Chapter 80:
Go On, Take It.
So here we are, on the last chapter of Arc 6. This chapter is kind of unrelated, but it is related at the same time. This was the best time I could think to do this chapter. Unlike with Mukuro, I can't make an arc out of this event (no matter how much I wish I could T.T ).
Sky looks down at the crying woman sat on his lap and hugs her tighter. "Are you feeling better now?" He asks.
Kiri nods, wiping her eye on her sleeve, "Hai, Bossu. I'm sorry about that."
He shakes his head and smiles gently. "No, it's okay. What kind of Boss would I be if you couldn't come to me? But I'm still surprised that you of all people snuck out. Nonetheless I understand why you did. However," his voice turned slightly sterner, "I have warned you multiple times not to cross dimensions unless absolutely necessary. If you hadn't disobeyed my orders and gone, then you wouldn't be so sad now. There are reasons that we don't normally see alternate dimensions. Hopefully you'll think again before making a trip." Kiri nods, firmly getting the message.
Sky sighs and looks up at the other occupant of the room. "For your ungranted interference in an alternate dimension, I will have to punish the both of you. Luckily enough neither of you have come close to your deadlines for alternate dimension travel like Storm did, so the punishment won't be as bad. It is also a good thing that both of you kept out of the way and didn't alter the timeline too much. From what I had gathered, the situation would have followed this path with or without your interference. Your punishment starts tomorrow."
Nebbia smirks, giving Sky a curious look. "Oya Oya, it's all well to hand out punishments, but you yourself have travelled and changed things. And your changes are the biggest of all. Don't you think you should punish yourself too?" He smirks at his boss.
Sky looks his Mist Guardian in the eyes sternly, not backing down. "Don't you think I already have? Don't you think I hate myself for having to do that to Chibi? I can't even imagine what living with two sets of memories would be like. It's hard enough to get used to the Vongola intuition without having another internal force affect your decisions. I kick myself every day for the things I have done. But there's no going back now. Maybe once everything is over I can visit him and apologise for ruining his life."
He sighs forlornly before looking sharply back at Nebbia. "Are you sure that your other self couldn't see those memories when Chibi was possessed? It wouldn't be good if he had access to that information too."
"Kufufu, there is no need to worry. " Nebbia laughs, waving a hand in the air. "My younger self is still quite weak compared to myself, there is no way for him to have broken the barrier, no matter how hard he tried. He doesn't even have the Vongola Ring to increase his strength. It will be a very long time before he is powerful enough to make an attempt, even under the tutorage of Mammon."
Sky nods, accepting the information. He just hoped that Nebbia wasn't being bias.
Things had finally calmed down around the Arcobaleno house. There had still been some tension between the Arcobaleno and Mukuro, but as time had gone on, they had lessened and lessened. The rule that, unless it was an emergency, Mukuro and the others were not allowed inside the house, most likely helped solve the issue.
For some reason, Viper had been taking a lot of long missions with the Varia, and nearly every time had come home with no splatters of blood on her. This was rather strange- she was often partnered up with Belphegor since she was one of the few people capable of making him actually do something. Belphegor was known for his love of blood, so coming home clean was a rarity. Xanxus had nearly come over a few times, going to demand to know why his Mist Trash was going on a rampage (Or at least, what was considered one for her). He had no problem with it, but for Belphegor, it meant less fun and less blood and as such he was quite an annoyance at home.
The Arcobaleno had noticed it too, but let her do as she wished, allowing her to cool off. Something must have happened between her and Mukuro, since she was fine before she came home with an unconscious Tsunayoshi. No amount of questioning, even from Luce, had gotten her to talk about what had happened. But after a few days, and what seemed to be no lingering effects from the possession on Tsunayoshi's part, she had calmed down again.
But there came a point, where the two Mist users were forced to meet...
Tsunayoshi woke up, feeling slightly worried, but not knowing why. It was the same feeling as if one of the others had snuck into the room. But a good look around shows that it's only him and Skull in the room. Skull is still fast asleep, recovering after doing a gig the night before- he had leapt over a gorge on his motorcycle a few times. So assuming that it was just his imagination, Tsunayoshi snuggles back down and closes his eyes.
