Tsuna dreamed of fire. From all-consuming flames. From a family. And of betrayal. Only by the ringing of the alarm clock he was ultimately redeemed.

Slowly Tsuna opened his eyes and scowled sleepy. Then he closed them again and dropped his head on the soft pillow. When he finally realized that the alarm wouldn't stop ringing, he reached with one hand to the blasted alarm clock.

But his marksmanship was also still asleep and so he pushed the alarm clock instead of the bedside table. Tsuna heard a clink, but just turned back around. At least, the alarm clock was quiet now.

He felt, despite the fatigue, refreshed. So far he hadn't slept for such a long time in a while. He felt almost too sleepily. And this delicious smell that came to his room from downstairs...

Abruptly Tsuna opened his eyes again and straightened up. All sleep was overruled by his instincts, as he looked around.

His old bed, his old desk, his old, annoying alarm clock ... his old room in Namimori!

He was back in Namimori. How the hell did I get here? And that smell? Someone's with me in the house!

Cautiously Tsuna crept out of his bed and remained crouching on the floor. Then he crawled to the window and only when he had determined that there was no danger of snipers, he stood up.

What's happened? Tsuna sat on the edge of his bed and played the last days through in his head in a rush. He was a waiter in a restaurant and got through a few guests in to a meeting of the organization, from where everything went downhill. But what then?

There was this crazy, dark presence. I met Adriana and persecuted her. And then ... then there was an attack, and the other ... and thank goodness, it was just a dream. But how did I end up here? Or more likely, who brought me here and knew where I lived? Vongola?

Tsuna looked around the room. The door didn't seem looked, just like the window. But there was no sign of his weapons.

Wonderful. Looks like I have do to this the hard way.

Concerned to make as little noise as possible, Tsuna slipped out of his room. In the hallway was not a soul to be found. The smell of freshly baked things became stronger. And now a low hum could be heard. Someone was definitely the kitchen.

That one that had brought Tsuna in his old house, did make it even easier for him. Tsuna had always tried to eavesdrop on Adriana and Reborn's conversations. So he knew exactly what wood plank would betray him. What step would crackle.

When he was near the kitchen, he heard a conversation. So there were several people in the house. Tsuna knew it was risky, but he had to know who knew about his past.

Quietly he pushed the kitchen door open a crack and peeked into the room. A woman with blue hair and a big hat busied herself at the stove, humming a song. At the table sat a young man with black hair, which ended in a ponytail, in a red robe. He drank tea. Both could not be much older than Tsuna.

"Oh, you're awake." Tsuna winced. But then opened the door fully. After all, he was already discovered.

The blue-haired woman put the tray of biscuits on the table. She looked at Tsuna before she shook her head. "You're like Reborn. You both just don't appreciate a good sleep." She sighed. "Anyway. Sit down with us. I've just baked biscuits." She pointed at the tray and smiled at Tsuna. "But maybe you want change first."

Tsuna, who just stood there and could really believe who was in the kitchen looked down at himself. Only now he noticed that he was wearing a pair of pajamas.

Chapter 17: We are never alone

"Give everyone a second chance, because at some point you may need one yourself."

Tsuna took a bite from the hot biscuit. Chocolate!

After Tsuna had quickly ran back upstairs and had changed, he sat down at the table. The woman had mentioned Reborn in a relatively friendly manner. Tsuna didn't think the woman and the man, both approximately Reborn's age, would do something to hurt him. They had had more than enough time for that, when he was still unconscious.

The blue-haired woman - girl - with the large hat had introduced himself as Luce. The man - boy - in the red robe named Fon.

"So and you are colleagues from Reborn?," Tsuna asked hesitantly and continued to nibble at his biscuit. Both stared at him all the time and that made Tsuna nervous, especially since both of them were a lot stronger than he.

"Friends even," Fon said, who sipped at his tea.

Luce laughed. "Although Reborn, would never admit that voluntarily." Fon nodded in agreement.

"But that's not the reason why we are here," Luce said seriously. "We need to talk to you Tsuna, we all."

"We all? There's more of you?"

Fon nodded. "There's six of us. The others should be in the house somewhere."

Luce looked Tsuna apologetically. "Could you find them and bring into the living room, please? You know this place better than us. Then we can discuss everything else."

