Title: Fiamma: The Assassin
Summary: Every assassin have their own rules, yet all follows one golden rule: Never get emotionally involved with your target. Fiamma knows this. Yet, meeting that person, he can't help but break the most important rule of all…
Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! belongs to Akira Amano
Pairing: Eventual!G27
Warnings: AU; Language
Fiamma: The Assassin
Chapter 12
"Where are you going…?"
Tsunayoshi paused in his footsteps as he felt his throat tighten painfully at the voice. 'This voice… I'll never forget it…' It was a voice he hadn't heard for over five years now, but it was a voice that he could never forget―not that he wanted to, of course. That voice, like many others, belonged to a treasured person in his life―a person who had long since passed on. The voice was soft and gentle, yet with a hint of motherly firmness underneath. Tsunayoshi couldn't help but let the side of his lips lift in a small smile. "Of course… Of all people, it had to be you, huh."
"You don't sound happy to see me."
The voice came from behind Tsunayoshi, but the brunet didn't turn. A forlorn smile crossed his lips, "I'm always… happy to see you." He murmured, just loud enough for the other to hear. "…So, if you're here, I presume that I'm dead? And that you are my 'guide'."
"Well… Not exactly." She replied. "You're not dead, but not exactly alive, either."
"…So I'm supposed to choose if I want to live?" Tsunayoshi snorted. "We both know the answer to that, don't we?"
"Therefore, I have the special task of convincing you otherwise." She answered. "And, I think you already know this, but… I'm not her."
"Assuming you took the form of the one I want to see the most, so then… you're the one I wanted to see? My subconscious must be pretty good at―" As Tsunayoshi spoke, he had started to turn around, intending to finally face his 'guide'. Before he could fully turn, however, he froze as another voice—this time much younger and much more innocent (Tsunayoshi wondered when was the last time he even thought of that word)—spoke up.
"Tsuna-nii...? Where are you going...?"
Tsunayoshi swallowed hard. "D-Don't..." He gritted. "That's... just low." His fist clenched, his eyes shut as he tried to block out the memories assaulting him.
"He was—no, is the most important person in your life. If I want to convince you otherwise, I will, of course, have to bring him up." She spoke, almost without a shred of remorse, yet still with that bit of gentleness that made Tsunayoshi's heart clench unbearably. "Tsunayoshi..."
"...Just…" And Tsunayoshi almost laughed at how pathetic he sounded. "…Just leave him out of this… please."
"…Very well."
"…What are we doing here? In fact, where are we?" Tsunayoshi questioned, glancing around.
She pursed her lips, pondering over how to explain. Finally, she replied, "This is… your life. This mansion… the rooms represent your memories in life." She paused momentarily for the information to sink in before continuing, "And we're here… to take a tour of your life."
Tsunayoshi glanced at the surrounding walls and released a breath. "I had a feeling it was that…" The assassin murmured, falling silent as he took a moment to analyze the situation. Another sigh left his lips as he turned to her. "Alright, fine. Let's do this."
She blinked, surprised with how easily he gave in, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. With a smile that lifted her lips, she grabbed Tsunayoshi's hand and started walking.
She was rather impressed with Tsunayoshi's mindscape, to be honest. It was shaped into that of a mansion, neither luxurious or grand, nor old or depilated. It was quiet and... homey. That was the only way she could describe it, despite the mansion being void of any presence besides theirs. She walked aimlessly, until a quiet stairway caught her eyes. She started steering them towards the stairway that seemed to led to a basement of sorts, only for Tsunayoshi to yank her wrist suddenly.
"No!" He shouted. She jerked towards Tsunayoshi in surprise, glancing at him inquisitively. The brunet frowned and calmed himself before speaking, "Sorry... Just... not there."
"Tsunayoshi...?" She glanced at the brunet worriedly. This was the first time she'd gotten such a violent reaction out of the brunet; all along, he's been passive at best, mildly annoyed at worst. "That basement..."
"You don't have to see it." Tsunayoshi replied stiffly. "Or rather... I'd prefer if you don't see it."
"Tsunayoshi..."
"It's fine. Of all the things that happened to me... That is the only one I've long since put behind me." Tsunayoshi smiled sadly. "Let's leave that alone, alright?"
"It's your mind... I cannot defy your decision." She answered quietly. "Since you insisted... let's go on. Where shall we head next?"
"Perhaps... the greenhouse?" Tsunayoshi offered.
"The greenhouse?" She blinked, surprised. The brunet had not offered any destination until now. In fact, she hadn't expect a response from him at all. Elated at his reply, she nodded with a smile. "Greenhouse it is. Could you lead?"
