Chapter 2

Tsuna found it quite a hassle to walk to school. For one thing, it was short and that irked him. He didn't live too far away, but that wasn't necessarily a good thing on his part. He'd rather take it slow and enjoy the scenery. Another thing was that there were too many students walking on his path. He had considered finding another route but found it too troublesome.

A sudden gust of wind passed by him and he blinked. The other students were pointing ahead and raising their questions in the air.

"What was that?"

"I don't know."

"A UFO?"

"Hey, it's Teiji-kun!"

"Kya, Teiji-kun!"

Tsuna rubbed his face with his palm. Do all girls think only about boys? When he arrived at the school, he quirked a brow when he saw Teiji clad in only a pair of blue boxers. Was his forehead...burning?

He stiffened, recognizing the orange flame. His mother had explained to him about some kind of special flames in their prison cell to pass the time whenever possible. He had just thought that it was only a myth or something of the sort until he discovered the presence of his own flame. This boy was probably like him.

Tsuna walked cautiously towards the gates and noticed the boy who attacked him yesterday in a stance, ready to lash out at Teiji.

And for such a trivial thing, he thought blankly.

"Teiji-kun, you're burning!"

"Wah, Teiji-sempai, I'll save you!"

Tsuna looked on in mild amusement as Teiji pointed at the other boy, his eyes in a determined, almost wild, gaze.

"Hibari-sempai," he said loudly, "I proclaim my love to you! Please, will you go out with me?"

The girls all squealed with blushes on their faces.

"Th ultimate couple of Namimori!"

"Phone! Where's my phone?"

"Go, Teiji-sempai! You have my full support!"

Tsuna had never seen such reactions before. When Mukuro announced the two of them as a couple, Ken had to be restrained by Jager's chains. His mother, on the other hand, had to be moved to another cell. She was quite rebellious, he should say, before she came around. Chikusa and M.M., surprisingly, were cool with it, the latter insisting that she planned their wedding once they were out of Vendicare. Oddly, Jager and Bermuda were hell-bent on killing Mukuro on the spot, saying things how love was forbidden in Vendicare or some other shit. Well, they were like father to him so he assumed that their reactions were natural. That's what fathers do, right?

He grimaced. He didn't understand all of the brands that M.M. spouted out. What was one of them? Gulli? Guvvi? Ah, Gucci. Was that the one?

"Herbivore, not wearing your uniform is against the rules," Hibari said. "I'll bite you to death."

He struck at Teiji whose flame died out a few seconds later. He blinked as if realizing where he was and widened his eyes when he looked down at himself.

"Wait, Hibari-sempai!" he said, waving his hands in front of him. "I can explain!"

Hibari showed no mercy and started beating him up. Tsuna stared at him confusedly. Why was he so worked up about not wearing uniforms for crying out loud? Just what was this guy's problem?

Sooner or later, a black blur appeared between Hibari and Teiji. Teiji's brother looked up at Hibari with steady defiance, but Tsuna saw the small fear he had underneath his dark orbs.

"Hibari-sempai," the twin said, trying hard not to tremble under the boy's intimidating gaze, "please let him go this once. I brought an extra pair for him."

Tsuna looked at the clock. As much as he disliked entering his classroom, he didn't like being late. He walked through them, eliciting a few gasps from the watching crowd. He even pushed one of Hibari's weapons away to avoid getting hit on the head.

"Excuse me," he said curtly, walking towards the school's entrance.

Weirdos, he thought. Weirdos everywhere.

Tsuna was snoozing in class again, his illusion self taking notes for him, when suddenly he heard, "Tsunayoshi-san, will you follow Kusakabe-san?"

He raised his head quickly, blinking the sleepiness from his eyes. He made the illusion fade while standing up and slung his bag over his shoulder.

He blinked when he saw the tall boy. His hair was quite...strange.

"Follow me," the boy said in a gruff tone, leading the way.

Tsuna followed silently, looking out the window to take in the blue sky. He was still taken aback at how beautiful and peaceful it looked. That was probably the only thing he liked about Namimori.

