Story title: On the Verge of Something Wonderful
Story author: Me
Now listening to: Darren Hayes Playlist
Anime / Manga: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime, or the characters. The only thing I own is the story I wrote myself based on this anime.
A little warning: This is 8059, also known as YamaGoku. If you read chapter 1 you'd know that.
Alternate Universe; Mafia are not included in my story so please get them out of your minds for the duration of this story. Thank you.
Flip, and the top button on Gokudera's red shirt came undone. His hands tugged his tie down so cold air could circulate. He'd just walked into his office that morning with his usual cup of water and had been hit by the usual warmth he liked. It was cold outside, and Gokudera hated to be too cold. He walked to the corner of his office, stooping down to pour the water into a basin in which the pot for his office plant stood.
"Ah, Jyuudaime," Gokudera greeted his plant. It was the tenth office plant to inhabit the room, and Gokudera had given it an appropriate name. It was a custom for the Uri manager to always have an office plant for company. However, Gokudera took this companionship one step further.
"It's Monday today," The silver haired told his plant, "I have to start planning the spring collection. And that insurance idiot said he'd come. This'll be his first visit since the agreement." A small smile crept onto his face as Jyuudaime didn't reply. This didn't bother Gokudera; he liked having someone to talk to who wouldn't challenge his thoughts or pick sides in arguments. It had been a week since Yamamoto had visited with his offer and carried out that act to 'seal the deal'.
"Why didn't that idiot just type something up like a damn, normal person," he spoke more to himself, his fingers unconsciously lifting to his lips as he stood up. No, don't think about it! He was only playing. Didn't he go see someone else after you? His mind pulled his hand down. With a sigh he made his way to his desk, his hand resting on the wood top, beautiful green eyes glancing to pieces of paper he'd left behind last week. He began to search through them, alarm soon becoming evident, as his search was fruitless.
"Chrome-San!" He called through the intercom as he threw a sheet of proposals in the air. He didn't listen to her reply, continuing his search. By the time his secretary had entered the room, he'd thrown all the sheets of paper on the floor in a desperate attempt to find what he'd lost.
"Gokudera-San?" Chrome called as she entered, a raven-haired boy following behind her. Her purple hues glanced to the mess on the floor in worry.
"Chrome, it's bad! My finance sheet for last month is gone; the one Yamamoto-San wanted to see and-" he stopped, catching his breath as he took note of the boy, "What's that kid doing here?" He glanced him up and down, raising an eyebrow at the unprofessional cow-print shirt underneath his blazer.
"Lambo-Kun's here working part-time for work experience. You said you needed a gopher." Chrome replied, giving Lambo's head a friendly pat, "Lambo-Kun, this is Hayato Gokudera-San, your boss."
"Chrome, when I said gopher I expected someone older, not a kid."
"He passed the interviews Sir. He has shown he's mature for his age. I believe he's suitable for the job, and maybe you could take him under your wing?" Chrome giggled.
"An apprentice?" Gokudera crossed his arms over his chest. He hadn't told anyone about the Rainstorm-Uri deal, and didn't know how Yamamoto would react if he were to suddenly announce he'' chosen an heir for Uri. Oh!
"The finance sheet!" he alerted himself, "Chrome-San, please tell me you know where it is!"
"The finance sheet?" Chrome echoed, shaking her head, "maybe it's in the finance department?"
Gokudera bit into his lower lip. The finance department included all of the second floor, and searching would take about two hours he estimated.
"Lambo, wasn't it? Okay, come on gopher, I'll need your help. Chrome-San, intercom me if Yamamoto-San turns up," he didn't allow either of them to reply as he grabbed the boy's arm to drag him out the room.
--x--
"How long have you been running Uri?" Lambo asked casually as the two walked down the corridor from the elevator. They were now on the second floor, or the finance department as it was known as. Shamal used to have his workers scattered around the five-floor building, keeping the female workers close to his office. To organise how things worked, Gokudera had taken the time to move everyone into a logical lodging.
"About a week, two weeks," Gokudera replied, stopping to look through a pile of papers, "I know, I'm a 'newbie'."
"It's not that," Lambo told him, "I was just wondering if you really would make me your apprentice."
"You enjoy work that much?" the silver-haired smiled weakly, "I'll consider it, I promise." He turned, walking into the finance department's kitchen. Most of his workers were still having morning tea; Gokudera didn't mind what they did so long as they began work at 9:30. There was a bit of time before then.
