Destination Unknown.
A fan fiction by Aoi Kitsukawa
Disclaimer:
1) Katekyou Hitman Reborn belongs to Amano Akira and its related companies; I only borrow the characters in the manga/ anime. Please enjoy reading it!
2) The Golden Time Lover is not belong to me, I just borrow some of the lyric in this story.
Author's Note: After the last chapter, my mind went blank again; I really don't know how to rearrange my story and the plots again! I mean, before the last chapter everything went very smoothly until I decided to make a supposedly 'special chapter 02', which that in chapter 09 (real chapter 08) preview mentioning someone screaming about invitation cards. It's because of the aftermath of Tsuna's attempt suicide that seems to me, a bit too rushing that I decided to give my readers the second special chapter (the first was for to answer the questions from my dear readers). Turns out, I have to either postpone it or not post it, because somehow I lost track on how to make this special chapter. Thus, making me posted the real chapter 09.
Oh, did any of you watch/ read Ansatsu Kyoushistu manga /anime (TV & OVA)? I watched the anime and can't stop laughing at the craziness in the stories! Even the manga is worth to read because it was so hilarious! I don't know how to describe Koro-sensei; was he an idiot or smart or being childish? Puuff, can't stop laughing~!
Starting from this chapter, the timelines of every scene in every chapter will be irregular from each other. In other words, there will be a scene where the story takes place in the future time and the next paragraph will takes place in the present time. Please read the bold line of the paragraph before you read the contents to avoid confusion.
Urara S. H: Really? I didn't even realize that I am making Hibari OOC! However, seems you like it I won't say anymore than that.
Thanks for your rate, so first T rate is collected.
Sheizla.28: You're very welcome dear. Gosh, you must be waiting for this update right?
I don't know it you want to say that this is the chapter of Tsuna's suicide…no, you need to read this. I'm sure however, that you know what I will do to Tsuna's fate right?
Regarding the family's guilt….maybe it's in this chapter but still, you need to read along the way to know.
Firehedgehog: Really? Sorry I really don't know about that, but thank you for reviewing.
Sora Rider X: My, thank you very much for your review my dear. I really appreciate it.
So, rate T for second time.
Kai: Regarding the timeline that seems not consistent to you, I believe I own you an explanation regarding your confusion.
As you can see after such chapters, I've written this story in a non-linear narrative style. Which mean rather than proceeding beginning - middle - end the time line jumps back and forth between different parts of the plot. Further scenes, flashback, presents, flashback in flashbacks, unknown places... you get the drift. And although this does tend to make the story more difficult to read, it gives me a lot more flexibility with the style.
I believe the one whom you refer to was actually Suzume AND Andy, not Arashi, right? Actually, both of them were talking at the same time but the time zones were different. In Japan, since it was the most eastern country in the world, Japan receives the sun much earlier than Italy. That is why while the date for Suzume's scene was at September night; it is already October first in Japan.
And rate T for the third time.
ManamiYuki: Wow, you must be very happy if you got scold by your sister like that. Sorry for that. By the way, better not abandon your homworks especially if you're having tests the very next day.
And you rated it as 'T', thank you very much –it's the forth time huh…?
Mona: I'm glad to hear that. Don't worry about your 'words vomit', I tend to see many readers like that even in other authors' works. I understand that being too 'involved' with something you really like sometimes make us to act a little bit childish. I even acted like that many times in the past, so I really don't mind with everything you said.
Aha, I guess you can detect which one are Andy, Suzume and Arashi without me saying it except for the blonde girl. You might be surprise to know who exactly she is, because she too, had appeared in my first KHR story –Between Curse and Hope, if you did read it, hehehe.
Gore23: While I know that you're hoping for more Tsuna's part in this story, I want you to understand that this story is not focus only for Tsuna, others that related to his disappearance also need to be taking in consideration as well. Do you expect me to make this story ONLY just Tsuna and his family not other things? How can I explain to other readers who also want to know how did the incident that led to the current situation happen and why? Who are the people responsible for everything? How did it happen? What kind of consequences? Lots of questions to be answer and I can't just shut all those things only to focus one!
You said that you are annoying with other parts of my story but remember: that annoying parts are the important elements of the story that need to be in story lines or otherwise my readers would get confuse! I had my own timeline to make so that it will not go through mess and I did say that there WOULD BE Tsuna's part as well as his family in the future chapters so please be patience.
Summary: He left. Framed with a crime he never did, he believes nobody would forgive and ever remember him so he left the family. Little did he know that everyone had been tracing his footsteps ever since he was gone...
Previous Chapter: Suzume finally reached the Vongola Rome Branch only to find enemies, whom she still found it unknown, annihilated it and the members were missing. During the conversation between Suzume and Andy, the latter had uncovered much information regarding the Amare Family until some people who were attacked not far from the base interrupted them. Turned out it was the daughter of Bonfilio Family named Ella, who was almost sexually assault by a group of fake Vongola men before Suzume came to the rescue. However as a result, Suzume was brought to the family's mansion which actually one of the families that against the Vongola.
At the same time, none of the residents in the Vongola mansion realized the danger that has been watching them for some time, with Yamamoto as the first target…
Destination 10: Pressure Games
"What is the price I need to pay?
Which is it that you'd rather not sacrifice?"
-Golden Time Lover, Sukima Switch
-Autumn, October 2, Katagiri Family Main Household, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan; Day 11th of Tsuna's Disappearing-
Arashi zipped his luggage, as wipe his sweats and sat down on his bed. The medium size of his bedroom looked sparse with his belongings and books, which something he used to have during his youth time. He could still see several frames with his photographs, mostly during his school time, family…
As well as during "that" time he had.
The only 'family portrait' he got from "them", with his sisters 16 years ago.
He looked at the special frames before rose up and went to the shelf, picked up one frame. It was a photo of him with his two sisters, Suzuran and Suzume as well as their parents before those two divorced when he was eight. He sighed as he put down the photo frame, tried to ignore the sudden flashback of his memories when it was related to his mother.
A low knock suddenly woke him up from his thought, before the door was opened and revealed a boy; aged between 8-9 with black and green eyes, stood at the door. Smiled, Arashi came over and lent down to the door.
"Are you done packing, Kakeru?"
"Yes, Arashi-ojiisan," Said the boy named Kakeru.
Arashi smiled again as he lifted up the boy and cradled him. They went to the living room where a man in his late 50s was sitting on the cushion seat, as if he was waiting for them to come over. Arashi put down his nephew and slowly, both of them walked towards the said man who apparently the father of Arashi and Suzume…
Katagiri Kamui.
"So you're ready to go?" Asked Kamui, slowly revealed his grey steel eyes.
"Yes, father."
"Are you sure this is the best way to deal with everything?" Arashi said nothing, but calmly listened to his father while held Kakeru close to him. "It's been four years since 'that' incident happened, and two years after you two went to Italy to work there. While I'm no longer the head of the family, I still had to deal with the official matters..."
"What exactly you want to say father?" Asked Arashi out of the blue, which shocked the father a lot. "If you want to say that we're just goofing around, you're totally wrong."
"Right now, I had to let go of my job far away from Italy to be with you and Kakeru, who was a victim of a dengue. I don't mind taking care of him, but as I lived here, our relatives seem to love poking themselves into our business. They never seem to be glad whenever I was a round yet acting as if they care. Do you think I want them to be here? To be truth, I just love to kick them out of the house!"
Kamui sighed as he held his head. While Arashi was not as short-tempered as his daughter Suzume, he can be ruthless when it comes to talk about people who seemed offended him; a trait he got from Suzume. His anger management slowly became decrease after he was no longer a doctor, four years ago. Worst, the relatives seemed to like to lecture him for his inability to maintain his job, which he totally disagree with them. If not because of Suzume who suddenly burst in and kicked them out, he sure Arashi would exploded too.
No wonder why the children hated his relatives. After all had happened, his children had faced much worst situation and managed to read the true face of their jealous relatives. However, he needed to say this matter to Arashi. While he was disappointed that Suzume was not home, at least he could say this to Arashi, since he was the closer one to Suzume than his nephew Hibari Kyouya.
"I just want both of you to come back home and stay here."
