Warnings: Some cursing in Italian, also underaged drinking/smoking

Flame of Night

Chapter 2: Family

First days of school are always filled with anxiety. What does one wear? Will they be able to make friends? What if no one wants to sit next to them? Hours are spent in front of the mirror checking their appearance and double that amount of time is spent checking and rechecking their bag to make sure everything was set in place.

It was no different for Natsuki the following morning.

Her mind was racing with disquiet thoughts, apprehension willing every corner of her brain. She had woken up at the crack of dawn, unable to ease her troubled mind. School was never difficult for her, getting good grades came easy to her. What worried her most were the classmates she'd be facing today. Give her a room full of mafioso men and she'd be able to talk her way into getting anything she wanted, but a classroom of teenaged peers? She may have some trouble today.

Natsuki wasn't a mean person, but she was easily withdrawn. She preferred to keep to herself bar for a few of her closest friends and family. Within the mafia she had slowly been building up her reputation. It was easy getting along with others when those others had a form of respect for her. But her classmates-to-be had no clue about what she was capable of. They didn't know what to expect from her and the reverse also applied.

She had no idea what to expect from them.

The only known truth was that teenagers were unpredictable. They could be ridiculously kind, ridiculously cruel and ridiculously stupid. The uncertainty of the situation made her uncomfortable.

Once Natsuki finished checking her bag again for the fifth time that day she made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She wasn't sure what to do. It wasn't her kitchen and she was alone. It didn't feel like for her to cook using ingredients she hadn't purchased herself. The Sawada's were already giving her a place to stay, abusing her privileges – especially on the first morning – didn't seem right at all.

"Natsu?" The calm and soothing voice of Tsuna's mother floated through the air. "My, how nice to have company in the morning for once."

"Sorry to disturb you," Natsuki bowed slightly.

"Don't apologize!" Her smile was beautiful and honest. "Like we said, make yourself at home here."

Natsuki watched as she pulled out a frying pan and a cutting board. She was such a mother. Her presence brought a sense of peace that Natsuki had been searching for all night as she tossed and turned in bed.

"Can I help?" Natsuki asked as walked towards the counter ready to offer her hands in payment for room and board.

"I usually make breakfast and bento boxes in the morning," Nana explained. "Which task would you prefer today?"

"Hmm…" Natsuki debated. "I'm a better baker than I am as a cook…would you be okay with pancakes this morning?"

"I would love pancakes!" Nana agreed happily. "I'm sure the kids would love pancakes too. Lambo-kun has such a big sweet tooth, he'll love it."

Natsuki smiled, relaxing into the flow of the kitchen. She cracked her eggs, poured the flour and added in the sugar, ready to mix up the pancake batter. She found a bag of chocolate chips and a box of blueberries and happily settled on creating her two favorite types of breakfast pancakes.

"PANCAKES!" Lambo shouted as he came running into the kitchen. "Maman! Maman! Lambo-san's going to eat everything!"

"Lambo! Share!" I-pin followed after, chasing the cow printed onesie wearing boy around the kitchen table.

Nana bent down to their level, "No running in the kitchen. It's dangerous." She lifted up Lambo into his seat as I-pin managed to climb into her seat by herself. Reborn and Bianchi were the next ones to arrive in the kitchen, both making themselves their cups of coffee before taking their seats.

"You have such a lively home, it's wonderful," Natsuki said watching the lively characters making conversation (arguments in Lambo's case) with each other.

Nana laughed. "It is quite lively here –" she paused her sentence so she could focus on her tamagoyaki. "—it used to just be Tsu-kun and me. It never seemed lonely back when it was just the two of us, but I can't imagine living a life like that anymore. Having everyone here is such a blessing."

Natsuki placed her stack on the table at the same time that Fuuta managed to arrive at the table. The young boy rubbed his eyes awake before greeting everyone.

"Natsu-neechan's pancakes are ranked within the top three best tasting pancakes in the world!" Fuuta announced happily as a stack on pancakes landed onto his plate.

"If Fuuta says so then it must be true," Bianchi said as she took a bite.

"My stupid student is going to miss these for sleeping so much," Reborn sniggered as his eyes glinted towards the stack of pancakes he took from Lambo. Lambo did his best to retaliate but he was sent flying regardless.

"Natsu, dear, can you go try to wake up Tsuna? He's going to be late for school if he doesn't get up soon," Nana asked as she finished packing up the lunches for the day.

