CHAPTER 9: Discovered
Giotto was under the peach tree, behind the Asari mansion.
First of all, the villagers were shocked that a giant Octopus had come into the harbor, with several foreigners (and a baby) on top of it.
Yeah, caused quite a ruckus. Actually, I stand corrected. It was chaos.
"Holy shit! Oka-chan! You're not gonna believe this but there's a giant octopus in front of our ship!"
"Boy! You shouldn't lie at your age. Besides if you are going to lie, thnm at least say a convincing-EEEEEHHHHH! A GIANT OCTOPUS!"
The Villagers began gathering around, some mouth's already watering. "LETS HAVE A TAKOYAKI PARTY!"
"WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOU PEOPLE AND EATING OCTOPUSES?" questioned the Cloud Arcobaleno as 'Takoyaki-kun' refused to step foot or tentacle within the desired destination.
But soon, the tired and famished bunch had quickly retreated to Asari's Mansion, where they replenished their strength. The voyage had been terrifying and dangerous.
Yeah, tell me about it.
Between, battling Giant Octopuses, hungry sharks, hygienically-challenged pirates and the Kraken, which in turn turned out to be a Giant Squid and a distant cousin of a twice-removed aunt of our dear friend the aforesaid Giant octopus, a.k.a. 'Takoyaki-kun' ….. it had been tough.
'Thank God, we made it here. Earlier than usual too.' sighed Giotto. What he meant was, with a Octopus blackmailed by a terrifying Hitman and a duo of crazy sleep deprived women and a whole other bunch of scary people, Takoyaki raced to the shores of Japan like his life depended upon it. Which, evidently it did. (P-Poor (sniff) ….Tak-Takoyaki-kuuu~n….)
"Giotto?" called a voice
Opening his eyes, Giotto got up to stare at the smiling face of Asari, "Breakfast is ready."
"I see." replied the Don as he joined his Rain Guardian
Walking in, Giotto was still deep in thought. Pondering about his current circumstances, his tired mind was certainly not in the mood to put up with the idiocy his Familia had to offer today. Unfortuantely, no matter what he did….that was one thing the powerful Mafia Boss could NOT avoid.
Unusually enough, he managed to notice an unfamiliar face at the table.
"You're late. Primo." stated G, who simply ate his rice off the bowl
"Sorry, sorry." chuckled Giotto as he took a seat beside G
"AN EXTREME GOOD MORNING, GIOTO!"
"DAMN MOP-HEAD! DON'T YELL SO LOUD FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY? I'LL PURIFY YOU!"
"HUH? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT-"
Alaude slammed down his bowl of miso. "Shut up…..or I'll arrest you."
"Yare, yare…..why are old men so energetic…"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY DMAN BRAT?" screeched G and wait for it…Knuckles (Come on, I know you guys saw it coming!)
"Nufufufu….Elena? How is the Miso?"
Elena put her chopsticks close to her lips, "It's….interesting…."
Stella laughed, "I suppose you are right. Well, foreign food takes a while to get used to."
Everyone turned around to face Stella, and then sweat dropped.
For lo and behold people, Stella had managed to finish off some 10 bowls of Miso soup, the empty cups were beautifully stacked on top of each other like a piece of art.
"Haruka! Eleventh's please!" exclaimed Stella, holding up her bowl
Finally getting his chance Giotto looked at the no-doubt beautiful Japanese beauty.
"Ugetsu? Who might this young Lady be?" inquired Giotto politely at the smiling black haired, blue eyed woman.
"Ah!" Ugetsu nervously smiled, as he took a seat beside her, a slight blush evident on his cheeks. "This is Haruka. My fiancée."
The table froze. Even Alaude paused for a nanosecond before resuming his eating.
"WHAT!"
"FIANCEE?"
"Yare, yare….so the most unlikeliest scored a chick before the likeliest…..not that any of you had much of a chance anyway….."
G was unable to respond, "F-Flute-Freak…y-you….w-when…h-how….."
Ugetsu laughed his carefree laugh, "That's right, I never told you all. Me and Haruka had been engaged since birth. We are childhood friends and lovers." Ugetsu put his hands behind his head, blushing. "Haruka?" called Ugetsu. The lady looked at him, slightly blushing herself, "These are my comrades."
