Disclaimer: KHR belongs to Akira Amano

Chapter 1: Target

-Weekend-

This early afternoon, Gokudera and Haru had collectively showed up in front of Tsuna's house, bickering like kindergarteners who found treasure and refused to share. Until Tsuna opened the door, got packaged yatsuhashi shoved in his face along with enthusiastic greetings. Then he was dragged, not that unwillingly, to the Namimori New Underground Shopping Mall event, without even the chance to grab his jacket. It's chilly out, so Tsuna spent most of the event trying to not rub his arms lest Gokudera freak out.

''Had fun?''

''Yeah.'' Even though Tsuna feels like burying himself in his entire hoodie collection, he did have fun.

''Absolutely, Reborn-san!'' Then, as if realizing something, he quickly added: ''Tch. If only that stupid woman didn't come along.''

''Gokudera-kun...''

Gokudera was here to help Tsuna with his homework, which he said, eyes shining, fist clenched to his chest, was his duty as Tsuna's right hand man. His teaching was still way too advanced for Tsuna's level... but he appreciated it. Haru had parted ways to go on a cake spree with Kyoko.

''Well...it sure is peaceful.'' Tsuna finishes the snack he had bought in the event, stretched, and lied back down on his messy excuse of a bedroom floor. ''I hope things stay like this forever.''

''Tenth...''

''You're hoping for too much, idiot Tsuna,'' Reborn said, sipping on a small cup of espresso. ''I meant it, when I said that you are only going to be targeted more from now on.''

''Huh?''

In a second, Tsuna feels his good mood vanish. It's replaced with a sinking, sticky feeling above his stomach, and Tsuna knows he's not going to like what he's about to hear. Reborn puts down his espresso and continues, as if feeding off of Tsuna's dread like the demon he is.

''The Ninth had chosen you for a long time, and it was a clear enough signal sending me here. Defeating Xanxus means you are now the official heir to Vongola.''

''But-''

''Even if you don't want to, the assassins will still come.'' Reborn's hat tilts forward, hiding his eyes. ''All the Ninth biological son's were assassinated soon after being named heir.''

Tsuna's sitting up now, his brows furrowed, wide amber eyes focused on Reborn. Gokudera remains strangely silent.

''The next few months will be crucial, Tsuna,'' Reborn lifts his head back up, and looks at him. And smiles. ''I'm sure your guardians will do their job well.''

Oh no.

''A-Absolutely, Reborn-san! Don't worry tenth, I, your right hand man, definitely won't let you get assassinated!'' Gokudera stood up in a flash, fire in his eyes, almost knocking the table over. Tsuna edged backwards quickly with his hands up, waving him down. Reborn really didn't have to rile him up like that!

''Eh? You- you don't have to-''

''I'll go patrol the town right now! You won't even need the rest of the guardians, Tenth!''

''Go-Gokudera-kun!''

''So then!'' and he's gone.

Tsuna could then hear his footsteps marching down the wooden stairs of his house, a muffled goodbye to his mom, dedicated steps fading off into the distance. He sighs.

''It's good to have such loyal subordinates, Tsuna.'' Reborn chimes, all smiley, crossing his tiny arms, looking fully satisfied with himself.

Reborn is the worst.

-o-o-o-o-

-Friday-

"Assassins?''

For the past week, Gokudera had been all over town every late night and early morning, and gotten even scarier in school. Tsuna finds himself more worried about Gokudera than impending assassins looking to overthrow an big old powerful mafia family by killing a middle schooler- he looked like he's already dead and risen from the grave by Thursday. Did he sleep?

Even Yamamoto had noticed. Which was why he dragged Tsuna out of the classroom where Gokudera was out cold on the school desk, head hidden in his arms, snoring loudly. Tsuna explained everything to Yamamoto once he's confident no one was around.

''Yeah, assassins. Gokudera's been patrolling and looking for them since Sunday. I- I don't think he slept at all.''

''That's bad! I get being dedicated but he shouldn't get so serious over a roleplay!'' Yamamoto crossed his arms, brows furrowed. ''That's really unhealthy.''

He still thinks it's a mafia game?

''Did you try talking him out of it?''

''I don't... think I can.'' Tsuna recalls to the time when he had tried to convince him and Yamamoto to reject the rings. Look what happened. ''What if he got even more serious!''

