I.

Tsuna was four-years old, on his way to school one early spring morning, when he first encountered Him.

Tsuna had been in the midst of crossing the intersection just outside the elementary school when there was the sudden blaring of a horn and a shrill, terrified scream. He jerked his head up, eyes widening and body freezing as his mind slowly registered the fact that there was a large truck careening its way towards him. His heart stopped alongside his petrified body and all that ran through his mind was that he'd be leaving his mother all alone and then the truck barrelled closer and closer and closer-

There was a warm, gentle arm wrapped around his stomach and the fluttering of gold embroidered black cloth across his vision and a soft murmur in his ears and then-

He was standing perfectly safe on the other side of the road – not a single scratch on him or a hair out of place.

The truck-that-would-have-crashed-into-him-but-somehow-hasn't-? came to a screeching halt a bit further down the street and the driver – a scrawny-looking teenager with dyed hair – jumped out of the vehicle, spinning around with complete horror and confusion etched onto his face. The woman that screamed joined the teen in the middle of the road, tears streaming down her make-up encrusted face and Tsuna realized that they are looking for him.

He quickly ducked his head and shuffled into the school before either one of them can notice him – he's already garnered the nickname of Dame -Tsuna, he doesn't want any more trouble or attention at the moment.

Besides, once the lady and the teenager realized that it's Dame-Tsuna that they were making a fuss over, Tsuna was positive that their attitude would have changed completely.

No one other than his mama cared about Dame-Tsuna after all.

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II.

Tsuna was five the next time he met his mysterious savior.

He was out running an errand for his mother – it was a simple task of purchasing a carton of milk from the convenience store down the street – when the bullies from his class cornered him with loud jeers and stinging taunts.

The apparent leader of the motley group of children stepped forward and shoved Tsuna against the wall hard enough for pain to blossom up and down his spine and shoulders.

The leader said something and his followers soon crowded around the brunette, expressions looking far too cheerful and happy for what they were about to do to Tsuna.

It was then that Tsuna decided that now would be a good time to run.

As he sprinted down the street, legs pumping, heart racing, breath labored, he could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand when the hand of one of the bullies reached out, ready to pull him down to the unforgiving pavement by his hair and as Tsuna turned the corner about to succumb to the urge to just give up and let them beat him up until they tired and grew bored and finally left him alone-

Two strong, gentle hands picked him up by his armpits and-

He was suddenly flying over Namimori and-

He was too much in shock to do much other than gape helplessly as the street and houses went sailing under him and there was a sudden, indescribable feeling of joy and happiness and freedom welling up inside of him-

There was that same gold-embroidered black cloth swaying in the edge of his vision and he attempted to crane his head upwards, to look at just who could soar in the sky like a bird and saved his for the second time-

One blink later, he was standing outside the convenience store – hair and clothes mussed from the chilled wind and cheeks and nose tinted pink.

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III.

Tsuna was six-years old when he met his mysterious savior – who could fly – next.

He had been out playing at the park near his home when several men wearing suits and sunglasses approached him. They gestured at him and spoke in a strange language before grabbing him by the arm and dragging him with them.

Tsuna had screamed and yelled – just like his mama had told him to do if he was being taken somewhere by a strange person – but the man yanking his arm had just shouted something at him before he felt a wave of calm and serenity wash over him like a cool blanket. Soon it was getting difficult for him to keep his eyes open and he fell into a blissful slumber.

When he awoke next, he had been tied up and gagged and was lying on the floor of a dirty, dusty room.

Terror seized his body and he began to cry when he realized that he didn't know where he was and didn't know what was going to happen to him.

Was he kidnapped? Was he still in Japan? Was he never going to see his mama again? Was he going to die?

One of the men – once he had seen that Tsuna was awake – walked over to him and pulled him up and onto his feet. He then urged the brunet forward, his grip was bruising and painful on Tsuna's upper arm, until they were standing in front of a large man dressed in a white, pin-stripe suit.

