A/N:
@ethdsjordan: Nice one.
@arisasonoda84: :)
Third update? Hahaha! Thanks for the reviews. I may or may not post another update later.
Anyway, go on. Don't mind me here.
Chapter Fourteen
"I should've known." He can't help laughing when Tsuna gave him a playful glare. "And I told you to sweat it off."
"But you were panicking." He reasoned out.
"Or you were just so bored?"
He gave a cheeky smile and a peace sign. "Busted."
Tsuna sighed before smiling at him. "Eat then. I'll be right back. And don't go out until I say so."
"Yes, Sir!" And he gave a mock salute.
Just as Tsuna gave him a full meal course on tray, the doorbell of the room they're staying in rang. He watched the brunet's expression turned to an angry one before it became relaxed. Man. He suddenly feels sorry for the cause of that anger.
He received a pat on the head from his companion before the latter went out and closed the door with a lock. He started to eat, but kept a sharp hearing on what's happening outside. Who knows, Tsuna might need his help.
Honestly, the brunet became more... Relaxed around him after what happened awhile ago. He went really slack and felt like all the things dumped on his shoulders were lifted. And even though Takeshi's fever spiked up a little, Tsuna didn't scold him for it. More of he was expecting it.
"Where's Yamamoto?" He heard a gruff voice asked.
'Coach Ruko.' Takeshi thought as he shoved a spoonful of rice in his mouth.
"He's inside his room, relaxing." He heard Tsuna answered before a small 'clang' was heard. "May I serve you some tea then?"
"I want to talk to him."
"He's sick. He can't talk right now."
"That piece-"
He almost choked at the fish he was chewing when he felt a killing intent ooze so slowly inside his room from outside.
"I advise you not to talk about Takeshi like that if you want to leave this room still breathing." Tsuna threatened in a normal voice. "Now. Let's be gentlemen and sit down so we can talk about this properly."
Takeshi stared at the door suspiciously as he put rice inside his mouth.
"Did you know why Takeshi got sick?"
Coach Ruko snorted. "He didn't take care of himself."
"Hmmm... Partly. But I deduce the reason is because of you."
He didn't hear a sound of rebuttal.
"If I piece it correctly, Takeshi practiced yesterday after you pressured him. He almost broke an arm and went back to his apartment with a fever. He might've died if I wasn't here to see him."
He paused from drinking his water. True. Coach Ruko talked to him yesterday.
"Who are you anyway?"
"Tsunayoshi Sawada."
"That crap doesn't have any remaining relatives."
"I didn't say I'm a relative. But that doesn't mean you have the rights to call him that, Ruko Hidori. Have you forgotten that you're in my territory?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"Just reminding you. You won't like it if I do something probably worth it to me."
"What do you want?"
"Hmm..." He gulped. Tsuna is really considering things. "I want Takeshi to have three days off starting tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll confiscate his phone and remove the switch of the telephone so you won't bother him."
"Yamamoto has to play tomorrow!" Shouted by Ruko.
"And I'll accuse you of murder if he dies tomorrow." Tsuna said in a calm tone. "Whether you like it or not, he needs to rest and he will rest under my watch. If you don't want me to ban you from entering his room until the limited time, I suggest you agree to my terms. In exchange, you will gain a healthier player in your game after three days."
"Fine. I expect him to be there by then."
"Then that's a deal-"
"Like I'll ever agree to that!"
Takeshi immediately set his tray aside and went off his bed as the commotion outside started. When he opened the door, crashed things greeted his sight and a knocked out Couch Ruko is on the couch. Tsuna is sitting by an armrest of a sofa, sipping some milk. Tsuna smiled at him but he could only grimace at the red spot on the brunet's right cheek.
"Rest, Takeshi. And you haven't finished your meal." Tsuna shooed.
"But there's a commotion and I got worried." He reasoned out, surveying all the mess.
Sawada smiled assuringly. "No worries. I got this handled."
He nodded slowly before tapping his own cheek with a finger. "You have a red patch, Tsuna."
The brunet blinked then looked upwards. Slowly, the red patch went away. "There."
"You have-"
"Sun flames. I know. But my main is sky flames. My Mom was a sun and my Dad is sky. So yeah. I'm dual." Tsuna answered in an almost whisper-like. "Go, Takeshi. Sleep. This hotel room will be very rowdy tomorrow morning."
