[Update 23/6/13] - I have gone through and had all these chapters edited, when chapter 8 is reuploaded in a few days I suggest you reread it. While nothing detrimental has been added or taken away, there is quite a bit more background about Basil and Iemitsu in the chapter. It might be good to read. Otherwise thank you again for your support.
I would love you all to go to my profile and vote on my new pole. It doesn't really affect any of my stories, but it's for my curiosity and peace of mind.
Sorry to anyone that I didn't reply to before, I rushed the chapter and forgot to answer any anonymous reviews! _
Great (guest): I am glad that everything is contextually correct, I work to keep it as canon as possible while still being my own little twist. You are right; Basil does need to be loyal. Thank you so much for reviewing! Look! I updated this and ENOIS!
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NOTICE: Things start to deviate much more prominently from canon at this point. Because things are different now; Tsuna is older, and people are more mature...so please be aware~~
Beta'd by the wonderful mercyn~
The knots that Tie and the Strings that Bind.
Rain down the innocence
There was something unnervingly calming about sitting in Takesushi's hidden doujo listening to the silent, screaming swings of a sword as it sliced through bamboo, wood, and the cool air. There was a rhythmic pull, release, tense, pull as the sword arced and curved, catching the strings that it's wielder couldn't see. The rhythm and the sound were soothing, and it was eerie to think something so deadly could bring such calm to Tsuna.
Tsuna was nervous, but it was for a different reason to any of the other fights. Takeshi was delicate, far more so than he let on. He acted as if nothing could faze him, he laughed off threats and jibes at his personal life or personality like they were water off a ducks back. Tsuna knew differently. Tsuna had walked in on Takeshi silently bawling his eyes out over things that Hayato or Mukuro or even- god forbid- Ryohei had said that reflected the words that had driven him to suicide months before. Tsuna often forgot that the rain hurt just as much as it washed hut away. During these times Tsuna just made sure to embrace Takeshi and remind him that they were friends, the jibes were not meant to sting, and that he didn't need to cry silently anymore.
Rain fell without a sound most of the time, because no one was there to hear it.
For all his sensitivity, Takeshi was also incredibly loyal and over-attached to Tsuna- to all of his friends. Takeshi would kill if it meant keeping everyone together and safe.
And that was what Tsuna was scared about.
Tsuna took a centering breath and allowed his mind to concentrate on the rhythmic swings of Takeshi's sword and the heavy breathing that permeated the doujo. All around him the strings tensed and relaxed, fate was happy, happier than Tsuna had seen it. He smiled despite himself, and was so lost in the feeling that he didn't hear the approaching footsteps until the owner shifted to sit next to Tsuna.
Before opening his eyes to greet the person, Tsuna let himself absorb the newly focused string.
A lot of the time Tsuna didn't notice strings. He had conditioned himself to ignore all the string that didn't directly influence or connect to him; it's how he kept himself sane, while at the same time, drove himself mad.
The person who had taken a seat next to him was an aged wisdom. His string was a subtle shade of purple, but it was not because he has a cloud element, instead his fate string had blue and indigo undertones, if the man were of stronger flames he would have been a mist user, or possible a rain. Usually Tsuna wouldn't take the time to analyse the new strings, it was rude not to greet someone immediately, but Tsuna felt that this man- he could feel the masculinity in the string- was so much more than appearances allowed.
"I don't think we've formally met, young man." The man's voice was deep, and when Tsuna opened his eyes he was met with someone he would call an older Takeshi. "My name is Tsuyoshi, and I've heard an awful lot about you from Takeshi."
Tsuna smiled, a little surprised that after so long he hadn't formally met the elder Yamamoto. "I'm sorry that I haven't been over to formally introduce myself, sir, especially since Takeshi is living with me and our friends now. My name is Sawada Tsunayoshi; it really is a pleasure to finally meet you, Yamamoto-san." Tsuna gave a sheepish smile before casting his eyes to said boy's back.
"Where my son lives is his choice, but now that I've met you I don't have to be worried about his future." It was almost mumbled, the ending, but Tsuna was overwhelmed with the deadly aura radiating from Tsuyoshi's string as it circled and investigated him.
"Yamamoto-san?" Tsuna looked on curiously, the sheepish nature of his voice turning dangerous as he realised that this was the man teaching his guardian the sword, there was more to the aging man than met the eye, Tsuna just didn't know-
"I know who you are, and who is training you." Tsuyoshi explained, his arms were crossed over his chest and his brown eyes narrowed as he watched Tsuna stiffen.
-how the man could hide such brutal danger under his carefree smile.
"Can I ask how you know, sir?"
Tsuyoshi analysed the young one before him, and couldn't help but smile despite himself. He had left Vongola years ago, long before Takeshi was born, and while Nono was a compassionate leader he couldn't even hold a candle to the young boy sitting next to him.
"You should ask your grandfather that, young man. But I have a question for you, Tsunayoshi." When the young boy inclined his head, Tsuyoshi smiled again, "Why my boy?"
Tsuna was once again startled by the sudden aura that sent the strings suddenly tightening like wire around his throat. It was a threat. This man knew how to kill, and had probably done so more than once before in defence of his family. Tsuna knew, fate for this man was similar- if not more diluted- than Tsuna's own father.
