Awaken

AU Fanfiction.
Fanfiction's Genre: Horror and Drama
My Genre: Criminology and Psychology
Rated: M

Dark and Mature themes.
WARNING: Violent. Fight. Blood's mention.

Author's Notes: This story is based on pure fanfiction. This is, however, realistic and will have non-mafia (Hints will pop in though) and if there happens to be an experience similar to this story: It's pure coincidence. I have no connections toward anyone with experiences and this is all based on how I imagine it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn nor the characters- But I own the plot and the idea.

Quick Note:

"Past" or 'emphasizing'

"Inner Voice/Desires/Thoughts."

"Speaks"

The Awaken of a Mask

"Cruel with guilt, and daring with despair, the midnight murderer bursts the faithless bar; invades the sacred hour of silent rest and leaves, unseen, a dagger in your breast." - Samuel Johnson.

The silence draw out for about ten seconds. Those ten seconds, though, felt like years to Tsuna. It was very quiet to the point he could've heard his own breathing and his heart racing. When his mind processed everything that had happen, he let out an audible gasp. Then there was some shuffling and shouts. Before he even knew, the door slammed open and Tsuna simply stood there like a deer in headlight, staring at Yamamoto in shock.

He practically felt the rage seethed from him. Like water flowing out of the faucet.

He shivered out of the cold tension that was about to be snap like a hairstring. Tsuna racked his brain to think of an excuse, to find a way out, or something.

"It's not what you think!"

Yamamoto stared at Tsuna in disbelief before Tsuna really going to act innocent? He can't possibly innocent after being homeless and seeing the harsh of reality for so long. Especially after hearing his words.

"Ha! Don't fake it, Tsuna. We all know the truth here, now don't we?" His voice was deep and venomous. Tsuna was lost at what to say. Even if Tsuna merely just met this Yamamoto, it was very foreign to hear him speak venomously.

"N-no! Um.. I- I mean, I j-just wanted to..." He couldn't speak correctly. His word stumble one by one and Yamamoto's rage was increasing. Until his father interrupted.

"Takeshi! If we can only explain to the boy, he would understand!" He yelled from behind. However, Tsuna's eyes were glued to Yamamoto's own. Tsuna gulped solemnly. He appreciated the help from Tsuyoshi, but deeply inside him he knew it would be more than a simple explanation.

''I-I t-t-think... it's not you fault.'' Tsuna spoke boldly for a second. Tsuna snap his mouth shut after he realize what he said. He didn't know what made him say it but it felt it was the right thing to say. However, he felt the tension soften and thought for a moment, he spoken the right words.

Although, he spoke too soon, because, Yamamoto blinked for a few seconds, processing Tsuna's word. Right before, the tension of the room went below degree and still. The tall teen, snarled before pulling out his katana, swinging it toward Tsuna. As Tsuna stare slowly at the katana coming at him full speed, there was only one thing Tsuna heard in his mind.

RUN!

Tsuna felt his legs snapped in their mind of their own as he suddenly ran. No he sprinted. Missing the blade by a lack of inch, he ran outside and inside the Sushi Bar. His heart pounding in his ear and his leg pumping as he ran.

"YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME, TSUNA." A mocking voice shouted from behind. Tsuna simply focus on running toward the exit.

As he enter in the dining section, he scurried around the place until he found his backpack, and gripping it tight before heading toward the exit. However, the doors were locked. He groaned before looking around and finding a stairway up. He gulped down his luck and head toward it. Stumbling over the stairs, gritting his teeth and cursing his luck, he enter in a single hallway. All he really thought was leaving the hell out there and never coming back. He stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway, checking if it's safe. Silence screaming in his ears and his heart's about to explode outside his chest.

Then he felt it.

The hostile aura was faint behind him, nonetheless, his gut churned and twisted making Tsuna aware that he's not even bit close to being safe. It intimidated him and he hated it; Feeling weak like always. He took a deep breath, calming down his pounding heart. His pulse in his legs pounded when he started to run, desperate on finding his way out. Feeling a cold sweat trickle down his neck, he rub off the sweat on his forehead. The minute he was about to look around, a loud crack outside thundered the room, and faintly there was loud pounding from the heavy rain outside. He tensed, focusing on the sound to make it out. The familiar tattering and soft banging on the wall was screamingly obvious. It was pouring outside.

