Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Katekyoshi Hitman Reborn! I just wish I did.

Beta: the lovely Midnight-Kitsune11.

Pairing: At this time there is NO pairing for this fic!

Recap:

Sky = Tsuna

Storm = Sasuke + Kurama

Rain = Zabuza

Mist = Iruka

AN: Thank you all for all your suggestions! I had a lot of fun reading who you all thought should be assigned a steam 7's new sensei! 3

Also, please don't think I hate Kakashi! Most of you got the right idea: I love his character (like most of you) I just think he stinks as a teacher. The man had clearly no idea what to do with three twelve year old! No one helped him with that (or his past trauma) and he honestly isn't someone I see asking for help. I wanted to rectify that in this fic!

Chapter 18: More truths and a confrontation

Tsuna eyed Sasuke in shock. What?

His friend's eyes were still red and puffy, but a determined look shone in them now. Tsuna bit his lip. Sasuke had just gotten some pretty… stunning news. And now… he just changed the subject that drastically?

True, Tsuna had been very frustrated with their teacher – his attitude mostly. Going from wanting nothing to do with him/them, to being overprotective, and then avoiding them/him again had been a roller-coaster. Tsuna hadn't been happy either, but… to ask for a replacement?

Tsuna worried about his Storm. It wasn't every day you heard life shattering truths about why your brother (who you had spent years hating) had killed your entire family. He suspected Sasuke's breakdown here was nothing compared to what would follow once they were alone.

Their Hokage watched them with wide eyes, clearly stunned.

"Excuse me? What brought this on?"

"I have a list of complaints. Where do you want me to start?" Sasuke sniffed as he rubbed at his nose, trying to pull off a snarky tone.

Tsuna bit his lip again. He could feel the shock leaving Sasuke's body, and rage settled in its stead. This was not good. To prevent Sasuke from exploding, and trying to keep him somewhat calm, he send soothing flames down their bond. He also grabbed Sasuke's free hand and squeezed it. The Storm squeezed back.

"At the beginning please, I need more information." The Hokage beckoned him to explain.

Sasuke took a deep breath. "He took me away from the village for one month to train for the exams, only to take me back so late I ended up being disqualified. He caused both me and Naruto physical pain by separating the both of us after bonding. When I tried to explain this to him, he said I was exaggerating and that I shouldn't be so dramatic. Also, Naruto is in the hospital with a spinal injury, and he hasn't come by to check on him, or even just to come say hello. Sakura at least has visited, even if she is very busy." Sasuke counted on his fingers, visibly reigning in his temper. "Is that enough, or do you want me to go on?"

The Hokage blinked at them, then sighed in a very Shikamaru way and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"Troublesome." The man said. "Alright, you want another teacher. The reasoning is sound, but you get that it isn't that easy, right? I can't fire a jounin from being a sensei on the word of one genin. There are procedures, paperwork… that sort of thing. It takes time. Would you be willing to make an official statement? Would your team-mates back you up in this?"

"I would." Tsuna said quickly. He still wasn't completely sure about this – it seemed like a lot of trouble honestly – but he would support Sasuke in this. Maybe making their complaint official would at least get Kakashi to listen them, even if it didn't end up working out.

"Well, I can't guarantee anything, but official statements would be a help. Your sensei is on a mission right now, so the sooner I get those statements, the sooner I can talk to him about this." The man sighed again, but he was clearly deep in thought. You could almost see his brain working.

"There is an additional problem though." He admitted.

Now what?

"What's that?" Sasuke asked with a frown.

"Right now, team 7 has been suspended. Indefinitely." The Hokage explained.

Tsuna froze. What? Why? What had happened?

"Why?" Sasuke immediately asked.

"Well, right now, you, Uchiha Sasuke, are the only active shinobi on that genin team. Naruto got hurt during the exam, and even if Tsunade arrived today and operated on you the instant she arrived, you might be out for months. Spinal injuries are severe, and I'd rather my shinobi take as long as needed to heal, than go back to active duty quickly and risk hurting themselves even worse. You might even need to physiotherapy after this. There is no telling right now, how long your recovery will take."

