"Are you Italian?" Tsuna blurted out, fear written on his face. It was not his fault if he has developed a certain phobia for anything Italian, especially the people. So far, most if not all of the Italian people he has met wants or wanted to kill him. And worse (at least that's what he always says), for some odd reason they always end up becoming part of his Famiglia.

Despite knowing next to nothing about Italy, he was fairly sure that Decimo was Italian. He's been called that several times in his trip to the future. 'That's a pretty odd last name,' Tsuna thought in passing.

"Just half," Cielo answered with a knowing grin, which confused Tsuna because how would Cielo know why he would wear an expression like that when the older man was suddenly attacked by Fuuta and Lambo with looks akin to awe. Then they barraged him with questions and comments in Italian.

Though he previously said that he could barely keep up with Tsuna's apologies earlier, he seems to be totally at ease answering back between the two children in Italian. 'It seems that Italian is his first language,' Tsuna observed before noticing a rather depressed I-Pin.

"What's wrong, I-Pin?" he asked worriedly, knowing that he wouldn't really understand what she would say, but that didn't stop him from helping the young Chinese. She babbled in Chinese in reply and Tsuna just held her in his arms and rubbed circles in her back, not really understanding why she was sad, but she was and he had to comfort her at the very least.

A smooth low voice answered in Chinese, much to their surprise and both whirled around seeing Cielo grinning and talking easily in Italian with Fuuta and Lambo. I-Pin spoke again, sounding more curious than depressed, still watching Cielo. And Cielo answered back in Chinese to the young girl's question and then she also latched herself to the older brunette like the other two then started talking quickly in Chinese amidst the Italian.

"You also know Chinese?" Tsuna asked in surprise. "Well, my sister had a Chinese tutor. Then she can't stop speaking in Chinese for months. So the least I could do to have a decent conversation with her was to learn Chinese," Cielo replied in Japanese for Tsuna's sake.

"She had a pretty um, enthusiastic tutor then," Tsuna said with a nervous chuckle because for some reason, he can sympathize with the poor girl. He has a pretty enthusiastic tutor too. 'Sadistic's more like it,' he mentally added.

Cielo laughed at Tsuna's comment then replied, "That's one way of describing him. My family somehow keeps picking up rather enthusiastictutors. Though, my older brother and I had the pleasure of having the most enthusiastic tutor."

'I bet he isn't as enthusiastic as Reborn,' Tsuna thought before frowning at remembering a certain hitman and his broken promise. "So, um," Tsuna started, wanting to change the topic from tutors. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"About that," Cielo started, looking rather uncomfortable. "I'm not sure either. I think I'm lost," he confessed.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry," Tsuna said, not sure of what to say to the older man. Cielo just blinked at Tsuna before laughing off his apology with a wave of his hand. "Why are you apologizing? It's not as if it's your fault I'm lost."

"Is there any way we can help you?" Tsuna asked earnestly, because he knows it isn't easy to be alone and lost at the same time. "Not that I could probably help you with anything," he added softly as an afterthought.

"Well, first of all, I need to buy some basic necessities. Then maybe a place to stay—" Cielo started before being interrupted by the trio who stopped talking for a while to let Tsuna talk properly to the older brunette.

"You can stay with us!" Fuuta and Lambo said while I-Pin is repeatedly saying, "Stay!"

"I couldn't impose on your parents like that," Cielo exclaimed, looking quite shocked at the offer.

"Kaa-chan is going away for a while with her um, husband," Tsuna stuttered, unsure how to address the man especially to a stranger. "They won't be back for a while so we need a babysitter. So how about staying at our house and being our babysitter?" Tsuna offered, unsure why he would say so to a complete stranger. But his intuition says to trust the man and it hasn't been wrong yet.

"Are you sure you're willing to trust a complete stranger to become your babysitter and stay in your house without your parents?" Cielo asked as if Tsuna was insane. And for a brief moment, Tsuna felt like dancing for joy.

After meeting several very violent and very eccentric people in his life this year (and it hasn't ended yet), Cielo seemed to be a breath of fresh air. He's the first sane person he's met, though that's not saying a lot since everyone's (including his own) sanity wasn't much of a comparison.

"No, not really. But, I trust you," Tsuna blurted out then added quickly, "And the kids trust you too. And they like you a lot. Probably more than me." His eyes became downcast at the thought he unknowingly spoke out loud. The kids just met Cielo and they immediately became attached to him. It also helped that he could speak their native language while Tsuna, he's just Dame-Tsuna. He's really no good at anything.

I-Pin detached herself from Cielo then slapped Tsuna hard all the while babbling in Chinese. Tsuna stared dumbly at the young girl, not understanding a single word she's saying and why she slapped him. Fuuta also started rambling in Italian, forgetting that he was still speaking in a language Tsuna doesn't understand. Lambo also spoke in Italian, poking at Tsuna and obviously making fun of him.

