Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Katekyoshi Hitman Reborn! I just wish I did.

Beta: the lovely Midnight-Kitsune11. Thank you for all your hard work. :-)

Pairing: At this time there is NO pairing for this fic! People keep asking me who I'm going to pair Tsuna with, but I don't plan to pair him up with anyone at this point in time. There might be some hints, but at present that's just the attraction of Tsuna's Sky flames at work. Some people tell me some of the Zabuza moments make them feel like this will be a Gay/Yaoi fic, but I'll leave that up to your own interpretation.

AN: Thank you all for all your wonderful comments and reviews! Your support is what keeps this story going! I really appreciate it!

Enjoy lovelies xxx

Chapter 11: Finally Home.

Tsuna took a deep breath as he straightened up. Something told him he would thank Reborn for all his lessons before this talk was even over.

They stood in the Hokage's office. Kakashi had just finished debriefing and had barely mentioned Tsuna's bloodline. Behind the Sandaime were three other people. Old people. Two males and a female. One of the males was covered in bandages and had a cross shaped scar on his chin. Old people...

Zabuza and Haku were currently under surveillance in another room of the Hokage tower, and Tsuna felt uncomfortable being away from his Cloud...

The Sandaime hadn't interrupted. He had linked his fingers together and rested his chin on them, studying all the shinobi in his office intently as Kakashi talked.

Now they were waiting in silence for the leader to talk.

Tsuna wasn't sure what would be said, but he knew he had to take responsibility now and address the Hokage himself. He could do this.

He had faced worse, damn it!

"Your sensei has stayed very vague when talking about your powers, young Naruto." started the man.

Tsuna narrowed his eyes. "My bloodline, Hokage-sama? Might I ask what sensei has told you already?" he felt the need to emphasize the word.

The man eyed him intently.

"I merely mentioned that your bloodline is fire-based and binds people to you in a way that wasn't very clear to me yet. I suggested not trying to mess with such a bond until more was know which we now do." Kakashi supplied as the Hokage didn't seem intend on replying.

"Indeed." the old man agreed.

Tsuna didn't know a lot of this Hokage. He reminded him of Timoteo, the head of the Vongola family before him. But he didn't know this man. Tsuna hadn't met or really talked to the man, except for his Academy application that one time.

And after just awakening his flames of course...

"As Kakashi-sensei explained during our debriefing, we met a man in Uzushiogakure who confirmed to us that these flames I awakened a few months ago are indeed part of a bloodline known in the Uzumaki clan."

"But the man you met wasn't a Uzumaki yet he possessed the same powers." The Hokage raised an eyebrow at him.

Tsuna grit his teeth. He suddenly remembered why he hated all those political discussions-it always felt like pulling teeth...

Sasuke took a step closer to him.

"I'm afraid I can not confirm or deny that, as Ryuji-san never gave us a last name." replied Tsuna simply.

"That does not answer our question." interrupted the old lady.

Tsuna frowned at her. "I don't recall any of you asking me any questions. I also don't recall being introduced to you."

Sakura flinched behind him.

Tsuna gulped, feeling his confidence falter.

The lady glared at him, but it was the bandaged man who addressed him. "My name is Danzo Shimura. These are Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. We are the Hokage's personal council."

"And might I inquire why you are present for a simple mission debriefing?" asked Tsuna curiously. He did suspect that answer but hoped they wouldn't-

"We heard your mission took an unexpected turn as well as a little trip to Uzu. We were merely concerned." the man smiled at him.

Tsuna had to fight not to react and take a step away from the man. His intuition was screaming at him to get away from Danzo.

"I'm sure that I speak for my whole team when I assure you we appreciate your concern."

The man stopped smiling and eyed him briefly before smiling again.

"We would simply like to have an understanding of your abilities and an explanation to Momoshi Zabuza's presence in Konoha."

"I could show you." Tsuna entered Hyper Dying Will mode.

He immediately felt much calmer.

Homura watched the flames on his forehead and hands with wide eyes while Koharu's and Danzo's eyes narrowed. The Hokage, who had already seen these flames, merely eyed him curiously.

"These are my flames. From what we heard there are seven different types of flames. Mine are called Sky flames and are apparently know to try and attract other possible flame users."

"So there are others who possess those powers?" interrupted Danzo.

