They weren't able to stop it.

The first generation Vongola stared at the now ruined village, guilt mixing with regret and despair. It was one of the more peaceful villages under Vongola's protection, and a rival Famiglia, somehow, got wind of it and launched a full scale attack.

And with such a quiet, happy village that fully trusted their protectors, they didn't stand a chance. Everything was obliterated, houses crumbling and dead bodies littering the ground, dried blood staining the dry, coarse earth.

But nobody regretted more than Giotto himself, the leader of Vongola, who now stood amidst the carnage and violence, sorrow, pain and agony etched in his young face of twenty one, his sunset colored eyes taking in the damage their carelessness had caused.

He was the only person to blame for this. Why didn't he arrive sooner? He could've prevented this from happening if he got to the village quick enough. If he had been faster, more trusting of his instincts…!

"Giotto." A hand was on his shoulder and he turned, seeing the remorseful face of his Storm Guardian and his best friend, who was just as regretful as he was. "Don't blame yourself. We couldn't have known. There was…" His voice cracked, and the magenta-haired man stopped, not finding the right words to say at the moment.

"G…" The blond understood how he felt right now, but couldn't help but blame himself still. "We swore to protect this village and we failed. Can you really blame me?"

"Well, instead of standing here, why don't we look and see if there are any survivors?" A calm, patient voice broke through their conversation, and both men turned to the speaker. Asari Ugetsu was the very epitome of his element, the Rain, his tranquility not shattered by the deep grief he felt. "They may be hope yet, Giotto."

"That's right. God will never abandon us." Knuckle was subdued, his normally bright disposition dampened with the events that happened, and yet still managing to cheer their leader up with his words, like the Sun he was always associated with. "I'll go with Asari and we'll search the northern part of the village."

"Knuckle, Asari…" The blond gave them a wan smile of gratitude, trying to pull himself together. "Thank you. G and I will go to the southern part. Daemon, can you and Lampo search in the western part?"

"Ehh? Why do I have to do with Daemon?" The youngest, their Lightning Guardian, whined at the blond, half-hiding behind Asari. "Why do I have to go in there anyway?"

"Nfufufu…" Daemon Spade chuckled and glanced at the younger man, who meeped and tried to make himself disappear from the Mist guardian's sight by hiding in the folds of the Rain Guardian's clothes. "I also don't want to babysit a brat, Giotto. Why don't you make him accompany Alaude instead?" He suggested with a slight smirk.

The look the Cloud Guardian gave him could crumble stone. "… Giotto, I'm going." And just like that, the skylark disappeared, presumably to search for survivors on the east end, the only direction the blond hadn't mentioned.

"He… He ran away…" Giotto chuckled a nervous laugh, watching a tick form on Daemon's head at the thought of babysitting Lampo. Without another word he summoned his trident, the spikes pointing at the green-haired male, who shrieked in fear.

"Now then, Lampo…" The Mist guardian looked positively dangerous at the moment, a murderous glint in his eyes as he surveyed the trembling man with something akin to sadistic amusement. "Let's see how fast you can run…. Nfufufufufu…"

-KHR-

The rest watched on in slight exasperation as the duo took off, Lampo running as fast as he could away from the other man, who was walking in a sedate, almost bored pace, his tips of his trident glinting menacingly.

With a grunt, Giotto pushed away the massive beams of wood and rock that surrounded what used to be a house. They've been at it for almost an hour, and, so far, there was still no word from his Guardians. Ignoring the bodies that littered the place and forcing down the bile that threatened to escape his throat, his pushed on, the dying will flames helping him shift some of the big boulders that would've been impossible for a normal person to move. It would've been easier if he were to blast the rocks away, but he didn't dare risk the possibility of hurting anyone who might still be alive.

It was simply inhumane the way these people were killed. Some he could see were gunned down to death, while others were scorched so badly they were nearly indistinguishable. Men, women, children, it didn't matter if they were old or young; all of them were murdered brutally. He felt white hot rage fill him, his anger bubbling and writhing inside of him as he suddenly punched a standing wall, shattering and making it come down, the rock almost disintegrating as the flames touched them.

Have they no heart? How could they do this to innocent people? They had nothing to do with the Vongola, trying to live their lives as peacefully and as contentedly as they could. To be killed like meek lambs for slaughter… it was too much!

He growled, letting his fury overtake him completely. He didn't care if his enemies would come after him, but to involve people who were living in bliss… They will not get away with this. He won't let them.

A faint cry suddenly reached his ears, and his intuition suddenly jumped, telling him that there was someone trapped under the rubble. He quickly started into action, digging into the debris, all the while shouting to the person under, whose words he now could discern.

"Someone… Mama… Papa… Help me… I-It hurts… "

"Don't worry, I can hear you! I'm almost there!" He was working against time, he knew. Pushing the bits and pieces of material behind him, he could finally see am arm twitching, feebly, but alive.

Someone lived through the massacre. A ray of hope. The situation wasn't as bad as he seemed it to be.

"I'm here! I'll save you!" With one final grunt as he heaved off a large block of stone, Giotto stared down, breathless, as his eyes took in the injured person before him.

It was a child. A boy no more than five years old, streaked with dirt and grime, tears of fear and pain in his eyes as a pair of bodies, Giotto saw in horror and comprehension, as the boy's parents, covered their son protectively, risking their lives so that their child will live.

Immediately he turned off the dying will flames, not wanting to scare the boy more than he already was. He gently removed the corpses aside, swearing to give them a proper funeral, before turning to the young boy, whose dark brown hair was matted down to the side of his face, sobbing quietly.

"Are you all right?" Giotto asked softly, kneeling beside the boy, eyes scanning for any major injury the child might have. He can't see anything, but that might mean that the injuries were internal. "Does anything hurt?"

The child wouldn't answer him, continuing to cry quietly, further curling into himself as wide, caramel colored orbs looked at him full of fear and distrust. "G-Go away… Y-You're going to h-hurt me…"

This was bad. The child was completely traumatized. Stamping down the initial rage he felt for making an innocent child fear for his life, Giotto quickly backed down, showing his hands up, desperately trying to let the boy see that he won't hurt him.

"Look, I don't have anything. I won't hurt you, I promise. I'm here to save you." He said earnestly, trying to make the boy trust him. He could simply grab the boy to be treated physically, but he would be damaging the boy's frail mental stability, and who knows what effect it could have in the long run.

"R-Really? Y-You won't hurt me?" The boy was wavering, clearly wanting to trust someone and cry his heart out. The blond smiled as gently and as softly as he could, stretching his hand out for the boy to take. But before the brunet child could do so, he slumped over in unconsciousness, startling Giotto who immediately caught the young boy and pressed him close.

"Thank God…" He muttered as he felt for the boy's pulse, faint, but there. There were bruises and cuts littering the child's body, but nothing broken as far as he could tell.

This child was lucky, he thought as he carried the small body out of the debris. He clutched the frail child close to him, hearing his shallow, difficult breathing, and he could only pray that this child will live a happy life despite what happened today.

"G!" He called out, searching for his companion. He had to find Knuckle, or saving the boy would have been for nothing. Giotto was definitely not going to give another life up for this tragedy. "G! Where are you!"

"Giotto! I found a survivor!" He heard the Strom Guardian answer back, and hurried over to the sound of the voice, trying not to jostle the child in his arms. "It's a child!"

Another one? Giotto didn't have time to think about it as G surfaced, holding a silver-haired boy in his arms. "I found him under a trapdoor. Apparently, his sister shielded him from harm by covering the trapdoor with a carpet. He's the only one left, not injured, only unconscious." He shifted the boy, not the first time noting the brunet that was tucked under Giotto's chest. "What about him? Is he injured?"

"This one wasn't so lucky." Giotto replied grimly. "I found him under his parents who used their bodies as a shield against the gunfire. He's not critically injured, but he's in shock. Traumatized."

"Shit." G swore, his magenta colored pupils darkening in rage as he stared at the pitiful child shivering in fear. "When I find those guys, I'm gonna kill them." He growled. "I won't forgive them for what they did."

"Come on, we need to find Knuckle." Seeing as Giotto had his hands full, G managed to raise a hand and shoot his own crimson flames into the sky, signaling to the rest that they found some survivors. "That boy needs to get treated." He nodded to the petite brunet.

"Check if that one's also in shock." The blond gestured to the silver haired child. "Let's see if Asari and the rest had also found others."

-KHR-

"Eight children." Giotto exhaled a breath and pressed his fingers against his temple, his elbows propped on his desk while his Guardians situated themselves in various parts of his office. "Only eight children survived that attack." He reclined back in his chair, feeling the mental and physical exhaustion toll on him as they all returned to Vongola Mansion later that afternoon. "I can't believe it."

"Apparently, they were saved because a family member protected them, or that they were hidden carefully during the massacre." Asari was sitting on the chair across Giotto's desk, a sad look dominating his features. "The child I discovered was trying to protect his dead father from me."

"Seven boys and one girl." Alaude announced in a monotone, which betrayed nothing of his feelings, leaning against the wall farthest from the Guardians. "Ages ranging from one to eight years of age. The girl and boy twin were shot in their right eye, and girl's stomach was slashed deeply. It's possible that they might've lost their eyesight from that. And the baby was barely breathing when I found him."

"What are we going to do, Giotto?" G asked from his position near the window, staring at the blond who was deep in thought. "Those children won't have anywhere to go after what happened. Every person they know is dead. We just can't cast them out there after this. The Famiglia that targeted them might go after them again if they realize that they're alive."

"I know, G." Giotto laced his fingers together, trying to think of a solution. "They might have seen the people who did this to them. As much as possible, I want to keep them safe and to forget what happened today. But…" His brow was furrowed, silence dominating the entire room that was broken with a rapid knock on the door.

"Come in," Giotto looked up and saw Knuckle, who was tending to the wounds of the children. "Knuckle, how are they?"

"All of their injuries are healed. But…" The priest looked exhausted, having been the person to heal all of the injured young ones. He was unsure and a little confused, causing the blond's hyper intuition to act up again.

"Knuckle, what happened?" He stood up, willing himself not to panic. It intuition told him that the children were safe, but there was something clearly unsettling the Sun Guardian.

The raven haired man looked undecided for a moment, before flickering his eyes up to meet sapphire blue.

"Giotto… there's something I think you need to see… with the child you rescued."

-KHR-

The Vongola Guardians stared in slight disbelief at the brunet sleeping soundly, unable to believe their own eyes.

"G-Giotto…" G hesitated, before turning to his best friend.

"You… you had an illegitimate son!" He hissed, trying not to wake up the child. He glowered darkly at the blond, who was just as stunned as he was. "Why the hell didn't you tell me! You could've introduced me to your woman first you know!" He grouched crossly, taking a step towards the blond, who was raising his hands in surrender.

"I-I…" What else could he say? Ever since he had founded the Vongola he never attached himself to anyone romantically! He can't even remember a time that he had a one-time stand with someone! So it's entirely, completely, impossible that the boy lying on the bed was his child!

But he had a feeling that if he were to voice his protests aloud, he would make the situation much worse.

"The resemblance is uncanny," Daemon noted, taking a closer look at the unconscious child. "Apart from the brown hair, he looks exactly like a younger you, up to the style of the hair." He gave the man a half-smile, half-smirk. "Nfufufufu… Taking after his mother I suppose, Giotto?"

"D-Daemon…!" He can't deny that the boy was a splitting image of him, right up to the wild, spiky hair. He didn't notice it before because the boy was dirty and grimy, but now cleaned up, though bandaged, the resemblance was very much noticeable. The man was clearly teasing him, but as he felt G's aura darkening behind him he winced and dragged the irate Strom Guardian out of the room before hearing the devastating blow.

"DAEMON KNEW ABOUT YOUR CHILD BUT NOT ME? GIOTTO, YOU BASTARD!"

The walls rattled, and Giotto's ears ringed from the sudden explosion, heaving a sigh of relief that the room's walls were thick enough to muffle G's shouts.

"G, hold your temper for a while! You're misunderstanding!" He pleaded. "You're going to wake up the children!"

"LIKE HELL I CARE! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS, GIOTTO? I'M SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND! DON'T TELL ME… YOU KNOCKED UP A WOMAN, DIDN'T YOU!"

"I didn't knock up anyone!" The Vongola Primo protested his innocence. "I swear!"

"It's a consensual relationship then?" Asari spoke up, the pain of betrayal evident in his eyes, laying a hand on G's shoulder to calm him down. "Giotto, did you not trust us enough to tell us of your relationship? You know that we will always accept and support you in no matter what you choose."

"No, Asari, I–" Giotto tried to explain desperately that what he's thinking was wrong. For god's sake, he doesn't have a woman and a child! Why wouldn't anyone listen to him!

"I didn't know that Giotto had it in him to have a woman and a kid." Lampo yawned, thoroughly bored with the conversation, though he was internally laughing, seeing the blond trying to defend himself in front of his fuming Strom Guardian and saddened Rain Guardian. Daemon was hanging back, thoroughly amused with the situation.

"Giotto Vongola." Alaude bit out, producing his handcuffs out of nowhere as he approached the Primo. "You had a child out of wedlock and a woman out of matrimony." The manacles clanked menacingly, and Giotto gulped. "Unforgivable."

"Wait, everyone!" The blond man finally had the chance to explain himself, in his exasperation. "That child looks like five years old! And I'm just twenty-one! I wouldn't have a child at sixteen! I was trying to build up Vongola's reputation at that time!" He insisted, trying to make them see sense. "G, you would know, you were with me the whole time!"

"Actually," Knuckle, for the first time, suddenly spoke up. "It's not just the boy Giotto saved. In fact," He cleared his throat as the rest looked owlishly at him. "All of the children bear extreme resemblances to every one of us! Even me!" He said happily.

Silence. And then…

"Why didn't you tell us first, stupid priest!" G rounded on the priest, seething. "And what do you mean, the children resembles us? That's impossible, isn't it?"

"That's just what I said. You could even check if you want to!" Knuckle waved him in the direction of the other children's rooms. "Keep in mind though; you just might be EXREMELY surprised!" He chuckled.

"Tch." G shrugged off Asari's hand and stalked towards the other rooms, with the others following behind. Giotto sighed in slight relief that he wasn't on the walking end of G's temper, but he was more than confused and intrigued on just how those children, some he had never seen before, managed to look like him and his Guardians.

-KHR-

"It's true…" Lampo observed from his position beside the bed of the youngest child, after the initial shock. "This brat looks like me."

The Storm Guardian twitched, his face paling at the sight of the child who could be an exact replica of his younger self in that age minus the hair color and the tattoo.

"Now who has a son out of wedlock." Giotto coughed and G glared him, face slightly blushing in mortification and embarrassment.

"It's quite amazing, really… " Asari was staring at his own young lookalike with something akin to awe. "I never thought it possible to see a child that looks like me without being a blood relative…"

Alaude stayed silent, his gaze centering on a young, raven haired boy that also bore his face, while Daemon cooed over the boy and girl twins who shared one bed, clutching each other tightly. Knuckle was ruffling the head of a white-haired boy that clung to his robes, mumbling incoherently in his sleep.

"I separated the brown-haired boy from the others because he had the most injuries." Knuckle explained, nodding to the twins. "But those two had the most life threatening ones. I'm afraid that the girl would be blind in her right eye. The damage done to her was just too great. And all the while I was healing her, she wouldn't let go of her brother's hand."

"I see…" Giotto said slowly, feeling sad for the young girl, who was holding her brother close as if her very life depended on it. "How about their mental health?"

"It's still too early to know." The Sun Guardian shook his head. "Until the children wake up, I can't say for sure."

All of them were silent, observing the children quietly, each immersed in their own thoughts. It was when Giotto decided to check on the brown-haired child that one of his Guardians spoke up.

"Giotto?" The Rain Guardian stood up from his position, eyes set and determined as the Primo looked at him quizzically.

"This may be a selfish request, but…" The Japanese man bowed low.

"Please… please allow these children to stay here with us."

"A-Asari…" Surprised, Giotto, as well as the others, looked at the musician. "Why?"

"I just… I just can't bear to see them outside after what has happened. And…" Asari stared at the children, particularly at his younger lookalike. "I feel a strong connection with this little one here." He patted the black hair almost fondly. "There must be a reason why they were the ones who survived, and why they look so much like us. I don't think that this could be counted as a mere coincidence."

"I refuse." G immediately took the other side of the argument. "These brats would only be a distraction to us. Maintaining the Vongola is hard enough, we don't need to look after a bunch of kids."

"I agree." Lampo concurred.

"Oh come now, would you cast these children into the harsh, cruel world?" Knuckles took Asari's side at once. "They barely survived a massacre. These children need extreme love and care!"

"Nfufu… as much as these children would be amusing in the long run, I would have to take G's side this time, as detestable as that sounds." Daemon sauntered over to the Storm Guardian's side, who only scowled darkly at him. "Alaude, your thoughts?"

The skylark was silent, seemingly mulling over what he was going to say, skimming over the heads of the young ones, his light colored eyes finally resting on his own little counterpart, who was at the very corner of the room.

"The children will stay." He said with finality, shocking most of the adults in the room. Who would've thought that Alaude, the extremely aloof and introverted Cloud Guardian, would vote for the kids to stay in the Mansion?

Giotto sighed, somehow, he knew that his Guardians would be split on this decision, and, like always, the last word belonged to him. He gazed at the children sleeping innocently on their beds, without care or thought of the future. He felt for these children, knowing how it felt to be orphaned at such a young age. What would they do? They had no one now. There was a reason why these children looked like them, and why they survived the murders in their village. His conscience can't accept to just leave them behind. They failed to save these children's loved ones, and this was the least the Vongola could do to set things right. His thoughts strayed to his own child lookalike, seeing his fearful and hurt face, and something clenched tightly around his heart.

There was no way that he couldn't just care for these children. Asari had a point. The moment he saw that brown-haired child he felt an instant connection with him, almost compelling him to protect the young one from everything that would try to hurt him. And besides, with these children looking just like them, there was a chance that a rival family would assume the same things they did and would put these children's lives in danger. Giotto Vongola would not, not in good conscience, allow a life to suffer for their sake; especially it was an innocent, pure child who had no fault of their own.

And, to be honest to himself, he also wanted to father a child of his own. While the chances of him having a wife was slim because of the nature of his occupation (he would never allow a woman to enter his kind of life, no matter how much he loved her), he somewhat knew that this was God's way of granting him that wish.

Somehow, some way… he knew that it would all right. The road would be hard, yes, and he may be bringing more danger into the little ones' lives by entering them into his world, but he just can't let them go, especially his own little one, who was now resting peacefully on the other room without any worries.

He made his decision. And he would just have to convince his Guardians to see things his way.

"No." He said with finality. "The children will stay here with us. Asari is right; we can't leave them like this. They have no family left. And they need someone to guide them. We'll be their family." He continued with a soft smile. "We failed in saving their parents and their loved ones. This is the least we could do to atone for that."

Asari and Knuckle brightened up at that, thanking the Primo fervently, while G and Lampo looked at their boss as if he had lost his mind.

"Giotto, please tell me that you're joking." G groaned, burying his face in his hands. "We can't risk their lives in danger! We're a vigilante group, for god's sake! It's like telling our enemies our weakness!"

"That's precisely why they need to be near the Vongola mansion." Giotto retorted calmly. "They would be safer if they were near us. Just think of it, G. What if someone saw your boy lookalike and assumed that you're related? They would capture the boy to lure you out, and we would end up risking their lives even more. This way, we can protect them completely."

"But people will talk if a bunch of kids suddenly appeared our side, don't you think?" Lampo pointed out. "Besides, we don't even know how to raise kids!"

"Then we could just tell them what all of us thought. That they're our sons, or closely related to us." Asari was already hovering close to his charge. "Nobody really knows our private lives, and it wouldn't be contested since the children looks like us. We could simply tell them that we don't wish to bring our loved ones in this world, but certain circumstances forced us to."

"I extremely like where this is going!" Knuckle chuckled, clapping a hand on the sleeping, white-haired boy's shoulder. "This boy will be my nephew then!"

"Nufufufu… it can't be helped." Daemon patted the girl and boy siblings on the head, chuckling quietly. "I shall teach them everything I know."

Giotto smiled to himself as the adults gradually accepted their soon to be responsibilities as parents. He knew that he would still have to convince G and Lampo that this was a good idea, but he had faith that they would accept it eventually. He gave a startled start as someone brushed against him, but it was only his Cloud Guardian, stalking out of the room and walking into the corridor.

"Alaude," The blond called out, somewhat puzzled. "Where are you going?"

The skylark stopped, tilting his head sideways, but not turning back. "… Adoption papers. I will not accept an illicit familial relationship." And with that, he continued walking on, presumably to the office, leaving Giotto chuckling after his wake. Also going out of the room and shutting the door behind him, he went to the room where the brunet child was resting, sitting beside the bed and sweeping some of the chocolate strands away from the angelic face, before pressing his lips to the boy's forehead.

"Welcome to my family, little one." He whispered softly, smiling.

Yes, everything would be just fine

chap 2

A year later…

Giotto Vongola, the Vongola Primo, the head of the Vongola Famiglia, was slaving away at his desk in the early morning, trying to finish the mounds of paperwork left at his desk. Page after page was read, understood, signed and/or segregated into folders, and the blond man internally grumbled, finding this work the most troublesome one out of all his duties as a Mafia don. Signing his signature on another document with a flourish, he almost didn't notice the soft knock that came from his office door.

The door opened by a fraction, and a fluff of chocolate brown hair was partially visible, with one caramel eye peeking in, trying to look inside as quietly as he could.

"Papa…?"

