HELLO! I'm back. I didn't think school would push me back from updating but here it is! I hope you enjoy :D Here we get to see a new character! Also, review replies at the bottom of the chapter :)
"... Bye Dia! We'll miss you!"
"We'll see you on Monday then!"
"Farewell~" Dia replied from the room.
Calen looked up from his seat and watched as Dia's annoying friends left her room. They have been talking ever since they got off school and now the sun was about to set. He stood up and waited for them to pass by. He coldly ignored them while they started whispering amongst themselves. Something about how hot he was or something ridiculous like that. As soon as the last female walked past him, he headed into Dia's room where she sat on her bed. Across from her, there was another occupied bed with a sleeping woman. Calen approached Dia's bed and crossed his arms.
"Kufufu… What a tragic predicament. I almost went to hell again for eating the heavenliest of foods." She said with a sigh.
"You lived your entire life knowing you were allergic to chocolate. How herbivorous can you get for forgetting that in a single moment?"
"Oh? A herbivore? I guess I'm back up the ranks, aren't I Kyoya?" She smirked.
"No, you're not."
"Kufufu… Kyoya, you're being such a tsundere. I know how much you care about your sister. I gave you quite a scare didn't I?" Dia prodded.
"No, you didn't. Now shut up before I bite you to death."
"You're never honest. Granted I manipulate and possess people and am damn well good at it but I'd say one of my few virtues is staying true to myself. Unlike you."
Calen scoffed, "Sounds like a lie to me. Don't ever think I won't bite you to death any less just because you're my sister."
"The hell?" Dia made a disgusted face, "You think I enjoy being treated like an actual sister by none other than the king of all assholes, the mollusk, Hibari Kyoya? No thanks."
Before anyone could blink, the sharp clang of metal echoed in the room. Both trident and tonfa clattered as the two siblings pushed against each other.
"Ah, so my invertebrate of a sister wants to be treated as she is. Like scum. I never took you to be a masochist, Rokudo Mukuro." Calen said. Dia grimaced.
"And I never took you to be into all different kinds of kinks, you asexual bastard."
"You and your dirty mind are incessantly infuriating."
"Kufufu… The feeling's mutual birdy."
"I leave you for 20 minutes and you're already at each other's throats!"
They pulled back. Calen shoved the hospital curtain aside to reveal Rus standing by the doorway with a plastic bag filled with snacks and drinks.
"Hello Cavallone." Dia said with a wave as she leaned back on the window sill casually.
"Don't 'hello Cavallone' me, Candia. You're supposed to be resting!" Rus replied at which Dia only shrugged. He sighed as he moved around the bed to place his bag onto the side table. He turned around and sighed at the sight of Dia's weapon.
"I swear that was back at your house... where on earth did you get your trident?"
"In the same place Kyoya keeps his tonfas." Dia answered. She and Calen shared a look and nodded to each other. The uncle massaged his temple with his fingers.
"Which is where?"
"Right where it belongs." Calen replied.
"That, that doesn't answer my… You know what never mind. Candia, put away that trident and just get back on the bed. And don't even answer that with a dirty remark."
Dia gave a small pout before smirking as she complied with Rus' request. Both siblings put away their weapons 'right where they belonged' and Dia moved to sit on her bed. She went ahead and peeked through the plastic bag Rus brought.
"Kufufu… No chocolate? Shame."
"Of course not! Dia, did you realize how scared your parents and I got when Calen told us you were sent to the hospital yesterday?!"
Dia crossed her arms and raised a brow, "Kufufu… You were never this concerned whenever I was sent to that loud-mouth Sasagawa in the infirmary."
"That's because you were Mukuro who by the way wasn't deathly allergic to chocolate. Or anything for that matter!" Rus retorted.
"Look uncle, I am alive and well."
"Unfortunately." Calen added. His sister turned to him.
"Birdy, if you really wanted me dead, you should have left me alone to my pleasures." She said. Dia thought for a moment before giving a cold glare, "Actually. That chocolate ice cream was amazing. You should have let me finish that ice cream before smacking it away, bastard skylark."
He scoffed, "Ungrateful invertebrate. Was that how you thanked Tsunayoshi for clearing your record to the Vindice?"
"No. In fact, what I was willing to offer he did not want. He kept turning me away. I would never dream of thanking you in such a manner."
Rus tilted his head in confusion, "That's weird. Inasmuch as Tsuna was too embarrassed to receive any kind of gifts, he's not necessarily the type to refuse them."
"I know right?"
"What did you offer him in thanks?"
Dia smiled.
"Mukuro, I don't want it."
"Vongola. I don't like being indebted."
"Mukuro, come on… Get up please! You're embarrassing me." Tsuna crouched down in front of Mukuro who was kneeling on one knee with his head lowered.
