CHAPTER FIVE

The transfer student was terrifying. With silver hair and what seemed to be a permanent scowl he hated her from the start. In all honesty, though, he was no where near the level of scary that Hibari-sempai was at. Therefore handling him was easier in a sense. He ignored her for the most part and when he didn't he had that scowl. This went on for a week until she ran into him outside of school for the first time.

(-)

"H-hello." Hers eyes darted to the side, unable to meet his own. Hayato sneered. This weak thing was what he was supposed to pledge his life to? Fuck that. But when the Vongola asked something a low level thug like him couldn't just say no so now he was stuck here until the little bitch died.

"Hime." He took a drag and watched as the girl flinched at his exhale, the smoke curling around her.

"M-My name is Shimizu Chiruka." What?

"The fuck you trying to pull? I already know it's Sawada Tsunahime." The girl ran. Of course. The Vongola was going to fall and Hayato was going down with them.

(-)

The transfer student was following Ruka. Takeshi didn't like it one bit, watching the boy glare at her made his hand twitch and reach for a weapon that wasn't there (ah, that was why his father always carried a blade). Even to the elementary to pick up Lambo.

"Mama!" The small child almost ran over Ruka.

Zoning out on the conversation Takeshi focused on the transfer instead. Ruka was his friend, his only real friend. He knew that they weren't close to the point of complete trust but he knew that there was potential. It was bright enough that he wasn't going to let that potential fade. Even if she had a tendency to keep large parts of herself hidden.

(-)

This assignment was shit. Tailing the princess was annoying, to say the least, and that idiot always knew he was following. But no skin of his back. All he had to do was wait for Reborn (and never cross him, he was the stuff of legends) and then he could go off til he was summoned again.

He leaned against a fence across the street and watched as the little group went inside. A tip of Reborn's hat and he left. Hayato immediately went to his shitty apartment in his even shittier neighborhood.

He rummaged through his fridge for a bit before giving up. No dinner then. Digging around his pockets he looked for a smoke. Finding only one left in the box he cursed. He wasn't even sure where to get a pack of smokes in a place like Namimori. But if the twitch in his hands was anything to go by he would need to find out quick.

(-)

Smoking Bomb was a good choice. Reborn had to give the fool credit for picking someone with so much potential as a storm. On the other hand his personality was to rough for Ruka and it would be difficult to get their relationship to Guardian level. Reborn exhaled (the Greatesr Hitman in the World didn't sigh).

"Ruka-chan." There it was, a twinge of annoyance from the student. "We're out of tea."

"I just bought some yesterday!" She was raising her voice, if Reborn was anyone else he might've said he was proud. Okay, he was. Proud of his skill of course.

"So?" Ruka pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Fine. Takeshi?" The boys head popped out of the kitchen. While the two talked Reborn continued to ponder the issue of Guardians.

Takeshi was obviously going to be her Rain and likely her closest and most loyal guardian. But was he right hand material? The boy was a natural Hitman and seemed more suited to the role of a bodyguard than a right hand. Ideally, and if his student had been anyone else, he would've forced Smoking Bomb into that position. Then there was the issue of lightning. While Lambo was the perfect choice he was also a child and Reborn couldn't see Ruka allowing him to fight. He should have the ten year bazooka however so maybe that would lessen her worry?

"Reborn!" Raising his head he waited. "Takeshi will keep an eye on Lambo but you can't start anything with him. Promise me?" Reborn held back a snicker, the rain was pouting in the back with the kid. They obviously didn't like her out of their sight (the fact that he didn't either was staunchly ignored).

"Hitman's honor."

(-)

Really! She didn't want to know what Reborn did with the tea but he couldn't make it last longer than one day? Hopefully the house wouldn't be in ruin by the time she returned. Reborn seemed to take sadistic pleasure in causing Lambos tantrums. The boy was a good kid just... sensitive.

No point in worrying about it anymore she continued towards the market. Of course it had started to drizzle while she walked. Shielding her head with her bag she began to jog. Only to be stopped by the sound of a body hitting the ground she peered down a side street. The transfer was just standing again and Hibari-sempai was giving the beating. Why? Sempai only did that to rule breakers- cigarettes. The fool had been smoking since he arrived and it finally had caught up to him in the form of Hibari.

She should leave before she got caught up in this too. But the gaunt face and shaky hands of several sisters came to mind. She knew what happened to long term smokers and Hibaris treatment wasn't going to help. Taking a deep breath she tried to remember all that Reborn had taught her.

A mafia boss doesn't slouch. She straightened her shoulders

A boss never shows fear. She loosened her grip on her purse and forced the shake in her hands to stop.

A boss does everything on their terms, if they can't then they make it so. She stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"Hibari-sempai?" The beating stopped momentarily and silver eyes pierced her.

"Eukaryote." Ignoring the odd term she placed herself closer, not even glancing towards the bruised boy on the ground.

