Trigger: N/A
Warnings: N/A
Important Stuff:
Small OC Cheat Sheet
Spirits:
Zephyr -The wind spirit that Reborn met in the Spirit World.
Kamikawa - The origami spirit that Reborn exchanged information with.
Engetsu - Silver kitsune that Reborn met in the Spirit World. Knows Ayame.
Meishi - A green falcon that lives in the Sawada Household
Ienari's Guardians
Matsushita Hachirou - Ienari's best friend. Captain of the Judo Club. Lightning Guardian
Akemi Kaori - President of Ienari's fanclub. Black Hair, Purple Eyes. Sun Guardian
Kakusu Hideki - Former student council president, son of politician. Red Rimmed Glasses. Mist Guardian
Koujin Fuun - Ninja assassin. Dark purple hair, crimson eyes. Kunais as weapons. Cloud Guardian
Inmen Hisen - Mochida's cousin. Ienari's crush. Hime-cut black hair and ocean blue eyes. Rain Guardian
Others:
Hibari Koumei - Kyoya's Father. Interpol Agent.
Hibari Yun - Kyoya's Mother. Deceased. Fon's sister.
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Six Impossible Things
Tsuna sat quietly on the rooftop, watching as the first sunbeams began to brighten the sky, bringing the start of a new day. Each sunrise was different and Tsuna loved the feeling of those first beams of light, an affinity that continued to grow stronger with each passing year.
It was quiet, all of Namimori still slumbering. In the house below, Tsuna could sense his family still sleeping. Drawing his leg closer to his chest, Tsuna basked in the simple quiet peace. He loved these moments.
Taking a deep breath, he braced himself, allowing his thoughts to wander to that dark and dangerous edge he kept them from. Ienari, Vongola, the new Rings, the secrets Ayame held, even the thorny problem of Reborn's presence. There were so many things happening, all at once. Tsuna was surprised he was keeping himself afloat.
Whether it was Hyper Intuition or something else, Tsuna could feel the pressing urgency of everything weighing down on his shoulders. Everything as coming to a head soon. A war against Vongola if they failed.
"Neesan said it once," Tsuna whispered to himself. "If you start something, you see it through until the end." Maybe he was using Ienari as a sacrifice pawn, maybe he wasn't any better than Vongola, maybe it would be all for nothing, maybe it would end in war, maybe he would lose everything, maybe trying to change his fate was an impossible thing.
There were too many maybes. Too many things that could go wrong. "Commit every action with your Dying Will," Tsuna said softly, repeating Reborn's words to him.
He had made his choice. There would be no more running, no changing his mind. To do anything less would be an insult to his friends and Ayame. With renewed determined, he reaffirmed his decision to see this plan through the end.
In the distance, the sun broke the horizon.
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Red Roses
"I'm sorry!"
Ayame looked at the red roses being offered to her. "Is this a new attempt to apologize to me before you spill something on me?" she asked dryly.
Dino scratched his cheek, nervous. "Ah… no? It's actually for whatever I said or did to make you upset the other day."
Ayame stubbornly repressed the memory. "It's not like you could have known," she said.
"Still," Dino insisted. "It upset you and for that I'm sorry." He hesitated before saying softly, "I don't want to upset you or make you uncomfortable. So just because I couldn't have known, please tell me what I should avoid doing or saying that would make you uncomfortable so I can remember not to do it."
Ayame blinked, stunned. The only other person who regularly went out of their way to make sure she was comfortable was Tsuna. Aside from the many doctors she regularly saw, Dino was the first person who wanted to know. To know in order to prevent.
It never really occurred to Ayame to tell people what made her uncomfortable or what triggered her meltdowns. The list was rather long and some were complete nonsense (that shouldn't upset her but did) and the older she got the more she had to add because her entire life was like a machine on the verge of a breakdown. She was literally living crisis to crisis.
It certainly didn't help that her most stable (and arguably her most unstable) relationship was with Tsuna. Ayame simply wasn't use to socializing with people before coming to Namimori and Tsuna was far too young to really understand back then. Tsuna discovered the many things that triggered her by accident. Bless Tsuna's heart, he adapted quickly and learned how to observe her actions and reactions.
The rest of the kids were subconsciously aware of it, most likely Tsuna's effect. They didn't really know why they did and didn't do certain things around her, but she always appreciated that they didn't ask. (Eventually she would have to sit down and tell them because they did deserve to know.)
