A/N:

Thanks for the reviews. This chapter concludes Chrome Dokuro's arc. Hahaha! Wait. Is this even an arc? Oh well. This is the last update of the week too, by the way. Please don't mind the errors for now.

Anyway, go on.

Chapter Twenty

Hayato rubbed a hand on his face. He has been awake for twenty-four straight. Not that he didn't want to sleep. It's just that hospital reminds him of a lot of things. And seeing Tsuna, his friend and precious sky, on the bed for three days gave him a big impact. It reminds him of his Mom when she was hospitalized.

He looked at his companions. Kyouya is slumped by the window seat, sleeping with his head resting on the window. The skylark did not even sleep a wink or took a nap for two days straight. Keeping guard in case Tsuna wakes up.

Lambo is sprawled on Takeshi's laps like a cat, snoozing away. The teen was crying all night and all day without making a sound for two days too. It scared the hell out of him, to be honest. He hadn't seen Lambo cry like that. He was used to the teasing, complaining, whining, and shouting. But the silent cry is not what he expected for the loud cow.

The baseball freak, Takeshi, has his head on the rest of the couch. He was snoring lightly. He was the one who rested the most. He figured that the man is doing much rest since others will do take their deserve sleeps once Tsuna recovers.

Mukuro kept his sleep too and now traveling into the lady's head with Tenth. Much to Hayato's distaste. He knew Mukuro is just trying to help, despite the criminal record he once had. But knowing how persistent Tsuna is and his strong will to help, there is no guarantee that he can stop him even if he had the other guardians' help.

Hayato stood up and shuffled out of the room quiet as possible he can. Not that he can't do it naturally. He was a mafioso in his younger years and sneaking around became one of his top skill. Habits do die hard when you're so good at doing it.

He walked in the silent hallway. It's past midnight, almost one am in the morning, a few minutes before the night enter the hour of the ox. The only people in the hallways are nurses doing their rounds, doctors visiting their patients and some patients or family members who can't sleep and are sitting on the bench outside.

He went straight to the ICU ward without consulting the nurse station. When he was nearing the room of the lady where Tsuna and Mukuro were, he stopped as he gazed at Shamal who was looking inside from the big window of the room. He continued anyway and stood five feet away from the assassin doctor.

He almost snorted. Assassin doctor. Ironic. Contradicting. But it exists in one man. Even sun flame users are sometimes like that. An assassin and a doctor. Like the world's greatest hitman. A sun flame user. But Shamal is just a doctor with exemplary knowledge in both human and flame fields.

Hayato flicked his eyes around the area. Taking every details in his mind. It is his first time to see the room since Takeshi was carrying Tsuna out of the ICU before they can even enter. The room is dim. The lady is laying on the bed, Tsuna is on the couch and Mukuro is in the center, sitting on a carpeted floor. He can feel and see the flames flowing from the three of them. Two mists, one sky. Twisting and turning, trying to coax the weaker mist flame to grow stronger and join them, make connection.

"Shit." Hayato glanced at Shamal when the latter cussed. "Stupid brat."

Hayato stared intently on Tsuna. He can see the sky's pinched expression as if he's panicking and about to cry. As if sensing the distress, Mukuro's and the lady's flame reached out and comforted the brunet. In a slow process, Tsuna started to relax and calm down. What happened?

"What happened to Tenth?" Hayato asked softly.

"What do you mean, Hayato?" Shamal clarified.

"You know him the best between the two of us. So what happened?"

Shamal didn't responded for a sec, so Hayato looked at him. He saw the man took a shaky breath before his eyes glanced at him. "When we parted ways, I wondered off until I stayed to this one town. There, I met Iemitsu Sawada, the CEDEF boss. He was there for two months and running, staying with his son, Tsuna, after his wife died. That's where I met him, that stupid brat.

