A/N: Thank you so much for the support:) I hope you enjoy this chapter. The plot will be picking up soon and more characters will be introduced.

Target 04 Gratitude

She wasn't hiding.

No, hiding would imply that she was afraid of whoever or whatever she was hiding from and no matter what people some people thought and said, there was nothing remotely threatening about Yamamoto Takeshi. Tsuna thought it was the opposite actually. While being near Hibari felt like she was stuck in the middle of a hurricane, being near Yamamoto felt safe and serene, like the calm after the rain. The boy's sometimes clueless smile was normally enough to calm Tsuna down even if it wasn't directed at her. That had been true even before Yamamoto had approached her and asked for her help.

No, it wasn't fear that got her to stay in class an extra 10 minutes after the bell rung to avoid running in to the boy. It was more like Tsuna simply didn't want to have to face Yamamoto's disappointment when she inevitably admitted that she did not have the guts to bring up the topic of money with Hibari.

Disappointing Yamamoto was like kicking a puppy; both despicable things to do and both equally painful to witness. Tsuna always had a healthy dash of self-preservation and she had long learned how to avoid most things she did not want to do. Hibari, of course, being the biggest exception. But Tsuna thought she could be forgiven for that since Hibari was Hibari. If his name was in the dictionary, it would be next to ruthless, and blood-thirsty, not to mention psychotic and territorial. Tsuna would probably have something like coward, idiot and accident prone.

"You are pathetic," Hana said, sounding sad. She was shaking her head too, completing the image of a disapproving parent whose kid had just told her he was too afraid to go on the bouncy house because it was full of big kids.

Oh wait, that kid had been Tsuna.

Tsuna glared at her.

"It's all your fault," Tsuna snapped, "If you hadn't told Yamamoto I would do this for him, I wouldn't be in this situation."

"I obviously overestimated your abilities," Hana admitted but didn't bother to issue an apology. Kyoko gave Tsuna a supportive pat on the arm.

"A few weeks ago," Tsuna said almost nostalgically, "My life had been perfect. Sure, I had a few ups and downs from time to time, but people generally left me alone. Then, for some inane reason, Hibari took interest in me and decided to make me his human pet, to be called to his side whenever he wanted. And then you just had to complicate it further by bringing Yamamoto in to the mix. What did I do to deserve this? Can't I just be normal?"

"I would have thought the diversity would please you," Hana grinned in a decidedly shark-like manner. "After all, you life is painfully boring most of the time."

"I like boring," Tsuna said, eyes narrowed, wondering yet again why she was friends with Hana in the first place. "Boring is nice. Boring is safe. Don't take this away from me."

"It's already gone, Baka-Tsuna," Hana sighed, meeting Tsuna's gaze head on. "Get use to it."

"Hmm guys," Kyoko interjected hesitantly, "There's-"

"We're busy," they snapped at the same time, not even bothering to glance in her direction.

Kyoko sighed and turned her attention to the new arrival.

"Sorry about that," she said, "It's nice to see you again Yamamoto."

Tsuna froze.

"Y…Yamamoto," she stuttered, realizing that Kyoko hadn't been bluffing, When had the boy sneaked up on them? God, how can someone so tall be so sneaky? If Tsuna didn't know better, she would have thought Yamamoto was some kind of undercover ninja or a hired hitman. He would probably be a natural too. "H…Hi."

Shit. This was bad. She hasn't even thought up any excuses yet.

"Hello Tsuna," Yamamoto beamed at her, "I just wanted to come thank you in person."

"I didn't do anything?" Tsuna blinked, rightfully confused, wondering why the boy was calling her by her first name so naturally.

"Of course you did," Yamamoto insisted eagerly, clapping Tsuna's amicably on one shoulder. "You talked to Hibari, didn't you? Thanks to you, the money was handed over to our club."

"It was?" Tsuna repeated weakly, still in the dark as to what was happening. Talking to Hibari? No, she definitely did not remember talking to Hibari about the club money issue. Logically, she knew she had to dispel whatever delusion Yamamoto was under before things escalate but she couldn't find it in herself to bust his little bubble of joy. Tsuna resolutely did not look over at Hana as the baseball player continued his speech.

"When I asked you, I didn't actually think it would work," Yamamoto admitted sheepishly. He looked so guilty at having doubted Tsuna that all Tsuna wanted to do was tell him he had been right to doubt her. But then the urge passed as Yamamoto returned to his normal self. "But now, I know how wrong I was to have doubted you. You are truly an incredible person Tsuna."

Not that I don't appreciate gratitude and all, Yamamoto really got things wrong here!

"You're welcome?" Tsuna tried and Yamamoto took her hesitant tone as a mark of modesty.

"I was hoping I can thank you in person with dinner at my dad's restaurant. Your friends are welcomed to join as well."

"No, that's not necessary," Tsuna stuttered, holding up her hands in protest, "I'm just happy everything turned out fine."

With no intervention from me, Tsuna thought but did not say.

"No, no, no," Yamamoto shook his head, "That's unacceptable Tsuna, I want to thank you. Tonight, at 6 at TakeSushi. I'll tell my dad to expect you. I won't accept no for an answer.

"We'll gladly accept," Hana interjected before Tsuna could refuse. Tsuna threw her an incredulous look. It was so like Hana to gladly accept the reward when she done none of the work. Tsuna saw her 10 years from now a decorated CEO, overlooking her minions. It was not a particularly comforting vision. "Thank you."

"Really Hana," Tsuna said once Yamamoto was gone, "What's up with you making decisions for me all of the sudden."

"You make shit decisions Tsuna," Hana said mercilessly, already looking bored with the conversation. "I'm just helping you out. And besides, Yamamoto is a pretty popular guy; it will be good to be on good terms with him."

"It will be fun," Kyoko beamed at her, all innocence, "Please Tsuna? It's been a while since I had sushi."

"Oh all right," Tsuna sighed, unable to refuse a direct request from Kyoko. The girl was like sunshine personified. "But I think we should tell Yamamoto that I didn't do anything to help him, that the money was given to him because of something else."

"And burst his bubble?" Hana shook his head, "Let the boy think what he wants, the end result is the same whether you tell him or not."

"But I don't want him to owe me anything," Tsuna protested, a pit of something gnarling at her stomach. She wondered if this was a sign of things to come. Tsuna had always been good at sensing impending disaster. "It's unfair. And besides, what if anyone else catches wind of this and thinks I have some pull with Hibari? That would be terrible."

She shivered, picturing the unavoidable chaos if it were to happen. People all begging for her help. It wouldn't be too bad if Tsuna had this terrible problem of being unable to refuse people's requests.

"You are thinking too much," Hana narrowed his eyes, "Do what I say or I will end you."

Tsuna let out a small squeak at that and took a step back. Hana can be so terrifying sometimes.

TBC.