When Kusakabe stopped, he stared at the words written on the door:

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE OFFICE

Underneath it was a sign:

DO NOT DISTURB.

Why was he here? Kusakabe opened the door and nudged him inside a bit roughly.

"Be polite and don't talk back," he said before shutting the door close, leaving Tsuna inside the large room.

He took in the neat shelves, lined with books, and a large, pristine painting of the school hung over a study desk. He walked towards it, looking over the artwork curiously. It still fascinated him on how people could create such beautiful things with dead, inanimate objects. Illusions were just turning nothing into something and something into nothing. However, they never truly lasted forever.

"Herbivore, don't touch it," a voice said.

Tsuna turned around to see Hibari with his arms crossed over his chest, a small scowl on his face. He took a step away from the frame and raised his hand mockingly.

"I didn't touch it," he said, noticing the large stack of papers on the desk in front of him. He saw his file on top and raised a brow, but didn't say anything.

"Sit down, herbivore."

Tsuna complied, taking a seat on a chair. Wasn't herbivores plant-eaters? So why would Hibari call him that? If he recalled, humans were omnivores - aside from cannibals. This boy was stranger than he ever realized.

"Why did you call me here?" Tsuna said warily. "I didn't take out my phone at all today."

Hibari walked towards his desk and sat down, his eyes hard. He placed one of his weapons on the table.

"Fix it, herbivore," he said, dangerously.

The weapon was melting slowly. He yawned in response.

"If you say the magic word, I'd probably will."

Hibari glared. "I don't like repeating myself, herbivore."

Tsuna leaned back against the comfortable chair. "I didn't catch that. Sorry."

The boy stood up with his other weapon that wasn't melting. What were those called again? Nunchuks? No. It was different from M.M.'s clarinet.

"Fix it," Hibari said with a growl.

Tsuna smiled airily. "I can't fix something that's already been fixed."

Sure enough, the weapon was normal again. Hibari flushed slightly before aiming it at Tsuna's direction.

"How did you do it, herbivore?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," Tsuna said, standing up. "That's what they all say, right? If that's all, I'm going to leave."

"We're not done."

Tsuna looked at him, a bit frustrated. "What now?"

"Don't talk to me in that tone, herbivore."

"You're not my mother."

He barely dodged a swipe at his face and stumbled backwards, landing on his butt. "What the - "

He rolled away from another attack and slightly widened his eyes when he saw the floor crack. This guy was crazy!

"Fight me," was all Hibari said before striking him again.

Tsuna went into a crouch and slammed his hand on the ground before jumping back. Thick vines aimed straight towards the raging prefect. They were mercilessly torn apart by Hibari who ran towards him.

He kicked Tsuna in the chest, making him fly out the window. Glass shattered and fell to the ground alongside Tsuna who covered his face with his arms. He immediately rotated in mid-air, landing on his feet. The shockwave ran through his body and he fell. He winced, clutching his aching ankle.

Shit, he thought. I must've sprained it.

He tried to stand up but fell. Hibari jumped down, his weapons ready in his hands. He looked slightly disappointed. "You're weaker than I thought, herbivore."

Tsuna raised his hand towards Hibari. His bangs covered his eyes from sight, a cruel smirk spreading on his lips. A cold feeling rose in his chest. "Oh? I can only say the same about you."

Hibari suddenly dropped his weapons, the clangs echoing in the silent area. He clutched his chest, his eyes wide in pain. Blood leaked profusely from his mouth, spilling onto the floor.

"What...are you doing to me...herbivore?" he managed to say, falling onto his knees.

"It all depends on how you perceive it," Tsuna said carelessly. "The question is - "

He closed his hand into a fist. Hibari stopped moving, his body going limp. A large pool of blood spread quickly around him and he started to slowly sink within it.

" - is it real or not?"

Tsuna felt a hand wrap around his fist. The cold, animalistic feeling in his body washed away when he sensed a familiar presence. He looked up with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"Mukuro?"

"Oya, already causing trouble are we, my dear Tsuna?" the teen said with an amused smile on his lips.

