SHUGO-SHA NO NINGYO
by Yatsu
CHAPTER I: (Memories)
"The dreams will start soon." Timoteo warns, when he wishes Tsuna goodnight after his birthday celebration. "With the rings in close proximity, you'll start having glimpses of the Primo's memories. He will show you all he can about Asari Ugetsu."
"Dreams?" Tsuna repeats and he remembers the last one he had, about a blond man and a doll… it couldn't be. Maybe that was- "I had a dream last night, about a blond man making a Japanese doll."
Timoteo and even the guardians who heard, turns to him in surprise. The Ninth's expression looks hopeful.
"It seems," Timoteo begins, by way of explanation, "You are definitely something special, Tsunayoshi."
Tsuna places the box by his nightstand. He opens it and his eyes were immediately drawn to the only ring that didn't shine like the rest. He traces the ring with his fingertips. Where his sky ring was warm, the other ring was as cold as ice. The brunet frowns and takes back his hand. He carefully closes the box and lies back down on his bed.
In a few minutes, he falls into a fitful sleep.
The blond man, no, Giotto- he knows this is Giotto- is sewing by the candle light, humming lightly to himself. By the side, carefully propped up, are four bisque dolls, each wearing a unique set of clothes, all except one. The doll is merely covered by a sheet, as though someone thought he might be cold if left in the nude.
The dolls were quiet, a strange phenomenon to Tsuna, because he has never gone through a day without hearing at least something from a doll. Especially if the dolls knew Tsuna could hear them.
"Your clothes are about done, Asari." Giotto smiles, startling Tsuna back into the present. "I modelled it after a travelling, Japanese musician, or an omnyoji. I'm not sure, I always get those two mixed up. But either way, these clothes would suit you."
Tsuna watches in fascination as the Primo talks to himself. It is weird, listening to a one-sided conversation. This must be what his mother feels like when she sees him and his dad talking to the dolls back at home. He wonders if the reason he couldn't hear the dolls is because this was a dream and the power of the blood of Vongola didn't work here. Or because this is a period before Giotto gained the power to hear dolls.
"It's done!" Giotto crows in triumph, holding up the doll-sized robes. He grabs the blanket-covered doll, Asari probably, and carefully dresses him in his new clothes. When he is done, he holds the Japanese doll up, smiling, "You look wonderful, Asari."
Tsuna watches Giotto's smile drop in the silence. He gently places the doll on his lap and brushes a stray dirt from its cheek. "I wish you could speak, then you would tell me what you think about your clothes. Do you like them? Are they too tight? Too warm? How about your name? Do you like it?"
Silence. Giotto bites his lip and then laughs a little brokenly to himself. He places the newly clothed doll to the side. "Look at me," He huffs in defeat, covering his face with a tired hand. He shakes his head, "Talking to dolls."
Tsuna watches the Primo get up, he takes the candle lamp with him and gently closes the door behind him. A sliver of moonlight is the only source of light in the room and Tsuna turns to the dolls. He can't see them very well in the dark, but he doesn't need his eyes to hear them. He hopes, since he is from the future and already has his powers, that, maybe, if he concentrates, he can hear the doll's whispers.
He approaches the one he knows to be Asari and closes his eyes.
'Giotto…'
There, the whispers were faint but Asari is calling out to his master.
'The clothes are wonderful, still, they may be too big for me.' Tsuna couldn't help but smile at that. 'The name you chose is perfect, did you choose it because I am modelled after the dolls in this country called Japan?' Asari repeats the words again and again, as though hoping that if he says them enough, maybe Giotto will hear him.
'Don't worry,' Tsuna thinks, 'He'll hear you soon.' But just as he is about to reach out and touch the doll, the scene is swept away by a bright light.
The brunet shrieks when butterflies suddenly obstruct his view. He covers his face but it doesn't take long for the butterflies to scatter. He blinks and looks around.
He finds himself barefoot, in a field of grass. The sun is bright, only a few clouds floating by. He looks around and he sees the butterflies scatter around the field. They were of different colors: red, yellow, green, violet, indigo, orange, and blue.
The brunet turns again and startles. There are five figures from afar. He doesn't see them because of the sun blinding his eyes, but he knows they are there and they seem to be looking at him, waiting for him.
