Chapter 1

Nana was ecstatic.

No, that was hardly the term to describe her properly. She was happily skipping along where ever she went, humming and talking about what to buy for dinner. Flowers popped in the air whenever she was near and her face was frozen in a huge smile that shown like the flaming sun.

All because of him. Iemitsu, Tsuna's father was coming home for a (highly belated) visit.

…

The trip to the airport was uneventful and short. Nana was waiting anxiously for the plane to arrive while Tsuna was standing aloof right next to the still sparkling woman.

The girl sat down beside her mother and having nothing to do decided to take a little nap. She had been to an airport far more times than she could count, and the bustling of the families waiting for their beloved, the luggage's that ran along the smooth marble floor, the calls and loud conversations that erupted around the space; yes she had enough of it for a lifetime.

And what annoyed her the most was that the idiot of a father never tells Nana what plane, from where, only the time when he would arrive. The boards never broadcast what place the plane was coming from, or even if one was coming at all. The man would just show up from behind the walls without any foreshadow, and Nana would accept it just because.

This time wasn't going to be any different. Tsuna laid down beside her mother's feet, head on the hoodie that was attacked to her jacket and closed her eyes. She tuned out the bubbly excitement that came from Nana. Her mother would wake her if the man showed.

She didn't know how long had passed, but her body was well rested and her eyes blearily opened as her mother shook her shoulder. When the man finally arrived, he came with another much older man in tow and a couple of men dressed in black behind him... This was different.

Disregarding the other male, Nana dashed in pure euphoria towards Iemitsu and lunged, hugging the man as if he was her lifeline, which in a way he was.

Giggling, Nana squealed like a 16 year old teenager as she shouted, "Honey, how are you! How long will you be staying? Are you tired?" Question after question was shot in succession while Tsuna stood there sweat dropping at her mother's childish antics.

"It's nice to see you too darling~" Iemitsu laughed back as he grasped Nana. Then, he suddenly snapped his head towards his daughter.

A feeling of dread drenched her body as she internally shivered. 'He had better not—'

Her thought was not completed, as Iemitsu squealed, "TSUNA! My little darling girl. I hope you've behaved while I was gone~ WAIT? What am I saying, I'm sure you've been a good girl, right Nana?" While saying this, he wrapped his masculine arms around her body tightly and lifted her up.

Resisting the urge to slap the man and jump away from his grasp, the suffering girl kept her body still, if only for her mother's joyful smile. Still, the man was incredibly rough and muscular and his goatee scratched her cheeks uncomfortably.

Her head then turned and glanced curiously at the other male that stood beside her father, who was smirking in amusement watching her parents interact. His eyes peered up at her dangling position and he smiled, wrinkles showing on the corners.

She stared at him in confusion. 'Who's he?' she thought. He was weird: he didn't look Japanese, or really even Asian. Neither did the men behind him. His face and mustache reminded her of one of those British detectives on the drama movies Nana liked to watch. The girl bore into his eyes and stared suspiciously.

His eyes showed wisdom and kindness that seemed to warm her heart. They made her feel comforted and safe, a total difference from her father. Yet there was still a tint of something dark; something secretive that he held as a burden and a pride…

Tsuna liked the man already.

"Father—" she started.

"Call me Papa!" he called after stopping his gibberish with her mom.

"… Papa, could you put me down? And who's he?" she asked, pointing with her little chubby finger to the man that was still smiling. She tilted her head cutely in curiosity as Iemitsu brightened.

"Oh! He's my boss from work. He came to visit. You can call him grandpa if you want Tsuna." Grandpa. A foreign word she rarely spoke. Testing it out, she turned to the elderly man and asked, "May I call you grandpa?"

Grinning warmly, he replied yes. Smiling, she nodded at her new name for her father's boss and waved at him. All the while, her annoying father was whining how she didn't 'giggle adorably' at him too.

'Sigh… Useless father' she thought as the group left the airport.

Once the group had arrived at the quaint two floor house the Sawadas resided in, the three adults moved into the kitchen to talk and Nana started preparing a feast for her guests. Tsuna was outside the kitchen doors, eager to leave her never-home father and his curious guest alone.

The grownups were discussing this stuff and that stuff, which wasn't really important to her so she laid herself next on the wall and stared outside of the windows, relaxed.

Window-viewing was one of her more peaceful and calming pastimes. It would have been better if it was really outside, like in a forest or meadow, but she would make do with what she had. The blue sky arched around her and the clouds lazily moving along. The sun was covered by mist so her eyes were shielded from what would have been a bright beam. There was not a nimbus cloud in sight though a light drizzle would have been wonderful now.

