WHAT'S UP NOODLES! I'M BACK! THE STORY IS BACK! AND YOUR FAVORITE CUTE CHILDREN ARE BACK!
It has been far too long noodles and I apologize for not updating in so long! School, other stories, and all kinds of stuff got me caught up! The story is no longer on hiatus, and I will update this more frequently. SOOOOO to make sure you all don't come to my houses with pitch forks and fire, here is a long chapter to kick off the return of Under The Sky! The story will go in a darker direction, but romance will return as well! The story reaches the climax!
Yuni tells Nagi and Haru of the truths hidden from them in their lives. Nagi learns that Mukuro was forced to do the evil sins he committed, the pain he dealt her wasn't intended. Haru learned that she was forced to move by her family by Kiyoshi's powerful influence, and her isolation was his doing. Yuni, Chrome, Haru, and Kyoko's pain and suffering was all in order to hurt Tsuna and bring him down by Kiyoshi. Now Tsuna seeks revenge for his friends, and reclaims his position as the Vongola Boss! No one hurts the friends of the Boss without receiving his fangs! However, the aftereffect on our Mist Guardian Chrome are...
"Nagi...you can't carry on like this. If you don't...what good will it do for you but hurt you? You have to eat something!"
"I...I am not hungry Haru...I can't force myself to eat any food, it feels like my stomach is full already..." Nagi ate with Haru at the dinner table for lunch. Haruka, Keiko, Yume, and Nagisa were also at the table eating. All the children but Haruka and Keiko had to sit up in high chairs. Yuni was talking on the phone with possibly Reborn or some other acquaintance. They eat some a rice meal with various meats and vegetables. However, Nagi sat at her table quietly without touching her food at all. Unlike innocent Nagisa who drunk her special formula from her bottle. Haru sat across from Nagi and looked at her sternly, and was beginning to feel her hopes diminish to help Nagi. Nagi sat low in her chair, her shoulders slumped, and not even the slightest attempt to make her look appealing was made. She threw away her elegant dresses and reverted to light purple sweats and a purple shirt that was much too big on her.
"Nagi...please...you got to eat. You have barely eaten anything at all, and you gotta be able to take care of your daughter right?" Haru said to Nagi who looked up from her food to Haru. She knew in her heart that what Haru said was true, and she was right. However, it was so hard to fill her stomach with food when it was already overflowing with misery and guilt. How long has she spent loathing Mukuro deep down? Hating him for what he has done? Nightmares of what happened to her...she lost her innocence...every ounce of it that day...not a single drop of it lied within her heart. Yet, Tsuna brought that innocence back to her and began to pour it back into her heart. With thoughts of Tsuna, Nagi felt her become her normal self...even if she has abandoned part of her self along with the name Mukuro gave her.
She felt Nagisa was staring at her from beside her seat with starry eyes looking up at her mother. Nagisa then tried to reach out of her high chair for her mother with her tiny arms, desperately trying to reach out and touch her. Nagisa was trying to comfort her mother with all her heart. Haru smiled and saw the surprise in Nagi's face when she witnessed her daughter's act of love. "You know Nagi...they say a mother's child can feel their mother's pain. They can feel when their mother is upset, their negative emotions they feel as clearly as if they saw it on your face. The bond between a child and their mother...is a mystery you know...but it's something only a mother...and their child can understand...your daughter needs you Nagi. Especially...Tsuna..." Haru said knowing that if she talked about the person they both loved that then Nagi would straighten up.
Thankfully Nagi's slightly flustered face was a sign to Haru that it was working. She shyly thought about Tsuna, and felt a warm light appear in her heart from the thoughts of him that ran through her mind. All running to the finish like with the prize of bliss. She sighed as she took up some chopsticks and began to eat her food slowly, making Haru smile big at this. Nagi then looked at Nagisa who managed to put her hand on her mother and smiled when she felt her mother's heart was calmer. Nagi swallowed her food and looked at her daughter. "I have to be healthy and strong for your sake right Nagisa? I may have lost my light...long ago...but I won't let yours die out. I promise to take care of you...especially for their sake..." Nagi said lowly to her daughter smiling as she thought about two important "fathers" in her life.
Haru was going to dive in herself when Nagi spoke up after swallowing some food. "You truly do love Tsuna don't you Haru?" Nagi looked up and asked Haru who stopped eating when she heard this sudden question. Keiko then perked up and looked at Haru and Nagi who realized her carelessness in saying that.
