Title: Relicuum
Rating: M
Summary: Time and space is not something you should mess with. Yet, he is determined to bring a bright future to his family. No matter what it takes.
Or, Tsuna is sent to the past after his supposed death, instead of being put in his coffin. With three months to train the younger tenth generation, Tsuna will make sure they are prepared to defeat Byakuran.
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR! This is merely a fanfiction.
Notes: I made this chapter immediately after posting the last one. Which, if you think about it, was in one whole day. Like wtf. I was just very inspired and wanted to make this chapter. TW: there is some violence and somewhat gore in the chapter. Please, if you can't take it, please look away. I wasn't planning on making this fanfic kinda heavy, but considering this is a Hurt/Comfort fic, and Tsunayoshi is pretty much traumatized… I said "Huh, why not push it further?" So, this is what I came up with. As a welcoming gift, to myself, but made for you, here's a DOUBLE UPDATE! THAT'S RIGHT FELLAS, THIS MAN WENT CRAZY! IT'S 2 AM AND I'M RUNNING ON CAFFEINE AND ADRENALINE. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME!
Reviews at the end of the chapter!
Chapter VII – Prove di Vongola
Tsunayoshi hadn't been to the training room in a while. Ever since he introduced the box weapons to the younger tenth generation, the brunet had refrained from supervising the teenagers. Mostly because, he had no hints or clues to give them—most of the box were designed specially for them, based on their personality, needs and battle intelligence. It was something they had to figure out for themselves.
He still remembers opening his box for the first time and facing a very anxiety-induced lion. Tsunayoshi chuckles at the memory. He had been so suspicious of his first box weapon, that he was unable to accept the giant cat. It took him a few weeks to mentally prepare himself—and coax him into accepting the feline.
In the end, the small lion cub was perfectly in tune with his owner. And Tsunayoshi was grateful for having such an amazing partner.
He doubts it will be any different for his counterpart—they were both the same, after all. Even if Tsunayoshi was a more capable and mature man, he was still pretty much Dame-Tsuna. No one can change their core personality that easily. Dealing with the unknown was something that both he and Tsuna couldn't deal with. The fear was far greater than anything.
Decimo could handle blackmail, the drug trafficking, the human trafficking, the brothels, the murdering, the torturing; he could deal with the darkness of the underworld. Because he knew it. He understood it and lived in it—he had to live in it to disperse it entirely. However, for things that one couldn't explain, Tsunayoshi felt conflicted. Anxious. Nervous.
And that was what he felt opening his box the first time. Of course, perhaps things might be different, since Tsuna had his older counterpart to at least reassure him to some extent. Still, he doubted that his younger self would take it as well as anyone else.
Training aside, Tsunayoshi has been spending more time in his make-shift office. Nono's office was off the table, considering the man was still Vongola Nono, and the don of said famiglia. But, least the man could do was give him a spare office so that the brunet could work on his own thing.
Every now and then, Reborn would pop inside, spend the day by his side, drinking a cup of espresso. The company the Sun Arcobaleno was providing was welcomed—embraced, even. Tsunayoshi was so afraid of seeing such familiar face in the beginning. But after their first day together—with Reborn looking at him with empathy and personal grudge against those who made his student suffer—he felt more comfortable around the hitman.
After a few days, they were basically inseparable. Tsunayoshi couldn't tell exactly why Reborn was so keen on staying with him—he wasn't that important and Tsuna was the student, not him. But, he still appreciated it. He would never voice it out loud, because he was afraid it would push the hitman away, but he appreciated the man's presence. Mostly because, it healed him a little bit. It gave him hope that things would be fixed.
Tsunayoshi couldn't afford fucking this mission up. If he wasn't able to train Tsuna in time… then Reborn would die again. And he didn't—couldn't let that happen. He wanted to fix his own mistakes and, above all, he wouldn't want this trauma dumped on his younger self. Reborn was… a very special person to them, after all.
Thinking about that made Tsunayoshi shift uncomfortably in his seat. He never thought deeply into this, but after a few weeks of being in the past, the brunet started to realize something. He had feelings for the hitman.
It didn't start recently. It was old. A passion rekindled and reinforced as soon as he saw his ex-tutor's eyes again. It was always there, but dormant. Tsunayoshi supposes that war made people too oblivious to menial things. Not that love—was it even love?—could be considered menial. But, at the time, when he was fighting off against Millefiore, he had no time to check on his feelings. Love, both platonic and romantic, had to be shoved deep down to protect both him and his family from being hurt.
