Here is the fifteenth chapter; please enjoy and review.

Chapter 15

When you get shot, your perception of time is distorted; time can seem to slow down or speed up depending on how your thoughts go. Hibari Kyoya could tell you a lot about it! When the bullets entered his body; it took a while for him to understand and feel himself hit the ground. When he heard his brother smash through the door and stand for a while over his broken body; it seemed like time had stopped. When his brother rushed towards the man who shot him and did his best to save him instead of the albatross; time sped up. When they found out Kyoya was still alive, despite his wounds; time once again sped up. He never noticed when and how he got into the ambulance. When he woke up from his operation; three days had gone by and he was handcuffed to his hospital bed with three policemen standing by.

For Alaude time slowed when he thought that his brother was dead; like time itself had decided to slow down to make sure that the captain could engrave every single gory details of this scene. As if time wanted to show the captain what was the result of his voluntary blindness to his brother's madness and of his of help towards Tsuna. The captain knew this scene would haunt him for the rest of his life and that it was his punishment. He just hoped that Tsuna could forgive him and Hibari could get better.

In Xanxus's room…

Xanxus slowly woke up from his drug induced coma; his mouth was as dry as the desert and his head was pounding like a drum. The machines kept beeping like crazy and Xanxus could hear someone else in the room. The fog lifted from his mind when he heard the word Tsuna.

-Tsuna, baby… Where are you..? Stuttered Xanxus, desperately trying to see through the fog.

-VOI! Timotheo, he's awake! Screamed Squalo, not caring one bit that his screaming was causing more pain to the writer.

-Xanxus, my boy! Thank goodness, you are alright and well! I had never felt such fear in my entire life! Said the old man as his wheelchair was pushed towards his injured son.

-F-father..? What… what are you doing in Japan? I thought you had a business meeting with the Cavallone famiglia? Asked the writer, a bit confused.

-Ahh! Forget them! My son was kidnaped and tortured by a madman and my precious son-in-law was forced to be the madman's sex slave…

-TSUNA! WHERE IS HE? WHERE'S TSUNA? Is he alright? Oh my god! What did that rat-bastard did to him? Panicked Xanxus as he fought his right-hand man to get out of bed to find his love.

-Voi! You idiot! We found him! We found him! Now stay in bed or you will die! How the hell am I supposed to do my job if you keep doing stupid things like this? Damn it to hell! Cried Squalo as he wrestled his boss to keep him in bed.

The two kept on fighting and arguing about letting the writer leave his bed, when a brunet woman and a blond man entered the room. They looked like they had been in tears not moments ago. Xanxus immediately calmed down and sat right back in his bed; he didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of Tsuna's parents.

Nana rushed to Xanxus's side and hugged him hard and long; just like a mother would if she had almost lost a child. Which was almost the case with Xanxus; Nana had grown fond of him and kept calling him her second son. Iesmitsu walked to the man and shook his hand; the father never was keen on letting his son to another man, hence the usually cold demeanour towards Xanxus.

-I'm so glad you are safe! I just couldn't believe it when Tsuna called to tell us that you were kidnapped by that horrible man! Hearing my little boy cry the way he did with so much desperation and pain in his voice… It will haunt me for the rest of my life! Said Nana with Xanxus still in her arms; as if she was afraid of losing him.

-Tsuna… was crying! I should have never gone to the meeting. I saw Alaude's phone number and I thought he wanted to meet me. At the rendez-vous point, he injected me something that caused me to black out. The last thing I remember after that was being tied up and gagged. Hibari kept kicking me to make me tell where Tsuna was and what my account number was. He stole my money to leave the country with Tsuna… He's alright, isn't he? You saw him? Hibari didn't take him away?

-We… um… Xanxus… started Squalo, completely terrified of the reaction the news would do to Tsuna's parents and his lover. I just got a call from Alaude and… They found Hibari and Tsuna..! But… Before they could arrive, Tsuna and Hibari were both down. Hibari received two bullets in the chest by Tsuna and Tsuna… He got stabbed by Hibari… They are both in critical condition and they are being brought here! The… The doctors say Tsuna will make a full recovery with the right care, but…

-But? Asked Nana, white as a ghost and on the verge of a mental breakdown.

-Tsuna is pregnant. They don't know if the baby will make it, however.

In the hallway, next to Tsuna's surgery room…

Alaude kept looking into the empty space as the memories of the night came flooding back. He tried to find a sense to it all and pin point exactly where Kyoya had stray from the path; but, try as he may, all the memories showed was further proof that Kyoya was always disturbed and never was on the right path to begin with. Even their parents thought so; why hell would they send him to all of those doctors and institutes? After a few years, Kyoya knew exactly how and what to answer in order to fool everyone around him that he was just a passionate man who took his job and duty to heart. How could Alaude have been so blind to this? Wasn't he his brother? When have they grown apart? Have they ever been close to begin with?

