Yoshi flinched. "You know?"

"I walked on him calling-"

"A-Ack! R-Reborn...!"

"-out like that." The Mist eyed the teen who shuddered involuntarily. "I assume that you can't take it nor move further to help me."

"Y-Yes." And another violent shake when a groan of pleasure echoed in the walls. "Fuck."

"Aren't you a cussing machine." Viper patted the teen's shoulder. "What do you want me to do?"

"Tsuna is on the last room. Don't let the incubus penetrate Tsuna at all cost. And if you will, subdue him? Tsuna's on the verge of giving up now. Be careful, Mammon."

"Mou." The Arcobaleno groaned in half-attempt of being disappointed. "I hope that nickname won't stick."

The brunet only smiled cheekily before growling when a strangled mewl was heard. Viper flew towards the end of the hall and stopped in front of an orange door with a printed twenty-seven on its surface. He opened the door and blinked at the scene in front of him.

It was unlike the first time he stormed to Reborn's room to give the pair a piece of his mind. When he walked in on the two, he saw a lively bunch. This scene is like looking at a monster trying to devour a human. Pretty much a scene of Cimmerian death in which Tsuna is crying helplessly under the incubus who disguised itself as Reborn.

Both players of the dream looked at his way after barging in. Tsuna, with his eyes streaming tears, mouthed 'help me'. Before the incubus can do his work again, the Mist yanked the naked Reborn look-a-like off the brunet before draping his cloak on the latter to cover him up. The semi-demon who looked like a level one snarled at the Arcobaleno. Viper smirked before a box formed around the demon, encaging him completely like how he imagined it. The demon pounded on the wall of the transparent box but it won't budged.

"Do you know what's the advantage of having a permission to invade one's mind?" The Arcobaleno questioned the creature as he crouch down to look closely on his captive.

The demon scowled.

"Do you, Tsuna?" He asked to the panting human.

"Y-You can move around freely in the mindscape, alter things you want to change and eliminate things you want to erase. You have a free entrance to any doors to want to enter and see memories you want to see. No resistance at all. If you want, you can control it too."

"That doesn't make a difference." The demon growled.

The Mist glanced at Yoshi who entered the chambers before looking at the demon. "It has. You don't have a permission, while I have. You can't move anywhere, while I can. You're a parasite while I'm the exterminator. And even if I don't have a permission slip, I can enter and leave like I own the place because I own this domain."

"You don't."

The Mist gazed at the incubus with amazement. "Really, now?"

"Is this about her?" A soft voice questioned. "Did she sent you to erase me?" Tsuna asked more.

"You took something you shouldn't had." The demon replied. "The anger is hers."

The brunet guffawed, making Viper look at him. "Ira chose to show me something he doesn't want her to see, and it's as it implies. So if I were her, I'll stop. Because once Ira get a hold of what she did to me, I won't be assured that he'll stay still. I heard he really loves to kill those who anger him a lot."

"Should I?" The Mist looked at the incubus who spoke with a woman's voice. The creature is now in his demon form, and gazing at Tsuna with disdain. "You know nothing about him, Human."

The young man smirked. "And I assume you do? With all due respect, you won't attack me like this if you do. Face it, woman. You can't have anything you want."

"You insolent-"

Viper didn't let the other finish the sentence. He incinerated the demon inside the box. Leaving ashes on its wake. After shrinking the box into a hand size so he can carry it out of the mindscape, he turned to see Yoshi helping Tsuna to stand upright. The older brunet looked presentable with his baggy clothes, exhaustion is evident but it's clear that he wants to see the Mist off before sleeping his head off. However, that's not the pressing issue at the moment. Standing his ground, Viper looked at Tsuna who looked back at him.

"Who was that?"

"Will you believe me if I tell you that you just met Lust of the seven sins?"

Viper's eyes widened before he sighed in defeat, hand reaching out for the cloak Yoshi is holding. "Should I even be surprised?"

"Should you be?" The young man asked back with mirth.

The Mist clasped back his cover before putting his hood on. "No. I shouldn't. You're able to attract much trouble even without our involvement. What's more when you got Reborn, then us, after that is Byakuran? And this?"

Yoshi laughed as he drapped Tsuna's arm around his shoulders as an assistance, before looping his arm by the waist of the older brunet. "No offense taken."

Viper could only huff as he followed the two out of the room.