Stormy Mission

ONESHOT

REMINDER: THESE ONESHOTS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER IN ANY WAY, NOR DO THEY FOLLOW ANY PARTICULAR ORDER.

Time: Tsuna & Co. are in their third year of middle school. After Representative Battle arc (Arcobalenos are babies).

Summary: Amato Isamu is the heir to his grandfather's family, the Amato Famiglia. Trouble comes when the eldest son disagrees to the choice of heir. Isamu, being fresh and new to this dark, dark world and situation, has no clue as to how to respond…and becomes wary when Smoking Bomb Hayato lends a hand…


He walked into the large building. Immediately, the strong smell of disinfectant used by hospitals invades his sense of smell.

"Hello, Isamu-kun," a nurse smiled at the teen.

"…Hi."

"Are you visiting your grandfather or are you injured again?"

The corner of his mouth twitched. "I'm visiting this time."

She turned to the computer and tapped in a few keys.

Isamu noticed his reflection in the window as he looked around. He was wearing a dark green t-shirt with blue jeans. His right ear was pierced but he avoided wearing a stud on school days in case the Disciplinary Committee caught him with jewellery. Which, he thought with a scoff, doesn't make sense since Hibari wears some kind of bracelet himself.

"Isamu-kun, just sign this and you may enter."

He nodded his thanks and went on.

"Come in," a quiet yet strong masculine voice said. Isamu entered and slid the door closed behind him. He turned back to his grandfather on the bed. He didn't look too well today and this worried him.

"Get closer. I can't see you properly from that far!" Amato Renzo barked out.

"How are you doing, Oji-chan?"

Renzo grunted and said, "A bit better, a bit worse. I don't even know why they put me in the ICU anyways."

Isamu's eyebrow twitched. "So...which is it?"

The old man laughed and waved a tired hand. "It doesn't matter. Come—I have something to tell you."

"Yes?" Isamu dreaded the news, although he didn't know why. Maybe it was the regret in his grandfather's eyes.

"I have decided," He paused, as if rethinking his decision. He took in a deep breath and continued, "To continue on with our family's tradition."

Isamu blinked a few times. He knew that his family was actually part of the Italian mob, even if they lived in Japan for the past five years. Both of his parents were Italian, although he knew there was some Japanese blood mixed in somewhere. His parents wanted him to experience both cultures, so every five years he would switch between the countries—or more often, if he wished.

Since he was ten, he was taught a few tricks that will save him from sticky situations. More recently, his training had levelled up to firearms and martial arts. So he wasn't exactly your daily helpless guy. But—

"What tradition?" …He was still pretty clueless when it comes to family affairs.

"Isamu, do you know how the heir of our family is chosen?"

"Uh…no?"

"We chose the youngest son to inherit the spot of boss—ultimogeniture. This would have been my son—your father, if he lived," Renzo said bitterly. Isamu's throat constricted and he swallowed the lump that was forming. He took in a deep breath.

"But he didn't…"

"No," Renzo agreed. "So as his son, and the youngest Amato in the family, it is you who will now inherit my title."

He stared at his grandfather.

"Old man, I think you've officially lost your marbles." He was quickly smacked on the head by none other than this old man who has presumably lost his marbles.

"Fool. Take things seriously for once."

"I can hardly take this seriously. I mean, dude, I think you've got the wrong person. I'm not even interested. Besides, you don't have to follow tradition. I would suggest Teo to be the next leader."

Teodoro, his oldest brother was nineteen. To most people's eyes, he was very skilled. Isamu believed that Teo was strong enough to lead their family, even though he may not have a lot of experience. Experience can be gained, he reasoned. Teo continuously reminded Isamu that he could beat him to a pulp every so often anyways! Their other brother, Mamoru, age eighteen, had absolutely no interest in taking over and staying in one place to give out orders. Instead, he liked going all over the world, negotiating with other families, as well as acting as an ambassador for the Vongola; he was never in one country for more than a few weeks.

"I know what I am doing. Besides—there is tradition to follow."

"What, that ulti-something thing?"

"Ultimogeniture, you little dimwit."

"Yeah, that…uh…couldn't you break away from tradition?"

His grandfather gave his grandson a grin. "Tradition can never go wrong, boy. Teo is not fit to be the boss of our famiglia. Run along now. You have a lot of homework, don't you?"

"Don't just change the subject! This is my future we're talking about, you know?"

"Of course it's your future! That's why I'm telling you!" His grandfather rolled his eyes. "Go on. And be careful, my dear grandson. I want you to know that I'm actually sorry that you have to go into the heart of our dark world, but that is how it is. You will find help with—"

Isamu let out an exasperated sigh. "How am I supposed to find help? Mamoru could probably help me, but he's not around right now! And plus, what do you think Teo's going to do to me when he finds out?"

"Deal with it, baka! You know how to fight!"

"Stop calling me baka, oji-baka!"

"I will call you baka if I wish, BAAAKA. Learn to respect your elders while you're at it, eh?"

"Jeez! I don't know why they keep you here! We should just toss you into some other room! You're in perfect condition if you can argue that much!"

Renzo grinned. "Ciao, my baka grandson. Watch your step."

"Don't worry…" Isamu replied uncomfortably at the warning. He left the room feeling very cautious about everything. He tsked. Darn oji-chan for putting those thoughts in my head. Yeesh, now I'm all paranoid. He smiled and bid goodbye to the nurse as he walked out. Come to think about it, if it's traditional, that means everyone already knows that I'm supposed to be the heir…no wonder Teo's always been so cold towards me…although there have been times when he acts nice and superior…pfft. That's probably because he thinks that Oji-chan will choose him in the end. But no one's ever treated me like an heir. And that sounds like a good thing!

He snapped out of his thoughts as he rounded a corner and side stepped to dodge someone. In fact, they would have collided, if he and the other person didn't have fast reflexes.

"Tch! Watch where you're going," an angry voice said.

He looked at the face of the person and raised his eyebrows. He nodded a greeting and said, "Ciao, Hayato."

"Amato kid," Gokudera cocked his own eyebrow at the young Mafioso who he met many years ago at a Vongola alliance party. They've recently had eye contact when both attended Nami-chuu but never held a conversation. Gokudera may act irrationally most of the time, but he wasn't about to attack a known ally while aware of the consequences.

"What are you doing here?" Gokudera asked when he noticed that he was at the entrance of the hospital.

Isamu shrugged. "Grandpa's in the hospital. I just went to visit him before heading home."

"Yeah? So who's taking charge of the famiglia at the moment then?"

Isamu frowned a narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why would you care? You're just a freelancer. Oh, whatever. My grandpa's still well enough to give out instructions, so he's still boss. Not sure for how long though," he muttered the last part which wasn't meant for Gokudera's ears.

Being Gokudera, he heard it anyways and he wasn't in the slightest worried about pissing others off. And, he was irritated at being called a freelancer.

"Che. He's on his last leg then? Guess you have to pick up the slack. Good luck with that."

Isamu's eyes widen. "How'd you know that?"

"Know what?"

"Know about the stupid inheritance!"

Gokudera raised his eyebrows again and sighed. He began walking as he replied. "Everyone knows about your family's old tradition. It's the most ridiculous inheritance system in mafia history—in fact, you're the only famiglia who goes that way. You better watch your step. That guy you have for a brother, Teodoro, might decide that you need a little…backstabbing."

Isamu scowled. "Why is everyone telling me that?"

...

At the entrance of his house—a large one compared to the ones that his other classmates own—he was met by his brother who was just taking off his shoes. He was two heads taller than Isamu and was well tanned.

"Oh—Teo, you're back!"

Teo slid his bag off his shoulder and glanced at him. He smirked. "Yo, lil' bro." He flicked his finger at Isamu's forehead.

"Ite…could you stop doing that all the time?" Isamu groaned and rubbed his head. He tossed his bag onto a chair. Then Teo laughed and had him in a headlock. "Hey! You're choking me!"

Isamu struggled and kicked Teo's foot. He received a punch to the face.

"Ow!" Isamu managed to return the punch with enough force to make Teo let go.

"You brat."

"You hit me first," Isamu retorted and gently touched his cheek.

"Well, you annoy me." Teo gave Isamu a glare. Isamu blinked in return.

"What—?"

Teo ignored him and went upstairs. "Don't bother me. I have to finish a paper for the university."

Isamu sighed and went into the kitchen. "Jeez. Mom, I'm home…"

"Welcome back!" She was a woman whose beauty shone naturally. Isamu inherited his mother's face—but as he grew, it became more boyish—but the eyes never changed. They were still the same shade of dark brown.

"You two should really stop fighting. How did your visit with your oji-chan go?"

"It went fine," he said and leaned on the counter. "He told me about the family's…tradition…what are you doing?" He scrunched up his nose as he watched his mother crush some awful smelling herbs and other chemical substances. Vials were all over the tables.

At the mention of that, his mother smiled slightly and patted his head. "I know you'll do great. Oh, this? It's nothing. I'm just starting a batch of smoke bombs." Isamu sighed. Smoke bombs? Can't she just buy them from Yoshimuto? The ones she's making smell funny. Maybe it's a new formula?

"Mom… should you really be saying that? You're supposed to be telling me how worried you'd be, and tell me to refuse, so that I wouldn't have to be injured or worried of living through each day!"

His mother, Akane, laughed her musical laugh that was what caught his father's attention in the first place. Even at the age of forty-five, she still held that charm.

"Don't get me wrong. I will worry about you for the rest of your life—so much that you'd just wish I'd leave you alone for a while! But you must also understand that you are the one who will lead this family towards greatness—which is why I'm going to be tutoring you." She patted his hand and stared directly into his eyes with her brown ones.

"I don't understand what you're talking about. I don't want to do this."

"You'll live with it once you realise how important our family is—" His mother suddenly collapsed in a fit of coughing. He held onto her shaking frame as she hacked her lungs out.

