Hungry for Tsuna
A Katekyo Hitman Reborn Fanfiction
Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn is not owned by me and if it did, I wouldn't be a penniless student.
Edited by Mithras151 : June 28, 2009
Chapter Twelve: Gokudera the Devoted
Favorite Quote from Chapter Twelve: "This is not a shojo manga!"
Tsuna sighed to himself. He had no idea what had gotten into Hibari the other night. The prefect had decided to go on an attack-anyone-on-sight spree. Sadly, Ryohei and Yamamoto had both fallen victim to the Skylark's metal tonfas. And it seemed as if the baseball obsessed jock, Hibari's main target, was bashed the hardest. Miraculously, Gokudera had managed to get away from the prefect, making his escape by leaving the building and leaping through an open window. Currently, Tsuna was checking on both Ryohei and Yamamoto, feeling very responsible for their misfortune. Ryohei had been clunked on the head a few times, but luckily he hadn't suffered any brain damage (Although, Gokudera would beg to differ). Besides the threat of brain damage, Ryohei had a few bruises and cuts that would heal with time. Yamamoto, on the other hand, had several broken ribs, a fractured collarbone (However, anything that could ruin his baseball career had been protected by the jock or from Tsuna's morbid outlook, spared by the prefect). And the baseball fanatic had his own share of war wounds. Tsuna took full responsibility for Yamamoto's injuries since it was his careless wording that caused Hibari to go after the jock in the first place. Even now, Tsuna couldn't figure out what was it he had said that could have made Hibari so angry at Yamamoto.
"I'm so sorry, guys." Tsuna apologized for the thousandth time.
"It's alright, Sawada, I'll make an extreme recovery." The fiery boxer declared intensely. Despite his condition, Ryohei didn't assure Tsuna that he would get better quickly because he was so fired up; rather he didn't want Tsuna to be sorry for something that was not his fault. He had been going to this school for a year longer than Tsuna, Yamamoto and Gokudera and from experience he knew that Hibari was very unpredictable with his attacks. It wasn't the first time he had been beaten by those tonfas, and there was even a period where he had provoked Hibari to hit him…at least that was the prefect's response to Ryohei, who constantly asked the disciplinarian to join the boxing club. Even now, the boxer still believed that Hibari needed to join his club.
"Ryohei is right. It's nothing too serious. We should be back on our feet in no time." The baseball athlete comforted Tsuna.
Tsuna knew that his friends weren't blaming him for what had happened, but he still was worried for them. It wasn't everyday that your friends get injured by a tonfa-wielding maniac…oh wait apparently at Namimori, that did happen often. "But you're both athletes. Isn't it a big deal when you get hurt?"
"Well, yeah but if we allowed scratches like these to stop us then we wouldn't be such good players." Yamamoto said coolly.
You call broken bone a few scratches?! The freshman thought to himself. "Those are not scratches."
"Tsuna…it's okay." The jock said sternly.
Tsuna looked to Yamamoto when he said this, and by the tone of the other's voice, he knew that Yamamoto didn't want him to worry about it any further. So he just quietly stopped worrying out loud; however, his mind was exploding with concerns. His eyes met with the chocolate eyes of the calm athlete and his mental faculties completely stopped. Tsuna started to feel incredibly shy under Yamamoto's gaze. For some reason, he couldn't look at the baseball jock too long before he had look away in a sudden spell of embarrassment. No longer could Tsuna view Yamamoto as just his friend; he was a friend that kissed him. And although the jock played it off as an impulse, Tsuna had a feeling that there was something more to it. Yet, the innocent boy could not fathom the reason for the jock's actions. Even thinking that Yamamoto, or anyone who had kissed him, could actually like him was beyond his understanding. Tsuna was as clueless as ever, but to Yamamoto, Tsuna's embarrassment was not a total lost actually it made him even more confident. It was proof to the jock that his kiss had not been forgotten and every time Tsuna looked in his direction, the brunette would be reminded of that intimate moment that they had shared. Yamamoto had every reason to feel damn good about himself.
"Where's Octopus-Head?" Ryohei inquired, waking Tsuna out of his awkwardness.
Tsuna shook his head not knowing the answer to Ryohei's question. "I'm not sure."
"Well, that's weird." Yamamoto commented. Gokudera was like Tsuna's attack dog. He was always around Tsuna, and it was kind of weird that the bomber was not present. "Maybe, he's studying or something."
"I guess so…" Tsuna sighed, he considered the possibility, but he never really saw Gokudera study. Sometimes the silver haired teenager would be seen reading a book but he never did any of those activities while in Tsuna's presence in order to ensure that the brunette had his full and undivided attention. Tsuna just hoped his loyal friend wasn't doing anything reckless. Although it didn't seem like it, Tsuna did look out for Gokudera as well. The brunette was the first to stop Gokudera from using his dynamite or to try to calm him down when he'd been riled up. Tsuna believed that even the one who swore to protect, needed to be protected too.
He just needed one…just one. He had been trying to quit, but the habit always got the better of him. The calming poison of a good cigarette was too good of an idea to pass up. Although, it was against the rules to smoke on school grounds, the bomber always kept a pack on him. No one knew that he smoked because he had temporarily quit, thinking that the tenth would denounce him for his toxic habit. Sometimes in his room or in the bathroom, he would stand by the window just to sneak in a few puffs. However, today he had a very good reason for craving the tobacco. The silver haired terrorist had taken refuge on the 5th floor lounge of the Sky dorm. It was the middle of the day so people usually didn't use the lounges until later. Here, he would be left undisturbed with his "saving grace". As the bomber sucked the poisonous air into his lungs and exhaled it out, he brooded over his reason for solitude.