The man looked at Tsuna with a stern look. "Also, after casually summoning the Kyuubi, and we will talk about that later, in front of the entire village and our foreign visitors, it would be best if you lay low for a while. Keep out of the public eye. I have had actual mobs trying to storm my office, asking me to either kill you, banish you, or just do something."

Tsuna gulped. Hadn't Shikamaru said something like that before? He hadn't…. Well, he had hoped it hadn't been true. He hadn't thought too much about it.

"I won't, but I do need to talk to you and maybe even Kyuubi about that later. But, whatever happens with your recovery, keeping out of the public eye isn't a bad idea right now." The man continued on. "Either way, that leaves only two members on team 7. Or it did. You are aware your sensei got Haruno-san an apprenticeship at this hospital?"

They both nodded. Sakura had told them about it. She had looked so happy. It had made Tsuna glad Kakashi had managed to do right by at least one of his students, even if it was by handing her over to someone else to teach.

"Now, by doing so, he effectively removed her from team 7. She is now the responsibility of her new teacher. Medics aren't usually active shinobi, and as such don't fall under the immediate command of the Hokage. Most medics are actually civilians. As soon as the paperwork for her apprenticeship was signed, she was taken off of the shinobi roster. She might be back once her studies are over, if that is her wish and the hospital lets her go, but that will take years."

The man eyed them both seriously. "So right now, team 7 only has one active duty member, not counting your sensei. One member can be replaced, two is practically impossible, unless we wait for the next batch of Academy graduates, and if you want me to replace your sensei as well…?" He rubbed his head. "I promise to give this some serious thought. You will still able to do missions as an extra temporary member in another team. That seems like the best solution, for now."

They sat in silence for a little while, thinking everything over.

"Are there standard form to fill out?" Sasuke asked with a smirk.

"Konoha is the kingdom of bureaucracy." Their Hokage sighed with a crooked smile. "We have standard forms for just about everything. Make sure you go harass the people at the desk in my tower tomorrow."

"Will do."

"Now, I think this talk has been heavy enough. Let's stop here. I'll come by again in a few days to talk some more. Get some rest, the both of you." The man got up and left the two boys in the room.

Tsuna and Sasuke exchanged a look. Neither of them sure what to say. There was a bit of a lost look in Sasuke's eyes, and Sasuke pulled him closer. He enveloped the Storm in another hug.

He could only hope his friend would be alright.

…

Sasuke was not alright. Not by a long shot.

He broke down crying as soon as they were alone. It was an ugly, soul-bearing kind of crying. It was loud, and it hurt. It hurt Sasuke, but Tsuna as well, because he could do nothing more than hold his friend, and use his flames as well as he could through their bond to try and offer some reassurance.

He wasn't sure how long they sat there before Iruka-nii and Zabuza nearly broke down the door trying to get to them. Both looked distressed, and Tsuna briefly wondered what kind of feedback they got from this through their own bonds.

It must have been… spectacular.

Iruka-nii barricaded the door, locking out the medics Tsuna could hear yelling in the hallway.

The Mist then immediately gathered the two up in a hug and cuddled with them on the bed, as best as they could with Tsuna still half paralyzed by the seal.

Zabuza chose to stand watch over them with a grimace on his face. The man looked uncomfortable, but unwilling to not be here.

Sasuke spent the night there. None of them had the heart to wake him. Iruka-nii and Zabuza stayed as well, but neither of them slept. They kept watch.

It wasn't really necessary, but they felt better for it. They were family, bound together to the same Sky, and one of their own was very vulnerable right now. They wouldn't take any risks.

Then next day Tsuna got woken up by loud noises outside.

"What is going on?" he muttered sleepily, trying to blink the sleep out of his eyes.

"Don't worry, go back to sleep." Iruka-nii said as he gently pet Tsuna's hair. "Zabuza is going to check it out. They should quiet down soon."

