Beneath A Darker Sky
Title: Beneath A Darker Sky
Author: Pain au Chocolat
Language: English, a sprinkle of Italian and Japanese.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters used in this fiction. Everything belongs to Akira Amano.
Rating & Warnings: NC-17. OOC is a given in this fic. Characters won’t probably act exactly the same way they act in canon, but let’s blame the different circumstances. AU so expect anything. You’ll also be faced with shonen ai, yaoi, gore, violence, insanity, angst, bad humour, lots of recipes and alcohol, not to mention a sprinkle of lyrics, creative cursing, inhumane behaviour and what not. :D You’re reading this at your own responsibility. I refuse to be blamed for burned eyes, horrified parents, traumatized siblings, shocked friends or anything of the like. Tarnish your reputation via your own deeds, thank you. Keep innocent people - such as myself - out of it. I was threatened to write this, you know. I’m totally the victim here. Truly.
Summary:A few months before Reborn appeared in his life, Tsuna got into an accident, that led to him undergoing a heart transplant surgery.
Pairing: Undecided, but personally I’d like a Xanxus x Tsuna…
CHAPTER 2
High School had started few months ago, and nothing seemed to have changed - it was exactly the way Tsuna had imagined. The only positive thing being that Hana had developed some sort of overprotective sister complex and was more than ready verbally slaughter anyone who bullied Tsuna. Sure, he was grateful, but didn’t that make him look even wimpier in Kyoko’s eyes?
Then again, Kyoko was dating Mochida-sempai, wasn’t she? And that guy was King Jerk.
“Tsu-kun!” Nana called, entering her son’s room.
“Yeah?”
“A home tutor is coming today,” she said, and Tsuna gaped.
“What!? Mom, I don’t want a home tutor!!”
“But there was an interesting flyer in the mailbox, see?” Nana beamed, holding up a paper. “Will raise your kid to be the new leader of the next generation. Grade and subject doesn’t matter. Reborn’. Isn’t it great? I’ve never seen a promotion like this before.’
“It smells like a scam! Don’t be fooled!”
“Aah, mama is so happy! Tsu-kun will become a great man, after all.”
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“It’s probably a tutor from a professional business school for young men,” Nana exclaimed. “With charming manners, wearing a suit.”
“Hey, don’t go mixing your dreams and reality!” Tsuna sighed then in a resigned manner. “I’ll go and make dinner. Is the - ”
“Ciaossu.”
“What?” Tsuna startled at the interruption, and his gaze slowly trailed down, till it rested on the person who had spoken. It was a baby, dressed in a black suit, who was staring at them. The girl-part of his soul shrieked at the cuteness, but Tsuna himself just felt a headache coming.
“Whose kid are you?” his mother asked curiously.
“I’m Reborn, the home tutor,” the baby replied, pulling out something that looked suspiciously lot like a gun. “My true line of work is assassination. My real job is to make you a mafia boss,” he said then, looking at Tsuna.
“A mafia boss?” ’I didn’t know that kids this young can be on drugs. What did he smoke before coming here?’
“I was assigned by a certain man to train you to become an astounding mafia boss. The method is up to me,” Reborn said, and Tsuna almost flinched at the sadistic gleam in his eyes.
“Is your head okay?” he finally blurted.
“Should I shoot you once?” the baby responded, and sounded way too eager for Tsuna to be happy about it.
“…” Frankly speaking Tsuna didn’t know how to react. Should he just go with the flow and accept it like his mother seemed to have done? He stared at the baby who kept on staring back. This was wrong on so many levels - since when babies started wearing suits, holding guns and talking like that? - that Tsuna decided to ignore all what’s sensible and focus for what he wanted to do right now.
“You’ll stay for dinner?” he asked, and the baby smiled.
“The contract states that I shall live here until your grades go up,” he said, sharp eyes taking in the unexpected behaviour. From what he had read about the boy, Reborn had expected him to shriek in panic and make a scene. He’d need some time to decide whether this was for the better or not. Because apathy - or denial - was nothing to be desired either.
“Nothing will lift my grades up,” the boy replied miserably, and shuffled to the kitchen. “You’re stuck here forever. Anyway, cellophane noodles with yellow bean sauce, anyone?”
“Sounds good,” Nana chirped. “Meanwhile I’ll prepare a bed for Reborn-kun!”
“In Tsuna’s room, if possible,” the baby instructed, and Tsuna shuddered. Being a baby-sitter hadn’t been a part of his plans. Then again, said plans included mostly going to the hospital and talking with Hana, anyway.
’I’ll need to ask mom’s help in keeping my hospital-visits a secret from Reborn. Little kids don’t need to know about scary stuff yet,’ he thought. ’Even if they’re crazy.’
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Tsuna exclaimed, and pointed at Reborn accusingly, as the two walked towards Namimori High School. “Why are you following me? Don’t you have to go to grade school?”
“Assassins don’t go to grade school,” was the calm response.
“Quite the assassin act already,” Tsuna muttered, before his eyes widened. ’My Kyoko-senses are tingling!’ In a flash he was behind the corner, watching from safety how Sasagawa Kyoko walked closer, before stopping next to Reborn.
“How cute!” she squealed, kneeling down, and a part of Tsuna agreed with her. For that he blamed his woman’s heart he had. It seems that not only had Sayoko been addicted to cocktails, but also had had a soft spot for kids and anything cute.
“Ciaossu,” the baby smirked.
“Why are you wearing a suit?” Kyoko asked pleasantly, with a cute smile.
“Because I’m in the mafia,” Reborn responded simply, and Tsuna sweat-dropped. That kid was sure into the mafia-game, huh?
“Waaah! How cool!” ’No, Kyoko-chan. There’s nothing cool in that.’ Tsuna thought as he watched the girl stand up and leave after waving to Reborn. With a sigh, Tsuna re-emerged from behind the corner.
“You have a crush on that girl, don’t you, Tsuna?” Reborn asked.
“EEH!? How’d you know!?” the brunet shrieked.
“I’ve mastered the art of mind reading,” the baby replied with a smug smirk, eyes full of mischief. “Have you told her yet?”
“Heck no,” Tsuna deadpanned. “Sasagawa Kyoko is our school’s idol. I’m not even in her league.”
“That loser complex is amazing.”
“At least something is,” Tsuna muttered, before turning to walk towards the school again. “Go home. Mom’s there and she’ll take care of you.”
“It’s finally the time, I see,” Reborn muttered. “Go die.”
“What?” Tsuna stared at the gun that was being pointed at him with an alarmed expression. “That’s a toy… right?”
“Go die once.”
“Stop mocking me already! I don’t see the point in getting me killed!” ’Sure, he’s as adorable as a baby can be… but damn it he’s ten times as annoying!’
“You know when you die,” Reborn said, and fired. With wide eyes, Tsuna fell, realizing that this kid was for real - no matter how much it defied reason and logic and order in this world. And while dying, he regretted.
