Story in progress..still.

Disclaimer: Its been years but I still dont own KHR. Not in this lifetime.

Ch 4 Stuck in the moment

Where do I go from here?

The Vongola mansion is not as big as what Yamamoto expected when he looked at it from the outside. He found himself staring at the facade as he's being guided towards the entrance by a man in black suit. At first, he felt uncomfortable when 'the men in black' are around, but he thinks he's already used to them now.

"That's good since you've been coming here for more than a week now."

Yamamoto started at the little voice. "Oh, if it isn't the kid. You surprised me there!" Reborn was looking up at him from the ground then the kid jumped up to his right shoulder.

Reborn eyed the man in black suit and the man left. "Hmm. If you were not able to sense me, I guess you need to start on a more serious training."

"Ahaha." That made him scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile etched on his lips.

For the past week, all he's ever done was to bury himself in the Vongola Mansion's library, reading the history of the Family, learning more about the work of Mafia and about the Rings. No extreme training yet.

Gokudera was there all the time too, making sure that he does't slack off. Although they were together most of the times, nothing changed on how the other interacts with him. Maybe if they do more activities than just read books, something will change, hopefully.

"Being hopeful is the same as being a coward. " Reborn said, breaking him out of his thoughts. Once again, the kid surprised him. 'How could he read what I'm thinking?'

"I'm not reading what you're thinking, I'm reading your expression." And that was said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Let's get inside. Gokudera's not here so I'll be the one supervising your lecture today." Yamamoto almost asked where the storm guardian is. He's looking forward today too, like each day he came here even though the other man only scowls at him. He sighed at the thought.

He's not aware that the kid on his shoulder is starting at him with a smirk on his face, reading his expressions once more.

They continued inside the mansion, going straight to the library. Yamamoto was told by the kid that eventually, he will need to reside here the same as the rest of the family. He never thought that he had to leave his father's side though and it never came to him to do so even in the future, until now. The reason he was chosen as the next Rain Guardian was also a mystery to him. Yes, he knows a bit about swords and they have a Dojo but, that was all. He also didn't have the chance to asked his old man about it and he never heard anything from anyone either. All he knows is that Gokudera does not agree with the decision to make him the Rain Guardian.

If he's going to ask any one, he should probably be asking Tsuna.

Yamamoto saw Tsuna in the afternoon. He asked the kid where Tsuna could be and he was directed to Tsuna's office. This one is smaller than the library and lacks books compared to the other offices inside the mansion. He thanked the kid who excused himself before disappearing to a small exit by the wall. The random exits for the the kid never cease to amaze him.

After one knock, he opened the door and found Tsuna busying himself behind the large oak desk. "Hey, Tsuna. Is my timing bad?"

Tsuna looked up from what he's doing and smiled at Yamamoto. "No, you can come in. I was just thinking of visiting you at the library but this came up. Gokudera just sent a report so I had to read it. Its nothing serious though." At the mention of the name, he forgot the reason he looked for Tsuna.

"Where is he? I mean, Gokudera." Tsuna motioned for him to sit at the chair in front of the desk. "He had to go to Italy to settle small conflict from an Allied Family. Ah, an Allied Family is another family we came to an agreement with for the protection of each families."

Yamamoto kind of understand that, but frowned as to why its the silver haired-man that needs to settle the issue, although he's sure that Gokudera is the right-hand man. Tsuna seems to have understand the question on his face so he continue, "Gokudera grew up in Italy and he knows most of the Allied families thee so he's the most suitable person to be there and settle everything before it gets too big."

Yeah, he almost forgot about that.

"I'm not sure if I should be telling you this, but as you're already part of the family, I think you should know the reason behind this conflict." The other man's tone suddenly became serious.

If he'd not seen Tsuna in black suit, he'd never imagine that he's capable of having that kind of seriousness on his face right now. He remembered Tsuna being a clumsy boy back in their middle school days. "One of the allied families questioned our decision to choose you as the Rain Guardian."

He looked at Tsuna, waiting for him to continue. "Its not because they think you're not capable, they can't doubt Reborn's decision. However, it was first announced that we'll be choosing from the members of the Allied families to strengthen our relationship that's why when it got out that a new guardian has been chosen, the conflict started."

Yamamoto took that as a cue and asked the question that's been bugging him, only Tsuna beat him to it. "I know what you would like to know."

"Ahaha, that saves me from asking then." Yamamoto commented, trying to lighten the atmosphere surrounding them.

The other man smiled at him gently. With a sigh, the Tenth boss continued. "The Ninth boss used to have a guardian beside him, just like Gokudera with me. The only difference was that this Guardian was not a Guardian of a ring. He was simply there to protect the Ninth with his life."

There was a pause and Yamamto could almost hear Tsuna's next words. "I'm sure you could guess that it was Yamamoto-san I was referring to."

Yeah. Yamamoto kinda guessed that too. "So I was chosen because of my old man's history?" He didn't mean to make that sound like he's disappointed.

"No, Yamamoto. You were chosen because of your potential. Yes, its one of the reasons that your father served the Ninth before but it doesn't start and end with that, don't you think?"

"Guess I need to live up to the expectation then." Even Yamamoto himself was surprised with his response. He had said it before he could stop himself and with tone of sarcasm.

"Yamamoto..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything when I said that. I guess I'll go home for now. Thanks, Tsuna.."

With a small wave, Yamamoto left the room.

"That didn't end well." Tsuna sighed.

The following day, Yamamoto came to the mansion again to continue the lectures. He heard from Reborn that Gokudera's flight back to Japan will be tomorrow. Everything has been settled back in Italy.

Yamamoto thinks that Gokudera is really amazing. That made him think what he'd do if he's in that situation.

What is his role, anyway? Why is he here in the first place? With these questions in his mind and his conversation with Tsuna yesterday, he doesn't know what to think anymore.

The day went by without him finding any answers to his questions. Reborn noticed the conflict in Yamamoto's face the whole day but didn't mention it.

The thing about change is that it will continuously make you feel the weight of the decision you've made, think about its reasons, consequences, possible outcome. For Yamamoto, he can only feel the weight of his decision to accept this responsibility.

Yes, he's trying to learn everything. Yes, he understands them, but no, he doesn't feel like he's meant to do this.

He's not his Dad. He's just a Baseball idiot.

But really, whose fault is this? Who got carried away with this guardian thing? Gokudera doesn't think he deserve the title in the first place.

Is that actually a hint?

The next day, Yamamoto decided not to go to the mansion.

Thanks for the reviews and for reading after almost a year. Hope the chapter came out well in terms of the layout since I ony edited and posted this using a mobie phone.