The New Empire

"It's time."

Looking around the room, Tsuna only regretted not seeing his Xanxus' face that one last time. That was it, time to go back, but the man was not there. It might have only been some numbered days that they had spent together, but every minute felt eternal, memorable and was appreciated above all else…

The morning before Tsuna's departure, they disappeared once more from everyone else and spent some time together. Sitting in Xanxus' more furnished room, they were curled on the long sofa.

"I can teach you, you know."

"What?" Yanked out of his self worrying about leaving, Tsuna turned halfway round from his curled position at the man's side to look at his short-time partner. The Varia leader's eyes were focused on one spot on the ceiling.

"How to be a boss, I mean." the man continued.

"Not everything, of course, just the basics and some tips, enough to give you confidence and answers to what you never really knew."

The young boss just kept looking at Xanxus.

"We don't have to, I mean, it was just something I thought you might want to try..."

"No!"

"No?"

"No, no! Yes, I mean yes!"

"Yes?"

"Yes, please teach me..."

"These last few days have been pretty busy, huh, Tsuna?"

Looking sideways to see the figure perched on his left shoulder, the boy sighed miserably. "Very." The young Vongola stated simply, in the same flat tone he seemed to have acquired in recent times.

The baby frowned, something was off. Something about Tsuna just didn't seem right lately. Still, he tried pushing for a reaction, "When we get back we will have to get you caught up with your studies, I already have some new ideas that might help us with that."

Nothing.

"Maybe have you tied up for a bit..."

Silence.

"Some electrical shock system will do wonders for your motivation..."

…

"Tape your hand to the pen and add some ear plugs so you won't have any distractions..."

He leaned forward, reached with his right hand, grabbed a handful of the messy brown hair of his student and pulled. Hard.

"Hmm? Sure, Reborn, everything you say."

The noncommittal answer did nothing to ease the Arcobaleno's suspicions. He was right, the boy's attitude was weird. Jumping from the shoulder to the table, he now stood in front of the frustrating teen, finally facing him and studying him thoroughly. "Alright, whatever it is you are doing, stop it right now."

He was given another blank look. "I'm not doing anything, Reborn."

"I'm warning you, Tsuna." the Hitman looked straight into his disciple's eyes, "I don't know what this is you're playing at, but I suggest you drop it, now."

A few lines formed on the boy's face as a frown slowly settled into it. "I really don't have any energy for your mind games right now, Reborn." Tsuna said quietly, in the most serious tone the baby had ever heard come from him. "Just leave me alone, will you?"

The shock lasted for the better part of five seconds. Reborn was still, after all, the number one Hitman in the world and much better used to moving past the unexpected than the average person. No one – not even the most influential people in the world had ever dismissed him in such a way. And yet, here was a boy, his student, doing just that. A calculative glance at the teen gave no indication as to what might have triggered the change of attitude.

Nevertheless, he recovered quickly.

"What's with all the angst, Tsuna?" he asked, poking the boy with a tiny finger. It was just hard enough to annoy the little Vongola into answering.

"It's nothing, really." said Tsuna, flicking nonexistent dust from his left sleeve before gently pushing Reborn an arm's length away from him. Then, as if he just remembered something unpleasant, added, in an unusually quiet tone, "We're leaving soon, aren't we?"

"We found the way back, yes." answered the Arcobaleno truthfully, still not used the having an actual conversation with the regularly passive boy. Something just didn't feel right. "We can probably start moving sometime in the next couple of days."

Reborn did not get the enthusiastic response he expected. Because, perhaps the kid was just homesick and tired of being in a time not his own. Instead, the teen sagged even further against the chair he occupied and put his head in his hands, letting out a long sigh as he did so. Something was seriously wrong here.

"Tsuna." he said, voice loud and cutting in the silent room. The boy didn't move.

"Tsuna." stepping closer now, the baby could see his apprentice's whitening fingers from the effort of clenching them in the brown locks. Small tremors passed through them with every shaky breath.

