A/N:
Thanks for the reviews. Although the favorites and the follows are small, and only some are giving reviews, it still keeps me going. I mean, I'm not here to impress, but still, you give me reviews. So thank you.
Just a little filler before the main event. I think? Hahaha. Ah. Fifth update, and probably the last one this week.
(P.S. I realized that this is going to end soon. Fifteen or more chapters to go.)
Anyway, go on.
Chapter Twenty-Five
"Fiamma exhaustion?" Chrome repeated, a little confused.
"It's an extreme state when a dying will flame user used too much flame. His body collapses to the extreme and do extreme certain things to recover from it. Some just sleep in for a number of extreme days, and some attach themselves to other flame users." Ryohei explained.
Chrome pointed at Tsuna who was hugging Lambo in the bed. "Just like him?"
"Yes. He does both." Ryohei confirmed with an amused smile on his lips. "They look extremely cute, don't they?"
"Adorable!" Takeshi corrected as he slips in. "I'll lend flame to Tsuna next."
"Alright." Chrome said before stalking towards the now awake Lambo. "Let's eat?"
"But Nii-san..."
Chrome gave a small smile. "He'll be okay. The rain and the sun will be with him."
"You can always come back again, Lambo. Tsuna is for everyone!" Ryohei smiled.
Lambo's eyes twinkled in delight. "Alright. I want grape cake."
"Okay." Chrome responded as she helped the teen stand up.
Takeshi sat beside Tsuna after Lambo got out. The brunet snuggled on the rain's side. Takeshi only grinned before reaching out for the remote and turned on the TV, flipped through the channels, then settled on a live baseball tournament. Ryohei watched with him.
They're inside Tsuna's room in the mansion. For a future Vongola boss, the room he has is pretty small compared to his friends' rooms. One maid told them that the brunet likes it this way. Small like home with simple furnitures, in contrast to those elegant and expensive things around the house.
Ryohei took a glance on his charge. The brown head is very much in a deep slumber, wearing a contented expression as he snuggled to his rain. He remembers how Tsuna went flying towards the sky and fired multiple blast of sky flame when a mafia famiglia tried to attack the Vongola yesterday. The Ninth and his guardians were so persistent on telling Tsuna to just stay in the mansion, but the Decimo is pretty much selfless, especially that he has friends over and a lot of people staying inside the territory's perimeter. Good thing he was there before Tsuna collapsed after his attacks.
After confirming that he and Tsuna harmonized, the others went on telling him a lot of things. Like what Tsuna really likes, what he dislikes, what he usually do, where he came from and his mental torture. Everytime he looks at Tsuna, his eyes will search his adoptive brother's body to see any signs of cut until they stop on the brunet's bandaged arms. He knew the other guardians didn't mean ill when they disclosed the information to him. They want to help their sky.
He apologized for not saying anything and told them what he knew. That he knew the brunet since high school. They've been hanging out until the summer. When Tsuna went for Tokyo to attend college, Kyoko was also kidnapped. He knew Tsuna will help him find his sister if ever he got a word of what happened, but that idea slipped off his mind. Besides, he doesn't want to trouble him. He wants to help, not be a troublesome.
Most days, Tsuna will be seen laughing with them and at their antics. Ryohei got used to arguing with Hayato and Hana, picking fights between Hibari and Mukuro, eating food with Lambo, watching and doing sports with Takeshi, and tending things with Chrome and Kyoko, sometimes including Hana when the lady is not moody, like flowers, cooking and such.
Although they're really noisy, rowdy and uncontrollable all the time, they can see how happy Tsuna is. The way his lips doesn't contain anything than the beautiful smile, the way he laughed so heartily and spreads happy vibes by the use of his sky flames. There's this one time that a lot of Vongola mafiosi thanked them for making Tsuna so happy in his stay in Italy. When asked why, they either answer with a shrug or a sad smile, resulting them to be chased by Kyouya who promised to bite them to death.
"Oi. Get out. I'm next." Hayato's opening remark when he opened the door and saw Takeshi so relaxed besides Tsuna.
"You can always seat on the other side." Takeshi pouted.
A tick appeared on the pianist's temple. "The hell, freak. Stop pouting, you look childish."
To taunt more, Takeshi stayed pouting.
Hayato reached for the pillow on the couch. "Gonna stop or you wanna face this pillow?"
"I can just dodge that and you'll hit Tsuna. Then you'll go all fussy and blame it on me." Takeshi pointed out but then hit the headboard when the silveret threw the pillow anyways. "Ouch. Hayato. So mean."
