author's note at the bottom
.
.
.
VII: As a candidate
The next morning, Tsuna steps quietly out of the front gate. The air is tantalizingly cool and the sky is still dim. There is still a faint glow from the fading moon above and he smiles as a cool breeze brushes against his cheeks.
He inhales deeply. Frosty air blows into his lungs and he spends some time going through a few stretches. Goosebumps trail across his skin, but he pays no mind because soon, he'll be all alone - peace, quiet, a silent time to really take in all that's happened. He picks up his water bottle and -
"Ciaossu." Tsuna trips over nothing but, like a (Mafia) boss, catches himself before he can fall to the ground. "What are you doing, Tsuna?"
- oh, who is he kidding?
"Reborn-san." He lets an easy smile play on his lips and pushes down the urge to sigh.
Is it so hard to get even a morning of peace?
"I'm going for my morning run." Tsuna hesitates and hedges back and forth before deciding to go for it anyway. "Would you like to join me?"
Five minutes later, he is still surprised at Reborn's acceptance to his offer, but shakes it off and instead adjusts to the familiar weight on top of his head.
"Training was going to start later today, but I see you've gotten a head start." Tsuna looks up at Reborn's near random words fifteen minutes later, but shrugs at the hidden interest and question behind them.
"I do this everyday as a precaution," Tsuna turns a corner and beneath his regulated breathing, chooses his next words carefully. "Hibari-senpai tends to get… violent at times, so most of us in the Disciplinary Committee try to stay fit to avoid, uh, casualties."
And by casualties, he means visits to the local Namimori Hospital.
"Hm… is that so," Reborn says, accepting the tentative explanation. It's all in case Reborn questions his fighting capabilities (which the hitman will, jeez), and that's what Tsuna is aiming for.
Tsuna runs steadily past several shops near a park. "Reborn-san."
"What?"
"You said last night that I couldn't refuse the position of a mafia boss…"
"That's right – it's your destiny to become Vongola's Tenth."
There is a tiny part inside his heart that wants to tell Reborn that he doesn't believe in things like destiny. He believes in chance and the desires of other people - but destiny?
Tsuna has left that sort of thinking to those who can afford it.
"Then what about Takahiro?" Tsuna has lived the mafia life before (and he wonders if he's been living it even till now). He knows the workings of Vongola and the underground world like the creases in his palm. It's unlikely anybody with Vongola blood will be left alone... but fools can dream.
"I'll be training him as well. You're not the officially the heir yet." Reborn says with a bland tone. The words are a warning. "He's in it as much as you are."
Tsuna lets the steady pounding of his feet fill the air. "What if he wants to do something else? He can't go to college or find a nice job?"
A little voice whispers its presence. It curls around his mind like a sly serpent hidden from its prey and it asks: where is the fairness in this life? Why should anyone have to blindly follow a predecessor's past?
What happened to your unbreakable will, Tsunayoshi?
A sudden, fierce hatred for his future, for his faults and for his lax acceptance fills his bones to their core.
(Nearly half a decade in this world and what exactly have you accomplished?)
Reborn shifts on top of his head and Tsuna blinks, brought instantly back into the world. He can feel the silence turn slightly uncomfortable and he knows Reborn isn't exactly cold-hearted (oh, but does he act like it). But in turn Reborn pushes it aside with his never-faltering will of iron and blood.
"Who knows?" – is the baby's enigmatic reply and Tsuna snorts, but accepts the hint gracefully because it's rather generous of Reborn to answer so straightforwardly.
"What's this?" Tsuna raises a hand to his chest and gasps. "I thought you knew everything, Reborn!"
Tsuna winces as Reborn none-too-gently tugs at the end of his ponytail.
"Don't be an idiot or I'll shoot you."
The rest of the run isn't what Tsuna would like to call pleasant, but it certainly is peaceful. It's definitely a step up from Reborn's usual 'wake up calls.'
Tsuna reaches his house at a slow jog and eases into a steady walking pace. When the front gate comes to view, Reborn jumps off his head and lands flawlessly on it.
"Get ready for school, Tsuna," The hitman pulls out a planner from who knows where. "We have a busy schedule today - a new transfer student! How exciting."
(Could his eyes fall out after rolling them so often? He needs to research just in case).
There is silence as Tsuna opens the gates. He pauses for a brief moment and says, "Reborn, I understand where you're coming from."
You think what I desire is impossible - that the mafia has been running on a ground set of rules for generations, that nothing can change that.
You think I can only accept what's there and make the best of that.
The baby says nothing. Tsuna closes the gate behind him and looks over his shoulder.
But I've been there already. And I know I can do it again.
"I appreciate it, but, I don't think I can just stand there when something precious is on the line."
The air is cold and the sun is just barely peeking out from the horizon. For the briefest second, a moment that Reborn barely catches, Tsuna's eyes flash golden.
With a smile, Tsuna walks into his house and lets the door close shut behind him.
.
.
.
" - and send Nakajima-san with that group too; I know he's still as green as grass, but he's going to have to learn someday." He rests his head into the center of his left-hand palm. An elegant fountain pen dances along his right-hand and he marks off another name from the list. "Tell Mori-san to see me tomorrow, please? I heard he's still continuing his, ah, entrance fees with students from other schools."
The young student across him smiles wryly. "Of course, Sawada-san. Anything else?"
"No, that's it for today." Tsuna gives a brief, returning smile as he stands up. "Thank you again, Kusakabe-san."
"It's no problem for me," The teenager hands an empty, cleaned bento box to Tsuna with an amused light to his eyes. "You've done a remarkable job keeping this committee together."
Tsuna nearly snorts, keeping it together because he's got composure and class. "Everyone knows you're the backbone here; heaven knows what Hibari-senpai would have done without you."
Tetsuya chuckles, and it is a deep, smooth sound that has always left Tsuna a tad envious. (it's as if the boy went straight to adulthood, completely skipping the painful stage of puberty in between).
"I think you can give yourself a little more credit with Kyouya-san," He remarks lightly as they both move to leave the reception room. And, ever the polite one, he slides the door open first, gesturing for Tsuna to walk through first.
Tsuna shakes his head bemusedly, far too used to the boy's actions. He turns to the young teen and decides to not address the words spoken. "Have a good day, Kusakabe-san."