"Tsuna." He said, a little softer now, almost caring, as he got even closer.

"Tsu-" the boy lifted his head and looked at him with an expression Reborn could not name. It could only be described as the mixture of something between resignation and desperation. The kind of look that people give when they know a change is coming, when they are about to lose something of importance but have nothing to do about it. That sort of helplessness, what could have put this look on their naive little boss?

"Have you ever felt that you really, without any doubt, belonged in one place?"

It was weird, Reborn never expected the deepness he heard in the question. When did Tsuna manage to develop those new traits in his personality? Not knowing where this was going, but wanting to solve the riddle, the Arcobaleno nodded.

His place was in Vongola, with his family.

"What about a person? Someone you never wanted to leave?"

Still wondering what it was all about, but nodding again, the Hitman thought about his fellow Arcobaleno and the one that mattered to them all.

"Would you do anything to keep it?" Reborn could see the need to be understood shining in those eyes. "That one thing you know you wouldn't ever want to let go of?"

"Tsuna, I really don't see where you are getting wit-"

"Would you?"

Sighing once, the Hitman nodded solemnly.

"-I found that too." the boy suddenly said, his face pained. It looked as if he was struggling to get the words out. "I found it here."

Reborn just stopped and looked at him. Just what was Tsuna talking about? Apparently, they were not even talking about the same thing. Wasn't he happy to go back to normal life in his time? His family, friends and everything he grew up with? Where was the boy that hated changes and couldn't handle even the simplest of surprises without reacting dramatically?

Looking at him now, the baby could only see the more mature version he had been talking to for the last couple of minutes. Did he really grow up so much in such a short time? He looked deeply into the burning gaze of his student, trying to find something that could tell him what was going on in that mind of his. The amount of emotion that seemed to hide behind those large eyes took his breath away and, for a second, he did take a step back. The pain and helplessness didn't belong on that face. Not yet, not now. The suffering of someone about to be ripped of the most significant piece of his world was not meant to show up on Tsuna's face. And yet, it did. It was there, plain to see, an expression the killer had seen on faces before, moments before he took their pieces away. There was no way he couldn't recognize it.

"What is wrong, Tsuna?" his voice drained of emotion, mouth set, the teacher searched his student's face for more clues. The boy was looking down, one palm on his forehead, fingers parting hair.

"Everything, Reborn."

So, it was as simple as that, huh? Well, that was not enough of an answer for the insistent Arcobaleno, but it seemed Tsuna was already thinking of how to properly give the information, so he allowed him that time of silence in waiting.

"For the first time, he made me believe I belonged here, that I actually belonged in the mafia." A small smile tugged at his lip, "I could do this. I wasn't just surviving here after being thrown to the middle of the ring, but really live here.

"I could become something more, someone better than my no good self." The smile was growing, "He told me he cared, and he explained why. He told me he loved me and you know what?" Looking at Reborn now, Tsuna had a full smile on his face mixing with the sadness in his eyes.

"I believed every word he said.

"Because the evidence was right there in front of me, no matter how thick my skull could be or how naive I really am or how I never thought anyone will ever feel such intense love for someone like me." His voice lowered slightly, "It was all in his eyes, Reborn." Wonder crept into the face, and the baby never appreciated how expressive the kid was than at that precise moment. "The emotion was there, the fire was there and it was burning so clearly that I could never deny it.

"Looking into those eyes was just like looking at a mirror. The flames behind were bright orange, not his regular furious dark shade, but amazing, light and true as the words he spoke to me." The ever burning sky flames were showing on his student's face, and Reborn finally realized who he was talking about. What was only a guess became a truth.

"When the one person who wants me so fiercely is here… Tell me Reborn, please, help me understand. How can I ever leave?"

By now all emotions were out in the open, the words spoken loud over the sound of movement from nearby rooms, Tsuna was finally showing all the despair he was hiding so well before. "I never wanted this to happen, I never thought it could. I mean, what are the chances such a person who loves me like this could be here? Anywhere?" the painful, miserable sight of a broken smile on that young face pulled at something in Reborn's cold soul. And that was even before he heard the sudden, almost silent confession that made his heart feel as if a needle passed through it.

