A/N: Oh man- I'm SO sorry. I have no excuse as to why I lagged the update for about SEVEN DAYS except, of course, procrastination. I'm disgusting. Gahh.

Anyhow though, I'm really thankful for all these reviews, favs and follows- and I can't even begin as to how I'm going to thank you guys. So I'll just stop here, and let you all read the story now.

One thing that should be obvious is that- there would be a heck-load of fantasy things (many copied shamelessly from Egyptian mythology- I'm sorry!) but there would be painting tid-bits- and Tsuna's painting 'prowess' is the reason how he got himself into the fantasy 'thing' (for a lack of better term now).
And one more thing- thank you very much to the guest reviewer ("yaaaaas" XD), your idea was wonderful and not to mention, you gave me the inspiration for the fantasy 'things'. I'm sorry that your idea couldn't be used in it's exact forms and Tsuna would not be able to " turn his paintings into reality", but there would be something similar.

Anyways, happy holidays to everyone and let's proceeeeeeed-


Tsuna sighed. He had no idea how the hell someone could talk so much. As usual, his English test was a fail. After his classes were done for the day and he was returning home, Reborn had been lecturing (red: blabbing) about how he'd do this and that to him if he didn't get his grades up and all- on the way. The brunet had already received six punches, two kicks and five smacks on the back of his cranium.

Yes, he counted.

Yujin-san, on the other hand, was absolutely barking out in laughter, hitting his imaginary kneecaps in a way to control it, but only succeeded in laughing even louder as he couldn't feel any pain. At least not physical.

Don't laugh, Yujin-san! Tsuna complained. He's annoying the hell out of me!

That's why I'm laughing, Tsunayoshi!

More laughing followed. Tsuna wanted nothing other than to punch Yujin-san like Reborn had done to him- how many times, again?

Hey, I can hear you- Another bout of laughter- you know- and the maniacal cackling episode continued, showing no signs of slowing down.

I hate you.

And he got another blow to his backside in reward. Tsuna doubled over in pain- wincing as his sore back was hit again- not able to hide his discomfort any longer. "What are you doing?" he hissed at the baby. Reborn shrugged, flicking his fedora as an odd glint flashed on his eyes for a split second.

"You were spacing out." He replied nonchalantly.

Exhaling loudly in annoyance, Tsuna straightened up and- ouch! - It took quite a bit of willpower to ignore that sting- and almost sprinted away from that monster.

Reborn smirked victoriously. Yes, that's how a student should act. No other way round.

Yujin-san's laughter had calmed down considerably, but Tsuna had a headache already building up from all those kicking, punching and Yujin-san's laughter hadn't helped much either. He felt like a public punching bag. Tsuna sometime doubted he was Tsuna's ka- no; scratch that- Yujin-san was ninety-nine percent not his ka and just some demon or something- there were devils that could create illusions, right?

Tsunayoshi, don't take it so personally. Yujin-san sounded apologetic. It's just- can you imagine how Araw would react if he saw this Reborn acting like this?

Tsuna bit the insides of his cheeks to stop the oncoming laugh which was bubbling out of his stomach like soda out of nowhere. Now, if that was the reason he was laughing… Yujin-san, it would be very bad if I laughed right now. So shut up.

Aww, I just wanted to share it.

You chose a very inappropriate time to do so.

…Yeah.

Tsuna hadn't noticed at all that Reborn (who had resorted to sitting on his 'Leon car' for the way home) had been observing him very closely all those times as he seemingly pouted and smirked and grumbled at open space, and had been storing the information away in his head for future use, all the while smirking happily.

"I'm home!" Tsuna called out as he opened the door. Leon transformed to his normal form, Reborn jumping out of the vehicle at the exact moment.

"Ah, Tsu-kun! Welcome back!" Nana smiled brightly, drying her hands on a kitchen towel- wiping what seemed suspiciously like paint. "And welcome back to you too, Reborn-kun!"

