Chapter 12: Shopping, Ice cream, and Pineapples (Oh Boy!)
Tsuna heard a bell ringing within his subconscious state of sleep. Both Tsuna and Tsune jolted awake after being shoved off the bed. They groaned. TC stood over them. "Get your asses up...we're going to the mall!"
"It's too early to go shopping..."
"The earlier we leave, the better. Everyone else has already piled into the RV!"
Tsuna got up, and let Tsune breathe. "Sorry Tsu-sama..."
He sat up. "It's fine..."
He stumbled into the closet, and tripped over a shoe. TC and Tsune both heard a crash as he hit the ground, pulling an entire shelf down with him. Tsune stood up and peeked inside. Tsuna was trapped underneath the shelf. "You alright, kid?"
"Y-yeah..." He pushed it off, and sat up. His other walked in and put the shelf back in place. Tsuna smiled sheepishly. Tsune put his hand out for him, and he took it graciously. He was pulled up back onto his feet. "Thanks..."
"You're welcome...we're never going to escape him, no matter how hard we try..."
"I heard that! Get ready so we can get going!"
The RV was packed. They were made to sit on the floor subject to being last inside, and having no seats left. Tsune shook his head. "I could be sleeping in right now..."
Tsuna was sleeping up against him. The girls were all seated together; KT, Habira, and Gaia. Hibari was laying on the roof of the RV. "Please, darling daughter of mine, explain to me why you let TC into your home..."
"It's not like it's always by will, mom...but he does have a responsibility for Tsuna..."
Tsune turned his head. "Gaia! I hadn't noticed you..."
She kicked him in the back of the head. "Shut up...I know perfectly well what you noticed..."
He was grinning like mad. KT hit him upside the head. "Hey! It is not injure-Tsu-time! Cripes...my hair doesn't act as a cushion, you know..."
"Your ego does..."
The guys were left to laugh at his torture. They hit a bump in the road. Gaia's foot hit the back of his head again. He looked at her. She shrugged her shoulders innocently. "Whoops...slipped."
"I'll believe that..." Tsuna grabbed onto his shirt in his sleep. He gave a warm smile and placed a hand on his back. KT hit the cushion of the seat. "Shit...I forgot his Adderall at home..."
"What does he need that for?" Josh asked. "He doesn't have ADHD, does he?"
KT sighed. "He has both ADD and ADHD...bah, I can't believe I forgot..."
"He can't be that bad, can he?"
"No...it just helps him focus."
Tsune closed his eyes, and an orange light enveloped them both that only the gods, Gaia and KT could see. The light expanded to touch everybody, and they felt calm. It dissipated, growing smaller and concentrated on the two again. He opened his eyes, and the entire dome disappeared. "That should work..."
"What did you do?" KT asked.
"I sent a calming stimulant into his body...It works like he's in a Hyper state, but he's not burning off any flame..."
The RV stopped suddenly, sending his head into a wall. "Cripes! Ow, damn that hurt!" He rubbed the side of his head. Tsuna opened his eyes, and looked up. "Are you...okay, Tsu-sama?" He yawned and his eyes watered. Tsune nodded.
"Yeah, it's alright...you can go back to sleep..."
"Okay.." He hadn't thought twice about it. He was back into slumber in no time. TC walked back.
"We..are...here!"
"Where is here, exactly?" KT asked. TC opened the RV door. They were in the parking lot of a giant mall.
"We're at the outlet! So pick up your money on your way out the door."
They all shuffled out of the RV in order, grabbing some money from TC as they went. "Hey, sorry to wake you kid...but we're at our destination..."
Tsuna opened his eyes. "Where are we?"
"The outlet mall..."
He yawned. "..okay..."
Tsune got up, and pulled him up with him.
TC, Tsuna, and Tsune walked up to the mall. Tsuna was holding onto Tsune's arm in an attempt to stay in step. The inside was warm, and the atmosphere was quiet. A few shops were open, and the food court was filled with breakfast vendors. "TC, why are we here so early?"
"Is that complaining I hear, Tsunayoshi?"
