Hello everyone I'm back!
SO someone pointed out to me that Knuckle should be shouting Ultimate and I honestly forget about it, so Thanks for pointing that out!
I want to thank everyone that have been waiting for this story and still waiting for this story even after five years OMG all of you are amazing! ;-;
I know that I need a beta but honestly I don't have time yet to go looking for it, so... you get my point.
Also there's only Takeshi and Hayato in this chapter that get the action scene!
and more mysteries!
Happy reading!
"Italian"
"Japanese"
'Thought'
INTERLUDE
When Sawada Tsunayoshi opened his eyes, a week after the representative battle of the rainbow, he knew something is changing.
It was like an instinctual response. It was like when you open your eyes and feel that today was not a good day. He could feel it on the air.
Tsuna stared at the ceiling with resignation and anticipation curled on his gut. After the battle, after the curse was broken, and the Arcobaleno, Varia, Millefiore, Shimon and even Mukuro went back to their life, he still feel unsettled. He knew that he was not the only one. He still remember Xanxus, who stared at him as if waiting for him to say something before sneered and turned back to board the private jet and flew back to Italy. He remember how Byakuran stared strangelyat him before it was sweep away by his casual smile and soft word of goodbye, following Yuni. He could remember how Mukuro often check on him in his dream and how Kyoya often appeared out of nowhere these last few days. He remember how Dino called him out of nowhere, yet strangely at time when he couldn't control his emotion so well or when everything is too much for him.
They had been trying to take care of him. Like he is their sky and they are his elements. Which impossible.
Tsuna rubbed his eyes tiredly. Thing is, he couldn't feel that unsettling feeling today. Like he knew the time of waiting is over and time to face whatever it is that he waited. That's not reassuring at all.
"Ah." He hummed softly when he realized he didn't wake up because of Reborn usual method. In fact the house is strangely silent. Reborn, he remember was not in Japan since yesterday. His mom and the kids including Bianchi were in trip to Osaka because today is the start of summer holiday. Takeshi said he need to help his father and Hayato need to stock his dynamite and thus the reason of their absence.
Having enough of thinking, Tsuna stand out from his bed and walked to bathroom. After cleaning his face and brush his teeth, he walked back to his room to pick his favorite sweatshirt before heading down to eat. His mother probably prepared some food for him before she left.
As he walked down the stair he contemplate the rare moment of peacefulness. With his luck, it wouldn't last long. He turned and stopped dead on his track.
He stared and his muscle tensed. He… couldn't say that he was surprised, instead he feel that he should expected this. Because even though the curse was broken, and the control was taken from him, that man never show himself again. Until now that is.
"Kawahira-san." Tsuna murmured quietly. Kawahira looked up from his tea and smiled serenely at Tsuna. He raised his cup in greeting and waited.
Tsuna contemplated his choices. As much as Reborn already make peace with what happened to him and his fellow Arcobaleno, it couldn't be said that the resentment that they have towards Kawahira or also known as Checkerface was not there. They begrudgingly understand his reasoning, but it didn't stop then to still despise him. In Sawada Household itself, the mere mention of his name is a taboo that none dare to broke.
As for Tsuna itself, he respected and feared the man. On one hand, he don't have personal vendetta against him, except maybe a slight annoyance and anger at what he had done to his tutor. On other hand, he understand the man reasoning, and with the fact that he didn't really experience the curse itself, he felt amicable towards Kawahira. He respect the man because he readily do what was need to do for the sake of balance. Even though he would be hated because of it.
It didn't stop Tsuna from feeling apprehensive. Never be said that Checkerface is not dangerous.
"For you to coming to see me when I'm alone." and when there's no reborn and at my weakest state -was not said but implied. Tsuna continue his walk to the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee and turned around to face his guest. He smiled tightly. "You must have something important to talk with me."
He sipped his coffee. He watched Kawahira from the brim of his coffee cup. "Or is this merely an announcement?"
Kawahira smiled sharply. "Good guess Tsunayoshi-kun." He said as he put his tea down. "As expected of you."
He stared at Tsuna with folded hand with strange smile on his face. Tsuna tightened his jaw to stop himself from pouring out his emotion. He smiled tightly back.
Kawahira titled his head. "You know Tsunayoshi-kun, I always like you." He started. Tsuna twitched.
"You always been selfless. Do you remember that we have met before all of this spectacle? You always call me Uncle Kawa. You always has been intuitive and know that I was not a normal human only by a few times we meet." He said as his eyes took a faraway look. Tsuna blinked at the man in front of him. They have met before? When? Why did he not remember?
Kawahira eyes focused back and his whole face darkened. "Until the day Nono sealed your flame that is."
Tsuna straightened his body. That's… His eyes narrowed. "You know that Nono sealed my flame?"