’I’m going to die,’ he thought. ’I’m parting with the world now. What a waste… I’m sorry, Sayoko, Mr. and Mrs. Oda. I’m sorry, mom, Dr. Kurokawa, Hana… your support was important… If I had the will of the dying I probably could have… thanked Sayoko… at least once.’ Reborn narrowed his eyes when the reaction he got wasn’t what he had expected. Instead of rushing half-naked after Sasagawa Kyoko to confess his feelings, Tsuna - still half-naked though - turned and ran with unexpected speed to a direction opposite to the school.
“…” Reborn contemplated following him, if only to satisfy his curiosity, but then he shrugged uncaringly. It couldn’t have been anything too important after all. Maybe a confession to someone else? Or something that he regretted so deeply that it overshadowed even his initial regret of not being open regarding his feelings towards that girl?
Regardless, Tsuna wasn’t quite what Reborn had expected. Sure, the boy was a wimpy coward with serious self-esteem problems, but there was something… something off with him. Something that made tutoring him become much more interesting than Reborn had anticipated.
Now, Tsuna’s life placed in the passenger seat with death will surely be a great source of entertainment.
“The mafia boss… a leader who rules a criminal organization,” Tsuna read aloud. “Able to move a number of trusted members with one hand. Willing to risk even his life for the family. Surrounded by the respect and admiration of all. Seen as a hero by the children of the slums…. Reborn, why am I reading this?”
“Read it every morning,” the baby replied. “Because you are the guy who’ll become the 10th generation boss.”
“Haven’t I been telling you no!?” Tsuna exclaimed. “There’s no way I’m going to be a mafia boss!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it on my own,” Reborn smirked, loading a gun.
“I’m very, very worried,” the brunet muttered, shoving the book aside. “I need to go to school.”
“Don’t be late,” Reborn said with a smug little smile, and Tsuna already could feel the dread settling in. Something bad was up. Definitely. So, what was out of the ordinary?
“We have a new transfer student,” the teacher said, and Tsuna looked at the ominous guy. ’Creepy and scary. Uh-uh, I’m staying out of that guy’s way. Definitely.’
“Gokudera Hayato has been studying overseas in Italy.”
’And he doesn’t look too happy about being here,’ Tsuna thought. ’And from the chatter I’m hearing, I can guess that girls are into that type.’ he glanced at where Kyoko was sitting, only to see Hana smirking at him.
“Demon,” Tsuna mouthed silently, and the girl muffled a cackle. She then pointed back at the transfer student, and Tsuna glanced at the silver-haired guy.
’HIEEEE!!!’ he shrieked inwardly. ’He’s glaring at me!! Why is he glaring at me!? Oh my God someone… eeeek!!’ The guy had ignored teacher’s attempt at showing him his seat, and promptly walked towards Tsuna, kicking the table. The effeminate brunet could feel his soul leaving his body, as his eyes met the cold grey ones.
“You know him, Tsuna?” someone whispered.
“N-no,” Tsuna replied.
“He seems like a gangster,” another guy muttered, and Tsuna had mixed emotions about that. Yes, definitely he seemed like a gangster of sorts, but he was living with a mafioso, and compared to Reborn… well, this guy was snack. After the class Tsuna wandered the halls alone, trying to make sure that he wouldn’t encounter the transfer student.
’What’s wrong with that guy anyway?’ he thought bitterly. Whistling to himself, Tsuna walked aimlessly, until he realized that his location - outside, behind the school - wasn’t perhaps the best possible one.
“What an eyesore,” a venomous voice hissed, and the brunet screamed like a girl inwardly.
“You’re the transfer student,” Tsuna cringed. “Excuse my life, I’ll be going now…”
“If a girly coward like you becomes the 10th boss, the Vongola Family is finished.”
’Oh devil’s balls on a stick,’ Tsuna thought miserably. “How do you know about the family?” he asked.
“I refuse to accept it,” the taller of the two growled. “I’m the one who’s fit to be the 10th! You’re a nuisance, and you should dire right here.” Tsuna really, really, really wanted to advice the guy to go to some anger management counselling, but when faced with freaking too-real-to-be-anything-good dynamites, he couldn’t quite focus on forming a witty response.
“Ciaoussu,” a familiar annoying voice interrupted the two, and for the first time Tsuna felt relief at seeing the baby.
“Reborn!”
“You came earlier than I expected, Gokudera Hayato,” the hitman said, apparently ignoring Tsuna completely.
’They know each other?’ the boy wondered, before shuddering. ’Any more psychos going to jump outta the bushes to mess my life even more? God, why? What was my crime?’
“This guy is a member of the family that I called over from Italy,” Reborn explained. “It’s my first time meeting him as well, though.”
“So you’re the Ninth’s highly trusted assassin,” Gokudera said. “Reborn. You’re not kidding about me becoming a candidate successor if I kill Sawada, right?”
“Yeah, sure, that’s right. Let’s continue with the killing,” the baby said nonchalantly.
’That little… I’m too tired to deal with this. Dr. Kurokawa said to avoid stressful situations, so if I’m going to die anyway, might as well keel over calmly.’ With a pensive expression, Tsuna watched how the silver-haired guy lighted a handful of dynamites, before throwing them at him.
“It’s said that Gokudera Hayato is a human explosive device that conceals dynamite all over his body,” Reborn told him. “His other name is Smoking Bomb Hayato.”
“That’s even worse,” Tsuna groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding! I planned on making stuffed cannelonni today - my first Italian dish! I can’t die before trying it!”
“Tempting,” Reborn smiled. “You better stay alive, then. Fight, Dame-Tsuna.”
’That Satan’s spawn!’ Tsuna screamed inwardly, dodging the dynamites.
“Fight with a dying will,” Reborn said, and fired his damned gun again.
Tsuna had a lot of regrets, but right now, what was on his mind was defusing the dynamites. And so he did. The feminine part of his heart and soul - the one that cared about appearances - was relieved that the boxers he had chosen were basic black ones instead of the blue ones with stars on them.
’Thank God for small miracles,’ the coherent part of his mind screamed, and vowed to pay special attention regarding what sort of boxers he’d wear from now on.
And so, before he noticed, the transfer student was for some reason bowing to him with a face that was nothing short of adoring, which creeped Tsuna out even more so than the glares.
“Tenth! I’ll follow you! Command me to do anything!”
’Someone please explain this person’s logic to me.’
“Having the loser serve under the winner is a family rule,” Reborn said. “Gokudera became your subordinate because of your strength. Well done, Tsuna.”
“Hey, wait just a second!”
“Actually I really didn’t have ambitions to become the 10th,” Gokudera explained, looking like a wounded puppy.
’Just moments ago he wanted to kill me,’ Tsuna reminded himself. ’Calling him cute and patting his head now would be stupid. He’d bite my hand off.’
“It’s just that when I heart that the Tenth is a Japanese guy the same age as me, I felt that I had to test his strength. But you’re much more than I expected! For putting yourself on the line to save me, I’ll place my life in your hands!”
“That’s troubling,” Tsuna exclaimed. “Let’s just be normal classmates!”
“Absolutely not,” Gokudera deadpanned.
’First Hana and then this guy… can I get normal, kind and sweet friends? Why do the scary ones gravitate towards me more naturally?’
