Chapter Forty-Five
"Won't one of them fall off?" Yagi questioned in worry.
Chiyo chuckled while watching the three sleep on a conjoined two beds. "I don't think so."
As if hearing them, Tsuna snuggled closer to Aizawa and tightened his hold on Reborn's arm that is draped around his waist. Reborn, in response, scooted closer to the brunet. Tsuna sighed and relaxed as Aizawa snagged on his hair.
Chiyo can't blame them. Tsuna had used his flames for almost ten hours nonstop, straight from responding as a medic to the operation. He stayed to wait for Reborn who finished up the remaining muscle tissues Tsuna didn't manage to do since the man kicked him out of the way. Aizawa stayed with them fot eight hours straight, greeted them when they got escorted out, waited to see them in their clothes and tried to nurse them to health. It took a doctor's initiative to give them a room while she and the others kept Nighteye's vitals in check. Tsuna though doesn't want to sleep until she does. So she assured him that she will take a nap of hers.
That has been eight hours ago, and yet, here are the three, still asleep on their beds. Not even Yagi's entrance could wake them up. Regardless, with their efforts, Nighteye is still alive and breathing because of them.
"I should warn the principal that the two will probably take a while to get back to the academy." She said, eyeing Tsuna and Eraserhead. "Given Tsuna's stubborn personality, he'll probably stay awhile to see if Nighteye is well with the new organs he made and if the spinal cord that he recreated can make him sit or even walk."
"Such workers." Yagi sighed admirably.
Chiyo nodded in agreement before gesturing for All Might to follow her out. "The only reason Tsuna healed Nighteye is because he promised Midoriya he will. Do you know the reason?"
They closed the door behind them as she waited for him to answer.
"Young Midoriya had confessed to me that he wishes us to talk. Me and Nighteye." Yagi answered.
"If his life wasn't put in danger, are you still going here?" She eyed the retired hero before sighing. "Indulge the youngsters. They want to give you a chance to patch things up with Nighteye. You don't want to be in the same kind of situation, where Tsuna isn't present and you're going to talk to a dead body."
"I understand."
"I'll alert you when Nighteye is stable enough to talk to you." She informed. "Although, with Tsuna's help, it won't be long."
"Thank you."
She winded up her cane and hit his leg with it, making the other interject in pain. "You should know when to resolve your own mess! Not rely on old people and to the youngsters to do it for you. Geez."
Then she walked away, intending to check patients before reviewing Nighteye's vitals again.
Tsuna yawned as he stretched. He felt so refreshed after his sleep. Craning his neck, he slowly walked for his left side where he knew Nighteye's room is situated. He was informed where it was by Chiyo after waking up alone. He was even given a white coat for easy access. The heroine praised him for looking good in it. He can't stop smiling at that.
He woke up alone in their given room with two blankets covering his body. His two companions were gone and nowhere to be seen or felt inside the hospital with his intuition. When he checked his phone though, there are three messages in there. The first he checked was his Dad's who told him that he's going back to the academy to get him new clothes and probably a meal on the way. He replied him a heart emoji and a thank you. Reborn said he was contacted for hit and be back before he knew it. Tsuna responded the same thing he always says, get back home safely and unscathed. The third message was from Hitoshi, asking him where he is and if he's okay. The brunet responded that he's fine and he'll be back in no time.
He stopped in front of the glass window and looked through to see Nighteye. The hero isn't wearing an oxygen mask with his left hand, that should've been severed, resting on his torso. He has a machine to monitor his vitals on his side, a bag of liquid on the hook for his nutrients and still asleep. Tsuna can't help smiling a little as he stared at All Might who is sleeping on the couch. He must have volunteered on watching.
"Sawada?"
He turned to see Togata walking towards him. He offered a smile. "Togata-sempai. How have you been?"
The upperclassman reciprocated the same enthusiasm. "I'm fine! Fine as a dandy! Although I lost my quirk." Cue the mellow smile.
"You lost your quirk?" He repeated before he realized what that means. His eyes widened. "Shit-" Then he winced. "No. Sorry. That was crude."
Togata laughed. "You're always polite, Sawada! You can just call me Mirio!"
He smiled back. "You can call me Tsuna too." Then he held out his hand. "May I check?"
"Ha?"
"Your hand. May I hold it?" He requested.
The other held his hand out in confusion.
"Just a check." He answered as he gently took the other's hand and let his sky flames wonder in the system. He hummed as he found a tiny manifesting quirk. "Your body is like a baby's."
