A/N:

@Valen Goncalvez: Thank you. I will try my best to update. :D

Thank you for the reviews! So, third update, right? Yie.

Anyway, onwards! Don't mind me here.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hayato wrapped his arms around his sky, letting his flame comfort the other's crying flame. Takeshi looked at him with worry while Kyouya sat by the window, eyes closed, but body is tensed. Both are coaxing their flames to comfort their sky. And maybe, the others need to be here also.

The silveret shuffled closer when the other snuggled tighter. He really is taking care of a child in a man's body. He doesn't know what happened to Tsuna (he needs to threaten Shamal next time they talk), but he knew it was bad enough for the brunet to be this broken after taking Ryohei's anger head on. All according to Mukuro's and Chrome's reports.

"Hayato?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I cut myself?"

"No." Three voices rejected instantly.

"Oh. Okay."

"Why not spar with Kyouya? His hits are painful enough for you to feel pain. And it's a good outlet to divert your attention." Takeshi suggests.

Hayato looked at the noiret who has a small smile on his lips. Well, he can be useful when he wants to. And idiotically smart when needed. But still an idiot.

"Maybe after I heal Lambo again?" Tsuna considers.

"Little Animal." Tsuna looked at Kyouya. "Sasagawa offered to help the cow herbivore."

"Really?"

Hayato almost facepalmed at his sky's forgiveness. But instead of doing the action, he resorted to drying Tsuna's tears with his hands with the help of Takeshi. Tsuna beamed at them with so much happiness. The brunet's flame purred as he snuggled on the their protective flames.

Hayato admits. Tsuna is really a baby by heart. Innocent and pure.

"Yes. Will you accept?"

Tsuna blinked. "If it's okay with you lots, sure."

"I'm okay with it." Takeshi answered.

"Hn." Kyouya responded.

"Sure. Don't want that brat dying on us." Hayato shrugged.

"Chrome, Mukuro?" He asked as the two mists materialized by the curtains.

"Sure, Boss." Chrome replied positively.

"Kufufufu. But you need to help him in searching for his sister, Tsunayoshi." Mukuro chirped.

Hayato hissed. Takeshi's smile faltered. Chrome looked away while Kyouya was indifferent.

"Guys, please understand Ryohei." Tsuna tried to mollify. "His sister was kidnapped six years ago and they haven't seen each other for years. You know how painful it is to be apart with family and feel useless because of lack of lead. And it's mafia we're talking about. It's either they cover their track or kill you when you find them."

Everyone sighed.

"Why can't you just be angry, Tsunayoshi? You're receiving the end of his anger." Mukuro scolded.

"If everyone is being prideful, how will we understand each other?" Tsuna questioned with a smile. "Ryohei is a good man. I can see that. He's just helpless because he had been looking and it hasn't been fruitful. You understand that, Mukuro."

"I do."

"And it's not just him that made me feel overwhelming feelings. Those people we captured were quite emotional about their boss' orders and things, Lambo's and Hayato's condition, not that I blame you two, the ambush, jetlag and just being plain worried all the time."

"Why can't we just use Sir Nie Brow's flame?" Hayato asked.

"I don't want to risk Nono's safety. And even if he offers, I'll decline." Tsuna responded as he took his phone. "Can I ask you some favors, Hayato? If you're okay and if it's okay with you?"

"No problem, Tenth!" Hayato saluted.

Tsuna smiled. "I want you to arrange some stuffs for me."

"Eh? What for?" Takeshi inquired.

"We're going to meet Hana personally."

If the cheers of Takeshi, shouts of defiance of Hayato and laughter of Mukuro and Chrome weren't entertaining, Tsuna knew Kyouya would've beaten them to death. He let the others do their things (like Mukuro's taunting and Kyouya's glare causing Hayato to kick them out of the room through the window to the garden when they started to fight) as he slipped out. He has his hand on his phone, dialing a phone number he memorized and pressed the apparatus by his ear, eyes watching the blue sky.

Frankly, he was really considering cutting himself. But he knew the consequences (Hayato's sermon, Kyouya's tonfa, Takeshi's weak smile, Mukuro's downcasted eyes, and Lambo's scared look, he doesn't know how Chrome will react though), so he rather not risk it and took their advice instead. It went well after talking to Mukuro. But when Chrome contacted them through mind-link about Lambo's condition, all the feelings came back. So it's either cut or talk again.

He obviously chose the latter.

