Chapter 18

Belphegor was blinded by hate and felt too hurt to do anything. He ran across a road and was almost knocked down by a black car. The car screeched to a stop and Belphegor did not even bother to look at whoever came out of the car. He was too numb to care anymore until a strangely familiar voice reached his ears. "Prince the Ripper?"

Unknown to the genius, Dino had already known what happened to the teen. Dino used this opportunity to get close to the boy. "An alliance with him this time would prove good for me." Dino thought and offered the teen a ride to which expectedly he accepted with no place to go.

Once at the hotel Dino was staying at, Belphegor broke down and cried. Dino said nothing and did nothing to comfort the boy. Instead, he opted to wait until the teen had calmed down.

When Belphegor had eased on the crying, Dino used this chance to bring up his current situation and applied his fair terms for the teen's help. Belphegor considered for a while. Helping Dino would mean betraying the Vongola but not helping him meant losing Viper for good. The teen weighed both options heavily. People knew him as a prodigy and he usually made all the right moves. However, it now concerned someone he cared about and this clouded his judgments heavily. He had never known how to deal with emotions. Viper meant everything to him and against his better judgment, Belphegor agreed to work with Dino with the condition that Dino will help to bring Viper back to him and love him. Dino readily accepted and the two sealed the contract with their dying will flames. Their resolves firm although for different reasons.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Aria and Nana were deep in thoughts. Aria had just explained to Nana the current predicament her boy was in. Hibari seemed like a fine man to entrust her son's safety in and she would have it no other way especially when her dear boy was in love with the man. "My dear husband would freak out on this! He has always longed for a pretty daughter in law and I can understand him but what comes first will always be Tsuna's happiness. Even if I would not be able to see grandchildren, I will not allow anyone to stand in the way of my son's happiness even if that person was Dino-kun… To think that I will need to call upon the powers I had long abandoned is devastating. Someone will be sacrificed again this time. My dear husband will never look at me the same anymore. The secret I hoped to bring to my grave will now be exposed and this beautiful dream will end. I really wanted to be the perfect mother and wife. Timiteo, why has it got to be me? Mother, why did you leave so early? You were the only one suitable to become the snow moon princess. I am weak and this power is beyond my control… what if I never come back? It was so difficult to start a new life and now this happiness must go? The Gods I pray to everyday have not been kind to me. Is that why you chose to run away from your responsibility as the Vongola's rightful mate and passed on this cursed fate to me?"

Aria sensed the woman's troubled thoughts but could not understand why. "Nana-san, why are you so hesitant to agree? Don't you want Tsuna-kun to be happy with the one he loves?"

Nana frowned. Her usual cheerfulness was nowhere to be found. "If only things were that simple, Aria-san. The snow moon princess is someone of great power. With great power comes great responsibility. I am never the rightful person for this role of a mate. I could not even hold the clan together and their fall was my fault. I was not a capable princess and so many have died for me. I thought that when I finally sealed away that princess for good I would live a simple and happy life but I was wrong. I want to save my son and my husband but I will end up hurting them in the end. This secret cannot be exposed. If they knew how I betrayed them I would never be able to become Nana Sawada again!"

Aria was confused. "What do you mean?"

Nana looked her in the eye and explained "My mother was the one to become Vongola Nono's mate. I never went through the ritual to inherit the Yukitsuki's power. I cannot become the snow moon princess. The Yukitsuki clan has the ability to manipulate the fate of the world with thoughts and emotions. My words are the law and my subconscious thoughts are the mandate for this world. Every thought of mine that changes this world will bring an equivalent after effect to my own clan. This is how the world works. It is a fair trade. My mother exchanged her life to avoid a calamity during the time when Xanxus was accepted by the Vongola Ninth. Xanxus was the foreboding cloud that will bring disaster to the family from within and start a new era of bloodshed. After she died the role of the next snow princess was passed to me. I was untrained when my mother handed that responsibility to me at sixteen. I had no control over my powers. Xanxus was six then. Timiteo had to find a new mate when his mate dies or he will lose stability of his own powers. He accepted me, my mother's daughter as his new mate despite my uncontrollable powers.

I once fell into depression and had thoughts of having my powers gotten rid so I can lead a normal life."

Nana paused and chuckled bitterly. "They say be careful of what you wish for. They were right. The very next moment, my entire clan got wiped out by a strange disease that affected only those serving the Yukitsuki family. No one survived and I am the only one carrying the Yukitsuki name. My powers have since then been sealed and I led a normal life. The Vongola did not bother me and I worked as a waitress in a restaurant which I first met my husband at. I did not know he was part of the underworld working as external advisor assistant for the Vongola, CEDEF. He was known back then as the Young Lion of Vongola through his great contributions and reliable foresights. I only found all these after I married him and he was promoted to become the head for CEDEF. I never told him anything and kept being a good and loving wife. Tsuna came along and I did my best to become a good mother. When my husband introduced me to Timiteo I was not surprised and we both kept the act. I knew my son would inevitably be dragged into this world one day but still I hoped to never need to draw on the cursed powers I have. There are no more members of the Yukitsuki clan. Whatever changes I make now will be paid upon my life and the life of my bloodline. I cannot risk my son's life when I wish for his happiness. Calling upon that power is too much for me. I may die but it is of no importance. My husband and son may follow suit. Even if I do not die and no one is sacrificed physically, my fate will be changed. My husband will abandon me and my son will never acknowledge me as his other again. The world will reject my existence. I don't want that."

