"Sawada!"

Ienobu jumped back in his seat, a newspaper slamming against his desk and missing his head by centimeters.

The class collectively sighed, quite used to Ienobu's antics. Tsuna, sitting a few desks over in front of Ienobu, was burying his head into his arms. A certain pair of young schoolgirls observed the scene with varying degrees of amusement, one chuckling quietly and the other almost half-asleep herself.

It took Ienobu a few seconds to realize that the teacher was still admonishing him with his loud, irate voice.

"I don't care if you are part of the Namimori Disciplinary Committee," spat Nezu, his eyes hidden under the glare of his glasses. "You will stay awake during class or you will join Yamamoto in detention."

Another slap of a dense roll of paper against a desk sounded off, this time awakening the second student in question.

"Do you hear that, Yamamoto? You have detention, again, for falling asleep in class for the fifth time this month, again! I also require you to stay here a few minutes after class as well, to discuss your future participation in the baseball team."

All Takeshi had to say in response was a wide yawn, flashing Ienobu a discrete ghost of a smile. Ienobu gave a similar look back.

"Now, as I was saying, we have a new transfer student from Italy." The snobbish teacher gestured to the boy standing at the front of the class. The kid had white hair, like Ryohei. The likeness ended right then and there, as this guy had an uninviting grimace on his face.

"His name is Hayato Gokudera."

He had an unbuttoned collared shirt, hands deep in his pockets. His back was a little hunched as he scowled absently toward the rest of the class. Ienobu was reminded of the various delinquents that tended to disturb the peace around Namimori, though this particular subject did not wear any colors of the known gangs the Committee kept record on.

When Gokudera walked past Tsuna's desk, he kicked it, nearly toppling the whole thing over.

Well, looked like the transfer student made an enemy today. Ienobu reminded himself to look up Gokudera's file later. The Committee should have one considering how the Italian was a foreigner. And he was Italian, of all things… Reborn probably didn't send an assassin. Probably. No matter what torture he enacted upon the Sawada twins, Reborn made it clear he needed them alive.

Further musing was interrupted with the resounding clangs of the bell.

"Don't forget about the test in two weeks!" Nezu reminded his rapidly evacuating students. "Especially you, Tsunayoshi Sawada!"

Ienobu finished tying his coat around his waist. He quickly pulled Tsuna with him into the hallway, giving Gokudera no chance to catch up with them

"Otouto," Tsuna glowered, or at least his cute little version of glowering, "you should really pay more attention in class."

"Ah, but Tsuna-kun," Ienobu wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulders, "Nezu's such a stickler. Without mavericks like me, how will Namimori students ever learn to think for themselves?"

Before the older twin could remark more upon his brother's behavior, a voice said, "Sorry, Tsuna, but Ienobu does have a point." Hana, with Kyoko right on her tail, joined the brothers' pace. "I have no idea why an idiot like Nezu still works at this school, but it's always nice to see him squirm."

Ienobu let out a hearty laugh. "You see, aniki? Even Hana-chan appreciates my –"

The boy yelped and relinquished his hold on Tsuna. Ienobu had to rub the back of his attacked cranium, Hana's hand shaking slightly. Kyoko joined Tsuna's side while Hana's fist remained over Ienobu, threatening to hit him again.

"Hana-chan, why –"

"Don't think you're off the hook," Hana scowled. "I went to TakeSushi the other day. Yamamoto-san told me about your 'training,' and I don't appreciate you wrecking his restaurant."

A pout and half-lidded eyes would never persuade Hana, but Ienobu did them anyway. "That was only the fourth," Tsuna punched his arm, "fifth time I broke something at his place. Besides, Yamamoto-sama wasn't really mad."

"Sixth time," Hana corrected. "Yamamoto-san likes you too much, and he's too lenient with you. Don't you agree, Tsuna?"

Tsuna, only half-distracted with his hand-holding with Kyoko-chan, bobbed his head. The poor boy had to stop squirming with his close proximity with Kyoko. "You're always so reckless, Ienobu. Please, try to show more respect to Takeshi's dad."