Turned out that Tsuna only needed to find three more people. A person came into the kitchen. She or he was wrapped in a long cloak. A hood hid the upper part of the face. The person sat down at the table, nodded at Luce and Fon and took out some money from a pocket of the cloak and began to count.

"Tsuna, this is Mammon. He can help you to find the others," introduced them Fon.

Mammon stopped counting money and looked at Tsuna. "I'll help you only for money."

"Um, okay, but I don't have any money at the moment. Can I not help you out with something else in return?"

"No money, no service."

"But I have no money!" shouted Tsuna. Mammon just shrugged his shoulders and started to count his money again. Tsuna did not really know what to say.

Luce chuckled. "Do not worry, Tsuna. I'll tell it to you for free. Verde should be in the attic and Colonnello and Skull in the garden."

And indeed, the door that led to the attic was open. When closed, the door merged perfectly with the wall. No longer visible. It would be bad if a visitor accidentally would stumble upwards. Let's say that everything that was kept up there, did not belong in a normal household.

Tsuna climbed up the stairs. Once at the top, he was faced with a chemistry lab. All the training equipment and their weapons were simply thrown in a heap in the corner. Instead tables were positioned throughout the room, on which stood some equipment. All books and records have been torn from their shelves to make room for notes and laboratory equipment.

What did this lunatic do to our attic?!

The madman was bent over a table on which a laboratory apparatus stood; an orange liquid slowly dripping through it. The young man took notes and pushed up his glasses from time to time. Green hair and a lab coat, so that was Verde.

Tsuna walked toward Verde, making a broad sweep to all tables. He wasn't exactly quiet, yet Verde didn't turn to Tsuna when he was standing right behind him. Either he was too engrossed in his experiment or he just plain out ignored him. Both options Tsuna didn't like.

"Excuse me, Verde-san," Tsuna tried to catch his attention. No idea why he wanted that at all.

The young scientist turned to Tsuna and looked at him. Well everything was a guinea pig for this man. "I take it you are Tsunayoshi," he remarked.

Tsuna wasn't surprised that he knew his name. After all, he was a friend of Reborn. "I suppose Reborn told you about me."

Verde snorted. "As if. When it comes to his private life, he is as silent as a grave. No, but to find your name is really no scientific feat."

Private life? So they have worked together.

Tsuna didn't know what to say. "Okay, uh, what are you doing?" Tsuna pointed at the table behind them.

"Nothing you would understand even close." And judging by the complexity of the apparatus that was actually very likely. Verde turned back to his experiment.

Tsuna remembered why he was here. Verde no longer turned around, but made it clear that he was listening to him at least.

"Luce-san wants you to come into the living room."

"Tell her I'll be right there. Now get out before you start an explosion."

He did not have to be told that twice.

Note to self: Classify Verde as potentially dangerous and/or crazy. Stay as far away as possible.

From a non-lighted corner Tsuna heard a whimper. He wanted to get away from here. That was everything, but absolutely not his old attic.

Luce was also right with the next one. On the porch sat a young man with blond hair. He wore a green military uniform and had a green headband with a camouflage pattern and a black button with the number 01. A boy who was sitting in the sun in the garden, was in itself not unusual, but when said boy polished his rifle, it was clear he did not belong there.

As Tsuna came near the boy looked up and smiled. "So you're finally awake," he greeted Tsuna. "It's about time, kora!"

"Why? How long have I slept?"

In the distance he could hear a loud engine noise. Quite unusual for this area.

"A couple of days."

A couple of days? In the time anything may have happened. Adriana is long gone. Tsuna sighed. And I was so close.

Tsuna noticed that the boy kept looking to the garden gate, which was wide open. On the road Tsuna could make out something that looked like a ramp.

"Why is there a ramp?" asked Tsuna.

The boy grinned. "You'll see. My name is Colonnello, by the way, kora."

The engine noise grew noticeably louder with each passing second. Colonnello looked out the gate. "There he is at last, kora." There is who?

The next moment, a motorcycle shot at the ramp and flew high through the air and disappeared from Tsuna's sight. For another moment all was quiet, then there was a loud crash and he may even saw a small explosion. Sirens echoed shortly thereafter.

Please, whoever is responsible fot that, let them not come here.

But Tsuna was not known to have any lucky. Through the garden gate, a boy came in with purple hair and too much make-up in the face. He was trying to free his motorcycle clothing of soot.

