A/N:

@michiko-chan27: Kagehina from the very start. They're just too... adorable. Yeah. I wondered why there are a lot of R27. Maybe the lack of Djs on the pairing pumped motivation on the our brains. There's also 1827. A lot.

Thanks for all the reviews! I couldn't answer all of them because I'm dead tired (it's almost one in midnight here already, and I'm on vigilant mode cause I'm in the living room for more signal access) from thinking how the heck am I going to write the next chapter that's already forming in my head (Just need to put the first word and I'll be on it (usually takes time now cause I'm on the hardest part).

Here's another chapter though. Probably have some grammatical errors and misspelled words. Oh well. I hope you like it.

Warning on the following (10 or so) chapters. They'll all be about Tsuna's interaction with the Arcobaleno and how will they get their contracts.

Anyway, onwards.

Chapter Thirty-One

"Here."

"Hn."

"And water."

"Hn."

Tsuna sighed and looked at the two demons sitting prettily on the couch. "Not that I'm antagonizing Kyouya, but just what did you see in him?"

The male laughed. "Nothing noteworthy."

"Mukuro-nii-sama." The female chided before smiling at the brunet. "Kyouya is simple. That's all."

"Nagi, that's underestimation." The male, now known as Mukuro, said with a coy smile. "Birdy is strong and simple. But he's also pretty nice to rile up. If I wanted to fight someone who is on my caliber, I can go to skylark."

Nagi, the female demon, shook her head. "Tsuna knows what I meant when I said simple."

The brunet passed Kyouya his unopened water bottle. The latter took it with gusto and drank the liquid greedily. After a small spar (is it still called a spar when they destroyed three-fourths of the room?), Tsuna and Kyouya settled on the floor as they usually do. The two summons didn't do anything other than watch the two humans fight their stress out (it was only Kyouya at first, but they noticed how Tsuna's attacks were equally powerful or greater that it almost overwhelmed their summoner). So when the brunet wanted to replenish their strength, it was no brainer for him to steal some energy bar and some water bottles from the usual place before he was engaged by the two demons with small talks.

These two demons are Kyouya's precious summons (he denies it, but Tsuna knew they are precious to him and vice versa). The male demon is Mukuro Rokudou. He has this blue almost indigo hair that was shaped like a crown on his head (Kyouya dubbed it as a pineapple hairdo though just for the heck of it (and it pisses Mukuro off)), and heterochromatic eyes with blue on the left and red with a number kanji as a pupil on the right (Mukuro told him that those number indicates the paths of hell he had entered). He loves to look regal, thus wears royal-like clothes during the eighteenth century despite his obvious features as an owl. When Tsuna first met him, the brunet already called him a pervert. That was the first time Kyouya laughed out loud in front of them.

The female is Nagi, but she preferred being called Chrome Dokuro by her acquaintances. Since they are twins, Nagi (Tsuna prefers to call her Nagi, and she insisted when he thought the demon didn't like it) also obtains the same hair color as her brother, but her hair is down. The only time she had it up in a ponytail is whenever Kyouya needed help in beating (biting) some people. Due to an accident, she lost her right eye, thus she wore an eye patch on it, but they were blue like Mukuro's. She likes to wear simple dresses, mostly white sundresses. It was fitting for deceptions and easy access for her features as an owl. When Tsuna first met her, the brunet remembered blushing when the lady kissed him on his cheek. According to her, it was a greeting and a thank you gift for being able to bluntly tell her brother off, and make Kyouya laugh at the same time.

The twins are mist, and they love to deceive people, mostly humans. The common thing about them was they're really good at gathering information and scaring shitless on people they like to die out of heart attack. The owl features they have were the wings, eyes and feet, undeniably dubbing them as semi-demons. However, because of their mist, they can turn to their full owls forms and full human forms. What Tsuna appreciated about the two was they look out for Kyouya even though they sometimes have a fight due to stubbornness and misunderstanding. Of course, Kyouya might not be able to say he appreciates their presence, he still shows it by giving them gifts and privileges.

