A/N:

@acertainpasserby: I just have this feeling that Verde went out cause he also wants to spend some time with Tsuna. With how approachable Tsuna is, no one can resist such company even if all they'll do is stare at a freshly painted wall. He does have a potential as a motherhen, but don't forget about the seven more Arcobaleno (Yes. Include Colonnello because he is one even if he's a laid back rain) that can be too overprotective about Tsuna even if they spoil him with everything. Reborn is a rational demon. He knew what he did wrong as long as it got slapped on his face. Helpless about the situation, but it can't be helped. I'm even shocked that he's accepting his punishment and not already barging in the Sawada House.

@michiko-chan27: Oh. No. The reason of Verde to have a contract with Tsuna is on this new chapter. Reborn told Verde all that to make him feel guilty because he turned down Tsuna's invitation for a foodtrip (which was a success). Reborn is lowkey vindictive for the benefit of the love of his life. Well, if you were a child with no actual knowledge of kindness and the likes, you'll probably stir away from Tsuna too with all his weird traits and bookish personality. If you're friendly like canon Takeshi and canon Kyoko, I don't think you'll mind Tsuna talking to the air. 'Normal' people fear what they can't comprehend, and with Tsuna being fluffy and weird by playing 'alone' and talking to the air? Yup. They'll stay away from him.

@Guest: Oh no. It's okay to get out of the topic. I did read about the mystery of Tsunayoshi Sawada. The clean version in FF and the original in AO3. It was pretty... Worth of the blush. Hahaha! The author was so cool with how she wrote it. About the Beta, I'm too shy to ask anyone. It's my first time writing in here so I'm not familiar with the beta program or something. Maybe in the near future or sometime. I'll try tumblr too, once I get some good vibes with my internet. But thank you. Maybe Colonnello is next. Let's just wait and see. The Arcobaleno have strained relationship among themselves after Luce died. So in a sense, Verde and Reborn having a serious talk is a start for a good friendship. Let's just say that this change is a manifestation of Tsunayoshi Sawada's power. Hahaha.

@LavaLilly: Oh. Hahaha. Sorry. That was probably my mistake because I suck at grammar and spelling. I have this weird mentality that if the grammar sounds right, it is right. Not the usual 'see if the verb agrees with the subject' thingy. Anyway, about that one chapter with a... Very weird opening. Yes. It is a weird opening. But I felt like it will be good for the flow of story at that point of time. Haha. It's good you came back though.

So yeah. Thanks for the reviews. I'm sleepy while I'm writing this and typing the replies, so no wonder they're pretty lengthy.

And like I said before, you can skip these parts, it's so up to you if you want to read them. Clearly optional (because I'm afraid their boring because this is Arcobaleno arc in a way).

Anyway, go on. Onwards.

Warning: Italicized part is memories. Like those ones Tsuna get from Reborn when he was still in the Academy? Yeah. so don't get confused.

Terminology (this is fun):

Normal Tsuna: Tsuna

Eight year old Tsuna: Tsunayoshi

Note: Don't get confused.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Verde rose his brows, attention now piqued. "Humor me, child."

Tsuna crooned softly after a lick to his ice cream. "We both experienced how the old contract spell works. No. Wait. Whenever you do a contract, what do you feel? Like do you feel the summoners' feelings or motives?"

"Feelings, no. Motives, a little." Verde rested his chin on his palm and glanced at the brunet, only to see him staring at him with hopeful eyes. He sighed. "You get good tingles when they have good intention. You get... Creepy tingles when not."

"Hm... Maybe the contract varies with the deals placed? I felt Reborn's loneliness after we finished doing the contract. You know, years of being bored, lonely and hateful. I wonder what will I feel if I had a contract with your or any of the Arcobaleno?"

"Dunno." Verde shrugged. "It was possibly different to the two of you because you trust each other."

"Eh." The child drawled before giving a cough, staring at his cold treat. "Anyway, let's go to the new contract incantations and circles. The new chant is a lot different. Whenever I close my eyes, I can see lines on my core aura. Right now," He closed his eyes. "I have an indigo, a black, a purple and a grey one that used to be yellow."

"What can this contract do?"

"There are six the last time we counted. Shared feelings, summons can open a portal to go to their summoner without using their own auras, abilities shared like for instance I can harden a house if I use your aura's ability. We can block each others' line to prevent the other from knowing what you feel and what's on your mind. So yes, we can read each others' mind. I haven't tried barging in the other side though. Also, I can see glimpses of Reborn's past and feel auras. Like are they pleasant, or bad. Rotten, murky, anything that you can feel on a demon's aura."

"That sounds interesting."