"I didn't choose Takeshi, Yamamoto-san. If I could choose I would make sure he stayed far, far away from the mafia and had never met me." Tsuna's eyes blurred a little, as thoughts hit him before words could leave his lips, "He could be anything, his swordsmanship is beyond anything I've ever seen, but he could be so much more!" Tsuna almost sobbed but held his tongue. "But I cannot imagine where I- where we'd- be if Takeshi left." Tsuna took a breath to level his thinking before pinning Tsuyoshi with a determined, flickering stare of brown and orange. "So I will protect him with my life, he is precious to me and I do not let my precious people suffer. You have my oath, Yamamoto-san. I swear that while I can still walk your son will be safe."
Tsuna knew he could not sweat any of his friends' safety on his life, because should any of them die he would need to carry on- for the sake of those living, and to live in the hell of guilt. Tsuyoshi could see that Tsuna, and that settled it for him. The boy was trusting and serious; even if as a father that broke Tsuyoshi's heart.
Tsunayoshi had just given Tsuyoshi permission to paralyse Tsuna should Takeshi's life ever be a forfeit; as was mafia tradition apparently. It was a deeply personal promise, because death, in the mafia, was the easy way out.
Tsuyoshi smiled at the answer, seeing the tension in the young lad's body and the way he almost tried to capture his own heart. He was not a mafia boss, but he would certainly make a great one. Tsuyoshi did not like that Takeshi has gotten himself involved in the mafia, a place he had fought to get himself out of. But his son was happy, and Tsunayoshi was not like the bosses Tsuyoshi has dealt with in the past.
Tsuyoshi took minute to watch as the boy watched his son again, a nostalgic appreciation in his form. Even when Tsuyoshi's son was with the other children who used him and abused them in their own way, Takeshi never truly trusted his school friends, always speaking around a topic with them and using fake smiles. Takeshi had a good head on his shoulders, even if he didn't show it often. But now, Tsuyoshi could tell that his son trusted Tsuna with his life, and understood what they were getting involved with. If his son trusted Tsunayoshi, then so would Tsuyoshi.
Even if his son and this boy were dealing with the mafia, Tsuyoshi has a distinct feeling that it was going to be different and if Takeshi was in danger that he would not be abandoned. All of the children, though Tsuyoshi had never met them, would fight for each other to the death. That alone was obvious from how Takeshi spoke of them.
"That is more than I could ask of you, Tsunayoshi, I just want Takeshi happy, and since meeting you he's never had an unhappy day." Tsuyoshi stands and ruffles the young brunet's hair, smiling in that fatherly way that Tsuna craved, "-and just call me Tsuyoshi, Tsunayoshi. You are practically family to Take' so I don't want you making me feel old."
Tsuna stared after the man as he re-entered the sushi restaurant that hid the doujo. He couldn't fathom why the man allowed Takeshi to stay with him if he knew about the mafia and Tsuna's future. Tsuna didn't believe that had he been in the same position, he could allow his child to pursue such a future.
But Tsuna was eternally grateful that Tsuyoshi seemed to understand. Tsuna was past the point where he could live without Takeshi, or the others, in his life.
"What did Pops want with you, Tsuna?" Takeshi walked over to Tsuna, sweat still dripping down his face and neck as he swung his sword up onto his shoulder. He was a little suspicious; his father could be an overly protective bear sometimes- especially after that little suicidal section of his life.
"I think..." Tsuna paused, "that you're dad just approved?" he really wasn't sure, but the man certainly put a healthy respect into Tsuna.
Takeshi blinked for a moment before a great grin spread across his face. Ignoring the fact that he smelt of extension and that he was still dripping, Takeshi tackled Tsuna in an embrace that had the boy with his back pressed against the floor.
"That's great, Tsuna!" Takeshi laughed as Tsuna complained about the smell, "I knew he would!"
As they sat up, Takeshi taking a seat in front of Tsuna, still laughing with happiness, Tsuna's phone went off with Hayato's ring tone.
After checking it quickly Tsuna stood up and offered his hand to a confused Takeshi. "Hayato's on his way, he's going to pick up groceries and needs a hand." Takeshi smiled and used Tsuna to pull himself up.
"Alright, let me go for a shower and I'll be right out."
Tsuna nodded and made his way out of the sushi-shop. As he passed Tsuyoshi he gave a quick nod, though his eyes held much seriousness. Tsuyoshi whistled slightly as he caught sight of the tell-tale HDW flame dying the irises before shouting out to Tsuna;
"You better visit more often, and bring all your friends over with you."
Laughter was Tsuyoshi's only answer, but it was enough for the older male. Tsuna stepped out just as Hayato was rounding the corner, and having spotted his friend the bomber ran towards Tsuna with a bright smile on his lips.
"Juudaime, are you ready to go?" Hayato help onto his persona of a loyal puppy, and Tsuna couldn't help but laugh as the teen pulled out a list of what they needed to buy.
"Of course, we'll just wait for Takeshi, and then we'll go."
Hayato scowled for a moment, but he enjoyed the company of his family, the warmth behind the strings was enough to tell Tsuna that. But before he could voice that opinion said teen exited the sushi-shop and they began their walk to the shopping district that was in the middle of being expanded.
Tsuna, Takeshi, and Hayato were on their way back from the shopping district they had met up with Mukuro and Chrome- who had been out to lunch with Chikusa and Ken- and had descended into amiable chatter, they were passing through an awning of trees when a sudden shiver snapped through Tsuna. He stopped, mid sentence and step to whirl around, eyes zoning in on the forested area to their left.
