Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Note: This is an AU with the main focus on Dino who is much more appropriate for a dark and serious Mafia story. Inspired by The Godfather I and II, New York City of the 40's and 50's. Have fun and let me know what you think!


Portrait of a Don:

Part 1: Boss

The unexpected news shocked our fragile nerves in that already stressful afternoon. In half an hour, Dino was supposed to attend a business meeting with Dr. Shoichi Irie. Disagreeing with Byakuran of the Millefiore Famiglia, this young scientist wanted to further his narcotic research with the Cavallone's support. Yet, at such a crucial time for our Famiglia's business, I was about to deliver to my young boss a news that would paralyze his thought and shatter his heart.

"Boss, we could not find Bianchi anywhere in the estate! There is this piece of ransom note, however…" I, the consigliere and his confidant, dejectedly handed over the parchment. Whoever kidnapped Bianchi, his wife, wanted to sabotage this promising business deal.

"They demand my absence at the upcoming meeting with Irie in exchange for her life." Dino looked torn as our young don surveyed the chamber dominated by five seasoned caporegimes.

"You know full well that the Cavallone Famiglia cannot afford to lose this deal." One of the caporegimes, an old friend of the previous don, spoke up with little sympathy.

"Are you going to hesitate over a mere woman, boss?" Another old man asked; disdain was evident in the way he called Dino boss. The others all nodded their grey head while leisurely enjoying their cigars. Dino tightened his grip around the piece of paper; his eyes hidden in the shadow of blond locks.

The clock ticked by in almost silence. At twenty two year old, our young boss fully understood the gravity of this situation. He knew that the Famiglia and its interest would always come first before all else, his new family included. A Famiglia without money and influence would definitely be eliminated.

"You're right. I know what to do." Dino exhaled slowly as he straightened his suit and strode past the caporegimes for the door.

In front of the mansion's gates, he pulled me close and whispered his last thread of hope.

"Romario, please search every corner of New York for her." And all I could do was to solemnly nod and try my best. As his car and entourage headed for Dr. Irie, I began my desperate search for Bianchi with a handful of subordinates.


An hour later, I finally received a reliable tip of her whereabouts. Our black car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse near Bianchi's favorite supply store.

The moment we entered this rundown structure, I knew we were too late. The darkness was suffocating. The stench of spilled blood overwhelmed our senses. In a dimly lit corner, we found her tied to a chair; sharp metal strings entrenched into her delicate flesh.

The scene unfolding before us eerily resembled one from a horror movie. The broken bulb's flickering light revealed the cuts of various depths that were mercilessly carved into her body. Crimson blood trickled down from the open wounds. Dark burgundy liquid pooled around her chair. She sat there lifeless; her once youthful eyes shut closed. I could only imagine the immense agony she had endured.

She had lost too much blood; there was nothing we could do. The youngest subordinate looked away in pain, covering his mouth. Taking a deep breath, I came closer to untie this beautiful young lady and bring her maimed body back.

"Tell Dino to take care of my brother and our son." She whispered hastily into my ears as death was tightening its chokehold. With her last breath, Bianchi had once again put others before her own well-being.

The steel wires became undone; she collapsed into my arms. I found myself unable swallow the invisible lump of sadness and anger lodged in my throat. Wordlessly, we collected the wires and steel blades left behind by the perpetrators. I believed we all had deduced whom these weapons vindicated.

The ride back was engulfed in tense silence. The younger members of our Famiglia worried about breaking the news to our Don. There was no hesitation or question in my mind; I would be the one to tell him. Stained by the bad blood of our New York underworld, I was not as affected as the others. Hers was not the first death I witnessed during my long years of service. She was sacrificed for the betterment of our Famiglia. Mafia, that is what we truly are.

Still, I wondered how this event would shape his young spirit.


Sitting in his large leather chair, Dino was already back in the office. The deal was sealed; we now had Dr. Irie to develop new narcotic products for the Cavallone. Still, his eyes were downcast. Without the black suit jacket, he rolled up the long sleeves and proudly displayed the tattoos on his left arm.

"I could not save her. Bianchi died shortly after we got there." I told him the truth, regret and guilt took hold of my voice.

"Did she say anything? It's my fault… Do you blame me too, Romario?" Dino slowly looked up from his position behind the spacious mahogany desk. Untold sorrow filled those warm amber orbs.

"No, Dino. She asked that you look after her brother and your son. And, these are the evidences we gathered at the site…" I tried to decipher his frozen orbs to no avail. No word could fill the void. Instead, I placed the blood-stained tools on his desk.

"A refined steel string… a set of identical curved knives… Belphegor's favorite weapons…" Dino calmly picked up each bloody device and commented with detached interest.

"Are you saying the Varia…" As his consigliere, I understood immediately the implications behind his words. Still, I wondered if it was really so straightforward.

"Have you heard? There was a coup d'etat in the Vongola. Xanxus killed the Ninth last night and has just become their new don this afternoon." Dino offered me a wry smile as he laid down the knives.

"But, how's that related to the Varia? This group has always remained neutral in most conflicts. The Vongola is still our ally. Isn't the Varia leader your friend?" I doubted the Vongola would go this far to prevent our business expansion. On the other hand, Xanxus, the former Vongola don's son, was brutal and crude enough to do anything.