Arashi stared at him, wide eyes. Kamui knew this might be a sudden confession to Arashi, but he needed to tell the truth to his son. He knew he was no longer young, and with Arashi's decision to take Kakeru with him, Kamui needed to do something that would not make Arashi regret or making anything that can make him feel guilty.
"Why…?"
"Arashi, I'm no longer young…and I know that you want to take Kakeru with you because you're worry about him, but how long? How long are you two going to live like this?"
Kamui flinched when he realized that Arashi was glaring at him with dangerous murder intent. Kakeru already left Arashi's side and sat behind him, knowing his uncle was getting angry with his grandfather. A mad Arashi also meant bad omen, although he was not as harsh as Suzume.
"So you too, think that I was running away from reality like those people accused nee-san, don't you otou-san?" Arashi's voice rose as he voiced his words. "If you're forgotten otou-san, both of us were not running away; we're forced to leave in the first place!"
"But there's no need for you to leave Japan. To go as far as Italy, have you gone mad?" Cried Kamui, making his son angrier by the accusation. "I know that you're working with the Cosa Nostra people! Just because your reputation here is destroyed doesn't mean you have to lower yourself to work with those scumbags!"
"And among those 'scumbags' that you're saying just now, Kyouya is also a part of them!" Arashi slammed his hand on the tatami, hard. "Those people were the ones who helped and saved your daughter and grandson from those treacherous bastards! Those bastards almost killed nee-san and sold Kakeru to the black market but these people helped us! What are the others do at that time? Busying themselves with false accusations and gossiping without doing anything!"
Kamui became silenced. He knew he had touched the sensitive part in Arashi's life judging from how he reacted to his reasons. He lost his job due to 'that' incident four years ago, his friends disappeared and had to deal with very serious depression after the case was over, while the sister had to deal with the worst wounds she had received after everything was over. She lost her faith with the organization she used to love, and quit the job despite the pleading from the head of the force. Her so-called friends and colleagues also disappeared, and the reporters tried to reach her for their news. The families of the colleagues who passed away closed their doors on her face, claimed that she was not worth to come and visit their late husbands. It was the dark time for the two siblings at that time.
Until one day, a man in mantel and strips suit came with Kyouya and offered them to work in Italy as his PA. Both of his children accepted the job without hesitation and flew to Italy three weeks later, leaving behind him and Kakeru at the main house.
"It's not that I don't care your feelings, otou-san," Kamui jolted up from his thought after hearing Arashi's words. "I know you're lonely, and you're craving for more grandchildren, don't you?"
Oh uh, looks like his son had hit a bull eye.
"But right now, nee-san and I are having big trouble in our workplace," Sighed heavily, Arashi leaned backwards with his hands onto the tatami behind him. "Something horrible had happened, and while I'm in Japan it doesn't mean that I'm on vacation. I'm still working some of the paperwork here while nee-san had to deal with the administration and management as well."
"Especially since it's involved with those traitors as well!"
Kamui was shock as he heard the revelation from Arashi, however before he could manage to react; suddenly the sliding door was open and revealed a maid who was holding a cordless phone.
"I'm sorry to disturb you master, but there's an emergency call from someone named Seiryuu-dono for Arashi-sama," She said as she handed the phone to Arashi. He quickly took it and answered the call.
"Seiryuu?"
"A-Arashi-sama! Ple-please help us!" A scream was heard from the phone, which earned a question glance from Kamui.
Arashi suddenly got a bad feeling went through his body, "What? What is it? What's happen Seiryuu?"
"It's…it's about Tsuna-san…!" Arashi could hear a choke sob from the other line, means that Seiryuu probably was crying while trying to call him.
"He…He…"
"He's what? Seiryuu calm down, I need to know wha–"
"HE'S CUTTING HIS OWN WRIST! HE TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE!"
"HE'S WHAT!?" Screamed Arashi as he stood up. He could hear the boy's wailing from the other side of the phone. "Where are you now?"
Kamui and Kakeru watched in silent as Arashi's expression turned horror. "So he's at Namimori General Hospital? Alright, alright…Andy was there too? OK, I'll go right away. No need to fetch me, I'll go there with Kakeru. Yeah, thanks for the info Seiryuu…"
"Did something happen?" Asked Kamui, stared at his son's pale face.
"My acquaintance tried to commit suicide…" He said while held his face. "Something bad must have happen to him that leads him to do that. Otou-san, I'm sorry but I must go now!"
"Very well…" Said the father as he realized there was no more space to continue their conversation.
After throwing (put in) the luggage and any related things into his car, Arashi met his father for the last time.
"I'll be going now father."
"Be careful my son, and don't forget to arrange Kakeru's transfer," Said the old man as he hugged his son and grandson. "Send my regards to Suzume and Kyouya too."
"Yes, otou-san…" Smiled gently, Arashi helped Kakeru to get into the car and started the engine. He then drove off, leaving behind his father and the main house behind towards his next destination: Namimori.
"It's just like the star-reading…" Said Kamui as he looked at the sky. "Those children are no longer bound by this family's expectations anymore…" Kamui turned around and headed towards the household, "But those people they had associated with will become involve with "their" world and created new future. Just like you said, these children are fighting for their own destinies…"
"Leader-san."
-Autumn Dawn, October 1, Vongola Mansion, Sicily, Italy, Day 10of Tsuna's Missing-
Yamamoto was taking a stroll not far from the north wing of Vongola Mansion when suddenly he felt another presence that kept on following him the moment the Rain Guardian left the mansion. Knowing that he still within the area where lots of people in the surrounding area, he decided to keep quiet about it and left the said place to the nearby forest. However, he quickly switched on a small device of communication that hid within his buckle.
After some times walking alone inside the forest, Yamamoto glanced over his shoulders and said, "How long are you going to follow, mister? It's really strange to have a stalker fan that even following you into the forest!"
As the wind blew, suddenly a person in black robe and masked appeared in front of him. Yamamoto quickly grabbed his sword and analyzed the situation; it was a man about the same height as Yamamoto, his body was covered up from head to toes and he was wearing a blank mask. There was nothing in his hands but he also knew that there was a potential he hid his weapons within his body, just like Gokudera's dynamite. Readied himself, he looked at the mysterious man who said nothing after his greetings.
"Are you the Vongola Rain Guardian, Yamamoto Takeshi?" Said the person in robe, which apparently a man.
"What if I am," He said as he smiled. A killer smile, Tsuna said. Suddenly remembered his missing boss made the young man felt pain within his heart.
"You're not suitable to bear the Vongola Ring," Said the masked man as he raised his right hand, revealed a black metal tonfa.
"Since I'm the strongest between us, I shall take the ring!" He suddenly appeared right in front of Yamamoto, who was so shock he almost was hit directly from above if not because of his fast reflects. He stepped back and jumped far away from the enemy a few meters away. As Yamamoto tried to make his stance, suddenly he felt a warm liquid slowly strained down his left eye. He touched it and saw blood soaking his fingers.
"You really live up on your reputation, Vongola Rain Guardian…" Said the enemy as he slowly leveled his gaze to Yamamoto. "Although I can say that only few people including you that still alive after barely dodge my attack."
So his attack managed to get on him.
Yamamoto held his grip on his sword as he bent down and said, "Why are you asking for this ring? Who exactly are you?"
The enemy raised his tonfa again as he said in deep tone, "It's because the real successor is not your boss, Sawada Tsunayoshi!"
He jumped from his place in a very fast as he slammed his tonfa right onto Yamamoto's sword. However, the impact was so strong that the ground where Yamamoto stood crushed down and created large hole. Blood spitted out from his gritted teeth, and Yamamoto felt that as if his inner organs were squeeze by the sudden impact. He instantly kicked the enemy's guts, successfully shock the enemy as he jumped away from the ground zero, half knees as he tried to read his situation there. He coughed a bit as some blood came out from his mouth. He watched in horror as the enemy slowly rose up and on his left hand revealed a large fireball, floating over his palm. He did not seem to be injured at all.
'Wha-what is that? It's not like our Dying Will flames! It's large and powerful…!' Thought Yamamoto as he stared at the fireball.
"Prepare to die, Vongola Rain Guardian. I will take the ring back and give it to our true successor!" He said as he raised his arm higher before threw it away.
"FIREBALL ATTACK!"
