Nana's Secret

Chapter 34: Deal or No Deal

Katekyo Hitman Reborn and its characters belong to Akira Amano

-Reverse harem

-GenderbentTsunayoshi

WARNING: to those who just started in the KHR series: If you haven't completed KHR I suggest not reading this chapter or read the story from the very end of the chapter. The beginning of this chapter has spoilers.

"Where are the criminals: Mukuro Rokudo, Ken Joshima and Chikusa Kakimoto?" demands the Vindice.

The Vindice wore fine clothing, from the top hats down to their shiny dark shoes. What also came with such finery was their strong mix of cologne. It was very strong to Tsunami's most sensitive nose that she covers it. There was hint something beneath the cologne. Something she had smelled before but couldn't quite identify.

"Tsunami Sawada!" barked the Vindice. "Where are the criminals?"

"…They escaped. After I've beat Mukuro the other two came and took him away!"

"Where did they go?"

"I don't know where they went. They went out the window."

Tsunami was taking a risk, but she assumed that her aunt and cousins took Ken and Chikusa along with Mukuro's body into the air. Surely, the Vindice wouldn't catch such a detail. They were silently staring at her. Tsunami bit her tongue gently, to keep from biting on her lip that would reveal her nervousness.

"You're lying, Tsunami Sawada. Why did you try to deceive us? If you are assisting the criminals in their escape, you will be subject to be punished under Mafia law."

"Tsunami…" Reborn warns.

Tsunami shook her head. The chains rattle and the shackles open. Reborn tells Tsunami not to protect Mukuro. Reborn wouldn't be able to help her! He couldn't stand between her and the Vindice! Tsunami was at a loss of what to do. She didn't want to give up Mukuro or his friends! One of the Vindice flings his chain and shackle bares its open to like the jaws of a predator. Tsunami tries to move and pain erupts within her body like oil popping on the inside of her skin. She shuts her eyes waiting for the shackle to wrap around her…there was a clatter. Tsunami opens her eyes and she finds her grandfather standing between them. Both she and Reborn were surprised.

"Grandpapa!" Tsunami cries.

"Are you all right, Tsunami?"

"Y-yes! What are you doing here?"

"Kimiki-san was worried about you and contacted me. All she could tell me is that some boy who had experienced through all six realms of death was after you! Why didn't YOU tell me you needed help?"

"…I defeated the boy that was after me…it's these guys that I wasn't prepared for!"

Buiiro glares at them, "I don't know who are! But I know what you are!"

"…What do you know?"

"I know that you are not alive."

Buiiro moves his lips. His whisper was quieter than a normal whisper. It was hard to tell if he was moving his lips. It was a whisper only Tsunami could pick up, "Listen, Tsunami. Do you hear any heart beat from any of them?"

Tsunami listens and speaks in a inaudible voice, "No…No! Grandfather, they're…"

"They're dead," Buiiro goes back to a normal tone. "Their cologne is used to cover up the smell of death quite well. Your souls are attached to these long dead bodies by severed threads. What's keeping you to these bodies is your anger and lust for revenge. You are dangerous and are threatening my granddaughter!"

"Your granddaughter is interfering in our duty to apprehend Mukuro Rokudo."

Buiiro looks over his shoulder, "Tsunami?"

"Grandfather…I…I want to save Mukuro! I purified his soul!"

"You did?"

"Yes…sort of…there are still some bits of darkness but I want to heal that part of him as well. I saw his life and it was so terrible that drove him to harm others! He can be a better person, I know he can."

"You believe in this Mukuro Rukudo?"

"Mukuro Rukudo must be punished for his crimes!" the Vindice insist. "Your granddaughter is now as guilty as he is…"

Buiiro growls and Tsunami could hear his claws growing from within the sleeves of his kimono. His teeth could be heard by her gnashing together. Tsunami couldn't track Buiiro's movement. In less than half a second he had grabbed one of the Vindice by the throat, lifting him off his feet. The Vindice wasn't choking but was trying to pry Buiiro's hand open. The other Vindice didn't realize what had happened until Buiiro uses his free hand and pulls a frazzled thread of the captured Vindice's soul. That's when the Vindice began to struggle desperately. Reborn couldn't believe Buiiro was making a Vindice panic! Buiiro pulls the thread more. To Tsunami, it sounded like the ripping of seams.

