Disclaimer: I do not own KHR!
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CHAPTER 1
Remember The Good Times
"What's that?"
"It's a bouquet, Juudaime," Hayato responded without looking up from his Vongola Tablet and continues updating Tsuna on recent Mafia events, "The Tri-Annual list of Mafia famiglia has been made and there are a couple of new ones. Some show promise, while others are rather shady."
Tsuna was half-listening as he stares blankly at the bouquet that stood out from his table of gifts from Mafia and some local businesses as if pacifying him for something.
Yet for some reason the flower arrangement of the bouquet gave him uneasy vibes. But there were flowers, right? Then again Bianchi can just simply pass by the dining room where the whole feast rots and festers quicker than you can cry "Bianchi?!"
"Tsuna-sama? Are you paying attention?"
"Eh? Sorry, go on," Tsuna gave his right-hand man his best indulging smile. Hayato stares at him with "The Look" before going back reading the list of new famiglias.
"As I was saying, the Neo Gospella are previous members of the Gospella," he slides his finger across the screen, "I will send it to your drop box for you to read the report and all that consists of their finances and such to give you a clear idea what we are going to face if you chose the eliminate the famiglia, again…"
Tsuna softly sighs and plays with his pen while his other hand holds his chin. The Decimo tries to not daydream about his next break from this monotone ritual of hearing Hayato report the Mafia being annoying pain in the butt. He nods at the right places and grunts when he hears something he dislikes.
"…then the Gesso famiglia send you those flowers to ask your hand in marriage—" Hayato hides a small smile when Tsuna nods before standing up in shock.
"MY WHAT?!"
"As a greeting boss, what else was I saying?" Tsuna glares at the innocent look Hayato gave him. Then their stare down was broken when his office door slams opened.
"Yo! How's it going, Sawada-chan?!" Naito Longchamp drops unceremoniously on the chair in front of Tsuna desk.
"Oi! Don't you know office hours begin after 8:15a.m.?" Hayato glared at Naito who only carelessly waves him off. The wonders of how in just few years since he was inaugurated as Vongola Decimo, Hayato no longer shouts and goes for the kill when someone messes with Tsuna or tries to annoy him. After all it's annoying to calm the insulted Dons and Hayato doesn't like giving more work than necessary to his boss.
"What brings you here, Naito?"
"Bored. Pantera kept feeding me Bianchi's famous drinks, but I don't like drinking fruit juice!" Tsuna and Hayato looks at each other, while the latter shakes his head, "So have you had your morning coffee yet? I would like to order something!"
There was a firm knock that only the service staff do on Tsuna's door, but since Naito as usual forgot to close it correctly, the door easily opened.
"Pardon, Decimo. I brought your coffee and Master Hayato's as well," the maid said. Tsuna nods at her as permission to enter the office. When she caught sight of Naito who was for some weird reason smiling larger than usual, her kind demeanor turns hard.
"I was unaware of your possible visit, Master Longchamp. If you made an appointment before, I might have brought something for you as well."
"Just your wondrous presence is enough for me!" The elderly maid wasn't amused. Once she dropped off the drinks, she left after a stiff bow.
Once the door closed, Hayato sighs, "Please stop antagonizing our maid. She had a bad week with Kyoya and Mukuro destroying yet another wing after she had it cleaned. You're lucky she didn't chew you out when you put your dirty shoes on the table."
Tsuna whips his head toward Naito and glares at him, "On the contrary, I will be hearing it later. Feet down."
Naito laughs, but complies.
"Woe is me for not getting a free meal!" Naito laments as Tsuna walks him out the door.
Hayato rolls his eyes, "That is what you get coming without calling in first. Still, I cannot believe you're getting married Pantera of all people!"
"What makes you think that, Haya-chan?" Naito boisterously laughs, but tones it down when Hayato didn't attack.
Hayato grumbles under his breath, "Why does everyone call me that?"
