Estraneo left scars behind, the PTSD was just one very obvious thing. But how did it affect him internally, mentally, psychologically? Well now, there was a reason why I warned last chapter that things are going to get dark. But if you've read so far, the story has already shown signs of Tsuna's own darkness, like in the chapter where he fights Mochida, or his anger towards Iemitsu.
(Also, my chapters will be shorter, so I don't get burnout)
Oh, and hello, new arc.
Chapter 24
Scars that last a lifetime
Sometimes human places create inhuman monsters.
The whole question here is:
Am I a monster, or a victim myself?
-Sawada Tsunayoshi, 8 years old
He didn't go home that night.
He spent the entire day at school suppressing his more negative emotions, ensuring that nothing would slip, and his usual mask remained intact. And now, they were building up, desperate to break free.
His fingers raced over the keys, sending message after message. The issue of Reborn lay untouched, a volatile subject he dared not disturb. Usually, it was normal for him to do sleepovers elsewhere, before Reborn and definitely during the extremely noisy summer holidays, but this time, he had to add that he wasn't going to school the next day either, which was going to invite a lot of complications.
Hayato and Takeshi, loyal companions that they were, accepted his explanation without question. Michaelo made that part easier for him, having already moved out Hayato who of course would listen to Michaelo, especially if he mentioned Tsuna. They even promised to cover for him, how, he wasn't sure, he was already digging himself a hole, why not make it deeper?
That was his nihilism talking now, great, if he's reverting to version dead-inside, he'd rather tie up his temporary loose ends, because why not embrace his temporary detachment?
He had to spend a bit longer persuading Kyoya and revealing a bit of half-truth, attacking mafiosi and all that, and somehow he'd manage to persuade him to leave it to him. He'd probably pay for that in the future, but he couldn't find it within himself to care right now.
Skipping school was not the challenge; the true battle was preventing Kyoya—or anyone else—from getting too close. The last thing they needed was unwelcome interference from certain people.
The girls were thus informed that he was going to be absent the next day because of some business that he had to avoid Reborn and Ieyoshi and co. from finding out.
This new game was thrust upon him suddenly, unprepared for its complexities. Byakuran's impatience added a layer of difficulty. But who was he if not adaptable?
At that moment, he was leaning against the exterior wall of the YUNIted building, a narrow, dim alley concealed him from the world of light outside. His breath was ragged, heavy with pent-up emotions that fought to break free, transforming his annoyance into a volatile mix of fury and resentment. This wasn't the same sort of 'Damn it, Bya-kun' annoyance, no, this was pure annoyance and a good amount of fury on the side, unfiltered, and untainted.
Inhale. Exhale.
Damn it.
Lal may have sealed away the foreign flames that wreaked havoc within him, but their scars remained, etching themselves into his psyche, waiting for the chance to break through with those agonizing claws. Moments like this, when his barriers weakened, exposed the gnawing emptiness he fought to suppress.
Bloodstains, sinister reminders of yesterday's violence, barely visible to the naked eye, decorated the alley's floor, serving as a macabre canvas for his thoughts.
"There's a kid here."
A wicked smile touched his lips. Ah, perfect, he was hoping to release some aggression.
Stupid Estraneo.
At the opening of the alley, where people usually would walk past, a certain albino leaned his weight on one side while snacking on a pack of marshmallows, witnessing, with vengeful glee, the mayhem commencing right in front of him.
If he wasn't aware that his fellow sky was already here, he would be staring at an empty, and silent alleyway, skillfully hidden away by instinctive Mist Flames.
The person in the alley sighed, as if bored by the squealing man in front of him, and planted his foot on the deadweight hand of the unconscious man on the floor, staring down with bored and dead eyes at the other conscious man in front of him. Without thinking much of it, he grounded the heel into the hand. The albino briefly wondered what sort of horrors the unconscious man was experiencing in his mind if he hadn't awakened from that pain yet and let an entertained smirk grow on his face.
The brunette exhaled, then threw a knife onto the ground, right in front of the panicking mafioso that was pleading for mercy and his life.
Byakuran couldn't help but smirk at the torment he bore witness to, a dance of madness choreographed by a mind untethered.
"Stab your own hand."
His voice was as cold as ice and devoid of remorse.