''Well... Leave it to me, Tsuna. I'll talk to him.''

''Eh? But-''

''Just go wait up at the rooftop and start lunch without me! I'll see what I can do.''

So, Tsuna waits at the rooftop. Nibbling absently on an eggroll, not really looking at anything. The breeze was nice, its quiet, and the skies are looking averagely okay today.

Ryohei is having lunch with his club mates, and Kyoko is with Hana. Reborn hasn't popped up yet for some reason. For the first time in a while, Tsuna's having lunch alone. There's a weird pressure building up on the back of his head, Tsuna tried to shake it off and pat it away, because it's uncomfortable. But then the roof entrance door creaked open, and that feeling disappears.

Yamamoto appears from behind the door, his face is looking uncharacteristically dark, and Tsuna feels a whole different kind of pressure.

He spotted Tsuna and smiled, looking a little brighter, though not at all. Yamamoto shrugged his shoulders and scratched his neck. Grinning. Did a bit of laughing.

''Well, he got mad at me.''

''...What did you tell him?''

Yamamoto sat down next to Tsuna, and brought out a sandwich. He unwrapped the plastic, and took a large bite. After a while, another.

''He told him to take care of himself if he wants to protect you better.''

''Reborn!''

''Kid- crap, you were there?'' Yamamoto scratched the back of his head again, and gives a shaky laugh.

''Yeah. Tsuna's your boss, so you can tell him anything.'' Reborn, who was wearing a counsellor costume, turned to Tsuna and jabbed his side with a pen. ''And as their boss, you should know everything that happens.''

''Ow- I'm not their boss! And you- you made that up, didn't you!''

''So?''

''Argh! Why are you always so-''

''Tsuna! Get down!''

For a while, all Tsuna could hear was gunshots. Loud- louder than any of Reborn's shots or Lambo's grenades or even his own shrieking right now- there's dust flying, pieces of the rooftop floor bursting, he feels himself pushed onto the ground, then lifted up again by the shoulders, Tsuna could see the sad remains of Yamamoto's sandwhich splattered and smashed across the ground, and Yamamoto now pushed him towards the roof door, through it, and Tsuna watched him slam the door closed and dragged him by the hand down the stairs, Tsuna's feet heavy and sloppy against Yamamoto's agile skipping - but thankfully compliant.

After some running, Reborn stops Yamamoto in his tracks before he could head down the third level. Both boys are breathing sharp, erratic breaths, Yamamoto from adrenaline, and Tsuna from that and fatigue.

They follow Reborn's gesture to crouch down, under the windows.

''Wh- what was- what was that?'' Tsuna spluttered out once he could think properly again. Reborn might have said something, but Tsuna's ears were still ringing. Yamamoto looked like he was laughing. Gokudera appeared from around the corner, and gave a brief, worried look over Tsuna, then grabbed Yamamoto by the collar and yelled something at him. Yamamoto stopped laughing, and he was looking at Gokudera with serious, intense eyes, even though he probably also couldn't hear whatever he was shouting.

Reborn must have said something, because Gokudera stopped shouting and dropped Yamamoto on the floor.

Gokudera looked ready to bolt towards the roof then, but Tsuna managed to grab him by the arm. He gestured for him to sit down. Gokudera still looked like a zombie, skin pale, eyes sunken, silver hair unruly, and Tsuna seriously doesn't want him to run straight into gunfire for whatever reason he has. That was really scary!

Tsuna rubbed at his ears. Once the ringing lowered and Tsuna could somewhat hear again, he asked once more, voice wavering.

''What happened?''

Reborn would have rolled his eyes, if he could. He just sighs at Tsuna. ''That was an assassination attempt. Amateurly done. Either that or they were trying to get attention or send a message.'' Which was impossible in Namimori, town of denial. Tsuna bets everyone else in school had thought it was fireworks. ''Yamamoto saved your life.''

At this, Gokudera can't hold back himself anymore from banging his head on the dirty school floor, and shouting apologies.

''Go-Gokudera-kun!''

''I'm so sorry, Tenth! I'm a failure as your right hand man! I'm so sorry!''

''Gokudera-kun! Stop that!''

''I wasn't here to protect you! To let something like this happen, I don't deserve to serve you!'' Oh god. There's blood splattering on the floor. Is his head bleeding?

