Hi guys, looks like another long chapter.

I won't keep you guys waiting but thanks so much for the reviews on the last one :)

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR.

"Hello Master Reborn," greeted the last person the hitman expected in his room after a full day of keeping Nana distracted.

A fox was sitting comfortably in his armchair, drinking his coffee made by his coffee maker. No one touched his coffee. Faster than a cobra, the cup in the fox's hand shattered to pieces, leaving him with nothing but the handle. Reborn tilted his fedora up with his gun, his black eyes glinting viciously.

"What are you doing here?" Reborn asked.

The fox laid the remnant of the cup back on the table. "Please don't shoot the messenger."

"Mia isn't here."

"I know," the fox replied and stood up. His clothes were dirtied and there was a bruise on his arm. His movements were stiff and Reborn noted he favored his right leg. Despite being hurt and weary of the hitman, he maintained a dignified stance. Reborn had to give it to the Order, they chose their agents well.

"Make it quick, I've got work to do," Reborn said briskly.

"The girl was given her first task."

The hitman resisted chasing him out the room. "You people have shit timing."

The brat smiled wryly. "On the contrary, we're right on time. Heard that the Vongola has been having a hard time dealing with a few small Famiglias lately."

As one of the oldest Famiglias in the world, the Vongola's reputation and might was renowned far and wide. To have it challenged by measly small families and not get caught was the worst of insults and this brat had the balls to call on that. Reborn's silence was crushing. The question, 'who else knows?' hanging in the air.

"Don't worry, the Vongola manages a good appearance," the fox said, appeasing his thirst for blood. "When I went to deliver the girl's first order, they ran into a bit of trouble with a hit group. I had orders to assist her with hers so I went to do some digging and ran into a few things you might be interested in. Might I have a few more minutes of your time?"

Reborn never got along well with his kind. Men who stuck to the shadows, living in plain sight that whispered of poison coated heavily with honey. You never know when they'll stab you behind the back. Still, there was some use to working with them and with the way they were right now, CEDEF was running around in circles. Reborn's own network was silent.

"Ten minutes," Reborn granted but didn't lower his gun. "So, what have you got for me? Regardless of who you people are, Mia is still my student. If you sent her out on some ridiculous errand without my approval and she gets hurt, I'll send you back in a shoe box."

The fox's expression crumbled a bit and Reborn was satisfied to see fear through the cracks.

Reborn thought having the Order nearby would be useful. He had originally spared the fox based on that belief. The brat standing before him was able to scout the Varia in less than two hours, their exact numbers, their positions and was able to save Mia too when they kidnapped her from right under their noses. They had ways or collecting intel unbeknownst to them. Since they were interested in Mia, if she could have that same access - her place in the Mafia would be irrefutable. Tsuna would have a network available to him if his other connections failed. Reborn wasn't an idiot, strength was good but knowledge was power.

However Reborn wasn't willing to have his student pay the price with her life for that. He may not be as fast as them in gathering information, but he never failed in a hunt before.

The fox pulled a little leather notebook out from his pocket. "Right so I have an initial list of families. There's six of them. There might be more but as you know, a hit was put out in the black market months ago for the head of Vongola Decimo. Record keeping-wise, there's nothing on the books of who made the request and where the money came from."

Already his interest was piqued. Six?

"So what's off the books?" the hitman asked, curious.

Green eyes never lifted from the page. "Timelines," he replied. "Here's your first sample." He ripped a page off and placed it on the table. Reborn hopped on and picked it up.

"So?" Illegal gambling, prostitution rings, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, embezzlement, and extortion. It was a list Reborn was fully aware of.

"If you look up six months ago, you'd notice a spike in missing persons, businesses getting shut down and a rise in crime." He pulled out a map from his other pocket and unfolded it. "The odd part? Its contained within a month in certain areas. Crime shoots up, but not enough to draw too much attention to themselves. So all that crime, happens in a month. Then it goes down. The money? It goes in the hit in installments."

"That still doesn't explain how you singled out six families," Reborn says as he took the map from him.

The fox's smirk was shit-eating. "They make all that money and they don't even spend a single Euro on themselves."

On the map, Reborn recognized five territories marked in red circles from the North, where the Vongola kept neutral with. Except for the Carcassa, the other names of the families alluded him. They were small but he knew enough that they weren't part of the Alliance.

Crime rose and fell in the succeeding months after the hit was posted. Small families getting it over their heads with power was common but the fox was right, it was unusual for them not to use the money to invest or for themselves.

Reborn hated it, but it ran along nicely with what was happening in Namimori for the past several months. "The sixth I'm guessing are Yakuza?" Reborn wondered out loud. "Normally they wouldn't dare to attempt this but they must be desperate."

"As expected of the world's greatest hitman!" You better keep that sarcasm in check punk, I already get enough from Mia. Reborn thought and the fox winced, as if he heard his thoughts.

The picture was coming together and Reborn can finally see a target in the distance. Finding the names of the famiglias were easy enough but the hitman could still sense that the fox was hiding more from him. The where and how have been answered, all that's left was the why?

The fox shifted his weight. Reborn didn't miss the grimace that flashed on his face. The brat sighed. "And that's how much I'm willing to bargain Master Reborn."

With this, it should be enough. He didn't need to bargain with the Order anymore for this but if he left things be, someone else might come along and fund the hit again. He needed to know why so they could end it once and for all. The info was too good to let go.

Had it been Iemitsu, he would have passed this, his pride unable to bear another intelligence gathering group have the one-up on CEDEF.

"What do you want?" Reborn asked.

"I want the miss to reach her destination, without further hassle, and fulfill her order," he says without a shred of hesitation.

"I thought the Order didn't meddle often with affairs as long as history runs it's course?"

The fox paused but Reborn could see the speed of his thoughts through his eyes.

"The miss was sent to retrieve an item in one of the Order's oldest vaults," he replied slowly and carefully.

"Where is it?"

"Livorno."

Ah, now he sees it. "You people are pretty cruel huh?" Reborn murmured, his old cold heart twinging with sympathy. Leon, sensing his brief lapse of emotion, transformed back and crawled to his shoulder. He'd thrash his students within each and every inch of their life but -

"Blackthorn," the fox started. "Its old name was the origin of the word 'strife'. Members are not chosen by their skills alone but how they overcome it. History wasn't made by the weak hearts and neither are we. If all is well, she'll live."

And hopefully not broken. Mia was strong in mind but with her father, Tsuna's hit and the monastery... Well, it was no use worrying it. Mia had plenty of reason to break but she had just as much not to.

His students were off on a lesson of a lifetime and as their tutor, it was his duty to guide them. Reborn had promised Tsuna the Tenth Generation wouldn't need to have a hand in this and he had no intention on making it harder than it already is. He looked up. The fox was looking pale and sweat was glistening on his brow. He'd give him that at least, he could take a beating.

"Alright," Reborn said. "Sit down and tell me the rest before you pass out."

"Heh." The fox slowly sat down. "This next part, you're not gonna like."

Reborn poured himself a cup of coffee. Alright, he managed to brew it right at least.

"That's fine," Reborn said. "Whoever is responsible for this crap is going to have a bad time when I'm through with them."

It was the burning in his shoulder that stirred him from the darkness. It hurt. Why was he hurting?

"Don't move," he heard a voice say. Something touched his face, warm and comforting.

"Mi...a?" he croaked out.

"I'm here." Her breath smelled like licorice. "We're not too far Tsuna. Just hold on for a little longer."

He forced his eyes to open but even that proved too much from him. The van jumped as they ran a speed bump and he doubled in himself as white searing pain flashed through his eyes.

"Wh-What happened?" he gasped. Tsuna forced himself again to get one eye open and saw his friend's faces staring back at him. Worry deeply lined their faces, Hayato had lost his flannel and Mia had a bandage around her head.

"Tsuna you got shot," Takeshi said, dismayed.

How? He moved his head and saw where Hayato's flannel went. His shoulder was bundled tight. Without meaning to, his right hand moved, to check it but slim fingers laced with his. "Tsuna please," Mia pleaded, her eyes glistening like sapphires. "Don't move anymore okay? We just got you to stop bleeding."

Tsuna felt bad immediately. He hated it when she cried.

"... Okay," he murmured, curling his fingers around hers. "Don't cry Mia, you're too pretty for that."

"Zitto you moron," she cried against his hand. "You do that to me again and I won't make you lunch for a year!"

That was bad. But the darkness at the edge of his vision was even more... bad. "W-Where - hospital?"

"No Tenth," Hayato replied, stressed. He was wearing just a black tank top. "We can't go to a hospital."

Mia pressed her lips against his hand. "Home," she said. "We're going to my home. So stay with me okay? Don't go back to sleep, we're almost there."

Home? What did she mean? Wasn't Namimori her home? The question never left his lips as they passed another street light when he caught sight of it. His hand was stained with blood and so was hers. It all came rushing back. The earsplitting bang, the pain blooming in his shoulder like someone drove a drill in it and a body. A body robbed off life, bleeding on the floor with a hole in its face.

"Ts-Tsuna?" Mia held his hand tighter, frightened as his breathing sped up.

"Sawada, you got to calm down!"

"Tenth you'll hurt yourself!"

"Tsuna-nii!" Lambo wailed.

He jerked his hand back from hers and instantly regretted it. Hurt, Mia reluctantly withdrew from him but soon that hardened into something else.

The van suddenly stopped and the door roughly slid open. "Everyone out," Nicolas ordered. "Get him inside quickly!"

Mia was the first to hop out. Tsuna knew, in his pain-wrecked state, that she was pissed at him. He didn't think on it long as Takeshi up and hauled him out bridal style. He shut his eyes as white fire seared into his vision. He gripped his friend tightly as a hiss escaped his lips.

"I'm sorry Tsuna," Takeshi said, flustered.

"The bullet is still inside, be careful!" Hayato chided from somewhere beside him.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Takeshi couldn't stop apologizing.

"I-It's fine," Tsuna said through gritted teeth.

"Here!" He heard Mia call.

There was too much to process. He could hear voices. Nicolas was speaking with someone in hush urgent whispers and someone was crying. Lambo?

"Bring him upstairs!"

Takeshi carried him in, up the stairs and into a room. He set him down on something soft and Tsuna opened his eyes again. He was in a small room, on a bed tucked in a corner with thick but rough covers.

"Chrome, can you bring me some water please? Some soap would be great too."

"Right away!"

Mia eased into his vision again. Blood stained her hand and clothes. Before he could slip back into shock, Mia grabbed his face, determined.

"M-Mia..."

"Shut up," she snapped. "I'm going to patch you up okay? This is going to hurt like a bitch."

Confusion showed on his face and her expression softened by a fraction. "The bullet is still inside," she explained patiently. "We don't have anesthesia or anything for the pain. You've lost a bit of blood and... I'm sorry Tsuna but I need you to stay awake for this."

