AN: I have something important to tell you all later at the bottom of this chapter. You must all be wondering why it's so short. Even the chapter's title is short because I couldn't think of anything creative to call it. But here it is!

CHAPTER 27: ALATO, THE DYING-WILLED STALLION

"We need to get out of here. Quickly." Tsuna looked up from his simple breakfast of eggs and a bagel and blinked. Reborn looked up to solemnly stare at him. The remaining kitchen's occupants consisting of Gokudera, Reborn, Gamma, and shockingly, Hibari also present, also looked to the infant. "The Millefiore," Reborn said soberly, tapping at a file in his hand, "Are getting closer to this base. We may not have much time before they take siege here."

Gokudera asked the baby concernedly, abandoning his breakfast in favor for his question, "And? Why would they come here? There's nothing out here."

"Isn't it obvious," Reborn answered, hopping up to the table and crossing his arms, "Byakuran is trying to find Uni and Tsuna now. He's trying to gain the upper hand over Xanxus. Just think; with two royals under his control, he'd be unstoppable. Xanxus would be instantly annihilated."

The room was quiet, and Hibari's shoulders hackled defensively. "When is their estimated arrival time?"

Reborn's face soured. "I'd say, at the rate they're tearing through every house and building, it'd be awhile, but it would be tonight." Everyone stiffened, an anxious air surrounded them. They weren't ready to fight, after such an exhausting battle at Varia castle. Everyone was still just too tired. "We may need to make a plan, and get ready for their arrival." Reborn flicked his eyes to Tsuna then away, "To make sure they're not found."

Uni and Dino, walked in, having heard the gist of the news. The green-haired girl fisted her dress at its front worriedly, "Perhaps we should move to the Vongola base? After all, Tsuna's father is there..." The teen in question bit his lip, trying to keep down the instant rise of hope and failing. If he could see his dad, then...

Reborn considered this carefully. "It'd take us a whole two days to go around the path of the Millefiore, and we don't know how wide their search perimeters are. If they're as wide as I suspect, it would multiply by three. We can't afford to take six days of travel into this. Perhaps another plan."

"My horses," Dino spoke swiftly, "Perhaps they can at least get Tsuna and Uni there faster, Alato can easily make those six days into one."

The infant looked thoughtful. "Maybe. But your horse is rather a picky stallion. It may not even like Tsuna, despite he has the sky flame."

"Me and Uni can take Tsuna to the stables right now," Dino replied, "Have Alato get used to him for a bit." Tsuna's stomach felt queasy at this suggestion. He didn't like the sounds of that. Him? On a horse? It was just a master recipe of disaster. He still couldn't even ride a bike properly. Hibari may have also been thinking the same thing because he expelled a great long-suffering sigh.

"No, the herbivore would most likely die in an attempt to get on it."

"Kyoya," Dino said indignantly, "Alato would never harm anyone!"

Tsuna was once again taken aback by the casual use of Hibari's first name as the man in question let out a quiet exhale, turning his nose in the opposite direction, "I don't doubt the animal would hurt him. Tsunayoshi would just somehow conjure a rift in his occipital on pure accident."

Tsuna frowned defensively, he wasn't that stupid. But he was right though at some level, he just couldn't picture himself riding a horse, successfully, of all things. He was suddenly hit by the intense desire to prove Hibari wrong though, that he could, he wasn't useless now. "Let's do it then," Tsuna said, standing up, wiping his mouth with a napkin, "To the stables?"

Everyone looked at him as if he had just spoken another language. Those present who knew him well, like Gokudera, were shocked. Hibari, especially, looked particularly astounded. "Absolutely not." The boogie man said sternly to the teen. He turned to Reborn, expectant of the baby to back him up, "Another plan."

Reborn was quiet before shrugging, "Why not?"

There was a stiff silence as they observed the thunderous change in Hibari's expression with winces. Everyone except Tsuna, who had already anticipated this reaction. "You're not going to let him...do this?" Hibari asked, his voice hard, "Infant?"

"If Tsuna wants to do it, then who are we to deny him?" Reborn made a shooing motion at Tsuna, "Well? Get going. We don't have time to waste."

