EDITED Mar/9/19: See end for details.
NOTE: Perhaps some reading between the lines is needed in this chapter. Also, SPOILER ALERT: Slightly dirty.
x-X-x-X-x
"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world." - Leo Buscaglia
When all of his friends and mother began acting odd Tsuna could only come to one conclusion:
"Hey, Reborn, is it your birthday soon?" The Arcobaleno stared at him for a moment and nodded. "Ah... guess I need to find you a present."
As Tsuna tapped his own chin and walked off muttering about how little he really knew his tutor, the little hitman shook his head. His student had actually forgotten his own birthday. What a moron.
. . .
Over the next two weeks Tsuna helped his mother work on coffee flavored cakes and treats, helped (and really bonded with) Haru by coming up with a costume for her to make for Reborn. One he could use when he's feeling 'playful' (IE, in the mood to instill terror). He also made suggestions to his friends on what they should get Reborn for the Arcobaleno's birthday, but only in a few cases.
On the third day of the first week Reborn seemed to withdraw and become more alert because his chameleon went weird and turned into a cocoon sphere (which was actually a very freaky sight to wake up to!). Why that was so bad worried Tsuna a bit because Reborn said nothing on the subject, but he let it go after his tutor acted like his usual self the third day of Leon's cocoon-stage.
Gokudera started working on fireworks, which was something Tsuna suggested to distract the bomber from his idea of having the Decimo as a partner in a knife-throwing show. Yamamoto planned to make the baby hitman some great sushi, and as for Ryohei Tsuna suggested he do whatever he feels like, since he could get a present or put on a show. Lambo he left to his own devices as the kid wanted to make the hitman something out of clay. Fuuta also worked with clay and unlike the Bovino he was always messy with paint before bed time. Kyoko made coffee flavored sweets for the hitman, Hana took Tsuna's suggestion of horror films to heart.
As for the Decimo... He was stumped for the longest time, and as he had few skills to fall back on he decided to just try and imagine the hitman as an adult and draw him.
It took a week and a half of drawings and two sketchbooks that he burned via Sky-Lightning for smores with the kids, but Tsuna decided that he had made a handsome likeness of a tall, dark and devilish man that would, at the very least, keep Tsuna from being shot for half-assed work. His idea of Adult Reborn had the hitman exiting a shadowy alley with a dark smirk while touching his fedora with a bigger and less childish looking Leon sitting on his shoulder. Tsuna carefully gave the inked drawing 'life' via pencil crayon and watercolors, then he used a sealant to protect the work from smudging. The young artist felt hopeful, but would be ready to dive to the side to escape any flying mallets flying at his head.
Reborn disappeared with cocoon-Leon for the day on the thirteenth and Tsuna had fun helping his mother, son, and the girls (minus Haru who was putting last minute touches on Reborn's present) decorate. He promised Lambo candy if the kid could stay quiet in the living room and watch TV, and fortunately it was one of those times that the little rambunctious child listened. So the spacious backyard was strung with white Christmas lights along the fence, poles were fitted with electric lanterns, and the large table was set with covered food of Japanese and Italian and treats as the sun began setting. A large stereo system was connected with Tsuna's old MP3 player and the air was filled with a mix of Japanese and Italian songs. There were two cakes set on the table as stars sparkled in the black velvet sky.
(One might be wondering how Tsuna could be so thick about this, but keep in mind he was certain Reborn would want the most extravagant birthday party possible and two cakes wasn't surprising. In fact Tsuna felt that it was pretty damn tame compared to what he'd had a freaky dream about two nights before.)
"Hahi! This place looks amazing!"
Tsuna turned and smiled at his friend. "I'm glad you like it, Haru-chan. Did you make the mask?"
She shivered but smiled and flashed a thumbs up. "Haru did everything! It was so new and scary, but I'm happy with it, desu! You have to help me with more designing, Tsuna-kun! Pretty please?"
He chuckled and nodded. "Sure, it was loads of fun!"
Gokudera arrived after that and set up his fireworks with a proud grin on his handsome face, and when Tsuna asked about the stylish looking black and orange lumbar pack he had slung over his head the bomber flailed slightly before saying it was nothing important while looking to the side. Well, if that wasn't a lie than Tsuna was hopelessly stupid.
