A week had passed since the party incident; of course, people were now even more hateful towards him. After all, two helpless girls and Basil had been attacked at his house at his party by something the witnesses could not even believe themselves. His close friends were more protective than ever over him and of that he was both annoyed and grateful for.

Dino was sending him an email every day, Ryohei kept kicking ass, Gokudera kept kicking Ryohei's ass, Yamamoto kept himself at either Gokudera's or Tsuna's side (because no one liked to bad talk anyone standing next to Yamamoto, though it was a completely different story the moment he walked away), the girls were quick to defend him and claim that they weren't actually sure what had happened, and Shoichi and Spanner were acting thankful to him.

Apparently, they were now very close friends on the verge of dating, thanks to his party. He was startled by them both being guys (Yamamoto and Gokudera standing next to him hadn't seemed so startled as much as tense), but he had been happy nonetheless. As awkward as it appeared, love was love no matter who's sharing it, right?

He thought of Mukuro and the moment he had thought they were going to kiss. Right.

Friday afternoon, he came back home, a few bruises heavier because he had been late to school and then some bullies had caught him alone between classes. And then he had gotten beaten again because Hibari had caught them and decided that they were all disturbing the peace.

He stumbled into his room, exhausted. "Hi, Mukuro – hiiieee!" He stared, eyes wide with horror, at who rested on his bed with a book in hand. "M-mom?"

Dead eyes looked up at him. "Hello, Tsuna…" She looked back down to the book in her hands, flipping a page. Tsuna realized that it was a photo album. "I was just remembering my baby and I thought I would come in here to try and imagine how life would be if he was still alive instead of my good-for-nothing son."

Tsuna flinched. His mom was in a bad mood – a very, very bad mood; usually, her cruelty was limited to making others hate him or completely ignoring him herself. "M-mom, I'm sorry…" There he goes again, apologizing for something that should have never been his fault.

Her head bowed over the book and her shoulders began to shake. Tears plunked against the pages. "I want my b-baby back… I want him back s-so bad…"

"I-I know…"

"No!" She hissed, looking at him with hateful eyes. "You don't know." She got to her feet and he stumbled against the wall, surprised by the intent in her eyes. That rage slowly, reluctantly, turned to desperation. "P-please… please just kill yourself… I'm begging you, p-please… I w-would rather live alone… than with my b-baby's murderer."

His heart shattered in his chest; the words were finally said. "M-mom…"

She covered her ears. "Don't call me that! Oh, god, don't c-call me that…" She sunk to the floor, forehead touching the wood. "You've taken everything from me!"

He wanted to say the words so badly: 'It wasn't my fault, it wasn't my fault, it wasn't my fault!' They were there on the tip of his tongue, burning through his heart till it was painful to breathe. 'It wasn't my fault!' But his mother looked so defeated, so broken… and, really, it was his fault.

"Please… k-kill yourself." She sounded so drained.

The photo album was open on the bed, flipped to the page where Lambo was sleeping in Tsuna's arms as they walked away from the amusement park, cotton candy still stuffed in his mouth while Tsuna looked about awkward as he remembered feeling. Kyoko had been there (a coincidental meeting) and she had been cooing about how adorable Lambo had looked as he had sleep-talked (somehow with his mouth full) about how he wanted Reborn to bow at his feet and show him the respect he deserved.

It was odd how crystal clear that memory was in his mind as he stared at the photo. He could remember the smell of dumplings and straw with a tang of sweat and fur while the sounds of the Ferris wheel and screaming kept him deaf. He remembered the warmth of Lambo in his arms, how the last words the boy had mumbled before they had gotten home were "big brother, never leave me…"

His legs weren't strong enough to hold him up any longer. He collapsed against the wall as his mother stood to her feet, as if she somehow drew on his lost energy for her own. She picked up the book and wordlessly left him, ignoring him now as she always had since that day they had buried Lambo in the ground. She had said what had she had wanted to say and had told Tsuna what she wanted him to do; she wasn't going to stay around any longer to see if he would actually do it.

She would learn sooner or later.

