My Best Friend's Forehead is Burning!

In the early dawn, an infant wearing a black suit and fedora walked throught the streets of Namimori holding a briefcase. A few miles away was a cloaked figure watching the infants every move. The person looked up to see the dark moon still visible in the dawn and the blue star below in the right, glinting like a gem.

"It's time, huh..." A feminine voice spoke as the wind blew and the figure disappeared along with the cloak.

A woman with short brown hair went outside her house and stretched her arms.

"Its another beautiful morning! Okay, newspaper time."

She went to check the mail bin. Lifting the cover, a folded paper caught her attention. She took it as she began unfolding it and read the content.

"Are you looking for a tutor?"

-*-*-*-

In the edge of the town nearly close to the forest, a small two story medieval house stood there.

A girl with long white hair and crystal blue eyes woke up hearing her alarm clock. With a loud yawn, she sat up and stretched. She took the alarm clock and determine the time. Her eyes became round like plates seeing the time.

"I overslept!" She shrieked as she jump off her bed and slide down the pole. She ran towards her wardrobe and took out her school uniform. As she finish changing, she then braided her hair and wore her round glasses.

Downstairs, a woman with indigo hair, fair skin and hazel eyes wearing a panda printed pajamas was cooking breakfast while a woman with short jet black hair and tan complexion, wearing an oversize sweatshirt, jogging pants and indoor slippers sat in the dining table, drinking a hot coffee. A loud shriek interrupted the beautiful silence surrounding the house.

"My, my... She woke up late once again." The indigo haired woman took a bowl and pour in soup. The blonde continue drinking her coffee with a mischievous smile on her face.

"Maiko should start being responsible for her age." Seeing the woman's expression, she sigh.

"Please don't tell me you messed with her alarm clock once again, Big Sister Karla." The said woman blinked at her innocently.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Karla-nee!!" A loud thud and fast pace of footsteps came from the stairs. Arriving at the dining hall, the whitehead glare at the blonde. She was already wearing her uniform and tied her hair into twin braids.

"Did you tamper on my alarm clock once again?!" She angrily asked as she point at her. Karla merely smirked and stick out her tongue towards the girl, enraging her further.

An irk mark appeared at the brunette's head and she hit the two with a frying pan. "Now, you two be quiet or you'll not be able to eat." Her threat made them shut up and sit in the dining table.

"Seriously, Risa... why a frying pan out of all things?!" Karla rubbed her head along with Maiko who had watery eyes as she endure the pain.

Risa remained silent as she finished wrapping Maiko's lunch and set the remaining plate of food on the table.

As they all sat, they put their hands together and gave thanks for their food. The girl rushed in eating her food and Risa coughed to get her attention.

"Mai, I understand you are going to be late but you shouldn't rush. You might choke. Big Sister Maya will be displeased if she were here." She warned the girl who nodded and proceed on eating normally this time. Maiko greatly admired Claire and saw her as a mother figure. Ever since she was small, she was told her mother and father died and didn't explain why. Big Sisters Claire, Risa and Karla took her in and treated her as their own sister/daughter.

"But I'm late, Risa-nee." She started as glared at the blonde who was casually eat her food. "Also Karla-nee tampered with the alarm clock..."

The said blonde grinned at the girl who glared back. Risa paused on eating and jabbed the woman on her waist.

"That hurts!" Karla yelped in pain as she cradle her poor waist.

"Next time, don't do that again. You're the adult here, yet you are the child one acting like a child." Risa said and returned to eating. Maiko snickered while Karla sent her an annoyed look.

"It was only a harmless prank, Risa." The blonde stated as she drink her coffee. The brunette smile at her but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Well how about the time when we were shopping at the mall?" Risa pointed out and Karla flinched. She nervously laughed as she felt the the other woman's dark aura and glare towards at her.

Maiko knew what would happen next, which is why she was already finished with her food, setting them in the sink and immediately went to the door. She sat on the platform and put on her socks then her flat shoes.

Grunts and yelp of pain could be heard behind her. She opened the door and shouted. "I'll be going now."

Risa stopped on tormenting the poor blonde who fainted and call out to the silver head. "Maiko! Your lunch!"

The woman took the container wrapped in cloth from the kitchen and ran outside to give it to the girl.

"Ah! Thank you Risa-nee! I better run now!" She sent the older woman a bright smile.

A small smile graced her lips and waved at the girl. "Be careful!"

