Hey, it's time for an update! GUESS WHAT!? THIS STORY HIT 100 FOLLOWS! YOU GUYS ARE THE ABOSULUTE BEST AND I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! No, but really. I never thought I would be able to get so many follows in like, three chapters. I'm honestly shocked. Hey, explanations will be coming in this chapter, sorry if the chap starts out slowly. Time to start the chapter, so enjoyyyy! Read the author's note at the end, it has to do with updates.

….

As Hibari walked away, Tsuna felt an odd presence in the alleyway. He could practically feel the power rolling off it. But it quickly disappeared, and left Tsuna even more confused then before.

….

Deciding not to let the thugs ruin their day, Hana and Tsuna went to the cafe. Inside, it was warm and cozy, and the aroma was sweet. The duo sat down and took off their coats. Hana tapped her finger on the table, and didn't bother to beat around the bush.

"Tsuna, are you going to tell me about those flames in your hair?" Tsuna slowly blinked, trying to process how quick Hana had been about confronting him. He had been hoping for maybe a day or two, but with Hana, it was a matter of minutes.

"Er... I can't really explain what I don't know the answer to. I mean, they were trying to hurt you, a-and... I couldn't let them do that to you..." Tsuna trailed off, and averted his eyes from hers. Hana's finger tapping got louder and louder. She kept on staring at Tsuna, and there was a slight twitch in her eye.

"Oh, Tsuna... Thanks for saving me. You looked pretty brave back then, you know? I thought maybe, just maybe, you had grown a permanent backbone. Not that fleeting one that seems to appear every once in awhile. I'll drop this matter for now, but on Monday, please don't expect any mercy." Hana waited for the brunet to agree.

"Hana," he started in a small voice, "Do you ever... hear a voice in your head? One that sounds like you? And does it ever urge you to do something?" Tsuna let out a shuddering breath, and hoped his friend wouldn't be too weirded out. Hana knew that something was troubling him, and sighed.

"My mom always says that everyone has a conscience in their heads, telling them right from wrong. She thinks that their conscience is the voice trying to form you into the person you want to be. It's a stupid theory, but she always had a firm belief in it. So this voice is just who you want to be. Nothing to be alarmed about." Hana crossed her arms. Tsuna, who had been staring down at his lap looked up at his friend, and his lips curved upwards. He was happy that Hana had tried to convince him he wasn't crazy.

"Hana, slow down! First, you declare me your best friend, then you try and console me! This friendship is going way too fast! We've only been friends for a couple of weeks! I think I need a breather..." Tsuna dramatically fanned his face, and Hana wanted to smack him upside the head.

"What are you talking about, idiot monkey!? You're the one who unnecessarily declared me his best friend! And excuse me if I try and help you with your issues!" Hana huffed and looked away.

"Our first argument already? Please slow down, I don't think I can take this any longer." Tsuna now had a goofy smile on his face, and any sign of tenseness he had before had vanished. Hana fought not to grin- she had never seen Tsuna joking around before. He had never seemed like a jokester to her.

"Monkey, I advise you stop this right now, or you'll be paying for both our meals!" But there was no bite in her tone, and a small giggle slipped out of her mouth. For now, she wouldn't care about the fact that her friend had fire on his head, and effortlessly knocked out someone twice his size. All that mattered at that single moment was the fact that she was having fun.

….

When Tsuna got home, his mother was waiting on the couch for him.

"So, Tsu-kun, how was your day?" She practically sang.

"It was a lot of fun, and I got a lot of books to read."

"How did you pay for these books, hmm?" Nana's eyes narrowed.

"Um... With my savings?" Tsuna could feel himself shrinking under his mother's glare.

"You need to find a new way to get money, Tsuna! You can't always rely on your allowance, you know!" His mom wagged her finger at Tsuna. "I'm going to have to find you a job or something!" Nana jokingly. "Now go off to your room and read your books." She said, shooing Tsuna off.

The next morning, Nana woke up bright and early. She got dressed and headed downstairs. On the wooden table, was a flyer that wasn't there before. Curious, Nana picked it up.

Checkered Antique Store

The Best Antique Place in Namimori!

Now Looking for Part-Time!

The pay is very good, and so are the hours!

Very convenient for young boys that need to learn responsibility!

To Get the Job Call: 555-555

Address: Aifam Ave.

Nana gasped. This was perfect for her son! Picking up the house phone, she called the number.

