Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or stuff.

Word Count: 8424

Part 25: No Going Back

"Go Takeshi!" Tsuna called out, waving a sign that had his friends name and jersey number written on it as said teen stepped up to the plate. There was a slight silence from the gathered group as the pitcher from the opposing team wound up and threw the ball as fast as he could.

Takeshi in that moment was as calm as he could be; it was just him, the bat in his hands and the incoming ball. His eyes narrowed, zeroing in on the incoming projectile and he swung, the ball hitting the bat with a huge 'crack' like sound before it went up and out into right field.

There was a loud cheer and his heart was pumping fast as he dropped the bat he was holding, running towards first and second, his heart in his throat as he just barely slid into third.

When the next player came out to bat, he missed the first one, but managed on the second, hitting out towards center field and Takeshi took off, knowing that the other players wouldn't catch the ball and wouldn't be fast enough to throw it to get him out.

He could hear his friends cheering as he made it back home, getting giddy and slightly heavy pats on his back from his teammates as he made his way to the dugout.

This is what I love to do, he thought to himself, taking off his helmet, while grabbing one of the water bottles. He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, eyes looking over the other players, enjoying the thrill that ran in the air.

He could feel warmth fill him, a soft ping like feel and he smiled a little more sincerely, his eyes seeming a brilliant blue for a second. He moved to lean against the chain link face, standing beside two third years that were looking intently at the plays going on.

Takeshi's fingers hooked into the fence, leaning forward, his forehead nearly resting against it.

This is what it's like to have fun, isn't it?

/ | \

September ended and October rolled on through, the days just a little hotter, but the nights being much colder. Reborn tried not to think about his birthday coming up; instead he focused on Tsuna, trying to get the teen to replicate Hyper Dying Will Mode without the aid of a bullet.

Right now the brunet was not close enough to getting it, but it seemed calling on his flames had gotten easier and everything flowed much better than it had before, 'Its like I was guessing before, but now I see more clearly, I think that bullet did more than what you probably thought it did,' the teen had told him.

And Reborn wondered if it was perhaps the famed Vongola Intuition that had properly awakened in Tsuna or if it was in that moment of pure clarity that Tsuna noted the way his power moved through him and had stuck with him since.

"Let's take a break," Reborn called out and Tsuna nearly deflated as he sighed in relief. They had come back to the area where he and his sister had marked the forest and even Reborn would admit that though it still hadn't recovered and the area looked like a disaster, there was a peace that hung about that area that was soothing.

Tsuna let himself fall back, not at all caring that his shirt would get dirty, "I think I'm close," he said as Reborn stepped up beside him. "There's just, it just feels like something is missing."

Reborn hummed, poking Tsuna's side hard enough that the teen jerked up and gave him a pitiful look, "I'm hungry." The brunet only glanced up, shaking his head slightly as he pushed himself up onto his feet, staying crouched as he held his arms out for Reborn.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

Considerate, they always asked him things like that, with a shrug Reborn held out his arms and let himself be picked up, Tsuna moving him up on his shoulder so that he wouldn't feel too coddled. They made their way out of the area in a soothing silence and it was as they were passing the Nature Center and nearing the older homes that Tsuna seemed to stumble over his steps.

Reborn didn't need to look to know that Tsuna was frowning, not at all happy with whatever had come over him at the moment. The arcobaleno didn't ask as Tsuna continued on and in as little as ten minutes they were around the market place. Reborn noted that the closer they had gotten, the tenser Tsuna had gotten and it wasn't until they were around the open shopping center that a loud voice cut through the crowd.

"Voooii, come back here scum!"

Reborn was already dialing a number, jumping off Tsuna's shoulder and hiding in the shadow of one of the tables outside a cake shop. Tsuna noticed the weight off his shoulder and tried to keep himself out of the way as people began to run away from the fight that broke out.

It was between a man with long silver hair, swinging about a long sword at a sandy haired teen, who was clutching something to his chest while trying to deflect the man's sword with what looked like a boomerang. Tsuna was moving before he even realized he was, slipping his gloves from out of his pocket and onto his hands.

He was between the teen and the man, the man's eyes widening, before a bloody thirsty smile appeared on his face. The man slashed down and Tsuna flared the fire in his hands to catch the sword and let it slide down his palms. The metal that wrapped around his palms sparked and as the sword lowered, Tsuna pressed his wrists together; his hands out in a sideways V (Kamehameha!) and he willed his flames to flare and push forward.

The man jumped back before those flames could touch him, his eyes wild with a murderous glee, "Heeeyyy," he drawled out in Italian, eyes flicking down to his sword and noted that the edges were blackened, before moving back onto the brat before him. "Who are you brat?"

"Sawada-dono!"

