Kate Kyou Hitome, Tsuna!

by Kimonohi Tsuki

After Bermuda's defeat, Tsuna's life returns to normal, or as normal as it could be. With Reborn still training him for a position that he continues to reject, Tsuna begins his final year at Namimori's Chuugaku. But of course his lazy days would not last long. What is it that Trinisette still has secrets! What did he do in his past life to deserve that!

20. 429 - Christmas in Vongola Style Part II

Chapter by JonaX, Kimonohi_Tsuki

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Summary:

Christmas finally arrives.

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Target 429 - Christmas in Vongola Style Part II

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- We urgently need to take Tsuna to the hospital! - Said a certain desperate redhead still carrying Tsuna leaning on his shoulder with the help of Irie.

-...Enma...

- Even the Sun's flame shouldn't be enough! - He kept getting more and more nervous.

-…Enma…

- He could end up hemorrhaging or worse! - He stopped when he had both cheeks gripped tightly by the brunette in question, not realizing when he had let go in the first place, such was his despair.

-...I. Am. Fine. - He said slowly looking the older one in his eyes, which only made him blush. - OK?

- B-but…!

- Sasagawa and I stopped the bleeding. - Irie informed him, although he didn't seem much calmer, at least he knew his friend wasn't dying.

- The Sun flames can't just disappear with the blood, but just because I'm a little soaked doesn't mean- The brunette tried to continue.

- A LITTLE?! - Enma shouted releasing, scandalized pointing to his best friend covered by the darkening liquid, not to mention the trail of blood that he still dripped from his clothes when he took him away. - You call that "a little"...?

-...Yes? - He said walking away and standing up on his own. - Saw? I admit I'm a little dizzy from the blood loss, but otherwise I'm fine.

- Are you going to tell me you didn't break anything?! - He questioned angrily, Bianchi, Irie and a bored Spanner stopping to watch the discussion.

The Vongola had the nerve to stop and consider.

- I think some bones in my feet and… Two ribs.

- HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SO QUIETLY! - Unusually Enma yelled taking his friend's shoulder and just didn't shake him for fear that he would get hurt more. - You could have died! What the hell went through your head to use gravity against yourself to destroy the sphere like that?!

And to intensify his anger, Tsuna smiled, actually looked like he was about to laugh.

Maybe he had hit his head somewhere? Either that or he had definitely gone crazy.

- What's the fun?! - The Earth demanded to know.

- S-sorry! - He explained himself literally swallowing laughter. - It's just that it's funny once in my life I'm not the desperate one in the story. And no, I honestly wouldn't die. - And seeing the incredulous expression against him, he added. - Believe me, I was as disbelieving as you when I realized that Hibari was controlling himself, even more than his future version, so as not to mortally wound me. His own chains and handcuffs that bound me absorbed much of the impact that could have broken a lot more of my bones.

- Either he has some consideration for you, or he didn't want his toy to break so quickly. - Bianchi observed crossing her arms.

-…Possibly both…? - Answered the Vongola scratching the back of his neck embarrassed. - Despite everything, he was, at least as far as possible, following the competition rules… I honestly wonder what Reborn promised him… - He said worriedly, seeing the direction they had left.

-.-

The Sun Ex-Arcobaleno's double shot curved just as he got out of his revolvers, easily dodging the girls and focusing on the group of guardians, yet Chrome was quick to make a barrier to shield them.

One of the shots was changed route by an agile movement of Hibari's tonfas, deflecting to the crater that Tsuna had made earlier when being thrown by Garyu's flying kick.

The second was intercepted, only partially by the Sistema C.A.I., which Gokudera re-summoned with surprising speed, however, to his complete shock, the shot simply blew a hole in his shield and would have hit the Storm Guardian squarely if Yamamoto hadn't thrown himself towards him, sending them both to the ground.

- H-how is that possible?! - The Japanese-Italian said in disbelief, seeing how his energy shield fell apart with a single shot.

- There are many ways to use activation, Gokudera Hayato. - Said Reborn's deep voice, although he didn't look at the younger one, his gaze focused on Hibari. - How to overload another flame, destabilizing it. In that way, it wouldn't be too different from Disintegration.

- I would be careful if I were you. - Opined Colonnello, stopping beside Lal Mirch. - Fight training or not, the amount of concentrated Sun Flames he shoots is always fatal. Sometimes it's one hit and it's over.

- Interesting. - Hibari placed taking a step forward, feeling challenged.

- These tonfas are not normal. - Watched the assassin. - They should have disintegrated upon receiving a direct hit.

- Disintegrated?! - Ryohei exclaimed, still holding his right arm. - That's extreme! How can the Sun do that?!

- Neoplasm. - Lal Mirch explained, arms crossed. - It makes use of the activation factor to uncontrol cell multiplication, destroying organs and blood vessels, creating excessive production of some substance, in other words, it multiplies them until it is unsustainable for the organism, destroying it from the inside out.

- W-what?! - Haru put it in absolute shock. - But this is…

- Deadly. - Followed Colonnello. - Exactly. After all, Reborn's style is all about assassination, even a grazing shot can result in a very painful death.

- How do you fight something like that…? - Kyoko wanted to know that she never thought that the Sun's flame could be used like that.

- Divert. Be quick, and above all, don't let him out of your sight.

As if following his words, the Hitman simply disappeared from view, causing the girls to exclaim in surprise, only to witness how Hibari slipped away, leaving a trail on the road, while holding back a kick from the assassin with his tonfas.

- Come to think of it, not even Tsuna managed to melt that weapon of yours, although Alaudi's handcuffs didn't resist. - The Sun considered interested.

- Hibari! - Ryohei exclaimed, making a move to approach, but braking with the Cloud's warning in a truly dangerous tone.

- Do not interfere, this prey is mine! - That said, he coated his weapons with his flames, while releasing his chain with spines that grabbed the foot of the Ex-Arcobaleno, holding him with his raised foot.

- Arrogant child, do you really think you have any chance against me fighting one at a time? Come all at once so I can at least have a little fun.

Despite being trapped, Reborn lowered his leg to the normal position, with superior physical strength, so it was Cloud that was dragged down, almost losing his balance, but managing to support himself with his right foot.

Still, giving the assassin enough time to take the chains in hand, and failing to destroy them by igniting in his solar flames, he simply spun them around to hurl their wielder away.

That he would have said a painful fall, had it not been held back by an agile run from Sasagawa, who took him in his arms and received part of the impact with an expression of pain.

- How naive to use a strategy of chains and immobilization with me. - He scoffed, running his hand through his pants as if to dust off. - I trained Dino and his whip techniques for almost ten years.

-...He's... Frighteningly strong. - Chrome considered, which was starting to gasp, from the effort of having energized the watches, and now to be making the barrier for the girls. - Even Hibari didn't have enough strength to hold him.

- Don't be fooled by your weapons, Chrome. - Commented Mukuro with a serious face standing next to her. - This man is an expert in hand-to-hand combat.

- And he is very fast, we cannot hope to try to surpass him in terms of physical strength or speed. - Complemented Yamamoto with seriousness, sitting on the floor next to Gokudera who watched the demonstration amazed. - Even in the form of a baby I couldn't reach his feet at those points, with this body now then...

- What do you suggest?! - Wanted to know the Storm exasperated. - You don't even have your swords!

- I said I didn't need help, our double battle was over. - Hibari imposed, pulling away from Ryohei's grip.

- If I hadn't caught you, it would be an extreme fall-argh! - He finished, making an exclamation of pain taking his injured arm again.

- Worry about yourself. - The Cloud followed without turning around. - How are you going to keep practicing your stupid boxing if you hurt your arm more?

And without waiting for an answer, he advanced again towards the assassin.

Left, right, left and right again. The President mercilessly attacked the Ex-Arcobaleno with his thorn-covered tonfas, but he, without even seeming to sweat, defended each blow with the back of his weapons.

Starting to get annoyed, Hibari changed tactics, causing his flames instead of enveloping his tonfas...

- Is he using the Cloud's flame on his own arms?! - Haru observed in shock.

- I understood! - Exclaimed Gokudera clapping his hands together. - He is using the Cloud Expansion factor to increase his own physical mass and thus equal the strength of both!

-…But is that enough? - Considered Yamamoto getting up.

- HE DISARMED HIM! - Ryohei yelled when, thanks to this maneuver, a tonfa hit on the upper left side and another on the lower right side, making the assassin's guns fly out of his hands. - THAT'S IT, NOW HE HAS NO WAY TO DEFEND HIMSELF, HIT HIM EXTREMELY!

Hibari was about to do just that, but with a truly arrogant smile, though his gaze remained black and blank, the assassin leapt into the air.

- How could he jump that high?! - Asked Kyoko surprised about how easily the Hitman had reached at least two meters in height in a simple jump. - Huh? What's that in his shoes.

- He is using the strength of his flames to launch himself upwards. - Explained Colonnello. - This battle is over.

On his flight, Reborn managed to catch one of his weapons before it fell, now having a perfect aerial view of the Cloud Guardian.

- HIBARI! - Ryohei, Yamamoto and Gokudera yelled at the same time, when, with no chance of escape, a shot from the assassin hit the Cloud in the head.

Haru let out a scream, covering her face with her hands, in turn Kyoko covered her lips in disbelief when, with his closed eyes, Hibari's hands opened as if he could no longer control them, making his tonfa fall uselessly to the floor with a sound sharp, making the strongest guardian figure of the Neo Prima generation fell to the ground head-on with a crash.

- Do not worry. - Lal followed, casting the girls a sideways glance. - He'll be fine, although he won't wake up anytime soon.

- Oh, he's definitely going to wake up in a VERY bad mood… - Colonnello followed with grace.

Mukuro, on the other hand, didn't find this the least bit funny, though.

-...He took down the Skylark with a single shot. - He put swallowing. -…This man is truly a monster…

Then he turned his gaze to the others who were staring in shock at the unconscious figure of the Cloud.

- Incredible. - Said Gokudera in disbelief. - This is the true power of Mr. Reborn…?!

- It doesn't even compare to when he trained me in the future… - Followed Yamamoto with sweat running down his face.

- What are you doing standing there, you idiots? - The Storm started when Rokudo Mukuro appeared between them like a subtle mist that took shape, the Rain just turned towards him. - The Skylark has fallen, if you two just stand there admiring you will be next.

Gokudera opened his mouth to argue, but Yamamoto cut him off.

- He's right. - Then his expression became serious. - Mukuro, could you and Chrome help me with those gloves? You can do that even if you're not here, can't you?

- So you noticed. - The Mist followed with a grimace. - I don't know how Cavallone managed to get his hands on it, but I'll find out soon enough. And of course I can do it, I don't need my body, just my flames.

- What are you planning…? - Wanted to know Gokudera with suspicion.

In turn, with Hibari out of the picture, Reborn advanced towards Ryohei who was an easy target away from the others due to his earlier help to the Cloud.

Using all of his speed, he punched the older man in all directions, who, enjoying the challenge, tucked his weapon inside his suit and started to fight.

Without any difficulty Reborn either dodged the opposing punches, or defended them with the back of his arm.

- Is that all you have? - Ironized. - And I thought you had improved...

With that said, ignoring boxing rules he kicked the albino right in the area where the concentrated XX-Burner had hit.

- AAARGH!

- LAWN HEAD! - Gokudera yelled. - Damn it, Mister Reborn! He was wounded in that arm!

- Brother! - Kyoko screamed at the top of her lungs watching as the sportsman fell to his knees with a muffled scream, squeezing the affected arm as if he was about to faint from the pain.

- And why should I care? - The Hitman observed in a casual tone, then took his weapon again and pointed at the severe-looking burn. - If you want honorable fights, you are no good for the Mafia, Gokudera.

- NOW!

The battlefield was suddenly filled with a thick mist, but not impressed by the obvious distraction, Reborn still fired.

- Not bad Gokudera. - He smiled when he saw how the Storm Guardian had maneuvered to reach the Suns using his own impulse flames, in addition to having stopped the bullet concentrating with his C.A.I. all together like a telescope lens, rather than circling their surroundings, causing two shields to be destroyed, but the third to stop the impact. - Not bad at all, Shamal will be proud to know that you're finally using your head.

- Even though being you, Mr. Reborn, I won't hold back! - He exclaimed, pulling back his Gear, as Ryohei had done before, to the skull cannon he had in the future, which was better for a close-range attack, pointing it directly at the assassin.

Which, however, had to divert his attention when he realized that Yamamoto was at his back, camouflaging himself in the Mist for a surprise attack.

- Come from all sides, I honestly don't care.

"If we take too long, he will read our movements." - Thought Gokudera. - "We have to set everything in a synchronized blow!"

- First, Storm and Sun! - He fired his cannon at point blank range, his shot energized with his own Sun Flame.

Despite the short distance, Reborn was fast enough to leap into the air again.

- Tsk, I knew you would do that. - He smiled and it didn't take much for the Hitman to know why.

- 9th offensive form: - Yamamoto's voice came from his back, slightly turned around and with a single shot hit the swordsman's heart.

Whose form dissolved into mist.

- Of course it was an illusion. - Ironized Reborn.

- Utsushi Ame! - Then again behind him the swordsman appeared with a weapon wrapped in blue flames simulating the shape of a sword.

Still, using the flames on his shoes again, the Sun was able to maneuver through the air to escape the potentially fatal hit.

- I knew you would! - Exclaimed Gokudera on the floor. - Storm plus Thunder! Flame Thunder!

A solid, destructive shot again shot towards him, only for, in disbelief, Gokudera watched as the eldest returned to holster his weapon and with both hands created a shield of flame, capable of repelling the attack back to its wielder without difficulty.

Who, reinforced with his own solar flare, managed to destroy what was left of the C.A.I. with a big explosion.

- There is nothing more pathetic than being caught by the attack itself.

- You don't have time to brag. This is a fight! - Exclaimed the swordsman. - 10th special form: Scontro di Rondine!

Again from behind, hidden in mist, a whirlwind of water flew towards him, managing to catch Reborn in full and throwing him violently to the ground.

- W-where did all that water come from? - Haru wanted to know, opening his eyes again.

- Illusion come true. - Chrome explained needing to sit up, while squeezing Verde's altered glove with her other hand. - Mr. Mukuro is using it, with his flames through me, to make his illusions come true.

- Even though he's not even here, he works as a team better than you two with his eyes closed. - Accused Lal Mirch casting a reproachful look at the pair who blushed slightly. - Know how to fill and recognize each other's needs and flaws. This is teamwork.

Yamamoto landed on the ground, panting, having given his all in this attack, Mukuro materializing beside him.

-…Are you okay? - Rain wanted to know how out of the corner of his eye the Illusion-Mukuro seemed to be about to fall apart.

- Let's just say I just didn't get a good night's sleep for such intense exercise. - He commented in a tone of grace. - I will undo my form, but I will keep the Mist. Consider your Christmas present.

Yamamoto smiled.

- Thanks Mukuro, the strategy wouldn't have worked without yours and Chrome's help.

The eldest didn't give importance with a gesture of his hand.

- Do not confuse things. I just wanted to bring some pain to that arrogant Arcobaleno. My mission here is already completed.

And without more his figure fell apart.

- What was Yamamoto? Are you also at the end? - The provocative call made the swordsman turn his attention again to the new crater he had formed, where an assassin, completely soaked, but with a satisfied smile, stood up.

With parsimony he took off his characteristic fedora hat, and then ran a hand through his hair, thus removing the excess water from its spiky strands.

- Yeah, he's pretty handsome. - Observed Lal.

- What?! - Colonnello exclaimed in shock, and then turned angry to the assassin. - Damn Reborn! Stop sensualizing and finish this crap at once!

Giving the soldier his best cocky grin that forced Lal Mirch to have to hold her fiancé back from joining the fight too, the Hitman put his hat back on.

And in the next second it was his turn to disappear into the thick mist.

Without letting himself be shaken, Yamamoto dodged each and every one of the bullets that emerged from the darkness, sometimes even changing his trajectory with his weapon, while trying to follow where the assassin's figure was.

"I can't let him out of my sight, otherwise it will be the end of me." - He thought, swallowing hard. - "But he doesn't have any openings..."

Then he cast a sidelong glance to where Gokudera and Ryohei had disappeared and engulfed by the mist after the blast of flames from the Storm, Thunder and Solars.

"I need to buy a little more time."

- Shigure Souen Ryu. - He started raising his weapon. - 8th offensive form: Shinotsuku Ame!

With that he made a straight, precise cut, along with the torrent of water in the direction he knew his adversary was.

- You managed to dodge well so far, even with a borrowed weapon. - Reborn casually commented, dodging the last attack without any difficulty, while Yamamoto also dodged others of his shots. - It's a sign that you trained with me.

- This Tonfa is heavier than I thought. - Answered Rain, lifting forward one of Hibari's tonfa coated with its blue flame, which forged the aspect of a sword. - But as I saw that they were able to resist yours violent flames, it is a more than perfect substitute.

- But what value has a swordsman who doesn't cut? - He provoked.

- Why don't you try it? - He countered, returning to his attack stance.

The Hitman smiled at the challenge and moved forward again for another head-to-head.

- It's perfect. - Considered Lal Mirch.

- Can you stop praising the appearance of that idiot in front of me? - Colonnello muttered, crossing his arms, and didn't even look away when his fiancée threw a kick to his head.

- I was talking about his fighting style! - She replied annoyed. - It's been a while since I saw Reborn like that. There's no way any of them can win.

- Is their level that discrepant? - Kyoko wanted to know apprehensive that her brother was still not in sight.

- These idiots are even at an extremely discrepant level from Sawada, who will say his teacher. - The military completed, cleaning the blood that his mate's blow did to him. - Only Hibari and Rokudo are closer, and the former was easily knocked out, while the latter apparently had no more energy to continue.

Returning to the battlefield, Yamamoto used blow after blow trying to reach the highest one, but as with Hibari, the eldest only stopped his attacks with the back of his weapon.

- So that was your plan… - He said, suddenly jumping back, surprising the swordsman. - Not bad.

And with that he shot forward, and although again the Rain prepared to deflect the bullet, it was surprised it didn't come his way.

- The bullet split in two! - He exclaimed in shock as the Sun's flame shot simultaneously left and right. - Not that! Gokudera! Sasagawa!

- Your guard is open. - In the time it took to scream for his companions, the Hitman approached at superhuman speed to then knee the smaller one in the chin, sending him away. - The game is over.

New screams filled the air as the Rain, almost on the verge of unconsciousness, fell next to the girls.

- Don't worry, the chin didn't break, I think. - He ended without giving importance returning to the view to where his bullets had hit.

Gokudera was lying on the ground, as Yamamoto struggled to stay conscious and follow everything until the end, there was no sign that he had tried to defend himself with the C.A.I. again, which caught the Hitman's attention.

-...Wait a minute... - And then he opened his eyes subtly when he noticed that Ryohei was on his feet again, being him whom the C.A.I. protected, with two shields being pierced and the shot hitting Ryohei, which had been enough to charge 100% of his Bangle.

Leaving Reborn right in the firing line, too close even for him to escape.

Ryohei opened his mouth, the Hitman could only brace himself for the impact.

That never arrived.

- We gave up, Mr. Reborn! - Gokudera suddenly exclaimed, impressing almost everyone present, with the exception of the Ex-Arcobalenos.

- WHAT?! But I have him in my sights, Octopus Head!

Before answering Gokudera sat down, feeling embarrassed by his own words, but still said them.

- We gave up Mr. Reborn. - He repeated scathingly. - Please don't attack anymore.

Yamamoto, with great difficulty, also managed to sit up, looking confused at the Storm for a moment, but then he understood too.

- Why did they stop? - Haru wanted to know confused, even Kyoko was the same.

This time, however, neither Chrome nor the Ex-Arcobalenos responded.

As Reborn slowly walked towards Gokudera, his expression hidden by his fedora, until he stopped in front of him, kneeling down and raising his hand.

The Storm swallowed, closing his eyes.

However, all he felt was a small punch to the side of his head, causing him to reopen his confused eyes.

- Very well, that is the attitude of a right arm. - He put it on, and for a moment Gokudera was transported to paradise.

Taking advantage of the Storm's distraction, the Sun grabbed something from him clothes and got up again, at the same time that Ryohei fell to the ground with a thunderous sound.

- Ryohei, like Hibari, were already tired of another battle, which harmed all their power. - He explained taking a cigarette from the pack he stole and lighting it with his flame, to then take it to his mouth and take a long puff. - Ryohei would not resist the impact of his own blow.

The two young girl's expressions widened in understanding.

- Sometimes it is wiser to accept defeat and learn from it than to hold on to victory at all costs. That's a lesson that Gokudera learned well. - Then he turned his sight to each of the guardians. - Congratulations, you all passed.

- WHAT?! - The three exclaimed at the same time, Ryohei immediately sitting down.

- Wait! YOU ARE AWAKE, LAWN HEAD!

- OF COURSE IT IS, OCTOPUS HEAD! I SAID I COULD SHOOT!

- Calm down, calm down, you two. - Said Yamamoto in a tired tone, realizing that Chrome should have warned Mukuro about the result, because the mist was finally starting to dissipate. - What was all that, "Little Guy"?

- A surprise test.

- That was extreme!

- You should have warned us! The Baseball Maniac hasn't even had a sword since he broke his!

- That's not my problem. - He shrugged. - And if I did, it wouldn't be a surprise.

- I thought this was Hibari's reward. - Considered the Rain.

- No, just a bonus. The reward will come tomorrow. - And then he turned to the audience while taking another puff. - Nothing like feeling your lungs rotting. Now Colonnello, do something useful and call Romário, I took it easy on them so they could still make it to the Christmas party, but medical attention would probably come in handy.

The Rain grumbled, but still obeyed, while Haru pointed accusingly at the assassin.

- Did you take it easy?! That was very dangerous!

- They're all conscious, aren't they? - He shrugged. - I was going to stop the fight when they exhausted all his flames, my objective here is not to kill anyone, it would be counterproductive with my work.

- But Hibari is EXTREMELY passed out!

- Oh. - He said, turning his gaze to the unconscious figure of the Cloud. - If it were otherwise, he wouldn't stop, would he?

Then sight of him turned back to the girls.

- Chaos, maybe I should introduce myself again. - He said walking along the devastated road and taking his other gun that Hibari had thrown far away. - I am Reborn, Hitman, and private professor, responsible for training the entire Neo Prima generation. By taking you as students, Tsuna freed you from me. - And seeing how they both trembled slightly at the prospect he added. - Remember this well, for I have no mercy on anyone who gets in the way of my little lessons.

And without further ado, he sat down on a rock that had flown from one of the craters he had made, simply enjoying his cigarette under the sweet sound of the pained exclamations of his dear students.

-.-.-.-

-...Honestly something tells me-I mean, my intuition tells me that I should go back there. - Followed Tsuna apprehensively.

- It's great to see you finally listening to your intuition as Reborn always tells you to do, Tsuna. - Bianchi followed approaching. - But this time, I'm going to ask you not to listen to it. Reborn wants to do a little train with your guardians in front of the girls, and it won't be the same if you're there.

- Little training? - He said with apparent concern. - They won't get hurt too much will theeeeh! - It was his turn to exclaim when Enma crushed his cheeks.

- Worry about yourself once in your life!

- But I already told you I'm fine!

- You yourself admitted that you had broken two ribs and some foot bones!

- Yes, but everything is fine, Irie and my big brother have already stopped the bleeding, and thanks to their help I've put everything back in place!

- Wait, what did you do? - Asked Irie this time adjusting his glasses, for the first time they went out, even Spanner seemed to be interested in the matter. - What did you mean by putting the bones in place?