Aria smiled. "I expected as much. The Yukitsuki power is too great. I told Reborn that but he disagreed."

Nana frowned. "Reborn-kun? What did he plan?"

Aria shook her head. "Even if you followed his plan it would never work. I have an even easier solution but he would not even hear of it. If my mother was here she would have scolded him for being such a stubborn person. However I think she is the only person who will get away from it. As much as Reborn loves my mother I can't see myself going against him for fear of my life. That man is as stubborn as a mule and the only way to prove him wrong is to actually execute the plan that works different from his calculations. He would not admit his mistakes even then but he would definitely not pursue it."

Nana considered Aria's words and asked "What should we do then?"

Aria's eyes twinkled. She whispered in Nana's ear and Nana smiled.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Hibari and Tsuna had a great time at the park Tsuna loved to visit. He enjoyed the calming atmosphere which helps him forget about the life he was having and just truly savor the present. Hibari loved that place as well with the reason it was not crowded and he could always find his herbivore there.

"Hibari-san, can I ask something?"

Hibari was very contented and in an extremely good mood so he allowed Tsuna to ask away.

"Why does Hibari-san refer to people as herbivore? How can anyone else become a normal human to you?"

Hibari looked at the confused brunet and laughed. Tsuna figured he had a charming laughter and made a mental note to make him laugh more often.

"A normal human you say… a normal human would be an herbivore. An herbivore reflects the nature of a human's heart. They are weak. Tsunayoshi if there is anything you are unsatisfied with you can always ask. I'll gladly promote you to an omnivore. However if you want to be a carnivore you would have to prove it to me."

Tsuna pouted. "What makes you think I can only be an omnivore? I should be a carnivore too."

Hibari laughed once more. "An omnivore is someone who flickers back and forth being strong and weak. An omnivore is someone akin to an angel. They are beautiful, strong but gentle most of the time. It is a rare mix of perfection. Tsunayoshi, you fit an omnivore's title just fine."

"So is Hibari-san an omnivore too?"

Hibari sighed. "Even if I wanted to I won't be. I'm jaded Tsunayoshi. A carnivore is someone who is strong but not necessarily genuine about the strength he or she possesses. You may compare it with a devil in any case. They only exist to make lives of other herbivores miserable and prey on omnivores. Usually an omnivore is attached to a single carnivore to save it from destroying itself together with the whole world. Herbivores flock together so I have no need to explain."

Tsuna was suddenly silent. He thought back on his words to Squalo, his inner most feelings. He didn't want to live. He felt no purpose in living at all. He was jaded as well. Why did Hibari make it seem as if he was the most blessed and beautiful creature in the world? He was sinking in the darkness right? He was going to die and be a sacrifice right? Why did he suddenly want to live? It was not right. Hibari was bewitching him. It had to be a lie!

"Tsunayoshi!"

Tsuna snapped out of his thoughts and pushed Hibari away roughly out of reflex. Hibari had a flash of hurt reflected on his face but Tsuna was unable to see it. His voice was broken as Tsuna increased their distance.

"Tsunayoshi… what's wrong?"

Tsuna could not find the words to tell him what was wrong. He did not even know what was wrong himself. "I don't know… please give me some time to think. The confession earlier was really very sudden Hibari-san. Your change in attitude towards me made me scared somehow. I can't get used to your kindness. I'm really sorry I can't accept your feelings…"

Tsuna felt his heart convulse painfully when he said the last sentence. He knew he was lying to himself. "It's for the best." He convinced himself but his traitorous heart refused to stop reminding him of the injustice he has done to himself.

Hibari said nothing and the mood between the both of them turned gloomy. Hibari then offered to take Tsuna back to the hospital which the brunet numbly nodded to. "Why is this happening? It was going so well earlier when I confessed…" Hibari thought. He needed someone to talk to and the first person that came to mind was Xanxus. "I need to see that Monkey King."