Still, he let the bomber go about his business and violently protect the bag by yelling at Haru when she tried to take it and place it with the presents after a short discussion with him, and then Takeshi arrived. Yamamoto-san drove his son over and helped transport both sushi and a series of tough, thickly rolled up bamboo mats standing skyward in a circle in a corner of the yard, and before leaving he gave Tsuna a hug and wished him a "great special day!" much to the latter's confusion. Bianchi arrived and as a favor to Tsuna, though he was briefly mystified as to why she would mention doing him a favor, she wore a stylish pair of goggles on her face. Others arrived and soon there were two piles of presents by the side.
When Reborn reappeared he had a normal Leon snoozing on his hat, and the party began with a few games set up courtesy of Bianchi's previous planning- games such as an improvised shooting range, a table for arm-wrestling contests, and other physically demanding or difficult games. Tsuna did not excell in most of them, especially the shooting game, and the one he actually did best in (to everyone's surprise, including his own) was knife throwing. Once food and drink was consumed the baby started talking about Vongola Birthdays and giving scores to presents or shows, and that the one with the lowest score dies. Tsuna had hung his head and half-seriously bid his life goodbye.
"Reborn, why is it that everything with you has to be so over the top it's like... almost physically repulsive to me?"
"Life isn't fun if I can't torment you." His student's face deadpanned. "Besides, it is the rule at every Vongola Birthday and the one to die is at least given to Lady Luck in a game of Russian Roulette."
"Yep. Makes me feel so much better, thank you."
"Just so you know everyone secretly prepared for this. I hope you have something for me otherwise I have no choice but to shoot you."
"Hiiiee! I-I have something! It's just not... flashy."
"Ahaha, relax Tsuna! It's just a child's game, let's go along with it!"
"Yeah, Juudaime! It is a game, and I will gladly take your punishment if your gift is snubbed!"
Tsuna could not help but be worried for the well-being of his both swordsman and smoker friends.
"Ahem. Since Yamamoto brought the delicious sushi he recieves 80 points," said Reborn, nodding to the sword-wielder. "The scores will be posted on one of these boards. Mine is the first."
Tsuna kept his mouth shut and beyond thinking that there was a nefarious something going on, didn't question there being two boards.
"Haha! 80 points isn't so bad!"
"Hahi! Haru's turn!" The girl skipped over to the left pile of presents and tugged out a box before scurrying over and sitting before Reborn to pull out... "Haru asked Tsuna-kun what Reborn-chan would like best. He designed it and I made it!"
She removed a black suit with ebony and grey feathers on the shoulders and the elbows, and then a pair of flexible wings covered with more authentic feathers came out. Next was the black pants, and shoes modeled to look like a bird of prey's, and a tiny scythe was removed second to last as she pulled out a demonic looking beaked mask. Reborn smirked at the sight of it and immediately dashed off to change into it, and in the mean time Tsuna called over Piero and the cat settled happily into her human's lap, allowing him to fit a loose cream colored outfit around her, secured under a sort of saddle.
When Reborn returned Tsuna pointed at his cat with a crooked grin. "Your pale steed, Morte-sama."
Reborn outright chuckled at this reference and settled comfortably on the large cat's back before declaring Haru gets an 85 and Tsuna a 30. The others hurried to set up their presentations or gifts.
The hitman graciously thanked Kyoko for the heavily coffee flavored home-made candy, she got 70. Hana got a nod and a thanks for the horror-thriller flicks, she recieved a clean 50. Ryohei eagerly set up his 'station' off to the side and put metal slabs down and, with a noticeable yellow glow in his eyes, slammed his gloved fist down to break apart thirteen two inch thick metal slabs quite easily, he recieved 85. Gokudera set off a bunch of truly impressive fireworks that spoke of how he was intimately knowledgeable of chemicals and creating explosives and he recieved an 85 too. Lambo handed over a sloppily created clay gun painted green and recieved a five, thus making the Bovino panic and hide in Tsuna's sweater. Fuuta handed over a fairly well made cartoonish dragon of black and green and recieved a 70. For making most of the food Nana recieved a 90. Bianchi came and ruined a number of decorations (and sliced Tsuna's cheek) by performing 'authentic Italian pizza tossing', earning a 90 as well.