"Are you alright?"

"F-Fine… cough cough…I'm alright. Just…need to catch my breath."

"What? No, this isn't right!" He looked into the house, desperate for someone to help him. Their housekeeper had gone home for the day, since her son was sick. He ran through his mind of who should be home. His aunts and uncles were out on a cruise. His older cousins were probably out clubbing.

"Ah!" He thought of one. "TEO! TEO!"

"WHAT? I'm busy!" A voice came from the third floor. The voice echoed through the empty house.

"MOM'S NOT ACTING RIGHT! SHE'S COUGHING LIKE CRAZY! HELP!" he hollered up. Running footsteps came down and he saw his brother jump the remaining steps. His handsome face was filled with confusion and something else, but Isamu had no time to identify it.

"Mom, what's up?" Teo said. "What happened?"

"I'm alright, Teo. You don't need to worry," she said softly and cleared her throat. This caused her to cough again. This time it sounded worse, with blood being coughed up. Teo's brows knitted together.

"We need to go to the hospital."

Isamu nodded.

Teo picked up their mother easily and began running for the car. He tossed his cell phone back to Isamu who caught it.

"Call them to get a stretcher or something ready," he ordered and opened the door to put his mother in the back seat. Isamu clambered in after and Teo took the driver's seat.

"Okay!"

They drove for only fifteen minutes, thanks to Teo driving over the speed limit. He skidded to a stop so suddenly in front of the hospital that the tires left marks on the pavement. Isamu opened the door and helped his mother, who was near fainting, to get out of the car.

The paramedics were already waiting for them and rushed her to the emergency room immediately.

"Go. I'll park the car and follow."

Isamu followed the doctors worriedly.

"What happened to her?" One asked.

"I don't know! We were just talking, and she suddenly started coughing!"

"We'll take care of her, kid. Just wait here."

Isamu was gently pushed out of the room and the curtains were shut. There were chairs in front of the room but he was too worried to sit down. He could still hear that awful coughing but it slowly eased after the doctors were in there for a few more minutes.

"Well?" Teo jogged up to stand beside his younger brother. Just then, one of the doctors pushed the curtains aside.

"She's alright for now. We need her to stay overnight for observation and possibly a few more if it's what we think it is."

Isamu was almost too afraid to ask. "What do you think it is?"

The doctor hesitated. "There is a disease that runs in your mother's family. Although there is only five percent that it actually appears, and it seems like your mother has inherited it."

"Disease?" Teo glared. "What are you talking about? We've never heard of this."

The doctor backed away. Isamu glared at his brother in return.

"Don't scare him."

"Shut up."

Isamu narrowed his eyes. Teo growled.

"Give her the best room you've got, understand? And make sure you treat her properly."

The doctor nodded quickly and rushed off with everyone else. Isamu nodded subconsciously. His mother deserved the best room they had. That reminded him. He should update his grandfather on this.

"Teo, I'm gonna visit gramps and tell him what happened."

"No!" Teo said. His younger brother looked at him inquisitively. "Knowing you, you'll just put it too bluntly and end up giving the old man a heart attack. I'll tell him. You go and look at mom."

"Oh…right…my bad. I'll check on Mom then."

...

Amato Residence

Isamu and one of his cousins were in charge of cooking dinner.

When all eight people were seated, they began to eat in silence. These eight people included Isamu, Teo, three uncles, one aunt, and two cousins.

"How is Akane's condition?" his youngest uncle asked.

"We don't know yet," Teo replied and put his chopsticks down. "The doctor said that she might need to stay for a few days."

The uncles exchanged a look. The cousins were listening in although they didn't speak up. Isamu began to sweat, hoping that they wouldn't suddenly ask him to take over because of this situation. Sure his grandfather was technically still in charge, butmost of the things were actually taken care of by his mother who was in the hospital. The only two people who should take the temporary title were Isamu and Teo. With Isamu being the heir, he was probably the one that would come out on top.

"We're relying on you then, Teo," Isamu's aunt said. Teo said nothing but nodded.

Isamu blinked at his relatives. "I thought I was supposed to be in charge since Mom's not here right now."

His aunt laughed. "What are you talking about? You're just a kid! Stop talking about that nonsense."

Isamu turned to his brother. "Teo?"

"I need to see the things that were delivered yesterday to Italy. I'll be leaving in a few hours, and I'll be gone for two days."

Teo? Are you ignoring me? Isamu opened his mouth to speak, but closed it instead. He looked at everyone, unsure of himself. I… guess I shouldn't be in charge anyways, since I'm still young.

The dinner conversation led to mafia-related issues directed at Teo. As Isamu listened, he realised that he could have dealt with those things himself. He glanced suspiciously at his brother.

...

Evening, Sawada Residence

That night Gokudera went to Tsuna's house for a meeting Reborn scheduled that morning in school. He frowned as he stared at the house. What was Reborn planning?

"Yo!" He turned to see Yamamoto jogging towards him.

"Tch." Gokudera scowled at the happy baseball player.

"I see that you're both here," Reborn's voice came from above. Gokudera looked up and saw the hitman sitting on the balcony. "Come up to Tsuna's room."

"What happened, Reborn-san?" Gokudera asked when they were seated around the table in Tsuna's room.

"I just wanted to introduce you to another famiglia who is in Namimori at the moment."

"There's another one?" Tsuna squeaked in surprise. "How many are actually here!" He scooted back so his back was against his bed.

"Are they a threat to Juudaime? I'll blow them up!" Gokudera was in the middle of standing up when Reborn told him the family's name.

"It's the Amato Famiglia."

"I'll—oh." Gokudera blinked a few times. He sat back down. "Them." He knew that they wouldn't be staying any longer, so he didn't really care about that group. If he was right, most of them would be moving back to Italy in a few months or so.

"E-Eh? Gokudera-kun, do you know them?"

Gokudera lifted his head and looked at Tsuna. He nodded. "In a way I do, Juudaime."

"Haha! Well, this means that we can have more friends, right?" Yamamoto leaned back, grinning.

Reborn nodded. "They're a family who is allied with the Vongola. So yes, they are your friends."

Gokudera saw his boss sigh in relief to hear that they weren't an enemy. He knew better than anyone that his boss hated fighting others.

"But why are they in Namimori? Now there's the yakuza, the Vongola, the Shimon, and the Amato family—all in Namimori! Oh Kami-sama, save me. Hibari-san's going to bite me to death because so many people who cause destruction to the peace are living here!"

Gokudera leapt to his feet with determination written all over his face. "I won't let that prefect harm a single hair on Juudaime's head!"

His boss was currently pulling at his hair, panicking. "What should I do!"

"Nothing," Reborn said simply. Gokudera gave him a puzzled look.

"Then why are you telling us, Reborn-san?" Gokudera questioned.

"Because I have a job for you."

Gokudera slowly pointed to himself while glancing at both Yamamoto and Tsuna who were looking incredulously at him and Reborn.

"Reborn-san, did you say…me?"

"Yes you. Who else would I be talking to? Dame-Tsuna?"

"Hey!" Tsuna frowned at the name before continuing. "What are you making Gokudera-kun do now?"

"I want him to help the heir of the Amato Family."

"Amato Isamu?" Gokudera asked. Tsuna's eyes popped out. That guy's in my class! Gokudera continued. "Tch! Why would I help him? He's part of another family. I'm not helping anyone who is not Juudaime!" He thumped a fist to his chest. "And that's because I'm Juudaime's right hand man!"

"G-Gokudera-kun…"

Reborn stared at Gokudera until he resumed his seat. "Gokudera, they are in a family crisis right now. Their leader, the eighth boss, is in the hospital. Isamu's mother, who was in charge until today, is also in the hospital due to a suspicious illness. Mamoru, Isamu's brother, is off in the States speaking with the Romaso Family. Teodoro and his other family members will not support him as the next boss. They might be planning to overthrow Isamu before he becomes boss. This is bad, since Nono relies on the Amato as one of the peace keeping families whose aims are similar to the Vongola. So it's important that we don't lose them."

Tsuna gulped. "That sounds awfully like the Ring Battles we had with the Varia…"

"It does, doesn't it?" Yamamoto laughed.

Reborn ignored their comments. "Are you up to the challenge, Gokudera?" Reborn demanded. "You have to help Isamu create plans and meetings that he will be in charge of. Then he has to convince allies and other family members that he's the rightful heir. Can you do it?" Gokudera sat straighter at the mention of a challenge.

"Wait! Reborn, you can't just tell him to do this!" Tsuna complained. Reborn threw a hammer in Tsuna's direction and continued talking.

"You'll be doing this in the name of the Vongola, representing yourself as Tsuna's right-hand man. So it's your job to help other allied families when they need our help."

Gokudera abruptly stood up with a very sparkly background glittering behind him. "I'll do it, Reborn-san. Juudaime!"

"W-What?"

Gokudera knelt in front of his boss. "Juudaime, I'll do my best with this mission, so don't worry about me! I won't let you down!"

Tsuna's mouth opened and closed like a fish for a few seconds before he decided to close it with a grunt. He sighed and said, "Gokudera-kun, don't work too hard…and don't hurt him, okay?"

"Don't worry, I won't!" Gokudera beamed when Tsuna have him his blessing. That's all I need!

...

Morning, Amato Residence

While he walked to school the next day, Isamu's mind was on other things. His grandpa told him to be careful. Gokudera told him to be careful of his brother. His mother told him that he will be great. What was he supposed to think about this? It looked like he didn't have a say in this matter at all!

What if I asked Teo if he could be the boss instead? He shook his head. Gramps would probably hit me over the head for giving up like that—ite!

He stumbled backwards and clutched his stomach. Groaning, he leaned against the school's entrance and looked up to see Hibari Kyoya in all his glory.

"Kyo—I mean, Hibari …" He still wasn't very used to calling everyone he met by their last names, and the first time he called Hibari 'Kyoya', they got the matter cleared up right away.

