And I'm back with a chapter. Life took me by surprise. That's all I can say.

An interlude to the next arc.

Enjoy!

Tsunayoshi had never felt so irritated by anyone in his life till now. At first, he could just hear Natsu's quiet murmurs about the contract he had made with Mukuro.

But that was fine. If only it ended at that.

However, peace wouldn't greet the poor boy after all.

He found that Giotto wasn't present in their room so he decided to leave a note and have breakfast first. Though, throughout his meal he felt incredibly anxious, it was as if his body was preparing him for an impending peril.

That prediction came true when explosions were heard outside and his ruby embedded gem glowed with radiance. It was déjà vu for him when Gokudera came rushing in, his hands clamped hard on the brunet.

"Did that bastard do anything to you? I-I sensed his aura last night from my ring. I checked the premises of your room but I couldn't find anything." Hayato was clearly sleep deprived. It was obvious that he was restraining himself all evening to not disturb the boy.

Tsuna had two options, to tell the truth right now or to wait it out. If he did now Gokudera would probably explode on the spot and he would honestly want to avoid that scenario for as long as possible. But it was far too late when he saw the other's pupils became silts, glowing eerily.

"I'm...going to kill that freak..." The air heaved heavily, his pupils turned crimson in anger. "How dare he lay his hands on you."

"Gokudera please calm down, I gave him permission to."

But Gokudera wasn't in the state of mind to reason with. Tsuna was his contractor and he was already generous enough to let 4 other people share his flames. But he wouldn't let a former enemy tie a contract with the brunet.

He would not allow that - or so he thought.

"Tsuna said calm down, so SIT down…before I kick you out." Natsu's tone dripped with malice. He was already pissed off he didn't need Gokudera to amplify it.

Gokudera snapped back to his senses, he glanced down not meeting with Tsuna's gaze.

"It's okay, I let Mukuro make a contract, and he's not an enemy now." Tsuna tried to reason with his friend but he honestly felt terrible. He never knew that Gokudera would be so upset he didn't think it would be that bad.

"I…wanted to-be the only one. But those guys had to interfere."

Tsuna sighed, and Gokudera flinched back. 'He must think I'm petty, but I'm not even sure why I feel this way.'

"You wanted to be the only…what?" The brunet was confused as to why his friend was so frustrated. Maybe it wasn't just because of the contract he made with Mukuro.

"N-Nothing, it's fine. I'm just glad that you're safe." He started to make his way out and quickly apologized for barging in but Tsuna felt that something was off.

"Gokudera…!" Tsuna shouted, his voice an octave higher than normal. His friend's footsteps halted but his back still faced Tsuna.

"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me. Because of you and the others…I was able to complete the mission Reborn gave me. And…" Tsuna stammered he wasn't used to this, just awhile ago he didn't even have any friends. But Gokudera was the first one he ever made since long ago. He couldn't let him go. So he had to get this out or he'll regret it.

"Thank you for everything… and for being my first friend really!" His ears reddened, but really he couldn't recall any real friends he had made in the past.

However no reply came from the other, Gokudera just continued his way out and quietly closed the door behind him.

'I hope…he doesn't hate me or think I'm a loser.' Tsuna was distraught his morning was already off to a horrible start.

Meanwhile, Gokudera's legs gave out, crouching down, hiding his face with his arms. "Don't you dare tell him about this..." His voice wavered.

"Haha, but this is priceless though. I never saw you look like that before." Yamamoto commented stiflingly his laugh.

Gokudera's was red up to his ears too. He could never face him like this, never. If he had spoken his voice would definitely crack in embarrassment.

"I'll be going first then, you walk him to school for today. That's only for today."

"Yup, I'll do just that. I wanted to speak with Tsuna too because having Mukuro as an ally doesn't sit well with me either. But if that's what Tsuna wants then I'll…"

But Gokudera was already gone, in replace Tsuna came out and stared at him. "Umm…were you talking with Gokudera?"

