The airport was riddled with people scurrying around like bugs to their destination. It was a huge place, long and full to the brim of incessant chatter. To make matters worse I have no idea where and who this agent was supposed to be. But in such a place he would be well hidden that was for sure. Not much was really registering though. Not after what had happened, so I blamed my lack of life I currently felt for as to why I wasn't really paying much attention to where I was. I was still on the mansion grounds watching my father gunned down by faceless men.

Shamal was on the phone that my father had handed him talking cheerfully away to someone at the other end and Bianchi wasn't letting me out of her sight as she squashed down next to me in the metal seats in the departure lounge. She was clearly worried for my state of mind and kept a firm hold on my hand as a source of comfort; she like me had yet to cry.

I had surprised as to how well she had held up. She had not frozen in shock when our father had been gunned down in front of us. She had not cried for the loss of our family. She had not even shown any fear in having to leave. She had instead remained calm throughout the whole ordeal trying to comfort me as best she could while we were driven to the airport as fast as humanly possible.

I shouldn't have really been so surprised; after all she like me had been trained for this. We both knew that at any moment we could be killed, it came with being part of a Mafia family. You weren't ever expected to live for very long.

"He's on his way now" Shamal reappeared once more with news and I could only assume he was talking about the Vongola agent. He strolled forward and came to sit down on my other side with a deep sigh; arms holding the back of his head. "You alright?" he then asked me inclining his head ever so slightly to catch me out of the corner of his eyes.

"Of course" I hissed, stupid question. Of course I was; I barely knew what was even going on. My family had been targeted and killed and I had no idea as to why. I had watched my father and his right hand man gunned down in front of me and the house I had grown up in go up in smoke. Of course I was fucking fine!

All the same he sighed again and brought out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to me and then took one for himself. Funnily enough it was Shamal's fault I had even got into the habit; and it was one neither my mother nor father had ever known about. Having said that neither did Bianchi, but she damn well knew now as I lit it up not giving a damn as to if you were even allowed to do so in an airport – by the look on her face probably not.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" came Bianchi's swift reaction as I took my first drag. She looked furious and I couldn't say I blamed her. The sight probably looked horrendous I was after all barely 15 and smoking quite casually in an airport as if I had done so all my life, which for the most of it I had.

"Blame him" I muttered jerking a thumb at Shamal. He had now taken to staring dead ahead at the hordes of people fussing about and going about their business completely unaware that there were currently three highly trained killers seating amongst them, and one walking casually around trying to find us.

Bianchi huffed and shank back in her seat blowing a stray lock from her face and resorting to glaring at everything that so much as moved. To be honest she really shouldn't be so surprised. Shamal had taught me most of things I knew, (such as the use of dynamite and how to properly aim and fire a gun). It should have surly not come as that much of a shock that he had also taught me the art of smoking at the same time.

But thanks to her now sour mood we stayed silent for a while, not speaking to one another or making any eye contact. It wasn't until someone came to a halt in front of us, and their silhouette cast a dark shadow on what little light was streaming through the thick glass of the windows, that we moved.

A stern man dressed in a black expensive looking suit stood before us with tanned skin and narrowed eyes. He looked hostile and I soon took an instant dislike to him. What was this guy's problem? His eyes flicked across the three of us before a frown crawled across his features as they landed on me.

"Are you Gokudera Hayato?" he asked as a frown of my own settled on my face, and I balled my hands into fist on pure instinct. It was a bad habit I had picked up when being faced with situations I didn't like.

But the way he said my name, 'Gokudera Hayato' I couldn't help but think. Why was he saying my name like tha-?

Ah yes, I remember the Japanese said names back to front didn't they. It had been a long time since I had spoken Japanese, but that didn't mean that I couldn't still speak it fluently. My mother being half Japanese had made sure to teach it to me as well as a few other languages. Something about me needing to be more world cultured…

Whatever I didn't like this guy, that was for sure.

"Depends who's asking" I finally responded after getting my thoughts straight and folding my arms across my chest defensively. I had already worked out that this was the guy who was supposed to be helping us escape. He had made a really bad first fucking impression on me already.

He frowned deeper at my answer but let my tone slip and moved on.

"My name is Turmeric, I have been sent by the Vongola to escort you to a meeting to see the Ninth" he then out of respect bowed to me. My family was after all a strong ally to the Vongola and we had a deep history together, he had no choice but to be respectful to me.

"Ah, so your guy I spoke to on the phone" Shamal suddenly appeared at the man's side grinning like the loon he was and stuck his hand out to shake Tumeric's in a friendly gesture. "Nice to meet you I'm Shamal" well it seemed they were going to get along swimmingly I thought to myself raising an eyebrow. Goody.

Turmeric nodded and pulled his hand back to recompose himself, while attempting to inconspicuously straighten out his suit back to its pristine condition it had been in before, still as stern as ever. He gave a polite cough to clear his throat and then looked back grimly to Shamal. Maybe they weren't going to get along so 'swimmingly' after all.

