Ha, man how long has it been exactly? It's a new year guys, yet I'll probably still be writing 2016 or something. Hope you all enjoyed the holidays, or at least had some nice moments during it.

Thanks to everyone for sticking around. Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews. Y'all support really mean something for us, we truly appreciate it. Hope you guys like the chapter!

Reborn arrived at the Shirohige Café an hour before the appointed time. He decided that it'd be in his best interest to get familiar with the area as soon as possible, hence being early. And he may have also done a bit of reconnaissance yesterday, so what. No such thing as being too prepared.

Strangely, the café wasn't located towards the West, in Namimori or Shirimasen, but to the East in Kyoto. Somewhere Reborn assumed Kimura wouldn't (couldn't) enter so freely. Not necessarily because of the café itself- certainly an unexpected meeting place- more on the fact that Kyoto was Tijano territory. A well-known yakuza, one of old power, that's on hostile terms with Katsu Kotei.

Settling in the corner of the café near the back entrance, Reborn ordered an espresso and kept a watchful eye out as he waited. Fifteen minutes after two, he noticed both employees running the counter tense, sending each other worried glances. The short female, whose name tag said Haruhi, just straightened and face the entrance, hands absentmindedly fixing the display case. The other, a male, pushed his glasses up as he carried on signing what seemed to be paperwork. His name tag read Ritsu, making Reborn stare blankly at them.

For standing at the entrance was Kimura, the boy who apparently enjoyed ruining everyone else's day-more like made it his job. Kimura didn't even care that he was unwelcomed in the café, or that he was in enemy territory, simply giving a cheeky salute to the employees as he strolled over to the counter. Haruhi gave a bland smile to the other.

"Hello. What would you like for me to get you today?"

Kimura purposely put one of his hands in the pocket of his hoodie while leaning slightly forward, causing the lady to flinch. Reborn's eyes flickered briefly to the teen's hands. Ritsu looked conflicted, well aware that he couldn't do anything against the younger male, but not willing to let the female face the other alone.

Kimura sent a smirk to the male employee, understanding his plight before turning his attention on the girl. Ritsu could only glare sullenly at the paperwork in his hands.

"Double espresso. Oh and... How 'bout one piece of Raftel cake. Thanks."

Stepping back, he sent a meaningful glance at the phone Ritsu was trying to hide from sight. "I'm here for a little chat," Kimura started with a smile, "It would be a shame of you interrupted it." There was an edge to his tone that made the two shiver and take a shaking step away from the teen.

"Is that a threat?" Surprisingly, the female employee still asked such a question without stuttering.

The teen closed his eyes, smile intact. "I prefer calling it stating facts." Kimura then gave them a half-lidded stare, eyes now a burning orange that made the employees hold their breath. "But I suppose it is."

Not even three steps away does he give them a side eyed glance. "You'd do well not to poison anything." With that said, he walked over Reborn's table, lips twitching upward as he heard the two behind him try to regain their breath. Reborn's eyes lingering on the teen's gait.

Reborn raised an eyebrow at the boy, having not expected the other to act like that. Kimura responded with his own raised brow.

Inwardly sighing, Reborn decided he didn't need an answer to that question, so he didn't push. At least for now. He was already walking on eggshells, no need to make it worse.

"Chaos. Is there any reason you chose this place, Kimura?"

"Hello to you to, shitty geezer. I'm doing good, thanks for asking. Shitty geezer."

"Thought you'd want to skip over the pleasantries."

"Don't go thinking you know me." Scowling, Kimura continued, "Besides, I've been told that assuming makes an ass out of you."

"Never said that," Reborn stated with a cool look to appease Kimura who merely scoffed.

"Whatever. Though, I wonder about your idea of pleasantries."

"We're getting side tracked, not going through small talk. Which reminds me, why this place?"

Kimura snorted before blinking as if surprised by the noise. He then seemed to give an equivalent of a mental shrug as he answered. "I like coffee."

"What if I didn't?"

"Sounds like a you problem."

