"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." – Lao Tzu

Tsuna didn't think twice—he scrambled to his feet and ran.

Reborn would kill him, bring him back, and kill him again, but Tsuna didn't care. His lungs burned as his small legs carried him down two more streets. Okay, the kid's cardio sucked. Had he also mentioned how ridiculously unnecessary the seal was, too?

Pushing through crowds of people, Tsuna finally stumbled into an alleyway before tripping over air. He hissed a small curse. Pebbles scratched his skin, making his chin and palms sting. Tsuna didn't have the chance to check his wounds when a shadow suddenly loomed over him.

"Do you need assistance?"

Tsuna scowled as he pushed himself up. He spat close to Kyoya's shiny dress shoes but the teen didn't move. "Having fun?"

Kyoya's lips slightly twitched. "Not with weak prey."

Scoffing, Tsuna stood up and brushed his pants. As soon as he stepped forward, Kyoya blocked him. Tsuna clicked his tongue. "Move."

"Have you forgotten?"

"I said to move, or I'll make you."

"The herbivore."

Tsuna rolled his eyes. "Look, the fact that you hired a kid to be your father's doctor or whatever is already—guess what? Insane." He jabbed Kyoya's chest with his finger. "You know what? I've been regretting this from the start. I'm kind of hoping that your father just dies already. Yeah, I'm petty but you're—"

He flinched when Kyoya suddenly grabbed his hand.

"You should be more careful, little animal," Kyoya said, his voice soft. Tsuna winced when Kyoya tightened his grip. The scratches on his palm burned even more. "Someone will get hurt."

Narrowing his eyes, Tsuna tried tugging his hand away but it didn't budge. Kyoya's hand was too hot. "Yeah, and that someone is you. Let me go or you're going to lose more than just your hand, bastard."

Kyoya merely raised a brow. "Is that a threat?"

"I'm glad you got it," Tsuna said dryly. "Now let me go."

"It's either the herbivore or your mother."

Tsuna tensed. "What?"

"Don't take me for a fool, little animal." Kyoya leaned down to whisper in Tsuna's ear, his hot breath ghosting his skin. "Choose wisely."

Know your place, went unsaid. Tsuna gritted his teeth. If he were in his old body, he would've bashed Kyoya's head against the wall and shatter some more bones. But he wasn't—and that fucking sucked. There wasn't anything he could do about it either, not unless he had the seal removed. What was the point of placing it in the first place if it only fucked him—the kid— over even more? If Tsuna ever met Iemitsu, which he half-hoped and half-didn't, he was going to shred the man apart, figuratively and literally.

The worst thing was the quickest way to remove the seal was…going to Fon. Nothing could ever change the fact that Tsuna's Fon wasn't here. No amount of this reality could assure Tsuna that he was making the right choice. It was selfish of him coming here, of taking that second chance. And now, he was beginning to see the price he had to pay for it.

Looking down at his feet, Tsuna clenched his free hand into a fist. His fingernails dug deep in his cuts and scrapes, but he ignored the intense burn in favor of keeping his breathing steady. Losing his composure in front of this brat was the last thing he wanted.

"You are afraid," Kyoya said.

Tsuna restrained the urge to punch his face. "I'll go, but not because I want to."

"Good."

"You can let go now."

Instead of doing what he asked, Kyoya tugged Tsuna out of the alleyway back to his car, like a parent with an unruly child.

"I said—"

"I'm blind, not deaf, little animal."

Tsuna wrinkled his nose. "Don't even try. You can't ever be funny."

Opening the door to the passenger side, Kyoya merely smiled, not looking up. "Precautionary measures, little animal. Some prey can be…fickle."

"I'm not a fucking animal unlike someone I know," Tsuna deadpanned. He pursed his lips as he forced himself to enter the car and slumped in his seat. "Oh wait, that's you."

Kyoya closed the door before making himself comfortable. "I am a carnivore."

Tsuna couldn't hold himself back from thumping his head against the window.

Seeing the Hibari residence again so soon was really having Tsuna jump up and down in joy—not.

He had hoped that they'd get hit by a car or something on the way here, but his wish was never granted. The driver was silent the whole ride and Kyoya didn't really say much either. Tsuna had made it his life's mission to beat the brat down a peg or two (or three) as soon as he was able to do anything without tripping over his own feet.

When the driver opened the door for them, Kyoya climbed out first before Tsuna followed. He scowled when they walked through the front gates. Nothing looked different other than a small increase in guards in the area. Tsuna didn't bother thinking too much about it. His headache was just going to get worse.

A servant silently appeared to hand him a pair of home slippers. Tsuna didn't utter any thanks or met the woman's gaze. He did feel a little bad when she flinched when he snatched the slippers from her but wasn't up for any apologies today. Fon would've given him a look that could make grown men cry.

Following Kyoya a few steps behind, Tsuna looked down at his palms. They were red, bleeding, and scratched up. He assumed his chin wasn't any better.

"Come."

Tsuna jumped when Kyoya slid a nearby door open and walked inside. He looked around, noticing that they were in a different part of the house than yesterday. Furrowing his brows, Tsuna followed the teen inside. They were in a small room that seemed more like a closet. The tall shelves were filled with neatly-arranged cookie boxes and containers. Several other snacks adorned the bottom and a small trash can was propped next to the door.

"You eat here?" Tsuna said, raising a brow.

Kyoya reached one of the higher shelves easily and took down a first-aid kit. "The herbivores come here to recuperate when needed."

Tsuna's jaw nearly dropped. "What?"

Kyoya grabbed two wooden stools from a small desk shoved in the corner. "Sit."

"You just—You just have your servants eat here?" Tsuna said, gaping at the wide array of snacks and candies. "Are you kidding me?"

"The herbivores still need energy, no?" Kyoya was too lax for Tsuna's taste. "Sit, little animal."

Eyes wide, Tsuna just plopped down on his stool ungracefully. "They're not herbivores, you psychopath. They're human beings who should be treated with some decency."

Kyoya opened the first-aid kit and easily found the ointment and rolled gauze. His eyes were still set on Tsuna's face, his milky-white orbs dull under the lighting. "Don't waste your thoughts on trivial things. Give me your hands."

Tsuna glared. "I want to leave."

Kyoya's lips faintly twitched. "You have already picked your choice."

"Against my will."

"You still chose it and now you will commit to it."

