AN: Hi, guys, I'm back. Mostly. This chapter got away from me a little, but I hope you will lke it.
Arc I, Target VIII: Home of the birds.
Meanwhile, Tsuna returned to Primo and his Guardians.
"You alright, Tsunayoshi-kun?" Asari asked as the boy came closer. All of them knew he wasn't hurt, having seen the display with their own eyes, but it was already a second nature looking over the boy for injuries, knowing his luck getting in situations, no matter big and small.
"I'm fine, "the six-year-old assured them. He looked at the First Generation with a timid, yet excited grin at the same time, eager to share what happened. "Have you heard? They invited me to their house!"
"Yes, we heard," Giotto smiled proudly. "That's really great, Tsunayoshi. And you stood up for Mei. I'm proud of you."
Tsuna turned bashful at the praise. "I didn't do much. It was the right thing to do. Besides, there was this… "the boy frowned, not knowing how to explain it. "...inner fire that helped me. Without it, I doubt they would have left us alone until Hibari-chan's brothers arrived and helped like the last time."
"True, something helped you," Giotto agreed. "But other than that, you did everything yourself. So don't sell yourself short."
"I'll try," Tsuna said, then proceeded to change the subject. Though his confidence grew in the past months, he still wasn't used to praise and being in the spotlight. "Can we continue the lessons?"
"Sure."
The lessons resumed. Tsuna still needed reassurance every now and again and he fell a lot, but there was progress as well.
And watching how happy the boy was by riding bicycle on his own and not falling even once for the first time, the First Generation was happy and proud too. They hoped their Little Sky would never lose that smile and laugh. And they also knew it was the start of accomplishments to come.
Since it was nearing the end of October, it was getting dark pretty fast. So, the moment the sun started to set, Primo and his Guardians called Tsunayoshi home. The boy pouted a bit, but went along, and pretty soon they reached the Sawada Residence.
"I'm home!" the brunet called into the house as he entered and took his shoes off. Giotto-san and others weren't visible to the eye, but he felt them near and that was all reassurance he needed.
Nana appeared from the kitchen, a bright smile on her face. "Tsu-kun, okaeri! You're just in time for dinner. How was your walk?"
"It was great!" Tsuna replied. "I rode the bicycle and didn't even fall once after a while. And I helped the girl at the park and her family invited me over. Can I go, by the way?"
"Of course you can! Now let's eat and think of a nice present for them! What's their name?"
"Hibari."
"Oh, I've heard about them. Tell me how you met!"
So, while mother and son ate dinner, and discussed Tsuna's accomplishments and plans for tomorrow, Giotto and his Guardians were having a conversation of their own about what they witnessed at the park.
"He was on the cusp of manifesting his Flames, Primo," Alaude was saying. "He was basically in the Hyper Dying Will Mode, minus the Flame today. His Hyper Intuition works nearly as much as yours. You have to tell him."
"Gotta agree with our bloodthirsty bird," G said. "You have to tell him before something happens and he freaks out."
"Plus,"Lampo added with a yawn. "It seems he's already aware of his Flames somewhat, considering he calls them 'inner fire.'"
"I know," the blonde said with a sigh. "We'll tell him, but not now. I don't want to ruin his happiness at finding his first friends by telling him about Flames or his bloodline right now."
"If you say so," G said. The others, Alaude especially, didn't look content with Giotto's decision, but conceded in the end. "Speaking of which, who's gonna escort Little Sky with you to Hibaris tomorrow? All of us would be overkill, I think, even though we always went together."
"Lampo and I will go, if that's okay with you, Primo," Alaude volunteered.
"Want to see one of the twins that has Cloud Flames, Kyoya, closer, right?" Giotto understood his Cloud straight away.
Alaude gave a simple nod.
"Then it's fine with me."
"Okay, I get why are you going Primo - you are basically the kid's dad; Alaude is going out of curiosity caused by his Japanese mini-me; but why do I have to go?!" Lampo whines.
"Because you also agreed to help Tsunayoshi," Alaude reminded the Lightning Guardian. "Besides, you need to go out and stop lazing around here."
"He's right," G said with a smirk. "Alaude won't let you laze around."