"Till tomorrow, Sawada-san." Tetsuya lets out a bark of laughter, and they part ways, him to greet Kyouya from his returning patrol and Tsuna to his classroom.
He reaches the doors in a few minutes, nearly on time for the first class of the day when a familiar voice calls his name. With a near start, he turns to see Kyoko, without a single trace of Hana.
"Kyoko-san," He greets warmly nevertheless. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Tsuna-chan," His smile widens at her tiny pout, but momentarily falters when she grabs his wrist and pulls him aside.
"Kyoko-san? -"
Kyoko guides him firmly to a nearby staircase, away from prying eyes. "Sorry, Tsuna-chan. I didn't want to make a scene… you know, I… um..."
Her hands are still clasped around his wrist, with shaking fingers. The sight creates a moment, sudden and strange, that leaves Tsuna silent, hesitant to break its fragility. There is momentum building, within a charged second and as if it cannot be held any longer, Kyoko takes in a quick breath -
"I wanted to say thank you," She blurts out at last, wincing at her sudden words. "I mean, you didn't have to go that far, I know Mochida-sempai can be too much and I know you don't see us as that close but - "
She stops and takes in a deeper breath.
"So thank you," Her hands are clasped tightly together. "No one besides Hana-chan and my brother have really stood up for me like that. I - " she gives a brittle smile. "I'm not very good at saying what I want."
Tsuna blinks because has he ever seen Kyoko so honest?
"You're welcome." He tells her seriously. "I would do it again, you know. You don't have to thank me for something I wouldn't hesitate on doing."
Her eyes widen and the grip in his hands tighten.
"Okay," Kyoko whispers as the bell rings and suddenly, the moment finishes as quickly as it had started. She discreetly wipes her eyes (which, holy crap, did he just miss a bullet there) and slaps her cheeks. "I'm okay!"
Tsuna eyes her reddening cheeks and questions if she really is.
But it seems so, because after a quick hug (that would have left his past self melting) Kyoko marches off to class like a soldier braving the battlefield. Feeling as if the world tilted slightly on its axis, Tsuna scratches his head and sighs.
From somewhere near a closet, a voice says, "Interesting first choice for your Family, Tsuna."
He rolls his eyes and shoves his hands into his pockets.
"Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop, Reborn?"
.
.
.
When Hayato walks into the classroom, Tsuna belatedly realizes that his Right-Hand may be an actual delinquent.
With that kind of uniform misconduct, Kyouya would massacre him in a second, Tsuna thinks and smiles soberly at how young the boy looks.
Tsuna stares at the lingering baby fat on Hayato's cheeks and the dozens of scars missing from the boy's calloused hands. He stares right up until the point where Hayato is looming right above him and only then does he scoot back a few centimeters.
What a delinquent, Tsuna thinks almost fondly as his desk flies to the ground.
"Do you know him, Sawada-san?" A classmate whispers to him when he picks the desk back up.
Tsuna shrugs and sends a look to Takahiro, seething a few seats away (honestly, so much anger for a little guy - he'll get wrinkles by the time he's twenty). "Don't know him. He makes a great delinquent though."
(He pushes his face into his hands to muffle his sudden burst of laughter.
Damn, where did he get this amazing sense of humor?).
.
.
.
"Volleyball match?" Tsuna looks at Takahiro and he's relieved to see that his twin is just as confused as he is. "You mean, the boy's volleyball tournament?"
"Yeah, that one!" Takeshi says with a featherlight grin.
Off to the side, Hana raises a single eyebrow.
(Kyoko, surprisingly, is absent and a floor above them with a hesitant Mochida).
Did this happen before? Tsuna tilts his head but he can't remember, it's been so long.
"Sure, why not?" He says and there is a lack of reaction that surprises him.
Shouldn't he be happy he's asked to participate in the boy's tournament? Should he?
Tsuna groans, uneasy, and shovels a mouthful of rice.
.
.
.
The volleyball tournament goes completely fine under Kyouya's watchful eyes and that leaves Tsuna instantly wary.
"Hmm." Next to him, Takahiro blows a strand of hair away from his face and Tsuna makes a note to remind Nana of a necessary haircut. "Yamamoto asked if we wanted to get ice cream with the others. You coming?"
"Really?" Tsuna hums and watches as the rest of the volleyball team goes off to change. Tsuna (with his super, awesome, talented skills) has long since changed and catches Hayato leaning suspiciously against a wall in a corner.
… is he a stalker?… Tsuna is aware of his Right-Hand's obsessive qualities but - he raises an eyebrow when the boy jerks his head to the door, a movie famous move gangsters would make, that nerd - this feels a bit excessive.
"It looks like the new transfer student wants to talk, actually," Takahiro jerks away half-heartedly when Tsuna makes to bump shoulders. "I'll catch you back home."
"That delinquent?" Takahiro says with narrowed eyes and Tsuna chokes down a laugh. "Should I come with you?"
"I'm sure - pfft - I'll be fine, Hiro," He heaves a deep, shaking breath and rests his hand briefly on his twin's shoulder.
"If you're sure," Takahiro shrugs, seemingly casual with an undercurrent of tension. "I'll see you later."
Takahiro grabs his sports bag and slings it over his shoulder. When he begins to walk away, Tsuna chuckles and marvels at how quickly children grow up.
.
.
.
They meet up in a secluded area behind the school.
"I thought some half-assed trash would be next in line for Vongola," Hayato grunts with gritted teeth. "But even if you're just average, with a guy like you, the Family is done for."
The young boy pauses, as if dramatically waiting for the wind to blow, and this cements Tsuna's known suspicions that Hayato is just a drama-queen.
And to add to the growing drama -
"That was faster than what I expected," Reborn's squeaky voice echoes behind them.
Tsuna stares at the mechanical doors whirring open from a tree trunk of all places, and says, "That must be an environmental hazard."
Reborn, like always, ignores him. "This is Gokudera Hayato. He's a family member I called over from Italy, though it's the first time I've met him."
"Nice to meet you," Tsuna says with a short, polite nod (a bit difficult with Reborn on his head, but whatever he makes it work) because Nana didn't raise disrespectful children.
"Tch, whatever." Hayato pulls out a few sticks of dynamite and Tsuna despairs at how far humanity has fallen. "So is it true? That I can become the Tenth if I get rid of this guy."