Tsuna bit back a sharp comment before shoving his hands towards Kyoya, palms up. "Do your worst, psycho."

Kyoya huffed. Whether it was a laugh or not, Tsuna didn't care. At this point, he was hoping to get infected from his wounds and die on the spot. Taking Tsuna's hands with surprising gentleness, Kyoya grabbed a fresh bottle of water from a lower shelf and poured it over his palms. Tsuna clenched his jaw, refraining a hiss, from the stinging pain.

"A doctor cannot heal without his hands," Kyoya said softly, dabbing some antibiotic over the scratches. Tsuna rolled his eyes. "How will you continue without them?"

"Something called prosthetics." Tsuna grimaced when Kyoya wrapped some gauze around his right palm. "The joys of modern science."

He raised a brow when Kyoya paused. The other teen's hands were steady and—okay, Tsuna (unwillingly) gave him some points for actually redressing the cuts properly. If Tsuna had to do it, he'd probably be at it for hours.

"Do not lose these hands, little animal," Kyoya said, resuming his work.

Tsuna huffed. "I'm not stupid, mother."

Kyoya's lips curled into a small smile. "And yet you fell over your own feet. Perhaps you need more help than I thought."

Talking to Decimo's Cloud Guardian was already awkward when the man barely spoke more than three words. Talking to Kyoya was just way beyond the awkward threshold when he spoke sentences.

"You're charming," Tsuna said blandly. He tensed when Kyoya cradled his cheek. "What are you—"

"Lift your chin," Kyoya said, raising a damp cloth.

Pursing his lips, Tsuna grudgingly obeyed. He stared at the white ceiling and bright lights, his mind slowly becoming a haze. What Kyoya said wasn't wrong. Tsuna…needed more help than he realized. There was no way he could do what he wanted alone without any resources, which just sucked even more. Back in his world, he was the Sky Arcobaleno, an underground doctor widely sought and respected by the mafia and low-life gangs, and someone who had the most powerful people by his side.

But that was then. Now he was a nobody, a middle-school kid with a flame seal who couldn't walk straight without tripping over his own feet every ten seconds, and someone with nothing on hand. Starting fresh wasn't what it cut out to be.

Spiraling into that mess only made Tsuna's headache even worse. Closing his eyes, he released a shaky breath. He couldn't—shouldn't—run anymore. No, he wasn't going to let some hiccup on the road prevent him from getting what he wanted. Then again, this wasn't what he wanted: meeting ghosts of his past, a different Fon, having a seal on his flames.

"You are not at peace."

Kyoya's quiet voice abruptly snapped Tsuna out of his thoughts. Well, fuck, he forgot the brat was still here.

"Are you done?" Tsuna said, opening his eyes.

"I have been done for two minutes."

Tsuna reached up to touch his chin, which was taped with some gauze pad. When he finally looked at Kyoya, the other teen had his eyes lowered to Tsuna's collarbone. The first-aid kit was neatly closed beside his stool legs.

"You are troubled," Kyoya said.

Tsuna rose to his feet and headed for the door. His lips arched into a wry smile. Kyoya may or may not sense it, but Tsuna didn't know the extent of his abilities. And if Tsuna didn't know anything, it drove him to the edge. Being left in the dark was just as worse as being unable to do anything at all. As Verde would say, "Knowledge is every man's weapon. Some just use it better than others."

"Isn't every pre-pubescent kid? I'm sure you have your own issues, too." Tsuna raised a hand, not looking behind to see Kyoya's reaction. "Don't wanna hear it. Whatever biological, hormonal problems you have, not my area. Sorry."

Opening the door, Tsuna stepped out into the empty hallway. The doors to an outdoor courtyard were open, letting in the cool autumn breeze. The grass was well-kept and clean; some bushes with pink camellias decorated the stony path. Tsuna's heart constricted in his chest. His Fon loved peonies. Tsuna mentally shook his head. This didn't mean anything. He was just thinking way ahead of himself.

"What color are the flowers today?" Kyoya said suddenly, appearing beside him.

Tsuna licked his chapped lips. "Pink."

Kyoya hummed to himself but didn't push any further. He headed down the halls, silently beckoning Tsuna to follow. Not too soon after, Tsuna quietly fell into the other teen's step.

Pink camellias meant longing—what was this household longing for?

It didn't take them long to arrive at their destination.

They reached a much more solemn hallway that ended before a large set of doors. Two suited men stood guard outside, their tattoos peeking through their sleeves. They immediately straightened themselves when Kyoya appeared.

"Kyoya-sama," one of them said. He was bald and missing his left pinkie. "Kumicho is inside."

Tsuna raised a brow. The kumicho was the boss of all bosses in the yakuza. His word was law, above everything else. It wasn't rare for him to visit an injured oyabun, which was the family head and ranked by his or her proximity to the kumicho, but it wasn't common either. He wasn't all that privy to the details of the Hibari household; however, one of the things he at least knew was yakuza politics.

"He knows I am here," Kyoya said, his hand already on the door.

The guards didn't question him. They just moved aside and let him enter.

"—lishness again," a familiar voice said.

Tsuna tensed, his foot stopping short of taking another step in the wide, bare room. A futon was at the center head, surrounded by two long windows with the maroon curtains drawn. Some empty bookshelves stood at the wall with a few paintings hanging listlessly beside them. The light was dim but Tsuna could clearly see the other occupants: Fon and Kyoya's father.

Then that meant Fon was the kumicho. Tsuna should've expected it, but still…

At the sound of their arrival, Fon turned to greet them. Tsuna didn't miss how his eyes had glowed faintly red before he assumed his calm mask. The change was almost immediate, like rippling water. Fon still wore black.

"Kyoya," Fon said, nodding. His eyes then flitted towards Tsuna. "And Tsuna, welcome." He tilted his head. "What happened to your face?"

"Your nephew needs a leash," Tsuna deadpanned. "And some lessons on human decency. I'm sure there are classes for him out there."

Now that he thought about it, did Kyoya even attend school? Glancing at the teen, Tsuna noted his impeccable black suit and poise. Probably not.

Kyoya huffed. "You fell, little animal. That is not my fault."

"If you hadn't appeared at my school out of the blue and chased me down the streets, I'll consider it."

"You ran first."

"You came first."

Fon smiled slightly. "I see that you are well then. I sent Kyoya to fetch you as soon as school ended. I hope you don't mind."

