Katekyo Hitman Reborn
My Fate is Certainly Uncertain
Chapter 37: Reborn's Request
Overall warnings: Swearing and disclaimer things, my lovelies.
[Written to: 피터팬 Peter Pan - EXO_M ]
~o0o~
I found that being pregnant allowed me to get away with a lot of things that I usually wouldn't be able to do. Again, with the mothering hen syndrome that had infected the entire famiglia. I was visibly pregnant, not overly, but enough to be mistaken as gaining on weight, like someone had pointed out to me at the airport. Despite me wanting to poke her eyes out, rather violently for a small mistake as such, I held back my temper. Amazingly.
Viva la fuck you lady! My head shouted, giving her one heck of a stare as we were checking in. Last night hadn't been a good one, so I was quite tired. The flight wasn't any better. I couldn't sleep on it, never could except for when my mother and I were on the run. Sometimes we wouldn't have enough money for that, not even enough for food, so she would tap into a car and drive it until we were over state lines to swap it for another.
We arrived around nine-ish, I think, but I couldn't be sure. It was definitely dark out, so it was nighttime, yeah?
"Go to sleep." Dino whispered, patting his lap so that my head could rest on it. My eyes were drooping and being pregnant wasn't helping. Actually, I think it was causing it. Who knows? Not me, for sure. "Here, you can use my lap. I'll wake you up when we get there."
"Okay."
Lying there felt nice. Kind of dangerous, since I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. But I didn't mind lying there, feeling Dino slowly stroke my hair and holding my waist with the other.
But as it turns out, I'll wake you up when we get there doesn't actually mean I'll wake you up when we get there. Oh no. You thought I natively spoke English? Apparently not because I didn't wake up till lunch time, the day after. Gee, thanks Dino. That's a good promise you kept.
I woke up in the familiarity of the attic, starring at the boxed up walls, which still had black felt-tip markings on them. Some even were dedicated to Tsuna's earlier years, by which I could only guess was Nana's handiwork. So much love had been put into being such an epitomized housewife that I was starting to believe that she knew more than she let on to the others. I don't know if Reborn could see it, but I sure could. I could see her thoughts clearly than the others.
My stomach rumbled as I sat up, yawning. Considering that I didn't really eat much on the flight over and that it was the day after, I wasn't that surprised. But I was actually hungrier. I could feel a difference in the way I acted, or what I ate. I wasn't keen on tart things as I was three years ago. And I couldn't eat mushrooms or cheese, or else I'd be heading for the bathroom every minute of the day. Everyone was saying that "Pregnancy is a miracle! You should enjoy yourself!" but no. I liked eating.
I felt like I was back in the past, running errands for Iemitsu and keeping watch over Starfish's family. It was the smell of her cooking that brought me downstairs, something that I had lacked having in my own childhood. I wondered what I'd be. I didn't' want to think what Dino would be like. Because then, I would be looking after two children, not one.
Nana was at the counter, spooning out rice with a paddle and pleasantly humming. Moisture remained on the lid and on the edges. The window was ajar and even though it was a beautiful day, a cold wind crept in to say hello.
Eerie, the house was. Apart from the woman's humming and the ceramic pat pat of the paddle against the bowl, there was no perpetual squealing. No thumps or cires. I pulled out the chair and sat back on it carefully, breathing in the cold air that came through the window and out the open sliding door.
The sound of the squeaking chair alerted her and the woman twisted her head gently, strands of mousy brown hair shifting in time. She stopped whatever she was doing and came over to hug me. I was surprised, hesitating at her sudden gesture of skinship. Nana moved away before I could return the gesture.
"Good morning!" She cheerfully smiled, her hands on my shoulders. "Oh, it's good that you woke up! I was just going to go fetch you actually!"
"Eh, did you need me for something?"
Nana shook her head. "Oh no dear, I was just worried that you weren't eating. Dino carried you in last night, when you got here. He didn't want to wake you! Wasn't that sweet of him?"