He remembers Hana and Ryohei and how their future together was pretty much unstable. They had a beautiful wedding—Tsunayoshi was so proud. But things had gotten worse as soon Millefiore came into scene. War made their love strained. Hana loved Ryohei, and he loved her back—but Ryohei was his Sun Guardian and his duty was to fight in the war to protect those he loved.
And, even if he was doing it for love, Ryohei couldn't afford to love any more than he already did. If emotions got caught up in battle, then a life could be lost. And he knew for a fact that his Sun couldn't afford to die and let Hana all by herself in such hard times.
It was the same for Tsunayoshi. Except he never once acknowledged the feelings he held for Reborn. Looking back, he must've mistaken it as a stupid goal to make his tutor proud. He shoved his feelings down and allowed himself to forget about them. Because, it was painful.
To see his tutor bedridden, unable to speak for too long—unable to move out of bed. It was too much. And if he had admitted his feelings to himself, then Reborn's… death would've hurt more.
At this moment, though, Tsunayoshi could see it. It was so big—convoluted—that the brunet could almost touch it. His feelings. Clear for anyone to see. He doubts Reborn is unaware, because—god, he can't stay away from the hitman. Nor can he stop looking at him as if he's the best thing that ever happened in his life.
Because the truth is: Reborn is.
Reborn is his everything. His pillar. The reason he has a family—a career. The reason he grew out of his awkward teenage phase to be such an amazing man. Reborn was responsible. And his gratefulness and adoration soon shifted into something deep. Tsunayoshi didn't just appreciate Reborn. He loved him.
Tsunayoshi has been trying to push those feelings down ever since he realized it. There was no reason for him to act as a love-induced man. He can't afford love. Not until he knows for a fact that Tsuna can save his future. It seems unfair to put so much trust in someone that is just so young. But he has no other choice.
He needs to succeed.
~x~
"Ryohei has finally opened his box," Reborn reports, a cup of coffee in his hand. "He seems very excited about it."
"As expected," Tsunayoshi scoffed, a fond smile in his lips.
"Yamamoto seems to be getting the hang of it. Lambo, surprisingly, is also understanding what he has to do," the hitman has a tinge of suspicion in his voice. "Chrome is shy about it, but it seems as she's starting to open her box," Tsunayoshi hums in approval. "Hibari and Gokudera were one of the first to get their box open. Although… Gokudera seems to be struggling with his animal."
"It's because they're both too similar," Tsunayoshi chuckles. "Hayato's animal was an exact mirror to his emotions and personality. It was funny to see them both interact in the mansion before," the brunet stares at nothing, reminiscing the good days.
"Tsuna, however," Reborn grimaces. "He seems to be in a conundrum."
Tsunayoshi sighs, already expecting that. He had a feeling that his younger self would take far more time compared to the others. Nevertheless, it had been days, now. Weeks. The one-month mark had already hit and he needed to start Tsuna's special training—as soon as possible.
"How is he?" The brunet asks, curious.
"He opened his box previously," Reborn informs. "But… he's too afraid to do it again. Apparently, the animal that came out of it was nothing but a blob of flames going wild—it seemed dangerous."
"I see," so it had happened to his younger self too. He sighs.
"Ragazzo, are these boxes really necessary?" Reborn sets the cup down, staring at his older student.
"These boxes were specially made for my family," the brunet replies. "They are powerful and special. Rare," he stares at the hitman, pondering if he should simply talk about it or not. He decides that, it wouldn't harm anyone. "They are different from other boxes. They have the Cambio Forma," he explains. "My animal…" he smiles, remembering the small lion cub. "He was able to shift into different forms. All of them are similar to Vongola Primo's weapons."
Reborn's eyes twitched at that. "You already have his gloves, Monello," the hitman points out.
"Not that weapon, il mio tutore," he smiles. "Primo had a mantle that protected him from anything, and a gauntlet to attack alongside his gloves." Tsunayoshi crosses his legs, looking directly at Reborn. "All of our box weapons can shift into the first generation's weapons. All of them."
"Why?"
"Because…" Tsunayoshi didn't quite knew why. It didn't make sense. But, whenever he saw the picture of Primo in his mansion, he got a glimpse of the reason why. "Probably because… we are the second coming of Vongola's first generation."