"See, Tsunami?" Buiiro doesn't take his now glowing red eyes off the Vindice. "This here is one's soul clinging to a long-expired body. Once a body dies, the soul can't inhabit it. He wishes to remain a part of the living realm for whatever objective they want to fulfill. You all remained in this world for far, far too long and it is MY duty to send your souls to the world beyond!...So," Buiiro smiles with false kindness. "Let's make a deal."

The two other Vindice had leaped away from Buiiro when their fellow Vindice was struggling. They had their chains ready.

"I'm assuming that there are only a handful of you. If there are too many of the walking dead there would be some concerns amongst those that handle the dead! Whatever you wish to achieve must be important and you need as many like-minded individuals like yourselves. Leave my granddaughter alone. Allow her to watch over Mukuro Rokudo."

"We can't allow…"

A tug to the soul thread and the Vindice feels himself beginning to drift losing his grip on his body.

"Stop!" yells the other Vindice. "Do we have your word that Mukuro Rokudo would be under your supervision?"

"Yes, he will. I've already have an idea of a suitable punishment for this Rokudo.

The Vindice looked at each other and at their caught companion. The Vindice was barely able to nod his head.

"Very well, we shall leave Mukuro and his associates in your hands. We already detained Birds and one of the remaining twins. The female escapee has escaped again. She is of no concern to us. Our objective at the most was capturing Mukuro Rokudo. Take care to keep a hold of that young man. If we are called to acquire him again…we will attempt to do so."

Buiiro drops the Vindice onto his knees. "Yeah…'attempt' all you want."

The Vindice that nearly had his soul removed was struggling to control his body again. One of the Vindice picks him up to stand on his feet. They drifted away out the door. The remaining Vindice stood before Buiiro before looking down at Reborn.

"What you have heard today, Arcobaleno, are for your ears alone."

Reborn makes no reply and the Vindice follows after the others. Buiiro turns around and looks down over Tsunami. Tsunami lowers her gaze away from his penetrating stare. He kneels down on one knee before her.

"Are you hurt?"

"Cuts and bruises…it hurts. I can't move."

Tsunami is pulled into Buiiro's arms and is hugged. Buiiro combs his fingers through her hair and kisses forehead.

"Thank the gods I've arrived in time."

Reborn relaxes. He makes a note to himself to punish Tsunami for taking such a stupid risk for someone like the likes of Mukuro. Buiiro looks to the door and holds Tsunami tightly. The running of feet approaches them and it is the Vongola medical team. They hurry about rushing to the Hayato and Futa. They apologize for taking too long.

"I called the hospital earlier," Reborn mentions.

One of the medical staff approaches Tsunami. Buiiro glares at him.

"She's fine! I'll take care of her myself. Reborn-sensei, I'm taking Tsunami to Kimiki-san's place."

Reborn hops onto Buiiro's shoulder as he stood up.

"Hayato-kun…Futa-chan…" Tsunami whimpers.

"Reborn called the ambulance and they are being taken care of. I'm taking you to Kimiki-san's bathhouse. You will heal a lot quicker in her baths than a hospital."

Tsunami buries her face into Buiiro's chest and falls asleep.

The old vixen was relieved to see Tsunami safe and sound. She leaped up from her ancient desk and clapped her hands as she raised her eyes to the ceiling, thanking the gods for keeping Tsunami safe. She takes Buiiro to an already prepared bath kept hot-warm with herbs and other medicinal ingredients. Tsunami is undressed by Buiiro and placed in the water. Kimiki tends to her as Buiiro searches amongst Tsunami's clothing. He finds her leather choker with the soul-infused crystal bell. He leaves Tsunami in Kimiki's hands. Her tutor makes himself comfortable close by. Buiiro finds an empty room. The light of the sun setting filters through the half-closed blinds making the room dark and red. He takes a seat and with the claws of the index finger and thumb he pulls Mukuro's soul out of the bell by a thread. The thread turns into a soul and the soul evolves into Mukuro's human form floating before Buiiro. There is a string connecting his soul to the crystal bell.

"You're still sealed to his bell," Buiiro holds it out in his hand.

Mukuro folds his arms. "Your Tsunami's grandfather, from what I overheard back there."

"Oh, good! You were aware of the situation that was going on around you. That would make this conversation go by quickly. You're aware that you owe my granddaughter. She was getting into deep trouble with those undead."

"Are they truly dead?"

"Yes, they are. They seem to have this strange idea of justice. Whose justice do they stand for?"

"The mafia."

"Mafia? What do they have to do with you?"

"Let's just say I caused the mafia some problems."

