Hello beautiful people, how are you doing? Winter is finally here and I couldn't be happier!

On a personal note, I've been through some ups and downs in my life. I almost quit my job and questioned my plans for the future; it's quite scary not knowing what you want to do with your life. To anyone who is going through that, cheers! You have time. Sometimes it's about waiting it out and enjoy the ride while you get there, even if you don't know where "there" is. Life is worth fighting for, remember that!

In my time of absence, I have finished writing the plot for this story, and I'm happy to say that a sequel is planned, so this fic has a long way to go!

So without much to say, here's the new chapter. Enjoy!


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Breaking bonds with the underworld wasn't easy.

Only a few could escape with their lives in one piece. And even those lucky ones suffered from the backlash that is the black hole called Mafia.

Yamamoto Tsuyoshi paid the price with the life of his wife.

They said love could be a dangerous double-edged weapon if wielded correctly. Yes; Tsuyoshi threatened, fought and made his last kill to take a plane to Japan to settle down in a humble town with the love of his life.

He knew the risks of marrying a civilian, abandoning his work as a hitman and breaking connection with powerful famiglias. But what could a man do? Love is love. It makes you do irrational things.

Its still date that a warm feeling bubbles in his chest with just remembering how they met. It was a summer afternoon in the streets of Tokyo, his contact having arranged a hit for some yakuza lord. He was stalking his prey on the busy streets when he bumped into a lovely woman carrying some flowers.

With fine reflexes, he caught her before she fell. And as his arms wrapped around her, their eyes met just like in a cheesy romantic movie. But then she hit him in the face with said flowers, thinking he was a pervert and proceed to yell at him until he reassured her it was all a mistake. And just like that, he was sold. A few months later of courting and dating they got married in a small ceremony completely in love.

The years blessed them with their first child, and Tsuyoshi couldn't be happier. On a sunny day, both he and his beloved prepared a sushi feast for their son's first baseball tournament.

It was meant to be a family outgoing but it ended with a rain of tears and blood.

He was tracked and backstabbed. One of his olds contacts found out his location and demanded his assistance for a job, some kind of drug trafficking going south way. And when he refused; and stupidly enough didn't think of going into hiding because what could happen in a peaceful town as Namimori? Hitmen were sent to his home and stained the peaceful days of his new life.

It was messy but calculated. While his wife finished cooking, Tsuyoshi walked his son to school, where the team was to take a bus that would drive them to the match location. His kid was jumping in excitement the whole way, swinging his arms to show his dad his powerful attack that would surely get a home run and proudly declaring that he would dedicate his first score to his mother.

Tsuyoshi couldn't help to feel proud. He wished him luck and watched him get inside the bus, promising to be there at the baseball field with tons of sushi to celebrate. He walked back home, not really rushing on hurrying back and that was his second mistake.

His hitman senses never left him, it was hard to let go of the paranoia of always looking through his prevail vision to check his surroundings. So when he was by the front door, and the quietness from the house and iron smell hit his nose, his heart stopped.

Rushing and yelling, he went inside calling for his wife. Only to freeze at the living room door, staring in horror and disbelief at the gory painting in front of him. Blood covered the walls and floors, and there on the floor was an unmoving figure with flower petals all around her from the shattering vase that fell next to her.

Outside started raining, a storm that covered his grief and pain and horror and released them all in a broken scream.

He swore he would never take a sword in his hands, but at that moment, promises be damned. He hunted the bastards down, only managing to kill two after catching them and torturing them for information, but even still, the one who delivered the killing blow got away with a piece of his heart.

By the time he returned home; after covering his tracks and washing his bloody hands, policemen and paramedics were there to greet him. The neighbors had called them as soon as they heard the commotion and he watched with a grave heart as a white stretcher was rolled out of his house.

The chief questioned him, but the tears in his face and anguish in his voice were real enough to prove his innocence, they were real and painful that they had the police department agreeing on keeping the situation under wraps for he didn't want his son to found out.

And so, as the ambulance drove away, and the police and forensic team searched the house for evidence, one six-year-old Yamamoto Takeshi waited and waited in the baseball field for his parents to show up on that rainy day, but they never came.

His son never found out. Tsuyoshi made sure to cover all the evidence and when Takeshi questioned him with a weak voice where his mother was after being picked up by the police in the muddy baseball field and brought him to a hospital, his heart broke as he told him that his mother was in a car accident and that she wouldn't come back.

He cried. Of course he cried; his little mind and heart not quite grasping the situation, not believing that his mother was forever gone. He became a shell of his younger self, and as the days went by he could see the cracks starting to form.

They moved to another house, Tsuyoshi saying that his mother was planning on opening a sushi shop and that this will honour her wishes, as well as to start anew. Tsuyoshi was certain his son would give baseball up; that it would be a painful reminder of that rainy day. But he didn't. Instead, he became obsessed with it, always training and wanting to be better. Winning game after game and becoming the ace of the team.

Life moved on. The sushi shop prospered and his son loved helping around whenever he was home. But the pain was still there, that empty space haunted both of them. His grief was always there, and the guilt that ate his heart daily hid other thoughts, so Tsuyoshi didn't know when the bright smiles of his son became hollow and forced. Only that one day, they were there and the crack that was formed was at its breaking point.

He didn't forced his kid into therapy. He always made sure to tell him every night that he was there for him if he wanted to talk. And at first, he did. Telling him that he missed his mom and wanted her back, that it hurt not having her there with them. But with time, those 'I miss her' became 'I'm fine's' and empty 'Ha, ha's'.

