Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Prologue

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She was humming.

It was off key and horrible. Utterly awful, really.

She had always been tone deaf.

Fon sat high up on a sturdy branch with his hands tucked into his sleeves. His eyes were closed as he listened to the sound of her voice, snickering to himself. Lichi was fast asleep, resting comfortably atop his head despite her terrible humming.

Today the sky was clear. Not a cloud in sight, all having tired of crying. Tired of dripping their tears onto those that clung to the past, to what used to be. Falling onto those that sat on trees with their eyes half closed, living in yesterday. Unappreciative of their melancholic beauty. Tired of those like him.

He and Lichi were deep in the forest where a house they knew all too well sat, almost forgotten; nestled in between mountains and inconspicuous nowhere. Not many ventured this deep into the mountain's woods – why would they? It was a perilous, tiresome journey. Besides, people these days didn't have the gall to live in such far off areas, nor did they want to. They preferred bustling cities over nature and the comforts provided by more technologically advanced gadgets than the simple joy one received from watching the setting sun sink into the trees. He didn't blame them, but this was a far more peaceful life.

Comfortable. Secure. Content.

A place where he could relax and let his worries drift away.

At least, it used to be.

The house was surrounded by a wooden fence. Old and small, but very sturdy. Made up of tatami mats, wood and sliding doors. It was a thing of the past. It's interior just the same. A furnace for a stove, a futon for a bed, and a candle for light. Right now though, the doors were open. Natural light seeping into the house like a bout of fresh air. It was always easier to keep an eye on her during times like these.

He uncrossed his arms and with a pleasant smile rubbed his tiny legs as a chilly breeze swept past him. His braid and pacifier fluttered carelessly in the wind. Perhaps he should have worn something warmer, it was almost winter, after all. The weight of the pacifier around his neck was a sore reminder of his regrets and his curse. But it was a fitting punishment. That's what happened to those that weren't content with where they stood. Seeking excitement was something he knew she wouldn't blame him for though. She was far too forgiving.

He opened his eyes and watched her as she tied her dark hair up into a loose bun and expertly wielded a large kitchen knife in her hands. A contrast to her usual clumsiness. Housework was perhaps the only thing she could do. The smell of food tainted the air, wafting up to his sensitive senses. It was a smell he loved, one he'd never forget. She was making Mapo Tofu. His favorite. How he longed to go down there for a taste. How long had it been since he was able to taste her cooking? Weeks, months, years – far too long.

Her eyes were filled with delight as she finished cooking, scurrying back into the house to set a table for two. Two bowls of rice, two chopsticks, two cups of Oolong Tea. She brought two servings of tofu out, but only filled her own plate. Next was a dessert that he was all too familiar with. Only one small serving that sat right in the middle. The centerpiece that completed it all.

"Happy anniversary," she muttered, clapping her hands together in thanks before digging right in.

Fon continued to watch her, fighting down the urge to come in and keep her company. Sit down before her like nothing was wrong, smile, and talk about events long past. She'd get angry, yell, and maybe even slap him. No. He was a baby. She wouldn't do that. Besides, she wasn't a fighter – never had been. Didn't have to be. He'd be damned if he ever saw the gentleness within her leave because of fighting – petty or otherwise.

She had always been his to protect. That wouldn't change. Still hadn't.

She ate slowly, savoring the flavor. Her eyes continued to drift to the empty space across from her. A frown tugging at the corner of her lips. Her hands were trembling and as he squinted, he realized that she was crying. Her soft sobs carried by the wind, but never echoing. She was wetting the table and her dress with her tears though she didn't seem to notice or perhaps she just didn't care. The latter was far more likely. She rubbed her eyes, taking out a handkerchief and unattractively blowing her nose as she tried to keep her tears at bay. To no avail. It only made her face puff up like a blowfish.

Fon, however, was persistent in his decision to silently sit there.

He was a boulder right now.

Unmoving and immovable.

"Fon," she cried, helplessly. Her voice was tiny and hoarse. Riddled with sobs in a way that made his heart ache. "I can't do this on my own."

