The Trinisette Heirs (Katekyo Hitman Reborn)

Echoing Darkness Arc Part 1

Estraneo left scars behind, the PTSD was just one very obvious thing. But how did it affect him internally, mentally, psychologically? Well now, there was a reason why I warned last chapter that things are going to get dark. But if you've read so far, the story has already shown signs of Tsuna's own darkness, like in the chapter where he fights Mochida, or his anger towards Iemitsu.

(Also, my chapters will be shorter, so I don't get burnout)

Oh, and hello, new arc.

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Chapter 24

Scars that last a lifetime

Sometimes human places create inhuman monsters.

The whole question here is:

Am I a monster, or a victim myself?

-Sawada Tsunayoshi, 8 years old

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He didn't go home that night.

He spent the entire day at school suppressing his more negative emotions, ensuring that nothing would slip, and his usual mask remained intact. And now, they were building up, desperate to break free.

His fingers raced over the keys, sending message after message. The issue of Reborn lay untouched, a volatile subject he dared not disturb. Usually, it was normal for him to do sleepovers elsewhere, before Reborn and definitely during the extremely noisy summer holidays, but this time, he had to add that he wasn't going to school the next day either, which was going to invite a lot of complications.

Hayato and Takeshi, loyal companions that they were, accepted his explanation without question. Michaelo made that part easier for him, having already moved out Hayato who of course would listen to Michaelo, especially if he mentioned Tsuna. They even promised to cover for him, how, he wasn't sure, he was already digging himself a hole, why not make it deeper?

That was his nihilism talking now, great, if he's reverting to version dead-inside, he'd rather tie up his temporary loose ends, because why not embrace his temporary detachment?

He had to spend a bit longer persuading Kyoya and revealing a bit of half-truth, attacking mafiosi and all that, and somehow he'd manage to persuade him to leave it to him. He'd probably pay for that in the future, but he couldn't find it within himself to care right now.

Skipping school was not the challenge; the true battle was preventing Kyoya—or anyone else—from getting too close. The last thing they needed was unwelcome interference from certain people.

The girls were thus informed that he was going to be absent the next day because of some business that he had to avoid Reborn and Ieyoshi and co. from finding out.

This new game was thrust upon him suddenly, unprepared for its complexities. Byakuran's impatience added a layer of difficulty. But who was he if not adaptable?

At that moment, he was leaning against the exterior wall of the YUNIted building, a narrow, dim alley concealed him from the world of light outside. His breath was ragged, heavy with pent-up emotions that fought to break free, transforming his annoyance into a volatile mix of fury and resentment. This wasn't the same sort of 'Damn it, Bya-kun' annoyance, no, this was pure annoyance and a good amount of fury on the side, unfiltered, and untainted.

Inhale. Exhale.

Damn it.

Lal may have sealed away the foreign flames that wreaked havoc within him, but their scars remained, etching themselves into his psyche, waiting for the chance to break through with those agonizing claws. Moments like this, when his barriers weakened, exposed the gnawing emptiness he fought to suppress.