26 years after Tsuna's battle to the death with Byakuran...

Into the happy future the Vongola Famiglia were promised...

A new power will rise to inherit the title of Boss.

Her name is Sawada Ayaka.

***
I hear feet. Tiny, clicking feet padding across my hardwood floor. I grumble, my thoughts clouded with sleep, and roll over, thinking I'm dreaming. Sleep slips over me for a couple of seconds, but something interrupts me. Something hissing and furry and vicious.

"KYAAAAAAAAA!" I shoot up in bed, flinging my attacker against the wall, and realizing I recognize the little furball.

"Oi, Uri!" Gokudera-san calls his insane cat as he rushes through my door. Uri then switches his attack to his master, which makes me giggle and clap, my way of showing amusement since childhood. "Don't encourage him..." he grumbles. "Ayaka-sama, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Gokudera-san," I reply. "Good morning!"

"Good morning, Ayaka-sama!" Gokudera says enthusiastically.

"What time is it? And you really don't need to address me as "-sama"... " I mutter for at least the thousandth time.

"8 o'clock, Ayaka-sama" he replies, acting more like a servant than one of my dad's Guardians. I laugh nervously, realizing he didn't get the point for at least the thousandth time. "Well, I'll let you get changed. Oh! The Tenth wants to talk to you. He's in the library."

I'm slightly confused by this. My relationship with my dad is very easy and relaxed, so even though he's a Mafia boss it's odd for him to be formally asking for me. "Uh... Ok. Thank you, Gokudera-san"

"Yes, Ayaka-sama!" Gokudera uses his same enthusiastic voice, and leaves me to get dressed and head to the library. I don't really pay attention as I'm putting on jean shorts and a green shirt, I'm too busy wondering what dad wants to talk about. I'm making my way to the library when I run into another Guardian, who also happens to be my uncle.

"GOOD MORNING TO THE EXTREME, AYAKA-CHAN!" Ryohei gives a shout that could shatter the very walls. I clamp my hands over my ears.

"Oji-san, how are you so loud this early in the morning?" I groan.

"A man's gotta be able to face anything! If I can't conquer silence with extreme volume-"

"Onii-chan, people are sleeping!" my mom cuts off her brother, who hadn't even registered her presence. Mom proceeds to shush him while I quietly slip past and continue on my way. Soon enough, I reach the library and somewhat hesitantly enter.

***
I'm greeted by dad, who's seated erectly in one of the many recliners in the library, with Reborn-san sitting on his shoulder. Dad looks nervous, Reborn keeps that emotionless composure of his. This is serious, that much I can tell.

"Good morning, 'To-san, Reborn-san," I greet them, somewhat uneasily.

"Morning, Ayaka," Dad replies. He sounds like he's dreading something. I noticed he dropped the "-chan" from my name. I don't really like it, but I decide it doesn't really matter. For a moment, he seems to space out. Now I'm starting to get worried. Dad never acts like this. Reborn doesn't miss a beat in kicking him in the face.

"You're 39 years old, and you're still No-Good Tsuna. You're making me look bad as your tutor. Now spit it out, or I'll tell your daughter for you."

"Tell me what?" I ask, getting a little irritated that they're swinging secrets in my face.

"Sit down, Ayaka-chan," Dad says, motioning to a chair across from his. Ayaka-chan. Yes, that's better. I take the seat and nod to my dad, so he knows I'm listening. He leans forward, just enough to rustle my brown hair. "You're becoming a woman so fast... I can't believe you're 16... " He seems to say this more to himself than anyone else. "Which is why I want you to start considering whether you want to inherit Vongola."

My heart sinks just a bit. That was it? All that suspense for a question he already knew the answer to? "'To-san...you know I do. If a lack of resolve is why you're doubting me, I'll-"

"I'm not doubting you, Ayaka. I'm asking you to reconsider." Dad's words hit me like a ton of bullets straight to the heart. My hands settle in my lap, and my eyes are pinned to my knees.

"What about me has failed the Family name...?" I ask, trying not to let it show how much my voice is shaking. "Vongola has always been my everything! It's all I know!" I look dad in the eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Tell me how I've disgraced you, and I'll do anything to make it right!"

Dad looks stunned by my sudden outburst for a moment. "Ayaka-chan..." And, to my surprise, he bursts out laughing. The corners of Reborn's mouth slide into a contented smile. I stammer out monosyllabic questions as dad gets ahold of himself. "I was only asking you to reconsider for your own safety. But I can see your mind's made up." He smiles again. "You look so much like Kyoko... but I see so much of myself in you." Dad gets up, heading for the door. "Well, I think breakfast is ready. Come whenever you're hungry."

I sit alone in the library for a moment, my heart racing. Did Dad really just say I'd inherit his legacy? I mean, I knew it would happen, but to hear the words coming from his mouth... "I can see your mind's made up". I laugh quietly to myself, reveling in the joy I'm feeling for just a moment before going to see everyone.

Is inheritance really something to be so happy about?

Will Ayaka prove to be a fitting Vongola Eleventh?

How will the rest of the family feel about this?

Find out in Chapter 2!