Chapter 87

Leave Your World Behind

I've realised that I haven't thanked you all for all the wonderful birthday messages you gave to Mafia Row. So thank you very much! *bows* They really meant a lot to me.

To my Guest Reviewer: I'm glad that you're so happy over my using your suggestion. You shouldn't be so surprised, I did say I'd try to include as many people's ideas as possible, and if I could fit it in then why not.

I want to dedicate this chapter to a friend of mine, Preppy-Stealthy-Ninja, since it's a very special day today!

And all too soon, the fated day arrived.

Tsunayoshi was sat at the breakfast table, eating the pancakes Luce had made for this 'special occasion', listening to all the others talk.

"I hope you have a good day at school today Tsunayoshi. I'm sure it will be an experience you shall enjoy," smiles Fon, looking down at the boy on his lap.

"He should be more focused on his studies than having fun," Mutters Verde, cutting up a piece of pancake to feed to Keiman who was sat at his feet.

"That's not true, kora!" Colonnello protests, leaning forwards in his seat, "Having fun is really important and helps you learn, I'm sure you'd know that. Lal and I have fun all the time and I still learn lots."

"Hm, that's highly debateable, especially if you're calling your pathetic attempt at flirting 'fun'." Reborn smirks, looking relaxed sat back in his seat.

"If you dare to demonstrate the correct flirting technique on me, I swear I shall fill you both full of lead." Lal growls, stabbing her knife into the table to emphasise her point. She was not being subjected to yet another one of their flirting arguments. It was not fun to be in the middle of, especially when Colonnello took much joy in making her turn as many shades of red as possible. And she swore that Reborn did it just to annoy the hell out of her. Without even a pause, she turns to Tsunayoshi instead, "What you should be more concerned with brat, is making sure that no one walks all over you. Mafia schools can be ruthless, so make sure to show them you're not to be messed with. It would be pathetic if a child of the Arcobaleno was stepped on."

"That's right Tsunayoshi!" cries Skull, standing up and fully leaning over the table to get close to Tsunayoshi's face. "There are these really scary people called bullies, you need to make sure to stay away from them. Although if anyone is mean to you, just send them to me; the great Skull-sama shall teach them a lesson from Hell! Bwahahaha." Eyebrows around the table are raised at Skull's sudden change of personality without the aid of his helmet, although they suppose it was normal whenever Tsunayoshi was concerned.

"Thank you Skul-" Tsunayoshi starts.

"But you've got to be brave around them Tsunayoshi!" Skull continues, talking over Tsunayoshi. "If you show that you're scared of them even once then they'll keep bothering you forever, asking for your lunch money and beating you up. It's horrible. And once they start they keep on coming back and if you protest then they just beat you harder and it's a never ending circle that you can't escape from!"

"It sounds like you have personal experience in this area Skull," Bermuda says, pretending to be serious, smothering his laugh. Everyone knew Skull was talking about Reborn and Colonnello.

"Skull, you really should stop talking, you least of all should be the one giving advice on bullying." Reborn orders, kicking Skull from under the table.

"Yeah, Tsunayoshi should have a better role model than you, kora." Colonnello adds, smacking Skull across the back of the head.

"You can't talk! Both of you are bullies you know!" Skull protests.

"We never denied that," Reborn replies, smirking once again.

"See Tsunayoshi!" Skull exclaims, pointing a hand towards the pair. "It never ends!"

Tsunayoshi purses his lips in an angry pout, "Hey, stop being mean to Skull already!"

Luce watches the argument with a small smile on her lips, it was one she was sure she'd be hearing variations of for years to come. However, she was more concerned with how Tsunayoshi had grabbed Fon's robe rather tightly earlier on. It didn't look like he was going to let go either.

"Tsunayoshi, don't let that worry you," She soothes, rubbing his arm gently. "You should be more focused on all the new people you're going to meet. Plus you'll get to see your friends more often. Isn't that a good thing?"

Tsunayoshi nods, letting go of Fon's robes slightly. All the talking of bullies had scared him slightly- he had the strangest feeling that it was going to happen to him… and that it hurt a lot. "Yeah, it will be nice to see them lots more than usual," Tsunayoshi agrees. Although it did come at a price- not seeing the Arcobaleno as often.

Reborn stands up from the table, sipping the last of his morning espresso and placing the cup on the table. "See you later brat, I've got a job to do," he announces before leaving the kitchen. Tsunayoshi waves him goodbye, watching him leave.