"Tsuna wasn't really the sociable type. In years of staying with him, I saw how others looked at him, how his schoolmates treat him. He was bullied for years because of being clumsy and incompetent. Calling him names and such, but the most usual nickname is Useless Tsuna, in their case was Dame-Tsuna. After three months of staying there, Iemitsu went back to Italy. And in one week span, I treated Tsuna's wounds and bruises for several times. I couldn't count how many times he went out of the house alright and come in beaten up black and blue."

"He was bullied." Hayato whispered.

"Truly, this is not my story to tell." Shamal's eyes softened with fondness while staring at Tsuna who is sporting a small smile. "But I want you to know that Tsuna was an abandoned sky."

Hayato's eyes widened.

"And I am thankful, very thankful that you were able to harmonize with him. Because I knew how his flames are destroying him from within because of the lack of harmony."

Hayato's hands balled. "How could they..."

"Say Hayato, is it fun being with Tsuna?"

"Yes."

"Does his company, presence, give you ease, feel protected and feel at home?"

"Yes."

"Do you love the feeling of being basked in his flames?"

"Yes."

"Then you have your answer."

"Wha-" The dots connected. "They got sick of it."

"Yes. And they figured Tsuna is useless. They didn't know that it was that stupid brat who supported them all the way to their success. The one who took all their anger just to avoid conflict between their group. And when they left him, they didn't even spare him a glance. Just went away and never came back."

"Then why are you still here?" Hayato asked.

"Because Tsuna is family." Shamal answered without missing a beat. "And I tell you this, Tsuna maybe someone who let go others willingly, but he's a very possessive man. Once you stayed and stayed when he pushes you away, he'll acknowledge you as his and only his."

Hayato looked at Tsuna, who sat up and rubbed his eyes, before smirking. "I don't mind. Because I am a possessive man also. My sky is mine and only mine alone." He smiled when Tsuna waved at him with a beam. "And I swear on my dying will that who ever try to call him names and do bad things to him, I'll blow them up to pieces and kill them."

"Tsuna won't like that."

"Then leave them barely breathing. That'll do."

"Hayato!" Tsuna cheered as he went out of the room with Mukuro as his support. "Eh? You look pale. Did you sleep?"

"No, Tenth. I couldn't sleep." Hayato answered as he went to them.

"Then we should sleep. Mukuro is tired. I think Chrome is stable also."

"Hmm... I'll check." Shamal said before leaving them.

Tsuna took off the head wear he was wearing. "So did the two of you talk?"

"Yeah." Hayato answered.

"That's good." Tsuna answered with a smile. "Shamal told me what the two of you agreed on."

Hayato shrugged. "It's been years. I'd like to remember Mom now. It's refreshing to remember her. And besides, Shamal must've missed me after being away for years."

"Any plans on getting together or having a good ol' conversation with him?" Mukuro questioned.

Hayato shook his head.

"Let's plan a party for Chrome's recovery." Tsuna cheered. "But before we do that, let's go sleep."

Hayato gave out an 'oomph' when Tsuna slung an arm on his and Mukuro's shoulders. He smiled when Tsuna gave a happy laugh. But he didn't ignore Mukuro's almost knitted brows while staring at their sky. He'll ask him about what he knows.

Lambo stared at the scene in front of him. He can't help the growing smile that wants to appear in his lips. Good thing he's resisting the bubbling laughter that wants to go out of his mouth. If ever he giggles and Hayato wakes up, he'll never get the end of it.

On the hospital bed, Hayato is curled on Tsuna while the latter had his arms on the silveret. It was rather an unusual sight to see. The scowling Hayato snuggling so comfortably on the cheery Tsuna. Well, it's not that weird since Hayato has this soft spot on Tsuna from the beginning. But to see him so... Contented and relax, it makes Lambo smile.

Honestly on Lambo's side, he was worried that Hayato isn't getting any enough sleeping. He was always up with Kyouya and him, watching over Tsuna. Even Takeshi voiced this out. And when they asked the silveret, the latter only frowned at them.