It always bugging him honestly. Ever since he remember he always been clumsy. He couldn't concentrate, and everything feel distorted. He feel so unbalance. However, since Reborn went his trigger happy way and use the dying will bullet on him, his mind started to get clearer. And as the day goes on, he started to remember old memories that he has forgotten. One of them, a memories of when he was not clumsy, before the kind old man in his memories (Nono that voice whispered) do something to him.
He never think much about it, but since that day, when Nono touch his forehead with his flame, something inside him started to get free. He could easily control his dying will flame. His intuition also getting sharper. Which make him can put every little clues together. Clues which indicates that Nono sealed his flame.
Kawahira scoffed, a very human like gesture that make Tsuna do a double take. "Of course I know Tsunayoshi-kun. Do you know that he almost kill you back then. If not because of me, you can never function as a normal human anymore."
Tsuna stared. "What? What do you mean?"
"Sealing a sky is delicate thing to do. You know what happen when Nono sealed Xanxus using the zero point breakthrough. That technique was not supposed to be damaging, yet it damaged Xanxus's flame of wrath until he almost gone in discord, not until you managed to cleansed it away with that technique, in the correct way." He explained. Tsuna stared blankly at him. His mind wandered back to how he feel Xanxus flame back then, to how Xanxus flame when they fought together against Vindice. And yes, he could feel the difference.
"Sealing an active sky, especially an active sky that could control their flame could resulted in the disharmony with the sky itself, and later died. Its different story if that sky just activated. The damage will be minimize because the flame would never get a change to become intertwined with their core and lives." Kawahira continued. Tsuna furrowed his brows.
"But I only just-"
"You are not." Kawahira cut him off already know what Tsuna would say. He stared at Tsuna seriously. "You are not a dormant sky when Nono sealed you. Your flame already activated when Nono sealed you, and had been quite for a while. In fact you have the most purest and strongest sky flame that I have even encountered, and sharpest Vongola intuition that you managed to control you flame when you were only four."
Tsuna put the cup down with shaking hand. His face paled at that information. Is that mean that his father knew about this? And He sighed his son death warrant away just like that? Did Nono know?
"Of course your father and Nono never know about this." Kawahira continued, already know what Tsuna was thinking from his expression. He sip his tea and watched Tsuna carefully. "Because they never thought that there would be an ancient being who could fool their spy sight and information lives in Namimori and train you."
Tsuna stared at Kawahira with unreadable expression. "You are the one who help me controlling my flame." He whispered faintly.
Kawahira smirked. "You activated your flame in front of me, Tsunayoshi-kun, and such a pure flame at that. Sky attraction is dangerous thing. And even though I have life for a long time, I can't even refused the feel of it. I'm a mist after all."
Tsuna gulped. He pulled a chair back and sat carefully on it. His mind blanked at Kawahira honest explanation. And it was not a lie, or his intuition would tell pinged in displeasure. "T-then, why I didn't remember you?"
"Because I sealed your memories." Kawahira said simply. "It would be dangerous if you still remember how to use your flame, but you can't access it. Even with your sealed memories, your body still remember how it feel with the flame and had been craving it, the result would be your clumsiness. It was a close call."
Tsuna took a deep breath. "Did Reborn know?"
Kawahira shook his head. "I doubt it. When Reborn arrived for the first time. The seal was not completely intact and a little bit of your flame could escape from it. So Reborn would never feel the seal. The reason why he use dying will bullet on you so you could pulled and raised your flame power higher, unknowingly helping you break the seal."
"My seal was not completely intact?" Tsuna asked confusingly. Kawahira's smiled sharpened.
"As I said Tsunayoshi, your flame is one of the purest and strongest sky flame that I have ever know. They quite stubborn too. A mere seal from the like of Nono would not hold them back for too long."
Tsuna ignored the jab Kawahira gave to Nono. There's something that make him curious.
"Did Nono never check whether its the first time I activated my flame or not?" He finally asked. Kawahira face curled up in displeasure.
"No."
Tsuna sighed in annoyance. From the very small interaction he had with Nono, the old man has always thought that Vongola is strong and he is still a strong boss. However Tsuna could see the real view the other family have about Nono from when they have misunderstanding with The Shimon. Yes they thought that Vongola is one of the strongest family in Italy, and yes they think that Xanxus is more suited to become boss, or that he only just a scrawny civilian. However the same couldn't be said about Nono.
In short, Nono was delusional about his own power.
And from that short interaction he could imagine how Nono would not check on Tsuna's flame and thought that its the very first time he activated his flame before deciding to seal it. Because he knew everything and he never wrong (Xanxus scar said the opposite).
Tsuna sighed tiredly. Now he emotionally exhausted. That information was not something he expected to hear directly from Kawahira. He closed his eyes and put his hand to cover it and let his head fall back.
"But thats not the reason why you are here right?" he asked weakly.