"If you know how to control it, yes." Tsuna responded before leaning back to the backrest of the bench they sat at. "It was hard for me to block Reborn's line for a long time while being infested by an incubus. I had to use good amount of aura to keep it up. If I didn't ask Viper to teach me, I couldn't see myself as okay as I am. But it still hurts. I can't feel Reborn's aura in me."

"You can open it a little."

"Nah." Verde watched the kid shake his head with a wistful smile, still staring at the ice cream. "He wanted me to block him so I can't bother him. And I did. It was what he wished. I'm a summoner who had to grant it." Then he scooped a good portion of the ice cream, not wanting to waste the food.

The Lightning frowned. "Isn't it the other way around? He should be serving you because you're the summoner."

"Eh? He should?" Pak! Tsuna moaned in pain after receiving a good hit on the back of his head. "Ow. Verde. Ow."

"That fustilarian was the one who offered you a contract in the first place. If he didn't, you won't make such contract incantation nor circle. That idiot of idiot-worshippers." Verde pointed out, a little annoyed, only to be answered by a burst of giggles. "What?!"

"You just went on Shakespeare on me." Tsuna exclaimed before laughing again. "God. You just killed me." He said within puffs, making Verde scrunch up his face. "Don't make that face. You're becoming a chibi in my eyes."

Verde scoffed. "Right. What else?"

The human coughed to control his laughter before talking again. "Well, it just occurred to me that the same contract circle appear in the sky and makes a shield with the same circle on the ground. I wonder if it's really a shield that can protect the summoner and contractor inside."

"We can try that theory." The scientist offered, which the child nodded at.

"Will you believe me that whenever the line 'I trust the end' is said, I can see the demon forms of the Arcobalenos?"

Verde blinked several times before throwing back his head to guffaw his heart out. "That's utterly impossible, Tsunayoshi! No one can handle our demon forms. Humans either suffer insanity or die immediately at our sights. In summary, both die in the end."

Tsuna hummed after eating the last of the cream. "Viper's demon form has two horns on each side of the head with snake like red eyes right? It was probably covered with a black clothe since I saw it dangling on his neck. He has a slender body that has three holes on them, one on the center of chest, on the diaphragm and on the stomach, four arms with two on each side and a snake tail." Verde stiffened at the accurate description. "Don't tell me it isn't because I know you saw their demon forms in the war."

He coughed. "Yes. It is."

"Skull has two pointy horns, feathery black wings, a strong tail and glaring purple eyes. He's humongous too. Reborn has two regal horns on both side of his head, black bat wings and a cape. He looked like a burning demon with all the yellow carvings on his skin and the highlights on his wings. And Bermuda is entirely made of miasma, creating a figure of a demon with a wispy cloak and a tall top hat." Tsuna smirked. "Seeing Skull's demon form is enough for me to form an immunity to the appearance. Although I get surprised a lot with how eccentric they look, it felt like a common occurence. And I see invisible demons all the time, so I'm used to it."

"But bones are different from demon form."

"Nope. There are some demons who has more than bones to give. I wonder what your demon form is, though. It must be pretty interesting." The child fascinated with a frisky smile.

The Lightning rolled his eyes and whipped out a handkerchief. "Come here, kid. You're a messy eater."

Tsuna only blinked. Verde sighed and reached out to hold the child's chin in a firm manner before wiping off the sticky cream. He had to take the water bottle Tsuna has beside him, pour a small amount on the hanky and started to clean the brunet's face again. After doing so, he rinsed the stained part and put it on the bench armrest. When he looked back to Tsuna, the human is eyeing him in a new light.

"What?"

"You're like a father." Tsuna gave a beautiful smile. "Other than you give good reasons and insult like Shakespeare, you give easy to understand instructions and a nice guide how to do things."

"That's common."

"Oh no. It's not, Verde." The child waved off. "You're just that cool at it. Now that I think about it, I'm wondering what you benefited with this little hang out of ours. I mean, I gained a lot."

Verde hummed as he thought. He did gain a lot. He visited the Mundane world, eat some treats he never knew that existed (he only heard the crepe from an academy student), had some things he bought and was able to spend some time with Tsuna without getting awkward even though he murmured a lot of scientific facts about things and the kid answers and questions him about them. However, was he that a good guide? Maybe he could use that as an equivalent exchange. Though he needs to make the human understand why he wants to make a contract with the latter. His eyes slid towards the child.

Tsuna is having this matured look while staring at his literal counterpart. He wondered...

"You're socially awkward." He pointed out.

