A/N:
@NorCal.NEH: He's not just back, he's staying too! Thank you! And yeah. Wrath will be so pissed.
@michiko-chan27: Haha. No prob. And yup. Reborn is back! Nah. It was only Pride who can trick them with mist. He can inflect fear, another reason why the Arcobaleno fell on their knees. For example, Colonnello feared that he'll lose his sister and Pride's mist made him feel that. It was Reborn who wasn't really affected when they sealed them off with Luce because he was heartbroken by then. Those people who don't have anything to lose are the scariest individuals to fight against because they'll go bat shit suicide on you just to win the battle, and that was Reborn at that time. Tsuna is a sky, it's his nature to make people feel assured that they'll be protected regardless of what happen. If he was the sky arcobaleno five millennia ago, he'll be known as legendary. Oh. I changed the rating because of character deaths and some disturbing scenes (not that scene. hahaha!). Sorry 'bout that.
@acertainpasserby: Oh man. Sorry I kept you waiting yesterday. I really hoped it was worth it. And thank you for the support! Go Tsuna and Arcobaleno! I know right. But I think Fon enjoyed the thrill of having a contract in the middle of a war, like when Willliam and Elizabeth' wedding in Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (have you watched that?).
@Hina-cchi: You're welcome. Thank you for waiting. Hahaha.
@kunay.dlz: Let's bring it back, shall we?
Thank you for the reviews! So I'm gonna drop this last chapter of the week. The fifth one actually. Excuse the grammar and spelling errors.
Oh. And I just wanna give Reborn's Mayhem attack credits to ODDstar. He came up with it and I'm so sorry for using it (Though I don't think they have the same kind of attack. My Mayhem here is a rain of homing bullets). Damn. Should've asked her permission. Remind me, yeah? I don't want to be charged with plagiarism.
Anyway, onwards to the chapter!
Chapter Forty-Four
Reborn just finished the last essay when he suddenly saw himself standing beside Tsuna who was on his knees inside the Sawada house. The Arcobaleno, minus him and Fon, were there by the front door. He can feel Tsuna's panic and curiosity of the kind of situation they're in. The three Sawada's were there too, ready to leave at command.
This view was a new kind of way for him to watch Tsuna. He has been at it ever since the latter took Skull as a summon. It's like he was being forced to see what the scene was and feel Tsuna's feelings on the way. His favorite so far was when the brunet visited him. He felt so loved when he watched that, that's why he helped Colonnello persuade his sister to ask a contract. It was worth it, and the reason was worth it.
"Five towns away from here." Tsuna said. Reborn felt the intuition hum in approval. "Keep them safe, Verde. And never let any of them get caught by Pride."
Reborn's attention snapped to his summoner when he said that. Pride? That son of a bitch was there and is threatening to kill them? He felt the intuition croon in confirmation.
"I-I-" The brunet immediately stood up and looked at his grandfather. "Oh my God. Oh my God."
"Tsuna." Iemitsu called, trying to calm down the panicking child.
Reborn disregarded the cry of a human outside the house as he listened to them and felt the full blow panic of Tsuna.
"What do you mean?" Nana asked, worried for her son.
"There's a possibility that he's here for me." Tsuna said and met their gazes, own eyes were panicking. "I want you to stay away from here as much as possible and as far as you could. If you can put them at the World Society headquarter, do it Bermuda."
The hitman clenched his fist, wanting to calm the child before he starts to stress out. But he knew he can't. He's not even there to give support.
"What about you, Tsuna?" Iemitsu questioned, a little addled and somewhat angry. "We can't just leave you here! I'm an exorcist too!"
"Dad. I have summons." Tsuna tried to mollify with reason. "They'll take me out when I need to. Jii-jii is old, Kaasan is a civilian. I need you there and Verde to protect them. I don't know what Pride can do but, I have to be careful if he's really after me. He'll probably get you to get me."
"If my hunch is right, I want you to return home alright, Tsuna?" Ietsuna sternly said, green eyes held expectation of the brunet's arrival later. "I don't want you to be killed by one of the Seven Sins. You did not especially tell me how close you are with Wrath."
"But we are close!" Tsuna argued, a little offended. "Ira will never tell me to anyone. And they'll also think that I'm just his toy if they get a word or if he did say anything about me."
