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
Farran - the woman who challenged Fon
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
Mochida Kensuke* - Hisen's cousin, captain of kendo club. Storm Guardian
Others:
Hibari Koumei - Kyoya's Father. Interpol Agent.
Hibari Yun - Kyoya's Mother. Deceased. Fon's sister.
Sawada Hidetada - Giotto's son. Twin to Yoshimune
Sawada Yoshimune* - Giotto's son. Twin to Hidetada
* - canon character
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Requiem of a Tragedy
Reborn froze, running Tsuna's words in his head over again. What did that mean? His throat felt dry as his mind swam. How many? How many times did he nearly lose Tsuna before Reborn met him? When? Why didn't Ayame say anything?
"Tsuna?" he asked, for once wary and unsure. He shook, his carefully maintained persona shattering. (But Tsuna and this town always, always, constantly challenged him, forcing him to look closer and doubt even what he had seen and heard.)
Tsuna looked at him with a sad smile. "Like I said, complicated. Let's move somewhere more private. I think it's time I told you what happened between Ienari and me when I was eight."
He gently picked up Reborn and headed home. Reborn sat quietly in Tsuna's arms, trying to process. As he gained some balance, he found himself back in Tsuna's bedroom with Tsuna handing him a thick medical file.
Reborn swallowed, taking the file, almost afraid of what it contained.
"Do you know about the kidnapping attempt that happened when I was eight?" Tsuna asked. His voice remained leveled and calm.
Reborn nodded weakly. "Ayame explained it to me," he said.
"Right, so Neesan thinks that was Ienari's breaking point," Tsuna said. "I met Neesan during the summer. That autumn, our school had a field trip. It was one of those three days, two nights types, to build independence away from our parents, a simple camping trip up the mountains."
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Fall of a King
"Ienari! Where are we going?" Tsuna asked as his twin pulled him along with him. Privately, Tsuna was happy that Ienari was willing to take him with him. It had been odd these last couple years with Ienari constantly pushing him away. The close call they had a couple months ago seemed to ignite a dangerous anger in Ienari that left Tsuna fearful. But if Ienari was willing to spend time with him, perhaps things were not so bad.
Ienari said nothing, pushing Tsuna forward through a thicket.
"Wow," Tsuna said, stepping forward. It was a cliff with a view of the entire mountain range. He soaked in the sight, watching as the trees stretched for miles. Looking down, a river curved through the trees, its bed full of rocks.
He turned back to look at Ienari, beaming. "This is beautiful Ienari!" he said, just in time to see Ienari reaching out towards him.
Inari pushed him. Tsuna stumbled backwards and over the cliff.
Suddenly he couldn't breathe.
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Snip the Bond
"He pushed you?" Reborn asked. When Ayame had said it was bad, he didn't think that Ienari would have gone as far as to attempt to murder Tsuna.
"Yes," Tsuna said, closing his eyes. "It was about 7 meters above the ground with the riverbed being what I landed on. I broke multiple bones including one of my lower vertebrate. One particularly sharp rock managed to pierce my stomach. My ribs broke, puncturing one of my lungs. I couldn't breathe."
Reborn drew in a sharp breath. "How did you survive?" he asked, stunned beyond belief. That kind of fall, it was a miracle it hadn't killed Tsuna on impact. Not to mention that they were up in the mountains alone.
Tsuna let out a humorless laugh. "I've never been so grateful for Neesan's paranoia." He pulled out a worn orange charm. "She had woven countless protections into it. Not enough to stop the injury, but enough to alert her that something had happened. I don't remember it, but she was the one who got me to the hospital. It was… bad."
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Blood on My Hands
Ayame trembled, clenching and unclenching her hands, still stained with Tsuna's blood. She glanced up at the 'in surgery' light gleaming at her. She hadn't expected that tiny boy she had met to end up in such a serious condition. Thank Inari-sama that she tagged him with her usual protection charms. It wasn't enough, she needed to add stronger ones so something like this didn't repeat, but, but, but-
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Her heart continued to race. Too soon. Too soon. She was unbalanced, teetering on the edge of losing her grip on sanity.
It was fortunate that someone else cracked before her.
"Where is my son!" shouted a young woman.
"Sawada-san, please calm down!" the nurse pleaded with her.
