The Place Where We Belong

Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Fanfiction

Female Tsuna


Summary: Reborn's opinion of Sawada Iemitsu is that the man is a complete fool. Everyone knows this. Reborn should have known better than to take Iemitsu's words in face value. But he didn't think he would fuck up this bad. In which Iemitsu's child is not a dame middle schooler but an adult woman with a life of her own. They really, really need to check the inside of Iemitsu's head.


Disclaimer: I do not own KHR

Warnings: Lots of OCs, grammar mistakes, typo.


CHAPTER 8: One Step Forward


Setsuna decided that she will take her usual route today. She already avoided Ryohei yesterday. Kyouko-chan told her via Skype that she talked to him. He should have cooled down by now. Of course, there's still the possibility that Ryohei will try to change her mind. But Setsuna is prepared for that. She couldn't run away from the kids forever. Setsuna share the same rink as Nagi. She is a regular at TakeSushi. Gokudera is just a couple blocks away. She'll see Hibari when he is on patrol

Reborn didn't bring up the Guardian issue after yesterday. Setsuna knows that he is planning something though. He always has a scheme or two. It will come again in the future. Sky Attraction is a natural process. If she has been Courting Takeshi, Ryohei and Nagi for such a long time, it won't be odd if she Court more people without knowing. They only just met but Setsuna already Attract Gokudera. Who else? Fellow skaters? Someone from university? An old classmate? Kyouko and Hana? Setsuna would refuse to Harmonize with her best friends. She trusts those two with everything, but not mafia. She would never drag them down with her. At least, Kyouko and Hana would be understanding. But… Guardians are people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for each other and their Sky. Can Setsuna reach that point with someone she barely knew? The only people she trusts her life with are Tou-san, Masumi-sensei and her best friends. They already knows about the mafia… And it will only get worse from here.

All Guardians must know how to fight. They can use Dying Will Flames and have certain skillsets. Reborn told her the other day. Storm as the offensive force. Lightning as line of defence. Sun as the martial art expert. The ever dependable Rain. Cloud who keep an eye on everyone from the distance. Tricky Mist who hide the Famiglia with illusion. Those are the traditional roles of the Guardians according to their element. Nowadays Dying Will Flame users don't have to follow such rigid roles. Take Reborn as example. He is a Sun but he favors firearms instead.

She can see why Reborn picked Gokudera and Ryohei. They would fit the roles Storm and Sun respectively. Good thing she shut that down. If Sky Attraction is inevitable, she want adults at least. It will still be a bitter pill to swallow, but it's easier. Better adults than kids. And Japanese. It will be hard to explain if she Court someone foreign. Gosh, what if she Court her competitors? She hope not. That would be a mess. Could a Sky Harmonize with another Sky? Iemitsu is a Sky. Setsuna absolutely don't want to Harmonize with him but he might try. She should ask these questions when Reborn teach her how to access her Dying Will Flame. Setsuna has no idea what to expect. The baby won't shoot her though. Small mercies. That leaves training and life threatening situations. It will be awful. Setsuna can tell already.

They run past the billboard and here Setsuna knew Ryohei will show up. And he did.

"Setsuna-nee!" He waved at her from the distance.

Setsuna take a deep breath. Showtime.

They stopped in front of each other. She is bracing herself for another tirade when Ryohei bow down to her.

"I'm EXTREMELY sorry!"

...Huh?

"I had been so Un-EXTREME to you! To Kyouko-neechan! To everyone!" Ryohei said. "I lied to Kyouko-neechan for too many times. She told me she don't know if she could trust me. She… She said I'm similar to Iemitsu."

Setsuna's eyes widened. 'Holy shit. Kyouko-chan went there? That's brutal.'

"Iemitsu is an Un-EXTREME man… To be compared to him… I must have been really bad."

"You are," Setsuna agreed. Ryohei can't help but wince. "Ryohei-kun, I know that nothing you ever do is done with malicious intent… But the fact still remains that you were pretty Un-EXTREME. It will take a long time and a lot of effort before we can trust you again… And I don't want you to get even more Un-EXTREME. Mafia's definition EXTREME is completely different to your own. You might try to meet their standards but the opposite could happen instead."

"...I understand, Setsuna-nee. That's why I will respect your decision. I won't be your Guardian. I need to improve myself first. To undo the Un-EXTREME."

