Like the last few days, the little boy came back home covered in bruises. His mother, Sawada Nana, was concerned. Despise his bright personality at home, she suspected that her child, her little Tsu-kun wasn't happy here in Namimori. She talked about it with the neighbors but they all said the same:

"Every child hurt himself while playing. It's proof he's having fun. Tsuna's fine."

But after two months of seeing her little boy with more and more wounds, she decided enough was enough. So one evening, she sat at the table with the 12-year-old kid and asked in an uncharacteristic serious tone: "Tsu-kun. Are you bullied at school?"

Her child froze on the spot. He didn't raise his head to look at her and started shaking. Nana put a comforting hand on his shoulder and heard a whimper. Forcing his head up, she saw streams of tears coming out of the orange-brown eyes of her son. She didn't need to know more. Hugging the crying boy, she made up her mind. Her Tsu-kun couldn't stay in Namimori any longer, at least not until she finds a solution to his 'bully problem'.

The next morning, Tsuna woke up in panic. It was past 8.30 am! He was really late for school! As he hurried downstairs to grab some bread as a substitute for breakfast, he caught his mom smiling face greeting him.

"Good morning Tsu-kun! Did you sleep well?"

"Yes mom. But I gotta run! I'm late! Why didn't you wake me up for school?" Tsuna asked, still in panic. Nana's expression suddenly darkened before she answered her son.

"You won't go to school today. Or tomorrow. In fact, you won't set foot in this horrible place anymore."

Tsuna was shocked. Not about not going to school. He was even happy not returning there. No. It was the somber look on his mother's face. He had always, ALWAYS, seen her smiling. A bright smile, a mischievous smile, a confused smile… But this sadness, this… hurt. He had never seen such feeling in her eyes.

And it scared him. He didn't know why, but he knew something was going to change in his life. Something big, important, vital for his future. And it scared him beyond belief.

Sawada Nana had taken her son to Takesushi. Tsuna loved this place, and Yamamoto Takashi, the owner's son, was a really nice kid. Nana had heard from Yamamoto Tsuyoshi, the sushi chef, that the little baseball lover sometimes played with her son. He was a happy-go-lucky child with a bright smile plastered on his face. He was a little oblivious (like she's one to talk) and had never realized Tsuna was bullied, but he never looked down on him or pushed him away.

While the boys were playing at a nearby table, the two adults talked. As a widower, Tsuyoshi had educated his son alone. And even if she wasn't a widow (her husband hasn't come back home for years but he's still alive, thank you), she understood completely how he felt. Both gave advice to and always helped each other. They had become close friends. So Nana wasn't so surprised when her long time friend agreed with her to send Tsuna away for some time or maybe move to a new town.

"I know it's best for him but… I can't leave Namimori like that. What if Iemitsu come back to find the house empty. He would totally freak out. And I don't know if I'll be able to help him, be there for him. I mean… Come on! It took me two months -TWO MONTHS!- to realize that something was wrong with my Tsu-kun. What kind of mother doesn't even realize her son is being bullied!"

"Calm down, Nana-san. It isn't your fault. If you have to blame someone, blame those brats' parents for not giving them proper education!" Tsuyoshi comforted his worried friend.

"Thank you, Tsuyoshi-san. But I still can't leave Namimori. More than staying for my husband, I have to do something about this. I need to make sure that when Tsu-kun came back to Namimori's Middle School, NO ONE would dare to bully him again. I won't let my Tsu-kun's school life be one of fear and sadness. He'll have the happiest, funniest school life a child ever had! On my honor as a mother!"

Tsuyoshi saw the burning determination in the woman's eyes, almost burning like the golden sun. And he knew she wouldn't change her mind. The least he could do was to ensure the kid got into a great foster family for the upcoming year. He sighed.

"Have you already decided where he's going?"

"No. I'm asking my relatives, but they say they're too busy to take care of him"

"Then I might know someone who can take Tsuna in. He's already taking care of a teen who got into trouble in his hometown. He let him live in his café, in Tokyo. And he owns me a big favor. I'm sure he wouldn't mind to house another boy."

