A/N: Just...wow...I feel so unworthy, so many favs/followers. I am also feel excited with my other KHR story.
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR! No where in any parallel universe (Byakuran checked already after bribing him marshmallows).
Chapter 14
SOME FOREST FAR FROM CIVILIZATION, ITALY
Reynardo ducked Tsu-kun's punch and retaliated with a sun flamed kick. Tsu-kun blocked that with his arms, but barely hold a scream when it almost broke both his little arms. Fortunately his temporary different flames shield took the brunt of it before it disappeared leaving behind only Tsu-kun's sky flames. Tsu-kun tried to get distance between him and Reynardo by pushing his flames from his hands when he flipped away to land farther away.
Tsu-kun stretched his arms no longer bruised. I wonder if those flames did more than just protect me, Tsu-kun barely caught himself when Reynardo tried to trip him. When Tsu-kun saw another kick aimed to his head, he dodge again behind a boulder. Said boulder was shattered in many pieces. Yep not getting hit by that!
"How is that extremely possible?" Ryohei coughed, feeling weak by the second.
Tsu-kun glanced the captured ex-guardians are now within another smaller ring of dark flames, which is inside the larger ring than the one he and Reynardo fighting in.
"Interesting isn't it? Any flames I get hold off, I can imitate even its original users' abilities, you are lucky I only have the basics, but for the little one, it will be enough," Reynaldo feigned a kick as Tsu-kun tried to duck, only to be punched on his shoulder. Tsu-kun gasped as he felt his shoulder get paralyzed, making it hard to summon his flames in that arm. The little Sky flame user looked up and didn't see where Reynardo disappeared to. Panicked, Tsu-kun felt his intuition scream, Behind you! Tsu-kun swing around a tree trunk and leaned back as a whistle of dispersed air above his face move to kicked the tree. Debris was too close to Tsu-kun that he used his flames to turn it into ashes.
That is when Tsu-kun notice the rain flames on Reynardo's arm. Tsu-kun barely ducked another punch from Reynardo, but somehow the air around Tsu-kun made him drowsy and couldn't block kick to his stomach. Tsu-kun gasped as he subconsciously weaken the kick with his sky flame harmony factor so it would only bruise.
"Kufufufu you better get way from there, you two, you're feeding that vacuum monster," Mukuro commented as he sat in the middle of the ring, still bruise from the earlier attack.
"What...do you mean?" Takeshi asked worried wondering why Mukuro cares.
"Your flames are getting swallowed by that dark flame barrier and the closer you are to the flames, the worse will be for us." They quickly moved to the middle of the ring. When they notice how the Decimo only used the sun and rain flames, but no mist meaning Mukuro might have a point.
"Uh, Pineapple head is it extremely normal for this extreme ring be shrinking?" Ryohei asked in a loud whisper.
"..." The three ex-guardians looked at the shrinking ring and at each other.
"Oya Bunny! Hurry up, I prefer to keep my flames thank very much! Not to mention I still need to posses your body!"
Tsu-kun saw their predicament and nodded at Mukuro.
I need to finish this quickly, thought Tsu-kun as he called more sky flames that his shoulder was no longer paralyzed. His flames engulfed his arms before he shot at Reynardo. He missed, but saw how it temporary opened an exit on the outer ring. This gave Tsu-kun an idea.
Tsu-kun blasted toward Reynardo causing debris to buy him time.
"You missed, you crazy kid!" Reynardo laughed. Said kid who isn't a kid quickly flew to the inner ring barrier area, mindful of not touching it.
Tsu-kun whispered, "Hey! When I give the signal, you guys run."
"What?!" hissed Mukuro. But the boy was already gone.
Unfortunately Tsu-kun couldn't immediately execute his plan probably because Reynardo felt something changed from Tsu-kun, so Reynardo's weakening flames increased again. He attacked Tsu-kun relentlessly leaving Tsu-kun sore with some of his flames taken.
He tried to block an incoming fire blast and realize it was his own sky flames being used against him. He crashing into the barrier.
"Its funny you know, is much easier to enter these barriers, but harder to get out. Though one first must have energy to able to enter," Reynardo taunted. Tsu-kun groaned as Reynardo slowly walked toward him in disappointed.
