Chapter Text
Across infinite universes, there were infinite possibilities. The smallest change could cause a small ripple or a towering tsunami across the timeline. It was no wonder that Byakuran went mad when he gained knowledge of all of them.
But one thing Byakuran knew for sure was that in most universes Sawada Tsunayoshi existed.
He was not always the Vongola Decimo. Sometimes, he was the Sky Arcobaleno, sustaining the balance of the Tri-ni-sette with his vast flames for longer than any other Sky Arcobaleno before him. In other timelines, he even managed to avoid the mafia and fade into “normal society”, but somehow always gathered a cast of unusual characters following in his wake.
This was not one of those timelines.
In this timeline, it began with one small, practically minuscule change. Sawada Ietsuna, the father of Sawada Iemitsu, had a brother once upon a time. Most of the time, Ietsuna, along with his brother and niece, would be killed by a mafia-related hit, drawing the attention of Vongola and pulling a young, newly orphaned Iemitsu into the organization. This time, it went almost the same way, except that Masako, Iemitsu’s cousin, was away from the house at the time, and managed to survive to be drawn into CEDEF with him.
Masako, as a descendant of Vongola Primo, clawed her way up to a respectable position within CEDEF. As an unbound female Sky, she fought off many advances and marriage proposals, all seeking to draw in a powerful lineage into their Family, but she never gave in, determined to maintain as much independence as she could, even under the heavy shroud that was Vongola. But even so, she attracted much attention, both wanted and unwanted.
Such as that of the World’s Greatest Hitman.
Sicily, Italy - Two Years Prior to Tsuna’s Birth
“Chaos.”
Masako carefully did not tense as the stool at the bar next to her was filled. Instead, she swirled her drink and cast a glance at her new, unwanted, companion.
“What do you want?”
Reborn, for that was the only person it could be despite Masako having never met him before, smirked, an infuriating gesture that had Masako’s hackles raising, though she never wavered from her purposeful impassivity.
“Is that any way to treat the person who is about to solve one of your many, many problems, Masako Sawada?”
“Tch.” Masako downed the remnants of her drink, determined to get out of this situation as soon as possible.
Reborn’s smirk widened. Masako, damn her backward instincts, felt the flickering of attraction in her stomach at the arrogant gesture even as her ire rose.
What could she say? Over fifteen years in the mafia had her confusing danger for fun.
“What problem of mine could you possibly be solving?” Masako asked, giving in to her curiosity even as she made to stand up.
“That of your many unwanted suitors.”
Masako felt her eyes widen in surprise before she threw her head back and laughed.
“I never expected the World’s Greatest Hitman to resort to such…cheesy pickup tactics,” Masako said between chuckles.
A sliver of annoyance marred Reborn’s handsome face, which only caused Masako to laugh even more.
“As if. If I were wooing you, you would know.”
“Then what is this if not that?” Masako leaned her head on her hand to look at Reborn coyly.
If Iemitsu were here, he would chide her for being so nonchalant in Reborn’s presence, but as of two weeks ago, Reborn was on contract for the Vongola. A man of his professional reputation wouldn’t taint his record by killing a Vongola affiliate without cause.
“I propose an exchange of sorts,” Reborn said smoothly, full confidence, and arrogance, regained. “I’ll pretend to be your lover, scaring off all those dimwitted suitors, and you give me the opportunity to test my skills against a Sky of your caliber.”
“You expect me to believe that’s all you want?” Masako said incredulously.
“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed if the act became real,” Reborn said smugly. “But regardless, you undervalue your worth as an opponent if you don’t think this a fair exchange.”
Masako evaluated Reborn with half-lidded eyes, considering his proposal. She would normally tell Reborn to fuck off, if not for the fact that the pests circling her had become more and more persistent over time. It was truly a hassle not to kill them off as per Nono’s request, and these men never seemed to understand that “no” meant that she was uninterested. If she publicly took a man with Reborn’s reputation as a lover…most men would be too scared to offend the World’s Greatest Hitman and get a bullet to the head.
“We’ll fight once every two months,” Masako said finally.
“Once a week.”
“Hah! Are you joking? With our schedules? Once a month.”
“Once every two weeks, with the understanding that if we miss a fight it won’t be rescheduled.”
Masako calculated the odds in her head. Most likely, between both of their busy schedules, they would be fighting much less often than once every two weeks.
