A bit sooner than expected, hum? Well, Reborn is Reborn and I'm a bit happy at the moment because my Muse has come back!

YaMi: ... If you don't mean me, I'm getting a vacation.

... Of course I mean you! Eheheh...

YaMi: You'll regret this.

Oops...

Bell2629: Well, I'm sorry for making you all wait so much, but, really, this story is hard to write. More times than not I have to do researches about the characters, about their personality, about the original story and about certain places... You'll see two chapters from this one for that. I'm so happy to read that :D

CiaoKawaiirina: Thanks! Well, Squalo was dealing with something that didn't really make his decisions... safe. He was not his yelling self because he was unsure about the whole ordeal. He cares for his Boss and has come to care about Tsu, too, and that means he has learned to be, at least a bit, delicate. The scene of the birthday testifies that. Reborn is a bit more collected, too, but, here, because he is still testing the waters :D Here's for you!

Shiho: Reborn is Reborn, you're so right! That handome mass of coolness... Ok, better stop. It'll take him more than this chapter to fall in Tsu's clutches, actually xD

Fallenstreet01: Tsu is adorableness embodied! I hope it is ;)

I didn'tdoityoucan'tproveit: At first, I didn't take your review very well. I may be mistaken, but English pertains language, not punctuation's rules. I'm Italian and I gained my knowledge by reading. Your review sounds a bit arrogant to me, starting with the "proper", ending with the tone I read it with (the lack of a question mark, too). I want to thank you nonetheless. Despite how it sounds, you reviewed and that can mean you like the story at least a bit to take your time into making me notice. Someone has already told me about it, anyway. The answer to your question is that I have posted a poll. I had decided to make the change around the end of November, because I'm free, but two more reviews told me that they're against the change. A tie, in few words. I will not go against my readers' desires if I can, so I'll let the majority decide and everyone will be happier. Thank you for the advice.

Words: 4936.

Enjoy!


04 – Reborn


Blood. Corpses. Twitching bodies on the verge of dying. Bullets' holes in the walls. Rifles, guns, bats abandoned on the floor, rendered useless. No organs on display.

Chaos.

Neat Chaos.

Delightful.

Reborn took a deep breath before leaving the building. Mission accomplished. The fourth since the beginning of the month. A busy one, full of secondary Mafia Famiglie's annihilations. Both tiring and thrilling.

But.

He was starting to feel bored. Month after month, year after year, he felt empty. The assassins were beginning to be really untrained, so low-levelled compared to himself. So, thrilling because there were many, but tiring and boring. There were no new tactics, no new weapons, no improvisations. They just followed the rusty protocol and were dead in a matter of minutes.

Reborn needed something new.

But he was a freelance hitman, what was he pretending, honestly…

He briefly texted his contractor to deliver the good news and got to his car. In less than an hour, he was at an apartment in Sicilia. A big, modern one. Reborn just went to the bathroom to get rid of sweat, blood and tension. For the latter, it worked next to nothing. He wore a white unbuttoned shirt and black pants, sitting on the couch to close his eyes for a bit.

A way to relax… Or blow off some steam… Maybe, a woman? Tch, they were too clingy and demanding. He didn't need a new reason of stress, thank you. Neither a man, they became chatty. He wanted silence. A spa tour, maybe… That could do something, but what about the workers? Whatever…

Perhaps, he should go visit Nono and use his mansion for some weeks. That was somewhat alluring.

His phone ringed and he blinked at the caller's ID. Timoteo. Think about the devil… He took the call.

"Chaos."

'Ah, amico mio, come va? (Ah, my friend, how are things?)'

"Il solito. (The usual.) E lì? (And there?)"

'Molto meglio. (A lot better.)'

Reborn arched a slim brow. "Davvero? (Seriously?)"

'Si. Devi sapere che ho un nuovo ospite. (Yes. You must know that I have a new guest.) E ha bisogno di… come dire… una guida. (And he needs… how to say it… a guide.)'

