keeping a lookout for the boys.

comes around first, followed by the rest.

straightens up. "Took you kids long enough. The 9th's waiting."

kept his eyes on the floor the entire time they were walking to the meeting room.

focusing on making sure that his stomach was calm. It wouldn't do for him to puke on one of the old men. +_+

took a deep breath and looked up. Maybe, if he could channel his hyper dying will mode without actually going into it...

sorry for Tsuna, almost. He looks kind of like he's walking towards a guillotine with his name on it.

watches the lot as greetings go around. A few are impressed by the fact that Tsuna's guardians came with their boss without being prompted.

, in the meantime, almost wishes that he wasn't there. ...Dino's around.

focuses on all of the other things that are happening instead.

hears the 9th tell the lot of them to sit down, and takes his place by the door.

that Kaoko and Iemitsu weren't occupied with the Xanxus issue down in South America. They'd make things more interesting.

been looking at Tsuna worriedly and doesn't let go of his hand, even when they're seated.

takes up the other space beside Tsuna.

chooses to linger behind, where Dino won't have a clear view of him.

continues his mantra of "hyper dying will mode, hyper dying will mode~" and hopes he doesn't look too stupid trying to look unaffected.

late. She only heard of the meeting when some of the old men were talking about it when she passed them in the hall.

watches as the 9th waves for silence. The boss addresses Tsuna, compliments him on his suit, commends his guardians for accompanying him.

pushes the door open and immediately freezes when she realizes that everyone turned to see who arrived. Shamefaced,

positioned herself behind the farthest one from the boss. Which was Hibari.

too busy not thinking about Dino being there to really notice Chrome.

looks back and smiles at the girl gratefully.

looks on as the 9th smiles warmly at Chrome, then proceeds to outline everything that has happened.

already knows what's coming next. He steps out to call the clinic and ask for Mukuro to come in.

not thinking about Hibari who was quietly standing at that corner. nope. not thinking about how he looks a lot thinner and a lot stressed

ushered into the room by a bunch of maids. They had made him change into something else when they saw the clothes he had on.

trying his best to look interested in front of the 9th who was now explaining to everyone Mukuro's current situation.

now dressed in a large oversized white shirt, the sleeves were so long, they hung down past his hands.

--The maids had him wear a pair of black shorts underneath, which is mostly covered by the shirt.

--If he bent down low enough though, you could see a bunny tail attached to it. And of course, he had a pair of matching ears on his head.

wibbled at Tsuna the minute he spotted the other boy. “Sawada-saaaan..! I’m sorry, they… they made me wear this! ;A; *sniffles*”

. And so were some of the old men in the room who suddenly started sweat like they're in a steam room.

lowered his head. And started banging his forehead on the table.

that this just might help Tsuna's case.

o_o!!! J-Jyuudaime! *pulls Tsuna away from the table*

...As you can see, boss, the Mist Guardian isn't *exactly* the dangerous killer we once knew.

looked at Tsuna with huge teary eyes. "I'm sorry, Sawada-saaan! Please don't get mad! T___T"

tried to run over to where Tsuna was, but he tripped over one of the chair legs and landed on the ground on his hands and knees.

he's just turned into the cocktease that he ought to be...

.........

not imagining putting Mukuro's costume over Hibari. Nope. He is not thinking about pinching that tail. Nope.

pushed his chair back and went over to help Mukuro back to his feet.

surreptitiously gets rid of the bunny ears. They can't do anything about the rest of the outfit until the meeting's over, though.

let himself be pulled up by Tsuna as he reached up with a hand to rub at his eyes. ;w;

knows that from the way the 9th just cleared his throat, the man was stifling laughter.

pats Mukuro on the shoulder awkwardly and murmurs, "It's fine, I'm not mad."

turns to the Ninth and says, "Err. Sorry. I swear he was wearing normal clothes when I left him in the clinic this morning."

runs through some of the basics regarding Mukuro at the 9th's word. Then the 9th addresses Tsuna: "Can you tell us why you set Mukuro free?"

catching all this on his Sony HD Camera.

*stammer* Um. I-I just... didn't want to leave him there. By himself.

*mumble* And he's been helping me a lot lately... Even without this amnesia, I think he's changed.

watches the old geezer's reaction. They appear to be unfazed but some of them can't stop their rheumatisms from shaking.

how long the 9th will remain silent. The man surprises him by speaking again: "Are you willing to take responsibility for him?"

blinked. "That was my intention, yes."

flushed when he realized that he'd just spoken in a firm, almost haughty tone.

D: Uh, I mean. I-I didn't think that I'd cause this much trouble for everyone. I was hoping to bring him back to Japan right away.

smiles when the 9th says, "We're your family too. You can't just do those things in the future, all right? Anyway, if I have your word..."

continues listening to the 9th: "...then I don't have any problem with letting Mukuro go free, as your friend and as one of your Guardians."

stared, hardly believing his ears, and then slowly smiled when the words started sinking in.

could hardly contain his and relief as he thanked the Ninth profusely

and the other younger bosses are happy for Tsuna. It was tough to convince the 9th, but they knew the old man still had his nuts.

comes over and claps the boy on the shoulder as the 9th says "No need to thank me. Your actions have set an example for all of us."

All right, kids, I think you're free to go. Us oldies still have things to discuss!

that he has to stay with these old geezers for the final assignments. -_-;; Hibachuu chance slipping away yo. --;;

amused at how quickly the 9th picks up on Dino's annoyance. The old man says "...I think you've helped us out enough, Dino. "

bows to the Ninth and the other people in the room one last time before leaving the room, pulling Mukuro along with him.

follows his boss~ :0

already long gone.

followed closely behind, still staring at Mukuro in disbelief. Mukuro *wibbled* at Tsuna. "...... ._.;;"

extremely confused by the conversation, but he kept quiet as he was pulled along by Tsuna.

follows after bowing to the old men too and saying thank you

stopped as soon as they were far enough from the meeting room and leaned against the nearest wall.

Are you alright, Jyuudaime? D:

gone.

with a laugh, "I feel like I'd lost a few years of my life back there."

claps his shoulder. "You did great though! "

nodded in agreement.

smiled and looked at Mukuro. "We should get you changed. Again."

nodding too. ^^

... And maybe I should talk to those maids to stop tricking you into wearing these clothes. =_=

looked down. "H-hai... ...I'm sorry... :<"

It's all right. It's not like you look horrible in them.....

looked up at Tsuna with a bright smile. "Then... I'll wear them more often! <3"

trails off. Now that he's looking properly, he suddenly thinks that he knows what those maids were thinking. +___+

D: B-but. I didn't mean...

In Japan, right? <3 I'll take all the clothes back!

Uh. Yeah. +_____+

looks at the others resignedly.

... Jyuudaime... He's not going to be staying with you when we get back, is he? =_=

I... He probably is. =_= You heard the Ninth, right? I have to take responsibility for him. And I can't exactly leave him as he is now.....

continued mumbling, "Maybe in one of the spare rooms. We never seem to run out of those....."

................... I'm staying over too. >.>

actually not worried about Mukuro staying around. He might make things more interesting--

Ou. o_o If Gokudera's staying over, then I should also!

o.o Uh. Okay.

that it's a good thing summer vacation's started. He'd go crazy trying to balance school and having these three around otherwise. =_=