Kawahira hummed softly. He put back his tea cup and pulled something from his Yukata. He waited until Tsuna pulled back his hand to glance at him before thrust it to him.
Tsuna widened his eyes and eyes narrowed in anger.
"What the f*ck is this?" He hissed. He stopped his hand from reaching out forcefully. He could feel the energy from it.
Kawahira titled his head and throw the pacifier to Tsuna who catch it on instinct. His eyes settle back with satisfaction as the pacifier flared and orange flame burst inside it. He ignored Tsuna paled face as if he couldn't believe he just catch the pacifier like that, maybe more to the fact to the flame that burst out at his contact and responded to his flame.
"There's a complication." Kawahira said bluntly. Tsuna hand was trembling as he looked up from the pacifier.
"Complication?" He asked tightly. Kawahira nodded. He gestured to the pacifier.
"As you could see the pacifier is activating in response to your flame. That's an indicator that the Arcobaleno system is still exist." he answered.
"But the containe-"
"The container." Kawahira said with a strange smile on his face. "The container hold the curse that turned the Arcobaleno chosen holder to baby. However it did not erase the Arcobaleno system itself. Arcobaleno is a part of tri-ni-sette, including the Vongola and Mare ring, they need to balance each other."
Tsuna hand has stop trembling, but his face still pale as he connected the dots. "Is that mean-"
"Yes, when I said that you are the first I considered as the next of Arcobaleno, and you said you are ready, the Arcobaleno has change it ownership from Yuni to you. So when that happen, Yuni should be dead, because the curse itself still active, however because of your strong will, and the will of people present at that time, Yuni could be alive because of the high density of flame gathered in one area. When the curse finally broken, it also broke its hold on Yuni and Yuni's flame-"
"So that she could continue to live using her own flame as life force." Tsuna finished. His hand gripped the pacifier tightly in his grip as if he was reactant to let go.
"B-but I already hold the Vongola-"
"It was never said that one person could only hold one part of tri-ni-sette isn't" Kawahira cut him off. Tsuna deflated at that. He couldn't say antyhing to that.
"I know you could feel the connection Tsunayoshi-kun." He said softly and watched as Tsuna tried to process everything. "That's the reason you still hold the Vongola ring close to heart, right? despite your reluctance to become mafia boss."
Tsuna sighed and shook his head slowly. "I never said I will not hold the Vongola ring. I juts said that I refuse to become mafia boss."
Kawahira raised intriguing brows. "And in your perspective, holding the ring and become mafia boss is two different things."
Tsuna nodded in agreement. Kawahira let the silence grew. Tsuna closed his eyes tightly. Reborn would not like this. However he couldn't just let the pacifier go now that he connected to it. He could feel the new bonds forming inside him, beside his guardian bond. There were new bonds with familiar flames forming there, and he knew that they would become the new Arcobaleno too. His Arcobaleno elements.
He refused to let him go. His instinct screamed at even thinking about that.
He looked up and took a deep breath. "Is that all?" He asked softly.
Kawahira nodded. He stood up and waved his hand to dissolve the barrier that he put also the chair and tea, that Tsuna very stupidly did not realized was a form of mist manipulation.
"Then, I will take my leave, Tsunayoshi-kun-"
"Wait." Tsuna said suddenly. He stared back at Kawahira and titled his head. "I have... question."
Kawahira nodded and gestured to him. "Go ahead."
"Why did you save me and Yuni in the alternative future?" he asked. Kawahira titled his head and stared contemplatively at Tsuna.
"Because you and Yuni is the holder of Arcobaleno and Vongola." He answered truthfully for once, without an ounce of his usual slyness. "And also because I genuinely like you, Tsunayoshi-kun just like I said. You were once a delightful student."
Tsuna stared at Kawahira as if trying to see into his soul. He sighed and stood up. "Have you eaten yet, Kawahira-san?" He asked and walked to the refrigerator to pulled out his mother cooking. He stopped then turned around.
"Also, could you broke the seal to my memories? I want to remember it all."
Kawahira smiled.
The knowledge of parallel world is complicated, however very simple if you could understand them perfectly.
Think of them like a forest. There's so many tree inside a forest. Some of them have so many trunks, while some other so little of it. Parallel worlds are the same. They have the main trunk which you could call a singularity. It's where the parallel world was coming from a single past and only then they would divided at one point to many different future. Same type of tress could have different main trunk, just like how parallel world although similar could have different singularity, even though the difference is so little. There's also a totally difference singularity also called the unique or abnormal depending on the person.
A divide of parallel world could happen if there is difference in decision being made even if that decision is a simple thing of going out or not. Because even a smaller ripple could causing another bigger ripple.
So of course, a mind that could understand each world completely and remember their knowledge is a terrifying mind.
And Byakuran knew this.
