Chapter Thirty

Tsuna laid his head on his table and sighed in relief. He just finished signing multiple stocks of papers. He has been doing it since morning and it's six in the evening. Any minutes now and it'll be dinner time.

Usually, his subordinates will pick him to eat meals with them. Mostly, it's Frances or Klaus who get him. Frances is a butler slash a normal mafioso who loves peace and quiet, but loves to kill those who tries to kill him. Klaus is a rain type, with smiley disposition. Most likely Takeshi but the latter is much more sunny than Klaus.

Tsuna looked at his window when he heard it shake. He stared at it when a small stone hit it from below. He sat up, and moved his chair to the glass entrance and peeked down. He saw Klaus smiling and waving at him. He stood up and opened one side before leaning on the wall beside it.

"What's the big idea? Want me to make you do the paper works in case it broke?" Tsuna threatened lightly.

He saw Klaus sweat dropped. "I apologize, Decimo. We would like to invite you to a walk around the garden."

"We?" Tsuna repeated.

"Yes." And a few men went out of their hiding places. "A little gathering without much food before you become an official boss, Decimo."

Tsuna looked at his desk then to Klaus. "Just a sec."

He immediately put the papers in front of the table, covered them with the blanket sheet he kept in the office, a convenient thing when he wants to sleep a little, put a heavy thing on top of it then snatched his pills and gloves on the table. He opened the windows. Strong winds came in but it didn't disturb the stacks of papers. He went over the wall before jumping down. He landed in front of Klaus who gaped at him.

He hadn't done that stance for a while. No wonder all of the mafiosi surrounding him had their mouth hanged. He did jump three floor down.

"D-Decimo! That was dangerous!" A mafioso scolded. Tsuna could only laugh.

"Thank you."

They sighed.

"How careless can you get?" Klaus asked as he put an arm around the brunet's shoulders. "We're so gonna miss the clumsy, sunny Tsunayoshi."

"Hmm? It's just inheritance, guys. I'm not going anywhere without you people. You'll just see me around the house, walking with Basil or anyone with you. The only difference is I'm the one giving you missions and orders, instead of Nono." Tsuna said lightly.

"You always look at the brighter side." One mafioso commented.

"Because if we always problem them, we won't find a good solution for it." Tsuna tugged Klaus to the flowers, so they followed. "If we try looking at the brighter side, we will see a good solution for it."

"You're really weird."

"Doesn't that makes you weird too? Since I'm going to be your boss and everything?"

Tsuna laughed when some of them shouted in protest. They tried to give him noogie that he invaded and tried to run away, only to bump to someone. He immediately apologized with a bow before looking up. It was a Chinese man wearing a red garb, and a man with make up consisted mostly of violet colors only. Tsuna tipped his head to the right as he rocked his head because of the sense of familiarity. Especially the Chinese man because he looked like Kyouya, minus the long hair, the clothes and the gentle smile.

"Hello, Tsuna." The Chinese man greeted.

"Eh?" Tsuna said in shock.

The man chuckled. "You've forgotten me already?"

"Wait. I'm still remembering." Tsuna tried to reason out.

"It's Fon." Klaus whispered to him as they arrived.

"Eh?" Tsuna looked Klaus then to Fon who was laughing behind his sleeves. "Fon? It's you?"

"Yes."

"But you're so tall! How did you grew up in just six years?!" Tsuna asked in disbelief.

"And you stayed small." Fon commented back.

Tsuna pouted. "I grew ten inches in six years. So I'm not small anymore."

One mafioso poked Tsuna's cheeks. "Nah. You still have some baby fats."

Tsuna whipped his head to the man's direction and stared at him, horrified. Fon and the others laughed at his expression. The man with make up laughed too. The brunet then realized that he hadn't known the stranger's name so he smiled at him.

"Hi. It might be late, but I'm Tsunayoshi Sawada. Just call me Tsuna." The brunet introduced himself.

The man smiled back. 'What a sky.' "I'm the great immortal Skull. Former cloud arcobaleno."

