"Should that even concern me?"
The question was spoken into the receiver with so much indifference, it was almost cold. Orbs of blue drifted towards the open window, relaxing into the computer chair that she sat herself in. There was a usual scowl on her lips, much like the Vongola Cloudian before her. A hiss of a sigh passed through her nostrils as the other spoke on.
"But he's family."
"I told you, he's not by brother."
"Okay, I get that. Bu –"
"Do you?"
"He's still one of the Guardians, Emi. And we can't get him back without you."
There was dead silence.
"I'll get back to you on that, later."
"Emi, wa - !"
CLICK!
The second Chairman of the Foundation sighed as she placed the phone down onto its cradle. Emi Katsumi sighed once more, running slender fingers through purple and black hair. Slowly, she stood as she crossed the room towards the mini-fridge she kept there in the spacious office. As she did so, she picked absently at the stitches at the corner of her lips, ducking down to open the fridge, removing the bottle of Calpis water from the ice box.
"What baka, always causing me trouble."
Eleven years later, and Emi has yet to get over the small – Huge – Betrayal. Granted, she missed having Ame as her best friend, but she couldn't walk down that road again. She believed that no one could change and that she could no longer trust him again. And though she was still broken and hallow inside, the scars will never heal completely.
"Great," the brunette sighed as she flipped the cellular device closed, brow furrowed together with deep concern, Golden eyes slowly rose to her red-haired Storm, forcing a smile. "Convincing her will be harder than I had thought," she muttered with an awkward sort of laugh. Sighing once more, the Juuichihime rubbed at her temples where a head-ache was starting to form. Being the Boss of an elite family was not easy – But she already knew that. And dealing with Emi – A Cloudian, of all things – Was difficult as it was.
"She'll come around; she always does."
Ryota sounded so damn sure of himself. That was probably because out of all of them, he knew her best. Granted, Ayane knew Emi very well (As much as Ame, in a sense), but Ryota was one of the few people who was able to break through the hard barrier she had locked herself into. The Cloud and the Storm – Though always at each other's throats – Was not a force to be reckoned with.
"Don't worry, Juuichihime," he said with a smile of both comfort and assurance, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That stupid 'coon may be a pain in the ass like most girls – Except for you, of course – But she has never failed us before, when it comes down to it." As much as he hated to admit it, they were all pretty reliant on her help. No one could bring down enemies as fast as she could, and no one could do so with so much ferocity. Granted that she was short-tempered and known for her biting remarks, but out of all of them, minus Ayane, she was the most reliable – You just needed to know how to make her cooperate.
Ayane managed a weak smile as she looked up at her right-hand man. ""You're right," she said, standing with resolve filling her golden optics. "We cannot lose hope now. We will get Ame back," hand drawn to her chest, clenching on the ring around her neck, the Unidecimo Vongola Sky danced out of her office with small and petite steps; Ryota close at her heels. "Summon Kinta, Jasper, and Eli; we'll figure something out."