Collision 08
Everything was peaceful for the next six days after that discussion took place. Of course that was only before the inevitable arrival of the mini hitman happens. Not only is he back looking so determined and serious, but he also brought reinforcement.
If you could even call Iemitsu a reinforcement. Why did he even bother? It's not as if Iemitsu's presence in the house is important at all. Come to think of it, even Reborn's isn't important.
As usual, if it is about Iemitsu, his mom's eyes always widens and brightens in pleasure upon seeing his face. But based on her reaction, it seems that she didn't know he would be coming too.
Was this a surprise visit? A vacation? Or does he need something? Iemitsu has never stayed willingly into the household without reason... at least as far as he could remember.
Because the last time he remembered him visiting, he and that old guy that was with him wasn't just around for the sake of 'visiting'.
They left him crippled.
"Tsu-kun!" his mom gave him a bright grin staring up at him as he was frozen at the top of the stairs staring at the new people in the house sitting there so calmly as if they owned the house.
Iemitsu does so I guess he has that right, he thought to himself after a few seconds rebooting his brain.
"Look! Your father came for a visit! Isn't this a nice surprise?" his mother delightfully exclaimed. Tsuna will always be happy to see his mother looking so radiantly happy, but with the source of her extreme happiness as that man, Tsuna's joy was in conflict with his dissatisfaction.
It's too bad that there is no class today, otherwise, he could have left early... Wait, why not leave now? Mom never stopped me from meeting my friends before.
"Mom, I have to meet with Takeshi," he said as he finally started to continue walking down the stairs. He didn't need to meet him, to be honest. But he wanted to get out of this house. Besides, Takeshi won't mind.
He had already done it before with any of his friends without telling them in advance after all.
He ignored the two sitting at the dining table and just took some sandwich that his mom looked to have just made. He woke up later than usual as he could not sleep well last night, something in him warning that a storm was about to happen. Then he woke up to find that not only was Reborn here, even Iemitsu is here.
The source of his uneasiness is back, with company even.
"So early? Why don't you greet your Papa! It's been a long time since you've seen him!" his mom gently encouraged. He looked at her shining eyes while his back was onto them, still keeping his senses alert. He didn't want to hurt his mom's feelings but he really didn't want to greet a stranger.
And Iemitsu is a stranger for him. No matter how harsh it might have been, what he is saying is the truth. He might be his father, but they had never cultivated a father-son relationship with each other. He wanted to once upon a time, idolized and craved his attention and love, but it never lasted. The feeling of his care was intense and fleeing and left him wanting more but unable to receive. His constant absence an early wake up call to the feelings of abandonment.
It had hurt. He has issues, but he got over it with the help of a heavy dosage of unpleasant reality forced on him while he was still young via damaging him.
Removing a tumor isn't easy. Thinking of his father as a tumor is blasphemy. But his trust issues and mental health prevails. He won't ever have any normal relationship with his father. He didn't care and he wasn't even going to try.
So he stayed silent even as he watched his mom prepare another batch of the sandwich she just created.
Again, the time they haven't seen each other is not an unforgettable fact. Moreover, it is unforgivable for him, especially about what his own father allowed to happen to him before, back when he still trusted him, back when his devotion were shortly between both his parents.
"Tuna-fish! I missed you!" a masculine voice whined like a child just behind him. The effect the voice made had him shuddering in disgust, hair standing up at how creepy it was. Instinct flaring in warning, he neatly evaded the sudden and unexpected glomping he would have gotten from the man.
He had the nerve to pout at him.
"Why do you evade your Papa? Papa miss you so much!"
He heard it, the sincerity in his voice despite the cutesy act, well hidden and warm. He pursed his lips, unable to fully stop himself from reacting to the sudden conflicting emotion swelling in him.
He took a deep, stay breath and finally turned to stare sharply at the now startled eyes of the stranger that was his father. He didn't say the words he wanted to say as his mom was still behind him and would have heard him. He didn't want her to be sad this early in the morning.
Iemitsu looked into his eyes and finally turned silent, his smile slowly wiped from his lips. He turned serious as he stared right back at him. He saw from the corner of his eye how Reborn was only staring at them silently, looking as if he was carefully watching his every move. His eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
Does he have to be on guard all the time, even in his own home?