"I know. I may not have spent some of my years with him like you two did, I still know how this demon works." And the brunet took another water bottle from his side and drunk from it after showing his tongue to the skylark.

"Hn." Kyouya hummed before looking at his fellow human. "You said you're going home."

"Ah yeah." The young man responded with a shy smile. "I needed your signature on my certificate as a summoner. It also needs my adviser's and the chancellor's."

"Ah." The skylark's only remark.

Tsuna's brow furrowed. He was expecting a 'hn', not an 'ah'. He stared at Kyouya and surveyed for anything wrong. Although the prefect is expressionless, the brunet looked at the greyish purple eyes for any emotions. He did succeed and saw sadness and loneliness.

Tsuna patted the prefect's arm. "It's just a three months vacation. I'm coming back again, okay?"

"But you're going home already, why come back?" Nagi asked, curious.

"I can't leave Kyouya alone. And Hana-chan is still here too."

"I assume you're taking on another title then?" Mukuro queried with interest in his eyes.

The brunet nodded. "I am. It was the only way I can come back."

"You don't need to come back." Kyouya announced.

Tsuna slapped the other's thigh. "You're saying that now but I know you'll miss me. I'm not going away for a long time."

The noiret looked away.

"Come on, Kyouya. Don't be like that." The young man coaxed as he faced the prefect. "I'm coming back to see you. You know how I hate it when I can't check up on you. Besides, one demon can't dominate the world without a trusty follower."

"Which is you." Mukuro snickered.

Tsuna let his chest out as if proud. "Which is me."

Kyouya let out a sigh before a small smile graced his lips. "Hn."

"Eh! So cute!" And the brunet jumped at the skylark.

Tsuna spent five minutes petting the skylark who growled and tried to get away from him. The brunet knew he was embarrassing the prefect but the latter could break free if he really wanted to. Let's just say that Kyouya loves to be patted in the head by his big brother.

When Kyouya took his certificate and told him that he'll do the rest, he obliged. The walk towards his room was uneventful. But when he opened his door though, he was greeted with the mist arcobaleno meditating at the center of the room in crossed legs while floating. When he entered the room, he saw a miniscule shift indicating that Viper acknowledged his presence. He didn't say a word and closed the door silently, however, with an audible 'click'.

Tsuna knew that Viper isn't here to pursue the contract, like any other day he visits. The Mist hadn't asked since his little declaration. And the brunet didn't query too, even though Reborn gave his permission. Viper is just keeping him company, and he appreciates that big time since it was for free (the Mist hadn't charged him yet).

Tsuna remembered the nickname he started to call the Mist. Mammon. He always had to hide his amusement over the name because he knew the origin and the explanation behind it. And it makes the impassive Viper express a lot of emotions on the name. He wanted to see the other's face though. The face and eyes are the only ones he can't remember.

The brunet went around the Arcobaleno silently and put his things on the table. He then went to the bed and kneeled on the floor to get something underneath the furniture.

"What's up?" Viper asked as the young man pulled out a suitcase.

"Ah, I was told that I only have one subject remaining to have a title of a summoner, I took the one year worth of test." Tsuna debriefed.

"Oh. Did you get it?"

Tsuna beamed. "Yes. With a certificate too as an evidence. But it's with Kyouya right now since signatures are needed."

Viper nodded. A little worried about the happy disposition of the human. Tsuna has been passive since yesterday. He slept all day and never cried again. He hadn't said Reborn's name or asked how was the other. It's like he's trying to bring back the old him forcefully. Is that even possible though?

The Mist sighed. That's the reason he's here anyway. He wants to make sure that the kid's mentality is alright. Even if it means asking about Reborn.

"Mammon? You okay?" The brunet asked.

"I'll be if you get rid of that ridiculous nickname." Viper groaned, but Tsuna just giggled. "How are you though?"

He regretted asking when brown eyes saddened with his smile. "Brooding."

The Arcobaleno rolled his eyes, and he knew the child imagined him do so because he giggled. "That's one way of describing it."

"What? It's true. Besides, even if I go cry, it doesn't change the fact that Reborn..." Tsuna went silent, eyes swelling with unshed tears as he zoned out a little.