Then one day, his son broke his arm. The baseball coach notified him and he rushed to the hospital to pick him up. The ride home was silent and his son's blank stare will forever haunt him. It was like his will of living was gone all over again. Tsuyoshi was scare to let him go to school the next day. Something inside of him dread it.

But it was like a miracle had happened. His son returned home and he felt lighter, happier than ever. His smile more real and filled with meaning.

So Tsuyoshi didn't ask, didn't demand information. He basked his son newfound happiness and let him talk for hours until it was closing time.

Of course that all went out the window when his son asked that one question that was meant to break their peaceful days all over again.

"Hey, dad? Can you teach me how to use the sword?"

He had to be truthful, his heart almost stopped. He paused his movements, cleaning the table all forgotten as he processed the heaviness of what his son just asked.

"You never showed interest before. Why now?" He asked with what he hoped was light disinterest and curiosity.

"My friends are pretty cool! Gokudera has this fire trinkets and even Tsuna has pretty moves! I don't want to be left out"

"So, just for fun?" He muttered.

"Well, yeah. Using a sword would be pretty cool! Don't you think?"

"A sword is meant for justice; you not only fight for your rights, but also for the rights of others." He told his son, shoulders tensing as he quickly put everything away to escape the situation "If you are not serious about it, don't ask me again until you have found your resolve"

His son started in confusion, but Tsuyoshi let it go. He might be a mourning retired hitman, but he was not blind.

He knew of Iemitsu Sawada.

He had worked with him, fought with and against him. They were not friends, but they weren't enemies either. They saved each other back several years back so a wall of trust was built, a wall that neither was willing to cross. If he had to be honest, he hated the man. The lion of Vongola.

He thought Namimori was a fresh start when he settled. But it seemed he wasn't the only one who thought that way. It was a pure coincidence when he met the man's his wife and daughter on parents day at Namimori Elementary School.

At first, he didn't notice them, who would? Just a common housewife with her 8-year-old girl.

But then the girl introduced herself in stutterers, but his ears managed to grab her surname, Sawada. And looking at the tiny child better, he could see a faint trace of exotic features on her. Her eyes were a bit bigger than normal and goldish in colour, her nose although button shape was a bit sharper and her hair a bit brighter for a common brunette.

She was the split image of her mother, with milky skin and flat messy hair. But the more Tsuyoshi looked the more he saw. Of course, staring intently at a child was a bit creepy, so he turned to the window, listening to her talk about returning from living abroad, from Italy of all places.

She didn't said much about her dad, only stating that he worked overseas and instead, introduced her mother with devoted adoration.

On their way home, he asked his son about his classmates. He really didn't wanted to be a creep but the murder of his wife from two years ago made him a bit overprotective. His son talked about his classmates, about their excitement whenever he managed to hit a home run and how some didn't like math class either.

He also told him that he tried to befriend the new girl who lived abroad, but the girl apparently didn't wanted to make friends for one reason or the other. And that was okay. He didn't discourage his son nor told him to try harder next time. And that was that.

He kept an eye on them because trouble was trouble no matter what. But the years passed, and not once was that peaceful life broken. Both Sawada's wife and daughter lived a normal life in Namimori; even after coming back from living in Italy for two years, the quiet remained. Iemetsu never stepped foot in Japan, hitmen never roamed the streets. It made him wonder how was that possible.

There was a tiny spark of jealousy, it was an ugly feeling that he stomped over and over. Sawada Nana was a wonderful woman, and he didn't wish harm to fall over her household. But still...

He let that precaution go little by little. Until his normal days were disturbed and the world he tried so hard to keep away from his household came knocking at his door. Because when the greatest hitman Reborn came into his sushi shop sitting in the shoulder of one Sawada Tsunayuuki, walking next to the bastard son of a Mafiosi and his son, he knew those peaceful days were over.

It was inevitable. He saw his son interact with his two new friends, and although they were nothing more than danger and trouble, they were the reason his son was coming out from his shell and being happy again. But he also saw the invisible pull happening. His son was starting to form a bond with a sky. And that was something he had no control over, not even as his father.

And so he waited for his son to ask again, to pull himself together and find a worthy resolve. He waited and waited until he came home with a battered face and serious expression.

"Go to the dojo"

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The smell of rotten iron against magnolias woke her up.

It was such a peculiar smell that reminded her of Italian summer nights. Back when things were simple and a sense of security wrapped around her like a blanket.

"Mom?"

Drowsily, she leaned against the fingers running through her hair, gently pulling her out from dreamland. Dream? That's right, she was dreaming about something… something important.

"I had a weird dream...there was this boy, I think I made him cry…"

There was no response, but the fingers never once cease their movements, making Tsuna sigh and dwelled into the line of sleepiness. Her body felt like cotton, all numbness and strain gone from her muscles.

For the first time in days, her head was quiet. It made her forget all the trouble and anxiety she felt the day before. It made her forget the danger she was in and the casualties that were to come. She wished to stay in that moment forever, were a warm cocoon protected her from the world.

But just like all good things must come to an end, the fingers stopped.

"Mom?"

She blinked her eyes open, the golden light from the window casting a warm shadow inside her room. Everything looked too peaceful and bright, just like a painting.

"Tsuna"

She turned to see the hitman staring at her with unblinking eyes from his perch in his hammock.

"Reborn… Good morning"

"Are you okay?"

"Perfect" She blinked as if waking for the first time "I… I feel wonderful, thank you"

"Get dressed, you'd be late for school"

"Okay"

With newfound energy, she stretched and walked around her room collecting her clothes for a morning shower. All while not being aware of the incredulous stare she was receiving from the hitman. When the brunette walked out of her room, the baby turned to see his glowing pet, who blinked back at him as if returning his confusion.

