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Hope you enjoy the story. I got the motivation to continue writing after reading all the reviews, so thanks for those.

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Chapter 10

I'll protect you, even from yourself

Irie looked at Kusakabe who was lost in thought. He supposed that the two of them were in the same boat, alive even after death's suffocating kiss. Hibari was the only one who seemed like he gained something out of that situation. And now his friend willingly chose to shelter those two, despite their short friendship.

He remembered gritting his teeth as Reborn stopped by after the ordeal and giving him a brief about the bomb attached to his door's handle. It was a grim reminder of just what kind of people were Tsuna's newest company. The brunette always ended up being involved with malice in one form or the other. He figured that he wasn't the best influence for feeling the slightest bit of relief that their bullies bit the dust- it would serve as a warning for any future tormentors.

That baby chose to end the conversation with himself saying how the brunette chose those two over him for they were 'his guardians'. It was utterly ridiculous. They were friends for so long and all of a sudden, Tsuna was being pulled away from him, setting himself up for sabotage, for something that seemed animalistic in its attraction. Reborn spoke it as a deterrent for him to stop putting his nose into this.

Irie's countenance darkened. He had heard about these elements from Verde. In that case, would Tsuna choose to forget him completely if he met his sun?

"They might be another degenerate and yet he'd choose them instead?" he muttered.

"Sorry, Irie-kun. I wasn't paying attention. I guess I've not really gotten past yesterday." Kusakabe rubbed his tired eyes, exhaustion in his every limb at the mess that was the DC committee room. Hibari looked quite at home amongst all the broken china and earthen tea sets. The furniture was toppled everywhere like in the aftermath of a disaster. The glass of the window was scattered around the floor and he had to reset his jaw back. His fingers still trembled as the relocation seemed like the mending of a toy.

The poison had dimmed his surroundings and his body felt like lead, but taking the antidote had been an ordeal he'd rather erase from his mind. How much of it was from bad influence?

'Irie-kun, does the person you want to save really exist?' and he swallowed that question down forcefully. It didn't help that in his memory, Hibari looked at his broken jaw like he had received a precious gift.

From his investigation, he learned that belladonnas were used as a cosmetic back in the day. It kept bringing Mochida's final moments in the front of his mind and Kusakabe wished that Hibari's wandering whims would choose to tie the loose ends and make everything that was happening now a cold case and a cautionary tale of Namimori's past. But he had a sinking feeling that as long as the prefect was entertained, he'd observe its development.

He supposed he'd take what he could get and have small comfort in the fact that Irie looked as haggard as he did.

"Is Hibari-san not going to do anything?"

"He might want to wait and watch. He told me to stick the tea sets together."

"Is he trying to make sure that you don't look into the case further? Why can't he get a new one?"

"The tea set was soaked in neurotoxins. He said that it was for anyone with the audacity to want him to host them. The clay itself has poison penetrating it."

"Huh? Then why did you drink it?"

"Hibari-san only told me this yesterday."

"So that's how he didn't get caught in Yamamoto's trap… Vicious guy.

Say, you are planning on continuing the investigation, right?"

"…Well, whatever can be salvageable."

"…What?"

"Much of the evidence for the case, especially the proof that ties into Yamamoto-kun and Gokudera-kun's actions have been destroyed in the aftermath.

Sorry, Irie-kun. After all the trouble you went into transferring the data to the committee room to prevent Gokudera from rough-housing his way into erasing their involvement-"

"When did you find that out?"

"Hmm? Kyo-san told me about it when I came into consciousness. Why?"

"It's nothing. I'll cooperate with the case. I'll let you know what I saw in that hospital room.

There was a girl who entered the room. She literally popped inside the room. There were no signs of tampering with the video footage, so there might be something else in play here."

Kusakabe scowled at how the ginger was revealing such vital information this late. There were too many people with a personal stake involved in this string of cases. It seemed like their informant had a vendetta against the jock this time around. But no matter what the reason, he would choose to be the unbiased party if no one would. Remembering those golden eyes, he shuddered.

The brunette had become relaxed when he looked at the crime scene. It was a gesture for him, yet another tie to a case's suspect. When had they gotten acquainted? Could there be another incident, one whose truth got buried with the passage of time?

"What were her features?"

She clearly had the ability to go undetected, so her appearance must have been on purpose. With how skilled her handiwork had been, it wouldn't be too far a stretch to say that she might have a hobby involving cosplaying or making clothes.

