Hi guys, happy new years!
Sorry for not posting sooner, work was extremely demanding this January but I hope everyone had an amazing holiday. So there's quite a lot going on this chapter and the next might be twice as long. Just a slight warning for minimal angst.
Also, new cover art! Loads of kudos and credits to mintDesco. It's beautiful and I love it to death. For a link to share your appreciation, I'll leave it down in the end notes.
Disclaimer: I don't own KHR
Tsuna didn't mind public displays of affection, especially like hugging Mia.
But her hugging him tightly with that darn dress on in plain sight of her father felt like he was asking to be killed. The mere weight of Nicolas' stare, made him feel like he should throw himself into the River for even thinking. The man didn't miss a breath as he continued to answer questions from an ever growing crowd of tourists. Still, his eyes always found him.
Mia turned in his arms and caught her father's eye as Nicolas briefly glanced back their way. They shared a silent conversation and Tsuna wondered what it was about. Nicolas' eyes snapped back up to his and his hold around Mia tightened unconsciously.
He didn't need to read Nicolas' mind to know he should mind himself.
The man gestured sharply and Mia took that as a sign.
"Come on," she whispered and tugged him away by the hand with Reborn still on his head. He released the breath he was holding. They didn't go far, just around the corner of a coffee shop where Skull was hiding nearby. He was nervously looking up and down the street from behind a crate.
Immediately, he knew something was up. He held out his arm, holding Mia back.
"If you don't show yourself I'm going to shoot," Reborn threatened.
With a squeak, Skull stepped out from his hiding place. "Y-Yo Reborn, Vongola Tenth and M-Mia. Its been a while huh?"
The last time Tsuna saw him was about a year ago at Mafia Land. It felt like years to be honest but like his tutor, Skull didn't change a bit. Still, his eyes narrowed. He hadn't forgotten their last encounter. Feeling slightly possessive, he stepped to the side, mostly hiding Mia from the Arcobaleno's sight.
"Cut the chit-chat, what do you want?" Reborn asked him.
Skull cleared his throat. "W-What? Can't a guy have a friendly run-in with his senior?"
"Not unless you're running from something." Skull flinched as the hitman hit home.
Tsuna frowned. "What are you running from Skull?" He asked, kneeling in front of the Arcobaleno. "Did something happen with the Carcassa Family?"
Skull fell quiet and looked up at him. His small frame trembled as he held an arrogant pose, crossing his arms. "Did something happen he asks? Ha! The great Skull is here just for sight seeing."
"Sure, do what you will but don't drag us into it." Reborn tugged on Tsuna's head and the young don reluctantly got up.
Skull cracked. "W-W-Wait! Alright I give!" He started to fret, waving his arms around. "The Carcassa are after my head and - and its all your fault!" He pointed at Tsuna.
"Now wait just a minute!" Mia defended him, poking out from his side. "If anything, that was on you and since you got beat by a couple of kids not even out of middle school, oh great Skull, one of the Arcobaleno, then you got no one to blame but yourself for that!"
Tsuna winced. Its been a while since Mia snapped at anyone like that but then again, he hadn't been bullied for some time now.
"Mia." Tsuna chided her when Skull went quiet. Sure, he wasn't fond of him either but...
"Why are you here Skull?" He asked again, more gently this time. "Mafia Land happened a year ago - what changed?"
Skull sniffed and he heard Mia groan quietly behind him.
"I didn't come here for protection. I overheard the boss offering men to... to help assassinate Vongola Tenth."
Tsuna blinked, honestly wasn't expecting that.
He felt Mia tug at his wrist and he looked to her. Her mouth was set in a hard line.
"We should go, now. He was the only one who knows Vongola Decimo outside the family alliance!" She hissed.
"W-Wait! I didn't come here to kill you too!"
Tsuna hesitated. "Skull... I'll hear what you have to say," he said slowly, his eyes never leaving Mia's. "But make it quick."
Mia didn't argue but looked like she wanted to. Thankfully, after a second, she chose to support his decision. Her fingers curled around his in a firm grip.
"I'll admit, Mafia Land sucked big time for me but like she said - I knew who you were. Boss wanted me to lead it but I said no and..." He glanced up briefly, to the top of his head.
Ah, Tsuna realized. Reborn. That was a good reason as any.
"Like she said too - you're just a bunch of kids. Its not my style killing kids."
He didn't have that problem back in Mafia Land but if Tsuna was being honest, Skull really wasn't that bad. He didn't think he was lying either.
"And now? Where are they now?" Reborn asked, finally jumping off his head to stand in front of Skull.