How fantastic, thought Tsuna dryly.

He tried finding a door way out, or an emergency door, or something. But in the hallway, there was only three rooms and at the end of the hallway, was some stairs that head up. He didn't put much into it, as he enter the closest to him and shut the door the minute he enter, leaning against it and catching his breath. He looked around, finding it was an average teenager room and figuring it was Yamamoto's. As he was about to search around for a phone, he slightly jumped when he heard heavy stairs going up the stairs. He looked around to find an exit, nearing the window to see if he can risk jumping out but it was too high. He gnawed his lip harshly, looking around and gripping to the backpack tightly.

Then when the thunder flashed the room, his eyes were drawn to the open and messy closet. He quickly sigh in small relief. He rushed into the closet, shutting himself quietly inside, delving deeper until his back touch the wall. His heart raced like horse's heart.

His eyes clenched shut. He was weak. Horribly weak. A small guilt grew in his heart. He gritted his teeth over simple frustration and aggravation. He has to make it out alive. He have to.

I'll help you.

Tsuna's eyes snapped open at the sudden words and looked around. There was nobody. The silence screamed in his ear, as he strain them to hear the slightest sound despite the soft padding of the heavy rain outside. He felt a black spot in his mind growing.

Just close your eyes. And sleep. You'll be safe.

Those words. Tsuna's heart clawed for those words and to finally hear them; It was exhilarating. Simple suggestion yet so alluring.

I'll protect you.

That was all it needed to comfort Tsuna.

Tsuna's thoughts were becoming cloudy and hazy. His mind felt controlled. As if he trying to seek into a blocked mind. That sensation he felt when the man were about to mug him, he felt it. The heavy black spot and the warmth in his chest. It was very daunting. Tsuna felt like he was in a trance to open a monster out of the cage. Just close your eyes, Tsuna thought. It'll be over.

I'll kill him.

Tsuna's eyes snapped open, nearly gasping at his thoughts. Or his.

Wait, reacted Tsuna immediately, Who is 'his'?

However, before he had a chance to fully understand his situation; Yamamoto enter the room. Another flash thunder the room- making the after silence tense and colder than ever. It was stiff; Almost unbearable.

''Tsuna. It's me, Yamamoto. I decided we should talk about this.''

Tsuna jumped when he heard Yamamoto spoke. The tone was soft and tiring, almost as if he had a long stressful day. However, the minute he peeked outside from a crack on the door, Yamamoto had his katana out and his face emotionless.

Another crack of the thunder in the dark night.

Tsuna clamped his mouth shut when he felt a gasp coming.

''It's okay. We're friends, right? Haha...'' Yamamoto spoke loudly, almost careless and free. If Tsuna didn't know any better, he would've believe him.

How long.. Tsuna thought silently. How long has he been this way to perfect faking his emotions?

Tsuna frowned deeply at that thought. However, he didn't have time to think through when he felt the katana suddenly slashed in through the door, right beside him. Tsuna let out a shrieked before running out of the closet, almost bumping into Yamamoto and ran up the stair he saw earlier again.

Clinging to his backpack, he jumped, skipped a few stairs, almost stumbling, as he sprint through the stairs. He felt heavy brooding aura behind him. He tried planning out his escape on his mind but failed since all he could focus is not falling. Not dying.

''Are we playing Cat and the Rat's chase game? How expected of you.'' Yamamoto suddenly spoke up, darkly. Tsuna shivered at how twisted his word seem to be. How twisted his personality is.

Finally, he saw a door and his leg went a little bit faster. His heart went a little bit faster. His breath hitched as he pulled up his arm to cover himself when he forcefully bursted open to meet the pounding rain. He shrieked again when he notice, rather than escaping, he dug himself a dead end on the roof. As he quickly sped to the edges, he look over to see how far is he from the ground to find it was at least three story high. Tsuna's gut suddenly felt repulsive and sick, he looked away. He did not want to die. Yet.