"I was and there's no need to worry about him. He's okay. Now let's go or we'll be late." Yamamoto waved him over beckoning the other to follow him.

"Yeah…I don't think I can face him now anyways. Why did I go and say such a thing?" He wished he could take his words back. It was too embarrassing now plus Gokudera must think lowly of him.

"Tsuna, you're the second friend I've made. Technically, Gokudera was the first one you know? Though, I'm not sure if he considers me as a friend though."

"Huh? You? But you seem to get along with everyone in the classroom! And I'm sure Gokudera thinks the same of you or else he wouldn't be hanging out with you." Tsuna held a disbelieving look.

Yamamoto came to a stop, "Thanks Tsuna, but I'm telling the truth. Those friendships you can say were shallow."

"Are you saying ours is different from them?" Tsuna retorted back still in disbelief.

"Yup. Why did you think I picked you as my contractor Tsuna? 'Cause I felt you were different. Sure we've only met for a week or so, but you're much more honest and kinder than the others. You're the one who I can trust, after all you've done for me."

Yamamoto reached over and ruffled the smaller boy's hair, grinning. "And I'm sure everyone else including Gokudera feels somewhat the same. He might not show it though."

"Yeah…" Tsuna took one step back and slapped his cheeks to clear his mind. "That's right, because I feel the same way as Yamamoto. I also think you and the others are different. And there's no doubt that you guys are important to me."

"Alright let's go to school, we're going to be late!" Tsuna felt relieved, so it wasn't one-sided. Maybe this time it'll work out, he'll have people who he can trust unlike the past.

"Good! Glad that's solved. But Tsuna…there's still something I would like to say." Yamamoto held his friendly tone and smiled at the brunet.

Tsuna felt that something was incredibly off. He had completely forgotten about what started all this commotion with Gokudera the first place.

"Since Gokudera didn't really get the answer out of you, will you tell me the reason as to why you have a contract to Rokudo Mukuro?"

"Eh…Yamamoto, you're acting weird – scary even! Mukuro isn't the person you think he is. After fighting him and listening to him, he didn't seem like a villain. I can't really explain it well..."

"He hurt you, Tsuna."

"It's no big deal. It was just a couple of scratches."

"He tried to possess you for his own selfish desires." His brows furrowed and he spoke with a tone, one that Tsuna was unfamiliar with.

Yamamoto wouldn't let go of this easily and Tsuna knew that. Yamamoto was the type when he was serious he'll take it to the extreme.

"I said I believe him. You trust me right? So let me make this choice, I'll take responsibility if things go bad. And anyways you and Gokudera will be there for me right? – I mean you should act according to what you believe. I'm not going to force you to listen to me." Though, Tsuna had to stand his ground he had decided that he'll voice his thoughts to his new friends instead of keeping it all bottled up.

Though, Tsuna honestly couldn't believe himself too. 'Trust' wasn't a word he would throw around so easily in the past. He never believed anyone. Then, why would he trust these people, ones who he had only met a few weeks ago? How are they different from the others? They were kinder, and didn't bully him. But this was to the point he would give his life for them if it came to that.

...It was weird. He couldn't exactly explain it himself.

Yamamoto burst into laughter, snapping Tsuna out of his thoughts, "Of course I'll be by your side from now on. I have to make up for the mistake in the last mission I've caused. So, I'll stop you whenever I think something will bring harm to you."

"Don't be! I've made my fair share too. Let's just try our best, that'll be good." Tsunayoshi grinned the brunet was glad that they found a place to agree on.

And so they ended it at that, as they arrived at the classroom. Yamamoto happily admitted defeat decided to protect Tsuna when it comes down to that.

Tsunayoshi sat down, breathing a sigh. But he couldn't find see Gokudera sitting in his seat. 'I should talk to him later and explain things.'

Nonetheless, everything had finally calmed down.

Of course it wouldn't—not yet.

Reborn walked into the classroom and he had immediately glared at the brunet. His teacher tilted his head towards the left signalling Tsuna's attention.