Tsuna barely holds in a snicker as he remembers last week in the Truth and Dare Vongola-Style. Hayato had missed it because of a stomach ache from a surprised visit from Bianchi. The closest allies were dared to call Hayato that at least once in their conversation. They wanted to see how long his temper would hold and so far, it was a surprising week and counting.
Many already lost saying Hayato would lose it in a couples of hours to half a week.
"—she isn't your type," Tsuna tunes into the conversation again.
"We were childhood friends. She is like the wine as the years go by, she becomes wonderful, even if she no longer as cute as she was when she was younger…" Naito sighs dreamily.
When they turned to Tsuna, he only smiles, "Glad for the break you provided," Tsuna ignores Hayato's frustration in Tsuna's evading paperwork yet again. Since its still morning, Tsuna might go for another attempt, "Just don't forget about—"
"Don't worry! I brought the best performance for Reborn-chan's great day as well as yours. It will surely be enough for us not lose this time!" Both Vongola boss and right-hand man smiled stiffly as Naito left through the front door of the Vongola mansion.
They watched the Longchamp boss slaps the Vongola car valet's back, who brought around said boss' car to the front of the mansion.
Hayato mutters, "How much you want to bet he would lose the Vongola Style Birthday bash again?"
"I'll say it's going to be close. By the way, have you seen Lambo's performance?" Tsuna casually commented as both men walked the opposite direction of the Boss office.
Hayato snorted, "That idiot cow isn't trying to do the mambo-thing again is he? It's just not natural."
Even with his UMA obsession, Hayato didn't dare to take notes or use it for ideas to summon UMA.
"It's rather nostalgic, don't you think," Tsuna frowns trying to remember something as they stepped into the Mansion's back garden.
Unfortunately for Tsuna's bid for freedom, his attempt was noticed and was quickly dragged into the mansion again. He should have use a different topic or even run for it when his right-hand man's guard was down.
Still Tsuna was stubborn and in denial, "Ha-hayato? What are you doing?!"
"Prevention before lamentation!" Tsuna pouts as Hayato drags him from the back of his collar to the office again. Hayato has been paranoid since he accidentally unleashed Bianchi on him and took advantage to run away (after getting the unconscious man comfortable on the couch). The Vongola boss would have fought, but once Hayato physically manhandles him, there is no force on earth or supernatural can Tsuna escape. He sure misses now the always complying Hayato.
"You guys will be the death of me," Tsuna mutters, but Hayato ignores his comments.
Tsuna sighed as he walked toward the Vongola Science Division. He barely finished half of his work and barely received permission from Hayato to leave the office ("Only to the Science Division and back, no detours or long shortcuts!") to get some high-clearance papers that cannot be sent by email or fax. One of the few times he is happy that not everything is high tech. Anything to get him out of his priso—office, he meant office.
"Fuuta-nii!" a familiar voice whined.
"Sorry, Lambo. I cannot play with you right now because you failed your last test after you promised you would study hard," Fuuta gives Lambo a reprimand look.
"But I did!" Lambo huffed.
"That isn't what Mom told me," Tsuna put in, "Even I-Pin studied hard after disappearing to the past."
"Well she can fight without even looking and still look awesome about it," Lambo looks away. Tsuna grins when he catches the younger boy blushing.
"By the way Tsuna-nii, shouldn't you be in the office?" Fuuta asked.
Tsuna grins, "Nope. Before you say anything, Hayato let me go."
"Really why is that?"
Tsuna was about to respond, but couldn't felt it was some kind of trap from the younger boy, "I just needed to drop off this papers."
Unfortunately, Fuuta grins as if catching on, "If it's for Giannini, I can take it for you."
He chuckles when Tsuna's shoulders slumped, "Why does everyone want to leave me in my torture?"
"Try harder next time, Tsuna-nii. I could make you a list of not to do if you want," Fuuta offered as he took the papers from Tsuna's hands.
"Not its fine," Tsuna turns to the moping teen, "You can join me with your make-up work."
"I guess, the great Lambo can deem his presence to his subordinate," Lambo closed one eyes and followed Tsuna with a slouch. They walked back to the office after Fuuta went the other direction.
