Chapter 3

I don't own Reborn! It belongs to Akira Amano.

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I trudge home, hunching a bit from the extra weight on my shoulder. Trails of wet footprints are left on the pavement. Gokudera staggers a bit and we both stumble forward. My heel digs into the ground, being the only thing that prevents us from face-planting.

"What are you, a baby taking its first steps?" I finally snap, fed up.

"Oh, I don't know, try minutes away from dying because of some stupid girl?" He snarks back.

"So ungrateful," I mutter, before raising my voice, "What kind of Mafioso doesn't know how to swim, anyway?"

He grimaces and doesn't reply. I smirk, revelling in my victory.

Someone's staring at you.

My head whips up to meet the stranger's surprised eyes. I refuse to let my cheeks flush as they eyes our dripping clothes dubiously. I glare at them and Gokudera joins me. Their eyes widen and they scurry away, a bit frightened from the power of our combined glare.

I let out a slight puff of breath as my head falls forward, bangs shielding my face, listening to Gokudera mumble about 'nosy civilians.'

Sasagawa incoming, the Voice says, mirroring my weariness. I tense up slightly.

"Tsuna-chan?" A cheery voice calls out.

This time my cheeks turn a deep shade of red, unable to stop. I turn around and clear my throat. Honey-brown eyes peer at me in concern.

"Yes, Sasagawa?" My voice comes out slightly warbled. The silver-haired bomber snickers. I squeeze his arm warningly.

"Are you alright?"

"Never been better." I start to turn away, tugging Gokudera along. A hand lands on my shoulder and I jerk forward, unable to react properly with another person draped over me. Kyoko interlocks our arms with a bright smile, taking advantage of my situation. Her eyes flick over me before they fall on the person beside me and she flashes him a glare. He glares back, not intimidated at all.

"Why are you so wet Tsuna-chan? Are you alright? Did he do something to you? Did he try to drown y-"

"I'm fine," I assure her, trying to banish the warmth in my chest when the Voice tells me that her concern is genuine. I hesitate slightly, before giving her a small smile.

"Thank you for asking."

I finally turn away as she releases me in surprise, not noticing the way her eyes widen as a deep blush steals across her cheeks.

"Tsu-chan!"

My scowl melts away, a bright smile lighting up my face as I catch sight of Mama. Gokudera stares at me, stunned at my change in demeanour.

I let go of him to wrap my arms around Mama. He lets out a yelp and stumbles, shooting me a glare after he steadies himself using the wall.

I breathe in her scent of home. A deep sigh escapes me as my muscles relax.

I finally break away from her as I notice Gokudera standing awkwardly to the side. I see Mama looking at him curiously.

I jab a finger at him. "This is, uhm, my... friend? Yes, my friend," I lie.

A bright smile lights up her face. And before I know it, she's behind me in a flash, happily chattering away about how 'Tsu-chan's finally brought a friend home!' as he backs away from her, more than a little flustered and confused. I crush the slight jealousy in my chest as I sigh in fond exasperation.

Taking two stairs at once, I run as I ignore the niggling feeling in the back of my brain. I pass by a black blur and freeze in place, backtracking my steps. Reborn leans against the wall in a cool detective pose. His chameleon(Leon) stares up at me with wide, unblinking eyes. Creepy.

We stare at each other for a whole minute before Reborn interrupts our staring contest.

"Not quite what I expected, Dame-Tsuna, but this will do."

He turns around and leaves me to deal with that cryptic answer. The Voice, surprisingly, doesn't have an answer either.

I rub my eye with my fist, blinking sleepily. I head downstairs, ignoring the clock displaying bright red numbers showing that it is six in the morning.

A familiar head of silver-octopus hair sits at the table as Mama cheerfully bustles around the kitchen. Reborn sits in front of him, scrutinising him.

A scowl forms on my face. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes snap to my pyjama clad form. There are cute little bunnies striking different poses on the neon monstrosity. His face morphs into a horrified expression before he decides to ignore it with a grimace of disgust.

"You see, Vongola Decimo, I don't leave my debts unfulfilled," he says, looking decidedly more comfortable when the tutor turns to stare at me, curious at how I would handle this.

He was uncomfortable?

Reborn's fault, it replies.

"Wait don't tell me you're going to offer your eternal servitude-"

"No!" He spits, standing up and slamming his hands down on the table.

"Ara, Tsu-chan, Hayato-kun, what a lively discussion you're having!" Mama exclaims, a sharp glint in her eyes. We immediately shut up. I take a seat at the table, glaring at Gokudera. Reborn smirks as he eats his popcorn, enjoying the show- where did he get that from?

The Voice has no answer for me, like always when it concerns Reborn.

Gokudera speaks, and this time his voice is softer. "I meant repaying what you did for me, dense idiot!"

I snarl at the insult. Mama sends me another warning glance.

I suppress my frustration as I push my chair away from the table, heading out.

"I'm going out for a run," I call out.

Gokudera gets up too, but heads in the opposite direction.

I feel a weight on my shoulder and sigh, already knowing who it is.

"Ten rounds, Dame-Tsuna," Reborn says in his squeaky voice. I'm about to argue when something metal and cold is pressed to my neck. I suck up my complaints as I begin to increase my pace.

Stupid baby.

The gun presses closer to my neck.

"Don't try to insult me in your mind. I'll know."

I can explain! um...

Okay, I'm sorry, I can't.

Thank you for reading this anyway! (despite my irregular updates)

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