A/N: Well…I didn't expect a rush of ideas…that ended up posting weeks after.

And thank you for continuously sending in reviews! Even though I'm disheartened at what and where I am right now, your constant reviews made me happy. Your thoughts give me light too and your advices give me more room for thoughts for the plot. I really thank you guys.

By the way, always check my profile so that you can keep track of my activity. I'll try my best to update my status. And for those who are willing to Beta me, I'm accepting. :)

THE AMIABLE FLAME

© Danielle Luna Soulhart

April 2012

SIXTH FLICKER: Jealousy

Daemon was beyond pissed as he almost glued his eyeballs into his pocket watch for checking the time at an endless manner. It's only a matter of time before Primo and the rest of the guardians arrive from their two-day meeting with the Suono Famiglia, and the holes in the second floor were not yet fully patched up. If he were to calculate, it was still around 70 percent of the total damage was restored (thanks to his scary persona and let the workers do their work faster. Talk about merciless) and he has to rely on his own power to "help". However, the remaining thirty might not finish, since G called and he said that they might go home.

Might. Go. Home.

But that doesn't mean that they will go home immediately.

Even interpreted as "we could stay a little longer".

And it was pissing him of. This was not the famiglia he was wishing for. This famiglia was filled with pathetic little excuses from the world and doesn't use their powers to become stronger and feared. For him, mafia was something to be bold, strong, feared, prideful and most of all, incredibly wealthy. The wealthy part has been achieved and all that Alaude brought into the house can feed them for a year already. That's how much they earn from missions. Not to mention the volunteer donations from allied families and others. What they needed now was an establishment of GREAT POWER ENOUGH TO BE FEARED, which Giotto GREATLY DISAPPROVED.

That thought brought the anger level up a ladder step.

Getting back at the main topic, Daemon's mind was in hysterics as to how he will be able to determine if those idiots will arrive or not, and at the same time figuring how to finish these holes in time. If he could just cover it with his illusions everything will—

Daemon snorted. How could he be so stupid? He could definitely use his illusions to at least cover it up for the moment. His illusions were legendary and can turn reality to dream, and dream to reality. Dust can materialize and materialization can be pulverized. It's as easy as ABC's. But the problem lay when he realize the "next time" when everybody will go out again and have the hallway fixed. He groaned. He can't possibly do everything at night when everybody's asleep. HECK, Giotto's a light sleeper and looks like the little Giotto-copy cat was like him too. G was average, but if he heard suspicious sounds, his alarms will go off. And like the goody right-hand man he was, he'll tell Giotto about the damn holes.

And everything will be his fault.

Damn kids running around the house.

Damn G for keeping those dynamites in his room.

ESPECIALLY DAMN Mr. Francesco for being so…so…

Daemon sighed. He can't blame the old man for being so old man and so cranky. Although he hated that old man, he still can't lay a finger because he was the one in-charge in the house. And he was excused for being an old man. Okay, that's just not understandable. Anyway, looking down at the holes, he did his illusions on one hole. He concentrated until the hole was filled with gravel and made it look like the floor. But once he stepped on it, he could still feel the roughness of the hole and itself. He groaned. He was not focused well at all. He tried again for the second time and with a little bit of rage, his illusion affected the other remaining holes, causing it to be filled with gravel, then the tiles and everything was like 'never-been-stepped-on' floor.

Daemon snorted at himself. Just simply genius.

Just then, Mr. Francesco appeared at the end of the stairway and handed him the phone. He raised his eyebrows at the lack of words and excuse from the head butler and picked the phone.

"Hello?"

"Daemon!" G exclaimed, causing for the mist guardian to push away the phone from his ears. "You didn't do anything to the kids, did you?!"

"Idiot G," Daemon gritted, "How many times did I tell you yesterday that I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO YOUR PATHETIC WIMPS?! They're perfectly fine."

G held himself at shouting at the phone to 'spare' Daemon's ears and avoid being scolded by Giotto who was looking at him right now. He took a deep breath before talking again, but his voice was 2 decibels lower, "You better make sure they're alright or else I am going to shoot your heart point blank."

