Chapter by JonaX, Kimonohi_Tsuki
Summary:
Tsuna has a nightmare. Storm and Rain come to terms with their Boss, and the girls' training reaches a point of no return.
Target 426 - Hope you don't regret it
It was dark, so dark he couldn't even see the fingers of his own hand. Also, it was cold, hugging his own body for some warmth, but it didn't really seem to work.
-...I want my mother… - He heard the words coming out of his mouth, even though he didn't recognize the voice that said them. It sounded so husky and uncertain, as if it hadn't been used in a long time. -…Mom, I'm scared…
His body trembled, unconsciously he put his hand to his right eye, sometimes he would show him things, mostly bad, but sometimes, just sometimes, he could see a woman's face smiling at him, as if telling him that everything would be fine.
A deep sniff escaped his throat, and only then did he realize he was crying.
At least the tears were warm, he thought as a kind of consolation.
-…I just want to go home…
-.-.-
Reborn woke up, and even with all his training, it took him nearly twenty seconds to understand what had awakened him.
How he was always having a dreamless night when something seemed to call out to him.
A sad sob, a childish wail, followed by the feeling of not being able to control his own body, which made his keen senses promptly arouse him.
Something seemed to have made his body heavy, more like it was asleep, like a member that, after a long time in the same position, refused to obey again.
He considered that this could be having a case of sleep paralysis, not only from the strange sounds he was hearing, but also how slowly the air seemed to get thin. However, he soon discarded this possibility, after all, his mind would never play such a trick on him just because his body didn't move properly, besides, he was sure that what he was hearing was real.
He would recognize Tsuna's voice anywhere, no matter how distressed it sounded.
With all the coolness that only an assassin could have, he simply considered his possibilities.
He tried to move and couldn't. Talking was difficult when the air seemed to be starting to fail. Therefore, he resorted to his flames, to communicate with Leon and see if his partner felt the same. With that in mind, he ignited his Solar Flames, even without a ring, feeling them all over his body.
Even he was surprised when all his body control immediately returned to itself, as if the entire episode was nothing more than a daydream in his head.
"Strange." - He thought getting up and promptly jumping beside the source of the noise.
-…I just want to go home…
Sawada Tsunayoshi had an extremely frowning expression, seemed to shrink, as if he was cold, despite being wrapped in at least two blankets. However, without a doubt, what drew the most attention were the tears that escaped his eyes.
Sensing how Leon moved uncomfortably under his sleeping cap, Reborn turned him into a thermometer, despite Tsuna having used his flames that day, to assess if he was having a fever again, but despite his situation the youngest was not having another one episode.
"He must be having a nightmare." - He thought staring at the crying face in frank agony. - "By his phrase, probably about when we went to the future."
It was not the first time, and it would hardly be the last time, that he witnessed a nightmare of the brunette, they all started right after his fight with Mukuro, most likely because of everything that was at stake at the time, and the situation itself.
And the episodes, although sporadic and separate between them, continued to take place during the Battle of the Rings, as soon as the Sky met with Xanxus at the beginning of the dispute.
He hadn't shared a room with Tsuna in the future to be sure if this kept happening there, having stayed, to Giannini's horror and Lal Mirch's disapproval, in the supposedly-deceased Tenth Vongola's own room, in the deepest region of the base.
He just knew that since then it hadn't happened anymore, the broken sleep during the Shimon Battle didn't even allow him to really fall into unconsciousness properly to sleep, and the Representative Battle had only proved to be torturous towards the end for that.
So, aside from that occasion a few days ago where the youngest had woken up in Hyper Mode feeling sick, which he wasn't even sure if it was due to a nightmare or something else, this was the first time in a long time that he had witnessed a bad dream from the Sky.
- Tsuna. - He called ready to end it and go back to sleep, while Leon returned to his original form and lay down in the fluffy brown hair.
There was no response as the sobs and sniffles intensified. More than sad, the little one looked terrified.
So, no matter how indifferent he tried to make himself, Reborn couldn't help but notice that this was the first time he'd seen her crying for something other than pain.*
Pushing those ridiculous sentimental thoughts from his mind, the Hitman held out his hand, willing to shake his student or hit him, whichever was more productive.
That was a bad idea, even he had to admit.
The Sky, which seemed terrified and very lost in its own unconsciousness, must have interpreted, even if unconsciously, that as a danger.
He would have been proud if he hadn't worried too much about pulling away for his own good.
Flames seemed to course through the Sky's body as if they were its own blood stream, attacking the hand that touched it without hesitation, and could have ended up burning the bed, the blanket or worse, Leon himself if the invader wasn't quick to interpret the warning and walk away to the end of the bed, discouraging the preemptive strike from continuing.
Leon quickly darted to his owner's side, licking his burnt hand in exasperation as he just stared at the distressed reddened flesh with interest.
He had to admit, it had been painful.
He hadn't been harmed by Sky's flames since a training fight he had with Timoteo years ago, as Iemitsu hadn't even touched him with his own in their little confrontation. And yet he had the feeling that Tsuna's flames could have consumed his finger if it hadn't been quick, much more lethal than Nono's.
Of course, the unconscious factor was something to take into account, after all, in the practice fight, Nono never actually tried to kill him, it wasn't even a fair comparison to contrast conscious and trained flames with flames coming from an unconscious user and manipulated by his night fears.
- Sto bene amico, non preoccuparti. - He reassured the little chameleon in his native language, turning his eyes back to Tsuna. - Our troubled student has been dreaming very strange things.
As he considered how to wake up the human furnace without causing an involuntary fire, Reborn noticed someone approaching from the other side of the door.
More specifically, three "someones".
- Sorry. - Announced Fuuta, who was the one who opened the door, seeing how Reborn was staring at him from the end of the bed, asking for explanations. - It's just that Lambo can't sleep...
- Useless-Tsuna that won't let me sleep! - Scolded the Lightning sleepily, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
- Lambo! - Whispered I-Pin in a warning tone. - Tsuna did nothing, you dreaming
- How would I be dreaming if he won't let me sleep? - He countered, forcing his way through the room between Fuuta's legs.
- Do you want me to take them back? - Bianchi didn't take long to appear, startling the Little Prince.
- It's better, Tsuna's flames are a little skittish tonight. - The assassin commented, following Lambo with his eyes, seeing how he approached the brunette's bed and jumped on him. - Lambo.
The warning tone in the Hitman's voice, in addition to the fact that he was unusually called by his name, made the Cow Boy freeze, turning to the Sun, sleepily not understanding the reason for the repression, nor was it the first time he had come to sleep with the older.
Reborn in turn didn't mind that his student would barbecue the cow, honestly it would be a relief to his ears, but the Sky would just be inconsolable if he knew he hurt one of the little ones like that, so it was better to avoid it.
- What? - Wanted to know the Lightning on the defensive.
- Return to Mama's room with Bianchi.
- But Useless-Tsuna won't let me sleep! - He pointed accusingly to the Sky, whose brow was no longer frowning and the last tears were drying in the corners of his eyes. - He keeps calling and calling Lambo, then Lambo came, so Useless-Tsuna let me sleep.
-...He's been saying that since he got up. - Fuuta explained still at the door with I-Pin and Bianchi. - We're telling him that he dreamed about it, but he doesn't listen to us.
"Calling for the Cow?" - Thought the assassin remembering the sensation he felt when he was awakened, and how he only managed to get rid of it using his own flames. - "Was that sensation Tsuna's flames?"
- All right, but don't say I didn't warn you. - He said finally, to which the little Italian just stared at him like he was crazy, but he was too sleepy to argue, so he simply lifted the covers willing to lie down next to the older one.
In the worst case they would have barbecue for lunch.
However, to his slight disappointment, nothing happened, or at least, nothing that he had expected.
With a pronounced yawn, Lambo leaned against the right side of the Sky, when they touched, to his surprise, he could see some sparks of the Lightning Flame probably coming out of his Vongola Gear in his hair, which were soon gone, and at a ridiculous speed the Italian already was sleeping soundly.
As in a test, Reborn discovered his student's foot and touched it there, not getting any reaction, the brunette seemed to have finally embarked on a peaceful dream after all.
- You can sleep with him too if you want. - He announced to I-Pin and Fuuta. The first seemed excited and the second shy.
- Can I-Pin really? - Hopeful wanted to know. - Master left, lonely I-Pin.
- Go ahead. - Said simply Reborn jumping to the ground ready to leave. - You too Fuuta, the bed is big enough for the four of you.
