Silent Pain

Chapter 3

Author's Note: Sorry for the wait I sort of forgot to update. So it doesn't happen again I'm just going to forget about editing and post everything.

They kept Tsuna out of school for as long as they could. Reborn wasn't happy about it, but Tsuna had to go back. It didn't help that Reborn had legal business to attend to, and Dino would stand out too much to watch Tsuna at school, meaning he was on his own today. And Reborn knew what that meant, lots of abuse, new bruises and probably being locked in a broom closet. Reborn decided to try and pick Tsuna up himself as soon as school got out, as he could always continue what he was doing when he got back.

"Okay Tsuna," Reborn said, "make sure to give that note to the principal before you go to class." Tsuna nodded. "

"And above all, be safe," Dino said. Tsuna looked down and grabbed one of his bruises. "Would it help if we give you some money to give them?" Tsuna shook his head and Reborn had the feeling that Tsuna tried that before.

Reborn cleared his throat. "Well, just don't forget to eat your lunch." Without any sign of agreement or disagreement, Tsuna left.

"Are you sure he'll be okay?" Dino asked.

"No," Reborn said. "But we don't have much choice in the matter. The last thing we need is for the principal to have more to use against him after yesterday. I'll make sure to follow him tomorrow and keep him safe"

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Tsuna ditched his lunch on his way to school. It wasn't like he would get to eat it anyway. The bullies would just take it as 'payment', and the last thing he needed was for them to think he was capable of bringing lunches now. He hadn't brought a lunch in almost two years, and it was only a matter of time before Dino stopped giving them to him too. It would only make the beatings worse when that time came if the bullies were able to get lunches out of him now.

Tsuna went directly to the principal's office and handed him the note. "What is this," he said harshly. "You want me to excuse your absences?" Tsuna nodded and the principal laughed. "You seemed perfectly fine yesterday, so no. Now get out of my sight, you waste of space! You're already late for class!" The principal crumpled up the note and threw it at Tsuna's head.

Tsuna picked up the note and left, feeling somewhat hurt. He didn't know why it hurt, he was used to this by now. But then he realized that he actually believed Dino and Reborn when they said that his absences wouldn't be a problem. That, despite his best efforts, he was enjoying his life at home too much. Tears began to form in his eyes when he thought about how it would soon be gone. "Herbivore," a voice said behind him and Tsuna froze. "Why aren't you in class? And where were you the last two days?" Tsuna stood there unable to move. "Answer or I'll bite you to death." Tsuna turned to see a boy with black hair and gray eyes. He wore the jacket of his uniform on his shoulders without putting his arms through the sleeves and there was an armband that had the words 'Discipline Committee' on it. It was Hibari, head of the discipline committee and ruthless enforcer of school rules, known to mercilessly attack those who break them. Hibari looked Tsuna in the eyes. "And what's wrong with you?"

Tsuna scrambled to get his notepad out of his bag. Hibari looked annoyed as he wrote something down but didn't interfere. [I was giving the principal a note to excuse my absences.]

"Show me the note." Tsuna nodded and handed Hibari the crumpled up piece of paper. Hibari looked confused as he took it. He uncrumpled it and looked it over, before giving it back. "I'll take it for now. If it's fake, I'll bite you to death." Tsuna looked shocked. "Now, what was wrong and why was that note crumpled up like trash?"