"Oh," he swallowed. He distantly wondered how much blood was a 'bit'. "Who's... going to...?"

"Me." She stood up as Chrome came back to the room, carrying a pitcher and a basin. She set it down a table near him. Right behind her heels, Hayato came in with a small bag.

"My lady - " she stopped him from coming in.

"Hands, both of you," she ordered them then shook her head. "Chrome you're shaking too much, go downstairs. Look after Lambo. Hayato..."

"I can help, please let me help my Lady!" Hayato pleaded with her desperately as Chrome nearly fled the room.

Mia glanced back at him and saw him panicking. "Can you keep quiet?" she asked him. "Don't say a word at all. Can you do that Hayato?"

"Yes."

She quickly washed her hands with the soap and water Chrome brought. "Close the door and wash your hands. Bring the bag with you." The smell of rubbing alcohol filled his nostrils and his head cleared a bit.

Mia came to stand before him again and leaned down to his eye level. Her face was set and despite the panic that was threatening to overwhelm him, she remained calm. Even with the tell-tale dried tear tracks on her cheeks, she looked fierce, unyielding and beautiful. Just looking at her made the tightness in his chest release a bit and he could breathe a little better.

"Do you trust me Tsuna?" she asked him.

The question threw him off, surprised that she even asked him. "Of course I do," he replied softly.

She kissed him, long and hard. He could taste salt and metal on her lips. "Stay strong for me gatton, and bite on this will you?" She offered him a belt. It looked like it was Hayato's.

What? Tsuna stared at her, wondering if she was serious but it dawned on him that it was going to really hurt. He swallowed and let her gag him. "Looking good," she joked as she removed their makeshift bandaging. Despite the new wave of pain that felt like a thousand fish hooks digging into his flesh, Tsuna chuckled even if it was strained.

Blood flowed freely from his wound now but Mia moved fast. Rather than taking off his shirt, she grabbed a pair of scissors and cut his shirt open. He wanted to make a joke, something to ease his nerves. Tease her maybe but he was gagged.

He flinched when Hayato braced him from behind, his hands trembling. Any second now she was going to start digging in his shoulder. It terrified him but at the same time, he was glad it was Mia doing it with her clear mind and steady hands. Tsuna didn't think he could have stayed calm otherwise.

"Deep breaths," Mia reminded Hayato. "I need you to stay focused Hayato. I won't have you blaming yourself right now."

"Yes my Lady," Hayato said and his grip became firmer.

Mia gently wiped off the blood from his shoulder. "Make sure he doesn't slouch." Hayato eased him back. She then locked eyes with Tsuna. "Try your best not to move too much okay?"

He jerked his head to a nod, his breathing heavy. When a pair of long sanitized pliers showed up, he nearly fainted but when she started her work, it took him everything he had not to throw both of them off. Tsuna bit hard into the belt, his scream stuck in his throat. The covers bunched beneath his hands. It was pain unlike anything he he had ever felt before.

He had been beaten, burned and had his bones broken but never on a level like this as if he was being stabbed repeatedly by a hot iron poker.

He jerked to the side when Mia touched a particular nerve. Hayato bore down on him, holding him in place, his fingertips digging into his skin. He would wake up with bruises for sure but he didn't care.

Over the sound of his muffled screaming, Mia was talking. Something about why she needed to get it out. Through the blood, sweat and tears blinding him, her expression was detached, as if there was nothing but her work in front of her. It contrasted with the soft tone she was using while she talked. He couldn't understand most of what she was saying but he clung to her voice like a lifeline.

"Bear with it," Mia said, her voice suddenly taking on a hard edge. "Just a little bit..."

It felt like hours of continuous digging. Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, he felt it. The final tug and suddenly it was out. In between the blood-soaked pliers, was a small chink of metal. All that pain from that? He wanted to cry. Or he was already crying. The relief was only temporary.

"I'm almost done gatton," Mia says as she she cleaned his wound, dabbing it gently with a bit if soap and water. "And you can talk now Hayato."

"My Lady..." Hayato sounded as hoarse as Tsuna felt. "Where did you learn this?"

Mia continued her work but she replied, "Reborn." Tsuna flinched when she poured some water on it, rinsing his wound. "Bianchi, my uncle and a little bit from a first aid book."

"You don't think stitches are needed?"

"Its a gunshot wound, not a laceration," Mia said as she pressed a pad over it. Tsuna groaned but Mia continued on. "My uncle said it could get infected if we do that and besides, I'm not that good at sewing. As long as he's not bleeding out, he'll be okay."

Satisfied that it was clean she started wrapping his shoulder in thick white gauze after layering several pads on it. When she finished, she pulled back, finally letting her emotions catch up to her as she stood there in disbelief. As if she can't believe she actually did that.

"Hayato," Mia started, her voice rough and tired. "Can you bring some water for Tsuna? To drink."

At the mention of water, Tsuna was suddenly aware of his parched throat, raw from screaming. He spat out the belt, the taste of leather lingering on his teeth. It was ruined now, looking like a dog's chew toy rather than a belt.

As Hayato slid off the bed and went to get some water, Tsuna hunched in himself, his body stiff. The pain hadn't disappeared but it was bearable now. Hayato came back with two glasses in hand. He offered one to Mia and she took it with a quiet murmur of thanks and then handed the other one from him. The glass was cool in his hand and he tried not to drink it all too fast.

His thirst quenched, he handed it back to Hayato, who looked deeply relieved.

"You should get some rest now," Mia told his Storm. "I'll watch over him."

Surprisingly, Hayato agreed to it without a single protest. "Hope you feel better soon Tenth."

Mia went gathering the bloodied clothes and makeshift bandages scattered around the room and tossing them into a hamper. Tsuna watched her with heavy eyelids. He was tired, so tired but somehow he didn't want to give in yet. He sat up straighter when she started to strip most of her own clothes off and quickly looked away. He stared hard at his pants. But that had blood. His or the hitman's, he didn't know. He decided to look at a clean spot on his shoe instead.

"Wha-What the heck Mia?" he says, his throat becoming dry for a whole new reason.

"Don't worry," Mia said. "I'm not completely naked."

The only thing stopping him from looking at her was the clear memory of what happened earlier. His first kill. He felt himself reeling. He killed someone, in front of Mia, in front of Nicolas. Tsuna remembered the look on Mia's face when he nearly killed the fox. How terrified she had been, scared of him. He thought about how Nicolas would completely reject him now, how unfit he was for his daughter. He didn't realize how much Nicolas' approval mattered to him until then. And now... now he had no chance to to earn that. The one person that Mia loved deeply would never acknowledge him, see him as nothing else than a murderer.

Fat, shameful tears started rolling down his cheeks.

Tsuna always knew deep inside his heart that this would happen. That it would be inevitable for him to lose a part of himself to the Mafia and he grieved for it. It felt like another nail in the coffin.

"Oh Tsuna," Mia said, deeply upset as she stepped into his vision, wearing only her shirt inside out.

There was neither fear nor disgust on her face, just sadness that struck him hard. She sat beside him and he couldn't help the whimper that came out. He hurt, he was scared and he felt so pathetic he just wanted nothing more than her hug. She gives it to him, holding him close and careful not to jar his injured shoulder.

He hides in the crook of her neck. "Do you hate me?" he asked, sounding like a child Nicolas has been saying he was all along. He bit his lip.

"Of course I don't," she said gently.

"I'm sorry," he croaked.

Mia angled their faces together so their foreheads were touching. Her right hand lacing and locking with his left. No pain came from her touch. "You saved my life," she said. "You shouldn't be sorry for that."

Tsuna sniffed as tears continued streaming down his face. She was right. If he hadn't moved then, she would have died. He was glad he did and would have done it a hundred times over but the guilt in his heart still gnawed him from the inside. Mia shifted closer, her other hand coming up and gently wiping his tears away.

Mia brushed his bangs away. "You're such a kind person Tsuna."

"I - I'm not like that."

She kissed his cheeks. "Yes you are," she tells him firmly. "No matter what you do in the future, you'll always be that same guy. You'll still be my Tsuna."

A sob escaped from his chest. My Tsuna.

Even now when he had just killed someone and was weeping like a child, she didn't look at him any differently than before. There was nothing but compassion in her blue eyes for him.

"Y-You'll stay with me?" he asked her.

Warmth flooded her features and she kissed his forehead. "I'll be here for as long as you want me."

"Even if I kill someone again?" he whispered.

"Even if you do," Mia says. "I know you better than anyone Tsuna. I know that if you have to, its because you had no other choice. Its not just me who thinks like this, everyone else does too."

"Really?"

"You should trust them a little bit more. They're your Guardians but they are your friends first."

The guilt in his heart lifted slightly. He still wasn't free from it but it was amazing how she made him feel. How easy it was to put all the horrible stuff behind him. He had stumbled, faltered in his walk and she was there again, offering her hand to help him get up.

Mia held him until he calmed before saying, "Let's get you cleaned up before you get to bed," and helped him take his shoes off.

Tsuna shook his head. "I'm tired... can't we just sleep like this?" Now that he said it, his body seemed to have weighed down twice than before.

She frowned at his blood-stained pants. "Please?" he asked her.

"Okay," Mia said with a sigh and pulled the covers back. She flipped the lights off and the room was doused in darkness, their only source of light coming from the moon outside a single window. Tsuna eased himself underneath the covers while Mia crawled to his right. He let her adjust the pillows behind him so he would be comfortable then settled down to sit beside him when something occurred to him.

"Mia..."

"If this is about Pa, save it," she said shortly.

But this wasn't right at all. Nicolas didn't already want her near him.

Her eyes narrowed. "Did he say something Tsuna?"

"No." It must have shown on his face because her eyes flashed dangerously. He never was as good as a liar as Mia was. She stared at him for a while.

Mia had let her hair loose and when she leaned over him, it curtained his face. Moonlight illuminated hers and in them he saw nothing but reassurance. "You're not in trouble. This one is on me."

"But - "

She cut him off with a hungry kiss. He sunk back into the bed, unable to help himself as she weighed down on him. His arm throbbed painfully but compared with what he was feeling as her chest pressed against his, bit by bit he started to ignore it, completely fixated on her lips and the growing awareness that she wasn't wearing a bra to bed again. Her leg brushed against his and he wished he could have taken his pants off earlier or at least changed into something else.

Mia's shirt had ridden up, exposing more skin that he couldn't help but touch. Fingers splayed wide against her bare stomach, she mewed against his mouth. Tsuna wanted to feel more of her, to hear more sounds from her, and unintentionally reached with his left.

Pain struck like lightning. "Urghhk!" He roughly ended the kiss as he held his arm in place.

Mia chuckled ruefully. "You need to rest," she said wistfully.

He wanted to keep on going, especially since she was barely wearing anything, but his left twinged painfully and he knew she was right. He gave up. "Yeah..."