Karla join her outside as she stretched her sore body from Risa's assault. She went to lift the cover of the mail bin and took out the envelop. The seal engraved on it made Karla's blood ran cold. She tore it open and read the writing. With wide eyes, she spoke. "I forgot to mention, Big Sister Claire will be visiting us today."

Risa gasped and grabbed the woman by her shoulders as she began to shake her. "Why didn't you say so?!"

"Well, sorry that Maiko and I forgot?" She apologized, unsure of the reason and avoid her gaze.

"Karla!"

-*-*-*-

As she was on her way to school, she heard her friend's voice and saw him just a few miles away staring at the orange haired female's figure walking. Putting a hand to her mouth, she giggle.

Tsuna is so obvious, I swear.

"That chick is Sasagawa Kyoko. She's the collest girl on school and it's none of your business." He said and Maiko mischievously grinned she got closer to him. She didn't notice that he was talking to an infant.

"As your tutor, I have to know about your relationships." The infant blankly said.

"I don't even remember ever hiring you! Just leave me alone already!" Tsuna exclaimed as he bent down close to the kid.

The infant held his fist with his tiny hand. "I can't do that." He twisted his arm to the back making Tsuna turn and wince in pain.

"I give up! I give up! I give up!" His suffering came into short as Reborn let go.

"Good morning Tsu-chan!" A hand lightly smack his shoulder.

"HIIIIIIIE!" The brunet shrieked but stopped when he heard a familiar giggle.

He looked up to see a girl with long white hair that reached her lower back, tied into twin braids with blue ribbon, her fringe parted to the right. She wore large round glasses and the same school uniform as him but for girls. It was his childhood friend and best friend, Fujiwara Maiko.

"G-Good morning Mai-chan, I didn't see you there..." He stood up in a flash and nervously chuckle as he saw her pout.

"You should always pay attention on what's ahead of you, Tsuna. You might get hit by the cars or bicycles going by." She told him worrily as put her hand on her was waist.

"She's right, you know?" Maiko's gaze settle on the infant wearing a black suit and fedora. She blink as she survey the infant.

"Tsuna, who is he? I don't recall you having a baby brother..." Maiko bent down to his height and stare at the depths of his obsidian eyes.

"Ah! That's-!" Tsuna was cut off by the infant when he introduced himself.

"I'm Reborn, a professional hitman. Starting today, I'm Dame-Tsuna's home tutor." She stare at him in disbelief. Why would a little baby like him saying something like that towards a stranger. The chameleon on his fedora landed at her hand.

"Don't mess with me! That hitman and mafia stuff couldn't be true!" Tsuna exclaim as he glare at the infant. Maiko gaze at Reborn with worried eyes and pet the chameleon who succumb to her touch.

"Have you told Sasagawa Kyoko how you feel already?" Reborn asked and he hit the nail as Maiko surpress her grin.

"D-Don't be stupid!" Tsuna spoke out and the silver haired girl frowned at him. The creature hopped from her hand back to his partner's fedora.

"Why haven't you?" The hitman asked. Tsuna turned away from them. "Didn't I tell you already. Kyoko-chan is our school idol. I don't stand a chance." He sadly said.

Maiko stood up and crossed her arms. "Didn't we talk about this Tsuna? Kyoko can like someone like you. She's not the type of person who would judge someone based on their grades." Tsuna cower as his friend sent him a sharp look.

"Just die once." Reborn said out of nowhere as he held up his partner. Her eyes widened seeing the chameleon turned into a gun. That was no ordinary toy gun!

"When you die, you'll understand." Reborn pointed his gun towards him. Before Maiko could push him away, he was shot on the forehead and feel down. Strangely, there was no blood or hole in his forehead. To her shock and dismay, a small orange fire appeared on his forehead which slowly grew.

"Reborn! What did you do?!" Maiko desperately asked the infant who merely answered. "It's Deathperation Time."

Tsuna suddenly stood up and his whole clothes tore in process. Maiko's stare at him in horror, seeing him only wearing boxers and his forehead burning.

"I'll tell Kyoko Sasagawa how I feel, even if it kills me!" He shouted. Maiko sweatdrop at his words.

"Tsu-chan, I'm glad you will confess to Kyoko about your feelings... Just when you are wearing full clothi-" She said but was cut off by him as he shouted

"Where is Kyoko Sasagawa?!" He shouted once more before running past her leaving a trail of dust and smoke. She coughed as she was left behind.

