"talk"
"Italian talk"
'thoughts'
singing
Hey guys! wow over 5000 words?! Dammmnnn!
Anyway I'm in the middle of WACE exams so I'll see how I do and yea...
Well I hope you enjoy this- and I'm sooo happy about the great feedback I got - over 900 views in a day?! woot!
ok well I kept ya waiting too long so enjoy and well review please XD
oh ALSO WARNING OOC for Vindice because I don't exactly know how they are considering we barely see there personalities but...
A Sense of Shock, A Decision and Tsuna's First Lullaby
"Who is that?"
The trio just stared slack jawed. The shared thought of disbelief and shock hung in the air like a noose and the awkward silence filled the air suffocating everyone except for one smiling oblivious child. Finally the brunette childishly satisfied with fiddling with the edge of the coat noticed the burning stares directed at his tiny figure. Tsuna looked at the men who just stared back in return. It was like you could see the silence between them. As the child scanned the room his large honeyed eyes rested onto a strange figure that practically screamed power and demanded respect despite his baby shaped appearance he could see the figure was possibly the strongest in the room and for some inexplicable reason Tsuna was drawn to him. Maybe it was because of the contrast between the physical and the internal, the almost regal aura this other exuded, all-in all his very presence seemed to attract the child and without even thinking he began crawling toward said infant.
Bermuda if one looked closely under his bandages raised an eyebrow at the approaching figure. Was this child crazy? Not even the strongest of mafioso would so casually approach the boss of Vindice and even if they weren't aware of his status his overall overwhelming power should make even the most dense be wary of him. But not this child. He could see that the young brunette held a strong will and a lonely past through his large eyes that seemed to reflect everything and Bermuda undeniably felt pulled into those eyes, possibly attracted by the pure innocence and warmth that had always been so tragically absent in his own life.
The child with tiny hands reached out to the baby and without really understanding himself the Night Arcobaleno let him. Their hands grazed each other and ever so slightly the infant had to suppress a shiver. Even underneath the bandages he could feel the smooth pale skin of the child as well as the faint underlying pulse of power under the softness. And then Tsuna smiled. A smile that made the emotionally dead Vindice guards feel something other than revenge and hatred stir within them. A smile that caught their breath. That melted even if only a tiny bit of the giant glacier that they had froze themselves into. In a way it scared them- they who lived their lives in the darkness of revenge to feel… something, anything was something that was considered wrong yet they couldn't help but yearn for it.
"Up!"
A young clear voice echoed off the grey dreary walls that immediately reminded the general crowd of melting caramel; sweet, warm and addictive yet exotic due to the words being spoken in japanese. Bermuda couldn't help but stare incredulously (though he hid it pretty well) at the brunette, he understood the language the child was speaking having learnt many languages himself, what he couldn't seem to wrap his mind around was the child itself who obviously directed the order toward him. This two-year old evidently wanted him to lift him up onto his throne. The bandaged Arcobaleno weighed his options. If he adhered the commands of a mere child that would instantly cause his reputation to drop faster than a certain hitman running to his beloved espresso after a month of caffeine deprivation. However if he refused the child could very well cry and then he would be the jerk of a boss who made little children cry. Of all things good and pure- he was the Vindice Boss goddammit! He didnt know squat with kids- torture and final complex judgements that would affect a persons entire life?- Now THAT was his forte. In fact how was he in this situation in the first place!?
*snort* "I-I can't..." *chuckle*
Everyone's head whipped to the source of the offending individual much to their surprise they saw Bermuda's right hand man Jäger reveal his presence with his hand to his mouth and shoulders shaking in attempt to stifle his laughter. Though his boss's internal confusion and chaos was well hidden, having served so long by the arcobaleno's side the tall male was able to pick up the faint hints of emotion on the other's face. Though Jäger was a usually stoic solemn man the ridiculous scene of an adorable child asking to be picked up by the boss of the most feared formidable group of the underworld not to mention the sight of said boss with the most lost, panicked expression he'd ever seen just sent him over the freaking edge. His failure to muffle his laughter only served to make the situation even more humorous causing slight snickers even from the other subordinates much to the arcobaleno's chagrin. 'Seems like someone is simply begging for more paperwork.'