Honestly, Reborn knew he'd receive such a response. "You should choose a place for the guest, not yourself. You also should pick a neutral place when having a meeting between different parties."

Kimura shot him a bewildered look. "Are you… Are you seriously lecturing me right now?"

Reborn merely took a sip of his own espresso.

"You do realize I haven't accepted your tutoring," Kimura stated, mouth twisting in disgust at the last word.

"Yet."

"Ah, your confidence is quite astounding or are you trying to compensate for something."

Reborn gave the other an unimpressed stare. "Isn't it rather dangerous to use one's entire vocabulary in a single sentence?"

The teen had no chance to reply as he was interrupted by the server.

"Excuse me," Haruhi began with a too polite smile, "Here's your double espresso with a piece of Raftel cake. Please enjoy and leave soon." Pivoting, she walked back to the counter, never glancing back.

Curiously, Reborn gazed at Kimura, wondering on how he'd respond. Said teen didn't even look up, too busy checking his food for anything suspicious.

"Not going to say anything to her," Reborn couldn't help but ask. This kid was unpredictable.

"Nah, kind of deserved that."

Lowering his fedora, Reborn contented himself with watching the teen poke and prod his slice of cake. Finally, Kimura deemed it well enough to take a bite, expression brightening at the taste. Moving on, he grabbed his caffeinated drink, eyed it uncertainly before blowing on it and taking a sip. Kimura let out a happy sigh, seemingly satisfied with the taste, or maybe that he wasn't poisoned, who knew. Some poisons are slow reacting anyways.

"Kimura."

"Hm. I'm not letting you have a bit of my cake, just so you know."

"I believe we've done enough deflecting, so answer. Why this place?"

Kimura sighed, giving a longing look to his food as he pushed it aside. Once more, Reborn's eyes couldn't help but focus briefly on the teen's hands. "Couldn't wait till I finished huh, damn geezer."

Reborn continued to look unimpressed.

"What's with the question anyways? So hung up on the fact that it's a café, like who cares?"

"I wish to know because this is Tijano territory and I'm aware you aren't on the best of terms with that particular group."

Straightening, Kimura eyed the older man sharply. "You seem to know an awfully lot, been doing some stalking haven't you."

"Like to take time to see what I'm dealing with. I dislike surprises."

Kimura seemed to tense at that, making Reborn puzzled and wondering what set him off.

"Well," the teen said a bit too casually, "Maybe we are allies now, you never really know."

"Don't take me for a fool. You've never gotten along with the Tijano's. In fact, Katsu Kotei is constantly having skirmishes with them all year long. More so this year. You've also chose this place with the knowledge that this establishment is directly under the protection of the Tijano's Oyabun. His civilian friends running the place being the main reason."

Smirking, the teen leaned back in his chair. "Ah, you've truly taken the time to go around and shove your head up people's asses, haven't yah? I'll give you this one though, yes, I chose this place exactly for those reasons. Don't know what they did to piss off the Oyabun, but he's ordered all of us to mess with the Tijano's at any chance we get. Not like any of us are complaining about it."

Reborn took a brief moment to digest that. There hadn't been any incidents that would make such an order come about. While there is some unrest between several yakuzas, it wasn't enough to incite a need of mocking and antagonizing behavior. Unless, he was missing something vital, an underlain plan that wouldn't come into fruition until the very end. Here he paused, narrowed eyes landing on the teen. 'Most likely Katsu Kotei's Oyabun, Akashi Sejuurou. The only leader left cunning enough in the Japanese Underworld to fool the yakuzas into being his personal pawns, them none the wiser.'

"If that's all, Hitman-san, then I'd like to leave."

"Hm, we haven't even gone over your schooling or better yet, the honor of being tutored by me," Reborn said, smirking smugly.

"Honor my ass. Besides, why do I need school if I'm going to be tutored anyways?"

"Didn't think you'd be so willing?"

Kimura gave him a deadpanned look. "I ain't, but I said I'd try, so here I am fucking trying. What convincing me not to now? No longer wanting to waste your time on little ole me?"