His eyes scanned the roof, looking for any sort of escaping method but he tasted death at the tip of his tongue.

The door banged open again, making Tsuna jumped and saw Yamamoto in front of him, with his katana in his both hand, point at him. Tsuna saw Yamamoto's eyes which were cold and stone with a glimpse of rage and haunting.

The air was suspenseful, thick. Making it hard to breathe, leaving the rain to thunder down their emotions and air.

Tsuna opened his mouth to somehow convince him, but he was quickly shut off- Yamamoto filled the silence.

''You think you got it bad.'' Yamamoto began, confusing Tsuna. ''Because you're homeless and abandon. However, I'll give you guts to put a cheery facade on and almost fool me.''

Tsuna was at lost with words. Yamamoto continue though, ignoring the lost look in Tsuna's eyes.

''You might be confuse and probably say I'm being hypocritical.'' He paused before chuckling. ''If you have guts now."

"Wha-?" Tsuna was cut off before even making a proper word.

"It's kill or be kill. Hate or love. Regret or cherish. My my, I think the world is black and white, if you ask me." His voice was deep, and was full of bitter. It was completely different from earlier. Completely opposite. Almost as if he turned into a different person.

Tsuna stared silently at Yamamoto while the rain pushes him down. He knew his words have a story behind it.

He felt the warmth in his chest again grow. The tingly sensation in his vein and mind was becoming of him. Tsuna was still hesitating over the fact he should accept him or an it. But he was confused. Very confuse. He didn't know who he was talking about, but he felt as if he needed to talk in third person.

However, his focus on it disappear the minute, Yamamoto started talking again.

''I killed somebody. I'm a bad person. You... you're just abandon. You don't know anything. You don't know the feeling of something being taken away by you harshly.''

''Yamamoto. Y-You don't kno-!'' Tsuna tried stopping him. Feeling his nerves being riled up at the same time, his vision becoming hazy.

''Don't play dumb with me! You coward! You don't know anything! I'm the best player in baseball. I have a lot of friends. I'm well with girls. But... but they do not know me.

''It's all fake it or be foolish. Friends or no friend. No one, ever asked me if I was okay or nor do they care about me. The only true friend I had... he's dead... It was an accident! We were training, fooling around and he said something stupid. Something so stupid, I can't remember. My emotions built up and then I met other side of me. A monster. But before I knew it. He was on the floor, bleeding to death.'' Yamamoto stopped and stared at Tsuna, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't move, he continue. ''I'm the bad guy. You're the bad guy also. We're both fakers."

Tsuna clenched his eyes close as his heart raced and he felt electricity running in his vein. A surge of power and dominance. He was trying to control himself, and this thing, to protect himself. And possibly Yamamoto.

Let me out, Tsuna. A lone whisper voiced out. You can have your mind, but let me be your power.

Tsuna's heart raced. He clenched his eyes closed, trying to get rid of it or something.

"Tsunayoshi. We... are fake." Yamamoto whispered, as if it's the most precious thing in the world

Tsuna snapped his eyes open.

''No. I'm are not fake." Tsuna suddenly began. "Never have I faked my emotions. I may have hidden it but never fake it. Do not put me in the same label.'' Tsuna spoke strongly. The confidence and no hesitance, was almost addicting. As if he has all control underneath his fingertips. Like flames were spouting from his hand. His adrenaline rushed through him. Tsuna wanted to grin at this 'power' but kept his composure.

However, Yamamoto didn't realize the change. Yet.

Yamamoto barked a laugh. ''Sure: Like I'll believe that!''

''I'm not asking you if you bel-!'' Tsuna rapidly replied but was interrupted as quick as he spoke.

''QUIT THE ACT! You do not know anything.'' Yamamoto roared. His hand gripped the katana tighter, getting in the stance of fighting.

Tsuna slightly widen his eyes when Yamamoto was preparing to attack to him. Tsuna automatically got in his fighting stance, feeling his blood fired up. The thought of Yamamoto attacking him, just made him livid. Infuriated. Tsuna then felt something. Something making him stronger.

