I'm still alive! (and working on this story still!) I am so, so, so terribly sorry for not having updated this story. My excuses are basically that we ended up selling our house and basically living out of our RV until we bought our new house in another state after finishing community college and having a job (and then ended up quitting job to move). However, I still could've updated a lot sooner regardless because excuses are horrible and I also procrastinate. But I have gotten a lot of writing done, and since I'm without school or work at the moment, I plan on getting a lot of writing in while I have the chance.

Anyway, I'm so happy to finally continue writing this story. I hope to get the 3rd (and possibly last chapter, maybe more depending on reviews) up soon as well. I actually ended this chapter not the way I had planned to but kind of figured it fitted Tsuna's life better. Also thank you to those 3 who reviewed! It meant a lot that you guys are enjoying this story. Hopefully I met all who are still reading or have just started reading's expectations with this next chapter. Enjoy! Until next time~!

Cinderella Chapter 2: Meeting the Princess

"Tsuna! Hey, Tsuna, are you ready to go?" Tsuna turned his head over, spotting his rain guardian, Yamamoto Takeshi, and smiled softly. "Hayato is the only one not ready yet. Everyone else is good to go, even Hibari haha."

Tsuna gave a small appreciative nod, "That's good. I still have to get ready, though to be honest I'd really rather not go." Tsuna looked away with anime tears in his eyes as Takeshi tilted his head curiously.

"Eh? Why don't you want to go, Tsuna? Don't tell me the kid won't let you off with your paperwork?" The young Vongola Don nearly growled at the question, with small tears in his eyes. I don't want to go because I'm the only one who doesn't have a date, and even then all the girls still surround you guys. Just because I have a little bit of a baby face still left.

Pouting Tsuna simply replied, "No, I just think I'm going to be bored the whole time is all." Wow, great excuse Dame-Tsuna.

"Oh, is that all? I was certain there was another reason behind your dissatisfaction." Tsuna turned around and his eyes nearly bulged out at the sight of the Varia's cloud guardian, Karina Watanaka a.k.a. Kari-chan, who had a smirk smeared onto her face. He gulped lightly. Lately the woman had taken a liking to teasing him more often for some reason. If Tsuna had to guess, it was probably because Kyoya had been taking on missions in farther locations lately. Tsuna could only watch quietly as she came up right next to him and whispered softly so only he could hear, "And here I thought it was because Tsu-kun was the only one without a date, silly me." He looked over to her as she winked, and he began blushing profusely at the true words.

Takeshi, though not fully understanding, waved over at Kari-chan, "Ma, ma, Kari-chan, why don't we let Tsuna get ready?"

With a bright smile, Kari threw her hands in the air, "Okey dokey, let's hurry up then! I want to see my Kyo-chan! Aw, and don't worry Tsu-kun," Tsuna turned to look at her bright expression and nearly groaned, "I'll keep you company if you get lonesome." She winked before rushing off to find her date for the night. Both men sweat-dropped, wondering just how on earth that woman had managed to tame the untamable Hibari Kyoya.

Looking slightly nervously over at Tsuna, Takeshi smiled before telling him, "Mah, anyways, if you don't really want to go Tsuna, I wouldn't mind staying behind with you. I'm sure Hayato wouldn't mind either."

Tsuna couldn't hide his wince as he shook his head, he didn't want to force Takeshi and Hayato to stay with him when they could spend the night at a party with their girls. He already separates them enough by sending them on missions. Takeshi, catching Tsuna's wince, began to question his boss, "Tsuna-?"

"JUUDAIME?!" Both boys jumped in surprise and sweat-dropped at the tornado rushing toward them named Hayato. Spotting his beloved boss, Hayato began sprinting faster (if that's even possible) towards the duo, "Juudaime!"

Tsuna's eyebrows scrunched together as he looked worriedly at his storm guardian, "Hayato, what's wrong? And I thought I told you to call me Tsuna!"

Hayato came to a screeching stop before the pair, hands on his knees and panting, "S-sorry Tsuna-sama." Tsuna huffed at the '-sama' added to his name, but Hayato ignored him before continuing, "I was wondering if you were ready because we're about to start in less than half-an-hour." Hayato lifted his head and instantly growled, "What are you doing here Baseball-Idiot?!"

Tsuna chuckled at Hayato, until he noticed Takeshi's uncertain reaction and realized his rain guardian was still worrying about the conversation from before. Interfering before Takeshi could say anything, Tsuna smiled softly and replied, "Takeshi was just over here to make sure I was ready, Hayato. And we're ready to go if you are."

Hayato beamed a smile back, "Yes Juu- I mean, Tsuna-sama!"

Flashing a sheepish smile, Hayato turned and began walking towards the ballroom. Tsuna started to follow when he noticed Takeshi's uncertainty, "It's okay, Takeshi." The rain guardian looked up at Tsuna in surprise as the Mafia Don continued, "Besides if I get bored, I'll just go hang out with you or Hayato."