"No sir..." Tsuna shook his head. TC stopped at the directory, and started to read.
"Hmm...it's not so big on the inside...but it's worth it, I suppose..."
"Can we eat first? I'm hungry..."
"Yeah...We'll meet you up wherever, TC...I'll take the kid."
"Fine...don't have any fun..." He walked away. "You better be ready when the stores open!"
Tsuna was walking with Tsune, who had to walk slower to let Tsuna stay in step. "Tsu-sama?"
"Yeah, kid?"
"How come your flame isn't there? Are you hiding it?"
"It's a natural defense, since I can't really leave this state unless I'm asleep. It conceals itself, and my eye color changes to gold."
"Oh...Okay."
"Alright...what do you want for breakfast, Tsuna?"
He pointed to a bento box place. "They'll have everything in a box..."
They walked up to it. The girl behind the counter smiled. "Good morning...Two breakfast boxes?"
Tsune gave his best smile. "Yes, please..."
"Let me get them for you..." She walked back. Tsuna turned to look around. He saw a girl, about his age, sitting alone at a table. She seemed thin, and wasn't dressed for the cold. Her hair was indigo, and spiked up at the top, like a PINEAPPLE. He let go of Tsune's arm and walked towards her. "Tsuna..." He watched him walk away. Tsuna stopped in front of the table. "E-eh...are you alright?"
She looked up, and he noticed she was very scared, and she had an eye patch over her right eye. "I-I'm sorry for scaring you...b-but...you look like you're here all alone..."
The girl shook her head. He shifted his feet. She stared at him. "Do you at least have a jacket? It's cold outside, you know..."
She looked down. He unbuttoned his, then draped it around her shoulders. She looked up, surprised. "You can't give it back..."
She blushed slightly. "Thank...you..."
Tsune watched in awe. The girl behind the counter was watching as well. "That girl is always here...and she's always alone..."
He looked at her. "Can you get one more box for me?"
She smiled. "Absolutely...just one moment..."
He walked over to Tsuna. "Here, kid..."
"Oh! Tsu-sama, can you-"
"Already on it..."
He smiled. "Thank you, Tsu-sama..." He set his box down and sat. "What's your name?"
"Chrome...Chrome Dokuro."
"I'm Tsuna..."
Tsune sat down as well. "I'm Tsu, nice to meet you..."
The counter girl brought out another box. "Here you go, sir..."
"Thanks.." He set it in front of Chrome. "Eat up, it's good for ya..."
Both boys opened their boxes and broke their chopsticks apart. She stared at the box in front of her. Tsuna looked at her. "It's alright if you eat...we don't mind."
She looked up, and smiled. "Thank you...I-I actually am alone here..."
"We figured," Tsune said with a mouth full. "But Tsuna here can't help but help out..." He pointed with his chopstick. Chrome opened her box. She picked up the chopsticks and started to eat.
They finished their breakfast. "Ahh...That was yummy!"
Tsune gathered the boxes together. "You're right about that one, kid..."
Chrome stood up, and bowed. "Th-thank you!"
"You're welcome..." Tsuna stood up, and walked up to her. "I do mean it, keep my jacket."
She nodded. "I will..."
"O-oh if you don't have anywhere to be...you can walk with us..."
"N-no, it's alright..." She stepped back, and slipped. Tsuna caught her arm. The "X" on his palm started to glow, and a "VIII" appeared in indigo on her arm. An "X" also started to glow on Tsune's cheek.
KT noticed her number "I" start to glow. Gokudera's "IX" started to as well. Hibari noticed a purple glow from inside his coat, and he moved the sleeve up to see the number "V" glowing on his forearm.
Chrome kept her eyes on Tsuna. "B-boss..."
The glow went away, and the numbers disappeared. He heard footsteps from behind. "Tenth!" Gokudera ran up. "Tenth! Are you alright?"
"I'm okay..."
The others that had numbers appeared in the food court with them. "Tsuna...you called?"
Hibari walked over, and up to TC. "You expect me to protect that herbivore?"
"With your life..."
"Hn..." He crossed his arms, then looked at Tsuna.