Setsuna's gaze softened. Ryohei is not yelling. He is understanding. Kyouko did it. Her words got through him. "Raise your head, Ryohei-kun." The boxer straighten up. "Now that your eyes are opened, you have a lot of work to do."

"I know," Ryohei said solemnly.

"You need to show Kyouko-chan that you changed for the better, when she come home."

Ryohei's eyes softened at the mention of his sister. "Yes."

Setsuna pat him on the shoulder before she walk past him.

"He's a good boy," Reborn commented once they put enough distance between them.

"Yes, yes, he is."

(Destroying the misfortune that attacks the Famiglia with their own body, they become the Sun that brightly shines upon an area. That is the role of a Sun Guardian. But what if the Sun is blinded by their own brilliance? Or worse, burn themselves to death like Icarus who got too close to the sun.

Ryohei is lucky. He has a sister to pull him back when he get too high and a Sky who stop him before he burn himself.)


"Tsu-nee!" Lambo jump to her arms when they arrive at the Sawada residence. Setsuna smiled and hug Lambo tight. The child stiffened when he took notice of Reborn. "Bweh!" He stuck out his tongue to the Sun Arcobaleno. Reborn ignored him and head inside the house. That only incensed the child even more.

"Lambo, we're about to have a meal. Remember the rules," Setsuna remind Lambo when she saw him reaching for his hair. She can see candies, junk and weapons sticking out from his poofy hair. Guess it's the hammer space for Lambo. Lambo grumbled and pull away his hand.

"Tsu-chan! Reborn!" Nana beamed when they enter the kitchen. You two are just in time!"

Nana prepared yet another feast. Lambo eat in such hurry Setsuna has to tell him to slow down. A part of her wonder if it's because he is afraid this will be his last meal, since he's been on the road until recently. He is still still clumsy with chopsticks. Some of the food ended up spilling or stuck on his hair. How did Lambo manage that, Setsuna has no idea. She should get him training chopsticks. Speaking of which, have her mother bought new clothes for him? Lambo is wearing the cow print suit again.

After they finished eating, Setsuna stayed behind in the kitchen to help her mother. Lambo went to the living room to watch cartoon. Reborn vanished somewhere.

"How was Lambo?" Setsuna asked as she scrub the plates.

Nana smiled at the question. "Oh, he is such a cheerful child. Quite the active one too. He likes to play outside."

"Are you happy to have him?" The figure skater asked in soft voice.

Her mother's smile widen. "Yes, I miss having small children around."

Setsuna internally wince at the answer. Nana is lonely. She is glad that Lambo cheered her up. But… "Kaa-san," Setsuna eyed her mother. "You're not curious?"

"Hm? About what?"

"About Lambo." Like where did he come from? Where are his family? Was he lost? Why hadn't anyone come looking for him? Why does he have all those weapons? Nana never asked questions. She take everything in stride. She readily took in a child without knowing anything about him. People would call her as big hearted but… Surely, even Nana would wonder about Lambo?

"What about Lambo?"

"Like why is he attacking Reborn?"

Nana smiled and shakes her head. "It's just little kids fights. They'll make up by the end of the day." She giggled.

"He used a grenade," Setsuna pointed out.

"Toys these days are so realistic!"

"...Nevermind."

Her mother just don't see it. Normal toys don't blow up. Firecrackers don't emit that much smoke. Even their neighbours were alarmed. Lambo was seriously trying to kill Reborn. He wants to go home after all. And Reborn's reaction is not normal for a tooddler (Not that he is normal to begin with). If Nana truly care for Lambo, she would ask questions. The boy is not even subtle. The grenades are sticking out from his hair. It's only a matter of time before Lambo try to kill Reborn again-

"Gupya!"

Setsuna put down the plates and sponge before rushing out of the kitchen. In the living room, Reborn is standing over Lambo. She can hear his sniffles.

"Lambo?" She rushes to his side. She tilt his head up. There's an ugly bruise on his cheek.

"To… Le… Rate… Uwaaaah!"

Setsuna glared at the uncaring Reborn before moving to pick up the crying child. However, Lambo pulled away from her. He takes out a purple bazooka from his hair. Using a string as extension, he pulled the trigger. Brown eyes widened. "Lambo-"

BOOM

Pink smoke filled the room. Why would Lambo shot himself! Wait… That purple bazooka… It's the Ten Year Bazooka?!