"That's right." Reborn answers blandly.
"That doesn't sound right." Tsuna intones immediately after, just as flatly. "I'm pretty sure you said it doesn't work like that. Also betraying me already, Reborn?" He says lightly. "How did you even get this job? You're terrible at it."
He flinches when a little foot stomps on his head, but it's cool, totally worth it.
"You better fight, Tsuna," Reborn jumps off his head and adds in, "It's said that Gokudera Hayato can hide bombs in any part of his body."
(As if on cue, Hayato throws a stick of dynamite over the fence).
"My other name is Hurricane Bomb Hayato," The boy says coolly as smoke floods the air.
Tsuna coughs and chokes - partially because of the debris and mostly because Hayato, at twenty-six, held his nickname to an excessive amount of esteem.
Tsuna, ignoring his Right-Hand's posturing, turns to Reborn and asks, "How did they even let this guy through TSA?"
Reborn shrugs.
"Brace yourself," Hayato growls, heavy threats laced around his voice, as he crouches down and lights the dynamites in his hands. "Your end is near."
(It must be the lack of fear, Tsuna decides, to explain why everyone around him was so dramatic. Without a healthy amount of fear, people were bound to go crazy - which is why he isn't - he is blessedly happy and sane -).
Tsuna dusts off the layers of ash on his uniform and swiftly approaches his Right-Hand, briskly grabbing both of his arms before anyone can react.
"What the - let go -" Hayato snarls.
"Take a look around you." Tsuna ignores the boy's struggles and the sparking fires of dynamite ready to set off. "We're in a school. A school with at least a hundred children - do you really think firing off bombs is a good idea?"
He brings Hayato closer to him with a jerk and breaks the boy's grip on the explosives. With ease, he extinguishes every single dynamite, the stinging pain and smell of burning flesh familiar to his senses.
"What does that matter to you?" The boy hisses, twisting and turning to escape to no avail. His eyes glance over to Tsuna's charred fingers. "You're just a simple minded civilian. You don't know what it's like - to face death in the eyes. If all you do is sit all day doing nothing, how can you take over the greatest Family in existence?"
"You can't be serious about that," Tsuna answers sharply, holding himself from reeling backward, like a slap has gone for his face because was it true? There is sharp pain at Hayato's remark (because he knows death - knows it intimately within his hands and soul) and disappointment in himself because maybe he has been complacent.
"So what if I am?" Hayato sneers, as Tsuna brings those spiraling thoughts back, into the cracks of his soul, because he must stay in the present. "What do these dumb people matter when you're about to ruin countries with your ignorance?"
"There are lives here that no one has the right to disrespect." Tsuna counters quietly. A grimace nearly set on his features. "I may be a simple civilian, but that means that these students are even more so important. I won't stand for harmless people getting hurt because of something as simple as an inheritance."
From Hayato's slackened hands, the dynamites fall uselessly to the ground. Releasing his tight grip, Tsuna takes a step back and mulishly rubs his face with his hands.
"If I could give you this position, I would," He tells the boy with honesty. "But since it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time today…"
He half-heartedly smiles, perhaps in defeat. "You want to take a rain check?"
(Behind him, in the midst of heavy silence, Reborn clicks his tongue in annoyance).
Hayato stares down at his own hands. After a second of eternity, he clenches them into fists and looks up.
"...I never wanted the position of Vongola Heir," He admits with a sober, bitter grimace. "I came here because I was called to play a part… but I think it's obvious I wasn't ever needed."
The young Italian hardens his gaze, and Tsuna can almost physically feel the moment Hayato pulls out his defenses.
"Just wire the money straight into my account, Reborn-san," Hayato nearly spits, on the borderline between respectful and rude. "I believe my time here is done."
And with this bewildering turn of events, Tsuna finds his world turning on a tilt once more.
This… hadn't happened before, had it? No, Tsuna can hardly remember, but this, this caustic side of Hayato that had never be used on Tsuna -
But it's already too late, Hayato is turning, walking away, leaving his bombs on the ground, and Tsuna has a split second to decide -
(There are two paths that he sees, one where he lets Hayato go because wouldn't the boy be happier then? - and the other - )
He lurches forward and falls into step next to the teenager stalking away.
"By the way, Namimori has really good ice cream," Tsuna says as smooth as a baby's bottom. "Have you ever tried it?"
Hayato looks at him with a scowl that would have left him crying decades ago.
"There's a great cafe a few blocks away," Tsuna walks a little closer and Hayato growls dangerously.
"I don't like sweets," The teenager grits out from his clenched teeth. His pace quickens in a (futile) attempt to get away.
Tsuna keeps up without trouble. He gives his patent "I am the Boss so you must do as I say" smile. "Even better, there's a green tea selection perfect for you!"
"I don't like tea," Hayato snarls and his fast walk becomes more of a sprint. "I don't like tea, I don't like sweets, I don't like you - "
Tsuna grabs Hayato's arm and pulls in the opposite direction. The motion forces the Italian to stumble and the momentum has the both of them careening to the right.
"Let go, you crazy little - "
"So yes? Great!" Tsuna beams and ignores the foul words thrown at him. "My treat."
.
.
.
("The green tea ice cream is the best," Tsuna says with relish, taking another bite.
Hayato glares sourly, his own plate of ice cream half-finished.
"... Italy's gelato is better." The teenager mutters and grudgingly picks up his spoon.
Something akin to satisfaction curls in his stomach.
"So, are you going to stay?" Tsuna asks pleasantly, watching as Hayato nearly chokes on his spoon.
"Why should I?" The boy bites out after a few coughs and briefly, Tsuna contemplates if he has the right to mess with time. If he's leading Hayato to a future of inevitable grief, if he should give the boy a choice.
"Well, you might as well." Tsuna cajoles, ever the business man. "You don't have confidence in my abilities, right? You can, uh, test my capabilities while you're here." With a touch of sincerity, he adds, "Besides, I wouldn't mind the company."
But he doesn't. He doesn't think about the consequences nor does he bother to care because he's starting to realize that his complacency will leave him scrambling to keep what's precious to him.
Hayato hesitates; it lasts for a split-second because no self-serving member of the criminal world would turn down the opportunity to interact with the Vongola Heir.