Lastly was Tsuna's gift and the boy was intensely reluctant to go and get the portfolio from the pile, but Reborn kicked him and he hurried. Lambo's spirit animal seemed to be a leech since he wasn't dislodged from his place clinging to Tsuna's undershirt. When the Decimo returned the black object was clutched nervously and he took a deep breath.
"Um, since I've never been good at much else, I... I decided to draw you something, Reborn."
He angled the portfolio in the direction of a lantern and then opened it with shaking hands. The surprise in Reborn's face was subtle as he dropped his half consumed coffee lolli to the grass and slowly approached. While Tsuna was inwardly terrified he was about to be shot, Reborn was wondering how on earth his semi-pitiful student could draw his previous likeness so... perfectly correct, down to the smirk and even Leon.
"Tsuna, how long did this take?"
The boy squeaked at how serious odd his tutor sounded. "I-it t-took a week, you know, when I w-wasn't sleeping properly?"
"Four hours of sleep a night. You messed up your sleep cycle for this?"
"Y-y-yes..."
"Believe it or not, Baka-Tsuna, this is exactly... how I imagine myself to look like one day. 95 points. That brings you to 125, congratulations, you get to sleep in next Sunday."
Tsuna bit his cheek and nodded with a stuttered thanks that turned into a yelp ("Thank y-AH!") when the demonic-costumed baby leaped forcefully onto his head. "Now, onto the second half of this party. Hana, if you would do the honor of fixing the banner."
The Rain girl smirked and headed over to the large cloth proudly displaying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBORN!" and yanked it off to reveal "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TSU-KUN!"
"Ah! Wh-what? It's my birthday? But isn't it-"
"Tomorrow, Juudaime!" Gokudera said, popping up beside his beloved boss. "It was Reborn-san's suggestion to make it a joint birthday party!"
Tsuna swayed slightly. How could he have forgotten his damn birthday again? He doesn't even have the excuse of training under Nobu, but then again Reborn is a class all his own despite not yet breaking any bones.
"Tsuna!" Takeshi wrapped an arm around the short Sky and grinned warmly. "Me first! I have something to show you!"
The baseball and sword fanatic cheerfully gestured to the gathered pole targets and then walked over to settle himself right in the middle of them. His stance was solid as he held a handsome blade in one hand, and the intense look that crossed his face had Tsuna swallowing hard and gripping his stomach at the strange, familiar butterflies twisting inside. In the next few seconds Takeshi had moved in a long blur and the eight targets fell to pieces, split multiple parts down the middle of each pole that brought to mind one of those chocolate oranges from America.
Tsuna's jaw was dropped along with several others. "Th-that's awesome, Takeshi! You're really cool!"
The swordsma blushed and rubbed the back of his head as he put away his blade. "Glad you think so! The whole reason I picked up the sword was for you!"
Ignoring the blush creeping over his own face, Tsuna coughed into his sweater-clothed forearm and turned to Reborn. "I think this calls for a... 90."
(Nana, watching her son glow from happiness, privately cheered for the wonderful friendships he had forged, and happily placed the friend-themed stickers on their appropriate places. The Sawada matriarch had to press a hand to her mouth to smother cooes as she saw Tsuna automatically support Lambo when the child, probably asleep, started slipping out from under his sweater.)
Gokudera stepped forward next and handed over the black and orange bag he had guarded on his person since before the start of the party. It was filled with differently colored balls of paper that Gokudera explained were like smoke bombs except they were chemical mixtures designed to incapacitate with poison that would not kill, but put people to sleep or paralyze them, and then there were normal smoke bombs for escape. All were color coded and organized meticulously. He even slipped two dozen dynamite colored orange with blue bands that he explained were specially sensitive to his Sky Flames (there, a nod to a smirking Reborn) and would detonate with a force equal to the amount of flames stored inside before throwing. Detonation is only possible with Flames of the Sky lighting it.
The next object Gokudera pulled out was a dark red and thick cloth that fit around Tsuna's neck and stretched up to cover his mouth and nose as a mask much like Kakashi of Naruto. That alone had Tsuna grinning, and combined with how much work was obviously put into the gift, the Decimo couldn't help shyly giving the bomber a side hug (causing him to blush heavily) before declaring that he too received a 90 for his efforts.