I have to get used to that. I forgot about the one unpleasant aspect of being in close proximity with these people that I cherish the most. Limited freedom.
"Mom, I'm going." He didn't wait for his mom to say her agreement, he just kissed her cheeks affectionately just like he had always done and promised to be careful as he knew his mom's tendency to worry about him before swiftly going out of the house. She didn't even have time to fuss as she usually does when he leaves when he gets out of her sight. Before he could completely step foot out of the property though, a familiar weight settled on his shoulder. He stopped.
"Reborn."
"Tsunayoshi Sawada."
"No 'dame' now?" his eyebrow quirked up in slight inquiry.
"I realize that you are no dame." Reborn looked at him with his serious beady black eyes. Tsuna's lips stretched a little in a mocking smile as he glanced at the tiny hitman.
"Isn't that just lovely," he sarcastically said.
"You are surprisingly armed right now," Reborn commented. He frowned for a bit. He didn't have to ask to understand what the other was saying.
He is armed in a sense that he isn't a passive attacker anymore unlike before. He expresses himself more now than when they first met.
Certainly, part of it he blames to the sudden appearance of Iemitsu and also the sudden headache he felt from the massive gong-like existence of his instinct suddenly flaring upon settling his eyes on the two.
This felt like a premonition of a warning. Though he and his friends are ready, this warning certainly still made him tense up.
But it was also because he just does not care about being passive anymore. He had no need to hide. Reborn already knew his dislike of his sudden unwanted position. Besides, he had already tear up the mask he had been using to interact with the hitman.
There is no need for pretence between them.
He raised his eyebrow at the other and the tiny hitman sighed rather heavily. Tsuna blinked after a few seconds. He suddenly laughed. He just realized something rather absurd.
For someone he didn't like, they could weirdly understand each other without even talking. It's like their brains are wired up the same that it's just automatic they would understand one another.
More than being hilarious, it's dangerous.
Though his expression didn't change, his heart and mind engraved this observation so he won't ever forget.
Because out of all, Reborn is the very person most likely to find out about his 'activities', not because of his status, but because he could read him more than most people that weren't even close to him.
Reborn ignored his laughter and just spoke up suddenly. "You don't like your father?" He looked at the other for a bit.
That sounded more like stating a fact than asking. Well, he had never hidden his dislike of his own father. He had no reason to because now, he didn't care about what Iemitsu would feel. He didn't even think his actions would move that person's hardened heart. It might seem callous and cruel but he is just stating the fact.
After all, he had never seen nor felt his father being a father to him. Because at this moment in time, the one thing that stood out on his mind about him was his safe arms holding him, gently placating him and smiling as he looked at him before his world dimmed, colors became non-existent, his world tilting and pain became his constant companion.
A treachery he would never forgive.
A person who made him realize that trust is more important than love.
A father who broke his heart while he smiled.
"None of your business," he couldn't help it that his voice sounded colder than he intended.
"It is my business. You are my student and currently training as the heir to the Vongola Famiglia. It means constant communication with the CEDEF leader, which coincidentally, is your father."
It was now Tsuna's turn to sigh. He held the hitman carefully as he lifted him up from his shoulder and placed him in the pillar holding the gate of their house.
"It is none of your business but you are making it your own so as to spy on me and find out things that tick me off," he bluntly said. "I have never been your student as you never taught me anything. I already declined the position of heir but you won't accept."
Yes, it was a plan for him to infiltrate the Mafia and learn all about them to use the information gained against them, but accepting this forced heir position on him now is counterproductive. He did refuse it that first time. Going against his initial decision would make him seem weak to persuasion, or worse alert the hitman about something on his side.
Reborn is already curious about him, no need to add to it and potentially ruin their plans.
"And as for CEDEF leader..." He started opening the gate and closing it. Before he left though he stared at the hitman right in the eye.
He was letting the other see his determination, not knowing that his eyes changed into the sky flame color.
"I can only be as polite as I can be to him because Mom loves him. Otherwise, I won't have bothered."
Iemitsu Sawada is someone he had long since put on his most dangerous and untrustworthy list especially for to his legal status as his father.
