The ninth is ill and Tamiko sends Xanxus to go visit him.

We all know that Xanxus and the ninth aren't on good terms but even the Varia leader has some sympathy for the old man who got him off the streets.


The sun beamed down and wind blew through the leaves creating dancing shadows on the ground. Xanxus stepped out of the black car and took a deep breath. He stood in front of the residents of the ninth. It has been about 12 years since the old man had stepped down from his position as Vongola Nono and Tamiko had taken over. The ninth has since led a quiet life. Xanxus walked towards the door and was immediately spotted by one of the servants. An elderly man in a butler suit walked over to him.

"Xanxus-sama! What are you doing here?" The elderly man looked more that surprised.

"The tenth send me here." Xanxus didn't even look at him.

"I presume you were send here to see the ninth." The elderly man kept his distance from the Varia leader.

"That old man." Xanxus paused and the turned to the servant. "How is he?"

"He is in a stable condition but we all fear for the worst." Xanxus could see the concern in the man's face.

Xanxus stepped past the man and walked towards the door. "I'll go see him."

"Of course. He's sleeping at the moment so please do not wake him. He needs rest."

Xanxus nodded and walked up the stairs.


You will enjoy this visit, Xanxus. Their daughter is a lot younger than you but you will like her.


The ninth's room was quiet small. A small table in one corner, a wardrobe in the other. The window was open and the light white curtains were flowing in the wind. The old man was sleeping peacefully in his bed. Xanxus was sitting on a sofa next to the small bed. He watched the old man's face but then looked at the night table next the bed. A thin vase with an orange lily stood on the table. A card was also placed on the table with the words 'Get well soon' in Tamiko's writing. Some childish scribbles were also on the card. 'Get well gramps' was slightly readable. Xanxus smiled at the flower-like scribbles on the card. His four year old daughter always loved to doodle flowers on any piece of paper she could find. His son's signatures were also on the card. 'Alessio' and 'Drago' were now eleven years old and had started their training to one day take over the Vongola.

"This is boring. Why did she send me here?" Xanxus scowled.

His wife has always been silent about most things. She never gave him a reason for some things unless he asked. But this time she didn't tell him why he was supposed to go to see the old man alone. 'You'll know when you get there' is what she said before he stepped into the car. Now that he was here he realised one thing. The old man looked really breakable.

"Maybe I should have been a little bit more like a son." Xanxus rubbed his face in his hand.

He has forgiven him for freezing him which made the old man very happy. Every time Tamiko went to visit the ninth with the kids Xanxus had always tagged along. That was about the only contact he had with his stepfather.

A butterfly suddenly flew into the room and landed on the ninth's forehead. The ninth continued to sleep and the butterfly rested on him.

'He's always been too friendly. He even lets a butterfly sit on him.' He paused his train of thought. He folded his hands and twirled his thumps around. 'Is this what she wanted me to see? That he will be one with nature soon?'

"A butterfly is the symbol of freedom." The ninth's crackly voice ripped Xanxus back into reality.

The ninth slowly sat up on the bed. The butterfly was now flying around the room. The old man looked at his son.

"I didn't think I would see you here." He smiled warmly.

"Tamiko told me to go and see you." Xanxus looked away.

"Ah yes, she has really grown up." The ninth laughed. "How are the kids?"

"They're fine." He still avoided the old man's eyes.

The ninth sighed. His son was a father. It was still something that seemed impossible in the ninth's eyes. The last time Tamiko had visited with the kids he had observed how his ruthless son lovingly picked up his crawling daughter and lifted her in the air. It made her laugh loudly. Also when the twins decided to tackle their tall father onto the ground. The twins had grabbed Xanxus's legs and he fell forward on top of Tamiko who was entertaining their daughter with some toys. It was a scene that the ninth would never forget. Xanxus on top of Tamiko, the twins sitting on their father's back with victorious poses and their baby girl laughing and clapping at the scene.

"It's just like I planned long ago." The old man looked at the ceiling. Xanxus glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "When I learned that Iemitsu had a daughter I couldn't wait to meet her. I knew that she was able to change hearts so I really wanted you to meet her. Maybe you two started off the wrong foot back then but it still worked out."

The ninth looks over to his son and met his gaze. He, however, looked away. The old man sighed again.

"Have you ever thought of her as a butterfly?"

"Not really." Xanxus voice seemed distanced.

"You never were a one for metaphors." The ninth chuckled. "Tamiko is just as fragile as a butterfly and just as beautiful. She truly is something precious."


"Let's go home, Xanxus."

"I still don't understand why you wanted me to meet her."

"Why's that?"

"She's a fragile as a butterfly. I thought it was impossible for them to be protected."

The ninth looked at the boy surprised. His eyes softened and he hugged him.

"You will figure it out one day."


I never thought about forcing two people together. But when I saw those two I saw night and day combine into something beautiful. I knew that she was able to give him something I never could…

...a true family.


I'm still busy writing chapter 2 for this story but it will (hopefully be up soon.

I hope you enjoyed this story :3