Kyoko came forward with one of several bottles of plain green pills possessing a soft white glow and cheerfully explained that she had been experimenting with her Sun Flame and the effects it has on plants, boosting their natural health benefits and giving them an Activation effect to dramatically boost healing and energy when wounded or exhausted, and likewise physical capability was enhanced when in full health for up to 30 minutes. The girl then leaned forward to whisper that she accidentally made a new breed of rose-bush like dandelion that glows and it's the base plant for the pill. They taste great in salads. She explained that there were a few other herbs she combined to create the pill with Hana's help. Tsuna gave her a hug and happily declared another 90.
Hana had Kyoko assist her in growing certain plants with a powerful Tranquility property, then she combined Sun and mainly Rain-enhanced Lemon Balm and Valerian to create a powerful tranquilizer, and she in turn asked Reborn and Bianchi if they could help her aquire 'injection needles for throwing', and voila. Something that will put down any pesky bastards he doesn't want to waste energy on. Hana recieved a hug and a 90 as well.
(Privately Reborn thought Tsuna was too easy with the points, but his Famiglia did put significantly more effort into his gifts than for the little hitman. Not something he was used to, which actually amused the Arcobaleno.)
Ryohei, to Tsuna's (and most others) great surprise, gave the Sky a palm sized book, onecalled The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general. He admitted to having help picking out something Tsuna would like. The Decimo gave his brother a 75. Tsuna undid his sweater and pulled out the sleepy little Bovino and when he asked if he had something to hand over, Lambo gleefully ran to the pile of presents and came back with a sloppily wrapped object with a folded letter taped to it it. Inside was a malformed cat painted to slightly resemble Piero, and the letter written in crayon...
"Fuuta-nii gets to call Tsuna papa! From now on Tsuna is the great Lambo-san's papa too!"
Tsuna blinked and stared for a long moment before he started (LAUGHING, he's too cool to giggle!) and hugged the little Bovino close. "No problem, you're my bambino too Lambo-kun."
"Gyahaha! See, Fuuta-nii, I knew papa would agree!"
The young de la Stella giggled and said nothing since he had repeatedly said that his papa would like it. Off to the side Reborn was rubbing his forehead and wondering where his life went wrong. Oh, that's right, when he offered his services to the desperate and powerful ally of the Vongola, the Chiavarone. That just opened the way for the old fool to push Tsuna on him, and, no, Reborn did not regret taking on the promising young Sky as his student. That habit of taking in children? Shudder. Thinking somewhat similarly, Hana came down with hives and ran inside to put ice packs on her irritated skin and grudgingly admitted that the little nightmare wasn't as bad with Fuuta and Tsuna influencing him.
Lambo, no longer fearing Reborn shooting him, ran off to play with Piero and ride around on her back.
Bianchi came forward and tossed Tsuna a medium sized wooden box that contained laminated, pink and purple little cards with the words "PUT ON FACE-WEAR COUPON" in colorful letters. Tsuna laughed and thanked her with a wide grin and the older woman messed with his hair before going off to snuggle with a blank faced Reborn.
Lastly the hitman left Bianchi's arms and came forward with a box that he threw hard enough at Tsuna to make him land on his back with a yelp of surprise. He sat up, face twitchy and deadpan with irritation, and he wordlessly tore off the orange silk ribbon wrapped around it. Inside lay a pair of silky looking thick black gloves with silver fingers and white-metal embroidered 27's on the back. Tsuna grinned and thanked Reborn happily, as he was certain the hitman wouldn't hand over something frivolously pretty that can't pack a devastating wallop.
"Put it on and summon your Flames, Baka-Tsuna, and check how well they work with you."
Eagerly Tsuna pulled on both gloves and found that they fit very comfortably. Since the silky-soft material stretched it was probably ridiculously expensive. Drawing on a good amount of his Sky alone with no emotional fuel was still hardest when not in certain situations, but in a few seconds the gloves were ablaze and filling the backyard with enough light to scare Piero, who hissed and ducked under the food tables, knocking a startled Lambo off of her. More than the brilliant purity of the Flame, what awed Tsuna was how the gloves transformed into black and silver colored flexible scale-armored gauntlets with a gilded X on the palms of his hands while the number 27 became large grey spherical stones that shimmered with all the colors of the Flames as they shifted in the light.
