Lightning Time Bomb

In a little town near the Vongola estate, the group led by Tsuna and followed by Gokudera, Yamamoto, Lambo, Ryohei, and Chrome walked amidst the crowds. Townsfolk and other passerbys would often glance momentarily at the passing group of teenagers and a kid. Questions etched on their minds who the newcomers are. It was obvious that the lot of them had never been to the town before, as their young faces glowed in awe and astonishment at their surroundings. Well except the silverette and the youngest boy.

They left the mansion some thirty minutes ago, a limo dropped them off near the edge of the town. The Nono insisted that he'll have his men accompany the Tenth Generation in their little tour, but Tsuna refused politely.

"I can't bother you anymore than we already have, Nono." Tsuna told the current Vongola boss.

"Tsuna-kun, my men will be glad to be of service."

"It's really fine, Nono. Besides, we have Gokudera-kun with us who can speak Italian. With that it won't be a problem asking around."

Timoteo sighed, "I see, just be careful on your way. And don't hesitate to notify us in case of emergencies."

Tsuna smiled gratefully, "Yes, Grandpa."

Gokudera puffed his chest out in pride upon hearing this. He swore to be an excellent tourist guide for the Tenth.

"Don't worry Tenth! I'll tour you around excellently." He reassured Tsuna.

"Thank you, Gokudera-kun. I know I could trust you."

Gokudera felt himself swell at Tsuna declaring him trustworthy and he couldn't help but lash at Yamamoto for this.

"Huh. What do you say now, Baseball Freak? The Tenth said he trusts me to be his Right-Hand man."

Behind him Tsuna only said, "Gokudera-kun, no one said anything about being a Right-Hand man."

Yamamoto laughed, "That's nice Gokudera. But I won't lose."

"Please don't encourage him, Yamamoto."

And so Nono settled with offering them a ride out of the estate and into the town which Tsuna agreed upon.

The moment they stepped outside the limo, Hibari went off on ahead on his own. The rest of them followed a little afterwards. Tsuna nervously and excitedly entered the twon with his friends. About ten minutes since they entered town, Mukuro told them he would beoff as well.

"Mu-Mukuro-sama." called Chrome. She was torn between following after her Master or going with Tsuna's group.

Mukuro, sensing the girl's hesitation said to Chrome, "My dear Chrome-chan. You don't have to follow me around, I am well capable of taking care of myself. You can just go with Tsunayoshi-kun and his band of puppies."

Gokudera was offended, "What did you call me stupid, Pineapple Head?"

Mukuro ignored him and turned to walk away from them. "See you later, Chrome-chan." He waved good bye.

"Maa, where did you think he's going?" inquired Yamamoto.

"Who knows, that creepy bastard."

Tsuna sighed, "I just hope he won't cause any trouble. Same for Hibari-san too."

Chrome, who was behind Tsuna softly spoke, "Bossu don't have to worry so much. The Cloud just don't like being around with people, but he won't cause the boss unnecessary problems."

Tsuna was grateful for Chrome, "Thank you, Chrome. Anyway, we'll see them again later on." And he led the group to continue their walk.

They were now within the town's shopping district. Tsuna gaped at the buildings all around them.

"The design looks ancient."

Gokudera was at his side and said, "Well, most of the buildings in this side of Italy are really old. They retained these buildings for centuries. You can say this serves as one of their tourist attractions as well."

Yamamoto gazed with interest around him, "Yeah. They're not like those modern buildings in Tokyo."

Suddenly, Tsuna felt something tug his shirt. He looked down to see his youngest Guardian pointing at what looked like a candy store.

"Let's go there, Tsuna-nii."

Tsuna and the rest of his friends went over to the direction of the shop. When they entered, they were greeted by sweet-smelling candies. Lambo immediately ran around the rows and rows of sweets.

"Lambo, don't eat too much sweets or you'll have sugar rush again." The other customers in the shop turned to look at Tsuna who spoke in Japanese. Realizing this, Tsuna shrunk in embarrassment.

"Ahaha! They're looking at us." Yamamoto exclaimed in his native tongue.