Fon immediately stood. He didn't want to watch this any longer. Time broke waiting hearts. But that was something he'd always known. It just wasn't something he expected to see with his own eyes. Over and over again. He was about to leave, but stopped when he heard the rustle of leaves and smelt the familiar scent of stale alcohol. Who was it? Why were they here? What did they want?

With agile steps, he jumped from tree to tree until he stood high above a familiar blond donning a thin white tank top and orange jeans. A strange combination. But it fit him just right. He had a smile on his face, eyes tired from the long ride to China. Had Japan always been so far?

"What business do you have here, Sawada Iemitsu?" Fon asked, crossing his arms. Lichi awoke at the feel of a foreign presence and now sat on his shoulder. Alert and ready to prove a worthy distraction should the situation call for it.

"A letter," he said, holding a blank piece of paper between two fingers. He threw it in his general direction, letting the wind carry it up to him.

Fon caught it and without a moment's delay, used the light of his pacifier to reveal the secret message hidden there.

'Ciaossu,' he read, skimming the contents that were hastily scrawled by Reborn. 'I need your assistance to change events that will undoubtedly lead to an undesirable future. Meet me in Japan by tomorrow if you want to know more.'

"The future?" Fon asked, looking up at Iemitsu who carelessly shrugged. "Isn't it enough that I helped by agreeing to do the young Vongola head's trial once before? Now he wants me to do more? For something as intangible as the future, no less."

Fon didn't want to be tied down to helping someone again. Especially since he didn't know the length for which they required his assistance. Not to mention that he had only just gotten back from a rather satisfying journey deep into the mountains. He had done some rigorous training on top of enjoying the sights the highlands had to offer. It was all rather taxing, really. Especially for his small body. This was supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation for him. One he didn't want to ruin by going out of his way to help the Vongola family.

Sooner or later, they'd pass, a new head would be named, new members chosen, and he'd still be around. It was nothing new. He could do it with the next head. He had all the time in the world.

"Reborn said it's important and that you'd be shocked by the things he'd say," Iemitsu said, looking him right in the eye. In a way that told him that he'd have no qualms using force to bring him there. Not like that would work. But Fon didn't want to risk anything because she was close by. "So shocked that you'd willingly help him."

"Is that so?" Fon closed his eyes, thinking it over. It was rare for Reborn to say such a thing. A brief image of an adult Reborn holding his fedora and trusty gun came to mind. His suit always looking as if it were freshly pressed. It probably was.

"How is she?" Iemitsu asked, changing the topic to something more pleasant.

"She's fine," Fon muttered, vaguely. The image of her tear stained face coming to the forefront of his mind. It went ignored as he opened his eyes. He really had to stop doing that, he knew whose face awaited him whenever he did.

"That's good," he smiled. Bright and carefree. "That means the guards are doing their jobs."

"Thank you for that," Fon bowed his head slightly. The Vongola had assigned guards on a rotating schedule around her house and on her person, so Fon could travel whenever he wished. He didn't like owing people favors, but this couldn't be helped. But no matter how much he travelled, in the end something always tugged at him to come back here. He never left for too long. Not even when he was training his young apprentice, I-Pin.

"He told me not to say this, but," Iemitsu's voice turned immensely serious. "It also has something to do with her. You'll have to meet him to find out the rest of the details."

Fon stared Iemitsu down. His face a perfect mask of equanimity.

"What does this have to do with her?"

Iemitsu's eyes hardened. "Your future."

Fon continued to eye him, searching for any ounce of hesitation behind his eyes. He found none. So, with a conceding shake of his head, he agreed.

"Alright."

A/N: You won't see other canon characters a lot in this fic. It's my first time writing for the KHR fandom and I'm not confident enough to write for all the different families yet. This will be a short story fic, so it will be over fairly quickly. I tried to write out everything fluidly, so you won't get the feeling of rushed events. I don't want to deal with KHR canon because Fon doesn't really play much part in it and it would bother me if I just continuously went over canon again when I'm only writing for a minor character.

This will be fluffier compared to my other fics, so enjoy and let Fon make your heart race. If you want to see more information, previews, an updating schedule and an age chart, please visit my Livejournal. The URL is on my profile.

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