AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hello lovely people! I almost failed this week at getting the new chapter prepped and ready to go, but I managed to overcome it. The convesation in my head went kind of like:

Me: I really need to get this chapter edited and put up.

My Brain: But you're 20 episodes behind on Kuroko's Basketball and you haven't even started the new season of Magi.

Me: But…I promised a new chapter this week.

My Brain: They won't mind a little bit of a delay.

Me: How long of a delay are you talking?

My Brain: A couple years won't hurt…

Me: Screw you *turns on Reborn music and opens the chapter* I'm going to write this with my dying will…

Folks, I introduce you to my brain—on fandom -.-

In other news, this got a little bit longer than I intended. I basically had to write a rather large chunk of the chapter from scratch as I realized that the original drafts I had of the first few chapters of this fiction were not working-and that may very well be why it's been hard to get it going. However, I think I've hit my stride now, so hopefully no more hiccups in my posting schedule.

As mentioned before this one is going to be updated on more of an every other week schedule (at least for now), so the next part will be out around March 6th.

I also apologize in advance for the awkwardness and possibly OOCness that is me writing Mr. Extreme, Ryohei Sasagawa. I like him as a character, but he's a bit more difficult for me to write than the others (though this story only touches on him, much like the KHR series itself did—he doesn't have nearly the on-screen time that Tsuna, Gokudera, Yamamoto, the girls, etc. do).

As always, KHR doesn't belong to me, the world and characters thereof are the property of Akira Amano-sensei and I am just hijacking them for my own personal use because I want to see more XD The story line, original characters I introduce, etc. are all mine ^_^

Thanks again for reading!

Please R & R and if you've any suggestions for writing Mr. Sun Guardian a bit better, please let me know!

Target 01-02: Looming Storm

The bell rang at Namimori Elementary School as Haru Miura stopped outside of the school gates. She'd agreed to pick up the kids from the elementary school to ensure that they would return to the Sawada house safely. Haru almost didn't recognize Lambo out of his characteristic cow suit and with his hair at least tamed a bit with a shorter cut, but easily recognized I-Pin as the two ran up to her. Tsuna had insisted on Lambo's hair cut in order to curb the likelihood of the young Bovino hitman taking dangerous weapons to school since he primarily used the massive fro to hide them in. Lambo had, of course, hated every minute of it, but had been sweet-talked by Nana's offerings of his favorite dinner and sweets if he behaved. I-Pin had easily taken to the girls' uniform though her hair was still caught in a single pigtail on the top of her head.

"Lambo-san wants cake!" the boy declared as soon as she came into view.

"We still have to wait for Fuuta-chan, Lambo," Haru reminded him. "We're going to leave together."

"Haru-nee!"

Haru turned and smiled at the boy with the dirty blond hair running towards her, carrying an oversized backpack. Bianchi seemed to emerge from nowhere and Haru blinked. "Good afternoon, Bianchi-san," she greeted her. "Why are you here?"

"Reborn was worried about someone trying to kidnap Fuuta and asked me to watch after him," Bianchi said, flipping her pink hair over her shoulder. "I'm the only one that doesn't have to attend school right now and so, in the name of love, I'm watching after him."

"It was strange today," Fuuta commented. "I almost didn't remember to answer when they called me Sawada. It's nice going to school again though."

"Well, your adoption was just finalized over the winter break," Haru said with a gentle smile.

"Us too," I-Pin said, beaming at them.

Haru smiled—all three children now bore the same last name as Tsuna-san since Nana had convinced Iemitsu to sign for their adoption so that they could properly look out for them. "Lambo-san is Lambo-san, I don't need a last name," the dark-haired boy said, picking his nose.

Haru picked up Lambo and I-Pin took her other hand. "We're going to go by Namimori Middle and pick up Kyoko-chan and Chrome-chan too, but we might have time for ice cream before we get you home."

"Do you have this handled, Haru?" Bianchi asked her.

Haru cocked her head for a moment and then realized what she was asking and nodded. "If anyone tries anything, Haru can handle it," she said. "It's been quiet since Dani was taken."