Tap tap.
Tsunayoshi's eyes flick open. There had been a noise! He looks around the room carefully. He wasn't going to get scared by one of the others jumping out at him, oh no, not this time! But he still couldn't see anyone. The tapping noise comes again. Frowning, Tsunayoshi rolls over, it sounded like it came from behind them. He peers over Skull's shoulder, looking at the floor over the other side of the bed. Hmm, still no sign of an Arcobaleno.
The tapping noise sounds once more. Still frowning, Tsunayoshi climbs out of bed, trying not to wake Skull up.
"Natsu, stay here and look after Skull." He whispers.
Bare feet make no sound on the carpet; he had gotten good at walking silently in attempts to scare Reborn, although no attempts had worked so far, and all had ended with a Gun Leon pointed in his face. The tapping comes again, and this time Tsunayoshi looks up at the window to see…
A vine.
The vine, seeing it finally had the little boy's attention, taps the window once more before waving.
Tsunayoshi waves back.
"HEEEIIIIII!" He screams.
"Skull! Skull! Quick wake up! Verde's decided to be a normal mad scientist and try to take over the world!" Verde had never tried to take over the world so far, despite the title of Mad Scientist. He had no interest in it to be honest, he didn't think he ever would try.
"WHAT?" Skull shouts, sitting up immediately at Tsunayoshi's shout. Oh dear God, this was the end of the world! Who knew what hells Verde would bring?!
"Skull! Verde's made mutant plants! Look at the window!" Tsunayoshi shouts, pointing to where the vine had been.
They both run over to the window, Tsunayoshi stepping on a box to be able to see clearly.
And there, in the garden, were two plants. Quite normal, something expected. Or it would be, however these plants had a huge flower the size of a car and vines creeping around the garden, up the walls and trees.
Skull turns to Tsunayoshi, fear in his eyes. "This is the end. Verde's finally decided to get rid of humanity! We're going to be trapped by the plants and starve to death. If we go outside then they'll try to kill us! See, Verde's already going after Reborn and you know how often Verde's tried to kil-" Skull was quick to stop, Tsunayoshi didn't like it whenever anyone mentioned how often Verde tried to kill Reborn.
Tsunayoshi jumps down from the box and heads towards the bedroom door. "Tsunayoshi, no! Don't go!" Skull pleads, turning around to stop the little boy.
"I'm going to go and tell Verde off." Tsunayoshi states, looking serious.
He runs down the stairs, and is surprised to find that no one was in a panic.
Fon looks up from his mug of tea, an eyebrow raised. "What is troubling you Tsunayoshi?" He asks.
Tsunayoshi's jaw drops. How could they not be worried! He points a finger towards the kitchen window which lead out to the garden- they had a perfect view of the battle from here. "How can- but there's- plants- moving- Verde- snapped- King of the world- eep?"
The Arcobaleno couldn't really make much of Tsunayoshi's sentence. The stuttering made sense considering he'd been around Skull last. But the 'eep' was something new. None of them went 'eep'. Ever. So, slightly confused, they all look out of the window.
"What's wrong with that Tsunayoshi?" Fon asks, looking at the scene outside of the window.
"It looks like things are progressing well." Bermuda adds with a nod.
"I was a little worried at first," Luce says, "But it seems like things will only get better from here on out."
Tsunayoshi's jaw remains lowered. Were they insane? Or blind? NO! Verde had brainwashed them all to go along with his plan! He ignores their questions as he runs through the kitchen and outside the back door.
"Reborn! You've got to win!" Tsunayoshi shouts, watching the hitman jump around the garden, dodging flying vines.
Reborn backflips, turning to look at Tsunayoshi. "Why do you sound so desperate? Of course I'm going to win. They can't beat me even if I let them hit me." To prove his point, Reborn lands in-between the two gigantic flowers and stands still.
"Reborn!" Tsunayoshi shouts in worry. Running as fast as he can, he crosses the garden, hoping to be able to push Reborn out of the way. Sure Reborn was the world's best hitman, but he had always beaten people (or robots). Even Tsunayoshi didn't know whether Reborn could beat mutant plants. And not just any mutant plants, but Verde's mutant plants.