"We better hurry before you switch again," Tsuna looked at the distance in remembrance. It was kind of hilarious trying to treat Lambo like the age he was in, who kept denying he wasn't five.
"That was one time! I don't know how I got stuck with my younger self's body," Lambo growls.
Tsuna only chuckles.
"You can forget getting a present from the Great Lambo!"
"Alright," Tsuna shrugs, "I guess you don't want my help with your make-up work. I wonder if Hayato would—"
"NO! He only confuses me more!"
Dino beams brightly, "How has Haya-chan been feeling?"
Hayato's eye twitch, but no explosion followed. Instead he mutters darkly and leaves the room. Dino chuckles, but snaps his fingers, "Seems like I am running out of time for our bet, eh lil' bro?"
Tsuna shakes his head in amusement as he watched Dino leave his office in search for his student, Hibari.
Once they were out of their earshot, Tsuna turns to Mochida and Takeshi who stayed behind to report. For some reason, Mochida was shooting daggers (metaphorically) at Takeshi.
Takeshi laughed, "Hayato has not catch on yet?"
Tsuna responded by raising an eyebrow, not in the mood for Takeshi try to postpone their conversation. Then the Vongola boss leans forward and asks, "So Takeshi, care to explain how in the world you got a scar on your chin?"
"Hm? Well, we were playing baseball with Mochida's team since he lost rock-paper-scissors after finishing early our successful mission! Don't worry there were no casualties or anyone to be sent to the ER," Takeshi taps his strap of his sheathe sword on his back, "The game ended when all the balls were sliced up. It was fun!"
"That still doesn't explain that mark on your chin, Takeshi," Tsuna frowns.
"Oh that! Mochida was yelling me about it. I got too excited. I tripped and landed on my sword!"
Tsuna had to swallow the urge to shake his rain guardian. Sometimes he thinks the guy is being infuriating on purpose. Maybe Hayato's constant complaints were in the right after all, "…you tripped?"
"Yep!"
"Liar!" Mochida stands up, poking Takeshi's chest harshly. The latter sheepishly smile and lifted his hands in surrender.
Mochida growls, "It's because this idiot actually saw this weird swordsman with four swords!"
Tsuna turns to Takeshi's grinning face in worry, "Did he wanted to fight you?"
"Nah, he left quickly something about Byak-something sama," Takeshi rubs the back of his head, "I was curious how he was able to walk on swords and I thought it was cool. I tried to use my swords and then I tripped!"
Tsuna groans into his hands, while Mochida goes back reprimanding his squad leader about copying dangerous stunts is not the way to go, especially with flames when there is no doctor nearby.
Tsuna rubs his forehead after he hears his father read over the contract that would be sent to the Vendicare Prison, "How far along is the process of getting Mukuro out?"
"Still difficult, but almost there. With this, it will be in couple of months your male mist guardian will be released in parole for a couple of years," the previous CEDEF boss, who is currently helping with the current one, Basil, looks up from his tablet, "are you sure you want to do this?"
Tsuna ignores Iemitsu for a moment as he did a last swirl of his signature on his Vongola tablet, agreeing to the set conditions.
Only then did the Vongola boss stands up and stares at him with intense gold-brown eyes, long enough to make Iemitsu squirm.
"He's my guardian and together, Chrome and Mukuro are the best, but most of all they are my family."
Iemitsu stares for a moment before he sighs, "Well I did walk into that one. I had a feeling having him as your temporary mist guardian for your Ring battle was going to bite me in the future."
"For that I am grateful," Tsuna stiffly retorted.
His father gave him a wane smile before beaming, "Worry not, my little Tunafish! I will be with your dear mother and maybe go out in another honeymoon~!"
Tsuna groans, trying not to think too deeply about it.
After Iemitsu left, Chrome comes out of the shadows and frowns as she fingers her trident, "Bossu, there is something wrong, but I still not sure what. Mukuro-sama is checking something, but I haven't able to link with him for a while now."
