SHATTERED SKY: THE TWIN'S SHADOW

Chapter 2: Iemitsu's Favorite

The golden twin had a name.

Haruki.

It meant "spring tree" — flourishing, strong, full of life. His parents had chosen it carefully, lovingly, spending weeks debating the perfect name for their perfect son.

Tsuna had no such name. He was simply "the other one." The afterthought. The mistake.

"Haruki, come here, darling!" Nana's voice was always warm when she called for her favorite. "I made your favorite cookies!"

Tsuna watched from the corner of the kitchen. His stomach growled, but he knew better than to approach. The cookies were for Haruki. Everything was for Haruki.

"Where's the useless one?" Haruki asked, grabbing a handful of cookies. His eyes scanned the room, landing on Tsuna. "Oh. There he is. Hiding like always."

"He's not hiding, sweetie. He's just... quiet."

"Same thing." Haruki smirked. He walked over to Tsuna, cookie crumbs falling from his lips. "Want one?"

Tsuna didn't move. He knew better. Everything Haruki offered came with a price.

"Here." Haruki shoved a cookie into Tsuna's mouth. "Eat."

Tsuna chewed mechanically. The cookie was dry. He couldn't swallow. His throat was tight with fear.

"Swallow it!" Haruki hissed, low enough that Nana couldn't hear.

Tsuna forced the cookie down. It scraped his throat. He coughed.

"Pathetic," Haruki whispered. "You can't even eat properly."

He walked away, leaving Tsuna trembling in the corner. Nana didn't notice. She was too busy praising Haruki for being "such a good brother."

Iemitsu came home once a month, if that.

When he did, the house changed. The air grew tense. Nana became nervous, fluttering around like a trapped bird. Haruki became even more insufferable, showing off for his father's approval.

And Tsuna?

Tsuna became invisible.

"He's still not talking?" Iemitsu asked one evening, glancing at Tsuna like he was a piece of furniture.

"Not a word," Nana said. "I've tried everything. Doctors, therapists, specialists. Nothing works."

"Probably just stubborn."

"Maybe. He's always been difficult."

Haruki piped up from his spot on the couch. "He's not difficult, Papa. He's just... broken."

Iemitsu laughed. "Broken. That's a good word for it."

Tsuna's chest ached. He pressed a hand to his heart, feeling the beating beneath his ribs. It hurt. Everything hurt. But he didn't cry.

He had forgotten how.

"Haruki," Iemitsu said, turning to his favorite. "How are your studies going? You're going to be the Vongola heir one day. You need to be prepared."

"I'm ready, Papa! I've been studying everything you sent me. I can even speak some Italian!"

"Excellent!" Iemitsu beamed. "That's my boy."

The praise washed over Haruki like sunlight. He basked in it, glowing with satisfaction. Tsuna watched from the shadows, feeling the weight of his father's indifference like a physical burden.

He was eight years old.

He had never been praised.

He had never been hugged.

He had never been told he was loved.

And he was starting to realize that he never would be.

That night, Tsuna lay in his small bed.

His room was the smallest in the house, barely big enough for a bed and a dresser. The walls were bare. The window faced the neighbor's fence. There were no toys, no books, no pictures. Nothing to make it feel like a home.

It was a cage.

And Tsuna was the prisoner.

Haruki's room, on the other hand, was a palace. It had the biggest room in the house, with a balcony and a walk-in closet. The walls were covered in posters and awards. The shelves were overflowing with trophies and certificates. Everything Haruki touched turned to gold.

Everything Tsuna touched turned to dust.

Tsuna stared at the ceiling. His hand moved to his chest, touching the place where the orange pacifier had appeared. It was still there, hidden beneath his pajamas. It pulsed with warmth, gentle and reassuring.

Luce, he thought. Who are you? Why did you choose me?

There was no answer. But the pacifier pulsed again, and Tsuna felt a strange sense of peace wash over him.

For the first time in as long as he could remember, he fell asleep without crying.

The next morning, everything changed.

Tsuna woke to the sound of screaming. His eyes flew open. The pacifier was glowing, pulsing with orange light. He could feel it vibrating against his skin, urgent and demanding.

Get up, a voice whispered. Get up now.

Tsuna scrambled out of bed, his heart pounding. He didn't know why he was scared. He just knew that something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

He crept to his door and opened it a crack.

"WHERE IS HE?!"

Iemitsu's voice. Roaring. Furious.

Tsuna's blood ran cold.

"He's gone!" Nana was crying. "I don't know where he went! I went to check on him this morning, and he wasn't there!"

"Gone? He can't just be gone! He's eight years old! Where the hell would he go?"

"He took his backpack. Some clothes. His toys—"

"He doesn't have any toys! He's the useless one! No one would want him!"

Iemitsu's words hit Tsuna like a physical blow. He staggered backward, gripping the doorframe for support. His father hated him. His mother didn't care. His brother tormented him.

There was nothing for him here.

The pacifier pulsed again, warmer this time. Stronger.

Leave, Luce's voice whispered. Leave now. They don't deserve you. You have a new family waiting. The Tri-Ni-Set is calling you home.

Tsuna made a decision.

He ran.

To be continued...

📝 AUTHOR'S NOTES

Chapter 2: Iemitsu's Favorite

We finally learn the twin's name: Haruki. And we see just how deep the favoritism runs. Tsuna's father doesn't even see him as a person—just "the useless one." The emotional abuse is devastating, but there's hope on the horizon. Tsuna is about to find his true family.

Next Chapter: Silenced Screams — A closer look at Haruki's cruelty and the moment Tsuna's voice is truly taken from him.

Content Warning for This Chapter: Emotional abuse, neglect, verbal abuse, mentions of physical abuse

💬 CHARACTER NOTES

Haruki:

Age: 8 years old

Status: First twin, golden child

Key Trait: Cruel, manipulative, possessive of his parents' attention

Iemitsu:

Age: Unknown

Status: Father, Vongola external advisor

Key Trait: Absent, dismissive, values only what he perceives as "strong"

Luce:

Status: Former Sky Arcobaleno (dying)

Key Trait: Guiding Tsuna toward his true path

✨ READER QUESTIONS

What did you think of Haruki's name? Does it suit him?

How did Iemitsu's words affect you?

Are you excited to see Tsuna meet the Tri-Ni-Set family?

Thank you for reading Chapter 2! If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a comment and vote! 💛