''Gokudera-''

''I'll go find the assassins! I'll make sure they-''

''GOKUDERA!''

Everyone stared at Tsuna, Yamamoto mouth slightly hanging open. Staring is a constant for Reborn.

Gokudera is completely still. He's barely breathing, looking deathly pale, green eyes sunken and blurry. A patch of blood smeared all over his forehead and dripping over his nose.

Ouch.

''I- uh. Just. Please listen, Gokudera-kun.'' Tsuna dragged a hand over his face, and sighed. How to say this... ''I don't... I don't care about all that. And you've worked really hard these past few days! Its not your fault.''

''But...I didn't-"

''He's right, you know.'' Yamamoto adds.

''Of course the Tenth is right! I- uh.''

Yamamoto laughs. Gokudera is stuck between a scowl and a laugh and probably tears. This is probably the weirdest and most terrifying face Tsuna ever sees Gokudera make, and the blood doesn't help. ''A-anyway, we should-''

''Herbivours. For bringing vermin into my school, I'll bite you to death.''

Well, they were heading to the infirmary anyways.

-o-o-o-o-

-Tuesday-

Since then, Gokudera had, to Tsuna's relief, grudgingly taken Yamamoto's advice to rest (though just barely) and had procceded to sticking by his right side again, two steps behind.

Right now, school was over for the day. And so was dinner. Tsuna had done his homework in a mad rush, time bombs, spiky weapons everywhere- where did Reborn even get so many bombs- and survived, so he's on his bed reading manga while reborn cuts paper into small pieces on his little hammock with his little Leon siccors. Tsuna didn't ask. But... he does have a question he's curious to hear answered.

''Hey, Reborn?''

''Hmm.''

Tsuna contemplates if he should really ask this. He knows he's going to regret asking- but, ''Why haven't you taught me Italian?''

Reborn goes worryingly still, Leon scissors mid-cut. Tsuna holds his manga an inch closer towards his face.

Slowly, he replies. ''Why, you want to learn it now?''

''Eh- no, not really...just asking? Because, you're always trying to make me be a mafia boss and learn mafia rules - but you've never really taught me Italian?'' It's a question that Tsuna honestly didn't want to ask; lest Reborn starts teaching him Italian-but he felt it was important. For whatever reason it is, he doesn't know.

''Well...I was planning to just let you learn by yourself once you're in Italy,'' Reborn puts down the Leon scissors, and Tsuna blanches. Learn Italian by himself in Italy? That's horrible! ''But now that you've asked, we could start now. And keep track of that feeling, Tsuna.''

''Eh? What- I don't want to learn Italian! And my English is horrible – you know that, so I cant learn Italian! There's no way!''

''Stop that pathetic whining. You wouldn't know till you try.'' Reborn hops down from his hammock, in his suit again. With a loud thud, he set tall stacks of books and paper decorated in alphabets and words incomprehensible to Tsuna on his desk. Tsuna watches some paper flutter off the stack, all his stuff knocked off the table, and he feels like he might scream soon. ''We'll start now.''

''Its 10pm!''

''You've stayed up later for less.''

''No! No way! You cant make me learn Italian!'' It'll make me even more mafia! No!

Reborn huffs.

''Sassagawa Kyoko might think you're cool if you knew Italian.''

''Eh?''

-o-o-o-o-o-

-Wednesday-

Tsuna is dead.

Or, he might as well be, seeing as he's not getting up from his desk even though its lunch time, even with Yamamoto poking incessantly on his arm. Especially even with Gokudera's not giving him any peace.

''Uuuughhhmmmmmmmffffff'' Tsuna raises his head from his arms, but doesn't open his eyes.

''Tsuna! What happened to you?'' Yamamoto stops his poking. Tsuna feels like his arm might have a bruise, now.

''Reborn. Reborn happened,'' Tsuna shifts his head down again, and puts his hand up to cradle his aching head. He groans. ''Reborn made me learn Italian till morning.''

Gokudera, who's been muttering concern and tearing hairs out for the past 10 minutes due to Tsuna's inconsiderate half-deadness, stops at this, and beams. His eyes may as well be covered with glitter, the way they're sparkling at Tsuna right now. Not that Tsuna can see, with his eyelids stapled shut in mental fatigue. ''The Tenth is learning Italian?''

''...Yeah.''