"Now stop that." He reprimanded.

The Sky gave a small sheepish smile. "Sorry."

Viper didn't say a thing and watched the brunet carry the suitcase to the clothe cabinet. The child started to sort out some clothes, pulling drawers here and there while muttering under his breath. He silently listened to some invisible list of things to do and carry, mostly books. The Mist can't help the smile being pulled on his lips.

Despite the low light of the sky aura surrounding the child, there's still hope in there. Like Reborn will come back to him. And it's pulling Viper to help him to the point that he can't resist. But how can he help?

Ah right. There's that thing...

"Tsuna."

"Hmm?"

"Will you honor me of doing a contract with you?" Viper almost winced when the brunet's head snapped to his direction. That's some fast reaction.

"Viper," Tsuna called out, trying to reason him out.

The floating demon raised a hand. "Hear me out first. I wanted a contract with you because I want to know you. Among the Arcobalenos, I am the only one who hadn't been talking to you the most. Verde and I might be the same, but when he sees an interesting specimen, he'll talk. While I-"

"You isolate yourself because it's bad to get attached."

"Yes. I know you don't like being compared, but I encountered a lot of skies. Luce might have been the only one who was able to get me, but you're the one who caught my attention." The child stared at him. "Those skies do not try to engage me in any kind of interaction. They always leave me alone. Even Luce. But you? Other than you gave me company even if I declined, you also invited me to do card games and kept on dragging me to play for the sake of fun. I've been asking myself why do you have to go that far? Why for fun and bot for money when you can clearly rob off a large sum from me? Why do you have to do those things? Make those kind of decisions? Feel those kind of emotions or feelings? And think that way? Even if I entered your mind, those questions are still unanswered and kept on stacking up as more comes in my mind.

"And when I offered my help, you accepted it after you made sure I'm okay to provide it. You didn't shy away nor turn it down like most people who are offered by mists. It's like you're not afraid if I take over your mind or back down from fighting that parasite. The way you think just can't stop making me curious. And it's interesting. Interestingly weird, but a good weird."

The brunet flustered. "T-Thank you."

"No. You deserve it, Tsuna. I won't be surprised if Skull asks you again, or Bermuda suddenly pops up and demands a contract with you." Tsuna coughed when he spluttered. The Arcobaleno grinned. "You're not good with compliments."

"I'm good with insults."

"Harhar. Now, will you have a contract with me, Tsunayoshi Sawada? Even without his permission?" 'I promise you, I won't be like Reborn who left you hanging and made you cry when you don't deserve it.'

Tsuna smiled, rivaling ten suns. "He already gave his permission. But with your honestly and curiosity, who am I to deprive you of what you want? So yes. Let's do that contract."

"Hmm... Thank you." Viper expressed, unable to stop himself from grinning.

"I should be the one thanking you, Mammon." The brunet said. "You've been so kind and helpful to me. It makes me wonder if I deserve such kind gestures. But knowing you, I know I do."

"It's nothing, Tsuna." The Mist's eyes flickered to the suitcase that is being filled. "So, why did you pull out your suitcase again?"

The brunet glanced down to his suitcase. "What do you think of going home with me, Viper?"

Reborn laid on his bed, staring and trying to make a hole on his ceiling. No. He is not moping. That is childish and stupid. He's just... Thinking?

Yeah right.

He's has been trying to get to Tsuna, but there's this kind of barrier in the middle that keeps him away. To tell frankly, he misses the human. His human. His Tsuna. And he badly want to see him. But the Arcobaleno has been prohibiting him from crossing Mundane. It's as if they know what is happening.

His eyes looked away from the ceiling, gazed around his dull dark room then accidentally caught sight of his fedora. He frowned. It all started with that hat. If he didn't forgot about it and he didn't talk harshly on Tsuna, they must've been together now. Probably talking about something, or quietly enjoying each other's company.

Or is it?

Did it all start with that hat?

Wasn't he the one who shunned Tsuna away from the first place?