The Little Prince hesitated at first, but soon relented, not wanting to miss the opportunity. And so the duo infiltrated the brunette covers.
Reborn in turn, before returning to his own bed, headed down the hall with Bianchi, closing the door behind him.
- Did something happen? - She wanted to know, especially seeing the burned fingers of her lover.
- Tsuna had a nightmare. - He explained simply. - A pretty bad one apparently.
Reborn just let himself be done while the poison assassin took him in her arms and took him to the bathroom ready to tend to the wound.
-…Do you think it was a coincidence that Lambo also had a nightmare? - She asked.
- Maybe it's not a nightmare. - He considered. - Maybe it's like he said, he felt Tsuna calling him. The Cow's flame seemed to react when he finally responded. Perhaps Useless-Tsuna was so terrified in his nightmare, that he unconsciously called out, either by his flame, or through the Vongola Gear, who knows both, his closest guardian, who was precisely Lambo. Since he's just a silly kid, he didn't ask himself much about it and just answered the call.
Bianchi's brows rose in surprise as she set her lover over the sink to tend to his burn.
- Is that even possible? - She considered it serious. - I've never heard of something like communicating through flames before.
Reborn allowed himself to smile, offering his damaged hand to the older one.
- With this problematic student, I always have to review what is and is not possible.
-.-.-
December 21, Wednesday, three days before the Christmas Party and the arrival of CEDEF.
The bed was not big enough for four people.
Tsuna woke up twelve minutes before his alarm clock went off, that's because he was frankly suffocating.
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was black, which confused him about having opened his eyes in the first place, even though the spongy texture covering his nose and mouth left little room for doubt.
"Lambo?" - He thought with a sigh of relief as he managed to brush the thick hair back from his face. - "When did he come here?"
A movement of the covers made him realize that he wasn't the only one, turning his face down he realized that Fuuta was hugging his torso like he was a big plush, while I-Pin slept on his belly resting her face under his heart.
He blinked in surprise. Lambo was one thing, after all, it wasn't the first time this had happened. Now all non-Arcobaleno children was a novelty.
- Good morning Useless-Tsuna. - His tutor greeted, wearing a black coat with a fur collar that strangely reminded him of Jaeger, as well as a pair of gloves of the same color, and to complete a green wool bonnet with eyes. - It seems that on the first snowy day of December, you ended up turning into a heater.
The assassin seemed to have said the magic words, because Lambo immediately jumped up, stomping his face as he screamed.
- GYAHAHAHA! It's snowing, it's snowing! - He exclaimed happily running to the window, but not before falling on the Vongola's face, almost making him choke on the tail of his pajamas. He jerked open the windows only to be met with complete darkness.
- It's not dawn yet, Stupid Cow. - Said the Hitman, hitting the guardian's neck, making him fly out the window.
- Lambo! - Tsuna exclaimed, getting up, I-Pin and Fuuta having woken up and released him as soon as the Ex-Arcobaleno announced the snowy day.
- To… Ler… Ate… - Muttered the smaller one having been trapped by the hair in the window grille, which Tsuna quickly took and brought him inside, while scolding Reborn for doing that, being frankly ignored.
-...Is it really snowing? - Wanted Fuuta sleepy, sitting on the bed while rubbing his eyes.
- Just a little, enough to make the ground slippery, but not enough to cover the streets. - Reported the assassin.
- So playing in the snow is impossible. - Realized I-Pin a little disappointed, like her sleepy companion, but thanks to her training, much more alert.
- Yes.
- Oh! Damn Reborn! - Lambo raged looking for his grenades in his hair, trapped in Tsuna's arms and apparently having already recovered from his almost free fall. - You tricked the Great Lambo!
- If you're a stupid Cow it's not my fault.
- I WILL KILL YOU, REBORN!
- LAMBO! - Tsuna exclaimed taking the grenades from the minor's hand, almost losing his balance in the process. - No explosions before five in the morning!
- You mean after Mama wakes up, I can kill Reborn? - Asked hopeful.
- No! No one is going to kill anyone in this house. - He laid tired returning the smallest to the bed along with the others. - That includes you, Reborn! - He added seeing how the assassin turned Leon into a weapon and aimed at the annoying guardian.
The Hitman snorted.
- And since when do you give me orders? - Wanted to know, to then shoot in the Lightning with what turned out to be a water pistol.
Cold.
- GYAAAA! IT'S COLD! DAMN YOU!
- My bed, you are wetting my bed! - The brunette was exasperated, only for a shot of water to hit and wet part of his schoolwork dammed on the table, courtesy of Bianchi who had barely opened the door and tried to hit him with a clear shot, failing miserably for his bad aim.* - My stuff! You too, Bianchi?!
- A Mafia boss must always be prepared for surprise attacks. - Put Reborn giving pistols to I-Pin and Fuuta too.
- But I'm not a Mafia boss! - He exclaimed sharply, dodging the couple's shots.
- If you hit Tsuna, you will gain your weight in sweets. - Offered Bianchi to Fuuta and I-Pin who watched their weapons doubtfully. -...Made by Mama.
- Sorry little brother...
- I-Pin loves Mama's sweets...
- What?! - Exclaimed, surrounded by his bedroom table, Lambo, unarmed like him, stopped beside him, both of them starting to shiver from the effect of the cold water in the middle of winter. - Shouldn't this be a summer prank?! Instead of throwing us cold water when it's snowing!
- That's more fun. - The Hitman smiled. - On my signal, everyone. Now.
- GYAAAAAA! IT'S COOOOOOLD! - Screamed the Lightning, throwing himself in the arms of the eldest.
Tsuna in turn slipped with the movement, however, managing to hold on at the last second, thanks to that, escaping the shots of I-Pin and Fuuta who, like the Storm, didn't have a very good aim. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that Bianchi was getting ready to hit him squarely, or trying, without thinking too much about it, clutched Lambo more tightly to his chest, and allowed himself to fall purposefully to the floor, rolling slightly, only getting up already close to the door, taking advantage of his short stature to slip under the young woman's arm and run down the hall.
And even though he had left, the cold he felt in his back indicated that Reborn had hit him several times in the escape.
"At least with snow, there's no morning run." - He thought, even if it was sad not to spend that time with Kyoko. - "Then I can rest a little before-"
- EXTREEEMEEE!
TUM
As he turned the stairs he came face to face with Ryohei, causing both of them to lose their balance down the stairs.
When he found himself, a little dizzy, cold and completely soaked, he was at the bottom of the stairs, seeing everything upside down.
- Ouch, that was an extreme fall, TSUNA!
- Aaaaaah, Lambo will suffocate! - Grumbled the little one.
Only then did the Vongola realize that both he and the Sun had the same instinct to hug the Lightning so he wouldn't get hurt in the fall. And notwithstanding, Ryohei also went out of his way to protect his Little Boss with his much larger body as well.
- Hmmm… Thank you Big Brother. - He thanked getting up, and allowing the Italian to breathe again.
- So this is a cow meat sandwich. Interesting.
Tsuna blinked, recognizing the voice, but finding strange the time, before he could go back to the kitchen, however, another one joined her.
- Hahiii! Is Lambo ok?!
- It was a good catch little brother, are you all ok?
-...Eeeh? - He commented, seeing confused that in his kitchen, in addition to an embarrassed Enma, Haru and Shitt-P had also been added, who was bizarrely wearing a bathing suit and her hair was bright yellow. - What is everyone doing here?!
- We came to run, of course! - Put Haru excitedly. - Master said that we need to improve our fitness, so Kyoko invited Haru to run too!
- Yes, a healthy life is important. - Shitt-P joined in between puffs, while filling his characteristic balloons. - Exercising is a gift you give yourself after all.
-...Are you going to run with it? - Tsuna couldn't help but ask, having his attention stolen by the eccentric young woman.
- Yes. It makes me feel lighter.
-...Right...? - He was insecure, getting up, almost falling again in the process, but this time being held by Enma who had approached shyly.
-...Hmmm... Sorry to interrupt your moment with the girl you like. - He said in a whisper. - I didn't expect Shittopi to want to participate too.
Tsuna sighed in defeat, seeing out of the corner of his eye how Lambo grumbled that he should have stayed asleep and Ryohei explained why sleeping too much was not extreme.
- It's all right. - He admitted with a small smile. Kyoko seemed happy talking to her friend, even Shitt-P between one puff and another made some comment that made them laugh. - Actually, I'm surprised this hasn't happened before. This whole situation reminds me of that baseball game where we all dress up in vegetables.
