Prologue

Namimori Preschool was swarming with parents and children, a sea of people that was only a blob of color. A small brunette boy watched on with a lack of interest as he looked down at his sheet of paper, scribbled with messy musical notes.

The sweet melody ran through his head as he slowly perceived each and every note with careful precision. How a small child could look so serious was beyond anyone's imagination. However, the boy didn't care. He never did to begin with anyway.

"Tsu-kun!" a voice said in the distance. "Tsu-kun, where are you?"

The boy delved deeper into the music, the music he created with his own hands. Such a delicious ability, to be able to create and destroy things with his very own hands. He felt something hit his head, but ignored it all the same.

"Dame-Tsuna!" a boy said, picking up another small rock. "Hey, are you deaf?"

He threw another rock but it was suddenly blocked by blue-haired woman who glared at the boy, making her scar stand out more. Tsuna started to wave his hand clumsily in the air, the music flowing through his body, as he seemed to conduct the invisible notes into a steady rhythm.

The other boy and his friends cowered, frozen in fear under the woman's fierce gaze.

"Go back to your mothers, kids," she said. "Or else you won't anymore."

They screamed and ran away, their eyes wide in fear. Tsuna paused momentarily and sat down on the ground, taking out a pencil from his bag. He started to scribble more notes on the paper, seeming to ignore the woman's presence.

"Tsu-kun!"

Another woman ran over to them, dressed up in a black suit and sunglasses. She sighed in relief when she caught sight of Tsuna and the other woman.

"Thank goodness," she said. "Thank you for finding him, Lal Mirch."

The blue-haired woman waved her off. "It's fine, Nana. Although, those little brats are getting on my nerve."

Nana crouched down to Tsuna's level with a gentle smile and took off her sunglasses. "Tsu-kun, what are you doing?"

Tsuna didn't respond as he continued writing down his composition. Nana's smile didn't falter as she patted his hair softly. "Tsu-kun, it's time to go home. Mama's going to make your favorite food. Do you like that, Tsu-kun?"

The small boy finished drawing the last note and first placed the pencil in his bag and then the paper carefully inside a folder. He looked up at his mother and blinked. "I stayed here, Mama."

"I know," Nana said with a smile. "You're a very good boy, Tsu-kun. Now let's go home."

Lal Mirch pressed her lips into a thin line. "Isn't the Gesso Famiglia coming? Wouldn't it be best for Tsuna to be somewhere else?"

Nana held Tsuna's hand and stood up. "You said it yourself, Lal Mirch. He doesn't have much friends here and I'm not exactly welcomed either. I can't trust anyone with Tsu-kun. He's too precious for me to lose. Iemitsu understands as well."

Tsuna walked alongside his mother while tapping his thigh in rhythm to the composition he created earlier. He was lost in the world of music again, the sweet melody speaking in a language that only he could understand. Unconsciously, he tightened his hold on his mother's hand.

The mothers around them whispered amongst themselves while pointing them out.

"Such a strange woman."

"And a problem child no less."

"I've heard her husband handles drugs in America."

"Really?"

Lal Mirch clenched her teeth together and counted to ten slowly in her head. She was this close to take out her gun and pumping lead in their stupid mouths. Instead, she clenched her hands into fists and kept on walking towards the black car that waited at the entranceway.

The chauffeur gave her an understanding look as he opened the door. "Tsuna-sama, watch your step."

The small boy suddenly walked in a much slower pace, looking down at his feet as they went in front of the other. His movements were a bit awkward and Nana had to hold on tightly in case he fell.

"Get in, Tsu-kun," she said.

Tsuna somehow managed to get inside the car and stood there, looking up at her with large, doe-like eyes. "I'm inside, Mama."

Nana laughed gently as she got in. She patted the seat next to her. "Sit next to Mama, Tsu-kun."

He immediately complied, snuggling in closer before he fell asleep, his head drooping a little. Nana placed his head gently on her lap, making him comfortable, and ran her hand through his hair with a smile.

Lal Mirch crossed her legs, her eyes serious. "Where are you going to put Tsuna?"