He had overheard Tsuna explain to Hibari why his uniform had gotten so dirty and he could understand why the prefect had gone ballistic. Although, his reasons were not as primal as the disciplinarian's, the bomber still felt that Tsuna had been tainted by the baseball idiot. He did not know the full details of what had happened but Yamamoto was a man, and Gokudera didn't need to guess. The baseball nut acted like he was stupid most of time, but the bomber knew that he was as sly as fox waiting to swoop in on his unsuspecting prey. In the name of Tsuna's virtue, Gokudera had almost been about to march to the baseball field with Hibari, if he hadn't escaped from discipliner's clutches previously.
Yet, the bomber felt he needed to be wary of the prefect as well. The way he reacted when Ryohei mentioned that they were waiting for Tsuna and the glare in his eye at hearing what Yamamoto had done was the look of a possessive man. Hibari was after Tsuna in his own way, but Gokudera had to admit that the dark haired prefect was a better protector to Tsuna than himself. Gokudera admired the prefect for his strength, fearlessness and his indifference to how possessive he came off to the brunette. Gokudera didn't have those qualities; after all, he didn't have the guts to tell the tenth that he liked him. He bet that Hibari would have no problem at doing that, or maybe if it came down to it, he wouldn't even have to utter a word, his feelings would get across to Tsuna.
The silver haired terrorist sighed as a stream of smoke escaped his body, dispersing into the atmosphere. The bomber knew that at this very moment, Tsuna was with Yamamoto and Ryohei in the infirmary. While Gokudera knew this, he didn't go to the brunette. It would be very hard to compete against sick people because sympathy would always overrule right or wrong. So he just stayed here, pondering his next move or rather his first move. Yet, nothing came to mind. He wasn't good at these sorts of things.
Gokudera just wasn't a people person, mostly because he made himself not be a people person. After finding out the truth of his mother's death, he had totally closed his heart to everything and everyone…even to himself. He had never trusted in anyone and he had made sure people never trusted in him. He grew up understanding that life was expendable and that it could be taken at any time. Gokudera was okay with this bitter fact. His mother's life had been expendable, and so it was only naturally that he felt that his own existence was also superfluous. Why should he care about his own life if someone was going to throw it away as if it wasn't worth shit? Why care?
The bomber had thought that way for a very long time until he met the tenth. He was the first person who actually showed he cared, or had at least shown Gokudera some compassion when he was about to get beaten by Hibari. Even if it was a small thing, it meant a lot to Gokudera. Tsuna had validated his life and that was the reason why he gladly followed Tsuna. To ensure the meaning of his own life, he had to protect Tsuna's life at all costs. Along the way, he had found himself falling in love with the brunette. Being in the small boy's presence made him so happy and he couldn't remember what it meant to be so content with life. He felt as if he was engulfed in harmonious warmth; everything seemed sweet and beautiful around Tsuna. And that's why he always barked at people who dared to inhabit his world, in an effort to preserve this small paradise with Tsuna.
Gokudera sighed, losing the urge to smoke his cigarette and he slowly smothered its flame by rubbing the butt of the cig on a hard surface. He was starting to get depressed again, but he didn't have the time to suffocate in his foul mood. The swipe of a white lab coat yards away gained his attention. The bomber eyes looked to the figure with the lab coat, his eyes widening upon seeing the distant figure.
"What is that bastard doing here?!" He said, jumping up from his place and glaring at the visitor. This was a person that Gokudera knew very well, and it was a surprise for Gokudera seeing him here in Japan, and at a selective boarding school to boot. The bomber was kind of glad to see him after such a long period of time, but that feeling was short lived. Suddenly, Gokudera remembered the reason why they had not seen each other for such a long time and any remnant of glee at seeing his old friend was overtaken by the newfound emotion of resentment. He followed the figure with his eyes in an attempt to make out where he was headed. He seemed to be headed in his direction, to the Sky dorms, and from this deduction Gokudera believed that his destination was the infirmary. Then he remembered that Tsuna and those idiot jocks were there. "Shit!" He cursed as he began to race to the infirmary.
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Tsuna said his good byes to Yamamoto and Ryohei in addition to giving his word that he would come and visit them again. The brunette was still worried about their injuries, but he was equally worried about Gokudera. It was odd for the silver haired bomber to be away for such long stretches of time. Usually, Gokudera's protectiveness was a huge nuisance to him, but Tsuna felt like the universe was out whack without it. It had been such a normal thing to always have Gokudera by him, and having that now familiar presence gone left Tsuna feeling empty. So he decided that he would look for his silver haired guardian. The brunette's mind occupied as he walked down the halls, he bumped into someone out of sheer absentmindedness.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking at where I was going," Tsuna apologized as he jumped back a step or two from the person he had run into. His large eyes slowly looked up to see if the individual was upset about their collision. Tsuna was ready to take full responsibility for his insolence, but was surprised to see a very lecherous smile across the older man's face. The older man looked as if he was around his mid-30s, but the man's five o' clock shadow made him look a tad older. His skin was tan, his eyes a chocolate brown, and his hair was an even darker tint of earthy brown than his eyes. The man's hair was styled in a shaggy fashion similar to Gokudera's, and he wore a white lab coat on top of a black button down shirt, gray slacks and dark dress shoes. His red tie hung around his neck loose and his black shirt was left opened at the collar. Tsuna eyed the gold chain that hung within the inside of his shirt and the golden rings on his fingers, each one holding a different place in an assortment of precious jewels. The brunette was beginning to think that this foreigner was part of some international crime syndicate, either that, or he was some kind of a drug dealer. And yet, although he assumed the stranger was involved in some rather illegal activities, he didn't feel a bad vibe from him.
Tsuna watched as the mysterious man rubbed at his scruffy chin as he gazed at him with a debauched leer. He then said smoothly, "I didn't think there would be a flower in this place."
"A flower?" Tsuna questioned, confused by the older man's statement.