He let out a cackle, oh he knew he had issues, he too knew that Tsu-chan had issues stemming from Estraneo. Yu-chan, their precious Yuni, would never be allow to see this, to know this, neither was Michaelo, or Aria or Gamma, or anyone besides the two of them.
Who would understand madness the same way a mad person does?
A desperate plea of mercy met his ears like music, a symphony of the patheticness of humans.
"Please! I'm sorry! I won't- I won't come here anymore! I'll get out of this city, hell, I'll get out of the entire country! Just please, mercy, please!"
Pitiful.
"Go on, stab yourself. Your whining disgusts me."
Byakuran wondered when would the crazed smile he had witnessed on the kind brunette's face before would appear, perhaps not now, which would be a pity. The brunette in question's eyes were dead and dull, frigid and cold, there was a hint of a small smile, similarly dead and emotionless.
He watched as the nameless mafioso, who was coughing blood and had fallen on his knees next to his unconscious pal, suddenly shot up, grabbed the knife and attempted to strike Tsuna in desperation. After all, it was clear the brunette had no qualms regarding anything right about now, and in the state he was in, mercy was not a word in his vocabulary.
But the albino knew what was going to happen, how couldn't he, when Tsu-chan just stood there calmly, when his small smile only grew to a cold smirk, when the mafioso suddenly started screaming and the veil of illusion was ripped away.
"Congratulations, you've stabbed yourself!" Tsuna slowly and mockingly clapped his hands, his tone condescending and cheerful as he stared down at the scum that had dared try attack their precious home.
Screams rang throughout the night, and if it weren't for Tsuna's skill with Mist Flames casting the illusion of silence, well, they would have trouble.
"YOU MONSTER!" the mafioso screamed at him, as he left the knife in the back of his left hand, tears falling to the ground, blood pooling at his feet, the knife was all the way in, making Byakuran giggle a bit.
Tsuna's smile remained detached, unfeeling, as he savored the cacophony of pain and fear that surged through the night.
He then delivered a strong kick straight to the mafioso's midsection, the sternum or the gut, Byakuran didn't know, but either way, it made the mafioso cough out blood as he was launched and skidded across the ground.
The brunette approached the suffering mafioso with slow steps, just like an avenging angel, and wasn't that a thought? Sawada Tsunayoshi, who most thought of as timid, and some as kind, hiding this beast made of madness from the hands of those who once put him through worst.
The funny thing was, both versions were still Sawada Tsunayoshi.
When the brunette was in front of the mafioso who was still preoccupied with coughing and regaining his breath, he kicked him again and made him land back first on the rough stones that were now no doubt drenched in his blood.
The brunette stomped on his already injured chest.
"GAHHHHHH!" was the last scream let out before the man fainted of pain. Byakuran briefly entertained the thought of if the man would live, but either way, he would suffer if he was still alive.
"Tsu-chan~~ That was amazing to watch!" Byakuran officially announced his presence, knowing his fellow sky already knew of his presence.
"Bya-kun, you're here sooner than I anticipated," Tsu-chan said, tilting his head slightly. The dull look remained ever-present in his eyes.
As the two skies approached each other, not bothering avoid the two bodies on the ground, the harmony between the two skies gradually stabilized their respective madness stemming from their anger and worry over their home and the youngest of the trio.
"Scum like those are disqualified as a human being." Tsuna said as his eyes regained a bit of emotion and spirit, most obvious being satisfaction and glee.
He and Byakuran made their way into the building of YUNIted through a window, not wanting to waste time unlocking the door, and bringing attention to themselves from the front entrance.
"So~~ How do you plan to explain away your absence tomorrow to the Hitman?" The albino asked, spinning on a chair in the locked and dark building without a care for the world, the sharpness and anger from earlier in the morning gone without a trace, as if it had never happened before.
Tsuna raised an eyebrow deliberately at the albino, choosing to stare at him until said albino just started to giggle, knowing exactly what Tsuna was conveying with just that stare. Unlike Byakuran who had more than half a day to revert back to their so-called 'normal', Tsuna's detachment was still present until he managed to grapple his emotions enough to raise his mental barrier again.