"She had a mask, so I can't tell how her face looked like. The surveillance camera wasn't powerful enough to capture the details of the face and it didn't have a mic." Irie said.

"There might be a lead to reach out to her. She seems to be Tsunayoshi-kun's and someone else's acquaintance. That someone else introduced her to Yamamoto-kun, so she might be in his circle."

"Do you even know how many people are in that guy's circle?"

"But if it's the two of them, it could be narrowed down. I'm thinking of asking Sasagawa Kyoko."

At that instant, Irie's eyes gleamed with a spark of madness. Kusakabe attributed it to a trick of the light. It could also be that spending day in and day out looking into the ones hampering the town's peace made him fairly paranoid.

Kurokawa spoke briskly, not wanting to spend any quality time with the brat.

"You said you have information. Let's exchange what we know. I don't want to owe you even a single debt. So, say it. I'll decide whether to continue or not if you have valuable information."

"Yamamoto is more involved with Mochida than you thought. He's the one behind the person who's murdered the captain and his friends in that fashion."

"Huh, likely story. If he was the one behind it, then why try to make me work on the plans to do him in?"

"It's because I had come to stop you and your actions distracted the staff enough to let the perpetrator do the job in their own sweet time."

"That guy's an idiot. There's no way he could come up with such a plan."

"He's very perspective about people. It doesn't take book smarts to think of what people might do if you observe them enough."

"Say for argument's sake that this was the case, then how did this person sneak into the hospital? The crime scene was very bloody, making an exit in those clothes would be nigh impossible.

Not to mention, those guys were in the sports club. Mochida was an ass, but he was somewhat skilled with the sword. Those idiots were all brawn and no brain. But there was no sign of struggle.

I was careful with the supplies of 'medicine' and kept track of whoever tried to access them. There was also no drugs in their system. They were contorted into that shape. It's not something that anyone can do."

"I'll tell you what. Rather than explaining it to you, I'll give you a lead to your burning questions. But remember, you were the one who wanted to make this an exchange."

"You brat-"

"Go to Tsuyoshi, Yamamoto's father and tell him that he's the main suspect of the case. If he starts denying things, tell him that I've tipped them off that he was a former assassin.

It is very plausible that he's capable of doing such acts."

"You… after saying that Yamamoto's the one behind this, you're still telling me to accuse his dad?"

"What can I do? You won't believe my words, much less the prattles of a child."

"If Yamamoto is truly behind this… Wouldn't his dad try to take the blame for his sake? I've come here for an information exchange, not to do your dirty deeds for you."

"I think you should stop underestimating the ones close to you so much. I've told you, didn't I? That guy's pretty perspective when it comes to people's intentions.

I think you'd be surprised at what you'd see if you really looked at the people beside you. Mind you, the truth is going to be bitter."

"It can't be worse than coming to an actual baby for information."

Reborn simply smirked at the lass. It was quite a dirty trick on his end. What she'd be doing for him would precisely serve as gaining more information into the scene of gorgeous carnage. What would be a better source than hearing it directly from the person involved?

And on top of that, she would generously give him one question to ask. That question could drive the wedge between Hana and Kyoko and make them both wary about the other's moves. With that, Tsuna's sun guardian would be free from her clutches.

"Remember, you can always ask Tsuyoshi if Yamamoto can't answer the questions regarding the murderer. It would make sense for the one who did the deal to remember what really transpired."

Gokudera looked at the bruises that were growing more prominent in Tsunayoshi's face. He had to leave him alone only for a day and that bastard hunted him down, aiming for the duo's vulnerability. In the haze of his consciousness, he recognized the look that the demon of Namimori gave the latter. It was the look of someone who found their next favourite toy. That sort of guy didn't know how to cherish something precious to him.

The house was bugged and Reborn would be lying in wait for them. He had heard of the baby's spartan ways and it would only serve to increase the number of bruises on the brunette.

Tsuna slouched down in an alleyway, trying to catch his breath as he wheezed pitifully. Gokudera didn't need Tsuna to try and support them until his dying breath. But Hibari looked like he would try to push him to the edge of the cliff over and over again to force Tsuna to entertain him in the amazing retaliation of a cornered rat. Gokudera remembered the strength of will that encompassed Tsuna at that room. It was certainly not surprising that it could enchant the prefect.

But personally, he would rather that his precious little gem shone dully. His saviour need not invoke awe, if it came at the price of his pain and suffering. At the very least, that way, Tsuna would be his and no-one would covet his treasure.