“Oh no, oh no,” an obnoxious voice said. “Cutting class? This requires some punishment. You’re only allowed to cut class starting senior year.” Tsuna turned to see three of the seniors, none of which looking too friendly.
“Hey, isn’t that pretty-boy Sawada?” one of them said, and laughed. “I wonder if he’s like a girl in every aspect.” Tsuna flushed deep red, feeling upset. He couldn’t help being not as masculine as the boys his age! It was because of his medication! And no matter what the other said, no matter how much they mocked… he’d rather look like a girl than drop dead.
“How many front teeth do you want broken?” the third senior asked.
“Leave it to me, Tenth,” Gokudera said, emitting a murderous aura. “I’ll get rid of them.”
“No, wait, hold on!” Tsuna whimpered, but nobody listened.
“Congratulations, Tsuna,” Reborn smirked. “If he kills them it’ll be counted as your first order for death.”
“Keep that sort of information to yourself!” the boy shrieked, and tensed when someone grabbed his arm.
“What the Hell are you doing?” a familiar voice asked, and the brunet relaxed again.
“Eh… Hana. I lost my clothes.”
“That much is obvious,” the girl muttered. “I assume you were beaten and they were stolen. Tch. Bastards. Do you have any spare clothes?”
“No,” the boy sighed, and felt alarmed when a smirk adorned Hana’s lips, and her eyes gleamed. “Tell your friend to wait here. You two might as well go home.”
Gokudera watched with furrowed brows as the Tenth told him to wait while he’d get dressed, and then left with a girl. That gave the half-Italian boy a few minutes to think. Sawada Tsunayoshi hadn’t quite been what he had expected, actually the opposite. No one had mentioned that he’d be so pretty - what came to mind at his sight was definitely not that he would be the tenth boss of the Vongola Famiglia.
’As expected of the tenth. He deceives his enemies to underestimate him,’ Gokudera thought with admiration. ’He is, indeed, the man best fit to become the boss.’ Even if he was…
“T-tenth… why are you wearing a skirt?”
“Please don’t ask,” the brunet replied with a blush, and the long-haired girl was howling with laughter. “Let’s just go home.”
“Y-yes!” Gokudera had had his own expectations regarding the tenth’s house… would it be the Japanese yakuza-styled or like the Italian mafia castles tended to be? He could only gape in astonishment as his skirt-wearing boss entered a normal two-story house that looked as ordinary as any other.
“I’m home!” Tsuna called, before turning to Gokudera. “You can leave your shoes here. I’ll go change my clothes and then prepare something for you to eat, I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Er…”
So, his boss not only was pretty, but could also cook? What next?
“Oh yeah, and take your shirt off. It has a tear, right? Let me sew it, I’m quite good at sewing…”
It was a Thursday morning when Tsuna finally caved into the desires Sayoko’s heart had implanted in him, and made a cocktail for himself. 1940s Apricot Cooler was simple enough to make.
“Into 12 ounce glass put powdered sugar and 2 ounces carbonated water,” he muttered, instinctively knowing what to do. He stirred before filling the glass with cracked ice and adding apricot brandy. He then added ginger ale he had taken from the stash they had hidden in the house for some reason, and inserted spiral of orange peel to dangle at the rim of the glass.
“Delicious,” Tsuna muttered and took another one. And then another… four. By the time he left to go to school, he was giddy and very random regarding what he said and did, and both Gokudera and Reborn were rather put off by his behaviour, since neither had a clue of what had happened. But it didn’t take long for the baby to figure it out.
“Dame-Tsuna, are you drunk?” he asked as soon as Gokudera had left the two for a few moments. Tsuna smiled.
“I just took some cocktails,” the brunet sighed. “Besides I didn’t take much…”
“You better sober up,” Reborn said, highly amused by what he had learned, and was thinking already of ways to use the information against his pupil. “Or I’ll shoot you.”
“Sure, sure.”
“I’ll shoot you anyway. With normal bullets.”
’Devil!’ Tsuna screamed inwardly, dodging the bullets. ’But that means that as long as I stay relatively sober, he won’t protest against the cocktails. Which is good.’ The happiness he felt lasted for the whole day… well, till the P.E. at least.
“Are we done choosing teams?”
“Just one left.”
“I’m saying you can have Dame-Tsuna on your team,” someone from team A said.
“No way, we don’t want to lose!” was the immediate response. Gokudera had gone to re-supply his dynamite, so Tsuna had thought that he’d finally get a moment of peace. Apparently that was too much to ask.
“Isn’t it alright?” a new voice suddenly said. “Jus join our team!”
“Are you sure, Yamamoto? You don’t have to let that loser in.”
“Don’t be so stingy. I just have to keep them from hitting, right?”
“Well… if Yamamoto is saying so…”
’That’s the first time I have been accepted into a team,’ Tsuna thought. ’And it’s from the freshman who’s the baseball team’s starter and has everyone’s full trust and respect.’ The brunet had a feeling of dread, and he desperately wished for another cocktail. Especially after watching how all of Yamamoto’s fans screamed from the sidelines.
’We still lost,’ Tsuna thought,
“Loser! It’s your fault, Dame-Tsuna!”
’Yeah, now. Blame me.’
“That’s why I didn’t want him in the team! Sweep the field by yourself!”
’That sounds like an excuse. I bet you guys are just too lazy to do it yourself.’
“You should be transferred to girls’ team instead! You damn well look like one!”
’Hey, now, isn’t that a bit too low? Bastards,’ Tsuna thought bitterly, as he stood alone, pondering whether getting beaten tomorrow was worth skipping today.
“Help has arrived!” a cheerful voice said and the brunet turned to see Yamamoto walking towards him.
“Sorry,” Tsuna sighed. “It’s my entire fault. Just when you let me in the team…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yamamoto laughed. “It’s only P.E. after all.”
’Yes, well, my sentiments exactly,’ Tsuna thought. ’But I’d get my face smashed in if I said it aloud.’ “But you’re so good at baseball.”
“Well,” the taller boy said dully. “It’s all I know. And even that isn’t going too well nowadays. No matter how much I practice, my average is dropping and my fielding is screwing up. At this rate, it’ll be the first time I don’t start since I began playing baseball.”
’Oh, that sort of troubles.’
“Tsuna… what should I do?”
“You’re asking me!?” the boy shrieked. “Maybe more effort is just all what you need.”
“That’s what I thought too!” Yamamoto exclaimed. “We agree! Today I’m remaining here and practicing like hell!”
’I have a bad feeling about this,’ Tsuna thought, but smiled anyway. “Yep, just don’t overwork yourself.” Usually after that sort of advice, the confused part just listens and does not go overboard. But Tsuna should have known that nothing goes as he has planned - ever. So when he found himself watching with disbelief as Yamamoto tried to express himself in self-destructive manner by deciding to commit suicide via jumping off the school’s roof, he just wished he could get drunk on cocktails and ignore reality.
“Hey Yamamoto, this isn’t funny!” someone was saying. “You’re taking it too far!”
“Heh, sorry, but that’s not true,” the tall boy replied. “After the baseball god threw me away, I have nothing left.”