The black heaviness he felt earlier disappeared quickly, but the warmth in his body spread like fire. He clenched his fist and growled. He stayed in his position, but his shoulder got tensed and it almost seemed as if he was holding himself to attack first.

"Heh." Tsuna chuckled. "You think I don't know anything?"

Yamamoto felt a trickle of cold sweat on his neck. And he knew it wasn't the rain this time.

As his eyes followed a raindrop, a single raindrop to the ground, seeing how it crashed the cement, Yamamoto then felt his legs sprinted forward. His eyes snapping on to Tsuna's unnerving eyes. A frown forming on his lips. His mouth opened and then he heard an agonizing scream. All he can remember is seeing Tsuna's eyes flashed amber and then-

This isn't Tsuna.

Tsuna never got in a fight with a sword. Especially if he was without a sword. But he has gotten in a fight with a pole. He figure it wasn't much different except the fact one cuts and the other bruise. However, when he saw Yamamoto launching toward him with such experience on how he holds the sword- He knew this would be difficult. His mind snapped, and he wasn't fighting. No, he felt like he was pushed to the side, watching the fight.

He saw how immediate his body reacted to the sudden attack.

He saw how his body dance unrhythmic with the dance of the sword. How he kept dodging, kept attacking trying to hold off Yamamoto's sword in some way. He saw how his arm moved in such style, to make impact with Yamamoto's cheek. When it made contact, he felt himself smirking. However, the smirk went away quickly as it appeared when he felt the dull pain when the sword made quick contact with his cheeks. Tsuna's eyes snapped to the floor, looking for some weapon or sorts and form a small grin when he found a pole. Then he felt himself beginning a dance of his own. Awkward and odd, but it was a dance nevertheless.

He saw how Yamamoto moved with the sword, how he switched his sword through hands. The twist, the small rain drops that danced with his blood on the sword. He saw how his lips moved softly with the silent music of his dance. As if he was murmuring a prayer. Singing to the flow of the music. Slowly, at parts he closed his eyes, leaving the music to lead him on before snapping his eyes open and determining where to make his dramatic move.

Tsuna felt his lips form into a psychotic smile. This was a show.

No.

It was a dance. A dance of despair and angst.

The rain and thunder creating the music, the short breaths leaving the audience breathless and the movement of their dance.

Tsuna simply stared in awe from the side. He doesn't understand it. He doesn't get it. How is he fighting? No. It's not him, fighting. It's too good. Too skilled. He was an amateur at holding the pole, but so far he was doing good on defending himself.

Another slice on his forearm. Another hard bruise against his side. He was failing this battle and he knows it. He knows it.

At one point, he pushes off Yamamoto- fiercely and harsh- and stood up in tall grace.

Tsuna felt it was his time to make his entrance. His own dance.

''You think I don't know anything?!'' Tsuna yelled, surprising Yamamoto, causing him to stumble on his steps and stilled, not letting him interrupted him again. ''I've been living in the street for days! Why? I killed my own foster brother.''

Yamamoto's eyes widen at the sudden outburst. Tsuna... killed.

Nonetheless, Tsuna stayed in the same spot and continue.

''My life is pathetic. I've never been successful. I got bullied, teased and I even got... raped. Go cry about how guilty you are for killing your friend, but do not call me ignorant. I do not block myself from the truth. I have never did nor never will. My emotions are true and real. I do not hide from them. Call me a emotional bastard but I'm no faker!"

There was a long silence as the thunderstorm grew harder. Yamamoto stared at him, as the rain dripped down his face, and his katana glimmer with the water mixed with blood as he gripped tighter. Tsuna tighten his grip on the pole, panting heavily.

"Then... you must know my pain.." The words softly spilled out of Yamamoto like black ink spilled on a white paper. A clean break of the tension.

As innocent and tiring that sounded, Tsuna was even more enraged. He felt something in his mind, a loud crack. Tsuna clenched his fist, drawing out blood with his nail but he didn't let him control him. No, not again.

"Pain? Do you even want the definition of pain?! You have talents! Friends! Even if they don't understand you! You have your dad who loves you! You have food and a nice bed every night and you expect me to know your type of pain?!" Tsuna shouted, practically crying his eyes out.

