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Chapter Text

"Hand please, Tsu-nii-san," Fuuta asks quietly holding his own delicate hand out towards Tsuna. Tsuna stared at his adopted...sibling? Child? For a second, wary since the spider incident with Lambo. Of course at 8 Fuuta was much more trustworthy than Lambo could dream.

Mind made up, Tsuna held out his hand to the oldest of the children. Please don't be a bug, please don't be a bug... Tsuna repeated, resisting the urge to squeeze his eyes shut like a coward. He's seen blood, death, and grievous acts of violence, he could risk seeing a possible insect. ...Right?

Fuuta, unaware or ignoring his older brother mental battle, grabs his hand and puts something small, smooth, and thankfully unmoving into Tsuna's open palm. The younger boy curls Tsuna's fingers gently around it and then runs off back to the playground with the rest of their shared siblings.

Tsuna uncurls his fingers to a small, admittedly pretty, rock. Digging through his subpar recollection of science class he would go as far as call it a chunk of quartz, something one could find if they looked around a little.

It was nice enough, Tsuna supposed holding the rock up to the sun and rubbing his fingers against its edged. It was a nice peice of quartz, or crystal like rock. Clear with little to no cracks in it. Fuuta had obviously decided it was nice if he picked it up. Fuuta was thoughtful and particular about somethings, especially now that he feels safe with Tsuna and his friends.

Tsuna just had no idea what he was supposed to do with a rock.

As a previously only child with no friends or close relatives, Tsuna had little to know experiance with the kind of situations the kids gently imposed upon him. It was a little disheartening to be less socially competent than three children, two of the under the age of 6.

His intuition was irritatingly silent on the matter, and most of his gaurdians were either also only children, the younger sibling, or Ryohei. (Tsuna was at least sure that little sisters came with different rules younger brothers did.) So he was out of luck for advise on that front.

Reborn had gone off to Sciliy on business again, and Tsuna was lothe to bother his tutor for something as trivial as not knowing what to do with a rock. He was also aware that Reborn wasn't exactly good with children under a certain age, or really at all despite having spend a good extra 20 years as one.

Tsuna acknowledged that easier way to get answers would to be to aske Fuuta, as the one person who would know but that would involve admitting he didn't understand the gesture.

...It was possible he was over thinking this. Tsuna shook his head in exasperation at himself. He slipped the little rock into his pocket. If Fuuta wanted it back he would hand it over, if he didn't he would say thank you and find a place for the rock in his room, because if Tsuna's learned one thing about his siblings it's that they like it when he shows off the little things they give him. Even the crushed flowers Lambo shoves into Tsunas pants pockets.

That decided, Tsuna picked his manga back up, determined to get every last minuete of leisure time before Reborn got back home.

Chapter Text

Broad shoulders tapering into long finger hands and strong limbs, all accented by the crisp lines of the Italian suit. Not many could pull of that kind of excellence with a fedora and not immediately look like an asshole. Not that he isn't an asshole, but he hides it behind the trim suit and the charming attitude.

Skull would give his right arm to to get a glimpse at the tan skin the math teacher hid under it.

"So what do you think?...Cherep?" Cora, his best friend since highschool asked.

"Yeah, sure what ever." Skull waved off, watching as Renato talked with Collonello, the gym teachers assistant. Skull flinched as a chip struck him between the eyes. Ow! Cora, what the hell?" Skull whined, pouting at his best friend. The secretary leveled their patented disapproving stare at him.

"You weren't listening," They accused, holding another chip threateningly when Skull opened his mouth to deny it.

"No," Skull admitted, glancing longingly at Renato. "I can't help it. He is so hot, and yet a massive asshole. I want to climb him like a tree, Cora."

"Gross." Cora muttered, wrinkling their nose. They looked over Renato and scowled. "Isn't he a reknown ladies man? Or is there another math teacher at this poor excuse for a place of education known for sleeping their way through the single mothers?"

Skull considered defending the school for all of a minuete, the Arcebaleno Italian Immersion school being known for transforming lackluster middle schoolers into star students, but then he remembered that he was the mechanics and theater teacher and shrugged. "No, that's him. Doesn't stop me from admiring from a distance. "

"Well that distance is about to be up close and personal, Cherep. We'll talk afterschool." Cora said, packing up their lunch quickly.They ppressed a quick, friendly kiss to the sharp jut of Skull's cheek before making their way to a different table in the lounge.

"Wha?" Skull started before feeling a cool chill crawl up his spine. Some half forgotten instinct sending shivers down his sspine. He resisted the urge to scream when rest on his shoulder, a potent mix of fear and excitement twisting around in his stomach.

"A word, Mr.Demort?" Renato purred practically in Skull's ear, the math teacher not even waiting for Skull to say anything before sitting down in Cora's vacated spot and stealing one of Skull's sandwiches.

"Uh, Yeah. The Gre...er, it's lunch so I have time." Skull stuttered, cursing the habits left over from his stuntwork days.

"You're incharge of the Cloud class, correct?" Reborn asked with the tone that said that the math teacher was well aware that Skull was.

Regretablly, "Yep! That would be me." Skull chirped, trying to shove as much pride into his voice. Skull still wasn't sure what he had done to piss principal Kawahira off, but he wasn't sure he deserved to be saddled with so many...forceful personalities in his homeroom. He contented himself that what ever he did, it wasn't as bad as whatever Viper did to get stuck with their current Mist class. His clouds were violent but at least they were all Sane. "Why?"

Renato's smile did not promise anything nice, no matter how nice it looked on the italian's face. Skull idley wondered how the Math teacher got his sunburns to do that. "You're going to agree to team with my Sun class for the Halloween competion." Renato ordered, taking a bite of Skull's stolen sandwich. The Italian twitched, before looking down at the sandwich. Skull wondered what Renato thought about Skull's toasted peanut butter, jelly ,banana, and marshmallow sandwich. It had been his turn to make lunch, and Cora didn't wake up early enough to stop him. Though his roommate had insisted on having fruit with it. The coward.

"Wait, the great Skull is doing what, now?" Skull said, processing what the math teacher said. He imagined trying to get his class of violent loners to participate in the school's third most social event with Reborn's class of energetic maniacs before paleing. He saw bruises and long angery talks with Nurse Shamal in his future if went down that path. At least last halloween when he paired with Viper and the Mist class the two groups of teens managed to put aside their fevered dislike to crush the other teams.

"You and Viper won last year despite the odds against me and Lal Mirch's superior team. This year, you are going to pair with me this year and we are going to win." Renato stated, his dark eyes just daring Skulld to disagree with him.

Skull, never one to do the safe thing, laughed "Thanks for the offer, but I promice-." He started, starting to turn when calloused fingers caught his chin in a nearly painful hold. His brain blue screened as Reborn turned Skull's head to meet his abysmal eyes. Their faces are the barest of inches apart, Reborn leant up into his space with hooded eyes. The brim of the math teachers fedora brushed Skull's forehead.

"I think we could work well together, Cherep." Reborn purred, his low voice practically rolling through Skull's bones. Skull bite back a whimper, flashes of school inappropriate things flashing through Skull's brain quicker than he could stop them.

"But I promised Ver..." Skull heard himself mumble before Raborn gently shushed him. The Math teacher rubbed his thumb over Skull's cheek before pulling back slowly, his finger tips practically caressing Skull's chin as they pulled away.

"Consider it, DeMort. The two of us would have to spend a lot of time together durring and after school if we went through with this." Reborn enticed as he stood.

"Uh, yeah. The Great Skull will think...about it." Skull said absently, watching Renato steal the Skull's other sandwich as he went back to his own lunch.

He was so focused watching Renato, he almost didn't notice Cora reclaiming their spot. Almost.

"You're pathetic." Cora said flatly, placing their uneaten sandwich in Skull's open hand. "Close your mouth before you start drooling."

Skull snapped his jaw shut, feeling a flush burn its way across his face. "Am I dreaming? Did that actually happen?" He asked, pressing his legs together.

"Did the Math teacher just try and seduce you into teaming up with him in the middle of the teachers lounge? Yes, next time try not to look so enraptured. It makes you look easy."

"I'd be easy for him." Skull muttered, glancing over to watch Renato leave the lounge. Always one to get to class a few minuetes early to meet his next class after lunch.

Cora gagged, grabbing the sandwich and shoving it into Skull's mouth. "Don't be disgusting." They growled.

Skull shrugged, chewing the chewy sugary mess of a bite. He should ask Reborn if he like his sandwich. Maybe the math teacher would eat lunch with him again if Skull give him one.

Stranger things have happened.

Chapter Text

Mukuro hated Japan.

Mukuro had thought he knew the shape and breadth if his hatred for this dirty world. Knew how deeply the reservoirs in his soul went after the Estreano and the mafia kept trying to take things from him. He thought he knew how much he could despise something after being forced to rember the many levels of hell.

Somehow Japan with its dumb language and overly strange serene neighborhoods inspired a depth of anger he didn't know he was capable of. He despised the mafia with its smiley darkness that let the estreano go unchecked, but these blind sheep called civilians were somehow worse.

Mukuro pulled his knees to his chest, scowling at the river as it flowed sleepily through this dumb little province.

Any plans he had for Lancia's Familia were now void given Lancia obviously had no plans to return to Italy. The mafia would grown unchecked. They would continue to take children like him and his companions and turn them into the same kind of filth.

Mukuro wanted to scream, his eyes burning as he withheld tears. He wasn't going to cry like a civilian worm just because he was trapped in this civilian town with its enforced serenity and lack of shadows.

The first few days Mukuro, Ken and Chikuse had looked. Looked for the kind of filth like the estrano to tear apart only to find Namimori clean of those kind of shadows. Anything farther got a (falsely) concerned Lancia after them. There was nothing Mukuro could do but sit and stew in his hatred.)

"あなたは大丈夫Are you okay?" A soft little voice called from the street, and Mukuro felt his eye change and his trident form in his hands, both solid and wispy in his grasp. His first thought is Chikuse or Ken followed him again but he knew the shape of them and their minds.

He whipped around ready to threaten anybody who dared to interupt him right now, and paused.

A child a few years younger than himself was half way down the hill. They were small with large amber eyes and a nest of thick brown hair crushed under a hooded sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was modeled after some sort of animal, with embroidered eyes and felt ears sticking up. It was not unlike the ones Lancia had laid out for him in a futile attempt at a peace offering. Though his had been modeled after some kind of bird, with big eyes and feather shapes on the arms.