He can't help hesitating. "I don't think I can sleep, Tsuna."
"Ah. The teddy bear. Right." Tsuna snapped his fingers like realizing something while nodding his head. "I'll take care of this person first before we sleep. I have to ban him from entering again in three days and make the staffs clean the room. You can eat first. It'll be quick. I promise you."
"Eh?" He blurted out.
"I'm your teddy bear yesterday, Takeshi." Tsuna said before teasingly smiled. "I'm your Mom last night. I love you and I missed you too."
Takeshi's mouth went agape before blood rushed to his head as he blushed so much. In the end, he closed the door, hearing Tsuna's chuckled from on his back. He tried finishing his meal before going out. Tsuna was nowhere to be seen with Ruko. When he went back to his room, he brushed his teeth before dropping his body on the bed, feeling tired all of a sudden.
He didn't know he fell asleep. Cause when he stirred to wake, he felt someone patting his head so gently. He opened his eyes to see. It was a sleepy Tsuna, sitting beside him. He can't help, but stare at the brunet. Now that he noticed it, his companion is really small, thin and pale. He tried to move, but went still immediately too.
Tsuna's eyes opened, revealing orange ones. And Takeshi was mesmerized.
Tsuna blinked and looked at Takeshi with droopy eyes. The former smiled and tousled the latter's hair. Takeshi reached out and gripped the brunet's sleeves. He thinks Tsuna went in cause he was crying again. He can feel the waters in his eyes and some tear trails on his cheeks.
"You were calling your Dad. And you two were making some sushi. I suddenly want to eat some." Tsuna explained with a smile of solace. "It's good you calmed down. But I didn't expect that you'll wake up. Did I wake you though?"
He shook his head.
"Hmm... Do you want some water before going back to dreamland?"
He nodded his head wordlessly.
Tsuna reached out as he sat up. "I knew something like this will happen. Nightmares come when we're in our most vulnerable states."
He took the glass and drunk the water in one sitting.
"Another?" The brunet asked. The baseball star nodded. "You remind me of my brother." He shared as he pours more water on the glass. "He drank five glasses of water when we first met."
"I thought you're brothers?"
Tsuna smiled while handing him the glass again. "You know about flames right?"
Takeshi nodded. "I'm a rain."
"I'm a sky and a sun. Lambo is my adopted brother and a lightning. He has this black afro-like hairstyle and he likes cow patterns. Maybe because cows aren't that conductable with lightning. I mean it can withstand it's impact."
"What happened to him?" He asked before drinking.
"He was a victim of some inhumane activity. He's safe now and with Hayato."
"Hayato?" He repeated, sheepishly smiling as he asked for more water.
Tsuna nodded as he refilled. "My pianist friend. He's like this tamed yet raging storm. He loves calling people with nicknames. If he calls you that, he likes you."
"Oh."
The brunet took the glass and set it aside. "Then there's Mukuro. He has this pineapple like hairstyle. He's also like a royalty with his pineapple crown hair. But he's super sweet in the inside."
"Like a pineapple in general?"
Tsuna laughed. "Yes. Then there's Kyouya! He's so territorial that I just want to give him some birds."
"Because he's a skylark?"
Tsuna laughed again before yawning. "Yeah. Man. I miss my friends."
He blinked in curiosity. "Then why did you went away without telling them?"
"Because I don't want to trouble them." Tsuna answered, droopy yet wistful eyes staring outside the window behind Takeshi. "I'm a troublesome person, you know. It's either those complications come to me or I come to them. I can't drag people in my mess when it's mine."
"Heh... While you're doing that, I'm searching for a good friend." He joked.
Tsuna looked at him with a mirthful smile. "A friend who can see behind that strong mask?"
Takeshi gawked at him.
"I know, Takeshi. You're far more genuine than what you make the whole world see. This-" The brunet wiped his tear stained cheeks. "-is the Takeshi Yamamoto. Not the one who fakes smiles, emotions and façades. Not the person who succumb in the pressure. He's cheerful and resilient."
"How did you know?"
"Because I used to do that." Tsuna beamed. "I know because I did those for the sake of someone else though. But it's fine now. I'm fine now. And you're not because you're sick so you need to sleep."