"Tsuna?"
Ignoring his friends concerned looks; Tsuna watched the lazy orange string that had just cut across his sight. The string was a burning glow of warmth, but a deep coolness was hidden in the center. It wafted around without a care, but when it came in contact with Tsuna it wrapped instantly around Tsuna's throat, sitting loosely by his collarbones like some twisted joke of a scarf.
Shifting his flickering eyes to the forestry, Tsuna waited for the owner of the strings to exit the bows, knowing that he had been caught. Tsuna didn't hesitate to flood some killer-intend down the strings, knowing it would get the reaction he wanted-
-but was certainly not expecting.
A tall, young man stepped out of the forestry area, maybe five or six years older than Tsuna and his guardians. He had thick shaggy hair, and it sat long against the nape of his neck, some locks fell into his eyes, which were a stunningly deep shade of brown not unlike Tsuna's own.
He wore a big green coat with a furred hood, and a pair of worn jeans that looked more comfortable than stylish. He wore a simple v-neck, sleeved shirt that clung to his torso, and his face was smiling in a friendly, but aware way.
The only other defining features of the young man, despite his blonde hair, were the tattoos creeping up his neck and along his hands and the long leather whip strapped innocently to his hip.
Another shock assaulted Tsuna's spine as his intuition brought up images of the mafia bosses he had learnt about.
"Cavallone." His whisper was so soft that neither Takeshi nor Hayato- who had their weapons drawn at either side of Tsuna- heard him. But the boss before him seemed to realise what Tsuna had whispered.
"Reborn didn't mention just how good you were with your intuition, Tsuna."
As if a staged reaction Tsuna was behind a wall of teens, Chrome had been pushed behind Tsuna, clutching his shirt as purple mist pooled at their feet. Mukuro was on Tsuna's other side and just in front, he too had his trident out, and mist started coating the strings as the unknown threat made himself known.
Both Takeshi and Hayato were positioned in front of their friend and mists, Hayato already had his dynamite out, his stance defensive as his cigarette lit with storm flames, and Takeshi had his blade out, it glimmered with rain flames and a scowl set his brow in a frown.
"What are you doing here, Cavallone?" Hayato's words were spit out; while Cavallone was an ally of Vongola there was no telling whether that ally was in favour of Xanxus taking to the throne.
"You're...another boss." Takeshi was obviously unsure, he had yet to really get into his mafia studies, Reborn for the most part was trying to get Takeshi's battle skills up in preparation, and the boy was stubborn, had a brilliant memory but was not as good with the name-face aspect of the studies.
"My name is Dino, boss of the Cavallone famiglia; it's nice to meet you." He smiled placating, and though he looked exactly like the kind of man they would normally befriend, none of Tsuna's group relaxed.
"Kufufufufu, I can't say the same about meeting you," Mukuro laughed and spun his trident threateningly, he could feel Tsuna's confusion and both he and Chrome felt the contradictions in the string. "We don't befriend Mafiosi." Mukuro's words were hissed and even Gokudera growled with the mist in a rare tandem.
"Easy brats," Reborn appeared from the path behind them, though no one turned to look at him until he was level with Tsuna, slightly in between Takeshi and Hayato, and Dino. "I called Dino here to help train you. Well, more specifically Kyouya."
"Reborn, I don't understand." Tsuna stepped forward, Mukuro and Chrome sticking close to their sky as he stepped just in front of Takeshi and Hayato, though the boys stayed close enough to get in between him and the Cavallone.
Reborn sighed barely audibly, he put a hand on Tsuna's shoulder and stared at him under the rim of his fedora. Unbeknownst to him his stings glowed with a deep purple colour as the chameleon string was overwhelmed with protective and just a hint of –green- worry. Tsuna read it and his hard eyes softened a little as he looked into deep onyx.
Tsuna knew he could not escape this meeting and their interaction, Dino's string was secured around his neck in a very permanent- not threatening- way and Tsuna knew they could not change that- his string was lazily looped around Dino's neck in a similar way- but Tsuna didn't understand why it was that way. Tsuyoshi's earlier was a threat, but not a guarantee; the string had fallen from Tsuna's throat as soon as the man ruffled Tsuna's hair.
"I know what you plan to do with Vongola, Tsuna, but you are still fighting the mafia." Mukuro and Takeshi stiffened a little, Mukuro unconsciously stepping obsessively close to Tsuna. "Dino can help you deal with the emotional fatigue that comes along with that. He can help train you in how to deal with mafia bosses."
"Why would we need a Mafiosi to teach us, surely he'll just trick us. Why would an ally of Vongola want it to change?" Hayato was still eyeing the Cavallone boss, who had taken on a blank, somewhat calculative gaze, his eyes trained on Tsuna and Reborn.
Hayato and Takeshi bristled when they saw the look; it was a dangerous gaze, the same one that Kyouya used when one of Tsuna mannerisms surfaced. However, Kyouya they trusted- despite all arguments and biting threats. Kyouya would never hurt Tsuna, because at least Hayato knew – and he suspected that Takeshi could see it too-that if you compared obsessive protectiveness of Tsuna in the group, while Mukuro would come out undoubtedly first, Kyouya was an extremely close second. Neither man would ever harm Tsuna in any kind of way, even if they made Hayato want to steal Tsuna away, and they would never hurt him in the way that Dino had the potential to.