- In the fight against Daemon. - And with that mention Enma released him trembling slightly. - A-ah, sorry Enma… In the confrontation we had on Shimon Island, my opponent broke many of my bones, but then I realized that I could use the Earth's ring gravity to hold them together like a reinforced skeleton and I could keep fighting.* So I did the same as that time, that's why i told you, I'm fine. Just a little tired and dizzy from the blood loss.

-...I didn't know that fight reached this level! - Exclaimed the Sun, putting his hand to his stomach. - T-this is brutal...

- But you returned his ring later. - Considered Spanner. - What did you do to keep the bones together? If Shoichi didn't know, I don't think you were in bed or in a wheelchair for a while.

- Thinking well, this is true! That monster broke several bones in your body and a week later you were running! - Enma was exalted that he hadn't pondered it coldly until that moment, was so relieved he was with his new life of peace.

- I used my own flame to hold the bones together, and when my brother used his flame on me that time and this time, it helped everything stay together. - He explained as if it were simple.

Enma was about to question how Sky's flame was able to hold bones together without the gravity of his Ring when Spanner's eyes widened in understanding.

- You used petrification on your own bones! - He exclaimed, his eyes shining. - Like a natural plaster, a stone peg that held everything together.

- Oh! I understand. - Irie followed, realizing the reasoning. - So the Sun flame only needed to accelerate the cells and thus reconnect the bones that were already positioned in the right place and mended. This is just awesome! How did you know this would work?! Ah… Forget it, intuition, of course. - He laughed awkwardly. - It's still… Something unprecedented.

- And your body still needs to have an accelerated recovery rate to be in perfect condition in a mere week. - Spanner finished. - For even the Sun flames have limits. I would understand if everything had been restored in half the average time of a broken bone, maybe a third. Now… In seven days?

Tsuna shrugged.

- Maybe the damage wasn't that serious?* - He opined not giving importance. - I honestly don't know, I just know that's what I did.

-...Impressive… - Followed the mechanic, truly excited.

- I've only seen one level of recovery like this from Skull... - Enma considered slightly pale. - Are you sure you're human, Tsuna…? You know, you can tell me if you're not…

- EEEH? - Tsuna exclaimed by the strange turn of that conversation. - And Hibari has a much scarier recovery than mine! After his first fight with Mukuro he also had several broken bones, and yet he recovered in a very short time!

-...An extraterrestrial maybe?

- Of course I'm human! - He was exasperated with the attitude of his friend. - You look like Gokudera talking like that…

- Sole heir to the strongest famiglia in Italy, most powerful Sky of the Mafia, holder of one of the 21 parts of a mystical stone that gives life to the world, being the guardian of one of the main parts that balance it. - Listed Spanner using his fingers. - But human.

-...Hiie! Speaking like that, it sounds like I'm important! - He vehemently denied it, to which the mechanic didn't respond, just watching him as if he was an idiot.

- This brings us to something much more important. - The blonde continued, ignoring the comment, in a serious tone, turning to Enma, unusually. - You should give that ring of yours to Vongola.

- What?! - Shimon exclaimed, covering the Ring that Tsuna had returned with his other hand. - I can not do it! Adel would kill me...

- You're not even using it.

- I-I still haven't gotten used to him!

- How about, Natsu by the Ring of Gravity? - The mechanic followed with a shrewd glow.

-...

- No way! - Tsuna replied in turn. - Don't trade Natsu in my place! He is mine.

- Yeah… Of course, Tsuna is right… - The Earth said, not looking so safe anymore.

- How about weekly exchanges?

- No, Spanner.

-…Monthly?

Tsuna snorted, while Enma smiled awkwardly.

- Why don't we keep discussing this on the way? - Considered Bianchi again. - It's getting late and Tsuna needs to rest, after all, tomorrow is the big party.

- Oh yes! You're right! - Shimon exclaimed remembering his previous concern, already approaching to support the youngest again, who nimbly deviated.

- I am fine! - He insisted for the umpteenth time. - I can walk alone.

And even though his best friend wasn't too safe, the group walked back to Namimori, with the promise that Tsuna would let him know if he didn't feel well.

- How about Tsuna's cat, and Gokudera's in exchange for the Ring?

- Spanner, stop trading what is not yours…

- I'm sure Gokudera would agree for his Tenth.

- That's very manipulative of you! - He was horrified. - By the way, how do you know that Enma likes cats?

- Irie and I saw him feeding some under a bridge on the way to school.

- Eh? I didn't see you two there!

- Good thing it wasn't a murderer then. - Bianchi contributed as they started to reenter Namimori. - You need to be more attentive.

- Y-yes… - He agreed, embarrassed. - Adel tells me the same thing... That's why she won't let me walk around without the ring, everyone says I'm an easy target... - He didn't even want to mention that Varia had the same perception, so they attacked him and Skull at the first opportunity.

Spanner snorted, Tsuna rolled his eyes at the action and Enma shrugged awkwardly.

- I knew you'd be excited at the prospect of an XX-Burner that can turn. - The brunette followed to put an end to this matter. - But doing it with the Earth Ring involves a lot of effort and concentration, so much so that I ended up letting the attack go off course.

- Such a powerful blow must really require a lot to be focused and guided through a power that is not naturally yours. - Considered Irie, to which Tsuna nodded.

- It works for fast attacks, like against Jaeger, but controlling it for many turns is difficult. I end up opening my guard a lot. - Spanner seemed evidently disappointed by this. -…If there was an external way that I could guide it that didn't necessarily depend on me, my attention wouldn't be so divided…

In few words, the glow totally returned to the mechanic, almost ripping Enma from his best friend's side, interested.

- What do you have in mind exactly? - Questioned like a child at Christmas, ignoring Shimon's glare when he was discarded, and only not having fallen to the ground because Irie held him, in addition to apologizing for his own friend claiming that "he always got carried away by this subject".

- I'm not sure… - Tsuna took a hand to his chin, not stopping walking. - Maybe something I could spread on my flight and guide the X-Burner on its trajectory…

- Like Gamma's billiard balls? Because I didn't think of that before! He uses them as a conductor, and with his pool cue he guides the trajectory of his zigzag attacks.

- Eeeh? Seriously? It would give me a lot more shots if I didn't have to worry about not hitting anyone in a straight line. In addition to being able to hit multiple targets at once with a single shot.

- Maybe if I modified Professor Verde's lamp to something smaller and that could maintain flight with its own autonomy, like the flames of Gamma make the billiard balls float, you could use them as focusers too, we could even change the AI of your phone to control them in their place according to the best position, or according to your commands…

- If I combined that with the boots I mentioned to you last time…

- Yes! This would not only give you more speed to fight, but it would widen the range and decrease the damage!

- That needs a good name! I have some notes* that might help…

Enma just blinked a few steps back along with Irie and Bianchi.

Seeing the strangeness of Earth, the scientist commented with an understanding smile.

- I was also surprised when I heard that Tsuna looked for Spanner, even after the battle against Byakuran, to discuss the possibility of new attacks. It seems like he's always worried about being more efficient, faster, and especially making sure he doesn't hurt innocents around him. - The Sun commented with a hint of affection. - Tsuna is a wonderful person who never thinks he is strong enough to protect those he loves. This is his biggest flaw and quality, I think.

- If reinventing is important, adaptability is the secret to always being at the top. - Said Bianchi. - He just got out of a fight, but he already knows what he went wrong and where he needs to improve. That's what really makes him strong.

Enma didn't say anything. Even he could understand the words of the other two, but something still bothered him about his friend's performance in that test.

Something that could only question him when Spanner and Irie had gone their own way by leaving the brunette at home, and Bianchi walked in front as if he knew he wanted to speak alone with his best friend.

- Would you like to enter Enma? - Asked Tsuna that even Hyper Intuition didn't seem to be enough sometimes to make him read the atmosphere.

- No, no! - He vehemently denied with his hands. - You really need to rest for tomorrow. I just… Hmmm… I wanted to ask you something… About today's fight.

That made the brunette tilt his head curiously.

- What would it be?

-... - He bit his lower lip thinking about how he would say that. - It's just… You… You really looked like you were having fun there in the midst of all that insanity.

The Vongola opened his mouth to answer, but then closed it again, realizing that this was the same line of thought that Hibari had told him, which made him lose concentration and then the fight.

-…I thought you didn't like to fight, much less hurt people.

- And I don't like it! - He exclaimed suddenly, startling Enma in the process. -… I just… - He sighed, brushing back his hair. -…I just… I got carried away, I… I think.

- Is everything okay, Tsuna…? - He asked, seeing how the youngest suddenly looked lost and tense. - Sorry if I asked something I shouldn't, I was just worried... For a moment you looked a lot like the President of Namimori...

-...Yes, I'm just tired, I told you. I had a really busy day today. - He finally confessed. - And I? Similar to Hibari? - Laughed without any real humor -…No way, having fun with something like that, that's definitely not me, I just couldn't take it easy otherwise Reborn would kill me.

Enma sighed, clearly relieved, which paradoxically only made Tsuna feel worse for some reason.

- Okay then, see you tomorrow?

-…Sure.

And he continued standing on his doorstep even when Enma's figure had disappeared on the horizon, while he felt his stomach twisting inside.

"Was I really having fun?" - He couldn't help but wonder, slowly going back inside.

-.-.-.-.-

Night was already high in the sky when a tall figure wearing a suit knocked on the door of the Sawada residence.

Nana was about to retire to sleep when she stopped on her way up the stairs to the second floor looking in surprise at the door.

- Who could it be at this hour? - She commented for herself, going down the stairs again.

Bianchi promptly appeared at the top of the stairs next to Fon, in case the nightly visit was any threat to the landlady.

As soon as she opened the door, a huge expression of surprise came over the woman's face.

- Oh! Reborn! And you are…

- Sorry to bother you so late Mrs. Sawada. - The figure apologized. - Do you know who I am…?

- But of course. - She concluded with a smile. - You are Mr. Romário, who works with that kind young man. Dino, aah, I miss him so much! I was really sad when Reborn said he won't be able to come for Christmas...

-...Yes…

Taking this cue, something jumped to the ground at Mama's feet, which she promptly knelt down to be at his height.

- Sorry for being late, I was playing with Tsuna's friends and I lost track of time. - Said the small figure of a baby that didn't seem to be more than two years old. Reborn.

- Oh yes, Bianchi told me. I thought you would sleep in the house at one of them.

- I couldn't do that, my duty is to keep an eye on Tsuna.

The lady smiled, getting back to her feet.

- Would you like to come in a little?

- Oh no, I wouldn't want to bother, I just came to bring Reborn home. - He hurriedly apologized, then bowed in respect. - See you tomorrow.

And the pair watched him fade into the distance as he tried to lift the collar of his shirt to keep warm.

-.-.-

Despite the hour, Reborn found Tsuna still awake, sitting at his desk, again making notes.

"This is becoming a standard. And he hasn't even met the paperwork that the boss position requires." - He thought as he entered.

It wasn't a surprise this time when the brunette promptly spotted him.

- Oh, good night Reborn. - He greeted and then frowned. - You took too long… Are the guys okay? You didn't get too rough on them, did you?

"His overprotective streak is getting worse." - He considered before answering.

- They'll survive, don't worry. - He explained jumping on the table and again reading what his student was doing. - It would be counterproductive to hurt them too much so that they wouldn't participate in the choir tomorrow.

- Is that your concern?!

- Tsuna. - He named him, taking the brunette note sheet and turning it over. - Are you using the back of your homework from **, in the early hours of Christmas Eve to make notes of improvements to your XX-Burner…?

-...Eeeeh... - He didn't really know what to say about that. - Yes…? I didn't see it was my homework!

- …

- …

- Go to sleep, Tsuna.

- B-but I really think it's a good idea! I was talking to Spanner about the way home, what do you think?

The assassin returned his gaze to the paper.

"A way to control the route of the XX-Burner without using gravity… Sounds promising."

- I just have no idea how to do the math on this… Could you help me? - He wanted to know awkwardly.

Further down the paper Reborn saw his student's ridiculous attempts to calculate the force of his own shots.

He was about to open his mouth and explain by A plus B what the correct formula was for calculating the force and velocity of his shot, when he realized something.

"This is tempting, but I can't fall for it again." - He thought realizing that this would be the third day that they would both have a long night awake if he gave in to that explanation. - "Using my adult body was more tiring than I thought it would be, and Useless-Tsuna also had considerable blood loss from not resting."

- We can do that after Christmas. - He placed it, finally returning the paper to the table. - Properly. I'm sure Spanner wouldn't want to be excluded from the process.

The brunette had the audacity to puff out his cheeks in annoyance, a gesture that, he had to admit, could bring many Mafia people down. He was clearly not one of them.

"But it's a good weapon for him to use one day. A little pathetic for a Mafia boss, but it can be a nice element of surprise."

Seeing the irreducible position of the Sun, Tsuna snorted at last, getting up and starting to put on his pajamas, shivering slightly from the cold wind that came in through the cracks of the pathetic repair of his window.

- By the way… - He started talking again while Reborn was also putting on his pajamas. - I got an old pillow from when I was little with my mom to put on the bed.

At that mention, Reborn saw that there was indeed a long cylindrical pillow that now divided the bed in two.

- This is a crib protective pad.

- I-I said it was old.

- Why does your mother still have it?

- I-I have no idea… I-It's not like I slept with it until I was five!

Reborn snorted, while the younger's face got even redder, trying to avoid looking at his tutor as he lay down on the side of the wall, realizing that he had given himself up.

- Y-you can use the futon if you want. - He defended himself, still embarrassed, with his back to the other. - I just thought the hammock was cold, and it must probably be getting small for you since it grew back.

The brunette couldn't help but remember how on his first night in that house, Reborn had taken over his bed and spread traps so he wouldn't approach and making him sleep on the floor. Only to then simply come up with your hammock.

Reborn didn't answer, just looking at the bed, which now had a second pillow and blanket that must have been from when the brunette was five years old. There was even a minor fop he suspected was for Leon.

- You don't intend to have another strange dream involving magic stones and wake me up in the middle of the night, do you, Useless-Tsuna?

- It's not like it's my fault! - He defended himself, turning to the eldest. - I know as well as you how Trinisette works.

Again he didn't answer, jumping to his now part of the bed, while Tsuna watched him with a frown, as if he had thought of something.

- What if we asked Mister Kawahira? Maybe he knows something.

- No. - He was emphatic lying down and covering himself, Leon settling satisfied in his own new bed.

- But…

- Tsuna. - He named in a firm tone facing him from the side, making the youngest shudder. - I don't want you to approach that man under any circumstances.

- But he…

- You're not about to claim that a man who's been making seven human sacrifices every generation for millennia after cursing them in a baby's body is a good person, are you? - The tone was clearly threatening, making the brunette definitely shut up. - And that he was about to do the same to you if Talbot's invention hadn't worked with the power of Bermuda.

Tsuna barely had time to even open his mouth again and Reborn impatiently told him again.

- I don't care if it was for the sake of the balance of the world. I don't remember signing up for a universal charity group. Now, go to sleep, knowing you, five minutes talking to that man and you would already ask him to call him Tsuna, or worse, consider him family.

Tsuna muttered an "I'm not like that", which only made the assassin give him another look between angry and disbelieving.

- Go to sleep before I force you to sleep.

- Hiiiie! A-alright, a-alright! - He already regretted having offered half the bed to the other, that made it easier for him to reach him at any moment. - Talking like that, you sound like a stressed father instead of a baby.

Without noticing how his words made the smaller body flinch slightly, the Vongola turned to face the wall and in a short time he was asleep.

Reborn, in turn, stared at the ceiling for a few more moments, remembering what he had talked to Romário on the way to that house.

"- Can I ask you something, Mr. Reborn? - And with a positive gesture he continued. - I'm not sure the clock can run a second time, and with twenty-four hours available, why use just ten minutes?

He remembered his own smile then.

"- It was the time I needed to teach those idiots a lesson." - He explained simply.

"- You could have at least let me take a picture for Mr. Dino! Or even show yourself to Mr. Sawada!"

"- I would never do that."

"-...Why?"

He glanced at the peaceful sleeping body beside him, its new little baby blankets, as he mentally replayed the brown's last words.

"- Because I prefer to leave things exactly as they are now..."

With those memories in mind, he let the warmth of the Sky envelop him and then fell asleep.

"I wouldn't change absolutely a thing at all."

-.-.-.-.-

Snow fell slowly over a small wooden hut. Nonetheless, a tall, dark-skinned man with long black hair chopped wood at a constant and firm pace, filling the air with each swing.

- Don't you feel cold? - Questioned the other, while cleaning a rusted axe.

- No.

- Then why do we need wood? It also doesn't look like Mr. Bermuda does thanks to his magic fire, even though he's always wearing lots of coats.

- We need it because you're a weakling who's always cold.

- Sorry if I'm a regular human among freaks. - He sighed, raising his head, knowing this time he'd be ignored. Mähne was turning out to be a man of increasingly less words and more action.

"How many years I've been living here?" - He wondered to the nothing, stopping his work for an instant and watching his companion take the chopped wood back inside. - "It feels like time is frozen here, and at the same time, goes by so fast."

He looked at his own hardened hands, bigger than they used to be, but still small for his age.

Without a doubt, after all these years, the most shocking fact was to know that the pair of hunters wielded a rather strange power, which allowed them to live in that isolated, barren hut, surrounded by snow for what seemed longer than it should be possible.

- I'm going to hunt. - The apprentice declared with simplicity, carrying a pair of chains on his shoulder and no weapons in hands. - Are you coming?

- You're going unarmed again! - He stood up, exasperated. - I spend all day sharpening your weapons, yet you never use any of them?!

- You're still a crappy blacksmith, so I'd rather hunt using my power and my bare hands.

- That's just disdaining my work!

- No one's forcing you to stay here, you can leave whenever you want.

He frowned. It didn't get much better when the young adult returned to the hut's door frame and whistled, calling from the upper rooms a tall and strong white dog.

The dog ran to the man wagging its tail, tongue outside the mouth.

- Paw. - He announced, raising his right hand. The animal smartly stood on its hind legs and hit the open palm with its left paw. - Paw. - This time it was the left hand, and without missing a beat, the dog repeated the process with the other paw. - Good boy.

He looked on frustrated as his dog happily received pats.

- Now let's kill some deer. If we're lucky, we might find a brown bear.* - And so the large dog followed him out of the hut without question.

- You like Iro better than me. - He teased, watching them leave.

- I thought that was obvious.

-You're so cruel! - He said with a dramatic tone. - Well just so you know, when I go, Iro's coming with me.

- … - For the first time, there was a reaction from Mähne, who actually seemed to hesitate. - I can always kill you and keep him.

- And who would sharpen your Benefactor's weapons then?|

- Somebody decent.

- Why you! - Even so, he took a bag next to him with some weapons and followed them into the forest. - I'm sure you'd miss me.

- No. You're too noisy.

It had been at least half an hour of walking when the quiet of the trip started to make him impatient, and left him wanting to come up with a subject, regardless of how dry the other's answers would be.

- Doesn't it bother you to not have a name? I mean, a real name.

- No.

- If that were true, you wouldn't have told me when we first met that your dream was to be known as Jägersohn...

- I was just a stupid kid.

- But what's wrong with having a name...? - He insisted. - I bet that brat already sees you as his son, it would be only natural if you shared the same name.

The apprentice halted, raising his brow.

- Names are mere words decided by other people that binds us to the past, and their expectations. - He said, turning to face him with intense dark eyes. - I live in the present, I don't need something like that.

- For someone that doesn't talk much, you can be very deep... - He couldn't help but point out the irony.

It didn't take long for them to find a tunnel where a bear was sleeping the winter away.

All he could do was watch, powerless, as Iro immediately attacked the sleeping predator's neck, and before it could react, Mähne's hand were wrapped in blood-red flames with which he unleashed a strike with his open palm, like a blade, on the animal's other side of the neck, slashing as it let out a horrible shriek that even scared the nearby birds.

- It's scary, and terrible, no matter how many times I see it. - He said, staring at the dead prey.

Unchanged, the hunter's apprentice merely asked without turning to face him.

- Give me a machete.

Mumbling something to the effect "now you want a weapon" he procured from his bag one he had brought, watching while leaning on the cave's wall as his companion skinned the animal with the knife without hesitation, smearing himself with blood in the process.

Never did he imagine this would be his life, and he couldn't help wondering what his parents would say if they saw him now.

Holding in his arms what he was able to remove of the pelt, along with some meat chunks placed on the chains, Mähne stood up to leave.

- This animal barely had any meat and you're leaving most of it behind! - He got exasperated, looking at how much meat was still on its bones.

- It's winter, it's only natural that bears would be skin and bones during this time of the year. - He said simply. - And we're not the only ones that are hungry, we should leave some for the other animals. It wouldn't be productive if they all left the region because there's no food.

Iro didn't seem to agree, as it was about to take something else from the bloody corpse, when Mähne stopped it.

- Iro. - He put in a warning tone, and as he received the dog's pleading look, he sighed and tossed a morsel. - Now let's go back, it seems a snowstorm is arriving.

- I swear, you listen to Iro more than you listen to me... - He continued to mumble, being ignored yet again, dragging his feet back to the hut, but realizing that the sky was getting darker and darker. - Why don't we move to a warmer place? With more animals and less white all around us... - And as the older one was about to open his mouth, he added. - I know, I know... "You can leave if you want." - He snorted. - That's all you know how to say, but you know I'm right. Most of the time we go to sleep on an empty stomach in this white land, and soon we might be able to see our ribs through all these pelts.

-...These used to be Mr. Bermuda's family lands. - The apprentice proceeded, also staring at the thick clouds. - They used to be a local noble family, but the wealth was spent, the heirs killed themselves for what was left and in the end, there were just barren snowy lands and Mr. Bermuda himself.

- That explains his outfit, I guess... But why stay in these lands where nothing else is left? - The answer was a shrug. - It would be better to just leave it and move on.

The other stopped and stared at him.

- You tell me, since you had a home and family. Would you return, if you could? Even if your parents were dead?

He also stopped, looking at his feet sunk into the soft white. Memories of a time when he lived in an even smaller shack, the sounds of his father's forge ringing.

Tears threatened to form, but he held them back.

- I guess so. - He saw as new snowflakes were begging to fall, and tried to change the subject. - I hope the brat arrives soon…

The apprentice gave a subtle smile.

- He always takes his time when he's negotiating pelts in town, but he should be back soon.

And despite his emotionless words, there was a clear relief when they saw footprints that didn't belong to them going towards the hut, and the hunter's short frame, wearing his dark coats and a skin hat, the same clothes he always wore when he went to town, staring at the horizon with a frown.

As they got closer, they realized he was looking at someone else who was leaving on horseback.

- What's going on, Brat, you look stern. - He remarked stopping by his side, not wanting to let slide he was also relieved he wasn't caught by the coming snowstorm.

- It's nothing. Just a man looking for fools for a pointless hunt. I already refused, so he shouldn't come back anymore. - He said, finally turning to see them and smiling when he saw what the apprentice was carrying. - Looks like it was a good hunt. Very well, Mähne, you're getting better.

This was the moment when the apprentice glowed with emotion, like the child he once was, despite being covered by blood.

- You did well too, Iro, very well. - The dog barked happily.

And then it was his turn.

- You're not going away?

- Why do you ask me this every time?! - He snapped.

Bermuda sighed, clearly disappointed.

- I couldn't buy much in town with the money from the pelts, so we're gonna have to go for plan "E" again so that food'll be enough. Therefore, since you're useless, you get the bones.

- You also say that every time! Just admit that you're a shitty merchant that can't make any money!

And so began a long argument, which Mähne was used to, and merely took the food and the pelt inside, followed by Iro.

-.-.-.-.-

However, the mysterious rider returned, as if he knew of all their steps, always when he and Mähne were out with Iro, so that when they returned to the hut his image was about to disappear on the horizon.

