"Power to control nature elementals... through a tiny watch. It sounds like a distant dream eh, Yaya." Angin said, swaying back forth on his spot on the kitchen cabinet. Yaya hummed in reply while stirring a meat stew pot, their dinner tonight. Normally, there would be a chef doing this job, but the girl had insisted on preparing them dinner herself, and well, let's say no one had the will to decline her when she used her puppy eyes. Angin had saved the poor chef by sending him away and just let her do what she wanted, they both needed it.

"Yet we have a walking poof resting inside one of our guest rooms," Yaya replied.

After Tanah had dismissed the Family meeting, she had led Lighting to the third floor of the guest wing and allowed the boy to get some sleep before dinner. The poor kid looked as if he would collapse right on where he was standing. Angin didn't blame him, it had been a rough day for Lightning if his story was true. The kid's older version, as known as his older triple, had stomped off to sulk somewhere so Angin decided to tag along with Yaya before Tanah had a chance to dump all their brother's work on him.

Actually, it was only a half of reason and was the answer he had given to Lighting when the boy looked, well, more like glared dagger at him for tailing them. It never failed to amuse, and unnerve, Angin how Lightning's reactions were so identical to Petir's, as if someone had found a way to duplicate his older brother then adjusted him to become more youthful. If he had to be honest, Angin actually believed in the dimension transporting things, but his trained instinct as a son of a mafia family dismissed that idea. He could wait for Ocho's confirmation and decide what was next.

Watching the girl in pink cooking with a little melody she hummed, Angin guessed now was the good time to bring up what had happened. After all, It was the other half of the reason why he had chosen to ditch his work.

"Yaya... about earlier-"

"If it's about what Petir had mentioned you want to talk, save your breath, Angin. I understand and I forgive him." Yaya interrupted, giving him the brush-off. She sighed, gazing down the soup pot. "The four of us have been together for way too long."

Angin bit his lip. Again, he was at the loss for words tonight, which should be rare in his case.

Truth to her words, Angin and his brothers had been best friends with Yaya ever since childhood, things like sweet talk didn't work on her. The girl also made it clear that she hated it when people tried to tiptoe around her, especially about everything involving that.

'I'm not a frail grass, so quit treating me as if I were one,' a fourteen Yaya once stated, after three of them had overreacted when she was about to touch a shotgun. It ended with the girl refusing to talk with any of them, even Tanah, three days later.

Angin was too occupied with his thoughts to notice a wooden spoon in front of him, until he felt something smooth and warm pressed softly against his lips. He blinked at Yaya's raised eyebrow, then quickly sipped the soup on the spoon.

"It's good." Angin nodded, licked his lips for emphasis. The delicious taste lingered inside his mouth somewhat pushed his worry away. When it came to food, Yaya's cooking was always the best and it was his, might as well his brothers', favorite. The girl smiled, retracted the spoon then used it to stirrer the stew a few more times before taking it out. The soft sound of the wooden spoon knocking on the pot echoed in the kitchen. Yaya placed it to the side and closed the lid.

Two of them looked at the boiled pot on the stove, both lost in their own thoughts.

"... You know, all I hope is someday, he will learn to let go of the past," Yaya whispered, after a short while. Angin agreed with her with a nod. He too wished for a way to help his brother out of his trap with the past.

Yaya turned off the gas.

-----

For eleven years of her short life, she had never been so afraid, if not outright terrified.

Who could not feel that way when there was an older version of their friends beating the real ones to death right in front of them?!

Yaya winced as Tanah was slammed hard to the ground by his head. His attacker swiftly leaned backward to avoid the bullets coming at him from behind. He picked Tanah on the way then threw him at Angin like they were some kind of ragdoll, knocking both of them. The white hair man jumped out of Petir's lightning-fast stride with the same ease. Her friend clicked his tongue and pursued the older man, but his swings seemed to miss him every time. Yaya gulped, Petir was always known for his speed and accuracy, yet that man clearly was toying with them.