"Nice to meet you!" said Haruka as she performed a perfect bow
Stella and Elena looked at each other, before smiling, "No need to be formal, Haruka-chan!" laughed Stella
"You're part of the family now, isn't that …..right…Giotto?" Elena trailed off as she looked at Giotto. Or at least, she thought that was Giotto.
"U-Ugetsu….y-you traitor….HOW COME YOU NEVER TOLD ME!" A dark gloom surrounded Giotto as he slipped into agony, "I (sniff)….thought I would be the first (sniff) to get …..married….(sniff)"
"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT!" snapped G, as he hit Giotto on the head
Ignoring the chaos, happening at the table Stella turned toward Haruka, "Don't mind them. They may seem chaotic at first, but they're really ….nice….." Stella trailed off, suddenly a few specific heads popping up into her head, "Well….most of them."
Elena clapped her hands smiling, "We have to introduce ourselves. I'm-"
"Wait Elena!" interrupted a squeaky high voice, Rinato jumped down
Giotto's eye twitched, "WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?"
Rinato's eyes twinkled, "Ahou-to! I thought I brushed you up on your Japanese History. I am a lethal and powerful soldier of honor of his highness the Emperor himself ….A samurai!"
"NO ONE'S GOING TO BELIEVE THAT!"
"How…" The table turned toward Haruka, who looked in wonder at the adorably evil figure, "How fascinating!"
Everyone face palmed. Of course, the women who marry into Giotto's family would also be abnormal.
"If we are going to introduce ourselves, we must do it properly." continued Rinato, "We must say our name and our position and/ or special skill. I shall start."
"W-WAIT! R-RINATO-"
Rinato's eyes twinkled as he drew a very small but very original looking Katana, which also twinkled in the morning light. "I am Rina-sho. The Strongest Samurai in the World. My special skill….fufu…is beheading young, stupid Mafia Don's!"
Giotto paled, 'YOU OBVIOUSLY MEANT ME!'
"I see! How unique!" stated Haruka, nodding
'Does she not realize the fact it's a baby!' cried most of the people in the room
Elena cleared her throat. "I am Elena! Daemon's lover. My special talent is cooking and singing. I'll sing you a verse…." Elena drew in a big breath.
Everyone's chopsticks split in two. Seriously, imagine one chopstick splitting in two, but BOTH? Is that possible?
Simultaneously, everyone glared at Daemon, who winced, "E-Elena? W-Why don't we finish breakfast? It's early and singing first thing in the morning is not good for your voice…"
Elena blinked, but nodded understanding. "Alright. I guess you are right. Some other time then!"
Daemon sighed relieved.
'There's going to be another time?' thought everyone going white
"As my lover has said, I am Daemon Spade. Primo's Guardian. My special skill….Nufufufu….annoying a certain Cloud and torturing people's sanity….."
The table remained silent, unable to respond.
"Hn." Was the aforementioned Cloud's introduction.
"A-Alaude…." Giotto sighed. Turning towards Haruka, he smiled warmly, "I'm sorry about that. That is Alaude, he's my (Alaude glared) …..part of my family. And I am Giotto. Many call me Primo, but here please refer to me as Sawada Ieyasu. It's a pleasure to meet you….uhm…."
"Honda Haruka, desu. Hajimemashite, Sawada-dono." Replied Haruka, bowing to him
Taken back, Giotto frantically waved his arms around, "A-Ah! No need for such formalities, Honda-san. But…Hajimemashite as well."
G stood up, startling several at the table. "G. I am…PRIMO'S RIGHT HAND MAN!" G fist pumped. "My special skill-"
"Tch. Idolizing Giotto…perverted Giotto-phile…" muttered Daemon
"WHAT WAS THAT, DAMN GAY MISTY ASSHOLE?"
"Nufufufu…What? Dare go against me?" Daemon smirked as he stood up, glaring at the Storm Guardian
"EXTREME! I AM KNUCKLES! I AM A PRIEST AND GIOTTO'S GUARDIAN! EXTREMELY NICE TO MEET YOU!"
"Hai! Nice to meet you as well!" yelled Haruka, joining in
The table sweat dropped as Asari laughed, 'Why are you screaming too?'
"Giotto…..you forgot to say something….." Rinato or "Rina-sho" Katana twinkled
Gulping Giotto shivered, "M-My special talent…..u-uhm….."