’Baseball God? Just what the heck is this guy’s religion again?’ Tsuna thought, observing the situation from a safe distance. He was happy with the distance - he didn’t want to get involved. And naturally, Reborn came and kicked him to stand right where he most certainly did not want to be right now at that moment.
“If you came to stop me, it’s no use,” Yamamoto told him. “You should be able to understand my feelings.”
’What? I’m not suicidal! I might get killed but I don’t want to!’ Tsuna thought. “No, actually, I never thought that jumping off the school’s rooftop would be a way to solve my problems,” he said, and tensed as Yamamoto scowled. So he hurried to explain.
“It’s not that I’m insulting you, on the contrary! You see, I’m no-good. Unlike you, I have never put effort into one single thing. I arrogantly told you about effort even though I have done nothing. Saying you’re frustrated, that you want to die or you want to die because of a career ending accident… unlike you, I have never had those kind of intense thoughts. I’m just a pathetic person who would have regrets when dying. Thinking that it’d be a waste to die from something like this.”
“…”
“So… er… hope to see you later on alive!” Tsuna turned to leave, but Yamamoto grabbed his arm.
“Wait!” Unfortunately the brunet slipped, and hit the fence that gave in. Screams of horror from the observers did nothing to help Tsuna’s mood, who really wished he had taken at least a Pina Colada before coming to school that day. What followed seemed to happen in slow motion, as he fell past the window of their classroom, where Reborn was standing.
’Nonononono…’ Tsuna whimpered, knowing what was going to happen. Reborn smiled mischievously, and fired.
Many thoughts crossed through Tsuna’s mind as he defied gravity and laws of speed and time by managing to save Yamamoto and lose his own clothes in the process, as well as magically bouncing to safety. He regretted not drinking that Pina Colada he had wanted. He regretted not getting kissed even once, not going to a single date, not thanking Hana for her support… and also for being the reason why Yamamoto had become suicidal in the first place.
When they sat on the ground, Tsuna still half-naked and having a mental breakdown, Yamamoto stared at the feminine boy with a wondering expression. It was amazing how nice Tsuna was being, and Yamamoto almost gaped when the boy turned and asked if he was alright.
“You’re amazing,” were the first words Yamamoto got out. “You saved my life. Just like you said, if I want to achieve something, I must do so with a dying will.”
’Oh dear Lord of Cocktails, I have turned him into a freak,’ Tsuna thought, before patting Yamamoto’s head.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” the baseball player then laughed. “Nothing good comes from my idiocy.”
“Life is a precious thing,” Tsuna said bitterly, too aware of its fragility. “Don’t treat it lightly.” Not far away, Reborn smirked smugly.
’Family acquired.’
It was a lovely Sunday morning, and Tsuna was lounging happily on the couch in the living room, knitting a sweater. A glass of Mojito Classic with ice was on the table nearby, and the boy was glad he could drink his cocktails without his mother saying anything - she had said that as long as he wouldn’t get drunk on them, he was free to drink as much as he wanted. Sure, that limited the intake, but Tsuna had no complaints. Getting drunk wasn’t something he wanted - he just enjoyed the drinks.
It was a blessing to have such a ditz for a mother.
Ever since Reborn had appeared, Tsuna had been very careful regarding his hospital visits - for some reason he didn’t want for the others to know about his surgery. Absently the boy put down the knit-work and twirled one of the rather long brown locks between his fingers.
’I should cut it, but for some reason I’m too fond of it… I wonder if it’s yet again another thing I can thank Sayoko for… Ah, that reminds me! I need to visit the grandparents again. I bet that Sakuno-san knows lots of good recipes.’ Hana had teased him and said that he’d make a good wife, and the mere idea had made Tsuna shudder. What a way to kill a man’s ego.
“Tenth!” Gokudera’s voice echoed in the house, and Tsuna sighed inwardly. Regardless, he couldn’t deny the tinge of happiness he got from the knowledge that he had now other friends beside Hana. Quickly the boy gulped down the remaining of Mojito Classic and hid the glass before inviting Gokudera in.
“What brings you here?” he asked, as the two headed to Tsuna’s room.
“As your right-hand man I must be with you at all times!” the half-Italian boy exclaimed. “It’s my duty.” Apparently telling him that there was no reason that Tsuna would even need a right-hand man was useless. Regardless, he was happy to have a loyal friend.
’Then again, would he have associated with me had I not been cursed with this mafia-induced fate?’ the brunet thought, before deciding that for the sake of his momentary happiness, he wouldn’t think about that sort of matters.
“Oh yeah, Tenth,” Gokudera suddenly said. “Have you studied for tomorrow’s math test?”
Or that sort of matters.
“Well, Gokudera-kun,” the brunet muttered. “I don’t want to shock anyone by getting a good grade.”
“Eh?”
“Er… I mean, I prefer if they underestimated me, you know,” he lied with a smile, and the half-Italian boy’s eyes lit up with admiration.
“A wise decision, Tenth!” he exclaimed. “To be underestimated by the enemy for the sake of catching them off-guard later.”
“Yeah. That’s exactly my plan. So let’s return to the matter right before the finals.”
“As expected of you, Tenth!”
’Should I feel bad?’ Tsuna wondered, and felt suddenly very motherly (!?) of all things. Gokudera’s eyes widened as his boss smiled in a way that made his heart skip a beat, and ruffled his hair fondly. He felt warm and loved - something he hadn’t felt ever since his mother had passed away.
“Can I call you Hayato-kun?” Tsuna asked.
“Of course!” Gokudera exclaimed. “It’d be an honour!”
’When he’s smiling like that, how can I think of him as scary?’ Tsuna thought. “Say, Hayato, Reborn told me that you use only bombs to fight. Why?” he asked then “Can you tell me about why you choose bombs over knives or any other weapon? What sort of bombs do you use? I just want to know you more.”
“A-alright,” Gokudera said, his heart beating rapidly. This was the first time anyone had asked him that question, and it made him wonder whether anyone else beside his new boss even cared. “Actually, in the beginning I was interested in knife-throwing. Aiming and hitting from a long distance has always brought me a certain level of satisfaction.”
“So what made you switch from knives to bombs?” Tsuna asked curiously.
“It felt like something was missing,” the silver-haired boy sighed. “As soon as I knew that the knife would hit the target, I lost interest in it. There was nothing that would happen after it hit the target. But bombs and dynamites… when I throw one, I can watch it with the knowledge that as soon as it’d hit the target, something would happen. That’s why dynamites - they are easy to throw and control - are my favourites. But I like pipe bombs too.”
“Who taught you?”
“I learned on my own. It was easy,” Gokudera said.
“Sure, for a smart guy like you,” Tsuna sighed and glanced at the clock. “It’s lunch-time, let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll make something.”
Sawada Tsunayoshi, in Gokudera’s opinion, was as perfect as a human could be. It scared him a little, since he had thought that only dreams could be perfect.
Apparently, he had thought wrong.