"Don't let your guard down," Bianchi said firmly.

Haru shook her head. "Don't worry," she said her eyes suddenly serious. "I've heard the rumors too."

Bianchi nodded and headed the opposite direction and Haru walked with the kids, chatting with them cheerfully as they made their way to Namimori Middle School. They reached the gates just as the first waves of student were exiting and Haru waved to catch Kyoko's attention.

"Oh, everyone's here today!" Kyoko exclaimed as she approached and picked up I-Pin as the child hitman held her arms up. "How was school?"

"Bo~oring," Lambo said and went into a laundry list of complaints, including how Bianchi had taken the grenade and the ten-year-bazooka that he'd brought for show and tell.

They listened to the children chatter as they made their way through the shopping district, stopping by one of the ice cream vendors to pick some up much to the kids' delight.

"So, you're headed back to Simon after all?" Tsuna asked Enma as they gathered their books.

"Yeah, you've got enough back up here in Namimori, it would be better if our Family made sure that area was secure," Enma replied. "Or that's what Adelheid decided. I miss our udon shop there; they just don't make it the same here."

Tsuna couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "You'll have to take me there some time," he said.

Enma beamed at him. "Anytime you want to visit, Tsuna."

"For sure," Tsuna smiled and the two shook hands.

They exited the classroom and were met by Adelheid and Gokudera.

"Ready to go, Enma?" Adelheid asked.

"Yeah," Enma replied. "I want udon."

"Take care, Enma," Tsuna said.

"You too," the Simon Decimo smiled.

"What was that about?" Gokudera asked as they walked away.

"They're moving back to Simon," Tsuna sighed.

"They're leaving Namimori?" Gokudera looked surprised.

"Yeah," Tsuna answered. "They feel like they'll do more good there than here in Namimori since we Vongola seem to have things well in hand."

"Of course we do," Gokudera smirked.

Tsuna rolled his eyes a bit and turned, heading for the baseball practice fields, Yamamoto requested that Tsuna meet him there after he got out. "Can't we wait until his practice is over in the library?" Gokudera scowled. "We have the high school entrance exams to go over to make sure that you get into Namimori High."

"Gokudera, school just started! We have months before we have to even worry about it!" Tsuna protested.

The silver-haired demolitonist sighed and trudged after Tsuna to the baseball fields as the team was finishing their practice and Yamamoto spotted them immediately. The Rain Guardian clasped forearms with Kaoru before jogging over towards them. "I can tell Enma's already given you the news?" Yamamoto asked, stopping in front of Tsuna.

"Yeah," Tsuna said and shifted his bag on his shoulder.

"It's too bad, I was hoping to invite them to the party Pops wants to hold for us," Yamamoto said.

"Party?" Tsuna asked.

"To celebrate making it to our third year of middle school," Yamamoto grinned. "Are you busy on Saturday night around eight, Tsuna? Gokudera?"

Gokudera said nothing, waiting for Judaime to respond first. If Tsuna was going, of course he, as his right-hand man would go, but, if Tsuna wasn't he had about fifteen other far more interesting things to do.

"I don't think there's anything planned," Tsuna finally said.

"He's going to close the restaurant down for it," Yamamoto smiled.

"Let me double check with Mom and Reborn and make sure, but I'm sure it'll be fine," Tsuna smiled.

"What about you?" Yamamoto asked, looking expectantly at Gokudera.

"If Judaime is going, of course I'm going," Gokudera scowled.

"Awesome," Yamamoto said. "Gotta make sure I get all the invites out."

"Just tell Reborn, he knows where everyone is every moment of the day," Tsuna mumbled.

A small foot slammed into Tsuna's head and the brunette screeched in surprise. "Reborn!"

The fedora-bedecked toddler smirked at Tsuna as he settled on Yamamoto's shoulder. "I think having the Family all together in one place for a celebration is a great idea, I'll make sure the invitations get out," the home tutor said.

Tsuna looked over at his teacher. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" he said.