"Not at all, I never fail an assignment handed to me, but let's get one thing straight," Reborn stated seriously, eyes staring intently at the teen, "I'm not wasting my time."

Kimura scoffed, confused on what the older male meant and unsure how to answer.

Thankfully, Reborn carried on with the conversation, casual as can be. Not so thankfully, he ended up insulting the teen."

"The little part is right though."

Kimura's eye twitched, jaw tightening in anger. "Whatever geezer. For all you know, it's your eyesight that's failing in your old age."

"Denial isn't a good look on you."

"But stupidity is on you."

"On me, no. For you, quite fitting so I've seen."

"Heh, with your shitty sight, I don't think your opinion can be considered."

"My opinion is the only one worth caring about."

"You a self-proclaimed god now."

"Not self- proclaimed."

"Definitely the ego of one."

Smirking, Reborn was ready to retort before Leon dropped to the table, wandering near Kimura. Lowering his fedora, he decided to wait and see what Leon would do.

Leon usually bit people he didn't like, such as Colonnello and Mukuro. He tolerated all the troublesome children Reborn took in, only semi-liking Hibari. The same Hibari who is still bribing Leon- to this day- with his favorite treats in order to be liked.

As for the teen, Kimura's face, one of annoyed amusement, fell as he blankly watched the chameleon move closer to him.

"Who's the little… guy?"

"He's my partner, Leon."

"Partner?" Kimura shook his head in exasperation, left hand cautiously offered to Leon. Said chameleon flicked his tongue, deeming him well enough to climb onto the teen's palm. Gently, Kimura held Leon to his chest, eyes wide with wonder as his right index finger lightly petting the chameleon. Leon made himself at home, quite content at the attention he was receiving.

'Unpredictable,' Reborn thought as he watched the care in which Kimura took with this partner. 'Unpredictable and confusing.'

"The school you'll be attending is Namimori Middle."

"Pfft, no surprise there. Kyo-chan agreed?"

"I convinced him." Here they both couldn't help but exchange amused looks, well familiar with the ways of 'convincing' Hibari. "You start on Monday."

"I ain't got no problem with that, but from Wednesday and on I'll be busy."

"You'll be missing your first week of school."

"Meh. It'll only be three days. I've got a mission of sorts to do."

Reborn didn't push any further. "Fine. You'll deal with Kyoya on your own though."

Grimacing, Kimura nodded.

"We'll be meeting everyday afterschool for your tutoring, for about two hours. Kyoya will inform you when we start."

"Tch."

"I believe you know about flames already."

"The basics."

Waving a hand, Reborn indicated for the other to explain.

"Seriously?!"

"Amuse me."

"What? I'm a bloody show pony now."

"…"

"Damn lucky I got this little guy on my hands, you bastard. I only know that there are seven flames and they each got their own abilities. The yellow heals, the purple multiplies or some shit, the red just burns, and the indigo is a mind fucker."

Honestly, Reborn wanted to facepalm, the kid was too tiring. "Well yes. The yellow are Sun flames. The purple are Cloud flames. The red are Storm and the indigo are Mist flames. The blue are Rain, the green are Lightning, and the orange are Sky flames."

This seem to pique the teen's interest, even if he tried no to show it.

"We can go more into this later. At least you have an idea of what they are, despite not being mafia."

"I see what you doing, ain't gonna work. Why not explain here?"

With a slight huff Reborn said, "Not a proper setting."

"Ah, right. The Omerta thing."

Sharp eyes pinned the teen with an intense look. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask, but how do you know that?"

Kimura rolled his eyes. "Still ain't working."

"Then how much do you know?"

"The Costra Notre. The Vindice. The whole she-bang."

"Even though you shouldn't."

"Even though I shouldn't."

After a brief stare down, Reborn reluctantly backed down. He had a couple more questions to ask and didn't need Kimura answering in a I'm-pretending-I-don't-know-what-you-mean-because-I'm-full-of-spite-and-want-to-see-you-suffer type of way.

"Very well. We'll go more over all those subjects later, especially when it comes to the Vindice."

