Hello. It's been so long since I've updated anything honestly. I'm sorry about that. But I guess that this new chapter is to make up for it and let readers know I'm here and kicking. Because of the long hiatus, please excuse me if updates come slower than expected. Writing became more difficult than I last remembered it. So, please endure it. Hope you enjoy.

Beta'd by: happygolucky27

Chapter 14: First Heartbeat

Gokudera was sitting in his living room. Just a while ago, he was in his bedroom, preparing himself for the upcoming graduation. However, that came to a stop when he had an unexpected guest coming over. Now, here he is with Reborn sitting across from him, drinking a small cup of espresso. He wanted to ask what was the reason for his unannounced appearance, but the words became scattered nonsense.

"You're wondering why I'm here."

The Storm guardian snapped his head up away from his clenching fists.

"Yes, Reborn-san... Is there something wrong? Is the Tenth okay?" Gokudera asked, hastily.

"That idiot is doing fine. It seems that Tsuna and the rest of you are graduating tomorrow. Before that, I want to inform your status as a guardian."

"My status as a guardian...? Is there a problem with me being a guardian?"

"I wouldn't consider it as a problem now. Besides, you should be concerned for different reasons."

Gokudera's eyes were locked on the hitman. Reborn was smirking happily to himself. There was a glint of a challenge that the Storm guardian was not aware of. The man was planning something. He just doesn't know what it is. The smirk turned into a thin line again. Reborn was thinking to himself. Gokudera had no other choice than to wait until Reborn say something. The anxiety was building up as the minutes pass by.

"Before I came to you, I went to the other guardians' homes. Told them everything and they accepted it... The only one left is Yamamoto and you..."

"What is this about?"

"This is about your guardianship. As you can see, that idiotic student of mine is still indecisive about taking the title of Vongola's leader. On the day of graduation, I will ask Tsuna if he does or doesn't want to take it. If he does, good..."

"If he doesn't...?"

"Your guardianship — including the others — will be revoked immediately. You'll be stripped of the title and will return the rings. It's that simple..."

Gokudera blinked. It was hard to believe that he could possibly lose it all with a simple yes or no. Reborn stared at the other side of the room. The Storm guardian merely had his head lowered with his fist pressed against his kneeling legs. The little screws inside his brain were slowly spinning as the words settled in. Gokudera immediately jumped to his feet and walked pass the hitman in a hurry.

"It won't end well if you're planning on forcing that idiot to accept the title." Reborn stated.

Gokudera stopped in his tracks, hand on the knob. His body doubled the building tension as he glared at the door. He knew that it wouldn't be good to force his boss. What sort of guardian would he be if he did such a thing? Gokudera forced himself to release the tight grip on the doorknob and calmly walk back to his spot. Reborn gave him an indifferent expression in return of his childish behavior. Gokudera did nothing to return the favor.

"This is just business. It's nothing personal. You have to realize that, from this point on; this is no longer a game. That's why it's essential on Tsuna's decision."

"Then it should be clear, right? The Tenth doesn't want his title. You should just as well take the rings."

"You don't know that. That student of mine might have changed his mind. However, I can see why you would say that."

Gokudera dropped himself to the floor with his hand tangled in his silver hair. He had a sad smile on his face. It was a pitiful sight for Reborn, which was not something he was not unfamiliar with. A man with his history would know that look on the spot.

"There's something I want to ask... What would happen after the Tenth denies the title?"

Reborn gave it some thought.

"That is up to you. You can live the way you want after you return the ring. So, if you want to remain by Tsuna's side, you're able to do that."

"No harm will come our way, right?"

"None... It would be as if all of you never joined in the beginning."

The sad smile dropped from his lips. His silver hair darkened his eyes. That made it slightly harder for Reborn to read his emotions and thoughts. Then again, he had already figured out what was going on. Gokudera still cares about that idiotic student until the end. Reborn gradually form his playful smirk. The Storm guardian looked up to the man in front of him with a happier smile.

"Take care of that useless student of mine, will ya?"

"Yes, I would be honored to."

Graduation day seemed to come and go like a blink of an eye, and with that Reborn given them all orders to return to the gymnasium after the ceremony. It was hard to believe that the Mist Ring Battle had taken place there and their graduation just recently. Reborn was standing on stage, proudly. He stared down at the Tenth generation with a serious face. Tsuna and his guardian were standing formally in a line as he waited for the reason for them being here. Reborn revealed an empty ring case that kept the Vongola rings safe for so many years. He began explaining that he wants to know the final answer from Tsuna on his title. Gokudera was watching carefully of his boss.

"What will you pick?"

Before Tsuna could answer, Gokudera interrupted him. All attention was on the Storm guardian. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest.

"There's something I want to say. I want to let the Tenth know that it doesn't matter if you're the next boss of the Vongola or not. I will always remain by your side."

"That goes the same for me too, Tsuna. I want us to stay friends." Yamamoto added.

"We're friends to the extreme!" Ryohei cheered.

Tsuna only stared at them in return. Reborn said nothing to stop the idle chit chat. He merely coughed to gain his student's attention. The brunet immediately had his full attention on his tutor. Reborn stated his conditions again for Tsuna to choose. Tsuna dropped his head down to stare at the ring that was hanging loosely on his neck. He held his head back up after a few minutes of thinking.

"I'm sorry, Reborn. I can't take the title. I don't see myself doing something like that with the sudden responsibility."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah... Besides, I had a lot of fun and gained some friends along the way. Thanks for everything."

"Very well. Then my work here is done..."

With that, everything went back to normal. Reborn had everything packed, apparently. It was also the same day that he took Bianchi, Fuuta and Lambo with him to Italy. Without his title, the hitman didn't find it necessary for them to intrude any longer than they should. I-Pin departed not too long after them. She decided to return home with her master to train herself to be a perfect assassin. That only left Tsuna and Nana in the Sawada residence.

A week has passed since then. Gokudera was visiting a convenient store to restock some instant food. That's where he ran into the brunet. Tsuna was there to get some snacks during the time. They took that chance to finally get catch up with things during the week. Gokudera didn't comment on anything about himself since he was still struggling on the rent for his apartment. Tsuna didn't need to know that. The two of them shared laughs as they continued on.

They suddenly arrived at a small park that was already deserted. Then again, the sun was getting ready to end the day. The two of them were facing each other. Gokudera couldn't help himself from feeling dazed. The glow from the sun was shining perfectly behind the brunet. It almost made him look angelic. For a split second, he felt something pounding inside his chest.

"Well, I'm heading this way. We should hang out more, Gokudera-kun." Tsuna smiled.

"I agree. It feels like forever since that day. It's hard to believe that it ended a week ago..."

It went silent for a moment. The brunet hummed softly before speaking again.

"It does feel that way, but I'm actually glad. There's one thing that I'm sure that I would never regret."

"What would that be?"

"Having you all as my friends..."

The split second came back stronger. His chest felt like someone drumming inside his rib cage. The warm sensation was overflowing his body. This is something he never felt before in his life. Emerald eyes kept staring at the smiling brunet that was already waving at him goodbye. Gokudera unconsciously waved his hand as he continued to watch nevertheless.

Ba-thump... Ba-thump...

Gokudera clenched his chest.

I still consider it progress since I managed to finish and update this. Hopefully, it was good enough to your standards. So, show some support. Thank and until next time. Also, sorry for any errors in this story. I didn't proof-read this properly.