"You must be the right hand man I presume?" he then asked forcing a slight smile to his face.

I could have nearly chocked in laughter if it wasn't for the fact that I was currently still in shock. That had to be the most stupid assumption I had ever heard, and from the way Shamal was spluttering I could only imagine he thought the same. His arms came up to wave madly in defensive.

"Ah, no, no, no!" he laughed still waving about stupidly. "I'm the Godfather" he said pointing at himself for emphasise. "I just make sure that he stays alive and handle the collateral" he explained. For some reason I felt slightly insulted that he was so fast to deny being my right hand man. Was it that much of a problem?

"Ah, I see" clearly Tumeric wasn't impressed either as he turned away from the blubbering idiot and his narrowed eyes landed on my sister who was glaring at Shamal for making such a scene. "You must be Gokudera Bianchi"

Bianchi nodded in confirmation staying quiet as she, most likely, carried on assessing the man. She never trusted someone immediately and it would take a while for her to warm up to this man. Shamal however had no qualms about this and already seemed to be trying to make allies.

"If you would like to follow me I will show you to our plane" Turmeric said turning away fully expecting us to follow by the look of it. With discussion over we got up and followed him.

When he had said plane, I had expected us to be flying on public transport. In thinking this I was oh so wrong.

When he had said plane, he had meant the Vongola's own personal jet; one of many apparently. Flying this way had seemingly meant it would be harder for the enemy to find out we had left the country; apparently…

I didn't really care. All I wanted to do was to sleep. I hadn't had this luxury in the limo as Shamal's crazy ass driving had meant that every corner we went round felt like the last.

"The Ninth has requested that when we land I am to take you to him for a meeting to decide what the next step will be, and where you will be staying for the time being. I estimate that the flight will take around 15 hours to reach our destination. I advise that you rest well until then. We will be…" My mind must have blanked out at some point and I didn't catch whatever he had said next as we boarded the plane.

I had been crammed between Bianchi and Shamal in the middle seats in the jet while Turmeric had chosen to sit away from us on the far left. He didn't seem to be one for people. Not I blamed him Shamal had probably scarred him for life – the idiot had a habit of doing that people. Bianchi had taken to flicking idly through a magazine she had picked up –stolen - from the airport shop, and didn't seem to be remotely paying attention to anything Turmeric was rambling on about. In fact really it was only Shamal who was, nodding along to what he was being told and confirming things to be sure he knew what was going on down to the small print. I couldn't really complain because he'd likely fill me in later.

Somewhere between paying half attention to the conversation I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew I was being gently shaken awake by Bianchi who was murmuring something about food. The thought of food made my stomach flip and the urge to run to the bathroom reared its ugly head. There was no way I could stomach anything right now. Bianchi frowned at the look on my face and as soon as smell of something vaguely Italian hit my senses I jerked from my seat and flew down the aisle to where I had been told the toilets were.

I didn't throw anything up and instead stood learning heavily against the door taking deep breaths and trying to shove the dark images that were plaguing me to the back of my mind.

It then hit me all at once. The death of my family and driving away from everything I knew. I was on a plane heading for Japan - a county I had never once visited in my life – and yet I seemed to be able to speak their language so very fluently. It was stupid, crazy, unreal. I had never expected this to happen…

What the hell would I do now?!

I had nothing. My family had been killed. I had no assets and yet my father had practically thrown the title of Don at me. Yet there was nothing I could do with it. I couldn't reach the family now and I had no idea of what had happened to them.

The image of Alonzo then flashed before my eyes…

No that was wrong, I thought to myself as I slid down the door with heavy eyes.

I knew what had happened to them. They were all dead. Most likely everyone who could be found with some sort of link to us was dead. But why? What had my father done? Was it some sort of dodgy business with the wrong family? And how the hell had they got so far onto the estate without sounding some sort of alarm?!

It didn't make sense…

"Hayato!"

I jumped at the sound of my sister's voice on the other side of the door jerking my head up expecting her to be looming over me. It seemed I wasn't allowed to be left alone.

"Have you been sick?" the question came through all hazy and I wasn't even sure she'd said anything for a moment. But when the pounding of the door came ricocheting through my mind and registered that she clearly had. My silence seemed to have panicked her and she probably thought I'd tried to crawl through the small gap in the wall that was meant to be an air vent. I most likely would have if I hadn't been having a mental breakdown prior.

"Ah. No I'm fine"

"Well come on then, you need to eat something"

My stomach protested at the mention of something edible entering my system.

"I can't" I answered in protest. "I haven't been sick but I think I might if I eat something…"

The sudden force that the door opened sent me flying backwards, and from my position on the floor staring up I could see Shamal's displeased look and knew the moment I saw it I was one way or another food was going to be passing my lips. The thought was not particularly attractive, but as the boss my health and safety apparently came first – I still don't believe you Shamal!