Enma laughed a little awkwardly.
- Our families are a mess together… B-but I'm glad they're getting closer. - He finished staring at the ground for the embarrassing phrase.
- Yeah, it's nice to see everyone getting along. - Just agreed Tsuna, until something belatedly occurred to him. - Wait! But are we all going to run today?! Reborn said it's snowing… I thought we'd have a break today.
- What's the problem?! - Cheered up Ryohei. - We all manipulate fire! The snow cannot extremely deter us!
-…I'm not sure if it works like that…
Tsuna was going to comment something else, but that had to wait, because Reborn jumped on his head and took him face down, this time alone.
- That will be today's training. You must use your flames to blast your way through the snow. - Announced the Hitman over the back of his student's neck. - Whoever gets to the Kokuyo road, which according to the forecast was where it snowed the most that night, and comes back first, wins.
- YES! EXTREME COMPETITION!
- Tsuna this time will pair with Ryohei. - Said Bianchi coming down the stairs dressed as Mrs. Claus with a dress that perfectly outlined her body, but for some reason she wore the white beard of Santa Claus. - The second team will be the Shimon, and lastly the girls.
-…But what- Tsuna started to say, but was interrupted.
- LET'S WIN EXTREMELY, TSUNA! - And he just dragged his Boss out of the house.
- WAIT BROTHER, I'M STILL IN MY PAJAMAAAA! - And his scream was already lost in the street.
- HAHI! That's burn the start, let's go Kyoko!
- Little brother is really excited today.
- Do you want a balloon Enma? It can help you feel lighter.
-...I want, thank you.
Reborn watched from the doorway, over Bianchi's shoulder until the last pair, presumably the Shimon, began to disappear over the horizon.
Seeing him, however, she soon turned to the opposite corner, where someone was miserably hiding.
- Are you going to talk to this little stalker? - Wanted to know Bianchi curiously, even without looking in the same direction as the assassin, his view centered on how Lambo crawled back to bed, not without being hit in the face with a water pistol by I-Pin, while Fuuta laughed at bottom. - I thought you would let Tsuna take care of it.
- Useless-Tsuna already talked to the guy. - Said the Hitman jumping on the wall of the house. - Even Mukuro and in a way Hibari intercepted him. If he's still coming, it's time for me to act. - And then a big smile spread on his lips. One that promised chaos.
- As I imagined, they will run even with a little snow… At least with this slippery weather he's not running like crazy, although Sasagawa doesn't help at all… - Commented Mochida, hidden in the same corner that in the past Irie Shoichi used to hide and observe the Sawada residence. - How can someone be so excited so early? I don't know if I'll survive with a brother-in-law like that.
- Ciaossu.
- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! - He yelled, falling to the floor on his ass, his heart almost coming out of his mouth imagining it was the assailant eccentric with a trident again.
Only to blink in surprise to realize that whoever had spoken to him was just a baby of apparently three, in an overcoat, who was staring at him with eyes too expressionless for his young age.
- I see you've been insisting on persecuting my student for a few days now. - He began in a disinterested tone, as if they were talking about the weather.
"Student?" - He thought confused looking at the child. - "Does Sawada have brothers?"
-...Look good little boy. - Started kendoka by sitting. - I-
- Let's get straight to the point. - Cut the assassin taking out of his clothes a weapon that was too real to be a toy and pointing it at the black haired boy forehead. - You have two options. Immediately stop what you are doing before you are killed.
-...And the second option? - He asked uncertainly, cursing himself for swallowing saliva even though it was the threat of a baby.
Reborn smiled.
- Join the family. - He decreed at last. - The Vongola would have some use for a stubborn person like you.
-.-.-.-
Tsuna let out a long sigh of relief sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea in hand, feeling pleasantly warm, still wearing his pajamas, which had somehow dried out during the race.
- I never got a cup of hot tea as a trophy for a win. - Commented abnormally calm Ryohei, sitting next to his Boss also drinking from his own cup. - But it's extremely calming.
- Is not? - Commented the brunette with a smile. - It warms up inside, it's quite pleasant.
Around the table, the other competitors just grunted with the realization, with different levels of cold and fatigue. Enma used Bianchi's hair dryer to warm Shitt-P's legs, resting on his lap, which had frozen due to the fact that she had run in the snow in her bathing suit around the city with them exposed.
Next to the duo, Kyoko and Haru looked quite breathless, which helped them not feel as cold as the first duo, however, the Cloud looked quite disappointed, with snow stuck in her hair and clothes, which melted and froze her in the process, while the Sun was quite dirty with mud.
- How could Haru help in the race if she can only multiply the snow with her flame? - Wanted to know frustrated, accepting a towel from Bianchi to dry her hair.
- You could have leaned more on Kyoko's flames, we can't always do everything alone. - Explained the Storm, with Reborn on his shoulder, who jumped on the table to write "3" on the girls' faces and "2" on Shimon's, who just accepted their fate. - In the same way that Shitt-P used the Swamp Flames to ferment the snow and Enma just followed her, focusing his energy on running and passing you.
The Shimon-redhead just smiled guiltily at that, although he had to admit that the feeling of almost winning something was good for a change.
-...But is it fair that little sister Shitt-P used the balloons? - Asked Fuuta, slightly hidden behind the poison assassin. It was a rare occasion that he had appeared with so many people present, mainly because he had not yet been intimate with the Shimons.
That's why he trembled when the aforementioned looked directly at him.
- You can call me Shittopi if you already call me little sister. - She said with an inviting smile, despite her eccentric appearance, then turning to Bianchi. - Gokudera too.
- Just Bianchi, please.
- Now about your question. - The phosphorescent blondie followed with a suspicious smile. - Who can prove that I wasn't using Enma's flame to float?
-...Touché. - The little one considered .
- Competitions in the Mafia are unfair. - Said the Swamp. - We must use all the artifices we have in our favor.
- Hahiii! Haru will take that into account next time! - She put it with eyes shining with determination.
- We still have a lot to learn, and it becomes more and more fun. - Joined Kyoko with a warm smile that almost made Tsuna choke on the last sip of his tea.
He had barely recovered from his near-choke, when the doorbell rang through the house, and Reborn hit him on the back of the head, making him this time decidedly choke on his drink, Ryohei nearly breaking his ribs with a slap to help him.
- You've had your victory tea. - Announced the assassin under his student's fluffy hair. - Now go bathe and change, after all, our guests have arrived.
- All right. - He accepted hoarsely, standing up while Reborn returned to the table. -…I'm even afraid of what you're going to bring on this ninth day.
Facing that Reborn smiled, and for some reason Tsuna didn't feel a shiver this time with the gesture.
- Don't worry, you'll like it.
-.-.-
Already properly dressed, for once Tsuna was grateful for the warmth of his "uniform", the extra heating would be very welcome during deliveries under the snow, however light it was.
It was decidedly embarrassing to admit, but he had definitely gotten used to the shameful fantasy, maybe even missed it too when Christmas passed.
He could never let Reborn know that.
Anyway, in just three days it would all be over.
Putting those nostalgic thoughts aside, he took a deep breath and prepared to head downstairs, wondering who would be in his kitchen this time.
- On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my love…
-…EXTREMELY!
-...Gave it to me, nine dancing ladies!
A mixture, that was the best way to describe the people added on that ninth day, especially their attire.
Ryohei wore an uncomfortably tight black leotard that left his legs hanging out, but he was still one of the lucky ones this time, despite his odd ponytail appliqué, at least he wore reasonably unisex clothes.
Gokudera on the other hand was as red as his long lacy flamenco dress that only left his feet hanging out.
Yamamoto was a perfect match with Storm, in his own equally crimson, short, lacy Tango dress, showing off his long legs just like Ryohei.
As if that hadn't already left the Sky speechless enough, then came Kusakabe, wearing a yellow shirt and pants set with a wide Chinese design typical of the Yangko. If it weren't for his flowery wig, he would be reasonably normal.
Beside him was another member of the Disciplinary Committee that he had seen with Kusakabe before, but frankly had no idea what his name was, only that he had been one of Mukuro's victims. He looked livid, wearing a fake bra and an open belly dancing skirt, was as lifeless as Verde, clearly not believing in his fate.
Good thing Kokuyo Land's Trio-Illusion was in costume, and they would hardly be recognized.
There followed Lal Mirch who wore his absolutely normal clothes without any apparent change, other than the amused smile at the humiliation of her hen dressed fiancé. There was no way to be sure if she was really participating or had just come to have fun at the other's expense.