"As if you can pass through my illusions." Daemon bit back. "Anyway, why did you call again? I am assuming this is not the only thing you called for."

G made a 'hmph' sound before replying, "Yeah. Giotto said that we have to stay another day here. And since you're there," G snorted this time, " . . . . It means that you have to feed them, bathe them, tell them stories before bedtime, everything."

"Curse you…"

"And we'll love you for that, Papa-Daemon." Then G gave out a full-blast laugh the other side of the line which made Daemon purposely let G hear his teeth clenching loudly. Before he could retort, G spoke again, "That's all. Bye-bye~ Papa." Then a click.

Daemon gripped the phone and was only stopped from throwing it when he felt Mr. Francesco holding his wrist. For an old man, this butler was certainly strong. Talk about having the same element as his. When the said butler went away, Daemon went back to his work. His groan doubled when all the information rushed into his brain. All of his efforts were for nothing. He still have one day to let the workers accomplish the blasted floor.

Waste.

He was about to go to his room in the third floor when he spotted two bodies lying in a couch near the infirmary. At first, he thought that he was being played by his own illusions since he knew that those two souls doesn't know each other, and that the older might be aloof enough to not accept the younger. But his thoughts were wrong. What he can see now were the very solid bodies of Tsuna and Mukuro.

He moved a step.

Now, if you were paying attention, he was not going to reconcile with that bastard Mukuro. All he wanted was to satisfy his curiosity about how close they became. But, it's impossible since Mukuro and Chrome just arrived. Decided, he went down a floor and approached the two sleeping kids. He cannot deny that he was mesmerized by how they cuddle with each other. Plus, this was the first time he saw Mukuro cuddling another person aside from his little sister. He was about to reach his hand when he felt Mukuro twitch in his sleep and heard him say, "Mother…help…me…"

He was confused and shocked.

Why would Mukuro utter those three words in his sleep? What was he dreaming about? What happened to him back when he was still with Elena? A lot of questions were flooding his mind now, and no matter what he did, nothing would come out. He quickly retreated and went to his room, finding his phonebook and called an investigator.

"I want you to investigate something for me in two days". He said in a very dangerous tone. When he heard the man on the other line replied shakily, he proceeded on telling him the details and later shutting the phone off. He raked his hair with a sigh.

What was there in those three words?

…:[]:…

Fear.

It was clearly written in the faces of the students of Ares Mafia Academy, the world's greatest and most famous Mafia school. His hands were clenched and positioned for another bout of fight; blood trickling down the floor as one of the opponents fainted. His eyes were narrowed and a single movement brought his remaining enemies shaking. And in just a matter of minutes, maximum to an hour, 40 bodies were seen scattered in the hallways of the said academy. He was feared and at the same time respected by the other students because of his status. But most of all, he ruled them with fear.

He was the ruthless Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.

He was the youngest brother of the infamous and feared Alaude, head of the Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia and National Italian Security Garrison.

He was Hibari Kyouya.

Some were wondering why he has a Japanese surname. Simple. He was half-Italian, half-Japanese. And for some personal reason, he used his mother's maiden name instead of his father's name.

He straightened himself out right after being satisfied of seeing his opponents immobile and crying like wimps. He can't brush his uniform since it would be stained by blood if he did. Instead, he elegantly walked over the corpse-like bodies and went to the nearest wash room.

He looked himself at the mirror and smirked. He was the epitome of the god of fear. Whoever that was. At the tender age of 6, he was able to learn the ways of his father since he was living with him and not his mother. Why? His mother died after giving birth to him. When he reached 7, his father decided that Alaude should take care of him, and by that meant teaching Kyouya everything. And for everyone's information, he hated his brothers.

Brothers?

Yes, brothers. Apparently, Kyouya was the youngest among five brothers, making Alaude the eldest at the age of 26. Kaito, who was a professor, was the second oldest; followed by Adriano, who was a doctor; then Apollo, who was still in school. To supply further information, Alaude was 18 years older than Kyouya, and the young raven could pass of as his son already. If you were wondering why their names weren't the same Italian descent, the answer lay between their father's and mother's nationalities. They have decided to do an alternate naming; however, 3 of the boys should have Italian names. And that's how it was.

