This was an easy chapter since it was mostly manga material, but I won't have Yamamoto trying to commit suicide because it takes an arm around six weeks to heal, and it doesn't fit with my time line.

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. You are the best!

KHR does not belong to me.

xXx

The problem that came with living with a girl, is that you have to give her some measure of privacy. Unlike boys, girls have created this complicated set of rules of what is acceptable and what isn't. Reborn knows this, but cares very little for it. Silly rules are not going to stop him from finding out what happened today in the reception room. It was in his student's best interest, or so he said to himself, to find out and deal with anything that could intervened with her studies.

She had been a little distracted during her training with Gokudera, and Reborn waited to see if she would mention anything. But he had to give her more credit; she was eager and didn't complain even once.

He has wondered many a times, how things would be different if Tsunako was a boy. It would certainly be more entertaining for him; but he was enjoying the challenge. He couldn't wait to see Tsunako blossom from an awkward, weak girl; into a strong, confident woman.

The only other woman that became a Vongola boss, was the eight boss Daniela; Timoteo's mother. And it had been a very difficult road for her.

There had been skepticism from the high members of the family, whether she would be able to fill in the shoes of her late father. Some even suggested for her to marry right away so that the new Vongola heir was conceived.

Of course, she hadn't been happy to be treated like breeding stock. Luckily for her, the outside advisor decided to honor the last wish of her father, who believed that his daughter had more than enough resolve to become a great boss.

And she did.

Unfortunately, the mafia is full of traditions, and even thought the times have changed, it was still a male dominated organization.

When it became clear that Tsunako was the last Vongola heir left, the majority of the family was against her being the next successor. With tempers running high after Enrico's death, and Xanxus' betrayal, the idea of a Japanese girl being the next boss seemed nothing but a last desperate attempt. Even thought she was a legitimate descendant of Giotto the first boss, and the daughter of the outside advisor; she was still an outcast to the family.

But the ninth boss believed that given time and the proper training, Tsunako would be an excellent choice. Of course, everybody doubted that Tsunako could come close, let alone surpass Xanxus' abilities.

In order to put an end to the discussion, a compromised was reached. Just like with Daniela, it was decided that if Tsunako was unable to achieve dying will mode on her own by the time she turned sixteen, she would become the boss only by name, and marry a candidate selected by the high members. It would be her first new born son who would become the next heir; leaving the outside advisor in charge in the meantime.

Of course, Reborn couldn't tell Tsunako any of this. If she were to find out what the family was planning for her, she would not cooperate. She didn't need to know yet, that being the only heir and the advisor's daughter, didn't give her much choice in the matter.

The only thing he could do for her now, was to push her as much as possible and continue her training. And upon his honor, he would make sure that Tsunako not only meets expectations, but surpasses them greatly.

But first, he needed to find out what happened today at school.

Luckily, he had wire tapped her cell phone while installing a GPS system a couple of days ago, so when she kicked him out of her room to make a personal call, he went to the kitchen, opened his laptop, and put on his headphones.

It was a good thing that he had asked Tsunako's mother to cook some appetizers for him. Because for the next hour and a half, he had to suffer through the time honored, healing of a broken heart ritual. Were all men are scum, jerks, idiots- insert any demeaning synonym in the thesaurus here-.

"He doesn't deserve your tears Tsuna-chan."

"I told you he was nothing but a prick and a delinquent."

"You can do so much better!"

"All men are jerks, especially Hibari. Just forget about that social retard."

"There are better matches for you out there, someone nicer, more understanding."

"Just like Yamamoto! I'm telling you, you really need to catch that boy before one of his crazy groupies takes him!"

"Well, I have to agree with Hana-chan here. Yamamoto-kun is a really nice person."

"You've known him for years!"

"Maybe you should give him a try?"

"We'll support you a hundred percent."

After the promise of a sleep over, gorging on cake and ice cream, and a marathon of Colin Firth best movies was made; the line finally went dead, much to Reborn's mental stability.

"Ninth, you really owe me big this time."

xXx

"Good morning tenth!"

Was the very enthusiastic greeting that Tsunako received when she crossed her gate to go to school, the morning after the incident in the reception room.

"Good morning Gokudera-kun. Did you sleep well?"

Tsunako was tired from her morning jogging; more like power walk actually, since Reborn didn't want to push her too hard or else she'll complain of getting sick and miss school. Gokudera was the complete opposite of the day prior. He was nice, and he was smiling and talking a mile a minute. A little overzealous maybe, but a great improvement from yesterday.

When they meet up with the girls and she introduced them properly, he was polite, if a little awkward, but proper nonetheless. Thankfully, she had explained to the girls last night who Gokudera was, and what he was doing in Japan.

"He is Reborn's cousin… yes from Italy… he is moving to Japan…no, his own place of course!... I know he was rude, but he was just playing… I'm fine; he just takes that mafia game too seriously… I know. Just don't pay too much attention to what he says."

