Edited on January 29th 2024
ARC I WHEN DOUBTS ARE PUSHED AWAY, BEAUTY COMES OUT
CHAPTER 4
« Mi sento bene. Non mi sento freddo. Non mi piace il freddo… »
Tsunayoshi was practicing his Italian. He loved being able to learn correctly, especially languages. He always loved languages after all. Dr Anya hadn't left for Italy yet, she was from time to time helping with the foreign language. He had heard that the woman was Russian. She had shared many stories about her when first learning Italian. Tsunayoshi wrote simple sentences in his notebook practicing the new vocabulary he had just learned.
Italian was his heritage from what he understood. His ancestor from his father's bloodline had been Italian after all. Apparently, his father was half-japanese, but he had lived his life in Italy and still lived there. The head of CEDEF was without doubts in the list of the worst parents ever. He didn't want to deal with the man, he didn't want to communicate with him, however he wanted to meet his father's family. Anton — somehow something was telling him that it wasn't the man's true name — had told him that they formed the Giornata Famiglia and were in alliance with Vongola. His tutor had mentioned that he thought that no one from his father's family knew about him. The Giornata Famiglia was primarily Italian with a few foreign roots such as Japanese, Russian, and French mainly.
So he was also learning Russian and French.
Tsunayoshi felt free for the first time in his entire life. Not attending school anymore did really the trick although he avoided going out because he feared to see one of his old bullies. Sometimes, he just wanted to hide somewhere. He had never been so happy even though he knew that he still got so many issues to deal with.
Learning was easier now that the seal was gone. But he was so far behind his peers, Tsunayoshi felt so overwhelmed by the work he had to do in order to reach the level of his peers. His mother was so sweet though, talking about her favorite class back in the old days when it was dinner time. The Varia assassin spoke of history, always gave some fun storytimes that the teenager loved to hear.
"Positive. Be positive."
The Varia assassin gave him hope when he was drowning.
The seal was gone, so was the constant cold and shivering. Nightmares still plagued his nights, waking him up screaming and thrashing. He still sobbed until sleep took him again in its arms. He still hated the cold because when he was tired, he felt so cold. The seal was gone, but the consequences of the sealing were there.
Tsunayoshi had wanted to learn how to use his sky flames. But the assassin had refused to train him how to use them, instead he wanted him to try to summon his other flames. Dr Anya had explained to him that his orange flames went through something really traumatic, something that should have or would have killed at some point.
The teenager abandoned his current work. He rose from his seat and went to sit in the middle of his room. Meditating, that was something that the three adults suggested he do when he felt that he needed it. Tsunayoshi closed his eyes, feeling the burning flames dancing inside him.
"Skodde, excellent work so far," Mammon congratulated him the moment the Arcobaleno arrived in Namimori with a few other assassins, "Lussuria is going to examine him."
"Alright," he mumbled, staring at the dying sun, "I feel like you want some answers."
"Sealing is taboo here, forbidden even. It's punishable by death. But most people don't know anything about it. Your knowledge is surprising and a bit worrying."
"My clan has knowledge of it. But I never performed any rituals before that."
It wasn't a lie, the Arcobaleno thought, but there was something else that the man wasn't telling. However, the younger assassin was no threat. In time, his secrets would be discovered.
"How is Tsunayoshi?" the Mist Officer curiously asked, noticing how tense his subordinate was.
"He's doing good. It's very tense during the nights though. Sealing really fucked him up. He asked me how to use his sky flames, but I think it's better if we leave the sky flames alone. He's catching up with school. It'll take a while though," Skodde trailed off, watching with intensity the house, "but…"
"But?" the Arcobaleno prompted.
"I don't know."
Mammon frowned. Skodde was young. Younger than most assassins in the Varia, but he was the same age as Belphegor. There was so much mystery around his subordinate. He was still checking the background of Skodde. If something was amiss, he would ask, but for now he would keep an eye on the young man.
Varia is Quality.
Tsunayoshi felt like a stranger.
If his life couldn't get any weirder, the Mafia came knocking to his house to give him a checkup.
Vongola Ninth had sent two of his guardians along with Lussuria, the Sun Varia Officer, Mammon, the Mist Varia Officer, and a few Varia assassins as well to check on him. Coyote Nougat had given him in private a letter from his cousin and as well an invitation to spend the next summer in Italy.
