AN: Hello. guys. I'm back, this time with a really big chapter - 4k words. Hope you will like it!
Also, quick question: While writing this chapter I came up with side pairings which will be referenced here. Would you like to read fic about them? Let me know in the comments and happy reading!
Upon entering the house, Tsuna blows out a breath to let go of the tension that the conversation caused before announcing loudly: "I'm home!"
As if she was waiting by the door, Kana jumps at her like a jack in the box as soon as the words leave her mouth. Tsuna catches her cousin easily, not even stumbling.
"So, how was it?" her cousin questions excitedly before she can say anything, clinging like a baby koala. "Did the two of you kiss?"
"Your cousin just came back, sweetie, let her get a word in," Sumiko-ba-san says, coming from the kitchen. "Welcome back, Tsu-chan."
"Hi, Auntie."
"But I wanna know the details!" Kana says with a pout.
"After dinner," this time, it's Uncle Ichiro who pokes his head out of the doorway. "I see Rikuo-kun listened to my words. Right on the clock, which is a point in his favor. Have a good time?"
"Yes," Tsuna's reply is sincere and her family can see it clear as day.
"I'm glad," Ichiro says softly at the sight of said happiness. Maybe his niece will be more lucky in matters of love than Nana. He can hope. He claps his hands. "Now, girls, go wash your hands. Girl gossip after dinner."
"Don't worry," the brunette whispers to Kana as she lets her go. "I won't spare you any details."
"I hold you to it," Kana whispers in turn before they do as asked and have dinner.
Tsuna keeps her word and tells Kana how the date went after dinner in her room. Her cousin nearly falls off the bed, laughing when she hears Tsuna's Namimori friends sent a chaperone in secret, who was busted, anyway.
"I knew they were overprotective from that single interaction, but to this extent!" she gasps out through her giggles. "Unwanted advances, oh my god! That's like saying Rikuo-kun's delinquent and wasn't your knight in shining armor since we were like five!"
"I know," the young Decimo nods in agreement, laughing herself. She isn't angry at her Guardians anymore, but they need a stern talking to, regardless of her being on cloud nine. "Ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Very!" Kana finally gets her laughter under control and frowns when she sees Tsunami's troubled expression. "Hey, Tsu-chan, what's wrong? Didn't you have a wonderful time?"
"I did," Tsuna confirms. "Everything was beyond my dreams, kiss included. It's just…"
"Tsurara?" Kana finishes, having been told about the other girl's spying as well.
"Yes, among other things," like her heritage, but it wasn't a safe topic to discuss with her civilian cousin. "I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but how I'm supposed to look into her eyes, knowing I'm the cause of her broken heart? I know she has feelings for Rikuo because it was obvious."
"Tsu-chan," Kana scoots closer to the brunette, hugging Tsuna in a comforting embrace. It reminds young Decimo of stormy nights spent together under the blanket because she was afraid of thunder. "Tsurara's feelings are her own. Neither you nor Rikuo are responsible for them, and Rikuo-kun chose you. If you truly feel that bad, just talk to her. I'm sure you'll reach a compromise after she has time to accept that you and Rikuo-kun are happy together."
"You're right," Tsuna murmurs into Kana's collarbone as the other brunette strokes her hair. "I probably sound stupid, worrying about Tsurara's feelings instead of being happy over the date and my first kiss, huh?"
"Nope, not stupid!" Kana denies it cheerfully. "You're just being the same considerate Tsu-chan I've known since forever!"
Tsuna's lips twitch into a small smile at that. "Thanks, Kana-chan."
"Anytime," Kana says as they break apart. "Speaking of silly. You probably should talk to your friends about," she stifles a laugh, "unwanted advances."
"Yeah, I probably should," Tsuna grimaces at the thought. While the chaperone situation is slowly turning into a joke, she isn't sure how her Guardians and Reborn will take the news of her and Rikuo's updated relationship status, and it… scares her a little. "Wish me luck."
"I'm sure you'll manage, but good luck. I'll leave you to it," her cousin says, standing up. "I'm really happy for you and Rikuo-kun."
"Thank, you Kana-chan. It means a lot."
"And," her cousin adds teasingly, already standing in the doorway, "I will not mind having Rikuo-kun as a cousin-in-law."
"Oh, shut it!" Tsuna retorts playfully, throwing the pillow after Kana, who merely laughed in reply before going to her own room.