. . . . .
"Won't your father suspect you in case anything happens with your animosity?" Takeshi asked him silently.
They are currently at the Yamamoto residence on the upper floors, warded with subtle rain flames by Takeshi's father, Tsuyoshi-san for protection.
Though he isn't in the mafia anymore, paranoia will always be a part of the man and with his overprotectiveness over his only son, he would take the safety of his house where they lived rather seriously.
After all, carelessness and confidence of being 'free' from the mafia lead to the death of his wife.
They didn't know about Tsuyoshi-san's previous connection with the mafia, only that he could use this strange flames that they themselves possess. He informally taught them how to use it properly so they won't hurt themselves trying to experiment without knowing anything.
They just realized he was from the mafia before he became a simple sushi chef due to now knowing the connection of the magic-like flames to the underworld. They just didn't tell the adult because they figured he looked to have gotten out of that environment. Takeshi also decided to just let it go, though he is now trying to find out about the death of his mother as he was certain her death has a connection with the mafia.
"Why would they suspect the teen they chose as their heir?" He said that last word sarcastically.
"If the said heir is a reluctant civilian, there is a possibility that said heir would blab." Takeshi retorted.
"As if they'd allow that to happen. Said heir would be constantly under surveillance when they got their feet settled in."
They both snickered after a moment due to how they've been talking about him in third person point of view. After a while, Tsuna spoke up again.
"Besides, I won't let them suspect me. They'll only see me as the reluctant heir that they think they could convert sooner or later." He looked at his friend seriously. "They've only seen a fraction of my fangs. By the time they realized they allowed an infesting snake to grow in their own yard, it'll be too late."
Takeshi rapidly blinked his eyes at that. "You are too scary when angered Tsuna."
He gave Takeshi a deadpanned look.
"And what about Kyoya?"
"Kyoya isn't scary. He's just... difficult." Takeshi answered almost seriously.
"Difficult? I care about Kyoya but even I am not blind to his bloodthirstiness and tendency to violence."
"Kyoya's violence is cute. He's like a hedgehog. Prickly, on-guard, defensive... shy... cute..." Tsuna whacked his friend's head to stop him from speaking nonsense things about Kyoya again. Takeshi pouted while running his hand on the part of his head where he slapped him.
"You're becoming violent Tsuna." Said teen gave him a look that clearly said he's being ridiculous.
"That was only a whack. With how often Kyoya's been smacking you, that would have felt like a love tap." He didn't stop pouting. Tsuna rolled his eyes. "And don't talk like that about Kyoya. He would murder you if he heard what you've been saying."
"I know how to preserve my life, thanks," Takeshi wryly said. Tsuna shook his head.
"Could've fooled me."
They both turned silent for the moment as they both lied on Takeshi's bed. They were the only one free of their group as Kyoya apparently needs to meet with his overenthusiastic mother, Shoichi had to attend a conference in another country for the invention he allowed to appear publicly while Byakuran apparently needs to find his 'sets' to 'play', whatever that means.
He looked like he had no intention of telling him just yet. He could only shake his head.
"Have Reborn or your father said anything more about the flames Tsuna?"
"Nope."
"Don't alienate them too much then," his friend advised. "Further information about flames can only be taken from them. We've only scratched the surface of our flames. Dad seemed to have no intention of elaborating, only helping us control it. Also, experimenting more than we already have about them is dangerous. We have to find out more."
Tsuna didn't say anything.
It's not as if what Takeshi said is wrong. He's right. They don't know anything more about the abilities of their flames. Aside from insider information about the mafia, they have to know more about these things.
Like Tsuyoshi-san said, the flames of a person is a manifestation of their dying will, a part of a person's soul. If they handled their flames badly, it might damage their soul.
In this case, it might just get them killed prematurely due to stupidity.
He sighed.
"Alright. We do need to know more about this."
Takeshi patted his head gently. "You don't have to be overly friendly. Just don't be too antagonistic. You know how to balance them Tsuna."
Tsuna sighed again.
. . . . .
He hadn't seen the full extent of it but Iemitsu was already sure, like the clog binding his eyes had been cleared rather painfully by acid, that his son didn't like him.
He probably even hated him.
