I can't stress AU enough here (for BOTH fandoms), and as a result of this AU OOC is headed your way. I don't own Pacific Rim OR KHR. I just like these sandboxes and am about to have a blast with them.

DRABBLE SERIES? We'll see- depends on you.

Summary: Tsuna is looking at his mother, his grin strained and a little sad "At least I got to be what I've always wanted Mama" he told her. "A giant robot."

Nana choked on a half-sob half-laugh, hand over her mouth. "Just- just come back alive Tsu-kun."

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Tsunayoshi was 15 when the first Kaiju made landfall, when the war began and he realized exactly how fragile human life actually was. He was 15 when the Jaegers were made to fight back.

He came so, so close to losing his mother that day. Some of his classmates hadn't been so lucky. They lost friends, family and some had even lost their lives.

It causes Tsuna to focus. It was a wakeup call for everyone, but especially for Tsuna. He decided that day, looking out on all the destruction that he wanted it to stop. That he would make it stop. So he focused on the work that hadn't mattered before, but mattered now because he needed to pass to get into a Jaeger and protect his mom and the kids around him and the world, because suddenly it mattered and Tsuna was determined. He forced himself to sit down and devour the knowledge in front of him, and when he graduated, he went straight for testing. Tsuna is 18 when he first steps into Jaeger training.

He can remember sitting his mother down to talk about his choice. He remembered it was the first time they had argued. Not scream-and fight, but a high speed back-and-fourth debate that Tsuna won in the end.

The day before he leaves he can remember trying to comfort his mom, his grin strained and a little sad, but so, so determined because if Tsuna had ever been sure of one thing, it was that he was making the right choice no matter the danger of it. "At least I get to be what I've always wanted Mama." His grin gains a hint of fond remembrance as he continues the thought "A giant robot."

His Mama, his brave Mama, who was supporting his choice even if she was crying and scared choked on a sob that mixed with laughter at the memory of his 'what I want to be when I grow up' essay that she still had a copy of even now. "Just-" she cried "Just come home to me Tsu-kun."

And Tsuna doesn't promise that he will or that everything will be alright, instead he makes her a promise he can keep with everything that he was "I'll try Mama." All the while he makes himself a silent vow, mother and son both unaware of the way his chocolate eyes turn fire-orange, "I'll try to come home to you Mama, but I love you, and I want you safe even if I have to step in the way of monsters and gods, and no one will get in my way of protecting you with everything that I am. You're all that I have."

Tsuna leaves for training the next morning. He's rather surprised that under the harsh and unforgiving training for Jaegers he finds his wings and flourishes. The harder his instructors push him, the better he seems to do. He can't explain it, but if he had to guess Tsuna would say his flourishing has something to do with what is at stake for him (his mother who came so close to dying that day three years ago.) that pushes him past all the limits his teachers set for him. Tsuna breezes through the initial tests until the day comes for him to find himself his Partner. Someone he is Drift Compatible with. The Partner that will face monsters with him, who will share his mind-space.

Tsuna has no idea what possessed him to choose what he did that day. The best he can do is say it was like his instincts had been given a voice and enhanced and they had whispered 'Go' and he had been powerless to stop as he took the wooden weapon they were given to fight with and stepped up to face Hibari Kyoya.

Hibari had entered the Jaeger Program before Tsuna himself, but fighting in a Jaeger meant needing someone who was Drift Compatible to partner and fight with, and Hibari hadn't found that partner yet and so was there when Tsuna came in.

He's alone and no one had stepped up to test themselves against him, no one even made a motion to do so- the rumors about him preventing some, while memories prevented others- so Hibari stood alone and unchallenged.

Until Tsuna.

Tsuna isn't sure who is more surprised when he takes his weapon and stops in front of the man. Hibari or himself.

Tsuna can see it in Hibari's eyes- that doubt that they will be Compatible, especially since Hibari remembers Tsuna from before the Kaiju- weak and bullied- an 'herbivore' Hibari would call him. But Tsuna has done what no one else will and Hibari wants to be out there fighting the Kaiju. So Hibari shifts to meet him.

If Tsuna coming up to Hibari had been a shock, when Hibari attacks him and Tsuna not only manages to dodge it but throw in a counterstrike it is staggering.

Tsuna knows the point of this exercise is to anticipate how your partner will move and counter it. For the back-and-forth between partners to be more like a dance then a fight, for the partners to flow together.

When Hibari moves, Tsuna is there. When Tsuna strikes back, Hibari anticipates. Even when Hibari starts speeding up Tsuna finds it almost effortless to read and anticipate, keeping up with him. (After all, Tsuna had almost always been there-usually the target of those that Hibari 'bit to death'-watching and observing what happened around him and he remembers, he can see exactly what Hibari will do next.)

When the match ends Hibari has landed two strikes on Tsuna, but Tsuna has returned the favor.

Tsuna can see the shock in Hibari's steel colored eyes- shock mirrored in his chocolate orbs- because they can feel it.

They are Drift Compatible.