Everything started with her kidnapping. It was nothing new, really, Yaya could say she was used to it by now. Compared to the infamous triplets of the Aba Family, who were skilled enough to take down a group of full-armed adults without breaking a sweat, targeting their small little house guest was much easier.

However, this time was completely different from anyone before, from the appearance of her kidnapper to the reason behind it.

Yaya had almost had a heart attack when she opened her eyes, not because she woke up inside some kind of abandoned factory, but because of seeing some kind of older image of her friends hovering above her. The man appeared around his late teens, with snow-white hair and a black streak on the top. And to complete his contrast look to her friends, a pair of crimson eyes, almost similar to fresh blood color, watched her close. Although he lacked the intimidation and ferocity of a normal kidnapper, little Yaya still shivered under his unwavering attention.

But what shocked her to her very core was that man had claimed to know her and she was the sole reason why he was here.

Yaya bit her lips and looked down. Trying all her mind, the girl could not recall where and when she and that man had possibly met. Had they ever met? Because if it was true to his word, there was no way she would forget seeing someone with a unique appearance as him.

At her lack of recognition, the man's expression eventually darkened. He clicked his tongue and Yaya had jumped at the sound. There was a flash of disappointment and hurt on those red blood eyes, but it quickly vanished alongside the harmless look that she wondered whether or not she had imagined it.

The man slowly stood up and back a few steps, all while holding his face, his shoulder slummed. He kept still for a long time, then busted into a laugh. Hysterical and uncontrolled, like a mad man. He paid no heed as Yaya had crowded under his maniac moment. The man suddenly strode back to her smaller form, sketched his hand, and held her shoulder in painful grips.

Whatever, he had stated, red-blooded eyes bored into her fearful dark amber ones, today, with this appearance, he would gain back what should be his.

At that moment, her triplets friends burst in and all hell broke loose.

"Come at me and fight like a real man, you faker!" Petir's frustrated scream snapped Yaya back to the present. She watched the yellow hat boy thrust his sword with all his might and something changed inside the man's red eyes at the remark. The man turned his body to avoid the incoming attack, at the same time swinging his hand down at Petir's sword hand. The boy flinched in pain and dropped the sword, but his groan was choked as the man jerked him up by the collar.

"What if I am fake?" The white hair man snarled with venom, bringing Petir close to his face. "There's nothing that says a fake can't become the real thing!"

A punch was straight at Petir's face. Yaya had to close her eyes as the impact sound echoed through the empty factory. Petir jerked back at the force, his body hit the ground. Not stopping at that, the man pulled his leg and kicked at the younger boy's stomach, sending him sliding across the room and skidding near Angin and a still unconscious Tanah.

The blue hat boy limped to his brother's side to check him in a hurry. He nudged the older boy into the sitting position. Petir groaned, he spatted out a tooth and Yaya could see blood flowing down from his nose, although he had tried to wipe it away.

"Playtime is over," the man said, bending down and picking up Petir's fallen sword. He gave it some tries, swung it around while marching at the three beaten kids at a slow pace, as if lapping up every moment. A cruel smirk grew on his face and those red blood eyes screamed cold murder.

Yaya had trouble breathing. She could feel tears streaming down her cheek, yet was unable to get any strength to wipe them or blink them away. Her heart was begging her to think, to do something, anything but her body refused to move, it weighed like a couldn't think straight, words and flashbacks mixed up inside her head.

They are going to die. Her best friends were going to be killed. To disappear. To vanish. Silent and still like her beloved father when they lay him down to the ground. Died. Silent. Death. Broke. Still. Blood. Died. Cold. Lifeless. Empty. Killed. Murdered. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died. Died.

Something flashed caught on her dark amber orbs. Yaya's eyes followed it and her heart felt like it had stopped for a second when they set on an object laying just about three steps away from her.