Yamamoto did not have much time to think though as a very large fireball, orange-red in colour, flung itself against him. The swordsman only had time to jump aside. He successfully avoid the fireball but what he did not know was that the enemy had prepare several fireballs against him. He toyed with flames on his palms as he created several other fireballs around him. Yamamoto quickly grabbed his Vongola Necklace and by using the Cambio Forma, he got hold of his swords as well as his animal boxes.
"Huh…Combio Forma huh? As expected as one of the people with the high-purity Flame!" Said the enemy as he waved his hand again. "But it stills not enough to defeat me, the strongest between us!"
Yamamoto using one of his techniques in Shigure Shouen-ryu – Fifth Form: Samidare (Early Summer Rain) as the enemy tried to attack him. It was aim directly to his mask and sounds of cracking were heard. Yamamoto jumped back after his attack and was actually felt satisfied. He managed to land a hit onto his enemy's body.
He never expected to see something familiar in his life, again.
The said man was holding his half-damage mask, but what surprising Yamamoto was the small glow on his forehead, but something was vertically cross the glow. He widened his eyes as he finally remembered why it was so familiar to him.
The same person's 'forehead has a glowing symbol of planet' that attacking him and the other Guardians back in Bonn, Germany!
And the symbol was glow with dim green light!
The enemy's aura suddenly changed and a very tense air appeared around him, before burst of orange-red flames appeared and engulfed the trees at their surrounding. It burnt down the area and Yamamoto was so shock that he was unable to avoid the flames that came to him. He started to feel pain inflicted onto his body and as he glanced, both of his arms and shoulders were bleeding; several line cuts appeared on the bleeding shirt.
There were hidden wind razors within the flames that attacking him.
Yamamoto quickly summoned his Rain Flame, opened his box weapon and used his water-defense box to stop the flames from surrounding him. Even then, he could not avoid the grazing of those spectral winds that cut against his barrier and flesh. Not only that, the sudden burst of orange-red flames successfully broke his water barrier and engulfed his entire body making him scream in pain, as if it was almost torturing him inside and outside. The enemy took no time as he jolted forward and with a swing of attack, kneed Yamamoto's guts and left arm. Yamamoto could hear some cracking within his ribs and hand as he was throw away and hit one of the trees harshly, before slipping down to the ground.
"Damn Vongola…" Growled the enemy as he held his tonfa tightly. "I swear I kill you…!"
Yamamoto coughed some blood as he tried his best to sit up from his position. He pressed tightly against his left shoulder to staunch the bleeding. He bit his lower lip to force himself to concentrate on his present fight, but his current strength was no match with the said enemy and with his bad injuries, they only served to hamper him. While his previous attacks against the enemy were powerful, they lacked a certain edge to be successful. Even his Shigure Kintoki was thrown out somewhere in the ground zero.
The enemy held his flame again and was about to throw it to Yamamoto when suddenly vines came out of the ground and wrapped themselves around the tall form. The enemy was shock to find out he was caught with the veins that appeared from the ground, and struggled to escape. He was unable to release himself as suddenly, a strong punch hit his face and successfully threw him back to the ground.
Yamamoto felt someone was holding his shoulders and to his surprise, it was the First Mist Guardian Rokudo Mukuro. His right eye turned 'One' as another bunch of veins and lotus appeared and kept on attacking the enemy, who looked like desperate to escape him from the unexpected attacks. Yamamoto felt another presence and it was the Sun guardian Sasagawa Ryohei.
"Oi Yamamoto? Are you alright?" Asked Ryohei as he took out his box weapon in order for him to heal the injured swordsman.
Yamamoto just grunted; he felt too weak to speak and he felt sleepy too. Mukuro looked at the injuries and he could tell that Yamamoto was slowly losing lots of blood. He looked at Ryohei who already starting his healing process before he grabbed his staff and slammed it against the ground. The resonation of the wave came from his staff crushed the enemy away from them.
The enemy growled loudly as he held his torso; apparently Mukuro's attack managed to get him injured. "You bastards…I'm going to kill you…KILL ALL OF YOU AND TOOK YOUR VONGOLA RINGS ALL TOGETHER!" He screamed suddenly, a bright light appeared around his body. This had alerted the Guardians and Ryohei stood up, trying to protect the injured Rain and the Mist whom currently held the injured Rain until…
"Get out from this place you traitor!"
A female voice suddenly echoed throughout the ground zero, as the earth suddenly shaken and much to everyone's surprise, the ground rose up creating sharp thorns that moved towards the enemy. The enemy had no choice but to retreat, especially since this newly attack was released to him and much to his horror, each of the torn was aimed to stab his body, and was multiple every time he avoided the attack. Knew that he finally reached dead end, he quickly pulled out a silver ring and tossed it to the air.
"He's getting away!" Cried Ryohei.
"We can't. Yamamoto is injured and we can't let each of us alone to fight this bastard!" Claimed Mukuro as he tried to cover his face from the bright light. This made him wonder who exactly the man in fornt of them, who suddenly attacked Yamamoto and left him in critical injuries.
"This is not over yet, Vongola Guardians!" Bright light soon engulfed the area, causing the Guardians to close their eyes and wait until the light was gone. After a moment, Ryohei opened his eyes and saw the man was gone…
And the area around them was burnt into nothing but empty land!
"Wha-what the hell is happening?" Cried Ryohei, while Mukuro stared at the place with disbelieve. "It was burnt down into nothing!"
"And it is not done by any Seven Sky Element Flames…To think that someone like that bastard manages to defeat Yamamoto and making this place like this…I don't think this is something that we should avoid…" Mukuro narrowed his eyes as he looked at Yamamoto, who was half-conscious. "Are you still awake, Yamamoto Takeshi?"
Yamamoto tried to open his eyes, as he muttered something under his lips. Both of the elder Guardians had to bend down to hear whatever Yamamoto was saying, and was shock to hear his words:
"The…the man…is just like…the last time…the one…with a symbol…on his…forehead…" He muttered weakly, before he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.
"WHAT!?"
Both Mukuro and Ryohei looked at the lost conscious man, before they looked at each other. Both of them knew what exactly Yamamoto had said, and it meant very serious.
"OII! Lawn-head! Mukuro! Yamamoto!" A loud voice was heard that made the Guardians turned around and saw Gokudera was running to their place with several of his subordinates. When they reached the ground, they were shock to see that place was burnt to crisp.
"What the hell is happening here? YAMAMOTO!?" Cried Gokudera as he quickly went to the swordsman's side.
"What the hell is happening here?"
"An enemy's attack," Said Mukuro.
"We don't know who, but it seems like he's EXTREMELY strong that he managed to beat up Yamamoto like this!" Ryohei said as he took Yamamoto from Mukuro's grasp and carried him in his arms. Mukuro, who already realized how much serious the injuries inflicted on the young man's body decided to walk along with the Sun Guardian. He saw Yamamoto's left hand was swollen and a bit blue, so the Mist Guardian immediately adjusted the broken arm before Ryohei proceed to take him to the gurney.
Mukuro looked back and realized something: the ground was turn back to how it was and wondered whose voice that saying 'traitor' to the enemy? This made him wonder if the female voice was their ally or enemy.
Not far from the burning ground, a woman with dark auburn hair and pregnant stared at the said place with a frown and eyes full of anger. On her raised right hand, a golden bracelet glowed dimly before it was disappeared into the air. She brought the said hand and kissed a ring on her ring finger gently…
Which had a Golden Earth Insignia crafted onto the ring.
"The traitors are finally showed up…!"
-Autumn, October, Cavallone Mansion, Sicily, Italy, Day 10of Tsuna's Missing-
Dino opened his eyes sleepily as he woke up on his king-sized bed with four pillars. He rolled over as he buried his face into the pillows next to him and placed his arm to the spot next to him. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and quickly sat up from the bed, looked around with panic that started to boil within him.
"Maria…" He said as he struggle to release himself from the thick blanket (remember, Dino was a total useless when his subordinates were not with him within radius of 1 kilometer) but still failed. "Maria where are you?"
As he struggled to let go of himself, suddenly the door of his room was open and at the same time, he lost his balance and fell onto the floor, face first. The person who opened the door gasped in shock, seeing the boss fell onto the floor face flat.