Reborn's eyes widen for a fraction of a second. Then, the hitman smiles. Pride slipping out of his body—almost palpable. And to believe that he would get the chance to drive his student into becoming the Neo Vongola Primo. Reborn scoffed a bit. Yeah, that's the title Tsuna should have, he thinks to himself.
"These unique boxes are all we have left to defeat Byakuran. And… my younger self is all I have left to safe the future," Tsunayoshi's eyes glow orange, his resolution seeping out of him. Reborn tilts his fedora to cover his face, but smiles in pride. This student of his. "I can't fight for myself, because I destroyed the rings. But this young generation still has it—and they are young, so quick to learn and become stronger. I can feel it, Reborn," the brunet stares at his window, watching the blue sky and its clouds shifting slowly. "Tsuna will become stronger than me; he's the me with more potential than ever."
Tsunayoshi turns to his ex-tutor, eyes glimmering with resolve—a spark of flames in his forehead as he drowns in his own Dying Will. Reborn is mesmerized.
"Tsuna is the answer. And I will teach him, even if it kills me in the process," the brunet's voice is firm and determined. The voice of a boss looming over Reborn's head—so powerful and luring.
Reborn's flames flicker at the Sky in front of him—curious, needy. He stares at his student—no, at his boss and smirks. Tsunayoshi's flames shift alongside his, in an enticing dance of push and pull—they mingle and stay. And they almost—
Tsunayoshi blinks, then stares wide-eyed at his ex-tutor. Reborn feels the Sky retreating, closing off—leaving him. His flames roar, whining at the sudden loss—they need the Sky. But the brunet is already up, hands trembling in fear, as he takes off.
Reborn is left in Decimo's office, alone. Left to mull over what just happened and try to understand why the fuck he was willingly offering his flames to Tsunayoshi.
Reborn was left alone to remember that one second where their flames just—clicked.
Harmonized.
Before the connection was severed and left undone.
~x~
It's official. Tsunayoshi was avoiding Reborn.
It sounded childish to even consider this… approach. Laughable even. God, imagine Vongola Decimo shivering in fear at the thought of harmonization. A wimp. Dame-Tsuna.
Decimo was feared—not the other way around.
Still, when he felt the strange connection with his ex-tutor—he freaked out. There was too much going on right now. And harmonizing with someone from the past wasn't advisable. One day or another, he would get back to the future and live in his own timeline, with the ill thought of his Reborn dead. All the while the harmonization with the past Reborn would still be present. And he would probably die because of his ill attended Sky—not even Ryohei, his already harmonized Sun, could replace the other Sun's harmonization.
Yes, he rationalized, I did the right thing.
It hurt though. It made the brunet think of the future that could've been. The possibilities of Reborn still being alive and well by his side—harmonizing with him; being his sun. It was a thought he always dreamt of—at least, unconsciously—and never thought he could have. But now, the feel of Reborn's flames were still there. The phantom of the hitman's flame interlacing with his.
The brunet shook his head. No time to dwell on it. He had a job to do. An important one at that. Tsunayoshi bit his lip, took his box weapon with him and marched towards the training room.
He needed to get the best outcome of Tsuna. His other self with more potential than any other Sky.
~x~
The guardians were taking a break in the corner of the training room. Hibari stood on the other side of the room, contemplating his own box, while the rest mingled in a crowd.
Tsunayoshi spotted his younger self—slightly slumped for not being able to open his own box. It was to be expected. Tsunayoshi was so focused in teaching the kids how to use their flames and manifest them to the rings that he forgot one crucial thing.
Vongola Trial.
It was essential for Tsuna to surpass it—to become Vongola's true successor. For Decimo, it took him until his inheritance to actually endure the karma of Vongola's sin and become the true successor. It had taken him an accidental situation of near-death experience—where he almost lost one of his guardians—to actually obtain the true potential of his Vongola Ring.
This Tsuna needed it. He would need it to defeat Byakuran—to fix the future; to save everyone.
Tsunayoshi's first plan relied on Reborn and Kyoya to carry the Vongola Trial themselves. He knew for a fact that Reborn knew of the trial and would make his younger self go through it. And who else would be better but his future Cloud Guardian with all the bloodthirst and respect for his boss? It would be perfect for the plan and would lead into having an almost-prepared Tsuna for the war in the future.
However, as of now, the plans shifted. And he had been caught up in many things—even stupid feelings—to remember to follow the plan.
Not too late, however. Today, he would bring Tsuna's true flames into game. He would bring his true Dying Will and his true potential.
No matter what.