"Una guida… Un tutore? Per cosa? (A guide… A tutor? What for?)"

'Temo di non poterne parlare al telefono. (I fear I can't talk about it via phone.) Ti dispiacerebbe raggiungermi alla magione? (Would you mind coming here at the mansion?)'

Reborn fell silent. Well, it was what he was planning to do. But, a tutor offer? He owed Nono one… Ugh, he could go, listen to the offer and enjoy the luxury for some time, what had he to lose? And, if Timoteo was willing to ask his best card for help, then the guest was worth a meeting.

"D'accordo. (Fine.) Dammi 24 ore. (Give me 24 hours.)"

He clicked the phone shut without more words. He stood and strolled to his bedroom. The man had a journey to prepare for.


Vongola mansion had not changed one bit. It was the usual, pleasurable, dark building he remembered. The people, however, were a whole different matter.

It was barely nine in the evening. He had been taken from the airport by a limo Nono had sent. The first signal of something strange going on was the happy smile the guard had sported before noticing Reborn. The man had then assumed a professionally blank expression. The assassin had brushed it off as the guard reminiscing some romantical encounter. He couldn't know how wrong he was.

Reborn exited the car and strolled to the entrance, where Nono himself was waiting. And not alone. By his side, arms crossed and frown in place, was Iemitsu. He was pouting as if punished for stealing a candy. Now, ignoring the idiot, whose presence was already giving him a headache, Reborn was more interested in the one on Nono's right. Although as stern and rage-flaring as always, Xanxus was not one to stay put and wait.

Noticing the guards' dreamy looks, Reborn's thoughts were making a tornado. Was the tutor thing a made-up story and the problem was another altogether?

He walked up to Timoteo and shook the proffered hand. "Buonasera. (Good evening.)"

"Bentornato, Reborn. (Welcome back, Reborn.)" Timoteo urged him inside with no more explanations.

The two followed them, not dropping the behaviour. He soon found himself in the usual living room. Steaming teapots, ready teacups and a child.

A child?

Thin, baby fat lost, with a crop of wild brown hair and chocolate eyes. Eyes that were scanning him before locking his own. Reborn stood there, immobile, hands tucked in the pants' pockets, shields building in defence to his mind. The boy arched a brow after a while, but smiled and nodded, closing the thick book he had been reading.

"Buonasera."

The assassin nodded back before turning to Nono, a little exasperated. The man shrugged and offered a seat in front of his own. Reborn held back a sigh, but obliged. Iemitsu stayed standing, Xanxus sat near the boy… Okay, that was too much, he ignored it.

"First of all…" Timoteo began, speaking, oddly, in Japanese. "Presentations. This here…" He motioned to the child. "Is Tsunayoshi." He looked at the assassin. "Tsuna, he is Reborn, a hitman."

Though remorseless and bloody, Reborn didn't like a child knowing of that. He was surprised, however, when the boy simply nodded. No eyes widening, no mouth agape, no fear in his lines. What the… Thank his poker face for not revealing his inner turmoil.

"And a friend of mine." Timoteo added as a second thought. "Now, Tsunayoshi, could you please show him what you're capable of?" He smiled.

The child nodded shyly and closed his eyes, taking calming breaths. Reborn had the brief time to wonder, again, what exactly was going on, before he reopened them. And the hitman was rendered speechless. The chocolate eyes had taken an amber hue, almost glistening, and there, on his forehead, a bright orange flame was burning.

Flames. Hyper Dying Will Mode. Without a bullet. Sky pure flames. Called forth with meditation that had lasted less than a minute. What the fuck. What the actual fuck.

He turned to Timoteo, silently demanding an explanation. A detailed one.

The other had the guts to chuckle. "Tsuna is Iemitsu's son."

Well. Shit. That, actually, explained a lot. Primo's lineage. Seemingly out of nowhere, Xanxus produced two black leathered gloves, that Tsunayoshi slowly wore. They lit as if lights of a Christmas tree. The same flame that was on the forehead lit the clothe, not burning it. They felt warm, even if they were far from him, warm and… accepting. A true Sky.