"You noticed?" Tsuna chuckled nervously. "I never had ramen outside the house before that's why it's an instinct to add a soy sauce. Playing arcade isn't really my thing. I've been reading books since age three I think? I don't remember hanging out with anyone here in Namimori. I don't know if I bought any souvenir nor do window shopping without any of my family with me in my whole life. So far, I had dined with Skull for the first time. So yeah. Socially inept. Socially awkward. And socially incapable."

'Socially unaccepted.' Verde can almost hear that last message being uttered. He wetted his lips. "I can guide you to do things like other people should've done with you."

Tsuna whipped his head to see him. "Really?"

"If you accept me as your lightning that is." He smirked.

The brunet stared at him before giving him a suspicious gaze. "Is this a blackmail?"

The scientist rolled his eyes. "Tsunayoshi, ever wondered why I invited you out even if I don't want to three days ago?"

"No?"

"Because you guilt-tripped me. Enough to give me courage to get you. Honestly, Reborn helped you convince me to go when I went back to Fiant. He explained to me that you invited me to explore the world and get me out of my safe zone. Was that your intention?"

The mummed brunet nodded.

"Good. Cause I understand that. You give courage, I give you guidance. So will you permit me to become one of the weathers under your sky?"

"Isn't this a little too fast?"

Verde hummed as he thinks. "Probably. You just got a contract with Bermuda this morning, and now I'm offering another. But that is expected since we, demons, do our works in the most fastest way."

"Really?"

"Yes. You haven't seen us in full power, child. Once you do, you'll be amazed."

The brunet nodded. "When will we make the contract?"

Verde felt a flatter in his heart at the question. "Maybe now? I want to know how that circle feels."

Tsuna laughed mirthfully. "Okay, okay."

Fon stared at the two in front of him. In a way, they looked so intimate while standing in the center of the park. With hands on each others' bare left sides and right hands in a handshake while standing in a big circle for contracts... Yeah. Pretty intimate.

Well... He searched, okay? He wanted to see Tsuna and probably offer a contract. He got the wind that Bermuda had his this morning, and it took him a minute to realize that he wants one with the brunet too, only to find out that the human was out with the lightning arcobaleno since morning. And when he finally found them, here they were, doing a contract.

He can't help the hot churn on his stomach. He felt like burning something, or anything. God. If he was a lot faster, he would've been the one standing in front of Tsuna and saying those contract words. How ironic, since he was dubbed the fastest among their group, but he's much of a slowpoke when it comes to this things.

"Two placed desires be obtained." He's attention snapped to the two when both said fifth line in sync, and another triangle glowed.

"Give me courage and I'll guide you." Verde ordered. A triangle alight.

Tsuna laughed. "I'll give you courage as you give me one, then guide for I need guidance." And the last triangle illuminated.

"I give the contract," The demon uttered, and the words written on the triangles haloed.

"I trust the end." The human offered, the words underneath them kindled.

Fon wondered with bitterness of what Tsuna saw as the latter stared at Verde with increasing awe. Hell. The churn is getting hotter, he can almost feel his pulse getting quicker by seconds and his eyes going red.

"Breach the oath in due time length." The outer circle blazed after the guaranty.

"May both lives prosper as what yearned are granted." And they lit up.

Then both waited for something. Fon noticed how Verde became tense while Tsuna sighed heavily as he rolled his shoulder, as if taking off tensions. He started to approach them when the barrier around them slowly vanished. As he moved closer, he could see the relief from Verde's expression while Tsuna only smiled, amused. Fon can't help glaring at the Lightning, forgetting how to reign over his emotions.

When he got closer, the brunet looked at his way. The human gave him a critical gaze before a smile took over his lips. He even waved at him after parting from the scientist who was staring at the brunet with curiosity. Fon was about to say something when the human tipped to the side. The storm arcobaleno's eyes widened in surprise and ran to catch the kid. He did so.

He stared at the panting brunet. He looked tired and out of it. He fixed his arm and hugged the child in his arms while crouching down. He felt Verde's stare, but he only shot a glare to the other before focusing on the human.

"Are you okay, Tsunayoshi?" Fon asked.

The child nodded before frowning at him. "You look angry, Fon."

"Ha?" The Storm blurted, surprised.

"You're frowning." The human put a finger between his brows, and he felt them relaxing. "Your lips are upturned. You look upset. What are you angry about, Fon?"

Fon couldn't answer. He felt like going away. Tsuna must have guessed what he wanted to do because he put an arm around the demon's shoulder, anchoring himself to the demon.

"Tell me. I wanna help."

"Help?"

"Apparently," Fon glanced at his fellow Arcobaleno who cleared his throat before smirking knowingly. "he wants to know what of use he is to you, Fon. His... Intuition is telling him that you want to say something to him."