"My men had them running around Milan. Its good you guys left when you did but they're getting desperate. The sooner you all reach Sicily, the better. The Carcassa are one thing but there are other Families that are in on this."
"Hmnn. You've done good work Skull, I'll let Iemtisu know."
Taken-back, Skull looked almost downright terrified at the compliment. "Um - yeah. T-Thanks..."
Tsuna nudged his girlfriend.
"Okay, okay..." She went and knelt in front of Skull. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier Skull. You're actually better than that - risking your neck for us even after we caused you so much trouble... Thank you," she told the Arcobaleno earnestly.
"Oh... Um... You're w-welcome." Skull stuttered. Tsuna's brows rose to his hairline when actual red flared on Skull's helmet. As if he was blushing.
Mia smiled and Skull nearly popped his lid. No way -
"Okay!" He said loudly as he gently pulled Mia up by her shoulders, purely uncomfortable with what was going on in front of him. Her bare skin reminded him of what she was wearing again and he shrugged his jacket off and draped it on her shoulders.
"Wow Mia, you should have told me you were cold."
"But I - " Bewildered, she let him help her put the jacket on.
"We should be getting back now, thank you Skull. I'm grateful." He started leading her away by the shoulders.
"W-W-Wait!" Skull ran around and stopped them just as they were about to leave. "There's one more thing I need to tell you!"
"Out with it already," Reborn ordered.
"A group was dispatched after I left. I don't know where they are right now but they're heading here. Someone tipped them off that Vongola Decimo was here."
"Who?" The hitman demanded. Skull flinched.
"I don't know! That's all I know!"
Well that was beyond bad. Mia tugged at his hand. "Let's go," she urged him. He didn't need to be told twice. They sprinted back to their group, leaving the two Arcobalenos behind. As soon as they came back into the square, Tsuna felt the hairs on his neck rise and he stopped, turning in a circle, his eyes looking for something his Intuition had already picked up on. A group of children ran past him, disturbing a flock of pigeons and causing them to take flight and the world trickled to a slow.
It was only a moment, but he glimpsed a man lingering behind one of the arches. At first glance it may seem like a normal tourist taking shade from the afternoon sun but Tsuna felt his eyes drawn to the hand hidden in his jacket. He shifted and Tsuna immediately recognized the glint of metal poking out of a holster. The man wasn't looking at him but he was staring at the only person that held the most attention in the square. Time resumed and with a desperate push to his heels, he ran past Mia, who had been gathering his Guardians and was shoving people aside one after the other trying to make it to the front.
"Nicolas-san! Nicolas!" he yelled.
Nicolas looked to him. All it took was a second, a moment, for hell to break loose. A gunshot blasted, people screaming following not too far after. Nicolas completely disappeared from his sight as a tourist knocked him over in their panic to escape. The square was in uproar.
Tsuna landed hard on his arm, scraping it but he pushed himself back to his feet, keeping his arms over his head as a second and third gunshot followed. Where was he?
"Dear!"
"Papa!" Mia's frantic cry pierced the square.
He couldn't see her through the crowd but last he saw she was with their friends. They would have kept her safe. He stopped himself from nearly tripping on a child. A small boy almost as old as Fuuta had bruises lining up his arms, as if he had fallen during the initial panic and was barely surviving getting trampled to death while he cried. Tsuna didn't think twice picking him up in one swoop. Tsuna didn't know what he was saying to the kid. Italian? Japanese? English?The words tumbled out of his mouth as he tried to assure the sobbing kid that everything will be okay, keeping his head tucked under his chin.
At this point, the square had turned into an all out bullet storm as their side retaliated. Tsuna ducked into one of the arches where a small family of four huddled by. He couldn't keep looking for Nicolas while he was carrying a child.
"Excuse me!" He caught the attention of the father. He hoped to god his English wasn't too terrible. "Please, my family is... there! This child - hurt - parents I don't know!"
The man hesitated but his expression then hardened. "We'll look after him, go on son." Grateful, Tsuna handed him the child. He ruffled the kid's brunette locks, wishing him to take care before jumping back in the madness. The initial shooter had disappeared but shots were still being exchanged. People had ducked under tables from a nearby cafe and others were stranded in the middle by stray bullets. It was crazy. His intuition spiked and he jumped to the side, pulling an old woman with him from getting hit. She was screaming in Italian, her accent so thick he couldn't make out the words. She elbowed him right on the ribs and he grunted, letting her go. She ran straight into the nearby cafe.
He groaned. That's what he gets for playing the hero.
