So, here is finally the third chapter. Thanks for the feedback, it was really helpful. I have to say that I pretty much like this chapter and I hope you like it too.

PS: Maybe I should warn you that this chapter might be full of swearing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! nor any of it's Charakters, they belong to Amano Akira.

Chapter Three

The Storm guardian turned away from his friend, avoiding any form of eye contact. After all he knew the look Yamamoto directed at him well enough. He didn't have to see it. He leaned heavily against the tall wire-mesh fence that was surrounding them and that at times made him feel like a prisoner. His slender fingers grasped the cold steel netting in search of support.

What was it? What was it that made him feel so damn lost? That made him fall apart in front of the baseball idiot?

While Gokudera stood there, starring in disgust at the rich green trees, the cottony clouds and everything else that seemed oh so idyllic on the other side of that fence, he could hear Yamamoto approach him slowly.

"Here.", the taller man said in a gentle tone, holding the crumbled-up envelope towards Gokudera. "You lost something."

But instead of taking it the young Italian bit his lip and mumbled, still with his back to his friend: "Would you open it for me?"

"Of course.", Yamamoto answered. And after some hesitation he added: "I know what it feels like. I mean, being afraid to face something. Something you would rather, well, not face. Especially if it involves family." He felt a little awkward but at least the quintessence should have been clear.

Still his words didn't quite manage to have the effect he hoped for.

"I'm not afraid, you moron!", Gokudera snapped, turning around angrily. "Do I look like a frickin' puss...?" He couldn't help but feel something blur his vision, so he hastily turned away again.

"Just open that damn thing, will you?", he continued calmer.

"Sure." Yamamoto secretly wondered how relaxing a career as a lion tamer might be.

"It's a letter.", he finally said. When something metallic fell to the ground, he bent down to pick it up. "And a ring."

Slightly puzzled Gokudera asked: "A ring?", only to quickly grab the heavy silver piece of jewelry from the Baseball fanatic. "Let me see." It was a rather massive, solid ring. The patina indicated that it must have been older and a conspicuous signet embellished it.

"Wow, that thing looks pretty expensive.", Yamamoto noticed, leaning over the smaller man's shoulder, recklessly invading his personal space. "It kinda reminds me of our Vongola rings."

"It is actually comparable to them.", Gokudera stated.

"This ring belongs to my family or more precisely the Famiglia." He held the ring tightly, a look on his face that Yamamoto couldn't quite grasp but he could tell it was far from delight. Admittedly, all the swordsman knew at that moment was that for some bizarre reason he enjoyed the way the young silver-haired man pronounced the word Famiglia. Gosh, did he just lust after his best friend? Yamamoto instantly wondered if he'd go to hell for what his dirty mind was thinking.

Luckily for him, Gokudera was very much abstracted. After a short moment of silence he continued: "There are only very few rings like this one. If you get one it means you are part of the Famiglia. It means my father trusts you... and he barely trusts his own reflection in the mirror." He took a deep breath. "They don't have any superpowers though, unlike the Vongola rings." He chuckled faintly, but there was a shakiness in Gokudera's voice that no empty laugh could hide.

"What do you think that means, Gokudera?", Yamamoto asked curiously.

"I don't know.", the Italian answered. "You said there was a letter, right? Hand it over please."

This must have been the first time since the both of them met that the quick tempered, cantankerous and generally not very sociable explosives expert said please to his friend.

Not that it was of any importance. And Yamamoto blushing meant just that he had a healthy blood circulation.

Gokudera took the piece of paper and read it carefully. It was strange but never before had Yamamoto felt so close to his friend, so trusted by him. It wasn't necessarily what any of them said or didn't say. It wasn't anything in particular. But for once it seemed that the solid wall the other one usually was wrapped up in began to crumble. Finally, Yamamoto thought, and it only took a few years and some mutual near-death experiences.

"So, what does it say?", the raven-haired man asked, when he realized that the other man had remained silent for a while now.

"It says that my father wants me back in the family."

"Oh. Hey, I guess that's good news.", Yamamoto said a little uncertain, rubbing the back of his messy head. But at least he had put on his brightest smile.

"That's no fuckin' good news!", Gokudera suddenly burst out, right in the face of his friend.

"It's no good news at all! Actually it's rather bad news!", he gesticulated heavily, as if he tried to fend off some imaginary bees. "He wants me to come back to Italy and be a part of the... of his Famiglia. Just like that!"

"Oh."

"Oh?", he seized Yamamoto by the collar. His eyes were flickering with rage and apprehension. "Oh? Is that fuckin' all you can say?". His grip loosened as he felt the last bit of self control go to hell. And in the blink of an eye all of Gokudera's strength evaporated with a puff.

"Just like that.", he repeated huskily. And before Yamamoto even got the chance to find any calming words the green-eyed man suddenly silenced him with a kiss, pressing his lips passionately against the other man's, biting him, exploring his mouth with his tongue. But after a short moment Gokudera abruptly pushed himself off.

"Fuck!", he cursed as he hastened away, leaving his friend completely and utterly confused.

tbc

as always reviews are welcome and have a good weekend