The other sported a more confused look. "A baby's?"
"You know, the no quirk here for now but you'll have it when you turn four years old kinda thing?" He replied. "Your quirk isn't gone, nor lost. It's inside there," He pointed a finger on Mirio's stomach. "but tiny. Slowly growing until it manifests."
"You mean..."
"Yup." He let go of the hand with a reassuring smile on his lips. "The bullet turned back the time of your quirk to when you were still a baby. If Eri-chan becomes well enough, she'll really really help you go back to your old state. If she can't, I'll help find a way. There's always a way."
Mirio stared at him in awe.
"Uh... Is there something wrong, Mirio-sempai?" He asked, a little amused with the expression.
"No. Just that Eraser said the same thing." The upperclassman stated. "And said if he can't a way, or anyone else, you'll do it. You're really father and son."
He grinned. "I got his looks, right? I've been telling him, but he won't believe me. Geez."
Mirio laughed.
"Sempai! Tsuna!" They all looked back to Izuku who is running towards them, worry all over his face. "Sempai. You're not supposed to be out of bed."
"Eh. I want to see Sir Nighteye." Mirio answered while looking out the window. "I heard his surgery was successful."
Izuku looked at him with wide eyes. He only smiled and put a finger on his lips.
"I'm glad he's alright." Mirio uttered with a smile. "He had taught me a lot of things and had been the reason why I became stronger. I don't know what I'll become if he's gone too."
"Sometimes, you just can't let go, right?" He relates, unknowingly lightening the atmosphere just as it went heavy. "You just want him to keep teaching you things, guiding you and make him proud with all your achievements."
"You have a teacher too?" Mirio questioned.
Tsuna nodded. "I have a tutor and a Dad. And I love to make them proud." He moved for the door when he saw Nighteye's hand move. "So I know what it feels to appreciate a teacher who always looks out on me. Just wait here for a sec, you two."
He went inside and closed the door behind him. He neared the hero, who is slowly regaining his consciousness, and checked for the vitals. Seeing it's steady like how Ryohei had taught him, he reached out for the button overhead before taking the other's right hand and squeezed it. The hand sluggishly enclosed on his as the forehead slowly wrinkled in effort.
Tsuna encouraged the other to take his time in adjusting, momentarily squeezing the hand. He knew how much effort one could exert to get out from the realm of unconsciousness. It doesn't help that the mind is torn between going back to rest and forcing itself to wake up. Being there for more than fifty times, he still doesn't know the trick to wake up immediately.
He looked back when the doctors and nurses he knew came in. He was about to step away when one of the doctors made him stay. He hesitantly sat by the side, squeezing the hero's hand. The doctors checked their patient's vitals, liquids and the machines. Like that, they let the other two come in with Bubblegirl, Centipeder and Chiyo. He winced, feeling like he's intruding, and was about to back away again when All Might, who has woken up and neared them too, put a hand on his shoulder and patted him to stay. He relented.
It took minutes, but Nighteye managed to do it. He squeezed Tsuna's hand in a firm hold as he opened his eyes in a deliberate manner. Tsuna coaxed him to take his time, squeezing back. Bleary eyes stared at the ceiling before they blinked a lot in steady manner then went to his direction. He offered a relieved smile before the eyes shifted around to see the people surrounding them, then to him again.
"Congratulations, Sir Nighteye." He softly jabbed. "You have entered the world of the living. We are here to welcome you again in our ranks."
"L-Lame..." The other croaked, lips twitching.
Tsuna chuckled with the others. "Yup. Sir Nighteye is back, everyone."
He grabbed All Might's hand and replace his hand with it to hold Nighteye's. He guided the hero to sit on his spot before stepping away. Chiyo gave him an appreciative smile as he stood beside her. They watched the doctors do the SOPs again before letting the others talk to the patient.
When they started to do some crying, he and the doctors and nurses slipped away. He bid them a thank you before skipping for Eri-chan's room. He was informed that the girl is in quarantine due to her quirk, and currently having a fever. Kirishima and the other injured heroes are recovered as well with the help of Chiyo. And since Nighteye is now alive, all Tsuna has to do is go back with the others and keep the mist flames on the hero while he trains how to solidify it.