His eyes widen as two vines dive towards the hitman at full speed. Reborn wasn't moving at all, it didn't seem like he was going to dodge. With a smirk on his face, just before the moment of impact, Reborn lowers his fedora, covering his eyes. The vines pierce right through him and out the other side, blood dripping down his shirt and jacket.
Tsunayoshi shakes his head, that scene just wasn't possible. He looks, surprised to see no blood at all, before he blinks and the blood is back. He keeps on running towards Reborn. Hearing a noise behind him, he half turns to see two more vines coming towards him. He didn't have time to dodge. He closes his eyes, hoping that this wasn't going to hurt too much.
It doesn't.
After feeling two thumps, Tsunayoshi opens his eyes. But instead of finding two vines wrapped around him, he finds Mukuro and Chrome hugging him. Mukuro smirks and laughs. "Kufufufu, did you like it Tsunayoshi? You sounded very scared."
Blinking slowly, Tsunayoshi looks between Mukuro and Chrome. The girl smiles up happily at him, as if she hadn't just scared the life out of him. Reborn and Viper walk over too. Tsunayoshi is surprised and relieved to find no hint of blood on Reborn, nor a gaping hole in his shirt.
"B-but- Verde- mutant plants… world dom-in-a-tion…?" Is all Tsunayoshi can stutter.
"Oya? What are you on about Tsunayoshi? The Professor has done nothing. This was simply a combat exercise. I rather like my new weapons, unique, aren't they?" Mukuro keeps on smirking, stroking one of the lotus vines nearby.
"They are interesting. But still not enough to even faze me." Reborn inputs, "It was rather easy to break your hold on me. I didn't even see what your last attack was."
"They impaled you. Blood was running down your shirt." Viper explains, picking Chrome up before asking. "Although you broke the illusion off rather quickly, why?"
"Tsunayoshi was starting to break it." Mukuro explains. "We couldn't keep the blood up much longer. A shame. I was going to make you fall to your knees, now wouldn't that have been a pretty sight?" Mukuro taunts Reborn.
"You're a hundred years too young to make me fall to my knees, even as an illusion." Reborn retorts right back.
Viper nods, looking down at the still confused boy. "That's not surprising. Tsunayoshi still doesn't think Reborn can get hurt. His belief of Reborn's invincibility must be stronger that your hold on him."
"So… that was all an illusion?" Tsunayoshi asks, looking between the four. "Verde really hasn't created mutant plants and is trying to take over the world?"
The two child illusionists start laughing. Reborn gives Tsunayoshi a look, whilst Viper's sighs. Tsunayoshi breaths out in relief, now able to laugh at how silly he had just been. Of course Verde wouldn't do that.
"TSUNAYOSHI! WATCH OUT! YOU'RE GOING TO GET EATEN!" Everyone looks over to see Skull running across the garden, helmet covering his head.
Viper sighs once again, especially when Mukuro's smirk widens. "I know it's fun playing around with Skull like this, but you had better stop the illusion." Mukuro frowns before stomping his trident against the ground. Skull nearly trips as the mutant plants suddenly disappear within the blink of an eye.
"Viper! That's not fair! You nearly killed the both of us!" Skull whines, having gotten the situation a lot quicker- he'd had enough illusion tricks played on him in the past.
"Che, you're pathetic for not even being able to tell it's an illusion." Reborn admonishes, kicking Skull for his stupidity. Finally things click in Tsunayoshi's head. The others hadn't been worried because they couldn't even see the illusion! Oh he must have sounded crazy to them all.
"Tsunayoshi, dear, come here and get dressed. You're wanted at the docks." Luce shouts, poking her head out of the kitchen window.
Hmm? Why was he wanted there?
As they walked through the magnificent gates of Mafia Row, continuing on towards the Docks, Tsunayoshi could hear a lot of shouting. He flinches as the sound of bombs goes off, the dust clouds running towards them. The closer they get, they realise that the sounds are that of an argument, although a one sided argument.