She tilted her head, observing Dino. One small step wouldn't hurt, she supposed.
"I hate red roses," Ayame said.
Dino looked at her, flabbergasted.
"There's an internet term that explains it quite well. It's called squick," Ayame explained. "They're not something that will trigger a panic attack, anxiety attack or any meltdown of sort. They're not exactly something that upset me either. They do however make me very uncomfortable and if I can avoid them I will."
Dino was horrified. "I must have given you dozens of red roses bouquets," he said cringing.
"You're up to 394," Ayame said. "Which is impressive since we haven't actually known each other for a full year yet and you're not always in Namimori."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Dino asked.
"Because they only make me uncomfortable. It was easy enough to hand them off to someone else who would enjoy them. I know many people who have enjoyed them," Ayame said.
Still, Dino cringed. "Are there any other flowers I should avoid?"
"Irises give me panic attacks," Ayame said. She had issues with her namesake. Lots and lots of issues.
"Anything else?"
"Let's start off with that," Ayame said wearily.
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Cloud Brews a Storm
Hayato cursed as he was thrown against a wall.
"Again," Kyoya said, looming over him.
Hayato snarled, jumping back to his feet. He would land a punch on the older teen if it was the last thing he did. He leaped forward throwing a punch, which Kyoya blocked, using his other hand to drive a tonfa punch into Hayato's vulnerable stomach.
Hayato stumbled backwards, clutching his midsection
"Again," Kyoya said.
"You're a real bastard, you know that?" Hayato spat out.
"And you're the weakest Storm I know," Kyoya said dryly. "I-pin is less than half your age and can summon stronger Flames than you can."
Hayato bristled; red Flames starting to flicker around him.
Kyoya grinned, all sharp and pointy. He lifted his tonfas in a readied stance. "Show me what kind of Storm you can grow, Gokudera Hayato."
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Storm in the Sky
"Kyoya-senpai isn't going easy on Hayato at all," Tsuna remarked from the sidelines.
Next to him, Fon nodded in agreement. "It'll help him grow. Kyoya will push Hayato to his limits."
Fon watched as Kyoya sent Hayato flying across the dojo once more. However, Hayato refused to give up, jumping back up to his feet. Storm Flames flickered on and off, and Fon mentally applauded the way Hayato had used his Flames to eat away at the floorboard beneath Kyoya's feet. An excellent trap.
"Thank you," Fon said quietly. He would say it now.
Tsuna looked down at him. "For what?" he asked.
"Kyoya explained how the plan to take down the Triad had come about. Your role, Ayame's and Koumei's," Fon said.
Tsuna shook his head. "Neesan and Koumei-san did all the heavy lifting."
So modest this boy.
"It is my understanding that the plan wouldn't have come into fruition, had you not befriended Kyoya in the first place," Fon said. "Not only that, I-pin adores you. You're a wonderful big brother to her."
Tsuna had done much for his family, even if the actual role he played was small. Fon could easily see how different things would have been, had Tsuna not befriend Kyoya. Like the flap of a butterfly's wing, the smallest thing brought forth the biggest change.
It wasn't just the Triad either. It was the way Kyoya, still unbounded and free, but yet tempered around the edges, that gentleness that very few people saw, all thanks to his friendship with Tsuna. It was the way I-pin looked up to Tsuna, a role model she loved and adored with all her heart. It was the way Tsuna made sure that Fon always comfortable in his house, always included.
Fon had thought he could come to call Namimori home, only to realize, that he already did.
No wonder Reborn had called Tsuna his Sky.
Fon hadn't felt accepted like this in a long time. Not since Luce died (a small bright spot she had been, in Fon's turbulent life). To find it here, to find it in Tsunayoshi, to realize a Sky had been calling him for a long time and Fon had been accepting it without acknowledging it, Fon hadn't expected that.
Tsuna was his Sky. It felt nice to say that again.
"Thank you for everything," Fon said.
"You welcome," Tsuna said, beaming.
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Patch Up
"They don't look too bad. You'll be fine in a couple days," Tsuna remarked, wrapping Hayato's injuries up. Nothing was truly serious. Kyoya did know how to hold back, but it didn't mean he was going to pull his punches. Pushing Hayato to his very limits was the goal. While Hayato was bruised and battered, it wasn't serious enough to call up Ryohei or Shamal for.
