Sorry for the late update! I've been working on a few other fics, including this one.

Enjoy!

It was now after school and Tsuna felt exhausted. Not the kind of tiredness he normally have when training with his father (he only calls Naruto that when at home or on his vulnerable days), but a deep seeded tiredness that makes one think that there's no possible way things will get better. The brunette was slumped on the couch next to the blonde who was munching on ramen.

"How was school?" Naruto threw out. Tsuna groaned with a depressing air about him. Gloom surrounded him as he managed to respond.

"Ugh..." He grunted as he rolled over to rest his head on his father-figure's lap. Naruto smiled, amused, and sat his empty bowl on the low table and ran his fingers through his pseudo-son's unruly hair.

"Oh, really? A little more in depth, please?"

"Mmgh...fight...weird...underwear...Kyoko..."

"Uh-huh. That must've been some day, ne? Well, I have a feeling that this won't be the end of it, chibi. A lot of things are coming your way, but you shouldn't worry. I'll be with you the whole time —every step of the way." He spoke softly. Tsuna's eyes became droopy as a small, tired smile appeared.

"Arigato, Tou-san..." the teen trailed off into sleep. Naruto kept silent as he caressed the brunette's hair. He understood why Tsuna thanked him and couldn't help but feel grateful if a little upset with Iemitsu Sawada. He knows who the father of his chibi is and he could understand why he is doing what he is, but that does not excuse him for practically neglecting his family. The least the man could've done was visit more often and not make Nana cry at night because of how miserable her married life is, or make Tsuna feel as if his birth father didn't care about him. Naruto will have some words with the other blonde.

Reborn watched silently from the threshold to the dining room. He wore a frown on his face as he observed the interaction between his new student and the strange blonde. The Sun Arcobaleno could feel the level of danger from the man, but he could not feel any hostility from him. Besides, why hasn't that idiot Iemitsu told him that there was someone else living with his family?

FLASHBACK

Tsuna was nearly seven-years old when Nana came in the living room with a squeal. Naruto and Tsuna was sleeping on the floor with paint covering their hands and clothes. The two were having a blast with painting and other activities of the day. Now, they were both tuckered out and in the blissful land of sleep.

Not anymore.

The squeal of the matriarch of the household caused both to rouse from their dreams. Tsuna whined and turned over to block out the sound of his mother's excitement. Naruto cracked open an eye before having to close it to yawn. He peaked up at the joyful brunette who was clutching a letter between her fingers.

"What is it, Nana-san...?" Naruto questioned sleepily. Nana rushed over to the two paint-splattered males and shoved the letter into his face. Tsuna finally decided to wake up fully with a big yawn. He rubbed his right eye as he curiously waited for his mother's response.

"Iemitsu will be coming home soon!" The gushing brunette squealed with a blush. Naruto froze at that and took on a pensive look. He knew it would be bad news if the husband of Nana came home to see him in his house with his family. Naruto has to find some way to not let the man know that an intruder, let alone another man, was living here.

Naruto made up his mind.

"Nana-san," said woman was cut from her thoughts, "I do not think it would be wise of me to stay any longer."

Nana was surprised.

"Why is that, Naruto-kun? I'm sure Iemitsu wouldn't mind." She tried to reason with him. Tsuna also looked up to him with scared and panicked eyes.

"No. I think it would be best if I did not show myself to him. It would just cause trouble and I do not want your marriage to be strained over the fact that I am living here —another man— in your house." Naruto explained as he stood up from the floor. Tsuna clamoured to his feet and clutched at the blonde's pants. He turned his teary eyes up to him when he caught the other's attention.

"Iie! Please don't go! I-I don't want you to leave!" He begged. Naruto gave a soft smile and lifted the boy into his arms.

"I don't want to either, Chibi, but I have to."

"B-b-but...!"

"Hey, hey! It's okay. I'll be back when he leaves. But you have to promise me you won't tell him that I was here, okay? Can you do that for me?" Naruto asked as he wiped a stray tear from the devastated child. Tsuna whimpered but nodded his head. Naruto smiled and placed a small kiss to the boy's forehead.