The man took a subsequent step toward Tsuna and without invitation placed his large hands firmly on Tsuna's chest. The brunette tensed, as the mysterious began to fondle him, trying to grasp something that apparently should have been there. Tsuna couldn't believe this was happening. "And you're a late bloomer, too. But its okay…you'll soon get them." The man commented.
"Can I ask you why you are touching my chest?!" The freshman shrieked.
The man looked up at Tsuna as if that was a weird question to ask but he answered anyway. "Because you're a pretty girl."
Tsuna pushed the other's hands away from him and covered the recently violated area with his school bag. He then argued, "No, I'm a boy."
"Oh I see." Was the seemingly promising statement of the older man. He observed as the man seemed like he was working up an apology but instead, Tsuna got something else. "I know how these things go. You've infiltrated this all boy's school by pretending to be a boy to get closer to your crush. Don't worry; I'll keep your secret safe."
This is not a shojo manga! Tsuna yelled in his head, trying to keep himself from tearing his hair out. "I don't know what you are talking about but I really am a boy."
"You can't fool me. You're large eyes, petite figure and your soft voice. I know a girl when I see one." He pointed at every one of Tsuna's feminine features as he said this.
I get my features from my mother, I can't help that! The brunette mentally defended himself. However, the same kind of courage did not reflect in his words. "But even so…"
"If a girl goes through such lengths for a guy then she must be really special. How about a kiss?" The stranger totally ignored his feeble attempt to defend himself. The foreigner's arm wrapping around his small waist and leaning in to his face as Tsuna tried to figure everything out. Although the foreigner was speaking near perfect Japanese it was like French to him; this man wasn't making any kind of sense. Before the man managed to get too close, Tsuna's reflexes kicked in and he pushed the older man roughly away from his person as he turned and sprinted down the hall.
"Sorry…I have to be leaving now." Tsuna apologized as he ran as far away as he could from this strange man.
The foreigner was not at all discouraged by the brunette actions. Actually, it was more of an incentive for him to continue his advances. He was convinced that Tsuna was just being a shy girl. After all, what girl wouldn't be shy at the sight of him? Sometimes he was too much man for some girls. So he ran after Tsuna, as it wasn't everyday that one met such a beautiful girl. "Don't be shy!"
"Please stay away! I'm not what you think I am!" Tsuna yelled back at his pursuer.
"Tenth!" Tsuna heard a familiar voice coming from ahead of him. At the end of the hallway was his silver haired guardian. The brunette felt so immensely happy to see Gokudera, not only because he was being chased, but also because now he knew that his friend was fine. He happily ran up to his friend, knowing that he would save him and end things.
"Gokudera-san!" The freshman exclaimed brightly.
The bomber questioned, "Are you alright, tenth?"
Tsuna shook his head as he caught his breath and then he explained what was troubling him. "There's a man who's chasing me."
"Shamal! That bastard!" Gokudera sneered. He then looked to Tsuna, tenderly trying to comfort the tenth. He could only imagine how traumatizing it had been to be chased after by such an ugly asshole like Shamal. Here, though, he could prove to the tenth how much better he was than anyone else. If he could get rid of this one obstacle for Tsuna, then he could be sure that Tsuna's eyes would always be on him. "It's alright, tenth. I'm here now."
"You know him?" asked Tsuna as he looked to the bomber. Then he realized something about Gokudera that was very similar to the foreigner. Well…now that I think of it. They do have the same hairstyles.
"Chuu~n!" Tsuna jumped at the disgusting sound that Shamal made as he managed to catch up to them. The brunette's view of his pursuer was then blocked by Gokudera's body, which stood in front of him like a shield.
"Shamal, what the hell are you doing?!" The bomber barked at the doctor.
As if waking up from a dream, Shamal stopped his love struck chase and recognized Gokudera. "Oh, Hayato…you go to this school? You're sister didn't mention anything about it."
Sister? Tsuna thought to himself at Shamal's mentioning of Gokudera's relative.
"That's beside the point! Stop bothering the tenth!" growled the Silver haired freshman.
"Tenth? That's a weird name…"Shamal observed.
The small brunette then peeked from around Gokudera's shoulder and informed Shamal of his true name. Since, Gokudera knew him and he had some relation to his family then it should be okay to introduce himself. "Actually, that's Gokudera's nickname for me. My name is Sawada Tsunayoshi but you can call me Tsuna. Nice to meet you."
"Pleasure to meet you as well. I'm Dr. Shamal." The doctor greeted back.
"Tenth, don't greet the pervert." Gokudera warned.
Tsuna blushed, knowing that he shouldn't make acquaintances with molesters. "Oh sorry."
Gokudera turned back to the foreigner. "Shamal, stay away from the tenth. And don't you prefer girls anyway?!"
"Isn't she one?" The doctor said as he pointed at Tsuna from behind Gokudera's back. He was convinced that Tsuna was a female and no one could tell him otherwise.
"No!" Gokudera roared.
Shamal raised an eyebrow. It was so strange to him that no one else had noticed that Tsuna was a girl, but then again, Gokudera wasn't the brightest tool in the tool shed when it came to the opposite sex. Now, he proposed that Gokudera had been fooled by Tsuna since that was the only logical conclusion he could make. "So, she's fooled you too, eh?"
"What the fuck?!" Gokudera barked perplexedly. He had no idea what Shamal was talking about, but he felt his words were insulting to the tenth. Sure, Tsuna had some beautiful features, but that didn't make him any less of a man. The tenth was actually a pretty attractive man, but to call him a girl was going too far. In order to protect Tsuna's honor Gokudera had to make Shamal eat his words. His hands slid into his pockets and he pulled out a few sticks of dynamite and declared, "For ridiculing the tenth, I'll make you disappear."
"That's big talk coming from some snotty-nosed brat I used to know. Have you forgotten who I am?" Shamal huffed at the bomber's threat.