Allowing a smile to grace his face, Takeshi let out a chuckle as he placed an arm around Tsuna (an old habit he never quite grew out of), "Alright Tsuna, if you say so. Let's go party!" Tsuna chuckled at Takeshi's easy-going attitude but didn't object to going to the dance this time as they began walking to the ballroom.

"EXTREME WELCOME!" The trio all winced at the ear-breaking welcome.

"You idiot Turf-Top! Quiet down!"

"Hahaha, thanks for the warm welcome, Sempai!"

"Um, Big Brother…?"

"EXTREME YES TSUNA?!"

Tsuna gave another slight wince (you'd think he'd be used to the loud volume by now) before asking, "You aren't the official greeter are you?"

Suddenly Reborn appeared out of nowhere, "Of course not, Dame-Tsuna. He even plans on keeping his volume down, right Ryohei?" Everyone gulped at the twinkle in Reborn's eyes. The over-hyperactive man gave a quick shake of his head, yes, looking more than a little nervous. Allowing the boxer off the hook for now, "So you decided to come Dame-Tsuna." Tsuna grumbled and glared at his tutor, while the guardians gave their boss a confused look, except Takeshi who looked curious as well as worried at Tsuna. Interrupting his student, Reborn continued, "By the way, where are-?"

"HERE! We're over here!" Reborn grimaced as Tsuna chuckled lightly at the red-head who was rushing towards them waving with five girls following behind.

Reborn turned and glared at the woman, "Karina Watanaka…"

Brightening up at the glare, causing the male guardians to sweat drop, the woman beamed, "Hi, Rebo-chan!"

Instantly Reborn grimaced, Tsuna held back a chuckle before questioning, "Rebo-chan?"

Kari came to a halt next to the Vongola men, placed her right-index finger to her chin and tilted her head, "Hmm...that one doesn't work either. I'm still trying to figure out a cute nickname for Reborn-chan." Tsuna watched as Reborn began to look even more depressed as a cloud of gloom slowly began to form.

Kyoko, who popped up with the other women, innocently asked, "Why not just call him Reborn-chan?" Cue raindrops from cloud.

Kari didn't even blink at the question, "Not original enough." Cue thunder and lightning, plus rain from cloud. Tsuna sighed and started to interrupt, if only to rid Reborn of his cloud of depression, when Kari continued, "Right Octo-Puppy-chan?" Cue face palm by Tsuna, of course she would make the situation worse.

Hayato blushed before glaring at her and yelled, "Don't call me that, stupid woman! Besides why is my nickname longer than my actual name?!"

Kari blinked and stated as if it was the most obvious answer in the world, "Because it's cute." The storm guardian instantly spluttered at the remarks, as Kari added on, "Besides 'stupid woman' is longer than Kari-chan too."

Hayato's temper flared, "THAT'S NOT A NICKNAME!"

"Herbivores, be quiet before I bite you to death." Everyone looked over as the prefect walked in, obviously just arriving.

A squeal was heard and everyone watched with sweat drops as Kari flung herself on the carnivore, wrapping her arms around the man, still squealing, "Kyo-chan! I've missed you~!" Everyone watched as Kari glomped Kyoya, all thinking the same thing: How did that woman manage to end up with that Hibari Kyoya?

Tsuna couldn't help the smile that graced his face, regardless of the strange sight in front of him.

"Ne, ne, Kyo-chan, did you miss me too?"

"Hn."

"Answer with more than a hn~!"

*Sigh.* "Yes, I missed you."

"Kyaa~!" Tsuna chuckled at the couple's antics. They might be a strange couple, but I'm glad Kyoya found someone he could settle down with and trust, and for Kari-chan to be able to do so as well.

"Please excuse the interruption." Everyone turned to see one of the butlers bowing, "The first guest has arrived."

Tsuna beamed at Dino standing behind the butler, before turning back to his guardians, "Alright everyone, go ahead and have fun, but make sure to behave."

"Hai~!"

The young Vongola Don watched as each of his guardians moved to their dates, who were giggling or blushing happily, before spreading out across the room. His eyes, however, lingered on the couple of cloud guardians before calling out, "Kari-chan!"

The young lady turned towards the brunet and walked over to him, causing Kyoya to stop and wait, much to Tsuna's amusement, "Yes, Tsu-kun?"

Tsuna smiled sheepishly at the woman, "Do you think you can watch over Kyoya tonight? I know he still has little patience in crowds…"

The red-head beamed, "Of course, Tsu-kun! I don't mind, he is my boyfriend after all!" Tsuna let out a sigh of relief until he noticed the coy smirk on the woman's face, "I'll be sure to keep an eye on you too. Let me know if you need a wing-woman~." She winked and walked away as Tsuna groaned.

Tsuna decided to ignore his worries over not having a date and went over to his older brother figure with a smile. "Dino-san, welcome! I trust your trip was well."

The Vongola Boss blinked as Dino groaned, "Oh come on Tsuna! Quit with the formal speech with me. I'm your older brother for goodness sake."

Tsuna smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Sorry Dino-san. Habits kicked into you by Reborn and such. It's hard to stop them with anyone who aren't my guardians."