"What are you-" She opened her eyes to see no one there. She look around hoping to see the infant but he was not there. When she heard a footstep she went into a fighting stance and turned only to see a woman wearing a dark blue cloak. The woman before her has a long blonde hair tied into twin ponytails and has dark blue eyes. Her voluptuous body was covered by the cloak she wore.

"Maya-nee, you scared me!" Maiko said as she sigh in relief making the older woman giggle at her.

"I believe you are going to be late for school." The woman called Maya reminded the girl. She gasped and hugged the woman before running.

"See you later, Maya-nee! Big Sister Mina and Big Sister Risa are back at home!" The said woman waved as she ran. Her whole expression turned serious as she look up in the sky and stare at the visible blue star.

-*-*-*-

Namimori Middle School

"Just what happened...?" Maiko was still in shock on what she just saw this morning. Her friend running towards his crush only wearing a boxer asking her to go out with him. The scene almost gave her a heart attack and thankfully Yamamoto caught her before she fell.

She managed to escape with Tsuna from the raven haired demon of Namimori, Hibari Kyoya. As much as she wanted to give the prefect a piece of her mind, the brunet would always drag her away to be safe. With her being always ready at every situation, she stitched his torn uniform, good as new. She secretly thanked Karla on being strict with her in etiquette and always reminding her about bringing a sewing kit.

As they stop infront of their classroom, they could hear laughter from the males.

"It's underpants man!"

"Nice sudden confession to Kyoko Sasagawa!"

"Please go out with me!" More of their male classmates make fun of Tsuna and Maiko was frowning at their behavior.

"Tsuna," One of their clasmate call out to him. "Captain Mochida said he'll be waiting for you behind the gym during break to settle this." Tsuna's eyes widen in shock and his gaze landed on Kyoko.

"Mochida-senpai said he's going to challenge him to make up for the insult you suffered." The girl who is Kyoko's best friend, Hana said to her.

Tsuna couldn't handle it anymore and ran away. Maiko took a glance back at the classroom specifically at Kyoko. Her eyes narrowed for a second before following Tsuna.

-*-*-*-

"I can't believe I embarrassed Kyoko-chan!" He bury his face to his knees.

Maiko was enraged when their classmates always made fun of him also her for being weird. Sometimes she thinks people's minds these days are so small that they could no longer identify a thing or animal from a person.

Tsuna also told his story of what happened this morning at their house and on his way to school before she bumped into her.

"Please tell me you believe me, Mai-chan!" He stare at her with those eyes. She sigh as she avert her gaze from his eyes, hiding her blush. How she hate that eyes...

"I believe you. Also I saw how he shot you in the head with my own two eyes yet you are still alive." As soon as she said that, Tsuna's whole face brightened. The silverhead swore he was sparkling in joy.

Who in the world would look quite happy at the mention themself being shot in the forehead yet still alive...? She sweatdrop.

"An infant to say that nonetheless is quite worrying..." Maiko said under her breath as she turned serious. That was no ordinary infant, the fact he kept calling himself a hitman and part of the mafia. She glanced at her friend who is now in his own thoughts. He looked so worried at what happened earlier and what will happen this lunch break.

Is it possible that Tsu-chan has connections to the mafia...?

Her mind wondered to Nana and she shook her head. There's no way Maman is part of a mafia family right?

She took out a lollipop from her pocket, unwrapping it and popping onto her mouth. "You'll be fine, Tsu-chan. I hope so." She teased him.

"That's not very reassuring, Mai!" The girl laughed and Tsuna's shoulder drooped.

"I believe in you, you know? Even if people doubt at you, I'll still support you." She honestly said. Her words felt warm in his chest.

Since kids, she has been always been beside him, beating up kids who make fun of him or hurt him. Whenever he would feel blue, she was always there ready to listen to his problems and scold him when he does something stupid. Despite how others think of her hanging with a Dame like him, she remain beside him.

As she was eating her lollipop, Tsuna noticed something glinting in her ear. He saw a red earring in her left ear. A certain memory flash in his mind back when they were little.

A close friend of Big Sisters Risa, Karla and Maya is getting married and Maiko was invited along with her three guardians. Surprisingly, both him and his mother were also invited by them.

He could recall the stunned but at the same time excited expression of his mother.