"Such as forcing people to murder those they consider family. I saw your life for myself as I touched your soul. Tsunami feels that you can be redeemed but I'm not convinced. There are many people in this world that had gone through unmentionable horrors…but not everyone destroys the lives of others. If I had encountered a soul like you, I would have separated your soul from your body and locked it away in some deep, dark hole. You would stay there until your body expires and when it does I would throw you into the deepest part of hell that it would be impossible for you to climb out of to the next realm."

If Mukuro had a body, he would have shivered. Buiiro's eyes were hard and steady.

"You would."

"I would," Buiiro nods. He sighs, "But, Tsunami wants to help you. I can't say no to her when she is adamant about helping someone against. You are very, very fortunate that she's compassionate! You will make up for your crimes! They were far too many, nearly a hundred. For every wrong you have done, you must perform 100 good deeds."

Mukuro stares at Buiiro and chuckles, "Surely you're jok…."

"I am not!" Buiiro roars, eyes flashing horribly bloody red! "You will do this!"

"Hey! Would you relax, kid!"

Shini shoves Ken down into the water till it was up to his chin. Ken struggles against her but Shini's grip was like iron. He demands to be set free and wanted to see Mukuro. Shini tells Ken that he was too injured to move about. She points to Mukuro's body, which was laid out on a futon with an ink seal drawn on his forehead that prevents Mukuro's soul, if he somehow managed to get free, from entering his body. His body was fine and would be kept safe and hidden in their temple. Mukuro's soul would be held by Tsunami.

"Urggh and you two are coming home with us?! You're lucky Tsunami went alpha on us or I would have left you and dragged Tsunami off!"

Mamoru was watching over Chikusa. Chikusa was quietly soaking in the bath while across the tub that he was sharing with Ken.

"That was amazing," Takehiko was dreamy-eyed. "I didn't think she had it in her!"

"It was all in her eyes. Tsunami, Grandfather and others who have red eyes are alphas. You and I are betas as well as Shini. We fall second under alphas but we still have the potential to lead if an alpha is unavailable. Our eyes aren't as bright Grandfather's and Tsunami's. Omegas have dark eyes and obey every word of the alphas completely."

Shini sighs, "I'm kind of proud of her. But also freaking annoyed!"

Shini keeps one hand on Ken's shoulder and rests her chin in the other hand, "It means my little niece isn't going to need me to protect her!"

Takehiko shakes his head, "That's not true! She's always going to need us. Even alphas need support that's why there are betas!"

"…Yeah. You're right." Shini nods.

Ken growls, creating bubbles.

"What's going to happen to us?" Chikusa asks.

"Taking a guess," Shini tilts her head. "Tsunami's going to beg and give Grandfather the pouty bat face, he's going to give in and let you guys live with us in our clan. We can't let you wander around Namimori. Besides, I'm sure you guys want to stick as close as possible to your friend's body to make sure it protected until he's able to go back to it. Which won't be for awhile, I'm sure. Just a guess," she shrugs.

"He is currently talking with Mukuro's soul right now." Mamoru looks out the door. "I can feel Grandfather's soul flaring. He is very angry with your friend for trying to hurt Tsunami."

"He wasn't going to hurt her! He was just going to borrow her body…"

"So he could hurt other people through her!" glares Mamoru. "It wouldn't hurt her physically, but emotionally it would have brought considerable damage."

Ken sinks lower into the water. Tsunami would have been fine. Mukuro wasn't going to kill her. Mamoru was still looking at the door. He lowers his eyes to the bottom edge of the door. While looking for his Grandfather's soul along with Mukuro, he saw Reborn's soul behind the door. He was listening to their conversation. Mamoru decides not to say anything. He looks to his aunt and cousin and whispers lowly. Neither Ken nor Chikusa could hear what they were saying, but they saw their lips moving but they weren't lip-readers. They discuss whether to tell Buiiro about the mafia. Tsunami made them promise not to tell. Their grandfather hasn't yet made the connection of the mafia to Tsunami. Mostly he was seeing it as mere coincidence of the mafia crossing paths with Tsunami. After further discussion, they decide not to tell Buiiro about Tsunami's deeper involvement for her and Nana's sake. It should be left up to them, up to Tsunami.

Tsunami awakens, fully healed. Her cuts and bruises were gone and she could feel her blood was completely cleared of the poison. Sitting up she stretches her arms up to the ceiling. She purrs and walks on all fours in the shallow tub to stretch her back out. She reaches for her throat and gasps. Kyoya's collar was gone, along with Takeshi's crystal bell with Mukuro's soul inside. Jumping out of the tub, she snatches up a bathrobe and runs out into the hall. She nearly steps over Reborn but they both dodged one another.