"Tsunayoshi," Decimo called out, bringing the attention of his younger self. Tsuna stumbled a bit, before staring at his counterpart, confused. "We need to train."
"But—I'm already training," the younger brunet exclaimed. The boy gets up from the floor and stares at his Vongola Box. "I'm… I'll get there eventually, I promise!"
"Not that," Tsunayoshi dismissed it. The box problem could be fixed eventually—he knew his younger self would find the solution to his equation soon enough. The Vongola Trial, though. It needed to be done. Now. "Get your gloves ready."
"My—wait, why?!" The brunet stuttered a bit, staring bewildered at his counterpart.
"Because I said so," Decimo narrowed his eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself, Sawada Tsunayoshi."
The older brunet took out his box weapon, lighting up one of his rings immediately. Feeding his flames to the box, he waited for his weapon. The gloves came out of his box almost immediately. The X on the back glimmering under the light. It brought him back to wartimes. It brought him back to the future, somehow. Tsunayoshi didn't wait for his counterpart—who was still watching him with a confused glare.
Decimo blinked, watching his counterpart's wide eyes, as the boy shuffled to grab his mittens and pills. The Sky Flame in the older brunet's forehead burst quickly, indication of Tsunayoshi's Hyper Dying Will mode.
Tsuna stares as his older counterpart brings his hands up his flames and lightens them up. The flames dance in his gloves—and they shine, oh so pretty. The purity of the man's flames were impeccable—they glowed in a deep orange, almost see-through. Pure and strong.
The younger brunet widened his eyes, suddenly. Tsunayoshi was nowhere to be seen. Then, his Hyper Intuition screamed at him to duck—but he wasn't fast enough.
A kick landed on his back, throwing him across the training room. Tsunayoshi narrows his eyes at his younger self, slightly disappointed. The guardians behind him were in a frenzy—immediately getting out of their shocked state, willing to jump on Decimo to fight him off. Gokudera was the first one to intervene, eyes frowned into a deadly stare—more like a hissy kitten.
The silver-haired boy pulled out his box, immediately opening it up. A cat came out of it, suddenly shifting into a bigger form.
Tsunayoshi then turned to pay attention to the other guardians. His orange eyes staring at Gokudera's soul. "Take another step and I'll kill you," he threatens. Voice ice-cold as he lets his flames go wild in the air.
Gokudera widens his eyes in fear—and disbelief, because this was still Tsuna, wasn't he?—taking a step back, away from Decimo. Yamamoto is quick to put Lambo and Chrome behind him, protecting them from danger. Not that Tsunayoshi would ever harm his family—young version or not. But, it was good to have them feel the reality of the underworld. Mafia wasn't for everyone. They needed to understand.
Especially Tsuna. He was the one who needed to understand and accept his fate—more than anyone.
Speaking of which…
Tsunayoshi opens his palm and grabs the young brunet's fist. Orange meets orange—Tsuna seems enraged, even with the whole calmness that came with the Hyper Dying Will mode. Tsunayoshi tightens his grip, slowly shifting the boy's fist, while his free hand aims at his stomach. Flames start to gather at the tip of his fingers, while the compartment at his wrist opens, letting flames come out of it—as a support.
He quickly fires up his flames at the boy, sending him away once again. Tsuna coughs, feeling the power of Tsunayoshi's pure flames. This man was way too strong. His Hyper Intuition could tell him what was about to happen, but his body and flames were simply no match.
Was he about to die?
Tsunayoshi approached slowly, leaving openings for the younger boy to attack. Tsuna grumbled, getting back on his feet and charging at his older self with his flames. Tsunayoshi's eyes quickly shifted to his left—his Hyper Intuition whispering quietly of where the attack was aimed at. Decimo jumped into the air, going over the charging brunet and aiming his palm at the boy's back. Tsuna's eyes widened in shock—his Hyper Intuition screaming again. He shifted his hands behind his back, charging up his flames and—
Tsuna screamed at the flames aimed at his back, pushing him to the ground. Tsunayoshi hovered lightly in the air, before landing on the floor next to his younger counterpart. The young brunet peered up, meeting his counterpart's cold, orange eyes. They were merciless and cruel. Tsuna was afraid.
That's me? He wondered. This monster is me?
Tsunayoshi kneeled beside his counterpart, calmly shoving his hand into the boy's chestnut, brown hair. He gripped it firmly, before bringing the boy's face out of the ground. Tsuna groaned in pain, flinching at the strength those hands seemed to pull his hair. It was painful.