"It's your fault, fucker. Not mine." Hayato retorted back.
"Just sit on the other side already." Takeshi pouted. Hayato took another pillow so Takeshi put a smile instead.
Hayato laid beside Tsuna by the other side. Tsuna laid on his back, still asleep. The air full of rain and sun got mixed up with storm. Slowly, the sky flame started to rise from its slumber.
The guardians beside Tsuna change from time to time. Even Mukuro went to seat with the brunet and leisurely read some book. Kyouya slept in the same room when the loud ones went out to eat. But every night, they'll stay in the room, quietly causing chaos until they decided to sleep on their respective places.
After five days of sleep, eyelids opened around midnight of the sixth day. Disoriented brown eyes looked around the vicinity of the bed he's laying on. He recognized a white hair, a noiret and a violet head. He can feel the flames in the room, surrounding him and keeping him in place. He hummed, knowing why they're here.
Fiamma exhaustion. He wonders why his Dad let his friends do the replenishing. It's usually him or other people Tsuna trusts.
"Awake, Little Animal?" Tsuna looked at Kyouya who was seating on the window seat.
"Y-Yeah." He answered hoarsely. He needs water.
"Water is needed, but those herbivores are on you."
Tsuna laughed softly. "It's okay. I'll just drink later."
"Hn."
Tsuna put his hands high up above his head and stretched like a cat. After that, he put his hands down and leaned back on his chair. He avoided the calendar as he stared at the clock. It's near three in the noon, and the others haven't returned yet. They did promise they won't be late for dinner.
They're back in Japan with the Sasagawa siblings and the fearsome lawyer. Hana went back to work and kept in touch with them. Since they're best friends, Kyoko went with her with an oath that she'll be safe and okay. Ryohei let her go. He knows she's strong, proven since the lady survived for six years.
Tsuna let his eyes fall on the calendar. He started to count the days until he reached the fourteenth of October. He visibly scowled. Two weeks to go and his birthday will be on, three weeks after will be the inheritance ceremony. He honestly doesn't like the fact that his grandpa will pick his guardians. If he was any gullible and stupid, he'll nominate his friends. They already complete the set of guardians he needs. But he doesn't want to put them in danger. He doesn't want them to be tied with him and his upcoming responsibilities.
Just thinking that he has to leave them after his birthday shatters his heart. He doesn't have the courage but the will to protect them is so strong that he can't think twice anymore. He can already see himself being so miserable. Oh he can't wait to experience that.
Sighing, he stood up from his seat and started to roll his sleeves up. He went to the kitchen and scanned the area to get an idea what to cook. He settled with a simple Japanese food to get a change of taste.
He was waiting for the miso soup to finish when the home phone rang. He took the kitchen phone and pressed it to his ear.
"Tsunayoshi Sawada speaking." He greeted.
"Oi Vongola Decimo!" A familiar grumpy voice shouted.
Tsuna's face lit up. "Ken! Hi! How are you? You've been good, yeah? Where's Chikusa? I'm sorry I couldn't see you when Mukuro, Hayato, Takeshi, Ryohei and Chrome visited. I was really busy with all the paper works and the multiple attacks on the mansion."
"Still cheerful, I see." A monotoned Chikusa commented, earning a chuckle from the brunet. "Hmm? You're alone, I presume."
"And you're fine too." Tsuna chirped as he stirred the miso soup. "Why did you call though?"
"Ken got angry cause you didn't see us." Chikusa answered.
"I did not!" Ken denied vehemently. Tsuna can imagine the wild blond head shaking his head with a snarl itched on his lips.
"You've been ranting about it for three days since they left the country, Ken."
"Why didn't you go to the mansion though?" The other line went silent. This made Tsuna worried. "Don't tell me you didn't bacause you're scared that they'll shoo you away?"
"Yes." Chikusa replied.
"Kind of." Ken grumbled.
"Ken. Chikusa. They won't do that."
"And why not?" Ken defied.
"Because they know you're my friends. They're so used up to my weirdness that everyone who comes in the mansion is accepted. Even if they're enemies. As long as they don't hurt anyone, they'll be okay. Even the maids can defend themselves."
"We're... Friends?" Ken asked with uncertainty.
"Yes. And always. I'll do anything to protect you two and be with whatever you want."
"You don't have to, Vongola." Chikusa persists.