The skin of Tsuna's cheek was pushed against, Ienobu pressing his hand on his brother's face. If Ienobu had moved exponentially faster, it would have been a punch able to knock Tsuna down. As it was, all it did was annoy and irritate the elder brother. "You're one to talk, aniki. I still get better grades than you." Tsuna shoved the arm away, unamused. Kyoko tightened her hold on his hand and leaned closer on her boyfriend's side.

"I'm helping tutor Tsu-kun," she grinned at Ienobu. "You should get Hana-chan to help you study more, too. Otherwise, Tsuna's going to get better grades, and then you'll really be the delinquent little brother, Ienobu."

Immaturely, Ienobu lightly pushed Tsuna against Kyoko. However, he couldn't spout something back as the four reached an intersection in the halls. Tsuna and Kyoko had to go one way, Hana and Ienobu another. They waved farewell, Ienobu continuously turning his neck to look behind him and Hana.

"What are you doing?" Hana asked.

"Keeping an eye out for that Gokudera guy. And before you ask, no, I've never met him, so it isn't my fault if that's why he was so aggressive at Tsuna."

She just huffed and shrugged, still emitting her general disapproval of Ienobu. Half a minute later, the number of students they passed by dwindling, she realized that he was still walking with her. "Don't you have your own class to go to?"

"I need to talk with Kusakabe-senpai."

Hana narrowed her eyes at her companion. "About what? You're not even supposed be involved with Disciplinary Committee issues right now. You're on vacation."

"True," Ienobu whispered lowly, "but no teacher knows that." He playfully tugged on the red band hanging by his hip. "As long as I've got this, I can still go wherever the hell I want."

He was slapped on the ear as Hana's other hand pulled out a key. She unlocked a door in the hallway, the Namimori insignia featured on it. "Stop abusing your privileges," she reprimanded.

Not many people knew that Hana Kurokawa acted as a secretary and advisor for the Disciplinary Committee, despite her affiliation with one of its most vocal members. Part of the reason was because she never wore the Committee's signature armband or obsidian coat during school hours. Unlike some people, she had no desire to flaunt her stature. Similar to others, she only wished to keep the degenerates out of the way of her fellow students.

Plus, when she found out Ienobu had joined, she could not simply allow the cretin a position of power without insurance that he would not misuse it. He still got away with a few underhanded things under the rug, but Hana ensured it never got too far.

The Disciplinary Committee offices were kept fairly clean. The desks were aligned in rows and modified beyond the simplistic middle school builds to resemble those utilized in the corporate world. Kyoya Hibari's aggressive nature can only intimidate so many. Paperwork had to be tidy and direct to appease the proper authorities.

Currently, the office was vacant, most members already on patrol. Hana and Ienobu moved through some of the other office rooms and entered the main meeting hall. A large round table lay in the room. On the other side was the entrance to Hibari and Kusakabe's personal office. Kusakabe was looking over some documents at the meeting table when the pair entered. He nodded curtly at their arrival.

"Tetsuya-san," Hana greeted back as she pulled out a folder out of her book bag. She slid across the table to him. "The police have agreed to cooperate with us. We've traded data, and we will be working together to track down the remaining gang members."

Ienobu clicked his tongue. "Those cops should have let us handle it. They don't know the gangs like we do." He was slapped again. Ienobu decided to take a few steps away from Hana.

"Thank you, Hana-san," Kusakabe said. He shifted his eyes between her and the Sawada, his eternal frown never betraying what he was thinking. "Ienobu-san, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"I also recommend that you confiscate Ienobu's armband," Hana went on to say. Ienobu squealed as she pulled the band off of him. She tossed it to Kusakabe, letting him catch it. "As I am sure you would believe, he will use it as an excuse to skip class."

"Hana-chan," Ienobu whined, "I –" He recoiled as Kusakabe flicked a pencil to bounce off Ienobu's forehead. Despite Ienobu's wounds from last week already healed, the impact left a foul aching around his temple. Ienobu stalked off to sulk in a corner, feeling betrayed.

"The files for our potential new recruits are in Hibari's desk," Kusakabe said. "If you can look over them Hana-san, I'll be reminding Ienobu-san of the finer points of his duty to the Committee."