Sawada Nana, Ayame recognized. Tsuna's mother. She stood, reaching out to place a calming hand on Nana's shoulder. Her eyes flickered to the nurse's nametag: Akito. "I got her Akito-san," Ayame said.
"Ayame-sensei," Akito said with a bow. "If you must."
"Sawada-san," Ayame said. "I'm Ayame. I was the one who found your son."
"What happened?" Nana said, desperately grabbing Ayame's shoulders and clenching tight. "I-I got a call from the hospital that Tsu-kun was hurt. How? He and Ienari are away on a school field trip!"
"It still requires further investigation, but it seems that he fell," Ayame said. "I found him bleeding out. He's currently in surgery."
"Ah, are you Sawada Tsunayoshi's mother?" a doctor interrupted them. He was still dressed for surgery, blood still staining his gown.
Nana paled at his appearance. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Doctor Nakamoto, Ayame remembered, grimace. "I'm sorry," he said as gently as he could. Ayame felt cold washing over. No. No, it couldn't be.
"We've stabilized the bleeding, but… we're afraid he won't make it. The damage to his organs is too great. A rock pierced his stomach; it's too damaged. There's more damage to one of his kidneys and liver. His ribs cracked, one punctured his lung. We've also discovered at least one of his spine vertebrae was fracture. If by some miracle, he survives, we aren't sure if he'll walk again. There are multiple fractures scatter his arms and legs," Nakamoto said.
"No, no, no," Nana said, knees giving out. Ayame just barely caught her, stunned as well. "Not my Tsu-kun."
"Let me try," Ayame blurted out. She couldn't let Tsuna die. Last time… last time she couldn't do anything and now history was repeating on her, she couldn't fail. Not again.
"Ayame-sensei," Nakamoto started.
"I'm aware I do not have all the necessary training." It never stopped her before. One of the few perks of being a genius was that she learned fast and under pressure. "I will take full responsibility. Should anything go wrong and you can tell everyone that I forced you into it." She turned to Nana, pleading. "Please, Sawada-san. Let me try."
"Don't give her false hope," Nakamoto reprimanded her. "Tsunayoshi will need a stomach transplant at least and we have none ready to go."
"It's not legal yet, but I have a stomach," Ayame said.
"You deal with the black market-"
"No," Ayame cut him off. "Highly experimental, but my latest experiment is man-grown synthetic organs. It's not legal yet. In fact, I only finished a prototype a month ago. I have no idea if Tsuna's body will reject the organ or not."
Nakamoto growled at her. "Even if I agree, the damage is extensive. His body is already stressed out."
Ayame bit her lip, hesitating for a second. "I have something that can fix that as well. That one has been tested regularly but has never been released outside, ah, of my family. That technology… it won't leave that room, I won't explain it to anyone and the NDA you signed when I agreed to work here ensures you can't speak of it. But that fine detailed work, the correction and the ability to reinforce the bones without cutting Tsuna open again. I can do that."
Tsuna… Tsuna was just a little boy she met and Ayame was bewildered that she was throwing herself so fervently into saving him. But after that… she couldn't. Asher would be so disappointed in her, if she didn't at least try, secrets be damned. Tier would… Tier would… She forced those thoughts away.
"With your permission, Sawada-san," Ayame asked.
Nana nodded. "Please, save my son."
Ayame nodded, marching into the prep room.
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Phone Call
Nana gripped the payphone, tears threatening to fall. Her hands trembled as she fed the machine enough coins. Her head bowed, tears now free falling as it rang.
"Hello?"
"Iemitsu," Nana hiccuped. She desperately clung to hope that Ayame would be able to Tsuna, but, but, but if she couldn't… She wanted Iemitsu home, she needed his support right now.
"Nana, darling!" Iemitsu's cheerful voice rang. "What's wrong dear?"
"Tsuna," Nana managed to get out before choking on her words. She tried to imagine a world without one of her sons.
"Oh? Is Tsuna being a difficult child? Cheer up Nana. It's just boys being boys."
No! That was not that case here! "Iemitsu," Nana tried again. "Tsuna-"
Iemitsu cut her off. "I have to go dear. Call back later!"
Nana stared at the phone, numb as Iemitsu hung up on her. She spun, staring at the surgery light that was still on, feeling sick. She swayed, sinking into a nearby seat. Iemitsu… Iemitsu didn't even let her explain.
She wrapped her arms around her, curling tighter as she cried.