"I'll have him close to me," Nana said quietly. "I wouldn't want to trust anyone with his safety."

"If the Gesso Famiglia pulls something on us, you and Iemitsu will be the most likely targets to go down first. I can't guarantee Tsuna's safety, Nana. Maybe have Cirano monitor him. Tsuna doesn't stray too far."

Nana looked down at the small, fragile child. "But last time we almost lost him..."

Lal Mirch reached over and grasped her hand in a reassuring manner. "That was entirely my fault. And...I'm sorry." The woman struggled to get the words out, her eyes downcast.

Nana shook her head. "I wasn't watching either. None of us were prepared for that day." Her gaze hardened. "However, we made the Arcaro Famiglia pay dearly."

She sighed heavily, brushing a lock of hair from Tsuna's eyes. "How can such innocence be born into such a cruel world, Lal Mirch?"

The other woman looked at her sympathetically. "Tsuna's a smart kid. The underworld isn't that forgiving but he still has a family waiting for him. You and Iemitsu are the only things he have. As long as you're by his side, everything will be fine. Besides, you can't hide all of this from him forever. He'll figure it out one way or another."

The car slowly drove in a large driveway in an area far from Namimori. They drove up to the main entrance where a few people were waiting for them. The chauffeur opened the door and stepped to the side to let Lal Mirch and Nana out who was holding Tsuna delicately in her arms.

Iemitsu greeted them at the door with a grin. "How's my little tunafish?"

He kissed Nana on the cheek who smiled. "He's sleeping, dear. It's been a long day for him." She lowered her voice in a whisper. "Are they here yet?"

Iemitsu shook his head. "Stuck in traffic they said."
Lal Mirch gave orders to a few guards and they dispersed to their assigned posts, all armed with guns under their jackets and ear devices.

The large gates at the entrance opened and Iemitsu cursed under his breath. "Speak of the devil."

Nana unconsciously held Tsuna tighter in her arms. "I'm going to keep Tsu-kun with me."

Her husband blinked. "What? But - "

It was too late. The Gesso Famiglia's car screeched into a halt in front of them, making Nana cover Tsuna's ears and hold him even tighter. Iemitsu stiffened along with Lal Mirch who shifted her hand to her waist, prepared for any attacks.

The door opened and woman walked out, opening her arms grandly as if asking for an embrace. A broad grin spread on her lips, the purple tattoo under her eye becoming more pronounced. "Ah, Vongola! Greetings if I may. It's such a pleasure to visit you in your humble abode."

Iemitsu nodded back in reply. "How was the traffic, Elvira?"

"Dreadful!" the woman said, flicking a strand of her white hair behind her shoulder. "However, my husband and I managed somehow."

"Shall we commence with the meeting then?" Nana said as one of the guards opened the large doors into their home. "You must be exhausted."

"Yes, thank you," Elvira said with a smile. "Do you mind if I have my son with me as well?"

Nana blinked. "Your son?"

"Yes. Byakuran!"

A quiet boy shuffled out of the car with another man who had his hand on his shoulder. He looked almost like Elvira with the white hair and light purple eyes. There was a tattoo under his left eye as well. His father had one on his cheek, who contrasted his wife and son with his black hair and narrower eyes.

The boy bowed respectfully. He looked about two years older than Tsuna.

"That's fine," Iemitsu said quickly. "Follow us. It'll get cold soon."

"You have an adorable child," Elvira said.

Nana stayed quiet for a moment before saying, "Thank you."

They all left it at that.

Lal Mirch stood behind Nana while Cirano stood close to Iemitsu, his eyes trained carefully on the Gesso Famiglia who sat on the opposite side of the long table.

"Have you heard much about the Arcaro Famiglia?" Elvira said. "They seemed to have disappeared."

"They've been eliminated," Iemitsu said bluntly, his voice slightly stiff. "We've removed their records from the database and destroyed all of their files."

Elvira's husband raised a brow. "Eliminated? I apologize but we've never heard of such a thing."