The captain felt his eyes water up as the memories came crashing into him like a tsunami. He never realised that Daemon had sat down next to him and was holding his cold hand. Daemon waited patiently for Alaude to notice him; just like he had been for the last decade or so. It pained him deeply to see his friend torn by his duty and his love for his baby brother; but, Daemon knew that Alaude would do the right thing. It pained him even more to see such a guilty look on his long-time friend and secret love; he had done everything to help his brother within the boundaries of the law. Alaude was a good man who didn't deserve to suffer like he did.

-Alaude. I'm here now. It's alright. You're safe. Said Daemon with a calm, soothing voice. Mukuro told me everything. You did what you could and nobody is blaming you for what happen. You couldn't have predicted this. You know that! Please, look at me. Alaude…

As the captain looked at his long-time friend, he simply couldn't resist and his tears escaped his eyes; it was too much for him to hold up. It was too much for him and Daemon knew it. He knew he did his best. He knew he never wanted this to happen. That it wasn't his fault and that if he could turn back time; he would have stopped Kyoya from even speaking to Tsuna back in high school. He knew; and that was all the captain need. Someone to believe him and never judge him for his mistake; even if he couldn't stop judging himself. And so, the captain cried and cried on his best friend's shoulder; all his pain, all his sadness, all his hopelessness, all his anger… Everything that he had kept in him; afraid to break or appear weak before others. And as he cried all of his tears upon his best friend's favourite coat; he wondered… Why hadn't he been a better brother to Kyoya? Why hadn't he been strong enough to keep Kyoya out of trouble? Why hadn't he ever noticed how good and safe it felt in Daemon's arms…

A few days later…

Everyone was relieved to know Hibari hadn't left the country with Tsuna; they were jumping everywhere and kisses were stolen, until… They learned about Tsuna's state and the little surprise he had inside of him. It broke everyone's heart. To think that their friend, after years of abuse, years of loneliness, month of terror, could lose not only his life, but his child to the man who had broken him so many years ago, was destroying them from the inside.

Gokudera had burst into tears and left the room; unable to meet anyone's gaze. Yamamoto wasn't far behind him; making sure the silverhead was alright. Lambo cursed Hibari with everything he had; it scared many considering the young man's coward and peaceful nature. Kykyo, Hannah and Haru immediately started to try and find a way to help Tsuna should the worst happen or if a miracle happens. Maybe if they prayed hard enough; some god would hear them and grant the two lovers some protection. You never truly knew! Mukuro left the place and puked everything he had in him; hadn't he been such a coward back in the day, Hibari would have been in jail right about now and none of this would have ever happened. Ryohei made sure to wipe those awful thoughts out of his new lover's head. No one blamed Mukuro for this; he had helped find the monster and to protect his friend. It was Hibari's fault; not Mukuro's. It felt good to hear this, but it never took the entire pain away. But, it felt so good to hear it!

As for the bodyguards, the news had devastated them. Dino had cried and cried into Squalo's arms; he simply couldn't believe his little brother was going to lose his baby. And for the hundredth time, Squalo told him that there was a chance that the baby would survive; but it didn't stop the blond from crying his eyes out. In honesty, even Squalo felt his throat closed up; the idea of losing one child and lover was too painful for him to imagine. He had no idea how Xanxus was keeping himself together like this. Belphegor had been immobile in his bed for the better part of the three days; holding his plush frog (a gift from Fran when they started dating) close to him and wishing so hard that it hurt him, that Tsuna and his baby would make it. Belphegor had been touched the hardest amongst the bodyguard as it brought back horrible memories about his mother telling him and his twin that their father hated them and even tried to kill her and her twins in her womb when they were just foetuses. Fran stayed next to his lover, brought food and soothed his nightmares with the patience of a saint. Not once complaining in his head about it; since it kept him from thinking about the whole situation. Lussuria and Levi postponed their wedding to be close to Xanxus and Tsuna, as well as Tsuna's parents and Timotheo. They insisted that they would have their wedding with everyone present, including Xanxus and Tsuna with his big and beautiful pregnant tummy. No discussion! Lussuria's optimism helped everyone; from Lambo to Belphegor. This was the flamboyant man's way to cope with the situation; Levi helped as seeing Lussuria unhappy made his heart break.

Nana, Iestmitsu and Timotheo, on the other hand, never left the hospital. How could they? When their sons were hurt and their future grand-child may not make it! They stayed and waited for Tsuna to wake up, for the doctors diagnostics, for Xanxus to leave his lover's side for a second, to make sure to be there for them, should the worst happen. The news that Hibari had woken up from his coma before Tsuna had angered everyone, but Timotheo reasoned the group. Hibari was badly hurt and confined to a bed; in three more hours, he would be transferred to a federal jail where people where not that friendly with cops. Especially, if said cop was dirty and said dirty cop had a price on his head made by the Mafioso father-in-law of one of his victim; but the Sawada couple didn't need to know this last part. It made Xanxus smile and gave him a bit of hope. Now that the madman was almost behind jail; he could focus solely on Tsuna and their… child.

Xanxus's heart nearly exploded of joy when he heard he was going to be a father; then his heart shattered in a million of pieces, when the doctors told him how severe the wound had been. The little baby way not make it and if it did, it would surely had birth defect. Xanxus couldn't care less; he loved that little blob, even if they never met. It was his child! Such a perfect little thing that never harmed anyone and that had so much to learn and experience and see and live… He couldn't bring himself to think a world without their child or a world with their child. It was confusing, scaring and so amazing all at the same time. If only Tsuna could wake up!