Colonnello put his rifle to the side and got to the boy, who was then probably Skull.

"Did you see that? Not as dangerous as the rest of my stunts, but there were just as many rescue workers."

"That was so cool, kora! Do that again."

And while the two laughed and cheered, Tsuna resisted the urge to stand there with his mouth wide open. Wonderful, one more of that kind.

Colonnello and Skull stopped laughing and turned to him. "Luce sent you, right? Tell her that we'll be there soon, kora."

Tsuna nodded simply. And he thought his friends were chaotic.

In the living room, they distributed on the two sofa and chairs. Tsuna took a chair. He didn't want to come near one of them.

"So, Tsuna," Luce started. "Have you ever heard of the so-called I Prescelti Sette? The seven strongest people from every generation will be chosen to form this group. The present generation are we six, "Luce pointed to the other. "And Reborn."

"Each of us does actually do their own thing, kora. But every now and then we come together to accept a mission together. One of these was commissioned by Checkerface, kora."

"Checker Face?" A man with a mask? "You mean the guy who stood on the stage, right?"

"Exactly, kora."

"It was only later that we realized what sinister intentions Checkerface really harbored." Luce took over again. "But at that time we had already given him half of the pacifiers, which we were supposed to protect. These pacifiers are seals."

Seals that Checkerface should never be allowed to break. Our predecessors had tried to stop him, but to no avail. Now it is up to us. But without Reborn..."

"So you saved me, so I could replace Reborn in your group?" asked Tsuna in shock. He could feel his anger rise.

"We don't want to replace anyone, Tsuna," Fon said quietly.

"And how do you six want to stop him then?" Tsuna replied angrier than he had planned to. "Reborn is in a coma and will likely never wake up again!"

Luce and the rest of the I Sette Prescelti minus one exchanged dubious glances before Luce stood up, approached Tsuna and took his hands. She gently pushed him back to his seat. He hadn't even noticed that he had risen up. Luce knelt in front of him, but kept his hands in hers. She looked again at the others, as if she didn't know what to say. Then she finally looked Tsuna in the eyes.

"Tsuna," Luce started. "There's something you should know."

"This is the last, now all seven are together," said Checkerface, as he put the seventh pacifier into the vessel to the other. Adriana was standing behind him. She had just returned from her last expedition.

Again and again she had to think of Tsuna. Had he survived the attack? Adriana shook his head. Of course he had. He was Tsuna.

"It won't be long now, then we will change the world."

"What will we actually change? You haven't exactly explained this part of your plan," Adriana asked.

Checker Face smiled. "These pacifiers are a vestige of a bygone civilization. Seven pacifier, seven seals." He pointed to a table on the other side of the beam of light.

On the table lay a world map on which individual objectives were labeled through a red 'x '. In addition to the crosses there was a number to each. Slowly Adriana let her gaze wander about the map. But these targets ... These are ...

"What makes a reality reality, my dear? The answer is simple. Memories. Experiences. Relationships between people, even countries build on it. Friendships. Even one's own self."

Adriana bit her lower lip. Either she acted now or never. Checkerface plan ... These red crosses...That could not happen. Carefully, she reached for her gun and creeped up until she was close behind him.

"We will cover this world with darkness and it will be back, as it once was. A world for the true human."

Now!

Adriana raised the weapon and pointed it at Checkerface's head. But before she could pull the trigger Checkerface had already turned to her and grabbed her by the throat. Her weapon slid across the floor, while she hung defenseless in the air.

"I had expected a betrayal, my dear. Why do you think that I wanted to have you near me."

"You're mad!" Adriana rasped with her last breath.

"Do not forget that you have helped me."

Before her eyes danced black dots and she realized how much strength she still needed to grab his hands around her neck at all, let alone, to pull. You realize what every single breath for a privilege is when you cannot take it.

Checkerface had apparently also enough of it. The next moment Adriana collided with the wall and fell to the ground. Greedy Adriana took a large breath.

Her so-called leader had already written her off and turned back to the pacifiers. Adriana could only see his back.

Her eyes fell on her weapon, which was not two feet away from her. I only have to stretch. But it's so much easier to just lie are here. Let the world face its fate. Maybe it's not so bad. And Namimori...