"Hmm? Of course Hawu loves Papa! We all love Papa!" Keiko said with a big smile that calmed Nagi and Haru's worried looks. Haruka then gave a loud hmph, and growled back at Keiko's statement. "You all love Papa, that man hasn't done anything for me yet!" Haruka proclaimed with her arms folded, sulking a bit. Keiko then got angry and began yelling at Haruka. "How can you be such a meanie? Papa will do something amazing for you! You'll see!" Keiko told Haruka who was in disbelief about that. She hasn't really been too close to Tsuna, and doesn't see what all the fuss is about. Yume clapped her hands in her high chair randomly for Haurka with a childish giggle.
"Well Haruka, Tsuna is a really kind guy. He has done a lot for me and Nagi, and though you may not know it. The whole world!" Haru exclaimed with her arms stretched out wide to emphasize her words as she stood up on her chair. Keiko, Yume, and Nagisa were all mesmerized by Haru's words as she spoke. "He has beaten up bad guys, saved damsels albeit beautiful damsels, and accepts anyone despite who they may be! He's a hero!" Haru said to which she got an applause from everyone but Haruka. She scoffed at Haru's words and said, "He also is terrible with school, and fails nearly all his college tests! He is completely hopeless and can't even throw a ball, I throw harder than him! Not only that he is completely hopeless with women, yet somehow got himself a harem of girls." Haruka stated easily. Her words weighed heavily on Haru and Nagi's shoulders who couldn't really say anything to that. Haru really wondered how smart these kids can be for their age.
Yuni at that moment walked over to the table with a slightly low expression, she was deep in thought, and was worried about something. Haru slowly got down from the chair she stood on and took a step closer to Yuni. She saw her worry and asked her what was wrong. Yuni shook her head and told her she was fine, but she was worried about Tsuna. She said she had just gotten off the phone with Reborn, and they were talking about Tsuna's arrival. It seems he must pay for his absence, and ignoring his mafia duties.
"Pay for...what does that mean? What is Reborn and them going to do to him?" Haru demanded to know as Nagi sat up form her seat. She told the kids to continue eating and everything was fine, just grown up stuff and walked over to speak with Haru and Yuni. "Do they plan on hurting Tsuna? Or perhaps some other form of punishment?" Nagi asked Yuni who shook her head once again.
"No...it would be better to say that Tsuna must face judgement," Yuni said as she looked out a window on the wall to the side. Seeing the sky before turning back to Haru and Nagi who asked what she meant by judgement with concern in their voice. "Tsuna hasn't met with the Vongola for a long time, he left them all to live a life of solitude. Abandoning his duties as the mafia boss, and Reborn will not allow him to simply walk back in and be the boss so easily. He must regain his Family's trust, and their respect once again. If he cannot do that, then he won't become the mafia boss."
"They can't be serious! Tsuna is the Vongola Boss, what right do they have to say he can't just...come back and do his job?" Haru asked Yuni with anger in her voice. Yuni asked her gently to lower her tone as she explained Tsuna left his position as the Vongola Boss. Even then he never truly took over the role of Vongola Decimo, he never finished the Ceremony to do so. The Vongola Nono is still the boss, though he still wishes to retire and let Tsuna take over. Which means Tsuna technically is the Vongola Boss in name only, and has no authority in the matter.
"So...will Tsuna be all right?" Haru asked as she gripped her left arm tightly. Her eyes darted to the floor to reveal her worry for Tsuna. She was deeply concerned about him, especially since he is suffering memory problems now. The secrets that are hiding within his life about Kyoko. What did Kiyoshi do them both that has yet to be revealed? This and Tsuna's sudden urge for revenge also worries her, but it is something that must be done Haru realized. Nagi however, was thinking about something else that occurred to her. If Tsuna is supposed to be judged by the whole Vongola Famigilia, then the Mist Guardian should be there too...but they didn't call her so that would mean...
"Ah! He must be there!" Chrome exclaimed out loud. Yuni's eyes quickly looked at Nagi and she read her thoughts instantly. Chrome was about to take a step away and probably dash for the door but Yuni grabbed her hand. Nagi looked back and stared into her eyes, and she saw just how serious Yuni was. "Let go Yuni! I have to go see him! You can't stop me from going!"