"Yare, yare," A deep voice said. An unknown stranger stood at the spot where Lambo was. When the smoke dissipates, Setsuna sees a teenager in a cow print shirt, black jacket and beige pants. He has Lambo's black hair (though not as unruly), his green eyes and the mark underneath his left eye. The teenager looked at her and brightens. "Tsu-nee!" He smiled at her happily. "Long time no see!"

"L-Lambo?" She points a shaky finger at him.

The teenager smile wider. "Yes, it's me!" He help her get to her feet. "It appears I was brought back ten years in the past by the Ten Year Bazooka."

"Wow… You got taller than me…," Setsuna studied his face. This is how Lambo will look like in ten years? Puberty sure is something else.

Teenage Lambo notice Reborn's presence for the first time. The hitman baby is sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels. "Hey, Reborn. I changed a lot, didn't I?" He walk around the couch. "It's me, Crybaby Lambo. You used to ignore me." Reborn show no indication that he hears him. Teenage Lambo's face darken. Setsuna's instinct told her that things is going to get troublesome. "Geez… It looks like I have to show you how much I've grown in ten years…." He pull something out from his pockets. Setsuna recognise them as horns, judging from the shape. Teenage Lambo put them on his head. Are those the same horn set five years old Lambo wear?

"Electrico Cornata!" Sparks of electricity start to shoot out from the the tips. Teenage Lambo charge at the Reborn.

Reborn throw the remote without taking his eyes off from the TV. It hit Lambo squarely on the face. Teenage Lambo stopped on his tracks. The electricity died down.

"L-Lambo?"

"Tolerate… Uwaaaah!"

"Lambo!"

Teenage Lambo rushes out from the living room and head upstairs.

'He didn't change at all…'

Setsuna head upstairs. She hears crying sound from her old bedroom. The door is slightly ajar. When she poke her head in, she found Lambo huddling at the corner of her room. "Lambo…"

Teenage Lambo look up. Blood is trickling down his nose.

"Oh my God, Lambo!" Setsuna rushes to his side. She crouch down in front of him. "Let me see…," She pinched his nose to stop the bleeding. Setsuna gently dab the blood with her handkerchief.

Teenage Lambo sniffs, "Tsu-nee…"

"Don't worry. Your nose is not broken at least… The bleeding will stop."

He let out a sigh. "You're always so kind, Tsu-nee… You always take care of me. You taught me lots too."

Setsuna blinked. To be perfectly honest, she has lots of questions for Teenage Lambo. Does he still live with Nana? Or did he go back to Italy? Is he still part of the mafia? In the end, Setsuna settled with one question. "Are you happy growing up?"

Teenage Lambo blinked at the question. He smiles. "Yes. Everyday was fun. Tsu-nee taught me skating and dancing. Tsu-nee played with me. Tsu-nee gave me tips about girls. Everyone else are nice to me, even Tou-san."

"Tou-san?" Setsuna can't quite hold back her grin. Her Tou-san and Lambo got that close?

"Mm. You're all my precious family," Teenage Lambo said. "I love you, Tsu-nee."

Hearing those words cause Setsuna to tear up. "I love you too, Lambo." Even though they just met and barely knows each other, she meant it.

Teenage Lambo smiled.

POOF

The lanky teen is replaced with a five year old child. Kid Lambo is back. And he's still crying.

"Oh, Lambo…," Setsuna pull him to her lap.

Lambo refused to go downstairs where Reborn's at, and he doesn't want Setsuna to leave him. So she has no other choice but to ask her mother to bring an ice pack upstairs. Setsuna has Lambo lie down on her old bed, pressing the ice pack against his cheek.

"Lambo, are you ready to go back downstairs?" Setsuna asked him once Lambo calmed down. The boy stiffened and shakes his head vigorously. "No? Okay then. We can play here… Unfortunately I don't have any toys left… How about I read you a story?"

"Okay," Lambo answered, voice raw from all those crying.

Luckily, there are still a few of picture books from her childhood. Momotaro, Journey to the West, Kaguya the Moon Princess, Kintarou, Urashima and the Kingdom Beneath The Sea and so on. Lambo sit on her lap as Setsuna read out the book to him. The tale of Urashima Tarou creeped him out. The box the sea princess gave him must have reminded Lambo to Ten Year Bazooka. To her surprise, Lambo understand the characters perfectly. She wonder how good his Japanese really is.

(Setsuna add exercise books, stationery and toys to the list of things she need to buy for Lambo.)