Chest heaving, she wrestled her emotions under control and marched back to the phone. She inserted more money and waiting for Iemitsu to pick up again.
"Iemitsu, come home," she said.
"Nana darling!" her husband answered. "I can't right now."
"Tsuna needs you," she said. "I need you. Tsuna is-"
"I can't right now, Nana," Iemitsu said, the cheer dropping for his voice. "This project is super important!"
"Iemitsu! Come home!" she pleaded, hysterical. Why wouldn't he let her explain? Why was he refusing? She had never asked him to come before, always understanding his job. Was it not enough that she was asking? That something was wrong?
"Sorry, Nana! I'll be home in a couple months!"
"Tsuna might be dead by then!"
But the click told her that Iemitsu hadn't heard her last words. Nana let the phone fall from her hands. A nurse quietly approached her, guiding her back to the waiting. Nana stared at the ground, numb. Her heart exploded with grief, tears running down her face, the salty and bitter taste. She hiccuped, so fearful as to what was happening to Tsuna.
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Damning Truth
"How is he?" Nana asked, the minute Ayame stepped through the doors.
"It's going to take awhile for him to recover, but we're certain he'll recover as long as his spirit holds," Ayame said, wiping her brow. Nakamoto had been stunned into silence and thank Inari-sama that she had the foresight to slap an NDA on every staff member in the hospital before she started work here.
Still, between the technology Ayame had at her fingertips plus the countless spells and spiritual blessings she could remember, Ayame had thrown all of her knowledge at it. It barely wasn't enough (and if she warded against death, pinned down Tsuna's soul so that it wouldn't flee before she could heal all the damage, that was between her and Engetsu). Bones were knitted back together, reinforced with more calcium, the stomach was replaced, other organs stitched back together and only time would tell if she managed to fix the nerve damage.
If she was planning on leaving here to perform a couple more rituals and call in a couple favors from spirits who could heal, well again, that was between her and Engetsu.
Nana collapsed in her arms. Ayame froze, unused to being touched in such a manner. She awkwardly patted Nana on the back. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," Nana chanted, pressing her head against Ayame's shoulder.
"I didn't get a chance to mention it, but your other son is fine," Ayame asked. She didn't like the implications that were beginning to settle in her mind, but it was something to investigate when her emotions weren't running so high.
Nana merely sobbed harder.
"Ah…" Ayame said, unsure how to comfort her. She continued to pat Nana's back. "Is your husband coming soon?" she asked, trying to change the subject and get Nana to stop crying.
Nana flinched and pulled away. "N-No. He works overseas and cannot get time off from work."
"Ah," Ayame said. Well, that was probably horrible to be stuck overseas when one of his children were dying. Tsuna hadn't mentioned his father at all and outside of his name, Sawada Iemitsu, it hadn't pinged much on the cursory background check she had done. "Can I ask which company? I have a couple connections overseas. Maybe I could pull some strings?"
Tsuna would probably feel better if his father was here. If all else failed, Koumei owed her a favor too. He was menacing enough that people would trip over their feet if she sent Koumei.
"It's called CEDEF Construction," Nana said, wiping away her tears.
Ayame flinched. Oh, that was worse. So much worse. She recognized that name. "I see," she said. Well, that… that explained some things and brought up more questions.
"You know that company," Nana said. It was not a question, a statement. "What can you tell me about it?"
Ayame crinkled her nose. Nana didn't know. That… was on many different levels of horrifying. That Nana didn't know, that Iemitsu didn't tell her, the uncomfortable realization that they were connected to the Italian Mafia.
"Please," Nana pleaded with her. "He… I keep calling, and he won't tell me why he won't come home."
By Inari-sama. It wasn't that he couldn't come home, but because he wouldn't?! Ayame was not liking the picture that beginning to form in her mind regarding the Sawada Family. An absent father who was married to his job, a twin brother felt wrong to Ayame's finely tuned senses, Tsuna who was covered in far too many scratches and bruises for it be just clumsiness and a mother who was clearly overwhelmed. "It's… nothing good," she said, warily.
"Tell me," Nana asked. "I… I'm losing control. The boys grow older but they keep fighting with each other. Iemitsu hasn't been home in three years already and I don't know to do. He wouldn't even listen to me as I tried to tell him that Tsuna was possibly dying."
"The CEDEF Construction is a cover company. They're connected to the mafia," Ayame said bluntly.
