Woooo! I finally finished this! Can't believe it! Now I can share this story with you and focus on a MaLu that's sucking my life away.

Ok, to business.

There's a total of 18 chapters plus a special. I'll update every Monday and, if not, as soon after that day as I can. This is the story I talked about in my profile, so, if you want news, check that out or join me on discord ( /v74tKT6). I hope you all like it as much as I do :)

SUMMARY: Sawada Tsunayoshi and Sawada Ienari suffered the loss of their mother, Nana, at age 18 and 10 respectively. She died of cancer. She died with a smile. Sawada Iemitsu was immediately met, right after, with a wall. His sons wanted nothing to do with him and they had all the reasons to. Reborn went to Japan lacking pieces of a complicate... yet interesting puzzle.

WARNINGS:

- Yaoi, R27, explicit (fluff&smut)

- Slow-building

- Mystery, surprise

DISCLAIMER: Of course, I own only the plot twists/idea, not the characters or anything that comes from the manga's author's hands.

Words: 3889.

Enjoy!

01 – Arrival

Surname: Sawada

Name: Ienari

Age: 14

Father: Sawada Iemitsu

Mother: Sawada Nana

Siblings: Sawada Tsunayoshi, 8 years older

School Grades: 60-75

Training: untrained, weak

Flames: Sky element, still not awakened

Personality: friendly, carefree, protective, clumsy

Background: mother died of illness when he was 10; older brother has been taking care of him since then, both refusing father's presence and help; lives off brother's income; attends Namimori Highschool, first year, average member of the kendo club

Known Friends: Sasagawa Kyoko, school idol, possible crush; Yamamoto Takeshi, baseball ace player, best friend; Mochida Kensuke, kendo club captain

Notes: doesn't know about Mafia and his father's involvement; has a slight brother-complex

Reborn sighed. His new student's card was… unexpected. Nono had not talked about him being a younger brother. Why had he been chosen over the older one? Strange. But he wouldn't ask. The hitman would follow the request and stay put, professionally. And, maybe, there was a reason obvious enough for him to find out right away. Was Sawada Tsunayoshi unworthy for some illness? Something inherited by the mother? He didn't think so.

He folded the document and stretched, waiting for the plane to land. The journey had been comfortable, as one would expect from Vongola's private jet. His mind returned to his training schedule, brushing a hand on Leon's head. This time, a lot more was at stake. Tutoring Dino? A joke. Tutoring the future Vongola Boss? Hell. The responsibilities that had fallen on his shoulder were heavy and suffocating. But he was Reborn, the World's Greatest Hitman, the Sun Arcobaleno. No worries.

No, he was not worried about that. He did not feel uncomfortable because of psychological pressure.

Reborn was worried because his instincts were going wild.

Wild.

Never in his most dangerous dream had he felt that way.

Never in the most dreadful mission had he frowned on a name.

Never in years had he scowled because of a photo.

He took it and looked at him once more. Sawada Tsunayoshi was a rather short 22 years old man. He had a mane of light brown, untamed and gravity-defying hair. Long stray locks fell in front, covering his ears. His caramel eyes were half-lidded while he served a table in some café. A beauty, in his opinion, but that was not important. He was wearing a neat uniform with black pants and a white shirt under a gilet and he was well-built. His smile seemed sweet, but had a strange effect on Reborn. It was… unnatural. Forced. But so much skilled… Unusual in a civilian.

And that was what kept the hitman from sleeping throughout the entire flight. A photo. Of the brother of his target. A damn photo.

He brushed a hand on his face, buckling the belt for the landing. His to-be student was really similar to his brother. His hair was darker, his eyes were brighter and happy, his expression was carefree. He was short, too, but less than Tsunayoshi. The school uniform was kept neatly, but not enough for Reborn's standards. Well, he was going there to work on that and so many more things. Such as raise his average grades, begin his inexistent training, fix his relationship with Iemitsu – though he did not want to –, work on his knowledge about Mafia, awake his flames, adjust his personality into a fine Boss, search for suitable Guardians, investigate his brother… No, this was not in the contract.

