Age: Seven

There he was crying again, the young Sawada Tsunayoshi. And once again he was surrounded by bigger students. This sight made the girl's lips purse angrily as she watched. Getting up and storming over to the horrid event she promptly got between the bullies and Tsunayoshi.

"Hey! Back off from the kid will ya! Don't you have a test to go fail?" The girl said as she caused all near her to look at her with mouths agape. Was this girl seriously this stupid or brave? One of bullies scoffed as he collected himself and blew her off.

"Let's go guys. This isn't fun anymore." The leader said as he walked away with the other two following after him. The girl grinned and turned to Tsuna causing him to jump a bit.

"Are you okay?" She asked Tsuna with a caring tone. Tsuna nodded as he rubbed his eyes and looked up at her.

"Y-you're… um, Timaka Sotai, right?" Tsuna asked unsurely which made Saito giggle a bit.

"Nope! You have the right letters in the wrong order. My name is Tamaki Saito! And you're Sawada Tsunayoshi," Saito said with a smile as she patted his head, her hand immediately grabbing Tsuna's as she pulled him up onto his feet and lead him to a coloring table. Tsuna squeaked in fear a bit as he was pushed into a chair and she sat next to him.

"I'm going to call you 'Tsu-chan', and you're my new friend!" Saito said with a sweet smile as she moved a coloring book and crayons to him. Tsuna smiled a bit shakily but relaxed as he started to color with her.

"O-okay. But I'm going to called you 'Sai-chan'."

Age: Twelve

They were once again at the park sitting on their usual bench eating ice cream. Smudges of cookies and cream were all over Saito's cheeks and mouth as she enjoyed the ice cream. Tsuna took to staring at Saito as he lifted his hand to try and tell her but was drowned out when she went back to eating. When they were both done she jumped as Tsuna finally wiped her face with a napkin.

"Geez, Sai-chan! I know you aren't the most girly but have manners at least," Tsuna said with a laugh as he caught sight of Saito's silly grin.

"Yeah yeah, I'll do a better job next time, Mommy Tsuna," she said sarcastically with an eyeroll. But when her eyes returned to Tsuna she couldn't help but stare. He'd started to grow up even though he was still so tiny. Despite the current "no-good" phase he was going through, she still loved him dearly just like she had for the past two years. Saito remained quiet as she continued to grin at Tsuna so she wouldn't worry him about her lack of talking for the time being.

Saito decided she could keep her feelings locked up for just a bit longer. Risking this amazing friendship wasn't worth such things like a love that was possibly just a childhood's crush.

Age: Fourteen

She had kept silent for far too long she realized as she watched the reaction of Tsuna when they saw the perfect idol, Miss Sasagawa Kyoko, herself. Saito's heart began to ache as she saw Tsuna's depression when he told himself that he had no chance with Kyoko. Taking this as a chance to see if she could have a chance at making her beloved friend happy, she put her hand on Tsuna's shoulder and grinned.

"You have me, Tsu-chan~! I love you, y'know!" Saito said with a smile and a blush. Her heart sped up when she saw Tsuna's face light up a brilliant red at her declaration. However, her heart slowed to an almost stop when she heard his response.

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, Sai-chan. But I don't think a joke like that can make this better…" He said as he sulked to his desk leaving Saito where she was standing with wide eyes and a heartbroken look.

It was at the age of fourteen that Saito realized she had lost her precious person to a complete stranger. She had lost to a stranger that was the idealistic image of perfection; while Saito was just "that girl called Tamaki Saito."

Age: Fourteen

Saito stood there in front of the Varia leader himself with shoulders heaving as her body recovered from the heavy breakdown she just had. She shook in fear at the piercing red gaze of Xanxus, flinching she watched him from the other side of the room. Xanxus couldn't help but let a dark smirk sweep across his scarred face. Nothing was as perfect as it is now in his eyes.

Right now that Sawada brat must be bawling his eyes out if this girl looked so broken at the moment, the Varia boss thought to himself. He relished in the way she flinched when she saw him stand up and began to make his way over to her. Even as he took her chin and lifted her head to meet his gaze, the smirk didn't leave but rather got wider. Frightened eyes of teal stared up at him as he moved his hand from her chin to her head. The larger hand patted her head a bit and caused her to relax when it didn't hurt her like she thought it would.

Now that the first contact and trusting return had been made, it would only be a matter of days or even hours before the foolish girl puts her entire trust in the Varia and grow to want the end of Tsuna and his guardians.

It was only a matter of time…

"Welcome to your new home and family, Tamaki Saito…We'll treat you better than that heartless brat. An unworthy girl won't ever replace you here," said Xanxus as he chose his words careful to weave Saito deeper into the net of fake reassurance the Varia had created for her. The moment her eyes caught his after looking around the room at the other Varia guardians he knew he had her trapped. When her smaller hands fisted his shirt and she brought her body close to his in an unsure embrace the others knew as well that the seed of doubt in her had finally bloomed and she was now their pawn.

"…Here is…home…" She whispered to herself as she relaxed against Xanxus with a contented smile. She missed the dark chuckle and smirk the Varia shared when they heard her. Lussuria took the young girl and left the room to show her around as the rest of the Varia began to plan their final moves.

The seat of the Tenth Generation Vongola Guardians was as good as theirs.