For some reason, the fact that there were only five of them there, makes Tsuna feel at a loss for a moment. He feels like there is something missing. However, before he could call out or looks around more- a blue butterfly flutters by and a warm arm throws itself over his shoulder, in an overfamiliar gesture. The brunet jumps and is about to turn around…
But he finds himself unable to. He's frozen in place.
'Find us,' The person beside him says. And from his tone, Tsuna can somehow tell there was a smile on his face. 'I believe in you, Tsuna.'
Just as he was finally able to turn around, to find the source of the voice, everything starts to fade. All he gets a glimpse of is a smile.
Then Tsuna wakes up.
The day after his birthday, the Ninth is all set to leave for Italy. Tsuna is dressed in a casual yukata this time, the one he usually wears around the house. It is a mix of brown and light orange and definitely more comfortable than his traditional garbs last night.
Timoteo, Reborn, and Tsuna are having breakfast together in one of the many tea rooms. The ninth's dolls are carefully propped up by the walls and they were silent except for the occasional murmur. Reborn wants to discuss the arrangements for his search for his guardians as early as possible.
"Vongola bought a small property in Namimori for you. We've converted the front into a small toy shop and fixed up the two-story house behind it. From now on, you'll be living there." Reborn tells the brunet as he drank his tea. The brunet chokes in surprise. "You'll also be starting school around that area as a transfer student."
Tsuna clears his throat, coughing lightly. "Wha-? But I was home-schooled for as long as I can remember! Is it okay if I really-?"
"Well, you're no longer the weak, sickly kid from ten years ago, no good Tsuna. Time for you to get a taste of reality." Reborn answers.
Tsuna sighs and then asks, "Okay, but then why Namimori? Why not somewhere like Tokyo or Kyoto or Osaka?"
Reborn snorts, "First of all, we don't want you too far. Next, I don't think you'd be able to handle big cities just yet. Third, Namimori is your mother's hometown, and finally, there have been reports of there being strange things happening there, specifically at night. It's not that dangerous, you can just gather data and investigate if you want. We'll pull you out if it is. You're still the heir to the Vongola, after all. Your safety is priority."
Tsuna sighs again. He knew there is nothing he can further say about the subject. He will have to pack and then endure his mother and his father's tears when they watch their son 'leave the nest'. He shakes his head and turns to his grandfather instead, smiling back at the warm smile the old man directs at him.
"Ah, how is Xanxus, by the way, grandpa?" Tsuna asks uncertainly. Xanxus never liked Tsuna, he hated Tsuna, the moment he knew he existed. Years ago, Xanxus learned he isn't the real son of the Ninth and found out, at the same time, that the heir to the Vongola Family is actually some brat from Japan.
Xanxus went into a rampage. It got him sent to jail for a few years. It was a difficult time for the Vongola family. Afte Xanxus served his time in jail, Tsuna was being transferred to an Italian hospital because of health problems. When Tsuna got out of the hospital, he was moved to the Vongola castle and that was where he first met Xanxus.
No one had ever looked at him with so much hatred before.
Eventually, amidst the killer glares and conflicts, the Ninth called for them both. Tsuna was weak and wheezing and Xanxus was sending him death glares every chance he could. Timoteo then explained to them both what was going to happen.
There were two sides to the Vongola Family, the business magnate of the world, and the revered doll makers. Xanxus could hear the dolls' whispers but his blood was not Vongola so, he could never turn dolls into their true forms, even with the Vongola Rings. But Tsuna was the direct descendant of the First Vongola himself, and he had potential to be a great doll maker. Every word that came out of Timoteo's mouth only soured Xanxus' face further. Before the discussion could finish, he began shouting at the Ninth.
What was the point of adopting him, getting him through expensive schools, and having everyone treat him like he was to be the next heir, when he actually wasn't? Had the Ninth plan to take it away from him this whole time? Raise him up high and drop him like trash?
When Xanxus calmed down, the Ninth continued to talk, as though he never interrupted.
"However, Tsunayoshi cannot travel too much. His health, as you can see, is not its best and he doesn't have the experience you have in talking with various business partners. He also lacks the education you've attained in your schooling years."
Xanxus expression looked surprised, before he schooled it into a scowl, "What are you trying to say?"
