Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn or any other recognizable enterprises. Nor do I make money off them.

AN: I didn't like the last chapter much but felt it was needed, so guess what? Here's another.

Before the Bullet

Chapter Four: The Olden Days

School was hell. With Gokudera and Yamamoto, Tsuna had forgotten how horrible school once was for him. Kids around him chattered about senseless things—like whether Liger Zero or Shadow Fox was better or who had the best bento.

At least he could see Yamamoto sitting up in front, even if Tsuna had yet to speak with him. Patience. We have to plan first.

He feared changing the Yamamoto from the joking, smiling friend he would one day be. The only thing that had kept Tsuna alive and together in the lasts days of the future was the calming presence of Yamamoto. Even Gokudera bristled less, rising to Yamamoto's lame jokes and silly comments only for something to do, rather than any real heat.

"Good thing my Dad's a sushi chef, not a doctor." Yamamoto had told Tsuna while picking out glass of his own arm. Tsuna had done more harm than good when he tried to help and Gokudera was out cold. "Couldn't possibly follow in his footsteps if he were."

Both managed to ignore, even with his bloodied katana next to them, the fact they knew that Yamamoto would not choice the simple, innocent profession of a sushi chef.

Kyoko and Hana were in another class and easier to resist approaching but he was grateful to replace his last image of Kyoko as beaten corpse with her child self from seeing her on the swings on the playground.

Seeing people move around Namimori freely—even the bullies who would follow Mochida-sempai stalking the playground—was an amazingly sight. In the once future, only those in Byakuran's white uniforms had that freedom. Tsuna hid a laugh by looking down; Haru even manage to get supplies a stolen uniform and absolutely horrible disguise. The third attempt…Tsuna shook himself from the thought and tried to focus on the teacher. Paying attention was difficult; he already was well versed in sixth grade kanji.

Hard to believe I am here again. Hard to believe everyone is here again. Guilt swarmed him. Namimori had been attacked harder than most places, all because of him. Had he not been the Decimo, the only mafia presence would have been the local yakuza.

The bell rang, signaling lunch. Tsuna pulled his bento from his bag. He smiled at the simple lunch. Just having it warmed him. Haru and Kyoko made great food with what they had. Bianchi tried too but hers always seemed more like an assassination attempt rather than a meal. They had given the future a feeling of home that Tsuna learned to relish.

A shadow covered his desk. Tsuna looked up to see Kusakabe. He almost laughed. Kusakabe was not as tall or muscular as he would be and his hair was a great deal shorter. "Yes?" He asked hesitantly. Kusakabe definitely had never approached him in elementary school. Eleven year old Tsuna would have run screaming.

Of course, he did not know Hibari then beyond that he should avoid him at all costs.

"Hibari-sama wants to see you." Kusakabe said monotonously. Tsuna bet he was confused and likely would remain that way. Hibari rarely explained himself and when he did, his answers rarely made sense. "I will escort you."

Everyone was staring at them as Tsuna collected his bento and followed the taller boy. As the door slid shut, the class buzzed into speculation. Tsuna had to cover his laugh with a cough this time. Childish ideas of crimes—being late too often or not keeping his desk neat enough—and the very idea Hibari needed a reason to do anything was ridiculous. God, I was once one of those kids. "Where are we going, Kusakabe-san?"

The stare he received would have sent him into hysterics at eleven. The scary people of the world--Mukuro, Byakuran, Hibari, and Reborn to name a few--often smiled. Besides, Tsuna had seen the sentimental worrywart side of Hibari's vice president to fear him.

"The roof." Kusakabe said stiffly.

Tsuna smiled up at him, craning his neck. "Ah. The weather's nice today."

Kusakabe nodded and Tsuna couldn't help but wonder what the other thought of him. Tsuna never had an incident with Hibari before Reborn and Hibari scared even the teachers at this age. Tsuna would have thought someone not afraid of Hibari was crazy. He felt an odd satisfaction. This is the reason Mukuro fucks with people, isn't it?

They came to a door with a very clear and bright red "Do Not Enter" sign. Everyone follows your rules but you feel no need to listen to others, do you Hibari?

Kusakabe opened the door for Tsuna but did not follow him up the stairs.

The stair well was dim and ominous. Fitting for a meeting with Hibari.

The bright light of the sky nearly blinded him. "Hibari?"

"Over here."

With a hand over his eyes, Tsuna made his way to the edge of the roof. Hibari sat against the fence with his own ornate bento and black thermos next to him and chopsticks in hand. The lid was off and revealed a fancy arrangement of vegetables, rice, and egg.

His bamboo tonfa lied next to him, a wordless warning to anyone who was stupid enough to disturb him.

Tsuna sat down across from him and opened his own lunch. Plain rice, omelet, and green vegetables. Comparatively boring but so familiar. "Your mom packs amazing lunches, Hibari."

Hibari snorted and took a small sip from the thermos. "My mother has yet to realize the purpose of a kitchen. I bought my lunch."

"Oh." Such a lunch have been expensive but Tsuna did not dare ask another question. He dug into his rice.