"Yes I can! I must Nagi! For your sake!" Yuni shouted at her. Chrome and Haru was surprised to see sweet little Yuni raise her voice to Chrome like that. The soft spoken, pure hearted girl they knew years ago wouldn't do that. Yuni had grown to become a much stronger person then they once known her to be. Of course, they all knew why Yuni had to grow strong. This empty house was the catalyst for Yuni's growth in strength. Nagi couldn't do anything even if she could simply use her illusions to escape. She eased her arm away Yuni and didn't think about running off. Yuni looked at her for a moment then back the table where the children were staring at them in confusion, possibly wondering why the adults were shouting.
Yuni then looked back to Nagi and said, "Nagi...I understand your feelings. Truly I do...but you must understand that right now isn't the time for you to go see him...Mukuro that is." Nagi felt tears wanting to flow form her eyes, but she closed her eyes shut to prevent her from crying anymore then she already has today. She remained silent along with Haru who didn't know what to say to Nagi. She couldn't understand Nagi's pain, she could only feel sympathy for her and nothing more. Yuni went on to say, "Mukuro would never allow himself to see you Nagi, not until he has finished his life's mission...I don't know him as well as you do or even Haru here. But Mukuro always was the goal oriented kind of guy, he still probably wishes to destroy the mafia and the Vongola. That was his life goal that he never set aside, but now his life goal...is to get revenge for you Nagi. Until then, he won't allow himself to see you. But perhaps...when he does...then you can see him. Okay?" Yuni put a hand on Nagi's shoulder and gave her a big smile. Nagi smiled back along with Haru who was happy that they got that under control.
Haru then walked back over the table with the children and asked them who wanted to go outside and play. They all rose their hands energetically and were ready to go. Haru smiled as she thought, "Come on Tsuna, you got to be able to come back to us. You promised us right? You got way too many lovely ladies here waiting to be with you hehe. Especially...me..." Haru blushed from her own words in her thoughts as she hoped from the bottom of her heart that right now Tsuna was fine. For the most part...he kinda was.
Tsuna was at the Vongola Mansion which was created in Namimori as a base of operations for the Vongola. Tsuna had flew here to the location Reborn had informed him of over the phone, and saw its magnificent stature. It was much bigger than Yuni's house with its castle like structures, blue roofs, and luscious green surrounding it with green trees. Tsuna had flew over the gate that fenced the whole area and landed on the smooth pavement. It lead to the big door he saw at the mansion's front and circled around the home to its back. He began walking down the path until he felt an intense Storm Flame explosion nearly blow off his legs. Luckily, his hyper intuition predicted the attack and he dodged the incoming blow. He was about to go on the offensive before he saw who his attacker was. The attacker stopped as well when he saw the person in front of him.
Tsuna looked up to see the man's silvery-gray hair that touched his shoulders. The light gray-green yes that the man had who wore a tuxedo with a red shirt underneath. A finely dressed young man that was around Tsuna's age, and was once of his closest friends. Gokudera Hayato, the Storm Guardian to his Family. He was standing there with tears in his eyes that flowed like a waterfall upon seeing Tsuna. "J-ju-ju...JUUDAIME?" He exclaimed like a big cry baby.
"H-hello Gokudera-kun...it's been a while..." Tsuna said lowly with an awkward smile. He didn't know what to say, and was at a loss for words. He was happy to see Gokudera once again, he truly was. However, he also felt the guilt of leaving him years ago without saying anything to him. Gokudera still ran over and hugged Tsuna tightly in his arms, crying uncontrollably. "JUUDAIME! I'M SO SORRY I...I...WE PICKED UP AN INTRUDER AND I WAS SENT TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT IT WAS YOU! OH I'M SO SORRY!" Gokudera said to Tsuna who was embarrassed by Gokudera's impulsive crying. "It's...okay! I understand Gokudera! It's not your fault! I should've went through the front gate normally..."
"But! But! I should've known by the scent of your hopelessness!" Gokudera exclaimed as he pulled away with his hands on Tsuna's shoulders. "What...?" Tsuna murmured to Gokudera with a long look. Gokudera whistled innocently as he pulled away from him with his hand sin his pocket. "Haha...umm nothing! Nothing at all Tenth!" Gokudera said as he waved his hands in front of him. Tsuna tried to ignore his comment, but the two suddenly started bursting out laughing out of no where. Seeing Gokudera like this and speaking with him refreshed Tsuna, and gave him a calm peace of mind. He thought Gokudera would have had some negative feelings to him but that doesn't seem to be the case. That's when he heard two more familiar voices appear behind him. Tsuna turned around to see Yamamoto and Ryohei, standing in fine suits like Gokudera with a blue and yellow undershirt respectively.