"Oh." Tsuna uttered in pure amazement before he shook his head. "If you're the chosen arcobaleno, you're still an arcobaleno to me. Be it former or new. Besides, you're still strong even after removing the title. Just look at Fon, he is still known as the storm arcobaleno. So you're still the cloud arcobaleno."

Skull's smile grew wider. "I like you."

Tsuna laughed. "A lot of people say that to me. Even Klaus declared his love to me. You won't imagine how horrified Dad was when he misunderstood it."

Skull laughed as the man blushed. "Don't worry. Not in a romantic way."

"So," Tsuna drawled. "may we invite you for a walk around the garden with us?"

"Just a small gathering before Tsunayoshi become an official Vongola Boss." One mafioso added.

"With little food though." Another chirped in.

"That's what I'm been thinking. What do you got there anyway?" Tsuna asked.

One pulled out a loaf of bread from his back. "A bread with thirty equal pieces."

Tsuna laughed. "Okay. Now shall we go?"

"Yes!"

Fon and Skull tagged along with them. They also had their own slice of bread as they were distributed equally by the little decimo's instruction. Those who tried to have two slices were scolded by the others, and placated by Tsuna.

Skull, although new to the fact of how Tsuna treated his men, sometimes says his own input whenever asked, and sometime voluntarily about a certain topic. He knew Tsuna from Fon and Aria. He saw him once, when the brunet gave his flames for the jar that will keep their pacifiers. It was a secret meeting and being nosy, he listened without the permit of Aria and Fon. He did know that the brunet might've known that he was eavesdropping but the latter didn't tell the other. Most likely, it's their own little secret.

In all honesty on his part, he didn't expect that the kid he saw six years ago will be a don of the strongest mafia famiglia and that he treats his men, subordinates and other people with respect, honesty and acceptance. The way the individual smiled at him awhile ago even though they're complete strangers is so welcoming, open and very much accepting. No wonder Aria is very fond of the kid. She is also under the same protection of such powerful sky named Tsunayoshi Sawada.

"What do you think of him, Skull?" Fon asked when they were alone again as the group pulled Tsuna inside the castle to eat together.

"Does my opinion matter?" He asked back.

"Well, Tsuna deemed it important to the point that whenever you finish talking, it takes time for him to say something again after what you said." Fon replied lightly.

Skull went silent for a second before he answered. "He's nice."

"Hmm..."

"Well, I don't really know. But I can say that the others will like him. He had met Lal and Colonnello right? And Viper?"

The Chinese nodded.

"Then Reborn-sempai is the only one who has to criticize him. You know how perfectionist that guy is."

"Ah. Yes." Fon responded before looking at the castle with a sense of mischief. "But you see, Tsunayoshi is a young man who exceeds expectations and perhaps, in his imperfect way, he can change Reborn's prejudice."

"I'd like to see that!" Skull grinned wickedly.

Tsuna took his phone from his pocket and answered the call. He's running along the hallway, checking everything for the ball an hour from now. He hasn't even changed out of his wrinkled clothes since morning. The others have already tried to settle him, but he needs to check everything since he doesn't want his intuition to act up.

It's a tradition to hold a ball two days before the inheritance ceremony. The organizer and planner must be the upcoming boss and it must be well laid out. Of course the others need to help. But Tsuna doesn't like his guardians except Basil to help, so he needs to do most of the things and rely some on the willing volunteers (which are most of the famiglia members).

"Yes?" He answered.

"Get your ass in the shower, kid."

Tsuna's eyes widened as he skidded to a stop. " Sir Coyote!"

"Basil and the others are already bugging me. You only have thirty minutes to prepare, so get in the shower, get dressed properly then come back here to check everything for the last minute. Do it now before I do it myself."

"Yes!"

Coyote ended the call and stared at his phone. He can sense the tone of formality and fear on the child's voice. He can't erase those, but he wishes for the formality to lower a little. He pocketed his phone and looked around the ballroom that is slowly getting filled by people. The decor is superb. According to the maids, Tsuna helped them in picking the curtains, the designs and how to attach them. He also adjusted the lights and fixed some when he noticed loose screws. He heard a lot more, and he is severely impressed.

