For convenience (a Dialogue guide):

"This is for normal talking between humans."

"This is for humans talking in a dream or in a past scenario."

'This is for dolls talking.'

'This is for dolls talking in a dream or in a past scenario.'

This is for thoughts and/or emphasized words and/or descriptions of dreams and/or flashbacks.

Important terms or phrases to note:

Doll maker or doll master. A person who makes dolls and can turn a doll into a human with a sign of affection. Usually, only the heirs of families blessed by the mysterious Cervello four hundred years ago can turn dolls to humans. They get their power from a special ring (or something else, there are a few special cases) passed down by their ancestors. Rings which were given by the Cervello personally.

'Turning a doll' or 'doll summoning'. To turn a doll into a human.

Remake. A ritual of light that allows doll makers to sort of 'upgrade' their chosen dolls, meaning it can only be done to guardian dolls. Their materials are swapped for stronger ones, this process takes a lot of power and will from the doll maker.

(Replies on your reviews are found at the end)

SHUGO-SHA NO NINGYO

by Yatsu

CHAPTER III: (Storm II)

Tsuna's first dark doll exorcism is a bust.

Everything that could go wrong, went wrong.

For some reason, exorcists of their family had to go out wearing traditional exorcism garbs. True, Tsuna is used to wearing yukatas and kimonos at home because of how traditional the Vongola mansion is. However, the clothing of an official exorcist was stifling.

Sure, it looked good, it even made someone like him look dignified- but layers. AND the cloth was thick and heavy, how can anyone successfully dodge in this thing?

That is just the clothing problem. It adds to Tsuna's innate clumsiness and the fact that his mission is at night, definitely didn't help too. He tripped and face-planted so many times, it was a miracle his face and teeth were still intact. Because of his clothes, of the dark, and his clumsiness, almost all of his talismans ripped before he could use them. The clothing is too complicated for him to find the talismans, or he accidentally caught the paper on his ring so it ripped when he pulled, or he dropped them and couldn't see where they went.

The possibilities of failure are endless and Tsuna feels like he had achieved every possible failure that night.

The worst thing that happened that night, though, is the doll summoning.

Okay, truth time, Tsuna sucks at exorcism. But that's fine. He'll figure it out. He is a doll maker first anyway and he can figure out the exorcism part later. He brought Lancia and Basil with him, everything would turn out in his favor in no time. Once they subdued the dark doll for him, he can spend as much time as he wants looking for an undamaged talisman somewhere in his robes.

But-

(Reborn warned him, you know, to practice doll turning before going out to face a dark doll for the first time. But Tsuna is just so busy with class preparations and school registration, running the shop, getting everything unpacked, and other famiglia matters, that he put doll summoning practice aside, just for a bit. His ancestors can turn at least six dolls and Tsuna knows that it is a tiring process but hey, maybe he'll just summon one doll, you know? Just to play it safe. Six dolls were the usual standard of a Vongola heir, right? So summoning ONE doll wouldn't eat much of his energy and Basil/Lancia are definitely strong enough to take care of a dark doll. It'll be fine.

Famous last words.)

Tsuna overestimated himself. He complained too much AND, definitely, didn't plan enough for this. One kiss to Lancia's forehead and he was down for the count for the next three days.

Three. Days.

Tsuna wakes up to Reborn looking down at him with a blank expression and immediately, he knows he's in trouble.

"The only thing you did right," Reborn says in a blank tone that sent shivers down the brunet's spine, "Is choose Lancia, who was actually strong enough to bring you back here before the sun came up."

Tsuna pales and in a hoarse voice he squeaks, "Please don't kill me."

Reborn's chameleon, Leon, purrs at him. The arcobaleno actually looks like he is contemplating Tsuna's plea. "There are worse ways than killing someone," Reborn finally speaks and Tsuna shivers. He can already hear his screams of agony from what's to come. "For now, you're confined in your room for the rest of the week. I'll be talking to Nana about redoing your exorcist clothes. Then I'll be planning your hell- I mean, your training for the foreseeable future."

"You just said hell-"

"No I didn't."

"Please spare me, Reborn!"

