~~~~~~~CH 14: Inheritance ~~~~~~

Tsuna took a large breath, his hand on the door knob,

"Am I really ready for this? To really be boss?" He paused, almost taking his hand off the knob, but he steeled his resolve and turned it.

As Tsuna walked down the stairway he saw all of his guardians.

They all wore suits and ties, which made Tsuna remember the time they fought Byakuran in the future, but the memory wasn't greeted with sadness but fond remembrance. They have all come a long way.

He made it down the rest of the way, he being the last to arrive he looked to each of his friends, to his family.

Hayato and Takeshi looked to him, tears in Hayato's eyes and a warm, loving smile from Takeshi. The Rain guardian directed his smile away from Tsuna and produced an even more affectionate smile to the weeping guardian, reassuring him with a side embrace as he laughed slightly.

Mukuro and Chrome were a few paces away from Tsuna, the girl giving a bow before clutching Mukuro's sleeve, perhaps holding her own tears in. Mukuro nodded to him, showing a smile for only a second before it disappeared, like the mist he represents so well.

Ryohei and Lambo, now six years old, stood to the side of the room. Ryohei fixing Lambo's neck tie with much difficulty as the young boy squirmed and attempted to throw some bombs at the boxer, but with a sturdy look from the glossy eyed Storm it was to no avail.

Tsuna sighed with a smile as he crossed the room, everyone following behind him, but as the door on the other side of the short corridor came in front of him he noticed Kyoya, Iceis, and Blizzard for the first time. Kyoya had his arms crossed as he put his back to the door, head down, and eyes closed. Blizzard's foot was stamped behind her onto the wall as she leaned on the wall next to her brother; the likeliness of their posture was uncanny. Iceis, however, stood perfectly straight in front of the door, hands clasped in front of her and an unwavering smile lit her face.

She bowed earnestly to Tsuna as he stopped in front of them,

"I'm so happy for you, Tsuna. I believe all of us here are." Everyone nodded, Ryohei giving a shout from the back, and even Kyoya pushed off of the door and grunted, his eyes saying more than a smile or words could.

Tsuna felt his eyes burn and his throat close up, but he took a stabilizing breath before he finally spoke,

"It's been such a long road to get here. There have been so many challenges and surprises along the way, but standing here today I believe I can say that we did alright. I want all of you to continue to be by my side and continue to take care of me and I promise to do the same." He bowed his head at the promise, sealing it.

Chrome, Hayato, Takeshi, and Iceis all bowed in response, the other nodding their heads in their own way of acknowledgment.

Tsuna stood straight, shoulders squared,

"Now, Let's change things and make the world better." There was a loud shout from Ryohei as they pushed back the doors and walked proudly through.

Bright light struck Tsuna's face, but he withheld himself from shading his eyes with his hand and simply squinted until his vision cleared. A large room, bigger than he has seen in even the Vongola mansion, awaited them. Light leaking through stained glass windows that depicted battles that lead to peace so grand he couldn't comprehend it at fist sight. Guests filled the room to its brim, all of their eyes on him and all mouths closed in expectation.

He made his first step forward and began his long walk to the end of the room.

As he entered, his guardians made two lines; Hayato leading a line that fell behind his right with Ryohei, Mukuro, and Iceis following him. The right left was lead by Takeshi with Lambo, Chrome, and Blizzard in his suit. Hibari, however, lead the back, mirroring his part in the front.

They all steadily walked forward, their eyes focusing straight ahead, and even Lambo didn't murmur a word.

Nono and his family stood to the left of the stage, but as Tsuna's group got closer, Nono came forward and took out a case from under the podium in the middle of the stage. It contained the Vongola rings that they had given back for today, so that they could officially become the tenth rulers of Vongola.

Tsuna stood in front of the podium and his followers stopped in unison to the right, giving Tsuna the spotlight.

Nono smiled gently at the boy before addressing the gathered,

"Today is a very special day. On this day my family and I shall step down and the Tenth Generation will take up the mantle. First, we have some things to address."

Iceis and Blizzard had a strange feeling that this was going to involve them as Nono glanced their way,

"Very recently we found the eight flame of Vongola and the families who have close ties know that the Snow Flame have been missing for over 400 years. This flame hasn't been seen since Primo's time, but today it shall be officially re-introduced into the family."