"Verde. Don't tease him." The Sky chided, glaring at the Lightning who raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay okay. I'll leave you two alone. I'll come back tomorrow. I expect Fon to take you home safely."

Tsuna smiled and patted the Storm, who looked at the child. "Fon will do it. He's trusty."

Fon felt his face getting warm just as the scientist left with his own portal.

"Now that he's gone, why were you angry?"

"I was angry?"

Tsuna nodded. "You didn't know?"

The demon shook his head. "But I did feel like I want to burn something."

"Then you were angry."

"Maybe I was." Then he stood up with the brunet in his arms. "I was just berating myself for being unable to ask you a contract."

The young man yawned and pressed himself to Fon's shoulder with closed eyes as the latter started to walk. "If you don't mind."

"Nope."

"Have you asked yourself why you want a contract with me?"

Fon went quiet. Couldn't answer the simple question presented to him.

"Contracts must have equivalent exchange, Fon. Don't forget that." The other reminded in a sleepy tone.

"Yes, Tsunayoshi."

The two shared a comfortable silence while Fon walked them to the Sawada house. Ietsuna was the one who opened the door and led him to the brunet's room. He gently placed Tsuna on the bed and pulled the covers over the human. Viper appeared by the window just as he was about to leave. He nodded at the Mist who only stared at him.

Going back to Fiant was easy, but he was... Troubled to say the least. He only sat on his bed, thinking what can he offer to Tsuna and what's the reason why he wanted a contract.

Why did he want a contract anyway?

Because it's the trend? No. It wasn't. Because his fellow Arcobalenos are making contracts with the child? Stupid. That wasn't it. Because he wants it too? Nah.

Groaning in unnameable feeling, he fell back to his bed and stared at his ceiling. Tsuna deserves something special. Something he could only give as much as the child can only give to him too. He does not need any protection nor anything in particular things. All the brunet wants is a reason why make a contract with him.

Fon sighed and closed his eyes in unbearable resignation. What can he offer?

For once, their dreams got aligned.As Reborn found himself walking in a familiar street, Tsuna looked around the place he stumbled upon while possessing the hitman in his infant form. Both felt the familiarity of the place. In the hitman's case, it was the usual route Tsunayoshi takes whenever he goes home from the elementary school. While for the brunet, he's surrounded by tall bushes that overlooks the park near Namimori Middle.At some point, infant Reborn went out of his hiding, terribly sluggish and in pain that Tsuna had to stop himself from sobbing further. He has been there from the start. When Kawahira suddenly appeared with pacifiers in hands that took three-fourth of the Arcobalenos' power for safety keeping since they almost destroyed Fiant. It was just a little power play, wanting to prove that one is powerful than the other. So the overseer came and gave them a judgement. Hence, they were turned to babies to compensate the last of their powers.(He can't still imagine how the heck did they pull Lal and Verde on it with just simple insults and challenge.)The only problem on Tsuna's end was the fact that the hitman looked like a human infant who can't scare off half of his enemies because he's worn out with no one to take care of him. So it was really no brainer when some human kids (that the brunet recognized too well) suddenly surrounded him just when they noticed him.Reborn knew Tsunayoshi was getting bullied almost everyday whenever he passes through the park. The jeers, finger jabbing on his shoulder, the pushing and feeling of loneliness whenever they don't include him to their games. But he can't just take away the child's only source of happiness outside of his home. Whenever Tsunayoshi sees those kids running around, playing on the play things, he'll smile like he was one of them. The demon will recognize the happiness the human feels, the bubbling feeling of excitement and flatter of the heart. There was no envy, resentment or sadness. It was pure pleasant feeling.However, he was sure that Tsunayoshi will never get himself acquainted with trouble. Still, his inborn curiosity will always prevail. He can't fault the young brunet when his attention got caught by a group of kids, a year older than him, surrounding something. Or is it even a thing. He felt the usual stir of the intuition, but it was giving a choice. To help or feign ignorance.The brunet looked around, trying to see a glimpse of any level one demon around to at least help him, but no one was around. Swallowing his nervousness, Reborn sighed as Tsunayoshi crept a little toward the crowd.Tsuna could only bit his lip as those kids led by Mochida (this kid will get it, really) started to hit him with sticks. They kept on calling infant Reborn demon, fiend, filthy and some other things. He watched in horror when Mochida took out a small knife from his pocket. He shouted when the kid lifted infant Reborn's collar and raised the knife with a self-satisfying grin on his face. And then he despairingly lost sight of what happened when infant Reborn closed his eyes as if accepting his fate.Reborn felt Tsunayoshi's worry when he saw the small form of a demon in the center of the crowd. What surprised the hitman was seeing his infant self. He cursed, not remembering fully how he got in Namimori or how the heck did he not remember Tsunayoshi from then. He watched as Tsunayoshi weaved through the crowd to get to the center to at least help the little Reborn. But he did stare when the kid he recognized as Mochida, and the primary bully of the brunet, lifted him up by his clothe and raised a shiny small knife with his other hand, intending to kill him.Reborn watched when the eight years old Tsunayoshi Sawada slapped away the knife and took the infant Reborn in his arms. The brunet ran away from them, but tripped when someone threw a rock on his back. The little boy rose up, still cradling the baby in his arms in a protective manner, and reached for the knife that he saw in front him and faced the people that was about to attack him, only to make them halt.Reborn recoiled back at the sudden hatred that spiked from the brunet's heart. He can feel the sudden change in behavior and the intuition guiding the child on what he should do. He couldn't understand why do such length for a infant like him. He might know what Tsunayoshi feels, but he can never read the child's thoughts.Little Tsunayoshi glared at his bullies fiercely. He hugged the demon infant in his free arm with protection and possessiveness. He raised the knife in his hand and growled angrily when one of the abuser tried to approach them."One move for this child and I'll kill you." He threatened with so much venom that it affected the listeners."Dame-Tsuna-""Fuck off, Mochida-sempai." He cut off, glaring at his sempai. "Demon or not, you have no rights to torment him. If I torture you here, won't you feel pain? It's the same as them even if they're demons."Tsuna sighed in relief when the demon infant opened his eyes from the pain he was getting used to. He stared at the young version of him cradling the infant Reborn in his arms. The boy is angry- furious even. Suddenly, he felt the hitman express a feeling of shock, as of seeing something he couldn't believe, then the baby reached out and clutched on the boy's clothe.Reborn's attention went to the little him when Tsunayoshi felt a clutch on his clothe. His heart trumped as he remembered what he saw on the little brunet at that time. A flood of relief washed over the young one's system, accompanied with a smile, before the human moved to press their foreheads together."I'm so glad you're okay." Tsunayoshi said with happiness.And Reborn's heart flattered in warmth and gratitude when Tsunayoshi stood up and walked away from the playground to take him to safety.