Hearing the clear disappointment in his tone, she laughed and tucked him in before snuggling by his side, her hand over his chest, just right above his heart. She clung to him as if he was going to disappear at any moment. Then, she started to hum that very same song from earlier. He wrapped his good arm around her. Tsuna liked it. It reminded him of their previous summer, how much fun they had. If there was any chance that their summer could still be salvaged, he hoped it would end on a pleasant note like her song did.

It took a while longer for Mia to fall asleep.

After her song ended, she watched Tsuna sleep. The fear that had been gripping her for most of the day loosened it's grip. Being scared to her roots, she thought she was going to cry but oddly enough, the tears didn't come. Is it because Tsuna was still beside her, alive and well? Here, she didn't need to worry about enemy famiglias, the Order, or her father's state of mind. Here she was just Mia. Just a girl being with the boy she likes.

But all good things always came to an end and the moment she closed her eyes, she was in that hall again.

Mia begun to hate this place as much as she feared it. She didn't know how long she could hold on like this. Between the mafia and the Order, it was starting to take a toll on her. Physically and mentally. How long? Until she retrieved the box? The nightmares began before she even received the order, was there more that Ian hid from her? The closer they were to the monastery, the more vivid her dreams became. The last one had literally made her sick.

No more. Her feet started moving, walking down the same path, deeper into the hall where the box she was sure was Pandora, waited. I don't want to go.

Helpless, she could only watch as her body moved on its own. A scream ripped through the hall and she knew the monster found her again. It called to her repeatedly, demanding she throw herself at it. I don't want to!

"Mia!" A small hand slipped into hers, pulling her away from her path.

"Ts-Tsuna?" she gasped. Tsuna was there only he wasn't... looking like himself. For one, he was a lot chubbier than she remembered and his voice was adorable. Younger too, like he was probably six or eight years old. Wait, she touched her cheeks and her hair. Squishy cheeks and pigtails... She was too!

"Wh-What are you doing here?" she asked chibi Tsuna.

"You can't go down there!" he said. "Can we go somewhere else, please? Its scary here."

Mia had to resist the hnnnnnnnnnghhh as her chest squeezed painfully at how cute he was. Something about him, made her want to protect him and his chubby cheeks at all cost. At this age he really was a gatton. That's when it struck her - she can move her body!

Mia experimentally jumped up and down to see if she could and she did!

"Chibi-Tsuna, thank you!" She jumped him, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"Chibi-Tsuna?" Chibi Tsuna repeated, aghast.

Mia couldn't afford waste the precious time she was given. Chibi-Tsuna might disappear at any moment and before then, she had to find a way out. Taking hold of his hand, she led him the opposite way from where the box was.

"W-Where are we going?" Chibi-Tsuna asked.

"Out," Mia said.

They passed several shelves but she noticed the farther they went, the more modern the items on the shelves were. She recognized a bronze candle-stick phone sitting nearby but when they came closer to it, it had a gawking shrunken head as a transmitter and a dried ear as receiver. They quickly left it behind as fast as their little legs could take them.

"Hieeeeee M-Mia, why is everything so scary here?!" Chibi-Tsuna cried.

They had come across several other grotesque artifacts including a partially opened sarcophagus. Mia had to wonder that herself. With all the terrifying things lurking here, she didn't understand how she could have forgotten all of it.

"I don't know," she replied. "But I think we're almost out."

Chibi-Tsuna hiccuped. "Really?"

Mia squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Yeah." They walked a few more ways when she finally saw it. A set of stone steps led up to the ceiling. A grin split across her face.

"We found it!" They ran up the steps as fast as they could. But when the reached the top, there was no door. Only stone. Another scream ripped through the hall, shaking it. Whatever light there was was slowly receding as darkness crept. Mia started to panic. No, this can't be where it ends. She pounded on the stone with her tiny fists. There had to be something here!

"Mia..." She felt Chibi-Tsuna take her hand in this. The look in his eyes was too old for his body and for a moment, Mia felt like she was looking at the real Tsuna. "You can do this," he told her. He glanced down the stairs and gulped. "Just, no pressure is all."

Mia looked down and wished she hadn't. The darkness started crawling up the steps, inch by inch. She felt the stone ceiling again. There had to be something here...

Ian's voice drifted through the hall.

The door was built to recognize a sky flame...

Consider yourself a living breathing key...

Mia focused everything she had to her hands. Her flames answered her call but it was stuck beneath her skin. Her palms became unbearably hot. If she kept it up, she would be setting herself on fire. She was scared of burning.

Just as she thought that, two gloved hands reached over hers.

Mia looked over her shoulder. Her Tsuna stood right behind her. He was no longer in his chibi form. Amidst the dark, his orange eyes shone bright. "I got you," he said. "Together?"

"Together," she repeated, feeling braver now that he was here. She re-positioned his hands so hers would be on top instead. Tsuna's gloves could conduct flames. Mia focused again and just as the darkness came to their heels, her flames streaked through his fingertips, running across the ceiling, then zigzagging around the hall. Lights sprung to life all around them, obliterating the dark.

The stone began to move, splitting beneath their hands as it opened wide revealing a smaller space above them. It was rectangular in size and Mia knew that the top could be pushed off.

She placed her hands against it. "We're almost out," she told Tsuna. He grinned at her. Hope swelled in her chest at the sight of it. Maybe this time her dream wouldn't end as a nightmare.

Together, they pushed against it. Bit by bit they carefully lifted it until an opening, wide enough to slip their fingers showed. They shoved it aside and it clattered against the floor in a loud boom! Cold air, rushed in and Tsuna had to catch her before she fell.

A screech followed them up the stairs, snuffing out all the lights as it did so.

"Go!" Tsuna ordered and all but tossed her out. He swiftly jumped after her just as the darkness caught his ankles. "Don't look back!"

Mia landed on her knees and hands, scraping them and the pain, it felt real. She quickly looked around and felt cold seep into her skin and bones. The walls were cracked and ceiling had large breaks, some of which, parts had already fallen in. Dark and overlarge thorns slithered from all corners and cracks. Two torches illuminated the room, held by two life-sized figures, their faces struck off.

"Mia get up!" Tsuna was by her side, having shaken the darkness off. He tried to pull her up to her feet but she was rooted there, a horrible memory just sitting there at the back of her head, waiting to be remembered.

She looked behind them. A stone tomb.

It was a crypt.

It came rushing back. She had wandered into this place and thought that the large stone box was a treasure chest. It was open and she crawled inside.

"Mia?"

She remembered the stone shutting by itself and she had been stuck there, screaming in the dark.

"Mia!"

The darkness exploded from behind them. Tsuna disappeared from her side with a yell and something scorching grabbed her by the waist, dragging her back inside. The last thing she saw before the tomb sealed itself shut was a woman with dark hair running into the crypt.

Mia woke with a start, her shirt soaked with sweat just before dawn. A rooster crowed nearby and the room was cool. Yet, she shook like a leaf in winter.

The entrance to the vault was in a crypt, inside a goddamn stone tomb. She covered her mouth as a sob fought its way through her lips. Tsuna groaned beside her and she held it in, not wanting to wake him up. She had to go back there?

Was it really worth it? She asked herself.

If anything, she had more reason to have her memory wiped than her Pa did. But its not about you isn't it? A voice whispered in her head. Your Ma would have still been alive if you hadn't been a stupid brat. Your Pa is still suffering and look what you did, you brought him back here.

Tsuna suddenly groaned beside her, grumbling her name in distress.

Mia slightly pulled the covers back. His bandaging would need to be changed again later but they were running out of supplies. She'd need to go out and buy some more. She touched his forehead. He was warm but not hot thankfully. At her touch, the creases on his forehead smoothed out and he started snoring. She watched him sleep for a bit, letting his even breathing serve as a pattern for her own until her heart calmed down.

Even in her dreams he was saving her. Mia looked at her hands. It was the first time she was able to act the way she wanted to in her dreams and she was worried that whatever she did there carried over here. Luckily nothing caught on fire this time.

She looked around her old room. The shelf that used to hold her books in the wall had been filled in, her old closet was still there, its green paint faded and chipped. Most of the old furniture remained but even then it felt distant to her. Mia got out of bed and started looking for something decent to wear when there was a knock on the door. She opened it.

Chrome was there, with her hair down, holding some clothes for her and Tsuna. "For you and boss, the professor got it last night."

"Pa did?" Mia murmured as she gathered the pile into her arms.

"Is something the matter?" Chrome asked, tilting her head.

Mia wondered if they had never been in this situation, would Pa have told her he kept the house? He told her once, a long time ago, that he sold it. Obviously he lied. It made her sad, a bit betrayed and even a little bit angry, didn't this used to be her home too? Shouldn't she know that much at least?

As if you deserve to know.

After he had suggested using the house to hide Tsuna in, he hadn't spoken to her since.

When she took too long to respond, Chrome said, "You don't look so good." A brow raised. What gave it away? The bruises under her eyes from lack of sleep and nightmares or her hair that was slowly turning into a rat's nest as the days went by? "But I still think you've looked worse."

Both brows went up and she didn't hold back her smile. "Name one time."

"You slept in my backyard tree," Chrome said, smiling. "You had the whole homeless boy look down."

She was teasing her and Mia jumped on that chance to silence the voice in her head. "Chrome, if you're trying to tell me I was the hottest guy you've ever seen, you need to try harder."

"Hai, hai, Hinata-kun," Chrome replied indulgently. "How is boss?"

"Come inside and see for yourself," Mia said and invited the younger girl in.

The relief on Chrome's face when she saw Tsuna eased the tension from her frame but it quickly changed when she turned pink. "What's wrong?" Mia asked her when she quickly turned away. Tsuna looked okay, for the most part.

"M-Mia-san, did you and the boss...?" Chrome gestured at the bed then at her.

Confused, Mia said, "Did we sleep together? Yeah."

Steam bellowed from her ears and it dawned on her what she just said.

"Ah that's not what I meant!" Mia quickly rectified. "We slept in the same bed, that's all. Its not like we had sex or anything!"

The pink didn't fade from Chrome's cheeks as she stared pointedly at what she was wearing. Feeling a bit self-conscious, Mia held herself. Alright, maybe she could have worn something else, like the baggy jogger pants she found, but she had been too tired. She hadn't meant to make out with Tsuna. It just sort of happened.

Chrome could probably tell what happened with how red her face was. "Pffft..." Chrome let out a surprised giggle. "If the boss has enough strength for you then maybe he will be okay."

Mia blushed darker. "Aren't you like twelve?" She poked her friend on the side and she squealed.

"I'm fourteen!" Chrome protested. "I know that much!" The two girls shared a giggle.

"Did you sleep at all Chrome?" Mia asked when they settled into a comfortable silence.

"A little bit," Chrome admitted. "It was hard to when the boss was..." she looked down on her feet. "I was covering the house with an illusion so that other people wouldn't hear."