"Get the hell offa me!" Tsunayoshi knew that voice.
"I ain't going back! You can't make me!"
There are a few impact sounds, a few clangs of metal against metal.
"You are disturbing the peace and I shall discipline you for that."
"OW! Oi, brat, do that once more and I'll kick your pathetic ass back to Rome."
"Fine! It's better than being stuck here!"
Tsunayoshi and a few of the Arcobaleno keep on walking, wondering what this argument was about. Another blast and a cloud of smoke blooms into existence before them. Shadows run, leaping out of the smoke and running on past. It was Hayato, being chased by Kyoya and… Shamal? Hayato flicks some dynamites behind him before continuing to dash towards one of the boats.
"Ungrateful brat." Shamal growls quietly under his breath. "I'm sending you back there right now!"
Hayato keeps on running, but suddenly rams into Kurogane's legs. Hayato didn't know when he had gotten there, he'd been behind him a moment ago. He scrambles backwards, half turning and pushing up off the floor to give him a runner's start. He even throws one of his dynamites at the formidable Head GateKeeper, something that few would dare.
"NO! I'm not, I'm not, I'm NOT!" The silveret keeps on shouting, shaking his head. He ducks under Kyoya's tonfa blow, throwing a pile of thick ship's rope at him before running down a plank. "I'll even swim away from here!"
The idea was preposterous, they were on an island, and there was no land in sight. Even one of the adults couldn't swim far enough to reach dry land. And that was assuming they weren't attacked by the sharks around here.
"You brainless fool!" Shamal shouts, running even though he knows he's too far away to catch the boy before he jumped.
Instead there is a flash of brown before two small figures throw themselves off the docks, one after another.
"Hayato!" Tsunayoshi shouts as he jumps. He couldn't let his friend do this.
As the pair resurface after their dive, Hayato looks around, ready to shout at whatever stupid adult had come after him. "Tsunayoshi-sama?" He asks in confusion.
"Hayato… we have to… go back…" Tsunayoshi gasps trying to keep his head above the water.
But there was one problem that Tsunayoshi had forgotten about: He couldn't swim. Any time he had been in the water, such as the Arcobaleno's private beach or in Ookado's tank, he had always been held up or dragged around.
Luckily enough Bermuda was on hand (having been called to the 'disturbance' too) and sent his chains in after the two boys. He plucks them out of the water, carrying them back onto dry land. Tsunayoshi, he deposits into Fon's arms, whereas Hayato, he places on the floor infront of them all.
"You forgot that you can't swim, didn't you? Whilst noble, it was very silly and dangerous of you to do so Tsunayoshi." Fon chides, patting the boy's back to help Tsunayoshi cough up some of the sea water.
"Why does sea water taste so bad?" mutters Tsunayoshi to himself before turning around in Fon's arms to see Hayato better. "Hey, Hayato, are you okay?"
Hayato looks up from where he had been trying to get Bermuda's chain off of him, and sees Tsunayoshi-sama's concerned expression. He gasps before getting on his knees. "Thank you very much Tsunayoshi-sama! I didn't mean to be a problem to you! You're so brave."
"Che, of course you meant to be a problem, brat." Shamal says in an annoyed voice, standing over the child. He grabs Hayato's wrist and hauls the boy up, about to drag him home. Hayato's expression turns fierce and he reaches up to bite Shamal's hand. " Oi you little imp, I told you the last time you bit me that if you did it again I'd kick your sorry little ass back to Rome." He gives Hayato a harsh shake. "Those Mafioso can keep you for all I care."
Luce steps forwards, laying a calming hand on Shamal's shoulder. "Calm down, I'm sure that Hayato's just scared at the moment. Do you mind telling me what's going on?"
Shamal lets go of Hayato, chucking him back onto the floor. The small boy glared back up with grey eyes. The doctor turns his back on the child menace, smiling at Luce. "For you, my beautiful dear, of course." He sweeps his hand through his hand, smiling devilishly at Luce. She just giggles, waving a hand at his actions. Flirting, she didn't mind, but Shamal knew better than to try and kiss her, his last attempt had had him in the hospital for a month- and Reborn hadn't been the one to do the damage either.
