Chapter 6

It seemed like an eternity before the both of them reached solid ground. The pain was unbearable and Tsuna tried his best to stop the bleeding from his shoulder.

"How are you faring so far, Tsuna?" Mukuro said, his grip tightening around the smaller brunet.

"Everythin' hurts like a bitch," Tsuna groaned.

"I'm glad you're doing well."

Suddenly Tsuna was launched into the air by a strong gust of wind. He could feel his wounds closing as he descended onto one of the suited men. The man cried out when a knife appeared in Tsuna's hand and he quickly slashed the man's throat. Blood instantly poured from the deep wound.

Mukuro walked calmly towards them, an icy smile in place. No one paid attention to them, no one could see them really. All eyes were on the ferris wheel.

"I'm goin' to kill the 'astards," Tsuna said. Spots danced in his vision but he struggled to stay upright. He sensed that his blood supply might have dwindled since getting shot. But that didn't stop him from aiming the knife at the other man.

Mukuro hushed him gently as a feral smirk marred his features. "Oya, oya, every time I appear I must always save you, my dear Tsuna. You are a magnet for trouble."

"Don't get cocky," Tsuna mumbled, placing his head against Mukuro's strong chest. "I don't think...I like being shot at. Those 'astards are dead."

A pained scream mixed in with the crowd's shouts and panic. It went unnoticed by the larger majority. Mukuro hummed to himself. "Your wish is my command. Though my stay and powers are limited at the moment."

"Less talkin'...more killin'."

Tsuna couldn't really hear what the other teen was saying. The last thing Tsuna heard was Mukuro's laugh before darkness claimed him.

Jun was so dead. Oh Kami, kill him now. He had stayed with Tsuna all the way to the hospital after finding him. He was pretty sure that that—no matter how significant it was—would do nothing to stop Nana's wrath. A mother's wrath was something to be feared.

Kami, there was so much blood. Jun first thought Tsuna was dead until he saw Tsuna still breathing. He had nearly forgotten about the men with guns, too busy with making sure that his friend stayed alive.

The doctors and nurses had already finished treating Tsuna's wounds and seamlessly moved onto the next patients. Though Tsuna's wounds were clearly questionable, they didn't ask any questions. Jun was relieved but also a bit disturbed that the doctors didn't ask him anything. However, he was more relieved than anything because he wouldn't know how he'd explain anything to them.

If only he hadn't asked Tsuna to go to the amusement park with him. If only this day didn't happen. If only he wasn't so weak. Jun resisted the urge to tear his hair out. In minutes, seconds maybe, Nana would come in raging. Who knew what she would do to him?

Damn it, why was he such a coward?

He couldn't even go inside Tsuna's room, couldn't even check if his friend was okay. The irrational prospect of being rejected plagued his mind.

Suddenly, shouts and frantic footsteps came from down the hallway. Jun's heart nearly dropped when he saw Nana run towards him, her eyes wide in fear. When she saw him, Jun thought she would strangle him but instead she pulled him into a tight hug. That...confused him but relieved him at the same time. She didn't hate him.

"Oh mio Dio," she cried into his shoulder. "Grazie a Dio sei al sicuro." She pulled back to see his face. Jun had never seen such panic and fear in a person before. She didn't seem fully there. "Dove è Tsuna? Dov'è lui?"

"Uh, Canepa-san, I don't—I don't understand," Jun said, his heart racing against his chest. What was she saying?

She didn't seem to hear him. "Tsuna? Come è lui? Sta bene?"

"Tsuna is inside," Jun nearly whispered. "He's inside."

Nana immediately rushed inside Tsuna's room. Jun itched to do the same, to make sure Tsuna was okay. He followed Nana and lingered in the back, unsure of what to do. He was pretty sure she was speaking in Italian before.

"Ano, Canepa-san," Jun said.

Nana's grip tightened on Tsuna's hand. She switched her language, as if she was slowly coming back to her senses. She gave him a watery smile. "I apologize. Whenever my emotions get the best of me, I seem to only speak in Italian. I'm sorry if I scared you."

"Canepa-san." Jun flinched when she looked at him. Her gaze was almost hollow. "I just—I just wanted to say that—" His eyes were burning from tears that threatened to spill any second. Kami, he shouldn't be the one crying. "I'm sorry! Please forgive me! You have every right to be angry at me. I—It was my fault Tsuna got hurt. I believe the men were after me. I know you won't forgive me and—and I understand that."