In sequence, Tsuna blinked when he recognized his own mother who was smiling and waving at him, Nana wore a black long-sleeved shirt and an open red skirt, with black pants underneath. She had her hair gathered in a bun completing Kathak's look. She was frankly adorable.
Finally, sitting in the kitchen chair Shamal slept soundly, smelling of drink, and Tsuna couldn't tell how aware the doctor was that he was wearing a bra and purple top, in addition to an immense crown, all covered in indigo feathers, typical of the carnival samba.
The Sky already felt that it was short of breath when it saw the last member.
Who ever thought he would participate in this song, someone with whom until a few days ago they had never even had a reasonably friendly conversation.
Mochida.
The brunette looked genuinely confused as to how he'd gotten into this situation in the first place, wearing a two-piece, feathered indigo leotard, one of Mambo's outfits.
The entire body of work was so absurd that Tsuna barely paid attention to the Illusion-Varia this time, despite Lussuria's performance throwing his hair and cow tits back.
Julie shamelessly provoked the humiliation of the Vongolas, in spite of its own plumed clothes. Adel threatened him, Kaoru consoled Yamamoto who was laughing awkwardly. Aoba was almost normal again and Ooyama's costume was almost ripping. Shittopi teased Gokudera just speeding up his process of losing his temper and blowing everyone here. Enma whispered apologizing for his guardians, almost melting into their clothes in an attempt to hide in shame.
Haru, Kyoko, and Chrome laughed at the boys' shyness, though Kyoko praised her brother and Haru defended their sewn clothes vigorously.
The Illusion-Kokuyo Trio also teased the temperamental guardian, who still didn't seem to have realized they were illusions, as he seemed ready to explode them up.
Skull seemed to have recovered from Reborn's last attacks, and was posing over the shoulders of the four Calcassa members like a stuntman, it had really been a good idea for Enma to stay in the city to preserve the Ex-Arcobaleno's physical integrity.
Irie and Spanner almost got lost in the mess with their two Mini Moskas-Toucans. The kitchen is definitely getting small for so many people.
The biggest proof of this was that Verde and Colonnello had to stand over the sink to be seen together with Fuuta. The youngest one seemed to keep an awkward distance from the scientist, while the military man seemed to want to drown himself in the sink under Lal Mirch's arrogant gaze.
Lambo and I-pin, thankfully, weren't soaking wet anymore, but he could see the tip of a plastic gun sticking out of the cow-dove's hair.
Reborn landed gracefully under the Bianchi-tree in the last part of the song, shooting a look that clearly said "I told you you'd like it" at his student who watched the entire chorus unfold with his mouth still slightly open, like he was processing what the hell he was seeing.
The Sky just seemed to be frozen in place at the bottom of the stairs, in such a way that it began to generate an even more embarrassing feeling of discomfort to its dancer-guardians, with the exception of Ryohei, who didn't seem to have his confidence shaken by his tight leotard.
-...Hmmm... Tenth? - Gokudera had encouraged himself to ask, trying to make his boss react somehow.
And the effect was immediate, and he didn't really know if he liked, for the shock of seeing them all there like that had faded, giving way to…
- Pffffff! - The brunette one simply started to laugh openly, surprising more than one in the process who had never seen him laugh like that. He was laughing so hard that he even had to lean against the wall behind him to keep from losing his balance. - That… Dancers… I-I can't b-believe it…!
And continued laughing, Kyoko, who had already witnessed the scene before, was the first to recover and get ahead of the Vongola and help him before he fell down the stairs. Ryohei soon joined in as he saw that his Boss seemed to be running out of air.
- Come on, come on, extreme breaths, Tsuuna!
- I-I'm… T-trying. - He said between a laugh and another, seeking to catch his breath while the Sasagawa brothers helped him to sit on the steps. - It's just… Dancers, of a-all things!
- It's so good to see you so happy. - Nana hummed excitedly. - All thanks to Reborn. - She turned to the assassin who looked away from his student to his mother, for once not criticizing him for his lack of composure, having himself a smile a little bigger than usual in front of the ridiculous scene.
He definitely preferred the tears of pain and those that this boy gave now than the ones he had witnessed earlier this morning.
So this time, just this once, he would let the lack of posture pass.
- It was nothing, Mama. - He replied to the matriarch, while casting a re-eye look at the Guardian of Rain and Storm who stare at their boss without knowing what to do. - We all need a reason to laugh now and then to forget about our problems for a bit.
Yamamoto was the one who noticed the assassin's cue as well as his gaze. So he took a deep breath, being very careful not to trip over his high heels, which only made Tsuna choke again and laugh more, frankly red now from lack of air and effort, making Gokudera doubt if it was safe to approach either or not.
-...I... I'm fine… - The brunette declared laying down on the steps after a little more than three minutes. Finally getting the air. - I'm sorry… I shouldn't… I shouldn't have laughed so much… - He said brokenly, even Enma, and a bored Fran, after undo his illusion, had gone to his side by now. - I just… I didn't really expect… THIS. I think this is the first time Reborn has done something like this and I'm not exactly involved.
He would much rather wear his reindeer outfit than wear that dress, that much was certain.
- So… Hmmm. - The Rain began, the 100 billion yen question. -…Aren't you mad at us anymore?
Sawada Tsunayoshi looked up to face the pair of friends, Gokudera finally having the courage to follow the older one. He would have felt sorry for the regretful doggy expression if the matching dresses hadn't had to force him to look away to keep from laughing again.
- I… I can't be mad at you… Like this. - He said pointing to the pair. - It's even worse than "super angry".
- Tenth, if I had known that my humiliation would have redeemed me in your eyes, I would have worn that dress sooner! - Exclaimed the Storm although completely red.
-…That's not the point, Gokudera. - He put his head in denial, shyly accepting Kyoko's help to get up, rather than being pulled by Ryohei. - It's just, I don't know, I think the power of a fantasy. - He tried to explain himself. - It's just like that time with Mizuno, it makes us forget about bad feelings a little bit.
- Hahi! Haru is glad to have helped then! - The young girl said excitedly, approaching too. - Fantasies always make everything better!
- Yeah, I think so. - And Tsuna laughed again with his friends, more controlled this time.
Yamamoto was truly overjoyed after his boss' forgiveness, even Gokudera had somewhat forgotten the irritation.
Honestly, he would miss that song too when Christmas came around.
In turn, Mochida just watched the interaction from afar, not failing to notice that the corruption that was escaping from the ring seemed to have disappeared as soon as Sawada started laughing, even before Kyoko approached him.
He didn't have much time to think about it when Kusakabe approached him.
-…So, finally you are here. - Commented the Vice President of the Disciplinary Committee moving the branch he had in his mouth from one side to the other. The other Committee member shuffled along behind him, but at a polite enough distance not to overhear the other two's conversation. - I was even starting to wonder if you were following Sawada due to memories from the future, or if it was out of revenge for the sports festival. It took me a while to assimilate my own memories so I thought it might be your case too.
-...What the hell are you talking about? - Wanted to know the Kendoka who expected all kinds of things from the Devil's right hand man, except this strange talk about memories and the future.*
Kusakabe blinked. Mochida frowned.
-...Just pretend I didn't say anything. - He put it on simply, turning his back and leaving. -…We have to get back to work, after all the president only dismissed us for half an hour each morning for this choir.
And he left as quickly as possible before his poor fellow delinquent could even change his clothes, thus preventing the sportsman from thinking of asking him any more. So he simply shrugged and tried to approach Tsuna's group to see if he heard anything relevant.
-…We will continue our training, until you arrive. - Kyoko said adorably smiling.
- O-okay, I'll try not to be late.
- Kyoko, Chrome, let's change in Tsuna's room, which has more space. - Haru suggested already climbing the stairs. - Fran, you can come with us.
- OK. - He put disinterested.
- C-change i-in my r-room?!
- The Boss has a strange face…
- I-It's nothing Chrome!
And it was only when the three girls and the cow-apple were out of sight, as the Shimons, and the other members of the singer, began to disperse with various excuses, leaving only Sawada, Sasagawa, Yamamoto and Gokudera behind, that Mochida approached resolutely.
Reborn, still standing over Bianchi just curiously watched the interaction.
Yamamoto and Gokudera quickly placed themselves on either side of their boss, facing the other, while Ryohei just blinked, not understanding the reason for the movement.
-...I don't know what surprises me more, that YOU, of all people, are Namimori's Reindeer, or that you have so many little brothers.
