A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry about the long wait, but in all honesty this stuff really comes second to my horribly complicated life right now. I've finally got most of my things completed for graduation, but unfortunately I'm a terrible, horrible planner and this was put on the back burner. Enjoy though!

Tilting his head with his sideburns bouncing cutely, Reborn surveyed the apparently empty street, and shook his head in mock disappointment, tutting at the hidden forms of the Cavalone men. He kept back his smirk at the palpable drop in temperature from the terrified Mafioso. Ah, to be rightfully feared. Turning and entering the house the baby hitman closed the door and felt his smirk emerged, spreading across his face in a more sinister way than should have been possible for his cherubic features. He could practically feel the idiotic henchmen practically passing out from thinking he'd overlooked their incompetence. Looks like it's not just Dino that needs remedial training.

Putting aside his wayward disgraceful student, Reborn turned his attention to the newly arrived family of his other student. The fluffy one.

Definitely a relation, just look at that ridiculously spiky – but, if it's the same, rather fluffy and comfortable – hair. The Kurosaki side of the family is definitely where Tsuna gets his looks from, thank god, the hitman mused. He didn't think he would have been capable of dealing with an Iemitsu clone. He'd probably end up shooting him just for looking like his father… or maybe permanently damaging his face…

Ah, poor Mama has to deal with such a pathetic husband. She really deserves so much better than that absentee idiot. Reborn frowned slightly at the touching family concern before him, further cursing Iemitsu in his head. He narrowed his eyes and inspected Ichigo thoughtfully. The clear concern for his sister was a definite positive, but did it extend to Tsuna? It would be quite beneficial for the boy to have a loving family structure, even if they weren't directly involved in the family.

Listening in to the conversation in the kitchen, he noted that Yuzu was probing her brother for snippets and anecdotes of what he'd been up to in between chattering on about her son and his friends, with Ichigo acting coy and dodging her questions.

A sly smirk touched the baby's face as he wondered what the Kurosaki man would think of being described as coy.

It was coming on to two in the afternoon when Yuzu turned to the clock and announced it was time for her to start dinner, and Ichigo was banished to the breakfast island. He went with minimal fuss, happily accepting the spiced tea Yuzu placed in front of him and cradling it in his hands, lazily slumped on the stool. He watched his little sister clear away the plates from their lunch and begin laying out a lot of food, and he guessed they were going to be expecting a few guests. Maybe more than a few, he thought, not looking at the weird baby that had been watching them off and on since he'd arrived. Seriously, it was dressed as a pot plant. He wasn't that stupid! So unless the weird as hell kid brought it up he wasn't going to acknowledge them.

Ichigo slouched further against the bench, turning his mind away from the kid. He sighed, feeling his remaining tension flowing from his body. There was just something so calming and relaxing about watching Yuzu cooking, Ichigo mused, following his sister's movements in the kitchen. She was definitely in her element, multiple pots bubbling away on the stove next to a bench covered in chopping boards and ingredients. He felt a smile touch his lips at her humming and soft recitations of recipes.

Nostalgia was an odd feeling. Good, but definitely odd. He took a deep, appreciative whiff of the scents filling the kitchen, picking out the herbs and spices unique to Yuzu's kitchen. Ah, he'd definitely missed her cooking.

"- Nii-chan?"

Ichigo jolted, looking up at Yuzu blankly. Had she asked him something…? Yeah, she was giggling at him, so obviously he'd zoned out. He sighed and gave her his full attention. "Sorry, Yuzu, I didn't hear you."

"It's okay, nii-chan," Yuzu waved the hand grasping a cooking ladle dismissively, smiling at her brother. She turned and quickly stirred the biggest pot as it began to bubble, leaning forward to inspect it before humming softly and placing the lid on and turning down the heat.

"I was just saying that I was a bit worried about Tsuna," she said softly, "He's been a bit… subdued, I think, the past little while. I was so happy that he had finally found some friends! And he seemed happy as well, as though he was finally showing everyone how wonderful he really is –" Yuzu gasped softly, lifting her hand to cover her trembling lips and closed her eyes, hoping to keep her itchy eyes from becoming teary. Not in front of big brother…

Yuzu tensed as she heard the scrape of chair legs on the floor before a large hand reached out and took her elbow, guided her around and she was suddenly enveloped by a much larger, definitively male body. She felt the warmth and tenderness mixed with almost fierce protectiveness that was simply unique to her brother, and the innate familiarity of the gesture – one that would have shocked many of Ichigo's acquaintances – led to her relaxing into him, cuddling close and savouring the embrace. How long has it been since someone hugged me like this…?

