I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Intending to turn this into a collection of one-shots. If you have suggestions, leave them in a review. This will be family and friendship centered, so keep that in mind if you have requests to leave.

Hope you enjoy.

Summary: Lambo has an issue with a classmate at school. They've disliked each other from first sight, but Morimoto is one who constantly tries to start something. Lambo doesn't bother to tell his siblings—he's too embarrassed that he's unable to put a stop to the bullying himself. But when Morimoto punches him, the resulting black eye forces a conversation he'd rather not have.

Lambo's Bully Problem

Lambo hated school.

The academics were mind-numbingly boring. His attention span was too short to pay proper focus to his lessons and it didn't help that not a single subject interested him. He didn't understand why it was so important to his family that he attend classes and get good grades. He was the Lightning Guardian for Vongola Decimo. He was already set for life.

But his siblings disagreed, especially Tsuna. The twenty-year-old was determined that his youngest Guardian finish his education at elementary, middle and high school levels. So Lambo resigned himself to wasting away precious hours sitting behind his desk, doodling in his notebook when he should have been taking notes.

There had been a bit of a debate between the Vongola Guardians as to what to do about Lambo's school situation. Vongola Nono wanted his successor and his Famiglia to move to Vongola Mansion in Italy as soon as possible. While Tsuna was no longer fighting his destiny as a Mafia Don, he didn't want to uproot Lambo out of Namimori Middle, especially considering it was the boy's first year there.

The preteen attempted to convince his older brothers and sister that he didn't mind transferring to a middle school in Italy so late in the year. In the end they decided that it would be best to let the twelve-year-old finish his three years of middle school in Japan, so that he would have a fresh start in high school in Italy.

Reborn wasn't entirely happy with the situation, but after Nono was informed of the decision he assured the ex-Arcobaleno that he was perfectly capable of being the Vongola Don for an additional three years. With Timoteo's approval, Reborn was more open to the solution, and no one was disappointed to reside in Namimori for another three years.

Except for Lambo, and he felt rather justified in his annoyance. He tried putting up a fight, but it quickly fizzled out when Tsuna mentioned that I-Pin ought to have finished her training stint with Fon in Hong Kong by then. Which meant she would join them in Italy and Lambo would be able to navigate high school with his best friend.

And Reborn pointing his gun at him and Gokudera pointedly fiddling with his dynamite may have also persuaded him to stop being a pest about the matter.

The best part of the school day was the dismissal bell, and it never stopped being music to his ears. With his backpack weighed down by textbooks he burst out into the sunlight, thinking eagerly of the snacks Mama would have waiting for him.

"Hey, Bull Head!"

There goes a clear escape, thought Lambo, his cheer evaporating.

He flicked a gaze over his shoulder, where Morimoto Nakhti was sneering at him. He was considered by the student populace to be King of Namimori, which only inflated Morimoto's ego. He was used to adoration and respect, and Lambo's snarky attitude towards him made Morimoto dislike the boy intensely.

Ignoring the fourteen-year-old, Lambo strolled through the school gates and started down the sidewalk. He didn't make it far, as a heavy hand landed on his shoulder and jerked him backwards.

"I'm talking to you, Bull Head," growled Morimoto. His friends stood a few feet away with anticipatory smirks.

"I noticed," said Lambo flatly. "But since you can't take an obvious hint, I'll have to spell it out for you. I don't want to talk to you."

Morimoto straightened up, utilizing his few inches of height to tower over the younger boy. "Think you're too good to talk to me?"

Lambo sighed. "Do I have to answer that?"

"Always with the wisecracks," hissed Morimoto. "One day, Bovino, you're going to learn your place. I'll make sure of it."

"Ooh, I'm so scared," said Lambo sarcastically. "What are you gonna do, crush me with your fat head?"

A few startled snickers broke out amongst Morimoto's group, which were silenced with a furious glare. Lambo turned, intending to walk away, but he was yanked back around and a fist sailed into his face. The force sent him flying backwards to the hard cement with a small, pained yelp.

"I'm going to crush you with my fist, Bull Head," snarled Morimoto, cracking his knuckles. "But I'm generous. So take that as a warning. I expect you to be much more gracious for our next conversation."

He and his friends walked off with a cackle, leaving the twelve-year-old to curl up on the sidewalk, holding his throbbing eye, which was no doubt turning black. "Hold…it…in…hold…it…in…I can't!"

Tears spilled down his cheeks. He slowly climbed to his feet, wobbling slightly in place, the world blurring around him. He scrubbed the tears away, taking a few hard breaths, humiliation sitting sick in his gut. When he calmed down, he started for home, head ducked down.

I wish I-Pin was here, he thought miserably. She would have taken him down before he could blink.

But that only served to darken his mood further. He loved I-Pin, but it got rather annoying every time he was reminded at how skilled she was compared to him. Lambo had been an awful hitman when he left to kill Reborn when he was five. He couldn't even blame his lack of abilities on his tender age. I-Pin had been a talented assassin while he was blindly chucking around grenades.

Now he was twelve and he still couldn't control his Lightning Flames. It sucked, being surrounded by people who were gifted and he was so below average.

"How am I going to explain this?" he muttered to himself. He slowed his place the closer he got to home. "This is so embarrassing. Stupidera is going to laugh at me, Reborn's not going to shut up about it and Tsuna-nii is just going to be worried."

