[small edit; I just changed the summary, do you guys like it better? Should I change it back or again to something different? The old one was this; 'AU-Running away from the orphanage:check Getting lost in a forest:check Now finding a place to stay... Join our fave 8 KHR charas as they live in a house with 7 other familiar people'. I would appreciate some help in this because summaries are hard and I really want to give you all the best one possible. Summaries are like a first impression and I wouldn't want to give anyone one of this fic before they even gave it a shot]

Nat: It hasn't been a year yET

God I just, I'm so sorry for anyone who even bothers to follow this fic. I have more stuff planned out then I ever did and we got at least 6 chapters left (at least? Wow why I'm probably wrong so wrong) These chapters are probably (hopefully not) goanna be pretty unexciting for awhile and it will quickly pick up near the end but I just, I enjoy pacing so like it's hard man.

Anyways this has been delayed by summer procrastination, gaming (animal crossing KH 1.5 and soon to be pokemon xy) and the fact school started! I'm in grade 12 now and sigh, I had two tests today and my reward is writing fic yup

Anywayssss, just let's get on with this.

**Chapter Nine**

***One Way or Another***

To put it simply; Tsuna was tired.

For lack of a better word Tsuna was dead tired.

He could not remember the last time he had had a proper night's sleep. And, he supposed, this was his own doing, he had requested this after all, though still he could not help but feel a strong sense of regret as he stumbled down the hall for what felt like forever. His body ached in many places and his mind whined at him for allowing this to happen.

A six year old child was not expected to have so much strength and their small frames were never meant to exert so much energy on such things. Yet somewhere deep inside he felt like this was necessary, he did not know for what, but he did.

It had been little over a week since he began training with Giotto, he helped every chance he got (which was more often than Tsuna had expected if he was honest), and Tsuna was slowly but surely improving himself. Giotto focused on training his physical body, making his endurance and physical capabilities higher. He forced him to continue to just past much too tired, as a way of forcing his body to adjust. And, on the rare occasion that Natsu would subconsciously take over, he was put back into control.

The physical training was for his body so it did not matter who did it but Giotto was adamant on Tsuna learning to handle himself without the help of Natsu. A fact which Tsuna understood, and Natsu agreed with, but could not comprehend why it was so important. Natsu was a part of him, it's not like he could go anywhere. Still though Tsuna abided by the rules no matter how tired his body was.

Even his rests were not relaxing; Giotto had asked Natsu to train him in controlling and using his flames, as since it was a mental capability the skills learned while sleeping would transfer to his waking self. So even when he slept and entered their shared mindscape Tsuna would continue his never-ending training.

He would admit to Natsu being much more lenient than Giotto though, and perhaps that was because the other had such a natural, almost obsessive, care for him, he could not bear to see Tsuna so downtrodden and tired. So he was given plenty of breaks, even though flame wielding was a much more calm and relaxing task than physical training.

He sighed, leaning against the nearest wall, today Giotto was busy and could not train him and although he had tasked Natsu with continuing his flame control lessons he had, however, stubbornly refused to do so. He insisted Tsuna needed his rest and today was a fine day to get it.

But Tsuna was bored; there was nothing to do here all by himself! And he was alone, when his friends had learned of his intentions to get stronger they had eagerly gotten behind the idea and said they would get stronger too. He wasn't sure how well that was going; he knew some of his friends had found a tutor in one of Giotto's guardians just like himself but others were doing things their own way. He wasn't exactly keen on finding out what exactly those ways were.

"You should go outside, get some fresh air, it will relax you."

"But I've done it so many times there's nothing to do out there" he whined like a true six year old; "I wanna go in the forest but Giotto-nii-san said no" continuing on with a pout "and it makes absolutely no sense since we came from the forest! There's nothing dangerous out there." Voice firm in his oh so very childish decision.

"It's for your own safety" Natsu calmly chided, ever the worrywart.