The leer on the large man's face had made Tsuna instantly uncomfortable.

The two men spoke – still speaking that strange, foreign language – and gestured and looked at Tsuna for a while before he was roughly pushed forward. He stumbled a bit, but managed to regain his balance and looked fearfully up at the large man who had a weird, funny gleam in his eyes.

He said something in that strange language and reached a hand out to jerk Tsuna's chin back-and-forth. His grip was harsh and brought the prickle of tears to Tsuna's eyes – something that the large man noticed and seemed to enjoy very much, if his low, sudden chuckle was anything to go by.

He spoke something else in that foreign language and tugged Tsuna forward – hand still on his chin like a vice – and Tsuna had to tilt his head back to an uncomfortable angle in order to maintain eye contact with the large man. The man suddenly grinned – all teeth and lips that had the brunet freezing with fear – and his unoccupied hand settled against the small of Tsuna's back, pulling him further even more and effectively trapping him between the man's legs.

He said something else and the hand on Tsuna's back began descending down and down, as his greasy, flabby face moved towards the brunet's, lips stretching wider for a heartbeat before puckering slightly as it to claim Tsuna's-

One of the large windows in the room abruptly shattered – shards of glass raining to the ground in a sea of flashes and sparkles – as a large, gentle, familiar hand settled on Tsuna's shoulder, pulling him backwards and out of the wandering grasp of the large man and into a warm, protective embrace – the now well-known sight of gold-embroidered black cloth bringing the brunet a sense of peace and comfort. Tsuna spun around and buried his face into that familiar fabric, body trembling and tears streaming down his face in equal parts fear and relief. The hand that had been on his shoulder moved to rub soothing patterns on his back – chasing away the phantom feeling of the large man's slimy hand that had been there just moments ago.

There was loud screaming and shouting in that unknown language, the sound of many feet pounding into the room, more yelling and the sound of triggers being pulled and bullets being fired and-

The soft murmur of the person-who-could-fly-

A single chime of a bell-

The sound of a sudden gale of wind ripped through the room-

And then silence.

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III.

Tsuna was six-years old and being fussed over by his fretting mother – now safely back home – when he finally had the opportunity to meet his mysterious savior, who could fly and always wore gold-embroidered black clothing, for the first time.

Large, red wings so large that, even folded against the man's back they almost brushed the floor of the living room and so rich and deep in color that they almost looked black, were what caught Tsuna's attention first; it'd also explained just how this mysterious person could fly like a bird! The clothes that the winged-person wore were familiar: a gorgeous black haori that was embroidered with beautiful, golden flowers and hexagons was thrown over a dark-gray kimono with a black obi belt. There was a thick, black choker with flecks of shimmering gold wrapped around a pale neck and soft-looking white hair fell somewhat messily around a long, thin face that housed faintly-glowing, bright red eyes and a pair of lips that were stretched into a small smile. On the winged-persons' cheeks, there were two horizontal lines – almost slashes, like something had clawed at his face – the same color as his eyes – a vibrant red that stood out against his pale skin. On their tabi sock-clad feet, were a pair of wooden geta sandals. Pointed ears peaked out of the winged-person's hair and further cemented the fact that… whoever this was, they were most certainly not a human.

"A-Are… are you an angel?" Tsuna asked, peering up at the maybe-angel with wide eyes.

"Haha… no, unfortunately I am not an angel, Tsunayoshi," the not-angel replied in a soft voice, lifting a hand to cover the bottom half of his face as he chuckled softly into the sleeve of his haori.

"Oh… th-then… who are y-you?"

"His name," Sawada Nana began gently; her frown marring her natural beauty in only the slightest, "is Hisato."

Tsuna jumped at the sound of his mama's voice and only then remembered that she was still in the room, tending to the scrapes and bruises he had obtained while kidnapped.

"Y-You can see him t-too, Mama…?" Tsuna asked.