They eventually ran out of picture books. Setsuna don't think Lambo would appreciate her old mangas. Still, she humoured him looking through her bookshelf.

"What's this?" Lambo pluck out an album.

"Oh… That was an album from my childhood," Setsuna settled beside him.

Lambo flipped through the pages. "It's all figure skating," He noted. "You have so many medals! Do you still have those?"

"Yes, they're in the closet."

Lambo drop the album and went to the closet. She followed him behind. "Uwah! There's so much boxes in here! Where are the medals?"

Setsuna helped him take out all the boxes. She can't help but take pictures with her phone when Lambo try on her medals and old skates. Her best friends would love it. Well, Kyouko would. Lambo noticed her phone and start doing victory poses. One gold medal around his neck and three more on his head. Hm… Maybe she should start bringing a camera with her whenever she come here.

"Are you still skating, Tsu-nee?" Lambo asked.

She smiled at the question. "Yes, I do. I still compete."

"Did you win more gold medals?"

"Oh, yes. Those ones are in my new home though."

"So you're good then?"

What a cheeky boy. "I like to think I am."

"Hmmmm," Lambo rummage the boxes once again. "What's this?" He pull out a folded piece of paper. "Eeew! It's old!" He throw it over his shoulders. Curious, Setsuna pick it up and fold it open.

It's a writing piece from when she was in first grade.

My name is Sawada Setsuna. I am seven years old. My dream is to become a figure skater. Even though I can't land a jump now, I will definitely become a figure skater when I grow up. I will win gold in the Olympics!

"Tsu-nee?" Lambo looked over her when she didn't make any noise for a long time. He put down the stuffed monkey to climb onto her lap. "Tsu-nee?"

Setsuna blinked away her tears and look at the child. "Yes, Lambo?"

"Why are you crying?"

"It's not sad tears, Lambo. I'm just…," She rubbed her eyes. "It's an adult thing."

Lambo frowned. "Adults are weird."

Setsuna can only laugh. "I just read something from my childhood, and it brought back so many memories," She show him the paper.

Lambo looked it over. "Did you succeed?"

"Yes," Setsuna smiled. "I made my dreams come true."

"Was it hard?"

"Oh, yes. There are times I almost give up," She told him honestly. It has been a long, long road. And she's only twenty one.

Lambo frowned. "...Is it bad if Lambo-san wants to give up? Not that Lambo-san will! Lambo-san is strong after all!"

"...I won't repeat whatever you want to say. It'll be a secret between us."

Lambo looked up to her and then at the floor. "Lambo-san was told by his Boss to kill Reborn but he couldn't do it. And Reborn always hit Lambo-san back. Lambo-san don't like the pain. But Lambo-san wants to go home."

"Oh, Lambo…," Setsuna hugged him. "It's okay to feel like giving up. It's totally normal. Everyone feel the same from time to time. What you're feeling is valid."

"Valid?"

"It means it's perfectly understandable," Setsuna smoothed his hair. "Killing Reborn is hard, isn't it?" The boy nodded. "I think you better stop for now, Lambo. You need to polish your skills first. Reborn is too much for you to handle right now. What if he decide to kill you?"

Lambo shuddered in her arms.

"It's okay if you want to take a break from killing Reborn. You can focus on something else instead. Like having fun. Learn cool things. Make new friends."

"But Boss said-"

"A Boss is supposed to take care of their people," Setsuna repeat what Reborn said in one of their lessons. "Did he take care of you, Lambo?"

Lambo's silence is her answer.

"I'll take care of you, Lambo," Setsuna whispers. "You're safe with me."

Lambo hug her tight.

(To draw the damage to himself and away from the rest of the Famiglia, serving as a lightning rod. That is the function of the Lightning Guardian. But what if the damage is too much for him to handle and the Lightning break?

Lambo was abandoned by one Famiglia already. He is then picked up by a Sky. He will be protected and nurtured. The world shall tremble when he became the Lightning itself.)


"Ah!"

"Hey!"

"Oh!

"EXTREME!"

Gokudera pressed his mouth to a thin line. He is on his way to the ice rink when he bump to Kudou Nagi, Yamamoto Takeshi and Sasagawa Ryohei. Judging from the direction, they have the same destination in mind. Nagi is a figure skater so she has an excuse. What about the other two?

"Is everyone here is heading to to the ice rink?" Yamamoto looked at his peers. He can't help but grin. "What a coincidence! Let's go together!"

