A/N:

@arisasonoda84: Spot on! HAHAHA! What gave it away?

@Levi1228: No prob. Hahaha. It's nice I caught you by surprise with my update. Yehe.

Thanks for the reviews! Last update of the week. Hope you don't mind the grammar and spelling mistakes, or get confused with how the chapter is written. The characters' thoughts get all mixed up.

Anyway, go on.

Chapter Eight

Tsuna put a hand on his waist while the other is tucked under his chin and rubbing it. His eyes swiftly inspected every sticks in front of him. They were all good in his eyes and sturdy. He made face before sighing. He can't choose.

His head has been nagging at him when he passed by this part of the mansion. Of course he went back and walked inside to know why he's being pulled in there. The alien took him to the row of sticks inside the room. He figured it wants him to take one of the sticks, so he thought might as well be picky if he wants to have one.

He looked through them again and a violet bluish handle caught his eyes. He took it. And stared. It's short. He sighed before swinging it back. He shrieked a little when both ends of the stick stretched. One end is a little short while the other is long. He brought down the long part on the ground and stared at it in an arm length. He nodded in satisfaction before looking at the others for another one. He saw a little lighter shade and took it. He tested it out first before shaking them up and down a little, causing both ends of sticks to retract. He snorted when those sticks reminded him of something.

Kyouya's tonfas.

He shrugged anyway and carried the two now short sticks with him. He'll figure out what those things for when time comes. Right now, he has to focus on escaping Nono's guardians who were ordered to capture him since he went out in the middle of a meeting.

Tsuna shifted before groaning silently so Lambo won't stir. He knocked on his throbbing head then glanced at the clock on the wall. Two-seventeen. He moaned a little louder before getting up as his intuition tinkered him to do so. He patted Lambo's head, brought his feet down the floor and opened the side table's first drawer. The two sticks he took from the mansion three days ago were tucked there.

He sighed as he remembered what happened that day. He was almost caught by the cloud guardian, Visconti. Good thing the guardian let him go, telling him that the meetings with the other mafia bosses are boring.

Anyway, he took the darker color staff before closing it again. He went out, or crept since he knew Kyouya is a light sleeper. The skylark is very sensitive to his surroundings, even a slight 'tink' of a cup placed on the counter can wake him up. Tsuna tiptoed towards the balcony and braced himself for the cold wind that will hit him as he opens the door.

He was almost pushed back with the impact. Good thing he planted his feet. He went out to the terrace, a hand rubbing its opposite forearm in hopes of warming it up. He went for the edge and looked down. Damn. It was high since they're on the sixteenth floor. But, seriously, the cityscape is really beautiful, so it's worth it. He then went for his right side since his intuition directed him there.

He looked down to the rooms below their floor. He can hear ruckus down there. Then a man suddenly appeared from the inside. Tsuna yawned on his hand and watched as the man kicked off another guy that was going to attack him.

The man has this dark bluish-like, indigo, locks with a weird hair style and has this long hair tail that sways in the air. He's wearing a unique garb with royalty vibes in it. In his hands, he's grasping a trident head without any stick. Maybe that's what the staff is for. It's convenient that he found a retractable one, since he can't give it to the man if it's long, might as well let it fall.

He yawned again before looking at the man again.

"Hey!" Tsuna called out against the strong wind. The man turned around to look for him. "Up here!" Indigonet looked up to him. "Catch!" And he tossed the retractable staff.

Tsuna watched as the staff went towards the man's direction. The man caught it with a hand and stared at the short staff. Tsuna gestured an 'up and down' shake using his fist before waving goodbye with a small smile. He went back inside, closed the door behind him and went inside his room where Lambo is. He chuckled when he found the teen sleeping on his spot awhile ago. Probably to get most of the heat he left there.

Shaking his head, he sat by Lambo, tapped him by the shoulder so he can move, the teen did. He laid beside the child, draped their blanket over their bodies, and hugged the child as he let himself sleep away peacefully after what happened.

Tsuna put a hand on his forehead as he stared at the two persons kneeling in front of him. The two glared at each other like children before looking away snappily. He felt so stressed with the two before inspecting the damage on the little garden of the hotel they're staying at.

He was doing some paper works when he heard some people shouting. Of course, he vowed to himself to always help, he went to the scene and... He stumbled on Kyouya and the guy he helped that early morning fighting each other. He tried calling out to stop them but they won't stop, so he did the most obvious thing for him to do.

Walk defenseless between them.

