Not exactly my best chapter, but Tsuna's point of view finally returns. Yey! Hope you don't mind the time skip.
By the way, I'll might have some trouble updating since finals are fast approaching, I need to study my butt off, but I promise that when I find the time I'll update immediately. :)
Standard disclaimer applies.
Now on with the story!~
(TSUNA POV)
It's been two years since I left Japan and two years since I took over Vongola. I'm amazed how I haven't run it down to ground yet. I'm very well aware that I still need guidance at being a boss, but somehow things work out and the problems and threats magically disappear. Whatever divine or hellish intervention it was, I'll just be thankful, lesser paperwork for me.
Over the past two years if there's something I've gotten good at, it was socializing. With every social event that I had to attend to, I've gotten used to the scenario of me being clung unto by a bunch of women from different famiglias desperately seeking for my attention. I've learned to enjoy this and entertain them to the point I've rammed the bodies of a few of those women 'til kingdom come.
I can't blame if those women just throw themselves at me, if it was possible for me to get anymore good looking, that's what happened. My hair grew out due to the lack of time to get a haircut. Usually its in a ponytail, but when I let it down it resembles a lion's mane and it has been commented but a lot of people how it adds to my charisma.
Right now I'm on my way to another social gathering with my guardians minus Kyoya, because he's at Japan being the leader of the Foundation he's got his hands full. It's another opportunity to see potential allies and renew some old alliances. I personally think that this is just a waste of time, but if it takes me away from my paperwork and maybe get myself the stress release I need, I'll gladly go.
As we arrived at the venue, the chattering immediately stopped and of course there's a grand entrance for the boss of the strongest famiglia in the underworld.
"Please, let us all welcome the Vongola Decimo and his Guardians." The master of ceremonies announced and an applause was given by the others who were at the party.
There were people trying to get a handshake with me left and right, and my guardians are on high alert for any threat with the commotion that started. Thankfully, no one tried to mess with us and I was able to assess each boss that were already trying to gain my trust to let them in the alliance.
As the party progressed, I grew bored there was nothing to do here. The people here are all stiffs and have no form of entertainment to provide.
"Juudaime are you alright?" Hayato asked, concern was in his voice.
"Yeah, just bored. This has to be the most boring party we've been to. I already know which famiglias alliance request we'll accept, so there's no reason for me to stay." I said, suppressing the urge to yawn and stretch, I still know to keep my manners in check.
"Would you like all of us to go know? I could get the others out of the dance floor if you want to Juudaime." Hayato offered and I glanced at where Takeshi and Ryohei were dancing with the girls they picked up somewhere from the sidelines, maybe they miss their respective girlfriends that were at the other side of the world, probably hanging out with a certain two-timing bitch.
I shook my head. I kept thinking about her in the most random of times and it just pisses me off. I want to forget about her but my brain just seems to rebel against me and refuses to let go of her memory. I know I hate her, she's the reason why I slept with so many women because I want to forget her, but nothing works.
"Juudaime are you okay? You're spacing out." I heard Hayato say when I snapped back to reality.
"Yeah, just thinking about a few things." I said and I stood up. "You know Hayato, I think I'll take a night stroll. It's been a while since I last roamed the streets of Italy, also I need to clear my mind." I told my right hand man.
"Are you sure you don't want any company?" he was worrying about me again and I don't want him to start and episode.
"Yes I'm sure. If it makes you feel better, I'll call all of you guys when I encounter trouble, no matter how insignificant it may be." I told him and that did the trick.
"Okay Juudaime, I'll tell the others that you'll be taking your leave. Be careful Juudaime." And I just waved a lazy hand in response.
I got into my car and I drove off to do some sightseeing. I never fully appreciated the beauty of Italy since I'm always cooped up in the Vongola mansion, and when I do get out of the mansion, it's always for official business. It's a nice change for me to enjoy this free time I managed to get.