Tsuna brought his arms down, kind of ignoring the teen behind him as he kept his gaze on the man before him, "I am Tsunayoshi, who are you?" The brunet honestly didn't think it possible but the man's smile became much sharper, the glint in his eyes much brighter than before.

"Superbia Squalo," the man held his sword out at him, "I'm going to enjoy killing you brat."

Before the man – Squalo – could do anything, a gun shot rang out, making the man use his sword to deflect it. The fair skinned man turned those striking gray eyes on the small figure that stood off to the side and nearly froze, but instead stepped back, eyes moving back to Tsuna and realizing who exactly he was.

"So you're the tenth?"

Tsuna didn't answer, he could feel himself so close to that state of mind, but he couldn't focus on reaching out for it right now, not when there was a high chance that he could be killed by the dangerous man in front of him.

"Should have a little fun before roughing you up, or better yet just kill you now so you won't be in the way later."

"Picking on kids now Squalo?" a voice chimed in and the teen behind Tsuna seemed to relax. Tsuna himself felt relieved, especially by the scowl that replaced that grin on Squalo's face. "What do you think you're doing, Squalo?"

The man growled something unintelligible before lunging forward, he smacked Tsuna aside with the back of his right hand, the sword in his left hand coming up to slash at the sandy haired teen, who barely managed to jump back. Red bloomed across the teen's front and he fell, the pain and exhaustion he felt too much for him.

"Oi what do you –"

Tsuna didn't even see the man move, when he crouched down to pick up the package the other teen had, not at all expecting him to move on to him and hold his sword at his throat.

"Let me go easily Bucking Horse and you won't have a dead kid.

There was a tense silence and Tsuna could make out Dino gritting his teeth, whip ready to be used, before it was lowered down.

"Heh, always too soft Cavallone," the man uttered as he pulled his weapon back and Tsuna winced as the blade nicked his throat, "See you fuckers."

And he was gone.

Tsuna held a hand up to his throat, not realizing how badly he was shaking. He didn't notice how quickly Reborn and Dino moved, his tutor checking over him while the blond looked over the sandy haired teen. Tsuna's eyes were wide and unseeing, one thought running through his head, one that Reborn could easily pick up on,

This isn't good, something bad, not good, not good, not good.

/ | \

Kawahira looked in the direction of the shops entrance, head tilting slightly as he felt the fleeing Rain – eager and anxious, but so ready to take on anything in its way – before dismissing it as nothing and turning back to his student.

"Don't grind it all the way down," he chastised, as he watched the girl go at it with the pestle. The amount of pressure she was putting down on the herbs lessened and after another grind, she settled the pestle down, taking the mortar with both hands as she brought shook it to level out the ground herbs inside.

"Why am I doing this again?"

"We're making tea –"

"This doesn't even smell good –"

Kawahira had moved to stand beside her, his fan being drawn from within the confines of his sleeves and used it to whack the girl over the head, "If you would not interrupt," he chided, kneeling beside her as she sniffed in mock pain, which he ignore. "If you do recall, the hemlock I gave you to mix with your preferred tea leaves is poisonous," he began to explain, taking the mortar out of her hand and checking it over himself.

With a nod of approval he set it down, pointing from the mortar to Natsume who grimaced as she realized what he was getting at, "You'll be taking a cup of tea with me every time we meet so I can see and watch over you when you are under its affects."

Natsume stuck her tongue out, face slightly scrunched and looking completely against the idea, "Isn't that dangerous?"

He lightly swatted her with his fan, this time on her arm while clucking at her, "It's time you've started building a tolerance to these sort of things, wouldn't want to get poisoned off of your own stock now would you?"

Still not looking enthused to the idea she shrugged, giving into the idea as was always the case, "I suppose."

"So we'll begin with the hemlock and I would suggest you start looking up on daffodils and wolfsbane since those will be our next herbs we work with."

"Daffodils?"

Kawahra hummed, pushing the mortar across to the other side of the table, in its place he slid one of his books, not even bothering open it up himself and let his own flames do all the work.

"You do have the internet, no?" he asked, looking over the page he had turned to, his glasses sliding forward nearly falling off the tip of his nose (and completely ignoring the snickers coming from the teenager.) He ignored it and pushed on, "I never asked, but you did say you wiped away those people's memories right?"

Natsume's laughter cut off, eyes a little wide at the sudden question and the memories that brought back. "…more like I suggested they forget," The white haired man noted her hesitance and didn't push it, knowing that the Kokuyo Incident still made her uncomfortable because of certain memories, "They have a bit of my flame with them and I highly doubt they know enough about that to find out what's different about them."

Perhaps over certain memories, but she was getting better (she was also better at acting as if she was fine, since she hadn't acted out like she did little over a month ago).

