A/N:
Most italics are flashbacks from now to the future chapters.
Anyway, go on.
Chapter Three
Hibari was leaning beside the door and watching his companion softly hum a song as he laid there. The latter has his eyes closed in content, mostly enjoying himself with his small concert. They're waiting for some people to check on them.
The skylark raised a brow when the brunet looked at his way. His companion started to make faces that he closed his eyes at in response. Not like Sawada was expecting any reaction. When he opened his eyes, he saw Tsunayoshi pouting. He almost snickered at the brunet's childish antics just to elevate his boredom. Really, his companion is a ball of sunshine.
The two tensed up when they heard footsteps approaching. Tsunayoshi laid on his left side and pretended to sleep as the doorknob jiggled while he pressed himself to the wall. The door opened with some whispering accompanied with it.
"I don't think they're awake already." A man said as he and his companion stepped inside.
"But it's been hours-"
"Shit! Hibari is missing!" Hibari watched as they panicked.
"Crap! We need to find-"
Hibari struck. He gave a kick towards the nearest person to him before stricking a chop on the other's nape. He breathed out as the two fell on the floor. He looked for Tsunayoshi who was already standing up and shrugging on the jacket he was hiding. The latter grinned at him again in a merry way before striding towards a box and pulled some things up.
He stared at the pair of tonfa Tsunayoshi has in his hands. They have arm-length steel silver rods individually with handles two inches from the end. It also looked retractable. The weapon reminded him of his childhood days. When he was keeping the peace and order of Namimori town. He liked those days. Those days he felt so powerful, dominant and fearsome. Those times he can beat those people who defies him and the rules.
"Here." Tsunayoshi presented. "Or do you want other weapons? They have sickles here too and some-"
"No. I want those." He replied, still staring at the rods. He wonders if they fit him.
Sawada blinked then smiled and handed the tonfas to him. "Enjoy using them."
Hibari stared at the weapon in his hands.
"For once, let out the sleeping prefect. That you, who wants to dominate again." Hibari looked up to the brunet. The latter gave a big smile, basking the latter with warmth of acceptance. "And while you're at it, do it with your dying will."
"They won't search for me if I was the one missing. They'll think that I've ran too far already for them to catch up." Tsunayoshi stated, eyes almost calculating. "But if it's you, they'll search high and low. So the most suitable person for the job is you."
"Then we go out?" He added as a conclusion.
Tsunayoshi nodded. "We go out. We can't waste time though. If they notice that those people who checked us haven't returned yet, some will come. So we need to make it worth it. While you attack them, I'll search for my phone and call the authorities."
Hibari's brows furrowed when he realized something. "How will you defend yourself?"
"Hmm? I'll think of ways. And they won't harm me. I'm not the target. You're the one who has to be more careful around them." The brunet waved off.
"No. I'll protect you." Hibari blurted out before he can even stop himself.
He noticed his companion froze before smiling. "Thank you."
Hibari wore the weapons. The length of the rods were right for his arms. The way the handles fit in his hands makes him kind of... Powerful and superior. For some unknown reason, he feels himself relaxing. He tried swinging his arm, and tingles of thrill and excitement shook his body. A kind of feeling he hasn't experienced for years
Damn. He suddenly wants to see someone beaten up.
He gazed at his companion. The latter is busy stuffing some piece of clothes inside the two unconscious men's mouths after tying them up with a rope. As if sensing his stare, the brunet snapped his head towards him. Tsunayoshi studied him before giving a thumbs up. Hibari gave a huff. The brunet only laughed at that.
Feeling like his old self, the noiret walked towards the door and went out of the room. He went on his left, walking aimlessly but alert on his surroundings. When he was about to round a corner, he came upon with a man. Before the latter can even react, he smashed his tonfa on the man's face and swung the other to hit him in the side of the head. The man fell and Hibari only stared in amazement.
"Hibari-san? Did something happen?" A orotund voice inquired.
Hibari turned his head to see his companion from his shoulder. "I smashed someone."
"Smashed?" Tsunayoshi queried as he neared him.
Hibari nodded.
The brunet looked around him in curiosity, then his eyes widened. "Oh. Nice job."
Hibari regarded the other with awe.
"What did you do?!"
"You're worthless."
"Useless!"
"Don't keep giving me troubles!"
"You're a disappointment."
"No worries."
"I hate how they treat you."
"Lean on me."
"You did a good job."
"It's okay."
"Thank you."
"Nice job."
"Hibari-san?"
"Those tonfas are good for you." Sawada praised then pointed at a door. "Want more beating?"
"Hn." The other laughed at his response, as if understanding him what his 'hn' means.