Tsuna deadpanned. "I do mind, thanks."

Undeterred, Fon stood up from the futon and walked over to them, his feet silent on the tatami floor. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Is there anything you need?"

Tsuna couldn't help but sigh. "Are there no other doctors in your arsenal? Someone with, I don't know, a legitimate license?"

Fon looked up at him with a faint smile. "None have these privileges as of now."

"Okay, okay." Tsuna's brain was at the point of combustion but he was fine, totally okay. Peachy. Never better. "Just—What's his stat?" He mentally cursed at himself. "I mean, um, his condition since yesterday."

He hoped that he didn't have to re-bandage the wound because he'd probably screw that up somehow. Actually, Tsuna didn't want to be here at all. Damn it, he should've just left Kyoya's father. Where was Reborn when he needed him? Or Lal?

"We will proceed with however you deem necessary," Fon said.

Tsuna furrowed his brows. "Wait, back up—so you just waited for me to come here?" He walked briskly to the patient's bedside and dumped his schoolbag by his feet. His honed instincts instantly took over without him thinking. "Tell me you're kidding me."

"It is a lesson he must learn in order for it to not happen again."

"Way to take victim-blaming to another level," Tsuna mumbled under his breath.

Kyoya's father just stared at him, wide-eyed and silent. He looked fairly young in this position, vulnerable and pale with a sheen of sweat over his brow. Tsuna could barely see his resemblance with Kyoya other than his hair. Kyoya must take after his mother then, he thought idly.

Pulling back the sheets and ignoring the man's weak protest, Tsuna raised the other's pajama shirt just enough to get a glimpse of the bandages. Some blood soaked through. He clicked his tongue. "I need a basin with lukewarm water and a cloth. Clean gloves, waterproof gauze or bandages with some tape, plastic bag, towel, a bottle of water, and pain medication." He gazed down at Kyoya's father. "Do you have any allergies, sir?"

"N—"

"He does not have any," Kyoya said, cutting off his father.

Tsuna rolled his eyes. "Oh, I didn't know you were sir." He mumbled, "bastard," under his breath for good measure, knowing Kyoya would hear him anyways. Kyoya's father widened his eyes. Any more and Tsuna would have to consider doing an impromptu eye operation, which wasn't something he was willing to put on his "to-do" list.

"Anything else?" Fon said, amused.

"Some privacy," Tsuna said, making himself comfortable on the floor. He smiled thinly. "Doctor-patient privileges. I'm sure you understand."

Chuckling, Fon merely nodded. "I will put my brother under your care then."

Tsuna didn't offer him or Kyoya a farewell. Unzipping his backpack, he took out his notebook and a pen from a cute lion pencil case Nana had bought for him. Funny 'cause Decimo had a lion box animal he named Sora. Honestly, Tsuna would've named it Natsu but whatever. They both sucked at naming things apparently. (But Natsu was clever—to him anyways.)

He ripped out a fresh page. Clicking his pen, he directed his gaze at Kyoya's father. "This is weird for both of us, Hibari-san," he said blandly. "I don't know how we got here, but the less questions asked the better. I'm going to be blunt with you—You're lucky you're alive, though I can't say the same about your men. The knife cut clean through your femoral artery in your abdomen. I was able to stabilize the wound and stitch it in time. Just nod or shake your head. Did you have a fever in the last 24 hours or so?"

Kyoya's father shook his head.

"Okay, it might not be infected but I wouldn't celebrate too early." Tsuna scribbled down some notes. "Your full name is Hibari Yuji, correct?" At the man's confused look, Tsuna said, "Fon mentioned it the other day after you were brought in."

Yuji frowned when Tsuna spoke Fon's name.

"Leaving you like this is just ridiculously stupid, lesson or not," Tsuna said. "Either he doesn't give a crap or he just wants you dead."

Yuji's whole frame tensed. His rough hands curled into fists, wrinkling the sheets underneath him. Before either of them spoke, the doors quietly slid open. Three servants shuffled inside, carrying all the things Tsuna had asked for. Without meeting his gaze, they arranged them accordingly beside him.

"Thank you," Tsuna said.

The servants just bowed as they left the room, their feet soundless against the floor. After one of them shut the door, Tsuna moved closer to Yuji, startling the man for a moment.

"I'm going to help you sit up a little," he said. "Can you move?"

Yuji winced but complied anyways. He slowly sat upright with Tsuna's help. The man's back was tense and heavy under his hand. Clenching his teeth, Tsuna uncapped the Advil bottle and raised it over the man's mouth.

"Open."

He carefully popped two pills in Yuji's mouth. After helping Yuji sip some water, Tsuna slowly eased him back down on the futon, careful not to agitate his wound. Yuji grunted when his back met the ground again.

"It'll help with the pain for now," Tsuna said, rolling up his sleeves and slipping on some latex gloves. "A word of warning: I don't have the steadiest hands right now and this is the only apology you're going to get beforehand, Hibari-san."

"Y—Yuji."

Tsuna raised a brow. "Sorry?"

Yuji's lips slightly twitched. "Call me Yuji."

"I'm 14…"

"You are…my doctor." Yuji's dark eyes looked much too soft for an oyabun. "I wish for you…to be comfortable."

Tsuna huffed. "You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, Hibari-san. It should be the other way around."

"I've seen…stranger. But please, I insist."

Feeling an odd sense of déjà vu, Tsuna mentally shook his head before helping Yuji sit up again and unbuttoning his pajama shirt. The man's stomach was toned with some light scars, which was too bare for any yakuza member. Tsuna worked too slow for his tastes, his hands fumbling with unwrapping the white dressings.

Yuji hissed when Tsuna somehow pulled too hard at the second unwinding. Jaw clenching, Tsuna doubled down his pace even more. He glanced at Yuji whose lips were white from keeping them shut. How the kid could somehow screw up something as simple as unwrapping things was mind-boggling—but it was the seal Tsuna blamed.

Finally—finally—he managed to remove all the bandages and toss them in the plastic bag the servants had brought, also confiscating his gloves. Inspecting the wound, Tsuna was a tinge satisfied that the stitches didn't have to be replaced either. Other than some small bleeding, the wound was in good shape and not infected.

"You're awfully young," Yuji said, his voice a little raspy. Some color had returned to his face.

