To my beloved Famiglia,

Time is such a strange thing isn't it? While looking upwards to the ceiling of my office I realized how time passes so quickly when we want it to last the most but when we don't it seems to last for an eternity. I have set the timer and the clock is ticking. By the time you read this my own time will have paused; like a broken watch you might say.

I'm writing this letter so that you will have something to remind you every, single day of my love for all of you and and of how sorry I am that it's come to this. I want you to not loose faith nor resolve and to stand united while my plan unfolds. Please be patient.

It seems like only yesterday a certain monster of a baby in a suit and fedora greeted me at my house and then later brandished a chameleon to my head whilst telling me I was to be Vongola's Tenth. I remember how I used to be the butt of everyone's joke back then. I was 'Dame-Tsuna', I was the kid that always got picked last for everything, I didn't even know the meaning of the word 'friend'. 'Friends' were a distant luxury it seemed I was not entitled to. How pitiful right? So pitiful that I would wallow in self-pity. But somehow I became happy with all of it. The world didn't care for me and I didn't have high hopes for the world. The tapestry of my life was a dull, dead and dreary grey. But you changed that, Reborn. You laid out the foundation of my change and you slowly built upon it with no guarantee that it would succeed. Because of you the tapestry suddenly exploded. It exploded into shades of purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. For that I owe you my life.

Thanks to Reborn, I slowly but surely met all of you guys. My precious people. Some of us didn't get on to a very good start did we? But look at us now! We can barely stay away from each other even if some of us don't want to admit that. To be honest at first I hated my new life. There's no secret to that, I hated it with a passion. I wanted nothing to do with the mafia because all the stories I knew of it were bad one's. Sometimes you guys would drive me up the wall. But later I realized how amazing all of you are and how you each stole pieces of my heart and refused to give them back until they were filled to the brim with love for each of you.

But now Vongola and its children are being hunted down. We are nearing the brink of extinction and I simply cannot allow this. If it means giving up my life to save you guys from being humiliated and butchered as if this was some grand Roman carnival then so be it.

I'm not going to sugar coat things and say that things have been easy. No, we've all seen things nobody should ever see, we've suffered pain, loss, humiliation and sadness. But, when I think about it, the positives really do outweigh those feelings don't they? Everyday we are able to laugh and be happy together. Even if we feel those things, we have each other for support. Not a lot of people can say they have a family as wonderful as you guys but I know I can say it out loud and with pride.

There are not many things I regret but there are a few. I regret not throwing my weight around sooner, I regret not stepping up to my responsibilities sooner, we wouldn't have been in this mess otherwise, I regret not being able to say goodbye to you all properly. I think you can understand how painful that would be and you would try to stop me.

But even though I have those regrets, I'm also hopeful. I'm hopeful that in a while this will all just be a nightmare and we'll wake up to a bright sky. I'm hopeful that you guys will trust me like you always have when I say I know what I'm doing. I'm hopeful we'll be able to laugh together again soon, I'm hopeful for so many things but also that you, Mukuro, will walk the Earth a free man; I've been waiting for you. I'm also hopeful that the Varia won't do anything to my mansion and office but that might be a little too hopeful.

I want everyone to feel hope even though that seems like such a foreign concept now.

Even though I should be afraid, I'm not so don't worry about me, worry about yourselves. I will admit though, this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I'll do it and know that I do it so that one day we can all laugh with each other without having to look over our shoulders. Even though I am trembling and the tears won't stop I won't give up, no one can stop me.

Ne, everyone, I realized something not long ago. Something about love I never would have thought of if I wasn't writing this letter.

Love is the mist. Creating something from nothing and nothing from something. It deceives to protect what it loves; hiding it from hate and pain.

Love is the clouds. Aloof, unbound and drifting yet the clouds shield what it loves with a fierce devotion. Watching it from its independent stand point.

Love is the rain. Washing away the blood that had been spilled and easing the tension. It becomes a blessed requiem ready to wash away the pain and sorrow from those it loves.

Love is lightning. Becoming a blazing strike with hidden ferocity, it draws damage away from what it loves with dramatic shows of beauty and power.

Love is a storm. Always at the heart of the front lines it rages restlessly and violently with a reverent desire to protect all that it loves. It goes all out to eradicate danger.

Love is the sun. Brightly shining upon everything it loves it boosts their spirits. Destroying all misfortune with its blazing warmth and piercing rays.

Love is the sky. All encompassing, understanding and accepting. It is the firmament that holds together all that it loves and delights in their happiness.

I just realized that I do not have much time left. I wanted to give everyone something personal, so I give you my thoughts and feelings. It's the best I can do but I think they are worth so much more than gold and finery.

Hayato. My first true friend. Don't you dare blame yourself for this. I forbid it. Don't fight so much with Takeshi, Lambo and Ryohei. You are the best right hand man I could have ever hoped for. No one will ever compare to you and your loyalty is second to none. Remember what you learned so many years ago. Live. Always strive to return home safe and sound ne?

Takeshi. My 'left hand man'. Your cheerful smiles and innocent simplicity are precious gifts that are not to be wasted. Without you the world would be a less joyful place. You ease our worries so effortlessly without ever stopping to think about yourself. Such unselfishness is so hard to find nowadays.