"Don't worry. He'll come when he is ready even if some of us are busy at the time," Tsuna's face darken remembering the time when he was about to strip to take a shower, Mukuro appeared, whistling in appreciation. Tsuna had screamed and practically froze the guy.
Not that it stopped him from messing with Tsuna again. Times like those makes him wonder why he is freeing him. He prefers not to think what kind of chaos he would unleash. The destruction of the Mafia will be the least of his problems.
Chrome lets out a small smile, "He still doesn't know it's almost time for him to be free. I bet he would be very grateful."
Tsuna shrugs, but he understands how much this means to the young woman and blushes when she kisses his cheek.
With that Chrome disappeared in a whirl of mist flames.
Tsuna looks around uneasily from his bathroom doorway. Seeing no one suspicious, Tsuna sighs in relief, placing his towel on his wet hair after quickly pulling up his pajama bottoms.
Only when he reached his window to close the curtains, did he see Bianchi wave from the other side of the glass window. Is either one person or another. A boss never gets privacy for anything these days…
Seems like it's that time of the week for her visit, after being in Reborn's room.
Her visits had begun when Hayato came back severely wounded and Tsuna caught Bianchi lingering. He knew he could not get in between the bad blood that is just full of misunderstandings and mostly pride that makes the Gokudera estranged siblings being left in a room alone difficult, so Tsuna compromised. He will give her reports of Hayato's state and Hayato would pretend he wouldn't know about it as long as he doesn't physically see her. Actually, it was more after giving the soft, but harsh talking to that made even Reborn amused at the sight similar of a parent berating two unruly children.
Recently she has been reporting on her new students. Bianchi has taken in the young women who once upon a time were after Tsuna's heart. Tsuna was reluctant to have Haru and Kyoko join the Mafia, but Hana, while she isn't living in the Vongola mansion, even though she was married to Ryohei, insisted the two young women should at least learn to defend themselves.
The balcony door slid open to let Bianchi in after Tsuna deactivates the security alarm. While he finishes putting on his loose shirt, he asks, "How's their training?"
Bianchi chuckles sits on Tsuna's bed, "They are fast learners. Then again they have a strong resolve."
"Well they are part of this because of me," Tsuna looks down guilty. He sits down hard next to her making the bed bounce for a bit.
"Idiot," Bianchi shoves him off his bed, "They alone made the decision. Besides even if I cleared them ready for missions, I know you will try to give them a small assignment. Just know I will still keep teaching them. You know, just to keep myself sharp."
Tsuna grumbles from the ground, but smiles at Bianchi gratefully.
Then there was a knock on the door, "Tsuna-sama? Is someone there with you?"
Bianchi stands up and smiles longingly at the door. She gives Tsuna a sharp look when he opens his mouth.
You two cannot always keep ignoring each other forever! Tsuna mouthed with a glare.
Watch me! Bianchi glares back as she slid the balcony door open.
There will be a day I won't able to help you, you know, Tsuna crosses his arms.
That would happen only when you're dead, Bianchi rolls her eyes and left.
Tsuna waves goodbye at Hayato before the latter took off to check information from other famiglias on their opinion over the recently fast growing power of the Gesso famiglia. He waits with Reborn on his shoulder to be let inside of the Giglio Nero mansion.
They recently had a call from a worried Gamma asking for Reborn's sun flames because Aria's health had decline once again. This worried the ex-Tutor and Tsuna. Ever since giving birth to her daughter, Yuni years ago, the current Giglio Nero boss' health was never the same. They fear that it's almost time for the Sky Arcobaleno's pacifier to be passed down.
The only hollow consolation was at least Yuni had a chance to get to know her mother, unlike Aria who lost hers when she was born.
It's very rare for Tsuna to say anyone from the famiglia, but never question their privacy. Just seeing little Yuni happy was enough for him. Now, those smiles rare and Gamma who is very protective of her and Aria, would be willing let them in to see them again.
They quickly arrived to one of Aria's room where she is being kept watch for her declining health. Her face was paler than usual and the pacifier still around her neck, slightly pulsing orange light. She was gently ruffling her sleeping daughter's hair, who was sleeping from her chair.