Sometimes she wished she was a cloud, or bird, or something that didn't have to stay static on the ground, toiling through their lives just to live. Sometimes she wanted the sun to embrace her in light like it did all other things, and let her feel the warmth of its rays. Sometimes, Tsuna wished that the fairy tales of it raining when god was crying and it was cloudy when he was nervous, and it was sunny when he was happy were true, so she could say things to him and he'd change the weather, so it'd be like she could control the weather.

But that was only sometimes.

The lazy afternoon was lulling her to a soft sleep and she willingly complied to her body's desires. But just as her eyes were about to be shut closed, she heard a voice from the door beside her.

"Honey, how long will you be staying? You didn't answer before…" Nana asked a tint of nervousness in her words.

"Only a week. I'm sorry darling, but boss is a very busy man and I need to go back to work" was the sad reply.

Nana visibly saddened, but brightened up again. "No, it's fine! Let's enjoy this week together." And so she went back to cooking. Nothing else could penetrating her thoughts.

Meanwhile, the other two were in a deep and probably serious conversation.

"… What are you going to do Boss? You're not getting any younger..."

"Are you insinuating I'm old? There are many candidates to choose from… Xanxus as well."

"Xanxus? We both know that he isn't fit, even if he has gained the approval of all others. He doesn't understand famiglia."

"He's still young, give him a chance."

The conversation between the two was becoming more and more incomprehensible. Tsuna pressed her ear to the door to listen to the soft voices on the other side. From what she could pick up in their dialogue, it didn't seem likely that her father was a traffic worker.

'I mean, what Iemitsu travels around the world barely coming home to his family? Does such a job even need that long periods of time? Mom is so naïve…' She sighed. She didn't like her father much. Or at all. He was a rude, boisterous, noisy, muscular man who couldn't pay enough attention on her mom, merely smothering her with affection when he was here. And he wasn't here most of the time anyway, having an affair with the oh-so-beloved work of his.

No, she didn't like him at all. But Nana did, and that was all that mattered at this point.

The abnormal conversation ended as they began talking to Nana.

Just like any child, Tsuna's attention could be diverted quickly and she quickly got out of her brooding mood, now thinking back to the conversation just before.

Carefully contemplating their words, Tsuna was confused. Famiglia? She wasn't the smartest of the class… oh who was she kidding. She was the most intelligent of her class and grade. And as far as she knew, famiglia was Italian, like the pizza store her father always talked about.

That furthered her suspicions even more. Referring to the context of which the word it was used, he certainly was not talking about the pizza ship, so it was definitely a real word in Italian and according to the phrase, it was some sort of abstract concept. What traffic worker needed to know Italian?

None.

So therefore, her father was a stinky liar that needed to be put to justice. And while it would be pleasing to see him carried away by the cops, never to return, Nana didn't like that.

…

Her life was rather ordinary, and she was just a five year old; a tiny bit smarter than the other kids her age and older. Anything that didn't catch her attention, she ignored. Didn't all kids have a low attention span fixed within their DNA? However, there was nothing stopping her when her curiosity was piqued. She would get to the bottom of this, even if she had to be very… unethical in doing so.

Smirking deviously, she thought, 'And my first step will be… hmmm. I think I'll pay a visit to this… Xanxus."

It was childish she knew, and there was a slight tint of embarrassment that filtered in her mind, but she was a kid. It was allowed. For extra measure, she rubbed her hands together in a sinister manner, grinning.

…

The week was boring. Nana and Iemitsu cuddled and smooched when they thought she wasn't looking, and acting like lovebirds on their wedding anniversary. Still, time passed quickly enough with her conversations with her foster grandpa.

The talks were both interactive and exciting; the things she learned increased as time passed, and now whenever she thought of the old man, a fond feeling would erupt in her mind. It was similar to her mother, but Nana was someone she took granted and there always (or she would make sure of that). Tsuna knew the old man wouldn't visit for long—she knew it both in mind and instinct.

Nevertheless, she enjoyed their time together: the man told her stories of the different places over the world, about his friends—how they were reliable and sometimes like a mother hen to him—they played board games like chess, and even if she always lost, it was fun.

It was fun, but the girl knew he wouldn't be staying long at all. She could tell when he grew pensive and tired, staring into space. Or when he got calls on his cell phone with loud squabbles on the other end.

And she began to understand that the old man was close to her. She had no idea how he had crawled his way into her mind or if he felt the same, but she did know that he would have that special place in her heart for a while. Maybe forever.