He laughed as Tsuna pushed him on the bed. "You need to sleep too."
"I'll be in the couch." Tsuna answered as he stretched.
"Sleep beside me?"
Tsuna stared at him. "Okay."
Takeshi laughed louder as his friend plumped beside him and nestled up inside the fluffy blanket. The noiret raised the cover to their chins and sighed with Tsuna. The two looked at each other, grinned then laughed.
And they slept curl up on each other.
Hayato rubbed his eyes before eyeing the tall building in front of him. He looked back to his three companions. Well, the ride was a little eventful. After Kyouya took them from the airport, the skylark told them where's Tsuna. When Mukuro asked why the brunet is there, the noiret didn't say anything. Can't help himself, Hayato told them what he and Kyouya think about Tsuna.
To be honest, Hayato is anticipating something out of the ordinary if he ever sees Tsuna. He knows Kyouya is too. Mukuro is pretty silent. Maybe astonished that Tsuna can grasp emotions that well. While Lambo... The teen was mostly quiet all the way. Staring out the window, silently marvelling the new view he had encountered. If ever he sees something weird, he'll just fidget, take a deep breath then sighs.
Kyouya went to a valet and gave the keys then led them the way. Hayato is side by side with Lambo while Mukuro is at their back. Hayato doesn't know what's up with the pineapple, but maybe it's a mist thing to be always behind the group. A probable defense while the cloud is in front of them, like Kyouya does, a possible offense. Sometimes vice versa, but still the same.
'If only Tenth will take us as his guardians.' Hayato thought as he remembered Lambo's lightning strikes and hardening. The kid was a natural. Like Lambo knew what to do. But when he asked the teen, the latter would shrug and say 'I imagined it.'.
Not much of a good answer.
After shuffling inside the elevator, Kyouya pressed 'thirteen' after the door closed and they started to ascend. The four of them were quiet with tension in the air. Hayato doesn't know what's the tension is about, but he knew it has something to do with Tsuna.
When the lift's bell rang, signaling them that they're on the designated floor already, the door opened and they stepped out. Kyouya led them again in front of a door. Hayato inspected it. One-one-one-three. Mukuro did the knocking. At some sort, they heard light footsteps approaching. It was almost too faint to be noticed if they didn't have sensitive hearings.
The door opened. A tall man with short black hair and brown eyes came into view. He was rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm and looked like he just woke up. He gave a confused gaze at them before his eyes widened at the sight of Kyouya.
"Hibari-sempai?" The noiret called.
"Where is Tsunayoshi, Takeshi Yamamoto?" Kyouya asked.
"Ah! He's inside my room. Asleep."
Hayato sighed in relief.
"Anyway, come in." The noiret ushered.
Kyouya went in first before them after their host went in again. Hayato inspected the room as they entered. Everything is simple, and the whole chamber is bare. Well, it is a hotel room, the guest does not remain for months if possible. But the important thing is there are no danger in sight.
Lambo went inside the open room. Hayato followed until the threshold. He almost facepalmed when he saw the teen went onto the bed, slipped under the covers and curled up against the only owner of the brown mop of hair that was the only visible thing on the bed.
He looked back to the three, only to see Kyouya approaching and went inside too. Hayato sighed as he watched the skylark approach the other side, took off his suit jacket and too refuge inside the blanket. For privacy, the silveret took the doorknob and closed the door half way, just enough to at least check on them from time to time from the living room.
He sat beside Mukuro with a sigh, facing their host who was sporting a little amused smile.
"He's a rain." Mukuro informed with his creepy smile.
"Harmonized?" Hayato asked to no one in particular.
"No." The man answered.
"Partly." Mukuro corrected, eyeing the man in a scrutinizing way. "Tsunayoshi's flame is curled around his, but not that protective. Just guarding. Maybe keeping him safe until he's stable enough to be let loose."
"O-Oh..." The man uttered, suprised. "Is that the reason why I'm getting better?"
"Maybe. Sometimes our flames cause us damage when we aren't stable enough to keep them in control." Mukuro explained patiently. "Tsunayoshi might've reached out unconsciously. If you don't want to harmonize, you can just tell him to let go."
The man didn't say anything.
Hayato grunted. "How's Tenth? He's not sad, is he?"
"Does being wistful counts?" The man asked.