Natsuki nodded as she made her way upstairs. She knocked on Tsuna's door once, then twice, before she turned the knob and made her way towards his bed. Reborn had laid out traps – surely to test his student – but Natsuki easily avoided them.

"Tsuna, time to wake up," Natsuki said as she poked his cheek with her finger.

"Kyoko-chan," he said the name dreamily, drool dripping down the corner of his lips.

"Surprisingly adorable for a future Mafia boss," Natsuki whispered quietly to no one but herself.

"No mafia, Reborn," Tsuna spoke as his brows started to knit together. "I told you, I'm not going to be Vongola Boss."

Natsuki frowned hearing the words coming from his mouth. She sighed, slightly disappointed at the refusal despite it being a dream. She shook her head before shaking Tsuna awake. "Tsuna, you're going to be late if you don't wake up."

Tsuna flipped around, hugging his pillow tighter as he kicked off his blanket like a child.

Sighing again Natsuki decided on the best way to wake him up.

"What? Is that Kyoko-chan waiting for Tsuna downstairs?" she said the words loudly and clearly causing Tsuna to sit upright instantly.

"KYOKO-CHAN IS HERE?!"

"No," Natsuki deadpanned as she carefully made her way to the door. She spun around at the door, sent a smirk and a wink towards Tsuna. "She's not here. Too bad too, you look cute when you drool in your sleep."

Tsuna heard her giggles from the hallway, face turning red and leaving him frazzled and embarrassed. 'This girl is going to be the death of me,' he thought inwardly.

"I can't believe I'm actually leaving the house on time today," Tsuna said as he and Natsuki were putting on their shoes for school.

"Get used to it," Natsuki commanded adamantly. "If there's anything about me that you should know it's that I'm never late. Apparently, I get that trait from my father."

"Maybe it's a trait passed down from father to children because my dad is still sleeping," Tsuna sighed as the snores from Iemitsu could be heard between the floorboards of the house.

Natsuki laughed at the joke. "To be fair, it is a seven hour time difference."

"I don't see you using that excuse," Tsuna pointed out. "And if I were you, I definitely would've tried using it to miss school today. There's a mathematics exam today."

"Math is one of my str—"

"JUUDAIME!" Gokudera interrupted as he came running towards the front of the house. "I came by early to make sure that there were no issues from last night!"

"Issues?" Tsuna asked confused and slightly exasperated at having to handle Gokudera's antics so early in the morning.

"He means me," Natsuki sent a glare directly towards Gokudera, only for her glare to be returned.

Tsuna paused for a moment, remembering how he had been woken up by Natsuki. Although embarrassing, he was able to wake up earlier than usual and he was even able to enjoy breakfast for once instead of having to gobble it down quickly. "No issues, she made pancakes this morning."

"Pancakes?" Gokudera stared Natsuki up and down before sighing and tenderly hitting the back of her head. "Didn't sleep last night? Nervous about today then?" Gokudera turned to explain to Tsuna. "She makes pancakes when she doesn't sleep well the night before."

"Oh," Tsuna said finally understanding. "First day jitters?"

"It's been a while since I've gone to such a regular public school," Natsuki explained. "I was always either homeschooled, sent to boarding school or at some sort of Mafia training camp in Italy."

"Don't worry," Reborn said as he jumped onto Tsuna's shoulders knocking him down in the process. "Dame-Tsuna will make sure you have a good first day."

"Reborn! Would you quit jumping on me?" Tsuna argued as Gokudera frantically tried to help him back to his feet.

"Dame-Tsuna, you should be more prepared for potential attacks," Reborn laughed before gently hopping onto Natsuki's shoulder. "But don't worry, Tsuna's family will watch out for you."

Tsuna rubbed the back of his head. Although groggy he nodded at the words that Reborn had said. Gokudera, still his usual obstinate self, also nodded towards Natsuki. As the group rounded the corner nearing the school they ran into Kyoko and Ryohei.

"Onii-san!" Tsuna said surprised to see Ryohei in his new Namimori High school uniform. "We haven't seen you in a while! How's high school?"

"EXTREMELY EXCITING SAWADA!" He shouted at the top of his lungs before going into detail about all the extreme activities that he's participating in now.

"Oh? Tsuna-kun, who's this?" Kyoko asked when her eyes noticed Natsuki observing the energetic Sun Guardian.