Tsuna not understanding what the big joke was felt slightly upset he was being so visibly ignored by the person in front of him. His large honey brown eyes began to water as his expression took upon what could only be described as the emotionally equivalent to a small kicked puppy surrounded by a field of flowers in the rain. "No uwp?"
Now Bermuda looked even more flustered to the point even the trio could notice. Jäger took one look and lost it, thanking the electricians who had the genius idea to install high tech security cameras in here- this was something he wanted to remember for generations to come. His laughter came out loud and raspy due to it's lack of use as it bounced off the walls. The Vindice boss couldn't help but shoot a very annoyed glare that could have easily stopped a raging bull in its track, too bad his right hand man was too busy laughing to even notice. 'Yes. It's decided. After completing paperwork the size of a small mountain Jäger would have the privilege of testing the new torture methods.'
Suddenly the door to the room burst open to reveal the rest of what were considered the strongest individuals in Vendice. "Oi Boss! Is something freaking wrong?! We heard a strange nois-"
They stopped as underneath their bandages eyes widened in shock as they assessed the what could only be described as unfathomable situation. Then they too couldn't help but reveal in their own ways their amusement.
Jack the one who created the initial outburst open and closed his mouth like a fish, his usual hotheadedness washed away by the situation.
"Kekeke to think our boss can be flustered by a mere child. How... Interesting..." Small Gia cackled as he stepped forward with a grin that shown through his bandages, sadistic ideas brewing in his head on new ways to tease his usually indifferent hard-to-affect boss. The Vendicare prison wasn't exactly the most entertaining place and the guards had to satisfy their own amusement somehow.
"Puppipuppipupi." Big Pino responded with his usual indecipherable language though it was obvious from his tone that he was definitely teasing.
Even the ever loyal Alejandro who was one of the earliest Vindice alongside Bermuda couldn't help but crack a smirk.
A vein pulsed underneath the baby's bandages. It seemed a lot of people were just dying to be thoroughly punished.
As an ominous aura that promised hell on earth began spreading Jäger had oh so thoughtfully decided to cease his laughing fit in preference to not dying. Trying to regain his composure he coughed effectively distracting his boss from his earlier plan of torturing his subordinates through paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork.
*ahem* "I advise you to decease such childish behavior Bermuda-sama. It is not good to lose one's composure."
Everyone sweatdropped at the hypocrisy of the strongest Vindice's statement, Bermuda was fuming. Thankfully the ever cool-headed Alejandro stepped in. "What I want to know… Is why is there's a child in the throne room of Vendicare Prison?" The other Vindice that stood behind him also nodded silently, not wishing to incur the arcobaleno's wrath with anymore careless words. Everyone at once shot a look at the now very sheepish looking trio of Vindice guards still in a half bow half kneeling position. The tallest Ario decided to be the one to explain the situation. "Well we successfully refrained and captured our target and were unaware that we accidentally brought over through the portal an… unexpected guest." At the last two words the trio couldn't help but look down embarrassed at such a slip up to occur. Honestly if there wasn't any bandages and if they weren't well dead you could have seen a large red blush on each of their faces. Another awkward silence filled the room though it was quickly broken off by Jack who had regained his voice. "Putting that aside- What are we going to do with this freaking brat?! No one but us should know the presence of the Night Arcobaleno and now this little terror may blurt it out for the entire freaking world!"
Now everyone looked thoughtful and a little shocked at the usually short-sighted Vindice's uncharacteristically insightful remark, it was true that the very idea of there being an 8th arcobaleno was a closely guarded secret and the possibility of it being leaked out will completely ruin all their future plans at revenge.
"Let's kill 'im." The most sadisitic of the group declared, his larger partner "puppipu"-ing in agreement.
"But it's just a child- a baby!" protested Emilio on reflex temporally forgetting his own position, his coat was the reason the innocent child was brought here and therefore if the two-year old was killed the blood would be on his hands. Despite being part of what was considered the most cruel heartless organisation they did what they do for a reason and murdering an innocent life was a bitter taste to recover from no matter how emotionless one tried to be. "I understand your point Emilio." The Vendicare guard sighed in relief as he found Alejandro backing him up. Never at that moment did the guard ever feel so grateful for his superior's spine-chilling cold voice. "However…" The trio all tensed. "That still does not help us in deciding how to deal with this child. We can not just let it go back to the outside world after seeing all of this."
