There were five things Tsunayoshi Sawada was absolutely sure of in this world. It had taken her all eighteen years of her life to compile this list, but she could unflinchingly say that they were the truest statements to describe her reality. They were akin to the Laws of Physics- through rigorous, repeated trials, she had determined that obedience to these rules gave her the best chance to live peacefully, though perhaps not happily.

Unfortunately, this sort of pragmatism had landed her here. In Italy. Standing in the hallway of the Vongola Corperation's Estate, in which her father worked as an advisor to the CEO of the company himself.

Tsuna was the first to say that she was perhaps a little listless. She had graduated from Namimori High School barely, and after doing so had indicated to her mother that she would be getting a part time job at the local convenience store. And that was it. Tsuna was satisfied with it- she could stay home and take care of her aging mother and bring in a little income as well… but Nana had other plans.

Nana had decided a gap year would be good for her only child, and thought a reunion visit with her often illusive father was just the thing. Surely the grandeur of the Vongola Estate would inspire her somewhat dull daughter, perhaps even encourage her to pursue a future with the Vongola themselves. Nana certainly was optimistic, calling it a gap year, as though Tsuna would undergo some fundamental character change and return to Japan a wholesome, popular, and motivated youth, prepared to continue on to some bright future.

As if. The Estate certainly was grand, but Tsuna was sick of it. When Tsuna had walked off the plane in Naples, her father had enthusiastically met her, but had seemed bemused about what an eighteen year old girl would want to do during a gap year and had promptly tried to foist her off on his intern, Basil. Basil was polite, but the hero-worship of her father that flowed freely from his lips grew tiring.

Which lead her to this very location, at this very time. Two weeks into her vacation and she was done. Thus, she was standing in the hallway before the thick oak door of her father's study, mentally preparing herself to go in.

She was about to enter- she was sure of it, probably, maybe, with a few more seconds to prepare- when the pad of feet on the thick carpet caught her attention. Down the hallway approached the one man she had been hoping to avoid before talking to her father, and he looked like he had caught sight of his favorite prey.

"Where are you going?" Reborn asked her. His eyes glimmered beneath his fedora. She sighed. Reborn was persistent, always harassing her to do more while in Italy. See more sights. Learn more Italian. Talk to more people. He didn't get it. She knew better, and had codified it properly in Rule Five: Big endeavors generally ended poorly. But when she tried to explain to him that she didn't plan this trip to be anything special- she didn't plan it at all- he just shrugged and said her lack of passion was going to keep her No-Good forever. Then he hit her with a mallet and walked off, talking about work he had to do and how precious his advice was and how to give it to a Dame was practically charity.

"I think I'll ask Otou-san for a plane ticket home. I don't think I'm suited for Italy," she replied, eyes skittering away from his. She didn't want to admit it, but she thought he might have been let down in her. She did seem to be his project, after all.

But to her surprise, he cackled instead of scolding her. "You hardly know Italy to make that kind of judgement. And who's to say you're better suited for Japan? Or for anywhere else?" Her eyes welled a little, but she stepped to his side to walk around him. Over her time here, she had grown accustomed to Reborn's needling, and might have even called them good acquaintances if pressed. Not quite friends, though; Rule Four delineated that she should never, ever expect friendship to be handed to her. Still, this was a little harsh, even for Reborn's teasing.

"If you'll excuse me-" she muttered. Reborn's hand flew out in front of her face. "Hiee-" she squeaked.

"Three weeks," Reborn said.

"What-?" Tsuna's eyes focused in on the shiny metal that hung from Reborn's hand. He had not, as she thought, been trying to punch her for her insubordination, but instead was dangling two replicated car keys from an orange strap in front of her eyes.

"Take this car for three weeks. Drive wherever you want, you can go into town or clear to Russia if you want, but you can't come back here. Either way, stay out for three weeks and I'll pay for your ticket home. First class, too. Come back early and you beg your dear father and mother to pweaty-pwease send you home, like a coward. What do you think? A good old-fashioned road trip never hurt anyone."

Tsuna's eyes followed the keys as they drifted below his hand. Was he crazy? A road trip would probably kill her, especially if she went it alone. She could drive a car, sure, but she would probably accidentally blow up the engine within a day. It wasn't like she wanted to ask her dad for a ticket. It went against Rule Three: be self-sufficient. But she wasn't so standoffish to take up Reborn's crazy scheme instead.

"Ah, no thank you Reborn. I think you have me confused for someone a little more capable." She stepped around him, and began to push the door to her Dad's office open. The heavy door moved only an inch, but the voices of her dad and his boss drifted through the gap.