"Yo! Is that Tsuna?" Yamamoto exclaimed with a big smile on his face. The same expression was shared by Ryohei though he was even more energetic about it. "Oh! It's Sawada!" They ran over to Tsuna and Gokudera and they all joined in a big group of laughs. Yamamoto had wrapped his arm around Tsuna's shoulder and gave him the same big smile that Yamamoto always had. Ryohei was jumping around in joy doing his signature pose with his arms up in the air. Gokudera was yelling at them for being too close to Tsuna like he normally would. Tsuna was happy though, it felt good to have this feeling of friendship and brotherhood he felt from the group. The smiles on all the faces of his friends that accepted him as easily as he had once accepted them. These people, his friends Tsuna thought. They were his family after all.
That's when Tsuna felt the menacing killing intent that he knew everywhere. A chill went down his spine and Tsuna turned his head in the direction everyone was facing with him. There he saw Hibari Kyoya standing there in a suit with a purple shirt underneath. His eyes were as cold as ever, with a look that gave off no emotion. His presence alone spoke for his emotions along with the two tonfas that were his signature weapon. They were at his sides as he took slow steps towards Tsuna and the group. Gokudera took a step forward and pulled out several dynamites as he looked at Hibari with a strong look. He told Hibari that there was no reason for him to do this, and if he even thought about hurting Tsuna. Then Gokudera would be his opponent and take him down if he must. Hibari didn't say a thing and simply pointed his tonfa at Gokudera, but he was truly pointing at Tsuna who was behind him. Tsuna gulped as he remembered the viscous, brutality of Hibari the strongest guardian.
Tsuna told Gokudera to step aside, but he refused the idea at once. He told Tsuna that he didn't have to face Hibari like this to fulfill his bloodlust, and urge to fight. However, Tsuna told Gokudera, "There are something...that only the boss should do. Wouldn't you agree Gokudera?" Tsuna said as he looked back to him. Gokudera was moved by his words and gave in to Tsuna who began walking towards Hibari. Hibari had his tonfas at his side as he walked towards Tsuna with his killing intent practically oozing from his being. Tsuna knew what was coming as he popped two Dying Will Pills into his mouth and entered Hyper Dying Will mode. The others were shocked but not so surprised that this would happen. Hibari was a loner and never really spoke his emotions unless it was about fighting. Tsuna and Hibari were face to face now as their intense looks were exchanged between Tsuna and Hibari. The others felt their dying will flame intensify for a moment, an incredible amount of flames were emitted from both at that very second. That split second, they felt that one of them had a towering advantage over the other...and then it all went away.
Hibari walked right past Tsuna, leaving everyone dumbfounded as Hibari walked through the group silently. He brushed past Gokudera and Yamamoto before turning his head over his shoulder and saying simply this, "I told you that one day I will bite the sky...but today is not that day...herbivore..." Then with that Hibari disappeared without saying anything else. The others excluding Hibari then joined Tsuna who decided not to go back to his normal state as he felt he may need for the last guardian he was expecting to see.
"Wow Tenth! You handled Hibari very well! I remember when you used to be afraid of him!" Gokudera exclaimed to Tsuna who gave him a lopsided smirk. "Heh, I still am Gokudera," Tsuna said with a smile. Gokudera stopped and looked at Tsuna who even in his Hyper Dying Will mode was still frightened by Hibari. Even though Tsuna's power surpassed Hibari's...it wasn't that far off. Gokudera and the others then showed Tsuna inside the mansion where he was met with the unfamiliar faces of the Vongola. Members that were low rank and served different tasks in the Vongola. Some greeted Tsuna, eager to gain his favor and earn his grace and mercy. They heard stories of the legendary Vongola Decimo who is said to be the second coming of Vongola Primo! However, some also stayed in the shadows and crooked places of the mansion observing Tsuna carefully which he could tell. They probably couldn't see a person like Tsuna being the tenth, or perhaps understand that he abandoned his duty as boss. Though none of them challenged Tsuna who walked past them with his intense Dying Will that put them all to silence. None would go against the boss no matter what.
Tsuna was escorted through the house into a small, white room with two chairs in it. He looked around in confusion on why he was here before turning to his friends. Yamamoto shrugged and said it was Reborn's orders, and he had no idea why. Gokudera and Ryohei didn't know what was going on either, but when they all said this. Tsuna looked around to see some of the Vongola grunts nearby listening in and saw Yamamoto wink on his face. It would seem that between them words were shared under the surface that no one besides those in Tsuna's circle of friends would understand. Tsuna nodded to them and walked inside the room with the door closed behind him. Then Tsuna went to sit in the chair with his arms folded and eyes closed for a moment. He then opened his eyes and said, "You can come out now, I have always been able to tell when you are nearby you know." Tsuna then heard a familiar laugh as Mukuro himself appeared in front of him. A much older looking person who wielded a trident, and wore a tuxedo with a light purple shirt underneath.