-Please, baby. I need you. Please wake up, so we can go home and prepare for our little baby! Please! Plead Xanxus as he let his tears rolled down his cheeks; his pain too great to be contained.

The night fell and the writer stayed by his lover's side. Never lowering his guard; but, even the mightiest can fell prey to fatigue and Xanxus fell into Morpheus's arms.

The sun shined through the drapes and the light breeze refreshed the sleeping occupants of the room; slowly but surely Tsuna's eyes fluttered opened as he awoke from his three days coma. He felt so heavy and pain ran through him like electricity; his mouth was dry and his head felt like it was in a vice. Yet, something felt right at this moment; as if some horrible and heavy weight had left his shoulders. When, he least expected it; the memories flooded back. Instead of being overwhelmed or shocked, Tsuna felt good; he was free from the terror, from the nightmares, from Hibari Kyoya. He couldn't care less if the bastard had live or died; there was no way, Alaude hadn't thrown his ass in jail. Tsuna no longer cared for Hibari or was scared of him; not after he saw the desperate look in his eyes when Tsuna admitted he was pregnant with Xanxus's child and… His baby! Oh, dear God! Hibari had plunged to kill his baby out of fury!

-Doctor? Doctor? DOCTOR! Screamed Tsuna despite his hoarse voice.

-Tsu… Tsuna! Oh, sweetie! You're awake! Cried Xanxus, relieved and happy at the sight of his lover awake.

-My baby! Xanxus, get a damn doctor! He tried to kill my baby! Xanxus! Shrieked Tsuna, now hysterical as he held his stomach to protect his unborn child from any harm.

Two seconds later, two nurses and a doctor rushed into the room, threw the writer out without a care in the world and tried to calm the hysterical young pregnant man. Nana and Iesmitsu ran towards the grumbling and furious writer as they heard the commotion and their son screaming bloody murder. Nana burst into tears as she heard her son was awake; and according to doctors, Tsuna was healing perfectly well and was simply having a mild panic attack (if you can call a young mother freaking out because she feared for her unborn child safety a mild panic attack). Xanxus and the parents were allowed to enter the room once more; Tsuna had calmed down and had asked for them.

-Tsuna, my baby! You're alright! Oh! I was so scared! I thought I lost you to that horrible man again! Do you ever try to be the bait again! Do you hear me, young man? Demanded the weeping mother as she held her only child in her arms.

-Tsuna, my son! I'm so glad you're ok! I thought I had to kill your boyfriend for not protecting you well enough! Half-joked, half-seriously said the father, to which the brunet freaked out. Which caused the father to receive the darkest look ever known to man from his beloved wife; she even scared Xanxus into submission.

-I love you both so much! I'm so glad to see you! And you too, Timotheo! Welcomed the brunet as his father-in-law entered the room.

The families rejoiced and shared their love and their joy with the brunet; nobody could spoil their fun. Well, the head nurse could as she entered and rudely told everyone to leave as her patient had to rest. Xanxus demanded for his bed to be placed in the same room as the mother of his future child. To say that Tsuna was disappointed to know that Xanxus already knew would be an understatement; but it did not damper the mood. They were happy and they had to enjoy these little time alone, since everyone would be rushing to the hospital to see the new mother and father.

After his bed was delivered in Tsuna's room, Xanxus climbed into his lover's bed and rested his head on his lover's shoulder (not on the side he got stabbed, thankfully). Tsuna smiled as he felt his lover's hand on his stomach; gently rubbing in circles the smooth surface.

-I love you.

-I love you too!

-Should we talk about the baby's chances of survival? I… I'm sacred to lose the little guy… said Xanxus in whisper.

-The doctors told me, the baby was healing well and they foresaw little to no damage done to it; but they want to make sure it will grow healthy, so they'll keep a close eye on me. I'm scared too, but I have a feeling the baby will survive… If he's half as resilient and though as you…

-Why did you buy a gun? Alaude made some research and they found out you had bought it. Why? Asked Xanxus with calm but demanding voice.

-I… I don't really know anymore… I thought I wanted it to protect myself because I thought someday, somehow Hibari would find a way to get to me… I was scared and I guess I wasn't thinking straight. When I bought it; I tested it and it felt good to shoot my anger and fears. I'm… I'm sorry… I shouldn't have kept this from you… I…

-It's ok. I understand; you were scared and it was hard for you. I'm not mad; just surprised you would use force like that. You are usually the pacifist one. Besides, it kept you alive against Hibari, didn't it? Reasoned Xanxus as he held his lover closer to him.

-Thank you. You have no idea how good it feels to have you in my arms again. Whispered Tsuna on the verge of tears.

A moment of silence made its nest between the two of them; not one of awkwardness, but one of peaceful love. The two men simply enjoyed each other's company and touch; until Xanxus had one last question. He got up on his feet, took Tsuna's hand, placed a gentle kiss on it and asked:

-Sawada Tsunayoshi, would you do me the honour of being my wife?