- Why don't you kill him? - The apprentice questioned, annoyed, looking at the figure who moved away on his horse, now very far away, after his sixth visit.

- I'm really considering that option. - Said Bermuda massaging his forehead with his fingers, eyes closed, sitting on his old chair filled with pelts. - If I didn't do it already, it's because he seems to be noble born, and this could give me quite the headache.

- Did he at least give his name? - He wanted to know, sitting next to a fireplace, his companion nearby.

- No, just a dumb false name.

- And what does he want, exactly...? - Bermuda opened his dark eyes again, but didn't answer immediately. -...You never told us.

- That's because it's none of your business. - He said finally, getting up. - And that's all. If you don't like it, you're free to leave, I don't even know why you're still here, there would be a lot more food if you just left. - Ignoring the mumbling, he opened the sack he had brought from town. - As usual we don't have much, so we'll have to-

- Go for plan E. That's what you always say, Brat! And I'm always left with the bones! - He continued to complain, starting a new fight.

Mähne breathed deeply, turning to Iro, who looked as bored as he did with the same old repetition.

- Paw, paw? - He suggested, raising his hands. The dog gave a happy bark and followed the apprentice's movements.

-.-.-

However, the subject wasn't as dead as the hunter would've liked. The next time he needed to go to the little town, in his formal wear from a past of glory, he brought along the two young men, as well as Iro, almost as if fearing something.

At a small and dirty tavern, while the pair of young men ate, Bermuda counted his money, distracted as someone began to talk.

-...The mysterious man with noble clothes and a mask? Yes, I heard someone like that has been going around the region. - It was the tavernkeeper, with a hand on her waist and the other hold three mugs. - Seems like he's looking for strong and brave people for some sort of work.

Bermuda held the coins he was counting tightly before tossing them over the table, getting up and demanding that they left.

But he didn't listen to them, interested as he could finally find out what the mystery man wanted.

- And what's the reward? - Asked a regular, enticed.

- All the riches and glory you can bear on your body. - The woman shrugged as the man whistled. - That's too good to believe.

- Well, I'm interested! What's the job? - Someone else cut in.

- Let's go. - Demanded Bermuda with violence, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him out of the tavern, making a bit of a scene.

As for him, he remained quiet, even as he was being dragged, making his best effort to listen, even if just a bit.

-...On a mountain to the south, they say there is a treasure like no other in the world. Stones and precious metals, like no king or blacksmith ever saw, and this man wants to organize a team to-

And he couldn't listen anymore, thrown onto the snow-covered street, that did nothing to soften the fall. Bermuda stared at him with true anger.

- What's the matter with you?! - He took his hand to the arm hurt by the fall.

- I said it was none of your business! - He shouted through gritted teeth, taking him by his shirt. He didn't care if he might end up breaking something with his much stronger arms. - If you can't listen to me, then just leave!

- All right! - He became exasperated at last, fed up with always ending up on the same subject. - If I bother you that much, I'll leave!

He releases him, brushing the snow off his clothes, not noticing the older man's expression frowning slightly.

- I'm tired of you two telling me that I'm useless and that I don't know how to do my job! - He continued yelling, drawing more and more attention from other passersby. - Being that you are just a coward and a disgrace as a hunter!

Mähne took an angrily step forward, apparently eager to make him swallow his words, but his Benefactor stopped him.

- Leave him, it is in anger and intoxication that sincerity reigns. - He declared simply with a frown. - Now tell me Jagdhund what you intend to do alone?

- We went through hardship and hunger because you don't want to leave that inhospitable land! - He exclaimed angrily, squeezing the icy earth under his hands. - And yet it is arrogant to deny a job that could give us the money we need! Well I'm going after this mysterious man, I'm going to find this mountain, I'm going to get the metal there and build the best weapon the world has ever seen! One worthy of the son of the greatest blacksmith in the world. Then I'll rub the weapon I made in your frog face!

- … - Bermuda said nothing at first, just staring at him. - Do you know what's wrong with you following a shadow, Jagdhund?... You end up becoming one with the darkness. Just a blur of what could really be.

And without further saying, simply turned his back, Mähne hesitated for a moment, seeing him while casting a sad look at Iro, who faithfully stopped beside his owner, even though he seemed unhappy with the decision.

Stubbornly, he didn't follow, willing to go the opposite way this time, without looking back.

- Let's go Iro, it would be a shame for Dad and Mom to spend the rest of my life following a blind man like him!

Perhaps if he had turned around, he would have seen how the man who had taken him in for so many years simply sighed and let him go, his footprints getting lost in the snow.

So irritated was his gait that he didn't even notice how someone on horseback, dressed in the finest clothes money could buy, passed him, a peculiar iron mask hiding his face.

The figure watched him curiously for a moment, but then went on his way too.

His footprints left no traces in the snow.

-.-.-

He couldn't say for sure how much time had passed in his search.

His body was still slender and thin with his ribs visible, his hair grew irregularly on his head, and wherever he went, Iro still followed him.

Going kingdom after kingdom, the figure he discovered was called Checker Face, which apparently was almost a legend, a mysterious figure who appeared from time to time, recruited the best or promoted legendary fights to decide who they were.

He had chosen kings, knights, thieves and hunters, all of fame before them, from the farthest realms of the world.

It was also said, however, that no one was really worthy of the work he wanted, because those he recruited were never seen again.

However, perhaps the most curious thing was that his figure was described in various ways, and after a while, when asking the same people, they seemed to simply forget that they had ever seen him, leaving only written records and different scattered engravings, where they all coincided in just one detail.

An iron mask.

- I would remember if I had seen someone wearing a mask like that. - Said impatiently a villager who the day before had mentioned seeing the man walking around. - Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.

He sighed, walking back to that strange city of thick mist. Quirky weather that seemed to be becoming more and more common on their little journey.

Alone in an unfamiliar place with a language he still didn't fully understand, he began shuffling around in search of a place he could spend the night in exchange for his services.

- Maybe that Brat is right, Iro. - He said wearily, dragging his feet, his animal companion faithfully behind him. - Maybe I'm just following a shadow… - He bit his lower lip. - But now I can't just come back with nothing...

It was already the third door that closed in his face and refused him shelter in exchange for his skills, when suddenly Iro began to bark, noticing as soon as a figure with long pale blue hair approached, wearing a long brown coat that went to his feet, however the most peculiar without a doubt was that walked with him a kind of small deer with prominent antlers.

- Buongiorno. - He greeted with a smile and unknown language. - I heard you are looking for a man named "Checker Face." - Said simply. - My name is Glauco. Maybe I can help you.

He had an air of mystery about him and his skin was white as snow, but it was his best clue so far.

-.-.-.-

It was days of travel with this man and he still didn't get much information.

Glauco was not really very talkative, guiding him in silence most of the time, however he treated Iro very well, and as his companion had been very unhappy since they had left on a new voyage, he simply continued following the illustrious stranger and his companion animal, which he discovered to be a reindeer, Yule.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to make decisions according to the judgment of a dog, even a dog that seemed to have a special love for a certain creepy hunter apprentice, but again it was the only option he had at the moment.

-...So… - He tried for the thousandth time to start a conversation as they followed a deserted path towards a mountain that curiously had no vegetation around. Iro quietly beside him as Yule was used by his owner as a mount. - How exactly did you meet Checker Face?

- I do not know him. Not directly. He was a friend of my master. - He explained it simply without turning around. - But I heard whispers, and I saw scenarios where he seemed to want to get rid of you, but you continued your search, unable to forget, immune to his powers.

- Get rid of me?! - He placed exalted stopping. - Powers?! What are you talking about…? He wouldn't also be a user of that magical fire, would he?!

Glauco also stopped, looking as serene as ever.

- Precisely. Didn't the people on your trip who whispered about the existence of a man in an iron mask seem to simply forget about him shortly afterward…? - And seeing his surprised expression, he laughed subtly. - That's his power. He finds I Prescelti Sette and then erases all his tracks, like the mist that hides everything in its path with its white veil.

-...I Preselte Sete? - He repeated confused, at the same time excited to finally get real answers from the man, beyond the repetitive "Soon you will see." - Could it be the strong and skilled people he recruits? Did they all end up here?

Faced with this, the older man's expression became sad.

- No… Currently hidden at the top of this mountain, only me, Parvento and my master live. We help her to take care of Trinisette, even though we are only human.

- Trini…Sette…? What do you mean by "Humans"?! Isn't she human by any chance?!

The young man shook his head.

- My lady, Sepira, is an ancient being who has been carrying this world for millennia, while I and Parvento are humans who ended up having direct contact with Trinisette, who is the origin of all life on Earth, and by committing this sin we were influenced by him. Even so, our souls were not strong enough to withstand its power and lighten the burden of the master who spared our lives, so now we help protect it.

-...You must be crazy or you drank something really strong on the way. - He scoffed, crossing his arms in total disbelief. - I know I wasted months searching a treasure mountain, belonging to a masked noble, to find a metal that is every blacksmith's dream. But… Ancient beings? Source of life? Everything has a limit.

- You're right. - He confirmed with a friendly smile. - Although it's funny to hear that from someone who lived with two people with such powerful flames. Even if your soul hasn't bonded with them, I can still feel some of them from you. So if something like "magic fire" exists, there should be a source that originates it, don't you think?

-...Nothing you say makes much sense, all this is just a fanciful waste of time. - He huffed tiredly, making as if to leave, Iro as always promptly following him. - That kid was right, I was just chasing a shadow.

- You are free to leave if you want, after all, climbing this mountain is a path of no return. - Glauco followed without immuting himself even though he was little by little left alone. - We need someone who can touch the Trinisette without perishing, someone capable of molding it into a more… Malleable shape. - That made him stop. - My lady thinks of altering Trinisette's form to something less… Volatile. Schmittsohn, son of the best blacksmith in the world, gifted even with a noble dog symbol of loyalty for his great skill, you can be our hope to keep this world balanced, and that other sacrifices like that of your Benefactor are no longer necessary.

He stopped. He slowly turned to the man who now looked truly miserable, as the color in his own face faded.

-...What do you mean... How did you... What happened with the Brat...? - He demanded to know in a broken tone.

- I'm sorry to say that it's already too late for him, once cursed, it becomes a path of no return. - He explained lowering his head. - This is the fate of the Prescelti Sette. The sacrifice to keep Trinisette. That's why they say they disappear after accepting the challenge. Few are those who want to show off their cursed form afterwards…

A single gasp of surprise came from the man's lips as he was lifted by the collar of his heavy clothes, not knowing at what moment he had approached.

- YOU ARE TRYING TO FOOL ME! - He snarled, shaking him, not caring if he ended up falling off the mountain like that. - I myself saw how that stubborn hunter refused every one of Checker Face's advances! And now you're saying that not only did he end up giving in, he was cursed for it, what the fuck?! How do you want me to believe this mystical bullshit?!

-…From what Parvento told me, your Benefactor accepted Checker Face's proposal to find out where you were… - That made him let go, and even staggering Glauco didn't fall. -… It seems that he would hope to find you if he came here… I'm sorry.

-… Lie… - He pulled away, his legs trembling. - That's all a lie! There is no such thing as a curse! That Brat wouldn't have come all this way for…!

- Checker Face doesn't mind lying if it's for Trinisette's sake. - The other followed sadly, staring at the floor. - I believe he deceived and manipulated him about his whereabouts…

-…Lie, that Brat never cared about me! He always called me useless! This story is… - He swallowed, his body shaking. - Something like that can't...

Then he dropped to his knees, Iro whimpering beside him.

-...It can't be true….

- That is the big problem of the Skies… Because they are so rare and they live so little, they take care of their own above any consequences, going over their own death if necessary… - Glauco continued with real regret kneeling in front of him. - Even if your souls weren't linked like his apprentice's, I believe he still felt responsible for you. That's what the Skies do, their reason for existence, to shelter those who feel they need it...

He didn't hear him anymore, really, staring at his calloused hands, Iro settling in his lap, still crying softly.

-…If what you say is true, it's my fault…. And Mähne? Where is he?! - He demanded to know, but the other just shook his head.

- I'm sorry, I don't know, I was looking for people like you… - Then in front of him, he took his hands. - That's why we need your skills, if you are really immune to Ametillus' power to erase memory, maybe you can mold Trinisette. This can help us break this cycle of pain and sacrifice.

- What, after all, is this Trinisette? - He asked tiredly.

- Come with me, trust me, I will show you, and soon my master will explain everything. We don't agree with what Ametillus is doing...

Too tired to deny it any longer, he let himself rise, following the man to the top of the mountain where there was nothing.

Before he could say anything, however, he blinked in disbelief as flames, pale blue almost white, sprang from Glauco's hands.

And as he lifted it up like an offering, he couldn't believe his own eyes.

- Snow?! - He exclaimed, raising his hand and touching some flakes that seemed paradoxically hot and that began to fall all over the mountain.

- Do you know what snow is? - He questioned, not leaving his position, his hair fluttering almost ghostly. - They are the tears of regret left by the past. It is the cold that solidifies when faced with the reality of the present. It is the hope of a nourished harvest in the future. The flame daughter of Earth and Sky, able to guide the way to the source of life...

His words had barely been absorbed and a blinding light appeared, reflecting from flake to flake…

And his world was changed forever.

-.-.-.-.-.-

The brusque movement of Tsuna sitting up made Reborn wake up immediately, sighing internally for having accepted this stupid idea of sharing a bed even though he was the light sleep of a assassin.

However, that, along with the impulse to hit the brunette for such a sudden awakening, fell completely into oblivion when he saw the Sky's completely pale expression as if he had just woken up from a terrible nightmare.

Without really waking up.

His vision was unfocused, his expression blank, not seeming to be really aware of what he was doing, like a sleepwalker.

- Tsuna? - He tried to call, and as expected, there was no result. So he also got up walking on the bed to face the youngest, taking care to keep a certain distance and avoid further accidents. - Go back to sleep, Tsuna.

The brunette turned to him, not seeming to really see him, his pale expression slowly filling with anguish.

-…Forgive me… I-I… I shouldn't have left like that… - He said shakily, clenching his fists tightly under the covers. - You took care of me, gave me shelter… Food… And e-even so I… It was all my fault…!

Reborn blinked. He had no idea what Tsuna was talking about, he was clearly daydreaming. His first thought was to wake him up fully, but he soon discarded the option, the youngster one seemed so lost in himself that it could generate a violent reaction and he had already learned that this was not a good idea.

The brunette's papable agony didn't make things any more difficult, however.

His entire body trembled, his eyes filled with tears, as his form shrank, as if trying to appear smaller.

-…My fault, my fault… - He continued muttering in a broken tone hugging his arms. -…It's all my fault!

Reborn, the best Hitman in the world, the Mafia's most renowned private tutor, just standing still, not really knowing what to do with the weeping figure.

His current state even worse than that time, on Shimon Island, after the false accusation that Iemitsu had been the murderer of Enma's parents, in which the state of shock seemed to have completely detached Tsuna from reality and only Hibari's words seemed to catch up with him.

As the crying continued, despite his pride, the assassin even considered dragging Lambo there, after all, the Cow had already managed, somehow, to calm the Sky on another occasion.

However, Tsuna seemed to have other plans, at a speed that in another situation he would have praised, the younger one pulled him close, more than with violence, with despair, pinning him against his torso and crushing him with his arms as if he feared he would disappear if he let go.

-...Tsuna! Release me! - He grumbled, trying to get out of the grip, Leon who watched everything from his nightcap, seemed as lost as his owner on how to act.

-…You can kill me if you want, I… I just want you to know that I'm really sorry, Brat… - He kept saying it blindly, making Reborn's eyebrow furrow at being called that by the brunette, even if he wasn't addressing him.

He stopped forcing his way out, however, when he felt, due to their proximity, how the brunette's heart pounded frantically in his chest.

Sighing tiredly, for the sake of his ribs, he decided to just act along, to see if he could get some quieter reaction.

- I would never kill you. - He put it with sincerity, reaching his hand as best he could to reach the big one's tear-soaked chin, who finally seemed to react with some of his words. - Even though you're a useless idiot. - As offensive as his words were, he paradoxically began to relax.

-...But it's my fault… - He continued with a low sniff. - But by my fault you... You... Was…

- I am responsible for my own actions. - And managing to take both hands to the cheek of the taller one, he forced him to face him. Glassy browns against inexpressive blacks.

-...Can you forgive me?

Reborn snorted.

- If that's what you want to hear, I forgive you, now release me idiot, before I change my mind about killing you.

That seemed to draw a husky laugh from the youngest one, along with a palpable sigh of relief.

- Try to calm down now, okay? - He said, running his hand over that cheek that looked too cold for someone alive.

Instead of letting go, however, the brunette seemed to curl more into himself, lifting the assassin with his legs, so that he was almost level with his face, though he soon tried to hide his face in vain in the Hitman's tiniest shoulder.

At this point, more than the proximity, the absolute cold of the opposite body was what bothered him the most.

- You look like a corpse, Useless-Tsuna. - He confessed, trembling slightly at his own words.

He was never a man who denied his instincts, so when he thought of repeating the same thing he had done before when the younger was writhing with cold in his fever in the Sasagawa's living room, he didn't really care if there might be consequences.

So he lit his flame with his small hand, in an attempt to warm the strangely icy body.

As in the last time, Tsuna moved so that he rested his forehead against his lit hand, thus creating the illusion of the flames being coming out of the brunette itself.

- Reborn… - He said in a tone much more his own, the grip undid and his eyes closing, finally allowing the Hitman to walk away.

In a short time, as if the target of the Rain Flame, the younger one had fallen on his side on the bed, asleep, much calmer than before.

Yet the assassin continued with his flame lit, until the body in front of him felt minimally hot for a normal human being, allowing a sigh of relief to escape his own lips as he finally let his power die.

He couldn't help but notice, with a frown, how the Vongola Ring glowed softly, like when Primo had appeared in the future to face Byakuran, only with less intensity.

But nothing had come out this time.

- All this is becoming more and more complicated. - He regretted sitting on the bed and facing the Sky. Until soon someone opened the bedroom door, alerted by the unusual emanation.

-.-.-.-

- So you suspect it is something related to Trinisette?

- It's more than a suspicion, Tsuna's own intuition says it has some relationship.

- He seems to be finally trusting his intuition more after all. Anyway, it was a complete surprise to feel your Sun* flames coming from Tsuna's room. More to see you using them on him. I thought they didn't...

- They don't heal. - He finished in a sharp tone. - They never healed. But Flames are still Flames. He looked icy like… You know. - Reborn said in a brusque tone, drinking a long sip from his cup with a frown. - I just did what I thought I had to do.

-...I see... - Fon agreed, putting a hand to his chin thoughtfully. - Maybe, like the pacifiers, the ring is absorbing his flame to maintain itself, and that causes the cold?

- The boy is a human pyre, diagnosed with excess flames, this ring should be a black hole for that to make sense. - He replied, staring unwillingly at his cup.

Fon did not respond, it was more than evident that the episode had left the Hitman in a bad mood, and even if he denied it until his last day of life, completely lost and bewildered.

If the scene he found, with the Sun watching, frankly worried and tired, the fallen brunette boy didn't say it all, the fact that he'd gone down to the kitchen with him and accepted a cup of tea said it all.

- This must all be quite tiring for you.

- It was definitely not in my contract. - It was the only pseudo confirmation he got. - If I had known, in the Battle of the Rings, that the Vongola Ring was made of a crappy magic stone, from the same group that curse us, I would have followed through with my first judgment that it was too soon* and sent that trash back to the Italy. Let Varia and CEDEF handle all this mystical shit.

- You only say that because you're angry since none of us know what to make of this story. I'm sure you would have taken the job even if it had a clause about "Mystical Events and Time Travel." I am wrong?

- No. - He said simply leaning back on the seat. - But I would have emptied the entire financial reserve of Vongola as a demand for payment.

Fon just smirked.

- As if it made a difference to someone already as rich as you.

The matter, however, ended when a yawning brunette started down the stairs.

-...I did something weird again, didn't I? - It was the first thing he said when both eyes returned to him.

- Is your Hyper Intuition or have you learned to read the environment? - Wanted to know Reborn in a still slightly irritated tone.

-...Both, I... I think. You look nervous...

Reborn snorted at the obvious placement.

- You have three seconds to make my coffee before I shoot you.

- Hiiie! Okay okay! - He said hurrying to the sink.

- But are you okay, Tsuna? - Wanted to know worried Fon, casting a reproachful look at Reborn who just ignored him.

- Yes… - He said more calmly entering Hyper Mode. - But I noticed that my face was a little wet and swollen… Did I cry in my sleep?

- Half asleep, half awake. - Reborn replied directly. - You do not remember?

-...No, just that I felt your flame, and that I was very cold, and then I wasn't anymore.

As if to check his words, Fon jumped over the brunette's shoulder, who didn't even startled by the act, and placed a hand on his cheek.

- No doubt he's hotter now. Whether through Hyper Mode or not…

- Sorry for the concern...

- All right, it's not your fault. - Said Fon simply before Reborn could say anything, returning to the ground. - But do you by any chance remember something you dreamed…? Reborn said that his ring even glowed.

The brunette didn't respond at first, pondering as he finished his coffee. Only when he undid his Hyper Mode and refilled his tutor's cup did he respond.

- I remember a lot of snow.

-...Hmm... Maybe that explains the cold?

- I don't know… - He said, sitting down.

- Anything else? - He wanted to know while Reborn drank his coffee, feeling much more relaxed.

- Hmmm… There was a big white dog that I've never seen before, a wooden hut, hmmm… Ah yes, a mountain.

- What… Type of mountain? - The Chinese Man wanted to know somewhat insecure, exchanging a knowing look with Reborn.

- A desert, without vegetation, or close life… - Every word seemed to cost him. - Two people were climbing it… - The younger one put a hand to his head as if he felt pain there. - G-glauco… Somehow he looked familiar to me, I can't explain… The other one… I… I don't remember, but he had a dog. And when they reached the top of the mountain there was… Snow and a white light… Very… Very Aargh…!

- Tsuna, enough! - Reborn's firm voice made him stop, realizing that he was panting, almost bent over the table, a smoldering pain in his head and stomach.

He took a deep breath, shifting in his seat, calming his heart that he didn't know when it had fluttered.

-…Do you two think it really has something to do with Trinisette? - The Sky wanted to know turning to face the other two, only to see them looking serious at each other.

- Tsuna, if it's too much effort, you don't have to answer. - The Storm followed in a tone that made the younger one slightly nervous, because it was no longer his usual calm. - Are you sure it was just two people?

- And a dog… Yes. I'm sure. - He said with strange firmness.

- Maybe it's not… - The Chinese man started.

- It's too much of a coincidence not to be. - Finished the assassin in a serious tone.

- What are you talking about…?

-...It was on a mountain like this that we were cursed by Kawahira. - Reborn placed directly, making Tsuna blink in surprise. - Just when we were hit by a white light.

- To this day I don't understand what that light was, since he is a Mist… - The martial artist followed. - Maybe part of an illusion.

-...It was Trinisette himself along with Kawahira's power, or at least, what's left on that mountain that he can access alone... - Tsuna said in a shot, then took his hand fully to his face with an intense expression of pain, while his body seemed to twist.

- Enough Tsuna! - Reborn's voice was demanding, just like in their discussion in the Representative Battle, if not worse. - Byakuran succumbed to madness and Uni sacrificed her life by using Trinisette's power, we don't know what can happen to you. Then. Stop. Immediately. - He finished it through gritted teeth.

The brunette just had the strength to nod his head, feeling really tired, one hand holding his stomach and the other his forehead. Fon helpfully went to the sink to get some water so he could drink.

-...Sorry I... I just couldn't help answering.