Takeshi's suggestion about their roles were quite nice. They do have the role engraved on them. Like Mukuro slapping the truth on him because he really said that Tsuna is human and being called bad things is normal, and Hayato pulling him to the bed with him so he can cry himself out and hear the pianist say soothing words to his ears, with Takeshi who placed a hand on his hair and combing it. He doesn't know how he gained such friends, but it feels nice to him. He feels protected and he wants to protect them too at the best of his abilities.

"Hana Kurukawa speaking." Hana answered before a yawn was heard. "This better be good, Tsunayoshi or I'll kill you for calling me in this late."

"I found them." Tsuna said. "I found them, Hana. The siblings."

He heard a gasp before some shuffling. "How?"

"She was by the cafe I went the day before I said we're going here to Italy. We met. I check on you so I could be sure. Then when we touched down, we came to meet him."

"How the heck they became countries apart?" He heard Hana whispered.

"I don't know too." Tsuna responded. "But I think it has something to do with kidnapping."

"Fucking figures."

"I want to help you and them see each other."

"Tsunayoshi, finding them is enough already."

"I won't be at peace if I don't see you three or the siblings together in one place."

"You can be very persistent when you want."

"I know." Tsuna smiled weakly. "I'll be contacting Vongola Inc to persuade your firm to give you at least a month vacation. If I heard it right, you successfully won your case this morning."

"Oh I did." Hana bragged.

Tsuna chuckled. "Tell me what happened later. So after getting the confirmation, I'd like you to go back to Tokyo and go to the place I'm going to tell you."

"She's there?"

"Yes. With long hair and a scar on her left brow."

"Noted."

"Pack though. You're doing your vacation here in Italy."

"Once I get there, you're going to receive my wrath."

Tsuna laughed. "I'll pray."

They talked a little more before Hana ended the call. Tsuna leaned on the wall before looking at Ryohei who was standing a few meters from him. He offered a smile that the man returned with hesitant one.

"I heard you liked boxing, Sasagawa-san." Tsuna tried to strike a convo.

The white-haired man's eyes lit in enthusiasm. "I do!"

"I know a little. And I'd like to learn more. Will you do the favor?"

"Sure to the extreme!"

Both stopped. Tsuna watched as the man blinked in surprise, as if he said something so unusual, so foreign. He can't help smiling though. The shout and phrase brought back a happy memory.

He won't deny he knew the Sasagawa siblings. It's one of the reasons why he knew Hana too. They only interacted once that started up everything, and had been greeting each other whenever they see one another. They weren't friends. Just acquaintances. But it was one of those times Tsuna treasured in the past, sans his Mother and other small happiness he felt back then.

"I apologize for my loudness." Ryohei said with sheepish look.

"No. It's okay. I'm good with it. They're rather loud too." On cue, some shouts, laugh and metal clashing were heard from inside the clinic. "See what I mean?" Tsuna said with a happy smile.

"They sure are having fun to the extreme."

Tsuna sighed. The catchphrase remains. "That's what makes them who they are. Though I suggest you rest too, Sasagawa-san. You're tired. Won't want to tire you out."

Ryohei gave a tired smile. Tsuna knew it wasn't only physical fatigue. "Yeah. You too, Tsunayoshi."

"You can just call me Tsuna."

"Then call me onii-san."

Tsuna beamed with nostalgia. "Yes, Onii-san."

Tsuna felt his sinking heart being pulled from the deep ocean when the boxer smiled back like a sunny sun before turning his heels. The brunet patted his chest saying there's still hope.

"Have you ever healed someone before?" The brunet asked him as they sat beside Lambo's bed.

Ryohei tried to recall until a hazy memory came back to him. "I think I did."

"Why did you heal?"

Ryohei looked at Tsuna who was smiling oh-so patiently at him. They're in the clinic. It's near midnight and he found the Decimo of the family strolling in the hallway in a quiet manner. Both of them decided to visit Lambo. And now, here they are.

Regardless, Ryohei tried to recall.

"It was because he helped me save my sister." The white haired man answered. "You know, I did that because I wanted to heal him. He was the one who told me that I protected my sister when everyone in our town thinks that I'm too busy doing silly things for my boxing club. He told me he admired my way of thinking and passion to keep Kyoko out of danger."

"Well, you're still doing your job." Tsuna stated simply. "You've been searching for her to know if she's safe and alive. You want to protect her in the right way this time and spend more time with her."

"B-But what if she doesn't want to see me because I failed to keep her safe and haven't found her till now?"