He moaned in despair as he enters the little girl's room and closed the door behind him. Just thinking about training makes him want to go back to sleep. He moved to sit on the stool beside the bed and stared at the sleeping child. Eri is struggling to breath properly again. He took the small towel from the child's head and dipped it to the cool water, wrung the excess water with his hands, before arranging it again on the child's forehead. It was good that he visited her first when he woke up, the cool water helped her fever to go down a little. He tapped the small horn that reminded him of Lambo and Dolce, the unicorn. He doesn't know how was it possible for Verde to do it, but he really gave Yuni a unicorn as a box animal.
He looked down to Natsu who went out of his ring. The little lion 'gao'-ed and looked at Eri. He smiled and gave a nod. The lion went to the child's side and curled there. Slowly, Eri's struggling breathing relaxed, but still flushed. She must have been cold. He looked back when the door opened in a silent manner. Shouta went in with a small smile for him. He beamed back before looking down to Eri.
"I knew you'd be here." His Dad softly said as he got near. "Reminds you of home?"
"You're my home now, Dad." He countered. "It just reminds me of those times I look after Lambo, Ipin and Fuuta whenever they have their own fevers." He blinked. "And you, when you got the flu and colds. I have to bundle you all up and shower you with all the cat plushes I made."
"Shut up." The man chided before sitting on the bed. "You love taking care of me."
"Who doesn't?" He snickered. "That's the only time you become so clingy." He smiled at his Dad's flushed face. "That's just for me, Dad. No need to worry."
Shouta huffed. "I know." Then he looked at Tsuna in a levelled stare. "We encountered some of the league, by the way."
"Rock Lock mentioned it to me when I was healing him yesterday." He hummed, not backing down from the stare.
"Toga. She was going to struck me down with her knife, but she didn't. She said I'm precious to you and you'll be angry with her if she injuries me. What does she mean?"
"Remember summer?" He asked as he pulled the blanket higher for Natsu and Eri. "When I changed locations so you won't see me anywhere? Dabi found me on the streets and took me to the league."
"What?!"
"I stayed with them for twelve days." He answered as leaned back to the chair's rest. "But they already know my deal since the kidnapping. No one can touch Katsuki, you and Reborn. In a way, I've told them I have unwashed blood in my hands. Much greater than All for One's. And I expressed what I'll do to them if they touched you. So yeah. Toga will really hesitate."
"Tsuna-"
"I don't want to argue about this, Dad." He pleaded. "The league, although villains, are okay with me because I'm a vigilante. They don't really welcome me nor hate me. While I was there, I respected their privacy because I was..." He closed his eyes and winced. "I'm thankful to them because even in a subtle way, they made me feel better. That I'm normal and I'm not from another world. They kept my fears of being treated differently at bay. So please, understand that..." He opened his eyes and stared at the man. "I'm not siding with them, nor the heroes. All I want is to keep people safe even if it's always, always inevitable."
Black eyes softened. "It's okay, Tsuna. I understand. You've done enough to get your point across, buddy. I won't ask about it. Nor make you choose between us."
He took a deep breath. "Okay." He gave a small smile. "Thank you."
"Always."
They looked at Eri who moved and curled on Natsu.
"Are you going to stay here for awhile?" The brunet asked. "Although reinforced with my harmony, we still need to be careful with her quirk."
"I have to."
"Then I should come with you here until dinner?" He suggested. "Not that I'll be in danger. Reborn will never pass on the chance to annoy you."
"Just what did you bribe that man to be so challenged?" His Dad mused.
He gave a shrug. "I don't really know. Our Reborn must have took it a challenge to split my attention since I expressed how I love you. He loves challenges. And as I've said, hitmen hate debts. They like to find ways to pay it back. But I have no qualms of letting him go."
"Like me?"
"If you don't want me, I'm willing to let go, Dad." He answered as he reached for the warm towel to dip it to the water again. "I figured that letting those people who want to go is the best way to love them. Of course I'll be a hypocrite to say it will be easy to do it. You've seen me cry over it." He wrung out the water dutifully. "I'll probably cry my heart out after saying you can go, then I'll mope around and will probably do stupid stuffs before I realize things." He put the towel over the child's forehead and sat back again. "It must have been one of the reason why Xanxus came back as soon as possible after he told me that he's going away. Reborn called him that I almost died in a mission because I was emotionally unstable. He had to nurse me back to health and make me understand what he means. It was so embarrassing that I cried in front of him again."
"I can't imagine him doing that."
"It involved a lot of screaming, thrash talking and alcohol drinking on his part. He did say I am really really possessive, and I never apologize for that." He sheepishly smiled to his Dad. "So yeah."
