307Word of warning, this is a brutal chapter. Character death, heavy violence, and some extreme ignoring of consent.
Betaed by BeyondMyReach, who had their work cut out for them when it came to my inability to grammar this chapter.
A few days after Tsuna walks out of Xanxus's office, he comes back and drops a file onto Xanxus's desk with a frustrated look on his face.
"There," he says. "A candidate for the Cloud officer. He's perfect for you."
Mostly out of curiosity, Xanxus flips the file open, eyebrows raising as he takes in the small child photographed in profile. Short black hair, eyes stuck in what seems to be a permanent scowl, and clearly of Japanese descent. He doesn't even need to read the details to put a name to this face.
"Hibari Kyoya, right?" he asks, closing the file with a grin. "I approve."
Tsuna blinks in shock. "You...do?"
"Sure, Trash," Xanxus says. "If you think he'll be a good fit, I'm sure he'll make a great right hand for you in the Cloud division."
His grin widens at the glare he receives. "Nice try, Tsuna-Trash, but Mukuro and Chrome already let it slip that he's courting you."
"Only because he hasn't met you ," Tsuna counters. "Trust me, you and him would be a great match."
Xanxus watches Tsuna closely while he speaks, amused when his Sky's hands curl into fists.
"Something tells me you don't really want to give him up," Xanxus says. "Looking a little territorial there…"
"Oh don't even start…" Tsuna mutters, and Xanxus leans back.
"Got to admit, surprised you decided to shove this in my face," he says. "Especially considering how desperate you've been to keep him away from me." His grin grows vicious. "After all, he's the reason you didn't want me in Japan, right? Because he knows your little secret?"
Tsuna winces, running a hand through his hair. "He's young and possessive. The second you showed up, he'd chase you out because he's got it into his head that we're the best match. He'd definitely spill about my cloud flames if just to get you off his back."
Xanxus barks a laugh. Tsuna really does attract the most possessive elements. It's kind of hilarious. He probably will get along with his new brat.
"Please, just consider him," Tsuna half begs. "I won't deny that we have a connection, but he would fit so much better into your harmony with a few years on him."
Xanxus shrugs. He's perfectly willing to consider Kyoya as a Cloud… in the harmony he's the Storm for. But if Tsuna isn't willing to listen, Xanxus isn't going to waste his breath arguing.
"Fine, Trash," he says, shoving the file to the side. He ignores the smile Tsuna gives him and asks, "So, what were you up to that it took you several days to drop this on my desk?"
His Sky laughs and drops into a seat, talking about Karasu, her brats, and his effort to track down the asshole who attacked the Shimon family, and Xanxus settles into the comfortable voice.
The peace doesn't last. It doesn't take long for Tsuna to realise Xanxus is still target locked on him to be his Cloud, and things start going downhill.
It's not exactly a quick disintegration. Tsuna and Xanxus both keep their internal affairs quiet. Tsuna, because he might actually murder someone who spills, and Xanxus – because he doesn't trust Ottavio and the rest of the Cloud division further than Bel could throw them. Letting them know Tsuna's additional flame before he has it locked down is an emphatically bad idea.
As a result, the majority of the Varia are aware that something has changed between their boss and his Sky, but they have enough survival instincts not to pry and make a point not to ask. After a few months, it's also caused everyone to be quite tense whenever they see either of them in the halls – or in some cases, jump out windows if they see them accidentally cross paths.
But today, Xanxus doesn't have time to deal with that. He has a duty as the Varia Commander to fulfil and heads to Varia's own medical ward to see its newest patient. When he finds the private room, he slams the door open and smirks at the patient, bedridden and attached to a multitude of wires.
"Hey old bitch, how are you feeling?"
From the bed, the old woman rolls her eyes.
"Spare me the platitudes, Brat," Zelos mutters. "Do me a favour and open that drawer to your left."
Xanxus complies, pausing when he sees the contents, but pulls out one of the cigars and looks over with raised eyebrows. From the bed, the woman just grins.
"Oh come, what's the worst it can do? Kill me a few minutes quicker?"
