A/N:

@michiko-chan27: I can imagine that. Hahaha. Oh. I was planning to update the next day, but something happened so yeah.

@LavaLilly: Maybe. Who knows. And yeah. Tsuna is a demon but way down there so it's just there. It's the reason why he has his intuition.

@acertainpasserby: Oho. Was the R27 really that satisfying? It didn't come out as a try hard or something? Mochida had his fill on Tsuna's versatile personality in middle school so he gave up on bullying him. Haya and Take will come around somewhere in this week's updates (I think?). No. Ahahaha! I wanted you to misinterpret that. I mean humans (Like us in general) curse a lot. So it gives that small power and pleasure in demons because cursing or just saying a bad word is bad. It's no wonder a lot of conservative people admonish people who curse to wash their mouths with soap with how much they say dirty things.

Thank you for the reviews, the favorites and the follows. Imma say hi to those who reached this chapter. You people are awesome.

So this is first update of the week. Hope you like it. Please don't mind the grammar and spelling errors. And I really hope you'll like this. Finger crossed.

Anyway, onwards!

Chapter Forty-Eight

(October twelve)

Bermuda puffed as his body tingled at the coolness of his miasma. It's not that he hadn't been exposed to it for a long time. He just wants to be warm for some days because there are certain times that he couldn't take it. Demons or not, they want something warm too. And right now, trench coat and top hat can't help him at all.

Gazing at his left, he stared at Tsunayoshi, who is walking beside him, unaffected by how cold he is. The young man is wearing his usual school uniform with an additional beanie and a long scarf. He appeared like he's going somewhere cold, if it isn't for the folded sleeves.

Bermuda immediately looked away when brown eyes shifted to his direction. He felt that unintentional intensity of the gaze, observing him and inquisitive. Those eyes had been always like that. Watchful, mindful and maddening. A simple gaze, yet it can decipher a lot of things about a creature. It felt like he knows you but when you ask him of what he thought, he'll say nothing. It's as if the brunet can justify the saying of Socrates.

Subconsciously, he fixed the front of his coat as air touched his bare neck. The next thing he knew, he's standing in front of Tsunayoshi who's fixing a scarf around his neck. Warmth enveloped his cold neck and a satisfied smile graced the brunet's lips.

"You should've said so, Bermuda." Tsunayoshi reprimanded while making the scarf more fluffier. "Although miasma qualities are different from one demon to another, it still has that cold temperature that represents death."

He felt guilty. "I apologize, Tsunayoshi."

"It's fine. Both of us did the same mistake. I should've noticed it and you didn't tell me. It's quits." The young man stated before flashing him a cheeky smile. "You look handsome in that scarf though. Good thing I brought it with me."

The Night chuckled. "Women don't flank on me, child."

"What? Why? You're a good piece of meat."

"Perhaps I don't look like I'm approachable."

"And Reborn is approachable?"

Bermuda blinked his eyes at the comparison. If they look at that angle, Reborn shouldn't be since he's dangerous in that way, while he's stoic. "Good point."

"Unbelievable." The Sky grumbled under his breathe, exasperated at the fact that women don't go to his Night.

The demon resisted the urge to roll his eyes and gently nudged the human to walk. "Come on. That machine won't wait for you."

"Right right."

Currently, they're in the mall. When Tsunayoshi called him at the early noon, he suspected that they're going to do something out of tradition. These past few days, Skull, Colonnello, Reborn and Viper had been pointing out the things their Sky had been changing. And at some point, his name was called. It was because of him that the Arcobaleno became even in numbers and completed their group of elements. He doesn't know why they took him exactly. All he knew was 'finders keeper' from Tsunayoshi.

So right now, they're searching for an espresso machine for Reborn's birthday which was tomorrow and for an overdue promise. Burying his nose on the scarf, he sniffed. It smelt divine. If it was his birthday, the scarf will be an okay gift for him already. It's stupid but he felt contented enough.

They searched the whole mall for the machine and bought some beans to come with it. In between, his companion let him see a lot of things he missed for a millennium of staying in the academy's perimeter. They were interesting and Tsunayoshi is a good tour guide. Even without the usual smile (because the brunet will never smile in front of a people, and only to those he deemed close), the young man sounded chirpy and cheerful. Is that even possible without appearing sarcastic?