Part of Tsuna wanted to argue he was not some defenceless child; but the more rational part of him told him he was at the very least a child. Still; ration meant very little to a bored child or, any child really. "Well I don't care if it's for my own good! It's such a dumb rule." He was speaking rather loudly though he really didn't care, Tsuna rarely spoke out loud to Natsu, because since no one aside from Giotto or Enma (and did Enma even know?) knew he was they would most definitely look at him oddly if he would rant at rave at seemingly nothing. So Tsuna could only speak out loud to him when no one else was around to see, not that that happened often, it felt more like Natsu was a real person standing next to him.

"I cannot condone actions you do which you know could come to harm you; it stands against everything I am for Tsunayoshi." He wanted to cringe at the name usage; Natsu rarely called him Tsuna, let alone Tsunayoshi. He could almost feel the disappointment radiating of off him but he stood firmly against him.

"I'll be fine; I've been training to protect myself haven't I?" He could feel Natsu bristle within him, his skin feeling warm as the other shuffled inside as if fighting the need to control him and take over.

"You feel what I feel and I know what you know; so I know you feel slightly uneasy about this. Even so, if this is your desire I will not fight against it; despite my personal feelings about it." Tsuna constantly found himself wondering how someone who was supposed to exist for as long as he had could sound so much older than he. And as he thought this he felt the warmness that seemed to constantly course through him vanish.

"... Natsu-nii?" He felt cold and not because the warmness has left him, it simply felt like something inside him had frozen solid. "Natsu-nii" He tried again, this time with a firmer voice.

The warmness returned, albeit hesitantly, and Tsuna breathed a sigh of relief. Passing the sudden occurrence off as simply Natsu being upset with him however, he did not question the other on the subject; he probably didn't want to talk about it. The warmness seemed to spike for a moment, it almost burned, before tapering off to its normal heat; was Natsu doing this on purpose?

He frowned; he and Natsu had never fought, though his knowledge of the other was a short time only, and he did not like the idea of it. Especially if this was the way Natsu did it, though he really couldn't believe that, Natsu was not so childish as to do such a silly thing just because he was angered.

He hesitated; suddenly this all felt like a bad idea, but what else was he to do? The mansion, though vast, held little to entertain him, he was sure the maids could give him something to do but he did not want to disturb them from their duties, didn't want to disturb anyone really.

So, shrugging off the sinking feeling of apprehension that felt like it was about to pull him under and drown him in worries (he shook his head because this feeling was silly he was safe), he headed off in the direction of the exit to the forest. He idly wondered which of his friends was outside when he heard the faint sound of metal clashing as he passed by the window.

~o~

Hibari prided himself in many things; his strength for a boy his age ranking pretty much first. It wasn't first though; his actual first remained a secret, because it was his pride and although he took pride in it he was not one to flaunt it around. He kept it close to his heart and protected it and no one could know this lest someone try to use it against him; he would not stand for this for it was far too precious to him.

He frowned and gritted his teeth, mentally berating himself for getting so off-track, and focused on the situation on hand. The man before him was tall, as most people were given his age (and he would admit, despite how it annoyed him, that he was a bit on the shorter side (1)), and gave such off an annoyed air that the only other person Hibari could imagine it on was he himself. And that annoyed him to no end; how this man reminded him so easily off himself; it made him feel like a no-good copy.

And he despised anything that made him feel less than worthy, which made him feel weak. These thoughts spurred him on in his attacks, along with other unbidden memories from both present and past. He glared coldly at the man, what was his name again, barely containing a snarl at the pleased smirk that graced his face. The man was mocking him, and was doing so openly, it made him furious. Beyond furious, words could not describe the unbridled rage he felt as he looked at the amusement flickering in those eyes. So despite knowing he was most likely playing straight into the elder's hands he continued his fruitless assault.

He shifted, no longer simply dodging his clumsy (he was never this disorganized when attacking and the anger it caused only worsened the situation) attacks, and reached a hand forward grabbing one of tonfas as his own weapon clasped around Hibari's wrist.

