"A council?"

The elderly man nodded gravely, "Yes, Tsunayoshi. Ruling this Famiglia is already a challenge in and of itself for one man. To manage the entire alliance by yourself would be far more than just a handful."

"So I should form a council of my most trusted allies to help me with matters related to the entire alliance?"

"Precisely. It is a tradition of sorts, but one that hasn't lost its meaning through the ages."

"Well, I guess I could ask them at the upcoming meeting." Tsuna said somewhat hesitantly.

Timoteo smiled, "Of course. Oh, and speaking of councils..." he paused, sighing, but an intent look from Tsuna prompted him to continue, "...my old council has urged me to relay a message."

He tilted his head, "What kind of message?"

"They want an heir."

Tsuna blinked. What? "An heir...?"

The ninth sighed heavily, "Tsunayoshi, you should know that, while your previous fatal condition was kept from leaking to the outside, those who needed to know were informed. Thankfully, none of these belong to the group that left after your... speech. Nevertheless, the previous council was included in this circle.

"Normally, we would wait until you were mature enough to marry and procure an heir, but normally we also have more than one temporary heir in the Boss' generation to take his place in case that he dies before fathering a child or just shortly after. This generation of the Vongola line, however, only has you. There is no one else that we could rely on should death take you early except for myself, but with my age, I am a last resort at best. That was made painfully obvious when we almost lost you to an ailment never before seen.

"That's why the former council is pushing for an heir now. I know you probably don't even want to consider it and I can see why, but I implore you to, if only to keep our line intact."

By now Tsuna had turned beet red, "B-but I'm- I'm o-o-only sixteen!" he cried in alarm.

"Almost seventeen."

"Still!"

Timoteo sighed again. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "I know, Tsunayoshi, and I really don't want to push this unto you, but please at least consider it."

The young Don tried to cool his head for a moment before answering, "I-I-I'll t-try, grandpa..." He shook his head briskly to chase away any images that were starting to form in his currently hormone-filled brain, "B-but...th-that means, if there w-were someone e-e-else with Vongola blood, I would b-be exempted from this?" he asked in morbid curiosity.

The retired Boss gave him a sad smile. "That would be the case, yes. Unfortunately, we have spent years trying to find any trace of a long lost heir and have yet to find any besides yourself."

Tsuna's brow scrunched up in thought. "Thank you for... informing me. I'll keep your advice in mind."

"It was my pleasure, Tsunayoshi. Good luck at the meeting."

He cringed, "Yeah..."

"They will probably await your answer in a few weeks. Good bye."

Tsuna reeled, fierce blush back with a vengeance. A few weeks! What the hell?! He buried his head into his hands, hoping against all hope that this was all just a bad dream. Yeah, just a horrible nightmare he would wake up from soon.

Any moment now.

The little part of his mind called common sense was about to make a sarcastic remark, but decided against it. The poor boy already had enough on his plate. A moment of delusion wouldn't do much harm.

That was how Hayato found him fifteen minutes later. "Juudaime? Is everything alright?"

Large, brown eyes peeked out from beneath his fingers, which covered most of his still burning face. "Not really. I'm sort of being pressured into making the most difficult decision of my life."

Hayato tilted his head, "Whether to send Hibari and Mukuro together on a very important mission that needs them both, but you don't know if the Vongola can pay for the inevitable collateral damage?" he guessed.

Tsuna blinked.

"...fine. The second most difficult decision of my life."

Sawada Tsunayoshi, having donned the mask of Vongola Decimo, swept his gaze over the room, his mind automatically putting a label to every face in his field of vision.

A young man with longish, blonde hair and very handsome features. Dino Cavallone. Cavallone Don. Previously allied. Definite ally.

A tall, bulky man with almost brown skin and curly, black hair. Osmondo Razza. Scoglio Don. Previously allied. Unknown factor.

A small, somewhat mousy man with light brown hair and light skin. Armando Buccheri. Colomba Don. Previously allied. Unknown factor.

A petite girl with deep, blue eyes and straight, greenish hair. Uni. Giglio Nero Donna. Possible ally.

Presumably a man. No features visible behind a broken mask and a long, decorated coat. True identity unknown. Goes by Edgar Kosomov, no patronymic. Giegue leader. Previously allied. Unknown factor.