Some awe must have shown on his face, because Xanxus was smirking smugly at him. The teen looked at Tsunayoshi and nodded, a signal that he could call back the flames. The boy let out a breath and smiled at Xanxus, that ruffled his hair.

Xanxus ruffled a child's hair.

Xanxus.

A child.

Affection.

No, he was not prepared for this.

Reborn looked at Nono, that had a playful smile. "Tsunayoshi has been our guest for almost a year, now. I've arranged for him private lessons since the beginning. He's been training for some months, too, under Xanxus. Lal Mirch and Squalo often help with it. During some sessions, they have noticed that, in dire need, he would use advanced speed and we witnessed the flickers of flames. Reminded of Primo, the gloves were made for him and, after that, we understood he needed someone to guide him. Meanwhile, Tsunayoshi trained by himself and was able to achieve this state."

The boy was blushing under Reborn's blank stare, fingers interlaced on his lap. Silence fell after the speech as the hitman mulled over the words.

Pure Sky flames. Control over achieving the Hyper Dying Will. A piercing gaze. Primo's lineage. And resemblance, thinking about it. Training under Xanxus.

There were a lot of interesting variables, but… Not enough to pick his total interest. He huffed before regarding Nono. He still wanted to use the mansion.

"So, you want me to tutor the kid."

Timoteo nodded.

"I need more time."

"You're free to stay here at your leisure."

Fair enough. Reborn nodded and a guard was instructed to lead him to his room. He sent a meaningful glance towards Iemitsu, before following the man.


The documents about Tsunayoshi Sawada were on the desk of his room the morning after. Reborn sat and carefully analysed them.

Tsunayoshi Sawada

Born on 14th October

Current age: 6

Mother: Nana Sawada; killed by Mafiosi in her house in Namimori, Japan

Father: Iemitsu Sawada: current Boss of CEDEF, Vongola Nono's External Advisor

Physical description: brown messy hair, brown eyes, 1.15 meter tall

Personality: friendly, shy, protective, weak-minded, jumpy, sponge when learning, a bit slow

Background: grown up without knowledge of the Mafia; abducted at the age of five for five months; rescued and brought to Italy; currently living in Vongola mansion, trained by Xanxus and taught by a private teacher about any possible subject

Abduction details: Sawada Nana tried to protect him and was shot, he probably witnessed; taken to a safe-house nearby Kyoto; he has been fed worms and leftovers; sexual abuse once or more a week; not allowed to use a bathroom; payed ransom requests for four months; Sawada Iemitsu found the safe-house a month later; abductors killed

Changes after the abduction: the boy has become keenly perceptive, calm, collected; he doesn't cry, doesn't ask for help, doesn't let anyone in; helps around, likes to read and strong-minded; he doesn't like to recall any of his abduction experience, it happened only once with Xanxus and, for a fleeting moment, showed psychological pain; tightly bonded with Lal Mirch, Xanxus, Squalo

Arrangements: private lessons in the morning, training in the afternoon, reading in the evening; eats meals regularly in the living room, usually with someone

An interesting one, no use denying it. There was a lot to process.

First of all, the circumstances of his abduction. Not knowing of the Mafia world, the boy was the son of one of the most influential Mafiosi. Iemitsu, though, had not deployed any guards or spies on the house or his family. Utterly stupid, Reborn mentally noted to smack the man as soon as he could.

Back to the main point… During the abduction attempt, the mother ended up killed, probably in front of her son's eyes. That was bound to leave a deep, still bloody scar. Not considering the sexual and physical abuse. Worms? No bathroom? Torture… For five months.

The changes were obvious consequences… Though, not like this.

True, after something like that, the victim either suicides or becomes stronger. Or… becomes a monster. But, this child was different. A child, too. He was a child that suffered the worst. Discovering the shit this world can give in such a way is the worst way possible. At such an early age.

