Disclaimer: I do not and will never own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
For Sawada Tsunayoshi
For four year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, pain is listening to his mother's sobs late at night when his father missed another anniversary, birthday, or holiday.
For five year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, shame is failing his tests again and again despite doing his best, so that his father will come home for his mother.
For six year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, anger is the all consuming fire that burns whenever he sees the blond man who simply drinks and sleeps when he comes home, but makes his mother smile just by being there.
For seven year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, fear is having his bullies chase after him in order to punish him for the things he couldn't be talented, handsome, smart and mocking him for the things he is no-good, useless, unwanted. He fears not the bruises and wounds he'll receive, but the pain his fragile mother will feel.
For eight year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, loneliness is being hunted and hurt over and over again and have no one to watch your back or comfort you.
For nine year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, hatred is the disgusting, bitter feeling directed to himself for being completely incapable of making his mother smile or be able to stop her from crying.
For ten year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, awe and envy comes hand in hand. Awe at the black haired boy whose strength commands respect. Envy at the strength he doesn't have and the respect he didn't receive. Awe at the abilities of the baseball idol that could make anyone and everyone like him. Envy at the hordes of admirers the idol has. Awe at the kindness of the brunette girl who treats everyone equally, envy at the pure smile he wishes to see on his own mother's lips. Awe at the dark haired girl's loyalty who acts as the shadow to the brunette's light and envy for he wishes for someone who will do the same for him. Awe at the bleached haired boy's extreme determination and envy for he has long given up.
For eleven year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, love is going to school every day to see the one he admires despite the mocking of the students and teachers. Love is pretending that everything is fine even if he started believing the taunts and his mother started calling him useless.
For twelve year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, sadness is an empty gaping hole in his heart that no one is there to fill. Sadness is the greyness of his surroundings and the emptiness of life.
For thirteen year old Sawada Tsunayoshi, excitement started with a baby in a suit who has a pet chameleon. Excitement came with a green eyed storm, a baseball idol turned swordsman, the strong black haired boy, the brunette girl and her loyal bestfriend, an energetic girl and an even more extremely energetic boy. It came with three little siblings, two mysterious mists and their rag-tag group, and so many others.
From then on, for Sawada Tsunayoshi, happiness and joy means family.
