Well, this idea came to me when I was listening to a song called Kizuna by Kamenashi Kazuya. I have no idea how I came up with it, but all of a sudden Momo pops into my head, and a story began to unfold. My brain really is incredible... =]

Disclaimer: I only own the names of Momo's siblings (he does have a brother and sister, both younger), Tatsuki and Takami. The Prince of Tennis belongs to Takeshi Konomi.

Warning: Swearing and child abuse in future chapters.

Momo winced as a loud crash echoed throughout the house, and knew his father was in one of his rages again. He waited a moment, and sure enough the crash was followed by a loud booming voice that filled the entire house. Unconsciously, Momo drew both of his knees to his chest and hugged them, resting his forehead on his folded arms. He endured listening to his father as he called his mother everything from "bitch" to "two-timing slut."

"N-nii-chan?"

Momo lifted his head from his arms at the soft whimper coming from the doorway. His little brother and sister were lingering near the door, their small hands grasping the frame and staring at the older brother with wide, glistening eyes. Momo gave them a grim smile and sat up, spreading his legs out in front of him and spread out his arms.

"C'mere," he whispered loud enough for them to hear. Without hesitation, the two young children ran to Momo's bed, lifted themselves up, and flung into his waiting arms. Momo hugged them gently, tenderly stroking their hair or backs. He felt both of them tremble as their mother shrieked something, followed by another crash.

"It's okay, you two. It's alright," he murmured into his sister's hair. Tiny hands grabbed his yellow shirt tightly, and his brother buried his face deeper into Momo's chest as he began to cry quietly. His sister followed suit shortly after. "You guys are safe with me, understand? Nothing will happen to you while I'm here."

They sat there on Momo's bed, listening to the shouting and wincing at the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Momo heard the front door slam and heavy footsteps going down the steps. His father was gone. All that was left was the sound of his mother sobbing.

Momo shuddered and looked down at his siblings. His sister Takami was fast asleep, her face flushed and tear-stained. But Tatsuki was still awake and staring at Momo. Once he saw Momo had caught him looking, Tatsuki spoke, his voice wavering slightly.

"Nii-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Why do kaa-san and tou-san hate each other?"

It was as though something had pierced Momo's heart. He stared at his little brother, a wave of sorrow crashing down on him. It was not fair. Tatsuki and Takami had seen horrors unimaginable to other children in the very place they were supposed to considered a safe haven. A home. They had lost some of their child innocence at a very young age. They were only six, for crying out loud ! Six! At that age, they were supposed to be care-free, oblivious to this kind of violence. Instead, they had been forced to grow up knowing it and experiencing it as well. Momo supposed he was also too young to have to experience the violence his parents inflicted on each other, but he wasn't as young as Tatsuki and Takami. Not even close.

It just wasn't fair.

"Nii-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you crying?"

Momo raised his head slightly in surprise and gently removed the hand that was resting on Takami's back and slid it over his eyes. Sure enough, he felt a warm wet substance on his face he hadn't even realized was there.

"Are you sad, nii-chan?" Tatsuki asked. Momo looked into Tatsuki's eyes. They were violet, like his own. He nodded. "Hai, Tatsuki. I am," he whispered.

Tatsuki's response was to wrap his small, fragile arms around his older brother, resting his head on Momo's chest in some form of consolation. Momo gave a watery smile at his brother and ran his hand through his curly locks gently.

"C'mon. Let's try to get some sleep, 'kay?" Momo whispered. He felt Tatsuki nod against his chest and carefully tried to move himself in a laying position, trying not to wake up Takami. Once he was comfortable, Takami moaned quietly in her sleep, snuggling closer to Momo and regaining any contact she might have lost during his movement. Tatsuki kept his arms around Momo's torso and head on his chest and slowly closed his eyes, his breathing getting lighter and steadier. Soon he was asleep too.

From where he lay, Momo observed them. This is what they were supposed to look like, he thought, feeling his eyes watering again. Peaceful, oblivious to the world around them, caught up in their own little world of dreams. Why couldn't life be as easy as that?

Mind full of troubled thoughts, Momo sighed and closed his eyes, falling into a fitful sleep, with his brother and sister in his arms.