"That Mukuro boy though,"

Her nose wrinkled in distaste at the name, "He might figure it out, though I think he'll be more amused than anything else," it was something to poke out while he was locked up, not like he could do anything from Vindice Prison. "Probably would try to figure out his own way of doing it."

Kawahira hummed, trusting both in her word and her own power. Having the odd combination of Mist and Sky would one day make her someone to be feared, what with the ability of creation and harmonization mixed together and her ideas and odd little way of taking inspiration from the little things.

Mists already had the ability to bring whatever they thought possible to life even if it was just an illusion, adding on top the harmonization, which not only solidified and made her illusions much more real and lasting, it let whatever flame that was weaker than her flock and fall to her Sky.

"How about we have a little fun today?" he said, breaking himself out of his thoughts and slipping his book shut, letting the long book marker keep his place. He could already feel Natsume's dubious look, but he brushed it off and set his hands flat against the table, tapping out an inane rhythm with the tips of his fingers.

"The game today will be," lifting his hand slightly, fingers curling in, a swirl of flames appeared on the table, small figures rising from the indigo mist, "A story."

Intermission 9

There was a people long ago that lived long enough to forget the years they had been through, that held a power that was sacred to the Earth. The people were split, each offering a piece of themselves to appease the world they were brought into, showing the world that they took in the very elements that the Earth showed them.

There was balance.

There was peace.

….and yet there was a want for more.

It was slow, but the people were dying off, some falling to the eternal sleep, others becoming consumed by the Element they had represented, that they abided too. And from their pieces and ever burning flames, that scorched and tore away the Earth, arose a new being.

One that was similar to the people and yet were so much weaker, in the years that it took one of the people to learn and forget, the new being died. Unlike the people though, the new being continued to create and grow, spreading across the Earth, while the people watched, some of them guiding hands to the new children of the world.

The Earth did not flourish like it used too, the offerings from the people not enough to power the Mother of All, at least not with the new beings about, who took and took and took, never giving back.

/ | \

The flames turned almost black before dispersing themselves and Natsume was a little taken back, quickly looking up to her teacher whose earlier mellow expression had become something much darker. The usually plum eyes seemed to glow much brighter, before he blinked and they returned to normal, but Natsume wouldn't be forgetting the dark shadow and bitter feelings that reflected in his pinched expression.

"Sensei?"

Kawahira breathed in deeply, giving himself time to calm and center himself. He brought his hands together, letting the sleeves of his yukata hide them so the girl wouldn't see him twiddle his thumbs (an old nervous, angry tick he never got rid of).

"This will continue on at a later date," He spoke, tenor voice much deeper than before, "I will send for you."

Knowing when she was being dismissed and outright kicked out, Natsume stood up, bowing in Kawahira's direction and moving to set the things she had used back to their place. The only thing she left out was the mortar, leaving that for Kawahira to deal with since he knew more of what to do with it.

"Thank you for today, Sensei."

The corner of Kawahira's mouth almost quirked up, knowing the girl sensed his slight upset and was acting as politely as possible to not push him over the edge. The light hit his glasses in a way that caused a glare, obscuring his eyes as they trained on Natsume's retreating back.

When the bell to the front of the shop tinkered, Kawahira shook his head, letting his eyes slip shut as he lightly bowed his head forward.

Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself.

Part 26: We Change Unintentionally

When Natsume had gotten home, it was to find Bianchi and Nana speaking in low voices, her mother sounding oddly frustrated, while the magenta haired woman tried to soothe her. The golden brown haired teen was about to go up to them to see what was up, only to receive a rather stern look from Bianchi who signaled to her with her mouth to go on upstairs.

Natsume merely pressed her lips together and nodded, quietly making her way towards her room. Passing by Tsuna's room she heard her brother's voice, slightly hysterical sounding and Reborn's high pitched one telling him to calm down.

"We have about a week, before they realize they have the fakes, maybe another day or two before he makes his way down here to try to settle whatever it is he thinks is going on," that was Dino's voice.

Usually she would have barged in, would have gone to either Tsuna or Reborn to explain what was happening – why was Mama so upset? Why was Tsuna being hysterical? Who was the 'he' they were talking about?

Natsume stared at the little fish plaque they had put up on her brother's door many years ago, her expression blank as she tried to process and gather what was going on.

Why was everyone acting weird?

First Kawahira and now here at home – mew – the light chirp from her cat brought her gaze down to meet unblinking amber staring up at her expectantly. She knelt down, holding her hand out for Emi to sniff and waited for the black cat to bump her head against her hand before she picked her up.

She glanced at her brother's door once more, before she treated back to her room, locking the door behind her and then made her way to her bed. Emi leaned her head against her shoulder and usually Natsume would have been babying the cat, but as the mattress sunk beneath her weight, she could feel Tsuna's flames increasing, calling out to hers.