"Tsunayoshi Sawada, your talents still amaze me at this day and age in our lives kufufufu..." Mukuro said as he walked over and sat down in front of Tsuna. Tsuna still felt the same amount of fear and tension as always when he was around Mukuro. However, he knew deep down there was a kindness in Mukuro he showed rarely. But for the sake of protecting something... he had to keep a mist around his own heart. Mukuro sat with one leg across the knee of the other and laid back in his chair. He seemed tired and weary from whatever activities he was doing before. Tsuna was curious though, why did he have to meet Mukuro in secret? It seems Gokudera and the other guardians know he is here, but it seems they must keep Mukuro a secret.
"Wondering why you must meet me in secret Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro asked Tsuna. Tsuna snapped out of his thoughts and fixated his attention on Mukuro who laughed again for a moment before his look became a bit more solemn. As if the answer to that question bore a memory in the forefront of his mind that concerned him. "It is because besides you and the guardians...and that Reborn...no one knows about me. As far as the Vongola, and parts of the world...I'm a dead man Tsuna," Mukuro said lowly as he looked at the ground then Tsuna again. "And if you would be kind enough to make sure it stays that way...I would be grateful. You see our enemies cannot know I still live, I have been tracking down Fuji for years now. My work would be for naught if I get discovered now kufufu..."
Tsuna nodded as he continued to look at Mukuro. Tsuna and Mukuro were silent for a moment as Tsuna looked over his shoulder at the door behind him and thought for a moment. "And I suppose you also wish that I tell Nagi...that you are dead? Or that perhaps I didn't see you...Mukuro?" Tsuna said without giving Mukuro a single glance, because if he did he was afraid Mukuro wouldn't be honest with his words if he had to say his answer eye to eye. Mukuro thought for a moment, his emotions switching from anger and contempt. Mukuro then stopped and took a deep breath before saying that he does not know. He simply doesn't know what should be done.
Then he said, "...But...I do plan to see Nagi once again. Once my mission is done I will return to her side and apologize for everything I did personally. Though it may be far from being late, far from the point of being able to do anything. The way I see it...life is too short to hold regrets Tsuanyoshi Sawada kufufu...even for a person as dark as me. It would appear that even I have a heart, and am not completely lost to darker ways. So for now you can tell her whatever you feel is best Tsunayoshi, you were always better with her then I was," Mukuro said before standing up and facing the wall opposite Tsuna.
"So...then I can still expect your full assistance with what I wish to do next Mukuro?" Tsuna asked him, now facing Mukuro with intense fiery eyes. Mukuro looked over his shoulder for second then faced the wall again. "Hmph, do not forget Tsuna that one day I will still destroy the mafia and that still makes you my target. That hasn't changed for even a second! However, right now it seems I have no choice but to work with you if I will get the revenge I seek..." Mukuro stated as he clenched his hand into a fist. Tsuna nodded as he got up from his seat and headed for the door before Mukuro called out to him.
"How...how is she...Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro asked Tsuna who stopped with his hand on the door knob. Tsuna looked back and said, "They're both doing fine. Mother and daughter...Mukuro."
Mukuro smiled but Tsuna didn't see it, and he wasn't even sure if he felt it. However, Mukuro simply said that was good before Tsuna opened the door and closed behind him silently. He looked around to see that his friends had stayed at the door and was guarding it to make sure no one got in. Ryohei turned to Tsuna and asked him how it went. Tsuna simply told him, "It went as one would expect, bitter sweet."
Tsuna was then escorted to a room with a ong square table with multiple seats, and a big monitor on the wall to its right. There he saw Hibari sitting down at the farthest end of the table and adult Lambo sitting there in a chair waving at him. Tsuna was surprised to see Lambo here as he had almost forgotten Lambo's part in the Vongola. Lambo was wearing his usual formal suit with cow printed white pants.
