The room was shaped like a rectangular prism with no windows. It was made that way so no one could get close or harm his boss from the outside. There was a simple couch to the side with a bookcase on the opposite side of the room. The room was just made to be simplistic and his boss liked it that way. The boss did not want to feel so enveloped in having so much power that he would lose sight of what is in front of him.

Now, it was just him and his boss in the room. One stood while the other sat. He stood in front of his boss, eyes cast slightly downward. His hands were in front of him, held together tightly. He could feel the moisture building up in his hands. He was nervous. His head was down, not knowing what to do in a situation like this. He had hoped that this day would not come. Then again, it was his wishful thinking. Today was the day, huh… He let out a sad chuckle. "What am I going to do now...?"

His boss looked at him with sympathetic eyes. He too did not want this day to come. He had seen the man's son as his own grandson despite not being related by blood. Sadly, it had to happen. He was no longer young like he was in the past and well past his prime years. The old man waited until the chuckle died before motioning his subordinate to sit. "Please sit down, Iemitsu. I know that this issue greatly affects you."

The tall Japanese Italian looked up with droopy tired eyes. A small sad smile appeared on his lips. "Okay…" He plotted himself on the chair, relaxing himself in an improper position. He guessed his boss would not mind, not after the few drinks they had last night to drown out their pent up emotions. His eyes were slightly bloodshot from all the drinking and swelled due to all the crying. What if he cried? He was a still human so he will cry whenever he wants. Lastly, his body felt sluggish. He was happy though, since Vongola Nono allowed him to come in his office slightly sober. It helped, a lot. "So… Have you decided?"

"After much thinking, I have decided that he will become a potential candidate for the title of Vongola Decimo." He noticed the tall blonde had suddenly tensed but continued on. "Despite his slow development over the years due to a certain incident, he still has time to grow. Personally, I'm getting the feeling that he would change something but that is only if he accepts and is chosen for the position."

Iemitsu opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it. He will voice his opinions later. For now, he will let Vongola Nono finish.

"Before you start saying anything, remember this. You child has the flame of the Sky. Your child also has the blood of Vongola Primo pumping through his veins. These two factors automatically make him a candidate to be the heir of the Vongola Decimo title."

Iemitsu clenched his fists together. His mouth tightened into a thin line. Before he could erupt, he let out a big sigh to calm himself down. He was tired but he sat up properly in the seat. He groaned as a migraine entered his head, making him rub his temples. Looking down, he asked the one question that both made them uneasy. "What… What if he doesn't have the resolve?"

Vongola Nono nodded as he leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. "Like I previously said, he is a potential candidate. It does not mean he will inherit the title. It's just possible. When the time comes to that, then it will be up to him if he wants to take the spot."

Iemitsu heaved himself up from the chair. He had enough. There was so many things running through his head and he was just getting dizzy from it. Like how was Nana going to react when she finds out? How was Tsuna going to react upon reentering the Mafia world? Shaking his head, he slowly knelt on one leg in respect to his boss. "I'll be taking my leave now, Vongola Nono."

The old man nodded and allowed the younger male to go.

Iemitsu was almost out the door. His hand was hovering above the golden door knob. Not turning around, his eyes narrowed as he pushed the door open. "Those two can come back, you know… Their bodies were never found so I can infer that they're still out there somewhere." Before his boss could stop him, he was already out the door and down the hall.

The old man's muscles were suddenly tensed. Iemitsu was right. Those two were never found. And if they ever made contact with Tsunayoshi, then the child could easily be a puppet in their hands. His intuition, however, told him not to worry. Everything would work out in the end, somehow.

He soon found himself staring at the ceiling once again. He had to stop doing that. He had been doing that a lot lately. Looking back to his desk, he scanned Tsunayoshi's file once again. It was relatively small. It consisted of what the child had been up ever since he was born and how others thought of him. Some comments were not that great… Despite its small size, it came with a slightly larger folder. One that held information about his involvement in that experiment and not many people remember of the incident which was a good thing and at the same time, it was not.

The incident had left such a mark in that boy's mind and body. Getting over a traumatic matter that occurred when he was young was not easy, especially when his mind was registering what happened around him. It took time and maybe Tsunayoshi needed a push to accept the incident. Sawada Nana had done a remarkable job when Tsunayoshi was placed in her care. At first, it was a bad idea since Nana was not exactly herself when Tsunayoshi was returned to her. He had heard from Iemitsu that it was the first time Nana had regretted giving birth to Tsunayoshi for the first time. Luckily, it was her last time.

