AN: Since so many people asked I tried to separate the paragraphs better. Well hope you enjoy this chapter~ Sorry I totally forgot to update it the last few days.
It was another meeting, at another time. How many had there been had since that encounter? Tsuna shuddered to think it should happen again. Why was Byakuran toying with him in this way? why had he insisted on meetings that barely solved anything? Yet this time there was a hum in the air. The Millefiore boss had something in store, and that fact among all else made Tsuna queasy. Five of his guardians had been captured in a slip up around Head Quarters. Damn it, how had he gotten so close to home base. How could Tsuna be so foolish?
"I'd be happy to save your family for a price. Take your death and become mine for eternity, I rule the world and spare your precious family. Unless you would rather have them die right now? The gas can be turned on with out my lifting of a finger. Say the word before you end up hearing their last. " Finally, Byakuran was barring his true fangs. Tsuna flinched at his gaze; instead of matching the violet orbs he watched his hands with concerned eyes.
"...Please don't" His breath was but a whisper, his blood screaming for him to fight, to protect his family, to save the world but he couldn't. For his family he would give anything up. They were his precious friends. He didn't know how he continued to end up here making peace meetings, asking the Millefiore to step down but Byakuran the surprisingly gluttonous boss was asking something mad. He knew... There wasn't an escape. Somehow Tsuna always thought he would be done in by Mukuro's hand rather than the Millefiore, but perhaps he had kept his white haired enemy closer.
"Oh but I wouldn't ask you to do it right now. I'll give you plenty of time to prepare the funeral arrangements"
The Vongola boss finally looked Byakuran in his eyes, a soft frown on his features in contrast to the other's smiling one.
"Do you think you can escape, Tsunayoshi? I can catch you." Byakuran's eyes said it all, but in a blink, the ferocity disappeared He felt unnerved none the less. Tsuna's mouth set in a thin line, eyes betraying his resolve. He wanted to say the truth. he wanted to tell Byakuran he would never get away with it but he couldn't. not with his friends on the line.
"I agree to your terms." Tsuna's voice sounded weak even to his own ears.
"Good boy." Tsuna couldn't help how his eyes narrowed at the comment. He stood slowly, nodding to Byakuran on his way to the door.
"Tsunayoshi~ don't forget, you only have a week to say goodbye" before you're mine. the latter words were left unspoken but still hung in the air.
"Yes." and with that the Vongola Decimo left, a whisper of a chuckle coming from the white haired Mafioso. It was only a matter of time.
"Wh-What!?" Shoichi gaped in disbelief.
"I am sorry to push this on you so suddenly but its the only thing I could do."
"Half the guardians?"
"I am sure he has more than he claims."
"But, three of the core guardians? Thats- Thats-"
"I am aware. He will stop at nothing."
"Then... You wanted to.. die?"
"He's made it much easier on me. In this case I will be able to have time to plan an attack."
"But sending... thats crazy!"
"I know this is hard for you. It will be difficult on all of us, but its the only way." Tsuna tapped the wrist watch lightly. "Otherwise everyone will die and this world will be ruled by him"
"I-I know... but your friends.." Tsuna placed his hands on Shoichi's shoulders.
"Please. Don't tell them." Shoichi nodded knowing it was for the best. The less people who knew the better. The Decimo watched as he was fitted properly with the wristwatch contraption, little bells and noblets clicking into place. Bare gears whirled in the office light, humming in a sickly mechanical tune. It would need to be collaborated for the next three days. To Tsuna's relief .. he had more than enough time, to say what was needed.
"S-sir, we need to get out of here!"
"Tenth!" A scream. He closed his eyes.
"Tenth!" A shot fired. He flinched at the abrasion. It didn't hurt as much as Gokudera's screams. It couldn't burn him more than Yamamoto's shock ridden expression. Nothing in the world could have stung as much as the white creeping across his vision and the tears streaming from his cheeks. Nothing... could compare To the shattering sounds of his friends begging him to hold on to his life.
'I am sorry... everyone... please.. forgive me.'
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Byakuran drawled boredly.
"The communications have been crashed around the area, there is no hope in sending in any freight carriers. Should a team on foot proceed?"
"No." Byakuran sighed, seeing the trap. "I'll go."
"But Byakuran-sama!" He shut the communicator with a snap, slipping it into his pocket. Looks like he would have to pay Tsunayoshi a visit himself, even if it spelt disaster.
The Vongola obviously had a plan up his sleeve so Byakuran wouldn't bother to send needless troops in, even if it seemed like he was the very one they counted on being there. Byakuran sighed, making his way down the elevator at once. It wouldn't be an ambush. Most likely Tsunayoshi would attack him head on, all alone. It was just his style. Very well, Byakuran would give him his final showdown. after all it would only be a matter of time before the Decimo was his.
The door pushed open to the lobby and he slunk out, picking up a pair of flame boots on the way. After all the forest wasn't too far off, he would rather go on foot. He tapped them on, immediately rising to a hover. He picked the phone out from his pocket leaning into its receiver.
"Take care of the place for me Sho-chan" He hissed into the communicator then dropped it onto the ground. A panicked 'Sir!?' came from the device but he let Shoichi stress over the details. He had a Mafioso to collect after all.