Tsunayoshi nodded in response and started the walk. He led her through the mansion to the back, where they exited. Another few minutes of walking, and they found themselves standing in front of an impressive looking greenhouse. At least three storeys high, the greenhouse's size made it look like another mansion on it's own, merely a tad smaller than the one they had came from. She couldn't see inside clearly; greenery bloomed inside, leaving almost everything green except for a small dirt trail that led inside the greenhouse.
Tsunayoshi couldn't help the small smile that crossed his lips at her awe. "Shall we head in?" He asked politely.
She snapped out of her daze and nodded. Tsunayoshi held the clear glass doors open politely, allowing her to step in before he followed suit. Taking her hand once more, he led her down the dirt path at a slow stroll, allowing her to admire the greeneries while he let the memories he kept so securely in his heart resurface. The walk was quiet, and eventually led them to the central garden. There, flowers of all shapes and sizes bloomed around a circular pavement, where a garden set sat. The rounded table had a polished silver finish, and was matched with similarly themed couches and sofa chairs. Wordlessly, Tsunayoshi led them there and took a seat, basking in the peace and serenity of the garden.
"Tsunayoshi..."
"This place..." Tsunayoshi breathed. "...this place is probably... one of the most important place in my life."
"This place is... then?" She questioned.
Tsunayoshi nodded. "This is the place that gave me hope and saved my life. At the same time, without this place—without them... I wouldn't have lived... and Fiamma wouldn't be born."
"Fiamma... shouldn't be linked to this place. Because if he was, then... that means you regret. This place... them... him. You said this place is one of the most important place in your life, Tsunayoshi. Was that a lie?"
"Of course not." Tsunayoshi replied. "But I admit that I do regret it at times. If they'd never met me... perhaps they would still be alive now." He clenched his fist, though his face remained as passive as it had been. "They died for me... was I really worth it?"
"You were. You are." She answered gently. "They cared for you, Tsunayoshi. Loves you like you were theirs. I don't think they regret dying for you. Shouldn't that mean something? If you truly regret, then shouldn't you love for the one who have their lives to see you live?"
"I have lived." Tsunayoshi said quietly.
"Not long enough..." She replied softly. "There are people still waiting for you."
"...They'll understand." Tsunayoshi murmured.
"Will they really?" She challenged.
Tsunayoshi stayed quiet this time, his gaze fixes firmly on the surrounding flora. She knew that she had won this round, so to speak, but it still wasn't enough to convince the brunet to live. With nothing else she could do at the moment, she quietly got up and straightened her clothing.
"We're not done with the tour yet, are we?"
"No... No, we aren't." Tsunayoshi replied, raising himself off the couch as well. "There's one other place to visit."
"What about the mansion?" She asked.
"The usual rooms. There's nothing else to see there." He answered, rounding the garden table. With a faint smile, he vowed and extended his hand. "Shall we?"
As she took his hands, he led them down the pavement back into the greenhouse, exiting through a side door near the back of the greenhouse. Tsunayoshi continued leading them further from the mansion, where a small tower stood. The tower was built from rocks and vines stretched across its circumference. The tower looked old and abandoned and was the oldest looking structure in Tsunayoshi's mindscape.
"Is it safe to go up there?" She frowned.
"It looks a little old, but it's still rather sturdy." Tsunayoshi assured. "Come on then." Last stop of the day.
She nodded and the duo entered the tower. She grimaced at the musty air inside, coughing at the dust. A small part of her wondered why Tsunayoshi didn't seem to be affected, but she decided against asking. Slowly, they made the long trek up the spiralling stairs, finally entering the room at the top of the tower. Throughout the entire climb, she had a feeling growing within her, and when they entered the room, she knew why.
"Tsunayoshi...? The door..."
"...This is... the final stop." Tsunayoshi said quietly. "I have given you a tour of my life as you've asked... And this tower is the final place." He slowly walked over to one of the two floor length gaps on the wall that served as windows. "And this is the only way out."
"Tsunayoshi, wait...!" She screamed, reaching out of him. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, desperately trying to stop him. "There has to be another way out...!"
"How do you exit from a room where the door has disappeared? The answer is simple. Escape from the windows." Tsunayoshi answered softly, all emotions void from his voice. "There is no other way out."
"If there is no other way out, then make your own way, no?"
Tsunayoshi spun around at the voice. "Grand... pa...?"
"Tsunayoshi-nii-san...!"
Reborn grunted as he pushed his aching arms further, hands pulsing with soft yellow flames. All around him were screams of the assassin's name, but he tuned them all out as he focused on his task—reviving Sawada Tsunayoshi.
"Dammit, Tsuna..." He mumbled hotly under his breath. "I didn't come so far for you to die on me now...!"