Despite all of this, he had come out of it not only stronger, but… kinder, in a way… More accepting, more clever and perceptive. And smarter, maybe.

There were no details on how and when the boy had managed to tame, because befriend was a word that just did not fit, Xanxus. Lal Mirch, deep down, was a kind woman. Squalo, Reborn didn't know well. He had joined the picture not so long prior, maybe some months more than a year.

No, the one he wanted to focus on was Nono's adopted son. Last time Reborn had checked, he'd been a time bomb. He remembered Timoteo talking about him. Prideful, arrogant, always angry, likes to fight. Time bomb fitted the teen perfectly. Xanxus, however, had showed his usual behaviour at his arrival, and affection towards the boy. Perceptive didn't exactly cover the ability to make someone like the teen keen on interacting with a child.

It was more than interesting. Endearing, he would dare say. He needed to know more. Asking Xanxus was asking for failure… or a smug smirk, considering the one he had already gained the evening prior. Maybe, he should try with Squalo. And Nono. Later.

Reborn decided right away that he would not use the Japanese language. The boy knew some Italian, so he might as well test him already. On everything he could think of. From theoretical subjects to training preparation.

He knew Xanxus was strong, but knowing how to fight and teaching how to fight were two entirely different things. Reborn had to check for himself as soon as possible.

Also, a talk with the boy, preferably alone, was in order.

After using the private spa.


Reborn felt heavenly refreshed. His muscles were relaxed and felt less robotic. His expression was warmer and he felt more inclined to take care of this tutor offer.

Without further ado, he wore his usual black suit, orange undershirt, tie and fedora. Leon was still tired for the journey. The chameleon had preferred to stay hidden since arriving, so he left his companion sleeping and exited his appointed room. The patrolling guards gave him a respectful nod before passing past. He did not miss the lighter atmosphere surrounding the whole mansion.

Reborn walked to the living room, climbing down the stairs, and found it already used. Squalo was sitting in a couch, steaming teacup in hand. The teen, whose hair were past his shoulders, stood and gave his greeting. The hitman nodded in acknowledgment and sat in an armchair, taking a cup of coffee for himself. Deliciously bitter.

Squalo sat back, a bit nervous. Reborn took the golden chance to interrogate him.

"How did the kid tame your Boss?"

The teen spluttered. Thank God, he had not just drunk, or he would have been dead for dirtying his suit. Squalo took a deep breath and assessed briefly the hitman.

"I don't know…" He shrugged after a while. "He just… did."

Nice explanation. Reborn held back a scoff. Not really helpful. What was that supposed to mean?

"I can say, however…" Squalo began. "That Tsuna is really perceptive. He likes to help, regardless of whom and what the consequences are. Whatever piece of the puzzle you're missing… You'll find it soon. Just… try him."

With that said, the teen put the empty teacup on the low table and excused himself. Reborn hummed, left alone in the room. Was it a thing coming from the purity of his flames? Or from his acceptance? Squalo gave the idea of a strong swordsman, a trustable Varia element, one that did not waste words. This time, though, he had tried to convey something that could not be transposed into words. A bit unsuccessfully, but… At least it was something more.

The door opened and Nono smiled at him before taking a seat opposite the armchair.

"Good morning, my friend. How are things going?"

Why was he so eager? "Can't say for sure. What can you tell me?"

Timoteo took some tea and hummed. "Tsunayoshi is a shy one. He's been left scarred by his mother's death and Xanxus told me he is feeling guilty for not saving her. We think that's the reason why his flames awakened, his desire to help and save… It's unprecedented, as you already know. Considering the purity of the flames and the early age, I thought the best possibility for him to improve was you…" He sighed soundly. "Else… Those flames can turn into a grave danger for him. He's too young. I'm afraid… If you won't accept, I'll have to seal them. I'd prefer not to."