Guardians. He needed Guardians. He took his phone, texted Gokudera Hayato the challenge he had thought about and clicked it shut. Reborn scanned again the list of known friends and made a mental note to carefully investigate them.

Would the older brother be a suitable candidate, too? Iemitsu, the idiot, had not given him more than the photo. Reborn had thought it strange, but he was not his target, so it was fine… A photo… That unsettling photo… was not fine, damn it.

It was the exact opposite. It gave him… the creeps. Yeah… Totally fine.

He sighed again, petting Leon. His companion was visibly irritated for something, most probably his own irritation. Reborn folded the paper and put it away, waiting patiently for the door of the plane to open.

Fifteen minutes later, he was sitting in a taxi, heading to Namimori. The journey was fast and relaxing. The town was still asleep, being it six in the morning. They passed the school, a park, a grocery store and a book shop attached directly to a café. Reborn instructed the conductor to leave him a block away from the Sawada household, in front of the shop. He took his suitcase and walked silently in its direction. Leon slept on his fedora and, soon, the house came into view.

It was simple, same as the other two-storied houses. Blue roofs and azure painted wooden walls. The garden was small but well-kept. Lawn recently cut, an apple tree and an ivy covering the low, stone walls. On the backyard, there was an open wooden gate.

Reborn dropped his flyer for a home tutor in the mailbox and retreated just in time for the door of the house to open. A yawning Sawada Tsunayoshi, dressed in the uniform from the photo, was heading to get the mails. There was a bunch, four letters plus his flyer. He went back inside, closing the door. Reborn stealthily entered the garden and watched through the window. While cooking breakfast, the man was reading something like a report. He folded the paper and looked at the flyer. The older brother arched a brow, holding his chin between thumb and index. After a while, he took his phone and dialled the number Reborn had scribbled on the flyer.

The hitman's phone vibrated and he went a bit farther away before answering in his deep baritone. "Chaos."

The other's voice was silky, firm, a bit high. "Hello, are you the home tutor from the advertising I found in my mailbox? Reborn?"

"I am."

"Can you come for an interview?"

Reborn wanted to scoff, but better play nice. "Of course, I'm still dropping the flyers. Which household?"

"Sawada, I'll be waiting."

After the click of the phone, Reborn couldn't help but shiver. He poked his forehead and huffed. This mission was not beginning well.

He waited five minutes before ringing the doorbell. Sawada Tsunayoshi opened the door, towel in hand and smile on his face. A smile that Reborn liked and not at the same time. He took off his fedora in a polite manner before greeting him.

"Chaos. I'm Reborn, the home tutor."

"Oh, yes, please, be my guest." He made space for the man to enter. "I did not expect you to be so fast." He closed the door and invited Reborn in the kitchen. "Do you want something? Tea or coffee?"

"Coffee, please."

The man turned on the coffee maker and took some beans from the pantry. Beans… beans. Who on earth in this century had beans to make coffee? Reborn held back a sigh and waited patiently for his drink to be ready. He was rewarded. His nostrils welcomed the delicious scent and he took a sip after a thanking nod. It was delicious. He had to hold in a smirk of appreciation, but the knowing smile of the one still cooking let him know that he had seen it nonetheless.

The man turned off the stove and sat in front of Reborn. In the pan, eggs were ready with bacon for breakfast.

"So, what do you offer?" He asked.

The hitman finished his coffee and looked at him. "I tutor at home on every subject and more. I train the student in self-defence and such. Diligence, responsibility, control, I'll help him become the leader of the next generation."

"Seems interesting." He looked at his right, biting his lower lip. "And what's your fee?"

Reborn smirked. "Simply room and board."

"Oh, convenient…" He looked at the clock, the was signing seven. "Well, deal. I have a younger brother, your new student. His grades are okay, but… They could need some adjustments. I can't tutor him enough because of my job. I'll go wake him up."

He stood, but Reborn lifted a hand and stood himself. "My job begins here."

The other blinked before smiling and nodding. "I'll prepare breakfast for you, too. Upstairs, third room on the left."