Unlike Ryohei, who walked in front of them and was in his little boxing world, Gokudera stayed behind them and follow them silently. When one of them asked him something, he would answer like a normal person. Tsunako was glad; Gokudera wasn't so bad, as long as you get to know him.

Until…

"Lack of sleep? You have bags under your eyes."

"Yamamoto. Good morning!"

"Yo. Morning."

Yamamoto had come out of nowhere and bumped Tsunako's shoulder playfully. Gokudera's displeasure at this little display was pretty obvious. The girls looked at the snarling boy with apprehension. Yamamoto on the other hand, completely ignored the dark oozing miasma coming from the silver haired teen.

Tsunako, trying to ease the tension, introduced the two boys; but Gokudera wasn't having any of it. After Yamamoto introduced himself, all Gokudera said was, "whatever," and ignored the boy for the rest of the walk.

"So how are you feeling today Yamamoto?"

"Much better thanks to you. I feel more confident now!"

"Did something wrong happen Yamamoto-kun?" Kyoko asked concerned.

"Nah; just me being an idiot." A pfft, was heard from the back, "but Tsuna-chan set me up straight!" He gave them all a big smile.

"Eh. I don't remember you telling us anything about this Tsuna." Hana zoomed in on the smaller girl, and gave her an accusatory look.

Tsunako smiled nervously, "well, there were all those other things going on that I just forgot."

"Does this have something to do with you crying yesterday?" Yamamoto asked.

"Cr-Crying!" Gokudera yelled.

Tsunako cursed at herself for not paying attention. After finding out how serious Gokudera took his job as her guardian, she tried extra hard to hide what had happened between her and Hibari.

"Who made you cry tenth?! Tell me who and I'll kill them!"

Gokudera already had two sticks of dynamite in each hand, and was looking around as if to find the one responsible. Yamamoto made a comment of how funny it was that Gokudera had fireworks; which just pissed off the silver haired boy more. Soon, there was screaming coming from Gokudera, and laughter from Yamamoto; a status quo was formed between the two teens.

When they arrived at the school gates, they were surprised to find Hibari and Kusakabe already standing there; despite how early it was. Tsunako tensed right away and immediately grabbed onto Hana's shirt and averted her eyes. Kyoko sensing her friends discomfort stood closer to her.

Hana saw a golden opportunity in the situation and said out loud.

"Don't worry about who made Tsuna cry yesterday Gokudera-kun, I'm sure that you and Yamamoto know how to take care of her."

Tsunako was burning, Kyoko was confused and Gokudera was elated, "Forget about that idiot, the tenth doesn't need to be concerned with trash as long as I'm here!"

'Score!' Hana screamed in her mind.

They were just about to come out of range from the members of the disciplinary committee, when Hibari stopped them in their tracks.

"Yamamoto Takeshi, Gokudera Hayato."

They all stop walking, wondering what the prefect wanted. There was a moment of silence where Hibari stared at Tsunako, who was looking the other way. He turned to looked at the two boys.

"Tuck in your shirts and don't forget your ties next time; you have detention during lunch."

"Hahaha, my bad." Yamamoto said sheepishly.

Gokudera who wasn't about to take orders from just anyone screamed, "What the hell! Just who do you think you are?!"

Before things got out of control, Tsunako grabbed him by the wrist and said. "Please forgive him Hibari-san; he is new and doesn't know better." Before either boy could say anything, she pulled Gokudera and they all left as fast as they could.

Hibari looked at their retreating backs for a moment too long in Kusakabe's opinion. It didn't surprise him when he beat up an unlucky nobody for looking at him funny.

xXx

"Damn that baseball bastard, being all clingy to the tenth." Gokudera said to Reborn after lunch, while he was hiding having a smoke. Reborn had told him yesterday that he was planning to 'acquire' Yamamoto as a member for the family. Gokudera, unwilling to share his precious tenth when he had just met her, hadn't been very happy with that idea. And when he saw how close the boy seemed to be with the cute girl, his jealousy meter almost broke.

"Reborn-san. Are you really planning to let him in the family?"

"I'm not planning to, he is already in it. I've decided." Reborn said matter of fact.

"Please rethink about it Reborn-san! I object someone so rude like him entering!"

"Is that the only reason why?"

"Well, what other talent does he have other than being a baseball freak!"

Reborn look pensive. "I'll make you a deal. If Yamamoto passes the family entrance test, he will join and you can't complain about it."

Gokudera didn't look so happy. But who was he to go against the ninth's best assassin and his boss's teacher.

"So, to satisfy Gokudera, I decided to hold the 'Family Entrance Test' for Yamamoto." Reborn told Tsunako while sipping his cappuccino. She had been going to the bathroom, when Reborn popped out from one of his many hiding holes through the school.

"I'm not satisfied! Why are you deciding things on your own?! And stop with your stupid hiding holes, you are gonna get caught one day."