Reborn said it with such a pointed tone, one that promised hell if not given the full, honest story that it made Tsuna regard him with apprehension. A similar look to one aimed at him when they fought. It was a topic Reborn couldn't let slide, even at the cost of losing what little trust he's earned. The Vindice weren't a group casually mentioned. Not even those within the Vongola dared to breath their name.

Kimura seemed to register something, a thought that calmed him enough not to bolt. With their recent fight still semi-fresh, Reborn couldn't understand. He was ready to deal with the backlash his actions incited, was ready to try twice as hard to even regain an ounce of trust, not this. This calm was far too suspicious, it was-

Kimura hands curled tighter around Leon. A move so simple anyone else wouldn't have noticed it, but Reborn wasn't just anybody else. 'Using Leon against me, an animal you were enamored with not even a second ago. I've underestimated you, Kimura Tsuna. You're far crueler than I realized.'

Reborn, though slightly angered at the threat, shoved it aside. He wasn't going to harm the teen, whether they believed that or not. Whatever was necessary to make the kid stay seated. Besides, he understood that in this situation, it wasn't going to be Leon that got injured.

"Are you at least aware of the guardians?"

"Guardians?"

"Yes. As the leader you'll need to have a representative for each flame, they'll be your guardians. I've already got some people in mind, you'll be meeting them soon. I can't force them to be your subordinates though, that's all up to you."

He received a curt nod.

"I know you still have missions to do with Katsu Kotei, we'll work around them for the mean time. Find some way for you not be needed or called upon as much."

He received a blank look.

It was one thing after another with this kid, at this rate he'll constantly have a headache even when he's away from the kid.

"Where'd you get those injuries?"

"…Mission."

'Lie.' Tilting is fedora down, Reborn considered his next words carefully.

"They're a bit superficial. I can heal them, if only so you have no excuses to ditch training."

Thankfully, Kimura took a moment to ponder his words. "Nah, s'alright. It'll be weird if I showed up at base with no injuries."

Reborn had to concede to that point, no matter how annoying he found it.

"Does that mean you have… Sun flames? As in you heal? You. You're a healer?"

"No need to sound so disbelieving kid. There's more to the usage of Sun flames, but to answer your questions… yes," Reborn finished with an amused smirk.

Squinting, Kimura nodded skeptically. "Right," he drawled, "If that's it, can I leave Hitman-san? I don't want to spend my entire day with you."

Not wanting to be dragged into another useless round of bickering, Reborn quickly moved on. He could always get back at the teen for the insult during his training.

"Answer this last question, then you can go pickpocket old ladies." He easily ignored the glare thrown at him. "Where's your mother?"

A bunch of emotions flashed across Kimura's face, too fast for Reborn to identify before it settled on bitter amusement.

"I'm almost convinced to let you meet her. Just to know how Iemitsu would react but..."

Kimura shook his head and gave Leon one final pat on the head then dropped the chameleon onto Reborn's hand. With a hollow smile in Reborn's direction, he got up to leave. "Don't worry about her. She's the safest she's ever been."

The door to the café closed after him, leaving behind two relieved employees, one confused hitman, and one unhappy chameleon.

Tsuna wandered around Namimori's streets, reflecting on his earlier chat with the hitman. It seems that underneath all that assholism the hitman was still an asshole, but a twisted-and-harsh-type-of-caring asshole. Making him tolerable, just barely though.

What he was more concerned about was the agreement he made with the older man, he wasn't sure how'd that work out? School was a semi-okay thing, if it didn't interfere with his missions. Keeping up grade wise was gonna be a breeze. His teacher, Imayoshi, didn't waste time on idiots and made sure he was up to high school level. Besides, he hasn't been considered an idiot ever since his… ever since his mother passed away. Something had just clicked in his brain. No longer was he slow at understanding, never being able to concentrate, easily distracted by nothing and everything, and jumpy at the slightest twitch. So yeah, once the hitman finalized things with Hibari on his registration to the school, it would be easy as fuck.