His eyes became serious but his smile stayed as he crouched down to Tsuna's level. "Let him go. Relax, Tsuna. He won't hurt you any more. Kufufu, I won't guarantee it on my part though."

Mukuro loosened Tsuna's hand gently. Tsuna heard a sharp intake of breath from Hibari who was back in his normal state, standing upright instead of lying on the floor.

"How are you out of Vendice?" Tsuna said, clasping Mukuro's hand in his own. "Did they - "

"Kufufu, this isn't my real body, Tsuna," Mukuro said. "It's only an illusion."

"Oh," Tsuna said, dropping his hand dully. "I see."

He felt a hand tip his chin up and gazed into Mukuro's eyes. There was warmth in them, something he missed greatly.

"Don't look so sad, my dear Tsuna," Mukuro said with a coy smile. "It doesn't suit you."

He placed his lips gently on Tsuna's who closed his eyes. Mukuro pulled away with a smirk. "Oya, desperate I see."

He looked down at Tsuna's ankle and slightly scowled. "Did he do this?"

"It was my fault," Tsuna said, looking away with a flush. "I let my guard down."

Mukuro stood up, facing the bloodthirsty prefect. Hibari snapped out of his daze and picked up his weapons.

"Trespassing is prohibited, herbivore," he said. "I'll bite you to death."

He dashed at Mukuro who blocked a swipe with his trident that materialized out of nowhere, a smirk dancing on his lips.

"You hurt my Tsuna," he said, his eyes gleaming dangerously. "I can't let that just simply pass by."

Hibari struck Mukuro in the head who easily blocked it and kicked the prefect. Hibari dodged it swiftly and went for Mukuro's ribs.

"Oya, oya, the bird can bite," Mukuro said.

The kanji in his red eye changed into 'one'. He vanished in a haze, the ground splitting open. Hibari jumped to the side but it cracked even further, almost engulfing him whole. Tsuna fell, raging lava entering his vision. An arm wrapped around his waist securely and he found himself by Mukuro's side on solid ground.

He winced when pain shot up his ankle and stumbled if not for Mukuro's hold.

"Tsuna, wait here," he said quietly, placing him down next to a tree.

"Where are you going?"

Mukuro smiled. "I have to put a bird back in its cage."

Tsuna gripped the sleeve of his jacket with a scowl. "Are you crazy? There's already enough trouble as it is. Besides, if Okaa-san finds out that I used my illusions, she'll kill me! Just stay here with me. You don't need to - "

Mukuro placed a finger on his lips. "You talk too much, my dear Tsuna."

"Wha - "

Darkness creeped in his vision as he slumped into a pair of arms. He tried to fight against the heavy force that weighed upon his body, the light slowly fading in his eyes.

"Mukuro..." he said quietly before succumbing to apparent slumber.

"Shh," a voice hushed softly.

He didn't know how much time passed. All he could think about was beating the crap out of Mukuro once he woke up.

" - ou okay?"

A voice slipped through the cracks of the murky darkness, drifting softly in Tsuna's head. It was getting stronger.

"Are you okay? Hey."

Tsuna forcefully opened his eyes, groaning when light reached his vision. He rubbed them to get rid of the grogginess and slowly became accustomed to his surroundings.

"Canepa-san," the boy said in front of him, "are you okay?"

He looked familiar. Ah, Teiji's twin.

Tsuna looked around and attempted to stand, trying hard not to wince when his ankle started to ache again. Teiji's twin held him down, his dark eyes shy.

"You should sit down," he said in his quiet voice.

Tsuna watched as the boy took out an ice pack from his bag and place it over his swollen ankle. He raised his brow questionably and the boy flushed.

"My brother gets injured quite often during games," he said. "I follow him around."

Tsuna left it at that, surprised that the boy didn't ask any questions about his situation. He didn't prod about his half-hearted lie though. It wasn't really much of his business.

"Oi, Jun!" a voice said loudly. "Where the hell are you?"

The boy flinched but continued to tend to Tsuna's ankle, making sure the ice pack stayed in place. He looked up at Tsuna with weary eyes. The brunette didn't miss the fear within them.

