Disclaimer is in the first chapter.
Second Chance
You know... my weird writing... crazy ideas... the norm.
MAJOR WARNING:
1) EVERY EVENT IN THIS STORY IS NOT CANON. You have been warned.
2) Tsuna is a complete drama queen. He's dramatic and cannot think clearly.
3) Evident change in writing style.
4) UN-Beta-ed
Pairing-ish implied:
Strongly 6927; 8059
Bold- English, Sound effects, or exaggeration
Italics- Exaggeration or Thoughts(mostly Tsuna's)
Normal –Normal
Target VI: Bullet I: There For You
Kokuyo Land
{First Person: Tsunayoshi Sawada}
I was led deeper into the building. My nose was attacked by the familiar scent of just-processed copper; in other words, blood. And a faint scent of... cherry blossoms? Perhaps I am just... paranoid. The dim light was not helping my abnormally heightened senses.
Glass shards reflected dull light as I stepped on a few. Amazingly, it didn't penetrate my shoes. After all, considering my luck, it was almost a small miracle.
The bits of wooden boards that were scattered around the floor. The cement area was tainted in blood; however it was surprisingly silent was we stalked deeper into the building.
Mukuro stopped abruptly and walked a faster; his pace constantly changing.
Click
Click. Clack, click.
Clack. Click
Clack.
Pause.
Click...
The heals of his shoes clicked in an unusual pattern... In the future, Mukuro always took long, drifting, and – more often than not – silent steps. Perhaps... A code! No, more like... a warning. It was most likely something along the lines of 'wait and attack on my command.'
After all, this illusionist likes toying with emotions and push reactions without rushing. Finally, we came to a stop. And for a long eternity, silence seemed to ensue; in reality it was only several seconds. A blood-chilling tingle shot through my spine.
The hinges in the bent door frame were broken. Luminously, the moonlight was strained through curtains in the far back of the broken concrete room. When I took the first step after him, the smell of blood assaulted me once more; the room was practically marinated in it!
"Kufufu, come have a seat. I don't bite... that hard."
He walked ahead of me and planted himself on the couch. The streams of light filtered through the broken window behind him. Mukuro pat the circular table in front of him. The edges were faded in the darkness and the lighting made it look unsteady.
Although the though the table didn't come as much as a surprise. After all, this was a theater room at some point.
"I'll stand," my voice seemed so odd. So uncharacteristic serious. Something I didn't enjoy. My gazed trailed back to that smile of his.
He's up to something.
That was the first thought that came to mind when that playful smile – smirk as he once called it – was mockingly placed on his face.
My heart clenched. It was so obvious. That slight dip in his eye brows. His eyes. Those heterochromic eyes were the biggest flashing neon sign. Sadness hidden behind a mask.
How could I have missed it?
A lie, a facade that many years ago that I didn't realize was fake. It was obvious, yet I didn't realize sooner. Now, here I am, next to him when he's unconsciously suffering. The fear of betrayal chains him toward the idea that he doesn't need friends to support him.
Even if he ever did realize, he had always refused help. 'A sign of weakness' as he once stated nonchalantly.
My mist guardian's Pride is deadly. Heck, most of the Vongola treasured their own form of Pride, fighting and defending it until their last breaths. Foolish, others would say, but humans are foolish creatures. Myself more than others.
Rokudo Mukuro's Pride was – is – one of his strengths, as well as the double edged sword that sealed his fate that night. A night much like this one; the cloudless sky and still night. His parting word were one of a broken man...
'Leave now, Tsunayoshi. This is not your battle to fight.'
"Kufufu, foolish little boy, you don't seem to realize the killing intent leaked in this room. You're not normal."
I snapped out of my daze. Years of psychological experience nullified that particular sense or hightened it at times. It so seems that years of experience rendered my intuition immune to Mukuro's level of killing intent.
I should be on my guard. I have to rouse the paranoia, the self preservation, and trust that my body will react quick enough to keep me alive.