Suddenly Adriana thought she heard children's laughter. Completely impossible. It seemed so familiar. So familiar. As if it had once been her whole world.

Reborn.

Tsuna.

She glanced at Checkerface, who seemed deep in his work. He probably thought she didn't survive. A faint smile stretch on her lips.

For far too long I have been alone in the dark.

Then she stretched out in pain and did not stop until she felt cold metal and her hand closed around it.

Tsuna buried his face in his collar to protect himself against the cold wind. Although hair flew him repeatedly in his eyes, he kept his hands in his jacket pockets.

Namimori seemed deserted. He hadn't met anyone, but in this weather it didn't surprise him. Normally, he would also prefer the heat, but Tsuna needed fresh air.

Reborn's friends - if you could call them so - have remained at his home. Tsuna needed just a little time for himself. Clear his mind and stuff. But his thoughts just left him no rest. Tsuna could only think of Luce revelation: Reborn is awake and on the way here.

Just a few days ago that would have been the fulfillment of all his hopes and dreams. He imagined how it would lift be a great burden off his shoulders. Instead, this burden has become heavier. Why does it feel just so, so ... not liberating?

A few children ran past him and laughed. Tsuna paused and looked after them. When had he had fun the last time?

As Tsuna watched the children playing, his mind emptied markedly from all disturbing thoughts. The answer to his questions, for his feelings lay him already on the tongue.

He felt cheated.

Reborn's friends did know that he is out of the coma. Tsuna didn't. Reborn's friends were the ones who supported him and made preparations. Tsuna wasn't. Reborn had relied on his friends. But not on Tsuna, who continued his mission alone.

Tsuna felt a rage. A rage against himself. How naive he had been. He had forgotten Adriana's first rule: Trust no one but yourself.

But hadn't he relied on Spanner? ...Spanner! I totally forgot about him! Where has he gone?

Other considerations were interrupted when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Tsuna?"

Tsuna had already half turned, about to throw the stranger over his shoulder. A reflex, he has learned over the last year. But Tsuna recognized the voice and dropped his hand.

"Kyoko?"

The girl beamed at him, smiled sweetly and then fell into his arms. "Tsuna. That really you? You were quite a long gone. Where have you been? I was worried."

Tsuna hugged her without hesitation. He sure had forgotten how he always felt with his friends. Friends?

"I'm sorry that I didn't contact you. I didn't want you to worry about me. But after Reborn, I just could not stay here any longer. I just needed ... room to breathe. A change of scenery."

Kyoko took a step back. "But that's understandable. I just wish you would have told us about it. Or at least that you phoned me from time to time."

"Sorry." Tsuna smiled guiltily. He did not know what to tell her. At least not that such a thing would have been a risk.

Kyoko sighed, then looked past Tsuna. "Were you on the way to the other?"

"The others?"

"Yes. Takeshi-kun, Hayato-kun, Onii-san and the others." Tsuna turned around. In the direction was the school. Kyoko stepped in front of him. "They are on the school roof."

Then she raised her hand as if she were scolding a small child. "And don't you dare disappear again without saying goodbye." Then she smiled again and went in the opposite direction.

Tsuna looked up at the school. Friends.

He heard their voices already in the stairwell.

Tsuna let the door closed and leaned against the wall. He heard how they quarreled among themselves. Mostly, however, it were Lambo and Hayato with Takeshi as mediator. He heard Mukuro's eerie giggle and Hibari's threats. And of course, Onii-san's extreme prompts to join the Box Club.

Without realizing it, a smile crept on Tsuna's lips. But peace and luck held no place in Tsuna's fate for long.

"What do you want, Omnivore?" Tsuna almost felt how Hibari starred at him with a cold look through the door. Discovered! Now there is no turning back. Tsuna came out of the stairwell to get out on the roof.

Gokudera looked as if he wanted to say something, but Yamamoto stopped him.

"I wanted to talk to you and ..." Come on, Tsuna. Spit it out! "... I am sorry!"

His (maybe) friends looked on in anticipation, but no one said a word. And so Tsuna began to speak. The more he talked, the easier it became.

"I forced you away because I didn't want something to happen to you. I did not want to get you involved with all this. I fooled myself, believing I could do it all alone. That I would have to prove that I'm as strong as Reborn and Adriana. But to tell the truth the whole thing has grown over the head."

