Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Tsuna could hardly stifle another sigh when he caught a shadow slinking after him. It stuck to the shadows like glue, but Tsuna had a very good idea of what this "shadow" was.
Ever since that night, he had officially gained a stalker. The brunet had been staying in town for at least three days now and within that period of time, Tsuna had never been left alone.
By the end of the day, he was finally fed up with the nonstop stalking so he whipped around and called into the darkness the buildings casted.
"I know you've been following me, you can come out."
After a few seconds of debating whether or not it was a good idea to show his or her identity, the figure stepped out from where he was hiding, revealing a short boy wearing a black cloak and startling silver hair.
"How long?"
"How long what?" Tsuna asked, putting a pleasant smile on his face.
"You know what I mean," the boy growled, his green eyes shining fiercely, "how long have you known that I've been following you?"
"Hmm." Tsuna tapped his chin in a mock thinking position. "Ever since you were in your mama's womb."
His only reply was a scathing glare.
"Ok, ok, I give." Tsuna held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Ever since you started, three days ago."
For a second, the boy's glare faltered but it was back before Tsuna could notice. He grinned mischievously, "Nope, that's wrong. Four days, I started the night we met, leading up to today makes four."
"That doesn't count!" Tsuna pouted, earning a reproaching glare from the other.
"It does too!"
"Fine, whatever you say, mister. Now, leave me alone, I'd like to live my life in peace, without someone who tails me day and night."
A bright red blush tinted the silveret's cheeks and he averted his eye uncomfortably. "I-I just wanted to thank you for the bread…again."
"No problem, as a King, I'd do anything for my—" Tsuna stopped short again, catching himself. He'd have to get rid of this habit!
Not seeming to notice due to severe embarrassment, the boy spoke up one more time. "I don't like being in debt so tell me something you want done and then I'll be gone."
"Sorry, but I don't need anything. Like I said, I'm in full control of my life now and I don't plan on having any help." Tsuna sniffed and turned to walk away.
"What do you mean, 'full control'? You're an orphan right?" The boy sounded unsure of himself, as if he was reluctant to ask any more.
Tsuna almost tripped but he regained his balance. "That's right, I'm an orphan, call me anything you want." He was lying through his teeth, he did have a family to go back to, he just didn't want to go back.
"I have a mother…"
"No duh you have a mother, everyone does." Tsuna scowled, trying painfully to block out the picture of his smiling mom.
"I-I… she's sick and I need to help her."
Tsuna paused. No, he was no longer a Prince; he couldn't do anything to help.
"She's dying! And, and I don't want to lose her."
The brunet felt his emotions falter. He didn't want to lose his mother either. If he could, he would have taken her with him. But she was actually content with palace life; there was no way he would take her away from that. He would cause her unhappiness.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do anything." Tsuna resumed walking.
"Please." The boy pleaded, desperation clearly showing in his voice, "lend me some money, I promise I'll find a way to pay you back! I've already saved up, I only need a little more, please!"
"No." Tsuna said with finality. "Find someone else to help you." With that, he walked away, never catching the heart-broken look that the boy had on his face.
That same night, Tsuna lay down on the outskirts of town. He slipped his hand under his jacket and took out a heavy pouch, jingling with coins. Slowly, he pulled on the strings to loosen the bindings and let the coins fall into his palm. He began to sort them into piles based on their worth. When finished, he had a total of thirty-four bronze coins, twenty silver coins, and fifty-seven gold. He had saved up, obviously.
It was enough to last him for a good, say, several fortnights and maybe even more if he was careful. But he was to give away either half or maybe even more, then he would be in a bind. Of course, he could make it through by eating berries and plants. Eventually, he'd even find a small job.
Making up his mind, he stood up and headed into town. This would be the last time he would play as the nice guy.
Figuring that the boy would be hanging out near the village clinic, he headed over there, making sure that the money was secure in his pocket. It was dark, and he used the moonlight to guide his path. The still, deathly silent village gave him the creeps. He was used to noise, either from the guards or servants. Even so, something told him that something was going to happen. And it wouldn't be pretty.
The trip was short and he arrived at the town's doctor without any problems. He glanced around to look for shining silver hair but didn't catch anything. So, he entered the clinic to ask someone who was there.
"It's night, laddie, what're you here for?" A stocky man from behind a desk looked up at him, peering through his spectacles.
"Umm, have you seen a small boy about this tall?" Tsuna held up his hand to an approximate height. "With silver hair and green eyes?"
"Oh, you mean little Hayato?"
Tsuna nodded, quite sure that it was the same person as the one he described.
"Hmm, he's been around. Haven't seen him at all today. Usually he likes to stay by his mum. She's sick, y'know, I'm not sure if I can save her."
Tsuna nodded his head again. "Oh, I see. So you haven't seen him at all?"
The man shook his head. "Sorry laddie, I haven't."
"Alright, thanks. Do you by chance know where he lives?"
"Nope, pretty secretive, that boy is. Not to mention protective. His mum's a pretty lady, many men come after her."
"Thanks again mister." Tsuna pushed the oak doors open and resumed his search. He took the backstreets this time, feeling that if he were anywhere, it would be pickpocketing people where the eye couldn't see.
But, after hours, he still couldn't find the silveret. It was close to midnight and he was getting tired. He might as well score the roads one last time before heading in for the night. There was always morning.
