A large Japanese household was hidden behind its large stone walls on top of a hill that overlooked the two towns of Namimori and Karakura. The walls have no gates, only a large space fit for a truck to enter through. Although the exterior of the house is Japanese, some of the interior is English furnished and a couple Korean-styles.
"Good morning, Master Zangetsu," a voice gently woke the master of the house from his slumber. The owner of the voice opened the Japanese screen door to the English-styled bedroom, which had the curtains wide open.
Master Zangetsu sat up from his bed as his butler, Sawada 'Tsuna' Tsunahime, listed off the breakfast items, "Breakfast consists of leeks and green onions omelet, sausages, broccoli, and miso soup. Would you like to eat them in bed or in the dining room?"
"Dining room," 'Master Zangetsu' answered. Master Zangetsu was a man in his late 30's. His shaggy hair was slightly curly and his skin was as pale as a blade, seeing as he rarely went out of the house unless it was for business or at night.
Tsuna laid out clothes for him on a chair nearby and went out to put breakfast in the dining room. Sawada Tsuna was originally his student. When he felt that he could no longer teach her, Tsuna decided to become his butler. Why she became his butler rather than his maid was beyond him, though she claimed that being a male calms her aggressive urges. Luckily, Japanese child labor laws had plenty of loopholes, so Tsuna had been able to serve him under his employment for over six years.
After Zangetsu changed out of his night clothes, he walked into the English-furnished dining room, where breakfast was placed at the head of the long table. Tsuna walked back to clean up his Japanese room.
Zangetsu quietly ate his breakfast as there was a crowd behind the door that leads to the kitchen.
"Zangetsu-sama doesn't do much talking, doesn't he?" a boy who looks like Tsuna's age asked. He has shaggy dark green hair and possesses facial scars. He's carrying around a bunny plush. Daisy works as the gardener. "If he was carrying around a scythe, he'd be like the Grim Reaper."
"Zangetsu doesn't use a scythe! He uses a sword! I think, boo," replied a blue-haired girl younger than Tsuna. Her long blue hair has some navy blue hair clips that Tsuna had given to her one birthday. Bluebell's the only maid there, if Tsuna's the butler.
The third of Zangetsu's spectators yawned. "Then where is the sword?" This one has flaming red hair, tied to a loose ponytail at the nape of his neck. Zakuro was employed as the cook.
Then, the teenage butler came back into the kitchen through the back door. "What are the four of you doing? Shouldn't you be reporting to your duties?"
The three who spoke tried to feign innocence.
Tsunayoshi continued on, "Daisy, have all weeds from the garden been plucked?"
"Um…Destroyed?" Daisy said.
"All of them?"
Daisy was unable to give a reply to that.
"Bluebell, have you vacuumed the halls?"
"It's still early in the morning!" Bluebell whined.
"Zakuro, have you prepared the ingredients for lunch?"
"It's coming along…" Zakuro replied, preparing to nap away.
"Kikyo…."
Kikyo, the house steward, looked at Tsuna and smiled as he held up a folder, filled with Zangetsu's schedule and his acquaintances' contact information.
"You're fine the way you are. Torikabuto..."
Tsuna peeked through the open door and saw that the bodyguard Torikabuto was hiding his presence as usual.
"He's fine the way he is. But the rest of you get to work!"
Zakuro, Bluebell, and Daisy ran out of the room, afraid to face Tsunayoshi's wrath of neglecting their work.
"Master Zangetsu, I will be leaving for school after cleaning up."
"I understand," Zangetsu replied, standing up. "Kikyo, let's go."
"O-ho. Understood, Zangetsu-san," Kikyo replied. "See you after school, Tsunayoshi."
Tsuna was a confusing child. When she's dressed as a male, you have to address her as 'Tsunayoshi.' As a female, call her 'Tsunahime'. Never 'Hime' as she claimed that it was a nickname that doesn't suit her. When you just want an opinion from someone, you can just address her as Tsuna.
After changing out of her butler clothes and shedding her butler persona, Tsuna dressed in her school uniform for Namimori Middle, which was a white button-up top, red-orange tie and dark navy blue pants. It was the summer male uniform, though it is getting chilly with fall coming up. She persuaded her mother to enter her middle school as a male. Although her mother was fine with her being a female delinquent of Karakura (girls need to learn how to protect themselves), she disliked her only child being hurt, so she went with Tsuna's request and entered her as a male, using the name 'Sawada Tsunayoshi'. Her breasts haven't grown out yet, so Tsuna's able to pass by as a male.
Walking out of the mansion, Tsuna went over to a mountain bike and rode it to school. After all, you can't ride a regular bike in the roads of a hill.
Tsuna rode to school, passing the head prefect, the head of the Disciplinary Committee, at the school gates, greeting him, and locked her bike at the bike rack. She and the head prefect, Hibari Kyouya, have a strange relationship, according to Hibari Kyouya.
One day, as a naive freshman who doesn't know about Kyouya's reputation, she came across Hibari Kyouya beating up some seniors for crowding around. Tsuna walked up to Kyouya, after he stopped beating up the seniors, and asked him what was wrong with crowding. Hibari Kyouya was surprised that a male freshman, short and feminine, had the courage to walk up to him and ask him something.
He answered, "Crowding is for herbivores and weaklings. If you crowd me, I'll bite you to death." He took out his tonfa to emphasize his last sentence.
The freshman blinked and replied, "But everyone's wearing the same thing, so I don't think anyone's an 'herbivore' or a weakling unless there's something different with what everyone wears."
Kyouya's eyes widen at her response, seeing that her words made some sense. But all the schools in Japan have a uniform policy, so wearing the same uniform is normal. "Anyone I bite to death is an herbivore," Kyouya snapped.
"Oh…I see. Then that means you're a carnivore?" the freshman asked. "Oh, yeah. My name is Sawada Tsunayoshi. You can call me Tsuna for short. What's yours, head prefect?"
"Hibari Kyouya," he replied. "Are you strong, Tsunayoshi? Weak?"
"Depends on your definition of strong," Tsunayoshi replied. The bell rang. "Oh. I have to get back to class. See ya around, Kyouya."
Kyouya felt intrigued by Tsunayoshi's personality and couldn't tell if the freshman was a carnivore in sheep's clothing or a stupid herbivore who didn't know the definition of fear. Since then, Kyouya sought out Tsunayoshi from a distance and observed him. To this day, Hibari Kyouya has yet to figure out whether Tsunayoshi is an herbivore or a carnivore.
Tsuna wished that she could just quit school and work at Zangetsu's place, but the master forbid her to quit school at such a young age and forced her to agree to work part time for him until she gets out of college and get a degree and finally work full time for him by then. To Tsuna, school was a boring place to be. Little did she know, she would miss these boring days.