"Yes but since it's only a kid I highly doubt anyone would really believe him!" Ario interjected with the other two guards nodding in passionate agreement. "Worse case scenario they dismiss the baby as delusional."
"But think about-"
"Just a chi-"
"Pupip-"
"Big Pino's right let's just kil-"
"Like you would freaking know what Pino says-"
"Ya callin' me a lia-"
"Freakin-"
"Calm dow-"
As the debate grew louder and louder between the Vendicare guards Tsuna frowned as the words devolved into a cacophonous mix of noise and shouting. One thing he understood though was that the topic of conversation was about him- and he was severely being underestimated. Despite the fact his instincts were warning him of the danger that came from staying, being in the place that he had heard about so many times in the form of rumours and stories intrigued the youth greatly and the brunette didn't want to leave such an interesting place, not yet anyway. His caramel brown eyes looked back up to the powerful individual in front of him who he concluded -thanks to careful observation of the interactions between the other bandaged men- to be the man in charge.
When he crawled toward the other as if drawn like a bee to honey his large brown eyes noticed the ever so slight, minuscule shifting of the figure, the way his bandages crinkled a little in a subtle almost unnoticeable frown. A little part of the boy wished he wasn't so observant and aware sometimes as to him it was obvious the one on the throne was clearly uneasy in his presence. Tsuna felt a little disheartened at that and he couldn't comprehend in his childish mind why on earth this person was so uncomfortable with him. He felt something within the other, though he couldn't place in words what the feeling was, this sense of loneliness like with Uncle Shiro, this feeling of wanting to be close by, to comfort, to help. In fact in a way he felt a little of that toward the other guards too but not with such fierce intensity.
He wanted to stay, despite the rumours of the place being the very definition of Hell on Earth and his instincts screaming to leave, he knew that something was holding him back, something that overrides his fear, a nagging itch that demanded to do everything in his power to not leave. However -and Tsuna pouted at this- convincing them to let him stay was easier said than done especially since the most powerful individual in the group did not exactly appreciate his existence not to mention he may be able to understand and read Italian, the boy had never really spoke the language before and he certainly wasn't going to try it right now. But he had to do something, yes he was afraid of the consequences if he failed but he was even more afraid of the regret that would come if he didn't try.
Closing his eyes he inhaled slowly washing away any sparks of unease and fear that was burning in his mind as he began quietly humming he felt his magic flames warming him as if they were encouraging his choice. He concentrated an image into his palm, the usually wild flame seemed to flicker along with the calming beat of his humming. It definitely helped soothe his nerves and doubts. Slowly a flame the colour of the night began to form, filled with his feelings cultivated due to his isolation and at the same time his consequent burning will to change.
All noise deceased as they all felt a familiar yet unknown pulse of a Night flame. All attention was moved to the source of the new flame, dark, inky black flickering on a palm of a small hand. The owner of the hand couldn't help but giggle lightly at the failure of the usually composed Vendicare to hide their shock and surprise. Not only were they dumbfounded that the flame of Night had been used by a child, they were also stunned by the flame itself. It held the negative emotions required to be formed yet instead of the scorching sense of hatred and vengeance that usually was contained in the flame they felt almost a cold unknown feeling. Ah that was wrong they did recognise that feeling. Loneliness.
Bermuda was the first to recognised the core feeling of the child's flame. It truly hurt him. The idea that a child with so much talent yet had probably alienated and scorned to the point that he could create Night flames- the embodiment of negative emotions- not to mention at such a young age too. He was sure he wasn't the only one aware of what it meant if this child could manipulate such a dangerous flame. But he was also sure that none in the room wanted to truly harm the child either.
"Child" The Vindice Boss's voice boomed deep, raspy but if one heard real closely you could still hear it had a tinge of almost melting chocolate, a remainder of what he once was. Tsuna of course noticed the shadow of the past that came from the other but remained silent as he listened to the question that he knew would come. The others in the room also stilled anticipatedly waiting. "Why do you show me this?"