"Ah, Yuzu, you're still such a troublesome little sister," came the soft voice, and Yuzu hiccupped a laugh, annoyed at the traitorous wetness she felt gathering in her eyes. She discretely reached up and quickly swiped her face, leaning back into Ichigo and sighing at his comforting squeeze. "You okay, then?" Ichigo asked, tilting his head to meet her eye. He was really such a softy, she thought, then giggled as he jostled her, giving a mock scowl at the laugh. Pulling back slightly Yuzu smiled softly up at him, easily picking out the worry and concern in Ichigo's brown eyes. The same brown as her baby boy's.

"I'm okay, nii-chan," she said, giving him a gentle smile and patting his arm. She pulled away and sighed when he merely leaned back against the countertop, keeping his eyes on her. She turned back to the cooking, tossing some scraps into a bowl to clear space. Ichigo hummed behind her, and a tiny smile touched her lips. She sighed in mock exasperation, throwing a pout at him over her shoulder. "I was just a little sad, since Tsuna seems sad and I'm not sure what to do about it. He doesn't really talk to me anymore."

"Of course he doesn't," Ichigo grumbled, then rolled his eyes, "he's fifteen, sis, he's not going to want to tell you everything." He reached up and ruffled his hair, adding at her hopeful look, "But I can talk to him if it makes you feel better."

"Un!" Yuzu beamed at Ichigo, and ignored his sheepish smile at her delight over what he perceived as such a small thing. They fell into peaceful silence as she continued to cook and Ichigo returned to his seat, comfortable enough with each other to not need to speak to fill the silence.

School had been terrible, even with the distinct lack of Reborn stalking him – that only meant that he'd been either distracted by something potentially 'interesting' or was plotting something that would lead to pain, mainly for Tsuna. Ugh, crazy sadistic bastard of a 'tutor'. Tsuna didn't know how much longer he could bare being around the condensed feelings of sadistic glee and bloodlust that followed the baby like a thundercloud. And all of the fake friends that'd followed along behind the Italian like perfectly placed duckies.

Since it's obvious none of them really want what's best for you.

Yeah, they still call you 'Dame' and useless and no-good, so it's obviously not you they like. Gotta be the baby.

Pathetic of you for ever thinking differently, dame-Tsuna.

Tsuna felt his shoulder hunch even tighter, and he twitched and sped up his pace, resolutely keeping his gaze on the ground and grateful for the moderate downpour that was flattening his hair a bit. He'd managed to avoid most of his self-proclaimed friends and dodged the persistent bullies that continued to make his days hell, even with his publicised friendship with some of the scariest people in the school.

Publicised. Fake. A show.

Yeah, that's probably the best way to describe it, he thought morosely, frowning as he tripped over a puddle. Not good for the Vongola Don to be a useless bullied loner with no acquaintances, let alone friends that can actually stand me let alone actually enjoy my company. Tsuna could feel his already low mood plummet, and scowled at the wet path, not watching where he was going. It's not like it actually mattered right now.

No one else knew where he was, the only person that might wasn't even in the country now.

And even if he was around, it's not like his uncle would even care about him once he learned the truth.

That Tsuna was already a criminal, and definitely not worth anything to anyone anymore.

A/N: So, what do you guys think? this is a bit of a fluffy feel-good chapter but yeah. Deal with it, bro! Hopefully have the next chapter, and probably the final one in this arc (mini-arc?) up in a few days to a week. But no promises. I'm allergic to them.

Definitely highlighting some of the actually horrible interactions between characters in this fandom, as I dislike bullies with a great passion, and I will admit, a part of Tsuna's sudden increased angst in comparison to the last few chapters is directly related to some of my harder times the past few months. And since I'm better now you can know that Tsuna will definitely be feeling better next chapter :)

Thanks for reading! And the reviews were lovely :)