It was no longer safe around him. He wouldn't hesitate to kill me. He isn't my Rokudo Mukuro. My heart seemed to tighten at the realization. Saying the obvious was painful; it was like scrubbing a wound raw with alcohol. But, I knew this, so why reminisce and react like a sentimental drama queen now?
The answer was simple: I don't want to believe that fact. Drama queen as I may be, it was heart wrenching to admit.
"Now, tell me. Who are you? What is your objective? How did you see through my illusion?" Mukuro's voice was playful yet laced with a deadly aura. The slight flicker in his aura flame signaled amusement.
"Uhm, my name's Sawada Tsunayoshi. I want to help you, of course it comes with a deal. And... uhm..." Should I tell him? Will it raise suspicions? No. That would be foolish. Not until –
"And...?" Mukuro was now still and his voice pressed for an answer. Ken, Chikusa, and the rest of the Kokuyo gang were positioned in the shadows. It was as clear as day that they didn't trust me. And from experience, I wouldn't place my trust on a stranger either. They were watching, waiting, and poised to strike when the believed that I've become threat.
But this is not the time or place to think about that.
Enemy turf; this is territory and so, I must not falter. Prepare to fight or flight at any given moment. I closed my eyes and concentrated. A vague layout of the area began to form in my mind. Like how I had sensed Gokudera a while back, I began to concentrate harder to define the smaller details. Thanks to much practice in this body, I'm finally able to grasp the amount of concentration needed to scan a smaller area and identify the person the flame belongs to. Much like DNA patterns, flame signatures are unique to that of the person.
Two people were behind him. Three others were spread out around the corners. Another was hidden skillfully behind Mukuro's couch. In that person's reach was Fuuta.
"And I could tell you were an illusion because of my... sixth sense." A half truth; it's not completely true but he doesn't need to know just yet. I offered a gentle smile. The atmosphere seem to thicken as he considered what I said.
A flame; it was very small but evidently still there. I focused harder on that signature. It was so familiar... just like... Kyouya's!
Shoot.
But there can't be a miss calculation! I was sure he wouldn't confront Mukuro yet. But that would make sense. So many people here, beated and bleeding. Why the room smelled so strongly of processed copper. But how? I was sure that Kyouya wouldn't make his move yet. Unless someone was interfering. And that person could only be one person. One person with such capabilities.
"Oya, is that so?"
I jumped at the sound of his voice; I forgot about Mukuro.
Before he gave me a chance to respond –
Sawada Household
{Third Person POV}
"Tch!" Being without answers always landed Gokudera Hayato in an unmistakably bad mood. However, he was not the only one. Yamamoto Takeshi sat on his friend's couch. With much surprise, they were currently now situated at Gokudera's apartment.
Both contemplating what they should do.
"So what do we know?" the jock's voice was rarely ever this serious. Normally, Hayato would have worri- no. Gokudera Hayato would have bluntly suspected that an UMA came and replaced the baseball nut with an impostor. Which would have led the bomber to blunder about the infinite possibilities of confronting one of those mysterious creatures.
Back to the topic at hand, Gokudera stopped this pacing for a moment, and then resumed in a moment's notice.
Yamamoto decided to start, "Apparently, school's closed down because students have been attacked. Luckily we received a note from Juudaime that told us to skip school... It could have been dangerous."
"Danger does not matter when it involves Juudaime!"
Yamamoto couldn't agree more. So to show his appoval, he gave a knowing gaze to the other family member.
"So... facts?
"Right. First, we know that Juudaime, Reborn-san, and ranking Fuuta are missing. But why would Juudaime leave a note and not say where he's going? "
Something's missing, the experienced mafioso sneered, but what?
He did not like being toyed with. And with Juudaime missing, things can get very ugly. Quickly at that.
"Sasagawa-senpai, and some others are in the hospital..."
Silence greeted the baseball player's statement. Apprehensively, the clock ticked.
"Maa! All this thinking's really gnawing on brain!"
Abruptly, the sliver-haired bomber stopped mid step. As if solving the word's greatest jig saw puzzle, Gokudera's head shot up and his eyes instantly became a 100 watt gleam.
Gnawing! That's it!
"TEETH!"