"Although the story is rather short. I was in Rome for an assassination and was on my way to a bar I knew when I found this ungrateful devil's child trying to defend himself against a gang of Mafiosi. I didn't get to see which Famiglia they were from. I caught him and brought him back here. But the moment we're back on dry land he starts kicking up a fuss and trying to get back in the boat. Apparently he ran away from home and doesn't want to go back." Trident Shamal shrugs his shoulders, showing he didn't know what to do.
Tsunayoshi jumps out of Fon's arms and pulls Hayato away from the adults. The pair of GateKeepers keep an eye on the bomber, making sure he didn't try to escape into another boat again.
Luce watches the pair go, knowing that Tsunayoshi would sort this mess out. She turns an eye to Shamal.
"You know Hayato's a boy, right, no matter how cute he looks in a dress." She says slyly. Bianchi had put Hayato in a dress before now and he looked just as adorable as Tsunayoshi did.
Shamal sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Believe me, I know that. No girl would be such a bother."
"Why are you bothering so much?" she asks, curious.
"Because he's Lavina's. Most beautiful woman in the world she was. We've known each other for a very long time, and with her now gone… looking after her brat is all I can do. He ain't bad really, as stubborn as a mule, but then again, so was she. He's loyal, just like she was. It's a real shame she's not here to watch him grow up. She'd like the man he's going to become."
"Hayato, did you really run away from home?" Tsunayoshi asks, sitting down.
Hayato sits down next to him, crossing his arms and frowning. "Yes, I did. I snuck onto one of the boats leaving here and it took me to Rome. I didn't really care where the ship went as long as I got away from here."
Tsunayoshi looks at Hayato with a shocked expression. "But why?" He asks. He couldn't even imagine leaving the Arcobaleno.
"Because I hate that place." Hayato whispers with angry passion. "Its too hard to live in a place where everyone hates you. I had always wondered why my father used to like me sometimes and hate me at others. It's because I look too much like my mother. He doesn't like being reminded of her. He even beats me because of it sometimes, when he's been drinking a lot of alcohol."
Gasping, Tsunayoshi looks appalled. "Then you should have come see me. The Arcobaleno would have told him off for you."
"I know, but that wouldn't help. I doubt it would stop either. The thing is, whenever I see him, all I can think is that this was the man who ordered my mother to be killed. Or maybe Bianchi's mother did it. It doesn't matter who. How can I live in the same house as them knowing that? It makes me sick." Hayato brings his knees up to his chest, laying his head on them. "I've had enough." He whispers.
"But doesn't Bianchi like you? You wouldn't want to leave her would you?" Tsunayoshi asks concerned.
Hayato looks up, placing his chin on his knees instead. "Yeah, Aneki does look after me. But then she goes and feeds me that poison cooking of hers. I would be fine, except she keeps on changing it. Just as I'm getting used to the stuff she goes and changes it and it all hurts again. If that's her love then I don't want it." Hayato had already gone a little green thinking about it. "I can't live in a place where people try to kill me. I won't live in a place where everyone hates me. I'm not going back to that place." He spat, almost shouting. "The maids whisper behind my back, the butlers give me nasty looks, and all of the people who do business with father just sneer at me as if I'm something to laugh at! I cry myself to sleep more often than not and I've had enough!"
There were tears already in Hayato's eyes, Tsunayoshi notices. He leaps forwards and tackles his friend with a hug. "Why did mother have to get killed? It's all her fault."
Tsunayoshi snaps backwards, holding Hayato at arm's length. "That's mean and you know it." Hayato looks down. "If she was here she would love you lots and lots and you wouldn't be feeling like this."
"That's the point!" Hayato says, forcefully, but still not shouting at Tsunayoshi. "She's not here. You have Luce to give you lots of love and care. Who do I have? No one!" Finally the tears fall from shining grey eyes.
Tsunayoshi looks over towards Luce, who was still talking to Shamal, and thought about all the things she had done for him. She made him outfits, she looked after him whenever he was ill, she made him food, she hugged him when he was sad and she laughed with him when he was happy. Luce was his mother through and through, and he wouldn't change her for the world. He couldn't imagine the house without her. It made him feel really sad to think that Hayato didn't get any of that.