"S-Stop!" Tsuna begged.
"You're pathetic," Tsunayoshi spat; a grimace in his face, seemingly disgusted at the boy. "Weak and useless. That's what you are," the older man shoved the boy's face at the floor. There was a loud crack echoing through the training room. Tsunayoshi brought the boy's head up again. "You can't even fight me properly. Neither can you defend your family," he lets the boy's head fall again.
Tsuna gasps at the pain—the side of his head pounding strongly. His nose was broken, most likely. Blood came pouring out of his nostrils—he had a hard time breathing. Still, he tried to maintain his Hyper Dying Will—he needed to.
"T-Tsunayoshi-san," the younger brunet breathed; orange eyes quivered in pain as he stared at the older man. "S-stop, please…"
"Huh?" The older man scoffed. "A mafia boss doesn't beg," he frowns, raising his hand up and immediately bringing it down in a fist. Tsuna screamed again, feeling the painful punch at the other side of his head. "A mafia boss kills for his family—a mafia boss strives on people's misery," the older brunet grasps the boy's head again. "Bribery, loyalty betrayal, punishments, drug dealing, human trafficking," he listed, each time shoving the boy's face at the floor. "Law breaking, murdering, genocide…" Tsuna grumbles, feeling his flames dispersing. The tears at the corners of his eyes are visible.
Tsuna sobs, feeling the pain of his body finally giving in—no more adrenaline to feed him. He felt useless. A pathetic boy, pretending to be a protector. Decimo was right.
"And you think you're strong enough?" The older man scoffs. "If I failed in the future, what makes you think that you'll succeed?"
Tsuna flinches, feeling the tears on his face mix up with his own blood. He's going to die—he is dying in front of his guardians; the ones he swore to protect. The boy's eyes travel around the training room, finding his guardians at one side, all too in shock to do anything—they were in disbelief; they were horrified. He saw Hibari on the other side, slightly shocked and afraid—not as excited to fight as he was before. And then, at the entrance of the meeting room—
Reborn.
He was such a disappointment for his tutor. Tsuna had relied so much on him that it was laughable. Every problem he had was always 'Reborn' this and 'Reborn' that. He never dealt with anything himself—he was pathetic.
The hitman stood there, watching the scene unravel in front of him. Tsuna felt powerless. He wanted to prove himself—to prove to his guardians that he would protect them; to prove to his older self that he would fix the future; to prove to Reborn that he would make him proud. He felt like dying—of shame; of embarrassment. The hitman's eyes were covered by his hat, and Tsuna could only think about how much of a disappointment he was—how much the hitman must hate him right now.
Tsuna sobbed, wailing quietly on the floor. It echoed through the room, nevertheless. The silence was too loud, but it was pierced by Tsuna's cries. Tsunayoshi held the boy onto the ground, eyes narrowed dangerously—leaking so much killing intent that it made everyone shiver in fear.
"S-stop," the boy murmured, weakly. The blood loss was making him tired. He needed a sleep. "Please…" he pleaded once more.
"You're dying here today, Sawada Tsunayoshi," the older man said, aiming his palm at the brunet's head. Flames burst out of his hand, wildly and powerful—waiting for the command. Tsuna felt the heat at the side of his head. Flames who were also his—now ready to kill him. He merely sobbed again. "Let this be proof of how pathetic you really are."
The flames were closer now. Tsuna bit his lip in anticipation. Afraid. Mortified. He was going to die in front of everyone. Because he was weak.
I can't die here. Not yet, he says to himself.
I need to fix the future, he moans and sobs again, feeling the heat close to his ear.
I need to save Reborn, he thinks as he closes his eyes.
Then, memories and flashes appear in his head. Countless crimes—family slaughter. Children crying, begging for mercy—begging for him to stop. He sees fire everywhere—he feels the heavy burden of his own flames; Sky Flames, those of which seemed to kill so many people.
Tsuna saw men and women, equally damaged. He saw them beg, licking his own shoes and waiting for forgiveness—for a second chance.
He saw his hands—his own gloved hand, with the X glimmering at the chaotic scene—grip a handgun and put a bullet in people's head. Tsuna saw his own hands burning with Dying Will, only for it to be used on murder; only for it to be used on slaughter. Tsuna felt sick.
This wasn't him. It couldn't be.
"Decimo, please," someone begged. Tsuna turned to see a woman, eyes wide and afraid. Then he saw her body scorch away in Sky Flames.