He was the one who told the brunet to get on with his life while blocking him out. The one who wasn't responding to the distress signals, or even the telepathic calls. The only one who didn't go to the usual place at the usual time and day.

So was the hat really at fault?

He rubbed his face with a hand in frustration. He was supposed to be in control of his emotions. Why was he jealous again? Of that guy Tsuna likes? They weren't even dating!

But he was the one giving good pleasure to Tsuna.

Damn it.

Why was he jealous of Viper? Because he spent a time with Tsuna. But if he didn't go there as a replacement, the human would've been dead by now because of the incubus. Skull was right. Viper is the one who can help Tsuna's mental state.

But he gave permission to their contract!

So? Tsuna won't do it. He respects the hitman too much. Too much that he'll do what... Reborn wants...

Shit.

"Reborn." A voice resounded.

The hitman sat up. "What?"

"Tsuna wants to see you." Viper said in his mind.

Reborn looked at the time. It was ten in the evening. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Ah. Use your own portal. The barrier is still intact."

"What-" But the connection was already off.

Cursing the Mist, he got up from his bed and took his suit and fedora from the side table. Putting them on, he opened his portal and stepped in to Tsuna's room, just by shelves besides the big windows in the chamber.

He looked around after noticing that the place is pretty tidy. The books are in shelves and there are no papers or pen present anywhere. When he found the brunet, Tsuna was placing a luggage by the side of the door with his usual travel bag. Reborn's brows furrowed. Is his summoner going somewhere?

"Ah, Reborn." He looked at Tsuna who called his name. The brunet smiled. "Hi."

"Hello." He weakly greeted back.

"Sorry about the room. I was busy with cleaning." The human apologized as he went for the cabinet.

"You called for me?" He asked as he watched the other arrange the drawers.

The summoner's eyes flickered to him. "Ah yeah. I was asking if- You had your fedora on? How was it? Not that I altered anything. You won't want Luce's original gift be changed or anything."

Reborn's eyes widened under the shadow of his hat. "How did you know that it came from her?"

"I can see your memories, remember?" The child answered. "No wonder you had high standards regarding skies."

"Tsuna-"

"I hate being compared, Reborn." And the human sat on the bed with legs crossed, a hand on his top knee and the other on the bed, eyes looking at the demon with stern gaze. "Luce knew she was a sky since birth. I was a sky for only months. Do you expect me to be a sky in just a short amount of time without any guidelines?"

The hitman hesitated. Did he? "No."

"But the implication stated otherwise." Tsuna sighed. "Did you expect me to be like Luce?"

"Yes- I mean no." Reborn's heart felt a pang of guilt. Did he really compared Tsuna to Luce?

"I told you, I hated being compared." The demon felt a shiver went down his spine when the human smiled pleasantly. "Do you want to erase the contract then?"

His eyes widened. Erase the contract?!

"I can erase it for you."

Reborn gritted his teeth. "I don't want to erase it, Tsuna. What gave you the impression that I want it erased?"

"Didn't you want me to block you off and go on with my life? That's what you said the day before, right? To do it completely, I had to erase our contract so I can give you what you want. " The child questioned with a tilt of his head.

"I didn't imply it that way, Tsuna." The demon winced. "I was just-"

Both looked at the door when it opened. Skull strode in with Viper in his tail. They were both teasing each other. When Reborn looked at Tsuna, the brunet is smiling with appreciation. The sun arcobaleno blinked as he stared at the human.

Tsuna went thin a little. It can't be seen properly because of the clothes, but he really did. There are bags under the eyes and he's slouching, like he was out of energy. His hair is messier and he looked forlorn even if he was smiling.

"Here's the chalk, Tsuna." Skull beamed as he waved the white chalks in his hand.

"Did you take it from Nezu-sensei?" The brunet asked as he stood up, hand outreached.

"No. He tried to steal it, but he was caught." Viper cut in as he floated with crossed legs.

Tsuna laughed while playing with the chalks Skull gave him. "Who caught you?"

"Sir Furikawa." Skull responded with blush adorning his cheeks. "It was embarrassing. He caught me but he only smiled knowingly. Am I in trouble?"