At last, with the silveret nowhere to be found, Tsuna began his trek to the forest. Then he stopped. He could hear some rough shouting not too far away. Most of the voices sounded old while one sounded young…exactly like the one he was looking for.
He headed to the noises, unwanted worry beginning to build up.
"Back off brat, there's no way in h*ll that we'll hand over our money peacefully."
"B*stards! Let me go!"
One of the men laughed.
Tsuna could smell his breath from where he was; it was filled with the sour stench of alcohol.
"As if brat, you wander into our territory, you abide by our rules. Now, I hear your mother's a really pretty gal."
"Don't you dare touch my mother, d*mn it!"
"Shut your mouth, brat. You're annoying me." There was the sound of a fist connecting with flesh then silence.
A fight. Yes, that's what it was. Tsuna didn't want to get involved. No way, fighting was scary and Tsuna always ended up getting beaten. He mentally apologized and turned on his heel. But a sharp cry of fury stopped him in his tracks.
"Get off of me you brat! Let go!"
Tsuna turned around just in time to see the boy leap on one of the men and begin to land punches on the man's face. He didn't get far, though, when another man grabbed him from behind and held his arms back. The other man got up and took the boy by his collar and harshly threw him to the ground.
The boy cried out in pain as a loud crack resounded through the night.
Forgetting his previous worries, Tsuna rushed over and leaped onto the nearest man. The momentum of his jump caused the man to tumble to the ground. Tsuna made sure that his foot was planted on the man's skull because when his head met the ground, a satisfying crunch could be heard. He'd have a crooked nose for the rest of his life. That is, unless it already had been broken.
Then, Tsuna turned to the next man who was holding up a gun. Relying on the memories of his days in the palace, Tsuna fell and rolled forward, used his roll to leap to his feet and grabbed the man's arm that was holding the gun. With a sharp twist, he broke the man's wrist and he dropped the gun. Tsuna caught it and clicked it into safety mode. While the man was blinded with pain, Tsuna gave a second to think. He smirked.
Whirling around, he swung his leg upwards, connecting with the other man's place-where-the-sun-doesn't-shine. The man let out a high-pitched cry then fell to the ground, rolling in the dirt.
Looking back at the man whose wrist he cracked, Tsuna punched upwards, hitting the man in the chin. He was sent backwards and landed in the dust with a thump.
Still in his hand, Tsuna expertly twirled the gun.
"Y-you saved me."
Tsuna almost dropped the gun. He forgot that about that boy. He cleared his throat. "So, you're name's Hayato?"
"Y-you saved me." He repeated slowly, as if he had never heard of the term before.
"I suppose." Tsuna scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
A change seemed to overcome the boy. He scrambled into a bowing position and touched his head to the floor. "My deepest apologies for attacking you before, I promise to make it up."
"It's fine already. Now here, I have something for you." Tsuna reached under his jacked to pull out the bag of coins. "Here, this should be enough."
The pouch landed in front of the boy's head with a dull thud. They boy looked at it in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah, now go help your mother." Tsuna replied.
The boy was silent before speaking again. "Come with me, I'll show her to you. I'm sure she'd love seeing a new face."
"Sorry, but I'd have to decline."
But the boy wouldn't listen. He grabbed the brunet's hand and pulled him all the way back to the clinic, clutching the bag of coins like a lifeline. They finally stopped, inside the shack, panting from the run.
"Why hello again laddie, I see you found Hayato." The man came out from a room, wiping his hands on his shirt.
"Sir, what are you doing, still awake?" Tsuna asked. It was the middle of the night after all.
The man immediately took on a grave look and shook his head. "I'm sorry Hayato, there was nothing I could do."
Hayato gave a sharp intake of breath, dropped the coins and rushed into the room that the doctor had come out of. Dread filling his heart, Tsuna looked at the man who gave him a sad look then walked away.
Tsuna chose to follow Hayato, picking the bag up again.
In the room, the silveret was leaning over a bed, gripping a women's hand tightly. His body was wracked with sobs and tears flowed from his eyes, landing on the bed in wet stains.
Tsuna moved further into the room but Hayato didn't seem to notice. The brunet peered over Hayato's head and caught a glimse of an ashen face, cold, and deathly pale. Long, silvery hair spread out to her sides. Her mouth was set in a slight frown, as if something had made her sad. Her body was still, and no heartbeat moved her chest, no matter how hard Hayato shook her, trying to open her eyes once more.
Throwing his body across his mother's Hayato wailed, "She's dead, we're too late, she's dead!"
Moving closer to the grief-stricken boy, Tsuna slowly pulled him away from his mother's body. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Was all he could say. "I should have helped you sooner." Tsuna rubbed soothing circles across Hayato's back who was still shaking in sobs.
In the doorway, the doctor could only look away from the scene.
Hugging the mourning boy close, Tsuna felt wet, salty tears drip onto his clothing. But he didn't care. Tsuna stared at Hayato's mother one more time before closing his eyes and turning his head away shamefully.
"It's all my fault."
A/N: OOC? Well, this is AU so expect it. But I'm trying to keep them in character for the most part. Anyways, tell me what you think.
Btw, I'm working on 'The Flame of Two Skies' (it's about time huh?) now so look out for it.