"Dino-san!" Cried a young woman, who was the person who opened the door as she was carrying a tray of food. She quickly came to his side but put the tray onto the small desk next to the bed. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…I'm fine Maria…" He said while actually, he felt like to cry. Yeah, falling like that not only hurt his pride as a mafia boss but it also really hurt, especially the nose that receiving the impact of the fall first.
"I see…thank goodness…" Maria said as she sighed. However, she slowly turned away, blushed a little, which earned a raised eyebrow from the blonde man. "Dino-san…I know I shouldn't say this but…"
"But?"
"Please wear your clothes…it's too embarrassing…" Maria quickly turned around while the blonde boss finally realized that he was on the floor almost naked, with the blanket that covered only his waist down to his tights. Dino made a small shriek before quickly on his feet (still having the blanket around his waist) and quickly grabbed his clothes at the nearby closet. As he wore his clothes, his eyes fell onto the desk where the tray was, but frowned when he saw several bottles of alcohol next to the tray.
"Maria…" He said as he buttoning his shirt. Maria slowly turned around and sighed in relief after seeing her boss finally in clothes. "Did I do something…unusual last night?"
Maria looked at the man whose now slowly sat on his bed, face looked depress. Maria, who already knew what had happened last night, closed her eyes as she recalled the past events that happened in her boss' life.
"About that, boss…last night…"
Maria Joan was a young woman with mix blood of Italian man and English woman. Her parents already passed away when she was young, however unlike any other ordinary woman she somehow got an invitation to go to the school where many mafia's children attended, which included Dino, Squalo and Xanxus (1). Although it sounds strange, actually Maria is not the only person who is not a mafia member to be accepted into such academy. There were many ordinary people like hers too, who attended the academy. That was where she met with Dino, her current boss now. Dino found out that she was an orphan and offered her to live with him, with a condition that she would be the one who took care of Dino's welfare; Romario was the one who suggested it since Dino was seeing as incapable to take care of himself. She was 12 when she met him, who was 6 years older than Maria, and knowing that she had no family she gladly accepted his offer.
Ever since that day, she always is at his side, looking after his welfare until the day of the infamous incident.
Maria knew something was wrong at the day where everything started to change. Almost two months ago, Dino suddenly came back home in very shocking way. His eyes look dull, his smile was gone and he reeked of alcohol. Maria was shock to see her boss came home in such worst condition, and after sending him off to bed, she asked Romario what had happened. The right-hand man at first hesitated to tell her, but after she kept asking him, Romario decided to tell her with a condition of her not telling the others about the secret.
She found out that it was a secret that changed everyone's life forever.
It was the Salkind Incident, which shocking Maria so much since she too, knew the kind-heart Vongola Decimo. She could not believe that Tsuna would do such thing and asked Romario what will happen to the young boss. Romario couldn't gave her an exact answer since the incident was still under investigation, however he said that the news was a big blow for Dino that he almost unable to deal it, which was why he returned home a day after the incident in such condition.
Maria knew that Dino's heart was crush the moment he received such news, but his way of dealing the problems was not right either. She knew she had to keep on watching the boss who seemly loves to drown himself with alcohol, and she had to interfere in order to avoid him crushing himself. Up until know, she had to make sure this man did not taking any alcohols or bring them into his room, but still, he managed to do it just like now.
However due to his action, he usually did something that always fired him back like…
"With all due respect, I have to say that your actions last night were embarrassing as ever!" She said with straightness that a sweat drop appeared at the back of Dino's head.
"Not only you keep on whining upon something I don't understand, even in your drunken state you manage to do your own strip show and strips yourself naked in front of me!" Cried the said woman as she covered her blushing face with her hands.
"WHAAAT!?" Cried Dino in shock, as he felt surprised. Why did he do such shameful thing?
"I DID THAT?"
"OF COURSE YOU ARE! You gave me no choice but to cover you with the blanket but after that you hold me tightly like a child and ask me to sleep with you, whining like a small kid!" She said angrily while placing her hands on her hips. Dino could only shrunk himself, felt so embarrassing after found out he took off his clothes and naked in front of his caretaker. He just wishing that someone just killed him right now and then.
"How many times you're acting like this? You have thrown out on my shirt before, several times making strip shows in front of me and Romario-san, drunken state, always sleep naked, and sometimes asking me to accompany you to sleep many times!" Said Maria bluntly as she tried to count how many times Dino had done the said actions, while the said boss screamed 'STOP!' to her but utterly failed.
Poor Dino.
Maria was about to continue (because she somehow felt sick with Dino's habit of striping himself) when the door burst opened and revealed Romario, who came in heavy breathe.
"Romario, what's wrong?" Asked Dino as he sat up. Judging from the appearance of his right hand man, it must be bad news…again…
"Bad news boss," Said Romario as he wiped his sweats. "One of the Vongola Guardians –Yamamoto Takeshi was attacking by an unknown enemy and currently in critical condition!"
"WHAT!?" Cried both Dino and Maria. They looked at each other before Dino said, "What exactly happened?"
"We don't know what had happen, but Reborn-sama demands your presence at the Vongola Mansion as soon as possible. I guess whatever happened must be very urgent and important."
Dino narrowed his eyes as he quickly on his toes, getting ready to go to the said mansion. After a quick shower and changed his clothes, Dino took his coat from Maria when suddenly he asked her, "Maria, did something happen?"
"Eh?" The said woman looked at her boss shock as she handed the coat to Dino. "Why?"
Dino did not say anything, but he just stared at the young woman who already took care of his welfare more than 10 years until Romario reminded the boss to go immediately. Dino just smiled as he slowly caressed her face, "Nothing. Sorry for asking like this…"
Maria was silent as she watched the back of her boss whose form was slowly disappeared from her sight. Her face slowly became sad, as she placed her clasped hands over her stomach as if she was praying. Her eyes were glassy as she slowly said, with such small and sad voice…
"Yes…something really happen Dino-san…"
"But I doubt you ever realize it…" She said as a single tear fell onto the floor.
"I doubt it…"
-Autumn, October, Namimori General Hospital, Namimori, Japan; Day 12 of Tsuna's Disappearing-
It was a quiet and peaceful morning in Namimori.
The autumn had reached the town as the leaves started to grow brown and some of them started to fall down too. The schoolchildren started wearing their autumn/ winter uniform since the temperature had slowly, became colder than last months. The adults also started to wear clothes that could prevent the cold air from making them shivered in the morning they started their work. The most obvious sign was the change of colours in the leaves; from green to brown, although some of them remain green. Some of the leaves started to fall down the street, adding more colours to the scenery.
A dark, green car slowly approach Namimori General Hospital as it went into one of the parking lots. After the engine was, turn off, the driver pulled off the safety belt and went outside. At the passenger seat, the door was opened and letting out its passenger out from the said side. It was a young boy with heterochromia eyes; black on right and green on left. He smiled as he pulled his scarf up and ran to the driver's side, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Arashi-ojii-san, we're here right?" Said the child with cheerfulness in his voice.
Katagiri Arashi smiled as he looked at his nephew, "Yes we are. However, remember not to talk loudly since we're in the hospital."
"Yes ojii-san!" Kakeru said cheerily as he grabbed his uncle's hand and walked together into the hospital.
Katagiri Arashi finally reached the Namimori town at sunset after several hours driving from Kyoto. Of course, the long hours were due to him stopping by through the journey for rest and other matters, with Kakeru still not in good condition after being release from hospital. He called Andy whom received them at his clinic house, looking exhausted and bangs under his eyes. Arashi knew the matter was worst based on Andy's appearance. Good thing Andy had bought his groceries earlier that it made easy for Arashi to cook. None of them had a long talk since Andy looked almost like a dead man, and Arashi assured both Andy and Kakeru to go to sleep earlier that night. He later sent his sister his message, telling her that he already reached Namimori. Her reply was short, thus realized that Suzume was on mission; something he learnt when his sister was still in the police force.
Arashi brought a large bento box to the hospital, since he knew some people from the Sawada Household did not eating their breakfast yet. They walked into the white hallway of the hospital, passing nurses, patients, and visitors walking back and forth. He walked alongside Kakeru and sometimes he greeted the staffs until he saw the room number '27' and knocked it. After someone signaled him to enter, he then opened the door.
Arashi felt his knees weaken at the sight of his.