"Wicked," Tsuna said, voice soft with wonder. "This... is beyond incredible, and they feel better than the tonfa..."
"They can be your secondary weapons, or you can combine use of them." Reborn paused and eyed the starry heavens. "I'm sure I can call on a few contacts to improve the weapons Iemitsu gave you."
Tsuna perked up and Reborn knew that the boy would be more than happy to stop using the, admittedly attractive and perfectly functional, weapons and accept whatever Reborn would give him because it would be from him. Somehow the infant had managed to worm his way into his students heart and he found he didn't mind much, it made training him, and spending time with the boy, that much tolerable.
The rest of Tsuna's half of the party consisted of watching his favorite Miyazaki films (Castle in the Sky. Princess Mononoke. And lastly, Ponyo). Reborn and Bianchi left rather than watch such childish films, but Tsuna was simply happy being able to enjoy something with his Family. The overall favorites were Princess Mononoke and Ponyo.
. . .
The day after the joint birthday party another unscheduled spar with the Demon of Namimori Middle ended most unexpectedly.
The fight was exhausting and to Tsuna's secret joy Hibari appeared slightly winded and was sweaty as he, standing with his tonfa put away, staring almost thoughtfully down at the sprawled out boy's panting, red-faced form. Tsuna even had a satisfied little smile on his tired face as he looked up at the Cloud with eyes full of trust. In a short moment Tsuna squeaked as Hibari swiftly knelt and pretty much sat on his smaller form with a truly devious smirk that sent the boy's heart skipping and speeding up.
"Um... H-Hibari-senpai... wha-what are you doing?" A pinch between his brows showed Tsuna's concern but he didn't fight. "D-don't go crazy on me again, please."
Hibari snorted at his little carnivore's submissiveness and was privately pleased by it as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar box. Tsuna indulges in sweets without his cubs tagging along and the bittersweet dark treat with the velvety green tea flavored chocolate inside was something he'd seen in Tsuna's lunch bag often enough even before the cubs. It was delicious and the Prefect enjoyed it as well on occasion.
Seeing Hibari open the box and put one plain, round truffle in his own mouth made Tsuna pout automatically. This pout disappeared when Hibari easily gathered the slighter male's wrists in one hand and rendered him helpless once more, and in place of the pout was red-faced alarm and the light of excitement in those warm honey eyes.
"H-Hibari, what are you d-doing...?"
The prefect twisted his tongue around the treat and enjoyed it's subtle sweetness. As it had been sitting in his pocket for the better part of a day it wasn't long before the sweet was melted enough for him to dip down and kiss his Anaguma's slightly parted mouth. Tsuna meeped and automatically turned his head, face red and his breathing far more erratic, but as there was no fear coming off of him and this hard-to-get action only encouraged the Cloud as he turned Tsuna's face with borderline gentle fingers and melded his lips to the soft ones of his sparring partner. Tsuna moaned and shuddered as the chocolate on Hibari's tongue invaded his mouth and set his tastebuds and blood on fire. He kissed back, almost straining his neck.
Hibari's 'attack' did not end there. Once the chocolate was done and he treated the younger male to his first tongue kiss, he moved slowly, ready to back off if Tsuna displayed signs of fear or aversion. He dragged his lips along Tsuna's neck and rediscovered that his Sky was either especially sensitive there or he was sensitive to the prefect's touch, and the Cloud rather liked that second theory as he pulled back after drawing out enough noises to satisfy his pride. Hibari placed the little box of sweets on the grass and plucked another one out which Tsuna eyed with greedy hope and not for a kiss. It wasn't more than once a month the boy indulged in his them. Amused, Hibari shook his head and proceeded to drag the melting chocolate down his prey's neck and making him yelp.
"Hey! Ch-chocolate isn't meant for body art! It's meant for eating!"
A smirk was the only answer Tsuna received as the prefect continued for a moment, drawing it across his Sky's pulse, before promptly popping the dripping treat into his mouth. Tsuna swallowed hard and it clicked with how parched he suddenly felt as he watched Hibari, hardly able to believe this, whatever it happened to be, was even happening with the prefect of all people. He assumed that the last, ah, incident was an experiment and that the mercurial teenager had moved right on.