- Oh, hello Mochida. - Tsuna greeted with a smile despite the skittish posture of his guardians. -...Sorry, I think Reborn ended up dragging you into this too, even though you barely knew us.
- I had no choice. - Commented the Ex-Arcobaleno. - We're running out of people. He just fit the fantasy.
- You can't just drag people into this, Reborn!
- Of course I can. - He simply smiled smugly. - Who will stop me?
Before the brunette could argue that this was not the least bit unreasonable, Mochida followed.
- It is normal for children to like to play, in addition to having a lot of imagination. - He attached importance to the matter, crossing his arms.
"...He really thinks Reborn is just a normal kid." - Tsuna thought with pity.
- So Sawada. - He continued firm, with a look that was intended to be threatening, and Tsuna had to "subtly" pull the hem of the dress of his two guardians to prevent them from doing something. - If a child gives you a toy and says it's a phone. You. Answer the phone.
-...Eh? - He tilted his head confused in front of the strange threat.
- Oh! This one I really understood! - Exclaimed the older brother with a nostalgic smile, as if remembering something. - You cannot destroy the world of a child's imagination, you just have to EXTREMELY PLAY TOGETHER! - He finished, lifting up his arms in the air.
-...Huh, right...?
- So I wouldn't say no to a kid who just wanted to play Mafia and fantasy, I'm not that kind of man. - He put it with resolution, craning his neck in arrogance.
"I don't believe." - Tsuna thought with exasperation. - "He's just like Haru and Yamamoto were! He thinks it's all a joke!"
- Hahaha, the veteran is funny!
- Shut up, baseball idiot, it just means he's as stupid as you are!
Attracted by the shouting, Lambo, upset by Rauji's departure, and I-Pin and Fuuta a little unsure in the back, started to approach, leaving only the Ex-Arcobalenos in the kitchen.
- I have many brothers, so it's normal for me to know how to deal with children. - Followed the kendoka bragging. - But then Sawada, are all three your brothers? - He said seeing the trio with a smile. - What about the other kids? There's really quite a lot here.
- Yes, the three are my younger brothers. - Tsuna declared without hesitation. Lambo, who had once been called a brother, just stood up proudly, shooting a teasing look at Storm who only growled at the teasing. -…Now, Reborn and the others are… A little more complicated. - He followed, not noticing how Fuuta and I-Pin froze in place with his words, each with different reactions. - But they're all basically family in some way... It's... Complicated.
- I understood. - He put it closing his eyes and nodding his head. - Families can be complicated.
-...You have no idea. - He sighed wearily.
- Gyaahahaha! But Lambo is the BEST little brother! He saved Useless-Tsuna after all!
Mochida laughed, casting a pathetic look at the brunette for being called that even by one of his brothers, who just sighed again.
- What are you talking about, Lambo? - Wanted to know Yamamoto frowning with concern.
- Lambo dreamed that Tsuna calling. - I-Pin explained that she was still embarrassed, but happy, by the brunette's declaration.
-...I? - He repeated confused.
- Tsk, it's just the Stupid Cow being Stupid.
- NO, OCTOPUS HEAD, YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING! - Ryohei yelled in the younger's ear, almost making him fall to the ground in disorientation. - You have EXTREMELY to play along. - Then he turned to Lambo and gave him a huge thumbs up. - GOOD JOB FOR PROTECT OUR EXTREME BROTHER!
- Well done, Lambo. - Joined Yamamoto just letting himself go while Lambo straightened up more with the praise.
- You'll just make him even more unbearable!
- Hmmm… Thanks for the help, Lambo. - Just joined Tsuna, to the disbelief of his supposed right-hand man. - It's good to know that I can count on my little brother when I'm cold. You three.
And the children beamed at him.
Mochida watched the scene, again considering what kind of person Sawada Tsunayoshi was after all.
Until Reborn jumped on his student's shoulder, casual as ever.
- I hate getting in the way of bonding with the new family member-
-...Aren't you really trying to get Mochida into this mess?! - Inquired Tsuna in a whisper to his Tutor, taking advantage of the fact that the aforementioned had crouched down to talk to the children. -…He's a civilian!
- I thought you were too. - He countered triumphantly, to which Tsuna just grumbled inwardly. - Anyway, why not? He seems resistant and good with kids, you'll need a replacement as a babysitter when you're too busy leading the family.
- I'm not leading anything…!
- But that's not what I came to say. In fact, I came to let you know that you are 13 minutes late for your entry time in TakeSushi.
- HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEE! DAMN I FORGOTTEN AGAIN!
And practically leaving dust behind, the brunette ran away once more.
-.-.-.-.-.-
It was late afternoon, the sky opaque by the snow clouds was gradually covered in a gray and depressing purple, on a day when the sun had not had room to appear.
In the darkness of the west, a figure leapt gracefully between the posts, until it landed with the subtlety of a feather on the wall of a particular house. As soon as her shod feet touched the cold concrete, a sigh of relief left her lips, turning to steam in the cold afternoon.
Unceremoniously, he walked around the wall, then jumped into the small garden of the property, in which a leafy house stood out.
He had barely set foot on his lawn when the garden door opened, revealing a figure in an overcoat with his surefire cup of steaming coffee in hand.
- Welcome back, Fon. - The Ex-Sol-Arcobaleno greeted with a knowing smile. - Did everything go well at work?
- Reborn. - He said simply in acknowledgment heading towards the other. - To what do I owe the honor of waiting for me like this?
The worst pair were side by side, and it wasn't until after a long sip of his hot drink that the Hitman responded.
- You have blood on your left shoulder.
The Chinese cast a displeased look at the mentioned location, seeing that there was indeed a micro stain, a slightly different red hue from his attire, something that would have gone unnoticed by anyone, but simply obvious to the best Hitman of all.
-...Isn't it curious? - The Sun followed, staring at the dark clouds and the swaying of the leaves of the trees. - I'm the World's Strongest Hitman, but you're the one who comes back covered in blood in the dead of afternoon.
There was no teasing in his tone, not that it was really necessary.
- I suppose the best would not allow himself to be stained like that. - He replied simply, in a veiled compliment.
- You are right. - Another sip. - Because that's my job, at what I'm the best. Already you, Fon. Blood doesn't match the hands of a martial artist like you.
The Oriental sighed heavily, in contrast to his companion staring into the interior of the house in which he had been resting lately, and more than ever it looked cozy and warm.
- I suppose you're right, but I still have contracts to fulfill. - He said, closing his eyes. - Agreements that my family members are no longer here to fulfill, and it's up to me to honor them.
- Do you really think that Hibari Kyouya still needs your protection? - He questioned with evident sarcasm.
- Protection is a strong word. I don't think he's needed that since he was six. - He reopened his eyes, focusing on a picture of a bed on a dresser, where it was possible to see Nana, I-Pin, Lambo and Fuuta, next to a portrait of Tsuna and his mother. Interestingly there wasn't a picture of them all together. - But I must still honor my word.
- Until when?
- Until the current Oyabun believes it's enough.
- That may never happen.
- I know. - He sighed again. - But the breakup is my fault, so I must bear the consequences.
- If it wasn't for this rupture, probably Hibari would never have met Tsuna. - Considered the assassin. - Much less become his guardian.
Finally this made the martial artist smile.
- Yes. Kyoya has a life. As for this I will never regret it, no matter how much blood I have to shed for it.
- And even if you say that, you didn't seem really bothered when he became part of Vongola. - He pointed, turning to the Storm, who just kept his back.
- Not when I was sure he would follow a good-hearted man. The same one who so easily accepted I-Pin among his. I always knew that it was inevitable that Kyoya would go to the underworld, it relieves me unless he is next to someone like Tsuna.
- If you think like that, why don't you accompany him? - Offered Reborn closing the door behind him, preventing the heat of that house from leaving them. - Tsuna would make great use of a skilled fighter like you.
- I would like it. - It was only Sun's exhausting training that kept him from blinking in surprise at how easily and quickly it had been to convince the other. - But it's not so easy to leave everything behind and travel for Italy when it's supposed to be his time to take over.
- Do you fear that one of the Eight Heads will go after you and I-Pin?
The comment made Storm freeze, turning slowly towards the other, who looked as nonchalant as ever.
- How do you know that? - He wanted to know in a much more incisive way than usual.
Reborn smiled.