"Decimo, don't kill my family!" Another one screamed. Tsuna turned again to see a man. The man was dying from a bullet wound, but he held his two children tight. "Don't kill them, please!" And Tsuna saw them all be shot by his own gun.
Tsuna was going to cry. This couldn't be him. He closes his eyes, ignoring the millions of voices begging for mercy.
"Don't look away," someone reprimands him. "This is the fate of those who succeed Vongola; the reason you were given life!"
Tsuna stares at the person in front of him—it's an old man, with Sky Flames on his eyes, serving as a mask. He shakes his head, though, in complete disbelief. Fate? He didn't want this.
"Stop! I could never be so cruel!" Tsuna exclaims. But, was that even true? He reminds himself of Decimo bashing his head on the floor. That was him.
"You cannot obtain power without paying a price," the old man said.
Another man showed up, with Sky Flames on his face. "If you desire great power, you must have the resolve to succeed its great legacy."
"Great legacy?" Tsuna asked, watching as more and more men showed up. "I'd never want power to do those kinds of things!" He barked back.
Then, the brunet remembers his friends. His guardians. He reminds himself of Reborn—his mother and the children. Bianchi. Everyone. They would never forgive him for going down that path. He didn't need this power to commit crimes—he needed it to protect those he loved and cherished. That was his resolution. His Dying Will.
But…
"I thought I'd be willing to do anything to protect everyone…" He stares at the people around him. Tsuna's lips tremble as he thinks about it. "But if this is what it means…" he remembers the memories and images of slaughter. "Then I don't need this power!"
"What did you say?" Someone asks, bewildered.
"If it means inheriting their sins," Tsuna stares at his Vongola Ring. If it means inheriting his sins, he thinks bitterly about his older self. "Then I'll destroy Vongola!"
Tsuna snarls angrily, challenging everyone to go against him. However, as soon as he tries to get up from the floor, he feels weak. His body is wobbly and his head is spinning.
I'm so sorry, everyone, he bitterly thinks.
I'm sorry, Reborn, he cries out, I can't protect you.
He falls onto someone's lap. Tsuna awakens startled, immediately. He peers up to see—
"Nono?!" He questions, confused. The old man—his grandpa—smiles sweetly at him, before bringing him back to his feet.
Nono walks away, leaving Tsuna alone. The brunet glances around, only to find nine people in front of him. Eight of them were facing each other, while the last one was sitting on a throne, all by himself.
The eight people pull out their weapons, immediately manifesting their flames; Sky Flames. Tsuna's eyes widen in surprise, as he finally connect the dots. These are the previous bosses of Vongola.
Then, the man sitting at the throne gets up, flashing his weapon—gloves at Tsuna. The Sky Flames that come out of it are pure—and somewhat familiar.
"Primo…" the boy murmurs. He heard about the man a few times from Reborn. When he thought about it, it was weird to have the man being compared to him. But… now he sees it. That man is just like him. Or, maybe it's the other way around.
"I accept your resolve, firmly," Primo's voice is calm, not too deep and very soothing. Just like Decimo's, Tsuna exclaims to himself.
"What is this?" He mumbles.
"Our hours have been engraved into the ring," the blonde explains. Tsuna can't help but to compare him to his older self—they are strikingly similar. "You are free to let the family prosper or perish, Vongola Decimo." Primo says, staring at his gloved hand. "We've been waiting for you."
Then, Primo's flame burst intensely. And the rest of the bosses follow through, manifesting more flames onto their weapons. Under Tsuna, Vongola's family crest shines in response, startling the brunet.
"You will now inherit the mark of Vongola," Primo announces.
And his whole vision goes white—with an abundance of light blinding him.
~x~
Tsunayoshi steps back, finally. The boy was unconscious for a while. Maybe he went too far—was what he was thinking at that moment.
He knew he went a bit overboard. Perhaps his own feelings were being thrown into the boy. But, it was needed. The young tenth generation might never forgive him, but this was all needed for a better future. It was the only way.
"Ragazzo," he heard Reborn's voice. Tsunayoshi's orange eyes gleamed at the hitman. He felt embarrassed—as if caught red-handed on a crime. "You think he's ready?"
But his sun—but Reborn wasn't judgemental, at all. As expected of his ex-tutor.
"It's the only way," he confesses. Meaning he isn't sure if Tsuna will be able to go through the trial. But he has to try. And, he believes in himself more than anyone.
