Disclaimer: Apologies, but I don't own KHR. If I did, there would be more Nana everywhere.
Okay, as I couldn't put more space in the Summary, here are the warnings: Yaoi, Shounen-Ai, BAMF Never-used Characters, and long ANs.
Regardless, read and review, and I hope you enjoy~
Italics = Thoughts (Usually Alex's)
Once upon a time in a not so ordinary place, a young boy arrived by train into the small, picturesque town of Namimori.
Happy couples were cheerfully going about their day – meandering listlessly to and fro, going about their day the same way they do every day. Birds flocked together, swallows and starlings and cursed-larks basking in the sun's rays as they laze the days away: gleefully unaware of the looming chaos that was sure to come. Even the local flora was not left unscathed by the town's deceptively tranquil atmosphere: evident in the almost languid swaying of the branches in the spring breeze.
All in all, it almost seemed as if it belonged in a fairy tale – a world separate from the rest, a world that is peaceful in the way that small communities could only accomplish.
Keyword there being 'almost'.
Like everywhere else in the world, there were some glaringly obvious negatives when people think about Namimori.
A flourishing underworld, a tyrannical disciplinary leader (who has, somehow, managed to turn into this town's version of the Bogeyman), abuse of all kinds everywhere – it was hard to see why people didn't just pack up their stuff and abandon ship. Sadly for our 'new-comer', he doesn't know of all of this – how is he supposed to know? After all, he has just got there, drifting in to stay with his 'host' family. Not 'host' as in 'OHSHC' - unfortunately, there was a distinct lack of Tamaki anywhere in the small town - but 'host' as in 'family that will take you in for a long time so you can experience the culture' host.
Which leads us to the crux of the situation: the new-comer. The Gaijin. He stood, alone and lost in the expansive Namimori Train Station, awaiting his 'host' to pick him up. Wide-eyed, the Caucasian adolescent was milling about, looking hastily through his many bags, checking to see if all his belongings were still there. Rummaging into the back-pack in his side, he pulled out a brush - setting to work on his hair, trying to get the messy ginger strands into some semblance of a style.
And failing. Miserably.
Damn it, why do I even bother?
Sighing, temporarily giving up hope on sorting out his rebellious locks, he flicked through the letter that sent him here – duly noting the bolded 'Sawada' in angry, block capitals.
Alex would have to tone down the sarcasm, considering everything. He will be staying with them after all, so it would be good to at least try to stay on their good side.
And maybe if he was on his best behaviour they might carry his luggage for him. Luggage that felt like it was tearing him in half.
Oww. Why did I pack so much stuff?
Arms burning, legs aching and thoroughly jetlagged, he felt like he'd been hit by a bus. Wincing, he sat on a bench, flopping heavily onto the wooden cradle. Noticing the strange looks he was getting, he prayed to whatever deity that was listening that they would tone it down.
If he wanted to be looked at like an exhibit, he'd bloody well patrol the streets naked.
Despite his protesting muscles, Alex grunted, tearing his slightly sweaty body of the seat he was sprawled on, eyes locked onto the (hopefully) friendliest looking person.
"Hi, my name is Ivy Alex; can you tell me about the town – like what the good tourist sites are, and what the town's speciality is?" He spoke to the friendly, albeit somewhat generic woman. Sadly, all he got for his troubles was a blank, yet slightly bemused look before he realised his mistake.
He spoke in English. Extremely fast English.
Oh. Resisting the urge to slap himself, he instead rifled through the ruby red backpack at his side, retrieving a slightly battered copy of an 'Oxford English-Japanese' dictionary, flicking through the pages with a tired glint in his eyes.
"Where is it…where is it…AHAH!" Scouting out the correct combination of words (Lord knows he didn't need to ask if they would bear his children or something, or even worse ask if they were a prostitute), he eagerly repeated his question to the rather bemused woman.
Understanding dawned on her face before she walked off, beckoning with a look that said 'follow', towards a stand in the nearby wall. Pulling out a pen, she took a map of Namimori out of the stand and circled a couple of areas on it.
She even drew a tiny smiley face over a restaurant dubbed Takesushi.