"W-what exactly are your elements?" He asked. They all exposed their forearms, the numbers exposing themselves again. "I am the user of Nature..." (KT)
"Cloud..." (Hibari)
"I'm a Mist user..." (Chrome)
"Storm!" (Gokudera)
"And I am 'The Will of the Universe', the starter of it all..." (TC)
"Who are the other 5?"
"Well..I don't know specifics...I know we're missing Rain, Sun and Thunder..." TC said. "As for you two...you both share the Sky Element."
"Tsuna, where's your coat?"
"I-I gave it to Chrome...she doesn't have one..."
"I can give it back, Boss..."
Tsuna shook his head. "I don't need it...you do."
"I can get you a new one..." KT pointed to a clothing store that was just opening. "Or I can get one for Chrome."
Chrome shook her head. "I don't need you to spend money on me...really, it's alright..."
"Anno..Chrome, do you have a place to stay?"
"N-no, Boss...but I'll be-"
"KT..." The young boy pleaded with his eyes. KT looked at Chrome.
"Tsuna..." she gave a sigh, then smiled. "Why not...You're welcome in our home, Chrome..."
The girl blushed and then bowed. "Thank you...I don't want to be a burden..."
TC grabbed Tsuna's shoulder. "It's shopping time, Tsunayoshi! Come, let us depart from the others, and go on a journey!"
He started to drag Tsuna away. Tsune sighed and followed.
"Where to first!"
Tsuna was clinging onto Tsune's arm again. "Are you alright, kid?"
"Mhm...I'm just holding on so I don't get left behind..."
"Well there's a good chance if that happened, one of our other attendees would find you."
"That's what I'm afraid of..." Thoughts of CT finding him alone rushed through his head, and he shuddered. Tsune patted his head.
"You won't get lost..."
He held onto Tsune's arm tighter. TC was looking about. "What's a good place to start? Ooh what about the toy store? There's bound to be a whole bunch of things to do in there!" He pointed to a store that was opening. "As long as we get there before all the little kids do, we'll be absolutely fine."
"I can guarantee you that most little kids are sleeping right now, not complaining to their parents that they want to go to the toy store."
TC gave him a look that sent a shiver down his spine. "You wanna run that by me again, Tsu-senpai? You remember what happened the last time you smart mouthed to me..."
Tsune looked at the ceiling. "I didn't say anything..."
Tsuna laughed. "What happened? Can you tell me?"
TC put his arm around his shoulder. "Why yes! Let us journey back in time and explore this story in detail..."
~Flashback~
TC and Tsune were sitting at a table, watching Gaia cook. "It's very nice of you to cook for us, Mrs. Gaia...It smells so good!"
The young Tsune liked to eat, especially food that was made correctly. "I don't understand how you do it! You just throw together a few ingredients, but it tastes like heaven!"
TC coughed. "Tastes more like dirt..." he said under his breath. He felt her foot meet the back of his head. "You can always go eat in the dog house..."
"We don't have a dog, so ha!"
She pointed to Tsune. "Well..."
"Eh...good point."
"I'm not a dog!" He crossed his arms. Gaia started to pull on his spiky hair.
"Yeah you are! You've got little ears..."
"Quit messing with my hair!"
The older woman stopped, and then laughed aloud. She went back to her cooking.
(Years later)
TC and Tsune were sitting in the park after training. "So, TC...did you ever figure out how Gaia did it?"
"Did what?"
"Her amazing cooking...Did you ever figure it out?"
TC rubbed his chin. "Actually...I didn't, but we can always try to duplicate it."
The young man shook his head. "No thanks, I've got a date tonight with Hana."
"You're pushing me aside for a woman! I knew you were cheating on me!"
An elderly couple walking by eyed them. "As much as I would love to be around for a nuclear explosion, I just don't have the will to go through it. And beside that fact, you can't cook."
"OH YEAH? You're right...But! Perhaps if I do it correctly, it will all come together like it's supposed to. Isn't it worth a shot?"
Tsune had already walked away. TC ran up to him. "Come on! What's a student of mine that can't stomach a little bit of my cooking?"
