Mama was dead. Papa hadn't been home for who knows how long and now there was an eviction notice on her house. Tsunahime was alone, hungry, and soon to be without a home. All in all it had been a horribly awful month. One that seemed would only get worse. With a sigh she went into her home and allowed herself the simple relief of slamming the door shut behind her.

"Tadaima." There was no answer.

She clambered up the stairs and began to search for a bag Better to pack now before she was thrown out.

The neighbors didn't even look at her as she passed, only whispered about her foreign father and mongrel blood as she passed. Head down in shame she let her hair hide her tears from the gossiping housewives. There was no one here with enough pity in their hearts to help her so she kept walking. On and on until she found herself in the dirty streets, the only streets the Hibaris let be, for reasons unknown to the common populace. This was the place that her mother had warned her of, that people gossiped, that generated scandal and pain. This was her new home for now, the only place that wouldn't look twice at a fourteen year old on the streets.

Leaving her small bag tucked behind some trash she began to move quickly through the streets, eyes peeled for any sort of job that she might be able to get. After hours of walking and eventually giving up for the night she returned to the trash, pulled out a wallet with what had once been a generous allowance that now was pitiful do to childish whims that now made her bitter. Tucking it away she curled behind the trash and prayed no one would find her through the night before eventually falling asleep.

(-)

"Pssst! Girl! Ya get up now! 'Ear me? Get up now!" Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Tsuna quickly through herself away from the body that was much to close to her. "Won't hurt ya, follow me and I'll give ya a place to stay." In the darkness of the alley Tsuna could barely make out the figure of a woman. Middle aged maybe, wary but knowing it was likely better than anything she could do for herself she stood and shook off the fear creeping up on her (don't do it, it whispered, not safe) and followed. Thanking whatever deity there was for this bit of kindness (except it wasn't, she should've listened to her voice).

"Around here I'm Madam."

"Tsuna." She replied, attempting to keep pace with the quick woman without tripping.

"How old are ya?"

"S-sixteen Madam." Maybe she would give her a job? (Later she wished that she had been wrong).

"Good age. Yer skinny tho'." They stopped at a back door of some indescript building, a quick knock and they were in.

(-)

It was so warm.

The warmth didn't last long. The place was a brothel and Madam had just brought in fresh meat, more specifically her. Any hopes of running away were crushed, a locked room and punishments were quick to change her thoughts.

Alone and in the dark for some indeterminate amount of time Tsuna came to realize something very important: she was worthless. Nobody wanted her or needed her, she had no place to go, was clumsy and useless and this was going to be the only place that would ever accept her.

Her training began. It became obvious to Madam quickly just how unrefined and clumsy this girl was. Tsuna couldn't help the shame that filled her when Madams eyes held disapproval and dismissal. Though the other girls were nice (they brushed her hair and told her that she, Dame-Tsuna was pretty, she had cried in happiness). They had to teach her how to be not useless, the thought of such a transformation overshadowed her fear and disgust towards the establishment. All she could think of was how pretty she felt with the girls, how confident she could speak, and how graceful she walked. And she had friends! People who taught her how to hide the bruises and listened to her and showed her how to get more tips and who laughed and smiled at her. This sense of not worthlessness made the dark brothel a savior to the orphan.

Two months of harsh (inhuman and disgusting) training to beat the worthlessness out of her and she was beautiful and wanted.

Her, Dame-Tsuna the orphan and unwanted was wanted. There was a sense of gratitude for the transformation. Now she had to repay her debt to madam, she had to be wanted and not worthless. And so she was given a new name and began a new life, as Chiruka.

(-)

It was scary, but her sisters said it always was the first time. So this was how it was supposed to be. Don't be scared this is right, this is being grateful, this is being wanted.

At fifteen she was wanted and special. Madam even let her go out unsupervised, she trusted her. Her. Tsu-Chiruka was trusted by Madam. And now she had a friend outside of the House as well. He was nice and gentle and spoke real soft like no one else had before.

He owned a cafe, the only one in this area so it was a busy place. But he always took the time to talk to her even when it was busy and even taught her how to make espresso!

She was wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. He wouldn't stop following her, everywhere. To the House, to the shops, on her walks. He wouldn't let her talk to the children or the workers. He was driving away customers and now she wasn't as wanted. She needed to be wanted before she became dame again. She needed to be wanted.

And now Madam was mad. For the first time since she had arrived she was locked up for causing 'trouble'. But Madam was right she was causing trouble that's why she wasn't wanted anymore. So when her punishment was done Chiruka proved herself. She showed that she was wanted, she let the man lure her away from the house. She let him.

The man didn't last long. Killed by yakuza for not paying a protection fee and the cafe was shut down. Chiruka went back to normal. Only it wasn't. She became sick and tired more easily. Two months of this until she was pulled aside and the sisters told her why she was ill. They cautioned her to hide it. Madam wouldn't be happy, this was proof that Chiruka had broken the rules (because business happens only in the house and soon, much too soon, Chiruka would understand why).

(-)

Chiruka was terrified. Though she had been punished Madam had never been angry with her, she was still wanted. She was still good for the House. But now there was something inside her (someone that would always want her) and she wanted to be good for Madam.

Four more months she hid it. Steadily growing accustomed and attached to her illness. Her illness would always want her. Always. And now Chiruka wanted it. More and more she began to dream of it, being there in her arms. But Madam knew, a customer had complained (though now there was no threatening whisper of unwanted at this complaint, there was no fear) of her swelling abdomen.

The sisters had been right. Madam was furious. She raged and yelled and screamed and hit her. Ungrateful. Ungrateful little whore. That's all she was now to Madam. Chiruka cried as pain bloomed in her stomach and blood seeped between her thighs. Madam left and didn't say a word. The sisters rushed in and pat her forehead and whispered (no, this wasn't happening she had four months) and held her down and wiped away the blood. They knew, they had known the consequences.

The baby was in her arms. A moment she had dreamed of for months on end, a beautiful image shattered. It was a girl. A beautiful, beautiful girl. A miracle who she loved, who would've loved her. The sisters left her alone and she broke.

She was so warm, and she looked like she was sleeping. Why couldn't she wake up? Why? Chiruka laid there and whispered,

"My baby, my baby wake up. Open your eyes. Please. Please." Lightning flashed and Chiruka wailed. She wailed and screamed.

Her little Setsuna never even had the chance to live.