Reborn nodded. He's a witness of their small bond. Heck, he even saw the letter Tsuna put on the lunch table before the brunet bid his goodbyes to Hana and Hibari.
"Then what do you think is Pride here for?" The old timer asked further.
"I don't know." He answered before sighing in defeat. "Please. Just go."
"Be careful, Tsu-kun." Nana bid softly before they disappeared in the portal with Verde.
"I'll try." The brunet mumbled before running for the front door, his remaining summons in tow.
He remained by Tsuna's side, watching him help those people who cemented him as a dame, freak and a demon. He saw and felt how genuine the brunet was to save all people of Namimori. If there were some casualties, he told the others to place them outside the town for proper burial. While they were at it, they fought off every demons that comes in their way.
He smiled when he saw how Tsuna wanted the Arcobaleno to be gentle with the demons. But the hitman knew what was the plan. He knew that in order to reduce the number, they have to kill them so they can regenerate in Fiant or teleport them using Bermuda's night aura. And Tsuna understands that, that's why he conceded and helped in incapacitating them or exorcising them.
There are times that he just wanna jump on the battle. Everytime he sees Tsuna getting hurt, almost entering the door of death while saving other people, demons even, that can look after themselves, he thinks he might as well die from all the heart attacks. He just face palms when the human defended that it was okay. That it's in the past now. Good thing Fon's reaction was good. What he didn't like was the fact that the Storm hugged his summoner when they did a contract. That was uncalled for.
Anger surged on his gut when he saw Pride. The pesky Sin who just have to show up when things were settling down. Yet as much as the demon scares Tsuna, it also brought excitement. Nope. Tsuna resisted all the pressure the Sin brought with him, even the intangible fear cannot affect the child. And he even deduced that Pride uses his mist as a means to put pressure and fear on the creatures the Sin wants to kneel in front of him.
Surely, Ietsuna Sawada will have a party once he gets a hold of how quick his grandson in identifying the enemy's trick.
He watched his friends try to bring down Pride. But what worries him was Tsuna who is slowly feeling helpless as they go on. The feeling of not having anything to do to help and the uselessness. Reborn felt it. The fear that slowly moving its way to the sky, attaching itself like a leech that cannot be removed without a plan. It gripped the brunet like a snake, choking him. And he desperately wanted to help while sensing the Arcobaleno's worries on the child who suddenly stopped breathing.
But Tsuna is pretty much unpredictable.
At one moment, he's like a lifeless doll. Then the next second, a knife was already in his hand and used it to wound himself to take a good breath and staged himself with what was going on. What caught Reborn off guard was when Tsuna shouted for his contractors to get away from the Sin, but they were too late.
A spat between a powerful demon and one with the lowest life of a creature wasn't pretty entertaining the least. If there's anything that he should worry, it's how Pride will retaliate. And the bastard always plays dirty. Reborn always knew that the Sin has something to use with his mist other than predicting fears. So when he saw Ietsuna on the demon's hand, he barely contained himself.
He wished for Tsuna to call him.
God. He hoped his summoner will remove the barrier so he can just jump there himself and put a bullet in that demon.
And like the heaven opening up for him, his prayers got answered.
He felt the force barrelling on the opposite side of the barrier. He knew it was Tsuna. So he helped. He pushed his aura on the system, raging and wanting to get through. And when it broke, he came into the arms of the powerful sky aura he longed for almost three months to have again. Oh how he sighed in content.
Tsuna didn't have to wait. He was already behind the brunet when the latter whispered his name with uncontrolled emotion. And now, here he was, standing in front of the two new medics of Ietsuna Sawada while watching the slick bastard play his comrades. Two magnum guns materialized in his hands and he pointed them on the ground, eyes still on Pride.
"Chaos shot." He uttered as he pulled the triggers. Tugging on the sky aura for boosters, his smirk grew wider as he aimed at the Sin's way and pressed the triggers again. "Mayhem."
As if sensing his power, the Arcobaleno went out of the bullets' paths and let them hit Pride. But the Sin was really that slippery and dodged the bullets. Reborn tutted in irritation as he moved fast to catch up and ended behind the Sin. He kicked Pride's head, tried to shoot the shoulder only to hit air, then used his other gun to shoot just as his Chaos shots went out of their hiding and homed on the Sin. Even the Mayhem went back to Pride. He cheered mentally when he scratched the neck and put bullets on the center of the back and one on the hips.