A pair of Handcuffs.

He had noticed them earlier; it was what he would used to defend with when he wasn't dodging. He had assumed it was just a further mockery of his abilities but he was beginning to think it was an actual weapon the other used. Which was strange; for lack of a better word. Who used the tool to constrain already captured criminals as the actual weapon; it was ridiculous and seemed very inefficient. Though he had to be honest and say that the other man could probably handle himself with them just fine.

And okay; what was this man's name because he knew it and it was starting to irk him having to say 'this man' or the like in his head so many times. It started with an A he remembered that much. It was French sounding as well; the man kind of looked French too so that wasn't too surprising. So what was his name? Something like a cloud, aloud? No those were just words; though it sounded something like that. A... laude?

Yes, that was it; Alaude.

The annoying man who had handcuffed him while still wearing that, oh so wonderful, half smirk was named Alaude. As if the knowledge of his name would make his glare do anymore damage he glared at the man with all annoyance and anger he could muster; which, granted, was a lot. Still, Alaude said nothing as the smirk slipped off from his face and he stared silently at the small boy before him. He let out a barely audible sigh before yanking Hibari up by his wrist until the two were facing each other eye to eye.

"Are you going to continue your incessant attacking on me?" He spoke curtly and tiredly Hibari noted, though little annoyance or anger laced the tone. Whether that was because he did not feel it or was good at hiding it mattered little to Hibari as he glared coldly at him.

Alaude stared into his eyes for a second, as if waiting for a response and wanting to see his exact reaction, before speaking once again. "I will take that as a no." He let out another sigh, this one much more audible, and pinched the bridge of his nose; mumbling something under his breath that Hibari could not hear despite the close proximity.

"You really are an interesting kid."

"..."

"You all are; an odd bunch the lot of you."

"..." Despite his silence he shot the man another glare, who simply raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want?"

"You annoy me, more so than that infuriating pineapple."

"Yes."

"You anger me." Alaude nodded.

"You are stronger than me, as much as it bothers me to admit." He looked off to the side and frowned before looking back at Alaude who stared at him; impassive but patient. "Would you, please, help me get stronger?" He did not like asking for help, he could not remember the last time he had asked for help. He had long since learned to take care of himself and, if need be, others. It almost pained him to have to ask someone for help, especially on this.

"Why?" It was a simple question, but it still bothered him. Probably because he could tell despite the other asking he knew perfectly well what the answer was already. And it irked him; that this man could read him so easily. Since his parent's only two people had been able to see through him so easily; Tsuna and, as much as he hated to admit it, Mukuro. He occasionally thought Yammamoto, as behind that idiotic mask he could be quite perceptive, but never as spot on those two were. As this man was proving to be, and he could not stand this, that after knowing him for so little the man could know him so well. He did not like it one bit.

It would seem as though while Hibari was lost in his thoughts Alaude had found the answer he was looking for; and promptly dropped Hibari, who managed to catch himself before he thudded unceremoniously into the ground. "Fine, I don't have anything to do right now; we can begin."

Hibari tried his best to contain his excitement as the words left Alaude's mouth; it was easier to do when the elder gave him a knowing smirk. Staring dazedly ahead for a moment he shook his head and quickened his pace to catch up with the other, who had started walking away a small while ago.

He would get stronger; he had too. (2)

~o~

He had somehow gotten lost; a fact that did not surprise him, but greatly annoyed him. Honestly why was it always so hard for him to get around places, he navigated places that had no set maps, like forests and the like, quite easily. Though place him in any sort of building and he'd get lost one fifth of a second after entering. It was as if getting a lost was a talent, an art, and he most definitely exceeded at it. It had been like that forever really; he had plenty of vague recollections of being alone in some kind of building frantically looking around yet not being able to find what he was searching for. He was too small and quiet for anyone to notice him so he really didn't know how he would always end up found, he just remembers being where he needed to be, a safe place with his parents, with an extremely drowsy feeling overtaking him. He questioned little about it; he was safe and not much else mattered.