Dino watched the interaction with a keen eye and with his mind buzzing. He was glad that Romario was still hidden in the forest, because he needed all of his faculties to analyse the strange brunet and his collection of guardians.
It was strange really, because Dino could see the sheer trust each of them had in each other. It was obvious from the way they moved around each other, when Tsuna moved his guardians reacted, and when his guardians shifted Tsuna reflected. It was strange to see. Dino had met many bosses, but only the Vongola had showed the same kind of reflection, and it was the Varia that showed it more than Nono.
Dino's eyes trailed around the air, curious as to what his little brother could see, what he could feel. Dino was a sky like any other, and though he could not do much he could see much more.
Before his mind could continue on that train of thought he noticed Tsuna's eyes- flickering between gold and brown- watching him, while at the same time not. It made Dino bristle with unease and intrigue. Reborn continued trying to talk the Guardians out of their obsessive growling. Dino could see that Reborn was affectionately annoyed by the display, something very strange to see on the Hitman's face.
"He was once my pupil, same as Tsuna is now. You can trust him." Reborn pulled Tsuna's eyes to him with his statement. Reborn trusted no one- as far as the teenagers were concerned- but he trusted this man. "His famiglia is like Vongola, he avoids the more vulgar areas of the mafia. He will not betray you. I will assure it."
While the teens around Tsuna continued to argue it out, Tsuna already had his answer. He trusted and relied on Reborn, Tsuna was not naive enough to not recognise that, so the Hitman would never hurt him or his famiglia. Casting his eyes once more to Dino's he was met with a warm, accepting colour. And Tsuna knew that he would help them, if only to realise the filth of the world they were entering.
"I think...we need to give him a chance." Tsuna sighed as he felt the shift around him. The intensity of the protectiveness bristled to near irritating as the strings rubbed Tsuna's chest. He smiled though, because he loved his friends dearly and any display of affection was a good one.
"Are you sure, Tsunayoshi?" Mukuro hissed beside him, a hand planted on his hip in an unconscious was, Chrome was wrapped around his waist in a similar manner, and Tsunayoshi didn't even realise how compromising it looked; he only saw it as the innocent protectiveness of his friends. "His strings!" the hiss was louder and Tsuna noticed Takeshi and Hayato's faced fold into confusion and intrigue.
"We need to give him a chance, Mukuro."
Tsuna unravelled himself smoothly from Mukuro and Chrome despite Chromes barely audible whimper, but as he moved to greet the Cavallone Takeshi put a hand on Tsuna's chest, Hayato stepped up so his shoulder brushed Takeshi's, his eyes still trained on Dino. "Are you sure, Tsuna?" both of them voiced in unison, and Tsuna would have laughed if they weren't so serious.
"I trust you both to protect us if he does anything wrong. If anything ever goes wrong."
Takeshi blinked in confusion before swinging his arm over Tsuna's shoulders quickly and pressing his forehead to Tsuna's temple. "Thank you, Tsuna."
Tsuna smiled and moved towards Dino, he extended his hand and smiled softly as he felt Dino's strings warm. "It's nice to meet you, Dino. I'm Sawada Tsunayoshi. These are my guardians." Dino accepted Tsuna's hand and looked as the other teens introduced themselves with varying degrees of annoyance.
"Gokudera Hayato, storm guardian."
"Yamamoto Takeshi, rain guardian."
"Rokudo Mukuro, mist."
"Dokuro Chrome, mist."
"It's nice to meet you all, I hope we get along."
Dino ignored the scoffs and hisses of 'I doubt it' and instead focused on Reborn who was gathering their attention.
"Since you've survived this meeting, I suppose you'll survive meeting your ward." Reborn smirked and even Tsuna couldn't help but let the smile surface on his worn lips. "Maybe."
Dino pales a little as the remaining teens burst out in boisterous laughter, but even as Dino levels with Reborn, and the other teens group together- Chrome taking a light grocery bag from Takeshi- he can't help but smile at the sheer love floating in the air.
It's fair to say that Kyouya meeting Dino- his supposed teacher- did not end exceptionally well. When Reborn had explained that the skylark would be tutored by Dino until his battle the violent prefect did not take kindly to the implication that he was weak.
"Fight me, pony. We'll see if you live up to the standard."
The fight was drawn out for an hour or so, and Tsuna could seem that while the two men battled their strings would touch and separate, as if fate was trying to find a foothold. It was uncomfortable for Tsuna to watch- the strings not the fight- because he could imagine the feeling of the writhing strings. Fate was not a gentle mistress when she was binding strings together.
However, they pushed away from each other, both panting and satisfied. "Hn, you'll do omnivore."
Tsuna smiled, until Reborn opened his big mouth. "I'm surprised that you could hold up without your subordinates around,"
Kyouya raised on eyebrow as the Cavallone boss rubbed his head, "Well..." but before he could finish an older man with black glasses and cropped hair stepped out from behind a tree and introduced himself as Romario. "They've been here the whole time."