Then she grew bitter and sad. She began to wonder why he couldn't have been her father, instead of the current one. If she was just born earlier, or he was born later, then maybe he would've been her father, and he would stay and care for both her and Nana.

As soon as the thought entered her head she quickly thrust it out, a small scowl on her face. She was acting like a brat. And, she reminded herself, Nana was a fall-in-love type of person, who was faithful to one man and one man only. Tsuna could tell Nana loved her father, and that helped the girl hold in the annoyance at just looking at the man's face but it was still irritating.

There was even a time when her idiotic father tried to give her some alcohol the fool. Like hell she would be coerced to drink poison.

So there weren't many good memories of her and her biological father, but she supposed she should be grateful he wasn't some sort of abusive alcoholic that went with other women (at least, there wasn't any make up or perfume on him). He seemed to care and love Nana with all his heart (his eyes always glowed with pride whenever he looked and Nana and her) and that was good enough.

…

Soon, it was time for Iemitsu and the loving grandpa to leave. Nana was smiling as they head for the open doors, even if that smile had a twinge of sadness.

Feeling a bit guilty, Tsuna continued with the plan she had concocted throughout the week. Breathing in, she turned to her father and pleaded, eyes in full puppy dog force and lips pouted cutely, "Papa, can I go t' Italy wit' you? I've a'ways wanted to go…"

Now normally she would have never reverted to such disgusting baby talk, but this was one of the special occasions when she had to ask her father for a favor. The foolish man was in some crazy illusion that she was his 'precious little girl' and her baby talk was normal for her, even if she didn't regularly speak like that and even if she was already five. Iemitsu was a foolish man indeed.

She remembered the numerous times she had used this tactic. Once when she was about a year ago in first grade, where she had to practically bawl and whimper to get him to come home for a visit. Around that time Nana was getting really lonely and although she didn't want to, he would cure his mother's depression.

Then there was the time she started this strange obsession with fantasy games and asked her father, "…Papa, are dragons real?" Back then, she really wished they were.

Not wanting to upset his daughter, the fool said yes. This put him in a tight spot where she asked, "Can I ha' one?" Now the man would never really have found a dragon, so he gave her some man dressed in a dragon costume. Utterly fake and stupid. Her father was convinced she thought the thing was real. That day all her fantasies regarding dragons were ruined, though she still found them beautiful; the sleek emerald green or scarlet red or a cerulean blue scales, along with the way they flew in the air, quickly, efficiently, and majestically…

Anyways this was a time where she would use the, 'adorable baby talk' to convince her easily swayed father to let her go to his workplace and find all she'd want to know about this 'famiglia' and Xanxus.

…

And Iemitsu, the foolish man, with an uncustomary serious expression and almost little hesitation, said softly, "No."

No.

Can you believe it? NO.

She was flabbergasted. Never in all her short life had her father refused her the few things she asked for, especially after she laid down her pride for it.

Tsuna resorted to her last plan. Her large doe chocolate eyes widened even more and glistened with unshed tears as she whimpered, "Bu' I only wanted to spen' more time with you Papa. Is tha' too much? I neve' see you, bu' I can stay home if you really wan' me too…" She twisted her head down and added some fake sniffles to seal the deal.

His heart was pounding loudly and Iemitsu felt… bad. Like he kicked an injured puppy; a cute injured puppy that was his pleading, no begging daughter.

He couldn't just refuse could he? Turning his begging eyes towards his boss he asked, "Boss, can she come? Just this once." The man frowned. "Iemitsu, you know that the… mansion does not allow any children, and won't it be dangerous for Tsuna-chan?" Nana pouted and also asked the old man, wanting to spend more time with her husband. After a while (two hours) with Nana, Iemitsu and Tsuna's nonstop begging, the man finally relented.

"So you two will be going?" His boss confirmed, glancing at Nana and her.

Tsuna frowned inwardly. Eyes set in a determined stare she burst out, "I wanna go by myself!" Nana gasped at the exclamation and her eyes glistened with betrayal.

But even the stab of guilt running through her heart would not change her mind. Nana going would just complicate things.

"No! I want to go by myself. I can take care of myself in Italy. You know I love you mom." Tsuna quickly added, hoping to cheer the depressed mother up.

Sniffing and wiping her tears from her eyes, Nana smiled at Tsuna and nodded her head.

Grateful that Nana reacted so well to the news, Tsuna grinned at her mother and reassured her. "I'll only be away for a week Mommy. Right Papa?"