"… It wasn't my fault…" Too late, she was long gone, most likely making dinner – enough for two because she was masochistic like that in reminding herself that she had to feed him as well. "It wasn't…" But he didn't even sound like he believed himself. "… Was it…?"

His heart hurt so much… he couldn't take it. He couldn't take it! "Please… k-kill yourself…"

But he had friends, right? They didn't want him to kill himself… right? Dino had offered him a home after he graduated and, and…

He had Mukuro.

He crawled across the floor and slipped beneath the bed – a tight, uncomfortable fit that made him feel as if he was being crushed. The roots, cool and damp, surrounded him in a cocoon. Duo-colored eyes were accepting on him.

He sniffled – tried to hold in the tears and bite back the sobs, and ultimately failed. A broken, keening wail left him as a tear slid down his cheek and landed on one of the many roots. Another tear followed… and then countless more. His eyes were squeezed shut, body curled as far into the mound as he could be while he tried to at least keep quiet.

"Ts…"

He didn't hear the sound, his own tearing sobs so loud to his own ears and his heartbeat so annoyingly strident.

"Ts…"

But there was something more noticeable going on… the mass against him was becoming firmer, cool and moist roots becoming lukewarm, soft… skin?

His eyes dragged themselves open. They widened when he saw the arms around him; not just roots, but actual arms. A tear slipped from his cheek and landed on the appendage, the tiny droplet resting for only a short moment before it was absorbed. Tsuna watched it as it ran up through a purple vein, actually able to track its movement as it flowed to one of the last remaining roots on Mukuro's body and even that became flesh as the glitter of blue faded away.

His eyes trailed up from Mukuro's chest to his face, breath sticking in his throat. Mukuro was older again, cheeks a little shallower than when he had been a teenager and his jaw sharper. His eyes were narrower than previous and his smile had lost its edge of cruelty almost altogether – almost, but not quite. His shoulders were broader and Tsuna would bet that he was taller too.

"Tsu…" Mukuro was trying to say his name, duo-colored eyes focused and somber on him as he lifted a hand and feathered it through Tsuna's thick locks.

He felt oddly frozen, as if his life wouldn't begin again until Mukuro succeeded. He waited with wide, caramel eyes as Mukuro's other arm tightened around his waist, frustration sparking in his gaze.

"Tsu…" His hand wondered from Tsuna's hair to his cheek, catching the salty trails on his fingertips; his blue tears raced through Mukuro's purple veins. "Tsun…" His eyebrows drew together and he smiled irately.

"Mmph!" Tsuna's eyes – impossibly so – widened more as lips covered his. Mukuro's sweet taste made him dizzy, any idea he might have had to fight defeated before he could even think about it. Mukuro's tongue invaded his mouth and it circled Tsuna's, taunting it to rise and play.

When he pulled away, Tsuna felt boneless, hands clutched against Mukuro's chest.

The man smirked down at him. "Tsuna…" He petted him. "You will not kill yourself."

Tsuna gaped at him, the dots connecting finally. His blood had given Mukuro life, his dreams had given Mukuro emotions, his tears had given him a body, and his mouth had given him a voice.

"I will not let you." Mukuro vowed. "So stop your tears and smile for me."

He couldn't bring himself to smile – for one, he was still struck dumb by the kiss and, for two, his mother's words still haunted him. And then there was that Mukuro was an actual person not just in his dreams now – but he wrapped his arms around Mukuro's neck and pulled the man's head to his heart, eyes flickering shut.

When Mukuro began to breathe deeply, lured to a state between sleep and waking instantly by his heartbeat, it was the greatest reassurance anyone could have given him. Because it showed that someone – just one person, at least – would rather his heart beat than not.

He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep – but he woke up on his bed, so he must have passed out at one point.

He sat up and looked blearily around himself. "Mukuro…?" There was no answer. He was suddenly very much awake. "Mukuro?" In vain hope, he looked beneath the bed; nothing. "Mukuro!" He ran throughout the entire house, looking for the man. He checked every room, every closet, every crevice that there was. "Mukuro!"