Giotto looked up, and when he saw who was at the door, he smiled and put down his paperwork, gesturing for the person to come in.

Work could continue later.

"Buongiorno, Tsuna." He greeted his only son with a smile, causing the small child to enter the room, he ran towards his father, who stood up to meet his son halfway. He caught his son by the shoulders, slightly stooping down to his height so he could look at the child properly. "Have you slept well?"

"Buongiorno, Papa!" The six year old boy smiled sweetly, managing not to trip in his oversized night clothes. It was clear that the boy had just woken up, judging from his state of dress, that and he was still holding on to the stuffed lion cub Giotto had given him for his birthday. "Yes! Nuts protected me from all the bad dreams!" He hugged the stuffed animal tightly, beaming brightly at the older man. "I wanted to greet you good morning, Papa!"

"And that you did, Tsuna." Giotto ruffled the spiky hair and chuckled fondly. "Have you eaten your breakfast?"

At that, Tsuna looked slightly guilty, and it was easy to see that he hadn't yet. Giotto's fond expression turned into something somewhat stern. "Tsuna, I told you that you should always eat your breakfast after you wake up, correct?"

"B-But… I really wanted to see Papa, so…" Tsuna looked ready to cry, and Giotto sighed a bit, before scooping up the little boy into his arms, who squealed in surprise and held on tightly to the blond's shoulders. "All right, because you told Papa the truth, Papa won't scold you today, but you should always do what Papa told you, okay?"

"I'm sorry Papa, Tsuna won't do it again!" Tsuna looked so resolute, and Giotto chuckled, lightly bopping the boy on the nose, knowing that Tsuna would forget the next day. "That's good. Now, let's dress you up properly and go get you some breakfast."

"Okay, Papa!" Tsuna giggled in his father's embrace, his little hands wrapped around Giotto's neck as the latter exited his office and walked towards his son's bedroom, the blond man looking affectionately at his child as Tsuna laughed and his eyes sparkled with happiness, almost not believing that this was the broken child he had recused from that horrible village massacre that happened a year ago.

After deciding to adopt Tsuna and the other children who survived into the Famiglia, the next few months that passed had been nothing but hectic for Giotto and his Guardians. After the paperwork had been settled, the renovations of some of the rooms went into effect, as well as the physical and mental healing of the children, who, at first, refused their gestures of affection. It was a dark time in the Mansion back then, with the adults trying their hardest to make the children trust them, taking in their hateful and scared looks without a word of complaint. It was to be expected, after all, they saw gore and bloodshed at such a young age, and those images where hard to forget, let alone disregard completely.

Giotto couldn't remember how many times he would wake up to Tsuna's cries and pleas for help, to wake him up from the nightmares that would plague the five-year old boy almost every night. He soothed the boy's fears with tenderness and love, always whispering to him that, no, he wasn't alone anymore, and that he would always protect Tsuna, no matter what. He dealt with the tantrums and the rejections with an almost inhuman patience, knowing that it would only be a matter of time that Tsuna would finally accept and not be afraid of him.

His other Guardians weren't having much luck either, and G and Lampo had yet to acknowledge the situation, but still they persevered, taking turns to stay up in the middle of the night to be there for the children when they needed them, feeding them, bathing, showering them with only the gentlest of affections, even if they refused their touches. It wasn't long before their hard work paid off, three months after they found the children, that one of them finally cracked.

It was during a meeting with all the Guardians present, and a mop of messy brown greeted Giotto's surprised vision as one of the children entered without ceremony and threw himself in the blond's lap, sobbing and murmuring, much to the shock of the other men in the room.

But the most unforgettable time at that moment was when Tsuna raised his head and gave Giotto a watery smile, hiccuping and sniffling as he said something that warmed up Giotto's heart up to his day.

Tsuna called him 'Papa' that day.

He was so happy and pleased that he didn't bother correcting the young boy, opting to just hug him tightly, silently dismissing the others as Tsuna bawled his heart out, apologizing and finally recognizing him as his father. Up to this day the name stuck with him, something that he really didn't mind, as Tsuna told him everything about himself, his full name, Tsunayoshi (…who on earth would name their son Tsunayoshi?) his age and various things that he liked.

Though Tsuna accepted Giotto as a father figure, he was still wary of the other Guardians at first, but slowly warmed up to them, finally managing to smile and hug them all after a week of opening up to Giotto first. Even G and Lampo wasn't safe from Tsuna sunny disposition and heart melting personality, the brown haired boy being their final push into accepting their responsibilities.

It was with Tsuna's help that the rest of the children also opened up to them, finally managing to close the dark chapter of the children's lives and to start a new, brighter one with them.

-KHR-

Giotto opened the kitchen door with one hand, he was greeted by the chefs and kitchen staff, who gazed warmly at their boss and his only son.

"Good morning, Vongola Primo." The nearest chef greeted the two, while Giotto smiled and Tsuna grinned cheekily, his dimples showing. "And good morning, Young Master Tsuna."

"Like I said, it's okay to call me Giotto." The blond man set his son down, already dressed properly but still hugging his stuffed toy tightly, who immediately went to one of the counters, watching mesmerizingly at the cooks working. "I'm sorry to impose, but can you make Tsuna some breakfast? A simple one would suffice," He added, chuckling he gazed at the brunet child.

"Anything for the boss," The chef winked and nodded. "Young master Tsuna, is there anything you would like to eat?" He called out to the young boy, who was staring agape at the work being done.

"Um… can I have some strawberries?" Tsuna turned back to his father, blinking cutely. "A-And something sweet! Oh! Papa, can Nuts eat something too?" He raised the stuffed lion up, asking with a smile.

"Of course, Tsuna." Giotto agreed at once, chuckling with the rest of the staff on just how adorable his young son was. "And something healthy, please." He added to the chef in an undertone, smiling in gratitude as the chef saluted and started gathering ingredients. "Come on Tsuna, let's go and wait for your breakfast in the dining room." He left the kitchen, clasping Tsuna's hand in his own as they both walked towards one of the dining rooms in the mansion, smaller and more used by Giotto and his Guardians frequently during dining hours.

He was about to close the door when he heard a particularly loud crash! nearby and internally winced. Tsuna turned his head at the sound, tugging at his father's pants sleeve.

"Papa, what is what? I heard something." He asked curiously. Giotto merely shook his head and guided Tsuna to one of the seats, remembering to take a stack of books and place them on top of the other so the child would reach the dining table.

"It's probably Hayato and your Uncle G." He watched amusedly as Tsuna struggled to get up the chair, making a mental note to change the dining equipment into something lower. Tsuna was really small for his age, just barely reaching up to the top of his thigh. "They're the only people I know who would make that sort of noise in the morning."

"Nuh-uh! Big brother Ryohei and Uncle Knuckles are also loud!" Finally managing to sit down, Tsuna imitated his father's position on his seat, elbows propped up on the table and feeling very much grown up. He placed Nuts on the table on front of him, setting it up so the lion cub was sitting in front of him. "I hear them yelling 'Extreme!' everyday!" He did a very poor imitation of the two, causing Giotto to crack a smile. "It's Uncle Asari and Uncle Alaude who's very quiet! Also Chrome and big brother Kyouya…" The boy added thoughtfully.

Giotto was about to answer when another loud crash interrupted them, and the double doors were slammed open, a small streak of silver passing through it, little feet pounding on the carpeted floor.

"Gokudera Hayato! Come back here you insufferable brat!" Giotto could distinctly hear G's voice hollering in the background, fast feet stomping quickly to where they were. Tsuna watched curiously as his father stood up and quickly caught the other boy by the arm, immediately halting the child's steps.

"Woah there," Giotto held the boy's arms securely with his own, who was trying to squirm out of the gentle but firm grip. "Where's the hurry, Hayato? And why are you running away from your father?"

"You're too slow, old man!" Hayato called back, yelping as Giotto smartly rapped him on top of the head. "Be respectful to your elders, especially your father." The blond said reprovingly to the sulking boy.

The silver haired boy sulked, feeling disgruntled at the fact that he was caught so quickly. "Yes, Uncle Giotto." and there was nothing Hayato could do but wait as his magenta-haired father burst into view, sweating and slightly breathless from chasing his son all around the mansion. Giotto couldn't help but quirk an amused eyebrow at his bedraggled Storm Guardian.

"And you told me that you're my right hand man, G." The blond man tsked, teasing his best friend to high heaven. Oh, there was no way he was going to live this down. "You should be ashamed of yourself. My Storm Guardian is losing to a kid."

"Shut up, Giotto." The glare G gave him could peel wallpaper. Completely unaffected with the look, Giotto started to laugh, and Tsuna giggled at his father's tone, causing Hayato to turn his head sideways to the younger brunet. The moment the silver haired child saw his uncle's son he flushed a deep red, his pale green eyes widening in shock, embarrassed that Tsuna saw him in that state.

"Good morning, Hayato, Uncle G." Tsuna smiled sweetly at him, and the other boy looked like as if he was going to spontaneously combust. "Ne, why are you running away from Uncle G?" He cocked his head sideways at the silveret. "Did you do something wrong?"

Hayato looked down, unable to meet Tsuna's curious stare. "U-Um… I… T-Tenth…"

"Hey Tsuna." G briefly ruffled the brown locks fondly, before turning back to his silver-haired son, scowling, with Giotto still preventing him from escaping, giving the Storm Guardian a questioning look.

"What happened, G?"

"Well, this little brat," G approached and pulled on his son's ear in emphasis, ignoring the sudden yell of pain, "Went to the weapons room today and stole a couple sticks of dynamite from the case. The damn brat almost got away too if I didn't see him sneaking around the basement."

"I wasn't going to do anything!" Hayato shot back, cradling his chest of bombs protectively, wincing at the pressure his ear was getting. "And it's your fault for not catching me in time, old man!"

A vein popped in G's forehead. "You little…! You're you calling an old man, you runt!" He wrestled the boy from Giotto's grip, pinching and pulling at the boy's cheeks. "Take that back you ungrateful little shit!"

"Make me!" The father and (adopted) son glared at each other, imaginary sparks igniting between them as they stubbornly tried to make the other back down. Giotto, completely amused now, tried to break them up, unable to stop laughing at the duo.

"Now you two, you're setting a bad example for Tsuna." With enough strength he managed to pry the two apart, both huffing and refusing to look at each other when they were successfully pulled away from each other. "You really shouldn't fight, you know. Hayato, you know that you're not allowed to go into the basement. It's dangerous there. Isn't that right, Tsuna?" He gave a quick glance to his son, who nodded at once.

"Papa's right, Hayato!" With some difficulty he wiggled out of his seat and approached the other boy, who gave a start and blushed darkly when Tsuna reached out and held both of his hands. "It's bad to fight with your Papa! Taking things is also bad!" Tsuna scolded the silveret, squeezing his hands lightly. "Uncle G loves you, so don't make him angry, okay? He's just worried about you! Please don't do it again." He smiled brilliantly at the other boy, whose beet red face clashed horribly with his silver hair.

"My, my, we're so energetic today, everyone." Another voice added to the conversation, and both adults looked at the door, seeing Asari come in with his own son, who was clothed in the traditional Japanese way (if Giotto wasn't mistaken, those clothes were called hakamas). The taller boy grinned at the sight of his two other 'siblings', leaving his father's side to greet them cheerfully.

"Good morning, Tsuna, Hayato!" He chirped, and Tsuna gave a squeal, while Hayato scowled at the newcomer. "Uncle Giotto and G too!"

"Takeshi! Good morning!" The brunet happily accepted the hug the raven boy gave him. "Hello Uncle Asari!" He beamed at the Japanese man.

"Hello, young Tsunayoshi." Asari smiled at the adorable boy. "Hayato as well." He nodded to the silveret boy, who yelped and hissed at Takeshi when the latter decided to hug him as well.

"Let go of me! Idiot!" Hayato tried to claw his way out of the tight hug.

"Haha! Don't squirm so much, Hayato!" Takeshi laughed, tightening his grip, and Hayato finally managed to stomp on a slipper clad-foot before breaking away and escaping through the double doors, leaving the rest to stare after him.

"Geez, that boy's gonna be the death of me one day." G finally muttered after a while, breathing out a stress-filled sigh. He racked his hands into his rose-colored hair, wishing that he brought a carton of cigarettes with him. He really needed a smoke.

"Takeshi, are you hurt?" Asari asked his son concernedly, who only chuckled and shrugged it off. "I'm fine, Otou-san." He grinned. "He missed my toes."

"Takeshi, come on! Sit with me and Nuts!" Tsuna tugged the raven into a seat, who was all smiles and went with him without complaint.

Giotto chuckled. "You just didn't want to see your younger self, G. You're a bad influence on him."

"Hey, I'm not that bad of a brat." The Storm Guardian grumbled defensively, but the look being given to him by his boss clearly said otherwise. "Okay, fine, I may be a brat, but he's definitely worse than me."

"It's impressive on how many of G's habits have been passed on to Hayato." Asari mused thoughtfully, making the man scowl at him. "I would think that, in the future, Hayato would also take up smoking from G."

"I'm willing to bet on that." Giotto butted in, smirking as they both ganged up on the magenta-haired man.

"You guys are assholes. Both of you." G muttered, huffing out loud before going out of the dining room, most probably to find his wayward son. Asari chuckled, before sitting beside Takeshi, who was playing with Tsuna and Nuts.

"Oi G! Watch your language around the kids!" Giotto called after him. "I don't want Tsuna to become like your son!"

"Fuck you, Giotto!"

-KHR-

Sometimes it scared Giotto on just how much influence Tsuna had on the other children. Gokudera Hayato, G's adopted son, was one of the proofs of that, being one of the more hostile of the children, but the second person to accept his second family. He flat out kicked and screamed when he was touched by other people, and Tsuna was the only person who was able to come close, showing his sweetness and bubbliness to the silver-haired boy who tried to resist at first.

It took Tsuna ten times to finally be able to make Hayato open up, even though the other boy hurt him physically, scratches and bruises littering his arms when he first tried, sending Giotto into a worried frenzy.

"It's okay, Papa." Tsuna had smiled back then, assuring his blond father. "I'll definitely make friends with him! You'll see!" He had smiled sunnily.

Finally, on the tenth day, Tsuna finally did it, managing to hug Hayato for the first time, and consequently making the silver-haired child adore his son to almost unhealthy levels, developing a 'Tsuna-complex' as G so dubbed it. From that day forward, Hayato called his son Decimo, the 'Tenth', and followed him around constantly like a duckling to his mother goose.

Giotto found it unbearably cute. G found it somewhat disturbing.

"Tsuna, eat your vegetables." The Primo pushed the leafy greens in front of the brunet, who frowned and pouted. He was watching Tsuna eat, occasionally leaning forward to group the scatted food together, teaching Tsuna to not make too much of a mess.

"But it tastes icky." The child made a face. "I don't wanna."

"But look, Takeshi's eating his vegetables and you aren't." He pointed to the other child, who was shoveling the food into his mouth.

"It tastes good Tsuna," He talked through a mouthful, and Asari gently chastised his son.

"Takeshi, it's rude to talk while eating." Takeshi looked back and nodded, continuing to eat in peace.

"B-But Papa, it tastes bad." Tsuna pouted more, and Giotto frowned.

"Tsunayoshi." He only used Tsuna's full name when he wanted to make a point, and the child visibly faltered. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll get sick, and then Papa would be sad. Do you want that to happen?" He asked gently, and Tsuna quickly shook his head.

"No! I don't want Papa to be sad!"

"Then you should eat what's good for you. If you're healthy, Papa would be happy, and you'll be able to play more." He took a forkful of broccoli and placed it in front of the pouting lips. "Please? For Papa?" He pleaded.

Tsuna nodded slowly and took the food into his mouth, face scrunching up, but nevertheless chewing and swallowing it, making Giotto smile.

"That's my boy." He ruffled the brown hair affectionately, making Tsuna giggle. "Be good and finish off the rest, okay?"

"Okay Papa!" Giotto leaned back and watched as his son slowly finished off the rest of his meal, glad that the little boy wasn't picky when it came to his food.

"Asari, you're lucky that Takeshi eats anything." The blond man noted to his Rain Guardian, who merely smiled back, getting a napkin and wiping off some of the traces of food on his son's cheeks. "Yes, though I have to say that he also has quite the big appetite." The Japanese man ruffled the raven boy's hair, causing him to smile at his reserved father. "Takeshi, what would you say after every meal?"

"Thank you for the meal!" The boy clapped his hands together and bowed before his empty plates before turning back to his foster parent. "Otou-san, can Tsuna and I play after breakfast?"

"Well, you would have to ask Tsunayoshi's father then." Asari mused vaguely, exchanging a quick look with the blond man. "And Tsunayoshi as well."

"Ah, I see." Takeshi blinked in understanding before turning to the brunet boy. "Tsuna, would you like to play with me today?" He asked, smiling.

Tsuna looked up, before smiling excitedly and nodding. "Sure!" Takeshi grinned before taking Tsuna's hand, holding it in his own while seriously addressing the Vongola leader.

"Uncle Giotto, may I please play with Tsuna? I promise that I'll always stay with him and I'll make sure that he doesn't get hurt!"

"As long as you don't go in places that you shouldn't and that you'll take care of Tsuna." Giotto smiled and nodded them along, watching the two children exit the dining room. Tsuna turned back and waved at his father one last time smiling sweetly.

"Papa, Uncle Asari, I'll see you two later!"

"Take care you two," Giotto and Asari waved at the disappearing children, exchanging one mutual look of fondness for their children before going back to their own duties.

-KHR-

Giotto was in his office the whole day, working nonstop. He gave strict orders on not to disturb him in any moment, except when it's Tsuna, the children or his Guardians. Slowly but surely his finished pile was rising, with him signing, scanning and filing various paperwork, somewhat glad that this was the only thing he needed to do that day. Dimly he could hear the squeals and the shrieks of the children playing outside, his office window directly across from the back garden where their children were, and couldn't help but heave a sigh, wishing that he was there with them.

Vongola Mansion wasn't so quiet now, housing eight active, healthy children. Giotto was glad for the change, finding the halls and the rooms warmer now that laughter permeated the estate. He cared for all the children just as a father would, but he held a very special place in his heart for his little Tsunayoshi, his adopted son. He never once regretted his choice a year ago to take the children in, though it was difficult, at times stressful, and to add the fact that all of them had no idea how to raise a child properly only added to their troubles.

But the moment Tsuna first smiled at him made all of their efforts worth it. Now he had an adorable little boy to dote upon and take care of, and Giotto never thought that he could be so blessed with having Tsuna as a son.

-KHR-

"Papa?" Hearing his son's voice took him out of his reverie, and he looked up, seeing Tsuna by his bedroom door. It was already evening, and Giotto was just getting ready for bed, the boy already bathed and changed into his lion-printed pajamas, Nuts once again by his side.

"Tsuna?" He let the boy into his room, shutting the door behind him. "It's late already. Why aren't you in bed yet?"

"Um… Tsuna… Tsuna's scared." Tsuna hugged the stuffed lion close to him. "T-The room was so dark, a-and Tsuna thinks there's a monster in my closet." He whispered and buried his face in Nuts' fake fur. "T-Tsuna knows that he's a big boy already Papa, but… can Tsuna sleep in your room tonight?" He asked shyly, too embarrassed to look up.

"Of course Tsuna." The blond man knew that Tsuna still had issues with the dark, and his bedside lamp wasn't working lately, and so he strode to the four-poster bed, throwing the covers out and patting the mattress. "Come here." He smiled.

Tsuna brightened up, immediately coming over and crawling up the large bed, laying his head in the fluffy white pillows, cuddling Nuts close. "Thank you Papa." He sighed happily.

"You're very welcome." Giotto raised his legs up on the bed, settling down and pulling up the comforters so it covered the both of them. He turned to his side, propping one elbow up on the pillows as he surveyed his son carefully.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't able to spend some time with you today." He apologized, playing with some of the chocolate strand that was sticking out, making Tsuna giggle. "How was your day today?"

"No, it's fine!" Tsuna smiled understandingly. "Papa is busy with work! Takeshi and I played tag today! Hayato also joined, but he keeps hitting Takeshi, so we had to stop." The child's dimples showed as he chattered on excitedly about his day.

"Uncle Lampo played with us too! Baby Lambo looked so cute, but he was sleeping, so we weren't able to play with him." Tsuna pouted and Giotto laughed. "And-And Uncle Alaude came with big brother Kyouya and brought me some chocolate from France!" His face fell slightly. "I'm sorry if I didn't give you some Papa, they were so delicious!"

"That's all right, Tsuna." So Alaude stopped by to give something to the kids? He had a meeting report with the man earlier, and hadn't expected him to stick around for a while. The Cloud Guardian always brought Kyouya with him during his missions, and god only knows what he was teaching the boy. "Anything else?"

"Umm… Uncle Knuckle and big brother Ryohei was saying 'Extreme!' again! Uncle Daemon showed us some really cool things! Like butterflies and floating flowers! Chrome was shy again, and always hiding behind Uncle Daemon! Big brother Mukuro told me some really strange things, though…" The child's face was screwed up in thought.

"He told me that I'll be his bride one day… Papa, what does a bride mean?" Tsuna asked, cocking his head sideways in question, his naiveté showing through. "Big brother says that it will be really fun…"

That kid… Giotto could feel a vein twitch. He didn't doubt that it was completely Daemon's influence that caused Mukuro to turn out like that. The Mist Guardian, upon taking charge of a brother and sister pair, immediately cut their hair to resemble his pineapple shaped hairstyle, and while he spoiled Chrome silly, he also taught Mukuro some age-inappropriate lessons which that boy absorbed like a sponge.