Hibari ate slowly, bites interrupted with long stares to the sky above. Once Tsuna had finished his own food, Hibari seemed to deem lunch over and closed his half eaten bento. "You need to act more like your normal self, herbivore."

"Huh?" The sun's heat wrapped around him like a warm blanket and Tsuna felt a little tired. Too many what ifs and hows ran through his head to get much sleep the night before.

Hibari glared. "You will attract attention with higher scores."

What? Wait, the quiz we took this morning. How does Hibari know? Tsuna had found the work easy to the point he finished first but he didn't think the teacher had enough time yet to grade the papers, let alone report to Hibari. "It's too easy."

"Sixth grade work." Hibari said with a shrug. "Changing overnight will bring questions."

Tsuna looked down. He did not want to be the same kid—couldn't be the same kid. "I can handle them. What about you?"

"My average is 100 on everything." Hibari said with a yawn.

Tsuna wondered if that was the reason teachers never tried to make Hibari go to class. Tsuna wasn't even sure if Hibari belonged to a class.

"We will train once a place is found."

Tsuna flinched; training had always equated to torture with Reborn. He didn't except more or even as much mercy from Hibari. As much as he feared the pain, Tsuna felt the need to train. Weakness slowed and weighed down every movement he had made since his awakening. The idea of not doing anything, to relax, almost felt like a betrayal to his Famiglia.

"Come here, Tsuna." Another yawn.

"What—Hiiiii!" Tsuna screamed when Hibari pulled him to his side by Tsuna's own shirt. "Hibari—"

"Shut up." Hibari adjusted him like a doll, then stretched out with his head in Tsuna's lap.

This close to Hibari, Tsuna could smell alcohol. "Hibari!"

Bamboo hit his neck with only the force of one of Lambo's punches, not the strength Tsuna knew Hibari had even at this age. "Be quiet and remember the game from the hospital."

Tsuna shut his mouth and leaned against the fence. Game my ass! Why does this always happen to me? Tsuna paused his mental whining and looked down at the sleeping Hibari. More importantly, why is he drinking?

The bell rang, announcing the end of lunch. Tsuna nearly had a heart attack but Hibari remained didn't move. Tsuna sighed and nearly gave himself another heart attack when Hibari shifted. God, he has the weirdest case of selective hearing ever.


Tsuna ran down the empty halls back to his classroom. He never meant to fall asleep. The weather was just so warm and nice. Stupid Hibari, not waking me up when he left!

Reaching the door, he slowly slid it opened. Open and empty! I do have some luck!

"A little late, Sawada-kun."

"Hiii!" Tsuna twisted around to face his teacher. Scratch that. I'm cursed! "Oshima-sensei."

"Skipping class is a very bad habit." He scolded. "And this isn't the first time. I think I will have to talk to the principle."

Damn you, Hibari…Hibari! "Oshima-sensei, Hibari-san called me out of class."

Oshima looked him up and down. "I doubt that. We're going to have a talk with the principle."

"But!"

Hibari was a usable excuse for getting out of class. The teachers could not stop him from beating other students up and punishing victims more would be unfair. If someone even attempted to falsify the excuse, it soon became a reality.

"Enough lies, Sawada-kun. You are in enough trouble already." Oshima reached out to grab him.

Tsuna twisted away without thinking. "Oshima-sensei, I'm telling the truth."

Oshima opened his mouth only to be interrupted.

"What's going on here?"

It was the teacher's turn to jump around in fright. "Hibari-san!"

Hibari ignored the shaking teacher. "Get your things Sawada."

"Hai!" In record speed, Tsuna shoved his stuff into his bag.

"Hibari-san, was this boy telling the truth?"

Hibari tilted his head towards Tsuna.

"I told him you took me out of class."

Hibari nodded. "Yes. Excuse him from class today. We're going, Sawada." Hibari started walking down the hall. Tsuna ran to catch up.

"Guess we will have to make some changes anyways," Tsuna said once they were out of earshot. "But that's what we're trying to do, change the future."

Hibari grunted and the look on his face was far from pleasant. How much alcohol did he drink? Enough for a hangover?

"So…where are we going?"

"Your house. If you insist on associating with me, you can at least provide me with food."

"What! I got in trouble because of you." Tsuna glared at Hibari.

Hibari was unimpressed and a sharp hit to the side with the tonfa made sure Tsuna knew it. "Have you been reading the book?"

"The one you gave me? Not really." Tsuna said with a wince. "But I will!"

Hibari nodded. "You have a lot to learn before you can think of giving me orders."

Tsuna's eyes went wide. "Does that mean in the future you do listen to me?"

"Shut up or I take you home in a body bag."

Liger Zero and Shadow Fox are from Zoids (New Century) for those who aren't complete geeks.

Bento are boxed lunches.

Hibari drinking may be a bit odd…but in the anime (I'm to lazy to see if it's in the manga), Kusakabe claims he has little tolerance for alcohol. I couldn't resist. I do not approve of alcohol to minors unless the alcohol is small sips and the kids are well in their teens but the idea of Lush!Hibari makes me giggle. Especially since it can be a useful plot device. Hehehe. Though I'm not sure how far I will take it, but it will pop up once and a while.

Posted: May18, 2009