Response to reviews: Hey everyone! I really love all the reviews for this story. They bring a bright smile to my face and really, really encourage me to write more! I'm so glad everyone likes the story and I hope to continue writing more for you and receive even more support. All these tips and bits really help and the more people who like the story, the merrier.
BlackLady11- Your review meant a lot to me and brought a huge smile to my face. Your English was fine and I had no troubles understanding what you meant. I kinda ship my female Tsuna with Reborn too, but I thought that might be a little too strange seen as he raised her for 6 years, but there's still that small part of me that ships them. And thank you so much, I'm glad you like my female Tsuna. Gokudera is absolutely adorable and will continue to be adorable in the story too.
Icefox94- Thank you for the continued support throughout the story. Your reviews leave huge smiles on my face every time I read them and they really encourage me to write more.
As for everyone else who's reviewed, thank you so much for the continued support. All reviews are appreciated and welcomed with open arms, and will probably result in me hugging you to death. Be prepared for a death squeeze!
Tsunayoshi ran down the halls, panting heavily. Sweat trailed down her face as she turned the corner, running down the next hallway. Her breaths came out in small huffs and puffs as her eyes scanned the area desperately. She was late, and if she was caught by a certain person, she was as good as dead! She'd heard the rumours about him from the other girls in school, but she'd never experienced his wrath yet. But that didn't mean she wanted that to change. Turning the next corner, she collided with something and fell backwards. Landing on her rear harshly, she let out a squeak. Bracing herself and rubbing her forehead, she whimpered in pain.
"What're you not doing in class?" asked a male voice. Tsuna opened her eyes, looking up and gasping. It was the person who she wanted to see least! Hibari Kyoya stood before her, a stern look on his face.
"H-Hibari?! I-I'm lost… I can't find my science class… You'd think after a week of being here I'd remember where it is…" Tsuna replied, her voice shaking. Hibari gave her a stern glare before beginning to move. Tsuna flinched, closing her eyes as she braced herself for a smack. But none came.
"You gonna move or what?" asked Hibari, making Tsuna open her eyes and glance up. Hibari was squatting and offering her his hand. Blinking in shock, Tsuna didn't know what to think. Here was the fabled mean, stern and disciplinary committee head who spared no one mercy, offering her his hand and forgiving her for not finding her class. Lifting a hand, she slipped her hand into his. Feeling him grip her hand tightly, he pulled her to her feet.
"T-Thank you Hibari…" she thanked, smiling at him. Hibari huffed to himself, turning and beginning to walk away. Tsuna tilted her head in confusion. Hibari stopped, turning to glance back at her.
"You coming or not?" Hibari questioned, a small glare of annoyance on his face. Tsuna blinked, realizing what he was trying to do.
"O-Oh! C-Coming!" she stuttered, her cheeks flaring as she jogged to him. Walking alongside Hibari, Tsuna opened her school bag and searched until she found a certain object. Sighing contently with a small smile, she ran her fingers over the black and orange fedora in her bag. She took the hat with her everywhere now, and wore it when she was outside. Whenever she was panicked, stressed or sad, all she had to do was run her fingers over it and feel relieved. Hibari looked at her out the corner of his eye, raising a brow in confusion.
"You love that fedora, don't you?" he asked, deciding to bring up a conversation. Tsuna blinked, looking at him in confusion. After seeing Hibari look away so they weren't making eye contact, she smiled gently, looking away.
"Yeah… It was Reborn's… The same fedora he wore when he disappeared protecting me… I want to keep it with me in his honour" Tsuna answered, making Hibari look at her. She was different from any of the other girls in the school. He'd sensed that upon their first meeting, but now this had confirmed it. He had to admit, Reborn had done well training her. She was overflowing with raw power, but she still maintained a weak, timid appearance. She was powerful yet submissive, however she could become dominant if the situation arose. Seeing Tsuna close her bag and put it back over her shoulders, Hibari looked ahead at where they were going. Stopping in front of the class, he looked at the door.
"We're here…" he stated, seeing Tsuna look up at him.
"Um… Just a question Hibari… But, how do all of you know where my classes are anyway?" Tsuna asked, tilting her head curiously. Hibari smirked at her, a soft chuckle escaping him for a second.