"Okay. Let's go and beat some people up!" The brunet cheered as he leads him to the door at the very end of the corridor. "If my hunch is right, they're inside."
"Tsunayoshi. You go behind me." He ordered as he passed Tsunayoshi with his big strides.
"Oh right!" Tsuna responded before going behind him.
Hibari opened the door when they reached it. No banging, no slamming. Just a normal twist of the doorknob, then pushed the door open. The people inside looked at their way. He heard the person behind him squeak in surprise when he can't help himself release the blood lust he has been containing for years. He can't also help the smirk forming on his lips as he raised his armed arms.
"I'll bite you to death." He uttered.
And he pounced.
Hibari looked around him as he panted. Their kidnappers are smacked down on the floor, bloody and beaten up. He swung back his tonfa to remove the blood. The said liquid splattered on the floor because of the movement. Feeling satisfied with himself, he searched for his companion.
Only to see Tsunayoshi struggling from an iron grip.
A man is trying to strangle the brunet from behind with an arm around the small neck. Tsunayoshi is struggling... Or just stopping the kidnapper's arm from touching his neck with no sign of hardship. When Hibari took a step forward, brown eyes rolled to his way and glinted cheerfully.
"Tsunayoshi." He muttered, eyes looking back and forth from the brunet and the man who is trying to strangle the former.
"Oh. No need to help. I can handle this." Tsunayoshi assured with a happy dismissive manner.
"You can't take him on." He remarked. He can't help gripping his weapons.
Sawada shook his head as he raised his foot and stamped on the man's feet. The man howled in pain. "Really. I can-" Hibari watched as the brunet railed his elbow back, smashing it to his unsuspected helder's face. "-handle this-" Then his companion took hold of the arm that is still around his shoulder and armed throw the owner. "-well."
Hibari checked his mouth if it hanged open. Tsunayoshi, the scrawny man that has almost feminine features, armed throw a man twice his size. He didn't know his companion has a knowledge about self defense. Wait. He didn't ask. But the brunet wasn't really kidding when he told him that he'll find a way to protect himself.
Hibari shook his head and walked towards the heaving sky. He patted the brunet's head. The latter looked up to him and smiled before pouting.
"Why can't I be as tall as you? This is frustrating." Tsunayoshi grumbled.
Hibari chuckled before smirking. "Because you're a little animal." Yeah. Not a herbivore who is weak, nor a carnivore who is strong. Not even a omnivore who hides his carnivorous side under a herbivorous clothing. Just a little bit of everything.
Brown eyes narrowed. "It's because of my height isn't it?"
"Partly." He nodded while moving away to get some ropes.
Tsunayoshi wrinkled his nose in indignation. "I wish I was taller."
"No. You're better this way. You're like an usagi. A carnivore usagi." He negated, stepping on some body parts he means to break.
"You made me a rabbid. And I'm not a bunny!"
The two bantered back and forth as they tied up their kidnappers. After that, they sat outside the small building and just enjoying each other's company when police cars came. Hibari tensed up when he noticed three black cars accompanying the police and parked with them too.
He stood up and his companion did too. But before the skylark can even step forward to welcome his boss, Tsunayoshi stepped in front of him, as if shielding him from possible threats. The brunet looked formidable with how he stood. Confident, powerful and reliable. Hibari can see himself kneeling with how mighty the other felt.
It felt childish, however Hibari can't help himself from gripping the brunet's jacket as his boss, Kanida, with his three bodyguards approached them. He felt like he needed to hold the other's clothe for a grip of sanity and in case that something breaks out. It's stupid. He knows. But he's just... Preparing for the worst case scenario.
"Hibari-san," He looked at the brunet who was gazing at him by the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm with you."
"Tsunayoshi-"
"What did you do this time, Hibari?" Kanida questioned with mock concern. The skylark visibly flinched under the given glare. "All you do is cause trouble under my name and bring disgrace to my company. You're a useless cloud. I don't even know why I took you in. You're a disappointment."
Hibari swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He felt so tired of the words, the mocking, and the tone. Why did he even deserve this? He's just doing what he thought was right. Fuck. He just wanna go. He closed his eyes tightly and sighed quietly.
God. He gives-
His eyes snapped open when he felt a warm, yet trembling hand held his own that was clutching the clothe. He eyed the owner of the hand. It was the silent brunet who's still in front of him. The way he stood there is like he's already anticipating that he'll be ignored. Wait. How come he is being ignored?