"Your aura is helpful, Tsuna." He said out loud as he tugged more before attacking.
He can feel the tingling power of the sky, amplifying his sun aura to its maximum power even though he doesn't have his full strength. He can get drunk with the addictive warmth and boosters. No wonder the brunet wanted to be by his side, yearns to be of help, and keep him safe if possible, because he knew that his aura will be enough to give him strength. To give his contractors enough strength.
He preened on the fact that he felt Tsuna's relief on their line. He can feel the brunet sagging and relaxing a little. Colonnello will question him a lot about this. And he won't tell them a shit. It's for him to know and for them to find out.
God. It's not just balancing the sky being his summon, it was also the use. After all, sky either elevate or destroy his elements.
'Well, I hope so.' Soft voice replied, humouring him.
Reborn chuckled, missing those banters they always have. "Hmm. You can watch me sent him back to Hell if you want."
'I want him pretty messy.' The Sky thought out loud, anger slowly raising. 'If Jii-jii dies here, I won't stop until I get my revenge. Especially on Belial.'
'That's the spirit.' Lal joked, earning laughs from the others.
Reborn kept on doing his assaults. Even though Pride tries to retaliate and block, he can't fight off a sky amplified sun. Therefor, the hitman was pretty much achieving his sky's wishes by breaking a lot of bones, and keeping one of his guns so he can bash the Sin's head on the ground repeatedly until the Sin became unrecognizable. He even beckoned Fon to disintegrate the other's face which the Storm graciously did with a sweet, ghast smile. When he deemed it messy enough, the hitman personally opened the portal of Hell with the sky aura on his sun and tossed Pride there.
"Don't think of killing the Sky just yet, Pride." He sneered with a smirk.
Pride weakly glared at him.
"You're weak against fearless and dauntless creatures, so I won't expect you to be back so soon." The hitman looked back to Tsuna. "Any message?"
"Before you come crashing the fuck here, go fight off Ira first." The brunet spat with vehemence, molten orange eyes glaring at black ones. "Because I assure you that if Ietsuna Sawada dies, I'll be the first one to kill you if my summons nor Ira don't get you first."
The horror on Pride's face was priceless that it made Reborn cackle like a maniac. He closed the portal and walked to the others who were hovering around the old timer. When he got there, Viper already has the resigned atmosphere on him. The hitman went sullen, knowing what will be next.
Ietsuna was propped in a comfortable position by Tsuna. Supine yet comfortable enough for the old man to see all of the demons crowding around him. What power of a hunter and a sky over people either humans or demons around him. If the hunter went to become a summoner instead, a lot of demons would've attached themselves to him already. Yet alas. The thirst of justice really runs down in the veins of Sawadas.
"He lost too much blood." Skull whizzed, still breathing hard from the hole on his stomach. Reborn took it to himself to heal the Cloud. "I-I wanted to duplicate it but Tsuna and Jii-jii declined."
"Because you're tired." Tsuna answered weakly.
"Because it's already late." The old timer responded too, as if he had said it again and again. Then green eyes caught onyx ones. "You must be Reborn."
The hitman tugged his fedora down in greeting. "Chaos. I have learned a lot about you, Ietsuna Sawada."
"Bad things, I expect."
"Sorry to let you down, but all of them were pleasant in accordance to your grandson's memories." Reborn looked at Tsuna who stared at him in surprise. "Your adorable grandson is a fan of yours."
The old man chuckled weakly. "I couldn't expect more. He does take my words to heart and wants to create a world where creatures can exist in harmony."
"With him as a creator? It won't be impossible."
Ietsuna looked up to the brunet and nodded. "I approve."
"J-Jii-jii!" Tsuna cried, embarrassed.
The Arcobaleno laughed.
"Maa." The old timer sighed as he closed his eyes. "I can already see Miko waving at me to come."
Tsuna didn't say anything, eyes shadowed by his hair.
"I don't think I have more to teach you, Tsuna. You've grown so much. I wanted to see how you did. Even know how you will bond with your summons, but I guess it can't be helped."
"Without saying goodbye to Kaasan and Tousan?" The little Sawada queried.
"Iemitsu and I already had a gist. Our intuitions may not be as strong as yours, but we knew one of the three of us will be taken. It just happened that he picked me."