"Apparently that's not true. They love their big brother very much. You shouldn't put yourself down like that," Cielo scolded Tsuna, sounding much like his own mother. Tsuna blinked at Cielo's words before blushing while listening to Cielo as he translated the children's rambling. A small smile appeared on his face as he listened and rubbed his swollen cheek.

When Cielo stopped talking, Tsuna looked up. A small frown graced the other brunette's face. "You miss your family." It was a statement, not a question that escaped from Tsuna's lips.

"Yes," Cielo answered, looking taken aback. But the frown changed back into a grin as his eyes stared at the distance. "But I'll surely return to them sometime soon. Or maybe they'll find me?" Cielo was speaking to himself then chuckled at his thoughts. "Definitely the latter," he said with a nod and a grin.

"Then how about staying at our place while waiting for them?" Tsuna asked, insisting the issue once more and earning a laugh from Cielo and support from the children.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Cielo said as he ruffled Tsuna's already messy hair. "What if my family arrives before your parents get back?" he asked in a more serious tone.

A determined look placed itself on Tsuna's face as he replied, "I'll manage." Then his eyes widened at his declaration before stuttering, "I mean, I'll—you'll, uh." Cielo laughed and ruffled Tsuna's hair once more before pushing himself up from the ground. "Come along then, you have to show me where your house is."

'Success,' Tsuna thought as he got up himself and brushed off the grass and dirt on himself and Lambo, since Fuuta and I-Pin don't manage to get into as much a mess as Lambo.

"We're back!" the children cried as the group entered the Sawada residence.

"My, my. You're back early," Nana replied as she came down the stairs with an armful of clothes. "And who's that charming young man you brought home, Tsu-kun?" she added when she noticed the other brunette standing behind the four children.

"Cielo's going to be our babysitter," Fuuta said excitedly as I-Pin and Lambo attached themselves to Nana's legs, whining that she shouldn't leave them at all. Tsuna swore his mother's eyes narrowed, much like his own when he enters his Hyper Dying Will Mode in a split second before cooing and comforting the younger children. Tsuna glanced at Cielo, who either didn't notice or didn't care that the pointed look was directed at him. 'Or that was just my imagination,' Tsuna thought as he shook his head.

"Would you like to have some tea?" Nana offered as she walked to the kitchen, depositing the clothes in her hands on one of the chairs as she looked for cups and the tea. Tsuna ran to his mother's side and offered, "How about I'll make the tea while you finish packing, Kaa-chan?"

She looked at her son with a warm smile before placing a kiss on his forehead and replied, "All right then. Don't just stand there, sit down here, Cielo-san." She pointed to one of the chairs before picking up the clothes she put down for a while.

"Of course, Signora. And thank you for your generous offer," Cielo said with a nod of his head as he sat down where she pointed out.

"You're welcome. Come along children. You have to do something for Maman," she said to the other three who followed her as she went up the stairs.

"Do you mind Japanese green tea or something else?" Tsuna said as he put out the cups and kettle. Cielo waved his hand and replied, "Japanese tea is fine."

Silence loomed over the kitchen as Tsuna prepared the tea and Cielo sat down, waiting for Tsuna to finish. Upstairs, there seemed to be a commotion but that soon passed.

A few more moments and Tsuna finally finished making the tea and poured some into a tea cup for Cielo. Just as Tsuna was about to give the cup to Cielo, Nana came down, albeit harassed but still with a warm smile. "Thank you Tsu-kun," she said as Tsuna offered her a cup of tea too as she sat down beside Cielo.

"Signora, I apologize for my lack of manners. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Cielo and if you would let me, I would love to be the babysitter for your children," Cielo said bowing his head as he introduced himself. Tsuna saw the dangerous glint in his mother's eyes again, and he was fairly sure that it wasn't his imagination. But it disappeared as quickly as it appeared the first time.

"Oh, that's all right. I'm Sawada Nana, but just call me Maman, like everyone," she said with a smile as she looked at Tsuna. "Tsu-kun, do you mind checking on the children? And if you like, make a list of what you want Maman to bring back home as your souvenir," she said to Tsuna. And Tsuna knew better that she was just trying to get him out of the room. "Of course, Kaa-chan."

As Tsuna walked away, he noticed that Cielo looked quite shocked at Nana's introduction and another emotion he couldn't place his finger on. "I couldn't call you that, Signora Sawada. That would be very presumptuous of me," Cielo said as Tsuna stepped out of the room.

Tsuna would have gone upstairs if his mother's voice didn't catch him off guard. Rather, her tone of voice as she answered back, "Like being my children's babysitter isn't?" She sounded as warm as usual but there was an undertone of something sinister in her voice. Much like venom or steel. 'Or both,' Tsuna thought as he couldn't bring himself to go upstairs like his mother asked of him. He leaned onto the wall as he eavesdropped in the conversation, no matter how rude it was and how much trouble he would be in if he got caught.