He stopped, out of breath, in his backyard. Maybe… maybe Mukuro was just out looking at things? He was pretty new to earth in general, right? So… he would be back… right?

Something cold and hard encased his heart. He had never really thought about what would happen after Mukuro was fully grown; it had never occurred to him to think about it. "Mukuro…" He whispered to himself. He might have cried – really, he did want to – but his eyes were dry from having already let his tears fall.

He went back into the house, everything as dark as depression as he stumbled back to his room; his mother must have left. Maybe she had thought he would kill himself and didn't want to be blamed for it. Yeah, because that would be another thing to hate him for, even after death – getting her sent to jail for the murder of the son she so openly hated…

He curled up on his bed, arms protectively around his torso as he drew his legs up. "Mukuro…" Did everyone have to leave him eventually? No, that was just stupid… he still had Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, Dino, Kyoko, Haru, and… well, the list did go on. Didn't it? There were people who didn't hate him out there, happy that he was alive.

"You will not kill yourself. I will not let you. So stop your tears and smile for me."

"Gya hah hah! Big brother's such a cry baby!" "Here, big brother; don't tell Reborn that I gave you a tissue, got that? Please don't cry anymore… I-I w-won't cry too, but I-I might pret-tend to!"

"Please, k-kill yourself."

He didn't sleep the rest of the night.

"He's not picking up his phone…" Gokudera stared at the small, glowing screen, eyes hard and yet concerned. "Why isn't he picking up his phone?"

"I don't know…" Yamamoto was just as worried, though more subtly so.

The last time they had seen or heard from Tsuna had been Friday; it was currently Sunday. They had never before gone so long without contact.

Neither of them wanted to think of why Tsuna wouldn't contact them; the possibilities, though not endless, were obvious. Tsuna's mother could be the culprit… or the creature growing beneath his bed.

Yamamoto and Gokudera looked at each other, stuck on the same thought. "Let's go to his house and see if he's there." Yamamoto supplied. "Ah, but what do we do if his mom is home…?"

"We break in through the Tenth's window." Gokudera growled. "That bitch isn't going to hurt the Tenth and get away with it!"

Yamamoto tilted his head. "Hey, Gokudera…" The silverette threw him an angry look. "Why are you so protective of Tsuna?"

Gokudera paled and then snarled. "What?"

"I mean, you used to hate him, but after his brother passed away, you wouldn't leave him alone… why?"

Gokudera's snarl hesitantly died away, pain reflected in his eyes. He looked down to the ground, hands clenched at his sides. "I have always blamed myself for my mother's death… and when I heard that his little brother had died – that he was being blamed for it and yet he still had the strength to smile – I wanted to…" He blinked. "… Why the fuck do you care, you idiot? It doesn't concern you!" He had said too much.

"… You wanted to make sure he kept smiling?" Yamamoto enquired softly. Gokudera's flinch and downturned expression was answer enough. "Then I'll make sure you keep smiling!"

"Eh?"

"Tsuna's happiest when his friends are happy. If you're happy, then he's happy – so I'll make sure you're as happy as can be so that you can both be happy!" Yamamoto grasped Gokudera's hand. They were in the silverette's apartment, so he shouldn't get too harsh a beating for showing affection. "I love you, Gokudera…" He pressed a kiss to Gokudera's palm. "Let's make sure we're all happy together, kay?"

Gokudera stared up at him with wide, misty green eyes. "… I-idiot! What are you talking about at a time like this? We have to make sure the Tenth is okay!" He hit Yamamoto across the face and then stalked off. "Are you coming?"

Yamamoto smiled after him. Gokudera hadn't denied him. "Gotcha!"

They were tiptoeing their way into the backyard, aiming for the tree that had branches reaching towards Tsuna's window. They moved quietly, taking fast, soundless steps toward the only safe way to Tsuna.

The house was dark, true; but Tsuna's mom could still be there. Just because none of the lights were on didn't mean that they were cleared for infiltration.

Gokudera managed to get to the tree first, a triumphant smirk on his lips. "We're coming, Tenth."