With a indifferent shrug, Tsuna left the kitchen first, followed by a nearly over-enthusiastic Dino and a politely-amused Uni. It was a given Gamma trailed after. It took a long frustrated silence until Hibari stalked after them too.

—

The stables, Tsuna realized, was not part of the Acrobaleno base. Dino explained, quite ecstatically, that the Chiavarone family was a very resourceful familiga for travel, as they specialized in raising the best mares and stallions. Their horses were faster than any car, and how that was possible, Tsuna couldn't even fathom. The older man said that because Acrobaleno had no means of transportation, the Chiavarone family provided horses. In turn, they gave them unlimited hospitality, especially since Dino was on such good terms with Uni, their own family boss.

Their odd bunch of a group was stopped several times, due to the fact that the four with Tsuna was commonly known around Giglio Nero. People constantly came up to them at every turn, offering some fresh goods for free like bread stuffed with unidentified meat glazed with exotic-looking berries. Uni greeted some of her friends, girls that were dressed similarly like herself and men crowded around Dino and Gamma with joyous claps on their backs and shakes. But even they could sense Hibari's dark mood and did not bother in pestering him too much lest they were bitten to death.

They gave him curious looks, mostly because of his clothes, but didn't give him anything past the polite nods. There were occasional people that did recognize him though, giving him wide-eyed looks and equally wide smiles, but that was it.

At loss and relatively a stranger to everyone, Tsuna was stuck standing awkwardly next to the boogie man, whose temperament hadn't calmed in the slightest. He observed the neat cobbled roads of the rag-tag market they were in, and the charming Italian-like buildings that enclosed them. Laundry was being hung by strings from window to window and on balconies made of elegantly carved stone sat potted dying-will plants.

Tsuna couldn't help but think that this place would look so much more beautiful if it was framed by the sky above them. Not the fake greyness, but the real blue sky with clouds and rain and even storms. He looked around at the people around him and thought, if he didn't do something, then all these people would just fade to gray too.

He couldn't let that happen.

"Herbivore." Tsuna turned to meet eyes with a disgruntled Hibari. The boogie man only jerked his head vaguely to the building they were standing in front of. It was a pale grey with a faded green door, also made of ceramic stones. There were chattering voices emitting from the inside, it's lights were a warm glow from the outside. "They went in."

He had spaced out and didn't realize that they were long gone. His ears felt hot at its tips. But curiously, Hibari had let him space out. He tried not to think too much into it when he walked inside. Inside was just as charming as it was on the outside, filled with quaint wooden furniture painted a modest white. It looked to be a resident housing only one occupant, he could tell, from the same sized shoes that were accumulating haphazardly on a shoe rack.

There was a person, surrounded by Dino, Uni, and Gamma. They were chatting excitedly with a familiar sandy-haired teen with striking blue eyes. He almost propelled backward into Hibari's chest in shock.

"Basil!" He exclaimed, finding it impossible to keep the delight out of his voice.

Basil turned, grinning widely at him, walking around the three and stood in front of Tsuna. They shook hands. "Sawada-dono! It's great to see you again!" Basil was no longer 'Frieda', he dressed in a suit, similar to the other men outside of town. It was strange, seeing him without a maid's uniform. He had gotten so used to it after his month or two in the castle.

"It's good to see you got out alright, did Xanxus notice at all?"

"Actually," Basil began, scratching at his nape with a shamed smile, "I sort of ran away without telling him. I bet he's furious." He could see that. Xanxus was almost like a five-year old whenever he got into one of his fits. Just much more destructive.

"What made you leave?" Tsuna asked curiously, "I thought you had something to do."

"Ah, well," Basil stumbled, eyes flicker to Hibari then back to Tsuna. "I uhm, when you were gone, my workload decreased significantly, so I left." He looked anxious.

Trying to quell the sudden awkwardness, Tsuna changed the subject, "What brings you here? I thought you'd go back to Vongola?"