Bianchi might still be upset about, but Kyoya was making noise about dragging the Poison Scorpion out for her own training. It seemed that Kyoya wasn't happy with anyone's level of training aside from Kyoko, Reborn and Fon. That was Kyoya, worried that no one was strong enough, that he wasn't strong enough to defend, so his solution was to attack everyone to push them into being stronger.
It seemed the appearance of the Triad did rattle Kyoya's nerves.
"It was a one-sided beating," Hayato grimaced. "I couldn't even land a hit on him."
"But you held up your Flames for over twenty minutes at a time," Tsuna pointed out.
"I couldn't do anything with them!" Hayato cried out.
Tsuna blinked, taking a good long look at Hayato. "Have you realized why Kyoya-senpai didn't let you use any weapons beyond your Flames?" he asked.
"I figured he didn't want my bombs blowing up the dojo," Hayato said.
Tsuna pointed to the hole that Hayato had caused during their spar. "If that was the case he would have done a lot more damage to you for disintegrating the floorboards. I'm not sure of G mentioned to you, but it's actually a lot harder to manifest your Flames without a conductor. For some reason, it's easier to channel your Flames through a gun like Reborn or food like Bianchi. Even my gloves and Kyoya-senpai's tonfas count as conductors. Part of the reason why Fon is an Arcobaleno is because he can summon his Storm Flames with his bare fists. Not just small Flames either. His attacks are large and huge."
Hayato looked at Tsuna with wide eyes.
Tsuna grinned. "Hayato, you held your Flames lit around you and on your bare fists for twenty minutes. That's amazing! Even Hana took months to reach that point. It's only been a few weeks for you. If you can reach an hour, there isn't anything in the world you can't channel your Flames through. You could pick up a plastic spoon and use it."
"R-really?" Hayato asked, amazed.
"Really," Tsuna said. "Don't give up okay?"
"Of course, Tsuna-sama!"
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Cooking
"Oh that's interesting."
Reborn looked up, curious. "What is?"
Bianchi held up the cookie she had just made. It was not one of her poisonous cookies, in fact it looked downright normal, as if she had bought it at the store. "It was something Ayame-san had remarked to me a few months back. Apparently my poison cooking is a result of the corrosive effect of my Storm Flames leaking into my cooking. If I learned to control it, I could cook normally," she explained.
Reborn took a cookie and took a bite. When he didn't spit it out, Bianchi smiled.
"Acceptable," Reborn said. "I prefer my cookies crunchy, but this is acceptable."
Bianchi's smile grew wider.
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Future
Ienari turned over his mother's question to him in his head. Did he really want to be Vongola Decimo? It was…
In the darkest part of his head, he could say yes.
It was such a tempting idea. The power that would come with the position of Decimo. It would be worth it, to bloodied his hands.
There was a small part of him that was so ashamed. His mother would probably be so disappointed to hear that. But…
A shiver ran down Ienari's spine.
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Lightning Bolt
Lampo watched as Haru concentrated. She sat in the middle of the living room, legs crossed and eyes closed. The air slowly grew dense, the first calling of Flames. Eventually, Haru would become fast enough that it would be instantaneous for her, but in the meantime, slow and steady.
A crackle bolt of green lightning startled them both.
"Hahi!" Haru said, startled. Her own Flames flickered, sending off tiny green sparkles around her as her concentration broke.
"Bwhaha! The Great Lambo-sama is powerful!"
Lampo sighed. He should have noticed the cow brat sneaking in. "Oi, that was dangerous," he scolded. He didn't think Lambo was still in the house. Nana was out shopping and Lampo had assumed that Lambo had with her and rest of the kids.
Lambo scowled at him. "Lambo-sama wants to learn too! Then Lambo-sama can become strong and protect Tsuna-nii too!"
Haru looked at Lampo; her eyes pleading. "Why don't we let him?"
Lampo sighed. "Maa, if you insist."
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Creative Limitations
"So, Namimori," Spanner started off. Shoichi had warned him. Told him a bit about this crazy town Shoichi called home. Spanner had seen hints in the conversations they had shared. It was all there. Coming here had just been the final piece of the puzzle.
"You're taking this rather calmly," Shoichi remarked. "I didn't even handle the truth about Spirits and Gods this well."
Spanner shrugged, examining the piece of equipment in Shoichi and his new shared lab. "An open mind leads to unlimited creativity. If we let ourselves be blinded by things people say are impossible, we wouldn't be able to innovate as easily."
Rules, Spanner believed, made to be broken.