Xanxus scoffs, using his flames to light the end and hands it over, making a point not to mention how much her hands shake when she takes it. She inhales and puffs out with a satisfied smile.
"Ah, Storm flames really do give it just the right kick," she says. "Not a bad way to go out."
"So, pretty sure you're not shaking it off this time?" Xanxus asks, taking a seat by the bed. "Fuck. I had money on lung cancer."
"Hah! Like the Sun division would let me go out that way," Zelos cackles. "Lussuria's bet was a bullet to the brain."
"You never know, the docs say this is technically recoverable-"
"Keh, at my age? I was already struggling to maintain my position, and I saw the list of side effects. If I was in any other family or division, I'd be getting hard pressed into retirement. It's time."
Xanxus sighs and sits down, crossing his arms. "Taking it better than I expected."
Zelos rolls her eyes in reply. "Don't get me wrong, not how I planned to go out. I was kind of hoping there'll be a lot more blood and maybe a city wide blackout, but this is a good plan B. And let's be honest, I left a record of service that no Lightning in the Vongola can ever dream of matching by a few decades."
That is true. The general consensus is Lightning's don't make it past forty – though Tsuna had rolled his eyes and told him that was hearsay when he'd mentioned it to him – so Zelos has definitely dropped a few jaws during her tenure.
"Yeah, and on that topic; Lightning Officer, got a nomination?"
The purple haired Trash that Xanxus had been eyeing up had been killed a few weeks ago on a mission, and Zelos had kept her title honestly, so nobody has been lining up to replace her.
"I may," she replies, puffing out a plume of smoke. "But before we get into that, we need to talk."
Xanxus grunts. "What about?"
"That Sky of yours."
Xanxus doesn't even try to hide the growl. Even on her fucking deathbed , this bitch wont relent.
Zelos, however, takes his tantrum with her usual patience and calm demeanour.
"Listen to me, boy!" she yells, pointing a shaking finger his way. "That man does not belong here, and you know it. Even if you can force him to accept the bond, all you'll do is break him apart from within and take the Varia down when he finally shatters. So let. Him. Go."
Xanxus can feel his flames brimming to the surface, his hands tingling just before they erupt. With herculean effort, he draws them back.
"...I can't," Xanxus admits. "If he doesn't harmonise with me, he'll be harmonised with one of the brothers the second they find out. That's not an option."
"Ugh, idiot," Zelos moans, dropping her head on the pillow. "How is someone as smart as you so stupid?"
"Hey! You want me to kill you faster?"
"Depends. Want Ottavio to win the pool?"
He doesn't, and bites his tongue, while Zelos cackles at his antics.
"Besides, chiding you for your epicly foolish social decisions isn't why I called you here." Then, she smirks. "Well, it is, but not because of Sawada."
She bites down on the cigar to free her hands, and then reaches for a small drawer, tremors clear as she pulls out a letter. Xanxus quickly holds out his hand to accept it, finger brushing along the edge as he pulls out the thick paper.
"What's this?"
"A candidate for the Lightning position," Zelos explains, returning her attention back to the tobacco in her mouth. "My Great-nephew."
His eyes widen, and he opens the documents with some interest. "You have family?"
"Hah, that so odd?"
Xanxus shrugs. "Just strange. Forget that people in this building actually have family."
Zelos smiles.
"Ah, my sister wasn't as headstrong as me," she explains. "Married into a family to tighten bonds, but they more or less got absorbed into another family that, well, didn't exactly move upwards. Her son made the mistake of marrying for love, and now his brat isn't exactly fighting off suitors."
Xanxus frowns. "Is he any good?"
"Don't get me wrong, this isn't a pity request," Zelos says, puffing on the cigar. "Trained him myself. Boy cut his teeth just like everyone else in his teens. He's more than competent, he just doesn't have anything other than his flames going for him. Right now he's preparing for a teaching position at university, and I know he'll do just fine. But he's like me – he wants more than the civilian rank and file. This place will answer a call he didn't even know he was making."
"Still, bringing in trash with no rep will raise a few eyebrows," Xanxus mutters. "Might not be worth the effort."