"We're your guardians, it's our job to know exactly where you are at all times" Hibari replied, letting out the chuckle sound as he turned, walking away. Tsuna stared, watching him leave as her cheeks became dusted with pink. Shaking her head to rid herself of her thoughts, she grabbed the door and entered. After apologizing profusely for losing her way, she was excused and allowed to sit down and join the class. Thankful that she wasn't going to get punished, she took a seat beside Yamamoto. Gokudera was in a different science class so she couldn't see him for that lesson. Yamamoto beamed her a smile.
"Yo Tsuna! Got lost again?" Yamamoto asked, as cheerful as ever. Tsuna sighed as she sat down, smiling weakly at him.
"Yeah… This school is so big… It's hard to find all the rooms…" Tsuna replied, giggling a little as she grabbed her text books, waiting for the teacher to begin the lecture.
"Psst, Tsuna. I forgot my text book, can I look over at yours?" Yamamoto whispered, nudging Tsuna with his elbow. Tsuna turned to face him, almost jumping back due to how close he was to her. Seeing the pleading look in his eyes, she sighed as she realized she couldn't say no to him. Sliding her text book across, she placed it between them to share. Yamamoto did a little fist pump in triumph, flashing her his signature smile.
"Thanks Tsuna" he thanked, chuckling a little. Tsuna couldn't help but smile back. She froze though when she felt several aggressive glares at the back of her head. This had been going on for a while now. During her week of school here, she'd actually been going for two weeks, but she'd had to miss some days, this had become a regular occurrence. Turning slowly, she jumped at the sight of several girls in the class glaring at her. Gulping, she sighed to herself and returned back to the lecture.
When lunchtime arrived, Tsuna stood and grabbed her school bag. Placing her books in her bag while avoiding crushing the fedora, she stepped out the science room. She was going to meet up with Kyoko, Haru and Chrome and watch Yamamoto's practice out on the field. Yamamoto had come along in the morning and offered all four of them the chance to watch him play, which of course Haru and Kyoko had jumped at the chance. Yamamoto was actually quite popular in the school, especially for his baseball playing. He was well loved by the guys for being great at any sport he tried, and he was well loved by the girls for his charm and looks. So now she just had to find the girls so they could go watch Yamamoto play.
"Excuse me Tsunayoshi, may we have a word with you?" asked a female voice behind her. Tsuna froze, still not used to other people calling out to her. Turning, she felt her stomach flip to see several of the girls who had been glaring at her, now standing behind her. There were five of them, all glaring at her while wearing smiles on their faces. She didn't really have much of a choice, did she? Sighing, she put her bag over her shoulders and turned to face them.
"Sure… Where would you like to go?" Tsuna asked, seeing the head girl smirk to herself.
"Follow me" she replied, walking past Tsuna and bumping her shoulder roughly into Tsuna's. Tsuna let herself stumble, watching the head girl walk past. The other four stayed behind, waiting for Tsuna to follow so she couldn't get away. Tsuna saw no point in resisting, beginning to follow after the main girl.
Eventually they arrived at one of the back areas of the school yard. Looking around, Tsuna realized there wasn't anyone around. These girls had done their research, picking the perfect spot to try and bully her. A hand suddenly colliding with the wall near her head made her snap up to see the head girl glaring at her, her face insanely close. Tsuna jumped back into the wall, blinking in shock. They could've at least given her a warning!
"Now, I'm only going to say this once Tsunayoshi, so listen carefully! Stay away from Yamamoto Takeshi and Gokudera Hayato! You show up and suddenly the two of them are hanging off you like glue! It doesn't make any sense! Those two always had a best friend and enemy relationship, but now they're both competing over you! What on earth did you do to get those two hanging for your every word and movement?" the head girl snapped, her expression one of jealousy and anger. A girl near her began giggling.
"I bet she offered them a 'special service' for their friendship! It wouldn't surprise me if she did them at the same time, the slut!" one girl sneered, a grin on her face. The next girl began laughing.
"And she even has Sasagawa Ryohei, Mukuro Rokudo and Hibari Kyoya hanging off her too, she really must be a slut to have done them all at the same time!" the second girl sneered, giggling violently. Tsuna remained calm against the wall. None of what they were saying was true, so she had no reason to react. Repeating Reborn's words through her head, she inhaled deeply and exhaled to calm herself.