The tiny child looked at him with concern that didn't grate nearly as much as Lancia's did. Mukuro shook it off, bringing his trident back up. They repeated the question, flinching when Mukuro thrust the trident forwards.

"I don't speak your idiot language, you sniveling sheep." Mukuro snarled in Italian. He didn't care if Lancia would yell at him for threatening a civilian, he was in control of the man's mind.

The little fluff of a thing blinked at him before frowning. "You...don't speak japan?" The child asked in accented and incomplete Italian.

Mukuro felt the trident fade back into whisps in his surprise. "You know italian?" He asked, possibilities unfurling in Mukuro's mind. He had been limited in what he could do in Japan due to the language barrier. Unable to talk and manipulate the people around him an inconvenience and leaving him bored.

The child, emboldened by the lack of weapon between them closed the distance, rifling through his sweatshirt pocket. "A-a little. Papa lives in Italia and Mama taught Tsuna." The child said, ignorant or ignoring Mukuros growing agitation as they got closer.

"Tsuna?" Mukuro asked, flinching back when the child thrust a folded cloth between them.

"I'm Tsuna. You crying. Mama says hankie good for crying." The child, Tsuna, said determinedly. Mukruro hesitantly grabbed the peice of cloth before the child tried to dab his face by themselves. "Are you sad? Tsuna cry when he sad."

"I am not sad." Mukuro snapped, but when he touched his face he found the tears, wet streaks down to his chin. The child gave him a skeptical look, unnatural on their soft cheeks and large eyes. "I'm mad."

Mukuro considered protesting when the child sat next to him, considered chasing him off with force...but... There was a reason he took Ken and Chikise with him. He remembered the other children who didn't survive the estreano and let the child do as they want.

"Why? Why pineapple mad?" Tsuna asked, little shoe clad feet stretched out in front of him.

"I don't like Japan. It's stupid here and I don't understand anyone."Mukuro said, choosing to ignore the pineapple comment for now. He considered horrifying the child with the real reasons he was upset. All of his plans for the mafia and Lancia, the estreano and their tortures. He could break this little child's mind using the paths.

"Well, Tsuna can be your friend. Tsuna only has mama for Italiano and Tsuna can help with Japanese!" Tsuna said, clearly excited about this idea, if the bouncing meant anything.

"Kufufu, I don't need friends." Mukuro laughed mockingly. He had no need for this tiny child's pitiful offer of friendship. Bonds were worthless and he had no need for friends. Just revenge.

"Oh...Okay." Tsuna whispered, curling in on themselves. "Tsuna understands. C-can Tsuna have hankie back?"

Fuck. They looked like they were about to cry.

Mukuro liked to consider himself a vessel of hatred for the filth of the world, someone who has braved the fires of hell 6 times and cane back with a power from each. He was also a traumatized 7 year old who had recently been moved to a foreign country and left breft of purpose. He would never admit it but he was jealous of this small happy child with a mother who loved them and taught them different things. He was a sad damaged active Mist who couldn't help but gravitate to a lonely little sky.

Mukuro found himself doing something he hadn't done since he died that first time remebering his past life. He twisted the whips into an animal based off of the hoodie mixed with the stray cats he saw around their apartment. It looked a little strange, but he guided it to press its paws to Tsuna's skinny knees.

Tsuna gasped, but looked delighted. "A kitty-lion!" Mukuro had to focus to keep the little construct from vanishing when Tsuna pet it, but the child no longer looked about to cry. Tsuna looked at Mukuro with a beaming smile. "Doss this mean we're friends!?"

Mukuro wrinkled his nose, dismissing the construct. "No, but me and my underlings need to learn Japanese. You can be my-" Mukuro started, but suddenly found himself on his back in the grass, small arms wrapped around his chest.

"Tsuna will be a good freind! Mama will be so happy. Thank you, pineapple-kun!" Tsuna exclaimed, sitting up on Mukuro's stomach.

"It's Mukuro. Mukuro Rokudou." Mukuro corrects, shoving Tsuna off of him.

Tsuna pouted at him, brushing dirt off his pants. "So mean, muku-kun."

Mukuro scowled at Tsuna. "Mukuro."

Tsuna blinked guilessly at him. "Muku-kun."

Mukuro was starting to regret not stabbing the child when he had the chance.

Chapter Text

Cherep cursed at himself in the mirror, his fingers twisted in the slim tie Cora had left with the suit. He tugged at it, gagging when it tightened on him. He wiggled his fingers between his neck and the silk noose mascarading as a fancy tie.

"Moyherfuckin-C'mon..! Release me you demon peice of!." He tugged his fingers fruitlessly, whining as he knocked his forehead against the mirror.

"Bello, Are you ready..." His lover's rich baritone purred before pausing tellingly. "Cherep what are you doing."

Cherep levered himself off the mirror, meeting Renato's eyes in the mirror. His lover is dressed even nicer than usual, his suit sharp and his tie accented with a flame reactive gem. Even Leon had a miniture bow tie on his perch on Renato's fedora. "Admiring myself in the mirror, obvioudly." He retorted, holding his hands up.

Renato stepped up behind him, placing his warm hands on Cherep's shoulders. "What did you do with your poor tie, Mio cumillo." Renato asked, amused. He leaned against Cherep's back, his breath ghosting the side of his neck.

Cherep swallowed, "I don't exactly wear ties often, Ren." He murmered. Rento's nimble fingers caressed Cherep's own, tugging at the silk.

"A shame." Renato murmered, pulling on end through Cherep's fingers. The smooth silk of the tie glided over Cherep's calloused skin, sending a shiver up his spine. "You always look delectable in a good suit."

"Not as good as you, Ren." Cherep returned, flexing his fingers as Renato freed them. Renato's fingers rubbed against his, both irritating and soothing Cherep's sore hands.

"Not many do, Bello." Renato purred as he freed Cherep's hands.

"Narcasist." Cherep grumbled fondly, flushing as Renato kisses the back of one hand.

"It's not narassasim if it's true, Bello." Renato corrected, smoothing out Cherep's shirt.

Cherep choked on a laugh, breath caught in this throat as Renato kissed his under his jaw. The hitman's hands trailing down the front of Cherep's suit slowing to a caress. Cherep's lover was a line of heat down his back, his sideburns tickling Cherep's neck.

"Ren," Cherep whimpered, unsure where to put his hands.

The hitman chuckled, quickly fixing Cherep's tie and soothing it. "Later, Cherep. We are expected." Renato, the sadist, murmered as he stepped back. "You still have to do your make up." Cherep's lover gave hima a parting kiss to the top of Cherep's cheek before slipping from their shared bathroom.

"Fucker," Cherep muttered, looking over his shoulder. Of course Renato would rile him up and not follow through before they were expected in public.

Two could at that game, Sinclair.

Chapter Text

Tsuna frowned at his reflection tugging his hair to look at it. It was still the warm brown it always was, a match to his amber brown eyes. He traced the shape of his face, down his nose and across his cheekbones. He had never really given much thought to his appearance, to the people who made up his ancestry to generate his particular appearance. Namimori was a strangely diverse part of Japan with an entire range of different ethnic backgrounds. Tsuna's moderately light hair and different features were not the strangest Tsuna has seen at school. Kyoko was a natural red head with a platinum blond brother! Tsuna was hardly someone who stood out as particularly...ethnically diverse.

He knew that he had some Italian ancestry on his dad's side, though several generations back. His mother always commented on how it expressed strongly in him, talked about how exotic and interesting he looked. He just always thought it had been an over exaggeration on her part, a bit of familial teasing. He personally had considered himself to look like his mother, feminine appearance and all. It didn't bother him. He loved his mother and was increasingly glad he barely resembled his absent and possibly dead father.

His hecklers had made fun of his feminine figure ever since they started shooting up and Tsuna inched towards 5 feet. Tsuna was thin with delicate joints, and wide 'doe' eyes. He could weather that teasing with a laugh and self-deprecating comment. He has accepted that Dame-Tsuna was a lazy, girlish weakling, just like everything else.

Tsuna considered the box of black hair dye he had bought at the corner store. Tilting the box back and forth between his hands.

He had tried to never let himself be bothered by their comments. Not after he lost the will to care about doing well in school or being popular.

Logically Tsuna knew that the new committee member was a transfer from outside of Namimori. Your average Japanese teenage delinquent with dark hair and dark brown eyes that were the right shape. The fact he was from out of town made his opinion even less important than anyone else.

It was just...No one had ever called him a gaijin before.

No one had looked at him specifically and pointed him out as an outsider. At least not anymore than they usually did.

He couldn't explain it. He doesn't know why that one muttered word, that throw away comment hit harder than Dame-Tsuna ever did. What difference was there from being the social outcast and being considered alien in his own home.

The box crumpled in his hands. Luckily empty. The dye sat on the counter, ready to be used.

Ready to give Sawada Tsunayoshi Raven black hair.

...

He just couldn't do it.

The main reason being the fact he was certain Hibari-senapai would sick his underlings on Tsuna the second that he showed his face in school. Tsuna currently traveled under the prefects radar, a herbivore on the fringes of the herd. Nothing of any real note. Dyeing his hair, changing his coloration, would make him stand out to the violent prefect. No thanks. Tsuna was rather attached to his pathetic existence.

The other reason was that despite it all, Tsuna wanted to like himself as he was. If he started changing to make other people happy, Tsuna would have no time for manga or video games. If he started caring about all the ways he didn't fit in with the crowd he would lose anything that made him Tsunayoshi.

He put the box back on the bathroom counter, looking at himself one last time.

Brown hair and Amber eyes.

European features with a bit of his mother's Japanese thrown in for fun.

Sawada Tsunayoshi.

He looked at the hair dye considering.

Maybe he would hold onto the hair dye. One never knows when one will need to be come anonymous for a while.

Chapter Text

"I'm not coming out."

"Aw, come on. You lost the bet fair and square, Verde." Skull wheedled, leaning against the stall door.

"I look ridiculous, Demort." Verde hissed, kicking Skull's heel from under the door.

"Hey! The great Skull told you not to make bets against Viper and Cora, but you didn't listen." Skull scoffed, rubbing his heel with his other foot. Skull regretted introducing his childhood friend and Viper immensely. The two of them had an ear for gossip and Viper had the miserly spirit of someone three times their age. Combined with Cora's prodigal ability with networking made the the unofficial rulers of the school.