"Nah. It's okay." The brunet chuckled as he patted the Cloud before going to the center. "Let's get this circle done, Mammon."

'Mammon?' Reborn thought.

"Hmm..." The Mist hummed with a grimace. "Such ridiculous nickname."

"You love it anyway."

Reborn watched the two banter while Tsuna drew a circle. He can see that the Mist is giving him company while intentionally and teasingly distracting the human who isn't deterred by such attacks. The Sun waited for the drawing to progress to identify what it's purpose, his eyes flickered to Tsuna and the circle in the process though. Whenever the brunet laughs at Viper's remarks, his heart strums in pain. He should be the one making his human laugh and smile like that.

When the circle was finished and Tsuna stepped back, the hitman's throat constricted. It was a contract circle. A dodekagram with three overlapping boxes. He did give his permission right? So why does he feel like shit?

"You memorized the incantation right?" Tsuna asked to Viper who huffed.

"Of course." The Mist replied.

"The rules?"

"I can just read your mind, Human."

The brunet chuckled.

'Fuck.' Reborn cursed mentally, pain stabbing his heart.

"You did give your consent." A voice said. The hitman glanced to his side to see Skull standing beside him. "Viper asked for a contract yesterday, Tsuna agreed."

"I didn't..."

"Yeah. Too late."

"Eh? You want it on my wrist?" Tsuna's voice rang in the room as the two stood inside the circle.

"Yes. That's where I touched you to check your system, right?" Viper answered as he grasped the other's left wrist.

"Yeah. You even touched me carefully. Am I that fragile when I was being plagued by the incubus?" The brunet asked as he did the same to the demon.

"You're just human."

Reborn watched Tsuna slap the mist arcobaleno's shoulder before taking the other's hand for a handshake. "That's rude. Very demon like."

"Nah. You just love me." The Mist remarked lightly, causing the hitman to scowl.

"Maybe I do." The brunet shrugged. "Ready?"

The Mist nodded. "Yes, Tsuna."

The hitman stared at the two as they gazed each other directly in the eyes, unlike how he and the brunet did it. Tsuna gave a soft smile, while Viper was impassive, but his aura gives some happy feels. Then the Mist surprised them when he floated down to stand on his feet and removed his hood. Shoulder length, indigo hair cascaded with snake-like pupil red eyes came into view. Skull snickered, earning a small glare from the Mist. And Reborn saw how the brunet tapped his finger on the Mist's arm, causing the other chuckle at the comforting gesture.

They used to be like that.

"Colors of elements, hand and hand, with both bloods, we seal our bond." Both said in sync.

Reborn watched the inner circle lit up just as a glowing dodekagram like the one drawn on the ground appeared on the ceiling and made a cylindrical shield with the two inside. 'So this is how we looked outside.'

His heart throbbed in envy. They look beautiful.

"Knot the wreathe, knot the faith." A triangle part of a square blazed.

"Two placed desires be obtained." The other triangle brightened.

"I want to know you and be of help till you can't use me anymore." Viper said, kind eyes on the summoner. A square kindled.

The demon in suit almost stepped forward when tears suddenly fell from Tsuna's eyes and sobs escaped his lips. But Skull put an arm in front of him before he could.

"Don't interfere." The Cloud whispered.

"You got beautiful eyes, Mammon. Thank you for trusting me this much."

"Hmm..."

"I-" Tsuna closed his eyes, making more tears falls, before opening them again, and Reborn saw pain in them. So much pain and sadness. "I will give you the fun you should experience without any payment needed at all." and the last square haloed.

"I give the contract," Viper said, and the words written on the squares illuminated.

"I trust the end." Tsuna breathed, the words underneath their feet alight. Reborn wandered why Tsuna smiled with fascination as he stared at Viper after saying his line.

"Breach the oath in due time length." The outer circle shined after the agreement.

"May both lives prosper as what yearned are granted." And they glowed.