"Are you sure Maya-san?" Nana asked, hesitation present in her tone.

The woman beside Maya smiled at her and held both of her hands. "It is alright, Nana-san. You always don't get the opportunity to the explore outside other than Namimori along with your son."

"Consider this as a trip." Maya cheerfully said as she put a hand on the brunette's shoulder.

That was how they were able get to go with them at the Wedding. The time they met the bride, she was very kind and beautiful. Though she was quite weird for she would gush at the poor little Maiko who wanted to run away from being smooched all over the face. He could remember her frightened expression.

After all of that, the two stood outside already dressed up. Tsuna was dressed in his tuxedo while Maiko in dress much to her complaints. They could see the bride getting ready with the help of the bridesmaids. The little boy fixed his tie and stood close to the her.

The white haired girl crossed her arms and crinkle her nose. The brunet noticed this and tapped her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Mai-chan?" He asked, curious as to why the usual energetic girl is frowning.

"I really don't like wearing earrings..." She mumbled as she scratch her ear but wasn't able to because of the earrings. It was painful for her to endure the itching on her ear.

Tsuna's slightly opened his mouth before closing it. "Why not take them off...?"

The little girl's eyes widened. Why didn't she think of that... She wanted to smack herself but she then remembered the reason why she didn't.

Big Sister Risa was looking forward for her to wear the new earring she bought at the wedding.

Maiko's face fell as she thought of the woman's sad face. She hated seeing a sad Risa but she doesn't mind seeing it on Karla.

"I'll endure it... For Risa-nee..." She muttered as she grip at her skirt. Tsuna heard it and smile at her determination.

Mai-chan once again pierced her ear? I thought she hated earrings? His eyebrows furrowed at the thought. I guess her preferences also changes.

He shook his head and stood up. "I'm definitely running away!" Before he could take a step, Maiko held him by his collar.

"Running away because you're scared?" Reborn appeared out of nowhere in Maiko's head making Tsuna shriek. "If you run away now, that means you'll spend your whole life running."

"I don't want a baby lecturing me about life! He's the captain of the kendo team and won last year's prefectural tournament!" Tsuna exclaim in frustration. "How can an amateur like me beat him?"

Before Reborn could answer, the silver haired girl beat him to it. Maiko spun his body to face and held both of his shoulders staring in his eyes.

"Listen Tsunayoshi," She sharply said and he flinched at her calling his full name. Maiko could be energetic and dense at times but once she call you by your real name, it means business.

"What would Kyoko feel about this? If you run away from this, you will regret this forever. This can be a chance for you to prove them wrong that you're not a Dame." Her gaze soften and hug him. He froze before relaxing unto her touch.

"I will be there to support you. Even Reborn." The infant was taken aback when she mentioned him. She slowly let go and sent him a bright smile.

"Mai-chan..."

"If things get out of hand, I'll intervene and kick Mochida-senpai's butt!" She gave him a thumbs up.

"But, I believe you could really do it." Reborn jump down to her arms and she carry him.

"Even if you're beaten to a pulp, a man who accepts a challenge is cooler. The memory of a man who fought his life will last forever." Reborn stated and Tsuna stare at them with hesitation.

Soon, lunch break has arrived. Many students have crowded the gymnasium to witness the fight between Mochida and Tsuna.

Mochida stood in the middle in his kendo uniform. "I am the star of this match. It's impossible for that scum to win, no matter what happens.

He glance at the judge behind him, with a smug smile. The judge is a team member in my pocket. He'd never raise the red flag for Tsuna. Looking around, he realized the said brunet was not yet there.

"He's late! Isn't Sawada here yet?" Mochida asked some of their classmates.

"He ran away." The chubby guy muttered.

"Man, stupid loser Tsuna." The guy with spiky brown hair commented. Mochida then started to laugh haughtily.

"That means I win by default!" He declared as he kept on laughing. The two guys from earlier sweatdrop at the upperclassman's attitude.

"Such a petty senpai..." The first one mumbled.

"And here I thought a senpai was supposed to be smart."

In the midst of Mochida laughing, behind him was Kyoko who had a look of worry and hesitance and Haru who stare at the back of the male in front of them with disgust.

The gym door slid open with force cutting off Mochida. All of the occupants turned their heads to see a girl with silver hair braided into two wearing glasses, a mischievous grin splattered on her face.