"My oh my Tsuna-nii, long time no see. Though I guess for you it has been a long time, for me it's only been maybe a few minutes. How's the whole multiple girls situation going for you? Is this around the time Haru and Nagi got into that really steamy fight over you?" Lambo asked Tsuna who looked at him with a confused look. Lambo then brushed it off as nothing and asked Tsuan to sit next to him before Gokduera protested that saying only he deserved that right. Yamamoto then quickly said they both can sit next to Lambo before they got into another childish fight which Ryohei would approve. Hibari simply found them too noisy like always and tried his best to ignore them.
They all sat down with one another and chatted for a bit before Tsuna had to end the chit chat. He first had to ask what the point of him being escorted around was for, but then answered his own question in his mind. "...I see. Reborn's doing..he wanted to see if you all would still accept me as your boss. However, it seems you all still do...despite...my failures as not just a boss...but a friend too," Tsuna said lowly.
Yamamoto then quickly said, "Hey...Tsuna you don't..."
"No!" Tsuna said to stop Yamamoto mid sentence. He shook his head and continued on, "No...I do not deserve your apologies. I haven't done anything to earn them, not yet at least. I am truly glad you guys still accept me, that I can sitll be your friend even though I left you all. I blocked this whole part of my life out, thus blocking you guys out. Sure you don't need me to live your life, but it is hard for anybody to lose anyone close to them. Though I know for some people that may not have cared. I know they still had some expectations of me, and things they wished to do with me," Tsuna said as he glanced over to Hibari who seemed like he wasn't paying attention.
Tsuna then stood up and looked at all of them, and as he did he saw their gazes that were focused on him. He also felt the look of another who was within the shadows watching them silently. Tsuna then said,"But if all of that isn't enough, then know that I am here now. I will no longer run away, and will not hide from my fate. I will never abandon my friends again! I will never forget how important it is to have you guys by my side, but know...I never once forgot...the happiness I had with you all. Then again, I guess that's what truly makes me hopeless. Learning all of these important lessons much later than I should have. So...I hope to learn many more if you guys will all truly accept me."
They were silent as they exchanged glances with one another and then looked at Tsuna with strong, contempt looks. Gokudera stood up first, face to face with Tsuna with the most fierce look Tsuna has ever seen. It was powerful, intimidating, and...he broke into tears and began hugging Tsuna uncontrollably. He literally jumped across the table just to hug him. "Ohhh Tenth! That was so moving! Of course no one other than you could give such a speech! Wahh!" Gokudera exclaimed as Yamamoto began laughing loudly with Ryohei and Lambo. Tsuna had wondered why he was the only one being so serious as he saw everyone was laughing besides Hibari was still silent.
That's when they told Tsuna that his worries had been for naught as not even for a moment, had any of them hated Tsuna. They all understood his pain, and knew the reasons for his departure. Then Ryohei walked up to Tsuna and looked him straight in the eye, Tsuna had wondered when Ryohei would say something to him. It was his sister Kyoko that died, and for al Tsuna knows...that could be his own fault. Yet not once since Tsuna got here has Ryohei showed any signs of sadness, or anger, or anything like that. He instead gave Tsuna the same smile he saw on his face everyday. Ryohei was surely different from Tsuna, he didn't run away from his pain. He faced his pain head on, and was strong. Much stronger than Tsuna thought he could ever be. But seeing Ryohei smile despite everything, it reminds Tsuna of how much stronger he is because of the people in his life.
His friends, his family, and his loved ones. The little girls waiting from him back home along with the women in his life that helped showed him the path once again. Tsuna thanked them all, and was glad he could finally do this. To be able to say these words, "...I'm...free..." Tsuna mumbled as a single tear escaped his eyes. He was free from his past, and could now move forward in life.
Tsuna and the guardians then made a plan to make a move on the one that has eluded them for so long, Kiyoshi Fuji. Hibari handed them the information that he and Mukuro found on him. Them along with Nagi had been hunting him down and following his activities. Hibari briefed them on the situation and explain that Kiyoshi has been holed up in Mount Fuji, at the base of the mountain in an underground base connected to it. From here he has been controlling the underground activities of the mafia world, and has very powerful influence. Their plan was to invade the base, take down any anti-personnel, and their main goal was to take down Kiyoshi. Though they must all be weary as his full potential is still questionable. Tsuna also says he may be a liability if the effect of Kiyoshi's drug still affects him today. Also if his drugs hit them, then it could be over for all of them. So Mukuro will be int he shadows of their invasion and keep watch over them to make sure. The plan had many other fail safes, and Ryohei volunteered to go protect the girls at Yuni's house. The plan seemed simple enough. Finally, the Vongola strikes! Their mission began at the crack of night...
