Summary: When Tsuna sees Namimori's newest students, he just knows it in his gut: more trouble, for him and his family, lies ahead.

Takes place after the events of the (SPOILER ALERT) fight with Millefiore family but before the Inheritance arc (Shimon family arc). Link and Zelda are reincarnations, and this story doesn't take place in or before any of the Legend of Zelda games' plot.

Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn belongs to Akira Amano (funnily enough, my first name in Japanese is Akira) and the Legend of Zelda series belongs to Capcom. I own absolutely nothing in relation to either works, except for the idea to mesh them together.

A/N So yeah, generally I would write the prologue first and generally I would go through my series in order (stories one and two are out, make sure you read them!) and GENERALLY I would number the story before I started writing, but this story needed some time because it was dependent on reviews. More about that later, though: for now, please enjoy Chapter One!

Chapter One – Resonating Spirits

People call me Hapless Tsuna. And they're completely right. I don't get good grades, I'm not very good with girls, and I'm utterly abysmal at sports. Most of all, I still get bullied, even though I'm fourteen years old and should be able to speak up for myself.

"And don't forget that you're supposed to be the 10th generation boss of a Mafia family," the baby beside me scolded. "What are you doing, not trying to fight back?"

"No I am not! That's just something you claim I am, but I'm really not!"

The baby pointed a gun – a real gun – at my head. "Say it," he said threateningly. "Say you're the '10th generation boss of the Vongola family'."

"Uh…well…but…"

The alarm clock went off.

"Ah, sorry, Reborn, but I have to get to school! See you later!"

I dashed out of my room before Reborn, the baby, had a chance to petrify me with his scary voice.

So, where was I?

I still get bullied whenever Gokudera, my friend and my "family" member, wasn't around. Fourteen and still occasionally getting a bruise on my face, a cut on my arm, and a sore stomach. Enough to give me a phobia to any bully.

And that's why I especially didn't want to go to school today.

Even bullies fear something, usually bigger and meaner bullies. And the person who was supposed to be a new transfer student, who was coming today, was rumoured to be the biggest bully of them all.

Rumour among the bullies was, this new student had single-handedly fought and beaten six members of the neighbouring Kokuyou gang (a remainder from when Mukuro Rokudo and his friends had taken over the school). Rumour had it that the transfer student didn't have even a scratch on his body, after that fight. And rumour had it that he was a major aspiring gangster. Rumour had it that he was tall, big, mean-looking, dyed his hair blond, and changed his name to "Link".

Today just couldn't pass fast enough.

I met Yamamoto first.

"Hey Tsuna!" He cheerfully called. "So, we're going to get a new classmate today, right? I can't wait to see him!"

That stopped me short. "Classmate? I thought he was a first-year."

"No, I'm pretty sure he was supposed to come into our class. Our teacher was talking about it yesterday, remember?"

Of course I didn't remember. I never seem to hear the important stuff.

"So, I'm thinking of asking him to join the baseball club!"

"WHAT? Yamamoto, haven't you heard the rumours about him?"

"You mean, that he's the best athlete that Kokuyou had ever seen? Yeah, I heard that from a lot of my teammates! That's why I wanted to ask!"

"Wha…but…"

The bell rang the first time.

"Better get to class! See you there, Tsuna!"

As Yamamoto dashed ahead, I was left with a really dreadful sensation in my stomach. My imagination started going wild.

What if…what if Yamamoto was wrong and as soon as he starts asking, he'll get beaten up? I thought. What if this new student was so violent even Hibari couldn't beat him? What'll we do then? He'll have total control of the school! There won't be anything anyone can do! I can't fight him, I'll get –

"Oof!"

Down I went, with the person I collided with, onto the painful floor.

"Ow! Sorry, are you all right?"

The other person, a kind-looking young boy, smiled a little apologetically and nodded.

"I'm really sorry about that. Um, are you new to this school? I don't think I've seen you around before."

The blond-haired boy nodded again, and motioned towards a piece of paper by my foot. I picked it up and looked at it.

"Oh! You're in the same class as me! Hey, I can show you where it is."

My new classmate smiled happily.

"…I'm sorry if I seem rude but…are you mute?"

The other boy nodded.

"I'm sorry about that. Oh, I didn't introduce myself yet. My name's Tsunayoshi Sawada. You can just call me Tsuna."

The boy nodded again, smiling, and then pointed at his timetable in my hands. I read it again.

"So your name is…"

I started choking. The boy looked at me concernedly, until I sputtered out, "You're Link?" And now I realize that, of course, if he really was a new classmate like his timetable suggested, he really couldn't be anyone but Link.

The boy just smiled and nodded again. I looked at him a little more objectively. Sure, he had no scratches, was blond-haired, and had an unusual name, but there was nothing to suggest that he was also violent, strong, fearsome, or… well, or anything else the bullies had been talking about. "Um, I'm sorry if I seem rude again, but… did you really –"

The final bell rang.

