Chapter 13: The Big Ten

There was an open white space. Both halves appeared there. Tsuna was still on his knees, but the pain was subsiding. Tsune ran up to him "Tsuna...kid, are you alright?" He knelt down to him. He nodded. "I don't know what the hell that was..."

"You have been summoned," said a female's voice. "I apologize for the pain you just went through."

"Like hell you should..." He stood up. "You almost-" He turned and stopped. "H-Hana!"

The woman smiled. Tsuna looked up. "I am sorry for leaving you prematurely, Tsu-san...but it was all necessary..."

"It was necessary? You knew you were going to die!"

She nodded and frowned. "I couldn't tell you...I realized about the time the first of the Ten died..."

"I apologize as well..." a male's voice called out from behind, and Tsuna's eyes widened. He turned his head. "Dad!"

"Hello, son...you've grown up..." He walked forward, and then knelt in front of his son. He messed with his hair. The orange X glowed on his face. "I am so proud of who you are, and who you will become."

"Dad..." tears streamed down the young boy's face. "I've missed you."

Iemitsu smiled. "I've missed you too, Tsuna."

Other figures formed in the white space. Tsuna stood next to Tsune, while Iemitsu went to join the rest of the Ten. Hana spoke up. "We are the original Ten; I am Storm."

"I am Sun; my name is Knuckle."

"I am Cloud; my name is Alaude."

"I am Thunder; my name is Lampo."

"I am Rain; my name is Asari."

"I am Mist; my name is Daemon."

"And I am Sky...your old man; Iemitsu Sawada."

"But why are we here?" Tsuna asked.

"Good question, my boy. We've summoned you in order to give you a warning: Trust only those whom your intuition sees fit, and for the others, do not give them a second glance. The evil threat resides all around you. Paranoia may be your best friend in these times. Rely on your guardians; they have sworn an oath to protect you, and they will do their job until they perish."

Tsuna shook his head. "I don't want anyone to die for me."

Hana walked up to him. She took his hands. "Would you die for them?"

"I would...they don't deserve to die for my sake..."

She gave him a motherly smile, full of warmth. "You are our sky, and we're dependent on you to carry us all through." She looked at Tsune. "Both of you..."

There was laughter, and then Tsune was tackled from behind. Two children sat on his back; they were about 14 years old. The boy leaned over to look into his father's face. "Hey, dad. Long time, no see."

His sister hit him in the back. "You're so inconsiderate, Mike! He has feelings too, you know."

"Shut up, Des!"

Hana sighed. "Children, please. Get off your father."

"Yes, mother..." They both jumped off him and stood. He got onto his knees, then stood tall. He walked up to them. "My god...you're so old..."

"Yeah, Dad, and so are you."

"Mike!"

"You're not my mom, Des!"

"He acts just like you: sarcastic."

He grabbed both kids and pulled them close. Tsuna went up to his father. "Dad..."

"Hmm?"

"Mom hates me...she thinks it's my fault...I won't ever be able to explain it to her...will I?"

"No...I actually didn't expect your mother to keep you for so long, not saying that she never loved you, but I didn't think she was capable of handling you. She proved me wrong. But I really do love you, son."

"I love you too, Dad..."

"Hey! Short kid!"

Tsuna turned his head. Micheal walked up to him. "You better not let us down! I won't tolerate anything less than perfect, got it? We've died for this."

Destiny walked up behind Mike and kicked him. "I'm sorry for my brother's rude behavior...I'm Destiny."

"A-ah, it's alright...my name's Tsuna. I do promise to do my best, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let losing your lives mean nothing..."

TC showed up at the last moment. "Finally! I've been trying to get through for EVER."

They conversed for another few minutes, sharing a few laughs along the way. The white walls started to ripple. Hana stepped forward. "The time has come for you to return to your bodies...This should not have to happen again..."

Tsuna hugged his father. "Good-bye, Dad..."

"Good-bye, son. Take care of yourself, alright?"

"I will..."

Iemitsu looked at TC. "If you do anything to my son, I swear TC-"

"Don't worry...I promise you he's in good hands, yes sir."

Tsune stood in front of his kids and Hana. "So this is it, then?"

"Cheer up, dad..."

"Mike..." Destiny sighed. "We love you, Dad...and sure, we're not with you in person, but we're always with you in spirit."

He breathed out, and it shook. "I love you guys too..."

He grabbed onto them tight. Their bodies were fading, growing transparent. Then the room disappeared, and everything went black.