Zangetsu's mansion
Zangetsu sat in a Japanese room, tea on a small desk nearby. The screen doors were open to a Zen garden.
*knock knock* the screen door to the hallway opened.
"O-ho. Excuse me, Zangetsu-sama. Nana-san called a while ago. She received a strange flyer in her mail this morning," Kikyo said, taking a paper that he wrote on during his phone call with Nana. "The flyer says, 'Gender or grades don't matter. Will tutor your child to be the leader of the generation.' It adds on with payment as a place to sleep and 3 meals a day."
"It does sound a little strange, but what's wrong with it?" Zangetsu asked. "Isn't it normal to receive an out of the norm advertisement?"
"Because that wasn't the strange thing, Boo!" Bluebell answered, coming in unannounced. "Nana-san asked her neighbors about the flyer, they said that they didn't receive a flyer like this either. Why someone put such a flyer at only her house is the real question."
"I can answer that," interrupted a high voice.
Zangetsu, Kikyo and Bluebell turned towards the Zen garden, where there was a baby in a suit with a chameleon on the baby's fedora.
"Ciaossu," the baby greeted them.
"Who are you!" Bluebell demanded. "How did you get into this mansion? BOO!"
She quickly stood in front of Zangetsu, in a fighting stance. Kikyo remained where he was, glaring at the baby.
"I used my bike and climbed over the wall," the baby calmly replied.
"BOO! Then answer the who!" Bluebell demanded.
"I'm Reborn, the home tutor," the baby answered, taking out a name card. "I'm the one who put that flyer in the Sawada family mailbox."
"Oho. Really? Why their house?" Kikyo asked.
"Kikyo, why don't you make some sweets for us? I'm sure this 'child' is tired from his trip of coming up here," Zangetsu intervened.
"Eh! Boo! Why! He snuck in here!" Bluebell whined.
"Because if my butler were here, that brat would serve this 'child' as a guest," Zangetsu explained.
"I understand, Master Zangetsu," Kikyo replied, bowing. "Bluebell, follow Zangetsu-san's orders."
"Eh? Why can't I stay here?" the blue haired girl whined.
"I'll be all right. After all, Torikabuto will be here with me," Zangetsu gestured to the statue-still man in the corner.
Bluebell hesitated before leaving the room with a last glance at Reborn. Kikyo closed the door behind him, following Bluebell out.
"I drink espresso!" Reborn called after them, entering the room finally.
Zangetsu never left his eyes off the baby. "Tell me. Who are you, really?"
"Are you Zangetsu, the Moon Fang of the Japanese underworld government," Reborn commented.
"So what of it? I've retired," Zangetsu replied.
"I understand that you're her teacher. Because of this, I can't step in and become her tutor, but I would like you to persuade her to become the tenth boss of the Vongola Family of Italy," Reborn said.
"Why Tsunahime?" Zangetsu asked.
"Her great-great-great-great-grandfather on her father's side was the first head of the family," Reborn explained, taking out a roughly-sketched family tree of Tsuna's. "He moved to Japan after he retired where he had children with a local woman."
"Ah, that explains why the brat's father is part-foreign," Zangetsu commented.
"So, will you persuade Sawada Tsunahime to become the tenth Donna?" Reborn asked.
"I refuse," Zangetsu responded. "She's still a brat who can't be contained. If she becomes your Donna, then the family's done for."
"Then why don't I be her tutor? You've retired, after all."
"Just because I've retired doesn't mean she's ready to be unleashed onto the world."
*knock knock* The door opened.
"Pardon me, Zangetsu-sama, Reborn-san," Bluebell said, bringing in a tray of sweets and a cup of espresso, saying 'san' with a hint of distaste.
Keeping eyes on the uninvited guest, Bluebell moved the desk to the middle of the room, next to Zangetsu, and put the sweets and espresso on the desk.
"Today's sweet is Black Forest Cake," Bluebell explained. "Tsuna made it and left it in the refrigerator before she left for school. Our dear guest, your coffee."
"Thank you, Bluebell," Zangetsu replied.
Reborn sipped the espresso. "Hm…the espresso's not bad."
"Thank you for your compliment," Bluebell said.
"Bluebell, would you allow me and my guest some privacy? We have a lot to talk about," Zangetsu said.
"Are you sure?" Bluebell asked, curiosity rising.
"Torikabuto is here. Nothing to worry about," Zangetsu added.
Bluebell glanced at the uninvited guest, to the bodyguard, and then back to the guest. "Excuse me. Call me when you need assistance," Bluebell said, leaving the room.
Kikyo, Daisy, who heard from Bluebell, and Zakuro, who was dragged here by the house steward, were crowding around the room.
"Well?" Zakuro asked.
"Zangetsu asked for privacy, boo," Bluebell said, losing the honorific out of the master's ears.
"Then let's call Tsuna-chan over," Daisy said, reaching for his cell phone.
Kikyo grabbed his hand. "O-ho. You can't do that. She's probably in her third class. Wait for a little while and it'll be lunch. It's better if we text her."
"Okay then. 'We've got a baby who may be a potential killer because Kikyo didn't stop him.' Send," Zakuro texted in his cell phone. Kikyo slapped his head.
"O-ho. You shouldn't have sent her that kind of text, otherwise she won't understand," Kikyo said, taking out his cell. "'What Zakuro means is there was a trespasser on the grounds and none of us didn't even notice him. Now Zangetsu just asked for privacy with that trespasser. What should we do?' Send. That's the kind of text message she'll understand."
"Nuh-uh. This is the kind of text message she'll understand," Bluebell claimed. "'This scary baby showed up and we didn't even notice him until he said something. Zangetsu's inside with Torikabuto, but he won't let us in. BOO' Send."
"I think Tsuna-chan would understand with this message," Daisy said, texting in his cell. "'Not much has been going between Zangetsu and the trespasser, but Zangetsu allowed him entry, so we can't do kill him. Tsuna-chan, help.' Send."
"Boo! There's no way that Tsuna-chan would understand your message. She'll understand mine!" Bluebell bragged.
"No way. She'll understand mine because yours was going round in circles," Zakuro replied.
"Then we'll ask Tsuna-chan whose message she understand most when she gets here," Kikyo said.
Inside
Zangetsu and Reborn heard the conversation from inside since the Japanese screen doors don't do much in muffling sounds.
"You sure have a rowdy staff," Reborn commented.
"It was not me who picked them. My idiot butler picked them when she was a child, saying that they're the only ones who can fill in the roles she picked out for them," Zangetsu explained. "We had a huge argument, made a bet whether or not to let them stay. She won and since then, they've been here."
"So she picked them, huh," Reborn repeated.
Zangetsu said, "You may overlook the lessons I teach. She may have mastered most of the skills I've taught her, but she's still a brat."