They slowly followed where Lambo was and found him rummaging through a section of brightly wrapped candies. A tall lady in a pink dress and long brown curly hair approached Lambo and asked in Italian, "Do you like this one little boy? You have good eyes. It's our best seller."

Lambo squealed in delight and said in Italian, "I want this! I'll buy this one! Lambo would get three of this yummy candy."

The lady ruffled Lambo's hair and the boy turned to look at Tsuna and the others as he told them, this time in Japanese, "I want to buy this one!"

The lady gave a look of surprise at Lambo's change in language, "Wow, you're a smart boy aren't you? You know how to speak, err.."

"Japanese," Lambo supplied uninterestedly, focusing his attention on the sweets at his hands.

Gokudera approached the lady and asked for the price of the candies. Together with the other, he went over the counter and paid the sweets. The lady waved a good bye to Lambo when they exited the shop.

Lambo immediately burst open his bag of sweets.

"Lambo, eat slowly."

Lambo ignored Tsuna, and Tsuna just sighed again. His mind wandered to the conversation that Lambo had with the store lady and so he asked.

"Hey, Lambo. Who taught you Japanese? You've always been able to converse fluently in Japanese eversince you came to Japan when you were five."

It was then that Tsuna realized it. The child had always been so conveniently good at speaking Japanese. Perhaps it should have struck Tsuna years ago at how such a young child was able to learn another language and switch between languages easily.

"Lambo-san learned Japanese of course."

Tsuna turned a questioning glance at Gokudera, who could easily switch tongues as well.

Gokudera gave a friendly smile, "I taught myself Japanese after knowing about my Japanese mother. And when I was at the mansion I had tutors who taught me various languages."

He turned to Lambo.

"They taught me Japanese." was the boy's simple answer.

"Perhaps Lambo's telling us there were people who taught him Japanese when he was with the Bovino." Gokudera told them.

"Yeah, but why Japanese of all languages, I wonder."

"Because it's a wonderful language to the extreme!"

An irritated Gokudera turned to Ryohei, "Baka. Japanese is not a very widely popular language to learn about. It's not like English or Chinese which many people really takes to study and learn."

"Are you insulting my language to the extreme?"

Gokudera crossed his arms and tick marks appeared on his forehead, "It's so hard explaining things to an airhead."

Ryohei heard this and challenged Gokudera, "What did you say Octupos Head? Are you picking a fight with me to the extreme?"

Yamamoto came in between the two of them, "Maa, maa. Let's just say that Japanese is an interesting language, isn't it?"

Tsuna just sweatdropped. "Ya-Yamamoto I don't think they're concerned about that anymore."

"Really? But isn't it why Lambo learned Japanese? Or how would he be taught Japanese then get sent to Japan? Isn't it such a weird coincidence?"

Tsuna thought his Rain Guardian is making sense. He pondered on it for a while.

After a few minutes or so, in which Tsuna hastily prevented a fight to spark between his Storm and Sun Guardians, the group moved to look at the other shops in the area. Chrome, with an embarrassed blush, asked Tsuna quietly if they could make a tour to a shop for girls' clothes. Tsuna nodded smilingly and agreed. It was rare for Chrome to be making such requests after all. And he did want the girl to get some stuff for herself seeing at how few her possessions are.

The group entered the shop and they were greeted by a woman with her eyebrows raised.

"This is a shop for women's clothes." She told the group of teenagers. She eyed them curiously, wondering why a group of young boys would willingly enter a girls' shop. She had not seen Chrome yet as the Mist Guardian was sandwiched between Ryohei and Yamamoto behind Tsuna.

Gokudera translated what the woman said to Tsuna, and Tsuna once again racked hi brains for the little Italian he learned from Reborn and said politely, in broken Italian.

"We have a girl with us who want to take a look inside your shop." He gently pulled Chrome from behind him.

Chrome turned a shy face to the storeowner. The woman softened to a soft smile seeing the young girl with the eyepatch.

"Your friends?" she gestured to the boys behind her.

Unknown to them, Chrome knows how to speak Italian. Seeing Mukuro is Italian in nationality and he had time to teach the girl the language.