Then, he immediately feels something. His Hyper Intuition whispers, warily, at the back of his nape. Something is happening. Maybe he failed. Maybe Tsuna was dying. Maybe—
Orange eyes immediately travel towards the boy's body. His eyes widen. Tsuna's gloves are glowing, alongside his ring. It worked.
Tsuna gets up from the ground, gloves strangely glowing—shifting in form. The boy breathes, his flames bursting wildly in his forehead—Hyper Dying Will. Tsuna then brings his hands up as the glowing finally stops.
The gloves are still the same black leather with silver fingers—but, the symbol is different. Tsunayoshi stares at it with fondness. That was his old weapon—a familiar one, at that. At the back of Tsuna's hand, a semi-sphere of a blue, see-through stone is attached. It's exactly like his Vongola Ring. The Vongola crest drawn inside the stone, shining proudly. The blue glowed ominously, emanating Tsuna's true power.
"X-Glove, ver. Vongola Ring," the older brunet breathes. The true potential of Tsuna. "I knew you could do it!"
Tsuna stares at his counterpart, slightly confused. The gloves in his hands were new—different and uncomfortable somehow. He felt as if they were dangerous but, surprisingly, his Hyper Intuition told him that he could trust it. This was his new power. His new weapon.
The young brunet catches his counterpart's eyes, feeling no animosity coming from the man—no cruelty. It was a test. A test to inherit Vongola's true power.
"Thank you," the young boy bowed a bit. Sure, he felt bitter about being beaten to an almost death. But, he knew his older self would never do that without a purpose.
"I'm sorry," the older brunet bit his lip, showing to Tsuna a bit of his Dame-Tsuna self. It was surprising. Decimo… showing a moment of vulnerability.
"Dame-Tsuna, I'll heal you. Sit down," Reborn ordered. Tsuna felt so relieved to see that his tutor wasn't disgusted. He felt so much better to see the hitman sharing his Sun Flames on him. The whisk of the Sun's flames nicking at his own Sky. It was comforting.
Tsunayoshi smiled a bit. But he knew he would need to let the young tenth generation be for a bit. This whole ordeal had been too aggressive, and he was sure that most of them hated him now.
Decimo got out of his Hyper Dying Will mode and let the gloves go back to his box weapon. Then, without turning back or saying goodbye, he left the training room.
"Ragazzo!" Reborn called out, slightly irritated. But he focused on healing his student's wounds.
Those were nasty wounds, and it was impressive that Tsuna was still up and about. Reborn was conflicted, of course. He knew Tsunayoshi wouldn't do anything like that without a reason. But, he wishes he could've been in the loop, as well. He wanted to help out—coax Tsuna into accepting this, instead of just jumping on the boy out of nowhere and force him into a deadly trial.
He wanted the boy's guardians to be away too. From the looks of it, Tsuna's guardians were now wary of Decimo. To a point that, if Tsunayoshi showed up again, before giving them some time, Gokudera would shove dynamites at the man. And the other teens weren't too far. Yamamoto was furious, despite his careless smile. Ryohei was upset with how the man had acted against his younger brother. Lambo was sniffling near his brother, saying he would kill Decimo himself.
While Chrome was traumatized and blamed herself for not protecting her boss. And Hibari was thirsty for some bloodbath.
Reborn cursed at the Monello for being reckless. But, at the same time, he knew it was a lesson for all of them. A lesson to motivate them into getting better.
It was a cruel tactic, but an efficient one.
He just wished Tsunayoshi warned him first—because he knew for a fact that the man was probably scarred from having to beat up his younger self. He was already self-loathing from having to force this duty onto the boy—and for letting Reborn die in the future. But this was just another push on the man's mental health.
Reborn cursed in Italian, healing the young Tsuna back to health. He would find Tsunayoshi later.
Reviews: I will be answering ALL of them. That's why this one is at the end.
animeanimal12 on Chapter III: sorry for never answering to you! I really appreciate every correction and pointing out. I think I evolved in writing in these last two years, but I am still immensely grateful for having you here and correcting me and pointing everything that you like about this story. I don't even know if you're still reading this, but I felt the need to answer.