"Checkered Antique Store! Manager speaking, how may I help you?"

"Hello, my name is Sawada Nana, and I think my son would be great for your open position!"

"Really, now? He's hired! Now, may I ask what his name is?"

Nana pumped her fist in the air, "Tsunayoshi."

"Great! The hours are Monday through Saturday, and his hours are 4 to 8 pm! Please have him show up to the shop at 3pm on Monday." Nana was a bit befuddled to how her son got the job so easily, but she wasn't going to complain.

"Thank you so much!" Nana hoped that getting a job would shape her son into a more responsible boy. Maybe even a man, like his father!

….

"So, that's why I got you a part-time job!" Nana clasped her hands together. The two were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Tsuna's jaw dropped, and he shrieked.

"What! How on earth- why on earth- mom- What?" Tsuna was barely coherent. He didn't want to get a job! He wasn't even a teenager yet!

"I'm glad you asked! Well, there was a flyer on the table, and I probably forgot I put it there! I did it because I wanted you to learn how to be a responsible, hard working boy! Also, it's always nice to have a little extra money... They said that you start on Monday, at three." Nana's tone left no room for discussion.

"...Okay, but if I get fired, please don't make me get a new job!" Nana seemed to consider it.

"If you keep the job for more than three weeks, then you won't have to get a new job. Deal?"

"I can't believe this, but...deal." The two shook hands, and Nana triumphantly started to eat her omelet.

….

"And that's why I won't be able to hang out after school for awhile." Tsuna and Hana were on the roof eating lunch and talking to each other. Somewhat near Tsuna was Hibari, who was napping.

"A job, Tsuna? Wow, most people don't get a job until their late teens. I'm slightly impressed." Hana took a bite from her lunch. "Hibari, would you like something to eat?" Hibari grunted, apparently awake. "Fine, I guess if you don't want any..."

Tsuna opened his own lunch, and was happily surprised to what was in there.

"Great, Mom packed me a hamburger stea-" Hibari promptly stood up, walked over to Tsuna, and took his lunch. The brunet stared up at the prefect in disbelief.

"Hibari-san, by any chance, would you like hamburger steak?" Hibari grunted again, and started eating.

"Herbivore, I will expect you to bring more of this at least once a week." Hana and Tsuna glanced at each other. Who knew Hibari actually had a favorite food?

….

Tsuna was completely and utterly annoyed. After school, he headed over to the quieter part of town, near the noodle shop. According to his mother, there was no exact address for the store, only a street name. That he had never heard of. Did this place even exist? Sighing in frustration, Tsuna looked at his watch.

2:56 If he wasn't punctual, he could get fired on the first day.

2:57. Oh god, if he got fired before he even started, his mom would make that face. The face that could make Tsuna feel so guilty it would be unbearable.

2:58. But it wasn't his fault, was it? They could have at least given an actual address...

2:59. His mother had never liked excuses. She would just tell him to stop making excuses.

3:00. He had dishonored his mother, and himself. He was so ashamed, and now his mother would make the face. Wait, who was that man beckoning to him? Tsuna recognized him as the man he had bumped into at the bookstore.

"Hello, Tsunayoshi! Fine day to be out." Kawahira said. Tsuna started to back away, but Kawahira grabbed onto his arm. "No need to be backing away. We'll be going now!" Tsuna could feel dread going through him. Was he being kidnapped? Fortunately, all Kawahira did was drag him over to the noodle shop. "Sit down, young Tsunayoshi. No need to be afraid. Do you want to order anything?"

"H-how do you know my name?" Tsuna felt very scared around this person.

"No noodles for you then, I guess. Wait right here while I order. I wouldn't recommend running off if I were you." Kawahira went to the counter to order, and Tsuna was glued to his seat out of fear. Minutes later, Kawahira returned with his food.

"Why did you call me here?" Tsuna wasted no time in asking. All cheeriness in Kawahira disappeared as if it were never there. A sharp look appeared in his eye.

"Tsunayoshi, I would like you to know there is no store, and no part-time job."

Tsuna opened his mouth to reply, but Kawahira went on. "I placed a flyer in your house, advertising a fake job to get you over here."

"W-why?" Tsuna stuttered. A small smirk appeared on Kawahira's face.

"To train you to be the Protettore, of course." Confusion spread over Tsuna's face. "Time for you to listen, Tsunayoshi. Have you ever heard of the mafia?"