"The transfer doesn't know the rules."

"He will learn them." Hibari gave a small quick and the sickening sound of flesh being pounded echoed.

"Yes. But he came from Italy. It's different there."

"Hn." He glared.

"Maybe not as much."

"I'll bite him to death, smoking is not allowed in Namimori." Not completely true. The house had always been full of smoke.

"If he quits will you leave him alone?"

"Hn."

"I can help him but he'll need time." The transfer had been smoking for a while. Getting him to stop wouldn't be easy.

"Weak herbivore." Racking her brain for the terminology the infamous demon of Namimori used she attempted to convince him.

"It's an addiction sempai, he can't just stop. He's not a... carnivore like you. He doesn't have the self control."

"You will take responsibility?"

"Yes."

"One month."

"Thank you sempai." Bowing she didn't look up until the man had left.

Rushing to the transfers side she rolled him over. He was thin, he obviously hasn't been eating though his thinness was usually hidden by the uniform became visible in his damp casual wear. What was the transfers name again? Goku something. Gokudera? He could correct her later she supposed.

"Gokudera?" Tapping his face gently she saw his eyes twitch. "You don't have to talk but I need you to get up. I can't lift you on my own. Okay?" A moan was her only response.

Sighing she dragged him over to a wall to get him into a sitting position. From there she grabbed an arm, suddenly ridiculously thankful for Reborn's hellish conditioning, and pulled him up. He had enough consciousness to stand on his own for a few seconds while she maneuvered him into a leaning position.

"It's not a long walk. But you need to stay awake." Acutely aware of the dangers of a possible concussion she did her best to keep him awake.

It was slow going and they would have to stop every five minutes to lean him against a wall. Ruka chattered nonstop about anything and everything, trying to keep him awake. She told him about Lambo with his tantrums snove of grape flavored anything. Of Takeshi and his gentleness. Of Reborn and his kindness even though he was a sadistic and hellish tutor. How lucky she was to have them even if they were crazy at times.

Once they were just outside the house the occupants must have seen them approach because the door was thrown open and Takeshi rushed towards them.

"Hibari-sempai. Let's get him inside."

(-)

Hayato was aching all over. That demon (and seriously what was someone like that doing in this sleepy town) had given him a beating. He was going to have to drag himself back to the apartments, at least he had managed to lift a pack of smokes off a guy before getting beat.

Opening his eyes he quickly shut them again, the light was to bright. It was morning, but last thing he remembered it was evening. He had been out longer than he thought. Faking sleep he began to catalog what he could of his surroundings. Soft sheets, a lot better than his own, clean place. Not a lot of noise so he was leaning towards a house rather than an apartment building. Someone had taken him to their home. The familiar itch of bandages told him they had also tended to his wounds.

There was soft chatter just outside what he assumed was a door. Unsure if the door was open or not he kept still, he wanted more information before he drew attention to himself.

"-another stray?" The voice was focused, sure and mature.

"He needed help." This one was weaker, likely his savior. A girl, probably soft hearted and mistaking kind for weak.

"Fine." Steps echoed, the first voice had left but a third quickly chimed in.

"What're you gonna tell him?"

"The truth. You've seen him. He's sick, I don't even know if he's been eating let alone the smoking problem." The voices were coming closer, now inside the room.

Hayato's pride had taken a hit. So he hadn't been eating a lot but he wasn't frail (the shakes were just from the cold, he wasn't used to the weather). It's not like he was a chef or anything. Plenty of people smoked, and he needed the smokes. Twitching he decided it was time to get up.

Opening his eyes he was met with the sight of Sawada. The princess. A sneer forced itself on his face. The spoilt weakling of an heiress had found him? He owed something like her? The girl turned towards him.

"H-hello. You're Gokudera Hayato, right? Can you remember what happened?" He gave her a stiff nod, not trusting himself to speak quite yet.

"I'm not sick." He should've just kept his mouth shut, could've left quicker. He didnt look at her (didn't want to see the pity).

"Gokudera-san, if you're as fine as you think you are then stand."

(-)

His head snapped towards her. Gokudera wasn't the type of person to listen, she'd have to be harsh to get him to stay. The idiot would probably drag himself away at the first chance if his scowl was anything to judge by.

"Che. Fine." Pushing the blanket away showed his severely bandaged torso. Reborn had checked him over but left the rest of first aid to her. He was 'her stray' after all.

He made it one step before falling backwards back to the bed. Ruka bit back an 'I told you so' and instead gave him the tray she had brought with her.

"You need to eat and get your strength back up. Have you been eating at all lately?" He didn't answer and turned his head from the tray.

"Look, you're only hurting yourself at this point. I don't know what kind of life you've lived before but trust me, the path you're on is just going to kill you. Takeshi, pets leave him to his breakfast." Takeshi stayed behind her, she knew he was guarding her back. He still didn't like the transfer, but she wasn't sure if she did either yet.