"Herbivore… What is that on your ear?"

"Huh?" Isamu's hand went to his ear and found that he was wearing his silver stud. Uh-oh.

"Uh… I don't know how it got there!" As he spoke, Hibari's eyes narrowed. Isamu quickly tried to take it off his ear.

"It's forbidden to have excess jewellery in Nami-chuu. I will bite you to death for breaking the rules." A pair of tonfa was raised.

"Wait—hold on a second!" Isamu protested. "You're wearing a bracelet! If that's not excess jewellery, what is it?"

"It's a weapon," Hibari stated plainly and advanced.

"Shoot!" Isamu exclaimed and started running towards the building with Hibari in hot pursuit. He ran around it to the other side. How is a bracelet a weapon? It didn't seem to do anything special, so he couldn't bring himself to believe Hibari.

"I'm sorry Hibari, it won't happen again!" Isamu shouted over his shoulder. He was running ahead of Hibari steadily and could force Hibari to stop, but he was afraid of having to hurt the Disciplinary Committee leader. Hibari's eyes narrowed as if he sensed this. He leaped in the air and landed in front of Isamu who gulped and did his best to not collide with Hibari.

Whoa. How'd he do that?

"Herbivores shouldn't be able to run like that."

"Sorry about—wait, what?"

Hibari was staring at Isamu, thinking quickly. Herbivores were usually sloppy and couldn't run in a good form. This one was different. There was also that way of how he unconsciously followed through with the tonfa he hit to his stomach, which meant he had some sort of combat experience. There was also something else that was bothering the prefect.

"Amato. That's your name," Hibari stated.

Isamu blinked and shuffled his feet ever so backwards. "Yes, that's my name…"

Hibari continued to examine him with a blank face. Was it possible? His sources finally found that there was another mafia family who lived in Namimori, called the Amato Family. And now that he thought about it, Isamu's family name was Amato. He must have misheard the name when Kusakabe reported the transfer student. He didn't manage to hear the full name since there was some ruckus outside caused by herbivores, but Amato was an Italian name. Hm…

"Fight me," he commanded.

Isamu's jaw dropped and his eyes popped out. "Excuse me?"

"Oi, Hibari!" a loud voice shouted from far away. The two looked at the spot at the tree a few steps away. It was Gokudera, leaning on the tree. He has an annoyed look on his face as he watched them.

Hibari stared.

"You're not supposed to bother him."

Hibari raised his eyebrows. "Since when did you care about herbivores and not your omnivore?" Gokudera's eye twitched at the mention of his Juudaime being an omnivore.

Herbivore? Omnivore? Question marks appeared all around Isamu's head.

"Reborn-san told me to look after him! And if I don't do it properly it's a shame to Juudaime! So you'll be answering to me if you injure him," Gokudera said, still looking annoyed.

Hibari stared blankly at the Storm Guardian. Suddenly, his right arm shot out and he swung a tonfa at Isamu's head.

"Ite!" Isamu exclaimed as he was hit unexpectedly. He rubbed his jaw as Hibari walked away. Was he feeling a crack in his jaw? No he must be imagining it. Isamu watched Gokudera approach.

"Thanks for that, Hayato, although I could have handled it myself."

Gokudera rolled his eyes. Yeah right. He was going up against Hibari.

Isamu pocketed his stud and asked Gokudera, "Hey, when you said Juudaime, what family are you talking about? There aren't many that last for ten generations."

"That's none of your business!" Gokudera said and stuffed his hands into his pockets. But inwardly, Gokudera was puffed out and as proud as anyone could get. "Heard you have some family problems."

Isamu stumbled and righted himself. He frowned at Gokudera. "What do you know about that?"

"Tch. You're going to lose the title of Boss if you let your brother walk all over you. That's what I know. I was sent to help you."

Isamu scowled. "Who sent you? I don't need any help. Besides, my grandpa told me that I'm the heir, so I'm the heir. Stop bothering me!" He sped up and stomped away.

Gokudera glowered at him. "Why that little ungrateful bastard! I'll show him!"

He ran to the school's main entrance and saw that Tsuna and Yamamoto were waiting for him.

Tsuna cocked his head when Gokudera arrived. "Gokudera-kun, where were you this morning?"

"Sorry, Juudaime! Reborn-san sent me on the mission, so I tried to start it today. That stupid Amato wouldn't listen to me though." Gokudera grumbled on. He stood on tip toes in an attempt to locate the ungrateful brat.

"SAWADA!" They all turned and saw Ryohei charging at them.

"YOU IDIOT LAWN HEAD!"

Gokudera blew off his steam on Ryohei instead.

...

After school that day, Gokudera accompanied Tsuna home. "Stop following us, you baseball freak!" Gokudera glared at Yamamoto.

Yamamoto grinned. "Maa, maa, Gokudera! You've been at that for three years! Aren't you tired of it?"

"WHAT?"

"Hahahah!"

Tsuna sweatdropped at the daily exchange. "C-Come on, guys…we're all friends here, aren't we?"

"Sawada's extremely right," Ryohei shouted. "Octopus Head! You need to be more social!"

"HAH? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?"

Ryohei shouted back, with his fists brought up as Gokudera glared at him. "OF COURSE I DO, OCTOPUS-HEAD, WHY ELSE WOULD I SAY IT?"

"You're an idiot that way!" Gokudera yelled back.

Hiiieee….. Tsuna panicked and tried to calm them down. "Really now—Gokudera-kun, onii-san! Please stop! Ugh!" Tsuna facepalmed when the two of them started to fight. Soon, there was a large tangle of arms and legs in a big cloud of dust whilst he and Yamamoto stood by watching.

"Ne, should we try to stop them?" Yamamoto asked cheerfully.

"We have to! Otherwise my neighbours will complain again!"

They continued on to Tsuna's house with Tsuna and Yamamoto between them, so nothing more than loud bickering occurred. Reborn met them in Tsuna's room with a smirk on his face.

Gokudera instantly went to Reborn to report on the "Isamu Mission", as Gokudera calls it.

"But the problem is," Gokudera said with a frown, "that I don't know much of how to fix this problem."

Reborn smirked as if he was waiting for Gokudera to admit it. "Then use this!" He got a stack of books from nowhere and slammed them on the table. It was so heavy the poor table groaned under the weight.

"Hiie!"

"Wow!" Yamamoto and Ryohei stared at the stack. It was so high, it reached Gokudera's waist. "Kid, where'd you get all these books?" Yamamoto took the first one off the pile and looked at the cover. Then he flipped through the pages and sweated.

"What's that?" Tsuna asked curiously and looked over Yamamoto's shoulder to read the text. Gokudera took another book and flipped through it as well. Ryohei took a third.

Tsuna's eyes drooped at the words.

"It's very…" Yamamoto hesitated for the words.

"Literate," Tsuna supplied.

"Advanced," Yamamoto said.

"EXTREME!"

"Reborn-san…this is just what I need!"

"WHAT?" Tsuna and Yamamoto stared at Gokudera in amazement.

"You understand this, Gokudera-kun? It looks like nonsense to me!"

Gokudera had his glasses on and was devouring the book in his hands page after page. Reborn smirked and replied to Tsuna's question.

"These books will help Gokudera understand the theories and tactical advancements of rebellion and conquering. He'll be an expert in this field in no time."

"Juudaime, I will live by these books and help the Amato heir! If I don't succeed, I don't deserve to be your Storm Guardian and right hand man!" Gokudera declared and carried the stack of books with him out the door.

"How is he going to see past those books?" Tsuna asked worriedly as they watched Gokudera run back to his apartment.

"Worry about yourself, Tsuna. I heard that you failed your math test."

"Hiie!"

...

The next few days went rather peacefully. Isamu was rather surprised that Gokudera didn't approach him after their encounter outside the school. After school, he went straight to the hospital to visit his mother. Seeing that she was resting, he decided to not disturb her. He went up a floor instead, to visit his grandpa.

"Isamu, you're here again. I thought you were too busy to visit me more than twice a week. Are you still coming on Friday?"

"Slow down, slow down…" Isamu sighed. He poured out a cup of water for himself and his grandpa. "Yes, I'm here again. And yes, I am busy throughout the week, but since kaa-san's in the hospital, I have more time at my hands. She works me to death with all that paperwork and boss-training stuff. Yes, I'm coming on Friday."

He heard the newspaper crinkle as his grandfather set it down. "What?"

"'What' what?" Isamu handed Renzo his cup, but the old man didn't take it.

"What, as in, WHY IS YOUR MOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL?"

Isamu spoke unsurely. "The disease in her family caught up with her, and now she's in the hospital. Didn't Teo tell you that?" Isamu frowned and put both cups onto the table.

"He didn't tell me anything. That boy hasn't visited me since last month," Renzo said in dismay.

Isamu sputtered. "Then…what…why…"

Renzo narrowed his eyes. "Who's doing the paperwork? Who's making the decisions at home? Is it you or Teo?"

"Teo's in charge."

WHACK!

Isamu felt the rolled up newspaper hit his head smartly.

"You're not supposed to let your big brother call the shots!"

"Call the shots?" Isamu rubbed his head. "What's wrong with him being at the desk? You're technically still making the final decision."

Renzo sighed. "We'll talk about this later. Now tell me what's wrong with Akane."

"I can't believe he hasn't told you about her," Isamu grumbled.

"Get on with it, boy."

After telling him about his mother, Isamu was trying to leave but Renzo kept him there.

"I want you to be in charge of the family for now."

Isamu replied instantly. "It's ridiculous."

"And why is it so ridiculous?"

"Because I'm just a third year in middle school!"

"Don't tell me you don't understand everything your mother taught you."

Isamu bristled at the insult. "I understood everything!"

"You understood everything. Well thendo you understand the contents enough to work by them in a business?" His grandfather demanded with a gleam in his eyes. Isamu was too busy replying to notice.

