BATTLE OF THE SUCCESSORS – WHAT A SIBLING IS
The Sun Match Venue, Mafia Island
Although her initial appearance seemed to be identical there are certain differences about the Kyoko stood before her former friends. Kyoko was wearing fighting attire reminiscent of kickboxing equipment, her hair had gotten a bit darker and her physical fitness had obviously improved. The most noticeable difference about the Kyoko who stood before them though was the attitude, she no longer smiled that same way that she used to, she no longer has that youthful joy.
Kyoko sighs, "The Boss saved me a few years ago, after my kidnapping" she explains, "So I decided to train with him, to become his sun guardian, after all unlike you guys, he didn't abandon me". Nobody has an answer for that, silence falls on the sun match venue as everyone stares at Kyoko with disbelief. "Does that answer all your questions" she asks rhetorically.
The silence continued for a few seconds after that, eventually it was broken by the ever composed Cervello. "Match begin" she announced.
"What do you mean… does that answer all your questions" mutters Ryohei opposite his sister. He raises his head and his voice simultaneously, "OF COURSE IT DOESN'T… WHY DIDN'T YOU CONTACT US AT ALL", he asks.
"Excuse me but you made no rescue attempt nor made an attempt to contact me afterwards" retorts Kyoko.
"It wasn't like that" explains Kyoko's older brother, "Sawada contacted our people in the US, they confirmed to us that you were dead" he recalls. Ryohei recalls that day where he walked into the Sawada residence, into Tsuna's room. The day that Sawada Tsunayoshi, Gokudera Hayato and Sasagawa Ryohei, the day that they shared their greatest misery.
While he recalls these events, Kyoko dashes at Ryohei and appears in a fighting stance before him. "I don't care what excuses you have" the younger Sasagawa states emphatically. She throws fists at Ryohei, hitting him in the gut several times.
Ryohei falls to his knees holding his gut. A few of the more astute hand to hand fighters in the crowd realise the skill Kyoko just demonstrated, being able to hit so hard yet control the blows to keep your opponent close. Maintaining close proximity to an opponent when you have momentum means you have the upper hand in a fight, this is Kyoko's situation right now.
Ryohei looks up at his sister, as if expecting to see the young innocent girl again, he sees no such thing though, he sees a bare foot which quickly connects with his head. Kyoko put more power into this kick than her punches, it sends Ryohei skidding along the floor for a short distance.
The champion boxer doesn't skid far though, his sister appears in his path and stops his motion by slamming her foot down onto his chest. A kick like this from a trained kickboxer can seriously injure or even kill someone, when delivered by Kyoko it does a huge amount of damage to Ryohei.
Coughs, more and more violent as the seconds pass, the guardians all stare in disbelief at their struggling friend. From the second she started fighting, they all realised that Kyoko was strong but they didn't dare to imagine she could hurt him this much. This wasn't a fight, this was pure domination, a squash.
"Does this count as a down" Kyoko asks as she turns her head to a Cervello, "He doesn't appear to be doing very well". Despite the concern of all his friends, Ryohei's sister displays a cold attitude with this remark. Formerly Kyoko would cheer on the guardians in their fights, support them in their struggles and care for them in their sickness however right now, it was like she didn't care about them at all.
"Of course not, he is still quite capable of continuing" replies the Cervello, showing apathy in equal measure to that of Kyoko's.
"I see, then I have no choice" mumbles Kyoko as if she is planning something. She lifts her foot up gradually positioning it above Ryohei. Everyone is shocked when the true intent behind the move is clear though, Kyoko intends to kick Ryohei in the head.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING" yells Yamamoto, "IN HIS STATE THAT IS GOING TO KILL HIM". Byakuran floats nearby in his ethereal form, observing the actions of his host and of Kyoko, despite what Bana did to him, he can't believe something like this is happening here.
"What is up with you" asks Gokudera as he leans in close to Bana, "Stop your guardian, she is going to kill him".
"Kyoko, please stop" says Bana unenthusiastically.
"Sorry boss, some of my actions are for me and not for you" replies Kyoko without a single change in her facial expression. Her gaze which momentarily focused on her boss returns to her brother.
Xanxus observes as this situation transpires, 'that was clearly rehearsed, he wants her to do it, what am I thinking, I have to do something, otherwise that guy is going to die'. Xanxus realising that Tsuna is out of action reaches for his guns. In the absence of the boss, it is his job to protect the family, he realises as he reaches for his guns though, 'I'm not going to make it in time'.
Kyoko moves her foot down towards Ryohei, everyone who trusted that Kyoko wouldn't do it, or that Bana would stop her now finally realises, they don't have time to react, nobody could react that quickly, Ryohei was going to die. They thought that nobody could react that quickly anyway, even Tsuna would need to power up, but one person did react that quickly, such is confirmed when a bullet flies straight past Kyoko's head.