"Vongola Nono, Reborn is here. Do you want me to send him in?"

"Please send him in." The old man hastily stuffed the large folder back into his desk. That information was confidential. Reborn would have to learn what happened in the past from Tsunayoshi himself. The child had personally asked him to not tell anyone of his involvement. If he hand it away to Reborn, then he would be betraying Tsunayoshi's trust and that would not be good.

"Timoteo, you called for me?" The door was slowly swung open, revealing the silhouette of a small baby. He wore a black fedora with a small orange stripe. Along the rim of the hat was a green chameleon. The rest was a simple black suit with a yellow pacifier wrapped around his neck. He knelt in front of Vongola Nono and then placed himself in a seat. "This better be good. I was in the middle of training."

Timoteo smiled. "How is that child? Actually, I want you to do something for me."

Reborn's eyes narrowed but he replied. "He's clumsy but it's going along fine. What do you want me to do?"

Timoteo slid a thin folder toward Reborn on his desk. "I finally decided on a potential heir."

"Potential? Then why do you want me to train him?" Reborn was rather puzzled by his old friend.

"Considering how he is, he is a potential candidate. However, it is likely though that he is going to become Vongola Decimo."

"Are you sure?"

Timoteo chuckled at his friend's rare concern. "Yes, I'm well past my years. I can't stay young forever, you know."

"Okay." Reborn jumped off his chair and approach the desk to retrieve the files. His eyes scanned the first page and looked up at Timoteo in confusion. "I don't think I have seen a more pathetic heir…"

"You made the Chiavarone child into a fine boss. I can't see why this would make Iemitsu's child any different."

Reborn chuckled darkly. His lips slowly formed a smirk. "You really know how to give me a challenge, Nono."

Timoteo gave a hearty laugh. "Just try not to mess with the child too much, okay?"

Reborn jumped off the chair with the file under his arm and headed toward the door. "We'll see about that. Anyway, it looks like I can use anything to shape him up. Am I correct?"

Timoteo nodded. "Additionally, do not intervene with his training unless he's in a severe danger." He paused contemplating whether to warn Reborn on not. He shook his head and motioned Reborn was allowed to leave.

Reborn was still puzzled by Timoteo's actions but nodded as he closed the door behind him.

A heavy sigh came out of Vongola Nono. "He's more fragile than you think..."

"Yo, Reborn!" The sound of footsteps clattering against the tiled floor as it got near the baby hitman.

Reborn turned around with his gun in hand; ready to shoot the airhead that dared to get near him.

"Whoa, Reborn. I don't think Nono would want blood here unless there's an invasion." His hands were up in the air.

"Iemitsu, stop saying those kinds of things. You're going to jinx it."

Iemitsu nervously laughed as one hand scratched the back of his neck. "Hahaha…" His face scrunched up, one that was similar to the one Reborn saw on Nono's face just now.

"Spit it out or I'll shoot it out."

"Mind if I ride with you to the airport?" His eyes were abnormally red. Was he crying or something?

"I guess Nono told you about your son." He turned around and resumed walking. His gun went back to its original shape.

"Yup. I figured I needed to get some air and then return. You know, blow off some steam."

"I don't mind. Try not to annoy me though."

"Looks like there's something irritating you."

"Don't push it." Reborn kept walking. There was something that was bugging him and he did not like the feeling. It all started when he entered the Vongola HQ. It only increased when he left Timoteo's office. Something told him to keep his guard up and with Iemitsu here, he was starting to click his gun a lot faster than usual. For his nerves to be tossed around like that was not good for him.

Iemitsu quietly chuckled to himself as he followed Reborn out the door and into the cab next to the infant.

The cab exited the Vongola HQ and was headed toward the Rome International Airlines. It happened to be the airline that was closest to them that had a special section for them since they carried weapons. The cab ride was silent. Barely any sound was made except for the sound of breathing and the car. Reborn would look up at Iemitsu every now and then, just to see the man in deep thinking. Reborn sighed and slowly nodded off to sleep.

Iemitsu looked down and smile when he saw Reborn fall asleep. He then looked outside the window. His eyes narrowed as he started thinking again.

The little hitman was going to need his sleep. Tsuna was someone who rarely handed out his trust, considering the few friends he made. It had taken his wife a whole year to crack that wall. Still, Tsuna was mentally unstable. There was one thing that bothered him though. If Reborn ever leaked his killing intent, then… Iemitsu shook his head. Tsuna should be able to control himself now. It's been over four years since he had an "accident."