_______________________________________________________________
END CHAPTER 2
A/N:
I really should finish some of the piled-up works, but this has caught my interest for now x)
Author: Pain au Chocolat
Language: English, a sprinkle of Italian and Japanese.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters used in this fiction. Everything belongs to Akira Amano.
Rating & Warnings: NC-17. OOC is a given in this fic. Characters won’t probably act exactly the same way they act in canon, but let’s blame the different circumstances. AU so expect anything. You’ll also be faced with shonen ai, yaoi, gore, violence, insanity, angst, bad humour, lots of recipes and alcohol, not to mention a sprinkle of lyrics, creative cursing, inhumane behaviour and what not. :D You’re reading this at your own responsibility. I refuse to be blamed for burned eyes, horrified parents, traumatized siblings, shocked friends or anything of the like. Tarnish your reputation via your own deeds, thank you. Keep innocent people - such as myself - out of it. I was threatened to write this, you know. I’m totally the victim here. Truly.
Summary:A few months before Reborn appeared in his life, Tsuna got into an accident, that led to him undergoing a heart transplant surgery.
Pairing: Undecided, but personally I’d like a Xanxus x Tsuna…
CHAPTER 2
High School had started few months ago, and nothing seemed to have changed - it was exactly the way Tsuna had imagined. The only positive thing being that Hana had developed some sort of overprotective sister complex and was more than ready verbally slaughter anyone who bullied Tsuna. Sure, he was grateful, but didn’t that make him look even wimpier in Kyoko’s eyes?
Then again, Kyoko was dating Mochida-sempai, wasn’t she? And that guy was King Jerk.
“Tsu-kun!” Nana called, entering her son’s room.
“Yeah?”
“A home tutor is coming today,” she said, and Tsuna gaped.
“What!? Mom, I don’t want a home tutor!!”
“But there was an interesting flyer in the mailbox, see?” Nana beamed, holding up a paper. “Will raise your kid to be the new leader of the next generation. Grade and subject doesn’t matter. Reborn’. Isn’t it great? I’ve never seen a promotion like this before.’
“It smells like a scam! Don’t be fooled!”
“Aah, mama is so happy! Tsu-kun will become a great man, after all.”
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“It’s probably a tutor from a professional business school for young men,” Nana exclaimed. “With charming manners, wearing a suit.”
“Hey, don’t go mixing your dreams and reality!” Tsuna sighed then in a resigned manner. “I’ll go and make dinner. Is the - ”
“Ciaossu.”
“What?” Tsuna startled at the interruption, and his gaze slowly trailed down, till it rested on the person who had spoken. It was a baby, dressed in a black suit, who was staring at them. The girl-part of his soul shrieked at the cuteness, but Tsuna himself just felt a headache coming.
“Whose kid are you?” his mother asked curiously.
“I’m Reborn, the home tutor,” the baby replied, pulling out something that looked suspiciously lot like a gun. “My true line of work is assassination. My real job is to make you a mafia boss,” he said then, looking at Tsuna.
“A mafia boss?” ’I didn’t know that kids this young can be on drugs. What did he smoke before coming here?’
“I was assigned by a certain man to train you to become an astounding mafia boss. The method is up to me,” Reborn said, and Tsuna almost flinched at the sadistic gleam in his eyes.
“Is your head okay?” he finally blurted.
“Should I shoot you once?” the baby responded, and sounded way too eager for Tsuna to be happy about it.
“…” Frankly speaking Tsuna didn’t know how to react. Should he just go with the flow and accept it like his mother seemed to have done? He stared at the baby who kept on staring back. This was wrong on so many levels - since when babies started wearing suits, holding guns and talking like that? - that Tsuna decided to ignore all what’s sensible and focus for what he wanted to do right now.
“You’ll stay for dinner?” he asked, and the baby smiled.
“The contract states that I shall live here until your grades go up,” he said, sharp eyes taking in the unexpected behaviour. From what he had read about the boy, Reborn had expected him to shriek in panic and make a scene. He’d need some time to decide whether this was for the better or not. Because apathy - or denial - was nothing to be desired either.
“Nothing will lift my grades up,” the boy replied miserably, and shuffled to the kitchen. “You’re stuck here forever. Anyway, cellophane noodles with yellow bean sauce, anyone?”
“Sounds good,” Nana chirped. “Meanwhile I’ll prepare a bed for Reborn-kun!”
“In Tsuna’s room, if possible,” the baby instructed, and Tsuna shuddered. Being a baby-sitter hadn’t been a part of his plans. Then again, said plans included mostly going to the hospital and talking with Hana, anyway.
’I’ll need to ask mom’s help in keeping my hospital-visits a secret from Reborn. Little kids don’t need to know about scary stuff yet,’ he thought. ’Even if they’re crazy.’
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Tsuna exclaimed, and pointed at Reborn accusingly, as the two walked towards Namimori High School. “Why are you following me? Don’t you have to go to grade school?”
“Assassins don’t go to grade school,” was the calm response.
“Quite the assassin act already,” Tsuna muttered, before his eyes widened. ’My Kyoko-senses are tingling!’ In a flash he was behind the corner, watching from safety how Sasagawa Kyoko walked closer, before stopping next to Reborn.
“How cute!” she squealed, kneeling down, and a part of Tsuna agreed with her. For that he blamed his woman’s heart he had. It seems that not only had Sayoko been addicted to cocktails, but also had had a soft spot for kids and anything cute.
“Ciaossu,” the baby smirked.
“Why are you wearing a suit?” Kyoko asked pleasantly, with a cute smile.
“Because I’m in the mafia,” Reborn responded simply, and Tsuna sweat-dropped. That kid was sure into the mafia-game, huh?
“Waaah! How cool!” ’No, Kyoko-chan. There’s nothing cool in that.’ Tsuna thought as he watched the girl stand up and leave after waving to Reborn. With a sigh, Tsuna re-emerged from behind the corner.
“You have a crush on that girl, don’t you, Tsuna?” Reborn asked.
“EEH!? How’d you know!?” the brunet shrieked.
“I’ve mastered the art of mind reading,” the baby replied with a smug smirk, eyes full of mischief. “Have you told her yet?”
“Heck no,” Tsuna deadpanned. “Sasagawa Kyoko is our school’s idol. I’m not even in her league.”
“That loser complex is amazing.”
“At least something is,” Tsuna muttered, before turning to walk towards the school again. “Go home. Mom’s there and she’ll take care of you.”
“It’s finally the time, I see,” Reborn muttered. “Go die.”
“What?” Tsuna stared at the gun that was being pointed at him with an alarmed expression. “That’s a toy… right?”
“Go die once.”
“Stop mocking me already! I don’t see the point in getting me killed!” ’Sure, he’s as adorable as a baby can be… but damn it he’s ten times as annoying!’
“You know when you die,” Reborn said, and fired. With wide eyes, Tsuna fell, realizing that this kid was for real - no matter how much it defied reason and logic and order in this world. And while dying, he regretted.