With a deep bow he cheerfully said 'Arigatou gozaimasu' before hurrying back to his creaky wooden saviour, throwing himself back down to relax. The clock nearby said that it was 12:30 – someone should be picking him up around now.
Taking the time to look at the areas the woman circled, Alex checked to see where he should go first. Making a mental note of 'Takesushi', and an even larger note of 'Namimori Shrine', he left the rest till later. There was plenty of time to go exploring, considering he would be here for three whole years.
Three whole years of exploring the culture, the foods and the festivals. Three whole years of being immersed in a culture and oh-my-Lord-no-one-speaks-English-I'm-screwed.
He didn't resist smacking himself clean across the face.
Alex had to resist the urge to cry in frustration. He would be in an unfamiliar place with a slightly questionable grasp over the language, for the rest of his teen years.
I really should have thought this through…like…
"Ivy-kun?"
Of all the things I could have jumped into without thinking…It had to be…
"Ivy-kun."
David was right I should have realised and omg who is that talking to me like stop..
Peering up through the cracks of his finger, the insult died on his lips as he saw who was standing in front of him.
Hands clasped together, a young woman stood in front of him. Standing just a little bit taller than him (though that wasn't hard, considering the red-head was only 4"9), the only way to describe her would be blinding.
Soft, auburn hair that seemed to shine when the sun reflected just right off it, with caramel eyes that looked far deeper than the ocean and spoke of warmth, Sawada Nana gave the appearance of an individual that could blind the sun and be the envy of even the most beautiful of ladies.
With a soft smile, she watched, amused, as the child in front of her examined her.
"You must be Alex-kun then?" The aforementioned boy could only wince as the women mutilated his name, the lady turning his name into 'A-rex', but he had to respect her for trying.
Not that he could judge - his own pronunciation of certain Japanese words was atrocious, and he still has nightmares over trying to wrap his tongue around the alphabet.
"Yup," Seeing the slightly confused look on her face, he quickly fixed his language, "Yea, I am. Pleasure to meet you." Bowing like he has been told to do, he tried his best to make a semi-decent first impression. "Thank you very much for having me."
The stilted Japanese sounded painful to his own ears, so it must be torture for the native speaker.
"I'm Sawada Nana, but you can call me Mama," She beamed, spawning sparkles into existence as she did so. It seems like she has completely ignored the thank you, and instead jumped straight into introducing herself.
Even though they already knew each other's names.
Blinking owlishly, Alex decided to not comment on it, chalking it up to cultural differences.
After they acquainted themselves, the conversation seemed to flow naturally. They talked as they made their way to the Sawada residence, and by the end of it, he had learnt that she was thirty-four, her favourite food was omelettes and that she had a husband called Iemitsu that worked away from them as a construction worker.
Alex decided not to mention his thoughts about that, the bubbly woman seemed to become even more alive at the thought of her husband and he didn't want to shatter any illusions she may have about him.
"Is there anyone waiting for you then?" If it was possible Nana became even bubblier, if such a thing was possible.
"My darling Tsu-chan…"
What followed next was an incredibly fast paced description of her precious baby boy and how cute he was and how he wasn't very good at many things but omg he was so cute.
Well, that was all he managed to grasp before he lost track of what was being said.
So all I know is that he's cute. Cute.
Through the speech, he couldn't get a word in edge-wise. Not that he wanted to, it was endearing to see this side of the woman, even if it was slightly annoying that he couldn't follow much of what was going on.
I'm somewhat surprised Claire hasn't at least tried to contact me yet, considering just who she is. She's almost as overbearing as…
"Tsu-chan goes to Namimori Middle – oh that's the place that you're going to, isn't it? Maybe you and Tsu-chan can be friends? Oh that'll be…"
…David is when he's drunk. Even if he did threaten to throw me out of a window…
"…He's thirteen years old, and…Oh yeah, is there any place you want to go to first? I can take you anywhere that you want to go?"
"I think I'm alright for today, I'd rather just stay in and rest for a bit." Wincing slightly at the reminder of his aching muscles, he doggedly followed the woman as she took him to her home, dragging the bags with him.