"I don't give a shit about who you are! And I'm not the same brat you knew! I'll prove it!" Gokudera roared with resolve. But no matter how enthusiastic he was in protecting Tsuna, it was no use. As Gokudera went to light his dynamite, a mosquito with a trident as its nose sunk its teeth into him and the virus that it contained in its small body began to take effect. The bomber's vision began to blur and he began to feel disoriented. He collapsed to his knees from the battle that was stirring within his body. His immune system was trying to fight off the virus but was being overpowered.
"Nope. You're the same." Shamal said as he watched his previous pupil fall to his side roughly.
"Gokudera-san!" Tsuna screamed as he watched his friend mysteriously grow ill. He came to aid of his fallen friend, placing his hand on the boy's forehead. The brunette recoiled as he realized that Gokudera's forehead was scorching hot. The boy's skin color changed to flaming hot red. Tsuna looked up from the ailing Gokudera to Shamal. "What did you do to him?"
Shamal pointed to the small mosquito that was hovering over Tsuna's head and he explained, "That mosquito gave him the 'seven minutes in hell' disease. It's an incurable disease that raises your temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. He's only got seven minutes to live."
Tsuna took in everything. To hear that his friend was going to die from an incurable disease in seven minutes was horrifying. Tsuna didn't want to see his friend die. His mind raced but he tried his best to stay calm. He took a deep breath to clear his mind. If Shamal was the one who gave Gokudera the virus then the doctor had to know some knowledge on how to cure him. "What can I do to stop it?"
"Well, I have the antidote but it'll be a complete waste of time. That boy still hasn't changed from the last time I've seen him. He still doesn't see it. He doesn't see the value of his own life. If he's going to throw it away in a meaningless battle, then he might as well perish now." Shamal rebuked Gokudera. That boy had not grown up one bit. He had hoped that Gokudera would get the message, but this battle was proof that the other still didn't get it. The doctor was convinced that the bomber would never learn, and so he was better off dying by Shamal's hand instead of someone else's.
"I know…I know that Gokudera thinks very highly of me and not of himself. He thinks that my life is more precious than his but he shouldn't think that way. He always tries to protect me, but I want to protect Gokudera too. So I felt in order to protect Gokudera, I had to make him realize that his life had as much value as mine. If I protect him, then he will learn that his life is important. That his life is worth protecting…the same way he protects me. And it isn't Gokudera's fault; I should have stood up to you myself instead of hiding behind him. I just didn't know how to deal with you and I thought that Gokudera would make everything better. This is my entire fault and I'm willing to take the responsibility for it. So please, Dr. Shamal, I will do anything. Please give him the antidote. I don't want him to die." Tsuna pleaded with the foreigner.
"Well, how can I say no to such a sweet girl? Fine, I'll cure him." The doctor promised.
Tsuna smiled happily," Thank you so much, Dr. Shamal. But don't you want anything in return?"
"Well, I only kiss girls." Shamal winked and proceeded to treating Gokudera.
This guy still thinks I'm a girl masquerading as boy but whatever, as long as he cures Gokudera…I can live with that. Tsuna sighed, seeing that there was no way of getting through to him.
Shamal took out a small white case that contained capsules. The doctors then selected one and released another mosquito. Tsuna watched as this mosquito laid on Gokudera's hand and bit into him, administering the antidote. "Since The Tranquility Disease is the opposite of the Seven minutes in hell disease, it should negate it."
Tsuna watched as Gokudera's color changed to his normal complexion. "It's working!" The brunette said excitedly.
Shamal placed away his case, seeing no need for it anymore. He then left Tsuna with the responsibility of looking after the bomber. "I'll leave him to you, Missy. Since I don't treat guys."
"Thank you, Dr. Shamal." Tsuna smiled at the doctor, truly gratefully that he allowed Gokudera to live.
"If things don't work out with that guy you like. Just transfer to Saxifrage Academia. I'll make you feel right at home." Foreign doctor offered as he began to walk away in the opposite direction.
"Saxifrage Academia?" The brunette didn't recognize the name.
"It's an all girl's school." Shamal informed Tsuna.
That will never happen…Tsuna considered with a chill running down his spine. "Ah….okay." He said sweetly as the Doctor disappeared.
"Tenth…" Gokudera said weakly. The brunette's gaze shifted to Gokudera. He watched as his friend slowly sat up, but the bomber cringed at the spikes of pain that shook his body. Although Gokudera was in a world of pain because of his recovery, he could not forgive himself. He was unable to protect the tenth and he had let Tsuna down by allowing Shamal to take him down so easily. How could he call himself Tsuna's protector if he could not properly protect him? Even now, he could not look Tsuna in his eyes because he was so ashamed. "Tenth….I'm very sorry. I failed you again."
"Stop it!" Tsuna demanded. He didn't mean to yell but he couldn't control the emotions he was feeling at the moment. Tsuna didn't know where Gokudera got this idea that he had failed him. Gokudera had not failed him at all. The bomber had tried his best and went up against an opponent that he could not beat. But what bothered Tsuna the most was that Gokudera had been inches away from death and the only thing he could think about was how he failed him. The brunette's eyes started to water and the tears began to fall with no signs of stopping. "You almost died, Gokudera."
The bomber tensed, it was the first time he heard Tsuna yell, and sadly, he was the victim of it. He watched Tsuna carefully as the other's emotions changed once more and his beloved tenth started to cry. The sight of seeing tears rolling down Tsuna's face made him feel terrible. "Tenth...?"
Tsuna looked to his friend and whispered softly, "I was scared that you would disappear."
"Tenth." He said, as he pulled the brunette into his chest and embraced him. His body ached, but there was no pain like seeing the tenth cry. He wanted to console Tsuna and make him forget about everything. "I'm very sorry."