"I want yu to twain me." As the boy spoke those words his eyes for a mere second glinted orange, for a mere second he seemed to radiate power that could potentially rival the others, for a mere second his cherubic features hardened in determination. Murmers of surprise at the response began filling the room like the buzzing of an angry wasp.
"Do you know who we are?" At the question spoken the child tilted his head cutely as if pondering his answer. It seemed like an obvious question that in turn gave an obvious answer, of course what the guards expected was not what they heard.
"Uhn. I havw heawd about te Vindice." It was said so simply like it was natural for two year olds to have knowledge of the enforcers of justice for the underground world and mafioso. The fact the brunette even knew was worrying enough not to mention the newfound idea that there were people willing to spill this information to said child. The whole room grew silent unconsciously everybody leaned in a little closer to the mysterious toddler waiting for more information.
"Go on child" Bermuda had to admit he was greatly intrigued by this strange brunettes reasoning, his voice though still intimidating and deep now seem to hold a gentler edge then before.
"Well a lot of the stwange ojii-sans that kinda fluwtter awound sometimes tewlls me stuvf 'bout the Vendicare awnd Vindice. Like that they awre weally howwible, scawy, indivw-idwals with no sense of fashiown and who are mewcilwess to those who even think about bweaking the law. There's this one ojii-san who even towld me that they were heartwess vwoids of cold fwigid monstwers." The Vindice listening felt a little offended at such a blunt comment. They were cold yes but they weren't that bad. And their fashion tastes were not that tasteless. Right? "-but-" and Tsuna scrunched his face up at this trying to think how to word things. "Honestly I think they were just making things up cuz they were scawed. The Vindice sound like weally weally cool guawdians always pwotecting the wules and stuff!" At this point the child began excitedly waving his arms endearingly as his face became one of admiration. "They always do their best to protect everyone even though the people they protect think they are scawy monstwers and that's really amazwing! Plus they always wear those long black capes like those superhewwos or magic wizards and, and-"
As the child continued on singing praises the feeling of being offended was washed away and immediately replaced by an oddly warm emotion feeling filling their souls, it felt uncomfortable embarrassing yet it was… not unwelcome. Even Bermuda felt the need to fidget ever so slightly like a schoolgirl who had just been complimented by her crush. Finally the brunette stopped out of breath, unused to talking so much. Suddenly he felt a little embarrassed for losing himself and his usual timid shy demeanour came back as he looked down on the ground shuffling his feet while giving shy looks now and again. It was simply adorable.
It was a moment of silence until-
"I have come to an decision." Everybody tensed awaiting Bermuda's answer. Usually the correct and not to mention customary answer to such a situation was to kill the individual off yet every Vendicare guard waiting knew a little part of them(no matter how much they would deny it later) wished that this would not be the fate given to the cute innocent little thing. No one could explain but they all felt drawn to this brunette, something about the kid was fascinating.
"You will stay with us."
Tsuna had mixed feelings as he looked up at his house.
It was his house, he was born here, he grew up here. But now that he thought about it he grew up here but did he really live here? He never experienced the things his brother did that truly made a house a home. He didn't have those moments, the laughter, the hugs or the love. Yes it was house but he knew it would never be his home.
The Vindice Boss, Bermuda Von- something or other had understood the child's hesitation in living with the Vindice and had allowed the brunette time to think, sending him back home through another portal. Once he came to his decision he had been instructed to summon Night-san and call for Bermuda. Honestly to the ever curious boy he was sorely tempted to stay with them, really tempted. But he still had his own promises to uphold, promises to himself, to protect his loved ones.
In a way he connected a little to the Vindice- he too has people he wished to protect yet he was constantly unwanted and unappreciated, there were many times in which he wished to just break his promise to himself and leave and it was always a constant dark thought that seemed to lurk in his childish mind waiting for a moment of doubt or weakness. When the fluttering ojii-sans he met during his time experimenting with Star-san told him about the Vindice the two year old couldn't help but feel admiration for the strength they possessed, to be able to ignore those cruel comments and stories about them all for the sake of their justice. It was an immature, naive outlook but he was just a child after all.
