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

AN: Um..warning for weird again?

Before the Bullet

Interlude

Bells in the Air

"So you have a friend."

Hibari caught her gaze. "I did not say that."

Fumiko snorted. "Seems weak."

"One day he will be my match."

"Oh?"

"Only the grace of the gods will decide our battles against each other."

Fumiko was silent for a few long moments. "And you say he is not a friend. I am glad I do not have to worry about you marrying someone unsuitable."

Hibari's eyebrow twitched at the word marriage. "Japan does not offer gay marriage."

"Will it? One of those European countries has started it."

Hibari shrugged. The world had gone to hell and national politics centered on who could protect the public. Not that any of the governments stood a chance. Byakuran brought the mafia battles into the outside world and gave countries a choice, obey him or be destroyed. Japan had chosen the later and most politicians had been killed and government buildings destroyed. "I should have brought him earlier."

"Ha! That would have been an idea worthy of you father! Hitoshi would have been angry and soon would be trying to set you up with every mindless female that comes here. You would have learned the horrible tastes he had before he married me."

Hibari sat silently. He learned from a young age not to say anything while Fumiko ranted about her husband.

"When you do get married, make sure it is a simple but tasteful affair. Do not let your mother plan anything. Her wedding was the most disturbing, gaudy thing."

"You speak of marriage far too early." Hibari sipped his tea, annoyed. Who said I am going to marry the brat anyway?

Fumiko snorted. "I don't have much time left, do I?"

"Another year." Hibari clenched his fists.

Fumiko reached out and grabbed his hand. "Thank you, my grandson, for letting me see you as an adult. I am proud of you."

Hibari looked away.

"And I always will be."

It's odd, but I couldn't resist. Don't worry, she is a useful side character that has a time limit. Besides, who ever heard of a granny Mary Su.

In case anyone's wondering, I used the kanji for "code, law, ceremony, ect "(典) for the Fumi and the typical ko (子) for female names. For her husband, Hito uses the kanji for one and the shi (司) is for "director, official, administrator". Hibari's father, Seiji uses the shi kanji in Hitoshi as ji and the sei is from 世 meaning "world, society, public." Forgive me, but I am more than a little bit of a nerd and wanted to match the names to Hibari's. "Kyouya" means something like increasing respect, or something along those lines.

Why yes I am a nerd prone to researching. It gives me a chance to break while being in a writing trance.

Posted: June 1, 2009