(Who knows.)

When they got back to the Arcobaleno house, Tsunayoshi didn't ask for the scarf. After prepping the machine for use, writing a little instruction, and teleporting him back to the castle, he still didn't ask back for the scarf. It's like he gave it away as a gift. Bermuda got tempted on verifying such assumption, but the way those brown eyes gaze at him with satisfaction, he already understood.

Burying his nose and down to the scarf, he smiled as he walked away for his job. He felt so warm.

(October thirteen)

The mission wasn't that exhausting. It was annoying that it became so boring to the point that it nudged him to end it quickly. Which leads him to flying towards the Arcobaleno house and drop right on the porch. Then he did what he planned on the way home: to walk in quietly, go to his room, shower then sleep. After waking up, a good coffee will suffice. It wasn't even morning, so it's good. And he did.

When proper morning came, he wore a new set of suit without his coat and fedora and went out. His brow quirked up as he hears the excited buzz in the living room. It was that early, and it makes him curious. Normally, all the people inside the house are grumpy in the morning. So what made them like bees? His question was answered when a widely grinning Colonnello appeared at the bottom of the steps as he descended and started to push him to the kitchen.

The other Arcobaleno gave him a wide berth to see what they're fuzzing about. When he saw it, he stared. It was a silver machine with a written brand name on its front. There's a paper beside it with a bold 'READ ME' on the top center and some bullet formed instructions. Then he saw a yellow sticky note posted on the side. He neared the machine and took the paper from its place to have a good look at it.

'Here's the espresso machine I promised. It's also a birthday gift for you. The paper beside it is a simplified list of instructions of how to use it when I'm not there, so read them. Anyway, happy birthday, Reborn. More to come for the following years. -Tsuna'

Now Reborn regretted leaving his fedora back at his room because he couldn't hide it. The smile that broke into his lips. The gesture was thoughtful and heartwarming. Why does his sky remember all the things he doesn't mind? It's almost unfair.

"Shit. Viper! Camera! Reborn is fucking smiling!" Skull shouted in excitement and hysteric.

"Shut up, Skull." He said, but there is no heat. His heart just kept on fluttering as he put the note on its place again and took the paper with instructions.

"Aren't you a lucky bastard." Lal smirked as she leaned on the counter, arms in the hard surface and watching him do what was directed on the paper. "Colonnello would've fainted if he got the same gift."

"I'm not a coffee maniac kora!" The pertained blond shouted from the dining room.

"A baby then," Viper joined as he stood beside Reborn, hovering to see what he was doing. "who loves to drink milk all the time."

"Tsuna suggested that I drink milk so I can surpass Reborn's height, Kora! I took the advice! And see what happened!" The Rain cheered.

The three looked at each other.

"Right now, Colonnello has the same height as Reborn." Verde verified as he sat on his place in the table. "Milk did wonders on your old bones."

Bermuda, who was coming in, spluttered in laughter as Colonnello gaped at the scientist.

"Why are you laughing, Bermuda?" Fon asked as he helped the usual stoic Night from keeling for laughing too much.

"And I thought I was ancient." Skull jabbed more before diving out of the fork's way. "Cutlery are for food, Colonnello-sempai."

"You little-"

Fon immediately grasped the back of the blond's shirt and sighed in exasperation. "Stop it, Colonnello."

"Fine." He surrendered and resorted to drinking his milk.

Reborn shook his head as he gave one mug each for Viper, Verde and Lal; a little lighter than espresso. He leaned his back on the counter and drank his own portion. Warmth flooded his heart after taking a good sip. Yup. It's the best birthday gift ever.

(October fourteen)

Tsuna thought he'll be stress free on the day of his birthday. His day started nice. He had a good shower, dressed in his loose clothes with his never-be-forgotten necklace that has his mother's ring. He breezed the day's requirements, received a letter from his parents who wished him a happy birthday and had a good chat with his four friends.

But when he was descending the stairs to go to the canteen to eat lunch, he didn't expect to almost have a heart attack after his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure walking like a dead man (wait. Isn't he dead already?). Ira, the Wrath of the Seven Sins, is bleeding from his neck and both wrists. He looked so sluggish and the dullness of his red eyes was too painful that it sent chills down to the brunet's spine. Add the fact that he's bathing on his own demon blood? Yup. The horror effect is there.