Yamamoto jerked, eyes wide. He could have swore the other just said 'teeth'... "Eh? Did you miss your dentist appointment?"
"Of course not!" the genius instantaneously snapped.
Gokudera paused, and then he seemed to realize Yamamoto was there. And it took another second to notice that Yamamoto Takeshi was the one that gave him the clue. But right now, he could care less!
"A lead! I have a theory as to where Juudaime may be!" Takeshi's sharp gaze signaled comprehension and he ushered the other to continue.
"You realize that the injured students are all missing their teeth right?"
Nod.
"The amount of teeth their missing relates to a number. Like, turf-head's missing five and apparently a prefect was missing four. Ranking Fuuta's been missing as well. The teeth can be an... indicator of sorts. Perhaps..."
"Ranking?... it's very likely now that you think of it," Yamamoto whispered to himself, "Then, their teeth must be like... a score board or something! You know, the higher the number the better they are or something!"
Hayato blinked, perhaps the idiot wasn't as ba–
"Then again! Maybe it's the latest trend or something! You know, like loosing two front teeth relates to the amount of pain you can endure. And maybe it's just a coincidence that the kid's missing as well."
I take that all back. Once a baseball nut, forever an idiot.
"Coincidence? Not likely. Nothing's a coincidence when it involves … mafio – … – so. SHIT!"
Realization hit Gokudera like a ton of bricks, coated in gold, and wrapped in iron, and lead plates.
And in a matter of seconds, Yamamoto was, once again, utterly lost. The silver haired teen roughly shoved his hands into his pocket and fished out his cell phone and clicked '4'.
Speed dial, the raven-haired teen concluded. But why? … wait … mafioso … are Italian yakuza … right? Yakuza, Tsuna … … Oh, no.
" … Yeah, I'm in Japan. So? Anyways, I need you to hack into Vongola Data Base and give me the recent criminal outbreaks and abandoned areas in Namimori, Japan. . . Tch. Of course. . . Right. Make it snappy; your salary depends on it!"
Grunting, the bomber shifted his gaze back at the only other person in the room. Then, Gokudera reluctantly placed his phone back into his pocket.
"So, who and how is this person you just called going to help us find Tsuna? Is he involved in the mafia too?" Yamamoto inquired, slightly amused by the fluency of Gokudera's English. Gokudera looked slightly surprised that the idiot figured out that much. But quickly hid it.
"Yeah, he's a professional hacker. Tch, despite being a 'professionally cool law breaker' - in his words - he's a complete idiot. He goes by the name 'Matt' or 'Mail Jeeves'. He said he made his code name after some anime hacker character he worships."
"I see," Yamamoto nodded to himself. It was obvious he didn't. "... So, Tsuna?"
Gokudera's mood seemed to dampen, "I... we need to wait until Matt calls back; he's getting hacking into Vongola for us as we speak. We can't pinpoint Juudaime until we get the information."
His voice dropped an octave, with it, his voice grew stern and hush.
"Until then, get ready."
Venice, Italy
{Third Person POV /Slight First Person : Reborn}
Reborn – for the most part – was pleased.
He trusted that Dame-Tsuna to behave for a few hours; at least long enough for him to get this meeting over with. However, it seems that the boy had gone missing for about 5 hours. Since no ransom notes were found, it was safe to assume that Tsuna was up to something – like always.
Besides that, contacts have informed him of Gokudera's little hacker attempting to hack in to the Data Base. Luckily for his student's family, he was a mile ahead of them. Being the great hit man he was, he intended for Gokudera to receive the data if asked. And so, he arranged the Vongola technicians to 'slip' them that data.
However, it would have been a lot easier if the hot-headed teen just called.
Then again... he never left them his contact number, whoops.
No matter, now he had to deal with Nono's brat – Xanxus, was it? – and get this meeting over with. And to decide what to do with Tsunayoshi. Now to find the location to which the meeting is held.
The lights in the long well-endowed hall flickered slightly as he opened the entrance of a bar. Chattering grew hush as they realized who just stepped in.
