A.N: Thank you so much for stopping by. I gotta thank stellacisem, D C JoKeR H S and Faery66 for waking me up from my slumber with your reviews 3.Thanks to all those lovely readers who have placed my story in their favourites and alerts.
WARNINGS: Dark themes. (little intimate) angst.
Disclaimer: I do not own the familiar characters.
Tsuna blinked and rubbed his eyes. It was still there, hovering near Xanxus' bed. He blinked again, desperately hoping that his eyes were deceiving him. But the spectral being was still there, its attention solely focused on Xanxus—who, for his part was mumbling incoherently in his sleep. Tsuna panicked when he saw the strange being reach out a silvery hand towards Xanxus.
"Don't touch him!" Tsuna hissed, surprising himself and the creature. Heeey…I am actually courageous! He saw the being turn its hollow sockets towards him. Hiiiiieeeeeee….! Maybe I am not so courageous after all…Tsuna gulped and forced down the urge to wet his pants. How long was this thing just standing here while I was blissfully asleep?!
He felt his Will pulsing madly and his intuition screaming at him to bolt out of the vicinity with Xanxus.
"W-W-Who a-are yo-you?" Tsuna managed to stammer out.
"Ara…?! I am surprised you could see me, human" the being smiled at him, its voice as cold as the Arctic frost. Tsuna felt a sense of dread growing in the pit of his stomach as he feared that this being could be someone from the Family hunting down Xanxus. Maybe I should scream for Dad…
The spectral being, from Tsuna's observation, looked and sounded like Mukuro. Perhaps a little taller in stature and a little more sinister in voice. Tsuna felt the being scrutinize him from head to toe as he subtly tried to inch towards the door. He felt strangely naked and very much exposed.
Tsuna stiffened when he heard a pained whimper leave Xanxus' lips. He saw the spectre moving over to touch Xanxus again. Now was his chance!
He visible shivered when he heard the being's macabre laughter, "Calling Iemitsu for help isn't going to help Tsunayoshi~" it practically purred out in a voice filled with malicious intent, "But if you insist on presenting me your father's soul, then by all means…" it gestured elegantly towards the door.
How did he…? Tsuna abruptly stopped his train of thoughts when he noticed Xanxus grip the mattress in a death grip. "Freddy-nii…I'm so s-sorry" Tsuna felt more than hear the pain behind Xanxus' rant and the sudden increase in the room's temperature. He saw the creature sit beside Xanxus and place its hands on his trembling frame.
"Such complex mind—so intricate and tender" it drawled out in a sickeningly sweet voice that sent chills down Tsuna's spine. "So raw and untouched" it sang, delicately tracing Xanxus' sun-kissed hips under his sweat-drenched tank top.
Tsuna began to panic when he saw the creature bent towards Xanxus' face, its large hands holding Xanxus down as he began to thrash in his sleep. "His pain—so delicious and inviting…" it mumbled against his throat, "Like nectar—ALL MINE…" it rasped in a voice that sounded dreadfully old—no scratch that—ancient and evil!
And suddenly, the being was no more a spectre but a physical being with long locks of raven hair—perhaps longer than Squalo's— pulled into a low ponytail. Long strips of uneven bangs framed a sharp, angular face, a thin rosy lip and a pair of green catlike eyes. He must be eight-foot tall from the looks of it. The moonlight lit his already pale skin with a supernatural glow in complement with his dark double-breasted trench coat.
Tsuna felt his Will drawing him back to reality and realised he'd been trapped in an illusion for a while. He turned just in time to see the monster baring Xanxus' pulse point against its mouth, sharp glistering white fangs peeking out from under its lips.
"LET HIM GO!" Tsuna practically screamed as he all but threw himself at the being. His Will roared with a sense of protectiveness and possessiveness like he never felt before.
Several things happened all at once. A blinding light appeared between Xanxus and the creature, sending it flying against the wall. Tsuna dived at sonic speed and managed to catch Xanxus' prone form before he hit the ground from the impact of the throw. He felt a heavy fog, a cloud of negativity, clear away and out of nowhere, he heard a soft whisper of his name. Tsuna blinked in confusion as he felt his panic melt of him and a sense of security hit him in waves.
He gripped Xanxus close to him as he saw a peculiar mist taking form in his room, between him and the savage beast. No! Not another one! The mist morphed to form a portal and out of it stepped…
"Mukuro…" Tsuna breathed out in relief. However, Mukuro had eyes for only one person at the moment.
"Can't have you having all the fun now, can we?" Tsuna noticed that Mukuro lacked his usual demeanour. In fact, he looked downright pissed! Tsuna gulped. This can't be a good sign… He saw Mukuro tap his trident on the floor trice and immediately he felt he could breathe easier.
"This whole house had been surrounded by illusionary mist" Mukuro gave Tsuna a sidelong glance, "Your father should be able to wake up now" he mused. Not a minute too soon, Iemitsu burst into the room, his Will already active.