"Ack! Shoot! We're gonna be late for class!"

We really were late.

Both Link and I got excused because he was new, but our teacher made it clear that another infraction would have severe penalty. (I noticed Gokudera taking a stick of dynamite out of his pocket. Hopefully he won't do anything rash.)

Contrary to my expectations, the day passed by without incident, much to my relief. Sure, Gokudera tried to blow up every other person who approached me, Yamamoto was oblivious to – well, just about every secret I've hidden from him, both Kyoko and Haru came over to hang around with us and I made a new friend – Link. But really today was nothing different from the usual day. Just another, good, normal day. Exactly what I needed.

School ended.

"Hey, Link? Where do you live?"

Link made a couple of gestures with his hand that I was just starting to know how to decipher.

"Uh… something about Beverly Hills?"

Link shook his head and made the same gestures again, and this time I realized: "Oh, those were directions, not words. Hey, we live around the same area, do you want to –"

"Link!" At the call, both Link and I turned. And –

BANG! I was sent staggering backwards, and scored a two-pointer straight into a nearby trashcan.

"Link! It's good to see you again! How was the new school? Did you make any new friends yet?"

In my struggle to get free, I tipped over the garbage can I was in, crashing with a lot of noise into the ground, and rolled out covered in plastic bags and banana peels.

"Oh, so sorry about that!" The mystery girl who seemed familiar with Link quickly helped me up, brushing off the debris on my sweater.

"Uh, it's all right."

"No really, I'm sorry! It was really stupid of me to crash into you like that. So you're one of Link's new friends?"

"I…well, yeah, I guess."

"Don't guess about being friends!" the mystery girl said crossly. "It's a yes or no question."

"Yes, yes I am."

"That's better. My name's Zelda Sairyu." Zelda gave me a little wink. "Take care of Link while he's in school. But for tonight, he's mine. See ya!"

And then she dragged off Link to what was probably her house. Before they turned the corner, though, Link waved at me apologetically and made motions with his hand.

My guess is, See you later.

"Ah, so you met the mysterious duo, now did you?"

"Ack! Reborn! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"It was your own fault for not paying attention," Reborn replied, smacking me on the head. The little Mafia baby then asked: "What do you think of them?"

"Uh, Link and Zelda? They're nice, I guess…still don't know a lot about them, though."

"Hmm. I was thinking of having them join your family."

The comment was made so bluntly that I could do nothing but stare blankly at him with my mouth hanging wide open.

"Stop that," Reborn scolded, whacking me twice on the sides of my face. Ignoring my cries of "Ow!", Reborn continued, "Before you ask, they are related to the Mafia too, so it's not like their lives are going to be drastically changed by asking them to join Vongola."

"Wait – they're Mafia too?"

"Listen, you dolt." Reborn hit me again, this time on the chin, meriting another reply of "Ow!". "I said they were relatedto Mafia, not necessarily they themselves were Mafioso. One of the oldest families, the Fate Antico family, stretching back nearly two thousand years, are watching over them, protecting them from whatever harm might come their way."

"I didn't know families got that old."

"Very well, it wasn't technically called a Mafia family way back then. They're only considered Mafia because they were based in Sicily when the first generation of families were formed. Even then they were a relatively mild group; only weapons manufacture and smuggling, and information marketing."

I was silent for a moment. Then I asked: "Why do they look over those two, out of everyone else in Japan?"

"That information will have to wait," Reborn said, hopping off the wall he was standing on.

As he landed, though, he glanced sharply to his right. I followed his gaze, but there was no one there.

"Reborn?" I asked uncertainly.

"It was nothing," he replied, but I didn't believe him this time.

Before I could ask more, however, he put up his gun and said threateningly: "You have homework."

"Wha-wait-wait wait, don't shoot –" I started running. "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! DON'T SHOOT!"

The next day was just as fine as yesterday.

Although I heard Zelda say she was transferring over to Namimori, she apparently still had to wait a few days. Tomorrow, Link had said in sign language, smiling.

I don't know when Link started to learn sign language, but his hand movements were smooth, swift, and precise. (Not that I should judge – I still can't recognize more than half of Link's gestures.) And when school let out, I also realized that at least one part of the rumours was true – Link was fairly fit. He plays sports with a lot of enthusiasm, almost as good as Yamamoto when we were playing baseball. He could probably get a scholarship for any sports program he applied to, seeing how well-rounded he is.

He could also be a good fighter, which was why Reborn had his eyes on him, I thought resignedly, once the game finished and we were heading home.

As if my own thoughts had summoned him, Reborn popped out. "Tsuna!"

"What the – Reborn, what are you doing here?"

"I'm on a little delivery assignment for your new friend. A certain someone asked me to give him a little something."