"Hahi! There is a lot of dishes all of a sudden! But that's probably because our little family keeps increasing," Haru sighed before she put a smile on her face. She was cleaning dishes which had become a usual chore for her to do. The children were playing outside from what Haru could see through the window in front of her. Nagi and Yuni was outside as well watching over them. Haru was glad everything was going okay. She then looked over to her right to see a frame with a picture in on the counter. She examined the picture to see it was a picture of herself, Nagi, Yuni, and Kyoko with Tsuna. All in a group pose as they all held onto Tsuna from their high school years. Haru smiled as she thought that brought back good memories. She then carried on whistling before she heard a loud crashing noise right next to her. She looked to her right again to see the frame fell and glass pieces scattered along the floor.
Haru was silent for a moment and thought she needed to quickly clean this up. She bent down to pick up the glass pieces in her hand before she caught a glimmer of something in a glass shard. She picked it up and held it to her eyes, and she saw the figure of somebody in the reflection of it! He stood behind Haru, and when Haru turned to look at the figure she felt a hard smack to her face that knocked her to the ground. She then felt her arms get quickly tied up with her mouth taped in mere moments. She was completely overwhelmed by what she could tell was a man. He was laughing the entire time and picked Haru up by her hair, causing her great pain. Haru panicked as she looked out the window to see that Yuni had been captured too. Nagi had been knocked out with some weird handcuffs around her wrists! The children also had handcuffs around their wrists with a rope attached to collars on their necks! There was more men in suits with a red heart symbol on their backs wearing black fedoras and shades. She saw Yuni desperately try to fight back but her attempt was in vain as she received a blow to her stomach! The children all was terrified and tried their hardest to escape and plead, but the men laughed and ignored them.
"What...what the Hell is going on?" Haru screamed in her mind as she got dragged outside to the front door where she got thrown into a pile with the others. She looked around her to see the children were thankfully unharmed, that's when the man who captured her began laughing again.
"Ah? That is so sweet! Something I would expect from a Mother of Love! You surely are a remarkable person, you care about their well being more than you do yourself Haru Miura. It brings me to tears!" The man that stood before Haru had a truly unusual appearance about him. It was frightening, as if he stepped right out of a Halloween Town. The man wore a black and white opera mask that had a big smile on it. He wore a black top hat that had a heart attached to it that was divided into four parts. He wore a fine black suit with a fluffy red shirt, with black pants and shoes. He walked with a cane with a heart on top of it which his hands that had on white gloves were placed. "Ah, you wonder who I am? I am the one who you should hate the most, but be the most thankful for. I am your heart...Kiyoshi Fuji as the name you would know me by."
Haru and Yumi's eyes widened as they hard that name. They exchanged looks with one another before they looked up to Fuji. All of their mouths, including the children had been taped up so none of them could say anything. Kiyoshi laughed as saw Yuni and Haru glare at him. "Haha! So wonderful! Four mothers, two fathers, one heart shared between them all! Thus love strikes at the heart, body, and soul! A never ending shower that waters the plants and the ever dependent seed...thus I call myself Kokoro Toge(Heart Thorn). Nice to see all you lovely mothers again...and the beautiful seeds you have created," Kiyoshi said as he took a bow. He saw his introduction wasn't met with smiles for sure. He sighed as a person wearing a blue hooded robe with red hearts all over walked up to his side. The person was a female from the look of her figure, but not a single part of her face was seen or any part of her at all. Everything was covered by that hooded robe, and she looked around for a second.
"Hmm? What bothers you my loving servant? Ah, I see! You detect the presence of the Sun Guardian? Very well, I had predicted that they would send someone to watch over the girls. Hence why I secured them before they could! We can't have the hero go to save the girls from the castle, just to find out they were in another. They must be the prize! They must be won! As the heart demands..." Kiyoshi said as he tipped his hat and laughed. '"Isn't that right...Ryohei...Sasagawa?" He turned around along with the men and the woman near him. They saw Ryohei charged completely in Sun Flames as each step he took left an impact in the ground. He was enraged to see the girls treated like this and he screamed from the top of his lungs as he rushed the group of men. Taking them down one by one easily with his expert boxing and punches! The girls cheered him on as he took all the men down, and was going to land his next hit on Kiyoshi who didn't dodge at all. He then flicked his finger as the woman standing next to him guarded him with her body!