He was going to tug his hand away but it was held tighter. Then warmth crept into him. It was so fast that it captured his heart and made him relaxed. The flame made him think of being protected, being safe, and that no more danger can harm him. He knew it was from the brunet. He knew he was being sucked in to the sky flame that always accepts him. And he's afraid that he'll do the same mistake twice if he let himself sink deeper to this flame. He had been humiliated enough. He doesn't want to trust a sky anymore-
"Then you'll let him go right?" Hibari's eyes widened at the brunet's voiced out thought. It sounded almost innocent and harmless. "I mean you're disappointed at his works, he brings you trouble and gives disgrace to your company. So that means you'll let him go. You won't want him to be your cloud anymore right?"
"Yes but-"
"Yes!" Tsunayoshi faced him with a big smile and a mischievous glinting eyes, utterly ignoring the his boss. "You're free! You're not chained anymore! You can do whatever you want again!"
The noiret stared. "Tsunayoshi..."
The brunet's smile became soft while taking his free hand. "Didn't I tell you? Clouds aren't good when chained. Skies who doesn't know this get the worst of their cloud elements. Now that you're free, you can search for a better sky. A carnivorous sky that can give you what you need whenever you want it."
"What are you talking about, Kid? That cloud you're talking with is contracted with me." His sky squeezed in.
Tsunayoshi looked back to Kanida. And Hibari swore that he saw the brunet's eye color changed to amber orange from brown. "Contract?"
Kanida stepped back in fright, yet stilled himself to answer the question. "He signed a mutual contract."
"When?" A simple, yet cold question.
His sky noticeably gulped at the single word query. "Three years ago."
"So these papers-" He ogled as Tsunayoshi reached behind him and took out a bundle of crumpled papers from his jacket. The same papers he saw the brunet reading in the storage area. "-tell the truth."
"Where did you-"
"What is that, Tsunayoshi?" He questioned, confused.
"Oh. This? It's your contract." Sawada stated simply, but the way he gripped the papers tells otherwise. "I found it on the box I kept on rummaging in the storage room. You know, it's funny how they kept on smuggling drugs and illegal firearms in there. There are even weapons in there that were purchased illegally. And I bet there are more inside the building. That includes your tonfas though. Don't worry. I'll buy them with legal money so you can keep them."
Gray eyes blinked, brain repeating the same word over and over again. Illegal. He has been doing things for the sake of the company, yet they were doing all these illegal stuffs behind his back?
"Who are you?!" Kanida demanded.
Tsunayoshi facepalmed lightly before facing the man. "Where are my manners. My apologies. I'm Tsunayoshi Sawada."
He almost snickered at the silent message contained inside the introduction. It's almost like the brunet is asking the boss if his name 'rings a bell' inside his head.
"You're the kid who talked to me on the phone." His boss realized with an astonished expression.
Sawada pouted in offense. "I'm twenty-two years old, thank you very much. Anyway," Almost like a spinning wheel of emotions, the brunet smiled immediately. "according to this contract, you two signed it last three years ago. It also says that the cloud is free to do whatever it does as long as the sky knows its activities. Thus it can put disgrace in your company's name, disappoint you and give you trouble with all his might, as long as you know."
Hibari stared at the brunet. "I can do those?"
"Yes. You can even destroy a whole building if you wanted. You didn't read the contents, did you?" Tsunayoshi shook his head before patting the skylark's head. "You were young. It's understandable."
He can't help pointing out, "I'm two years older than you."
"Uh-huh." His companion replied, obviously ignoring the remark before raising the papers to Kanida who was seething. "It also says that if the contracted element is being oppressed, he can breach the said ties. In conclusion, you could've been free since the day he made you feel restrained, Hibari-san."
Hibari glared at his 'boss'. "Huh..."
"H-He's lying!" Kanida shouted in panic, backing away from them.
The skylark almost preened at how his glare is still effective.
"Well, the papers do not lie. Even the words printed on it do not alter themselves as I read them awhile ago. So I'm not lying." Sawada responded as he scanned the papers. "Oh and Hibari-san, the contract will be nulled by-" The brunet took his wrist where a watch is latched. "-now. So either he fires you or not, you're free to go. And you have the choice to stay with your sky or leave him. It's all in the contract."
He stared at his boss who was sweating bullets already before feeling Tsuna's warm hand on his shoulder. "Not that I'm brainwashing you or something, but do you want to be his cloud?" His eyes shifted to the brunet who frowned. "I mean, it's not right to be treated like how he treats you."
"What makes you any different?" He whispered.
Tsunayoshi gazed at him with shock before that got replaced with resolve. "I don't know. However I try my best not to be like him."
He can helping speculating the reasons of why this little sky in front of him is element-less.
"But what I believe is being oppressed from the things you want to do is not right." The brunet added. "So do you still want to be his element?"