"Are you sure Tsuyoshi-san? I wouldn't want to impose Tsu-kun on him."

"Don't worry Nana-san. Even if he doesn't say it, he loves kid. He'll be happy to help you out. Trust me!"

"Okay… But how should I tell Tsu-kun about this? I don't want him to feel rejected by his mother."

"Just tell him the truth. He won't be happy about it at first. But he'll come around. And at some point, he'll understand your reasons. He may have bad grades but he's not stupid."

"Alright… Thanks again, Tsuyoshi-san. How about you serve us your best sushi! I want to spoil my little Tsu-kun tonight!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"But why mom?" Tsuna whined to his mother. She'd just told him about his school transfer. Nana looked at her child with sad eyes. She shook her head and replied.

"You can't stay here for now. You'll only be hurt more if you stay. I can't come with you. I have to solve some issues here so you'll came back to a happy place to live in."

"But… But I'm happy here! I don't want to go!"

"Sorry Tsu-kun. You need to leave. It's what's best for you."

Tsuna didn't respond. With teary eyes, he ran to his room and slammed the door shut. Nana sighed. Tsuyoshi-san was right. Her Tsu-kun wasn't pleased by the news. But he had to go.

The next few days were quite awkward between the mother and child. There was a heavy silence as the child still hadn't accepted his mother decision. And then came the day of his departure.

It was a Saturday. Tsuna was waiting in the living room, playing with a little stuffed lion. His mother had brought it to him as a good-luck charm. It had a strap so he could attach it to his schoolbag.

Around 10.00 am, someone rang the doorbell. Nana went to open it on a middle aged man wearing glasses and a hat.

"Hello Sawada-san. My name's Sakura Sojiro. Tsuyoshi asked me to take care of your son for some time."

Tsuna peaked from the living room's doorway at the stranger. He looked nice enough but at the same time, Tsuna was scared of him. He knew this man was kind but severe. Nana noticed her son and called him.

"Come here Tsu-kun. Say hello to Sakura-san. He's the one you'll be living with."

The little boy timidly went to his mother's side and quietly bowed his head, mumbling a weak "hello".

Sojiro crouched down to his level.

"Hello there. I'm Sakura Sojiro. You can call me Sojiro-san. So, you ready to come with me?"

Tsuna nodded quietly. Nana went inside and came back with a big suitcase. Sojiro took it and placed it in his car's trunk. Nana knelt down to look at her son's face. Tsuna refused to look her in the eyes. She tried to hug him, to say that she dearly loved him, but she didn't move or say a word. Nana shed a tear while whispering to her retreating son.

"Take care, Tsu-kun..."

Tsuna went into the car and looked out the window. He saw his mother waving at him and felt a tear roll down his cheek. Then the car started. He was now leaving his home.

The ride to Tokyo was quiet. The child didn't utter a word for the long 4 hours it took them. Sojiro tried to start a conversation but ended up putting some music to break the silence. He understood the boy was upset about all of this. He was just a child, one that suffered a lot apparently. And suddenly having to move all the way to the capital… Must be hard on him.

Finally, they reached their destination. It was a simple café, in an alleyway near the main street. Tsuna tried to read the place's name but gave up. He barely recognize kanjis, how could he read French. Sojoro retrieved Tsuna's suitcase from the car and stood next to the boy.

"Welcome to 'Café Leblanc'. That's where you're going to stay."

Tsuna looked at him curiously but didn't say a word and went in. The inside had a vintage look with a wooden counter, boots for about 4 people and high stools. Near the entrance was an extremely beautiful painting of a woman with a baby in her arms. Tsuna was fascinated by the piece of art but jealous at the same time.

"You like the painting? Someone asked me to keep it for him for-"

"I don't like it." Tsuna interrupted Sojiro. The man was surprised. It was the first time the kid actually talked to him.

"You don't like it? Why?"

"Because I don't like it." The boy answered, eyes still glued to the picture. Sojiro wondered about the reasons for this hatred but caught the glint in the child eyes. Jealousy. Then it made sense. The boy never wanted to leave his mother. So seeing the 'Sayuri' must make him envious of the painted baby.