- Let's not ask any more then. - Said in a gentle tone the Chinese man offering the glass that the younger took trembling.

-...But… - He started again hesitantly. - It could be important… After all, Trinisette is…

- TSUNA, I said no. - He put on letting his assassin aura out, chilling his student completely, making him look scared to his tutor. - Promise me you won't force the use of Trinisette any further.

-...But I may just lack training and control! - He kept going, despite his body having reacted to the opposite Killing Intent. Fon couldn't help but observe in amazement how the brunette really seemed willing to face that frightening presence even for some of the Ex-Arcobalenos. The sound of footsteps indicating that Bianchi was also approaching. - You always supported me when it came to these kinds of things...

- But none of this makes sense if you're dead! - He climbed onto the table, holding a certain watch in his pocket. - You've seen what this thing can do for yourself. Promise me you won't force the use of Trinisette anymore. - He repeated.

Instead of answering, Tsuna looked away.

- I can't promise something that doesn't just depend on me. - He finally declared.

Reborn approached and without thinking twice gave a powerful kick to the Vongola's forehead, throwing him, along with the chair that broke when it hit the sink.

- Reborn! - Fon reproached, running to the side of the brunette, who had both hands on his forehead with an expression of pain, a little blood running between his fingers.

- I'm just trying to get some sense into this head. - He declared as the only excuse. - Now, if he's that bad health, it doesn't make sense to have a party today. I will inform everyone that Christmas has been canceled.

He had already turned Leon into a cell phone, when Tsuna let go of Fon, ignoring the trickle of blood that ran down his forehead to face the assassin again.

- No, please, everyone has been trying so hard… I know you're all looking forward to this party. I even… I even got presents for everyone… I really want to spend Christmas with all my family… - And then he took a deep breath, wiping the blood with the collar of his clothes. - All right, I… I'm not going to force the use of Trinisette. I will… Respect my own limits.

Reborn didn't even try to hide his sigh of relief.

- Good. - That's all the assassin said, sitting down again. - Tomorrow, as soon as possible, I'll talk to Talbot about it. He's dealt with this before, he'll know what to do.

Like a trigger, Tsuna's body bent forward, forcing him to run to the bathroom for a sudden bout of vomiting, Fon was about to follow him, but let Bianchi do so, knowing her larger body would be a most helpful support.

- I will not allow him to also be a sacrifice of these stones. - Reborn's scathing tone made the Storm turn around. - Even if I have to destroy them all myself.

- Do you value your student more than the balance of the world?

The world's greatest assassin smirked haughtily.

- Don't ask stupid questions, Fon.

-.-.-

When Tsuna came out of his hot bath, at Bianchi's suggestion and insistence, he felt infinitely better. No doubt calmer and more relaxed, and definitely warmer.

When he went downstairs again, he noticed that his mother was already awake preparing breakfast while humming very happily, the children were all present, Lambo trying to steal I-Pin's food and suffering the consequences, Bianchi offering hers and the Lightning nervously denying.

Everything looked absolutely normal.

Too much.

With the exception of Reborn, and even Fon, who didn't seem to be in sight, not to mention all the choir hustle.

He turned around just before the pair of Ex-Arcobalenos left his room, Fon clearly surprised that he had discovered them so quickly.

-...You didn't cancel everything, did you...? - He wanted to know apprehensively, much more like his normal self than the one who had faced the world's strongest Hitman minutes ago.

- That depends. - Said Reborn without being affected by the teenager's adorable begging tone. - How are you feeling? - And before the youngest could answer, he added. - And don't try to hide anything from me.

Tsuna snorted in a frankly childish way.

- I'm much better, just my stomach hurts a little.

- Must be hunger. - Fon suggested amicably. - Why don't we go down to eat?

- Not until he starts at least organizing his homework. - Reborn refuted crossing his arms.

- Whaaaaat?! On Christmas eve?!

- Nobody told you to just ignore your studies since Chuugaku was closed.

- But I was working!

- Gokudera has always worked since he moved here and never got such ridiculous grades as yours.

- B-but...! That's not fair!

- I never said it was fair, and if you're fine, as you say you are, there's no reason not to sit down and do it like a decent student.

Tsuna even puffed out his cheeks like a child, causing Fon to have to hide a small laugh against his hand. It was just absurd how these two could go from a fierce argument to their normal day-to-day life in such a short time.

No doubt Reborn had found a peculiar student to match him.

- Okay… - Said the brunette, clearly disgusted, realizing that he would end up being hit again if he refused. - But what about the choir?

- I'll organize everything while you're catching up on your subjects. You'll know when it all starts.

And without further explanation, the Hitman descended the stairs, Fon soon following him, after wishing the poor student a heartfelt "Good luck".

-.-.-.-

Reborn wasn't lying.

He was concentrating on putting together something definitely didn't have to do with his homework, his hand all soaked in glue when.

TUM TURUTUM TUM TURUTUM TUM TURUTUM TUM TURUTUM

- HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE! - He yelled, falling with the chair for the second time that day, although this time it was much less painful. - What is it?!

He ran to his window, belatedly remembering that it was broken and patched up with wooden boards, tried to see between the cracks, only able to make out a strange movement on the street.

- Must be the choir! - He put it with clear relief, something he never thought he would feel from all that mess, but that today besides being the last day, it also meant that Reborn had decidedly fulfilled what he said and Christmas hadn't been canceled.

With that in mind, he ran downstairs, not surprised when he didn't find anyone in the kitchen, or see anything through the window overlooking the garden.

He surprisingly didn't fall down the stairs, even jumping the last few steps in haste, his objective clear.

The street.

"It makes sense." - He thought, opening the front door, from which the sound came stronger. - "There are a lot of people to do this in the backyard!"

And in fact, through the wall of his house he could already see the silhouette of several people.

And when he slipped ahead of the group.

- On the twelfth day of Christmas, my love gave it to me…! - Singed the faithful children's choir. - Twelve drummers!

- It's now guys! - Said an excited Romario, along with eleven other companions, all wearing traditional Taiko clothes with their sleeves up despite the winter cold. - One, Two, TRE, QUATTRO!

- THE DINO MEN?! BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS NOT COMING FOR CHRISTMAS! - He roared to be heard over the passionately chanted drums. - OOUCH! - Only to be thrown against the neighbor's wall for interrupting again. Reborn landing on his head.

- Frankly Useless-Tsuna, until the last day you didn't learn not to interrupt. - He huffed in disappointment, shaking his head.

And despite that, the chorus continued uninterrupted.

-…Eleven flutists playing! - Fon played his flute fully, even jumping between the drums helping them to make even more noise, some people in the neighborhood had even put their heads out to see the reason for all that movement.

The nine Hibirds flew away like a fighter aircraft show in the sky forming a perfect triangle. Hibari emerged from between the rooftops, stopping under the one of the Sawada residence, a complete expression of disgust on his face at the entire crowd. As soon as they saw him, all of the curious faces from the neighbors immediately disappeared.

- Ten gentlemen jumping! - Longchamp jumped to escape Pantera's deadly weathervane; Mangusta, still with his orthopedic wristbands, showed a lot of agility and grace despite his size; Lunga played his guitar in horrible sync with the drums.

In turn, the three ex-girlfriends in love with Tsuna danced with his picture in his underwear in hands, while the other three improvised their own steps, Tanaka Shoko even turning with her head on the floor giving a Hip-Hop show to the applause of Hattori Christine and Mrs. Yuide Mako.

-…Nine ladies dancing! - Ryohei was still extreme with his tight leotard, looking reasonably fine despite his crooked nose and right arm in a sling, his fake ponytail falling down due to his every move. Gokudera, with some bandages on his face, was lifting his lace flamenco dress with his hands to approach the boxer and yell at him, but the sound was muffled by the drums.

Yamamoto laughed and clapped his hands, apparently not even caring about his tight tango dress anymore. Kusakabe looked apprehensively at his boss on the roof of the Sawada residence, his yellow Chinese Yangko shirt and pants still standing out for their vibrant color despite the crowd. It was hard to tell if his bra-and-skirt committee mate was shivering from the cold or from fear of his boss.

Lal Mirch was as normal as ever, though she seemed in a very good mood. Nana was one of the cheering ones, being extremely comfortable in her long black Kathak clothes and her red skirt with pants underneath. Shamal this time slept in the middle of the street, rolling in his dreams with his carnival indigo plumage, one time to avoid Pantera's weathervane, another to avoid being trampled by Ryohei's extreme dance.

Mochida nearly collapsed with laughter when Gokudera again tripped on his heels, taking Yamamoto with him, only to be trampled by the excited Sun. Even though he was wearing his two-piece, feathered indigo mambo tights in the middle of the street, he didn't seem cold.

-…Eight milkmaids! - Tsuna was proud of not yet seeing Xanxus-Illusion wearing cow pajamas, but it was impossible not to look at Squalo's milk bucket, Belphegor's butter knives, although he was very keen not to see Lussuria's disturbing dance with his cow tits, or Levi's murderous expression, despite his attire and bull piercing.

Mammon's expression was still indecipherable and the fact that in its final act the Cow Moska was throwing milk everywhere made the vision even more absurd, and little Fran's wicked smile did not make Tsuna's conscience any easier.

-...Seven swans swimming! - Enma narrowly dodged a shot of milk that flew towards him, but it still ended up hitting his swan costume's neck. Aoba was hit in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, taking Julie with him in a cascading effect, falling at the feet of Ooyama and Kaoru, who when trying to lift their friends were also hit.

Adel remained intact, without even deflecting or being hit, in a mental mantra that this was for the good of the family, while Shitt P with his red-and-white hair crouched next to his fallen companions and caught between her fingers a little of milk supposedly illusion.

-…Six beautiful geese! - In an outfit almost identical to the Shimon were the girls. Even lying on the ground with Reborn on his head, Tsuna couldn't help but notice with relief that both Haru and Kyoko were laughing when a handful of milk in the face also knocked Ryohei down, falling on top of Yamamoto and Gokudera who were skating trying to get up from the slippery and wet ground with their high heels.

Even Chrome was chuckling softly against her hand.

-...Fiiiiiiive flamiiiiiiingos!

And even knowing that he would be beaten again, Tsuna couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

- IS THAT THE SKULL?!

Even with the kick that took him face-first to the ground, the brunette soon raised his face to better see the man of medium height, chain piercing in his mouth, messy purple hair, and a teardrop tattoo on his left eye. He was continuing his trick of being lifted into the air in his flamingo outfit by the other four Calcassa, who seemed to be having a hard time carrying him now.

-...How did you realize so quickly that it was him in his adult form...? - Wanted to know Reborn.

- Huh? What are you talking about? It's obvious, they're the same! - And for some reason Reborn hit him again.

-…Four toucans! - Spanner tasted his lollipop as if he was completely oblivious to all the chaos around him, Irie didn't look anywhere near that comfortable, with one hand on his stomach and the other trying to lower his huge toucan beak to avoid getting hit by the milk.

Neither of the two mechanics seemed to care that suspicious sparks were starting to come out of the two Mini Moskas-Toucans when they were hit by the liquid fired.

-…Three chickens! - Colonnello, in his baby size, also seemed in a very good mood, despite going on in his chicken outfit, even Verde didn't look as miserable as all the other times.

Fuuta had returned to be close to the scientist, and seemed very happy despite all the crowd of strangers.

- Two doves! - I-Pin and Lambo looked almost breathless from all that singing.

The Chinese girl still managed to nimbly dodge a shot of milk towards her, but the Bovino was nowhere near as fast, being hit in its dove's beak, releasing its famous Gupya!

-…And a partridge on top of a pear tree! - Finished singing I-Pin and Fuuta as the Lightning had been knocked out.

With his cue, Reborn left his ragged student, and flew to where the pear tree Bianchi was, ending with his triumphant landing.

Tsuna, despite having three bumps on his head, stood up trembling and started to clap with a truly radiant smile on his face, although he continued to look impressed at Skull.

But Reborn's next words took the Cloud from his mind for now.

- Today is Christmas Eve. Congratulations Tsuna, you made it in time.

The young boy stopped, processed those words and smiled even more radiantly, realizing all that it meant.

- Yes! - He declared happy.

- THAT'S RIGHT! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EXTREME LITTLE BROTHER!

- THE TENTH IS THE BEST!

- SHOW THEM LITTLE SAWADA!

-...Yeah, come on Tsuna!

The brunette immediately blushed as one by one most of the members started congratulating him, even his mother, which made everything worse and more embarrassing.

However, there was not much time for celebration.

Tuuum

- Hiii-bari! - Tsuna said taking a step back when the clearly annoyed president landed beside him, standing up with grace, despite his irritated expression.

- Reborn. - He said looking directly at the assassin, which made Tsuna blink, because he really didn't remember hearing the president calling his tutor by name. - I demand my reward now.

- Oh yes of course. - Said the Hitman simply. - As promised for participating in the choir and the test, you can disperse this crowd as you wish. I don't need them anymore.

- WHAT?! - Several said in unison, fearing for their lives mainly because of the predatory look on the president's face.

- So that was his prize?! - Exclaimed in turn Yamamoto, Gokudera and Ryohei.

- Hiiiie! - Tsuna squeaked in turn, when bloodthirsty eyes turned towards him. - H-hibari, Mister Hibari…? - He tried. - Aaah! - And he screamed, seeing that he would undoubtedly be the president's first prey, his guardians trying to come to his aid, but continuing to stumble.

And yet, waiting with eyes closed and arms crossed in X, the hit never came, causing him to open his eyes to find out what had happened.

- Well, well… Skylark, why so anxious for the slaughter? - Mukuro the goose provoked, stopping the hit of the tonfas with his trident, while his fantasy dissolved, bringing back his characteristic Kokuyo Land uniform. Which immediately made Mochida squeal, falling to the ground his ass as he recognized his assailant.

- Wasn't that Mukuro's illusion? - Wanted to know Yamamoto confused, with his face centimeters from Gokudera's foot, trapped by Ryohei's arm, seeing how Ken and Chikusa's illusion disappeared.

- I knew it was really him! - Cried the Storm between the knees of the Sun. - Otherwise he couldn't defend the attack like this!

- No. - Tsuna said for sure. - It's not Mukuro.

- Well, well, Tsunayoshi, it's not fun when you spoil my act like that. - Grumbled the Guardian turning sideways to his boss, while his form dissolved again, revealing Chrome's flushed figure. -…I was just delivering Mr. Mukuro's gift…

- Gift? - He sideways his head confused.

- Yes, he told me: "Don't let the Skylark have fun beating Vongola for a rematch."

- This is his gift?!

-...Don't you want to...? - She questioned doubtfully and sadly.

- Hiiie, I want, I want! - He declared hastily when he saw the furious gleam in the president's eyes.

However, that soon dissolved when he realized that the little Mist still held his tonfas, even with difficulty.

- Wow… It looks like another Little Animal learned to sharpen its claws…

This made Chrome blush even more.

- I-it's just that I was close. - She denied the compliment, still smiling.

- It's all right. - He gave up collecting his tonfas. - There are other prey to hunt today.

And before anyone else could try to spoil his fun, he advanced towards the crowd, as Chrome made a barrier of Mist, like the one he had done in the battle against Daemon.

The real chaos was in place.

Hibari advanced to the closest one, besides the children, which turned out to be Verde, who didn't even have time to use any of his inventions in his defense, receiving two tonfas hit, that, by Arcobalenic experience, could protect himself from too much damage using his Lightning flames.

Yet he flew far in the sky, turning into a star in broad daylight.

Reborn and Bianchi evacuated the girl while Hibari was distracted in his hunt for the least herbivorous of the pack. Haru and Kyoko even wanted to stay, mainly claiming they wanted to talk to Tsuna, but Bianchi convinced them that they could come back later, while Reborn promised new photos for Longchamp's Ex-Girlfriends in love with Tsuna, and a trip to Mafia Land, which five of them thought was just an ordinary amusement park, in case they disappeared and never came back.

With that done, the duo just walked back inside, followed by Colonnello, Lal Mirch and Nana, who had a tearful Lambo in her arms, while Fuuta and I-Pin followed them across the floor.

- You bastards! - But before he went, among his "tolerate", the Guardian took four grenades from his hair and threw them into the crowd.

One was in the direction of Irie, who with his own squeal hid behind a Mini Moska-Toucan, which was hit causing a huge explosion that took the scientists with it, the Sun hitting the wall of the house that used to hide in the past and Spanner falling flat on his face. The two, being smart enough to get away as soon as they managed to get up, the mechanic with the bleeding cheek just complaining about the loss of his Moska and lollipop.

Tsuna breathed a sigh of relief that the two of them didn't really seem to have been hurt, but soon his attention turned back to Hibari.

- So you are the Arcobaleno who is said to be hated by death. - Considered the President, having his hit blocked by Skull's right arm after having knocked out the other four Calcassa with a single move.

- Ex-Arcobaleno. - He corrected with a frown. - And you can be even worse than Fon when you become competitive!

The Guardian frowned at the comparison, managing to elbow the other Cloud in the stomach, launching him at the other Mini Moska-Toucan who, already damaged by milk, also exploded, throwing the motocross rider against the Sawada's wall, opening a hole there.

- Hiiiie! S-Skull? M-my house! Hibari! Please calm down!

But the brunette's pleas fell on deaf ears, or nearly so.

- Did you not hear the Tenth, you idiot?! - Wanted to know Gokudera soaked, disheveled and with the dress half torn, but finally standing taking his dynamite and lighting with the fire of his cigarette.

Which were soon extinguished by an uncontrolled Cow Moska that threw milk shots in all directions.

- What's wrong with that thing?! - He demanded to know, seeing from his weapons to the machine that was spinning out of control, apparently having a hole on the left side. - Wasn't that an illusion?

- It was. - Fran said calmly, sitting on the wall of the front house, the illusions that flanked him disappearing. - But I asked Professor Verde to make me a real one as a Christmas present, in exchange for letting him enter Kokuyo Land again. Looks like one of Cow Boy's grenades hit him.

- WHY WOULD YOU WANT A ROBOT THAT SHOOT MILK?!

- I thought it would be funny.

- NOW YOURS! - He exclaimed, but didn't have time for more complaints, when tripping over Shamal in the middle of the way, the Guardian fell again, luckily managing to dodge a hit from Hibari, but as a consequence…

-...But what the fuck is all this? - Muttered the doctor looking from side to side, clearly drunk, and when he saw his clothes he sighed tiredly. -...Oh shit, not again…

- What do you mean "not again"?! - Asked the Storm in disbelief. - Are you talking about the other days of the choir?

-...Of course…

- Gokudera! Are you okay? - Wanted to know Yamamoto, who had been smart enough to take off his shoes instead of trying to keep walking in high heels. He had finally managed to get up together with Ryohei, who needed help as he only had one arm.

However, a shout from his boss made everyone's attention turn to brunette, still protected with Chrome's barrier, Mochida on his left side, who had devised a way to get through the crowd to the Vongola, which seemed the safest area.

- GOKUDERA, BROTHER, YAMAMOTO! - Yelled the Sky, livid, pointing tremulously at something. - RUUUUN!

The trio turned to Hibari, who for some reason had stopped, but they didn't need much to understand the reason for their boss's warning.

Because Gokudera ended up falling on Shamal, he ended up opening the way for a shot of milk to hit the president of Namimori, who released a truly dangerous aura, while invoking the spikes and chains of his weapon, and with a single hit destroying the Gola Moska, a last lactine explosion filling the street.

-…Yeah… I don't want to face it. - Shamal said simply, opening the manhole cover in front of the Sawada residence, throwing it in the direction of the trio and simply entering the sewer. - Bye bye suckers!

In turn, Rain and Storm looked fearfully at each other, while the Sun's eyes seemed to glow with emotion for another good fight.

With a nod of mutual understanding, Yamamoto quickly hit Ryohei's legs with his Rain Flame, knocking him down, then slamming him onto his back.

- WHAAT, no! Let me go! I want to fight! - He exclaimed.

- It's for your own good, Sasagawa. - Said the baseball player in an apologetic tone. - You're already very hurt.

- Besides, it was a direct order from the Tenth! - Exclaimed the Bomberman, taking the manhole cover and covering it with the flame of the Storm.

- THAT WAS NOT AN ORDER! - Tsuna shouted from his place.

Before Hibari could release his tonfas from the Gola Moska and deliver his first hit with clearly murderous intent, Gokudera climbed onto the makeshift board, and despite its size, Yamamoto maneuvered to climb with him.

- Now! - The two said together, using the Degeneration factor as friction and the Rain factor as an impulse, the trio flew down the street, finding a way to dodge the Tomasso who watched all the interaction with interest, and Dino's men who calmly guarded their drums.

- WE'LL BE BACK LATER, TSUNA!

- THAT'S NOT EXTREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeee…! - Ryohei exclaimed as they disappeared into the horizon.

-...This is just insane. - Said Mochida, not believing what he was seeing.

- I agree with you… - Tsuna put it with a sigh, seeing how a furious Hibari was now attacking Longchamp, who laughed at everything as if it were a big joke, although surprisingly he avoided all attacks under the cheers of Mangusta. - But it's kind of our normal…

- Your normal?! - He put it in disbelief, then remembered something, while, after a decidedly strange twist, Naito was able to dodge even the Cloud's chains -...That man, who looks like this lady. - He pointed to Chrome who blushed at being called that. -…You said it was an illusion.

- A-ah yes… Yeah… Like a trick that Chrome is capable of. - He said nervously. Sky Tomaso did a backflip, using the Cloud's head for support, stopping behind him in a victory sign.

-...Yes that's right. - Confirmed with simple Chrome.

-…Right. And the man she made before… Do you know him…?

With no more patience, he called for Roll, trapping Naito in a sphere that was too big for him to escape, almost digging his thorns into Shimon, who had gathered near the wall of the house, so that Enma could see if Skull was okay, while trying to stay away from that mess.

- Oh yeah, that's Mukuro. He's a friend of ours.

Unable to hit Hibari with the Nageki Dan, much less destroy the sphere, Mangusta leapt with enviable grace under the ball, running over it dodging the spikes like an enormous hamster wheel. Pantera and Lunga running after them to follow them.

- Is that man your friend?!

Hibari didn't follow them, because that would be too pathetic, focusing on his next victim.

- Yes. Why?

- N-no, nothing...

So the Cloud, like a true predator, walked towards its prey slowly so as not to startle it.

- In fact, in the mess of the last few days I ended up not being able to ask. You want to come to the Christmas party tonight?

- Aaah, the one everyone is talking about? - He couldn't help but impress him that he actually already considered him enough to call him. - Thank you but not. I can't leave my siblings alone for long, and some are still too young to leave the house.

-...Ah... That's a shame and-

He couldn't finish, because a tonfa hit to the face, which probably knocked out a tooth, throwing the kendoka almost as far as the scientist.

- H-hibari! - Tsuna exclaimed with a frown, while the Cloud licked the blood from his tonfa carelessly.

- Hmm?

-...Hiiie! S-scary!

Rolling his eyes at the screeches, the Guardian turned his gaze to his remaining victims, his smile widening.

Seeing the movement of the uncontrollable Cloud, the Sky exclaimed again.

- Mr. Romário, be careful!

The Brazilian turned to the wild animal coming towards him and smiled.

- Very good. - He said, shrugging his shoulders with a defiant smile. - Our Boss told us that while you were here, we should follow his little brother's orders.

- EEEH?

- So in that case. - He cast a determined look at his men, Ivan, Michael, Bono and Brutus already understand what he was referring to even without words. - That means… RUN!

And at the same time, with drums in hand, the twelve men took off running at a really ridiculous speed.

- Pathetic. - He grumbled. - It could only be that useless man's men.

He thus turned to the only prey left, the Shimon. Before the Sky could even give any warning, Adel protectively stepped in front of his Boss, Julie and Ooyama did the same.