"Who do you think I am? Of course! It was easy. Even a four year old could understand the concepts."

"Then you are already half way to becoming a boss. The other half is having the family believe you could lead them, as well as improving your fighting skills. The family is only as strong as the boss makes it. You have to put in some effort."

Isamu realised that he set himself into a trap. "You. Are. Joking."

Renzo was looking smug. "Nuh uh uh. You might be in middle school, but did you know, that every lesson your mother gave you covered every important aspect of being a boss?"

Isamu stared at his grandfather, horrified. "I THOUGHT SHE ONLY TAUGHT ME THE BASICS!"

...

Isamu trudged home, angry at his grandfather. "Damn damn damn damn damn!"

He slammed the door and stormed through the room to reach the stairs. One of his cousins was hanging out with his friends, drunk.

"Haha! Heey, kiiid! Come join us!"

Isamu glanced at the sky. It wasn't even dark and his cousin was already either drunk or on drugs. "Oh shut up!" he said and went up the stairs with laughter echoing behind him. He shook his head angrily and flopped onto his bed. "Yeesh. I don't see him acting this way when kaa-san or oji-chan is home."

He closed his eyes but had them snap open again. "Damn." He sat up and rubbed his temples. I forgot that I was supposed to look after the paperwork even if there's only a bit of it. He walked down the hall to enter the study.

"Oh, but Teo probably finished it all," Isamu said as he struggled to take off his uniform's blue vest. "Even if he's gone for four days and counting instead of the two days that he promised." When he did open the doors, he was staring at the contents in the room. Then he fell to his knees, anticipating the exhaustion he would feel by the end of the day.

There was a stack—a single stack, but a stack nonetheless—of paperwork, tossed onto the desk by agents who came in and out of the house. There were also letters and information given by spies. Isamu took in several deep breaths to ready himself for war. He closed the study's doors behind him. He went to the desk with his sleeves rolled up. As quickly as he could, he organised the stack into different piles.

"I guess I should start with the business' accounts…" After tackling some problems for about an hour, he laid his head on the table with a groan.

"Stupid Teo. He just had to run off…why didn't he call to tell us that he'd be gone for more than two days? Stupid Teo." Isamu sighed and slammed his hand on the pile of letters and took one blindly. He broke the seal, not even stopping to wonder at why there was a seal on a letter, and brought the paper out. He tilted his head on the table and put the letter sideways so he could read it.

After reading it, he felt nothing. Then his brain caught up to the words and he sat upright.

He re-read the letter and gulped:

Renzo,

I have come to Japan to visit my friends here. It has been so long

since we have spoken to each other. How about if we meet at the

usual restaurant? I've made reservations for 5:00. A driver will be

at your house to pick you up.

Your friend,

Timoteo

"Oh this is not good!" He looked at the date and time written on the letter and blanched. "That's today! And it's already four thirty! Where the hell is Teo!" He picked up a phone and dialled, but no one picked up. "Aaaahh!" Isamu paced and held his head as if it was the end of the world. Doesn't Nono know that oji-chan's in the hospital! This is the worst time! Does this mean I have to go? It's ridiculous!

But he knew that he had no choice. He ran out the room and slid down the banister. His cousin was gone but he couldn't care less. Indeed, there was a car outside. He flung himself in.

"Excuse me! You're here from Vongola Nono, right?" Isamu asked with a panicked look in his eyes. The driver was wearing sunglasses.

"Who wants to know?"

Isamu raised the letter. "R-Representative for the Amato Boss!" The man stared at the letter for another minute before turning to face the front.

"Very well. I'll take you to the boss."

Isamu leaned back and sighed in relief. He tried to make himself look as presentable as possible while he waited nervously in the car. He was shaking slightly, to his surprise.

Calm down, Isamu…Calm down…

When they arrived, he stepped out of the car and found another man waiting.

"Hello. I'm Vongola Nono's Lightning Guardian. Please follow me."

"Right…" Isamu stuttered and followed the man.

"It's amusing how the next generation's candidates are all so young," the Guardian mused.

"What?" Isamu asked, distracted. They walked into the waiting elevator. The man smiled and shook his head.

That was…weird.

When the doors were open, he was looking at a large room with a table in the middle. Timoteo stood when the elevator opened and had surprise written all over his face when a much younger person met his eyes. The surprise vanished and a welcoming smile came to replace it.

"Welcome! You must be young Isamu-kun."

Isamu stepped nervously into the room as the elevator doors closed. "Um…hello…I'm Amato Isamu…it's nice to meet you." He bowed slightly and sat when Timoteo sat.

"To be honest, I was expecting Renzo," Timoteo said.

Isamu laughed nervously and rubbed his head. "Ahaha…yeah, you see, my grandfather's in the hospital at the moment, and my mom's there too, and my brother, Teo, is in Italy, and…I just found the letter about half an hour ago," he said sheepishly.

Timoteo had a worried look on his face at the news. "My, a lot has happened since I last called."

Isamu nodded solemnly. He told the Ninth about everything that has happened in the family so far, hoping that he could help in some way.

The Ninth had a gentle smile by the time Isamu was finished with his troubles. "I can't really say what you should do, since it is not my family. But I will tell you this," Timoteo said. "Help has already been offered to you. It depends on whether you will take it or not."

"But the one who offered it to me is my age." Isamu pointed to himself. "And to be honest, I don't think he knows much."

"You'll be surprised," Timoteo said. I trust Reborn when he says Hayato-kun will be able to do it.

They talked for a bit more before Isamu rose to leave.

"Isamu-kun?"

"Yes?"

"I'd like to tell you that the Vongola will support you in your choices," Vongola Nono said.

Isamu stared in shock. "Um…okay…but…shouldn't you be saying that to my brother?"

Timoteo raised an eyebrow. "Amato has made it clear that you are his heir. And I believe that Amato's decision is the right one."

...

Isamu was in a daze for the rest of the drive home. Wow…I just met the ninth boss of the Vongola! Isamu sighed. Maybe…maybe I should try…but how do I start? Teo's practically taking over, and no one but me is objecting. Isamu noticed something outside. Eh? Is that… Isamu pressed his face to the window and looked out into the darkness. The figure of the person standing outside his house came clearer as they approached. Isamu's eyes widened. "No way," he muttered. "Oh, thanks," he said to the driver and got out of the car.

"Hayato, what the hell are you doing standing outside of my door?"

"Why else do you think I'm here? That stupid head of yours has to understand that you have to take back what is yours!"

"I already know that! Could everyone just stop telling me?" Isamu snapped, but there was no bite in his words.

Gokudera was very tempted to punch the guy. "They may be telling you, but you're not doing anything!"

Isamu sighed and made up his mind. "You might as well come in. I don't think you'll stop bothering me until you're satisfied…"

And so, Gokudera followed Isamu into his room. "Right, so what's this...help that you're planning on offering?"

"I'm going to help you take control of the family, like I said before," Gokudera said and sat down across from Isamu.

Isamu rolled his eyes. "Okay. Now what? My brother's not here so there's not much you can do."

Gokudera's eyebrows knit together. "Where'd he go?"

"Italy. He said he had to look in on some supplies. But he's been gone for four days and counting."

Gokudera narrowed his eyes. "Maybe…hmm...that might be it."

"What might be it?"

"Perhaps your brother is trying to establish his own allies who will support him. Each Boss has the allies the previous Boss had but it is the next boss' choice to break the alliance or continue cooperating with the current allies. They could also make new ones. Teodoro is probably trying to convince the allies that he should be the boss."

"That doesn't sound good at all. Shit. He's had four days to do it!"

"You just need to get your own then! What allies do you think he's got? It's best to have the ones you already have currently to continue being your allies, but it's also best to be friends with the heirs as well. After all, they will be the next generation of the family. That has to be taken into consideration!" Gokudera continued on into Theory-Mode and made charts and graphs of explanations as well as money trees and systems. All the while, Isamu stared and listened intently. He was probably the only fifteen year old kid who could keep up with Gokudera.

"Did you understand all that?" Gokudera asked when he finished. "You better not act like Lawn Head and say you didn't get a thing out of it…"

"Lawn Head?" Isamu repeated. "Oh forget it. I don't think I want to know. But yes, I got everything."

"You better. Now for your allies—do you know where to start? Anyone you're familiar with; other family members? It's good to have their support."

Isamu shook his head. "Everyone here is on Teo's side."

"What about the rest of the family?"

"My grandfather mentioned that they will never support Teo, so I guess the rest of the family other than the ones downstairs will help me."

They talked on for another half hour before Gokudera stood to leave. Isamu followed him down.

"What's this?" One of Isamu's uncles said when he saw Gokudera. "Gokudera Hayato…a friend of yours?"

"In a way," Isamu said uncomfortably. He noticed that his aunt narrowed her eyes slightly at the two teens.

"He might as well stay for dinner." She was pointing to the food on the table.

"Nah," Gokudera said. "I was just leaving."

"I insist," she said coldly. The other chorused an agreement. Gokudera shook his head.

"I have to go back to my own family, if you don't mind."

"And which family is that?" The older cousin snickered. "Your own family wouldn't want you!"

"I'm in the Vongola Family!" Gokudera glared at the cousin, and at anyone else who might dare question his family.

"Y-You're what?" Isamu choked back his shock.

"I'll be leaving now," Gokudera said and closed the door.

Isamu's uncles and aunts shared glances at each other.

"Brat, did you know he was in the Vongola?" His aunt asked. Isamu shook his head.

"It doesn't matter," another uncle snorted and said, "he's probably in the lower ranks, not even someone of importance."

"You should have told us if there was a Vongola in our house," his aunt said and glared at Isamu.

"What wrong with that?" Isamu snapped. "The Vongola is one of our allies. It's not like he's going to attack me or anything."

"I don't care if he attacks you. It's not as if you're important."

Isamu glowered. "Then what are you so hyped up about him in our house?" Again, there was that look. "What, you have some secrets the Vongola can't know about? Not even someone of no importance?"