"Tsuna!" He heard Takeshi call out for him.
He looked around. His friends had gathered on the other side of the square. He ran, avoiding gunfire like a dodge ball game. Takeshi yanked him in when he was close and he stumbled.
"Tenth!" Hayato was suddenly there, patting him from the shoulders to the back, checking if he got shot. He waved his friend away.
"Nicolas-san - where is he? Is he okay? Mom? Mia?" he gasped, still in pain from where the old lady got him. She managed to hit the fleshy part between the bones and it hurt.
"Your father was able to save Nicolas from getting killed," Hayato informed him. "He was caught in the arm but he's okay. Nana-san is also safe and the Lady - "
A stronger shot rang out and they waited for a retaliation but it never came. Takeshi swallowed. "Guess she got them," he muttered but he didn't sound sorry for it.
Tsuna gaped, the pain forgotten. "That was Mia?"
Hayato cringed. "You didn't see it Tenth. She was furious when Nicolas got hurt. She ran off and we didn't know how or where she got a - I think its a sniper rifle - but turf-top and Chrome are with her!" he quickly assured him at the look of horror on his face. Mia had the ability to identify flames on sight, he didn't know the full extent of her ability but he could imagine it was easier for her to pick out the enemy from civilians. Still, the ease that she took on arms against the enemy...
"Sawada-dono!" Basil appeared from the top of a staircase, he gestured at them. "Here!" They followed him without question, all the way to the roof.
"Mia!" To his relief, she wasn't the one doing the shooting. Instead, she was looking into a propped scope, instructing a baby beside her wrapped in a crimson cape and blue hair. Another Arcobaleno? He held a sniper rifle as big as Colonello's.
At his call, she looked over her shoulder and he was taken aback at the sheer fury reflected in her eyes. It quickly flickered out at the sight of him but he was still so wrapped up in what he saw earlier, he wasn't prepared to the sudden hug she gave him. She clung to his shirt, her face buried in his shoulder.
"Mia?" he asked, alarmed. "Hey, its gonna be okay. I heard what happened with your dad - it'll be alright."
She shook her head.
"Matteis!" The Arcobaleno snapped at her, never peeling their gaze away from their scope. "You said there was one more. Get back here and locate them."
"To the left, third story. Grey scarf, brown hair. You won't miss him," she retorted swiftly. The Arcobaleno hummed and made their shot and with it, came silence.
"Is it over?" Chrome stepped out with Onii-san beside her.
"My lady, yon't was incredible! I daresay it would not have ended so soon had it not been for your..." Basil faltered. "My lady?"
"He's gonna figure it out," she whispered. "He's going to know."
Nothing could have chilled him more to the bone that. The air left his lungs and he forgot how to breathe. He would have fought Xanxus a thousand times - hell he would rather fight Reborn with nothing but a teaspoon than face Nicolas with the truth. What was he going to think? Even more so... Mia's chest was heaving heavily and her eyes were wild, terrified. "Mia?" he held her.
"My Lady?" the others took a step towards her.
"I - I can't - " she gasped.
She was struggling to breath, Tsuna realized. He didn't know what to do - he had never seen her like this before. Don't freak out, he told himself. Holding her face in his hands and seeing the worry in her eyes, he steeled himself. Don't freak, he told himself again because if he freaked, Mia was going to freak and if she freaked... well he hoped his friends had some idea on what to do. Give her something to focus on, was the first thing in mind. Well, it always worked with her nightmares. Maybe it'll work this time too? He guided her head to the crook of his neck. Her breaths were shaky. "Don't," he murmured as he rubbed her shoulders. "Just - just listen to my heart Mia." An anchor, he could be that. "Breathe with me, okay?" She didn't respond, her gasping growing more disturbing and he tried not to lose it while he looked to his friends for guidance.
They looked just as lost as he was, never seeing her like this before either. Hayato was the first to recover and he encouraged him to keep it up, gesturing awkwardly as he did so.
He swallowed and tried again in a lighter tone. "Gonna need a verbal response Mia."
"O-Okay..." and together they breathed.
At this point their friends had gone quiet and even the Arcobaleno had packed his gear silently. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Tsuna knew they were racing against a ticking bomb. They couldn't stay here and the alternative of meeting up with their parents sounded horrible. His mom... Mia gasped and he shook that thought away. No, he couldn't think about that right now. Ground her. Remind her to breathe.
"Sawada," the Arcobaleno called to him. They lifted their visor. Eyes the color of garnet scrutinized him, their expression stern. He got the impression this one didn't joke around like the others they'd met before.
