Me: Another story...I wasn't suppose to upload this one yet since I'm terrible with updating but in the end decided too. Oh well here it goes^^

This is family fluff...

enjoy!

I don't own KHR!

~Family Bonds~

When Tsunayoshi Sawada was still at a tender age of seven, he had doubts about who he really was. It was as if he's meant as someone else and his whole being now belong to a totally different person, somebody that was not him. He suddenly felt like him being Tsunayoshi Sawada was a mere product of faith playing against one of his chosen victims, namely him…was he really even truly this Tsuna person or was he someone else. And what about his family was it even meant to be his to begin with?

Does he even belong?

People had thoughts, whispering and chatting about him and his family. There had been rumours that he and his older brother Basil were both adopted. Tsuna at his young age had started to hate people at one bit; he may not look like any of his family members, except having his mother's eyes (people however would point out that a lot of unrelated people have similar eyes) but does that necessarily mean that they are not related? His older brother does not look much like him and their parents too but it's not an excuse being called adopted. Why would people start such measly rumours anyway? Haven't they got better things to do in life other than to mess with other people's business?

That's what he had in thought for a long time. He was not adopted. He was Nana and Iemitsu's son and he was Basil's younger brother. He was Tsunayoshi Sawada.

He then started to believe the rumours circling around when he happened to saw upon an old family album that was his father's. He saw that Basil was actually a look-alike of their grandfather's older brother. Tsuna never saw anyone that looked just like him, not even with his eye colour. He had asked her mother about what he just learned.

He saw worry in her eyes but it seemed to have passed faster than it appeared. His mom smile at him and stated that he actually looked like someone she knew. He asked if it was someone from the family, she did not answer his question but he saw the sadness in her eyes… He tried asking more but his mom refused to answer any off his questions she just caressed his small cheeks and lovingly stated "You are my son, my family, my Tsuna"

He then just settled to her words. He believed her.

Up until that one faithful afternoon when he had learned the truth.

The sun was up at high that day. He and his brother were both engross on a little game of hide and seek, their mother out on her monthly visit to a massage centre. Their father was sleeping like some hibernating bear in the living room. Basil was it and Tsuna decided to hide in the attic. It had been his favourite hiding spot inside their house, mainly because there are different kinds of things that he can play with

There are a few old toys and some colouring books. Then there's their father's carpentry tool that he never used even once, Tsuna was careful enough not to get hurt every time he touches them. A mini guitar with fancy strings was also there and he had even tried his mother's own wedding dress once, hey! He was six by then so he figured there's no harm in doing so, right?

He was back at the attic again that day, this time having taken notice of a small box, carefully placed beside the dusty old cabinet. Curiosity overrode his young mind and he decided to open the small box… Basil opened the door at exactly the same time.

"What is that Tsuna?" The nine-year old seemed to have forgotten that he needed to bust his younger brother.

"I don't know nii-san, I just found it here"

"Hmmm… why don't we take a look?" Basil suggested. Tsuna opened the box while Basil sat down besides his brother. "It's just papers nii-san" Tsuna showed the papers towards his brother.

"Let me see, Tsuna" The younger boy gave half of the papers to his brother and kept the other half to himself. He then proceeded to make paper planes out of them, thankfully Basil had noticed.

"No Tsuna, don't play with the papers, they might be of important"

"Sorry…" Tsuna tried to straighten the paper he had just wrinkled but to no avail. He then decided to just read the contents of the paper, which took some time since admittedly he's not a fast reader, yet. He's surprised when he had read his name there. "Nii-san, what's a death certificate?"

Basil looked at his younger brother "It's a paper issued to family members when a loved one dies. Why are you asking Tsuna?"

"I saw one, big brother!" Tsuna waved the paper he was holding. "But how come my name's written when I'm not dead yet?" The boy asked with narrowed eyes. Basil took the paper from his brother, although just two years older than his brother, Basil already had a greater understanding on things.

His eyes then widened when he had read the content.

"Stand up, Tsuna" Basil motioned his younger brother. We are going to talk to father"

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

Have you ever felt alone? Well, maybe not alone but most likely incomplete? That despite every fame, fortune and whatnot that comes your way, you still feel as if something in your life was missing. That without it, you would never feel really alive... not able to fill the missing puzzle piece of your life?

Well Giotto Taru just had that feeling.