"Yes I can, Tsu-kun," Nana replied with a smile, patting her son's cheek. "Hisato is… like… like a guardian angel. He has been watching over and protecting our family for a very long time."

"Wow…"

Hisato bowed lowly as he said, "It is my pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Sawada Tsunayoshi. As your mother has already said, my name is Hisato; it is very nice to meet you."

"M-My name is S-Sawada T-Tsunayoshi!" Tsuna squeaked out, ducking his head bashfully. "I-It's r-really nice to m-meet you too, H-Hisato-san!"

"Tsu-kun, you must be tired after having such an eventful day… go wash up for dinner and then I'll tuck you into bed, okay? As for school tomorrow, I want to make sure that you're alright before sending you back so you can stay home tomorrow, okay?"

Tsuna visibly brightened at the prospect of being able to spend the entire day at home. "O-Okay, Mama!"

Nana smiled at her son's energy and stood from where she had been kneeling. "Good, now off to the bathroom you go Tsu-kun! I'll start making your favorite tonight: Salisbury steak!"

The brunet let out a cheer before climbing off the stool he had been sitting on and scrambling out of the living room and up the stairs to the bathroom.

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IV.

"… So," Nana began as she cut up a large onion to use for dinner, "what did you find out about those men that took my Tsu-kun, Hisato?"

Hisato, standing in the corner of the tiny kitchen, folded his arms together and replied in a solemn voice, "Your fears were correct, Lady Nana. Those men were Mafioso from Italy and had somehow discovered that you and Young Master Tsunayoshi were living here in Namimori. And, as you already know, they decided to kidnap Young Master Tsunayoshi and were going to use him to get at your husband, Sawada Iemitsu. I won't go into detail on how they were going… treat your son, but I believe that you have an inkling on what would have happened to the Young Master."

The only indication of Nana's rage and disgust was the slight downturn of her lips.

"I suspected as much… Iemitsu… it is times like this that I wish he were more honest and open with me… if he were then I could tell him about you and my family's history in turn."

"I understand your frustration, Lady Nana," Hisato intoned with a dip of his head, "but you mustn't forget about Omertà and the repercussions your husband would undoubtedly face if he brought in his civilian wife and son into the Mafia."

"But it's not like I am unable to defend myself or Tsu-kun!" Nana retorted hotly.

Nonplussed at the brunette's rare show of anger, Hisato responded, "Unfortunately, your husband does not know or realize that, Lady Nana. Even though you had made it abundantly clear during your courtship that you'd have no trouble defending yourself if push came to shove… If I may be frank, Lady Nana, sometimes I feel that your husband is a clueless idiot despite his rank and station in the Mafia."

"Still," Nana said with a heavy sigh and a smile, "you cannot say that Iemitsu does not care for Tsu-kun and me… even if the way he expresses that love is by staying away for our protection."

"… You wish that he would visit more often." It was a statement, not a question.

"Of course, what wife wants her husband to be away for years at times? If it were just me, I would be able to cope with his absence, but poor Tsu-kun is the one who has to deal with the consequences of having an 'absent' father. There… there are days where I worry that Tsu-kun won't be able to remember or recognize his father anymore…"

"If that happens then I will fly to Italy myself and physically drag that husband of yours back here – Omertà and our laws be damned."

The brunette giggled at Hisato's words. "… Thank you, Hisato. You've always been someone that I could rely and depend on."

"I was created to serve your family, Lady Nana, and I will do so until the end of time."

"… Speaking of time, dinner's almost ready. Could you help set the table, Hisato? Tsu-kun should be done with his bath any minute now."

"Of course, Lady Nana."

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V.

"U-Um… Hisato-san… Why are you w-walking with me to s-school?" Tsuna asked, two days after the kidnapping incident.

Hisato, wings gone – where Tsuna had no idea – and ever present smile in place replied, "It's for your protection, Tsunayoshi. Your mother and I don't know if someone else or another group of people will try to take you away from us, so I will be watching you more closely from now on."