"Che." The teenager looks away, letting his silver bangs cover his eyes. "We'll see about that."
Tsuna smiles, and it leaves a burning mark across his face. He doesn't feel right about it, but he's going to have to deal with it, deal with being selfish - because Hayato - lonely, desperate, hungry Hayato - is his).
.
.
.
With the spring term continuing, Tsuna often finds himself helping his mother with dinner while Reborn goes over schoolwork with Takahiro. It's something he isn't quite used to, nevermind the fact he's still unsure how he arrived to this routine. Until evidence says otherwise, he'll assume it's Reborn's fault.
He is cutting scallions under Nana's approval when the doorbell rings.
"Could you get that for me, Tsu-chan?" Nana asks distractedly, eyes still locked on the stew in front of her.
Tsuna looks down at his half-chopped stalk of green onion and shrugs. "Sure," he says, walking over and opening the door to a rather familiar face.
The person in question darts forward, rushing to reach the stairs but unfortunately, Tsuna is much faster. His hand reaches out and plucks the tiny body up, raising the toddler to his face.
"Why hello there," Tsuna nearly smirks at the squirming boy in his hands. A little more gently, he switches his grip from the collar to the underarms. "And who might you be?"
"That's none of your business," Lambo whines, shoving his hands into Tsuna's face - Tsuna, in turn, leans back to avoid the messy tantrum of limbs. When it becomes apparent that his attempts to escape remain fruitless, the toddler petulantly gives in.
"I'm Lambo from the Bovino Family," The boy crosses his arms as best he can with a snooty, prideful look. "I'm five-years-old and my favorite foods are grapes and gumdrops!"
"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet -"
"I'm a great hitman and I came all the way here from Italy -" Lambo cuts him off, prattling on and on in his self-absorbed state. With a quirk of his lips, Tsuna closes the door and sits on the couch in the living room, still holding onto the boy with a twinge of fondness.
(He wonders how the Lambo in his world is coping, young and in the middle of back-to-back battles; gosh, Lambo in puberty had been a nightmare, spoiled beyond compare, which, may or may not have been his fault actually - )
He ends his thoughts there, unwilling to go farther.
" - so, that's why I don't like milk." Lambo finishes with firm finality and looks up at him expectantly.
"I see..." Tsuna replies with amusement. "Well, Lambo, it's nice to meet you. My name is Sawada Tsunayoshi, but you can call me Tsuna."
"Tsuuuuna," Lambo repeats, picking his nose.
"...yes," He looks down at the toddler with near defeat. "What did you say you came for again?"
It's a good thing he knows the answer to this question because in a split-second Lambo is lurching from his grasp.
The attempt is cute, Tsuna allows, standing back up because it would do no good if he left his poor mother to cook all by herself.
" - letmego letmego, I have to defeat Rebornnnn -"
"What did you say? You're a friend of Reborn's?" Tsuna says a touch too loudly, his grip on Lambo still tight. "Why didn't you say so? I'll take you to him myself."
(The meeting between five-year-old Lambo and the legendary Reborn goes as well as he expects: there is a brief lull of peace before Lambo is spectacularly backhanded out of the house and into the trees by the yard.
Takahiro, in a surprisingly sympathetic manner, watches the explosion blankly. "How cruel…"
Having intimate knowledge of what Reborn's backhands actually feel like, Tsuna can only nod solemnly in agreement.
"I don't associate with those beneath me," Reborn states simply with his dark, soulless eyes. "Now, let's move on to the next question.")
Tsuna, perhaps in a nostalgic mood, walks out of the house to pick up the sobbing, charred Lambo, cleaning off the tears and snot with only a limited measure of disgust.
"Why don't you join us for lunch, Lambo?" He says to the sniffling toddler, amusement tucked into his heart. Snot-nosed brat he may be, Lambo had been his Lightning Guardian, and Tsuna is willing to go far for his Family. "My mom makes very good stew."
"P-Pasta?" Lambo asks as they walk into the house, his eyes red and swollen.
"Um, no," Tsuna looks down at the boy, "I'm pretty sure I just said stew…"
But it was too late, the damage already done, and with a sigh, Tsuna brings the little boy to his mother in a near-parody of a sacrificial offering.
"This is Lambo," He props the body to the wide eyes of his mother. "He's Reborn's friend - can he stay for dinner, please?"
"Well, of course!" Nana agrees after a brief, hesitant moment. There is a glimmer of something he can't recognize, but it disappears within the time a butterfly flaps its wings.
"You can call me Mama, Lambo-kun," She says to the boy with a warm smile before turning to Tsuna. "Set the table for me then, Tsuna-chan?"
He hums in acknowledgement, in wonderment, and for the first time, considers what his mother may make of them all.
.
.
.
"The Mafia Boss. A leader who rules a criminal organization, he is able to move a number of trusted members with one hand, willing to risk his life even for the family, surrounded by the respect and admiration of all, and is seen as a hero by the children of the slums…" Takahiro reads aloud with near disbelief. "They can't be serious about this, can they?"
Tsuna looks up from his own copy of "How to be a Mafia Boss," and gives the boy a pitying glance. "I'm pretty sure they're very serious about it."
He would know - he's lived through it.
"Well, that's one thing Dame-Tsuna is right about," Reborn blandly says, leaping up to the shared low table. In a moment's breath, the hitman pulls out a rifle with all the casualness one would have pulling out a bag of chips. "You both will be reading this every night, until it sticks."
Tsuna's lips twitch at the nostalgic name, irony apparent at how much he's missed those days where answering homework questions correctly were the only worries on his mind.
"What?" Takahiro sputters, bristling slightly. He snaps the book shut and glares at the baby. "You can't just come in here, telling us what to do, calling Tsuna something like that - "
"Actually," Reborn cuts in with smile that hides the glee only Tsuna can spot. "I can. Until I find either one of you satisfactory for the job, I'm here to stay."
"I don't see why you're so upset with the nickname," The hitman continues with a colder touch to his voice. The smile remains on his face. "That's what you used to call her, isn't that right?"
Tsuna closes his own book, silently watching the myriad of emotions flitting through his brother's face. The few minutes passing by hover with a forceful air and with a sigh, he rises to his feet.