"Gokudera…" Yamamoto's slightly worried voice invaded his thoughts.

"Not now, idiot! Start climbing!"

"Gokudera."

"What, idiot?" He snapped his head around to glare at the baseball player. Yamamoto was pointedly staring at the sliding doors leading into the backyard. "… Shit!" Watching them through the glass with dead eyes was Nana, Tsuna's mom. And in her hand was a phone. "She's going to call the police on us."

"Gokudera."

"What?"

"I have an idea!"

"What the fuck is it? Gah!" An arm circled his neck and pulled him away from the tree, another circling his chest.

"You can't hurt Tsuna, Gokudera!" Yamamoto honestly sounded stern and unforgiving; why the fuck wasn't this guy in the drama department instead of sports?

"What the fuck are you talking abou-…" Gokudera wasn't stupid. "Lemme the fuck go! That little – " he died a little inside with his next words "shit deserves what's coming to him!"

The phone in Nana's hand disappeared into her apron; though her eyes weren't so trusting, she appeared curious and perhaps a bit hopeful. She unlocked the patio doors and let it open just an inch, most likely so she could better hear them.

"I know he hurt Kyoko, Haru, and Basil, and he should get beaten, but if we're caught, we'll go to jail!"

"No one gives a fuck for the little brat!" The watery glaze over his eyes was completely real; he hated that he was insulting his beloved friend and insinuating that he wanted to hurt him. But the door was opening a few more inches and, whether or not she believed they were acting, Nana looked a little more welcoming by the second.

"I want to hurt him too, Gokudera!" Yamamoto falsely admitted, his somber face also not fake but just misinterpreted by their one-person audience. "But I don't want to let him ruin my life anymore by taking away my chance to be a professional baseball player! People don't hire kids out of jail!"

The door slid open all the way. "Would you two like to come in?" She smiled at them in a way she hadn't smiled in years – with true happiness. "I think Tsuna's in his room… I'll be going out for a bit, so…" She trailed off purposefully.

She was giving them the time and the privacy to do as they wished with her son.

"Let me get my purse…" She gestured them in and then went to find her bag. "Ah, alright then! Both of you have a wonderful day!" She smiled cheerfully as she left through the front door.

Yamamoto waved her out, a pleasant-enough smile on his face while Gokudera looked irately away. The moment the door clicked shut, a fist-sized hole developed in the wall next to the silverette and a trail of blood led out of Yamamoto's mouth from where he had been biting his tongue too hard.

"That… That bitch…. We gave her all the reason to believe that we were going to… going to hurt the Tenth and she let us in…"

"Because she wants us to hurt him." Yamamoto sighed, wiping his chin and bottom lip clean. "You said it yourself; he's being blamed for something he really didn't do." He tried to smile, but it was fake. "Let's go see how he is, okay?"

"… Yeah…"

In the back of his mind, what bothered him most was that they were Tsuna's best friends – and yet Nana had believed that they would want to hurt him anyway. Then again, she was the Tenth's mother; how much more sense did that make that she wanted them to hurt him?

They ran up the stairs.

"Tenth!"

"Tsuna!"

Gokudera beat Yamamoto to Tsuna's room by a mere second, shoving the door open; already so abused, it fell of its hinges with only a dying squeak. Neither of them paid it any heed. Their eyes were focused and horror made their lips downturn.

"Tenth…"

"Tsuna…"

Their friend was lying listlessly on his bed, pale with dark bags beneath his dull eyes. His hair was flat and greasy-looking, his body appearing weak and motionless. For one numb moment, they thought he was dead; but then the barely noticeable movement of his chest, his breathing, forced them into action.

Gokudera grabbed Tsuna and lifted him into his arms while Yamamoto shook him, both of them calling out to him.

"Tenth!"

"Tsuna!"

"Wake up, Tenth!" Was he even sleeping? His eyes were red and dry as if they had been open for a very long time. "Wake up!"

"C'mon, Tsuna…" Yamamoto patted his cheek, trying to rouse him. "You're really worrying us! Just nod if you're in there, kay? Just… do something!"

For long minutes, Tsuna did nothing.

