Pinkie's Part: Trying my hand at a Family!R27 by request of Silent-Melody2413.

Beta'd by the awesome DarkIceAngelFlare. Drop a review on your way out; so I know if I should continue this. Ciao Ciao

Pinkie Out.

xx

Chapter: Memoirs of Silence

In the distance, an off-key tune plays from the steeple of a prestigious elementary school. The warmth of the sun is being depleted through the arrival of shadowed clouds. Bright orange-red hues bleed into the pastel lavenders and roses. In the wake of this gentle-toned dusk, a lone figured moved in a state of play. Stars began to peak just over the horizon and dusty honey-glazed eyes swept across the now vacant playground. The haunting laughter of children long gone sent whispers through the wind.

Dried tears felt sticky upon a certain child's face. Stubborn locks of his chestnut hair stuck up in wild directions, as they brushed against dirty cheeks; the child mirrored the ideas of play as the night progressed.

Stars draped across the sky like a change of backdrop in a play; thoughts whirled within the child's mind, not fully displayed in those frightened eyes as the street light came on. The child sighed, a sad sound that resonated with each beat of his heart.

He hoped that tonight would be different. That maybe - just maybe - his mother would come for him. That her short bob of hair would glint in the moonlight, and her smile would let him know that everything would be alright. He hoped, that the warmth in her voice would return, that the harsh words she had flung at him were just because of the alcohol; not because she actually felt that way about him.

The small boy brushed the sand from his knees as he stood; deciding to take the long trek home - or rather the shell of what once was his sanctuary.

Let's rewind a little: this tale in which is spun has quite a past, beginning with one gentle woman called Nana and her lover, Iemitsu. The couple was youthful and very much in love. A steadfast courting had begun and ended with a marriage and a lovely baby boy. The home in which had they settled was quaint and cozy - just like their new family.

However:

Iemitsu was pulled away by his employer, his presence beginning to be scarce, if there was any type of presence at all. Nana had done her best to remain cheerful as her husband mirrored that in trying to keep in touch at least once or twice a week.

This routine had settled into the household fine - until one phone call had shadowed everything in sorrow. His father had been murdered - after taking on a special promotion from his employer.

Tsuna did not understand at the time what a hit was. His childish mind was unable to wrap around the comprehension of someone dying. He had imagine his father being punched, and that had been the extent. He hadn't understood the extent of his mother's tears, and tried everything he could to assist her in smiling.

Tsuna did not know what had pulled the light from his mother's eyes; the cold gaze that she allowed to linger on his form was something that caused his entire being to shiver. Being only six, he had never known what hatred was.

Nana had seemed normal for the following months that led up to her binge drinking. The murder of her husband had proved too much for her to handle. The bottle offered her a means of escape, and she - grief stricken as she was - took the hands of the dark liquid and indulged in the numbness it granted her. The woman's focus shifted more onto the numbness of her heart, to coddle the memories trapped inside it, rather than give it to the little boy who so desperately wanted to be let in: to be loved by his mother.

Her harsh words of his uselessness bit into him deeply. The latest event, which had driven him to the nearest park - would haunt him forever.

The soft scuttles of his shoes against the chilled concrete echoed along the empty streets. Tsuna made his way through the maze of outer walls, his eyes cast downward. The tips of his sneakers were worn, and he curled his toes to fit his growing feet into them. He made do with what he had, so he would not have to bother his mother.

He held her on a pedestal, wanting nothing more than her happiness. The child pulled a small set of keys from his shorts pocket. His steps slowed as he found himself on the porch just before his door. He took a deep breath before he let the keys go into the slot. He twisted his wrist gently, but the satisfying click of the lock becoming unarmed never sounded. The child pushed the door open, the atmosphere of the home now uncomfortable. The suffocating silence now fully encompassed the young boy.

He stepped into the threshold of the house, removing his shoes and placing his feet onto the stair into the home. He looked around the empty home, not hearing a single life form throughout the place. His blood ran cold as he proceeded into the house. He made his way up the stairs, his fingers finding the railing unfamiliar.

A single light was visible beneath his mother's door. He placed a shaky palm onto the wood, pressing lightly against the surface.

It swung open slowly, and the sight before him was drowned out by the shaken sobs that ripped through his small form. He sank to his knees, his arms splaying out before him, to catch him in his cries.

Nana lay motionless on the floor, the red from both her blood and her last drink trailing from her lips, which were turned upwards in a peaceful smile. A photo of her late husband was clenched in her fist. Her glazed eyes stared off into a non-existent distance.

Tsuna made his way over to his mother by way of crawling. His tears blurred his sight as he lifted a small palm to her cheek. It was cold to the touch, and now the child understood the difference between sleeping and death. The child curled into a ball next to his mother's unmoving body, as if the small amount of body heat he would give off would allow her cold heart to begin beating once more.

The child fell into a fitful sleep, his hiccups shaking him more than the chilled spring air. Sweet dreams tried to pry their way into his damaged state of being; giving him hopes of a loving family once more, giving the young boy some sort of dream to believe in.

Unfortunately, when the young boy would wake, there would be no such miracles. For this was the reality of the situation: he was now orphaned. The soul of Nana was now dancing in the moonlight with her beloved, her happiness swimming in her eyes with no last thought of on the little boy she left behind.

