A/N:

@bbbk007: I'm afraid I can't do your request. Tsuna, as an experiment, cannot catch diseases. He's like an impenetrable human being in this fic, that's why the Estrano wants to kill him. Well, except for poisons that can penetrate the first layer of his skin or when taken by mouth. Sorry. But, let's see if we have more Reborn-Tsuna interactions somewhere. This story is already written, if I'm not mistaken, for two years now. So yeah... Hahaha. Regardless, thank you for your review. You're Godsent.

Anyway, go on.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Reborn walked out of his room. It just struck one in the evening. He feels restless. Almost anxious of something he doesn't know. So the first thing he did was go inside to Tsuna's room.

Only to see it empty.

Reborn opened his eyes. He frantically looked at his surroundings, inspecting every corner to know where he is. He got up, wore his slippers before walking out of his room. He hurriedly went to Tsuna's room. He held his breath when he opened it. Then sighed in relief when he saw Tsuna sleeping soundly.

He went in, closed the door behind him and neared the bed. He sat down beside the sleeping boy and stared at him. He reached out and combed his brown locks. He sighed again.

He was scared. No. Frightened. He feared of the day that his dream will come true and he can't do anything about it. He doesn't want that to happen. He's too attached to him already. To the point that he deemed him as a family. His only family.

Yes. He's selfish.

Reborn stopped moving when Tsuna's eyes fluttered open. The brunet looked at him and smiled before a frown itched in his face. Worry can be read in his eyes.

"Reborn?" Tsuna called before yawning. "What happened? Nightmare?"

Reborn looked away, thankful that the room is dark so Tsuna can't see his blush. "No."

"Hmm..." Tsuna hummed as he took his hand. "Come."

Reborn tutted. "I'm going back to my room."

"No." Tsuna yawned. "You woke me up, so you need to lull me to sleep."

"Fine." Reborn grumbled.

Reborn slid beside him. But instead of being the big spoon, Reborn was forced to rest his head on Tsuna's arm as the brunet hugged him by the shoulder. Tsuna laughed light at his irritated expression before patting him in the shoulder.

"Why am I in this position?" Reborn grumbled.

"Because it's right to put you here. And it's what you do whenever I experience a nightmare."

"It wasn't a nightmare."

"Really? Then what was the reason why you looked grim?" Tsuna teased as he closed his eyes. Reborn didn't answer. "Come on. Snuggle closer, Reborn. I can't pull you closer. I'm not strong enough."

"Damn it." Reborn cussed as he snuggled closer to Tsuna's chest.

Tsuna held Reborn's head as he stuffed his face on the hitman's hair. He felt him put an arm around his torso and snuggled closer than he could. Tsuna didn't mind. He does it all the time with him.

Minutes later, Tsuna felt Reborn move. He suppressed a laugh. He resorted to rubbing the man's back as he hummed as he thought.

"What is it, Reborn?" Tsuna asked.

"Can't sleep." Reborn grumbled.

"What happened in your dream?"

"You were gone. Not in your room when I checked it."

Tsuna stilled before smiling, hugging Reborn closer. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Reborn asked, a little muffled.

"Because I was the cause why you can't sleep."

"But I'm the one who disturbed you."

"Still, I'm the reason." Tsuna hummed. "Clear your mind, Reborn. Focus on my voice."

"Hn."

Tsuna started to hum a familiar song. A lullaby his Mother, Nana, used to sing for him whenever they're alone in the house or just sitting comfortable anywhere in the house. It was to fill the empty silence they always share.

Tsuna smiled as he listen to the evened breathing of his night's teddy bear. He continued to hum the song until he too fell asleep.

The two didn't wake up till late morning. No one interrupted them. Not even Lambo nor Hayato did. For some reason, they kind of got the idea why Reborn is snuggling on Tsuna's chest, while the brunet was just keeping him in place. To their eyes, the two pictured a child keeping his parent safe.

Reborn opened his eyes. He stared at the thing in front of him, only to realize that it's a fabric in blue color. Then the morning event came rushing to his mind. He looked up to see a sleeping Tsuna. Basked in the overprotective warmth of his student's flame, he just wanted to sleep further in. So he closed his eyes and sighed in content.

"Are you awake, Reborn?"

Although shocked that the brunet is awake, Reborn answered still. "No."

"Oh. Okay."

"Why are you sticking to Reborn like that?" Lal incredulously asked.

"Uh..." Tsuna hesitated. "I had this feeling that I have to stay with him today."

Reborn chuckled as he tousled Tsuna's hair. "Stay here with Lal."

"But-"

"I'll be back later. I'll bring Colonnello with me."

