A/N: hey there my lovelies. Im back with a new chapter.

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Credit: Beta: English-illiterate

Chapter 5

Save my life once...

" - " The grip on his throat was crushing viciously into his windpipe and he kicked out, trying to gulp in the air he couldn't get. Alarm rocketed through him and he scratched the arm strangling him, struggling to wrench it away. A fist slammed into his eye, sending him reeling back as his neck was released.

Yamamoto sucked in a breath greedily, lungs crying out with relief. Through his blurred vision, he saw another punch headed his way and he flung up his arms to block it. But it served its purpose and flipped him off the bridge upon contact.

There was a splash as he hit water and, still in shock, sank.

'YAMAMOTO' horror, anger, shock and fear burst through Tsuna, along with the resolve to save his classmate. Heat simmered within him, and an oppressive weight seemed to fill the air around him.

"I...Want. To... Save. Yamamoto!"

Something in him, deep in his heart, unlocked, and for that moment, he could feel his soul, his very essence, pulse with the beating of his heart. His forehead burst into agonizing heat before cooling inexplicably. His vision swirled before focusing, sharper than ever, with the barest hint of orange.

Sparks jumped off his skin, before leaping to life at his fingertips. And he knew. He could hear it, see it, feel it. The tickle of a tingling at the back of his mind now enveloped him whole. Tsuna raised both now-flaming arms out, one on either side of him.

The river burst into flames.

-perspective change-

He couldn't see. 'Swim!' his brain screamed at him. His body responded, straining against the current. But which way was up? Lungs straining for air, he opened his mouth despite the part of his brain screaming at him not to. His eyes widened as cold water gushed in and he watched, dazed, sinking, as the air bubbles rose, and then the current flung him around again.

Then the water lit up. It wasn't hot, just warm, and it was really comforting. It surged through the water and enveloped him, accepting, whole. Gravity reversed and he was tugged upward. His water-logged limbs cooperated and he struggled up, lungs screaming and straining.

The river spat him out onto land where frantic hands pulled at him. Yamamoto sucked in air, coughed, and spat out water. The fire was gone, he realised fuzzily.

-perspective change-

TSUNA

Said boy gasped and winced. "Kagami…?" He whispered, looking around. The bullies were on the floor, some unconscious, several on their knees and draped over the railings.

What happened? Tsuna asked, dazed and horrified.

You….from what I saw, you lit the river on fire, then proceeded to knock those assholes unconscious.

The entire river? All these bullies? Tsuna felt a vicious, violent sort of pride twist and rise in his chest but couldn't bring himself to feel shame.

They deserved it Kagami agreed.

Yamamoto- Tsuna suddenly remembered as panic set in. He scrambled down to where his classmate lay, stunned and half-drowned and pulled him free from the river's grasp.

-perspective change-

He blinked at the brunet in front of him, no longer the strong, determined, flaming figure he'd glimpsed; Sawada had nearly-overflowing tears in his eyes, water spotting parts of his smoking, smoldering clothes where Yamamoto had dripped water on him. Sawada pulled hard at Yamamoto and managed to get his limp arm across his shoulders and strained to wobbly legs. Yamamoto realised they were moving and struggled to get his limbs to function but only managed a shuffle-drag of his rubbery legs.

"Takeshi!"

What? Oh- his dad…. Was he home?

"Takeshi!"

"... he…river….dropped….in shock…"

Sawada? He was here too? Hands gripped the sides of his face, hard, as if trying to anchor him to consciousness.

"Dad?" He croaked, grimacing at the soreness of his throat and the pains that streaked down his windpipe as air scraped it. Tsuyoshi looked relieved, but the pain and concern in his expression still lingered. Yamamoto blinked in confusion; his vision cleared slightly before blurring again. He scrubbed at his eyes and stared, perplexed when they came away wet. Then something dripped from his eyes and wet his drying arm and he understood - he was crying. Stunned and vaguely mortified, he attempted to dry his eyes.

"Are you alright?" Tsuyoshi asked, pulling his son into a tight hug. Yamamoto muttered an affirmative, relaxing into his father's comforting arms.

Tsuna…..

He turned to face Kagami's concerned expression.

Just now…. What did you do?

Tsuna blinked and queried eloquently: huh?

When you went to save Yamamoto… I couldn't hear you. You didn't seem to hear me either. I was so damn worried.

Oh. Tsuna shrugged. He didn't know either. But I'm sorry for worrying you. He was, honestly. The joy shooting through him was just happiness at someone else's care for him.

"Sawada-san," Tsuna was torn away from the window and his thoughts.

"Thank you for helping my son." Tsuna shook his head rapidly. "No, i-it's okay."

"Well, at least stay for dinner. It's on the house."

"N-no, it's fine, my mom- oh no!" Tsuna leapt at the door. "I didn't tell my mom I was going out!"

"Goodbye, and the offer still stands!" Tsuyoshi called down the street. Tsuna looked back, waved, and turned back around to run.

Tsuna panted as he sped through the door, stopping to chuck off his boots and coat before dashing to the kitchen, slipping and skidding thanks to the socks on his feet.

"Ah, Tsu-kun," Nana looked down at where Tsuna had descended in the least graceful way imaginable. "Dinner's ready."

Tsuna sweat dropped as his mom walked out, humming a cheerful tune befitting of her smile, to set the table.

She didn't realise we were gone

Nope. Nope she didn't

Kagami chuckled at Tsuna's deadpanned response and the other soon joined in the mirth.

The next day, Yamamoto woke up sneezing. His dad left him Panadol, water and the TV remote and went to call the school. Yamamoto blew his nose miserably, and lifted his spirits by watching 'Tutor-Hitman NORBER!' It was so cool, they used different bullets to gain super-abilities. Tsuna came over just as he was sulking over his diet of canned soup, fixated on the television screen; (1) Crisis Core had just came on. He reluctantly hit the 'off' button on the remote and turned to grin at Tsuna.

"Hey."

"H-hi Yamamoto-san," Tsuna mumbled, fidgeting from left to right, worrying at his bag strap.

"Haha, call me Takeshi. Yamamoto's my dad."

Tsuna brightened.

"And I'll call you Tsuna."

The brunet looked up and eyed him furtively, gaze cold. Then his brown eyes warmed up and he smiled. "Yeah!" He dug through his bag and passed his ill classmate that day's homework. Said teen groaned, "I don't wanna do homework."

Tsuna gave a soft, tentative laugh. "I don't want to either," he admitted. "Besides, I don't think I know how to do it…"

The other laughed as well, except his was much heartier. "Then why don't you stay over-" Tsuyoshi popped his head in. "Perhaps another time. You're sick."

"Boooo." He made a face and leaned back as Tsuyoshi smilingly ushered Tsunayoshi out.

"Bye Tsuna."

"B-bye Yamam- Takeshi."

Kagami smiled. So did Tsuna.

A/N: Ta-daaa~ a little late but, still, hope you enjoyed.

Crisis Core: a game, prequel to the original FFVII, with playable character as Zack. (PSP)

btw if you need more info abt the panadol,pm me. :D