Hibari, ignoring his own Pseudo-Boss's cries to stop, stepped forward enjoying the challenge.

However, he never got to touch any of them.

- Hey Hey! You don't know when to stop?! - Skull had jumped from the broken wall where he was until that moment, stopping the hit from the smaller one again, this time with his own face, despite the thorns that drew blood from his cheek. - You are a really Wild, boy…

Hibari smiled.

- And you are not as weak as I imagined.

- Of course not! - Said the older Cloud wiping the blood with his thumb as if it was nothing. - The Great Skull is immortal, after all. And he would never let you hurt the people he cares about!

-...He's so cool... - Tsuna and Enma murmured together.

- Hmm. - It was the only answer he got.

- But Great Skull doesn't want to waste his time fighting, when he can do much more fun stuff! - That said, he took off his costume and from inside his clothes he took a miniature motorcycle.

- I-is that possible?! - Enma exclaimed when the toy, being enveloped by the Cloud's flame, expanded in size until it became a real motorcycle.

- But of course it's possible, baby, I'm the most powerful Cloud in the Mafia! - That said, it launched a helmet to Earth, which also grew, while doing the same with its usual one. - Now get on the back, let's see if this Cloud Boy runs as well as he fights!

- WHAT?! - Tsuna shouted. - Are you challenging him to a motorcycle race?!

- Interesting. - Hibari replied, guarding his tonfas.

- They can't be serious!

- Enma! - Adel intervened, extending her arms in front of the redhead. - I forbid you! It's dangerous! You can't even ride a bike without the training wheels!

- Or skateboarding! - Reinforced Ooyama.

-…Or even walk without falling. - Finished Julie.

- Leave it, a little adrenaline is good for the skin. - Opined Shitt P.

- Shittopi is right Adel, Enma needs to leave the nest. - Joined Aoba.

- No way! - She kept denying. - We don't even know this man well!

Enma, in turn, didn't listen to anyone from his family, watching the helmet with the red flame design and the Earth Kanji very badly written on it.

- T-that's…

- It was supposed to be your Christmas present tomorrow, but why wait when we can enjoy it now?

- I already told you he won't!

- Actually, he's gone. Look. - Shittopi pointed out with a smile, making Adel turn around in surprise, not knowing at what moment Enma passed by her, put on his helmet and climbed onto the back of the Ex-Arcobaleno's motorcycle.

- ENMA, No!

- Here's your bike*, Mr. Hibari. - It was Kusakabe and the other committee member, bringing the vehicle together.

- What?! Where were those two?! How did they bring this so fast?! - Asked confused Tsuna. - I didn't even see them when they left!

And despite Adel's screams, after putting on his own helmet, the two bikes left at full speed.

- ENMA! - Not that Adel was left behind, using the teachings of the morning run, she made an ice path and started to slide behind the trio. The other Shimons following them each in their own way.

Except Shitt P who for once walked normally.

- See you later, Vongola. - He said simply, walking while humming.

Even Kusakabe and his companion had already said goodbye and Tsuna still watched the street in disbelief.

-...What... How... That had an unexpected ending... - He said, combing his hair back.

- I have to go too, Boss. - Chrome said finally undoing the barrier. - I need to find where Mr. Verde fell. Will you come with me, Fran?

- Sure. - He shrugged, going down from the wall and following the young illusionist.

- See you later, Boss!

-...Up until…? - He sighed. - Seriously, what just happened?! Why is Skull an adult?!

- It's a gift from Haneuma Dino, I-Pin gave me mine today in breakfast.⁴ - Tsuna gave a little start when Fon's graceful figure fell on the wall beside him.

- Where were you? - He put it in surprise, having lost track of the smaller one when the chaos began.

- Seeing everything from the roof. Kyoya might get even more excited if he saw me as possible prey too, so I just got out of the way.

"It makes sense." - He thought with a sigh.

- You seem to know him well...

- Of course, we're related.

- Oh, yeah… WAIT, WHAT?!

- Oh, didn't you know?

- No! - He exclaimed in shock, even though it explained a lot.

Fon laughed softly.

- Yes, we are. But if I told you on what level we are related, he would be very angry. So let's say we just share blood.

-...A-ah... - It was definitely information to absorb, that Hibari was related to one of the most powerful in the Mafia, but there was a more pressing question. - You said that Dino gave you a watch.

- That's right. - The answer this time came from Reborn who was returning from inside the house on Lal Mirch's shoulder. - It's a modified Representative Battle, with it we can return to our normal form for up to 24 hours. Yesterday me, Colonnello and Skull used it. However, it seems that the level of effort and energy we use influences the time we have available. I only wanted to use ten minutes, Colonnello's time ran out at six hours and Skull is still an adult nearly ten hours later.

-...That's impressive. - Put Tsuna back to face the direction where his best friend had disappeared. - Dino is really amazing!

Then he stopped, realizing more than one thing, turning with a frown to the Hitman.

- Wait! You used THAT to train my friends yesterday?!

- Yes.

The Vongola shivered slightly, trying not to think about the image of a giant baby attacking his guardians.

Before Reborn could hit him again for being stupid, the brunette turned to Lal.

- But what effort could Colonnello have made to have almost half of Skull's time? - He found it curious. - Did he train too?

Immediately Lal Mirch blushed, Reborn smiled awkwardly and Fon coughed in embarrassment.

- It's none of your business, Sawada! - And with a kick, she threw him against the mailbox, returning inside furious, while the Hitman jumped to Fon's side.

- W-what did I say?! - He wanted to know confused, getting up.

- Let's leave it alone for now. - Reborn said with grace jumping over his shoulder. - One day I'll tell you. Maybe Dino.

-...Ehh... Right? - And then noticed something else. - Wait, wait! Does that mean Skull can go back to being a baby at any time while he rides a motorcycle?!

- Yes.

- HIIIEE! But Enma might get hurt! - He was about to run after his friend, but his tutor stopped him by pulling his ear. - Ouch!

- The Lackey is resistant, besides, Enma controls gravity. They will be fine. You have your own affairs to take care of.

-...What?! You don't want me to do any more homework, do you?

- No, but the Christmas tree will not assemble itself. We have over ten thousand shells to be distributed, and you still have to pack all the presents, forgot?

- Oh! Damn, it's true!

And casting one last worried look, he ran inside, Fon calmly following.

-.-.-.-

December 24, afternoon.

Reborn was still watching from the short wall of the house in the direction that his student had disappeared after being kidnapped by Byakuran, the real Funeral Wreaths had already left claiming that they would look for a hotel, and Gamma had dragged his own fellas in an incessant search for his princess.

- You're still worried about this Trinisette thing, aren't you? - Fon wanted to know, stopping by his side. - At last, after this morning, it might not exactly be the best day to leave the three main guardians of Trinisette alone.

- I trust Tsuna. - The Sun said at once, making the Storm blink in surprise, after all, there weren't many worthy of those words of the greatest killer in the world. - If he promised he won't force use, he won't do it. Besides, Uni, more than anyone, knows the risks that using the power of these stones involves. I'm sure she won't let Useless-Tsuna do anything stupid.

- What about Byakuran? After all, he's a Vongola fugitive now.

- If Byakuran wanted to do some harm, he would have done it already. Besides, I can always go back and enforce Nono's murder order. - He shrugged. - But I disagree with you, maybe it's the best time for these three to have a frank conversation about their own roles.

-...And you're just going to stand there waiting for him to come back? - This time Colonnello wanted to know, stopping at the door of the Sawada Residence. - You know, I think that Crazy Albino is right, you can't even remember what it's like to have a day off.

- That discussion again. - The assassin countered, turning to the soldier with disdain. - I already said that unlike you, I take my job seriously.

This time, however, instead of following the argument, the Rain raised his hands in surrender.

- I'm just saying that today is Christmas Eve, your tutored boy will be out for the afternoon, his guardians may still be running around town or packing their own presents. Why not take this opportunity to relax and get some rest? Forget the whole Neo Prima Generation business and just relax? Of course, if you can, Reborn.

There was a clear tone of defiance at the end of his words, sounding like a thinly veiled bet, that certainly hadn't escaped the Hitman who stared at the soldier with a frown.

But he wouldn't fall for that so easily.

- I don't have to prove anything to you, Colonnello. - Having said that, he jumped from the wall into the house, leaving the other two Ex-Arcobalenos behind.

- Let's play poker, are you coming? - Offered Rain with a smile of ulterior motives.

-...Is this just an excuse to stay here and see how long Reborn can relax?

The soldier laughed.

- Smart as always, Kaze Fon, yes. We even have a pool of bets going on about it, you are free to participate if you want.

The Storm took a long breath.

- No, I'm not into gambling but… - He considered for a moment. - I think I'll stay to watch, I confess that this time I'm a little interested. I wonder how much Reborn's life began to orbit around Tsuna's life without him realizing it.

This made the blonde laugh even more.

- As I always say, this kid now has two dads, and both of them are clingy in their own way.

- I wonder if this will generate some kind of competition one day.

- Oh, I would love to see that! A competition for Neo Primo's fatherly love. - He recited with grace. - I think I'll add the suggestion to the bets!

And with that he went back inside the house, Fon soon following him.

-.-.-.-

Tsuna felt a huge relief when the trio finally landed, in a small alley that led to the shopping center, which ironically, was one of the alleys they used in the future to walk through Namimori without being captured by Millefiore's men.

- Here ends our little flight, I hope you enjoyed the trip on Dragon Airlines! - The albino joked putting a hand on his waist.

- It was fun. - Uni said with a smile.

-...I prefer my method of flying. - And when receiving a frown from the older he added haphazardly. - A-anyway, seriously, why did you do that?

- I already said. - The Gesso kept talking going out of the alley to the shopping center followed by the other two. - The three of us need some alone time. Catch up on each other's news, badmouthing our families, you know.

- Are you sure? You two look… A little tired. - He couldn't help but watch, looking from one to the other.

- It was an exhausting trip. - Uni said simply.

- Why don't we go get something hot first? Then we can enjoy our day better. - Observed Byakuran seeing a restaurant. The same one Vongola and Shimon had met before the Inheritance Ceremony to discuss their safety.

- But I… Hmm… I didn't bring any money. - Said Tsuna embarrassed.

- No problem, as the eldest, it's my responsibility to pay for all three. - He put turning around the brunette and starting to push him in the back before he could argue anything else. - Don't worry about it, your currency is worth nothing compared to ours, I even took the trouble to money launder before coming here.

- How do you launder money? - He asked, confused.

- What? Reborn hasn't taught you that yet? - Joked the albino. - What a waste of potential...

So the three sat on one of the tables with upholstered chairs, Tsuna and Uni side by side and Byakuran in front.

- Very well, where to start, where to start… - The older man considered, tapping his fingers against the table. - What do you think Uni?

- Perhaps the reason for our sudden arrival? - She considered.

- Good point! Very good. We kind of destroyed part of the Vongola headquarters and now we're at the top of the "we wish dead" of the New Generation. At least I am. - And as if he didn't say a big deal, he caught the attention of a waitress.

- WAIT, WHAT?! - Tsuna yelled, standing up with both hands on the table, thus drawing the attention of everyone in the restaurant, immediately embarrassing himself and sitting down again.

-...I think you should be less direct. - Suggested Uni with a half smile.

- Oh well, my fault. - He shrugged.

- B-but what? How? Why did you do this? - Tsuna wanted to know, baffled.

- The short version: Because am I not obliged to say anything to the Ninth Vongola and his guardians. - The Gesso didn't give importance with a hand gesture. - Wider Version: Apparently from the events of the future, the current Vongola Boss believes I have information he wants, and was willing to do whatever was necessary to get it from me. Let's just say I wasn't very collaborative and ran off with Uni and the others, leaving a little chaos behind.

- That's what Reborn referred to with "What you did in Italy"... - The brunette understood frowning. - Reborn knew… But he didn't tell me anything about it!

- Don't blame Uncle Reborn. - Uni joined in a pacifying tone. - Knowing him, he must have imagined that you would want to get involved, and preferred to prevent you from having a conflict with Nono.

- Not to mention that Torikabuto did a great job of keeping us well hidden, even you and your Hyper Intuition would have a hard time finding us. - Byakuran completed.

- Still, he could have told me. - He replied, still frowning. - What if something had happened to you? Did Irie know something, or even Spanner? - The eldest shook his head. - What if something serious had happened! When would we know?!

Despite the slight explosion, Tsuna was disconcerted by the fact that both Byakuran and Uni were smiling.

-...What's it? - He wanted to know, wondering if he had said something wrong.

- It's natural for you to worry about Uni after all, but I confess I'm surprised to see all this worry directed at me too. I feel flattered. - The albino punctuated, resting his chin on his hand.

- Ah well… - The Vongola followed, more disconcerted and uncertain. -...We are... Friends, aren't we? I mean, we even fought together. You even defended me from my father's attack! Losing the competition because of me…

- That's water under the bridge, I just followed the advice of our little Uni. - The older man continued smiling, remembering Coyote's arrogant words and how he exacerbated that Tsunayoshi didn't see him as one of his own. How he would love to see Storm's idiotic face when he realizes he was completely wrong. - Still, I don't know if I'm satisfied with the role of friend. - He placed finally leaning against the seat. - I'm sure Uni agrees with me, no?

- Yes! - She imposed firmly.

-...Eh? What do you mean? - Wanted to understand the adorably insecure, almost upset brunette.

At that moment however the attendant finally arrived, her hair was long and black and she was looking at Sawada with a bored expression.

- I knew I would recognize your screaming voice, Sawada. - She said in a dry tone, with a hand on her waist.

It only took a moment for the brunette to recognize who it was.

- Kurokawa Hana! - He exclaimed, surprised. - You work here?

- No Sawada, I just have a hobby to dress up as a waitress and walk around restaurants with a tray. - She said with evident sarcasm making the smallest blush.

- Well, well, what way to treat customers, Miss Kurokawa, your way never changes does it? - The Gesso commented with a provocative tone.

That made the brunette's attention turn to him with a frown.

- And do I know you?

- Not you, but I do. - He replied with a mysterious smile wrapping his arms around his seat comfortably. - Even more so for the position you will occupy in the future.

Tsuna swallowed hard, immediately realizing Byakuran was referring to Hana from the future, and then nervously looked at her thinking of an excuse, only to see her staring at him like she was just another brainless animal.*

- Why are all your friends crazy, Sawada? - Wanted to know, she was still bored turning to the aforementioned.

- Haaa… W-well… - Honestly, he asked this question every day, so he had no idea how to answer it.

- Oh! But we are not his friends. - Denied Byakuran making a negative sign with his finger.

- Oh yes, he's right. - Uni agreed with a sly smile, realizing what the older man was getting at.

Tsuna barely had time to cast a disappointed look at the two when the Gesso followed.

- We are his brothers! - He put it on happily, immediately making the Vongola blush. - Isn't it Uni?

- That's right! - She agreed happily, also slightly red with the fact, although her blue eyes apparently sparkled with emotion at the prospect. - Byakuran is the oldest, and I the youngest.

- Tsuna is in the middle, like a brother's sandwich. - The albino ended with his fox smile. - Like a tuna.

Hana sharpened her gaze as her classmate's face grew redder and redder, not knowing how to deny it, even more so in the face of Giglio Nero's hopeful expression.

- You don't look alike at all. - She imposed in disbelief.

- Talking like that you offend us! - Byakuran said in a falsely dramatic, taking a hand to his cheek. - Look at these two little Marshmallows, see how their big innocent and bright eyes look alike!

Uni's eyes, if possible, became even larger and brighter.

However Hana didn't look the least bit impressed.

- She has blue eyes and a European face and Sawada is Japanese. - She said it like it was obvious, rolling her eyes. - But whatever, Sawada's crazy family is none of my business. Let's get straight to the point, what are you going to order?

- How insensitive you are. - Muttered the albino pouting. - Do you have anything with marshmallows?

- A cappuccino with marshmallow.

- Perfect~ And you little Uni?

- A-ah… I want a simple tea. - She chose nervously.

- Naaaaah, this is very boring… Gamma is not here monitoring you, you can order whatever you want.

- W-well… - She looked really uncertain, which didn't improve when Hana impatiently handed her a menu full of options. -…It could be anything? - She continued hesitantly.

- Anything~

-...I'll need some time to think. - She replied seriously as if an important political matter was being dealt with by hiding her face on the menu.

-...Right. - The black hair girl said, wondering how old this girl was, turning to Sawada. - And you?

- Eeeeh… It could be a green tea Genmaicha.

The young woman frowned.

- Isn't it too bitter for you?

- Actually, it's one of my favorites… - He replied awkwardly in front of the appraising look of Kyoko's friend.

- Bring some dangos too! - Joined Byakuran. - And marshmallows stuffed with strawberries! - Then he turned to Tsuna. - Order something to eat too, come on, I know you have an extensive list of favorite foods, don't be shy! - He said, gesturing with his hand up and down. The Vongola was on the point of questioning how the eldest knew this, but held back at the last second.

- R-right… A portion of Datemaki?

- Bring three. - The albino signaled with his fingers.

- Something more?

- I've already made up my mind. - Uni said, lowering the menu and crossing her hands over it. - I want a Macchiato in a short porcelain cup decorated with caramel inside, made with lots of foam, from skimmed milk, with dark chocolate on the rim. Oh! And whipped cream on top, lots of whipped cream… Like twice as much whipped cream as coffee. In fact, could you bring me a cup of just whipped cream?

-...Yes. - She confirmed with a raised eyebrow. - But the trimmings are charged separately.

Only then did the little girl notice Tsuna and Byakuran's surprised looks towards her.

-…I exaggerated? - She wanted to know hesitantly.

The Mare-Sky was the first to recover.

- Of course not, actually I think it's perfect. - Then the waitress turned. - Bring a biiiig chunk of strawberry cake with even more whipped cream and some macarons too, matcha for our Sandwich, strawberry for Uni and marshmallow for me!

- We don't have it here. - Hana cut off.

Faced with this, the albino smiled dangerously, Tsuna and Uni almost in sync were about to stop him from doing something stupid, especially when he started to take something out of his pocket and…

They only fell back when they realized it was just his wallet.

- Very well then, can you please arrange this for us? - He offered taking several and several Yen bills and offering it to Hana with his best cocky smile. - My little sister and I are tired from our trip from Europe to here, and we want to spend as much time as possible with our little brother, after all, it's Christmas Eve!

Instead of looking impressed, the young girl frowned at the 10,000 yen notes, and then cast an accusing look at Tsuna who was watching that amount of money with wide eyes.

- You never mentioned that your family was rich.

- What?! - He panicked for a second thinking about the Vongola.

- They are your "brothers". - Clearly she didn't believe it. - They are not?

- W-well. - And seeing Uni's plaintive face and Byakuran's slightly scary face, he added nervously. - Y-yes, of course… B-but I didn't inherit the money.

- Not yet. - The albino provoked again. - After all, your father and grandfather's fortune is rightfully yours.

- If it's up to me, I'll never inherit any of that. - He said with peculiar firmness, drawing Hana's attention again.

- What? Proud to be humble? If I can call you that. Frankly Sawada. Have more ambition, otherwise I will never allow you to be Kyoko's boyfriend. - And starting to ignore the brunette one dead of shame, she turned to Byakuran. - I'll see with my boss what we can do. Perhaps the old mercenary will accept his offer, but I promise nothing.

And without further ado, she finally withdrew.

- Do you like Kyoko? - Asked Uni surprised, who was probably the only one in the teenager's circle of friends who didn't know that.

- E-eh… W-well… I-I… A-actually yes… - He finally confessed, even more awkwardly, and nervously witnessing the younger's expression, amazed as if considering the possibilities, hurried to change the subject. - A-anyway… Byakuran, are you sure you should be spending all that money? Weren't you owing Mammon millions of yen for your organs? - He continued in a low tone, so that no one could hear them.

- Well, indeed. - He agreed crossing his hands in front of his face. - But let's say I called in some favors and got a transplant, so I just didn't pay Mammon. - He finished with his characteristic smile.

- Hiiie! You did not pay a group of professional assassins?! - He whispered as low as his panic could allow.

- When Nono called me with no options to refuse, I already imagined how it would all turn out. - He shrugged. - If I would already be persecuted by Vongola anyway, it would be a waste to pay Varia.

This made Tsuna lower his eyes, remembering the matter before Kurokawa's arrival.

- I still can't believe that something like this happened. - He said, throwing his back on the seat. - That doesn't look anything like Nono… - And then he sighed. - Not that I really know him, but…

- Don't get us wrong, Nono is a good man. - Uni interjected, taking the brunette's hands with hers.

- Yeeeah… - The albino agreed, reluctantly. - By Mafia standards he's pretty decent. He was not even able to kill his adopted son when he committed a coup d'état. Even though I don't think freezing someone for eight years is very benevolence. - And upon receiving a reproachful look from Uni, he followed. - The point is, he can be quite incisive when he wants to be, and the Battle of the Rings episode really left a trauma for the old man.

- Do you talk about what Xanxus did, or…? - He asked nervously, without finishing.

- Cervello. - The Gesso declared simply. - How they managed to infiltrate Vongola, steal the family rings, melt Xan-Xan's Popsicle-

- X-xan-xan?!

- This things. - He didn't give importance with a hand gesture. - And since in the future they worked for my other self, he thought I knew something about them.

- And you know…? - Tsuna questioned in a whisper, even more so when another waitress approached with the three's drink, for some reason putting her hair behind her ear and smiling at Byakuran when delivering her order.

- Perhaps. - He said mysteriously, taking a sip of his drink and waving to the young woman who delivered it, who laughed softly. - But I don't want to talk about it now.

- Why?

Uni for her part let the eldest deal with the matter for now, happily drinking her very sweet drink, while swinging her feet under the table, which didn't reach the floor.

- It's Christmas Eve. - Said simply. - I don't want to occupy your head with these matters. I spoke to Sho just before I stopped by your house to see if he was all right, he told me you worked really hard the last few days for this party. It just wouldn't be fair to our Sandwich.

-...So it's really serious… - He considered taking a sip of his tea, his Hyper Intuition twisting, as if saying that was indeed the case. Then he realized he was almost choking. - W-wait a minute! That means you really know something!

- Yes.

- But why didn't you tell Nono? That could have avoided your entire situation.

- Because I don't trust the current Vongola. - Tsuna couldn't help but blink in front of such a direct statement, even more with the albino's serious expression. - But I trust you, Tsunayoshi, so I don't mind telling you. Just not today.

- Tsuna.

Byakuran blinked, while the brunette embarrassedly scratched the bridge of his nose.

- W-well… If we're going to be brothers… - He followed hesitantly. - You should call me Tsuna too… No?

The Gesso stared at him for a long moment, his lips very slightly parted, then smiled, and even though the older one was known for his eternal smiles, the Vongola blinked in confusion as he realized that this one looked somehow different.

- Very well, it will be Tsuna then. - He continued with that peculiar expression that for some reason reminded him of the ones Mukuro showed at times.

Despite the content of what they were discussing, Uni was truly radiant, which was only intensified by the smile that the older one had.

- Even though I liked the name Sandwich! - He exclaimed returning to his normal self.

- N-no! This is almost as bad as the nickname my father gives me!

And the Sky-Mare just laughed when the food started to arrive. Even the macarons that were violently thrown on the table by Hana, who shot the albino a hateful look as she brushed snow from her hair.

-.-.-

For the first time in a long time, the Hitman was sitting in the living room, with a pleasant cup of coffee for company while watching a documentary on television, but even with everything needed to make his day peaceful, Colonnello's idiotic challenge returned to his mind mind.

Of course he could go a day without thinking about that group of idiots led by the biggest idiot who didn't consider himself a boss but acted like one, the very idea that he had to prove himself capable of it was stupid. He was a no-strings-attached freelance assassin, free to always do whatever he wanted, regardless of contracts.