The crowed whooped and gave polite clapping from those who didn't know the circumstance of the situation, but, in all, there was approval.

"Tsunayoshi, you disserve this more than anyone and I'm glad you're the one to take over this wonderful family."

The ninth head showed the Sky ring, the ring that he fought for and that really pushed him into the world of the Mafia. Tsuna outstretched his hand and Nono gently pushed it onto his finger.

The warmth escaping the ring gave him more strengthen than he had ever realized and he had missed it.

"Will you speak of who you've chosen as your council and advisers before we start?" Tsuna nodded and turned to the mass of the room, coughing to clear his throat,

"I will now state my external advisor and my Vongola council. I have chosen the Varia for my advisor and the Shimon, Chiavarone, and the Millefiore as my council. These families have helped me get this far and I know they won't disappoint me."

Squalo roared his approval from the back at the simple mention of the Varia, but he was quieted down by something heavy, most likely Xanxus's fist.

The ninth, ignoring the uproar, nodded, approval on his face as he then gestured to the case in front of him, bowing deeply before resigning.

Tsuna grasped the wooden box sternly and turned towards his lined up guardians. He felt the power from the box come off in waves, as if the rings and their predecessors where sending their happiness to him and his family.

Tsuna nodded to Hayato in sign he was ready to start and the storm guardian was immediately in front of him, bowing deeply, so deeply Tsuna was forced to almost pull him off the ground in order to look him in the eyes. Hayato's eyes glistened. These were more of a serious kind of tears than the playful relieved ones he had earlier and it made Tsuna's brow scrunch together in an attempt to hold his own tears too.

"Gokudera Hayato, my storm, my first guardian, and my first friend. You believed in my strength even when I didn't and you took me, who didn't know of this world yet, in stride and patience. I thank you and wish for you to continue being beside me as my harsh but caring storm." Tsuna placed a steady hand on Hayato's shoulder before placing the ring.

Hayato spoke a quiet thank you as Tsuna leaned down and kissed his tear stained cheek, his ring glowing a brutal red as it became The Buckle of the Storm Version X. Hayato sniffed as he bowed once more and left Tsuna, moving to the other side of the podium.

Takeshi then came forward. He gave a warm smile to Tsuna, he didn't have the same naivety as he once had in his eyes and that made Tsuna smile even more.

"Yamamoto Takeshi, my rain, the one who washes away all of our troubles with your smile and attitude, I thank you. You used to think this life was all a game, but I know you have come to terms with reality and had to give up things you loved, but it won't be in vain. Please continue to shower us with your calm nature for years to come." Tsuna placed the ring as he kissed Takeshi's hand at the same time and it immediately extended a peaceful blue flame and formed into The Necklace of the Rain Version X.

Ryohei was the next in line and he was vibrating with pent up energy. Tsuna let out a small chuckle and beckoned the sun guardian to come closer.

"Sasagawa Ryohei, like the sun you're a never ending energy source, you keep us going when it's too hard or dark and I hope you will help shine your light in the direction heading to the future." His older brother busted with pride at the words, barely containing himself. Tsuna then distributed his ring and, like the others, it became his Vongola Gear; The Bangle of the Sun Version X.

Tsuna kissed his knuckles, the knuckles he protects this family with, and a bright, yellow light roared from his bangle with ambition. Ryohei lifted his hands in the air in a victorious pose as he almost ran to the finished guardian's area.

Lambo scampered up to Tsuna next,

"Tsuna! Do I get that sparkl-", Lambo's loud voice was cut off by Tsuna as he squatted down to be on Lambo's level and had put a gentle hand over his lips.

"Lambo, like lightning you never struck the same place twice, but you have been there to fill the dark days with some light. Even though I pulled you into this world at such a young age I want you to continue to stay by me."

Lambo nodded furiously and Tsuna's eyes softened at the young boy as he put the ring on him. The Thunder Helm Version X sparkled on his forehead, fitting slightly better than it did when he was five, shone green on his forehead and Tsuna leaned down and kissed it.

Lambo touched the spot and smiled as Tsuna pushed him in the direction Hayato stood.