So now it's out.

"In the end I've only done what Reborn and Adriana have done to me." Only that Reborn has trusted his friends. "I was wrong. I should have trusted you, "confessed Tsuna.

Were that still the same people who had risked their lives for him in the underground hiding place? The people he had saved from the prison? Tsuna looked at Chrome and Mukuro. Which he had helped when they were in trouble? His gaze wandered to Ryohei, Lambo and Gokudera. Who were there for him when he needed someone? Most recently, he looked at Yamamoto and Hibari. And as Tsuna looked each of them in the eyes, he saw their determination and his answer.

They hadn't changed at all.

"I need your help." Tsuna ended his speech. Then added but still with sparkling eyes: "I mean, I need my friends."

The others looked skeptically at each other. Then they nodded one after another and finally Takeshi grinned at Tsuna. "Welcome back."

On the way towards Tsuna's house, Takeshi and Hayato gave Tsuna an update on the happenings in Namimori. Nothing had really changed. Hibari has disappeared, mumbled something about too many people. Also Chrome and Mukuro went away, but let Tsuna know that they would help him. They had a debt to a debt, after all. And Onii-san has continued his training at full speed. Lambo shot himself away with one of his grenade. Gokudera assured him that "the stupid cow" will be back in a few hours.

And Tsuna had to admit it did really feel good to be among friends again! Although he still had to search for Spanner. Just where was he?

Laughing, they arrived at Tsuna's, but the laughter faded when they arrived in the living room. In the chair, that Tsuna occupied a few hours ago, was now taken by man with a black hat. When the group noticed the newcomers there was silence. Reborn stood up and turned to Tsuna. Tsuna could swear that everyone was able to hear his heartbeat.

"We should let the two alone," suggested Luce, who noticed the tension between Reborn and Tsuna immediately. Quick everyone made their way to the door.

"But Tsuna-sama is...," cried Gokudera but was interrupted by Luce. "No, buts! Shoo, shoo, out with you." Yamamoto grabbed Gokudera by the arm when he wanted to discuss this and pulled him out.

"Long time no see, Tsuna," Reborn said when they were alone.

That was the moment Tsuna has been waiting for. Reborn stood before him. He could let out all his frustrations on him. That he had not said anything. His many secrets. But ... all the rage that Tsuna thought that he would feel at Reborn's sight never came. Instead, he felt only a peaceful calm and determination.

"The last time we stood here in this room you cried," Reborn broke the silence.

Tsuna smiled nostalgically thinking about the memory. "The last time is more than a year ago. I've changed. Have traveled ... I have grown up." Tsuna looked Reborn in the eyes. "I am no longer the boy who has quietly waited for you to come back."

Reborn held eye contact for a while before he put a hand to his hat. "No, you're probably not."

Tsuna took a deep breath. His next words wouldn't please Reborn, but he was tired of waiting.

"And whatever you want to venture to stop Checkerface, I'll come with you."

"This is not a game, Tsuna," Reborn warned with a significantly darker tone in his voice.

"Do you think I don't know that," Tsuna interrupted. "I was there when the man with the mask spoke on stage. I felt those dark flames. You're right, this is not a game. And that's why I won't sit here and wait for it to be over. I am tired of seeing you and Adriana always trying to protect me and keeping me away from everything."

Reborn looked at him and for the first time Tsuna felt that Reborn really looked at him and not his defenseless, little brother.

"I cannot dissuaded you," remarked Reborn.

"That's right! So finally tell me what this man is up to."

"We do not know exactly, but we know that all seven pacifiers together make a powerful weapon."

"But what would be one of his first targets?"

"Namimori."

What?!

Reborn and Tsuna turned to the door, where Adriana leaned against the frame. She looked as if she would fall over any second. She had a lot of wounds. On her skin stuck partially dried, but also fresh blood. Adriana looked as if she came directly from the set of a horror movie. With the difference that this was real.

Most likely, they should to draw their weapons or even help Adriana. But both of them were like paralyzed with fear and surprise.

"His first goal is Namimori. We have to get out of here," she managed, gasping. Then Adriana collapsed in their living room.

I am really, really sorry for the long wait. But you know how it is. Life came calling and it is kinda hard to ignore.

On the other side, we aren't so far away from the ending anymore. I hope you will stay with me til the end.

Until next time.