Hana nodded approvingly before going into the next room. As the door slammed shut, Ienobu turned around to face his superior. Kusakabe beckoned for him to sit. They sat across from each other, a few chairs between them. The older Committee member pulled out a single sheet of paper from underneath all his other work.

"Ienobu." Kusakabe-senpai's voice lowered, his eyes softening the smallest fraction. "Did no one in your family ever tell you about your relation with the Vongola?"

"Nope," was the rapid response. "Why?"

"According to what I was able to find…" Kusakabe took a deep breath. "Imagine a hundred men and women, almost half as strong as Hibari, each with two dozen or so of their own skilled followers, all of them aligned to one master. Their master is powerful in his own right, but he doesn't have to even breathe to eliminate an enemy. His subordinates have an undying loyalty to him and would destroy whoever posed as a threat. Anyone with a simple synopsis of the Vongola's history knows well enough that they are the most influential and leading crime family in the entire world, and always has been for centuries.

"It seems that your brother has been chosen to lead this criminal organization."

No, Ienobu thought, my brother isn't a criminal. He isn't some psychopath like Reborn.

"I'm sorry Ienobu," Kusakabe continued, looking at the paper, "but as much as I would like to help you, the Disciplinary Committee would have no hope of successfully protecting you and your family should violence breaks out with the Vongola."

Ienobu was not happy. He didn't quite like him and his brother being drafted into the mafia, borderline enslaved. He just about wanted to go strangle something, or someone. But he couldn't take it out on Kusakabe-senpai. As Ienobu looked away from his boss's benign expression, he ran a hand through his hair. "Not even Hibari would be willing take 'em on, then?"

"Hibari is leaving the matter alone until something of interest arises. You'd have to speak with him yourself for any assistance."

A frustrated sigh escaped Ienobu's breath. Ignoring the occasional exhilarating one-sided spar, the older prefect was someone Ienobu tried to avoid. "I guess. Thanks for looking into this for me."

"This doesn't only concern you," Kusakabe snorted. "Hibari's bound to run into this Reborn person if he's going to be tutoring Tsuna. The Committee needs to be prepared for whatever trouble he may bring."

"Like Hayato Gokudera?"

Kusakabe nodded, slipping from his sympathetic outlook to his professional one. "Yes, the new transfer student's applications were only sent to my office last night, and by then, they were already approved before Hana and I could evaluate them." Kusakabe pulled out another sheet of paper. "It turns out a Professor Borin had personally recommended Gokudera's transfer. Regardless, we'll be having the foreigner watched."

"I'd appreciate that," Ienobu nodded. "The new kid kept glaring at Tsuna during class. Got a bad feeling."

"In any case," Kusakabe went on, "I suggest you go back to class." For once, Kusakabe offered a smile, breaking character. He rarely smiles nowadays, though Ienobu nor Hana couldn't figure out why. "I actually sent a list to all school staff members of each prefect on leave from the Committee after the incident last week. You can keep your armband, but it won't be accepted as an excuse for skipping class."

Internally, Ienobu swore a storm. He gave another quick thanks before dashing out of the offices.

Coming to the hallway, he slowed his pace. Class could wait. He needed to think on how to move forward.

Tsuna was actually taking this whole mafia stuff pretty well. He complained just as much about the "physical training" as Ienobu, but he read the history books and corrected his failed tests as Reborn ordered. Ienobu tossed the material he was given in the trash only to have a pack of dogs chase him through the neighborhood. Where did Reborn even get those dogs?

The older twin was only reacting to the situation the way he knew best. Tsuna is more inclined to do what he is told, too scared to disobey an order from a figure of authority. So, while Ienobu questioned every single thing Reborn made the twins do, Tsuna mostly went along with it.

It was Ienobu that was the rebellious one. He fought Reborn on every issue, every supposed lesson. That was how Ienobu reacted to the forced teachings from a freak of nature hitman. And Ienobu wouldn't stop until he got some straight answers from somebody!

