Disclaimer: I do not own KHR nor any of the characters. No profit etc is made.

Summary: When weak unassuming Tsunayoshi accidentally helps the feared Hibari Kyouya to keep the peace of Namimori, it sparks off a friendship that Hibari, for the life of him cannot break, or regret. Non-mafia au 1827 friendship

A/N Just got back into the writing groove, this is an old idea that I only recently had time to write. I'll try to update this? I'll try, I promise.

Sawada Tsunayoshi does not know what he is doing.

The wind is stinging as he runs full speed at the trashed café and Tsuna is going in with full certainty that he will be beaten up. It has been five minutes since he's called the police and there is no tell-tale siren to signal incoming help. In his haste to help the poor old lady (who smiles kindly at him and waives his bill if he doesn't have enough money), Tsuna has forgotten that the Namimori Police are completely incompetent. Five minutes later and Tsuna is unfortunately reminded of this fact when the thugs look frighteningly close to beating up the cowering lady as they brandish their baseball bats with no sign of the police anywhere.

Ten year old Tsuna may be pathetically pathetic and a coward, but he knew the difference between 'right' and 'wrong'.

The door of the ruined café bursts open with an incongruous tinkle as Tsuna skids to a stop next to an overturned table.

"I'VE CALLED THE POLICE!" He screams, voice torn from his throat with alarming ferocity. The thugs freeze in the ensuing silence and even the old lady blinks at him in terrified confusion. Tsuna himself is holding his breath because that was no doubt, the stupidest thing he'd ever done.

Why, Tsuna silently laments, did he pick now of all times to gain a backbone.

All too soon the shock wears off and the thug with ugly green hair starts in menacingly on him, metal bat swinging innocently by his side. The worst moments of Tsuna's brief life loop in his mind starring the ferocious little Chihuahua as he opens his mouth, to scream probably but he'll never find out as a tonfa comes flying through the already broken window and clocks green-hair right in his ugly face, knocking him out.

A split second later, Hibari Kyouya follows and lands on green-hair in a crouch, gracefully retrieving his tonfa as he straightens. Tsuna can only see his imposing back but the amount of murderous intent in the air is enough to make a whimper escape from Tsuna as he falls onto his bum.

"I'll bite you to death." He says and the promise is easily carried out. An uppercut to the jaw, a kick to the stomach. Another more choked whimper leaves Tsuna as Hibari's tonfa easily blocks the approaching bat and the other tonfa smashes straight into the thug's nose with a sickening crunch. The battle barely lasts five minutes. Finally, the police arrive and proceed with a resigned air, mingled with terror as they sneak glances at the stony figure of Hibari. Throughout it all, Tsuna hardly dares to move and it's only when the old lady is safely away and the unconscious thugs removed from the scene of the crime that Tsuna realises he is still on the floor but now Hibari Kyouya is standing right in front of him.

"You called the police." Hibari says and through the panipanicpanic that is drowning him, Tsuna manages to nod. Hibari scrutinizes him and the sharp yet detached interest in his eyes manages to slice though the adrenaline still high in his system and calm him down.

"Next time, just call for me." Hibari says curtly and he leaves without a glance but there is something in his eyes, almost like approval or acknowledgement. Almost but not quite yet still close enough that Tsuna nearly glows from the warmth spreading through him. And in that moment, the world focuses beautifully right before his eyes, all sharp edges and bright colours.

When was the last time, Tsuna wonders, someone had looked at him like that?

It's a glorious feeling and Tsuna can't help but want to see that glimmer of approval in Hibari's eyes again. Somehow, Tsuna has the feeling that this won't be the last time he does something stupid. In fact, it feels like the start of a life of stupidity.

Tsuna grins all the way home.