A/N:
Thank you for the reviews.
I'm sorry I couldn't follow up an update this weekend. It was a rest day. So this is the first update of this week.
(We're nearing the end.)
Anyway, go on.
Chapter Thirty-One
"Hic." Tsuna hiccuped as he sat on the grass, a bottle of wine in hand. "Hic."
He was drinking with the Varia and the other men in his family. The others are already out. Even Xanxus. They finished all the wine they need to drink up. They have to replace every drink since they stayed too much on the cellar. More like he just wants to drink with his famiglia before he becomes an official don.
He was planning to go to his room and pass out there, but he just has to see the sky. It's his only companion through out of everything. The only existing thing that understands and exhausts him at the same time.
"Hey!" Tsuna shouted to the sky. "I'm going to be a Don! And I'm gonna die doing everything on my own!" He took a deep breath as tears prickled his eyes. "I wish they're here! I wish they attended the ball! I wish I didn't leave them behind! I wish...!"
Tsuna sobbed as he hugged the bottle to his chest, tears streaming down his face. He cried and cried until his sobs are the only ones being heard in the garden. The sky, ground, trees and inanimate objects are his only witnesses.
"Hayato...! Takeshi...! Onii-san...! Lambo...! Mukuro...! Chrome...! Kyouya...!" Tsuna shouted. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"You can't just live without us, can you, Tsunayoshi?" A familiar sarcastic voice said.
"It's okay to cry, Bossu." A hand caressed his cheek and lift it up. Tsuna saw Chrome smiling. "There's nothing wrong with that."
Tsuna's tears continued to pour. "I miss you, guys. I'm so sorry."
"Nah. Bakadera is the worst drunk crybaby ever." Lambo said as he sat beside Tsuna and hugged him. "You have to give me a hundred of candies, Tsuna-nii."
"Shut up, Aho-shi." Hayato scowled as he kneeled beside Chrome. "Tenth. Shouldn't you be in bed? You're drunk."
The brunet shook his head. "No. I don't want to. I like it here. You're here. I like it here. I don't want them. They tried to kill me once. I don't want to be in same situation again. The only person I like there is Basil. But I like Takeshi more." Tsuna leaned on Hayato. "I like Hayato. I like Takeshi. I like Onii-san. I like Lambo. I like Mukuro. I like Chrome. I like Kyouya. You're my favorites."
"It's almost like Tsuna wants to eat us." Takeshi said with a laugh.
"He'll become a certified carnivore. Kufufufufu!" Mukuro concluded.
"Take him to his room." Kyouya said.
Tsuna shook his head. "No. I want to be here. Once I woke up, I won't see you again. At least here, even though just a hallucination, I can see you and talk with you. So please. Let me stay a little longer."
Takeshi jumped on Tsuna and they landed on Hayato who gave a yelp while Lambo growned. "Ok Tsuna. Just for tonight."
Tsuna nodded as he snuggled closer to the three's warmth. "Hmm..."
"Do you think Tsuna will extremely remember this tomorrow?" A new voice asked.
"Ah yes. And he'll deny it. He won't believe his own eyes you know." Mukuro answered with a sense of laugh.
"An adviser?" Tsuna repeated.
Schnitten nodded. "Yes. You need one."
The brunet looked around the dining table they're at. Tsuna is at the end of the table while Ninth is on the other end too. They were eating peacefully with the Arcobalenos, Byakuran, the Simouns, his supposed guardians, the Varias, his father and the ninth generation when Nono's rain mentioned the position. It was an unexpected notion on the table. He was planning to never talk on the table since he's suffering from a hang over.
To be honest, he's just remembering the warm feeling he can still feel from the dream he had yesterday. He dreamed being surrounded by his friends. Snuggling closer to the combined warmth of Hayato, Takeshi and Lambo, feeling Chrome's hand combing his hair to serenity, and feeling the presence of Ryohei, Kyouya and Mukuro. He can't believe it was a dream when they felt so real.
Tsuna tapped the tip of the corner tine of his fork to the flowered white plate. He can make a decision now if he wants. He looked at Aria and Yuni who were looking at Reborn. Even Byakuran is looking back and forth between him and the hitman. Well, if it comes to these three, he can always count on them to tell him what to do.
"Reborn." Tsuna addressed as he leaned back, wiping his mouth with the napkin. "What can you say?"
"Hm..." The hitman hummed as he thought. But Tsuna knew he already know what to say. "Your adviser must know how the system works in and out, inner and outer world and flexible enough to think of things for the sake of the family."
"Then it might be probable that my adviser is good enough to kill me if I do the wrong thing." Tsuna proposed as he sat more comfortably on his chair. Sounds of protests erupted in the room. "What can you say, Nono?"