Without thinking, Tsuna pulled his loose shirt off his body (good thing he has a tight fit under) and jumped the last steps of the stairs. He jogged his way to the powerful demon's way and stuffed the shirt on the neck injury. Ira's unseeing eyes shifted to him. There was no recognition in there, and that made Tsuna worried.

"Ira?" He called, staring straight at those eyes. "Ira? It's me, Tsuna."

A blink and there's a small glimmer in those eyes. The brunet sighed in relief.

"Can you talk?"

The throat vibrated.

"You can't talk. Probably damaged the vocal cord." Tsuna sighed as pressed in the shirt. "Do you recognize me?"

No response.

"You're impossible, Ira." Then Tsuna knocked on the shared mindscape. 'Reborn?'

'Yes?' A baritone voice replied.

'I have a... Guest. He's injured. I think he killed his throat. He's also bleeding a lot.'

'Is it Wrath?' A query. It was Skull this time. 'Is he okay?'

Tsuna didn't question how did the Cloud knew it was Ira. 'Injuried. Can I borrow a shirt, Skull? He really needs it.'

'Sure.' The stuntman disappeared.

'Where can I meet you?' Reborn asked.

'Canteen.' Tsuna took the Sin's arm with a hand, the other still on the clothe to press, and tugged to direct them to the mentioned place. 'Usual place. I'll keep the bleeding on the neck. I should warn you that he's not... Seeing thing right now.'

'I have bandages.' Fon's calm voice chimed in.

'I could use some.' Tsuna said.

'We'll be there.' Assured by Reborn before they disappeared.

Tsuna continued his way to his table. He didn't mind the stares directed to him as he made the demon sit on the bench. He was walking like a madman hanging his hands on his side and a bloody shirt hanging somewhere in the air. He stood in front of Ira and slowly peeled off the clothe on the wound to see the damage. He winced at how severe it was. It can almost feel it on his own neck.

He was going to put it back when he felt a hand on his own neck. He stiffened, eyes shoot up to see crazed ones. They felt murderous and impulsive, wanting to kill him. Slowly, Tsuna took a deep breathe and let it go before reaching for those blue locks and ran a hand on them. The hand tightened a little, but he didn't stop, still staring at those maniac red eyes.

"It's okay, Ira." He whispered, pressing himself more to the hand. He's encouraging the other to tighten the hold. Reverse psychology is pretty sick. "No one will harm you as long as I'm here."

The grip slacked a little, but eyes were still crazy. Tsuna sighed in relief.

"I'm here, Ira." The young man continued to assure, giving a small smile. "I'm here."

The hand dropped on his chest, as if searching for his heart. Tsuna took a deep breathe and released it. The throat vibrated.

"Yeah. I'm alive. No worries." He whispered soothingly.

"Tsuna." Reborn called as he stepped out of the black portal, followed by the others.

"Why are you all here?" He asked, surprised at the other Arcobaleno.

"Wrath is here." Lal shrugged as she patted her gun strapped on her hip. "Might hurt you or something if he's unresponsive."

"He won't." Tsuna assured as he looked back to now unseeing eyes. "He won't."

Reborn cautiously neared them both, followed by Fon. While the others settled themselves around as Viper and Bermuda went for the buffet, the hitman put a hand on the Sin's neck, replacing the brunet's hand to take a good look on the wound. Tsuna removed his hand and put it on Ira's that was on his heart to assure the other that he's still there. Fon put a bandage on the brunet's free hand and sat far from Ira. Tsuna softly hummed as he wrapped a bandage on the teen's wrist with both hands. Switching hands, he took the other bleeding wrist and bandaged it too.

When Reborn gave him a nod, Tsuna signed for Skull to throw the shirt the Cloud was carrying. Slowly, with Reborn's initiative, they removed Ira's shirt. The Arcobaleno sat straighter at the sight of Wrath's body, but Tsuna took it in a stride, thinking that it was normal, that his friend suffered before he died and he has a lot of scars too. He felt Fon's and Reborn's concern when he continued his work, but they didn't voice it out.