"But I want to." Tsuna leaned his head on the fridge's door. "I know how painful it is to have no one. And besides, it's nice to give care. It's what makes the world go round when everyone is being a jerk and stupid." He smiled when he heard Chikusa chuckle while Ken scoffed.
"Your logic is always messed up, Vongola." Chikusa simpered lightly.
"I thank you, Sir." The brunet responded positively.
"Oi Vongola! Promise us you're going to visit us when you come back again!" Ken demanded.
"Yes, Ken. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die." Tsuna agrees as he stared at the calendar. "In two weeks, you'll see me, Ken."
Ken huffed before Tsuna heard shuffling from the other side and Chikusa's voice rang in his ear. "Is there something wrong, Vongola?"
"Hmm? Nothing, Chikusa. Just staring at the soup I'm making."
"I know this is a foolish offer, but I want you to know that you can always talk to us. A little compensation to what you've done for us up until now."
Tsuna sucked some breath. "What will you do if you're torn to do the right thing and the good thing?"
The other side didn't say a thing for a sec. "Do the most utilitarian thing."
"Even if it's selfish?"
"Aren't all of us selfish, Vongola?"
"Yeah. We all are selfish at some point." He whispered, closing his eyes to hide the despair that stayed in there.
"They'll understand. They might get angry, but they'll understand. You are an upcoming boss, Vongola. No one will blame you if you think you're doing the right thing. It's your decision. You've thought of all other options and what you're thinking now is the choice you think the safest. It's either they suggest you something better or you stick to it."
Tsuna inhaled some air as he felt his body, especially his shoulder, ironically became light from the load yet heavy with a new burden at the same time. Can he really hold himself from the anger of all seven people he will leave behind?
He exhaled. Of course he can't. They're too precious for him. They're like his brothers and a sister that he never had. Friends who stayed that he didn't gain for a long period of time. Those who came back to him even though he tried to run away, push them away, and to the point he pulled them to danger.
"Thanks, Chikusa. You're a lifesaver." He sincerely expressed.
"No problem, Vongola." Chikusa responded.
"Tenth! We're home!"
"Ah. There they are. Arrivederci, Vongola."
"See you soon." He replied back before the line cuts.
"Eh? Tsuna? Who were you talking to?" Takeshi asked as they swarm in the room he's in.
"Ken and Chikusa." Tsuna answered as he put the phone back to its holder. "I made dinner! Haven't served it yet though."
"I'll help!" Lambo volunteered.
Chrome just walked in.
"They extremely called?" Ryohei inquired. "Why?"
"Just to say hi." The brunet hummed as he served the fish.
"They missed nii-san cause he didn't visit them." Lambo chimed in as he put two bowls of soup in the table.
"Eh? How did you know?" Tsuna asked as Hayato helped him with the fish, Ryohei helped Chrome with the rice and Mukuro took some glasses from the rack.
"Cause Bakadera kept on complaining why they were asking for you." Lambo replied.
"I did not!" Hayato growled.
Takeshi laughed as he distributed the chopsticks and Kyouya poured water in the glasses. "You did, Hayato. You and Ken even had an argument."
"I was just kidding." Hayato whimpered.
Tsuna put a hand on the silveret's shoulder, a beaming smile on his lips. "It's okay. Lambo was just teasing you."
Lambo's laughter rang in the apartment amidst the noise they're making.
"That Aho-shi." Hayato fumed.
"Maa maa." Takeshi mollified as he made Hayato sit down next to Tsuna. "No need to get angry."
"Hayato is becoming more and more of himself." Tsuna commented as he put his hands together and murmured 'Ittadakimasu'. "Shamal-san told me he's very hotheaded." He put some rice inside his mouth. "And fierce like a storm. And it's nice to have some kind of attitude like that in the house."
"Please don't believe that pervert." Hayato begged.
"Ah! Shamal!" Ryohei exclaimed. "He's still with you to the extreme?!"
Tsuna nodded. "He is. He never left me but stayed a distance though."
"I should extremely visit him!" Ryohei cheered.
"I think you really should visit him. He'll need another doctor companion who he can share knowledge with."
"Shall we tonight?" Chrome asked. "I think you bought him some presents."
"Oh yeah. Almost forgot about that." Tsuna answered before bobbing his head in agreement. "Yeah. Why not tonight?"
"No objections." Almost all of them answered except for Kyouya who kept on eating.
"Your cooking reminds me of Maman, Tsuna." Ryohei praised.
Tsuna smiled. "Thank you."