Natsume breathed in as deeply as she could, ribcage expanding as her lungs took in as much air to the point it almost hurt because of how uncomfortable it was. She was trying to stay calm herself (because when Tsuna got like this, someone had to stay level headed, if not there would be panic and from what little she had seen downstairs, her mother did not need to fret over the two of them.)

She didn't notice how the room seemed to warp around her, the darkening rays of sunlight casting an odd green color across the room, but she did realize that she felt disconnected, away from her brother's panic, the uncomfortable feeling twisting in her gut ceasing for an instance.

The teen lay back, turning on her side, eyes slipping shut, though still keeping the feline close to her, stroking the back of the cat's neck lightly. She focused on the feel of Emi's soft fur, on the mind numbingly simple task of just petting.

She released the breath she had been holding, while Emi began to squirm in her grasp. She peered through her lashes, letting the cat go and the feline stretched up, its tail flicking and almost hitting Natsume in the face when it climbed over its owner's side and looked over the edge of the bed.

"Emi," the teen sighed out, not once noticing the change in the room as it all returned to normal; the cat on the other hand blinked, curious and wanting to poke its nose at the odd energy that seemed to stay behind.

Ignoring the cats odd behavior, Natsume pulled one of her pillows so she could bury her face in it and absently wondered why everyone was being so weird today.

Even if weird wasn't the right word, it was close enough to what she wanted to mean.

(It was an odd day, things happened – some emotionally and mentally (Kawahira and Nana) and the others a mixture of that and physical pain (Tsuna.)

/ | \

Tsuna didn't wait the next morning for Natsume and he felt kind of bad leaving his sister behind like that, but he couldn't stand to be in the house that morning.

He could tell his father was home and he didn't want to see Iemitsu smiling and acting as if everything was fine, to see his Mama nervously tinkering around, trying to find a way to both berate her husband and welcome him at the same time.

Tsuna could feel Reborn shadowing him, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint where the pint sized hitman was. Surprisingly enough instead of that putting him on edge, he felt himself relax. He clutched at the strap of his bag a little less, wondering when Reborn had become someone he was willing to be comfortable around when the tutor was more than willing to put him (and at times his sister) in his place through violent means.

Tsuna stopped, his hand coming up to grasp the ring that hung around his neck and wondered why he was still being put through this farce of training, when there was another candidate for the position.

(It had been explained numerous times that Xanxus wasn't a viable candidate, though nobody would say why exactly.)

"If you stand around too long Hibari will find you for skipping school," that was Reborn's voice and Tsuna looked down to see the hitman standing beside him, hands tucked into his suit's jacket and looking at him with the same bland expression when he thought he was being silly over something.

Tsuna let the ring fall back underneath his shirt, the metal warm against his chest. The brunet was in deep thought, looking as if he was thinking over one too many things (and he probably was) before he crouched down.

"What if I don't want to fight?"

Reborn didn't bat an eye at the question, "You'll have to fight if it comes down to it."

"I don't see the point," Tsuna began and Reborn could see where it was going, he and Dino having already gone through this with the brunet already the night before. "If he really wants this and is capable, why not –"

"Because he was not chosen," Reborn cut him off, "And I have not received word from Nono to negate his and your father's choice."

Tsuna's mouth pulled down, looking as if he had smelled something sour at the mention of his father, "What if I just hand it –"

"Enough, this is no longer up for debate," Reborn held the brown eyed teen's gaze a moment longer and it was the teen who looked away from the intense stare, "You will train and you will be prepared for anything that comes our way, understood?"

And there was the infamous pout that expressed exactly how the teen felt about that, "Why go through all that, when we can avoid anything by just –"

"Giving Xanxus the ring and the right as Vongola Decimo will be equivalent to you signing your death certificate," Tsuna flinched, could feel Reborn's patience having ended with the matter at hand. "Not only will you forsake your life, but your family and your friends, that's the kind of man Xanxus is, he will leave no chance of anyone else making a grab for the title."

Reborn's hand came up to pinch the bridge of his nose, already knowing Tsuna's next words, "It doesn't matter if you promise, swear an oath, or whatever to him, Xanxus will make it final by putting you and yours six feet in the ground."

He heard Tsuna's teeth clack when the boy snapped his mouth shut at that, not having been told at all last night about how far Xanxus would go to ensure the title of Decimo.

"…That can't happen."

Tsuna's eyes were a lighter brown than before when he looked back at Reborn, who barely refrained from smirking at the change in his student, "Oh? How sure of that –"

"I won't let it happen."

Reborn harrumphed and gave the teen a nod, turning around and beginning to make his way back to the Sawada home, "Training starts after school," he threw over his shoulder, more than a little pleased at the turnaround.

Tsuna would make a good boss one day; Reborn would make damn sure of that.

