To Tsuna

It's been so long since we came to this future. How long more …?

A knock on the door brought him back to the future.

"It's ok, just come in," he sat up.

"Juudaime?" Giannini shuffled into the room. "Actually…"

"Why? Did something happen?"

"Actually… before the Juudaime of this time switched places with you, he left a letter for you."

"WH-what?!"

"I'm very sorry that it took this long, but I was waiting for the right moment to give it to you, and so much happened since you came here…He wanted you to receive it only when nobody else was around." Giannini lowered his head and handed the envelope over with both hands.

What?! I actually left a letter for myself…? No, the future me actually did that…?

Tsuna took the envelope and waited till Giannini's footsteps echoed into the distance. He looked down at it and fingered the Vongola seal on it.

What is going to be inside? Am "I" going to apologise? Or…?

Slowly, he tore open the envelope. He paused for a moment, before finally reaching into the envelope and taking out the sheet of paper in it.

To Tsuna

The handwriting is different but yet still so familiar.

Hello… It took me some time to decide what to include in this letter. It really is weird; it feels like I am writing to a younger brother. And the thing is, I can understand what he is going through, thinking and feeling all the time.

First, I really do want to apologise for dragging you into this war that you were never meant to face until years later. But, you have to understand that this is part of your responsibility as the tenth leader of Vongola. No matter how difficult it gets, you will still have to do it.

Over the course of the next ten years, you may have to experience the pain of losing friends and Family members, helplessness and sadness… It will not be easy, but do remember this, you are not alone. Even if the world crumbles on you, your Family would hold the skies up for you. Don't take everything on by yourself, however tempting it may be, trust your Family and so, depend on them. You are not the only one worrying; you are making them worried when you try to keep everything to yourself. Whether if it is pain or laughter, share… Share everything with your Family. Hayato, Takeshi, Ryouhei, Kyoya, Lambo, Chrome…They weren't chosen to be your Guardians by accident. They were each chosen for a reason. No matter what happens, they will be there for you.

Dame dame no tsuna... Are you already resigned to this name? It may not be convincing for me to tell you this, but you are far from being a good-for-nothing. This strong desire of yours to prevent your Family from harm and how you go all out just from this conviction alone… proves that. To be truly strong is when you can still forge ahead even as you admit that you are afraid, and how many times have you done this already?

Believe me and trust yourself, choosing to be the Tenth was not a wrong decision. No matter how many times you are given the choice, you would still choose to become the Tenth in the end. In order to gain the power to protect your Family, you would have to step into the Mafia world. But, don't be afraid, be brave, have faith and do what you judge to be correct. As long as you stay true to your beliefs, nothing, not even the Mafia world, can change you.

One last thing… I believe in you too. What you can accomplish is far greater than what you can imagine. Don't forget your feelings now. And if you ever get lost, believe in your heart, and let it guide you…

I'm counting on you,

Vongola Tenth,

Sawada Tsunayoshi

Thank you.

He placed the letter under his pillow.

"Don't worry, I will never lose sight of what is most important to the both of us." The door slid open, and Tsuna stepped out.