Now, going back…

Kyouya had to 'punish' these students who lurk around the hallways of the academy because he caught those students playing illegal games. Even though they were in a mafia world, the academy was still an academy. What's forbidden should be forbidden. Heck, even drugs, unlicensed weapons and others were forbidden. When at the academy, the students must learn how to become a proper boss, a proper guardian, a proper assassin, sniper or whatever profession the kid wanted. It's all about mafia ethics and rules, and it depended on the person if he shall continue the path he has started and learn in the academy. Of course, outside the walls of the academy were the temptations, and the academy has no control of that. So, since Kyouya was the Chairman, he has to act like one, and personally, he didn't like them. NONE AT ALL.

He washed his hands, straightened his school uniform, and finally headed back to his classroom to get his belongings. It's just one of the rare days that he was out of his office.

…:[]:…

Meanwhile, Hayato, Takeshi and Ryohei were seated at the playroom, gathered in a triangular position facing each other, with nothing else to do but stare at the carpeted floor. They were both wondering, after all the fun they did, about Mukuro and Tsuna. True, they have seen the newcomer's attitude, but they can't help but feel nervous for Tsuna.

"Do you think," Ryohei softly spoke, pausing a while a clear his throat, "Tsuna will be alright with that guy?"

Contrastingly, Hayato was beyond seething point. If Takeshi didn't just give Tsuna to Mukuro, then they wouldn't be this worried, "How should we know? We don't even know where they are." He managed to control his voice.

Takeshi scratched the back of this neck, "Well, I am certain that he's in safe hands. After all, this is Tsuna we're talking about."

"Idiot!" Hayato said, "Juudaime's just 2 years old! And he isn't even learning to speak."

Takeshi raised an eyebrow, but Ryohei answered, "Hey, octopus-head, why isn't Tsuna speaking yet? He's two already. He could probably catch a phrase or two, or even single words."

Silence fell heavily between the three. It became the new topic for their brains to ponder on.

…:[]:…

Tsuna woke up and wiggled out from the arm that circled him. He can't determine where he was at first because of his blurry eyes, but the moment it adjusted, he realized that he was in a couch…

…with mister pineapple.

The tyke cocked his head sideward, curious of why this boy has a pineapple haircut. Surely, his parents were not that sadistic to let him have this kind of hair, right? However, it seemed that it was familiar to him, somewhere or someone. He just can't figure it out.

He moved just a little bit, enough for him to hoist himself up and sit atop the said boy's stomach. He touched his cheeks, lips, forehead, even the nose wherein he was rewarded with a slight twitch from the sleeping boy. He chuckled and clapped his hands, definitely amused. He decided he was going to like this boy. He laid down once again, now his tiny chest facing with a bigger stomach down him with his ears pressed close to the heart. It was nice and steady, like a melody, and eventually it set Tsuna to sleep.

Moments later, Mukuro woke up. Groggy, he can't comprehend yet where he was, but when he moved and peered down, he was surprised to see a mop of brown hair on his chest.

He was startled, causing him to sit upright fast. And the oblivious baby was going to topple on the hard floor.

It just so good he was good with reflexes.

Action and realization both hit him at once because the moment that he saw Tsuna's face, he abruptly held the little one with his arms, his hands supporting the head of course. He doesn't want to be the cause why this precious little thing was dead. He breathed out his adrenalin and worry, and leaned back to the backrest of the couch while holding the tyke against his chest. Looking down, he was amazed that the baby was still asleep, but what he couldn't understand was the way those little hands sneaked to grab his shirt and clutch it, plus letting out a contented sigh.

Mukuro can't help but blush.

Coughing, he carefully placed the said baby into the couch, afraid of almost dropping him again and ran a hand to his hair. Certainly, he was not ready for all of this and he was still wary of the foreign interactions from any of the household members, even the kids he met earlier. But, he can't understand why he felt so at ease as he held Tsuna. Was it because Tsuna was a baby? Or because he's too innocent for what was happening around him? Or maybe…

…he felt brotherly towards him, like the way he treats Chrome even though they were twins.