The skylark shook his head. After all the humiliation and the insults, plus the illegal things? "No. I don't want to be his cloud anymore."
The other beamed and gestured to the others with sadistic gleam. "Then what do you want to do?"
Hibari glared at them before railing back his arms with a snap. The tonfas in his possession straightened up from being shortened. "For obtaining illegal drugs, firearms and weapons, for deceiving me, and for crowding, I will bite you to death."
Tsuna side stepped, just in time the skylark dashed towards the starstruck people. The brunet stared at the papers he had in his hands. He breathed out before summoning his flames with his own will. He burned the papers and let the wind carry the ashes away from him. From them.
He knows the feeling of being suppressed from doing things he love. He was bullied to the extent that he just wanted to give up everything. It's still a miracle, even for him, that he's still alive, breathing and not yet dead. He gazed at his friend. Maybe there's a reason why he's still above the ground.
Tsuna sighed in amusement while shaking his head to get rid of his thought and approached an officer. He talked with him about the people Hibari was beating up with pleasure and asked him to take them to custody, under the said evidences he talked awhile ago. Already having the idea what these 'evidences' were, the officer assured Tsuna. The brunet gratefully thank the officer before going back to his companion who had his dessert for that night's full course beating.
"How's the beating?" Tsuna asked. He only grinned when the skylark unconsciously directed his blood lust to him. "Woah. Easy there, Hibari-san."
"Tsunayoshi."
"How's the beating?" He asked again before looking at the said bodies. "Hmm?"
"Hn." [Good.]
Tsuna nodded. "Good job. So what now? Let's hitch some ride? Or do you want to take one of their cars?" He asked again carefully. Shamal did warn him that the man in front of him hates crowding.
"Hn." [Take one of the cars.]
"Take one it is." He agreed, understanding what the 'hn' meant. "Let's go! I'll drive since you got tired from all the beating you did."
"Are you saying I'm weak, Little animal?" The other threatened.
Tsuna made a face on the nickname before answering as he walked towards the parked cars. "No. Of course not. It's a sense to sleep since it's already past midnight."
Hibari tutted as he followed. "Those herbivores wasted my time."
"I know." Tsuna opened the passenger's seat and gave a mock bow. "Sire."
Hibari smacked his head upside down, making him yelp in pain. "You and your droll."
"Hey! At least you enjoy them!" Tsuna pointed out.
(And the banter went on as their flames bonded.)
"No. Really. I'm fine." Tsuna reassured as he transfer hot water into the teapot.
"It was kidnapping, Tsunayoshi. You could've died." Hana reminded, making the brunet wince before he carried the tray towards the dining area.
He laughed. "And I didn't, so it's okay."
"Does your dad know about this?"
"I told him the day after I slept in."
"Good. At least I don't have to fuss anymore."
Tsuna cringed and Hana smirked at it. "Don't put it that way. It's not like I was hurt or something. I wasn't even scratched. I was just held for an hour or so, and then I was out."
"Tsunayoshi." He looked at the person who called him.
"Ah. You can take them, Hibari-"
"Kyouya." The skylark corrected as he took the tea set in hands and went out of the pantry. "Stubborn Little Animal."
"I'll join you later." He bid, only answered by a 'hn'. He chuckled then faced his facetime partner. "Sorry."
"Who was that?" Hana questioned whilst eyeing the door.
Tsuna sat on the stool by the counter and faced his ex-housemate. "Kyouya Hibari. He was the one who protected me when the kidnapping happened."
"Hmmm... Not a monkey then."
He chuckled. "He's not. He's a wolf."
Hana rolled her eyes. "Nice seeing you happy tho. I thought you'll go sulking there because I left you alone."
"I did, to be honest." The brunet replied with a small smile. The lady stared at him. "And I think Dad caught up with it. He invited me to Italy."
"Will you go?"
Tsuna shook his head. "I can't leave Hi-Kyouya alone."
"I see. But if he's not, will you?"
"Still pending."
Hana smiled. "I want presents."
The brunet nodded. "I'll buy you bags and perfumes if they have it there."
"I'll count you on that."
They talked a little more before bidding goodbye to each other. Tsuna walked to the living room where his friend is. He shook his head as he fascinated the new arrangement of the room. The bouncy chairs were pushed to the corners, even the center table was placed away. The only remaining thing unmoved was the carpet. Placed on top of the soft mat was a round table where the tea set were sitting on top. There are soft rectangular pillows on the floor and Kyouya is sitting on one of them, legs folded and nursing his own drink.