Zelos snorts. "How about you pay him a visit and then decide if you want to dismiss him. One way or another, you need a Lightning, and unlike your precious Sky, he'd thrive in the Varia."
Xanxus snorts, but glances at the paper and the photo, before tucking it into his pocket.
It can't hurt to have a look.
Zelos passed three days later. The entire Sun division gets into a multi-way fight over what exactly tipped her over the edge, as the woman crawled out of her bed and was found dead in an abandoned corridor – much like a cat at the end of it's nine lives.
Xanxus admits it, he's going to miss the old woman. She was unhinged and dangerous and didn't give a fuck about anyone or anything. He can only aspire to be as much of a bastard as she was when he has that number of years under his belt.
And it's her last request that has him sitting at his desk, waiting for Squalo to escort an utter stranger into his office. As expected, the door slams open with the customary screech.
"Voiiii! Boss, he's here!"
Xanxus immediately fires a shot just to the side of the door frame. "Keep it down, Trash!"
"Voi! Dammit, Boss!"
Xanxus ignores the shouting, eyes setting on the great nephew of the cranky old Lightning with interest.
Honestly, if Zelos hadn't told him herself that they were related, Xanxus would never have pegged it. The first thing he notes is just how damn tall the guy is – Xanxus isn't exactly short, and still growing, but damn this guy is probably going to tower over him. His hair is dark, and while it's tied back in a ponytail, he's got several spikes that suggest heavy flame training. Finally, he has several piercings, glittering around his face and facial hair, just to enhance just how intimidating he is.
Xanxus will admit, aesthetically, this guy would fit the Varia just fine.
"So, you're Zelos's brat-trash, huh?" Xanxus asks, leaning on the armrest to drop his head in his hand.
The man's eyes immediately narrow. "It's Levi," he says. "And the only two people in this building who know of that relation are in this room. Let's keep it that way."
"Not fond of her?"
"Quite the contrary. But I won't use her name to get ahead."
Xanxus smirks. For someone with no rep, he knows the game well.
"Well, her name's the only reason I was willing to let you walk through that door, so what can you offer to keep me from tossing you out the window, Trash?"
He means every word. Even with the backing of the now deceased Officer, the Varia don't just let anyone in. Levi will have to fight his way to the head position, and that spot is reserved for his own future Lightning candidate.
Levi's eyes sharpen. "Introduce me to the Lightning division, and I'll show you exactly what I can offer. I'll beat every single one of them."
Xanxus's eyebrows raise. That's a strong claim. "And if you don't?"
Levi's lip twitches upwards. "If I don't, it'll be because I'm dead, so it won't matter any more."
Xanxus bursts into laughter, and shoots at the door.
"Oi, Trash!" he snaps at Squalo when his right hand opens the door. "Get the Lightning squad ready for an interview."
Zelos had been part of a lost generation, but damn , did she know how to train a Lightning.
Xanxus spent an hour sitting on the sidelines, only moving his arm whenever his glass was empty to Squalo could refill it – a job the swordsman wasn't taking that seriously considering he was just as distracted as he is. Belphegor had joined them at some point and is giggling maniacally near Xanxus's feet, while Lussuria's high pitched squealing has been constant for nearly 40 minutes, as they'd watched Levi systematically destroy the cream of Varia's Lightning crop. His choice of weapon might look ridiculous, but Xanxus cannot deny their effectiveness. The man uses the parabola's to enhance his flames, meaning he doesn't need to use as much power for each hit – so he's still going strong when everyone else is on the ground panting and desperately trying to keep the hearts pumping.
When Levi finally relents and pulls back his parabola's, he turns to stare at Xanxus with a smug look. Xanxus stands in reply, assessing the man.
"Good show, Lightning-Trash," he says, and tosses the ring in the air. Levi catches it, and rolls it around in his hand before slipping it on a finger. Finally, his flames flicker – sharp, green and spiky like the electricity it's generally associated with. Xanxus allows his own to flare out in reply, and grins when he feels a hint of something as they mix.
He's almost glad Zelos is dead. The smugness she'd have from being right would be too much to deal with.