"Well, who are we to predict that, Onii-san?" Ryohei looked at Tsuna. The latter is still smiling. "We don't know what happened in six years. Maybe she was angry, but she got over it and is missing you as of now. Maybe she's lonely, worried and crying because she wants to see you too. Or maybe she's doing what you've been doing all along, searching and searching with big hopes that she'll see you again. We'll never know what's in her mind since we're not her. We can't assume things too or predict them because it's not appropriate. All we could do is hope for the better and be ready for the worst. Expect the unexpected, right?"

Ryohei nodded.

"You know," Tsuna looked at him. "we aren't perfect. I also have troubles, insecurities and demons. I'm also not perfect. I have weaknesses. Even the others. Mukuro isn't good with his nightmares and he has insecurities. Hayato is still troubled with the death of his Mom. Kyouya is still recovering from being deceived. Takeshi is still trying to fight off his loneliness. Lambo isn't really resilient. He needs a push to become one. And Chrome is just starting to relax in the new environment we introduce to her.

"We aren't perfect. We're just humans who are still learning as we make correct and wrong decisions. So feeling useless, helpless, stupid and overwhelmed is normal."

Ryohei contemplated. "If you had those, then what makes you keep going?"

"I have my famiglia, my family and now friends. When I think about them, I fight with my dying will." Tsuna eyeballed Lambo. "I don't care if I exhaust my flame healing Lambo. To see him smiling, laughing, breathing, alive. It's the only thing I could wish for. What about you, Onii-san? What is your pride?"

Ryohei thought of his family. His died parents, his sister and the kid who helped him. He can remember them smiling so brightly on his way. He can remember those times he shared with them, missing the feeling of happiness, enthusiasm and pride.

Is he really useless? Idiot? Ignorant?

The right question is will he ever experience those feelings again?

The question in his head made him teared up. He felt so wrecked. So vulnerable. He's been searching for so long. Six agonizing years. He's so tired, so worn out that he wants to give up.

He felt an arm slung around his shoulders with a hand patting his shoulder. Along with that comforting gesture, an innocent sky flame is curling around his sun flame, wanting to comfort and be there for him. At first, Ryohei tensed because of the foreign feeling. But the sense of comfort made him want to cry more, and he did.

"It's not bad to cry. Others may think that it's not manly, But to be able to express our expression is one of those rights we have. We're human, Onii-san. We are entitled to cry when we can't hold it anymore."

"It's just that I want to help. Be of use."

"We can start now."

Ryohei looked at him.

"Place your hands above his chest." Tsuna instructed. Ryohei did what he was told to do so above Lambo's chest. "Close your eyes."

"Why-"

"Trust me, Onii-san." The brunet whispered. "Believe in me. Like how you believed in yourself that you'll find her."

Ryohei looked at him with hesitance, but he still closed his eyes.

"Now, think of those people you want to protect. Those people who give you happiness. And those people who makes you happy."

Ryohei thought of them. And thinking two of them are gone and two are still missing, he channelled his want to look for them to his hands.

Tsuna smiled as Ryohei's hands started to shine with bright yellow sun flame. The flame went to Lambo. Tsuna grasped the noiret's hand, while his other arm is on the boxer. He gave out his sky flame to harmonize the sun flame. There might be a good possibility that Ryohei will make a disease instead of healing the wound because of negativity. And to Tsuna, so far so good.

"Onii-san." Tsuna called. "Open your eyes."

Ryohei did and his eyes widened in fraction as he stared at his own hands that are glowing. He shouted the word 'extreme' and grinned like he won a good prize. Soon, he retracted his hands from the noiret and tackled Tsuna who hugged him back.

"You're really an extreme man!" Ryohei praised.

Tsuna blushed. "T-Thank you."

"Tsuna-nii? Why are you hugging a grass?"

Tsuna pushed himself from Ryohei and smiled to Lambo in relief. "Because he deserves the hug! He helped you! And thanks God you're awake. Do you wanna drink? Or eat?"

"Drink maybe."

"I'll get it to the extreme!" Ryohei cheered as he reached out to the tables.

"How many hours was I sleeping?" Lambo questioned to Tsuna.

"Almost whole day. I healed you first to keep the poison at bay then he did the rest of healing."

The teen looked at the fussing man. "He's like us, isn't he?"

"Pretty much. But he has a family member waiting for him." Tsuna bubbled.

