Gokudera confidently stepped into Tsuna's office and saluted.
"Juudaime, you called for me?"
"Oh! Gokudera-kun! Right. I have a mission for you." Tsuna looked up from his seat, a mixture of expressions on his face. Reborn stood behind his chair, smirking.
Gokudera paused, a little apprehensive of the meaning behind Reborn's cruel smirk. Something was up, and the joke was seemed to be on him.
"Of course, Juudaime. What is it you need me to do?" He was still staring at Reborn, getting more worried by the minute.
"Well, you see, Gokudera. It's a job that only you can do. …Technically. Are you sure you want a mission?" Tsuna glanced off to the side nervously and folded his hands, trying to be business-like.
"Yes. I will do anything you ask me to, you know this." Gokudera nodded his consent. Reborn leaned forward and signed on the witness line of the mission file and stepped back.
"Well, I know. And under any normal circumstances, I would hardly bother asking. But this mission is a bit on the 'special' side, Gokudera." Tsuna was fidgeting nervously.
Reborn cleared his throat, "Dame-Tsuna is not explaining himself clearly. Gokudera, how familiar are you with the Italian fashion industry?"
Gokudera raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm as acquainted as any other Italian."
Reborn nodded his approval and picked up a thick manila folder. "Good. Then you won't need to look over this, unless you feel that a refresher course is in order."
Tsuna's jaw dropped, "What? I was up all night reading that! How in the world can you already know all of that….nonsense!"
Gokudera smiled sheepishly, "It's not all nonsense, Juudaime. I guess you could say it's in my blood. Everyone in Italy pays attention to the Fashion Industry. The brand names are as big over there as sports teams in America. Fashion Week is a major holiday."
"Dame-Tsuna, just give him the mission briefing already." Reborn folded his arms sternly.
"A-ah…of course." Tsuna lifted up a paper and read off of it, "This mission is a bodyguard position for a political leader. He, being the previous Sword Emperor, (defeated by one Superbi Squalo who was in turn defeated by Yamamoto Takeshi) holds the honorable position of Prime Minister of Micronesia in addition to being the Sword Emperor's acting representative in the absence of both of the above mentioned Mafioso. As both members are associated with the Vongola Famiglia, he is considered to be a contactable ambassador-level ally. Sources report that a possible assassination attempt is in line for the closing show of Fashion Week. Gokudera Hayato, should you choose to accept this mission, you will be posing as a fashion designer for an upcoming brand, G Brand. Your appearance must, at all times, be fashionable and conducive to industry standards. You must create the image of your brand in a favorable manner so that as the main designer you will be set near the VIP placing of the Prime Minister…" Tsuna trailed off, noticing that Gokudera was fidgeting uncomfortably. "Uh….did I say something wrong?"
"Juudaime…D-do you know what "conducive to industry standards" means?" Gokudera stammered out, his face turning red.
"Uh…no not really... Doesn't it just mean that you have to act professional and stuff?"
"Actually, it's kind of the opposite, Juudaime…." Gokudera shuffled his feet.
"Homosexuality is encouraged and expected. Other expected traits include high maintenance personality, high energy, socialite, able to deal with ridiculous amounts of stress etc etc. All of which, Gokudera should have no problem with. He's a shoe-in for the position." Reborn ticked off on his fingers.
"Wh-what? I'm not h-hom…" Gokudera started.
"Oh, come on. You've had a crush on Yamamoto ever since the Varia Ring Battles." Reborn smirked back.
Tsuna's jaw dropped as he stared at Reborn. "You mean I was right? I didn't want to be right about that!"
Gokudera's face was bright red as he tried to shrink back into the chair he was sitting in.
"I-I mean…o-of course it's fine i-if you are…h-homo-homosexual, Gokudera. I'm just a little…surprised is all."
Gokudera's hands clenched as he grumbled out, "You could have at least let me tell you myself…"
"I'm sorry! F-Forgive me! I-it won't come up again! …u-unless of course you w-want to… talk about it or… something..." Tsuna froze up and then slammed his head into his desk. "Let's just change the subject already…"
"Yeah, lets." Gokudera quipped, turning to Reborn.
Reborn tipped his hat and smirked, "Just business then. Do you or do you not understand the terms of the mission?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you or do you not accept this mission?"
"Are you sure I'm the only one who can do it?"
Reborn lifted an eyebrow. "And who, pray tell, would be able to do it in your place?"
"Yamamoto maybe….?" Gokudera stammered.
"We can't. He's too close to the emperor. He would be recognized. Anyone else?"
"Merde! I don't know! You tell me!"
"As you wish…Tsuna is ineligible because bodyguard missions are not acceptable for Heads of Family to take. Yamamoto we already discussed. Mukuro has the Prime Minister on his hitlist already so he's out. In order for the mission to be effective it must be performed by a male, females have a harder time rising in popularity. Thus, for the deadline's sake, Chrome and Haru are out. Lambo is too young and the wrong brand of disrespectful. Hibari has requested for no bodyguard missions. Which we adhere closely to simply because if he were to get irritated and attack the person he were to be bodyguarding…Tsuna would have a lot more paperwork to do. Ryohei has no fashion sense and should need no further explanation."
Gokudera was floored. He really was the only one that could go. And it would be solo too.
"….Fine. I'll accept the damn mission. But don't expect me to be happy about it."
Reborn smirked, "Starting on following industry standards a little early now, are we?" He handed Gokudera the remaining folder. "Be ready to leave day after tomorrow, six am. A car will be out front to take you to the airport."