A short, young redhead with equally red eyes. Kozato Enma. Shimon Don. Previously allied. Definite ally.

A tall, young man with a lithe body and wild, white hair. Byakuran Gesso. Gesso Don. Possible ally. Decision dependant on Giglio Nero.

A slender, blonde woman with a prominent scar across the cheek. Vivianne Davois. Spada Donna. Previously allied. Unknown factor.

A round, brown haired man wearing spectacles. Famiano Bovino. Bovino Don. Previously allied. Possible ally.

A underdressed, lanky boy with short, spiky hair. Naito Longchamp. Tomasso Don. Previously allied. Definite ally.

A short man with pale skin, ash blond hair and an athletic build. Cassiano Boggio. Argento Don. Previously allied. Unknown factor.

Having assured himself that he still remembered everything he was supposed to, he gave his right-hand man a subtle hand sign. Hayato noticed immediately and cleared his throat, "Everyone is accounted for and the security checks have been finished. We will now begin this meeting to reforge the Vongola alliance." he declared clearly and with a healthy measure of authority, which made every eye in the room lock onto him.

Decimo turned back to the assembled Bosses. "Please, take a seat. In front of you are the documents for the new alliance. Take a look at them, if you would."

Minutes passed as the arguably most powerful men and women of the underworld flipped through the pages while he summarized the different points vocally. Everything was going well until they reached a certain section of the 'treaty'.

"...and therefore these activities shall be prohibited for the members of this alliance- What the hell is this?!" exclaimed the Scoglio Boss, Razza, his voice having suddenly risen from the murmur it had been, "You may be the head of the alliance, Vongola, but you can by no means control our business! This alliance is supposed to be an aid in battle, nothing more."

Having somewhat expected this, Tsuna took it in stride, "And that is what I'm trying to change. I know everyone here was present at my Inheritance Ceremony, so you should already know that my aim is..." he paused, searching for the right word that was not that word and then giving up, "...The redemption of my Famiglia, and for that certain things must be left behind."

Boggio frowned, "Oi, but this is too much, isn't it? With all these restrictions and rules involving civilians, it almost looks as if you're trying to become a vigilante... group..." he trailed off as his eyes met the Vongola's piercing gaze. He blinked once, twice, then burst out laughing. "Oh! Hah, I can't believe it! You're serious about this, aren't you?"

Tsuna didn't waver, "Indeed I am."

The man got himself under control and sent an amused smirk his way, "My oh my, what am I to do? I have no idea what will come out of this. You will probably meet your downfall, but then again, you might just succeed in this fool's endeavour. I find myself more than a little curious."

He responded with a rather bemused smile to hide the slight narrowing of his eyes. "I'm glad I could serve to your entertainment, Argento." This man was cunning and the side he ultimately joined would most probably be the winning one. He needed to be careful around him.

Razza, who apparently didn't take well to being ignored, decided to interrupt, "Look, ragazzo, this is the Mafia. The underground. It's called that because the things that we do are less than legal. And you think you can just waltz in here with that idealism of yours and everything will change?"

He was about to snort but the sudden drop in temperature kept him from doing so. Looking back at the boy he had addressed, he froze as an almost glowing, cold, orange glare pinned him to his seat, a stark contrast to the wide, brown eyes he could have sworn had been there instead just a moment ago.

"I may be quite young, but as of right now I am the Don of an entire Famiglia, just like every single one of you. I am not a mere boy, so I'd suggest you refrain from calling me that. As for my purpose, it might be idealistic, but I've been working for months to turn the ideal into reality. I know the process will be long and gruelling, but that won't stop me. Not at all." his voice cut through the tension in the room like a hot knife to butter.

Davois skimmed the third page once again before speaking up. "Still, money doesn't grow on trees. We can't simply let go of our only sources of income."

Decimo nodded, "Of course. That would be unreasonable. Some of these will even be left alone. But for those listed in the document, I was planning to slowly shift them to... different sources. The transition would be gradual and stable so you wouldn't be left without any income at all."

She raised a slender eyebrow, "Surely it wouldn't go so smoothly."

He smiled wryly, "That's what this alliance is for."

Dino's eyes widened and he spoke for the first time since entering the room, "So you're saying it wouldn't be only combative support, but economic as well?"

"Precisely. There are other minor details, but that's the gist of it."