"Tsunami, what…"

"Where's Grandpapa!?"

"Right here, Tsunami-chan."

Buiiro wraps an arm around her shoulders under her chin and pets her head. He smiles.

"Good to see you moving about. I suppose you were look for him," he reaches into his sleeves and pulls out her choker with bell.

Moving aside her wet hair aside, he places the choker around her neck. Tsunami reaches for the bell and feels Mukuro's soul still inside. She sighs with relief and holds him between her hands. She turns to looksup at her grandfather. Buiiro cups her cheek.

"Mukuro is yours to watch over. We came to an agreement together. You are to make sure and assist this young man into doing 100 good deeds."

"100 good deeds?"

"Mmm," Buiiro nods. "I'll take his body with me, along with those two companions of his. They have no home, no family."

Tsunami shakes her head. Buiiro pats her head, "Go rest. You've earned it. I called your mother and told her you're safe. Your friends were taken to the hospital. Everything is fine."

She hugs her grandfather and nuzzles his chest. Buiiro returns her hug and sends her off. Reborn walks alongside of Tsunami. She clutches her bell with both hands.

"Mukuro..san? Are you okay?"

"…"

"I'm sure you're upset about losing your freedom. I'm sorry, but this is for the better. I want to help you Mukuro-san…"

"What's with this addition of –san?"

"Eh?"

"Mukuro is just fine. We are going to be together for awhile, aren't we?"

As Mukuro spoke the bell would flicker with the color of his soul's personality, the indigo color of his flame.

"Yes, for until you do your good deeds. I'm sure I can find them for you."

"…The quicker the better." Mukuro mutters.

Tsunami caresses the bell's surface. Kimiki meets Tsunami in the hall and she takes her to her room where a futon was set up for her. She asks Reborn if he would like his own room. Reborn turns the offer down wanting to be close to his student. Tsunami collapses onto the futon. She had rested before but she was getting tired again.

"You took some unnecessary risks today, Tsunami." Reborn removes his jacket and places it on the floor. His fedora follows after it and he loosens his tie. "But, you did carry out the Ninth's orders, with that risky naïve style."

There was a snort from Mukuro. Tsunami holds her bell, smiling.

"You're lucky Reborn can't hear you!"

"What was that?" Reborn raises a tiny brow.

Tsunami shakes her head. She reaches for Reborn and brings the baby into her chest and hums.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Reborn."

Tsunami cuddles Reborn and falls asleep quickly. Reborn follows surrounded by her warmth.

"Hmph," Mukuro huffs, "I can't sleep."

An odd group of people had gathered under a gazebo in the middle of a cemetery. The crescent moon was in the sky. What lit up the night was the light glowing off the soul fire floating about them. A glowing outline also shines around the people. What made them even stranger were their clothes. Some were dressed in modern clothing, in suits or casual clothes. Others were in kimono of times long sense gone. There was one dressed as a pilot from the 1940's who was chuckling over a joke made by a man in samurai garb. Among them was Mukuro, not looking happy to be there but had a fake smile on his face as his brows were knitted together.

"Welcome back, Mukuro darling!" greets the woman from the 20's with flapper dress and hat. She laughs as his smile tightens. "Oh come now, darling. I don't know why you're so upset. At least your situation is temporary!"

"Yes," a man in a suit and tie adjusts the glasses on his face. "You're a temp ghost, until you meet your quota of good deeds. Although you're a ghost for a short amount of time, it is essential that you learn how to be a ghost to make your assistance to people of not just the dead but of the living."

Mukuro was at the cemetery to learn how to be a ghost. He felt like he was in some alcoholics' anonymous meeting. Most of the ghosts were welcoming. They were intrigued by him of being a ghost that had a living body, though there had been ghosts like him before. Ghosts of comatose patients were temporary ghosts until either the body gives out or they are revived.

"Temp ghosts of people in a comatose state," the ghost in suit and tie fiddles with his glasses again. "Are unaware of being a ghost and continue their daily lives on autopilot. They're rather boring."

"But it's a laugh when they eventually do realize they're a ghost!" laughs the flapper girl. "They lose their marbles and go through denial."

Using his skills of the six realms would have been easier for Mukuro, if he had his body. He was disconnected from his body and eye completely. He was just a soul.

"So, what's today's lesson for the evening for our friend?" asks tie and suit ghost.

One month later...

