Hey ya folks, how ya all doing? Good? Or so miffed up with me or so happy that a nosy author like me ran out of nowhere? XD

Well, this is a secret santa for Blue lightning of the night and K'onix. I don't know the choice of your pairings so I didn't write a romantic fic. This a small friendship fic for TyHil (I haven't anything romantic for TyHil so far, damn it). I know it was christmas yesterday but extremely sorry, there was a fluctuation in wi-fi yesterday and my hotspot messed so couldn't publish it then.

Okie, this is fic is actually inspired from a childhood filler scene of NaruHina from the anime Naruto. For those who have watched should be aware of it. And Merry Christmas!

"Poor child, the boy is just four. I can't believe that he had to lose his father at a very young age."

"I know. This is so sad."

It was the funeral of the younger Tachibana, who passed out due to a cardiac arrest. The people who just arrived were dressed in black kimono with white belt intact around their waists. Amidst them, there was a four year-old brunette mumbling, "Big-Brother Hayate…"

Hayate is just her cousin brother, yet she shows great admiration to him. He is prone to smiling like his father. But, he cried for the first time since infancy and that made the brunette's heart melancholic.

The Tachibana clan is a noble clan in Tokyo and they are highly respected. They are good at martial arts. Yet, it is a cursed clan with outdated customs which would make every child a soldier though they would be great warriors. There are two branches: One is the main branch and the side branch. However, the side branch were always made to be inferior to the main household with their freedom stunted. The same fate Hayate received and he couldn't be free. He has to abide by the orders of the main household. Hilary's father is from the main branch and Hayate's the side branch, so ultimately Hilary is considered as the princess. Yet, Hayate is more skilled than Hilary when it comes to martial arts so Hayate is praised more than Hilary by her own father.

The lives of Hilary and Hayate are crippled who never knew something called freedom. They are locked within the walls of the house. They never knew what it is to be free.

After the funeral got over, Hilary ran from the house. She couldn't endure the pain which her cousin is undergoing so she ran. Hardly anybody noticed the four year old toddler. Tears were brimming her eyelids. While running along the streets, she tripped and fell down but thanks to the thick layer of snow which prevented her from stabbing pain. The snowfall begun. She never knew that something bad could happen right on the day of Christmas Eve.

'Should I live in this family anymore? Why can't I be free? Why am I bound by the family customs? Is this the pain which I should face for being a part of this Tachibana clan?' she thought as she kept running away from her house as far as possible. Then she tripped again, stumbling upon the ground.

"Ouch, it hurts!" Hilary whined. Now, she didn't get up. Just remained desperate and hopeless there. Tears trickled down from her cheeks but its wetness was indifferent to the ground, yet made the ground a pinch salty. She curled her fists to gently press her closed eyelids. Seeing her cry under the street lamp is really miserable.

Now from the dark a toddler appeared, clad in yellow sweater top, blue jacket, blue shorts and red scarf. He was wearing a pair of boots and trudged the snow. He was medium skin-toned and had bright brown eyes, shining under the moonlit night. Sensing his presence, Hilary stopped crying.

"Hey little girl, what's up? Why you're crying?"

She ceased to respond but was engaged at looking at him. He wasn't walking steadily due to the snow.

"If you keep crying and don't respond to me, how I am supposed to know?" he asked as a smile planted on his face. Their faces were reddened due to the cold.

"Come, it's not good for you to stay out long in this weather, you'll catch a cold."

Hilary vibrated her head in a cute manner and continued to look at him. Since she didn't respond to his words, the boy gently held her soft hand and let her get up, "Come and let's go together. Lead me to your home. I'll drop you there. Get up, let's go!"

'Who is this boy? He seems so kind to me. He never knew who I am, then why is he helping me? I've been bullied by guys as I have red eyes, but he is not! He should really be a sweet boy.'

Hilary chortled and followed him. Now she felt that someone was there for her comfort. She smiled but her eyes remained fixed on him.

"Tell me girl, what's your name?"

"I am Tachibana Hilary."

"Huh?" Tyson stopped and turned back to her. "You are from the noble Tachibana clan?"

"Uh, yes."

"Aaha, then why are you worried when you have people around you?"

"I have a lot of restrictions. Today my uncle passed away. I am worried for my big brother Hayate. I can't see him like that. He has been so kind and caring for me, but what he got for…"

"I see." Tyson continued to take her along and she quietly followed him.

"What's your name, little boy?" she asked.

"I am Tyson Granger."

"I see. I was happy to meet you. I haven't made a single friend yet. I am always bound within the four walls of my house. That's why I came out but couldn't walk further. You came on time and helped me out at the right time. Thank you very much Tyson."

"Hahaha, need not mention that. I am always there to help out but…"

"But what Tyson?"

"I hardly have any people to help me. I am all alone, live in a rented apartment. My grandfather passed away and I have no parents too, so I have a Ni-chan who cooks for me and she comes on mornings and evenings. Otherwise, I am all alone."

Hilary gasped and cried a bit.

"Your life is miserable than mine."

"Hmm, you needn't worry about it. At least, I can roam around and have fun but poor girl, you are refrained from doing that."

After walking for ten more minutes, they stopped in front of the mansion.

"You live in such a big house, but still you are sad. I have no one except for the Ni-chan, but I won't worry for that. I'll still be happy."

Tyson chuckled. Hilary's eyes glimmered with some understanding.

'He's all alone, but he's still happy. Wow, he is so amazing. I like him. Now I understand. Whatever it is, I'll have to be happy no matter who I am or from where I am. Thanks Tyson.'

"Now stop crying silly girl. Oh, got to go, bye!"

Tyson waved his hands and left her. Hilary smiled, yet feebly and waved her hands back.

"Bye Tyson," she mumbled.

"Aah Hilary, what are you doing here? You are the important heir to the Tachibana clan. Don't go without anyone's consent and you are too young."

Mr. Tachibana's older sister who is Hilary's aunt approached her and lifted her by arms.

"Come let's go or else your father would scold you."

Hilary's aunt carried her back to home. She thought, 'Tyson…. Can't wait to meet you again…'

I hope it was good. R&R and take good care!

~Nia