Tsuna raised a brow. "Yes, yes I am. Tell Fon the next time he comes around. He doesn't take no for an answer, does he?"

Yuji chuckled almost bitterly, averting his gaze to the floor. "No…does not exist in this household."

"Figures." Tsuna slipped on a new pair of gloves. "Your wound isn't infected but if it feels painful or swells, let someone know and they can reach me, I guess. I'm still not sure how this works. Definitely call if it smells bad or turns yellow, green, and any other weird color you can think of. Fever counts, too."

"You are…really 14?" Tsuna tensed but schooled himself quickly. Yuji's lips slightly twitched. "Ah, apologies. Less questions…the better."

Sighing, Tsuna wrung the damp cloth as much as he could. Other than Yuji's steady breathing and the trickling of water, no other noise pervaded the silence.

"Reading takes you a long way," Tsuna said. "I'm going to soak up the blood."

He lightly dabbed the blood around Yuji's stitches. Pursing his lips, Tsuna ignored the man's groans and cleaned the wound as delicately as the kid's hands would let him. His hate against the seal continued rising every second since he got here—here in the sense of this godforsaken (shitty) world. Vaguely, he wondered if he had any means to contact Kawahira but the man seemed very elusive.

"You can take a shower after the next 24 hours," Tsuna said, wringing the cloth over the basin. The clear water slowly turned light red. "No baths. Your wound can get infected or reopen if it gets soaked." Tsuna patted Yuji's stitches dry with a towel. Removing his gloves again, he dumped them in the plastic bag and slipped on new ones. He raised the new dressings. "Keep these on. They're waterproof. Pat your wound with a towel and let it air dry before you put on new ones." Yuji just nodded before Tsuna raised a brow. "Does anything hurt?"

Yuji smiled faintly. "No. Just…thinking."

"Right," Tsuna said dryly. His fingers twitched when another bout of silence passed. While he wasn't fond of overly-chatty patients, he wasn't fond of quiet ones either. "Talk. Helps with the pain. Distracts you from my mistakes, too."

Yuji huffed a small laugh, which sounded eerily like Kyoya's, just deeper. Tsuna rose up on his knees and carefully wound the first bandage around Yuji's stomach. His smaller arms barely reached Yuji's hip. Scowling, Tsuna wondered if a growth spurt would hit if the seal was removed.

"There's not much I can say," Yuji said quietly.

Tsuna didn't comment on it. He figured with a hyperaware son and an overly-domineering man-baby, things would be difficult. "Do you like camellias?" Yuji tensed underneath Tsuna's touch. "I saw the small gardens walking here. Figured this was your section of the house, something like that."

"No." Yuji's voice was thick when he spoke. "My wife loved them."

Tsuna internally cringed but maintained a cool face. "That's…nice." He ripped some tape and placed each on all fours sides of the bandages. "Well, take pills every few hours or so only when needed. I can't have you overdosing. We can take off the stitches in about two weeks. Wash the wound twice a day. Remember, no baths."

Yuji smiled as Tsuna helped him back down on his futon. "Thank you, sensei."

Tsuna wrinkled his nose. "Is this the part where I tell you I'm actually not a licensed doctor?"

Yuji chuckled. "That does not change the fact you saved my life."

"Anyone else would've done it, Hibari-san," Tsuna said, removing his gloves.

Yuji exhaled softly, his body relaxing against his futon. "No…no, they would not."

Tsuna stayed quiet as the man surrendered himself to slumber, his breaths evening out. With his eyes closed and face somewhat at peace, Yuji looked more like his Fon…

This was some fucked up joke on fate's end.

Scoffing quietly, Tsuna buttoned up Yuji's shirt with trembling fingers, one button at a time. He tore another page from his notebook, scrawled some notes, and laid it by Yuji's head with the bottle of water and two Advil pills.

His numbs legs buzzed when he stood up. Stumbling, Tsuna left the room without looking back. The same guards stood outside, turning slightly to face him.

"Kumicho is waiting for you in the pavilion," one of them said.

Tsuna just nodded and let his feet carry him down the lone strip of the hallways Kyoya was nowhere in sight, but that didn't mean he wasn't lingering in the shadows and not for the sake of his father either.

A female servant immediately met Tsuna when he arrived at the end of the hall and led him outside to the main garden.

Their footsteps were a muted cacophony of irregularity that somewhat grated on Tsuna's nerves.

"I didn't know what to do with the stuff," he said awkwardly. "So I just…left them there in Hibari-san's room. I hope you don't mind."

"You do not need to worry, sensei," the servant said, her voice quiet.

Tsuna pursed his lips. "You don't need to call me that. I'm not…a doctor."

Another servant brought him his sneakers when they reached an engawa that lead out to the main garden. Mumbling his thanks, Tsuna quickly slipped them on and followed the female servant again.

They walked along a smooth, wooden path with small pebbles decking the sides. Some trees provided shade above them, their green leaves rustling in the cool breeze. Pink camellias decorated the bushes, pale and lovely, while a narrow stream led to a large pond with a red pavilion in the center. Tsuna wasn't exactly pleased in seeing it again, no matter how nice the garden was.

"Kumicho is inside," the servant said, bowing at the end of the path.

"Thanks…"

Tsuna cringed when the small wooden bridge creaked underneath his feet. When he entered the pavilion, Fon was already seated on the table with two cups and a glass teapot. The tea buds were noticeable in the pale yellow liquid. Pulling back his chair, Tsuna plopped down and slid his bookbag down to his feet.

Fon nodded in greeting. "I imagine things went well."

"You're lucky Hibari-san's wound didn't get infected," Tsuna said, crossing his legs. "Or worse."

Fon's lips slightly twitched. "I'm glad."

Tsuna looked around the relatively small space instead of meeting the baby's eyes. The scenery was nice, peaceful even, but his nerves were all over the place.

"Would you like some tea?"

Tsuna brought his gaze back to Fon. "I do—"

"I insist."

Tsuna deadpanned. "—n't drink tea." He sighed when Fon easily lifted the teapot and poured Tsuna a cup. "You clearly…work out."

Fon smiled slightly. "It is merely a physical limitation that does not leave me vulnerable."

"Right…" Tsuna watched quietly as Fon sat back down and sipped his own cup of tea. "How do I know this isn't drugged or anything?"

Fon tilted his head though there was amusement in his eyes. "And why would I do that?" Smiling, he set down his cup on the wooden table with a light clink. "There are other easier means to keep you under control, Tsuna. Tell me, are you a threat?"