His other aunt said darkly, "Some people need to learn to keep their mouths shut and learn their place…especially in the mafia. Some others need to mind their own business… Otherwise, those people won't live very long."

His other aunt cackled. "Yes, yes! That's true! Have you heard of that time in the Todd Family? A few years ago, someone tried to make everything his business when it was up to the boss to make the decisions and the boss ended up killing him!"

"I have every right to talk," Isamu said icily. That's it. They're really getting on my nerves.

"Of course you do," the older uncle said. "We were talking about the Todd family, not you. Besides, if you do have something to say, you can say it to us first so we can see whether it's important enough to tell the boss."

"I mean, I will be the boss. So there! I know my place. I have every right to talk."

"Don't be a fool," his younger aunt said. "What on earth are you talking about? Hurry up and eat and go back to your room. There's nothing here for you to do."

Isamu glared into his bowl and did as he was told. They're not even trying to hide the fact that they want Teo to be the boss. But why are they so…demanding of it? There's got to be something behind this. He munched down his food deep in thought.

Later, he went on his computer, someone messaged him.

Luca: Hey, you holding out over there?

Isamu grinned. That was his seventeen year old best friend, who lived in Italy. He was the second son of another family they are allied with.

Isamu: I'm doing fine. Teo's gone weird though.

Luca: Speaking of which, your bro came to my dad and said he wanted to talk about some alliance stuff. What's up with your grandpa? I thought he was supposed to do that stuff.

Isamu: He's still in the hospital.

Isamu hesitated and continued typing. He told Luca about the situation.

Luca: That's stupid! The seat's yours, man. Don't worry about a thing! I'll convince my dad. He didn't look too happy about things during meal time anyways. Your bro went in with this envelope as if there was some kind of deal.

Isamu: …a deal?

Luca: Yeaaaah. A deal, ya know? Anyways, I promise that I'll help you! The Gaetano Family's with you! Don't think I'm forgetting the offer of being your right-hand, dude.

Isamu: You sure you wanna do that?

Luca: Pfftsha. Yeh. Gotta go. Ttyl.

Isamu stared at the conversation in surprise. He wasn't expecting it to be like this. Okay, I guess this is good…if I'm taking Hayato's advice I have to get more allies. Or at least, convince them.

...

Around five thirty in the morning, Gokudera was busy going over things. He reread the schedule he printed out and nodded. "That's good enough. Amato better appreciate what I'm doing," he said as he closed the door to his apartment.

Gokudera saw the taxi he booked and climbed in. He told the driver the address and took out his cell phone. He called a number waited for the other person to pick up.

"Whazaawaah…?" Isamu grumbled.

"Oi, get out of bed and meet me in front of your house."

"Hn?"

"Pack a bag of whatever you need for travelling! Don't pack anything unnecessary!" He hung up.

When he arrived at Isamu's house, he saw that the person he was looking for was just coming out with a bag slung over a shoulder.

"Stop," he told the driver. Gokudera opened the door. "Oi, Amato! Get in here!" He pulled the other teen in forcefully.

"Gwuaah!" Isamu fell into the taxi and the door closed.

"Drive to the airport!"

"What the hell!" Isamu complained. "Where are you taking me? I thought you were supposed to help me, not kidnap me!"

"Tch! You're going to Italy."

Isamu stared at Gokudera. "ITALIA? WHY AM I GOING THERE?"

"Because you're going to be speaking to allies, baka! Here's the list. You're on the flight that leaves at seven. You'll be taking the plane at terminal one. Here's your ticket. There will be someone waiting for you at the other end. Call the number on the paper and he'll meet you wherever you are, plus a ride to go to the meetings. Don't lose the paper, alright? Your driver will take you to your hotel. Follow the schedule and your driver will take you to the other families as well."

"No! What are you doing! Stop the car! You're just deciding all this by yourself! WHY AM I DOING THIS? I'm not prepared to meet them anyways! What is all this! And why can't I stay in the villa? Why a hotel? Who the hell is the driver? I don't want to go!"

"You're going anyways," Gokudera shouted back. Isamu slumped in his seat.

"Just to let you know, I didn't pack anything that would be suitable for a meeting with any kind of boss."

"That's taken care of. You'll find a wardrobe full of it."

"Why are you doing this again? What's the point of doing it so suddenly? You only heard of the situation yesterday."

"Tch! I spent the rest of the day planning this! All this to make you the next boss! I don't want to do this either, you know!" Gokudera went on to explain things as they rode on. However, Isamu was too tired to pay attention so he dozed off while unconsciously nodding now and then…

".. ey…hey...OI! AMATO!"

"Huh? Wha?" Isamu looked around bleary eyed. "What happened? Where am I?" Then he remembered about Gokudera kidnapping him and sighed.

"We're near the airport. Do you have a right-hand man? You should have one if you're going to be the boss."

"Hunnnh, I guess?" Isamu yawned and stretched as much as he could in the tight confinement of the car.

"We're here, kids," the driver said.

"I'm not a kid," both of them said and gave the driver a glare.

Gokudera pushed Isamu out. "Tch. You seem useless. Well, call that friend and tell him what's happening. He should probably be there for the meetings. I hope he's smarter than you."

"Wait," Isamu said when Gokudera started to get in the car. "You're not coming?"

"Of course not! This is your problem from here on out. I told you everything you need to know. Anything else, like how to act and tips on other things are in this folder." Gokudera tossed an envelope at Isamu. "If things go smoothly you should be back by next week. Then my mission will be half finished. When you come back, I'll be with you for the meetings with a few bosses in Japan." Gokudera gave a feeble wave and shut the door.

Isamu stood on the pavement with his bag on the floor beside him, ticket and papers in hand. He stared after the taxi for a few minutes before swearing.

"That bastard. Leaving me here all stranded after saying he was going to help me. WHAT KIND OF HELP IS THIS?"

People stopped and stared at him. Isamu grumbled to himself and shoved everything into his bag and fished out his phone.

"Luca speaking."

"Hey, good friend."

"I was surprised you called. Isn't it like 6am in Japan?"

"Don't even mention that," Isamu said and glared at nothing in particular as he walked through the automatic doors.

"Ouch. Someone sounds like he's having a bad day. What's up? Oh, and my dad says you booked a meeting with him to talk about something. What's with that?"

"Yeah, it's about the boss and Teo thing. I got some help from the dude called Gokudera Hayato. Apparently he's part of the Vongola Family."

Isamu walked across the busy airport, dodging people and bags. Announcements echoed of welcome and goodbye greetings in several different languages.

"Huh. Well, that's good, you got some help. Hey…What's all that noise? Are you in an airport?"

"Yes. He booked like three dozen appointments or something…that crazy bastard."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…you're going to meet with all the bosses? That's nuts!" Luca laughed. Isamu felt his vein twitch. "Tell you what. I'll join you! I'll meet you at the airport."

"Thanks."

...

"How is it going, Gokudera?" Reborn asked. They were in Tsuna's backyard. Yamamoto and Tsuna were playing with the kids and Gokudera was pulled out from arguing with Ryohei by Reborn.

"It's going well, Reborn-san! I shipped him off to Italy this morning!"

"What?" Tsuna, who was nearby, stopped tickling Lambo to stare at Gokudera. "Gokudera-kun, you shipped someone off to Italy?"

"Hai, Juudaime! Amato Isamu should be on his flight to Italy right now."Gokudera glanced at the clock and nodded.

His boss sweatdropped.

"WHAT IS EXTREMELY GOING ON?"

Gokudera growled and winced. Turning to his right, he saw that Ryohei was still sitting right beside him.

"WHAT IS EXTREMELY GOING ON, IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND, LAWN HEAD—"

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

"I give up," Gokudera face-palmed. "I don't have the energy to shout at you."

Ryohei blinked his surprise. "What?"

"Are you alright, Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna asked worriedly.

"Couldn't have been better, Juudaime," Gokudera replied, all traces of annoyance gone from his face. "Juudaime, I have a big favour to ask of you." Gokudera watched his boss with serious eyes. Tsuna gave him an odd look.

"What's this favour—hiie!" Gokudera bowed down on his knees in front of the sitting Tsuna. "Gokudera-kun, what are you doing?"

"Juudaime…Do you think it's possible for you to meet Amato Isamu, as the tenth boss of the Vongola?"

There was a moment of silence. "EH?"

"Please!" Gokudera said and knocked his head to the plywood floor. Hands reached out to pull him up. "Gokudera-kun, I'll do that—just…don't go down on your hands and knees to beg me! Just ask!"

Gokudera looked into his boss' face with awe. "Hai, Juudaime! I suppose you would want to know the reason?" He continued on before Tsuna decided whether he wanted to or not. "He's in Italy trying to convince other allies to support him as the boss instead of his brother. But, I've just found out that there are a few famiglias who are here in Namimori as well."

Tsuna shivered at the thought of meeting Mafia bosses.

"Octopus Head, why didn't you have him ask the ones here first? That would have been more EXTREME!"

"It's because the ones here would most likely agree with the brat so we're in no rush!" Gokudera replied angrily. "Now stop interrupting me!"

"W-Well, I guess it's okay…" Tsuna said uncomfortably. Although who would want to be the boss of a family in the first place? It's too crazy and scary and just, CRAZY!

Reborn read Tsuna's face and grinned when he figured out what he was thinking. "Dame-Tsuna, not everyone is like you. Isamu needs to be the boss of his family or else his brother—the other option—would ruin everything the Amato and the Vongola tried to achieve."

"Stop reading my thoughts!"

"I'm not," Reborn said innocently. "You're just an open book."

"Thank you, Juudaime! Now I have to make that bucking horse and Shimon agree as well." Gokudera stood and began to run. "I'll definitely succeed!"

"Wait Gokudera-kun, where are you going?" Gokudera was already too far to hear him. "Man, he's taking this so seriously…aah! Lambo don't put that on me!"