"Ah! Kyoko-chan!" Tsuna sputtered out as his face reddened. "This is Natsuki Himura, she's starting at Namimori today. She uh—"

"I'm a friend of Gokudera's from Italy. I came here on some family business," Natsuki said trying to cover for Tsuna who didn't want to give the full details to Kyoko. "So…you're Kyoko-chan? I heard so much about you from Tsuna."

Tsuna's face reddened as he recalled the dream, he had been interrupted from by Natsuki. Kyoko – partially confused – just smiled and went about trying to get to know the new student that would be joining their school that day. The two girls walked off away from the group of guys.

Ryohei, watching his sister walk away with the unfamiliar girl, turned to Tsuna and Gokudera and said, "Is something happening again?"

"I'm not sure," Tsuna said shaking his head. "She arrived with my dad looking for some answers about her flame, but no one knows anything. She doesn't give me the feeling that she's a bad person though."

"She said she's your friend, Tako he-do?"

"We met each other at a Vongola function, and she forced me into becoming her friend," Gokudera ruffled his hair with his fingers, frustrated. "She was a pain in my ass. Her grades were better, she was better at fighting and, unlike me, despite being a half-breed every family wanted her to join." He placed his hands in his pocket shaking his head. "She can be cruel and sadistic to her worse enemies, she's a liar and trained at manipulation…but she's a good friend to have."

Tsuna looked at Gokudera's face. Even with his hyper intuition, reading it was difficult for him. He'd never faced a version of Gokudera like this. His friend's face was so calm and…confused? Gokudera was one of his smarter friends, but at the moment he looked so troubled and Tsuna wasn't sure what to do or say. Tsuna was used to Gokudera trying to win him over with praise and misguided attempts at "helping" him but this version was distracted from his desire to be Tsuna's right hand man.

Gokudera walked away towards the school building, surprisingly leaving behind Tsuna as he went to gather the memories that plagued his mind.

Ryohei, concerned, said to Tsuna, "He's extremely different today."

"Those two have a long and complicated history from back when they were in Italy," Reborn explained. "Gokudera is probably spooked by her sudden arrival."

"Complicated history?" Tsuna asked his mentor.

"Watch over your guardians, Tsuna," Reborn ordered without answering the confused looks coming from Tsuna and Ryohei. "And you two will be late for school if you keep standing there."

And – just as Reborn planned – his student was distracted from the questions he was asking and ran off towards his school, late and in a panic as per usual. The home tutor had a lot of faith in his student, he wouldn't have stayed so long with him if he didn't. But the very length of time that he's been with Tsuna was one of his biggest concern. Tsuna's time was beginning to run out before his official decision for becoming boss was needed and the ninth sending Natsuki here was clearly a sign that things were going to start moving faster from now on.

The girl may not be aware, but nothing went past Reborn. If Vongola Nono was sending one of the most promising – and dangerous – family members to get close to Tsuna then it can only mean that trouble was rising. What that trouble exactly was, though, was still a mystery for the hitman.

Tsuna barely made it on time for school. His mind was still stuck on what Reborn said about Gokudera and Natsuki's past. He glanced at his Storm Guardian and realized that he really didn't know much about his friend at all. Classroom gossip pulled Tsuna away from his thoughts. His classmates were abuzz with word of a new transfer student joining their classroom today. Speculations were made; male or female, smart or athletic, good looking or average?

"Sounds like everyone's excited to see Himura-san today, huh Gokudera?" Tsuna commented trying to make small talk. It wasn't his strong point but seeing Gokudera acting so strangely left Tsuna feeling the need to try something.

"Mhmm," Gokudera replied absently.

"Um, are you ready for the math exam today?" Tsuna continued trying again to reach his guardian.

"Juudaime?" Gokudera questioned seeing the odd behavior coming from his boss.

"I'm nowhere near ready for it!" Tsuna laughed awkwardly. "But you're smart, Gokudera, so you'll do great as usual!"

Gokudera's distant look instantly disappeared. Tsuna relaxed seeing the usual excitement return to Gokudera's eyes. Gokudera relished in the praise that came from his boss. Talks of being his righthand man returned and offers for helping Tsuna study came bursting out from Gokudera along with propositions to make anyone who stood between Tsuna and a good grade "go away" if needed.

"Looks like you're back to normal," Tsuna commented to Gokudera. "I was worried because you seemed more distant than usual this morning."

"Juudaime…" Gokudera seemed surprised. "I'm sorry!" He bowed deeply, causing some of their classmates to focus on the two of them. "There's been a lot of things going on in my head recently, but I swear to you that nothing will get in the way of me serving as your righthand man!"

