Disclaimer: Dear lawyers, I don't speak Japanese. Heck, I don't even speak English.
Misericordia
Maquiavel would say it was a miracle that the Vongola Famiglia was still the most powerful mafia family of the century. The Prince should not build his empire on respect alone – after all, respect was a volatile crown. When people respected someone or something, there was always the possibility of suddenly loosing the admiration. Respect was not enough.
Fear, on the other hand, always did the trick.
Unfortunately, the Tenth Generation of the Vongola acted as if that didn't matter. Oh, they knew how to scare their enemies and stray allies, all right. Some of them went as far as terrorizing their own. But it was never part of the strategy. They acted like that because they wanted to, not because they had to.
That was why the Vongola politic –or lack of it - was famous among the mafia families. Its high echelon was made of the most distinct group of human beings ever reunited, each with their own way of understanding their roles and powers. There was only one thing in common between their attitudes.
And it was the fact that, since Sawada Tsunayoshi became the Vongola Decimo, none of his guardians and subordinates had killed.
Lambo would smile, closing the right eye and saying in that laid back tone he had began to use after reaching puberty, "I cannot kill you, because boss will be mad if I do". Then he would leave and his barely breathing enemies would be left to fetch for themselves, burned like trees in the middle of a thunder storm.
Yamamoto Takeshi would smile, too, with eyes closed and griping his sword like a baseball bat. Laughing hoarsely, the swordsman always said, "That was fun! Let's stop for today", and then turn his back to the moaning and half slashed people he had beated.
Sasagawa Ryohei would scream like the winner of a boxing match and not even spare a thought about the possibility of killing the ones he had just defeated.
Gokudera Hayato would light a cigarette, pull in a cloud of smoke and close his eyes. "I wouldn't really mind blowing you up, but I won't", he would say, hiding his hands on his pockets and walking away before he changed his mind. "Juudaime will be sad if I do that".
Hibari Kyoya would be intent on finding others to bite to death. He didn't really care if they lived or died, and certainly enjoyed making them all bleed. But Hibari won't find amusement in dead bodies, because if they're dead, he will not be able to smash their skulls again. "I won't be bothered to kill weak herbivores like you. You're not a good enough meal".
Rokudou Mukuro would laugh lightly, his mismatched eyes gleaming mysteriously. He murdered many, many before, and would not hesitate in doing it again should the need arise. But he had a very important ambition to conquer, right now, and it would be easier if he behaved, wouldn't it? "Besides, why would I dispose of you? You're much more useful as another body of mine, until I get the final prize".
Besides, Chrome would cry again if she had to do that.
Sawada Tsunayoshi would look around with half lidded lashes, unfhatomable eyes glowing in amber. He would not smile, nor tremble, nor hesitate. He also wouldn't care to explain his reason, nor inflict fear. "I won't kill you", and that was enough.
The underground world knew very well that the Vongola Famiglia didn't kill its enemies. And while many thought of that like a weakness, others thought that, maybe, mercy was even scarier than death.
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Fin.
N/A: My plot bunnies are on Easter-high, lately, but it's so hard to write on this language. English is more… Direct than neo-Latin languages.
I really need a nazi-beta.