Not that any of that mattered right now; he was lost and wide awake so his hazy memories would do little to help his current situation. With a resigned sigh Tsuna swept his gaze across the room, none of it looked familiar, or, perhaps more accurately, everything looked far too familiar. The entire building looked like copy after copy of the exact same hallway, how all the people in this building managed to not only not get lost, but, know where everything was, was completely astounding to Tsuna. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to memorize anything other than a vague knowledge that rooms were in a general direction. And even then, that knowledge seemed to fail him as well, considering his assumption that the exit was this way had led him astray. He wasn't even sure what branch of the building he was in at this point, the fact the building itself had branches should've been enough notice to Tsuna that he would never succeed in navigating this treacherous local. How he wished Natsu would talk to him, if not to guide him to just simply give him someone to talk to. For this aimless silent wandering was more than certainly grating on his nerves.

This was partly, if not mostly, his own doing. He could've easily asked any one of the passing maids or occasional guard the way; but he had to have been firm in not distracting them from their duties. He had not wanted to be a nuisance and now he payed the price of being lost in god knows what part of the mansion. There was no hope of that happening now though; this area looked too bright and smelled too nice; which meant that the maids had already cleaned her, and, would not be here for the rest of the day, if not extremely late into the night. The chances of a guard walking by were probably higher, he had seen only a few during his stay here and didn't really know how they worked, he assumed they just walked around certain areas of the mansion during certain times; and knowing neither or of those facts left him pretty much at a lost. So really, the only thing he had left to do was continue to wander around until he either, a, magically found a way to his destination or, b, he happened upon someone, anyone, that could lead him there.

Finding option A the much more plausible situation at the moment he began his walk, trudge really, towards well somewhere. Anywhere to be honest, because, if he was lost he, obviously, couldn't get more lost.

'With my luck that'll probably happen though.' He bitterly thought, features pulled into an, almost grimace, pout.

The expression still plain on his face he continued walking on, stuffing his hands in a jacket he had no recollection owning; he had a lot of new clothing actually. He assumed it had been bought for him at some point after he began staying here and the thought made him blush. He had not wanted to impose having already asked so much of his current caretakers. He had thanked them profusely through stuttering words and a nervous smile. Though they had brushed his thanks aside saying it was nothing; he assumed as much to be true, given the enormous size of the place and the fact everything looked too expensive to even touch, but still he was grateful and wanted them to know.

He was taken from his musings as he heard the distinct rustle of crinkling paper; his left hand had touched some sort of paper, though he didn't remember putting anything in there. Curiosity spiking he grasped onto the piece of paper, gingerly removing it from its cotton filled confine. The paper was slightly wrinkled, though more or less fine thanks to it being neatly folded. He smiled, instantly recognizing the familiar writing scrawled across the small folded square.

To: Juudaime

I hope this helps!

Carefully unfolding the paper he was met with a carefully, and intricately, drawn map of the whole mansion (3), each room labeled and numbered for his convenience. It took him awhile to find where he was, a bit of guesswork coupled with opening nearby doors, but he managed. It turned out that he had indeed gone the right way (he did a little dance that at least his general direction instinct was right) and was not too far from where he needed to be; though he did seriously doubt he would've found his way there by himself despite its proximity. He sent a silent thank you to Gokudera wherever he was and made a mental note to more than graciously thank the other when he saw him again.

~o~

He paused; taking a deep, calming, breath before lifting the slightly too large object up. He pulled the string taught and took aim, though, by a moment's hesitation, he faltered and his hand slipped slightly causing the arrow to fly off course. It still managed to hit the target though strayed a bit to the left, instead of hitting the middle like he had intended. He held back a groan of frustration, managing to simply sigh quietly and dejectedly, and placed the bow gently on the ground; instead of throwing it like he so desperately wanted.