The Ninth sighed, "I never said I was leaving you with nothing, Xanxus. The world is a big place and it's true that from the moment we realized Tsunayoshi could hear the dolls, he was to be the Vongola Decimo… still, it didn't mean you would be left with nothing. Tsunayoshi may be the Vongola Decimo but he will be only in charge of one side of the Vongola, and I'll be leaving everything else to you."
Xanxus looked stunned by that.
After that, Xanxus' treatment of him became better. Better in the way that he ignored Tsuna now, instead of glaring at him and wishing he was dead at every turn. He really believed that the Ninth would give him nothing, but the trust the Ninth placed in him, seemed to snap him out of his tantrums. The Ninth gave him the condition to improve his attitude and do well in his studies or he wouldn't get anything, which was better than nothing. It helped redirect Xanxus' blood lust to his studies.
Ninth smiles at Tsuna's question, "Ah, speaking of that, he came to talk to me just last week about the Vongola Family." He says, "It seems he wants to build his own company, Varia. He had already been recruiting. He told me he didn't need charity from me and he'd succeed without inheriting some old, out-of-style family business anyway."
Tsuna looks taken aback but the Ninth seems proud.
"But, he admitted that he still needed my help on securing his education. So, he would uphold his part of the bargain and behave better, as long as I continued to shoulder the expenses for him." The Ninth chuckles, a twinkle in his eyes.
"T-That's great." Tsuna smiles uncertainly, "I mean, he's chasing his dreams and making a path for himself."
"It also means," Reborn interrupts, "That you'd be inheriting the entire Vongola, no good Tsuna."
"Wha- EH?" Tsuna jumps and turns desperately to the ninth, "Don't you have some sort of back-up heir or something?"
Reborn rolls his eyes and stands up to kick him on the shin.
"Ow!"
The Ninth chuckles, "Ah, you'll do great, Tsunayoshi. I believe in you."
"Aside from you regular classes in Namimori High, you'll also be having Business Education, taught by me, every after school day. Be prepared." Reborn warns with a glint in his eyes.
Tsuna internally sobs at his misfortune.
Timoteo watches in amusement. "Oh, right, before I forget, I'd like to give you something, Tsunayoshi." He gestures the other forward. The brunet stands up and clumsily makes his way to his grandfather's side.
Timoteo takes out an old pocket watch and opens it. There is a photo inside. It is worn but seems to be in good condition. "This belonged to the Vongola Primo, it is the only portrait he had with his dolls, where they were all human. It was painted by his friend, Cozarto, since Cozarto was also a doll maker, he knew the dolls' secrets. Mostly he specialized in painting dolls."
Tsuna looks at the picture, eyes wide.
The Vongola family were in a garden, the Vongola Primo sat in the middle of three armchairs. A redhead with a tattoo on his face sat by his right and a priest by his left. Behind was an aloof-looking man, a curly-haired, laid-back teen, a young man dressed in traditional Japanese clothes, and a man dressed in an ancient military uniform.
"The man on his right is G., his storm doll and also the first one he kept and made. The one on the left is Knuckle, his sun doll, he was designed after an English priest. You can see that Giotto loved making dolls inspired by different cultures. The one behind G. is Alaude, the cloud, he was made by Giotto with an American detective in mind. This one is Lampo, lightning doll, he is the youngest of all the guardians, and you know Asari is the one dressed in Japanese clothes. This last one is Daemon, the mist doll."
Tsuna traces the figures with his eyes, "They look so real. Even back then, when the materials for dolls were hard to come by, they still managed to turn out so-" He is speechless. Even his grandfather's dolls, if anyone looks really closely, still retains the stiffness in their gaits when they were humans. Their actions are otherworldly as well, though they physically looked human.
"Yes, the Primo's dolls were in another class. He was also the only doll maker back then to be able to handle six dolls. Even if a regular doll maker can create hundreds of dolls, at most, he can only bring to life two at the same time. Cozarto was the only one who was a close match to him, being able to handle five. He got really good at alternating the dolls he fought with." Timoteo explains. He closes the watch and gives it to Tsuna, "This is a family heirloom and I want you to have it, may it bless you on your journey."
Tsuna accepts the pocket watch gratefully, "Thank you."
"Another thing, about your guardian dolls: as long as you wear the Vongola sky ring, you can bring any doll to life. However, when you have found all of your guardians and the rings have accepted your contracts and the rings become whole, wearing the sky ring won't be necessary to turn them humans. As long as the contracts between you and the dolls are binding. However, the sky ring is necessary for those dolls you don't have a contract with." Timoteo explains.