And there he found Gokudera his head low, bowing towards him.

"What are you doing?!" The first thing Tsuna did was to lift Hayato up, they needed to face each other.

"I'm sorry for earlier, I was so rude." A small whisper came out of Gokudera, one that only Tsuna could hear.

"It's fine, you weren't. It was probably me; we've only known each other for a couple of weeks. But I thought that we were already friends or something akin to that."

"Friends?!" Gokudera yelled, startling Tsuna and the rest of the class. "We're more than that. I'm your partner for life."Realizing what he had said out loud Gokudera had froze up only his cheeks were heating up in embarrassment. He couldn't believe he just blurted this out in front of Tsuna.

Tsuna was also the same but he was embarrassed because they were having this conversation in the classroom out of all places. He could hear chuckles from his peers.

"Hey! Don't hog Tsuna for yourself. I have the same contract as you with Tsuna." Yamamoto chirped in.

'You are not helping at all!' Tsuna screamed in his head.

But in the midst of all the commotion someone extremely important was forgotten, two people to be exact.

Murderous aura overwhelmed the classroom, a merge of purple and yellow engulfed the air, making it suffocating.

Reborn and Hibari had snapped.

Snapped was an understatement, in that instant Tsuna had truly realized that he was facing demons, ones that were worthy of their titles.

"You three are having-fun. But right now we are currently in class." Without any further words, the last thing Tsuna could remember was Reborn flicked his flames towards them sending them crashing into the windows and out.

They were currently on the 4th floor.

Yamamoto and Gokudera acted on instinct not fearing for their own safety they first tried to locate Tsuna but he was nowhere to be found.

"The hell?! Where did Tsuna-sama go?"

"Hibari took him, I'm guessing."

"Why are you so happy-go-lucky? We should go get him back." Gokudera demanded and started to leave.

"I think we should leave them alone. You know Hibari's temper. But I don't think he wants to hurt Tsuna…"

"Fine…I'll give them twenty minutes."

"Let's just get back to class before Reborn comes after us." Yamamoto pushed Gokudera in the direction of the school.

"…He's the one that sent us flying in the first place!" The grey-haired boy complied grumbling the entire way.

Tsuna praised himself for putting a thin shield when he had crashed against the windows. That was good. But his nightmare for the day wasn't close to being over.

"H—Hibari!" They were on the rooftop of the school again. He must like it here a lot, Tsuna thought.

"..."

'I must have done something in my past life to be tormented like this.' Tsuna already knew what the problem was. He was starting to rethink his decision of contracting with Mukuro if it caused this many issues with the others. But he wouldn't change his mind he wouldn't betray Mukuro for a silly reason like this.

"What? Is this about Mukuro too?"

"You…I won't forgive you." With that he summoned an immense amount of flames.

'He can't be…-" Tsuna felt energy being sucked out of him. It was a horrible feeling. It wasn't like the time they were fighting together. They were disconnected their feelings conflicted with each other.

Tsunayoshi could hear Natsu seething but strangely his other self didn't do anything. There wasn't any time for that though. Hibari didn't look like he was stopping anytime soon. His frightening aura grew by the second.

"Break our contract."

"No. I won't."

"Then, break Rokudo's if you choose to keep mine."

"No. I'm not going to do that either."

"You'll die."

"Hibari wouldn't do that. And if you do use my flames I would rather you do something useful with it. Beat up delinquents for example or Reborn in Natsu's case. At least get a rematch with Mukuro." Tsuna jested weakly. Hibari really was incredible in many ways.

"…"

"I already went through this with Gokudera and Yamamoto. They accepted it so I just need your permission. I'm sorry I didn't ask you earlier. I wasn't really given a chance to."

'Shoot, my vision's blurring. I might be in trouble at this rate.' Tsuna was on the ground his eyelids threatening to close.

"You really are…" The purple flames that engulfed the area had slowly dissipated and Tsuna could feel Hibari's palm on his back.

