Love of a Proud Mother

Nana refused to show any fear. They were after her baby boy. It would be a cold day in hell when she let that happen.

These assassins wanted her precious son's location. Unfortunately for them, Nana was a well informed mother of a proud Mafia don. She used the skills Reborn gently taught her. She would feel guilty later but her son was much more important.

So, Nana skillfully shot the men entrapped by her defenseless housewife appearance. They, however, soon retaliated. Nana dodged most of them, but one bounced off the wall.

She was good, for a civilian turned Mafioso, but Nana knew she would get hit by that bullet.

God did it hurt. But Nana fought through the pain. By the time she was done, she earned several more injuries.

When Tsuna crashed in, Nana received her last injury. She'd been a doctor once upon a time, when all was bright and Iemitsu lived with her. So Nana knew and by the look on her pride, joy, her sunshine's face, he knew too.

Nana had never witnessed her child so furious. He was kicking -excuse her language- ass and taking names. He reached his mother, cradling the woman in his arms, tears splashing her face.

Nana saw her five year old, terribly shy and so full of happiness, in her nearly twenty year old son's sorrow crumpled face. So she raised a weak hand to her flesh and blood's face, tenderly wiping tears away.

"Tsu-chan, you know Mama's meant to leave before you. You know I wouldn't have run away, you know I love you. You are my pride and joy. I'm proud to say I gave birth to Tsunayoshi Sawada, Vongola Decimo"

Tsuna's tears continued falling as he attempted to muster up those precious live saving sun flames. He began the agonizing process of saving his dear mother. "Mom, you can't leave yet. Who'll brighten up my wedding? Who'll spoil my kids? Lambo and Ipin and Fuuta aren't even out of high school."

"Ma, I guess Kyoko-chan will do it in my place. Or maybe Haru-chan." Nana's face had been rapidly losing color. She smiled at her boy, "Be sure you confess to Reborn-chan. Make sure the kid's recover, you know they view you like a father. Don't lose your way. Tell everyone I love them. It would be wonderful if I could be buried next to my parents. And Tsu-chan? Smile for Mama one last time"

So, Tsuna let out the smile that Nana loved, a small laugh leaving him. So predictable of his mother to worry even at her death bed. "Mama, I love you so much. I'll miss you every day until I pass. I'll tell stories of you to everyone's kids. We'll put up that portrait of all of us you loved so much."

And so Tsuna leaned down to his mother's cheek, with trembling lips to kiss her one last time. "Bye Mom"

"Don't come too soon Tsu-chan" Nana laughed one last time, placing a small peck of her own on his cheek, "Goodbye for now Tsunayoshi"

Tsuna felt his mother go limp in his arms, he fought back sobs as he closed the once twinkling, loving, chocolate eyes. Once she had her eyes shut, Tsuna held her close and sobbed.

Tsuna never was one to cry easily. Never truly seen the need for the endless, exhausting, painful sobs racking his body.

But now he understood. He couldn't release his soul crushing grief any other way.

Tsuna didn't know how long he sat there crying for the one person who had always, unconditionally, loved and supported him.

He only felt rough callused hands gently pull him from his mother's corpse. Reborn, his intuition supplied, when Tsuna was brought into an embrace filled with the familiar scent of espresso and the hitman's favorite cologne. A hand supported his body, while the other rubbed circles on his back. Soft sweet nothings murmured in his ears, an attempt to calm the distraught male.

Tsuna vaguely heard that Colonnello take the grim task of carrying Nana Sawada to the Vongola mansion. He'd phoned Hayato, who now knew about what had occurred and that Tsuna currently consisted of an emotional breakdown.

Sometime on the way to the mansion, Tsuna passed out from sheer emotional exhaustion. When he woke two days later, he tended to the kids, ignoring all concerned looks aimed at him. Once they looked less broken, Tsuna smiled and brought back light back to the depressed home.

Later, he could be found in his office, preparing his mother's funeral in her hometown, where she wanted. No one said a word, leaving the brunette in the embrace of his once tutor. Tsuna always was picky about affection and comfort when concerning himself.

Tsuna wouldn't tell anyone that his mother had been a sky. That when she died, they all felt the one sky more enwrapping than even himself die.

He would elude that they merely felt their heart break, because the guilt would tear each and every one Tsuna loved apart. Sky's are meant to be protected and treasured.

And they had all failed Mama.