A/N: I got so many favorites and follows for this story, I'm thrilled to see so many people like it so far! I was planning to wait until I wrote more chapters to update this but I couldn't wait to post this!

To BlueCapricorn: When I came up with the concept, the first thing that came to mind was her being on even terms to some of the more powerful ghosts/mists in the series. Just to see her throw a wrench in their plans. Needless to say Mukuro will not be her biggest fan.

To WriterMae: Glad to know you like it! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! *sits in a mushroom corner and sulks*

The Demon Tutor Appears!

"Why do I keep letting you convince me to borrow so many books? I can't even understand what's in half of them." Tsuna complains, Shizuka crossed her arms. "I'm a ghost, I can't go to school or do much physically. I have plenty of time to read." She states, combing through the books. Her face brightened as she pointed to a paperback book. It was one on the lifestyle of ancient ninjas.

"Can you check out that one? Please?" She begged, Tsuna picked it up and skimmed through the pages. The wording wasn't too complicated and the visuals were interesting. He sighed. "Fine, but I want to read it after you." He states, watching Shizuka jump up and down giddily. "Alright! Let's look at some more books, then we can see if they have the latest volume of that manga you're reading!"

When Tsuna returned home, it was with a bag full of books. Shizuka had managed to convince him to check out several more in exchange for helping him with his history and literature homework. Both siblings were hopeless when it came to math and science. "Mom, I'm home!" Tsuna yelled, kicking off his shoes. "I can't wait to read that psychology book!" Shizuka exclaims. Tsuna sweat dropped, he was starting to regret letting her read those horror stories last week.

"Welcome home! It seems that your father hired a tutor for you. Isn't that thoughtful?" Nana asks with a swoon. "I doubt he even remembers that we exist. There has to be some sort of angle." Shizuka mused, floating over his shoulder. "Ciaossu." The twins froze, looking at what appeared to be a toddler in an Italian suit. "That's the person that was watching you earlier!" Shizuka hissed, her eyes narrowed.

"But mom, he's just a baby!" Tsuna protests, earning a kick to the face. Shizuka's face darkened as the air around them chilled. Only Nana seemed oblivious to the change in atmosphere and smiled pleasantly. "Reborn will be living with us as your tutor. Isn't that great?" She asks, Tsuna wanted to get out of the house as soon as possible. "If that thing lays its grimy hands on you again I am making his life hell." Shizuka growled possessively.

XoXoXoXoXo

Tsuna tried to calm down his sister indirectly, unable to speak to her at that moment. "Mama, how about I show Reborn Shizuka's shrine?" Nana's gaze softened. "Of course. And I have some cookies fresh out of the oven as well." Shizuka perked up at the sound of food but still glared at the toddler.

Reborn followed Tsuna curiously as they went to a small shrine. There were two pictures, one of a baby and the other that looked like a sketch of the girl. "Who drew the picture?" Reborn finally asked, Tsuna smiled. "That's mine, it's what I thought Shizuka would look like if she was my age." Reborn noted how much effort must have been put into the drawing. There were multiple eraser markings and barely visible lines that were too deep to be fully removed. Tsuna put the plate of cookies in front of the shrine, lighting the incense and offering a small prayer.

Shizuka inhaled the cookies, a smile briefly appearing on her face. "Mama added toffee and chocolate chunks. You have got to try these Tsuna." She says happily. I think I'll pass. Tsuna thought. "Why are you really here? That man hasn't visited for two years, why would he be so interested in education?" Tsuna demands, Shizuka nodded in agreement.

Reborn tilted his fedora up with a smirk. "You're smarter than you look." Shizuka and Tsuna both bristled, feeling a wave of dread hit them. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Reborn, number one hitman and your tutor to make you into a respectable mafia don." Shizuka's framed picture began to shake as the air chilled. Tsuna backed himself up to the wall, not wanting to get caught in his sister's wrath. "GET OUT!" Shizuka's voice boomed, a cold wind blasting Reborn into the wall.

"Shizuka, stop it!" His sister advanced on Reborn, indigo flames radiating off of her. Now Reborn could clearly see the threat. "A Mist construct. Interesting." His pacifier gave off a yellow glow and Shizuka flinched, beginning to back away slowly. Her fierce expression was replaced by one of panic, not wanting to see what would happen if they touched her. She hovered in front of her brother, her small frame quivering. "Just leave us alone and go back where you came from!" She pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Reborn stepped forward, a shadow covering his eyes. "That's an impossible request. Tsuna is the only living candidate left to inherit the position. Unless you want your brother defenseless against future threats?" Shizuka winced, both at the guessing of her identity and the idea of her brother being in danger. Tsuna sighed. "Shizuka, let's trust him for now." He says as Shizuka gave him a betrayed look. "But Tsuna-" "If he was going to harm any of us, I doubt that we'd be alive right now." Shizuka raised an eyebrow at the phrasing. "Oh, you know what I mean!"

XoXoXoXoXo

An explanation was needed on both sides. After being shown three pictures of dead heirs, Tsuna was aware that he now had a target on his back. Shizuka was nowhere to be found, needing to "recharge" after using her flames to become visible. Usually she went off to a nearby temple, finding one of the keepers that lived on the grounds especially relaxing to be around. At least they didn't automatically try to send her off to the afterlife. "So I'm supposed to be the next heir to this family since dad is blood related to the guy that founded the organization?" Tsuna asks, surprised at how well he was grasping the situation.

Reborn nodded, Tsuna groaned. "That man is still a pain, even if he isn't physically here. What are you supposed to be teaching me anyways?" Tsuna asks, Reborn smirked. "You'll find out tomorrow, for now I'll be checking to see what I have to work with." His green chameleon shape shifted into a gun and he pointed it at Tsuna. "So start doing your homework, now." "Hieee!" Why did Shizuka have to disappear now?! Tsuna mentally wailed.

Shizuka sat atop a grave stone, it was still eerie knowing that her cremated remains were under the earth. Her appearance was more translucent than usual and she could barely muster the energy to hover off the ground. "If you don't let the boy solve his own problems, you'll never move on." One of the attendants says bluntly, leaning on his broom. Shizuka gave a bitter laugh. "In a world that seems determined to eat him up and spit him out? I don't think so. It's been a while Daichi." She greeted, Daichi gave her a nod.

"I hear you've been getting into more mischief. Hibari looked ready to kill when you turned his armband pink." Shizuka snickered. "He's such a stick in the mud, he needs to be brought down a peg or two. He needs to know that not everyone is terrified of him." She states, Daichi deadpanned. "That's because he can't physically strike you. One of these days you're going to run into something you can't scare off or faze away from." At the grimace she gave in return, he could guess that exact thing had happened.

"I didn't think it was possible but there's some guy masquerading as a baby that has flames like us. I think they were Sun flames, I might have to ask Natsumi later." Natsumi was another one of the rare people that could see Shizuka besides her own brother and Daichi. The teen had been fascinated that Shizuka was made up of two flames: Sky and Mist. She guessed Mist had been her original flame and the Sky flames had been assimilated into her being when she latched onto her brother as a child.

Daichi's brow furrowed. "A baby?" Shizuka groaned. "A fake one of course. I think he might be cursed, it would explain the negative energy that is caging the flame." Daichi gave an incredulous laugh. "You Sawadas certainly know how to get yourselves into trouble." "It isn't funny, that fake baby is nothing but bad news!"