Whenever Tsuna's Fon was blunt, it was endearing. This wasn't.

"No," Tsuna said. "Then that would make you an idiot for even letting me in, much less take care of Hibari-san."

"And here you are." Fon nodded as if that explained everything. "Please, take a sip. You might enjoy it."

Tsuna peered inside his cup. The pale yellow tea smelled light and fresh with a delicate touch. "What is it exactly?"

"White tea. This in particular is called báiháo yínzhēn. It's my favorite."

Tsuna's heart sank. His mind translated the words deftly: White Hair Silver Needle.

"My apologies," Fon said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "It means White Hair Silver Needle."

Tsuna forced his tongue to work. "Oh…sounds neat."

Before Fon could say anything further, Tsuna brought the cup to his lips and took a tentative sip. The tea tasted mellow before the sweetness kicked in. Not bad, but…

"Is it not to your liking?" Fon said.

"It's nice," Tsuna said, placing his cup down on the table. His mouth tingled from the sweet aftertaste before it disappeared. "I'm more of an oolong fan."

Honestly, he didn't like tea. Coffee was his go-to for anything. Tea only became a thing when Fon had sat him down and told him to breathe after a particularly rough night. It wasn't the best thing he ever had but Tsuna drank it only with Fon when the occasion arose. Somehow, that made the tea much more pleasant.

Fon smiled slightly. "To each their own."

Tsuna mentally steeled himself then. He wasn't going to run away now. It wasn't like him and he wasn't copping out. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he really was weak and useless. Meeting Kyoya and Fon may not have been something he predicted to happen so soon but he had to make do with what he had. Tsuna wasn't physically invincible like Skull, hyper-intelligent like Verde, or subtly devious like Viper; but the one thing he was good at was survival.

If he had to fight tooth and nail—again—to reclaim a higher standing like before, even if it wasn't the same, Tsuna was going to fight.

"As Hibari-san's…doctor," he said, "I advise that you don't do something unnecessary like keeping his wound unchecked for 24 hours. I don't want my first official patient to die on me."

Fon's lips curled into a small smile. "You called yourself Yuji's doctor."

Tsuna bit back a smartass comment. He had to play this right or everything would collapse. "Yes." His voice was a bit strained but he forced himself to keep talking with as much grace he could muster. He really, really wished Lal or Colonello was with him. His body felt like it'd explode any second. "But the reason I accept is not because I wanted to. There's something I need…help with."

"I assure you that you'll be paid for your services," Fon said, chuckling. "Unless you have another method in mind."

Tsuna blinked. Okay, he hadn't really thought about money. It wasn't a bad idea though. Even if Iemitsu's money was enough for him and Nana to get by, Tsuna was going to have to do things under the man's radar if he wanted to plan ahead. Then again, Tsuna was 14 and a minor couldn't open a bank account in Japan without a legal guardian as a joint holder. Okay, being a minor sucked.

"Money isn't bad," Tsuna said casually. "But I have a bigger issue in mind. Yesterday, you showed me that…thing."

Fon raised a brow though his smile remained. "Thing? Care to elaborate?"

Pursing his lips, Tsuna resisted the urge to choke the man-baby, baby-man, whatever. "Your little magic trick. That fire stuff. Look, do I really have to spell it out for you?"

Fon chuckled. "That was no magic trick, Tsuna."

"Okay, but…what was it?"

Tsuna was many things but stupid wasn't one of them. Pretending to be one was just as taxing. No wonder Verde preferred machines over human beings.

"This"—Fon slipped a hand from his long sleeve and raised it in front of him; the same red flame ignited on his palm—"is a Flame. As I said before, it manifests when a person's resolve is powerful." He tilted his head, curious yet expectant. "Why do you ask?"

Tsuna clenched his hands into fists on his lap. The scratches on his palms burned underneath the gauze tapes. "I—They aren't"—he took a deep breath—"Ever since I could remember, I knew something wasn't right with me. I'm clumsy. Not even clumsy, I'm just incompetent. I can't walk without tripping over my own feet every second. It's hard to think straight sometimes. I just feel like…something's missing and I don't know what it is." Tsuna averted his gaze down at the table. "I don't feel whole."

Embellishing a lie with some truths was more difficult than Tsuna had thought. His breath hitched when he remembered harmonizing with the Arcobaleno—his Arcobaleno. No words could ever properly describe the euphoric feeling, but he had felt safe, warm, complete. Even with the curse, they had managed because they had each other. As dysfunctional as they could be, they were family and Tsuna never felt like he didn't belong. He loved them as much as they loved him, maybe even more.

Taking some more breaths, Tsuna looked up to meet Fon's gaze. He couldn't decipher what the baby was feeling, but he took his chance anyways. Fon's eyes seemed to take a redder tinge, his flame never disappearing.

Tsuna's voice was quieter when he spoke. "Kyoya—Kyoya said he felt something. He said my flames were small when we first met. You heard it yesterday, too. What did he mean?" He narrowed his eyes. "And don't try lying to me. I'm not stupid."

Fon didn't speak. He closed his hand into a fist, snuffing out his flame. Tsuna tensed when he stood up, his sharp eyes never leaving Tsuna's face. "I never said you were stupid, Tsuna, and I do not intend to lie to you. May I?"

Tsuna pressed his back against his chair. "What are you doing?"

Fon didn't stop walking until he stood at the table's edge. "I have wondered about this since yesterday." He smiled slightly, but there was an almost predatory gleam in his eyes. "You are an interesting one, Tsuna. In order for me to clearly grasp your situation, I must search your inner core or what you would call your spiritual self where your flames reside. It is improper amongst those with them; that is why I am asking for your permission."

At least he has some tact, Tsuna thought, wrinkling his nose.

"Will it…hurt?" he said.

The one time someone had tried touching his flames with their own was during some banquet held by Vongola. It wasn't pleasant, like slugs crawling all over his skin, and he had never seen Reborn so murderous.

Fon smiled but it wasn't reassuring. "I will do my best to make you as comfortable as possible, but I cannot promise anything."

Tsuna pursed his lips. Slowly, he forced himself to relax. He could hear the small stream trickling into the pond and the trees rustling with the breeze. Some birds flew past, chirping and fluttering their wings. His heart raced against his chest. He vaguely wondered if Kyoya could hear it, wherever he was.