Reborn gave him his best innocent look. "I wouldn't do anything that won't bring the Family closer together…"

"Oh God…" Tsuna groaned. "Just don't mess up the restaurant, please?"

"We haven't had a Family meeting since I got back from Italy, it's overdue," Reborn said. "There are things we have to discuss as a Family."

"What kind of things?" Tsuna asked warily.

"You'll see on Saturday," Reborn chirped and vanished back into his hiding place.

Tsuna clutched his stomach and whimpered inwardly. "I have a bad feeling about this…"

Gokudera placed a hand on Tsuna's shoulder and Yamamoto's laugh echoed as the baseball idiot blatantly ignored Gokudera's glare. "Judaime, I'm sure it'll be fine," he said.

"This is Reborn we're talking about," Tsuna scowled. "Tell me that again, looking into my eyes."

Gokudera met the future mafia boss's brown eyes and opened his mouth to say it again, but couldn't and sighed. "I can't," he said.

"Exactly," Tsuna said.

The shrill ring of Tsuna's cell phone startled all of them, including the Tenth who wasn't used to having the device on him.

"Hello," he said after fumbling with the buttons until he managed to pick it up just before it went to voice mail.

"Tsuna-kun, Haru is happy to report that all of the children have been escorted safely home by your Haru."

Tsuna nearly flinched at Haru's singsong voice, but relaxed at the news. "That's good to hear. Lambo didn't cause any trouble did he?"

"The entire day was incident free," Haru assured him. "Or at least there wasn't any noticeable damage to the school when Haru picked them up."

"I suppose at least that is encouraging," Tsuna grumbled.

"Lambo-chan was perfectly behaved," Haru stated, there was a loud noise in the background, punctuated by a gasp from Haru. "Hahi…gotta go something crashed in the kitchen…"

Haru hung up abruptly and Tsuna stared at the face of the phone until the image on front faded out. "Who was that?" Gokudera frowned.

"Haru," Tsuna replied, "she picked the kids up at school today. I'm still not entirely sure that it's a good idea to send them to school like this though. There's too many things…"

"It'll be fine. Reborn recommended it," Yamamoto said firmly.

"I'm still worried, especially about Fuuta…" Tsuna said as they made their way towards his house.

"My sister is playing his bodyguard according to Reborn-san's wishes," Gokudera said. "If anyone tries to take them, they'll regret it."

"That's good," Tsuna said.

"Maa, maa…you worry too much Tsuna," Yamamoto said, placing a hand on his boss's shoulder. "Everything will be fine. We'll make sure of it."

Gokudera glared at Yamamoto for taking the words out of his mouth and settled for grabbing a cigarette and lighting it before shoving his hands into his pockets. He glanced over his shoulder at Tsuna. "Are you all right, Judaime?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Tsuna said, "but with Enma going back to Simon and everything else, things feel…weird."

"It's called normal," Reborn's voice came and the future mafia boss jumped.

"Hieee…Reborn…don't do that!" Tsuna exclaimed, his voice cracking.

He unwrapped himself from behind Gokudera's jacket and glared at the potted plant that'd turned into the home tutor.

"You keep talking about how you wanted everything to go back to normal, Tsuna, isn't this what you wanted?" Reborn asked.

"Well…yes, but…" Tsuna shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't like the feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong."

"Hmmm?" Reborn murmured.

"Ah…nothing," Tsuna said, forcing the premonition to the back of his mind.

On Saturday afternoon, Gokudera made his way to Judaime's house and met up with Haru at the corner. "What are you doing here, stupid woman?" he growled.

"You're not the only one who wants extra time with Tsuna-san," Haru sniffed and stuck her tongue out at him.

"You're a third year now, why the hell are you acting like a stupid first year?" Gokudera growled.

"Well, if you didn't want to meet up with Haru, maybe you should've just waited for the party at Take Sushi and met Tsuna-san there," Haru retorted.

"I'm his second, of course I have to be with him when he goes some place, you never know what's going to happen," he stated.

"And Haru is perfectly capable of defending Tsuna-san if need be," Haru said sweetly.