The others only looked at each other. They really need to milk every single details about Tsuna from this world.
"How did you know Shamal, Sempai?" Takeshi asked when Tsuna went with Shamal for a walk.
"He lived at the Sawada residence for three years. Months prior from the school trip, he kept on tending Otuotu's wounds and scratches from his bullies. When we met, it's either I use my flames to close up fatal wounds with his guidance or just help him bandage up Tsuna." Ryohei sighed as he remembers those times. "If I remember right, there were people who were hovering around Sawada whenever we meet by the gate or when I see him around the town."
The others looked away.
"I didn't really meet them since I only go to his house whenever I find Tsuna all beaten up. There's this one time too that he was bloody and those kids weren't with him nor come to his house when the whole town buzzed with the news that he almost died."
Mukuro tutted. "I have this feeling that they did that to him."
Hayato punched the wall next to him. "Fuck."
Raging flames erupted in the hallway but a calm rain flame slowly dissipated the anger. "Calm down, everyone."
"Ra-Takeshi is right." Chrome seconded, correcting herself. "They're in the past. We're the present. If they broke him, we'll fix him."
"Kusakabe will tell me their names." Kyouya said as he opened his eyes and glared at them. "I'll remember their faces and never ever let them get closer to my sky."
Takeshi laughed. His eyes were glimmering with sadism. "Ah! I like that."
Lambo, who was really silent through out the interaction, leaned towards Hayato. "Who would've thought that Take-nii has a sadistic side?"
Hayato huffed. "I'll be more surprised if he ever cuts someone who really pissed him off."
"Hmm..." Lambo hummed.
All of them looked at the door when it slid open. A puffing Tsuna came into view. Worry and alert were visible on his features. The others felt guilt, already knowing why Tsuna rushed to them.
"What happened?" Tsuna questioned.
"Gomen, Tsuna. We heard some bad news. No need to worry." Takeshi apologized sheepishly.
"Really? No bad thing? No something?" Tsuna clarified.
Lambo shook his head. "Nope."
"Come sit, Tenth." Hayato ushered. Tsuna sat between Lambo and Mukuro. "Do you want orange? That crappy doctor has some fruits here."
Tsuna watched Ryohei close the door before he looked at Hayato. "I'm okay. Just out of breath. I really thought something bad happened when I felt your flames erupted."
"Gomen, Tsuna." Takeshi apologized again while rubbing his nape with a hand while smiling sheepishly.
"It's okay."
"Neh, Nii-san. Can you tell us about your Mom?" Lambo asked cautiously and sudden with excitement.
Tsuna looked at Lambo's enthusiastic expression then to the others' expectant faces. "E-Eh?"
"We've been hearing a lot about your mom from lawnhead." Lambo supplemented, a hand motioning to Ryohei. "We're just wondering who she really is."
"Hmm... Well," Tsuna looked at his hands and slowly closed them as he arranged his thoughts. "Mom's name is Nana Sawada. She was thirty-eight when she died in the hospital with Leukemia. She really likes kids. Unfortunately she only had me, but she usually takes babysitting as a side job so it's okay. She's really good at cooking and household chores. Also she's pretty sunny, the one who made me inherit sun flames.
"She's pretty kind and compassionate. She'll provide home to anyone homeless if only we don't consider the dangerous stuffs about those people she's willing to adopt. I did mention that she likes to cook because she likes sharing food to our neighbor and anyone she knows. If you want to imagine her, just imagine me in a more feminine way with a shoulder length hair and older."
A woman looks like Tsuna with a shoulder length brown hair appeared in the center of the room. The woman wore a beautiful smile with a white dress, hands clasped in front of her. She looks so much like Tsuna and a little older.
"Like her?" Chrome asked softly, watching their sky's reaction.
Tsuna nodded, staring at the woman with so much longing yet happiness. "Yes. You got Mom just as I remember her."
"I cannot imagine Iemitsu being married with her. She's so beautiful, Tenth." Hayato commented. All of them made sounds of approval.
Tsuna laughed. "I totally agree. I don't even know what I inherited from Dad other than my sky flames."
Chrome retrieved her illusion. "When is your birthday, boss?"
"Hmm?" Tsuna hummed as he closed his eyes and leaned on Lambo. "October fourteen."
"That's two weeks from now." Ryohei pointed out.
"Yeah."
"We should celebrate it!" Takeshi suggested with excitement.
Tsuna listened to them talk about their plans for his birthday. Unknown to them, he's also planning how to leave them.