"There's no one here but us, Vongola. My offer still stands."
"But you're free now. You don't have to do anymore work for Vindice. You can go live your life with the rest of the Kokuyo gang, your family. I already feel bad since I'm keeping Chrome from you as my official Mist Guardian. I just want you to be happy…" Tsuna replied. Mukuro lifted his head to look into the brunette's eyes. The younger had to hide his confusion as he sensed strong emotions swimming through his friend's normally cunning expression.
"You are my Sky. My family is right here with you. Chikusa, Ken and M.M. would agree with me. Therefore, please. As thanks, I am offering you all of me and our services. I would like to continue to be your Mist Guardian with Nagi."
"Mukuro…"
Mukuro gave a teasing smile, "Kufufu… You say you want me to be happy and you are depriving me of my Sky? Vongola, you are interesting."
Tsuna made a face and looked to the side.
"Tsuna…" the brunette said.
"Hm? What was that?"
"Just call me Tsuna then… None of that 'Vongola' or even 'Sawada Tsunayoshi' because that's a mouthful."
"Kufufu… Then Tsuna." Mukuro took Tsuna's right hand where his Sky Vongola ring was wrapped around a finger. He kissed the ring.
"With this, I hereby swear my loyalty with all of my being as the second Mist to Sawa- to you, Tsuna." He declared as he let some of his Mist flames hover over the ring. He was pleased and most of all, relieved to see Tsuna releasing some of his own Sky flames to dance with Mukuro's and join together. When they finished, a warmth started to envelope his chest. When Mukuro looked up, he saw Tsuna's face go red.
"Tsuna?"
"S-sorry. I can never get used to a Loyalty contract. It sounds too much like a marriage vow. I've done it a couple times already but still…"
"Kufufu… That doesn't sound too bad either. Would you like to right now? Or shall we go straight to honeymoon night." Mukuro added as he stood up and stepped closer to Tsuna.
"Ehhh?! No way!"
Dia smirked.
"Kufufu… I offered him my body and a night filled with passion and intimacy."
"... Forget I asked."
"I was ready to do it the vanilla way too, mind you."
"Disgusting."
"Kufufu… Looks like I was right when I said you were into kinky stuff."
The shuffling of sheets captured their attention. They turned to the bed across from Dia and watched as the woman in her late 20s sat up. She let out a wide yawn and tried to stretch. However, she instead only recoiled in pain. Calen noted the amazing amount of bandages wrapped all around her body.
"Ow…"
"Sorry, did we wake you?" Asked Rus. The woman blinked as if she had just noticed the other occupants in the room.
"I'm not dead am I?" She asked.
"No… You seem to be doing okay, considering your current state. Ah, no offense!" Rus added.
The woman gazed at her bandages and gave a proud grin, "Looks like I have escaped death once more! I, the great Ruby, have successfully ventured through the Sicilian trails with little resources and have survived!"
Dia raised a brow.
"Seems like another herbivore." Calen remarked. Her eyes snapped onto him.
"What did you say, you brat?! You should know better than to disrespect your el-" She held back a gasp as Calen returned her gaze with a cold glare.
"A-Ah… N-Nevermind, sir…"
"Ahaha, sorry about my nephew. Well, Ruby was it? I apologize if we were being too loud. We'll try to keep it a little quiet. Now, Dia I bought you so-"
"Actually, uncle. I want to get to know Ruby a little more…" Dia said with a smirk that unnerved the older woman.
"W-What is it?" She asked.
"You don't look like you're from around here. First time?" Calen and Rus exchanged looks of confusion, unaware of Dia's intentions of interrogating a stranger.
"Uhh… I arrived 3 months ago."
"So how do you like the city?"
"... I didn't explore the city. I only spent a short period of time before I had to go."
"For an expedition to the Sicilian trails you said right?"
Calen's eyes widened by a mini-fraction.
"That's right… Hey, kid. I'm starting to not like your casual tone with me. You should show some more respect!" Ruby said as she pointed a finger.
"Kufufu… You're so bossy. I bet you're somebody's lackey aren't you?"
"Dia!"
A vein popped, "I'm a lackey to nobody! How dare you!"
Dia smirked and nodded towards Calen, "Finally eh?"
"It's about time. Hey lady, you have something we want." Calen said. Before Ruby could retort, his glare shut her up once more as he started walking to her.
"Dia! Calen!" Rus hissed that made Calen and Dia tense up and freeze.
Calen clicked his tongue in annoyance at himself. He chose when to listen to Dino (which was very rare). He hated the way his body instinctively complied whenever Rus took that tone with them. He had a feeling that Dia felt the same way.
"Both of you behave yourselves."
"My you're being awfully moody today." Dia commented mockingly but Calen could easily detect the slightly guarded tone she had.