"Tsuna!" Iemitsu rushed to his son's side, checking him top to bottom for injuries, "Are you alright?!" he practically wailed. Tsuna vaguely noted Mukuro glaring down at the creature, his trident posed for attack if needed.
"I am alright but Xanxus…"
"Is still under an illusionary spell" Mukuro finished for him. He then promptly growled at the crouched beast, "Have you no shame attacking a defenceless child, Ariana?" Mukuro uncharacteristically sneered in disgust. Ariana? So, the creature's name is Ariana…How does Mukuro know him?
"I came here to claim what is rightfully mine, Rokudo" Ariana sneered back just as vehemently, "And I will have him no matter what" And with that final threat, Ariana disappeared in a gust of mist and mayhem. A long pause stretched between the room's occupants and no one moved a muscle.
"Unless Xanxus has a pure conscience, he'll be an easy target for manipulation" Mukuro spoke softly, "Someone has to force him to spill his guts out…"
"Ano…who is he Mukuro?" Tsuna asked back cautiously, never letting go of Xanxus even when Iemitsu tried to pry him from his arms.
Mukuro blinked dubiously at Tsuna as if to say 'you really don't know?' and then looked at Iemitsu. "Don't you know anything about the World Mafia?" he asked lamely.
Before Tsuna could speak, Iemitsu sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "I was going to explain about that to Tsuna at the CEDEF tomorrow" Iemitsu then looked up at the wall clock and muttered a soft 'today' before fixing his eyes back on Mukuro. "Thank you Rokudo Mukuro. I didn't even feel a speck of Ariana's Mist Flames." He grimaced. "If it wasn't for you, things would have turned rather unpleasant."
Mukuro merely nodded before addressing Tsuna. "Put him to bed. He's still under the influence of Ariana's Flame. I'll make sure to keep a chec—"
The room's occupants suddenly tensed when they felt a sharp rise in temperature. Xanxus…Tsuna suddenly remembered that he was still clinging to a delusional Xanxus. He glanced down just in time to see Xanxus' lashes flutter open to reveal two large burning orbs. It's like gazing into a pair of garnet gemstones…! Tsuna stared back, wonderstruck.
He saw Xanxus blink his eyes rapidly, observing Tsuna with hazy eyes. Frankly, Tsuna felt himself a little self-conscious under the searching gaze.
"Umm…Xanxus…" he gave a rather shaky smile. He noticed his father approaching them and Mukuro studying them with an air of curiosity.
"Come on, Xanxus, let's put you to bed" Iemitsu offered his hand to Xanxus who still sat snug in Tsuna's embrace.
"Mitsu-san…?" he saw his dad freeze on spot, his eyes widening to the size of saucers. Before Tsuna could so much as comment on the nickname, Xanxus abruptly turned curious eyes towards him.
Tsuna began to sweat profusely. Xanxus in his right mind was always a catastrophe. He feared to imagine what a clearly disturbed Xanxus would do. This is it, the apocalypse…Tsuna mentally sang.
Suddenly, Tsuna felt a pair of strong but soft hands wrap around his neck and a warp body press against his own. Tsuna could only describe it as a bear hug.
"FREDDY-NII!" Xanxus practically squealed, nuzzling his head affectionately under Tsuna's chin. "You came back! You really came back!" he wailed, "I was so worried…I missed you so much, nii-san!"
Hiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….! Tsuna panicked, his arms flailing out in pure horror. There was a noticeable slur in his voice that alerted Tsuna to not freak out. Taking deep breaths, Tsuna tried to calm himself down. He turned around to note his dad gaping at him like a fool and Mukuro literally rolling on the floor, laughing his ass off.
He sighed and turned back to face Xanxus with the very intention of telling him that he was under a delusion spell and it was best if he slept it out. The words died on the tip of his tongue when his eyes met Xanxus'.
Tsuna, never in a million years imagined that the cold and condensing eyes of Xanxus could express such love and adoration. He could practically feel hero-worship and delight oozing through every fibre of his being. "Nii-san…" Xanxus mumbled softly. Do little white lies count as a sin?
With his mind made up, Tsuna wrapped his arms around Xanxus' waist and hefted him up towards the bed. He's surprisingly light for his age…Tsuna mused. He could feel the eyes of both his dad and Mukuro on him but he dutifully ignored them for the minute. Pulling the covers back, Tsuna tenderly laid Xanxus on the soft mattress before tucking him firmly with a soft quilt.
"Nii-san is sorry he made Xanxus worry" Tsuna smiled softly at Xanxus, "Nii-san was busy but you and I can talk tomorrow as long as we want, okay?"
"Okay…just…d-don't leave…m-me…" Xanxus smiled sleepily back at him, his body language so open and trusting that Tsuna began to feel traces of resentment in his heart at Federico. No, this is so wrong…! Get a grip, Tsuna! He mentally berated himself.
Tsuna wordlessly sat beside Xanxus till he felt assured that Xanxus was safely into the land of nod. Standing up, Tsuna hesitantly ran a hand through Xanxus' hair before facing the room's silent observers. However, the look of pride and joy on his dad's face and approval on Mukuro's caught him off guard.