Tsuna extended both of his hands to Mukuro and Chrome, they were both his mists after all. He faced Mukuro first,

"Rokudo Mukuro, my most deceiving mist guardian, you've been hurt the most in this world, but you refused to break and, instead, protected us with your deceptions." Tsuna turned to Chrome,

"Chrome Dokuro, my most gently mist, you have been mistreated and abused yet you have refused to break as well and found a place where you belong. I hope both of you will continue to hide our family." He gave them each their rings and kissed Mukuro's hand and Chrome's cheek. They began to give off their signature indigo flame in unison as they both displayed The Earring of the Mist Version X on one of their ears.

Almost to the last person, Iceis and Blizzard came in turn, both looking clearly nervous. Tsuna gave a reassuring squeeze to each of the sister's hands as he began to address Iceis first,

"Iceis Hibari, you're quick witted and very kind; those qualities are needed in this family. I have too many family members who rush in head first and I need someone who can put sense into the situation." He then turned to Blizzard,

"Blizzard Hibari, you're hard-headed and have an amazing strength that allowed you to survive in the darkest corner of your life. Both you and Iceis over came a lot and I sincerely hope that you two continue to immobilize our enemies in the snowy sky you create." Tsuna kissed both of their foreheads and gave them their snow rings, and a white light with a hue of blue shone and Blizzard's Charm Bracelet of the Snow Version X and Iceis's The Charm Necklace of the Snow Version X appeared on their bodies. Iceis grabbed Blizzard's hand and made her bow in respect before going to the side, both of the girl's small shoulders shivering with emotions.

The last person stood alone on the other side, he had always been alone until now,

"Hibari Kyoya," the words slipped from his lips before he even realized it, and the solemn skylark soon came to be in front of him, waiting.

"Kyoya, just like the clouds you have always lingered close by my side. You kept pushing me to be better than I was, and, for that, I thank you. Even though you don't like to be around people you have a family now and I hope you can learn to love all of them, including me. I wish our bond will continue to get stronger." Tsuna could suddenly feel his face flush as he realized how his words could be taken, but he regained his composure and placed the cloud ring onto Kyoya's finger.

Once it was in place Kyoya knelt without a word and kissed Tsuna's Sky ring, making both the bracelet and Tsuna's ring shine purple in response to each other and the Vongola Gear bracelet of the Cloud Version X shone on his wrist.

Suddenly Tsuna and Kyoya's flames grew stronger and all of the Vongola gear began to sync with theirs; all eight flames began to swirl and dance around Tsuna and disappeared into his sky ring in a flash of energy. He felt a strange power bubbling within his ring that he never felt before; it was the feelings and strength of all of his friends.

He called on to his flames like it was the most natural thing to do and his flames exploded from his ring, but instead of the intense orange he usually produced it was a softer orange with a ring of gold around the edges.

Nono called Tsuna's name and raised his arms,

"Tsunayoshi, you have brought families I never would have expected together with your harmonizing ability and strong will. With this I pass on the title of Vongola to you and your family. May it last." Nono gave Tsuna a small embrace and kissed his forehead to seal his words.

Tsuna felt his flame grow strong and as he looked to his guardians he saw each one of their flames where also lit; Kyoya's purple flame exploded with a graceful intensity, Lambo's green flames crackled and shimmered like the attribute it represented, Ryohei's swirled and danced with such energy Tsuna thought it would jump off the ring and fly around the room.

Hayato's dark red flame had a lighter shade shimmering around it's edges while Takeshi's pure blue had a darker interior to it. Mukuro's indigo was a shade lighter than usual and cascaded around like it had no true flame form and Chrome's flame looked like her eyes and floated like fog.

Iceis and Blizzard's flames had a deeper blue colour to their almost white flame that even went to the purple spectrum, but it didn't quite look like flame, it looked like a pillowed snow fall of frost and ice that rose on the wind.

Tsuna took his place between Hayato and Takeshi as Nono addressed the room one last time, "I give you the tenth generation Vongola!"

"I give you the tenth generation Vongola!"

Cheers broke out from the crowd as they let out their flame as well and raised it into the air, chanting all of their names, but it all melted away into a single word.

Vongola.

- 14 -