"Squalo has also declared his allegiance to Xanxus in this coup d'etat. Frankly, it should not have surprised me. That Shark has always been drawn to Xanxus." Dino stood up and started walking away from his desk.

"Then, the Vongola now has the Varia under control. Are they having a purge… or another war…? What are you going to do, Dino?" I turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of his face. He appeared emotionless with a perfected poker face. My heart ached when I found his usually expressive eyes dangerously sharp.

True, we were one of the three largest Famiglia's in New York. The Vongola and Millefiore were, however, larger and stronger. We could not possibly win an all-out war with either of them in our current state.

"What a boss needs to do. The caporegimes are waiting for us. Let's go, Romario!" Dino's determined words snapped me out of my dark reverie. He reverted to the Cavallone Don as effortlessly as he slipped on the black suit and I briefly grieved for the young man who was once sunshine personified.


"I'm sorry to hear about your wife, Dino." The old caporegime drummed his belly and blew white smoke into Dino's face. I hid a grimace. Unperturbed, Dino soldiered on with his own agenda.

"It's fine. We have no place for a weak woman anyway. That asides, I have great news regarding our narcotic business. Irie has agreed to our terms and will begin working in one of our labs tomorrow. Our Famiglia will benefit greatly from this." Dino offered the caporegimes a prideful smile that betrayed none of his inner turmoils.

I closed my eyes and remembered the young lady who had suffered too much for this business.

Bianchi was an independent and strong woman who tragically underestimated the dangers of being a boss' wife and her importance. She loved exploring the city and hated having bodyguards interfering with her daily life.

"That's good!" The other caporegimes grunted their approval. Nothing could make these men happier than the promise of profit. After the financial disaster of Dino's father, they were set to ensure that Dino would not make the same costly mistakes.

"Are you planning to avenge her? I heard it was Bel from the Varia who did it. It's possible the Vongola was behind this attack." One of them asked indifferently. I held my tongue, knowing that these five men never thought highly of me and my so-called naïve pacifism.

"No, I'm not. The Varia is now one with the Vongola. Our Famiglia has just gotten out of debt. I will not risk the Cavallone for something so frivolous. Also, I'd rather focus our time and resource into the pharmaceutical industry and gaining political power." The boy I once raised was unveiling a ruthless plan for the Cavallone's future. I knew not whether to be proud of his growth or to mourn for the personal losses that he was not allowed to feel.


After the meeting, Dino, his three closest friends in the Famiglia and I paid a visit to Bianchi. Her dyed hair was still vividly violet, but her soft eyes would never open again. Dino kissed her left hand before leaving behind instructions for a private funeral.

On our way back to the don's office, no one could find a word to ease the loss.

"For now, I need you guys to gain the trust of these three caporegimes and prepare to take over when the time is right. This trio holds the most influence in our Famiglia. With these old geezers eliminated, we can finally push the Famiglia forward." Dino confided his true plans with his almost brothers, Ivan, Bono and Brutus.

It was understandable that Dino would not stand to have those old men controlling him forever. After a hostile takeover, Dino would be able to consolidate his power as Don Cavallone. But, that would take some time.

The three young men took their leave, eager to fulfill their roles and carve a place for themselves in this exciting time. Alone, Dino stood with his back toward me as he gazed out the large window behind his desk.

"Romario, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to strengthen the Cavallone. I'll build this Famiglia to 5000 strong in the next five years. We will not lose to the Vongola and Millifiore anymore…" Dino turned around to face me. Determination shone through his dark honey orbs.

"I'm with you always, Boss." I allowed myself a small smile. He did not catch the slip of my tongue. Inadvertently, I called him Boss in private conversation. I would move mountains for this young man had that eased his heavy burden of being a Don.

Encouraged, he let out a brief sigh.

At the same time, he turned around to remove the simple gold band from his left ring finger. As if in a trance, he stood motionlessly and stared at the marriage symbol in his palm. He lowered his head; loose blond locks covered his face in their shadow.

Languidly, he took out a velvet box from the desk's top drawer. Revealed, the Cavallone ring shone brightly in the sunlight. He closed the box again, this time trapping the wedding ring inside. With a wry smirk, he slid the thick gold ring onto his left middle finger.

I watched helplessly. The ornate ring and its ostentatious gem, which the eighteen-year-old heir had laughed off and refused to bear after his coronation, now symbolized his new life. The conspicuous tattoos covering his left side seemed lifeless compared to the ring's metallic radiance; as if his rebellious spirit had been chained.

"Has her brother heard the news?" Sharp amber pools finally looked to me. His voice softened as Dino loosened the ruthless Don Cavallone persona.

"Yes, he'll be here soon enough… brace yourself." I answered softly, inhaling the calm before the storm. Dino folded his arms and tightened his lips.

As the sound of rapid footsteps approached the office, I glanced at my hardened boss who closed his eyes and leaned against the desk for support. Dealing with Bianchi's half brother would be more taxing than Dino had expected. The twelve-year-old boy, who preferred to be called Gokudera, was a storm and a force to be reckoned with.


Thank you for reading. Please leave me with your comments. If no one likes this story/ style, I will not continue.