"Nothing to say you bitch!?" yelled the head girl, glaring spitefully. Tsuna relaxed her shoulders.
"You're wrong. Nothing like that happened. My family situation makes it that I know all five of them, and that's why they hang around me. There's nothing like what you're saying that happened. It's all lies you've created to give yourself some comfort" Tsuna replied, her voice flat and calm. All five girls looked at each other in disbelief, before they all glared at Tsuna. The head girl suddenly grabbed a fist full of Tsuna's hair, pulling it harshly. Tsuna felt the pain shoot through her head, making her yelp as she reached up to try and pull her hair loose. Her bullying at Namimori hadn't involved hair pulling since she was in second grade, so she was unused to it. Tears welled in the corner of her eyes as she grit her teeth, trying not to let out another sound for them.
"You little bitch! You just had to go and open your goddamn mouth!" snapped the head girl. Tsuna couldn't help it, she let out a small giggle.
"You're the one who told me to say something. Make up your mind" she taunted, a small giggle escaping her before the head girl gripped her hair tighter. Tsuna inhaled sharply, wincing and letting out a hiss of pain.
"You think you're smart, do you!?" snapped the head girl, throwing Tsuna around by her hair a little before throwing her to the ground harshly. Tsuna felt herself collide with the ground harshly, wincing before looking up. Her bag had fallen off her shoulders and one of the girls had it now. She unzipped it, rummaging through it and tossing things to the ground.
"Let's see what you have in here, you little skank" she teased, dropping her pencil case to the ground, then several of her text books. Tsuna froze, praying someone would come and stop this before they found the fedora. The head girl was kneeling on the ground and still had Tsuna's hair tightly in her hand, making it difficult for Tsuna to move.
"Something in there you don't want us to see? Maybe something that proves how much of a slut you are?" teased the head girl, gripping her hair tighter. Tsuna winced, hissing again. She wasn't going to give in, and they weren't worth getting angry over. Her eyes widened however when the girl found the fedora, lifting it out for everyone to see. They looked at it in disgust, seeing the bullet hole in it.
"What on earth is that ugly thing? It's hideous!" the head girl exclaimed.
"Wait! That belonged to someone important to me! Please, I'm begging you, don't wreck it!" Tsuna begged, feeling her shoulders shake. Oh no, she was breaking. And she'd been trying so hard too. The girl sneered, giggling.
"Someone special? Like, a boyfriend? Only an older man would wear this ugly thing. Wow, you were f*cking an older man? For shame!" the girl sneered, making Tsuna's eyes snap wide to look at her. What did she just say…? The girl giggled, letting the fedora fall to the ground. Something in Tsuna seemed to snap then. They'd just badmouthed Reborn, the man who had raised her since she was ten. That was unforgiveable! In a matter of seconds, Tsuna had swung her arm back, hitting the head girl in the chin with her elbow. The head girl had fallen back, letting go of her hair in the process. Tsuna used that chance to jump up, swinging her arm up with her hand pulled back, hitting the girl that had dropped the fedora in the face with the lower palm of her hand. The girl let out a scream as she fell back, landing on her rear. Tsuna remained still, waiting for their next move.
"You bitch!" called out the head girl, already rummaging through Tsuna's pencil case. Her eyes widened as she saw her pull out a pair of scissors. Were they really thinking of doing this? Tsuna reached down, grabbing the fedora off the ground and dusted it a little. Placing it on her head, she turned to glare at the head girl.
"Get her!" the head girl called out. The other three girls moved to try and grab her at once. Turning, Tsuna was about to hit them when a figure suddenly appeared, blocking her from them. Blinking, she looked up to see short, spiky black hair.
"Yamamoto?" Tsuna asked, seeing him turn to smile at her.
"Yo Tsuna! Kyoko, Haru and Chrome were worried when you didn't come to meet them, so I offered to go looking for you. Now, is there a problem here?" Yamamoto stated, his eyes turning dark into a stern glare. All the girls trembled, looking at him in shock.