His current place gave him power and at times, despite many death threats; a sense of comfort. His friends offer him companionship...an even his enemies give him entertainment.

Despite this, he never felt contentment.

He always felt that something in his life was amiss...Something that his fortune can't buy and his fame cannot replace...and his friends, they give comfort but theirs was temporary...Giotto wanted something that would last.

Unknown to him, everything was about to change...

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

"Father..."

Iemitsu Sawada lazily stood up. Rubbed his eyes and stretched before smiling sheepishly at his sons. "Finally here to admit how much of an awesome and handsome father I am?"

Tsuna chuckled at his father's retort while Basil remained impassive. Iemitsu had sensed the uneasiness emanating from his older son. "What's wrong Basil?"

"Why does Tsuna have a death certificate father?"

Iemitsu eyed his son with puzzlement. "What death certificate?"

Tsuna handed a piece of paper to his father. "We found it in the attic, sorry if it was a little crumpled"

Iemitsu's eyes widened when realization hit him. A memory suddenly flashed on his mind. He started to get suspicious. He would have to talk to Nana about the said matter. For now he had to keep the two boys away from the truth, well it was just suspicions but still...Iemitsu beamed at the boys "Oh this was just some printing errors when Tsuna was born, instead of a birth certificate the doctors wrongly gave us a death one"

Basil gave an 'o' face.

Tsuna meanwhile stared at his father. Why does it feel like Iemitsu was actually hiding something?

"Why don't you two just go play at the yard" Iemitsu gently pushed the two kids away. There was an unreadable expression on his face as he dialled a number "Could you please get me Nana Sawada?"

"Right away sir"

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

"What's wrong dear?" Nana gently asked as she entered their humble abode. Iemitsu gave his wife a serious look. "There's something I need you to clarify and I want you to tell me the truth"

"Of course dear"

Iemitsu then handed a now familiar piece of paper to his wife. "What's the meaning of this?" Nana's eyes widened when she saw the piece of paper. "How did you...?"

"Tsuna and Basil found it" Iemitsu looked at his wife. "Tell me the truth, Nana"

"I..."

"Mother you're back" Basil smiled as he entered the house with Tsunayoshi following not far behind.

"Okaa-san, aren't you supposed to relax today?" Tsuna asked curiously. Nana smiled at her sons. "Well I suddenly missed you guys and just had to get home immediately"

Iemitsu meanwhile grabbed some money out of his pockets. "Why don't the two of you grab some ice cream, you're mother and I needed to discuss something?"

"Can I have a burger instead?"

"Of course...Just don't eat too much okay? Or you might miss dinner"

"Yes, Okaa-san"

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

"I'm going to get a burger, how about you nii-san?"

"I want an ice cream cone"

"Oops..." Tsunayoshi suddenly halted making Basil too also stop from walking. "I forgot my coat nii-san"

"Why don't we rush back and grab it then?"

"Okay!"

The two then walked back home and was about to enter when they heard the arguing voice o their parents. Were they having a fight?

"Why did you hide the truth?" Iemitsu's voice was heard. Tsuna looked at his brother with puzzlement. Why does their father sound so off and betrayed? Their mom never said anything. Iemitsu spoke again. "What about him? Did he have any idea?"

"No..." Nana's voice was trembling.

"But why? He deserves to know the truth. He was his son, Nana"

"No! He was my son"

"He is not your son. You have no right to take him away from where he truly belong" Iemitsu's voice cracked but there was a sense of finality on his words. "I am going to talk to him"

"No please, he might take my Tsuna away from me!" Nana sobbed and begged.

"He deserves to know everything and if he decides to take Tsuna, it would be his right" Iemitsu then opened the door and is beyond shocked seeing both Tsuna and Basil standing at the doorway. Both having unreadable expression on their faces.

"Did you two..." A nod from Basil confirmed Iemitsu's suspicions.

"I-is it t-true, Father?" Tsuna asked stuttering, his voice clear with sadness "t-that I'm n-not y-your son?"

"Listen Tsuna..."

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

Young Tsuna uneasily fidgeted as he tried his best to behave. He's told to not leave the room until his father is done talking to his real papa.

His real papa...What was he like? How does he look? Does he sleep like a bear, just how father does most of the time? Would he like Tsuna? Would he take him to see some movies? Would he scare Tsuna's nightmares away? Would he take care of Tsuna when he's sick? Would he...