"That didn't seem to stop you, Demort." Verde grumbled. "Move so that I can open the door."

Skull barks out a laugh, pushing off of the stall door with a theatrical twirl. "I couldn't let you suffer alone, Verde." Skull said cheerily.

Verde yanked the stall door open, flowering behind his round glasses. The lanky teen usually wore thick sweaters and the occasional lab coat when the science need got away with it. Skull doesn't think he has ever seen so much of Verde's skin before.

Verde plucked at the rainbow accented black pleated skirt he was currently wearing with disdain. It matched the nearly skin tight black top of Arcobaleno high cheerleader uniform. Verde was remarkably pale in the outfit, his green hair teased into a stressed out mess of green spikes. It didn't fit him well, the knee socks slipping down his legs and the the top didn't quite meet the skirt.

"Not too bad, should've let me do your make-up," Skull teased, leaning back against the sink behind him. "We match now." He plucked at his own skirt, rubbing the material between his fingers.

Verde leveled an unimpressed look at Skull. "Yes, we and everyone eles on the cheer team." Verde muttered, giving Skull a assessing look. Skull wore it much better than Verde did, Verde's under classman was small and thin with wirey muscles. The skirt hung off his hips with a tantalizing flash of thigh between the skirt and his high socks. "I didn't realise you had tattoos Demort."

Skull blinked, before pouting. "I wish. Cora says I can't get a tattoo until I'm over 18. These are from Reborm." Skull said, twisting to show off the pictures Reborn had 'accidently' drawn in permanent marker all over Skull's shoulders. They ranged from badly rendered dicks to more detailed pictures of skulls and various animals. His boyfriend was the best mixture of sadism and good hearted. Speaking of..."Come on, our adoring public awaits." He grabbed Verde's wrist and stared pulling him towards the bathroom door.

"Wait, what?" Verde spluttered, trying to get some traction against the slick tiles in the knee socks. Skull didn't worry too much. Verde was a bean pole, and Skull could lift his boyfriend. The slim scientist nerd didn't stand a chance. "Skull. SKULL. DON'T YOU-,"

Skull wrenched the door open, smiling at his friends standing expectantly in the hall. Verde just missed the door frame, stumbling out of the bathroom next to him.

Several cameras flashed, Skull dropping Verde's hand to pose. Verde on the other hand was glaring at them like he was planning their deaths in detail.

Skull met his boyfriends gaze. He smirked, "Like what you see?" Skull joked, posing like all the girl who tried to seduce his boyfriend.

Reborn gave him an assessing look. Putting a hand on Skull's waist and pulling then together. "I could wear it better." Skull's weird ass boyfriend said with swarmy smirk. It wasn't hard for Skull to imagine given his boyfriends...passion for cosplay.

"Maybe next time." Skull said, patting his chest. He turned to a sour faced Cora and unimpressed Viper. Verde has retreated back into the bathroom the instant Skull's attention had focused on Reborn.

"Mou, there's no point if he doesn't care." Viper grumbled.

"Don't be gross in school." Cora scolded, glaring at hand that was sliding down Skull's back.

"You know I don't have shame, Cora." Skull teased. Any sence of shame Skull had when he entered high school had burnt up the first time Reborn convinced him to make out during a school assembly.

"Yeah, I know." Cora muttered, glaring at Reborn. They also knew where this new lack of shame came from. They huffed, looking back at Skull. "Just be ready for your show after school okay." The leveld on last glare at Reborn before walking off.

Skull saluted after his best friend and publicist. "Can do!"

"Mou, I will find something on you eventually Demort." Viper hummed sourly, turning on their heel and running to catch up with Cora.

Skull doubted it. He turned back to his boyfriend with a grin. "Now, you texted me something about a football game?" He asked, "Because the great Skull is more than ready for a little chaos."

Reborn's smile promised that and more. Truely, Reborn was a terrible influence on him.

Chapter Text

Tsuna bit back a swear, her hand spasming around the tea spoon. Corse language, while acceptable for male mafioso was apparently unlady like and rewarded with more punishments.

"Hold your fan up, Dame-Tsuna." Reborn scolded, the not-infant dressed up in an old fashioned suit with a powdered wig. Bianchi, ever dedicated to Tsuna's tutor and helping him turn Lazy, irreverent Tsuna into some sort of lady, offering Tsuna smoking scones.

Already knowing the consequences, Tsuna gently takes on of scones and put it delicately next her tea cup. She was fairly certain these ones only made your head spin. She wasn't going to test it now tho.

Rebirn smacked her hand again, "Raise your fan." He snapped.

Tsuna glared, snapping the fan shut. "Remind me why I'm having a tea party instead of, I don't know...Learning about the mafia family I'm being forced into?" She asked, as politely as she could while longing to shove her fan down someones throat.

Reborn smacked her hand, "A part of running a successful mafia family is being able to put on a respectable persona, Dame-Tsuna. As a Mafia Donna you will be expected to be the face of Vongola coorporation and expected to represent the Familia as an unthreatening entity to the authorities and greater public." Reborn lectured, flaring out his own fan with a flick of his wrist.

"By playing tea party?" Tsuna asked skeptically, gesturing at the dress she had been forced into. It was the most feminine thing she had worn since she was like five.

"You need to learn manners, Dame-Tsuna." Reborn said, sipping at his coffee.

"And the fan?" Tsuna asked, waving about the silk fan Reborn told her to use.

Bianchi fluttered her own fan, "Don't you know that there is entire subtle language using fans Sawada?" The posion master said. "Haven't you learned flower language Tsuna?"

Tsuna gave Bianchi a flat look. Reborn's associate had came to kill her first for stealing Reborn's attention then for daring to be a female in the hitmans 'seductive presance.' Tsuna didn't understand the appeal. The hitman was respectful of woman, but also thought himself as some paragon if the dark seductive type. Bianchi had backed off when she realized that female or not, Tsuna's taste ran in the Hibari Kyoya direction.

"No. Flower arrangement wasn't exactly something that appealed to me." Tsuna responded dryly. She wasn't going to risk being around her female tormentors when they had access to garden sheers. She much prefered her martial arts classes and lazy days in with a good anime and a manga. "Don't tell me Mafia dons exchange messages via flowers?"

"No, but your staff could. There are certain expectations you will be expected to maintain as a female in the mafia." Reborn said, leveling Tsuna with a low look. "Even a male heir apparent wouldve been expected to know basic codes and table manners."

Tsuna raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Isn't the Vongola family known for being eccentric? I'm fairly certain our last birthday party lacked fancy manners." Tsuna pointed out, distinctly rmebering the mess they made of her fourteenth birthday party. Hana still hadn't forgiven Tsuna for the cake Lambo through at her. Tsuna honestly didn't forgive her adopted sister for throwing her birthday cake either, though she understood the urge.

"That was a family event Tsuna." Reborn said, waving his fan.

"Last I checked, you aren't a part of Vongola." Tsuna returned. "Bianchi is litterally here to drag you back to freelancing." She pulled put her phone from the knife pocket, checking her messages.

She flinched away from the gunshot, her shoulders jumping up to her ears. She turned wide-eyed to Reborn, hands trembling around the phone.

Leon's muzzle pointed at her, shifting back into a chameleon. Reborn's eyes were shaded by his hat. "As your tutor I am incharge of your introduction to the mafia, Tsunayoshi Sawada. I expect you to pay attention to my lessons, and to put actual effort into this. You can't expect to coast along in the mafia like you do middle school. I have a reputation of training sucessful students. You will become the best Donna Vongola has seen."

Tsuna swallowed down tears. Crying never helped Tsuna before, and it deffinaelty wouldn't stop Reborn from being an asshole. "I-I..." She swallowed, taking in a deep breath. She still hadn't gotten over her habit of crying when startled by loud noices. "I was seeing if Gokudera-san and Yamamto-chan would like to come over. As my right and left hands they should learn this stuff too right? At least Yamamto-chan." She hadn't been, she had been thinking about texting Hibari, but the idea had been lingering ever since Reborn told her how she was going to spend her free weekend.

Bianchi had gotten half out of her seat, looking at Tsuna with a modicum of concern. Tsuna waved her off, not looking away from her tutor.

"That is surprising smart of you, Dame-Tsuna." Reborn noted, his tone mocking.

Tsuna flicked the fan like she had see Bianchi do, only fumbling it a little. "It is a tea party."

Chapter Text

Tsunayoshi doesn't like to say it started with Kyoko-chan, because it make her sound like some sort of serial stalker, but it started with her.

Sasagawa Kyoko was Tsuna's gay awaking.

Sasagawa-senpai's younger sister had smiled at rude, no-good Tsuna and her heart had stopped in her chest. She had honestly thought she had been dying for a moment and Kyoko was an angel come down to save Tsuna's useless soul.

when Tsuna eventually figured out that she wasn't about to die. She quickly realized that kyoko-chan was so out of her league it wasn't even funny.

Which lead to her habit of silently watching her from afar.

It was only ever at school! Tsuna wasn't deprived enough to follow her home or pester her outside of the communal space of Namimori. Tsuna didn't even dare to glance at her while they changed for gym class. Tsuna had martial arts after school regardless, and she wasn't desperate. Not like some of the boys that Sasagawa-senpai chased off religiously.

Tsuna just like to watch Kyoko be her cute sunny self at school and absorb the girls well meaning and kind aura. It felt like Kyoko's pressance was the only thing getting Tsuna through those first few weeks of Middle school. A balm in face of everyone's comments about Tsuna's everything. Too quiet, too shy turning into too brash and too rude. Always, Always use-less. Too underdeveloped for her pretty face, too quick to shriek. Too bad about her hair, as if they aren't the ones to mutilate it everytime. Too athletic, too interested in Manga. Tsuna never asked!

Watching became a habit after a while. Whenever Tsuna had an odd minuete in class her attention would always drift to Sasagawa Kyoko.

After becoming actual friends with Kyoko-chan, Tsuna found the crush simmering out into a deep platonic affection. It was easier to see the strength Kyoko possessed, to deal with the expectations of others. Confessing one time under the influence of Reborn's dumb bullets and getting gently turned down helped significantly.

Tsuna always assumed the watching would go away.

Needless to say it didn't.

Hibari had always lingered at the edges of Tsuna's perception, the upperclassmen prefect comfortable in her own skin and her own strength as siren song for Tsuna. It didn't help that Hibari Kyoya was very handsome in her own right, her steely eyes cutting Tsuna down to the bone in the best way.