Tsuna allowed himself to be held by Gokudera for a few moments. He felt right at home in the terrorist's grip. There was no safer place than where he was. He clung to the other's warmth until he could calm down. Once his mind was clear, the brunette knew that he needed to talk to Gokudera. He had promised both Shamal and himself that he would show Gokudera his own worth and that he would teach the other to value his own life. It had to be done, or else this would happen again and Gokudera may not be as lucky the next time. He then slowly pulled back from the other's chest and looked up to his friend's emerald eyes. "Gokudera-san…why did you go up against Dr. Shamal?"
"Because, I wanted to protect the tenth." Gokudera answered, raising an eyebrow. He thought that was obvious and he wondered why Tsuna was asking him this question. Yet, he kept silent and obediently answered the freshman before him.
"But weren't you afraid of losing your life?" The brunette inquired.
The self- proclaimed guardian swung his head back and forth, he didn't mind at all risking his life for Tsuna. He felt he did something rather magnanimous. He had shown all the good qualities of a fearless guardian and he courageously went into a losing battle even though the outcome was inevitable. Gokudera felt really proud of himself. "Actually, I'm fine with that. It was the tenth that gave my life meaning, so I don't mind giving up my life if it means the tenth could live."
"But that's not right, Gokudera-san. I wouldn't be a good friend if I allowed you to think that way. No one's life is more important than the other. Everyone's life is important and the amount of importance is the same." Tsuna lectured him. The brown haired teenager could tell he was putting a damper on Gokudera's triumphant attitude.
"But the tenth is very precious to me…more precious than anyone or anything. If I could prolong your life by giving up my own, then that would be fine. If the tenth could use this pitiful life, then I don't mind. I would be very happy to do it!" The bomber responded adamantly.
Tsuna sighed heavily, "But that wouldn't make me happy?"
"Tenth…" Gokudera already started to look like a scolded child. Although, the brunette's voice was very calm and kind, he could feel the weight of the other's words. Slowly he began to see the error of his ways. All he wanted to do was make Tsuna happy and hearing that his ways would ultimately make the tenth miserable, opened his eyes.
Tsuna slowly smiled, seeing that his friend was getting it. "I think that it would make me much happier if I had Gokudera by my side. I'm not saying that you can't protect me, I would never take that away from you, but through whatever strife we go through, I hope that Gokudera is able to endure and overcome it with me. I just met you but I know that you are a good person and a great friend. I want to keep you with me for as long as I can. So please for my sake, for my happiness and well being, you will take care of that life that I treasure."
"Of course, Tenth. I don't ever want to see you cry, again." Gokudera said obediently.
"That's good because I don't like crying." Tsuna smiled charmingly as he rubbed unshed tears from his eyes.
"I'm really sorry, tenth." The bomber profusely apologized.
"I'm also sorry for making you feel that you need to prove yourself to me by risking your life for mine. You really don't. I really cherish my relationship with you because you remind me a lot of myself. Going to school here wouldn't be the same if I didn't have you by my side." The freshman blushed at his own declaration.
"Tenth…you…cherish me?" The bomber inquired happily.
Umm…that doesn't sound quite right but... Tsuna thought to himself, not recalling the use of such a phrase. However, with the way Gokudera's eyes lit up with so much expectation, Tsuna couldn't bring himself to correct him. "I guess you can say that."
Gokudera was soon filled with so much happiness that he felt as if he were going to burst. It was music to his ears to hear that the tenth treasured him. He almost felt like a love struck girl finding out that her crush shared her feelings but he never liked that rubbish. However, this feeling was very similar. Still brimming with the rapture of it all, the guardian blurted out. "Tenth, can I kiss you?"
"Huh?" Tsuna said baffled. The brunette's color was now changing to a bright red. Had he heard his friend right? Did he just ask to kiss him? The brunette couldn't believe his ears.
"Nevermind…It was a stupid request! I'll punish myself for asking such an indecent thing of you." Gokudera ruefully replied. Tsuna then watched as Gokudera got into an odd position. The silver haired bomber sat on his knees as if he was praying to some higher power. Gokudera than bend over his torso so that it was parallel to the ground place each of his hands to the side of him. There was a moment of pause before the bomber started banging his head against the ground.
Didn't you just recover from a deadly disease?! What are you doing?! Tsuna's mind registered the things that could not escape his mouth at the moment. "Gokudera-san!" Tsuna screamed placing his hands on the silver haired boy's shoulders to stop him. "Stop it! You'll hurt yourself."
The feel of the tenth's hands on him made the bomber instantly stop. Gokudera's emerald eyes slowly looked up from the floor that he had just finished banging his head against to the warm eyes of the tenth. He gazed into the depths of those brown-orangeish eyes and he could feel himself falling for the tenth all over again. Oblivious to the leering looks that the bomber was giving him, Tsuna was more focused on the reddening bruise on the other's forehead and he couldn't help but laugh a little. Although, the silver haired teenager's practice of self punishing himself was no laughing matter, he couldn't help but be charmed by the red spot on Gokudera's forehead.
"You shouldn't hurt yourself like this. Remember I said your life is very important to me." The brunette commented as he reached for Gokudera's face, Tsuna's small and delicate hands were slowly placed onto the sides of the bomber's face. The petite freshman then leaned into Gokudera and gently kissed the mark on his friend's forehead. As soon as Tsuna's lips touched his skin, it was over. His body temperature started to rise and his heart picked up its pace. He even started to feel a bit feverish, as if Shamal's mosquito had bitten him once more. However, the bomber knew it wasn't an upcoming sickness but the way the tenth's touch affected him. Gokudera couldn't contain himself any longer. The tenth's touch made him want to react in such an imprudent manner. There were so many possible options as to what he could do to the cute freshman, but in the end all he wanted to return the same small affections that Tsuna afforded him except tenfold.
