Title: Imaginary Friend

By: Metamorcy

Pairing: None, parental!Reborn, child!Tsuna

Summary: Tsuna pouted as his family made fun of his imaginary friend, it wasn't his fault they couldn't see him. It wasn't his fault that they couldn't see the tall man with a fedora that was behind them watching everything with those sharp dangerous looking eyes of his.

Disclaimer: Seriously? Don't own, just the idea

A/N: Some were questioning about giving the tenth gen guardians to Natsu instead of Tsuna. However, did you realize that by doing so Tsuna can't make any normal friends?

Beta'ed by WhiteAngel128


Chapter 7

Tsuna felt his days brightening since the arrival of his new bed. It was like everything was perfect, the way it should be, and he loved it. Reborn had the tendency to sleep in the same bed, sharing it with Tsuna during the night, and was quickly considering the place as his new home. The raven took absolute uncanny enjoyment in watching the brunet get around for his days, making sure that everything ran smoothly for the youngest Sawada. It sparked something deep inside that he hadn't felt in his long life. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that peaked his interest, and it grew stronger each passing day.

Of course, Reborn had to make sure that he didn't do something to accidentally alert the other family members of his presence. It took careful adjustments to his usual routine, from stepping lightly on the floorboards to gently closing the doors so no click could be heard, but it was easily done with his skill level. He was an assassin after all - keeping quiet in a normally noisy household was simple. There were times though, when just being quiet wouldn't work all that well due to the activity involved. When Tsuna went to take a shower or bath, Reborn would follow behind to take his own while the brunet brushed his teeth. It was synchronizing their movements and routines together to make one that suited each other perfectly. With their constant teamwork, it was quite easy to fool everyone. Reborn could only sigh at the obliviousness of the Sawada family. It was ridiculous, on a whole other level that was almost unbelievable by others, but at least it made things easier on his part. That and most of the time the family was either out or with a group where noise level wasn't an issue.

Days went by and the two fell further into their set routine and there were times when Reborn would either walk Tsuna to school or sleep through the morning. Reborn normally did the latter due to his late night disappearances, either for a job or just to burn off any excess energy he had accumulated throughout the day. Tsuna didn't mind and got ready on his own, wanting to try and be independent from everyone while still relying on the hitman to do certain things for him. It was basic things like reaching for items that were too high or helping him put on those shirts that needed to be buttoned on the back. The adult didn't mind, he had grown used to the child, steadily getting protective as the days passed by. Any bully that dared to harm Tsuna would be shot at, no exceptions. He didn't care if it looked bad on his part, he wouldn't allow anyone to harm the child.

One morning, Reborn stirred from his deep sleep and flexed his arms before him only to find a lump beside him. It was this morning that he found Tsuna still sleeping next to him, snuggled up against his body like he was a heater of some sort, with the alarm still blazing in the background. He wiggled his nose, his eyes slowly creeping open to peek at his surroundings and glanced straight to the device that was making all the noise. Reaching out, careful not to jostle the child on his arm, he shut it off, enjoying the silence that followed. However, he knew he couldn't fall back asleep just yet. His onyx eyes peered down at the child beside him and sighed, knowing very well that Tsuna had most likely overslept by accident. 'Better get him up. Can't have him late now, can I?' Still, he took a moment to take in the innocent expression, those puffy cheeks, the fluttering of Tsuna's long eyelashes - these were things that could only belong to a child of his age and stature.

Currently, the brunet had cuddled close against Reborn, his body buried perfectly in the adult's arms. His tiny fingers were clutching onto the white t-shirt the other wore like it was some sort of lifeline. He was dressed in cute blue pajamas that had little figures of black and white pandas on them, they were posed in various positions. Suddenly, Tsuna shifted slightly in Reborn's grasp, burying his face into the white shirt, and he almost appeared like a tiny cat from the way his arms and legs were tucked in. 'Cute.' Reborn shifted back a few inches to gain some distance from the child, knowing he had to stir the other awake and get him ready for school. However, from the way Tsuna appeared, it was almost felt like a sin to break the peace. Still, the hitman did what was needed. His right hand, the same one he had used to turn off the alarm, gently grasped Tsuna's shoulder and using a moderate amount of strength shook him awake. "Tsuna, wake up. It's already morning."

There was a grumble and a shuffle of limbs before the brunet edged closer for warmth, and that same warmth was none other than Reborn's chest. The raven almost wanted to chuckle at the adorable reaction, but resisted and gave another shake. Tsuna this time fluttered open his eyes, glancing up at the adult, and yawned. He gave a small stretch, releasing his grasp on Reborn's shirt, and rolled onto his back. His tiny fingers rubbed his eyes in an attempt to rid the sleepiness that still rested within. "Good… mor-" Another yawn escaped while speaking, cutting the word in half. "-ning." A few blinks later, the brunet was up and moving to get ready for school, however, Reborn noticed something odd. He hadn't detected it at first, pushing it off as the usual morning solemnity, but each movement on Tsuna's end was sluggish and lacked its usual spark. It was unusual.