Hibari was not one to be passively observed from the courtyard. Unlike soft Kyoko-chan who despaired fighting to a point. Hibari Kyoya had the battle instincts of a woman twice her age and could feel the weight of Tsuna's gaze on her. On the off chance Kyoya's gaze met Tsuna's own, the prefect would immediately go on the offensive. Something that only got worse whenever the harsh language Tsuna had picked up from the karate class boys found itself in Hibari's imperial pressance.

If Tsuna wasn't already sure of the fact, that no she did not find pain stimulating In that way, she would have considered herself a masochist.

Whenever she found the oppertunity, she watched Hibari Kyoya hunt the misbehaving herbivores of her herd.q

Sawada Tsunayoshi started with Class Idol Sasagawa Kyoko, but ended with Hibari Kyoya, The Demon of Namimori.

Chapter Text

"Y'know Tsuna, if it's too much. Playing this Mafia game...We'd help you stop playing." Takeshi murmered to her after the ring battles. Her and Hayato-chan leaning on either side of her against her house. They are covered in bandages, Hayato-chan wrapped to neck after her battle with the Varia storm officer. The sight of them makes Tsuna's insides twist with something between rage and shame. Her friends fighting for her, for an inheritance she isn't sure she even wants.

"I'd follow you anywhere, Juudimane. Not just into Vongola." Hayato affirmed, eyes burning with devotion.

Their offer is tempting, the idea Tsuna could throw all of this darkness away before it has a chance to drag her in further. It would be all to easy to forfeit the sky ring to Xanxus, to wash her hands of Vongola's bloodstained throne.

"Even if it's a borning civilian life Haya-chan?" Tsuna asked, looking up into the dark sky. Namimori had too much light pollution to have proper stars, but faint glimmers winked at her nonetheless.

"Anywhere. You are the first one put value in my life." Hayato said reverently.

"Maa, You gave me a purpose after softball, Tsuna." Takeshi adds, "Whereever you go is bound to be interesting."

Tsuna humms. She already knew what Aneki would have said, the boxer more than happy with her current plans to become a nurse practioner.

Kyoya would never chose to leave Namimori, not for Tsuna and deffinately not for Vongola. Tsuna would never make her, more than willing to give her girlfriend the world if that would make her happy.

The only things standing in her way was Xanxus and Reborn. Her father had been folding to her whims since she was 5, the grown mafioso weak to his delusions of a cute shy daughter. Nono would conform to the tradition if Xanxus won, or she hoped. Xanxus was likely to kill her to keep her out of sucession. Reborn was dedicated to his contract and would do his very best to force her into the position.

Forimidable roadblocks to be sure, but Tsuna knew her friends could do a lot if they put their minds to it.

It would have been an impressive thing to see.

"I'm not going to play their game." Tsuna said aloud, putting the words out into the universe. "The mafia is a dark thing. Mukuro was right about that. I don't want anything to do with it, but if nothing changes than nothing will get better."

Tsuna thought about Fuuta and Lambo, her little siblings who had been forced from the comforts of their homes much too early. About Mukuro and her bird-like wrists strapped to a table as someone carved into her. She thought about all the children who get chewed up and used by the mafia like their lives were expendable.

She thinks about her dreams, about the whispers of a man who saw the same thing and did something about it. The sky ring humms against her collar, halved but no weaker for it. Her intuition whispers about precedent.

"Vongola is the most powerful mafia family in Italy." She said, remembering what Reborn had said that first day. "If they want me on the bloody throne, I will use it to change them into something better."

"Juudimae." Haya-chan whispered, starstruck.

"Maaa, maa, sound's like a lot of fun Tsuna." Takeshi laughs.

"Baseball-freak! Don't undermine Juudimes declaration with your frivolity." Haya-chan snapped, scowling.

"Maaa, maaa, I play soft-ball Haya-chan." Takeshi corrected for what had to be the thousandth time, leaning on Tsuna's shoulder.

Tsuna laughs, and she hope deep down that this isn't a mistake.

Chapter Text

"Reborn, how is young Tsunayoshi doing? Your report was not up to your usual standards." Timiteo said smoothly, the grandfatherly persona solidly in place.

Reborn, perched above the school courtyard with his student in sight didn't frown perse. "Tsunayoshi is hard to describe in words, Timiteo. Sawada has obviously neglected to spend much time around his daughter." Reborn started with, thinking how he was going to phrase things.

"Oh? I met young Tsunayoshi myself when she was younger. Such a shy little thing, hiding behind her mother. My if she hadn't been so much younger I would have asked Iemitsu to marry her to one of my sons." The old man mused, his voice holding the deep sadness that comes with losing three of your children.

Reborn withheld the urge to laugh. Tsunayoshi Sawada was many things, but shy was not one of them. Any shyness the brash young girl had was cut out of her by her myriad of childhood tormentors. No, some days young Sawada seemed like she could give Xanxus a run for his money in the foul language department. The only thing that curbed her tounge was her mother and Reborn's ...encouragement.

"I don't think it would have worked in the long run, Timiteo. Young Sawada has grown into something quite resembling your mother in her heyday, if not tempered by civilian kindness." Reborn said, rembering the woman past her prime but at height of her reign. He had been young, but he still remembered the fire that brought the vongola family through WW2.

"...My mother." Timeteo repeated warily.

"Prehaps not as ready to violence, but Tsunayoshi is shaping into quite the mafia donna." Reborn said, knowing that Timeteo had been hoping for something a little more maluable. Reborn would like to see him try, to be perfectly honest.

People tended to do one of two things under pressure, bend or break. Tsuna adapted, and changed herself in defiance of what people tried to make her long before Reborn showed up. Adding dying will flames to the mix probably made it worse for everyone in the long run.

"You have been vauge on her choices for gaurdians, Reborn. Do we need to send another from Italy to complete young Tsuna's set? You mentioned she was missing a mist." Timeteo said, changing the subject.

Reborn hummed in thought, not quite sure how to describe Tsunayoshi's gaurdians. "She does have the makings of a full set forming around her." He ventured, watching Takeshi clash with the Hibari Tsuna involved herself with. The twin-like mists hovered on either side of Tsuna, Chrome going as far as to lean against her possible sky. "I take you heard about what happened with the escaped convicts?"

"Yes, I thought you had pulled some strings on Tsuna's whim, but I am guessing that's not the case." Timeteo ventured.

Again, Reborn wanted to laugh. He had influence as an arcobaleno, bit that meant squat to the Vindice.

"Tsunayoshi threw our own rules at them and claimed Roduko Mukuro served enough time given that they were under obvious mental distress due to their treatment in Estreano. She knows a surprising amount about mental health." Reborn said, rembering Tsuna's hollow eyed stare when he questioned her on the few non-fiction books on her book shelves. 'I wanted to find out was wrong with Kaa-san, Reborn. No one is that naive without a reason.' "She has taken custody of Mukuro and three of her underlings."

"I see, and the rest? I know you requested Smoking Bomb to come and try for Tsuna's storm gaurdian position."

"Ferverent devotion." Reborn said simply, "The other gaurdians have been read into the mafia. Her Rain and her Cloud both had criminal ties outside of Vongola."

"Good, good. The Bovino child?"

Rebirn wrinkled his nose, "Tsuna is denying the bond, but that seems to be due to Lambo's age and nothing about her suitability to be a gaurdian." Reborn said, in agreement with Tsuna about Lambos suitability. There was a difference between letting a 14 year old join something like the vongola inner circle and letting a 5 year old child. "She does have a possible lightning gaurdian candidate that can fill in if her needs a full set." Haru wasn't his first choice but the girl was tenacious and was already read into the Mafia. Not to mention her propensity for both cosplay and athletics gave her potential.

"Any prospects for a partner among her gaurdians?" Timeteo asked.

Rebirn hesitated to answer. On one hand the flame mafia was more open minded about these sort of relationships, especially among the lower ranks. On the other, there was a strong catholic influence within the mafia and he was never sure where Timeteo stood with the subject. He had a feeling Timeteo had made the same assumption of gender based off of the names the gaurdians possessed. Reborn didn't know what was in the water to make so many parents decide to give their female children masculine names, but it had lead to a very surprising first day in Tsuna's school.

"Tsuna has picked out a romantic partner in her Cloud Gaurdian," Reborn said eventually. It would be more fun to keep the gaurdians genders a secret for as long as he could get away with it.

"A good choice," Timeteo mused, probably thinking about Viscotti. Timeteo had never had romantic dalliance among his own gaurdians but there was an emerging trend as flames become farther spread amongst the mafia at large instead of just Vongola leadership.

"Is that all, Nono?" Reborn asked, watching the fight start to wind down. Soon the group would trickle back into the school for the second half of their school day. "Tsuna has some lessons I need to attend to."

"Yes, I will let you return to your work. Don't be too hard on the poor girl." Timeteo chuckled. Reborn revisited the urge to scoff.

He didn't know what it was bit something had lit a fire under Tsuna recently, and the girl had be uncharacteristically engaged with Reborn's lessons.

"I will be as hard on her as she needs. She will become the best boss Vongola has ever seen." Reborn affirmed. "I will contact you again with next month's status report. Caiosuu."

Reborn hung up, sighing out the pent up amusement and mild hysteria. He would be more careful with his reports, wouldn't do to spoil the surprise right away.

Chapter Text

Hibari Kyoya was a gorgeous woman, inky black hair and flawless pale skin. Maybe in another life she would have been the Hibari families princess, dressed in extravagant kimonos with long silken hair decorated with heirloom hair peices. Her hands would have been delicate and soft and her steely grey eyes would have been online with dark makeup to tighten them to silver.

In this life her hair is cut short and her hands are tough with calluses from the tonfa she wields like an extension of her body. The male uniform jacket flies from her shoulders like a cape, her steely gaze ever hunting for misbehaving herbivores.

Tsuna thinks she could love her girlfriend whatever the circumstances, That said, a petulant Hiabri might be her favorite after a contented one. The near pout on her disappointed girlfriend possibly the most adorable expression Tsuna had ever seen the prefect take on.

"Mukuro is in no condition to give you a good fight, Kyo-chan." Tsuna said placatingly, rubbing the prefect upper arm.

"Do not presume to tell me what to do Omnivore." Kyoya grumbled, leaning against Tsuna despite her attitude. "The Pinapple-herbivore is no worse off than she was before."