Obviously relieved of this intervention, the sandy-haired teen smiled, "I'm here to bring you to see your dad. He's waiting for us to come back." Oh Tsuna knew, he thought soberly, but he couldn't go see his dad. But Basil didn't know that either. He settled with a grateful smile instead. Basil turned back to address the others, "May I inquire as to why you all are out here?"

Dino was the one to explain, "Unfortunately Basil, you've heard of the Millefiore are getting closer to Giglio Nero, yes? I don't believe we can simply use the normal way back to Vongola base lest we run into Byakuran. We're going to have to delay that. I'm letting Tsuna and Uni borrow my horse so they can get there within a day ahead of us."

Basil sobered at this information, his smile dropping worriedly, "Then what of the rest of you? Are you going to fight?"

"We're not quite sure about that yet," Uni said softly, shaking her head, "Uncle Reborn said he'll think of something."

"I can help," Basil said, "Somewhat."

With an exchanged bouts of agreement, the four, now five, headed out.

—

The stables were new-looking amidst the old town's buildings, isolated by a few block with stretches of clearly dead grass between the town and itself. It smelled clean surprisingly, other than the inescapable musk of the animals. Dino walked in, was greeted by the several stable-hands that were busy at work. They too, sent curious looks to Tsuna. "Alato is in another stable completely," Dino commented as they passed the other horses. "He's sort of a drama queen, and only lets a select few stable hands take care of him."

Tsuna really wasn't liking the sound of this horse. Gamma, equally worried for Uni's safety, "Why Alato though? Wouldn't any horse do?"

"Alato is the fastest," Dino said simply, "He'd be able to get to the Vongola base in hours, not days. And I trust him with my life." Clearly, Dino trusted him with their lives also. He turned, motioning them to the barren field of yellowed grass, "Stay here. I'll go and get him." Dino walked on ahead, striding with purpose as he ducked into the lone wooden stable. They settled on leaning against the scratchy wood of the fence that enclosed the field. Uni and he sat atop it, their feet dangling.

She kept glancing at him through the corner of her eyes, and it made Tsuna curious. He was wondering whether or not to ask her what was wrong before Dino came trotting out, atop a horse comfortably. His mouth dropped. That was the thing he and Uni was going to be riding?

For lack of a better word, it wasn't a stallion, it was a beast. This horse wasn't in the least similar to any of the ones they had seen in the stable, it was pure white and it's great majestic mane was golden, but glowing. It was sort of like, but no it couldn't be, it was...like a, "A sky flame?" Tsuna questioned incredulously.

Because he never imagined an animal could have a dying will flame.

"Everyone, this is my greatest friend, Alato." Dino called loudly from the back of the beast's back. He ran a hand down Alato's neck, reverently. "He's different from any other horse! And handsome, isn't he? I'm lucky to have him, really."

Uni was next to him was staring in wonder, also never having seen an animal with dying will flames. She was likely to ask later, but at the moment, she mirrored Tsuna's concerned expression. If it was true then, Alato truly was stubborn. He may not even accept Tsuna, not even Uni for that matter, despite they also had sky-flames.

Hibari looked obviously distressed, angry really. "The herbivore will not ride it. Neither will the princess herbivore."

"Kyoya, chill," Dino was clearly annoyed by Hibari's insistence, "You can't keep him in a bubble his whole life, you know. Alato wouldn't hurt them. You even said so earlier!" Still, there was a great amount of doubt in Hibari's middle as he watched the stallion in question snorted roughly, his sharp glowing eyes unblinkingly at Tsuna.

With a light pat to the beast's great, hulking neck, Dino slid off gracefully, smiling. He still kept a hand at the horse's side though as he waved Tsuna and Uni over. The two looked at eachother, both wearing wary glances and walked slowly together until they stopped about ten feet away. Gamma was obviously fretting from where he was, now standing erect instead of leaning against the fence. Hibari was as tense as a tight coil. "Oh don't be scared," Dino said laughing. He stepped away from Alato, walking over to Tsuna. He seized the teen's upper arm and gently guided the numb boy closer.

Tsuna looked at Uni and shared a paled stare as they drew proximity. Alato did neither blink or react, his breathing slow and even.