"Really? Well, whether you decide yes or no, I'm sticking with her and teach her how to become a mafia boss," Reborn replied.
"One more thing," Zangetsu added.
"What's that?"
"Be present at all meal times for her mother."
"What do you mean?"
"Since that child started working here, she found less time to be with her mother, no matter how much I urge the others to lessen the workload for her," Zangetsu explained. "Because of this, they rarely have meal times together, so you, as a gentleman from Italy, cannot leave a lady by her lonesome when dining."
"Of course I won't. After all, payment is supposed to be 3 meals a day," Reborn agreed.
"Kikyo!" Zangetsu called out.
"Hai, Zangetsu-san?" Kikyo replied, coming into the room.
"Prepare a room for our guest. He will be resting here for a night," Zangetsu said.
"What! Why!" Bluebell cried as she and the other two looked in.
"Then call Sawada Nana and tell her that she'll be receiving a guest, an associate of her husband's, tomorrow who'll be resting at her house for however long he'll like," Zangetsu added.
"O-ho. An associate of Nana-san's husband?" Kikyo repeated. "All right. Everyone, let's all get to work. If Tsuna-chan finds out about this, we'd all be scolded. I'll send a text to tell her not to worry."
"Okay," Bluebell replied, leaving the hallway.
The other two went back to their work.
"What was that?" Reborn asked, after the door closed, signaling Kikyo's leaving.
"Tsunahime doesn't hold her father in high regards because he 'supposedly' went up to the stars," Zangetsu explained. "That was what was told to her by her mother. Tsunahime thinks that it was something romantic to her parents and went along with it, but she doesn't like the fact that they're both hiding secrets from each other and that she has to play secret keeper. The others know of it and sided with her."
"I see…" Reborn replied. "Wait, then that means her mother's hiding something?"
"You only heard that from everything I've just said?"
Reborn analyzed Zangetsu's words and figured it out. "You mean, Tsunahime already knows that Iemitsu's in the mafia?"
"Probably. She is, after all, my cocky student," Zangetsu replied.
"Then that just makes things easier," Reborn said.
"You're just as cocky as that idiot brat is," Zangetsu commented. "With the way Tsunahime's idiot father kept her in the dark, she'll probably refuse."
"Well, I guess I can agree with that," Reborn said. "So I'll just persuade her."
"That'd be impossible, too," Zangetsu replied. "If she could be easily this persuaded, then she wouldn't be this hard-headed."
Lunchtime at school
Tsuna made her way up to the school roof with her lunch in hand. Her mother had dropped off her lunch at the main office earlier. Enjoying the gentle breeze, she sat down. The door opened, capturing Tsuna's attention.
"The roof is off-limits to students," Kyouya said.
"But you're here, too," Tsuna replied.
"I'm the head of the Disciplinary Committee. It's different."
"I see. Why won't you join me? My mom made a lot."
"Fine," Kyouya replied. He sat next to her.
"Here you go," Tsuna said, handing him some rolled up eggs in a napkin.
Kyouya took a bite. "Your mother's cooking is delicious."
"Feel free to come to our house for a free meal," Tsuna replied. "Mom would be happy at that."
"Why won't you go stay with her? It's your house, after all," Kyouya asked.
"Because I'm busy taking care of Master Zangetsu," Tsuna replied, taking out her cell phone. "See, this is a picture of him I took."
Kyouya looked at the cell phone and saw a picture of an old man with shaggy hair. He noticed that there were unread messages.
"You have unread messages on your phone, Sawada Tsunayoshi," Kyoya said.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I put my phone on vibrate and didn't notice it," Tsuna replied, taking her phone back. "Huh? Five text messages? 'We've got a baby who may be a potential killer because Kikyo didn't stop him.' Zakuro. ''What Zakuro means is there was a trespasser on the grounds and none of us didn't even notice him. Now Zangetsu just asked for privacy with that trespasser. What should we do?' Kikyo. 'This scary baby showed up and we didn't even notice him until he said something. Zangetsu's inside with Torikabuto, but he won't let us in. BOO' Bluebell. ''Not much has been going between Zangetsu and the trespasser, but Zangetsu allowed him entry, so we can't do anything. Tsuna-chan, help.' Daisy. 'Zangetsu just allowed the trespasser into his mansion and he's staying for a night. It seems that he's an associate of your father's.' Kikyo."
"What's going on?" Kyouya asked.
"Master Zangetsu has an uninvited guest," Tsuna replied. "And that guest is an associate's of my father's."
"You don't like your father?" Kyouya asked.
"I don't know. I hate him for keeping secrets from Mom, but Mom's doing the same, so I can't really hate him for that," Tsuna explained. "I guess I don't like the fact that everyone's keeping secrets."
Kyouya remained silent and continued to eat lunch.
"Eh! Hey! You ate everything!" Tsuna cried. "I only got a couple bites!"
"What are you talking about? You allowed me to have some," Kyouya replied.
"I didn't mean everything!"
With that, Tsuna went back to class on an empty stomach.
After School
Tsuna zoomed into Zangetsu's mansion, changed into her butler uniform and greeted Zakuro, passing by the kitchen.
"Hello, Zakuro," Tsunayoshi greeted him.
"Welcome back, Tsuna," Zakuro replied. "I made some scrambled eggs. They're not burnt like last time."
"Hmm. thank you," Tsuna replied. "I didn't get to eat Mom's lunch because I gave it all to Kyouya."
"'Kyouya'?" Zakuro repeated.
"Hmm? I never told you. Kyouya's the head prefect of the Disciplinary Committee," Tsuna explained. "We're good friends."
"Really?"
"Tsuna-chan! Welcome back!" Daisy said, coming into the kitchen.
"Hey, Daisy," Tsuna greeted.
"There's a strange guest that Kikyo didn't notice! Zangetsu said that he's a friend of your dad's. Is it true?" Daisy asked.
"Probably," Tsuna answered.
"He also said that he wants a room prepared for that intruder," Kikyo said, coming into the kitchen with Bluebell.
"Welcome back, Tsuna-chan!" Bluebell glomped Tsuna. "I'm back, Bluebell."
"Hey, don't just jump on Tsuna-chan the moment you see her," Zakuro scolded.
"Shut up! You're just jealous that you can't do the same!" Bluebell cried, sticking her tongue at Zakuro.
"What!" Zakuro replied.
"Where is the guest?" Tsunayoshi asked Kikyo.
"He's in Zangetsu's office," Kikyo answered.
"Thank you," Tsunayoshi replied, leaving the kitchen.
"Ah! Tsuna-chan, should we really take care of that guest?" Daisy asked.
"Of course we should," Tsunayoshi replied. "After all, it's our master's decision to take care of that guest."
"Okay…" Daisy replied as Bluebell and Zakuro argued.
