Chapter One
"The sea - this truth must be confessed - has no generosity. No display of manly qualities - courage, hardihood, endurance, faithfulness - has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power. " -Joesph Conrad, British Novelist
The ship was one of Vongola's own personal luxury cruise ships. Tsuna didn't even know they had one, but apparently they had had ten. One belonging to each of the Vongola leaders throughout the generations. His own boat made itself known with the giant X inscribed on the front of the boat in elegant calligraphy. His boat (HIS BOAT) was situated between two fairly large cruise ships, but both looked puny in comparison to the Vonogla's. The numerous Italian families that were lined up to board their ships oohed and awed at the extravagant monster, and Tsuna's limited Italian caught snippets of women wondering if it was a cruise for rich people.
Next to him his mother screamed in excitement. "Oh my goodness Tsu kun, this is sooo nice. I can't believe your company gave you a all expense trip. I've never been on a cruise before." Nana yipped, clutching her sun hat as she continued to stare at the ship.
His mother's knowledge about what Tsuna did for a living was limited. He and Reborn had come up with a company that had hired him straight out of high school, and as far as Nana knew her son was climbing up the corporal ladder and currently assisting a wealthy CEO. There was no need for her to know her Son was leading one of the biggest Mafia organizations in the world.
By Nana's side I Pin and Lambo now both nine years old and still acting like they were five also starred at ship. Bianchi stood behind, still integrated into the Sawada household, she was already dressed for the sun wearing a tiny black bikini and short jean shorts. Her beach bag flung over her shoulder carelessly, and her skin glistening from sun block. The husbands on the neighboring cruise were starring at her in envy.
"Where is Hayato?" Bianchi asked Tsuna while his family talked openly about the ship. Lambo was asking if it had a pool.
Tsuna turned to look at Bianchi, "Reborn said he gave everyone else the tickets and the date when we would leave. I guess they'll be getting here soon." Bianchi smiled at him, a knowing smile that made Tsuna's ears turn red. He quickly turned away from her, head bent low like a child. Being around his family always made him feel like a kid again, despite all the things he had accomplished in the past years.
"Yo, Tsuna!"
The call jostled him out of his thoughts just in time for arms to wrap around him in a firm hug of greeting. He caught sight of familiar blond hair and black leather jacket, Dino pulled back just enough to give a firm Italian kiss on the cheek before grinning down at him. "You've gotten taller Tsuna." The older boy commented.
"No I haven't," Tsuna laughed, "You're the one that got taller." And it was true, Dino had grown a couple extra inches in the past year, and had cut his usual shoulder length hair to a shorter more professional looking cut. Dino laughed at the statement but didn't deny it. Tilting his head slightly Tsuna took in the fact that the head of the Chiavarone family was standing in front of him, "I didn't know you were coming Dino."
"Reborn invited me." Dino explained easily, "I deserve a vacation too you know." Tsuna chuckled in understanding and glanced behind Dino's shoulder. Romario was standing nearby, for once not dressed in a black suit and instead looking ready for a vacation in a Hawaiian flower button down.
"So where is everyone else?" asked Dino looking around the area with interested green eyes.
Tsuna opened his mouth to reply, when a sleek black BMW pulled up. He immediately recognized the car just as Yamamoto stepped out of the passenger seat. "Tsuna!" The rain guardian grinned and waved. Yamamoto's father, Tsunoyoshi climbed out of the drivers seat, his face aglow in excitement. Yamamoto and his father both loved fast and exciting things, the car was a present to the family from Tsuna as soon as he inherited the family. They drove it nearly everywhere, and Tsuna was sure the nearby bystanders were once again starring.
Yamamoto was dressed casual as well; it had been a while since Tsuna had seen him In a regular T shirt and jeans. He wore a few bandages across his arm and face, evidence from his visit with the Varia. Squallo was friendly enough towards Yamamoto, it was no secret the white haired man had a soft spot for the Japanese boy, and it was also no secret that Squallo counted down the days when he could spar with Yamamoto again.
"And Dino is here too, this is going to be great!" Yamamoto grinned slinging a backpack over his shoulder. He walked over to where Tsuna and Dino stood and clapped his friend on the back , his strength catching the young Vongola boss off guard for a moment. The black haired teen and Dino shared a nod of greeting before Yamamoto's eyes scanned the area. "Everyone else coming?"
"They should, Ryohei called and said he was waiting for Kyoko at the airport." Tsuna explained, "I don't know about Hibari or Chrome, but Gokudera is flying in today from Nepal."
Yamamoto nodded in understanding and asked no more. But his lips curved into a handsome smirk when Tsuna mentioned the storm guardian. The reaction caused Tsuna to pause, it had been the same Bianchi.
"When do we board Tsu kun?" Nana called over to the small group.
Tsuna gaped, of course, it was his call- as leader of the Vongola and owner of the ship. Among his friends and family he had temporarily forgotten his role, even when on a vacation he was the Vongola tenth. Reborn would have kicked him for forgetting that.
"When everyone arrives I suppose." He answered.