A fist connected to another fist and war from hell suddenly emerged. Though inexperienced, Mukuro surely knew how to defend himself since he was the only boy child and he needed to protect his mother and his sister from the prying people around them. He tried learning how to punch and kick here and there in order to survive. He needed to learn how to fool his enemies before they could fool him to their advantage. But since his inexperienced, his efforts were sometimes in vain. And this inexperience was showing as he exchanged blows with the mysterious intruder.

It took exactly twenty minutes before Mukuro decided to finally give up and collapsed on the cold floor awake with almost purple bruises and some cuts on his body and face. He never felt his chest hurt like this, both from excitement, fear, anger and ecstasy. His head was throbbing a bit since it was hit by that amazing punch and his left side was hurting due to that powerful kick. Who knew this kid before him can kick ass well? Was he a delinquent and an orphan? Or simply a bloodthirsty kid who doesn't care about the world?

His thoughts were suddenly broken when he heard a single, three-syllable word from the kid:

"Herbivore."

'What?' Mukuro helplessly wondered. What was this guy talking about? Was Herbivore something to eat? To sit onto? A brand of soap? Or a name of person? The last option was not applicable though because his name was Mukuro and not that strange word.

The said intruder continued glaring at the purple-haired kid with a ridiculously funny haircut.

"Who are you?" Mukuro asked defiantly. Sure thing he doesn't know the baby on the coach, but he felt that he needed to protect him from this guy.

"An herbivore doesn't have any right to ask the carnivore." The kid said, his glare meeting the other. He was no longer in a fighting stance, however, still emitting a dangerous aura just in case the purple-head wanted some more. "And I should be the one asking you that." Sharpening his glare, he continued, "Who. Are. You?"

Mukuro gulped. This boy before him has a lot of guts and convinced himself that this guy was not someone to be taken for granted. And this guy before him was around his age only, so why act high and mighty and bow to his desires? "I asked you first." Mukuro said, returning the glare as he shielded the baby from the intruder "Isn't it a bit rude to punch me without even introducing yourself?"

The said boy didn't respond at first and continued staring at Mukuro, however, the glares were lessened to a softer tone and a sigh came after. He seemed to realize that arguing with this pineapple stranger was useless as he was. "I'm Hibari Kyouya," Kyouya said with a dark childish tone, "and you will only call me Hibari. You will distance yourself from me if you don't want to get bitten." Then, not caring about the other, he swiftly yet gently picked the sleeping baby to his chest, much to the surprise of the other. "And, you have no right to just handle Tsunayoshi because you are under watch."

Mukuro's eyes widened at that. He didn't know he's under watch, plus was his mere presence that terrible to treat him and his sister like that? What's so wrong about just seeing your father and longing for his acceptance, wishing to have a family? His face was darkened under his bangs and kept himself from showing any shivers, and when he looked back, his gaze was intensified, sending Kyouya a small step back, nevertheless showing no indication of fear towards the purple-head.

"And who told you that I want that brat to be with me?" Mukuro answered, "The stupid overly-happy kid handed me that brat-what-so-ever-his-name." He stood and advanced a few steps towards the infirmary, and before going back completely, he turned to Kyouya, "Keep him to yourself."

Kyouya wasn't able to answer and watched the retreating back of the purple-head. It was a mistake that he didn't catch on his name (and he might have no second chances of knowing either), but he was having a thought that this boy was not dangerous…at least just yet. What bothered him a bit was the almost transparent sadness sheathing his eyes.

And suddenly, he felt his chest moved.

Tsunayoshi was looking at him, not with amusement, but with evident fear and sadness that his new friend left. Even though he doesn't still have all the capacity to speak, he has this extreme sensitivity, and he felt Mukuro's sadness the moment he was adjusted to someone else's body. Kyouya didn't even blink and he saw Tsunayoshi's arms pressed closed to his tiny chest, fingers curled and shoulders hunched a little, all with a trembling package.

Then suddenly, he cried.