He hadn't even bothered to answer the soldier correctly, after all, he was the best of them all, whether as a tutor or assassin, he was sure he had done a good job training his student, who could very well manage on his own, without having to to be thinking and watching it more all the time.

So, even ignoring Rain's challenge, he decided to really enjoy that Byakuran and Uni took Iemitsu's kid for a walk to take this as his afternoon off.

It was just perfect and distraction-free. Bianchi and Nana had run to the convenience store to buy some more cutlery because the house wouldn't have enough, I-Pin, Lambo and surprisingly Fuuta had gone with them, leaving only the Ex-Arcobalenos in the house.

Lal Mirch, Colonnello and Fon were in the kitchen apparently enjoying a friendly game of cards, or at least, until the Storm started to get competitive, which would bring the chaos that was needed to make everything perfect.

He took a long sip of the idiot's coffee, relaxing more into Kotatsu as he let the warmth of the drink and the table wash over him.

"... He's definitely improving in preparation." - He thought absently.

It was definitely a great day for a break.

DING DONG

That is until he hear the doorbell ring.

He didn't need to go to the door to know who it was, by the flames he already knew who it was.

He waited patiently for Lal Mirch or even the helpful Fon to answer the door without him having to bother getting up, but when he heard the doorbell ring again he knew that wasn't going to happen.

Taking a deep breath, he got up, went from the living room to the hallway, without deigning, when passing through the kitchen, to turn to those who were there, even though he was fully aware that the soldier was staring at him with an idiotic smile on his face.

Finally he reached the door and due to its diminutive size, he jumped on the handle and opened it, facing:

- Yamamoto, what are you doing here? - Asked the Hitman, disinterest was clear in his voice.

- Good afternoon, Little Guy, how are you? I came to see Tsuna. - Said the friendly baseball player as always.

"Of course you came to see him." - The Sun thought ironically, taking a sip of the coffee he had taken with him.

- Tsuna was taken by Byakuran and Uni to somewhere, probably they will only come back for the Christmas Party.

- Byakuran?! Uni?! What do you mean? - He repeated surprised. - When did they arrive in Japan?

- Long story, at the party, yourself ask the two what they are doing here. - He ended up making a move to close the door.

- Wait, Little Guy, isn't it dangerous to leave these three alone? Aren't they… Eeeeh… The three Skies that leave the world normal, or something? - He asked without really remembering the Italian name. - What if someone attacks them by surprise to take that power or something, like Byakuran did in the future?

He definitely didn't want to talk about those damn stones right now, least of all with an imbecile like Yamamoto. The swordsman can even be a class fighter, but he was still an idiot for any reasonably mediated explanation.

- Do you think your Boss is weak, Yamamoto? - Such questioning immediately made the tallest frown, but before he could say anything, he followed. - Those three troublesome Skies know how to take care of themselves, together they make Xanxus look even like a kitten. If someone attempt something, I pity the fate of the unfortunate.

With that the Rain evidently relaxed.

- Okay, you're right, Little guy. - He replied with a smile.

- Now, try to leave your boss alone for a day, why don't you go train baseball? I don't think the cold or Christmas is an excuse to stop you.

- Oh, I would like… But my team's treasurer forbade anyone to train again until after Christmas and my dad asked me to take the day off, otherwise… - He said the last part nervously. - But I'm not very good at this day off thing…

- Noticeable. So train your flame, I saw what you did at the Pole Knocking, even without Vongola Gear, you still managed to destabilize Ooyama Rauji, and yesterday in my little class you did well, even with an unconventional weapon. You have Yamamoto potential, don't waste it.

- All right, I'll do it! - He put excited, yet embarrassed by the direct praise of his Ex-Tutor. - Thanks Little Guy, so see you at the party-

- Reborn.

- What?

- Call me Reborn, I don't think you consider me a "funny baby" after yesterday to keep calling me "Little Guy", am I wrong? - He said smiling for the first time.

- You're right, Reborn. - He put it with a serious face.

And with a subtle bow the sportsman withdrew.

Satisfied, the assassin took another sip of his drink, smiling as he saw Colonnello's disappointed expression as he passed the kitchen.

However, the afternoon was just beginning.

-.-.-.-

With the help of food, much lighter matters came to the table. Starting with what had happened to Namimori a few weeks ago at the Pole Knocking.

Byakuran, as not, was very interested in this future version of Tsunayoshi that he didn't want to reveal his appearance, claiming that all versions he met were relatively similar to Tsuna, just a little taller.

The "just a little taller" left brunette decidedly disappointed.

Then it was time to explain how this whole Christmas story started, Byakuran chuckling at his expense at the mention of the reindeer costume, although Uni thought it was cute.

The Gesso then explained, between marshmallow and macaron, with a great lack of detail, what questions Coyote had asked, making one joke when he realized that the brunette had gotten too serious.

Soon Uni, who had an adorable milk and chocolate mustache, which Byakuran tried hard not to take a picture of, and Tsuna waited for her to finish to warn, explained how they had hidden in Torikabuto's illusions and flown on their own, in several relays, from Italy to Japan, a revelation that made the brunette choke on his egg candy and Byakuran had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him to unchoke him.

- I-is that even possible?! - He exclaimed in shock, still gasping when the albino helped him sit up after he and Uni were sure he was fine.

In turn, the brunette soon remembered that Ryohei had done a similar madness all the way to Shimon Island.

- It was quite tiring because those who flew had to take those who weren't able… - The young girl confessed with a hint of sadness. - And that's why we took so long to arrive.

- I understand… - He put it on to then accept the water that Hana brought him as a courtesy for the choking that once again drew the attention of the entire restaurant. -…Oh, thank you Kurokawa…

- I'm paid and obligated to do this. - She said as the only answer, to then offer a handkerchief to Uni. - Here, for your mouth.

- My mouth? - Just then noticing her sweet mustache, blushing for being so unpresentable in such a public place.

- A-ah! Sorry, Uni! - Tsuna rushed to say. - We were going to wait for you to finish to let you know, but it's no big deal! Lambo does it all the time, even I-Pin, and she's super attentive to everything she does… Here. - He continued, noticing how the little one only got dirtier in her haste to clean up, taking her handkerchief and helping her. - Ready, see? It was just a little bit.

Before the Vongola could move away or Uni thanked, them both felt a flash, and when they turned their faces, they saw how Byakuran had finally gotten his picture, looking at her with a playful expression, this time in a much more Dino-like way.

Hana, who hadn't left the table, just watched with a completely frowned face, then turned away as the two younger brothers tried to steal the cell phone of a satisfied and much taller albino, without any success.

-.-.-.-

DING DONG

"Not even a minute has passed." - He thought with a flicker of impatience as he was about to pour himself more coffee.

As expected, again none of the three others present in that house bothered to answer, so he went to the door once more, ignoring Colonnello's arrogant smile, facing:

- Kyoko, to what do I owe your presence this afternoon? - Asked the tutor already anticipating the answer.

- Good afternoon Reborn, Happy Christmas Eve! - Said the Sun, she was radiant.

- Is Tsuna at home? I know we were supposed to talk to him at the party, but I wanted to…

- Be alone with him? - He completed, smiling to see how the redhead turned completely red with his comment.

- T-That's not it. - She said disconcerted, putting her hair behind her ear. - It's just that… Since he started training us we've talked very little. It gets to be ironic… - She put it hesitantly. - Also, I feel like he's avoiding me, so I wanted to talk before the party and resolve any misunderstandings between us.

- I'm sorry, Tsuna is not at home. - The other Sol's expression couldn't be more disappointed. - Byakuran and Uni arrived in Japan to celebrate Christmas, so they took Useless somewhere.

- Uni?! Will she spend Christmas with us? - Reborn would never understand why the Japanese are so repetitive. - This is wonderful! But… Byakuran… - She repeated thoughtfully, then opened her eyes in shock. - Wait! Isn't he the one who did all those evil things to us in the future?! Even he hurt Uni!

- Yes, that's him. - Her expression became even more distressed. - But he's a friend of Tsuna now, it's a long story.

- Oh, then all right. - She accepted it simply, returning to her usual happy expression.

"This girl can be worse than Tsuna to so easily forgive those who made her life a living hell months ago. Also, she doesn't even seem to have changed her treatment of me in the slightest even after everything she saw yesterday." - Couldn't help but think about the Hitman. - "These two made a scary couple one day…"

- Tsuna has many friends, isn't it? - She was still friendly trying to bring up the subject.

- Yes. - But the assassin couldn't be less willing. - Why don't you tell Haru that Uni will spend Christmas with us? She will be very happy to know.

- She'll be very happy to know! But it turns out that Haru is busy, she said she would make the best Christmas costume ever, so she took the day off to dedicate herself to this outfit, so Ms. Lal ended up giving us a break from training today.

- A break you say...

- Yes, but even so Haru is working today, she is undoubtedly very hardworking and doesn't know when to stop! - She said worried. - I wanted her to rest more.

The assassin just stared at the girl, who then went on to talk about how they needed more than one day of appreciation a month, how the new Christmas cakes in the stores were all delicious, and how Uni would have so much fun with them and Chrome.

The Hitman, being a gentleman, was making an effort to listen even though he wasn't the least bit interested in any of these subjects.

So when an opening came up, he didn't hesitate to use it.

-…Uni is without a doubt very strong, I wonder if she could give me some tips.

- Want a tip? Why don't you train with that turtle for a bit? You need to learn to have better timing.

- Ah… Right, I think it won't be a problem to train with him at home, my brother hasn't come back since the morning choir, I wonder what he's doing…

- Something extreme, no doubt.

- You're right! Well, thanks for the tip, have a good afternoon Reborn. - And with a bow, she took her leave.

"Finally." - He thought closing the door, without a doubt the girl felt lonely lately.

He was halfway across the room when…

DING DONG

His expression still remained neutral, despite his internally wanting to kill someone.

Definitely Colonnello and his not-so-mindful laugh coming from the kitchen.

-.-.-.-

Byakuran could only think that he had gotten himself a pair of simply adorable brothers. The trio, properly rested and fed, were back on the snow-packed streets, the Gesso a few steps behind the smaller pair, both with adorable grimaces annoyed at not being able to get the photo due to their short stature.

"I didn't think he would really take this sibling thing seriously, I think I underestimated him." - Thought Sky-Mare seeing how Tsuna, consciously or not, walked close to the smallest paying close attention to whoever got too close to her. - "He's definitely getting paranoid. As if anyone would dare do anything with us here."

But that thought lost importance when he realized the direction the Vongola was turning.

- Where are you going? - He asked, drawing the attention of the pair.

- Home? - Offered Tsuna forgetting his irritation.

Byakuran smiled, and the Hyper Intuition made him shiver at that.

- Well, but it's still early.

- What do you have in mind? - Wanted to know Uni with curiosity. - If we take longer, Gamma will worry, he must be looking for us.

- I also think. - Tsuna joined. - Knowing the guys they must be looking for me already. In fact, it's strange that none have appeared so far…

"They are two paranoids." - The albino thought with a sigh.

- Don't worry about it, I gave Torikabuto clear instructions to give us an afternoon off. Even my other Funeral Wreaths are helping to throw off anyone who wants to find us⁵. We can enjoy some time alone from Tre-fratelli until the Christmas party.

The younger ones looked uncertainly at each other, then turned to the taller one, but before they could argue anything, this one spoke first.

- Yes yes I know. It's also a horrible name, I'm still working on it.

- That's not exactly the problem. - Tsuna countered with a half smile.

- What? Have you ever had enough of your big brother? - He put it with clearly staged drama, but Uni seemed to fall for it, running to Byakuran and taking him by the arm.

- But of course it's not that! - She argued. - It's just that Tsuna and I don't want to worry anyone.

- It will be fast, I swear. - He said, raising a hand over his chest. - I just want to buy you a present. As we were running away, neither Uni nor I had time. Furthermore. - His smile became provocative. - Tsuna didn't buy ours either, am I wrong?

- I-I didn't know you two were coming! I was going to save your present for later.

- So, one more reason to do it now.

- B-but anyway I would have to go back home to get the money…

- If we go there, I doubt the Ex-Arcobaleno will let you out again. - He considered with a half smile.

Tsuna blinked in surprise.

- Why do you think that? - Then he remembered the words of the albino about the Hitman. - You said he was stressed...

- It's true, Uncle Reborn looked worried… - Uni joined.

- Eh? Do you also think Uni? - Wanted to know decidedly tense now with a low face. - I didn't notice anything...

- Don't blame yourself, I can read people's hearts, it's a family thing, like your Hyper Intuition.

- Seriously? - He blinked in surprise - And the vision of the future?

- That was a power linked to Trinisette, I think. - He considered with a let down of regret. - Since Bermuda and the Vindices took the pacifiers, I haven't been able to see anything else.

Tsuna was serious for a second, which didn't go unnoticed by the two, until he turned to Byakuran.

- And how did you know?

- You don't get where I got without knowing how to read people. - The albino shrugged. - He may be a master at hiding his expressions and feelings, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have them.

This apparently made Tsuna feel even worse.

- It's my fault he's stressed… We discussed this morning, almost Christmas was canceled because of this…

- What did you discuss…? - The Giglio Nero wanted to know, worried for both of them, but the brunette one didn't seem willing to talk about it.

- Why don't we go to a heated store instead of discussing this in the street? - Suggested the albino realizing the same as his little sister. - We buy our gifts, stop by to visit an acquaintance, and then come back.

- But I don't have any money.

- How much did you have at home?

- 1,027 yen, per- But he couldn't finish when the albino took a note and some coins from his wallet and gave the brunette's hand. - E-eh?

- Consider a loan. - The Gesso smiled. - Now, come on Uni, grab him!

- Yes!

And before he could flee, the smaller one took him by the arm, still holding Byakuran's with the other, thus forming a chain of three people.

-...This is so embarrassing… - The Vongola couldn't help but complain, even though he didn't have the heart to walk away from Uni who seemed radiant again with the arrangement.

- Come on, don't be boring. Let me pamper you two some more. - Byakuran joked from the other end. - I'm sure Haneuma has had several opportunities for this, now it's my turn.

- Eh? - Tsuna blinked confused. - I never went out like this with Dino…

A truly wicked glow took over the albino's face causing the little ones to shiver slightly.

- Great, that means I'm the first.

And even if out of fear, he didn't dare argue back, letting himself be guided, however, the fact that they both clearly just wanted to make him feel better made him give in, putting the money away and feeling his chest a little warmer.

-.-.-.-

Once again, stomping hard, he went to the door, to find:

- Useless-Enma, what are you doing here? - He asked, already knowing the reason for the redhead's visit. - I thought you and the Errand Boy would still be riding motorcycles around.

- Hello Mr. Reborn, good afternoon. Unfortunately Skull is now a baby again. - He put it with a hint of sadness. - But that might have been for the best, because when we flipped the bike off a mountain and fell into the sea, Hibari lost interest in us. - He said a little awkwardly scratching a bandage on his nose. - Adel was furious, but Skull and I protected each other and everything turned out well. - He ended with a smile. - Now I think I understand your relationship with Tsuna a little better.

- Good for you, but what are you doing here?

- A-ah yes, I came to see Tsuna, is he at home?

Instead of responding right away, the Hitman just stared at him, maybe it was the resemblance to his useless student, or simply his growing irritation, but decided to have some fun at Shimon's expense.

- Tsuna is not at home, he went to meet someone. - He put it with a smile.

- Huh? With any of your guardians? - He asked, wondering if it was something involving Vongola. - Don't tell me it's some new training? Just today that Adel gave me a break because she thought I was injured on the motorcycle ride…

- I don't know, all he told me was that he was going to spend time with his best friend, I even thought it was you, but since you're here and he's not, I see that's not the case.

At the end of his words, the redhead's expression turned grim, as the stones around him began to levitate.

Reborn liked what he saw, it was the chaos that was missing that afternoon.

- Okay, I think I know who he's with. In that case I'll be off, when he arrives, please let him know I've been here. - And when he was already leaving, gravitating everything in his path, he stopped when the Hitman called him again.

- You are an idiot Enma. Do you really think he would hang out with that imbecile willingly?

And the result couldn't be different, when he turned abruptly to go back, he ended up bumping into the stones that he himself had gravitated to, ending up falling on his backside.

- You… Are you sure? - He put it hesitantly and a little red. - They seemed so close… They even had nicknames! Tsuna never gave me a nickname, even if it was an abbreviation...

Reborn tried very hard not to roll his eyes at this.

- Your name has four letters Enma, besides, keep in mind that no one really cares about Longchamp. - And without further ado he closed the door to cut the subject at once, leaving the confused redhead behind.

He again walked into the room, monumentally ignoring Colonnello, or even the smile that was beginning to form on Lal's face.

He was finally able to pour himself his second cup of coffee, but he didn't sit back at the kotatsu or even pay attention to the television.

He just waited to see if he would feel someone else's flame, or a new ringing of the doorbell.

And soon…

DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG

"Is this some sort of punishment for my sins?" - He thought with frustration going back to the door, and because he didn't feel anyone's flames, he wasn't sure who it was, after all, according to Kyoko's monologue, Haru should be busy.

And when he opened the door, his temper worsened to murderous levels.

-.-.-.-

Byakuran had taken them to a clothing store, which Tsuna already knew by the entrance was too expensive.

However, the eldest completely ignored all of the brunette's arguments, and even worse, began to choose on his own the clothes he would wear.

- B-but if it's my gift, shouldn't I choose…? - He tried apprehensively when the albino put the third change of clothes against his arm.

- No offense Sandwich. - He said turning to the Vongola with slight disdain. - I've only seen you wearing two styles of clothing. Loose hoodies and a suit. You definitely need a fashion intervention.

- What?! - He put definitely embarrassed.

- Kikyo is better at this than me, he has a keen instinct for these things. He continued on to another clothing section, the embarrassed minor on his heels. - But modesty aside, I also dress very well.

Only then did the brunette one notice the older man's clothes, an open brown coat that he had put on again when they entered the store, a dark gray shirt with the top three buttons open, and a pair of jeans in a brown shade, but dark. In addition, he wore a close-fitting cross necklace, and a looser one with his Mare Ring.

He really had no idea if this was dressing up, he just looked normal to himself.

- It makes me think. - Followed Byakuran staring at a black blouse that Tsuna had no idea how he dressed. - You seem to wear sweatpants even on the cooler days. Which is pretty weird.

- I just like this kind of comfortable clothes, it's not that strange… - He felt the need to defend himself.

- That's not the point. - The Gesso countered with a thoughtful expression. - I mean the fact that you are a Sky.

The Vongola blinked.

- What does one thing have to do with the other?

- Our body temperature is slightly higher than other flames. This does not mean that we are immune to the cold, but that we tolerate it much better.

- But both Xanxus and Dino wear coats all the time too.

- Oh my little Tsuna. - He said, turning to the smaller one with his fox smile. - Don't confuse style with being cold.

-...Eh?

- You'll understand one day, I think. The question is: How often do you use something fresher? School uniform doesn't count, after all you are required to wear it.

- Eeeh... Sometimes? - Come to think of it, I really wasn't a big fan of summer.

- You are a funny Sky, Tsuna. - He said at last. - Even between me and Uni, and Uni is also a very unique Sky.

-...Verde also said I'm weird, he started researching my flame including...

- Verde, huh. - He put it with curiosity. - That might be interesting. You know, even though we face each other in different dimensions, I don't think I ever fully understood you, I always felt like a piece was missing. Who knows now we won't change that? - And he smiled in that strange way different from his usual.

Tsuna didn't know exactly how to respond to this, or if he should answer something, not that it was really necessary, as a lively Uni returned at that moment with at least three dresses in hand.

- I already chose! - She declared happily stopping in front of the two.

- A-all this? And why can Uni choose her own clothes?

- Because Uni is a princess and she knows how to dress like one. - The older one said as if it was obvious putting both hands, despite the clothes he was holding, on the shoulders of the radiant minor. - The day you know how to dress like a king, you will also be able to choose yours.

- A-a king?!

- Would you rather be a queen?

- Of course not!

- Then king will be! - And then he pointed dramatically to the end of the store. - Now to the fitting room!

- Wait, let's prove ALL this?! It will take hours!

- Come on Tsuna. - Uni insisted with her big bright eyes. - It'll be fun.

The eldest decidedly didn't understand how trying on clothes would be fun, but he was incapable of saying no to that little face.

Or say no in general.

Then with a defeated sigh again, he allowed himself to be carried away.

-.-.-.-

- It's you. - Contempt ran through his voice.

- Hey hey hey! It is me! - It was the voice of Longchamp. - Hello, Tsuna's baby!

- My name is Reborn, I'm nobody's. What are you doing here? I thought you had suffocated inside Hibari's sphere.

- Aaaah That! I used my great, amazing, spectacular flame to destroy it! - He joked in what was obviously a lie.

- Of course you did. Anyway, shouldn't you and the other useless be on your way to Italy by now?

- Airport closed due to weather! - He exclaimed with a little jump and putting his fingers in a sign of victory against his eyes. - Mangusta is trying to buy the ticket from Kokuyo~ So until then today is my day off! And I wanted to spend it with my best friend EVER!

-…We've finished the Christmas songs, you can disappear again, preferably forever.

- Aaaaahhh don't say that baby, we're friends and allies aren't we?

- No. - He put it carelessly. - You are Ninth's ally, not ours, much less my friend. Now, if you came to see Tsuna, he's not at home. - He said as if to close the door before he shot that annoying teenager in the head and had to hide a body in the middle of Christmas.

Too much work and his coffee would get cold.

- Aaaaah! If Little Sawada isn't home, let me in! We've lived with you in the past, remember?* I can wait until he gets back.

- No.

-…That's when you destroyed our house! Remember, remember?!

- No. Go away before I kill you.

- Please!

He definitely didn't have a nervous twitch in his eye right now.

Then an idea occurred to him, causing a wicked smile to form on his lips, which Naito was too stupid to notice.

- Do you really want to know where Tsuna is?

- Yes Yes Yes! A thousand times yes! - He shouted, making signs of victory this time forward.

- He went to Izumo to get some relatives to spend Christmas with us.

- Ohh, Izumo? Where is this place?

- Find it out. - And without further ado, he closed the door in Longchamp's face.

- Very well, I'll take all my family to meet Little Sawada's family! Maybe we spent Christmas together! - Yelled Tomaso from the other side of the door.

- Excellent. - He said to himself, returning to the room. - With luck everyone will die even before Hibari and Dino go there.

And when he was about to sit down, still impressed by how his useless student's coffee, possibly because it was made with his flames, hadn't cooled down yet, he could feel a flame meters from the house approaching at a speed... Extreme.

Reborn huffed, heading back to the door awaiting his fate.

At least this time he had brought his coffee.

-.-.-

Byakuran was sitting on a side bench in front of the mirror, in which Tsuna and Uni were looking at each other at that moment.

Tsuna wore the clothes that took a long time to understand how he dressed, with the albino having to go into the dressing room to help him get dressed. Being another one of his former enemies, much to his displeasure, who saw him in his underwear. It was a collarless blouse, draped over the shoulders like a scarf, plus there was no precise seam between the sleeves and the torso of the garment, as a one-piece. Also, he wore uncomfortably short shorts with ribbons on each side that went down like a tennis shoelace.

Uni, meanwhile, wore a white dress with a thin collar, slightly open at her shoulders, the top being lacy and falling gracefully to her waist, while the skirt was smooth, reaching a hand after her knees. All the delicate clothes were decorated with the flowers that gave their family name.

- It suits you Tsuna~ - The eldest hummed while the one in the middle hugged his own arms trembling with cold.

- Thank you Byakuran, but I honestly don't feel good about it. - He said putting his excessively exposed legs together.