Levi A. Than, because apparently his new Lightning has a flair for dramatics, fits into the Varia like it was tailor made for him, changing his name, dropping out of university, and throwing himself into the role of Lightning Officer. Once the inevitable fighting and elbow pushing dies down, the man settles into the position and the tentative bond.
A few days later, his harmony gets yet another boost when Bel comes back from a mission quite literally dripping in blood, escorted by a Storm officer who looks pale enough for it to be his, and hugs Xanxus tightly round the waist.
"I love it here," Bel had whined, nuzzling into Xanxus's no-longer-white shirt, and Xanxus had only cut off his cursing when he felt that partial bond quite happily settle into a full fledged harmony. The shirt was officially written off, and Xanxus spent the rest of the afternoon with a very clingy and manic looking Prince clinging to his shoulders or settled in his lap.
(Which, if nothing else, had made the afternoon meeting he'd had with the Ninth one of the funniest fucking meetings he'd ever been forced to sit through).
However, with his Storm now firmly in place and Lightning comfortably on the way, Xanxus is becoming increasingly aware of the gaping hole in his harmony, and it's driving him crazy. Everyone else has fully accepted courting and harmonisation at this point.
Tsuna is clearly noticing it as well, from how little he's hanging around the Varia building. A lot of the time, he's not even on Vongola territory, disappearing into some unknown hideout in Italy on a regular basis, or hiding out with his Mist. Karasu has actually suggested moving him into the Estrano building on more than one occasion at this point, and Xanxus has often needed to physically drag him back to the Varia premises if he wants to spend any time with him when he can track him down. Granted, those attempts usually result in the two of them fighting with fists and guns, but at least it means Tsuna's attention is focused utterly on him.
He's on one of those hunts, stepping into the Vongola mansion in an irritable mood after his search in the Estrano lab turns up empty, when he starts picking up the hushed voices – fear mixed with excitement.
"Had no idea..."
"Would have thought Xanxus would have intervened..."
"Didn't know, maybe?"
His instincts are prickling, hair on his neck rising the deeper he gets. Something's happened.
"Oi, you!" he snaps, when he finally spots a servant he recognises as one of his own, planted for information gathering, crosses his path. "What the fuck has everyone on edge?"
The man's eyes flit to both sides before leaning in, looking far too giddy at what he has to share.
"Enrico's been rushed into the infirmary. Nobody's confirmed anything, but they're saying it's because of a courting gone wrong," he says, and Xanxus goes still.
No. Both he and Tsuna have been tight lipped about the flames – and Mukuro and Chrome don't interact with the main house at all. It couldn't have been-
"They're saying Sawada punched Enrico in the face so hard it broke his jaw!"
"What!" Xanxus squawks. "You're fucking kidding me."
The man shakes his head.
"The rumour going round doesn't make sense, but apparently Enrico tried to harmonise with him? I didn't think his Storm flames could-"
Xanxus shoves the grunt into a wall before he could finish and storms straight for the exit. There's red mist in his brain, and while he dearly, dearly , wants to go to the Vongola infirmary and get answers in person, there's enough rationale in his head to realise that will end very badly for him. He needs distance before he starts retaliating – and makes it to his office, punching in the number in his phone and grinding his teeth as the phone rings twice before it answers.
"Xanxus," Enrico says, sounding hoarse, but resigned. "I've been expecting this call."
"If you're talking, I'm guessing at least one part of the rumour is false," Xanxus growls, silently begging that it's all been blown out of proportion.
"Yes, though I admit, not for lack of trying on Sawada's part," Enrico replies. "That's a terrifying right hook he has."
Xanxus growls, uninterested in the compliment. "Why did you approach him."
He gets a long suffering sigh in reply. "Xanxus, I understand the effort, and the incentive, but did you really think the two of you would be able to keep it a secret forever?"
Terror grips his throat. "You know."
"That Tsunayoshi Sawada has Cloud flames? Yes," Enrico says. "I admit the two of us have never been particularly close, but Father was insistent that the three of us at least test the waters. Given how quickly my flames were rejected, and that he just tried to break my jaw, I won't be trying again."