He sank to his knees and places his head between them. He had not managed to hit the exact middle of the target once in all his attempts and there had been many attempts, too many, he lost count a long while ago. And yes he supposed he could blame part of it on the fact the bow was too large for him, he had been lucky enough to find this one really; no one who should be using a bow should be this small. But he knew that wasn't it, in fact, he felt extremely comfortable with it's slightly too large size, as if a bit to big was just right for him.

Running a hand through sweat soaked silver locks he let out a garbled noise that sounded somewhere between a guttural groan and a strangled sigh. He needed to improve. He had too. There was no other option here. He improved, he got stronger; a stronger him could protect Tsuna better. He was not naive, for all his annoyed comments he knew he was not as strong as Hibari, who was taught from a young age, or Mukuro, who he preferred to not know why he could fight so well (4). He knew slightly more than the basics, from a time he chose not to think about, and had learnt how to hold a bow; though those lessons had not gotten much farther than that. Other than that he was pretty much useless, and he could no longer bear to be such.

If he could not get stronger than he could not protect, and what was even the point if he couldn't protect the person that meant so much to him. The person who had so unconditionally and lovingly accepted him. The first person to ever look upon him with eyes, not full of disdain or pity, simply an unabashed concern for his well being. He could remember with such distinct clarity that moment they had met, how the other has brushed aside his cruel words, as if he could detect their insincerity, and simply guided him along. It was in that moment that he had decided that he would follow the other, follow him like a puppy would its master, because he would honestly admit to feeling like that sometimes. Though those words were kept quietly to himself, as Tsuna would never allow him to speak of himself in such a way, and again his heart swelled, how he could see so much more in him, in anyone, then he could ever see in himself.

He admired that in the smaller boy; a heart willing to accept all despite faults. And he was so young, not that Gokudera had much room to say anything about that, yet at times his eyes seemed to betray a knowledge, a distinct know how of the ways of the world, that seemed far beyond his years. The moments were always fleeting and sometimes he considered it a trick of the eye, because why would Tsuna ever look like that, though still the image remained printed in his mind and wanted so bad to make it so he never had to make such a face. So he could smile freely without care; he wanted a world where his precious person, precious people, could simply be utterly and unconditionally happy.

Yet this simple but much too crucial wish would remain unfilled if he could not stronger, if he could not attain the strength necessary to protect their happiness. Standing up on shaky feet, purposefully ignoring the way his vision blurred around the edges, he grabbed the bow and lifted it with a grip so tight that his knuckles were turning a startlingly stark white. His hand shook violently and he knew full well he wouldn't hit the target, because even without shaky hands the target was no more than a semi-colourful blur off in the distance. But he needed to try, he needed to get better, he had no options beside this.

So he stood there, form almost swaying as he struggled to focus, aiming practically blind at the target that lay before him. His grip slackened slightly, knuckled lightening in colour, before completely dropping the weapon eyes staring dejectedly at it. He had failed, he knew it, he could feel it, and the pressure seemed to be just mounting on him. Pressure he had placed there himself, pressure he was sure a child should never have to deal with. But then again he had always been smarter than kids his age and it seemed the age his knowledge betrayed attracted problems to match.

He sighed and rubbed a hand across his tear filled eyes, the tears mixed with sweat and did little to actually dry his eyes, but he felt better after. He felt calmer, like breathing was suddenly a million times easier, and with an overwhelming feeling of confidence he once again picked up the bow; green eyes flashing with determination. He lifted the bow to eye level and held the string taught, placing yet another arrow on it he eyed the target, focused solely on it. He took in one more calming breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment of reprieve, before snapping them open again with a much fiercer and pointed gaze. This was it, he was going to do it this time, a giddy kind of feeling overwhelmed him as he slowly began to release the string, excitement bubbling deep inside, he smiled as he was just about to let go and–

"You're grip is far too tight brat." The surprise startled him out of his focused position and he cursed silently to himself.

He whirled on the man, anger spiking, as he glared straight at him; "What's your problem you overgrown, self-entitled child." The insult was weak and not exactly true, but he was angry and frustrated and he really shouldn't have it held against him.