Hayato looks up when Tsunayoshi grabs his hands and brings them up infront of Hayato's face. "You're forgetting again, aren't you?" Tsunayoshi says kindly. Hayato furrows his brows in confusion. Still holding Hayato's hands infront of the boy's face, he asks, "How many times have you played the piano recently?"
Hayato blinks before looking away. He hadn't, not recently. He'd been too busy crying and feeling sorry for himself. And Tsunayoshi-sama knew that. "I told you last time you cried that all you need to do is play the piano to remember her." Whispers Tsunayoshi. "Viper tells me that music makes lots of money because people show their feelings through it. Pieces that make people feel happy or sad make lots of money because they're so good. Maybe you should do the same, just play how you feel. I'm sure it'll reach her that way. Viper also says that the spirits of dead people remain here sometimes looking after people they love. I'm sure your mother wouldn't be happy to see you so sad."
Hayato nods. He wouldn't want to make his mother sad. "I'll try, Tsunayoshi-sama." Then he looks up, looking like a desperate deer in the headlights. "But please Tsunayoshi-sama, don't make me go back. I really can't go back there anymore." He grabs Tsunayoshi's shoulders, the first such gesture he had ever done in their one and a half years of knowing each other. "I'm begging you, please." If Tsunayoshi was shocked by the forceful grab then he was even more surprised by the plea. Hayato had never asked him for anything, ever. Hayato was always trying to please him, never asking for anything in return.
Tsunayoshi stares at his friend, trying to get a far too clear image of Hayato living on the streets out of his head. It was too clear to be his imagination, and it was indigo tinged like all of his not-memories. Something was telling him that Hayato really would run away from here and live in Italy by himself if Tsunayoshi let him go. The feeling said he would survive, just barely, but it would change him, change him for the worse. He would never trust anyone again if Tsunayoshi let him leave now. He most likely would never see his friend again either. Hayato's life would be an unhappy one, never finding a place to settle, to call home. He would never have a family to love him.
And Tsunayoshi wasn't EVER going to let that happen.
He stands up, pulling Hayato up with him and dragging him in the direction of the Gate.
"T-Tsunayoshi-sama, what are you doing?" Hayato asks, voice confused and fearful. All he could think about was that his house was in that direction. Was Tsunayoshi-sama going to force him to go to the place?
"Luce, I'm taking Hayato home." Tsunayoshi says, smiling at her.
Luce laughs softly. That had been the voice Tsunayoshi had used when bringing a stray dog home one day. "Alright hunny. You know where to put him." She calls back, voice light. Bermuda and Fon look at her, both not really surprised. Although at least this time they had no objections. All the Arcobaleno had seen how Hayato treated Tsunayoshi, there was going to be no danger from him.
Hayato pales. He gets paler and paler the closer they get to the crossroads. At this rate he might actually have to hurt Tsunayoshi-sama to get away. He didn't want to, but if it meant his freedom then he would.
All the breath leaves his lungs as they turn in the opposite direction, away from his house and towards… the Arcobaleno House. His eyes widen. Surely Tsunayoshi-sama wasn't…
Hayato remains speechless as they enter the gates of the Arcobaleno House. Instead of going inside, they go around the side of the house, through the gardens and into a forest at the back. The bomber really wonders where they were going, he didn't know the Arcobaleno House very well. Apart from the one time when he had gone to see the Arcobaleno about Tsunayoshi-sama going missing, he had never been inside the gates. All play-dates had been at his house instead.
Tsunayoshi-sama marches him through the front door of a building that wasn't his house. Although it looks like a house on the inside.
"Lancia, are you around?" Tsunayoshi shouts, looking around the front room. They eventually find the man in the kitchen, making a bottle of milk for Fuuta.
"Can I help you with something Tsunayoshi?" Lancia asks, shaking the bottle as he looked over his shoulder at the small boy. He takes a look at Hayato's tear drenched face, and wet clothing.