"And she was bad off then, Kyoya. I know you see that too." Tsuna argued. A lesser known part of the disciplinary council consulted with student counsilers on student health, both physical and mental. "She weighs less than 41 kg soaking wet. I'm surprised she didn't just fall over dead durring our fight."

"Mist flames." Kyoya muttered derisively. "Like the smaller pineapple heribivore."

Tsuna nodded, "That makes sense. Still isn't healthy for her." Tsuna said chastisingly. Mukuro and her little trap had been one of the most terrifying experiences of Tsuna's life, but after learning Mukuro's story and felt the indigo Mist brush longingly against orange sky in her...She couldn't just abandon the admittedly creepy Mist. Her desire to mother the Mist had only grown after being introduced to sensitive Chrome who didn't have a majority of her organs. Tsuna was consulting with Reborn about the ethical implications of the organ trade and what exactly qualified as human trafficking. Mafia land was promicing.

Hibari made a low sound in the back of her throat, and pulled Tsunaypshi into her lap who complied with a small shriek. The older prefect buried her face in Tsuna's mane of soft spikes with a grumble.

"Uhm, instead of fighting Mukuro-chan, I could give you a spar?" Tsuna offered hesitantly. "Me and you, no hold barred spar? Flames and weopons allowed?" She was getting more eagar the more she thought about it. It was a terrifying prospect, don't get her wrong. Kyoya was the strongest person she knows, and Tsuna was still getting integrating Hyper Dying Will into her combat style, intuitive help or not. Her girlfriend was likely to wreck her, and Tsuna is kinda looking forwards to the after spar caretaking. Hiabri was surprisingly good at first aide and was more liberal with kisses after slating her bloodlust.

"Hn, After." Hibari said, her hands rubbing Tsuna's stomach.

"O...Oh?" Tsuna squeaked, her own hands jumping into the air. Hibari's thumb grazed the underside of Tsuna's bra through her thin uniform shirt.

"After." The prefect confirmed.

Tsuna was more than willing to wait until after.

Chapter Text

"Baseball-idiot! What's taking you so long?" Haya shouted into the girl's changing room, itching to collect the irritating hanger-on and get back to protecting her beloved boss.

"Ah! Gokudera-san. Could you come help me with something?" The muffled voice of Yamamoto called out.

Gokudera leaned away from the wall, frowning. "What? With what?" She asked, curious despite herself.

"Maaa, it's a little embarrassing, y'know. Can you just come in here?" Yamamoto laughed nervously.

"What, no! Why the hell should I-?" Haya started, annoyed that their new hanger-on was taking up the Tenth's precious free time.

"Please," Takeshi asked plaintive. "I'm stuck."

Haya almost said no again, but the tone the baseball-idiot used struck a chord. Plus, if she helped with whatever issue the girl was having they could both return to Tsuna's side faster. "Fine, but only so that we get back to the Tenth faster."

"Thank you!" Takeshi called, making Hayato role her eyes as she squeezed into the girl's changing room.

"I'm not doing it fo- What the fuck!" Haya screeched covering her eyes and spinning around. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"Maaa, Don't worry, everything important covered." Takeshi laughed awkwardly, still muffled. "My cast got caught on my shirt."

Haya risked a glance at the other teen, the breif image of sun tanned shoulders and developed muscles seemingly burned in her brain. Hayato had never regretted her eidedic memory more. The sight remained the same, the taller teens arms stretched over her head, the blue sports bra she wore framing her developed muscles from her dumb sport. There was bruises from her fall with the Tenth, still dark and probably sore to the touch.

"Gokudera? You still there?" Takeshi asked, wiggling her arms. Haya blinked, shaking her inappropriate thoughts out of her head. Keeping a careful eye on the covered half of the baseball-idiot she finally noticed the problem.

"Of course I am! I was just...assessing how untangle you from your own shirt. Why didn't you unbutton it first, idiot." Haya grumbled, moving forwards.

"Maa, I don't think Hiabri would appreciate me going around with my shirt unbuttoned." Takeshi mused, wiggling as Haya started on the buttons.

"You should have asked for help, Idiot." Haya groused, tugging on the shirt. "Stop wiggling so much."

"Maa, The softball team was really eagar to leave after practice today. I didn't want to keep them." Takeshi said, smiling at Haya when she finally got the last few buttons undone. Haya scowled and yanked the shirt off.

"You are currently invalid. You're allowed to asked for help." Haya snapped, turning her eyes away as Takeshi started adjusting her bra.

"Maaa." Takeshi drawled with a shrug, catching the shirt with her unbroken hand. "Asked you didn't I?"

"Before you get stuck, idiot." Haya clarified unimpressed.

"Maa, don't worry. I get the cast off soon." Takeshi said.

Haya huffed, looking back at her. She was fully dressed now, bow untied but around her neck. "Come on, Tenth should be done with martial arts club soon." Haya ordered. "As a proper right hand its my job to make sure she's safe too and from school. She told told to get you, for some reason."

"Oh, yeah. My dad wanted to talk to her after the whole," Takeshi starts gesturing to her arm. Ah. "Yeah, I think he wants to thank her."

"All the more reason for us to hurry up and meet the Tenth. Being rude will be late." Haya snapped, scooping up Takeshi's bag. Haya grunted, looking down at the oblong bag.

"Maa, let's go then." Takeshi laughed, throwing a arm over Haya's shoulders.

"Get off, idiot."

Chapter Text

"Lesbian Bitch!" Mochida sneared across the hallway.

"Dickless son of a bitch!" Tsuna shot back with the newest rude gesture the guys at karate taught her. Ever since Mochida tried to challenge her for Kyoko their tenants relationship has crashed and burnt. For some reason he didn't appreciate her actually kicking his ass for defending Kyoko's right not to be a prize.

Probably why he had yet to keep a girlfriend.

"Fucking Hell does he piss me off," Tsuna muttered, continuing on her way to the roof.

"T-tenth! You...who?" Gokudera stuttered, face red. The platinum blonde looked between her and Mochida with a concerned look.

"Mochida Kensuke." Tsuna supplied, keeping an eye out for Hibari or the Committee members. "He tried to fight me for Kyoko not too long before you came. He's a misogynistic pig and a bitch to deal with."

Gokudera's nose wrinkled with distaste, turning to glare at the upper classmen. "I know the type." She hissed, dynamite dropping from her sleaves. "Do you want me to take care of him for you, Tenth?"

Tsuna shook her head, probably less concerned than she should be at the seriousness of that threat. "Uh, no thanks. Gokudera-chan. He's just a pest and is easily dealt with with some name calling. He doesn't exactly want to fight me after last time." She smirked. The dying will bullet might have burned through her clothes and left her nearly nude, but it also allowed her to rib out the man's hair and beat him with his own weapon. Very satisfying experiance would do again.

"Alright Tenth, but if he bothers you!" Gokudera grumbled, looking to tsuna sharply.

"You'll be the first I call." Tsuna assured a little awkwardly. She still wasn't sure about all of this Mafia stuff, but Gokudera responded better when Tsuna humored her and Reborn. "And I've told you, call me Tsuna."

"I could not! Tenth is the Tenth!" Gokudera shrieked, clutching her lunch to her chest.

Tsuna rolled her eyes, "And you're gonna get us both caught on criminal charges if you keep it up. Call me Tsuna." Tsuna insisted. "Aren't we friends?"

Gokudera went bright red, her pale skin working against her. "I.That is a very good point, T-Tsuna-sama." Gokudera squeaked. "You can c-call me Haya is you want."

Profress is progress, Tsuna thought smiling at Goku-Haya. "Cool. Haya-chan it is." She chirped pushing open the roof door.

"Te-TSUNA-SAMA," Haya squeaked, making Tsuna laugh. Her new friend was cute. Not as cute as Kyoko, but up there.

Chapter Text

"Fuck," Tsuna coughed waving away the pink smoke that now filled her room. She stumbled over to the window, cracking it open and sticking her head out.

"Oh, wow, it's been a while since I've been in here. A strong feminine voice wondered, the barest hint of an Italian accent to their Japanese. Tsuna turned to see a tall Italian girl with long curly black hair and bright green eyes in her room. Tsuna had dreams that started like that, though they usually involved Kyoko and less Cow print.

"Yeah? And you would be?" Tsuna asked, looking for the little kid that had been in her room before the smoke appeared.

The green eyed beauty's eyes sparkled, "Oh, Tsu-nee-san! Is this the first time we met? It's me Lambo!"

Tsuna blinked, "Really." She said skeptically, last she checked Lambo was five? Maybe six. And a boy.

"The ten-year bazooka. The pride of the Bovino family. It switches you for your ten year older self for five minuetes." Reborn said, jumping onto Tsuna's shoulder.

"And they gave it to a little kid?" Tsuna asked, skeptically.

"The Bovino family really wanted to impress Vongola Nee-san, so that you'd take me as a gaurdian and ally with them." Lambo said, eyeing Rebkrn with open distaste. "The hit on Reborn was a ruse to get me here."

Tsuna raised an eyebrow, because where she was standing it looked like the only thing stopping the girl from trying again was the fact Tsuna was between her and Reborn. "So Lambo's a girl?" Tsuna asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah I dressed pretty androgynous back then huh. Yep, It's one of the reason's you took me in ten years ago. You were worried." Lambo said with a careless shrug.

Huh, Tsuna always thought thirteen was too young to adopt.

"So, you're the lightning gaurdian?" Reborn asked, suspiciously close to pleased.

Lambo ignored him, glancing to a watch on her wrist. "AH, I don't have much longer!" She squeaked, jumping at Tsuna. Tsuna stumbled as she held the girl who shook just a little. "I'm gonna miss this version of you."

Tsuna felt her shoulder dampen, prompting her to hold this strange out of time girl claiming to be her sister. "It'll be alright. We'll get to grow and change together, alright." Tsuna whispered, a tad awkwardly. "Or whenever little you pulls out the Bazooka."

"Okay," Lambo whispered, and suddenly there was more pink smoke and Tsuna was holding a five year old, not a fifteen year old. The same green eyes blinked at her from a afro of dark curls, softer with youth and bright with happiness.

"Lambo got a grape candy!" The child shrieked, grabbing onto Tsuna's shirt. "There was also games, and picture books, and lotta toys!"

"T-that's nice...Hey how about we go talk to Kaa-san and see if we can't get more grape candy." Tsuna offered awkwardly. She doesn't know what it meant for the teen to say she missed Tsuna in the future, if Tsuna entertained the madness that entailed. What happened to her? Who would she become or didn't become?