"You should've thought about listening to me before begging for mercy, no good Tsuna. Any pain or suffering that comes your way while we train is well deserved." Reborn jumps down his bed, "And by the way, I'm having that new doll look after you while you recover."

"Eh? New doll- you mean Gokudera-kun? He's not well enough to be moved yet!" Reborn doesn't answer and just gestures to the window where, sure enough, a certain surly doll is perched.

Another truth, Tsuna has already done all he can for the doll. He has given him a full restoration as promised, but sometimes, the physical damage is too much: the doll will never look or move the same way again. Now the only thing left is to be careful with him, because Tsuna is not sure that he'd be able to fix him again a second time around. Still, despite that, it's not actually true that Gokudera isn't allowed to be moved around (and if anyone knows how to treat a doll in the mend, it would be an arcobaleno), but ever since his last conversation with Gokudera and the strange dream he had with the black piano keys, Tsuna's been on edge.

He feels like there's a storm brewing in the distance and he doesn't know if he should fight it or allow himself to be blown away by it.

'I can't believe you were knocked out because you tried to 'turn' a doll,' Gokudera speaks in the silence, making Tsuna jump. 'Aren't Vongola heirs supposed to be able to turn at least six dolls? You're pathetic.'

Tsuna wilts at the insult and turns his back on doll by the window. "You don't have to tell me I'm a disappointment as a Vongola. I already know."

Gokudera snorts, 'If you know, then why are you even a doll maker?'

Because there's no one else. Tsuna wants to say to him, Because I don't know anything else. He's been groomed to be the Vongola heir for as long as he can remember. He's been ridiculed behind his back and given false praises right in front of his face.

He can fix dolls, sew them clothes but he can't expertly craft the greatest doll known to man or exorcise dark dolls with ease or fight. But this is the only life he knows and it's the life he leads. It's easier to stay, he's too scared to run away. If he leaves where will he go? What will he do?

In the end, his answer isn't anything impressive. He stays not because he wants to, not because he must… He stays because he's afraid that if he goes and becomes something else, he'll fail and he won't be able to come back from it.

Tsuna doesn't say any of this out loud. He keeps his back on Gokudera and curls around his pillow, burying his face in his blankets. Eventually, he falls into a fitful sleep.

Tsuna stands in the white room again, eyes half-open, looking down tiredly. Everything is silent for a moment, until a single note from a piano makes him look up.

There is a beautiful woman with silver hair playing on an impressive grand piano. Her eyes are closed as she presses the note one by one. Slowly, she turns the simple exercise into a beautiful melody.

A man is seated on a wooden chair, not far. He has a bouquet of pink and white arbutus flowers in one hand and a wrapped gift box in another. Tsuna couldn't see his expression but he imagines him to have his eyes closed, a content look on his face.

The woman finishes her song and stands up, the man does the same. Tsuna thinks that if his arms aren't laden with gifts, he would be clapping. The woman smiles at him and she gratefully accepts the gifts. She admires the flowers and puts them aside to open the gift.

Tsuna's eyes widen when he sees the doll the woman takes out. Hayato Gokudera comes out of the box, new and devastatingly lovely. The unknown woman hugs the doll and Tsuna is startled by their resemblance.

However, before Tsuna could look closer, a barrage of red butterflies come out of nowhere to assault him. He holds up his hands to cover his face from the barrage, yelping at the sudden attack.

Tsuna wakes up panting and eyes wide. He looks around, almost expecting a swarm of butterflies hovering but it's just him and Gokudera who is still in his silent vigil by the window. He runs a tired hand down his face.

'Nightmare?'

Tsuna jumps at the unexpected question. He looks at the glum doll in suspicion but his vessel does little to give away what he is thinking. Tsuna sighs, "A strange dream. I was being attacked by butterflies."

Even though Tsuna can't decipher a doll's expression, he can feel the incredulity in the air. 'Is there something you're not afraid of?'

Tsuna is afraid of most things in life so he decides not to give the doll the satisfaction of an answer. He has enough people judging him behind his back, thanks. To distract him from the topic, the brunet gets up and makes his way towards Gokudera instead.

'What are you doing?'