Or, trying to. Reborn has crammed in as much vocabulary, pronouns, reflexive terms, measurements, basic words and grammar, numbers, the most of a beginner Italian course as he could in 5 hours, and Tsuna hardly remembers or gets any of them.

''Well... at least I learned what Squalo's been shouting all this time.''

''Squalo?'' Yamamoto asks. Gokudera gives a little snort.

''You know... The Voiiii thing?'' Tsuna mutters, still refusing to open his eyes or sit up properly. His head hurts! ''Voi means something like... 'you all'. And his name means... great shark. That's so weird.''

''So that's what Squalo's been shouting!'' Yamamoto laughs at that, with a loud wheeze at the shark bit, then takes a look at the clock. ''So... how you feeling now, Tsuna? Well enough for lunch? We could eat here if you want.''

''Here... here would be nice.''

''If you say so, Tenth!'' Gokudera quickly gets his store bought rice balls, while Yamamoto brings out a lunch box. Tsuna drags his out too, hoping mom made something he likes today. He blinks his eyes open, and wince at the light. In his bento box was...

Pasta. Clam pasta.

''Oh? I wasn't aware Tenth's mother could make Italian food as well! That looks delicious, Tenth!''

''Ah! Seafood stir fried somen noodles!''

''What..?''

''Reborn!''

-o-o-o-o-o-

-Thursday-

When Tsuna woke up next morning, all he saw was green. Then the green opened its beady little yellow eyes, blinked at him, then was lifted, slowly away from his face, and landed heavily onto his stomach.

''Svegliare!''

''OW owow oww I'm awake I'm awake!'' Tsuna bends over, clutching is stomach, hissing, and blinks back tears. ''What time is it?!''

''Its 'a che ora' in Italian.''

''... ah ke oh ra?''

''Alle sei e quindici.''

''I- I don't...''

Reborn throws his clock over at him and Tsuna lets go of his stomach to clumsily catch the clock. He fails, and it falls on the floor with a clang. It showed the time just fine from there though. Tsuna squinted at it.

''Six... six fifteen. Aaauuughhhh.'' He falls back on to his bed.

Reborn was talking Italian to him again, and Tsuna's only wish is to go back to sleep. But a glance at Leon's glistening glow-y yellow eyes got him stumbling out of his bed to prepare for school. Why are there white stickers all over his room.

''Those are not getting off till you remember what things are called. Got it?''

''Okay, okay. geez.'' Tsuna trudges towards his wardrobe and squints at the white label. ''...il ...ah ru ma di o.''

''il armadio.''

''What I said.''

''We'll work on your pronunciation after school,'' Reborn went on and on and on while he changed. ''We'll watch some Italian dramas, the more you listen to it the better.'' Tsuna fumbled with the buttons on his dress shirt, and pulled on his pants, still half-awake. ''I've got some more books for you too, bring them with you.'' Tsuna shrugged on his...giacca? ''La giacca.'' Tsuna nods. But a look at Reborn makes him freeze.

Why's he smiling like that?

''We'll be resuming your addestramento next week, Tsuna. '' Reborn says, voice sweet, polishing a gun. Still grinning. ''Find out what that means yourself.''

It could only mean one thing!

''Tsu-kun? Are you up? If you are, help your dear mom with breakfast, wont you?''

I'm saved! ''C-coming!''

''Breakfast in Italian is colazione. Got that...?'' Too slow. Tsuna had already escaped. Reborn sighed. ''He's only fast on his feet in times like these, huh.''

-o-o-o-o-o-

-Sunday-

Before Tsuna noticed, it's already December. For the past two and a half weeks, Reborn had been cramming in Italian lessons left and right, getting him to read Italian books way above his level and watching Italian films, then making him do physical training in the weekends with Yamamoto and Gokudera, and...fighting.

Fighting with flames from the Vongola rings.

Reborn had gathered the five of them that weekend, Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, Lambo and Tsuna, and explained.

''That Mammon had said the rings hold power. And you've all seen them lit in flames.'' A collective nod. Lambo was already asleep. ''The Ninth and his Guardians fought with flames from the rings, which is yours now. ''

Each of them, sans Lambo, tightened their fist on the metal ring.

Reborn said that Hibari's already informed thanks to Dino, and Mukuro may have known about it already. It wasn't like he's got much else to do besides gathering information.

''Focus, Tsuna. Mukuro would spit at your worry.''