A black shotgun left forgotten on the ground. The sunlight rejected the gun's smooth skin, making it shine.

Suddenly, the world turned quiet. Yaya couldn't hear any sound, even her heartbeat. Her breath became lighter as her surroundings became clearer. She was aware of the cold sweat mixed with warm tears on her face, aware of the temperature seemed to slowly drop, aware of fresh blood smell lingered in the air, as well as the distance between her friends and their murderer and...

The fact that he hadn't tied Yaya up like the other kidnappers.

The light gleaming on the black shotgun continued to beckon her, cold and cruel.

Like a ray of hope, in some twisted sense.

-----

Petir grunted, his face burned and he was sure his nose had broken. Not that he was surprised, his whole body was screaming in pain. At least, Petir seemed in better shape than his brothers. Angin's right leg had been snapped when the fight began, and maybe some of his ribs met the same fate as it now. Tanah didn't even wake up, well, the kid had taken most of the hard blows for him and Angin.

"It was a trap."

"Rushing into the enemy's base without any plans or preparing was foolish."

"Please, at least let me inform Father."

However, arrogant and stupid as he was, Petir heard none, despite his youngest triplet having warned, begging him not to go. He had made a reckless choice, and right at the moment, he and his brothers had to pay for it.

Faint steps reached to his ears. The world was still swirling in his view but Petir shook his head, forcing himself to regain his focus. He pushed Angin behind his back and glared up at his soon-to-be murderer, who was inspecting them with that bloody smirk of his. The boy growled as the faker made a show of admiring his katana.

"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." The faker cracked, voice dripping in sarcasm as his pale hand caressed the blade. Petir kept himself from flinching as the sharp point of the katana was directed in front of his face. No matter what, he would never shy away from death. The boy gave his executor a dirty look, who was gleaming in glee at his behavior.

"Play tough till the end, huh?" The faker sneered. Without another word, the man swung the katana backward then caught its handle so that the blade was hungover Petir's head. He raised the sword high and brought it down. Petir gritted his teeth, using his last moment to burn his hatred and resentment into those mad red blood orbs.

Before the blade could make contact with him, a familiar silhouette, his youngest brother's silhouette, moved into his vision. The yellow hat boy and the faker's eyes widened. Time seemed to slow down, as well as the sword, but it didn't stop.

Petir's heart leaped in his throat. He reached out to that small back despite his mind, his trained mind, had screamed it was too late-

Bang!

Blood, red and warm, plastered over his face, his clothes, and everywhere.

Petir starred in bewilderment as his kanata was dropped and plugged into the ground right beside Tanah's feet. Through his brother's shoulder, he could see bafflement showing on the faker's face. The man groggily back away, shaken hand holding his opened chest while fresh blood continued to ooze out from the hole. The man half turned his head to gaze at someone from behind.

"Prin...cess... wh... why...?" He choked, before collapsing on the ground. And a trembling Yaya was revealed to them, still holding up a black shotgun.

The smaller girl, with tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks, pulled the trigger. Three more rash sounds rang through the room. The man's body jerked at each shot, then laid unmoved. There was no bullet left, but Yaya seemed unable to let go of the gun. She kept a tight grip on the gun handle, though her knuckles had turned white. Her tiny frame couldn't stop shivering and it shattered Petir's heart to realize those dark amber eyes had lost their usually lively and innocent light. They were dulled, by fear and anguish, and empty.

Tanah was the first one out of them who snapped out from the shock of the turning event. The boy dragged his injured body across the room, carefully avoiding the corpse, and stood before the frightened girl.

"Yaya... Yaya... Look at me, Yaya," He coated, lowered her hands with his. "That's enough, he's already gone."

He gently pried the gun from her grip, which was a bit difficult with all of his injuries and fatigue. Yaya didn't even fight back and remained motionless the whole time. Tanah finally took the gun out of her hands and threw it away as far as his current strength allowed, at least, out of their view. Upon seeing the girl's clouded eyes, he frowned. Tanah placed both of his hands on Yaya's shoulders and shook her slightly.