I frowned. That was strange, when did Reborn become a deliveryman?

"So what are you de –" Before I finished the sentence, he showed me what was in his hand.

"WHAT THE – a BOX weapon? Are you out of your mind?"

"Oh, shut up," Reborn replied, smacking me twice across the face. He then turned to the bewildered Link. "Ciao-su. My name's Reborn, and I'm Tsuna's personal trainer. A certain someone asked me to give you this." And then he handed to Link the box weapon, and to top it off, a ring to go with it.

"Ha-hang on, I thought those weren't supposed to be invented yet!"

"I'll tell you about that later. For now, though, I'm also supposed to coach Link on how to use it. I think the gym's fine – no one should be in there for the rest of the day."

Only now I remember what Reborn had given to Yamamoto as a "gift": a bat that turned into a sword when swung. In hindsight, I really should've seen this coming.

"Reborn, I don't think this is such a good idea –"

There was a squeal. Like, one of those "Oh-it's-so-cute!" sort of squeal. And before I knew it, Zelda was in the picture.

"Hi there! My name's Zelda. Did anyone tell you you reeeally look adorable?"

"No, but thank you for the compliment. My name's Reborn."

"Oh! You talk! Now that's a surprise. What are you doing here away from your mommy?"

"Right now, I'm teaching your friend how to use the stuff in his hands."

"Well, don't let me bother you then!"

How did this happen? I asked myself in the gym, listening to Reborn's voice.

"The ring you have there is very special. If you correctly harness your determination, it will actually produce a certain flame. That flame is used as both a 'key' and a 'power source' for the weapon you have in your other hand. What we're going to do today is have you practice so you can open the box whenever you choose. A secondary agenda would be to see what's inside the box, because even I don't know."

I took several deep breaths and told myself:

1. Two new people – one male, one female – had entered my life.

2. Reborn wanted them to join my 'family'. Like my family wasn't weird enough already to contain one boxing nerd, one used-to-be suicidal dynamiter, one oblivious swordsman, two girls who think the Mafia isn't something to be worried about, two babies that sometimes turned ten years older instantly, one girl who's only living through fake organs, one juvenile delinquent who only respects a baby (AKA Reborn), and one psycho maniac magician who's ready to stab me in the back anytime.

3. Link had potential as a fighter, and Reborn was determined to take that potential to the maximum.

4. Reborn was coaching Link right now how to use a weapon that was supposedly not invented yet.

5. Zelda had accepted the fact that Reborn, a baby, could walk, talk, and shoot. (Not that anyone else didn't, but…)

6. She had also accepted that Reborn was a qualified tutor enough to sit on the sidelines and watch Reborn train Link to materialize his determination.

7. This can't be happening.

No, scratch that last sentence. I pinched myself, it hurt, and this was definitely happening. I sighed and started forward towards, ready to talk to Reborn again about the consequences of having someone's life irreversibly altered…

CRASH!

"What the –"

BANG!

"AA–mf…"

"Wait, Zelda?"

That was definitely Zelda's voice. What just…

The smoke cleared quickly and then I saw the scene.

Link was covering Zelda protectively, blood dripping from a nasty cut to his temples. A mangled mess of what must've once been a standard school desk lay on the spot where Zelda was standing. She had probably screamed as Link jumped and knocked her over, then her voice must've gotten muffled when Link's arm covered her face. But what had caused…

Almost as soon as I thought up the question, it was answered. A man dressed in a black coat strode into the gym, and his eyes narrowed when he saw Link defending Zelda. It was hard to believe he could've thrown the desk through the wall and onto the spot where Zelda was only moments ago, but that was the most likely answer. I thought now was a good time to get in between him and Zelda as well, and try to intimidate him away.

It wasn't working.

Reborn, at this time, had moved to my side and had drawn his pistol. "Tsuna," he said in a low voice. "You should probably know I can't fight him for you. Do you have any of those Deathperation pills at hand?"

I tried to keep my wince to a minimal. "No. They're in my backpack, which I left behind to where I was just sitting before I moved over here."

Reborn rolled his eyes. "Figures." He then directed his voice to Link. "You're up. Do you remember what to do?"

Link wiped off some of the blood on his face and took a deep breath. He lighted up his ring.

At once, the man reacted. Suddenly his hands (Was it his hands? It was so much darker than the colour of his face…) was holding machinery that I didn't recognize.

But I knew what it was for. And so did Reborn. "Dodge, now," he said, kicking me out of the way while Link scooped Zelda up into his blood-soaked arms and jumped out of the way.

Not a moment too soon, the device alighted and something scorched the floor where we were collected.

"Uh-oh," I said, paling. "What would that do to us?"

"Link," Reborn called, but Link was way ahead of him. Already he pressed his ring against the box, opening it. And out popped…

"How did that fit in the small box?" I said incredulously.