"Not yet, you idiotic baldy!" She gleefully shouted, her hands on her waist. Turning to the side, she pull Tsuna to show him.

"Tsuna is here!" She grinned while the said male's legs were shaking.

"Fujiwara?"

"It's the weird girl that's always with Dame Tsuna."

"It's Dame Tsuna!"

"He really came!"

Everyone was shocked to see him really came. He gathered up all his courage and entered the gym. Maiko followed inside, walking straight to the corner.

As he stopped in front of Mochida, he glance at Maiko who mouthed him good luck and gave him thumbs up.

"There you are, hentai stalker! God may forgive a piece of shit like you, but I won't! I shall smite you!!!" The male declared.

"Oh no!"

"Don't worry. It is an easy duel for an idiot like you can understand." He pointed the bamboo sword towards him with his left hand.

"You're a novice at Kendo. If you get an ippon off me, then you win! I you can't then I win!" Mochida explained to the nervous brunet.

Maiko who had been listening felt a bad feeling in her gut. "I don't like where this is going..."

"The price is of course," The black haired male started and pointed towards the orange haired girl behind him. "Sasagawa Kyoko!"

Kyoko and Hana reacted differently, one with surprise and the other disgust and irritation.

"P-price?" Kyoko stuttered as she stare at the back of Mochida.

"Let the challenge commence!" The judge declared as the raven male attack the poor brunet.

Tsuna ran in circles as Mochida chased him with his shinai.

From above, Reborn took out his sniping gun and set it straight to Tsuna's forehead. It seemed like time slow down for him as he fell to the ground regretting what he should have done. Seconds later, the bright orange flame lit up on his forehead and slowly grew, at the same time his uniform got torn.

He was in Hyper Dying Will mode. "REBORN! I WILL GET IPPON NO MATTER WHAT!" He shouted out loud as he dash towards Mochida who clicked his tongue.

"Did you think I would go easy on you? Eat this you peon!" He rose his bamboo sword and was about to slam it on Tsuna's but to his and the spectators surprise, it broke. In result, he headbutted Mochida who fall to the ground from the impact.

Maiko watched the battle with sparkles around her as she get hype up at the excitement.

"Get em' Tsuna!" She cheered as she hop lightly.

Tsuna jumped and landed sitting above the male's body. He rose his hand straight in the air. The spectators were watching in suspense.

"Mounting position?!" One of the guys in the crowd exclaimed.

"Its a chop! He's going to hit a men(1)" The other shouted.

"UWOOOOO!" Tsuna screamed as his hand was about to hit the poor male's face. They watched in anticipation along with Maiko who was enjoying seeing the disgusting senpai getting beaten up by her best friend. Kyoko was watching stunned along with Hana.

Instead of chopping, he grabbed a part of his hair and tore a lot of it.

"I've got a hyakupon!" Tsuna exclaimed as he rose his hand filled with hair.

It was silent for a while before his classmates laughed.

"That was smart, Tsuna!"

"He never specified what you had to get ippon off of!"

"HOW'S THIS?!" The brunet loudly asked the judge who shrieked in fright.

"Damnit." He loudly scream and began tearing all of Mochida's hair. The judge was shaking in so much fright as the others watch nervous and afraid.

"S...Scary..."

"Is that really Tsuna?"

The brunet kept on the poor male's hair until the referee raises his red flag. "P-Point!"

Tsuna raised his both hands full of the poor male's hair leaving him bald crying in the ground.

"Zembupon."

The gym was filled with silence once more. The flame in Tsuna's forehead slowly distinguished and he returned back to normal. Suddenly all of them cheered loudly and ran towards Tsuna who was stunned.

Everyone who had been watching were ecstatic and amazed except for Hibari.

Maiko remain at the corner watching Tsuna being approached by his crush and now talking to her.

"He really did it, huh." The girl was grinning as she watched the two's interaction. The infant glance down at the girl and his eyes narrow. From the information he received about his student, this girl was not mentioned. He better get into the bottom of this and identify who this girl is. She could be a spy for an enemy of Vongola.

Outside the door of the gym, a certain silver haired male clicked his tongue. His hands were in his pocket.

"That's the candidate for the tenth-generation boss of the Vongola Family, Sawada Tsunayoshi..." Upon, turning to leave, he didn't notice a white haired figure blankly staring at the door where he once stood behind it.

<-*->

(1) In Kendo, refers to the headgear and is a spot to put claim on.