"Bull shit."

"Bakadera, watch your language, there could be children present," Haru scolded.

Gokudera whirled on her and a piece of dynamite dropped into his hand as he glared at her. A piece of thin metal appeared in Haru's hand and she returned his glare just as ferociously as the ring on her finger sparked, licking teasingly on the edges of the metal. "I dare you," she said darkly.

Gokudera nearly dropped the stick of dynamite at her words and the complete lack of the usual empty-headed "Haru…desu" completely throwing him off for an instant. "I've got fifty times more experience than you'll ever hope to have, stupid woman," he growled.

"Maa, maa…Gokudera, H-haru?"

Haru jumped as Yamamoto's voice came and whirled to face the Rain Guardian with a muffled "Hahi!"

Yamamoto looked completely floored for just a moment and then met Haru's eyes directly for a long moment. "When did you…" he began.

"While you were busy with the Simon Famiglia and the Representative Battle of the Rainbow," Haru replied, Reborn had decided to brief her at least a little bit on those two events—though she was sure he wasn't telling her everything, but Reborn never told more than he had to. "After we returned from the future, I couldn't just pretend that everything was fine and let that future come to pass if I could help stop it."

Yamamoto's face fell completely still for just a moment and Haru felt a familiar chill chase down her spine, remembering that particular look on Yamamoto's face while they were in the future. He dispelled it by laughing, "So you decided to play in the Mafia game too?" he said with forced cheerfulness.

Gokudera spat on the ground, glaring at the taller boy as he spoke, "Don't do that, baseball idiot."

"He's right, Yamamoto," Haru said quietly. "We all know this left the realms of game territory a long time ago."

Yamamoto rested his baseball bat on his shoulder and regarded his friends calmly. "Maybe so, but Tsuna doesn't need to see such serious faces. He already has enough to worry about, don't you think?"

Haru's breath caught and she exchanged guilty glances with Gokudera, both simultaneously putting their weapon away. "You're right, Yamamoto," Haru said. "Haru's sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Haru," Yamamoto smiled. "Let's just not add to Tsuna's worries, ne?"

She nodded and the three made their way to Tsuna's house, Gokudera trudging behind and glaring at Yamamoto's back and banishing the expression as they arrived and were greeted by being nearly tripped up by I-Pin chasing Lambo complaining that that was her strawberry.

Haru giggled and swooped down and caught the cowsuit clad boy and quickly relieved him of said strawberry while he struggled. "Here you go, I-Pin-chan," she smiled.

"That was Lambo-san's strawberry! Lambo-san stole it fair and square!"

"Shut it, stupid cow, you're giving me a headache," Gokudera growled and then his face lit in a smile as a familiar form appeared in the doorway.

"I-Pin, Lambo don't run out there so carelessly!"

"Judaime!"

Tsuna glanced up and smiled at the sight of his friends in the gateway. "You came too, Yamamoto?" he asked.

"It sounded more fun than doing the homework for the weekend," Yamamoto grinned.

They made their way up the sidewalk, laughing and followed Tsuna back inside.

"Ciao-su."

Reborn was sitting on top of several cushions with Bianchi in the chair next to him offering him coffee made with all of her love.

They'd no sooner settled than the doorbell echoed and Lambo raced I-Pin for the door and flung it open to greet Ryohei and Kyoko. They all gathered in the Sawada's dining room and Tsuna sat back and watched them for a long time with an almost sad smile on his face. How much longer were they going to be able to be together like this?

As the time for the party drew closer, they evacuated the Sawada residence and headed for Yamamoto's family sushi shop and entered to find Chrome waiting inside.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it to your house, Boss, something came up," she said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it, Chrome-san," Tsuna smiled. "I was surprised you decided to stay at Namimori again this year."

"I think staying in Namimori is best for me right now," she said. "It keeps Boss close to me so I can protect everyone."

"Ah, everyone is here, shall we get this party started then?"

"Yes!"

"So have you thought about what you're doing for high school yet, Haru-chan?" Kyoko asked, shifting a sleeping I-Pin to a more comfortable position in her arms.