The whole guardian bullshit was nothing of importance. He's used to playing nice with people he hates or want to slit his throat at any chance they can get. And if these so-called guardians are who he thinks they are, well, there's no need to kiss ass and whatnot.

So far, it was looking pretty good for him. Enough for Tsuna to believe that for however short a while he spent indulging the hitman, it might turn out somewhat decently as a past time. Only as a past time. The hitman, on the other hand, was deluded into believing that the mafia gig was a permanent full-time thing. Which could be troublesome.

"EXTREME HELLO THERE!"

Tensing briefly, Tsuna turned around to give the other a wry smile. "Morning Sasagawa."

"Call me Ryohei!"

"We've been over this dude, no thanks Sasagawa."

"Ryohei!"

"Yeah no."

"Ryohei," the older white-haired male stubbornly yelled.

"I've already agreed on Sasagawa- "

"Ryohei!"

"-instead of Loudmouth Motherfucker."

"So unextreme!"

"Then what you complaining for?"

Ignoring this, the older male jogged past him. "Let's go for an extreme run!"

"And there you go changing the topic till you bring it up later again," Tsuna deadpanned.

Shrugging, he fell in step with the other. It wasn't the first time this happened and probably wouldn't be the last, but he enjoyed it at the very least. Jogging, or in this case running, was very relaxing. The repetitive motions numbing his mind, leaving no room to concentrate on his problems. Of course, with the older teen's constant yelling, it would've snapped him out of his depressive funk anyway.

"EXTREME!"

He could still remember when he first met the other, Tsuna had been out on his occasionally-depending-on-his-mood morning jog when he ran into Ryohei. Literally.

They both been going around the corner block, too quick to stop, and immediately collided with one another. Tsuna felt as if he ran into a brick wall- he knew how that felt, don't ask- with how built the other was.

As a cosmic joke, it had to further prove their difference in body mass. (Where he was on the scrawny side but lean with muscles, the other was packed and made with nothing but pure muscle). He fell onto his ass and the other only stumbled back a couple of steps.

His dignity and ass smarting, he ignored the offered hand, rising to a stand by himself, and walked away. Pointedly shrugging off the other teen.

After that the white-haired male constantly sought him, whether to apologize, question him, or ask to join him on his runs. Ignoring the first several attempts resulted in doing absolutely nothing, so Tsuna thought that apologizing might make the other leave, so he did. Which backfired, epically. Somehow, it got into the muscle-headed teen that they were friends now and thus continued Tsuna's daily suffering with the Loudmouth Motherfucker.

He came to enjoy the white-haired teen's sunny disposition, not that he'd admit it to anyone. Thus, blooming into today's beautiful friendship- not his words, some nosy granny saw everything and told them as such when they passed by her one day. He personally wouldn't use the word beautiful to describe their "friendship," more like dysfunctional.

"EXTREME!"

They were nearing the shopping district now and Tsuna felt like stopping to grab a drink, plus a light snack. Eyeing the passing street signs, his face lit up with recognition, Hope Avenue it read. 'Yes, it's close by!'

Slowing his pace caught Ryohei's attention who quickly followed suit. "Something wrong, Sagi?"

"Nah. Just feel like going over to a nearby teahouse."

"Teahouse?"

"Yeah," by now they've come to a stand still at a crosswalk, facing each other. "Around the corner and then to the left two blocks down. Pretty nice place really."

Ryohei scratched the back of his head, eyebrows furrowed. "Honor Dr? Never seen a tea place there."

"Eh… Well I guess from the outside it doesn't look like much, but I know the old man who runs it, and he does make some good tea. Not without giving some advice that sometimes sounds like complete bull."

Ryohei blinked in confusion at that, in response Tsuna just shrugged. "Wise dude yet can seem as a bit of a nutcase."

"Sounds like an extreme Ossan!"

"Yeah… yeah he is."

Either Ryohei didn't notice, or just politely ignored his weird ass moment, and simply replied, "I'd extremely like to go but…"

"You're busy. 'S fine, see ya."