Nana recoiled away from her. Ayame slumped her shoulders. She was never really good at sugar coating the truth. She threaded a hand through her hair, feeling the exhaustion hit her. By Inari-sama, she was so tired.
"The mafia?" Nana said quietly, covering her mouth with her hand. She turned away, resting her forehead against the wall, trembling. "He… never said…" she whispered faintly.
"The CEDEF Construction is a cover for Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia, the advisors for Vongola, the largest mafia famiglia in existence," Ayame said. She grimaced at the mere thought. There was little love between Ayame and the Italian Mafia.
Nana's knees buckled. "Oh my god," she said. "I didn't know. How… when did Iemitsu… has he always been one?" She gripped Ayame's sleeve. "What does that mean, for my sons?"
Ayame hesitated. "It could be nothing. It could mean he wants them inducted later on."
"No," Nana said. "No, not my sons." Her eyes widened. "Iemitsu said… one for me, one for him, when the boys were born."
Not Tsuna, Ayame decided then and there. She didn't know Ienari, but if she was going to throw one into the mafia, it was going to be Ienari. (Ayame was no saint, and if she had sacrificed one, it was going to be the one she didn't care about.)
"Let me gather more information for you," Ayame said. "Before you decide to do anything."
Nana weakly agreed.
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Shatter My Perceptions
Nana drew a shaky breath as she looked at Tsuna's still formed. It had been three days since the first time the hospital called her. Tsuna had been rushed back into surgery two more times, repairing even more damage and stubbornly holding on.
She took a seat at Tsuna's bedside, trying to put her world back in order. Ienari had come back yesterday and had outright lied to her face about Tsuna. Nana's heart ached that her youngest would lie to her like that. The brief flicker of rage she had seen on his face when she informed him that Tsuna was still alive and in the hospital… it sent chills down her spine.
Where had it gone wrong?
Why hadn't she seen it?
She was a failure as a mother.
The door slid open. "Sawada-san."
It was Ayame. Nana didn't quite know what to make of her. All the nurses had told her was that she was a recent graduate medical student, finishing her training here. She was so young, looking largely out of place among the other doctors and nurses.
But Nana was so grateful for her. Ayame had assigned herself to oversee all of Tsuna's recovery; whatever technology and talents she had were poured into Tsuna's recovery. Nana couldn't even begin to pay her back. She hadn't lost Tsuna because of Ayame.
"Ayame-sensei," Nana greeted.
Ayame gave a small nod, looking weary and exhausted. Her golden eyes were old, aged far beyond what a young girl should be. Nana took a moment to recall how over the last couple weeks, Tsuna had mentioned making a friend with gold colored eyes. Nana counted her blessings, having no doubt that Ayame wouldn't have tried as hard if she hadn't known Tsuna.
Ayame handed her a thick file with Interpol's official emblem stamped across it. "This is everything Interpol knows about CEDEF," she said. Ayame then handed her a piece of paper with a string of numbers on it. "This is a phone number to someone in Interpol you can call to confirm the information. You might have met him, Hibari Koumei."
Nana accepted both, thankful that she was giving her the option to confirm the information. She had taken to examining everything that Iemitsu had told her over the years, dismayed to find more and more weakness in the things he had told her. Nana didn't know Ayame, couldn't trust the information she was giving her, but at least Ayame was willing to tell her the truth.
(Unlike Iemitsu.)
(How could she have been so blind?)
She wondered how Ayame knew Hibari Koumei or how she had manage to pull information that was probably top-secret in Interpol. But for now, Nana would let that slide. Tsuna was more important.
"Once you're done with that, I have another file, much thicker, about Vongola from Interpol," Ayame said. "Then entire boxes worth of my own personal information on CEDEF, Vongola and Iemitsu himself."
"Thank you," Nana said, full of deep gratitude. She wanted to see for herself where the lies and truths begin and end.
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Emotionally Wrought
Ayame bowed her head in silent grief. Piles of paper stacked above her, an endless pit of blood, fear and power. She had no idea.
Vongola.
It was a name she had familiar with, a by product of her childhood, unfortunately. She had known that Vongola was an the largest and greatest Italian Mafia family in existence. But she never dug into it.
(After Sinapri, Ayame wanted nothing to do with Italy and its underworld.)
Was this her karma for Sinapri? To meet Tsuna who was so deeply entrenched in Vongola's bloodied history without even knowing it?