Not many people understand the severities of his abilities to his mental and emotional state. When he activated his power because of Bovino ten-year-bazooka, his mental and emotional state has been going on overdrive. The result was his crazy plan of total worlds conquer. An empire that he build that not even the difference of world could stop. And also indirectly become the cause of destruction to all world.
Of course, that was stopped when Tsuna killed him. Honestly it was a blessing in disguise.
Don't get him wrong. Being killed was not a pleasant feeling, but in his case it actually helped him a lot. Because it also reset his mental and emotional state to blank and also differentiate his own self to his parallel self.
It was also the reason why he decided to befriend Sawada Tsunayoshi.
First he never had a grudge against Tsunayoshi-kun, a little bit resentment yeah of course, but that's all. He wanted to get to know Tsunayoshi-kun better. Because in the midst of his mental and emotional overdrive, he still recognized that peculiar strength that Tsuna-kun has.
So, imagine his delight when Tsuna-kun invited him to his secret plan against Vindice. He was delighted that he was included in the category an ally-that-Tsuna-could-trust-to-fight-with-him, even though that they were not ally until that point.
So after the battle itself, he included Tsuna-kun to the tri-ni-sette sky club inside his head, along with Yuni who was once a sky Arcobaleno.
'Although…' he mused as he fell the new bond carefully. 'It could be said that only he and Tsuna-kun that could be called the tri-ni-sette sky.'
He grinned, delightful at the new development. He could feel his guardian's bonds inside of him, and beside them there's a new bond that sending him so many different emotions with so very familiar flame at the other end. What's more, this bond is not a sky to sky bond, that often develop when one sky is very close to another sky, blood relation or not.
This new bond is a guardian bond. And him as the guardian of another sky. Despite his primer flame as sky.
"Hmn~ interesting." Byakuran mused loudly. He closed his eyes to feel the bond with more clarity. There's a legend in mafia about the Sky of all Sky. It was said that if a sky have a pure and strong flame, he could created or developed a bond with another sky, with the other sky as his guardian despite that sky has secondary flame or not. Whoever thought that it would be him that prove it.
"Byakuran-sama?" Kikyo, his ever-loyal right-hand man called confusedly from his side. Byakuran hummed lightly.
"Kikyo bring my cell. The personal one." He ordered. Kikyo straightened and bowed before walking out of the room. Byakuran smiled and popped in another marshmallow to his mouth and close his eyes. He tugged at the new bond and tried to pinpoint the other direction. There he is. He was closer than-
"Byakuran-sama." Kikyo called out. Byakuran snapped his eyes open. He stared at the phone with blank face before suddenly stand out from his seat.
"Byakuran-sama?" Kikyo asked surprised. He ignored the call and walked briskly to the front parlour with Kikyo following behind, looking confused at his boss attitude.
"Byakuran-sama?" Kikyo asked again. Byakuran ignored him and stopped in front of the double door. He ordered the guard to open it and was greeted with a face that he hasn't see for the last few days. His eyes observed the person to with a new feeling of possessiveness. He smiled after he make sure that the other did not get hurt on their way here.
"Hello Tsuna-kun! I wasn't expecting you!" He said cheerfully and ushered the boy inside. Tsuna smiled tightly at Byakuran and glanced back at the mist flame that dispersed behind him. Byakuran smiled sharpened as he closed the front door, immediately cut the image from Tsuna's vision before turned around to face Tsuna with expectant air surrounding him.
Tsuna glanced at Kikyo before turned back to Byakuran. His shoulder relaxed.
"Hello, Byakuran." Tsuna greeted. The bond inside him tugged at the same time. "I think, there's some things that I need to talk with you."
Byakuran grinned.
"Of course Tsunayoshi. I have been waiting."
Far from Japan in Varia Head quarter, two other person shocked to silence as the new bond snapped in place.
A particular wrath lost control of his flame as they burst out from his hand. His red eyes narrowed as his put his flame back in control after the shock died down. He titled his head and tried to pin point the other side of the bond and instantly recognize the familiar sky flame.
"Baby boss." he hissed venomously. The door to his office was opened with a loud bang. His right hand man stood there out of breath with wild eyes.
"VOI! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!" He shouted loudly.
"Trash." Xanxus sneered. He raised his hand demandingly. "My phone. The private one."
Squalo narrowed his eyes and pulled the phone from his many pocket and give it to Xanxus. Now more calm than before he observed his boss more carefully and recognize the agitated gesture.
"Boss you feel that?" he asked calmly. Xanxus grunted in agreement.
"The fuck that baby boss did this time." he hissed in annoyance. He called the number that he make sure to remember and put the phone on speaker. It took few second before someone answered.
"...Hello?" the other voice greeted distractedly.
"Baby boss." Xanxus grunted. He could literally feel the other froze at his voice.