Tsuna is so much different from the shy and sweet child he remembered. He is more assertive, confident and stable. Silent too and affectionate with his mother.
But he is cold to him. He felt like his heart carried Thor's hammer, heavy and cannot be lifted up without the owner taking it. That owner being his son.
In order to not worry his wife, he continued acting goofy in front of her. But who would have thought that his wife would be so perceptive as to pick up his mood? She had never been like this before!
"You're sad. What's wrong?" her tone of voice calmed down and she sat right beside him. He blinked at her in surprise.
Was this the perceptiveness Reborn had been talking about?
"It's nothing."
"It won't be nothing if your mood is affected like this."
"I'm just sad I can't come here more often," he decided to say. Nana sighed.
"I understand, honey. Work is important after all," she said this almost sadly. He didn't speak as he didn't know what to say to this. He had always been flustered when she became like this as he didn't like seeing her sad. "You should take time to connect with Tsu-kun though," she said, voice picking up as she encouraged him. "You need to bond. It's been a long time since you've seen each other."
"I'll try..." was all he could say. Nana smiled brightly hearing his words. That's when Reborn came back in. He looked at the other intently. He knew that he went out to talk to Tsuna. He wanted to know what happened.
"Ah! Reborn-chan! Need some more snacks?" Reborn shook his head lightly.
"Nope Maman. I'm fine." He then turned his attention to him and spoke directly and bluntly in front of his wife. "Boss would probably visit here."
Iemitsu knew that Nono had intentions to come and visit just to see his son. Tsuna did request to talk to the other. He just didn't know what to feel. Though he was the one who told about his connection to Primo and was directly responsible for making his son the Vongola heir now, he would always feel guilty throwing his son into the mafia world.
If only it wasn't needed, he would have allowed his son to remain as a civilian.
Unexpectedly, Nana slammed her hand onto the table. Both him and Reborn abruptly turned to look at her and he personally saw how her eyes sharpened and the aura around her stabilized as she stared directly at him, eyes intense and completely focused.
"Is this boss the old guy who came with you before, honey?" her voice still has the same sweet and gentle tone, but the overall effect it had on her current demeanor made the question menacing especially when she looked controlled and mild. His eyes involuntarily widened at that.
Different. She's too different!
"A-ah... yes..." he couldn't help stuttering, his shock still in his system. The change was too abrupt it took him completely off guard and messed with his senses. Reborn's observation that he told back then at Italy played back into his mind repeatedly like a loop and he blinked.
That wasn't enough to warn me!
"Don't let him get close to Tsuna," she suddenly ordered like a boss, voice completely sure and hard. He blinked rapidly at that, unable to believe what he is hearing.
Did... Did she just order him?
"Ah.. N-Nana..." He's completely flustered and out of balance, eyes still wide, unable to believe the situation he is now in.
"Do not let him Iemitsu, you hear me?" she said, leaning onto him slightly and staring at his eyes severely. Not knowing what else to do, still feeling like the world tilted completely out of axis, he nodded in acquiescence.
She suddenly smiled blindingly at him once again just as he calmed down and regained his balance from her sudden boss-like attitude. It caught him off guard again. "Well honey, I'm going to make some more food. I know you're hungry. Reborn-chan, sit down! I'll prepare some food for you." She then busied herself again in the kitchen.
She left him there in a stupefied manner, eyes staring blankly at his now seemingly back to normal wife.
It's like he just saw a glimpse of what Nana would be like in another universe completely assured, intelligent and confident.
It's disorienting.
Reborn walked towards the table and sat quietly at the seat he was occupying before. He then sipped the still hot coffee he had on the table as he stared at him.
"You look shocked."
The words woke him up from his shock. He blinked rapidly to get his mind back together before he gave the hitman a look, quietly telling him to shut up before he starts watching Nana in a daze again.
He just couldn't help it.
What in the world happened to make his family change drastically this much?
TBC.
A/N:
So, I enjoyed writing this chapter. Seriously, this is my current favorite out of all the chapters I wrote for this story. And I am really, really happy for all of your support for this story which I am currently kinda obsessing over. Editing these chapters sure made my imagination start running you know.
What do you think?
Review!
Edited: 02/19/2022