Tsuna sat opposite to him, legs folded and sitting on a pillow too. Instead of tea, he has milk in his hands. Kyouya looked at him and smirked. This action made Tsuna curious. Kyouya pointed at his drink.
"You're drinking milk but you're not getting any taller." Kyouya said.
Tsuna gaped at him. "I'm only drinking it because I like it! Not because I want to get taller!"
The noiret stared at him.
"Well, I thought it will help me get taller, but I gave up on it and used it to make my bones stronger so I can run faster." He mumbled, a little embarrassed.
"You were bullied?" Kyouya probed.
He refrained himself from tensing. "What made you say that?"
"You run." His companion pointed out.
"That doesn't mean I get bullied." Tsuna huffed.
Silence engulfed them comfortably.
"You're going to Italy?" Tsuna looked up to Kyouya when the latter asked that.
"You heard?"
Kyouya just stared at him.
He shook his head. "No. I don't want to go there."
"If I wasn't your friend, will you go?" The skylark queried.
"No." Tsuna replied. "I have work and I need to do things."
Kyouya sipped on his drink.
"Would you like to come with me if I go?" Tsuna asked, making the noiret look at him. "I mean we can go have some fun, walk around Italy and buy things we want. It's the most suited time since the kidnapping and you're free from everything... Holding you up."
"... I'll go."
Tsuna beamed at the response. "I'll tell Dad then we can get tickets. You have your passport?"
"No."
"I'll contact Vongola to help me with that. They make everything in a fast manner."
"You work in the Vongola?"
Tsuna hummed before answering. "No. I own it."
Kyouya could only stare as the brunet drunk his milk in a happy manner. The prefect sighed before taking out one of his shortening tonfa, straight it out before kneeling on one knee and smacked Tsunayoshi by the head. The brunet yelped in pain then looked at Kyouya with a teary eyed questioning gaze.
The prefect almost fell in the antic. It's as if he kicked a cute puppy. Kyouya shone away from the sight. He can't take it. The brunet is too adorable despite being a man. A cute little animal.
"Explain." The noiret demanded.
Tsuna pouted. "I'm the heir of Vongola Corp. Under the corp, situated in Italy, is a mafia organization. Not that the org is a bad thing. It started as vigilante group. That kind of group that protects people? Then it turned into a mafia organization after some people started to lead the group. Now, it laid low after Nono, my grandfather, led it. In some cases, although we aren't that blood related, they traced that I'm the last of their heir from the very first boss. My Dad, Iemitsu Sawada, told me about these and started to groom me to a boss from sixteen and stopped after I got everything."
Kyouya stared at the brunet again. He just dumped him the whole information, not caring about the omerta. "Then why are you working as one of them?"
Tsuna looked up as he put a finger on his chin. "If I remember it right, it's because I wanted to know how it works. Like going to the bottom before jumping up? I didn't want to lead people without knowing anything. It will be insulting for the workers' part if I assume things and make bad decisions that I know they'll complain about in the future."
"Why aren't you looking for elements?" The skylark asked.
He instinctively lowered his gaze to his glass. "I..."
"You're not weak. Nor troublesome too. But you like being alone. Why?"
He clammed up.
Kyouya sighed.
"I'm sorry." The brunet whispered.
"Sorry for what, Tsunayoshi?"
"For..." Tsuna chewed on his lower lip.
"When you didn't do anything wrong, don't apologize." Kyouya scolded, making him flinch. "It's wrong to apologize for something you didn't do. Nor take mistakes as if they're yours from the beginning."
"How-"
"You aren't difficult to read, Tsunayoshi. Your mind might think complicatedly, but the way you move does not contradict the way you think. I don't even need to be a mind reader to guess what your thinking."
Tsuna's hand started to sweat. "So..."
"It's okay." The brunet looked at Kyouya. "I'm a cloud. I do not mingle with the crowd. You already told me yourself that I cannot be restrained. Thus, you do not need to worry about pushing me away."
Tsuna froze. 'No... I d-didn't meant it that-'
"I'll come back anyway."
Tsuna stared at him. He stared at Kyouya really hard before sighing in relief. He felt tears stream down to his cheeks. No. He can't hide his vulnerability, his insecurities and demons any longer. Kyouya will only point them out and sort them. He always does after spending his three days with him inside the apartment.
It was nothing like what he experienced in his entire life. Those three days were memorable and free of everything. He was able to sleep peacefully and breathe the air inside the room, thinking it's not toxic to his health.
He finally found a friend.
"I'm glad I met you, Kyouya." Tsuna expressed with a smile, wiping some of his tears that won't stop from falling. "I'm so glad. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Tsunayoshi." Kyouya replied before sipping his tea.