Hibari eyed the chocolate staining his digits and palm, then slid a speculative look to Tsuna's flushed and nervous face. When the prefect pressed two fingers to Tsuna's lips he raised an eyebrow that the boy interpreted as "Are you going to waste your favorite sweet?" and he swiped one finger across Tsuna's lower lip. A shiver rolled over the Decimo as he stomped on the desire to actually open his stupid mouth and, hell, why he was even contemplating allowing this - this thing to continue?
... Oh, right. He, like a suicidal rabbit curiously hopping around the favorite hunting grounds of a vicious bird of prey, just can't help coming back because he has some mutated emotional-thing for the Cloud user.
Tsuna squeaked when Hibari reached for the little box of chocolate and as he sort-of-feared what else the perverted upperclassmen was planning, he opened his mouth and poked his tongue out to brush over chocolate stained fingers that skimmed his lips. Tsuna looked to the side settled on a staring a hole through the milk weed to his left as he closed his mouth over two fingers. He continued licking and gently sucking at the lingering sweetness, unaware of the picture he presented or the affect he was having on his friend. Had he been watching, well, it's unlikely that he would have missed how Hibari's pupils dilated and he swallowed heavily.
When Hibari pulled his hand away Tsuna was squirming slightly as he kept his gaze square on the milkweed. He felt - weird, that would be a good word. He wasn't sure he could adequately describe the fuzzy warmth in his belly or the desire to kiss the prefect again. Would Hibari mind that? He seemed to be the dominant type. So, maybe it wouldn't be appreciated.
Right then Hibari's tongue began lapping up the melted chocolate from Tsuna's neck and the Sky-user shuddered and bit his lip to keep quiet. Hibari slid the hand Tsuna licked beneath the boys shirt and splayed his hand across his side, drawing a meep from him. Tsuna started squirming slightly, fingers digging in and ripping up grass. Hibari took some sadistic delight in teasing Tsuna and dragged his hand along sensitive flesh to lightly pinch his Sky's hip, eliciting a strangled yelp.
Having had his amusement and given Tsuna a 'birthday present' that was, admittedly, mainly for his own enjoyment, he soon stopped the torture and left after putting the half eaten box of sweets on Tsuna's stomach.
That evening Tsuna went to bed confused and feeling a bit dirty for enjoying Hibari's attention so much. Especially since the prefect ditched him hours away from Namimori in the mountains.
Bit of an asshole, that one. It still didn't stop Tsuna from caring.
. . .
Over the next three weeks Tsuna, just like after The Incident when Iemitsu visited, noticed that his friends were more tired than normal and had more scratches, bruises and bandages. The signs of more than strenuous training were too much to let be this time and he wouldn't be placated by their reassurances. He called them all over for a movie night and asked them to bring DVDs of what they wanted to see, and once everyone was seated in the living room with popcorn and various snacks Tsuna popped the first DVD in (Ryohei's choice, an American action film with subtitles called Red) and turned to the room.
His friends, minus Hibari who he would never bother asking to come over to watch a movie with a bunch of herbivores, were scattered around the room. Takeshi sat on the couch beside a goggles-sporting Bianchi and on the other side of the big bowl of snacks where Tsuna would sit was Gokudera. Hana had comfortably perched on the sofa arm beside the bomber, and the Sasegawa siblings were seated on the floor together. Fuuta and Lambo were out at the park with his madre so he didn't have to worry about them seeing anything extreme yet.
Reborn wasn't the only one who noticed the difference in Tsuna's demeanor as looked each and every friend in th face. Reborn and Bianchi were the only two not to subconsciously sit straighter where they were, even sweet and semi-oblivious Kyoko and thick-headed Ryohei.
"I understand that I have no control over you all, and I would never dream of having it. I just..." Tsuna's firm face fell slightly as he took in the butterfly bandage holding together a cut on Hana's cheek, and the vertical stitches over Takeshi's left eyebrow. "I'd like you all to tell me if you need anything. Food, pain medicine, an ear to complain to... I can see how hard you're working," he said, not having to force a warm, if slightly sad smile. "And I'm really proud of you, but please rely on me more."
He withheld his last thoughts of, "Even if I'm not much to work with."
Gokudera literally leap-frogged over Ryohei ("GAH! Not extreme, octopus-head!") and knelt in front of him with imploring, unintentional puppy-eyes. "I'm sorry, Juudaime! Reborn trains you into the ground every day, I didn't want to burden you!"
