A/N: At first, this was meant to be a one-shot and grew to be a collection of drabbles. So it went from keeping to the canon to being a slight AU. You'll see why in the later chapters. So I'm going back to make the story line more cohesive.

I also went back to volume one of the manga and it turns out the youngest is named Federico, not Frederico. Guess what I'm changing? *bangs head against desk*

Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! At this point, the franchise owns me.

Good Intentions, Horrible Execution

As a child in an orphanage, Iemitsu Sawada had always wanted a family. He never had a chance to know his birth parents, they had died in a tragic accident. He'd always seen himself as a champion of justice, standing up for the weaker children that couldn't protect themselves. He wanted to be a police man when he grew up, beating up villains and being a hero everyone would look up to.

Despite his Japanese name, Iemitsu had a bulky build and towered over most children his age. He was loud and, despite what everyone assumed, was a very bright boy. It's just that he was only knowledgeable in subjects he liked, the rest of his classes he tended to slack off in. And when he defended his classmates, adrenaline and something he couldn't quite put his finger on, gave him a feeling of euphoria. He wasn't a nobody, he was important. And nothing would ever take away that feeling.

It wasn't until his teen years that he'd learn the hard way that he wasn't at the top of the food chain. He was meeting up with friends when he heard sobbing from an alleyway. "Shut up, you brat!" A bald man wearing a suit hissed, holding up a toddler by the collar of his shirt. "My daddy is gonna get you, you'll be sorry!" The boy yelled, still squirming in the air.

Iemitsu tackled the man from behind, causing him to drop the child and stumble. "Get out of here kid, call the police!" Iemitsu shouts. The boy nodded and ran back into the streets. The kidnapper made it back to his feet and scowled, pulling out a pistol. "You're going to pay for that mistake, punk. With your life." It was a single bullet that changed everything, a centimeter closer to the right and it would have pierced his heart.

No, I can't die. Not now! Iemitsu thought as he fell to the ground. He wanted a family with a loving wife and adorable child to spoil. He wanted to be a hero, he couldn't lose. The man looked down at the fallen teen with a sneer, kicking him in the side for good measure and spat on him. That foreign feeling that came up when he was fighting was now burning, becoming an inferno. The man could only look on in horror as Iemitsu stood to his feet, an orange flame on his forehead. "I refuse to let you kill me, I'll defeat you with my Dying Will!" The man screamed and the world burned.

Federico was known for running off so no one had been concerned at first. Timoteo had been looking over an alliance proposal when the boy had ran into the office unannounced, tears streaming down his face. Timoteo could feel his intuition begin to nag him. "Papa, a bad man tried taking me away. Someone saved me and told me to run. You gotta help him!"

When Timoteo arrived on the scene, the fire on Iemitsu's forehead had died down. The walls of the alleyway were scorched and the body of the abductor was incinerated. There was still a determined gleam in Ietmitsu's eyes as he turned his gaze to the man, only to relax when he saw the stranger was holding onto the child he saved. "Glad... to see... you're alright." Iemitsu panted, the flame finally dying out as he once again collapsed. "Mister!" Federico cried.

XoXoXoXoXoXo

Timoteo would admit, the Sky that he stumbled upon was a stubborn one. Only a fool would try taking on an armed criminal. Federico was at the side of the bed, he fell asleep when the adrenaline from earlier had worn off. His features looked similar to that of a couple the more extremist supporters of Vongola had killed in a car bombing. They had been adamant about killing off Primo's descendants so they would never reclaim Vongola. Those responsible had been executed but it was too little, too late. The Sawada weren't even involved with the mafia, they had been trying to live peaceful lives with their baby boy.

Iemitsu groaned as a bright light filtered into his eyes. He felt like he'd been hit by a truck. "Finally awake I see." He heard someone say in amusement. His eyes fully opened and he was met by the sight of a man wearing a striped business suit with spiky brown hair. "Where am I? And who are you?" He demands, Timoteo chuckled. "There is nothing to worry about. You're currently in my medical facility. As for who I am, I'm the father of the young boy you saved. What you did was remarkable for someone your age."

Iemitsu looked confused until he remembered what happened in the alleyway. His hands shook, where did that fire come from? And why wasn't he covered in burns? Matteo had burned himself in the kitchen once and still had scars from the grease fire. "W-What happened?" He asks shakily, hands clenching at the blanket covering him. "I believe you're talking about the flames, hm? It's a special ability that those in life or death situations tap into. Have your parents ever mentioned them?" Iemitsu looked down at the blanket, gritting his teeth.

"They died when I was a child, sir." He says bitterly, jolting when he felt a large hand pat him on the head. "Well for a child with no parents, I'd say you're shaping up into becoming a fine man. Little Federico seems attached to you, so I suppose you'll be a constant visitor from now on. I am Timoteo Vongola, and what's your name child?" Iemitsu grinned. "I'm Iemitsu Sawada, champion of justice!"