She pushed away her grief, shaking her head and summoning up more courage. "If you start something, you see it through the end," Ayame said, picking up another file.
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Curse Inheritance
Nana felt as if she was shattering. Her hands shook, crumpling the piece of paper she held. All these years, all those lies. This was the reality of what Iemitsu did.
Two weeks since the incident and Tsuna had yet to wake. Ienari continued on, still blissfully unaware and absolutely happy that he didn't see Tsuna. (Nana didn't even encourage Ienari to come to the hospital.) Iemitsu still hadn't bother to call back and ask her why she was upset or if she had manage to sort out the issue with the boys. All the while, she swallowed tomes of information about Vongola and the CEDEF.
Everything was falling apart and it felt like Nana was the only one aware.
No. That wasn't true.
"Sawada-san," Ayame said.
Ayame had been a steadfast presence from the start, looking just as worn as Nana felt. Gently, Ayame pried the paper away from her hands, handing her a sandwich instead.
"It's just speculation," Ayame murmured. "There's no proof that your husband had committed these crimes."
"He's the main suspect," Nana said bitterly. Murder, kidnapping, theft, organized hits. It seemed Iemitsu had tried his hand in just about everything before he had reached the top of the CEDEF and became practically untouchable. "Doesn't change the fact that he is still a mafioso."
"No, no it doesn't."
"What am I going to do?" Nana asked helplessly. She gestured to the many files spread throughout Tsuna's hospital room. "There's so much, Vongola is so big. And… and… Iemitsu is one of its top powers. Then there is his bloodline. Both my sons are in line to inherit Vongola."
Nana was so afraid. Ienari was beginning to spiral out of control. That anger she had hoped would temper with age was getting worse and she didn't want to think about the lie Ienari had told her about Tsuna's incident, didn't want to think that her youngest had anything to do with it, didn't want to believe that Ienari was capable to actually hurting Tsuna to point of nearly killing him.
Tsuna, Nana was doing so wrong by Tsuna who grew quieter and quieter with each passing day. It ashamed her that sometimes she forgot that her oldest existed, slipping away without her even noticing.
Vongola would destroy her sons. It would kill Tsuna's heart. It would turn Ienari into a monster.
"There are still others before then, even if they have a more direct claim," Ayame said. "There's only two options really. You can run, take your sons and hope that Vongola never finds you or you can fight. I can help you with both."
Nana closed her eyes. She thought of Iemitsu and the love she had felt. She thought of her sons, of Tsuna on the brink of death, of Ienari who lied to her. She thought of the day they were first born, when Iemitsu held Ienari and told her 'one for her and one for him'.
"Fight," Nana said.
"You might lose them both or you might only save one," Ayame said.
"Vongola is widespread enough that if I run I will lost them both," Nana whispered. "I would like to save them both, but if I have to save one…" She squeezed Tsuna's hand. "Iemitsu already said, one for me, one for him."
The following summer Iemitsu showed up for a few brief days, with the same boisterous laugh and cheer. Nana merely smiled and didn't bring up the incident up. Her heart grew cold as Iemitsu dotted on Ienari, never asking where Tsuna was. It was fine.
Iemitsu could pick Ienari. Nana picked Tsuna.
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The Greatest Tragedy (is what could have been)
"When I woke, Neesan was by my side, explaining how I ended up in the hospital, the extent of my injuries and how long I would have to recover. Later on, I learned about Vongola and Tousan's role. I spent my 9th birthday in the hospital," Tsuna said. He scrubbed his eyes, so weary. "Neesan threw everything into understanding Dying Will Flames, the status of Vongola and why Ienari was so, well, angry. When we met Papa nearly a year later, all the pieces fell into place. Then we started planning."
Reborn closed Tsuna's medical file, feeling sick to his stomach. With the way he continue to dote on them, he never thought Iemitsu would be so careless as to ignore an upset Nana. But, well as Fon put it, it was like forcing a fantasy on to reality when it came to Iemitsu and his disillusion about family.
That Ienari would go as far as to attempt to murder Tsuna was another eye opener. It was one thing to say it, but he didn't actually think Ienari would have done it. How much of it was influenced by Nono sealing Ienari's Flames? How much of it them shattering and splintering apart? Reborn had been wrong. Ienari would fit perfectly into Vongola's bloodied mindset if he was willing to go as far as trying to kill Tsuna.