Mia winced at at. Tsuna hadn't been that quiet last night. "Thank you. How is everybody else?"

"Asleep. They all slept late last night."

"And Pa?" Mia asked.

"He hasn't come out of his room."

Mia nodded. It was going to another long day. She needed to get breakfast ready soon. The boys were going to be very hungry. They didn't eat that much yesterday and her Pa... she didn't think he ate anything at all. As she silently came up a list on what to buy, Chrome fiddled with her hands.

"Um... Mia?"

"Yeah Chrome?"

"Is this... is this really your home?" Chrome asked her carefully.

"It used to be," Mia replied distantly. "Hey Chrome, wanna come to the market with me?" Mia says before the pause between them gets too long again.

The younger girl perked up at that. "I-I'd love to!"

Mia smiled. "I'm gonna take a shower, can you stay with Tsuna?"

"Sure."

Mia gathered her clothes and went to the bathroom on the second floor. The clothes were simple - a sleeveless cream blouse and blue shorts. When she finished, feeling cleaner than she had in ages, Ryohei-senpai was there in the room, chatting lightly with Chrome. Chrome had taken a chair that was tucked in a corner and brought it to Tsuna's side. Senpai was sitting by Tsuna's feet.

"Morning Matteis!" Senpai greeted her, beaming.

Ah, senpai really captured the nature of his role as the Sun well. "Morning," she greeted him back while shielding her eyes from his million-watt smile.

"I'm glad Sawada is okay, you did an extremely good job!"

Mia held a finger to her lips. "Indoor voice senpai," she reminded him. "The others haven't gotten up right?"

Ryohei-senpai shook his head. "Its just me. Are you extremely going somewhere?" He asked as she started putting her shoes on and stuffing cash into her pockets.

"Market," Mia replied. "For breakfast. Chrome's coming with me. Is it alright if you stay with Tsuna?"

Ryohei-senpai thumped his fist to his chest. "You can count on me Matteis!"

Mia went down first to the kitchen to check on what was on hand. The Japanese were big on breakfast and rice was a staple in their diet but she wasn't sure if she would be able to find some in the market nearby. For a while she lingered there, tracing her fingers along the counters that she hadn't been able to reach before, the old stove that ran on both wood and gas that her Pa loved to use but couldn't cook on and the wooden island counter that she had carved with her name on the side using a fork.

There were newer appliances around, the blue was repainted as green and new tiles had been installed. It looked different but it still had remnants of their old kitchen.

The darkest of memories still came to mind but as she stood there, in that small kitchen, she could almost remember running in from the back to have her lunch waiting for her on the counter and her Ma...

"Mia-san?" Chrome touched her shoulder. "Is something the matter?"

Mia wiped her eyes inconspicuously. "Nothing," she said and grabbed a large basket sitting on top of the fridge. There was a bag hanging nearby too that she folded and added to the basket. "I haven't been here for years but I still know where the market is."

The living room was a mess of tangled sheets, pillows and covers where the boys were at. Mia was surprised to see Hibari was there but wasn't that he took the couch for himself. Rather than going through there, they went out the backdoor and by then, the sun had already risen. Despite the storm yesterday, the skies had cleared.

"Looks like we're in for a beautiful summer day," Mia commented.

"Mia-san, there's someone looking at you." Chrome tugged her hand. Mia looked and saw a guy standing just at the edge of their property, holding a broom. He probably was one of the neighbor's son or something.

"Don't mind him, let's keep on walking."

But as they passed, the guy called out, "Wait!"

Mia squeezed Chrome's hand. "Hi," she responds back politely in Italian.

He approached them. He was stocky but tall, olive skin with a head full of dark curls and almond brown eyes. A strange feeling washed over her. He looked familiar.

"Hi," he says back with a dazzling smile. Chrome instantly hid behind her. "Your friend seems a bit shy."

"She's not used to strangers. How can I help you?"

His smile faltered a bit but he quickly regained it. "Right, sorry about that. I'm Luca, I live next door with my Nonnina. Do you girls need some help?" He nodded at their basket.

Luca, it sounded familiar. She couldn't place where she's seen him before. He seemed nice but Mia has had her fill with attractive guys since Ian. "We're alright but thanks for offering."

Fortunately, he didn't push. "Take care then, you have a good day."

"Wait!" Mia blurted out just as he was leaving. He looked over his shoulder. "I'm Mia by the way."

Luca grinned at her. "I know," he said. "It's good seeing you again. Welcome back Mia." With a wave, he went back to his own home. Mia stared at his back, her mind racing. He knew her and maybe she did know him. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't place where she met him.

"Mia-san...?" Chrome tugged on her hand again. "What did he say?"

"Um, he just said good morning. He's a neighbor." Mia grabbed Chrome by the hand. "Don't mind him, let's go!"

Even if she could remember, it wasn't like she was staying her for long. Yes, this used to be her home but it wasn't anymore.

It was a fifteen-minute walk away from the local market and through it all, Mia kept Chrome entertained by telling her stories of when she was younger. It felt a little surreal to be back there but Mia was nothing but determined and started buying everything that she needed, and teaching Chrome what she was planning for what.

The grocery still hadn't opened but they managed to buy some rice. It wasn't the sticky kind they were used to however. When they came back, the boys were still out so they started on their work. The rice went into a pot to boil and they started prepping their ingredients. She began with some sweet sausages, frying them on the pan while Chrome worked with the eggs after shyly confessing it was all she knew to cook. Keeping an eye on the rice, she chopped some bell peppers, mushrooms and cabbage on top of the peas and carrots.

When the sausages were done and the rice was ready, the fried rice was next. Mia had to remind herself continuously that the others weren't used to the flavors of her homeland and so had Chrome tasting it every now and then.

Chrome made scrambled eggs and she laid those, along with the sausages, on the dining table nearby. By Mia's instructions, Chrome brewed some coffee. Almost like magic, the smell of coffee started summoning the others. First Hayato, who looked like Lambo had smacked him a few times in his sleep if the red hand prints were anything to go by, then Hibari and then her Pa, who pulled up a chair, looking like he was suffering withdrawal.

For a while, she had been worried that her Pa would have shut himself in his room all day but it seemed his need for caffeine won out. Once the coffee was ready, Mia poured him a cup and placed it in front of him. Then some fresh brioche she brought. Her Pa inhaled his coffee in a matter of seconds, not bothered with the heat or with cream or sugar. He always liked his black.

When the rice was done, everybody had wandered into the dining room. Ryohei-senpai helped Tsuna get down and Mia was glad the boxer got him to change.

Tsuna looked like a lost kitten, shuffling in with clothes several sizes bigger for his lean frame. The pallor of his skin hadn't gone back to normal yet but that was to be expected. He wouldn't meet anyone's eyes at first but it didn't stop the rest from swarming him and slowly, he lifted his head. They asked him how he was doing, what he wanted to eat first and bickered where he should sit. Overwhelmed, his eyes found hers and she smiled at him encouragingly.

Just before he decided where he was going to sit, her Pa suddenly got up, carrying his mug and offered Tsuna his seat. It startles Tsuna for a bit but he reluctantly takes it, saying a quiet thanks.

Her Pa might have a few complaints about them but she knew he didn't dislike Tsuna. It gave her some hope at how worried he had been over Tsuna when he had been in shock. Her Pa wasn't openly affectionate with a lot of people but he went and held Tsuna, comforting him. She wasn't sure if Tsuna remembered that but maybe, just maybe, her Pa was accepting Tsuna. At least, that's what she hoped.

Because if he did, she was fine abandoning the order altogether. You sure about that? the small voice warned her. She ignored it.

The table only had eight chairs and Mia chose to eat while standing by the counter, taking small bites of her brioche and sipping her coffee. Her Pa had taken to lean at the counter with her. Together, they watched as the boys devoured the food in front of them just a she thought they would. They didn't speak, as there was a lot of baggage yet to deal with. For the moment, they were content with watching them. It was funny, to see Hibari snag several sausages before leaving the room to eat elsewhere, probably somewhere more quiet. Chrome was eating happily at the side, content with watching them bicker.

Nobody brought it up, what happened before, and Tsuna didn't speak. He quietly ate his breakfast, alternating with looking at one to the other and letting them fill in the silence for him. Mia was glad he didn't withdraw from them but she was still worried for him.

"I want to talk with Tsuna," her Pa suddenly spoke up, his tone quiet and she nearly dropped her mug.

"Pa," Mia started. There were a dozen things that she wanted to say, an apology first and foremost but the urge to defend Tsuna rose above that. It was fine to be mad at her, she'd take it, willingly but she won't have Tsuna being blamed for anything. "I - "

"You were wonderful last night," he says, stopping her thoughts to a screeching halt. "You didn't freeze. I don't think I could have done that and I'm sorry, for saying those things to Tsuna." His gaze lowered and Mia couldn't help the lump that rose to her throat. He was apologizing.

When his daughter didn't respond right away, for good reason by the way, he lightly cleared his throat. "Is it always like this?" he asks, gesturing at the table.

Mia forcefully swallowed the lump. "They're usually a lot louder."

"They'd fit the standard Italian family then," her Pa said casually and sipped his coffee.

Her eyes misted. She didn't know if it was the kitchen, which was her favorite part of the house, or her Pa's awkwardness, that was making her ridiculously sentimental. "Where did you get the clothes?" she asked.

"Do you still remember Mrs. Scutani?" She didn't, no. Mia slowly shook her head. "I hired her as the housekeeper. She looks after the house when I rent it off for tourists. She lives next door with her grandson Luca. You used to play with him a lot. Luckily she had some clothes on hand."

"Luca?" she repeated.

"Have you met him already?"

"I-I saw him, earlier when we went out." Luca. He was the boy that used to play with her out back! He had been thinner then and his front tooth was chipped. He would catch frogs and try to scare her with them and she had retaliated by stuffing worms she dug out of the ground into his underwear. Mia flushed a deep red. "Oh my god, that Luca?!"

Pa looked at her peculiarly. "I would have thought you'd remember him. His grandmother had been furious when you stuffed - "

She dropped her mug on the counter to cover Pa's mouth with both hands. "Papa, no!"

The others went quiet at her outburst and were staring at her. Tsuna looked between the two of them, worried. Mia pulled her hands back. Just then, someone knocked on the front door, making her jump.

"Mr. Matteis? It's me, Luca. Nonnina wants to know if you'd like some lasagna? Um, she made a lot."

"Why don't you catch up with him?" Nicolas smiled. He steered her by the shoulders out of the kitchen then out the hall.

"Pa wait!"

"Say hi to Mrs Scutani for me," he said and opened the front door, surprising Luca and his tray of lasagna. He pushed her - he pushed her! - and she nearly lost her balance. Luca scrambled to catch her by the armpits and her Pa swiftly caught the tray. "Thank you for the food Luca, it smells wonderful. Why don't you two catch up for a bit? Just make sure to bring her home by lunch."