Rus took a deep breath. "What's gotten into the both of you all the sudden?"
Dia pointed to Ruby.
"Hey, don't point at the great m-"
"She has Tsunayoshi's Animal Ring."
"What?"
"Sunayu- what?" Ruby raised a brow.
"Wait… That's Skull?!" Rus pointed at her once again.
"You're being rude! Don't poi-"
"Kufufu… Does that answer your question, uncle?"
Calen proceeded to Ruby's bed and towered over her intimidatingly. He crossed his arms.
"Hetbivore, do you or do you not have a lion ring with a chain joining it to another ring?" He asked.
"Kyoya, stop scaring her!"
Calen rolled his eyes. "I'm already asking nicely. What more do you want, uncle?"
"Yeah brat, you should go listen to your good-for-nothing uncle." Ruby blurted out.
"You know what Calen, never mind." Rus deadpanned as Calen smirked.
"Kufufu… Glad to see you on our side on this Cavallone."
Ruby gulped and regretted everything that came out of her mouth.
Calen was this close to biting Ruby to death with her rambunctious laughter. He gave Rus a disapproving glare who seemed to slump with each wheeze from the heavily injured woman.
"Haah, so you're saying that in my previous life I was the Skull the daredevil from France in the year 2XXX?! Where on earth did you get that idea…! Ahahaha!" She said for the umpteenth time that late afternoon.
"I told you Cavallone that that was a bad idea." Dia said. She flipped over on her bed and wrapped her pillow over her ears.
"I mean, we got Tsuna's ring." Rus said as he held up Tsuna's Animal Ring.
Calen promptly grabbed Tsuna's ring from his uncle. He ignored Rus' cry of surprise and instead examined the tiny object. If he focused just enough, he could feel Tsuna's familiar flames. His chest welled up with warmth reminiscent of when he was around his Sky. His grip tightened on the ring. He hadn't felt Tsuna's flames since he passed away. He had forgotten how complete he felt.
"Calen?" Rus asked in worry. The younger Riccio sat up and turned to Calen curiously.
"It's nothing. I'll be keeping this." He pocketed the ring.
"Kufufu… And why is that? I figured out that it was Skull first." Dia said as she crossed her arms.
"Too bad." Calen smirked, "You should listen to your big brother for once, Candia."
"Since when have I ever? Don't make me laugh-"
"You mean giggle?"
"Don't make me laugh. I won't listen to Hibari Kyoya of all people."
"It's your thanks to me for saving your life." Calen said.
Rus rolled his eyes and smiled as they bickered. Even he himself felt what Calen felt when he held the ring. It wasn't as intense since he wasn't Tsuna's Element but instead a fellow Sky brother. As they shared the same flame type, he didn't have to try as hard to find Tsuna's flames. Natsu, whose spirit was probably dwelling inside the Animal ring, wanted to absorb some Sky Flames which Rus himself had.
He turned to Ruby who had calmed down and was just catching her breath.
A vibrate from his pocket took him out of his musings. He took it out and read the new text message.
'I'm heading to your place.' It read from Arias.
'Wait, I thought you said you had a date!' Rus replied.
'She fkng left after I came back from the bathroom. So I'm free 4 tonight.'
Rus cringed.
'Rip. I'll be home in an hour or two from the hospital. The key's under the rug and I have booze in my mini-fridge.'
'Perfect.'
Rus sucked in his lips and started to sweat. It was going to be a long night.
Lass was in the living room, playing with her stuffed animals while she waited for Thera to come home. She was told that she would be home quite late however Lass still wanted to get tucked in. She hummed to herself a familiar tune that she used to hum when she was still Nana.
The door clicked open and she looked up from her play area. Lass was surprised to see Thera walk in.
"Ms. Thera? I thought you had a date..."
"Lass." She approached Lass and crouched down to meet her at eye level. The young girl frowned in worry.
"I came here as soon as I could." Thera said. As Lass looked back at Thera's eyes, she couldn't dare look away. Before she could ask, Thera handed her a sheet of paper. Lass couldn't read properly yet but she could at least read her own name and her new last name.
Her hands started to shake and she felt tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Ms… Thera? I-Is this…?" She started to say. Thera gave her a rare gentle smile. She kissed Lass on the forehead and embraced her.
"You can call me 'Mom.'"
Lass grinned and returned her hug tightly.
Hehehe let me know what you think!
kawaiiecho312, Reyshinka - Yes, Mukuro is allergic to chocolate! I mean, Dia is at least. Hey, with all the torturing that he does, it's bound to come back around to him lol
BoyishBlue - Yay! I'm really glad you thought so :D
bbbk027 - Why did Tsuna die? Hehehe, we won't find out for a while~