"I suppose I had best leave too or else these rotas will never get done," Sighs Bermuda, standing up too. He walks over to where Tsunayoshi is before ruffling his hair. "Have a good day Tsunayoshi, I know you'll be fine. It'll be over before you know it." Tsunayoshi nods, smiling back at Bermuda.

"Hey, bufflebrain, I hope you packed your supplies last night or else you're going to be late," Lal says, looking at the clock.

Colonnello stands up from his seat, grinning, "Of course I did Lal, stop worrying." He puts his plate in the sink before turning and winking at Tsunayoshi, "That's a good habit to get into Tsunayoshi, that way you're not stressed," He informs in a stage whisper. Tsunayoshi smiles back. His smile widens when Colonnello pats him on the head before leaving.

Lal gives Tsunayoshi a side glance, "Seriously brat, don't get into trouble. I have enough stress with that one," She sighs as she points her thumb in the direction Colonnello had just left in.

"I won't Lal," Tsunayoshi promises, pulling out the angel expression. Lal gives a nod, but her expression shows that she doesn't believe Tsunayoshi, he was a trouble magnet. But the brat had to learn one day she supposed. She leaves the room, heading towards the armoury in search of a special set of bullets she might need for today's trip. Oh and some rope for Colonnello.

Looking upwards, Tsunayoshi notices an exasperated yet amused look pass between Luce and Fon. He wondered what that could be for? "Luce?" He asks, tilting his head.

Luce laughs slightly, a caring smile on her face, "It's nothing Tsunayoshi. I just wondered when I raised them to be like this. Oh well, I suppose this is the best I can expect from them."

Tsunayoshi continues to look at her in confusion, not understanding what she was talking about.

"No matter dear," Luce says standing before picking him up off of Fon. "Well Verde, any advice before he goes?" She asks, looking over at him.

Verde absently pushes Keiman back down- the greedy caiman was after more pancake- shaking his head in answer to Luce's question. "No there is not. I find experiential learning is one of the best forms, especially with someone like Tsunayoshi." He gives Keiman another light smack for trying to get onto the chair again, "Tsunayoshi, I'll see you later."

"Okay, bye bye Verde, bye bye Fon." Tsunayoshi sings, waving to Verde as Luce walks out of the room.

"Remain calm Tsunayoshi, and everything will be fine," are Fon's parting words.

Luce carries him upstairs before helping him get dressed into the school's uniform. That done, they go back downstairs, grabbing Tsunayoshi's bag and the lunchbox Luce had made earlier.

Just before they are about to leave the house, the pair are shocked by a sudden voice they hadn't heard coming.

"Oh, I found you just in time," Viper says, standing in the doorway, looking like she'd just gotten out of bed two seconds ago (which she had).

"Viper!" Tsunayoshi shouts, running back over to hug her, "What are you doing up at this time of the morning?"

"You'd have to pay me to get that information." She says. "But I will give you one piece of information for free," She says, voice low and serious. She kneels down, giving Tsunayoshi a goodbye hug as she whispers, "Don't be afraid to be different, just be you. Promise me."

Tsunayoshi looks at the psychic woman who hid her eyes, who hid her body, only showing a small amount of purple hair and unusual tattoos, and wondered what her time at school was like.

"I promise." He agrees, sensing that this was important to her- if giving it away for free wasn't a good enough indicator already.

"Come on Tsunayoshi, we still need to collect the others." Luce says, holding her hand out for him to take.

In The Shed, school preparations had been going differently. A long time was spent just looking at the fiendish school uniforms that were looking far too innocent. The fittings had been an experience from hell, just like they suspected. All four males now had a fear of needles and pins after seeing the way Luce had used them so proficiently. The three Estraneo assassins had the sneaking suspicion that Luce could kill with those needles if she really wanted to- they had best be on good behaviour from now on.

"Maybe I should burn it?" Hayato asks the others. He didn't mind becoming an arsonist.

"If you do that then Luce will only fit you for more," Lancia calls from the kitchen, overhearing the boys' conversation. "Plus Tsunayoshi will be wearing the exact same uniform as you."

"Well… if Tsunayoshi-sama is…" Hayato agrees reluctantly. But really, why did there have to be a uniform? It reminded him of the clothes he'd have to wear to recitals. Plus adults wore uniforms, he hated them.