Sealing flames. Dangerous, problematic, a risk. Specially with the boy's already vulnerable state. No, not weak. He was not, if his behaviour with him the evening prior was something to go by. But, vulnerable, yes. Because such flames are most likely to be almost impossible to control. The smallest flicker of uncertainty could result in death.

"I see." Reborn sipped some of his coffee. "Do you know how he tamed your son?"

Timoteo chuckled, amused. "Tamed… What an interesting way to put it… No, Tsunayoshi did not tame Xanxus, he conquered him. Through honesty, I suppose, and true will to help. In our world, that's a difficult thing to find, not wanting anything in return…"

He arched a brow, curious. "What kind of help?"

"With me." The old man took on a sad smile. "I fear my son was planning something to take the throne from me. He'd discovered that he's truly not related to me by blood. You know Xanxus…" Reborn nodded. "Well, after Tsunayoshi came to live here, things… changed. My son became more approachable and, with time, I was able to talk to him about it." The smile was happier. "Can you picture it?"

Honestly, not at all. Not civilly, anyway. The hitman put the empty cup on the table and hunched forward, fingers interlaced under his chin.

When meeting the kid, Reborn had immediately had the urge to defend his mind. The perceptiveness of his eyes… Was that really what did the trick? Was that the reason behind Xanxus' taming? And Squalo's? Maybe… or maybe it was deeper than that. There were things he didn't know yet…

And Reborn was straying away from the 'tutor' path. Yes, he had to evaluate the boy and everything, but these… Were out of bounds, technically speaking. He was getting seriously interested, wanting to admit it or not.

"What do you think?"

Timoteo's voice brought him down from cloud nine. "Hard to say. What's the problem with the guards?"

"Ah… They're fond of Tsunayoshi, I suppose. He even received various gifts from them for his birthday." Nono smiled. "Well, they sure are working better."

The hitman wanted to scoff at that. Sure, one's performance could be enhanced with relax or motivations, but it could also lead to distraction. Was it really a good thing?

"Where is the child?"

"Tsunayoshi is taking his private morning lessons. Do you want to assist?"

Reborn nodded. Both men stood and Nono led the way upstairs, through the corridor and in front of a double door. He knocked before opening it. The room was a study. Green walls covered by libraries, wooden floor with a white big carpet. The child, that was looking at them, was sitting in a chair in front of a wooden desk. A short man with sleek dark brown hair, narrowed blue eyes, wearing brown pants and a red cardigan, stood near the boy, pointing something on an opened book.

The child blinked twice before standing. "Good morning, Nono, Reborn."

Aside from liking the use of Italian language, the hitman noted that he had initially started to bow, freezing and stopping immediately after. Polite. He nodded back.

"Good morning, Tsunayoshi." Nono greeted. "Have you slept well?"

"Yes, Nono. And you?"

"As usual..." He smiled. "Now, I must go take care of some urgent matters. Reborn, here, will watch your lesson." Nono explained. "I think he will follow you throughout the entire day." The hitman nodded curtly in affirmation. "I shall take my leave then, good day."

Timoteo stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Reborn huffed and sat on a couch, crossing his legs and arms. He looked at the child, that sat and moved his focus on the book. Chemistry, apparently. The tutor was explaining the nomenclature, an easy feat… for a high school student. It was clear that the child was having his problems in understanding, but the document about him was right. He was a sponge. What was said once, he memorized and knew, but using it… was another matter. And the tutor's reason of stress. He was trying to explain the mechanism, but the boy was only able to repeat. He couldn't understand it. Reborn observed them for twenty minutes before deciding to step in.

He stood silently and only the boy noticed his movements, that earned him some points. The hitman took the book and hunched over the boy. He explained it his way, ignoring the glare he was receiving from the tutor. Instead of rage and stress, he tried to be slow and add examples of childhood, comparing the suffixes to toys and such. Surprisingly, the experiment went so well that the child was able to use the skill even on harder substances. That shut the tutor up and Reborn was forced to take his place for the whole morning. So, instead of tutoring, he tested the boy.