The Sawada Family was doomed from the start, with Iemitsu's lies and Nono's interference. Free falling, spiraling out of control until Ayame had come along, granting them a safety net. What would have happened if Ayame had never arrived?
(How much sooner would have Tsuna taken his life, snuffing out the brightest person Reborn had ever known?)
Would have Reborn met Tsuna? Or would have been an empty shell? A single divergence, a simple choice, a butterfly's effect.
Ienari would have broken Tsuna, cowed his brother into submission. Stolen everything from Tsuna, that gentleness, that patience, that acceptance.
What would have happened had Nono never interfered? Would Ienari's Flames burn just bright as Tsuna, untainted and warped?
So many what-ifs, so many possibilities lost. Reborn mourned the loss of could haves and would haves.
"After discovering that two of Nono's sons had already passed and that Ienari and I were next in line, I had decided that I didn't want anything to do with Vongola," Tsuna said. "Not after hearing the stories from Papa, or the list of crimes that Neesan had unearthed. I couldn't be Decimo, not without compromising who I was."
Tsuna clenched his fists. "Of course, I'm not sure about that if I'm willing to let Ienari go into that world without any warning or choice at all."
"We're not saints," Reborn said.
"No," Tsuna said. "Ienari is admittedly stronger than me, able to withstand that world. It's…"
"Complicated," Reborn filled in.
"Yes."
Reborn still approved. Better Ienari than Tsuna. Maybe there was another way to save them both, but if one had to be sacrificed, then Reborn was more than fine with Ienari being the lamb to slaughter.
"There were three plans," Tsuna recounted. "Plan A was the destruction of Vongola. Plan B was if I inherited. Plan C was if Ienari inherited. I prefered Plan C. It was the nonviolent, least threatening version and if done right, no one would have been wiser and ideally Vongola and Ienari would just… leave us be."
"Will they?" Reborn challenged. Vongola would continue to keep an eye on Tsuna and any children he had. Ienari was willing to kill Tsuna once, drive him to the point to suicide in another attempt, there was no telling what would have happened if Ienari discovered he could send people after Tsuna.
"Hmm, Neesan already has that worked out," Tsuna said with a sheepish grin. "I think she had too much fun with it. But well, better to let her handle that."
What exactly did Ayame know, what could she do that she was so confident that Vongola wouldn't be a threat? Truthfully, he still knew nothing about her abilities or history. She was still a mystery.
"Why did you consider jumping off the bridge," Reborn asked, changing the subject. After everything Tsuna went through, why throw it away all over again?
"It's… silly," Tsuna said. "Looking back. I was so happy, until Ienari reminded me of the reality of situation. Of our family, of Vongola looming in the distance, and I was… I guess overwhelmed by most of it. It was nice to meet Papa and Neesan was trying so far, but it was also exhausting. Somedays it still is."
"But… it's easier now. To remember that I have other people who care about me," Tsuna said with a fond smile. "It's easier to find reasons to keep moving forward."
Mentally, Reborn sighed in relief.
"And you're physically fine?" Reborn asked.
Tsuna nodded. "I gave Shamal my file a little while back so he's aware of the issue. Neesan constantly monitors me as well. No issues so far and it's been over five years."
Reborn hummed. Well as long as it lasted. He would keep a careful eye on Tsuna's health. It answered a couple of observations that Reborn had noticed as well. Like Tsuna's reliance on his arms, instead of his legs. Despite the flexible nature of his fighting style, Tsuna rarely, if ever, used his legs to kicked, favoring to punch instead. An injury to his spine most likely placed a subconscious effort not to use his legs so much. His morning runs with Ryohei were also probably to keep in shape and ensure that his legs still moved the way he wanted to.
So here was the mystery of Namimori, laid out in front of him. He was still missing a couple pieces, (he still no idea who the ninth occupant of the house was), but most of the puzzle was complete. The incident between Tsuna and Ienari when they were eight, the reasoning behind the oddity and madness, even what Tsuna and Ayame had planned.
It was a honor to finally be brought into the fold.
(It was a horror to finally know the truth.)
"What do you intend to do with the rest?" Reborn asked. He made his decision and Fon's decision was crystal clear as well. But the others, Dino, Colonnello, and Skull to name a few.
"Not all of them have said it, but most of them have made their choice already," Tsuna said.