The older teen looked so hesitant, as if he really wanted to go with him, which was strange if Tsuna admitted.

"If you need to be somewhere, then you should get a move on. It's not like you have to come with me," he said awkwardly. Now greatly regretting asking and opening his dumbass mouth.

"I'm extremely sorry, Sagi! I'm needed back home!"

Shuffling his feet, he just nodded. "You do you Sasagawa."

It seemed the white-haired teen couldn't just leave it at that. Grabbing him by the shoulders, Tsuna was forced to look into the other's burning eyes.

"I extremely want to hang out with you! This is the extreme first time I've been asked by you!"

Blinking, he gave a small nod, still lost at the sudden turn of events.

"My family and I have to extremely train so we can be strong enough to protect each other!"

Here, Ryohei's face kind of twisted into a grimace. "I can't skip or take a day off, or else Reborn's going to… He's an extreme guy, but…"

Hearing the hitman's name snapped Tsuna into attention. Stepping back, letting the white-haired teen's arms fall from his shoulders, he gave a closed eyed smile. "Yeah, yeah, it's alright. I'm going on ahead then. Ja ne."

Ryohei paused for a moment, glancing behind him almost thoughtfully before joining Tsuna on his mini-stroll. Lips twitching upward, Tsuna allowed himself to bask in the companionable silence that followed. Reluctantly, he had to admit that he enjoyed Ryohei's company even when he was like a blazing sun, so bright and happy and active. Though it was times like these that he cherished, times where the older male's personality didn't burn so brightly, but gently shined as the sun did on a cloudy day.

Together they entered the tea shop Tsuna pointed out, easily settling in the corner, eyeing the traditional décor of the building. They both sat indie-style on the tatami mats, the kotatsu in between them. There were shoji doors at the back to differentiate the private rooms available. Paintings of breath-taking views littered the walls along with real bamboo and vines placed in the corners to further add a sense of peace.

An old man made his way over to them, tea in hand as he laid it out on the kotatsu. "I know it's the usual for you my boy. As for you young lad, you look like you'd enjoy a good cup of jasmine tea."

"Ha, have to much jasmine tea in stock now do you, Iroh-jisan."

"Now, now my boy. Jasmine tea is very good, no need to spread such lies."

Chuckling softly, Tsuna shook his head. "Whatever you say, Jisan."

"So how about it young lad?"

"Thank you very much, Ossan! Jasmine tea is one of my extreme favorites."

"You see that my boy. I got an eye for these types of things," Iroh said with smug air around him.

Shooting a betrayed looked to Ryohei who gave a grin in response, Tsuna just sipped his tea sulkily.

"I gotta get back to the counter, it was nice meeting you boys. And Sagi, be sure to drop by more often, got some new tea I'd like you to try."

"Alrighty then, Iroh-jisan. Hopefully you got some snacks to go with that though."

Laughing, the old man pointed at him. "Remember my boy, while it is always best to believe in one's self, a little help from others can be a great blessing."

"Course Jisan. Thanks for the tea."

Waving, the old man went back to work, and possibly playing Pai Sho to pass the time.

"Extreme. Maybe I should bring Kyoko here some time."

Tsuna raised an eyebrow at the other, the name faintly familiar. "Kyoko?"

Ryohei looked blankly at him before dropping his jaw in blatant horror which slightly worried him. Slightly. Then ever seriously, bewildering Tsuna, the other teen said, "Kyoko is one of my wonderful sisters. She is extremely kind and beautiful! You should see- "

And on and on he went, describing his sister in as many flowery words as possible. Tsuna though, he was more focused on the word sisters, as in plural. 'I don't really remember the Sasagawa siblings that well. Ryohei, from what little I recall, was always the boxing senpai who yelled so loud he made your ears bleed. Kyoko? Kyoko, I… oh shit! She was the popular chick who was the only one nice to me. Funny how I forgot about her when I used to be unable to get her out of my mind.'

"Ah, I really should tell Kyoko and Chrome about this place!"