Some of their classmates sniggered hearing Gokudera's proclamation to Tsuna. Yamamoto appeared, patting Gokudera on the back dissipating the looks of confusion from the students surrounding them. Yamamoto's calming presence and good-natured personality left any oddities overlooked making anything said appear as if it was just a game.

Natsuki observed the class from just outside the window, waiting for the teacher to return so her presence could be officially announced. Her nerves from this morning were starting to return.

'You've faced entire mafia families, don't let a bunch of teenagers get to you now,' Her inner voice said to herself.

She glanced once more into the room, catching a friendly smile and wave from Kyoko. Talking with her this morning definitely calmed down her nerves. Natsuki was never the type who made many female friends. Growing up in the mafia, she was mostly surrounded by men and the few females she did come across were usually pretty hostile. Throw in the fact that her closest friends were all attractive guys and she definitely made a few enemies in public schools.

'Hopefully this time will be different,' her inner voice said to herself again.

The teacher returned from the office. She gave a reassuring smile to Natsuki before heading into the classroom ready to begin homeroom.

"Sorry for being late, hopefully you all used the extra time to get your belongings in check and your heads out of the clouds," she said with an air of humor. She seemed nice, fair but stern. Out of all the homeroom teachers Natsuki had come across with, this one seemed like she was on the better end of the spectrum. "Now, as I'm sure you've all heard, we have a new student joining us today." She motioned for Natsuki to enter. "Natsuki Himura, she's coming to us all the way from Italy so please be kind and help with her transition."

The eyes of the students – particularly the boys – looked intrigued. Natsuki was by no means ugly, in fact, some might even describe her as a beauty. Hands were raised, and questions (or more like interrogations) were asked. Luckily, the teacher demanded for the students to quiet down and assigned her the seat located in front of Tsuna and beside a sullen looking girl wearing an eyepatch. Natsuki had heard enough stories about Tsuna and his guardians to be able to recognize her as Chrome Dokuro. The strange and awkward girl kept eyeing her throughout class leaving Natsuki feeling slightly worried that she was already off to a bad start at making friends. It also didn't help her that any form of eye contact with Gokudera were almost immediately rebuffed.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of their morning periods and the start of their lunch time, a flock of students immediately bombarded her desk. Tsuna, despite being directly behind her, could do very little in terms of helping his new housemate that his family had instructed him to watch over.

Yamamoto rubbed the back of his head, a look of concern forming on his face, "I don't know how to help her out of there, Tsuna."

"The-there's so many people! I don't even think half of them are in our class," Tsuna's concerns were growing as she saw Natsuki's face disappearing within the mob forming around her.

"Be a man and get the poor girl out of there, Sawada," Hana Kurokawa instructed.

"I'm getting worried about her too, Tsuna-kun," Kyoko looked worried for her new potential friend. "We should help her…"

"Boss…?" Chrome, shy as always, approached the group ready and willing to be of use if needed.

"Just, leave her," Gokudera advised.

"How can you say that?" Kurokawa was aghast at the suggestion.

"She's dealt with worse than a group of teenagers," Gokudera was adamant with his refusal to help. "I've seen her talk down Xanxus at the age of five and fight off crazier groups than this in Italy. Just give her another minute and she'll blow."

Tsuna, stunned by Gokudera's words, wasn't sure if he should believe Gokudera. "Are you—"

"Tre…due…uno—" Gokudera said softly before a small smirk appeared on his face and he pointed casually to the mob.

If the tension in the room took on a form, then it would've been dark. An invisible dark cloud rose from the crowded area and at the center of it was a fuming Natsuki.

"VIA! BASTA, BASTA, VAFFANCULO!" The seemingly sweet, transfer student cursed at her classmates before making her quick escape out of the room.

Gokudera snickered at the scene, pointed to the roof and said, "She's probably on the roof if you're worried." And walked out of the classroom, shaking his head at the outburst everyone had just witnessed.

Tsuna was the one elected to check on her. Quiet grumbles were made but regardless he went. Partly because Kyoko had agreed with the notion but primarily because – although nowhere to be seen – he felt the watchful eye of Reborn and heard the soft clicks of a shotgun getting ready to be fired directly for him. Choosing to keep in clothes intact and not wanting to face the agony of embarrassment, Tsuna made his way around the hallway and up the staircase towards the roof.