Tsuna paled, but nodded slightly. "Well, the Protettore, or Protecter, has a very large role in the mafia." Tsuna almost shrieked, but Kawahira cut him off. "In the mafia, there is a thing called the Tri-ni-set. It is made out of three sets of rings. The Arcobaleno pacifiers, the Vongola rings, and the Mare rings. There are seven rings of each group, and this makes up the 7(3) policy. Each ring holds amazing powerful, and every generation, a new group comes along and possesses these rings." Kawahira took a breath and analyzed the brunet's reaction. The boy was gaping like a fish, with his mouth opening and closing. Kawahira fought the urge to chuckle.

"Now, these people are very powerful, but sometimes, their power fails them. Just maybe, they might show a moment of weakness, and that's all it takes for them to be taken down. They need to protected at these times of weakness. Also, the Tri-ni-set in drawings are usually made in a triangle. But in some paintings, there is an orange stone in the middle. That's where the Proteggere stone comes in. In ancient times, there was said to be a beautiful stone made by God. All the people worshipped it, believing it would be their savior in their darkest times. Unfortunately, when the people needed it most, it vanished. Many years later, it was said to of resurfaced into the mafia. Are you still following me, Tsunayoshi?" Tsuna seemed to only be capable of nodding.

"Good. The stone was said to of come into contact with a young man, and the stone's power flowed within in the veins him. The stone, know as the Proteggere, gave him a mission. Protect and aid the Tri-ni-set with their lives. At the time, the Tri-ni-set was only just starting to be controlled by humans, and as we both know, humans are not invincible. So the young man soon became the Protettore, and was known as the Shield of the Tri-ni-set. But that's all according to legend in the mafia world. After the first Protettore died, the stone found it's new owner, and so on. Who ever owns the stone is aided by a wreath of flames, or the Corona di Fiamme. With these flames, they had power comparable to the 21 powerful rings. And now, the Proteggere stone has found it's tenth owner," Kawahira's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Sawada Tsunayoshi."

"M-me?" Tsuna couldn't comprehend the thought of him, Dame-Tsuna, being responsible for protecting freakishly powerful people. Kawahira nodded.

"Years ago, we collided in this very store. I was at the time holding the stone and looking for potential owners when I bumped into you. Foolishly, I didn't notice that the stone had fallen out of my pocket until I was on a plane. And I'm assuming that you picked up the stone, which accepted you as it's owner recently. And it is my duty to train you, so please be prepared. But you seem to need time to let all this information go through you, so this is it for today. Please be ready for tomorrow, at 4 pm. I will be waiting at this noodle shop. Don't be late." Kawahira stood up, and walked out of the store. His noodles were unfinished, and still hot.

Tsuna's eyes were glassy, not looking at anything. How could he be someone so important? It would be another twenty minutes before Tsuna bothered to get up and go home.

….

Done! Done! Doneeeeeeee! Did anyone catch a small Avatar: The Last Airbender reference in this chapter? I love that series! Hey, was the site acting weird for anyone else yesterday? I needed to update the story summary, and whenever I clicked on my Pen name, I got an error message. I was like "is this rly happening right now?" Damn, that last section was LONG! Dialouge, dialouge, and more dialouge! annnyywayss

NEW STORY SUMMARY: The Proteggere Stone. A stone that was said to be made God himself, was worshiped in ancient times. One day, it vanished, and many years later, it was said to of resurfaced into the Mafia. It is merely a myth, but the stone was hailed to be the Shield of the Tr-ni-set, protecter of the set. Whoever owned the stone would become the Protettore, or Protecter of the Set. Aided by the Wreath of Flames, it is the duty of the Protettore to aid and protect the Tr-ni-set with their lives. So what happens when Tsuna finds a mysterious orange stone?

HEY YOU! READER! THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTE CONSIDERING UPDATES!

Yo, I feel kinda bad about my update times. I only update once a week, and it would be okay if each chap were about 5,000 words, but they aren't. Sooo, I'm asking you, the readers, how should I update?

Twice a week: Sunday/Saturday and Wednesday(?) Chapters around this length.

Once a week: Sunday- chapters around 4,000 to 5,000 words.

These are really the only options I'll consider, but I would love to hear your opinions, and I'll make an announcement about it next week. Okay, so that's it for now! Please review, it makes me want to continue this story! Thanks for reading, see ya later!