Mukuro and Hayato glanced at each other before the latter spoke up again. "What was he wearing yesterday?"
"White long sleeve shirt. If it may help, I saw bandages in his arms."
"Shit." Hayato cursed as he stood up and entered the room.
"What's wrong?" The silveret heard the man asked.
"Tsunayoshi is-"
Hayato removed his shoes before curling around Tsuna's thighs and in between the latter and Lambo. He heard the brunet sigh in content. The pianist moved and hugged his friend by piling on him. He heard a small gasp before a chuckle resounded.
"Hayato." He heard his Tenth called so softly, almost fragile.
"I'm here, Tenth." He responded, almost murmuring it in assurance. "I'm here."
"Hmm... Thank you." He heard him say.
"Always, Tenth." Hayato answered, hugging Tsuna tighter. "Always."
At some time, Hayato ended up sleeping between Tsuna and Kyouya while Mukuro was sitting beside Lambo and resting by the headrest. Takeshi was outside, passed out with a blanket in his body.
"Uwaah! I can't breathe!" Tsunayoshi laughed as he struggled to get out of Lambo's and Hayato's hugs. "I didn't know Hayato is a cuddle-r. Look how cute he is."
"Puppy-chan is sleeping." Mukuro singsang with an evil glint that the brunet sweatdropped at.
"Mukuro, play nice." Sawada chided softly with a smile.
The mist chuckled. "I won't, Tsunayoshi."
"So where's Takeshi?"
"Outside. Sleeping."
Tsunayoshi winced. "He should be the one sleeping here. Not the other way around."
"Oh. He told us he was sick."
"And still is. I even took him off his baseball game for three days just to make him rest." Sawada went under the covers.
Mukuro watched the brunet wiggle himself out until he emerged at the foot of the bed.
"Tada!" Tsuna half shouted before erupting to giggles that Mukuro laughed with.
"Such childishness, Young boss."
Tsuna stuck his tongue out. "And it made you laugh. Anyway, get some rest. I'll check on Takeshi and order some food from the service."
"Oh no. I rested well enough."
"Then let's have some drinks then."
Tsunayoshi went out first. Mukuro followed. He saw the brunet fuss over the sleeping figure of their host. The sky started to make the latter slowly feel comfortable. He followed the brunet with his eyes as the latter darted around, taking things until it ended to dropping another blanket, thicker one, on the tall noiret.
Mukuro wonders if Tsunayoshi did this to him when he got hurt with Lambo. It's very much touching instead of annoying. Seeing those brows furrow in worry, deep thinking and concentration, he can't help himself feel guilty yet loved. To make someone feel so at home and accepted despite their pasts, mistakes and failures, the brunet is truly a sky.
But the question is what made him like this?
"Come Mukuro. I bought variety of coffee, tea and milk yesterday." The brunet invited as he skipped towards the kitchen.
"Hmm? I'd like tea for a change." The mist answered.
"Would you like Kyouya's reference? He has a good taste."
Rokudou raised an elegant brow as he took a sit. "He does?"
"Yup!" Tsunayoshi answered as he buzzed around. "He really likes it though when I make it. And it doesn't make sense."
Mukuro thought for a second as he reminisced those times Kyouya orders something to Tsunayoshi, and the latter will come back with a tray of tea set. "Hmmm..."
"Just try it. We can just save it for him later and make you a new one." The sky bargains.
He shrugged. "Okay."
The other started to heat up some water.
"Tsunayoshi." Mukuro called out.
"Yes?"
"How were you these past three days?"
The brunet gazed at him. "Unsure, to be honest. I was worried of Takeshi since I found him sick, nervous and scared when Kyouya kept calling and a little..." He, then, made a contemplating face. "Relieved when I heard you're coming? I don't really know myself. I'm actually feeling anxious right now since I know Kyouya and Hayato will give me some scolding."
"Hmmm..."
"What can you deduce, psychologist-san?"
Mukuro chuckled. "None. You're off to the cats' den."
Sawada made a face. "I pray for my soul. May I be placed in heaven despite of my sins."
He laughed again. "You and your weird ideas, Tsunayoshi."
"Well, if it makes you laugh, I don't mind getting weird ideas."
Mukuro smiled. "Hope you survive though."
"I will." Tsuna said with a wince.