There, lying on the bed was none other than Sawada Tsunayoshi. His eyes were closed; face looked so pale as if he was dying. His forehead was wrapped around with white bandage, and Arashi could see that his long bangs were cut short as well as the hair, making it looked almost like Iemitsu's. Tsuna had so many tubes and apparatus connected to his motionless body. Beside the dextrose bag was a bag of blood that slowly transfused its contents into his body through his right arm. The heart monitor was beeping irritatingly slow.
Sat around the bed was his mother Sawada Nana, Sasagawa Kyouko, Kururugi Suzaku and Higashidani Seiryuu; all of them looked tired and down. Deep inside, he felt as if he was looking into a similar scene that happened four years ago. Seiryuu, who sat next to Tsuna's left side looked over his shoulder and realized that Arashi had arrived alongside with Kakeru.
"Arashi-sama!" He said, earning every occupant of the room's attention. "And Kakeru-sama too."
"Good morning…" Said the little boy while handing the flowers to Kyouko. Kyouko accepted the flowers with small smile to the young boy, as Kakeru shyly hid behind Arashi's long legs. Both Nana and Kyouko left the room to find any available vase from the nurse. Grabbing another empty chair after placing the bento box onto the small trolley desk, Arashi sat down at Tsuna's right side with Kakeru at Suzaku's laps. "Where's Andy?"
"He went to get some update from the doctor-in-charge. Apparently he's a panel member of this hospital," Said the young boy while tiredly looking at the cheerful and energetic Kakeru. The little boy cheerfully talking to Suzaku how he had a nice ride with his uncle on the way to Namimori, while Suzaku nodded her head gently listening to the little boy's stories.
"I see…" Arashi glanced at the blood bag, wondering how much blood Tsuna had lost when the paramedics rescued him. Suddenly Arashi felt very guilty for unable to be at Tsuna's side when he indeed, need a big help from everyone. When he heard a sound of the door being push aside, he looked up and saw a very tired but calm Andou Kazumasa a.k.a Andy. Followed behind him were Nana and Kyouko, carrying the vase with flowers.
"Oh Arashi, finally here?" He asked as he grabbed the empty chair and sat down on it.
"Yeah, just finishing Kakeru's transfer and making late breakfast for you guys. So…what's the doctors say?"
Andy pushed his glasses on his nose as he begun explaining to the ex-doctor in front of him, "The doctors said that due to his condition, he need to be under the hospital's surveillance for several days. Aside from the cut on his left wrist, his head also has a concussion, most probably from the fall he had – you did say he hit his head on the bath tub, right Seiryuu?" Asked Andy to Seiryuu, whom in return nodded his head.
"Gratefully, the impact doesn't seems to be dangerous because judging from the size of the wound, he might be in bending position before he hit the tub. Still, he got at least two stitches for the head wound while the wrist…not to scare you Arashi, but at least he had five or six stitches to close up the wound," Arashi held his mouth as he suddenly felt sick. Somehow, hearing everything from Andy seemed to remind him something uncomfortable from his past. "Besides, his temperature indeed rose again right after he was transferred into this room. They've suppressed the fever but he's having a lot of difficulty breathing afterwards," Andy said. "They're still running tests to make sure that he doesn't have respiratory complications."
Nana, Kyouko and Arashi felt a painful sting surge from their chest throughout their body. Tsuna was so pale and lifeless. Nana didn't know which image of his that day was worse – the one where his body lay bloody on the bathroom's tiles, or this one with the tube taped and surely stretched deep inside his throat. She slowly reached for her son's bandaged hand and tightly clasped with hers. Kyouko followed the same by putting her hands on Nana's.
Andy saw the hurt in Arashi's eyes and sadly smiled. "I know he looks in a lot of pain right now but he's heavily sedated so he won't feel the tube and the needles. He's going to be like this for a week or until we know that he'll be able to breathe normally on his own."
Arashi nodded. "How much blood that he lost?"
Andy's smiled disappeared a bit as he heard that, "At least…12% I think…right now, the hospital's run out of A and O types and need to get it from other hospital…Damn, I wish I'm O instead…" Andy ruffled his head as he realized his blood type was B. "I'm grateful that his blood is not a Bombay type (2)."
"Yeah…" Said Arashi as he slowly, stroke Tsuna's hair. "Too much rare that almost impossible to find a donor…"
Andy tapped his shoulder gently, understood the former doctor's feelings. "Tsuna-kun is a strong man," He said. "He'll make it through this one. It was really a good thing that this family got him here before he lost more blood."
"Yeah…" Said Arashi slowly, while running his fingers onto Tsuna's right arm.
His movement suddenly stopped and his eyes narrowed sharply when he saw something blur on the right wrist. While it almost faded and nearly invisible, Arashi was sure the thing, he saw right now was a short cut, almost vertical on the upper right of Tsuna's right wrist. Judging from what he sees right now, and from his own experiences, there was no doubt…
It was an old scar of attempt suicide.
Now he felt conflicted; was Tsuna once tried to commit suicide?
The faded scar was no doubt, a scar of someone who tried to cut his own wrist, but there was something that bothering him. The angle of the cut seemed to him, was being pulled out, not across the wrist like any suicide-attempters did. As if, someone else rather than Tsuna did it.
Arashi's action had gained both Nana and Andy's interest as the said man slowly held the free-bandage arm and stared at the wrist with such serious expression. A few minutes later, he put down the arm gently, before raising his eyes and looked straight to the two adults. Both Seiryuu and Suzaku looked at each other and knew their master wanted to have some private chat with Nana and Andy, therefore excusing them by taking Kakeru to one of the bakeries in town and promise to buy them something to eat.
After the teenagers and Kakeru left the room, Arashi stood up and asked Nana and Andy to follow him out from the room. Before leaving the room, Arashi asked Kyouko to eat something from the bento, since he knew Kyouko was definitely not eating anything since that morning.
Kyouko nodded, still keeping her eyes on Tsuna's pallid face.
Arashi looked at the poor woman before slowly left the room, being the last person to go through the door. Kyouko pushed the chair closer to Tsuna's and gazed at his face more closely. It looked so different and disconcerting to see him so emotionless and pale. He was so different from the Tsuna she knew.
"I wish I could rewind the time and trust you despite what had happened…" She slowly said, voice cracked. "If only I didn't slap you that time, and said that I hate you….everything won't become like this Tsu-kun…"
Her left hand slowly brushed a lock of hair away from his face and gently caressed his face.
It was so soft but intensely warm.
Her right hand held his bandaged hand as she brought it to her and softly, kissed the cold hand.
"I'm such an idiot," She whispered, as her tears slowly strained down her face. "Don't scare me…don't scare us like this again…please…"
"I'm so sorry…Tsu-kun…I'm so sorry…"
She then bent down and softly, kissed his forehead. She closed her eyes and listened to the heart monitor amplifying his heartbeat.
He looked at the boy before him with a listless expression. For several days, he had been crying alone, without anyone on his side and most likely, it happened because of his fault, their fault. He knew that he should have trust him more, knew that it was not his fault and should not blame him; instead, he and the others avoided him due to the accident that happened during their last mission.
Now here before him was the same young man, yet his skin was an unsightly pale color and he could see his body was not making a single movement. He was lying on the floor with his face turned slightly to the side. His breathing was heavy and shallow; he could see the rise and fall of his chest with every labored breath. It took a moment for it to register in his brain what he was seeing, or more that his brain was refusing to process the information set before him.
From the water that flooding through the whole area and his body, flowed a pale crimson liquid.
As he looked closer, the familiar color stained his right wrist that slipped out from a dirty white shirt that was faintly stained in the same color. He could see now that blood was present on almost every visible part of his body. He cringed and balled his fists so tightly that blood threatened to fall from his own palms. What was going on here?
"Tsuna?" His usually cool, cheerful, and unwavering voice seemed meek as it echoed through the large room that looked like an indoor conservatory.
With a swift step forward, he made his way to the motionless boy only to be stopped short by the sounds of running footsteps, and due to his hands had touched something hard but invisible. He ground his teeth and slammed angrily against the wall with his fist when he realized that something like invisible barrier was put into the flooding room and now the enemies had reached this place. "Damn!" He cursed as he moved and gently followed the perimeter of the restraint with an extended hand.