He knew what Tsuna did for six years. He was one of those guardians who are always informed. But he can't really stop himself from criticizing the brunet's decision. Some where pretty questionable, like when Tsuna decided to help the arcobalenos with their curse. But when intuition is mixed on the equation, especially that he knows how that kind of ability works from Nono himself, he can only agree. And it surprised him that the scrawny kid did not only saved them but also formed an alliance with the Giglio Nero and the Gesso.

Coyote sighed as he took a wine glass from a server who passed by. The server said thank you as he took. He didn't mind. He knew it was Tsuna's influence why they say thank you.

"You're too old to drink, Coyote." Nono said with a cheeky smile.

The storm huffed after a sip. "Don't tell me that. I'm stressing about your inheritor. He's too good for this world."

"And yet that attitude brought a lot of people together." The sky looked around. "There is nothing wrong with being compassionate. These people won't gather here genuinely if it wasn't for Tsunayoshi. I won't even be surprised if some powerful individual will attend this party just to meet him."

"You mean-"

"Yes. The world's greatest hitman is here as an answer to the invitation Tsunayoshi gave to the Arcobalenos."

"Well, we're pretty fucked up then."

"Shush with the cursing." Nono chided.

"Gorrion's Don is approaching." Ganauche who suddenly popped out of nowhere informed.

"Ah. Where is Tsunayoshi?" Nono asked.

"Probably still in the showers." Coyote sighed.

Ganauche scoffed. "Blame it on his guardians. I'd rather have Lambo as my successor."

"Ganauche."

"Yes yes."

And the Ninth greeted the approaching Don.

The party started when Tsuna arrived looking dashing with his black suit. He was smiling so warmly that every person in the room relaxed and had a pleasant chat with one another. Tsuna was mingling with the others, listening to them talk, getting dragged to another part of the room to listen to another group. It keeps going on and on that he can almost memorize everyone's lives. His only rest was when the party moved to eating the meal the Vongola chefs have served. But there was one problem...

His was poisoned. He doesn't know how some assassin was able to enter. Maybe someone posed as a guest. Nevertheless, he was able to detect with the smell and never ate one bite. He needs to apologize to the chef though.

When the eaten plates were about to be removed, Tsuna told one maid to dispose the food in his plate since it was poisoned. The maid stared at him in horror and asked if he's alright. Tsuna assured her that he's okay before going for the guest who wanted to talk to him.

A sky's work was pretty exhausting. He was exhausted from all the walking, yes. But listening to them talk about something funny or experiences, he can do it forever.

"Yo Tsuna Kora!"

Tsuna looked at his caller and his eyes widened when he saw a blond man in black suit. The only indication that he knew him was the camouflage bandana he was wearing. "Colonnello?"

The man laughed. "You can still remember me, Kora! That's good!"

Tsuna smiled before excusing himself and went to the man. "The bandana is a pretty good indication that you are the small baby who his eagle loves to carry."

"Hey! At least you enjoyed carrying this cute baby!"

Tsuna chuckled. "Yeah. So who are you with?"

"I'm with the others, Kora! I just came to pick you up!" Colonnello excitedly replied before hugging the brunet who laughed. "Man! I missed you, Kora!"

"I missed you and Lal too. I'm starting to doubt if I'm even invited to your wedding anymore."

"Of course you are!" Colonnello parted them and beamed. "You are our savour okay? Lal or I will throw a fit if you're not included!"

"Alright alright. I won't deny the savour part since you'll argue with me." Tsuna joked as they started to walk towards the Arcobalenos.

Colonnello put a hand on Tsuna's head and ruffled his hair more. "Just when did you become cheeky?"

"Uh six years is a long time to change some things here and there."

Tsuna yelped when the man carried him like a baby.

"Lal! Our baby isn't a baby anymore Kora!" Colonnello shouted as he speed walked towards Lal who scowled at him.

"Put down Tsunayoshi! He's the Decimo, you idiot!" Lal scolded.