Chrome looked straight into the woman's eyes and said proudly, "No. They're my brothers.

ooOoo

The trip to the women's clothes shop was fun and exhausting if Tsuna would describe it. At first, the boys were at a loss at the environment they have thrown themselves into. In Tsuna's gelight at Chrome's request, he forgot one litle thing. What are boys like them supposed to do hanging around some shop for girls? He was about to inform Chrome that the rest of them would just wait for her outside when the girl came up to him with shaking hands as she was suddenly self-conscious with all the other customers stares.

Well, they were staring at the odd group of teenagers that was Tsuna's group of course.

So Tsuna abandoned the idea, they can't absolutely leave Chrome like this, especially after what he heard her told the shop owner earlier.

'They're my brothers.'

Tsuna felt a warm gush of affection flow over him when he heard those words from Chrome. He couldn't possibly betray his sister's trust, could he? Not when Chrome was clinging to him for dear life. So Tsuna led the way to who knows where part of the shop. Thankfully, it helps that both Ryohei and Gokudera has sisters of their own so they pointed Tsuna to what looked like a section for dresses.

Chrome brightened upon seeing the racks of clothing, she glanced at Tsuna and the brunette smiled in return. She then rummaged through the clothes in display. The boys left at one corner to each other.

After a few minutes, Chrome emerged holding four hangers of clothing which she showed Tsuna and the others with a shy smile.

"Bo-Bossu. Which do you think looks the best?" she asked softly.

Tsuna blushed at the sudden responsibility. He was saved by Ryohei who said helpfully, "Show us again those clothes one by one Chrome so we can see." Tsuna knew the calm and collected voice of Ryohei was honed with years of experience of shopping with Kyoko.

Chrome obediently complied and placed each dress one by one in front of her for her brothers to see. After trying it for all four clothes, she waited with a slight blush for their reaction.

Gokudera was the first one to speak.

"I think the second one fits you best Chrome. The cream color of the dress with the red trimmings sets off nicely with your dark blue hair." He told the girl, hand on his chin.

"The last one with the light blue and black stripes looks good to me." said a smiling Yamamoto.

"Lambo-san thinks Chrome-chan looks good with the green one."

Ryohei shook his head, "The yellow dress looks EXTREMELY good on you!" he exclaimed.

"Shut it, Turf Top! The cream colored one with red trimmings looks definitely good!"

"Octopus Head! The yellow one is bright and looks extremely nice!"

"Maa, maa. I think Chrome will agree that the blue and black stripes look the best."

"What kind of fashion sense do you have, Baseball Freak?"

"Chrome-nee, Lambo-san thinks you'll look super pretty with the green one!"

"It's the yellow one to the extreme!"

The four of them bickered and argued over the dress that looks best on Chrome. Tsuna sighed as customers started staring at them again. Chrome looked over Tsuna and asked, "Bossu?"

The bickering stopped and they all looked at Tsuna, tension hung in the air and Tsuna suddenly felt the weight of pressure that was placed upon him. He'd have to be careful not to cause a fight among his Guardians.

"Could you try them again, Chrome?" he asked.

Chrome complied, Tsuna set his face to concentrate. After that, Chrome waited for his answer.

"Well, they all look good on you, Chrome. How about buying all of them? I'm sure you'll find good use for them soon enough."

Chrome brightened at this and gave a slight kiss on Tsuna's cheek. "Thanks, Bossu." She said to a red-faced Tsuna.

After that, Chrome went over another section again, this time to try out some shoes.

Once again, his Guardians argued over which shoes Chrome should buy and Tsuna has to interject to prevent the store from being blown up by his irate Guardians. After showing it to them again, Tsuna chose the boots with little silver skull designs which Chrome gladly took with her.

They went around some more, going after Chrome who now looks at ease with her surroundings. She would stop from time to time to rummage through a rack of clothing displays. Sometimes she would show them to Tsuna and the others to hear their opinions. Sometimes she would take the clothes, at other times she would put them back on, bewildering Tsuna why they even took a long time choosing them in the first place when she won't buy them. Ryohei slung an arm around Tsuna's shoulders.