"Your children asked me, and I couldn't find myself to deny their request. They're an adorable and wonderful bunch, if not too energetic," Cielo's voice answered back, his tone as polite and warm as before as if ignoring (if he noticed) the venom in Nana's voice.

"Yes. Yes, they are," Nana agreed with Cielo's observations, the tone of her voice the same as before. "Have you had any experience with children?"

"Some. I have three younger siblings. And an older brother who acts like a child despite his age," humor laced in his voice as he seemed to reminisce about his own family.

"Such busy parents," Nana replied, making Tsuna blush at the rather blunt comment. He would never expect his mother to say such things. 'At least to my face,' Tsuna thought as he was starting to realize why she asked him out of the room.

"Sort of. But my mother always says that children are always worth it. Though there are days that I seriously doubt that with the amount of trouble they manage to get into time and again."

"Children always are," for a moment, Nana's voice was laced without the venom that was present during the entire conversation. "So, what's your price?" and the venom was back, this time without the warmness in her voice.

"Price?" Cielo's tone was a bit wary, but still polite and warm as the start of the conversation.

"For babysitting my children," her tone was stating the obvious.

"A place to stay for the time being."

"That's all?" her tone was skeptical.

"Yes, Signora Sawada. I can provide for my own needs—" he replied but was interrupted.

"Like clothes and other necessities?"

"Well, yes. Those, too. And foods and such," he replied as if he wasn't interrupted to being with.

"What happened to your luggage?" And Tsuna realized that the man had nothing but the clothes on his back and maybe the glasses on his face. And he didn't seem to be from around here. So why didn't he have anything at all?

"It seems to have been misplaced as I was getting here." Was the explanation he gave for Tsuna and his mother.

"How did you get here?" She asked, and Tsuna found himself curious for his answer too.

"I'm not quite sure myself," his tone was wary and confused. But Tsuna noticed there was something more to his answer. And apparently so did his mother.

"Are you involved with the mafia?" she asked bluntly, making Tsuna's jaw drop in surprise. And Tsuna wasn't the only one surprised with her question.

"How much do you know?" Cielo asked, his voice lost all warmness though he kept his tone polite and wary at the same time.

"I know that my husband is part of it. Part of a family called the Vongola. And my son is going to be the Vongola's new boss, though I'm not sure how that happened. And I know that he's been training, fighting," here her voice cracks. "Risking his life day after day with his friends. He keeps getting hurt, and the other children too. And. And," she just stopped talking. Silence reigned over the dining room once more as Tsuna reeled from his mother's confession.

She knows. She may not know everything he has to deal with but she knows. And she worries. But she doesn't say anything. But she knows. And it troubles Tsuna that he was the cause of the trouble and worry his mother is going through. Because she knows.

He was about to run into the room and comfort his mother, though he doesn't know how. He couldn't, well he could, promise that he would never join the mafia, much less become a mafia boss, no matter how much everyone insists. He could ignore the trouble and the chaos. That's usually caused by his so-called family. His eyes widened at the realization as he slid slowly down the wall.

He couldn't just abandon his family, friends, whatever they want to call themselves. They're precious people to Tsuna and after everything that happened to him, them, he can't just leave them. But his mother—

His train of thoughts was cut-off, much to his relief because it was too overwhelming for him when he heard Cielo's reply.

"I, too, am part of the Vongola," and if it weren't for Nana's simultaneous gasp with his, he was sure he would have been caught. Cielo seemed to be so normal, yet he's part of the chaos that's called the Vongola? "And I solemnly swear upon my own life and blood that I would take care of your children. And do my best in keeping them safe especially from the mafia."

A small giggle escaped from Nana's lips when she heard his promise. "But aren't you part of the mafia too?"

"Other mafia then. I would do my best in keeping them safe from the other mafia people."

"You didn't swear on the name and honor of the Vongola like Reborn?" His mother made Reborn promise his safety too? Which would make perfect sense why he isn't dead yet with the training the tutor from hell puts him through.

"I thought you'd rather hear that I would place my own life on the line for your children rather than something as abstract as honor and pride," Cielo replied airily as if he didn't just put his life on the line.

"You're a different kind of Mafioso," she said, her tone warmer than before and less wary at the man.

"So I've been told. I just know that there are more important things that The Famiglia," his tone emphasized the last two words.

"Oh really, like what?" her tone was totally curious and Tsuna was too. He'd never expect a Mafioso suggest that there was something more important than his Famiglia.

"Family."

Nana laughed at his answer. But it wasn't a laugh that meant to mock nor did it mean that his answer was a joke. She was just genuinely pleased with his answer. "You really are a different."