- What? Didn't you really expect me to come to a strange land to take care of the last Vongola heir, and not do even a little research? - He ironized at the time that the Chinese returned directly to himself. - I needed to make sure that nothing in this Land of the Rising Sun would harm my student. Still, I admit I didn't get much more than a name.
This seemed to make Fon frankly relieved, which only piqued Reborn's curiosity even more.
- I must interpret by your reaction that the Eight Heads are real and not just a myth to scare Yakuza. - Considered the Hitman changing the weight standing. - And I thought that Yamaguchi-Gumi was the biggest criminal organization in Japan.
- Don't mess with what you don't know, Reborn. - Fon warned with a serious expression. - They're not like Vongola, an organization that makes a point of showing up and being seen, or even the standard Yakuza. They live in the shadows, even longer than the Vindice. You have no idea what The Heads are capable of to stay out of the spotlight. - It ended with a clear pain. - They can rewrite someone's entire story just to stay hidden, no matter how many lives they ruin in the process.
- Seems interesting.
- It's not interesting! - He exclaimed, and this time the Hitman allowed himself to raise his eyebrows in genuine surprise. This was the first time he'd truly seen the other lose his calm.
Not even when he had been disqualified from the Representative Battle of the due to Hibari's foolishness had he lost his composure like that.
-…It's cruel and inhuman, Reborn. - Followed the Storm in a somber tone. - You should know, as an Ex-Arcobaleno, that there are fates much worse than death.
The Sun didn't respond this time, his expression hidden by his fedora.
-…If you don't fear for yourself, do it for Tsuna and his guardians who are Japanese, but mainly for Tsuna. He's a Naminoko, and even you should know that they consider him a threat. - He warned approaching his equal and staring at the brim of his fedora when he couldn't see his eyes. - If they haven't done anything to Tsuna so far, I assure you it's not out of fear of Vongola, it's just because he lives in Namimori, neutral territory thanks to the Hibari legacy. The Heads only see him as a foreigner who will return to Italy one day, and so they don't care about him. - And then he sighed once more, sadness loaded into his words. - According to the retrograde view of many, for his mixed blood, Tsuna will never be a true Japanese, but just a parasite. So please, if he really is a dear student to you, don't chase this poor boy any more trouble.
And without waiting for a real answer or counterpoint, Fon began to drag his weary steps toward the interior of the house.
- If you'll excuse me now, I haven't had a very pleasant morning, I need to get some rest. - He ended, leaving the Sun alone with his own thoughts.
It took Bianchi a few minutes to descend the stairs, when the sound of footsteps had already disappeared. Her expression was grave, not much better than the assassin's reflexive.
- You heard? - The Hitman went straight.
- Yes, apparently he was so nervous that he didn't even care about the wiretaps in the house. - She said approaching the minor. - What did he mean by Tsuna being a Wave Child?
- I don't think the translation is exactly that. - The Hitman followed staring at the rest of his drink, allowing it to cool down. - I'm not even sure what it means, I think it's an acronym for something bigger.
The Sun opened the door again, giving a view of the small garden and the few flakes of snow that began to fall again.
- That was something Shamal told me about his mission in America. Although the concept of Flames exploded in Italy and Japan after we returned from the future through interference from the Trinisette, knowledge of this power already existed, although it was very restricted to specific groups in society, and each place that identified it named it after a form, such as Greek Fire, of the Byzantines in the classical era and Weather and elements in Italy. Therefore, I believe that Naminoko is how they refer to the Skies here in Japan.
Bianchi frowned, sitting down next to the smaller one.
-...And why would the Skies be a threat?
- And why wouldn't they be? - Reborn replied, staring at the snowflakes. - The power to influence others. If the Sky does have this ability, even minimally, it's logical to think that other types of flames would see them as a threat.
-...Are you still going to allow Dino and Hibari to travel to Izumo...? - It was the question, said almost in a whisper, of Storm staring into her lover's expressionless eyes.
The Hitman didn't respond right away, his cold, unfinished cup resting in his hands.
-...I'll talk to Dino about it. - Considered turning Leon into a phone. -…This trip to Izumo might be more complicated than I imagined.
-.-.-
Tsuna blew on his hands in search of some warmth, the hot air leaving his lips like steam slightly warming his fingers as she walked the remaining path to the restaurant.
The delivery day had ended early, probably because people thought that no one would be crazy to deliver by bicycle or motorcycle on a snowy day. There was no way they would know he did it by flying.
At least he hoped no one had seen him.
- I arrived. - He announced as he opened the door, surprising himself to find the restaurant empty, with the exception of father and son.
- Hello, Tsuna! - Yamamoto greeted smiling as always.
- Baseball practice over? - Wanted to know curious, going to the counter and handing the money to Tsuyoshi.
- Haha, actually our treasurer kicked us back home as soon as it started to snow again. - He explained scratching the back of his head. - Only he, me, Kaoru and two more had gone to training anyway.
- It's good to know that someone on your team has common sense. - The Sushiman scolded, keeping the money received. - Since the captain is a madman who doesn't know when to stop.
Yamamoto just laughed about it without failing to agree, but stopped when he saw his boss starting to take off his costume in the middle of the hall.
- Tsuna, you can change in my room, it's warmer there, and here it is very open.
The Sky blinked, halfway through unzipping his clothing.
- No need, I'm wearing long clothes underneath. - He withheld importance.
- My son is right boy, you're hot inside that fantasy, it's better to change in a warmer place. Thermal shocks can be dangerous, no one here wants you to get sick again.
- Exactly. - The Rain reaffirmed with a serious expression. - Sasagawa told us when you left what happened in the last few days, you have to take better care of yourself!
Tsuna grumbled internally, it was logical that Ryohei would make the others know about this story of excess flames and if Yamamoto was already like that, he was trembling just thinking about how Gokudera would react.
He sighed in defeat.
- All right…
Rain smiled.
- Come on, I'll go up with you, I really wanted to show the new poster of Kikumomo Sakura that arrived at the post office. It's autographed and everything!*
The Sky just let himself be dragged along, without losing Tsuyoshi's satisfied smile when he saw that his friends had managed to understand each other.
-.-
All the way to the dojo, Yamamoto was talking about the Super Model, about baseball, kendo, and supermodels who played and who loved baseball and played kendo.
Or had he simply fumbled about in the onomatopoeic affairs of his friend who seemed painfully happy, as if in the minutes it took to change, leave, and go to the Dojo, he wanted to make up for all the days they went without talking, not really caring if the brunette was really understanding him.
The situation didn't improve when Gokudera joined, and he started to argue unilaterally with the eldest, which didn't give his Boss' ears any rest, as he tried to praise him.
So it was an immense relief that he came across Enma, also on his way to the dojo with Ryohei, who seemed to explain something that the redhead was listening carefully, that is until they both saw the trio and waved at them.
He didn't understand when and how these two had bonded, but he was really happy to see all of his friends getting along.
Or almost all.
- What are you doing here, Boxing Maniac?
- Isn't that obvious, Octopus Head?! I came to see my little sister training EXTREME!
- And you Enma? - Yamamoto wanted to know seeing the redhead curiously.
- I came to deliver something that Tsuna asked me. Adel wouldn't let me go without it, so I couldn't deliver in the morning. - He explained guilty.
- No problem Enma, thanks for coming and sorry for the trouble. - Tsuna thanked while his three guardians looked between confused and curious for the pair, but none of them dared to ask.
For the rest of the walk Ryohei decided to challenge his companions to a race, leaving the two bosses alone to talk until they reached the place.
-...Tsuna, I know I already asked this, but... Are you sure? - Shimon insisted, apprehensive seeing how his friend put what he had brought him. - You seem to be doing so well with Miss Sasagawa, it might just mess everything up.
About that, Tsuna sighed long, shivering slightly when a snowflake reached him on his unprotected neck. Trying to warm up, he reached into the front pocket of his sweatshirt, only to find his gloves.
He considered for a moment and then put them on. After all, they are still wool gloves.
- Enma, I'm not very smart or sagacious, I'm not handsome, nor skilled. - He started to list making the smallest confused blink. - That's why people call me Useless-Tsuna.
-...But Tsuna...
- Although. - He continued facing the backs of his guardians, seeing as Ryohei had the second victory of the day, Yamamoto had been the second to arrive, and Gokudera the last, looking like he was about to explode the other two. - If there's one thing I can be proud of, besides the friends I have, of course. - He added, making Shimon smile awkwardly. -…It's just that when I really make a decision, no one can make me change my mind.
Then he stopped, beside his friends at the entrance of the dojo to cast one last apologetic look at his best friend.