The hitman nodded back and climbed silently the stairs. He opened the pointed door and found his new student sprawled on his bed, night shirt lifted, revealing his flat stomach, one hand scratching it, and lightly snoring. The epitome of a carefree high school boy. That was going to change.

Leon heeded to his silent request and morphed into a green mallet. Reborn took the clock of the room and put the signed time forty minutes forward, then leaked some killing intent before hitting the boy straight on his head. Ienari yelped, gripping tightly his new bump. His right eye was closed, his left one was teary. He looked around, finally considering the man's presence.

"What the…"

Another hit.

"Language, Dame-Nari."

"Wha?!" He jumped on his feet. "Who are you?! What have you done to Tsu-nii?!"

Reborn arched a brow. Brother complex. He wanted to sigh… but played evil. He smirked.

"None of your business, Dame-Nari. I'm your new home tutor. Dress up and come down."

He left him and went downstairs. The older brother was chuckling while setting three plates on the table. The smell was alluring, although it was only a simple American breakfast.

"You just scared him."

Reborn sat as he listened to the footsteps coming from upstairs. "Easily scared."

"And you're going to change that, right?" He smirked with an arched brow and sat, too.

The man took an unread letter and opened the envelope, scanning rapidly the words. Absentmindedly, he poured himself some tea and sugar, spooning the beverage. He seemed quite taken and focused. Was it really some kind of report?

Ienari came abruptly, panting and dressed. Not properly. His tie was loosened, his shirt was buttoned wrongly and his schoolbag was open, almost leaking books all over the floor. Reborn sipped some more of his coffee, fedora politely on the table.

"Tsu-nii, it's late!"

The older brother lifted his gaze from the paper and arched a brow, looking at the clock. "No, Ienari, it's not. What have you done to your uniform…"

The boy checked the clock before letting surprise overtake him. It was then that he noticed Reborn calmly drinking in the kitchen.

"Wha… What's he doing here?! No, wait, Tsu-nii?"

Tsunayoshi stood, leaving the paper on the table. "He's your home tutor." He started fixing his brother. "I can't tutor you and he's cheap, so he'll raise your grades. You need a better job than mine." He smiled at the neat result. "Eat now, or you will really be late."

Ienari did as told, sitting and starting to eat as his brother joined them. In the meantime, Reborn was able to read that, in fact, the paper was about some economic balance of a shop. The card about his student did mention some income from the older brother. A shop, then?

They ate in silence. Someway, it was awkward only for Ienari, that kept stealing glances at both the men in the room. Reborn just ate and was grateful, it was delicious. Totally worth the tutoring, even if he was being paid already... Tsunayoshi was still checking the paper, reading also the other he had opened when Reborn had been outside.

"Tsu-nii…"

"Yes, Ienari?" He answered, not lifting his gaze.

"Are you sure…"

"Do you want me to send you to Italy?"

Reborn blinked in his cup. Italy? Why Italy? Their father? No, they were civilians, they were supposed to not know about Mafia and the whereabouts of their father. Though, that was the only possibility. The only one he could think about.

Ienari scowled. "I'd prefer hell."

"Then, I'm positive."

His student grunted but finished his dish and checked the clock. "Takeshi is probably outside already, I'm going. See you later, Tsu-nii."

"Have a safe trip, say hi to him from me." The other smiled, folding the papers and starting to clean the dishes.

The younger brother disappeared through the door, after glaring at Reborn. That was totally ignoring him. For… something else. He looked elsewhere and sipped the remnants of his second coffee. This mission had begun badly and was becoming dangerous. With that… No, he was not going there. He had a mission and he would have ended it, successfully and without mistakes.

Leon flickered his tongue towards a lemon clove. Tsunayoshi was holding it to him and let it go with a smile. He then looked at Reborn.

"I'm heading out for work. It's a shop I direct, a bookstore attached to a café." He wiped his hands and took a black wallet from the counter. "Quite the beautiful idea, don't you think? I have to close the house, you can stay there, if you have nothing more to do."

Reborn stood and put on his fedora, feeling less open. "I may pass by, but I need to observe my student."

… Why the fuck did he just tell him that?!