Reborn. The best hit man known to exist in the Mafia. His fame made him an urban legend to those peacefully unaware and a nightmare to those who's been on this demon's bad side. The infant walked steadily though the gap that the others had formed.
He sat on the bar counter and the blond bartender pauses, castes him an unperturbed stare, and continues to concoct another drink. Seeing past his purple shades, the bartender grunted in acknowledgment.
"I'd like to order," Reborn spoke, nonchalant. His eyes were transfixed on the glass the man was wiping.
Left. Right. Right. Left. Right.
The bartender's voice boomed; he seemed somewhat annoyed: " Rather, do you want the regular?" {A/N:! If you wish to under stand the 'code', read the section at the bottom!}
So, it seems he knows the code.
"Originally, i thought about getting an espresso. Espresso still stands." For the heck of it, Reborn threw in a smug smirk just irritated the bartender off even more.
"Or I could get you some milk, kid," the blond retorted, self-satisfied. However, he started to make the espresso.
"Make it with extra cream."
Still with his back towards Reborn, the man's lip twitched into a small smirk.
Moments later, the bartender was back; frown in place and espresso in hand.
"That would be 2.36 euros, but it's on the house," he muttered before turning back to his work.
Taking that as a cue, he looked at his espresso and smirked. And he took a sip before leaving the doors.
5th Floor, room number 74 at Valire Hotel. Meeting starts at 2:40 am and ends at 3:15 am.
Now, lets get this over and done with.
Namimori, Japan
Third Person (leaning towards Mukuro Rokudo)
Pinned against the floor, Tsunayoshi starred at Mukuro. Absolute shock bled through all the emotions the rained down upon him. Mukuro, however, had a freakishly predator-like grin. A moment later, the boy realized Mukuro's trident rested dangerously on his neck.
"What is it that you gain from helping me? What is your goal? What is it you wish to achieve?"
If possible, Tsuna's eyes just grew bigger. After moments of silence, Tsuna spoke softly.
"Cut me with the trident, the one that with the ability to posses a person."
Those heterochromic eyes widen and just as quickly, they morphed into a bleak stare.
Adapting a monotonous voice, Mukuro spoke slow and impassively.
"Oya? And what makes you think I have something like that in my possession?"
"Because I know you. And I trust that I know you."
Tsuna knew that this was was stupid and Reborn would have his heard if he knew of this. Because it was like jumping on thin ice.
It didn't matter now. Ideas, plans, and what ever else that he had up his sleeves fled his mind when this idea stuck him. But he needed to get cut from the trident first. He needed Mukuro to be in possession of his body.
And then, and only then, will he be able to spark trust his cautious gaurdian back.
Mukuro threw his head back, laughing at the brunet's words. Trust. Trust? It seemed so foreign. It ceased to exist a long, long time ago.
"You. Hahaha! Y-you!" Hysterical laughter boomed through the room. After several minutes, Mukuro's voice toned down as he met the stern resolve gaze from the brunet.
He isn't joking... How interesting.
"You're not joking."
It was not a question, but a simple statement. The statement alone was an observation. Mukuro then made a mistake; his stare drifted to the brunet's caramel brown orbs. The pent-up emotions inside the youngster's body was made loud and clear.
They were similar in several aspects. But they were of two different planets all together. Inside Tsuna's eyes, Mukuro was bombarded by a hysteria of emotions ranging from guilt to shock to... happiness?
Like a kid with a brand new fascination, the Mist inched closer. His own eyes boring into the young boss's soul.
Tsuna stiffened at the close contact, but realized how the distance between them began to lessen at each passing second.
Time – all together – seemed to stop when the older prison escapee neared Tsuna; their noses touched.
Mukuro wanted to know why. Why was this mere boy able to conjure these feelings. These emotions that should have died along with his life.
To get my answers, Mukuro reasoned to himself, the fastest way is to comply. No harm can come to me and if there were to be any, his life will be hanging on a tiny piece of rotten thread.
Backing away from the stiff brunet's face, Mukuro chuckled a bit to himself. This boy was just a hormonal teenager, he concluded. Evidence to support this was the pink blush dusted on the others cheeks.