"Hayato's going to live here from now on, is that okay?" Tsunayoshi asks. Lancia would laugh, that face didn't really give him the option to say no. Plus, this place was more Tsunayoshi's than his, being the Arcobaleno's son.
Instead, Lancia smiles before reaching into one of the drawers. Grabbing the item he needed he throws it at Tsunayoshi. The brunet catches the shining item before holding it out towards Hayato.
"Go on, take it."
Hayato doesn't know what to think. He can't even really process what Tsunayoshi-sama wants him to do. Why did Tsunayoshi-sama want him to take a key?
"Hayato, take it." Tsunayoshi-sama is still smiling at him, still talking nicely at him, but he's still confused.
"But what's…"
"It's a key silly," Tsunayoshi-sama laughs. "Everyone has the key to their own house don't they?" Hayato continues to stare blankly at Tsunayoshi-sama. Tsunayoshi-sama laughs at him- why?- before placing the key in his hand and wrapping his fingers around it. "You live here now Hayato. If you want to that is. Or don't you want to live with me?"
Finally Hayato's brain processes the situation and the words and actions of Tsunayoshi-sama. He quickly gets on his knees, bowing his head to the floor. "I can't inconvenience you like that Tsunayoshi-sama. You already saved my life, I cannot ask for more!"
Tsunayoshi pulls Hayato back up, laughing at his antics. "Nonsense. Like Lancia said, there's plenty of room and we have enough money to look after you too." He looks seriously at Hayato before saying, "Hayato, I want you to be part of my family. So please, live here with me."
Hayato couldn't say no.
Mr and Mrs Gokudera couldn't be happier to see Hayato finally leave. Bianchi didn't like the sound of her half-brother leaving, but she didn't mind it either. With Hayato living behind the gates of the Arcobaleno House, she now had an excuse to see her beloved Reborn more often.
"And this is your bedroom," Tsunayoshi happily announces, opening the door wide.
The first and only thing Hayato sees is the grand piano sat infront of the large double windows. He runs up to it and realises that it's the very same one from his room. The one his mother had taught him on.
"How?" He gasps, amazed.
Tsunayoshi giggles before holding a finger to his lips. "It's a secret." And he now owed Bermuda a favour.
Hayato turns back to Tsunayoshi with shining eyes. He quickly crosses the room before grabbing Tsunayoshi-sama's hands and kneeling before him. "Thank you Tsunayoshi-sama. My life is now truly in your hands. Do with it as you wish."
"That's silly Hayato. You're family now, and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."
There we go, the ending of Arc 6! And as such we have our sentence! (And many thanks to Erephen for helping me mess around with this sentence.)
Life is but a game, don't let someone else cage you behind black metal bars. Destroy the reality you are forced into, use every tool at your disposal, cheat if you have to. Even reach into hell for power. Reject the hand dealt out by fate and reach for the happy ending you desire. Go on, take it.
This sentence is mostly about Mukuro's position (hence the words game, metal bars, tool and hell), but is also about empowerment and change. The world is in the palm of your hand, and with a lot of power and help, nearly anything can be done. Of course certain circumstances don't always allow one to change their fate, but it's still a nice thought. And I suppose as a 'responsible adult' I should be telling you that cheating is wrong, haha.
So time for my next big question!
Basically, the next arc is a school based one, covering Tsunayoshi from the age of 6 to around 8 or so. So all I'm asking for is any school based plot bunnies you may have. I want this arc to be quite a long one, so I want as many ideas as possible. It doesn't matter how small they are, I'll gladly take them. I have a few key plot points of my own to write, but apart from that, I'll write whatever you all want me to. Of course those who have already made suggestions, I'll make sure to fit them in. Also any characters that haven't been introduced yet but are around Tsunayoshi's age will be introduced here, such as Fran, M.M, Hana and Mochida too maybe. Not Yuni yet though, she's still coming later. You'll be able to use any of the KHR cast in this arc, so you all really have free reign.
I look forwards to reading them all. You have at least a week since coming next are some Omakes. If you have any questions, then drop me a PM.
Phantom Hitman 1412
First Published: 17 Feb 2013