Reborn took a bite of his biscotti.

"Yamamoto is my classmate and my friend, and he is busy with baseball! Don't involve him into your weird world."

"Too bad. I had Gokudera call him out already." And the little door was closed.

Tsunako ran like hell.

When Gokudera called Yamamoto out, he only came because he was confused. He still wasn't too sure about the Italian boy after what he did yesterday. But, if Tsunako was ok with him, then he would give it a try. That's who Yamamoto was; a refreshing, friendly person.

"Hey… Gokudera? What's up with calling me out and doing a silent stare down?"

The boy didn't answer him and instead started to circle around him as if to look for any flaws.

'What a nasty idiot. There's no way somebody so weak looking can protect my precious tenth.'

Yamamoto took a moment to look at the boy. He hadn't really paid much attention to him. 'What a pale skin, I wonder if it is as soft as it looks? And those eyes! I never seen green eyes before. That haircolor is kind of cool though; but he is so small and skinny, I wonder what they feed him in Italy. He is funny, with those fireworks. He looks kind of constipated like that; maybe he is frustrated from being in a new environment.'

In the spirit of being helpful, Yamamoto decided to give Gokudera some advice. "You should drink some milk. Frustration is often caused by a lack of calcium."

Gokudera saw red and his vein popped, 'That's my limit!' He took out four sticks of dynamite.

"Heeey!"

Tsunako arrived to the field panting, glad that everything seemed in order. Gokudera put the dynamite away.

"Hey, who's the kid? Your little brother?" Yamamoto asked her. Tsunako look behind her and was surprised to find Reborn on top of a skateboard holding onto her with a rope.

"Reborn!"

"I'm not her little brother. I'm Reborn, the Vongola family best hitman." The baby said very seriously.

"Hahaha! I see. You must be part of Tsuna-chan's mafia game? It must be troublesome being a hitman at such a young age." Yamamoto asked goodheartedly, sitting on his haunches to be at eye level with the kid.

"Not really. You are going to join the family too."

"Reborn! I said no!" Tsuna yelled at her tutor. She then turns to Yamamoto with a much nicer tone. "Please, don't pay attention to him Yamamoto, is just a silly game, nothing for you to worry about. You have baseball anyways, so you are busy enough as it is."

"If you are playing it, it can't be that bad."

"Tsuna is the tenth boss of the family actually."

"Wow really? That is a great choice. Well, I don't really do much other than baseball practice, so why not?"

"No! Yamamoto please, you don't need to humor him, he is just a kid."

Tsunako was angry at Reborn. How dare he do this type of thing without asking her first. Gokudera was one thing, he already belonged to the Mafia, and he was already an assassin at such a young age. Yamamoto was just an innocent bystander.

"Don't you want me in your team Tsuna-chan?" Yamamoto looked sad, and Tsunako cursed inwardly. 'Damn you Reborn!'

"Ahaha, that is not it at all, I just don't want to be a bother to Yamamoto."

"Well, that decides it. Starting today, I'm part of Tsuna-chan's family. What should I do now?"

"The first thing is the family entrance test." Reborn added smoothly.

"There is a test? Wow, that's pretty legitimate."

"If you don't pass the test, you can't enter the family," Reborn said while jumping down Yamamoto's shoulder, were he had been sitting comfortably.

"Tsunako sighed relieved, 'of course, there is no guarantee he'll pass.'

"If you don't pass, it equals your death."

'Wha!'

"Hahaha, you are really funny; I like you kid."

'Is not like that Yamamoto, when this kid says he'll do it, he'll seriously do it.'

"Ok then. All you have to do is simply dodge the attacks." Reborn opened a case that Gokudera had been holding for him and took out a bunch of knives, a crossbow, a sub-machine gun and a missile launcher.

"Wait Reborn! Are you seriously trying to kill him?! Stop it, this instant!"

"Don't worry Tsuna-chan. When we were little we used to play with wooden swords, right? Is the same thing?"

"NO it isn't!" She screamed, disbelieving that the baseball player was thinking that they were toys. So, she decided on another tactic.

"If we cause any trouble, the disciplinary committee is going to say something!"

"Don't worry, I took care of them."

'Wait what?!'

"Well, let's get started. First are knives. Oh, by the way, as the boss it is your duty to set an example. So, you better start running too."

Tsunako has no idea how they managed to survive the barrage of bullets, missiles and dynamite. But at the end, Yamamoto was happy he passed the test, and still believed that they were toys. A surly Gokudera had to admit that maybe there was something especial in Yamamoto.

And just when she thought that there would be peace between them, Gokudera claimed himself the right-hand man, and Yamamoto the shoulder. Yamamoto, thinking that Gokudera was being funny again, laughed it off and proclaimed himself as the right hand and Gokudera the ear lobe; and a new fight started.

And this is how Tsunako started her family.