Kyouya practically held Tsunayoshi by the armpits once the baby started wailing. Good thing there were no nurses or maids around or he will be so busted to his older brother whom he hated so much for being so…nevermind. Anyway, he doesn't know to handle a child because it was simple: he's the youngest. And being the youngest doesn't mean that you have everything and learn everything including babysitting. He tried shaking Tsunayoshi up and down a bit to calm him but no to avail. He tried cooing, which he failed miserably, and didn't work as well. He tried.

Then, just then…

He remembered Tsunayoshi's serene face when he was still sleeping beside purple-head's protective form.

He creased his eyebrows.

So the kid doesn't like him? Hence, he was feared?

He grumbled and turned his heel, much to his discomfort and stepping down a level from his promise to Daemon, and went to the infirmary. He saw two figures and surprisingly, two purple-heads. If he was any other boy he would have just sang Eeny-meeny-mini-moe to decipher who was who. However, he was able to tell which was which: the earlier purple-head was sitting on a mini sofa and his slightly sharper and gentle eyes gave the clue. On the other hand, the other purple-head on the bed was pale and asleep, and the hair was much thinner in volume than the boy. He assumed that they're twins as seeing their hairstyles were the same.

He's not wrong at that assumption, he was not only sure.

He walked grumpily towards the purple-head and without saying anything, he put the crying baby on top of his lap, making the purple-head glance at him with surprised eyes. The crying brought an alarm inside the infirmary, waking purple-head number two to stir from sleep. Annoyed, purple-head number one glared at Kyouya and said,

"You made my sister awake!" Then looking down at the still crying baby (probably because of the loud voice Mukuro produced) and held him out dangling by the armpits, "Why are you giving this baby to me? Didn't you say that I don't have any right to hold him?!"

Kyouya huffed irritatingly. Even though he said that and he was under order (actually everyone in the family, he guessed) of Daemon, he cannot deny that the baby doesn't like him. The little herbivore preferred the purple herbivore over him, the carnivore. "I gave him to you in order for you to make him stop crying." He said in a deadpanned voice.

Mukuro was furious of course. What was he? A babysitter? He didn't come here to take care of some child he didn't know. "Who are you for me to take orders? This is already your problem and not mine! I have a sister to take care and he's definitely not my responsibility!"

"CAN'T YOU SEE HE DOESN"T LIKE ME?!" Kyouya finally snapped, losing his usual cool and reserved personality to some feeling that was entirely foreign to him. There was a pool of bubbles in his chest that made it hurt and his rage for something he doesn't know rose every minute. Could it be because he was rejected by the baby?

Like the way he was with his brothers?

He took one deep breath and continued talking. "I'm giving him to you because he seemed comfortable with you a while ago."

"You…You're watching?" Mukuro asked, with his eyes widened as he was shocked to hear that from the other. From his short stay inside the house, never once he had heard the baby shooing someone away, or reacting negatively against somebody. And like some rare opportunity, he got to have the chance to see who the little one with dislike. "Who are you, really?"

Kyouya sighed. "I already told you my name, idiot. And I did watch. I saw you sleeping in the couch the moment I arrive and…" he paused for a moment, revealing his unusual sad side, but not that much to reveal, and continued in a barely inaudible whisper, "…you two looked comfortable together."

Mukuro was not some idiot to not catch the last part of the sentence. He was surprised (for the third time) to see Kyouya's expression. It seemed that not everyone got a perfect life even though they have money, fame and glory. He looked away, bringing down the crying Tsunayoshi down his lap and the moment skin connected with skin, Tsuna's crying was reduced to sniffing and eventually fell asleep. Silence was ensued a warm, sad feeling. He knew that expression because he was just like that, may he admit it or not. Somehow, he could understand the feeling Kyouya was projecting and from the looks and actions the other portrayed, he said,

"You're jealous, aren't you?

Kyouya stared shock towards the purple-head. Who was he to tell him that? Who was he to assume things? He was jealous? Oh come on, carnivores don't get jealous over mingling herbivores. Carnivores do not need friends. Carnivores fended themselves and don't need help from other carnivores because they were strong.

But why do carnivores experience pain too if they were strong?