Things didn't end there, fresh out of the shower; the brunette was practically floating as she descended the stairs, not once stumbling.

"Good morning everyone" She greeted the kids who were eating cereal toast at the table and her mother, who was filling 4 glasses with orange juice.

"Good morning!"

"Dame-Tsuna, the lackey is stealing the marshmallows!"

"Share, we share!" I-pin said, trying to calm down Lambo as Fuuta added said marshmallows into his soggy cereal.

"You woke up in a good mood" Nana said cheerfully.

"I feel good" Confessed the brunette, taking one glass to herself.

"I'm glad dear. You were kind of gloomy the past days"

Tsuna hummed a little, not wanting to dive into negative thoughts. The kids cheered and thanked her mother for the orange juice, and she felt Reborn entering the kitchen before her mother offered him some breakfast. Lambo started screaming at the hitman for stealing his marshmallows too, who in return ignored him.

It was a good morning for everyone until a shattering sound was heard and everyone turned to see a dumbfounded Tsuna staring at her now empty hand.

"Ara, Tsu-chan, do we have to buy plastic cups again? That hasn't happened in a long while"

"Yeah…I mean, no. I-Its fine. I'm sorry" She quickly grabbed some kitchen towels and knelt down to clean the mess, ignoring Lambo's snickering.

"It's alright. Did you hurt yourself?" Nana knelt down in front of her and waited for Tsuna to shake her head. After affirming that there was no injury, her mother smiled and started picking up the broken pieces. "Well that's good. Wash your hands and have some breakfast before leaving. I'm sure Gokudera-kun will arrive soon"

"He's already here"

The doorbell rang and Tsuna didn't have to open the door to know who it was. Because what were the odds?

Quickly washing her hands and grabbing a piece of toast - not before stealing some of those cereal marshmallows for herself and hearing Lambo cry in unfairness- she opened the door to reveal the Italian bomber porting a ruffled appearance.

"Good morning, Juudaime"

"Morning"

She didn't ask for his injuries nor did he tell her about the attack.

They walked to school in silence, the presence of the baby hitman looming at their backs did little to soothe their tension. It was like the furthest she walked from home, the impending doom of the situation caught up to her. And any wonderful feeling she had when waking up disappeared.

As they neared the school gates, they managed to hear a commotion rising. Gokudera immediately stepped in front of her, fingers twitching to his pocket where he tucked his dynamite. But there was no danger, her first clue being there were no committee's personnel guarding the entrance.

Gokudera was new to Namimori, so he didn't think it was strange. Tsuna, however, did. And she was already dreading the answer.

"What's going on?" She asked a random student.

"Hibari didn't come to school!" was the scandalous response.

She tried to keep a straight face, but her nose wrinkled in its own accord. Gokudera at her side looked a bit guilty and mad, teeth biting his lip as he was most likely remembering something.

He quickly told her to go on before him as he rushed inside, searching for someone. Tsuna watched him go in silence, putting two and two together as she walked towards the rows of lockers and removed her orange sneakers.

She opened up her locker and stared.

Her indoor shoes were soggy, they kind of reminded her of Fuuta's cereal from this morning. She stared at them for a moment, face not changing or revealing anything before closing the door gently and walking barefoot inside the school.

At least there was no one to scold her, she thought with bitterness amusement as she walked towards the committee office, where she stored a replacement for her shoes and uniform just in case.

Opening the door, she looked around the empty office.

"Idiot" she murmured with a frown.

Stepping inside, she went to the corner where a closet held some belongings and proceed to put her spare indoor shoes. Fingers curling over being enclosed, she walked towards the desk, where a forgotten tea was on top sprawled papers.

She cleaned as best as she could and organized the paperwork before leaving. But just as she was about to walk away something grabbed her attention like a punch to her head, just a little note with the scribbles that read Kokuyo Land.

She released a shuddered breath at having a final destination to all this mess. .Danger were red words running in her head, thinking of Hibari in Kokuyo, thinking of her in Kokuyo. Every thought led to danger.

What she was going to do about it remained a mystery. Instead, she crushed the paper into a ball and threw it into the trash.

Entering her classroom, she could already note a presence missing. The Italian was waiting for her by the window near her seat, arms crossed and a troublesome expression on his face.

"The idiot isn't here" Gokudera informed her as soon as she approached her desk.

"Is that so…"

"Juudaime?" He questioned her, waiting for orders. That thought made her sick.

"Lets just... focus on school for now" She rubbed her face tiredly.

Gokudera wanted to say something, but before he could manage his courage Nezu-sensei walked in shouting at everyone to take their seats.

"Alright you punks, empty your desk. Only pencil and eraser for the test"

"Wait, what? A math test?!" She couldn't help to shout in incredulity because what the hell? She wasn't aware of this! Reborn would have drilled her with equations and numbers if a test was in schedule.

"ha, dame-Tsuna its going to fail again" The classroom snickered.

"Shut up, Sawada. You're disturbing my class!" Nezu scolds her, but Tsuna ignored everything. Trying hard to make the stinging in her eyes disappear. It wasn't fair! She was going to fail this thing, worry her mother more and made Reborn punish her.

She grabbed the sheet of paper with shaky hands and ignored Kyoko's and Hana's worried faces. Class started 9 minutes ago, and she had been staring blankly at the test. It was a multiple answer type, but even that did nothing to soothe her fear.

Well, at least she had a small percentage of getting something right.

And just as her pencil was about to circle the first random answer, a small pricking sensation of discomfort in her head caused her to stop. She rubbed her forehead slightly before focusing back on the test.