He had spent two whole hours with his mother in the hands of Lussuria and Nie Brow Jr. Apparently the last report of Dr Anya and Skodde — or was it 'Anton'? — was worrying for Vongola. His mother had then discussed with the two mafiosi concerning a private matter that she didn't want him to hear. However, Tsunayoshi had the feeling that it was about him. He understood her; his last suicide attempt had truly shaken her.
"A berry for your thoughts?" a familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"What's a berry, uh… Skodde?"
"Ah sorry, something from back home. I believe the correct expression is "a penny for your thoughts" but it is an English expression," Skodde sat beside him on the bed, "oh, and you can call me whatever you want."
"What's your name then?"
"I don't use it."
"Liar."
Skodde just laughed. Tsunayoshi blinked and thought that the man's laugh was the sweetest thing he ever heard. He smiled wondering if one day the man would tell him.
"It's a bit complicated, Tsuna."
"Alright," he nodded.
"So, what's on your mind?"
"My… uh.. I didn't take well to bullying."
"No shit sherlock. No one takes well to bullying. You don't need to explain, Tsuna, if you don't want to."
"No!" the teenager protested, "I want to tell you."
"Alright."
"Is it bad that I wanted to die?"
"Is it bad that I wanted to die?"
The question sounded so familiar to Usopp. He had heard it before from his own mouth. When things had been too harsh for him, when hope had been a forgotten thing, he had almost… If it hadn't been Lù.
"It's not," he simply answered, getting a curious look from his charge, "I went that way too after all."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, Tsuna. You were hurt— You are still hurt. Your mother suffered too. And no one was there for you."
"Like you."
"Tsuna, I don't want to talk about it. I think your mother wants you to talk to someone that will help you."
"Help me?"
"Yes," the assassin nodded with a sad smile, "although we'll still be here."
Relaxing days happen once in a while. He found them amazing and cherished them a lot. He was accompanying his mother and tutor to the Hibari clan mansion. The place was rumored by the inhabitants of Namimori to be horrible. Whilst the clan might be terrifying, the building itself was magnificent.
"Welcome to our home, Yamada-san, Anton-san." Akiko said while bowing in greetings then she led the guests inside.
The teenager followed the two adults, feeling a bit lost. Flames flowed through the property, they danced around him, it made him wrap his own flames around his broken soul. As he walked into a large room used for meetings, he noticed a slightly older teenager with dark hair and dark eyes staring at him with interest. Tsunayoshi barely recognized him as the Demon of Namimori Public schools. While the adults settled on the ground, sitting on a tatami, the young teen sat in front of the younger child of the Hibari main family.
"Let's begin." Kensuke said with a small smile, shooting a warning glare at his youngest son to treat their guests with respect.
"Herbivore." Hibari Kyoya greeted.
Tsunayoshi frowned for a few seconds before remembering facts — like the one concerning his weird speaking tick — about the older teenager. He greeted him back politely and settled to wait in silence. Kyoya narrowed his eyes but otherwise, he didn't say anything. As the adults spoke, the teens began to eat some snacks and drink a cup of tea.
Kyoya was curious. He knew that Yamada had removed her son a few weeks ago from school. It had been then discovered that the herbivore had suffered from bullying from his peers and his teachers — teachers that had been fired. The public schools of the town were being reformed by the Hibari clan. It was the first since 1950 that they actually intervened. Bullying was forbidden. Being caught on bullying would be severely punished by the clan. His parents hadn't told him anything, only to keep doing patrols around the town and to keep in check sinners (as his mother called them).
"Why don't you come back to school?" Kyoya winced at his own wording, cursing himself, as he waited for the younger teen to answer.
"I prefer to be homeschooled to be honest. I don't think I'll ever step again in those damn schools." Tsunayoshi admitted to Kyoya. "I love my tutor. It's funnier than ever."
"Hn. Father told me he's teaching you how to fight."
It was true.
"Yes. Are you aware of..?" He trailed off, wondering if the teen knew about the mafia. Seeing the other nodding, he continued. "I'm the heir of Vongola. My tutor, well he's not really one, more likely my bodyguard…uh, he has been sent to watch over me (and my mother), but when he saw our states, he began taking care of us."
Kyoya nodded. It made sense. The herbivore looked healthier than he had been in the past. But the consequences of what happened to him were still there. He could see his hollow eyes, he could feel the sick aura around him, and he could hear the silent screams of his soul. It was frightening. The other teen was a sky, but his flames had become so weak. Other flames so familiar to his own were on their way to become stronger. Kyoya grinned wondering if the other would want to train with him. The young heir would certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
He felt ashamed for not noticing before. He knew that his parents even felt guilty for not noticing how hurt the Yamadas were.