"You never know. That box could be a fourth dimension pocket."

"But… a shield?"

"You underestimate it. Have you seen Lambo's shield in action?"

Link's opponent was certainly underestimating it. He just sneered and raised his device again, pointing directly to Link, no longer concerned with Reborn or I.

"Link –" Zelda began, but the stranger had already pulled the trigger on that mechanism.

At once, the roof immediately above him collapsed. The startled man jumped back as pieces of wood, metal, and plaster hit the ground where he was just moments ago. He looked at Link, not comprehending.

"It reflected your ray."

The man was even more surprised than Link and Zelda when they saw me, seemingly floating on the air. I had taken the opportunity to get my gloves and the Deathperation pill.

"Looks like your shield reflects whatever's hitting it, Link," I continued, "so next time if he shoots you try to meet it squarely and reflect it back."

Link nodded, his determination renewed. He set his eyes on the man again, ready to defend the girl behind him from all harm.

"In the meantime, you have me to deal with," I finished, accelerating to just behind where the man was. Using the propulsion from my X-gloves, I punched him right on the back.

The man cried out; he skidded forward several steps, but strangely no bones were broken. Before I could wonder about the implications, the man turned and fired the device again.

This time, I dodged; reappearing again right behind the man. The man braced for another punch, but this time I didn't press my advantage.

"You can't catch me," I stated bluntly. "And that ray of yours simply doesn't affect me."

The man, angered, again raised his weapon and spoke.

"Let's see about that."

It was the first time he had spoken since he entered the gym; his voice was low, slippery like a snake. Almost otherworldly.

He fired. And I didn't even think. I dodged, and the ray went right past where I was and hit Link's shield squarely. Before the man even had the time to register what he just did, he simply disappeared.

No traces left.

I had hoped it would only stun. Not decimate. Killing had left a small knot in my stomach. But I still smiled at Link and said, "Nice job."

Link grinned back, his shield glowing dim, and returning to his box, closing with a snap. With his free hands, he said Thank you.

SSSHHRREEEE!

"Ah!"

"Zelda!" I yelled, panicked even in my calm state.

Very suddenly the space behind Zelda had been ripped open. A hand reached out and grabbed Zelda's arm. And before either Link or I could react, within the time allowed for Zelda to give one last cry, the hand yanked her in and she disappeared into the void.

Link could not speak. But from the expression on his face I knew, inside, he was screaming "NO!" He jumped forward.

"Link!" I yelled. I accelerated forward again and this time, I prevented him from entering. He didn't understand what was happening. He fought me, tried to yank out his arm from my grip.

"You don't understand! That's a trap! Zelda reappeared right behind us!"

The words were barely out of my mouth when the force of the hole increased exponentially.

I gritted my teeth. No way around. I gripped Link tightly, and using the intense power of my hard flames, I accelerated.

For two seconds, the opposing forces were at a standstill, keeping both me and Link motionless. Eventually, though, my gloves won out. It took all my strength to escape the reach of what I guessed was a black hole. Very closely giving Link a nasty burn, I pumped out the maximum amount of force that I could get from my gloves, and started escaping the void's suction. I looked back when the force of the rip started to decrease, and sure enough, it was closing. But another object caught my immediate attention.

Reborn had not been so lucky.

His own body had worked against him; with such a light body, and with such a weaker body, he was absolutely helpless against the rip. Giving only one last, annoyed "Tch!", he was sucked in, and the hole closed.

"Reborn!" I yelled. But I knew that, at least right now, with an enemy so close, it was useless. So instead I directed my attention to the man in front of me, intent of beating out every bit of information he had on the holes he had created.

Zelda's head was under the grip of his arms. She was unconscious – chloroform? Before I could ponder further, he created yet another black hole and stepped right in.

Link charged again. This time, I didn't stop him. I used the acceleration from my gloves to propel both of us forward.

But the man was on his guard. He closed the hole immediately this time, disappearing even before my gloves could catch him, leaving both Link and I behind, frustrated. He didn't reappear.

The worst had happened.

Link, injured.

Zelda, kidnapped.

Reborn…missing.

…And so, as you can see, the princess gets kidnapped for the light force inside her and Tsuna and Link go on an epic quest to rescue her before that can happen.

Earlier, I said this was dependent on reviews. This is because I want a random mix of the tools Link uses in the various Legend of Zelda games. This chapter, he used his shield; in the last, he will use his almighty sword; but in the chapters in between, I need suggestions. The boomerang, the grapple, the bombs, the bow, stuff like that. (Obviously, I can't use stuff that is utterly epic, like the Phantom Hourglass.) I'm only going to use one unique item per chapter, though. In summary, please go and vote for your one favourite Legend of Zelda gadget in the button below.

As always, thanks for reading, and please review!