/ | \

When lunch came around that day only the boys and Tsuna came together, the brunet realizing then that Natsume hadn't come to school. That was quickly pushed aside when he noticed the thin silver chain's that Takeshi and Hayato wore around their necks, he didn't have to see to know what was tucked beneath their shirts.

"Did you guys get anything strange recently?"

Takeshi nodded, an easy smile curving his mouth as he pulled the chain off his head, a familiar ring half, though it had a blue gem on it instead of an orange one like his. Hayato didn't even bother; he was a happy jittery mess as he leaned forward, seeming to want to reach for Tsuna, but holding himself back.

"I am honored Tenth," the silver haired teen began, jade eyes bright, and Tsuna could practically read him like an open book, could feel the teen's own flames roiling to and fro from the sheer emotion he felt.

Tsuna swallowed, because wasn't this a slap in the face, to know that his own friends had been dragged along with him in this (who else would be brought into this? Takeshi and Hayato, they were close, his best friends, and he knew they would do anything to help him, but why did they have to go down with him?) This was a…family problem wasn't it?

So why his friends?

/ | \

Natsume knew she was late for school and yet she still took her time getting dressed. It wasn't until Bianchi came knocking on her door, all sweet smiles and asking her if she wouldn't mind accompanying her to the market with the kids.

"But school?" her argument wasn't very strong and Bianchi gave her a knowing look.

"It's just for today, no harm no foul," Bianchi countered, leaning against her doorway as Natsume went back in and changed out of her uniform. A gray baseball tee was slipped on and she had to hop around a little to get her jeans on, but she was ready to go.

Heading downstairs, the room to her mother's room was closed and she could hear voices from within, it was Lambo's squealing and running up to her and wrapping an arm around her leg that distracted her, "Ane's going to the market with us?"

"Yep," she ran a hand through his curly hair, the wild mass of hair having been maintained through her mother's sheer effort, "Let me get my shoes on and I'll carry you if you want."

Lambo nodded, almost tripping over his own feet as he sat down near the door and put on his own shoes, Natsume sitting beside him as she reached out for the black high tops and began to put them on. Finishing that she watched Lambo slightly struggle with his own laces, she poked the kid in the side, getting his attention and she pointed at his laces, "Bunny Ears, then cross them," his stubby fingers did so, "Put one of the ears through the little hole there and pull."

"Like that?" Lambo asked, "Not tight enough, Ane."

"I'll do them for you," and she did, going through the motions slowly so he could follow along so he could do them next time.

The pair sat around awhile longer for Bianchi to show up with the other two; Natsume got to her feet, though she stayed crouching, giving Lambo a chance to climb on her back. When the kid wrapped his arms around her neck, she stood up, hooking her arms underneath his legs.

Bianchi opened the front door, ushering the two children out in front of her and waited for Natsume to exit before closing the door shut behind her. Pushing through the front gate and making a right, the group walked on for a little bit, the children beginning to chatter amongst themselves, Lambo sometimes getting a little over excited and yelling into her ear.

"So," Natsume began, "What's happening?"

"Reborn asked me yesterday to explain to your mother what might be happening within the next couple of days," Bianchi answered, "Your father arrived early this morning and they have been...talking."

Glancing at Natsume, Bianchi noted the puzzled expression, "So what's happening?" the teen asked again. Bianchi sighed, having hoped to not be the one to explain it to the girl, but seeing as she had gone straight to bed when she got home last night; Natsume was the last of the Sawada's to be in the know of what was happening.

With Iemitsu getting chewed out for all the years' worth of lying that he had done (even if it had been in the best interest of his family), Reborn making sure that Tsuna continued on and kept a level head from here on out, it had fallen on Bianchi to talk to the girl (even though Dino would have done a much better job, the blond had disappeared off to who knows where.)

"I'll explain everything, but I'm not sure how well I'll do."

The girl gave her a kind smile, in a way understanding the assassin's feelings, "Just you telling me what the he – ah - I mean what's going on will be great," Bianchi bit her lower lip to keep herself from chuckling at Natsume's mid-sentence correction and nodded instead to show she understood.

"We women have to keep together," Bianchi added, "If the men can't be there for us, we'll have to be there for each other."

(I'm here if you need anything.)

Natsume emitted a sound eerily reminiscent of Tsuna's 'hie', though it was more a light giggle than anything else, "Thank you Bianchi."

/ | \

When Iemitsu arrived early in the morning, Nana had not been wide awake enough to react properly. She opened the door for the blond man, the bright smile and big hugs he was known for giving not at all present as he gave her a small smile.

She had reacted as usual, a surprised sound escaping her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her height. She kissed his cheek, before burying her face in his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"I'm home Nana."

"Iemitsu," she sniffled out and it was like in that moment everything that had been happening, what her children had told her, the things she had found out came to her and she stepped back, gazing tearily at him. "Why?"