He carried me huh? Well, at least he didn't drop me this time…..
I had a good breakfast. I could call it that, since it was the first meal I had today, although it was technically lunch. Ah well, food for me and my tummy was a good thing. It was a reasonable sized one as well. Her eyes were unjaded and I felt jealous of the bubble she created. Maybe she was trying to fool herself into a sense of wellness.
She told me the kids were at the park. And we talked a while. Turns out that Dino went ahead and told everyone about the pregnancy, which pissed me off a little. Didn't he think that I would have liked to be there when he told them? Jeeze. Nana was excited, cupping her coffee and almost spilling it when she spoke through tones of peace.
Fran came out from hiding and joined us to eat, with an appetite that rivalled my own. This was no scratch on the surface of dear Mama Nana. She was happily obliging to refill his side-dishes when he asked. Nicely too. The child loved good food and he would happily take my share back at the mansion, though recently Dino stopped that.
"Where's everybody?"
"Ara? Well, the kids are down at the park. Dino, Reborn and Tsuna are upstairs in his room, I think. Oh, they haven't had lunch yet….."
I shrugged. "They're men. If they're hungry, they can come downstairs and get it themselves."
"Well said Boss."
I stood and put my dishes in the sink, washing them off. I hated to make more work for Nana than what she usually had. Tsuna wasn't good at this sort of stuff.
"Fran, go check on the kids, okay? I'll go up there now and see what they're plotting."
And as it turns out, they were having a secret-men-secret meeting. They all stopped speaking when I knocked on the door.
"W-Who is it?" Tsuna called.
"It's Santa, coming to the Sawada household to kick the asses of little boys who won't let me in." I snorted. "You all dressed? Is it okay for me to come in?"
"Yes." Reborn replied and I came in. Dino got up for me but I shook my head and sat down on the floor, leaning against the frame of Tsuna's bed. I wanted to sit on the ground while I was still thin. Ish. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. Fine." I waved a hand. "Don't worry about me, talk more! I wanna know what's happening!"
"Go on Reborn." Dino said, resting his chin on his hand, which was propped upon the side of the seat that I know wasn't a part of Tsuna's room. I sniggered at Dino's insistence of that chair and wondered why he didn't marry it instead. "Why do we have to fight for you?"
He exhaled. "I've been thinking about how to explain this but…...fuck it. I'll just tell you everything I saw in my dream."
"D-Dream?! Is it that one that upset you last night?!"
"What did you see?" I asked, suddenly curious on what got his upset. "Colonnello in a thong?"
"It wasn't, you idiot." He snorted and lightly tapped me on the head. "But it wasn't a regular one either, because all the other Arcobaleno could see it as well."
"What did you say?!"
"A telepathic connection?" I wondered. "Cool."
"Right after I woke up, I confirmed it with Colonnello and Fon, so there's no doubt. In short the guy with the iron hat was able to connect us all together. The man that made all of us into Arcobaleno."
I blinked. "An iron hat? You sure it wasn't tinfoil?"
He sniffed. "That man appeared in my dream and got straight to the point. He asked if we wanted to dispel the spell."
"SPELL?!" Tsuna yelled. "IS THAT WHAT IT IS?!"
"Oh my god." My mouth was hanging open. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Are you serious?"
"Shit! That's good, right?"
Reborn went on to explain what happened. About how they were confronted. How Reborn didn't trust the man who cursed him all these years, who willed away his right to live, to age. He hated being a child. I wanted to show him the courage I had to help him, but he outrightly refused, though in my head, he thanked me for trying. We were family and there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for him. I wasn't going to lose or abandon anyone anymore. And I hadn't forgotten about Mason. I was going to get him back. Obviously, my plans would have to wait for a couple of more months.
He had a life to live for. He wanted to see me grow and to hold his grandchild. That's the only reason, he told me, to why he agreed.