"Will you do the wrong things then?" The Ninth asked back.
Tsuna shrugged. "There's no guarantee with that. People change as time passes by. One minute, I might be sane enough to accept those people who tried to kill me. Then the next seconds, you might see them already melting or frozen." He waved a hand of dismissal at the shock faces of his supposed guardians. "Just some probabilities. Nothing new."
"You're right." Reborn seconded with humor. "Your adviser should be good enough to kill you when you do that."
"Hmm... Then Dad can't be one."
"Tsuna-"
"You can't kill me because I'm your child. You'll feel guilty if ever you do and die eventually out of self-loathe." The brunet reasoned out. "Nono can't too since he has to have his own vacation with his guardians after so much work for the famiglia. Enma can't for he has his own family to attend. Byakuran is too focused on his marshmallow kingdom and worrying off Shoichi."
"So cruel, Tsu-chan." Byakuran pouted.
"It is true, Byakuran." Yuni giggled.
"Aria can't too because she has a family too with the Arcobalenos. They are still a family. Xanxus is one of my war leaders so no, or even some of the Varia because where their sky is, they follow. Dino has his own family too." Tsuna tapped his chin before smiling at the Arcobalenos. "On second thoughts... Fon is in the Triads, correct?"
"Yes." Fon softly replies.
"No need to be shy, Fon. Just tell me if they treat you harshly or some bird will tell me either ways." Tsuna offhandedly say.
Byakuran laughed. "Oh. Tsu-chan can be ruthless like the others!"
"Shh..." Aria and Yuni chided with giggles.
The other skies smiled at how protective Tsuna is to the Arcobalenos. Even Fon smiled fondly at the protection.
"Lal is in CEDEF, Dad's advisor. Colonnello is a COMSUBIN. Skull is doing his career. Viper is in the Varia. Verde is doing his projects, hope you finish it though."
"Yes. Gladly. After all the ideas you gave me." Verde answered with a gleam of his glasses.
Tsuna nodded before looking at Reborn who was silently listening. "So what do you say Reborn? Up for the job? It'll be nice to kill the Vongola Don with all the permission after tomorrow."
The people stared at him wide eyed.
"Not that I don't know you have some worthy hits out there. Just asking if you want to join a famiglia after years of going solo. You aren't part of the Giglio Nero if my information is correct."
"It is." The hitman chuckled. "It'll be an honor then."
Tsuna clapped before standing up. "Right-o. The Vongola Tenth adviser is Arcobaleno Reborn. Anymore suggestions?"
"New sets of guardians?" Byakuran tried with a maniac-like grin.
Tsuna shook his head. "Invalid suggestion. Anymore?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"I'll be in my office this morning if you need me. By afternoon, I'll be checking the ceremony venue. Excuse me."
Reborn stood up with Basil who finished eating just as Tsuna was dissecting every person's responsibility. The rain hurriedly went to the brunet's side and asked him what he can help while Reborn was trailing behind them, listening to the conversation.
The day went by slowly. The supposed guardians roamed around the castle except for Basil. Tsuna was walking in the hallways, away from the ceremony venue when he noticed his supposed guardians waiting for him. He didn't acknowledge their presence. He even ignored Osamo who was nearest.
"Do you have any problem with us, Sawada?" Echizen asked as he stood in Tsuna's way.
The brunet stopped walking and looked at him in the eyes. "Yes."
They got stunned.
"Any more questions? If none, I'm going." Tsuna politely dismissed.
"What is your problem with us?" Yeok questioned.
Tsuna looked at him. "You lots as my guardians. Did you really think I won't know what you've been plotting? Agreeing to be my pillars just because you can kill me?" He tapped his right temple. "I have intuition, remember?"
"Doesn't mean we can't change, Sawada." Theodore tried to soothe.
"Yeah." Tsuna nodded before looking at the lightning. "That change included how Satomi announced how he wants me dead just days ago."
They all looked at Haruko who huffed.
"You can convince all of the people in this world, but you can't fool me." Tsuna gave them a big smile. "After all, I knew you five a lot more than you think I do."
"Even Zian?" Osamo softly queried.
Tsuna looked away. "Even Zian."
"Then what can you say on our failed attempt?" Haruko mocked as he quickly approached. "Seeing you all bloody is worth it, Sawada. After you killed Zian-"
"Are you really saying the truth, Satomi?" The brunet taunted. "Or just saying something to make me look bad to those people who are listening right now?"
The storm froze. Tsuna stepped forward.