Yamamoto Takeshi encircled the room after entering it, and realized it was a special-made glass for the intention of avoiding ambush attack. He looked up and saw the metals that bind the glasses and attached to the ceiling, but too high to reach. Yamamoto cursed the family they infiltrated now; creating something too troublesome like this. Before he could take further action he heard the tell tale sounds of an approaching person. He turned his head hurriedly towards the entryway with his Shigure Kintoki ready in his hand, before in time to catch the eye of a very out of breath and worried looking Vongola Second Mist Guardian Chrome Dokuro.
"Yamamoto-san!" She screamed as she collided with the wooden doorframe. "Everyone is searching for boss! Have you seen him? Reborn-san and Gokudera-san had found the boss but he already passed out!"
The young boy's face remained that of a restrained professional but just under the surface, he was frantically trying to calm his nerves and keep his composure. He, however, was shock to find out the boss of the Romano Famiglia has been defeated long before the two men reached him.
Apparently, someone had got him before the Vongola managed to reach him.
"I know." He said with his normal tone. "I just found him…" He said as he sidestepped out of the way to provide the young girl with a clear view of what he had just surveyed. He watched as her eye widened and tears escaped from the corner of her eye. Her hand rushed to cover her mouth as she stumbled forward towards the boy.
"Bo-boss! No, no… Yamamoto-san, what happened?" She stuttered as she approached the swordsman. She could see that Tsuna was bleeding, and to make it worst, his blood was mixing with the water flowing from somewhere in the in-door conservatory.
"Yamamoto-san, we have to call an ambulance, now! Boss is bleeding!" She rushed forward but she only made it a few steps before she too was stopped dead in her tracks by the transparent glass. Before she could say anything, Gokudera and Reborn appeared behind the door, panting heavily.
"Gokudera! Reborn-san!" Said Yamamato as he saw the two men ran towards him and Chrome.
"What's the situ…" Reborn was unable to say anything as his gaze fell onto the motionless Tsuna, whose lying in the middle of flowing water that mix with his own blood. Slowly, the temperature went down and the three Guardians could feel that his murdering aura went freely to the air.
"What the hell is happening…Yamamoto, Chrome…" Growled Reborn. Yamamoto without wasting time explained what had happened, which made Gokudera felt angry after he found out what had happened.
"What the hell is this?" Gokudera screamed as he hit at it angrily with the open palms of his hands. In his mind, he thinks hard to search any possible means to break into the conservatory after realized the glass was very thick and specially made for dying will flames.
From the looks of the coagulated blood that stained the floor and the body, the injuries must have not happened recently. Reborn could see the other injuries that been inflicted onto the young boss' body and was hoping that Gokudera would miss it. Unfortunately, Gokudera could clearly see bright red liquid that staining the boss' right sleeves. The bleeding had not stopped.
"Get everyone in here now, Gokudera." Reborn's cold voice broke him from his observations. Yamamoto turned his attention back to the younger boy and Gokudera quickly dashed to search for the other Guardians, leaving the rest with Tsuna who was lying on the floor, wet with water and covered with red.
His own blood.
Once the bomber had left the room and he confirmed his rushed footsteps could no longer be heard, Reborn approached the glass and placed his hand against it resting his forehead just above the place where his fingers touched.
"Hold on Tsuna…we will get to you. I only hope one of the others can do something…" he trailed off and tensed as he saw the water kept on flowing through Tsuna's body.
"Damn…" he cursed as he pushed away from the glass and waited for the others to come…
-Dreamscapes-
"YAMAMOTO!"
Yamamoto snapped his eyes wide as her heard a certain bomber's voice calling his name very loudly. He quickly shut his eyes as he saw very bright light shone above him before slowly, he opened his eyes again. After the images became clear, he saw the faces of the Vongola Guardians and Varia members, Reborn and Dr. Shamal, with Gokudera and Squalo on his right side…
…And a very pregnant woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes, sat on his left side.
….
…
..
.
Who is she?
"Oi Yamamoto, are you alright?" Asked Gokudera sternly, although the people around him could see the worry and fear within his green eyes. Yamamoto blinked in confuse, before slowly, he felt pain in every parts of his body and a throbbing head. He groaned as slowly he reached his head, and realized it was wrapped in bandage.
"Wha…what happen…?" He asked, weakly. A soft hand slowly reached for him and patted his head. Yamamoto slowly looked at his left side and saw the said woman smiled gently to him.
"Vongola Mansion's medical wing," Said the pregnant woman. "I have to say you're very lucky you weren't killing in that attack…"
Ah…Now he remembers, she was Xanxus's wife whom he married three years ago and currently expecting their first child. Her name was Stella de Estrada, a daughter of the Estrada Family, one of Vongola's allies.
"Stella-sama…" Said Squalo as he looked at the woman who was patting Yamamoto's head gently. He then turned to Yamamoto and said harshly, "If you don't let down your guard, none of this would happen!"
"OI! Yamamoto did his best to defeat the enemy but he is way too strong! Stop blaming on him stupid shark!" Shouted Gokudera as he turned, facing the long hair man.
"VOOOII~! Whom are you calling stupid you damn bomber! I've read the report and the enemy is only one! Even when your Sun and Mist Guardians came to help, you people still unenable to defeat him! What a shame, loosing to one invader yet you're suffering so many casualties!" Shouted Squalo as he started waving his left hand (the one attached to the sword). Lussuria quickly grabbed him from behind and successfully restrained the Varia Rain Guardian.
"Not to mention there are some parts of the areas within this buidling got smash too…" Said Lambo as he shivered, remembering a certain PA who will definitely came to kill them once knowing the disaster that befall onto the mansion.
A vein popped on Gokudera's head, "You bastard! How dare you accuse us as if we're that weak!? I'm going to kill you now!"
"VOOOII~~! BRING IT ON!"
"Wait, Squalo! Don't make such voice! Yamamoto-kun is still hurt!" Said the motherly (motherly!?) Lussuria.
"Ushishishishi…Captain is getting high all over," Said Belphegor while Mammon just ignored the noisy group.
"Be quiet Belphegor!" A strict, stern voice echoed throughout the room as Stella glared at the blonde prince, which successfully shut the prince up. "All of you too, please don't raise your voice in the sick bay. Yamamoto's need his rest as well."
"Sorry…" Everything was quiet once again until Ryohei decided to speak.
"But you know, although what Squalo said are true, I can't deny that the enemy that defeated Yamamoto is not like our enemies we fought before," He said as he looked at Squalo and Gokudera.
"What do you mean Ryohei? Oh, did you see the enemy's face?" Asked Lussuria after he let go of Squalo, which the said person felt a bit relief after being hold for some time.
"We can't see his face, since he covered his expose face with his hand," Said Mukuro. "However, I saw a glance of his rings. Apparently, he used more than one ring but all of them don't seem to be fuse with any elements of Sky nor Earth-flame types."
"Really? Not even an Earth flame user like the Simon Family?" Asked Squalo as he narrowing his eyes.
"Nope. Not at all. Besides, the Simon Family currently in Palermo and I just asked Spanner to confirm them. Even Enma was shock to hear about this sudden attack," Explained Gokudera as he loose his tie. Everything had become complicate with all of them not even expected the enemy would attack them too soon.
"So, could it be…"
"Hmmm…I see…no wonder why you loose…" Stella's words managed to stop everyone in the room, as the said woman looked at Yamamoto with eyes that can hardly read by anyone in the room, even to Reborn.
"What do you mean by that Stella-san?" Asked Reborn.
"The one Yamamoto-kun was fighting is not even a member of mafia," She said as she leaned against the chair. "It's the same person who attacking the Vongola Guardians during their mission in Bonn, Germany."
Gokudera, Mukuro and Hibari stared at the said woman in shock, "How do you know about that matters Stella-san!?"
"Simple. I read the reports. You people did mention about 'the man with symbol on his forehead' and Yamamoto too, said the same thing before he lost consciousness," Explained Stella before she sighed. Suddenly the door was opened and a young woman –one of the maids in the mansion (as Reborn remember) came in and said to the group.
"Stella-sama, there's a call for you from an outline call," She said as she handed the cordless phone.
"From who Elizabertha?"
"I'm sorry my lady, she refuses to tell me who she is," Said Elizabertha as she shook her head. "She also said about 'Otomi' before she called for you, Stella-sama."