Tsuna snorted. Sending his cranky Rain to calm down any sort of situation seemed a bit counterproductive.

Iruka-nii shot him a grin.

Sasuke sighed in irritation as he woke up as well. "What the hell?"

The sounds are only getting louder. Tsuna frowns as well.

The door opened and they watched with a frown as Genma walked in. He closed the door behind him, stared at them, and leaned against the door.

"Um… hello? Long time no see, I guess?" Tsuna said hesitantly.

Genma snorted. "Yeah, sorry, times have been busy."

He kept leaning against the door, not moving towards them. "You two look cosy."

Sasuke flinched, but all Tsuna could do is throw a glare at the man. He really didn't need anyone making Sasuke feel bad about seeking some comfort. Not after the news his Storm had just had.

"Genma." Iruka-nii said sternly. "Either tell us what is going on outside, get back out, or shut up."

"I'll shut up then." The man grinned again.

Tsuna frowned. He liked Genma. The jounin had helped him out, and Iruka-nii as well (still?) a few months ago, but just coming in, and choosing not to talk? That was … Strange.

"On the other hand, how are you doing kid? They still have you on bed rest?" Genma asked, genuine concern entering his face.

"Yeah." Tsuna answered carefully. "At least until they get Tsunade here to heal me."

Genma winced. "Shinobi have been send out for years to get her back. I really hope they'll succeed this time, kiddo. It's no life, stuck in a bed like that."

"Well, I am getting pretty tired of it."

A loud explosion made the room shudder. Sasuke brusquely sat up, looking just as alarmed as Tsuna felt.

"What the?" Iruka-nii cursed. "Genma! What is going on? Are we under attack?!"

"I am under orders." The man scowled.

Iruka-nii cursed even loudly. "And you are not allowed to tell us?!"

Genma only nodded.

"Can you tell us why?" Tsuna asked.

"They don't want a certain someone to… act out." Genma avoided looking at any of them.

Tsuna felt very confused. What? Was this about him? How exactly would he act out? He could barely move! And even if the seal wasn't around he couldn't without further crippling himself.

Also, why would he even want to? He didn't remember making any new enemies? Or old ones? Sure, that Snake guy had been crazy (or at least acting like it?), but from what he had gathered, that was Byakuran's guy, and he hadn't given Byakur-Kabuto a reason to act out like this. His fellow Sky had seemed to like him.

Though, with Byakuran, liking him could be enough of a reason…

No, he was sure that couldn't be it. So what was going on?

Iruka-nii actually growled at Genma.

Genma raised his hands in surrender. "It is being handled, or it should be."

Another loud explosion and a wave of Rain flames and rage washed over them. It briefly took Tsuna's breath away.

Zabuza had never learned to use his flames like that. Not yet. Not in those quantities.

Their door imploded. Genma cursed and ducked out of the way just in time, before black flames surged inwards. Both the Jounin and Iruka-nii immediately stood before the bed.

"No." Sasuke whispered with halted breath, as a figure in a black long coat entered. Bright red clouds decorate the fabric, and Tsuna tensed, grabbed at Sasuke as he felt rage enter their bond.

"You have no business here, Uchiha Itachi." Genma said to the man who entered the room.

Tsuna stilled as well.

He understood now. Genma wasn't here for him. Tsuna wasn't the one who might act… rashly.

This was about Sasuke.

Sasuke who had just been told the truth yesterday. Who had learned less then twelve hours ago why his brother had murdered their entire family. Who hadn't spoken a word about it, but who had broken down crying twice in that same time frame.

Who was now shaking in rage beside him.

This was going to end badly.

It was too soon. None of them had had time to process, to talk about this. To plan, to decide what to do with this information.

This was a disaster.

"You." Sasuke snarled, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Still, it echoed in the room.

"Otouto." Itachi replied, without looking at Sasuke. He couldn't have dismissed Tsuna's Storm in a more obvious way.