"... Xanxus?" Baby boss hesitantly answered back. He sound tired and resigned. Xanxus narrowed his eyes. There's no surprise though, like the Baby Boss expected Xanxus to call.
"The fuck did you do Baby Boss?" Xanxus demanded.
"..." a sigh is their answer. "You feel the bond then."
"What the fuck is that?" Squalo hissed and let his presence known.
"I can't tell you in the phone." Tsuna's voice sound tense. There's someone talking in the background. Whispered conversation that make Xanxus bristled. "We need to meet."
Xanxus and Squalo stared at each other. Xanxus nodded to Squalo and the rain hurriedly open his own phone to make preparations. "When?"
"As soon as possible, next week if you can." Xanxus could hear someone saying something. "Don't tell anyone about this, not the Vongola, not the Varia, especially Mammon."
Xanxus tensed up. He glanced at Squalo who froze on his track and stared at Xanxus to make sure that he heard correctly.
"Where?"
"Indonesia."
Squalo snapped. "Voi do you even know-!"
"I know, Squalo-san." Tsuna asnwered seriously. Xanxus could feel the tension started to get to him. His mind wandered back to the representative battle of the rainbow, where he could remember the same secretive method being use to arrange the secret meeting without the Arcobaleno's knowledge.
"Brat, what is this about?" Xanxus asked seriously.
"... Indonesia is the safest place from Arcobaleno and The Vongola right now, Xanxus. Both of them don't have any power in that country." Tsuna explained. Xanxus and Squalo stared at each other with grim face clear on their face. They nodded.
"Fine. We'll be there."
"Tsuna-kun?" Dino called worriedly to his brother. He stared at the silent phone and waited patiently.
"Dino-nii." Tsuna greeted back. Dino smiled.
"Do you need something? What can this big brother could do to help you?" he asked.
"... Dino-nii do you feel the new bond?" Tsuna asked. Dino unconsciously tensed at the mention of new bond.
"...Baby Bro, what happened?" He asked quietly. He could hear Tsuna silent breath from the other side.
"Dino-nii could we meet? I want to discuss something important with you." Dino stared at the wall for some time before sighed.
"Without telling anyone right?" He asked back.
"Just like the last time." Without the knowledge of Arcobaleno, in short keep it secret from them, went unsaid. Dino gripped his hand tightly.
"I understand. I'll come alone."
"Thank you Dino-nii" Dino could hear the gratefulness as clear as day. He smiled.
"Anything for you, Baby Bro."
CHAPTER 37
"What?"
G had seen many things in his short life. He was born and raised within mafia. And please, with Giotto as his bestfriend, storm guardian as his job and Vongola as his home, he saw many things that strange, stranger and strangest. Yet, this is the most bizarre things that he has experience in his short life.
Every mafiosi that were born or raised inside Casa Nostra always have a deep fear for Vindice. It's already carved inside their mind that Vindice is the rules and every word they said considered the laws. Every mafiosi that was taken never be seen again. Their prison is the best guarded prison in the world. They never lose and no one can win against them.
"What?" Hayato stared at their ancestor with an expression that clearly said are-you-stupid-or-what. G closed his eyes. This brat really...
"Let make this clear. You fought Vindice." Hayato nodded slowly. "And alive, not only that but you survive?" Hayato nodded again not understanding where this conversation headed to.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO SURREAL THAT SOUND!?" G exploded fiercely. He glared at the silver haired man with annoyance clear on his face. Hayato scowled at his ancestor.
"As much as it sound so unbelievable for you, that is the truth. I don't care if you believe that or not." he said again.
"We did win, although the situation was not favourable for us." Mukuro chided in. The illusionist was examined his fingernails casually. Daemon stared at his descendant with some kind of fascination. He could feel the clear amusement radiated from the pi-ehem, the younger mist guardian.
"Whatever that mean?" G grumbled.
"Well, The Representative Battle of the Rainbow is a battle to decided the next generation of Arcobaleno. It's pretty much a nonsense, and in the end we need to fight the Vindice just to survive. You see, we were merely defending ourselves, and the Vindice fight us because their own selfish mean, so it's hardly our fault." Hayato explained. He pulled out a cigar from his pocked and lit it up. "Apparently they had a huge grudge against Checkerface, so they were planning to mess it up."
"Our dear boss, managed to gather force to fight back. In the end it was not us who won against them. It was Tsunayoshi-kun who managed to won against Bermuda as the head of Vindice alone, with a little help from a dying will bullet." Mukuro continued. He watched as the first generation tried to wrap their mind at the information with amusement. Hayato chuckled, silently enjoying the gobsmacked expression in their normal composed face.
They glanced at each other and nodded as they felt the familiar flame getting closer. Mukuro materialized his weapon and slammed it down. Mist flame raised from the earth as they watched another set of oncoming enemies shrieked. G snapped from his reverie along with Daemon. Both of them straightened their stance and let their flame loose.