"Did you know that when I attempted suicide, I remembered something?" The Decimo slowly asked in a soft murmur that only the seven of them can hear. "I heard Zian whispered to me that I need to pretend that I'm struggling to breathe after hitting me so you'll leave me alone and he'll give me to Shamal after. Now that I think about it, is it really me who killed Zian if he was going to do that for my sake, Satomi?"
Haruko swallowed.
"If my hypothesis is right," Tsuna grinned sweetly. "then, the one who killed my rain is you. All of you. Because after you left me bloody, Zian was killed. That means he died after trying to kill me."
"You liar-"
Tsuna evaded the attack and swiftly moved to one side when Haruko tried to use his flames. Tsuna let his flame manifest on his hand as he caught the other's fist and petrified the storm flame, thus making it vanish. "Why would I lie?"
Haruko was thrown towards the others. Theodore caught him.
"Decimo."
Tsuna looked at the one who called him. "Ah! Albert! What can I do for you?"
"The hitman is searching for you." Albert answered.
"Ah sure. Thank you."
They watched as the brunet went on his way. Haruko shrugged Theodore off and fixed his suit while cursing. Before he can even utter a word about Tsuna, something crashed.
A man with a newsboy hat is fighting against an individual with regal clothes and a trident. They were using their respective flames. And from their position, they can feel the intensity. But before the two can escalate their battle, a girl in maid uniform appeared between the two and caught them in vines. A doctor with white hair went running towards them and started to scold the two.
"Who are they?" Echizen marveled.
"Who knows. Maybe some normal workers in this damn mansion." Haruko grumbled.
"Careful." All of them looked at a teenager in a tailcoat suit, looking elegant in it even with his afro hair. "The soul of eight previous bosses of Vongola and their guardians reside in this manor. Cursing it will only make them hunt you." They watched him walk past them. "And maybe, even the tenth generation guardians would if you say something bad about the Decimo."
Theodore rose a brow. "Who are you to say that?"
The teen faced them and gave a childish smirk. "Who am I? I'm one of them." And he vanished with a crack of lightning.
"What the fuck?!" Haruko exclaimed.
"Is this my work? Fetching you up?" Reborn asked as he strode in the room. "You're quite irresponsible."
Tsuna chuckled as he continued reading. "It's a tradition here to get me since I don't have guardians to call me. It's usually Frances or Klaus. But since you're scary enough, they handed you the job."
Reborn sat on the side of the table and crossed his arms. "Scary enough? What do you think of me? A monster?"
Tsuna looked at him with innocence. "I was thinking a creature of the dark, but if you insist, I will."
The brunet yelped when Reborn smacked his head.
"Stop being cheeky."
"I am not. I was just saying the truth." Tsuna argued before pouting.
"So guardians huh. You're not accepting them still?"
Tsuna's pouting face became serious. "I will never."
"Well, you'll have it rough. You'll always be imbalance until you harmonize with someone."
Tsuna sighed. "I know that. And I'm ready for it."
Silence stretch between them. Only shuffles of papers and noiseless scratches of pen were heard inside the Decimo's office. Reborn was looking at the setting sun before he looked at the brunet who is so focused on his work.
He heard their little confrontation. And he just want to whistle in amazement when he heard the taunting threat in his tone hidden behind the sweet grin he was wearing. True, the Vongola Decimo is an angel. But no one told him the angel can disguise himself as a demon whenever he wants.
If Tsuna had time before he told Albert to tell the Decimo that he was looking for him, the brunet would've told them that whether he killed the person or not, he will eventually stain his hands. True. Because no one in the mafia do not have their hands stained. They're always soaked in blood of those people they killed for their safety and for their famiglias.
It's either kill or be killed.
"Tsunayoshi-"
"Tsuna is just fine, Reborn. No need for formalities." Tsuna corrected with a smile as he signed his title on the paper he was reading.
"Tsuna." Reborn called again. "Why me?"
"Ah. Well, Yuni, Aria and Byakuran were looking at you when the adviser topic was brought up. I trust those three when it comes to decision making so, I chose you."
"Aria and Yuni can see the future." The hitman stated.
"Yes. And Byakuran can travel into the parallel planes. So if they saw you with me in the future and in the planes, then you're the right person to the place."
"That can't be a good base."
The brunet leaned back to his chair as he stared at the paper he was holding. "I really meant what I said in the table this morning. I want someone who can kill me when I start doing stupid things. Those people I mentioned before you were all those people who will hesitate to do it. You're the only one who I know won't bat an eyelash. And knowing how good you are in scaring people, I can rest in peace knowing that the family is in good hands. Also, I doubt it if other famiglias will attack us, especially if they knew that you're part of Vongola."
"Not a pretty reassurance."
The brunet shrugs. "One of the things I learned in life is trust strangers-" he looked at the hitman and smiled. "-to defend you when your family can't and won't."