Tsuna's thoughts were interrupted when the door suddenly opened and out came his father and a man he never saw before...Was that man his papa?

"Tsuna come here" Iemitsu motioned for the boy to step closer. "This man is Giotto, he is your real father"

Giotto smiled warmly at the boy. "Hello Tsunayoshi."

Iemitsu smiled but there was a pained expression on his face. Letting go of someone you love was never the easiest part of life but he knew it was for the best. If you really want happiness to those you cherish the most, to do so, sometimes you have to break your own heart.

"I'll leave you two for some catching up" Iemitsu grinned. Giotto gave the said man a grateful look. "Thank you..."

Iemitsu smiled and walked out of the room.

"Say Tsuna, do you like strawberry cakes?" The boy beamed upon mention of the delectable desert. "I like strawberry cakes, it's my favorite cake in the world!"

Giotto chuckled at the boy's confession. "I just happen to have some of those cakes. Do you want some now?"

Tsuna smiled. Seems like his real papa was a very cool guy. "Okay! Let's go eats some papa!"

Giotto smiled, feeling the warmth that was on that very last word. 'Papa', Giotto never knew that being called one would give him a swarm of strange feelings...feelings that made him so at ease...

"Let's go then. You know, strawberry cakes are my favorite too!"

...and very much complete.

...iOiOiOiOi...

Asari had always been known as a happy guy who can put a smile on his face no matter how drastic a situation is…He was one person who during your darkest hour, you can run into and he would listen to your troubles before cheering you up and calming you down. He was ever so friendly, so welcoming even to those who dared pushing him away a couple of times. He was always blissful, always warm, always smiling from outside.

…no one knows or no one seems to have felt how much he was feeling troubled, inside.

Sure he was all smiles and all laughs but unknown to everyone, he was just so damn good at concealing his real emotions. Asari Ugetsu was actually someone who was constantly being chased by the memories of his own past.

"Oi Asari…"

The Japanese man blinked and smiled when he recognized the owner of the voice. Pushing his thoughts aside, he beamed at a now frowning red-haired man. "G, you do know that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, right?"

"Tsch. Whatever, at least I'm not the one who had spaced out the day"

Asari stared with surprise. Was he really spacing out?

As if reading his mind, G grunted. "Yes flute-freak, you have acted weird the day that you haven't even sensed when Alaude and Daemon tried to kill each other right in front of you."

Asari grimaced slightly. "Sorry about that…It's just that there was something that had bothered me lately"

G sat down besides the raven haired man. "Looks like I have some spare time…now tell me what your troubles are. You can thank me later"

"G?"

"Now don't get too cocky, I told you I've got some free time…might as well use it trying to help you with your troubles than chasing Lampo or yelling at Giotto for not finishing hi paper works, I'm actually getting tired of that usual routine" Asari smiled, G was not the type of person to show his compassion and care. The man would usually try to yell it all away or change the topic. However years of knowing him would gain you the experience to know how much he really cared as a friend.

"Stop smiling and just talk." G almost had the urge to give the other man a good whacking. It was obvious Asari in deep shit and yet he was smiling?

Asari stopped smiling and gazed at the sky. "It's not something that you need to worry about, G"

"Will you cut out that shit!?" G half yelled, half mumbled out of irritation. "Why are you even bothering trying to solve other people's troubles but won't let anyone help you with your own? In my view-point, you are actually being selfish" The Japanese man stared at the Italian with shock. Was he really being selfish by keeping his own troubles to himself? But he was mainly doing it to avoid being a bother as he hates troubling people around him.

"I'm sorry…"

"Now what was going on?"

Asari looked at his friend before turning away and focusing his stare on the ground. He took a deep breath. "Back in my home country, you see, there was this girl…"

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

Alaude was never one to interfere with his people's personal life. For the platinum haired man, as long as their life outside of work does not interfere with their jobs then there's no problem. What happens at home must stay at home; no one should bring their personal problems at work. It was one of his rules.

Still, of course…there are a few, albeit occasionally, who had dared defy his rule.

One particular being: Iemitsu Sawada

The man was good with his job, having made sure to recheck a file over and over to correct any flaws before handling it over to Alaude. He was also respected by his team-mates, making it easier for Alaude to leave the man in command on several given occasions. Not only that, he was also extremely loyal to CEDEF.