But as she circled her answers, the pricking continued. It wasn't until question five that her head stopped throbbing after choosing letter B.

She paused, because what the hell? She looked at the clock, 20 minutes left to answer the test. She bit her lip, and shakily erased her previous answers. Staring intently at them, she grabbed her pencil and let it hover over the answers. She moved it slowly over them, following the pricking and soothing tingle.

She wasn't aware she was letting a sensation in her head lead her to answer the test, this was something more than the usual 'when in doubt, choose option C' but when she finished with relaxed shoulders and stared at the complete test that screamed PERFECTION in her head it made her almost burst into hysterical tears.

"Alright, times up! Hand over the papers!"

Never had 30 minutes passed so fast in her life. They were to remain in silence as Nezu graded their test, it was annoying how he exclaimed their points out loud for everyone to hear. Gokudera and Hana got a top score, others weren't so lucky.

And then it was her turn. Nezu's face contorted into mocking to disbelief to anger so quickly Tsuna was almost worried it would paralyze his face.

"Sawada! You useless girl! I knew you were trouble the moment you walked into my class late! You are in serious trouble this time! To the Director office!"

"Whoa, she is done for" Someone whispered.

"Juudaime" Gokudera raised up when she picked up her things, but she merely shook her head at him, walking with her head up to prevent the water inside her eyes from rolling down.

Nezu was growling and mocking her through all the way, sometimes pushing her to walk faster. They neared the director's office and Nezu banged the door open, startling the poor man inside from enjoying a cup of tea.

"Nezu-sensei, first period hasn't ended! What seemed to be the problem?"

"This is the problem" Nezu dragged Tsuna inside and waved her math test in front of the director who took it gently.

"Perfect score" He said, not seeing the problem. His eyes settled on the distraught brunette who was avoiding his eyes and the fuming teacher.

"Exactly! She didn't even study! She hasn't even gotten a grade above 20 in a math exam before! How do you call that!"

"I didn't cheat" Tsuna whispered.

"Miss Sawada. The teacher is making a grave accusation"

"I didn't know there was an exam today"

"All the more reason for you to cheat!"

"I didn't cheat!" She exclaimed.

"Nezu-sensei, are you certain of your accusations?" The director question made the teacher face glow red.

"Of course I am!"

"You can test me again" Said Tsuna suddenly and without thinking, making both adults to stare at her "Make a new exam, new questions, you can make it yourself. Will that solve this problem?"

Her mouth was speaking before words formed in her mind. She was going to get a perfect score. And why? Why did she know that? How was she so sure?

"You dare-

"That's a good idea, Miss Sawada. Nezu-sensei and I will make a test for you" The director said, stopping the teacher from exploding in anger.

Bless this man, Tsuna thought with a spark of amusement. Because if he could handle and let Hibari Kyoya rule over the school, Nezu was merely like a stone in his shoe.

An hour later, Tsuna walked out of the office, wide eye and fingers shaking.

Nezu's screams could be heard from the room she walked out, clearly fuming and enraged of another perfect score. But to be fair, Nezu's questions were even harder than the material they were viewing yet Tsuna still aced it under the hawkeye stare of them both. She wasn't sure she would pass an open answer test though, so she quick her pace away from the office.

"Hey, Sawada! I heard the stunt you pulled on math class"

Her shoulders flinched before a hand fell on them. Her eyes moved to stare at the third-year student, he was one of the guys who hung around with Moichida.

"Say, are you skipping classes? I need help with some stuff, we are creating a new club, you see"

"You are lying…" She stared at him with wide eyes, making him pause and for his smile to fall a little at the intense stare.

"What? Come on. It's going to be fun!"

"You are lying…" It was maddening. Tsuna quickly stepped away from him and his sick intentions and walked towards the stairs. Classes be damned, there was no way she could focus at all.

Shutting the door of the rooftop was meant to build a wall that separated her from reality, but it did the total opposite. She felt more isolated than ever, alone with her thoughts.

She didn't know what was happening. First, there were the dreams, then the voices and now her lucky power system. She couldn't put a name to it if she didn't quite grasp just what the hell happened with those exams, how she was so sure of the correct answers. Was Fuuta's power contagious? She had to wonder.

But no, Reborn has been saying all this time to follow a feeling. A feeling that guided her out of the woods and led her to meet a little boy seeking refuge from the psychopath who was after her.

But what was it? This miracle power, and how did she turn it off? How did she even gain it, to begin with? Not like it wasn't handy, because that crazy stunt she did with the math test could surely help her raise her grades.

Reborn will surely prohibit it. And her eyes stung with bitter tears because even if it was childish to blame him, everything that had happened so far was all because of that hitman baby. Lonely afternoons were now spent in the company of people. Her house was not quiet anymore, there was laughter and joy and screams, but most of all there was a warmth that wasn't there before.

But just as the sunrise brings new things; when the sun sets and hides in the horizon, it reveals all that's underneath. The anxiety is still there. Sleepless nights filled with unfinished drawings and staring at the cracked ceiling in hopes of forgetting a rotten world filled with broken dreams and promises. And she knows; god, she knows those cracks are about to fall.

She gripped the railing of the rooftop tightly.

There was a sensation at the back of her neck, like a spider bite warning her of something, or better yet someone. Someone's coming. Someone's coming, and it's not Reborn, but someone's coming and you need to calm down Tsuna! She gritted her teeth as she screamed to herself. Was she becoming a freak? Or was it all just in her head?

"Sawada?"