She could feel his fingers curl into her clothes, his already soft gaze becoming much sadder looking and oh dear she did not like her husband like this. He leaned forward, kissing her forehead before he placed his against hers, "I will explain everything to you, I promise," his hazel green eyes burned bright and she knew that he would.

She licked her lips and nodded slowly, "But?"

He gave a slight chuckle, "I have to give Tsunayoshi something first."

Nana was quiet, lips pressed into a thin line, "Does it have to do with what happened yesterday?"

"Yes."

Nana took a deep breath, stepping out of Iemitsu's hold and clasping her hands in front of her, looking from him and then flicking her gaze upstairs, "You know where he is, I'll be in my room." Iemitsu watched as she walked away and wondered how much he should worry. He made his way upstairs, his footsteps light, the door to Tsuna's room barely creaking as he opened it and stepped in.

Something in his chest stirred as he watched his son snoozing away, limbs askew and yet none of them hanging off the bed (his little tuna-fish always had the fear that something would grab his feet if he let them dangle over the edge). Without missing a beat, he strode in, pulling the chain and ring in his pocket out and slipping it over his son's head (perhaps his future boss.)

Iemitsu straightened up, not letting himself linger too long, he gave Reborn a nod of acknowledgment before he exited and made his way downstairs, heading straight to Nana's room. The door closed behind him and the atmosphere seemed to change, no longer was it the light, warm and loving home he was used to, when he saw Nana, it was a completely different woman.

He could see why Zack had warned him once and only once that Nana was not someone you wanted to upset; a sweet woman she may be, but she did grow up alongside young thugs that ended up becoming a controlling group in the Eastern part of Oahu.

She may have only skimmed the top of the underworld, but she had seen enough to at least understand.

"I am not upset that you are part of the Mafia, Iemitsu," her voice was smooth, her gaze unusually stern as she looked at him. Her arms stayed at her side, so he knew he had a chance to approach her and for her to listen to him. "I am upset and beyond hurt that you would lie to me about it."

She didn't move from where she stood beside the bed, Iemitsu was the one to move forward, and still he kept his distance, now standing close enough to reach out for her but still give her space.

"Nana, I –"

She cocked her head slightly to the side, a brows rising, "Our children had to tell me Iemitsu, our children who have been dragged into this."

"I completely understand, Nana," Iemitsu sighed out, because hadn't he been in such a situation once. His grandmother for all that she had raised and taught him, never really spoke about what she had done in her youth (in all honesty he assumed they were all stories, not her actual life), his mother – well Saigo had never really wanted him at all. "I thought to try my best to keep you all from this, because I know what it's like," he swallowed, but he didn't drop his gaze from Nana's, taking in her piercing look.

"To be dragged into this, this," he gestured out with his right hand, "This was the last thing I ever wanted to happen."

"Iemitsu," the tone in her voice made him straighten up and he wondered if Zack's nickname for his wife had more than one meaning, "I have been honest with you; the least you could have done was be honest with me."

"I – Nana," Iemitsu let his eyes slip shut, hands coming up to rub at his face, before pulling them away and clasping his hands in front of him, "What can I do to fix this?"

Nana looked at her husband, not at all realizing how her eyes flickered a slight green before reverting to her usual brown, Iemitsu noticed it and Zack's nickname for her rang in his head 'like lightning she is –'

"I want to see my children grow and live long, fulfilling lives; I want you to make sure that is possible."

'She comes and goes like a gentle storm,'

"I want my family to be safe."

'But she will strike like lightning to ensure her people's safety and her own.'

/ | \

Bianchi had left Natsume at the park near the markets with the kids, letting the girl take in what she had just been told, while the magenta haired woman went in to look for a few ingredients that she knew Nana was running low on in her kitchen.

"Natsume-san?"

The teen who had been staring listlessly at the sky trying to figure out what the absolute fuck was her life now; let her head loll to the right, eyeing the nine year old in front of her.

"Natsume is fine, Fuuta-kun."

The boy nodded a bit meekly, hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, "Can I sit beside you?"

"Sure," she answered, lifting her head up properly so that she could actually look at Fuuta without giving herself a headache. They still didn't talk much, he was closer to Tsuna than he was with her, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Even if the kid was a little weird (really who was she to judge?)

Fuuta kicked out his legs, staring in the direction where Lambo and I-pin were climbing around the small jungle gym, "Are you scared of me?"

"Eh?"

The question had caught her off guard (her mind was already somewhere else so she was very thrown off). The kid smiled, eyes closing with the motion, "My readings for you show that you're high in the list of people who are wary of me."

"…Ah…"

"But that's fine, because you're also high in people who are willing to protect those they care about, you're even above Tsuna-nii!"

"…Fuuta…."

"Yes?"

"How exactly do you get answers like that."