"It was discreet and we kept it low for a while now. We've been planning to announce it at the end of the week."

Elvira sipped her cup of tea and tilted her head to the side a little. "And you eliminated them why?"

"They hurt Tsu-kun," Nana said, a little wary. "They've already had connections with human trafficking so we've already been planning to give them a fair warning on their situation. However - "

"Your child was the last straw," Elvira said with a smile. "I understand. It's fascinating to see what lengths a mother would take for her child. I would've done the same, if not, even worse if it were to happen to my son."

Byakuran shifted his glance towards his mother and then to his father before he stared down at his cup of orange juice.

"Children aside," her husband said. "We've came to discuss about the alliance pact."

"Whatever you have in mind isn't necessary, Hachiro," Iemitsu said. "Nono simply asks for your loyalty. However, there are some other things we have to discuss." His eyes narrowed. "We found trails of recent drug dealings in the Arcaro Famiglia's base that went back to your famiglia. Care to explain?"

Nana felt a shift in her arms and looked down to see Tsuna yawn and rub his eyes. "Piano."

She smiled. "Wait a little bit, Tsu-kun. Mama and Papa will be done soon."

Tsuna looked up at her confused. "Piano?"

Lal Mirch stepped forward. "I'll take him."

Nana looked uncertainly at him and he looked back with blank, almost pleading eyes. Her son was just too cute to resist. However, his safety was what mattered.

"Why don't you let Byakuran go with him, Nana?" Elvira said. "It'll be best for them to become friends and grow a strong bond."

Nana glanced at Iemitsu who squeezed her hand in comfort. Their silent message was registered in her brain.

It'll be alright.

She placed Tsuna on the ground who blinked innocently up at her. "Take Lal Mirch and Byakuran to the piano room, okay, Tsu-kun? Mama will be there soon."

The white-haired boy looked all too eager go, just wanting to get out of the stuffy room. Tsuna held Lal Mirch's hand and started to guide her towards the room of his precious piano, his steps eager.

Nana looked at him with an almost forlorn look in her eyes before she turned towards the Gesso Famiglia.

"Please continue."

Lal Mirch opened the large doors to the piano room and let Tsuna guide her inside. The room was simple and not too lavish, but it had an elegant, almost theater-like flair to it. A large Steinway piano sat in the center, bold and proud in its rigid stance.

Tsuna started to hum as he flipped open the piano and sat on the bench on his knees. His hands were small amongst the larger black and white keys.

Lal Mirch sat down on a chair and crossed her arms over her chest. The Gesso boy stood at the doorway, his eyes taking in the room almost calculatingly. In short, he was awkward and stiff, not knowing what to do.

"Come over and sit," Lal Mirch said. "There's a chair over there."

The boy blinked and slowly walked over to the chair, sitting down on it and immediately straightening his back.

Lal Mirch leaned back on her chair as Tsuna tested out a few notes, the sound piercing the air softly as he treaded along the keys.

It was a bit surprising to know he was sleeping just a moment ago and now turned into some obsessed piano maniac. Well, she came to live with it somehow. The underworld was simply a haven for nutjobs and insanity.

Tsuna scratched his head as his gaze fixated permanently onto the keys. He suddenly placed both of his hands on the piano and they started to fly, creating a small melody. It suited him perfectly, innocent yet...broken.

Lal Mirch snuck a glance at Byakuran who watched in awe of Tsuna's skill. For a moment, he looked like a normal child instead of the stiff, awkward boy of a mafioso. His eyes shone with eagerness and delight as Tsuna continued to play his simple piece when the brunette stopped, the last note resounding eerily in the air.

He continued to play a scale slowly, his eyes blank and lost in his own world.

"What is it called?" Byakuran said before glancing fearfully at Lal Mirch.

The woman stayed silent, watching Tsuna go up the keys and down. He looked as if he didn't hear what Byakuran said, making it even more awkward for the other boy.

Tsuna blinked and shuffled through his bag, taking out the composition he worked on earlier. He scooted over on the bench and looked at Lal Mirch.

