Summary: AU, Abandoned by his 'family', Tsuna is found by the Arcobaleno and becomes their new Sky. However, the sheer trauma of his past tainted his pure flame a midnight black. Tsuna loses all reason and becomes bent on getting revenge on the ones who caused him to suffer. What happens when Reborn is sent to train Giotto, the cause of Tsuna's suffering?

Notes: Keep in mind that this is AU.

Beta'd by WaiiKitsune

Disclaimer: Akira Amano owns Katekyo Hitman Reborn

Tsuna grasped the door handle tightly in his tiny hand and turned it slowly and carefully, taking care to open the living room door without a sound. He had to be quiet; he didn't want to be caught spying on something that he wasn't supposed to hear. His father had repeatedly told him that he was going to teach his older brother something that he himself couldn't learn until he was older. Tsuna honestly didn't understand that; he was only a few months younger than Giotto! However, Tsuna didn't want to argue with his father, knowing that it wasn't the behavior of a good child despite being so young, and so he had quietly watched as the pair walked into the living room and shut the door tightly behind them. His curiosity was too great, however, and he couldn't help but be drawn to whatever was happening behind that closed door.

Sawada Tsunayoshi –as nicknamed 'Tsuna'– was a young boy, barely 5 years old and was always curious about practically everything. His caramel-colored eyes shown with innocence and his adorably chubby cheeks made just about everyone fall victim to his undeniable charms. His chestnut-brown hair spiked in every direction despite numerous attempts to tame it; it simply defied gravity in incomprehensible ways. Tsuna was also very short for his age, not to mention smaller and weaker than most boys his age. His boundless energy and determination made up for it, however; he would always try his best at everything no matter what it was, never giving up even if he failed.

His older brother, Sawada "Giotto" Ieyatsu –known and addressed more commonly as 'Giotto', was also 5 years old, though he was older than Tsuna by just a couple of months. His eyes were a brilliant blue, as though one was staring into the endless, wide skies. His hair was a golden yellow, and also spiked in various directions like Tsuna's. Giotto was also taller than Tsuna by about a head (much to the younger's indignation), and a tad stronger than his younger brother. Giotto used this to his advantage, making sure to protect his precious little brother from everyone who tried to hurt him.

Tsuna peered through the small crack between the door and the door frame as his father showed Giotto an orange flame that he lit up on his hand. Something clicked within Tsuna and he was instantly fascinated by the "magic trick", captivated by it like a baby with a new toy. The flames were bright and lively, flickering as though it was dancing, and appeared to have materialized from nowhere. He saw his father whisper something to Giotto and, eager to know what his brother was told, Tsuna strained his ears to catch every word. He was so focused on hearing what his dad had to say, however, that he let his guard down.

Tsuna flinched, barely managing to stop himself from jumping up or squeaking when he felt hands on his thin shoulders. Tsuna turned around reluctantly, knowing fully well that he had been caught red-handed. Avoiding his mother's stern gaze, Tsuna stared down at the hardwood floor, pretending to be fascinated by the various lines in the wood. His mother, who was holding him still by the shoulders, had a worried look on her face as she watched the youngest try to hide the obvious guilt that he felt. Before long, she gave in, sighing softly in defeat and as she let her usual smile slip back on her face.

"Tsu-kun, would you like to help me make lunch? We are going to have sandwiches today," Nana asked gently, no evidence of disapproval in her tone. Nana understood the reason behind Tsuna's disobedience and hence decided to let the young brunet off the hook; all children were naturally curious when they were young. Still, she couldn't help but worry at how her husband would react if he knew that Tsuna had seen the flame.

Tsuna looked up at that, his caramel eyes shining in eagerness. He nodded vigorously in agreement and allowed his mother to lead him to the kitchen, extremely excited that his mother was going to let him help her with making lunch. Because he was naturally clumsy –tripping on air and always dropping whatever he was carrying, Tsuna was often told to keep out of the kitchen, lest he accidentally injure himself (or others). There were a few rare occasions when Tsuna was allowed to help out in the kitchen, and so he valued every opportunity, finding the art fascinating and fun. Despite being excited about helping out with the lunch-making, however, Tsuna couldn't help but let his thoughts trail back to the flame that he saw his father make. Tsuna was happy that he wasn't going to be punished for his disobedience; his mother was letting him off the hook and he was grateful for that. He knew that he wasn't supposed to peek –his father had made that very clear, but he couldn't help it with his curiosity. But he felt that the flame was calling out to him –it was as if he was destined to have it, to wield it. Given his young age, Tsuna didn't understand all of these emotions coursing through him. What he did understand, however, was the warmth stirring inside him when he saw that bright orange flame.