Tsuna rolls her eyes. Seriously, what's with the wedding jokes? Yes, they loved each other practically their whole lives, but they are fourteen! Everything could change in the blink of an eye. Especially with the Vongola in the equation.
The young Decimo rubs her forehead with a sigh. She should really call the others.
So she does so. When the video call gets accepted, she sees Reborn and her Guardians in various states of injury.
"Hi, Reborn," she greets, wincing in sympathy. Her Guardians look absolutely miserable — even Lambo hasn't escaped the punishment. That's what you get for ignoring Reborn's instructions. As his student, she knows this firsthand "You already got to them, huh?"
"Just filled the holes in their education," her tutor from hell replies smoothly. "And let this serve as a lesson to you too, Tsuna: never leave a loophole an enemy or potential ally can use against you."
"Duly noted," she says dryly. "Speaking of which. Unwanted advances. Really, guys?"
"Hahaha," Takeshi laughs awkwardly at his Sky's deadpan expression. She busted their plan and is not impressed. "Sorry, Tsuna. We freaked out since you didn't mention him before. If it's any consolation, Chrome really tried to stop us. Even Primo's Guardians popped in."
"I'm not surprised they didn't manage to stop you; all of you are like a hurricane when you put your mind to something," seeing Chrome's dejected expression, Tsunami softens. "I'm not mad at you, Chrome. Just don't do something like this again, you lot. And, Kyoya, no biting Satoshi to death for getting noticed, you hear?"
Both Chrome and Hibari nod, the latter a bit reluctantly.
"Still," Ryohei speaks up. "Why didn't you tell us about him to the EXTREME, imouto?!"
"Kind of hard to tell about a person you like when you try not to die non-stop, onii-san," Tsuna reminds her Sun Guardian. "Plus, you, lovebirds, didn't tell us that you were dating straight away either."
The aforementioned dating people have the decency to blush at her remark to her amusement.
Not long before she left for Ukiyoe, the Vongola Tenth Generation had, what Bianchi calls "a love boom"— Ryohei and Hana, Chrome and Kyoya, Hayato and Haru, plus Kyoko and Takeshi started dating. Some couples were expected — Hana and Ryohei, given they were engaged in the erased future, the same went for Haru and Gokudera, who had an attraction to each other since the first meeting — while some were not expected — Chrome and Kyoya, especially come to mind, given how Mukuro reacted and they had to drag the Mist and Cloud apart afterward, — but Tsuna was still happy for her friends, regardless of surprises. If they love each other who is she to stop
them? Other than that, Tsuna, Bianchi, and Mukuro were the only ones who were single, jokingly calling themselves the "Free trio" of their age group.
Until today, anyway, Tsuna amends mentally, thinking of Rikuo, and if Dino stopped being an oblivious idiot for just a second, according to Reborn, Bianchi would have been taken by now. Sorry, Mukuro, it seems you are the only one without the lady love.
Not like it bothers him in the slightest.
"Returning to the subject at hand," Reborn cuts in, unaffected by the teens' embarrassment, "Did you know that Nura Rikuo comes from a yakuza clan?"
Her tutor researched her childhood friend upon hearing about the date from Mom, no doubt. Typical Reborn. "Uh, kind of? We know each other since we were five, but Rikuo doesn't like talking about his family history too much. I just know they're very traditional, and Rikuo's considered as the head now since his grandfather is old, and his dad passed away when we were about eight, I think."
"Do you trust him?"
"I do." Tsuna narrows her eyes at the ex-Arcobaleno. "What's with the questions? You already read his dossier."
"I did," Reborn says with a nod. "However, you are the one who knows him the longest. I need to know what you are comfortable with his intentions and the dossier can't give me that. Are you happy with him, Tsuna?" Reborn asks the main question. His dark eyes lock with hers, seemingly looking into her soul for any sign of hesitance. But he will find none, for she has only one answer to give.
"Yes. For the longest time, he was the only person, aside from my family, to accept me, Dame and all. I love him, Reborn. And he loves me."
There. She poured her heart out and deepest secret to the man who gave her family and friends and has been a much better father than Iemitsu since he came a year ago. Without him, she wouldn't be the Tsuna she is today, and she awaits his answer with bated breath, heart echoing in her ears. What will he say?
Finally, Reborn smiles, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "That's a good answer until we can assess him in person. Will you tell him about Vongola?"