- Well, you walk around in your underwear all the time. I thought you'd like this more laid-back style.

Uni stared at the brunette for a second before commenting.

- Byakuran, why did you give him women's clothes?

- Ehhh?!

- How bad you are, Uni. They are not women's clothes. They're unisex! Although I admit that people can get confused because of how delicate it looks.

- I-I'm going to change. - He was about to run to the dressing room on the left side of the bench when a comment from Uni stopped him.

- Wait! Eh… - She continued awkwardly, rolling the hem of her dress with her hands. - How I am?

- You look adorable, Uni. - He said without hesitation, making the young girl shine even more adorably.

- Yes, yes, but this outfit still doesn't live up to all its beauty, let's go to the next one.

Although he disagreed, Tsuna took advantage of this moment to run back to the dressing room leaving the other two alone.

-…Aren't you really going to tell him about the Cervello? - She questioned in a whisper as he approached to help her choose another dress. - It's important, any of the ten may have their eyes on him already, and we still don't know who leads them.

Byakuran sighed.

- Looks like I have a heart, doesn't it? - He scoffed with a fake smile. -…But knowing that will draw another line of before and after in his life. Honestly even though we're not that close yet, I still don't know how to do it.

In response, Giglio Nero stood on tiptoe in her platform heel, thus being able to place her warm hand on her cheek, more precisely the albino tattoo.

- Of course you have heart, that I never doubted.

The Gesso smiled, sincere this time, placing his hand over hers.

- Thank you for trusting me, despite everything. I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for your infinite love and compassion.

She denied with her head.

- Don't think about it anymore. You're a good person Byakuran, I know you are, the Trinisette was just too much power for you to bear alone, it ended up drowning you. All I did was help bring you back.

The albino didn't respond, closing his eyes as he felt the pleasant contrary touch against his face.

- Even so, thank you. I honestly still don't know what to make of this new life, one that I don't know all the probabilities of.

The little Sky's characteristic smile painted her lips.

- Yes, it's a new chance for all of us. Mostly the three of us. As allies, brothers, instead of enemies, adversaries.

- Sincerely. - He replied, opening his eyes and turning to the dressing room that opened with the Vongola dressed in a new outfit. - That prospect can be much scarier for the world.

Uni laughed subtly.

- As my Uncle Reborn says. Nothing like a little chaos. - With that she took the dress that the tallest would offer in hand. - Are you going to make the proposal to him now?

- Sounds like a good time.

- A good time for what? - Wanted to know the curious brunette, while a Uni with a mischievous smile ran towards the dressing room.

This time he wore a gray shirt with a single open button, a brown vest darker than Byakuran's coat, although his pants were the same shade, the only difference being that they were thin fabric instead of jeans.

On his vest, there were also drawings of golden gears at the top, giving a steampunk look.

- Look, this one looks good on you. Although it's still pretty formal. - Said Byakuran approaching the smaller one and taking his plump cheeks with his hands. - We need something that highlights your baby cheeks more.

- B-baby?! - He asked awkwardly.

- Now turn around, let me get a better look. - Said returning to the bank, while in an excessively clumsy way Tsuna turned around in a circle. - Hmmm… Yeah, it can still get better.

-...So... What were you talking about? It's a good time for what?

- A simple proposal. - Said the Gesso with his characteristic fox smile.

- Proposal…? - And he almost fell to the ground when, while his back was turned, the older man approached and stopped in front of him, joining their hands together. - E-eh?!

- Sawada Tsunayoshi. - This did not help the minor to feel less nervous. - What do you think about joining our families and forming a bigger and better Millefiore?

This made the Vongola blink, once, twice, three times and…

- WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! - He yelled at the top of his lungs, almost scaring the customers and employees of that store.

-.-.-.-

DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG

Feeling an increasingly strong urge to kill someone, Reborn opened the door.

- Good afternoon EXTREME REBORN! - Shouted the Sun Guardian, still running in his place, the sling he was wearing swinging with his movements. - Where's the little brother? After a good night's sleep, and that little extreme getaway, I'm full of energy and would like to run him around the whole city in compensation for not having our morning run today!

- Aren't you off today?

Ryohei blinked, stopping.

- Why would I be? Breaks are not extreme.

- Apparently everyone is off today, since it's Christmas Eve, and they chose to use their days off to incessantly beat this house behind Tsuna who: Is not at home. - He finished the last words almost through his teeth.

As expected, Ryohei bowed his head like the idiot he was.

He definitely wasn't in the willing or in the mood to explain the whole Byakuran and Uni situation again, so he decided to keep the boxer busy.

- You know, we actually expected you to come. - The albino looked even more confused. - So Master Pao-Pao and I have already provided a challenge.

- An EXTREME challenge?! - His eyes sparkled.

- Sure. So here's your mission: You and Tsuna must find Master Pao-Pao before the party starts, whoever finds it first wins.

- RIGHT!

- And as you may have noticed, Tsuna has already started before you.

- NO PROBLEMS! HERE I GO! - And without further ado, the boxer ran and screamed through the streets of Namimori.

- Idiot. - And then, he closed the door.

However, instead of returning to the room again, this time he continued to wait by the door.

He didn't need to have Hyper Intuition to know that this was the wisest decision he'd ever made on his... "Break".

-.-.-.-

- Have you gone crazy, Byakuran?! - He exclaimed lower this time, even more exhausted.

- Oh dear, but I've always been crazy. - He shrugged like it wasn't important. - It's part of my charm.

Uni for her part skidded out of the dressing room, quite surprisingly already wearing another outfit, this time a green long-sleeved dress with a neat V-neck in circular designs. She had a red bow at her waist, while the long lacy skirt that almost reached her feet was decorated with comical designs of reindeer wearing a Christmas bonnet, with prominent red noses.

- Everything is fine? Tsuna gasped again? - She asked apprehensively, looking much older than she really was. - Did something happen?

- He wants to remake Millefiore! - Tsuna pointed in an accusing tone.

- Oh yes, he already told me.

- WHAT? And what did you answer?! - He was shocked by the naturalness that the minor spoke.

- I said I would think about it, after all, it's a big decision that doesn't just involve me as Leader of Giglio Nero, but my whole family. Gamma, for example, would be scandalized just thinking about it.

- Yes, precisely! - Reinforced Tsuna running a hand through his hair. - After all that's happened, this is...

- But we're not the same, are we? - She offered with a knowing smile. - In addition, it would be important, for the challenges of the future, that our families could count on each other, as a unit.

- You can even invite Cavallone if you want, I'll try not to be a jealous brother. - The albino placed with a leave of grace. - Although I will always be the cutest brother.

- Or even the Shimon, you like them a lot, don't you? - Followed Uni thoughtfully. - Who knows Varia? They are independent, but if we speak with the right way.

- B-but… B-but that would be… - Tsuna followed, completely in shock at the prospect that this would do.

- As a larger version of what you yourself organized at the end of the Representative Battle. - Opined Byakuran taking his hands to his waist. - The combination of the worst and strongest of the mafia.

- B-but why?! For what?! - He insisted, disconcerted. - That time we had a goal, but now… Would it be because of the Cervello?

- In part yes. - The Gesso replied simply. - But as a unit, it will be easier for us to change the Mafia once and for all. That's your big goal, isn't it?

- B-but I… I… - He walked over to the bench and threw himself on it, head down, clutching his pants with his hands. -...I really want to change the Mafia, but I don't want to have to inherit anything, I don't want to be a boss, not from Vongola, not from Millefiore... I don't want my friends to get hurt in more wars and conflicts, getting into a such a dark world, Mukuro for example has just escaped from this life! It would be completely unfair to drag him into that again!

- Tsuna… - Posited Uni with regret, going to the bench and sitting next to him. - I understand, I really understand, but...

- You need to give in somewhere. - Byakuran imposed with the taxing expression, crossing his arms. - The Vongola is the most powerful family in the Mafia, their numbers are frightening, even with inside information I took them years to bring them down, you can't just say "No" to them and think they'll just accept it. See what happened to us.

-...I know… - He confessed with regret without looking up. - Fon already warned me about this...

- Fon? - Uni repeated, curious for the person himself.

-...He said that I would need a plan, if I didn't want to inherit, that running away, as you did, might work, but it would lead to a very difficult life for all my friends. And nothing would guarantee that Reborn or even Dino wouldn't go after me...

Byakuran snorted.

- I can't say anything about Reborn, after all, everyone knows how seriously he takes his job, and turning you into Tenth is simply his life's work, however, even if Nono demanded Haneuma, which is absolutely unlikely, he would never lift a finger against you. Just look at the idiotic way he sees you.

Despite everything, Tsuna smiled slightly.

- What do you really want then, Tsuna? - Asked Uni in a gentle and sweet tone. - If you could choose, what would you do?

-...I… - He swallowed hard -...I would like to be free. - He finally confessed, remembering the liberating feeling he'd felt in the last few weeks, flying through the sky at his own pace, being able to do what he wanted, like a free cloud in the sky, and not a horizon tied to a destiny they decided for him. -...I want to have control over my own life! - He finished, his eyes glowing bright orange and a flame awakening in his forehead.

Uni blinked in surprise as Byakuran's smile widened.

- In that case, how about we change the proposal? - He considered catching the attention of the other two. - My family, you and your guardians, Uni's family, the Shimon, and I would bet my share of Trinisette that the Cavallone too, we will destroy Vongola together, so you will be free to do what you want, I'm sure Rokudo Mukuro would love to participate.

Even Uni this time turned to the older one with a surprised expression, but still dignified and restrained.

Tsuna, in turn, couldn't be more different.

- WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! - He screamed again.

- You have quite a breath, Sandwich.

-.-.-.-

DING DONG

And the Ex-Arcobaleno immediately opened the door.

- Oh, as expected of Mister Reborn, always prepared for anything.

- What do you want, Gokudera? - It was direct and cutting.

- I came to know if the Tenth-

- Tsuna is not at home. - He interrupted, already knowing what questions and answers the other would give.

- Did something happen to the Tenth?! - He asked already picking up some dynamite.

- Actually yes. - Bomberman became more alert. - Tsuna was kidnapped by Byakuran and Uni.

- WHAT?! We need to save him immediately from that madman's clutches! - He exclaimed, not seeming to have noticed that Uni was also in the story.

- You can try if you want, that's none of my business. - The Sun said about to close the door.

- W-what do you mean it's none of your business Mr. Reborn?! This is urgent! - He panicked. - Just imagining the nefarious things that Marshmallow Madman could be planning makes my flames bristle! Don't you happen to know where they went?

- If I knew, it wouldn't be a kidnapping, would it? - The Ex-Arcobaleno mocked, making the silver-haired one even more confused. - If you want to know where they went, why don't you ask Gamma, he must know something. - The Hitman was sure that Lightning knew nothing and was even more lost than the Storm.⁵

- Wait, Gamma?! Is he in Namimori?

- You're an idiot Gokudera. Go do something, have a day off, anything, just get out of my sight.

- Huh? What do you mean-

And without further ado, he slammed the door in the Guardian's face.

Sure enough, his student's friends took the day to annoy him.

-.-.-.-

To give Tsuna time to calm down, and stop attracting so much attention, Byakuran forced him to change his clothes again.

- Did you know he could enter Hyper Mode like this naturally? The Tsuna of the future didn't do that, did he?

- No, but our little Sandwich has long since surpassed the level of that future version of it, which is really scary.

-...But... Destroy the Vongola? Are you sure? Remember you promised you wouldn't try to rule the world anymore. - And Gesso could only laugh at the little girl's annoyed expression.

- Don't worry, my intentions are sincere. Help our little brother, and if on the way I can get rid of Coyote's cocky grin, what's the problem? It's a "win win"! - Uni didn't seem too sure about that, but before she could claim anything again, Byakuran followed. - As for your outfit, it's downright cute and suits the occasion, but this outfit is kind of… Ridiculous.

-...I got ugly...? - She wanted to know uncertain.

- Of course not! But you can get even more cute! - And without giving her a chance to argue, he pushed her into the dressing room as soon as Tsuna left.

The brunette this time wore a kind of black hakama with long sleeves and bright red bars, on his waist he had a red obi with a white stripe from which a red stripe came from its center to his knees, ending in a triangular cut. Both its edges and the inner flower design were golden. Still sticking out of his waist were two yellow bands that the smaller one clearly didn't know or didn't care to properly fasten. Finally, he wore a sort of burgundy-furred cape around his neck that reached nearly three feet from his knee, and made him look frankly larger and more powerful.

- As your guardian would say. Wow. - Byakuran joked, pushing him to the mirror. - A mix of Yakuza and Chinese Emperor stripped down and powerful! This style suits you better than the bland mafia suits.

-...I feel like I'm wearing cosplay… - He grumbled. - But as for what you have said-! - But it was interrupted.

- Aaah Uni, this one is definitely delicate. - Considered the Gesso, seeing the young girl shyly approaching.

She now wore a black dress as star-studded as the night sky, both her neck and sleeves were of a delicate sheer fabric that revealed her fair skin, although her sleeves were lacy in the same style as her dress. She also had a bow at her waist, this time a warm satin blue.

-...It really is very beautiful. - The young girl smiled happily.

- But it's still not perfect. - The albino denied. - You need to shout to the world the princess you are! Let's make Gamma's jaw drop and Kikyo proud, shall we?

By this time the girl was already an intense tomato, which made her even cuter, but Tsuna was definitely not willing to let the previous subject die.

- Byakuran, about what you were saying...! - He insisted with decision.

At this, the Gesso snorted, turning to the smaller one.

- I think my proposal just ruined a calm purchase between brothers. - Having said that, he clapped his hands together, making his White Applause, Tsuna noticing in awe as a gentle wave of Sky flames, belonging to the eldest roamed the entire store and part of the street.

-…Why did you do that?

- You remember this skill of mine, don't you? - He asked with a half smile. - In which I can nullify attacks coming my way. - The smaller one nodded. - Works partly like your flame absorb move, partly like petrification. Basically I cancel out the waves coming towards me creating a protection around me. - And seeing the confused expression of the minor, he just laughed softly. - I thought like this: It's a barrier that keeps away what I don't want, in this case, the sound. This will give us privacy from prying ears.

- But how can something that stops flame also stop the sound?

- Both the flames and the sound we produce propagate in waves, all you have to do is find the right frequency. - Then he winked. - Millions of versions in millions of universes whispering to you give you one advantage or another.

-…Yeah, I think so. - He said, noticing how the onlookers who had been staring at them for their screams were slowly starting to disperse.

- Very well going back to the previous subject, I reiterate what I said, if you have an army on your side, Vongola cannot make you do anything. Just think about it.

- Oh! - Uni noticed. - Mutual destruction assured!

- Mutual what? - Wanted to know Tsuna confused.

- Mutual destruction assured. - Repeated Byakuran. - It's how the Cold War conflict is handled.

- A-ah… You're talking about history… - Tsuna put it awkwardly, clearly being terrible in these matters.

- In short, the world was, roughly speaking, divided between two great potencies and powers. - The Gesso started to explain. - If one attacked the other, because they were so powerful, the two destroyed each other simultaneously, with no real winners, only losers. Possibly not even Earth would survive. That's why the conflict was considered "cold" because it did not involve direct battles.

- Eh?! Really?!

- What Byakuran is trying to say is that: If you were in a group as powerful as Vongola, it would be suicide for both parties if they tried to force you to do something, because the two powers would be equal and there wouldn't really be a winner. - Continued Uni, taking a hand to her chin, making Tsuna wonder how old the smallest was really. - It makes sense… But even though the two great powers did not face each other in the Cold War, each one influenced the countries in its zone of influence in its own way, fueling smaller conflicts, structuring and disrupting countries. Many to this day pay the price for the decisions of that time.

-...Eeeh...

- In other words Tsuna, even if Neo Millefiore and Vongola didn't face each other. - Followed Byakuran ignoring the opposite exclamation of "You even gave a name!" - The two groups would still influence the smaller families, one way or another, causing wars to still happen, even if they didn't involve the larger families. It would be a ripple effect.

- B-but I don't want to start a war! - He insisted nervously. - I don't want anyone to get hurt… - He bit his lower lip. - How… Eeh… Is this Cold War really over? How did they resolve this impasse?

- One side ended up weakened by internal disputes and splitting. - Replied Uni. - This also had many consequences. To this day, weapons from this disbanded side are scattered throughout the underworld, fueling violence and war in many countries to this day.

- The same would happen if the Vongola just collapsed, like vultures after carrion, other families would fight over the remains that would be left behind, in short, it would be like if you created several small Vongolas that could grow and become even worse than the original was.

The brunette's shoulders slumped, clearly disappointed at the prospect.

- So even if Vongola went bankrupt, it would just cause even more trouble? - He wanted to know, despondent.

- Go bankrupt? - Repeated Byakuran interested, Tsuna nodded.

- Yamamoto's father told me that even a very powerful company can go bankrupt if it has problems.

- That's true. - Uni confirmed with regret. - Precisely because the heads of Giglio Nero lived so little, under the influence of the curse, the importance and resources were disappearing, without having a solid line of succession.

- Tsuna, this is an interesting idea, very interesting… - Considered Byakuran with a smile that made his brothers shiver. - I tried to destroy Vongola in various ways in the future, but bankrupting it never really worked.

- Why?

- Without giving spoilers about the future, let's say that there was something that made it impossible for this to be possible… - With these words he cast a knowing look at the brunette boy who just blinked in confusion. - But if this timeline continues like this, this "something" won't exist, then the bankruptcy of the most powerful family could be a very valid possibility, even so, it would take... - He closed his eyes, as if concentrating, and then went back to open them. - At least three years.

- Only three years?! - The teenager was startled.

- It may not seem like a long time, but it's more than we have.

- What do you mean?

- Nono has plans for you to inherit Vongola as soon as you finish Chuugaku. - Revealed Uni. - That would be around March 2007.

- WHAT?! But nobody told me that!

- If we wanted to bankrupt your family, you couldn't inherit until mid-2008. - Followed the Gesso. - This year, if you manage to delay the succession, there will be something that will be the final stab into the financial heart of Vongola, we just need to pull the right strings to ensure that it happens. - His smile widened. - Or would they be the right volcanic stones…

- Volcanic stones? - The brunette repeated confused, but soon understanding filled his face. - Wait one moment! You are talking…

- Exactly. - Completed Byakuran with satisfaction. - Looks like Sho told you my little enrichment secret. If we take that Vongola reserve, it will be years before they realize it, and when 2008 rolls around, they will drown in a financial hole of no return.

- You're suggesting that Tsuna steal from his own family! - Uni exclaimed in horror.

- Legally, he is entitled to all of Vongola's possessions, think of it as an advance. - He shrugged. - That brings us to my next proposal.

- Do you have one more?! - Asked the brunette nervously.

- But of course! I'm a businessman, and I feel like I'm about to close the most profitable deal of my life. - Said the Gesso with his fox smile. - And it is precisely one of the three reasons why Uni and I came to Japan. If it was just to escape we could have gone to Brazil or Mexico, the beaches would undoubtedly make the escape worthwhile.

-...Eeeh... Right?

- Turns out I sold all my properties in Italy, officially I'm homeless~ - He hummed.

- How can you say that so calmly?!

- We are also selling what little we still had in Italy. - Uni confessed with a hint of sadness. - The guardians who didn't come with us are solving what's left of the bureaucracy. It was very difficult to say goodbye to my mother's old mansion, especially for Gamma, but it was necessary.

- B-but… Why did you do that?

- Precisely to reorganize ourselves in a more neutral territory. - The Gesso followed changing the support of his foot. - That's why I invested part of the money I got in the purchase of the future underground mall in Namimori.

- A mall… - Again the brunette's eyes widened in understanding. - The Melone base!

- Exactly. - He nodded. - Uni and I intend to establish ourselves in Japan from now on, while we follow the construction of the base. Even if you decline Neo Millefiore's offer, this region is much safer for us.

- Why isn't this a region under Vongola's control? - Tsuna considered, without stopping to think that Hibari will be furious when he finds out about this.

- Also, but mostly because you're here. - He said pointing to the smaller one who squeaked.

- What?! And what difference do I make?!

- You're kidding, aren't you? - Ironized Byakuran. - Italy doesn't even know you and most families just shudder at just hearing your name.

- W-what?! B-but why! I did nothing!

- You defeated Xanxus, who was most Bosses' nightmare, at fourteen. - Continued Uni. - And even if the Representative Battle of the was kept hidden, it doesn't change the fact that your father and Varia returned to Italy extremely wounded. The streets ended up calling it "The War Inside the Shell." In which you were the winner showing your superiority over the leader of Varia and even that of CEDEF.

- Wait, wait! - He exclaimed, waving his hands frantically. - People in Italy think it was ME who left them in that state?! But it was Vindice!

- Who would believe that someone really dared to fight the fearsome Vindice head on? - Ironized Byakuran again. - It's much easier to just blame the future boss who everyone knows is under the tutelage of the world's biggest assassin in Japan.

- B-but I don't want them to think that about me! It's all a lie!

- Even if this lie protects anyone under your wings? - The albino wanted to know. - With a reputation like that, only someone very crazy, or very foolish, would try anything with anyone you even care about.

Tsuna didn't respond at first, making his clothes wrinkle again under the grip of his hand.

- For now, it's best to just rely on rumors. - Followed the oldest. - It gives you the freedom to act as you want, isn't that what you wanted?

- Yes but…

- So back to my second proposal, it's simple: Join our two secret bases of the future as a single big base! - Followed the Gesso intertwining the fingers of both hands in an illustrative way. - An unparalleled thirst, which will be the envy of that damn Aluminum Fort that Vongola has the courage to call thirst.

- B-but Namimori's base was made by my version of the future! - He pleaded nervously. - It took me two weeks to raise money to buy Christmas presents for everyone, and I still had to buy a lot of simple trinkets… How could I get money to help with something so colossal?!

- That's exactly where your plan to bankrupt Vongola comes in! - Replied the Sky-Tide excitedly with a wink.

- M-my plan?! But I just commented!

- Let's steal the precious metal inside Mount Etna* without the Vongola knowing. We will attribute that it comes from another place so as not to arouse suspicion, so in possession of this material we will build our Great Base. So when 2008 rolls around and Vongola desperately seeks the gold mine of their precious volcano, they'll find they've been stolen! But then it will be too late. It's just the perfect plan! You're a genius, Sandwich!

Uni also looked at the brunette really surprised.

- It really is a very ambitious plan. - She said considering.

- But I wasn't the one who thought of that! - The brunette was exasperated. - And do you really think that it would take Vongola three years to realize that the metal in their secret reserve just disappeared?

- All Adamantine is very well kept in the depths of a volcano, even ten years in the future Vongola had not developed a technology capable of withstanding high temperatures and rescuing that wealth. That's why me and Zakuro did us the favor of taking everything away~

- But Zakuro can no longer enter volcanoes like before. - Opined Uni. - Without that, how are we going to do something that not even the Vongola ten years in the future could?

- I haven't thought of that part yet. - He declared crossing his arms, making the younger ones almost fall off the bench in reaction. - But well, if Secondo did it without the use of Boxes that altered the body or any technology, we can think of something. The most important thing now would be to find a way for Tsuna not to inherit the family upon graduating from Chuugaku, and gradually approach people willing to help in Tsuna's great plan.

- I-it's not my plan!

- So, as Vongola's power decreases, we will divide so that the Cold War episode does not repeat itself, our trusted people will divide and absorb the power and influence that Vongola is losing, preventing it from being dispersed in the hands from other families. It's not a perfect plan, and there's no 100% guarantee that it will work or that a war won't happen, but for now it seems like the best way to prevent our Sandwich from inheriting a family he doesn't want or from deciding his future without he can't even comment.