"Oh, you're pretty serious." He tilted his head. "I wonder why you're demanding so little in exchange of your services… Are you homeless?"

The hitman wanted to scoff. "Something like that." He had apartments and hide-outs everywhere...

"Your style sure doesn't support the hypothesis."

Reborn had to hide a flinch at the harsh tone.

"I'm not stupid, Reborn." He turned after locking the door of the house, looking straight at him. "I may play the part for my brother, because he doesn't know anything, but do not think I don't. Ienari has been chosen to be Vongola Decimo, this much I've been expecting for the last four years." His eyes sharpened, a flash of orange passing through them. "My so-called father sure has something to do with this mess." A raw killing intent radiated from the man. "He'll pay for this, too."

"How do you know?" He asked, hands in pants' pockets.

"Iemitsu told me some things, after mom's death." They walked past the front gate, going to their left. "He wanted to take in Ienari, but he chose me. With orange flames on his forehead." He pointed an index on his own, at the centre. "Guess he couldn't go against his favourite son."

Reborn blinked. Flames? In front of Iemitsu? The card clearly said his flames had not awakened yet. Was the man trying to hide his failures with his sons?! Such idiocy. His older one was clearly going against that.

"How much do you know?"

He glanced at Reborn once. "Enough to protect my house and us. We do not have bodyguards, you know? Several tried to abduct both, they are now buried ten feet below dirt." He frowned. "Or worse."

Reborn glared at him. Tsunayoshi sighed, understanding.

"I know about our lineage, my father's involvement with Mafia and your role here. I know about Arcobaleno, about Vongola, about the cradle affair… Do I need to be more detailed?" He huffed.

The hitman was speechless. "How?" It was impossible Iemitsu's idiocy had touched that low of a level to tell a civilian about those things.

"I do not trust you enough for that." He glanced at Reborn hardly. "We'll see."

They had arrived at the shop. It was the one in front of which Reborn had left the taxi. Looking more carefully, it was quite the view. The café and the library were laid on two floors, with wide glassed walls on the front. The furniture, the floors and the walls were entirely made of dark wood. There were red leather couches throughout the entire building, stools at the counter and the bar was heavily equipped with coffee machines, an ice-cream zone and a cake one.

The tutor let the conversation end and watched as the man opened the shop. He tilted his head in greeting and walked past, a bit unsatisfied, towards the school. There were other workers coming to the shop, dressed in the same uniform minus the black gilet. They were quite happy despite going to work, he noted. Some were even whistling or humming a random tune.

When he arrived at school, he looked at it from afar, hidden on a tree in front of the entrance gate. Beside the crowd of students arriving at school, there was one that took immediately his attention. He was wearing a jacket as if it was a cape and a red band on his left arm, on which was written 'Disciplinary Committee'. Behind him there were two pompadour teens glaring around with the same band. He seemed their Boss, despite his height. Currently, the boy was using two black tonfas to threat some students into wearing their ties properly.

Reborn smirked. Smelled like Guardian material. He waited for the bell to ring and for the late students to be 'bitten to death' before entering the school premises. Sadly, the boy with the tonfas appeared even if he had been already gone for thirty minutes.

"Carnivore." He said, taking an offensive stance. "Fight me."

Reborn didn't exactly feel like it. He had just been faced with utter unpreparedness because of Iemitsu. The older brother/mother figure of his student was Mafia-aware but had let him in, had accepted it was either that or him killed by Reborn himself. Or worse, simply speaking.

"I rather not." He said, evading a hit against his torso.

It was clear the teen would not hear him out on stopping. He was the type to search for fights everywhere, then… Ah, maybe, even stronger and stronger opponents. He had an idea.

"Do you know who Sawada Ienari is?"

The teen blinked, stopping for a moment before attacking again. "The omnivore's brother."

So, he knew Tsunayoshi, too. "I guess we're talking about the same one. I'm here…" He dodged another blow. "To tutor…" He jumped on a tree, stopping the attacks. "And train him."

That caught the other's attention. "You're here to turn the herbivore into a carnivore?"

Reborn understood the mechanism of the nicknames then. "Yes."

"Umph." The teen made his weapons disappear in his uniform and left.