"Yare, yare…Primo, you were always so slow. I suppose Ore-sama will go. I am Lampo. Lightning. My special talent is-"
"Running away, sleeping and eating candy." Muttered G, interrupting
"….running away, sleeping and eating candy. Nice to meet you, Honda-nee!" Lampo bowed, ignoring the Strom Guardian
'HE ADMITTED IT HIMSELF!' thought G
Haruka giggled. "Nice to meet you as well, Lampo-kun."
"Well, now that introductions are over, let's eat breakfast." Stated Ugetsu
The door opened just as the Guardians were about to eat.
An elderly man, wearing similar clothes to Asari strode in before pausing to kindly smile, "Ah! Ugetsu, you are back! Is young Ieyasu back already as well?" The man looked around the rather big gathering, "And these must be your friends!"
Blinking, Giotto's face slowly lit up in happiness, "Asari-san! It has been a while!"
"Father!" exclaimed Ugetsu as he got up
Turning around, Giotto smiled at is family, "Yes. This is Ugetsu's father and the Noble, Asari Shoichirou."
"Hajimemashite! Everyone." The elderly man bowed, before taking a seat
Everyone at the table bowed as well.
"Ugetsu…you have grown as well." Replied the elder, proud
"Thank you father. And you only seen to be getting younger."
Shouichirou laughed out loud, "Ugetsu, you never fail to amuse me. How is the foreign land? Has my young son been giving you trouble Ieyasu?"
Giotto chuckled as everyone resumed eating, "No. He is as always, smiling. As for Italy, well….it is as splendid as it can be."
"That's wonderful. You must be my son's friends?"
"That's right." replied Rinato (who discarded his samurai outfit for a small haori and kimono) "Pleasure to meet you, Asari-dono."
Asari blinked, "For a child you are remarkably polite. But Hajimemashite, nonetheless." Laughed Asari
"This whole family's crazy….." muttered G
"Father, about Kyoto…." Began Ugetsu
"Haruka!" called Asari, "Why don't you take the girls to show the backyard. The Stone Garden is spectacular to any eye." He said
Nodding Haruka and the girls departed. Stella, an expert in reading between the lines glanced at Giotto who nodded, 'I'll tell you later.' She nodded in response before heading out.
The room was tense now heavy gloom, surrounding it. For the first time, Ugetsu noticed his father looked old. He knew he was tired, black circles hanging under his eyes, body thinner than before and eyes showing depression.
"About Kyoto…." Began Asari as he looked putting down his chopsticks, "….it has changed greatly since your departure, my son."
"What do you mean father?" asked Ugetsu, his constant smile long since disappeared
"The Revolutionary Army…. Has already taken over most of Japan." Stated Asari
Giotto and Asari's eyes widened. Eyebrows knitting in concentration, Giotto bit his lip. "That…is not good."
"Giotto…What is the meaning of this?" inquired Knuckles
Asari sighed, "You have not told your friends I presume." He glanced at Giotto. "May I?" Giotto nodded.
"Japan was a relatively peaceful country. The occasional wars that came between the princes and Clans who wanted to take over the Nation. When foreign rule came about, and the Wars seized, the banished samurai formed groups of their own. Some evolving into the Yakuza. The Yakuza, as the years went by, slowly began acting behind shadows within the Imperial Palace, eventually controlling several Imperial Clans. Rumors say, even the Emperor is controlled by them."
"Yare, yare…..are they good guys or ….bad?"
"They destroy everything and everyone that stands in their way. They unleash assassin's and Government officers to pillage towns and strip them off their wealth and women. Children are being cruelly murdered for entertainment. Men are turned into slaves and taken to unknown lands. People are dying, Ieyasu, Ugetsu. Even if I am the Royal Scholar, I cannot do anything to help." stated Asari in a small voice
Staring at the once strong man, Giotto was no more than shocked. 'To make Ugetsu's father into such a tormented state, the Army must be inhumane.'
"When me and Ugetsu had left Japan, the Revolutionary army was only a myth. They promised only peace and protection…..if only I had known…." stated a distressed Giotto
"What is their purpose?" questioned G, placing a hand on the table.
"To destroy all foreign existence."
The table froze, turning toward a furious Ugetsu. "They want to drive out the foreign rule, and control Japan, for themselves."
"Then….the attack on the base….."
"Nufufufu….There is a high possibility….."
"It seems as though they have contact with foreign markets…..if they do slave trading, that is…" stated Alaude, putting down his bowl
"Yare, yare…this is seriously ain't funny….."
