It took Tsuna a couple of days, but eventually he convinced Gokudera to call him by his name. Even still, being called 'Tsuna-sama' was a bit weird and unnerving if he was being truthful. It looked like the silver-haired boy was here to stay, either way and it wasn't long before Reborn had even convinced the young genius to help the brunette with his studies. It helped a lot, even if he was lost on most of the technicalities that Gokudera presented.

Tsuna was even getting a handle on reigning in Gokudera's temper. However, there were times where even he couldn't stop the raging silverette. This just so happened to be one of those times.

The brunette had just earned a sixty-three on his latest science quiz, which in his mind, wasn't bad considering how far he'd come. Also, he was sure that Reborn would have him redo the problems he got wrong eight times over. However, when Nezu-sensei came over to rap on him for his abysmal grades, Gokudera quickly went into a frenzy.

Tsuna stood at the principal's office, an annoyed look etched into his face. He didn't blame Gokudera (okay, maybe he did a little bit) for freaking out over his mistreatment. He was stunned by the loyalty that the silver-head boy showed for him and was happy that he had someone to call his friend. He looked over at the accusing teacher and stopped himself from glaring the man down.

He ignored the conversation around him in favor of the open window. Looking out at the nice day, Tsuna wondered, not for the first time, when he just stopped . . .caring. His thoughts were shook when he heard an eerie silence fall on the group behind him. Curiosity took him as he turned around to see just what had Nezu-sensei stop ranting.

"We'll dig up the capsule! Just you watch!" Gokudera roared at the older man. Tsuna wondered when his mind left him and just what he had missed.

Thankfully, his questions were answered when Nezu-sensei yelled back, "Fine! But if you can't dig up the time capsule under the playground you're both expelled!" Tsuna watched as Gokudera stormed out, causing the brunette to sigh and rub his forehead, just what had he been dragged into. Grabbing his bag, the boy started heading out, but not before giving a nod to the principal first.

When he reached the playground, Tsuna was amazed that the bomber had not broken through the ground yet. Although, it did seem like he was just putting dynamite on random places, instead of actually trying to find the time capsule. It wasn't like the school could offer him much anyway and with being expelled he could probably convince his mother to move away from this town and to somewhere that didn't mind him being a loser.

"So you're just going to let both of you be expelled?" The baby's voice echoed to Tsuna's right. Glancing over to the tiny hitman, the brunette wondered how he moved so quickly and so quietly at the same time. "Practice, Dame-Tsuna." Tsuna huffed, irritated that Reborn was reading his mind. But of course, he can have a private life. God forbid that anyone else does. A hammer found its way on his head, causing him to double over from the pain. "Don't be rude." Glancing over at the silverette, the baby sighed. "Look at your friend, Dame-Tsuna."

Perking up, the brunette looked over at the bomber who was now screaming obscenities in Italian. He furrowed his brow in confusion before turning back to his so-called tutor. "This is the first time you've called him my 'friend'. What gives?"

A cold stare found it's way to the thirteen-year-old boy. "There are circumstances where he is your subordinate and others where he is your friend." Tsuna didn't flinch back like he usually did; instead he gained a thoughtful expression. It wasn't even thirty seconds later that Tsuna left to go and join Gokudera.

Kyoya Hibari remembered the little herbivore. He remembered the spiky hair and weak demeanor. He remembered when the other herbivores would try and break the runt until what little spark he had in his eyes was gone.

They very nearly succeeded too.

At the time, Hibari found that he could care less. As long as the damage didn't extend to his precious Namimori he let it slide. He had better things to do then defend those that didn't even bother standing up for themselves.

One day, the herbivore came to school with a skip in his step (which was odd, considering Hibari had injured it not too long ago for the herbivore's tardiness) and on time. The spark had been replenished as well. This oddness only increased when Hibari had found three herbivores-the same ones who would constantly bully the little herbivore-running for their lives.

Tonfas in hand, Hibari investigated, only to turn up nothing for an entire week. It was also during this week that the herbivore-Tsunayoshi Sawada- had been steadily getting stronger and faster. It was not discernible to the untrained eye, however, Hibari was able to spot the obvious signs of fatigue and slight bruising that came from training everyday.

There was only one conclusion that the violent pre-teen could come up with at the time. The herbivore was being trained by a carnivore. Respecting the privacy of the carnivore's student and the ongoing training, Hibari opted for finding the carnivore without interrogating the little creature. Of course, this was very difficult to do, as he had practically given up his only lead. It wasn't until a month later that he came up with the brilliant idea of interrogating the three bullies. It wasn't long until he got a response out of them. Only their answer was really frustrating and practically useless in his search.

"A demon . . . ." the taller bully whispered before Hibari's tonfas could come down on his head, "A golden-eyed demon. I'm sorry Hibari-san, but I am more frightened of him then I am of you. Those eyes . . .he's killed before. I'd rather be beat up then killed." Of course the tonfa wielder tested this theory by sending him to the hospital.

Years passed and the only lead he had was still "golden eyes". Of course, no one reported back anyone holding this color of eyes and at the time, other things had taken his attention away from the supposed "golden-eyed demon".

It was only a few months ago that Hibari had noticed the herbivore's eyes dimming once again. He was lacking in his training, that much was obvious. Not only that but he didn't seem to recognize the people around him. He didn't flinch at the bullies like he used to, but he would walk past them with a confused expression marked on his brow. Hibari found that he didn't like it and so he watched the herbivore closely. The carnivorous baby interested him, but as he realized that he had no golden eyes the tonfa wielder became very disappointed. It had become obvious that the supposed demon had abandoned his student.

Eyes darkened at the thought, before Hibari took out his tonfas with a flourish. He would watch the herbivore. No creature, no matter how weak, deserved to be abandoned. With that thought, he set out to complete his nighttime rounds.