"Aight, listen up yoctograms," Gokudera clapped his hands to make sure he got their attention, "I've lost the finance sheet for last month… has anyone seen it? No?" He frowned as the sea of people shook their heads.
"Gokudera-San," one of the finance people spoke up, "maybe one of the cleaners put it back?"
"You mean the file drawers?" Gokudera hummed as he nodded and turned to leave, "Okay, thanks. Oh, do me a favour. Stop drinking and start looking until you have to work! It's important I find that sheet," He left the room first, leaving Lambo and the shower of sighs to follow him. The boy had to jog to keep up with the manager, feeling thankful when they stopped at a three-drawer filing cabinet.
"Only three drawers? This shouldn't take long."
Gokudera smirked at his comment and pulled out the top drawer; "You search the bottom, and we'll both do the middle."
Lambo nodded, pulling out the drawer, "Eh? Gokudera-San! There's too many sheets!"
"Come on gopher. Just look for February's finance sheet. Simples." He flipped around the sheets at the back. Lambo could only nod and begin searching.
--x--
"Come on, Gokudera-San. We've searched it twice already. And it's nearly noon… lunch time!" Lambo complained as Gokudera slammed the middle drawer in the cabinet.
"You think I'd stop if I was on my own? God no! I need that sheet…" He frowned. Yamamoto had only told him he'd wanted to see the sheet, so he didn't have any idea of what the other manager would do without it. His worst fear was that he'd take Uri completely with no information on its finances. When he'd spoken to him last Friday, Yamamoto claimed to own 75% of his shares, which was two more than when they first met.
"Gokudera-San," A nearby intercom crackled as Chrome's voice spoke out, "Yamamoto-San's just gone to your office… he apologises that he didn't say he'd be arriving early."
"Damn!" Gokudera cursed and gave the cabinet a kick, "Fuck it… Lambo! Do me a favour… keep looking? Ask the guys to help you. Sorry, I really must see this person," He told the boy, waiting for a response before running to the stairs. He'd learnt that elevators could not be trusted when you really needed them; too slow, broke down. The list goes on.
He was panting by the time he reached the bottom of the stairs, and he drew in a deep breath before he walked to his office door, straightening his tie before entering his office. Yamamoto was already sat in the visitor chair, his jacket lying across the top and the top two buttons on his blue shirt were undone, for perhaps the same reason Gokudera undid his; warm room.
The Rainstorm manager glanced around and gave the other his usual smile as Gokudera closed the door behind him, leaning against it as he caught his breath, the taste of warm saliva making him feel sick. "Sorry I'm late, Yamamoto-San."
"I hope you weren't trying to be late on purpose." Yamamoto laughed, and Gokudera glared at him as he walked around to his own chair to sit down, "Now, the finance sheet?"
"Getting to the point of the meeting so soon?" The silver-haired laughed nervously, "Not like you. Last time you wanted to carry on your story…"
"But you wanted to get to the point, so I thought I'd do that today."
"Well, the finance sheet… the funny thing is… I don't know where the fucking thing is." Gokudera admitted, looking away so he couldn't see the other's reaction, however he looked up in surprise as he heard laughing, "What's so fucking funny?"
"You're so worried about a lost sheet?" Yamamoto laughed, "because I might take Uri without it? I can read what you're thinking."
"What… get out my mind! That's dirty!" Gokudera slammed a fist on his desk, causing his pot of pens to bang, "I'm genuinely worried about this sheet, and you claim that it's fine! The way you sounded on the phone…!"
"Look, I don't want to take Uri, because you're doing a fine job for a newbie," Yamamoto raised his hands in the air lightly, "But I did want to see the sheet to make sure that you can deal without any financial help."
"Financial help?"
"From me… and Rainstorm. Haven't you heard our slogan? It's not about us, it's about you. Well, when we're talking about Uri, you're the one on my mind." Gokudera shook his head, trying to dismiss his words. It's mind stuff, Gokudera! Like he cares! He's after Uri! Why else would he stick around? Be careful where you tread…
"Oh, I've decided to take on an apprentice." Gokudera sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk crossing onto his face. We'll get rid of him, make sure he won't get Uri…
"No." Yamamoto's smile vanished, and his amber eyes showed an anger Gokudera had never imagined he'd see, "I don't want you having an apprentice."