He asked a lot of theory and the child was able to answer everything. Whenever his voice sounded strained, Reborn caught on his inability to understand what he was saying and explained the concept. Every time, his face brightened in epiphany and his eyes glinted in understanding. He thanked the hitman endlessly, and that caught Reborn by surprise.

He was not used to be thanked. It was his job, he was paid for it… well, still not, because he had not accepted the job, but he did use the spa… Anyway. It was his job, he did not want nor expect gratitude. Nor the tankful and kind smile directed to a man such as himself. The boy knew he was a hitman, after all. Ah, but he had not batted an eye at the notion.

"You do not have to thank me." He snapped, a bit rudely, after the nth time.

Tsuna simply blinked. "Of course I do."

"I'm payed, I do not need your gratitude."

"But I am grateful."

A vein popped on his forehead. "You don't need to be. Your gratitude is not useful to me."

The child tilted his head. "It's not a matter of it being useful or not. My… mother taught me to be polite and I will always be."

There was a hidden sadness behind those words that Reborn understood and let slip. He couldn't exactly counter them. Not without hurting the psyche of the boy badly. And he was already hurt.

Reborn felt defeated. "Fine. Just stop thanking me every time."

The smile he earned was bright and so true that he didn't believe it was addressed to something he had said. He never said kind words and those were not, damn it. Why did the child think they were?

When the lessons ended, it was lunchtime. The tutor had left them after two concepts, so the two exited the room and walked downstairs. Now, Reborn had made up his mind about Xanxus' affection and everything… But seeing the boy run up to him, hug him and coming out of it not only unscathed but with ruffled hair… Too much. He once again ignored the fact and sat at the table in the dining room. As did Nono's son, Tsunayoshi and Squalo.

Surprisingly, in the middle of their lunch, Lal Mirch entered the room and nodded to him, joining them at the table. The maids hurried to settle plates for her, that ate with them. She exchanged a fine conversation with the child and Reborn observed them carefully. The attachment of the woman towards the boy was obvious, given her amused eyes and her relaxed stance. It was the other way around, too, because Tsunayoshi had that atmosphere of a real child talking to a mother figure.

A real child, huh? He had not resembled one till then. Well, how blame him after what he had gone through… And Reborn feared getting attached, too.

One thing was Nono. Lal was a woman, call it mother instinct or something else… But to get someone like Xanxus attached was on another level. And, considering Squalo's words, it was some kind of hidden ability. Or, better, a group of abilities, such as perceptivity, kindness, acceptance, mute understanding. That was the reason why his mental defence had acted up out of pure instinct the evening before.

"Reborn."

The hitman swallowed his pudding and looked at Lal with a nod.

"Will you watch the training?"

At that, Xanxus, that was listening to Tsuna's description of his morning, perked up and looked at the two. Reborn nodded again. The teen smirked. Irritating.

"Then I will, too."

The child looked at Lal. "You won't participate today, Lal-nee?"

She smiled at him. "Not today, but I'll watch and stay for dinner, okay?"

That was apparently enough for him. They quickly finished their lunch and Xanxus escorted them to the training room. Considering who was using it, Reborn was taken aback by how much it was tidy and still standing.

The child went to the centre and Squalo followed. The other three stayed behind, leaning on the wall. The shorter one smiled at the elder's fidgeting and nodded. Squalo huffed, with pink dust on his cheeks, before both took an offensive stance. Surprisingly, the child stroke first.

He jumped forward and aimed a kick at the other's stomach. Reborn started to compile notes in his mind. The speed was above average, his movements were swift but they lacked grace… Something, however, that Reborn could bring out and polish. Squalo gripped the leg and aimed his own kick to make him fall. The child used the held leg to propel a kick with the other foot, leaping into air and landing a scratch on Squalo's retreating cheek. He freed the leg in the gained momentum and flipped backwards. The Varia Rain was smirking in a frightening way.