"O-Oh… h-have you a-always been watching me, Hisato-san?"

"Yes and no. Whenever your mother went out, I would follow her to make sure she stayed safe, and when she stayed home, I would follow you and make sure that you stayed safe."

"J-Just like when you s-saved me from the truck and the bullies!"

"Exactly. Good job for figuring that out, Tsunayoshi!"

Tsuna ducked his head with a pleased smile and flushed cheeks, whenever he was 'praised' by his teachers, it always sounded mean, but when Hisato praised him… he truly felt good about it!

When Tsuna finally reached the gates of the elementary school, Hisato disappeared with a smile and promise that he'd be watching out for the brunet.

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VI.

Tsuna was seven, walking home from school with soft, delicate snowflakes dancing in the frigid, winter air, when he saw an unusual sight: two figures, taller than what a human would stand at, slowly walking down the street and towards him.

They were dressed in simple, brown kimonos with obis of the same color and both had long, dark hair that reached well past their knees. The only difference between the two figures were the masks on their faces; the figure on the right had an ornate, elaborate mask in the vague shape of a human face that was decorate with blocky, ancient-looking kanji characters. The second figure's mask was exceeding plain in comparison – being nothing more than a piece of paper with a single, large eye seemingly drawn onto it.

Their heads were bowed slightly, and though Tsuna couldn't see either of the figures' mouths, he had a feeling that there were conversing softly with one another.

Of what he had no idea but as the distance between him and them grew smaller, he could faintly begin to make out what they were speaking about.

"… -an was wiped out years ago?"

"Those were the rumors, yes… however, thinking back on it now… there wasn't any concrete proof that they were all killed, right?"

"No, there was not."

"And though that Clan's blood was not as strong or pure as it was when they first formed… none of us can deny the fact that they were powerful even when they were at their lowest."

"Blood is blood." The one with the ornate mask intoned.

"Blood is blood." The figure with the paper mask repeated.

"And is that why Lord Narukami has us retainers scouring Japan for any sign of them? Does he fear that the Abe Clan has truly been resurrected?"

"Don't tell anyone that I told you this… but I know that Lord Narukami is terrified of the Abe Clan. This hunt that was started on the whisper of a rumor… his insistence that the Abe Clan is once again active… there's no doubt in my mind that Lord Narukami wants the Abe Clan eliminated once and for all…"

As the two figures walked past Tsuna, they took their conversation with them – leaving the brunet with a vague sense of unease and worry, though he didn't know why he was feeling that way…

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VII.

Tsuna was seven, walking home from school a week after seeing the strange figures, the ice and snow crunching softly under his feet, when he saw Hisato talking with someone at the end of the block.

Visibly perking up at the sight of the winged-man, Tsuna hefted his backpack higher up his back and began making his way towards Hisato.

"H-Hisato-san!" He called out; once he was a few feet away from Hisato – even though the white-haired man probably heard him long ago – Hisato had proven that he had super hearing because he could hear Tsuna say things even when they weren't in the same room!

"Tsunayoshi." Hisato replied warmly, his red eyes crinkling slightly as he ruffled the brunet's hair with affection. "How was school?"

"I-It was okay… the teachers and b-bullies didn't pick on me too much today a-and I even made a snowman during lunch!"

"Wow, sounds like you had a good day today, Tsunayoshi."

Tsuna nodded his head. "Y-Yeah!"

"Ora? So this is the human child, Hisato? He's certainly a tiny one, isn't he?"

Almost forgetting that there was a stranger with them, Tsuna turned to peer up at the person that Hisato had been speaking to moments earlier.

… If Tsuna had to assign a color to Hisato, it would be gold, with red being a close second. If he had to choose a color to describe the lady standing in front of him, it would be white.

She was tall, almost as tall as Hisato, and beautiful.