She immediately understood and walked over to his side, sitting down next to him. Once she looked at the notes, she sighed. She might've taken piano for a while when she was younger, but she was still rusty with the instrument.

"Tsuna," she said, "you made yourself a complicated one."

The boy looked up at her almost innocently with his infuriating adorable eyes. "Four hands."

"I know." She flushed a bit in embarrassment, not sure how to tell him that she couldn't quite play complicated shit on the piano, four hands no less. And it's not like she could call Gokudera to come over from Italy and play - actually, the boy might. His loyalty bordered on obsessive, which she never saw in her lifetime.

"Can I try?" Byakuran said before looking down at his feet. "I-If I can..."

Lal Mirch pursued her lips in a thin line until Tsuna tugged her sleeve. "Four hands. Play together with me."

If the brunette never got his way, she'd be screwed. So she sighed and stood up, standing behind Tsuna who looked at her in confusion. "Come on. He'll have a fit if someone doesn't play with him."

Byakuran practically skipped over and sat himself down next to Tsuna, careful not to sit too close. He looked over the notes and scratched the back if his head. "Gee, you wrote all this?"

"You're not bothered by it?" Lal Mirch said carefully.

Byakuran shrugged. "Mozart started composing when he was five. I don't see much of a difference here."

Nice kid, Lal Mirch thought. It's a shame that he's part of the Gesso Famiglia though.

"I think I got it," Byakuran said. He smiled a little bit. "Do you want to start?"

Tsuna didn't respond as he immediately started to play, his eyes closed as he let himself immersed within the soul of the music. Byakuran quickly backed him up at the fourth measure, following his assigned notes dutifully.

Their notes rang soulfully in the air, overlapping with great synchronicity. Even Lal Mirch found herself entranced by the music's spell. Tsuna looked at Byakuran, still continuing to play with curiosity in his eyes. The other boy was too busy with the piece, adding in a couple improvisations.

Tsuna then ended his part with a loud bang as Byakuran went up in a scale before ending with a high C note. The note echoed in the silence, fading softly into oblivion.

"Oh, dear, that was simply wonderful!" Elvira said suddenly from the door, clapping daintily. "However, we must leave. Byakuran, darling, come."

The boy looked torn as his gaze shifted to Tsuna who played a small melody with his right hand, tapping his leg in rhythm with his left. "I have to go now. Let's play again, okay?"

Tsuna stopped and looked at him, blinking innocently. He reached over to hold Byakuran's hands and traced them gently with his pointer finger. The other boy blushed, not used to this kind of intimacy.

The brunette then took his composition and gave it to him carefully, smoothing out any wrinkles. "Play it for me, okay?"

Byakuran blinked. "But this is - "

"I have it here," Tsuna said, tapping his head. "I don't need it."

Lal Mirch looked on with interest and a bit of wariness. Tsuna wouldn't give any of his compositions away so easily. Hell, it took him months before he gave Gokudera one piece. What did he see in this boy?

Tsuna then seemingly dismissed him as he started to play a few random notes on the piano, lost in his own world again. Byakuran awkwardly stood up. "Thank you. I'll play it everyday. I promise."

The brunette didn't give any indication that he even heard him. He bowed towards Lal Mirch and shuffled out of the room.

The woman watched him leave and gave Elvira a small nod of farewell, her body tense in case she tried to pull something. Elvira smiled and left without another word, closing the door behind her.

Tsuna stopped and took his small bag with him, getting off the piano bench. "I'm hungry."

Lal Mirch held him up in her arms with a small smile. "Let's get you something to eat then. Mama said she would make your favorite dish."

Tsuna made himself comfortable in her arms as they both left the room, the piano lonely once again.

A/N This is dedicated to sakura Lee Ho. ^^

Hopefully you guys enjoyed it! Aspergers Syndrome is another form of autism, but not too severe compared. People who are diagnosed with this are still able to maintain average intelligence and some form of social life.

Byakuran is acting the way he is now because he's still a child. He'll be somewhat himself in future chapters.

Thank you for reading! See you in the next chapter.