Not to mention he'd have to tell them exactly how long the big-headed teen had been picking on him, and that he had done nothing about it.

Maybe I can slip inside, get some sunglasses and pass them off as my new accessary. No, that's stupid, they'll notice. Maybe I'll just hide out in the woods or something until my black eye goes away.

"Oi, Lambo!"

"Wait up, Lambo!"

Of course his brothers would show up exactly when he least wanted to see them. He walked a little faster, pretending not to hear them.

"Ahoshi, Juudaime told you to wait!"

"LAMBO! IT'S US, TO THE EXTREME!"

No, no, no, no, no, no. He could not let them see him like this. He did not need to hear how weak he was or how much of a pushover he was.

He could hear their footsteps picking up pace and, panicked, he broke into a jog. He tore around the corner at a high speed and he ignored the calls of his name sounding behind him. When he neared home, his heart dropped at the two familiar figures lingering in the front yard.

You have got to be kidding me.

"Hi, Lambo-kun," said Chrome cheerfully, lifting her hand in a wave.

Keeping his chin low, Lambo said, "Hi-bye!" in a rush as he ploughed past her, continuing on down the street.

With his gaze on the asphalt, he completely missed the obstacle standing in his way. He slammed into something solid and he hit the ground for the second time that day. "Ow," he said with a groan.

"You're disturbing the peace, herbivore."

Paling, Lambo hastily climbed to his feet. "Sorry, Kyo-nii."

Hibari's eyes narrowed. "You went right by your home."

"Yeah, I know, I'm just gonna go for a—"

But he didn't get a chance to come up with a decent excuse, as the other Guardians joined them, four panting heavily from their attempts to catch up with the oddly behaving boy.

"What's wrong with you, ahoshi?" snapped Gokudera. "Juudaime was calling for you!"

"Didn't hear," said Lambo, keeping his angled so that his thick, curly black hair hung in front of his injured eye.

Tsuna blinked. "You didn't hear onii-san either?" he asked incredulously.

Yamamoto laughed. "That's all right, Lambo. We were kind of far away."

"No, we weren't, Baseball Idiot," muttered Gokudera.

"Uh, so what are you guys doing out?" asked Lambo casually.

Wrap up this conversation and get the heck inside. Maybe Bianchi can help me cover this up. She won't snitch.

"We decided to go for a walk," answered Tsuna. He studied his little brother carefully. Though their bond was calm, Lambo was carrying himself in way that meant he was anxious. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!"

Chrome frowned. "You ran right past us," she said with concern.

"Kufufufu…you looked as if you were in trouble," remarked Mukuro suspiciously.

Hibari's sent Lambo a severe look. "Trouble?"

"No trouble!" said Lambo quickly. "Seriously, I just wanted to spend a bit more time outside, by myself."

Furrowing his brow, Tsuna followed his intuition, which never steered him wrong before. He hooked two fingers under Lambo's chin. He forced the boy's head up, causing the curtain of black hair to fall to the side, revealing a black-and-blue right eye. "Lambo!"

"What happened?" demanded Gokudera.

Yamamoto's eyes turned steely. "Did you get attacked?"

Lambo's stomach sunk. So much for trying to hide his injury. "Sort of. A kid at school punched me. He doesn't like me. I got smart with him and he decked me. I guess I deserved it."

"You didn't," growled Hibari.

"No one gets away with punching my little brother," said Ryohei furiously.

Tsuna nodded in agreement. "Who hit you, Lambo?"

Cheeks turning red, the twelve-year-old kicked at the ground. "Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal."

"Yes, it is," returned Tsuna.

"No, it's not!" snapped Lambo. "I've been handling it fine. I don't need your help!"

A dark frown crossed his older brother's face. "You've been handling it?"

"So this has happened before," muttered Yamamoto.

Lambo winced, silently cursing his big mouth. "Well, he hasn't hit me before," he admitted reluctantly. "But yeah, he's been out for me since my first day of middle school."

"That settles it," said Mukuro with a sinister smile, his trident materializing in his hands. "Are you giving a name or do I need to take a look into your mind?"

When Lambo glared at his shoes, Chrome settled her small hands against his shoulders. "We want to help you," she said gently.

"Yeah," said Gokudera gruffly. "Only we can rough you around."

"There are no strays in a pack," said Hibari matter-of-factly.

Lambo bit his lip. "So…you're not mad?"

Bewilderment crossed Tsuna's face. "What are you talking about?"

"You're not mad that I let myself get hit?" he clarified. "I know I'm not strong like you guys, but I should be able to deal with a middle school bully."

"You're twelve," said Tsuna, threading his fingers through Lambo's black hair. "Right now, focus on your childhood, on your schooling. We deal with anyone who messes with you."

The others chimed in their support and Lambo blinked back his tears of gratitude. "Okay. His name's Morimoto Nakhti."

"Morimoto Nakhti," repeated Tsuna. "All right. Mom's got snacks waiting inside, so go ahead. We'll be back."

"Thank you," whispered Lambo.

Tsuna tenderly brushed his thumb against the boy's cheek. "Always."

As the twelve-year-old indulged in the savoury snacks prepared by Nana, Morimoto was wetting himself in terror. Lured to an empty corner of the public park, he suddenly found himself surrounded by several intimidating figures, ready to teach the delinquent the consequences of messing with their little brother.