"We've secured a safe route to rendevous with your Father. We should go."
He really didn't want to go but they couldn't stay here either. He was terrified of what awaited for them but not as much as Mia was. Did something happen with Nicolas before?
"One more minute," he said.
"You can't be this naive. She'll recover, carry her if you have to."
"Lal Mirch," Basil quietly cut in Italian. "Surely a mere minute can be given in the light of her assistance? This would have drawn out into a fight and casualties would have been unavoidable." The other boy smiled reassuringly at him and he returned it, grateful.
Lal Mirch frowned. "Fine but move into the staircase. We're sitting ducks out here and who knows if there's any of them left out there."
Mia breathed deeply, her grip on his shirt tight. "I-Its okay. Lets go."
"Don't force yourself," he told her. She shook her head. She was still trembling but there was a determined glint in her blue eyes.
"I - I gotta fix this."
"Not 'I', its 'We'," he automatically corrected her. "You got into this mess for me - willingly by the way. You think I'd really leave you to face your dad alone?" She blinked at him before letting out a quiet laugh. It relieved him to hear it even if it did sound a little sad.
"We're here too Mia," Takeshi reminded, waving at her from the side.
"I'm sure Nicolas-san can be reasoned with," Chrome tried to assure her.
Mia bit her lip. "I hope so," she said doubtfully.
"Don't worry Matteis, everything will be extremely alright!"
Hayato was the only one that didn't say anything, which was unusual for him but he gave them an encouraging nod. Mia looked around their friends and sighed, resigned.
"To Mordor then."
Somehow puking on Mia's lap felt like a thousand years ago already. He couldn't believe how bad things got in less than an hour and wished it was the worst thing that happened all day. He was worried about his mother and the kids but as they walked through a narrow alley in silence, he couldn't stop looking Mia over.
She was able to reign in her emotions, with great difficulty from the looks of it, and was maintaining a calm exterior but she was clutching his jacket so hard her knuckles were white. He could understand, her worry. He didn't want his mom to find out either - wanted to spare her from this shit-hole of a mess his father dragged them into. But what if his mom finds out? A small part of his brain asked. His mom had the tendency of worrying herself sick - literally. The first time he came home with bruises from school, he remembered how his mother lost her appetite for a couple of days and nearly cut her finger off while she was cooking. He had been lying about the bullying ever since. It was easier to pretend it was his fault, because it was believable like that as he was clumsy and stupid. Besides, he sucked at lying. They almost blew their cover with the Varia if it hadn't been for Mia. As much as he disliked lying to his mom, Mia saved his butt.
Still, he shook his head. First thing's first. Mia.
"Its going to be alright." He tried to assure her quietly, injecting as much optimism as he could. "He won't find out."
"Pa is too smart Tsuna. He already knew something was up since last night," she whispered, her voice tight. He winced.
"There's gotta be something we can do." Maybe Reborn had a special bullet for that? He seemed to have one for every occasion.
Mia pressed her lips thinly. The worry showing in her eyes. "How am I supposed to convince him all these attacks are a coincidence?"
He wanted to hit himself. He only wanted her to feel better but he had to be dumb didn't he? He'd gotten so used to the people around him disregarding the crazy, was crazy, or completely oblivious, that he forgot someone sensible like Nicolas existed. Of course he is, that small annoying part of his brain scolded him. He's her father, idiot. Like daughter, like father.
"What happens if he finds out?" he asked her after silently berating himself.
Mia was quiet for sometime before she spoke. "Remember when I got into an accident in Washington? Just before I came to Japan?"
He remembered it. She told it in passing, when they were still early in their friendship but she skimmed over the details. He didn't push for the details, not wanting her to remind her of the accident.
Mia stared into the distance. "Pa was... he was scared. I scared him so bad we moved in just a week. I..." she swallowed. "But this wasn't the first time. When Mama died, we just up and went. Three days after the funeral." She pulled the jacket tighter around her. "I was pulled from school, Nonnino didn't even know until a month later when my uncle came to visit and there was nothing but an empty house. Before I knew it I was in America - barely speaking English and was half-way through the school year."
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. The more he listened, he felt like a pit was growing in size in his stomach. Nicolas wouldn't - she had a life here. Friends, him. "Mia..."
"I don't think..." she looked at him and they stopped as the others in front of them continued to walk. "I don't think I can - " she sucked a shuddering breath. "I - "
"Matteis!" Lal snapped from the front and Mia flinched, cutting off whatever she was going to say next. "Move your feet, you're slowing us down!" His blood pressure shot up, having enough of how the Arcobaleno had been treating her all this time.