The light haired brunet perked up, almost like a puppy, "I just ask questions!" he responded, "It's nice to be able to ask whatever I want, even if it's silly, before I came here," with you and your family "I had to be careful and now," he gave her a brilliant smile, "I just feel so free."

"I'm glad you feel that way?"

"I never did thank you."

Fuuta shuffled about, facing her and settling on his knees before he leaned in and wrapped his arms around her neck, "Thank you for saving me."

She didn't even get a chance to respond as he pulled away and moved off the bench, running off to head back to where Lambo and I-pin were, the tips of his ears a bright red. He stopped a bit a ways though, turning to look over his shoulder at her, his eyes looking distant, "Everything has a way of coming out, how will you fair in that?"

And the kid continued walking as if he just hadn't done that.

Natsume stared, not realizing that she was putting her feet up so she could hug her knees and rest her chin on top of them. That was why she felt weird about Fuuta, the kid could probably rank any and everything, but the power he had (that he was capable of having) was what set her on edge.

She shouldn't be judging though, on what she considered unnatural, it's not like what she could do was a regular thing anyone else could pick up (few at least had the chance here, but in her old life….well…only in her dreams).

/ | \

Tsuna didn't come home after school let out; he wasn't home by dinner time either. Dinner was awkward and tense, papa tried to smile through it as usual but there's something that's bothering him, mama looks as if she had been eating something sour.

Lambo, I-pin and Fuuta, bless them.

They were the true saviors and had managed to pull an actual smile from mama and a hair ruffle or two from papa. Then the three kids were dragged off for their baths and it was just Iemitsu and Natsume.

"How's my little girl?" Iemitsu finally asked, breaking the odd silence hanging over them as he and his daughter did the dishes; him washing them and Natsume drying them.

A menial task, but one that definitely kept his hands busy and the motions were so repetitive it was nice to relax and just let his mind not think.

The dish Natsume set down on the rack clacked against the others at it tilted back a little, the girl shrugging her shoulders as she picked out a cup that had already been rinsed out.

"School was just as fun as ever."

"Oh?"

"Mhmm," she hummed, head tilting to the side, "I have friends and classes aren't bad," she added on, chewing on her lip and ripping off a piece of skin that she had been picking at earlier. "Also the volleyball team is fun, we start playing in about two weeks I think….."

She trailed off, because she wanted to ask if he would be here for that, but she knew that whatever was coming up would be taking up the most of her father's attention and as soon as it was over, he would be heading out to Italy again.

Iemitsu already had an idea of where this was heading and sighed a bit, letting the dish he had been scrubbing at sink in the sudsy water.

"Natsume,"

"Yes?"

"…..I'll try."

That earned him an odd little smile. She set the cup down on the rack before turning to look at him and he kind of wished Tomiko-baasan was alive to see her great-grandchildren (even if one was completely ignoring him.)

Even if his hands were wet he ruffled his daughter's hair, which earned him a rather pouty glare and a whine of "Papa." But she leaned in, letting her forehead rest against his chest and muttered a soft 'thank you for trying.'

Iemitsu wouldn't lie, but he had dearly missed the feel of his children's flames – even if Tsuna's had barely brushed against his and seemed to recoil, he understood that his son was at that stage of rebellion and he hadn't been a good father.

Because what good father would throw his son into the Mafia?

Natsume's was hesitant, but she still accepted his and he was glad for it.

"Hey Papa…"

"Hmm?"

"No more lying or surprises."

That got a surprised laugh out of him, "I promise."

"Good," she paused; pulling back a little and the pouty glare didn't look as adorable as it had a couple seconds ago. There was that tight lipped smile and narrowed eyes (and dammit didn't that look take him back to the time when Tomiko was quietly contemplating what do with him after he had broken her favorite vase). "Because I'll kick your ass if you do."

That didn't surprise him at all.

So he just pulled her into a tighter embrace, completely ignoring her whine.

"We have a lot of talking to do then don't we?"

Intermission 10

I tried to explain everything to the best of my ability.

My life, the reasoning why I never said anything (I had wanted them to be safe, I didn't want this world to touch them, the only light in my life). I didn't want to admit it, but I was terrified of how my daughter would take this – I already knew how Tsunayoshi and Nana felt – but Natsume, she had always been hard to read.

(Why them, why Tsuna, why not someone else, those had been difficult to answer, even I still find myself trying to give myself a good, honest answer.

I find the 'there was no other choice' rather lacking and I wonder if maybe I should have fought harder. Another one of my mistakes, perhaps the most major one of them all.)

Judging by the fact that she was willing to talk – unlike Tsuna who would probably try to stay out of the house as much as possible – I knew I still had a chance to correct whatever wrongs I had done.