"Ok dear, just don't work too hard. You must be so tired after coming all the way from the UK." She smiled a smile tempered with motherly steel. It didn't seem as if she was going to take no for an answer, and Alex couldn't shake the feeling that this would be an occasion that will soon be routine.
"Anyway, were here now, so make yourself at home." She made her way to the front door, waiting for him there.
She was clearly excited, if her sing-song voice was indicative of anything. The household itself was quaint, and very clearly suburban. Small, but not so small that it couldn't fit the small family, it looked like it was perfect for someone to live a quiet life – to live a life where all you had to worry was about living the way you want to live.
Alex couldn't deny that he was grateful for that. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if he had found his way to a mansion, or any other type of building that screamed influence.
Seeing how he was all alone outside, he entered the building, dropping his luggage the second he entered the building.
Omg praise the Lord… Praising every deity out there, he couldn't resist the almost orgasmic sigh at the thought of not having to carry that luggage around any further.
Like a man possessed, Alex stumbled into the first room he saw. Scanning the room, taking in all the cooking utensils, he launched himself at the sink. Clambering for a glass, or a mug or anything, he turned the faucet on, letting the clear liquid flood the sink underneath with the life-giving substance. His hands finding the object he was looking for, he brought the crystalline glass underneath the cascade, watching gleefully as it filled to the brim.
Bringing the now filled glass to his lips, he greedily gulped the water down, the liquid cooling a track down his throat. Already feeling his burning muscles relax, he took a moment to rest against the counter before starting his exploration of his new home.
His boots clopping noisily against the laminated floor, he left the kitchen.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to know much about Japanese culture, so the first thing he did when he exited was take of his shoes. Nana was nowhere to be seen, having most likely headed upstairs, so he was slightly grateful that he wouldn't have to see how she looked when she was disappointed.
Quietly, he followed her footsteps, absentmindedly yawning as he did so. A quick look at his watch said that it was early in the morning back in the U.K, and he hasn't slept yet.
A door ajar told him that Nana was inside, and he popped inside to ask her which of the three rooms on the landing was his. Mouth open, words escaped him as a little piece of him died when he saw just what was inside.
It was a dump. An absolute mess. A clean-freaks nightmare. Clothes and underwear littered the room; papers were scattered haphazardly over the desk and was that Twilight and why is it there? Alex couldn't help but shiver in disgust at the literature clenched in the mother's hand, and prayed to all deities out there that his room was nothing like this.
"Don't worry, your room isn't like this - I've just not gotten round to cleaning Tsu-chan's room yet." She said, seemingly ever-present grin on her face, as if reading my mind. After one last disgusted look around the room, I took note of the directions she gave me and abandoned ship before I saw something that would ruin my life.
Slamming the door shut behind me, I fled into the door the hallway, passing Nana's locked room. This was supposedly Alex's room – the guest room.
The room was obviously Spartan: a small desk hugged the wall, with a small lamp sitting innocuously on top, with a single bed underneath the window and a chestnut coloured wardrobe to the side that when opened was filled with unused coat hangers and smelt heavily of moth balls. Despite the fact that it had seen little use, the room itself was clear of dust, and the small clock attached to the wall ticked on happily. The walls themselves were a warm, creamy vanilla - thankfully nothing like the synthetic pearl of hospitals and seemed to radiate homeliness
Actually, despite its appearance, the whole house seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and acceptance that would give even someone like 'Severus Snape' the warm-and-fuzzies.
It felt like the sky, and of promises and friendship and he was so grateful that this was where he was staying and not the other choice he had.
But who was he to say? For all he knew the Hibari residence could be just as warm.
"Like the room?"
Startled, he let out a loud chain of expletives, twisting his body to stare at the woman, betrayed.
"Don't do that," Seeing that she just stared at him innocently, he knew it was a lost cause asking, "And it's more than enough, thank you."
The woman's smile became softer, as she muttered something underneath her breath, something altogether bizarre twinkling in her eyes.
"I'll go grab your bags." With a flourish, she left the room before Alex could try and stop her, and returned just as quickly, carrying the heavy suitcases with an ease that left the red-head stunned.
Her only response was to smile and say that mothers were tough.