"Himu—" Tsuna's words were interrupted by a fierce throw of a pebble. Although small, the power behind it could rival that of Reborn's bullets.

"I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER ANYMORE QUESTIONS!" Natsuki hissed before realize who she threw the pebble at. "Dio mio! Tsuna!"

"Ouch," Tsuna mumbled as he rubbed the spot that the pebble hit. "Are you okay, Himura-san?"

"I should be the one asking you that," Natsuki sighed as she knelt beside the young Vongola. "I'm sorry about the pebble…"

"It's okay, I'm used to it. Reborn is always shooting me in the head," He laughed it off.

"Uncle Reborn's bullets aren't anything to laugh about," Natsuki said seriously. "It takes serious strength of will to be able to survive them."

"I wouldn't consider it strength," Tsuna said recalling the past two years of constant attacks from the hitman. "Usually it just results in me running around in boxers."

Natsuki giggled at the thought. "I remember that happening to Dino-nii back when he was training with Uncle Reborn. Although a funny sight, it doesn't take away from the strength needed to withstand the effects of the Dying Will Bullets."

"So, you know Dino-san?"

"Dino-nii would always visit the Vongola headquarters on family business. He would always bring me gifts during each of his visits," Natsuki smiled, relaxing into the conversation. "He's such a doting, big brother type."

"I guess that's a good way of describing him," Tsuna nodded his head agreeing with her.

"You've been his favorite ever since Reborn took you on at his student," Natsuki stated. "He said that he's happy that he isn't receiving the brunt of Reborn's training methods anymore."

A loud sigh escaped from Tsuna's mouth. His head hung in defeat but when he heard the giggles coming from Natsuki he smiled. "I'm glad that you seem more relaxed now. Sorry we couldn't do anything about the other students."

"I'm sorry you had to see my temper like that," Natsuki hugged her knees tightly against her body, sitting fetal position.

"Don't worry about it," Tsuna said kindly before a loud growl escaped from both Natsuki and Tsuna's stomachs. "Oh, I almost forgot—" Tsuna said reaching behind him. "—I brought our lunches up."

Natsuki held the pink bento box in her hands. It was a good-sized box, decorated with dainty white floral patterns. The contents of the box, although simple dishes, were filled with love and care. Tsuna didn't pry into Natsuki's thoughts, it just wasn't his style. He sat beside her, crisscrossed apple sauce, smiling so gently at the food that his mother had created.

"I can see why your dad loves you and your mother so much," Natsuki said the words in almost a whisper.

"He talks about us?" Tsuna asked in between mouthfuls of rice and eggs.

"He does," Natsuki said. "He can be a loud and boisterous man, but when he talks about you and your mother his voice is soft and gentle, filled with love."

"What was it like growing up with him?" Tsuna asked as he stared up towards the sky.

"He likes to tell stories," Natsuki said. "After I lost my parents, he was the closest thing I had to a parental figure in my life. He would tell me stories about them, he always said that I had my mother's temper—" She laughed softly. "But his favorite subject was always you."

"Hmm," Tsuna mused, thoughts swirling around the image of his father that he held in his mind.

The two of students finished the rest of their lunches in comfortable silence. Neither one wanted to continue with the topics of their parental situations. Natsuki was surprised by the aura surrounding Tsuna. The way that the young boss sat, upright and filled with melancholy, was very different compared to the boy she had to wake up this morning. It was almost like there were two different versions of Tsuna.

The rest of the school day went by smoother than Natsuki had anticipated. After her outburst during their breaktime, the students learned to steer clear from crowding her. Aside from a small mishap during gym class (a volleyball that was spiked by Natsuki a little too aggressively) and a small argument during class concerning the school festival happening after Summer break (Gokudera wanted Tsuna to be the primary focus of their exhibit) Natsuki's first day at Namimori Middle School went by without much concern.

The biggest shock for her was when Kyoko invited her to join her after school to eat cake. Natsuki was sure that after her Italian curses from this morning she would be iced out completely by everyone in class. Instead, she was packing up her bag and leaving the school alongside Chrome and Kyoko (Hana had cram school) so they can eat cake in the Namimori shopping district.

They do say that a Mafia family is a reflection of their boss.

Kyoko was kindness personified, Natsuki observed, and that was just a reflection of the family that she had joined under Tsuna's wing. Natsuki wasn't used to it. Kindness seemed childish to her, almost foolish. The world was not kind, especially not the mafia world, and yet, here she was surrounded by kindness.