"Okay."

Lal kept her mouth shut. She didn't really believed Fon when the latter told them that Tsuna is very protective of Reborn. But to see it with her own eyes, it feels unbelievable. The world's greatest hitman is being protected by a small, teenager. Yet, remembering the child's past... She can't say he's weak.

Lal stood beside Tsuna as they watched Reborn walk towards the gate. For some reason, she has this feeling that the brunet has something in mind that he wants to voice out. So she nudged him. Tsuna looked at her, so she nodded her head on Reborn's direction. For some reason, she felt glad that she was able to boost Tsuna's confidence and determination.

"Reborn?" Tsuna called. The hitman looked at them by the corner of his eyes. "Look in all direction okay? Don't miss a single degree."

She can almost see Reborn's gear rotating as he comprehend what the child beside her riddled. "Sure. Thanks for the heads up, Tsuna."

"Un." Tsuna beamed.

After Reborn left with Colonnello who suddenly appeared, Tsuna invited Lal inside. He prepared her a beverage before rummaging in the kitchen. Lal watched him go to the living room and come back with a small notepad and a pen. Then she heard her murmuring.

Lal is perplexed. She's not accustomed to this kind of living. To babysit a teenager by request of her fellow arcobaleno. If she's at the Japan Vongola HQ right now, she'll be exercising her body for any possible means.

Being a CEDEF agent isn't a joke. When Iemitsu died, she knew she needs to put her heels down on the ground firmly and set her fellow workers going. Yes, it was hard to lose a family and a friend, a good boss even but to let his hard work go down to drain just because he died. They'll get an earful if they were careless.

"Lal?" She looked up to Tsuna. The brunet smiled. "Let's go shopping?"

"Ha?"

"Don't worry. Takeshi will be with us." Tsuna supplied as he pats down his clothes. "We need groceries. Lambo wanted something with vegetables today."

Lal rose a brow. "What a good kid for a brat."

Tsuna chuckled. "I made him something yesterday, he liked it. Now he wants more."

Lal was going to say something when the door opened suddenly. Both became alert. Tsuna was going to look when they heard a laugh and a loud 'thud'. They went out to see what happened. They saw Takeshi putting his sword in its sheath. He was smiling but his eyes are murderous.

Tsuna called the rain's name. Takeshi looked at Tsuna and beamed. The murderous look dissipated as he walked towards the brunet and hugged him. Lal knew what Tsuna's influence to his guardians. But not the extent that they became bipolar to her eyes.

"Let's go?" Takeshi asked.

"Will it be okay? Going out? I don't want to put us in danger, Takeshi." Tsuna consulted, earning a tousle from the ravenet.

"It's okay! Trust me."

"I trust you. You lived up from Hayato's threats and things, but I don't trust our enemies."

Lal 'tsk'-ed. "You don't need to trust them, Sawada."

"I know." Tsuna replied. "But I want to trust the way they think."

"Then let's think how they think so we'll know their move." Takeshi suggested, making Lal jawdrop a little.

'I knew Reborn told us that this kid is a natural hitman. But really?!'

Tsuna slowly nodded. "Okay. Let's go. I trust you both to stay alive in any case they come."

"Yusha!" Takeshi cheered.

Lal accompanied the two in the supermarket. She listened as the two converse. Tsuna was asking Takeshi about his baseball and reminding him to take things easy and if ever he's in trouble, he can always take refuge on Tsuna's side. What made Lal admire the kid was when the brunet told him that they're brothers by blood or not. Then they laughed when Takeshi joked about asking help from Hayato that both knew the latter will strongly refuse.

Now, they're waiting for Tsuna to finish his grocery shopping as they follow him around.

"Tsuna used to never eat." Takeshi shared suddenly. Lal glanced at his serious expression. "He won't eat in five days, only does it in the weekends. He was the lifeless version of student in Namimori Middle. It was a relief Reborn came. If not, Tsuna would be died by now."

"He almost got it when Reborn went away for three days, right?" Lal asked.

Takeshi nodded. "Yes. If Tsuna didn't wake up, I would be died right now."

Lal looked at him. "What?"

"I tried to kill myself." Takeshi answered, a small shy smile stretched on his lips, and a hand placed on his nape. "I got an arm fracture when I was doing my swings. I really overdone it. When Tsuna heard that I was going to jump, he stopped me. He said I should live for my dad, and get better to play baseball again. And that there is more to life that I must see. When I told him I'm practicing kendo after weeks, he told me to do my thing but never leave my passion." Takeshi let out a small chuckle. "I really got this feeling that Tsuna knew I was going to leave baseball for the sword."