That's a relief… but leaves two brothers, and Tsuna's relationship with Federico, while not strong, has always been fairly cordial. He remembers how terrified Tsuna had been once he'd been made heir, how worried he'd been about keeping him alive...
"How the fuck did you even find out?"
"Does it matter? You know secrets regarding Sawada are at a premium," Enrico says, rather chidingly. "And you've amassed a lot of power very quickly. Cloud is the only entry way left for you, and Sawada's a powerhouse that's already loyal to your camp. There's a lot of people who would want to try and find a way to wedge in. Wouldn't it be better if he was harmonised to one of us?"
"There will be no wedging, he's mine ," Xanxus warns. "You fuckers can't have him."
To his frustration, Enrico's voice becomes more sympathetic. "Xanxus, he rejected you. He's refused you, and that means you have to step aside. Those are the rules."
"Tsuna rejects everyone the first time!" Xanxus howls. "It doesn't mean anything! And his reasons for rejecting me would throw you three out of the running too!"
He'd definitely had the right idea not meeting the Ninth or the sons in person. Somebody would be dead right now.
"Free Clouds are a rare thing to find. We have to at least try," Enrico replies. "And better one of us than a Sky outside Vongola. You know neither Massimo or Federico would keep him from you. He'll still be your Sky."
"He's also my Cloud. I promise you that!" Xanxus warns, and smashes the phone back down. It starts ringing almost immediately, but Xanxus ignores it, flaring his flames and smashing a glass against the wall when he confirms Tsuna's not in the vicinity. A few minutes later, Squalo is at the door, looking more apprehensive than usual.
"Boss… are you okay?"
He hides the flinch from when Xanxus turns to glare at him well.
"Tell me the second Tsuna-Trash is back on the property," he says, and pushes past him to head for Tsuna's room.
No more toying around – they don't have time. Tsuna is going to accept the inevitable, one way or another.
By the time Tsuna does arrive back on the grounds, Xanxus has calmed down enough not to blow up everything in his vicinity. Just.
Tsuna, however, has tense shoulders and a glint to his eyes that suggests he's very close to falling into Dying Will, when he opens the door to find the teen sitting on his bed. "Xanxus, my emotions are already running high, do not test me right now."
Instead of approaching him, Tsuna makes a beeline for the wardrobe, pulling out a duffel bag and tossing it on a desk, while he digs out a few items. It's one of bug-out bags Tsuna seems to have by the dozen, and Xanxus rises to a whole new level of rage.
"You're leaving. Again ?"
"Have to get out of Italy before Federico tries his luck," Tsuna replies, focusing on packing and refusing to meet Xanxus's eyes. "Enrico's one thing, but even I can't pummel the future heir to the ground with no consequences."
"Then don't pummel him," Xanxus snaps, in disbelief that of the two of them, he's the one advocating words over violence. "Reject them, harmonise with me, and get it over with."
"Xanxus, I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but I'm not harmonising with you or anyone else," Tsuna says. "It's not happening."
"But rather than tell the brothers the same thing, you're fucking running? Enrico's already backing off because he didn't feel a connection. The other two will do the same once they realise you're not compatible."
Then his face drops, because while Tsuna isn't looking at him, a flinch definitely crosses Tsuna's shoulders and his hands hesitate over the bag.
Oh, fuck no.
"One of them's compatible," Xanxus says. "You know they are. Like you did with me."
Tsuna shakes his head and continues packing. "It doesn't matter. I'm not interested in them."
"You think they'll fucking take that as an answer!" Xanxus screams, jumping to his feet. "The Ninth has wanted a stronger leash on you ever since we joined the family! It'll be relentless."
"Which is why I'm leaving before they find that out," Tsuna snaps, zipping the bag shut. "Give them some time, maybe locate a few other Clouds I can shove their way. It might be doable."
He hoists the bag onto his shoulder. "I've told Karasu I'll be MIA for a bit, but Reborn might show up. Tell him I'll call when I'm sure the brothers aren't watching him.
He finally turns to look Xanxus in the eye, sheepish smile on his face-
-And immediately drops to the ground to dodge the flame charged bullet Xanxus had sent straight at him.