"You're right," Shoichi agreed.
Good. That meant they could focus on more important issues. "So if Sight is the ability to see the different frequencies, can we make a pair of goggles that allows us to see it without having to do extra training? The same way we have goggles to see infrared?" Because if Spanner could start observing Spirits without having to wait, he was all for it.
Shoichi blinked. "Huh, I don't know. Let's find out."
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Challenge
"I beg your pardon?" Mukuro said.
"A spar," Kyoko repeated, more slowly. "Both you and Chrome-chan against me."
"Are you stupid?" Ken asked, looking at her with disbelief. He paused, fork lifted halfway up to his mouth as he gaped at her.
Kyoko placed her hands on her hips. She had come over to Ayame's place early enough, seeking a fight against Mukuro and Chrome.
Mukuro couldn't quite believe his ears. Oh sure, he had seen Fuuta's Ranking and knew that Sasagawa Kyoko ranked as the number one fighter in Namimori, but he hadn't really believed it. He still didn't, despite Chrome's insistence that it was all true.
Even if that wasn't the case, he didn't really understand why she was here, requesting a spar of all things.
"I'll spar against you, Kyoko-chan," Chrome said with a soft smile.
Kyoko returned the smile, before pinning Mukuro with another sharp look. "Mukuro-san?" she asked sweetly.
"Why would I want to spar against you?" Mukuro said. What exactly was the point?
"Because you're weak," Kyoko said as a matter of fact.
Mukuro felt a flash of anger.
Kyoko continued on. "Tsu-kun went easy on you. I know where Chrome-chan stands in both potential and current power. But I don't know where you stand, Mukuro-san."
"And what makes you better?" Chikusa asked, pushing up his glasses. He sat next to Chrome, across from Ken, sunlight reflecting off his glasses. "Why should Mukuro-sama even bother? It isn't like we're friends or anything."
"Are they always like this?" Kyoko asked Chrome.
Chrome smiled. "Yes."
Chrome look at Mukuro, sitting across from her. "Please, Mukuro-san? I think it would be good practice," she said softly.
Mukuro frowned. "Fine," he said. If nothing else, it would let him gauge the strength of the strongest warrior in Namimori.
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Beat down
Sasagawa Kyoko was strong.
Mukuro hated to admit it, but she was overwhelming strong. There was a ferociously to her attacks. Every time Mukuro blocked her attacks, his bones rattled from the sheer pressure, each hit heavier and heavier until he could barely lift his arms to defend. It was grating to admit that Chrome had to cover him, protect him.
But it was also easy to work with Chrome.
Chrome used her Mist Flames defensively. She successfully threw off Kyoko more than once, hiding both her and Mukuro for a few precious seconds. Offensively, though, she was weak. But that was alright, for Mukuro made up for the attack power.
It wasn't enough to overwhelm Kyoko though, who easily shot through every illusion Mukuro threw at her, shattering each one. Chrome moved to intercept Kyoko, a thick wall appearing between them, before she grabbed Mukuro and slipped to some distance away.
Mukuro used the distance to layer his next illusion. The ground warped, transforming the battleground into a field of lava. Kyoko faltered for just a second, before firing down at the ground. The resulting explosion caused the ground to collapse, breaking the illusion through brute strength.
Overwhelming powerful.
Mukuro could admit that his countdown plan would have never lasted against Sasagawa Kyoko. Given her power and how easily Tsunayoshi beat him, he wasn't even confident it would have lasted against Yamamoto Takeshi. It seemed it had been pure luck that Lancia had taken out Kurokawa Hana.
What made these children so strong?
Chrome summoned a flock of birds that took flight, swarming Kyoko. "Any ideas, Mukuro-san?" she asked, wiping her brow.
It had only been ten minutes since the fight had started and they were soundly being beaten. The entire area was already littered with broken trees and shattered rocks. Their illusions were largely ineffective. Kyoko could break through them with sheer strength. Even the real illusions Mukuro had summoned with his first realm had simply been sniped down without any hesitation.
(How on earth was this friendly cheerful girl such a deadly and precise fighter?)
Three minutes into the battle and Mukuro had been forced to rely on his fourth realm just to keep up. (He grudgingly looked at Chrome who was keeping up without any extra assistance.) The second and sixth realms were both useless at this point and the fifth was a gamble Mukuro wasn't willing to make for a spar. There was third…
That might work.
"Do you know her close combat abilities?" Mukuro asked Chrome.