"I can, but I'm being completely honest with you, TC...I've got a date, and I really don't want to help you blow up."
"Fine! But you will regret this! REGRET IT."
Tsune sat with Hana in the dining room. "You said you were Italian, right? This surely proves it..."
"It's just baked Macaroni, Hana..."
"But it's delicious!"
He sighed. "Thanks..."
"What's wrong? You don't seem very happy tonight..."
"Hm? Oh, nothing's wrong."
"You're sure? Because usually you don't sigh, or sound this gloomy."
"It's because, naturally, he misses me!" TC appeared walking out of the kitchen.
"TC...must you always turn up?"
He hit him on the head. "That is no way to talk to your teacher! Honestly, do you talk to your girlfriend that way, hm?"
"Mr. TC...are you going to join us for dinner? At least, you should if you want to continue to hit Tsu-san in the head."
"Sure! Why not...let me go put something together real fast." He ran off into the kitchen. Tsune shook his head.
"We're doomed..."
He returned minutes later with a large pan. "Soup's on! You're going to try it first, Tsu-senpai!"
"No thanks..."
TC's expression went dark. "Well, why not?"
"I explained to you before, I really don't want to. You can't cook. You suck at cooking."
Hana frowned. "That wasn't very polite, Tsu-san..."
"Wasn't polite? How else can I say that? I'm not going to sit here and be bitched at because I told the truth..."
TC smiled, an evil smile that sent a chill down his back. Oh shit...I'm screwed. "Well Tsu-senpai...you have left me with no other options. I guess I'm going to have to force it down your throat."
Tsune pushed his chair back slightly. "Come on! I'm not a child, TC. I'm 18 years old, damnit! Can't I have some freedom?"
"OPEN WIDE!"
"AH NO!"
Hana watched him be attacked by a deranged TC, getting a spoonful of torture get shoved down his throat. It had lasted about 15 minutes before TC left in a huff, and Tsune was writhing on the ground. She got up and went up to him. "You kind of deserved it...though, his method was a little over-the-top..."
"Hana...I need you to do me a favor..."
She snapped out of her mad trance, and reverted to her normal self. "Anything!"
"I'm going to need you to get...pain killers and water, a bucket, and possibly for you to stay with me tonight, I might need to go to the hospital..."
~End flashback~
Tsuna was staring at TC. "Yep...good times...but hey, it taught dumber here to keep his mouth shut when it comes to my cooking."
Tsuna walked into the toy store. Thousands of toys lined the walls on shelves. "Whoa...so many things..." The older men walked in behind him.
"Yes, Tsunayoshi...this is a toy store, where all the little annoying bastard's dreams come true."
"Question...why do you hate kids so much?"
Both men's eyes twitched. "You wouldn't understand, kid..."
"Go run around for a while, Tsunayoshi...I've got some things to do..." He disappeared with an evil smirk across his face. Tsuna squeaked.
"Can you at least try to tell me the story? I really do like listening..."
"Maybe later...alright? There are some things that need to be explained to you before hand...I know you have questions."
"Okay...well, can you tell me how you and Hana met?"
"I suppose..." He started walking down an isle. "I might get a little caught up in it though..."
Tsuna smiled. "I don't mind...I'm sure we have a while..."
"Well...Hana was...er, well...Hana..." He sighed. "In the beginning, I used to think she was a total freak."
"Why?"
"I met her one summer day in the middle of town."
~Flashback~
(One summer day in the middle of town)
Tsune stood at a street corner, waiting to cross. From behind him, a woman of the age of 19 tapped his shoulder. He turned his head slightly. "Excuse me..." she said politely. He fully turned to face her.
"Yeah? Hey, I'm sorry but I don't have anything to give."
She shook her head. "I'm not asking you for anything..." She held out her hand, and in it was a dog tag. He looked at his chain.
"Where'd you get that!"
"I found it in the park..."
He thought for a moment. "Wait! How'd you know it belongs to me!"
The "walk" signal blinked. She took his hand and pulled him onto the crosswalk. "Well, if you must know...I've been watching your training sessions for 5 years now...I know who you really are..."