"Why would you then?"

"I want to protect him." Takeshi answered. Determination and resolve is pouring out of his aura. "With all those people wanting to get him and kill him, I want to protect him. I want to protect my home. The person who accepted us despite his expressionless face, contradicting words and stubbornness of keeping us away from his danger. We're family. So of course we'll solve problems as one."

Lal looked at Tsuna who was solely focused on the jar he's looking at. Right now, she really thinks Tsuna is an enigma.

"He joined him." Reborn said with a shrug.

"What?!" Lal shouted.

Reborn smirked. "Tsuna has loose screws."

"I heard that." Tsuna whispered from the kitchen before putting his headphone on.

"It was meant for you to hear, baka." Reborn snickered before eyeing Lal. "When Takeshi told him that he won't change his mind from jumping, Tsuna joined him. Tsuna was a suicidal teen when he was still a kid. From ten to twelve I think. It was indefinite."

Lal gritted her teeth. "What was he thinking?"

"He was saving a friend." Reborn replied. "He knew how painful suicide is. That's why he's saving people he can save. It's a good thing he's living now. And cooking. If not, I'll be very famished."

"So what happened? Was Colonnello of use?"

Reborn nodded. "Tsuna's riddle was useful too. I could've died if I didn't tell Colonnello what Tsuna said."

"Oh. What happened?"

"A sniper almost blew out my arm if Colonnello didn't take him first. Even with my chaos shot, it could've been too late before I could kill him."

Lal looked at Tsuna from the corner of her eyes. "Did you tell him?"

"Not yet." She averted her eyes to him. "I'll tell him later. I won't want you to see a worrywart."

"Well, he had thought otherwise." Lal grinned as Colonnello entered the kitchen.

"Tsuna kora!" The blond greeted.

Tsuna removed his headphone and let it dangle on his nape as he smiled at Colonnello. "Hello Colonnello. Want anything?"

"Can you make a dessert, kora?"

Tsuna nodded. "Sure. There's some juice in the fridge, if you want to drink."

"Ah." Colonnello said as he went for the fridge, snatching a glass from the rack. "Thanks for the heads up! Reborn almost died if you didn't warn him, kora!"

"What?!"

Reborn almost facepalmed while Lal laughed at his situation. Tsuna removed his headphone and phone, and went over to the hitman who was watching him. Tsuna took his hand and gave a scrutinizing eyes from fedora to his shoes. He squeezed Reborn's hand before doing another roam over then he sighed.

He let go of the hand and leaned his back on the table. Lal gazed at the brunet with amusement while Colonnello only stared in disbelief. Reborn cupped his chin with his hand as his elbow is propped on the table. Tsuna gave a shaky smile.

"You should've told me." Tsuna said.

"I was going to tell you. When you're ready. But a certain subnormal told you already." Reborn said as he glared at Colonnello who scowled at him.

"Kora! I'm not an idiot!" The blond argued.

Tsuna looked at Colonnello and smiled. "Thank you for telling me."

"No big deal, kora."

"It is a big deal. You're a worrywart." Reborn pointed out.

"And if I'm not, who will worry about you and my friends?" Tsuna remarked as he walked towards the kitchen. "I'll be done with-"

"Tsuna-nii!" A ravenet called from the dining entrance.

"Lambo!" Tsuna mimicked. "Where's Ipin, Fuuta and Bianchi?"

"Bianchi-nee is with them! They went back to the mansion." Lambo answered as he ran towards Tsuna.

"Eh? Then why are you here? Won't it be fun to be with them?"

Lambo shook his head as he attached himself to Tsuna's leg. "I want to be with Tsuna-nii. Many bad guys tried to hurt nii-san. They even tried to take away Lambo-sama so they can hurt nii-san. And I don't want that."

Tsuna crouch down and patted the child's head. "Thank you, Lambo."

"Nii-san." Lambo said as he snuggled close to Tsuna.

"You're going to sleep again, brat?" Reborn asked.

Lambo glared at him. "Yes! You're just jealous because I can hug Tsuna-nii!"

A tick mark appeared on Reborn's temple. "You just signed your death certificate."

"Ne ne! Tsuna-nii loves me more than he loves you." Lambo continued taunt.

"Lambo. Stop messing Reborn." Tsuna chided softly. "You won't want him to send you to the mansion, will you?" Lambo shook his head. "Then apologize."

Lambo pouted before looking at Reborn. "I'm sorry."

Tsuna looked at Reborn. "Well?"

"Fine." Reborn grumbled. "I'm sorry too."

