Hello there! I see you've come back for the second installment! I'm fairly proud of how this baby is coming along. And to think I'd only written it because I wanted to indulge in a guilty pleasure of mine! XD I'm currently writing up chapter five (FIVE!) while rewriting chapter three… So bear with me guys!

And I have not forgotten my other stories; don't worry. Inspiration is hard to come by for them.

And before there is any confusion, the beginning in italics is a flashback. Tsuna is around five years old; so if anyone's wondering his age, do the math!

Anyway, please enjoy!

Warning: This story WILL contain YAOI, as in Male on Male relationships as well as sexual relations. If you don't like it, DON'T READ.

For (main) Pairing & Disclaimer, please return to chapter one.

Indelible Night

Chapitre 2

It was a great day. The sun was shining. There were just enough clouds out in the sky. There were kids prancing about the playground, sliding down the slides, climbing on the jungle gym, playing on the swings, swinging from the monkey bars...

And one small brunette playing in the sandbox. There was a small pile of sand in front of him, along with a small, green shovel and a blue pail in his hands.

Tsuna had always enjoyed playing in the sand. It did not require running, or having a friend for that matter. It could be done alone. None of the other kids ever wanted to play in the sandbox – Tsuna did not know why, and they would not tell him either.

He did not mind though. It was all right with him. They would come if they wanted, right?

"Oi."

Tsuna lifted his head, meeting the gaze of another boy with brilliantly silver hair and jade eyes. He quickly smiled and greeted him. "Hi. Wanna play?" He offered his shovel to the other.

The boy scowled and smacked the shovel out of his hand. It fell at his feet, and Tsuna leaned back on his knees as the boy pressed forward, stepping on the fallen object. "This is my sandbox." He growled and kicked at the pile of sand Tsuna had gathered.

Tsuna recoiled as sand sprayed towards him. 'My…My castle!' He lay his pail beside him, only for it to be promptly kicked away by the boy. "H-Hey!" He made to stand so he could get it, but a hand pushed down at his head and kept him in place. Indignation swam through him. "The sandbox is for everyone!"

The other boy jerked at the outburst. His eyes glistened furiously and he pushed Tsuna's head down between his feet into the sand. A wail met his ears and he watched as Tsuna pulled himself up, tears wetting the sand that clung to his cheeks. And he watched as the brunette stood and ran from the sandbox, from him.

The next day, Tsuna nervously approached the playground with his mother. A band aid had lovingly been placed across the small scrape on his cheek, and he was glancing around for the silver-haired boy from before.

"Tsu-kun, it'll be all right. If you see him, just come to me." Nana reassured, seating herself at a park bench. Tsuna looked at her uncertainly before giving a slow nod.

He ventured on to the sandbox, only to hear yells as he approached. He recognized one voice, undeniably belonging to the boy from yesterday – only it was yelling threats and kept being broken by pained yelps.

There were four boys – taller, older – and they had surrounded the crouched silver-head. His hair was matted with sand and almost dyed a rusty red. When he lifted his scowling face, Tsuna saw that his lip had been split, a cut was bleeding into his eye over his left eyebrow, and abrasions were visible over his forehead, cheeks, arms, and legs.

A jeer was said by one of the boys and the silver-head yelled something indiscernible in reply. Tsuna gasped as a fist and kick met the boy's back and chin. One of the others lifted a foot to the boy's head and Tsuna blindly ran forward.

"Stop it!" He pushed the older boy away, stepping in the way in an attempt to protect the silver-head. The other three bristled, closing in upon him.

Tsuna trembled as he was surrounded, barely standing his ground as the kid he had pushed advanced. His arms were roughly grabbed, spread at his sides by two of the lackeys. He could feel sweat trickle down his temple, and his knees trembled at the approach. He did his best not to lower his gaze, but he flinched and looked down as the older boy stopped before him. His hair was roughly gripped and he cried out as he was forced to look up.

"What are you, one of the brat's friends!?" Growled the boy.

Trembling, Tsuna swallowed back tears and nodded. A sneer spread over the boy's lips as he leaned towards Tsuna. "Really? You don't look too sure of yourself."

"Leave him alone!" The silver-head yelled, struggling to his feet with newfound determination.

The others laughed and the boy before Tsuna took his face in one hand while he lifted a fist with the other. "Well, let's see how many times he can take a punch before he cries. Then he's free."