"Why? Just so you can have Uri?" Gokudera shrugged, "I told you already, so give it up."
"It's not Uri. An apprentice'll be close to you, working with you…" Yamamoto stood up to approach the desk, his hands resting on either side of Gokudera's chair as he leaned over the desk, "I'm the one who's going to ever work close to you. Why would I want someone working so close to you when I'm stuck at Rainstorm? It's not fair!"
"Hey, calm the fuck down!" Gokudera leaned back into the chair to keep away from the other; Scary!! "Why the hell do you care? And working close to me? God damn it, listen to me, you belong at Rainstorm! So just go back there!"
"I listened, now you listen to me! Everything I have done I have done for you! Do you know how many businesses I took over lately? Yours is the only business to escape total control. I'm getting pretty tired of this. Uri is still yours, we made that deal. I only work here if needs be, and now you want me gone? How about you get rid of that apprentice yourself or Uri'll be mine."
"For… me…?" Gokudera whispered, keeping himself back as the other yelled at him. No… it's gotta be more mind stuff. It's fine Gokudera. Keep up your side of the argument. Do not give in…He told himself, although he knew he was losing, "Why, for me, why?"
Yamamoto didn't answer as he moved a hand to cup Gokudera's cheek, his thumb stroking slowly as if to calm the silver-haired down. "Idiot…" Gokudera murmured, refusing to admit the other's technique was working.
"A new nickname? Idiot's a first for me," Yamamoto chuckled, his good mood returning. Maybe the idiot got a kick out of seeing his targets submit to him; Gokudera hated to ponder on that thought for too long. He didn't have long to ponder upon it either as he felt Yamamoto's soft lips against his once more. The raven-haired's tongue darted out to lick the other's lips, and was given entry as Gokudera gave in instantly. His body betrayed him as he ran his hands in Yamamoto's black hair, resting at the back to pull him closer. Yamamoto pulled away, giving the other's bottom lip a nip as he stood up straight, a smirk painting his face.
"Sorry, were you hoping for more?" He chuckled, turning to pick his jacket up off his chair, "I have another company to take, maybe next time?" He laughed, looking to Gokudera.
"Another…?" Gokudera looked up to him, hating the fact he sensed his eyes held a glint of want.
"Stop worrying, I told you you're the only one I'm keeping like this. You're my dear dear best friend after all," He smiled, "Why worry anyway? Don't you want me cheating on you?"
"No! I don't care who you kiss! You can do them right in their offices for all I care!" Gokudera yelled, covering his cheeks with his arm as he felt them burn up, "And what about Lambo?"
"Hm…? Ooh, are we back on the conversation of the apprentice? Okay, I'll let you adopt him, put me down as the father," Yamamoto joked, dodging a pen that Gokudera threw at him, "Just remember though, I'm the one who'll dominate Uri, and you." He waved, opening the office door and leaving.
Gokudera grumbled as he slumped in his chair, his hand moving down to allow the room to witness the pink hue on his face. It's all lies, he wants Uri. Don't trust him. Don't trust anyone. He sighed, looking to the side of his desk. Chrome had picked up his papers and put them into a nice pile. He took a closer look and picked up the top sheet in surprise.
"Ah, is that the finance sheet?" Lambo asked as he walked in. Gokudera nodded and looked to him.
"I guess I didn't look properly…" He sighed, placing it on the top of the pile, "All that worry… what are you doing down here anyway?"
"It's lunchtime… I brought you some snacks from the shop," Lambo held up a small bag, "I thought we could eat together?" He placed the bag on the desk and took the contents out one by one, handing Gokudera's lunch to him. The silver-haired couldn't help but smile as he glanced to the food, "How do you know what I liked best?"
"I asked Chrome-San for ideas…" Lambo replied. Gokudera opened the packaging and took a bite from the food. How long had it been since someone had brought food for him?
"Lambo-Kun, how would you like a promotion? From gopher to apprentice?"
---
A/N: Alright, the end is a bit… it can be improved. I admit to that.
I do hope you've enjoyed chapter 2 as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I don't think anything needs to be added… it's almost perfect.
Oh, the Jyuudaime plant will be this story's link to Tsuna.
I was running out of ideas and my friend suggested an office plant for Gokudera to dote on as much as the business.
Please review. Thanks!