"Puppy-chan looks comfortable." Mukuro pointed out, earning a laugh from Takeshi.

"I wish we have a bigger bed." Lambo sighed.

"No worries. Once Nagi is well enough, we'll be back to the apartment."

"We're taking her in?" He queried, surprised.

"Yes." Mukuro nodded.

"Why so?" Takeshi asked from his spot.

"Ask Tsunayoshi." Mukuro answered with a smirk.

"Any history?" The noiret asked again.

"Her parents were not the best, in Tsunayoshi's words." Mukuro shrugged. "She was caught in a car accident. The car bumped on her and destroyed important organs and her right eye. She needed organs and her parents didn't want to give theirs. Nagi heard this. Desperate to live, she activated her dying will flame, mist if I may say, and created her own organs. After knowing she recovered, she escaped the hospital, went to their house to gather her things then left them."

"That's not your story to tell." Kyouya stated.

"It isn't. But you lots have rights to know." Mukuro responded with a dismissive gesture. "Besides, if you don't like her, or angry on her, Tsunayoshi promised that he'll leave you with her and me in tow." The three looked at him. Mukuro raised his hands. "Legit. I'm not lying. I maybe freaking irritating all the time and I use illusions to piss you off, especially birdie-chan, but it doesn't mean I can't tell the truth."

"It literally means that we have to see it for ourselves that Nagi-"

"It's Chrome Dokuro now. She changed her name."

Takeshi nodded. "Chrome didn't mean to harm Tsuna and if we conclude that she's worthy, we'll provide home."

"Hn. Who are we to shed home from those who come?" Kyouya opined out loud.

Lambo smiled. "Right! Like how Bakadera is hugging Tsuna-nii."

All three of them eyed Kyouya. They can already see the nerve that almost popped out of the skylark's forehead as he stood up and walked towards the bed. Kyouya gripped the blanket and ripped it off them. Tsuna sat up, disoriented and panicked while Hayato just snuggled to Tsuna's side, wanting to get more heat. When the brunet looked at Kyouya, he took the latter's wrist, caught him by surprise in a way of yanking him to the bed and settled back on the bed with Hayato on his right, and the skylark on his left.

Mukuro cachinnated to the point he almost fell off the chair he was on. Takeshi hugged Lambo, who was already clutching his stomach in so much laughter, while snickering himself. Kyouya grew more irritated but Tsuna only made a 'shh' sound and hugged him tighter. Multiple tick marks grew on the skylark's head before he brought out one tonfa from its hidings.

"W-Wait! Don't hit him!" Takeshi tried to negotiate. "He's not well, Kyouya. Today is really his deserved rest. He has been awake for two nights and had been worrying so much and crying."

"I cannot move." Kyouya deadpanned.

"Stay there for awhile. It won't do you any harm, Kyou-nii." Lambo reasoned out.

Kyouya huffed. "The piney is getting his entertainment on this."

"Of course I am." Mukuro responded positively. "I'm gonna engrave this to my mind and project it for once in awhile as a good laughing sitcom."

"I'm gonna bite you to death once I get out of here."

"I'd like to see you try, birdie-chan."

And all hell broke loose after that last comment.

"Chrome!" Tsuna squealed in excitement as he ran towards the lady sitting on the bed.

"Tsuna-san. Good morning." Chrome greeted with a small bow before catching the brunet who pounced on her.

"Good to see you alive and kicking!" Tsuna exclaimed before parting from her. "They're pretty excited to meet you."

Chrome gave him a nervous look. "Are they?"

Tsuna nodded. "They are. And they promised to be unbiased and know you better before they judge you."

"O-Okay."

"Get your arm off me, baseball freak!"

"Eh? Is it that heavy? Lambo isn't complaining though."

"Of course he isn't! It's not heavy but it's irritating!"

"Oh. Hahaha! Then it remains!"

"What the fuck! Remove it you stupid!"

"Herbivores."