"Now let's get you up there," Dino said, pulling Tsuna by his hips and lifted with ease, "Get your leg over on the other side." Tsuna did so, and the muscles bunched and tightened under him. He shuddered. "There," Dino said, stepping back to admire his work from afar. He turned to look at Hibari with a gloating smile, but the boogie man still did not seem to be at ease. "See? Alato is okay with—Tsuna!"

He had only been paying attention to the exchange and noticed only far too late when it actually happened that the beast had reared his head back wildly. Tsuna gasped, his fingers clutching around Alato's neck as the great stallion let out a rough whine as loud as a gunshot, kicking his front legs out. He struggled not to fall off its back as their vertigo tilted suddenly, adrenaline rushing quickly through his blood, instinct telling him to cling on desperately.

He could vaguely hear everyone screaming at him, and suddenly, his skin was being stretched. Wind whipped at him so bad that he felt actual whip lashes, slashing against his bare hands and face. He realized then, belatedly, that he was moving. This wasn't galloping though, it was nothing like four hooves beating into the dirt ground below. For lack of a better word, it was flying. His hands began cramping, probably turned pasty white from the pressure of his grip. It was probably enough to hurt any other horse, surely, but the stallion didn't seem at all phased.

"Alato! Alato!" Dino roared, his distressed cries becoming distant background noise as they gained distance, "Alato, come back!"

They were gaining latitude, and Alato was neither listening to Dino and Tsuna looked down, regretting it instantly. They were much more than a few stories off the ground now, the onlookers were growing smaller until Tsuna couldn't see them no longer. He turned with an edge of desperation and struggled to even hear his own voice over sounds of the ear-shattering gale as he practically laid on its neck to scream in the horse's erect ears. "Stop!" Tsuna tried, but then when that didn't work he decided on repeating, "Alato!"

In response, Alato did neither slow down or stop. Instead, he started to buck.

Tsuna screamed, wrapping his legs the best he could around the monster's body, as they thrashed violently from left to right, up and down. He felt he had no control of his head or neck, as it was snapping to each direction the animal moved. He could feel his brain jostling with each drop and rise. His eyes didn't know where to look, it was all a disorientating blur of orange and gray. He settled with squeezing his eyes shut, willing deliriously the nausea and moment to pass.

He really believed he was going to die right there and then, but then he remembered.

He wasn't useless. He didn't need anyone to save him anymore. No one could save him this high. And if he didn't act now, he was either going to die a horrible death of falling or he was going to get Alato under control.

In the force of the wind slowly pushing him off the stallion's back, he reached for the familiar hotness that emitted from inside. Then, instantaneously, flames erupted from his hands. Orange flames that was not Alato's nearly blinded them both and the encouraging heat behind his eyes and head was there again. He felt safe, despite his undercurrent fear. Defiantly calm, Tsuna squeezed lightly on the muscle of Alato's neck in a firm grasp his other hand tugged his glowing mane warningly. "Alato." Tsuna reprimanded sternly.

And the stallion stilled in reply. It's muscles were tensed like a spring, waiting for more. "Take us back down," Tsuna said lowly.

Alato slowly drifted down, gently, not even close to the back-breaking speed they did on their way up. When the reached the ground close enough, the stallion's great hooves hit the dirt padded ground with a soft thump. Tsuna reveled in the feel of being on horseback, on ground of course. It was a different feeling, but a good feeling.

Alato began trotting towards the ragtag group of spectators as they ran up to meet them halfway. "Tsuna!" Dino cried, stumbling towards him, "I'm so sorry! I should've known-I didn't understand what had gotten into Alato,"

"It's fine," He told his friends, all but babbling in choruses of concern, "Alato is fine now. I believe he doesn't like the fact you let someone else on him other than you."

Ashamed, Dino ducked his head, "I'm really sorry Tsuna, I should've anticipated this. If you'd gotten hurt..."

"No," He shook his head. "It was a mistake and nothing more." They looked at him in wonder and Tsuna was slightly discomforted by their stares. "What?" He asked, voice uncertain.