"T-Tsuna?" Takahiro nearly falls forward when Tsuna pulls him up to stand as well. With practiced ease, he neatly steps away from his brother's stumbling form and turns to face Reborn's far-too-curious eyes instead.
"I think that's enough for today," Tsuna says firmly, placing weight into each word. His eyes narrow at Reborn, the fedora on top casting an indecipherable shadow on the hitman's face. Putting on a pleasant, comfortable tone, he lets the tension bleed out. "Come on, Hiro. Let's drink some hot chocolate."
"...okay?" Anger almost nearly forgotten, Hiro shoots one final, narrow-eyed glance at Reborn before stepping out of his own room. Tsuna, in return, meets the hitman's neutral gaze with a fairly blank expression of his own before letting his lips quirk upwards.
He departs without a word, resigned to face more situations like this one. In the end, he knows far too well that anything and everything Reborn does is to fulfill another part in the grand scheme of his machinations.
.
.
.
In the early hours of the morning, Sawada Tsunayoshi stands in front of a full-length mirror with nothing but his undergarments on. He stares at the figure staring back at him, eyes trailing from his thinning jawline to the hair sweeping past his shoulders. If he lets himself look farther, he can trace the swell of his chest, not entirely prominent but still present - to the growing dip along his waist, weight travelling to his hips - even with closed eyes he can imagine what a single year could change, change his body, his face -
He lets out a deep breath, releasing the air running madly in his lungs and takes in another right after. The motion repeats, as many times as he needs it to, and, like every other morning, he takes a step forward, resting his forehead onto the cool surface of the mirror.
"Who are you, Tsuna?" He whispers into the dimly lit room, the rising sunset's rays hitting certain parts of the floor like dancing children. There is no answer - just as he expects - but when he looks up, at the changing face in the mirror, at the girl in the mirror, there is a wry smile on her face, as if expecting he already knows the answer.
But I don't know the answer, he wants to say, the hopeless smile still painted across his mouth.
Well, then you're going to have to find it, another part of him replies challengingly, now go put on some pants - what kind of Mafia Boss are you?
With a resigned sigh, Tsuna pulls on his uniform, tugging at the bandages around his chest in irritation.
"I'll figure something out," He says outloud, letting the words drift in his quiet room. "I always do, in the end, don't I?"
The boy in the mirror looks at him indignantly, without an answer, but it's fine, he'll take what he can get.
.
.
.
He slides open the classroom door and finds himself immensely pleased to see Hayato waiting impatiently by the chalkboard wall.
"You're staying," He says, not bothering to hide his satisfaction.
(Across the room, Takahiro glances their way from his group of friends, careful and cautious. Tsuna lets him, if only because Takahiro has some strange guard-dog tendencies that make him antsy if not used often).
Hayato remains where he is, back against the wall, with a considering look on his face. "...yes," The teenager finally says, arms crossed. And, in a quieter voice that Tsuna doubts anyone is supposed catch, Hayato mutters, "Though God knows why I even bother."
Tsuna laughs, perhaps a little more delighted than he should let on, from Hayato's narrowed eyes.
"I think you'll find something worthwhile here," Tsuna says with confidence he doesn't completely have because what if he doesn't? But those are insecurities and fears and thoughts that he'll have to address another day, so he puts them aside. "So until then, why don't you stick with me?"
He's using his political position shamelessly. It had been open knowledge, what Hayato lived through before inserting himself into Tsuna's life - and few would want to go back to such a place. Having a connection with the Vongola Heir would elevate any person's living standards, if only through Tsuna's name alone.
It's unfortunate for Hayato that Tsuna isn't planning on letting the teenager remain as a simple connection.
"We'll see about that," Hayato answers roughly, unsure of where his position is with Tsuna but unable to give it up just yet. "I think you're weird as fuck, but I might as well stay here for a few more weeks. It's what Reborn-san suggested, at least."
"That's a great idea," Tsuna tells him, ignoring the obvious fact that Reborn has his sticky hands in everything Tsuna does. The school bell rings at that moment, ushering students into the classroom for the start of class, and he uses the mild chaos to his advantage.
"You should come over for dinner tonight," He lightly suggests to his Right-Hand. Hayato, in the middle of moving to his seat, flips his head around so quickly it sends a slight breeze across Tsuna's face. "We're having donkatsu. It's very good."
"What - "
"You should definitely come." Tsuna rests his hand onto the boy's shoulder and presents his most charming smile. "I insist."
"I..." Hayato looks at him, ferocious demeanor weakening rapidly. "Fine," The teenager finally spits out, the pressure of class beginning mounting on his shoulders, the defeat easily traced along his features. "Fine, you fucking weirdo, I'll go."
Satisfaction settles into his chest.
(He presents his conquest to his mother with casual pride.
"This is my friend, Gokudera Hayato," He announces to the party of his family, Reborn, and for some odd reason, Lambo. Hayato, ever so polite, presents some very nice wine as a gift - though Tsuna knows it will eventually find its way to Reborn.
The dinner - though delicious - goes terribly awry. Lambo's obnoxious behavior sets Hayato off nearly every other minute while Takahiro bristles at the sight of his Right-Hand and worst of all, Reborn finds dark amusement in taking food from someone else's plate - namely, Lambo's.
Tsuna, in the midst of this unravelling situation, turns to his mother's beaming visage and compliments her hard work on the meal.
"Oh, I'm just glad you finally brought a friend home, Tsu-chan," The woman lifts a hand up to her cheek. It is a sight he's familiar with, but there's something deeper in his mother's smile. "Your friends are always welcome here - I hope you know that."
"Of course," He thinks of Kyoko and Hana - but wouldn't it be weird for a boy to bring a few girls home with him? But wait, technically he is a girl -
He is beginning to realize the confusing parameters surrounding his gender will only continue to get worse from here.)
Hayato is sent off with an abundance of leftovers and a weak promise to his mother for another visit, but Tsuna catches the boy before he can run away.
"That wasn't too bad was it?" He walks the teenager to the front gate, hands resting lazily behind his head. "You should come over again soon."
"I'd rather not," Hayato immediately responds, but the heat from his voice is absent. There is an almost hopeless look as the boy looks down at the pile of tupperware in his hands.
"I'll see you in class tomorrow then," Tsuna says cheerfully, completely content to let his Right-Hand wallow in his own confusion.