"Haru-chan!" Kyoko greeted as she went into a small sprint towards the darker haired girl wearing a different uniform. She was quick to make friendly introductions before placer Chrome and Natsuki at a table in the corner of their favorite restaurant as Kyoko and Haru insisted on bringing the 'best Chocolate cake to have ever existed' according to them.

"Um," The shy girl sat beside her spoke up for the first time. "Nice to meet you."

Natsuki was confused for a moment. The two of them had interacted throughout the school day.

"I didn't say it earlier…" Chrome said the words softly – hesitantly – and a bright blush formed on her cheeks and her gaze was quick to avert any form of eye contact.

'Was this why she kept looking at me today?' Natsuki thought inwardly.

"Nice to meet you too," Natsuki smiled at the gentle girl and cake was quick to arrive, being equally divided up between the four of them.

Natsuki had heard talk within the Mafia Underground about the strength of the Vongola family, especially rumors of the fearsome 10th generation. Tsuna and his family were feared and many saw him as a threat, but being surrounded by the three of them, Natsuki found it hard to believe that they were connected to anything at all.

"Ah, I am so full! Maximum capacity," Haru said in broken English as she leaned back in her seat, slouching her posture to give herself room to breathe.

"Natsu-chan, I swear we only do this once a month," Kyoko agreed as she relaxed into her seat. "Twice at most, but only during a bad month!"

"We did these three times that one month when we came back from the future," Haru admitted before quickly putting her hand over top her mouth realizing her mistake. "Hahi!"

"I've heard about what you all had to go through," Natsuki reassured. "I was raised by the Italian side of Tsuna's family, so I've been told some of the stories."

"That explains why you're staying with Tsuna-kun," Kyoko announced after connecting the dots.

"Hahi? You're staying with Tsuna-san, desu?" Haru looked aghast at the thought.

"Um, yes?" Natsuki answered still confused on why the girl suddenly looked angry.

With fire burning in her eyes, she pointed her finger at Natsuki and declared, "Haru will not lose! I'm going to be Tsuna-san's wife!"

Chrome and Kyoko looked at the two of them amused at the declaration of war that Haru had just proclaimed.

"The role's all yours," Natsuki stated, hands up in defense. "Although, growing up in the mafia world, I don't really know why you want in so badly. A lot of the people are mean and corrupt."

"Not Tsuna-san!" Haru asserted. "He protects us and works his hardest to make sure everyone is safe, and every day is fun with him!"

"Tsuna-kun is very reliable," Kyoko said backing Haru up. "He's a little strange, but he's definitely a good person."

Natsuki found herself amused at the two girls continued to tell her stories about Tsuna. They regaled her with stories of Vongola style parties, different battles they had witnessed or heard of from afar and many stories about a boxer wearing Tsuna running around town.

"What do you think about Tsuna?" Natsuki asked Chrome who seemed to be smiling along to the stories about the Vongola boss.

"Boss is my connection to someone important," Chrome said quietly. "But he's very kind to me."

"He sounds like a pretty good boss then," Natsuki agreed as she sipped on her cup of coffee.

"He's not really a boss," Haru crossed her arms, face contorting looking for the right words she wanted to say. "Haru thinks that Tsuna-san is more like a really good friend!"

"Haru and I still don't understand the full extents of everything that Tsuna has been going through," Kyoko announced quietly. "But he makes the people around him want to support him."

Haru and Chrome nodded at her words.

"I think I know what you mean," Natsuki agreed remembering the lunch hour she had with him up on the school roof.

That evening, Gokudera opened the door to Natsuki. She entered his apartment before an invitation was offered and she was quick to put the contents of the plastic bag onto his kitchen table.

"What do you want?" Gokudera asked irritated at the sudden intrusion.

"Let's talk, I brought cake," Natsuki stated as she went to raid his refrigerator for drinks.

"That's not yours to take," Gokudera complained when he saw her pulling out the bottles of Peroni he had hidden in the back of his fridge.

"You're not even legal yet," Natsuki pointed out. "Besides, how many times did you take my drinks back in Italy?"

"Half the time you were too drunk to even hold them steady, let alone keep drinking," Gokudera rolled his eyes before taking the seat on the table. "So, what do you want?"

Natsuki brought two small plates, a knife and a couple of forks to the table before taking her seat across from him.

"You found a good family, Hayato," Natsuki said as she took a sip of the cold beer.