"Shit! Xanxus! What are you doing?"
Xanxus doesn't answer. Merely raises his other gun and strides towards him, trying to focus his wrath flames into the weapons while leaving the flames he's now leaking heavily in the room as pure Sky as he can make them.
Dammit, if he has to smash Tsuna into the ground and force him to acknowledge their bond, he'll fucking do it! He won't be the first Sky to leash a Cloud with brute strength and he won't be the last. Xanxus will take Tsuna's hatred for a few months over feeling those flames forever tied to one of the Vongola siblings any day of the week.
Ever quick on the uptake, Tsuna's eyes widen, then narrow a split second later.
"Xanxus-"
He doesn't get to answer, immediately moving to dodge the next shot, flames igniting on his forehead, and his eyes taking on an orange hue. Xanxus immediately crushes the mental screaming of something he thinks might be a conscience at going against his Sky in such a manner, and starts firing.
The wall doesn't survive, and the two of them end up smashing into the gardens, while any Varia member in the vicinity quickly finds reasons not to be.
Tsuna is quicksilver fast, moving through the air and across the ground at speeds nobody can handle without hyper intuition, but Xanxus has spent years sparring with him, and so his shots meet their target more often than not. The problem is that he's not a close range fighter, and Tsuna is – getting him close is good for harmonisation, but not good for his success in this fight.
His next shot clips the side of Tsuna's stomach, forcing the man to spin and fly up and over Xanxus rather than face him head first, but Tsuna merely course corrects and sends a burst of flame directly towards where Xanxus was heading. He only avoids it by firing his guns to the side and rolling across the ground. Given that his propulsion needs weaponry, he's got a better position on the ground.
Tsuna knows it too. He drops down and immediately charges another burst of flame his way, a lot closer than his Sky would normally risk. The light blinds Xanxus temporarily, and he rolls away again, adjusting his grip on his guns so he can blast himself through the air, when he feels a hand grip his elbow – and then nothing but blinding pain.
He screams, the gun dropping from his now broken uses his grip on the broken appendage to balance and kick his legs out, smashing his heel directly into Xanxus's knee. Before Xanxus can process that, Tsuna slams the very same heel on his face, and Xanxus drops into the ground, both crippled and blinded. He gasps for air, only for Tsuna to appear above him and land directly on his good leg before he can move.
Something shatters.
Fear suddenly crawls up his throat. Even at his most enraged or lost in his own head, Tsuna has never come at him with lethal intent. He always holds back – insisting they stop when he loses control or goes too far and accidentally injures Xanxus in a way that a good Sun user can't fix overnight. For all Xanxus had snapped and told him he could handle a few fractures, Tsuna point blank refused to let their 'friendly' training get out of hand.
Tsuna is now kneeling down, pinning Xanxus's chest to the ground with one leg. He raises a fist. His eyes are a kaleidoscope of colour, and his face is pure Wrath. Xanxus shudders.
Shit, Tsuna is serious…
' Oh fuck-'
"Trash, don't-!"
Tsuna punches his face, full force, smashing into Xanxus's face repeatedly like bell tolls.
"I. Fucking. Said. No!" Tsuna snarls. Xanxus tries to speak, tries to move, but he couldn't. Xanxus can't even feel a trace of Sky flames in the hits – it's pure, raw Cloud at it's most enraged. "This is my line, Xanxus. And you will not drag me over it. I haven't come this far to fall further than I ever did!"
Four punches, five… and even while fighting the loss of consciousness, Xanxus hears Tsuna suddenly falter, his angry, violent flames suddenly dimming back, his Sky starting to creep back.
"Oh god… no, Xanxus…" he says, almost too quiet to hear. "Why… why'd you make me do this?"
Xanxus tries to answer, only to feel blinding pain in his jaw and moan instead. The sound doesn't seem to help Tsuna any, his hands curling up as he bows down on Xanxus's chest, his breathing staggered.
A few moments later, he sits up, eyes looking utterly heartbroken, and yet still confident of what he's about to say.
"Listen Xanxus, because I'm only going to tell you this once," Tsuna says, voice soft. "I will never be your Cloud officer. I will never be Varia . You try and force that collar on me? I'll kill myself."