"Thank you, Tsu-kun. Now, no more tears. Where's my brave lion?" He asked. Tsuna sniffed and gave a fierce (read: cute) face with determination swimming in his eyes. Naruto smiled brightly and used one of his hands to ruffle the boy's soft hair.

"There he is! Now, behave for Nana-san, okay? I'll be back before you even know it." Tsuna nodded and gave Naruto a big hug. When he let go, the mostly-blond turned to a saddened Nana. He gave her a small smile a placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't look like that, Nana-san. This is nothing, really. Just...keep my existence a secret for now. Focus on him coming home and it won't even seem like I was here." Naruto instructed. Nana clasped her hands to her chest in worry.

"But where will you go? You've been living with us for a while and I would hate to leave you out on the street."

"Don't worry so much. I have the perfect hiding space and will be okay on my own. It won't be the first time I've had to hide out. Now," he set Tsuna on the floor, "I guess I should get to work in erasing my presence. It's not really hard to do."

FLASHBACK END

"Hey. Tsuna. It's time to wake up. Dinner's almost ready." Naruto shook the teen. Said brunet groaned and sat up while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He yawned and looked at the clock on the wall.

6:32 pm.

Blink. Blink.

…

"HIIIIEEEE! WHY'D YOU LET ME SLEEP IN SO LATE? NOW I'LL BE UP ALL NIGHT DOING HOMEWORK!" Tsuna panicked. Naruto raised an eyebrow at his reaction and huffed in amusement.

"Oh? Like the time when you were supposed to be studying for a math test but instead you chose to take a nap that lasted throughout the whole night and barely managed to get to school on time?" He mused. Tsuna blushed and glared at the smirking man.

"That was your fault and you know it! Mou~ Why do this always happen to me?" The younger male moaned pitifully. Naruto snickered and ruffled his hair.

"You worry too much, Chibi. You'll get to your homework in time." Naruto comforted as he got up to head into the dining room. Tsuna sighed and followed him inside.

In the room, Reborn was drinking an espresso and watching them from the corner of his eye. He kept a blank face as he observed the two setting up the table for the food to be placed. They were making light talk as Nana put the finishing touches to the dishes.

"Alright, minna! Dinner is ready!" She called attention with a big smile. Naruto went over and helped her distribute the food.

"Moouu~ Naruto-kun~! Just have a seat! I'll give you your food really soon." Nana pouted. Naruto had on a sheepish smile.

"But you know I don't like for you to everything by yourself, Nana-san." He protested. Nana started lightly pushing him toward the table and made him sit next to Tsuna.

"It's fine, Naruto-kun. Besides, a host always serve those at the table —especially when we have a new guest. I've told you that since day one." Nana lightly lectured. Naruto gave in with a sigh as Tsuna covered up a chuckle. This brought the attention of the Hitman.

"'Since day one'? What are you talking about, Maman?" He questioned the older Sawada. Nana turned to the infant with a beaming smile that soon turned nostalgic as she recalled to past.

"Well, Naruto-kun has been living with us for 8 years now. Tsu-kun and I were on our way home from grocery shopping when Tsuna ran into the street to catch an orange he dropped. There was a huge van heading toward him when I noticed he left my side. I called for him and was about to rush out to get him when I knew I wasn't going to make it. All I remembered hearing was a blaring beep from the van and a crash. I thought the worst when I didn't see Tsu-kun anywhere and nearly hysterical. I had noticed Naruto-kun not too far from me because I remembered seeing him on the other side of that rest due to his odd hair and saw him holding something. When he opened his arms, Tsu-kun was there: shaken, but okay. Little Tsu-kun invited him over and he's been staying with us since." Nana finished recalling. Reborn stared at Naruto as said man softly smiled and Tsuna blushed with a smile as well.

'Hmm… Interesting. This is something to definitely report to Nono. But I probably should inform him that Iemitsu should not be aware of a stranger in his home. Besides,' at this he smirked, 'I can't wait to see his expression when he finds out on his own.'

"Now, why don't we dig in?" Nana suggested to which Naruto and Tsuna both clasped their hands together and replied with an 'Itadakimasu!' Reborn did his more quietly and the quartet started eating.