"Thank you, Gamma," Aria whispers. Gamma's hard look softens at her voice, but a lingering worry was still in his eyes. He bows and with a last pointed look at the two visitors, Gamma left the room.
When Reborn jumps down on Aria's bed, activating his yellow pacifier, Yuni groans awake.
"Morning Yuni-chan," Tsuna chuckles at her surprise.
"Tsuna-nii!" she quickly rushes to hug him, "You came with Uncle Reborn!"
"How are your studies?" Reborn asks while he used his Sun flames on Aria.
"Great," she gave a small smile, "I also help mother with her work. It isn't that hard."
Reborn smiles softly before smirking at Tsuna, "Look that is what a true boss should be. Not running away in terror."
Tsuna scoffs, "Yuni is always brave and strong what are you talking about."
Yuni shyly smiles at this, but touched, "But Uncle Reborn, I know other big and scary famiglias respect Tsuna-nii. Besides I am still little I don't think I am that strong and brave, Tsuna-nii."
"True," Tsuna looked thoughtful for a moment before he leans over to Yuni's eye level, "But I know your heart is your strongest point of all."
He ruffles her hair, smiling at the sight of small smile on her blushing face.
It was a long, terrible day, but the battle has finally been won.
There is no paperwork or pending horrors for Tsuna to face. Now he can finally lay down and take a nap on their Family room, a large living room where the guardians relax on their days off within the mansion. Most of his guardians were spread out either working on low level paperwork or video games or simply enjoying the quietness.
"EXTREME!" Ryohei jumps into the center of the room.
Tsuna sits up and rubs his eyes, "What are you so excited about, Big Brother?"
"NAITO CHOSE ME TO PREPARE FOR HIS EXTREME BACHELOR'S PARTY!"
There was a silence in the room until Lambo snaps out of it first.
"Why?! Why him?!" Whines Lambo, "I'm the party guru!"
Ryohei laughs boisterously, "HE EXTREMELY SAW HOW EXTREME I AM, LAMBO-CHAN!
"Stop calling me that! It's the Great Lambo!"
Tsuna nervously chuckles, remembering Ryohei's ideas being shot down when it was his own. He wonders if Ryohei would invite that one bear who beat him in a fighting video game again. Last time, Dino ran from the room after the bear took one look of his whip. Reborn chuckles something about just like old times. Tsuna was kind enough not to ask Dino for the full story.
"So," Dino began.
"So what?" Tsuna asks Dino as they walked around the Cavallone mansion. They just finished the weekly allied famiglia meeting with only the bosses. Tsuna started this a year after his reign as Vongola Decimo where all the fully allied famiglias bosses meet up together to socialize and rant off about their crazy subordinates' stupidities. Every time is a different famiglia who opens their mansion to hold the meeting and swore upon their honor and blood that there would be no trickery and whatever happens and said in such a meeting, stays in that meeting.
"Kyoya seems to be getting really fidgety," Dino nervously smiles.
"Fidgety?" Tsuna looks over Dino who gives him a strained smile. He sighs, "How many?"
"He broke 18 training rooms," Tsuna raises his eyebrows in surprise at the low number, but then Dino goes on, "the main garden, the back garden and Michael's tennis courts and—"
"Let me just send you a blank check," Tsuna sighs, cutting off Dino's long damage list.
"Relax Tsuna, I can pay for it," Tsuna stares at him with a twitching eye giving him a look that says, Then why tell me the list at all then?!
Dino laughs, "Just proving my point to give something different or figure out what is making Kyoya frustrated."
Tsuna wonders if Dino somehow picked up some of Reborn's mindreading abilities. Although he had not seen Kyoya for a while now with Kusakabe always sent in his place to drop of the mission reports. Maybe he is getting homesick since it has been a long time since Kyoya had done a personal checkup to Namimori.
