Lit:

The early chapters are all about confusion, detachment, acceptance and the main conflict's introduction. Just to let you know.

I just realized, why is this story has so many characters involved? It's driving me crazy. But I love them, what should I do.

I think I kinda forgot to mention this will be a slow-burn story of feelings between someone and the other one. I mean, they are young. There will be many complicated situation that make their own heart clashed with logic and they will hate themselves and at the same time they would try to be a hero by favoring other's happiness above themselves.

Anyone ever felt like this? So complicated. Why did I choose to write this kind of wrecking story again? Nah.

Summary:

She ended up splitting the table in two. Reborn still didn't give her a glance.
The only noise accompanying them in the quiet hall was the sound of ice spreading followed by the door slamming shut.
By the age of sixteen, the future Vongola Decimo was officially betrothed to Hibari Kyoya, the sole successor of Hibari Clan.

Log:

/un-beta-ed/

"Italic conversation" with * at the end is spoken in Italian.

Play nice and enjoy!

The Kat Hunts the Hare

Two
Deceptions

The same night when Tsuna showed her purple ring of dying will flame to Timoteo in his private study, she got a wide smile and congratulations instead. Her eyebrows twitched in annoyance. She plopped down on the guest sofa and stomped her feet childishly.

"B-But, Grandpa!" She whined. She had planned to ambush him in his manor for a liability and clarification and if possible, annulment of previous edict. But how come she got a goddamn wish of happiness instead! She swallowed her protest in distress.

Timoteo stared at her with eyes full of patience. He was still smiling widely and it irked Tsuna more than Reborn's previous attitude in the afternoon meeting.

"Tsuna-chan." He called but Tsuna decided that glistening marble floor was more interesting, "The reason I allow Hibari Taiki to escort you on behalf of his grandson is because I fully trust them. Iemitsu, Reborn and I… we all want the best for you."

Tsuna rolled her eyes and groused lowly. Timoteo then moved to sit beside her and patted her strained hand. He touched her Vongola Ring carefully and stared at it with eyes full of longing. Tsuna reeled on how solemn Timoteo looked at that moment.

"Tsunayuki." He started―eyes still not looking ahead―and Tsuna pushed down her anger to listen. "Everywhere is not going to be safe. You may have power, yes, great one and also a strong one, we don't doubt it and we never do. You could protect anyone, anything. You could do whatever you want in the name of humanity and kindness. You could even destroy those who stood in your way. Irrespectively whatever you want to do is to crush the world and build it again from scratch, then so be it."

Timoteo held Tsuna's gaze and Tsuna then noticed how the wrinkles on the edge of his eyes made him much older than he actually was. How those sign of age foretold his long journey and utmost respect to every being.

"Guardians are protectors, not only for their leader or their home but also for everyone they deemed worthy. I would never question your guardians and their sincerity. You all have proved us how brave and strong-minded you are all. That kindness in your heart changes everyone, changes every situation. Your presence always leaves a strong impression on others, but you are never aware of it or worse, use it for manipulation." Timoteo paused for a while and then continued with a slightly sad smile, "You are always on the front line, making sure everyone is unharmed. That's noble." He affectionately flicked her forehead. Tsuna took back her hand from his hold and cradled her head. She quietly hissed in pain and shot a weak glare to him.

Timoteo chuckled again and proceeded to smooth her hair, "You are such a busy-body savior, always standing firm as a shield. But then, when all broke loose, who would protect you from everyone?"

Tsuna was tongue-tied at his question.

Trusted of past might be treachery of future. Those unsaid words of Timoteo imprinted in Tsuna's disarray mind.

As Vongola Decimo, she would eventually stand on top of others. Not to glorify herself or oppress the weak but she always thought that those loads were her to bear and hers alone, as a leader of many. She was actually too stunned to think after being reminded how she evidently had options. She just had never dared to venture the possibility.

"I…" Tsuna stopped and realized she obviously had no comeback.

"Decimo, not everything you see or hear are going to be true. This world is not that pure. Everyone change continuously. Yesterday, today even tomorrow might be at cross purposes. By the reasons, why don't you try to rely on your heart too, along with your Hyper Intuition?"