Xanxus flinches, his intuition crying out at the sheer honesty in Tsuna's voice. He means every word.
"To keep you, Xanxus, I'll be mafia," Tsuna continues. "It's the one concession I've had to make, and I've accepted that. There's really no other place for me to go in this world anyway, and you keep me shielded from the throne in a way I can't do alone. But I won't be a killer for hire. I wouldn't be for them, and I won't be for you. Not ever ."
He looks down at Xanxus, in something resembling pity, and as Xanxus starts to lose his battle with unconsciousness, feels a hand run through his hair before it goes black.
When he comes to, he's staring at the roof of the Varia's medical ward, and feels a very irritable presence on his left. A quick check of his injuries shows both legs and his arm in casts, but his face has mostly recovered – no doubt Lussuria's work. He turns his head to find Karasu glaring at him, legs and arms crossed and looking pissed.
"He's gone," Karasu says, answering the question he hadn't needed to ask. "Once word got out that he rejected your last stand by throwing you in hospital, Federico decided to try his own luck before he got out of the grounds."
Xanxus feels his heart stop.
"He started with talking, as you do," Karasu continues. "But Tsuna was still riding Dying Will and wasn't making rational choices. Given that he was tired out from fighting you, Federico decided to try it your way and fight him into at least accepting a courtship. Clouds do generally like getting courted on the battlefield after all."
Xanxus shakes his head. "No… no, that fucker can't -"
He starts coughing, his jaw unhappy about the workout, and Karasu merely leans back in her chair.
"He can, he did, and got thrown into the infirmary as Tsuna's third victim of the day," Karasu continues, face remaining impassive even as Xanxus's body sags into the sheets in relief. "Tsuna's X-burner slammed him through six walls, two of them flame enforced, and when Federico regained consciousness, Tsuna was gone."
"...Where?" Xanxus asks, and Karasu shrugs.
"Best guess? Japan. To be with his family and his semi-Rain," she says. "He needs some tranquillity since everything's gone to shit here. But I suspect you won't get him back on Italian soil anytime soon."
She then stands up, looking irritated.
"Federico has already requested permission to pursue him," she tells him. "While the rejection was fairly vicious, unlike Enrico, he did confirm compatibility. It's frail, but his flames resonate with Tsuna's."
Xanxus sucks air through his teeth.
Fuck, fuck, fuck … of fucking course it would be Federico..
He doesn't have time to worry about that however, as Karasu leans over him, her eyes glaring daggers into his.
"Fix this, Xanxus," Karasu warns. "If you hadn't pushed him to the brink, Federico wouldn't have risked fighting him when he was running high and vulnerable. With the control he has, none of the brother's would have managed to make headway, no matter how compatible, but you shoved it all to the surface."
"They found out !" Xanxus growls out. "Tsuna was fleeing the country to get away from them. What choice did I have?"
"The choice to trust him?" Karasu counters. "The choice to actually listen to what the fuck he tells us rather than assuming you know best? Because that always works out well for you and me."
Xanxus bites back the immediate defence. He hates to admit it, but the Mist is right. Even if the Ninth and his sons found out about Tsuna's third element, Xanxus is the one who threw kerosene on the bonfire.
"I… it wasn't like that…" he mutters.
"I don't care," Karasu snaps. "I have orders from the Ninth to stay put, and while my Sky can override that, he's gone radio silent. I want my Sky back , Xanxus."
"What do you want from me?" he asks, looking away. Karasu leans back and crosses her arms.
"Beg. Grovel. Harmonise with that four eyed asshole you can't stand," Karasu says. "Do whatever it takes to bring him home."
"Or what?" Xanxus snaps. Karasu smirks.
"Or I tell Reborn what just happened, and see how he tries to use this to his own courting advantage," Karasu warns, not at all intimidated. "Last I checked, Cavallone's also looking for a Cloud, and Tsuna likes Dino too."
"...What?"
"Ask Mr. World's Greatest next time you see him," Karasu explains, and heads for the door.
"Since you currently can't walk, I'll give you a month. Get to it."