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Although he was never officially adopted, Iemitsu was treated like a son. He was taught how to control his flames in exchange for helping the familgia. He was shocked to find out the man was the don of a powerful mafia family but he was assured that Timoteo was a kind boss. Timoteo also had three boys that he loved to smother with affection, causing them to run to Iemitsu when they needed breathing room. After a DNA test, they learned that he was a descendant of Vongola Primo and distantly related to Timoteo.

Years passed and Iemitsu was escorting Timoteo to Japan, the birth place of his parents. They had gone to a small cafe were he met a woman that he swore was an angel. If the blushing from the brunette was any indication, the attraction wasn't one-sided. She introduced herself as Nana Higurashi and explained that her family was responsible for managing one of the local shrines. Her dream was to eventually find "the one" and start her own family.

They courted each other over letters, each letter more sappy than the last. Finally, at the age of 23, they were wed and moved to the small town of Namimori. It was known for having a clan fiercely protective of the area, so if anyone learned of his wife's location she would have adequate protection.

Nine months after the consummation of their marriage Tsunayoshi Sawada, or Tuna as Iemitsu lovingly called the small bundle of joy, was born. He had fluffy brunet hair and brown eyes, he also looked like he was Primo's reincarnation. His hands trembled as Nana nudged his arm tiredly, showing the man how to properly support the baby in his arms. He could feel tears beginning to fall as Tsunayoshi looked up with an innocent and trusting gaze. That hole in his heart he felt when growing up was finally filled.

Timoteo had given Iemitsu enough time off work to properly bond with his child, chuckling when the man would give him updates about his son's milestones. When he learned to sit up properly, when he learned to roll, and even when Iemitsu had gotten peed on while changing his son's diaper. Iemitsu was happy but he couldn't help feeling restless. He got everything that he wanted and it was different than how he thought it would be. He longed to go back to Italy to lead the CEDEF and decided to voice this to his wife. Not including the mafia part of course, although his wife could be very oblivious at times.

Nana had been bottle feeding Tsuna at the time and looked thoughtful. "Of course you can go back to your job sweetheart. Your home is Italy after all. Just make sure to visit. I'll have my hands full with Tsunayoshi, especially when he learns to walk."She says, patting Tsuna on the back. Tsunayoshi looked at his father with a serious expression... until he burped loudly and giggled. "I'll visit and write often, I promise."

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Iemitsu had his hands full for about five years, thankfully the Arcobalenco Lal Mirch helped keep himself and his men on their toes. Everything was chaotic when Enrico had been ambushed outside a bar with several men using him as target practice. That left Federico, Massimo and Xanxus. Timoteo had suggested they take some time off in Namimori so they could take a short break from the bloody criminal underworld.

When Nana answered the door Tsuna was hiding behind her legs, curiously looking up at the men. "Tuna-fishy!" Iemitsu squealed, ignoring the boy's terrified squeak as he threw Tsuna up into the air. Tsuna, looking shaken up, still pouted. "Not Tuna, Tsuna!" He was then placed down in favor of Iemitsu pulling Nana into a deep kiss, Tsuna scrunched his nose in disgust. Adults were nasty!

Tsuna liked grandpa Timoteo, he didn't throw him in the air like his papa. After reading Tsuna a story, Timoteo went to converse with his parents as he wandered into the backyard to play with his ball. Everyone stood to their feet and ran into the backyard to check on the toddler when they heard a terrified scream. Tsuna was on the ground with a bright flame on his forehead, tears streaming down his face as he cried. Iemitsu felt his blood go cold. He had been introduced to the mafia when he awakened his flames, he didn't want the same fate for his adorable son!

Timoteo placed a hand on his shoulder with a solemn expression. "There's a method that's been passed down in our family to seal flames when they're too strong for a person to handle. But there are... side effects." Timoteo admits as Nana picked up the child, rocking him in her arms and rubbing his back soothingly. Iemitsu recalled all the blood and death he had seen over the years. While he accepted it and would do everything again if needed, his son might not be able to handle it. "Do it. I want him to have nothing to do with the mafia."

Tsuna was still crying when Timoteo walked over to him and Nana. His thumb was covered in orange flame and touched the boy's forehead. The crying suddenly stopped and the toddler passed out. "How did you get him to settle down so quickly?" Nana asks, oblivious to the fact the man used a flame on her son. Timoteo smiled solemnly. "It's just the right touch."

When Tsuna awoke, there was a drastic change in his behavior. He had gone from being shy to being terrified by everything and would seem to trip over air. And while Timoteo reassured Iemitsu that Tsuna wouldn't remember the sealing, he would still give Iemitsu a betrayed look and clung to his mother. But none of that mattered to Iemitsu as long as his family was safe.

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After Tsuna had been sealed, Iemitsu had gone back to his hometown to think. Was sealing his son's flames really the right thing to do? He heard someone crash into one of the trash cans in an alleyway and a pained groan. There was a boy that looked similar to his Tsuna but older. His frame was thin and he looked like he hadn't had a good meal in weeks. "What's your name kid?" He found himself asking, the boy flinched. "I don't really have one sir." He mumbled, looking ready to bolt at any moment. He thought back to the codenames he made for his operatives and grinned. "How about Basil? Want a home kid?"