The fall baseball tournament had begun! Takeshi was on top of the game, cracking a home run! The Namimori crowd and his team roar and cheer. Takeshi jogs around the bases waving to his fans with a big, white grin. Tsunami stood in the stands with an umbrella.

"Go Yamamoto!"

Takeshi finds Tsunami amongst the crowd and winks at her. Tsunami smiles in return. Too happy for Takeshi to notice a few girls glare jealously at her. Takehiko stood behind Tsunami, sitting beside Bianchi. He had been staying with Tsunami for a month to make sure the Vindice didn't bother her. None of them had heard from the Vindice for awhile, so he would be going home tomorrow.

"Wow, Takeshi really is awesome! He's got skills!"

Hayato snorts annoyed that Takeshi was getting all the attention from Tsunami. He stands and yells at the other team to get it together and beat Takeshi! Ryohei joins in yelling for the players to quit baseball and join the boxing club. Tsunami and Kyoko scold them lightly. Mukuro appears lying on his back in the air in a casual pose. Tsunami looks over her shoulder.

"Enjoying yourself, Mukuro?"

"I'm just glad that I'm not in ghost training anymore. I did enjoy the haunting lessons."

"I knew you'll like that." Tsunami rolls her eyes. "At least you found out that your illusionary abilities are intact with your soul. I felt sorry for your victims. You make terrifying images."

Mukuro chuckles in her ear. Takehiko's cell phone goes off in his pocket. Pulling it out, he opens it and laughs. He holds the phone over Tsunami's head into her face. Both she and Mukuro peer at the screen. Tsunami giggles. Mukuro raises an eyebrow. Ken had easily bonded with many members of the Tejinaka. In the image texted, he was very friendly with the female clan members. He was lying in pile of female Tejinaka. Arms and limbs were wrapped around him. Ken had big goofy grin on his face while sleeping.

"Didn't know Ken could be a ladies' man," Mukuro's brows were touching his hairline.

"Ken is a beast. That kind of personality is attractive to them!" Tsunami smiles. "I did hear from Shini that even Chikusa has some fans."

"Why didn't you fawn over him?"

Tsunami grins, "I'm beginning to think I'm more into humans than my own kind."

Mukuro grins and wraps his arms around her. He touches his lips to her ear, "Hmmmm," he purrs. "I shall keep that in mind, my dear Lady Vongola. We shall be sharing a lot of each other's time together."

"Hey!" Hayato hisses. "Stop hanging over the Boss, you perv!"

"Hey, watch your yelling!" Takehiko blushes. "People are going to think that you're talking to me!"

"Extreme! A new rival!" Ryohei glares at Takehiko.

"It's not me!" Takehiko insists.

The last crack of the bat hitting another homer from Takeshi brings a win for Namimori. Tsunami and her friends meet Takeshi after the game and congratulate him for a good game. Tsunami suggests they go to Kimiki's bathhouse to celebrate. Kimiki actually knew everything about the mafia and how Tsunami was to lead it. But she omitted that fact from Buiiro and would continue to keep it secret so long as Tsunami brought her friends to her bathhouse once a week! Kimiki greets them and puts them all in a super deluxe co-ed bath. Haru and Kyoko were a little apprehensive, Ryohei more so for his sister, but Kimiki offers the group of teens special clothes for bathing in. Takehiko remarks that they were just swimsuits, earning a thump of a fist to the back of his head. They were having a good time relaxing in the soothing bath. Tsunami sat behind Takeshi, on the bath edge massaging his scalp with soap. Takeshi melted beneath her fingers and couldn't stop smiling. Hayato leaned against Tsunami's leg resting his chin on her thigh. Kyoko and Haru were tending to the children but it didn't escape their attention of how close their friend was to the boys. Ryohei was envious of how close they were.

"Extreme! I want to be extremely close to Tsunami-chan too!"

"Be patient, Ryohei-kun. When I'm done with Takeshi, I'll wash you too."

Ryohei flushes and sinks into the water, suddenly shy. Takeshi snickers and Hayato rolls his eyes. Mukuro watches the activity around Tsunami through the crystal bell. Tsunami's relationship with the boys in her life was quite unusual and intimate. He never had any experience in romance or a close friendship. He was focused on his goals. The overwhelming darkness that was in his heart had been removed and there was a light implanted by Tsunami instead. It was warm and when his thoughts had drifted to his mother or to Tsunami it became warmer and brighter. He liked that feeling and wonders what he would become. Tsunami was looking forward to growing her bonds further with her friends. She prays they would become closer and never leave her.