"We should probably move from here." Hayato suggested. G nodded in agreement. Daemon chuckled without saying anything a wink to G, he let his mist flame surrounding him and transported to god know where. G glared at the empty spot.
"That b*st*rd, at least he could say where he was f*ing going." G grumbled heatedly as he turn around to jump to the fray. Hayato stared at his ancestor with veiled amusement before turned around to Mukuro with questioning glance.
"So, what do you think?" Hayato asked the illusionist. Mukuro twirled his trident while he watched his surrounding with silent observation. He let his mist flame ran freely and decapitated the enemies that still coming despite their defeated leader.
"It's too easy." Mukuro answered truthfully.
"I agree with you." Hayato said as he put his cigar down.
"As usual just waiting until the other shoes drop, huh?" He mused. Mukuro stared at Hayato with a strange gleam then turned his head as if he sense something.
"You should probably gather the guardians and meet up with them." he mused. Hayato hummed in agreement.
"I'll go looking for the baseball freak then."
"Kufufufu~ I'll search for My Dear Chrome and Skylark-chan~"
"Is that-!?"
"-you swords? How the hell did he has your swords?" Lampo as incredulously as he stared at his fellow guardian in confusion. Ugetsu, still in shock, was gaping rather alarmingly at the sight in front of him. Takeshi, the subject of the stares, was oblivious and causally tapped the sword on his left hand to his shoulder. Smile forming on his face while his eyes closed.
"Maa, so, why are you doing this anyway?" Takeshi asked conversationally. Tracie pulled out a pair of curved dagger from wherever he hide them and point them to Takeshi.
"An easy question. I am following my boss. Isn't that what you are doing now?" He dashed forward followed by Takeshi. A loud clank echoed through the woods, followed by a big burst of wind.
"Blindly? No." Takeshi smiled charmingly and ducked then swung his leg.
"Oh? I heard a story there." Tracie smirked as he jumped and swung his dagger, followed with some of thrust.
"Haha, a very long one indeed." Takeshi laughed. He swung his sword again and blocked another attack. Both of them keep attacking with each other with Takeshi more of defense and Tracie to offense. With their speed,their movement was blurred.
"Wow, they are fast." Lampo awed. Ugetsu nodded at the comment. His eyes darted from one side to other, following both attacker's movement.
'He...is a pro. A very skilled swordman... and natural hitman for that.' he thought as Takeshi jumped backwards. There was a pause before they move again simultaneously. The sound of metal hit metal, flesh hit flesh echoed through the clearing. Their speed increase as time goes by.
Ugetsu Hold his breath when a very loud explosion shook them. He ducked and pulled Lampo down with him as the wind knocked them out. He snapped back his attention to the fighting that still going despite that. He could see Tracie frustration as Takeshi avoided yet another attack. Takeshi on the other hand looked like he enjoyed the fight. His calm eyes was analyzing the situation. Ugetsu could see the gear in Takeshi brain move.
'He looks like playing. I could tell that he avoided all of those attacks with instinct. One of the best instinct that I've ever see in my life.' Ugetsu thought absentmindedly.
"Is that all you get?" Takeshi said bemusedly. He watched as Tracie's movement become sluggish and he was out of his breath. Tracie growled at the clear mockery on Takeshi's voice. He took a depth breath.
"Don't get too cocky will you?" he hissed threateningly. Takeshi shrugged nonchalantly as he readied his stance. He stared at Tracie with cold eyes that so contrast with the warm eyes that he usually wear. A smirk was forming on his face. The air around him looked suffocated all of sudden. The temperature drop, and tension high in the air. Ugetsu gulped in anticipation at the next confrontation.
"Nee, Ugetsu, what happened?" Lampo tugged vigorously on his clothes. Without looking at the green haired man, he answered with a whisper.
"The next attack will be the last attack."
...
...
...
Well, it was very anticlimactic.
"...You are strong." Ugetsu commented, pointedly stared at the younger rain and avoided the sorry state of his enemy. On his side, Lampo openly gaped at the sight in front of him. Who ever thought that a brat like him this strong!?
"Maa, I'm not that strong. Though, this is not my full power." Takeshi said offhandedly. Ugetsu smiled, eyes twitched when he heard the response. His eyes slide over to the beaten up figure lying in the ground that not too far away from them. He stared back at Takeshi and nodded.
"This place is clear then?" He said finally. He didn't sense any enemies, or any aura at that mater. The bodies lying around them was ignored. Not all of them is dead, mostly unconscious.
"True, we need to move. I have this very bad vibe that something will happen." Takeshi said, eyes serious and hand gripped his sword tightly. Ugetsu didn't comment for he too had the same feeling.