"Haru has a couple options figured out," Haru replied. "You're testing for Namimori High, aren't you, Kyoko-chan?"

"Ah…actually…" Kyoko shifted uncomfortably, keeping her eyes away from Tsuna for the moment. "I was actually thinking of going to Takanamori…"

"Hahi?" Haru's eyes snapped to her friend's. "Why there?"

"I've been doing some research into it and they have a highly rated math and science track for people looking to go into a medical career," Kyoko said.

"A medical career?" Tsuna's voice cracked. "I thought you were going to be a detective or a ballet dancer…"

Kyoko affectionately stroked I-Pin's hair as the young hitman dozed against her. "I was thinking about it after we got back from that place in the future and thought that knowing about medicine would be more useful, you know? That way if anyone gets sick—or hurt—I can help them. Don't you think that's a good idea, Tsuna-kun?"

"I, uh…yeah…" Tsuna managed, his brown eyes dropping to the table.

"Say it like you mean it, Tsuna," Reborn commanded, knocking Tsuna to the floor and standing on his chest. "Having a doctor in the ranks of the Family is a good idea."

"Reborn!"

Reborn turned to look at the girls. "I think that's a good idea, Kyoko," he announced firmly. "Though maybe you and Bianchi should take the kids home now, it's getting late."

Kyoko glanced down at I-Pin and then over at Lambo and laughed. "Probably a good idea," she said as she rose slowly then glanced at her brunette friend. "Haru?"

"Haru needs to stay," Reborn stated.

Haru blinked at the announcement and turned the sleeping Lightning Guardian over to Bianchi. "I'll call you tomorrow, Kyoko," she promised. "I'm planning on going to Takanamori too. We can study together."

"That sounds good," Kyoko beamed.

A little while later, the two left with I-Pin, Lambo, and Fuuta in tow and Reborn jumped onto the table surveying the Vongola Judaime and his Guardians as well as the newest hitman in the family. "I have an announcement to make," Reborn said.

"What new fight are you getting me into this time?" Tsuna asked, bitterness tracing through his voice, drawing surprised looks from his Guardians and Haru.

"No fight this time Tsuna, at least at this point," Reborn said and settled cross-legged on the table. "While I was in Italy, I got more information than just you becoming the Neo Vongola Primo. The Kudaime is planning to pay you a formal visit, but before he arrives he wants you to figure out who was employing Dani Shirokaia."

"What?" Tsuna's voice cracked.

"Shirokaia was a freelance hitman, which means someone was paying her to try and take out the Vongola Famiglia here in Japan. He wants to know who," Reborn stated, "and he wants you to find out."

"But…" Tsuna began then shook his head, this was something he'd have to learn to expect, but his eyes turned to the brunette who was sitting quietly at the table with them. "Why does Haru have to be part of this?"

"Haru is part of your Family, Tsuna, you've acknowledged this," Reborn said, "and she's going to have our strongest lead on who is behind this."

"Hahi?" Haru gaped and then her eyes widened. "Wait…the Trabuchet…"

"What?" Gokudera turned a scowl on the brunette.

"It's a Family that Dani warned me about that was trying to cause trouble while you guys were dealing with the Representative Battle of the Rainbow," Haru said. "I don't know if they're behind Dani's actions, it sounded more like a vendetta on her part, but if there was someone behind it, they might provide a lead."

"Exactly," Reborn said approvingly.

"Fine, we'll get started on this tomorrow," Tsuna said. "It's late, I'm tired, and I want to make sure everyone got home all right."

Before anyone else could speak up, Tsuna was up and out the door.

Yamamoto looked after Tsuna sharply and made to rise and follow, but Gokudera was already on his feet and out the door behind Tsuna.

Reborn watched the door the young mafia boss had exited through, his expression shadowed by the brim of his fedora. He turned his gaze to the remaining Guardians and Haru. "There are a lot of things that we have to do before the Kudaime makes his formal visit," Reborn said, "and it's going to be up to the entire Famiglia to make sure things go smoothly. Tsuyoshi has graciously allowed me to set up a meeting here on Monday during their prep time; we will continue our discussions there. Between now and then, Haru, I need you to figure out what you have on this Trabuchet Family."