Maybe Ienobu is being too overzealous. Simply boycotting Reborn's activities wasn't helping anyone, really. Tsuna still did what Reborn said, and Tsuna was the chosen mafia boss candidate anyway, not Ienobu. If Ienobu was going to find out why their mafia heritage was kept a secret, among other things, he was going to have to play along.

Ienobu's train of thought was interrupted by a familiar noise reaching his ears. They sounded incendiary in nature, explosive. The only reason he came to the conclusion was because of the ungodly wake-up calls Reborn gave to him and Tsuna each morning.

Goddamn it, someone was trying to kill Tsuna. Already. And with explosives. Tsuna barely knew how to make a fist. And he was too passive-aggressive to really fight back against people. The last time Ienobu coaxed Tsuna into a street brawl, they both spent a week in the hospital, with both Hibari and Ryohei of all people.

Ienobu ran to the source of the noise, eventually finding himself at the back of the school. "Reborn!" Tsuna's voice could be faintly heard, around the corner. "I'll put out the fuses with my Dying Will!"

Just as Ienobu turned the corner, he felt his ankle hit a tripwire. Instantaneously, he was hung upside down, his head leveled with Reborn's. The hitman was sitting on a window sill.

"The fuck is happening, Reborn?" Ienobu swung away from the slap the baby gave. He couldn't dodge the second one, though, forcing Ienobu's gaze to focus on a near naked Tsuna a few meters away. Tsuna was defusing dozens upon dozens of red sticks of dynamite. That Gokudera kid kept was at the center of the flurry of movement, flinging the sticks at Tsuna.

"Watch your tongue," Reborn calmly told Ienobu.

Ultimately, all the sticks were put out. The flame on Tsuna's forehead dissipated, Gokudera falling to his knees. Ienobu shook his leg in attempt to break free its restraints.

"Gokudera is also known as Smokin' Bomb Hayato," Reborn said to his prisoner, "capable of concealing dynamite all over his body."

"And what the hell is he doing, trying to kill my brother?"

The new kid shouted from behind Tsuna, falling into a bow. Ienobu's ears were still adjusting from hearing all those explosions, but he did manage to catch Gokudera saying, "For putting yourself on the line to save me, I'll place my life in your hands!"

Wait, what?

Tsuna tried to reject the proposition, the poor kid blushing like a tomato, but Gokudera was adamant in his decision.

"Having the loser serve under the winner is a family rule," Reborn called to them, cutting the wire suspending Ienobu in the air. Ienobu rolled on the ground. "Tsuna, Gokudera became your subordinate because of your strength. Good job."

So if you beat an assassin in a fight, thought Ienobu, the assassin automatically changes sides? The more he learns about the true reality of the mafia world, the more it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Seeing his brother fall to the floor, Tsuna quickly went to help him up. "Otouto! What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'm the one who skips class." Ienobu skipped to his feet. "You're supposed to be the responsible one, Tsuna. The hell you doing getting into a scuffle like that?"

"It wasn't my fault!" Tsuna barked indignantly. "Reborn sent Gokudera-san to challenge me!"

Gokudera walked up from behind him. "Is your brother bothering you, Tenth?" Sticks of dynamite were already held between his fingers. His eyes were hidden under his white bangs, but his tone and frown said enough.

Reborn booted the twins to the concrete, preventing Gokudera or Ienobu from attacking. "All of you should get to class. A good Famiglia must be well-educated amongst its members."

For the moment, Ienobu obeyed. After about two and a half dozen kicks in the head, courtesy of Reborn, he learned to choose his battles with the monster.

X

After school…

"Go home! Stop stalking us!"

"I need to make sure the Tenth remains safe on his walk home!"

Tsuna was thankful Kyoko had not accompanied them when school ended. His brother and Gokudera-san had been going at it the moment the three reunited in the same classroom, continuing even hours later as they walked home. When Kyoko had asked about it, Tsuna had to make some flimsy excuse about Committee complications. He couldn't tell her about the mafia stuff, not yet.

"Tenth, do you want me to get rid of your pestering twin?"

"Like hell you will! We don't even know a damn thing about you!"

Tsuna didn't know how to feel about this "right hand man" business. Gokudera seemed a lot like one of the prefects, aloof but respectful enough. Well, respectful strictly to "the Tenth," that is. Tsuna didn't really want someone hopelessly cherishing the floor he walks on. He was still coming to terms with his entire Vongola Decimo status.