The rain still continue as harsh as ever.

"I have none of that! I'm useless! I'm pathetic and weak! I was easily influence by you! I never had anyone who was my friend for a whole day until now. Even if it was fake, because you sure as hell did a good act." He spoke the words softly at the end, his eyes rimmed red and his voice cracking every word. The power and confidence, slowly lighting out as Tsuna begin to cry harder.

"I envy you... You should be gratitude of what you have... You should feel compassion of your loves. Even if it's small, you should cherish it and always look upon the bright side..'' Tsuna was breathing hard and his eye contact with Yamamoto never breaking. He saw his eyes widen and his breath hitched. Deeply in his mind, he felt he brought a memory. However, Tsuna just stared.

The seconds pass as each raindrop hit the floor. The tears mixing with fresh water, as Tsuna cried. It felt solitude and lonely. As minutes passed, they realize each other facial expressions. Yamamoto had blank and eyes shadow as he look pale and sick. Tsuna look rigid and stiff, his face shimmering of broken tears and despair, blood fusing with the tears, the cut looking lividly open. As Yamamoto had purple bruises growing rapidly, on his cheeks, and red bruised lips, turning ill blue. They both stood awkwardly and uncomfortable. It was obvious how they felt though.

They were both exhausted and dead.

The rain pounded on both of them, beating their sore and injured body. Another crack of the lightning, and Yamamoto's eyes firmly stayed at Tsuna's, however when the light flashed, Tsuna's eyes were back to normal brown. Tsuna's eyebrows furrowed together and slowly raised a hand.

''Please. Put the sword down. I... just want to be a friend in return.''

Those words finally finished it.

Yamamoto's hand let the katana fall and he slowly fell to his knees, his face looking up the sky and then just screamed at the sky. Tsuna jumped at his sudden roared however didn't move.

Yamamoto put his face on his hand, crying all his tears, pain, insecurities and guiltiness. He felt guilty. He felt lonely. He felt pain. He felt all the emotions spilling out, as if Tsuna had cut him. Memories flashing, in front of his eyes, one by one- Leaving him screaming in thought of him accidently going mad and killed his only true friend, enraged him. He was foolish to never control his emotions.

However...

However, Tsuna came along. Similar smile. And compassion. Tsuna made him open his eyes. Even if it one day. Their words, spoken in the same way. Knowingly, understandable and kindly.

-I don't deserve the kindness.

"You should feel gratitude of what you have. You should feel compassionate of what you love, Takeshi. I envy you. But that's why we the best of friends."-

A pair of arms, slowly wrap around Yamamoto as he stiffen and looked up. Tsuna stared at him warmly and acceptance. The only thing Yamamoto did not want. However, his eyes blurred with tears and he helplessly accepted his embrace.

''I'm... sorry.'' Yamamoto said, his voice breaking and morse covering it thickly. He hid his face on Tsuna's shoulder as he hold him. ''I-I'm so s-so so sorry! Ryuu! I never meant to kill you! You were my only friend! Somebody who understood me."

''I'm so sorry! P-please forgive me. D-Don't be mad. Please!'' Yamamoto cried. Tsuna knew he wasn't talking to him. However, he couldn't help but to softly reply like a mother would, hushing him and telling him he's not mad.

A small thought in his mind whispering 'hypocrite.' But he selfishly ignored it and focus on Yamamoto's pain. He knew if he didn't cried for him, no one would cried for him. As tears pour out of his eyes, and the stinging pain on his cheek and forearm, he knew this pain was for Yamamoto. For himself. He didn't push it away. No, he accepted. Because, in a little way, it's his moment too. It his experience also. So he should embrace it.

Though, Tsuna's heart broke slowly, at how desperate and guilty Yamamoto sounded. The loneliness finally appearing and showing it's true color as well as his true voice. The voice, however, is full of thick emotions and sounded muffled as he spoke in his shoulder.

''I miss you. I miss your smiles, jokes, arguments and even your smell. Ryuu. Forgive me.'' Yamamoto croaked before went into a sobbing messed.