Before anyone could react a tonfa came flying from the porch and clocked Dino square in the face. Kyouya hissed about stupid herbivorous-ponies and stalked off with the promise of biting Dino to death for tricking him.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting to know each other, Mukuro and Chrome stayed incredibly close to Tsuna, possessive and defensive of the young boss whenever Dino tried to sit too close or made a move to single Tsuna out. It was funny for Tsuna to watch, but he could see that the other guardians, Takeshi particularly, was not happy with the twins' possessive hold on Tsuna, so Tsuna went out of his way to bounce between his groups of guardians.
It was unsettling to see how the addition of a single person to their group could disturb the balance they had so violently. But at the same time, Tsuna adored that. It was bad for the future, but they were all still new to this relationship so they were all possessive of that- even Tsuna.
Ryohei arrived back at the house around three o'clock with the three Sawada siblings trailing behind. As per tradition Ryohei went to greet Tsuna first, and the children- ignoring any changes in the house- tackled Tsuna on the couch with warm hugs and laved kisses on his cheeks.
"Good afternoon, Tsuna-nii!" they harmonised as Tsuna replied with gentle kisses on their foreheads.
"EXTREME afternoon, Tsuna!" Ryohei pumped his fist, but froze as he noticed the tension in the room, and the new face that was staring at the children with interest and confusion. "Who are you?"
Dino stood immediately, offering his hand out. "I'm Reborn's ex-student. He called me here to help you out. I'm Dino."
Ryohei lifted his eyebrow before taking Dino's hand in a tight grip. "I'm Sasagawa Ryohei, sun guardian. You better look after my otouto, or I can't guarantee you'll have an EXTREMELY happy time."
If Dino was worried about that tone of voice, he didn't voice it, he simply took the boy in for all he was worth and smiled. This sun had won his battle and he was perfectly suited to be the brightness that blinded the enemy and warmed the home. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Don't worry; I'll look after Tsuna to the best of my ability."
Ryohei nodded before stalking off to the backyard for some EXTREME relaxation. He knew if anything went wrong he could be back in the house by in a moment's notice. All it would take is a fist through the wall.
Fuuta came bounding down the stairs, after meeting Dino and spending a little while with Tsuna, the three children had gotten really quiet before storming up to Tsuna's room to do who knows what.
He looked at Dino quickly before bounding over to Tsuna and slotting himself into Tsuna's side. "Tsuna-nii, you can trust him." Tsuna was taken-aback by the child's stern words, the sheer assurance hind his tone left Tsuna analysing Dino again.
As Tsuna watched Fuuta, Lambo and I-pin arrived in the living room and walked towards the other guardians for a cuddle, they were both tired, and since Tsuna was busy they sought out comfort in the form of Takeshi and Reborn.
"Why do you say that?"
Suddenly Fuuta shoved a page from his tome into Tsuna's face, it was new and the ink on the pen still fresh. Tsuna blinked before reading it, but not before giving Fuuta's hair a quick and affectionate rub.
"Don Cavallone, Dino is ranked number 3 out of 180,449 mafia bosses most likely to never betray someone considered family without due reason." Tsuna smiled at the list, and looked quickly to Fuuta, pointing to the top and second on the list.
"I'm not surprised, Tsuna-nii."
Tsuna hugged the boy's shoulder, kissing his scalp. "No, I'm not either."
With the guardians assured that Dino would not harm their boss, and Kyouya grumbling about his tie with the herbivore-pony-boss, they left to either make dinner or rest. They had a lot of time to make up for before the rain battle, and Takeshi wanted to spend a few more hours with Reborn training.
"Call us if you need us, Juudaime." Tsuna nodded and his guardians filled out until it was only he and Dino left in the living room.
The silence was comfortable, and Tsuna enjoyed the way that Dino's strings interacted with them all. It was a sign of a good man that even Kyouya's strings were not flaring up at the contact with Dino's dark orange strings.
"I meant what I said, Tsuna." The blonde haired boss leant back in his chair, eyeing Tsuna up with his sharp gaze. "I consider you a little brother, and as such you can talk to me about anything; your subordinates, your home or school life, I'll even help with your love life." Dino laughed a little before getting serious again. "I could even help you figure out all those knots and strings that dance around you; though I think you have that covered, eh?"
Dino stood up then, going to the spare living room where he and Romario would be staying for the duration of the ring battles. He smirked as he felt the change in the strings, amazed at how controlled, but open Tsuna was. Dino knew that Tsuna could move the strings, his Vongola intuition made him far more powerful than Dino in that sense, but Tsuna was benevolent, and he did not change the strings out of spite. Dino smiled as the string around his throat bucked a little in confusion.
Indeed, Tsunayoshi was an incredibly interesting person. The perfect little brother.
Their walk to the school was as silent as always, they breathed in tandem and their walked in almost perfect synchronisation. At the usual spot Tsuna hung back and Takeshi naturally fell into his step. However, unlike usual Hayato hung back too, and Dino, not really sure what was happening went to voice his confusion.
"Leave them be, Dame-Dino." Dino would have protested, but he was made to follow Reborn, curious about that proud but worried look that flashed across his entire face, and not simply behind his eyes.
They walked just seven paces behind everyone else, but it was enough that Tsuna could ascertain Takeshi's feelings about this battle. He was both happy and paranoid to find the swordsman's string waving in a happy rhythm, almost in time with the hum on his lips.
"What do you think about this battle, Takeshi?"