Tsuna breathed out quietly; trying to keep the hysteria at by, before clearing her throat and turned to see the raven-haired girl looking back at her with concern.

"Hana"

"Its lunch time, you disappear for hours. Come and eat, Kyoko is worried and that rude monkey is close to tearing-

"Tell me a lie"

"What?" Hana's concern stare was increasing and it made her feel nervous and judged, especially when the raven-haired walked closer to her.

"Tell me a lie" Tsuna repeated, crossing her arms on her chest to stop them from hugging herself.

"Kyoko and that other girl are planning a surprise tea party for you that involves cute animals" Hana didn't know what to expect, but surely it wasn't for the brunette looking like she was just told her sick puppy died.

"That's true, isn't it?" The brunette whispered, quickly avoiding her eyes and hunching into herself.

"Yes. Now what is this all about? Hey, are you crying? Sawada, what the hell?"

"I'm just… this is so scary"

"There, there" Hana pat her awkwardly on the back, and if Tsuna flinched at the contact, neither mentioned it. Hana immediately gave her space "I don't know in what shit you got yourself into this time, but it can't be that bad, right? You always seem to pull it through, try harder this time"

"Y-yeah" Tsuna nodded, and it was a pathetic action that seemed to be to convince herself of something.

"Is everything okay?" Hana asked: but just as many times in the past, the brunette shield herself with a porcelain mask, glassy eyes hiding all the turmoil that was going on inside.

"Yeah…" Tsuna gave her a weak smile before walking out of the roof "I'm gonna eat now..."

Hana watched her leave, but she knew better than to press for non-existent answers. The brunette was the most stubborn person she ever met and an idiot too. She had known her for little close to 3 years now; it was enough time for her to discern all the white lies the brunette says, yet most of the time it remained a mystery.

There were days when she was a stranger in front of her eyes; others, she just looked like a tired girl without a place to belong. Hana didn't know or understand how she and Kyoko became friends when their personalities were so different. But the brunette welcomed the presence of the other girl; and apparently, Kyoko was an expert at reading Tsuna's mood so if there was someone who could get answers, it was probably her.

She was going to walk back until an odor of burnt waste reached her nose.

Hana looked around until her gaze landed at the railing where the brunette once stood, eyebrows and nose frowning when she saw a black stain over the metal rail. It made her curse out loud.

She knew that the brunette hanging around with that Italian monkey would be troublesome; she had seen him smoking outside of school after all, and she clearly remembers the brunette using some kind of fire in that pathetic mock fight with the older Sasagawa. Not to mention, her mood just now was alarming.

Hana sighed and messed with her hair as she walked back to class, making plans and strategies for an intervention. She would have to keep an eye on her in case the brunette develops pyromaniac tendencies.

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.

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Gokudera felt useless.

Not only did he endanger his boss life by letting that baseball freak tattle information to those bastards, but he wasn't strong enough to hold them off on his own. He had to be rescued by the demonic prefect and now he wasn't at school and Juudaime probably connected the dots already.

He's been tense all day, looking at windows and every corner with his fingers twitching for either a smoke or a dynamite. It didn't help that his boss seemed out of it. It looked like the reality of the situation was finally sinking in, and although her body posture was calm and lazy at times, her glassy eyes looked around without really seeing- ignoring everything around her but being aware of every movement at the same time. It was driving them both crazy.

She didn't return to the classroom until lunch, and he made it his main mission to not take his eyes away from her. All he wanted was to sit next to her in a comfortable place and watch some movies until midnight, but no. They had to fight for their lives and everyone's involved.

His sense to protect the brunette girl increased each day and it was becoming less of a duty and more of a want.

He doubted the demonic perfect would confess the information those bastards wanted. He didn't like him, but he wasn't childish to deny the strange bond the skylark has with his boss. So Juudaime's identity was safe for a little more.

Still, it didn't change the fact that he was stressing over what to do. If he was spotted with her they would immediately target her- but if he wasn't there she could still get hurt. She hasn't given any order regarding the attack. He didn't know what she was planning or thinking, it frustrated and pained him.

He was at a crossroad and didn't know what to do, and as the bell rang announcing classes were over he was tempted to seek Reborn and ask for guidance. But in the end, his boss decided for him.

"Gokudera-kun"

"Yes Juudaime?"

"At the gate, walk away from me and don't look back"

Tsuna could feel his conflicted emotions, but she ignored his worried eyes as she fixed her hair and pulled a happy smile. Above in the trees, a flock of birds took flight and Gokudera walked away with clenched his fists. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt his boss, he swore to himself.

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Sasagawa Kyoko was not stupid.

She was more aware of things that people give her credit for. Of course, she has innocent thoughts and believed that there was good in every people's hearts. Friendly, responsible and charming without trying, all she wanted was for everyone around her to be happy.

So when her older brother kept coming home with bloody knuckles and a bruised face, she took it upon herself to learn first aid. She never yelled nor did she lose her temper, but if there was one thing she hated the most was seeing her brother get hurt.

Growing up with him was difficult. Because of his hot-blooded nature and acting without thinking mannerism, her parents had to keep a close watch on him. Kyoko didn't mind though, she was a quiet little girl who knew how to behave well. She wasn't jealous of the attention they gave the older boy, quite the contrary. She admired his passion and courage and thrived to be like him someday.

Through all her life, there was just one single moment when she conjured enough courage to stand up for someone, and that was a precious memory she kept dear to her. And it's not like that courage left her, she just simply didn't know what else to do with it.

She was trapped in a sunny day facade, where bright smiles hid away her real thoughts, just like a doll.