Tsuna frowned, fixing his bright orange eyes on the man. "Everyone has flames. It was explained to us that flames can be compared to chakra. Every one has it, but not every one can access them and while with enough training training people can learn to access chakra, flames are much trickier. The last Uzukage apparently stopped the experimentations to learn more about this because of the high body count."

"To continue what I was saying," Tsuna eyed Danzo briefly, "It seems my flames have already starting reaching out to people to start bonding with, without my knowing. Zabuza is one of them."

"Who are the others?" asked the Hokage.

Tsuna's lips thinned. "I don't feel comfortable revealing that information yet. I haven't had a chance to talk to that person and I won't consider us bonded until we do."

"Your Hokage asked you a question, boy." Homaru glared at him.

Tsuna took a breath. "I was giving to understand that as part of the Uzuamki clan, clan law extended to me. My bloodline only affects me and the people I will bond with. I don't understand why I need to explain myself to you." He eyed the three council members. "I am willing to give the Hokage a basic understanding of my bloodline, of course." He inclined his head towards the man.

"One boy does not make a clan." commented the woman.

"Really now? I was told otherwise." sneered Sasuke suddenly.

"Now now," Kakashi finally stepped in. "I myself can testify that exceptions have already been made on that requirement."

"Yes, but both the Uchiha and the Hatake are Konoha clans." paried Danzo immediately.

Tsuna shrugged with an innocent smile. "If that is such a problem I can always resign as a shinobi and leave."

"You-"

"That is enough." interrupted the Hokage as he frowned at his advisors. "Naruto-kun is a part of this village, just as some of his ancestors before him. I am sure that we can come to a compromise. I would like, however, to have a private talk with Naruto-kun. If you would all leave us."

The last part wasn't a suggestion.

The council clearly wasn't happy but they left without saying anything. Danzo glared at the Hokage.

Once it was clear the elder had left, Kakashi ushered his two genin outside. "We'll be waiting outside, Naruto."

Tsuna nodded, not taking his eyes off the Sandaime.

"Now, Tsuna-kun." the man smiled at him once they were alone. "How are you feeling?"

Tsuna blinked. "Huh?"

He had a strange flash-back to their conversation in the Hospital a few months ago, with Iruka-nii-san.

Unconsciously his flames dissipated.

"Kakashi mentioned you had gotten hurt during your first meeting with Zabuza-san."

"Ah, right." He felt so stupid right now. "Haku helped and I heal fast. It was gone after a few days."

"Good, good." the man seemed pleased. "So, you managed to find out what those flames are."

Tsuna nodded.

"I will try to run as much interference as I can, but I fear you might get summoned a few more times by any of our councils. I can only advise that you don't speak to any of them without me being present."

"I can do that." said Tsuna relieved.

"Very good. Now, about your bloodline. I will need to know a few things, of course. I understand that you are not obliged to do so, but I hope you'll agree to accommodate me in this instance."

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement." said Tsuna.

"I would like to know who you bond with. I want you to talk to the person you had in mind as soon as possible and if they agree, I expect to be notified. I suspect my advisers, and more particularly Danzo, might try to influence you to bond to certain people."

"I will."

"Especially if they are from outside Konoha." he smiled wryly.

"What's going to happen to Zabuza and Haku?" asked Tsuna concerned.

"They'll both need to at least spend the night at the T&I department. Nothing too grave." He quickly reassured the blond at Tsuna's worried look. "The fact that Zabuza is a missing nin and Haku never swore his allegiance plays in their favor. Still I'm sure you understand that as the Hokage the safety of the inhabitants of this village has priority."

"Of course. Can I visit them?"

"Of course. They'll be in interrogation for a while, but unless they give us reason to they won't be harmed."

"Thank you." sighed Tsuna, relieved.

"Is there something else you think I should know about?"

"Well, Sensei told you about the box with the rings, right?"

The Sandaime nodded.

"As I said before, there are seven different flames types. I need to bond with at least one person per flame type. At least. For each flame type, I'll assign someone I consider a Guardian. They will each get a ring."

"Guardians? That's a peculiar name."

Tsuna shrugged. "I have no idea what it means, only that they take care of me, as I do for them."

"Alright. I can't help but notice you have two rings." noticed the man.

Tsuna nodded, again. "Yes, I do. The other ring was also included in the box."

He lit the ring up and Natsu landed in his lap. "This little guy is Natsu. I named him." Tsuna smiled sheepishly. "I'll be training with him so we can fight together."