"Wait! Tsuna-chan just left?" Bluebell cried.
"Yeah…" Daisy replied.
"No way! I wanted to ask her whose text message she understood!" Bluebell whined.
"It's better if we ask her tonight," Kikyo said. "After all, we have a guest in the house, even if they did trespass."
*knock knock* The teenage butler politely knocked on Zangetsu's office door before entering. Zangetsu's office was an English-styled room. Since Zangetsu's an old-fashioned man, there weren't much modern items.
"Master Zangetsu, I've been told that you will be having a guest today," Tsunayoshi said.
"Ciaossu, I am Reborn, your home tutor," a baby greeted, sitting on a chair across from Zangetsu's desk.
"He's lying; he's not your home tutor," Zangetsu said. "This is my idiot butler."
"An idiot butler? Is that how you think of me, Master Zangetsu?" Tsunayoshi replied. "Do forgive me of my stupidity, then."
Turning to Reborn, "Reborn-san, I am pleased to meet you and am honored to have you resting in our house, even for a night. Your room has been prepared. Would you like to rest there now?" Tsunayoshi replied.
"Sure," Reborn said.
"We'll talk later," Zangetsu added.
"Come with me," Tsunayoshi said, leaving the room as Reborn followed after.
Tsunayoshi lead Reborn to his guest room. Reborn looked around. It was an English room that's big enough to be called a master bedroom in a normal-sized house. There was a fireplace, with some firewood next to the grate; some pictures were placed above the fireplace; the bed was a queen-sized bed; a crystal chandler hung above; a small round table with chairs sat near the large curtain-covered window.
"If there's anything not to your liking, then please tell me and I shall quickly correct it," Tsunayoshi said.
"Thank you," Reborn replied, taking out a suitcase. "I was lying back at the office. I'm not going to be your home tutor with the Moon Fang around. I was sent by someone I have very high respect for to train you into a mafia boss."
"I decline," the teenage butler responded without hesitation.
"You can't decline," Reborn replied, pulling out a rifle out of his suitcase. "It's not a matter of whether you want to or not. You can't escape your destiny."
"Then I'll give up my claim to the seat of the mafia boss and run away to a place where you can't find me if you continue to pursue me," Tsunayoshi said calmly.
"There is no place where you can hide," Reborn claimed, glaring.
"Wanna bet?"
Reborn and Tsunayoshi glared a bit before Tsuna broke contact. "Unfortunately, I have other duties I must see to."
"See you later then," Reborn added.
At that, Tsunayoshi left the room and went to clean the many rooms of the mansion.
Reborn frowned after the butler left. 'If that brat is still staying here, then it'd be harder to train her into the Donna.'
A few hours later
Reborn evaluated all the papers, regarding the staff: their past, where they lived before being employed at Zangetsu's mansion, how they met Tsuna, which is not in the list, much to his dislike.
*knock knock* "Reborn-san, dinner is ready. Please come out and allow me to escort you to the dining room," the teenage butler called out in his room.
Feeling his stomach growl, Reborn hopped off the chair, which had cushions to amplify his height to reach up to the small table.
"Ciaossu," Reborn greeted.
"Follow me," Tsunayoshi said.
Reborn followed her into the dining room.
"Tonight's dinner is roast beef," Tsunayoshi announced. "We hope that Reborn-san would enjoy tonight's dinner."
"I can eat anything. After all, payment for being a home tutor is 3 meals a day," Reborn replied, sitting in his chair with cushions maximizing his height to reach the table.
"Thank you, Reborn-san," Tsunayoshi replied, placing dinner in front of Zangetsu and Reborn. "Since Italy is mostly used to coffee beverages, I hope that Reborn-san would be pleased with our handmade espresso."
"Handmade?"
"We hand picked the coffee beans, roasted them, and prepared them," Tsuna explained. "We had our friend, who specializes in importing spices, fruits, and such, to send us the highest quality of coffee beans. If someone working for Master Zangetsu couldn't do such a thing, then where would we be? Something like making coffee from scratch is nothing."
"I see. That means if it tastes horrible, I know who to blame," Reborn smirked.
"Please enjoy," Tsunayoshi replied, placing a cup of espresso next to Reborn's and Zangetsu's dinners.
Reborn took a sip of the espresso. "Hmm. Better then this afternoon's. I could drink espresso like this every day."
"It's a bit strong for my taste," Zangetsu commented. "Then again, I'm more used to tea. Since I'm no expert on coffee, I'll congratulate you and the chef on making the coffee from scratch."
"Yes, I'll be sure to give the compliments," Tsunayoshi replied, bowing. "I'll be back with dessert." At that, Tsunayoshi left the dining room through a pair of double doors, which Reborn assumed led to the kitchen.
"So, what do you think of my butler?" Zangetsu asked, digging into his dinner.
"You're right about her being a child," Reborn replied, taking a bite of his roast beef. "The espresso's delicious. She seems to be talented and well trained in everything she does. All I wonder is why does she waste her time like this on you?"
"That's somewhat of a personal question you'll have to ask her. Did you tell her the true reason why you're here?"
"I did and you're right; she did reject it. It'll be harder to persuade her."
"It's been hard to persuade her of anything from the moment I took her in."
"I guess this just means we'll have a long time before she becomes Donna."
"What are you going to do while you're here?"
"I'm going to evaluate her and have her gather members who'll follow behind her as the tenth Donna of the Vongola Family. You can just remain teaching her whatever it is you're teaching her."
"Well, as my butler, she's already recruited five people, including one who'll die as soon as his role ends," Zangetsu commented. "How many people does she need?"
"As many as I'll like," Reborn replied. "As to the five people she's gathered, I have yet to evaluate them. If they won't meet my expectations, they'll be on the cutting block."
"I tried that and their hides were saved by that butler of a demon of mine."
"Not if I can help it," Reborn smirked. "After all, I am the demon tutor."
"Then I'll have to see if you can compare to that 'one hell of a butler' of mine. If you can put even one of those on my staff on the chopping block in 6 months, I'll allow you to tutor Tsunahime for the reminder of those 6 months and an additional 2 months."
"It's on."
After dinner
Reborn was waiting for a mini-snack of the dessert he ate earlier. The Japanese dessert of apricot and green tea millefeuille captured his taste buds and Reborn decided to have some more before going to bed. Reborn then noticed the fireplace in his room. Well, it is a bit chilly compared to Italy.
Tsunayoshi knocked on the door to the guest room. "Reborn-san, I've brought some millefeuille that you liked. I hope that it's still to your taste. Please enjoy."
Reborn dug into the dessert. "While I'm here, may I light a fire? After all, Japan must be a little chilly compared to Italy, even before summer."
"Sure," Reborn replied. "I've always wanted to try using a fireplace to keep warm."