However, he can't seem to leave his personal dealings at home. There are several times he would overhear the man fuss around loudly, in a very happy and overly joyous way about his family. The man would often boast during breaks or during every single opportunity he got about how lovely and incredibly good at cooking his Nana was and how cute and adorable his little boys are. Alaude had once told the man to stop bringing family matters inside his work which the slightly older blond man just replied with a sheepish grin and a "my family are the ones who inspire me to work, if I'm not inspired I won't work"

Alaude just decided to leave him after that. Doesn't mean he had tolerated the others though.

Today, however the man looked really haggard and depressed. Knowing him for years would give you the idea that Iemitsu would only act this way with something that involves his most prized possession…his family.

"Go home and take a break. A man who that's unfocused in mind is unfocused with work."

Iemitsu stared at his boss. "Sorry, I was just thinking about something…"

"When you told me that talking about your family inspires you to work, I let you continue fussing around, talking about them, since I saw the logic behind your reasoning. Today, however I noticed that you haven't gotten around passing your usual stories about your family and it must only mean one thing. Something happened and it involves them."

"Sir…"

"Go home and don't come back until you're all focused again. I don't need someone who couldn't be decisive during working hours." Iemitsu nodded. "Thank you, sir" the man bowed and gave a salute then excused himself. Alaude just nodded and picked up a folder to start working…not noticing the single white envelope that had fallen on the ground with his action.

With the wind doing a little gust, the envelope flipped and showed the platinum blond man's own name. However, having not being noticed, the thing remained on the floor with one of Alaude's shoe having stepped on it…

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

"So you are telling me that when you had boarded that ship where Giotto and I met you, so you can fulfil your dream of becoming a musician…you had actually left someone important to you behind, and that important someone was your best friend?"

Asari nodded. "When I was boarding the ship, she was trying to tell me about something but in the end decided against it. I had felt that it must have been of utter important. I saw her fidgeting her fingers nervously; she only does that when something that I must know had happened. Whenever I've gotten some time to spare, I would always send letters and postcards, asking her all the time about that something she's suppose to tell me. She would write back but she refuses to answer my questions…then 7 months after sending my first letter, she stopped writing back…"

"…and you're being bothered with it ever since?"

Asari nodded.

"Are you a born idiot or did you knock your brains shut at one point or another and made it completely non-functional?"

Asari blinked. "Eh?"

"If you're really bothered with something then there's two ways to deal with it. First, you can always bury it inside your own memories and forget everything once and for all. The more mature way to deal with it like a man and face your troubles and deal with it personally." G snorted.

"You had given me some sense, G. Would you mind telling me why you're not a Guidance Counsellor or some cool DJ that advice die-hard listeners? Asari joked. The other man twitched which only made the other laugh. Then the Japanese man turned serious. "Thanks a lot G."

The read head snickered.

…iOiOiOiOiOi…

Whenever Giotto would arrive late for dinner then it must have meant two things: he was being held back by paper work or something urgent must have happened...

...no one had the wildest guess though that he would walk with a child cutely tagging along with him.

Giotto smiled brightly at his guardians. "Good evening to you all! Meet my son Tsunayoshi, he's just so adorable! Tsuna meet your uncles"

The boy bowed down and beamed. "Hello Uncles, my name is Tsunayoshi. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me"

The guardians stared...Five seconds later.

G fainted.

Asari looked petrified.

Lampo spat his food out.

Knuckles eyes widened like saucers.

Daemon's jaws dropped.

Alaude coughed to try hiding his surprise but ended up choking. Yes, the sudden revelation is so great, he choked.

Giotto sweat dropped at his friends reactions and led his son at the Table. The two then started with their meal with Tsuna looking at his uncles from time to time. The boy wondered why his Uncles had such reactions and came up at a conclusion.

The boy started to cry.

Giotto started to panic. Not even a day with his son and he made him cry? "Tsuna what's wrong?"

"They hate me! Waaaaahhhhhhhh!" The boy sniffed.

"Who hated you?" Giotto asked wiping his son's tears away. Tsuna pointed at the guardians. It seemed to have snapped the guardians back to reality and now are all looking at the boy with guilt.

Giotto chuckled. "Of course not Tsunayoshi. They don't hate you." He ruffled his son's hair and smiled.

A little cheesy...but this is family fluff, so I think it's normal.

Tell me what you think...click the review button!

Next chapter would be Takeshi's turn.