He ripped his hand away from her. "You've stalked me for 5 years!"
"It's not stalking...I was just watching you, and I knew where you were and when your training sessions took place...but other than that, it's not stalking...really."
They reached the other side of the street, and walked down the sidewalk. He pushed her into an ally. The flame revealed itself, and his eye color reverted to orange and yellow. "Who are you? Why are you watching me..."
She kept a straight face. "I'm sorry for not formally introducing myself." She bowed slightly. "I'm Hana. I'm sure that the 'Big Ten' has been mentioned to you before?"
"...yes..."
"Well, I'm a Storm user. I'm your Second-In-Command...at least, until your little self is ready to start his training...But I must protect you in order to protect him."
He grumbled. "You seem to know your stuff, but how can I trust you..."
She grabbed his hand, and slid a ring onto his finger. "I was told to give this to you..."
His flame disappeared, and his eyes reverted to gold. He stared at her. "This is what you need to use when you have to be in public...it takes all your flame and stores it. Unlike with what you've been doing, you lose flame while trying to conceal it."
"Why didn't you come to me earlier, then?"
"I wasn't allowed to reveal myself to you until now...I was under very strict orders. I wasn't allowed to interfere with your training."
He gave a long sigh. "Well, thanks anyway..." He turned around to face the opening of the ally. She grabbed his hand.
"W-wait! Now that you know who I am, I can't leave you alone..."
"Sure you can...I've been fine on my own, and I always will..." He pulled his hand away. "But thanks for the offer."
"You don't understand! If something happens and I'm not there to protect you, both worlds will be swallowed by darkness!"
"What are you trying to say here, that you're going to have to live with me?"
"Well, no..." she said, shaking her head. "You're going to have to come live with me. You see, my home used to be the home of the original Ten. But they've all been killed, and I'm alone. My house is fairly large, you don't have to be all that close to me."
"Just my luck, isn't it? I finally turn 16, thinking I was going to have some kind of freedom, but I come to find out that I need yet another babysitter...damnit..."
She frowned. "I'm sorry." She bowed. He looked away, then looked back with a sigh.
"Whatever...I guess you're just going to have to stalk me home, unless you already have..."
She smiled slightly. "I told you, it's not 'stalking'. It's just watching..."
"Yeah, yeah...let's go..."
~End of Flashback~
Tsuna was sitting on a large ball. "So, you moved in with her? But, how did you guys fall in love?"
"It was gradual, after the fact that I hated being watched. I just got used to her, and it went from there. She never admitted that she had admired me for a long time, even before we started to date. But, I knew. We got married in the summer of '98...and she died in the summer of '07...around the time of our anniversary..."
Tsuna grabbed a box from the shelf. "Whoa...I remember playing with these when I was little..."
"What are they?"
"Legos...they're just colorful blocks that you can put together...they come in sets that you create..."
Tsune sat on the floor. "Could you show me?"
"We've got to buy the box first, Tsu-sama..."
His other got up, grabbed the box, then walked to the check out. Tsuna laughed slightly. He walked back. "There, I bought it. Now show me."
He opened the box and poured out its contents. He held up a book. "This has the directions for building the machine...you just follow them."
"Sounds easy enough."
[5 minute lapse]
"Why won't this piece fit!"
"Because you're not following the directions..."
"I am. It said to put-ooh." TC appeared at the end of the isle.
"Alright you guys-What the hell are you doing?"
"Building Legos..."
He gave a long sigh. "I'm finished here, let's go."
Tsune threw everything in to the box. "Yeah, I'm bored."
TC slapped him upside the head. "Get a hold of yourself, man!"
"Trust me, sanity is the last thing I'd ever get back..."
They walked from the Toy Store. "So, where are we going next, TC?"
"Some place far away from that toy store..."
"Oh no, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything! I merely altered a few wires in the toys to make them explode when they're played with, nothing big-OOH a pet store!" He grabbed Tsuna's hand and dragged him in. "T-TC!"
"Go look at the kitties or something, I have to ask this guy a question..." He walked away. Tsuna rubbed his wrist and walked up to the cages. The kittens mewed. "They're so small..."