And then he sighed. "… Do you guys… want to leave me too?" His voice was cracked and hoarse, his words whispering over chapped, white lips.

"What?" Yamamoto was taken aback. "No, Tsuna! Friends don't leave friends behind."

"I never want to leave you, Tenth!" Gokudera stated solemnly. "No matter what happens, I will never want to leave you!"

Tsuna's hands came up slowly. He grasped Gokudera's hand in one and Yamamoto's in the other. He held them both, staring at their entwined fingers. He shuddered, a strange, wheezing sound escaping his throat. He was… crying.

"I don't want to die…" He admitted in a soft, ashamed voice, as if it was a bad thing he wanted to live. "But I can't live life alone!" He looked at them with broken eyes. "I wish – !..." Maek a wIsh, bIg brOther! "I wish I didn't have to be alone… ever again."

Yamamoto and Gokudera both wrapped their arms around him, holding him between them like a child that needed protection. "We'll never leave you, Tsuna." Yamamoto murmured, nuzzling his chin into his shoulder.

"We'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Tenth!" Gokudera swore, clenching Tsuna's hand in his own.

Tsuna buried his head in Gokudera's chest. "I-I'm sorry… I've b-been crying a l-lot lately…"

"You can cry all you want, Tenth! If you want, I'll cry with you!" Gokudera tried to will the tears forward – which wasn't so difficult because seeing his most beloved friend cry already made him want to cry.

Tsuna choked on laughter. "T-that's not necessary, Gokudera…"

"If it will make you feel better, anything is necessary!"

"… C-can we stay like this… a little longer? I-I'm sorry that it's a-awkward…" Gokudera and Yamamoto looked at each other over Tsuna's head; it wasn't awkward for them.

The silence stretched for over a half hour before any of them dared to so much as twitch.

"Let's get you out of here, Tenth." Gokudera reluctantly disentangled himself from the group to grab some clothes and toiletries for Tsuna. "You'll stay at my place!"

"O-okay – " His stomach growled loudly. His cheeks tinted with color as Yamamoto laughed.

"Hah hah! I think we should head to my place first! You sound pretty hungry, Tsuna, when was the last time you ate?"

The brunette looked ashamedly down. "U-umm… lunchtime…"

"Hmm… That's strange, lunch isn't for another hour…"

"… Friday."

Gokudera and Yamamoto gaped at him. "Tenth! You can't starve yourself!"

"That isn't good for your health!" Yamamoto lifted the small teen into his arms, ignoring his yelp. "I'll carry you to my place and we'll eat there! Then we'll stay the night at Gokudera's."

"Fine." Gokudera growled. He stuffed Tsuna's things into a bag and followed them out; he paused in the doorway. "Hey, Tenth… is it alright to leave that thing alone here?" He glared at the bed.

Yamamoto blanched at the broken look in Tsuna's eyes at Gokudera's words. "He's… not here anymore… He left Friday…"

Gokudera's glare widened and then narrowed. That bastard!

Yamamoto smiled down at Tsuna. "I'm pretty sure he'll be back." He still remembered the look in the thing's eyes when it had seen Tsuna for the first time. No one who looked at another like that would leave so easily. He would know. "Maybe he just has something to do."

"Something he couldn't get done in two days?" Gokudera spat. "Fuck him! Let's just get out of here before that old hag gets back!"

"Gotcha!"

Tsuna sighed and shut his eyes; for the first time since Friday, he fell asleep to the thrum of Yamamoto's heart; no wonder Mukuro was so easily lulled to rest whenever he rested his head on Tsuna's chest…

Author's Note: Hello, my pretties~

Yes, Mukuro did just leave… and Gokudera and Yamamoto had a really random conversation that I realized didn't sound so great the second time around (oh well). Otherwise, guess what? This chapter is seven pages long! Usually, I average about four…

Anywho, bad news, my lovlies – I will be gone for three weeks. It's for a program and I won't be bringing my laptop, so I won't be able to update any of my stories (that hurts me as much as I think it might hurt you). I'm sorry! I love you all!