- It's a pity that stubbornness isn't a quality. - And then the Sky opened the doors, this time closed of the dojo, which the fight of their friends prevented them from doing so. Enma just sighed in defeat behind him.
What they saw inside, however, made the voices of the four die.
Kyoko and Haru were in the center of the great hall, each with their hands outstretched and their respective rings on fire. However, they were standing on one leg with one arm literally tied behind their backs, which made them stagger often trying to keep their balance.
And if they fell, instead of the floor, they would fall on cakes, spread out in a Compass Rose around them, with a suspiciously purplish appearance.
- The poison in them is not deadly. - Said Bianchi, who had arrived just before the group, standing again near the entrance, wearing a strange green hair tie. - Just very unpleasant.
Despite everything, it wasn't that that really caught the attention of the minor, but the person who was standing in front of the pair, arms crossed and frowning, screaming from time to time when he saw that they were staggering too much and were about to fall.
- Lal Mirch?! - He exclaimed surprised, but not loud enough to scare the girls and make them fall.
Luckily Yamamoto was quick enough to cover Ryohei's mouth so he wouldn't either.
The alluded one turned to be mentioned.
- Finally you arrived Sawada, I thought you had given up. - And then she turned to the other two. - You can rest, your real tutor has arrived.
Those words made Tsuna feel nervous and tense in equal measure, while the girls sighed, erased their rings' flames and lowered their numb legs, Bianchi approaching to help them loosen up.
- What do you do here? - And when receiving a murderous look from the military he added. - HIIIEE, I-I mean, you can go anywhere! I just…
- I was just warming them up for you while you were busy with your… - She frowned in disgust. -...Job.
"Her hesitation to say 'job' is so obvious!" - Tsuna thought with exasperation.
- Hahiii, was that warming?! - Miura was surprised, falling exhausted on the floor as soon as Bianchi disappeared with the cakes.
- But of course, Sawada's training will be much heavier, or at least that's what I hope. - She announced in clear threat turning again to the Vongola who swallowed hard, even Enma felt nervous for his friend. - Now, why I'm here, you should already know, but as a former member of COMSUBIN and current member of CEDEF, it's my duty to evaluate and sometimes train new Vongola recruits.
- They are not Vongola recruits! - He exclaimed, taking a step forward with a frown. - I didn't accept to train them for that!
Lal Mirch snorted, crossing her arms.
- Your motives don't matter to me. What matters is what they will do with what they learn, unlike you, they are free to choose their own destiny.
Tsuna clenched his fists tightly still inside his pocket, squeezing them inside his gloves. Ryohei ran to check if Kyoko was all right, his brow furrowed, but he didn't say anything. Gokudera was in a real debate between yelling at Lal Mirch about how he talked to his boss, or respecting the one who had also trained him. Yamamoto just looked at Sky's back, he could almost feel its agony. Bianchi again was just Bianchi, but for some reason Chrome had not attended this day. Enma was not in the best condition, approaching with the intention of putting a hand on his shoulder.
But he didn't quite reach him when flames radiated from the Vongola's forehead, pulling his hands out of his pockets and as they turned into his red gauntlets, his gaze as sharp and cold as ever it was in Hyper Mode.
- Let's start. - He said already heading towards the girls, who quickly stood up, feeling that the atmosphere even seemed to have changed suddenly.
He walked past Lal Mirch without saying anything, yet she smiled at what she saw in the brunette's expression, heading towards the group of guardians, not before dragging a grumbling Ryohei with her, then sitting in the doorway and watching.
- If any of you take even a step to disrupt this training, I will make you regret being born. - She threatened making the four boys tremble from where they were. Bianchi just sat next to her, while the others remained standing. - It's time for Sawada to prove how seriously he's taking this whole thing.
- I'll explain one more time. - Decreed the deep voice capturing everyone's attention. Having said that, he took out the bag he carried from his quotas and from it took the Verde's Lamp, to then light an extremely pure flame. - You have to immobilize me or extinguish the flame that I am putting on this object. You can use whatever means you like, but I'm not going to lay a finger on you. Are you are ready?
The two looked at each other, it was the first time they had seen the smallest so seriously addressed to them, but this was not the time to hesitate. So they nodded to each other and then lit their rings.
- Ready! - They said in unison.
In an uncoordinated way, both advanced towards the Vongola, who didn't even blink.
- It's now, Kyoko, the attack we agreed!
- Right!
- They already have an extreme combo attack?! - Put Ryohei truly surprised, while the brown haired girl ran to pick up a stick with a ribbon on the floor, classic artistic gymnastics.
-...It's amazing that they put together something like this in just one day. - Supported Yamamoto seeing how Kyoko took a yellow Box near her bag.
- I wouldn't be so excited if I were you. - Lal said with her frown.
- But why? - Enma wanted to know, although afraid of the woman who reminded him so much of Adel.
The answer came from Gokudera, when Haru and Kyoko stopped each one on one side of the Sky that was simply motionless.
- Their timing is horrible, in addition to all the strategies they could have to face the Tenth… - He snorted, shaking his head. - Attacking from the front is without a doubt the worst of them.
- Go, Turtle Box! - Kyoko shouted, placing her borrowed Ring in Irie's Box, which shone enormously.
To then give way to a small turtle with flames on its four legs...
Which was at least half the size of Enzo in his pocket form.
-...This is extremely pathetic... - Couldn't help but argue Gokudera. - Where did she find this shit box in the first place?!
- HEY! Don't steal mine EXTREMELY, Octopus Head! And don't call my sister pathetic!
- It's Irie Shoichi's Box. - Lal explained without turning back. - I understand that he borrowed it so that Sasagawa could train. She is small and pathetic as Gokudera said, but she has an interesting power.
- NOW! - Haru shouted.
So, she wrapped her gymnastic pole with her flames, causing the ribbon to begin to increase in length, then she began to twirl it over her head, and as it grew, it formed a sort of ribbon cocoon around its wearer, a cocoon that got bigger and bigger.
- Genbu, it's your turn! - Kyoko exclaimed in her turn, stretching her right hand towards the Vongola. - Tackle!
-...Is it just me or is she using the Box as if it were a Pokémon? - Can't help but regard Yamamoto with a smile.
-...But isn't that what they extremely are?!
- OF COURSE NOT!
The tortoise retracted its legs and head inside the shell, and from the holes that were left, flames began to come out, thus propelling it to start spinning at a surprising speed.
However, the little animal didn't aim at the brunette one that remained motionless and only watched the sideways movements, instead Genbu darted towards the Cloud's circulating ribbons.
When touching them with their yellow flames, the ribbon quickly became a mixture of purple and yellow, and in front of the exclamation of all the boys, the ribbon seemed to take on a life of its own, not only continuing to circle Haru, but advancing towards Tsuna like a real snake.
- Remember how Irie managed to move the entire Melone Base through his ring? - Wanted to know Lal Mirch. - It was as if it had life, even in spaces where there were no rooms, the moss grew as a sign that somehow that entire base was alive, like an organism. That's what this turtle does. Everything he touches gains a limited amount of life, with no conscience, but with the right handling, he is able to carry out simple orders, like a golem.
As she had explained, Haru moved the ribbon with quick and complicated movements, which she apparently mastered very well, as if urging the inanimate object to attack.
- And they mastered it in one day?! - Enma exclaimed in shock.
-...Dominate is a strong word. - Replied Lal. - Although I have to admit they have talent.
The streamer quickly advanced towards Tsuna, who didn't look the least bit impressed just took a step back and dodged his boat. One, two, three times. Each time the tape tried to cling to one of his legs he only moved a second before frustrating the movement, as if predicting what the next attack would be.
Because that's exactly what he did.
Kyoko was the first to notice.
- Hyper Intuition! - She exclaimed, embarrassing herself for not realizing before that trying to attack the brunette by surprise would be useless. - Haru, he can predict what we're going to do!
- WHAT?! - She exclaimed in shock, as she still didn't know about Vongola's ability. -...So what are we going to do?!
-...Should you really be discussing this while facing your opponent? - The youngster's cold, clearly warned voice made them both shrink in slight embarrassment at the failure. - In a real battle, you won't have time to talk about what to do like that.
- He's right Haru! - Yamamoto exclaimed, unable to stay still. - Listen to your instincts, in a battle every second is vital, me and Gokudera almost died once because we were out of sync in front of an enemy!
Storm opened his mouth to comment, but closed it again in frustration when he remembered the fiasco that had been her confrontation with Gamma in the future, and how they would have died if it wasn't for the Hibari's intervention at that time.
