Summary: He didn't want to... but he had to. Leaving behind those he had deemed precious with a heavy heart, he swore to be stronger without them. Those that he left behind were kept in the dark, not knowing why he left. What will happen when they discover the truth behind his disappearance? Loyalty...or betrayal? Post-Future Arc. Cover image belongs to Palettesky, not me.

Disclaimer: Akira Amano owns Katekyo Hitman Reborn

"Are you sure about this Tsuna?" Nana asked, staring apprehensively at her son. She was wearing her usual clothes; despite it being late, she hadn't gotten ready for bed yet. Instead, she stayed up to see her son off, too concerned and worried to be able to sleep. Her only son was about to leave the house, and it was ok if she lost one night's sleep to see him off properly. Lambo, I-pin, and Fuuta were still asleep; it was still too early for anyone to be awake.

The said brunet nodded, bangs covering his eyes before looking up with a bright, fake smile on his face. He wore his orange and white jacket over a white shirt with the number 27 in red. He also wore blue jeans, slightly baggy due to his height. Reborn was coming down from his room, Leon on his famous fedora like usual and a tiny suitcase in hand. His mother sighed and gave him a hug, knowing that it would be the last one that she would be able to give him for a while.

"Be careful Tsuna. I know that you will be with Reborn, but the thought of you leaving the house so young…" Nana's voice trailed off before releasing the boy, holding his shoulders in her hands. She stared into his eyes, looking for any regret or uncertainty but finding none, and sighed. "You really grew up quickly…"

"Thanks mom." Tsuna picked up his bags as Reborn jumped on his head without a word, flattening a good amount of the gravity-defying bangs. Reborn lifted his fedora in farewell, placing the hat back over his spiky black hair. "Remember… don't tell them where I went, ok?"

"But Tsu-kun-" Nana frowned, unhappy about this particular part of her son's decision.

"No buts mom. You promised." Tsuna glanced at the room where Lambo and the others were sleeping before grabbing the door knob, still facing his mom. "That includes the kids…and my friends."

"Tsu-kun…"

"I'll be ok mom. I'll contact you soon." He walked out into the darkness without a backward glance, the sun barely rising above the mountains surrounding the city. His mother stood in the doorway for a while before silently closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door before falling to the ground, energy having completely left her legs. Although she knew that it was what Tsuna wanted, she couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness in her heart as he left her, just like his dad.

"Tsu-kun…" Stay safe.

Tsuna continued walking, hearing nothing but the sound of his footsteps on the street. There was just enough light to see where they were going; everything else was shroud in darkness.

It was several minutes before the silence was broken, and it wasn't by Tsuna.

"Tsuna." Tsuna didn't stop walking but shifted his head, indicating that he heard Reborn but not wanting to fling the sadistic hitman off his head. "Are you sure about this? About becoming Vongola Decimo?"

Tsuna hesitated slightly before replying, not pausing in his steps. "Yes, I'm sure. Just make sure you too keep your promise… And I'll become Decimo." Tsuna stopped walking and closed his eyes, as if regretting his actions. His ring glowed orange and Natsu appeared on his shoulder, resolve glinting in the lion cub's eyes. The cub was fearful for his master and the consequences of his actions, but knew that it was for the best, that it was done to protect everyone. The cub understood the brunet's feelings the best, and knew the inner meaning of his decisions. Natsu purred and rubbed against Tsuna's cheek comfortingly, wanting to alleviate his master's hidden doubts.

Tsuna smiled at Natsu's actions, and lifted his hand to pat the cub with his eyes still closed, thankful for the comfort. Reborn smiled; it was good to know that someone supported him in his decisions, someone other than himself. After all, Reborn knew Tsuna too well (well, he was so easy to read so it wasn't completely Reborn's fault) and would think that the words were just to comfort him and had no meaning.

It wasn't long before Tsuna stopped petting Natsu, his hand falling limply back to his side, and continued walking, resolve again glinting in his honey-brown eyes. The eyes flashed orange briefly before returning to their normal honey-brown. Reborn was the only one that noticing and made mental note of it, knowing that it was proof of how strong Tsuna's resolve was.

Reborn nodded his head in response to the mention of the promise he made, knowing that Tsuna couldn't see him. He grabbed the tip of his fedora and tilted it downward to cover most of his face to cover his expression, despite knowing that Tsuna wouldn't see it anyways. "… Ok." Reborn reassured the brunet that his part of the promise was going to be kept. He was going to have to work harder to keep the brunet safe, but he wasn't called the number one hitman for nothing. He had his reputation to keep up after all.

Tsuna nodded, still walking. Natsu purred and resumed rubbing against Tsuna's cheek.

"Let's go to Italy."

Deep inside his heart, something broke. He knew the consequences and the pain of his actions but still he didn't relent. He refused to let his emotions blind his decisions and instead focused on his task ahead. He had forcibly tore them away from his life, purposefully ran away from them, all because he couldn't stand seeing them wounded, hurt, and in pain anymore.

I don't want to leave them, to say goodbye, to force them away from me. But I have no choice. This is the decision that I made. Why does it hurt so much? Why does my heart feel like its breaking? I don't know, I just know that there is loneliness…

It would all be ok in the end right? After all, it was done to protect them from the dark world. The dark world… of the Mafia.

A/N: Hey there! Thanks for taking the time to read this story of mine! I worked really hard on it for a while before I decided that it was ready to be put up.

Natsu is mainly a source of comfort for Tsuna in this fic, not sure if he will be used much at this point.

Ciao Ciao!

Pikachu

Published 12 December 2012

Updated 24 March 2013