"I plan to," Tsuna slumps in relief at Reborn's approval as she lets out a breath she has been holding. "I don't want to be like dad."
"Then you have until the end of this trip to tell him."
Tsuna can't help but chuckle at the expected ultimatum. "You and your tasks, Reborn," she says with a shake of her head.
"If this Nura Rikuo is really worthy of your love and trust, Tenth, he will accept you, Vongola and all," Gokudera tells her confidently. "If not, he better look for a place to hide because we will be coming after him."
"What the puppy said," Mukuro agrees. Others are nodding their assent too.
"Trust me, both of us are aware," Tsuna says with a slight laugh. She knows it's their form of approval and is grateful for it. "Thanks, guys."
There's a knock on her door, halting the reply. Turning her head, the young Decimo sees her aunt holding a phone.
"I'm sorry to interrupt the conversation, Tsu-chan," Aunt Sumiko says apologetically, "but your mother wants to talk to you."
"That's our cue to leave," Reborn says. "You must never get between mother and daughter's time. Let us know how the reveal goes.
"Will do," Tsuna promises. Reborn ends the call while the brunette takes the phone, quietly thanking her aunt, who leaves with a smile. "Hi, mom."
"Hello, Tsu-chan!" Nana says happily. "I hear your vacation is going well. How was the festival?"
"It was great," Tsuna says, moving to sit on the bed away from the now-turned-off computer. "Did Sumiko-ba-san tell you?"
"Both her and Wakana," Nana informs her cheerfully, which isn't a surprise — the three of them were always close due to being a family and their children being thick as thieves. "You looked really beautiful in that photo. I'm sure Rikuo-kun thought so too."
Her face turns red at her mother's words. "He did," she admits quietly.
"I'm sure of it. Rikuo-kun was always a sweet boy. You know," Nana says, like she's sharing a secret. "Both Wakana and I always suspected it would end this way."
"Really?" Tsuna is surprised by the admission since Nana never mentioned it before. Were she and Rikuo that obvious, even as kids?
"Really," Nana confirms. "You just clicked since the first meeting. And Rikuo-kun was always protective of you. Reminds me of Iemitsu and myself when we were younger actually."
Nana's voice turns sad at the end which prompts Tsuna to ask: "Dad still hiding then?"
After she confessed to being in the mafia, Mom to the shock of everyone present at the time, ripped Dad a new one for the lies and dragging her into Vongola. Dad was so astonished that his usually loving docile wife verbally kicked his ass that he escaped back to Italy. Which didn't surprise Tsuna, since she has a deadbeat dad and always knew it, but what really pisses her off is the fact that Dad can't face the person he claims to love more than anything and work together past the hurdle. No, better run to his precious CEDEF and keep hurting Mom with his absence.
Bastard. One of these days she'll beat him up and then drag him back, kicking and screaming. Or she will just ask Xanxus to kill the man as a last resort if knocking sense into him won't work. In any case, the decision will be up to Mom.
"Yes," a single word admission is full of heartache that Nana is quick to hide behind a sunny tone with her next sentence. "But don't worry about me, Tsu-chan! I can handle your dad."
"Mom…" the brunette starts to say, but Nana doesn't let her finish.
"I'm serious, sweetie," Nana tells her daughter firmly. "You already have Vongola on your shoulders. You may be a Sky, but our marriage is something only I and your dad can fix. Just be happy. You're allowed to enjoy your youth."
"I will. I love you, mom."
"I love you too, sweetheart, "Nana says in turn, then changes the topic. "Well, tell me everything about the date. My baby girl had her first one after all."
Tsunami flushes at her mother's enthusiasm, but happily discusses the date with her nonetheless — after all, it was rare for them to just sit down and talk about ordinary topics, considering the chaos of their family. So they talk and talk. Conversation flows freely until Tsuna yawns the nth time in a row.
"I think it's time for you to sleep," Nana chuckles softly as her daughter yawns yet again. "You had an exciting day."
"I guess," Tsuna agrees sleepily. "Good night, kaa-san. Wish the kids good night from me."
"I will. Good night, Tsu-chan."
Tsuna ends the call, and after returning the phone, and wishing her family good night, changes for the bed. She's out like a light as soon as her head touches the pillow. Her dreams are full of dark hair and ruby eyes.
As soon as it is clear that the young girl is fast asleep, Giotto appears from a column of Sky Flames. He approaches the bed. Tsunami doesn't stir from her slumber. Smiling at the show of trust, Primo adjustes the covers and moves over to the window, too restless to reside in the ring today.