The trees sped into a green blur below him, if he hadn't a job to do he would have enjoyed the boring scenery a little more before settling down into a small clearing, brushing his white coat off from his landing.
An ebony coffin adorned with gold trim shoe in its corner. He smiled at how fitting it was. As he stood over the polished casket, he pushed the lid to the side revealing a flurry of lilies and an incredibly beautiful man laying amongst the petals. Byakuran brushed back his bangs, the smoothness of his skin matching the lily petals. It was truly a sight to behold.
Tsunayoshi's Vongola gloves were equipped resting with his hands on the cloaked chest. His hair was fluttering lightly in the breeze, framing his face in an almost non-threatening way. Everything about this man was peaceful... Byakuran's heart could only throb a little as he placed his hand on Tusnayoshi's shoulder. But now wasn't the time to be feeling regret. The Vongola belonged to him, along with the world.
Tsunayoshi shuddered quietly, eyes fluttering with the pressure.
"Byaku...ran.." The man in question smirked slightly, bringing Tsuna to a sitting position in his arms. A fire began to burn dimly and he knew what was going to happen next. A flaming palm rushed towards Byakuran's head. He dodged it swiftly, ducking with a sleek elegance in his leap back. Tsuna was on him though, shifting behind the Millefiore boss in a flash, taking another flaming swipe at it his head.
"Now, now, Tsunayoshi, be good" Byakuran teased, swaying with the useless punches. Honestly, why did Tsunayoshi have to be so plucky?
"U-unf!" Byakuran gasped, letting his guard down a little to early being hit right in the stomach. He grabbed Tsuna's wrist with the movement, twisting him onto the ground. Tsuna ripped from his grip, cape fluttering as he stepped back.
Byakuran sighed not wanting to use his power, but grew a black flame from his hand. Tsuna's eyes widened trying to move away from the attack yet was knocked to the ground by an invisible force. His heart throbbed painfully as the black flame hit him straight in the chest.
"H-heh.." The Mafioso coughed, another flame bursting from Byakuran's hand, blasting him in the same spot, ricocheting off of his ribs, bruising the skin over the bone. It burned. He could almost feel the pain resonate in his organs.
"You knew this would happen." Byakuran frowned walking closer, flame trained on Tsuna's heart. Tsuna coughed painfully, feeling a warm trickle of blood slip from his lips.
"I wanted to know... If I really wasn't strong enough to defeat you." Byakuran watched unamused from his place.
"Now you know, Tsunayoshi. Give up." Tsuna smiled, a vast flame enveloping Byakuran as he took on the full force of a double X burner, his black flame somehow shielding him from some of the damage, yet not enough. Byakuran fell to the ground, joining a battered Tsuna.
"Ah..." Tsuna laid on his back, hand brushing Byakuran's white locks.
"Looks like we both got pretty tattered." Byakuran smiled from his position watching the Decimo run a few shaky fingers through the others hair. They had both been careless.
"Yeah... that really stung." He murmured softly, dropping his palm to the ground.
"The same to you, Vongola " Tsuna winced at the name sighing as Byakuran shifted onto his knees, pulling the Mafioso to a sitting position. "But neither of us is out for the count." He continues, supporting Tsuna with his arm, grasping his wrist tightly. Byakuran suddenly notices the strange wristwatch clinging to Tsuna's skin.
"Oh- I am hurt Tsunayoshi" Byakuran exclaims, feeling his chance of obtaining the tenth slipping away.
"Sorry" Tsuna's eyes swam wildly "But this is the only way everyone lives, as you are aware."
"Worry wart" The Millefiore scowled sensing his time was neigh The wrist watch chimed twice eliciting an explosion of pink smoke. Byakuran closed his eyes to the offending cloud, still gripping what he hoped was Tsuna's wrist whether it be future or not.
"H-Hyeeiii!" A short squeal trilled in his ear.
"Oh~?" A smile grew on his features, not betraying the disappointment crawling inside.
"W-who!? Where am I? L-lambo?"
"You're mistaken young Tsunayoshi-kun." The smoke cleared revealing a shocked boy, brown locks thrown in every which direction, still clutching a convenience store bag. What a shame. Though, he would do for now.
"Who are you?" the young Tsuna looked so confused, almost concerned for the dishevelled other. "A-are you alright?" How charming.
"You may call me Byakuran-sama." His eyes narrowed taking in the small form before him. So young and powerless compared to his future self.
"'Sama'? Where am I?" Tsuna glanced warily around. Byakuran chuckled.
"Yes, 'Sama' don't forget Tsunayoshi-kun. You're in the future." The boy stepped back, eyes wide.
"Then..."
"Thats right. And you're never going back."
"N-never?" Tsuna grew panicked. "Let go of me!" He squeaked, squirming out of Byakuran's grip.
"I don't think so" He said lowly, pulling the younger into his arms, bag being dropped in the process.
"S-shit" the bag exploded on contact with the soft grass. Byakuran squinted up from his position on the ground, an equally surprised Vongola across from him. Tsuna being used to the constant assault of weaponry stood up, making a break for the woods.
Byakuran hissed in irritation. It wasn't going to be easy to get him back if he kept running like that. "Always running my little Tsunayoshi but you're always mine." He hummed, standing while brushing himself off.