"Kufufufufu... Still sour, Birdie-chan?"

"That nickname will never be removed, won't it Piney?"

"Never."

"Then never."

"I can't believe it. Muku-nii and Kyou-nii had a decent conversation- Ow! Kyou-nii! I was joking!"

Chrome smiled as the ruckus outside continued. She knew most of them with the help of Mukuro and Tsuna. If Mukuro kept on describing them with bad qualities except the brunet, then Tsuna told her all their good qualities. So in a sense, she knows them already.

The door of the room opened. A tall noiret came in. The man has these sparkling with happiness brown eyes, a grin on his lips and a calm aura. He's carrying a long narrow bag with a strap that he wore across his chest, and Chrome knew it's his bokken. So she mused that this man must be Takeshi Yamamoto.

"Calm down, Hayato." Takeshi tried to pacify in a good-manner.

"When I say remove your arm, remove it you asshole!" Hayato raged.

Chrome gave a small wince with Tsuna when they heard a loud 'thud' from the door. Hayato hit Takeshi's upside with so much force that it sent the latter to the ground. The room went silent for seconds. Even Kyouya's on-going noogie on Lambo using the end of his tonfa halted as they watched how the scene goes. Will it escalate or placate?

Coincidentally, the noiret chose to placate. He raised his head and looked at Tsuna and Chrome before smiling so excitedly. He stood up and bantered with Hayato again, who gave him a hard shove causing him to fall once again.

Chrome's eyes shifted to Hayato Gokudera. The man has shoulder length silver hair, expressive and very mesmerizing green eyes and down-turned lips that's always formed into a frown or a scowl. Tsuna once said that the man is very handsome when he smiles. She surely can't wait to see that. And he can also play piano and do paperworks (Tsuna is more or less neutral with the job, but he did say it's so tedious sometimes).

"Hayato isn't really like that." Tsuna said with a fond smile. "But it's quite nice seeing him so hyped up from Takeshi's antics. I think he's irritated of Takeshi's calmness, friendliness and being carefree. But I know he's just looking out for him, for us that's why he fusses on us."

"Hmm..." She only hummed as she continued to observe.

Lambo Bovino came in next, trying to get away from Kyouya who was smirking evilly. The teen has this curly black hair that adorned two bull horns, forest green eyes and is wearing a cow patterned shirt. According to Mukuro, the teen has more or less the same predicament as him. He was treated badly by his family and become an adopted brother of Tsuna. And with the brunet's help, the small noiret is slowly getting better and is stepping out of his shell. An example of that is the cow pattern clothe he's wearing, that he vehemently pursued Hayato to buy because he really wants it. (In Tsuna's opinion, whether Lambo tells Hayato or not, the silveret will buy it automatically. That's how they love each other like brothers.)

The Bovino child leapt to the bed and hid on them. Tsuna chuckled while she sported a small smile. It was amusing.

Kyouya Hibari went in after. She knows him since Kokuyou town, her previous town, was just near Namimori. And the skylark is very much notorious, since he is the said protector of the town and the one who establishes the peace and order. Disheveled black hair, glaring cold grey eyes and expressionless face, his signature tonfas that vanishes in the thin air when not needed and the way he stood, even stalk, like a predator looking for prey. Yup. He is the demon of Namimori, even without the draped coat on his shoulders that flails in the wind and the arm band that was always pinned on either his left arm or the left sleeve of the coat.

Then there's Mukuro who gave his creepy laugh as he stepped in the room.

"Good morning." She greeted softly to them.

Tsuna smiled at her bravery.

"Good morning!" Takeshi replied with so much enthusiasm.

"I don't know if it's okay, but do you want some grapes?" Lambo asked with nervous gazes pointed at her. "Bakadera doesn't want me to carry them in my hair so we brought them in with paperbags."

"I don't have a stomach though." Chrome said, staring down at her thin blanket.