“Deal.”
Reborn smiled, and Masako felt a shiver of anticipation run down her spine at the dangerous expression.
“I’ll make sure Nono clears your schedule on those days,” Reborn said, ignoring Masako’s indignant squawk.
He stood up from his stool and Masako scrambled to get up as well, unwilling to be at such a disadvantage around the hitman. Before she could react further, he grabbed her hand and bent over, placing a delicate kiss on the back of her hand. Still, bent over her hand, he looked at her from under dark eyelashes, eyes full of intent.
“I look forward to our arrangement, Masako Sawada.”
Feeling the eyes of everyone in the bar, Masako didn’t yank her hand away from Reborn and instead gave a demure smile that belied the fire burning inside her.
“Likewise, Signor Reborn.”
With one last self-satisfied smile, Reborn stalked out of the bar as if he were a king. Masako settled back in her seat, counting down the minutes until she could leave without looking like she was running away.
Surely, Reborn wouldn’t harm her if he was under contract with Nono. Surely, she wasn’t making a huge mistake. In response, her intuition, which had been silent in the back of her mind this entire exchange, gave off a feeling of contentment mixed with a sense of impending doom. It was a strange combination that Masako had never felt before, but she was not inclined to run away from Reborn’s offer because of it.
Something would happen, something that would change the course of her life and maybe result in her demise, but, according to her intuition, she wouldn’t regret it.
Masako wondered what could be so important to her.
Namimori, Japan - Five Months Prior to Tsuna’s Birth
Iemitsu was silent as he drove Masako from the airport to his wife’s house in Namimori. Silence would normally be considered unusual for the exuberant man, but it had become a familiar state ever since Masako had told her cousin that she was pregnant.
Needless to say, Iemitsu had not been happy at all, even less so to hear who the father was. Iemitsu had only been okay with her liaison with Reborn due to the fact that he had thought it was fake. He had laughed and laughed under that belief, and Masako had not illuminated him to the fact that it had become real sometime around the six-month mark.
Damn Reborn for being so charming and competent. Damn Reborn from making their farce of a relationship real. Damn Reborn for being on a long-term mission with no way of contacting him and no way of knowing when he would return. It had something to do with six other flame-active individuals under the orders of a mysterious benefactor. Masako’s intuition had blared at the news but Reborn had merely smirked and kissed her when she tried to warn him. Foolish man, for all that he was one of the most dangerous in the world. But she had no time to worry about him, not when she had to worry about the little life growing within her.
She placed a hand over her barely pregnant stomach and looked over at her cousin.
“You can’t ignore me forever.”
Iemitsu said nothing, instead, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
“You’re being childish and foolish.”
“ I’m being foolish? You’re the one who got knocked up by Reborn of all people.” Iemitsu snapped. “Do you know how dangerous this is for Vongola? We’re already in a period of uncertainty, and now you want to add fuel to the fire! What do you think it looks like that you’re disappearing during a time like this?”
“I can’t help it,” Masako snarled. “I didn’t choose to get pregnant!”
“And yet you refuse to deal with it!”
Something snapped inside Masako.
“Don’t you dare ever say something like that again,” Masako said lowly. “I will not be getting rid of him. He’s mine .”
Iemitsu seemed like he might continue arguing, but he did the smart thing for once in his life and dropped it.
“You don’t even know if it’s a boy,” Iemitsu muttered petulantly.
Masako cradled her stomach and smiled.
“I know it.”
Silence resumed in the car until they began driving through a sleepy suburb and Iemitsu spoke again.
“Remember, my Nana knows nothing of the mafia.”
Masako snorted.
“I know. It’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.”
“She can’t handle it.”
“Then you shouldn’t have married her,” Masako said shortly.
This had been a recurring argument between the cousins ever since Iemitsu told her that he had married some random civilian after only three months of knowing her.
“Ah, but love is inevitable! It crashes over you like a tidal wave! And my beautiful Nana--”
Masako tuned out Iemitsu’s ramblings about love and Nana and fate. Instead, she contemplated what life would be like for her from this point on.
She would be living with her cousin-in-law, away from the prying eyes of Italy’s mafia. It was unfortunate, but her only choice if she intended to keep her pregnancy a secret. Not only were Reborn and Masako infamous individuals within the mafia and had many enemies, but the instability with Vongola’s heirs meant that her unborn son would be looked at as a threat instead of an asset.