And maybe perhaps people didn't think twice when talking to her because they just see what she wanted them to see- a cheerful girl incapable of getting sad.

Maybe that's why she saw people more clearly and knew when they were feeling sad or in distress, maybe students liked to confide in her because she listened to them and understand what they were going through. She was empathetic.

Which is why growing up with an older brother who constantly got hurt and parents who tended to fuss over his well being and in turn tend to give her less attention made her more aware of the way they said things as to not hurt her feelings.

She never held it over them, dismissing their white lies as they were. So when her mother said she couldn't bake cookies with her because she was driving her brother to a boxing match, it meant she was taking the unruly child to the hospital for a black eye. And in the outside, she was okay. She let them believe everything was okay to the point she herself believed it.

There was just one problem, her brother sucked at lying. The first time it happened, when they were both kids and he took a face-full of thrown rock by some other kids, he told her he fell on a rocky hill searching for a frog. And she believed him because he was her older brother.

But as the lies kept spinning and his injuries kept increasing beyond his boxing matches, she knew they were only going to get worse, but she didn't had the power to stop him. She didn't consider herself a coward for not trying, because she knew that he wouldn't stop, even if she asked.

So she smiled at him, giggling at his made-up tales and treated his injuries with care, letting him believe his reckless behavior didn't hurt her every time she saw him.

And then she met Sawada Tsunayuuki, and the white lies she was used to hearing became true Lies.

She couldn't read her; she couldn't feel anything from her. Perhaps it was simply curiosity and admiration that drove her to strike a friendship with the brunette. Even though it was hard, even when the other girl refused time and time again, Kyoko didn't give up.

That courage she harbored inside of her let her keep trying to form a friendship with the lonely girl until walking to school together became a routine, where eating lunch next to each other became a 'must' every day without even asking.

As the years went by and the girls grew up, Kyoko was proud of herself to note that she was finally able to understand some of the moods the brunette gets. She knew when she needed company and when to back away, she knew when she was stressed and when a strawberry cheesecake was the remedy for a long day. And it was also then that she knew something that was meant to be horrible, that she had became Tsuna's doll.

It might be sad, Hana would definitely throw a fit, but Kyoko understood. She was not an idiot, and it took her time but she was okay with it because she knew the brunette needed her.

So the moment when a happy Tsuna hugged her arm and make her walk quickly away from school, she giggled and played along.

.

.

.

Tsuna could feel danger lurking as she walked out of school, it was an anxious prickling sensation that made her hug Kyoko's arm tighter and walk faster to the suburbs district. She felt bad for leaving Gokudera on his own, but it was for the best. The probability of being attacked if they were spotted together was high, she couldn't risk it.

Kyoko was telling her about a new cake shop she and Haru discovered that let you pet animals inside. Tsuna knew right away that one of these days she was going to be dragged to said shop for a surprise tea party. And she was actually okay with it because let's face it, cake + tea + cute animals was a great therapy.

As they neared the neighborhood; Tsuna stopped, making the orange haired turn to look at her.

"Tsuna-chan?"

"Kyoko please don't go out tonight" It was an odd request, but Kyoko could feel a turmoil eating at her friend. She had plans with Haru later today, but she could move her agenda for the brunette.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I don't know" Tsuna confessed, and perhaps she had a pitiful expression on her face because the next thing she knew, she was being hugged by the orange haired girl.

"Kyoko?"

"You looked like you needed a hug" Kyoko smiled at her when she stepped back "Promise you will take care of yourself"

"Yeah"

They parted ways in the next crossroad, and it wasn't a minute later that Tsuna called for her little guardian.

"Reborn" The hitman unexpected presence on her shoulder did nothing to soothe her nerves, but she did feel a bit safer. "What now?"

"Let's go home"

"Where's Dino?"

"Grounded in his room. If he is seen with you, it's game over. You did well at calling Gokudera away; but expect his presence soon, he will never let his boss alone and at risk"

"Mukuro has Hibari" Tsuna informed him as she walked towards her house "They are in Kyokuyo Land"

"What are you going to do with this information?"

"I don't know"

Her fingers twitched, so she hugged herself to prevent her hands from shaking any further. They were silent for the remaining walk, Reborn letting his student sort her runaway thoughts.

"I'm home" She called as soon as she opened the door and the smell of baked food and sound of laughter made her nerves relax. Home was truly a sanctuary.

"How was school dear?" Her mother asked from the kitchen.

"I aced my math exam"

"Really? That's great!" Nana happily cheered and she could feel Reborn's curious stare but she ignored it. She quickly removed her shoes and walked towards her room.

She picked Reborn from her shoulder and set him on her desk despite his stiffness at her action.

"Your hands are cold"

"It's strange..." Tsuna said as she stared at her hands "This morning made me remember when I was little. Glass seemed to shattered in my hands no matter what"

"Mama said something about plastic cups"

"It was really troublesome to feed me if everything just went boom" She made a motion with her hands while giggling, but it sounded hollow. The hitman watched her pace around her room, it was obvious she wanted to ask something but didn't know how or better yet- didn't have the courage to do it.

He let her gather her thoughts while he tended his beloved pet. Leon was solidified in a glowing globe, any moment now and whatever he was cooking inside would be revealed. He was curious to see what kind of object the brunette would need from the little chameleon.

"Reborn?" He turned to see her sitting in her bed, fingers twitching over themselves in a nervous manner "Reborn, how did Nono's sons die?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"They were candidates for the Decimo position and now they are dead. I'm next in line, I need to know everything"

He considered her for a moment but saw no harm in indulging her curiosity.