Hayato growls, his grip on the leftovers tight, but there is a lack of bite to the sound.
"I'm keeping an eye on you, you pansy," The teenager warns - it would have been an intimidating sight, if the duck embroidered handkerchief hadn't been resting in his arms.
"Have a goodnight!" Tsuna calls in response, jumping to the left to avoid Hayato's answering spit.
No manners, this one, He shakes his head fondly, closing the gates behind him. No manners at all.
.
.
.
It is the first Sunday after Reborn's arrival and Namimori, with the afternoon sunlight, is left in a lazy, mild temperament. The woods surrounding the town, however, have countless trees that serve well to block the sun's rays from reaching the forest ground. It creates a cool, pleasant setting, the perfect place for a picnic, or a nap, or even a casual outing -
Ducking under a kick that tears through the tree behind him, Sawada Tsunayoshi contemplates the effects of his poor decision making skills. Unsurprisingly, the pace set for the spar is ceaseless in its brutality and once again, Tsuna laments over Kyouya's predisposition to 'hit first, ask later.'
He shifts to the right, avoiding the elbow striking downward to the face and sweeps his legs out immediately after. Kyouya leaps back and charges once more, tonfa gripped in his hands as he swipes, left, right, left, right -
As if in a coordinated dance, Tsuna weaves through the blows, accepting the tears in his shirt with resignation - but wait, no, Kyouya has now swiftly changed his tactics to a parody of an uppercut and Tsuna yelps, leaning back to the point his head is touching the ground. The newfound talent in flexibility is very much new and he collapses in the dirt.
"Can you stop aiming for my head?" He asks incredulously, hand to his heart, body aching and bones groaning.
"Only if you stop moving." Kyouya snipes back, before continuing to assert his dominance over the weak and poor.
I should be getting paid to this, Tsuna thinks glumly and then stops thinking altogether as Kyouya forces him to slide under the teen to avoid a kick to the face. It could be called a trade of blows, but Tsuna can freely admit that all of his attention is focused on avoiding as much collateral damage as he can. Three consecutive attempts to his eyes (it's always the face, why is it always the face) and Tsuna shifts to the left before returning with a swift kick to Kyouya's side.
That ends up being a bad idea, because his kick is blocked with a tonfa with such force it has his eyes watering. Immediately, Kyouya takes another shot at his neck, forcing him to turn around with a rather painful split.
Kyouya furrows his brows. "Stop running away." The boy orders.
"I like where all my limbs are at the moment, so no," Tsuna retorts back and nearly shrieking like the little girl he basically is when a tonfa is thrown at his face.
The near one-sided spar ends an hour or so later, with Tsuna's clothes in near tatters but it's okay because he has an extra pair hiding somewhere along the edge of the woods.
Kyouya, with his own collection of scrapes and bruises, settles down comfortably next to the roots of a nearby tree.
Don't tell me, Tsuna gawks silently as his previous Cloud Guardian covers his yawn with a hand and closes his eyes, he's going to sleep right here?
But no, he, in his ever-so-talented skills of deduction, has made the correct prediction when Kyouya opens a single, baleful eye.
You're still here? The eye seems to ask, impatient and lazy.
Tsuna raises his hands up in surrender and makes to leave, pausing only when a voice carries across the forest clearing.
"Something interesting is happening in Namimori," Kyouya states, eyes reaching towards the branches above him. There is a dangerous set to his features as one hand twirls a tonfa, round and round.
Tsuna rolls his eyes at the hidden question.
"You'll find out eventually," He promises the prefect, and the teenager hums in response. Apparent in his appeasement, Kyouya returns to his nap, closing his eyes to mark the end of the short-lived conversation.
"You could've just asked," Tsuna mutters, dragging his sore muscles through the forest. "No need to pummel my face in for some simple answers."
.
.
.
"Shopping?" Tsuna tests the word with his mouth and finds it as strange as it had seemed before it left his lips.
"Sure, why not?" Hana smirks, sipping her smoothie as Kyoko nods enthusiastically, digging into her own bowl of ice cream. They are sitting at a popular cafe as Tsuna spends the time waiting for Takahiro to finish his afternoon soccer practice.
"Uhh," He says intelligently, rapidly realizing the terrible consequences that may occur with this suggestion. He shoves another scoop of ice cream into his mouth. "I'm, uh, not too sure about that."
"How come? It'll be fun," Hana counters and Tsuna remembers very clearly the sharp tongue that left men weeping in the future. "We have time this weekend."
"...okay," He says, wilting like one of her namesakes under a scorching, desert sky. With a weak voice that would have left Reborn disgusted, he asks, "What… what kind of shopping?"
"Hats!" Kyoko interjects cheerfully, and Tsuna musters up a smile at her eagerness. "Hats are great for the upcoming summer!"
"Probably just light shopping then. More window shopping than anything else." Hana agrees. Her eyes narrow thoughtfully at him. "You don't seem so happy. Do you not like shopping, Tsuna?"
"Um." Tsuna glances fearfully at Kyoko's widening eyes. "I've never really thought about it, actually…"
They all glance at Tsuna's casual sweatpants and t-shirt. Even in his twenties, Tsuna had always preferred comfort over presence, which left Reborn fiercely trying to teach his student business etiquette over anything else.
"Well, that's pretty apparent," Hana states bluntly with Kyoko laughing at his mournful face.
"Oh, that's fine, Hana-chan," Kyoko daintily wipes her mouth with a napkin. Her head tilts to the side as she peers at him with curiosity. "But haven't you ever wanted to look cute? To look good?" She claps her hands together before hastily reassuring him, "Not that you don't look great, Tsuna-chan! But I always think it's so fun to dress up…"
She sighs dreamily and Tsuna chuckles at the sight. He thinks back to his own adolescent years and admits, yes, there had been a time where he wanted to look nice - but that was when his crush on Kyoko had still been in the picture.
He hesitates before revealing, "Er, actually, I don't have anyone in mind so, I haven't felt the need to dress well… yet…" He trails off, entirely thrown off by the look of puzzlement on his friends' faces.
"Why should that matter?" Hana studies him strangely.
"You don't need to like someone to look cute, Tsuna-chan," Kyoko says assuredly, shooting Hana an admonishing glance.