Reborn was never trying to assassinate Tsuna. It was a lesson, if the tutor title was anything to go on. Reborn wanted to teach Tsuna how to earn allies in the world of the mafia. He needed strength, power. The only problem was that all his friends had been telling him to grow more assertive since preschool, so Tsuna was a little jaded by the "get stronger" mantra.

He did feel a small hint of satisfaction from apparently passing his lesson, only he cared more about the surviving part, not the recruitment of a subordinate part. Gokudera-san didn't seem bad, though, despite his overenthusiastic attitude toward him.

"My life is now dedicated to protecting the Tenth's! Are you trying to interfere with my mission?"

"Coming from the guy who almost destroyed both those lives in a suicide bombing."

Ienobu would have beaten Gokudera to a near bloody pulp had Tsuna and Reborn not been there to hold him back. He would never give Gokudera a chance, so Tsuna had to. Now, if only all three of them could get along.

"Tenth, do you want me to get rid of your meaningless duplicate?"

Tsuna stopped in his tracks. Gokudera didn't just say that, did he?

He turned around. Ienobu had Gokudera pinned to a wall. An arm jammed against Gokudera's to prevent him from snatching some dynamite. The line was obviously crossed for the younger twin. He had unsheathed one of his hidden swords, threatening to pierce skin at the Italian's neck.

"Don't, Ienobu," Tsuna softly implored to his brother.

"I like how you're shrugging off this whole attempted murder, aniki," Ienobu replied, his face out of sight from Tsuna, "but how do we know he isn't full of shit?"

"It was just an empty comment." And Tsuna had a feeling Gokudera wasn't going to try to brutally maim anyone anymore. It was one of Tsuna's good feelings, too. "Gokudera-san won't say things like that again, will you Gokudera?"

Almost immediately, Gokudera's glare changed to a shameful, apologetic pleading aimed at Tsuna. "Of course, Tenth! Whatever you say!"

"Let him go, Ienobu," Tsuna somberly continued. He slowly pulled him away. His brother didn't need to maim anyone either. "You promised Yamamoto-san."

At the mention of the name, Ienobu reluctantly hid his sheathe and blade back underneath his jacket. He did sucker punch the satisfactory smile off of Gokudera's face, however.

"Ienobu! Stop!"

"Yeah, yeah." Ienobu swerved past Tsuna, marching back his way home.

Coming out of nowhere, Reborn landed on Tsuna's shoulder. Now used to the sudden appearances and disappearances, Tsuna only glanced at him, almost frowning.

"It'll be your job to do damage control, Dame Tsuna," Reborn said flatly. "A house divide cannot stand, after all."

"Don't worry, Tenth!" Gokudera bowed, his forehead smashing against the concrete. "As your right-hand man, I will –"

"You're not my right-hand man," Tsuna said, no stuttering or nervousness influencing his tone at all. He couldn't allow that. He ignored Gokudera's look of astonishment, moving to follow Ienobu. "Stay away from my brother."

Gokudera stared at his boss's retreating figure, realizing his mistake too late. He was just so excited of finding an honorable boss to surrender unto that he was too blinded to see the Tenth's true family. The duplicate wasn't a false clone, nor an obstacle or a threat. He had the Tenth's respect, something Gokudera wasn't sure he himself even had now.

No, this was only a small setback. The Tenth had to have seen something valuable in Hayato Gokudera to save his life. Gokudera would need to prove himself to him again and earn his trust as his right-hand man. He'd have to watch for Ienobu, as well. If the Tenth is to trust Gokudera, Hayato will have to learn to trust the younger brother.

So, instead of watching over the Tenth as he slept tonight, Gokudera returned to his current place of residence to modify his plans. No doubt the Tenth's brother is already on the job if his behavior just now was anything to go by. Gokudera had to prove himself superior to the twin to secure his position as the Vongola Decimo's right-hand man. Nepotism was a bitch, after all.

There was nothing else for him back home. He had to make this work. He couldn't disappoint.