"And the ring?" Ugetsu asked as he watched the mare ring in Takeshi hand. Takeshi stared at it before put it on his pocket.
"We'll talk about it with Tsuna later. Maybe give it back to Byakuran." he mused. Ugetsu nodded in agreement.
"Well, shall we move?" he said finally. Takeshi nodded. They turned their attention and slowly strode to the woods that surround them. Lampo snapped from his daze and hurriedly followed his fellow guardian.
"Hey, hey can I ask question?" Lampo asked hurriedly. Takeshi and Ugetsu turned around.
"Oh? Ask away!"
"How the heck are you managed to get that sword?" Lampo said at the sword Takeshi was holding. Ugetsu snapped at the younger adult with question on his eyes. Takeshi laughed.
"Haha, it's a gift."
"A gift?" Ugetsu asked.
"Yup! From you! I mean your other self from my world." Takeshi said cheerfully. Lampo furrowed his brows.
"Wait, but didn't you said you are literally from 400 years in the future? How the heck are we still alive?"
"Haha? Whoever said that you were alive?"
"Where the heck that ancestor of mine!?" Tsuna grumbled as he yet ducked from another attack. He could hear Colonello rampaging behind him and Fon chuckled quietly at his admission.
"Ancestor and descendant, both of you are very alike." Reborn commented. Tsuna glared at his tutor as he evaded a bullet.
"We're not the same!" He hissed threateningly. Not like he can make his threat come true.
"Why not try to ask your guardians, Tsunayoshi-kun? Maybe they catch a glimpse of him." Fon stated. Tsuna face palmed why the heck did he not think that?!
"Everyone are you there?" he pushed the connection device on his ear.
"Tsuna! I'm here." Takeshi answered instantly.
"Juudaime!" Hayato not far behind.
Bossu, I'm here with Mukuro-sama." Chrome copied back.
"We are here Tsuna-nii! Me and Ryohei-nii is fine!"
"Hmn." Kyoya grunted from the other side.
"Good, how's your condition?" He asked back.
"Oya oya, we managed to get two ring of mare Tsunayoshi, dear." Mukuro chuckled. "I'm with Chrome right now, we are on our way to find the skylark-chan!"
"Stop calling me that Pineapple head!" Kyoya hissed threateningly.
"Oya oya, someone is naughty~"
"I'm on my way to Ryohei and Lambo, Tsuna! Along with Ugetsu-san and Lampo, we also get a mare ring!" Takeshi reported back, cutting the argument that would going.
"I'm also on my way to Ryohei, Juudaime!" Hayato reported back. "Although it seems the enemies started to retreated back. I'm also with G and Daemon Spade!"
"Do any of you see Primo?" He asked back. A round voice of negative no answered him. Tsuna sighed. Where the heck is his ancestor?
"Okay everyone, fall back and regroup. Do find Byakuran and the arcobaleno also Enma and his guardians if you could." He ordered. He then turned to Reborn, Fon and Colonello who waiting for the news.
"It seems the enemy retreat back. I ordered everyone to regroup back to the mansion so we could plan further. We have three mare ring with us. I don't know which one I haven's ask." Tsuna explained.
Colonello raised his brows. "Not even Checkerface and Dominico Stranta decided to come huh?"
Tsuna furrowed his brows. "Now that have been troubling me. Ever since that declaration of war before, I haven't see any of them anymore. Not even Dominico, not Checkerface. There's also no activity from the 'Unknown' too."
Reborn pulled his fedora down. "There's also something that make me bother since I come here."
Tsuna, Fon and Colonello stared at the hitman with confusion.
Reborn frowned, an expression that unsettled the three other. "What the Vindice has been doing? Where are they?"
"It seems the enemy already retreated." Enma said in relief. His guardians were standing protectively since he was shrunken and hasn't yet to put the protective circle back.
"It seems so." Adelheid agreed. "We should head back to the mansion to check you up."
Enma sighed. "How many times I told you that I am alright. There's nothing wrong with me!"
"You never know that." Kaoru said. He picked a spluttering Enma and put him on his waist.
"Better be safe than sorry." He continued and walked back to the direction of the mansion. Adelheid nodded her head in agreement along with the others. Enma sighed as he looked up at the sky with exasperation. Even in different world his guardians are overprotective people.
Byakuran watched from afar as the Arcobaleno joking with each other. He walked to where Sephira was standing with a content smile on her face. He smiled at her when she noticed him.
"Byakuran, it seems the enemies retreated for now." She said happily. Byakuran nodded. He turned his attention to the jostling Benigno with Lucca berated him from beside him. They stood there in silence to feel the rare moment of peace.
"What it is that you are planning, Sephira?" He asked cheerfully and so suddenly. A bag of marshmallow appeared on his hand. He glanced at the women beside him, his smile sharpened. "Don't think that I don't know you and Checkerface is coming from the same race."