"Why thank you. Coming from you, Signora Sawada, I consider that as a compliment."

"My, you're quite a charmer, aren't you?" she replied jokingly back.

"For you Signora, I would be anything," he replied back, though Tsuna heard, more like felt, that his words meant much more.

Sensing that the conversation was over, at least the serious part since the coldness and the venom were gone from their voices, he silently went upstairs to check on the kids and maybe make a list like his mother said.

As he was going upstairs, he realized that Cielo was part of the Vongola, which shouldn't have been much of a surprise considering his luck and the fact that the man admitted that he was Italian and all. 'Maybe he was kidnapped by Reborn to take care of us?' he mused, his grudge against his tutor lessened, but not quite gone yet. He could have informed everyone instead of worrying them like that. 'But isn't that what Reborn does best?' a grin made its way on to his face as he checked out the chaos that was his room, where the children were writing earnestly.

It seemed that time passed too fast for Tsuna's tastes. Lunch and dinner passed by without (too much of) a fuss. The times in before and in between were spent with Nana packing, the children whining, Cielo learning what he has to do while Nana was away, and Tsuna making his mother's life easier. And before he knew it, it was time for his mother to leave for the airport.

The taxi ride, on the other hand, had to be the longest thirty minutes of Tsuna's life, with the amount of chaos and noise the children made as they cried, begged, and coaxed Nana not to leave them. Tsuna kept quiet the whole ride while Cielo kept the driver occupied before he thought of tossing them out in the middle of the street with the commotion they were making in his cab.

As they made their way to the airport, after Cielo paid for the fare (despite Nana's complaints), Tsuna felt more somber as he took each step with the rest of the group. All too soon, he had to give his mother her luggage, since he and Cielo were carrying them for her. The children latched themselves on Nana and cried once more, just as loud if not louder compared to earlier in the taxi.

As Cielo took the children from Nana, she gave him a knowing look in which he returned with a nod and a wink. Nana blushed at the gesture.

Tsuna, in a split second decision (and a not so subtle push from Cielo), moved forward and hugged his mother. "Oh my, Tsu-kun. You've grown," she said, noticing that she didn't have to bend down as much to hug him back.

"Thank you, Kaa-chan. For everything," he whispered into her ear as his grip on her tightened. He was thankful that she always kept the first-aid kit filled and complete. He was grateful that she never complained that she had to do all the chores. He appreciated her show of ignorance so that he would still have a taste of normalcy in his not so normal life. All of that and more.

"You heard?" she whispered back.

"Yeah. Sorry for eavesdropping. And for all the tr-trouble my fr-friends a-and I-I cause," he stuttered in apology, nearly crying for making his mother worry. She rubbed his back and soothed him.

"It's alright. And since you know that Cielo is from the Vongola too, and is not out to train you, enjoy your break from the mafia, will you?" Nana said, earning a chuckle from Tsuna.

"Of course, Kaa-chan. Enjoy yourself too," he replied as he pulled back from the embrace and watched his mother until she was out of sight.

"Let's go back home?" Cielo said, as he passed I-Pin, who was already sleeping since it was late, to Tsuna who carried her and let her sleep on his shoulder, like what Lambo was doing to Cielo's. Cielo then he lifted Fuuta into his arm and let him sleep on him.

"Okay."

AN: And I was supposed to put an AN up there too, but I realized that I shouldn't hinder you people from reading my beloved. XDD And and, thank you for your reviews! I really love them and I really make time to reply to them. I swear. And I also accept anonymous reviews so please don't let not having an account stop you from reviewing. Review equal love. And this authoress likes love. X3

And I found this chapter too emotional for my liking. XP But that's what I get from letting my fingers type what they want. I just originally planned for Nana to be charmed by Cielo, but as you can see, plans change. Dunno if it's for the better or worse. You tell me. But I really can't see Nana not notice that commotion in her house. It's her house after all. So yeah, my take about the mafia issue in the Sawada residence.

And tally for question two from chapter one:

yes - 7

no - 3

And I didn't tally question one because almost everyone wanted one month (except for ezcap1st, I'm so sorry. XP). So I'm going for the one month plot.

Like I said, the polls are up until chapter six or for as long as I want them to be. X3

Question: TYL27/27? - Yes/No. I won't really bother explaining since I did that for the previous chapter. X3

Question: Since I really want to cater to everyone (the people who want slash and don't want slash), will you read if I put the slash parts in another story? Like a side fic. Yes/No. So basically, this fic would remain mentor fic while the side story would delve deeper into the intricacies of their relationship. And my writing style here is too shallow, not detailed enough for any deeper relationships. At least in my opinion. So yeah.

And that's it for now. I hope you enjoy this chapter and review and vote~ And expect an update before January 4 (3 for those other people. X3). Then expect a loooooong waiting time for the next chapter because by then, school would have started and college life hates me. XP