Giotto closed his eyes in frustration. Screw, his romantic love life. If he was ever going to make it through this, that is. He brought up his arms and crossed it over his chest as he slipped into a trance of deep thought.
The Guardians were used to this and merely continued were they left off.
Clutching his Bible, Knuckles was distressed. "But, what are we to do? This is no mere familia. This is an army!"
"Plus…." G bud in, equally distressed, "This is not Vongola turf. We have no connections in Japan. Our only base was destroyed completely."
A new wave of distress and controlled fury set in within the spacious dining room. After all, they had seen it. The atrocious state the base was in. It was their fourth day in Japan. And even though they spent the first two days, recuperating and replenishing their health and strength, they were fit to survey the Vongola Japanese Base that was destroyed a few weeks ago.
Brutal.
That was the only word Giotto could describe the chaotic state the once proud Base now stood in. Or lay completely leveled on the ground.
Not a wall, not even the foundation remained. The early spring rain having washed it down and the wood and metal already showing signs of age. There was nothing there. Only scrap.
Glancing sideway at Asari, Giotto saw him clench his fist in anger.
No, it wasn't because a simple base was destroyed.
The town, the base was located in, had been completely massacred.
Not a soul remained. Graveyards lined up behind the town, of the innocent who had lost their lives. Knuckles was already kneeling in front of them, praying for their souls. Pious as he was, even the priest couldn't forgive such brutality.
They never heard of this. Rinato had never told them. Because this had happened only a week ago. The same week they were still stuck on the seas.
When the powerful Vongola didn't exist to protect them, bandits had slaughtered the village. Nobody could have stopped them.
Giotto still remembered the small rag doll, soaked in blood he had picked up just when it had started raining.
"Times have changed, Giotto. Do you still believe you could have prevented this?" questioned Ugetsu
Giotto clutched the doll, furious, "I don't know. But you can damn bet we'll fucking annihilate the bastards responsible."
"Ugetsu! Gather all intelligence about the Revolutionary Army." Giotto commanded snapping from his trance.
Cursing G, straightened up, "Giotto. I hope you what we're dealing with here. And the consequences of it."
Staring intently at the quiet table, Giotto narrowed his eyes in silent rage, "Don't question my actions now, G. Don't worry, its not like we're waging war upon the Army."
Fully attentive now, Lampo blinked in surprise, "H-hey, why are you talking about the Army? If it's about the town wasn't it the bandits?"
"Stupid herbivore…." Sneered Alaude, glaring at Lampo
"Who do you think would have known about the town we personally had chosen as our base? It's a Top Secret facility where the Vongola gathered all info regarding Eastern affairs. No one but the High Officials should have known it. Pathetic bandits alone….wouldn't have been able to access highly classified info."
"T-Then …" Lampo was literally on is feet now, realizing where eth conversation was going, "The Government sent those bandits? A-Are you crazy?" asked Lampo, more to himself than the others
"That's right Lampo. The Revolutionary Army….is no doubt part of the Nation's Army. Not only can they use the attack as an example to othr foreign factions, they can loot and steal and even keep any revolts from happening. So it would be no surprise they were able to acquire such info. I have no doubt they were given a hefty reward as well."
"This is quite troublesome. Primo, we must take the utmost precaution." warned Daemon, smiling. He loved an angry Giotto more than anyone. And right now, angry can't even describe Giotto's feeling.
Sighing, Giotto stood up as he walked over to the opening of the mansion, staring out at the courtyard as the Guardians stared at him from behind.
"I…I am aware of that, Daemon. But, involving innocent people we were supposed to be protecting…." Giotto clenched his fist.
Rinato eyed him wearily. "If you can't stand it. Then don't. What the fuck are you doing thinking so much? You're already stupid enough. Don't use up all your remaining brain cells and grow more stupid."
Angry, Giotto turned around, "W-WHA-"
Rinato glared, "You are the Vongola Primo. So what if a country's personal Army has just challenged us? You think you are alone in this? You think this is your fault?"
Blinking Giotto froze, a sudden realization almost as if slapped him across the face. Of course. How could he have been so stupid. He wasn't alone in this.
Giotto chuckled, surprising those gathered. "Everyone, I know it may sound crazy but please…." Giotto wiped off his smile, replaced by a serious face, "….Follow through."
Smirking within the shadow of his fedora, the Hitman looked up. "Good. You realized it. I hope you know what you are doing…..Vongola Primo."