"Yaya.... Yaya.... Hey, hey.... focus on me." He called softly, almost whispering, as if any louder sound would be able to break the girl into a thousand pieces, and in this case, Petir feared it might happen. He and Angin had relied on each other and half walked, half stumbled to Tanah and Yaya's spot.

Receiving no report, his brother repeated again with caution. "Hey, Yaya... can you hear me?"

Petir watched his younger brother working, anxiety boiled inside him. His childlike mind had already known that mental breakdown was more dangerous than any physical wounds. Wounds and injuries could be patched up and healed, but a damaged mind was like a curse, it would change one completely or haunt one's mind the rest of their life, or both, and there was no cure for it. If Yaya couldn't snap out of this, they were going to lose her. Even Angin understood about their risk. The boy had held his breath the whole time and had a fist full of Petir's shirt, braced himself for the outcome.

Apparently, life had mercy on them. After the third try, Yaya blinked. She was still deemed hazy while her lips quivered and her hands moved to grab Tanah's sleeves, but at least she was looking at his brother.

"Ta... Tanah...?"

Hoarse and tiny, nearly inaudible, yet it was her voice.

"I'm here," Tanah whispered back, his eyes were wet. And the spell was broken.

The girl burst into tears and locked Tanah in her embrace. Tanah grimaced in pain since she had disturbed his injuries while hugging him, though let her hold on him nonetheless. Like a puppet without strings, Yaya dropped to the ground, dragging him along with her. Tanah had to shift his body a little bit for a more comfortable position as Angin detached from Petir and bolted to them, more like falling on top of them, to clutch his brother and his friend, wailing out loud all the way.

It was so unsighted. However, the yellow hat boy could neither have the heart to scold his younger brother nor get annoyed, his own eyes were moist at the sight.

"I was... scared... I was so scared...! I thought.... I had lost you all!" Yaya said between her sobs, her tears soaked their bloody clothes. "Don't... do it again... Please... don't leave me.... What would I do.... if you all... were gone...?!"

No one was able to reply to that question. Now with the adrenaline gone, Petir just realized how close to death he and his brothers had been. The reality hit him like a ton of bricks. How naive and stupid had he been to accept his death so easily. What could happen to his younger brothers, to Yaya once he was killed? What could that faker possibly do with them?

Petir's hands shook and sweated at the thought, he fisted them. He had been proud of himself to be their protector, so arrogant that he allowed his ego and sense of achievement to dim his judgment and push them near to their doom.

Had he listened to Tanah, to his brothers, none of these would have happened.

Before Petir could drown in guilt and self detestation, he noticed Yaya had reached out for him. Having no better thing to do, Petir joined her and his brothers on the ground. He hugged them all, feeling their warmth and scents. Yaya hiccupped as there was no tear left to shed for she had cried too much. Tanah had hidden his head into her shoulder, barely kept conscious, saltwater rolled down from his closed eyes. Angin was weeping enough for the rest of them and although he had bit his lips hard, Petir couldn't stop the sobs from escaping from his throat.

In the end, he cried, for his mistake and foolishness, for all the pain and agony they had been through and for the fact they were still alive.

Father wouldn't accept this action, but Petir could care less for now.

-----

A short while after that, the adults scramble in the abandoned factory, just to see the four kids hunched together while crying beside a cold corpse. The rescued children were told that when the Family had noticed the Boss's heirs and their friend had gone missing, everyone had panicked and had to use an advanced track device to find out their location. Yaya was sent to the Family hospital for a thorough diagnosis while the triplet had to go straight to the office for a long talk with their father after being patched up.

Tanah had taken all responsibility to himself, ignoring his brothers, especially Petir's protest. Then again, the yellow hat boy was no different since he had endured a harsh training session from his mentor. To make up for his immaturity and for making everyone involved in his mess, which should not have been necessary, Mecha had stated to him, watching the boy pushing himself to his limit.