- … - Tsuna didn't answer anything at first, staring at the ground, lost in his own thoughts.

- I don't know, it would be much simpler if Tsuna just inherited the Vongola and changed it, don't you think? - Offered Uni hopeful.

- If I inherited the Vongola I would destroy it. - The brunette firmly imposed, his eyes glowing orange again, however, no flame this time. - But until I could make it, my friends, my family, would be up to their necks in Mafia business. They might have to leave their dreams behind, the lives they have today…

- Just keep in mind Tsuna that you will still need the underworld, even if you want to take down Vongola from the outside. - Byakuran followed seriously, taking a few steps and kneeling in front of the brunette one to look him in the eye. - Uni and I are already Mafia Bosses, even though Gesso Famiglia is still very young and Giglio Nero is quite honest compared to all the others. We still operate outside the law and hidden from the sight of civilians. Even if we get through this, I can't guarantee that your hands or those of your friends will stay clean.

- I know. - He agreed seriously. - But if we weren't dragged by the Vongola, there's a chance, even if small, that we won't drown in the worst of the underworld, isn't there? At least everyone wouldn't have to abandon their lives in Japan to go to an unknown country...

- Yes, that possibility exists, at least for your family, but maybe even without having to inherit Vongola, you, personally, still have to pay a very high price to get rid of it.

- I don't care what happens to me, as long as Vongola's sins don't destroy my family's life! To prevent this from happening, I am able to overlook any consequences!

-...Even if that consequence is Reborn? - Uni considered with immense regret. - He trusts you, trusts that you will be a great Vongola Boss one day, that you will change the Mafia.

- I'm going to change the Mafia!...Just... - He hesitated, looking away. - Not in the way he expects...

-…But conspiring against Vongola without inheriting it, it can disappoint him a lot, maybe… Even putting you in antagonistic positions, destroying all the bond you created together… Do you understand that?

That definitely made the teenager hesitate, closing his eyes.

- I love Reborn, sincerely! Several and several times I actually considered inheriting the Vongola just to make him happy, to make him proud. - He confessed with shame. - But in the last few weeks I've realized that, I can't sacrifice the rest of my life, and the people I care about, just to make him happy, even more knowing that he only leaves when my training is over. He assured me of this himself.

Faced with the last words, Byakuran and Uni exchanged clearly disbelieving looks, reaching a mutual conclusion.

- You'd better talk to my Uncle before making any decision. Explain why you don't want to inherit Vongola, who knows, maybe he'll understand you and stay on your side.

Tsuna snorted.

- I've tried it a million times, Reborn is simply unyielding about it. He will always side with Vongola, my father and Nono.

- I think you're underestimating his feelings for you. - Joined this time Byakuran. - Although I'm really excited to work together on a grand plot against the world order, Uni is right. If you take that step now, you might regret it for the rest of your life.

- What does your Hyper Intuition say, Tsuna? - Wanted to know the smallest in a soft tone. - Can you hear her better now?

-...Yes a little. - Then he closed his eyes again, concentrating. It seemed to take a few minutes, when in fact it was mere seconds before the brunette opened them again.

- And then? - Animated Uni.

- I'll talk to Reborn. I don't know how, or when, but… - He bit his lower lip, considering. - I want to at least try to make him understand how I feel. And if possible, convince him never to leave. Even though he may only see me as work, I see him as an important part of my life. I would like… To see him grow, and share with him all the moments that only exist because he came into my life.

His two brothers smiled at the brunette's so sincere words.

- My grandmother without doubt would be very relieved to hear you talk like that. - Started Uni.

- Your grandmother? - He repeated confused.

- Oh, didn't you know? - Her smile widened. - Uncle Reborn and my grandmother were lovers. Of those very in love, my mother told me several stories, it may not seem like it, but Uncle Reborn is a complete romantic!

- EEEEEEEEEEEEH?! - He yelled, this time not drawing attention due to Byakuran's barrier. - W-wait, wait, WAIT! Y-y-you mean y-you and Reborn are really…? But he is a baby!

- Your idiocy can be adorable Tsuna. - Byakuran joked. - He is a baby now, before the curse he was an adult, as Lal Mirch is now.

-...I honestly can't imagine Reborn as an adult. - He frowned. - He's so… Baby.

- Well, you don't have to imagine it, eventually he will grow and you will see it on your own. - Said the albino. - No doubt you will be surprised.

-…Right.

- And no, my uncle and I are not blood relatives. - Completed the Sky-Arcobaleno. - My grandmother was already pregnant with her late partner when they met, and even after she passed away he always took care of my mother in his own way, and when I was born he did the same to me, like a true Uncle who takes care of us from a distance.

-... I had no idea about that… - He put contemplative.

- I said you're underestimating that assassin's feelings. - Byakuran shrugged. - But don't worry, we'll help you convince him that Vongola doesn't deserve you. - With that he finally stood up, a determined look on his face. - Operation, T.S.U.N.D.E.R.E.

- Eeeeeeeh?!

- Means "This Show Us a Notoriously Difficult Egocentric Rough Egoisticandwe'regoingtoconvincehimtochangehismindtosidewithusbecauseitwouldbehilariousforavongolatolosetheworld'sbestassassintoateenage.

-...I didn't understand anything you said.

- Me neither…

- That's exactly why the abbreviation exists! - He ended up crossing his arms.

- Pfff… - And despite the serious topic moments before, Tsuna couldn't help but laugh openly, soon being followed by the other two.

- Let's promise then. - Uni said, raising her fist forward in determination. - Whatever happens, we will be together, taking care of each other, whatever the future holds for us from now on, as a unit.

Byakuran and Tsuna nodded, stretching out their own hands.

When the three fists, of different sizes, clashed together, a light invisible to the three formed, taking over the entire store for a brief but eternal moment.

As if time stopped, people in the store stopped moving.

As if the present didn't matter, their souls were erased for an instant.

As if the future were a flower spreading its petals into the unknown, everything fell apart as new gears began to turn.

Gears that led to a time no one has ever seen.

And in the time it took a second, nothing and eternity, everyone returned to normal unaware of what had just happened.

- Very good! - Followed Byakuran completely excited. - Nothing like a good conspiracy to end the afternoon well, but I haven't decided my gift yet, so… Go try on more clothes!

- What?! B-but…!

- No "buts", there will always be time to plan the downfall of a Mafia, or melt a frozen heart, but Christmas is only once a year and we still have a very important place to go after here, remember? So go, go! - He said lifting one by one by the shoulder and pushing the dressing room.

Tsuna went ahead, even if he was mumbling, and only when he was out of sight did Uni turn around when she heard Byakuran's voice.

- Life is curious, don't you think, Uni? - He commented, watching the snow falling outside. - In all the futures that Tsunayoshi and I face, he inherited the Vongola as a memorial to his beloved and deceased tutor, Reborn. Now, it is precisely in the only universe that he is still alive, that Tsunayoshi fervently refuses to inherit the family and still wants to rip him away from them. This my dear is the greatest irony that I, and all my other selves, have ever witnessed. I think we should all have taken Tsuna's "no's" to Vongola more seriously.

And he burst out laughing, while Uni just sighed, more than ever, wishing she could predict what the future held for them.

Tsuna came back wearing a kind of red and orange sweatshirt with a flame design, but with a fairer cut and without sleeves, with fur on the neck and on the cap, similar to Dino's, a fitted black shirt, with some purposeful rips on the hem, the same as her brown jeans, and at least three pairs of necklaces around her neck.

Uni wearing a white dress with a V-cut pronounced at the neck, but protected by a lilac lace blouse underneath, long that reached her feet, with a delicate hem embroidered with blue flowers, a sash of the same tone at the waist, with a bow side, and to close a dark blue jacket with open sleeves, a pink bracelet of a color a little lighter than her eyes, and a white scarf over her head tied at the bottom and with another rose that fell to the side.

And even Byakuran changed his clothes for something more casual, a pair of jeans much more torn than Tsuna, a pair of white fingerless gloves, a white tank top with two rips in the back, which would conveniently allow his wings to come out, and another black tank top underneath because his brothers insisted he would be cold.

The albino, behind the other two still holding a change of clothes in his hands, watched with satisfaction as the two smaller ones stared in disbelief and embarrassed at their own reflections, as if they couldn't believe what they saw.

- Perfect. - He declared clapping his hands together, and undoing his White Applause. - I wouldn't change anything else. They are more than ideal outfits for our last commitment.

- What, after all, is this commitment? - Tsuna questioned with slight suspicion, his Hyper Intuition beeping.

- A visit, more precisely the third reason why we came to Japan.

- A visit? - He blinked confused. - For whom?

- The most anti-social member of Uni's family, right dear? After all, Christmas is the time for family gatherings.

The brunette turned around, still not understanding the younger one, who was smiling shyly.

- Don't worry, Sandwich, you'll understand soon.

-.-.-.-.-

Just like last time, Reborn decided to wait by the door, not surprised when he felt another flame approaching, and before the new guest even had a chance to ring the doorbell, the Hitman just opened the door, startling her by the action completely sudden.

- Tsuna is not home, Chrome. - Said the assassin monotonously.

- Ah, g-good afternoon Mr. Reborn, when I was coming here, I saw Gokudera running down the street, he seemed to be desperate and screaming a lot, did something happen? - Asked the illusionist innocently, making the Sun snort internally.

- Byakuran and Uni are in the city, they took Tsuna, said they will return to the party. - He listed in a totally disinterested way and in the shortest possible way.

- Ah, that explains why Gokudera was like that, but Byakuran isn't on our side now? - She asked sincerely.

- Yes. Gokudera is an idiot. Now, as I said, Tsuna is not, so excuse me. - He said as politely as could at this point.

- A-actually not, Mister Reborn. - She insisted, making the Hitman slightly raise an eyebrow. - I came to see Miss Lal Mirch, it's about the girls' training.

Reborn, still holding the door, let out a light sigh and opened the door for the Guardian to enter.

- She is in the kitchen. - Chrome thanked him with a slight bow, while the Sun closed the door as she passed.

On second thought, he went out, with one shot destroyed the doorbell, finally satisfied, went back inside and destroyed the doorknob as well.

Chrome just watched him with raised eyebrows, but didn't make a comment, so the assassin went into the kitchen and she followed.

When he got there, Colonnello was red with laughter, Lal Mirch was smiling and even Fon was hiding his mouth with his hand.

- Chrome wants to talk to you, Lal. - And taking a shot in the direction of the soldier, who managed to get away by the skin of his teeth, he simply returned to the living room ready to have a third cup of coffee finally in peace.

- What do you need? - Wanted to know the trainer, taking a card from a deck and ignoring the grumbling of her fiancé.

- I wanted to know if, after Christmas, I can help you with the girls' training.

- I don't see any problems. - She said simply. - But you came here just for that?

- N-not really, I came to see if the Boss was at home. - She admitted, almost in a whisper as if she was afraid of being overheard. - But then I found Professor Verde stuck in a tree on the other corner of the street and I went to help him out. - Colonnello immediately stopped swearing and went back to laughing at this detail.

- It must have been hard to tell him apart from the vegetation. - Ironized the Rain.

- A-ah yes, a little. - She replied with sincerity thinking it was a serious question. - He was very stuck, so it took me a while to get it. Meanwhile, I've seen how the guys, Kyoko and Longchamp came before, and it looks like they pissed off Mister Reborn, so I thought I'd better ask from Miss Lal Mirch.

The member of CEDEF smiled and walked further, Fon followed, and Colonnello decidedly laughed again.

- Good thing there is someone intelligent in Sawada's social circle. - Said the trainer pulling a chair. - You can wait here, your idiot boss must already be arriving. Do you know how to play poker by any chance?

The purple haired one shook her head.

- Then sit down, I'll teach you. How smart you are, you'll catch it easy

-.-.-

Reborn was about to pour himself coffee, when the hideous sound of an empty bottle filled the air, making his expression frown.

However, he didn't even have much time to grieve about it when a confused Nana walked through the garden door, followed by Bianchi and the kids.

- Well, for some reason the front door wouldn't open. - She explained as the smaller children came running and screaming in the room. In this case, Lambo was running away from something he did, while I-Pin hunted him down.

Reborn was using all of his self-control not to commit murder in front of the mistress of the house.

- Mama, make me some coffee?

- Oh dear, I'm very busy with the preparations.

- I'll do it for you, Reborn dear! - Bianchi volunteered.

- …

- Oh no, I need your help, Bianchi!

- It will only take a minute, Mama.

- It's all right, Bianchi, you can help Mama.

The young woman looked disappointed, but she complied.

In turn, the matriarch approached and patted the assassin's hat gently.

- You are such a well behaved child Reborn, it must have been very boring to spend this afternoon without Tsuna, isn't it? Don't worry, I'm sure he should be arriving by now. -T hen she turned to the little ones. - Don't bother your little brother, go play in Tsuna's room, I'm sure he doesn't mind.

- YAAAAY! VIDEO GAME! - Lambo exclaimed being the first to leave, being soon followed by the other two.

Before long, the house was noisy again, mostly from Lambo's screeching, and full of life, unlike the total silence when he'd tried to sit down and relax.

However it was very cold, probably the Kotatsu was already showing signs of breaking.

He sighed, staring at the empty coffee bottle, and then the totally forgotten TV on the corner, which was now showing an advertisement for a new tuna sandwich from a local food chain.

He looked away from the garden, trying to ignore the Stupid Cow's screams.

- It is true! Lambo saw a severed hand floating through Useless-Tsuna's things! - He argued.

- Lambo. - It was Fuuta's tired voice. - We've already tossed the whole room, there's nothing there.

- Lambo lies again!

- I do not lie!

- And when you said that the Broccoli Monster was after I-Pin when we went out at the convenience store?

- A-aha… That was… Eeeeh.

- SAW! LAMBO BAD!

- GUPYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! TSUUUUUNAAAAAA! I-PIN HIT ME!

With a tug, Reborn opened the door and shot the Cow, opening a hole in his hair, then closed it again and headed for the already expanded garden with an illusion to shelter everyone from the party.

So, with no more patience, he climbed to the top of the tree and waited.

"If he takes another hour, I swear I'll hunt him down." - He thought, his dangerous aura warning everyone not to approach.

Luckily for Tsuna, he and his new brothers arrived almost half an hour later.

And, ironically, as if it were a gravitational field, all those who looked for Tsuna that afternoon, with the exception of Longchamp, were arriving almost simultaneously.

Gokudera immediately began to one-sidedly argue with Byakuran, with the support of Gamma⁵ who he bumped into on the way.

Ryohei held up an elephant statue and happily claimed that he had found Master Pao-Pao, leaving his supposed boss extremely confused but accepting.

Kyoko for some reason looked very red since she had seen the brunette one, but before he could ask if she had caught a cold, Uni dragged her off to talk about something.

While all the voices turned the inside of the house into a real chaos, Tsuna went to the garden holding something in his hands, looking from one side to the other, and then locating what he was looking for at the top of the tree.

- Reborn! - He exclaimed, and with the call the Hitman finally descended, to soon raise an eyebrow when he saw the clothes his student wore. - What were you doing up there?

- Trying not to kill anyone. - Said simply making the other blink confused. - And this outfit?

- A-ah… It was Byakuran who gave it to me… - He said awkwardly. - Yamamoto said it's cool, and Chrome said it brings out the best in me… I honestly have no idea what she means by that. - He shrugged. - What do you think?

- I don't understand why someone would buy clothes that are already ripped, besides I prefer a more classic style. - So considering the exposure the outfit brought on a snowy day, he added. - Aren't you cold wearing this?

- Honestly, no. - He said it simply, but he put it aside when he remembered why he was looking for his tutor. - Ah yes, it could be because on the way home Byakuran insisted that we stop to drink something hot. Here. - He said crouching down and handing a closed glass to the shorter one. - I brought you some coffee, I tried to keep it warm with my flames, it's a little difficult with a paper cup, I hope it worked.

- Why did you buy it?

- Eh? - He tilted his head without understanding. - Well, I thought you had already drunk it all, and as the kitchen will be very full today I couldn't do more. - He explained simply. - You don't want?

- I want to. - He said firmly, tasting a sip, it wasn't the same as good old Italian coffee, but it was definitely hot. -...Thanks. - Tsuna smiled radiantly for the gratitude.

- Uni said you would like it. - He commented, then turned inside. - Lets go in? Now that you mention it I'm definitely starting to feel cold!

- You are a child.

Still, he followed the younger one through the door, sitting down in the room again, this time full, with shouts, cursing and occasional explosions, which only got worse as the other guests arrived.

And despite everything, Reborn finally felt at peace.

-.-.-

At least, until the party decidedly began.

The assassin dragged his student up the stairs to put on his infamous reindeer outfit that a wounded Mochida had given to Nana when she found him "playing" on a jungle gym in Namimori Park, which the swordsman could not deliver earlier due to security reasons, also known as "Hibari".

The embarrassed teenager was just finishing changing when all the kids at the party apparently thought it was a good idea to run all together to his room, yelling something about "disgusting drunk".

When he finally managed to calm them down, having to give up one of his video games as a sacrifice, he was finally able to go downstairs, with Reborn-Claus on his shoulder.

Only to be greeted happily by his friends, and to have an embarrassing photo taken by Hibari.

However, all the happiness he felt fluttered as he turned to the garden, not only his father, but all of CEDEF simply appeared unannounced.

Tsuna watched shocked as his supposed father, after casting a look that didn't please Byakuran at all, were completely kissed with love by his wife and reciprocated in the most corny way possible.

- Didn't you know he was coming? - Hibari's sudden question brought him back to reality.

- No, I didn't know… - He said, swallowing hard. - I don't remember him ever spending Christmas at home. Reborn.

- I didn't know either, but I think Byakuran and Uni must have told you about their adventure. That's probably why he's here.

- Of course. By Vongola. - He said dryly, his flames bristling, which did not go unnoticed by the Cloud and the Sun.

- Tsuna. - Put the Hitman in a warning tone. - Remember what my friend said. Besides, it's Christmas. Think of your mother.

- I know. - He said simply, but without leaving his harsh expression.

When Iemitsu finally finished greeting his wife, and CEDEF began to disperse among the members of the party, the sight of the tall blond, dark-skinned and unshaven man fell on his son.

Then his eyes shine like a thousand suns.

- TUUUUUUUUUUNAAAAAAAAAA FIIIIIIIISH! YOU ARE ADORABLE! - He yelled, running toward his demanding a very embarrassing hug in front of all the people at the party.

Tsuna took a step back, considering running away, but gave up, thinking about his mother.

However, when the man was about to squeeze his beloved son, Hibari stepped in the way, facing the smaller one, forcing the CEDEF Boss to stop abruptly, without losing his balance however.

- I want something to drink. - Said the Cloud stretching a glass to Tsuna.

-...Eh? - Which blinked confused.

- The idiot Kusakabe is drunk, and I don't want to disturb your mother. - He said simply. - Where can I find something to drink?

- Eeeh… In the kitchen? - He put it uncertain, while Reborn smiled and Iemitsu was frustrated.

- I'm not going to mess with your kitchen, get it for me.

- B-but… - He said looking uncertainly from the guardian to his father.

- Now. - He demanded in a dangerous tone.

- Hiiiie! Okay, okay! - Then he turned back to the disappointed blonde. - Hmmm, give me a second, father.

Then the two left the room, which led to the garden, passing through the hallway next to the stairs to go to the kitchen, Reborn without leaving his student's shoulder, finding the whole situation very amusing, although he didn't know exactly why Hibari, of all people, worried about saving Tsuna from an awkward situation with his father.

Not that the dense idiot had noticed the help.

- Hmmm… What do you want? - He asked, looking at the fridge.

- Bitter green tea.

- Oh, really? I also like-

And then he stopped abruptly, turning slowly back, watching from the kitchen door as his father climbed the stairs towards the second floor with a serious-faced Byakuran following him.

Without thinking twice, he grabbed the can of drink he had in his hand and gave it violently to his guardian's hand, then turned his feet and walked determinedly to the entrance hall.

- Father. - He put it firmly, catching their attention halfway down the stairs. - What is happening?

- Oh! Tuna Fish, I'm coming to talk to you, I just need to have a word with Gesso. - He commented with his friendly smile. - It's fast, dad swears!

However, against all his expectations, the brunette frowned, his eyes then glowed orange and flames exploded on his forehead as his voice came out simply scathing.

- If you touch my brother, I swear I won't forgive you!

Iemitsu blinked completely in shock, even Byakuran looked impressed.

- B-brother?! - Repeated the uncertain CEDEF. - But he was only his ally during the Representative Battle, before that he was an enemy. How did he become a brother in a day?!

Faced with this, Reborn sighed.

- You underestimate your son's ability, Iemitsu. - He said in a tired tone.

---

Notes:

* Yeah, we know, that's absurd, but that's exactly what Tsuna himself explains in the battle against Daemon, in chapter 343, page 9. The broken bones snapped back together due to the power of gravity, at the same time they were coated by the Gravity Coating. Now the rest of the explanation involving the Sky Flame is our own attempt to give some logic to Tsuna's absurd recovery.

* According to Daemon himself, all of Tsuna's bones were broken… Ignoring how surreal this is, yes, it was serious Tsuna.

* This is an idea from our first and most loyal reader: Escritororiginal. He argues that Tsuna keeps notes of names for future attacks, even though most of the time he just keeps them to himself, because he doesn't usually, as Japanese rules dictate, shout the name of his own blow to his opponent.

* The brown bear, also known as the European brown bear, became extinct in Germany around 1835. However, in 2006, a European bear that had been reintroduced to the wild in the Italian Alps walked, looking for company, to arrive in Germany. It was the first wild bear in Germany in 171 years. Unfortunately, he was killed by hunters.

* There is no mention of Reborn's flames in the Guardians' test the next day due to the barrier of Mist created by Chrome and Lal in the past chapter, which was not undone when Tsuna was taken home. This is exactly why no one is alarmed by Reborn's flame when he becomes an adult.

* This is a detail that shows Reborn's professor-worried side a lot. In chapter 85, page 8, Reborn says it's too soon for Tsuna to deal with the inheritance and Battle for the Rings. From Squalo's arrival to the end of the Saga, he showed several times to be unquiet, but at no time did he discredit his student, trusting that he would make it.

* This is curious and very random information, but Hibari in the manga has a motorcycle, it first appeared in chapter 19, page 14, when Tsuna and his friends are trying to get rid of Moretti's body. Hibari appears riding a motorcycle and jumps on Tsuna's window, in the end, he doesn't help at all and leaves by throwing Gokudera's bombs into Tsuna's room, blowing him up in the process. Another curiosity, the name of the motorcycle brand is Suzuki Katana, I think we know where Amano's inspiration for Adelheid's surname came from. And finally, its production time was from 1981-2006, it seems that soon the Hibari bike will not be so common in the market anymore.

* We decided to change the way Hana calls someone an idiot. We know that in Japan, especially in anime, when a character calls another "monkey or gorilla", it's just to refer to his limited intelligence, or to the fact that he is big and strong, but to avoid terms that in the West might sound like "racists", let's use other animalistic terms for Hana's offenses.

* Yes, it's true, Tsuna and Naito once had to live together. In the manga during chapter 46, Reborn plans to destroy Longchamp's "headquarters", but in reality, it was just his family home. In fact, the house is really destroyed, as a consequence, at the end of the chapter we see Longchamp and his subordinates asking to stay at Tsuna's house for a while, and as we know, Tsuna is ranked No. 1 "people who can't say no" in the Mafia. Who would be the others on the list?

* Recalling what happened in past chapters, Irie and Spanner, in a conversation with Tsuna, Kyoko and Ryohei, commented on the existence of a black metal (Adamantine) whose alloy is the same as the A and B class rings, which is extracted in its most naturally from the interior of a volcano in Italy, Etna.