Takeshi got up and wrapped an arm around the short Sky with a pinched grin. "Sorry about that. I've got my dad fixing me up, so don't worry! If you want, though, you could come cheer me on when I'm training! I'm sure I'll do even better on those days, ahaha!"
With that Tsuna found himself dragged over to sit between the Storm and Rain while Reborn had Leon turn into a remote to get the movie started. As the beginning played Tsuna heard whispered apologies from a sheepish Hana who said she should have known better than to hide it, from Kyoko who promised to rely on him more, and a louder EXTREME apology from the older sunny airhead. It didn't need to be said, but Tsuna suspected Reborn to have put them all under a training program. When he caught the infants eye he glanced around the room and rose a questioning eyebrow, to which the hitman nodded. The future head of the Vongola sighed and slumped against the couch.
His poor friends. He'd have to support them as best he could.
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HOW TSUNA'S PACK BECAME A PRIDE (later) ((inspired by Littlest1
On a day when everyone but Kyoko was busy with something, she came over to keep him company and help watch the kids. She and he were sitting on the back porch side by side and watching Fuuta pretend to be a dragon chasing warrior prince Lambo who had a foam sword.
Kyoko had a thought and hugged Tsuna's arm suddenly. Her smile was adorable and warm and, of course, Tsuna braced himself in case she had something particularly way-out-there to say. She and Ryohei could be so alike sometimes.
"Tsuna-kun! I just remembered something. Hibari-san is wrong about us being a pack!"
Though blushing at the contact, Tsuna relaxed when it was apparent that Kyoko wasn't going to say something too weird. And compared to other things he's done and seen since training under Nobu and Reborn? This is as tame as a fluffy marshmallow.
"Oh, why do you say that?"
"Hana-chan calls you lion-monkey, Tsuna-kun, and I agree. You're much more like a lion than a wolf! And lion's have prides instead of packs. You're like the alpha male! And Hibari-san is your partner alpha, which would make your pride a coalition in actuality!"
"Heh?" Tsuna was very confused. He didn't quite catch what she called Hibari, wait for it.
Kyoko giggled and reached up to playfully poke his nose. "I read up on lion's, Tsuna-kun. Lion prides ruled by two males are called coalitions. Hibari is your alpha partner, so the your Famiglia is sort of like a coalition right now."
"Oh... s-so, let me get this..." Tsuna's cheeks reddened further at Hibari being called his partner even in the innocent way and voice that Kyoko did. "Prides are to lions what packs are to wolves? And I'd be the, uh, alpha male but with Hibari-san it becomes a coalition because... he sort of leads the pride with me?"
"Yep!" Kyoko turned her warm eyes on Lambo and Fuuta, then she laid her head on his shoulder like she did it all the time. Which was so not the case. "And they're our cubs, Tsuna-kun. The pride, or coalition, takes care of the cubs together to raise them right. At least ours will."
Tsuna liked that happy, glowing look on his friend. That she sincerely cared for the well-being of the kids made him want to snuggle with her as they kept a sharp eye on Lambo so he didn't pull out a bomb swiped from Gokudera. As it is, she was snuggling him and he wasn't sure if it was alright, but...
Yeah, screw that.
Tsuna bit his lip and tentatively rested his cheek on Kyoko's head. When all she did was giggle and give his arm a gentle squeeze he relaxed and enjoyed Kyoko's warmth and her peaches-n-vanilla perfume.
x-X-x-X-x
Aaand there we go with the omake! And, oh, look! A sprinkling of cotton candy 2795. I wasn't expecting that when I wrote this one, but there you go! A bonus. :)
EDITED MARCH 10TH/19. If anyone remembers, you'll notice further traces of Mochida gone.
** Leon and the Gloves: If anyone re-reads this and remembers, the gloves are different. IE, still black with silver fingers, except there's only a silver 27 on the back of the hands when not active. With Sky Flames they still become scale gauntlets but now there's a gold X on his palms and the back of his hands have a large stone ringed in silver, a grey stone that is holographic in its play of color in the light.
** [Editedx2]: The Scene between Hibari and Tsuna has been edited. (Again). It felt squicky. I made it more PG for my peace of mind.