Hayato would have bitten their head off if he hadn't beat him to it. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't talk to her like that," Tsuna said quietly, with barely suppressed anger.
"I don't work for you kid," Lal returned swiftly.
"I know," Tsuna simply said. "But don't forget who you're talking to either." He wasn't going to take any shit from anyone, not after they've hurt his friends and family and especially Mia. He let his warning hang in the air, the tension thick.
"Tsuna... no, Lal - she's right." Mia tugged on his shirt. She? He frowned but pushed that thought aside.
"At least you think well," Lal Mirch sighed though his - hers - Tsuna caught himself - shoulders were tense. "Chin up girl. You're losing the battle before it even begun."
"I'm sorry." She rubbed her eyes.
"You've come from a military family right? Now isn't the time to drown in your emotions. Pick your mission and don't stop until you finish it."
Mia bobbed her head to a nod, not even bothering to correct Lal that it wasn't like that. That was her grandfather and uncle. Her face returned to the neutral mask she was wearing before. He reached out and held her hand. She didn't smile or anything but she squeezed his back.
"Mia-san?" Chrome called out worriedly.
"Lal's right. Lets go." She pushed past their friends, their hands still locked together. He looked back at their worried gazes then to his Storm that seemed set on burning a hole on the Arcobaleno's head with his glare alone.
It was already late afternoon when they arrived at a port and led to one of the large warehouses. They went around back where Basil knocked on the door in code using a series of long and short taps. The door swung open and Oregano greeted them.
"Well done Lal, Basil."
Lal strode inside. "Don't thank us yet. The shooters are out but there's no telling how many there still are."
"Of course," Oregano acquiesced. "Young Master, how are you?" she addressed him in Japanese.
"Oh, um..." Tsuna floundered for a bit, uncomfortable at the 'Young Master'. "I'm fine thank you. How's my mom? And Nicolas-san?"
"Nana-san fainted during the initial attack. She's unharmed but whether or not she would remember, we've yet to determine." Oh thank god she was okay. He let out relieved sigh.
"And my father?" Mia spoke up. At the slight waver in her voice, Oregano's expression softened.
"He's taken a hit to the shoulder. He's been treated and well but... he's been demanding to see you all despite our assurances and..." The older woman sighed. "Its good that you're here now. Best that you see him as soon as possible."
"Did something happen?" He asked. Her eyes flickered over to Mia.
"He's a parent," she replied gently. "He's worried." Mia's grip on his had tightened.
"Can you take me to him please?" She asked the older woman.
Oregano tilted her head again and started leading them to the office rooms at the very back. Mia didn't immediately follow but after taking one deep breath, she took one step. Then another. He stood by her side, holding her cold hand.
"Promise you'll be there?" she whispered as they walked. Though she kept her face blank, he could feel her growing anxiety like it was his own through their hands.
"Always," he murmured back. He glanced briefly at their friends' faces, all of them set in encouraging smiles. "All of us."
"Thank you."
Oregano paused suddenly in front of them. "Please, wait here for a moment." Something in the way she stood, made his apprehension rise. He didn't like it. Then they heard it. There was a set of voices coming from one of the rooms at the very end, increasing in volume until blew into full on yelling in rapid Italian. He recognized one of the voices.
"Dad?" Bewildered, he couldn't keep up with what they were shouting about but he had never heard his father raise his voice like that before and from the sounds of it, he was angry. Really angry.
"Oh shit," Hayato muttered faintly from behind.
Another voice shot back and he hadn't recognized it at first. It was sharp and was more of a match against his father's and Mia's grip on his hand turned crushing as they listened to it. Nicolas? He realized. That was Nicolas? Her face had lost all its color and she flinched when her father's voice overpowered Iemitsu's but it never reached his peak as he was cut off, a sudden crash making them jump before they all rushed into the room. Tsuna was first to come through to see his father locking Nicolas in a painful choke hold. His glasses a broken mess on the floor. No no no no no.
"Dad what the hell are you doing?!" He grabbed on his father's shoulders and tried to pull him off the other man.
"Tsuna?" Iemitsu immediately let go and Tsuna shoved him away, standing in between the two of them. He took a stance against his own father as Nicolas coughed harshly behind him. "This isn't what you're thinking son - "
"Its not?!" he shot back, incredulous. "How could you do that to him?!" Nicolas was civilian. A normal person! Not to mention injured!
"Pa!" Mia dropped to her father's side.