’I’m going to die,’ he thought. ’I’m parting with the world now. What a waste… I’m sorry, Sayoko, Mr. and Mrs. Oda. I’m sorry, mom, Dr. Kurokawa, Hana… your support was important… If I had the will of the dying I probably could have… thanked Sayoko… at least once.’ Reborn narrowed his eyes when the reaction he got wasn’t what he had expected. Instead of rushing half-naked after Sasagawa Kyoko to confess his feelings, Tsuna - still half-naked though - turned and ran with unexpected speed to a direction opposite to the school.
“…” Reborn contemplated following him, if only to satisfy his curiosity, but then he shrugged uncaringly. It couldn’t have been anything too important after all. Maybe a confession to someone else? Or something that he regretted so deeply that it overshadowed even his initial regret of not being open regarding his feelings towards that girl?
Regardless, Tsuna wasn’t quite what Reborn had expected. Sure, the boy was a wimpy coward with serious self-esteem problems, but there was something… something off with him. Something that made tutoring him become much more interesting than Reborn had anticipated.
Now, Tsuna’s life placed in the passenger seat with death will surely be a great source of entertainment.
“The mafia boss… a leader who rules a criminal organization,” Tsuna read aloud. “Able to move a number of trusted members with one hand. Willing to risk even his life for the family. Surrounded by the respect and admiration of all. Seen as a hero by the children of the slums…. Reborn, why am I reading this?”
“Read it every morning,” the baby replied. “Because you are the guy who’ll become the 10th generation boss.”
“Haven’t I been telling you no!?” Tsuna exclaimed. “There’s no way I’m going to be a mafia boss!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it on my own,” Reborn smirked, loading a gun.
“I’m very, very worried,” the brunet muttered, shoving the book aside. “I need to go to school.”
“Don’t be late,” Reborn said with a smug little smile, and Tsuna already could feel the dread settling in. Something bad was up. Definitely. So, what was out of the ordinary?
“We have a new transfer student,” the teacher said, and Tsuna looked at the ominous guy. ’Creepy and scary. Uh-uh, I’m staying out of that guy’s way. Definitely.’
“Gokudera Hayato has been studying overseas in Italy.”
’And he doesn’t look too happy about being here,’ Tsuna thought. ’And from the chatter I’m hearing, I can guess that girls are into that type.’ he glanced at where Kyoko was sitting, only to see Hana smirking at him.
“Demon,” Tsuna mouthed silently, and the girl muffled a cackle. She then pointed back at the transfer student, and Tsuna glanced at the silver-haired guy.
’HIEEEE!!!’ he shrieked inwardly. ’He’s glaring at me!! Why is he glaring at me!? Oh my God someone… eeeek!!’ The guy had ignored teacher’s attempt at showing him his seat, and promptly walked towards Tsuna, kicking the table. The effeminate brunet could feel his soul leaving his body, as his eyes met the cold grey ones.
“You know him, Tsuna?” someone whispered.
“N-no,” Tsuna replied.
“He seems like a gangster,” another guy muttered, and Tsuna had mixed emotions about that. Yes, definitely he seemed like a gangster of sorts, but he was living with a mafioso, and compared to Reborn… well, this guy was snack. After the class Tsuna wandered the halls alone, trying to make sure that he wouldn’t encounter the transfer student.
’What’s wrong with that guy anyway?’ he thought bitterly. Whistling to himself, Tsuna walked aimlessly, until he realized that his location - outside, behind the school - wasn’t perhaps the best possible one.
“What an eyesore,” a venomous voice hissed, and the brunet screamed like a girl inwardly.
“You’re the transfer student,” Tsuna cringed. “Excuse my life, I’ll be going now…”
“If a girly coward like you becomes the 10th boss, the Vongola Family is finished.”
’Oh devil’s balls on a stick,’ Tsuna thought miserably. “How do you know about the family?” he asked.
“I refuse to accept it,” the taller of the two growled. “I’m the one who’s fit to be the 10th! You’re a nuisance, and you should dire right here.” Tsuna really, really, really wanted to advice the guy to go to some anger management counselling, but when faced with freaking too-real-to-be-anything-good dynamites, he couldn’t quite focus on forming a witty response.
“Ciaoussu,” a familiar annoying voice interrupted the two, and for the first time Tsuna felt relief at seeing the baby.
“Reborn!”
“You came earlier than I expected, Gokudera Hayato,” the hitman said, apparently ignoring Tsuna completely.
’They know each other?’ the boy wondered, before shuddering. ’Any more psychos going to jump outta the bushes to mess my life even more? God, why? What was my crime?’
“This guy is a member of the family that I called over from Italy,” Reborn explained. “It’s my first time meeting him as well, though.”
“So you’re the Ninth’s highly trusted assassin,” Gokudera said. “Reborn. You’re not kidding about me becoming a candidate successor if I kill Sawada, right?”
“Yeah, sure, that’s right. Let’s continue with the killing,” the baby said nonchalantly.
’That little… I’m too tired to deal with this. Dr. Kurokawa said to avoid stressful situations, so if I’m going to die anyway, might as well keel over calmly.’ With a pensive expression, Tsuna watched how the silver-haired guy lighted a handful of dynamites, before throwing them at him.
“It’s said that Gokudera Hayato is a human explosive device that conceals dynamite all over his body,” Reborn told him. “His other name is Smoking Bomb Hayato.”
“That’s even worse,” Tsuna groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding! I planned on making stuffed cannelonni today - my first Italian dish! I can’t die before trying it!”
“Tempting,” Reborn smiled. “You better stay alive, then. Fight, Dame-Tsuna.”
’That Satan’s spawn!’ Tsuna screamed inwardly, dodging the dynamites.
“Fight with a dying will,” Reborn said, and fired his damned gun again.
Tsuna had a lot of regrets, but right now, what was on his mind was defusing the dynamites. And so he did. The feminine part of his heart and soul - the one that cared about appearances - was relieved that the boxers he had chosen were basic black ones instead of the blue ones with stars on them.
’Thank God for small miracles,’ the coherent part of his mind screamed, and vowed to pay special attention regarding what sort of boxers he’d wear from now on.
And so, before he noticed, the transfer student was for some reason bowing to him with a face that was nothing short of adoring, which creeped Tsuna out even more so than the glares.
“Tenth! I’ll follow you! Command me to do anything!”
’Someone please explain this person’s logic to me.’
“Having the loser serve under the winner is a family rule,” Reborn said. “Gokudera became your subordinate because of your strength. Well done, Tsuna.”
“Hey, wait just a second!”
“Actually I really didn’t have ambitions to become the 10th,” Gokudera explained, looking like a wounded puppy.
’Just moments ago he wanted to kill me,’ Tsuna reminded himself. ’Calling him cute and patting his head now would be stupid. He’d bite my hand off.’
“It’s just that when I heart that the Tenth is a Japanese guy the same age as me, I felt that I had to test his strength. But you’re much more than I expected! For putting yourself on the line to save me, I’ll place my life in your hands!”
“That’s troubling,” Tsuna exclaimed. “Let’s just be normal classmates!”
“Absolutely not,” Gokudera deadpanned.
’First Hana and then this guy… can I get normal, kind and sweet friends? Why do the scary ones gravitate towards me more naturally?’
