From Another World

8. Vacation

"There's a man inside!" Someone shouted.

Hearing this, Tsuna was immediately at his side as well as Reborn. The Ninth was injured but not enough for him to pass out. Yet. I sigh in relief to see him safe but Tsuna was still in shock at being the one to hurt the big boss like this.

"It looks like the Ninth was being used as the Mosca's power source." Reborn muttered, his fedora shadowing his face.

"W-why?!"

"How dare you ask 'why'!" We turn to look at Xanxus "You're the one that went and killed the Ninth."

Tsuna looked at his hands. They were shaking. "Me? I- I did this?"

I gulp. I couldn't say anything. I was too afraid to. Knowing something and taking action against that was easier said than done.

"This is bad," Reborn said, looking at the Ninth's wounds. "This isn't something we can treat with a first aid box."

"Eh?!"

"Who was the one that attacked the old man with no mercy?" Tsuna's breath started to quicken, his eyes wide. "Who was it that stabbed the Ninth?"

"It was me," Tsuna muttered, staring at the Ninth. "I killed-"

"Tsuna," I place my hand over his. "Don't blame yourself, you didn't know it was him inside the Mosca; you were only trying to protect your friends. It's not your fault."

"She's right," The three of us look down to see the Ninth looking up at us. "It's not your fault... it's mine."

"Ninth!" Tsuna cried, leaning forward.

"We finally get to meet, Sawada Tsunayoshi." The Ninth smiled. "I'm sorry, this was all caused by my weakness. It was because of that, Xanxus was able to wake from his long sleep."

I take the Ninth's hand to try and console him. He turned his eyes to me as Reborn explained the cradle affair and Xanxus's rage.

"You..." The Ninth's eyes widen before he started coughing, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Are you alright?!"

"Reborn always talks about you, Tsunayoshi," Timoteo smiled. "About the girl you like, about school, and your friends... your heart is really mismatched for a mafia boss." He raised his hand, index finger pointing. "And up until now, you never fought in a battle willingly. These lines between your eyebrows, hands clenched like you were in a prayer. All of those... is why I chose you to be the tenth boss... I'm glad it's you."

His finger made contact with Tsuna's forehead and the dying will flame lit up. Tears formed in Tsuna's eyes and the hand fell.

"N-no! Ninth! Ninth!" Tsuna grabbed the hand that fell squeezing it to feel some sort of reaction, but none came.

"How dare you kill the Ninth!" Xanxus claimed. "There is no need for an investigation. The burn marks on his chest is enough evidence. How dare you raise a hand against him and strike him down... This ring battle is now meaningless... For the boss, my father... and for the future of the Vongola... I will kill you as vengeance!"

Reborn went into a tangent how no one would support Xanxus if all he did was win the ring battle because of his violent reputation. He had made Tsuna out to be the villain; and because of that, if he brought down the boy that killed their boss, the one who defeated him would gain respect and recognition.