(SilverLinings)

Sunlight crept into dingy curtains. The uninteresting color of gray spread into pale yellows. Specks of sunlight drifted into the room; the veil of light releasing the chains of slumber from a certain sleeping figure. The flutter of eyelids was silenced by the promise of something more sweet in which to dream. However, brows scrunched together as a body began to stir.

A young form tossed and turned in his bed. The familiar warmth of blankets and pillows was now his only form of reality. The tainted color red, was everywhere. Painting the walls of his subconscious with the horrid memories of how he had found his mother. A sideways glance on the cliché white nightstand, allowed the young boy to see that it was roughly ten minutes to his scheduled time to wake up. He sighed and pushed his covers off, and made his way through the usual routine to prepare himself for school.

His untameable tufts of caramel hair stuck up in all directions, his face round with the slightest hints of baby fat. He pulled open the door to the hallway and made his way to the shared bathroom of the orphanage floor. The symphony of yawns that greeted him when he opened the door to the dimly lit room was familiar in a simple manner. He spared a gentle smile as he fell into place near one of the other boys at the sink. He found his toothbrush, and began to scrub the surface of his enamel.

"Good Morning, Tsuna-kun!"

The voice was from a hyperactive teen, his usual greetings being responded to in the same manner as he climbed into the shower. Most of the boys in the bathroom turned a blind eye to this male, but Tsuna knew better.

He raised his eyebrows in response, not wanting the minty suds to drop from his lips. He spat into a cup before rinsing it out and trying to flatten his gravity defying hair. He watched the others leaving, the footfalls fading away as the room filled with steam from the older male's shower. The silence was drowned out by the drone of continuously falling water. Tsuna turned his attention elsewhere as he peered into the mirror; he was a little disappointed in the sullen look that came across his features. He had been given the privilege to go to the local school instead of staying enrolled in the orphanage's home school. Tsuna raised his gaze to look more intently at himself; he persuaded a natural smile to his lips. The simple upturning of flesh created an entirely new person. He allowed his teeth to peak out from the edges of his lips; the smile was bright but not overwhelming.

He nodded his approval, making it his goal to share that expression with at least one person today. He placed his toothbrush back into its tin before he splashed some water on his face and made his way out of the room. He slowly made his way back to his bedroom; once he was there, his movements mimicked their usual routine. He pulled parts of his uniform together before stripping down and clothing himself in the Nami-chuu uniform. He grasped his book bag and stepped out of his room once more.

He paused, only to sigh; the reality of his situation settling in like it did every morning. He closed his door and headed down the hall to the stairs where he descended. His footsteps were light, but he held his head high. The practiced expression he developed slipped onto his face as he turned into the threshold of the kitchen.

"Ohaiyo, Mia-san."

The words were polite, and Tsuna was greeted with a warm smile as an elderly woman turned towards his voice. He walked up to her, and grasped the plate of omelettes from her. She thanked him in a small whisper before turning back to the stove to continue cooking. She gestured to the counter, where the brunette male saw a brown sack. He smiled when he saw his name. Mia's packed lunches were the absolute best. He picked up the sack, kissing the old woman on the cheek before he toed into his shoes.

"I'm heading out!"

He pulled his bag over his head and let it rest across his chest. He turned his gaze towards the road and began to briskly walk in the direction of the school. He wanted this year to be better; he had new opportunities; he had a plan - one he hoped would not fail.

"Have a nice day, Tsu-nii."

His gaze fell onto his fellow companion. A small child, no older than six, stared up at him. His liking for cows was evident through the jumpsuit he wore. His untamed black hair puffed up in an afro. Tsuna passed him, dropping his hand onto the hair, tousling it slightly.

"Thank you, Lambo. I'll see you soon, okay?"

The child nodded, a smile on his face as he waddled into the gates that Tsuna abandoned. He did not turn to gaze down the road until he was certain the child had made it into the gates safely. He smiled as he saw the black puff climb the stairs to the large house. He sighed, the smile still in place, as he made his way down the road once more. He shook his head, hoisted his bag higher and inclined his head at the tender elderly seated near the shop windows.

He missed how they were silent as he passed, almost in shock to see the Sawada boy smiling. But their returning grins were motivation to the brunette youth. He couldn't allow that to go to waste. He kept the gentle smile on his face, his path chosen. He continued to walk, his head in the clouds, as he tried to put his plan into action.

His thinking face left his innocence on display. This face was in the process of being seen by a certain stranger. The scene shifted; the youth continued to wander down the road, his destination merely a block away now. The steps of the other quickened slightly after a quick glance at the watch on the delicate wrist. The stranger made a brief sweep over the form before brushing any ideas of danger off. Although a slight tinge of recognition flitted through his eyes, he pushed the thought off as he looked both ways on the street before deciding to cross.

The man pulled his fedora over his eyes to try and block out the bright light from his eyes. He tucked his hands into his slacks pockets and began to venture in the opposite direction. He huffed in slight annoyance as he pulled a packet of papers from his pocket, his eyes scanning the page; the documentation was that of several missing children.

A silent vow of justice crossed his features as he made his way into a small cafe. A cheerful voice greeted him as he smirked slightly, flicking his fedora to reveal his obsidian eyes. He twirled one of his sideburns as he ordered an espresso, and then seated himself at one of the booths at a window. He spread his documents across the table, and began to reread them as he had many years before. The updated information was nowhere near helpful but he continued.

He looks through the window, in the direction of the middle school, but brushes the thought off.

"Couldn't be."