Ryuu, huh thought Tsuna quietly- as his words were soft and feathery to Yamamoto- I wonder if you forgave him.

Deeply though, inside, his guts were satisfying. Telling him yes. And Tsuna felt the other him- purring in smugness and pride. Tsuna frowned but didn't let his emotions showed in his voice. He needed to discover deeper in his mind. Mentally.

He knew he wasn't alone.

Tsuna tighten his hug around Yamamoto as he sobbed deeply in his shoulder, drying out his emotions. Tsuna looked up toward the thundering rain. He wonder if it was going to stop. He wonder if it was going to continue.

The pain of loneliness.

Will it stop?

Tsuna sighed deeply at his unanswered question and let the soft padding rain soothe them, with their semi-harsh panting misting the cold air. For a long silence, the rain began to relax itself and just continue to comfort Yamamoto.

After half an hour, the rain slowly dissolved into the faint chilly night and the clouds cleared up, as the moon illuminate them. Yamamoto had long stop sobbing however, Tsuna was still comforting him and hasn't shown his face yet. It was a peaceful long silence. Until the silent truce was broken.

''YAMAMOTO! TSUNA! WHERE ARE YOU?'' A faint but loud voice echo from the bottom. It was immediately recognized as Tsuyoshi. Tsuna and Yamamoto both jumped at his voice, but slowly looked at each other before standing up and Yamamoto yelled out.

''DAD! WE'RE ON THE ROOF! IT'S OKAY!" A small pause, a sign of hesitation. "We're... STILL FRIENDS!"

Tsuna's eyes widen at his exclamation and then his heart sped. The small warmth of hope in his chest, almost like fire, grew even more.

''Thank you, Tsuna. I'll give you my loyalty.'' Yamamoto abruptly spoke up, looking directly in his eyes. It was determination and pure resolution.

Tsuna had his eyes widen in bewilderment at the words. However, inside he felt the small warmth growing.

''EH?! I mean! It's not a big deal! We just cleared it up!'' Tsuna protested, unconsciously popping into his old self.

Like magic, Yamamoto laughed carefree and scratched his neck. ''My, my Tsuna. As modest as always.''

Tsuna was in a daze though. The laughter Yamamoto let out was beautiful and pure despite the growing ugly bruises. The feeling of somebody being there, is almost happiness and innocence. Yamamoto kept softly laughing until Tsuna finally grinned.

However, the grin disappear when the cut glaringly sting. "Tch- Ouch!"

Yamamoto stopped laughing, making Tsuna regret his action, and his eyes became apologetic. "I'm sorry, Tsuna. We should probably go... fix us up."

A sigh was created and a voice spoke "Ah~ Herbivore. So we meet again, heh. And you found yourself a new friend."

There was only sudden tense at those words.

A/N: A cliffhanger, eh? Well it's obvious who it is. But I wonder where it's going to lead us.

Anyway; I'm back. And this chapter was one the hardest chapter I had to write. Because I wanted the emotions to spill, the atmosphere to glow and so you can feel what Tsuna's feeling. The desperation, the tension, the suspense. This is, admittingly, my first time ever writing such a chapter like this. I was more focus on the emotions, the sensation and atmosphere than the story itself. So if it was a bit undeveloped or odd, sorry Dx

Anyway, writing a cold and indifferent Yamamoto was difficult as well. I had to keep rewatching episodes of KHR in part where Yamamoto was serious and there was like only four or five scene and it involve baseball or winning the fight. I had to reread some chapter as well, noting his dialogue. So it was like converting Canon!Yamamoto into Melancholy!Yamamoto. Forgive me again if I failed in some part.

I had to rewrite this chapter at least twenty time. (I think I rewrote it fifteen times, and then revise it five times.) Adding details, fixing dialogues and making it less confusing. So yeah, Thanks for reading this lovely chapter!

THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS~ I absolutely love them.

~Review for the Next Chapter:

The Awaken of Compromise.

P.S. I won't be able to update for some times, because next week is going to be stressful and tiring. Full of exams and piano practices. But review, nevertheless and I might update early.

Love you 3