"They are only babies, after all..."
"Do you like cats, Tsu-sama?"
"They're okay, though I'd prefer a dog to a cat." He crouched down and rubbed one of the kitten's heads with his index finger. "But you're right, they are kind of small...I could probably hold one in the palm of my hand."
Tsuna nodded. One kitten made its way to the cage door. It's eyes were different colors; one gold and one blue. He felt an instant connection with the cat when he looked into its eyes. "I want this kitty..."
"You're serious?"
"Mhm...I don't know, I just feel connected to it somehow."
A worker walked up behind them. "Yeah, most the people that come here and see him say the same thing, but they all think he's a devil's cat or something."
~I know the devil...~ "I don't believe that..."
"Would you like to hold him?"
He nodded. The girl opened the cage and took the kitten out, and handed it to Tsuna. The little creature was purring, vibrating its entire body in the process. He giggled. "Does he have a name?"
"Bob."
"Would Kera-Taka let you have a cat?"
Tsuna frowned. He handed Bob back to the worker. "I don't know..."
"Tsunayoshi! Guess. What."
"Wh-"
"I GOT A LIGER."
"A...Liger?"
"Yes. A Liger. His name is Fluffy." He held up a box with holes in it. "He's just a little thing but one day soon he will grow up into a VICIOUS CHILD EATING LIGER."
He gave a maniacal laugh. "Let's move on! I want some ice cream! I saw an ice cream place down thataway."
Tsuna couldn't help but feel bad. He kept his emotions hidden, he knew if he were to show it he would be questioned by his other, only to admit he was acting childish. He didn't want to admit it, and he felt guilty. TC asked them what they wanted, then walked inside. Tsuna leaned against the railing, looking down at the crowd of people forming on the bottom floor. "You seem to forget that I don't need to look at your face to know what you're thinking..."
"I don't mean to be so selfish..."
"It's perfectly understandable..." He leaned on the railing next to him. "But don't bottle up your emotions and make yourself feel guilty for it...expressing emotion is being human."
He gave his other a slight look, full of emotion. "It's so hard..."
"Hey! I have ice cream!" He shoved the cones in his face. "Take it, it is really fucking COLD."
Tsuna took it. "Thank you, TC..."
"Just shut up and eat it..."
Tsuna nodded. He spotted KT, Habira, and Chrome walking in their direction. "Hey guys!" He waved. "Do you want ice cream too?"
TC crossed his arms. "NO. They can get their own ice cream."
KT grumbled. "You're such an asshole..."
"Me? I don't want to pay another $4 a person for ice cream!"
She sighed. "Plus, it probably wasn't a good idea to give Tsuna ice cream since he doesn't have his medication."
"Ooh...that's right...I didn't take those this morning..."
KT crossed her arms. "You and your ego aren't eating an ice cream a piece?"
"Uh, thank you very much, but my ego and I aren't very hungry. Wouldn't want to destroy this perfect look..."
"You're an ass too..."
"You've never been innocent, have you?" His comment prompted a slap from KT, which he dodged, laughing.
"Kera-Taka, I'm going to take Chrome-chan to the clothing store..."
"Go ahead...I have some business here anyway..."
"Goodbye! See you later Tsuna-san!" She ran off, with Chrome in tow. Tsuna waved slightly. KT and Tsune were bickering, with TC throwing in random words to make them yell at him. Tsuna sighed. ~They all seem so normal...Do I seem normal too?~ "Eh...KT, TC...Tsu-" He felt a sharp pain throb in his head. He looked up and noticed that his other felt it too. He felt it grow, and worsen. He dropped to his knees and dropped his ice cream, only to put both of his hands to his head. "Sh-shit..."
"Tsuna.." KT was instantly by his side. She looked at TC, who had his eyes closed. All the numbers of the Big Ten who were present started to glow. "Can't you stop it! Do something, Dad, it's hurting them!"
"I'm trying...their minds are being blocked off, I can't break through the wall!" Tsune collapsed to his knees.
"G-god damnit...what's happening..."
Then both the halves saw nothing but white.