"They seem to get along." Akiko noticed a small smile on her face as servants stepped away.
Her husband took a sip of his cup of tea, silently nodding.
Nana felt happy for her son. She knew he had been very lonely, having a friend could provide him some comfort.
"Their flames are in tune." Usopp said in a low tone, watching the pair discussing things they were not privy to.
"Yes. They might harmonize in the future." Akiko confirmed with a smirk. Then, she turned her head towards Anton. "You could harmonize with your student."
"We're not compatible." The young man revealed with a sigh ; he didn't want to form a bond with a sky.
"Kyoya will be a better choice for Tsunayoshi." Kensuke leant towards his wife, whispering something to her before he straightened his back and turned his attention towards the assassin, silently observing him.
It was unnerving. Fuck, he's on me. Usopp thought to himself as his face became blank, he didn't want the others to easily read him.
"I.." Nana trailed off, not knowing how to word her thoughts. "It's time for me to go back to the underworld."
The announcement surprised the three other adults in the room.
"Wait, Vongola didn't tell me that!"
"Yes, Iemitsu doesn't know so I suppose that Vongola doesn't either," Nana smiled awkwardly at the Varia assassin that rolled his eyes and muttered something about Sawada's idiocy.
"This is surprising, Yamada," the head of the Hibari clan said, rarely surprised by anything these days.
"I've been training in the past few weeks to regain my skills. I've been planning to make a good show for the world to watch. Before the bastard, I was a thief and sometimes a mercenary. I wasn't really in my family business. My departure has hurt them, they no longer speak with me. It's time I assume my mistakes and move on." Nana added, thinking about her past as a renowned thief — stealing from rich people — and as a mercenary.
"What do you plan to do?" Akiko asked excitedly, wondering which infamous thief the woman was.
"Stealing the biggest Dfrök from the Rock family." It was a large statue used as a symbol for the mafia family, a symbol of power and richness. It was hidden within their main base, in a temple dedicated to the first boss of the family — or that was what people said. From the information she had gathered, the statue was made in Ancient Greece by a follower of Dionysus, it had been passed from owner to owner until the Rock family stole its previous owner.
"Interesting." Nami would have loved her. The young man thought as sadness washed over him. As days passed, he felt he would never go back to his world, to his friends.
"I'll help. It'll be fun!" Akiko said, getting her husband to roll his eyes.
"If you wish , it's time to move on." Nana agreed with a small smile. "Now I have to install my altars once more and make amends with my patrons."
"I didn't know you were a pagan." Kensuke remarked with a raised eyebrow. She would fit well in his clan as several members were pagan themselves.
It had been quite a revelation, Nana remembered with nostalgia. During her teen years, she had several remarkable dreams about the Greek gods, and more especially her patrons. It had prompted her to do some research on the subjects, then she had started practicing. She was now teaching her son about the powerful beings of their world, letting choose his own beliefs. Her clan had never quite understood why she converted herself to paganism, but they supported her nonetheless.
"Stealing the statue is symbolic for you?" Anton asked in a quiet tone, breaking the silence.
"Yes." Nana didn't elaborate, she didn't need to. The young assassin smiled at her, accepting her silent explanation.
Usopp was a follower of the Order of Demons, the Realm of Demons, those powerful beings that watched over his world and acted when things became out of hand. Ancient laws however prevented them from doing more than needed. His world was, according to the ancient texts of his family, vassal to the one that belonged to the demons. However, his world was powerful enough to stand on its own. It would be a time when the two worlds would be smashed together as they would be both powerful as one. Demons had been improving his world for thousands of years (according to his mother). Atsm was part of the Kings' and Queens' Order ; they — neither male, nor female — were the one to create the Devil Fruits. An handmade gift for one of their lovers four thousand years ago. They had used the World of Danger — as Demons called it — as an anchor to produce the fruits. They had made rules however in order to not power too much the users.
Demons were powerful beings that humans had no chance to truly understand if they didn't open their minds. Usopp felt lucky to have his mother teaching their family's ways.
"I'm not religious." Kensuke said while Akiko mentioned she had always been interested in learning about the different religions of the world.
"You believe in spirits." His wife told him.
"Spirits are quite real." The pirate found himself saying.
And then, the topic of their conversation was completely lost as they started to speak about their own beliefs.
From time to time, he found himself screaming.