"Haha Tsu-kun~~ Alright, alright, I admit it miiiiiight be my fault~~" he handed a fluffy marshmallow to the silent boy in an attempt at a peace offering. He grinned widely when it was accepted before inching closer to Tsuna who was sitting near the counter with one hand on his cheek, just watching, silently.
If he was anyone else, he would be unnerved, but he wasn't, so he just threw himself onto Tsuna's back, playfully poking his cheeks. He caught the slight exasperated huff and smile on the other's face.
"Tell me tell me tellll meeeee~~~" Byakuran sang out, his cheerful persistence almost contagious. Tsuna groaned and gave a half-hearted push serving to dislodge Byakuran, who tumbled off him, giggling bubbling in the air.
Byakuran, on the floor continued to snicker but was also hiding a content smile. Everytime Byakuran would get too deep in his own head, Tsuna would drag him out of it, staying by his side until he was fully okay.
The least he could do was return the favour.
To be each other's anchors, even if the world took everything away from them, fellow skies, fellow siblings, that was what they were to each other.
What each other needed.
Briefly, Byakuran felt relieved that Yuni would never have to deal with such madness, ever, if he could help it. They needed one completely sane person in their little trio after all.
In the midst of their playful banter, the atmosphere shifted briefly. Byakuran's lightheartedness met Tsuna's gradually dissipating detachment. With the skill that came from experience, Byakuran was able to allow for Tsuna's slow return to emotional balance.
He knew what he had needed, so he knew what Tsuna needed as well. Had anyone been watching such a display, they would no doubt be left floundering in confusion, for the two's give and take form of support and madness created a rhythm, a symphony that could be understood by no one but themselves.
And then, a quiet change swept through. Tsuna who, in such a state, was not one to offer verbose responses, uttered a single word that broke the silence, signalling the return to humanity.
"Michaelo."
"Tsu-chan~~"
"Hm?"
"You have blood on your school trousers~"
"Tch."
"Tsu-chan it's nearly 3, sleep."
"I need the info."
"UGH! Do it in the morning."
"It technically is."
"You're sassing me- that's supposed to be a good sign, but if you don't put away that laptop in 10 minutes, I will knock you out."
"..."
"Tsu-chan! Don't look at me like that!"
In a silent household, where peace and quiet had become so rare that it was treasured and precious in the recent months, two certain people couldn't sleep, and only one of them was aware of that fact.
Amidst the hushed confines of a household that had grown accustomed to chaos, a rare stillness settled. Silence reigned, something so rare that it was treasured nowadays. Yet, within this apparent tranquility, two individuals grappled with restless wakefulness, their thoughts slamming in their minds. Only one was aware of the fact, while the other was futilely pretending to be asleep.
Reborn laid in his hammock, contemplating the absence of the brunette. In school was the last time the hitman had seen him, and he wondered about the other twin. He didn't come home, and when he had asked Nana, she said that he was having a sleepover, but didn't mention with whom.
Reborn reclined in his hammock, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as the minutes ticked away, the absence of the brunette ever-present in his mind. He traced the timeline of his last interaction with Tsunayoshi, recalling the school day that marked their parting.
School. That was where he last encountered Tsunayoshi. The day had ended, yet the boy hadn't returned home. A simple inquiry led him to Nana, who casually mentioned a sleepover without divulging the details. Seems she didn't know much, or maybe she just didn't ask, being too used to it. He wouldn't blame her for that if Ieyoshi had been terrible to Tsunayoshi before his arrival. The nonchalant response grated on Reborn's nerves, gnawing at his patience like an unrelenting itch.
The night had stretched on, Reborn's irritation seeping into his interactions. The hapless target of his annoyance was none other than his student, Sawada Ieyoshi. Observing the facade of sleep that Ieyoshi failed to maintain, Reborn couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Another aspect to train him on, a fragment of satisfaction briefly overshadowing the overarching frustration.
But back to the subject, he had been planning on questioning Tsunayoshi thoroughly, he was getting exhausted of this piece of the puzzle being dangled right in front of him like a carrot on a stick.
The brunette failing to return home messed up his little scheme, he usually had to pour more attention on the other twin so most of the time, he could never observe Tsunayoshi properly. With mysteries like these surrounding the other twin, he would often bemoan the fact that he was stuck training Baka-Ie instead. It was rather fun, another Dino, just not as talented and a complete civilian, fun in the sense of his sadism. If he were to be assigned to Tsunayoshi instead, he wondered how differently would it go.