This snapped Tsuna's attention immediately. Smiling curiously, giving not a single hint of the way his stomach clenched uneasily, he inquired, "Chrome? Who's she? A friend of your sister's?"

Ryohei looked horrified at himself gain. "No! Chrome is my extreme sister, too! She's a bit younger than Kyoko, but that doesn't mean she's not incredible either! She- "

And off he went on another tangent about how awesome his sister is, leaving Tsuna feeling as if he's been sucker punched.

'SISTER! Obviously not blood related, but what… The Sasagawa's went to Italy I believe, then… Hold on! That chick's family with the Sasagawas and the cow child, who's family to the Octopus Dude and Smiley. Who in total have some type of relation to the Creepy Pineapple and Kyo-chan. Does that mean they are like some big strange as fuck family under the hitman? Fuck. Shit… Shit.'

"-them to meet you- "

"Wait, what?!"

"I'll bring my sisters over to extremely meet you! They'll be happy to meet one of my friends, so extremely don't worry!"

"Ha…ha…right… Er, I'll be joining in on an important uh task soon, probably be too busy to meet them for a long while."

"How unextreme! Do you need help? I'll extremely help you!"

Tsuna gave a tight smile in return to Ryohei's wide smile and fist pumped in the air mid cheer. "Appreciate it, really, but uh it's not necessary. Got a lot of people helping out already, and it's a pretty small uh task just takes time, so yeah," he finished lamely.

Ryohei didn't falter at all, in fact, his smile turned into a huge grin. "You have some extreme friends Sagi."

Tsuna couldn't help it, he scoffed, not even under his breath but out loud. Realizing his mistake, he tried to pass it off.

"Mmhm," he answered to fill the new-found silence, "They'll be a great help, my friends, so everything's handled. Though maybe in a month, I'll be able to meet your sisters properly."

Ryohei gave him such a long, searching look that it almost made him squirm in his seat. Eventually, the other sighed tiredly. Deep enough to make Tsuna feel a tinge guilty, but the older male didn't question it further. With a sunny smile once more Ryohei said, "That would be extreme. I'm sure you'd get along with my sisters and maybe my brothers."

Straightening, Tsuna tilted his head. "Two sisters and now brothers, that's surprising."

"I have five extreme brothers."

Honestly, Tsuna was expecting such an answer, but he couldn't help choking on his tea. Coughing lightly, he gave the older (now concerned) male a strained smile. "That's uh… that's nice. Not very common in Japan though."

Giving a hearty laugh, Ryohei nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah, many of us aren't related, but they're my family. Reborn took us all in, and it may have been difficult to get use to all the different personalities, still is really, yet… I wouldn't change them for the world."

He had such a soft smile paired with yes full of affection that Tsuna had to look down. Burrowing the longing and sadness as deep as he could. Controlling his breathing, he managed to wrangle himself into a forced calm. Even if, this time around, he had to remember the feeling Smiley invoked in him.

"You sound awfully happy, Sasagawa-san. I suppose Italy did you some good."

"I extremely am, Sagi, extremely am. Going to Italy let me meet my family, so it did more than just good."

"I can see that, ha. Well it's about time we start heading back, pretty sure there was somewhere you needed to be."

Ryohei scratched the back of his neck, sweat dropping. "Your extremely right. The sooner I get there, the better it is for me, hopefully."

Smirking, Tsuna said, "Good luck then. See ya around."

Course before he could leave, Ryohei had to clamp a hand on his shoulder. Turning, Tsuna stared inquisitively at the older male, who looked too solemn for it to be anything but serious. And so, with a firm but kind tone, Ryohei stated, "I don't know what kind of people you hang out with Sagi, nor have I known you for a long time, but know this. I am your friend. If you need me, for anything, at any time, I'll be there. You just say the word."

So, what y'all think? Feel free to tell me you thoughts on the chapter, good or bad. Constructive criticism is appreciated. Also, know that if you have any ideas you'd like to share with us, we welcome them with opened arms. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Xanxus666, my dude, my main man, aided me on finishing this chapter. Props to him. Till next time everyone.