Needless to say, Giotto feared for his baby boy's future. The world didn't need two Daemon Spades running around unsupervised.

"I'll tell you when you're older, Tsuna." Giotto told his son, and while Tsuna pouted, wanting to know, he accepted it, knowing that his Papa would always keep his promise. "Did you enjoy your day then?"

"Yup! Today was very fun!" Tsuna beamed back. "Tsuna gets to sleep with Papa tonight too!"

Giotto chuckled. "Papa will always be here if you need it Tsuna. Never forget that." He could never explain just how much Tsuna meant to him. For him, Tsuna was his everything, a gift, a treasure to be cherished and taken care of. Tsuna was his only child, his only son, the person who held his heart and soul above everything else. "Do you want me to read you a bedtime story?"

"No… it's okay, Papa. Tsuna's happy just staying with Papa." The brunet boy yawned, his eyes already half-closing. "Tsuna… Tsuna is happy that he has a Papa."

"Go to sleep, Tsuna." Giotto whispered, smoothing down the chocolate locks, slowly lulling the boy into a deeper calm. "Papa will always stay with Tsuna forever."

"Papa… kiss Nuts good night too." Tuna half raised the lion sleepily, and Giotto smiled, giving the stuffed lion its kiss. "Good night, Nuts."

Tsuna smiled, bringing Nuts back, hugging him again. He stared at his blond father with adoration, a sweet smile on his face, before dropping off to sleep.

"Papa… I love you."

Giotto never ceased to be shocked whenever he would hear those words from his son's lips. Suddenly finding himself unable to speak, throat constricting with emotion, he merely nodded, tears once again springing into his eyes as he kissed Tsuna's head gently, tenderly, protectively.

He whispered against the smooth forehead, wrapping his arms around the tiny body, shielding his only son from everything that would want to hurt him as he too, slipped to unconsciousness.

I love you too, Tsuna. I love you very, very much.

chap 3

There was a few days of peace in the Vongola Mansion, the adults, as usual, concentrating on their work while their children played and frolicked without a care in the world. Tsuna watched his 'family' come and go, his Uncles leaving the villa for a couple of days at times, doing their 'work' as his Papa always told him. Thankfully Hayato, Takeshi and baby Lambo always stayed back, keeping him some company, even though he didn't understand why Hayato keeps staying close to him and keeps on screaming at Takeshi to stay away from him.

But his Uncles always came back, always greeting them with a smile and a pat on the head, though sometimes Tsuna could see that they were hurt sometimes. There was a time that he worriedly asked his Papa why his Uncles always came back that way, and Giotto immediately asked his Guardians to keep the damage to a minimum, if not completely hidden towards the children, so they wouldn't worry so much.

And so a week passed by quickly.

"Uncle Alaude! Big brother Kyouya!"

Until one day, when he spied a familiar looking pair exit his Papa's office.

He waved his arm up; the long sleeves flopping to and fro as he finally reached the younger of the two and tackled him, beaming happily. "You're finally back!"

The Cloud father and son pair halted, letting the young boy approach them, Alaude stepping aside as Tsuna darted past him in favor of his raven haired son who raised his arms as a smaller boy slammed against him.

"… Plant-eater." Kyouya acknowledged the boy who was snuggling up unto him, wrapping his arms around the brunet's, letting a small, rare smile bloom on his face as he patted the fluff of chocolate hair.

But then he was serious again.

"You're crowding around me."

"HIEE! I'm sorry!" Tsuna immediately stepped back, remembering that his 'big brother' didn't like people touching him, but he seemed to make an exception for the brunet boy standing in front of him. Sometimes. "I didn't mean to!"

"Hn." Kyoya merely gave the younger child a look, who only returned it with a curious look and another smile, before turning back to the adult male watching the interaction quietly.

"Uncle Alaude! Tsuna missed you too!" He also hugged the man around his waist, his dimples showing as he gave the man a sweet, innocent smile. "Where did you go this time?" He asked excitedly. "Was it pretty there?" He absolutely loved hearing his Uncle speak about the places he's always going to, also wanting to go there one day. His Uncle and Kyouya were always quiet, at times intimidating, but he wasn't afraid of them, knowing them to be nice people who always protected him and gave him gifts every time they stopped by the Mansion.

It also didn't hurt that the two also had a soft side for the Primo's adorable little son, who approached them without any fear and always showing them his warm and gentle personality.

"Tsunayoshi." Alaude nodded, kneeling down in front of the brunet boy. His hand slipped inside his coat, seemingly rummaging for something before coming back with a small package in hand, giving it to the young child. "This is a toy, from England. I believe it's called a 'toy soldier'." He explained in his usual monotone voice, but someone close enough would hear a layer of affection the Cloud Guardian only used towards his adopted son, and, currently, the Vongola Primo's son. "It was Kyouya who suggested it."

Well, his son didn't say anything about the matter, but as Alaude caught him staring at the figure behind the glass display of the toyshop, knowing the boy's personality as it was similar to his own, he knew that Kyouya wanted to buy that gift for Tsunayoshi, whom his son was fond of, even if he didn't show it.

Tsuna immediately brightened up, taking the box carefully with his little hands, face shining with happiness. "Really? Thank you very much! Tsuna promises to take good care of it!" He clutched the present as if it was a lifeline. "Uncle Alaude, will you also tell me about your trip?" He pleaded, his big brown eyes widening and staring beseechingly at the man. "I promise to be quiet and listen carefully!"

The older skylark thought about it for a while, but seeing such a heartbroken look made him sigh and nod his head. It was hard to say no to Tsunayoshi, especially when he's being given that look.

"All right!" Tsuna gave a small cheer, giggling happily. "Kyouya, let's play today! You'll be staying, right?" He turned to the raven haired boy, who blinked at the sudden sight of bright, honey colored eyes staring expectantly at him.

He really didn't know what to answer. Glancing behind the boy, he made eye contact with his father, who only cocked his head towards the younger child and nodded once. There was no trouble staying in the mansion for a night, besides, Alaude was tired from the mission and the chance of rest was greatly appreciated.

"… Yes."

"Yay! Uncle Alaude and big brother are staying here today!" Tsuna couldn't be any happier. His Uncle always left for long periods of time, always going to other countries and taking his big brother with him. He missed them terribly, but he also knew that Uncle Alaude was doing his 'work' for his Papa, so he really couldn't complain.

"Let's go, big brother!" He tugged on the older boy's sleeve almost impatiently. "Let's play with Hayato and Takeshi!"

"… I don't want to play with plant-eaters." Kyouya deadpanned, wrenching the younger boy's grip away. "If I do, I'll bite them to death."

"But Kyouya!" Tsuna pouted at his older brother's unwillingness to play with them. Why must the older boy always be so difficult to convince? "You'll go away with Uncle Alaude again! It's not fair!"

"Don't make me hurt you, plant-eater." The raven boy snapped back, unconsciously threatening the younger boy, and Tsuna immediately stepped back, eyes brimming with tears. The moment Alaude saw the impending doom of waterworks he immediately stepped in; he didn't want Giotto getting on his case on making little boys cry, especially if it was the blond's son.

"Kyouya." The raven haired boy snapped his attention to his foster father. "Go with Tsunayoshi and play with him."

"I refuse." Even though the boy defied him so bluntly, Alaude couldn't help but smirk a little in pride. He taught his son well. "Father, I don't want plant-eaters to crowd around me."

Alaude merely gave the younger boy a look, and Kyouya returned it, hands going behind him to grasp the handle of his tonfas, the gifts his father gave him for his eighth birthday. There was in no way in no how in hell that he was going to stay with plant-eaters. He would rather be bitten to death first, though he felt a small twinge of guilt when he saw the brown haired plant-eater close to tears.

The Cloud Guardian sighed, getting ready to fight, knowing that his boy wasn't going to give up without a fight. He slipped his hands to his pockets, grasping the handcuffs he always kept by his person, ready to subdue his son, when a familiar chuckle resonated along the corridor.

"Nufufufu… what do we have here?" Daemon Spade appeared in a swirl of mist, his hands both grasping two children by the wrist, one a girl who was shyly hiding behind his father legs, the other an older boy who was sporting the same smirk his father did. "Little Tsunayoshi with Alaude and his son. What a cute reunion." The Mist Guardian chuckled, immediately noticing the Cloud Guardian's fighting stance.

"Daemon." Alaude acknowledged with a small nod, slowly straightening out, watching his son with some wariness; the boy was still ready to fight. "I see that you've also brought your children with you." He gestured to the twins, the little girl curling further into the folds of his father's pants sleeve, one eye peeking out to stare at her Uncle.

"H-Hello Uncle A-Alaude, and Kyouya." She whispered meekly, making her foster father chuckle again and nudge his daughter out gently.

"Now now, my dear Chrome, there's no need to be afraid." Daemon soothed the girl gently. "They may look scary, but they don't bite." He directed his smirk to the skylark pair. "Father and Mukuro are here to protect you, so don't be shy."

"O-Okay, Father." Chrome slowly appeared, shyness and timidity in her every step. Her one eye saw Tsuna with them and gave the brunet boy a small smile and a wave, now feeling more at ease. "H-Hello, Tsuna."

"Chrome…" Tsuna managed a smile and a wave as well, but the moment he saw her brother, who was still beside their father, not saying a word, he burst into tears, making a beeline for the older pineapple boy, who simply opened his arms for the younger brunet, who was crying his heart out again.

"B-Big brother Mukuro! Big brother Kyoya is so mean!" He sniffled and buried his head on the older boy's chest. "H-He doesn't want to play with me!"

"Kufufufu…" Mukuro patted the brunet comfortingly, his mismatched eyes catching a pair of furious gray. He gave a small smirk, turning his attention to the younger boy in his arms. "There there, Tsunayoshi. Kyouya can be mean at times, but big brother Mukuro is here now, and he'll play with you." Tsuna looked up at that, sniffling, making Mukuro chuckle and wipe the tears away.

"R-Really? Y-You'll play with us, Mukuro?" Tsuna looked so hopeful, glad that his other brother was so nice to him.

The pineapple-haired boy nodded and hugged Tsuna again, all the while not leaving his gaze at the irritated younger skylark. Blue and red eyes flashing amusedly, he bent down and placed a small kiss on Tsuna's hair, flickering his eyes towards Kyouya.

"Of course. After all, Chrome and I would never make you cry."

And then Kyouya finally snapped.

Mukuro gently pushed the younger brunet away, who blinked and shrieked as he saw Kyouya charge at the boy, who only jumped away, a trident appearing on his hands to connect with the tonfas now visible on the raven boy's hands.

"Oh my, Kyouya, why so violent?" Mukuro deflected the attack easily, twirling his trident and pointing it at the other boy, spikes glinting menacingly. "Fighting is bad, don't you know?"

Kyouya, completely unfazed with the sudden weapon on the other boy's hands, only raised his tonfas higher, ready to charge, his dark glare amplifying his sudden killer intent. "You annoy me, pineapple plant-eater. Go die."

Mukuro's eyes narrowed at the mention of his hairstyle. "Now you've done it." He attacked, tonfas and a trident swinging left and right as the two children dodged and ducked, occasionally swinging forward for an attack of their own, occasional clangs and bangs heard along the corridor.

"Big brothers, don't fight!" Tsuna cried out, trying to stop the older two, who seemed to ignore him as they fought each other relentlessly. "Both of you would get hurt!"

"Nufufufu… don't worry your pretty head, Tsunayoshi. They'll be fine." The two Guardians were by the wall, Tsuna and Chrome hiding behind them as they watched their two children fight without any intention of stopping it. The Mist Guardian beamed at his son, who was holding his ground against the young skylark well. "My Mukuro would win this."

"Don't be so sure, Daemon." Alaude's eyes never strayed away, his hands preventing Tsuna from going into the fight and getting himself hurt trying to break the two off. "My son is not so weak as to lose against yours."

"Nufufufu… we shall see." Daemon called out to his son, who was wiping his mouth on his sleeve, Kyouya managing to get a lucky hit. "Mukuro, don't hold back. Kill him if you wish."

"HIEEE!" Tsuna shrieked in alarm. Surely his Uncle wasn't serious, was he? "Big brother, don't! Don't kill Kyouya!" He struggled against his Uncle Alaude's grip. "No way! Stop it!"

"Kyouya, stop playing around. I didn't teach you to lose to a plant-eater." Alaude likewise ordered his son, who was none the worse for wear, the trident managing to scratch him in some places. "Finish this."

"Yes, Father." The two nodded and stared at each other with blatant animosity, their weapons raised for the final attack. Daemon shielded Chrome's eyes, while Tsuna squealed, burying his face in the Cloud Guardian's arm, unable to watch any longer.

"STOP IT!"

Fast footsteps approached the scene, arriving just as the two fighting children started their final attack. Giotto breathed a sigh, thank god he got there just in time. The moment he heard the sounds of fighting he immediately knew that something was wrong, and had immediately fled his office to where the sounds came from, worried that his son might have been caught in the crossfire.

"Tsuna!" He called out to the boy, who was trying so hard to blink back his frustrated and scared tears, finally seeing salvation in the form of his blond father.

"Papa!" Seeing as Giotto was already there Alaude let the little boy go into the arms of his worried sick father, the blond man murmuring and soothing his obviously upset child.

Giotto held his son close, trying to make the boy calm down. He rubbed his hand behind the small back, trying to placate the crying child. "Tsuna, are you hurt? What happened?"

"I-I was so scared…" Tsuna hiccupped, burrowing into his father's familiar warmth. "T-The big brothers a-are fighting a-and I c-can't stop them… a-and t-they were a-about to hurt each o-other…"

"What's the meaning of this, Alaude, Daemon? Why are Kyouya and Mukuro fighting? And why didn't you stop them!" The Primo demanded to his two Guardians, glaring at them for making his boy worry so much. "You're the adults here!"

"Nufufufu… it seems like we were interrupted." Daemon shrugged, moving forward and placing a hand on Mukuro's shoulder. "It's too bad, but we have to pause here, Muku-chan. Your sister is also worried for you."

"And just when it was just getting fun." The younger pineapple sighed and waved his hand, making the trident vanish into thin air, still smirking at the raven haired boy. "Let's play some other time, Kyouya." He winked at the younger skylark. "I'll make sure to skewer your properly next time."

"Kyouya, stand down." Alaude also restrained his son, making the younger glare at him, but nevertheless following his father's orders. "Tch." Kyouya straightened up, his tonfas seemingly disappearing from his hand as stared coolly back.

"This isn't over, Mukuro. I'll bite you to death later." Kyouya jerked the hand off him and looked away, clearly pouting that his fight had been interrupted. Tsuna, having significantly calmed down now, wiggled in his father's embrace, and Giotto set him down, half-curious on what the brunet child was doing to do. Tsuna gave him a small package, and he waited as his son approached the older children slowly, making the other two look at him. "Mukuro, Kyouya, are you all right?" He asked both boys, holding their hands in clear concern. "Are you two hurt?"

"Kufufufu… No, Kyouya didn't manage to hurt me, Tsunayoshi." Mukuro chuckled, nodding at the younger brunet, while Kyouya managed to give a shake of his head, his back straightening a little bit more when he saw Tsuna smile gratefully at him.

"That's good… Tsuna was so worried…" Tsuna sighed and managed to smile. "Why are you two always fighting? Fighting is bad, you know."

"I hate him." The two older children immediately answered at the same time, making a drop of sweat appear on Tsuna's head.

"Um… that's…"

"But don't worry, Tsunayoshi, I shall take care of you. After all, you're going to be my future wife, like my Father told me." Mukuro added happily, to Giotto's complete shock, Daemon's beam of approval, Chrome's confusion, Alaude's complete apathy, and Kyouya's irritation. "I shall become a good husband for you."

"Wife?" Tsuna cocked his head in question, but before the other boy could answer back, he found himself pinned to the wall with a long, cylindrical object lodged against his throat.

"Now I'm really going to bite you to death."Kyouya snarled. "Prepare to die, pineapple plant-eater."

"HIEE! Not again! You two, stop fighting!"

-KHR-

Giotto ran his hands through his hair, completely exhausted, both physically and mentally. He still wasn't able to get over the shock of hearing Mukuro's bold declaration, but before he could move, Kyouya had gone on a rampage, intent on killing Mukuro right then and there. They spent almost three hours chasing after the fighting children, Kyouya trying to destroy everything in his path and Mukuro hiding using the illusions he had learned from his father.

He didn't understand why Kyouya and Mukuro hated each other so much. Despite the fact that they haven't met each other prior to their adoption into the Famiglia (or so Mukuro told them), the moment they saw each other Kyouya immediately tackled the other boy to the floor, his hands wrapped around the other's neck, trying to strangle him to death. The Guardians who were there were shocked by the sudden attack and separated them immediately, not comprehending the reason why, and Mukuro seemed to encourage their 'rivalry' further, taking every chance he could get to tease and taunt the boy mercilessly. Though merely eight years old, they seemed to be more mature than the rest of the children, with Kyouya being one of the last children to at least tolerate being a member of the family. Mukuro was the last, trying every day to escape the mansion with his sister in tow, and it was only when Tsuna showed Chrome some kindness that he finally gave up and lived with them peacefully… or as peaceful as it could get when Kyouya and Mukuro were in sighting range of each other.

They also had some sort of complex when it came to Tsuna, his brown haired son the main reason why the two fought half the time. Mukuro and Kyouya vied frequently for Tsuna attention and affection, wanting to take the spot of being Tsuna's 'big brother', or so Giotto could tell from the children's body language. While Hayato and Takeshi also had the same rivalry (though it's more one-sided for Hayato's part), the older children took it into more dangerous levels, with Daemon bequeathing his trident to his adopted son while Alaude bought Kyouya a pair of tonfas during one of his missions in Asia.

Personally Giotto thought that such young children shouldn't be allowed to hold such dangerous weapons, then again, Alaude and Daemon weren't your conventional parents, and Mukuro and Kyouya weren't ordinary children either. When he brought up this topic to the two, Daemon merely shrugged and told him that Mukuro and Chrome knew what they were doing, and he simply supported his children's wants and desires while Alaude remained firm in his belief that you could never be too young to learn how to fight, a philosophy that he passed on to his adopted son. He can't deny that Mukuro and Kyouya had potential, and definitely talent when it comes to fighting, but he would rather raise the children without them needing to protect their lives from danger.

That's why they were there, after all. But, as Mukuro, Chrome and Kyouya weren't his sons and daughter, he couldn't do anything but accept and respect his Guardians' decision on how to raise their adopted children.

Though he can't help but worry about them. A lot.

-KHR-

"Wow~" Tsuna peered into the large wooden box with delight. "They're so cute!"

The man chuckled, bringing the box lower so the child can see what's inside more closely. "They're almost fully grown right now, and I'm looking for people who could take care of them."

The young Vongola was currently being entertained by one of the mansion's staff, who brought with him a nest of yellow canaries, who was chirping and tweeting excitedly in the box, wanting the attention of their owner.

"That's right. Do you want to take care of one, Young Master?" The young man asked the boy, smiling as the child petted the yellow balls of fluff carefully before looking up, astonished.

"Really? Can I have one?" Tsuna asked excitedly, and then his face fell slightly. That's right. His Papa was allergic to feathers. He found out one day during a pillow fight with Hayato and Takeshi, managing to rip off the plush pillows on the sofa and making the feathers explode around the place. When his Papa entered the room he suddenly sneezed and his nose turned red, and was unable to leave his bedroom for the rest of the day.

"Sorry, I can't." He said regretfully, growing fond of the birds, but he can't take care of them, as much as he wanted to. His Papa always came first. "Papa's allergic to them."

"Is that so…" Both boys sighed, wondering what to do now. The older male also wanted to take care of them, being an animal lover, but it would get away with his work in the mansion, and he didn't want to displease his master. But he also didn't want to leave the chicks somewhere and just be discarded.

Tsuna hummed in thought, before brightening up as an idea came to him.

"Excuse me mister, but can you give of them?" He pleaded to the man, who was more than startled.

"S-Sure, Young Master, but I thought that you weren't allowed to." The man was confused, looking even more so when the boy suddenly beamed at him.

"Don't worry! Tsuna knows someone who can take care one of them!"

"A-are you sure?"

"Yup! Just leave it to me!"

-KHR-

Kyouya was, for once, having a peaceful afternoon, lying down under the shade of the large tree in the back garden. After unsuccessfully biting Mukuro to death for the nth time (due to the interference of his meddling Uncles and his other 'siblings'), he decided to just relax in the courtyard. Thankfully there was no one in there save for him, and now he could fully relax, maybe even take a good, long nap if the situation allowed it. He yawned and fell back, watching the sunlight peeking through the green leaves, the beams seemingly twinkling and shining as the branches swayed slightly in the wind, before opting to just close his eyes fully, ready to fall into unconsciousness.

"Big brother!"

Almost at once did the cloudy grey eyes opened and Kyouya shot up into a sitting position, recognizing that familiar voice within a ten mile radius. Unconsciously his hands went to his sides, groping for his ever present and dependable tonfas, only realizing that his father had confiscated it prior to his coming here due to him attacking Mukuro again.

Of all the luck. Kyouya grumbled to himself, feeling defenseless as Tsuna finally approached, all smiles and holding something yellow in his small hands. The younger boy slid down beside his raven haired brother, exhaling a breath as he beamed at the older.

"Tsuna finally found you! Thank god…" Tsuna grinned, not noticing the other staring at the… thing in his hands with a mixture of wariness and curiosity.

"What is that."

"Huh? Oh! Kyouya, this is for you!" The brunet presented the chick proudly in front of the skylark's face, making the older child blink and stare at it cross-eyed. "It's a present from Tsuna!"