"I'm sorry, Tenth!" Gokudera apologized as he leaned in to the brunette, towering over the smaller boy. The bomber allowed his body to do the talking; he had never been good with words anyway. Plus, there was a chance of the tenth misunderstanding him or him not being able to say them at all. But if he allowed his body to carry out his loving whims, then at least they would be expressed and liberated from his aching heart. He would take responsibility for his actions later, but at least he got the chance to experience his dark pleasures. The bomber started a strategic attack at the base of the freshman's exposed neck. He laid a trail of butterfly kisses up to the brown-haired innocent's chin.
"Gokudera!" Tsuna shrieked as he tried to bring his silver haired guardian back to his senses, but Gokudera wasn't ready yet. He wanted to enjoy the tenth in ways that no other person was able to. Ever since he met Tsuna he has been dreaming of this very moment and nothing was going to stop him. For only during this moment, the tenth was his and his alone. All his resolve was placed into the passionate kisses that he began to lay on Tsuna. As Tsuna tried to protest once more, he was silenced as Gokudera's mouth smashed against his and it was like fireworks. The ardor of the bomber's kiss was like an explosion against his lips. Although, sloppy, bruising, and fast, Gokudera's inexperience was overshadowed by the passion that he felt for Tsuna. The tantalizing feel of the other's lips against his placed Tsuna in a roller coaster-like stupor. Afterall, his stomach was doing flips and he felt completely overwhelmed by the thrill of Gokudera's sinfully delicious lips. All of his resistance diminished under the relentless attack of the bomber's mouth.
His silver haired guardian sensually caressed Tsuna's neck, as if to calm the brunette and ensure he wouldn't run away from him. His hold on Tsuna was gentle but even the freshman knew that it would be impossible to get away from Gokudera if he wanted to. But, Tsuna wasn't even thinking of running, the idea had never come to mind as he let bomber ravished him. Just like the others who had kissed him, he had to admit he enjoyed it, and Gokudera's affection was just as pleasurable. Gokudera not only conquered his mouth and assaulted his neck but fondled with his ears with his lips and tongue. The terrorist's teeth nibbled on the outside of Tsuna's face plant his tiny marks all around the brunette while his tongue sailed about the crevices of his ear, finding the buried treasure within the maze of his cartilage. Gokudera then moved back to the brunette's lips, setting explosive kisses upon it. Although the bomber had been bold, he could not partake in one act. No matter how inviting the tenth's lips were, he did not allow himself to French kiss the innocent. Even in his subconscious, he felt he wasn't worthy of such a thing. And so, he tried his best to avoid separating the brunette's lips. He just satisfied himself with the simple pleasure of claiming those pink lips as long as he wished. At the last moments of passion, Gokudera had the brunette in a breathtaking lock and the hold was bruising to both party's lips. However, the slight pangs of pain did not stop Gokudera until he felt the air in his lungs deplete. Parting for air, the bomber's mouth hovered above the freshman's divided lips. The other's hot breath against the surface of his mouth made him shudder. With half-lidded eyes he gazed up at Gokudera as the self-proclaimed guardian looked down at him.
Looking into the alluring eyes of his tenth, Gokudera realized his misdemeanor. He had let himself get carried away. So many things passed through his head, two of which were that the tenth must hate him and the other being what he needed to do to fix this! He slowly released his intimate hold of his precious tenth. Watching the brunette wake out of his daze to incur his wrath upon him for defiling his body, Gokudera bowed before Tsuna as if he was praying for the other's divine mercy. Before, Tsuna could say anything to relieve Gokudera, the bomber blurted out, "Tenth, I'm so sorry…I took advantage of you. I'll commit seppuku, right now!"
Seppuku, isn't that a bit extreme?! Tsuna thought to himself as he watched the silver haired boy, sit up reaching for his dynamite. Was he planning to blow himself up?! The brunette had to calm the bomber down quickly before he did anything rash. Although, he felt he should be the one to overreact in this kind of situation.
"Gokudera…it's alright." Tsuna assured the bomber, as he slowly took the dynamite out of his friend's hands. Gokudera allowed the tenth to do so. "But I do want to know, why did you kiss me?"
Gokudera looked into Tsuna's eyes when he asked this. He couldn't give him the truth. If the tenth didn't understand his feelings through the kiss, then perhaps it wasn't meant to be. Maybe, if he admitted to it being stupid, then Tsuna would forgive him and continue to be his friend. He didn't want his actions to meddle with their friendship. "I kissed you because I'm an idiot. Just forget that it happened…I wasn't thinking at all."
"I see." Tsuna found himself getting really disappointed by the bomber's answer. Before Gokudera could catch on to his own dissatisfaction, Tsuna smiled, erasing any sign of negativity. Nonetheless, he was happy that Gokudera had not hurt himself, it was bad enough that Hibari was going around beating up his friends, he didn't need them going suicidal. Tsuna looked into the other's emerald eyes. "Well, I'm glad that you are alright."
But…we still have a long way to go. Till we learn to value ourselves. The brunette thought to himself as he gazed to Gokudera fondly. Even though, he was trying to reprimand Gokudera for thinking less of himself, Tsuna still felt that he was unworthy of Gokudera's care. And so, Tsuna learned a lot about himself. He too had to consider the effect his life had on Gokudera and his friends. His life was not his own possession, like he had first thought, but rather, it was something shared with all the people he came in contact with. And if he were to disappear, he was sure the friends and acquaintances that he had made would be affected. The simple thought of it made him feel content.
"How is that baseball idiot?" Gokudera reluctantly asked.
Tsuna was surprised that Gokudera was inquiring about Yamamoto. Usually, the terrorist wanted nothing to do with him. But from Gokudera's inquiry, the brunette believed that Gokudera was concerned over their comrade's well being. Thinking optimistically, he felt that the bomber was slowly getting along with Yamamoto. "He's as cheerful as ever but his injuries look bad. He may be there for a while."
