Hello guys! This is where the real story starts! Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters. Amano Akira-sensei does. :)
To say that the party was star-studded was an understatement. Famous and infamous persons flocked the Vongla Family Base in Japan to take part of such a party. Aside from the presence of the Vongola Family, other noted Mafia families were there.
The Boss of the Chiavarone Family, Bucking-Horse Dino was there along with his subordinates. The Simon Family, led by its head Enma, was also present. Enma has now outgrown his usually-bandaged face, and was now walking tall and proud without any scratches, all thanks to the death-defying training he got from the stunt specialist Arcobaleno Skull. Yuni, along with Gamma also came as representatives of the Giglio Nero Family. She now looks more like her grandmother, Luce.
The Vongola Family's allies and close connections were also present. Sawada Iemitsu, head of the intelligence company CEDEF, greeted his son as soon as he walked in, while his wife, Nana (who was made aware of everything when Tsuna officially became boss and graciously accepted his son's fate), tried to straighten her son's necktie. Lal Mirch and Colonello were bickering as they approached the ballroom, with Basil easing the tension.
The night was just getting started when the Vongola's elite independent assassination squad, Varia, arrived. Their captain, Superbi Squalo, loudly declared to Tsuna (from across the room) that they are here and they still do not acknowledge Tsuna as the Family's Boss. When he asked for an approval from the rest of the gang, all he got was an insult from Flan, a "shi shi shi" from Belphegor, "a calm down" from Lussuria, a "I don't know you" head turn from Mammon and a "You're a trash" from his boss, Xanxus. Levi was already at the buffet table, chowing down a fatty tuna.
Infamous individuals were not really anticipated but they came nonetheless. Byakuran flied as he entered the hall, making the guests think that he was part of the visual effects committee. The Kokuyo Gang was also present and Tsuna truly wished that Rokudo Mukuro will be at least absent, for even though the guy was one of his Mist Guardians, he is still afraid of him. But he knew that will be impossible because Mukuro will very want to see Chrome, for this party is only one of the rare moments where the two can meet personally.
Although they were invited, some people who are very close to Tsuna were not able to make it, like Irie Shouichi who just started a new research about the Boxes, so he cannot leave it in its early stage. Spanner and Verde were helping him, thus, they also excused themselves from the party. Fon, the Red Arcobaleno, was also not around. He was currently in the middle of a training, perfecting another style of martial art.
And lastly, there are also people who were invited but chose not to come. The Cloud Guardian, Hibari Kyouya is a prime example. Being the strongest man in the Family, nobody dares to force him to join and take part after the first party ten years ago, so making him an exemption from the punishment game. Though his right-hand man, Kusakabe Tetsuya, would very much like to attend, he still has to follow his boss no matter what.
Mingling with these high-profile guests are the rich families from different countries, politicians from around the globe and other influential people which have some connections with the Family since time immemorial.
The atmosphere was great, the floor was filled with dancers, and the guests were overall satisfied. Reborn has never seen a party more successful in the past few years. Quite happy on how things were moving so far, he made his way to the crowd, a glass of wine in hand.
It was nighttime when she arrived at the Vongola Mansion. She let her eyes take in the scenery and thought that it was still the same as when she left three years ago. The fancy cars and dresses must mean that it was that time of the year. Of all the times to be back, she chose this day. Reborn will be very happy because he will not rack his brains as to who will receive the punishment this year, she thought.
She looked at the big mansion again and softly said, "I'm home," then proceeded to one of the back doors in the hopes of sneaking in.
Lambo feels very excited whenever he goes to a party. It doesn't matter which one as long as he knows he can have fun. Even though the Commemoration Party has a possible punishment waiting for him at the end, it doesn't make any difference for him. As long as he can send his charming sparks to the beautiful guests, he is very sure it will be fun.
He excused himself from the crowd of ladies that flocked him to go to the bathroom. The ones that were being used for the party are occupied as of now so he decided to go to other bathrooms which are not in use. Home court advantage, he thought.
He went out of the ballroom and as he turned to an empty corridor, he saw a figure nimbly walking, as if she was a predator careful not to disturb her prey. His usually calm eyes were now surprised as he looked at the moving creature.
"I-pin?" he managed to blurt out.
She stopped. She slowly turned around to give Lambo a better view of her face.
"I-pin! It's really you! It really is you!" He made two big strides and tightly hugged the best friend he had not seen for three years.
I-pin giggled and asked to be released.
"Yes, it's been quite a while. I see you are doing well, Lambo. Even if you have not called out to me, I would have noticed you just by looking at your mask. You know, the whole thing about masks is that it conceals your identity," she lightly laughed as she looked at the cow patterned mask, with the yellow horns at the top.
Lambo just scratched the back of his head then smiled at her. Three years seemed a decade for him. When I-pin decided to move out and live by herself, he tried to talk her out of it but he failed. He was sad but if it's something that his best friend thought of and decided, he must support her with all his might.
"You know, Reborn will be very, very happy to see you in those clothes…" he teased.
"I know. Do you want me to go out again and comeback after a couple more years?" I-pin jokingly asked back.
"Nope. That won't do. If you do that, I'll stop you this time. Wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes." Lambo hurried off to look for someone, when he turned back again. "Oh, and avoid Reborn at all costs, if you can."
He first went to the bathroom (a miracle that he was able to hold it during his reunion with I-pin) and made his way back to the ballroom to look for a familiar face.
Author's Notes:
- Mukuro is travelling a lot with the Kokuyo Gang. Because of Chrome's fragile condition, she usually stays at the Vongola Mansion. But Chrome also likes travelling so when she can, she goes out of the country.
- If you're wondering where the Vongola Nono is, I am very sad to inform you that in this story, he is now dead. Well, just in this story.