"But- what about you, grandpa? Won't you need the sky ring? Since the Vongola rain ring isn't complete and there's no formal contract…"
The Ninth smiles sadly, looking back at his dolls. "I can bring my dolls to life because they've accumulated enough power through the years from the complete rings to not need it anymore." His expression became wistful, "But since Brabanters and I aren't really in a contract, then, I'm afraid, without the sky ring, he will remain a doll."
Tsuna looks at the doll in question, then back to his grandfather, "Do you- Uhm, maybe I can give it back-"
Timoteo shakes his head, "The rings have reverted to their half forms, Tsunayoshi. I am no longer the owner. The rings have accepted you to be the next heir."
Tsuna looks down sadly, "I'm sorry."
Timoteo smiles and pats him on the head, "It isn't your fault."
Reborn allows them their silence for a few minutes, before interrupting by clearing his throat, "Do you have any more questions for the Ninth, no good Tsuna? You better ask them now, while the Ninth's schedule is free."
"Oh!" Tsuna startled, "Right, uh, I wanted to ask about Coyote's arm and Brabanters scars… I mean, why do they have them? Couldn't you have, uh, you know? Fixed it?"
"Those were injuries given to them directly by the darkness." Timoteo explains in a serious tone, "I could have done something if they were inflicted by dolls, even by the dark dolls. But injuries given directly by the darkness are like human injuries, they can be fatal to a doll and they can scar like a human would. As you know, Tsunayoshi, only very few are not affected by the darkness."
"The Ame no Ningyo?"
Timoteo nods. Tsuna sighs shakily.
"Okay, so no battling the darkness head on, got it." Tsuna mutters to himself. "Erm, about choosing guardian dolls, how do I, er, go about doing it?"
"Guardian dolls don't necessarily need to be made by you," The Ninth explains, "You can choose any doll you like or make one, but they'd have to be approved by the Vongola rings to be your guardian. Don't worry about looking for them, they'll find you and when they do, you'll know. You'll instinctively know which ring to give them, too."
"Any type of doll will do," Reborn is the one to speaks this time, "Since, in the end, they'll be remade anyway."
"Eh? What do you mean by remade?" Tsuna blinks and then pales, oh god did he have to pull apart those dolls and remake them himself?
"It's through the power of your will. You don't have to worry about actually remaking a doll." Reborn tells him, like he can read his mind, "It's a ritual by the rings. It didn't happen during Primo's time but as the darkness grew stronger, the light had to adapt and with the help of an ancient inventor named Talbot, he made the rings into stronger conduits. Now, every time a doll is chosen, they are remade with the strength of your will and feelings. They undergo an upgrade. For example, a wooden doll is changed into a bisque doll, so that they are better equipped to help you." He says, "They're remade with stronger and better quality materials, their vessels are strengthened so they aren't easily overcome by the darkness. Going through the ritual of remake tires out the doll master, since it technically uses your will and makes something into something else."
"Er," I don't get it. "Okay?"
Reborn narrows his eyes, "I hope you really did understand, no good Tsuna." Then he looks at his watch, "Time's up, Ninth I'm afraid we have to leave now if we want to keep your schedule."
The Vongola Nono stands up gracefully. He pulls the brunet into one last warm hug.
"I'm so proud of you, Tsunayoshi. I can't wait to meet your guardians in the future." Timoteo tells him warmly as he pulls back. Tsuna swallows back his emotions and merely nods, nervous and elated all at once.
When all of the Ninth's guardians were gathered and his baggage was placed in the car, Tsuna sees him off at the gate with his mom and dad.
"Until next time," The Ninth smiles as he carries two of his dolls, Brabanters and Coyote, with him. The rest were already in the car. The two visible dolls utter their goodbyes. Nono climbs into the car.
Tsuna watches the car drive off, a feeling of nervous anticipation churning in his stomach.
The night before Tsuna is meant to leave for Namimori…
It is night time again and Giotto is by a flickering candle. His eyes feel heavy as he tries to fix a doll he'd found broken in the streets earlier. He has already washed its hair with a special shampoo that one of his toymaker friends developed for fun. He'd also sent Cozarto a letter, asking for any spare paint that went well with dark wood.