Like her, Luca had been late to reply. Just before he locked the door behind him, Mia glimpsed Tsuna from down the hall. He disappeared with a loud click! leaving them both in an awkward state.

"You'd think a father wouldn't throw his daughter at a young man..." Luca mused.

Mia got to her feet, her temper rising and ran around the house. The backdoor had also been locked. Pa thew her out! She couldn't believe this! The curtains pulled away and her Pa stood there, a serving of lasagna in hand. He stared at her pointedly as he ate and motioned for her to go.

Tsuna was locked inside the house with her Pa. Was this to make sure she didn't get in the way? She left Tsuna alone with Pa for too long. He didn't need this right now. Mia was tempted to break in. The only reason she didn't was because of the growing intensity of his stare. She knew he wasn't angry but it didn't stop the chill that ran up her arms.

This place used to be her home and now she remembered why she had stopped calling it that.

"Mia?" Lucas had come around. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Mia exhaled. Its fine, she tried to convince herself. Tsuna had their friends. Whatever Pa would throw at him, he'll be fine. She'll be back for lunch in few hours anyways. "No, its okay. Let's go Luca." She stomped away, hooking her arm around his and dragging him away.

"Mia wait - my house is that way!"

Tsuna felt like he was just sentenced to death the moment Mia was out the door.

There was someone outside that he didn't know but Nicolas did. He had all but threw Mia in said person's arms. He stumbled back into the dining room and almost as one, his friends surrounded him defensively when Nicolas walked back in carrying a tray of delicious smelling lasagna. They tensed when he pulled out a large knife from a drawer sliced a piece himself in a painfully slow fashion.

It was single-handedly the most sinister thing Tsuna had ever seen.

Nicolas walked over to the door and casually locked it. He pulled the curtains back. To hold the it there, he leaned against it, casually taking bites of his lasagna and staring outside. When he finished his plate, Nicolas downed the rest of coffee and looked at them.

"W-Who was that?" Tsuna spoke up, for the first time that morning. His throat still raw.

"That was Luca. An old friend of Mia's. She said she'd been meaning to talk with him again."

A childhood friend. A heavy stone dropped into his stomach and he felt himself go sick. The life she could have without him. "Tsuna, when you're done with that, can you and I talk upstairs?" Just like with Mia, he didn't give him a chance to reply. "Make sure to wash the dishes boys." And walked out.

Tsuna sagged in his chair, all the energy he mustered to get up that morning evaporating into thin air. What little color he gained back, gone.

"Sawada, chin up!" Onii-san - no, Ryohei - told him. "You should finish your food, you'll need all your strength!"

"You want some juice Tsuna? Mia and Chrome made some orange juice. Here." Takeshi placed a glass in front of him but his hands wouldn't move.

"Tenth, if you need it, I'll come with you! I'll even hang outside the window if you need it!"

"Tsuna-nii, you can't die yet, you just got better!"

Tsuna finally found his voice at that. "I'm not gonna die Lambo," he said weakly as he patted the child. "Don't be ridiculous."

"But you were bleeding so much yesterday and - and - " Lambo all but threw himself at him. Tsuna grunted painfully when his shoulder was jolted but held on tightly. The dam broke as Lambo cried his little heart out. The others sunk back into their seats, their expressions brimming with concern. How long had Lambo been thinking like that, how much did he see? Tsuna thought as he frantically rubbed the child's back. Can't he do anything right? Why did he always ruin things? Useless. He was so damn useless. To his girlfriend, to her father and even to his own Famiglia by being the pathetic weak loser that he was.

"You should trust them a little bit more. They're your Guardians but they are your friends first." Mia's voice chided in his mind.

Tsuna dropped his face into Lambo's afro. It smelled like grape candy. He took comfort in it as he tried to hang on to her words.

"Y-Y-You wouldn't t-talk!" Lambo continued to wail. "It sounded so bad. It hurt didn't it? Tsuna-nii!"

Tsuna looked up and searched their expressions. How had he not seen the bruises under their eyes, the tightness in their jaws? Had they slept at all? They had been worried. All of them. He felt a little bit stupid now. Mia was right again. They weren't looking at him like he was the scum of the earth but as a friend.

He had been scared, so scared of their view of him changing.

Among all of them he had expected Ryohei, to have found it the most unacceptable. His promise with Kyoko-chan would have held him to it but surprisingly, the boxer had warmly patted his head instead when he woke up and asked him to call him by name instead. Takeshi had carried him, apologizing for every little grimace and step he took as he did so. Chrome still looked him in the eyes and Hayato stayed with him even if his screaming the night before clearly scarred him.

He was so stupid.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Lambo," Tsuna said, continuing to rub the boy's back with his good hand. "I'm sorry for scaring you." He looked up. "All of you."

Takeshi brushed his nose with his sleeve. "Don't you mean thank you Tsuna?" he chuckled wetly. "You don't have to be sorry."

Ryohei didn't hold back. Streams of water fell from his eyes like a river. "Sawada! Octopus-head told us how it went - you got nothing to apologize for! You were extremely brave to have stayed awake like that! If anyone has to be sorry it should be extremely us for letting you get hurt!"

Hayato slammed his fists against the table, rattling the plates and cups. "He's right Tenth... we're your Guardians! We should have protected you!" he said loudly.

Tsuna strongly shook his head. "No... its nobody's fault. I just... " He sniffed. "I... thought you guys would... that you would..."

Condemn him? Criticize him? Leave him because they finally realized he was Dame-Tsuna?

"Boss... You're one of the most kindest people I've ever met. Even though Mukuro-sama is your Guardian, you accepted me as well. " Chrome softly spoke up. She smiled at him from across the table. "You remind me so much of Mia, its nice how alike you two are in so many ways. Please don't be hard on yourself. You're... not alone in this. We'll share it with you. Your burden." She turned to Hayato.

"Because we're your Guardians... and your friends," Hayato finished. His storm was quaking with some emotion Tsuna couldn't exactly place. Was he frustrated or embarrassed?

But... He'd been blessed with good people, Tsuna thought. He was glad he had them. Lambo had slowed his crying and was hiccuping on his lap.

"Thanks, you guys." The weight he was feeling lifted a bit. He scrubbed his face with his good arm. "Thank you."

Their expressions lightened up and Tsuna was glad to have cleared it with them. Ryohei shoved the juice up to his face. "Now that you're feeling better Sawada, drink up!"

"If I get to call you Ryohei, shouldn't you call me by my first name too?" Tsuna complained slightly but took the glass anyways. He'd lost his appetite when Nicolas locked Mia out but he was willing to drink it. It was fresh and cool and it soothed his throat.

Ryohei let out a deep belly laugh. "I was wondering when you were going to extremely ask me that Tsuna!"

An arm draped around his shoulders as Takeshi leaned in. "Alright, so what's the game plan Tsuna?"

"G-Game plan?" Tsuna repeated, confused.

"You heard it - a childhood friend." Takeshi's eyes narrowed.

"That's right Tsuna! You should be extremely weary!" Ryohei added, his tone abruptly changing a hundred and eighty degrees. "I've read them before ya know. In Kyoko's mangas!"

"Y-You read shoujo?" Hayato snickered.

"I only started reading them when Tsuna openly went out dating Matteis!" Ryohei proudly declared although pink dusted his cheeks. "Matteis is strict and scary but she's still a girl! I'm no good with girls but I have a sister and if Tsuna has problems, I can at least extremely help!"

Hayato staggered back, as if struck by lightning at the sudden revelation while Takeshi clapped.

"Senpai, you're really cool, that's really thoughtful of you," Takeshi complimented the boxer.

"I can't believe I'm losing against the turf-head of all people," Hayato said to himself, clearly shaken. "Even though I have a sister too!"

Except you can't stand seeing Bianchi without frothing at the mouth, they all thought.

Chrome quietly coughed and pointed at herself. I'm a girl, she seemed to say. Blowing their usefulness out of the water.

Not wanting to be left behind by the others, Lambo said, "No fair, Lam - I mean I have some - ack!" Lambo bit his tongue but he carried on. "I know things too!"

"Oh yeah? What does a brat like you know that would help the Tenth huh?" Sparks flew between Hayato and Lambo.

"I've seen Mia-nee's boo - " Tsuna covered Lambo's mouth immediately. Takeshi's arm jerked away, flustered. They floundered, trying to scrub the taboo word from their ears and brains. Chrome turned away, her shoulders shaking in silent laughter.

"We didn't hear it!" They all said with equal red faces.

Tsuna didn't know why they were so invested in his relationship but he guessed they just wanted him and Mia happy. He appreciated it, he really did no matter how awkward it was. He pulled his hand away and raised a finger to his lips.

"Could you keep that to yourself Lambo? I like surprises." Lambo's green eyes sparkled and he nodded.

"Tsuna, you really are an extreme man!" Ryohei all but yelled at him, still red at the face. "To say that with a straight face!"

Takeshi laughed. "You guys are way better at this than me. Especially you Tsuna, maybe you don't need our help after all if you're that smooth."

Maybe it was the blood he'd lost but it took him a while to process it. Tsuna replayed the words back in his head. His face warmed. "I -I didn't mean to sound like a p-pervert," he stuttered out.

"You're not, don't worry." Chrome finally faced them again, her eye glistening with humor. "I think Mia would be happy to hear you say that."

He didn't know if she was teasing him or not. "C-Can we move on please?" Tsuna begged. Trying to distract himself, he picked up his spoon again and started shoveling food into his mouth. Even if he wasn't hungry, it wouldn't do to let it go to waste, especially since Mia made it.

Takeshi rolled his shoulder a bit and leaned back into his chair. "I mostly read sports and shounen. But its a common trope, the childhood friend shows up either as a rival or a love interest." Tsuna's stomach did another uneasy flip.

Hayato frowned. "Except this isn't a manga and the Lady's feelings aren't so shallow as to swayed by another man." His friend turned to him and Tsuna could feel his worry go down at the confident look Hayato was giving him. His friend's expression suddenly twisted sadistically. "Besides," Hayato added. "if he shows the slightest bit of interest, I'll blow him to bits."

"Hayato there's no need for that," Tsuna quickly cut in. "But I appreciate it you guys." His bowl and glass were empty. He was done with breakfast. Tsuna was still worried and scared of what Nicolas was going to talk about but he felt better after talking with his friends. He wasn't alone.

Takeshi took Lambo away from him and he stood up. He thought about briefly, then decided. He bowed to them. They all instantly got to their feet, interjecting that he didn't need to do that but Tsuna didn't know how else to convey the amount of gratitude and fondness he had for them.

"I'm going now. Make sure to wash the dishes okay?" He walked out before he lost his nerve.