"I'm sorry."
Green dull eyes peered the child before they brightened a little. "Did you know that the first time I stared in your eyes, I knew you'll do great things in your life, Tsuna?"
Reborn perked up, wanting to know what the old man had seen in his summoner's eyes.
"Your eyes maybe guarded sometimes, but I saw the bottomless knowledge in them. I saw strength. The potential and the will to survive and strive that Iemitsu and I lack. That our great forefathers never had. You didn't notice, did you? Your wisdom, opinions and thoughts are only yours. They weren't influenced by me or your parents, or anyone who comes in your life, even your intuition. You just knew what to do. All you need was a light push and encouragement. All I did was nudge it to a path of full capacity, and the rest was your doing, your decisions."
Tears streamed down Tsuna's dirty cheeks. "Thank you."
"Now. Can you let me go, Tsuna? To go to your Baa-baa?"
The brunet sobbed. "Will you stay if I say no? That I don't want to?"
"No. Why would I listen to a youngster like you?"
Tsuna gave a watery laugh before smiling. "Go."
Duller green eyes surveyed the Arcobaleno. "Look after him."
"Yes, Sir." All of them answered.
And slowly, they watched as those green eyes closed and the chest stopped moving to breath. Tsuna only put his hand on the old man's shoulder before dull brown eyes looked up to them.
"Fon, can you carry Jii-jii?" He asked in a soft voice.
"I will." The Storm affirmed and took the old man in his arms.
The rest of the Arcobaleno stood up and followed the young man who started to lead them.
Colonnello nudged Reborn. "Get him."
"You don't have to tell me." The hitman mumbled before going for long strides.
Reborn walked beside Tsuna. The brunet glanced at him before focusing on the street. The hitman didn't mind the lack of conversation between the two of them as they go back to the residence. All he wanted was to give a silent solace to his grieving sky, and probably ask forgiveness after.
When they entered the house, Bermuda opened the portal for the Sawada couple and Verde as Fon put Ietsuna's body down to the couch. Reborn took the child's hand, nodded at Nana and Iemitsu, who were already teary eyed, before tugging the Sky upstairs. He didn't really have to navigate the household to find the room. It's like he has been there for so long that the path was installed to his brain and his muscle memory.
When they entered, Reborn left Tsuna by the door and went to rummage on the drawers. He took some clothes before taking the other's hand again and guided him to the bathroom. He heard the Arcobaleno's saying their farewell in their connected mindscape. The brunet only hummed a response as he let the Sun push him to the showers.
"I'll come by after thirty." He informed. The child nodded. "Take it out, Tsuna."
Then he went out and closed the door, silently listening to the sobs and cries of the Sky.
When Tsuna woke up from his sleep, the first thing he did was look around the room to see his Sun. Like what Reborn promised him when he was lucid enough, he was there, sitting on the floor and leaning on the wooden drawer while reading a book probably taken from his bookshelf. He stared at the hitman for a while before he moved to the clock and noticed that he was only out for an hour.
He remembered that before he went to sleep, his parents told him that they're going to take his grandfather away. He only nodded in agreement, not trusting his voice to answer before Reborn whisked him away to his room.
Tsuna closed his eyes and relented the last moments he had with his grandfather. If he was able to injure Pride before he can even think of getting Ietsuna, would his grandfather still be alive? Should he blame himself for putting his family in this situation? It was his fault in the first place. Belial sensed him, ordered Pride to seek him out and end his life. He doesn't even know if the Sin was successful in making him resent demons.
But the Arcobaleno helped him right?
Skull even offered his aura to duplicate his grandfather's blood, but it was them who refused.
It's just that the way Ietsuna looked so relieved after Pride announced the things Tsuna wanted to make, made the brunet give up. It's like he was able to reach the old man's expectation after deciding something that no one wanted to do. And the way the old man said that his late wife is beckoning him to come already... On what authority does Tsuna have to prevent two people, much more of lovers, from seeing each other after long years of longing and loneliness?
It hurts him to lose a loved one. To lose his Jii-jii because of his stupidity and incompetence. Maybe if he was a lot stronger, more capable... He could have banished Pride long before the others got hurt. He won't lose his grandfather and--
"Scoot over."