"And I never thought I could ever feel like this for someone else."

Silence won over words and hung in the room, interrupted only when the Arcobaleno inquired, "…Tsuna?"

As if woken from a dream, the teen just shook his head. "I think maybe it is the flame that makes it so strong, so sudden." he said, "It must be the fact that he shares that attribute with me, the pull is strong and, more than anything, feels completely natural." He didn't look sad anymore, just empty, no fight left in him. "The connection was made, and now to have to cut it feels like I will be tearing my soul from his. It already feels so painful."

And with that, his student left the room, leaving Reborn as he seldom was, speechless.

When he did gain control over himself once again, his whispered voice filled the room. Looking away from Leon, gaze unfocused, he said,

"A very thin line it is... the one between love and hate. Pure and taint, peace and rage, kindness and wrath."

'They really do fit each other.' he thought.

Now, because of that understanding, he had other places to be at.

During the last few days, the couple found themselves wrapped within each other more often than not. The acceptance between them was almost immediate after the night they spent together and the happiness was always there, surrounding them. Much to the wonder of his friends, Tsuna's confidence rose by leaps and bounds during that period, it seemed like all he needed was for someone to believe in him and show him just how much they do every moment that was possible.

Xanxus still raged around. Incidents of broken furniture, shot subordinates and flaming rooms were reported on a daily basis. The only visible difference was the satisfied expression on his face that no amount of surrounding stupidity could manage to change.

Currently, they were both in Xanxus' room, again, spending some time on the bed. The man was telling Tsuna an old story that was both entertaining and horrifying for the teen, and Xanxus looked more alive than ever before. The expressions he was showing were for Tsuna's eyes, reflecting in the flames that pulled them together.

Those moments were priceless, timeless. And Tsuna understood, knew without a doubt.

"Hey, Xanxus," he called suddenly in a moment of realization, cutting the story short and making the man look at him with slight confusion in his eyes. "Tsuna?"

"Oh, sorry, but, I just noticed something I kept missing up until now." Now blushing, the young boss' hand rubbed the hair at the back of his head, a gesture that Xanxus was going to miss so much when he was gone.

"And what was that?" the Varia leader leaned slightly forward, nose almost touching Tsuna's. As if hypnotized, the teen's eyes were drawn to the flames reflected in his partner's. Each enhancing the other, they were linked by a connection made of fire.

"I love you too."

Tsuna was leaving. He had no doubt that this was already a much different future they were all leaving behind, they had all changed the future. By the time they get to this time in ten years, it will all be different. Hopefully better.

But now came the moment. Long past depression, Tsuna was waiting. It was almost time and Xanxus was supposed to be there.

Looking, looking, he couldn't find him. He already went through everyone, thanking and giving the best of wishes to their future, but Xanxus wa-

"Tsuna!"

Gravitating immediately to look at the passionate eyes, Tsuna let out a sigh.

It was all very surreal, unbelievable. They were surrounded by shocked and smiling people, uncaring of the stares they embraced. And kissed one more time, one last time. Xanxus' left hand spread in Tsuna's hair, pulling him closer, while the younger Vongola's fingers sought Xanxus' own. And then they were touching, palm to palm, fingers intertwined, between them, connecting them was a layer of flame, thinner than air. It was beating with their hearts, in harmony, visible for all to see in its radiance and rarity.

But then it was over, and they had to let go.

Looking at each other eyes, they could see the identical burning flames, the brightness in them shining just underneath the surface. They could feel it, and love.

Tsuna was back in the past. Alone.

'Now what?' was the thought that ruled his mind followed by countless sighs. 'Time to go home, I guess.'

Heading back, he pondered the future. The young boss knew his future self already rose to the top while surrounded by his core family, but he felt like he himself couldn't do it, not without Xanxus. He was already dependent on his companionship.