"Bianchi, Shamal, Mukuro and his gang," Reborn listed. He had noticed that Bianchi had… just stopped her jobs, focusing more on the children and her refining her skills. Shamal hadn't even considered leaving, still content with the job he took up at the school as a nurse. Mukuro and his gang seemed oddly content as well, no schemes or traps lying in wait.
None of the kids, from level-headed Shoichi to eccentric Haru gave it any consideration at all. They jumped fully into the madness.
"Yes," Tsuna said with a light laugh. "Paperwork has been flying around like crazy."
"So we wait," Reborn concluded.
Tsuna nodded. "We wait."
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Fork in the Road
"So Ienari is going back to Italy with Vongola once they're all recovered," Fon said.
"As long as he agrees," Skull said.
"Which, from what we've seen, he will, kora," Colonnello added.
Reborn nodded in agreement. Next to him Dino looked up at the blue sky in melancholia. The four Arcobaleno and Dino gathered, the last meeting of tutors. Bianchi had passed with a wave of her hand and knowing look on her face.
"I will not be returning to Italy," Reborn announced. 'I will be leaving the Mafia' went unsaid.
Colonnello, Skull and Dino both looked at him with varying degrees of shock. Fon, on the other hand, was not surprised at all.
"Quite a measure of trust," Fon said, amused.
Reborn scoffed at that. Well, it was true. Fon… had been in this madness for just as long as he had. Dino… well he owed his student this much and if Tsuna was right, Colonnello and Skull would be dragged into this madness.
"I supposed, I should say I also will not be returning to Italy anytime soon. China either," Fon said mildly.
"What," Colonnello said.
"I thought…" Skull trailed off.
"You missed that," Fon said, still amused. "They're no longer an issue, as such, I don't have any reason to return. I-pin likes it here and what little family I do have left is also nearby."
Colonnello frowned. "You two are planning something, kora." He looked at Dino. "You're not in it, but you know more than Skull and I."
Dino shrugged. "I have an idea and I bet it's along the same lines as what I thought."
"Come to your own conclusions and make your own choice," Reborn said. He tipped his hat and hopped away.
Dino followed after him, the two of them walking down the street.
"Reborn," Dino started.
"I think it's stupid," Reborn interrupted, already aware of what Dino was thinking. "I don't approve, but it isn't like she approves of me." The swing vote for Dino was always going to be Ayame, not Ienari, not Tsuna. Sure the twins played a large role, but his helpless student had to go and fall in love with the troublesome girl.
It had been so painful to watch too. Reborn realized it long before Dino ever did. Sourly, Reborn didn't even think she was good enough for Dino. Ayame was ill suited to the life of a mafia don's wife and in general drove him up the wall. It was like dealing with Verde, maybe even Iemitsu. Granted, Reborn would take Ayame's company over those two idiots any day, but it didn't mean he liked her any less. Reborn didn't like to be toyed with and Ayame was definitely toying with him. The only upside was that Ayame was utterly clueless about Dino's feelings.
"But talk to her before you make anything drastic decisions," Reborn said flatly. Knowing Dino, he was probably considering relocating the main portion of his famiglia here. Drastic, over the top, and completely in Dino's character. All for one girl.
Dino grinned at him. "I know."
"If she gets upset with you, know I'm planning on siding with Tsuna," Reborn said. He was not going to get in between them. If he did, he was going to side with Dino and kill Ayame which would make Tsuna upset and Reborn was not going to upset Tsuna.
Dino's grin only grew wider. "I know."
"Don't get hurt," Reborn said. He climbed to the top of the fence so that he was a closer eye level with Dino.
Dino's grin softened into something smaller, happier and fond. "Thank you Reborn."
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If I say I love you…
Ayame sighed to herself, feeling that persistent tugging like usual. Honestly, most people, upon discovering her abilities, were often jealous, but none of them had to deal with said abilities every day. If her Sight wasn't overwhelming her, it was these nonstop feelings, telling her to do something, but never detailed enough for her to know what exactly Fate wanted her to do.
She blinked, finding herself back the park where she first met Tsuna. A wave of nostalgia washed over her. It was hard to believe sometimes that her life took a completely different direction just by meeting Tsuna here in this park.
"Ayame!"
She turned and instantly braced herself as Dino jogged up to her. Her eyes were glued to his feet, ready to dodge the moment Dino inevidently tripped and crashed into her.