Truly, Tsuna was really lucky to have them. Maybe life with the Mafia wasn't going to be so bad with them at his side. But of course, there was still one person that he wanted most of all beside him. He was scared to talk with Nicolas, afraid of the scathing words that would be thrown at him. He would take it, no doubt. Mia was important to him but he never wanted to be the reason to drive them apart. Mia loved her dad a lot too.

Just as he reached the second floor, Hibari stepped out of the bathroom. "Herbivore... no..." Hibari studied him. Normally, Tsuna would have squirmed under his gaze but he was curious at what his most aloof Guardian had to say. Hibari glanced at his injured side. "Remember your promise."

Tsuna gaped at him. "Promise?"

Hibari scowled and Tsuna remembered. "Right, right! When I'm better we can spar. A whole day!"

"A week," Hibari corrected as he passed him. "I took care of the other one."

The other one? He didn't mean the other hitman right? Tsuna stared at his Cloud's back. Somehow, the thought didn't bother him. "Yeah, a week," Tsuna said softly. "Thanks Hibari-san." But his thanks went unheard. The prefect had gone.

Tsuna prepared himself as he stood in front of the master bedroom. He held his fingers posed at the ready to knock.

He had said some things that were out of line yesterday. He didn't regret saying it but it sure didn't help his case now. Tsuna knocked lightly three times.

"Come in." Tsuna went in.

Nicolas sat by the bed, his back to him and was facing the window. He didn't say anything as Tsuna closed the door behind him. Tsuna followed his gaze and saw two figures in the distance, arguing. His mouth went dry. Tsuna recognized Mia stubbornly holding her ground. The other boy, probably Luca, shook his head and Tsuna watched, alarmed when he suddenly picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

Her indignant shriek was heard all the way where he was. She fiercely struggled until he dropped her. Grabbing a fistful of dirt, she threw it at his face. Luca started throwing dirt at her too. Their bickering transformed into laughter, settling into their old friendship after being separated for years. Tsuna looked away, unable to stop the scowl on his face as jealousy reared its ugly head in him.

"Are they still fighting?" Nicolas asked.

"No," Tsuna replied softly.

"That's nice. They always fought a lot when they were kids. First time I saw you two together, you reminded me of him."

Was he telling him that Luca was better? Tsuna thought bitterly. He wanted to snap back that if she stayed here, in this house, rather than getting dragged half-way around the world in a country with a language she could barely speak in, maybe she could have ended up with that boy instead. But his shame held the words back.

Just as fast as the feeling went, it faded, leaving an empty cavern in his chest. "They look happy," Tsuna said hollowly.

Tsuna wanted to hate Nicolas. It would have made it so much easier if he did but then he'd remember how kind the older man was. How worried he had been for children that weren't even his own in his awkward and distant way. Tsuna couldn't recall a time his own dad gave him more consideration and affection than Nicolas did. Maybe he did when he was little however that didn't matter now. Twelve or fifteen, he was an adult in his dad's eyes. The heir rather than his son. So Nicolas' treatment was nice and Tsuna kind of craved it.

Nicolas wasn't perfect but he tried his best and Tsuna couldn't hate him knowing that part exists.

"They do," Nicolas confirmed. Tsuna flinched. "But she's happiest with you."

"Eh?"

"Come here," Nicolas said. He patted the spot beside him. "Its a nice day."

His feet were heavy but he managed to drag himself around the bed. Tsuna wondered for a moment if it was all a ploy, to lower his guard so when it hit, it would really hurt. Nicolas didn't appear to have any ulterior motives. If anything, he looked thoughtful.

Tsuna sat down and together, they just watched the view outside. It was a beautiful day but it had already been ruined in Tsuna's eyes. Seeing Mia and Luca together dragged a lot of unpleasant feelings in him.

"How are you Tsuna?" Nicolas started, breaking the thin calm.

"I'm okay..." Tsuna started slowly. "Mia really did patch me up."

Nicolas nodded and finally looked him in the eyes. Tsuna breathed sharply. It felt like looking into a prism. A myriad of emotions were dancing off the specs of light in his eyes. "She got that from her mother. She always was the braver one between us."

Nicolas never talked about his wife, not even to his own daughter but he was. To Tsuna of all people. "What was she like?" Tsuna asked in a soft whisper, unable to help himself from knowing the enigma that Mia's mother was.

"She was loud, obnoxious but brilliant and had a heart as big as the sea. Mia is a lot like her." Nicolas looked to his hands and turned his wedding band around. It was a plain silver one and not all that noticeable but it was probably worth more than anything else in the world aside from Mia.

"I think she's more like you though sir..." Tsuna murmured and Nicolas chuckled.

"Suppose that's true," Nicolas said.

"Why... why are you telling me this?" Tsuna wondered. "I don't mean to be disrespectful its just... I'm just..." An outsider. A nobody. Unworthy.

Nicolas shook his head. "My wife, Elaide... El, I think she would have loved you."

The cavern in his chest started to fill in, with an emotion he couldn't quite grasp. "Wh-What makes you say that?" Tsuna asked faintly.

"Mia looks at you the same way El did for me," Nicolas said, his voice wavering. "And I know, that if she was still here, that would be all she needed to take you in. I've never seen Mia like that before. Like her whole world was on the verge of collapsing. If that doesn't tell me enough how much she loves you I don't know what but I worry...if she's anything like me..." It hung between them. Something dark and sad hung over them like a cloud.

"Like... you?" Tsuna didn't understand it. Why was being like Nicolas a bad thing?

"I loved El. Losing her broke me. There isn't a day when I miss her. Sometimes I wished I never met her and some days..." Nicolas looked away. His hands trembled. "I want you two to be happy. But loving someone that deeply... I just hope one day Mia or you would never reach a point like I did."

What did he do?

He didn't need to ask. The story started slow and it began when his wife died. Nicolas didn't describe it, there were things he was willing to talk about but that wasn't it. He hadn't meant to do it. He had just lost the love of his life. He was emotionally inept at taking care of himself, much less his own child. The night after her passing, he had been drinking, consuming every bit of liquor in the house when Mia crept in, in her loose pajamas that his wife brought last. It was a size too big but she was a growing child. She'd fit in it in no time.

She came in this very room where they sat in and Nicolas slowed, as the tale came to a painful and horrifying end.

"I was so angry," Nicolas confessed. "I was angry that she left me. Mia came in and I saw her face and all I could think about was El and..." He ran a shaking hand through his hair. His head hung low. "... I threw a bottle at her. It hit her, here," he pointed at the corner of his head, along the hairline. "Her crying made me angrier," just when Tsuna didn't want to hear anymore, Nicolas choked out, "I walked up to her and..." he made a striking motion with his hand.

"When I realized what I'd done, she stopped crying." Nicolas brought his closed hands to his mouth as a few tears slipped out. "I lost El already. Mia was all I had and I hurt her."

"Why?" Tsuna croaked out. "WHY?" He jumped to his feet. The room spun but Tsuna didn't care. He couldn't imagine it, Nicolas hurting Mia that way but somehow he couldn't dismiss it.

It explained why Mia was always afraid of confronting her father, why she ran out at the slightest bit of irritation from him.

"I was hurt," Nicolas said weakly, his shame aging him several years. "I was weak. There's no excuse for it. If there is a heaven and hell out there I want to go to hell."

"What did you do after?" Tsuna asked as he tried to calm the rapid beating of his heart. "Did you ever hurt her again?" he hissed.

"No. I never laid a hand on her since then. There is nothing that I can do to make up for it, for all of it. I'm sure you're thinking how much of a monster I was to do that and you would be right to." Seeing his tears, Tsuna felt his own eyes sting.

"Why are you telling me this?" Tsuna asked, pained. "You should be telling Mia this."

Nicolas shook his head again. "I'm telling you this so you can understand. What it would mean to stay with her and with you. I can't tell her what she already knows and I don't want to bring something so painful up again for her. I'm afraid of making it worse than it already is. But I guess I already had." He rubbed his eyes. "Its just as you said."

Despite everything he heard, Tsuna couldn't bring himself to say a single word against him. He really looked at Nicolas, without the mask, and saw a broken man struggling to hold together the remaining pieces of his shattered life. The grief and guilt that rolled off him in waves were as fresh as the day it happened. If one day that he were to lose Mia... the pain just from imagining was indescribable. Would he break like Nicolas? Would Mia spiral out of her mind if he died? He was scared to know. What Nicolas did wasn't right but Tsuna could understand, even if it was just a fragment of his pain.

Tsuna reached out hesitantly, and placed his hand over Nicolas' shaking shoulders.

"If you were in her place Tsuna... would you have forgiven me?"

Would he? Mia did. He was sure of it. Like her, he finally saw who Nicolas really was. Even if she had already forgiven him, Nicolas was still trying to atone for it, in his own way.

"I would," he answered.

"It would be nice if you could call me an asshole just once," Nicolas mumbled. "Asides from my brother."

"You're not," Tsuna assured. "If I do, you'd have to call me a murderer."

Nicolas pinned him with a stern gaze. "I never thought of you as that." He stood up so suddenly, Tsuna stumbled back. Nicolas caught him, by the good arm and held him in place. He grasped Tsuna by the back of his neck and looked him in the eyes. "All I saw was a young man protecting the girl he loves."

"B-But I..." Tsuna couldn't bear to look him in the eyes anymore. "I killed someone. Do you really want someone like that for your daughter?"

He felt Nicolas' hand brush against his scalp. "You did what you had to son. I come from a military family, I'm no stranger to that," Nicolas said gently.

Tsuna clutched his chest and Nicolas continued on, "I don't even know where to begin Tsuna, but thank you. I was wrong, so wrong. You're a better person than me - than I ever will be - and I know that you'll grow into a fine man someday."

Tsuna straightened his back, unable to believe he was hearing the last words he ever thought Nicolas would say to him. He bit his cheek to stifle the sob but his body didn't listen. Nicolas moved and Tsuna all but rushed forward, clinging to the older man, not giving a damn about his wounds. Nicolas pressed him firmly against his chest.

"I'm sorry son, for making it so hard for you," his voice so rough and low and still so warm and familiar. "I'm still not happy with the Mafia thing," Tsuna let out a weak laugh, hearing the faint smile in his words. "But I'll do what I can."

"So you won't take her away?"

"No."

And with that, the floodgates opened. Nicolas rode the wave of emotion with him, not saying anything further but just held him. He had said his piece.

Mia's hugs felt like a warm and soft blanket, reassuring and comforting, while Nicolas was a shelter, encompassing and secure. What Tsuna loved from both were the strong beatings of their hearts. He listened to it, letting it lull his emotions.

"Are you okay Tsuna?" Nicolas pulled him back slightly to look him over.

"I-I'm okay. Are you okay?" Tsuna returned.

Nicolas' smile was tight, but there was genuine peace in it. "Yes. I am."

Mia was filthy when she returned to the house. She glanced at the boy walking beside her. Luca, that asshole. It was his fault why she was so dirty.