Making up his mind not to think of his loss yet, he decided he had to get better fast. He had to become someone who can be something. He can't disappoint his Family and allow them to be hurt once more. Tsuna will become the best Boss in the history of Vongola. And he will have Xanxus by his side.

No matter what, how many years, how much effort, he will get that man to stand by him, to stay his forever.

It was with that thought of a struggle in mind he moved on, and went on.

A week passed and even when he was surrounded by all his family, he found that being without Xanxus was more difficult than he thought it would ever be. And that says something.

He often found himself thinking that maybe he could just go sneak a peek. Or even call this time's Xanxus and hang up, just to hear his voice. Turning a corner on the way to school, he hit something, a person, and was brought back to the present.

"Sorry! I wasn't lookin…" stopping short of passing the person through his hastily thrown apology, nothing could express what he felt as he saw who it was that stood before him.

"Xan… xus…?"

A '"Cat got your tongue, Tsuna?"' and a cocky smile were all he got in return.

Something was not… Not wrong, something was different.

"But… " if he could just place his finger on it…

"You're old."

Giving a mock hurt look back, the Varia said, "What? I travel time and space for you and that's all I get? Not even a greeting ki…"

Finishing his sentence became impossible as the teen jumped right into his always waiting arms. A smile could be seen on both.

"…Xanxus!"

Looking at his lover leaving was not easy, but Xanxus stood there with nothing showing on his face, expression set into blank features. There was hope, he kept reminding himself, and it was not the end.

He remembered when Reborn first approached him, he had some doubts whether the plan could actually work or not, but the hope was revived and since then just grew stronger. If it worked, they would be killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Xanxus wondered, maybe he was rushing without thought and will end up forcing his presence on Tsuna. But, that line of thinking never got him anywhere, so…

The plan by itself was simple.

Thinking of the 'times' they had to work with, there were two different people they needed in order to make it work. One was an older, more experienced man who just lost the one person who changed his life and wanted nothing more than to reunite with him as soon as he possibly manages to do so. The other was young and ambitious enough to be the boss one futuristic mafia group was missing.

Making the 'suggestion' to the family heads was met with surprising acceptance and support, as they finally found the one solution everyone was looking for.

After long meetings, considerations and time consuming 'final touches', they set the plans in motion.

And all was well in Namimori.

"So, this is a forever kind of thing, right?" a not so hesitant beginning of a smile tugged at the corner of Tsuna's mouth, bringing Xanxus back from his memories. They were just heading back to the young Vongola's house as the teen decided he was just fine with skipping school on that specific day…

Looking sideways at his shorter partner, Xanxus, still feeling the floating sensation he had since he saw Tsuna at this time, smiled back and ruffled the irresistible to touch hair.

"If you want to be mine…" he began, but left it at that.

Standing still for a moment, Tsuna just looked at the Varia's face. Pretending to think it over in his head while touching a finger to his lower lip, Xanxus had to hold himself back from jumping him then and there.

'Yes', he thought to himself. The young boss found recently he rather liked being one part of a couple, and loved all the new discoveries that came with that. Just like how Dino was useless by himself, maybe Tsuna just needed Xanxus by his side to balance him.

"I could be yours…" the boy said finally, "…but,"

Looking into his eyes, Xanxus couldn't really decipher why the suddenly troubled expression grew on the young Vongola's face. "…there is only one problem."

Really thinking about it now, the boy realized they will manage, and his newly discovered problem was not really that much of a problem. Tsuna told himself to stop stressing over it while Xanxus looked somewhat lost as to what to do just next to him. Alright, he relaxed.

Now, how do they explain this relationship to mom?

And, that was it.

This is the beginning, this is the middle, this is the end. This is nothing but another new chapter. So maybe, just maybe…

There could be a little bit more…

Soon.

Notes: Hello! For the more detailed notes you can go back one chapter to (the freshly remade) chapter 5, at the end I wrote some words for you. Basically, there will be an epilogue out pretty soon, and with it the story will be completed.

See you soon :)