Iemitsu blinked a couple times, registering that they were at the airport. Hesitantly, he tried nudging Reborn awake, only to have the baby aim a gun at his face. With his hands up in the air, a sign of surrender out of fear, Iemitsu nervously spoke. "W-We're at the airport, Reborn." He pointed out the window.

Reborn quickly muttered an apology and came out of the cab after Iemitsu. "Are you going to follow me until I get on the plane?" They both walked in the airport through the sliding doors, only to meet the sight of people bustling about.

"Yup. I don't want to come back and report that our best hitman got trampled over." He chuckled as a swift kick was aimed at the side of his body. He fell over, laughing nervously once again. Rubbing his side, he cast his eyes to side, not wanting to meet Reborn's glare. "Haha… I need to stop mocking you."

"Tch. Keep mocking me and we'll see what happens to that mouth of yours." Reborn jumped onto Iemitsu's shoulder as the man got up and dusted himself. The infant went through the procedures and waited near his terminal gate along with Iemitsu. After finding a place to sit, Reborn decided to speak up. "Stop tensing up. You're going to get more wrinkles."

Iemitsu chuckled. "I can't help it. You're going to be teaching my boy and considering that nasty sadistic streak in you…"

Reborn smirked. "Ha, you should be worrying once I'm done with him." Reborn noticed that Iemitsu was being surprisingly quiet.

Iemitsu found himself frowning. Was it wrong to let Reborn teach Tsuna? No, it was not. It was actually better if Reborn taught him. Nothing could actually go wrong except for a repeat of what happened… He shook his head. No, Tsuna would have to learn to control himself and Reborn would be there to help him.

"Oi, Iemitsu. Are you even listening to me?"

Iemitsu looked down and noticed Reborn was about to smack him across the face with his passport. "Whoa! Don't smack me. I want still want to keep this face of mine."

Reborn eyes the man before putting his passport back into his pocket. "Is there something I need to know about your son that you're hiding from me? Ever since we left Headquarters, you have this look on your face and it's bugging me. It's not you."

Iemitsy chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Even if I wanted to tell you, that boy of mine would probably kill me before you got to me."

Reborn noticed the unintentional warning and looked at the man oddly. "If that's what you want."

Iemitsu noticed that the gears in Reborn's mind were turning since the infant's eyebrows were knit with suspicions. It would best to leave now. "So, it looks like I head back. Don't want Lal Mirch to start yelling at me when I get back for ignoring my duties." He started to walk away but stopped. "Ne, Reborn… Ah, never mind…" His voice trailed off once he realized that Reborn would definitely be suspicious if he asked the infant to say hi to his son. First of all, Reborn was in the Mafia. And if Reborn said hi to him, Tsuna would know that his father was in the Mafia. So if Tsuna took it as something normal and he was suppose to know that he was involved with the Mafia… Then it would be a big problem, a really big one.

"What did you want to say? I don't have a lot time since my plane is about to leave."

Iemitsu made a click with his tongue. "Tell… Tell Shamal that I said hi." He then hurried off with a single wave. He soon left the premises before Reborn could question him.

Reborn looked at the man who just left him. "Sure, why not… When did I turn into a messenger boy...?" People would have laughed at Reborn's deadpanned expression, but they were afraid of the realistic looking gun in his hand.

Once Iemitsu got out of the airport and into the cab, he immediately called Lal Mirch.

"Hello."

"Lal Mirch, is that you?"

"Iemitsu! Where have you been? You know what happens when you leave, you air–"

"I know. I know. I need you to e-mail a message to Shamal for me."

"Why?" Her voice soon became irritated. She was not exactly on good terms with the assassin doctor.

"It's about Tsuna."

There was silence on the other line. "Fine. What do you want to tell him?"

"Reborn is coming."

Shamal suddenly sneezed multiple times. He took a tissue from its container and wiped his nose. Someone was talking about him and he was not getting a good vibe from it. A sound rung from his computer, signaling to him that an e-mail had arrived. As he sat in his chair, he looked out the corner of his eyes. Tsuna was still asleep as he tugged at thin blanket.

Brown eyes scanned the one line e-mail more than once. His mouth dropped. This could not be happening…

Authors' Note:

This chapter was bad. The words just sound confusing together... Maybe it's because we're trying to deliver a straightforward serious atmosphere with some comedy in the end... Ugh, maybe it's best if we write how we usually write: pessimistic and dark with some light stuff in between.

Thank you for reviewing. Please continue to do so.