"Come on kid, let me show you to your room."

The two of them went to the back of the café and walked up some stairs. They arrived in a dusty attic where a raven-haired teen sat at a table, some schoolwork laying in front of him.

"Yo Akira, this is Tsuna, the kid I told you about. Tsuna, this is Kurusu Akira, the guy who's going to look after you."

This surprised both boys. 'What does he mean by that?' Akira was the first to recover and asked Sojiro about this.

"Well… A friend asked me to take care of him. But with the café, it'll be hard, especially taking him to school and pick him up after. So I thought that you could do it for me. His school is near yours. And you don't know, maybe having more responsibility will help you stay out of trouble."

The teen, Akira, sighed and turned his gaze to the boy. It was clear that he wasn't pleased by that arrangement either but what could they do. Sojiro was the boss here and he makes the decisions. So he stood up and went to offer a hand to the boy.

"I'm Kurusu Akira. Nice to meet you."

"..." The kid just stared at him, eyes full of suspicion. He didn't trust that guy. Few people knew about that but his classmates weren't the only ones to beat him up in Namimori. The older kids did it too and Tsuna developed a powerful mistrust towards older teens. But his mom had taught him manners. Reluctantly, he took the offered hand and answered in a guarded tone.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi."

Than he let go and turned to Sojiro.

"Where am I going to sleep? There's only one bed."

Sojiro hadn't thought about that. The room was originally made to house one person. He'll have to think of something.

"For the time being, you can take the couch. I'll think of something later. Now have some rest. You must be tired from the ride."

And he went down to the café, leaving the two boys together. After a brief awkward silence, Akira decided to give the boy some privacy, and went down as well.

There, he met up with Sojiro who was drinking a black smoking coffee. He sat next to the man and look up to the stairs.

"What happened to him? He seems… distrustful of others. Especially me."

"He was heavily bullied in his hometown. The brats his age and even older ones were beating him up everyday. And no adults ever stood up for him or tried to protect him. They just said it was his fault for being weak. When his mother found out, she was pissed off beyond belief. She decided to makes things change but she couldn't let her boy stay there. So a friend of mine asked if I could take him in. He heard about you and thought I wouldn't mind another one. And honestly, after hearing the kid's story over the phone, I couldn't possibly say no. He's a good kid who hadn't done anything wrong, unlike you."

"I understand now."

"I'm sure you do. And that's why I want you to look after him. If anything ever happens to him, I'll make your life a living nightmare and you'll beg the police to take you to juvie! Got it?"

"I'll protect him."

"Good"

When the man and the teen left the attic, Tsuna went quietly after them. He knew he shouldn't eavesdrop on people but he was alone in a city he's never been before and stuck with strangers he didn't trust. So he'll throw manners away and ensure his safety first. And knowing what they're talking about might help him. He wasn't surprised when the teen asked about him. Everybody would be curious if a kid popped up in your house one day. What surprised him however, was Sojiro-san threat to the teen. 'Is he really worried about me?' Then he thought again about it.

'No. He is not worried. He's just pitying me. I hate pity! He's just like the adults back in Namimori. Knowing about the bullying but never interfering, just watching with pity.'

"I don't need your pity." he whispered. Having heard what he needed, Tsuna went back up and laid down on the couch. "Man, I'm really tired..." And he fell asleep almost immediately. He never noticed the black and white cat with a yellow scarf around his neck looking at him with abnormally clever eyes.

Aaaand done! First chapter finished.

One of my longest chapter. I was really inspired. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks to MysteryOfOrigin for the challenge idea.

I'd like to point out that English isn't my first language. So I may make errors and mistakes in my text. Please tell me if you see some. It will help me improve my English. Thank you.

Please leave a review. I'm not asking it for motivation but having a feedback on my work helps me getting better at it. So yeah… Please leave your reviews and critics.

See ya next chapter!

Fricat out!

Edit: I added the line breaks. I had put some into my text but they seem to have disappeared when I uploaded the chapter. And thanks to foxchick1 for pointing out some grammar mistakes I made. I correctec them btw.