Reborn looked at the child and was surprised again when he noted that the abused one was still smiling. As if he had just accomplished something… And what? He glanced at Squalo. Back at the ch… Tsunayoshi. Yes, he felt he was right. Then, what had changed… Ah. Squalo's behaviour. He'd been fidgeting. Now, he was smirking. Completely at ease.

The hitman frowned slightly. Did he know that he was currently under his testing eyes? Apparently, not. He cared much more about…

Oh…. Here it was… The missing fragment. The care. He cared, he put the others before himself. That was the snippet he'd been missing. Obviously. Well, not that he could have understood right away….

In his profession, his well-being was always put first. It was a priority. For the accomplishment of the mission. To return home… well… to his apartment, safely. To breath. He liked breathing. He liked living, even if his life was becoming emptier with every passing day. Empty and full. Full of missions. Assassinations. Impossible tasks. Just to… fill the emptiness. Uselessly.

Reborn shook himself from the reverie and watched the fight. Somehow, Squalo had landed a hit on Tsunayoshi's left shoulder and right leg, the jeans and the black hoodie were dirty in those points. The teen, instead, had only the previous scratch. Neither was panting. Rather interesting, for a child.

"Activate your flames, Tsuna." Squalo said, smirk never falling.

"Okay."

The boy closed his eyes. Xanxus took the gloves from a pocket and launched them at him. Tsunayoshi caught them just as the flame on his forehead lit. He opened his eyes, not fully as always. Half-lidded, as the evening before. The orange blaze in his orbs signalled the Hyper Dying Will mode and the Hyper Intuition working together, hand-in-hand. Both trademarks for the Vongola.

Reborn briefly wondered if Xanxus understood what those signified for the Famiglia, before he wore the gloves. They ignited immediately and the hitman felt the tug, the welcome, the comforting heat, the encompassing acceptance. He looked at his sides. Lal Mirch was smiling affectionately, maybe reminiscing or drowning in the affection itself. Xanxus, instead, was smirking in raw satisfaction, as if it was him in the fight, showing off his newest move.

The doubt about the teen erased itself from Reborn's mind with a vengeance. Xanxus knew perfectly what those abilities entailed for the future of the Vongola. And, not only had he accepted the consequences, but he was satisfied. He wanted them to be, to happen.

In a blur for the untrained eye, Tsunayoshi and Squalo fought. The boy's speed was faster than before, but could be even more so with the right training. And the same could be said for his instincts, hindered by inexperience, his accuracy, his thinking, his Intuition….

Oh, God… Now Reborn wanted to train him. He sighed silently. He had crumbled after only a day, huh? Quite endearing. Still… A last proof.

Leon, that had joined him after lunch, slid to his hand and morphed into a gun. He aimed at the boy's head, leaking some bloodlust. He shot.

What happened after was astonishing.

First. Xanxus tried to attack him with a fury that he had reserved only to Nono. Reborn dodged after shooting with a somersault, approaching the battlefield.

Second. Lal shrieked. … Lal shrieked. With her hands lifted. Ok, it was feeble for a shriek, but it was a shriek. Reborn had to tell this to Colonello. As soon as possible.

Third. Squalo had the time to think about moving in the trajectory and to start with his intention, but was late. And the desperation on his face was clear as water.

Fourth. Tsunayoshi dodged the bullet. Without a blink, without a glare, without fear, without delay caused by surprise. Almost as if he had expected it. Almost as if… He had been waiting for it.

Reborn stood, Leon morphing back on his fedora, and stared. The boy stared back, standing himself. A smirk bloomed on his lips, he couldn't hold it back. Everyone was stilled by their exchange.

"Satisfied?" The boy asked.

"Greatly." He supplied. "How did you know?"

"You've been wanting to try since the beginning." He smirked, even if it was a bit too soft. "Will you tutor me?"

His own smirk widened. "I will."


And next is...

YaMi: A mess.

... Whatever do you mean?

YaMi: Wherever they appear, messes.

Oh... Well.. You might be right... Varia! See ya!