Nono’s sons were almost infamous at this point for their inability to gain a full set of guardians. The closest was the youngest, Xanxus, but the fact that Enrico, the chosen heir, only had three was a sore spot in Vongola. When he was sixteen it was fine, not so much when he was already twenty-two. Masako dearly hoped that this situation would work itself out by the time her son came into the world. After all, she had a feeling that she would not be around to protect him.
It was a hunch based on her intuition from when she first met Reborn, but it was something that had become more certain as time went on. In a moment of fear, when Masako had first found out she was pregnant, she had made an appointment with the CEDEF doctor to resolve the situation. But as she sat outside the office waiting for the moment she would kill her unborn child, she realized that she couldn’t do it.
This was a life growing inside of her, created from a relationship that she dearly treasured, and she couldn’t help but love him with a strength that surprised her.
So no matter that she might not live to see her son grow, no matter that she would be leaving Reborn behind to raise their son on his own, she knew that her unborn Tsunayoshi would change the world.
This was her legacy and she was content with that.
Three months later the news that Masako had subconsciously been expecting to hear finally arrived.
“Sawada-san, I’m afraid there’s been a complication with your pregnancy. If you choose to proceed, I’m sorry to say there’s a near-certain chance that you will not survive.”
Beside her, Nana gasped and reached out to grip Masako’s hand. Masako ignored her cousin-in-law, though she felt warmed at Nana’s concern.
“And my son?”
The doctor hesitated, looking taken aback at her lack of reaction.
“If we induce you early and plan on a c-section…your son may live. But Sawada-san, your life--”
“It’s no matter,” Masako interrupted. “I want my son to live, even if I will not. I’ve spent too long nurturing him to give up on him now.”
“Masako-chan--”
Masako squeezed Nana’s hand, causing her to fall silent, and looked back at the doctor.
“This is my will.”
And the world had no choice but to bow to it.
It was decided that October 14th would be the day Tsunayoshi would born and the day that Masako would die.
Nana fluttered around her in the meantime, never voicing her doubts but they were clear for Masako to see in her eyes.
Reluctantly, Masako had grown fond of her cousin-in-law. She saw what appealed to Iemitsu so much that he felt the need to marry Nana. Her unflappable demeanor and bright joy were a source of fresh air to those embroiled in the mafia for almost two decades. But even so, Masako feared that she would break should her carefully curated world be shattered. At one point, Masako had tried to tell Nana the truth about her and Iemitsu, her cousin’s foolish wishes be damned, but Nana had merely smiled and refused to hear a word that wasn’t from her husband.
“He will tell me when he’s ready,” Nana had said.
But Masako feared he would never be ready, and that he would leave his wife to a lonely and sheltered existence. What would happen if they had a child together? But Masako was forced to put her concerns aside to focus on her own son.
Reborn had still not resurfaced from the mission he had gone on, and Masako’s feeling of dread only solidified in the back of her mind. But she had faith that Reborn would survive, that he would live to raise their son. But until he returned, she would rely on Nana and Iemitsu after her death.
“Masako-chan, how are you feeling?” Nana’s worried voice drifted over to Masako who was lying on the couch with her eyes closed.
“Like shit,” Masako grumbled.
Her body was struggling with the effects of her pregnancy. Some days she could barely bring herself to get out of bed but she knew in her heart that her suffering would be worth it.
“Is there anything I can get for you?”
“No, I just need to wait it out.”
“I’m afraid there is no waiting this out, Masako-chan,” Nana murmured.
Masako cracked her eyes open to see Nana standing near her with watery eyes.
“It will be alright, Nana.”
Nana collapsed at the end of the couch and let her tears fall from her eyes.
“But you won’t be there.”
Masako stared at Nana and even though she had been unwavering with her decision, she still felt her throat close up and her eyes burn with unshed tears. For a long moment, she envisioned a world where she lived, but even as she did Tsunayoshi disappeared from her eyes. That more than anything snapped her out of her wistful thinking. If there was a world where she lived with Tsunayoshi it was not this one.
“It is my dying will that my Tsunayoshi live,” Masako said finally.
Nana sniffled.
“You’re so brave, Masako-chan.”
“Soon, it will be your turn to be brave, Nana,” Masako said. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, but will you and Iemitsu look after my Tsunayoshi until his father can?”
Nana wiped her tears with the back of her sleeve.