Hearing the words, slowly Stella's eyes narrowed before she took the phone, "I see. You may go now Elizabertha." The said maid nodded her head before taking her leave. Stella slowly stood up with the help of Ryohei before slowly left the room.
"Stella, do you know who the caller is?" Asked Reborn as everyone in the room looked at the pregnant woman.
"She's my friend," She said as she smiled. Seeing Reborn narrowed his eyes, she chuckles a little, "Don't worry Reborn-san. I can assure you she's a person whom we can trust. Besides, she's your acquaintance too."
"She is?" Asked Reborn while Stella just chuckled as she opened the door.
"Figures."
After Stella leaving the room, the room fell into silences. It was quiet until Shamal sighed and leaned against the wall.
"I have to say too Yamamoto, you're quite lucky to survive such injuries you know," He said as he scratched his hair. "Your body got quite sever injuries –you have two cracked ribs, a broken left hand, head injury that almost lead to concussion, injured ankle and inner organs, lost bloods, burn marks over your torso –GAH! This is worst; I don't want to say it in details!" Whined Shamal before his head got smack by Gokudera. "Thankfully Ryohei was there in the first place, healing your body 50%! If he's late maybe you already fly to heaven, kid!"
Yamamoto said nothing. In fact, his silence slowly made everyone felt a bit creepy, since Yamamoto never been such a silent person unless if he was serious or facing the enemies during one of his fights. Chrome, who sat timidly next to Mukuro slowly looked at the injuries that been treated by Shamal; almost all over his body was covered with bandages and she knew that mentioning the said injuries could only made the situation even darker than before.
Shamal and Gokudera started to have their mouth fight, bickering and insulting each other ("like teacher like principal," said Reborn as he titled his fedora), while Ryohei started to encourage the two master-student, worsened the situation ever.
"Tsuna…"
Everyone stopped whatever they did; Shamal and Gokudera stopped their fight and looked at the lying Yamamoto. His face looked gloomy and sad, his half closed eyes seemed dull and surprisingly, tears gathered on his eyes before they slowly, strained down his face. Squalo, who was the closest person to Yamamoto bent down and said, "What's about that brat? Why are you crying out of the blue?"
Sounds harsh, but actually it was his way of expressing his concerns regarding the Rain Guardian. He looked at the young man and realized that Yamamoto was already half-conscious, the anesthetic that still within his blood had started to kick in. Yamamoto might be not realizing that he was crying.
"Where's…Tsuna?" A single question that made everyone stood or sat still in their places. Reborn widened his eyes as he did not expect that kind of question would come out from Yamamoto's lips. "Where…I can't find him…"
He slowly raised his shaking hand, as if he was trying to search or grab for something. He kept on muttering 'I'm sorry, Tsuna….please forgive me…' or asking where he was. Gokudera was about to reach for him when he saw Reborn came to his side and grabbed the shaking hand. He slowly placed his other hand onto Yamamoto's head and slowly said to the crying Guardian…
"He's alright. Don't worry about Tsuna, Yamamoto. Everything will be alright…" He said gently, as he slowly stroked the young man's head. "Everything will be alright…"
"But…but it's my fault…I shouldn't leave him like that…"
Reborn narrowed his eyes; something was different form what he thought. Could it be that Yamamoto was talking about something in past and not about the Salkind incident that led to the disappearance of Sawada Tsunayoshi?
"Tsu…Tsuna's…bleeding…No…!" He cried harder, and that sentence made Reborn realized what exactly Yamamoto meant about…
Ah…I see…
Reborn saw that Hibari came near the rain Guardian and without any warning, his hand then reached for the back of his neck. "Sleep Herbivore… you really need it…" Then he hits a certain pressure point, making the other fell unconscious and his hand went limp.
"Should give me warning Hibari," Said Reborn as he gently laid down the hand and stared at the unconscious Yamamoto.
"Hn. I wouldn't do it if not because he was talking about the past incident," Said Hibari as he went to the wall and leaned against it.
"About…the bleeding…?" Asked Ryohei, looked confused.
"He did say about Sawada Tsunayoshi and 'bleeding'…" Said Muruko as he glanced at the sleeping Rain Guardian. "If what I think is right, Yamamoto Takeshi might be remembering the 'Bleed Incident' that happened 5 years ago."
"The Bleed Incident?" Asked Fran and Lambo.
"Yes. The incident that happened 5 years ago, where the Vongola was kidnapped by the Galito Family and was found bleeding in an indoor conservatory," Said Mukuro as he looked at every person in the room. "I never thought that he would suddenly remember the incident right now…"
"That's right, I remember now..." Everyone stared at Shamal who in return, stared at the group back coldly. "It's also the same incident where Tsuna had made his first killing after becoming a Vongola Decimo right? That you people left him behind just because of that action, and the same way you people left him behind in the Salkind Incident as well."
Shamal's words were like a wake-up call, as all of the Guardians minus Yamamoto and Varia (without Xanxus and Levi) widened their eyes in shock, before they looked away from each other. Shamal might be a perverted doctor, but he too, had sharp eyes and observation, and he knew something was wrong from the beginning of the Salkind Incident.
He knew something was wrong with the Guardians, whom from his eyes of observation forgot their one and only Sky. He also knew, that Reborn knew something and hid it away from everyone.
And he really, really need to know the reason why.
-Autumn, October 2, Bonfilio Mansion, Suburban of Rome, Italy, Day 10of Tsuna's Missing-
"You've got to be kidding me, Otomi!"
Suzume widened her eyes as she heard the news of Vongola mansion was under attack, a day after she left the place.
"Who am I to kid to? As your long-time friend, lying or making such a suck joke means 'death penalty'!" Said Otomi on the other line.
Flopping herself onto the bed, Suzume sighed once again. "Honestly speaking, I know the mansion won't be in good shape when I come back since knowing the nature of the Guardians…but I really forgot that the attacks from the enemies can cause disasters too!"
"No one ever expected it Suzume," Suzume narrowed her eyes as she heard the seriousness in Otomi's voice.
"Did you get something?"
"Not very good, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean by that Yuzuki Otomi…oh no, right now you're Stella de Estrada, wife of Xanxus right?" Said Suzume as she rolled over the bed. She could imagine` the said woman was pouting next to the phone.
"That's so lame, Suzume…" Said Otomi (Stella) as she pouted. Otomi could hear her friend chuckling on the line. "By the way, where are you? I heard that you undergo a mission to Rome."
"Heh, sharp as ever Otomi!" She said as she closed her eyes and smirked. "I am in a suburban area of Rome," She said as she rolled again on the bed. "In fact, I'm in one of the enemies' territory."
"WHAT!?" Cried Otomi, shocked. "Which family's territory you are now? Did you get caught?"
"No, actually…" Suzume then proceed to tell Otomi of what had happened and as she expected, Otomi was freak out.
"You're right in the enemy's mansion!?" She shrieked, luckily Otomi was in one of the rooms in the Vongola Mansion. "H-how come…you're not affected with…these?"
"Do we need to?" Said Suzume, sweat dropped. "Otomi, you did mention something about Yamamoto's got attack by someone not related to the Mafia?"
"Yeah, I read his mind and guess what?"
"What is it?"
"Apparently the same people who attacked the Guardians in Bonn, but this time it was a single person who attacked Yamamoto half death," Otomi went to the window and pushed aside the curtains. "It's the 'the person with a symbol on his forehead but got cross on it' –Yamamoto saw the symbol was cut off by something. Do you remember the meaning of the vertical cut?"
"It's a symbol of 'the traitor' Otomi."
"Who else that would do such things? Dirtying their hands for selfish ambitions…"
"Aren't we too the same as them?" Otomi winced as she heard Suzume's cold voice.
"Stained by blood, dirtied by the anger and grudge, anything you call as a justice is nothing more than a fairy tale," Said Suzume as she raised her hand up to the air, looking at the ring that attached to her right ring finger. "I realize that long time ago…"
"Suzume…" Said Otomi, as she too, looking at the ring that attached to her right ring finger. "Don't push yourself OK?"
Rolled her hand into tight fist, Suzume closed her eyes as she said to her pregnant friend on the line, "Will do…"
Tit!