"Don't call me that, it gives me the creeps," Gokudera shivered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with his fast reflexes.

Natsuki looked around his apartment and noticed the piano. "You still play?"

"I use it as an extra table," he puffed out a stream of smoke as he offered it for Natsuki. "So out with it, what do you really need?"

She took it gratefully. "Has Ren tried to contact you since you came to Japan?"

"Don't you think you would know if he did?" he glared. Natsuki held his gaze and raised at eyebrow. Gokudera clawed at his head. "He sent a letter."

"I thought so," Natsuki commented as she took a bite of her cake. "Don't let him get to you. Just ignore him, you have your family now, and your boss is worried."

Gokudera took another puff before smashing the butt down onto his ash tray. "Do you know what he wrote to me?"

"No," She shook her head. "But I can guess."

"Ricorda il tuo giuramento," Gokudera said the words out loud.

"Remember your oath," Natsuki translated.

"He wants me for something," Gokudera explained. "He sent it three months ago. No communication since but I think he's coming to collect soon."

"That's why you've been acting so weird around me," Natsuki analyzed. "You thought I was coming to collect for him."

"Can you blame me?" Gokudera huffed, looking away from her gaze and taking an angry bite of cake.

"You know you're more family to me than he is, right?" Natsuki questioned. "I'd always choose you over anyone."

"Coming from Ren's lover, I'd hardly consider that to be truth," Gokudera glared.

"Former," Natsuki clarified before glaring back. "Besides, we made our oath to each other before he ever came into the picture."

"We were five," Gokudera stated.

"An oath is an oath, or should I get the Vindice?"

Gokudera continued to glare at Natsuki, gaging her honesty. She didn't waver, not even for a moment. Gokudera nodded, happy to have found an ally in Natsuki again.

"I'm glad that you're on my side, but that doesn't stop Ren," Gokudera grumbled. "It might even piss him off more."

Natsuki nodded her head agreeing that Ren – when angry – could be a horrible enemy for a person to have. "He didn't want me coming here."

"No surprise there," Gokudera commented as he finished off his beer. "How'd you two break up?"

"As usual. Unfinished, unfinalized and unofficial. At least according to him," Natsuki crossed her arm and leaned back into her chair.

"Were we all really friends at one point?" Gokudera asked.

"We were," Natsuki answered. "At one point, we were."

The two sat in depressing silence for a long time. Neither could figure out a way to solve the issues that their previous boss proposed.

"Argh! Damn it," Gokudera ruffled his hair violently. "He hasn't even done anything yet and he's already getting to us like this!"

Natsuki leaned forward, elbows on the table, index fingers rubbing at her temples trying to heal the headache forming. She sighed, aggravated. "We're at a stalemate right now. Whoever makes the next move decides what happens."

"So, what do you propose?"

"Nothing," Natsuki stood from the table, crossed her arms and started pacing the area. "We can't do anything until I can get back to Italy and I'm not allowed back until I figure out how to use my flames."

"I guess we can start with that tomorrow," Gokudera reasoned.

"Got any ideas?"

Gokudera's next thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. The two teenagers gulped, worried that this would be the collection that Gokudera had been anticipating. Natsuki, ushered for Gokudera to answer the door.

"It's your apartment," she growled.

"Coward."

"Oath!" She said.

"That's not how it works!" Gokudera argued back despite still heading for the door. "Juudaime?! Please come in!" Gokudera's face lit up, he instantaneously rummaged around his apartment looking for things to offer to Tsuna. "I have cake, Juudaime!"

"Hey, that's my cake, Hayato," Natsuki said. "But you can have some. Want a beer? Gokudera has plenty."

"Ju-Juudaime! Don't listen to her," Gokudera said desperately after seeing Tsuna's look of surprise at the opened bottles of beers on the table. "I'm just holding it for a friend!"

"Friend, my ass," Natsuki muttered to herself.

"Gokudera-kun, it's okay," Tsuna said trying to calm Gokudera down. "My mom just told me to come here to walk Natsuki home."

Gokudera puffed out his chest and stood confidentially – a stark contrast to just a few moments ago when he was stuck thinking about Renaldo. "Allow me to escort you home, Juudaime!"

"It's okay, Gokudera-kun," Tsuna reassured. "You're already here and it's late. We'll be okay walking back."

Gokudera bowed. "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, Juudaime! I shouldn't have allowed this idiot to stay for so long."