The air tenses, but a wave of sky flame eased it up as soon as it stilled, not wanting it to settle longer than necessary. For Tsuna, tension causes a lot of problem between two parties. "It's okay, Chrome. Your flame is doing a good job so it means you can eat everything you want. Even Mukuro-"

"That hurts, Tsunayoshi-kun."

A skylark smirked. "Don't. Pineys are pretty pissy."

Mukuro glared at the noiret and let his mist do its work. Kyouya is now sporting two black bunny ears, with sakura flowers bound together to make a necklace around his neck. No one dared to laugh despite them (Hayato made a sound but Takeshi was able to stop it) almost bursting.

"Pineapple." Kyouya spat like a poison, eyes shadowed by his hair.

"Anyways, where are the grapes?" Tsuna asked to Takeshi and Hayato.

"Here. We also got some food and drinks." Takeshi informed as he went to them.

"Hey! Can you two keep the fuck down?! You're going to tear the room down!" Hayato yelled as the two started to fight.

"Hayato is becoming more and more expressive." Takeshi laughed as he served the grapes.

"The credit goes to you." Tsuna answered as he took a grape from its stem and propped it on his mouth. "Eh? It's sweet. Try it, Chrome."

Chrome hesitantly took a grape. She stared at it before sneaking a glance on Tsuna. The brunet nodded. A wave of assurance surged through her system. She let the grape touch her lips before eating it. She started to chew it before swallowing. She waited, but nothing happened.

Hayato, who was watching the interaction, went nearer to them and put all the things they cooked on the table Lambo placed on the bed, just in front of Chrome. The silveret started to unpack and Takeshi helped him, earning them another round of one-sided argument. Lambo joined in since he likes to rile up Hayato.

Tsuna took every side dish and placed it in front of Chrome. He also took some rice for before taking some himself. He said a small 'Itadakimasu' before starting to eat. Chrome followed his example, starting to eat and watched the others do their little play. In a while, others started to join them.

They started to talk about some common things. Chrome was able to get pulled in. She was being attracted to their talks, unable to stop herself from saying her own opinion and own experiences. She was able to smile, laugh and joke a little too.

And it was too late for her to realize that she can never go back once she joins them.

"I only left you for half a day and you're already doing stupid things. And this isn't alcohol! Give me some booze!" Shamal demanded.

Hayato took something from his pocket and gave it to Shamal. An alcohol container. Shamal stared at it, shook it up before opening it and sniffed some. The doctor looked at the silveret in horror. Hayato, who was drinking some grape juice, noticed the look and gave the assassin doctor an irritated look.

"What?! I don't drink that often!" Hayato defended. "And that shitty skylark won't let me get a drop even if I ask permission. So shut up."

"So..."

"I brought that cause I know you'll want one." The silveret answered as he watched Takeshi and his tenth laugh at what Mukuro is saying. "I know how that brain of yours work."

"Hmm..." Shamal hummed as he took a sip. "Heh. You got good at picking alcohols."

"Experience is everything." Hayato responded like the comment was nothing.

They went silent.

"I wonder what will Lavina say if she sees these rascals hanging out with you." Shamal said out loud. "They're so rowdy."

Just then, a grenade went off outside the window.

"She'll probable laugh it off." Hayato answered, remembering his Mom. "She's so used to my dynamites, our arguing and Mafia business that she thinks they're part of her normal life."

Shamal laughed. "I second that motion."

"Sorry about those six years not talking to you or even checking up on you, Shamal." Hayato mumbled, the rim of the glass posed by his lips.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? I'm the adult between the two of us."

Hayato rolled his eyes. "You and your pride."

"Look who's talking, brat." Shamal retorted.

A tick mark appeared in the silveret's temple. "The fuck with that insult?! I'm already past twenty!"

"You're still a brat to me." Shamal responded with a grin.

Tsuna looked at Hayato and Shamal. The two are in an argument. The brunet could only chuckle before looking at Takeshi who was telling them a funny story.