"… A yellow ball." Kyouya deadpanned, leaning his head away so he could look at it properly. It was hairy, that much he could see, its color an eye-melting yellow, making so much noise with irritating chirps, with two black, beady eyes staring back at him… he decided that didn't like what the plant-eater gave him.

"I'll bite this thing to death."

"No! Don't hurt it!" Tsuna held the canary protectively in his arms, cheeks puffing out in slight exasperation. "Mou! It's a bird! A bird!" The animal, as if hearing its holder, tweeted happily, making Tsuna coo over it, while Kyouya watched with slight interest. "Tsuna wants to give this to you, big brother Kyouya!"

Sensing somewhat that Kyouya wasn't going to hurt the bird anymore Tsuna grasped his hand and pulled it up, depositing the small animal into his open palm. The canary chirped, its tiny feet pressing against the flesh of his hand, Kyouya bringing it up closer so he could observe it properly.

"It's a canary!" The brunet boy started to rattle of an explanation, chattering excitedly. "The person who gave that to me told it that it's almost fully grown and it would start to fly soon! It was cute, but it didn't have an owner, so Tsuna thought of you!"

Kyouya half-listened, having an impromptu staring contest with the bird. Animals never really liked him much, and the feelings were mutual, but this was the first time something stared back at him without any fear. And it was a small, yellow canary at that.

The bird turned his head sideways and chirped happily, jumping on the boy's hand, and Kyouya realized that the little thing wanted some attention. Hesitantly he raised his other hand and touched the feathery head with a finger, blinking as the animal leaned into his touch.

"… Why are you giving this to me, plant-eater?" Kyouya was very much curious.

Tsuna gave a start at the unexpected question. "Eh? Why? That's…" Now the brunet boy looked a little embarrassed, propping his legs up and resting his chin on his knees, wrapping his arms around his calves. "Um… I just thought that, because you're always with Uncle Alaude, you'll be lonely." Kyouya gave the younger boy a disbelieving look, making Tsuna squeak and inch away slightly, making Kyouya smirk internally in satisfaction.

"U-Um, not that Tsuna's saying you're lonely but–!" The brunet boy flailed, trying to explain himself more clearly. "Uncle Alaude isn't always with you because of his work, and, even though Uncle always takes you with him you're not always together. I-I'm worried that, without Uncle Alaude being there, big brother would be lonely." Tsuna murmured the last words quietly, but Kyouya, being so close to the young child, heard it perfectly.

"Kyouya and Uncle Alaude are always so nice to me, always bringing me gifts… and I haven't done anything for them, so…" Tsuna smiled almost shyly to himself. "Tsuna wanted… to let big brother know that Tsuna will always be waiting for him to come back… so all of us can play together!" He turned his head and gave Kyouya a big smile. "So… accept it, and don't forget Tsuna, okay?"

Kyouya was silent, unable to believe what he was hearing first. The plant eater… cared about him? Well, he was 'nicer' to him compared to the rest, but that didn't mean that he didn't consider him different from the rest. For the skylark, those who crowd around were always plant-eaters, and Tsuna always crowds himself with other people, so that meant he was weak. He was a meat-eater, his father told him, and all plant-eaters must be bitten to death.

But…

"Stand up." Kyouya did just that, placing the bird on his shoulder, and seemed satisfied when the animal just latched on to his clothes and didn't try to escape.

"H-Huh?" Confused, Tsuna looked up and blinked confusedly, making the other boy sigh.

"Stand up and follow me. Don't make tell you twice, plant-eater." Kyouya stated without any emotion, and when the brunet still didn't move the young skylark had no choice but to grasp the younger boy's hand to drag him up and away from the garden.

"W-Wah! K-Kyouya! Where are we going!" Tsuna stumbled and tripped as he tried to keep his pace with the older boy's, who seemed to not hear him as they went inside the mansion, the maids and staff moving to the side as the children moved past them, wondering what their little masters were up to this time.

Kyouya didn't stop, ignoring the cries behind him as he went to the upper floors, into a corridor the younger boy vaguely recognized as one of the ways to one of his Uncle's rooms. And it was only when the young skylark reached the end and opened the last door without even knocking that Tsuna realized where they were.

"U-Uncle Alaude! H-Hello!" He stammered a greeting, suddenly feeling shy in the presence of his quiet Uncle, who was, for once, dressed casually and lounging in an armchair, his corn silk hair tousled and his long sleeves pushed back to the elbows. "E-Excuse me for intruding!"

"Kyouya." The Cloud Guardian wasn't surprised in their appearance in the least, hearing them (mostly Tsunayoshi) arrive a few minutes before coming inside. He closed the book he was reading but didn't leave the chair, opting to just look up as his adopted son went to his side, still bringing the younger boy with him. "And Tsunayoshi."

"Father." Kyouya nodded, giving one last yank behind him so Tsuna stood by his side. Alaude glanced at the other boy to their linked hands, and finally to the yellow puff on his son's shoulder.

His eyebrow slightly arched in question.

"I need a birdcage." Kyouya announced bluntly, taking the canary from his shoulder to his finger, where it chirped happily. Tsuna looked at him, gaping in slight surprise, but suddenly beamed, elated that his big brother decided to accept his gift. "Can it be done?"

If the older man had any objections to his son's newly found pet, he certainly didn't voice it. "… I see." He placed the book down, staring at the tiny animal. "We're going to England again in two days. We can ask a blacksmith to make you one there." And then Alaude narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Kyouya, I will not be responsible for your pet. If he dies, it will be your fault. Don't expect me look after it."

"Yes." Kyouya bowed slightly in gratitude, before turning back to the boy beside him.

"Plant eater, what does this thing eat?"

Tsuna was so giddy that he almost didn't hear the question. "A-Ah, yes! It eats seeds, but it can also eat bread and corn, the mister told me." He smoothed down the yellow feathers with one tiny finger. "You can just leave its food in its cage, and if the bird is male, it could even sing! You have to teach it, though, and you can set them loose, because if it knows you, then it would always come back!"

"Hm." Kyouya mentally took notes for later, deciding to make the animal know him now before it starts to fly. He pointed to one of the loveseats in the room. "Plant eater, sit over there."

"HIEE?" Tsuna was startled when he was suddenly pushed onto a chair, beside his Uncle, who placed the book down on the coffee table in front of them, and observed as his son, who placed the bird on the table and sat down beside the younger brunet, placing his head on Tsuna's lap as he lied down lengthwise on the couch.

"If you make a sound, I'll bite you to death." Kyouya yawned, dropping off to a light sleep as Alaude merely looked amusedly at the two children before starting to narrate his current travels, Tsuna listening intently and interestedly while the young skylark dozed off to the sound of his father's deep, soothing voice and the brunet boy's happy squeals.

chap 4

Little Tsuna Vongola slowly woke up to the sounds of his banging door. Incoherent and still half-asleep, he looked up to the grandfather clock in his room and saw the time just a little bit after five in the morning, the sun still hidden under the horizon. Yawning, dimly he wondered if what he was hearing was a dream when there it was again, an insistent rapping on his door that might have unhinged from the continuous force if not for the fact that it was made from the sturdiest wood.

Instantly shooting awake, he stared at his bedroom door with fear, throwing the covers over himself as he continued to listen to the pounds in the semi-darkness, his bedside lamp already turned off sometime during the night.

W-What should I do? He whimpered quietly, curing further into his warm bed, Nuts almost being held into a death grip as the banging continued, scaring the wits out of him. T-There's monster outside! A-And it's going to eat me!

Even though his Papa told him that monsters didn't exist, and that he even opened the drawers and the closet to prove it, the brunet boy still wasn't convinced. He was so sure now that a big, scary monster was outside of his door, forcing his way to come to him and gobble him up.

He had never felt so scared in his entire life. "P-Papa…" He could feel the tears of fear in his eyes, sliding down his cheeks. His Papa would come and save him, like he always did. He would make the monster who wants to eat him go away. "P-Papa… h-help me…"

He gave a small shriek when the pounding on his door became louder, trying to muffle his shouts on the back of his stuffed lion's head. His eyes widened in a realization. No, his Papa shouldn't come! What if the monster ate his Papa instead! Then it would be his entire fault! He can't let that happen! Tsuna's already a big boy, and he had to protect everyone! Mustering up the little courage he had left, he hesitantly peeked one eye out the blankets, seeing the silhouette of the monster hovering outside his door, the lights in the corridor appearing and disappearing everytime it would move.

I-It's really outside! Tsuna fear quickly overtook him and he cocooned himself further, closing his eyes and trying to ignore the sounds coming from the outside. Hiiee! Someone, save me! He cried, smothering the pillow over his head.

But then the images of his Papa, his siblings and his Uncles swam before his eyes, making him gasp. N-No! He had to be brave! His Papa and the others were in danger! This won't do! Placing one foot on the carpet, wrapping himself up in the comforters and placing Nuts in front of him as a shield, he slid away from his bed and stared at the door with wide, frightened eyes.

"M-Mister monster, d-don't eat me! T-Tsuna doesn't taste good!" He called out, slowly taking a step closer, the stuffed lion shakily held by the brown haired boy as he inched towards the door. The pounding immediately stopped, making Tsuna look at it confusingly but also warily. Was the monster gone already? He didn't know. The sounds were gone, but it wouldn't hurt to c-check…

The young boy grabbed the handle of the door, hesitating until the last moment. Should he open the door? The monster might be gone already, but it might have gone after the others! He can't let that happen! Squeezing his eyes shut he pulled the door open, the sudden gust wind from the action tickling his face, as he opened his eye in a fraction of an inch and promptly screamed.

"An EXTREMELY good morning, Tsuna!" A loud, booming (albeit young) sounding voice reached his ears and an excited face was merely inches from his own. Tsuna stumbled back, still shrieking, instinctively throwing the only object he had on his hands.

"GYAAAH! Don't come near me!" The stuffed lion went flying, landing smack on the older boy's eager face, who blinked as Nuts slid down to his arms, looking confusedly at the younger brunet who tripped on the sheets and came tumbling down.

"H-Hey, Tsuna! Are you all right!" The older boy immediately helped the other up, pulling the blankets away from the brunet, who was catching his breath again, heart speeding up abnormally as he gasped out loud, realizing who the person by the door was.

"B-Big brother Ryohei!" He was close to crying tears of fear turned relief, glad that it wasn't a monster. "Mou! Tsuna was so scared!"

"Sorry about that," The white haired boy ginned sheepishly, pulling the younger boy up, chucking the stuffed animal aside. "I didn't mean to. But this morning is just so EXTREMELY refreshing that I just can't enjoy it alone! Come on, Tsuna!" The boy started to drag Tsuna of the room, grinning madly.

"W-Wah? B-But it's too early!" The younger boy protested, digging his feet deep in the floor and pulling back as hard as he could, but it was useless compared to the almost inhuman strength his older brother used in dragging him around, or so he thought. "A-And it's still cold outside! Nuts!" He reached for the toy lion lying haphazardly against the wall, its head almost comically flopped down to one side. "A-Ah! Wait, big brother!"

"Real men don't wait!" Ryohei declared loudly as he continued to pull the other outside, who was trying his hardest to resist, making a racket loud enough to wake even the dead. "We need to exercise our bodies every day so we would be EXREMELY healthy! Now come, Tsuna!"

"I don't wanna!" Tsuna squealed back. "I just want to sleep! R-Ryohei, let go!"

"No excuses!" And the older boy continued pulling Tsuna with him to the outside, where mist still hung around the back garden, the ground wet and stained with dew as the biting cold pierced Tsuna's skin, sinking through the thin pajamas he wore when he went to sleep.

"I-It's so cold!" His teeth were starting to chatter, his body shivering as goosebumps appeared. "L-Let's go back inside a-and quit t-this, n-ne?" He pleaded to the older boy, who was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and bandages wrapped around his torso, and a pair of gloves wrapped around his neck with a long string.

"We can't! We have to train to the EXTREME!" Ryohei roared, and Tsuna winced, the sheer volume grating on his ears. It was too early for these kinds of things! He knew that his big brother always woke up early to exercise, but he didn't know that it was this early!

"Ryohei?" A deeper, kinder voice interrupted them, and Tsuna looked up, knowing there was only one man who had that kind of voice. "And Tsuna as well. Tsuna, what are you doing here?" A tall figure came through the mist, swathed in black robes and the surprise completely shown on his face.

"Uncle Knuckle!" He breathed out a relieved sigh, tugging futilely at his hand. "B-Big brother woke me up early today…" He tried to explain, looking almost desperately at the older man, making him understand without words that all he wanted right now was to crawl back in his warm, confortable bed with Nuts by his side.

"Is that so?" The priest looked fondly at his two nephews. As a man dedicated to God, he can't adopt Ryohei as his own son, like the other Guardians did with the other children. But he took care of him just as a true father did, guiding him and all of the children in God's good will and grace. "Tsuna, I'm glad that you accompanied Ryohei today, but have you said your morning prayers? Ryohei, you too. We should thank God every day for giving us another day." The young priest lectured both boys wisely, who looked a bit sheepish and a tad guilty.

"U-Um…" Tsuna looked at the raven haired man apologetically. "I'm sorry Uncle, Tsuna forgot."

"M-Me too…" Ryohei scratched his head in slight awkwardness.

Knuckle smiled, deciding to skip the lecture this one time, seeing that the two were sincere in their guilt. "Well then, it is never too late to pray." Knucle knelt down and pressed each of their hands together in silent prayer. "God will always listen to you, no matter where you are. Now, close your eyes and follow after me." Knuckles closed his eyes, intoning the prayer he knew from the bottom his heart, its words the salvation he had received during the dark time of his life, the message his hope for the peaceful and content future he craved.

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen*."

Tsuna and Ryohei followed as best they could, the foreign words rolling off their tongue, stumbling slightly on the pronunciation and diction, making the priest smile. Even though it wasn't perfect, he knew that God would see their efforts and their determination. He waited until they stopped, continuing their chosen prayer, asking the angels in heaven to protect the two young children from any harm or misfortune they may face.

"Angele Dei, qui custos est mei, Me tibi commissum pietate superna; Hac nocte illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen.**"

"Amen." The children repeated the last words before opening their eyes slowly, feeling as if going out of a trance. The older man nodded and they made the sign of the cross, finishing their morning prayer. "Now then," Knuckle looked at the young boys with interest. "What brings you out here so early in the morning?"

"Tsuna's accompanying me to an EXTREME exercise today, Uncle!" Ryohei boomed back, beaming proudly at the younger boy. "And we were just going to start with an EXTREMELY long run! Right, Tsuna?" He gave a big grin towards the brunet, who quickly shook his head, paling slightly at the thought.

"HIIIE! R-Ryohei, no, I–" Tsuna tried to refuse, already starting to feel faint with the thought of running through the cold morning. He didn't want to do this at all!

Knuckle immediately brightened up the moment he heard that declaration, "Tsuna, is that so!" He felt so proud that the little boy was trying to take care of his body. Normally the young brunet was so adamant in doing any physical activity; this was a very nice change, considering that Tsuna's body was weaker physically than the rest. "Why didn't you tell me as well so you and Ryohei could exercise daily? I'm willing to teach you everything I know, TO THE LIMIT!" His old habits were starting to come back, pleased with the knowledge that there was someone other than his adopted nephew who wanted to take up physical training.

"That's an EXTREMELY good idea, Uncle!" Ryohei agreed at once, exchanging a heartfelt look and nod with his uncle, so wrapped in their passionate declaration that they almost didn't notice the younger boy whimpering quietly in the background.

"Now then, Tsuna!" Knuckle threw off his robes in a flourish, his enthusiasm growing larger by the second. "I shall train you to push yourself TO THE LIMIT! Ryohei, you too, don't slack off!" He reminded his adopted nephew, who took the challenge head on, the competitive fire alighting in his eyes as he nodded vigorously, curling his hand into a fist and glared at Tsuna, the younger boy giving a muffled shout and a drop of sweat forming on the back of his head.

"I won't lose to Tsuna! YEAH TO THE EXTREME!"

Knuckle clapped his hand on the white-haired boy's shoulder proudly. "That's right, my nephew! Never give up! Bring yourself TO THE LIMIT!"

"YEAAAAAH!"

Tsuna gave a little squeak as the Sun Guardian and his nephew gave one last holler before dragging him with them for a long morning jog.

B-Big brother and U-Uncle Knuckle sure are h-having fun…

-KHR-

Tsuna yawned as he slowly ate his breakfast, having no energy to move his fork and knife anymore. A few hours had passed since his 'training' with Uncle Knuckle and Ryohei, and he was feeling sleepy. Poking at his meal, he started to nod off, his head bobbing up and down comically as he tried to fight against the tiredness he felt.

"Tsuna? What's wrong?" A hand gently shook his shoulder and he shot up, startled, blinking at his Papa who was staring worriedly at him. "Didn't you sleep well last night? Did you have a bad dream?" The man was extremely concerned, finding Tsuna awake earlier than usual when he went out of his room and went downstairs to get some breakfast. Did something happen?

"N-No, I'm okay, Papa!" He tried to muster up his usual smile, trying not to make the man worry because of him. His body hurt slightly, and he still wanted to sleep, but he also wanted to eat with his family today. His Uncles Alaude, Daemon and Lampo weren't there, as well as Kyouya, Mukuro, Chrome and baby Lambo, but, then again, it was rare for all of them to be present during dining hours. "Tsuna didn't sleep much today, but Tsuna is fine!"

"That's the EXTREME spirit, Tsuna!" Ryohei bellowed a few seats away from the others. "Uncle Knuckle, Tsuna did EXREMELY well today, right?"

"That's right, my nephew!" Knuckle nodded proudly, and noticing the questioning looks of the adult males present in the room, he was all too happy to explain what happened.

"Tsuna was training with me and Ryohei this morning TO THE LIMIT!" He beamed, puffing his chest out. "I have never thought that your son also had an interest in BOXING!"

"Training… in the morning…?" Giotto's lip was twitching, remembering that his Sun Guardian, to quote his white-haired nephew, had quite the… extreme training schedule. So that meant… Tsuna was awake before dawn and doing god-knows-how-hard-exercise with Ryohei and Knuckle? That explained a lot.

"Tsuna, are you okay?" G sudden demanded from across the table, his eyes critically inspecting every inch of the boy's form, trying to find something wrong. He didn't appear to be bruised, just overwhelmingly tired, and the Storm Guardian wouldn't be surprised in the least. Hell, even he had a hard time keeping up when the other two when they really got into it.

Tsuna tried to answer, but settled for nodding his head, head flopping back and forth as he tried to control his exhaustion.

"Tsunayoshi, I think you should rest for a while." Asari suggested gently, coaxing the little boy out of his seat. "You were up so early, and you could barely keep yourself up." He pried the dining utensils away from the lax hands and placed them on the platter lest the boy hurt himself with it.

"Haha! Tsuna, want me to come with you?" Takeshi, as usual, was cheerful and unassuming, already finished with his own meal and was just waiting to be excused from the table. "We could sleep together in your bed this time!" He continued innocently, referring to the fact that before that incident happened and he opened up to his father, Tsuna had spent most of his time beside him, trying his best to befriend him, even sleeping during the night beside him because Tsuna forgot how to go back to his own room, and that he was scared to go back alone, even if Takeshi offered to go with him.

"Shut up, idiot! The Tenth doesn't want that!" Hayato screeched back furiously, ignoring his unfinished breakfast as he scowled and glared at the raven haired boy. "And what do mean, this time! Tenth!" He rounded on the brunet boy, who squeaked in surprise. "Shall I dispose of that stupid idiot for you?" He asked fervently, starting to do just that.

"Hey, Hayato!" G managed to grab the silver-haired boy's collar before he could come down from his chair and place bodily harm on the Rain Guardian's son. "Don't go threatening people around, pipsqueak! And finish your food!"

Hayato tried squirmed away from the grip, the long-sleeved shirt he was wearing stretching as his legs flailed uselessly as he tried to reach for the tall, raven haired boy beside him. "Shut up! Let me go, old man! It isn't any of your damn business anyway!"

"You brat…!"

"OW! That HURTS, old man!"

"G, Hayato, you shouldn't fight. Now then, let go of Hayao's ear, G."

"Haha! That looks so fun!"

"This morning is so EXTREME!"

"Let's all enjoy ourselves TO THE LIMIT!"

It wouldn't be a normal breakfast without any semblance of noise, laughter and attempted violence. Giotto was used to it, and was in fact, looking forward to it every day, knowing it was the way his Guardians and the children showed their affection towards each other. It might be dangerous, yes, and a tad too crazy at times with all the unusual mishaps happening (there was one time that Hayato successfully made the dining room explode with a bomb, it was a good thing that all of the adults present managed to get themselves and the children under the table before it went off) but it was filled with complete warmth and trust, as well as strengthening the bond they all had with each other. They weren't even close to being the conventional family these children needed, with seven men (one wasn't even full-grown yet!) that was living a dangerous life in a Mafia Famiglia, taking care of eight children who was supposed to, by all means, not know them at all and would have relatively normal lives.

But the Vongola Primo wouldn't exchange this small, precious moments for anything in the world, even if it came close to a possibly life-and-death threatening situation at times.

He gave a fond smile to all of his family members and turned to the most precious one of them all, seeing him deeply asleep, the fluff of brown hair sticking out and an innocent face nestled and buried onto both arms, sleeping through all the racket and noise and the others were making. Giotto chuckled, before standing up and gathering the unconscious boy into his arms, quietly marveling on just how much Tsuna could sleep through.