His mouth abruptly felt too dry. "Okay."

Fon didn't ask twice. Hopping down on Tsuna's lap, he placed his small hand against his chest and merely said, "Brace yourself."

A scorching sensation rippled through Tsuna's body, making him gasp. His Sky Flames crackled behind the fractional seal, hissing when the potent Storm Flames then appeared. They lightly prodded the seal and Tsuna could feel them seep through and touch his flames—they burned.

They're too much! Tsuna thought, his breath hitching. Stop! Get out!

It felt like his body was submerged in fire. His skin felt too hot. His lungs needed air but there wasn't enough. He couldn't breathe—he needed to breathe. Finally, the world spun sideways and the air whistled distantly around him. Black spots danced in his vision; the aching in his head and chest didn't leave, but oddly, he didn't meet the ground. He inhaled deeply, his flames calming down, like they were relieved the Storm Flames had left.

"You said it wouldn't hurt," Tsuna croaked out.

He nearly yelped when he was suddenly pushed upright onto his feet. Stumbling, he almost fell against the table if strong hands hadn't pulled him back. The scent of green tea wafted in his nose. Of course, it was Kyoya. Who else would it be besides Kyoya? Still, Tsuna leaned on the teen's chest, too exhausted to move. He'd most definitely fall on his face.

"I did not promise anything," Fon said, that infuriating smile still on his face.

Tsuna scowled but couldn't say the words he wanted to without fumbling. "I—You—You're an asshole, you know that?"

Fon leapt from Tsuna's chair onto the table and walked back to his spot. "Your flames are sealed." Tsuna tensed. "Though the seal is partial, that explains your incompetence." At Tsuna's glare, Fon chuckled. "Your words, not mine."

Rolling his eyes, Tsuna stood upright on shaky legs with Kyoya's help. "So now what? Can you help me?"

Fon sat down, taking his sweet time by sipping some tea. He barely looked miffed, which only pissed Tsuna off even more. "I can. However, given that the seal has suppressed your flames for as long as you've said, your body is incapable of withstanding them right away if I do break it. They could possibly burn you from the inside out if worse comes to worst. Granted it's only a theory, I will be honest with you, Tsuna. Sealing flames is a forbidden art. May I ask what family you come from?"

Tsuna gritted his teeth. "I'm not asking you about your family, am I?"

Fon chuckled. "Of course. But since you have saved my foolish brother, I am indebted to you. This will be your only payment."

"What happened to 'paying' for my services?"

Fon's lips slightly twitched. "As you said, you are not a licensed doctor. Am I correct in assuming that paying you would be an indirect way of supporting your not-so-legal practices? I may leap across some lines but I do not blindly jump off a cliff."

"I believe you're perfect for writing fortune cookies," Tsuna deadpanned.

Well fuck, he somehow played himself without knowing. Then again, he didn't really think too far ahead of his seal, which was his main priority.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but my skills are better used elsewhere."

Clicking his tongue, Tsuna grabbed his bookbag and slung it over his shoulder. "Great. Are we done here?"

"For now. Would you care to stay for dinner?"

"I would love to but I have to get back to my mom to make sure she's fine. You know, alive."

Fon chuckled. "Of course. We will call for you again."

Tsuna pursed his lips. "How long will it take for you to fix me?"

Humming in thought, Fon raised his cup. "That will depend on how soon my acquaintance will respond. All I ask for now is your patience, Tsuna."

Tsuna tensed. Fon's acquaintance? Shit. "Is this friend…like you?"

Fon sipped his tea. "I can say that he is quite formidable in his field." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Perhaps he could teach you a thing or two."

Licking his chapped lips, Tsuna felt nauseous all over again. He didn't think he'd meet another Arcobaleno so soon, but who was it? Verde—fuck, was it him? He might be different though, like this Fon. But Tsuna couldn't imagine him as anything else aside from being a scientist. Because—Because Verde was a scientist. His Verde was a scientist…

Still, the art of sealing flames wasn't well-known unless one was closely acquainted with the old ways or related to the much older famiglias like Vongola or Giglio Nero. That would leave…Viper. But—But there were too many anomalies, too many possibilities.

"Nice," Tsuna managed to say, "sounds nice. Thank you…for the tea."

Fon smiled slightly. "It was my pleasure, Tsuna. Travel safely. I look forward to seeing you again."

Tsuna's breath hitched. "Yeah. Good-bye."

With that, he turned and left the pavilion. Kyoya trailed quietly beside him, his hand resting slightly on his back, a steady support and something Tsuna found that he sorely missed, even if it was from him of all people.

Besides, Tsuna didn't have the strength to tell him to let go.

A car was already waiting for them at the front gates.

"I can walk home," Tsuna muttered under his breath.

Raising a brow, Kyoya opened the passenger door. "You will sustain more bruises than you can handle, little animal."

Tsuna sighed. "Whatever." Before he entered the car, he turned to Kyoya. "Don't…come in. I need space to think."

Kyoya's lips twitched upwards. "I did not say I was going with you, but I can if you want me to." Tsuna was glad Kyoya was fucking blind because his cheeks were definitely redder than normal. However, that feeling was short-lived when Kyoya lightly huffed. "Your heart rate is higher than normal, little animal. Perhaps I sh—"

"Oh, fuck off, asshole!" Tsuna said, startling the nearby guards and servants. "To think I was actually going to thank you for earlier—forget it."

His cheeks were practically burning when Kyoya smiled, showing some teeth. "That would be highly appreciated."

Tsuna clenched his jaw. "Jump off a bridge, bastard! I hope you fucking drown!"

He climbed into the car and shut the door, hoping it'd cut off Kyoya's fingers; sadly, it didn't. Not meeting the driver's gaze, Tsuna jammed his seatbelt on.

"Just drop me off at the nearest bus stop before I actually explode, thank you," he said.

The driver wordlessly pulled out of the long driveway and drove out onto the road. Tsuna's raging thoughts were the only sounds in his ringing ears. Looking out the window, he barely processed the rich houses that probably belonged to the Hibari family. No one walked the streets, and the sun was just setting over the horizon, painting the sky with dark oranges and purples. Everything was moving too fast, he could hardly breathe. Tsuna closed his eyes and willed himself to think of anything else but the present.