...

Gokudera ran into the hotel that Dino was staying in at the moment and went up to the suite without bothering to look at anyone. When he got to the correct floor, Dino's men were everywhere, looking out for danger. Romario spotted him.

"Oh, this is a surprise! Gokudera, what are you doing…"

"Where's Dino? I need to see him!"

Romario raised both eyebrows. "He's right there," he said and pointed to a couch in front of a television. His boss turned his blond head and flashed Gokudera a smile.

"Hey!"

Gokudera went over to Dino and stood in front of him with his arms crossed over his chest. He glared. Dino turned off the television and smiled up at Gokudera.

"So what's up?"

"Amato Isamu's going to meet with you next week as the heir to his family!"

Dino looked surprised and choked on his drink. "What? Why would he be doing that?"

Gokudera growled. "I'll explain when he comes! You better agree or else I'll stuff dynamite down your throat!" He pulled a few of the sticks just to be sure that Dino understood him.

Dino raised both hands in submission. "Okay, okay, you didn't have to threaten me!" He laughed nervously. The men who were in the room hollered with laughter.

"Boss! You're letting a kid threaten you!" One snorted as Gokudera left the suite. He heard Dino's reply faintly as the elevator doors shut.

"Stop laughing at me, guys! He really would have done it!"

It was trickier with the Shimon Family. It would have been easy with Enma, but Adelheid was a different matter. She questioned Gokudera on every matter of the meeting.

"Just agree to it, will you?"

"I have to make sure he won't try to harm Enma when he's here!"

"THEY'RE CLASSMATES FOR PETE'S SAKE!"

...

The week wore on with nothing special occurring, although teachers found that Gokudera was grouchier than usual. He became so unsettled when it came to the day Isamu was to return that he ditched school.

It's not like it will make a difference, Gokudera thought as he waited in the airport. All the classes are easy.

After another fifteen minutes of glaring at anyone who came close to him, he spotted a dishevelled looking Amato Isamu walking out the hall. He was wearing a dress shirt and pants with a pair of converse for shoes. Isamu looked around and spotted him. He gave Gokudera an angry shout and stomped towards him.

"You made me go all the way to China! DO I LOOK LIKE I KNOW ANY FRICKIN' CHINESE TO YOU?"

Gokudera bristled. "It's not my fault one of the bosses was there! Besides, use it as a learning experience!"

Isamu scowled. Gokudera raised an eyebrow. "Hey… it looks like you have a temper now."

"Of course I would," Isamu said as they started walking. "Anyone would have one after having meeting after meeting after meeting! Do you know how much I want to kill you right now?"

Gokudera snorted. If he's that angry then everything went fine.

"Well you better tone it down slightly. We're going to meet the Cavallone boss." He hailed a taxi and they got in.

"Cavallone? I thought it was weird that I didn't see his name on the list. He's Dino, isn't he?"

...

When the taxi stopped, they were outside the hotel. Isamu yawned.

"Come on, snap out of it." Gokudera punched Isamu's arm hard. "You still have two more after this.

Isamu yelped. "Two? Can't a guy have some rest?"

"You can rest all you want after this!" Gokudera growled.

"Did you know that you and Luca are very similar?" Isamu questioned Gokudera as the elevator rose. "Both of you are slave drivers. I hope I don't meet anymore of you guys."

Gokudera chose not to comment. He would meet Reborn soon enough.

Ding!

Gokudera stepped out and looked around. He saw one of Dino's men whom he recognised. "We're here to see your boss."

The man stared at the two teens. He shrugged and made a gesture for them to follow. Gokudera shoved Isamu in front of him and the two hissed insults at each other until the man knocked on a door.

"Boss! There's someone here who has to see you."

"Bring them in!"

The door opened and the man stepped back. Isamu eyed the room and walked in. Dino was sitting at his desk with a smile on his face. "It's nice to meet you, Isamu-kun."

"Ah… yeah, same here." They shook hands and the two teens sat.

"Nice to see you again, Gokudera."

"Tch."

Isamu swivelled his head to first stare at Dino, then at Gokudera.

"You two…know each other very well?"

Gokudera snorted as Dino grinned. "He's a good friend of my little brother."

He has a brother?

"Right. So, the meeting," Isamu said.

...

They were out of the hotel after half an hour.

"Well that went well."

"Of course it did! That Cavallone would be dead in an alleyway if he didn't agree," Gokudera muttered. Isamu shot him a glance that clearly asked whether he was joking or not. He decided that Gokudera was joking.

"Who's next?"

"Shimon."

"Sh-Shimon?" Isamu gaped. "Aren't they ah…well…okay, come on, seriously?"

They stopped at a red light and Gokudera turned to Isamu with a glare. "What about them?"

"They…they're…well…" Isamu made hand gestures, trying to get his meaning across.

"They…?" Gokudera led them across the street and made a left turn.

"Oh, I don't know! I heard that they caused a lot of trouble during the Inheritance Ceremony. It got cancelled, and the next ceremony hasn't been announced yet."

"Tch. People only hear half the story. Why is that?" Gokudera asked himself.

"Huh?"

Gokudera sighed and explained. "It was all a misunderstanding. The Shimon are a weird bunch, but who isn't? They're actually friends with the Vongola, so there."

By now they had reached Enma's home. It was a rundown house and Isamu had a hard time believing that a mafia family lived there.

"Oi! We're here!" Gokudera shouted as he knocked on the door.

Isamu said to him in a whisper, "Should you be shouting like that?"

The door opened to reveal a dishevelled Julie.

"What are you doing here?"

Adelheid elbowed him out of the way. "I told you, they have a meeting with Enma. Now get out of the way."

"Awe, don't be mean!" Julie placed an arm over both of Adelheid's shoulders and leaned in, but she kicked him to the other side of the room.

"What's going on?" Isamu exclaimed. "You're that person who's opposing Hibari!"

Adelheid looked down at Isamu and sniffed. "Well come on."

"Why didn't you tell me she was in the mafia?"

"You didn't need to know. Che!"

This is getting weirder and weirder, Isamu thought. Hang on. She said Enma. That name sounds familiar. Enma, Enma, Enma…Enma…hm.

They reached another room which was the kitchen. "Enma, our guests have arrived." Adelheid went to Enma's side which meant Isamu had a clear view of who Enma was.

"Hey! You're in my class!" Isamu pointed a shaky finger at Enma, who was eating a late lunch. He looked up.

"Whoa, I-I didn't know you were in the mafia, Amato-kun…"

Isamu was still standing at the doorway when Gokudera took a seat across from Adelheid. Both glared at each other.

"Aren't you going to sit?" Adelheid demanded. Isamu snapped out of his shock and took a seat.

This is…definitely crazy.

Throughout the "meeting", it seemed to Isamu that he didn't need to say anything at all. Adelheid did most of the talking, since she was worried that Enma's quiet nature would not allow him to refuse or ask anything. In response to this, Gokudera was still on high alert concerning this mission of his, so he replied Adelheid's question with just as much enthusiasm.

This meant the meeting turned into a vocal fighting match. It went way out of hand when other family members randomly popped in and disturbed them.

"You want a chocolate bar?" Enma asked Isamu with a sigh.

"What? Oh. Eh, sure, I guess…? Thanks." He took one and bit into it. The two bosses watched as their assistants argued.

"I ALREADY TOLD YOU WHAT THE MEETING'S ABOUT,"Gokudera shouted at Adelheid.

"THERE'S STILL NO REASON TO MAKE AN ALLIANCE WITH AMATO."

"YOU NEED THE ALLIANCE, DON'T YOU? YOUR ONLY ALLY IS THE VONGOLA!"

"WE CAN DO FINE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"Adelheid crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.

"YOU CAN AT LEAST HELP OUT THIS BRAT." Gokudera pointed at Isamu. Both looked at him. Isamu was half way biting into his bar of chocolate.

"Dude, you're the same age as me."

Gokudera continued. "His brother's totally ignoring him, and Isamu's the rightful heir! That Teodoro's probably going to ruin the family!"

"He can't ruin it much," Adelheid replied, a bit calmer.

Isamu cleared his throat.

"Of course he can!" Gokudera didn't hear Isamu at all. Isamu tried again with the same result. He took in a deep breath and shouted.

"IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN, I FOUND SOME THINGS IN TEO'S ROOM?"

They shut up.

"Thank you." Isamu sighed. "While I was in Italy, I snuck into our mansion, which is where he was staying. I found that he was planning to trade with a family that we've been opposing for generations, and he made plans to create new drugs in a factory. In order to have the other family accept cooperating, they wanted to take over our territory in…" Isamu paused and then counted the districts on his fingers. Gokudera, Adelheid, and Enma's eyes widened at every count.

Adelheid was astonished. "What idiot would do that? If that's an enemy family, then they would most likely double cross the Amato in the end."

"Adelheid," Enma said, "I want to help him."

"We don't need to stick our nose in their business, Enma."

Enma nodded his head in Gokudera's direction. "If the Vongola's part of it then so are we."

Adelheid sighed. "Alright. It's not like we have to do anything in particular."

Once they were finished there, Gokudera led Isamu to his own boss' house.

"I already met Vongola Nono before you kidnapped me," Isamu said.

Gokudera glowed with pride. "You haven't met Vongola Juudaime yet!"

What kind of nutcase is this one going to be? Isamu followed Gokudera through the gate and didn't notice the plate outside. Gokudera rang the doorbell.

"Hai, coming!~" A cheerful voice sang out. A minute later, the door opened. Gokudera bowed deeply.

"Good afternoon, Okaa-sama!"

Isamu cocked a brow.

"Aah~ Gokudera-kun! Are you here to see Tsu-kun?"

"Hai!"

Isamu stared at Nana. That's…Tsuna's mom…what…the…hell…? And Gokudera's acting weird.

Gokudera shouted at him. "Come on!"