“Oh no, oh no,” an obnoxious voice said. “Cutting class? This requires some punishment. You’re only allowed to cut class starting senior year.” Tsuna turned to see three of the seniors, none of which looking too friendly.
“Hey, isn’t that pretty-boy Sawada?” one of them said, and laughed. “I wonder if he’s like a girl in every aspect.” Tsuna flushed deep red, feeling upset. He couldn’t help being not as masculine as the boys his age! It was because of his medication! And no matter what the other said, no matter how much they mocked… he’d rather look like a girl than drop dead.
“How many front teeth do you want broken?” the third senior asked.
“Leave it to me, Tenth,” Gokudera said, emitting a murderous aura. “I’ll get rid of them.”
“No, wait, hold on!” Tsuna whimpered, but nobody listened.
“Congratulations, Tsuna,” Reborn smirked. “If he kills them it’ll be counted as your first order for death.”
“Keep that sort of information to yourself!” the boy shrieked, and tensed when someone grabbed his arm.
“What the Hell are you doing?” a familiar voice asked, and the brunet relaxed again.
“Eh… Hana. I lost my clothes.”
“That much is obvious,” the girl muttered. “I assume you were beaten and they were stolen. Tch. Bastards. Do you have any spare clothes?”
“No,” the boy sighed, and felt alarmed when a smirk adorned Hana’s lips, and her eyes gleamed. “Tell your friend to wait here. You two might as well go home.”
Gokudera watched with furrowed brows as the Tenth told him to wait while he’d get dressed, and then left with a girl. That gave the half-Italian boy a few minutes to think. Sawada Tsunayoshi hadn’t quite been what he had expected, actually the opposite. No one had mentioned that he’d be so pretty - what came to mind at his sight was definitely not that he would be the tenth boss of the Vongola Famiglia.
’As expected of the tenth. He deceives his enemies to underestimate him,’ Gokudera thought with admiration. ’He is, indeed, the man best fit to become the boss.’ Even if he was…
“T-tenth… why are you wearing a skirt?”
“Please don’t ask,” the brunet replied with a blush, and the long-haired girl was howling with laughter. “Let’s just go home.”
“Y-yes!” Gokudera had had his own expectations regarding the tenth’s house… would it be the Japanese yakuza-styled or like the Italian mafia castles tended to be? He could only gape in astonishment as his skirt-wearing boss entered a normal two-story house that looked as ordinary as any other.
“I’m home!” Tsuna called, before turning to Gokudera. “You can leave your shoes here. I’ll go change my clothes and then prepare something for you to eat, I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Er…”
So, his boss not only was pretty, but could also cook? What next?
“Oh yeah, and take your shirt off. It has a tear, right? Let me sew it, I’m quite good at sewing…”
It was a Thursday morning when Tsuna finally caved into the desires Sayoko’s heart had implanted in him, and made a cocktail for himself. 1940s Apricot Cooler was simple enough to make.
“Into 12 ounce glass put powdered sugar and 2 ounces carbonated water,” he muttered, instinctively knowing what to do. He stirred before filling the glass with cracked ice and adding apricot brandy. He then added ginger ale he had taken from the stash they had hidden in the house for some reason, and inserted spiral of orange peel to dangle at the rim of the glass.
“Delicious,” Tsuna muttered and took another one. And then another… four. By the time he left to go to school, he was giddy and very random regarding what he said and did, and both Gokudera and Reborn were rather put off by his behaviour, since neither had a clue of what had happened. But it didn’t take long for the baby to figure it out.
“Dame-Tsuna, are you drunk?” he asked as soon as Gokudera had left the two for a few moments. Tsuna smiled.
“I just took some cocktails,” the brunet sighed. “Besides I didn’t take much…”
“You better sober up,” Reborn said, highly amused by what he had learned, and was thinking already of ways to use the information against his pupil. “Or I’ll shoot you.”
“Sure, sure.”
“I’ll shoot you anyway. With normal bullets.”
’Devil!’ Tsuna screamed inwardly, dodging the bullets. ’But that means that as long as I stay relatively sober, he won’t protest against the cocktails. Which is good.’ The happiness he felt lasted for the whole day… well, till the P.E. at least.
“Are we done choosing teams?”
“Just one left.”
“I’m saying you can have Dame-Tsuna on your team,” someone from team A said.
“No way, we don’t want to lose!” was the immediate response. Gokudera had gone to re-supply his dynamite, so Tsuna had thought that he’d finally get a moment of peace. Apparently that was too much to ask.
“Isn’t it alright?” a new voice suddenly said. “Jus join our team!”
“Are you sure, Yamamoto? You don’t have to let that loser in.”
“Don’t be so stingy. I just have to keep them from hitting, right?”
“Well… if Yamamoto is saying so…”
’That’s the first time I have been accepted into a team,’ Tsuna thought. ’And it’s from the freshman who’s the baseball team’s starter and has everyone’s full trust and respect.’ The brunet had a feeling of dread, and he desperately wished for another cocktail. Especially after watching how all of Yamamoto’s fans screamed from the sidelines.
’We still lost,’ Tsuna thought,
“Loser! It’s your fault, Dame-Tsuna!”
’Yeah, now. Blame me.’
“That’s why I didn’t want him in the team! Sweep the field by yourself!”
’That sounds like an excuse. I bet you guys are just too lazy to do it yourself.’
“You should be transferred to girls’ team instead! You damn well look like one!”
’Hey, now, isn’t that a bit too low? Bastards,’ Tsuna thought bitterly, as he stood alone, pondering whether getting beaten tomorrow was worth skipping today.
“Help has arrived!” a cheerful voice said and the brunet turned to see Yamamoto walking towards him.
“Sorry,” Tsuna sighed. “It’s my entire fault. Just when you let me in the team…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yamamoto laughed. “It’s only P.E. after all.”
’Yes, well, my sentiments exactly,’ Tsuna thought. ’But I’d get my face smashed in if I said it aloud.’ “But you’re so good at baseball.”
“Well,” the taller boy said dully. “It’s all I know. And even that isn’t going too well nowadays. No matter how much I practice, my average is dropping and my fielding is screwing up. At this rate, it’ll be the first time I don’t start since I began playing baseball.”
’Oh, that sort of troubles.’
“Tsuna… what should I do?”
“You’re asking me!?” the boy shrieked. “Maybe more effort is just all what you need.”
“That’s what I thought too!” Yamamoto exclaimed. “We agree! Today I’m remaining here and practicing like hell!”
’I have a bad feeling about this,’ Tsuna thought, but smiled anyway. “Yep, just don’t overwork yourself.” Usually after that sort of advice, the confused part just listens and does not go overboard. But Tsuna should have known that nothing goes as he has planned - ever. So when he found himself watching with disbelief as Yamamoto tried to express himself in self-destructive manner by deciding to commit suicide via jumping off the school’s roof, he just wished he could get drunk on cocktails and ignore reality.
“Hey Yamamoto, this isn’t funny!” someone was saying. “You’re taking it too far!”
“Heh, sorry, but that’s not true,” the tall boy replied. “After the baseball god threw me away, I have nothing left.”