"But that doesn't mean we can't befriend him, right?"

"Hmm? You want to be friends with him?"

"Yeah." Lambo replied with mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I don't like that shine in your eyes."

"Hmm?"

"Here is your extreme water!"

Tsuna stood up and assisted Lambo on drinking the water. Ryohei watched them talk and sometimes say things in a loud manner. Tsuna only smiled whenever Lambo will reprimand the white-haired to tone down. It only means the boxer is starting be himself.

In the end, Tsuna went bunking on Lambo's bed while Ryohei slept on the couch. The first person to see them was Hayato who slept like a log that night after doing Tsuna's favor. Instead of saying something, he sat on the chair by the noiret's bed and read some books lying there. Kyouya and Takeshi stumbled in there with that setting.

Everyone was already awake when Mukuro and Chrome came in. After noticing that some were still wary of Ryohei, Tsuna started to make a conversation everyone can relate with. Lambo joined in as well as Ryohei. Things went wild when Mukuro taunted Kyouya and Chrome tried to settle them down, but Hayato and Takeshi riled them up. The situation went out of hand when Ryohei shouted and people started to fight. Tsuna only sighed as the teen beside him cheered them on.

After the havoc they did in the clinic, they were scolded by Visconti who got the words. But Tsuna could see a glint of mirth in the man's eyes. To all they know, they became the reason why the Vongola territory is so alive.

"Tsuna? Is something wrong?" Tsuna looked up to Takeshi. "You've been staring at your food for thirty second flat."

He noticed the five are gazing at him in concern.

"O-Oh. It's nothing. Just thinking of some things." Tsuna tried to assure.

"Things like what?" Tsuna tensed at Mukuro's innocent question.

"Uhmm... The paperworks I'll be doing and when will Chikusa and Ken visit you here. I've never seen them for two months now." Tsuna answered.

Kyouya narrowed his eyes, Tsuna didn't notice this though.

"Don't worry, Tenth. I'll call them for you." Hayato said with a smile.

Tsuna beamed back. "No need, Hayato. They'll come here when they want to."

"Who is Ken and Chikusa?" Takeshi inquired, earning a nod of agreement from Chrome.

"They're Muku-nii's friends." Lambo replied as he put more food on Tsuna's plate without the brunet realizing. "We saved them from a laboratory that wanted Muku-nii. Tsuna-nii got them a house just near the Vongola HQ."

"Oh. That's nice!" Takeshi praised.

Tsuna blushed.

"Oya? Tsunayoshi isn't good at praises." Mukuro pointed out.

"Hayato and I are the same you know. We can't take praises." Tsuna mumbled bashfully.

"But you're really extreme, Otuotu! You know what a true man is! And you're really strong to the extreme! You should've joined my boxing club years ago!" Tsuna sweat dropped at Ryohei's invitation.

"I don't think that'll be okay." Tsuna responded.

"Not like Tenth is interested in your club." Hayato snorted.

Tsuna was going to conciliate the growing ruckus when a man in suit went in the dining room and whispered something to him. All of them stood up when he did, except for Chrome, Mukuro and Kyouya. They all followed Tsuna out of the room while Kyouya used the window and the mists dispersed. They ran through the hallway then to the porch. They all stopped running when Tsuna halted in front of two ladies.

One lady has neck-length black hair with curly ends. Her eyes were dark brown and seem like used to glaring a lot. The frown itched on her lips feels like its always there. She looks sophisticated with her blouse and black slacks paired with a bag and heeled black shoes.

The other lady has copper coloured hair that stops by her mid-back, and light brown eyes. She's oozing with innocence and warmth. The way her smile settled on her lips lit up the place like a sun, warm and reassuring. She's wearing a lace yellow shirt with jeans and a small hand bag accompanied with dollshoes.

"Hana!" Tsuna shouted.

"Hana?" All of them repeated.

Hana looked at them and gave a bow. "Good Morning. I am Hana Kurukawa." Then she straightened up. "And this is Kyoko Sasagawa."

"Hello." The copper haired lady greeted.

Tsuna smiled before looking back to his friends. "Onii-san?"

Ryohei didn't need to be told twice. He ran up to the both girls and hugged them. Tsuna looked away while others watched. The brunet was going to walk away when a hand grasped his wrist and pulled him. He suddenly found himself being hugged too.

"Thank you, Otuotu. Thank you so much." Ryohei whispered.

Tsuna nodded. "Always, Onii-san."

(And a click was felt.)