Colonello's loud, bright laughter carried through his ears, making him tighten his hands into fists and eyes burn. Viper's even breathing as he slept beside him soon took over, and Tsuna could feel the phantom sensation of his taller body enveloping him in a warm cocoon. Verde's steady voice washed over him like gentle rain, soothing his nerves considerably. Statistics, percentages, graphs—whatever he was talking about, it didn't matter. Tsuna could sleep easily if Verde was just reciting prime numbers or the chemical formula of Tourmaline.

Reborn's rare laughs made Tsuna tremble even more. The hitman had always complimented his espresso with subtle smiles that went unnoticed by the others. Tsuna let out a shaky breath when he felt Lal's callous hand ghost over his shoulder. Strong and firm, she had always been the anchor he needed. One slap from her and he could see the world in a better light again. Tsuna nearly sank in his chair when he imagined it as Skull's sturdy yet gentle arms. He missed the wind blowing in his air and snuggling against Skull's back on his motorcycle, breathing in his spicy scent that only belonged to him.

But they were only temporary.

Tsuna could still taste the mellow, sweet aftertaste of the white tea on his tongue. He saw only pink camellias instead of deep red peonies; a black changshan instead of a red one; sharp eyes constantly watching him, picking him apart, instead of soft ones gazing at him with fondness, shamelessly taking in every part of him.

Something white appeared in Tsuna's blurry vision. Fuck, he was crying. Quickly wiping his eyes, he sniffled and mentally cursed at himself.

"Take this, sensei," a deep voice said.

Looking up, Tsuna finally noticed the driver handing him a handkerchief. He gazed out the window, noting that they were parked near a relatively busy street. A bus stop was just two blocks down.

"I—Thanks," Tsuna said, accepting the white handkerchief. He dabbed his eyes with the soft fabric, feeling even worse.

Way to let yourself go, idiot, he thought, scowling.

He sat in his seat for a while, trying to recollect his hazy thoughts. The driver rummaged through the storage holder in front of the shotgun seat and pulled out a water bottle.

"Sensei," he said, handing it to Tsuna.

Blinking, Tsuna took it with shaking hands. "Thank you…"

The driver just nodded and looked straight ahead again, giving him some privacy. Tsuna downed the water in seconds. He cringed when the plastic bottle crinkled but didn't stop drinking. After he finished, his throat didn't feel as clogged anymore and he could breathe a little easier now.

A few minutes of silence passed. It wasn't uncomfortable, just…embarrassing on Tsuna's part.

"You don't have to call me sensei," he finally said, clearing his throat.

"You saved oyabun's life," the driver said, not turning to meet his gaze.

"Anyone would've done it."

"No, they wouldn't. Thank you, sensei. I don't know what I'd do if oyabun had died then."

Tsuna looked down at his hands. They were lax, fingers curled, lifeless. "You don't need to thank me."

"Saving oyabun's life—we owe you a great debt, not only from me or oyabun."

Unable to help himself, Tsuna smiled a bit. "Isn't it weird to be saying that to a kid?"

The driver chuckled. "I've seen stranger things. This doesn't come close to them."

"I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted."

"Before you leave"—the driver shifted and reached inside his suit jacket—"here, sensei."

Tsuna blinked when he handed him a white envelope. "What's this?"

"A small part of oyabun's debt."

"I can't take this."

"He insists."

Sighing, Tsuna accepted the envelope and slipped it inside bookbag. "Thank you, I guess."

The driver nodded. "Do you need more time? I can still drive you home."

Tsuna shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you."

The driver looked hesitant but didn't push any further, which Tsuna appreciated. He took some deep breaths before unbuckling his seatbelt.

"I'll wash this for you," he said, waving the man's handkerchief.

The driver whirled around, his eyes wide. "You don't have to, sensei."

Tsuna smiled. "I insist." Getting a better look at the man, he noted his clean, side-swept hair and rugged features. Oddly, he looked similar to someone Tsuna vaguely knew. He just couldn't place him. "Can't have you holding onto my snot."

Chuckling, the driver just shook his head. "Alright."

Tsuna suddenly stuck out his hand. "Tsuna—you can call me Tsuna."

The driver bowed his head as he shook Tsuna's hand. "Kusakabe Asahi. It's an honor, Tsuna-sensei."

Huffing, Tsuna sat back in his seat. "We're going to have to work on that."

Asahi merely smiled. "I suppose."

Tsuna opened the door then paused halfway out. "You know, if your debt still stands, can we just…keepthis between us?"

Asahi's brown eyes softened. "That doesn't count as a debt, sensei. Come back with something better."

Tsuna couldn't help it—he laughed. It felt nice, like some weight was lifted off his shoulders. He gave Asahi a two-finger salute. "Got it, captain."

"Travel safely, Tsuna-sensei."

"Will do."

Asahi didn't leave when Tsuna climbed onto the next bus. He was pretty sure the man didn't go until the bus safely left and turned three streets down.

Still, that was oddly comforting…

Coming home—to Nana's house 'cause none of this actually belonged to him—was always a little weird.

Tsuna was more accustomed to his small clinic in a backwards alley in Florence or even the back of a butcher's shop in Tokyo when he had been with Goro and his men. Home never was a word that fit right in his dictionary, more like a distant ideal that was fogged up by reality. He still remembered what Hitomi, Goro's wife, had told him, "You never feel completely at home, Tsu-chan, because some part of you—of your heart—remains elsewhere."

Aside from the ridiculous nickname, Tsuna could see where she was coming from. And it was hard, when this world—Nana's house—slowly encapsulated that word.

The lights were on, casting a warm glow in the apartment. Most of the boxes were unpacked so far and it almost looked like the kid's old place—almost. He could hear Nana in the kitchen like always, her soft humming seamlessly blending in with the clinking dishes and running water.

Walking as quietly as he could, Tsuna skirted past her but apparently she had eyes on the back of her head.

"Tsu-kun? Are you home?"

Tsuna bit back a curse. He forced on a quick smile and swiveled on his feet to face Nana. "Yeah, I'm h—"

He stiffened when Nana dropped a plate onto the floor, the glass shattering on impact. "What happened to your face? Who did this to you?"

Nana was already all over him before he could even blink. Her voice was borderline screechy—scratch that, she was screaming.

"Mama, I'm f—"

"Don't say that!" Nana said, tilting his head this way and that. "You promised you'd come to me if anyone's bothering you! What happened? Tell me." She sucked in a deep breath. "I can't—I can't lose you a second time, Tsuna."