The full moon illuminates the sky tonight, bringing his mind back to centuries ago where the owner of playful golden eyes told him with a laugh on similar nights, It'll be fine, Ieyasu! I know what I'm doing! Relax and trust Nurarihyon ~.
"I sure hope your kid knows what he's doing, Nurarihyon," Giotto murmurs to the moon. "My granddaughter's heart is at stake."
And possibly life too, given his unease tonight.
Nura Mansion.
As promised, Rikuo brings up Tsurara's behavior at the festival as soon as he gets back from his date and takes Yuki-Onna outside to talk. Best to resolve it now.
"May I know what it was back there, Tsurara?" He asks. Tsurara doesn't look him in the eyes, head hanging low. "Why did you follow me and Tsuna? For what reason?"
As if his girlfriend's name was some kind of trigger, Tsurara raises her head abruptly, and Rikuo flinches in shock — there are angry tears in his friend's eyes.
"Tsuna, Tsuna, Tsuna," she rants angrily. "She's all you talk, think about. Ever since you were young." Rikuo doesn't answer to that, sensing she isn't done. "Even more so, now that she's here. You ask why I followed you, Rikuo-sama? Because I wanted to know what was so special about her that you wouldn't even spare me a glance."
"Spare you a glance?" Rikuo repeats in confusion. "You know I would never ignore—"
"As a friend!" Tsurara cuts him off which normally she wouldn't allow herself to do out of respect. Tears now run down her face, turning to ice and falling to the ground. "Not as someone you love."
Not as someone you love? But that means…!
"You love me?" he voices out, struck speechless by the realization.
"My whole life," Tsurara confirms, making his heart sink.
Suddenly all her quirks, bouts of jealousy, and displeasure that seemingly came and went out of nowhere when other girls were involved make a great amount of sense. Tsurara is in love with him.
And henever even noticed.
"Oh, Tsurara," he breathes out in shame. "I'm so sorry.
"Don't be, Rikuo-sama," Tsurara tries to smile through her heartbreak, but it comes out crooked and bitter instead. "It's my fault for wasting chances. Please be happy with Sawada-sama and know that I will follow you regardless of my feelings for you."
And she is gone, leaving ice and snowflakes in her wake. Left alone, he punches the sakura tree in frustration. How did it end like this?!
Someone whistles.
"Quite a mess you found yourself in," is the words that follow right after. Rikuo scowls.
"I'm not in the mood for your quips, old geezer."
"Who said anything quips?" Nurarihyon moves to stand beside his grandson."Just making an observation."
"Screw your observations," Rikuo says, scowling harder. "Kami-sama, how did it come to this?"
"Because Tsurara is her mother's daughter, and you're my grandson."
"Don't tell me you blame this on our yokai blood," Rikuo says with a roll of eyes. "Because it sounds stupid."
"No, it's not that," Nurarihyon shakes his head with a chuckle. "Setsura, Tsurara's mother, was also in love with me, while your grandmother was the only woman I loved."
"History likes to repeat itself, huh?" Rikuo hums at that, drawing parallels to his own situation. "Did you know Setsura-san was in love with you, or were you unaware like I was?"
"Oh, I knew about Setsura's feelings," Nurarihyon replies flippantly as if talking about the weather. Rikuo does a double take.
"You haven't done anything about it?!" he exclaims in disbelief.
"Was there something to be done?" Nurarihyon asks calmly. His words bring Rikuo up short, and the older ayakashi understands the root of the problem at once. "Rikuo, when it comes to love and situations like yours, someone's feelings get hurt one way or another; you can't spare both."
"I know," Rikuo says quietly. "I just wish I could help Tsurara somehow. I don't like seeing her so hurt."
"The only way you can help her is to give her space," Nurarihyon advises. "She'll come around eventually; she has eternity for it. Your girl, on the other hand, doesn't. Don't waste time second-guessing something you are sure about. You're sure about her, aren't you?"
"I am," was the resolute answer. It made Nurarihyon smirk proudly.
"Good," he says simply, moving to go back into the house. Rikuo has a lot to think about and needs space right now.
And Rikuo does think. He knows Gramps is right. Tsurara will be alright, and once she is, they will talk to settle everything. Right now, he needs to think of a way to confess to Tsuna about everything: about yokais, Nura-gumi, and heritage. Now that they are dating, he doesn't want lies between them.