"She doesn't use them as often," Chrome answered. "I've never gotten close enough before."
"And your close combat abilities?" Mukuro asked.
"I'm not… the best either," Chrome admitted.
Mukuro materialized a copy of his trident and handed it off to Chrome. "I assume you can swing this."
Chrome grasped the trident lightly. "Yes," she nodded. "I can do that much."
"Don't get hit," Mukuro said, irritated. The problem with giving Chrome a trident to increase her range, meant Kyoko would still have the same range to hit her. "Look for the opening and take it."
He would be the distraction this time around, instead of Chrome. His right eye flashed to the third realm, materializing a pack of wolves before flashing back to the first realm to make them real. "Go," he commanded.
The wolves attacked Kyoko. Gunshots went off, as her bullets tore through the leader. Another took its place through the dispelling Mist Flames. Another bullet, followed by Mukuro who threw a bundle of lotus vines, wrapping around Kyoko trying to restrain her.
At that moment before she could break out, Chrome appeared behind her, swinging down her trident.
Kyoko managed raise her gun up in time to block it, but the monument of Chrome's attack, sent her stumbling backwards.
Mukuro smugly smiled. It was a shame that Chrome's attack wasn't strong enough to knock Kyoko out. They would have won if it had been.
"Not bad," Kyoko said. Her brown eyes narrowing. "But let's end this." She lifted her gun, aiming directly at the two of them; a ball of Cloud Flames area collecting at its tip. "Doshaburi!"
The last thing Mukuro remembered was the torrent of Cloud Flames that broke through his hastily thrown up wall.
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A Lively Home
Chrome gently cradled Mukuro's head. He was still unconscious, having taken the brunt of Kyoko's attack. They had lasted far longer than she had expected against Kyoko. Still, there was some pride to be taken that they had at least not only manage to catch her off guard, but forced her to use one of her attacks in order to bring an end to the fight.
"Neesan wasn't joking that together you two would be very dangerous," Kyoko said, sitting next to her.
"I was surprised that we worked together so well," Chrome said. "Mukuro-san doesn't like me very much."
"I doubt that. I think he likes you a lot," Kyoko said. "He only agreed to this spar after you asked."
Chrome didn't know what to say about that. Things… had been interesting so say, living with everyone. Ayame was always willing to listen to her, full of advice. Ken was noisy, loud in a way that filled the space so that it was never really quiet. His banter with Chikusa was something that Chrome woke to every day, something she really appreciated in the early morning. Lancia was gentle for all his tough appearance, offering to help her with the little chores Chrome took upon herself. And Mukuro… Mukuro was just this solid presence, like a pillar of support Chrome was always lacking, but never noticed before.
Home use to be so quiet and empty. To have it so full and noisy, Chrome had been so happy to come to Namimori.
"Chrome-chan," Kyoko said. "Are you really okay being around Mukuro-san?"
Chrome nodded. She wouldn't trade it for anything in the word.
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Penny for Your Thoughts
"Is something the matter, Ienari-kun?"
Ienari looked up to see Hisen entering the room. No one else was at the base yet, everyone undoubtedly still attending their practices and duties to their families. Ienari had bowed out of karate practice, wanting the time to reflect on Nana's question to him.
"My mother asked me if I really want to be Vongola Decimo," Ienari said.
"Do you want to?" Hisen asked. She took a seat next to him at on the red couch.
Ienari clenched his fist. "I want the power that Vongola has." To be strong, that was what he desired, so strong that nothing could challenge him.
"And?" Hisen asked, brushing a strand of black hair behind her ear.
"But I feel like Kaasan would be disappointed in me," Ienari admitted. He didn't trust Nana's life around Tsuna. Why his mother could never see what kind of danger Tsuna was, he didn't understand. "To bloody my hands for the sake of power," Ienari grimaced.
"What's wrong with that?" Hisen asked. "Power is something all humans seek, to stand above others. Humans are weak, like sheep. They need a strong leader, a pillar of support. You're a good leader Ienari-kun. To be a leader, to have that kind power, it's worth a little blood on your hand."
"The ends justify the means," Ienari said. "Thanks Hisen-chan."
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Warning
Reborn unfolded the report he had received from the CEDEF officer. His blood ran cold at the contents of what was inside.
Xanxus was awake and with the Varia. CEDEF were focusing all its attention back home, scrambling to keep the mess contained and Vongola's enemies unaware. There were rumors that the Varia were planning on stealing the Vongola Rings for themselves or at the very least force a battle for the inheritance.