When the clothe was secured, Tsuna gave the bloody shirts to Fon who laughed at his 'resourcefulness' and disintegrated the fabrics when he took them. The brunet sat down beside Ira, took the hand from his chest and started to softly caress the wrapped wrist.

"Ira?" He softly called. Red eyes shifted to see him. Tsuna smiled at the response. "Can you talk?"

"W-Who..." 'are you?'

"It's Tsuna, idiot." He replied from the trailed off question. He sighed. "I don't know what happened to you, but have you eaten?"

Red eyed blinked and cocked his head to the right. "No... Soul..."

The Arcobaleno stiffened except for Skull, Reborn and Colonnello who grinned.

"Who said I'm offering my soul? You're going to eat human food." Tsuna huffed just as Bermuda put two plates on their side of the table. "Thanks, Bermuda."

"Hn." The Night quirked a smile before moving on.

"What do you want to eat?" The brunet asked as he helped the other face the table. "Come on. I'll be your server today."

"More like a mother." Viper snorted.

Tsuna narrowed his eyes on his Mist. "Maybe, Mammon."

Red eyes clashed with brown ones and they glared at each other.

"Okay, children." Fon sighed, making the others snicker. "We should eat now."

The table went for a full chatter among the group. Reborn, Tsuna and Ira were quiet though. The human among the three put food on Wrath's plate and watched if the latter will eat. Reborn nudged him to eat too, and he did. As if like a puppet and Tsuna as the marionette, Ira mimicked his movement.

Tsuna could only smile a little as he watched tears streamed down on the Sin's cheeks. The others slowly went quiet, a little bothered at the show of emotion. It's as if it was their first time seeing the most powerful demon show some emotion with his unseeing eyes.

"Zitti..." The teen whispered. "Zitti..."

Tsuna put a meat on the Sin's plate. "Eat, Ira."

"Zitti..." Wrath sobbed as he continued to eat.

The brunet surveyed the table and smiled a little. "Go on. Don't mind, Ira. He's just reminiscing."

"I just think that I should have an apple juice, not pineapple." Skull pointed out in a blue. "I'm not that fat. Colonnello-sempai can have it."

"Who are you saying fat, Kora?!" The blond defended, going with the flow and they started to talk again.

"Zitti...?" Ira queried, eyeing him.

"Zitti or Zittire was his brother." Reborn informed in a whisper. "Wrath was convicted for killing Zittire. But according to some source, it wasn't Wrath who killed his brother, but someone else."

"Silence." The brunet murmured, translating the name from Italian, before glancing at those hopeful unseeing red eyes. "Should I...?"

"I don't think so." The hitman shook his head. "But you can ground him if you want. I think he likes you enough to come and see you at his worst state."

Tsuna nodded in thought before nudging the demon. "Ira."

"Hn...?"

"Where did you get your wounds?" He asked softly.

"I did them."

The human kept his face neutral despite the inner turmoil. "Why?"

Ira froze for a sec and inclined his head to his left as if confused. "Why...?"

"Why did you do them?" He probed further, a little happy at the reaction.

"Because..." The Sin blinked his red eyes slowly. "I was a bad friend."

"How so?"

Confusion started to show in the teen's face. "M-My friend told me to not overwork myself. But I got mad. So mad that I killed them."

Tsuna hummed. "You killed Pride?"

"Yes. And Lust. They hurt my friend."

Reborn and he shared a glance before smiling. "Who's your friend?"

"He's..." Brows almost knitted. "A fish."

Viper, who was listening to them, laughed. Tsuna, instead of offended, snickered.

"Seriously?" The human asked.

"His name is..." Ira looked down to his plate. "Tsu..."

"Tsu..." The brunet peered at those red eyes that slowly started to lit up. "Na?"

The Sin's face went full red that made Tsuna laugh so hard. Ira slapped his upside, but he continued to snicker. And the Arcobaleno just watched. They watched the most powerful Sin blush so hard in embarrassment while the human among them almost gasped for air for laughing so hard. They stared at those red eyes that slowly lost their unseeing dullness and lit up with fondness, happiness and relief. It was so different from the one they knew. It was like they're seeing the Wrath who was in Tsuna's memories.

Just how...

"Stop it. It's embarrassing already." Ira chided. Tsuna wheezed and gasped for air. "Are you okay?"

"I'll live." The brunet panted with a smile. "Welcome back, Ira."