"What she means to say," Hana cuts in, a considering look set on her face. "Is that you look good to feel good. It's not a matter of impressing somebody necessarily. It's about confidence."
It is at this point that Tsuna realizes the conversation has transformed into something that is way over his head.
"Well, there's no need to worry about that right now," Catching on to his bewildered feelings, Kyoko - bless that girl's heart - ends the topic of choice with an affection pat to his frozen hand. "You don't have to buy anything - why don't you look at it as a chance for us to spend time with each other?"
That, I can do, he guesses, a little more heartened at that perspective. He takes a tentative chance to look at Hana, who smirks in return.
Still, he thinks, cringing as Hana casually observes him with another sip of her drink, why does it feel like I'm caught in a trap?
.
.
.
Considering Reborn's track record, Tsuna figures it's only a matter of time before the hitman finds the opportunity to shoot someone. (He can't force surprise either when it turns out his brother is the first one to run out of luck).
It is early in the morning, the spring air bringing a slight chill throughout the quiet town. Tsuna, with only two other Disciplinary Committee members, are silent in their patrols until the relative peace of Namimori is shattered in a heartbeat.
"Uh, isn't that your brother, Sawada-san?" The first member - poor, young Nakajima asks. In the far-off distant horizon, a dust cloud begins to rapidly approach the group.
Tsuna casts a very cautious glance at the second member and seriously considers claiming plausible deniability.
"It might be," He hedges, his hopeful ignorance rapidly falling at the sight of impressionable jellyfish imprint boxers.
(After that one horrid, horrid Christmas day, he can recognize that specific pair from kilometers away).
There is a quick moment of dumbfounded silence as Takahiro rushes by. Like a single snapshot taken far too soon, they watch as the determined, half-naked boy releases a gutteral, primal roar with Lambo - of all people - as an unwilling passenger clinging onto Hiro's leg for dear life.
The duo disappear soon after and Tsuna presents a forlorn look to his previous Cloud Guardian, resigned to the aftermath he'll have to deal with.
"I'll just, take care of that then," He says, slowly backing away from Kyouya. Nakajima shoots a betrayed look that nearly speaks to his weakened heart, but the timing is unfortunate as it happens at the same moment Kyouya lets out an irritated sigh.
Yeah, nope, Tsuna thinks, and hightails out of there with, thankfully, every part of his body still intact.
.
.
.
With only a hint of trepidation, Tsuna exhales deeply, muttering under his breath, "Stupid, nosy Reborn, meddling into everything."
He bites the bullet and enters the restaurant. A glance reveals only a few customers and Tsuna pats himself on the back for having the hindsight to arrive before rush hour. Taking a moment to appreciate the restaurant's warm atmosphere, he is nearly startled when a boisterous voice reaches him.
"Welcome!" The owner and sushi chef of TakeSushi, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi, peaks his head out from the kitchen. Surprise flashes through the man's features before it settles to something much warmer. He quickly dries his hands with a nearby cloth as Tsuna approaches and gives a jubilant grin. "Now, what can I do for you, friend?"
Settling into himself, and perhaps a bit more relaxed, Tsuna relays a few different dishes to the chef. "For take-out, please," He adds on with a pleasant smile.
"Gotcha. Why don't you take a seat," The man suggests with an easy smile. "It'll be a short while, so rest your legs for a bit."
Obediently, Tsuna sits on a stool by the bar table, marveling at the likeness between Takeshi and his father. It must pass through the family, he surmises with mirth, observing the calming effect Tsuyoshi had on his customers, allowing conversation to flow smoothly from one topic to the next. Within the next half hour, more patrons begin trickling in, greeting the man with cheer and rambunctious chatter.
"Almost done," Tsuyoshi assures Tsuna, packing up each plate of food carefully into separate containers. Moments later, a rather hefty bag is handed over and Tsuna cheerfully pays the man.
"Thank you," He tells the chef, pleased with what he has seen. It had been awfully nice, getting a hint of what Takeshi may have grown up with. He hadn't had many opportunities to get to know the Tsuyoshi in his world, but he is still content to find Takeshi's boasts of the man holding true in this one.
"No, thank you," Tsuyoshi winks, cleaning his knives with expertise. "Come back anytime!"
Tsuna, despite his previous worries, responds positively, good cheer in his heart. See, Tsuna, he chides his fretful mind, there was no need to get all worked up -
"I'm back, old man!" A familiar voice rings through the restaurant.
And you were so close too, Tsuna glances down at his packaged food mournfully.
"Welcome back!" Tsuyoshi merrily calls, to the cheerful bellows of other customers. Near breathless and covered in stains, Takeshi falters when he catches sight of Tsuna.
"Tsuna?" The boy blinks a few times before he gives a bemused grin. "What are you doing here?"
Figuring he might as well make use of his time, Tsuna lifts his bag of food in demonstration. "Getting food," He says lightly and raises an eyebrow. "What about you?"
"Oh! I live here," Takeshi laughs and before Tsuna can even blink, he hastily adds, "I mean, my dad owns the place."
"That's me," Tsuyoshi pipes in, humor alighting his eyes.
"That's pretty cool," Tsuna answers, a smile playing on his lips. "You have a great dad," He tells the teenager with honesty, before turning to the chortling chef. "Thank you again, Yamamoto-san. I should get going now."
Tsuyoshi returns the departing gesture before giving his son a look. Oh no, he knows that look -
"Let me walk you back, Tsuna," Takeshi hurriedly throws his belongings behind the counter. "It's getting pretty late."
"That doesn't make sense," Tsuna protests, but just like every other time, the words fall on deaf ears.
They walk back in silence.
For Tsuna, at least, it is a comfortable silence. He knows Takeshi is well-liked for his cheerful demeanor, but Tsuna is well aware his Rain Guardian has always been capable of simple, quiet moments that reflect a deeper side of his personality.
"You know," Takeshi starts, a few minutes later. He gently swings the packaged food he had insisted on carrying. "I saw your brother today."
"Is that so," Tsuna softly murmurs, already having an inkling of suspicion.
"Yeah," The teenager rubs the back of his head. "I asked him a few questions. You and him… you guys always feel so reliable. So I got kind of curious."
There is an earnest look to his face, leaving Tsuna to remain silent as he is.