''What- I wasn't!'' Tsuna had to bite back a small he wouldn't at that comment. He's still not sure why he feels it so.

It took them half a day, but most of the Guardians (his friends, damn it), managed to light their rings in flickering, beautiful, brightly coloured flames. Except for Tsuna.

''I don't see-'' Tsuna took in a breath. Trying to make something happen with pure will, against his bottomless self-doubt, was taxing. ''-why I need more flames, anyways?'' Tsuna slumps over, sitting on the mountain ground, defeated. ''What's the difference?''

''Tsk tsk tsk.'' Hey!

''So much blood was shed over these rings for a reason, Tsuna. They hold incredible power.'' Reborn stated, in full scholar costume, stroking a tiny fake moustache. ''You need it.''

''I didn't want these rings!'' Tsuna reminded him. And he still doesn't. But Tsuna has no choice over this.

''You've shed blood over it too, and its yours now. Anyways, I'm sure your Guardians can tell you the difference.''

Yamamoto had held a fresh leaf over his lit ring for a while, before going back to flicking his finger repeatedly over the azure blue flame, biting his lips and eyes crinkled in joy, giggling. Gokudera was holding up a ruler, of all instruments, a standard yellow ruler, to measure the erratic angry red flame on his ring, and muttering to himself. Ryohei was shouting at his. Lambo still on a mossy rock, snoring.

''Well, if you're going to be useless, go get us drinks.''

And that was that. Till now, Tsuna still couldn't light a flame on his ring. He pulls up the chain on his neck holding the piece of metal, and tries to hold back a sigh.

He failed.

He knows very well he doesn't have enough resolution to do it. He's a loser with no ambition. What did they expect? He's useless-Tsuna!

''If you're going to mope, do it in your sleep.''

''Re-Reborn! Where were you?''

''Got a call from someone, now stop wasting time and go count from uno to duemille e cinquantasette.''

''Wha- due what? ...And he's already asleep.'' Tsuna glares at Reborn's snot bubble, and the visible rise and fall of his tiny baby chest. Tsuna pulls his blankets over his head with more force than necessary, and starts to count with what he can remember. Uno, due, tre... ...

-o-o-o-o-o-

-Monday-

Tsuna is really tired. Counting in Italian had ended up keeping him awake for much longer, and got him thinking and moping-about what, he can't remember.

And Reborn's creeping up to him again, with that dreaded ten-ton Leon hammer, saying in that high pitched nasally baby voice straight from the deepest darkest depths of Hell,

''What's 'I'm off to buy 10 books' in Italian', Tsuna?''

''Ho comprare dieci libri! Sveglio, sveglio!''

''Tsuna!''

''Eh- Yamamoto? Cosa-oh.''

Tsuna's in school, and Reborn's not going to wake him up with a mean green lizard hammer and Italian pop-quizzes. Phew. Tsuna tried to ignore the snickering of his classmates that was staying in class for lunch. He tries harder to ignore Gokudera's death threats towards them.

Though...considering the throbbing lump on his the side of his head, that dream may have actually been a memory. That Reborn knocked clean out of his head till now, that jerk. Tsuna sighs, rubbing at his eyes, using his other hand to knead at the lump.

''You okay, Tsuna?'' Yamamoto's been asking that a lot recently. That's worrying.

''I'm okay! Just tired.''

It could have been much worse. They could have been going through something like the Ring Battles again, and Tsuna prefers being tired than fighting for his life. ''How's baseball?''

Yamamoto's eyes lit up.

Tsuna listened to him ramble, with a few quiet moments between when they eat. While Gokudera insulted Yamamoto time to time, but mostly content just sipping on a can of melon soda and radiating killer intent. ...Friendly killer intent.

Once Yamamoto ran out of baseball news in time for lunch to end, they part ways to their separate desks. Before Gokudera walks back though, he went still as if remembering something, then turned to Tsuna and reported the result of his daily patrol, which Tsuna had missed because he was busy sleeping.

''I haven't found anything suspicious around town for days, not even a trace of those shooters.'' He says, with a slight frown. Not that its much different from his usual face. ''That battle maniac dealt with them, I think.''

Because Tsuna thinks the same, he nodded. And let out a quick, nervous laugh, because Hibari's existence is so much more terrifying than assassins out for his life. Tsuna is so relieved that he's on the same... general direction that Hibari is. It's incredibly reassuring.