"Extreme! Let's go!" Ryohei balled his fist. Why must he be so damn loud all the time?!

Nagi simply nodded, hugging her bag tighter.

Gokudera sided up with Nagi. The girl is proven to be the least annoying person here. Seriously… What are the odds of all four of them meeting here..? And now they are going to the ice rink together. Everyone here… Almost become his comrades. They are his fellow Guardian candidates… Former candidates to be exact. Gokudera can't help but think 'what if.' What if Setsuna-hime agreed to Harmonize with them? What if Gokudera tried harder? What if he has been a little more stronger? What if. So many what ifs.

Nagako-san's words from last night made him to think. The reason Setsuna-hime refused them is so they will have a chance. A choice. To give them space. It fits with what Setsuna-hime said to him last week. If he want to follow her, Gokudera will have to lay down his weapons eventually. His Boss has no intention to lead a life as a mafioso. He had think about it and decided that no, he won't leave her. Gokudera want to be with Setsuna-hime. Simple as that. But if Setsuna-hime don't want him to be a mafioso… What else does he have? To stay a mafioso or retire. Gokudera never hear of a mafioso retiring at his age. His father and sister would flip if he retire now. But… If he retire… What will he do? Mafia is everything he knows. Well, not everything. Gokudera is interested in science (more specifically UMAs). He is also still holding onto piano.

Piano is the only thing he has left from his mother. Gokudera don't have any picture of her. He can no longer remember her voice. But every time he hears the sound of piano, he can picture her smile, the scent of her perfume, the feel of her hands guiding him… Gokudera don't really believe in the afterlife. Okay, that's not entirely true. A part of him kinda does. His mother have to be somewhere out there, you know?

(What would Lavinia think if she see her son right now?)

He want to stay at Setsuna-hime's side. That, he has no doubt. But to stay by her side he need to be… More. He need to grow, exactly what Setsuna-hime said to him in the past.

He need to do this.

For Setsuna-hime

For himself

Learning how to skate is a good place to start. One step at a time. He imagine the look of delight on Setsuna-hime's face when she see him skating. It will be worth it. And maybe, just maybe… These people will not be so bad.

(Continuously at the heart of the attack, the furious Storm that never rests. That is the purpose of a Storm Guardian. But what happen after the storm come to pass? What is left for the Storm to do? Or if there's even a piece of them left after standing in the centre of that much power.

Gokudera was broken. His heart shattered and life on balance. But now, he is able to pick up the pieces and rebuild anew. He is no longer alone. He has a Sky now. Once he learn to open his heart, loneliness is a thing in the past.)


Baseball is no longer enough. He need more to sustain him. If he keep relying on baseball only, Takeshi will relapse. Once he realised that he need more than just baseball, it hit Takeshi just how empty he is. The majority of his life… His identity… It centred on baseball. If this go on any longer… If Yamamoto is too late to realize… He will just be a vessel for baseball.

Scary

Yamamoto couldn't trust his classmates or teammates. They never try to get to know him. Really get to know him. They only like his facade and talent in baseball. So Yamamoto is pretty much alone at school. With the exception of Gokudera and Sasagawa-senpai. Hibari-senpai counts too, but he doesn't like to socialise and Yamamoto don't want to force him. Gokudera and Sasagawa-senpai treats everyone equally. He can drop his guard around them. Yamamoto has yet to hold a real conversation with Kudou Nagi but anyone who cares for Setsuna-nee is a good person in his book. They didn't become Guardians…. But surely it's okay to be friends with them, right?

He went to the ice rink today to have fun. It's been years since he last skate. Skating to him is fun. Yamamoto wish to capture that feeling again. No expectations. No pressure. Just fun. Originally he wanted this to be a time just for himself… But hey, Yamamoto won't say no to company. Maybe it's because deep down he is scared to be left alone with himself.

He wanted Setsuna-nee, but she couldn't always be there for him. To hold his hands. Yamamoto need to learn to pick himself up. To learn how to cope. To accept it. Ultimately, he will be able to be at peace with himself… And to move forward.

Yamamoto is terribly, achingly lonely. He can't go back. There's no way he can take it.

All these years, people come to him. This time, it will Yamamoto who do the chase. You need to put effort yourself if you want true friendship.

(To become a blessed shower that settles conflict and washes everything away. That is the task of a Rain Guardian. But what if the Rain is the one who get washed away instead?