"Jealous?" he asked in a rather confused voice, "How could I be jealous? What was it like?"

"Idiot." Mukuro said, "You look like you're smart, but you are an idiot at this thing. That expression you're showing me is a sign of jealousy. You want this baby to acknowledge you."

"Shut up purple-head!" Kyouya exclaimed, bringing the sleeping patient to be fully awakened and watched the scene with worry.

"Brother…" the other purple head spoke hoarsely.

Mukuro immediately stood, with the baby still pressed close to his chest, and went to his sister's side. "Chrome," he said anxiously, "Are you okay? I'm sorry about the noise. Is there some—,"

"Brother…" Chrome muttered, forcing herself to smile, "I'm okay…"

"You're supposed to be sleeping more."

"I'll sleep later," then she saw the baby, "Whose baby is that?"

Mukuro looked down at the baby then to his sister. It seemed that his sister has taken a liking to the baby since this was her first time seeing a real baby. Chrome was not the type to go outside the house and so everyone thought in the village that Mukuro was only a single child. Without hesitation, he laid the sleeping baby beside Chrome and said, "His name is…uh…"

"Tsunayoshi." Kyouya supplied, albeit his voice was a little softer.

Mukuro sent him a glare and grumbled to himself, still not over with what Kyouya did a while ago, then turned his attention back to Chrome. "What that guy said is true."

Chrome chuckled weakly and carefully combed the hair of the baby, "He's cute. I think his name suits him so much."

Mukuro didn't comment. He doesn't really plan on letting Chrome see the kid. He doesn't want her to have a connection with this kid's family simply because of his own fear of being rejected. Like Kyouya, he was jealous of Tsuna because he was able to attract everyone in the house. Well, not that he was sure of that thought, but he could see that Tsuna could bring out smiles from the people around him. No matter how grumpy the person was, he could still interact with that person without fear. If Chrome got attached to Tsuna, no wonder that everyone in the house will think badly of them further, telling that they were trying to kidnap Primo's son or taking him as a hostage.

However, he can't understand why he can't take away Tsuna from Chrome. Then it hit.

Chrome was showing her rarest and most genuine smile that Mukuro missed so much over the years. The baby has subconsciously snuggled close to her, feeling her chest against his cheeks and releasing a quiet yawn. The baby must have felt that this was a girl and it was natural for girls to have this 'maternal instincts' even though they're still young. And apparently, Chrome was the type to be caring, and Mukuro was the very witness to that personality. The baby's hand clutched Chrome's white clinic robe as if scared to be taken away and took an action to it already. Mukuro hid a stifle. The scene was just too cute.

Seeing that everything was settled, Kyouya decided to leave the trio in peace. Plus, he doesn't want to see anymore of this scene or else he doesn't know what his own self will do. His emotions were currently caught in a maelstrom.

Until he was caught by Mukuro's hands.

"I think I haven't apologized and introduced properly to you." Mukuro muttered, releasing the wrist in thought of Kyouya not liking it, "I'm Mukuro, and she's my younger twin sister, Chrome. I am sorry for what I said to you."

Seriously, if Kyouya was any other guy, he would have blushed a hundredfold. But since he's a carnivore, he suppressed the urge of doing so and remained arrogant in front of the two purple-heads, as he deemed calling them. "I don't need a sorry from a weak herbivore like you." He said. With a short glance, he turned towards the door and pulled it, "Like I said, the baby doesn't like me, but it doesn't mean you can have him forever. You're still banned." Then he left.

Mukuro gaped and smirked. Looks like it would be a fun challenge to him to see other expressions from Kyouya. Once the raven haired left, he quickly turned his heel and went back to Chrome. "You seemed to be getting used around Tsunayoshi."

Chrome chuckled. It's like as if she doesn't have any injuries to heal. "I am. I was wondering earlier what if we did have a little brother or sister. I think it would be fun."

"It could, not if mom died before us."