Without haste he made his exit, carefully cradling his son's head into the crook of his shoulders as everything behind him became more rowdy, closing the dining door with his foot, effectively muffling the sounds as he walked leisurely to the second floor, enjoying the morning sunlight that shone on his face through the French-inspired windows. Entering his son's room, he set the boy down on the carefully made sheets, tucking him in carefully.

"Sleep for a while and rest, Tsuna." He whispered, kissing his son on the forehead, seeing Nuts lying in the bed as well. He grabbed the stuffed lion and placed it near Tsuna, smiling when the brunet child instinctively reached for it and embraced it tightly, murmuring quietly in his sleep.

Seeing as his son didn't need to be disturbed, Giotto slipped out of the room quietly, shutting the mahogany door behind him as he released the handle and went down again to the dining room, where he was sure that the rest would still be there.

He made a mental note to talk to Knuckle about making his son train in the ungodly hours on the morning, however. As much as he wanted to be Tsuna to be healthier, he didn't like the idea of making him run in the wet, dewy grounds outside, especially before dawn.

-KHR-

A loud, shill cry broke the silence of the Vongola mansion for the second time that day. With fast feet running to the room where the cries came from, Giotto and the rest of the Guardians present were met with the sight of a green-haired young man holding a wailing baby by the arm as far from his person as humanly possible, a wince on his face as the baby boy cried on and on.

"Lampo! What do you think you're doing to the baby!" The blond man immediately rescued the young child, who still wouldn't stop wailing, putting him in Asari's arms. The Rain Guardian slowly hummed a comforting tune, trying to console and calm the baby, while G walked over to their Lightning Guardian and gave him the much-deserved whack on the head, already in a mad mood due to his own stubborn son's earlier.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THE BABY, IDIOT! WHAT IF YOU LOSE YOUR GRIP ON HIM!"

Lampo cringed, both from the pain on his head and the volume of his fellow Guardian's voice. He scratched his green-haired head, honestly wondering that he did wrong.

"Well… I was trying to take a nap and this brat wasn't letting up, so I figured that I could take him out of the room for a while…"

"Don't be a selfish brat, dammit!" G was seething, beyond pissed at the moment. Lampo was lucky that he only got hit on the head. "The world doesn't revolve around you! What if the baby broke a bone because of what you did! Geez…" He exhaled a large breath, trying not to beat the spoiled young man back and blue.

"Lampo, what were you thinking? Lambo's still a baby. You need to be more careful around him." Giotto scolded the Lighting Guardian, who looked like he couldn't care less, but still feeling a dash of guilt. "Tsuna's still asleep, and I don't want to wake him up yet with the commotion you're making." The blond man asked worriedly, peering at the baby boy with Asari. "How is here? Is he hurt?"

"No, this little one isn't hurt, but he's upset about something." The Japanese man bounced the child slightly, who was still bawling his eyes out, big, fat tears staining the slightly chubby cheeks as he screamed his heart out, the sheer loudness causing the other adults in the room to wince. "No matter what I do, he just won't quiet down." Asari frowned, getting slightly concerned as well.

"Well, you three can handle the baby, and I'll just go outside…" Lampo made a dash for the door, but the Storm Guardian quickly held him back, a hand curling into a fist as a large vein twitched near his forehead, threatening to burst.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, YOU SPOILED BRAT!" A blow managed to land itself squarely on the young man's head. "YOU HANDLE THIS!"

"But I don't like kids!" Lampo whined back, getting a little tearful, massaging the lump on his head. "I never wanted this from the start! You guys were the ones who wanted to take in the little monsters! You should be even thanking me for tolerating that kid!" He pointed to the baby.

"That's not the point! All of us took responsibility for them, so do your part, asshole!" G, his already thin patience snapping, hoisted up the Lightning Guardian and bodily threw him across the room, making him crash against the bed.

"O-Ow…" The Lightning Guardian was close to tears. "How dare you hurt the great Lampo!" He wailed, pointing an accusing hand at the older man.

"Oh, I dare." The magenta-haired man sneered back, cracking his knuckles menacingly, causing the other to squeak in fear. "In fact, I'm going to dare a lot more…" He took a step towards the young lord, who cowered and tried to look for an escape route.

"Now, now, calm down, you two." Asari passed on the baby to Giotto to deal when he sensed that things were getting a bit dangerous. He stood in front of the Strom Guardian, physically blocking his way to the other man. "G, you shouldn't blame Lampo too much. He's younger than us, after all, so he would have the hardest time adjusting to this…"

"Shut up, Ugetsu! And get out of my way!" G tried to brush him aside, but the Japanese man was ready, predicting the man's moves and moving with him, serving to irritate the already furious redhead.

Giotto had enough problems on his hands at the moment than to stop his best friend to beating one of his Guardians to death. No matter what he did, the baby just won't stop crying. He did everything, he checked if the baby's hungry, sleepy or had his underpants wet or soiled, but as far as he saw, the boy was perfectly fine.

But why won't he stop crying?

Desperately the blond tried everything he knew to placate the child, playing with him, singing to him, but he just went on and on, and the shrill pitch was grating on the older man's ears. He could wait until he child tired himself out and stopped on his own, but he couldn't risk Tsuna waking up, not when his son was resting in the other room from the sudden training he did with his Sun Guardian and his nephew.

"There there," He murmured, slightly shaking the baby up and down. "It's okay, don't cry anymore…"

While taking care of fully grown children was one thing, taking care of a one year old baby was quite another. Out of all the children, taking care of Lambo was the most difficult one in terms of basic needs. He cried, blubbered and wailed but, perhaps, the little baby was the luckiest and blessed out of all the children, having no recollection of what happened and the one who would most probably live out the most normal life with the right guidance. Lampo used this as a counterargument when he found out that he was the one who was supposed to take charge of the youngest child, saying that they could let the child go to an orphanage instead since he won't have any traumas from the experience, but Giotto remained firm in his decision.

He didn't want to do things halfway. He wanted to take in all the children or to not adopt them at all.

And besides, Giotto had a deeper reason why he wanted their youngest Guardian to take charge of the baby. He knew he was risking baby Lambo's safety and wellbeing by placing him in the inexperienced Lightning Guardian's hands but Lampo, he knew, was very spoiled and always had his way. Being the son of the lord of the land, Lampo didn't know anything about the outside world, and was absolutely clueless on how the way things work. He hoped to make the younger man think of others more instead of himself, to be more selfless and giving instead of acting like an adult child. He wanted Lampo to grow into an independent, strong man who could take any challenge bravely and up front. And with that thought, he convinced Lampo to at least try, and when the younger man sighed and nodded, Giotto knew he had won that round.

Slowly but surely, The Lightning Guardian grew to at least tolerate the child, not unlike before when he didn't even want to be in the same room so he could escape his responsibilities, even playing with him at times. It was still a far cry from what Giotto had been expecting, but it was definitely a big improvement from the times when he and the others were ones trying to put the little one into sleep because Lampo had gone missing again. But the younger man seemed to regress into his usual brattish attitude at times. Like now.

Giotto was so engrossed in trying to make the boy calm down that he almost didn't notice the door opening, and the small feet stepping into the large room, large eyes blinking curiously at the adults present.

"Papa?" Hearing his son's familiar voice he turned around, still grasping the howling baby in an almost desperate attempt to keep him quiet.

"Oh Tsuna, you're awake." Giotto sent a strained smile to his son, all of his efforts going to waste. What was he going to do now? "Did we disturb you? I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay!" Tsuna came closer at seeing baby Lambo in his Papa's arms, giving a more energetic smile now that he had gotten more sleep. "Baby Lambo was crying, so Tsuna became worried and went to his room!" The boy frowned. "Is baby Lambo hurt?"

"No, he isn't hurt Tsuna, but we don't know why he's crying." The blond man confessed to his son, who only cocked his head in question. Well, it couldn't hurt to try. He knew that Tsuna had the amazing ability to influence people, and in a situation like this, any kind of help would be appreciated. He kneeled down so the two young children would be at eye level. "Can you try to make baby Lambo stop?" He asked, and the brunet child immediately nodded.

"Tsuna will try his best!" He said determinedly. Giotto silently watched as the brunet boy reached out and touched the black, curly head, making Lambo turn his head to him, cheeks red and eyes puffy from the continuous stream of tears.

"Lambo, big brother is here!" Tsuna offered his smile at the younger boy. "Don't cry! Everything is okay!" He giggled and patted the baby's head. "Let's play, ne?"

At that, the baby suddenly stopped crying, staring at the boy with watery green eyes. He started to gurgle and squeal, once again stunning Giotto as the baby boy started giggled and laughed, the little hands making grabbing gestures towards the older boy, who laughed and offered his hand for Lambo to take and play with.

"Lambo, you're so cute!" Tsuna cooed, and the baby responded with another smile and laugh, holding tight to the brunet boy's hand, his mood completely turning a one-eighty.

Giotto couldn't' believe it. Tsuna had actually calmed Lambo down.

The other three adults in the room, upon suddenly hearing a child's laugh, turned their heads to the direction of the sound, the current argument nothing but forgotten as they watched with bewilderment and slight amazement at the Primo's son who was going something they couldn't.

"Hey… did Tsuna just…?" The blond man nodded silently to Lampo's unafinished question, continuing to watch with quiet fascination as his son worked his magic on the youngest boy.

"There there!" Tsuna, oblivious to the stares directed at him, merely continued on playing with the baby. "Wow! Lambo's so strong!" He smiled as the baby gripped his hand tightly. Lambo gurgled in reply, giggling as he once again pressed his fingers on the brunet's palm, opening his mouth to form a single word.

"T-Ts… T-Tsu…"

Giotto gasped, realizing what the baby was going to do. Despite the fact that Lambo created sounds that showed his pleasure or pain, the baby has yet to form a full word, something that they worried about, wondering if that was the result of trauma. The doctor assured them, however, that there were really babies who were late bloomers, and Lambo was one of them. They were encouraged to talk to the child everyday so his speaking abilities would start developing, and so far, it hadn't worked yet. The blond watched as the baby struggled with the syllables, clearly wanting to say something, and he encouraged the youngest boy, starting to murmur and whisper into the baby's ear.

"Come on Lambo, you can do it… Tsu, say Tsu," Giotto repeated the syllables again and again. His son, who was watching all of this somewhat confusedly, beamed brightly when he too, realized what the baby wanted to say.

"Baby Lambo, do your best! Say Tsuna, Lambo! Tsuna!" The brunet boy chanted his name over and over again, holding to the tinier hand. "Tsu-Na!"

"T-Tsu…" Lambo finally managed to properly say the first half, while the three men merely stared dumbfounded, gaping as the scene unfolded in front of their eyes. "T-Ts-Tsu… T-Tsun…"

"Almost there, baby!" Tsuna nearly shouted in happiness, his brown eyes widening further in astonishment and excitement. "Come on, you can do it! Tsuna! Tsu-na!"

Lambo suddenly stopped, giggled and smiled.

"Tuna!" He declared happily.

Giotto and the others nearly facefaulted to the ground at the completely unexpected turn of events, a drop of sweat forming at the back of their head. Giotto chuckled somewhat awkwardly as G had an expression that could only be interpreted as 'Huh?', Asari was also caught off guard, but managing to keep his composure better than the others, while Lampo literally fell off from the bed, shocked.

To say Tuna of all things…

"Yay! Tuna! Tuna!" Lambo kept repeating the word over and over again, as if assuring the adults in the room that they had heard him perfectly clear. "Tuna Tuna Tuna!"

"That's good! Lambo, you finally did it!" Tsuna cheered happily, not sharing the older men's vexation and disbelief at the baby's first word.

chap 5

Gokudera Hayato ran through the wide hallways of the Vongola Mansion, for once not causing trouble by fighting with his other 'siblings', his adoptive father or sneaking downstairs into the basement to sneak some bombs out of the weapons cache. He tried to be as fast and as quiet as possible, feet barely making a sound even though he was moving at a quick pace, turning into corners and quickly staying out of sight when someone approached, wanting to be as invisible as possible. In his arms he carried a leaf of papers instead of the sticks of dynamite he regularly stole from the weapons room at an almost weekly basis (some successful, some not), but as carefully held, taking great care not to wrinkle it as he clutched it close to his chest.

He had to hurry, or he was going to be late. Finally seeing the door in the middle of the corridor, gently he eased one of the double doors open, the beams of sunlight momentarily blinding him as the curtains inside the room were drawn back, the large windows letting in the sun and the beautiful view of the side gardens whose multi-covered flowers were in full bloom. On normal days he would've appreciated the view, but today wasn't the time for it; he was running late as it was. Entering and closing the door as quietly as he came in, he gravitated towards the center of the room, where a magnificent harpsichord stood proudly, its black and ivory keys polished to perfection and its brown and gold design gleaming proudly. And, sitting on its stool, a young man was tapping the keys lightly with a serene, patient face, who turned his body halfway when he heard the steps and saw the child behind him, panting from the slight run.

The man smiled.

"You're almost late, Hayato."

"I-I apologize, Teacher." Hayato took a deep breath to calm himself, unfolding the papers in his hand, which showed various lines running through the paper and notes, flats and sharps littering different places amidst the lines. "I didn't realize the time and–" He stammered, face lightly blushing in slight embarrassment because he almost forgot to bring his music sheets with him and had to go back to the other side of the mansion to retrieve them in his room, hence the reason of his almost tardiness.

"It's quite all right, Hayato," His teacher interrupted gently, moving slightly to the side and patting the space on the stool beside him. He gave another smile at the boy. "Shall we start another lesson today? You're doing so well lately. I think that it's time for us to move one level up." He suggested lightly, and the boy, whose thoughts took a second to understand the words, immediately nodded vigorously.

Hayato brightened up at the thought of a new lesson. "Yes!" He immediately placed the musical score on the stand, sitting beside his teacher, beaming and, in a rare occurrence, smiling happily as he listened intently to his teacher, fingers already resting on the instrument's keys, eagerly wanting to play another song.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes observed them quietly, the previously closed double doors now opened in a fraction of an inch, taking in the silver haired child's contentment and happiness before silently closing it once again.

-KHR-

Hayato, for the most part, didn't know when his fascination with music started. He remembered when he was younger that music always surrounded him, in the form of his mother's singing voice and his father's throaty hums. Before the… before it happened, he always saw the world as a large music box, always making a melody and a rhythm they all follow, whether it may be from the continuous pounding of the work being done in the village to their laughter and stamping on the dusty roads. It was a continuous cycle, one he reveled and enjoyed in until that fateful day happened.

Up until now, even after a year, he still can't remember much on what happened. All he could remember was his older sister dragging him down a large, dark hole, shutting the door over him and ignoring his frightened cries and screams of confusion and fear, his voice joining with the others whose shrieks had been a music of despair and fear, cut off abruptly in the middle of the horrendous chorus of mangled voices, gunshots and inferno. He could never forget what he heard that time. He knew that he placed his hands over his ears, trying to block out the nightmarish melody that froze his body, silent in fear of his own life, the music he was used to hearing now shattered and mangled with violence and blood.

Tears were running down his cheeks as he heard his own family's song of death, bloodcurdling and terrifying, unable to block the sounds of their slow and violent demise, first his father, then his mother, and lastly his older sister, her high-pitched wails and pleas for mercy unheeded. He couldn't see anything in the pitch darkness, but the sounds he heard were engraved deeply in his mind, replaying itself over and over again in his sleep. He heard his father, protecting his mother and sister only to be brutally slain, his mother shielding her only daughter in the only way she could, and then joining his father a second later, and his sister, the person he loved the most in the world, begging them to just kill her, to take her life away instead of breaking her and defiling what dignity she had left.

It was the worst. He could see nothing, feel nothing but the rock and wood above him, but he could hear them as clear as day, the resonating, haunting melody of their horrifying voices almost driving him to insanity. After hours of what seemed endless torture, there was only silence, and he sat there, lifeless, dead to everything, even to his numb heart and frozen mind, only praying that he'd be given the blessing of death so he could join his family, wherever they were. He couldn't breathe. Slowly he was blacking out, vaguely wondering why he had to go through all of that if he was going to die with them anyway. He embraced the silence, his only solitude from the orchestra of pain and loss, waiting for that moment that he would also be taken away to join the music he loved.

When he woke up again, he was in another place, in another moment, in another time. He was on a big, warm bed, eyes watering from the sudden presence of light, adjusting to the beams that how passed through his eyelids. Slowly he sat up, his body paining slightly from the effort, more than a bit wary and suspicious of what was going on. Where was he? Was he in heaven? If so, where was his family? He looked around, and the first thing he noticed was that there was another bed beside him, and another boy was lying on top of it, his head bandaged up, and Hayato somewhat remembered him as one of the boys that lived in the village with him.

… Or what used to be their village, anyway.

It was silent, save for the occasional breathing of the people sleeping in the room, which he now could see clearly, having adjusted to the lights. He couldn't hear anything, which was good, because he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear anything again. He hated his ears now. They only caused him pain and suffering, let him hear from the depths of hell itself, and the music he would hear now would never be the same again.

It would always be tainted by the sound of bloodshed.

-KHR-

At first he hated any kind of music. Any sound could set him off, whether it may be from talking voices to opening the doors or walking in the corridors, it didn't matter what it was. As soon as it would reach his ears he would start to hyperventilate, turning hysterical soon enough with all of the shrieking noises in his head, plaguing him to the point of madness. He never got any sleep. He was more awake than asleep, afraid of what would happen if he closed his eyes and let himself hear all those horrible things again, to the point of just dropping from exhaustion when his body couldn't take it anymore, just at least it gave him a dreamless sleep.

He knew that he was worrying the adults, but he really couldn't care less about them now, staring out of the window, oblivious to everything but his own thoughts. As much as the adults tried to make him open up, he spat and hissed at them, refusing to be touched, their voices and actions only serving as a trigger for his own deep-seated trauma, the pitch darkness, the shouts, the screams, his older sister…!

He hated his own weakness, his own fear. He knew that he would've probably been killed with his family had he been also there, but he can't help but blame himself for what happened. It was almost unfair that he was alive and the rest of his family was now six feet under. He had no one to live for anymore. He was alone now. Alone, lonely and a sniveling weakling.

And so days and weeks and months passed. He refused to let anyone see how he was, hurting and in inconsolable grief. He ate and kept himself alive, but he never lived, locking himself up and letting the tranquil silence heal the deep wounds in his heart. When the Tenth came into his life almost three-and-a half months after the massacre, Hayato finally found some degree of solace and acceptance, the warm smile of the brunet boy making him put his guards down and think that, yes, it might be time to move on now, to let the past bury its own dead and start a new life. It was as if the dull void in his ears were cracking, letting him hear once again the beautiful and enchanting music he forcefully pushed away, the laughter, the smiles and giggles… it was all coming back.

But, even then, he never found true peace. Something was missing.

At least, until that day happened.

-KHR-

For the innumerous time, Hayato once again found himself lost. The mansion was just too big for him, and he was just getting used to the layout, trying to remember where he was currently. He knew that if he didn't return back quickly, the Tenth would worry about him, and his old man would probably scold him for wandering around the halls unsupervised. Passing another vaguely familiar corridor, he looked around, remembering the place as the eastern part of the mansion, where some of the recreations rooms were located, and completely on the other side of their sleeping quarters, where he was supposed to be going. Turning around to go retrace his steps, he passed by a set of double doors, just opened by a fraction, the gleam of light peeking through making him pause and look at it curiously.

And that was when he heard it.

A series of high notes, playing in the air. The notes weaved together, playing, almost dancing as they almost told a story of unending patience and hope. Hayato could almost visualize it, the soft trickling of a stream, the gentle breeze that touched his face, almost sad and melancholic, and yet trying to be upbeat and cheerful at the same time. The sound pulled at his heartstrings in a way he didn't know could happen, the music almost reflecting what was in his heart, as it knew what his inner feelings and desires were. Unconsciously he stepped closer, his hand reaching for the door and opening it wider to hear it more clearly.

The music was calm and soothing. It washed over him in tides, making his breath hitch, feeling almost drowned. The song… could understand him. For once he felt as if nothing wrong had happened, that he had never gone through such a horrible experience, that everything was fine… content… happy.

Curious, but not wanting to be caught, he gathered his courage and entered the room as quietly as he could, leaving the door .

It was a large room, one he had never been into, full of shelves, chairs, and some devices he wasn't sure what it was. Looking for the source of the music, his green eyes widened at the sight presented before him.

It was one of his Uncles, his Uncle Asari if he wasn't wrong, sitting on the floor and a cylindrical object placed against his lips, blowing air into it. His eyes were closed, but his fingers moved along the holes in the instrument as if knowing them by heart. He produced a low note, resonating within the large room, the child's body tingling as the note was drawn out, the song continuing without a pause, seemingly not noticing his newly acquired audience.

Hayato couldn't find any words to say. He felt frozen, the music speaking to him, only able to listen quietly and let the different emotions resonate completely inside his body.

Something wet touched his cheek. Reaching up to touch his face, he realized that it was his own tears, sliding quietly down his face, his vision blurring as the tears flowed down, staining the ground with clear, pearly liquid. He was crying. Quickly he wiped his eyes on his sleeve, trying hard not to sniffle too loudly, lest he disturb the older man from his song. He rubbed his now swollen eyes, trying to appear unaffected as the man put his song to a halt and looked up, brown eyes twinkling warmly at the young boy.

"Did you enjoy the performance, young Hayato?" He asked kindly, placing his shakuhachi* on his lap, not in the least surprised with the boy's presence in front of him. "How did you find it?"

"It was…" He couldn't find any words to describe what happened. "Perfect." Hayato answered without thinking, causing the Japanese man to chuckle at the interesting choice of words. Suddenly realizing what he said, he jumped and started to blush, feeling mortified that he was caught trespassing in his uncle's room without permission.