Homunculus, that was what they called the thing they had fought. Experiment no. 3.13.2011-BBB, also known as Boboiboy, an artificial human created from the combination of their DNAs by a group of had explained why that faker could easily read Petir and his brothers' movement and counter them all. That group of scientists' initial ideal was making a superhuman with advanced gen which allowed them to develop better in physical and mental. The scientist had cooperated with the Aba Family that they believed in having the best 'seed' due to its members' fame. The current Family Boss, their father, back there had taken interest in that little project. Though it could be a way to strengthen the Family's power, he had decided to give the scientists the DNA of his own sons and funded the program with two conditions.

One, it must be carried on in secret, and two, the scientists had to alter the DNA so the product wouldn't be mixed with the children of the Aba Family.

The project was a huge success, like the Boss's expectation. Perhaps it was too successful that the homunculus had grown its own character and desire. The artificial human had used its creators to advance itself, which was why it had the appearance of a young adult while the originals were still in their teenies. It had broken out from the lab with the copied skills and taken its advantages to attack Petir and his brothers. There were some hypotheses, but neither knew the real reason behind its actions, nor what caused it to be so attracted to Yaya.

Foolish, hope to control something that was out of their league.

Nevertheless, that incident had changed them all. Angin had spent a hard time stopping himself from crying whenever he saw his reflection in the mirror. Tanah apparently tried to avoid anything having a mirror surface although he had done a splendid job to hide it, and Petir...

He destroyed them all, with his bare fists, to some point the Boss had to order to cover or replace some of the furniture inside the mansion until the triplets learned to adapt.

Yaya had been affected too. She became quieter, and Petir couldn't forget the first time when they visited her at the hospital.

An alarmed look, frozen in fear.

She had not been able to look at them and anytime one of them touched her, Yaya would recoil. Dark amber orbs frantically dashed around until she realized it was them, she would calm down a little bit and turn her face away. While Tanah and Angin hadn't shown It, Petir knew her reaction cut their hearts, seeing their one and only friend like this. As much as he hadn't wanted to admit, Petir's heart sank every time the smaller girl jumped at their present. Yaya later got globophobia. She had yelped and cried when she heard a balloon popped. So, for the sake of her mental health, Petir and his brothers watched Yaya moving back to her mother's house outside the mansion.

Then one morning, Petir noticed a thirteen-year-old Tanah standing in front of the large mirror in the main hall, its curtain falling on the ground. Thinking his younger brother had a panic attack again, Petir was about to call him but stopped. Something was not right. Tanah was composed, calm and tranquil like a lake surface. He looked straight at his own reflection, which was mirroring the stern determination that shone on his eyes.

Petir lost at words. At that very moment, the young boy suddenly understood something major was happening. His brother had moved on, getting over his emotional scar, and soon, as time flowed, they would eventually grow out the ghosts of their former selves.

So when Tanah stepped up for the future Boss's position, Petir hadn't felt much upset like many people thought he should have been, if not contrary. He, and all Family members, had really acknowledged his younger brother was the most suitable for the leader seat out of them. Besides, Petir was much happier with his Family defender spot.

The next one was Angin, who had started to turn back to his cheeky self, wherever it was an act or real, no one could be sure. Much to everyone's surprise, this younger brother of his had chosen to become the Family intelligence despite the fact he was popular for slacking off his 'homeworks' every chance he gained. Angin had proved he did a good job of it, even taking it far as he agreed to inherit their passed away aunt's title as Capodecina in the diplomacy field.

And Yaya, with her own efforts and help from everyone, was able to hang out with them again. She also grew out of her fear and could watch their shoot training without flinching. Yaya had decided to learn the medical science and practice of medicine. She once said she wanted to support them as much as she could, hence she must get used to blood and learn to adapt to situations like them. Yaya enrolled in a top university in Pular Lumpa, the reason why they were here, in the Malaysia branch mansion even after the girl had insisted it was unnecessary for them to follow her.