Another coup. Just as Nono feared. A Ring Battle might be the only way to established who would be the one to inherit the position of Decimo. It was only a matter of time before the Varia showed up in Namimori. (Reborn snarled at the idea of any of the Varia even ten miles of Tsuna.)
Bristling at the thought of having to make sure that Ayame was aware, Reborn put aside his worries for Tsuna. There was Ienari to consider. Whatever his feelings regarding Ienari were, it didn't mean it was fair for the youngest Sawada to face Xanxus of all people. Xanxus may have been frozen for eight years, but it didn't change the fact that he was lethal and well trained. Right now Ienari didn't stand a chance against him.
If a Ring Battle was held now, it would be slaughter.
Not only that, the rest of the Varia were equally dangerous. Ienari's Guardians would be devoured.
Wait.
Ayame had mentioned before that Xanxus was not qualified to be Decimo.
Reborn folded up the report. It was time to have a talk with her.
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Sharing Info
Finding Ayame was surprisingly easy.
She showed up for dinner.
Ienari had eaten earlier before heading out, no doubt to visit his friends. Ayame had shown up with her roommates in tow. Mukuro's three friends were recruited by Nana to help clean up, leaving Mukuro, Chrome and Tsuna to watch the kids.
Reborn watched, amused, as Lambo fearlessly climbed on Mukuro. Mukuro was a hair trigger away from throwing the boy off him. Chrome was brushing I-pin's hair and Tsuna was listening to what Fuuta had ranked today.
He hopped over to where Ayame was sitting, over by the sliding door, gazing out at the night sky. A full moon hung in the sky, softly glowing.
"The Varia have broken out Xanxus," Reborn said without preamble. He offered this piece of information as an olive branch, on the off chance she was unaware of it.
"I know," Ayame said. She nudged a gray cup with a stylish K logo on it towards Reborn. The smell of freshly brewed tea filling the area. This was her olive branch it seemed.
Ayame cupped her hands around her own cup. "Kamikawa already alerted me. Judging from the information flying from the Varia Headquarters, Xanxus isn't fit to move yet. He'll have to recover his ability to move before they make any plays," she said.
So, they had time then. Not much, but time. Plans already began to form in Reborn's head.
"You had mentioned before that Xanxus couldn't inherit Vongola," Reborn pressed.
"He's adopted," Ayame answered.
What. Why didn't Nono tell him that?
"Vongola's Sky Ring demands a blood relative," Ayame said. "Despite Xanxus' greater experience, with the death of his brothers, it became a sealed deal that inheritance of Vongola would fall to the Sawada Family."
Reborn vehemently swore in his head.
"Xanxus will probably force a Ring Battle to prove that even with the blood claim, Ienari isn't strong enough to lead Vongola. It's only a matter of time before they come to Namimori," Reborn said.
Ayame looked down at him. "Let them come," she said. She returned her gaze towards the night sky, taking a sip of her tea.
"Tsuna-."
"No," Ayame cut him off. "No. Tsuna still doesn't want to be Decimo and don't you dare ask him otherwise. He doesn't need to martyr himself for Ienari," she mumbled.
Reborn glanced back at the living room where Tsuna was smiling at Mukuro and Lambo's antics. His heart ached at the thought of tainting Tsuna like that, but power of Vongola wasn't something Reborn was confident in handing over to Ienari.
"Ienari isn't going to be a match for Xanxus," Reborn said, playing his next card. "Nor will his Guardians be."
"Is that what you're supposed to teach him?" Ayame lightly mocked. "If it's time, I can buy you a few more weeks at most."
"How exactly?" Reborn asked.
"Like I'm going to tell you that secret," Ayame said.
Reborn let out a frustrated groan. One day he was going to kill her over her secrets.
"A few more weeks?" Reborn questioned, letting the secret lay. Pushing her would get her to close up and Reborn (hate to admit but) needed her help.
"Hmm, by the time summer vacation rolls around it'll be impossible to keep them from coming. It would be too obvious and won't stop them. Short of confronting them myself," Ayame said plainly.
That just wasn't enough time. Reborn considered his options. He would have to call in some favors and bring in some people who could train up Ienari's Guardians to an acceptable level.
"And if Xanxus wins?" Reborn questioned. "He could hide that he isn't a blood relative or be so overwhelming powerful that the rest of Vongola will side with him."