"Yeah!" Lambo screamed.

Ignoreing Reborn and her homework, Tsuna started her way downstairs, idley knodding to whatever Lambo said.

Things for future Tsuna, she guessed.

Chapter Text

"What exactly are you asking of the Great Skull?" Skull asked looking the decimo candidate over with a surprisingly critical stare. The infintilized stuntman had been polishing his helmet after the beat down Reborn gave him, buffing the green glass visor.

Tsuna fidgeted with her hands, embarassment rushing through her. "W-well, I...I mean." She stuttered, feeling like elementary bullied Tsuna all over again.

The stuntman scoffed, "The great Skull doesn't have all day. Very important things to do!" The stuntman exclaimed, pointed a finger upwards dramatically.

Tsuna steeled herself, "Teach me how to ride a motor bike. I'm going to be here for the next few days and I really need to learn."

"Why are you asking me?" Skull asked, his bright violet eyes starting to shine with barely restrained anticipation.

Tsuna gave him a confused look. "You are Skull De Mort right? The world famous stuntman from 20 years ago." She questioned. Tsuna thought she had recognized the helmet but...

"Gah! Don't say it like that! You make the Great Skull-sama sound like a hazbin!" The infant shaped man shrieked, waving his hands as if to dispel the sentiments. "Yes, I am Skull Demort! The man hated by death and the number one stuntman!" The stuntman struck a pose, not unlike the posters at the gym.

"So, you can teach me to ride a bike?" Tsuna asked. Skull deflated, but looked considering.

"In three days?" He asked. Tsuna frowned.

"How the hell do you know-?"

"No. In a week? Probably. But three days? The Great Skull is amazing but he can't do miracles." Skull said. "Three day is barely enough for the basics."

Shaking off her confusion, Tsuna verbally pounced. "The basics are fine!" She exclaimed.

"Huh, really?" Skull asked skeptically.

"Yes. I just want to get comfortable around them. With all luck I won't be the one driving." Tsuna confirmed.

Skull looked her over again, violet eyes not as thought piercing as Reborn's but just as sharp. He hummed, "Girlfriend has a bike?"

Tsuna gaped, "How?" She asked, following the baby as he finished up with his helmet and shoved it on.

"Sure, the great Skull can teach you how to be comfortable on a bike. Collonello-senpai actually left some of my guys conscious this time." He said before starting off at speed. Tsuna scrambled to follow him.

"Wait up! How do you know about Hibari!?" Tsuna cried after him. This had better be worth it.

Chapter Text

Everyone in Namimori Middle liked to raise Kyoko up as the picture of the perfect girl, the perfect future housewife. With her delicate hands and sweet, nonconfrontational demeanor a bacon to horny boys who wanted the prize Kyoko made.

Tsuna had almost fallen into the same trap, despite being both female and having a moral disagreement with claiming another girl as a prize. Kyoko was someone who was very kind and cared significantly for her loved ones.

Kyoko was also a little crazy.

Tsuna had figured this out two weeks into their new friendship, having glimpsed it after the fight with Mochida.

Kyoko was Ryohei-nee-chan's younger sister and despite the fact she was a stunt pacifist she was too used to going with the flow and letting the world pass her by. She had little to say after the dying will bullet incident and had accepted Tsuna's insanity with nary a blink.

To all truth, she reminded Tsuna a lot of her mother. Maybe a bit more aware, but Tsuna's attraction had died an uneasy death following that revelation.

It also meant Kyoko was not a good measurement for insanity.

"Kurokawa-chan," Tsuna greeted, Gokudera and Takeshi flanking her solemnly. She would have done it without them but, Haya-chan had been insistantnon being there.

Kyoko who was never too far from Kurokawa looked up in surprise, a fork full of cake hanging in the air. Tsuna hadn't wanted to interupt their cake appreciation day, but Hana was hard to track down outside of school.

Hana put her own fork down delicately, her sharp gaze already on them. "Sawada-kun." She returned coldly.

Haya bristled next to her, but didn't say anything. Tsuna smiled awkwardly, folding her hands infront of her. "Can I talk with you?"

Hana looked at her, eyes burning in their coldness. "I am not interested in whatever nonsense that baby has dragged you into Sawada." She snapped. Still upset about Ryohei then. The sooner Hana admitted she had a crush on Kyoko's older sister, the better they would all be. A good part of Hana's quarrel with Tsuna had to do with the confident way Tsuna gathered a rumored harem under her lesbian charms. Apparently a girl couldn't turn around her friendless exsistance the same year she came out. Who knew?

"I'm not here to ask you to do that." Tsuna denied, turning to Takeshi and Haya. "Get some cake please? Pumpkin spice for me?"

Haya perked up, "Of course, Tenth." Haya nodded, knowing a dismissal when she heard one. "Come on idiot." She tugged Takeshi after her, heading to the counter.

"Hello, Tsuna-chan. What are you talking with Hana-chan about?" Kyoko asked, looking confused as Tsuna sat at their table.

"Kyoko-chan, I just have a request." Tsuna said, smiling at the admittedly cute classmate. "It won't take too long, I promise."

Hana scoffed, "I don't want anythingnto do with you-"

"You want to be a lawyer, right?" Tsuna asked, interesting the raven haired girl before she could really start going.

Caught off gaurd, Hana nodded.

Tsuna nodded back, "You have always been good with your words. I'm sure Kyoko told you about my inheritance?" Tsuna asked, uncharacteristically serious. Talking around the subject was going to have to be sufficient, Reborn's lessons on Omerta burned into her head at this point.

"Yes. You have some Italian heritage like Gokudera-san." Hana said stiffly, narrowing her eyes at her.

"Exactly. That's the thing I wanted to ask you about." Tsuna said, looking at her hands and thinking about the fight against Mukuro. "I'm worried that if I accept my inheritance I am going to change too much. That I will become a person I don't like and I want to avoid that as much as possible." Tsuna looked up at Hana, trying to put as much pleading into her eyes as possible. "I need someone on the outside who can tell me when I'm going too far."

Hana scowled, crossing her arms across her chest. "And you're friends can't help? Why are you asking me Sawada." She demanded.

"Because you are the strongest person I know, Kurokawa-chan. You stand by your principals harder than Kyo-chan, and you have never bitten your tounge in the time I've known you." Tsuna said firmly, trying to tamp down the worship. Tsuna had taken her cues from Hana in the early days of middle school, using her strength of character to step out of shy pathetic Tsunayoshi.

The faint pink to Hana's cheekbones was the only sign she was in anyway effected by Tsuna's praise. "So, what? You want me to be your moral compus? Shouldn't there be something like that already?" She asked skeptically.

Tsuna frowned before she could help herself. "In theory, but it is run by my father and he is not exactly the model of moral strength. I need something outside of any family influence, but someone I can trust." She says, bowing her head to the table "Please, Kurokawa-san."

"Hana."

Tsuna looked up in surprise, meeting Hana's gaze."Wha?"

Hana looked down at Tsuna. "If we are going to do this Sawada-kun you can call me Hana." She said, turning back to her cake. "Do not presume this means you can tell me what do do."

Tsuna beamed, "Wouldn't dream of it." She said, feeling warm inside.

"Tenth! We got the cake!" Haya exclaimed, coming to the table with Takeshi in tow holding several cake boxes.

"Good! I'm done so let's head home. Mama and the kids are waiting." Tsuna said, brushing of her jeans. "Thanks again, Hana-chan."

Hana huffed, "Youbwill be reading me into whatever you have going on, Tsuna." She ordered.

"I'll do one better and have Haya explain durring Study hour." Tsuna said, accepting half of the cakes from Takeshi. "She know more than I do right now!"

"You better." Hana said.

"Bye Tsuna-chan!" Kyoko called as Haya held the door open.

Tsuna smiled back at her old crush, "Bye Kyoko-chan."

Chapter Text

Tsuna ran down the street, frantically tugging her blouse on over her exercise tank. "Why didn't you tell me I was late for school before I was going to be late?" Tsuna shouted between gasps, not bothering to button her top. It wasn't like Tsuna was especially well endowed, willowy and slow to hit puberty. In her sports bra and sport tank her measly chest was near flat.

Reborn who was keeping pace with a small leon made car, popped off a rubber round at her. "Don't blame others for your own faults, Dame-Tsuna." He said, swerving away from Tsuna as she stumbled.

"Ow, fuck. Aren't you my Tutor? Shouldn't you want me to stay on schedual?" She asked crossly, rubbing a hand over her thigh.

"A Mafia boss should have awareness of their scheduals." Reborn answered with a threatening Clint of his back up gun.

"Isn't that what personal assistants are for?" Tsuna asked, whipping around the corner. If Reborn answered her she was too busy crashing into a brick wall to pay attention, falling back on her ass. "Fuck!"

"Woah! That is some EXTREAME enthusiasm!" A bold female voice laughed, and Tsuna looked up to see a familiar scarred face.

"S-sasagawa-senpai!" Tsuna squeaked, feeling her face flush. A quick glance failed to procure her tutor, the traitor.

Now, Tsuna's type was more on the delicate side of girls, the only halfway decent trait she inherited from her father. She liked girls with delicate features and slim bodies. That said she also had a healthy dose of appreciation for strength and you got no stronger than Sasagawa Ryohei

The white blonde teen's hair was in a sporty pony tail, parts of it braided back in a surprisingly stylish fashion and secured with bright yellow barrettes. "Sawada! I should have know it was someone as Extreame as you! Training before school?" The tall girl asked, reaching out a hand to let Tsuna up.

"That was the plan, but now I'm late." Tsuna grumbled, accepting the hand. She bit back a swear when Ryohei-senpai practically threw Tauna to her feet, stumbling to catch her balance.

Ryohei frowned, helping Tsuna brush the dust off her skirt. "Do you have a meeting before school?" The boxer asked, seemingly automatically buttoning Tsuna's shirt for her. Tsuna let her, used to it durring afterschool shared practices. Ryojei had explained it as big sister instincts cultivated when Kyoko was still little and need help.

"No?" Tsuna said hesitantly. She tucked in her own shirt and readjusted her book bag.

"Then why do you need to be at the school an hour early?" Ryohei asked innocently, only concerned for her underclassmen.

Tsuna froze. Blinking at the boxer numbly. "An hour? Early?" She asked slowly, balling her fists.

Ryohei looked at the sports band around her wrist, "Yes? Schools not for another hour."