"Say, what do you do when you try your hardest, you give it your all, and it still isn't enough?" Takeshi continues, his voice softening to a muted version of himself. "I've been trying everything, giving my best, so what I am doing wrong?"
Tsuna hums lowly, a considering noise against the back of his throat. With Namimori being a small town as it is, they reach Tsuna's house without delay.
"Pffthaha. Sorry," The baseball player gives a sheepish laugh as they stop at the front gate. "That was probably too intense."
Tsuna gives a wry smile.
"I don't know what Hiro told you," He says quietly, interrupting the boy's next words. "But sometimes, your best isn't what's needed."
Takeshi slowly brings his arm down, eyes narrowing in a thoughtful manner. "Are you trying to say I'm not good enough?" The boy asks candidly, with a curiosity that would have come from Tsuna's Takeshi, the twenty-six year old, the world-weary Rain - his trusted friend -
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Tsuna answers sharply, the words coming out before he even realizes what he is saying - and slams his natural instincts down with force because this isn't his friend, he can't go around saying whatever he wants -
With a collapsing sigh, Tsuna eyes Takeshi's startled countenance with a brittle smile.
"Sorry," He says tiredly. "What I'm meant is that you're trying too hard."
He grabs the bag of packaged food from Takeshi's loose hands and relays seriously. "You don't always need to give it your all, or your best. You alone should be enough, Yamamoto-san."
Tsuna glances at the boy's contemplative face and considers how annoyed certain people will be at the late dinner.
"Takeshi," The teenager finallys says after a long pause. At Tsuna's perplexed gaze, he clarifies. "Call me Takeshi - Yamamoto-san is my dad."
"Uh," Tsuna says, thinking this is a very strange and sudden switch in conversation and relationship. "Maybe?" He nearly questions, drawing out the word, perturbed. He looks at Takeshi's grinning visage and tells him, with a hint of annoyance, "Only if you take my advice into consideration."
"I'll think about it," His former Rain Guardian answers playfully, in a parallel to Tsuna's own, vague response. "You should get going then. Thanks for the advice! I might follow it!"
The teenager waves, something honest and genuine in his expression.
Tsuna rolls his eyes upward to the stars above.
"At least take a break!" He calls after the departing boy. When there isn't a response, he unlocks the gate and walks back home, grumbling all the way about meddlesome hitman and hormonal teenagers.
.
.
.
That evening, Reborn approaches him with a casual air.
"You're very strange." The hitman says blandly and Tsuna raises an eyebrow, aware that Reborn only speaks his mind to receive something in return.
"I think you're very strange too," Tsuna answers with complete honesty, and takes the rubber gun to his head without shame - he deserved that.
"I've been trying to set you and your brother up with subordinates... But it looks like I'll have to adjust some things." Reborn leaps onto the table in his room, pacing lightly across the surface. Then, out of nowhere, raps Tsuna's head with a wooden stick.
"...ow," Tsuna says, staring bemusedly as the stick returns to its true form as Leon.
"Stop trying to ruin my plans," Reborn orders, placing his chameleon onto his head. "It'll only make it more painful for you in the long run."
"I'm just making friends," Tsuna tries to protest, but the words fall unsurprisingly onto deaf ears as the baby walks out in his white polka-dotted pink pajamas.
With a huff, he returns to his desk - and finds an introductory Italian textbook on top, with a sticky note that writes: 'Learn this by next week, or die.'
"So meddlesome," Tsuna murmurs, laughter coloring his voice. "Why am I not surprised?"
-o-o-o-o-o-
Extra: (Why Tsuna went to TakeSushi by himself)
His mother hands him a rather generous amount of cash, one late afternoon.
"I feel like splurging today," She comments airily. A light giggle fills the air. "Let's take-out today, Tsu-chan."
Tsuna shrugs, an easy, indulgent smile on his lips. "Sure."
A weight drops on his head. "I suggest we get sushi."
His smile drops and he casts a suspicious look upward.
"Sushi sounds delicious," Nana proclaims, a hand touching her cheek. Something - there, there it is again - flashes across her features, but again, he is too slow to catch it. "Would you mind picking some up for us?"
Completely at a loss for words at Reborn's utter lack of subtlety because there is only one sushi restaurant in Namimori, Tsuna heaves a sigh and heads upstairs, intent on at least having some company -
("Hiro?" He knocks on his brother's door. A minute passes and with some concern, he knocks again before opening the door. "Hiro? We're going to get sushi for dinner, do you want to come - "
Tsuna stops, blankly taking in the sight of Takahiro, surrounded by rifles set to trigger with the slightest of movements.
His brother, in turn, looks down at the homework in front of him, as if the action itself is telling enough to answer his question.
Tsuna closes the door.
"Godspeed," He mutters, sending a silent prayer).
-o-o-o-o-o-
Author's Note:
This first part is going to cover why this update has come so late - feel free to skip if you want, since I'm just sharing a part of my life with you all. Honestly, I didn't expect it to take nearly four years for this story to get its next update, but in hindsight, there isn't much excuse I have besides life getting in the way. I'm a full time college student, with a major in a very demanding subject, so I hardly had time to write anything longer than small length chapters (which is why "if the shoe fits" was updated more frequently, LOL). It was pretty exhausting, trying to get this chapter out, but I'd like to think I didn't so so terribly, considering how much my writing style has changed over years.
As for Troublesome Discoveries itself, be rest assured I don't really have plans on dropping it. On the other hand, writing so much can take a lot out of an author, so thank you to all of you who had so much patience, even till now! I can't promise a quick update or anything along those lines, but do know I read every single review, favorite, and follow!
ALSO we reached 1K reviews while I wasn't looking? That's unbelievable. Honestly, I don't even know how. Or why. What do you guys see, haha. You all are amazing.
Finally, for this chapter itself:
I hope the title speaks for itself - this chapter is all about character interaction, if the previous chapter was about plot and setting the scene. This is all to set the stage, for what I hope is growth with each character. The more people you put in, the harder it gets to give equal time to them all. There are a lot of nuances and little hints that I sort of not-so-nonchalantly put in there, so I'd love to hear what you guys think!
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who's still with Troublesome Discoveries even to this day! Your support is what really made me pull through, and I hope this chapter makes up for all those lost years haha.
Here's to more shenanigans and fun for this story~
- Enadi