Tsu-kun groaned as he thought, Can I truly save them? Tsu-kun glances behind him and sees through the barrier a resting frustrated Hibari, carrying a grenade throwing Lambo as Chrome and Gokudera-kun still trying to break into the barrier. He look at the trapped ones and saw how they look ay him trusting him waiting for the signal that may not come...
Yes, I can. Even if its the last thing I do, Tsu-kun position himself to shoot through the two rings. He stood up ignoring his body that screamed in pain. He placed his palms forward with one hand in front the other.
Tsu-kun felt time slowed as he thought of his friends and the need, no the will to protect them and felt his flames respond. Using the barrier to ground him, he opened his eyes and shot powerful sky flames toward the barriers. Reynardo barely ducked from the close range getting somewhat burned. It broke through the rings so strong that the inner ring temporary disappear long enough for the ex-guardians to escape to the hole of the outer ring.
Takeshi stopped just outside the outer barrier to see Tsu-kun collapse from his spot inside the other side of the barrier. "Wake up Tsu-kun!" yelled Takeshi. Hayato-kun barely caught Takeshi from getting trapped the now closed barrier.
"No! We have to get him out Hayato-kun!" The rain flame user felt his flames trying to lose control, but since he recently lost most of it, Hayato-kun doesn't have to worry about passing out trying to calm the upset rain. Hayato-kun looked at the barrier that now became clear from the dark flames, but it still hold its power. Hayato cursed when he notice only the little boy was in the barrier, but Reynardo was no where found.
Before he can warned anyone, he heard him, "Bravo for getting out, I needed some way to restrained someone like him," Reynardo looked a little burnt as he crossed his arms looking at them mockingly, "Normally you all against one of me is unfair, but you are all too tired to fight."
"Not me," growled Hayato, he signaled Chrome to cover him by protecting the others and force Mukuro to help knowing the mist users would not able to fight a physical for long.
"As if you can defeat me, yesterday you didn't last at all," Reynardo huffed.
"Well you just caught me off guard then," Hayato took out his dynamites and was about to lit them when Reynardo summoned strong sky flames.
"Those flames of his are so full of strong will," smiled Reynardo with a strange wistful smile, but frowned, "shame he is too pathetic and will die young before reaching his full potential." Hayato hissed as the others wonder how will they defeat this monster.
Reynardo leaned forward with the sky flame fist behind him and the strange flame on the other and was about to rushed at them, when someone crushed into him.
"What-?!" Reynardo blinked at the trembling, but furious little boy who was about to punch him with his mittens.
"Leave them alone!" Unfortunately Tsu-kun's punch was caught and Reynardo pulled him from his collar crashing his little back to the tree.
"You insolent suicidal child! Don't you ever give up?! You don't know anything!" Reynardo yelled as Tsu-kun coughed up blood, but still glared with his flickering golden eyes that still looked defiant to Reynardo frustrated black eyes.
"Never!" Tsu-kun coughed.
"You will never be Decimo!"
"You are right!" Both Reynardo and Tsu-kun stared at Gokudera confused as the storm user went on, "He will never be called Decimo especially from me because to me he is Juudaime. And Juudaime is Juudaime. Just as Decimo is disgustedly Decimo forevermore tainted title that I will never call Juudaime with, " spat Gokudera. Tsu-kun stared surprised, then smiled softly at Gokudera-kun. Tsu-kun stole a glance to Reynardo and almost took a double take when Reynardo gave a slight smile at Gokudera that Gokudera-kun cannot see, but put a mask of annoyance. What-?
But his thoughts were interrupted by glows of circles around the ex-Vongola guardians that turned into lines on the ground flowing toward Tsu-kun. Reynardo quickly let go of the little boy to get away from whatever is going to happen.
Tsu-kun glowed and felt more complete than when he felt most of his memories return. He blinked away the light and realize he was closer in height to Reynardo who smirked before disappearing, leaving behind shocked ex-guardians.
"Eh? I grew back to ten..." Tsuna felt more himself and no longer a child or at least stuck in a child body. Wonder if Reborn feels weird like that? Tsuna looked at his friends and smiled.