The moment he intercepted between their trajectories, both screeched to a stop until they plumbed down. Tsuna raised his fist, put some orange flame on it and whacked both men on their heads and gave them an earful of sermon. And now, they're in front of him, silent and glaring at each other.

"Hayato?" Tsuna called before looking back to his friend.

"Yes, Tenth." The silveret answered, stepping forward a little cause he can't move that well for Lambo is hiding behind him.

"What should I do with them?" He questioned, gesturing to the two, who looked at him with unreadable faces.

"Punish them as what fits." Hayato suggested like it was the only answer to his question.

Tsuna looked back to the two. "Then I'll confiscate these three." And he took all weapons from the two causing complains.

"Tsunayoshi-"

"Wait-"

"No buts. I'll give them to you once this place is all good like the old one. You are so lucky I'm not making you do the paper and labour works." He chided, brown eyes flashing orange as he glares at them before sighing. He suddenly feels exhausted.

"Tsuna-nii?" Lambo called softly.

"Yes, Lambo?" He responded, looking back to the teen.

The curly noiret gnawed on his lower lip before opening his lips. "Let's go upstairs and rest for a while? You're pale."

That caught Hayato's and Kyouya's attentions.

"I'm fine. I need to do the papers for the damages and finish the ones upstairs." Tsuna breathed as he hugged the weapons to his chest and walked towards the entrance. "I want milk though."

"Got it!" Hayato acknowledged before running ahead to ready the drink for the brunet.

"Hn." Kyouya grunted as he stood up and ran after Tsuna. "Little Animal."

Brown eyes looked back. "Hm?"

Kyouya put a firm grip around the brunet's arm. "Got you."

"Thanks. Lambo? You coming?" Sawada questioned to the Bovino who was left standing there by Hayato.

"Right there!" The teen replied cheerfully.

Tsuna looked back to their remaining companion. "You can come too."

"Kufufufu... Thank you." The man expressed with an amused smirk before following the group inside.

The moment Tsuna drank the milk, he became drowsy. Lambo squealed a little when the brunet hugged him by the side and leaned on him. The teen patted his caretaker's shoulder as he makes him comfortable. It wasn't that hard to make the latter comfortable. Tsuna is not that picky to where to lean.

Kyouya sighed as he stared at his friend. Maybe he became too harsh? He was just trying to protect Tsuna from the mist-user, who was searching for him. He can't help the tick mark that appeared on his temple when he remembered how everything happened. He really hates mist-users. They do things inside his head. It pains his pride to be tricked. And he'll never let that happen again. Not ever after Tsuna saved him from all those herbivores who tricked him.

A comfortable silence fell on them, just watching the sleeping figure breath.

"Hmm... I can take my trident then?" The new addition to them questioned with a lilt.

Three heads snapped to his direction. Two pair of eyes glared at him while the third is staring at him intently. Then he noticed all of them glowing. One purple, the other red and a green. He put his hands up in mock surrender. All eyes were averted to look out for the sleeping man. He stared at the sleeping brunet and smirked.

'Interesting.' The man mused.

"Ah! Gomen!" Tsuna apologized immediately before closing the door.

He felt blood rush towards his head. He'll bet his life that he's blushing red right now out of embarrassment. In his defense, he didn't know. He was drained so he didn't check.

He looked up to see Kyouya and Lambo staring at him. Kyouya was staring at him accusingly while Lambo was giggling. He flushed redder if possible and glared at the skylark who was still gazing at him like he did something wrong.

"Don't look at me like that!" Tsuna pouted, indignant.

"Pervert." Kyouya commented and smirked.

Tsuna covered his face with his hands and made a strangled scream.

"It's not that bad, Tsuna-nii. It's understandable if you sway that way." A young voice teased.

Tsuna peaked between his fingers to see Lambo with teary eyes and whined. "Not you too."

Lambo laughed while Kyouya shook his head. Tsuna rubbed his face with both hands before leaning on the wall. The door opened though before he can even make himself comfortable. Tsuna stood upright and smiled at the man who came out. The man nodded at him for acknowledgement before side stepping. He rushed in, slammed the door and locked it.

Three pair of eyes stared at the brown door before averting their attention. Kyouya growled at the man while the latter just smirked to rile up the skylark more. But Kyouya knows better, so he looked away and close his eyes.

The man sat next to Lambo who was fidgeting a little. Lambo edged a little closer to Kyouya's chair. He's not accustomed to new presence. Not yet.