Passing Turmeric – the force of which he was staring at his book was enough to prove he didn't find us amusing – I found the tray of food which had been left for me and frowned. Whatever was on my plate didn't look very edible…

"Hayato! Eat up I made that for you myself"

Father, as much as I am grateful you made these plans for us to escape, I'm sad to say I might not make it to Japan after all…

LINE BREAK:-

Japan was very sunny this time of year I found, and I was soon wishing I had something cooler to wear. In the heat of the moment while escaping naturally I had never thought that I would need to pack for warmer weather. It had still been rather cool in Italy and so my small group of three were dressed more for rain than we were sun.

The departure from the central airport in Japan had been fairly uneventful, and other from the handful of funny looks at our attire I had had nothing to really moan about; which had been odd.

We were now currently on rout to the Ninth's current holiday home in Japan where he was staying for the next 3 weeks while I got settled in. It had been nice of him to decide to stay until I felt more comfortable. In fact I was already thinking of ways to repay his kindness. It wasn't every day that the Vongola did you favour - whether your father had been good friends with their leader or not.

Turmeric had said we were getting close to the house now, however I was unconvinced, we were in the middle of nowhere. Seriously! There was nothing but trees and horrendously wide fields for miles around. I had never seen this much green in all my life! I was much more of a city boy myself and our home had been very close to the city it was located by. All this eco-friendly crap was not my scene.

In annoyance at Turmeric's obvious defective navigational skills I crossed my arms across my chest and stared out of the window with narrowed eyes. I was getting pretty nervous now. Meeting the Ninth was a big thing! I had to make a good impression and appear strong. I couldn't afford to lose such a powerful connection in the Mafia. I could not afford to lose an ally, my father's influence would no longer save nor protect me now; and I was left clinging to my birth name in hopes that its notorious name would somehow retain me leverage.

Bianchi noticed my discomfort that I was desperately trying to hide and nudged my arm and offered a soft, smile. This… This was hard; trying to take the weight of not only my survival, but also theirs. At some point I was going to have to address what was left of the Gokudera family, the followers that my father had lead. They were still scattered across the country and I was almost certain that somewhere in Japan was a branch that was assisting the Vongola currently. Could I possibly fool them into thinking I was capable to leading as well as my father had?

Impossible.

"Hayato we're here"

'What…?'

There was of course no way we were. We'd just been traveling through the wilderness hadn't we?

Friggin hell no we hadn't…

It had been my first thought when I glanced out of the window; fully expecting to see yet another familiar splash of green. However instead I was met with what looked a gigantic labyrinth of a house. It had to have been twice the size of my old home fenced off behind a stretched set of iron gates. The gates parted and I felt like a lamb being led to slaughter as guards checked the car and its occupants.

Turmeric flashed a card at the men expecting us with a nod.

"I'm bringing Gokudera Hayato to see the Ninth. Everything had already been booked in under code 58" he more announced then told them.

The man either didn't believe him or was double checking as he began speaking into his phone confirming all of the details as three men stood in front of the car with guns trained on us looking for the slightest movement. Someone had clearly – thank god – confirmed what Turmeric had told them and they allowed us to pass without further comment, and moved from in front of the car at the all clear signal from one of the other guards.

Turmeric turned to face us suddenly and sighed looking slightly relieved.

"I apologise for the level of security, however the Ninth had another assassination attempt last week and ever since security has been very tight. I am surprised they did not ask us to exit the car and check us"

The Ninth had had an assassination attempt?

The thought made me cringe slightly. It wasn't every day the head of the Vongola was attacked. No wonder everyone seemed a little stressed…

Turmeric pulled over to the side of house with his expert driving skills and quickly made a move to exit. He guided us up the steps of the house and bowed to the three guards at the door flashing them the same card he had to the men on the gates. The men cleared him and opened the door allowing us to pass.

The Vongola headquarters were just as I thought they would be. Large, open and well decorated. It simply shone with the power and wealth that the Vongola family held. It remaindered me strongly of my own home; it had the same empty feeling. We were once again met by more people, this time it being two men dressed in a similar style as Turmeric.

They gave us a glance over and then turned to Turmeric again confirming more details with him. After doing so they then turned back to us once more.

"Gokudera-sama, we're glad to see you arrived safely" one of them said while both bowed their heads. "We will escort you to your meeting with the Ninth"

Turmeric then gave a nod to us as I raised my eyebrow at him. He surprisingly gave a slight smile and watched us leave with our new company before turning away. I guessed his part was over now, after all he had just been told to bring us here.

We were led up the flight of stairs of the reception hall and then shepherded down a winding corridor lined with pictures on the right. At the end of the corridor was a lone large oak door. It was clear that that was the one we were heading for. Behind that door was the man who was going to decide the next step in my life.

It had to be said I had never been as nervous as this in my life.