"Kufufufu, the coward ran before the reinforcements came," Mukuro laughed leering a blushing Tsuna, who was glad his clothes grow with him.
"Juudaime?" Gokudera-kun asked worried as Tsuna turned and was about to correct him when he felt light headed. He swayed from where he stood knowing he will be alright now and embrace the darkness. He faintly heard his friends cry out. His last thoughts were, Wait, is that noise sounds like a helicopters and car engines..?
GESSO MANSION, LEVEL M2C (MARSHMELLOW COMMAND CENTER ), ITALY
"...by what I read from the reports, Vongola elders careless the Varia falls or not, since that branch changed recently during Octavia's reign and especially then the elders are still miffed about it. Since Nonno was her son, the plan of returning Vongola's former vigilant ideals, even if recently was postponed, are constantly being question by them" Shoichi explained to Kikyo, the Gesso cloud guardian.
"What I don't understand are the Elders are into the no show mercy to the enemy of Vongola and this Varia has a nearly perfect record of doing just that, and compared to everyone, that is something," Kikyo frowned.
"True, they were in good terms with the new Decimo and diligently opened his orders making the Elders very happy, especially since Varia was in probation," Shoichi went on as he check for any problems on the rescue teams for CEDEF HQ and Varia HQ.
"They were in probation? Oh was it when Nonno did that to Xanxus?" Kikyo raised an eyebrow questioning why Vongola thought Gesso famiglia was weird. Shoichi nodded.
"Of course now they fear they gotten soft thanks to Tsunayoshi and since the Elders doesn't have control of the 'rumored true Decimo'" sighed Shoichi.
"Shouldn't he be called the eleventh or something?" Kikyo checked his subordinates are getting all their information and not slacking off or else.
"The other one never went through the Inheritance Ceremony so it can still possible changed heirs and still use the same title," Shoichi shrugged and suddenly stood in attention to the main screen. Kikyo gave questioning glance at Shoichi. The next second he got his answer.
"*shhzzz* Oh are you speaking of Reborn's recent student?" a video window popped up in the large screen and shows Fon standing rather too serene with the all that ranging fire behind him.
"Sometimes I wonder why you are not a rain flame user," muttered right hand Gesso, Kikyo.
"Oh you mean behind me? Oh dear. I am sorry about that. This is Mammon messing with the idiots who tried to infiltrate Varia HQ," Fon chuckled into his sleeve.
"What?! I had reports the place was destroyed so it was a lie?" Kikyo gasped wondering about wasted resources.
"Oh you misunderstand," Fon cocked his head, "it was attacked, but this illusion's purpose was to prevent any second line of attack or those who stayed behind to finish up what wasn't destroyed. By the way Shoichi thanks for the quick reinforcements, it did bought them time for us to help," Fon bowed in gratitude to flustered stomach-aching strategic mastermind of the Gesso famiglia.
"Yeah, yeah what that red pacifier martial artist said," Mammon appeared next to a calm Fon, "for that I will charge you half price for your service."
The screen door open in time of Mammon's appearance to let in Zakuro, the Gesso Storm guardian, who yelled, "No way! We should be charging you, crazy Arcobaleno!"
Fon shook his head fondly knowing it was pointless.
"Watch your mouth you pathetic little storm, or it will be full price with high interest," Mammon glowed with mist flames.
"Let it go, Zakuro," Shoichi warmed ominously, then he rubbed his temples in annoyance and turned to the screen, "How is Ghostie? Did he and Levi brought back the power of the mansion yet?"
Another video window popped up showing Ghostie being carried by gushing Lussaria, the Varia Sun Guardian next to a pouting Levi grumbling something about wishing to be with his amazing boss. Ghostie gave Shoichi and the Gesso command room a thumbs up. There were cheers and compliments that made the little lightning guardian blushed. They cheered again at this, for the success on having a normally close-up child show emotion.
"VOOOOIII! YOU IDIOT MECHANIC!" As usual Squalo's voice broke reality that sound does travel faster than speed of light as the video window popped up after his yell.
"Strategic, and that is Spanner and Giannini's job," Shoichi tiredly responded, not believing it just been only 2 hours of this chaos he had to help with for two different location at the same time.
"WHAT IS THE DAMAGE OF CEDEF?"