His brother and his friend had chosen their own way and went forward, yet the only one who was deemed unable to move on was him, Petir.

He still hated to see his reflection in the mirror. He still couldn't bear it when a balloon was too close to him or any of them. And as a protective freak, Angin's word, Petir couldn't find himself allowed Yaya to touch the weapon or get involved in the Family's business. Two of them locked in a heated argument that day, the day he had strongly disapproved of Yaya joining the Family. Words were fired and names were called, but they were too stubborn and proud to back down.

In the end, Tanah needed to interfere before things went to the point of no return. His brother had convinced Yaya that although she wasn't an official member of the Family, she was already a part of their family and an irreplaceable ally of the Family, so she could join their meeting and help them without actually entering. The girl finally gave in with a huff, hurt flashing on her dark amber eyes, which had made Petir bite down his lip and turned away.

It was the first and probably the last time he had won an argument with Yaya, and Petir felt no joy, only empty inside.

Now that new arrived problem just has to share everything with him, from look to manner. Dealing with his own reflection in the bathroom every morning was hard enough, now Petir was forced to watch it moving around and clinging to Yaya here and there.

"Trouble sleeping?"

Petir snapped his head to the source of the sound. "Don," He greeted.

Tanah chuckled drily as he stood beside him with two mugs in his hands. "Don't call me 'Don' when we are outside that office, fratello. You know how much I hate it." He handed him one of the mugs.

"Sorry, force of habit." Petir received it, nodded his thanks. He slipped the liquid inside the mug and frowned. "...Hot cacao...?"

"What, you expected me to give you caffeine at two in the morning?" Tanah raised one of his eyebrows at him. "It's not like you have to finish that paperwork like me."

"C'mon, that's our deal. And if my memories serve right, you volunteered for it, fratellino," Petir said, nudged Tanah's shoulder, which earned a soft laugh from him.

"Yes, but it doesn't mean I can't complain."

The older man scowled, yet the corner of his lip tugged up. He took a large gulp of the cacao inside his mug, without blowing first. The burning sensation of the hot liquid was down to his throat. Tanah or Yaya would scold him for bad drinking habits, but he actually didn't mind it. Heat and pain were his things ever since that incident, and they made him more aware of his surroundings.

Petir let out a satisfied sigh, his younger brother's hot cacao was flavorful as always.

"Want to talk about it, fratello?" The young boss asked, seeming to consider his reaction. Petir shook his head, looking up to the bright moon above. He could feel the weariness that insomnia caused to his body but his mind was completely sober, perhaps too sober for his liking.

"Don't bother. It was only some stupid dream..." He mumbled.

Tanah hummed at his mug, stealing a glance at his older brother. The young boss obviously didn't buy the answer, still, Petir trusted him to know better when to pry into the matter.

Both of them observed the shining moon in silence, letting the quiet night embrace their mind.

-----

On the third floor of the mansion, a girl also woke up. She let out a soft sigh and sat on the mattress. Yaya pulled her legs closer to her body, then rested her head on her knees. The haunting memories of old days somehow had been a part of her life in the form of dreams. Though it didn't bother her as much as before, she got used to it by now, her sleep still evaded afterward.

Groaning with the fact she wouldn't be able to sleep again in the next one or two hours, Yaya looked out the window, where the moon radiated its gentle light on the starless sky.

Nighttime was always like this, quiet and peaceful, and the girl found herself disliked it. Daytime was more lively and colorful, compared to dull and dark nights when one's mind wandered to the place it shouldn't be.

The longer she watched the moon, the harder Yaya could shake away the dreadful feeling that slowly crawled inside her.

A signal. The calm before the storm.

Note:

Don: Boss

Capodecina: Captain

Fratello: Brother.

Fratellino: Little brother