"Yes!" Was the silver haired bomber's triumphant cry.
"Gokudera-san!" Tsuna exclaimed incredulously, surprised by the glee conveyed by his friend upon hearing of Yamamoto's condition. However, Tsuna ended up reprimanding himself. But then again, I should have known he would act like that…
Although Gokudera was sure he would be going to hell for finding pleasure in someone else's misfortune; he didn't care. All he cared about was that his time with Tsuna would not be interrupted by the baseball nut and the boxer half wit. Even if it was a short period of time, that was all Gokudera needed. Because even in that short span of time, the brunette would always manage to capture his heart ever more.
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For two full hours, Tsuna soaked in the bath. There was a lot on his mind; most of it was trying to figure out what was going on with him. Ever since he came to this school, everything has been so strange. Recently, he has been so confused by everyone else's actions towards him. He wondered what kind of force caused his friends to kiss him, and even more so why he hadn't stopped them. It was all so perplexing to him, since no one ever cared to talk to him in middle school. He had been a social outcast for a very long time and to be suddenly be given this type of affection was like culture shock. And it seemed as if all of these incidents were only happening to him! Why him?!
He sighed heavily as he peered into the water. He needed to stop thinking so much; he didn't even do this much pondering when he did his math homework. He stepped out of the water and went towards the changing room. He gathered his things, got dressed and tried to get out of his runt. Maybe the answers that he sought would reveal themselves with time, or maybe he was being tested by some divine figure. Tsuna didn't know whether some spiritual figure was guiding him, or the devil was leading him astray but whatever reason it was, he had to try to be positive.
As he left the steamy shower room, he felt as if he had walked into another. The hallways leading back to his room were covered in a thick haze. The brunette could not even see the other end of the hallway from where he stood. He pursed his lips, knowing who was responsible for this. While Tsuna was contemplating on whether or not he should walk into the mist and greet the delinquent, a shadow loomed behind him. Suddenly, arms wrapped around the freshman's body from behind, making the brunette jump with a fright. Tsuna released himself from the other's grip and whirled around to see who had grabbed him.
Standing in front of him in his own alterations of the Namimori school uniform was Mukuro. His heterochromatic gaze leered at the freshman up and down shamelessly and a mischievous grin donned his face. "Did I scare you, Tsunayoshi?"
"Mukuro…"Tsuna looked to the grinning delinquent. He should have known that the illusionist would try to trick him and he was mad at himself for getting duped so easily. However, Tsuna wasn't in the right state of mind to deal with the illusionist. The brunette just wanted to be left alone. He frowned at the midnight haired demon, "I'm not in the mood."
Mukuro shrugged his shoulders, it really didn't matter to him if Tsuna wanted his company or not, there were other poor souls roaming about. He could have his kicks somewhere else without effort. Yet, despite his indifference to Tsuna's attitude, he still started to entice the other. Tsuna was just way more fun to play with. "Fine…I'll leave you alone but there has been this one thing that has been bothering me. Dreams…"
Tsuna tensed as he repeated the heterochromatic illusionist. "Dreams?"
"As a matter of fact, a few nights ago…I was just wandering about and I came upon this delicious scene." Mukuro pressed his grin widening.
"Scene?" The brunette questioned, trying to play dumb but it wasn't working. He could already tell what kind of dreams, the illusionist was indicating.
The dark haired upperclassmen purred, "Yes, with a certain petite brunette withering underneath someone that looked a lot like me."
The cat was out of the bag and the blush on Tsuna's face was evident that the information that Mukuro revealed was true. But the brunette continued to deny it. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Mukuro moved towards Tsuna, closing the distance between them. The brunette looked towards the haze for a way to escape, but decided to back himself up against a wall instead of braving the mist. Either way, no option looked good. He ended up being pinned up against the wall by Mukuro, who obstructed his pathway to freedom with his body. The way the illusionist looked at him as made Tsuna think twice about his decision. The danger was not the mist but the demon in front of him. Sometimes, Tsuna cursed his own stupidity. The illusionist then continued to coax Tsuna with his velvety voice. "If I knew you missed me that much…I would have been happy to oblige you."
"It's a reoccurring nightmare of mine." Tsuna stubbornly replied, trying to ignore the delinquent in front of him.
"Oya oya. So you dream of this sort of thing often?" Mukuro questioned, making him more interested than before. He wondered how long the brunette had been having these dreams and how often did he dream of him?
The blood rushed to the freshman's cheeks, glowing a bright red hue he continued to deny his fantasies of Mukuro. "That's not what I meant!" Tsuna cried.
"Yes, it must be nightmarish having to resort to dreams to feel satisfied." Mukuro laughed at this new information.
"You're terrible. You're twisting my words around." Tsuna frowned, knowing he would be mocked by the other.
Not only was this whole affair amusing but it also made everything a lot easier for Mukuro. He had planned to ambush Tsuna and make him submit to him but with this new information, it wouldn't be hard at all for the brunette to surrender. The seed was already planted within the small boy and all he needed to do was nurture it into a plentiful flower of opportunity.
"Well, you're not being very honest with yourself. There has to be a reason for those dreams. Perhaps, your body knows you better than yourself. It knows what it wants." Mukuro presumed.
I'm not being honest with myself. Tsuna repeated Mukuro's words to himself, those words seemed possible to Tsuna. Maybe he had been lying to himself the whole time and that was why he had been feeling confused and dreaming of the delinquent. He wanted to believe in the delinquent's words, but he also didn't trust them for good reason. Mukuro was not a bad person despite his malicious actions. Tsuna figured that the illusionist could be saying this to be cruel and if he believed them he would be a fool. "But…" He started.