"I understand," the teenage butler said, bowing.
Tsunayoshi put the firewood in the fireplace, lit some old newspapers and placed it on top of the logs, and, after deeming the fire growing, she left the grate in front of the fireplace, so it won't spread to the outside. The teenage butler did all that in less than five minutes.
Reborn was impressed, highly impressed. Seems like the Moon Fang did more than just train her well.
Then the clock gonged nine times.
"Oh, dear. Is that the time?" Tsunayoshi wondered out loud. "Please excuse me. I have to prepare Master Zangetsu's tea. If you need anything else, just press this button, and Kikyo will tend to your needs."
"No worries," Reborn replied.
After Tsunayoshi left the room, Reborn pressed the button. After a few minutes, Kikyo came into the room.
"Yes, Reborn-san?" Kikyo asked.
"I'm finished with my dessert," Reborn replied. "Now I want espresso."
"I understand," Kikyo replied. "I'll bring back some espresso."
Kikyo cleaned up the small table and left the room. Later, he came back with a cup of espresso.
Tsunayoshi, in the kitchen, already had a kettle of tea boiling on the stove. She turned off the stove, poured a cup, and put the cup on a tray. Tsunayoshi took the tray and left the kitchen.
Inside Zangetsu's room, Tsunayoshi waited for the green tea leaves to sink into the teacup of hot water. Zangetsu's putting himself in the bed in the English-styled bedroom. The Japanese-styled room was actually its closet. Tsuna herself wondered why Zangetsu would want to sleep inside a closet, but figured it best to be left a mystery.
"My tea," Zangetsu called out.
"Of course, Master Zangetsu," Tsunayoshi replied, bringing him the cup of tea.
Zangetsu inhaled the aroma and sipped the green tea.
"Master Zangetsu, may I ask a question?" Tsunayoshi asked.
"Fire away," Zangetsu responded.
"Are you really going to let me have a tutor other than you?" Tsuna asked, shedding her butler persona.
"Hmm? Aren't you lonely just looking after me?" Zangetsu replied.
"Of course not. You of all people should know that," Tsuna snapped.
"Don't be too agitated, brat. You are still my student and the butler who works here out of your own will. Of course there is no way that I'll have you learn under another person's hand. And besides, sometimes the student gets to choose who they want to learn from."
Zangetsu's last line calmed Tsuna down. Putting on her butler persona, Tsuna bowed deeply on one knee. "Of course, my master."
"Good. Now that you understand, I'll retire for the night," Zangetsu said, putting the now empty cup on the bedside table.
"Sleep well, Master Zangetsu," Tsunayoshi replied. She took the empty cup, placed it on the tray, and left the room before turning off the lights.
Tsunayoshi went back to the kitchen and washed the tea cup. Her mother is, no doubt, sleeping in Namimori, where she lives in a house. Tsuna felt guilty having her mother live all by herself in the house. Nana wouldn't come and live at Zangetsu's estate with Tsuna because she's waiting for Tsuna's dad to come back for her.
According to her mother, two years ago, he went up to the stars. Tsuna thought he went up to heaven, but her mother wouldn't say that so calmly, so she assumed that her bad excuse of a father must have persuaded Nana to say strange things like that under the impression that they were romantic. Her absent father and her mother were the lovey-dovey type, the type that she'll never understand why they act like that. And why they wouldn't come clean about their dark sides was also beyond her.
Morning
Tsunayoshi knocked on the guest room and entered. She saw the baby under the covers with his eyes open and a snot bubble out of his nose. It popped as she pulled away the curtains on the room.
"Good morning, Reborn-san," Tsunayoshi greeted. "I hope our hospitality was to your good favor. Breakfast will be held in the dining room in an hour. If you need anything, just press the button."
Reborn sat up and replied, "Sure."
Reborn went to the dining room where Zangetsu was already sitting at the head of the table. Tsunayoshi entered the dining room and placed breakfast in front of the two.
"Today's breakfast is an egg, sunny side up, sausages, lettuce, cut-up cherry tomatoes, and miso soup," Tsunayoshi explained. "We hope that breakfast is in Reborn-san's liking. We thought an ordinary Japanese breakfast will satisfy Reborn-san's tastes."
"Tell the cook thank you," Reborn replied curtly.
"Understood," Tsunayoshi replied, bowing. "Please excuse me. I must go to my other duties that'll make me absent from the mansion. If you need anything, please call on Kikyo or Bluebell."
"All right," Zangetsu said.
"Sure," Reborn responded.
Tsunayoshi bowed and left the room.
"This afternoon, you'll be with Nana and be residing at her home, correct?" Zangetsu asked.
"Actually tomorrow afternoon. I'll also be accompanying Tsuna to school, starting now," Reborn cramped the rest of breakfast into his mouth and left the building.
"He's gone now, everyone," Zangetsu said out loud.
Then, Daisy, Bluebell, and Zakuro fell out from behind the door that connected the kitchen and the dining room.
"So that means he'll never come back here?" Bluebell asked, getting out of the dog pile.
"Actually, as long as Tsuna's still here, he'll remain here," Kikyo said.
"Wait! That means he'll be here forever?" Daisy and Bluebell exclaimed.
"Apparently," Zakuro commented.
"I don't want him here!" Bluebell complained. "He's too nosy! When I was cleaning the pool, I practically felt his binoculars staring at me!"
"I had to destroy the entire garden to suppress myself from going up to his guest room and murder him," Daisy added.
"It can't be helped," Kikyo replied, cleaning up the dishes on the table. "He is, after all, a guest and one of Tsuna's father's associates."
"So you're saying that he's being nosy, just to report to Tsuna-chan's dad that she's being taken care of?" Zakuro asked.
"Perhaps," Kikyo replied. "But he did mention that he wanted to tutor Tsuna."
All heads but Torikabuto's turned to the master of the house.
"That brat would rather I die than learn from another teacher about fighting in the underworld," Zangetsu explained.
"Yay!" Bluebell and Daisy cheered.
"Good. But that means we have to put up with that nosy hitman," Zakuro whined.
"We'll survive," Kikyo assured everyone. "After all, he can't be harder than Master Zangetsu, right?"
"Reborn has the reputation of being the demon tutor, even tutoring one of the now powerful mafia head, the Cavallone family," Zangetsu explained. "I'm sure he'll be as hard as this house's head butler, seeing as he has the reputation as 'one hell of a butler.'"
Daisy, Bluebell and Zakuro sweatdropped.
"Well then, I suppose everyone needs to get back to work," Kikyo said. "Now get!"
All those ordered left the room and went to their designated area of work.
"I'll be in my office," Zangetsu said.
"Of course, Master Zangetsu," Kikyo replied, bowing.