"A-Ah! S-S-Sorry for disturbing you!" He stammered an apology, quickly hiding his warming face and wanting to get out of the room as fast as possible. "T-The door w-was open and I was c-curious, so…!"

"Please don't trouble yourself, Hayato." The Rain Guardian waved the words away, standing up and kneeling in front of the embarrassed child. "There is no need to apologize. You did not do anything wrong."

"R-Really?" Hayato peeked at the man through his fingers, and seeing him smile and nod filled whim with relief. "Um… can I ask a question, U-Uncle…?" The familial term was foreign sounding to his ears, but he had to show respect, especially since his Uncle didn't seem mad at him for intruding.

"Of course, Hayato." Asari already had an idea what the child wanted to ask. Guiding him to one of the chairs, he let the boy sat down and followed suit, waiting patiently for the child to speak up.

"Was that… music? I've never heard that song before…"

"Yes." Asari showed him his flute, watching as the boy stared at it in wonder. "I create songs with an instrument, which is this flute that I've brought from my own country." He explained as simply as he could. "I love music. It is my life and I'll never be able to live without it."

"Music... is life…" Hayato held the object carefully, afraid that it might break if he put pressure on it. Something so small and light could create such a beautiful-sounding music... he can't believe it. "How could you create music? Is it hard? How do you learn?"

"Well… the first step is appreciating and loving music." Asari was pleased with the interest his nephew displayed. "Everybody could love music, but it takes talent and skill to be able to create it, so you could say that it's hard to learn. But those who could are considered special." He patted the silver hair when Hayato looked up at him.

"Special? How?"

"It takes a very special heart to understand what the music is trying to say, young Hayato. Just before, I saw you crying. Has that song moved you that much?" Seeing the child's shy nod, Asari knew that the young boy had potential. It was, perhaps, because of the boy's sensitive nature that was hidden under a brash, stubborn attitude, but the Rain Guardian could see that the silver-haired child had a soft heart, one that was perspective and empathic to the simplest of emotions.

He made his decision.

"Would you like to learn how to create music, Hayato?"

-KHR-

Asari watched as the boy exited the music room, gleeful and excited for the lessons he would now receive from the Rain Guardian. The Japanese man watched fondly, pocketing his flute and going out of the room, but not before speaking out loud.

"Is this all right, G?"

"… Yeah. I owe you one now, Ugetsu." The Storm Guardian emerged from his hiding place, his hands shoved in his pockets as the two men watched the boy disappear from their sight. "Thanks."

The Japanese man smiled at his rose-haired companion. "Just what made you thought of this? I would've never thought of Hayato being musically-inclined had you not told me."

"Shut up." G bit back, though it was half-hearted. "It's just that… I noticed the brat always covering his ears, as if he wanted to block out everything around him." He heaved a sigh. "I guessed that the trauma he's experiencing is mostly hearing than visual. I don't want him growing up wanting to be deaf for the rest of his life. He's… Hayato deserves more than that. He may not look it, but he's sensitive to things around him, so I thought of music as something therapeutic for him." He then glared at the Japanese man, who starting chuckling, as if daring him to speak. "I-I'm not worried about the brat or anything! I just don't want Giotto on my case for ignoring the kid's needs." He muttered.

Asari chuckled, ignoring the dagger-sharp looks being sent his way. He could very well read between the Strom Guardian's lines. "… You really do care about him, G. You might already even love him, even."

The redhead's utter look of complete disbelief almost sent the Rain Guardian laughing out loud, but he was too well-bred for him to tease a person in that way. "W-Who would like a brat like him!" He colored up immediately, his face almost at the same shade of his hair. "He's annoying!"

"Hmm… I wonder what instrument Hayato would like to play… G, would you like to help me choose an instrument for him?"

"Listen when someone's talking, hey!"

-KHR-

Hayato felt nervous. His palms were sweaty and he was having trouble breathing. His family was on the other side of that door and he didn't know what he should do. Should he make a run for it? He shouldn't, his family was waiting for this day and he didn't want to disappoint them. But he was so nervous! He hadn't done this before! What if he screwed up or something? He would be embarrassing himself in front of his uncles. His 'siblings' would laugh at him! A-And the Tenth would be disappointed in him! That would be the worst! As he was debating with himself the double doors opened and a tall man stepped out, blinking at the sight of his paling son, who looked anxious.

No, scratch that. The boy looked like he was going to have a heart attack.

"Oi, brat." G called out to get the attention of the silver-haired boy, who snapped out of his half-panicked daze and immediately scowled at his adopted father.

"Don't call me a brat, old man!" Hayato snarled back, which put a newfound tick in the older man's forehead, but decided to ignore it for the time being, chalking it up as the boy's nervousness. "What are you doing here anyway!"

G pretended to look away, feigning disinterest. "I was checking if you got scared and ran away…"

"Well, I'm not running!" The boy's cheeks were puffed out and reddened in irritation and anxiety, reminding the Storm Guardian of a hissing kitten. Well, the image wasn't too far off, and almost sent the older man into fit of laughter. He couldn't help but crack a smile, however, further vexing the child who was close to hyperventilating, but for a completely different reason.

"S-Shut up! S-Stop laughing at me!" Hayato's cheeks, if possible colored more, and G stopped, his magenta eyes softening at the sight of his adopted son.

"I'm laughing, I'm smiling." He deadpanned, kneeling down and ruffling Hayato's hair, who winced and closed his eyes, not expecting the affectionate touch.

"Hey, don't be so tense. You won't be able to play properly, you know." G swept away the long bangs that covered the boy's face, and, getting the lopsided ted tie that the child obviously put on himself, unraveled it and used it to tie up the slightly long silver hair into a neater ponytail, buttoning up the white shirt and smoothing it out more.

The boy opened his eyes and blinked in slight wonder as his father continued fussing over him.

"There you go. Geez, why do you always look so rumpled? It's bad on my image." G sighed, taking one last tug on the boy's semi-formal outfit before deeming it proper enough. "You're ready now, right?"

"Y-Yup." Hayato still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that his father was here, encouraging him, so surprised that he actually forgot about his nervousness. "I-I can do it."

"Then go in. It's no use standing here." G stood up and slapped the child's back, propelling him forward to the door. The child managed to grasp the knob and turn back to his father, who merely nudged him forward with his head.

"Go get 'em, Hayato."

"B-But…"

"Go in. I'll catch up in time, don't worry." The Storm Guardian waved in assurance, making the boy blush again, but for a different reason this time. For the first time… his father actually showed how much he cared for him. He smiled, truly smiled, and whispered something before going inside.

"Thanks… Dad."

G stiffened up at the term, mouth gaping in surprise. That was… the first time Hayato said it. Speechless, he fumbled for a response, his cheeks also taking in a delicate shade of bright pink.

In the end, he opted to just give a wry sigh, fishing in his pockets for a cigarette, lighting it up and taking a long drag, the stick in between his fingers as he smiled to himself.

"That brat…"

-KHR-

Every rose to give the young boy a rambunctious applause when the song ended, making Hayato blink and blush bashfully, scratching his cheek awkwardly as he stood up from the stool to bow before his audience.

"That was EXTREMELY good, Hayato!" Ryohei boomed, raising his bandaged covered fist enthusiastically. "AWESOME TO THE EXTREME!"

"Kufufufu… who would've thought that Hayato actually had some talent?" Mukuro commented offhandedly, but still impressed with the private piano recital the boy gave. Chrome, being more reserved, was silent, but still clapping as hard as she could, also impressed with the performance.

"You're so loud, Lawn-head! And shut up, Mukuro!" The silver-haired boy shot back, returning back to his usual self. "You don't have to say that!"

"That's nice, Hayato!" Takeshi cheered. "You're so good at playing whatever that was!"

"It's called a harpsichord, idiot!"

"Tch. So the plant-eater can do something after all." Kyouya grudgingly admitted from the side, watching the plant-eaters frolic around.

"Hayato!" Tsuna raced forward and grabbed the other boy's hands, beaming proudly. "That was amazing! You're so good!"

"T-Tenth…" Hayato's blush came back in full force, pleased that he was being complimented by the brunet boy. "I-Is that so?"

"Yup!" Tsuna nodded and smiled back. "You're the best, Hayato! Teach me how to play, okay? I'm so envious!"

"O-Of course! I'd be happy to, Tenth!" Hayato beamed back, sharing a happy laugh with his 'siblings' who also came forward to congratulate him (sans Kyouya, who was still at the corner of the room), leaving the adults to talk amongst themselves.

"I'm surprised. To think that Hayato had improved at such a short time…" Giotto, frankly, was simply astounded with the talent the young child showed at such an age. "Asari, was Hayato hard to teach?"

"Not at all." The Rain Guardian was also pleasantly surprised on how well the recital had gone. "He's gifted. In fact, if G hadn't convinced me to teach him, I would've never discovered young Hayato's talent at all."

"G? It was G who discovered Hayato's musical talent?" Daemon questioned, a little incredulous. The Storm Guardian, of all people, wouldn't be someone who would notice those subtleties at once. "How in the world was that possible?"

Alaude remained silent, though the explanation cleared some things in his mind, such as the time he saw the redhead enter a wood crafting shop at one time. It was most probably to ask them to build the musical instrument the boy was using now.

"Tch. That's because my son is obviously talented compared your own brats." G snorted, entering the conversation when it became obvious that they were talking about him. "And how I knew what Hayato's good at is none of your business. In fact, I think that even if you tried, your brats wouldn't hold a candle to my boy when it comes to talent." He smirked as the other men visibly bristled at the remark.

"Nufufufu… is that a challenge, G?"

"I won't let you get away with that, G! Tsuna is just as talented as Hayato, you'll see!"

"I won't lose! Ryohei is as good as Hayato TO THE LIMIT!"

G rolled his eyes as Giotto, Knuckle and Dameon started to argue on just who among their children was the most talented. Ignoring them, his gaze centered on his own little boy, who was sill surrounded by his 'siblings', a small, proud smile quirking up on his face.

That's my boy.

chap 6

"Are you sure that you'll stay here, my dear Chrome?" Daemon Spade asked concernedly, a hand on her head as he tried reasoning with his adopted daughter. Giotto had assigned him another negotiation job with another Famiglia, which would take place in a nondescript house for both parties' security and assurance that they would both keep their word of a temporary truce. The Mist Guardian, in most cases, usually left his dear girl in the capable hands of her older twin brother and his fellow Guardians, but lately most of them had been busy, and with no trustworthy adult around to take care of the children, Daemon decided that hell would freeze over first before he would leave his precious daughter to the rowdy, brash and noisy crowd of boys that his fellow Guardians called their sons. While he perfectly knew that his own boy Mukuro could take care of himself, Chrome was his little angel, innocent and pure, and was not suited to such shows of… barbarity.

And so, despite his reservations, he brought Chrome with him to town. Initially he wanted to bring both of his children with him today so they would have each other for company, but as luck would've had it, Alaude and his demon spawn came back from another mission at that time, from Germany this time, and Kyouya, the little imp, had decided that needed to bite the pineapple-haired boy to death right there, and right at that moment. Giotto deemed it safer for Mukuro to stay back to 'amuse' Kyouya so there would be less damage to repair this time, unlike what happened a few months ago.

Needless to say, Daemon was not very happy with this arrangement.

"Yes, Father. Please don't concern yourself with me." Chrome answered back, well aware of her father's predicament. It made her happy that she had two people that took very good care of her now, but she can't afford to be a burden again. Though young, Chrome had a bright mind, one that matured rapidly after her near death experience, and she understood how important her father's job was, though she didn't know what the exact nature of it was. She wished that her brother was with her, but she forced herself to be strong. He wouldn't always be there, like what happened… before. "I'll be fine. I'll stay here until you come back."

Daemon knew that he could trust his daughter to stay still and never move from the spot he would leave her, in a bench in the middle of the town square, but what he didn't trust was that there were people milling around, waiting to strike. But he would rather leave her there where he knew that people could come anytime when she was in danger, and not at the back of the mansion where the mental damage done to her (he was very sure of it) would be irreparable. But, just to be certain, he placed a couple of his own men scattered around to step in and protect his only girl if needed be. He sighed. "Very well. I trust you my dear, but promise me that you won't move from this spot. Father will be back as soon as he can."

The little girl nodded back, holding a small bag in her arms. "Take care, Father. Be safe." She smiled slightly, tiptoeing up and kissed her father's cheek, making the man chuckle.

"Nufufufu… Father shall be back for you, don't worry." He patted her dark violet hair and stood up straight, giving a little nod to a nondescript man nearby and walked off, leaving the girl behind to her own devices.

-KHR-

She didn't want to admit it, but Chrome was bored. She had been sitting there for quite some time already, and while she first enjoyed watching the people walk by, soon she felt lonely, seeing their happy and joyful faces as they passed by her.

She missed her new family. She loved all of them, her kind Uncles, her so-called 'siblings', and most of all her own brother and their adopted father, who did everything for her. Because she was the only girl in the midst of all the children in the mansion, she was perhaps the only person (apart from her brother Tsuna, because everybody adored him, even she did) who was smothered daily by love and affection from the adults in the mansion. Everyone frequently doted upon her, making sure that she's safe and always had what she wanted. While it was nice to have someone take care of her, sometimes she felt she couldn't breathe with all of the attention she was getting.

She was glad that, for once, nobody was there to spoil her silly. It was awkward and surprising at first, since she didn't know how to respond with all the affection she's been getting. Her dead parents never really cared much about her. She was an unwanted child, one that didn't have a place in their perfect circle of three. Her parents only loved Mukuro, her brother, the elder twin, the supposed only son of their family. When she was young she remembered, on their birthday, her parents would always shower him with a party and presents while she was there, forgotten, looked past as if she was a part of the furniture. But he was always there to share his presents, to calm and comfort her when she was scared and frightened, the only person who truly acknowledged and cherished her presence.

She never begrudged him for it. While he may have their parents' love, she had him, and he was more than enough. He hated them for abandoning his little sister, the only person who saw him as he was and not as someone to brag about and shown off like a prize. His parents never really cared about them, just themselves. By nature Chrome was very shy and introverted, and Mukuro very much the opposite, but in the end, the only people they could turn to was each other, their bond strengthened with their dependency and need for each other.

For Chrome, her brother was the entire world. And, for Mukuro, his sister was his entire universe. Despite all of the things they came though, the both of them can never be separated. The first time they came to mansion, she was barely alive and Mukuro had almost gone on a rage to find those people that tried to do away with the both of them, never mind the fact that he might have been killed for trying.

She shook her head, shaking herself out of her pensive thoughts. There was no use thinking about that now. They were blessed enough to have a new family who loved and accepted them, a father that would always put them above everything else, and, most of all, she and her twin were together.

And she couldn't have asked for anything more.

She gave a start when she saw something at the corner of her eye. Something white, medium-sized and feathery…

She blinked in slight confusion, making sure that she wasn't seeing things. An… owl? But… weren't owls supposed to come out only at night? Or so her Father told her. She can't help but be curious about it, however, and edged out of her seat, her promise all but forgotten as she followed the bird deeper into the inner streets of the town.

-KHR-

"Um… where am I…" She looked left and right, trying to figure out where she had last came from. She lost sight of the animal when it turned around in a corner, and, running after it, the snowy-white owl had managed to vanish to thin air, along with her sense of direction and knowledge of the place. She was lost, hopelessly so, and didn't have any idea how to go back.

Oh no… Father would be worried about me… He'll be angry and he would never let go outside again…

Armed with that saddening and dismal thought, the little girl made to go back, but suddenly she slammed into a hard, solid object that wasn't there before, making her stumble and fall, her back aching slightly as a shadow loomed over her threateningly.

As far as she saw, they were three grown men, nothing like her Uncles, who were good-looking and nice. They smelled bad, looked dirty and looked scary. Suddenly she lurched in a surge of mental pain, unconsciously tightening her hold over her bag, one that her father gave her, as if afraid that they were going to take it away.

"Hey! What are you doing, you brat!" The foremost of the trio demanded, baring out his stained teeth and growled at the obviously terrified girl, who was starting to shake. "Bumping into me… Apologize! Apologize now!"

"That's right, little girl, you'd better listen to my friend here…" One of the scary man's companions added, looking amused with the situation. He sniggered. "He's in an extremely bad mood today, and trust me, you don't want to see him angry…"

Chrome was trembling; her one eye glossed over and breathing labored, as the sight of the men in front of her overlapped with the sudden influx of her memories, one that she wanted to forget completely.

"They're coming! We need to run away!"

"Stay away from me you filthy child! Get off me! Don't drag me down!"

"Well… what do we have here? Shall I kill you slowly, or quickly? I'll let you choose your deaths."

"No! Kill me instead! Leave my son alone, just kill me instead!"

"…Oh… So you have a son? How delightful However, you're in my way. Die."

"NOOOOOOOO!"

"F-Father…!"

"You monster! How can you do that to my husband! I don't care if she dies, just spare my only son!"

"Now… where were we?"

"N..No… stay away…"

"NAGI! NAGI, WHERE ARE YOU–…"

"Big brother! No! Don't come near! If you do…!"

"Nagi, are you hurt? Don't worry, big brother is here."

"Hahaha… what a brave little boy we have here. Very well, I'll kill you first, in front of your precious little sister. But don't worry, she'll be joining you soon enough."

"Stay away from her. I won't let you hurt my sister."

"B-Big brother! N-No! Leave me and run!"

"I'll protect you Nagi, so don't stop me."

"Stay away from her, Mukuro! Don't you see that he only wants to kill her! Don't risk your life for someone like her!"

"… Enough talk. Little boy, you amuse me. Now, spill a little blood for me."

"AAAARGH!"

"M-Mukuro!"

"B-Big brother!"

"N-Nagi… S-Sorry…"

"BIG BROTHER! NO! OPEN YOUR EYES!"

"Hahaha… two down… two more to go."

"M-Mukuro… b-big brother…"

"You… it's your fault! If you weren't born, then Mukuro…! Mukuro would…!"

"M-Mother…"

"Just die already! I have no daughter like you!"

"Hmm… you're noisy. I don't like noisy women."

"H-Ha…! M-Mother…!"

It played right before her eyes. These men… these men looked like them. Her limbs were frozen, paralyzed by fear, unable to summon the strength to stand up and run. She needed to escape. Say something, do anything, just move!

"Heh… looks like you scared her to death, boss." One of them quipped, snorting in derisive laughter. "Probably because you look like an ape."

"Hey, shut up or I'll kick your ass." Their leader whacked his crony on the head, the almost comical action snapping the girl out of frozen daze, the haze in her mind instantly clearing as she saw once again the three men she had carelessly bumped into.

No… they were cruel and merciless. These people weren't them. She would know. Letting out a shaky sigh, she tried to think properly. She could probably run, but there was a chance that these men could catch her. She didn't know this place very well either. Her fingers slipped inside her bag, touching the hilt of the weapon her father gave her, a smaller version of her brother's trident, though not long and more compact. The spiked tips somewhat reassured her safety. Should she do it, then? But she was told to never, ever use her powers against other people (Her uncles were the ones who told her that. Her father was perfectly fine with it as long as she didn't leave bodies behind, or so he told her.) unless it's an emergency.

Did this count as an emergency? Well, she supposed so, but she didn't want to hurt other people, and her illusions were somewhat… dangerous. What should she do…?

She gave a little squeak of surprise when a rock suddenly flew past her and smacked right onto the man's face.

"H-Hey! Where did that come from? Hey brat, was that you!" The man, whose nose was bleeding from the attack, roughly grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to stand up. Chrome gave a little whimper of surprise and pain, feeling fingers dig down her arm, trying her hardest to pull away. "You'll pay for that!"

"What's this? A bunch of guys ganging up on a girl? So uncool, byon." Another voice sneered from behind her, making her crane his head back, trying to get a glimpse of her savior. The voice sounded young, around her age, and a bit rough and deep for a girl.

"Let go of her unless you want to get hurt." Another voice, as young as the first, suggested mildly, sounding more mature and stoic compared to the former. "How disgraceful… for grown men to bully a girl…"

"HUH? Who are you two brats! You're friends with this little girl?" The man pulled Chrome up higher, making her drop the bag, a gasp of pain escaping her lips. And, before she knew it, she was dropped to the ground, and a scream suddenly tore through the air, making her scramble away and grab the bag, edging closer to the people who saved her.

"It would be better for you to listen, mister." The monotonous voice from before now spoke up, now sounding somewhat amused, "You see, I really get impatient sometimes."

"Kaki-pi! Don't ruin my fun, byon!" The energetic voice now sounded annoyed, and Chrome had the change to look at the two boys who were kind enough to rescue her.

They looked… different. One had wild, yellow hair like her Uncle Giotto's, only paler and streaked with dust and grime. He had a scar on his face, running over his nose, and his teeth were sticking out from his lips, almost like fangs. The other one had dull blue eyes, and black hair, with… something marking the side of his face. But they piqued her interest greatly, even more when the dark-haired boy offered his hand to help her stand up.

"Are you all right?" Taking the offered hand, she nodded, hey shyness once again taking over her as she blushed brightly, bowing her head to hide her heated face.

"Y-Yes…"

"You…!" The man swore loudly, cradling his arm which was now studded with small, sharp needles. He glared at the three children, the two boys pulling Chrome behind them before facing the three men. "Guys, get them! We'll teach those kids a lesson!"

Chrome gasped, this time in concern. Her illusions were powerful enough to beat these guys, but the two boys who saved her would be caught up in it to! They were so kind, but at this rate, they weren't going to stand a chance against three adults! Grasping the end of the small trident, she started to summon her strength, feeling the familiar trickle of power flow as her mind centered on the illusion she was going to make, but before she could, a voice broke her concentration.