The air between the three was tense. Crackling. Like a knife or even scissors can't cut it. It was interrupted when a door opened though. They all looked at Tsuna who went out of the bathroom with new clothes on. The brunet did some stretchings before making his way towards his table and sat on his chair. They watched him fumble on his table and brought out a big jar of colorful balls in small plastic wraps.

"Lambo. I want you to try something." Tsuna babbled with a big grin.

"What is it, Tsuna-nii?" Lambo queried with curiosity as he stood up to get close.

"They're candies. I want you to have some." The brunet replied excitedly as he opened the jar and pushed the whole jar to the teen. "Who wants to have chocolates? Kyouya? Uh-"

"Mukuro Rokudou." The man supplied helpfully with an everlasting quirky smile of his.

Tsuna beamed. "Mukuro Rokudou. Nice to meet you. Want some candies? Or chocolates maybe?"

"Chocolates will be fine." Mukuro replied.

Tsuna smiled and tossed him a bar of chocolates. Mukuro caught it and started opening it. Tsuna noticed Lambo was testing every flavor so he went to do his work, not bothering Kyouya who was sleeping. He only looked up when Hayato came in.

The day went through with Lambo almost fishing every grape flavored violet candy inside the jar. If it wasn't for Hayato's scolding, the kid won't stop eating the sweets. Tsuna smiled at their interaction. Even their guest was dumped into the fray because he kept on cracking up with his weird laugh.

It was already midnight when Tsuna paused from his work. He raised his arms and stretched. He looked around the living room before sighing. Damn. He wants to sleep too. Lambo is already sleeping in his room, Kyouya too. Hayato went back to his house, while Mukuro is in the spare room. Good thing they took Nono's offer when they wanted to get out of their small room. It was convenient since he can do his work with the help of much suitable table and a comfy chair.

He was going back to do the papers when he felt someone move from the rooms. His intuition nudged him softly, telling him to get up and know what's happening. He did. He went for Mukuro's and knocked. The door opened a little and the indigonet made his presence. Tsuna gave a small smile, meeting those questioning blue eyes squarely. At some point, he kinda saw something hazy on the other's right eye.

"Want some milk or something to drink, Mukuro?" Tsuna offered in a soft voice, still staring.

Mukuro nodded without saying a verbal reply.

The brunet led the indigonet to the kitchen. He moved carefully, in hopes of not waking up Kyouya. Mukuro sat by the counter and watched him. After finishing making something, he put it in front of the man and sat by his side. He let his sky flame ooze out a little, in hopes of making his company a little lax. And thankfully, he did.

They sat in silence. Tsuna kept drinking his milk, while Mukuro nursed his chocolate drink. Brown eyes glinted in content when he saw how pleased the other with his drink. Good thing he noticed how Mukuro likes chocolate. He smiled when the latter glanced towards him before speaking up.

"Thank you for yesterday." Mukuro expressed.

Tsuna nodded. "No worries."

"Are you in mafia?" A simple answer.

"You could say that." Tsuna answered truthfully. "But I'm planning to turn it upside down."

"Huh. Good luck with that."

Tsuna smiled. "Yeah."

Silence went between them.

"Ne Mukuro."

"Yes, Tsunayoshi Sawada?"

"Why are you covering your other eye? I like its color."

Mukuro looked at him before 'kufufufu'-ing a little. "You can see through illusions?"

He shrugged. "A little."

Mukuro deadpanned him.

"A lot." Tsuna chuckled, taking back his lie. "I met a powerful mist user once. He was really good at it. But before he can deceive me further, I kind of got the gist of it so I can now see through illusions now."

"Huh. So you're not disgusted with my other eye?" The mist-user quizzed. He sounded amazed, but the brunet's intuition pointed out some negative emotions in the tone.

Tsuna shook his head. "It's actually nice. I mean being unique despite other's taunting and criticism is just being true to one's self. And I like them. They're like contrasting figures. Yin and yang."

Mukuro slumped on his seat and removed the illusion on his other eye, revealing a red eye with a kanji number one written in it. "There."

"Wow." Tsuna interjected, eyes wide in fascination. "Can I?"

"Hmm?"

Mukuro went a little still when Tsuna cupped his left cheek and stared intently at his red eye. He wasn't that close, just wanting to get a better view. And the way he cupped Mukuro's face is not hard. It's gentle and warm.

Tsuna smiled and let go after a sec. He patted Mukuro's shoulder before turning back to his milk. They shared another silence.

"Ne Mukuro."

"Yes, Tsunayoshi Sawada?"

"You had a bad dream, right?"

Mukuro stilled.