Would he be as frustrated as he is now with the secrecy and hidden past? Or would it be an entirely new game?
Then, his mind wandered off to the innocuous message he had received from whoever was claiming to be Michaelo of the Gesso famiglia, an infamous ally of the Giglio Nero famiglia. It wasn't even in a chatroom, it was straight to Reborn's phone, which was usually the Leon-phone. There wasn't even a number and the signal he traced got lost, the sign of someone experienced.
Unknown: Hello Greatest Hitman Reborn. You may have heard of me, but my name is Michaelo of the Gesso Famiglia. I am aware that you live in the same household as one of our charges, and I hereby propose a meeting between the two of us.
Reborn: Bold of you to assume I would entertain your request.
Unknown: I know you, who in the underworld doesn't? You're not one to ignore an opportunity. Particularly when it concerns Tsunayoshi's past.
Reborn: Humor me. Let's say I'm unfamiliar with what you just mentioned. What then? You've just revealed a delicate secret.
Unknown: Let's be real, Reborn. I know. And I don't make mistakes, neither do you.
Reborn: Details.
Unknown: (location sent) Meet me here at 8:30 in the morning. Don't be tardy.
Reborn: If you are not who you say you are, I will not hesitate to put a bullet through your skull.
Unknown: Appearances can be deceiving.
Reborn: Let's be real, 'Michaelo'. I'll know. And I don't make mistakes.
Reborn: Neither do you.
At that moment, Michaelo of Gesso, assuming that's who he truly is, was holding all the cards, poised just above Reborn's head, tantalizingly out of reach but cruelly visible. Michaelo of Gesso, and the Giglio Nero, if Tsunayoshi had been associated with the Giglio Nero for over a month, it was almost certain that Michaelo of Gesso had encountered him.
However, let it be known that this precarious balance of power is a double-edged sword. Reborn may indeed find himself on the lesser side when it comes to information, but don't let that cloud the fundamental truth – a single falsehood, a solitary trick, and the outcome will be a life extinguished in an instant. The leverage of knowledge can shift, the tide of fate can turn, and Michaelo's presumed superiority could crumble with one well-placed bullet.
Clack.
Ieyoshi stiffened at the sound of a gun reloading, being extremely familiar with the sound of it ever since the hitman's arrival. Reborn turned over in his hammock to stare at his student, before raising the Leon gun and shooting a rubber bullet straight at his head.
That was merely a rubber bullet, not the lead one he prepared for enemies, for Michaelo tomorrow.
"What will be our next move, hmm~~"
"You were the one who told me to sleep. And yet, you're still awake."
"Aw! Tsu-chan, you worrier~~ you too."
"Do you not see the time?"
"There're sounds outside, Tsuna."
"Tch. I'll take care of it."
"Espresso and I will be waiting for you~~"
"It's only 6 in the morning, how courageous of them."
"Ah, Tsu-chan took the knives and my gun."
Whoever or whatever alliance was sending their grunts were relentless, that or they were stubborn, or overconfident. It was rather annoying, that and there was so little digital trace of whatever plans they had regarding YUNIted. There were so many famiglie data to hack and look through, and Vongola's enemies were only one group, they had so many, way too many in fact.
It may not even be Vongola's enemies, but an entirely separate group in fact.
He hadn't come across any mention of plans that involved YUNIted or the zone around the cafe yet, so he was still in the dark regarding information.
It was a problem that the brunette had no luxury to think about, as he jumped out the window, in completely different clothes from the day before because bloodstains were a pain.
He had half a mind to just burn them and get new ones. It's not like it was rare of him to do that anyway.
A wry smile found its place on his face when he thought of the clothes he was wearing right now, that were thrust upon him by Byakuran, always one for theatrical flairs, with a cheeky smile. A black coat, a menacing garment that billowed like the ominous shroud of a disciplinary committee member's gakuran. It exuded an aura of theatrical intimidation, fitting for the impending confrontation. Beneath it, a sleek black vest and a crisp white button-up shirt completed the ensemble.