"Massimo was found dead in the Tevere River, drown by force. Enrico was shot in the head multiple times in a gunfire between enemies famiglias and lastly, Federico the youngest was reduced to ashes, not even his bones remained"

"Huh…"

Reborn blinked. She was thinking, no... She was analyzing what he said, not the context but the way he said it. It was alarming seeing her process that kind of information, she spent two years in Italy, surely she didn't...

"Tsuna, did you met any of them in your stay in Italy?"

"Not really" She hugged her knees "I wasn't allowed to go to HQ unless Iemitsu was there, and that was only one time. Must have been sad, to lose everyone..."

Not a lie, but there was something nagging at him. Something was hidden deep in her sad eyes.

It was a look that invited him to want to smack her head. He didn't do that; instead, he threw a big black book next to her, and the way she jumped startled by the sudden weight made him smirk.

"What's this?" She asked as she poked the book, she wouldn't put it past the hitman if the book came alive and bite her.

"You said you wanted to know everything. Read that, we are having a pop quiz"

She took the heavy book and placed it on her lap. She didn't know whether to snort or pout at the title. 'Everything you need to know about the Mafia 101'.

"Tsuna dear! We are going to the park!" Nana called from downstairs, followed by the cheers from the kids.

"Okay! Have fun!" She opened the book to start reading but just as she touched the page and the front door from the house closed, she whipped her head in the direction of it with wide eyes "Fuuta?"

"Tsuna, what is it?"

"I don't know… I just…" she bit her lip and shook her head to get the image away from her thoughts, but it remained there. She shuddered and looked at Reborn with conflicted eyes "Fuuta is getting kidnaped"

Reborn blinked back at her.

.

.

.

There was something about cherry blossoms trees that filled him with wonder. He knew nothing about them; growing up locked in a laboratory, his view and knowledge of the world was minimum for a long while.

So when he managed to possess the mind of a stupid guard and saw big pink trees that looked like cotton candy in his memories, he decided he wanted to see them for himself.

It was pure coincidence Vongola Decimo was rumored to be hiding in Japan, land of the pink trees. But when he set foot on the Asian land, no matter how much he looked, there was not one single spot of pink in the trees. It's not the season; he heard some old grannies said. And it filled him with great disappointment, so he decided to make trees for himself.

So he walked into the woods searching for a good spot to illusion the trees and recreate the cotton candy-like-petals he once saw.

He never thought he would find something better, a beautiful light coated in blood.

A girl with sunset eyes and blood in her smile. It was calming and exciting, it filled him with so much wonder and just like the cherry blossoms, he wanted her too.

As they walked together, he found it amusing how despite her initial mistrust of him, they ended up talking about the weather of all things. He soaked in her glances and stares; eat them like a little child seeing Christmas lights for the first time.

"Have we… met before?" She suddenly asked, careful not to trip over a root in the ground.

"I'd have had the pleasure, I'm afraid. Do I look familiar to you?"

"To a ghost, maybe" She smiled teasingly to an inner joke he was not part of, but he wanted to.

As they approached a clearing, he could hear loud voices and yelling. He knew his time with the girl was over, and how he wished to preserve it. But just like the cherry blossoms would always bloom again, he would meet this girl again.

"No luck, huh?" he called to his subordinate kneeling in front of him.

He never did found the perfect spot for his illusions, so he decided to fill the old room of an abandoned building with pink trees instead, that way he could always see them while he rested and plotted. All that was lacking was a clear sky to made the pink leaves shine.

"I apologize Mukuro-sama," Ken said "Its just…there is no sight of Vongola Decimo anywhere, byon. That bomber has been patrolling the area, but it's as if this Tsuna kid isn't real"

"No, I don't believe he exists. Isn't that right, birdy?" He crossed his legs and rest his head on one arm perched on the couch, staring down at the battered body of a violent guy who was glaring at him intensely, like wishing for his head to explode. It only made him laugh.

All good things come to those who wait. Just like he waited to get stronger and killed all those pigs in white who stole his life, he waited for his beacon of light to appear once again. And waltzing through his door in a fury dance was the last key for his plan.

He was strong, he recognized that. But he was no match for his supreme illusions. It was kind of poetic how the mighty knight that came to kill the beast fell at the sight of cherry blossoms. And what a precious mind he had, calm but guarded with dangerous spikes. He was only able to sneak images before he was hit in the face. But he saw enough.

Sunset eyes.

He laughed for a long time, the odds really were in his favor. He could understand why Vongola Decimo was so desired if with just being in her presence could make you feel warm and mad in power. He wanted to possess it. Her.

"I believe we have a princess to capture or will she come willingly? I wonder..."

The boy at his feet hissed in threat, but Mukuro ignored him. He turned towards the other boy present in the room and ordered

"Get the kid"

.

.

.

Fuuta never knew what a family was supposed to be like.

He didn't have memories of his early days. The clearest he could remember already involved a book and a strange power that brought luck to people around him. He could distinguish his parent's faces from that period of time and knew he was loved. But then he wasn't.

His first capture was met with blood and pain. Some men destroyed his house and ripped him away from his bed. He was chained to a chair and forced to write day and night until his fingers blistered. He never asked his captors what happened to his parents for it was the first thing he asked the planet, the first ranking being that they were no longer alive.

The second kidnapping was better. He was locked inside a comfortable room, filled with toys and necessities, he was given 2 meals a day and allowed to play in the garden in exchange for rankings of how to steal money, diamonds and gold.

Like an orphaned boy, he was passed through house and house, never really having a say in the matter and used for his ranking powers. Sometimes it was better, sometimes it was not.