"Mou, why are you two so mean to me?! Asari, Knuckle, help!"
Giotto just shook his head at the scene and his chaotic family.
Same old, same old.
With the gift and time to visit the Hibari family decided, it was time for Tsuna to sleep. He seemed anxious, which Nana picked up on as she helped him get into bed.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" she asked as she passed her son the stuffed lion that mysteriously appeared on Tsuna's birthday, which she knew was the work of the unknown stranger that kept her boy company.
"Mom," he said nervously, clutching the toy tighter to himself. "What if they will be disappointed?"
"They will love you, Tsu-kun," Nana's voice was sure and gentle as she spoke those words. "You just have to be yourself."
"I'll try," Tsuna said with a small hesitant smile. "Good night, kaa-san."
"Good night, Tsu-kun," Nana leaned in to kiss on the cheek and adjusted the covers tighter around her boy. "Sleep well."
And as Nana left the room to go to sleep herself, Tsuna already on the verge of falling asleep due to the active day, felt a kiss on his forehead and Giotto-san's voice saying:
"Your mother is right, Tsunayoshi: just be yourself and don't worry, we'll be with you."
Yeah, with Giotto-san and others by his side he could do anything!
With that thought, Tsuna fell asleep, full of hope for the upcoming day.
The next morning finally arrived. After having a light breakfast, Nana and Tsuna started to prepare for the visit. And though he felt much better after his mom and Giotto-san's encouragement, some nervousness still remained and he couldn't sit still, fidgeting with his fingers as he waited for Nana.
Suddenly a hand was placed on his head. He looked up to see Alaude-san's steady gaze.
"Do not fret," he said. "Giotto, Lampo, and I will be near."
"What about G-san, Asari-san and Knuckle-san?"
"We'll stay here and hold down the fort so to speak," the priest told the brunet with a smile. "So don't worry about us and have fun."
In that moment, Nana descended the stairs, fully dressed for the chilly weather:
"Tsu-kun, time to go!"
"Go get them, kiddo," G said.
"Have fun," Asari and Knuckle said together at once.
Tsuna nodded, and taking his mom's hand, left the house, followed by Giotto, Lampo and Alaude.
He really hoped all would go well.
As it turned out, the Hibari family lived in a grand traditional mansion on the outskirts of Namimori, away from the noise and people.
Lampo couldn't help but whistle, impressed despite himself, upon arrival at their destination. "So they are traditional and rich. Wasn't expecting that."
"Jealous?" Primo asked with a teasing tilt to his lips.
"Ha, as if!" The Lightning Guardian gives a haughty sniff. "Nobody can be better than me!"
Primo laughed at that a little as Tsuna and Nana finally enter the house and they follow.
They are met by a couple. Both have black hair and gray and brown eyes respectively, and are nearly the same height. They are dressed casually, but both radiate confidence, power and danger.
Like Alaude-san, Tsuna noted, instantly picking on similarities between them. Now I understand why Hibari-chan and her brothers are so scary and elegant.
His thoughts were interrupted when the man spoke up:
"You must be Sawada-san and Tsunayoshi–kun. I'm Hibari Masamune and this is my wife, Gia,*" the man introduced himself and the woman beside him. "Welcome to our home."
"Thank you for having us," Nana said, smiling brightly. "We brought something to have with tea."
Since he was the one to insist on giving cookies, the six-year-old took this as his cue and presented the container with cookies to Gia.
"Please accept them even though it's not much," he said, blushing to the roots of his hair. "I hope you really like them."
"Thank you, that's very sweet of you to say that, Tsunayoshi-kun," Gia said, accepting the gift with a smile. "Why don't I lead you to my children and they also try your mother's cookies while my husband shows your mother the way to the living room? Mei has been awaiting your visit."
"She did?" Tsuna asked. He didn't expect to hear that, but nonetheless felt warmth at the thought that Mei was waiting for him.
"She did," Masamune confirmed. "Now, Sawada-san, allow me to show you the way. It's easy to get lost for the first time."
"Thank you, Hibari-san! That would be lovely," Nana said, before turning to her son. "Have fun and remember what I told you."