Luckily his grandma was sweet to have given her more clothes.

She didn't think she was going to have fun but she did. There was a lot to catch up on. She knew that Luca had lived with his mother and grandmother, his father had died just after he was born. It seemed that Luca had gone to a few places himself in the last few years. He studied high school in the Philippines while his mother was still alive and when she passed away from a heart attack, he went back to Italy to attend College, majoring in Agriculture and take care of his grandma that had been living alone all this time.

They shared stories, books that they've read, games that they've played and even recipes. Mia taught him some easy ones from Japan and Luca showed her his fondness for a sour stew called sinigang he was making for lunch. She made a face when she tasted it and he laughed at her. It was different but she didn't dislike it.

It felt good to be connecting with him again. As they stood at her front door, Luca sighed.

"Guess you're not staying long huh?"

"Yeah, but let's stay in touch. Email me sometime."

"Oh, I will. Tell me more about your boyfriend next time." Luca waggled his eyebrows. "Does he know you've shoved your hand before in another guy's - "

Mia didn't let him finish as she dug her elbow into his ribs.

"Shut it, you goof."

"Just remember to invite me to the wedding," Luca gasped, holding his side. "Damn, do you go to the gym or something?"

Mia ignored him and she turned the knob. It was open. "Ciao Luca, let's hang out again sometime." They kissed each other's cheeks in goodbye.

"Stay hungry!" Mia rolled her eyes, unable to hold the smile at their promise of sharing recipes again in the future.

When she went in, several pairs of eyes were watching her almost accusingly. Except for Chrome at least. Ah, they must have seen her kiss Luca. Depending where you are in Italy, kissing someone's cheeks were common between friends and family. She had only usually kissed her family and Tsuna's parents. That won't do. As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

She started with Takeshi, kissing him on both cheeks, flustering him. Then senpai, Hayato, Lambo, and Chrome, who giggled at the light peck. Hibari lingered at the back and when he saw her approaching, quickly turned around and went further inside. Mia didn't bother chasing him.

"M-M-Matteis! Why did you - " Senpai spluttered.

"It's a greeting senpai. I didn't do it with you guys considering most of you are Japanese but here we usually do that with family and close friends."

"What's going on?" Tsuna wondered, coming down the stairs with her father following behind him. "Why are you guys so red?"

"N-Nothing T-Tsuna!" Hayato hastily replied.

Mia didn't pay attention to them. Tsuna's eyes were rimmed red and so was Pa's. Did they cry... together? Why? What in the world did they talk about? She exchanged gazes with Pa and he smiled at her. The kind that said that everything was okay. A laugh bubbled to her lips.

"Mia?" Tsuna stared at her. She bounded to him and kissed both his cheeks.

Getting what she was doing, her Pa leaned down to receive his greetings too.

"She's just teaching them," her Pa explained to Tsuna as she continued upstairs to take another shower.

Tsuna no longer looked lost. Whatever Pa talked about with Tsuna helped him feel better loads. As cool water hit her skin, she couldn't help but feel relieved. She had been worried at what Pa was going to do but it seems that she underestimated him. For that moment, she allowed herself to think that things were going to be okay.

She scrubbed herself clean and changed into a blue summer dress. When she came back down, the lasagna had been cut and served. Takeshi gave her a serving and while the others occupied the dining room, she went to the living room where Tsuna and Hibari was.

The chairman had finished his plate and had once again taken over the couch, asleep with his arm draped over his eyes. Hibird nestled on his chest. Mia wondered sometimes how something so cute looked so well with a violent guy like Hibari. She plopped beside Tsuna.

"Did you have fun?" he asked her.

"Mmm," she hummed through her mouth of lasagna. "I think you'd like Luca Tsuna."

"Maybe," he said as he pushed his food around with his fork. Something obviously was weighing down on his mind. Mia frowned.

"Pa said he wanted to talk with you, did it go bad?"

"No," Tsuna hastily replied. "No, it went good. Great actually." She searched his expression but he didn't seem to be lying. He didn't seem that happy either.

"But..."

Tsuna sighed and dropped his head on her shoulder. "Come on, don't make me say it now. I'm tired and emotionally drained," he complained. "Promise I'll tell you more tomorrow."

Alright, alright. She petted his head, determined to spoil him for the day. After lunch, most of them spent the afternoon helping her Pa clean out the van, hanging multiple rugs out and washing pillow covers. Mia had checked on Tsuna's wound, then left him to sleep until dinner while she and Chrome prepared it. Whatever tension was left had disappeared completely as the sun set.

After dinner, Mia was surprised to have found her Pa in the living room with a guitar. He strummed it, adjusting the strings.

"You can play Pa?" she asked, still not over her surprise.

"Used to when I was still in Uni." He finished fine tuning it. "It's Luca's. I borrowed it for a while, just to see if I still got it."

Mia didn't know what to say. She decided to take a seat. "What are you going to play?"

He looked to her. "You still remember your Ma's favorite song?"

Mia jolted in her seat. She expected her Pa to clam up, for his eyes to cloud over or a bomb to explode but none of that happened. Her Pa's eyes were clear and he openly asked her. Maybe... did he really? Hope flitted in her chest like a hummingbird.

She licked her lips, willing to take the leap of faith. Please god, don't let this be a dream. She nodded.

Her Pa smiled and started playing, his feet moving according to the tune. It was slower than she remembered, somber but quaint. She listened to the notes for a bit, when she sang the first line it didn't match that well and she sounded off. He made a few mistakes himself. With an encouraging look, he restarted the song again.

She took a deep breath and let the lyrics come to mind and she started, whimsically, as her Ma did and slower, to match with her Pa.

"Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find You acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on mother nature
Everybody wants to rule the world."

Her friends came in one by one, curious. When they saw it was her and Pa, they stood by the arch to watch. Lambo sat by Pa's feet. She blushed over all the attention she was getting and her Pa took over the second verse, starling them all. Imbued with an underlying note of sadness, he sang:

"It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the most Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world."

Her throat burned from restrained emotion. Together they sung the next verse, their eyes only focused on each other's.

"There's a room where the light won't find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do, I'll be right behind you
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world."

Words that they never could express with each other normally, passed through notes. Years of sadness, loss, understanding and forgiveness.

Distantly, across the land that separated them, Reborn looked out his window, troubled by the day's events. Behind him the fox was splayed out on the bed, completely spent after Bianchi 'treated' him. Since their agendas were aligned, the hitman decided to let him stay. The fox would help them find the mole without drawing suspicion to themselves and they would hide him.

Bianchi had finished packing away the first aid kit. She rubbed her arm, looking very unsure. "Are you sure Reborn that we shouldn't contact them?"

"As long as we don't know how they're passing information, we shouldn't. It'll only put Tsuna and the others in danger. Since they haven't called either, they must have guessed the same."

"Alright, and what about Mia?" Bianchi glanced at the fox. "You really think she'd go through with it?"

Reborn sighed. "That's up to her but... it would be worse if she didn't. You heard what he said."

The Order wasn't above punishing it's members. Listening to the fox, Reborn could understand his dedication... and his fear.

"I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world."

If things could just stay this way, Mia prayed in her heart. With this, wouldn't it be alright not to go through with the order? Did she really have to go back there? With this, everything should be okay. She didn't need to go through heart ache right?

"Say that you'll never, never, never, need it
One headline, why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world."

When was the last time she had seen her Pa at ease? So free? Mia rarely asked for anything, so she hoped that this the one wish of hers can be granted. That this moment could last forever, but like the final verse, the ending couldn't have come sooner than it did.

"All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world."

Pa plucked the last few notes, ending it beautifully. There was silence, then Lambo started to clap, the others following along.

"You've still got it Pa," she says, trying not to get embarrassed at her first time singing in front of people.

"And you sounded wonderful," he replied.

Feeling too warm under everyone's gazes, she excused herself outside for some fresh air. Her old home was surrounded by trees and farmland. The air was cool and not chilly. The skies were dark, painted only by glittering stars.

She always knew the lyrics but now that she sang them, it felt strange. The tone didn't match the words but somehow they fit. Mia couldn't remember what her Ma sounded like, but she knew she had sang this song at the top of her lungs around the house when it played and she would dance to it. Mia did too. It was an honest song, it painted freedom and a sense of fatalism. Acceptance. She liked it.

Mia swayed on the spot, letting the song continue playing in her mind.

"Can I join you?"

She looked over her shoulder, Tsuna stood there. "How's your arm?"

He shrugged using the better one. "Its okay." He came closer to her, until their noses were touching. "Can you sing again?" he whispered.

Mia blushed. "I-I'm not that good of a singer."

"Your dad said you sounded great."

"Yeah well he's my Pa, he's biased," she grumbled.

"I think you sound great too, am I biased?" he asked her, taking her hands and placing it on his shoulder, the other one against his neck. "Before you say I am, let me remind you of the things you do suck at. Like sports, eating seaweed, self-preservation, sewing, makeup - "

She pinched the back of his neck. "Shut up already, I get it, I get it!" Annoyed, she glared at him.

It didn't stay long, as he rubbed their noses together. Her irritation melted and she sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Sing for me please?" he asked her again, his arm around her waist.

She did and they danced, swaying on the spot, completely in their own little world. Tsuna hummed alongside her. Mia was glad Tsuna was acting like himself again. Their talk must have been something as the shadows have lifted from his eyes. When the song ended, they continued their little dance a little more.

Tsuna spoke up, "Your dad told me, what happened." They stopped.

"What happened?" She repeated, confused. "The shooting?"

"No Mia, its..." Frustrated, he leaned up he kissed her forehead, someplace near her hairline. "When you were little. He told me."

Mia touched the spot his lips were and she stared at him, stunned. "He did?"

"Yeah," he replied softly. He tucked a stray strand behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek.

It had been so long ago... it was one of her most painful memories. She had moved on from it but the fear still lingered. Pa told Tsuna about that? She searched his expression for any disgust but there wasn't. Only sadness.

"Do you hate him?" she asked, in a small voice.

"No." He kissed her. "I wanted to at first, but I knew he didn't mean it. He's beating himself up pretty badly over it and when I saw him like that... you're a lot like him Mia. I saw it and I just couldn't. He says you're so much like your mom but I think you're more like him."

She let out a short wet laugh. "I already forgave him though..." She shook her head.

"I can't believer he talked about Mama," she whispered, in quiet wonder. But it quickly morphed into intense curiosity. Years of questions started overflowing. "What did he say? You think he'll tell me more? What she like?" He stopped her with another kiss.

"Slow down, its not like he poured out his entire life out to me. Give him time, I have a feeling he'll open up soon."

She ducked her head and Tsuna chuckled. "So... I'm guessing he's not chasing you away anymore?"

The stunning smile she got was all the answer she needed. She hugged him, thankful and happy that the man she knew her Pa to be pulled through for Tsuna. Tsuna squeezed her back. "I mean, I still got the usual stuff you know - just Dad stuff." From the look on his face, she was sure it was another mortifying session. She didn't envy him.