"Don't worry, Superbi Squalo," Shoichi looked up to the Varia second in command, "I wiggle out resources with some Vongola officials to help rebuild your mansion," again, Shoichi thought the last one to himself.
"Yo!" Spanner came out of one of the computer rooms.
Shoichi turned and asked urgently, "Did you find what the readings of that box needs, yet?" He remembered when they tried with Nonno and Xanxus, it simply rejected it, causing a huge explosion.
Spanner calmly took out his lollipop, "Well I did find some readings..."
"And..." Shoichi clutched his stomach at the suspense of Spanner was giving off.
"Hmm?" Spanner was frowning at something on his tablet, "oh the box? The flames that are necessary, do not match with the files in the database and I tried to look through other places I know and still got nothing..." Spanner clicked and slide something on his screen.
"You lot are idiots," huffed Verde whose window popped up as Spanner was talking.
Shoichi groaned as the Gesso cursed the lightning Arcobaleno who are still sore and unforgiving for what he did to Ghostie. Speaking of which, Ghostie's screen immediately logged out.
"You better have a good reason you're calling here of all places," growled Zakuro.
Unfazed Verde lazily looked at Spanner, "You getting any weird readings from outside yet?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah I was checking it right now," Spanner whistled, "They are off the charts, but fluctuating."
"Guess the kid is in trouble," Verde nodded to himself and took out a mini laptop. He typed something and said, "There Spanner, this should help you, good day." He logged out.
"Weirdo," the Gesso rain guardian, Bluebell huffed barely came in as Verde said the last sentence. She was followed by the rest of the Gesso guardians.
"Hmm curious, good news," Spanner calmly said and went on letting no one interrupt him, "I found out what flames I need to successfully get that box to open but..." Spanner took out another lollipop when he barely finsihed the one he was eating. Very slowly and calmly making Shoichi's eye twitch.
Shoichi pulled his shirt, "Tell me YOU FOOL!" The Gesso subordinates near the hysterical Gesso Strategic started to back away fearfully.
"Like I said earlier, I have readings fluctuating and now is known whose flames is, but it seems he is defending himself to another...huh unfamiliar flames mixed with other flames and literally unknown like, no show of what type of flames as of yet," Spanner kept reading his touchscreen tablet ignoring Shoichi's abuse.
"Spanner is it? You should tell us whose flames right now," Daisy asked as he gripped his one-eyed bunny, Bubu. He felt worried ready for any attack as he fingered his ring.
"Hmm, I only just received a match and barely finishing deciphering Verde's code," Spanner frowned the reading, then he dropped his lollipop.
"Well if that wasn't bad, then I don't what is and that was with no prophecy," mumbled Gesso Mist guardian, Torikabuto.
"Spanner?" Shoichi started to freak out that he let go of the pale mechanic.
"Sh-shoichi, my and Verde records showed that it is my boss," squeaked Spanner, "please save him, he is just a young boy and I don't want to lose another boss!"
"Tsunayoshi?!" Shoichi stared at Spanner who looked up pleadingly. Everyone in the Gesso base heard Shoichi and had a glint in their eye.
Kikyo went to Spanner's level, "For our boss' dear friend and possible link to save our boss, we will do our best."
"VOOIII! WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE OUT DONE! WE WILL-" Squalo began.
"Hurry up and give me the location trashes," Xanxus window popped up interrupting him.
"VOOOOIIII! YOU CRAZY BOSS! I WAS STILL TALKING!" A glass crashed behind Squalo, "HOW DID YOU DO THAT FROM ACROSS THE MANSION?!" Xanxus answered by logging out and somehow another glass from an unknown assailant was thrown at Squalo again.
"WAIT A MINUTE! THE BRAT IS HERE?!" It will seemed Squalo just discovered Tsunayoshi is in Italy and not safe and sound in Japan.
"Tsunayoshi insisted to come, something about someone calling him," Shoichi annoyed with himself, "what the ex-Vongola storm claimed that is bad since the last message left after the Arcobaleno's boss was kidnapped said the kidnapper is collecting the sky trio for some reason." Squalo groaned and logged out. Then Spanner's tablet's alarm went off. Spanner picked it up as people prepared to help Tsunayoshi and he cursed.