"Okay, Mama," Tsuna didn't see Giotto-san and others, but could feel their support and that gave him courage to follow after Gia-san, while okaa-san went with Masamune-san.
He could do it.
Anyway, Tsuna soon saw that Masamune-san was right. He could have easily lost his way in this huge place if not for Gia-san.
This place is like a labyrinth, the six-year-old thought as he recalled the similar stories he read and was told about. However, his thoughts were interrupted when Gia-san slid the shoji aside and called:
"Children. We have a guest. Come in, Tsunayoshi-kun, don't be shy."
With a nod, Tsuna stepped inside the room and was greeted by Mei first.
"Hello, Sawada-kun," she said with a small smile. "Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for inviting me," Tsuna gave her a shy smile in return. "Hello, Kyoya-san, Takashi-san," the brunet greeted the twins. They are not much older than him and Mei, but it felt right to address them that way.
"Good to see you again, small animal," that's definitely Kyoya-san. Seriously, what's with the nicknames?
"Welcome, Tsunayoshi-san. I hope you'll feel comfortable," and that's Takashi-san. Is it just Tsuna or Takashi-san doesn't like him?
"I leave you four to yourselves ," Gia said. "Your Father is with Nana-san at the moment and I will return shortly with tea, so you can have a snack, but tell me if you need anything."
"Of course, Mother/Hibari-san!" the children said together at once.
With that, Gia nodded and left, but not before sparing the glance at the corner where Primo and his Guardians stood.
"Did she see us?" Lampo whispered, slightly spooked by the woman.
"Possibly," Giotto said. "If not, she certainly felt us."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Guess we'll see. Let's not distract Tsunayoshi with our worries right now."
Alaude and Lampo nodded, agreeing with their boss and the three of them watched the children play.
Some time later, Masamune observed the children. Not long after having tea and cookies, the kids went outside in the backyard. Mei and Tsunayoshi were active the most while twins watched over the two protectively.
"How are things going?" Gia appeared at his side while Nana excused herself to the bathroom, and they had the time to discuss the situation.
"They're going well," Masamune said. "I never saw Mei so happy with someone who's not family. Kyoya is curious about him, so he's more willing to interact than Takashi, who's wary."
"I never saw Lightning act so prickly to a Sky," Gia noted. "But then again my brother's a Storm and he's not quick to anger like others of his Attribute."
"True," Masamune agreed. "But still, I did not expect to meet the son of the External Advisor of Vongola at all, much less that he would catch our children's attention."
"Neither did I," Gia said. "But perhaps it was meant to be."
"If you say so," unlike his wife and brother-in-law, Masamune did not believe in destiny, but allowed Gia her faith. She was free to believe in anything she wanted. He respected and loved her too much to do otherwise.
Gia didn't say anything, used to her husband's skepticism, and chose to focus on the other matter. "There's something you should know. There's a presence around young Tsunayoshi."
"Presence?" Masamune repeated, eyes narrowing. Being sister of the Storm Arcobaleno and master in martial arts herself, his beloved easily picked on such things. "Do you know what or who it is?"
"Sadly no," the woman shook her head. "They are hiding, but they are not hostile," Masamune's tensed shoulders relaxed at that bit of information. "Rather, they seem to protect the boy."
"Unknown presence protecting the son of Sawada Iemitsu in the place of absent father. Hmm," Masamune hummed thoughtfully. First, said boy captured the interest of his children, now this. Intriguing. "Then, I guess we lend them a hand. What do you think, Gia?"
"Agreed," Gia nodded. Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Tsunayoshi carries the blood of the Vongola, but he's still a child and I refuse to let harm come to him and our children who's growing fond of him."
"Then it's decided. Sawadas are under our protection," Masamune declared. He and Gia hear that Nana was back, and before they turned their attention back to her, Masamune thought with one last glance at Tsunayoshi:
It will be interesting to watch you grow, Little Lion.
AN: *Gia means beautiful in Chinese, according to Google.
So, yeah, that was probably pretty obvious since the start, but yes, Takashi will be Tsuna's Lightning. Poor Lampo. Also, the convo between Gia and Masamune wasn't planned, so I hope it doesn't look out of place.
In the next chapter we'll see more of our gang! Until next time!