Reborn tipped his fedora, signaling he had heard, and once again claimed the top of Tsuna's shoulder as his seat. The brunet's hair was ridiculously fluffy, as he had found out sometime ago, and he rather liked nestling there, obviously ignoring the annoyed sighs from the original owner.

.

.

.

As Tsuna had been bathing, Reborn decided to snoop around the room. The plan was simple- a bed' shoved side-by-side with the right wall, an open window over it, allowing the necessary light and wind to flow in and out. There was a bookshelf far to the corner of left, and was the tidiest object of the room with books carefully arranged inside. Most of them didn't look like they belonged to a normal teenage boy, but he would examine it later.

A reading table sat by the bed, flooded with papers, books and stationary supplies. Reborn chuckled menacingly, his eyebrows twitching at the sight. I'll make him tidy and organized so that he never even dreams of doing that.

He shifted through them, looking for anything that might be important, when his attention was suddenly gripped by a metallic glint coming from the first drawer.

Blinking curiously, He pulled it open, and picked the object up. It was actually a silver sphere, small in size but definitely made by actual silver. How did he get it?

He jiggled it to find the inside was most possibly empty; and something thick and watery was used as a filling. A complicated-looking circle had been curved across the surface, something he would see in a fantasy movie and-

"Give it back!"

Reborn snapped around at the sudden noise.

Tsuna was panting loudly, his body dripping wet and a towel was barely wrapped around his waist as he desperately reached for the orb in the raven's hand. He seemed almost hysterical to Reborn, eyes popping out of his skull with a mixture of emotions practically scribbled across it.

Fear. Determination. Anger. Hurt.

Reborn, however, quickly masked the shock and it was hidden behind the facade of amusement as he lifted it up far beyond the brunet's reach, jumping on top of the bookshelf. "What if I don't?" He asked, tauntingly twirling the orb in his hand.

"I said GIVE. IT. BACK."

Tsuna was seething, his whole body shook with barely restrained rage.

No one touched that.

Reborn frowned, used to temper tantrums- but this was something else. It wasn't a simple temper tantrum. Obviously not. Tsuna was supposedly a calm child and there was no way he could have heard the hitman over the sound of water. So why…

They stared at each other, none wavering.

Moments passed.

Finally, Reborn grumbled and tossed the sphere back to him. "Don't think you're getting off with that attitude."

Tsuna paid no attention to him as he jumped forward to catch the silver ball, cradling it close to his chest instantly as he got a hold of it. So carefully that, if someone thought it was a precious gem that would shatter at the slightest touch, they wouldn't be to blame.

Well, it was his precious gem, and he would protect it no matter what. And- and not even Araw wouldn't be able to take it from him. He couldn't forget the screams of pain from Yujin-san just these moments before.

Oh god, he felt so helpless. So- so…

It's okay, Yujin-san. You're… you're alright now. You'll be fine.

The responding voice was so weak, but he could still hear it. T-t-thanks… Tsu- Tsuna- yo-yoshi… thank y-you so… much.

Don't thank me, okay? Just focus on getting better. But can you tell me why this hurt you that much? Even Araw himself couldn't…

I know. But h-he's… different. Like you- but… n-not like… you. I-

Okay, we can think about that later. Now just try to sleep or something so you can focus your energy.

Y-yeah… I'll try that.

And he went silent. Tsuna, still holding the sphere, walked to the bathroom, careful to rattle it as little as possible as he shut the door behind him. Reborn simply watched all this wordlessly, knowing Tsuna had spaced out once more.

There was more to the brunet than it met the eyes, it seemed. But he would stop poking around, for now.

Because, it was time to teach that dumb Iemitsu a lesson.

.

.

.

"Marcello?"

"My lord?"

"Come and see, rather interesting things are happening out there."

"Ah… is that the painter-brat!?"