"And those two couldn't give you the answer that you wanted." Mukuro continued to entice the brunette with his appealing words. The delinquent had witnessed what occurred between Tsuna and his two friends. Mukuro knew something was up with Tsuna, the freshman had taken two full hours in the shower, and afterwards, the brunette had seemed to be in another world. It also didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that his friends played a major role in his mystification. He considered that the other people that Tsuna had interacted with played a part too, including himself. And that was all he needed to make the other waver under his words. He watched as the freshman slowly began to consider his words and believe them. The brunette looked to him so full of hope and so trusting, but Mukuro was guiltless in his deception. He slowly ran a hand up, Tsuna's body up to his neck and stopping at the boy's face. His fingertips caressed the other's jaw line, willing his mouth to part ever so slightly. He whispered smoothly as he swooped down to take his prize, "In your darkest of hearts, what is it that you truly want, Tsunayoshi Sawada?"
"What I want is…?" Tsuna said so softly that it sounded like a whisper. The coldness of Mukuro's gloves against his skin, the powerful grip that the illusionist held him, the way those crimson and cerulean eyes bored into him, and the seductiveness of the other's voice withered away at the brunette restraint. He found himself being totally captivated with other, and although he knew that the other's actions and words were false, he couldn't help but be enthralled. His mind was filled with the possibilities of the other's words. Did Mukuro really know what he wanted? Was it really in the illusionist's power to give it to him? Could he see what no one else could? Did he really know him? His mind was screaming yes because it had been fooled and his body followed in the same pattern.
He allowed Mukuro to lean into him. Everything slowed to a crawl, making it seem like it took an eternity for Mukuro to reach his lips. The brunette's mouth quivered just a bit in anticipation. Tsuna wanted to be touched in the way that only Mukuro could deliver. Mukuro had the key to soothe all his distress, and Tsuna was sure that the illusionist wouldn't judge him if he did indulged in his dark desires. The illusionist would help him explore that part of the heart that he dare not venture. He would finally find his satisfaction, even if it took the form of lust.
Tsuna froze as that thought process passed his mind. Lust?! The idea didn't feel right to him, and that couldn't be what he really wanted. What he had been thinking was wrong? There was nothing alluring about his thoughts; they didn't speak to him or for him. Before, Tsuna could fully succumb to Mukuro; he turned his face away so that the illusionist could not kiss him. The brunette then said with poise. "What I want is to go to bed."
Tsuna separated himself from Mukuro and thought that it would be safer for him to leave now than to yell at the illusionist for trying to deceive him. It would do nothing and he was partly at fault for allowing the delinquent to hoodwink him. He started his march through the mist, trying not to look back at the smirking illusionist.
Mukuro watched Tsuna make a run for it and he called after. "Off to dream more of me?"
Tsuna paused in his step. For a moment, his mind battled on whether or not he should reply. The brunette was considering continuing forward, but that would be very cowardly. If he denied Mukuro's allegation, then he would be falling into the other's trap again. He had made a promise that he would prove to Mukuro that he would come to like him despite the efforts of the illusionist to make Tsuna despise him. For this reason, Tsuna had to put more effort into befriending the delinquent. He sighed, turning back to the grinning demon who was awaiting his reply. "Yes…I will dream of you because I made a promise. I want to become friends with you, Mukuro. I want to prove to you that even the hated, can be liked. Although, it's over something as embarrassing as dreaming of you…it has relieved me. Dreaming of you has made you come out of hiding and now I know…that you are alright."
Mukuro found himself smiling at this. Either, Tsuna was very optimistic or very stupid but either way he was intrigued. Although, Tsuna had so much hope in converting Mukuro into his friend, the delinquent knew that it could never happened. Both of them lived in different worlds, endured diverse experiences, and had contrasting mentalities. He knew that he could never be a part of Tsuna's illuminated world and the brunette could never be a part of his blackened one. However, he had no problem playing along with him. "Well then, sweet dreams Tsunayoshi-kun. I'll try to be gentle tonight."
Tsuna blushed at his comment and he tried to not let it get to him, but it did. He stuttered. "G-good night, M-mukuro."
Chapter Twelve End
Omake- Mukuro Foreshadowing
Mukuro: Kufufu. Looks like the rating of this fanfiction is going to go up soon.
Tsuna: Why do you say that?
Mukuro: Because the more I show up, the harder it is for the authoress to keep this fanfic PG.
Tsuna: confused what does that mean exactly?
Mukuro: Tsunayoshi-kun, you are so naïve. As you know, I'm a deviant of many things.
Tsuna: Of what kinds of things?
Mukuro: grins lots of things. Would you like me to inform you of them?
Tsuna: smiles Sure. I would like to know more about you, Mukuro.
Later that same day….
Tsuna: Gokudera?
Gokudera: Yes, tenth!
Tsuna: Can I ask you a question?
Gokudera: Sure, anything you want, tenth!
Tsuna: blushes well….what's an omnisexual?
Gokudera: …………………………………………… shocked beyond belief
Tsuna: Ah…Gokudera? Did I say something wrong?
Omake end – Kufufufu…
Omake Note – An Omnisexual or Pansexual is someone who doesn't use gender to identify their sexual orientation. They can be attracted to any sex and sometimes objects, phrases/ideals, animals and places. If you would like to find out more, look it up on Wikipedia or watch Torchwood
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Author's note: I hoped you liked this chapter. Although Shamal made a special appearance, I felt that Gokudera's self worth need to be discussed and worked on. Next chapter is Ryohei's, the tentative title will be "Ryohei the Unpredictable" which may take me ages to write but I do have the plot in my head. After Ryohei's chapter the format will go back to normal signified by Tsuna's name taking over the title of the chapters. Probably soon, the other characters will get their own chapters. So look forward to that. Thank you for reading this chapter and my previous chapters as well. Please review my work to show your love because Tsuna shouldn't be the only one to receive it. Also suggestions are welcome as long as there are good intentions behind them. Thank you Mithras151 for checking this chapter!!!
