The sunlight streamed through the open patio door, lighting up the small living room where Nana, Tsuna's mother, was cleaning quickly. Tsuna sat on the wooden decked patio, his legs swinging lightly with Harry at his side and the small form of Reborn on his shoulder, the small hitman was acting like his usual calm self, fingers trailing lightly over Leon's scaly back. Tsuna turned to Reborn, his eyes turning to his 'boss' persona, the side of Tsuna which would lead the Vongola to victory instead of ruin. Reborn was well versed in his students behaviours and listened with a small smile on his face, aware of the order that was about to come. Harry, who didn't know Tsuna as well yet but was getting there, was already listening, utterly devoted to his boss.
"Reborn." Tsuna said slowly. "After I return from school, could you gather everyone after school? I have to formally introduce the new guardian." Tsuna ordered, the question not really a question but an order. Tsuna's eyes held a faint orange light, the orange of hyper dying will mode.
"Yes, Dino's nearby on business, shall I ask him?" Reborn said humbly, that same simple smile on his baby-like features.
"As long as he's near, yes. I don't want to distract him from his business." Tsuna said lightly, turning to his new guardian. "If you don't mind, I'll take you to meet everyone tonight, Harry."
"I don't mind, Boss." Harry said softly, his eyes scanning the area somewhat nervously, as if he was expecting to be attacked at any second. Reborn, with poorly disguised worry, leapt over the gap and landed smoothly on Harry's shoulder, using a long strand of Harry's hair to hold himself steady. Reborn murmured something to him softly, gently smoothed his hair down like a fond parent and, with a kiss to Harry's brow, leapt back to Tsuna's shoulder.
"What will he be the guardian of, Tsuna?" Reborn questioned knowingly.
"Uhh… Well.. That is… Harry will be the guardian of everyone, the guardian of the elements." Tsuna said after a pause, his smile bright and his eyes glowing bright orange. Then he froze, as if a thought had struck him. "Reborn, is their anyway to contact the Timoteo?" The beginnings of an idea forming in his mind.
Reborn levelled him with a weighing stare and nodded. "Yes, can I ask why?"
"A present for our newest guardian, I need his help with it." Tsuna said, winking at Harry with a bright grin.
"And I guess I'm not allowed to know?" Harry smiled lightly, standing up. Tsuna smiled sheepishly, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. "Go on, go talk to whoever you need to, I'll be fine."
"Thank you, Harry." Tsuna grinned, Reborn sparing Harry a thankful glance before disappearing into the house. Nana came out with a smile, she gave him another motherly hug and led him around the back of the house, out of earshot of Tsuna.
"Harry, I had to ask you something." Nana's face was serious as stopped, sitting lightly on the bench. "I know that my son is involved with something, he's acting just like his father. He's so secretive but he's terrible at telling lies."
"I won't tell you what it is, ma'am. If Tsuna and your husband hasn't told you, I will not betray their trust. They have their reason." Harry said, his eyes boring into Nana's.
"Harry, call me Nana. Or, if you prefer, call me Mother. All of Tsuna's friends do." Nana said light heartedly before turning serious again. "I wasn't going to ask you to tell me, all I want you to do is.." Nana's eyes turned soft, her expression one of motherly worry. "Look after him. Harry, and yourself. I know you're in terrible danger but I will not allow any of you to die!"
Harry's face broke out into a grin as he dropped to his knee's, bowing to Nana deeply as he answered. "Yes Mother!"
Tsuna lifted the phone, sidling away from the outdoors where Harry and hi mother were talking quietly. The sun streamed into his eyes but he didn't noticed the light orange glow to his iris. Reborn brought him back to the present as he began to jab numbers, the tone of the buttons loud in his ear as he held the phone against his ear. The number was a complicated array of 5's and 9's, Tsuna heard a low ringing as Reborn finished pressing the multitude of numbers.
A voice murmured in his ear in smooth Italian. "Si?" Italian though it was somehow Tsuna understood it and smiled slightly.
"Umm.. Hello, is it possible for me to speak to the 9th?" Tsuna said hesitantly, knowing that he shouldn't use the 9th's real name in this situation.
"The 9th doesn't take calls! Who is this? I will pass on a message!" The Italian secretary demanded somewhat furiously, smooth voice taking on a grating tone.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi, future boss." Tsuna replied, using his title to try and talk to his senior.
The tone of the secretary immediately changed to apologetic. "F-forgive me sir! I'll put you right through." The Italian whimpered, a second later the gentle, familiar voice of the ninth Vongola boss echoed through the phone.
"Tsuna! My this is a surprise. What can I do for you, young man?" Timoteo said softly, a smile in his voice.
"Well, you know the Vongola rings..?" Tsuna said slowly, hearing the man's breath catch as he automatically assumed the worst, he didn't interrupt however. "Well, I've gained a new family member and I want to make him a similar ring for a welcoming present."