“I will.” Nana smiled, but it was tremulous and wavering. “With my dying will.”
Masako cracked a smile, trying to envision Nana in dying will mode and failing.
“Thank you.”
On October 14th, Sawada Masako took her last breath after laying eyes on her son for the first time.
Iemitsu, as Masako’s only living relative, was able to take custody of Tsunayoshi with no trouble. After the doctors ushered Iemitsu and Nana from the room where Masako’s body lay still, Iemitsu stared down at his new cousin.
Tears fell down his face unencumbered as he took in the obvious similarities to his late cousin. But then Tsunayoshi opened his eyes which were pitch black and so dark that his pupils weren’t visible. Those were Reborn’s eyes. Iemitsu, to his shame, couldn’t help the wave of revulsion that overtook him at the sight.
“He’s beautiful,” Nana breathed out through her tears.
There was a visible love in her eyes as she looked at Masako’s son. It was a love that Iemitsu, no matter how hard he tried, couldn’t summon.
“We’ll look after you, Tsunayoshi,” Nana cooed. “At least until his father can take care of him. But then Aunt Nana will still be there.”
Iemitsu stiffened. Reborn… It was only last week that Reborn had returned from his long-term mission, but he had returned in the form of an infant. Everyone knew of the Arcobaleno, an inexplicable curse that plagued the strongest in their world, turning the afflicted into infants until the bearers eventually disappeared.
As if possessed, the next words fell out of Iemitsu’s mouth before he could think better of them.
“His father is dead.”
Nana gasped.
“What?”
“I just heard. I never had a chance to tell Masako,” Iemitsu lied.
“Oh, the poor dear,” Nana said, stroking a finger down Tsunayoshi’s plump cheek. “We’ll just have to raise him then. I’ll make sure to tell him all about his mother, though I don’t know much about his father.”
“Actually, I think it would be best if we raised him as our own,” Iemitsu blurted out.
“But surely you can’t think to keep the truth of Masako from him,” Nana asked, eyes wide and incredulous. “She loved him so much.”
“Not forever,” Iemitsu said. “Just until the right moment. We don’t want him worrying that we won’t love him because he’s not ours.”
“Well--”
“And kids can be so cruel! What about when he goes to school and they make fun of him because he’s adopted?”
“I suppose…”
“Then it’s decided! We’ll raise him as ours. I’ll take care of all the paperwork and when he’s old enough, we’ll tell him the truth. Together.”
In reality, Iemitsu wanted to take the truth to his grave. Hopefully, with her years of being Tsunayoshi’s mother, Nana would agree with him in, oh a decade or so, when he brought this up again. But regardless, Reborn couldn’t know, he didn’t deserve to know, so Iemitsu would tell even Nono that he and Nana were Tsuna’s biological parents. What difference does it make, if Tsunayoshi was on one side of the family tree or the other?
Iemitsu was just relieved that Enrico had finally managed to scrounge together a full set of guardians so the tension of the Vongola’s succession had eased. Nono would be happy for the new edition instead of worried.
“Yes…We’ll raise him. Together.” Nana beamed at Iemitsu and he grinned back, even as he still mourned his cousin.
Two weeks later, Iemitsu was on a plane back to Italy, leaving Nana to take care of Tsunayoshi alone. He made many promises about returning in another month or two, but that visit would be pushed back until after Tsunayoshi’s first birthday.
The pattern would continue, of a visit per year until after Tsunayoshi, now frequently dubbed Tsuna, turned five. For that visit, he would bring Nono with him and they would witness Tsuna’s uncommonly strong Sky flames.
Iemitsu would leave with a heart full of guilt at the look in Tsuna’s eyes after Nono had sealed his flames away. The guilt was not enough for him to ask Nono to reverse it, but it was enough to cause him to avoid his family until almost ten years later when everything he knew and planned would be unraveled.
Sicily, Italy - One Month After Tsuna’s Birth
“So Masako is dead?”
“Yes,” Iemitsu said. “She had a terminal illness we did not discover until too late.”
Reborn tilted his fedora to hide his eyes. Masako would never know what Reborn had been reduced to, but he felt an uncharacteristic despair open up inside of him. He really had grown fond of her.
“I see. My condolences.”
Iemitsu grunted.
The silence dragged for a long moment before Reborn spoke again.
“Is there anything else?”
“No, there’s nothing.”