"Checking to see if you're okay. I know Reborn was careful but I still have to check if any porcelain's come lose or something cracked," Tsuna mumbles quietly as he looks over the grumbling doll.

'I'm fine.' Gokudera hisses.

"I'm just checking you over, you might complain if something's lose or not well done," Tsuna replies.

'You don't owe me anything.' Gokudera argues, 'You don't have to pretend to care.'

Tsuna stops, "But I do care."

'Yeah, right.'

"Not everything has a motive," Tsuna says slowly, "I just want to make sure you're going to be okay."

'I don't trust humans. I especially don't trust you.'

"Why is that?"

'None of your business!' Gokudera yells and Tsuna steps back at the anger and pain he feels from the other doll. Almost like a dark- 'Leave me alone!'

"I'm sorry!" Tsuna yells back in panic. He repeats, "I'm sorry! But please calm down, Gokudera-kun! At this rate you-"

'Why are you still here? I told you to-'

The door slams open and a woman with pink hair and goggles enters, two dolls perched delicately on her shoulders. Tsuna freezes in fright but the woman only has her eyes on a certain doll.

'You-!'

"Hayato, as much as I also hate no good Tsuna, it's not polite to yell at your host." Bianchi tuts at him, "Why don't we calm down and talk things through. Doctor Shamal?"

She lifts one of the dolls and gives him a kiss on the lips. There was an explosion of smoke for a few seconds before it vanishes like it was sucked out of the room. A grown man stands in the place of Bianchi's doll.

"I don't usually treat men," The doctor says gruffly as he takes out a pill from his pocket, "But for my Bianchi-chan, I'll make an exception."

He breaks the pill and smoke surrounds Gokudera. Tsuna's eyes widen when he feels Gokudera's anger dissipate until it's almost calm. The gathering tense atmosphere disperses as the smoke continues to surround the doll.

"My own invention, a way to neutralize dolls without talismans or dying will. It's temporary, doesn't last as long as the usual method, and isn't as good as an actual exorcism but it can buy you time." Shamal flicks the leftover pill to a nearby bin. "Gokudera isn't a dark doll, so hopefully he's calmed down by the time the medicine wears off."

Tsuna swallows, "That's- ah- It's amazing."

Shamal gives him a once-over, "All in a day's work." Then he turns to Bianchi, eyes twinkling and says, "Bianchi-chan, since I did a good job, don't I deserve a ki-"

Bianchi takes out a bottle of perfume and sprays him on the face. Shamal falls to the ground in an unconscious heap. Tsuna takes a big step back, eyes wide.

"Now that the pest has been dealt with," Bianchi turns her eyes towards the brunet who starts sweating, "Why don't you invite me for tea outside, young decimo? I hear the sky is clear tonight."

Tsuna shivers under her gaze and silently prays to the gods, to Reborn, to anyone, to please save him from this woman.

"Did you feel that, pyon?" There's a growl from somewhere. Hidden from most human eyes, the creatures of the dark whisper and pull, "There was something powerful just now."

"A new ally."

"No one is really an ally, remember that. There are just us, our enemies, and people who think the way we do." A creepy laugh brings a chill to the air, "Believing otherwise will get you killed quickly."

"I know that! But we need to bring this guy to our side, right, pyon? We can crush those goody two-shoes doll makers in their own game!"

"Patience, we'll have that delicious darkness soon. Call one of the underlings for this. We have a new recruit on the way."

"Right away, pyon."

"You can count on us."

There are the distinct sounds of people leaving. Finally, silence.

Someone is left behind though and she looks out of the darkness, to peer curiously at the people walking under street lamps without a care in the world. She closes her visible eye and leaves.

Everything goes on in the mundane world like nothing is wrong.

Tsuna tries not to tremble as he lifts the dark green yunomi to his lips. He takes a careful sip and recoils when he burns his tongue. He puts down the ceramic cup with a loud rattle, resigned to embarrassing himself. He looks up at Bianchi who eats the mochi in front of her without a care.

Tsuna swallows again when she meets his eyes.

"Uhm," He runs a finger down the side of the yunomi. "Are you here to take Gokudera-kun back with you, Bianchi-san?"