Tsuna resolved to make the flame himself –he would show everyone that he isn't a 'little boy' anymore. He wanted to prove to his father that he was a 'big boy'; just as big as his older brother! The first step to doing this must have something to do with those serious words that he barely made out right after his father had put out the flame.

"To be able to create this flame, you will need resolve and dying will. If you resolve to do something with your dying will, the flame will surely burn brightly for you."

It was a few months later, and Tsuna was in his room, quietly gathering his resolve.

Ever since he saw that flame for the first time, he would try to listen in on Giotto's lessons without getting caught, wanting to learn how to manifest the flame as well. Although he really wanted to ask Giotto to teach him what their father taught him, he had a feeling that even though Giotto wouldn't mind teaching it to him, his beloved older brother would definitely get in trouble with him if their father ever found out about it. Instead, Tsuna would hole up in his room for hours after watching their lesson, secretly trying to recreate that alluring orange flame for himself. He couldn't get his mind off the flame, despite his mother's frequent warnings. After a while, his mother had given up, instead letting him know when he had seen enough. She warned him never to ask his father about the flame, explaining that he was still too young to know about it –despite all his protests– and that he would learn it later. His father knew nothing about this, for course, and continued to teach Giotto once a week whenever he was home from work.

Not even his mother, however, knew that Tsuna practiced his flame in his room after every lesson.

Tsuna furrowed his eyes in concentration. Earlier today, he had heard his father explain how resolve is similar to one's desire to do something. Tsuna had thought for a long time about what he wanted –what he truly desired. He knew that it couldn't be something simple, like the new stuffed lion that he saw in the store yesterday and really wanted, for example. It took a while, but he finally came up with an answer.

"I want to protect my family: Gio-nii, Mama, and Papa!"

Almost instantly, the bright orange flame appeared on his fingertips, as if answering to his resolve. The flame flickered and shone brightly in his dimly lit room, making Tsuna's eyes sparkle from the glow and creating lively shadows on the ceiling. Tsuna jumped in shock, before realizing that the flame wasn't burning him. It was warm and had a feeling of familiarity and calm. He giggled in happiness; his Gio-nii had only managed to create his flame just yesterday and it was barely more than a wisp. His flame burned brightly, and Tsuna soon found that he could control the size of the flame, depending on how much he concentrated.

It was then did he notice that his flame looked a little different than his Gio-nii's and his Papa's; his flames were more orange and… pure. Something told Tsuna that was the right word to describe his flame. Unlike his dark-orange and shiny flame, his father's flame was a pale orange and burned almost lazily in comparison. His Gio-nii's flame, on the other hand, was better: his flames were darker than their father's, though not as dark as Tsuna's, and his flame also flickered more actively than his father's.

He giggled at the idea of his flame being better than his Papa's and Giotto's, despite being so young and inexperienced. Again, that same something was telling him that this flame was really important and would help him in the near future.

After a few minutes of staring at the flame dancing in his hand in fascination, Tsuna dispelled the flame, watching it dwindle away on his fingertips. He felt slightly fatigued from the effort it took to make the flame but was extremely happy. The warmth had disappeared from his fingertips after he dispelled the flame, but he still felt its presence inside him, warming him up from inside.

Tsuna stood up and made his way to exit his room, knowing that it was about time for dinner. His father was coming home that weekend; maybe that will be when he will show Papa what a big boy he was.

A/N: This chapter and the next few is just setting up. We will get to the main part (mentioned in summary) soon. There are probably quite a few questions and you are welcome to ask them. Just… don't expect answers to all of them. If they will be addressed later in the story, they will probably not be replied to.

The next update for this won't be for a while, since I want to finish Left Behind first. Although… enough support will get you the next chapter sooner. :D

For those that read Left Behind, the next chapter MIGHT be delayed. Exams have popped up early and I need to concentrate on them. I apologize if it is delayed and hope that you will wait patiently for my return. *bows deeply* Check my profile for any updates.

Thoughts?

Ciao Ciao~

Pikachu

Published 22 April 2013