Pinkie's Part:

Anyone miss me? Sorry for the late update! Been ridiculously busy with work and getting commissions done for the holidays! D: However, the faves and follows and review alerts make my day. Thank you for your continued support! I really appreciate it; you are all so awesome, I can't even begin to tell you how awesome you. Not to mention how you all help inspire me to continue on with the story! I don't think I could have a writer's block with how responsive you all are. If I could, I'd like, glomp all of you.

Well, aside from that, is everyone loving the fluffy scenes? I find those are the easiest to write, and they are just so awesome. Prepare to have lots more warm and fuzzy moments!

This one, may have yet another cute surprise within the plot!

Enough of my Rambles.

Onward!

xx

Chapter: In All Seriousness

"You're the only one, that I have actually approved of. Please don't disappoint me. You seem like a good soul; don't let the Vongola go down without a fight. I'm trusting you with this."

A loud sigh shook a petite frame just slightly. A delicate hand began to run through chestnut coloured locks, in gentle yet frustrated manner, and as this happened, the eyes of the person were closed. A grimace flickered across the round, innocent features, and when the eyes reopened, a slight edge marred the wisdom and innocence that swam within them. The male began to chew on the inside of his lip, his mind going a million miles a minute as he thought about the events that had just transpired.

The day was already deemed as one of the most exhausting he had encountered thus far. It was not because a certain amber eyed male was forced to meet with a notorious mafia boss. No, it was also not because he was told that he was the only surviviing candidate, save for one angry crimson eyed delinquant, in line for the spot of Vongola Decimo... no, Tsuna was exhasuted, because after all of this, after being briefed, scrutinized and sized up by the mast majority of the large estate; he had been ruthlessly thrown into a training regiment.

Reborn did not allow rest. The Vongola Boss, Timeto had ordered Tsuna to prepare for battle. The battle was in a weeks time. The meaning behind the sudden move was that the crimson eyed menace, whom Tsuna found was named Xanxus, was the one he had to face then. It had moved, much to Xanxus' annoyance; due to the issues and healing that Tsuna required; even though Reborn had insisted he was fine. Tsuna's eye twitched at the memory.

Tsuna then shook his head, his train of thought screeched to a halt, however, when a certain onyx eyed Spartan placed a foot on the small of his back. The smaller male lurched forward, face planting. As he tried to get up, a foot was found pushing with great force until the smaller male was face down on the hardwood flooring. He grit his teeth and tried to get his barings, whilst the foot remained firmly planted in the small of his back. A one two motion was repeated with each push up he completed. He got whistles of approval from the fedora clad man, and it got to the point where Reborn was actually sitting on the male's back, drinking an espresso, and when he was asked why he was doing such a ridiculous thing, he had retorted that it was in order to give more resistance.

After roughly an hour of push ups, Reborn removed himself, and allowed Tsuna to flop to the floor, panting and wheezing. He had shook his head at the display and rolled the smaller male over using his foot. As expected, the petite brunette began a series of crunches.

"That's right Tsuna, we need you strong. A strong core makes a strong mind, makes a strong resolve."

Tsuna mocked the words, moving his lips silently. Reborn tilted his fedora down, he would let it pass this time. The cute brunette would not get away with it the next time he was cheeky. After watching the petite form struggle with completeing the task, Reborn stretched, and then decided to assist the brunette.

"I've done...huff...about two hundred, can I...huff..rest?"

Reborn smiled, pulling the brunette up by his hands, and then leaned so his chest was against the bent knees, their faces were getting closer and closer, and he watched the petite brunette go red in the face. He touched their noses together, before tilting his head. Tsuna felt his heart leap, thinking his tutor was going to switch the training into something he would much rather practice...

Reborn then threw Tsuna backwards. A startled shriek, something mixed between a gurgle and yelp, escaped Tsuna's mouth. He lay flat on his back, his arm going to massage the point of impact of his head. He grumbled, something along the lines of cruel and unusual punishment. Reborn tipped his fedora as he stood.

"I'll make you a deal, leone." Reborn dipped his voice into a deep tone. Tsuna shivered, being able to both appreciate that tone, as well as be wary of it. It promised either pleasure or pain, but he never knew which the hitman was actually intending.

Tsuna huffed in response, trying to turn over, but stopping to wince- the crunches were already setting in. Reborn, seeing the wince willingly offered his hand to the brunette, who, in his exhaustion was rather wary of it. He eyed it carefully, before deciding on placing his delicate hand within the larger one, the immediate warmth that wrapped itself around his skin was comforting. He was pulled up and he collided with the strong chest of his mentor. He felt the other male drop his hand and wrap it around his waist.

"If you run five miles, with no complaining, in three hours, I'll treat you."

Tsuna's eye went wide, five miles? Wait, treat? His expression perked up at that, he leaned back, his eyes scrutinizing the male before him. He gently retrieved his hands from Reborn, and tilted his head.

"Promise?" He used his best puppy dog expression. He wanted to make sure he would not be tricked into working hard, especially if the only benefits he would receive would be visual pleasantries to the people around him.

His head was pushed back, he smirked at that familiar touch, forgetting his previous thought. He was then knocked on the head, and took that answer as a yes. Tsuna sighed, and began to walk out of the training room. He turned to Reborn, who in turn had an eyebrow raised. He let a few moments slip between them in the silence, before he spoke.

"I'll change into something more appropriate for running. When I get it done, it's a date."

Tsuna walked out, and shut the training room door. A few moments ticked by before he fell over. Having realized what he had just said. He threw his hands over his mouth, shaking his head furiously from side to side, he was absolutely mortified. He picked himself up, a violent cherry red on his cheeks as he ran. Maybe he would be able to redeem himself after he completed the training task.

On the other side of the door, stood one Reborn. His eyes hidden by the brim of his fedora. A light blush dusted across his cheeks. He huffed, flicking the brim upwards as he shoved his other hand into his pocket. He stalked towards the door, thinking.

"A date, huh? Alright..I can do that."