"...Mia?" Voice strained and raw, Nicolas took one look at her before enveloping her in a tight hug. Tsuna turned away from his father, glaring at him, warning him not to come any closer. Thankfully, Iemitsu backed off. He turned to face the pair behind him. "La mia bambina." The sheer relief in the older man's tone though made him look away instantly, feeling like he was intruding on something deeply personal between them while at the same time, a heavy stone of guilt weighed deep in his stomach.
"I'm here Papa," Mia assured him softly but it was the most confident that he's heard her all day. "I'm so sorry for worrying you."
Nicolas shook his head and pulled back, checking her for any injuries, patting her head and shoulders with one hand. His left arm was wrapped in thick white gauze but edges of his shirt where his sleeve must have been torn were dried with blood. Seeing it made him feel light in the head. He'd seen blood before, his own included, but whenever he saw anyone else's, especially the people he cared about, it made him weak to the bone.
"Papa,' she interjected quietly. "Your arm."
He shushed her, though not harshly. "I was worried," he said, voice low.
"I'm sorry," she repeated.
"When it happened, you disappeared."
"I know."
"Where were you?" The sharpness returned and Tsuna flinched.
"I got separated with the others and I - I was scared of going out. Tsuna met up with us then Iemitsu-san's people found us. They led us here." Tsuna had to give her credit. She had been an emotional wreck almost all day and even if he hated it, she was able to spun a believable lie. To somebody else, they might have believed it and let go. But it didn't turn out that way.
"His people huh?" Nicolas slowly stood, his back towards Tsuna. "Mia. It's not safe here. We're leaving."
"Papa..." Mia got up shakily. "Wait - "
"I SAID WE'RE LEAVING!" His roar commanded silence. Tsuna felt like he'd been doused with cold water. He wanted to scream, to try and convince him, say anything but nothing would come out. He was frozen from where he stood. Mia wouldn't look at him, shocked as he was at Nicolas' outburst. The older man grabbed her by the arm and their eyes met. His feet suddenly moved on their own accord. He promised her. Before he knew it, he was standing in between them now. Briefly, that small annoying part of his brain that's been bugging him all day, pointed out how he liked getting in between people lately. Nicolas stared him down but he didn't balk this time around.
"Tsuna." There was no heat, no anger in his tone. Not like when he was yelling earlier at Iemitsu. This gave him a little bit of hope.
"Nicolas sir... please..." he felt Mia clutch the back of his shirt. "I-Its not safe to go out either. We just arrived."
"You know." It wasn't a question and Tsuna felt his mouth go dry. "Back at the square - you knew. Or maybe you knew all along." He rose to his full height. "You're a part of it too? Aren't you? Your father, you - you're all the same. The cosa nostra..." he sneered. "How could you bring my daughter into this mess?" He shoved Tsuna back so hard he fell to the floor. His friends cried out but he didn't hear them, his ears ringing in as Nicolas' accusations dug deep with each word. He was right, he thought. It was his fault.
"Did you force her into this? She's not some plaything for you to screw with!" Nicolas continued to accuse him. He wanted to defend himself but like his daughter, Nicolas had eyes that conveyed every inch of emotion he was feeling and right now he was betrayed. It left him frozen.
"No!" Mia cried, ripping her arm from her father's grasp and stunning him. "Tsuna isn't like that - you know he isn't!" She stood in between them this time around, hands shaking, shoulders wounded tighter than a wild animal.
Nicolas was breathing heavily from his nose. "Mia," he started, trying to keep his voice calm. "The cosa nostra are dangerous. Tsuna lied to you - to all of us." She shook her head fiercely and his expression reddened.
Tsuna didn't want this. He didn't want them to fight. "Mia..." he could barely get her name out.
"Tsuna didn't want to be a part of this either," she started in a low tone like he did. "You're blaming him for something he couldn't control Pa - blaming him for something he never wanted! What he was born into without knowing!" She was yelling now. "You didn't see him! You have no idea what he's putting himself through to protect everyone! He's gotten hurt so many times for it - for me and you're - " He had to physically hold her back but she struggled against him, unwilling to let it go. Nicolas stood there, completely stunned.
"It's okay Mia," he tried to placate her.
"It's not okay!" she screamed, her voice cracking in her frustration. "It's not fair you always get blamed for shit that wasn't your fault. That you always get forced to fight when you don't want to!" He hadn't realized how deep she felt about it and held her tightly.
The anger slipped from Nicolas' face, replaced by remorse. "Mia..."