The first punch met Tsuna's jaw cleanly before he felt the two boys holding his arms release him as the other took their place while they restrained the spontaneously enraged silver-head. His face wasn't the only part hit; he counted five before they lowered to his stomach.

And at ten, he was falling to the sand, outraged yells meeting his ears. He could feel one eye throbbing, swelling shut, and he could hear his mother's faint call. Arms were lifting him up to a chest and he could make out flashes of silver and jade.

He lifted his hand, heavy as lead, and grasped the silver-head's shirt. "I held in for ten…" He felt the jerk of surprise from the other before his mind hazed over.

-.-.-.-.-

Tsuna woke up, almost with a jerk, and, for a moment, panic set in upon seeing unfamiliar surroundings. But things were off – something covered his right eye, gauzy and thick.

A cough escaped him and he felt the sheets move as someone was roused. Foolishly, he turned for a glimpse, only to realize he needed to turn his head more to see with his good eye.

Jade eyes met his, framed by bandages around the top of the silver head of hair. He smiled at Tsuna, lips chapped and their split covered with what Tsuna assumed was some sort of glue. "Juudaime!" He greeted, lifting a cup of water to him.

Tsuna took the offered cup gratefully, quickly quenching his thirst before he turned back to the silver-head patiently waiting for him.

As soon as his attention was on him, the silver-head coughed lightly, abashedly averting his eyes. "Um, I wanted to, uh, thank you for – for standing up for me." He fidgeted beneath the tawny gaze, scratching at the bandages on his arms.

At the continued silence, he shifted and went on, "I also, uh, wanted to…apologize for yesterday..." He picked at the bandages on his hand nervously. "So, um… I'm sorry, a-and thank you." The silence elongated with Tsuna unsure of what to say. As he opened his mouth to speak, the silver-head interrupted him.

"And – I promise to never let you get hurt like that again." His jade eyes were blazing in fierce determination, unflinchingly meeting Tsuna's surprised, single eye. "I will never leave your side."

-.-.-.-.-

True to his word, Gokudera (as Tsuna later learned his name to be) stuck himself to Tsuna's side the best he could. Five years had passed since that day, and Gokudera had grown to be his most cherished, loyal friend.

On this day, they had decided to go to the park. Nana had tagged along, bringing a picnic basket, and Tsuna had brought the soccer ball his new friend, Yamamoto Takeshi, had given him as a gift.

They had passed it sloppily back and forth. Tsuna steadily began to miss the ball less and seemed thoroughly encouraged by Gokudera's praise. But with one sloppy pass, Gokudera's foot connected harder than intended with the ball, and it ricocheted away from Tsuna into the street behind him.

"I got it, Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna raced off after it, forehead glistening with perspiration from the light exercise. The silver-head went after him with shouts of, "Juudaime, I'm sorry! Let me get it!"

Tsuna was in the street before he was there, bending to get the ball. And Gokudera saw the truck that Tsuna had failed to see. A panic set in and he threw himself at the brunette, pushing the other clear to the sidewalk before the impact.

Tsuna was next to him before the driver completely processed what happened; the ball sat forgotten on the sidewalk as he shouted for him. Nana was at his side and he could scarcely hear her as sirens began to wail far off in the distance.

They were allowed to ride with the ambulance, though Tsuna refused to leave Gokudera's side despite what the medics said. He was forced to leave him in the hospital, bawling into his mother's arms as they wheeled away his friend.

The hours melted together, monotonously dragging on. Tsuna was barely aware of what occurred within the time span, waiting only for a doctor to tell them what would happen.

Seconds upon minutes upon hours passed before a doctor approached them. Tsuna instantly sat up, scanning the doctor's expression hopefully before the words came.

"We did the best we could. We're very sorry. He won't make it."

-.-.-.-.-

It was with a startled gasp that Yamamoto Takeshi came awake. Sweat surreptitiously slid down his temple as he glanced about the room, shivering feverishly beneath his blanket.

Sunlight was streaming through his window; noon, he deduced. A shaky hand ran through his mildly dampened hair. Why was he back home?

After the thought struck him, he struggled out of bed, stumbling over the blankets and virtually falling off said bed. He straightened himself and quickly grabbed his phone, dialing practiced numbers before lifting it to his ear.

The call went straight to voicemail. "Sorry, I can't take your call right now. Leave a message, and I'll get back at you – er, to you!" Tsuna's voice rang in his ear; a smile arose unbidden upon his lips. He hung up and wrung his hands nervously. Tsuna hardly ever had his phone off.