She was pale – much paler than Hisato, her skin just a shade darker than the snow that surrounded them – and had long, straight, pure-white hair that fell just shy of touching the ground; there was a stunning silver-encrusted hair clip, in the shape of a leaf, pinned delicately on the side of her head that caught the afternoon sun brilliantly and sparkled like stars. She was dressed in various different shades of white, with her kimono being a shade darker than her hair and skin and embroidered with falling shimmering, silver petals and flowers. Her obi belt was a darker shade of white and she was wearing white tabi socks and a pair of white wooden geta sandals on her feet.

There were only three things about the lady that weren't white: a long, thick, red scarf that was looped through her elbows and around her back, her lips which were painted a similar, bright red, and her eyes, which were a startlingly gold color with slitted pupils that were a darker goldenrod color. Even the fluffy pair of ears on her head and the nine tails peeking through her hair and clothes was a beautiful, unblemished white!

"… H-Hello!" Tsuna finally remembered to say after gawking at the pretty woman. "I-It's nice to meet you! M-My name is Sawada Tsunayoshi!"

The woman lifted a hand and laughed softly – the sound like chiming bells. "It is an honor to meet you, Child. You may call me Yaezuru."

"Yaezuru," Hisato began, moving his hand that had been entwined in Tsuna's hair to the child's shoulder, "is an old and dear friend of mine. She was just telling me about some of the events that were happening in our home town."

"Y-You and Yaezuru-san a-aren't from Namimori, Hisato-san?" Tsuna asked, peering up at the winged-man with wide eyes.

"No, we are not, Tsunayoshi. I came to Namimori with your mother – when she moved here to live with your father. As for Yaezuru, she travels quite frequently and owns several homes and properties all across Japan."

"I've been thinking about buying a house here in Namimori as well," Yaezuru said, her golden eyes scanning the nearby houses and apartments. "The buildings here are so quaint and adorable, and I'd be closer to my favorite tengu lookalike!"

There was a quick flash of… something on Hisato's face – a quick, downturn of his lips and a brightening of his eyes for all of a millisecond, far too quick for Tsuna or any human to pick up on, but, blatantly clear for Yaezuru.

Yaezuru folded her arms together and bowed low, a section of her long hair falling over her shoulder and shielding the profile of her face like a curtain. "Forgive me, Hisato, I spoke without thinking. I know how much you… dislike being compared to a tengu."

"… Thank you for your apology, Yaezuru, but, you need not bow to me. I know you didn't mean anything malicious by your choice of words and I value our friendship far more than a little slip of the tongue."

Yaezuru straightened. "Thank you, Hisato. You are too kind."

"U-Um," Tsuna began, drawing the two adults' attention, "wh-what is a tengu?"

"A tengu," Yaezuru began, bringing up a pale hand – palm turned upwards – as a ball of blue fire began burning in the air above her hand, "is a type of youkai or Japanese demon that is native to our wondrous nation. They typically take the form of a short, old man with a long nose and are known to have black wings and dress in the clothing of Japanese monks and priests." As she spoke, the fire hovering above her hand began to twist and bend until it showed a tiny version of what she had been describing.

"W-Wow!" Tsuna breathed in awe, as he watched the pretty fire coil and move. "How are you doing that, Yaezuru-san?"

Yaezuru smiled at the brunet's wonder and allowed the blue fire to lose its' tengu-shape and began to float around him in thin strands – the shapes of animals such as rabbits and butterflies being formed every few minutes, much to the child's delight.

"I," she continued, "am a kitsune – a Japanese fox demon. I can create and control Fox Fire and can make shapes and other illusions with it."

"Wow…!"

"I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Tsunayoshi…," Hisato spoke, expression full of regret, he really didn't want to put an end to such a wonderful experience for the child, however…m "but I must send you on your way for now… your mother and I would not want you catching a cold from the weather and you have homework you must complete…"

"I-It's okay, Hisato-san." Tsuna smiled. "I understand… I'm sorry t-to have interrupted your c-conversation. I-It was n-nice meeting you, Yaezuru-san!"