He often woke up screaming, trying to reach his captain as the shichibukai ripped him from Sabaody Archipelago. He often saw the fearful and distressed faces of his crew as they one by one disappeared as if they had never existed in the first place. Dreams of his crew became nightmares. They played with him, lowering him in the pit of nothingness.
Don't… despair. He had distinctly heard in one of his nightmares; a message from one of his patrons, watching over him as he struggled to find a way back to his world.
He sat soaking in sweat on his bed, staring at the darkness surrounding his bedroom. He was in trance, feeling the comforting touches of his deceased mother as she soothed his fears. Then, she disappeared after a while, after he finally relaxed. He missed her.
Sometimes, he would not sleep at all. He would stare at the ceiling, distantly hearing the chants he would do with his family. His grandfather had died one year before his mother of the same curse that plagued their bloodline. His mother had once told him that he was one of the lucky newborns with the ability to bend the curse into blessing. While he certainly didn't believe her, he wondered about the roots of the curse itself, if it were really a curse.
Usopp wandered through the deserted streets of Namimori, barefoot. He strode like a king of a fallen kingdom, watching the dead rising and witnessing the victory of the enemy as a whole, walking to a certain death. Honor, people might say. To die among soldiers was an honor. But he was no king, he was only a lost soul in a world that didn't belong to him nor had a place for him. The strangeness of the atmosphere pressured him, overwhelmed him at night.
Here, his mind suddenly said, preventing from moving further into the darkness. The silence was broken by loud steps running towards him. He was no civilian, he was perhaps no assassin even though being an assassin was slowly changing him into something he didn't want to see, he was a pirate. Living on the dangerous seas as a pirate wasn't easy, it was full of danger (and adventures as his captain said). His body moved before a knife could scratch his flesh, he caught it and sent it back to its owner. He rolled down on the ground as someone attacked him by his right with a sword, he pulled out his enhanced flame gun and fired. His mist flames quickly surrounded the fighting area, pressuring the civilians to stay asleep through the chaos as he jumped over the back of one of his enemies.
He felt it.
Weak sky flames trying to reach his cloud flames.
And he raged.
"Bring your inner self and rage. Don't let them cage you." His mother had once said to him as she tucked him in his bed.
His self-control went down still. He tore apart his enemies, smashing heads together until they blew up, pulling hearts from chest, and… He blacked out. His body moved on autopilot as he killed every single element that came to him in hope to cage him, to capture him, to hold him for a few hours in order for the sky to forcibly bond him. His cloud flames supplied him knives, bullets, and arrows until he could no longer stand on his own as flame exhaustion hit him hard.
The sky escaped. It wasn't the end, he thought as the Hibari Clan arrived in numbers. He watched them beating down the last combatants. They could have killed them however Usopp thought they needed information.
He pressed his face against the ground, violently shaking, his mask still in place. The head of the clan kneeled beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll take care of you. They won't get you." Because somehow Kensuke knew, he probably had felt the unknown sky roaming in his territory.
As Usopp succumbed to the darkness, memories flashed in his mind. The sky had escaped.
The threat wasn't dead. I'm too weak, I should have been…
Usopp hadn't spoken a word on what had occurred two weeks ago since he had woken up in the Hibari's main house guest room.
But Kensuke and Akiko knew. The security was reinforced around Namimori as Hibari patrolled more often through the town, unnerving the civilians, who wondered what could have happened.
"That night, you know…" The dark-haired man started as he was sitting across from the young man in the tea room. "You truly felt like a cloud. Stop hiding this fact from you."
Usopp widened his eyes. Was the man sermoning him like he was one of his sons? Kensuke grinned when he saw the look in his guest's eyes.
"I don't know what you're hiding, Anton. The mist Officer will find out in no time, be sure of that. You're caging yourself, it's not healthy."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Kensuke smirked. "You know. You know what I'm talking about."
The man was definitely on him. The sniper could easily compare him to one of the characters of Naruto, a very intelligent man. He would double his efforts to remain hidden.
"No one has to know who we are. If words go to the World government, you'll be hunted down and slowly killed." His grandfather gently — as gentle he could be — explained to him as he rested in his sick bed. "If you find someone worthy of your secret then…"
Usopp didn't respond to the man's words, he simply smirked, silently challenging the other. As he drank the tea, he turned his attention towards his student studying Mandarin alongside Kyoya. He narrowed his eyes sensing how the two elements danced around each other, he smiled softly.
Tsuna would harmonize naturally with people.
On his own.
Perhaps, harmonizing with Kyoya would help him recover a bit more from the seal.