"I'm getting readings of flames or something, similar to ones whenever Vindice are near..." At this Shoichi gave quick and precise commands for anyone free from the rescue missions.
VONGOLA MANSION, ITALY
After a couple of days in the hospital, the attacked famiglias began to recover in peace. Though an air of suspense still cast around those involved. Right now Tsuna was bored and even the check ups with Verde didn't help alleviate it at all. Sure is good to know that so far his body is officially stable and 10 years old for real this time. As for his flames...
Lets just say Reborn is having fun tormenting Tsuna, training him using his flames correctly and not relying in luck after a little rest of course. Something about a mafia boss must fight in dignify manner of dirtiness with no hint of sloppiness.
He heard in passing everyone worried that the Vindice came to arrest Tsuna for whatever reason and brought in all available, but only those in the know of Tsuna's identity to help him out. While he slept the first week away, Byakuran's guardians kept a sharp eye on him whenever Verde was involved. Even Reborn gladly took watch with the Gesso famiglia. But nothing compared to Hayato Gokudera.
Once he woken up, Tsuna almost screamed when Gokudera-kun who claimed he will practically care for Tsuna's needs, was trying to give him 5 glasses of water, in front of his face. No personal space at all.
"Thanks Gokudera-kun," Tsuna shyly said, "I appreciate your concern, but have you rested? You must be still tired if you stand watch since I passed out."
"No Juudaime, I cannot do that," Tsuna is a little grateful the older boy spoke Japanese since Tsuna still cannot understand Italian if spoken fast. Though now Gokudera-kun was more like a subordinate to him.
"You know I don't want you to serve me or work under me, you know," Tsuna panicked as he saw a dark aura over the silver haired dynamite expert, "I mean I wouldn't mind you being my friend. After all I can tell that you care about them and I want you to be with me so you wouldn't be left out." Tsuna pulled Gokudera's hand and patted, "besides your sister Bianchi misses you." At this Gokudera falls to the ground as he gagged.
"Hiee! Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna tried to get down from his bed, but realize his legs couldn't withstand his weight, not to mention he miscalculated the height for his new (or old) 10 year old height. He fell next to Gokudera.
"Juudaime?! Please forgive me! I will commit seppuku for my causing you trouble!"
"Wait! Are you part Japanese?" Tsuna practically ignored the fact the boy feels so unworthy that he will commit suicide for a simple thing. Tsuna will have his hands full for this one. Like he hadn't before.
After that breakdown, Tsuna was able to leave after two days and began to get use to his original body and reach. Unfortunately it was all thanks to the crash course of "So You Have A New Body To Get Use To". Tsu-kun caught a glimpse of the other parts of the Reborn's manual that include a gender differences. Yeah, Tsuna stopped right there and focused on what he had to learn.
The two bosses of CEDEF spoke to him about his father, of how much he loved his family even though he couldn't visit them since he swore the Vindice in exchange of Tsuna's mafia-free influence life, he would never see his son grow up. Tsuna wasn't sure what to think about that, but was happy it wasn't because he was pathetic Dame-Tsuna...
After a while Tsuna helped them with a strange black and white box that kind of reminds him of an old dream...
For some reason the two Arcobaleno were happy when the box disappeared and left behind blueprints and some strange contraptions. They left before explaining it to him. Of course when Gokudera-kun found out when he ask what was it for, he was about to go blow them up for forcing his precious Juudaime to do something without explaining what was he doing it for. Reborn in the other hand hit him with a green fan for being an idiot. Xanxus was amused. That bast- Tsuna covered his mouth not believing by hanging out with them so long, he is beginning to curse like them. His mother will kill him for his bad thoughts if he isn't careful.
Tsuna rested on the meadow that was in the middle of the giant forest of what others call the backyard of Vongola mansion. Even though Verde assured everyone that Tsuna is now stable and no longer will jump to his younger self or his flames go crazy, Tsuna can't help, but he is still missing something. He decided to doze off a little to try to forget the uneasy feeling that right now he cannot do anything about it.