"It was my pleasure you meet you, Child… may you have a safe and quick journey home."

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VIII.

"So…," Yaezuru murmured lowly, lips barely moving and voice so soft that no human could have heard her, after Tsuna had vanished around the street corner, "that is His descendant? The one that will inherit His Will and abilities?"

"We believe so, yes," Hisato replied softly, lips also barely moving and tone hushed. "His date of birth, family circumstances, and life up to this point has all aligned with what He foretold all those millennia ago."

Yaezuru hummed thoughtfully, her mind overlapping Tsuna's awe-stricken and bright laughter with the face of a man she had known many, many years ago. "… He does not look anything like Abe no Seimei."

"Tsunayoshi is lucky in that regard." Hisato folded his arms together, his hands disappearing into the sleeves of his haori. "He apparently, greatly resembles an ancestor on his father's side with his mother's coloring. This will off him more protection from youkai, demons, and humans alike that would wish to use his mother's heritage and bloodline against him or for their own nefarious gains."

"And what of his father's heritage and bloodline," Yaezuru asked sharply, her now-glowing, golden eyes meeting Hisato's gaze. "From what you have told me, once the humans his father is associated with realize just how much he resembles his father's ancestor and unseal that power, he will be hunted down and coveted by said humans."

"Better that he be hunted and coveted by only humans for his father's blood than our kind, humans, and demons for his mother's blood, Yaezuru," Hisato retorted tersely, his own eyes beginning to glow an iridescent red. "Rumors have already begun to spread about the vision that Seimei made all those years ago and demons, youkai, and humans have begun searching for the… 'chosen'," the word was venomously spat out, "descendant of Abe no Seimei that will have the power to control not only supernatural elements but the natural elements as well, including humans themselves. I do not have to explain to you what that kind of power could do in the wrong hands, human or not, do I?"

Yaezuru unflinchingly held Hisato's stare for what could have been eons, in a silent battle of will and pride, before she closed her eyes and turned away with an inaudible sigh. "… No," she conceded, "you do not have to explain anything to me, Hisato… I… more than anyone knows just how much terror and destruction power in the wrong hands can do on the land…"

Hisato's brows pinched in guilt and he frowned at his friend's subdued tone of voice. "I… I am truly sorry for bringing up unwanted memories, Yaezuru… but, Tsunayoshi does not deserve his… 'fate'."

"… No… he does not." Yaezuru sighed. "Such a bright, happy child… if only that human seal wasn't on his very soul…"

Hisato opened his mouth to say something, but, there was nothing more he could add.

Both of them knew from the moment they met Tsunayoshi: the seal on his soul would slowly kill him until it was removed by the person – or people – who placed it on the child; however, it could only be properly removed with a pure intent, meaning the person – or people – had to deeply, truly want to remove the seal, no strings attached.

Which is why Hisato hadn't already flown to Italy himself to drag Tsunayoshi's father and his father's boss back to Japan and forced them to remove the seal or face the combined wrath of Lady Nana and himself.

"… We are lucky that there are things we can do that can slow the… consequences of that seal," Hisato said after a few moments of silence.

"Indeed," Yaezuru agreed. "I will continue to look through my Clan's records to see what else we can try to help ease the burden on young Tsunayoshi."

"… You have my and Lady Nana's most heartfelt gratitude, Yaezuru, for all the assistance you have been providing us."

"Well, you simply cannot return to the Abe Compound in the state that it and you are in… if you had been able, I am certain you would have found something from Abe no Seimei in his library or personal effects."

Hisato narrowed his eyes. "I will take back the Abe Compound one way or another… but," he sighed deeply, "that is a thought for a different day… once again, thank you for everything you have done for us thus far and will undoubtedly continue to do for us in the future, Yaezuru."

"You are my closest friend in this world, Hisato, and as Abe no Seimei told us all those millennia ago… friends look out for one another."

"That they do, Yaezuru… that they do…"