"That's just like Kyoko to the extreme!" he said.

Tsuna wide-eyed. So Kyoko also does her shopping like this? She mused. No wonder Ryohei looked not at all bothered going around the shop at all. It had almost been an hour and a half since they entered the shop.

They turned to another corner where Chrome was now looking at some display of bags. Tsuna cringed a little when they passed by the underwear section. He felt the others' awkward silence as well and the stares of the women who were looking over that section when they passed by.

After another twenty minutes of looking around the store and going around once more, Chrome dropped the articles of clothing she wants to buy on the counter. The cashier punched into the counter for the total amount and when she looked over at where Tsuna and the others were, looking beat up from all the walking, she stifled a laugh.

Chrome flashed with happiness when they finally went outside and Tsuna and Lambo dropped to their knees the moment they're back on the street once again. Yamamoto heaved out a deep breath, Gokudera leaned on the wall of the store, and Ryohei wiped his head with the back of his hand. Chrome looked at them guiltily and said.

"Bossu, I'm sorry."

Tsuna waved off her apology, "We're fine Chrome. Just a little exhausted. Anyway, I'm happy you enjoyed yourself."

Chrome smiled, "Thank you Bossu, and Gokudera-kun, Yamamoto-kun, Ryohei-kun, and Lambo-kun for accompanying me."

"No problem, Chrome!" Ryohei replied.

"Yeah, yeah. We had fun as well." Said Yamamoto.

"Don't mind us." Came in Gokudera.

"I'm hungry," cried Lambo.

The group laughed, and they set off again, this time looking for a place to get some food.

ooOoo

They settled in an outdoor cafe which has tables with umbrellas lined outside the street. Chrome set her shopping bags on a space on the table and a waiter went over to take their orders.

As said menu were in Italian, Tsuna allowed Gokudera and Lambo to choose the snacks which they think will suit their tastes. A few minutes of waiting and their orders came. Tsuna and the rest of them settled to munch on the sweet and delicious food and drinks and they were silent for a while.

When all was full and rested, Tsuna leaned his head comfortably on the chair and said, "I wonder where do we go from here. We haven't met Hibari-san and Mukuro ever since we separated with them, too."

Gokudera sipped into his refreshment and said, "I'm sure we would know if they're up to something, Tenth."

Tsuna agreed. Knowing Mukuro and Hibari, there would probably be a horde of panicking people or sounds of explosions and destruction to notify them of the crazy things they're up to. Not that Tsuna was hoping for such a thing to happen. He was pretty thankful that none of the sorts had happened so far with his disastrous Guardians around.

Or not.

A sound of explosion startled the lounging group and the people around them screamed and ran in panic. Tsuna groaned. His moments of peace ended then and there. He started to stand up, his Guardians following his motion.

"Let's go." He said. And they followed where the explosion came from.

ooOoo

They found the source of the explosion to be coming from a burning gift store. Tsuna searched around immediately for signs of hurt civilians but found that most of the people had already ran safely away from the site, while others were currently on the run.

"Where's Mukuro and Hibari-san?" he asked the people with him. They surveyed the area but didn't find any sign of the lone prefect or the blue-haired pineapple.

Suddenly, three black suited men with guns appeared from the burning store. One of them was holding what looked like a suitcase. The tallest of them, a blonde cackled.

"Good hoard." He said in rasped Italian.

The red-haired grunted in agreement, "Boss will be happy. We've got loads of money." He waved the suitcase in front of him.

"Come on." The black haired one said. They passed by the crowd of screaming people to where Tsuna and the others stood.

"Were you the ones who caused the explosion?" Tsuna asked abruptly, sending the three men to a stop.

"What is this kid saying?" the red-hair asked the others, clearly baffled at Tsuna who spoke in Japanese.

Tsuna cleared his throat and repeated in Italian, "I said, did you cause this?"

The three laughed and the black haired said, "So what? You going to fight us brat?"

It took a few more seconds for Tsuna to decipher his words. When he did, he looked straight at the three men with determined eyes.

"This place is under Vongola protection, such a thing to do."