"R-Right." Isamu was afraid to see who the Decimo was. They went upstairs and Gokudera opened the door to a room which had a name plate in the shape of a tuna. Isamu noted the name and groaned inwardly.

"Juudaime! We've come for the meeting!" Gokudera said cheerfully.

Isamu stared in horror at Gokudera. He's—He's—He's…erm…very…cheerful person…scary.

"Gokudera-kun!" Isamu focused his attention on Tsuna. He was currently struggling on the floor with his hands pulled to his back by an unknown force. When Isamu looked closer, he noticed that it was a baby who held him down.

"O-Oh…hi, Amato-kun…" Tsuna said and tried for a laugh.

"…Hi."

"Reborn, could you let me up!" Tsuna craned his neck backwards to look at his tutor. Isamu and Gokudera sat down.

"Are you alright, Juudaime?" Gokudera asked worriedly when Reborn released him.

Tsuna winced. "I'm fine."

Reborn stared at Isamu.

"Hello, Reborn," Isamu said politely. He was taught that it was always good to be nice to assassins if they aren't sent to kill you. Reborn grinned.

"Ciaossu! Now that you're here, we can start the meeting with Tsuna."

Isamu nodded. Tsuna rubbed his shoulders. "Um…Gokudera-kun already told me all about what was happening. I'd gladly help you!" Tsuna gave Isamu a comforting smile.

"Thanks." Isamu was still looking over Tsuna. Dame-Tsuna. Vongola Decimo. Vongola heir. The guy who beat Xanxus. Sawada Tsunayoshi. Those words can't possible make sense in the same sentence right?

A flying kick came out of nowhere and hit Tsuna's head. "Don't make empty promises, remember that."

"Hiie! Alright, alright! But that wasn't an empty promise!" Tsuna bounced back and argued with Reborn. Isamu sweatdropped and turned to Gokudera.

"How are you related to him?" Isamu thrust a thumb in Tsuna's direction.

"I'm his right-hand man!"

Isamu nodded slowly. So much for him being no one of great importance.

...

Teo was riding back to Japan feeling slightly cross. Only a quarter of the bosses he spoke with agreed to back him up. All the others refused, saying they were going to wait to see if anything else comes up. "What could they be waiting for?" Teo grumbled and hit the wheel. "I should meet with the Cavallone tomorrow." His mood became even crankier when he was unable to book an appointment with Vongola Nono.

...

Days Later

Gokudera and his boss were half way to Sawada Residence when Teo stopped them. Gokudera's eyes narrowed at the sight of Teo. He felt a hand on his arm. It was his boss', warning him not to overreact.

The man asked, "You're the candidate for Vongola Decimo, correct?"

Tsuna stared at Teo. "Who…wants to know…?" Never show fear to enemies, Reborn had told him. Don't let them know your feelings.

Teo approached them with a smile, although it looked more like a smirk. Gokudera was ready to speak for his boss but he saw that he stood his ground. Tsuna thought that this person was trying to scare him, or intimidate him, but he didn't know why.

"I'm Amato Teodoro."

Amato, Tsuna thought, surprised. "You're Isamu-kun's nii-san?"

"Why, yes, I am," Teo smirk-smiled again.

Gokudera frowned. "What do you want with us?" he asked, although he had a feeling he knew what it was.

Teo smiled at him. "I would just like to have a conversation with your boss. I only need a few minutes."

"Alright," his boss said cautiously. Gokudera clenched his fists and smirked inwardly. Juudaime won't be scared of you.

Teo began to speak. "My family is in a tight situation at the moment. My grandfather and my mother are both incapable of leading the family at the moment, and I am the most experienced person left. I would like your support. My family has already given it to me, as well as most of our allies. I'm sure there would be a bright future if Vongola Decimo and I, Amato Nono, work together." There it was again, that intimidating aura.

Gokudera and Tsuna didn't even bat an eyelash. He's trying to scare me into agreeing with him, they realised at the same time. He'd have to try harder if that's what he wants, Gokudera scoffed. And I bet Juudaime noticed that slight threat to our family. He's not going to let that pass easily.

Teo frowned inwardly. What's with the lack of a reaction? They don't look scared at all. This isn't going as planned. Whatever—they will agree in the end.

"The Vongola has been allies with the Amato for generations, of course," Teo went on casually. Tsuna nodded. "So there is no reason to hesitate in the alliance for this generation."

Gokudera looked around to make sure that none of Teo's followers were planning an ambush when their plans went south. When he saw nothing, he directed his attentio back to the conversation.

"Hai," his boss had said.

Here it is, Teo thought victoriously, not noticing that Vongola Decimo wasn't giving in to fear.

"The Vongola will continue to be allies with the Amato family, but only if it is under Amato Isamu's leadership." Gokudera smirked at his boss' words.

Another ally gained—what? What did the brat just say? Teo controlled his expression with some difficulty.

Tsuna and Gokudera watched him intently. What will he do now? Gokudera thought.

"Surely you don't mean my brother? He knows nothing of the family or how to run it. If it goes to him…"

Tsuna was shaking his head. "That's my final answer, Amato-san. Good day to you."

Gokudera and Tsuna walked on. Gokudera noticed that his boss was going to speak again. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched him. "And Amato-san, I don't take it kindly that you threatened my family," Tsuna said without stopping.

Teo froze on the spot at those words. This was the boy who defeated Xanxus...Tsuna and Gokudera rounded the corner. Teo slammed his fist into a pole out of frustration.

"Damn! First the Cavallone, now the Vongola—even that tiny Shimon family!" Teo swore viciously.

He was sure that middle schoolers would be nervous around him, even if they are a candidate for Boss. "After all, he's just fifteen. They're supposed to be wimpy," Teo reasoned with himself. "So why the hell was he all cool about everything!"

Tsuna collapsed when they entered his living room.

"Juudaime, you were so cool!"

"I can't believe that was my first refusal to an offer of an alliance!" Tsuna broke down with sweat pouring down his face. "I thought he was going to declare some kind of fight when I refused!"

Reborn was sipping tea on the table. "Dame-Tsuna, that was lousy."

"Lousy?" Tsuna cocked his head.

Gokudera argued. "Reborn-san, it wasn't that bad."

"You had no grace in refusing. You have to work harder! The mafia is more like politics than you might think."

Tsuna groaned.

...

Isamu had his school bag slung over a shoulder as he walked home leisurely. He slowed when he spotted his brother leaning against the gate of their house, waiting for him.

"Teo?"

Teo glared at his brother as he approached. "You've got some nerve coming back here."

"What'dya mean?"

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about. What were you doing in Italy?"

Isamu shrugged carefully. "I needed a break."

"Rome?"

"Rome was part of my break."

"China?"

"Hey—a break means travel. I was having fun." Yeah right. I almost got squash in China.

"You were meeting with families."

Isamu took in a deep breath. "I'm not going to just sit here and let you give away half our family's territory to the enemy."

Teo's eyes narrowed. "So you know about that." He reached into his jacket.

Isamu tensed. You're…joking, right? He backed away slowly and looked around. The street was empty. He turned back to meet Teo's eyes as he continued to move back. He had a gun in his hand now…and it was raised to aim at his brother…

...

BAM!

Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto froze and looked around. Gokudera was alert and trying to protect Tsuna from all sides. Tsuna was looking everywhere with a chilled, horrified look. His eyes were wide and shadowed.

"Where'd that come from?" Yamamoto muttered.

"Isamu-kun," Tsuna replied fearfully, "Gut feeling."

They ran.

...

Isamu's heart felt like it would burst out from his rib cage as he stared at the bullet lodged in the wall. He was hiding at the corner of the next street. Damn damn damn damn damn damn! He's trying to kill me!

"Don't blame me, Isamu," he heard Teo say. Footsteps approached. "If only you just agreed to let me lead the family, you could have been sent to somewhere safe, where you wouldn't interfere."

Isamu didn't stay to hear the rest of it. He quietly escaped down another street and then to an alley. What do I do? He jumped when his phone buzzed.

"Hey!"

"Oi, where are you? What was that shot?"

"Wha—how'd you hear that?"

"Tch! Most of the population in Namimori heard it.—" Isamu heard another voice which was Tsuna's: "Gokudera-kun! Tell him to get away! Hibari-san's on the move!"

"I heard," Isamu said and made his way through another alley and came out at another street. He ran to the shopping district. He skidded to a stop and thought, I can't go there. I have to stay where there aren't a lot of people.

"We have to go after Hibari," Yamamoto was saying.

"What? You want to go after that demon?" Isamu exclaimed so loudly that Yamamoto heard.

"Haha, yeah, it's no problem! He's one of us!"

"Don't shout in my ear, idiot! You too, baseball freak!"

Isamu had a hard time believing him. "I'm going back."

"Tch! Do you know what you're saying?"

"He's my brother!" He hung up and used another route to get behind Teo.

...

Teo stopped walking when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw a teenager wearing a black jacket and a red arm band. He tilted his head and saw that it read the Disciplinary Committee.

"I'll bite you to death for using a gun for no reason." Hibari raised his pair of tonfa. "To be using them in broad daylight…you're dumber than the herbivores. If you're going to murder someone at least do it at night." That way, Hibari thought, he would have more thrill in biting him to death.

Teo stared at Hibari in disbelief. He waved the gun in a dismissive gesture. "Run along, kid. This is none of your business."

Hibari narrowed his eyes. Anything that happened in Namimori was his business. And as it happens, it was his business in the mafia sense as well since he was the Vongola's Cloud Guardian—not that he cared.

He ran at Teo, who wasn't sure what to do. He couldn't just kill a citizen. That moment of hesitation was all Hibari needed to smash Teo's head with his right tonfa and jab the other in his gut.

"Hibari-san!"

"Hibari!" Isamu came from one direction and Tsuna's group from another.

Teo groaned. He narrowed his eyes and made an effort to face Isamu.