"Self-enti- whatever not important; I'm just trying to help kid." He wasn't looking Gokudera in the eye and Gokudera was about ninety percent certain that the man looked embarrassed.

He tsked, annoyed the man had the gall to even say those words; "I asked you for help and, your exact words were 'Brats like you should sit around and play dumb games instead of learning how to beat the shit out of people' so why the change of heart. And I don't want some dumb shit reason like you just felt it was right, if you can't give me a good reason than don't give one at all." He clutched tightly the sides of his shirt, refusing to look at the other after the first glance, because if he did than he could ignore the nagging at the back of his head.

G was silent for awhile, and despite knowing he hadn't Gokudera half hoped the other had walked away. "Then I guess I don't have a reason." There was a certain lilt to his voice that Gokudera had never heard before from him, it felt familiar, as if he had heard it before, but he could not place it.

He spared him a glance; he was still slightly turned away from him though he was looking at him, once he saw him looking however he raised a hand to his chin, scratching it absently as he laughed slightly awkwardly. It was an expression he was more than familiar with; he had seen it so many times before, on Tsuna on Yammamoto and occasionally on Chrome. An expression of someone who meant well, wanted well, but were somewhat unsure of what to do. And it was as he realized this that the tone in the others voice clicked for him. It was concern and caring. It was why his head nagged at him, because the other cared about his wellbeing and he refused to see it.

Though even at all the facts displayed before him it was hard for him to believe. And that wasn't his fault at all; his unconditional trust in Tsuna was an exception, because he could feel the other was different right away. He still remained wary of the world for all it had done, even those with sweet words and, in the end, precious lies sought only to better their own lives. He had seen it happen again and again; and he could never be sure who was truthful in their sentiments. So that was why despite everything he didn't believe, couldn't believe in the others sincerity.

It would make it all hurt less should it all go to hell.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to give the other a chance, because if he was going to believe in someone else than Tsuna, and perhaps, truly, the rest, he could start with a man who reminded him of himself, and seemed genuine enough in speech.

"... What advice do you have?" G's eyes snapped down at him; both eyebrows raised a miniscule amount before going back to their normal, slightly furrowed, positions. The other smiled, it was small and bordered on a smirk, but he smiled and Gokudera could feel the warmth spread around him and dust his cheeks the slightest shade of pink.

He began to speak but Gokudera was barely registering the words, he simply focused on the way he positioned his arms, gentle but firm hands as the other spoke, in words he could not hear but a tone he could understand, and told him what to, and not, do. And Gokudera thought that maybe learning to trust outside his small world maybe wasn't the worst thing to do, though he still hesitated to actually and full heartedly do it.

With the map in hand Tsuna had quickly and easily found his way to the exit he had spent the better portion of the morning searching for. For as much as his sense of direction failed him his ability to read and follow them was exceptional; as if the two things were not mutually exclusive and being good at both at the same time was physically impossible. Shaking away silly thoughts he stared at the expansive door before him, a large part of him screamed no, but what did that part know? It didn't exactly say anything bad would happen, just largely suggested he plain not do it. And while similar in nature it was two different things and one didn't exactly relate to the other. At least, not today, not now, not when he really, desperately, needed out from this mansion before he went insane.

He glanced side to side, knowing full well it was empty but it was a distraction and waste of time, before taking a deep breath and sighing. "Natsu-nii if you have anything against me leaving this mansion you should say it now; or else I'm going, not joking at all."

He was met with the same oppressive, choking, silence and he wanted to scream and cry until the other responded. But he somehow knew that wouldn't work. The warmth within began to flow, gently like waves in the ocean, throughout him and he felt himself involuntary relaxing. And as nice as it was he found himself frowning, Natsu was there but refused to talk, and since he didn't seem to be angry he couldn't figure out why he was being so silent.

He frowned, frustrated he understood so little about his technically double, and swung the door open, not at all caring for the loud thud it made as it banged against the wall. If he had made too much noise a guard would come running and fine nothing wrong; it didn't make a difference to him. Not right now at least.