Chrome fell silent at that. She was the closest child to her mother and Mukuro knew that. She would always help her in chores, be the one to massage their mother's aching back and head and entertaining their mother by her sweet smiles and made-up stories. But everything was destroyed when some mafia attacked them, killed their mother and beat them up to death; and if their father, Daemon, and his companions have come to save them, they would probably found in the same position their mother was. It made them lost and it already crossed their mind that what if they died along with their mother. They wouldn't have to meet their enraged father and practically beg for his love. But, it's still better than never, right?

Chrome smiled sadly.

"You know, brother," she said softly, making Mukuro look to her, "I heard everything what father said the day we arrived here. I just didn't have the courage and strength to talk…"

"I'm sorry that you have to hear that…" Mukuro said.

Chrome shook her head. She completely understood what her brother felt that day. They were both battered and weak, and the environment that they have stumbled into was so foreign for them to the point that they could merge with the floor in an instant. What's worse, they came from a poor village and these people who salvaged them from their misery were people of high status.

She smiled at her brother and replied, "It's okay." Then she tried sitting, leading Mukuro to guide her back to lean at the headboard of the bed, "I know that we have surprised father, like what mom told us about him not knowing that we are his children. But, I can't help wonder the way he looked at us before, as if he knew us from the start."

"I'm sure he didn't." Mukuro said, "He didn't even visit us before. So it's impossible for him to know that."

"Hmmm…" Chrome hummed in contemplation. She was having a feeling that there was something behind their father's behavior.

…:[]:…

Kyouya went down to the dining hall right after he changed into a more casual outfit. He talked to the maid to get him his chosen food and let himself slump on the table. Seriously, he was tired – tired from school, beating law-breakers, and most of all the deal with Tsunayoshi and that guy, Mukuro. He was still bothered by what that purple-head said,

You are jealous, aren't you?

He buried his head further onto the table, hoping that it would mold itself flat on it. Among all the emotions he knew, this was the most difficult emotion he has ever encountered. Of course, he knew what jealousy was, but he couldn't just pinpoint what it was alone. How was it occurring? How was it solved? How was it measured? Was there any scientific evidence behind this jealousy? Or some philosophical debate on how this jealousy was made? There were a lot of questions, but none of them has an answer for a kid like him.

Soon, his food arrived. It's already mid-afternoon and there were no heavy meals left except for the lasagna that probably the other kids suggested. Well, the head chef of Vongola particularly loved kids and she'll do anything to please them. After all, she has her own kid to feed. Alongside with the lasagna was a glass of iced tea and a blueberry cheesecake on a medium sized platter. Personally, he loved blueberry cheesecakes, the only cake his taste buds accepted. Anyway, he proceeded in eating; still thinking about the conversation he had with Mukuro and how the little Vongola quieted within his hold. He somewhat felt…unwanted. Before, he watched the other kids playing with Tsunayoshi and how the baby interacted with them was something intriguing at the same time pleasant to watch at. But he was wondering why the moment he had Tsunayoshi, the kid cried and he can't stop him from crying. It was a mix of emotions and he really doesn't know what to do, then that? That moment he saw with Mukuro?

That was something…worth the envy…

But envy is synonymous to jealousy, right?

So, he's jealous?

He was about to shake his head with his hands when he felt something landed on his shoulder to snap him out of his thoughts forcefully. Unlikely of him, he jumped inches high and twisted around to see who the demon infiltrated his privacy circle.

Apparently, it was his older brother, Daemon. And among his so-called other older brothers, Daemon was the closest.

He creased his eyebrows in annoyance when he saw the older smirking at him like no tomorrow, clearly saying that 'I-got-you-so-you-don't-have-a-say'. "What do you want?" he asked arrogantly.

Daemon chuckled. It's nice to see some of the expressions Kyouya has been keeping for years. "Nothing much. I just want to mess with your little daydreaming expedition."

"Shut up. I have no interest on talking to you today."

"Oh, but I know you are." Daemon pressed on, inching a little too carefully beside Kyouya. "I know that mad expression of yours. Did something happen in school?"

"Hn, not much. Those guys were pretty much useless." Kyouya replied, scooping a slice of lasagna to his mouth.

Daemon put his left cheek on his left hand and hummed, "I think there's something more than 'biting to death' those guys of yours."