He moved out of his room. He'd gone to Tsuna's house at eight; it was now noon. He didn't remember coming home. Last he remembered, he'd tried to wake Tsuna up and then –

And then what?

He was drawing up blanks. He remembered nothing after shaking Tsuna's shoulder at all.

"Takeshi!"

Yamamoto immediately paused, turning back as his father emerged in the hallway. He smiled in greeting as his father continued, "That man said you were unwell. You shouldn't be up and about with that rash on your neck!"

Bewildered, Yamamoto headed to the bathroom as his father trailed behind him. "What man, dad?" He leaned over the sink to stare at the reddened blotches of skin upon his neck. Where had they come from?

"Some man with grey hair; he carried you home. Said he'd found you on the streets passed out, like you'd been mugged. Thank heavens they only took that bag you had."

Yamamoto frowned, squinting at the mirror as he touched the spots on his neck. 'On the streets…? Hadn't I been at Tsuna's..?' Was he delusional about making it there? No, that couldn't be right. He certainly had been waking Tsuna up...hadn't he?

-.-.-.-.-

"Um, is it safe to go out in the daylight, Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna adjusted the sunglasses he wore cautiously, holding his carrier bag closely.

The silver-head smiled at him, lifting an arm over his shoulders and bringing him close. "Of course. You only need those because your eyes are still adjusting, and the ultraviolet rays from the sun could hurt them." Sensing the answer hadn't fully convinced the brunette, he grinned as he continued, "And we won't spontaneously combust either. We have as much freedom as any human. Most of us just prefer going out at night." He chuckled as Tsuna's shoulders relaxed beneath his arm.

"Where are we going to?" The brunette questioned as Gokudera led him out the door. His eyes stung and he pushed the sunglasses further up his nose as they walked. A thought struck him and he almost tripped on a crack in the sidewalk had Gokudera not steadied him. "And what about Yamamoto? He'll come looking for me."

Gokudera stopped them at the street corner and checked the sun. "We're heading to the headquarters for my clan. And he'll be taken care of." He glanced down the streets before turning to Tsuna as the brunette stiffened. "Not as in killed, Tsuna. There'll be someone sent here to come up with something about your disappearance."

Tsuna turned his head up to him, quickly scanning his face before hesitantly nodding. "So long as he isn't hurt." Gokudera smiled at him as a crimson car drove up. "Wouldn't dream of it."

He opened the door for Tsuna and paused as the seat was already occupied.

"Ciaossu."

The man stepped out and stood before them. He was tall, taller than Gokudera, and was dressed in a crisp, black suit; a fedora with a stripe of yellow sat atop his head, and a green lizard dozed upon his left shoulder. His eyes were a deep onyx, nothing like the glimmering jade of Gokudera's, but their stare was potent and hinted at the deadliness that Tsuna had come to fear from the stories of vampires he had heard throughout his life.

Gokudera twisted his hand over his chest and lowered his head to the man. "Greetings, Master." He lifted his head and dropped his hand when the man nodded to him before turning his gaze upon Tsuna. "Tsuna, this is the clan leader and my sire, Reborn. Master, this is my mate, Sawada Tsunayoshi."

Reborn extended a hand and Tsuna mimicked the action. "Salutations, Tsunayoshi. A welcome is in order, but for the time being, it can wait until we arrive at our home in Italy." He stepped aside and motioned for them to enter. Gokudera extended his hand for Tsuna to go first.

The brunette did not move, staring at the man incredulously. At the lack of movement, both men turned to him. "Italy?" Tsuna repeated; Gokudera's gaze flicked away.

Reborn nodded once. "Did you think our clan remained here in Japan?" At Tsuna's nod, his lips twitched in amusement. "Mistaken and misinformed as you are, it is where we will head. You cannot stay, and neither can Hayato. Stay and you will be killed."

Tsuna turned to look at Gokudera, but he turned back to Reborn when the silver-head did not turn. "I..."

Reborn smirked. "You have no family to worry of, Tsuna. You won't be needing a job, not until you understand what you have become, and the remainder of your belongings will be shipped to the manor. You are better off with us."

Tsuna frowned and lowered his gaze. This Reborn guy was right. His mother had been in an airplane wreck a few years ago, and his father had disappeared even before then. How did he know? "I can't just leave – "

"We can make him forget you, or just let him think you have left in search of something – "

"Or tell him I ran off with a pair of vampires after I became one of them thanks to the best friend I thought had died ten years ago?" Tsuna interrupted before he could stop himself. Reborn's face darkened as he lowered his head. "I don't want him to think I just forgot him and left..."