They were still silent until the only girl of their group broke the silence. "No," Uni said smiling, "It's just that, you really are the Prince of Spades." At his confusion, Uni explained, "Giotto also had the ability to make his eyes like that, and use his flame without using a weapon to channel it through," She gestured vaguely, "It's no wonder Alato was rendered into being obedient. It's a sign that he respects you, I suppose."

Basil excitedly spoke, smile wide, "I've only heard small things here and there about your training during the duration of your stay in Varia castle, but this is the first time I've actually seen it! That's amazing, Sawada-dono! To think you've perfected it in such short time!" He slid off of Alato, patting the stallion's wide berth and blinked away his flame. The heat faded quickly.

Caught between embarrassment and flattery, Tsuna realized belatedly they were missing someone. "Where's Hibari-san?"

At this, they all looked up. Where was Hibari? Everyone all but expected Hibari to come down on Dino or Tsuna or even both like a great god of wrath but was momentarily confused at the man's absence. "He was right next to me. I saw him run right after you both took off," Gamma commented, "But I was sort of caught up looking at you, I don't know where he went."

He pushed down the instant panic that overwhelmed him. Where did he go? Wildly, he looked around his friends shoulders and was relieved to catch Hibari leaning against the fence with crossed arms coolly, he tried to wave at him, to assure he was back and in one piece, but the boogie man must've not seen it because he began turning to the stables. He tried to tramp down the disappointment and the fear began to fluctuate anew. Tsuna turned to the others, "We should try with Uni on," He muttered, his flame flickering back on. It wavered with his inner unease. He held onto Alato's back and pulled himself back on. He held out a hand to Uni and tried not to feel like he had just made a terrible mistake.

—

With Uni holding onto him by his back, Alato seemed to tolerate having her ride only if she was with either Dino or Tsuna. It was enough, besides, their original plan was to have both of them escape together. With Alato's speed, Tsuna was pretty sure he could go see his dad within an hour or so if he wanted to.

If he wanted to.

He tried not to let the idea entertain him too much as he and Dino walked out of the stables side by side. He was greatly relieved to see Hibari still there, waiting with the others, only much further away from their crowd than he had ever before. And as they ventured back and everyone broke into their own little conversations, he made sure to keep an discreet eye on Hibari. He contemplated on joining him but the boogie man made sure to make it rather obvious he didn't wish to speak with anyone at the moment. He distanced himself stubbornly, and his shoulders would hackle if anyone came close. Dino had already tried of course, but the best responses he could earn was little to grunts to no replies at all. Eventually Dino gave up, jogging up to speak with Tsuna instead.

He kept sending worried stares until finally, the boogie man met his line of sight.

And promptly looked away.

Tsuna decided to keep his eyes forward and his chest was tightened uncomfortably. It was like a claw was reaching in deep and was strangling an important muscle inside him like his lungs or, or his heart. He threw himself into Dino's conversation with a desperation of a drowning man, wishing for a distraction from the unimaginable hurt that followed. He wondered what he did wrong. Wondered how he could fix this. Because he didn't have time.

AN: First listen guys, I understand that you are all eager for an update. I know the feeling, the frustration of waiting. But do not threaten me. I know some of you may not have even meant it but still, do not threaten me. /shakes head/ I just-sometimes, I don't know why I bother. This isn't the first time it's happened, it happened even before my hiatus, but you know what? I thought nothing of it, I just brushed it off because I knew that you all weren't serious. But even after I updated it just kept happening. Why do you threaten me? I mean, what is it to gain for you? Faster updates? Because 'Hurry up and update or I'll KILL you and your family' will not make it come faster. Just saying.

I have deleted the reviews, but please, I just don't ever want to see something like that again.

And I'm terribly sorry. This chapter is extremely short because it became much much much too long. And I believe that Hibari's side of the story deserves an entire chapter by itself. I PROMISE THOUGH: the long-awaited Hibari and Tsuna confrontation is next chapter. A lot of loose ends are tied, I mean a lot. I'm surprised I remembered so much of it. Yes, even some 1827 stuff. Finally. Even Hibari's behavior in this chapter is explained! Again, I'm extremely sorry for the long wait!