"Y-Yamamoto? W-We were just trying to talk to her! She suddenly attacked us out of nowhere! We had no choice but to try and fight back!" stammered the head girl, sweat trailing down her face. Tsuna's eyes widened as she shot the girl a glare. How dare she try and put this back on her! She was about to move forward to strike her again when Yamamoto put a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Yamamoto shake his head. He stepped in front of her, still giving the head girl a stern glare.
"Now that's a lie… If there's one thing I know about Tsuna, it's that she's not that kind of a woman! Now, this will be your only warning, stay away from Tsuna…" Yamamoto stated, his voice flat and cold compared to his usual bouncy tone. The girls all took off running, the head girl included. Tsuna knelt down, grabbing her bag and beginning to put her books back in. Letting out a sigh, she looked at the bag sadly. Guess bullies were everywhere.
"Here you go Tsuna" Yamamoto suddenly said, making her look up at him, seeing her pencil case in his hand. He was beaming his smile at her, having gone back to his friendly self. Taking the pencil case from him with a smile, she stuffed it into her bag and was about to carry it with her when Yamamoto took it from her, swinging it over his shoulder.
"Yamamoto? I can carry it…" Tsuna stated but Yamamoto put a hand on her shoulder, smiling.
"I know, but let me carry it for you" he offered, grinning before beginning to walk off. Tsuna watched him walk for a few seconds, blinking before she jogged after him, walking alongside him.
"It just occurred to me Tsuna, but you don't really know anything about me, do you?" Yamamoto stated, turning to look at her curiously.
"Not really, no… What's your family like?" Tsuna asked, tilting her head.
"Well, my dad owns a sushi place! Real nice, best sushi in town! He also runs a dojo and teaches me kendo and sword fighting. I owe my old man everything, seen as he raised me alone…" Yamamoto stated, sounding happy before his voice trailed off. Tsuna looked at him, brows raised in concern. It wasn't like Yamamoto to get sad.
"Yamamoto… you don't have to tell me if you don't want to…" Tsuna stated, seeing Yamamoto's eyes widen, looking at her before he smiled, shaking his head.
"No, I want to tell this story. I haven't told nearly anyone before… If someone should know, I think it's you, considering you are my boss and everything" Yamamoto stated, continuing to walk. Tsuna stopped though, seeing him turn to look at her.
"Yamamoto… I don't want you tell me because I'm your boss… I want me to tell you because I'm your friend…" Tsuna stated. Yamamoto froze, blinking before he looked down at the ground. Stepping closer to her, he stopped just in front of her. He was pretty tall, that was for sure. Tsuna opened her mouth to say something before she suddenly found something colliding into her. Eyes widening, she blinked as she felt arms wrapped around her shoulders, a head near her shoulder. Yamamoto was hugging her tightly, his face in her shoulder.
"Y-Yamamoto?" she asked, unsure what to do. Yamamoto's body was shaking and she could hear his shaky breathing.
"Sorry… As popular as I may seem to be, I don't actually have any friends… Besides Gokudera who always seems to hate me… You're my first actual friend… So as your friend, I'll tell you everything back at Vongola Castle, okay?" Yamamoto stated, feeling Tsuna's hands slide up to his back. She began petting his back gently.
"But for just a few moments… let me stay like this… please?" Yamamoto asked, his voice breaking near the end. Tsuna had never seen this vulnerable side of Yamamoto before. He was always smiling, reassuring her that everything would be okay. He was the one that calmed everyone in the group down when things went wrong, or when a fight occurred, he was the peace keeper.
"Of course Yamamoto…" Tsuna whispered back, one hand rising from his back to rest on top of his head. Yamamoto's shakes seemed to calm down as Tsuna ran her fingers through his hair, copying the trick her brother did with her. Glad that it seemed to be doing the trick, she smiled.
"Thanks Tsuna… I'm okay now…" Yamamoto stated, pulling away from the hug. Tsuna let him go, smiling gently at him.
"I should hurry off to practice and you should find the girls. They're worried about you" Yamamoto stated, turning and pointing to where the oval was. Pulling of Tsuna's bag, he handed it to her. Tsuna accepted the bag, nodding as Yamamoto took off in a jog towards the oval. Smiling, she slung the bag over her shoulder and jogged after him. Scanning the oval, she soon spotted the girls huddled around, all sharing their lunches. Jogging to them, they all welcomed her, completely unaware of what had just happened.