Tsuna was lost again in the backyard after his father assured his mother that he will be fine and no one will dared to attack Vongola Mansion or its property around it. The young boy sighed as he tried to find his way back when he sense someone behind him. Tsuna turned and was faced with a girl with crazy red hair partially held back by cherry hairclip and wore black glasses. Is she one of the guards? Kind of young though, Tsuna thought.
"Hello miss," smiling to the stoic faced older girl. But somehow Tsuna can tell she was confused about something. Scratching his cheek, "I am kind of lost. Can you help me?" The girl kept staring at him.
"OH! You don't know Japanese? Um...Tsuna," he pointed himself and tried to speak Italian that Byakuran and Yuni had tried to teach him, "is-s-s lo-o-o-st. He-e-e-elp?"
The older girl laughed with a strange formal-like in Japanese, "Sorry little young one," Tsuna pouted at this, "I was unaware someone will be here."
"Oh you're busy?"
At this Tsuna saw her flinched, "In a sense."
Tsuna sighed, "Sorry I will be out of your way then."
"Wait! The mansion is that way," she pointed behind him, opposite to the direction Tsuna was going. He blushed and stuttered thanks. Just before Tsuna left again she asked him something, "Don't you know is dangerous to talk to strangers? I could be a spy for all you know."
Tsuna turned and kindly smiled, "Lets just say a feeling of mine that is never wrong, tells me you are a good person and wouldn't attack except to defend what is dear for you." Tsuna wasn't sure where it came from, but it felt right.
"You are a strange Sawada." Tsuna froze, but he blinked and notice he was alone.
The dream change suddenly, showing a familiar black portal and scream that at first he thought it was Yuni, but...
Tsuna open his eyes and ducked the Ten-Ton Hammer Leon Edition that landed where he just laid.
"Come on Dame-Tsuna! Summon those flames and do 100 flying laps around the forest!" Reborn commanded and upgrading his nickname maybe because he just grew a couple of inches...Yeah Tsuna has nothing why the name change.
"What?! What happened to laying low?!" he almost screamed when Reborn began to shot at him continuously as he clumsily took off. He reluctantly listen to Reborn since he wouldn't endanger his life without reason anyways. He was half-way in his practice when he got a message on his watch that the new Vongola mechanics gave him (they only swore to work with Tsuna, but since Tsuna is part of Vongola...).
"Hello there Tenth," greeted Spanner with his usual lollipop in his mouth.
Giannini excited greeted as well and informed him, "The portal is functional, you can come back whenever you're done with Reborn-sama!"
"Is just Reborn," growled at the sheepish and slightly panicked Giannini. Spanner just nodded and the screen on the watch turned off.
"Well training is over. Time to plan Rescue Sky and Marshmallow, Dame-Tsuna," Reborn began to walk ahead. Tsuna was about to offer Reborn a ride when he realize someone partially shut down his intuition this whole time when he felt it suddenly screamed around him, "Reborn..." Tsuna worried voice made Reborn quickly turned. He cursed. A bunch of broken checkered white and black squares appeared around them, but most around Tsuna. Tsuna quickly called his flames to escape them when a bell-like noise echoed through the forest. A orb of faintly rainbow sky flames enclosed Tsuna.
For a second, Reborn notice Tsuna's eyes unfocused, "They are calling me..." but the boy shook his head trying to snap out of it. Reborn called for reinforcements as he and Tsuna tried to break the now floating orb. Tsuna yelled, "Reborn, the orb!" Reborn confused by what his student meant, notice the enclosed orb was being absorbed by the broken black and white squares as if disappearing from existence. Tsuna try to fly toward the ceiling of the orb afraid to know what would happen to him otherwise. He looked down to see his friends just arriving. Whoa deja vu!
"Everyone...I'm sorry," Tsuna saw their despair that they wouldn't reach him in time as he placed his hands on the orbs surface feeling light weighted just like weeks ago, but this time he will not be waking up in a safe place.
Everyone was in shock as a small note fluttered to the ground.
The set is complete, may your fate change.
A/N: Thanks for reading this story *getting teary* so many people reading this story...ahem...Anyways soon the sky trio will meet for the first time in five-ish years! Yay! Until next month in the new chapter Toward the True Sky!
Shameless propaganda: I wrote a femHarry Potter story if anyone want to check it out! Book 1 is almost finish.