"Why is everyone always going after you? You haven't done a single bad thing in your life! You're scared of chihuahuas! It's not fair you're being put through all of this..." she broke into a dry sob. "You don't deserve to be treated like this Tsuna when all you've done was to protect us." Maybe he didn't but he felt like he should. Still, for her to feel so strongly for his sake... His eyes watered and he buried his face into her shoulder to drown them out while she still struggled. Just stop, he wanted to say.
"Mia..." Nicolas tried again but she wasn't finished.
"He'd never taken advantage of me," she hissed hotly. "Never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do and if anything, he's saved me more times from myself! I can't - I won't abandon him! If-If it was Mama, wouldn't you do the same?!" Nicolas stumbled back as if he had been punched and Tsuna watched, pain tightening in his chest, as the man's features were consumed with grief. He hadn't been expecting that either and his grip slackened. Mia slipped from his grip and he didn't stop her as she ran off, her head down. Their friends jumped aside to make way for her.
"I-I'll go make sure she's okay," Chrome said softly and left. Hayato followed her shortly after muttering a quick word with the other two.
Tsuna didn't follow right away, knowing that Mia was too wound up and would much prefer to be alone right now. Iemitsu glanced at him sympathetically from the corner of the room, an apology in his eyes but he didn't pay mind, turning his attention to instead to Nicolas that had sunk into a couch, his face buried in his hands. His shoulders sagged in defeat, the fight and anger all gone.
"Nicolas... sir...?" he approached him slowly.
"I'm sorry," the whisper was so soft but it held so much guilt. Tsuna didn't know how to reply to that and he swallowed.
He wasn't sure what was going to happen from now on but he couldn't stand being here in this room anymore. Taking a leaf out of his girlfriend's book, he left the room.
Mia didn't run far. She had burst through the door to the storage area. Thankfully, there weren't any workers at the moment and she wandered aimlessly through the shelves until she found a nice dim corner. Leaning against the cool wall, she slid down to the floor, drawing her knees to her chin. How could she have done that? To her father? It was the first time she's ever answered back at him and it was killing her. But she knew why. When it came to Tsuna, she didn't hold back on anyone and when he started accusing him of all those things, she snapped. She was still scared of what her Pa would do but she'd be damned to let him think for a single moment that this was Tsuna's fault.
If anything, it was hers.
"Family spats huh?" She started. She looked around but saw no one. "Up here," said the last voice she wanted or expected to hear.
She looked up and saw Ian sitting on top of a shelf, swinging his feet like a bored child but looked a hundred times better since the last time she saw him. He was dressed casually, as if he was just heading into class. Maybe he was, if the annoyed look on his face said anything about it. Oh you've got to be kidding me...
"Curb your excitement, its not like I asked to be here," he told her dryly when she continued to stare at him like he was death incarnate. "You know I had a lecture to attend an hour ago but I had to miss it and don't even get me started on my papers that's due in two weeks. But no one was close enough so let's order the bloke several countries over to play messenger boy."
"Did you come here to bitch or what?" she cut him off irritably, finally managing to grasp her voice again. He tossed something at her and she didn't catch it in time. It bounced off her head. "What the - " If it hadn't been for the weight, she would have thought he threw a stick of black wax at her but it was nearly weightless.
"An order," he replied.
Huh? She went cold all over. Now? He saw the expression and chuckled darkly. "Well, didn't say I didn't warn you. Open it."
"Uh... how?"
He stared at her like she was stupid. "Burn it." He eyed the token that hung on her neck. She'd only started using her flames and now she had to use them again. Her scarred arm throbbed at the thought. It wasn't like she was burn herself to death, just a bit, she tried to convince herself. She unclasped her necklace and like before, tried to conjure a tiny flame to the hand that held the thing. It answered her call and without meaning to, the wax burst into flames, nearly making her drop it. It didn't hurt her - amazingly so. Rather than melting, the fire ate the wax away, leaving a nicely rolled scroll behind and not even a hint of smoke. Slowly, she unrolled it.
It was written in beautiful cursive but that was the only thing good about it. That horrible, cold feeling from earlier slowly crept back up her throat. Tightening its hold on her lungs and throat with each passing line she read. She read it several times over, unable to process the words she was seeing "W-What is this?" she choked out.
"Like I said, its an order. Your very first." He stopped swinging his legs and looked down on her, lips curled in a sinister grin. "You wanted to be a part of this right? The order is simple: retrieve Pandora's Box from the vault in Livorno."
Somehow Ian summarizing it, made it sound worse than it did. She shook her head, not willing to accept that she had to go back there. "This isn't funny Ian."