"Ah," Tsuna vocalized, already looking for her tutor. She owed him a few choice words. "Thank you Sasagawa-senpai, it seems I have been misinformed."

"Hah! Extremely no problem Sawada-chan. Happy to be of Extreane help!" Ryohei exclaimed, clapping Tsuna on the shoulder. "I need to finish my run if I want to be extremely done before school starts. Wanna join me?"

Tsuna almost said no by habit, pausing when she realized there was nothing stopping her from joining Ryohei's run. Reborn could wait and it would allow her to think clearly about her revenge. "Y'know what? Why the fuck not. I could use a work out." Tsuna said stripping off her uniform blouse.

"Extreme! Let's do our Extreme best, Sawada-chan!" Ryohei cheered.

"Yeah!" Tsuna returned. Let Reborn stew for a bit. She shoved blouse back into her book bag. Hibari and the committee was more forgiving of wrinkled blouses than they were of tardiness.

Chapter Text

"An actual Bra today?" Mukuro leered, leaning over the side of the hot spring, hair pulled in to a messy bun. Chrome sat on the edge next to her, sipping at the tea the inn provided with their bath.

"I'm not sure I like your knowledge of my underwear, Rokudo." Tsuna said dryly, unhooking her powder blue bra. "I'm not doing a strip tease, mukuro."

"Aw, not even for me?" The illusionist purred, leaning closer. Tsuna gave her Mist gaurdian a dry look over. The Italian was not as skinny as she was before the ring battles, her ribs no longer showing and a developing fullness to her figure. Nothing significant, Mukuro willowy and tall by nature and not even Nana's full meals would change that. She would probably still be mistaken for a boy without trying.The contrast between her dark indigo hair and milky pale skin was interesting Tsuna's admitted.

Tsuna met Mukuro's mismatched gaze flatly. "Do you want Kyoya to kill you? Cause she would." Tsuna said, shoong her with a hand gesture. "Gleefully."

"Mmm, for your body Decima? It might be worth it." Mukuro teased, turning back to the pool with a humm.

Tsuna sighed, wondering why she let her life devolve to the point she was ...friends? Frienemies? With people like Mukuro.

Speaking of friends what was taking her other gaurdians so long? They should have been here nearly ten minuetes ago.

Tsuna shimmied off her boxers, moving towards the showers.

As if summoned by either the thought or the fact Tsuna was undressed within her range, Hibari appeared. Her girlfriend was already undressed and had her towel wrapped around her securely. Not unlike Mukuro, she had moon pale skin, only the barest part of her knuckles carries a bit of tan.

Tsuna felt like her skin was dark and muddied compared to these two, the Italian genes in her expressing themselves in an warm tan and her lightened hair. There was a spattering of freckles across her sun kissed shoulders and a few stubborn ones on her nose.

Tsuna grinned at her lady love, "Hey Kyo-chan, wash my back?" Tsuna asked, waving the cloth that came sat by the shower.

"Hn." Hibari grunted affirmatively.

"Can you wash my back," Mukuro called teasingly from the hot spring.

Tsuna scowled at her Mist. Ignoring how Chrime giggled into her tea. "Fuck off and find your own girlfriend." Tsuna snapped, throwing in a rude gesture to top it off.

"Idiot-Pinapple herbivore." Hibari hissed, but otherwise ignored, the allure of Tsuna's tanned back hard to resist. A long with the acknowledgement of hospitality.

Tsuna sivered at the first brush of the cold cloth against her skin. She leaned slightly into Hiabri's strong hands and measured strokes. "Don't worry, we'll drown her when we go to the beach. I pretty sure she can't swim." Tsuna whispered.

"Hn, perhaps." Hibari rumbled appreciatively.

"Where's the others, by the way?"

"They were crowding, and loud." Hibari said simply.

Tsuna despaired internally, blinking it away. "So they'll bathe after dinner then." She decided, huffing in exasperation. Honestly it was their own fault for aggravating Hibari so far from Namimori. She was just sure of her own boundaries.

Very, very sure.

Chapter Text

Tsuna always thought they liked the sky. They had spent many a day skipping school and watching the clouds drift over a bright blue background. So after what felt like an eternity with nothing but sky as far as they eye could see, they were surprised they were quite ready for something new too look at.

Byakuran's spine feels like it's jabbing into Tsuna's, the taller man's bony shoulders resting against Tsuna's. His white hair tickles the back of Tsuna's ears and the weight of Byakuran's head had been a constant for the past few long stretches of time.

I always thought death would be more interesting, Byakuran thinks but doesn't say. It would have been impossibly loud in this silent world of sky, but Tsuna understand anyways.

I always hoped it would be peaceful, Tsuna returned. Their vongola gloves stuck in their heavy gauntlet form. Fire burned eternally on his forehead, unburning and inexstinguishable.

It doesn't get much more peaceful than this, Vongola.

I wish it wasn't, Tsuna admitted only to himself and his eternal companion. It felt like his longing filled the space, this clear empty blue sky. No sun, no clouds, no wind or weather at all. Just Sky.

One would think darling Uni would be here with us, Byakuran thought, his wings moving between them. One is a measly stub of the great white wing it once was, blackened and burnt. The other brushes Tsuna's elbow, healthy and feathered.

All three holders of the balance Tris-nii-sette, Tsuna agreed. Maybe Uni had been with them once, but they could not remeber. Maybe that's what we're waiting for, Tsuna thought after a moment of idle musings.

Is that what we're doing? I thought we were just dead. Byakuran thought sourly.

Tsuna elbowed them in the side, radiating displeasure. They felt the hit in their own side, a side effect of their interconnected thoughts. It was worth it despite the pain. She does have a bigger job than us. Fixing the futures you messed up. Tsuna pointed out.

What do you suppose I have done, oh great moral paragon. Byakuran thought, matching Tsuna's irritation with his own.

Gotten psychiatric help. Taken off the Mare ring. Not destroyed the world balance for shots and giggles. Tsuna though, dry even within their own head.

We wouldn't be here if not for me wearing the mare ring. Byakuran returned, we would just be dead.

After this, I wish we were simply dead. Tsuna thought. It felt like death, this empty void of only sky. Only the sensation of his worst enemy turned only companion to ground them to any sort of reality. There was no sound, no scent. No need for food or water, nor any desire. Just Sky, emptiness and Byakuran.

They do not even dream.

I hope Uni comes soon, if only because it would be something new. Tsuna thought. They had learnt patience over the eternity spent here, but they were still fourteen. Still young if mentally aged. The two have them had fought for ages in this pure sky, before losing interest in that. The next stretch of time had been spent ignoring the other, getting slowly closer over time until they sat like this. Back to back with their shared thoughts.

I hope so too, Vongola. Byakuran thought.

I wonder if we'll stay like this. Tsuna mused.

Byakuran, privy to Tsuna's every thought laughed. The shound the loud staccato of a machine gun in the silence. They both flinch from it and Byakuran's sparkling amusement turns muted by share pain. It would be an interesting life to share thoughts with you Tsunayoshi.

Couldn't think of a better megalomaniac to share my innermost desires.

Nor I a better brave coward.

Tsuna always thought they liked the sky. They never realised it was because they liked everything in it. Two empty skies wer simply dull.

Chapter Text

Enma hated this part of the plan.

Vongola had to pay but going to a new school meant a whole new cast of cretins ready to beat up on him. It wasn't Enma's fault he was clumsy and weak willed, okay. He just had terrible luck and punishing the Vongola would be the fist step towards forging an new future for him and his family.

He winced as one of his new bullys swung at him, Enma's shirt held in one hand.

"Hey Fuckers! Back the Hell off the new kid before I take your asses and give them to Kyo-chan as tribute." An irate female snarled from behind the taller bully.

Enma had never been dropped so fast, his rear hitting the sidewalk before he could really comprehend what was happening.

"Shit it's Sawada!"One of the bullies hissed.

"Fuck. Just run before she makes good on it." One of the others yelled, already running off.

"Wha-?"Enma trailed off stupidly watching the bullies abandon him on the sidewalk. He would have run himself, but he was a little stunned and had those bullies said Sawada. As in Sawada Tsunayoshi?

"Hey, you okay?" The girl asked, startling Enma. He scrambled back and met eyes with soft caramel brown. A soft face framed with brown bangs and pink lips. The face of the Vongola heir stared at him with concern, a delicate hand held out in his direction.

The little voice that sounded like Aldieheid told him to slap the hand away and run before the heir could get a good look at him but he hesitated.

Did Sawada have a twin sister he didn't know about? Something their mole in the Vongola somehow missed?

"Hey? You okay?" She asked, concerned leaning back a little, which only drew his attention to her chest. "Fuck, do you have a concussion? Do we need to go to the nurses office? Wait, no Shamal only helps girls? Nee-chan maybe? Fuck what did Reborn say about first aid? Of all the days to aband-"

Enma waved his hands, "Ah! No I'm okay!"He said, interrupting her anxious ramble. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't expect to be save by a..." Er how to say this without getting punched by the girl unafraid to swear infront of a stranger. "Person other than my family. Most people just ignore the bullying."

The girl took in a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second. "That's good. I really don't have the skill to deal with a concussion. " She said, smiling at him. She was dazzling, just a little bit."Here let me help you up." She held out her hand again.

"Uhm, okay." Enma murmered, taking the deceptively strong hand. The pauses for a second, Slapping a hand to her chest. The slim girl lifts him up like he weighed nothing, helping him brush off the dirt after.

"There you go, can't have you showing up messy. Kyo-chan would hate that and it's a bad way to start off your first day."The girl said, adjusting her own uniform. There was a strange cuff pinned to the sleeve, gold lettering on a red band. Not unlike Aldeheid's arm band in fact.

"T-thank you." Enma said quietly, bowing slightly.

"Hey, don't worry I dealt with bullies until this year. " The gril laughed a touch awkwardly. "I'm Sawada Tsunayoshi, and before you say it yes, I know it's a boys name. There was a strange phase among the mother of Namimori."

FuckEnma thought, the cute girl was Sawada Tsunayoshi. Aldeheid was going to string him up by his ankles and he wouldn't blame her. This was way to early to be talking to the vongola hear. Aaaaaaaaa what was he supposed to do? "Kozato Enma, it's nice to meet you?" He stuttered.

"Oh, yeah nice to meet you too Kozato-san." Tsuna said a touch hurriedly, cheeks pinking. Man she was cute, why did the world test him like this? Cute girls never talked to him and the one that did was the enemy!