"Come and get me, if you can!" The blonde boy's teeth were bared out in a growl, charging first, making her forget her initial plan and cry out.

"No, you shouldn't! You'll get hurt!"

Her violet eyes widened in shock as he effortlessly took one down, his speed and agility better than the average person. In fact, if she had not seen her family do the same things, she wouldn't have believed it. She stood speechless as a six-year old boy held his ground against a full grown man, actually fighting better and finally managing to knock him out cold.

"Don't underestimate me, byon!" He snarled at her, making her squeak in slight fright. The boy was intimidating, nothing like her siblings, with whom she was well used to. "I can take care of myself no problem!"

"Now then, since Ken's already enjoyed himself…" The dark haired boy muttered from beside her, bringing out his own weapons and flinging them at the second man who came charging, watching impassively as he went down as well, silver glinting in the sunlight as they stood starkly against the man's darkened skin. "There. No need to be flashy, unlike some people…"

The three men, upon being defeated, retreated quickly, but not before giving out a threat. "You won't get away with this, you brats!" And quickly stole away, leaving the three children unharmed.

"Shut up, Kaki-pi!" The blond rounded on his friend, seething, who pocketed the needles nonchalantly and stared at Chrome who realized that she was staring at them unabashedly.

"You. Are you hurt?"

She gave a start, her cheeks flaming red as she clutched her bag close.

"U-Um… t-thank you…" She whispered, glad that she didn't have to use the trident. Slowly she stowed her weapon back inside the bag, tying it up, and clutched it close to her. "Y-You saved me…"

"Keh. We didn't do it for you, byon." The wild blond snorted back, rolling his eyes at the girl. "Those guys were stirring up trouble lately around here. They're annoying, not to mention trespassing on our territory."

"Tresspassing? Territory?" Chrome was curious.

"Don't listen to him. You're only going to be confused." The dark-haired boy told her seriously, while the blond fumed and ranted at the other boy, having heard what he said.

"What was that, Kaki-pi! You…! I'll beat you up!"

"Anyway, I guess I should introduce myself. My name's Chikusa, and that idiot over there is named Ken." Chikusa pointed behind him, seemingly ignoring Ken's words. "We live around here. And you?"

"A-Ah! Um… My name is Chrome." Figuring that it was only polite, she also introduced himself, bowing low, hiding her face behind the bag. She didn't know what to do. She had never been in this kind of situation before. She's always surrounded by her family members, so being alone for the first time with two boys who were still practically strangers somewhat scared her. "Um… I'm… I'm kinda lost, so…"

"Oh, so that's why you're in this place." The boy nodded understandably, finally finishing all the thoughts in his head. He and Ken pretty much knew everyone in the area, and a new face like hers would always stand out, especially because of the eye patch she wore around her right eye. That was the very reason they stopped those guys from hurting her. A new person, especially someone like her, wouldn't be able to survive in this side of the town. "Where are you going, then?"

"T-The town square…"

"Oh, that's pretty nearby here. I'll show you where to go."

"R-Really?"

"HEY! DON'T IGNORE ME, BYON!" Ken butted into the conversation, startling Chrome and making Chikusa sigh. The blonde was still ranting.

"Don't be so loud, Ken. Look, you're scaring her."

"Like hell I care! Let's go! Leave her here! She's nothing but trouble!"

"That girl's nothing but trouble!"

It was as if those words were a trigger. Her eyes were immediately filled with tears and she tried not to cry in front of the two boys, who didn't notice her sudden change in character. She sniffled, quietly, trying to discreetly wipe the tears on her sleeve.

"I-I'm sorry." She apologized so quietly that, if Ken and Chikusa weren't near her at that moment, they wouldn't even hear it. The two boys, upon hearing the girl's words, turned to her, ignoring their current argument for the moment.

"I-I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you two. I-I'll j-just go and won't bother you anymore. T-Thank you for saving me." Chrome dipped her head down again, not wanting to be more trouble than she was worth. And besides, her father's work might already be over, and if she wasn't there, who knows what would happen.

"C-Chrome…" Chikusa blinked, spotting some telltale signs of tears. "Are you… crying?"

"E-Eh? N-No way…!"

"S-Sorry, s-something just…" She hiccupped, hand going up to brush away the liquid tears, trying to erase the memories of her former life. She shouldn't cry. Her life was happier now. She wasn't weak anymore. She had her brother and her father now.

But why did it still hurt to remember it?

"D-Don't cry, byon!" Ken panicked, feeling very much uncomfortable at seeing Chrome cry. He absolutely didn't know how to deal with a person who's crying, since he didn't anyone who did. "S-Sorry if I said anything weird! C-Come on, don't do this!" The blond boy pleaded to the girl, who was trying to stem her tears. Great, now he was feeling guilty!

"Ah, so it's your fault, Ken."

"S-Shut up! Argh, just help me, Chikusa! I don't know what to do, byon!"

"Then you shouldn't have said something in the first place."

"Geez! F-Fine, we'll treat you in town today, so stop already!"

…Somehow… seeing them bicker at her condition made Chrome remember her family, who always panicked and freaked out whenever they see her close to tears. The only ones who stayed calm were her father and brother, while the rest continually tried to cheer her up with different things, offering to play with her, give her gifts or treating her to her favorite things. Just the mere image of it made Chrome smile slightly, her mood uplifted exponentially.

Her stifled giggles caught the attention of the two boys, feeling very much relieved now that she had stopped.

"A-Are you okay now, byon? You won't… You won't cry anymore, right?" Ken, still hesitant, observed the girl with wariness, while Chikusa smiled internally at Ken's reaction.

"Y-Yes. I-I apologize." Chrome, much calmer now, finally gave them a smile, small and reserved, but still bright and brilliant enough for both boys to see. "Thank you Ken, Chikusa."

Then the strangest thing happened. Ken's face suddenly erupted into a bright blush, the scar over his nose appearing darker than it should be as the deep red travelled down to his neck and even to his ears, his mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the words to say.

Chrome shifted her head to the side, trying to get a better look at the blond boy with her one eye. "Ken, what's the matter? You look red."

"Had the heat finally caught up to you, Ken?" Chikusa pressed his hands against the boy's forehead. "You're kinda warm…"

"Leave me alone, byon!" The blond swatted the hand away, huffing, not able to meet Chrome's confused but concerned stare. "I'm fine. Anyway, let's go."

"Go? Go where?" Chrome blinked, and then letting out a sound of surprise as the blond boy grabbed her hand and started to drag her away, with Chikusa closely following after.

"A-Ah! W-Wait! I still –!"

"Look here you, I'm only going to be nice once, so suck it up and don't say anything." Ken grumbled, keeping his gaze forward, but nonetheless kept his hand in Chrome's as the three of them spent the day in town together.

-/-

Chrome could honestly say that she never expected this to happen. All day she stayed in the company of Ken and Chikusa, going to places she had never been to before.

For her, it was a fascinating experience. The mansion was on the outskirts of the city, so they never had the chance to see the town properly, and, even if they did, it was always with the presence of her uncles and siblings, so she never saw much either. But today she had freedom, one that she shared with her two newfound friends, who showed her everything the town had to offer, from the market stalls to the blacksmiths. She watched with awe at the glassblowers working outside, watching them form different kinds of objects and figurines, and the artists who even sketched up their faces for free. And, with a new portrait on her hands, they went to the bakeshop when Chrome's stomach rumbled in hunger, making her flush in embarrassment while the two looked at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. She held a piece of newly baked bread in her hands, blowing lightly on it to cool down the surface before biting into the soft, fluffy creation, the flavor exploding in her mouth. She wasn't used to eating with her hands, since they were always taught to use dining utensils during eating, but sill she persevered, handling the food delicately while watching Ken wolf it down in three large bites, worried when Chikusa chuckled as the blond choked from eating too fast before rescuing him from suffocation.

Ken and Chikusa, true to their word, had not let her pay once, even though she tried to insist. Everywhere they went she had something to bring home, a couple of fruits from the stalls and a couple of trinkets from the workshops they visited. Everybody seemed to know the two of them, letting them talk while she opted to tag along them quietly like a shadow. She wondered why, but knew better than to ask, content with what she's seeing and experiencing for the moment.

It was one of the most fun experiences she had. Her father was all but forgotten as they went to the harbor and watched the ships docking, the large sails flapping as they anchored themselves, the large, hulking men bringing down the cargo. It was an entirely different world from what she saw from the books in the library, the reality startlingly different from the pictures she had seen.

"Um… this might be a bad thing to ask, but… where are your parents?" Chrome asked as the three of them took a short rest. There were on the cliff at the edge of the town, the ocean before their eyes as the sun started to go down.

"We're… our parents died when we were four." Chikusa spoke up from his position on the ledge, staring down at the warm Mediterranean Sea. He rested his arms on it, his chin on top, his almost monochromatic eyes reflecting the setting sun. "Ken and I had known each other since we were children. We're childhood friends."

"When our parents died we decided to just go off together. A lot neighbors were willing to take us in because we don't have any known relatives, but it's better if we learn how to live by ourselves, byon." Ken was sitting on the ledge, one leg propped up and the other dangling down. "I don't want to rely on anyone. In exchange for food we work wherever we need to. Those people are also our neighbors, so it's pretty easy for us to get what we need."

"I see…" Her arms were resting on the ledge, watching the sparkle of the sea's clear waters. She suddenly felt bad for asking such a personal question. "Thank you for showing me around today. I really appreciate it." She smiled to herself, a soft pink was dusting her cheeks. "I… I've never been outside of our house before." Well, she wasn't really lying. Her father and uncles were so protective of all them that they were forbidden to go outside the massive grounds of the Vongola Mansion without them. "This was the most fun I've had in a while."

Chikusa smiled slightly when he heard that, glad that they were able to make someone happy. It almost seemed natural for Chrome to be with them, despite meeting her just a few hours before, while Ken quickly looked away, face heating up again when he saw her peaceful and serene face. He didn't want to admit it, but Chrome was… pretty. Very pretty. His heart skipped a beat, and he almost fell off the ledge in shock.

"K-Ken! What's wrong!"

"Hmph… Ken, do you really want to die early?"

"S-Shut up, you two! Leave me alone, byon!"

"Nufufufu… so this was where you were, my dear Chrome." A soft, silky and undeniably dangerous voice sounded right behind them, and the three children twirled around, Chrome's violet eye widening in shock as the mist that appeared first finally dissipated, a tall form emerging from the illusion. And, behind Daemon, a smaller figure followed, one sporting an amused smirk, the older one not smiling at his daughter, for once.

"F-Father!" She couldn't stop her voice from shaking. "And big brother!"

"Kufufufu… hello Chrome." Mukuro greeted his younger twin, breaking away from his father side to approach her, but was immediately stopped by two boys who he hasn't seen before. His mismatched eyes narrowed slightly at the two, observing them quietly, trying to guess their intentions. "Oh my… and who might you two be?"

"Are you two the naughty boys who took away my cute daughter?" Daemon was ready to kill the moment he went back from his mission and saw that his little girl was gone. Immediately assuming the worst, he rounded up his men, and when they admitted that they were slacking off their job since they knew that Chrome wouldn't disobey her father's request, the Mist Guardian had given them the beating of their life, leaving them within an inch of their lives before hurrying back to the mansion. Seeing that Chrome wasn't there as well, he took Mukuro from his fun and the two of them turned the town upside down in their search, leaving the others confused and somewhat worried as they tore through the shopkeepers and the townspeople, trying to find news of the missing girl. "It seems that I have to discipline you two for luring my Chrome away. Muku-chan, please take of your sister." His baton materialized in his hands, ready to strike.

"Of course." Mukuro nodded, his hand stretching out for the girl to take. "Chrome, let's go back. Don't be afraid. Big brother and Father are now here to protect you." He smiled, assuming that, once they had an opening, Chrome would immediately throw herself in his arms, making her safe and them free to attack.

Seeing Chrome quake in fear, Ken and Chikusa immediately assumed a defensive position in front of her. Family or not, they felt a strong urge to protect her, though they knew that their opponents this time weren't easy.

"Chrome, stay back." The two boys pushed her back, despite her futile attempts to pull them away. "We'll handle this."

"That's right, byon! Those guys are bad news."

"No, Father! Don't! They didn't do anything wrong!" Chrome was panicking, fearing for the safety of her two new friends. Her hands trembled, clutching on both boys' sleeves, trying to explain the situation. This was bad. Her family, when it came to her, was the type to attack first and ask questions later. She can't let them hurt the two of them. With that thought, she pushed her way in between the two, who blinked in surprise as she raised her arms to shield them defiantly, facing both her father and her brother.

"Father, big brother, I can't let you hurt them." She said firmly, her eyes narrowed in determination. This time, she'll be the one to protect Ken and Chikusa. It was the least she could after letting her enjoy the whole day. "You're misunderstanding. Please listen to me first."

Daemon was very much surprised at his daughter's actions. Chrome standing up to him… was definitely a first. Looking at her eyes, he knew that she was serious. Had the two boys somehow tricked her into shielding them? How dare them. Frowning, he nodded to Mukuro, who understood and faced his sister, the trident appearing in his hands before attacking.

Ken and Chikusa gasped as the other boy seemingly vanished before their sight. "He disappeared!" They looked around, unable to tell where the attack would come from.

Chrome, however, knew that he was hiding himself in an illusion. Feeling his presence at the side, she whipped out her own weapon from the bag, the identical trident materializing just in time to clash against Mukuro's, the spiked tip just inches away from Ken's face, the grind igniting sparks as she parried off the blow, twirling the trident and also assuming a battle stance. Mukuro jumped back, visibly stunned as he moved back, eyes slanted at the girl who held her trident tightly, not letting them take one step closer towards the two boys. "What's the meaning of this, Nagi? Why are you protecting them?"

Chrome winced when she heard her real name slip out of her brother's lips. But she remained firm, her resolve to protect her friend erasing her initial fears. She knew that Mukuro could beat her anytime had he wanted to, but she had to try. She won't let Ken and Chikusa be caught up because of her mistake.

"Big brother, please listen to me. They didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault." She put the trident down, though she didn't step back. "They saved me from people who tried to hurt me. If it wasn't for them, I would've been in trouble. Please don't hurt them. They… They're my friends, big brother." She said softly, but the others heard her loud and clear. "So I won't let you lay a hand on them."

"Your friends?" Daemon asked curiously, moving forward, causing Chrome to tense once again as her adopted father came into a clearer view. "How did this happen? And why aren't you at the spot that I asked you to wait in?" Though he said this plainly, his eyes were swamped with a myriad of emotions, making Chrome's breath hitch.

"That's…" At that Chrome hung her head in shame, remembering her promise with father that she wouldn't let him worry about her. She understood why he would be angry and worried. "My mistake. I apologize. But please, don't being Ken and Chikusa into this." She put her arms down, the trident disappearing as he pleased to her father and brother.

"Chrome…" Chikusa looked at her, in shock that she would go that far for them. But Chrome didn't pay attention to him, just continuing to stare at the grown male and her twin.

"… Nufufufu, I see." Deamon relaxed when he saw his daughter's almost crumbling form, trying to keep it up for him just so he won't hunt down the boys she was trying so hard to protect. He saw that she was keeping back her tears, hating the fact that she had to argue with the persons she loved, and yet was still doing it for two strangers. For Chrome to ask something from him was rare, and he treasured those moments when she, for once, was acting selfish. He flickered his eyes up to the two boys. They didn't look to be threatening, but they held great promise, if they were able to save his little girl from harm. She seemed to be more open to them, and, knowing her to be terribly shy, making her trust them in such a short time was quite an achievement. "My dear, don't worry anymore. I won't hurt them." He smiled, and she visibly faltered.

"R-Really?" She asked hesitantly, still unsure of her father's intentions. The Mist Guardian nodded back, and opened his arms to her. "Yes Chrome, your friends will be safe. Mukuro?"

"Yes." The boy also dismissed his weapon, offering a hand of cordiality to the two orphaned children, who were still looking at them warily. He was still a little miffed at the thought of entrusting Chrome to two brats who would probably make her cry at any given moment, but he had to be thankful that they saved her from harm. "Thank you for protecting my sister."

She smiled, trusting her father's words, and ran up to him, clutching the front of her father's clothes and sniffled, feeling relieved that Ken and Chikusa would be all right. "I-I'm sorry for making you worry."

"It's quite all right, my dear." Daemon pattered her head soothingly, stopping her tears. "Just promise Father that you won't do it again."

She nodded a watery smile on her face as a thought occurred to her.

"Father… may I go out and see them again?"

"Hmm…" The Mist Guardian hummed a little in thought, trying to see the possible dangers and benefits to the arrangement. He glanced at Mukuro, who was chatting amiably with the two children. It seemed that his son can't find any danger to them, and he trusted Mukuro's instincts. He had never denied Chrome for anything, and he wasn't going to start now.

"Of course you may. But," He chuckled as Chrome's face became a little down, "Your brother has to go with you."

"T-That's all?" She was puzzled. She knew that Mukuro would probably come if she asked, if only to enjoy a free moment outside the mansion. It surprised her that her father, who was usually so protective around her, was agreeing to it.

"Of course. I know that you'll miss them terribly. Just tell me when you want to go, and I'll personally fetch you after you're done playing."

Daemon knew that he had made the right decision because, right now, Chrome looked so happy. She kissed his cheek in gratitude; making him chuckle and straighten out, holding her hand. "Nufufufu… now then, why don't you introduce them to me and your brother?"

"Y-Yes!" And as she introduced her newfound friends, the Mist Guardian found himself liking them. They would teach Chrome to be strong and independent, and yet protect her when it's needed. Mukuro would also be there, and the experience would be good for his children, whom he wanted to be as knowledgable about the world as much as possible.

He had, however, to talk to Mukuro about the blond boy, who he realized was blushing whenever she turned to him, warning bells sounding in his head. Oh no, he won't be handing her to anyone yet. Chrome was his little girl, and anyone who would try to court her will have to go through his dead and decaying body first. And he was sure that Mukuro agreed wholeheartedly with him.

In the distance, a snowy white owl surveyed the meeting unblinkingly, its violet eyes almost shining as it out a soft hoot, before taking off in the gradually darkening night.

chap 7

Takeshi Ugetsu was a lot of things. Happy, cheerful and almost impossibly optimistic about life, he was frequently a bright spot in the lives of the Vongola Guardians and the children, the person who advocated harmony and peace among his siblings, always the one trying to break up fights between his more temperamental 'brothers'. As the Rain Guardian's adopted son, Asari Ugetsu's personality seemed to have rubbed off on his son, who shared that same smile and outlook in life.

So, when he came into his father's study looking very melancholic and depressed, it was certainly a cause for alarm for the Japanese man, who rarely saw his son in such a down state.

"Takeshi, what is the matter?" He asked concernedly, quickly standing up and enveloping his son in a tight embrace, releasing him and looking up and down critically to see what's wrong. When the boy snuggled into his soft, flowing robes of his father instead of pulling away like he always did, the man's frown deepened a notch. "What is troubling you?"

"O-Otou-san…" Takeshi wasn't crying, but his face definitely showed distress and sadness, one that didn't fit with the boy's usual expression at all. Asari was used to seeing his son laughing and smiling, even though at times it really didn't fit in some situations. The black-haired child seemed to take everything in stride, showing nothing but a wide smile and sometimes a confused look when faced with trouble, to the point that the Japanese man wondered if the face his son was showing to everyone was merely a façade to cope with the trauma and fear he had witnessed. But it seemed to be genuine enough, as he observed the boy play with the other children. The boy wasn't simply as bright as Hayato or as perspective as Mukuro, but what he did have was a friendly, easygoing disposition that might come off as dense at times, but when it came down to it, Takeshi had great reflexes and an insight that could rival the most skilled of warriors.

Asari knew that his son had the potential to be one of the greatest swordsmen, better than him, even. But he won't let Takeshi touch a sword. Not if he could help it. The boy deserved a life of peace, and handling a weapon as dangerous as a sword would be asking for a death warrant. The Japanese man knew that the moment you chose to hold a weapon in your hands, you were ready to hurt, even to kill if it came down to it. Asari had killed a lot of men in his life, and while he regretted it, he also knew it was for the best of the Famiglia and the people he protected. To protect the people he loved and cared for, he was willing to carry the burden of ending another life in his hands.

He didn't want Takeshi to carry that weight, as young as he was.

"Yes, Takeshi? Is there something on your mind?"

"Am I weak?" The boy asked slowly, as if trying to word the question properly. He tripped on the pronunciation of the syllables, his Japanese a little mangled, laced with the Italian accent. He had been teaching the boy his own native language, pleased when Takeshi took to it quickly like a fish on water. He encouraged the child to talk to him in Japanese so that he would learn quickly and while he was still far from perfect, at least he was trying.

"Weak? In what sense?" As he bent down for a closer look, he finally saw the bruises on his son's face and the cut on his lower lip. "Takeshi! You're hurt! What happened!" He pressed his fingers lightly on the injuries, eyebrows furrowing in concern when the boy winced and let out a sheepish laugh.

"Haha… I got into a fight with some people…" He scratched his head awkwardly, trying his best to laugh it off, but when he saw his father's expression, he stopped and bowed his head low.

"Who did this to you?" Asari felt deeply distressed, but knew better than to get angry at the child about it. Takeshi, he knew, wasn't the type of boy to get into fights, much less start it. True, he did get into arguments with the other children sometimes, most often with Hayato who never hesitated to show his displeasure physically, but to be injured this much… He ushered the boy to the nearest seat, inspecting the boy's frame closely.