The usual mess surrounds the Vongola Primo: various paints, wood chips, clay materials, and bisque porcelain scattered about. But this time, instead of four dolls leaning against the wall, there are now six.
Tsuna wonders if Giotto could hear the dolls speaking yet or not. But judging by the fact that Tsuna can barely hear the dolls this time too, then the blond probably couldn't hear anything at all. He startles when a loud falling sound made Giotto jump. The brunet becomes nervous when the six dolls sound their own warnings.
'Oi! Don't you dare go check on that alone!' The redheaded one, insists fruitlessly. Tsuna recognizes him as G., Giotto's first doll.
'Someone broke in,' The light blond doll, Alaude, intones tonelessly, 'You better bring a weapon.'
'Giotto,' The one with the weird hair, Daemon, tsks lightly, 'It'll be troublesome if something happened to you.'
Giotto didn't hear any of their words, of course, but he reaches out and grabs one of his dolls.
'What!?' The green haired doll, Lampo, splutters, 'Don't bring me! I'm the youngest!'
'Lampo, you better take ultimate care of our Master,' The one dressed as a priest cheers him on. He was probably Knuckle, the one sitting by Giotto's left in the picture Nono gave Tsuna.
'Giotto,' The one Tsuna recognizes as Asari, calls out worriedly.
However, before Giotto could take one of the unused pots as a weapon, two hooded figures drop in from the window behind him.
'BEHIND YOU!' G. yells.
Giotto turns, eyes wide. He holds Lampo closer to his chest, and steps back, mouth open to yell in alarm.
'Get away from him!' G. continues to shout.
'Don't hurt him,' Asari pleads and to Tsuna, it looks like he wanted to move his doll body. 'Please, hear us! Don't hurt, Giotto!'
'Tsk.' Daemon tuts, but even his tone held a hint of frustration. Alaude is quiet but Tsuna can sense his hostility.
'The Lord did not make humans to ultimately hurt one another!' Knuckle argues.
The twin hooded figures turn to the dolls as though they can hear them. This surprises the dolls into silence. Giotto takes it to mean differently and he stands in front of his dolls, Lampo hugged protectively to his chest.
"I do not know what you are but please don't hurt them." Giotto begs. Lampo seems surprised by his gesture.
"They are dolls." The two hooded figures intone together and Giotto purses his lips.
"They are more than that to me." Giotto straightens, face held high, "They are family."
There is silence, even from the dolls. The twin figures turn to each other before looking back to Giotto. The blond firmly places himself between the dolls and the women, expression determined.
'You idiot!' G. curses, 'We're just dolls! If we're broken, you can just fix us up again! You're human! Fixing yourself won't be as easy! Get out of here!'
'Giotto, please, we'll be fine! Please run!' Asari calls out, doll voice loud. It shocks the other dolls who were used to him being soft spoken and gentle.
"Your dolls love you very much." The woman on the right speaks, surprising Giotto and the dolls.
'They can ultimately hear us?' Knuckle exclaims.
The blond blinks in surprise, "Pardon?" It isn't hard to see that he is starting to wonder about the sanity of the women in front of him.
"I think he will do perfectly," Her twin says mysteriously, gaze locked on Giotto. "The affection you feel for your dolls will serve us well for the upcoming war."
"Wha-" He steps back when one of them walks forward. Giotto can't hit a woman but maybe he can hold her off long enough to run away with his dolls. However, when she touches his shoulder, he is frozen. Blue eyes grow wide with fear when he realizes he couldn't move.
From where he is standing, Tsuna can see that the woman had a mask on under her hood.
"Rejoice, Giotto Vongola." The woman says in an impassive tone. "We have approached many like you, doll makers with potential to fight this war, but out of them all, you are the one with most potential."
The other twin approaches the dolls, all of whom were putting up very loud protests.
Alaude was letting out a menacing aura.
'Oya, if you come near Giotto or us I will definitely curse you.' Daemon warns, 'Dolls are known for being used for curses too, you know.'
'Oi! What have you done to Giotto! Let go of him!' G. hisses.
'Don't hurt him,' Asari pleads.
'Gah, I'm being suffocated,' Lampo complains in Giotto's arms. The other dolls ignore him, since he tends to be overdramatic in serious situations. How can dolls suffocate, when they can't even breathe?