The swordsman looked over to Tsuna for a moment, feeling the shaking already beginning, before swinging an arm over his shoulder and pulling him close. Even Hayato allowed Tsuna to hold his sleeve, something he'd usually feel uncomfortable about.
"Squalo is incredibly strong. We knew that from our confrontation with him." He assured when Tsuna stiffened slightly. "But my Shigeru Soen Ryu is invincible."
"Sword-freak-"
"Not," Takeshi cut Hayato off, "in the way of arrogance. I will win this battle because I have confidence in my sword. It will adapt. We will go home to Chrome's amazing hot chocolate and we can tease Dino about throwing rice everywhere at dinner."
Tsuna looked at his rain guardian and was surprised to see the warm love in his eyes despite how narrowed and serious they were.
"It'll be fine, Tsuna. I'm excited, not scared."
Hayato moved his hand to squeeze Tsuna's before they walked into the school, only to be met with Squalo as he analysed the posse surrounding Tsuna. He watched them with a calculating eye, feeling the change already since their last encounter.
"It's been a long time, Squalo." Dino smiled lightly, tense in the atmosphere of the gathered people. "Ah, it has, Cavallone."
Tsuna and his guardians continued towards the arena, allowing the two older men to have their moment. Tsuna eyes the Squalo's string, using the one attached to Takeshi's ring to track its path. He was surprised to see that Dino and Squalo's strings touched and wrapped around each other quite a few times before separating again. They were friends. Quite good ones if the feeling permeating the air from the strings was true to the reality of the ones they touched.
"They met in school," Reborn murmured as he spied Tsuna watching the odd pair. "They were friends up until graduation. Now that they're working in different families they don't often get to meet up like this."
Tsuna nodded as they entered their broken school. Kyouya stiffened visible when he saw the destroyed floors beginning to flood with water. Tsuna moved forward to rest his shoulder against the prefect, and though Kyouya relaxed, Tsuna could feel the man's rage. He laughed lightly, but it didn't last, because soon enough Takeshi moved forward to battle, the Cervello having called the participants forward to explain the rules.
"Takeshi is a natural killer, Tsuna." Reborn hummed as he rubbed soothing circles on Tsuna's back, "You have no need to worry."
However, Reborn's words did not help and instead sent Tsuna shaking so much that Kyouya didn't even bother complaining when Hayato brushed past him to get to Tsuna's other side.
"Takeshi is no killer, Reborn." Tsuna ground out.
"That base-ball idiot couldn't kill a fly." Hayato growled at the older Hitman. He agreed of course, Takeshi was the closest thing to a Hitman they had, but he was probably the furthest from actually killing. Hayato imagined that he would be the face of Vongola, the rational. But if the need arose then Hayato knew Takeshi would kill without hesitation- if not a lifetime of regret- for Tsuna and their family. Hayato knew they all would.
And Hayato knew that it would kill Tsuna every time.
"Perhaps not yet," Reborn hummed his silent apology to his boss as he saw the boy's eyes blur a little in a foretelling panic attack, "but he is a natural Hitman. No idiot can survive in the mafia, after all."
"Perhaps, Reborn, there are more than one kind of killer in this world." Mukuro walked off into the arena, Chrome followed but didn't take her eyes off of Tsuna.
Tsuna and Hayato walked towards the arena shortly after, Hayato joking about how stupid Takeshi looked in flip-flops during a battle when Squalo was fully decked out, and as Tsuna relaxed a little and smiled Hayato too grinned happily.
None of the guardians could wait until these battles were over and Tsuna's worried eyes disappeared for a long, long while.
"I trust you, Reborn, to look after us all." Ryohei hummed as he stepped up to the Hitman once he was sure Tsuna was out of earshot. "But I won't be able to forgive you if you tell Tsuna something like that again."
"I am only trying to prepare him- to prepare you all for the inevitability." Reborn explained tersely, he eyed Ryohei with sharp eyes, what no one would notice is the surprise hidden there too.
"I understand that, but he doesn't need to know that we're prepared to kill for him. Not yet." Reborn let it go then, because even as he spoke the words of truth about his wards killing, being suited to it and having the potential for it, he felt his chest constrict in such a way that he could not breathe.
He was already too deep into their relationships.
Tsuna sensed a deep burn on his hand, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of comfortable burn you got after hard work. It was warm, and something about it settled Tsuna. Looking to his hand he realised that the reddened string with the burns and scorches was glowing in unison with this own, they were greeting each other. Tsuna, following the glowing, met with eyes of a similar hue, blazing with intrigue and that confidence that comes with strength of body and family.
"Xanxus," Tsuna inclined his head and noticed Xanxus smirk in that pleased way, inclining his head just enough for Tsuna to notice.
The beginning of the battle was tense, the two skilled men danced around each other, neither really attacking. It was as if they were feeling each other out, trying to find a weakness, a strength.
They would stop intermittently, throwing an attack, water splashing and raining down everywhere as the level rose higher and higher.
They bounced between levels, up, up, down, up, down, down, up, up. It was a mess of movement and attack. Defence and pause. But it was not a mess at the same time. It was measured and precise. It was neither fast nor lazy; it was a true mark of skill and potential.
Then Squalo took the initiative, Tsuna watched it with interest, because the strings were not acting as he would have assumed. As the swordsman swung and danced around the strings made a path, they did not pull or push against the swords or the battler's bodies and instead shifted to form paths and alleys for the swords and bodies to pass through.