Tsuna promptly stood up and walked to the balcony. The glass door squeaked when she pushed it aside. She inhaled the cold night air and both of them stayed in silence―Nono silently observed her from his seat. No one uttered a word.

After a long silence, Tsuna turned to face Nono. Her back reclined on the wrought-iron balustrade. The coldness of iron seeped through her spine and unconsciously helped in clearing her mind. She caught his understanding gaze from across the room.

She then realized Nono was in no hurry for an acceptance.

He just wanted her to think―think deeply and decided if what they deemed best for her wasn't proved as a cause for her self-destruction of what she had been doing by standing at each war's beak.

Tsuna let a smile curled on her pasty lips and muttered, "It's late. I should go back."

Nono then nodded and watched his successor jumped on top the balustrade. She leaped to the sky and gravity did it best to waste no second for her to fall down. Nono unhurriedly walked to the balcony and watched her disappearing figure through the green maze of Vongola's mansion. After two heavy minutes slowly passed by, he then walked inside and softly closed the door.

He sighed before walking to his seat behind the desk. He interlocked his fingers on the wooden table as his eyes cautiously fell on the shadow beside his bookshelves and decided to greet the figure.

"Hello, Reborn."

The shadow moved aside to let him be revealed in the dim room. He tipped his fedora, eyes bore keenly to Timoteo's tired one. Timoteo sighed once again and Reborn decided to make himself comfortable across his employer.

"You all play the hard games this evening, eh?" Timoteo chuckled softly while his joined hands moved to support his chin.

Reborn's lips twitched in half-baked smirk but he didn't say anything for a counter. He brought his attention to the closed balcony entrance and by the glass door he noticed how clear the moon was―even as it was covered by pellucid cloud.

The hitman stared back at the venerable man, his fingers constantly played with his side curls.

"The game was already on since they held the Vongola's heirlooms around their fingers. We just took our time to secure the odds."

Timoteo inhaled deeply. His hand stirred to his side drawer as he appeared to hesitate. The beige files inside felt a bit taunting. Reborn who saw hesitation swirling in Timoteo's eyes, shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ninth, I understand your worries. We do, even stupid Iemitsu does." Timoteo snorted at the mention of his advisor, Reborn paid no mind and continued. "That man is narrow-minded and presumptuous, but he is no fool regarding his wife and daughter."

Timoteo for once agreed. "I know. As a father, he did his best at every backstage. But for this matter, Hibari Clan is one trusted ally for years to come. What I'm worried about is the other alliance. I am afraid to say that they have started to move." Assuredly, he took out the beige file and threw it skillfully. Reborn caught the records in one swift motion.

"How veritable is this tip?" Reborn flipped around the documents, eyes rapidly absorbing information written comprehensively on the records of twenty pages.

Timoteo's smile was mysterious as he clasped his hands, "Straight from the horse's mouth."

Reborn hummed in satisfaction, thin line of lips slowly morphed into a smirk.

"Why, Ninth was obviously asking you to fall in love and consummate your marriage soon. Go give him and other grandpas lots of kid." Enma muttered while sorting his messy paper works. Boxes and documents scattered around his office that Tsuna wasn't even sure if she had managed to not step on them earlier. She then noticed the noisy repeatedly tune was sounded from the office phone which was dandling on the table's edge.

The Vongola Heir was currently taking refuge in Shimon Decimo's office, whimpering how life was so unfair to her now after everything she had done―even sacrificed―for world salvation.

"Get your head out of paperwork, Enma! Where's your hospitality!" Tsuna whined for the umpteenth time, her legs dangled from the loveseat's armrest.

Enma rolled his eyes at her guff but his hand kept signing the document. "Gosh, Sherlock, no." He pointed the big wooden door while the other hand was still busy signing, "The exit is there. Thank you and don't come again."

Tsuna's protest died halfway when the door was suddenly banged open. The sound was so loud that Tsuna wondered why the wall hadn't crumpled yet.

Shittopī leisurely walked inside with a tray of afternoon snack.

"Oh! Hello there!" Shittopī exclaimed as she dropped the tray carelessly on Enma's table. The tiny splat of tea dirtied the corner of Enma's paperwork. His eyes narrowed at the stain.