"The one and only. He has cured the problem for the time being, it seems, but I don't think Araw's Mō hitori is lenient in any way. He's going to question again."

"And they aren't getting off easily."

"That they are. But… don't you think we've influenced Tsunayoshi a bit too much?"

"It's not just your fault, my lord. Every mortal is bound get affected after years with us."

"I suppose that can be said…"

.

.

.

The night afterwards the bath was slightly awkward, but the brunet seemed to have forgiven him in stead for thumbing through an anatomy book. He seemed to have an abundance of books concerning the bodily structure of various beings- and it wasn't just limited to humans or mammals. He spent the whole time reading it, and only went out for dinner, Reborn of course following. Nana appeared oblivious to everything as she served dinner, happily commenting on the 'fact of their growing bond'.

She hadn't even minded that the hitman was staying there for an unlimited time, and whether or not that was the result of explanations given by a certain brunet will not be mentioned.

"Mama, your cooking is delicious." Reborn said, genuinely complimenting as he took another bite of the roasted chicken made especially just for him (the others were having traditional Japanese- rice and cooked fish). Iemitsu wasn't just bluffing about his wife's 'amazing cooking skills', he could see. Nana brightened up at the compliment, and thanked him profusely, offering him another piece of the chicken.

He declined, opting for stealing another fish from Tsuna's plate, who had been silent the whole time, soundlessly eating his own meal. Tsuna followed Reborn's hand as he stole the piece of salmon, frowning but still said nothing in reply. It was the fifth time after that he finally shoved his plate forward to him, his brows almost connected together in sheer annoyance.

The hitman blinked curiously.

"Here. If fish from my plate is really that delicious, you can have them." He mumbled before gulping down the water from his glass and the rice from the bowl in one go. Thanking Nana for the meal, he walked up the stairs, face devoid of any emotions. Reborn said nothing in reply, brushing his thumb against his cheek in deep thought.

.

.

.

However awkward or unnerving a situation might be, the hitman knew exactly how to turn it to his favor.

"Reborn…" Tsuna hissed, crossing his arms across his chest as he impatiently tapped his foot on the floor. Reborn peacefully dozed off in Tsuna's bed, apparently unaware of the annoyed stares his student was giving to him for ambushing his bed. And not to mention, he was utterly helpless to do anything or move the baby because of the hordes of booby traps lining around the bed.

Yujin-san, too, was exasperated; Reborn was rude. He didn't care if that baby was a hitman or whatever the hell, but Reborn wanted them to start following their orders, he better do the same, too.

And we can't visit the realm... Tsuna thought, a tinge of sadness in his 'tone'. Yujin-san gave him a mental pat in the back.

Well, that won't last very long. Grab a futon. We'll think of something.

Tsuna could barely restrain his grin as the evil undertones his ka implied.

What they didn't know, was that, a part of Reborn's plan was successful and they weren't the only ones planning. If the brunet was sleeping downstairs, he could easily spy around without arousing the other. Dame-Tsuna will always be dame-Tsuna. Smirking, Reborn watched as the door slammed shut, separating and concealing both Tsuna and him from each other.

I'll wait a little till his footsteps fade off. Hmm…

Just don't make it too harsh, okay? Tsuna 'said' as he trudged down the stairs, his back suddenly deciding to hurt again because just why not?

Mmhm. You'll be there too. Yujin-san paused slightly. Or are you going to try to sleep again?

No way! Tsuna sounded incredulous. I'll wake up the whole country!

Yujin-san didn't chuckle, and Tsuna could sense a bit off solemnity coming from the ka. That baby had to come at the exact day we were going to buy the potion, huh?

Now, now. You're being sad? The world's coming to an end, Yujin-san!

Shut up!

Tsuna welcomed the warm feeling of laughter in his stomach as he giggled; light enough to not wake anyone, yet heavy enough to be said he had been laughing. Yujin-san soon joined except his deepest wishes, cause Goddamnit Tsuna's laugh was contagious.