By the time Kyoya finished reinserting his iron fist dictatorship over Namimori, Tsuna will able to send him to a long-term mission. This mission will only be done once the preparations of the newly discovered weaponry: box animals. Tsuna isn't sure what that consist of, but only by what Verde was willing to say. Kyoya would love the job to find these box animals. Power plus animals, it's just what Kyoya would love. As if the man wasn't scary enough.
The large birthday bash was in full swing. Reborn's portion was done extravagantly, leaving the Hitman smug. Once again, no one reached 100 points in the Vongola Birthday games. When it was time for Tsuna's part, he had to give a speech, thanking everyone for coming. The dinner turned into a Food War III when dessert was being served.
Thoughts of how much work into cleaning all this mess was put in hold as Tsuna watched everyone enjoyed the evening.
Speaking of enjoying the night, Tsuna chuckles as Yuni dragged him into the dance floor. She pulled him as she twirled and skipped to the side, dancing silly, urging Tsuna to do the same. The Vongola Decimo laughs and complies the ten year-old girl's wishes. People who watched cooed and laughs. Some even joined them. The dance floor began to crowd as more people joined, which Tsuna carried the little girl with him so she wouldn't get pushed around. Not to mention Gamma having his head, boss or no boss.
That is when he felt it. Tsuna whirled around and his eyes caught the closed eyed, white haired young man. He had a purple jagged tattoo under his left eye.
As if sensing him, the young man open his eyes and showed surprise. Tsuna felt like a last piece of the puzzle was fitted, but the result was not going to be pleasant.
He felt a tug from his hand. Tsuna broke the eye contact and looks down to see Yuni looking worried, "Yes?"
"I don't feel good," she looked so broken and frightened that Tsuna's eyes soften. He picks her up again, causing her to giggle.
"Let's see what your Uncle Reborn is up to!"
"Ok," then her eyes widen, "I almost forgot! Mother wanted me to give you this. She said you have to read it after the party is over."
Tsuna smiled, but felt a strong foreboding feeling coming from the letter. He placed it in his pants pocket with his free hand.
There was a slight explosion across the ballroom and a faint pink smoke was seen.
"Give Lambo grape candy!" Tsuna sighs although wondering why the child switched this time.
"Again?! This is the second time this week!" Seems like Hayato has it handled.
He walks with Yuni on hand toward Reborn. The young girl started to talk animatedly with Reborn.
In the background, Tsuna ignored the cut off crying from the familiar pink explosion going off again.
Few hours, shy from midnight, everyone in exception to Vongola's closest allies, left.
Suddenly Fuuta shouted, "Photo time!"
"Eh?" Tsuna was confused at this. More so when everyone while reluctant, seemed eager with the way they rushed for the best spot. The Arcobaleno, Varia, Cavallone and a couple other allied famiglias surrounded Tsuna and Reborn, who the latter jumped on his usual spot on Tsuna's shoulder.
Giannini took his camera out of his lab coat. Thank goodness that after so many years, Giannini no longer make defective inventions or even messed up with repairs. While he and Fuuta set it up, Tsuna looks around.
Xanxus was lounging on his new upgraded Royal Chair with Levi on one knee lifting a tray of the finest Whiskey with the rest of the Varia scattered around him, who some were trying to antagonized a certain loud guardian and easy going guardian. Dino was laughing as he dragged an annoyed Kyoya. I-Pin was whispering something to her serene master, who was in her arms while Lambo attempted to subtlety wrap his arms over I-Pin's shoulder. The rest of the Vongola guardians were eagerly trying to squish Tsuna. The Arcobaleno were around Yuni as if guarding her from possible attacks. Said girl was holding Tsuna's hand, smiling at her two favorite people.
The photo clicked loudly for a countdown. When camera flashed, Tsunayoshi Sawada felt like the luckiest man in the world. Not even a kick from Reborn after the photo was taken, can take off his largest smile of having all his precious people in one place.
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A/N: So happy...until it's not! Oh no, what problems could possibly happen?!
Just for heads up, this story is going to be only three chapters long. Have a great day/night fellow readers and until next time, LaniAhava out!