"Seriously…? Adel will definitely kill me with a fork to the hell and back." Enma groaned in disbelief. He chucked the smudged report to a grubby box on the floor. It was nearly filled with papers of the same stain which had left darkened spoor.

Shittopī clicked her tongue thrice while moving along her forefinger side to side.

"Rejoice! Adel is away on business, by the way! Three days! So, I'm here!" Shittopī explained in a sing-song voice. She plopped herself down in the guest chair across from Tsuna who hasn't taken any intention to act modest.

As Enma took the news of Adel's journey as one of horror obituary, Shittopī chose to clap her hands in congratulatory. Tsuna somehow felt alarmed by her glee. She righted herself and wordlessly scooted to the edge. It obviously didn't make any difference, seeing they were still sitting in front of each other.

"So, I heard about your engagement―" Shittopī started but was cut off by Tsuna's howl.

Tsuna continued to groan in pitiful misery and retaliated by burning the artificial cactus on the coffee table in front of her.

"That is Adel's favorite!" Enma's cry behind his desk prompted Tsuna to blubber on her frigging affair.

"It was… It was just unfair! You know how scary and deadly Hibari-san is? I barely restrained to piss myself just to stay calm from his ten years older self! Don't they know Hibari-san absolutely hates crowd? Me plus him plus Hibird are what he called by crowding! And who he would then beat to death for crowding around him? Obviously me, the herbivore. Oh, Joy!" Tsuna dramatically wiggled her hands, "And then… and then those old men just had to go ahead and be a blockhead and match us up! That's… That's just another whole level of stupidness!" Tsuna gesticulated hurriedly.

Enma rolled his eyes, "I'm suddenly reminded about a girl who admitted bashfully how perfectly toned his abs is, or how in heavens that beautiful face can exist perfectly on this earth."

Tsuna gasped. She kicked her feet in mid-air, letting her pointy shoes got thrown off and slammed Enma on his forehead. The blush on her cheeks didn't fade themselves good enough.

Shittopī then watched the scene of two teenagers bickering childishly and wondered if those blush were from her burst of anger or shyness came to light.

Well, well. Simon Guardian of the Swamp mussed in absolute delight.

Enma's whimper at said Vongola Decimo's bark stopped her daydream of the interesting issue of nationally newly founded couple. Shittopī sighed as she raised her hand upwards, "My, my, such a kid they are!"

Shittopī moved from her comfortable position, she proceeded to slap Enma's back head and grab Tsuna's back collar at the same time.

Tsuna shrieked in surprise as Shittopī dragged her out the office while Enma was still down in his own paperwork misery and throbbing head.

Shittopī then hummed a childish tune and asked, "You know what is the best thing ever for an upset maiden?"

Tsuna somehow felt fear creeping on her dragged spine by said question. She chose to answer carefully as she scratched her cheek with a finger.

"Uh… Sparring?"

Shittopī rolled her eyes and snorted. She then skipped happily with still a dragged body of a respectable Decimo on her butt, "What a half-assed answer for a man! Girls need to shop! Clothes! Makeup! Obviously fashion!"

Horror dawned on Tsuna as she stared pleadingly at Enma. The latter turned his head and continued his work, choosing to not be dragged by Shittopī's lavish way.

"Come then, Decimo! Let me show you the beauty and trend of Parlemo! We have a matter of three days before Adel is back and screaming her head off!"

Tsuna lifted her palms and decided to bury her face into her hands, letting her sobs quieted by the crowd's stare. After all, she got three days full of misery and courses of how to be a beauty. By then, she had to make sure someone's going to pay.

Tsuna was, of course―however she might be―never an insolent friend.

About:

The idiom of "straight from the horse's mouth" means "from the original or most reliable source".

End Log:

Lol sparring. I love that one. Thank you for reading the second chapter!

I'm still checking the next chapter before uploading them. Please stay with me.

The third chapter, I just want to say, is hard to write! Very hard! Clues and riddles everywhere. Adelheid makes it harder! Ugh.

Anyway, how is your situation? I hope you are all doing great. Please be safe!