School
Meanwhile, Tsuna was mulling over Reborn's appearance on her way to school. She's walking with her bike since there's plenty of time. Her mom only mentioned that she had a strange flyer; nothing about her father appearing. The fact that he wanted to be her tutor just plain outright annoyed her. Reborn already knows that Zangetsu's her tutor, yet he wants her to be his student. It just means that he thinks there's something wrong with Zangetsu's teachings.
"I'd rather have Zangetsu disappear into thin air than have Reborn tutor me," Tsuna muttered to herself.
"I don't know how to arrange that, but I'm sure Zangetsu and I can compromise that," replied a voice on her head.
Tsuna looked up and saw that baby. "Is there a reason why you're on my head?"
"Because your head's comfy," Reborn replied.
"Then…is there a reason why the Ninth wants me to be his heir even though he has a son?" Tsuna asked.
"How'd you know that? It's classified information," Reborn replied, a gun in his soon-to-be student's face.
"When you get taught on blackmailing, bribing, and drug dealing, you also learn how to make someone disappear for a while and pretend to be that person right on the spot," Tsuna answered. "Which means I snuck into the Vongola mansion in all its chaos when I heard that there was a coup eight years ago. I thought Iemitsu, I mean Dad, was part of the chaos and went to the mansion after the coup ended. I heard that the son of the Ninth disappeared, among other things. So, care to explain?"
Reborn thought about it a little before answering. "The Ninth's son had gone against the Family in that incident eight years ago. All the other candidates had died due to accidents before we decided on you."
"Not that I'm glad about being last choice, but why chose someone who 'supposedly' doesn't know about the family than someone who already knows about the family, say the Ninth's closest friend's son?"
"The Head of the family has to be of blood relation, that's why we can't choose someone outside the family blood line."
"So even if they're children of the head's concubine, they count as candidate to be the heir?" Up ahead, Tsuna saw a female classmate of hers, the school idol, Sasagawa Kyoko, who looked as if she was being harassed by a male upperclassman, Mochida, the captain of the kendo team.
"Actually, that's the exact reason why sexual affairs are forbidden."
"Aaaannnnndddd, that's why public displays of affection are not permitted by the cheating guy and the female!" Tsuna shouted, capturing the twos' attention. "Oh, you guys heard that. I'm so sorry. I tend to be wrapped up in my tutor's lessons, especially on the parts with forbidden affairs, just like what you're doing right now, Upperclassman."
"What! I'm not cheating on anyone," denied Mochida.
"Says the guy who was seen making out with a freshman chick in a dark alley a week ago," Tsuna replied. She looked behind the two and saw the gate. "Hey, Hibari Kyouya. Is it forbidden for third years to date first years?"
Hibari Kyouya appeared from behind the gates. "Dating is strictly forbidden, according to school rules."
"That's why our popular school idol is with me, her classmate, and not the flirty upperclassman who's seeing girls left and right," Tsuna said, taking Kyoko through the gates with her.
"Eh! Wait! Kyoko!" Mochida called after.
"Public displays of affection, and bothering the peace of our school, I'll bite you to death," Kyouya said, stopping him.
Tsuna and Kyoko only heard the sounds of Mochida getting beat up by Kyouya.
"Ano, thank you very much…" Kyoko said, trailing off because she doesn't know Tsuna's name.
"Oh, my name's Sawada Tsunayoshi," Tsuna replied. "I'm in your class."
"Eh? You are?"
"Yeah, but I don't stand out very much, so it's understandable that we've never talked."
"But still, I've never noticed you…"
"Like I said, we've never really talked much and I've never tried to stand out. And besides, I'm always up at the rooftop."
"The rooftop is forbidden for students to enter unless you're part of the Disciplinary Committee," Kyouya said, butting into the conversation.
"Hey, Kyouya. Mochida-sempai disciplined yet?" Tsuna greeted the guy.
"Of course, that herbivore was bitten to death," Kyouya replied.
"And that's the reason why I'm able to go up to the rooftop, Kyoko," Tsuna said. "Ah! You don't mind me calling you 'Kyoko,' right?"
"Oh, no. I don't mind as long as I get to call you 'Tsuna-kun,'" Kyoko replied.
"Thanks."
"Now get to class before I bite you to death."
"Hai, hai, head prefect. Come on, Kyoko. Let's go. I see your friend, Hana Kurokawa. Kurokawa!" Tsuna took Kyoko's hand and went up to Kyoko's mature friend.
"Yes? Ah! Kyoko?" Hana said, seeing Tsuna and Kyoko.
Tsuna presented Kyoko to Hana. "Please keep our idol safe, Hana. Mochida, the kendo captain, almost tainted her."
"Mochida, the kendo captain?" Hana repeated. "Why did you get my dear friend from his clutches?"
"Well, it was actually because he kept asking me to go on a date with him, even though I refused. Tsuna-kun interfered and got Hibari-sempai to discipline him," Kyoko explained.
"Oh! There's no more time left!" Tsuna noticed. "I have to put my bike on the rack. Please tell the teacher that I'll be a little late."
"Oh, all right. It's the least I can do since you rescued my friend," Hana replied.
Hana took Kyoko to class and Tsuna locked her bike at the bike rack.
Lunchtime
"Tsuna-kun, why don't we eat lunch together?" Kyoko asked Tsuna.
Tsuna looked up to Kyoko and Hana holding their lunch boxes. Kyoko's fan boys either glared at Tsuna or whined about why they weren't the ones being asked to eat lunch with.
"Oh, sure. I'd love to," Tsuna answered.
"Good, then where should we eat?" Kyoko wondered.
"I usually go up to the roof and share lunch with Kyouya," Tsuna said.
"You're friends with our scary Disciplinary Committee prefect?" Hana asked.
"I would say yes, but Kyouya wouldn't," Tsuna replied.
"Well, I guess he wouldn't just up and say that he's friends with someone outside the Disciplinary Committee," Hana commented. "But I don't think it'll be safe."
"I'd love to share lunch with Hibari-sempai," Kyoko said.
"Kyoko, are you listening to me?"
"Let's go up, then," Tsuna said.
Rooftop
Tsuna opened the door. "Hey, Kyouya, we have some visitors with us today!"
Kyouya sat up and looked at the intruders, Tsuna included. "Those who disturb my nap…will be bitten to death," Kyouya announced, taking out a tonfa.
"I told you it wouldn't be safe," Hana muttered.
"Having a nap and suddenly moving isn't good, Kyouya," Tsuna advised him, taking a seat next to him. "Furthermore, it's lunch time now and it's a nice day out. Come on, girls. I'll make sure that he won't bite you."
"Hmm…all right. You did protect Kyoko from Mochida, after all," Hana replied, taking a seat next to Tsuna, but away from Kyouya.
"I'll sit between you two, then," Kyoko said, sitting between Hana and Tsuna.