He nearly fell over when he bowed. His hands clenched into fists and he didn't think he could stop trembling. Kami, he failed everyone. He failed Tsuna, he failed his parents, he failed—

A pair of soft arms wrapped around him. Jun widened his eyes when he realized that Nana was the one hugging him.

"You're a sweet boy," Canepa-san said softly. "It's okay. Such a pity. You're already making me regret having to kill you."

Jun's heart nearly stopped. Was he hearing right? "Canepa-san?"

She didn't mean it literally, right? She was just joking. Yeah. It was a sick sense of humor but he would take that over her anger any day.

"I can see why Tsu-kun likes you." She pulled back to look at him squarely in the eyes. There was something wrong in her gaze. There was an unsettling hunger.

Her hands gripped tighter on his shoulders. It was painful and even more uncomfortable. Sweat slid down the side of Jun's forehead. He laughed nervously, not knowing what else to do. "I think Tsuna is a really good friend." His face softened. "He's been very kind to me."

Canepa-san smiled and, for a moment, Jun thought everything was fine.

"Yes," she said, before leaning down to his ear. "It's too bad though. I like you."

Jun flinched when Canepa-san's face morphed into the scarred face of a dark-haired woman. "It's sad to see you go, Vongola."

"Let him go," a hard voice said.

Jun gasped when the woman pressed a knife against his neck and gripped his hair tightly. He couldn't see the real Nana but he hoped to Kami that she would be able to save him.

You can't even save yourself, a small voice said in the back of his head.

"It'd be a pity to kill you too," the woman purred. "You're not on Boss' agenda but"—her grip tightened on Jun's hair—"I think he'll make an exception. As long as I clean up after myself."

Jun's screamed when the knife slit his neck. Everything around him seemed to slow down, except for him. His breath quickened. His heart threatened to burst out of his chest. Dull ringing echoed in his ears. He fell backwards in shock until he realized that there was no blood. There was no shadows creeping in the corners of his vision. There was no pain.

The woman twirled the feather in her hand before smiling down at him. "Well, that's a shame."

"Jun, get away from her!"

Jun looked up dazedly. "Ts—Tsuna?"

A strong gust of wind threw him to the side as the woman reached out to him. Her sharp nails nicked his cheek. A gunshot pierced the air and Jun immediately covered his ears.

The woman gasped before she stumbled to the ground. Tsuna appeared in front of Jun and shielded him with his body. Jun had never felt so useless.

Nana kept her gun steady on the gasping woman. Her steps were careful and cautious. "Tsu-kun?"

Tsuna gave a mock-salute. "No one is hearing anything, Okaa-san. Just keep doing what you're doing."

Jun resisted the urge to tear his hair out the second time that day. Everything was just bizarre and crazy and he wished that none of this had happened and that Vongola wasn't a thing and that he wasn't so useless and—

Someone slapped him across the face. Jun stared at Tsuna wide-eyed. The brunet shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry, Jun. You looked out of it. I didn't really know what to do."

"She's gone." Nana looked around the room carefully before zeroing in on an open window.

"She's clever," Tsuna said, standing up. "She managed to leave before you shot her." He took a step forward and winced, placing a hand on his bandaged leg.

Nana immediately placed the gun behind her waist and rushed to help Tsuna. "Tsu-kun, what happened?"

"Just a few scratches here and there," Tsuna said with an easy grin. "Jun was right. The amusement park was fun."

"Tsuna."

The brunet faltered. Jun gulped as he shakily got to his feet and leaned on the wall for support. "C—Canepa-san? Thank you for saving my life. It was my fault. I—I shouldn't have invited Tsuna to go to the amusement park with me. I—"

Nana straightened herself. For a second, Jun thought the woman was back.

"No," she said.

Tsuna pursed his lips. "Okaa-san—"

"I don't want to hear it, Tsuna." That shut her son up instantly. He gave Jun an apologetic look, his eyes narrowing when he looked at his mother. Nana took a step closer to Jun who instinctively took a step back.

"No, you shouldn't have invited Tsuna with you." Nana's posture was stiff. "I shouldn't have let him go. I know who you are, Jun Sawada. I know about Vongola Decimo." She started digging through her bag. "I should have you killed right now to stop Vongola from continuing any further."