Takeshi is truly blessed. He has a father who hold onto him and a Sky who gently push him back to the surface. One day, he will be stronger. Even if he slip, he knows that someone got his back.)


Nagi may be young and more often than not doubt herself and everything she does… But coming to Namimori is the best decision Nagi ever made. She is far away from her mother's influence. She make new friends (had she stayed in Tokyo such thing would be unthinkable). She actually look forward going to school. She received guidance from Coach Maeda. And she is able to be closer with her idol Setsuna-senpai. Nagi won't exchange her life now for anything.

With everything that has happened so far… Nagi feel like she need to confront herself. To remind herself of why she chose figure skating in the first place. It's time to find out who she is. Setsuna-senpai told her that when she know who she is, it will show in her skating. What makes her… Her? Has she changed or is she still the same girl? Who is Nagi?

The boys' presence is a surprise. Nagi is aware of Yamamoto Takeshi's and Sasagawa Ryohei's existences before they properly met. The boxer is the brother of Setsuna-senpai's childhood friend. She mentioned him everything she talk about Sasagawa Kyouko and Kurokawa Hana. Nagi dined at TakeSushi a couple times before. She saw the pictures on the wall. Of Setsuna-senpai and tiny Yamamoto. Gokudera Hayato is new in town. Born and raised in the mafia, he's supposed to be fearsome. But to Nagi, he's just a boy as awkward as her deep down and love Setsuna-senpai. It's rare for her to talk to boys… Considering she go to all girls school. But she never feel awkward around Gokudera.

Everyone know about Hibari Kyouya of course.

Lambo is a five year old child. He's adorable but Nagi doubt that everyone would let him get into mafia action, even if he is raised in the mafia like Gokudera.

In another world, these people are her comrades. They are the Guardians to Setsuna-senpai's Sky. Maybe they still have a chance, small as it is, to be like that. Not necessarily comrades… But still more than a group of strangers.

Namimori always surprises her. Nagi look forward what else this town is going to bring into her life.

(Creating something from nothing, and nothing from something; thus bewildering the enemy, to render the Famiglia's true form intangible with visions of deceit. That is the function of a Mist Guardian. But when the mist cease, what would one find? Does the Mist even aware what is real and what is not? Do they know their true essence?

Before coming to Namimori, Nagi does not know who she is. She is either a poor reflection of her mother or just a shadow that slip through everybody's lives without them knowing. Now? She has a Sky to help her figure herself out and a Cloud to watch over her. Whoever, whatever Nagi becomes, they will accept her.)


Lambo insisted of going ice skating. And well, how can Setsuna resist that? So she bundled Lambo as best as she can before she took him away from the house. Setsuna told her mother that they would most likely be late so there is no need for her to prepare dinner for Lambo. They will eat outside. Reborn is nowhere in sight. If it weren't for her Hyper Intuition, Setsuna won't know that he is following them.

Lambo is so happy that someone took him for a trip. Nana didn't go out much. She played with him for a while before never long enough for him to be satisfied. Lambo played at the playground nearby. There were other kids but their parents looked at him strangely and pull their kids away. It's obvious that the boy is lonely. Setsuna asked if he used his weapons at them or played too rough. Lambo looked away nervously and change the subject. Setsuna bite back the urge to sigh. She need to apologise to her neighbours… And talk with Nana.

They arrived in front of the Maeda Ice Rink. A few others visitors look their way. They gasped a little when they recognise her. Setsuna is used to it. Instead, her attention is directed to a group of teenagers in front of her and Lambo.

"Ryohei-kun?" She would recognise that white hair everywhere.

Ryohei turn around first, followed by Gokudera, Takeshi and Nagi. "Setsu-nee!"

"Oh wow," She can't help but grin. "What are the odds of all of us coming here?" The Guardians candidates. All that is left is-

"Herbivores"

They all turn around to see Hibari standing not far from them. "Get inside. Don't crowd in front of me."

"Yes, yes," Setsuna pick up Lambo and usher the teenagers inside. "Have a safe patrol, Hibari-kun."


Hibari watch the Duck herd the herbivores inside. They are the ones who showed up at Maeda's home. The Guardian candidates. There's the loud herbivore who always sniff around his home. The herbivore who put up airs of a carnivore. The herbivore who camouflage himself so the herd would accept him. One of Maeda's ducklings. The calf. No one is worth his time. Challenging the Duck to a fight would be interesting. Hibari knows that she is not a fighter. Not like the way he like to fight. But when she transformed to a Swan, he saw glimpses of her potential. Maeda would flip if he did anything to her… Hibari back off. He know better than to mess with someone's flock.