"In exchange of them eating lunch here, give me your bento, Sawada Tsunayoshi," Kyouya demanded.
"Hey! If you do that, I'll be starving throughout the rest of the day!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"It's okay, Tsuna-kun. I'll share some of my lunch with you," Kyoko said.
"I'll share some of mine, too," Hana added.
"Oh, okay then." Tsuna passed her bento to Kyouya and took out some napkins. "Good thing I always keep some tissues with me."
"Here." Hana put some food from her bento onto some napkins.
"Here's some more," Kyoko added, passing her food onto the tissues.
"Thank you, girls," Tsuna replied. Before she could get a bite in, the door opened once again. The newcomers, some boys, looked at the group and cowered at the sight of Kyouya.
"What are you doing here?" Kyouya asked. "If you're just crowding, I'll bite you to death."
"U-um, Mo-mochida-sempai wants Sawada, in the gym," one of the boys said.
"Ah, yes. A match between you and that kendo herbivore," Kyouya said.
"What, Kyouya?" Tsuna asked.
"That kendo herbivore asked for a match between you and him," Kyouya explained. "I approved it because I've always wanted to see how you fight."
"Wait, why would they need to see you?" Tsuna asked.
"Because that herbivore wanted to have the match a school event," Kyouya explained, leaving the roof with Tsuna's bento.
"And you approved that, too? And I thought we were….we're not friends, so what word should I use?"
"U-um…Mochida-sempai is waiting for you at the school gym," the same boy said.
"Okay, I'm coming."
"Why would Mochida ask for a match?" Hana asked, following the boys and Tsuna, with Kyoko.
"Mochida-sempai said something about ruining his reputation and tainting Kyoko," one of the boys replied. "So don't worry, Sasagawa-san. He'll protect you."
"But Tsuna-kun was the one who helped me," Kyoko argued.
"I'll need to find the whole story," Hana said. "Let's watch the match and see how it goes."
"Will Tsuna-kun be all right?" Kyoko asked.
"Well, Hibari-sempai did say that he's always wanted to see him fight, so even I can't guarantee what's the outcome," Hana replied.
Gym
"There's already people here?" Tsuna said out loud, see the gym half-filled.
As she walked up to where Mochida was, decked in kendo gear, she heard people talking: "You know, I heard that Sawada took Kyoko away from Mochida and had Hibari-san beat him up." "How dare that jerk taint Kyoko when Mochida was around!"
"You mean, Mochida spread around a rumor that he was protecting Kyoko from Sawada?" Hana asked, talking to a friend from class.
"Yup, Mochida's fighting for you, Kyoko!" that friend said.
"But it was Tsuna-kun who protected me," Kyoko argued.
"There you are, you little piece of shit!" Mochida hollered. "You may have fooled Kyoko and everyone else, but you can't fool me! How dare you accuse me of cheating, you nobody! It's an easy duel so a novice like you can understand. If you can get one Ippon off me, then you win! If you can't, then I win! The prize is Kyoko!"
"Prize!" Kyoko and Hana exclaimed.
"What a jerk! Looks like he spread around that rumor just to get back at Tsuna," Hana said.
"I have to stop the match," Kyoko said, but was stopped by her friends.
'No matter what, I'll be the victor of this match,' Mochida thought. 'The armor and shinai that's for Sawada are heavy enough that two guys could barely carry them. The ref is on my side, so he won't raise Sawada's flag no matter what. Furthermore, if I beat him up, Kyoko's mine and I'll be the good guy!' Mochida came out of his mind when there was a flick on his forehead.
"You done daydreaming?" Tsuna asked, bored, swinging the heavy shinai over her shoulder.
"How dare you attack me before our match!" Mochida bellowed, nursing his hurt forehead.
"You were the one who wanted this match, so how can you say that?" Tsuna asked.
"Because you're not part of the kendo club!"
"So I have to be part of the kendo club in order to say that I know kendo?"
"Of cour- What!"
"My sensei is a hardcore swordsman who trains me to the bone," Tsuna explained. "I didn't join any afterschool clubs because his lessons take up a lot of my time."
"Th-then that changes everything!" Mochida yelled. "You and I will need to get five points to win!"
"Does this mean we have to do this after school?"
"No, you won't because everyone is excused from classes for this event," Kyouya explained, butting into the conversation. "For this event, the afternoon classes are canceled."
"That sucks…Wait! If we finish the match before school is normally over, that means everyone can go home?"
"Yes."
"Then, let's start the match!"
"You're not the one who wants the match, so you can't say that!" Mochida hollered.
"But I have to take care of my sensei."
"No excuses!"
Later, the ref started the match.
Mochida charged at Tsuna, which she dodged.
"Rule number 1 in fighting, never charge at your opponent unless they're charging at you," Tsuna said.
"Shut up!" Mochida replied, aiming for her head.
Tsuna deflected it and attacked Mochida, clearly getting an Ippon. Tsuna looked at the ref, but he didn't raise the flag.
"Hey, I got an Ippon," Tsuna said.
"I didn't see it," the ref replied.
Tsuna dodged another one of Mochida's attacks. "Really?"
Mochida turned to attack Tsuna again, but Tsuna locked him in her stare. With his guard down, Mochida was beaten down by Tsuna and was knocked unconscious as his head made impact with the floor from the weight of Tsuna's shinai.
"What? I only hit you a little and you've already fainted," Tsuna said in disbelief. "And to think he's the kendo captain…"
"Wi-winner is Sawada!" the ref cried, raising the flag.
"School's over!" Tsuna shouted, punching the air with a fist. People crowded around her to congratulate her.
"That was so incredible, Sawada!" "I never knew you know kendo!" "Why didn't you join the kendo club?" went about her.
"Stop crowding, or I'll bite you to death," Kyouya said.
The crowd quickly went out of Kyouya's way and stuck themselves to the gymnasium's walls. Even if Tsuna could beat up the kendo captain, there was no way that he could beat up Hibari-sempai, the scary prefect who wouldn't hesitate in beating down someone.
"So you've been hiding your strength all this time…" Kyouya said, sizing up Tsuna.
"Well, my sensei did tell me not to get into any more fights because I would trouble him with my fights from grade school," Tsuna explained.
"What do you mean?"
"Back in grade school, there were a lot of middle school and the occasional high school punks who wanted to beat me up because of my small structure. I beat them up instead. Because I always show up at sensei's house injured, he got annoyed and told me not to get into any more fights."
"I see. That's why I couldn't tell if you were strong or weak."
"If that's all you need, then I'll leave. School's out, after all."
Tsuna zoomed past him before he could get a word in edgewise. The prefect's mood pummeled. Then Tsuna came back into the gymnasium. She headed towards where Hana and Kyoko were.