"Then write him a letter; we will deliver it, No-Good Tsuna." Reborn snapped and took his arm before pushing him into the car with Gokudera. "Our flight leaves soon, so we leave now." He got in and the door closed behind him.

The car began moving soon after and Tsuna jumped as paper was given to him while a pen was thrown at his head. "If I find you've mentioned one thing about us, I won't let your letter be delivered." Reborn threatened as he made himself comfortable on the seat.

Tsuna could feel Gokudera beside him and did not turn to meet his gaze. He was not sure how he should feel towards the silver-head. Gokudera had not lied to him, not really, but he had not told him the whole truth. Had he expected Tsuna would agree readily to move just out of nowhere, and to Italy no less?

He gripped the pen. Well, of course he would have probably said yes if Gokudera had told him first... But he was being taken by force now; he had no choice in the matter. And Yamamoto... His friend of ten years, the one solace he had in dealing with Gokudera's supposed death... He was just leaving him behind, and he could not tell him the complete truth. What was he supposed to tell him aside that he was sorry?

The pen was moving across the paper before he had completed the thought. Words poured out and appeared on the paper in his messy scrawl. His vision blurred and he blinked to clear it. Teardrops fell and smudged against the ink. But he was unhindered by it; Gokudera was saying something to him, but he paid him no mind as he continued through his tears. It wasn't until he signed his name that a tissue smacked his face and pushed his head back into the seat.

"Quit sniveling, No-Good Tsuna. You can barely read what you've written as it is." Reborn removed his hand and let Gokudera take over in cleaning up the brunette. After Tsuna's face was clear of tears and mucus, he offered more paper. "Rewrite it legibly."

Tsuna glanced down at the paper with his words and tears to the fresh paper he was offered. "No." He replied, cradling the paper he held. "He's always been able to read my writing, and I won't hide anything from him."

The two stared at one another after Tsuna's refusal. Reborn retreated his hand and his gaze shifted to Gokudera. "I am now convinced, Hayato." With that, he turned his head away and fell into silence.

Gokudera smiled and turned to Tsuna, only for his smile to fade as the brunette continued to refuse to meet his gaze. He lowered his head and stared at his fingers. He should have expected it. He had not had the chance to tell Tsuna everything, and Reborn had only made things worse with his threats and forcing Tsuna to come. He would not be surprised if, for the time being, Tsuna highly disliked him. He could not think about the possibility of Tsuna hating him. He would not be able to live with himself if the brunette did.

He jerked as warm fingers touched his. He watched as the small hand fit itself between his and intertwined their fingers, caramel and cream side by side. He lifted his gaze to Tsuna's and was presented with a gentle smile and a gaze that let him know he was forgiven.

Gokudera covered their hands with his and brought their lips together as the car slowed to a stop in front of the airport. He pulled away as Reborn's door opened and he stepped out. "I'm – "

Tsuna shook his head and nudged him towards the door with a soft smile. "Don't be. Just go."

And so they did. They waited no more than ten minutes before they began to board, and Tsuna gave Reborn his letter and watched as it was folded and handed to another man in a suit. He turned his head and followed Gokudera inside the plane, wondering exactly what lay in store for him in Italy.

He was torn from his thoughts when he was roughly pushed into a chair at his left. "Hurry and sit, No-Good Tsuna." Gokudera took the middle seat and Reborn took the edge.

This was it. Tsuna looked out the window as Gokudera put on his seatbelt. He watched as the land below became smaller and smaller. He said a mental goodbye to his home and closed his eyes.

He smiled as Gokudera took his hand, and he leaned his head towards the silver-head's shoulder. 'An eye for an eye,' he thought. You have to lose something to gain another.

From the corner of his eye, Reborn watched and smiled every so slightly. He flipped his phone open and dialed. When the other party picked up, he said before hanging up, "Colonello, get Dino and Romario. We're on the way."

-.-.-.-.-TBC-.-.-.-.-

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

And before I forget, on my profile, I've added a section at the bottom that will let you guys know of my process upon my stories! I will try to update weekly or so, so if you're ever curious, go and take a look. Also, I will begin putting up rather random polls, for fun. Participation would be greatly appreciated, but it's all up to you!

See you next time!