"Reborn..." Somehow, Shamal's voice came through, so he figured it was important enough to listen. "It's been fifteen minutes... He's gone."
"No!" The room was stunned into silence by the hitman's uncharacteristic behavior. "I'm not letting this idiot die on me now!"
Timoteo... If you're there... If you're watching over Tsuna... Save him. You might be the only who can save him from himself now.
"Grandpa..." Tsunayoshi swallowed. "Is that... really you?"
Timoteo smiled warmly at him (and Tsunayoshi swore his heart was going to stop—metaphorically), slowly and carefully stepping towards the alarmed assassin. "You've grown, Tsunayoshi. No longer that cute little boy who clings onto Reborn and hides whenever there are guests." He stopped just a few steps before Tsunayoshi, who was still looking at him with a mixture of shock, surprise, pain and longing. "You've grown up well."
"No, I haven't—" Tsunayoshi choked out as tears fell from his eyes. He slapped his hands over his eyes as he cried out, "—I haven't…! I… I…!"
The smile on Timoteo's face was strained as he crossed the remaining distance between them (while she moved away to give them space). The elderly man reached up and gently patted Tsunayoshi's wild mess of hair (he smiled fondly as the thought that the assassin's hairstyle was still the same as when he was a kid). "You did all you could, didn't you?" He spoke softly. "You did your best." Timoteo continued as he finally wrapped his arms around the sobbing brunet.
Tsunayoshi's legs gave out then as he felt onto his knees. "I… I'm sorry…!"
Timoteo shook his head, gently pulling Tsunayoshi against him, "It was all you could do… You saved him, Tsunayoshi. You saved Reborn."
"I couldn't… I couldn't let him die…! I couldn't let him kill Reborn…" Tsunayoshi swallowed thickly. "N-Not after… Not after you and the others…" The assassin's body shook violently as he cried, as though the dam holding back years of suppressed tears and fears were broken down. "I would do anything to save Reborn, Grandpa… and in the end… all I am now… is just a heartless murderer…!"
"Oh, Tsunayoshi…" Timoteo shook his head, gently stoking the brunet's head. "You're far from a 'heartless murderer', for if you are, you wouldn't be shedding all these tears." He lifted a hand and brushed away the tears. "Tsunayoshi… It doesn't have to end like this… The door didn't disappeared on its own… You made it disappear."
"I don't deserve…"
Timoteo shook his head again, "Tsunayoshi… You saved Reborn. You saved them. You saved Vongola."
"I also killed you. And them. And countless of people." Tsunayoshi answered quietly.
"If it happened again, I would do the same, Tsunayoshi, and so would they." Timoteo murmured. "And you didn't kill of your own will, Tsunayoshi. It was…"
"…my job." The brunet chuckled bitterly.
"Tsunayoshi… I don't want you to give up like this; not when there are still people waiting for you. You may have, in your own opinion, committed too many things in your life, but Tsunayoshi… I can tell you one thing very certainly; neither me, nor Reborn, or the others regretted meeting you. You were worth our sacrifice, Tsunayoshi, and I'll be damned if you gave up now." Timoteo spoke gently but firmly. "If you really need a reason to live, Tsunayoshi, then live by this: I don't permit you to die yet, Tsunayoshi. Live your life out to the fullest; if you have regrets, make amends. When you have done all that, and only then will I come before you again and we shall leave together."
"And don't forget, you still owe 'me' a promise, you silly idiot." She, who had been watching quietly all along, spoke up.
"Grandpa… Aria…" Tsunayoshi glanced at them with an indescribable look.
The woman smiled. "Live, Tsunayoshi, and be good."
"Tsuna, you goddamn idiot…!" Reborn snarled.
"…damned… but not… an idiot…"
The voice was small and weak, but in the silence of the room, it was clear as day. Tsunayoshi's eyes were opened, just barely, as they glanced at the hitman still hovering over him with an unfocused gaze. The sides of his lips lifted in a half-grimace, half-smile as he mumbled something barely coherent (but understood by said hitman), before his eyes felt shut once more. Shamal quickly strode over to check on Tsunayoshi.
"He's fine now. Well, there's still some wounds on his body that needs healing and there's probably still some trace amount of poison in his bloodstream, but he'll live." Shamal announced. 'Well, so as long that brat doesn't still have a death wish… the mind has a strong effect on the body, after all…'
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long, but I was terribly busy with school. This chapter was supposed to give hints about Tsunayoshi's past, but I don't think I quite succeeded with that... *sighs* Well, either ways, Tsunayoshi is finally safe/alive now!
That's all for this time, peeps! Thank you for staying with me despite my tardiness in updating. *bows* Ciao ciao~