"So that's why I want you to fight for me, so I can get rid of this body." Without answering Tsuna's other unusual questions, he snapped to his next question. "What's your answers?"
"It's kind of weird to hear you asking for something Reborn." Dino was thinking of all the times he asked Reborn for something and how it was never the other way around. I too found it nerving to hear him asking, this coming from a man so proud. I guess he didn't have any choices to make when it came to this. "I'll do it."
"If Dino's my ally, then I'm not scared either…..I'll do it."
I smiled gently. "I'll cheer from the sidelines, yeah? I'm sure Fran wants to help, so use him Dino."
He nodded. "That's a great idea! He was getting bored, anyway. Being cooped up in here and all…"
Reborn's mood changed suddenly. And I wasn't quite sure if it was a happy change or something I should be scared of change. "I see. Thank you."
Yeah. Definitely the type to be suspicious of.
"Yes! I have two representatives! No, three! That's good!"
"EH!"
"W-What, we haven't heard any important things yet Reborn! R-Reborn!"
~o0o~
It was on a Tuesday Spring, when I first saw her
"Dance, dance with me!" She called, her arms spread.
Faded green sleeves tussled in the wind she caused
hair splayed like a fan.
I tipped my fedora and walked into the crowd.
Lies and cheats and families.
I did not dance.
It was on a Tuesday Summer, when I found myself
so quickly it seemed. That I could talk and
not have to lie. Not have to think or breathe or
make up an excuse on silly things.
I told you I loved you
on a Tuesday evening.
I did not lie.
It was on a Tuesday Autumn, when I called around
unexpectedly, but as always, knowing you expected.
The air smelt of pumpkin and
sweet liquor. Everything tasted good, not like before
movies couldn't compare.
Nor just looking at your lips.
I did not stop.
It was on a Tuesday Winter, when I heard you go
"off on a mission!" you called, smiling like a snark
hair pinned in a bun.
The world was calling you and I could not stop
what already had begun.
I did not think.
It was on a Tuesday Spring, when I found myself alone.
What I knew, gone.
What I saw, dead.
I did not love.
I did not care.
That's what I tell myself, at least.
~o0o~
Of course, there were seven teams of however many decided to participate. There were certain things I wasn't allowed to affiliate myself with because of the dangers and I didn't want to inform those outside of the people who already knew about the pregnancy, so I wore baggy clothing.
However, I found the case of the strangely masked man to be interesting enough, what, with his iron hat and checkered grin that was indented into Reborn's skull. I wondered what kind of man could perform a spell like that and I considered that he might not be man at all. I had once met something out of this world, so it wasn't a far off guess.
I spent the next day with Dino as he was getting ready for the event. He told the Vongola to come meet him and I at the nice hotel we were staying at. While I was dressed in somewhat underdressed clothing, Dino went out for a suit. Strangely enough, this was becoming more frequent but I didn't mind seeing him dress snazzy. I enjoyed it, how he struggled with tying his tie. Meanwhile, I felt a little odd.
"You look fine." Dino told me, noticing how I was comparing everyone. Unlike his dress choice, he didn't actually care what he wore. He just kind of wore things that either the stylist or I suggested.
"You're not the one wearing the hoodie."
He chuckled and plonked an arm on my shoulder. "I promise, you can take it off when this is over. I don't want them targeting you to get to Reborn."
"And you think that I can't handle things myself?"
"Never said that." Dino's trademark, sly smirk appeared and I could've bonked him over the head. But he looked up and saw Tsuna coming in and called him over. "Tsuna, Reborn. Glad you could make it."
"What's with the suit?" Tsuna asked, still in his uniform.
"I've got to keep appearances up before my brother and tutor, you know."
"O-Okay!"
Reborn jumped from Tsuna to Dino's shoulders. My tummy was rumbling. "You didn't mess up and order too much food, did you?"
"H-Hey, that was one time!"