Sephira still smiled. There's a touch of bitterness, sadness and guilt in that smile. She ignored the question and the drilling eyes of Byakuran and choose to watch the Arcobaleno playing with each other. Byakuran turned around to face the Arcobaleno too. The same smile still on his face although losing it sharpen edge.
"Do they know?" he asked instead. Sephira smile dimmed then she shook her head. He chuckled darkly. "You condemn them."
"I just doing what I need to do." She said instead. She turned to face Byakuran with grim determination etched on her face. "I don't condemn them."
She sighed again. "I condemn us."
Dino watched his ancestor and the Shimon boss from afar. From how fast they were, he doubt they need his help. Obviously they are strong, and from what he gathered, none of the Unknown really planning to coming here.
He titled his head and staring as the final enemy fell. Slowly and consciously, he let his flame flare. Just as he expected his ancestor sense him instantly.
Dino smiled as he walked from the shade of tress. "Hullo, Its nice to finally meet both of you."
"W-what?" Rino stammered, blindsided at the newcomer appearance. Cozart stared at the newcomer with curiosity and a little bit wariness. He glanced at Rino and Dino and come to a conclusion.
"Are you coming from the same universe as Tsunayoshi?" he asked for confirmation. Dino grinned. Just like Enma fast and to the point.
"Yeah." he wiggled his hand as if to said it was not of importance. Rino stared blankly at newcomer. They don't have a similar face like Giotto and Tsunayoshi, however there's that little details that make them very similar. The things that make him believe they were related because this newcomer has an uncanny resemblance with his 4 year old son. Although they have difference mannerism.
Cozart sighed.
"At least close your mouth." he said exasperated at the blatant display of emotion. Rino blinked and stared blankly at Cozart with glare.
Dino chuckled. "Someone from our side managed to open a portal so that we can come through." He explained as he walked closer. He could see that they have yet to put their guard down despite their very lax stance. He smiled.
"I'm here just to make sure that you can take care of yourself." He said and stopped right a meter in front of them. "But you handle them just fine."
Cozart smiled. "We are the boss for nothing you know." he said cheerfully. Their attention was diverted when they feel a new presence coming from the sky. As one they looked up and was not really surprised to see Giotto flying to them.
"Giotto, whar are you doing here?" Cozart asked after he descended in front of them. Giotto stared at the newcomer with curiosity before turned back to his fellow Don.
"The enemies retreated. We need to regroup back to see count our loses." he explained. He then turned to Dino with obvious question.
"Ah, I am Dino Cavallone. The tenth boss of Cavallone from the same world as Tsunayoshi-kun." he introduced. Giotto nodded, not even lowering his guard.
"Let's meet back with everyone."
Not too far away from the battle field happening in Vongola mansion, a single beautiful girl watched as her companion stay silent beside her.
"Is this what you truly what?" she asked. The masked man didn't answer. The girl sighed. "You know I never agree with any of your idea. You are involving too many people for my taste."
"You know it need to be done." the masked man said. He turned around to face the other. Ilyussia sighed.
"This world is already in danger. But you involving both set of the world are you sure that this is wise?" she asked back. Checkerface narrowed his eyes.
"We need to do it, and you know it's the only way. You agreed with me before you decided to change your mind, Sephira agree with me and she decided to follow that through, what more to be hesitated for?!" He hissed. "And please, as if you are a saint yourself. You shown yourself to them in an imitation of emotional manipulation, yet you still planning behind them and do what need to be done yourself."
Ilyussia sighed again. "I know."
They stay silent. Ilyussia silently rub the mare ring on her finger with contemplative expression.
"What will happen to the current arcobaleno?" She asked. She could feel her companion turned rigid.
"They will be the sacrifice." He said curtly. "Sephira is the one who propose the idea herself."
Ilyussia narrowed her eyes. "But she also one."
Checkerface only nodded. A deep sense of guilt and sadness engulfed Ilyussia. He stared at the ring on her hand.
"What about Bermuda?" She asked quietly again. "We haven't heard from him for a very long time."
"We lost contact." He said after few seconds. "Right now, the Vindice is nothing but a name. Their prison is deserted, their black flame is gone and there's not even a trace of their existence."
Ilyussia shoulder sagged. "So we truly alone in this."
Checkerface sighed tiredly and nodded. Ilyussia stared at her companion before she chuckled quietly. "You know, I never know you still like that kind of flare."
The masked man nudged the little girl beside him with obvious tease. "Shut up, we need the dramatic effect."
Ilyussia shook her head. They stay in comfortable silent. A silent knock echoed through the room, instantly broke the stalemate.
"Master, the machine is ready." a monotone voice called from behind the door. Checkerface nodded. Ilyussia stared at her companion, took a deep breath and stared back. A new determination on her eyes.
"Let's go"