"Okaa-san."

Nana ignored her son. "You know I hold Nono in contempt, right?"

Jun gripped his pants. "Y—Yes."

Tense silence hung in the air but Jun didn't turn his gaze away from Nana's hard brown eyes. Instead of a civilian woman, he saw a mafioso, a fearful mother, a woman who would do anything to protect those she loved. And for a second, he saw himself in her place, powerful, steady, certain.

Nana took out some filed. "These are the men who tried to kill you. They are from the Galletta Famiglia. They're an insignificant family, but not useless nonetheless."

Jun glanced at the thick files. He didn't bother to ask her where she got them or even speak. He was afraid of losing his tongue.

Nana continued to regard him with a cool, impassive gaze. "The woman who impersonated me is Aria Maroni. Her information is also included in here."

"Why—Why are you telling me this, Canepa-san?"

"Do you want your loved ones to die?"

Jun blinked. "E—Excuse me?"

"I don't like repeating myself."

"Oh, um—"

"Jun," Tsuna said, "you don't have to say anything."

Jun looked back and forth between the two of them. He attempted to steel himself and internally grimaced. It probably didn't look as convincing as he thought it would be.

"I—I don't want them to die," he said, wincing when his voice slightly cracked.

"Do you want Tsuna to die?"

Jun looked horrified. "No!" Just the thought of Tsuna or anyone close to him dead created a terrible, sickening feeling in his stomach.

"Tsuna almost died today," Nana said evenly. "Because of you."

Jun's stomach sank. The brutal truth was something he didn't want to face even though he knew. He knew that but hearing it in his face and out loud was more painful than he had initially thought.

"Yes," he whispered. "They were after me."

"Names are powerful. Vongola is powerful. I don't pity that you are being hunted. That is the cost of being connected to the mafia. But I do pity that you are Vongola. You are a nice boy." Nana's face hardened. "But you are weak. Tsuna cannot be the only one fighting."

"Then what should I do?" Jun whispered. "I don't know how to fight. And you're right, I am weak. I'm not strong like my brother, I'm not even the one to become Vongola Decimo." He laughed bitterly. "Even a baby can do better than I can."

"Then leave." Nana waved the files. "Make your choice, Sawada. Because you are in whether you like it or not. Fight"—she presented the files to him—"or run."

Jun looked down at the files and then up at Nana. A chill ran up his spine. Blood rushed in his ears.

"I don't like you," Nana said, pursing her lips. "But my son's happiness is my priority. If you two are going to be friends"—her voice slightly faltered—"I can't have Tsu-kun be the only one taking all the shots."

A brief moment of silence fell between them before Jun finally made his choice.

His schoolwork was largely ignored on his desk. Jun wasn't really a procrastinator but he was a heavy, heavy thinker when he wanted to be. The files that Nana gave him were neatly piled on his bed. He didn't open them yet. Not yet.

He hugged his knees closer to his chest. He took the files and he didn't open them. Simply put, he was terrified. Jun listened to the cicadas from his window. The evening breeze was cool against his skin and he breathed in the fresh, soothing air. His nerves calmed down but not as much as he wanted.

If he opened the files, he would be taking his first step down an unknown but dark road. He could feel it. He knew it.

"You were already involved the moment you were born," a squeaky voice piped up.

Jun nearly jumped. "Reborn, I thought you were with Teiji."

"Nana is right." Reborn hopped on top of Jun's knees. His piercing eyes disturbed the teen. "You are weak. That is why Iemitsu did not recommend you as a Vongola candidate. You are not fit to be a boss much less a mafioso."

Jun gazed at him blankly. "I don't need to hear it a second time, Reborn. Canepa-san was very clear about what she said."

"You know she is right and you made your choice. But you still hesitate."

It was more of a statement than a question. Jun looked at the files. "I know."

"I do not tolerate weakness, Jun. It will only get you killed. Teiji is also not ready."

Jun scoffed. "Teiji not ready? He's the star athlete, he's faster and stronger than anyone I know."

He cried out in pain when Reborn slammed a green hammer on his head. "What was that for?"

"Stop wallowing in your self-pity. It's pathetic." Reborn leaned in closer to his face. "Do you want to become stronger, Jun, or do you want to wallow?"

Jun opened his mouth then closed it. His hands curled into fists. Yes. Yes, he wanted to become stronger. He didn't want to lie in the corner anymore while other people took the hits. He didn't want Tsuna to get hurt because he couldn't do anything.