"Oh Dino, you said that other families might be staying here?"
I sighed. "Yup. You can hear them from our room."
"Who?"
No introductions were needed for the flying boy who damaged the roof, with the cloaked baby on his shoulder. And yoink! The young Vongola had no idea that he was about to be taken into the lair of death. Of hormonal men. Dinner would have to wait.
I took the elevator while Dino and Reborn chased after them. And, by the time that I did get up there, a man with a strange accent was there. Stranger was his smile, because it wasn't. I didn't like him at all, much how I detested that noodle guy from the minute he said hello. Watches were what he handed out. Blank faces were what he left, on the postures of those left standing. Me myself, couldn't be bothered with standing around here longer than we actually needed to and I told Dino that.
And then, the shark spoke up, when Lussy asked why I wasn't participating, after I'd said that I wasn't. They assumed I'd automatically go to my father's side in his defence, so naturally, they were surprised. Something jerky, of course. Why would I expect any less from him?
I was the queen of silent time at dinner, when everyone had time to form their own opinions on the matter. Though, Squalo, yet again opened his mouth, calling me a freaking wuss and I retaliated fairly by throwing my dinner at him and dragging him out. No one dared to come after me, I think they felt I was seething anger.
But no, in contrast, I felt pity. I needed to speak to him. I needed to stop him from losing something he can't hold. I took him into one of the backrooms and let his hair go. He growled and gained his balance, trying to stare me down. It wasn't working.
"Really Squalo, was that necessary?!" I hit him lightly on the shoulder. "I'm staying out because I have to, not because I want to!"
He clenched his teeth. "VOI, WAS THAT FUCKING NECESSARY?! THROWING FUCKING SHEPHERD'S PIE?! THAT WAS HOT!"
"No." I admitted and sighed. Maybe I had gone a little overboard. "I'm sorry, but I heard what you were thinking. And it's not true, by the way. I'd never give up. I'm only going to say this once, so you listen up, got it?"
A toned down, mediocre yes was all that I got for a reply.
"Good."
"What is it?"
I breathed out. "Go find a nice girl Squalo. Find someone who's loud, cocky, likes to cut things up and preferably isn't me."
He choked on surprise, finding this sudden, but I had to act quickly.
"I'm not worth chasing after. I'm with Dino and I want to spend my life with him. It will be a short one, but I have my reasons. You've seen the future Squalo, you have memories of what happened there. I'm going to die. I'm going to die and I'm going to leave a lot of damage when I do."
"You don't think I fucking know that, Phillipa?!" He growled back, for once, using my actual name. I was hurting him by saying this but I couldn't stand to hear him thinking of what could have. What should have. His fists were balled and he flushed a striking red. Swordsmanship was his main passion in life, not love. He didn't know how to deal with me. And I didn't want to deal with him. "You don't think I wonder every day when you're going to die? That I look at you two and feel like barfing?!"
"That's all I wanted to say. I'm giving a warning. I've lost so many things, and my life is nothing more than a hassle to my existence each passing day. I'm warning you to back off, before you regret it."
His reaction to me was somewhat unexpected, but a sad, melancholy relief. I bowed till he left, which was uncharacteristically quiet of him, and I texted Dino that I was going to our room, telling him that Squalo ran off and I was getting tired. I didn't need to drag another life down with me. I was getting closer to my goal and I'd become too attached to those around me.
"Don't blame me then, when you die."
That's not what his head was saying.
Dino wanted me to stay close to him when the games were on, but after getting a rude-ass-puny-unkind t'ch from a gray-haired-goofy-rapunzel-wannabe, I was forced to stay with Nana again. For both of our sakes because I can say that me being pregnant did not get in the way of picking fights.
Everybody understood though, a couple of months later when I was marginally bigger. Scratch that, I couldn't see my toes.