The adult sat up in bed, sliding his legs over the edge, and continued to watch with an eyebrow raised. His spiky black hair was chaotic from sleep and he ran a hand through his thick locks to flatten them out. "Tsuna," Catching the brunet's attention, he watched as Tsuna glanced his way, halfway through the process of getting dressed with his fingers clenched around a single sock as he tried to pull it over his toes. "Are you feeling alright?"

Blinking, Tsuna automatically nodded his head. "Yeah, just tired. I should feel better after getting something to eat."

"If you say so." Reborn stood up, dressed in his t-shirt and loose pants, and proceeded to help Tsuna get ready for the day. Normally, he wouldn't do such things, but he felt like it today, he had a strong gut feeling it was for the best. Each movement the brunet made was lethargic and the adult couldn't help but be concerned about it. However, nothing abnormal happened along the way and soon, Tsuna was walking out the door for school. "You'll be alright?" The older siblings were still in the kitchen, laughing and enjoying their breakfast as they tried to scarf it down. Apparently, they had woken up late compared to Tsuna.

"Yeah, don't worry, Reborn. I'm a big boy. I'll be back before you know it."

As Tsuna began to step away down the road towards school, the hitman made a small note in the back of his head. 'Better check on him later on. Hopefully, it's just nothing.'


It was only two hours later after Tsuna left for school that the telephone in the house started ringing. Reborn snapped his eyes open from where he was spread out on the couch and immediately sat up, rubbing the back of his head. His fedora was on the table beside him, looking quite out of place compared to everything else. He peered around the area, listening for any footsteps that would follow, but found none. 'Ah, that's right. Nana left to go shopping an hour ago.' With the mother no longer in the household and all the kids out, he had taken the chance to nap on the couch in the living room for the time being. As much as he enjoyed sleeping in bed, he wanted to have his legs propped up and his arms folded, both of which were uncomfortable anywhere else.

As the phone continued ring in the background, Reborn stretched his arms above his head and ran a hand through his hair, smoothing the locks back. 'It's probably one of those pesky neighbors asking for sugar or something. Or a telemarketer.'

Eventually, the phone stopped when it reached its end and the voice recorder came on soon after to follow. "Hello, Sawada residence? This is the nurse at Namimori Elementary school; I'm calling to inform you that Sawada Tsunayoshi is currently sick."

Reborn raised an eyebrow at that, narrowing his eyes just slightly in response, 'Or not.' He stood up to get closer, listening to the message as it continued.

"I request that Tsunayoshi be brought home. Please call back or come to the nurse's office in school-"

Before the message went any further, Reborn picked up the receiver and placed it against his ear. "Hello, this is the Sawada residence."

There was a pause on the other side, taken back by the sudden interruption, before the nurse continued, "Hello, sir. I'm the nurse at Namimori Elementary school. I was wondering if someone could come and pick up Tsunayoshi. It seems like he caught a bad case of the cold. It's nothing serious, but it's better if he goes home and gets some rest. Is there a Sawada Nana there? She's listed under the emergency contacts."

Reborn almost cursed, but continued, "I'm afraid that Nana isn't here at the moment. She went shopping and most likely won't be back until the afternoon. She doesn't have a cell with her so there's no way to get in contact. If it's possible, I can pick Tsuna up and bring him home. I live here at the household and Tsuna knows me quite well."

There was another pause and some shuffling of papers in the background. "Hmm, that's quite troublesome. The only person that can pick him up is Nana due to school policy. What's your relationship to Tsunayoshi?"

"Relationship?" Reborn froze momentarily, quickly thinking up of a lie. There was only one thing in the world that would work and it was the best possible chance. He honestly didn't want to, but if it provided him with desired end results, he was fine with that. "I'm his father."

The hitman could tell the nurse had stopped at the revelation he announced. "Father? I didn't know that-"

"That there's a husband in the house? Yes, I'm aware of that. We don't tell people often about this subject and I'd appreciate if it didn't go around to the gossipers of the town. Nana and I are divorced, but we still get along quite well. I'm currently staying over since my job brought me back here and I had nowhere else to go. Anyway, I'm not around often enough to have Nana place my name underneath Tsuna's contact list. If you say the name 'Reborn' to Tsuna, he'll know who I am."

"I see," There was some more shuffling in the background and some scribbling of what sounded like a pen. Seconds passed between the two receivers and eventually the nurse spoke once more. "Alright, I'll let you come pick Tsuna up due to circumstances, but there will be some paperwork to fill out because of this. Please arrive at the school as quickly as possible."

"No problem." With a quick flick of his hand, he placed the phone down and deleted the message on the answering machine, not wanting to leave any evidence regarding what he was about to do. He sighed, shoulders slumping slightly, and peered back towards his forgotten fedora. He knew he shouldn't have lied about being Tsuna's father, knowing very well that, that little falsehood could spread around quickly within Namimori like wildfire. Well, he'd deal with that when needed. Right now, his only concern was Tsuna.


Kinda cliffy?

The next chapter will be adorable XD

Also, check our my profile to see the future stories I'm planning! Any you're interested in?