Tsuna laughed as Colonnello sheepishly brought him down. "No. It's okay. The others got amused. There's nothing wrong playing in a party sometimes. Anyways, Hi Lal! Fon and Skull. Ah! Viper!"

"Mou. You're still easy going, Decimo." Viper commented.

"He can stay forever like that." Fon says as he smiled at Tsuna who beamed back. "There's nothing wrong being easy going."

"Hmm..."

The group went quiet on that single hum. Tsuna took a breathe as he looked at the silent man with a fedora on his head, looking so dangerous in his suit. He knew him by stories and saw his small version causing chaos in one of the Arcobaleno meetings he once stumbled upon. He has a reason how he got there. Blame it on one marshmallow loving man.

The world's greatest hitman and the most powerful sun-flame user, Renato 'Reborn' Sinclair. Of course he knew his true name. He doesn't need to search on it, the name came to him willingly. How? The baby introduced himself to him personally. No potion, illusion, blackmailing or even begging needed. But Tsuna doesn't know if the man remembers him anyway.

Dangerous in any field, good at disguising and a true marksman who loves guns. He has a chameleon named Leon, and once a tutor of Dino Cavallone. Aria told him a lot of thing about Reborn, and a lot of them are being a sadist, a perfectionist, and mostly guarded. He has a rivalry with Colonnello, never had a good relationship with Verde, a money bank of Viper since the Varia mist is an information broker, had same sadistic tendencies with Lal, His best buddy is Fon since Fon is calm, and his lackey is Skull. But one thing is for sure, he doesn't attach himself to anybody. He comes and goes, like a wind and never a sun like who he truly is.

"So this is the Decimo. You're shabby." Tsuna smiled at the hitman's insult. "You're not graceful or even guarded. Do you really deserve the Vongola Don title? The famiglia might fall if you led it in that state."

"Reborn." Fon tried to placate.

"No. It's okay."

"Everything is okay with you, Tsunayoshi." Lal chided.

Tsuna smiled. "But it really is. He's just worried for the Vongola. And I'd like to thank you for that."

"I did not express my concern to Vongola."

"Then why did you question my capability to lead my famiglia?"

Reborn stared at Tsuna who looked back. The others kept on looking back and forth on both. Then Colonnello bursted laughing, while Lal snickered. Fon covered his lips when a smile broke out, and covered Skull who hid behind him to laugh too. Viper's inverted V shape like mouth went upside down in amazement while Verde, who haven't moved an inch smiled in amusement.

Tsuna looked away when a dark amazement passed by Reborn's eyes. He caught the giggling Yuni and shouting his name Byakuran just as he was about to look at their direction. He laughed with them as they kept on saying his name and express their pleasure of seeing him. Enma helped him up with Dino when they saw Tsuna almost stumbling at the two's combined forces. When he let go of them, he saw himself going along to a kick and let himself flew a meter away from the group with the help of his sky flame.

"Tsu-chan!" Yuni shouted in horror.

"Tsuna!" Enma shouted.

"Reborn!" Lal yelled.

"I'm okay!" Tsuna assured as he helped the men who caught him. "Thank you. I thought I was a goner."

"You have a wound, Decimo." The man in newsboy hat pointed out.

"Let's fix it before it get infected." A noiret with beard said in concern.

"It's just a minor injury." Tsuna tried to insure.

"No. It can be infected, and you won't be able to get up once it does." The man in newsboy hat insisted.

Tsuna laughed. "Okay okay."

"Ah! Let me help!" A short haired brunet said as he walk towards them. "I'm a doctor and a sun flame user."

The three fussed around the Decimo. People didn't need to see the harmony on the four. They were so comfortable to each other that the protective aura of the three is oozing with so much bloodlust directed to those who tried to harm the Decimo.

Reborn smirked, half listening to his companions' scolding after what he had done. He underestimated the brunet. To use the sky flame to go along with his attack and fly meters away, he wants to clap at the cleverness.

"Just what chaos are you doing again?" Aria asked with a smile as she strode towards them.

"Aria." Reborn acknowledged. "Just testing the Decimo."

"Hmm... Is that how you treat the person who saved our lives?"