"No. It's okay. We all experience it. Even Lambo does since he became an experiment of his famiglia. And I know it's none of your business, but I trust you not to taunt the kid with it nor tell his family that he's here."

A curious brow was raised. "Why so? He's not related to you."

"I want to nurture him before everything becomes too late." Tsuna eyed Mukuro at the corner of his eyes. "Sometimes, being alone can't solve anything. You need someone to be there too."

"Kufufufu. You know something."

Sawada shook his head, a little nostalgic. "To be honest, no. But I can see myself in you. Closed off. Distressed. In pain. We may not have the same reason, but I can sympathize with the feelings."

Mukuro didn't say anything. Tsuna smiled at that.

"Sometimes, relying on people is good too. Not only for our health, but for our future too. But we have to be very picky though. Not all humans in this planet are human enough to do great deeds." He stretched before standing up. "Ah. I need to finish those stacks of paper. Two more to go."

"I advise you to sleep, Tsunayoshi Sawada." Mukuro stated as he stands up too. "You're tired. Don't want the birdie and the puppy to fuss dramatically over you tomorrow."

Tsuna cringed at the nicknames and the possibke fussing. "You're right. You should too, though."

"I will."

"Promise?"

Rokudou rolled his eyes. "Promise."

Sawada beamed. "Okay. And it's Tsuna."

"I like your name. It rolls out of my tongue fluidly." The other waved off.

Tsuna winced before chuckling. That sounded so wrong. "Then just Tsunayoshi."

"Yes, Tsunayoshi Sawada." The indigonet teased, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Tsunayoshi, Mukuro." Corrected by Tsuna again.

Mukuro cackled. "Tsunayoshi, it is."

"Mukuro."

The mist-user slightly jumped at the tone of Tsunayoshi's voice. It was full of ice, with authority dripping as the other said his name. But Mukuro stilled himself. It's his first time seeing the man who helped him be like this, not the usual cheery man.

Honestly, he's not really like this. Jumpy nor a little shaky. Mukuro Rokudou is always proud like a royalty. But the way this person releases a heavy angry aura, he can't help himself from getting attentive and a little submissive. Well, people did advise others to never mess with a resilient person.

"I want you to use your mist to track Lambo." Mukuro gulped as the brunet looked at him, amber eyes penetrating his core. "Do it with Hayato, he knows where the Bovino Mansion."

"In other words, infiltrate." He shortened.

"If it's okay, yes." Sawada replied as he arranged the left of the papers that weren't blown away. "Kyouya and I will be there as soon as possible."

"So I need to go to puppy." He hummed.

Tsunayoshi nodded. "If possible, free Lambo if he's held captive."

Mukuro raised a brow when he heard the table cracke under Tsunayoshi's hands.

"Once I find out that they touched a single strand of hair on my brother's head, I'll pulverize them." The brunet vowed coldly.

Mukuro started to laugh before grinning devilishly. "Affirmative, Tsunayoshi."

"Thank you."

Even though a little startled, he went on with the task at hand. He was a little away from the hotel when he stopped and placed a hand on his chest. The warmth he felt from the expression of gratitude he received was so pleasing. It wasn't everyday that he receives those kind of words. He was used to those numbers and things that were told to him.

But come to think of it, Tsunayoshi is always kind. He never curses, nor says anything bad. He was very expressive and truthful. Friendly and cheerful. Not once did he saw the brunet give a sad expression. Or a grieve one. But tonight is his first time seeing the man get so furious. It's almost like the small brunet can provide his words with action.

Mukuro chuckled and decided to continue. Might as well provide his help. A little payback for the words of gratitude that the brunet gave to him.

Meanwhile...

"Are you sure about this, Tsunayoshi?" Kyouya asked as he stared at the silent sky.

Tsuna nodded firmly. "Yes."

"Even about that pineapple?"

"Yes. But it's up to Mukuro if he'll take my order seriously. And if he did, I'll be very grateful to his help."

"But you will stain your hands."

Tsuna gave a small smile to the prefect as he pulled on some gloves. "It's bound to happen anyway."

Kyouya stepped closer. "Have you..."

"I did." Tsuna answered, eyes elsewhere. "I did for my safety." His hands shook as the memory entered his mind. "He entered the house and I couldn't help it. Kill or be killed. It's the way of little animals' right?"

Kyouya patted the brunet's head. "We all had our first, Tsunayoshi."

Tsuna breathed in. "Yeah. We all had."

"Let's go?"

"Yeah." Tsuna answered as he took his jacket off his chair and pulled it on as they walk out of the room. "Let's go save Lambo."