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

That night, Tsuna dreamt and saw Maya again. Maya looked at him sadly. Tsuna felt guilty for not being honest to Hibari. Maya asked Tsuna why he refused her son when he obviously loved him and Tsuna finally confided in her all his dark secrets which told Squalo. He added "I know that this life of mine is a sacrifice for mankind. As a child I could see the future and they were always accurate. I never felt satisfaction for myself when I was given things but giving away things of mine to people and making them happy felt right to me. I was never meant to have anything and even my parents learnt that after a while. It got lonely to know that I will walk this grand path to my death alone. I cannot love anyone because knowing that my death is inevitable for a greater cause the person who will love me will be in great pain. I don't want anyone to cry for me when I die. I want it to be full of smiles so at least my death will not be in vain. The moment I was born my fate was sealed with one foot already in the grave. As I grew older it feels as if I am already lying in the coffin waiting for someone to nail it shut for me. I never intended to have any friends. I have crushes and all but I would never tell. I will give everything I have because that was what I was made for. I cannot be selfish to want things because I have no need for them. When Hibari-san came along I knew I wanted him to protect me because he was strong and more than that I loved him because he needed me. He was everything that I could not afford to be. He lived only for himself, he was selfish and possessive. All the things I could not have and could not be were in him. I felt complete. However when Hibari-san started saying things like sharing his heart with me and giving me his life I got so scared that I will not be able to keep it. I don't want his heart. I just want him to be selfish and possessive to keep me with him. I don't want him to grow attached to me and break down when I die. I died once in the future and there will be many more times to come where there is a need to sacrifice my life. I don't want Hibari-san to go through that pain. Hibari-san of ten years into the future was not in love in me so he was spared the pain. Hibari-san of now is in love with me and he will be in pain if I were to die again. I don't want any of that. I just want to do my part in this world and leave quietly."

Maya shook her head at the boy. Tsuna was close to tears. "Did you know that you and Kyoya were lovers in the future? Kyoya wrote it in his diary at home when he returned to the present. When you died he felt remorse and regretted allowing you to die but he know that it was adult you wanted to fulfill so he remained strong. He knew that you may never return to him but he trusted your decision to die because he loved you. He loved you enough to continue living for you the life you had always wanted to live. He also mentioned your future self who died was extremely happy to have him as a lover. Those small escapades were prove that you have lived a life as Sawada Tsunayoshi not chained by fate who was an ordinary human who had desires and possessiveness. According to him, he was the only lover in so many alternate futures that you had who was able to provide you such a luxury. He was proud to be able to spoil you and allow you to be selfish. Now, you are pushing him away and denying him his happiness and destroying his pride. After you died that boy is able to live his head up high because you were his pride and his love above all that he could fulfill his duties to make you happy till the very end. That boy never regrets giving his heart to you. He looked forward to retrieving it back when he joins you. He left it as a keepsake with you so that he knew where to return to after his death. Tsunayoshi, you must know that Kyoya loves you from the very existence of his being with all his pride."

Tsuna was now crying uncontrollably. He never knew anyone who could be so romantic and loving. All I ask… all I ask is for a lover who can give me a chance to own something. Hibari-san, I want to own all of you… can I?

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Hibari was at his fifth glass of tequila which Xanxus smirked as he downed a new bottle. Hibari was dead drunk and spilling his heart out. Squalo sighed as Hibari destroyed another window.

"This is why I hate drunks," the swordsman muttered and his lover smirked. "Do you like horny drunks?" Squalo blushed and gently punched his lover who laughed. Hibari watched them interact with his alcohol clouded vision.

Hibari asked a question so suddenly it stunned them both. "Is it wrong to want and expect everything from the one you love?"

Xanxus frowned. "Of course not brat. Did the alcohol finally rot your brain?"

Hibari frowned. "Then why does Tsunayoshi not want anything from me? He obviously loves me but he is pushing me away and denying me. I am giving him everything I have but he refuses to take it and he allows everyone to take everything he has. It pisses me off and I can't understand."

Xanxus understood what Hibari meant and Squalo gave Xanxus a worried look. Xanxus then kissed Squalo gently and told him to leave. "I'll handle this one." Squalo was about to protest when Xanxus hushed him. "Trust me." This efficiently silenced Squalo who gave them both a worried glance.

Xanxus explained to Hibari about how Tsuna was thinking about giving his life away and having no hope to live for himself. "He knows he's going to die and he does not want to pull anyone with him. I suppose that ten year future thing had an impact on him but I'm not too sure. From how I see it, that brat is playing the self-sacrificing hero. He doesn't want to disappoint you somehow and so he rejected your feelings for him. He must be feeling insecure about it. You just need to find out the reason why. Similar thing happened to my shark and I but we worked it out and it turned out just fine. The only damn obstacle in our way is that old man. He refuses to acknowledge our relationship. When your brat gets to become the next boss after the mate coronation you better remember I helped your sorry ass drunk or not and allow my shark and I to get married!"

Hibari nodded glumly. Despite being drunk, his mind was still sharp. He knew what he had to do.

To be continued…

Author's Note: I'm rushing to update chapters with whatever time I have so that you guys won't need to wait for months for me to update this story due to my approaching exams. After the story ends I'll be adding the several one shot stories as special bonuses behind the completed story. Announcement for the pairings will be made on the last official chapter for the series so you may chose to ignore after that. Please leave me a review or message for the pairings within this story you hope to read more about.