"Tou-san?" Tsuna uttered, unsure. His dad simply shook his head before whispering a soft goodnight and walked out of the room.
"I hate to admit but…" he heard Mukuro mutter in something akin to awe? "You are a great human Sawada Tsunayoshi, kufufufu~" With a final glance towards Xanxus, Mukuro disappeared in his signature mist.
Tsuna sighed and looked at the clock. It was near 5 A.M. Tsuna shook his head and smiled. It would be ten years later that Tsuna would relish this memory with fondness and nostalgia.
"Tsunayoshi-kun…"
"Hmm…?"
"You don't have to keep checking on me every nanosecond; I am perfectly nightmare-free for the night"
"One can never be too careful" Tsuna smiled lazily.
"Paranoid is more like it" the voice grumbled back. Tsuna smirked, "Well, it wasn't me who wanted to be tucked in every night ten years ago when he—"
"Alright, alright! Sheesh, I took the meds okay?!" A tranquil silence fell upon them, disturbed by the sound of the crickets and the crackling of the camp fire. Tsuna took a deep breath and peered at the occupied sleeping bag to the tent's left.
"Xanxus…"
"Yes, Tsunayoshi-kun?"
"Take care of yourself, alright?"
Tsuna heard some shuffling before a familiar ebony haired male with sleepy crimson eyes peeked out of his sleeping bag. "I don't think that would be necessary when you are around, Tsunayoshi-kun" Xanxus addressed him, trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes. However, he became wide alert when he noted Tsuna's crest-fallen face.
"Is something the matter?" Xanxus sat up on his sleeping bag, "Did the raid on Millefio—"
"It's nothing" Tsuna smiled, walking up to Xanxus and kneeled beside him, "Just promise me you won't do anything rash" Tsuna asked again, his voice strangely hoarse.
Xanxus blinked and slowly nodded his head. "Alright, I promise not to pull a Ryohei" He squeaked when Tsuna pulled him into a tight hug.
"Tsuna…?" Xanxus blinked, puzzled by Tsuna's sudden need for PDA. Not that it's rare these days though…He is definitely hiding something. He heard Tsuna sigh softly and release him.
"Get some sleep" Tsuna ruffled his hair affectionately and climbed to his feet. "I'll see you later" he smiled as he closed the tent's flap leaving a confused Xanxus behind.
Chewing on his bottom lip in restrained grief, Tsuna flopped down across Hibari by the fire. He felt his Cloud's questioning eyes on him.
"I-I couldn't tell him…" Tsuna choked out, "I just couldn't…not when he trusts me so much…I can't do it" he moaned miserably.
"Did you at least tell him abo—"Hibari blinked at the sudden music filling their campsite and automatically looked at his bag. Tsuna wordless stood up, "Looks like Squalo changed your ringtone again but 'Catch you, catch me', really?"
Hibari glared at him before snatching the offered device and pressed none too gently on the attend button. The lens of the device flared to life and projected the face of a very smug-looking Squalo. "Voi~"
"Squalo, should you be out of bed right now?" Hibari enquired gruffly, noting the time in his watch.
"Relax…" Squalo drawled out, "I can perfectly take care of myself, Mother…" the Varia Rain smiled teasingly but stopped on noticing Hibari's downcast eyes, "Voi! I am perfectly safe here!"
Hibari grunted softly. "Isn't the herbivore with you?" He frowned when he saw Squalo's smile disappear. God! Don't tell me…
"I don't know when he left the house but Tsuyoshi-san told me it's been a few hours. He left without a word…" Hibari clearly read through the unspoken 'to me'. That bastard…how dare he neglect informing Squalo…!
"He's probably heading back to Italy. You should meet him in a few hours" Squalo smiled and then promptly turned to address someone standing behind. Hibari took the time to ponder over Yamamoto's decision in leaving Squalo alone in the main base in Japan. He collected his thoughts just as Squalo turned towards him with a blinding grin, "Mukuro-kun conveys his love to Hiba-kun~" Squalo practically giggled.
Before Hibari could express his murderous thoughts on said vermin, Squalo raised a hand in mock surrender, "Just kidding…" the assassin grinned bashfully. "He wants to assure you that he's with me and that you need not worry much…Also…" Squalo sobered up before adding, "Don't be too hard on yourself and Tsunayoshi, Hibari-kun. Find some time to drop by…"
Hibari nodded before letting a soft smile drift across his face. "Call me if you need me, alright?"
"Voi!" Squalo beamed, "I miss you already! Tell Takes—ah…Yamamoto…to be safe and remind Xanxus to take his medicines. Be seeing you! Voi!" Hibari shook his head as he pocketed his phone. He swore he heard a distant kufufu-ing.
"So…Yamamoto didn't tell Squalo too…" he heard Tsuna mutter out, clearly depressed by the whole ordeal. Hibari sighed and sat back, his mood getting worse by the minute. Their plan has got to work! But Hibari couldn't help but feel that something grave was looming over the horizon.
And that's all for today!
R&R everyone! Thank you for your time! 3