"Yikes!" Isamu ducked and the bullet pinged off a pole.

"Don't turn your back to the enemy," Hibari said with a glare. The herbivore's underestimating me—that was all Hibari needed to know before he began to beat the older man senseless.

Isamu slid to the ground in shock at almost being killed twice within the same hour.

"What was that?" Isamu's remaining family came out of the house, armed. They were staring in shock at Hibari fighting Teo, who was trying to put up some resistance.

"Teo, what are you doing? He's a kid." The younger aunt pointed to Hibari.

"This kid almost smashed my head in!"

"Put your weapons down," Isamu told his relatives. "You too, Teo."

"Or what?"

"What's going on?" The adults were still confused.

"There's no way Teo will succeed in his plans," Isamu told his family members. He was staring at them in a way that made them think he was seven feet tall. They looked at him with startled expressions.

The Cavallone and Shimon were also approaching to stand behind Isamu. The adults looked at each other hesitantly.

"I'll make the Amato a hundred times better than anything Teo might've promised. I swear to that. Did you know that Teo was going to give away half our territory? That isn't helping our family, even if it will benefit us economically, it won't be good for the long term. I can do better than him."

The adults were surprised at this information.

"Teo, what were you thinking?" his oldest uncle demanded. "You told us—"

"I have a plan!" Teo was saying. "If you would just let me—"

"I'm not going to allow that," Isamu frowned at his brother. "You can't. You'll ruin our family."

Gokudera raised his eyebrows, surprised by Isamu's determination. Reborn appeared in front of them.

"Ciaossu!"

Almost everyone jumped at the voice.

"Reborn!" Tsuna yelped. "When did you get here?"

"I was here all along. Blame your lack of senses." Reborn looked at the ones who were previously supporting Teo. "You do know that going against the temporary boss is practically the same as something called treason right?" Reborn smirked when they paled. They dropped their weapons and backed away from Teo.

...

Two days later…

Isamu went to his mother's room in the hospital.

"Isamu, how nice to see you after a week of a no show!"

"Ah. Uh, yeah." Isamu scratched his head. "Stuff happened… and yeah…um…so…you alright?" He waved at the hospital bed and all.

"Yes, I'm fine. No, before you ask, it wasn't the disease." Isamu nodded with a confused look on his face.

"Go visit your grandpa. I'll be finished packing by the time you've spoken to him."

"Okay."

He sat inside his grandfather's room and they stared at each other for a long moment.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"What happened?"

Isamu told him about everything that has happened since his last visit. The boss of the family nodded.

"Good job."

"What are you going to do to Teo?"

"Hmm… Now that is a good question," he sighed. "But we can deal with it later. You, on the other hand, should head back to Italy. I have a lot of things that need to be handled there."

"I was thinking of going back to Italy myself," Isamu admitted. "There are too many crazy people in Namimori."

...

Gokudera and Tsuna helped Isamu get to the airport with no kidnapping involved.

"Eh…" Isamu hesitated. Gokudera looked at him blankly. "Thanks for everything."

"Tch." Gokudera turned away, not sure as to what to say. Tsuna stifled a laugh.

Isamu grinned and waved at them as he left.

Reborn jumped onto his student's head. "This is great," Reborn smirked as he watched the plane carrying Isamu take flight.

"What's great? Isamu having to take back his role?"

"No, Dame-Tsuna. The great thing is, is that my plan worked."

"What plan?" Tsuna looked at his tutor suspiciously. He saw Reborn's grin on their reflection on the glass.

"The plan to have Gokudera experience situations like this. Now, if it ever happens to the Vongola, he'd know how to recognise it quickly and solve it without a problem within two weeks."

"REBORN, you mischievous manipulating itty bitty runt!"

Three years later...

"Welcome to Namimori," an attendant said and flashed a smile to a well-dressed eighteen year old male. He smiled and nodded his thanks.

Isamu's first class flight arrived at Namimori's airport just as dawn approached. He stretched his arms and twisted his hips.

"Augh…It feels good to move around again." He slung his bag over his shoulder and lined up to get his baggage checked. Luca decided to come with him this time, since he's never been to Namimori before. His grandfather was looking after things in Italy.

After fifteen minutes, they emerged and Isamu looked around to find any familiar faces.

"Isamu!"

His head snapped to the right. He grinned and waved. "Hey!" He turned to Luca and grabbed his arm. "They're over there!"

Luca snorted. "Yeah, of course they are! You were shouting at them."

Isamu smiled sheepishly and led his friend to the Vongola Family which was waiting for them.

"Have a good flight?" Tsuna asked with a grin of his own to match Isamu's.

"Terrible."

Yamamoto laughed and slung an arm over Gokudera's shoulders. "Look! Your old pal is here!"

"Tch! Get your hand off me, baseball freak!"

"The car's waiting outside," Tsuna said and led the way out, with Reborn beside him.

Gokudera followed, grumbling about idiots and stupid visitors. Isamu was right behind them. Gokudera sighed and asked, "How are things? You have better not wasted my time helping you!"

Isamu chuckled. "No, you didn't waste your time. Things are fine now."

Gokudera accepted that and ignored Isamu for the rest of the ride.

"Isamu, we're having a party at Tsuna's place," Reborn said. "We already have most of it set up and you're joining us."

"Reborn! You can't just tell people that they're going to attend a party. And why didn't you tell me you were throwing a party? It's my house!"

Reborn smacked Tsuna's cheek with a flying kick which is student smartly dodged.

"Sure, I'll attend," Isamu said and stifled a laugh at the sight.

"Great. Because we're already here."

"Eh?" Isamu looked out the window and his jaw dropped. "How'd we get here so quick!?"

Reborn smirked. "I can't reveal all my secrets."

"Well, out we go then," Tsuna said cheerfully. When the door opened, Isamu was blasted with something that sounded awefully like,

"EXTREEEEEEEEME! You're back already, Sawada! We're ready!"

Isamu blinked and covered his ears.

"What the hell was that?"

Gokudera snorted. "You've forgotten about the annoying Lawn Head already?"

"Lawn…Head…?" Isamu carefully exited the car and looked. "Ah. So that Lawn Head you were talking about is Sasagawa Ryohei. I see…"

"On with the extreme party!"

"Haha! You sure are happy!"

"OF COURSE! Now come with me, Sawada!"

"What!?"

Isamu followed them in with a laugh. He spotted Nana. "Thank you for inviting me, Sawada-san."

Nana giggled. "Just enjoy yourself, Isamu-kun! The more the merrier!"

And so, the party began. Isamu was half dead when the party was only half done.

"I'm going to get some fresh air," he told Gokudera, who was currently trying to control Lambo and Ryohei.

"What? Oh—yeah, yeah, just go, don't bother me!"

Isamu left with his drink and walked through the town. It hasn't changed much, he thought. He found himself walking towards his home. He shrugged and continued down the route that his feet had chosen for him.

He saw someone walking down the other way. He stopped. It was someone he hasn't seen in…three years.

The other person had also stopped when he saw Isamu.

Then both of them continued to walk until they met, right in front of Amato residence.

"…Hi."

"…Hey."

They stared at each other for anther moment. Isamu observed his oldest brother, Teodoro. He was half a head taller than Isamu. His looks had improved and he didn't look at all out of shape.

"How…are you?" Isamu asked cautiously.

Their grandfather had to kick Teodoro out of the family. But before that, they also removed every penny he had in any country and made his life hell—before putting him on the streets. All ties to the family and mafia were cut.

Teo winced slightly with a crooked grin. "As good as good could get."

Isamu stared at him blankly. Teo sighed. "I'm great. Here." He reached into a back pocket and produced a wallet. He shuffled through it and brought something out.

It was a business card that Isamu took. He read it.

"You own a hotel now? Oh hey—that…I saw one on the way to the airport in Italy!" He gaped at the name and stared at the owner.

"You…own…okay…mind blowing," Isamu muttered. "I see that you're doing great in life."

The hotel Isamu was talking about was the five star hotels which appeared recently all over the world. There was at least one in all the major cities.

"Adelina. Why'd you name it Adelina?"

Teo grinned and if Isamu wasn't seeing things, his brother's face was a bit red.

"Girlfriend's name is Alina. I named it after her."

Isamu cocked his head. "Awwwwe, ain't that sweet. So when's the wedding?"

Teo's brow twitched and he whacked Isamu over the head lightly.

Isamu chuckled. "Watch the drink! It'll spill!"

Teo blinked as if just noticing the cup in Isamu's hand.

"What's with the cup?"

"Party at Vongola's," Isamu explained and rubbed the back of his head dramatically. He looked into the cup. After a thought, he gave it to his brother.

"It's fruit punch."

Teo took it with a snort. He raised it in a toast and downed it. "My favourite."

He gave the cup back to Isamu. "You don't…" Teo gestured with a hand. "Blame me?"

"Eto," Isamu said and let the word trail on for a good ten seconds. "I might have. But after the pathetic look you had on your face when everyone gave you a knuckle sandwich, I felt you got your punishment. It's not like you did anything in the first place."

Teo's mouth twitched into a smile.

"Well, good luck with your family," he said.

Isamu raised his head in a nod and farewell. He turned back around to rejoin the party as Teo stayed where he was.

"Teo!" He turned and saw Alina.

"Hey, you done?"

"Yep. Who was that?"

Teo turned to see Isamu turn the corner as he thought of his old life.

"Hey, hey," Alina tugged his hand to get his attention again.

Teo turned to his girlfriend and grinned. "An old friend. Come on, let's go."

THE END


To RawR: (Concerning the previous chapter) You are absolutely right! I wasn't actually thinking about that when I wrote it! My mind must have been wandering elsewhere! xD

-LLM

Edited 2013-08-24th


I have posted excerpts of this story on my blog. You can find the link to it on my profile. Or, if it shows up, right here: longlivemarshmallows . blogspot. ca

-LLM

2015-03-07th