His grin vanished. "And it's not a joke." He leaned forwards on his knees, completely serious now. "What's wrong? Scared to die the same place mommy cracked her skull like an egg?" The scroll crumpled in her hands.
"You shut your mouth!" she screamed before realizing how loud it was. Panicked, she looked if anyone had heard her.
Ian scoffed. "If you're wondering why you of all people - I could ask the same myself. But I can imagine why. The Vaults are sealed with a special mechanism that doesn't just open for anybody. It needs a certain someone with certain attributes, at a certain time to unlock the doors. Unfortunately for you, you had the misfortune of being that person."
Breathing hard, she glared at him. "My flames? I've met people who have it too. I'm nothing special. Anybody who's anything like me could be that." Tsuna, Dino, the Ninth and even her own father...
He nodded along dismissively. "Yes, yes. Your kind is rather special and rare but the doors open only to one person per every generation. Fifty years, give or take. Its simple." He held up three fingers. "To make it easier for you, lets call it Sky Flames like your boyfriend's adorable ring. One, your flames must be that of the sky. The door was built to recognize a sky flame once for fifty years before it re-sets. Two, you, little poor child, was the first person to touch it in nearly four hundred years. Third, because of that, consider yourself a living breathing key." He leaned back on his palms and watched her struggle to absorb all that.
A key. Door. Monastery. Mama. Gold. Monster. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears and her head throbbed painfully. There were still large gaping holes in her memory and if she had to be honest, she was afraid of remembering everything. She couldn't remember the opening the door, didn't remember going through it. But... she could recall in perfect clarity the long dark halls that haunted her for so long. Just last night...
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push down her fear and anxiety. Order, she needed something to focus on.
"Pandora's box..." The small little chained box... "What is it?"
Ian shrugged. "Not too sure myself. My advice is not to take the name too seriously. They don't always mean what they say."
Next question. "How did you know you know about the door?"
Ian sighed. "My ancestors built it and no - " he held out a finger warningly at her. "That's all you're going to get from me."
"Can I take a rain check?"
"No."
"My father has been shot and mafia families are after Tsuna!" she exploded. "Do I have to do it now?" A week. The scroll told her she only had a week. Of all the times they decide to show up... She didn't have the time, much less the emotional strength to go through with this. She knew she was sounding childish, and from the look on Ian's face, he was stating to get tired of it too.
"You have until tonight to decide if you're going or not." He stood up, his eyes narrowing down at her. "That won't last long," he pointed at the token. "Do something like you did last night and it'll melt. It wasn't made to continuously conduct flames through - not like the Vongola rings. Are you finished with that?"
"This conversation is far from over!" He tilted his head, seemingly hearing something she couldn't.
Ian clapped his hands and the scroll disintegrated into ash in her hands, fading into nothing. "W-Wait," she protested.
With a turn of his wrist, like some street magician he suddenly held another token, the size of a coin in between two fingers. "Here's a little incentive." He dropped down in front of her and leaned in close to her ear. "I couldn't help but overhear your little spat with daddy dearest. We can help you with that."
"H-How?" she breathed, hope blooming in her chest.
"You may be aware of this but we have members who can... alter memories so to speak. Bring the box and daddy dearest wouldn't even need to remember the worst parts of this trip." After her little tirade, she had more or less cemented whatever decision her father was thinking to move. He could forget it all, the mafia and even his injury if she can convince Reborn to heal him. He would also forget her bringing up Mama. He would forget it all like she did after what happened at the monastery. Seeing as she was seriously considering his offer, Ian lowered his tone. "So, what will it be?"
Her mind whirred into a frenzy, completely banishing her unruly emotions away. She could still fix this. She licked her lips. "I - I accept."
Hi readers, thanks again for the awesome reviews for the last chapter. Just wanted to answer some:
TMMGYF-M-CH-I-R - thanks for pointing that out. I've gone and fixed it now :)
mintDesco - Yup! I've only scarcely mentioned it throughout the story and even then, I never addressed it directly as 'Sky' flames but mostly described it as orange.
Fanart?
mintDesco drew some wonderful art again and I'm still over the moon over it. With her permission, and to my honor, its now the new cover for the story. I've shared it before (Adult Tsuna and Mia) but check it out in all its colored glory:
mintdesco .tumblr post / 189878113721 / sunset-hue-by-syrlai-you-can-read-it-here
Another of Mia as well:
mintdesco. tumblr post / 189611146266 / long-hair-mia-mia-is-an-oc-from-this-story
Thanks again for reading and see you all on the next chapter!