"Yeah." A small smile graced those lips. "I'm back. Thank you, Tsuna."

The young man took the other's wrist and caressed the cuts there. He watched as the teen sagged in relief and comfort. "You're okay. I'm here." A nod. "When you feel down, search for me. I don't care if you killed a lot of people, demons or humans. You're not Ira if you're not expressing your craziness and anger. You're never a bad friend because bad friends only think of themselves."

"But I'm a demon."

"Who is friends with me." Tsuna stated. "You even thought I was your brother. It's a privilage. But it's a little unnerving to know that your names are opposite. How old was he? The last time you saw him?"

"Sixteen."

"And you're?"

"Twenty."

"I thought ancient." Tsuna dodged a flying spoon. "Hey!"

"You jabbed me!" Skull sulked.

The brunet rolled his eyes. "Ira is like thirty-"

"Thirty-one." The teen corrected.

"-one millennia years old. He's more of like the Earth in a sense- Wait." Tsuna looked at Ira in awe. "You're that old? How can you count that long?"

"Patience." Wrath shrugged.

The table erupted with laughter at the irony.

"You're cool, Kora." Colonnello commented.

"Colonnello." Ira acknowledged which the blond grinned at. "I didn't know your summons were the Arcobaleno, Tsuna."

"They keep me alive." The brunet smiled. "At least you know each other."

"They have spunk. Worth the fight some years ago. No grudges held since that time was getting boring." The Sin provided, earning some smiles. "Then the demon who made you feel worried was Reborn? I did feel his aura on you."

Tsuna spluttered. "Ira-"

"I won't hesitate rising hell on you if you hurt him again, Reborn." The teen threatened as he captured his human's hand and squeezed with assurance. "The demons here have told me what happened. Tsuna is too kind hearted for you regardless of how merciless he is to those shits."

Fon leaned on Bermuda and Verde who were listening to the threat. "Did he just sound like..."

"Colonnello." Lal breathed out while remembering that time she heard her brother threatened the Arcobaleno of treating her like a damsel in distress. "He's declaring Tsuna as his family."

Reborn raised his hat, looked directly at those red eyes and smirked challengingly. "I'd like to see you raise hell."

"Are you saying you'll hurt him again?"

Tsuna let out a squeak of surprise when an arm looped around his waist and got pulled to Reborn's side. He looked up to see onyx eyes staring at him with so much adoration that it made him blush.

"No. I hurt him once, and I could barely forgive myself if it wasn't for his bleeding heart. I don't want to see him nor feel him away again." Tsuna smiled assuringly that was answered by a small one of the hitman. "Tsuna is too precious."

"Hmm..." Ira squinted his eyes before sighing. "One mishap, I'm taking Tsuna anywhere you will never find."

"Heh. Why didn't I think of that?" Viper chuckled, earning a glare from the sun arcobaleno. "Punishment is sweet, remember?"

Wrath gazed at Tsuna and smiled with fondness. "You're worth all the anger in this world, Tsuna. I'll kill the Sins if I have to."

"Thanks." The brunet expressed before a thought struck him. He reached out for his necklace, removed it from his being and presented it to the teen. "Here. I want you to have it."

"That's..." Skull trailed off, eyes wide in shock, same with the others.

"Kaasan gave this to remind me that they're here with me even if I'm away. So I'm giving it to you to remind you that I'm here too even if we're hell apart." Tsuna grinned as he reached out and put it on the Sin's neck. "Family is family."

Ira looked at the ring before smiling widely at Tsuna. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

When they were about to part, Ira hugged Tsuna so tight. The Sin whispered how worried he was for him, and how angry he was to Lust and Pride for harming him. He vowed to never forgive them. He apologized for harming himself and for almost killing him. The brunet, as always, dismissed all of that and told the other to not overexert himself. Wrath couldn't stop himself from laughing at how uncaring his human was for the world.

And with a glint of sunlight on the ring, Ira disappeared.

The Arcobaleno wished him happy birthday as they went back to Fiant. The only ones who stayed were Viper and Fon as a company (did he look that lonely?). At the end of the day, before he slept, Tsuna thought how nice his birthday was for the first time in three years.

Who knew it was a calm before the storm?

(October fifteen)

A letter came.