Ryohei. The most passionate person I know. Your 'EXTREMES' can be heard from the other side of the world but they never cease to make me feel extreme too. Your determination and spirit have never failed to renew our resolves and your ability to do more than 1000 push-ups, 1000 sit ups and 10 miles of running in one morning is something I'll never understand.

Lambo. My little Lambo. I remember you bursting into my room with grenades wearing a cow suit but being in tears not even a few minutes later. I felt the need to protect you after that. It tore my heart apart to see you fight and get hurt but you filled me with pride every time you proved how much you had actually grown. Stay strong.

Kyoya. The 'Carnivore'. You always did intimidate me when I was younger but that soon turned into fierce admiration, pride and joy that you were my guardian. Always dependable and unquestionably strong you supported the family and myself so many times I've lost count though you were so adamant you didn't crowd. I'm glad that I've earned your respect. You have lovely singing voice by the way.

Chrome and Mukuro. Complete opposites yet harmonious. Chrome you were so shy when we first met but you had such a strength and determination. Remember that you are family. We love you as much as everyone else in our family because you are someone special to us. Don't you ever doubt it. Mukuro, I know that you used to think I was the enemy, part of you still does, but I want to say how sorry I am for leaving you locked up when you gave me nothing but love and trust when we finally sorted out almost all our problems. You do not deserve to still be in that hell-hole after what you've been through. As far as I'm concerned, you've paid your dues. But very soon you will be walking the Earth a free man because I've been waiting for you. I've been waiting for far too long. Just like with Chrome, you are one of my precious people I must protect and nothing is ever going to change that. Both of you may have had no homes with your previous families, but you always have a place in mine.

Mama and Papa. The strangest couple...ever. Mama you were constantly there for us, taking in kids that weren't your own, even though we were lying to you. When we did tell you the truth, you took it so well that I was willing to bet my life that you had hit your head. I don't think you realize how much we all love you and we miss you every single day. Papa I always thought that you were never there for mama and I, I always thought you didn't care but I've learned that you were only gone so long to protect us. You believed with all you heart and soul that I would be a good boss and I thank you for that. You are a good man. Be there for mama while I'm gone.

Kyoko, Haru, I-Pin, Bianchi, Futa, Basil, Dino, Romario, Kasukabe, Lanchia, Doctor Shamal, The Varia and the Arcobaleno. You are some of the craziest people I've met but you have helped me through some of the toughest times of my life and I am doing this for you also because I love you so much. Don't ever change because you are all precious people, though I can just about imagine the disgust on the faces of some of you.

Reborn. My stronghold. You can't even begin to imagine how much I miss you. Everyday I expect you to just sneak up on me and make me jump, every time I hear the door open I think it will be you who walks in. It breaks my heart when I realize you're not here anymore. I feel lost without your guidance. Hell, I even miss your 'fists of love'. I would give pretty much anything to bring you back. If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I would run all the way to heaven just to bring you home again. I would run into the flames of hell if I thought it would bring you back to us. There's not a day that goes by where I'm not haunted by the memories of you tired, sick and eventually dying. You never failed me but I failed you. Now I hope to make up for that and to repay you for being the rock on which I depend. You made me what I am today, I owe you my life. No one will ever come close to understanding how much I care for you as my tutor, friend and ally. You became a father to me while mine was risking his life to protect mama and I, thank you. I never told you any of this and I regret it so much.

This has to be one of the longest letters I have ever written but I do not believe it is long enough but I don't know what else to say. I know that words on a page are usually worthless but I hope these words have left you hope. But I know you will cry for me, in your own ways you will cry and I'm crying with you because of the guilt I feel. The once blue sky is now almost black.

I'm minutes away from leaving now to face my destiny at the Millefore Head Quarters but I go there unafraid. The tapestry of my life, I fear, will be dyed a brilliant crimson but the rainbow will shine through it. I feel really cold and tired, like I have been walking for a long, long time without any hope of finding the light. But I think I've finally found it.

So I know that...everything will be OK just as long as you believe in me until the very end. This is not the end, believe it or not you will see me again, maybe sooner than you think.

I know you think that we are doomed to fall to the Millfiore but I'm telling you now that that will NEVER happen because Vongola shall never die. Don't give up hope. As long as I am Vongola's leader we will never let evil like the Millefiore triumph. We will keep fighting until the last child falls. Gather in arms and stay strong. Hold your heads up high with pride because you are strong! The day where we will laugh and cry freely with joy is not far from coming. The day where enemies become allies is near at hand. Do not worry if the time comes for you to join me or if it doesn't because not everything is as it seems. I am waiting for you and I will wait forever.

I can't help but smile right now. Weird I know, but I'm smiling because I know everything is going to be all right.

Buona notte tutti. Attendere per me, non voglio essere troppo lungo. Ti amo tutti. (Goodnight all. Wait for me, I will not be too long. I love you all.)

Tsuna.

Hey! Just got the idea for this story in my head one day and BAM! I wrote it down :D I really hope you enjoyed reading it and I would really appreciate it if you left a little review with your thoughts on this and any tips you can give me will be a God-send! x