The baby's arrival changes things. The baby is a Carnivore. Hibari can practically smell it. He itches to fight him. Under his guidances, Duck's potential will be brought to the surface. He will wait until that day come. It won't do if he hurt Namimori's icon. Setsuna single handedly improve Namimori's economy with her achievements. While he doesn't particularly care for the herbivores, Namimori is his to protect. That includes the well being of said herbivores. He never said that Namimori is doing bad… But when Setsuna win her first gold medal in Seniors, it seems like Namimori finally wake up from its long slumber. Productivity went up, more little animals are born, the herbivores are happy. Hibari know he owes it to the Duck.

She didn't push to Harmonize with him. The Duck respect him enough to know not to insist on adding him to her flock. Though with her maternal instinct, she will still brood over him. You can't negotiate with maternal instinct. It cannot be stopped. At least the Duck have plenty other kids to mother. Those herbivores better behave. He can seek out the baby anytime he wants… Still beats his other option. No way he'll contact his great uncle and ask him to teach him Dying Will Flames.

Now… He still have a patrol to finish.

(To be the aloof, drifting Cloud that protects the Family from an independent standpoint, and whom nothing can ever bind. That is what a Cloud Guardian does. People call them anti social one, the loose canon, the one to stay away from. But never claim that Clouds don't care. They care so much. Why else would they stick around and make sure Death don't claim the other Elements?

Hibari need his space. Hibari has his own way of doing things. The Sky understand this and don't try to change him. He only give his respect to those who give him freedom to be himself.)


Setsuna watched with a smile on her face as everyone coach Gokudera and Lambo. Lambo is the first to pick it up. Now he is zooming all over the ice rink. Ryohei chase after him, yelling "EXTREME BE CAREFUL!" This is karma. Setsuna is convinced. Gokudera skate along the barrier first, never taking his hands off, before he accept Nagi's hand. He let her pull him away from the barrier. Takeshi give him words of encouragement, hovering in case Gokudera slipped.

She let the kids have it. They need this.

Gokudera need to learn to open his heart to someone other than her.

Ryohei need to learn to be considerate to others.

Takeshi need to find his footing, and he need a support system of his own to achieve that.

Lambo deserve to have someone who love him unconditionally.

Nagi need to connect with other people so she can grow.

Hibari is a very sure with himself. He will come if he want to come. No one can force him.

Setsuna will give them care, guidance and occasional tough love. But they don't necessarily need her . And that's okay. All kids will grow up and leave the nest eventually. Setsuna will be there for them if they wish to return and rest. Even grownups need a safe place to go back to, when theirs hearts are weary and body exhausted. But by the end of the day, their dynamics is not fit for Guardianship.

Her life is changing fast. Setsuna is struggling to keep it from out of control. She can't drag these kids when she don't even know if she will make it. She will need to have Guardians by the end of the day. It's imperative for her survival. But who could she trust? Setsuna trust only a few people. Tou-san, her best friends, Masumi-sensei, Nagako-baasan, Susumu and Takumu. She couldn't interfere with their lives.

Setsuna supposes, when it comes down to it, she will figure out the right person to Harmonize with, at the right time, in the right place.

As long as Reborn or Vongola don't meddle first.

(Rain, Storm, Cloud, Sun, Mist, and Lightning, she influences all of them. She understands and accepts all of them. That is the sort of person a Sky is. But do the other elements understand her in return? They affect her as much as she affect them.

A Sky holds up the rest of the Elements. But who who hold up the Sky?)


Setsuna

Kyouko-chan

Girl

Sometimes I forgot you like to go straight for the throat.

Hana

?

Setsuna

This morning Ryohei-kun apologized to me for being un-EXTREME

Kyouko-chan's words shake him to the core

Kyouko

I told him that he's acting like Sawada Iemitsu

Hana

Damn girl

That's cold

Kyouko

But it worked

Hana

I love it that we use Iemitsu as the parameter of shitty

No offence, Sets

Setsuna

None taken

Also

I figured out my theme for this year

Kyouko

Ooooh!

Hana

Well? What are you waiting for? Spill it!

Setsuna

My theme for this season will be…

Drum roll please

Hana

SETSUNA

Setsuna

Okay, okay!

My theme is…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

DREAM


This fan fiction is also posted in AO3

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