"That's a swordsman's instinct." Dino murmured to Tsuna. "You can see it right, those gaps? That is how you use our sight to fight enemies Tsuna, learn what you can form this. It may save you or one of your friends' lives."
Tsuna nodded numbly, aware that his two mists and his cloud had swung around to face the Italian boss as he spoke about strings. The boss either didn't notice or was smart enough not to mention anything.
"Squalo is having fun," Dino smiled, leaning back on his heels, "I haven't seen him this happy about sword fighting since he beat Tyr."
"Takeshi looks happy too," Tsuna looked at Takeshi upon Kyouya's statement; he was laughing, diving to the floor and throwing water around as each successive Shigure Soen Ryu form slashed into the next.
"There is nothing more special than meeting someone truly worthy of fighting. Takeshi is using his all in this fight. It is an EXTREMELY thrilling and indescribable experience."
When a mighty splash echoed in the flooding room everyone's face spun to catch Takeshi on his knees and Squalo falling to the floor in a wash of foam and bubbles. However, despite Takeshi's grin the Varia assassin got back up and stared at Takeshi accusingly.
"Why didn't you use your blade? The flat will not win you this battle."
Tsuna was about to question what that meant when he felt more than saw Reborn stiffen at his side. "That idiot!" the Hitman growled as Mukuro almost laughed.
"I came to win, not to kill you."
Tsuna still didn't really understand, but if Mukuro's laughter was any hint Tsuna assumed that Takeshi was being 'adorably naive' about the whole thing, because that was Mukuro's whole jibe at Takeshi. If Kyouya was a 'little birdie' then Takeshi was 'adorably naive'.
"You are a fool," Tsuna heard Squalo call out in soft reprimand. "are you not prepared to kill for your title?" he charged again, catching Takeshi's sleeve but missing the skin.
As they danced again, Tsuna was almost sure that he saw Takeshi smile grimly and mouth back, "I have no need to kill you today. You are still Vongola which makes us family."
But Tsuna couldn't be sure.
"You're too simple," Squalo barked, you could see irritation not only in his face but his string, "you call yourself invincible, but you are fighting someone who has already destroyed this style."
With a sharken grin and a quick slash Tsuna's vision was filled with red. But not the red he knew.
Blood poured from Takeshi's shoulder as Squalo's blade met flesh. Takeshi slid back, his shirt dying pink and growing darker.
Tsuna didn't realise that he was hyperventilating and gripping his chest until he felt himself spun around and crushed to a chest that smelt suspiciously like cigarettes and gunpowder, as well as that unique smell that came with Hayato.
"Takeshi is going to be fine, Tsuna. I'll revive him just to kill him myself if he isn't."
Tsuna nodded but did not trust his voice. He embraced Hayato once before taking a deep breath, remembering the comforting scent, and then he turned to watch the battle again.
Tsuna hated being weak, it was unbecoming and worthless. But he couldn't help it when he watched his friend bleed.
They danced and dance. Water flew and laughter rattled the emptiness. But they kept dancing. When another clash sounded Tsuna assumed it would be the same, a parry and dancing away. But this time Takeshi froze mid-swing, his face contorting in pain.
Requiem Rain.
Up and up. Takeshi ran, his arms freezing every time he tried to counter Squalo's crafted swings.
More red.
As Takeshi dashed away, trying to unfreeze his limbs Squalo appeared before him and Takeshi would be lucky if he didn't lose his eye to that attack.
Tsuna started hyperventilating again, Hayato tightened his grip on the slim brunet's waist and Chrome linked their hands, Tsuna stayed strong. Kept his face straight. He was with his family. He could end this is it needed to be ended.
Everyone, Varia included, watched with gaping mouths as Takeshi spun around and punched his own arm. While the action made no sense, everyone could see the consequence. Suddenly Takeshi could move again and he spared no time in turning on Squalo.
Surging Rain.
And like that Squalo went down. This time though, he didn't get up.
Takeshi slumped down next to Squalo, weak and tired, making sure that Squalo could breathe and wasn't in danger of drowning Takeshi removed the rain ring and clicked them together. As usual the strings from both sides of the ring braided together and clicked in a very final way.
"I won," he almost laughed, but the smile on his face was one of pure pleasure. He had exercised his skill in the most exhilarating, rewarding way and had come out on top.
To no one in particular, Takeshi called out: "Who's coming to get Squalo before that weird monster gets released?"
"As the loser of the battle we cannot guarantee his safety." One Cerevello called out in that delightfully eerie monotone.
"You have exactly one minute ten seconds until release." Another chimed in the same dull voice.
Takeshi's face folded into fury for a single moment before he laughed good-naturedly again, his eyes crinkling in that characteristic way of his.
"Did the prince just see an assassin hidden in the peasant?" Tsuna tried to block out Belphegor's voice because it was true. In that single moment Tsuna realised exactly what Reborn meant when he called Takeshi a natural Hitman. Tsuna could see how adapt Takeshi was at compartmentalising, and how instinctive he was. A natural, if Tsuna ever saw one.
"Well, I guess I better do it then." Takeshi laughed as he pulled Squalo up and his uninjured shoulder, but everyone saw the boy bite his tongue to stop his whine of pain.
Just as Takeshi was making his way towards the exit, shaking and listing (?) as he did, Squalo regained consciousness. He looked no worse for wear, but no one missed the blood dripping from his mouth.