Shouta moved to hug him. He buried his face on his Dad's chest. "I'm fine with it. I'm fine with a protective, possessive Tsuna. I grew up with you like that. Always the worrywart."
"So I can come with you to see Eri-chan everyday?" He asked in a muffled voice.
"Yes yes." His Dad relented. "As long as Reborn is there."
"I promise." He whispered.
The next hours were a blur. He stayed with Eri before he got tugged to see his classmates off by his Dad. Shouta explained to them that he can't come because he has to check on Nighteye's conditions since he's one of those who healed the man. Before Tsuna let them go, he told all four of them that regardless of the result and the means they needed to do for the mission, they did great. That there are more rooms to grow for them to get stronger. After that, he watched them leave with Shouta.
It didn't even take him time before he got called to get into action. Of course he wore his white coat to have an easy access. He was directed to the emergency room. The moment he got there, he was baffled with the things he came upon. They were officers he knew, and Naomasa and Gran Torino were there. He doesn't know who to go first, but the old man waved him off to his uncle. He complied.
He asked for vitals before he started to heal what was needed to heal. He healed some of the deep gushes before letting the nurses do the rest. He quickly went for Gran Torino who is holding a clothe to his head.
"Should I even ask?" He questioned worriedly as he examined the head wound and healed it with his sun flames.
"We captured Kurogiri." The old man answered.
Tsuna stilled. "What? You got Kurogiri-san?"
"Yes. We were attacked by one of All for One's direct subordinates." The old man elaborated before sighing. "It's good we were able to escape."
His mind thought of the league and why he didn't feel his intuition alerting him about the danger, as he continued to heal. He smiled though. "Yeah. Good job, Gran Torino-san."
"How was your end?" The old man asked. "Did someone die?"
"Who'll die when I'm around, Old man?" He questioned back before retracting his hand and taking disinfectant soaked cotton ball to dab on the open wound. "As long as I'm a support, I'll never let anyone die."
Gran Torino chuckled. "Right."
"It's not like I'm saying I'm a god, Gran Torino-san." He confessed as he reached for the bandage. "I know to myself that one day, I'll fall like all heroes do. It's just that I want to do as much as I can before I do. Help people, help heroes. Maybe help villains." He started to wrap the clothe around the wound. "If I can heal someone, why not? If I can keep you go young, why not? If I can keep someone alive as I am alive, I'll do it. Life is too short sometimes, and I just want to be one of those people who want to grant others more life to enjoy it."
"You do not discriminate."
"I do. Sometimes." He confessed again as he checked the bandage. "I have my times. Like after I heard what Chisaki did to Eri-chan. I got so pissed that I only slapped him twice. God forbids. If Dad wasn't in trouble with that one Yakuza guy, I could've been the one to finish him off. He's so lucky I didn't." He patted the bandage after clipping it before taking another cotton to clean off the other wounds. "If I wasn't hurrying for Nighteye's operation, I could've hunted down the vehicle myself and blew it to pieces. As what my philosopher of an uncle once said, scums like those do not deserve to live in prison. They should be chopped to limbs, burned to ashes and let them rot in hell. Alas, our society must be just, must follow the rules."
"Another reason why you're a vigilante." The old timer pointed out.
He nodded. "And I have a hero as a Dad, so a big no-no. Paper works, whether we turn it in any possible way, are a pain in the behind." He dropped his hands on his laps and beamed at the old man. "And done. You should rest, Gran Torino-san. You can call All Might-san later. It's the best you can do for yourself first."
"Thank you for this, Sawada." The hero expressed as he helped him lay down.
"If you need someone to talk to again, call for me. I'll be around in the hospital to see Eri-chan's condition and Sir Nighteye's recovery." He flagged a nurse who nodded. "Take your time, Gran Torino-san. Good work for today."
"You too, Sawada."
He waved his hand. "Tsuna is alright. I don't like being called so formally with my name. It makes me feel like I should be professional or something when I should be enjoying my remaining years."
"Alright, Tsuna." The old man granted.
He grinned before he moved for the other officers.
After the healing season, Tsuna went for the room they were given and went for the bathroom there with his comfortable new set of clean clothes. When he went out, he was freshly showered. He turned on the TV before going for the bed to eat his food. He took his time while watching the international news. He was about to be done when felt his phone vibrate. He took it out to see who it was. It was Katsuki, Shouto, Kirishima, Izuku, Asui and Uraraka.