Sasuke exploded. Storm Flames washed over the room, destroying everything they came into contact with. Tsuna and Iruka-nii were safe from the onslaught, but Genma jumped back with a hiss. The wounds left behind on his arms were clearly burns.

Storm flames.

Disintegration.

"I see you learned a new trick." Itachi said again as he stepped back, out of the reach of the bright red Storm flames.

Sasuke snarled. A rage overtook him that left Tsuna breathless, as an echo travelled through their bond.

Zabuza burst through the wall with a scream, sword flashing with Rain flames drawn and aimed at Itachi's head.

Itachi jumped back once again, barely avoiding to get his head blown off.

"Get back here, you kinslayer!" the Rain roared in fury.

Other shinobi arrived as well, immediately standing between their bed and the missing nin before them.

Sasuke was still shaking in rage, but his flames weren't reaching for his brother any more. They retreated and settled into Sasuke's skin, ready to burst forward again. Sasuke himself glared at his brother, but didn't try to get up. Uncertainty flashed through his eyes and through their bond.

Everyone was staring at each other in some sort of crazy stand-off.

Itachi opened his mouth to speak, but Tsuna got there first.

"Nii-san, Zabuza, please get this man out of here. Try not to kill him, if you will." Tsuna said, taking charge.

Neither replied to him, but they did charge forward.

The other shinobi followed the fight out of the room. Only Genma stayed behind. He approached them cautiously.

"Damn, that was some impressive fire, Kid." The man gently poked his burned arms.

"You should see a medic about those." Tsuna said. "Those flames are lethal."

Genma shrugged. "I will, once I am sure the danger is over."

Sasuke pov

It was just too much. He couldn't... What the hell had happened? So Itachi wasn't a traitor. He should be glad for that, right? Itachi had only been following orders, right?

But did that change anything? Besides the fact that someone else was also responsible? Because in the end, Itachi had done it. He had killed their entire clan – children, adults and everyone in between. He had killed their parents, but he had refused to kill Sasuke.

He had hated Itachi for that for years now.

Uchiha Sasuke, good enough to torture in some crazy genjutsu, but killing him? Oh no, we wouldn't want that.

He hated his brother for what he had done.

Even now.

Why had no one told him? Why had Itachi not told him? Why had he lied to him?! Test his strength, please… Why not just tell the truth?

What had he ever done to be punished like that?

Itachi had never seemed to hate him, never to that extent.

He was thankful to finally know the truth, but it left him tired and empty.

What was he supposed to do now?

He had no idea.

He wasn't ready to name the different emotions threatening to overwhelm him. And he didn't have to.

Because he was home.

He had been unsure about that whole bonding and flames business, but now? He was so glad he had taken the chance.

Already he had no idea how to react, and that was with his Sky's... support.

He didn't dare to imagine what he would have done if he had found out if he had still been alone, as he had sworn he would be years ago.

He had sworn away all connections. He had been determined not to get close to anyone ever again. Not as long as Itachi was still around.

Now? He is so glad he broke that promise. The grief and rage were already so overwhelming. If he had been alone?

Kami knew what he would have done...

He didn't want to know what he would have become.

Just for that, he wasn't sure he'd be ever able to forgive Itachi.

And of course, after crying his eyes out, after falling asleep as his Sky comforted him, after that whole embarrassing situation, when his mind still was running in circles – one thought replaced by the next before he could think it through – was when Itachi finally showed himself. After years of absence. After years of not even rumours about where he could be.

Typical.

TBC.

AN: I only now realise it's been a while since I did another POV at the end of the chapters… Oops? I kind of lost track of that… Sorry!

IMPORTANT!: I am really struggling with the further plot of this story. Any suggestions on what you want to see happening next would be really helpful. Whether that is who else you want to see Tsuna bond with, or how they spend the two year time skip or even how they handle the Akatsuki? Please let me know your ideas for this! I am desperate T⌓T

Keeping this in mind, it might take a while for me to update this story again. Just to warn you…