Tsuna stiffened when Nana rested her head on his shoulder. He faintly felt his shirt turning wet but didn't move.

"No one did this to me, Mama," he said quietly. "I kind of did this to myself. I tripped when I was running."

Nana's breath hitched before looking up. Tears streamed down her cheeks, making her look vulnerable and oddly young. Tsuna wished that they'd just disappear, that Nana would just smile again like she always did.

"I'm being serious." Tsuna chuckled but that didn't really help. "My…friend surprised me and I kind of just ran. You know, instincts. It's the truth, I swear."

Nana pursed her lips as she wiped her eyes. "Tsuna."

"Look"—Tsuna raised his hands to let her see the wrapped gauze and pointed at his chin, too—"he did this. Well, he kind of made me like this with all the running and tripping anyways, but he also did…this."

"Tsuna." He could barely keep himself from flinching at Nana's solemn tone. "You're not lying to me, right?"

Widening his eyes, Tsuna shook his head. "I wouldn't! I'm telling the truth!"

A beat of silence passed before Nana's lips twitched into a small smile. "Okay."

Tsuna blinked. "Okay…?"

Nana nodded. "Okay. I believe you. But"—she rested her hands on her hips and Tsuna had never thought that she could look as intimidating as she did now—"you will bring him here and we'll have a nice talk."

Mind reeling, Tsuna didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the thought of Kyoya meeting Nana. He was more supportive of them not meeting. Besides, Kyoya wasn't his friend.

"He's…really shy," Tsuna said, internally wincing at how meek he sounded.

"You will bring him here, alright?"

"Okay…"

Then, just like that, Nana brightened up again. "Wonderful. Now go wash yourself. Dinner will be ready soon."

Tsuna just nodded numbly and skittered to his room. After he closed his door, he shuddered. Nana could be absolutely terrifying. Making a mental note to never get on her bad side, Tsuna turned on the lights and dumped his bag on the floor. He changed into some t-shirt and shorts before pulling back the window curtains. Light rain pattered on the windowpane, but he could still see the traffic and pedestrians bustling in the streets below.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and counted to ten. His heart rate was normal, the blood in his veins pulsing at the standard pace. He unzipped his bag and fished out the white envelope Asahi had given him. His suspicions were confirmed when he opened it and was greeted with several bills. A small note was taped inside. The handwriting was light and shaky, as if the person struggled with the motion.

This is not enough to express my gratitude but please accept it. – Hibari Yuji

Tsuna huffed a small laugh as he slumped on his bed. He didn't know why he expected anything else, but for once, he didn't want to be proven right.

The rain subsided when morning came, but there was a lingering, faint haze that colored Kokuyo's streets gray.

Tsuna tapped his finger to a nameless tune on his desk. His classmates' chatter was mute in his ears, a faint buzz that kept him somewhat grounded but not enough for him to escape his thoughts. His skin tingled when he remembered Fon's flames sweeping through his body, the intense heat almost ghosting his nerves and veins like a too-powerful, curious hand. Tsuna pinched the bridge of his nose and mumbled a curse.

He tensed when the door slid open, only relaxing when he heard the familiar clicks from Sasaki-sensei's heels. A hush fell over the classroom, prompting him to look up. Tsuna raised a brow. There wasn't anything wrong. So…?

"Good morning, everyone," Sasaki-sensei said, shifting through her books. She glanced at the doorway. "Come in. Ah, right."

Before she could walk over, a familiar lone figure stepped inside the classroom. Whispers immediately erupted among the students while a few girls gasped. Tsuna froze when he saw who it was.

You have to be fucking kidding me, he thought, groaning into his hands.

"This is Nakano Kyoya," Sasaki-sensei said. "He just transferred from Nakameguro an—I'm sorry, Sawada, is there a problem?"

Tsuna flinched. He could feel all eyes suddenly on him. "No," he said weakly. "I'm okay…"

He was far from okay, way over it and sinking deep in the Sumida River—if it were only true.

Sasaki-sensei just raised a brow but continued anyways, "This is his first time in Kokuyo so be nice, alright? Also, be mindful."

"Is he blind?" a student whispered a few desks down.

Tsuna just rolled his eyes. Fucking idiots.

"Is there anything you'd like to say, Nakano?" Sasaki-sensei said.

"No," Kyoya said. Oh, but Tsuna could just feel the smugness rolling off of him in waves.

"Alright, well, you can sit behind Sawada. Would you like some assistance?"

"I will be fine."

The room was quiet aside from Kyoya's steady and sure footsteps. His long strides were confident as he easily walked down the aisles. His gaze swept past Tsuna's face to the desk behind him. A faint whiff of cherry blossoms and green tea drifted in Tsuna's nose when he passed by. Tsuna couldn't move, his gaze never leaving Kyoya's face. The teen's eyes were unnervingly fixed on him, as if he could see him there. Tsuna tensed when the chair scraped behind him and Kyoya finally sat down.

Not long after, Sasaki-sensei spoke again, "Yoshida-sensei is out today so you will be having study hall instead of history later." She raised a brow when some students cheered. "But he has left worksheets and assignments for you to complete."

While the students groaned and protested, Tsuna tried hard not to shrink or bring attention to himself. He nearly jumped when Kyoya whispered in his ear, "Hello again, little animal."

Gritting his teeth, Tsuna turned around to glare at Kyoya. "Look, learn to take a joke. I didn't actually mean come to my school when I said to take classes on human decency."

Kyoya just crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a king despite his middle school uniform, and shrugged. "Precautionary measures."

"This better be your idea and not his or else I'm going to be adding more people on my hit list."

"As I said, little animal, precautionary measures." Kyoya's lips slightly twitched. "But I would like to see you try."

"You're not even 14."

"I am now."

Tsuna was sorely tempted to jump out the window and plummet to his death. Instead, he just sank in his seat and sighed.

He hated this world with a passion.

A/N It's going to get wild, peeps. :^D

Thank you for your reviews, favorites, and follows! They mean that I'm doing something right, haha. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Tons of stuff happened here and oh wow, look at that angst, ahahaha.

I'm pretty psyched for this story—it's going to get real pretty quick. ;^)

Thank you for reading! I hope to see you again in the next chapter.

Have a lovely day~

Little Miss Bunny