"The rings are being sent out too early," I admitted, hands wrapped around the mug of coffee I had made. "I honestly don't really know what's happening, but I have a feeling Xanxus has something to do with it."

"Bianchi mentioned a man…Squalo…that he attacked Tsuna and some other boy…"

I sighed, one hand coming up to run through my hair and messing it up more than it already was, "Basil, and yes, Squalo, he's one of the main reasons why I'm thinking Xanxus is a part of all this."

What else could the Varia officer chasing down his apprentice and making off with the fake rings be up to? It was no secret to the Vongola that Xanxus had wanted to be named Decimo, especially after all of his brother's had been killed off.

But then the young man had lost it and attacked Vongola itself.

I sighed, hand coming to rub down my face.

"What it seems to be is that Xanxus may or may not be taking matters into his own hands," I continued on, not looking at Natsume as I looked into my coffee (Xanxus should of course be locked away wherever the Ninth had him) "And once he finds out that the rings Squalo has taken are fake, he'll be coming down here himself."

I looked up, staring head on into my daughter's hazel eyes, "You were not considered a candidate for your brother's guardians, Natsume, if a fight ensues, you will not be a part of it."

She didn't twitch or show much, she just sipped at her own drink, before nodding.

I had expected for her to at least argue, not to take in stride. Something wasn't right here and I thought over Reborn's notes when he would send them in, how he was suspicious of whoever Natsume had found to train her.

I thought to ask, but I knew she wouldn't say anything.

My silly and very stubborn daughter was my daughter and could be as tightlipped about her secrets as well as I could.

"You will be careful."

Her answer was to sip on her drink, before setting it down and blinking innocently at me.

"I have no clue what you're talking about Papa."

"Of course my little sunshine doesn't."

/ | \

Tsuna climbed through the window of his room instead of using the front door, huffing a little as he did so because he was run through. Reborn hopped down from his shoulder, about to tell the teen he still had school tomorrow, only to grab Leon, who turned into a gun and pointed it at the figure on the bed.

"How rude, Reborn," Natsume spoke up, hand held up in front of her face, palm full of purplish blue flames that made her look washed out. Leon shifted back, flicking his tongue out lazily at the girl before scampering up Reborn's arm and settling nicely between the hitman's shoulder and neck.

"Tsume," Tsuna yawned out, blinking tiredly at his sister who was honestly giving him some strange vibes.

(Then again the last time she had light cast like that against her face, she had had a lamp and was retelling him one of the horror movies that they had both accidentally seen (the movie had begun and once they realized it wasn't a friendly movie, they had been glued to the couch, unable to do anything but watch and hold onto the other tightly).

Why she had been retelling it when she had been just as scared as him, he didn't remember, but he thinks it might have been because he had hid beneath her bed and pulled at her feet.)

"There's a rumor that somethings happening."

The ring that lay against his chest was warm, had never stopped feeling warm and he had honestly forgotten about it until she brought it up.

"Yeah and?"

Tsuna shrugged, moving forward and sitting himself on his bed, undoing his laces and taking off his shoes, followed by his socks. The brunet wiggled his toes before looking at his sister, whose face was too blank to read even for him. He frowned, "What's wrong?"

She seemed to be looking for something and it made him rather uncomfortable to be under her intense gaze. Something in her features shifted and she looked sad, he reached out to grab the hand that she was using as a light source – he had expected for the flames to burn him, but instead they just curled around his hand.

It tickled.

It wasn't like Mukuro's which had felt dark and tainted; there was a lightness to hers that he wouldn't have expected. The fire curled up his arm and around his neck and he could make out the small head of a fox before it stopped existing.

Tsuna looked back at Natsume, who looked as if she wanted to say something; instead she pulled her hand away, standing up as she did so. She looked between him and Reborn, who had been watching the interaction between the two.

"You'll let me know if you need help….right?"

As much as she wanted to interfere, this didn't include her anymore.

Tsuna licked his lips, eyes flicking over to Reborn before going back to his sister, who caught the look. The smile she gave him was fake and yet it crinkled the corners of her eyes as if it was one of her honest ones.

"Tsume…"

"Goodnight Tsuna."

And she was out before she could find out his answer.

Because she already knew by the minute frown that crossed his face when she asked, that he didn't want her to do any of that. (He didn't need her, he didn't want her fighting anymore, at least not on his behalf.)

Natsume closed the door to her room, leaning back against it and let out a shaky breath.

"Time to see what comes for us."

AN: Hey look I'm alive, finals didn't kill me! (sadness).

So now that I have actual freetime, I'm going to be (trying) to write as much as possible and hopefully we can make it out of the Varia Arc soon. Also Mystic Messenger has taken over my life, so ehh.

Huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed (and favorited and followed this story, honestly whenever I see a notification for a follow/favorite I want to hug you all. It really brightens up my day).

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Sorugao