"I-It's nothing, Otou-san! I was just careless, that's all! Haha!" As much as Takeshi tried to brush it off as nothing, he could clearly see that his Japanese father was deeply upset, holding his smaller hand in his own two larger ones, in turn, making him feel a measure of guilt.

Asari immersed in his thoughts, wondering what to do. Knuckle was away on a mission, and he would hate to impose on their medical staff, who was currently taking care of those who were wounded in a skirmish with another Famiglia a few days before. There's no helping it. "Please don't move from this spot. I'll treat your wounds, so bear with the pain a little bit more." He stood up, smiling kindly at his son, patting him briefly on the head before exiting the room in search of medical treatment, leaving the young boy staring after him.

Takeshi looked at his hands and clenched them tightly, digging his fingers deeply that it stung, the pain slightly making him feel better, but not much. He felt frustrated. It was always like this. His father would never question his actions and would just stare at him with those empathic, calm eyes. He never scolded him for anything, only holding his hands and smoothing his hair down with seemingly endless patience.

He felt guilt, but not regret. And, as his father finally came back, tending to his wounds carefully and gently, Takeshi knew that he would have to make this up to him. It pained him to see his father accept everything without a word, merely holding on and telling him to be careful and not get himself hurt next time.

"I'm sorry for troubling you." Those were the words that came out of the child's lips. Asari, surprised, looked up; face slowly melting into a fond look as he patted the boy's cheek.

"I could care less about you disrupting my time, Takeshi. All that matters is that your injuries are now tended to." Putting down the now bandaged arm, the Rain Guardian once again searched for any more injuries, and finding none, smiled a little. "How are you feeling, Takeshi?"

"Huh? Oh! I'm fine now. Thanks!" The smile was back on the child's face, and Asari chuckled, feeling relieved.

"You're welcome." But the boy saw the troubled look once again on his father's face, and resolved to do his best to remove it completely and never see it again.

-KHR-

The next day, Asari was working on another mission, this time a courtesy visit with a Famiglia they were already allied with. He looked over the document again, memorizing the contents as fast as possible, noting of the time he was supposed to be there, which was later that day. His son was also in the room, quietly meditating, eyes closed and silent, seemingly unmindful of the occasional sound of leafing papers and the scratching of a pen. If he wasn't working he usually accompanied his son in this habit, as he believed that not only should you have a sound mind, but also a sound mind and soul, one that should be calm but alert at all times.

Setting down the paper with a small sigh, he stood up, taking care not to disturb his child's concentration. Takeshi was getting and getting better in retaining his concentration, which, once again, made the Rain Guardian wonder if he should teach the art of the sword to his son. But before he could fully contemplate the thought there was a quick knock on his door and a familiar person entered, one the Japanese man recognized as one of the mansion stewards, a good, responsible man who was always concerned and cared for the children in their absence. He smiled, greeting and letting the man in, who he realized had someone with him. Takeshi, hearing the sound of the opening door, opened his eyes, a quizzical look in his young features.

"I apologize to disturb you, Lord Asari." The man bowed his head to the Rain Guardian, smiling slightly, in his hand a boy's wrist, the child just around Takeshi's age who was trying his best to disappear from the Japanese man's kind stare.

"No, it's quite all right, my good man. What brings you here, Amadeo? Would like some tea, perhaps?" At the shake of the man's head and polite refusal of the drink, the musician wondered why the man visited his room that day. Amadeo was hardworking, but he rarely asked anything of them, making most of the Guardians treasure him as an irreplaceable man in the mansion. Perhaps Amadeo was taking up their offer of a long vacation, finally, after so many months of coercing the man to take a break from his continuous service.

"My lord, I wouldn't dream of disturbing you from your work today, but I'm afraid that I must." Amadeo looked serious, for once, but still respectful of his master and his son, who he nodded to in acknowledgement before turning back to the other man.

"I just hoped to clear something, my lord. I'm sure that it's just a mere misunderstanding, since I know that Young Master Takeshi wouldn't dream of doing something like this, but…" Gently Amadeo propelled the child with him forward, making Asari gasp out in surprise.

The child was injured, very much like his own child, but significantly worse, if that back eye was anything to go by. The boy's lip was trembling, face paler than a sheet as he stared up at the Rain Guardian in horror and fear. He heard a thud at the side, and the child turned his head, face impossibly turning whiter as both boys stated at each other wide eyed.

"It's… you…"

"Takeshi, do you know this boy?" Asari asked his son gently, who left his place on the mat to stand at his father's side, still staring at the child, before nodding slowly.

"You see my lords, my son came home yesterday looking like this. Naturally, I worried for him, but then he said that it was the fault of the Young Master." He nodded to the raven-haired boy. "I believe the story was that the two of them got into a fight, and that it was the Young Master who threw the first punch." The man's eyebrows creased in worry. "Of course, I know that the Young Master wasn't a child who would such a thing, but being his father, I cannot let this go easily. I do hope that you can understand me, my lord."

"Of course, Amadeo." The Rain Guardian was quick to answer, feeling concerned now that he heard somewhat the reason of his son's state yesterday. He too, believed that Takeshi wouldn't be able to do such a thing, but as a father, he should always believe what his child would tell him. He didn't fault the other man, not one bit. "We shall get to the bottom of this."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Amadeo managed to smile, patting his own son on the head. "I thank you for your indulgence, Lord Asari."

"Not at all. I also want to know what happened to our sons for them to fight like this." Asari quickly waved off the gesture, turning to the other boy, who was trembling like a leaf when he saw the musician crouch down to his level and offer his hand in a gesture of friendliness.

"Hello there, young one." He greeted the boy kindly, who squeaked, eyes darting from the adult male to the other boy who was, for once, silent as he took in the conversation without a word. "May I know your name?"

"…Buonfiglio, sir."

"… A good son, I see." Asari mused; going back to his lessons in Italian that G kindly pounded into his head the moment he accepted his duty as the Primo's Rain Guardian. "Do you live up to that name, child?"

"I-I try, sir." Buonfiglio stammered, feeling intimated. His bright brown eyes were alive with anxiety; almost fear as he regarded the man who was still smiling down at him.

"I see. Then, may I ask one thing?" The musician turned to his son, who was still silent, almost thoughtful really, if one would observe his face closely. "And I do hope that I will hear the truth from both of your lips. What happened between the two of you? And is it true that you were the one who hurt Buonfiglio first, Takeshi?"

The other boy looked as if he was close to fainting. His pale, panic-stricken face faced the raven boy, who just shrugged and answered easily as if he was being asked about the weather.

"Yes. I was the one who punched him first."

To say that two adults in the room were shocked were a grave understatement. Asari blinked, unable to believe what he was hearing first. For his son to hurt another person… was almost completely unheard of! Impossible! Takeshi was too kind and peaceful to do such a thing!

And yet… the boy confessed his crime without a smidgeon of guilt, almost sounding happy that he did it in the first place. At first he felt angry, but then mellowed out to almost tangible disappointment that had him sighing regretfully. Amadeo looked shocked, while Buonfiglio stopped shaking, his widening in disbelief and… slight relief?

After a flurry of apologies and promises to the steward and his son that they would cover the damages done, Takeshi was left alone once again with his adoptive father, who looked as if he didn't know what to feel at that moment.

"… I don't know what to say, Takeshi." Asari finally spoke out, kneeling down and grasping the boy by the shoulders. "Why would you do such a thing?" He begged, almost pleaded that his son didn't do it just for sport, because if he did, the Rain Guardian was sure that he would die of a broken heart for failing to raise the boy properly. "Haven't I taught you that it was wrong to hurt others?"

"But he deserved it, Otou-san." The boy answered with the innocence and the cruelty of a child, one that had Asari snapping, grasping the thin shoulders enough to physically hurt the younger boy.

"No one, absolutely no one deserves to be hurt, Takeshi!" His voice was so quiet, and yet it radiated the calm fury he felt rising within him. He didn't who to be angry with more: with his son or to himself. "How could you do such a thing!" Hadn't he done his best to understand his son? What had he done wrong for Takeshi to think that way? He promised himself that he would save this child from his darkened past, to never let him think of fighting another person again, and yet…

… Had he failed as a father, then?

Takeshi cocked his head in slight confusion, wondering why his father looked so upset right at that moment. The guilt he felt for hurting the person he cared for was great, but he definitely wasn't going to apologize for the fight he had started. "Why do you look so sad, Otou-san? Have I done something wrong?"

The musician's hands were shaking as he let go of the younger boy's shoulders. "Takeshi, go to your room. As of this moment, you're not allowed to go outside and play anymore." His voice was firm, and left no room for question.

"What! But–!" The boy was dismayed. He loved to go outside, to play with Tsuna and Hayato and enjoy the bright sun that shone of his face.

"Takeshi!" Rarely did he raise his voice, and when he did, the boy flinched, immediately going quiet. The Rain Guardian reigned in his emotions, exhaling a sharp breath, before continuing, "I want you to stay in your room and reflect on what you have done. Until you realize your mistake, you're not allowed to step one foot outside of it. Am I understood?"

"…Yes." The boy nodded and immediately left the room, leaving his father there, half-kneeling on the floor, face unreadable. The moment the door slammed shut, Asari stayed still for a long time, trying to summon the strength to move. This was the first time he had shouted at his son. Squeezing his eyes shut, he abruptly stood up, his normally serene expression clouded by his fluctuating emotions.

He still had a mission to go to. Heaving another sigh, he tried to compose himself, trying to push the current issue to the back of his mind. It wouldn't do too good for him to be distracted, especially not now when he was going to visit an ally Famiglia. One wrong move and the alliance could dissolve. He definitely didn't need another problem to add up to the one he had now. Resolving to talk to the boy after his mission, he set off, but unable to shake off the lingering thoughts that stayed behind, before fading away completely.

What have I done wrong…?

-KHR-

Takeshi stayed in his room the whole day, laying down on his bed, the thoughts swirling around in his head. This was punishment, he knew, but, then again, it could've been worse. He frowned, burying his face in his pillows. This was absolute torture. There was just so much he could do in his bedroom, which was colored and painted in his favorite color, blue. He twisted and turned, finally reduced to walking around his room for an innumerable number of times before collapsing. He hated this. He was used to always moving around, and staying on one place was making him feel restless. He supposed he could try to meditate again, but he was getting sick of it. It was all he's ever done. Ever since he tried that stunt half a year ago… Takeshi shuddered, closing his eyes, trying not to think about it anymore…

"How are the rest of them?" He heard a quiet voice ask outside of the room he shared with two other children. It was late, but he still can't sleep, afraid of the dreams that would come and haunt him almost every night. Every time he would shut his eyes he would see the slow drip of crimson blood, the hint of silver gleaming on the blade in his hands, and the mangled body of an adult male lying right in front of him…

"Hayato is finally starting to open up to us more. G is actually standing by in his room if ever something happens." Another voice replied back, deeper but at the same time, more quiet and reserved than the former. "We have young Tsunayoshi to thank, Giotto. His ability to influence others never ceases to amaze me."

He didn't have any idea what the two adults were talking about, but he assumed that they were talking about the other children with him, Hayato being the silver-haired kid who always clawed at him whenever he came close. Takeshi neither knew nor cared about them, wrapped up in his own world of screams and nightmares, unable to erase the faces he'd seen before he saw his father stabbed right in front of him, a spray of warm red liquid on his own scared and shocked expression as the tall adult slumped down on the blood drenched floor, now devoid of life as he fought valiantly for his son's sake.

His father. A kind, warm man who was full of life and laughter, who only thought the world for his only boy, the one child his wife had borne before also moving on to the next life. Takeshi didn't know what to think. He simply felt something in him shatter, break into a million pieces, and he suddenly charged, grabbing the double-edged sword his father had used and swung it at his father's murderer, blind to everything except to his own anguished screams and his wild, almost deranged eyes as desperation, guilt and insanity clawed at him.

Afterwards all he could see were his two bloodied hands, and two corpses lying on the ground. He didn't remember what happened. All he could feel was numbness, emptiness, letting his grasp at the now stained weapon clatter to the ground. He felt pain, yes, but physical pain was nothing compared to what he felt right now. It was the first time he took a life, and he didn't know what to feel about it. He slowly sunk to the ground, stunned, the tears refusing to well up even though he wanted to cry, so much. He wanted to rage, to scream, to forget everything. But all he could do was sit there unmoving until someone arrived, silent, pale, and covered in a shower of beautiful, red, votile blood that wasn't his own.

He couldn't find any words to say. Even though he was rescued from the carnage and brought into a large house where they would stay in from now own, he still couldn't speak except tell him his own name and the words:

"I killed him."

He was sure that the adults in the house could understand what he had done, but instead of punishing him, as they should've done, they only nodded and took care of him, dressing him up in comfortable clothes, coaxing them to eat and staying beside them, listening to whatever they want to say.

But it still didn't comfort him. And then he decided to just end it all.

"No! Takeshi, don't!" Tsuna was hysterical; trying to tug the taller boy back inside, his efforts futile as the raven-haired boy gently pried off the hand on his wrist and stepped up on the ledge. They were on the second floor, on the veranda, and the latter was stepping on the balcony, leaving the other boy in fear as he stood straight and inhaled a large breath of air, knowing that it would be the last moment he could. "Don't do it!"

"I can't, Tsuna. Sorry, but I have to do this." Takeshi was solemn, very serious about his decision to end his own life. What more would he live for? His parents were dead. He didn't have anything to live for anymore. He felt guilt, remorse, and pain, only wanting to end it by entering Death's sweet embrace. Who knows, he might be reunited with his parents in the next life. "There's nothing out there for me anymore. I don't want to cause more trouble than I have. Tsuna, you told me that I should try to make up for the time I lost, and this is the only way I could do it."

"But I didn't mean that you should do this! Takeshi, please! Come back! I don't want you to die!" Tears were streaming down the brunet boy's cheek as he once again grasped the other boy's sleeve. "If you die, everyone would be sad! We can always start again! No one's blaming you for what happened, Takeshi! Everyone… everyone would be hurt!" Tsuna yelled, praying to God that his Papa and his Uncles would be able to hear him. Thankfully people were starting to notice what the raven-haired boy was doing. "Your Papa wouldn't be happy if you die! He would want you to live!"

The mention of his father shook the tall boy, who blinked and stared at the smaller brunet as if seeing him for the first time, snapping out of his self-destructive haze.

"Tsu…na…"

The petite brunet offered up his hand, smiling through his tears.

"Let's go back, Takeshi."

And, just as they grasped hands, danger struck.

Takeshi could feel gravity working its wonders as he slipped on the ledge, falling onto the side, nothing catching him but air as he started to fall twenty feet towards the ground. He gasped as he instinctively pulled Tsuna towards him, making the boy shriek in fear as they both toppled over the edge.

"TSUNA! TAKESHI!"

Takeshi could hear the shocked yells of the people below them as they both pummeled to the unforgiving earth. Once again he felt the regret, the helplessness, the despair. He had done it again. But as he felt the brunet boy cling to him, he resolved to do something right this time. It didn't matter if he was going to be hurt. He had gotten Tsuna into this mess, and it was only right for him to get Tsuna out of this unharmed.

It was the least he could do for his brother.

With as much strength he could muster he hugged the boy as close as possible, turning their bodies so he would be the one who would hit the ground first. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the wind whip by their faces, clenching his fists as his body tensed, waiting for the inevitable collision…!

He felt the air knocked out of him as he finally connected with something soft, but firm enough for him to wince in pain, feeling Tsuna's elbow dig into his stomach. He didn't dare open his eyes yet, expecting the unbearable pain, expecting a bone or two to be broken at the impact, but strangely he felt noting, only soreness.

His brown eyes snapped open when he felt a pair of hands touch his own smaller ones.

"Are you two all right?" He knew that voice. Deep, quiet and soothing, it was the man who was the slipping image of his father, the person who visited him frequently and stayed with him, always there to comfort him when he woke up from his nightmares. "Takeshi, Tsunayoshi, are you hurt?"

"Uncle Asari!" Tsuna started to cry again in relief, burying his face in Takeshi's shirt. "I'm so glad you're here!"

Takeshi was once again speechless, only able to stare at the musician, even after his other Uncles had come and had separated them, checking for injuries. The boy felt a faint stab of guilt when he saw the older man wince as he was being held up by his Uncle Knuckle and Lampo, wondering if it was his fault again.

"You… saved us." He didn't realize that he had spoken out loud.

The Guardians froze, a bit surprised when they heard the younger child speak, but it was the Rain Guardian who moved forward, smiling through his pain and laying a hand on the dark hair.

"I had thought that I was too late."

"But why?" Takeshi can't understand it. Why would someone save someone like him?

But, instead of answering, Asari merely kneeled down and stared into the boy's eyes, his soft voice soothing and gentle, like it always was.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't able to save your father." He apologized sincerely. "I know that I will never be able to replace him, but can you please give a chance to prove myself to you?" He smiled.

"I want to be your father, Takeshi. I want to care for you like your father did. I'll protect you in his stead, and I'll always give you the love and affection your father would have given you." He pleaded to the child, who stood dumbstruck. He felt a large, warm hand ruffle his hair.

It was the first time someone said that to him. Someone cared about him. Someone loved him. The moment that thought struck his eyes watered, the first tears he cried ever since that wretched moment in his life. He turned to look at Tsuna, who was in the arms of his new father, smiling and looking happy, making him realize that, maybe ending your life wasn't the answer. He was being given another change, and he almost wasted it.

And, finally, he smiled, his first, true happy smile, letting the tears roll down his cheeks and he threw himself in the arms of his new father.

"… Yes!"

He was brought out from the musings of the past with the door unceremoniously slamming open, making him sit up and grin he moment he recognized the person barging into his room.

"Hey Uncle G!" He greeted cheerfully, waving at the crimson-haired man.

"Yo kid," The storm Guardian greeted his nephew casually, flopping down on the bed and looking at the boy sideways, his rose-colored eyes slightly narrowed.

"I heard that you beat the shit out of another person yesterday. In fact, you're the one who threw the first punch."

Takeshi had the decency to blush a bit, his grin turning sheepish. "Yeah." He admitted.

G took a drag from the cigarette, not caring in the least of the child watching him do it. "Care to tell me why?"

Truth be told, he was closer to his Uncle G than the rest of his Uncles. He found the Storm Guardian a cooler, calmer version of his brother Hayato, who he knew was close to his father because of their interests in music. Takeshi shrugged, willing to answer the question, his smile fading away as he told his part of the story bluntly.

"He insulted my Otou-san."

G raised an eyebrow at that. Well, that certainly explained things. "Insulted Ugetsu?"

"Yeah. Telling me that my Otou-san was a no good father, and that I'm an unwanted kid that was picked up from the street." Takeshi shrugged, already over his anger, just telling the story from memory. He wasn't the one to hold grudges, besides, he felt immense satisfaction at seeing the black eye earlier. "I know I'm adopted but that didn't mean that he had to drag Otou-san into it too."

"I see…" Now G was glad that Takeshi was able to beat the little bastard. The boy deserved a prize for defending his father. Now, if his own little brat would do the same… "Why didn't you tell him about it?" He asked, referring to the Japanese man.

"Haha! That's…" Now the boy laughed a little, a semblance of a smile entering his lips, as he scratched the back of his head. "I liked his father. I know that old man Amadeo has been doing a lot of things for me… I don't want him to know what Buonfiglio was doing behind his back. I saw earlier that the old man loved Buonfiglio, and I'd rather take the blame than see him sad about it. That's going to be mean of me!"

-KHR-

Asari listened quietly in shock, his hand hovering on the doorway to his son's bedroom. He had intended to talk to his child immediately after his mission and was just entering the room when he heard two familiar voices talking. The moment he heard the explanation he paused, seemingly stunned as he heard the whole story from his son's lips.

"… You have a kind child, Asari." Another voice spoke up, and the Japanese man turned his head just in time to see his beloved leader appear, a smile on the blond Italian's face, as he too, listened intently. "He reminds me of you."

"Giotto…" The Rain Guardian questioned, sounding incredulous. "You knew?"

The Sky Guardian smiled wider. "You're so selfless sometimes that it's frustrating, Asari. And I see that your son has learned that trait from you." The Primo leaned against the wall, chuckling at the expression the other man gave.

"I never knew…" He turned back to the door, almost murmuring to himself, hearing peals of laughter inside, seeing his son play with the Strom Guardian, smiling a bit at their antics. "And I scolded him for it…"

"He is kind, yet prideful." Giotto nodded. "It seems that you have made a deeper impression of him than you have realized, my friend." His lips were threatening to tilt up again. "You should apologize to him, but I won't blame you for reacting that way."

Asari remained silent, also smiling a little to himself, accepting his mistake with little question. For his son go as far as that for his sake… it was deeply moving, feeling touched that his child looked up to him enough to defend his honor in front of other people. Yes, he should have known better that his son wasn't that kind of child. Feeling regretful of his actions, he managed a light chuckle, leaning against the doorway with the blond man as they watched fondly and amusedly at the two.

"Giotto," The Japanese man started as he finally made eye contact with the rose-haired man, bowing his head in gratitude to the other man, his son seemingly not noticing the two adults in the background, as cheerful and as carefree as always. "I'm going to teach Takeshi how to use a sword."

"Oh?" The blond man raised an eyebrow in question and slight disbelief, but smiling nonetheless. "I thought that you don't want Takeshi to carry the burden of having a weapon."

"Well," The musician mused almost vaguely, his smile turning more into a smirk as he walked into the room, finally catching the attention of the raven-haired boy, who immediately greeted his father with a smile and another wave.

"If he gets into another fight, I wouldn't want him to be injured, like what happened yesterday."