The narrow miss was obviously deliberate, nobody here is so quick with such bad aim, Kyoko stops her foot, knowing that someone is a trigger pull away from killing her, she looks into the crowd of people, searching for the only person who could have reacted that quickly, the hitman tutor, Reborn.
"Don't get me wrong Kyoko, I'm glad you're alive" says Reborn. "However, you are far from big enough to make me back down when my student is being bullied, I will always stop you". Tsuna is finally able to recover his focus enough to determine what has been going on, he looks over at Reborn, attempting to thank him though his voice gives out. Reborn looks at Tsuna long and hard. The relationship has changed, before Reborn insisted on Tsuna's self-reliance, a means of educating the young boss. Since then things have changed, Reborn no longer sees his student when he looks at Tsuna, he sees his boss.
"Very well" Kyoko acknowledges Reborn's statement as she walks off. "I'm sure there are no arguments that I win this match".
There are another few moments of silence as everyone regains their composure, Yamamoto and Gokudera head over to look at Ryohei. Shamal joins them and enlists their help in taking Ryohei to a nearby medical facility. Tsuna sits up having regained his breath and his voice, the mental stress, the psychological torment, the emotional beating he suffered upon seeing Kyoko was perhaps even greater than Ryohei's.
"I'm sorry Sawada, my guardian went a bit overboard, I hope you can forgive me" Bana offers Tsuna an apology. The tactic of bringing Kyoko to this fight, seemingly as a psychological weapon, with such a sincere apology it seems as though Bana is truly unaware of how underhanded this is. This trait brings him the admiration of the 9th, Iemitsu, Basil and Enma, yet the distain of the Varia.
"It's fine, why is she alive… that day, the American branch definitely told me they had seen her body" says Tsuna, still unable to wrap his head around why these events have unfolded.
"I don't know what information was given to you, I went to the scene, it was obvious she had been kidnapped, seeing as I saved her and you gave up. Well I guess she is just angry at you, that is all" Bana consoles. A worthless consolation as Tsuna stares at his heavily injured friend being carried away.
Yamamoto is carrying Ryohei away when he hears the familiar voice of Byakuran in his head. "This is only day one" says the ghost. The worst, is yet to come.
That night, the medical facility
It's a starry night, everyone has gone to sleep in preparation for the next day. Bana and his guardians pose a real threat to the current crop, being ready for anything is necessary, so they rest, all except for Sawada Tsunayoshi. Tsuna shouldn't have to fight tomorrow but even if he does his conscience compels him to pay a visit to his sun guardian.
"Are you OK" he asks his injured comrade. Tsuna sits down on a simple chair next to the bed that Ryohei has been placed on, these conditions are less than ideal for medical treatment but Ryohei is strong and Shamal is an expert.
"Shamal said I should…" Ryohei starts before being interrupted.
"You know that's not what I'm talking about" says Tsuna, "She is the reason I think of you as an elder brother". Tsuna thinks back to the days of running around in dying will mode, they were all just kids back then, he used to refer to Ryohei as big brother.
"You've never said that" Ryohei smiles as he sits up slightly.
'I've said that loads of times', the young Sawada thinks as he slumps slightly in his chair. "Well I do, you're so hard working and determined, you're a role model for me even now" flatters Tsuna.
"Thanks Sawada, that means a lot… and as for if I'm OK, yeah I am" explains Ryohei, "I won't let this person taint the memories I have of Kyoko because right now she isn't Kyoko wouldn't you agree".
"That's right, you've looked after her for so long, helped her live a happy life, I know she was incredibly grateful for that, until she remembers that she's not the same Kyoko" agrees Tsuna. "Have no fear though, I'm going to bring back the old Kyoko, definitely".
Ryohei remains silent for a few seconds, smiling in reflection of his faith in Tsuna, 'if Sawada makes that promise it will definitely come to pass'. Ryohei suddenly extends his hand to Tsuna as if prompting him to shake it.
"Huh…" Tsuna stutters dumbly.
"If you meant what you said then shake my hand, become my sworn brother" requests Ryohei as he looks his friend in the eye.
Tsuna begins moving his hand towards Ryohei's but then stops. "Before I do this, I have to ask you something" he says much to Ryohei's sudden surprise. "Were you truly OK… with Chrome and I…".
"Of course I am" Ryohei quickly interrupts. "You're going to bring her back and become Vongola boss right" he reminds his junior. "Remember, our brotherly respect for each other is mutual, I feel it's my job to look after you too".
"Big brother…" Tsuna mumbles with a smile.
"I'm the sun, I will burn brightly and show you the right path, Chrome is the next thing in your path" Ryohei reassures his boss.
"Thanks… brother" acknowledges Tsuna. "In that case, I will become your sworn brother" he agrees as he takes Ryohei's hand.
"From now on I'll treat you as my own brother, I'll share your pain, your suffering, your happiness and your joy in this world" the boxing champion elaborates. "Because for me… that's what a sibling is".