He was about to say something when Reborn suddenly found himself being teleported. He stood in the middle of Arcobaleno's living room, with Skull's hand on his shoulder. He exhaled the breathe he was holding, and unclenched his fists that he closed too tight. When did he held his breath and clenched his hands? Was it when they started to say the incantation? Or when Skull and Viper arrived, unabling him to say what he wanted Tsuna to know?

He looked at his companion who stayed beside him, and obviously is about to talk to him. He always knew that Skull has two sides. The childish and the stern. The misconception about the Arcobaleno was Skull is the youngest. The truth is Skull is one of the oldest. The Cloud just doesn't show it often millennia ago, but after their sky died, he became inactive. Although he hadn't spent a lot of his time with his fellow Arcobaleno, he knew how serious the stern Skull is. He knew how wise he is, and he never likes defiance when he's talking seriously.

"I don't know what Tsuna did to make you push him away." Skull started as he stood in a relaxed way, not even facing him or looking at him. "But what you did was stupid."

"I know."

"I'm just emphasizing it. I know you overthink, Reborn." The hitman almost winced at the lack of 'sempai' on his name. "But reckoning bad things about Tsuna is overline moronic. Do you really think that Tsuna will do things to you after all the things both of you have been through? I'm not pointing out that you owe him, just remember the things he did for you because you're his friend.

"He never goes to Fiant because he doesn't want to, he only come every fourteenth day because you were there. When you didn't show up, he looked for you even if he almost got killed in the process for crossing the forest from Vixos to Aqion. He's always worrying about you whenever you're in Mundane, in fear that you'll suddenly feel weak because you stay there too much. He pulled you along to the annual sky meeting, presented you to those people he trust there as his friend and accepted your contract even if he's full of insecurities. Did you know that?"

Reborn nodded slowly, guilt growing stronger in his gut.

"Good. Remember when you were attacked by Byakuran? He assured you that your contract wasn't erased and he rushed here with me to recreate your deal. He was writing and muttering all the way to the academy because he wants to make a strong contract incantation and circle just for you. He even threatened Byakuran because he can't accept that they thought he became your weakness. And if you asked him how his classes are, he'll tell you every single thing he did in his classes. You became angry when he doesn't attend his classes right? Now he's attending them even if they exhaust him."

"I'm sorry."

"Too late." Skull hissed, purple eyes glowing with annoyance. "If you had treated him fairly, he won't be feeling like this. He cried after you told him you don't care anymore. And do you know how much it kills him to hear those from someone he considered as a friend? I don't even know if he views us his friends, but I recognize someone who was pushed to no end by humanity when I see one. Tsuna fights for the sake of those people who were hurt. He fights so they won't suffer the same thing he always experienced.

"Now, what do you fight for? Your pride? Your jealousy? Your possessiveness? Your beliefs? Or the fact that you saw Luce in him at first and you're frustrated because he wasn't her at the very end?"

"I didn't see Luce in Tsuna." He gritted.

"Then what? What reason can you give to justify what you've done to him? For the past two to three months?"

The hitman stared at the floor harder. "I don't know."

"I don't know what's happening with you Reborn. One second, you're healing. A minute after, here you are, doing your destruction. Can't you see it? Luce's death destroyed you, and Tsuna is pulling it out of you. He's healing you with his best of abilities. And instead of letting him, you're shooing him away. You're making your emotions reign over you, unable to move on. For once, rationalize like the Reborn who hadn't met his sky."

He didn't give a response. Pondering what the Cloud said.

Skull stared at him before breathing out in disappointment. "Tsuna told me he got his certificate as a summoner today so he's going home. They'll be out of the academy tonight. And Viper said remember what he told you once Tsuna wished for it. Not until Tsuna said so, he won't see you."

Reborn's heart thrummed in shock. In seconds, he was out of the Arcobaleno house and back to Tsuna's room. The light was off, the room was clean and there was no brunet in sight. He walked towards the bathroom to see if the child was there but nothing. His eyes went to the door where he saw the luggage, but it's not there anymore. Defeated, he sat on the foot of the bed and cradled his head.

Unknown to him, Tsuna is crying on the bed, just beside him and Viper is outside the room, keeping the illusion up so he won't see the brunet as promised.