"Tadaima"
"Tsu! You're back! Welcom bwack Tsu!" Tsuna blinked. It felt like a long time since he heard his brother's voice. With a small smile he greeted the excitable blonde.
"Uhn I'm back E'yasu." The brunette gazed at his older twin noticing the changes in his brother since the last time he truly saw him. The blonde had definitely been fed well unlike him, he looked healthy, dressed in brand new pyjamas and it seemed he had grasped the general basics of walking thanks to the constant support and love of his mother. "Where mama?" Thinking about it, it was considerably dark out. Usually the two would have been asleep by now. Ieyasu grinned as he put his finger to his mouth signalling the other to be quiet despite the fact the blonde himself was the cause of most of the noise.
"Mama tells me not to see Tsu so I waited till mama slept and came to see Tsu!" Tsuna could't help shaking his head at his brother's strange logic but he let a small flush of love for the other show through the blush in his cheeks. At least his brother truly cared for him.
As he watched his younger brother shake his head and a light pink dusting on his cheeks the blonde couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret and guilt. He wasn't as aware as his brother but he knew that his Tsu was silently suffering under his mama's negligence and he knew that it had been his own fault for his mother treating the brunette like a monster. Yes he knew that Nana seemed to have always been distanced from his brother and closer to him but the incident really changed things for the worse. Ieyasu recognised that his mum was failing to feed his other half and sometimes when she wasn't looking he would sneak a little bit extra on his grateful brother's plate not that it helped much. He loved his brother dearly but despite his happy go lucky brash attitude Ieyasu was a coward. He was afraid to stand up to his mother, he was afraid to go against her, to see the face of disappointment that he'd seen his own twin earn so very often. The least he could do to make up for his cowardliness to protect his other half was to at least spend time with him however little it may be.
"I'yasu?" The short-haired blonde snapped back to reality and put on a large grin for his worried cute little brother.
"C'mon Tsu let go to my woom." As the two crawled upstairs the elder twin got a thought. "Tsu should call me aniki!" He turned to his younger counterpart excitedly. It was obvious that Tsuna was blushing furiously at the thought despite trying his best at hiding under his bangs.
"mhn.. but.." A flicker of hesitation flashed in the clear brown orbs. Ieyasu couldn't help but frown slightly at that, he knew why his brother was so hesitant and he hated himself for his inability to do anything. The frown quickly disappeared as he put another grin on his face to reassure the other. "Please Tsu? You can say it when just you an' me if makes Tsu feel good-er."
The hesitation was still there but it seemed to be now more due to shyness then anything. "Mnn.. Ok… aniwki." The words were no louder than a whisper but the blonde couldn't help but squeal as quietly at the cuteness that is his younger brother and tackle Tsuna into a hug. It was a good thing they were now in the blue-eyed child's room and no longer on the stairs. The two began to quietly giggle as they tried to untangle themselves from each other. The more energetic child jumped onto his bed as the younger of the two began to tuck him in with a small faint smile. The twins began to talk about what they did when the other wasn't around. Well it was mainly Tsuna talking about what he learned with his magic powers while a wide-eyed Ieyasu prompted him with more questions. It was a comfortable atmosphere settling between the two, it was almost like they had never been apart.
"Why you call youwr mawgic fwames wike people Tsu?"
"Hmmm… dunno, a feewing I guess." Tsuna scrunched his face up cutely as he thought deeply. "Sometimes I dweam my flames look kinda wike pewple, though they look kinda bwurry. Sky-san is the only one who wis less bwurry yu know? Plus talking to them is nice!"
The blonde nodded with a smile to cover up his confusion. He loved his brother he did really but he really couldn't seem to understand anything when it came to the brunettes use of magic. It also didn't help that Tsuna wasn't really good at communicating either.
"I.. kiwnda get it!- So what di' ya do today?"
Finally the brunette came to the topic of what had happened today as well as the decision he had to make. As he finished his story he looked to see his older brother with his eyebrows uncharacteristically furrowed in deep thought.
"...So awe you?"