"Hmm.. I might already have what you're looking for, what's the colour of his flames?" Timoteo said and Tsuna heard him hold the phone away and call out to his secretary. "Elena, please fetch Squalo for me."
"They're black and red." Tsuna said confusedly, tilting his head.
"and his name?" Timoteo said, his breathing hitched again, the question posed almost hopefully.,
"Harry Potter. I found him in.." Tsuna fell silent, looking downwards. "Namimori mental institution."
Timoteo coughed in surprise. "H-how? The Vongola, with its immense resources, has been looking for him for ages. We were comrades once, until someone made him disappear, that was before the..-" Timoteo stopped abruptly. "You don't need to know about that yet but I'll tell you one day, Tsuna."
Tsuna deliberately didn't mention the puzzling last statement, only murmuring questioningly. "Comrades?"
"Yes. In a war a long time ago, Harry was only young. He didn't deserve to see that." Timoteo's voice was uncharacteristically soft and it shook oh-so slightly.
"Sir-" Tsuna attempted.
Timoteo cleared his throat slightly. "Nonsense, don't call me sir. You can call me by my name, alright?"
Tsuna smiled, recognizing the subject change and played along. "Timoteo, to my original point, do you have a ring suitable?"
"Oh! I forgot to explain. The Vongola rings originally game with one extra, it was a ring which no other bosses save the first Vongola boss used it. The bearer was the protector of all of the Vongola, the first's best friend and trusted strategist, Tsar. Tsar has the same flame colours as Harry, it seems so I shall send it along. The ring is of slightly different design but it should suit him. I can get it to you in a day, I'll ask Squalo to take it to you, he wants to see Yamamoto again anyway."
"Thank you ,Timoteo." Tsuna said with a smile, he jerked as he noticed the time however and snapped from his 'boss' personality, his eyes fading back to their original brown colour. "WAHH! I'm late! Sorry Timoteo! I have to go."
The old man chuckled kindly and, between laughter, answered. "Very well, young Vongola X. Be careful."
Vongola HQ, Italy
Timoteo's office
"Squalo, I'm glad you could make it!" Timoteo greeted the silver haired swordsman fondly as he stepped into the room. Squalo bowed his head lightly, stepping up to the desk and watching with confused eyes as the 9th produced a large box, much like the one the Vongola rings were once held in, with the crest engraved in gold on the top, the box was chained heavily with a big padlock at the top, and a heavy looking letter.
"Boss? Why am I hear?" Those words were about the nicest Squalo had ever said to anyone and his hands crossed over his chest as he went slightly crimson.
"I have an assignment for you." The boss said simply, expecting Squalo's loud cheering.
"VOOOOOI! Great!" Squalo cheered, pumping his fist as his face took on a wicked grin.
"it's a delivery job to Sawada Tsunayoshi's new family member, he needs these items." Timoteo said gently, fixing Squalo with a piercing stare. "Squalo, listen toe. You must, under no circumstances, open his box. It is extremely important you do not and before you protest to the job, Tsuna has agreed for you to visit Yamamoto while you're there. Take as long as is needed to visit him but deliver this as soon as possible." Timoteo handed out a plane ticket and Squalo tucked it into his pocket calmly, nodded.
"Yes sir."
"Now go, and be careful not to loose this box!" The 9th said sternly, smiling when Squalo nodded and left the room in a flash.
Tsuna's living room.
Evening.
The living was full, the guardians had taken the chairs, he civilians got the table while Dino's group crowded in the corners with Dino himself smiling serenely. The chattered ceased as Tsuna and Reborn entered with black haired man who shifted nervously, fiddling with the rings on each of his fingers. They were spread out on both hands, two to a hand.
"Everyone, I've invited you here because.. Well I want to introduce you to the new member of our family, Harry Potter." Tsuna said nervously. Only the mafia-related people understood the true meaning of this statement and most nodded acceptingly, however Hibari, who had been forced to come by Dino, was glaring fiercely. Rokudo Mukuro's eyes were staring with visible lust at Harry's defined body, his crimson gaze heavy with desire. Harry went crimson, his green eyes flickering downwards as all of his confidence drained away. Mukuro smiled wickedly, his teeth gleaming as he eyed Harry liked a predator does his prey.
Dino took the initiative, standing up and walking over to clap Harry on the shoulder, he smiled brightly and murmured. "Nice to finally meet someone around my age, welcome to our band of merry weirdo's, my names Dino." Dino said brightly.
"Thank you, I'm Harry." Harry said, gladly turning his attention away from the staring man in the corner. That was all it took for everyone to come over and introduce themselves and things went from there, nobody but Hibari looking even remotely unimpressed. Unnoticed by everyone but the three involved, a challenge was declared for Harry's affections. Mukuro, Hibari and Dino all exchanged glances and thought the same thing.
'It is war.'
Authors Note:
Woww! This was with the help of my fabulous aibou, Ritsu.. Whom you might know as Demented Witch, she spurred me on to write this! Now, for her, I'm going to start writing another chapter of Living a Life.