The Hokage nodded. "Much like the Inuzuka then. I'll make a mention of it in your file."

Tsuna gently rubbed Natsu's ear. "Thank you."

"Very well. I'll let you go now." The man dismissed Tsuna. "Rest up and tell your sensei I expect team 7 in my office tomorrow morning, at 9 o'clock. No exceptions."

Tsuna giggled at that. Yeah, apparently team 7 weren't the only ones Kakashi made wait for him.

"Will do. Thank you,Hokage-sama."

-o-o-

After informing his team of what the Hokage had said, Kakashi had dismissed them to get some rest. His team-mates had shortly after left for their homes.

But instead of going to his lonely apartment, Tsuna made his way to the Academy. While he longed to see Iruka-nii-san again, he didn't look forward to having to explain everything, again!

He sighed as he approached the building, barely managing to side step a young boy who ran out of the building at top speed.

"Konohamaru!" yelled Iruka as he chased the boy out.

The kid yelped and continued running only to tip a few feet further over the long scarf he was wearing.

"Ah!"

He stayed down, face planted firmly in the ground.

Tsuna sweat dropped.

Iruka didn't slow down, grabbed the boy by the back of his shirt and looked ready to start yelling when Tsuna intervened.

"Nii-san, I'm back." He smiled at the man.

Iruka startled, his eyes widening as he saw the blond and started smiling. "Tsuna-kun! When did you get back?"

"Tsuna-nii!" exclaimed Konohamaru happily. "You're back!"

Iruka shook the boy without taking his eyes of Tsuna. "I heard your mission went well. Can you tell me about it?"

Konohamaru was clearly getting dizzy.

"It was... something else. Ano, I think he's getting sick."

The boy looked green.

Iruka stopped shaking him but frowned at the boy. "He shouldn't have been trying to skip detention."

"Aha." chuckled Tsuna weakly. "Do you have some time? To talk?"

"Sure, let me drop this troublemaker in detention and I'm all yours." The older man smiled at him. "I'll be right back."

Tsuna only had to wait a few minutes before Iruka came back, Konohamaru-free.

"What did you want to talk about?" the teacher asked.

Tsuna gulped. "Can we go somewhere more private? My place or something?"

Iruka frowned. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, it's just..."

"We can go to my place, if you want to?"

Tsuna nodded thankful. "Yes, that would be fine."

Iruka placed his hand on Tsuna's shoulder and shinshuned them into his apartment.

Not having expected such a sudden change, Tsuna barely caught himself before he fell. Iruka helped steady him.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Some water is fine."

Getting them a drink, Iruka sat down at the table and looked expectantly at the younger boy.

Tsuna took a deep breath and started the whole explanation. How he had found out about his flames, what they were, how they were reaching out to other people... the whole shebang.

He didn't mention Zabuza by name, only that he started bonding to someone he met while away.

He didn't feel like dealing with that headache just yet. Maybe he could tell Iruka by introducing him to Zabuza. That way, the Kiri nin would have to deal with chuunin.

It felt evil, but he supposed Reborn had to have rubbed off on him somehow...

Iruka stayed quiet for a few minutes, clearly processing.

"That a lot to take in."

"I know." Tsuna smiled wryly.

"Why did you tell me all that? From what you just said, this is considered a bloodline, so why...?"

"Because I realized my flames have already reached out to you."

Iruka looked shocked.

"Really?"

"Do you want me to show you?" he asked hesitantly.

Iruka nodded. "Please."

Tsuna entered HDW.

Iruka gasped. "Wow, I know I've seen it before, but still..."

Tsuna smiled and held out his hand. Iruka blinked and then placed his hand in Tsuna's.

The blond felt humbled by the trust the man showed in him by holding something that was seemingly on fire.

Tsuna closed his eyes as he felt the bond between them briefly flare to live and grow stronger.

Iruka gasped and placed his other hand on the center of his chest.

The feeling left as soon as it came. "Was that...?"

Tsuna smiled at the man. "Yes, those are your flames. Rain flames, I believe."

Iruka looked at him with wide eyes, full of wonder.

Then the man started smiling. "That felt... I can't describe it. But it's gone again."

Tsuna giggled as the man started pouting. "Like coming home, right?"

Iruka blinked. "Yes, that's exactly what it's like."

They smiled brightly at each other.

TBC.

Badass!Tsuna and Boss!Tsuna makes an appearance! I hope you liked it!