"Stay here, Canepa-san," he said, standing up. "I'll be back."

"Who is that?" Tsuna said, narrowing his eyes.

"You don't need to know," he said with bitter smile.

Tsuna watched as he left to go confront the person. He noticed the way the boy was stiff and his movements were a bit jerky. He cocked his head to the side in curiosity.

He was surprised to see Teiji appear, his blue eyes murderous. He had never known that there was a person out there his age with so much intent to kill.

"I told you to keep an eye on that stupid baby!" Teiji said with a snarl.

His brother looked at him impassively, but Tsuna saw him take a step back. "I'm sorry, Teiji, but he was already gone when I turned around."

Teiji threw his hands up in the air. "Now I embarrassed myself in front of Hibari-sempai! All because of you not paying attention. Do you want me to be seen as a retard in front of everyone, Jun, huh, do you?"

Tsuna was confused. The girls clearly liked whatever he did. He didn't know about the boys, but he could care less. So why was he complaining?

Jun looked at the ground, his hands trembling. "Well, Otou-san and Okaa-san are okay with your preference. The others didn't seem to mind either. I don't see the point in complaining, Teiji."

Teiji scoffed, shaking his head. "You're a hopeless case. Look." He placed his arm on Jun's shoulder casually with a sigh. "That stupid baby shot me in the head and I somehow found myself confessing to Hibari-sempai in front of practically the entire school. Who was supposed to look over him?"

"Me," Jun whispered.

Teiji stepped back with a smirk. "Good. At least half of your brain is still there."

He suddenly punched Jun in the face. Tsuna widened his eyes. Weren't they brothers? Even Ken and Chikusa got along pretty well aside from their differences. Jun fell to the ground, clutching his face. When Tsuna saw blood dripping from his mouth, he saw red enter his vision.

How dare he strike his own brother? He raised his hand and summoned another illusion by the form of Hibari.

"Herbivore," the fake Hibari said, appearing behind Teiji, "fighting on school premises are forbidden. I'll bite you to death."

Teiji widened his eyes. "Wait, Hibari-sempai! It's not what you think!"

The prefect showed him no mercy as he started beating him with his weapons. Seriously, what were they called again? His mother mentioned them some time ago, but it never reached the tip of his tongue.

Jun was too stunned to move, watching as the fake Hibari pummeled Teiji to the ground. Tsuna waved his arms in the air. Jun took notice and crept to his side, trying not to catch the prefect's attention.

Tsuna casted an illusion over them to not be noticed or heard. He touched Jun's bleeding lips in concern. "Do you have anything to cover that up?"

Jun shook his head, flushing in embarrassment. "I'm fine, Canepa-san. How is your ankle?"

"Help me up," Tsuna said, leaning on the tree for support.

Jun immediately helped him, putting Tsuna's arm over his shoulders. "But what about - "

"Leave them," Tsuna said, watching the fake Hibari kick Teiji in the stomach several times. "They'll be fine."

"What is your definition of 'fine', Canepa-san?" Jun said bluntly.

"Something that'll benefit us. Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"My house."

They started to walk away, ignoring Teiji's cries of pain. Although Jun looked back a couple of times in worry.

Tsuna ignored it and tried to think of several ways to kill Mukuro once he gets his hands on him. He mentally sighed. There was nothing good enough aside from calling him 'pineapple' instead of his name. That would be more like a death sentence for him rather than proper murder. But his heart ached. Why would he leave him alone instead of waiting for him to awake? Either way, he will pay for putting him to sleep.

That's when it struck him. What did Mukuro do to Hibari? Hopefully, he didn't kill him. That would be terrible and would most likely extend Mukuro's sentence to eternity.

"Where do you live, Canepa-san?" Jun said, snapping Tsuna back into reality.

"Not too far."

They left it at that, walking in an almost comfortable silence. The breeze was gentle again today, blowing softly against Tsuna's hair. It reminded him of his mother's comforting hand whenever he would get nightmares in their prison cell together.

"Jun, right?" Tsuna said suddenly.