"If you insist on calling me by my first name, drop the suffix. I'm not Japanese, there's no need for formalities between us," Bianchi shoots him a cold look, a contrast to her words, "And to answer your question, yes, it's the reason why I'm here, I heard through the grapevine that you have the doll I've been looking years for. But as much as I want to grab him and jump on the nearest private jet, the drama earlier tells me that this decision won't be a wise one."

Tsuna fidgets, "You mean-"

"Hayato's unstable." Bianchi picks up her yunomi and drinks, "His energy is fluctuating between light and dark. Anything can trigger him. An unexpected relocation might push him over the edge and turn him into a dark doll. A powerful one."

"Ah," So it was just as Tsuna thought. The earlier barrage of emotions from Gokudera did feel like the chaotic emotions of a dark doll, or close to it. "So what are you planning to do now?"

Bianchi doesn't answer him, just puts down her cup and stares at Tsuna's face as though looking for something.

The brunet gulps, "Bianchi-"

"I don't understand," Bianchi says out loud, "What does he see in you that makes him stay?"

"Sorry?"

Bianchi shakes her head, "Hopeless." She leans back and stands to leave.

"Wait!" Tsuna reaches out and Bianchi pauses, a dangerous eyebrow raised in his direction. He swallows and steels himself, though his fingers tremble from nerves as he looks down, "I wanted to ask about… about Gokudera-kun."

He misses the look of surprise in her eyes. When he looks back up, her face is a mask of indifference.

"Why?"

"Ehm, why? Well, he's hurting, right? I-I want to understand why but he won't tell me."

"So you'll sneak around and ask someone else instead? Even though it's none of your business?"

Tsuna shrinks at the harsh words but he mumbles, "I just want to help."

There is the sound of someone sitting down. Bianchi sits in front of him and is looking him over carefully.

"If you want to know more about Hayato, you have to ask him." The poison scorpion says abruptly, "But I can tell you my point of view."

Tsuna stares at her wide-eyed. Bianchi snaps a finger in front of his face and he blinks and stammers, "Th-Thank you, Bianchi-sa-"

Bianchi shoots him a look and he shuts his mouth. She looks down at her nearly empty ceramic cup. She seems to gather herself before she starts, "My father had a mistress. Her name was Lavina, she died last year and Hayato went missing around the same time."

Tsuna opens his mouth, not knowing what to say. There was so much hidden hurt in that sentence, from the fact that the Tempest Family head had a mistress, even though Tsuna was pretty sure the head still had a wife, to Gokudera going missing for a year.

Bianchi saves him the trouble of saying anything by continuing, "She was a famous pianist but sometimes she did performances in small bars, that's how my father met her. He loved her a lot. So much so that he considered divorcing my mother or retiring from the business to be with her."

Her tone was practiced, almost nonchalant. Tsuna wonders how she really felt about that. The firmness of her expression stops him from asking further.

"In our world, giving a doll to someone or making someone a doll is a declaration. My father never gave my mother a doll but as his only heir, he made me Shamal and Romeo." Bianchi explains, "He made Lavina a doll too, even though she couldn't hear their whispers. She named that doll Hayato Gokudera. He took her last name because she had no family and she couldn't have children."

Bianchi picks up her cup again, takes a sip, "The Tempest Family has a slightly dark reputation in Italy, since we deal with weapons trading on the side. Because of her involvement with my father, Lavina had to leave the life she knew or she'd be killed. My father took her in to become my private piano teacher. You can imagine the drama when the head of the family took home his mistress." Her smile was dangerous but Tsuna thinks her eyes looks tired, maybe even sad.

"Hayato Gokudera is a beautiful doll, modelled after Lavina's looks. But he is also powerful doll and many argued with my father about giving him to some hapless civilian who knew nothing about our world. It was true that Lavina was oblivious," Bianchi admits, "But she treated Hayato better than some actual doll makers treated their dolls. Hayato loved her like a son did a mother. Even though she couldn't hear him, even though she didn't know he was alive, Hayato loved her with all his heart." Bianchi exhales slowly, "I remember when I was younger and Lavina would let me play with him, he would talk to her all the time."

Tsuna flashes back to his dream, Giotto's dolls yelling at him to get out, even though he couldn't hear them. Giotto talking to his dolls, even though he didn't know they were alive and listening.