"I don't know what to do with her anymore, Nono. Tsuna just doesn't seem cut out for any position in the Vongola, despite me handing her numerous opportunities. Nana is at her wit's end as well- did you know Tsuna didn't even bother applying for college?! It's like she's just given up on achieving anything…" Iemitsu's voice was tense with frustration and confusion.

"She just hasn't found what she's passionate about yet, Iemitsu. I'm sure with a little more time she'll find what she's willing to fight for." Nono's voice was measured and calm, but even he sounded concerned. Tsuna stiffened- even her father's boss thought she was a failure. Well, it made sense. Even she understood.

Upon arrival, she had been given the opportunity to temp at a smaller Vongola office, but has always seemed to mess up the job. She mixed up paperwork, broke printers, and spilled tea on guests. Within three days her father had discretely been asked to take her off the job. He came up with a weak excuse that she should enjoy more of Italy's wonders. She accepted to save him face.

If they had asked her before she began, she could have explained that she was unfit for the job. It was a rule. Rule Two- keep out of the way of Otou-san's work. It wasn't like she could understand the complexities of a multi-national, billion dollar corporation anyways. She hardly passed geometry in high school! She thought they knew that by now.

"Whenever she sees me, she just gives me this empty look, Nono! Like- like she can't see any sort of light in future. Nana saw it too, and couldn't stand it any longer. She begged me to invite Tsuna here for a gap year, but now I'm not sure Tsuna is happy here. Maybe she would be happier with her mother, but Nana would be so disappointed if she came home early…" Iemitsu trailed off, staring into the fire that was perpetually lit in the fire place, even on warm summer days like today. The men lapsed into thoughtful silence.

Ah, this was what Otou-san thought of her, Tsuna thought. Was she really No-Good in either Italy or Japan? She glanced towards Reborn to see if he had heard. His face was inscrutable, with his eyes shaded behind his hat. However, he held out his hand, with the keys sitting in his palm. It was a quiet invitation, a test of her will.

With trembling fingers, Tsuna plucked the keys from Reborn's hand and ran her thumb over the texture of the ridges. Peering up into his eyes, she thought she might spy a note of approval, before he through open the door with his other hand, revealing the girl and the man to the study.

Iemitsu stood up with alarm. "Tuna-chan? Ah, what is it? I'm a little busy with work right now, but if you want to meet for dinner…" Iemitsu rapidly tried to cover the fact he had just been fretting about her to his boss, but trailed off as she held up the car keys Reborn had handed her in the hallway. "Tsu-chan, what is it?"

"Ah, otou-san, I…" Tsuna scrambled for her thoughts. "I just wanted to stop by and tell you the good news. Reborn has planned an adventure for me; it's a- a road trip! I thought that maybe I should finally see some of the famous Italian countryside." She forced a laugh, but it didn't seem to bother Iemitsu.

Ecstatic, he jumped from his seat to clasp her hands. "Oh Tsuna, that sounds wonderful! That's exactly what you need, some fresh air and some adventure." His eyes glimmered with the promise of things Tsuna wasn't sure she could deliver. She mustered a smile anyways.

"I'm going to leave as soon as possible, Otou-san. I'll be back in three weeks, though, you'll hardly miss me," she explained.

"Ah- so soon! That's hardly any time to prepare, but if you are sure…" She didn't know what she wanted to hear from him, but her spirits still sunk. Maybe she wanted him to be a little less enthusiastic. Maybe cling to her a little more. Profess that he would be heartbroken without her. She knew he would miss her, but it was a little underwhelming. Still… it made sense.

Rule One: don't expect too much from Kaa-chan and Otou-san.

"I've already taken care of the preparations," Reborn said from the doorway. "She's ready to go whenever she desires." He smirked. Of course he had known she would take him up, one way or another. The arrogant prick, she thought.

She leaned in and kissed her father on the cheek, and bowed politely to Nono. "Ah, if you will excuse me," she murmured. "I'd best be on my way." She withstood her father's bear hug and admonitions about the dangers of the world (don't talk to boys, be careful on steep roads, boil your water before you drink it), before excusing herself and following Reborn out of the door.

"If you were serious about leaving now, I can take you to the carport now. It's all ready to go," Reborn said. Tsuna nodded, and fell into step behind him as he turned down the hallway. They were quiet as they walked.

If she released a few stifled tears as she walked, Reborn pretended not to notice. He was a pretty good acquaintance like that.

Hi everyone!

My name's Fire. This is my first story, so please, feedback would be lovely! I'm looking to make this story as fun a romp as possible!

Yours,

Fire