Briefly, as he landed on the ground, the abruptness of his presence jolted six, no, seven mafiosi into a frenzied readiness, their firearms trained on him, he thought how long Bya-kun had had that coat for, just waiting for the perfect moment to give it to him.
Dramatic menace.
"Oi! It's a kid!"
"Coming out from the building, time to take them!"
"If it's a civilian, he can serve as a warning."
"This is the only time I'm working with you, stupid Nouveau grunt."
"Pah! You say that like it's your choice, and hold on..."
Tsuna sighed as the chatter around him grew to a dastardly loud and annoying level, putting a hand to his head as he drew Byakuran's gun (it had a silencer, that was good, he didn't have to use extra flames to cover the noise) with the other hand, leaving it hanging by his side.
Idiots, he thought bitterly, his exasperation etched in the hardened lines of his face.
Nouveau, Vongola's ally?
"That kid looks like the Vongola Decimo heir!"
"That brat's blonde, not brown-haired, idiot! Ugh, I can't believe the Ricci famiglia has to work together with imbeciles like you."
Two famiglia names already, this batch was full of idiots.
Tsuna, his patience waning, snapped off the safety of the gun, the ominous sound echoing like a harbinger of the violence that threatened to consume them all, calmly raising it.
He took aim at the head of a nearby mafioso.
Thud.
One second, one long, haunting second passed as the six other mafiosi stared in stunned silence at their fallen temporary comrade. His body lay sprawled on the ground, a lifeless canvas, with a single bullet hole, blood pooling at the back of his head and staining the cement, joining the blood of those from before, seeping into the stones.
His eyes remained wide open, frozen in terror, as it bore witness to his own demise, his last moments etched into the cold facade of death. To meet such an ignominious end at the hands of a mere child, the shame and disgrace he must have felt.
Yet, Tsuna felt nothing but a chilling satisfaction.
Time itself seemed to stand still as the world held its breath in the wake of first blood.
And then, the world roared to life once more.
Byakuran watched from the window as the carnage commenced, a twisted masterpiece painted in the crimson hues of spilled blood, the ground and the walls stained with splashes of life from fools before them.
His lips curled into a sardonic smile, wishing he hadn't attached that silencer. The deafening echoes of gunshot blasts would have made this macabre symphony even more delightful.
He watched as a bullet pierced through the head of the nearest grunt, which jolted the other 6 to start shooting, all guns had silencers on, ugh, even more boring!
Oopsie, Tsu-chan's still in a mood...
"Tsu-chan! We need them alive!" He shouted out the open window, causing 6 pairs of hostile eyes to look at him as he waved and smiled cheerily. The brunette in question wasn't looking at him, but Byakuran could imagine the look of distaste and annoyance on his face. It had been some time since he last saw Tsu-chan in such a mood, and it promised a spectacle like no other.
Oh, and he didn't actually sleep at all.
"No promises."
Tsuna's cold reply filtered up, causing Byakuran to theatrically groan, all while a smile remained fixed on his face, looking forward to the ensuing massacre. Oh well, they could afford to be impulsive, with all the hostages they already have from the previous two days. Any information lost from these 7, or however many dead by the end of this, was just a small price to pay to sooth the anger that had never went down.
In this moment, impulsiveness seemed minor sacrifice for the satisfaction of vengeance.
The other 6 mafiosi started to back up and started to shoot bullets after bullets at Tsuna, who with the nimbleness of a dancer, not that he was but Bya-kun had faith Tsu-kun would do amazing, weaved and dodged. The accuracy of the dodges could only speak of his excellent hyper intuition.
Five bullets were fired off in rapid succession, two hitting the knee caps of a single mafioso, bringing him down to his knees, screaming in pain and fury. The other three buried itself into the chest of another grunt, all missing vital organs, but with enough force that the mafioso reeled back and fell to the ground.
Byakuran sighed at the sight, before jumping out the window releasing his wings at the same time, and swooped down to retrieve the second mafioso's writhing body. The other mafiosi remained shooting at Tsuna, but were obviously startled by Byakuran's unnatural appearance.
"Bya-kun!" Tsuna hissed, firing a bullet into the hand of Byakuran's captive. It was a welcome intervention, as he had been attempting to shoot Byakuran. How thoughtful of Tsu-chan.
