Chapter 14: A Trip's End

Tsuna opened his eyes slowly. "A-ah..."

"Are you alright?" KT asked.

"Y-yeah..."

"What happened, Tenth!"

"Are you hurt, Boss?"

He shook his head. He got up and walked over to where TC had just awoken, and where Tsune still lie asleep. He knelt down. "Tsu-sama?"

"Yeah, kid?" He opened his eyes and sat up.

"Let's keep moving forward."

"Agreed."

AND SO, another trip ended with only so much fun a person could handle. Shopping bags were shoved into compartments and cabinets of the RV. Everybody resumed their travel antics. The low rumble of the vehicle could be heard, even over the constant chatter of the people inside. Tsuna had a very large rainbow lollypop, so large it nearly covered his entire face. He smiled at Chrome, who was sitting across from him with the girls. "You're going to like it at home, Chrome...I promise..."

She blushed slightly. Habira smiled as well. "Yo, Tsuna!" Ty slung his arms over Tsuna's shoulders. "You know, you're not half bad. You've got a kick ass bunch of friends!"

"Coming from you, punk, it's quite hard to believe you mean it," Tsune added in. Ty scoffed. "A man can change! Just hear me out. This entire trip I've noticed something about you guys. Something unexplainable by science."

"Science?"

Ty straightened up. "Yes, science. I'm top of my class in academics!"

Tsuna nodded. "It's true. I'm at the very bottom."

"Okay then, what's so off about us according to science?"

"Other than the fact that the two of you look identical...I know for a fact that you could not be Tsuna's father. Secondly, your eye color is unnatural, and not easily attained by contacts. This brings me to believe that your true eye color is being hidden. Now, with Tsuna, I've noticed a change in behavior. It may just be suspicion, or that I'm paying too much attention, but it's hard to explain without evidence."

Hibari, who was stuck inside due to rain, grunted. "Your behavior at school doesn't help your image. What is being a bully, when you have the grades to get into any college in the world?"

He shrugged. "You see, I don't really know why I chose to be a bully...to try to look cool and not nerdy? I just grew into it."

Tsune sighed. "You shouldn't have to hide what you're got, kid...if intelligence is what you have, stick with it. Don't try to prove anything to anybody that is out of your means."

"That was really nice of you to say, Tsu-sama!"

He waved his hand. "Input where it's needed."

"Oh!" Habira opened her bag and pulled out a box. "I bought some mini-cakes, and I thought I'd let you all try some!" She opened the box, and a sweet scent filled the air. She walked around offering everyone a piece. They all enjoyed it. "Here you go, Chrome-chan..." She handed her the box and its remaining contents. Chrome looked at her. "O-oh, I couldn't-"

"It's for you, to welcome you home."

The RV stopped at Nami-Middle. Everyone piled out into the fresh air. "Why are we at the middle school?"

TC waltzed out of the RC. "It's a small celebration, my friends! Fireworks display for the entire city to enjoy, and music too. The mall was an advertisement opportunity."

"Whoa, TC! Really?"

He wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "Yup."

"Hibari-san, you're okay with this?"

"Not entirely, but he promised me a duel, and you'll clean up after the fact."

"Let the party begin!"

KT turned out the bedroom light. Tsuna lie sleeping soundly. She walked out to the living room. "Hey, KT."

"Hm?"

Tsuna's other sat on the couch, arms crossed and head down. "He saw a kitten in the pet shop this morning...He really liked it. I don't know what your rules and policies are, but..."

She smiled slightly. "What happened to the heartless jackass I used to know?"

"Shut-up...I've grown up, alright? Anyway, the kitten's name is Bob."

She scratched her head and yawned. He looked at his hands, which had begun to fade away. "Time's up...back to the boring, bleak world I live in."

She waited until he had disappeared completely to go to bed.