Soft murmuring filled the room for a moment before all attention was drawn to Longchamp, who skipped right to the last page in the folder. Not a word was spoken as he uncapped a pen, signed the paper and placed his stamp beside the signature. Closing the folder and looking up, he directed the most serious gaze Tsuna had ever seen him don towards him and spoke in a calm voice he wouldn't have thought possible for the usually hyperactive boy.

"The Tomasso agree. I trust you, Tsuna, and I trust your judgement." He looked back at the folder and shoved it to the middle of the table, declaring himself done with it and then holding his gaze once again. "So give me a reason to."

Stunned as he was, he still managed an "Of course.", earning him a normal, goofy grin from the Tomasso Boss, his serious demeanour all but gone.

Byakuran grinned at him, which left him feeling slightly creeped out. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, Tsunayoshi-kun~."

Tsuna's expression turned the slightest bit wistful, "I have been playing this game ever since Reborn first set foot on my doorstep. I like to think I know the rules."

The albino's grin widened. "Enough to break them, that's for sure." He exchanged a look with Uni, who nodded, gentle smile in place. "Alright then. The Giglio Nero and the Gesso will play along."

"We will do our utmost to support you, Tsunayoshi. I'm looking forward to the world you're trying to create." she added, completing her signature in tandem with Byakuran.

On her other side, Enma had already closed his folder with a sheepish smile. "You already knew my answer even before I knew your plans. The Shimon will always have your back."

Dino did the same, now uncharacteristically serious, "The Cavallone will support the Vongola, as we always have." He looked him squarely in the eye, "Make good use of that."

Another folder slid to the centre of the table. "The Giegue are loyal allies to the Vongola. We also agree to this alliance."

It took a while, but finally, the Bovino Boss also agreed, if only because he didn't have much of a choice. He didn't look too pleased with it, but resignation and a bit of exasperation was also clear in his eyes.

He looked towards the remaining four Bosses, the true variables in this. Davois and Boggio seemed ambivalent. As for the other two-

"I refuse!" yelled Razza, "I will not be ordered around by an insolent, naïve boy who's about to doom his entire Famiglia to its destruction! This plan of yours has no chance of working out there in the cruel, hard world." He stood up. "The alliance with the Vongola has been beneficial to us for generations, but I see that is not the case anymore."

With that he left the room. He would be accompanied by his waiting second-in-command and some of the Vongola men assigned to escorting the Bosses out of the property.

Buccheri chose that moment to speak up and his voice held surprising authority, "I'm afraid I will also have to refuse. Not to be rude, but I can't see this working either. If you manage to pull it off I shall congratulate you, but I'm not willing to take the risks involved when my whole Famiglia is at stake."

Tuna nodded, if somewhat regrettably, "I understand. You may leave as well."

"Then I will." he walked up to the door, but stopped right in front of it. "Still, I wish you luck."

"Thank you." he replied just as the door closed behind the Colomba Don.

"I will have to think this over. Something like this will impact the entire underworld and I don't know if the Spada should really be involved." Davois frowned, but let no other sign of her discomfort at making such a decision show.

"I have to agree with the lady on this one. I'm certainly curious, but by no means stupid. Do you need an immediate answer or can I take my time observing where this all goes?" Boggio leaned back on his chair expectantly.

Honestly, Tsuna would've preferred to end this meeting with a definitive answer from everyone present, but he guessed this was better than a no. "Take your time, but please don't take too long. There's a limit to how long I can wait for a reply before crossing it off as a 'no'."

Both blonds nodded in acknowledgement, "Of course." answered Davois.

"We won't need too long. I just want to see if this can work."

"I will take my leave now."

"Me too! I'll be looking forward to it, Vongola."

Kosomov also moved to leave, "My business here is done. Until next time, Decimo." he was quickly followed by a grumbling Bovino.

The door closed.

Dino stood up and patted his back, "Wow, little bro. I didn't know you could act so professionally!"

Then, as if a switch had been flicked, Tsuna collapsed on his chair and rested his forehead on the cool table. "That was so nerve-wracking! Kami, was that intense. I can't even stand anymore!" he almost wailed.

Everyone else sweatdropped at the sudden change.

"It's okay, Tsuna-kun. You did really well." Enma tried to reassure him.

"Yeah, otherwise Reborn would kill you." Dino shuddered.

