Target 10: Question – In which his father asked him a question and Tsuna decided to tell.
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"Rikuo, how does dying feel like?"
The abrupt question from his father in the middle of another game with everyone in the room rendered everyone stunned and speechless. The boisterous noise from their merrymaking suddenly cease to be as if all occupants in the room was hit by a spell that can prevent the target from maing any noises.
It really wasn't surprising for them to notice and know, Rikuo thought to himself and yet as he heard that question from his father, especially after their visit from the Yakushi Clan. Tsuna Rikuo found himself staring in surprise at his father.
"I-"He found himself stuttering and from the corner of his eyes, he saw his mother stand up worried. He shook as he took a deep breath before answering his father.
"This question really shouldn't be asked to me, you know? Because I died from old age. My death was peaceful." Not as gruesome as some of his guardians who died to protect him, who sacrificed their lives for him.
He sees the relief washing on their face and warmth fills his heart at the thought that they are worried about how he had died; that they didn't wish for him to die gruesomely or reluctantly.
"But," He pauses as memories of those late night talk with his male Mist came into mind.
"I heard from someone I used to know that dying felt like being on fire, that every nerves on his body were hot. He also said that dying is a struggle to live; you want- you have to move and you need to move but you just couldn't. And then, when everything nears its end; it's finally peace and rest. It's like being in your mother's embrace again. Dying is peace," Rikuo smiles lightly. "At least, that's what he said."
Silence pervades the room as they took in the thought that Rikuo- or who he was in his past life, knew someone who died once.
Wakana pursed her lips as a thought came to be. She doesn't dare think of it.
"…Do you miss your family?" She breaks the silence by asking that one question that had plagued her every waking moment. He must have miss them terribly, she thought to herself, remembering those amber eyes filled with loneliness.
Her little boy (and he will always be. No matter what. She will always see him as her son) stills and looks at her with that eyes filled with sky flames. His expression is blank and devoid with any emotion as he stares at her, searching for something.
And suddenly, he smiles; a breathtaking and gentle smile that fills Wakana with warmth, love and acceptance. And Wakana couldn't help but think of her grandfather; of photo of a youth smiling at the camera. Her boy resembles him so much.
"I miss my family and Family always; but you're all here with me now." He laughs brightly, his sepia eyes lighting up in happiness.
The silent and somber mood within the room burst into loud cheers and shouts as everyone tacitly decides to drop the topic when their heir insinuates that he views them as his family.
Wakana gently smiles as she watch her husband riling up their son before she decides to go to the kitchen to help out.
She tactfully decided not to ask which Famiglia her son belonged. Why else would her boy say family and Family?
She doesn't dare to.
Because, Wakana fears for the answer; for the confirmation of her conjecture.
Why ask when it will drag her son back into that world? Why ask when it might have to force him back? Because, as much as Wakana loves and trusts her family and Famiglia, they would never let her son live as a civilian if they found out about him.
But she knew the answer; knew it deep in her bones.
Because flame users of that caliber are rare, and there are only a handful of skies with that kind of flame purity. His flames, no matter how he tries to disguise it, recognizes Wakana; seeks out her flames as a senior does.
As someone within the same bloodline and family does.