Game on

Chapter 18: Inheritance Arc 2

"Er... Isn't that one the Sawada twins?" asked the second worriedly – Tsuna was a bit surprised, he didn't think his name was so well-known within the school; but then again in the last few months he'd beaten one of the most popular boys in the school, while his sister had become famous for nearly always being seen with Takeshi and Kyoya
"Yes, he is." nodded the third "If we do anything to him, Hibari-san will come after us!"
"Only if he tells on us," smiled creepily goon number one "And he wont once we're over with him, won't he?"

The other two idiots seemed to have found back their nerve with their leader words and started to stalk menacingly toward him. Tsuna nearly smiled – he didn't like to fight, but he didn't hesitate when needed, and after months of facing mafiosi, the three school boys barely registered as treats on his radar. With seconds, they were all to the ground, then running away, tail between, their legs.

Tsuna turned back toward the small boy who was still on the ground to help him up "You shouldn't have done that." he mumbled "Now that they've seen you with me, they'll come with more people to get you."
Tsuna snorted "So that's why you didn't even try to defend yourself?"

"What's the point?"mumbled the other back, frowning "Anyway, it's not like you could understand, you've got it easy..."
"Yes, of course." nodded the other boy, irony clearly heard in his idle tone "I can't understand, after all, I'm not bullied, so contrary to you I've got a perfect life and could never hope to understand you. Naturally."
The boy to the ground slapped the hand that was trying to help him up back, glaring at him, and Tsuna burst out laughing "See, you can react and defend yourself against me so why not against them?"he asked genuinely, all disdain gone from his voice

Not expecting this reaction, the Simon transfer eyes widened and he stammered, not knowing how to answer – seeing him struggle, Tsuna eyes softened "I can feel you trying to judge me, you know... Struggling to decide whether I'm a bad guy or a good guy..." a shrug "It's about as stupid as telling me that just because I don't let people bully me I've got it easy. It's not like it came to me like a miracle, my sister forced me to go to a fighting club when I was six." a pout "She said I looked too much like a girl and that if I didn't learn to defend myself every bully would come to me like bees to honey..."

At that, the other couldn't help himself, and laughed, before starting to redden – taking a look at the classmate that had saved him, he commented in spite of himself "Well, you don't look like you could fight..."
"It's not like I like fighting." easily admitted Tsuna "But sometimes it's unavoidable... Especially in the world we live in."
At that, the transfer student looked at him, wondering if he was talking about...

"How do you expect to survive in the mafia world if you don't even try to stand up against schoolyard bullies?"
"It's easy for you to say this." protested the other, glare back "After all, you've got the great and powerful Vongola Famiglia behind you."
"You're surprisingly ignorant about the Vongola for a supposedly allied Famiglia..." snorted Tsuna "Traditionally, the heir have to become acknowledged enough within the Famiglia on his own powers before being made official. And only after that will the Inheritance Ceremony be held. So no, I didn't have the great and powerful Vongola Famiglia behind me. Well except those who tried to kill me to take my place." he mused for himself, thinking about Xanxus

Now, the other teen was frowning, mind visibly reeling from this information. Deciding that it was enough for the day, Tsuna smiled "Anyway, I was coming here to ask your whether your Famiglia would be interested to meet mine? After all, it's not everyday that Vongola allies of our age range come to Namimori!"
Once more, the new student was floored by the Vongola heir's temper.

He didn't answer – but the next morning, before homeroom started, the transfer student came to him, mumbling "Sawada-san? We... I talked about your proposition with the others, and we would like to meet your Famiglia..."
Tsuna smiled, and suggested "Why don't we meet at the gelateria near the park tomorrow after school activities? I would invite you at home, but I guess you'd prefer a neutral territory for a first meeting?"