"Voooi," he coughed weakly feeling pathetic as he did so. "Wha' th' fuck you doin, trash?"
"We're leaving." Takeshi almost moaned. The pain of his shoulder ebbing into his mind as the adrenaline was used up.
"Give me my honour, swords trash. I was defeated."
"Not a chance."
"Don't look down on me you fucking piece of trash!" Squalo coughed violently again, and Takeshi listed to the side as the coughed wracked even his body, he had to use a wall to stabilise himself at one point.
"I'm not about to lose the man who can teach me so many styles." Takeshi ground out as he tried to climb, but Tsuna could see the tension in his jaw, his shoulder bleeding profusely and flood flooding his left eye. Squalo smiled a little, an almost exasperated happiness.
"You're a naive fool. Someone needs to teach you about honour and the vindictive bitch called life." Tsuna had to lip read the last part, because it was whispered in a way the microphones couldn't catch.
Squalo looked up to his boss, his eyes softening in a way that only those who were good at reading expressions would be able to see. Tsuna though he saw Squalo mouth 'I'm sorry' and Xanxus nod with a frown, but he couldn't be sure.
Before Takeshi could realise what was happening
"You are going to make a name for yourself, kid." Squalo laughed, "You need to sort that softness about you out though. Your boss is going to need it."
"Squalo!" Takeshi made to dive towards the other assassin, but it was too late."
Even before Tsuna could understand what Squalo was talking about he felt the scream as Squalo's blue string ballooned out. He felt the air shift and smelt the waft of books and the clean ocean after a storm. Tsuna felt his eyes burn as he caught sight of the blue string unravel and buck as its master died by the bite of an unforgivable creature.
"Squalo...?"
Tsuna's eyes immediately shot to Xanxus and he noticed, even if the weakness was only on his face for a second, Tsuna noticed the man's face collapse and his scarred hand come up to grip his chest, where Tsuna noticed, five colours strings; the blue one writhing and bowing uncomfortably.
Xanxus was a steely man, but Squalo was his right hand and despite his laughing and gruff voice, not two seconds after Tsuna noticed his crushing sadness, he truly felt the loss.
Tsuna couldn't believe it, he watched with twisted intrigue as more and more blood bubbled up from the water, Tsuna didn't understand, and apparently Takeshi did not either. The teen sank to his knees, cursing out the assassin, not understanding and not stopping his tears.
When he could finally stand it was on shaking on his knees. He left the arena with his face hidden in the shadow of his hair, when he looked up he ignored everyone in favour of approaching Tsuna, happy when the younger male embraced him and let Takeshi hide his face in the crook of Tsuna's neck.
Takeshi's head lifted and he leant back, his eyes met Tsuna and the brunet wanted to cry right then. There was a darkness invading those light, innocent browns. Takeshi was incredible at compartmentalising, that was why Reborn was so sure that Takeshi would be a Hitman in the future. Already Takeshi had found a place in himself where he could shove death and blood away and keep smiling.
Takeshi had found a way to stay his happy-go-luck rain.
That didn't make it any easier for Tsuna to watch, though.
"Why did he do that, Tsuna?" Takeshi's voice was hard, but that childish indignation was still there. "I wanted to train with him again."
Tsuna's eyes widened with surprise and pain, he couldn't answer his rain. He couldn't. Tsuna's mouth opened and closed, trying to form sentences, but he couldn't. On Takeshi's wrists, almost like tethers was the thick, silver-blue string that had floated around Squalo. It bound Takeshi, to his word as a guardian and his sword. Tsuna thought it was a cruel trick, because how could he look at Takeshi again without the grief of knowing he had just changed his fate for the worse? Meeting Squalo and watching him die; that would never leave Takeshi.
"The Varia's pride is strength and that characteristic of being undefeated above all else. Rather than face his Boss with failure again, Squalo would prefer to not face his boss at all." Reborn had seen where the conversation was going and answered for his confused, hurt student.
A painful silence hung over the group as Reborn's words rang home. Though none of them would admit it, each guardian saw the Varia turn away and knew the truth in the words. But even before that, all of them were being drowned in the most painfully confused and sad wash of emotion, unknowingly, from Tsuna's string.
"I want to say this right here and now," Tsuna whispered voice pained and meek as he continued to hold Takeshi, "no matter how many times you feel defeat, and failure, and injury- come and face me." he took a pause as his voice shook and broke. "I'd prefer you come and tell me that you lost and failed me, than ever have to realise that I had lost and failed you."
Not one guardian would be able to look Tsuna in the eyes that evening, because for a split second, even Kyouya had the realisation that had they been in Squalo's position in the future and with his past, they would have preferred not to have to face Tsuna. They never wanted to disappoint their friend, and freeing up their position for someone more worthy seemed only fair, but Tsuna's words were too strong and enveloping to fight. They wouldn't ever fail Tsuna, that way they'd never have to be in Squalo's position.
"Next fight will be the battle of the Mist guardians."
Tsuna and his friends didn't hear the announcement because they were already long gone, headed back towards their home for some serious rest and recovery before yet another tough battle. Though, this one- they thought -wouldn't be quite so tough.
So what do you think? A little dark at the end, eh?
I would love a review and you opinion.
Thank you for reading!
~~Bleach-ed-Na-tsu :3