Tsuna sat up, panting and astonished. He felt so... So light and relieved. He just dreamed a memory of Reborn. That one time a lot of his powers were taken away from him, and he became a baby. Then he escaped to the Mundane.

What made him light was the fact that Reborn was the reason why he started to protect the demons, weak (low ones) and strong (like Ira), or the humans alike. He saw what Reborn saw in him at that time. How he was already a sky with a powerful aura, and how his eyes were orange sometimes that he never knew up until now. Heck, he was even asked by Hana about it, but he dismissed it as a trick of light. Who knew it was his aura?

But he loved how Reborn promised to himself that once he got his body back, he'll thank Tsuna. It flattered the brunet no less, and he already wants to say you're welcome. He also loved the lack of comparison with Luce. Just pure fascination and heartfelt gratefulness.

Tsuna's gut tightened as thoughts entered his mind. God. If it wasn't for Reborn-

"What's wrong, Tsuna?" He looked at Viper who floated towards him.

Tsuna reached out to Viper and hugged the Mist by the waist. The demon hugged him back by his shoulders. "Thank you Mammon."

"Mou."

Tsuna tightened his hold on the mist arcobaleno. If it wasn't for Reborn, he won't meet his other summons. He won't have his elements. He should thank him and discreetly say 'you're welcome'.

"Did something happen?" The Mist queried, running a hand on the child's mane.

"No." Tsuna answered, but it didn't convince the Arcobaleno.

"Is it Reborn?"

Tsuna hesitatingly nodded.

"What happened?"

"Did you know that he was the reason why I became like this? Delinquent, feared."

"How so?"

"Because I saved him when I was eight." Tsuna looked up to Viper and smiled. "And because of that, I was able to meet all of you."

The Mist looked up to hide his blush. "Hmm."

"Are you still angry with him?" The esper didn't answer, but bowed to stare at the young man with his visible eyes. "I know you hold grudges. But Mammon, don't let it be in your way of friendship. You've been comrades for so long. I don't want to be the reason that you two are drifting apart."

A silence before Viper sighed. "Fine."

Tsuna beamed. "Okay. You're going to meet them later right?"

"Yes."

"Let me write something first."

Viper followed Tsuna to the study table and stayed on the child's side. Maybe he should forgive Reborn for his stupidity already. The hitman was being a good boy for a month now, anyway.