Shouto alerted him that Endeavor is attending his provisional licence training tomorrow, and he felt unsettled with it. He quickly picked up the dial and pressed the phone to his left ear.
"Tsuna?" A soft surprised voice called out.
"Hey, Shouto." He greeted, glancing at the time. "Good Evening, by the way."
"Did I wake you?"
"Nope. I'm about to finish my dinner." He puffed his cheeks when he realized it. "This is my first meal for the day, actually. Since when did I become a front liner?"
"I heard you're busy."
"I was. And then, I saw your message about Endeavor-san." He hummed as he looked up to the TV. "What do you feel about it?"
Silence. "I don't know."
"Do you want me to say what I have in mind?"
Silence. "I want to hear it."
"In my humblest opinion," He smiled when he heard the other 'pft'-ed. "I think Endeavor-san just wants to see you and probably talk to you a little bit. It's nothing to think about. It's like parents visiting day, or just seeing him in the house."
"Are you sure?"
"Yup. I'm certain. I'll bet free cuddling on Natsu in it."
"If I win, I'll get that. If you win?"
"I'll pet you!" He laughed. "Oh. Petting my favorite hair. Yie!"
"Then I should shampoo my hair clean. You're never wrong on things like this."
He laughed. "Mio Dio! Don't sweat it! I like your hair just the way it is."
"I know. But still, thank you, Tsuna. I feel a little bit better."
"Sleep well, yeah?" He bid softly. "If you need me, I'm a call away."
"I know."
After that call, he dialed for Asui. He talked to her a little. She was unsettled with all that happened. He assured her that everything will turn out okay. He knew that it will be hard to move on, but they have to take that almost disaster as an inspiration to get stronger. He didn't have to guess if the lady fell asleep after his assurance. He ended the call himself after bidding the other good night and sweet dreams.
The next he called was Uraraka. The girl was caught offguard with his sudden call. He snickered and told her that he likes to prioritize things, that's why he called instead of replying. They beat around the bush for a minute before Uraraka asked for Nighteye's condition. It took seconds for Tsuna to realize why she was asking. She was the one carrying him to safety, and away from the main fight. And she knew he could've died if he wasn't there. Tsuna explained to her what she did right. His fellow brunette expressed how she wished she did more than carry Nighteye to safety, and how she wanted to save more people like he does. He supported the latter idea wholeheartedly, and patiently elaborated to her that, what she did that time was good enough. That she did a great job and to look at the brighter side. His intuition hummed in approval when the brunette sniffled before saying thank you. He bid good night and sleep well before they cut off the line.
The next person he called was Kirishima. The teen sounded jaded. Tsuna talked in a soft manner, coaxing the other to tell him what's inside his mind. In some ways, Kirishima reminded him of Ryohei. So he explained things in Ryohei language. That it's okay to be weak, to be frustrated. Like he had said, there are more rooms for growth. He told him he had saved and helped Fatgum like he had wanted, and earned himself a literal rival because the Yakuza, who they were going to defeat, wanted a second round. When he heard Kirishima laugh, he felt relief. Both of them bid each other 'good night's.
Instead of contacting the two best friends, he messaged Hitoshi first. The purple head greeted him good night. Tsuna dialled the number, said good night in person, which made Hitoshi laugh and him grin, then made the other say it back in person, before they hung up. He went for Katsuki.
"What?" The blond drawled, obviously about to sleep.
"Sorry for not being home, Katsuki." He apologized softly, then blinked to himself when he suddenly realized it. Huh... Since when did he... "I assisted one of the heroes' surgery, so I have to be updated with his progress."
"I don't care."
Tsuna looked down to his nearly finished food with a smile. "I know."
Silence. "You know I do, right?" A whisper.
He chuckled. "I know, Katsuki. We both know."
"Was the surgery successful?"
"Yeah." He answered as he looked up to the news. "I'll tell you about it when I get back."
"When?"
"Tomorrow afternoon? Same time as yours, I think." He closed his eyes when he heard a shuffle. "Sleep, Katsuki. It's nine, already. I only called to say good night."
"Tomorrow?"
He snickered. "Yeah. I'll be there tomorrow. I promise."
"Good." Then cue of even breathing.
"Good night, Katsuki. Sweet dreams." He bid softly before cutting the line.
The next person he dialed was Izuku. But he should've known that their conversation will be interesting.