Leaving it at that, they set to work. Clothes were folded, books placed in the bookcase near to the desk, and all other unique items were put into a box that they lovingly dubbed 'The Box of Happy Endings'.
Well, more like she dubbed it that. Alex just sort of accepted it for what it was and left it at that. He'd been around his sister, Claire, long enough to know that you can't ever argue with girls without losing, pitifully.
The box itself (now covered in glitter and sparkles, by Nana) held everything that didn't really fit in elsewhere. Whether it be pens or pencils, coins and notes and even 'Blu-tac' (which he took out to use later on that map the lady had given him), if he ever needed it, it was probably going to be in there. With a happy grin on his face, Alex asked the question that he was dreading, but felt that it needed to be asked.
"What am I going to be doing? Around the house, I mean?" Alex said in halting Japanese, forgoing his dictionary in favour of speaking it himself. He needed to drop the crutch as soon as possible.
"Umm... What do you mean?" She asked, clearly bewildered by the question.
"Things like, umm, cleaning? Cooking? Stuff like that." He may be new to the country, but he refused to just be a lazy, good-for-nothing, stereotypical teenager.
"Nothing. You just enjoy staying here and that's more than enough.' Nana cheerfully announced, in her typical, happy-go-lucky tone of voice.
Oh no. She is so not going to be backing out of this one. He was raised helping around the house, and it must be tough doing all the work by her lonesome.
"I insist! It just wouldn't feel right if I did none of the work. I'm staying here at no expense of my own, and I'm here taking up room." Exasperated, he was unwilling to do nothing around the house. The program he was on made it so that the 'host' paid for all of his expenses, and it just wouldn't feel right if all he did was cause trouble on Nana.
The woman in question sighed in exasperation, before pondering on what to do - though soon afterwards her head shot up, idea clearly painted all over her face.
"I know! You could help around the kitchen, and come with me when I go shopping. That way you can get to know the area better, and help me out as well…you can cook, can't you?" She asked, hope blossoming in her voice, and the Sawada could only grin happily when the Briton nodded.
Well, it was the best he was going to get, even if he himself wished to do more. With a grin on his face, he accepted the offer, happy to be able to help the cheerful woman. Nana nodded, eyes roaming the room, obviously searching for something.
"…It's 2:30…" She trailed off, the first instances of dread appearing in her eyes.
Alarmed at the time, she shot up and ran out of the room, declaring that she needed to go shopping now or that she'll be late.
Leaving Alex, and the rest of his luggage, alone in the house.
With nothing else to do but wait for her to get back, he quickly packed away his equipment, and went to lie down in his new bed. Pulling out a brand-new journal out of 'The Box of Happy Endings', he set to work writing out the first of many journal entries.
He would normally not write in a journal, but his sister made him promise that he would, just so that he would be able to keep his English skills sharp. Though to be honest, he just thinks that she wants an excuse to steal it and use it as blackmail material.
She was surprisingly vindictive like that.
And she was the reason why she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Sawada Nana. It was probably just his imagination, but no-one can be that happy about doing chores, and no-one could possibly have their natural default expression as happy.
Yamato Nadeshiko she may be, but something wasn't quite right with Nana Sawada.
And Alex, being the curious person that he is, was and will forever be, craves to know just what that is.
Picking up the journal, the diary, the portfolio that would hold all of his adventures for the foreseeable future, and resting it against the desk, he set to work.
Hey, you never know just when some block-buster movie director may pick up his journal and make a movie of it!
…Except if it was Michael Bay. He isn't allowed near it. Otherwise all we'll see is explosions.
And explosions are not always fun.
-I can hear someone entering the house, I'll be back soon to finish off the entry –
Dropping the pen in his hand, Alex stretched his tired limbs, hoping that whoever just came in is the elder Sawada, and not the younger. But he wasn't betting on it. His luck was atrocious at the best of times, and he didn't want to tempt it.
Placing the journal back into 'The Box of Happy Endings', Alex slowly stood up from the desk and stumbled his way towards the staircase. A young, (and admittedly very cute) boy was making his way into the kitchen from the hallway.