Happy that his daughter actually wanted to spend some father daughter alone time, he nodded and jumped to pack his bags. Nana went to cook dinner and her grandfather went with her father. She was left alone to pack.

…

'Packing, packing, what to pack...' Tsuna was wondering this as she stood in front of her bed with all clothes strewn out. There was a collection of skirts, dresses, bows, headbands and everything else that was an abomination.

Throughout the years, Tsuna's clothing showed many signs of her mother's interference. Nana kept on buying the brightly colored skimpy pieces of fabric she called clothing. She apparently didn't want her daughter to be some sort of 'tomboy' and her t-shirts, baggy pants and the like were thrown out or burned.

Her remaining shirts and pants were few, if none in number and she had salvaged them through begging, persuasion, and more begging.

Tossing in three t-shirts, some of the less girly clothes, pants, socks, undergarments, her i-pod and headphones, water gun (She had an obsession with them every since kindergarten when some stupid boy accidently set her sock on fire. Every since then, she carried a small water gun wherever she went.), a rubber ball, and a large (bigger than the size of her face) encyclopedia.

Nana was most likely going to add a few garments of her choice after she was done packing, so she made sure to fill her suitcase with most other 'weapons' and 'toys' she could find. Finally, she had filled her suitcase to the brim; enough so that it was hard to close (as in she had to sit on the thing to keep it shut), but not too much so that it wouldn't. (But to her dismay, Nana was still able to fit in a frilly skirt.)

The night passed quickly as sleep came to her. She pondered how long this 'curiosity' would last, and what she would find in Italy. Thinking diabolical thoughts, she drifted into a dreamless unconsciousness.

...

Morning was crazy with Nana trying to hide her tears while waving goodbye, Iemitsu keeping near his boss even though he wanted to sit with his 'adorable daughter' and Tsuna sitting with this other boy named Basil. He had light almost hazel colored hair and blue eyes. He had a weird accent; like he was from the Feudal or Meiji era.

'Who uses 'dono' these days?' she wondered.

On the plane, Tsuna amused herself with the sights seen through the clear window and reading about the various countries the plane passed. It was nice for a while, when she actually saw the details, but once they elevation increased, she saw only clouds and the faint outlines of the different geographies. Soon, her body could no longer hold the strain of her first flight and she fell asleep.

Unbeknownst to her, Iemistsu had shed tears of joy about how cute she was; her head leaning slightly against Basil's shoulder, as well as jealous of the blue eyed boy. Basil just shivered. 'Sawada-dono is frightening when he's with Sawada-hime.' he thought. Iemitsu was busy taking turns glaring at the boy and taking pictures of Tsuna.

Twelve hours passed quickly with her asleep and they arrived in Italy somewhere in the afternoon. The sun was glaring up in the sky while Iemitsu woke Tsuna up.

Her eyes half lidded, she rubbed them while tilting her head and asked blearily, "Are we there now?" Smiling at the scene, he nodded his head and they stepped off the plane.

As the old man accompanied by her father walled down the stairs from the plane they were greeted with numerous men in suits, similar to those from before, but these were different. They looked more happy, more relaxed, and wore sunglasses and fedoras and cigarettes and guns. They seemed to look like… mafia? Things were getting more and more queer.

Quickly, the men all bowed and greeted the old man. "Welcome Boss!" It was a sight to see, all men in unison bowing to an 'innocent' old man. 'He's not a mafia boss is he?' Tsuna pondered before being picked up by Iemitsu.

"Let's go to the mansion!" he shouted as they entered an expensive looking black limo.

Once arrived at the large mansion, even more people greeted the old man and her father.

Her eyes grew wide and big as she glanced around at the place. The mansion was large. Their garden looked like a forest, and had dense areas of trees that perched tall in the air. The inside of the mansion was even more impressive than the out; tall columns of a soft creamy color dotted the halls and the floors were made of nice marble.

Exhausted but a bit excited for what was to come, she was led to the kitchen, fed, bathed and fell asleep in a too big bed.

Meanwhile, Iemitsu and the Ninth boss of the Vongola Mafia were in turmoil. They had just been given news that Xanxus was returning for a visit. Why he was coming, or why he came without a note beforehand no one knew. But why he was here, just as Tsuna was visiting, they found it cruel. Everything beneath him was scum, and their cute adorable clever daughter/granddaughter would be no different in his eyes…

'Or would she?' the elderly man contemplated. The small girl would hopefully open the eyes of the grumpy boy he called his son. There was something special about her…