"They're not mine, idiot!" Kyouya exclaimed, making Daemon chuckle a little. It was followed with a relative silence as Daemon watched him comfortably eating his food. When he was down to eating his dessert, Kyouya finally broke the silence, "There's something I want to ask, brother."

Daemon was slightly taken aback by that. It has been a long time since Kyouya called him 'brother' and whenever Daemon was teasing the lone skylark; he would be always ending into a clumsy fight with Kyouya. Nevertheless, he entertained Kyouya's request. "What is it?"

"I saw Mukuro today," Kyouya said as he fiddled the cake with the mini fork he was holding. He didn't notice the slight flinching action of Daemon's shoulder or the widening of his eyes. "and he was with Tsunayoshi."

"He was?!" Daemon exclaimed, pushing the chair and slamming his hands on the table, making Kyouya look at him with surprised eyes. He breathed out as he sat back and said, "Why did you give Tsuna to him? Didn't I tell you he was not allowed to touch Tsuna?"

Kyouya's surprised expression turned to a frown, "You could have done that a while ago, you know? Besides, the kid seemed to like Mukuro."

"How can you say that? Tsuna hasn't even made any friendly contact with him."

"I saw him how he clung at Mukuro's clothes." Kyouya took a slice and ate it, then continued speaking, "Then when he laid Tsunayoshi down to his sister's side, the baby even snuggled her. I don't understand. When I held him, he cried." The last sentence came off as a mumble.

Daemon blinked twice, processing the information he had learned from the other before laughing. Seriously, this was the first time he saw Kyouya like this. He'll deal with Mukuro and Chrome later, but he needed to take action on this. "You're jealous!"

"I am not jealous!" Kyouya shouted, catching the attention of the other maids that passed by the dining hall.

"Boy, Kyouya, you sure are a kid in this field." When he got a glare from Kyouya, Daemon continued speaking, "I don't mean you being a kid, okay? What I mean was you're too dense when it comes to relationships like friendship."

"Friendship?" Kyouya said, the letters rolling off his tongue like a foreign word. "What's with that?"

Daemon sighed. Looks like this was going to take longer than expected. "You're jealous because you wanted to get Tsuna's affection like he was with the others. Probably one reason why he got scared of you is because of the aura or the expressions you show. I am no expert and I only hear this from Giotto, but babies can feel thousands of sensations."

"I don't understand…"

"You probably don't understand because you're the youngest among your brothers," Daemon said carefully, using Kyouya's relationship with his brothers as an example. "You tend to get jealous because of your older brothers because they are favored than you are, or your father has been expecting something from you that will surpass your brothers. Alaude was 18 years older than you and he could pass off as your father; and because of that, gap has been created."

"How can you say that? You don't even have a brother." Kyouya spat.

"I do. Although, one died already; and the oldest among us three was the heir of our noble line. I'm the middle child."

"Oh."

"But what has it got to do with jealousy and friendship?"

"Idiot! You're not listening, are you?" Daemon said and smacked the back of Kyouya's head, earning a sound of 'ow' from the younger's lips. Then, he gathered Kyouya's cheeks into his hands and forcefully made him look at him, "Look at me, Kyouya," When he got the attention, he continued, "You can only affirm that if you confront Tsunayoshi and Mukuro once again. I think that is your next lesson to life, Kyouya."

A/N: Oookay, late submission once again. Anyhow, here's the update. :D And it seems like this was shorter than expected.

I will also take this opportunity to straighten out any misled information regarding ages. So, everyone, here are as follows:

Giotto: 24 (he older than G and Asari)

Tsuna: 2 (turning 3)

G: 24

Hayato: 4

Asari: 24

Takeshi: 4

Alaude: 26

Kyouya: 8

Daemon: 28

Mukuro: 7

Chrome: 7

Knuckle: 28

Ryohei: 6

Lampo: 19

Lambo: ha-hun…that is to find out in the next chapters. :P

I'm terribly sorry for the lateness of my update. As usual, a lot of things happened here and my mind can't get into a straight path. Things are getting interesting now, so stay tuned! :D