Gokudera then bowed and returns to his seat, and the afternoon continues, slow and uneventful. It's an unusually warm November afternoon, so Tsuna found himself missing most of it, head in his arms, the coarse sweater sleeve rubbing on his face, half-heartedly listening to the monotonous lecture he can't understand...

''Tenth? Tenth? School's dismissed...''

For the second time that day, Tsuna escapes the Reborn of his sub-consciousness, shouting. ''Questa colazione molto insipido!'' Gokudera blinks at him, but says nothing to that.

''Haha! What's that mean, Tsuna?''

-o-o-o-

They decided to spend the evening at Tsuna's place.

''Mom?'' Tsuna called out, while putting away his shoes. ''Gokudera-kun and Yamamoto are hanging over for a while! Are there snacks?''

''Oh— yes!'' Nana appeared from the living room, holding a half-open magazine. She held it to her lips, and took a moment to contemplate. ''Go ahead up first, I'm going to make more and bring it up later.''

''Sorry for the trouble, Nana-san.''

''Thanks for your hospitality, tenth's mother!''

Yamamoto and Gokudera bowed at the same time. Gokudera then scowled at Yamamoto, offended. He let out a sharp huff and crossed his arms.

''Oh my, oh my~ now you boys go have fun.''

Yamamoto and Gokudera took off their shoes, and head upstairs. The sounds of their footsteps linger, and Tsuna noticed that he doesn't hear any other voices or sounds in the house. Lambo would have jumped on him by now, obnoxious laughter inches from his ears, and demanded Tsuna to play with him, while I-pin shouts at him to behave, Bianchi would say something disturbing, and Fuuta would have also demanded play time, in his own quiet but irrefutable way. Its kind of a daily routine.

''Mom? Where's everyone?''

''Oh, Fuuta-kun, Lambo-kun, and Ipin-chan headed over to the Sassagawas to play. Bianchi-chan has gone to gather more ingredients, she said~''

''Oh.'' That's good. That means Tsuna can finally try to do his homework, with more peace and quite than usual. Not so good concerning Bianchi's... ingredient gathering, but good. There's a strangely familiar pressure building near the back of his head where it meets his neck, though it probably means Reborn was up to something. And he's definitely up to something, because Tsuna hasn't seen him all day, and he's not even home.

Its rarely ever so quiet. Tsuna can hear cars on the streets, bicycles whistling. The wind's whispers among the trees, strangers varying distant voices, a knock on a door far away...sounds usually covered by the chaos in his life, otherwise called his friends. Who were being rather quiet as well, once they filled themselves with Mom's snacks and drinks.

Gokudera's tapping a pen, chewing on his lips, examining a complex looking math paper that's definitely not from the school, and Yamamoto scribbling down paragraphs for language class, one hand supporting his chin.

Tsuna tried hard to appreciate the small moment of piece, but he cant ease the tension he's feeling. And its only getting stronger by the second—

What is Reborn up to?

Tsuna shook his head, and tries to focus on the papers again. History, right...

-thud-

Tsuna looked up at the sound, then froze. Gokudera and Yamamoto were laying face down on the table, hands loosely cupping their pens. But that wasn't the only thing that made Tsuna seize up and his blood run cold. Tsuna could feel the icy, sharp, curved side of a metal blade against the back of his neck, his head held back by a hand grabbing his hair with a steel grip. The blade holds firmly, against his skin, not digging any further, but worryingly present. Tsuna could feel the cut stinging, and something warm trickle down the base of his neck, flowing, his thumping heart not helping— but.

Why isn't he doing anything?

A click.

Tsuna holds his breath. And turns his eyes, as much as possible towards his left, hoping his shaking doesn't dig the blade further in.

Reborn?

Reborn, looking as calm as deadly as a baby shouldn't be, hat lowered and eyes shadowed, was here and overwhelming the room with his own killing intent. He wasn't pointing the gun at Tsuna's forehead, so that means he's not fighting. But Tsuna can feel the sharpness of that metal blade cutting his skin, his head pulled back by the hair, and something within him tells him— one quick swipe of that, and you're done for. How's Reborn going to stop the assassin before he gets killed?

Reborn opened his mouth.

''I'm the number one hitman in the world. Don't forget that, Tsuna.''