Dino chuckled as he agreed, "Yeah, well Reborn is not exactly someone who goes halfway into his teaching methods after all." Both men shivered as flashbacks of Reborn's training hit them both. "Anyway, my trip was alright. It was slightly a bummer because Romario kept talking about his new girlfriend, while I was coming here dateless."

"Eh?! You too?" Dino looked at Tsuna in surprise.

Before either of them could get another word in, Reborn all but appeared next to Tsuna, "See Dame-Tsuna, you're not the only one who can't seem to get a date. Dame-Tsuna, Pipsqueak Dino, good luck." Both men could only groan together before preparing themselves to be stuck together by themselves for the party.

A couple hours later the party was going well and Tsuna was bored out of his mind. He had been doing fine with small talk with the other respective bosses and families. Somehow though Tsuna could slowly see couples forming with the main people he would usually hang out with much to his dismay. Besides Kari, the Varia weren't even there so he couldn't even make an excuse to see them (and he knew he was desperate if he wanted the Varia to be there as an excuse). Kari had really been the only one to come see him and hang out with him, sometimes forcing Kyoya along. Tsuna was surprisingly thankful for this, despite that she was constantly pointing out women he could talk to. Even Dino had found a lovely lady to hang out and dance with. Mukuro and Chrome had come to bug him once though it was only at Chrome's persistence and Mukuro's gloom that they had done so. The other guardians had been too happy to finally have time with their dates, and for once focused on themselves; Tsuna made no plans of taking their peaceful moment away.

The party was coming to a close within the next half an hour, and Tsuna couldn't be more thankful. He had been thinking about talking clean-up plans with the butlers when he had spotted her. A beautiful woman with long, auburn hair which had two strands pulled into what looked like a rose flower covering the rest of her hair and piercing green eyes walked into the room. For a minute, he simply froze staring at the beautiful woman. Thankfully it was at this moment Kari had come back over after Kyoya had slipped out for a bit.

"Tsu-kun?" He ignored her, but it didn't matter since she looked over in the same direction to see what had his attention. "Ara? Tsu-kun, I think she's one of your workers here."

That caught his attention. His head instantly snapped to the side, and his eyes were still wide. He was even quicker to question, "What?! Why haven't I ever seen her before?"

He watched as the cloud guardian's eyebrows furrowed before she responded, "I believe she's a new transfer. I remember Xanxus-san complaining about the new rookies who didn't know his order yet. Sharkie-kun mentioned you had gotten some new people in too." Tsuna quietly looked back over to observe the woman some more, but made no movement towards her. Kari rolled her eyes, "You should go talk to her, Tsu-kun." Tsuna's head once again snapped to Kari, but she pushed on, "Don't give me that. You're obviously interested in her, and she seems sweet and pretty. She passed the Vongola test so she should be safe. Besides, you deserve to date and have happiness too, you know?"

Tsuna swallowed hard before glancing warily back at the woman, when another voiced popped up behind them, "She's right, little herbivore." They turned around to see Kyoya standing there. Ignoring Kari's muttered "I'm always right," Kyoya continued talking to his boss and one of his, while he would never admit it, best friends, "We might have joined the Vongola, but you've always made sure we had a life we could still live. Go talk to her. We'll take care of it if she for some stupid reason breaks your heart or something."

The Vongola boss simply blinked a couple of times out of pure shock of his cloud's words, but slowly nodded. "Thank you Kyoya." His words were met with a simple "hn" as he turned and headed towards the young woman, with both clouds watching him. He was slightly nervous as he approached her, but also curious. Never before had any woman caught his eye like this one had.

Her attention was gained the moment her eyes laid on him walking towards her. She quickly bowed her head as he came right before her with a small, "Decimo-sama."

Tsuna nearly groaned at the nickname but managed to keep going, still feeling the two clouds watching curiously. "Um please, just call me Tsuna." The lady looked up at him in surprise, and Tsuna smiled softly. "I didn't mean to bother you, but I saw you standing here. And well you just looked so pretty." He froze at his own words. Kari was going to be rolling around on the floor laughing if she ever heard this, and he could already imagine Kyoya's eye roll. He not only sounded like a strange stalker, but he had used the word pretty. Why couldn't he have said something better like stunning or breathtaking? Even beautiful would have been better! He was the Decimo though and he was sure he could recover, hopefully. He did not want to take flirting lessons from Reborn. "Um I mean, I'm sorry. I just uh well, I was curious to know who you are is all. And I also found out you work here, even though I haven't seen you before. You made me curious." That seemed to be better, hopefully.

When he caught the woman's blush, he relaxed slightly. "Oh, um, o-of course! What would you uh like to know about me Dec-I mean Tsuna-sama?"

Tsuna nearly groaned at the sama but continued despite it. He smiled a soft smile at the beautiful woman again before replying, "Well I would like to know the name of such beautiful woman." Much better.

Tsuna's smiled widened as he caught sight of a shy smile forming onto her face, "Well um my name is-."

"DECIMO-SAMA!" Sometimes Tsuna really hated his life.