"Hm? Oh, um, yes."

"I'm Tsuna, not Canepa-san. It sounds rather strange phrased that way."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about."

It turned awkward for them and Tsuna regretted speaking out so suddenly. He should've just kept quiet, but the event earlier made him want to help the boy.

"Thank you."

"What?" Jun looked at him wide-eyed.

"I said thank you," Tsuna said simply. "I would've suffered going home."

"Oh."

Tsuna saw his apartment building coming into view, the sun setting behind it, giving it a remarkable backdrop of vibrant, warm colors.

"It's beautiful," he said breathlessly.

Jun smiled slightly. "Yes, it is."

Tsuna smiled and tried to memorize the scene before him, storing it in the back of his mind.

A new dawn, a new day, he thought almost happily.

"Tsu-kun, are you h - what happened to you?"

Tsuna winced when his mother started to fuss over him, helping him to the couch. She was wearing a white apron around her waist and dropped her ladle on the floor in a rush to get to his side.

"I'm fine, Okaa-san," he said, trying to get her to stop. "Nothing too bad. I just sprained my ankle."

"And how did that happen?" Nana said, her eyes serious.

Even Jun looked at him curiously, waiting for an answer despite not showing much interest.

"I ran and fell."

Nana and Jun didn't look satisfied with his answer, but didn't push him any further. She went into the kitchen and got an ice pack, placing it on Tsuna's swollen ankle. He hissed at the cold touch.

"Keep still, Tsuna," Nana said in her I'm-taking-no-shit-from-you tone.

Tsuna grimaced as she got out a first-aid kit and took out a couple of bandages, wrapping it firmly but gently around his foot and ankle.

"It's a grade two sprain," Nana said. "Your ankle will take at least two to three weeks to heal properly."

She looked hesitant as she looked up at Jun. "Thank you for bringing him here."

Jun shook his head. "It's not a problem at all."

"You're bleeding," she said blandly, touching his lips. She sighed as she took out some ointment, applying it gingerly on Jun's lips. "Boys at this age..."

The boy flushed and Tsuna smiled, holding back a chuckle.

"Well, as repayment, why don't you stay with us for dinner?" Nana said, standing up with a smile.

"Oh, I'm fine, Canepa-san," Jun said, walking towards the door. "I have to go home."

Tsuna narrowed his eyes not liking the idea of him walking in Teiji's clutches. "You should stay."

"I couldn't." Jun crept backwards towards the door, his hand reaching for the knob. "Teiji..."

Tsuna didn't understand why he would still care for his brother despite the previous beating and God-knows-how-many beatings he got in the past.

"Fine," he said with a sigh. "You can go."

"Thank you, Canepa-san," Jun said with a bow. "I apologize for my rudeness."

Nana waved him off with a tight smile. "It's fine, um, what is your name?"

"Jun. Sawada Jun."

Tsuna didn't miss the way his mother held onto the couch's armrest tightly. "Ah, I see. Good night, Jun-kun. Thank you for your help."

"Have a good evening," Jun said, opening the door before leaving. He shut the door behind him.

Tsuna gauged his mother's reactions but she quickly masked it with a smile.

"Ah, something's burning."

A/N Thank you for the reviews, favorites, and giving this story a chance!

I changed the story's title too many times...-_-ll

Regarding to Tsuna having Sky flames...you just have to find out. XD

Hopefully the interaction between Tsuna and Mukuro is somewhat genuine to an extent. I don't really like it when romance is forced and generic. Anyone offer tips? Haha. I'm also trying my hand at romance with this story, but it'll be more like a major thing on the side. I don't like it when the romance is taking up too much of the plot since then what's the point?

I'm not a fan of love triangles, but I guess Hibari will express some kind of interest towards Tsuna and a bit of resentment considering what Tsuna did to him, haha.

Jun and Teiji are pretty much self-explanatory, aren't they? I hope they're not too bland of a character. Teiji probably is though. ^^ll

Tsuna and Nana's backstory will be eventually explained later.

Please leave a review if you can! Much appreciated!

See you in the next chapter! ^^