It felt warm unbelieving so. Hibari was giving back his flames. The horrible feeling and pain had subsided.

"What made you change your mind? I really thought I was going to die." Tsuna deadpanned. He did not like being played like this.

"If Rokudo's is tied with you then he'll come back someday, and I'll kill him then." Hibari stated as if it was a daily thing for him.

"I'll stop you."

"Hm…" Hibari looked amused, "A fight then. I'll overlook this if you spar with me."

"Why did it come to that?" Tsuna was well enough to argue back already thanks to the flames Hibari had given back.

"Come here whenever."

Tsuna assumed that Hibari thought he was too weak for him right now or he was testing him for something. But he honestly had no idea as to what the raven-haired boy was thinking.

Tsuna lied down facing up towards the sky. In just less than a day he had a near death experience, friendships being tested and he had never had to speak so much in a day.

What else could happen?

"SAWADA! I heard from the others, you made contract with Mukuro?!" A roar came from behind.

'Please spare me.' Tsuna prayed to whatever deity that was out there.

"That's extremely awesome! I can't wait to meet him. I would love to have a duel against him." Ryohei yelled, his spirit burning with motivation.

"A—Ah…yeah that's great." Tsuna couldn't keep up anymore. What was this exactly?

"Tsuna, why did you have to go and contract that villain? But you already beat him up once so it'll probably be alright." Lambo confidently told Tsuna. He was proud that his contractor held such power.

'Now if only the others thought like this, things would have gone a lot smoother.' Tsuna sighed he couldn't help but hug his two guardians.

"Thank you for being normal. I had enough of the others."

Though, the other two had no idea what Tsuna was referring to so they just shrugged and happily accepted Tsuna.

"I forgot! Reborn was telling you to come back to class or else. There was an important announcement he had to tell us." Lambo informed the brunet, "Hopefully it isn't anything troublesome. But then again it's Reborn."

"We better go then, I feel like Reborn's not in a good mood today." Tsuna couldn't leave Gokudera and Yamamoto alone with that demonic teacher.

"You got that right after that display with you and Gokudera. He was nothing but happy." Lambo casually added. This didn't really affect him and while Tsuna was his contractor, Reborn wasn't something he would mess with.

"Tsunayoshi, glad to see you coming by, you'll be running 100 laps around the campus today for skipping class."

'He's definitely amused by this.' Everyone in the room thought, but Tsuna he just smiled and pretended that he didn't hear Reborn. He was human he couldn't do such acts that were beyond him.

"Tsunayoshi, you heard me correctly. I'll be watching you today after school." Reborn was unfazed, he's determined to get what he wants.

"But-!"

"150 laps." Reborn eye's narrowed, his pupils glowed eerily. "Tsuna."

"Yes!" Tsuna yelped, there was no arguing back with Reborn, the almighty one.

Yamamoto and Gokudera were about to speak up but Reborn's glare immediately shut them up. "Now then, since you kids finally finished wasting my time. There's something I wanted to let you guys know."

The mood tensed up. All the guardians were standing upright and even Hibari glanced at Reborn with interest.

"The Unknowns your group encountered have started to appear again. It seems as if Mukuro wasn't the one controlling all of them. But that's obvious his abilities shouldn't have let him control the Unknowns so easily. There's someone else and a team has already been set to track them. They'll come here soon once they find information. They were interested to see Tsuna too as he's the Decimo."

Reborn paused and look to Tsuna's demonic familiars and sighed. "It's them."

"You must be joking me…them?" Gokudera's expression changed into a mix of hopelessness and weariness.

"Who else? Of course it's the Varia. Well let's hope they don't destroy the school when they drop in." Reborn jokingly mentioned.

'Varia? Who's that?' It gave Tsuna shivers from hearing just the name and he can't help but have an ominous feeling about it.

Things really weren't going well for him today. But he dreaded the future much…much more.

So, thanks for reading!

See you next time, and as always if you would like feel free to give thoughts I love reading them.