"Makes you almost miss Reborn huh?" she says sympathetically.

Tsuna closed his eyes, as if the idea physically hurt him. "I'm not sure if its because of the blood loss but yeah, I miss him."

They shared a laugh but Mia had to admit it too, she missed her tutor. Since they haven't heard from them, they must have found out that there was a traitor among them. Maybe. For the first time in days, they were safe. It wouldn't hurt to stay here and let Tsuna rest for a couple of days. In fact...

"Tsuna, I've been thinking..." She played with the collar of his shirt. "Maybe I shouldn't go to the monastery."

Brown eyes widened. "You mean that?"

"I was wondering if it really was worth the risk at this point," she confessed. "You and Pa... that's one less thing to worry about. I only said yes anyways because of what Ian said."

Tsuna frowned. "What was it?"

"They said they could... erase his memories. Like they did to me. Make him forget what happened, forget he ever found out about the Mafia."

Tsuna stared at her in disbelief. "Mia, that's your dad. Why would you - "

Her hands slid down his chest. "I was trying to have more options!" She defended herself. "He was upset! The most I've seen in years since - I didn't know what he was going to do when he was like that."

His expression sobered. "You're right, I'm sorry."

She closed her eyes. "I didn't have any reason to doubt them either. It worked on me..." she trailed off as her nightmare suddenly replayed in her mind and then she was back. In that hall. Her test tightened and she forgot how to breathe.

"Mia?" Tsuna shook her, unnerved, and she blinked. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Wanna turn in for the night?"

"Yeah," she replied faintly. "Let's go change your bandages while we're at it." Before they went back in, a bird flew overhead, scaring them and making them jump. It nestled near a tree. A raven. Tsuna tugged on her hand, but she stared at it, eyes fixed on the silver token, the size of a penny, that hung around its neck. It was nothing like the falcon or the cat she encountered before. This one stared at her, its black eyes unblinking and unkind. It's claws were wrapped in ornamental silver and looked like it would hurt of they dug them in skin.

Why was it here? Did the Order know her intentions? How did they find out?

It suddenly cawed, a long gurgling squawk that rattled her nerves. She pushed Tsuna inside, frightened by it.

"Are you okay?" Tsuna asked her worriedly.

She swallowed. "Yeah," she said. "I was just surprised. C'mon, let's change those bandages."

Tsuna grabbed her hand. "Can you stay with me again?"

She looked into his eyes, wondering if he was really asking for his sake or for hers. Her nightmares had gotten worse and Tsuna had been there for the most of it. With the raven outside, she wondered if she could sleep at all. Whether he intended it or not, she took it. She clutched his hand.

"Okay," she said.

Her Pa didn't stop them, you'd think he would, in fact he offered his bedroom instead so Chrome and Lambo can take hers. The bed in Pa's room was bigger, quieter. If she screamed herself awake the others wouldn't wake up right away. Her Pa was thinking differently however.

"No funny business you two," he warned them. "Don't make me regret it."

They stammered that they wouldn't of course, Mia couldn't believe he would think they would do that in his bedroom. Pa just raised his brows, sure, he seemed to say, and walked off. They went straight to the room after gathering their things in hers. Being mindful of that, she decided to wear some shorts tonight. Just in case.

Mia checked, cleaned and changed Tsuna's bandaging, pleased that it wasn't infected or anything. As they got into bed, Mia stared for a long time at the ceiling. Her thoughts ranged from the Order, the hall and then just being in her parent's old bedroom. It was weird and it felt awkward to lie there with Tsuna in the same bed her parent's got intimate in. Ugh. It was an effective deterrent and probably what her Pa was hoping for.

She turned on her side. Tsuna had gone straight to sleep, completely spent.

Should she take it back? If she told the raven that she was going through with it, would it go away? She can still feel it. Watching her through the walls. Even Ian was afraid of going against the Order. Sure, he disobeyed that one time but he also expected to die after. What did they do to him when he came back? What would they do to her if she defied their order? She clutched the sheets.

In need for comfort, she inched closer to Tsuna and rummaged under the covers until she found his hand. This was enough, she thought.

Mia was sure she wouldn't be able to sleep that night, too terrified of what waited for her on the other side and the raven outside her house, however when she closed her eyes, she was suddenly there. In the hall. That's not possible! Wild, panicked gasps escaped from her. She wasn't sleepy, she had been wide awake!

A scream echoed down the hall, not at all human and she covered her ears.

Did it call for her? Did it summon her here?

Out, she needed to get out. NOW! Her bare feet kicked off against the stone as she tore down the hall, away from the chamber, away from the monster who's screams continued to chase after her. Just when she almost found the stairs that would lead to the crypt, another figure rushed past her. A woman.

"Mia!" The woman screamed. "Baby where you?" Frantic, the woman shined her light, turning in a circle. She had short dark curls framing her face, grey eyes and light olive skin. She looked like Mia, if she had a tan.

"Mama?" she whispered, her eyes widening in realization.

"Mia!" The woman started running, towards the direction she just came from.

"Mama don't!" Mia tried to catch up to her but tripped, falling hard down the stairs. She quickly got up clumsily, and chased after her. Something cut her foot but she didn't care. "Mama!"

Her Mama didn't look, unable to hear her. She kept screaming, looking for her lost daughter. In doing so, she got closer and closer to the chamber where the box waited. The shelves creaked, threatening to fall on them. The stone groaned, ready to give away and the darkness was deafening. No matter how much she ran, she never seemed to get closer but she was desperate. She pushed on until her lungs burned and her legs screamed. Please, let her reach her in time!

She threw a hand up. So close...

"Mama!" She latched on the back of her jacket.

Her Mama swerved around and shined the light on her face. A relieved sob broke out from Mama. She scooped her up in her arms as she was suddenly now small and held her tightly. "Mia where did you go? Are you hurt? How did you get in here?" She touched her face, her arms and legs. "What's wrong love? Tell me where it hurts."

Mia hadn't realized she was crying. Pa was right. She really did look like her.

Mama tried not to cry but she wasn't good at handling her emotions like Pa did. "I'm so glad you're safe," she cried, pressing kisses to her hair.

Mia burrowed her face in the crook of her neck, trying to imprint her smell and her voice in her mind. Mama picked up her flashlight and held her by the other arm. "Don't cry love, Mama will get us out and we'll have a picnic after with Papa. Doesn't that sound nice?" Mia tightened her arms around her Mama's neck.

"Okay," she mumbled.

Her Mama turned around and Mia saw it. There was a faint light illuminating the other end of the hall. Second after second, it grew brighter. It began to take on a sickening orange hue that painted everything around it in ominous hues.

"Ma...Mama!" she choked up in fear.

"Love what's wrong?" Her Mama rubbed her back. But her eyes wouldn't move.

Tendrils of jagged fire, slithered across the floor like skeletons. Her ears picked it up. A hissing, like steam escaping from a pipe. It echoed throughout the hall. It was one word. One name. Repeated over and over again.

"Mia."

Mine.

Her mother ran just as the other end exploded, consumed by fire. It roared, enraged. They reached the staircase, but the lid was shut and her Mama couldn't open it with all her strength while holding her. Mia didn't want to let go, terrified of being taken away from her. Mama brushed her hair back.

"It's just for a moment okay? Be a good girl for me?" Mia didn't want to disappoint her Mama so she waited by her feet, staring into the abyss, her breaths rapid and harsh as the fire made its way to them. Sweat dripped from her Mama's face and soaked her clothes as the heat increased. She took off her jacket and continued pushing against the stone.

Dark smog began to fill the hall and Mia wretched at the disgusting smell it carried.

Each second was agonizing as her Mama pushed for the smallest opening, coughing and gagging. Pushing her fingers through, she heaved with all her strength until it was wide enough for them to get out. Another roar rocked the vault and Mia stumbled. The air rushed out of her lungs as a voice seared into her head.

Don't leave me.

A series of images flashed before her eyes while her lungs burned for air. Pandora sat in its chamber in solitude, held down by chains. Through its hole there was something clear and smooth. A translucent pacifier.

Skies are bound and you are mine.

Excruciating pain sunk into her calf, jarring her from the hall as a scream tore its way out from her. The images dissipated, her Mama gone and in their place was the starry night sky. It took only a second for her to focus, to see through the haze that the raven had dug its talons on her calf. Its silver claws scratching her arms leaving long and angry lines. She flung it off her and it squawked, furious.

Lights turned on behind her, her name being called out. Hands grasped her by the arms to pull her up but she cried out. They had to let go when she thrashed, unable to tell what was real or not as their hands also burned. Against the light, her scratches were inflamed. With shaking hands, she touched the scratches that had begun to darken. Poison, her mind immediately supplied. What did it do again? She knew this but her addled brain wouldn't focus.

The world around her began to steady and she noticed, on her lap, was a small piece of folded paper. She unfolded it. In perfect cursive, it said:

Fulfill your role Skyling.

A few seconds after she read it, it crumbled into ashes. There was no running from it. Pandora calls for her regardless what the Order wants and the Order has trapped her with no option but to go forwards. She could run but they will always find her. The raven continued to condemn her and she covered her ears to block out the sound.

Think, she needed to think. "Quiet!" she screamed at it.

Silence only came when Shigure Kintoki flew, its blade singing as it pierces the air and in to the heart of the raven. It died instantly.

"Kufufufu, seems that the Order has come for what it's owed," said a voice beside her. She looked to her left and saw her Pa's face but not with his eyes.

Author's Notes: I never was good with prolonged angst nor could I resist throwing in some fluff and comedy. Gomen.

I always wished that Tsuna would have shown more remorse in the anime/manga. Yes, there was that one time with Byakuran that lasted twenty seconds but after that he didn't dwell on it and he wasn't even his first kill. If memory serves me right, it was Iris' cloud mutated henchmen that he decimated with his perfected X Burner.

Also on a separate but related note; just a suggestion - unless you guys have read it already - I highly recommend reading 'Their Boss' by . It's utterly heart wrenching and one of my favorites. It basically answers, 'What if Tsuna killed and his Guardians turned their backs on him?'. I love it to bits and makes me want to protect Tsuna at all costs.

Writing this chapter was certainly an experience, I've made so many changes I surprised myself but my favorite part was the scene between Tsuna and Nicolas. I didn't mean for it to go that way at first but the scene grew on me since it drew some personal experience. Or actually any scene with Nicolas is an instant yes for me. Everybody Wants To Rule the World by Tears for Fears is one of my favorite songs and I've been listening to an acoustic cover for this chapter. Its one of those timeless songs and depending on which cover you're listening to, it could be nostalgic, creepy, happy or even fitting for war (Lorde).

Anyways readers, thanks so much for all the reviews, the favorites and follows. Next chapter is going to be a ride. See ya!