But back to when I was thinner, only barely showing any signs of the life within me. Teams had begun to form and alliances were stretching. I even saw Byakuran, who apologised for Al, to which I flicked him on the head and told him firmly to shove off, that I was not participating in this game so he had no business talking to me.
It was funny, to watch Tsuna come out of his room, still shaken about having to fight family and friends. He left the house in a hurry and Basil, who finished his toast, asked politely if he could touch my stomach.
I told him no. Not yet.
The first battle commenced within ten minutes. People were hurt, and I remember Emna, the boy I'd heard about when Tsuna was having trouble with his family, getting hurt. In this, I caught wind of rumours that Arcobaleno were able to lift their curse, if only for a few minutes. I reveled in the thought that I might get to see my Reborn, my father standing taller than me. So it made me eager to watch the Vongola's progress.
And I wondered where and how Chrome was, since I hadn't heard a peep about her since I got here. I hoped she was doing okay, better than what I was, I guess.
That girl was trouble.
~o0o~
It was on a Tuesday Summer, when I found myself climbing
in a rock canyon, at night. Along with seven other souls
relentlessly thinking it would have
never ended like this.
You told me once that you dreamed of a place
that's not on this earth. I dreamed once.
This body is deceitful but
I did not move.
It was on a Tuesday Autumn, when I found myself alone
again. My mind was on several things
a delicate drawstring
ready to come undone.
I'm not the same as I was before
all of this. All of that.
When I became my new self
I did not falter.
It was on a Tuesday Winter, when I found myself dreaming
catching wind of once was. To find a
lisp of what could
thread of what should.
I sat there for an eternity
thinking. Planning. Hoping.
I did not consider.
It was on a Tuesday Spring, when I found myself travelling
toward a somewhat distinctive soul. Who smelt
cinnamon and vanilla, his home did taste
not old, like I had expected.
Who's to say
he might make it or not.
I'm not entirely sure but
I did not ponder.
It was on a Wednesday Summer, when I found myself watching
a girl throwing her shoes into a swan infested
lake of eyes. Reminds me of those before.
Such a starch scowl,
it's a wonder if she ate something sour.
It's not what she says, but what she does
that piques my memories.
When I started to smile again
I did not look back.
That's what I tell myself, at least.
~o0o~
Well, a good day, I guess. Went to a Greek play that my friend won tickets to. Had chicken nuggets. Saw some old artifacts. The X-mas gift that I sent to the Eat your kimchi crew finally got opened. 3 If you wanna check it out, it's on my Deviantart channel, The-Vindictive-Irony. I made them a comic book as well as some other stuff.
I loved the mixed reviews. Everybody else would be like "Oh, I only want good ones!" But I find that mixed reviews gets more results. So, just putting this out there, be honest. The poisoning and the dimly dark room are relevant, so don't you fret your little hairs off. This isn't a chapter book, so I know you can't rush off into it like you'd like to. Sorry, but I'll try my best. It won't be long now till things start to end.
Replies:
LeoInuyuka: Oh dear, well I hope you're getting better. ;)
Zuta-Chan: Best chapter ever? Why thank you!
Miyukie-Chan: Yeah, sorry about that. Maybe I should have been a little clearer, but I'm glad that you did get what I was talking about and not ending the story going "I don't understand." Yet, is what I say.
natachoco: Yes, you are right, obviously. For everything. But secretly secret. so *shhh*
hikare mae: Welcome back! I was wondering where you got to. Anywho, glad you could. As I always say, just reading is fine with me.
Wiki: Actually, I did think it was you. But I was like "Oh wait, her account isn't deactivated so…" I was confused. And then I was like "Oh, silly me~" Oh, and Nuts is a really old slang term for "damn" or "shit", if you tried hard enough. I didn't realise I'd put that in till you pointed it out.
Anyways, poem. Yeah. Sorry if that's not your thing, but I couldn't help myself this time.
So I'm going to have an early night and hope that I pass my Italian test.
Love, Verdigurl/