The blonde snorted. "It doesn't matter if it's the Vongola if we could escape in an instant."

"You think you could?" came in Gokudera.

"Heh. We could take on the Vongola ourselves. What should we be afraid of."

Tsuna's smile was laden with venom as he said, "You should be afraid of us."

With a nod to Chrome, the girl immediately conjured up an illusion that would look as if Tsuna and his friends have hidden from the three men and the men went back inside the burning store. When Tsuna was sure the illusion had covered them, he immediately slipped into his Hyper Dying Will mode and in an instant, punched the red-haired man with flaming fists.

The red-haired man backed down in shock as he stared into Tsuna's glowing orange eyes.

"Wh-Who are you?"

Tsuna glanced down at the man and placed his right hand in front of him, showing the back of his X-Gloves.

"I'm Vongola Decimo."

ooOoo

It didn't take long for Tsuna and his Guardians to round up the three men. In two swift strikes of Tsuna, Gokudera's throw of his dynamites, Yamamoto's slash using the back of his sword, and Ryohei's extreme punches, the fight ended with the three men looking worse for wear, some of their tooth missing and their clothes either singed, ripped, or cut.

"Small fries." Gokudera spat.

"They were brave enough to challenge the Vongola, don't you think?" Yamamoto commented.

Tsuna nodded, slipping from his Hyper Dying Will. "That bothers me as well. They may be weak, but for them to challenge Vongola like that as if they were not at all intimidated."

"Don't give so much thought about it Tenth. Surely there are idiots in Italy who really could think they could match up to Vongola."

"Yeah, you're right."

Ryohei went over to the unconscious men and took the suitcase. He then placed the suitcase back at the store. Lambo had also taken a look at the men.

"Lambo, don't go over there. Come back here." Tsuna called the child.

Lambo didn't seem to hear him and continued staring at the men.

"Lambo."

"Gupyaa!" Lambo exclaimed. Tsuna rushed over to the child immediately.

"What is it Lambo? Are you hurt?"

The Lightning Guardian shook his head and held up a badge for Tsuna's inspection.

Seeing the lack of recognition on Tsuna's face, Lambo said, "They're from the Eschimo Famiglia."

"Eh, they're from the mafia?"

Lambo nodded.

"How did you know them, Lambo?"

"Lambo-san was sent on a mission to kill one of them before."

Tsuna flinched at the casual use of the child with the word 'kill'. He made a mental note to talk to Lambo about it later. Lambo still has things to know regarding proper behavior and speech appropriate to a child like him.

Gokudera approached them. "So, are they a strong Famiglia, stupid cow?"

"Lambo-san defeated that person."

"So I guess they're not."

Tsuna looked over at the unconscious men again. Surely, they don't seem very strong.

"Wait, Lambo. You're telling us you went on a mission to fight one of them before? But if that was when you were in the Bovino, weren't you so young then?"

Lambo looked confused at Tsuna. "Lambo-san is a hitman and a mafioso. The boss gave me missions."

"But you are just a child!" Tsuna said indignantly.

A thought suddenly struck Tsuna. It was something he didn't want to ask but the idea bothers him a lot.

"Hey, Lambo. When did you start doing missions for the Bovino?"

Lambo paused to give the question some thought before saying, "Lambo was three when I was given my first mission."

Tsuna bit his lower lip, "And? What was that mission?"

"To kill a man that made fun of the Boss."

"Lambo! Stop saying 'kill'. It's disturbing me enough already, okay? So you were sent to fight this man, right?"

Lambo eyed him quizzically, "No, Tsuna-nii. It was just as I said. Lambo-san was asked by the boss to kill this person. And I did what a good child and mafioso does, killed him."

Tsuna looked shocked and speechless for a moment. Surely, his little brother does not mean... Around him, his Guardians also had terrified looks on their faces.

"Lambo, I want you to answer my question as directly as possible. What did you do to that man? How did you, err, fought him?"

There was a childish smirk on Lambo's face as he responded. And the answer made Tsuna's blood froze.

"I blew him up with a grenade. There were blood splattered everywhere, and he was dead."

ooOoo

END.