Natsuki placed a playful karate chop to Gokudera's head, "The 'idiot' part was unnecessary." Natsuki grabbed her bag and put on her shoes. "If anyone's an idiot it's you."

"Stupid girl," Gokudera muttered.

Natsuki was preparing to make a retort but seeing the faint smile and slightly relaxed shoulders on Gokudera made her stop. It had only been two days since her arrival, but at least the stiffness coming from Gokudera had dissipated. The two old friends had much bigger problems rising up for the two of them and any strangeness in their relationship had to be dealt with immediately.

Tsuna led the way back to the Sawada residence since Natsuki still had no idea where anything was. It was a miracle that Chrome's directions on how to get to Gokudera's house had worked for Natsuki.

"Are you okay, Himura-san? It's pretty cold tonight," Tsuna observed.

"I'm okay," Natsuki answered. "And didn't I tell you to call me Natsu?"

Tsuna scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. "To be honest, it's a little strange for me."

"You call Kyoko-chan, Haru and Chrome-chan by their names," Natsuki pointed out.

Tsuna shook his head before showing Natsuki his Vongola Gear. A soft growl could be heard coming from the Lion head. A soft glow formed, and a shy little lion cub came out. "His name is also Natsu."

"That's the famous Vongola Gear, so this is…?"

"My box weapon, although I guess he isn't really in a box anymore." The lion cub hid behind Tsuna's legs. "Natsu, stop hiding. She's a friend, and didn't I say not to come out on your own?"

Natsuki bent down to greet the little lion cub. "Hi, Natsu, I'm Natsu." Natsuki held out her hand, allowing the cub to decide for himself if Natsuki was considered a friend. The cub sniffed her hand a few times before relaxed and easing himself for a pet.

"Natsu is a lot like you. Shy but gentle," Natsuki said. "There are a lot of stories in the Mafia community about how fearsome you and your box weapon are in battle."

"Yabai," Tsuna gulped, worry lines forming along his forehead.

Natsuki giggled as she picked up Natsu into her arms for more pets. "Trust me, in the Mafia you want people to be scared of you. The more they fear you, the less likely they'll come after you."

"Then why do scary people keep coming into my life to try and attack me?" Tsuna said looking over his shoulders at every corner possible. "Ever since Reborn, it's been one thing after the next."

"You'll be okay, you have a strong family looking out for you," Natsuki said. "Chrome-chan spoke very highly of you today, and Kyoko-chan and Haru told me about all the times you've helped everyone. And believe me, it takes a lot for Hurricane Bomb Hayato to care about someone."

"Reborn said that you and Gokudera-kun have a complicated history…" Tsuna said the words carefully. It wasn't a question per say but Natsuki could tell he was itching for details.

"There's a lot of complicated history in the mafia world," Natsuki said. "But it isn't all bad. There's a lot of good that can come from it, like a family."

By the time they returned back to the house, most people were already in their pajamas. I-Pin and Lambo immediately leapt into Natsuki's arms, causing a frightened Natsu to return back to Tsuna's ring.

"Lambo-san smells cake!" Lambo sniffed at the bag that Natsuki held.

Tsuna watched as the group of children begged and pleaded for a sweet treat. His mother and father relented, agreeing to allow for some cake before everyone went upstairs for bed. He watched Bianchi helping his mother gather plates for everyone and smiled as Futa, Lambo and I-Pin regaled everyone with tales from elementary school.

Although he'd never want to admit it, Natsuki was right about one thing, being a part of the mafia was dangerous, but it did give him a family.

Translations:

Via! Basta, basta, vaffanculo - Italian for 'Go away! Enough, enough, f*ck off!'

Dio mio - Italian for 'oh my god'

Ricorda il tuo giuramento - Italian for 'remember your oath'

Yabai - Japanese for "it's bad"

Notes:

Excuse my story if it's a little slow at the moment. I'm trying to integrate my OC into the very large and very chaotic group without making everything seem too forced, while also inserting a bit of background for Natsuki and Gokudera. One of the things that KHR never satisfied me with was the lack of background for most of the characters so I was hoping to explore my own headcanons on the background. Maybe I'll write up snippets of their background into a separate fic or something at one point.

Also, I'm a sucker for slow burn, angst and pining which is what this story is going to be in terms of the romance, so why rush anything? lol

Thank you so much to empressakura655 and leofrick for their reviews! And thank you to everyone that followed and favorited my story! All of you really motivated me to keep writing! I hope I'll be able to hear feedback from everyone!