Silence went between them.
"Alright." Reborn said as he stood up and snatched the paper and pen from the Decimo. "Come on. We need to eat. Tomorrow is the ceremony."
Tsuna wordlessly got up and walked towards the door. Reborn followed after putting the things he snatched on the table. He watched as the brunet walked, then he realized something. In a subtle way, the Vongola Decimo is walking gracefully and in full alert. The way his back is kept in an effortless straight posture, the tension that never left the shoulder yet looked so relax regardless, and the aura of a boss underneath the calm cheerful façade.
Reborn stopped walking when Tsuna halted and looked back to him. The brunet smiled brightly and warmth flooded in the hitman's system. He admits that he's been alone for years and really dreaded the fact that he will never have a family when he became a baby. But to feel home with one bright smile made his heart melt.
The rumours were true. The Vongola Decimo is the encompassing sky. The only compassionate being in this world that will always forgive those people who wronged him even though it will take time.
"Don't walk behind me, Reborn. Walk beside me." Tsuna beckoned.
"Why would I?"
"Because that's what my brothers do." Tsuna replied as he neared him and took his wrist. "Come on. Beside me."
"You're really persistent."
Tsuna chuckled as he dragged the hitman to walk. "Because you're not cooperating."
"Fine." Reborn walked beside him. "Happy?"
"Yes!"
"Giannini! Don't do a test run!"
"Oh shush- Eh!"
Reborn stared at the bazooka that is about to hit him. He blinked when someone pushed him out of the way and Tsuna was swallowed by the bazooka with an eruption of a pink smoke. He heard someone apologizing and another voice shouting 'Tsuna-nii'. But the hitman's attention is on the three years old kid who is wearing a blue shirt with a fish drawing print and a black pajama.
Tsuna looked around the area before gazing at him. The kid's eyes held fear but was able to smile brightly.
"Hi! I'm Tsu-kun!" Tsuna introduced in Japanese as he stood up woobly. "And you are?"
"Tsuna-nii!" A curly teen called as he slid into a kneel beside the brunet. "Oh God. Bakadera is so gonna kill me."
Tsuna blinked before beaming. "Eh. Curly! Mister! Mister! His hair is curly!"
Reborn went to a crouch and flicked his hat up. "Didn't your Mom tell you not to talk to strangers?"
Tsuna blinked again. "Mama told Tsu-kun not to talk to strangers. But Tsu-kun thinks some strangers need someone to talk to, so Tsu-kun talks to strangers. Besides, Tsu-kun likes strangers. Tsu-kun's classmates never liked Tsu-kun. They call Tsu-kun 'Dame-Tsuna' even though it's not Tsu-kun's name. But strangers like Tsu-kun."
Reborn chuckled at the logic. "Hmmm..."
"And why would they call you that?" The teen asked softly as he patted the three years old's fluffy hair.
"Because Tsu-kun isn't good at anything." Tsuna pouted cutely. "It's not that Tsu-kun is bad and clumsy. It's just that Sion-sensei doesn't make Tsu-kun understand them. But Kaa-san is nice. Kaa-san teaches Tsu-kun what he can't understand so Tsu-kun gets one and zero out of one and zero!"
"Ten out of ten." Reborn corrected.
Tsuna nodded with a grin. "One and zero!"
"Can you take care of him, Reborn? I need to tell this to them. I'm so going to be dead." The teen asked.
"Eh? You're going?" Tsuna asked.
The teen nodded. "I need to because I'm going to introduce you to some people. I doubt it if you're going back anytime soon since Giannini tinkered it."
"Oh. Okay!" Tsuna responded positively before hugging the teen. "Kaa-san always tell Tsu-kun to be careful, so be careful."
The teen laughed before hugging back. "I will."
Reborn and Tsuna watched as the teen ran away from them. Reborn looked at the brunet and tipped his head to one side when he saw sadness in his expression.
Why would he make such a sad face?
"What's wrong, Tsu-kun?" Reborn asked.
"Hmm? Nothing." Tsuna smiled.
"You can tell me." He urged.
Tsuna's sad face came back. "Tsu-kun miss Giotto-nii and others. They play with Tsu-kun when other kids don't want to. And Tsu-kun thinks that Lampo-nii is the curly nii-chan awhile ago, minus the curly hair."
Reborn stored the information to his mind. "So what about me?"
"Eh? You're Mister." Tsuna smiled as he climbed in the hitman's lap. "Tsu-kun likes Mister. You're strong and look smart. Tsu-kun wishes he becomes like you."
Reborn secured a hold in him before standing up. "You will. Now, shall we eat?"
"Yes!"