Mafia famiglias used his rankings to steal and get glory. He despised it so much, but he was young and weak, there was nothing he could do but plan. So one night, when the patrons of the house left him locked up in his room, he ranked every possible escaping plan, any person who could help him survive.

And then he found her.

For weeks, the name Sawada Tsunayuuki became a mantra to him. Because she ranked first place on a mafia associate who will lend you a hand no matter what. He dreamed of his rescue, of meeting her and just going on everyday adventures with her.

It was his reason for hiding in a boat sailing to Japan when the car he was in got a flat tire- after telling the boss that if he drove in that direction, he would found gallons of gold and who was he to not believe Fuuta after the fortune he made him.

So he ran into the rainy night, clutching his book tightly as he jumped into the floating boat and hid in the cargo boxes. Surviving for two days with just gummy bears and a juice box.

He knew there would be searches for him, the worst being that some runaway psycho had set his eyes on him too. But he couldn't stop now that he was so close to freedom. The girl he only knew of name was his dream worth risking his life for.

But he was a kid, so young and naive. So when he located her in Namimori and was close on finding her, he ranked every little possible way he could think of her. And the more he knew, the more he felt the magical castle he built up crumble.

But he didn't lose hope. It's been just two days but he could say that it was the best moments of his life. Waking up in a warm bed, fighting over breakfast, watching cartoons and waiting for the brunette girl to return from school.

The Sawada household was light and beautiful. He didn't expect other mafia kids to be living there; but he liked them, even the snotty cow Lambo. It was like an unspoken rule they all had, to avoid talking about mafia and such in front of Sawada Nana. So being mundane and childlike was a breath of fresh air for them all.

Which is why, when he saw Mukuro's minions stalking the park he and the others were at, he went willingly with them to prevent someone from getting hurt.

He couldn't give the information Mukuro wanted because Omertà had been forged. The moment Sawada Tsunayuuki became his key to freedom, he swore loyalty to her. Trusting his heart blindly that she would help and rescue him no matter what.

And as Mukuro told him that there were other ways to get the girl, Fuuta thought it was going to be okay; because he knew.

Sawada Tsunayuuki was meant to be his salvation, but also his cage. Because she also ranked number 1 on the girl who will most likely break his heart.

She wasn't going to come.

.

.

.

Reborn watched Tsuna paced in her room, biting her nails and tugging at her hair. Wide eyes looking around searching for something that wasn't there.

She had changed clothes five times. Going from a comfortable jersey to dark street clothes. She had lost all shame in changing in front of him. Right now, she was wearing pale jeans, a long-sleeved blue indigo shirt and that huge furred jacket Dino gave her.

He watched her process and break down in seconds, mind already running in every worst-case scenario, heart almost believing they were true. He was starting to get worried she would get a panic attack by all the overthinking.

"Dame-Tsuna"

"Please stop calling me that"

"Tsuny-tsundere then" She made a choking groan kind of noise but didn't stop her pacing.

"What are you thinking? Run it through me"

"Fuuta was kidnapped. That's bad but he… he will be okay? It's Gokudera and Yamamoto who I worry about"

"Oh, you worry"

"Yes reborn, I worry!" She snapped at him, but as quick as the fierceness appeared in her face it transformed into desperation. "I don't know what this feeling is and it's driving me crazy. Today... today we had a math test and I- I forgot but got every answer right. I got every answer right like some kind of lottery good lucky shot, Reborn. I just got this feeling and... What is happening to me?"

She asked him with bright eyes, scared of herself and her unexpected abilities. Reborn wanted to keep it a secret until he was 100% sure, but even Shamal could connect the dots. Tsuna had developed Vongola's curse. The hyper intuition.

"What else is your feeling telling you?"

"Tsuna!" Nana's shout was heard from downstairs.

"It's gonna happen" she whispered to him. And he could see it, her resolve swirling in her eyes.

He quickly grabbed his gun and Leon, as the brunette made her way downstairs slowly. Lambo and Ipin were strangely quiet, both looking at her mother pace the living room with worry.

"Mom"

"I can't find Fuuta. He was just behind me one second and the next- oh Tsuna what are we going to do?!"

"Mom" Tsuna approached her mother with her hands raised but didn't touch her "Mom. It's all right, Fuuta… he's scared. He probably got overwhelmed"

"We'll look for him, Sawada-mama" Bianchi said at her side, grabbing Nana by the shoulders to help her sit on the couch "Unfortunately, we can't call the police. If Fuuta doesn't have a passport they might take him away"

"I'll find him, I promise"

"Please be careful" Nana's teary eyes were like a bullet going through Tsuna's heart.

She quickly nodded and walked away of the room, hands flying to her mouth to prevent any sound from escaping. She shuts the door of the house softly and shudders a breath, resting her weight over it.

"I don't want to go Reborn" she trembles, hands shaking.

"But you have to"

"I can't do this"

"Yes you can" Reborn sits on her shoulder "And you will, with your dying will"

"Dying will...what use is it if I die?"

"Take a deep breath Tsuna"

She did, taking a huge breath as she ran her fingers through her hair, fixing her gaze into the horizon.

"Let's go"

As they walked through the lonely streets, neither of them mentioned the tears running down the brunette's face.

.


Thanks for reading guys! Kudos.

So this chapter was more of an insight of the characters thoughts than actual conversations, next chapter will definitely contain fights and a bit of violence so beware. And the relationships between them will be further explored as the story goes, both past and present.

I don't think I will be able to update before the year ends but I will try my best, if not then I wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year! You know the song~

On a sad note, I'm deeply saddened by Mr. Stan Lee departure. May we always remember him for the creative man he was!