(-)

After they had left Hayato dug into the breakfast. It was heavenly. For years he had been living off of junk food, take out, and microwavable meals. He couldn't remember the last time he had something homemade. And, as much as it stung, the girl was right. He knew his diet left much to be desired but he has other things to worry about. Like his smokes. A glance had shown that he had been changed into something more comfortable and that his smokes were no where in sight.

Knowing he was to weak he rested for the next few hours. He never let himself fall into a deep sleep, not knowing what the occupants of the house wanted. Reborn knew about his contract but he was sure the rest of the house didn't. That meant they wouldn't uphold it, he wasn't seen as an ally to them therefore he was a danger and would likely be treated as such. The princesses toy didn't like him much either, he had some sort of presence but was obviously inexperienced. However in this state Hayato didn't think he could take anyone.

After a few hours the toy came in. Attempting a threatening stance, it would work on others but Hayato had been in the underworld for a while. But it wouldn't hurt to be cautious.

"Ruka saved you."

"She bandaged me up. I would've gotten up eventually."

"It was raining you would've been sick real bad." The rain. He supposed it could've led to hypothermia or pneumonia, that would've been detrimental and possibly fatal. Grinding his teeth he responded,

"Fine, the spoilt princess saved me. Does she want another toy? An accessory to show off? A pet?" The girl saved him for a reason, and being the Vongola heiress likely wanted another toy.

"Ruka doesn't think like that." Hayato scoffed.

"What? She wanted to be my friend?" Nobody thought like that. Everybody wanted something.

"I don't think so either. She just didn't want to see you kill yourself I guess."

"I wouldn't have died!" Silence fell. The toy changed the subject,

"Hibari is gonna get you again if you can't get the rules."

"Let him try. I'll be ready next time."

"Yeah, but it won't be just you. To him you're Rukas responsibility. You screw up and she's gonna be dragged in." The toys hands were clenched, protective was he?

"Scared your bed warmers gonna be to bruised to keep you comp-" Hayato couldn't breathe, there was an arm putting so much pressure (he didn't want to die! he couldn't die! nononono!) and he was scrabbling now.

"Don't talk about her like that. You don't know anything. Try it again and you won't be allowed near her. You screw up and Ruka gets hurt then it won't be Hibari that you're going to have to watch out for." Darkness was creeping at the edge of his vision when he was let go, he dropped back onto the bed gasping for breath.

Looking back at the toy- no Yamamoto, shock creeped up as he watched the frown fade into a smirk. Yamamoto chuckled and rubbed the back of his head,

"Maa, was I to harsh? But you'll get it." The unspoken threat hung in the room. And Gokudera swore not to underestimate the guy again.

"I get it."

(-)

Ruka went back to the room only to serve lunch. Lambo had tagged along, saying that big boys were strong and helped mamas do hard work. She let him carry the pitcher of water, warning him not to spill it as they went up the stairs.

Takeshi was already in the room. Unsure she decided to ignore the tension for now and instead gave Gokudera his lunch.

"Where are my smokes?" She raised a brow before noticing the shake in his hands.

"Gokudera-san smoking isn't allowed in Namimori."

"Don't give a shit, those are mine." She sighed and pulled the pack from her pocket.

"Lambo, Takeshi leave us." Lambo whined and complained but Takeshi pulled him out with a promise of a grape flavored snack.

"Gokudera-san the next time you smoke Hibari isn't going to be so lenient." She held up a hand when he was about to interrupt. "However I got him to make a deal, you have one month to wean yourself off the habit."

"It's not that simple."

"I'm not an idiot, I know you're an addict. But if you can't even take the care to eat every once in a while than you're going to die that much quicker. Stay here for a while and get healthy. I'll be helping you stay off your habit."

"You can't make that decision for me!"

"Then think of it as payment. I got you her last night and took care of your injuries, as payment you're going to stay and get healthy and try to kick the habit."

"I can give you money." She shook her head, she was going to have to force him into this. While she felt bad she knew she'd feel worse if she let him leave and starve himself.

"I won't accept that. This is the payment I want and then we're even." She could practically see the gears turning in his head.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you care?" Gokudera was the kind of person who wouldn't accept the answer she was about to give, but she was to tired to think of a better one.

"You need it."

CHAPTER

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AN: Sorry this chapter took so long as you can probably tell Gokudera was being stubborn. The main issue is that with the characters being older a lot of them are more stubborn then they were in canon. Unlike in canon Gokudera has been on his own longer and this assignment from the CEDEF to protect the heiress is like winning the lottery. He's more jaded and without the DW bullet being used in the same situation in canon he's a lot more cautious and has no reason to really trust Chiruka.

What did you think? Questions? Suggestions? Predictions?

Next: possibly Ryohei, Fon, Ipin and Dino in various amounts