Tsuna quietly wonders about that sort of dedication. Is it born of devotion, desperation, fear of being alone? Doesn't it hurt to talk to someone who won't answer back?

"Lavina died in a car crash. Hayato was with her, so you can only imagine what sort of memories he holds of that day, or what he thinks happened," Bianchi reaches into her coat and pulls out letters, "It's true that some people were after Lavina's life. Hayato is smart, he might think that the car crash was a set up to get Lavina out of the picture so that the Tempest family could get their hands on him. He might even blame father for everything- no, he probably does. For making him, for taking Lavina away from a normal life, for being selfish and keeping her."

She takes some folded papers from her jacket's pocket. She places them on the table, an unreadable look on her face, "But there are factors that even Hayato hasn't thought of. And I brought him these letters because I'd hoped that maybe if he read them, he'd come back with me."

Tsuna stares at the letters, "Do you think it will ease his heart? Reading the letters?"

Bianchi looks at him for a moment, her lips twitch slightly, "It might cause him more pain. But he deserves to know the truth," Then she pauses, "Or maybe, I just want him to stop blaming us, that's all."

The brunet hesitates, "I'm not sure if Gokudera-kun would want to talk after what happened but-" He inhales shakily, "But I'll try to convince him, though he probably won't listen to me."

Bianchi looks at him blankly, "You'll do this for me?"

"And for Gokudera-kun," Tsuna adds absently.

Bianchi leans closer, searching his face, "Hayato is a powerful doll."

Tsuna just looks confused, "Yes?"

"He would serve as a good Guardian Doll."

Tsuna's eyes widen and he flushes, "T-That's not-! I just want to help! And he'll never agree to be my Guardian Doll! He thinks I'm useless!" He lets out a nervous breath, "And besides what's that got to do with giving him your letters?"

Bianchi sighs, she mutters something under her breath that sounds like 'idiot'. Tsuna pretends not to hear her, it's not like it isn't true. And besides, she isn't the first one to insult him right to his face.

"You should go back to your room now and check on Hayato," Bianchi says in a normal tone, "You should rest too, I heard from Reborn how your first assignment went."

Tsuna turns red as he stands up, "And what are you planning to do while I rest?"

Bianchi gathers the letters carefully, "Romeo and I are going to investigate the dark doll activity around here, since a certain someone botched up the job."

If possible, Tsuna turns even redder. He makes his spluttering excuses before fleeing from the situation. Bianchi isn't able to hold back her amusement this time.

'You seem to have grown fond of him,' Romeo had been carelessly thrown on one of the potted plants, within easy reach. He was quiet the entire time the two were talking.

Bianchi scoffs at him, "I have no idea what you're talking about." She grabs him and places him in one of her jacket's pockets, "One word from you and you'll be joining Shamal in a perfume haze."

Romeo scoffs but says nothing else. He knows when to pick his battles.

Gokudera is either still out cold or sulking, Tsuna isn't sure.

Shamal isn't in the room and Gokudera is still perched by the window, unmoving and silent. Tsuna carefully lifts him to one of the doll beds he had in his room, carefully tucking him in and checking him over while he was still unconscious and amenable to being moved around.

Tsuna carefully takes out one of his doll homecare kits and takes out a comb for the Italian doll's newly restored hair. He starts slowly combing through the soft doll hair, humming an absent tune.

'How do you know that?'

Tsuna freezes at the words. So Gokudera is awake after all.

"W-What?"

'That song,' Tsuna imagines that if he hadn't just been drugged by Shamal, Gokudera would be snapping at him right now. At the moment though, all the doll can dredge up is an echo of his annoyance, 'How do you know that song?'

Tsuna thinks back to what he had been humming, "It's just a tune stuck in my head."

'Where did you hear it?'

Tsuna scrunches up his face in concentration, "I don't know? The radio? Television?"

There is silence again and Tsuna reluctantly starts up on the brushing again. Gokudera doesn't tell him to stop.

'It sounds like the piece my mom- someone I know used to play.' Gokudera tells him softly. Tsuna hesitates but continues combing through the other's hair. 'Her name was Lavina, she was a pianist.'

