Most boys her son's age brought home a myriad of creatures, arguably wild, ranging from lost puppies to mud-covered frogs. Poor, starving animals they found along the wayside, trailing after them with their pleading eyes. What child could resist adopting these four-legged vagabonds, begging their parents to keep them?

But her son? Her son was special. There was no mangy mutt lapping at his heels or slimy amphibians cupped in his hands. No. Her Tsunayoshi brought home a boy. A lanky, skinny human boy with shaggy, black hair and the fiercest stare. Though not 'arguably wild' but 'definitely wild'. There was no argument.

Her Tsu-chan burst through the door one day, returning from Daycare as per usual. Except he was certainly more energetic, dashing about the house yelling, "Mama! Mama! Mama!" He finally found her in the kitchen. She had been washing dishes when he ran up to her, tugging at her apron strings and wearing the classic 'I'm-cute-so-give-me-what-I-want' expression.

"Mama!" He said. "Look who followed me home! Hibari-san said he was hungry. Do you think he can stay? For dinner?"

"I didn't follow you home, Herbivore. I don't follow people. I escorted you home. There's a difference." Hibari snapped.

And Nana saw that awkward, little boy, standing in her doorway. His sharp eyes shifting back and forth, his body tense and coiled, prepared to vault into action. He resembled every inch the alley cats she'd seen in the market. Wary for any attack, he was a fighter lurking in the shadows, territorial and aggressive, ready to take on the world. A stray boy.

"So, what's the difference, Hibari-san?" Her Tsuna replied blankly.

"Following is crowding, something only you herbivores do. Escorting is like I'm with you wherever you're going, in case something happens. Totally different." hibari answere nonchalantly

Yet in the safety and comfort of her home, protected from the harsh reality, surrounded by cute knick knacks and lace pillows, Hibari looked awfully vulnerable. Scared, almost. A total misfit, he didn't belong in such a domestic setting. He simply didn't belong.

Still, Nana thought he looked awfully lonely.

"Oh! Then it's kinda like Hibari-san is protecting me?" Her Tsuna inquired innocently.

"No! It's nothing like that, Herbivore. You just attract the most trouble so if I stick around you, I can weedle out the bullies and-and keep the peace. That-that's all! You're just bait." Hibari stated as a matter of fact.

Nana smiled.

It ws perhaps a decade too early for her precious Tsu-chan to be bringing home boys. Ah, but what did she care? Nana took one look at Hibari Kyouya and knew.

This one was a keeper.