"I don't always trip!" Dino protested, recognizing what she was doing.
"Past evidence says otherwise," Ayame grumbled. If money wasn't a real issue, she would have made Dino repair and clean every outfit he ruined. As it was, she was sure that she bought and replaced more clothes this year alone than the rest of her life.
Dino just smiled her, a tad sheepish. Ayame sighed and relaxed.
"I didn't know you were back already. Enjoy the beach?" he asked.
Ayame hummed. "It was nice and relaxing."
"And away from the Varia," Dino said, cheekily.
"Of course."
"Did you plan that?" Dino asked.
"Maybe," Ayame said. Of course, she did, but that was nothing she was going to outright admit. The wards had warned her of the Varia's advance, well before they arrived here in Namimori. It was unfortunate that the rest of the kids had run into Varia before they left, but since they came out of that incident without any real mishaps, it was fine. For now at least.
"Ienari won, securing his position as Decimo," Dino started. "There's even talk about moving him to Italy to finish his training."
"I've heard," Ayame answered, wondering where he was going with this.
"Reborn won't be returning to Italy though," Dino added on. "Which, works to my favor I guess."
Ayame's eyebrow rose. "It does?" Curious. Dino was Reborn's student, one Reborn was clearly fond of. She knew that they kept in regular contact, even as Reborn's jobs took him all over the world. The biggest sign was Dino coming all the way to Namimori just on Reborn's request.
"A good excuse to return to Namimori whenever I want to visit," Dino said brightly.
"Like you wouldn't have come anyways," Ayame said.
"I wouldn't have. It would have been too dangerous," Dino said softly. "Even now, I'm not sure it's good idea to return, once Vongola pulls out. Even if Reborn remains here."
Ayame hesitated for a brief second. "It's not like Namimori is completely defensive," she said, crossing her arms.
"No, it's not," Dino agreed with her.
Silence fell upon them. Ayame looked away, watching the wind blow through the trees, whistling softly. That persistent feeling had yet to leave, continuously tugging at her.
"Ayame," Dino started.
"Hm?"
Dino stepped forward into her personal space and Ayame found herself looking up at his brown eyes, clear like glass. She froze, not sure what to make of the serious expression on his face. Her head tilted to the side as she waited.
"I love you," Dino said softly.
An ice cold feeling washed over her, as if she was dropped into the ocean. Her breath quickened as she took a step back, a phantom touch stroking her cheek. She hunched her shoulders, curling her arms tight around her. The coppery smell of blood, ash and irises flooded her nose.
I love you.
"Ayame!" Dino said, alarmed. He reached out her, but Ayame took another step backwards out of his reach.
She shook her head, tears welling up. "N-no," she said, taking another step back. Her throat tightened like a vice gripped collar choking her. Why would he do that? Her head spun; tears free falling.
"Ayame!"
She ran.
-takes Dino's feelings and stomps all over them- ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* So now you know what happened between the twins. Fun fact, the "flashback" part use to be chapter 1.
Also the arc title has been changed as it was causing some confusion. (This isn't the final arc of this fic. More like the halfway point really). The arc was titled Endgame originally, because this is the end of the game between Vongola and Tsuna. Also because all the secrets are coming out. Going forward, this arc will now be called Moment of Truth
See you in a month. Please leave a review on your way out. Any other guess at what else might be revealed? Theories?
General Notes
The concept of man-made organs is what Tsuna was talking about in Chapter 5 Updated Information. This why Yousei's attacks and organ harvesting hits a nerve. Also this is why Ayame is the one who picks up Chrome and comes home with her (in case anyone was wondering why Mukuro and Chrome don't have that obvious connection of Mukuro creating Chrome's organs.)
Ienari fell from a tree, but felt like he was drowning thanks to Tsuna's Flames and the interruption from Nono sealing his Flames.
Tsuna fell from a cliff, but the puncture in his lungs meant he couldn't breath.
See Chapter 3 Outcast for the first time Nana mentioned 'one for me, one for him'.
See Chapter 7 Get Up for "If you start something, you see it through the end"
See Chapter 25 Doctor for when Tsuna gave Shamal his medical file. This is also the chapter that Shamal decides to call Tsuna his Sky.
See Chapter 14 Kindness for Bianchi's decision
See Chapter 28 Friendly Inquiry and Chapter At The Beach 31 for Mukuro decision.