"Yes," he said. "I want to get stronger. I don't want my friends to die because of me. I don't want Tsuna to get hurt anymore."

A ghost of a smirk flickered on Reborn's lips. "Good. Training starts now."

"Wait, what? Reborn!"

The hitman immediately launched himself at the boy with his large green hammer and Jun screamed.

"Reborn! Stop! Ow, that hurts!"

"Baka-Jun, you're too slow!"

"I take it back, I take it back! I'm not ready!"

"Too late, Baka-Jun. A mafioso can never back down from his commitment."

"No!"

It was an...interesting day. That Tsuna can say. Namimori Hospital was apparently riddled with ex-mafiosos trying to make the best of their lives and give back. One of them turned out to be a friend of his mother and allowed them to leave early.

"We should get some coffee later," she had said with a tight smile. "Catch up, you know?"

Tsuna liked her. She was nice. But really, he wanted his mother to enjoy life a bit instead of worrying about finding him in the gutter the next day. He winced. That...wasn't a really nice image.

"What are you thinking about, Tsu-kun?" his mother said.

The brunet was lying down on the couch while his mother healed his wounds with her Sun flames. "Nothing just"—Tsuna chewed the inside of his mouth and shifted uncomfortably—"you were kind of harsh with Jun."

"Tsu-kun," his mother said firmly. "Stay still. I'm almost done."

Tsuna gritted his teeth. "You didn't have to be so hard on Jun. He's sensitive, you know?"

"And that is the problem, Tsuna," Nana snapped. "That will get him easily killed." She took in a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair. "Tsuna"—she reached out to caress his cheek—"you have to understand—you have to understand that the mafia is not something to be taken lightly."

Tsuna looked away. He couldn't bear the pain in her eyes. Fuck, he didn't want to feel guilty for upsetting her. He wanted to be angry. She practically made Jun piss in his pants. And Jun was his friend. He should've stood up for him; but a small (very very small) part of him agreed with his mother and he hated himself for it. What kind of friend was he to let Jun down like that? A shitty one.

"Tsu-kun, look at me." His mother gently turned his face to look at her. "If I could do my life over again, if I could change one thing in my life, it'd be that you'd grow up safe and happy and away from all of this."

"Mama, I can protect myself."

"No," Nana whispered. "No, you can't. I was already stupid enough to not notice Aria tracking me. I won't make any more mistakes that will put your life in danger again."

Tsuna gently held onto one of his mother's hands. "You don't have to worry, Mama. I can take care of myself. You know that."

Nana bowed her head. "Tsu-kun, just promise me that you will stay safe. Promise me that you won't go off doing stupid. Promise me that much?"

Tsuna rested his forehead on her's. "Okay, Mama. I promise. But I don't know. I catch myself doing stupid things some times."

They both laughed. His mother kissed him on the head. "Just try not to do it too often. Tsu-kun, this life isn't be easy. Anything can happen."

Tsuna smiled. "I'm good at improvising. Don't worry, Mama. Don't worry."

They stayed that way for a while, together in each other's warmth and safety. A brief moment of peace from the madness that never seemed to leave them alone.

But they weren't alone. They had each other. And for that, Tsuna was grateful.

A/N It's been so long since I updated and I apologize! OTL

Translations:

Oh mio Dio! Grazie a Dio sei al sicuro. Dove è Tsuna? Dov'è lui? - Oh my God! Thank God you're okay. Where is Tsuna? Where is he?

Tsuna? Come è lui? Sta bene? - Tsuna? Where is he? Is he okay?

School is ending soon and this has been a crazy year for me. More time in the summer to make up for all the time I couldn't update. Yay!

To clarify, Tsuna is NOT Iemitsu's son therefore he won't be eligible to become Vongola Decimo BUT I have so much in store with his real father and Tsuna's role in the mafia. Don't worry. You'll see, kufufu.

I hope you guys don't hate Nana after this but you get to see the mafioso side of her and it's a sign of things taking a darker turn from here on out. I'm excited. Are you excited? I hope so.

Also, thank you very much for your patience! I'll try to update as soon as I can but most likely when school is officially done and over with.

I will accept your angry reviews with open arms (and a few tears) but I deserve it for not updating as quickly. TT^TT

See you in the next chapter!