’Baseball God? Just what the heck is this guy’s religion again?’ Tsuna thought, observing the situation from a safe distance. He was happy with the distance - he didn’t want to get involved. And naturally, Reborn came and kicked him to stand right where he most certainly did not want to be right now at that moment.
“If you came to stop me, it’s no use,” Yamamoto told him. “You should be able to understand my feelings.”
’What? I’m not suicidal! I might get killed but I don’t want to!’ Tsuna thought. “No, actually, I never thought that jumping off the school’s rooftop would be a way to solve my problems,” he said, and tensed as Yamamoto scowled. So he hurried to explain.
“It’s not that I’m insulting you, on the contrary! You see, I’m no-good. Unlike you, I have never put effort into one single thing. I arrogantly told you about effort even though I have done nothing. Saying you’re frustrated, that you want to die or you want to die because of a career ending accident… unlike you, I have never had those kind of intense thoughts. I’m just a pathetic person who would have regrets when dying. Thinking that it’d be a waste to die from something like this.”
“…”
“So… er… hope to see you later on alive!” Tsuna turned to leave, but Yamamoto grabbed his arm.
“Wait!” Unfortunately the brunet slipped, and hit the fence that gave in. Screams of horror from the observers did nothing to help Tsuna’s mood, who really wished he had taken at least a Pina Colada before coming to school that day. What followed seemed to happen in slow motion, as he fell past the window of their classroom, where Reborn was standing.
’Nonononono…’ Tsuna whimpered, knowing what was going to happen. Reborn smiled mischievously, and fired.
Many thoughts crossed through Tsuna’s mind as he defied gravity and laws of speed and time by managing to save Yamamoto and lose his own clothes in the process, as well as magically bouncing to safety. He regretted not drinking that Pina Colada he had wanted. He regretted not getting kissed even once, not going to a single date, not thanking Hana for her support… and also for being the reason why Yamamoto had become suicidal in the first place.
When they sat on the ground, Tsuna still half-naked and having a mental breakdown, Yamamoto stared at the feminine boy with a wondering expression. It was amazing how nice Tsuna was being, and Yamamoto almost gaped when the boy turned and asked if he was alright.
“You’re amazing,” were the first words Yamamoto got out. “You saved my life. Just like you said, if I want to achieve something, I must do so with a dying will.”
’Oh dear Lord of Cocktails, I have turned him into a freak,’ Tsuna thought, before patting Yamamoto’s head.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” the baseball player then laughed. “Nothing good comes from my idiocy.”
“Life is a precious thing,” Tsuna said bitterly, too aware of its fragility. “Don’t treat it lightly.” Not far away, Reborn smirked smugly.
’Family acquired.’
It was a lovely Sunday morning, and Tsuna was lounging happily on the couch in the living room, knitting a sweater. A glass of Mojito Classic with ice was on the table nearby, and the boy was glad he could drink his cocktails without his mother saying anything - she had said that as long as he wouldn’t get drunk on them, he was free to drink as much as he wanted. Sure, that limited the intake, but Tsuna had no complaints. Getting drunk wasn’t something he wanted - he just enjoyed the drinks.
It was a blessing to have such a ditz for a mother.
Ever since Reborn had appeared, Tsuna had been very careful regarding his hospital visits - for some reason he didn’t want for the others to know about his surgery. Absently the boy put down the knit-work and twirled one of the rather long brown locks between his fingers.
’I should cut it, but for some reason I’m too fond of it… I wonder if it’s yet again another thing I can thank Sayoko for… Ah, that reminds me! I need to visit the grandparents again. I bet that Sakuno-san knows lots of good recipes.’ Hana had teased him and said that he’d make a good wife, and the mere idea had made Tsuna shudder. What a way to kill a man’s ego.
“Tenth!” Gokudera’s voice echoed in the house, and Tsuna sighed inwardly. Regardless, he couldn’t deny the tinge of happiness he got from the knowledge that he had now other friends beside Hana. Quickly the boy gulped down the remaining of Mojito Classic and hid the glass before inviting Gokudera in.
“What brings you here?” he asked, as the two headed to Tsuna’s room.
“As your right-hand man I must be with you at all times!” the half-Italian boy exclaimed. “It’s my duty.” Apparently telling him that there was no reason that Tsuna would even need a right-hand man was useless. Regardless, he was happy to have a loyal friend.
’Then again, would he have associated with me had I not been cursed with this mafia-induced fate?’ the brunet thought, before deciding that for the sake of his momentary happiness, he wouldn’t think about that sort of matters.
“Oh yeah, Tenth,” Gokudera suddenly said. “Have you studied for tomorrow’s math test?”
Or that sort of matters.
“Well, Gokudera-kun,” the brunet muttered. “I don’t want to shock anyone by getting a good grade.”
“Eh?”
“Er… I mean, I prefer if they underestimated me, you know,” he lied with a smile, and the half-Italian boy’s eyes lit up with admiration.
“A wise decision, Tenth!” he exclaimed. “To be underestimated by the enemy for the sake of catching them off-guard later.”
“Yeah. That’s exactly my plan. So let’s return to the matter right before the finals.”
“As expected of you, Tenth!”
’Should I feel bad?’ Tsuna wondered, and felt suddenly very motherly (!?) of all things. Gokudera’s eyes widened as his boss smiled in a way that made his heart skip a beat, and ruffled his hair fondly. He felt warm and loved - something he hadn’t felt ever since his mother had passed away.
“Can I call you Hayato-kun?” Tsuna asked.
“Of course!” Gokudera exclaimed. “It’d be an honour!”
’When he’s smiling like that, how can I think of him as scary?’ Tsuna thought. “Say, Hayato, Reborn told me that you use only bombs to fight. Why?” he asked then “Can you tell me about why you choose bombs over knives or any other weapon? What sort of bombs do you use? I just want to know you more.”
“A-alright,” Gokudera said, his heart beating rapidly. This was the first time anyone had asked him that question, and it made him wonder whether anyone else beside his new boss even cared. “Actually, in the beginning I was interested in knife-throwing. Aiming and hitting from a long distance has always brought me a certain level of satisfaction.”
“So what made you switch from knives to bombs?” Tsuna asked curiously.
“It felt like something was missing,” the silver-haired boy sighed. “As soon as I knew that the knife would hit the target, I lost interest in it. There was nothing that would happen after it hit the target. But bombs and dynamites… when I throw one, I can watch it with the knowledge that as soon as it’d hit the target, something would happen. That’s why dynamites - they are easy to throw and control - are my favourites. But I like pipe bombs too.”
“Who taught you?”
“I learned on my own. It was easy,” Gokudera said.
“Sure, for a smart guy like you,” Tsuna sighed and glanced at the clock. “It’s lunch-time, let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll make something.”
Sawada Tsunayoshi, in Gokudera’s opinion, was as perfect as a human could be. It scared him a little, since he had thought that only dreams could be perfect.
Apparently, he had thought wrong.
_______________________________________________________________
END CHAPTER 2
A/N:
I really should finish some of the piled-up works, but this has caught my interest for now x)