Byakuran merely giggled before giving a small wave, breaking the wrist of the mafioso in his hands at the same time and ignoring his pained screams, before diving back into the open window where he came from. He dropped the screaming mafioso onto the ground with a sneer and knocked him out.
"Why do humans scream when they know it won't grant them mercy?"
After that little mishap, Tsuna turned back to the other mafiosi, who all started to tremble in fear or rage, or whatever he didn't understood, he could also feel the atmosphere around him becoming a bit oppressive, not for him no, but for others, definitely.
Was he unconsciously releasing flames to affect them?
Oops.
Not that he regretted it though, or even tried to pull them back in. Instead, he allowed his flames to play around freely, doing whatever it takes to unsettle them.
The fear in their eyes was a delicious sight. With each step he took forward, they took one or two backwards, their trembling betraying their terror.
He walked past the first mafioso he downed, voice hoarse from screaming his useless head off, and stopped right in front of him, who was staring at him with horror.
Ah, what was he even seeing? What were they even seeing? Or feeling? To show such fear, only after two bullets. If they feared so much just seeing him dodge waves of bullets with ease and one kill, why were they even in the mafia?
Weak.
Utterly worthless.
He raised his foot, and kicked the man's face to the side before following up with a merciless stomp to the chest, then delivering two bullets to his exposed hands, with frightening precision as the bullets found home right in the center.
Then, he continued to stroll towards the other three frozen men, ignoring the one behind him, fingers trembling as that one singular mafioso struggled to keep the gun pointed at him. All while ignoring the renewed hoarse screams from that one incapacitated mafioso.
The remaining conscious grunts flinched at the very clear sound of a blade being unsheathed.
Perhaps it was unfair, to only hurt that one, maybe his 'friends' would like a turn too.
Schink.
"The Namimori graveyard, truly a unique meeting place you have chosen." Reborn sneered as he approached the only person standing in front of the entrance to the graveyard. Pin-striped suit, reflective glasses, and a black face mask, Michaelo remained as elusive in appearance as ever, his true identity concealed even from Reborn, except for Hayato, but Reborn was unaware of that.
However, something tugged at the recesses of Reborn's mind, a nagging familiarity about this man.
"I thought it fitting, don't you? After all, you're obeying the orders of the one who could've put my ward in such a place." The man turned his back on the hitman, either very brave or very foolish of him, and it made something under Reborn's skin itch and twitch.
Straight to the point. Fine, Reborn wasn't in the mood for playing games anyway.
And yet, something tugged once again at his mind.
The Gesso and Giglio Nero both claimed Tsunayoshi as their ward, now haven't they?
How very interesting.
"Let's not play this game, tell me what you know, now."
How very complex.
Michaelo's lips twitched upwards in response to the dark and menacing tone that Reborn had taken on. Even in toddler form, Reborn's voice held a chilling edge that would send shivers down the spine of a normal mafioso, or even a battle-hardened one.
The hitman was tired of being led around in circles, He didn't have enough information, yet had too many distractions he couldn't, wasn't allowed to, eliminate. His tone dripped with malevolence, promised horrors, hanging a very clear threat in the air.
But he was Michaelo of the Gesso famiglia, feared, a name whispered like a monster hiding under beds in certain parts of Italy. He had witnessed horrors, heard tales of atrocities, and had no doubt that Reborn was capable of much worse. But he wouldn't be cowed.
They both knew the ball was in his court.
Notes:
Haha I hope you enjoy this, after the last chapter, some spark came back so I was able to write this chapter.
The darker undertones of Tsuna has already been hinted before, during the Mochida fight, and the effects trauma left on him has already been shown once. During that fight, Tsuna was feeling annoyed and angry once he heard about Mochida betting using Kyoko.
The cafe being attacked, their home being attacked, pushed Tsuna's anger to a boiling point, or should I say, freezing point? Therefore, causing the total shift of behaviour.
I have always had plans to reveal Tsuna's darker side, I didn't think that I'd have that much fun writing it though! This was probably one of my favourite chapters to write.
Byakuran isn't fully sane, and as much as Tsuna likes to be himself, he isn't fully okay either, he did go through a lot when he was a child after all.
I do hope you enjoy this chapter though, and please, if you will, I'd love to hear what you think of it.