Colonnello laughed. "Kora! Tsuna is like a motherhen!"

Tsuna looked upwards, a finger tapping his chin. "Well, being around my friends, some kids and a hitman can be very hard. So yeah. I think I am a motherhen."

"I am not troublesome." Reborn argued.

"You are at this moment." Lal pointed out. "Good job keeping them on the line, Tsuna."

Tsuna gave a chuckle. "It's good Reborn is not a trigger happy hitman around me."

"Lucky, kora!" Colonnello seconded.

Tsuna took Lambo in his arms and placed the child in the counter. He started to hum and Lambo sang with him. Reborn, Colonnello and Lal sat and went to discuss things as they wait for the dinner.

"How the fuck did you forget Tsuna?" Mammon shouted angrily at Reborn. "What the heck were you doing?!"

"I got shot with their improvised bullet." Reborn shrugged.

"Then you forgot him for two months?! How stupid can you be?!"

Reborn ticked at the question. "Watch it, Viper."

"It's Mammon, asshole!"

The two released deadly killing intent towards one another. The other arcobaleno looked at each other, perplexed at what Mammon had shown them. It was the rarest sight they ever encountered. For the greatest Illusionist of the group to be this worked up for Tsuna, it's like seeing Reborn do a one eighty degree personality change all over again.

They were having an assembly when Mammon materialized and started shouting at the hitman. Being himself when Tsuna is nowhere to be seen, Reborn didn't mind her much and gave off the relaxed, dangerous vibes. But eventually got pissed off with the last insult. At least, it's a relief that he didn't pull his trigger like he usually do.

"What's happening?"

They all looked at Tsuna who was standing by the door, with his three guardian, Lambo being cradled by Hayato. Tsuna squinted his eyes as if analyzing everything. Mammon huffed and looked away, fixing her cloak while Reborn tutted.

Hayato and Takeshi looked at each other. Tsuna is tired since he did some cleaning, and on the edge of snapping. When they saw Tsuna nodding his head off, they knew they have to lead him to his home. And yet... Here they are. Probably, and thinking that there is a sixty-five percent that Tsuna will scold them for there is Reborn who can calm him down.

"If you're not going to answer, be quiet." Tsuna said before yawning.

The two cringed.

Or not.

"Are you sleepy, Tsunayoshi?" Verde asked. Tsuna nodded as he put his shoes on the rack. "Then why are you snappy?"

"Because I'm tired and I wanna sleep?" Tsuna answered before striding for the stairs.

Skull looked at Fon who smiled. "What was that?"

"Tsuna is not the best person to anger when he's sleepy or tired or both." Fon answered, gaining everyone's attention. "I don't really know the consequences other than the harsh words, so it's best not to be a hindrance when he wants to sleep."

"Consequences, huh?" Reborn muttered, obviously thinking of things before chuckling darkly.

"Reborn-san. No." Hayato immediately chimed.

Takeshi laughed. "Maa... As long as we're not included, Reborn can have his consequences."

"Oho." Reborn interjected, clearly surprised at Takeshi's words.

"No offense, Reborn. But it's not a pretty sight to anger a resilient and cheerful person." Fon supplied for the kid who just grinned. "Luce and Aria aren't good to anger too."

All arcobaleno shuddered when they remembered how their skies go mad.

"At least you don't have to see a Tsuna who suddenly collapsed on the front, kora." Colonnello mumbled.

Fon laughed. "I saw it once. Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Colonnello screamed." Lal said, making the blond blush in embarrassment.

"Saw it worse." Reborn said with a dismissive wave. "He almost slept in the bathroom that one time I walked in his room to fetch him up. Clearly tired, but complied."

Mammon huffed. "I saw him sleeping after an attack." That caught their attentions. "Tsunayoshi laid on the floor after finishing off forty-five percent of the attackers. Boss thought he was shot, when Lussuria confirmed that he was just sleeping, boss almost shot him to wake him up. Good thing Squalo reminded him of what happens when our assassins try to wake Tsunayoshi up."

"What happens?" Verde asked.

Mammon smirked. "Let's wait for Reborn here to do his experiment."

The hitman flicked his hat up and smirked. "Challenge accepted."

Hayato and Takeshi looked at each other, while Lambo looked up to them.

"I think we need to warn the others." Hayato said, before frowning. "Not that I care. But Juudaime will feel guilty if ever he hurts someone he didn't mean to hurt."

Takeshi nodded. "You're right."

"I'll warn Bianchi-nee, Ipin and Fuuta." Lambo said as he looked upstairs. "Don't wanna see an angry Tsuna-nii."

The two older guardians sweatdropped. "Yeah."