"Vongola isn't a threat," Ayame said confidently.
Reborn bristled at her words. No one was explaining how Vongola, the bloodiest and largest Italian Famiglia in the world, wasn't a threat.
"It never was. However, it is in our best interest that Ienari does win," Ayame conceded. "Ienari winning means this all resolves peacefully."
… What did that mean?
Ayame took a sip of her tea, ignoring Reborn's simmering frustrations. "An incentive," she said finally, pinning Reborn with a sharp look. "If Ienari and his Guardians win the Ring Battles and cement Ienari's position as Decimo, I'll tell you the 'why'."
It took only a second for Reborn to realize what she was offering him. Months ago, Ayame had told him the 'how' behind Namimori's mystery, the aggressive miasma and Ienari's sealed flames. The biggest question that still remained unanswered was the why. Why did Ienari fixate on Tsuna like this? It was most likely tied up in the mystery of what happened between the twins when they were eight.
She was purposely dangling the bait in front of him.
Reborn felt a wave of irritation at this fact, over both the reasons that she knew how desperately he wanted to know and that he had no choice but to play her game. It was even more aggravating that she thought she had to offer said information to him. Reborn took pride in his status as the World's Greatest Hitman. No matter his personal feelings towards Ienari, it didn't change the fact that younger twin was his student. As if he would accept anything less than the best from Ienari. His pride demanded it.
"Deal."
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Wake Up Call
Mukuro stared at the ceiling. Today had been… enlightening. He had underestimated Sasagawa Kyoko. He could admit, in the privacy of his head that the brunet girl had demolished him. She wasn't even trying. Sawada Tsunayoshi wasn't even trying against him.
Such a brutal wake up call.
Mukuro had been so confident before coming to Namimori. The Decimo Candidate was supposed to be a weak civilian. He had been so sure that they would have been easy to overpower. Instead he found a den of monsters.
Monsters disguising themselves as sheep.
Sawada Ienari might have truly been a civilian and was as weak as he appeared. That had been the only straight forward thing in Namimori. But everyone else here, they only looked weak. Mukuro wondered why Tsunayoshi had held back against him.
The Arcobaleno might be the reason.
He didn't know what exactly was going on. There was an undercurrent in Namimori, a plan that involved pulling the wool over Vongola's eyes. For all Tsunayoshi had said he wasn't using his twin as a sacrificial pawn, the truth was exactly that. He didn't think the gentle boy had it in him.
Clearly Mukuro had been underestimating him.
Mukuro sunk further into his soft bed, trying to release some of the tension leftover from the spar. His body ached, in a completely different way than what the Estraneo had done to him. Next time he would win.
Speaking of next time… Chrome.
Another monster in sheep's clothing. He had acknowledged it during their spar, but the implications hit him much later. He had to rely on the fourth realm within minutes of the battle and yet Chrome kept up during the entire battle without any additional support. Mukuro was easily one of the top illusions the mafia had seen in centuries. There was a reason why he was one of the very few to ever escape from the Vindice.
Mukuro knew his illusions, knew the strength of his Mist Flames. He had his Six Paths of Reincarnation to further boost his ability. Chrome didn't have that and still held her own against Kyoko. The fact that she could cast Real Illusions (no matter how weak or small) without the use of first realm was another tick on the checklist.
On top of that, she had only had her Mist Flames for about two years and wasn't able to see her teacher that often. Just how powerful would she turn out to be after a few more years of experience?
Mukuro lifted his hand, staring past the colors. Wrapped around his pinky was a thin braid of yellow and green string. It was pulled taut, connecting him to the purple haired girl that was sleeping in another room just down the hall. What that meant though, he didn't know. Just how many mysteries were wrapped up in this little quaint town?
"Nufufufu, what do we have here?"
Now who could that be? Happy Birthday to Tsuna and Reborn! \ o / (I wasn't sure I was gonna finish this in time ;3; )
General Notes:
See Chapter 7 (Get Up) for Ayame's words to Tsuna. See Chapter 10 (Conviction) for Reborn's words to Tsuna.
See Chapter 19 (Drowning in Petals), Goddamn Namimori Chapter 4 regarding Ayame and the red roses issue
See Goddamn Namimori Chapter 5 about Ayame and Bianchi's conversation
See Chapter 12 for 'how' / Xanxus cannot inherit conversation.
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Please leave a review on your way out. :3 Any theories you want to share?