''...Eh?''

Tsuna blinked, then felt the hand gripping his hair slacken, then drop off. The sharp pressure on his neck disappear, swiftly replaced with a different, softer, cottony kind. What.

''Keep holding on it, Tsuna.''

''What—'' Tsuna repeats out loud, but complies, putting his hand up to hold onto the gauze against his neck. He watches Reborn jump on to the table where his friends were, before turning around to find that the assassin was out cold, kissing the floor. There's an assassin in his bedroom! Again!

''Wh-when did—''

''Drugs...''Reborn says after sniffing at the drinks. He then lifts Yamamoto's head up, putting his tiny baby fingers everywhere and prodding all over Yamamoto's slack face, then move on to do the same for Gokudera. '' ...These two will be back up in half an hour. You're lucky these aren't poison.''

''Eh? Poison?! But mom— wait, how's mom? Is she still downstairs?''

''I found her asleep on the kitchen table. She's not injured.''

''That-that's good, '' Tsuna breathes out, and slumps over the table, still holding on to the gauze. Which is getting kind of sticky. ''Good thing Bianchi and the kids are all out right now.'' Reborn rustles through a first aid box - when did he bring that out? - and cleaned up Tsuna's wound silently.

Tsuna hissed at the antiseptic, only for Reborn to slap it and makes him really have something to complain about.

''Hey...Reborn? Where were you?'' Tsuna mumbled once Reborn was done with the first aid. Reborn's looking somehow much more serious than usual, so... it probably wasn't another one of his 'mafia boss training' schemes.

Reborn was pulling out pockets from the assassin's jackets and pants now, and doesn't answer Tsuna's question. Tsuna absently prodded at the gauze on his neck, but doesn't ask again. The wound is still stinging a little from the antiseptic, his heart still a little jumpy, and he felt the cut start to throb.

Tsuna's not so enthusiastic about any head turning activities for the next few days. Or explaining to Gokudera.

Once he was done picking off everything the assassin had in possession except his clothes, Reborn took a moment to examine the pile of equipment. He picked up a blue, reflective emblem patch, and the brim of his hat lowered so far down that his eyes are almost completely covered in shadow and fabric. Tsuna had seen him silent and serious like this not that long ago, and this doesn't bode well.

Reborn tightens his hold on the emblem. He puts it away in his black hole of a jacket, and grits his teeth. Tsuna is ready to bolt.

''...This could be the assassin group that did away with the Ninth sons.'' He said softly, then raised his head back up, as if contemplating something.

''Reborn?''

''I'll be bringing him away for interrogation.'' Reborn says, with a cheer, dark shadows and killer intent gone in a flash.

''In-interrogation? Are you serious?''

''Stop being so soft, Tsuna.'' Reborn chastised, pouting. '' What would you have done if the drinks he gave everyone was really poison?''

''I—'' Tsuna has a startlingly clear image of what he would have done. The thought of his friends, his mom- never getting back up, because of him- Shaking his head, Tsuna gulps. Terrible, terrible thoughts. Bad. They're getting back up in 30 minutes, no, 10 minutes, Tsuna reminds himself.

''He,'' Tsuna muttered. ''...He didn't give poison. ''

Reborn pauses mid step out the door, holding - dragging the assassin across the floor by the leg, the assassin still unconscious and face still flat against the floor. Tsuna can see spit trailing. Reborn is just that inconsiderate... and is looking at Tsuna with a unreadable face. No- scratch that. He just laughed at him, if him putting his hand over his mouth, huffing, eyes condescending and brows drooping, says anything.

''I'll be in the basement if you need me.'' Reborn resumes dragging the assassin cross Tsuna's bedroom floor. We have a basement?

''Wait!'' Tsuna felt he really, really shouldn't, gaahhh, but- ''Bring...bring me along. I have some questions I need to ask too. But uh...you wont do anything—'' Tsuna bites his lips. ''You're not gonna like. Torture him? Right?''

Reborn continued dragging the body out. Tsuna got a hunch that he's... probably not up for torture, for once. Tsuna's not hopeful.

''...Come along, stupid.'' Tsuna hears Reborn's voice from down the stairs. He really hopes he's not going to regret this, stupid, stupid Tsuna.

He'll just have to explain to his friends later.

Notes

Chapters will probably not always be this long, I didnt know where to cut this off sooo.

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