Any further thought was cut off by the warning bell for the school rining. "Ah! I'm going to be late." Enma squeaked, pulling back from Tsuna-from his enemy.

"Shit, Kyo-chan will kill me if I'm late. See you later Kozato-chan!"Tsuna chirped dashing past him.

Enma felt his face heat and he tripped over his own feet. Ahhhhhhhh. Aldeheid was going to kill him.

"Sasagawa Ryohei is also a girl." Aobe grumbles, cheek bruised. Enma passed him a bag of frozen peas.

"So is Hibari Kyoya, though I didn't let something as insignificant as gender stand between me and establishing our hold on the school." Aldeheid snapped, stirring what would become dinner.

"Yeah, but you're also a girl. People won't scold you for punching her."Aobe snapped back, pressing the peas to his cheek with a hiss.

"The entire Tenth generation seems to be girls." Enma offered, remebering Tsuna meeting up with four other girls in the hallway, two of them identifiable as her rain and Storm gaurdian. Both pretty. Again how was this fair.

"We can't let this stop us from crushing the Vongola."Aobe snarled, the frozen peas crunching in his grip.

"We need to test them first." Enma argued, thinking about Tsuna helping him.

"And let them prove themselves to be traitorous scum?"Aldeheid demanded.

"Tsuna started as a civilian," Enma protested. "Maybe she's different?"He shriveled under the glares of his gaurdians. Damn his weak will.

"Enma has a point." Strong said, contemplative. "The Tenth did save Enma unprompted, and didn't ask for anything."

Bolstered by agreement, Enma firmed his eclair spine. "We'll infiltrate and then test them. "He decided, "if they fail...Then we can go forwards with revenge."

Aobe groaned , leaning back in his chair. "Fine. "

"If your sure, Enma." Aldeheid said, turning back to the stove.

Well, he was mostly sure. One chance. Now all he has to do is make a cute girl be his friend. No pressure.

Chapter Text

Mukuro Rokudo wakes slowly, their head buzzing. Weakness sat inside their bones, dragging their thin limbs down into the soft depths of the large bed. They try to remeber how they got there, shifting through hazy memories, because they don't remeber ever having a bed so soft before.

"Mukuro-Sama," Chrome squeaks tearfully, somewhere to their side. The bed shifts as their slim girl/twin/follower climbs next to them and curls against them. The tuff of her hair tickles the underside of their chin, her slim little hands fisting in Mukuro's loose shirt.

"Na...Nagi-chan," Mukuro croaks, their mouth dry. They try to open their eyes but it feels like their eyelids are weighted. They wonder what happened to them, trying to squeeze so clarity from their memory. The silly girl holds them tighter.

"Here, Roduko-san." A familiar-unfamilliar voice says soothingly, and Mukuro finds a straw at their lips. Their refined instincts tell them to refuse, but the dryness in their throat has them accepting it silently. The water is cool on their tounge and they cannot taste any drugs in it as the drink slowly. It trickles down their chest and settles in their veins, and they find enough energy to open their eyes.

A familiar motherly face peers at them with very similar caramel eyes. Sawada's mother is distinctly Japanese, even with her brown hair, but the shapes of her face are similar to her daughters. Obviously the origin of the future decimo's looks. Mukuro figures that the decimo also took on her mother's voice, as Mukuro had never actually had the pleasure to meet the woman for themselves.

She felt bright.

"W-what happened?" Mukuro croaked, slowly placing an arm against Nagi's thin back. They cast a weak, too weak, looks around the room, looking for Sawada.

Nana, that was her name right?, smoothed Mukuro's bangs back ignoring their flinch. She removed a cloth they never realized was there, pressing the back of her hand to their forehead and letting their bangs fall back. "You still have a mild fevor darling." She said soothingly, pulling back. Mukuro couldn't help the small whine the crawled out of their throat. Chrome echoed it, muzzling under their chin."You have a nasty bout of the flu, and collapsed after your little meet up with Tsu-chan." The woman continued replacing a cool cloth on their forehead.

Mukuro grunted, wrinkling their browser under the damp cloth. They knew they hadn't been feeling well lately, but they never expected that...this was the future decimo's home. Her mother was the one tending to Mukuro's bedside, showing more parental care than Mukuro has even experienced in this life.

"Tsu-chan should be out of school soon, so don't worry Rokudo-san." Nana said, petting a painfully gentle hand over their head and doing the same for Chrome. Mukuro tried to hide in Chrome's hair, watching the woman with their red eye. "I'll go get you some rice porrige."

Mukuro watches the woman get up and leave, pulling back from a suspisously quiet Chrome. "Nagi-chan," They asked swallowing around an itch in their throat.

"Mukuro-sama! Y-you were fine and then you collasped." She cried, curling into them. "Your fevor was so high and..and you were breathing so shallowly."

"I...I'm sorry Nagi-chan." Mukuro whispers, the word unfamiliar on their tounge.

They both jumped when the door slammed open, hazy indigo flames trying their best to form into something substantial and failing.

"Mukuro!" Sawada exclaimed, uniform in disarray. The little bow was missing entirely, and on sock was bunched at the ankle. Her book bag hung from her elbow, but she let it drop to the floor as she approached the bed. Mukuro realised suddenly that they were in Sawada's bedroom. The small hammock in the corner and the familiar hoodie hanging from the closet door self evident.

"Sawada." Mukuro croaked, before pressing their lips together.

Sawada came within arms reach, figiting with the bottom of her uniform shirt. "Are you okay?" She asked hesitantly, seemingly far from the brash girl that met every challenge with foul language and awkward confidence. "I know you dont have the best experiance with adults and medical care so I didn't want to bring you to the hospital but I fuck, you looked like you died. I'm not qualified to deal with sick people, rokudo."

"My...deepest apologies." Mukuro croaked, mockingly. "I'll try to get sick on my own time, Tsu-chan."

The tension in Sawada's shoulders relaxed, the decimo adopting a wry smile. "Well, I'm glad my mom didn't traumatize you while I was at school. I'll leave you to recover." She said, turning tonleave the room.

"Wait!" Mukuro croaked, meeting Tsuna's gaze when the decimo turned back around. "What's rice porriage?"

"The decimo stood perfectly still for one second, a bittersweet smile crawling on her face. "Sick people food. It's warm, comforting, and easy on the stomach. Kaa-san's is pretty good."

"Oh." Mukuro hummed, looking down at Chrome who had fallen onto a quiet slumber. They don't think they ever had someone make special food for them when they got sick before. It was...nice.

Chapter Text

Takeshi had always found Tsunayoshi Sawada, Tsuna, easy to read. The girl had been in the same class since they both started going to Namimori elementary. Tsuna then had long brown hair that held braids and pony tails well.

Up until second year of elementary school Tsuna and Kyoko had been the two idols of the class with Tsuna's soft shy squeaks and long pretty hair, and Kyoko with her bright friendliness and pretty face. Takeshi hadn't been their friend, a sporty quiet girl who was too sad after the death of her mother.

Tsuna had been an almost friend, willing to talk at Takeshi with soft tones. The only reason Takeshi never scared the soft girl off was because she had always been honest. She came to sit with Takeshi after school, two girls with boy names and a shared interest in anime. Tsuna had always been willing to play catch with Takeshi even when the girl flinched everytime she caught it.

After second year Tsuna was clumsy and and a crybaby and suddenly open to mockery. The same girls who demurred over Tsuna's long hair took scissors to it and chopped it short.

Tsuna became quieter and quieter as people became harsher and meaner towards her. The girls had been the most vicious, mocking her and spreading insidious lies about the once sweet girl.

Takeshi alway regretted not standing by her once almost friend, her own life become a mix of softball and new fake friends. Tsuna never told her other wise, but Takeshi could see the old hurt in her friends eyes sometimes. The ache of that abandoned childhood bond deep in Takeshi.

It was the summer before middle school when Tsuna started martial arts according to the girl herself. She had gotten tired, and begged her mother for lessons. Her naive, gentle, mother chose a seedy place on the edge of the shader neighbor hoodz that turned soft little Sawada Tsunayoshi into a irreverent girl two steps away from being labeled a delinquent. The girl gaining a spine of steel and a vocabulary often found in thr mouths of yakuza and sailors.

It was this Tsuna that pulled Takeahi away from the edge of the roof. That yelled at her through tears, and demanded what the hell Takeshi had been thinking.

Takeshi had always been able to read Tsunayoshi and could see the kind shy girl that had always been there. The girl whonwas willing to play catch even when the ball scared her and who never liked having long hair but did it for her mother.

Takwshi could always read Tsuna and that's why she took up her father's sword.

Chapter Text

The halls of Vongola's underground base are silent in this section of the base. Any sound reverts down concrete hallways and shouting echoes all the way to the noisier sections.

This time is no different.

"..stand, Reborn."

"Tsunayoshi," Reborn's voice calls out sharply.

"I Said I fucking understand didn't I, Reborn?" Tsuna shouted, stomping down the hallway. "I fuck up in the future. I lose myself."

"Tsunayoshi," Reborn snaps, a gunshot accenting her name. "A Mafia boss shouldn't exaggerate needlessly."

"Oh! So it wasn't my futures self that there are no vongola ring in the future? It isn't my fault the aecobaleno died one by one? All of your friends gunned down? I was incharge of the largest Mafia family in the world and I couldn't even save you? My own mentor?" Tsuna demanded sarcastically.

"That was the Millifore, Tsunayoshi. Do not blame yourself for the actions of others."

"THE MILLIFORE DIDN'T FAIL MY FRIENDS!" Tsuna screamed, causing the people listening to wince. "They didn't ruin my relationship with my girlfriend, nor fail to protect the last of my best friends family. They didn't cause my mists to distance themselves for their own saftey, Reborn. That was all me. That was Sawada Tsunayoshj fucking up."

"Tsuna," Reborn started, only be cut off by Tsuna again.

"I don't want to lose them, Reborn." Tsuna sobbed, crying for the first time since this stressful nightmare started.

"Then master this." Reborn said firmly, and everyone could imagine his expression. "Become better than your own self, Dame-Tsuna. Do everything with your dying will and commit. I expect no less from you."

"O-okay." She whimpered, and the past gaurdians, the ones who were still her friends dashed down the hallways, searching. This future was stressful and they were still finding their feet. Nonetheless they were stronger together, and Tsuna needed then.

And maybe they needed her just as much.