The hitman shook his head and jumped down. Without further ado, he located his student's classroom, prepared several hide-outs and gathered all the files he might need. He observed an hour of lessons and saw Ienari sleep, be called, chat with his classmates, stumble when going to the bathroom… Yes, he had a lot to do.

But, first, a little investigation. And what better location than the older brother's shop? He did say he may have passed by, so… Why not?

Truthfully, he found some reasons why he should not. Like… He's not your target, you do not need to investigate him… Not so closely, anyway. Or… You should not be that interested in your target's brother. And so on, maybe in the same fashion. But, Reborn shrugged those off and reached the shop.

It wasn't packed, but it wasn't empty, either. There were businessmen reading the newspaper or typing on a computer in the café, moms with babies reading a book on the couches or buying ones, university students helped by workers in finding some books or studying, in the café or in the library.

He entered and chose the empty table in the more secluded corner, putting the documents on it. No more than two minutes later, a waiter came to take his order. Looking at the menu, he chose an espresso and a slice of coffee cake. He started checking the files.

Hibari Kyouya. Prefect, Head of the Disciplinary Committee. He doesn't attend classes but takes tests and passes them perfectly. He takes care of paperwork for his Committee and rules the school with an iron fist. Reborn had a feeling he would fit perfectly as a Cloud Guardian. His attitude spoke of independency.

His order came and the hitman blinked at the lack of swooning from the waitress. It was a professionalism he hadn't seen in years. He made a mental note to subtly compliment the older brother later.

The next file was about Yamamoto Takeshi. Son of Tsuyoshi, an ex-hitman. Baseball ace player, his stats were lowering a bit in the sport. His grades were unsightly. Ienari had said the teen was probably waiting for him outside the house, so Iemitsu's report told the truth about the friendship. He had to investigate their story, though. His photo gave the idea of a carefree, naïve one. Guardian material? Maybe…

He sipped some of his espresso. It was delicious, as much as the one he used to have in Italy. He was then distracted by the delicious looking cake. He took a bite… Delightful. The coffee savour was strong but not enough to cover the cream and the biscuits. He quickly ate the slice, almost licking his lips, and read the other file.

Sasagawa Kyoko. School Idol, beautiful petit girl. Little sister of Sasagawa Ryohei, boxing club captain. Almost perfect grades, sewing club member. And possible crush, he added in his mind. Well, she was… a beauty, maybe… not in his eyes, but in his student's ones.

"You came sooner than expected."

Reborn put the half-empty cup on the table and lifted his gaze. Tsunayoshi was standing in front of him, right hand on his hips, a silver tray on the other hand and smirk on his lips.

"Paperwork."

"I see. About friends and possible Guardians, I suppose."

The hitman gave a curt and forced nod. He was not used to such bluntness from someone that was supposed to be a civilian.

"If you keep on reacting like that, Ienari will understand I know. Hyper Intuition and all… So, I suggest we have a nice chat and you decide on how to… deal with this mess. Caused by Iemitsu, he should have told you, at least…" He pouted.

… "Fine, I'll wait."

The smile he received was bright and different from the one of the photo. "My shift ends this evening, at 11. Usually, Ienari comes here with his friends for lunch or dinner and does his homework till I finish. See what you prefer, but I've prepared the meals for today at home, too."

"I need to evaluate him and tell him about his situation. We'll stay in the house."

Tsunayoshi nodded. "I won't waste my breath in telling you to not be too harsh."

And he left, going to take the order from another table. Reborn folded back the files and enjoyed thoughtfully his espresso.

This older brother knew about Mafia, knew about Vongola, knew about the heritage that his target had been appointed to have… but he wasn't in whatsoever way hindering his job. No, he was even helping. Why? It was obvious they've had their problems with attempted abductions and with their own father. The obvious reactions would have been to try and make the tutor flee. Why was he accepting the idea so fast?

Tsunayoshi was hiding something, that much he knew, but what exactly? Aside from the way he came to know certain things… He had a feeling there was much more to be unveiled.

Do you like the premises? I hope you do :)

Thanks for reading! See ya next week!