The brunette didn't even need to walk one step. If he lost his arms and legs, Gokudera could carry him in his backpack, where they'd be stuck to each other, back to back and he wouldn't have to worry about losing him- even for a second.

Tsuna ruffled the bomber's hair, making him look at the former in a stupor.

"You looked pretty severe, lost in your thoughts like that. I just wanted to make you relax a bit. It's fine. It'll all work out, sooner or later."

His emerald eyes glistened. That was right. If he actually went through with it, Tsuna wouldn't be able to reach him with those warm hands of his. Why couldn't those two be satisfied with how this lad was? He was perfect, just like this.

The brunette followed Gokudera's lead and the trust that was freely given to him, with how the former didn't even ask questions about their destination was beautiful. It made where they were going so much more suitable.

The Namimori shrine was in front of them.

"Tsuna, could you stay here? That idiot's in town to collect the supplies to make it more livable."

"Gokudera-kun, the location's way too inappropriate! This is a god's abode."

"It's precisely because no one thinks that someone will stay here that makes it a great hiding place."

"What about you guys? Hibari-san can be very persistent. No, I think I'm coming along. You guys can't be thinking of trying to sneak past him and Reborn."

"Please stay here. It's because you're their main aim."

"That's all the more reason. You guys bore the brunt of his attacks. We've got to get them treated. I did it this time. I could help out. I can still help." There was a shining hope in those auburn eyes. Reborn's words shook in his mind and yet, he had managed to shelter the two from Hibari's wrath. He was always shown so blatantly, just how powerless he was- and yet, there was something even Dame-Tsuna could do for someone else.

"I'm fine. This much is nothing. It's nothing to boast about, but my friends had taught me about the different routes in town where nobody goes into. I even know where the DC committee members patrol and at what time."

When his hands could reach to them and his body could shield them from another hit, the power to protect something soothed him. It overlapped their figures for an instant with the child who curled into himself and wished for a Gundam to save the day. There weren't any robot heroes that existed, but he had rose to the occasion to be the hero who could have saved a kindred soul.

Gokudera sighed fondly and Tsuna gave the other a wobbly smile, hope blossoming in him for another chance to try becoming that person again. He wouldn't let them down. Nana's empty smile came to his mind. Not again. Never again.

With those gentle hands, he pushed him into the shrine and closed the door, shutting the other inside. Panic gripped the brunette as he banged furiously at that door.

"No, no, no, no. Why?! No, don't go! Please! I beg you, Gokudera-kun."

The wooden door made ghastly creaks as the sheer desperation lodged splinters into his hands as the old thing took its final stand. It felt like a farewell. A second chance that Nana didn't give him. The bonds that were as fragile as a bud before bloom, a friendship that he didn't have the opportunity to indulge in.

Then suddenly, the door quietly opened with the bomber in torn garbs. Then a desperate hope seesawed back into his mind, all for naught.

"You'll hurt yourself that way."

With the torn clothing, the teen swiftly and tightly tied his arms and legs together. When the brunette still struggled with the knots of the flimsy clothing, Gokudera looked like what he'd be doing next would physically hurt him. With a tiny scalpel, he inched forward towards Tsuna.

The brunette's auburn eyes widened at the threat and he instinctively jerked away and his legs gave away to make him drop to the floor.

There, in that sanctum, Gokudera nicked his Achilles heels and with that, he was the caged bird, Hayato's very own bluebird of happiness. Tsuna's tears rolled down his cheeks as the other hugged him tightly. He stroked that brown hair in a soothing gesture as he muttered comfortingly.

"It hurts, doesn't it? I'm sorry for being so rough. But if it can keep you from doing dangerous things, I can bring myself to do it."

Tsuna gripped at the taller teen's shirt but his fingers didn't sink his nails sharply into the other's skin. He was tired of being the one who hurt the ones he cared about. In this somewhat ironical situation, he was forced to be powerless. Those kind emerald eyes looked at him sorrowfully and Tsuna had been the one to force him into doing this. But he still wanted to reach his hand out. If he tried to do so again, would Gokudera choose to break his fists?

He remembered Kyoko-chan as she looked at the conviction of her brother as he used his fists to protect someone else. It was the same will that made Tsuna look at her older brother like he was a hero.

Gokudera looked at him with the gaze of a devotee. But God never did anything for Tsuna and with that omniscience and omnipotence, they simply looked over him as he pleaded for mercy and begged for salvation. When he looked past the locked door, imagining the silhouettes of Gokudera and Yamamoto, he thought…

They would hurt for him and bleed in his stead.