"Of course," Haru said, rising. "I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow. Tsuna-san's safety is Haru's number one priority."

Reborn nodded and Yamamoto and Ryohei left, leaving just the two girls behind. "Chrome, I want you to continue to train with Haru and work with her as time permits, her training is far from finished," Reborn instructed the Mist Guardian. "Haru, don't do anything stupid."

"Of course Haru won't," Haru huffed.

"As you wish, Reborn-san," Chrome said softly. "Shall we go, Haru-san?"

Haru nodded and gathered her things up and they exited as well.

Reborn turned to Tsuyoshi Yamamoto as the restaurant owner entered the room. "They're already gone?" he asked.

Reborn nodded. "Everyone got tired and they have homework. Thank you for hosting us again."

"It was my pleasure," the Rain Guardian's Father smiled. "Things are getting exciting again?"

A smirk crossed Reborn's face. "You could definitely say that."

"Judaime?"

Tsuna trudged down the street, ignoring his friend's call, but Gokudera caught up quickly enough. "Judaime? What's wrong?" he asked.

"What's right?" Tsuna gave a bitter laugh. "I have little enough hope to get into Namimori High, but Takanamori? I don't even have a prayer," he said. "No matter how hard I study, I can never reach that level. And now, with the Ninth's visit? I'm not even going to have a chance. It's impossible."

Gokudera mulled over Tsuna's statements for a moment before addressing the one that seemed central to Tsuna's worries. "If you want, I can work with you like we did to pass the finals to get into third year, it's not impossible," Gokudera said.

Tsuna gave Gokudera a wry smile. "Have you seen the practice exam for Takanamori High, Gokudera-kun?"

"Ah, no…but I'm sure it's not that bad," Gokudera said.

"Tomorrow, ask the guidance office for a copy of the practice test for Takanamori," Tsuna said, "and then see if you can tell me that again."

"Judaime…"

Tsuna slumped. "I'm just really no good at a lot of things."

Gokudera reached out and caught Tsuna's shoulder, forcing him to turn around and look at him. "I'm your right hand man and as your right hand man it is my duty to tell you to stop whining," Gokudera near growled.

Tsuna's eyes went wide—it was the first time Gokudera had spoken like that to him since their initial confrontations what felt like ages ago.

"You've come a long way from where you were before, Judaime, and so have the rest of us," Gokudera continued. "Don't say something is impossible—your defeat of Xanxus was impossible. Defeating Byakuran ten years in the future was impossible. Your victory in the Representative Battle of the Rainbow was so impossible that Reborn-san tried to keep you out of it. Don't ever say something like that again."

"G-Gokudera…"

"You are Vongola X, the Judaime, Neo Vongola Primo—whatever the hell the title is going to be," Gokudera said firmly. "Do what you have to do, Judaime."

"We're all going to support you," Yamamoto added as he and Ryohei caught up to them.

"Join the boxing club, it will help you to the extreme," Ryohei said.

"Nii-san, you're not even at Namimori Middle anymore," Tsuna scowled at the white-haired boxer.

Ryohei laughed loudly, scrubbing his hand through his hair. "I forgot that to the extreme. Join the boxing club there, then join me at Namimori High and we'll take on the world!"

"Nii-san…" Tsuna said in a pained voice.

"More seriously, don't look down on yourself like that," Ryohei said. "We've been through a lot and I'm sure there will be a lot more someday."

Tsuna sighed, but couldn't help but smile as they tried to offer him some form of comfort in their own ways.

Gokudera glared at the Rain and Sun Guardian, but then reluctantly admitted they'd helped clear Tsuna's expression more than he had managed on his own.

"Tomorrow I'll get that practice test and we'll see what we can do, Judaime," Gokudera said firmly. "If we put our minds to it, I'm sure it'll be fine. You'll pass that test and we'll have a proper welcome set up for the Kudaime's visit."