And he knows Tssuna has something to confess too.
At that thought, Rikuo takes out a golden clam pin from his kimono sleeve and looks at it as it glints in the moonlight. Such a simple-looking thing, but it caused such a melancholy for Tsuna. Panic even. And it has something to do with her family's secret. Probably with Iemitsu-san's mysterious murky job.
But what kind of secret can it possibly be?
Yazura Mitsume — or in truth, Sanmoto's Brain, as he was known to the Hyakki Monogatari Clan — calmly sips his tea at the head of assembly as he and others awaited the arrival of their spy sent to watch Nurarihyon's grandchild and his object of affections on their outing. He and those that came have been meeting secretly for a while now; ever since that human girl came to town if his estimate was correct. Her connection to the Nura brat has caused quite a stir, both positive and negative…
"Just how long are we supposed to wait for your informator, Yazura-dono?" a snake's grating voice interrupts his musings. "He should have been here by now!"
"Patience, Mizuno," Yazura tells the hebi, lowering his cup. "He will be here."
"Easy for you to say, Yazura!" another — this time, a kappa — speaks up. Mizuno's frustration with the wait spilled onto the others, making the room buzz like a bothered hive. "You don't see how things are going between that mortal and the Third! If this keeps up, the Nura Clan is doomed, and Nurarihyon is too much of an old fool to see it!"
Sanmoto's Brain could care less for the state of Nurarihyon's bloodline and clan — his goal is revenge and resurrection of his master, — but he agrees for sake of appearances.
"I understand and share your concern," Yazura says, taking another sip. "However, we cannot rush — the girl possesses abilities beyond our understanding; without information on them, this could end fatally for us. Ah," he says as his eyes shift to the doorway. "Here you are, Itachi, come in."
All heads in the room turn: true to the head of the Three-Eyed Party's word, Itachi, the Futtachi, sent to observe, was here at last.
"Masters," Itachi bows respectfully before his superiors upon proceeding into the room.
"I trust you were discreet," Sanmoto's Brain says. Nurarihyon brat, although young, is smart and observant, and the girl from the talks of it, has rather supernatural intuition alongside those mysterious Flames of hers for a mortal. So before the start of this endeavor, caution was advised. He knows Itachi is loyal to a fault and took the words to heart.
"Yes, Yazura-dono," Futtachi's words all but confirm his thoughts. "I made sure not to trigger the girl's intuition and Sandaime was too besotted with her to notice me. Furthermore, Yuki-Onna turned herself into a distraction, and a human subordinate of the girl did so as well, so I followed them to the girl's house without a problem."
"Yuki-Onna also followed her Master?" one bird-like yokai spoke up, his tone of voice thoughtful.
"Yes, Kuroi-dono," Itachi replies. " She… appears to be jealous of the mortal."
"Never mind the matters of heart, Kuroi!" Mizuno hisses irritably at his comrade. "There are things more important than Yuki-Onna's feelings. Have you discovered anything substantial, Itachi?"
"The Third made his intentions known," Itachi pauses for a moment, unsure. He knows the masters will not like his next words. "And she accepted, though appeared hesitant for some reason."
The new information causes outrage just as the Futtachi expected.
"Did you hear that!? He made his intentions known!"
"Tch! If they marry as adults, the yokai blood will be further diluted by the human filth, and the Nura Clan will be under human thumb until its end! Which is near, I tell you!"
"Outrageous! What Nurarihyon is thinking?!"
"That's the problem! He lost his pride as a yokai, too wrapped around his grandson's finger!"
And so on and on. Sanmoto's Brain raises a hand in a gesture to stop the chaos. Instantly, the attention turns on him.
"See that your waiting cost us, Yazura-dono?" Mizuno tells the Three-Eyed Party with a sneer. "Next thing we know he will include her in the Clan. We must act swiftly!"
"You forget about my warning already?"
"Hah!" the hebi scoffs with derision. "Abilities or not, she's still a mere mortal! I'll show her myself that she's beneath us!"
Sanmoto's Brain doesn't stop the snake yokai. The others don't either, simply watching him leave.
Let the fool rush to his demise. Regardless of the outcome, their involvement wouldn't come to light. If anything, this attack will serve as a test on whether or not the mortal will be useful in Hyakki Monogatari's plans against Nura-gumi…