Ryohei stopped his punch as the girl stood there protecting him. Ryohei's punch was strong enough to kill Kiyoshi, and he only intended for it to kill him. He didn't want to kill anyone else here, he didn't have it in him to do so. Kiyoshi tipped his hat down once again and laughed. 'Predictable Ryohei...your heart is weak...it isn't the heart I wish to mold...you are no longer needed in my plans...so to this I wish you...adieu," Kiyoshi said before the woman pulled out a gun and put it to Ryohei's chest. Time slowed down, and that moment Ryohei's body told him to run but when he looked in front of him and saw what he saw. His heart told him to wait...and because of that he felt a piercing bullet go through his chest, once, twice, three times for sure as he then fell backwards on his back. He lied there with three holes in his chest, motionless.
Haru and the other girls screamed in panic as they saw this terrible event unfold right before their eyes! Keiko especially was scarred as she didn't move her eyes away from Ryohei. Keiko felt a strange connection to this man who even though she never saw before, she reminded her of her mother. Ryohei then looked over and saw Keiko, who he instantly recognized as Kyoko's daughter. Ryohei then struggled to smile at her and told her, "Hey...there...don't...worry about me...this is nothing. You...just take care...of yourself...and your friends all right? You gotta smile...to the extreme!" Ryohei said before his eyes closed and he went silent. Keiko stopped for a moment as she felt a strange feeling rile up inside of her. Kiyoshi noticed this and he quickly struck Keiko with his staff and knocked her out. Haru wouldn't stand for that and attempted to bite Kiyoshi's leg but she too was struck by his cane. "Now, now! I had no intention on hurting the children, however that one is a troublesome case. She is my own flesh and blood after all haha, but don't worry. They will be unharmed Mother of Love, but you adults...I cannot say the same for," Kiyoshi said before he saw the woman in the blue robe standing silently over Ryohei's body. He then looked to Yuni who was glaring at him more intensely then the other girls.
"Ah...the Mother of Hope, I see you are harboring some intense hatred for me. Understandable, seeing as I caused you much despair in order to strengthen you. But your heart isn't quite ready for my plans see. You need to suffer a little bit more, I promise! Set the house on fire..." He said to his men whom he kicked on the ground to wake them. They all shook themselves and rubbed their aching bodies from Ryohei's attacks. They were still moving despite being defeated by Ryohei! Kiyoshi remarked his drugs can even make one forget about their pain he said with pride as his men put gasoline all around the mansion! Yuni begged and pleaded with her words behind her tape but nothing came out as she was forced to watch the home that once belonged to her Family slowly get burned down. The home that she hoped to fill with new memories of her, Haru, Nagi, her daughter, the children, and Tsuna to overlook her painful ones. But those ideas all went up in flames as the mansion was set on fire.
It was too much for the girls as a wave of despair, anger, and fear washed over them and brought them to the brinks of their own hearts. Tears became a staple on their faces as Kiyoshi watched them silently for a moment. "Well then...it would seem that we are done here. Let us return to our base so the final pieces can be placed together. Then I will finally have it, the perfect heart. A heart that has been molded by a mother's nurturing love, and nurtured by a child's pure heart. Yes...Tsunayoshi Sawada...your heart will become perfect! And then my life's work will be done...come!" Kiyoshi ordered and the men dragged the girls behind them and loaded them into a helicopter. Yuni looked out through the window of the helicopter in tears as she watched her home slowly get burned down to the ground, soon to leave nothing but ashes.
Kiyoshi was soon to get on the helicopter himself with plans to lecture the ladies on board about his discoveries with studying human's hearts. When he turned to see the woman in the blue hood still standing there near Ryohei. She was looking around frantically, and seemed deeply worried about something. "Ah...my experiment still needs some work...your mind is lost even if your heart still remains test subject 001. I will restore it when the time comes, but for now come to my side! The show must go on!" He yelled as the woman then ran to his side and hand in hand they stepped on to the helicopter. The helicopter took off and left Ryohei and the mansion behind. Haruka looked at her friends, Yume and Nagisa were crying their eyes out. However, Keiko was still unconscious and the whole time she mumbled in her sleep. "Papa...save...mommy...save...us..."
NEXT CHAPTER: Thorns and Petals
The Vongola is on the move to take down Kiyoshi! However, Kiyoshi has captured the girls and deals yet another crucial blow to Yuni and them! Ryohei is shot and Yuni's home is set ablaze along with her hopes of living a happy life. Not unless Tsuna and the Vongola can save them, and finally put an end to all of this! But mysteries still remain...what is the perfect heart? Why is Kiyoshi obsessed with this plan? What is test subject 001? Find out this and more next chapter!