Reborn stared.

"Tsunayoshi is the reason why you're in your old body, that Yuni and I are alive and the others are enjoying their lives." Aria informed softly. "He came up with the idea of the jar. He was pretty much compassionate when he saw the seven of you in that state. He even asked Checker face what will happen if he was to take new holders."

"We could've been died already."

"Yes."

"You kept it a secret?"

"No. He just doesn't want to inform you about his existence. He is someone who works behind the scene."

Aria smiled as Reborn walked towards Tsunayoshi who was sitting in front of a table and eating a meal being surrounded by three men and a maid. She knew Reborn will always lower his pride when it comes to those who saves him. He is a man of virtue.

Tsuna looked at Reborn who kneeled on his side and took his hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes widened and he panicked as he told him to rise up.

"Please, Reborn. There's no need to do this. A simple apology will appease. And if Aria pressured you or any of the arcobalenos, don't mind them. I'm okay. It was just a simple scratch from the table's edge." Tsuna tried to guarantee.

"I am very grateful to what you have done for us." Reborn said in a soft voice. Tsuna froze. "It takes a lot for a mafioso to be this compassionate, Decimo. All dons are known to be ruthless, be it to their allies. And you helped us regardless of the fact that we are strangers to you."

Tsuna put a hand on the hitman's shoulder. "I did it because I thought it was the right thing. And it really is til now. You were cursed to become holders without any knowledge of what kind of responsibility you have to fulfill, and to die without living your lives to the fullest extent, or not even attaining your old body is cruel. Checker face regretted it but it has to be done."

"Don't believe him." Reborn stated.

"How could I not when he told me I'll be the next sky arcobaleno if this path continues on?" Reborn stared at him as he smiled weakly. "Checker face... Uncle Kawahira is someone who is only doing what his job description tells him to do. He's innocent in any level. So don't be mad at him. If you weren't the strongest sun flame user, he wouldn't have chosen you. And if I was any alive earlier, Aria and Yuni wouldn't be your sky arcobalenos, or even Luce, I'll be on their feet. It's just a matter of coincidence and fate."

"They're right." Reborn said as he stood up. "You are the most resilient person in this planet and the most compassionate."

Tsuna smiled as he looked away for the night sky. "If I really was, then I could've already forgiven those who tried to kill me."

"Hmm..." Reborn hummed as he looked around. "I heard that information somewhere."

"What do I expect from the greatest hitman?" Tsuna praised before taking something from his inner pocket. "I heard from Yuni that your birthday was on the thirteenth."

"What about it?"

"Here." Tsuna acquainted with a small box of gift and a card. "The card is from a manufacturer of guns. You can customize your own if you give them a design or even make it. They'll let you. It's where I got Xanxus'."

"Huh. And this one?"

"I felt like giving that."

Reborn opened it. It was a small yellow pacifier just like his during the time they were still cursed.

"I already gave some to the others. Yours became six years too late. Sorry. Yuni once told me that some of you touch your chest to check if you have your pacifiers on. She told me that Skull almost panicked that he lost it that one time he visited them. And I thought that it must be hard to have something gone after looking at it for the past centuries. So I got Ganauche to help me look for place that can create a replica of those pacifiers as I remember them correctly. At least just to settle your minds."

"I won't turn into a child if I wear this, will I?" Reborn joked.

Tsuna shook his head. "Nope. I won't allow that to happen."

"Decimo. Have you finished eating?" The nearby maid asked.

"Ah yes. Thank you." Tsuna responded. "I didn't really ask for Japanese food though."

"The chef insisted, Decimo. It was a compensation for their lack of food security."

"What happened?" Reborn asked.

"Food poisoning." The noiret answered with a glint of vengeance. "Hayato is working on it."

Reborn's brow shot up. "Hmm... Are you those who tried...?"

The noiret's expression soured. "We will never. Hell nor high water."

The hitman smirked. "Alright then. Tsunayoshi Sawada, come. The others are waiting. Defend me from their accusations."

Tsuna mocked a sigh of resignation. "Yes, Sir."