Reborn frowned as he watched Sawada Tsunayoshi though the window of the boy's room. He was expertly bandaging his wounds (both old and new from accidents, bullies, and whatnot) with a shaky hand (from the pain or the budding sickness from an infected wound, he wasn't sure). He was everything the report he received from Iemitsu said he would be: weak, shy, bullied, friendless - failing (not only in academics but in life).

How could he become the Vongola Decimo if he wasn't even fit to join the Vongola even as fodder?

(He didn't know how, but it was his job to find out.)

But that wasn't why he was frowning; what wasn't written in the report that was the real problem - how the boy was raised.

No, not raised because that implied that his parents were there for his student-to-be. With his father in Italy as the head of the CEDEF and his mother in her own little world, Tsunayoshi had no one to raise him.

(Just how out of it was Sawada Nana for her to ignore her own son - her own flesh and blood - when he tripped from the stairs right in front of her?)

He knew the boy would break if he trained (tortured his former student would say) Tsunayoshi to become the Vongola Decimo. But he also knew that he cannot afford - that he didn't know how - to be the source of kindness the boy needs in his life.

Kindness was not part of his job description as the world's greatest hitman. On the other hand, it was the job description of another man he knew very well.

He pulled out his phone and pressed "1". The phone was picked up even before the first ring was halfway over.

"Hello, Cub," a warm gentle baritone answered the phone.

"You know my current job, right?" he answered back, skipping the usual pleasantries.

"A favor from the Vongola." And it seemed that he still hasn't forgiven the Vongola.

"Yes. And I need help." Though he rarely (never) asked for help, Reborn was not arrogant (stupid) enough not to call for help when he needed it. And looking at his student, he needed all the help he could get.

The moment he said those words, the line got cut and he stared at his phone in shock. He didn't expect the man to turn him down because he always helped Reborn, even when he didn't ask for it. He was always there for Reborn; at least Reborn thought he was.

(Was his hatred of the Vongola more powerful than his lo-)

A pop to his left stopped Reborn's train of thought as he aimed his gun towards the intruder - a teenager with green eyes and messy black hair with a phone in his hand. He was obviously about to sleep - barefooted and clad in pajama pants - before he apparated to Reborn's side.

"What's wrong, Teddy?" the teenager asked with worry etched on his face, silently running to Reborn. Reborn lowered his gun and tilted his fedora downwards, ashamed of himself. How could he have ever doubted his man?

"It's Reborn, Dad," he said out of habit.

The taller brunet just shrugged, picking up and pulling Reborn to his bare chest. "I know, I know. But I thought you were in danger and old habits die hard," he mumbled into Reborn's fedora.

(This both warmed and chilled Reborn's heart - warmed because his dad was here because he loved Reborn more than he hated the Vongola; and chilled because Tsuna most likely never experienced this unconditional love and support Reborn was blessed with his whole life.)

"So, what's wrong?" his dad asked, sitting down on the roof and placing Reborn on his lap.

Reborn tried (and failed) to find the words to describe what was wrong (because everything wasn't an appropriate description though it was close) so he pointed at the open window of Tsunayoshi's room.

For a while there was only silence and Reborn glanced up. His dad seemed calm though his eyes shone with an unearthly glow, which usually inspired fear in all who saw it; all except for Reborn, who just smiled at the familiar sight.

"So, how can I help, Cub?"

Saving people was also his dad's job description. And Sawada Tsunayoshi needed saving.

Prologue - end.

note: it's not really plot relevant, but the whole conversation was in english.

thank you for dropping by and i hope you enjoyed your read~