Nana nodded, then beamed as another sleek vehicle appeared. This time a long white limousine with the Vongola crest printed in fine gold paint on the hood pulled up beside them. Tsuna was positive the wheels hadn't even come to a complete stop when the door swung open and Ryohei popped out. "Everyone!" he yelled in excitement, as he jumped out of the car in one fluid motion.
Ryohei had calmed down and matured a significant amount over the years but he was always full of energy. He was just beginning to grow his hair to longer length and spiking it up with gel. Apparently it had come to the sun guardian's attention that women liked this look, and when it came to women Ryohei would do anything to please.
The older boy came up and wrapped both Tsuna and Yamamoto in firm one arm hugs. "You both look well!" he complimented, before pulling back and actually looking at them taking in Yamamoto's bruises and the dark lines under Tsuna's eyes. "Well….."
Kyoko followed after her brother, quieter as always and dressed in a flowery pink top with jean shorts. She shook her head at Ryohei's over eager greeting but didn't say anything. She never did when it came to her brother. Instead she smiled and gave the boys a polite wave. "It's been a long time Tsuna," she admitted, eyes locking on to the Vongola tenth.
Tsuna tried to suppress the wave of nervousness that came upon seeing Kyoko again. They had only seen each other a few times over the years. When he invited her up to see her brother, or when he went back to Japan for a visit. After High School Kyoko went to university in Japan, she was going to be a social worker, and it was at that time that Tsuna was packing his bags to go work for his "company" in Italy. He realized in those months, that things between the two of them would never work out. The distance and the stress his job put on him was enough to handle, and Kyoko was on the path towards a normal life, where she would marry a normal man and have a normal family. He already felt guilty for pulling Ryohei into the family, for making him work over time when he was in the middle of a boxing tournament. There was no need to do the same to Kyoko.
She was looking good though. Her hair was finally beginning to grow out much like the Kyoko in the future that Tsuna had seen. She'd even gotten slightly taller, and more tan. Smiling natural at her was easier then Tsuna had thought. "Its nice to see you again Kyoko." he said.
Kyoko's brows knitted together, as if she realized something after he spoke, and her eyes turned down to her feet. For a moment Tsuna worried she was regretting coming on the trip, before he noticed the soft touch of a blush across her cheeks.
He blinked stupidly for a moment before a muffled voice came from inside the limo. "Ladies first."
Suddenly, Haru was climbing out. Her eyes scanned the area before settling on the group of reacquainted friends, and tears prickled her eyes. "Tsuna!" She happily chirped, throwing herself out of the car and towards the brunette.
Tsuna managed to brace himself in time for Haru's body to collide against his own. Like Kyoko, it had been months since Tsuna had last seen Haru. She had decided to attend a strict university known for its law program. But unlike Kyoko, Haru had made her intentions with a law degree clear. So she could one day work for the Vongola family to help them in any bide they may get themselves into.
"Tsuna I've missed you." Haru choked, her voice thick with joy. She pulled back, much to Tsuna's surprise, and let go. Purposefully giving them space.
Tsuna shook the surprise away as he nodded, "you too Haru."
Haru's eyes turned away from him then, to glance back at the Limo. Tsuna followed her gaze, and his eyes widened as he realized another person had stepped out. His heart gave a slight jump at the sight of his storm guardian. "G-Gokudera?"
"Hey Tenth!" The silver haired teen grinned, even on the beautiful sunny day Gokudera was wearing a black button down, with a cigarette dangled from his lips.
Tsuna gawked, "What? How? All of you…"
"We all met at the airport." Haru explained, "Thought we'd come together."
It made sense, but Tsuna's mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact that four his guardians were with him again. In a matter of minutes they were gathered together, just like old times. It had been so long.
He mentally made a note that he owed Reborn for this one.
"Hey get that thing out of your mouth." Snapped Haru suddenly, surprising Tsuna as he looked and noticed the dark haired girl was by Gokudera's side reaching for the cigarette in his mouth.
The silver haired teen scowled and moved to avoid her. "Shut up, who do you think you are? My mother?"
Haru huffed in defense but didn't give up in her attempt to snatch the small fag from between Gokudera's lips. "I think I'm trying to save you from lung cancer."
"Whatever!"
Kyoko and Ryohei laughed at the scene. "They've been doing this the entire ride from the airport." Ryohei explained.
"I think it's how they show they like each other." Kyoko added quietly to the boys around her.
Dinio and Yamamoto laughed at their observation, while Tsuna managed a nonsensical noise. His eyes didn't leave the two in front of him. Now that he watched he noticed the pink that touched Haru's lips and how Gokudera wasn't actually trying to stop her from touching him. His movements were just shrugs and half assed attempts to get Haru away.
For some reason, Tsuna felt his joy slip away from between his fingers in that moment. A pang bit into his heart that he knew shouldn't be there, and didn't fully know why it was there.
He got his wish. Everyone was in the same place, they were going to have a week, an entire week together without any mention of the mafia or work.
Being together had never been a problem before, so why now?
It was when they gathered their things and started to board the ship that Tsuna realized that Gokudera never touched him.
He had been too preoccupied with Haru.
Author's Note: More to come soon, I hope you all enjoyed it. Please tell me what you think.