Tsuna's eyes widen and he remembers his dream about a silver-haired woman turning a simple keyboard exercise into a beautiful melody. He probably got the tune from that.

It sounds silly, learning a tune from a dream but- "Remember that dream I had?"

Gokudera scoffs, 'The one where you were attacked by butterflies?'

"There were a lot of them, okay?" Tsuna defends himself, then he sighs, "Before the butterfly part, there was a woman playing the tune I was humming and there was a man watching her play. She was a beautiful woman, she had long silver hair and green eyes."

Gokudera is quiet.

"The man gave her two gifts after she played, a bouquet of arbutus and a beautiful doll." Tsuna doesn't mention that the doll looked a lot like Gokudera in his dreams. "Ah, but that's when I was attacked by the red butterflies though, so I don't know what happened next."

Gokudera is still quiet and somehow Tsuna got the sense that he had somehow left him speechless. He looks down at the doll and notices that his head is turned towards one of the butterfly paintings in his room.

'Hum it again.'

"Hm?"

'Hum the song again, the one from your dream.' Gokudera tells him in a soft tone. Then, with a pause, he adds even more quietly, 'Please.'

Tsuna blinks in surprise but acquiesce. He clears his throat self-consciously before he starts. The quiet tone echoes in the room as Tsuna falls into a peaceful trance of combing Gokudera's hair.

Bianchi leans out of sight from the door to Tsuna's room. Her eyes are unreadable as she listens to the quiet, familiar tune coming from the brunet. Her expression is melancholy and faraway.

"I see you're still here, Bianchi," Reborn arrives as silently as ever. Bianchi's gotten used to his unexpected arrivals that she doesn't even bother reacting.

The Poison Scorpion lowers her head, "I wanted to check on Hayato."

"Even though you already told no good Tsuna to check on him?"

"I didn't trust him not to mess it up."

"You had good reason then." Reborn smirks, "But now that you've seen they're okay, why are you still here?"

Bianchi is quiet and she leans harder on the wall behind her, "Why indeed..."

Reborn seems amused by her confusion, "He's a strange boy, Bianchi. I'm not saying that your mistrust is unwarranted but- well, even someone like him has good points. He can surprise you."

Bianchi looks at the tutor, "I don't understand why you stay, Reborn."

Reborn huffs, "Don't beat yourself up over it. I don't understand either." He tips his fedora, "I just have a feeling about him."

The Italian quiets before she says in a tone under her breath, "There's something about him…"

"I know. As predictable and useless he is most of the time, there's something mysterious about him too. I'm trying to figure out what." Reborn tells her, "Well, enough chitchat for now, don't you have a mess to clean up, Bianchi?"

Bianchi sighs, "I'll be talking to Hayato when I get back. Remind your student."

"Of course. Report to me when you're done."

Bianchi gives him a rare smile and a flying kiss before leaving. Reborn shakes his head, quietly closing Tsuna's door before turning to leave himself.

End of Chapter

Author's notes: Romeo and Bianchi's relationship here is more passive aggressive style. I got to emotionally invested in Bianchi's past, oops. More action on the next chapter! Two more chapters for the Storm arc before we move on to the next guardian! Look forward to it!

Flower meanings (from aggie horticulture): Arbutus means Thee Only Do I Love. Tsuna knows his flowers because he did flower arrangement classes during his stay in the Japanese Vongola mansion.

Yunomi is a Japanese tea cup.

Review Replies:

Aquarica Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Please do look forward to it! I'll do my best XD
The Crossover Addict It's embarrassing to flashback on how it was written before but I'm also touched that you read the past version of this! Yeah, the dolls moving was something I had to go over again and again! I redid chapter 2 again and again because I wasn't sure, I finally settled on just giving in, haha. I think it might open up possibilities, the dolls being able to move XD creepy possibilities. Your Haru idea is great! I'll see what I can do about it but no promises of course XD
Fellow-Human9923 The clue is in the color of the butterfly but I won't say anymore, haha. He'll show up eventually.

Thank you all so much for tuning in and reading this redo of Shugo-sha no Ningyo! Please look forward to more and leave a review if you want!