"Thank you so much for sharing your bentos with me," Tsuna said to them. "I'll be sure to repay you ladies tomorrow at lunch."
"Such a gentleman," Hana commented.
"Great job on winning the match, Tsuna-kun," Kyoko said.
"Thank you," Tsuna replied. "Now if you'll excuse me…" Tsuna left the gymnasium for good.
Kyouya saw the interaction and turned to the rest of the kendo club. The kendo club trembled in fear.
"For betting that the school will be off for the rest of the day and losing, I'll bite you all to death."
The spectators, including Kyoko and Hana, ran out of the gymnasium as screams and cries of the kendo club erupted.
Reborn saw the match and pondered about Tsuna's grade school days. He remembered that there were some school records of Tsuna getting into trouble with students from middle schools. Reborn was sure that if Tsuna was his student, then there was no way that he would allow Tsuna to lose.
Zangetsu's mansion
"I'm here!" Tsunayoshi announced in her male voice as she walked into the kitchen.
Blue and dark green wrapped their arms around Tsuna before she could react.
"Tsuna!" Bluebell and Daisy cried.
Tsuna looked shocked at the two clutching her. "Bluebell, I'd understand, but Daisy? Since when do you glomp me?"
"Since that friend of your dad's started messing with the flowers I've been taking care of."
"Messing with?"
Reborn
Reborn placed another spy camera in a tree on the east wing's garden. In order to cover grounds on the mansion, Reborn has planted spy cameras in some parts of the garden that Daisy tends to, some parts of the rooms in the mansion. He was forced to not put any spy cameras in Zangetsu's bedroom, office and the Zen room he frequents.
"Excuse me?" Tsuna's voice rang out from below him.
Reborn looked down from the tree branch he was on and saw Tsunayoshi carrying a heavy-liking duffle bag.
Tsuna began, "Listen, I don't mind you being around grounds like this, but…" Tsuna unzipped the duffle bag and flipped it over. Reborn's eyebrows rose to his hairline as the spy cameras he was sure that he had hidden in their places spilled on the ground. "There is no way that I would allow you invading everyone's privacy like this, even with master Zangetsu's permission."
"How in the world did you get all of my cameras?" Reborn asked. "I was pretty sure that they were all well hidden."
"This just means that Master Zangetsu has trained me well," Tsunayoshi replied.
"Well, this just means that there's less things to teach you about the ways of the mafia."
That comment irked Tsuna. Then she thought about her childhood. "Tell me…If I wasn't here, what would the Vongola do?"
"Look for you, even if it means searching to the ends of the world."
"I meant, if I wasn't alive." That question shock Reborn off guard. "What would the Vongola do?"
Reborn hesitated before answering, "Your father…would probably persuade your mother to conceive another child."
Silence took over the scene. Finally Tsunayoshi had a sad smile on her face. She turned around. "Please don't do things like this again. It throws off everyone's balance if you do this. If you really wish to know what everyone does around this mansion, then I'll require everyone to make a report of their days. This way, rather than going though thousands of minutes of video and audio, all you have to figure out is whether a person is lying or not."
Tsuna walked off and went into the mansion.
'What was that question?' Reborn thought, staring after Tsunayoshi. '"If I wasn't here", "If I wasn't alive". It's almost as if there was some sort of an accident that threatened her life.'
Then Tsunayoshi appeared in his view. "Since these belong to you, would you please clean these up?" Tsunayoshi asked, gesturing to the spy cameras.
"No problem…" Reborn replied.
Finally Tsunayoshi went back inside the mansion.
Dinner
"Tonight'll be my last night staying over," Reborn announced from his spot at the dinner table.
Those who were peeping on the dinner scene had mixtures of emotions: happy, cheerful, anything that explains happiness.
"So you won't stay over from now on?" Zangetsu asked.
"Unless something came up, no. I'll leave in the morning."
"All right then. Brat, tell your mother that Reborn will be staying at her house."
"I understand. I will inform her of this later tonight," Tsunayoshi replied in her male voice.
Later that night
Bluebell glomped Tsunayoshi once again that day. "Yay! Now that baby won't be staying over again!"
"Don't get your hopes up, Bluebell," Tsunayoshi replied. "Just because he won't stay over doesn't mean he won't come over and check up for me. After all, he is my father's friend."
"What! That means he'll be snooping around!" Bluebell exclaimed.
"I guess that means we can't relax all the time," Zakuro whined.
"But if he's now keeping tabs on you, how come your father can't do that himself?" Kikyo asked.
Tsuna thought over her answer before saying, "Probably because he's too busy running around, playing substitute for the head."
Morning after
*Ding Dong*
Nana looked up from the magazine she was reading. She looked at the clock. "Oh, he came early. I wonder what kind of associate he is of Iemitsu's."
She opened the front door. "Hai?"
"Ciaossu," Reborn replied, causing Nana to look down.
"Oh, hello! Um, are you going to be staying with me, uh, Reborn…kun?" Nana asked, making way for the baby to enter the house.
"Yup! I'm also a home tutor," Reborn said, coming in. "Too bad that your daughter doesn't need any help, otherwise you'd be awe of my teaching skills."
"Oh! Well, the fact that she doesn't need any help means Zangetsu-san's a really good teacher himself. Oh, your room will be the guest room next to Tsu-chan's room," Nana explained, going up the stairs."
"She has a room here?"
"Yep! Even thought she's staying at Zangetsu-san's out of convenience, I'd rather keep her room around, so that she always has a place at home here," Nana added, opening the door across from a door with a fish sign that says '27'.
"Here's your room." Reborn looked inside a homely room. The room had a small twin bed pushed to the corner, a bookcase, a small dresser, and a short desk.
"Thank you," Reborn replied, putting his suitcase on the small dresser.
"Ano…" Nana hesitated before asking, "What is the reason why you're here? If you don't mind my asking? Iemitsu said to just let you stay here, but Tsu-chan's co-workers have been complaining about you because you get into everyone's business. I trust Iemitsu's decision, but Tsu-chan's co-workers are also people I trust because they would never allow Tsu-chan to be hurt."
"Let's just say that there's someone whom I have a lot of respect for who wants your daughter to take his place in his line of work," Reborn explained.
"Oh, dear. You would need a lot of help to persuade Tsu-chan to take his place."
"Is Zangetsu the reason why she won't?"
"Yup. You see, Zangetsu is to her the same way Iemitsu is to me. Zangetsu is the only person who understood her and took care of the selfishness that I couldn't take care of. That's why she won't budge from her place next to him."
"I see…," Reborn smirked. "Looks like I have my work cut out for me."
"Good luck. Oh, lunch will be ready at noon. I'll call you down when it's set on the table."
"Thank you, Nana-san."
"Please call me Mama."
"All right, Maman."