"I.. dunno E-yasu"
A thickening blanket of silence suddenly seem to envelope the two. Each with conflicting thoughts and emotions that normal two year olds shouldn't have to fight with. They were family, it was a bond that should never break, could never break but Tsuna was like a sky. It would be cruel to chain the endless sky for a single selfish reason.
Ieyasu not wanting their long awaited reunion to go sour decided to change the subject. His brother wasn't given a time limit on his choice, they could decided later but the time they had together was limited.
"Tsu! I know! Why don't you sing me a lullaby?"
"A lullabi?" Tsuna grateful for the change in topic was a little surprised by the sudden request.
"Uhn! You told me you liked humming or singing since it helps with you magic flame control! And sometimes I get these scawy nightmares…" The last part ended in an embarrassed mumble to himself but his younger twin caught it anyway. Tsuna was still a little scarred since the incident and had been very fearful in showing his elder brother his flames again however he could never say no to his brother- especially if he whipped up his puppy eyes- a little part of himself deeply regretted having taught the blonde the skill. His own puppy eyes were still way ahead but that didn't mean he wasn't immune to those blue eyes of the other.
"B-but I don't weally know lullabies!" The brunette tried to protest.
"That's ok! Just make it up- I won't make fun of ya!" Tsuna groaned. The amount of faith and optimism his brother carried can be quite annoying at times like these.
"…Fwine.." He sighed in defeat as the blonde was jumping in his bed giggling in excitement. The younger crawled closer to the excited twin and snuggled comfortably sitting next to him. After a few minutes of deep thought and the room buzzing with the silent anticipation of the older twin who Tsuna swore acted much too childishly to be considered the older of the two, a glowing orange light formed in Tsuna's small cupped hands as he began to sing softly.
I hear the flames across the plain
A sound so strong that calls my name
His voice unlike his usually stuttering and mumbling was clear and pure much like the flame he held.
It's wild like the lightening
It's warm like the sun
The orange flame twisted to change into a sparkling yellow flame. The small hands twisted to only one hand held the flame while the other conjured another green flame that seemed to buzz with electricity. Ieyasu gasped at the display as the green flame seem to spark and fizzle around the dancing yellow. Tsuna wasn't just singing, he was putting on a show and a pretty damn captivating one at that.
Yeah it's there
This is where I belong~
A sharp pang in the blondes chest was felt as he heard those words. It especially stung when he saw the dreamy look of his twin and realising that the song came from the heart.
Under such starry nights
Where the storm clouds have flown
A clear shimmering veil seemed to leak out of the child's left hand while the other was doing the same with a misty black fog. It covered the ceiling and the two mixed together you could see the sparkles that were hidden in the clear veil. Almost like stars in the nighttime. Once the ceiling looked like there was really the sky in the room Tsuna flicked his hand and small red flames formed on his fingertips as he threw them into the air as the blonde watched wide-eyed as they fizzled out like small fireworks.
This place is paradise
It's the place I'll call home
The brunette looked so at peace while the blonde couldn't help but stare in wonderment.
The rain falling on the Earth
The mist between the trees
The clouds in the blue sk~y
Let nothing come between the~m and me
Purple, violet, blue and orangey-red flames seemed to also join in with the bright red flames as they danced in the sky in an enthralling the young audience watching.
Cause everything I want
Is everything that's here
And when we're all together
They'll be nothing to fear
Tsuna began humming softly as soon all the flames seemed to fade away until the room was back in it's normal excited and entrance the elder of the two was he couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched his brother. It felt like his counter part could just vanish any second and it scared him.
But wherever I wander
There's one thing I know
There was a pause as Tsuna turned to his big brother.
It's to here-
A small finger pointed at Ieyasu's chest where his heart was. A small orange flame flickered on the edge of the finger and as it touched the other boy he felt a soothing calm wash over him.
-I will always
The smile Tsuna gave seemed to be the most enchanting thing the other ever saw which was saying something after what he just experienced. It was full of love and acceptance. Like the sky he would always be there, with open arms.
A~lways return
Did you like? I hope you did!
Ah BTW the song is This is Where I Belong by Bryan Adams- I changed some of the lyrics to suit the story but still if you want to hear how it's supposed to sound then I encourage you too