His eyes met onyx ones. Remembering the command, he moved to his other side to give enough space for Reborn to lay. The demon went under the blanket and pulled it to their necks. Tsuna let himself stare for a moment before putting his hand on the other's clothe and clutch there so tight that he can almost tear the fabric apart. Reborn, in response, wounded his arms around him and pulled him close.
Tsuna inhaled, smelling the familiar gunpowder, coffee and watermelon. He snuggled closer and shut his eyes tight.
"Good night, Tsuna."
"Night, Reborn."
And he slept his night away to problem the incoming day.
When Ganauche heard the news on what was happening in Namimori, the first thing that came to his mind was Tsuna. Yes. The ever hateful delinquent, Tsunayoshi Sawada. He knew the brunet went home after getting his certificate as a summoner. Headmaster Angelo was kind enough to tell him the news and the rush departure of the young man from the academy.
At first, they thought that Tsuna wanted to get away from there. But the headmaster told him that the brunet wanted to come back again for unfinished business and study the ways of hunters if that will be enough reason to let him stay. As much as it confused him of why Tsuna wants to come back when the latter cursed the academy for the next millennia, he let go.
And now, here he was, on a car with two of his fellow guardians. They were going to check Namimori for casualties and who did the damage other than knowing it was a demon. It was World Society's business. They already had received reports that the people of the town were evacuated five towns away and demanded transportation to get back to their homes. All they know was a Sawada helped them.
When they arrived, Ganauche took his robe off for more access and ran for the Sawada house. It took him quite sometime since there were debris here and there on the road. And when he got there, he was greeted with white flowers decorated at the gates. His eyes widened in horror before he hastily entered the residence. When the door opened, he found himself staring at Iemitsu, who was wearing a black suit, helping Nana, which was wearing a black dress, down the stairs. The couple looked at him and smiled pleasantly with a ting of sadness.
"W-Who..." He trailed off, heart pumping with so much thoughts and dread pooling on his stomach.
"My Dad." Iemitsu answered.
"T-Tsuna? Where's Tsuna?" He asked immediately, knowing how much of a great impact it will be for the young man.
Nana looked upstairs with a worried expression. "He has been in his room since we came back. His summons have explained to us what happened while Reborn took him away."
Ganauche felt his heart break at the thought of Tsuna watching Ietsuna get killed.
"He'll be fine, Ganauche-san." The Sawada matriarch assured. "Tsu-kun has his friends."
Ganauche nodded in the end. He said his condolences to the two as he gave prayers to the old man. He stared at Ietsuna's smiling picture. It looked like a stolen shot from somewhere since the old man wasn't a person who smiles too often.
Ietsuna Sawada, if he recalled well, was like Timeteo de Vongola. The only difference was Ietsuna declined the sky guardian position while Timeteo accepted it. Both were skies, hunters and the best at their fields. Ietsuna loved the thrill of hunting demons and bringing justice on their wrong doings, while Timeteo only wants justice. Maybe the very distinct fact about the two was the blond loved to talk to the demons he encounters, especially harmless ones. He loves to play with them and treat them. Something that Tsuna inherited.
As time goes by, Ietsuna settled himself somewhere around the globe with his wife and son. Occasionally taking care of stray demons who terrorize their town and earned a hobby of reading books, to the point that he built his own library inside his home. At some point, he lost his wife over an illness. He was alone for awhile after Iemitsu got his work as an exorcist. When Tsunayoshi was born, his son invited him to live with them in Japan and take care of little Tsuna.
"You're here." His eyes searched for the owner of the voice. Tsuna was standing by the stairs, looking tired and limping. "Who are you with?"
"Schnitten and Nie." He answered as Reborn came and helped Tsuna in approaching him. The two looked like they just went out of bed, but the demon appeared well-dressed. "What happened to you?"
"Injured myself to get away from the control of mist." The brunet replied as he settled on the couch opposite to him. "Nice of you to come quickly."
"The other guardians are on the way." Ganauche smiled apologetically to the young man who looked at him stoically. "I'm sorry."
"It can't be helped." The brunet leaned back to the rest of the seat.
"What kind of demon attacked you? Did you get any information from him?"
The lightning guardian mummed when brown eyes went orange. This means business. "I don't know if you heard this already, but it was Pride of the Seven Sins, and he was ordered to kill me because I have acquired my complete set of elements."
"Shit."