"Um, I don't think you're helping much, Signore Cavallone..." Uni tried to contain the situation.

"Right. Whoops. Oh, and don't call me signore or anything. Any friend of Tsuna's is a friend of mine, so please call me Dino."

She smiled, "Then call me Uni. It's nice meeting you."

"Likewise." he replied with a grin.

"Mou, I think you two have forgotten that we have a panicky clam on our hands." Byakuran interjected.

"Oi, Sawada-chan! I need to go. Mangusta will be mad if I take too long! I left the answer in the folder!"

"Uh-huh." he answered distractedly, still trying to convince himself that he had done well and Reborn wouldn't kill him in his sleep.

"Um, Tsuna-kun, this may not be the best time to ask, but where am I going to stay?"

This snapped the brunet out of his dark thoughts, much to relief of most and the amusement of Byakuran. "Oh, just ask a maid or a butler and tell them who you are. They were informed beforehand."

"Thanks! I'll go tell Adelheid."

"Oh, and Enma?"

The redhead blinked, "Yes?"

"Haru's been waiting for you."

A bright blush to match his hair and eyes spread over his cheeks, "I-I-I... she... it's l-like... w-we...um... yeah... bye."

Tsuna suppressed a snicker as the door slammed shut. His attention was however diverted to Uni as she spoke up. "About the proposals that came along with the alliance documents... we accept. I'm honoured that I was considered for your council, Tsunayoshi."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Ah, well, it was sort of an obvious decision. I trust you and you have good judgement."

"But if I may ask... why him too?" she discreetly pointed at her white haired companion.

"Uhm, I had the feeling that he wouldn't leave me alone until I let him join too."

She stared for a moment, then broke into a rueful grin, "Yeah, that's actually very accurate."

"But I wonder about the others..."

"Well, you heard Signore Naito. He left his answer in the folder. I believe Kozato-san might have done the same."

"That makes sense." He nodded. "You know, you're surprisingly adaptive to different cultures."

"I pride myself in that."

Dino put in his two cents, "Oh, the council. I almost forgot. But you didn't need to ask, little bro. Of course I'd say yes!"

He chuckled, "Of course."

"Well, the meeting went quite well. Only two people refused!" Byakuran interrupted, clapping his hands in mocking amazement and bringing him back to previous thoughts.

Oh, right. Two of them had refused to join the alliance.

Shit.

It was dark.

Very dark.

He couldn't see his surroundings, all he saw was his own body, clad in the white shirt, black vest and black slacks that had become standard in the last few months.

That and an endless sea of darkness.

This place seemed small and enclosed yet infinite at the same time. But he dared not try that theory.

He felt frozen in place.

Turning around to search for something, anything, to use as an anchor, he startled when he spotted the figure standing behind him.

Male.

He was wearing a white, pin-stripped suit with a black shirt underneath and a grey, silky tie. Draped around his shoulders was an equally white cape, held together at the front by a silver chain.

But this wasn't what drew his attention. No, it was the soft, orange glow emanating from his one visible eye, as he was looking to the side, away from him.

It was mesmerizing. Beautiful even.

But that profile, it seemed familiar somehow. Very familiar. Almost as if...

Out of the blue, the figure's head turned towards him and suddenly he could recognize the slim build, the light, unblemished skin, the wild, brown hair, the round face and wide, sharp eyes.

He took a sharp breath as he zeroed in on the eyes. The right eye was normal, even if the glow was more eerie than warm. But the left eye...

Surrounding a calmly glowing iris from all sides was an unnatural black sclera that seemed to suck all light.

Although different – cold, unfeeling – he did recognize this person.

Before him stood... himself.

AN: whoo! new chapter! the idea of the heir came from detramental. I just found it interesting. And every boss needs a group of retired old timers to go against his every decision and force him into things he really doesn't want. otherwise it wouldn't be complete!

Oh, and the boss names came out of a random italian name generator. except for the obvious russian and french names. Scoglio means rock. Colomba means dove. Spada means sword. Argento means silver. Yes, all these OCs are in some way important. And a patronymic is a sort of middle name in Russia, only instead of a random name, it's the father's name with a gender-dependant ending. everyone has one.

And yes, that last scene is a dream.

I hope you enjoyed this one!

Please leave a review on your way out. Thank you~.