"These dolls have been created with Light, thus they shall be your tools in winning this war." The twin near the dolls explains, hovering a hand over them. Light shines from her hand and there were exclamations from the dolls.
Giotto gasps when the woman in front of him places her warm hands on his. The blond flinches back at the bright light they begin to exude.
Tsuna covers his eyes for a few seconds before the light finally dims. When he opens his eyes, Giotto is being held up by the masked woman, eyes open but blank. Lampo is no longer in his arms. Tsuna notices something shining and realizes that on Giotto's finger, is a very familiar ring.
"Oi! What the hell did you do to him?" Tsuna jumps at the loud voice and he turns, eyes wide when he sees the same people from the pocket watch photo, standing around the room, replacing their doll counterparts.
The dolls became humans.
G. stands tall in his human form, the look on his face menacing as he growls at the two women. Alaude is behind him, looking down at his hands, expression impassive but there is clear surprise in his eyes. Daemon is running a hand through his hair, "Oya, this is a surprise."
Knuckle is patting his chest, surprise clearly on his face as he looks at his fellow dolls, "This is an ultimate blessing."
"Ow…" Lampo is by Giotto's feet, rubbing his head. It seems like the blond accidentally dropped him.
Asari rushes passed his fellow dolls and hurries towards the blond. The masked woman relinquishes Giotto to the former doll's hold. "Giotto!"
The twins step back further at G.'s glare. Everyone else's attention is on the blond.
Giotto groans, blinking his eyes before he looks up. His brows are furrowed, mouth down turned in confusion, "Who-?"
Asari lets out a sigh of relief before he hugs the other closely.
Giotto's eyes widens and he looks over the other man's shoulder, noticing the other people in the room with him. He also notices that his dolls were missing. He struggles weakly, "My dolls-"
"Giotto," Asari says, holding him closer, "The clothes are wonderful, still, they may be a bit too big for me." The blond stiffens in confusion. "The name you chose is perfect, did you choose it because I am modelled after the dolls in this country called Japan?"
"You-" But then G. sighs and suddenly comes up to them. He flicks the blond on the forehead, "Ow!" Giotto rubs at the sore spot in surprise.
"Shut up," G. grumbles, "Do you know how long Asari's been wanting to tell you that?"
Giotto's eyes widens, "A…sari?"
G. smirks but then extends his hands, "Man, this is strange. Humans are so strange." He scowls down at his arms, "But I guess you won't understand unless we introduce ourselves. My name is G., the creep with the weird hair behind me is Daemon Spade."
Daemon dusts off his clothes nonchalantly, "I'll curse you first, G."
G. rolls his eyes, "The aloof guy over there is Alaude," He gestures to the white blond, "The strange priest is Knuckle…"
"It's ultimately nice to meet you!"
"And the wimp on the floor is Lampo."
"Hey!"
"But you already know all of that, don't you, Giotto? After all, you named us." G.'s smirk soften along the edges. Giotto's surveys them all with wide eyes. He blinks, vision becoming misty as, impossibly, his dolls smile back at him.
"You can't be…" He whispers and he places a hand over his face, exhaling shakily, "I must be going crazy."
Giotto couldn't see it, but Tsuna could, Asari had a gentle but sad smile on his face as the blond held on to him tightly.
"Don't worry, Giotto." The rain guardian whispers, "We won't let you be alone anymore."
Giotto stutters out a breath and buries his face on Asari's shoulder.
Tsuna wakes up, blinking in confusion as he stares at the ceiling of the room. He slowly sits up and glances at the Vongola box on his bed side. He reaches out and takes it. He opens the box to look at the rings.
His dream left him more questions than answers. Who were the women who'd brought the dolls to life? And from what he had seen, Daemon Spade did not start out hating Giotto, so how did he came to be possessed by the darkness? He also couldn't help but wonder how Giotto had adjusted to having his life's work suddenly come alive before him.
Tsuna grimaces, the dolls and Giotto started out happy, being able to finally talk to each other. But somehow, somewhere along the way, it went wrong and they lost Asari and Daemon to the darkness. He couldn't help but see Giotto as someone who had been used to end the war and in return he'd sacrificed his most precious dolls just to win it.
Tsuna's feelings on everything are getting more complicated. He only hopes that he'd be getting more answers soon.
End of Chapter