The frown still on his face, marring his usually beaming face with frustration and slight despair, he headed out into the forest; pointedly ignoring the dull ache he felt as he walked in.

Because nothing bad was going to happen, he could feel that much, what was making him so anxious was beyond his capabilities to understand.

Words: 5,429

(1)- It's late and i'm sick as well as headache so i'm not goanna bother properly looking this up; this is mostly observation anyways. Hibari, despite being one of the oldest among them, is second shortest (chrome and lambo (though i think 15yr old him is taller) excluded) among them, he's pretty short and it's kind of funny.

(2)- Mmm, explaining shit bear with me, in chapter 5 I think it is Clara states that Hibari and Alaude were sleeping side by side, yet this chapter Hibari seems to have a distinct dislike for him. It's not that Hibari has a distinct like or dislike of him, he respects him as a capable fighter, but frustration over what happened with Tsuna has led to misplaced aggression (also seeing someone who looks like him be so much stronger does offend and hurt him on a much deeper level than he's willing to admit) but they are pretty chill. As chill as they can be anyway.

(3)- Who remembers this from chapter 2? Now Gokudera actually did already give to him, but Tsuna promptly forgot about it in all the commotion and a maid later put it in a coat pocket when she found it on the desk worried it would get lost or ruined. The true reason this is numbered is so i can say holy shit i managed to cram nearly 1,000 words out of Tsuna getting lost and finding that paper; it's truly an accomplishment.

(4)- Despite what I might have led you to believe these kids have like -5 battle experience. Chrome, Lambo and Yammamoto have none. Gokudera and Ryohei have basics (though Ryohei learned his from tv). Hibari you know and Mukuro learned to fight at some point in his hazy experiences in the lab, and even without he is rather talented with his illusions. Tsuna is an exception because he does have zero experience like the first 3 but due to his flame, and really Natsu, he is quite the capable fighter. So that door scene from chapter one could really only be done by Hibari (though it is a slight stretch; chalk it to innate flame ability and hidden power), Mukuro, and Tsuna had he really and desperately put his mind to it.

Nat: Though I disappear for months on end at least I can come back with decent sized chapters I guess (honestly we could've kept going but I wanted to post something). I had thought to simply just write Tsuna's entire story here in one chapter but then I didn't know how to really include the others. I wanted to incorporate their stories, because they are important and bonding is fun, and as I wrote that line right before I cut off the first time I figure out how to do it. I had initially planned to just continue after that but I found as I wondered who exactly I was talking about I could actually write it down. So this way I can incorporate these things while still managing a better flow and more engaging story (while i'm not saying it is any of this it is certainly more of it than other options would've been) and it makes me really happy. I don't want to bore and I feel like this does it the least out of any other way.

Please keep in mind that these are all simultaneous stories, and while you get smaller clumps of other characters that get much farther ahead than Tsuna who gets large clumps that advance only seconds in time, they are all happening at the same time. As Tsuna goes throughout his day you will catch glimpses of the other kids' day. I don't know if you'll get more than these glimpses but for now it's something. Hopefully part two will have the rest of the kids, though most definitely 3 glimpses and hopefully the forth, finally encompassing all characters and finishing our little circle.

I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up, I've been in a writing mood and managed to finish this in under a week (averaging about 1k a day) and finish pokemon xy while i was at it haha (10/10 would recommend). I'm still in the mood but I have to focus a bit on school right now I have to go start (finish really it's due Friday) my French Fable and I got my chemistry mark back and i really need to bring it up (thankfully i know i did well on most of our lab so it should bring me up even just one percent) this mark needs to be at least a 75 if I want to at least let my other marks bring me up.

So until I find the time to write, or my muse decides my education and the fact I need to apply to Uni in a month is unimportant, I'll be gone; I should find time before the year ends so it hopefully should only be a less than three months wait.

Until next time, thanks for reading!