- R-right! - With a new resolution she stopped spinning her ribbon which then stopped her attacks, and to everyone's surprise she simply ripped the fabric from her staff, so as to start tearing it in several parts. - Kyoko!
The redhead seemed to understand what her friend meant by this, because she directed Genbu, who had returned to spin around her like a kind of shield, to advance towards the torn ribbons, hitting them one by one as, ironically, a billiard ball.
-...Alright, that's a little smart. - The Bomberman forced himself to confess seeing how now dozens and dozens of streamers were forming, with Haru surrounding each one with his flame to maintain minimal control over them, and thus all at the same time surrounded Neo Primo in a perfect circle. - Multiply, and attack all at once.
- Not bad. - Confessed Tsuna, still motionless. - But are you willing to risk your life in this attack?
-...W-what? - Haru wanted to know, slightly leaning confidence in the face of contrary sayings.
- You destroyed your weapon to deliver this attack. - Lal explained in a stern tone. - What will happen if it fails?
- Only Kyoko will be able to defend herself, Haru you will be exposed. - Bianchi explained seeing how the understanding reached the newest. - That's what we call a suicide attack.
- B-but that's not what Haru-
- If you act like that in a fight, you won't be more than two easy targets. - Decreed. - Or worse, two dead weights on the battlefield, which may not only end up costing your lives, but also those who try to protect them. Is this what you seek?
Enma closed his eyes, he knew what would come next and he didn't want to see it, he hoped his friend would definitely not regret it.
-...Haru… - The brown haired girl started, clenching her fists tightly, her eyes starting to water, while the ribbons that surrounded Tsuna became increasingly aggressive.
- Haru! - Kyoko exclaimed on the other side, realizing where this was going. - Flames react to emotions!
- HARU IS NOT A DEAD WEIGHT! - She yelled
The flames reacting on the ribbons, turned into real razors that surrounded Tsuna in a dome with no space to escape.
A silent scream left the brunette's lips as she realized what she had done, closing her eyes so she wouldn't see her love impaled because of her.
- TSUNA!
- TENTH!
The two guardians came forward willing to help their boss, but to their shock, before Lal or Bianchi could even do anything, Ryohei held them back by pulling him by his shoulders.
- What are you doing?! The Tenth...!
-...Sasagawa? - Yamamoto, on the other hand, noticed the elder's extremely frowning expression, not to mention the painful way his shoulders were squeezing.
- Stand still and just watch. The words of confidence, despite his rueful expression, made the duo blink. - Trust our Boss.
- What... What happened? - Kyoko's surprised voice made everyone return to the dispute, only to see that the razors had stopped millimeters from the chestnut's skin, one of them even drawing blood from his left cheek, while he continued motionless with the lamp intact in his hands. - Did Haru stop the attack?
With that comment, the aforementioned girl closed her eyes, seeing without understanding, putting her hands to her lips in horror at seeing a miserable trickle of blood running down the brunette's face.
- Wipe your tears, Haru. - Decreed the Vongola casting him an expressionless look. - Is your determination that weak?
And it all happened very fast.
The ribbons went back to being just ribbons, and began to disperse through the air, breaking more and more, until it was difficult to see the brunette who was in their center.
- W-what?! - Haru tried to understand, totally bewildered, ending up tripping over her own discarded stick before, falling to the ground.
- Haru! - Kyoko wanted to run to her friend, even though she couldn't see anything, but she couldn't even take a step when Tsuna just appeared in front of her, taking advantage of the little vision that the patches gave.
- You should worry more about yourself. - He confessed in a whisper, in a truly regretful tone as he joined his hands in a strange triangular shape. - But you need to understand.
It was a strange feeling she'd never felt before, like receiving shocking news and losing control of her own body's reaction. Her energies seemed to be draining away, her ring, still lit, suddenly went out and her legs, losing strength, slowly took her to the ground.
Before she could even process what it was, Tsuna had disappeared, leaving her exhausted. She sighed in defeat and frustration and as she stretched out her hand trying to move, she felt something cold, only to realize that at some point, Genbu had simply been frozen.
Despite the swirling mess of fabrics, Haru tried to get up and do something, anything, her mind couldn't quite process what.
Until she saw a hand stretched out towards her.
- Haru doesn't need help! - She exclaimed proudly. - Haru can-
- This is not an outstretched hand to help you. - Lal Mirch announced, getting up. - It's the end. You two lost miserably.
At her words, the ribbons began to drop like soft feathers, until with an exhalation of orange Vongola flames, one by one they began to fall like stones to the ground.
With a clear view, Haru could see that instead of having his palm outstretched, Tsuna was pointing his palm at her, both at her and at Kyoko behind her.
- This is the X-Burner pose, one of Sawada's strongest moves. - Lal explained walking to the smallest and stopping beside her. - It meant that at that moment, if all this were real, you would be nothing more than ashes on the ground. Such are the fights in the Mafia world after all.
- I never said I wouldn't react. - Put Tsuna in turn without leaving his position. - Likewise, I had said that this would be proof that you would be able to use your flames intelligently to defend yourself and immobilize an enemy, and not fight him. At least not yet. And yet at no time did you even try to take the lamp in my hand. - He indicated with a nod to the simply forgotten object a few steps behind him. - What did you expect? That you two could beat me in battle after a single day of training? I said I wouldn't take it easy and use EVERYTHING against you. - That said, he turned his right hand slightly, revealing a huge beetle ring attached to his Vongola ring. - None of this is a game.
-...The Shimon Ring?! - Put Gokudera impressed. - So that's what you lent him? - Enma just confirmed it with regret.
- So that's why the tissues acted so strange instead of attacking. - Considered Yamamoto. - And… Ouch, Sasagawa, please, I really need this shoulder to play…
- The idiot is right, Lawn Head, let us go!
The eldest said nothing, just letting them go. It clearly seemed to cost every ounce of his body not to run towards his sister, who stood up by himself, even if slightly wobbly from the absorption of her flame, as Tsuna had promised, he hadn't touched a single hair of them.
- It's like Lal Mirch said. - Tsuna continued, deactivating his Hyper Mode at last, and undoing his fighting posture, but his serious tone didn't seem to have diminished in the slightest, while he cast a glance at Kyoko, who slowly approached with the frozen Genbu in her hands, and Haru who followed in the floor. - Mafia fights are no joke.
In response, tears definitely burst on the Cloud's face, who stood up on her own, pushed the brunette one with her elbow and left crying towards the Dojo exit, skirting the trio of guardians without looking at any.
- Haru! - Kyoko exclaimed for the umpteenth time, casting a sad look at Tsuna, who just looked away.
The redhead sighed, carelessly giving the frozen Genbu in his hands, then ran after her friend.
- It's done. - Tsuna decreed, his shoulders dropping, feeling like all the happiness of that morning had escaped him like a balloon.
And the supporting hand on his back and Lal Mirch's "well done" didn't assuage the feeling.
Notes:
* Interestingly Tsuna is a Shounen protagonist who is practically not seen crying. With the clear exception of the tears of pain as quoted by Reborn, there is only one occasion that we "see" him decidedly crying, that being in the Arc of the Future, in chapter 141, page 7, but on that occasion, only Gokudera witnessed it, from the lower bunk, the agony of his boss.
* In chapter 13, during a "normal" day at the Sawada Residence that Irie had the misfortune to witness, Lambo from the future appears and is again mistaken for Romeo by Bianchi, she pulls out a machine gun on page 17 of this same chapter, and starts shoot Lambo-Romeo, only Reborn comments that Bianchi it's horrible shooting, and that you never know where his blind shots will land.
* Those who have only seen the anime may not know, but in the manga, again in chapter 141 page 7, Future Yamamoto states that Mochida is an ally of Vongola, although he lost contact with him two days ago. Which in the future arc means he died… Which would also explain why he didn't gain his memories like the others. Perhaps, because Yamamoto said this right after mentioning that the Longchamp Family, the Tomaso, had also disappeared, characters which are exclusive to the manga, in the anime they decided to cut the entire mention, instead of just a part.
* In chapter 46, pages 11 and 12, Yamamoto recognizes the poster of an idol in Longchamp's room, Kikumomo Sakura, saying that he is a big fan of hers too, only, Takeshi didn't expect Naito to reply that it was actually just a camouflage to hide their pornographic magazines… Yeah, no wonder the anime excluded this character. As a great sage of this work would say: Scum.