"Ooii, it's too hot in this byon!" Ken whines, pulling at the collar.

Chikusa didn't say anything, knowing it was a waste of breath, and instead kept looking in the mirror, trying to decide which beanie hat looked the best.

Mukuro comes out of the bathroom, pulling and plucking at the horrendous uniform- didn't Mafiosi have better taste?

Hayato snorts, before holding his stomach as he laughs. When he stops, he gives a wolfish grin to Mukuro. "You know, the green colour of this uniform is growing on me. If it makes you look more like a pineapple than usual, I can bear with it."

"Oya, would you like to repeat that?" Mukuro asks, offended, slowly advancing on Hayato with his trident drawn.

"Che, bring it plant head." Hayato growls, hand reaching for his belt and dynamites.

"Hahaha, Mukuro! You should dress in green more often!" Ken howls.

And Chikusa… knows to stay away from the topic altogether. "Chrome, which hat?"

"Hmm, that one," Chrome says, pointing to the one in his left hand, knowing too that it was best to leave the boys to it. Until it got so loud that it have her a headache, then she interfered.

But before things can get too bad (and most importantly, before any damage can occur to the uniforms) the angel arrives to save the day.

"Good morning!" Tsunayoshi shouts as he opens the door.

In a flash, he's run across the hallway and gives Chrome a cuddle. "I'll see you later Chrome. I hope you have a good day too."

He turns to go and grab the others, but finds resistance. He looks back, and Chrome is still holding onto his uniform.

"Chrome, let go."

Chrome looks down, still holding on. She really wanted to go too. She hadn't been left alone without her brothers before now.

"Chrome, we'll be back before you know it. You're got to help Lancia look after Fuuta, right." Tsunayoshi encourages, smiling at her gently.

"…Okay." She says quietly. "Come back soon." One day, she'd go with them, she'd make sure of it.

Tsunayoshi nods before running around collecting the others- having seen Luce looking at her watch.

"Come on come on, that hat will do," He rushes, grabbing the hat Chrome had happened to pick and stuffing it on Chikusa's head before grabbing his wrist and pulling him with him. Ken is next to be grabbed, Tsunayoshi sorting his collar out first. Then he grabs Mukuro, pushing him forwards from behind, towards the doorway.

"Hayato, go go," Tsunayoshi pleads. Hayato of course follows Tsunayoshi's wish, greeting Luce politely when he sees her outside (He never knew, she might still have a sewing needle on her! This uniform was bad enough without her making some sort of addition to it.)

"All ready?" She asks sweetly, grabbing Ken by the collar when he tries to make a run for it. Despite the question, the boys knew they didn't have a choice.

"Yes Luce."

"Um, Tsunayoshi, darling, you know that you can't take Natsu in with you, right?" Luce reminds, sitting in the back of the car with the boys, the car parked just outside of the school.

Tsunayoshi looks down; he had really wanted to bring Natsu with him. He always did when going some place new. "Can you… can you look after him for me today then?" Tsunayoshi asks, begrudgingly handing him over. "I don't want him getting lonely." Luce smiles and nods, taking Natsu from Tsunayoshi's hand.

"Don't worry, you won't be alone, I know it." Luce says, smiling even more.

"Tsunayoshi-chan, hurry up!" Ken shouts, climbing back into the car and carrying Tsunayoshi out of it. Hayato quickly jumps in and grabs Tsunayoshi's bag before it can be left in the car.

Before Tsunayoshi can try and get back in the car and return home, or before Luce can grab and cuddle her baby and never let him go again, Chikusa quickly shuts the door and the driver wisely drives off.

"We should go and find the class list, Tsunayoshi-sama," Hayato suggests, knowing he needed a distraction from leaving the Arcobaleno.

"Kufufufu, there is no need of that, puppy," Mukuro says, walking back towards them- Tsunayoshi assumed Mukuro had left whilst he was still in the car. "I have checked already, you four are all in Year 1 class A, where as I am in Year 2 class A."

"Could all students please report to the courtyard. The Dean will soon be making his address."

Hmm, I'm not happy with this. This chapter really didn't want to be written, as you can tell from how short it is. I know that not a lot happens in this chapter, but this is more about setting up for the next few chapters, so there's lots of foreshadowing for you all to find instead.

Anyway, see you next time.

Phantom Hitman 1412

First Published: 14 March 2013