BoyishBlue on Chapter III: I love the scene where Reborn slaps Tsuna. It just shows that he cares about both, and he sees them as different people, but the same person in the same time. Confusing? I hope not. Tsuna snapping was also very precious to me, because I always feel like people take the whole 'becoming-a-mafia-boss' for granted. Tsuna is just a kid and he shouldn't have such heavy weight on his shoulder. Also, wanna say how glad I am that you differentiate Tsuna and Tsunayoshi by their names, compared to the 'TYL! Tsuna' title! I'm glad you took their name and nickname as their own character!
ambu780 on Chapter III: I improvised on Reborn slapping Tsuna, ngl. As I said to BoyishBlue, this is one of my fav scenes. There's just so much emotion. Tsunayoshi is repressing a whole lot. I think at this point in the fanfic, he opened up a bit to Reborn, but things will get a bit nasty from here on. Since this was a heavy chapter, after all. Hurt time babeyyyy!
Revantio on Chapter III: thank you so much! I really try to put emotions in my writing. I love to see people pointing that out!
ethdsjordan on Chapter III: don't cry!
BoyishBlue on Chapter IV: THE R27 THO! This scene is also one of my fav! I really wanted Tsunayoshi to be… just him. Because Tsunayoshi and Tsuna are the same, he knows what the kid is going through. He wants the best outcome for his younger self. It felt soooo deeply attaching to me to write that. As you said, feeling insecure sucks. I wanted Tsunayoshi to prove to Tsuna he isn't useless like he thinks he is. And that he can take his time and be slow in progress. He doesn't need to be the best. Tsunayoshi is so sentimental, even tho he tries to be the big bad mafia boss. Reborn comforting him was for my own mental health lmao I just needed some comfort. STOPPP youre welcome! But plss, thank you for reading it! I appreciate so much of your stories. And after the years I was always, once I got back into fanfiction your stories were the ones to pull me back. I'm so thankful for you and so proud that you still write to this day! Thank you!
LavaLilly on Chapter IV: it truly has been lmao. I'm sorry
RosaNRoss on Chapter IV: thank you so much! I never once thought of this story as being one of the best—or being remotely good. Like, I pour my emotions into this, so im so glad someone like you, and many others, come here to express how glad they are about my story. YES PROTECT TYL!TSUNA AT ALL COST!
Valen Goncalvez on Chapter IV: Thank you so much for reading! I'm sorry for being late!
ambu780 on Chapter IV: I'm glad to give you hope. You're welcome! And I'm so thankful to have you reading this.
Guest on Chapter IV: I'M SO SORRY! Tsunayoshi's POV are so precious to me… he has so much… character. NOO YOUR HEART! Gimme all the pieces I will attach 'em all together!
Ciela Fullbuster16 on Chapter IV: don't cry, please D:
Laurie-Chan20 on Chapter IV: thank you so much! I appreciate this type of review.
Shiroshi.2 on Chapter IV: PLEASE I can't believe people are crying! I'm so sorry D:
BoyishBlue on Chapter V: You're welcome! Timoteo took the biggest beating of his life… he wasn't prepared LOL. I feel like Reborn had to deal with lots of panic attacks in his life, both his own and from comrades. It's just special that he takes care of Tsunayoshi in a more… close way.
bbk027 on Chapter V: same… I love this.
LavaLilly on Chapter V: hahahaha no… sorry for putting it as Complete for a few years.
Catherineeeee on Chapter V: hey, if you're still around, then… I'm still here to give you an ending! Sorry for the wait. Tsunayoshi did learn from the best, thank you very much. He's a sassy bitch and Reborn loves it! Again, thank you for being here!
Guest on Chapter II: r27 is more of a hint… but it will happen. Promise.
Guest on Chapter III: thank you, I try my best to keep it solid.
n-ko on Chapter V: I think this review was supposed to be on Chapter VI but, in any case. Thank you so much for welcoming me back! I really thought no one would care about this. But I really wanted to finish it. And it makes me so glad to have someone to reassure me. THE ITALIAN NICKNAMES! Omg I read a fanfic these days and it was all Italian nicknames left and right. I needed to put it in here! Like please, its so cute. For Decimo's box weapon. Natsu is still his box weapon, but since that is Vongola Box, he can't open it anymore (as explained in this chapter). I made it so that he had to have a new box weapon, and this animal was decided to be a Jaguar, because I just love them! Thank you for thanking it is cool!
End Notes: I finally finished answering all of these reviews. It's been long 2 years and I'm proud to say I'm back. I hope y'all can forgive me. I didn't even answer to your reviews and that's sad of me. I hope you have fun with this fanfic, the same way I made you have fun two years ago. I want this fanfic to end, so I can prove to myself that I can finish my own projects. Thank you so much.