Letting the cell phone fell onto the soft mattress, Suzume opened her fist and stared at the ring she currently wearing.
It was a platinum ring with Blue Star Insignia crafted on the said ring.
-Autumn, October, Namimori General Hospital's Cafeteria, Namimori, Japan; Day 12 of Tsuna's Disappearing-
Arashi looked at Sawada Nana for a while. Andy, who went to buy some coffee, was not at their side. Nana sat uncomfortably, as the young man said nothing and let her wondered what exactly in his mind.
The three of them decided to leave the young Sasagawa alone with Tsuna, and went to the hospital's cafeteria. Along the way, both Andy and Arashi talked with each other but in different language that Nana almost not heard before. She only knew some aside Japanese language –English and a little bit of Italian –due to her husband and Tsuna; Germany and France (she only knew very little actually). Therefore, hearing the two gentlemen talking in a language she hardly know made her feel a bit neglected, but she also knew whatever they were talking about might be serious and they did not want outsiders aside from the people who associated with Tsuna knew what they discussed.
It was until Andy came back and brought along with him some coffees and take-away foods that Arashi decided to talk to her. Nana thought that he probably just wanted Andy to be together so that they would share their knowledge together.
"Nana-san," Said Arashi after he took a sip of his coffee. "Do you know about the scar on Tsunayoshi-kun's right wrist?"
Nana looked up to Arashi as she put down her cup, "You mean a cut on his right wrist?"
"Yes, do you know anything about it?"
Nana narrowed her eyes as she put her point finger under her chin, a sign of her being in deep thought. She felt like she had heard about Tsuna's old scar on his wrist and tried her best to remember anything about it. Suddenly she remembered something as she quickly bent down and whispered to Arashi and Andy.
"I think I do know about it, but the details are not that enough. Will both of you is alright with it?"
Both of them nodded their heard, and Arashi asked her to tell them whatever she knew about it.
"Well, I don't know the whole details but if you're asking about Tsu-kun's scar on his right wrist, I think it happened almost 5 years ago…" Nana said.
"5 years ago?" Asked Andy as he glanced to Arashi. Both of them knew it was a year before 'that infamous case' happened.
"The incident happened 5 years ago several days after Tsu-kun's birthday. My husband Iemitsu received a call from one of Tsu-kun's friends and told him that Tsu-kun was hospitalized. My husband didn't tell me why but he asked me to pack our things and fly to Italy. When we reached there, I found out that some people abducted Tsu-kun for several days. Apparently, his friends found him but he suffered from several injuries. Shamal-sensei told us that when they found him, his right wrist was bleeding but strangely, there was a scarf that tied up the hand as if it was meant to slow down the bleeding. That's what I remember about the old scar on his right wrist," Said Nana, calmly.
"You don't know about this Arashi?" Asked Andy as he raised his eyebrow.
"Despite me working together with nee-san for 2 years, we rarely had close physical contacts with him. Besides, despite summer he still wearing long sleeves shirt and usually we're working the paperwork not looking at his hands," Explained Arashi as he drank his lukewarm coffee. "But Nana-san is there anyone here in Namimori that knows this whole story?"
"Hmm…if I'm not mistaken, Kyouko-chan was in Italy with Tsu-kun when the incident happened," Both Arashi and Andy snapped their heads as they stared at the woman in front of them.
"Really, Nana-san?" Asked Andy, shocked.
"Yes, I remember it clearly because at that time, Kyouko-chan sat next to his bed, holding his hand when we reached his room. It felt so sad that time, as if she was afraid that Tsu-kun will leave her soon…" Said Nana, sadly. She remembered that even the current situation seemed to be reflecting the scene where she came to see her son in Italy, 5 years ago.
Could it be that this is what people called as déjà-vu?
As Nana returned to Tsuna's room to check on her son, Andy and Arashi looked at each other with meaningful glance. Closing his eyes, Arashi asked the doctor in front of him.
"What do you think?"
"What am I thinking?"
"About Tsunayoshi-kun's scar…do you have any ideas about it?"
"Hmm…judging from the angle and the way it was done…I would say only a professional killer could have done that kind of wound…" He said as Andy pushed his glasses.
"Who do you think it was?" Asked Arashi as he leaned against the chair.
"That kind of cut…we only know one person who can do such thing. Cutting your enemies' wrist but at the same time slowing the bleeding as if some sort of punishment," Claimed Andy as he smirked. "In Tsuna's case, maybe there is something deeper than just a normal bleeding."
"Should we ask Kyouko-san about this?"
"We need to, since it can be misunderstood as an attempt suicide again…"
"Who else, huh?" Asked Arashi as he chuckled.
"Who else could do such thing if not 'that' person?" Said Andy as his smirk grew wider than before. Both men stared at each other with knowing grins.
"It's Princess of Chaos!"
End of Chapter 10
Hints or Explanations:
(1) The school where many mafias' children attended, which included Dino, Squalo and Xanxus –So far, the only people who were shown to have attend such school were Xanxus, Squalo and Dino, although the academy's name is unknown.
(2) Bombay blood type –Also known as the 'h/h blood group' or 'Oh', is a type of a rare blood and was first discovered in Bombay (now Mumbai) in India, by Dr. Y. M Bhende in 1952. The individual with this rare blood type do not express hh antigen, which present in blood group O. As a result, they cannot make A antigen or B antigen on their red blood cells, whatever alleles they may have of the A or B blood group genes, because both of them are made from H antigen.
For these reason these people can donate their blood to any member of ABO blood group system (unless it was incompatible), but unable to receive from the said group except their own blood type group. This usually creates serious situation where the blood-owner involved in fatal accident and unable to receive the blood to save life. Therefore explaining why both Andy and Arashi were so grateful that Tsuna is not the owner of such rare blood.
Psycho-Pass season 2 has ended and the movie was out in the theater. Although there was a big spoiler regarding the movie (and I read it through tumblr), somehow both season 2 and the movie makes me feel very disappointed. It's true that Shinkane moments (Kougami Shinya and Tsunemori Akane's moments) were in the movie and seems to me, must be lots of them, but when I found out how the ending was not what us the fans expected to be, it makes me feel down and very disappointed! I meant, why? Why the ending has to be like that!? Nee Urobutcher-sensei, why did you make it like this!? Whywhywhywhywhywhywhy~~~? TOT This makes me feel that somehow deep in our (maybe just me) heart, we wanted another season of Psycho-Pass! Yes! Another one after the movie since it makes me feel so irritated with the ending!
OK another nonsense talking: I read lots of stories that always said that Tsuna is cute, fluffy etc and makes me wonder how come these people describe him like that? From my own perspective, Tsuna is not cute or fluffy although I won't deny his large eyes that resemble doe. Tsuna for me, seems to be someone that doesn't have any confident in his self (from the first chapter of the manga) and looks like an unlucky and weak student, even his hair style is REALLY HARD to draw (I tried many times only to fail, damn it!)! However, I also not denying that Tsuna is a kind and gently person, and probably the most rational and sane person, considering how crazy the life he had ever since Reborn entering his life.
Another thing I realized that, whenever I read about 'twin stories' Tsuna will always been reduce to the state of 'sudden mute, stuttered speech and too afraid to go against the twin' but still manage to get his guardians. The stories always go along with the canon plot but in the end, always end up in cliffhanger (it makes me into 'GODZILLA MODE since most of the stories are way too good). Mostly I found that his 'twin' is super popular, super smart or idiot but still manage to charm the girls, evil and manipulative, and makes me wonder; if I'm in Tsuna's place, what should I do? My answer is simple: you tried to deny my existence and bullying me, I just beat you up and crushing your things. Simple as that. Yeah, sounds cruel but I really hate it if there's someone who tried to do harm on me while I did nothing to this person; I got boycott from my friends whom I knew nothing about their fights with each other, just because I'm befriend one of them. It makes me think that I should just kill him already, mahahahahaha….!
Special preview for the next chapter:
- "I am in Rome,"
-"In fact, I'm in one of the enemies' territory."
-"Which family's territory you are now?"
- "My name is Trevor Bonfilio of the Bonfilio Family."
I'm sorry for the late update. Even so, I hope everyone can enjoy this fic. Please read and review. Thank you for your kindness to read this story of mine. –Aoi Kitsukawa.