"Kufufu, as you wish, Tsunayoshi-kun."
… DONE. For now. Chapter summary [(main points (in note form... kinda)]:
• Tsuna confronts Mukuro... and gets mentally dramatic (?)
• At Gokudera's apartment, Yamamoto and Gokudera figure out that Tsuna is most likely in danger. And so, he calls a hacker so get data from the Vongola Data Base.
• Reborn is in Venice, Italy due to attend a meeting with Vongola Nono; it's main topic was on Xanxus and Tsunayoshi, the Vongola X canidates. He already knows of Tsuna's disappearance and doesn't seem the least bit worried. The hit man was also informed of Gokudera's little hacker; Reborn decides to give them the information.
• Tsuna suddenly requests to get cut by the trident. After weighing the pros and the cons, Mukuro decides to comply. For what reason? You'd just have to find out in the next chapter.
Code:
1) How did the bartender know Reborn was looking for the location?
" Rather, do you want the regular?"
" Originally, i thought about getting an espresso. Espresso still stands."
" Or I could get you some milk, kid."
" Make it with extra cream."
2) Starting time and ending time?
2.36 euros; Round to the nearest ten minutes: 2:40 = Start of the meeting.
2.36 euros are approximately 3.15 USD. And so, 3:15 would be the ending time.
3) What Floor?
The bartender did several motions before asking for Reborn's order: ``Left. Right. Right. Left. Right.``
Five motions, fifth floor.
4) What room number?
You take the 2.36 (the euros) and multiply it by 3.15 (the USD). You get 7.434; round to the nearest tenths. You end up with 7.4 or better known as room 74.
5) What hotel?
Remember those five rubs on that shiny glass cup? Your wish for knowledge is beginning to unfold! -rubs invisible mustache- Take the standard alphabet... and start at Z and go back 5 letters. And you get... V. and then I just chose "Valire" as the Hotel name. Lame right?
But, ahhh wells, code's never been my forte.
Questions:
1) Did you like the chapter? Fine, meehhh, or something along the lines of: "It was horrible, go jump off a cliff." (Unfortunately – or fortunately – there aren't many, if any, cliffs near the place I live.)
2) Improvements? Dislikes? Concerns? Questions? OOC?
3) Can you predict what Tsuna's plan is? Shout out to those who guessed it right in the next chapter to those that do! So leave your guess the bottom! owo
MOST IMPORTANT THINGs! PLEASE READ BELOW:
** Please take a moment to thank Dream36 for being my beta for a few chapters! Unfortunately, she can no longer beta this story due to personal issues, but I would really appreciate it if you leave her a simple "Thank you" note (addressed to her) in your review! I promise I won't take 4 months to update if you do!
**I will not FOR SURE, be updating this month. I am an 8th grader and I have CST (California State Test) tomorrow and several numerous test like that for the next 3 weeks in history, math, science, and literature. MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES!
Dear Dream36,
(Insert indent for formalities' sake) Thank you oh so very much for taking time out of your day to help me improve this story. I find it quiet tiresome to look over my own work; I look at it and I just want to push it aside (better yet, throw my laptop aside). I honestly do not understand how you could read my 'unedited' stories and not do the same (besides the abuse your laptop part. I meant the "push it aside" part)! It confuzzles me. But I am grateful, none the less, that you even spare a second glance. Now, I want to take this time and thank you for your assistance thus far.
(Indent) I can honestly say, the first time you PM'ed me about the beta thing, I was so excited – elated to be more exact. And when I found that you were so easy to talk to, it was like icing on cake. There was that one time where I sent you that file (chapter 3 I believe), and half of it was in CAPS. LOL, that was weird. I'm still very sorry for that incident. But the funny thing was, I didn't realize and you didn't seem to get mad! (And I was very grateful for that too!)
(Indent) So before this short letter thingy is done, I would like to take the time to thank you once again. It was such a privilege of having you as my first beta.
You have my eternal gratitude,
Michelle
Posted on: 4/17/2012
Status: Un'beta'ed