It was obvious who it was, as it certainly wasn't Nana-san. Unless this was her secret, but something about that was doubtful.
Very doubtful.
Smiling as serenely as possible, Alex made a distinct coughing sound – alerting the young boy that he was not alone in the house.
"Hello there. I do believe we haven't met before. How are you?"
For lack of a better phrase, the adolescent screamed.
And promptly collapsed in an undignified heap on the floor.
Trying to hide the laughter, Alex scanned the (obviously) embarrassed youth before making the executive decision that this boy was the "Tsu-chan" Nana was referring to – it was obvious if you looked at just how alike they are. They both share the same coloured hair and eyes; they were both short (but still somehow taller than him) and they had the same comforting aura that just screamed 'I'll accept you, just accept me first. I'll love you forever!'
Walking down the stairs towards the crumpled heap at the bottom, he decided to help the poor kid out and pretend that what he just witnessed hadn't happened.
"Who… Who are you?" The brunette…whimpered? Sparkles bloomed in the background as the ultimate uke questioned why this seeming stranger was in his house.
Yea, they are definitely related. Only Nana-san could pull off the sparkle look – I didn't even know that that look was even a thing until I met the Sawada.
"Isn't it customary to introduce yourself first? After all you are my host, but, in answer of your question, I am Ivy Alex, 14 years of age. Pleasure to meet you."
"You host? Why am I your host? What are you doing in my house? And my name is Sawada Tsunayoshi" The brunette responded, his features serious.
It looked good on him.
"Well, I'm an exchange student from the UK, living here during my tenure as a transfer student, as your mother offered to act as my host whilst I stay here." Throwing caution to the wind, he just told the teen everything. Something told him that teasing the kid wasn't such a good idea at the moment.
"So will you be going to my middle school then? It's Namimori Middle if you are wondering."
"Yes, and I already know. Your mother certainly didn't let up on telling me everything about you." Consternation burned in his mind at the reminder of that particular conversation. Alex was getting tired of the questions.
"What do you like to do in your spare time?" Alex winced at that. Real smooth.
Tsuna himself looked bewildered, someone must obviously not be used to being asked about himself. He sputtered around, trying to say something about himself that wouldn't embarrass him in front of his new housemate. Finally calming down, he took a deep breath before replying to him.
"I like to read..." He muttered, clearly embarrassed. Sensing this, Alex yanked him up before dragging him upstairs. He sprinted past Tsuna's open room and Nana's locked one and leapt into his own. Leaving a stunned Tsuna in the doorway, he quickly opened one of his many suitcases and pulled out more books – the bookcase was forgotten in the background in favour of getting to the book he wanted.
Or more specifically, manga.
"You don't have to act all sophisticated, I have after all seen your room." Alex laughed, as Tsuna blushed.
"I'm sure you're more interested in manga than books. They are more interesting, after all. There is no need to be embarrassed by it, so stop blushing. You're making me embarrassed just by looking at you." He smirked, even if it was extremely cute.
An idea sparked in his mind. A positively evil one that would be sure to even further embarrass the already embarrassed Tsuna. With an evil grin, he scooted even closer to the Sawada.
"So what are you into more?" Alex leaned into his shoulder, saccharine grin slapped all over his face.
"E-Ehh?" Tsuna stuttered as he leans on him.
"Yaoi or Yuri" Alex whispered, devilish glee twinkling like stars in his eyes.
"HIEEEEEEEEEEE-"
Absolutely worth it.
Even if his eardrums have been shot to Hell.
Chapter 1, Fin~
OK, important things now~
This has been up once before, but after a hacking incident it was deleted. Along with all the files. However I found some back-ups, with help of my brother, and I have tried to improve as much as possible.
This also means there will be some weird bizarre incidents of incongruence, but I'll do my best to remedy them if they pop-up.
Also, I have the Diary Files. If you want me to put up what Alex writes in his journal, just ask and I'll put them in as either an Omake sort of thing or in a fanfiction devoted to them. Just ask for them.
Anyway, please Read and Review, and I hope you help me improve this story~
Until then,
HalcyonNight
P.S: Any questions, feel free to contact me over them~ I don't mind :D