When I grew tired of driving I settled to take a break in this cozy little café that I spotted. I wasn't that far off from the mansion so I could make it back in no time if I wanted to go home already.
The café had a warm and welcoming vibe, which helped me relax even more. I ordered some espresso, a habit from Reborn that rubbed off on me. Once my coffee was served and I took a sip, I immediately thought that this blend was nothing like the blend I was used to. This was too sweet for my liking unlike the balanced flavors of the blend Saki used-
And I wanted to punch myself, there I was again thinking about that goddamn girl. I suddenly found myself not wanting to drink the espresso anymore and I ordered black coffee this time. Black and bitter, the state that my heart is still in, all thanks to one stupid girl.
"Tsuna?" I heard someone call out my name, I turned my head to see girl that looked Asian and I started racking my brain to who this person is. I'm positive I've seen her before, I just don't remember where and when.
"You don't remember me? That's okay, we've only met once before." She said and gave a smile that was too sweet, I think I was gonna have diabetes, and she sat on the vacant sit in front of me.
"I'm sorry, I'm not too good at remembering people. May I ask who you are?" I asked as politely as I can.
"I'm Fujiwara Kaede." Now that name rang a bell. This was the person that hated Saki and caused a scene at Saki's first convention.
'Great, just when I don't want to think about her, someone with a connection with her shows up in front of me.' I thought glumly.
"I didn't expect to run into you here in little café in Italy. If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?" she asked and I can see she was feigning innocence. Trying to look cute, too bad it doesn't work on me but I'm too much of a gentleman to not respond.
"I currently live here in Italy, and I'm just taking a night drive and decided to seek refuge here in this café from the confines of my car." I answered her.
"Ahh… yes, you must have inherited the Vongola Corporation already am I correct? It must be fulfilling to be running such a successful corporation at a young age." She said trying to keep the conversation flowing.
"You can say that." I said and I took a sip from my cup of coffee.
"So… How are you and my old friend Saki?" she seemed nervous asking me this question and I couldn't help but wonder why. Nonetheless I answered,
"We already broke up long ago. And why are you concerned, didn't you hate her?" I asked her trying to hide my suspicion.
"Oh… No reason, so you don't know what happened to her parents?" she said as she stared at her cup of coffee, as if finding something interesting with her newly ordered coffee.
"Why must her parents be of my concerns?" I asked, my voice just daring her not say the truth.
"It's just her parents died in a plane crash two years ago." She said and I felt the air knocked out of me with that information.
"A plane crash? When did that happen? I didn't seem to hear news about it." I asked my hands were getting clammy.
"I believe it was the day after Saki's graduation. That was the rumors circulating in Osaka, and you wouldn't believe the incredulous gossip that it was caused the mafia. Why in the world would the mafia be involved? The yakuza might have been more believable, but the-"
"Excuse me, I need to make a quick phone call." I cut her off and I stood up and walked away while dialing Reborn's number. After a few rings Reborn finally picked up.
"Tsuna? To what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me this early in the morning?" there was the sarcasm but I really don't care if I get shot by a dying will bullet and run around Italy in my boxers when we meet again, I need to know if what Kaede said was true.
"Reborn, is it true that Saki's parents are already dead?" I frantically asked and I was hoping that he would say it wasn't true but luck wasn't on my side tonight.
"Tsuna where did you hear that?" he asked on the other line.
"Just answer the goddamn question Reborn!" I never once raised my voice like that at my tutor, but I don't care.
I heard a sigh from the other end of the line and Reborn spoke, "Yes. Her parents are already dead, but what does this have to do with anything?"
"Which famiglia did it?" I asked, my intuition was already screaming that this was really mafia related, and whoever did it was going to pay. Civilians are civilians, whether they be directly connected to the person I hate or not, I will not stand for being liable of the death of innocent people.
"The Castello Famiglia, but as you already know, that famiglia is already long gone." Reborn answered and I felt a little wave of relief wash over me, at least they've been taken care of.
"Tsuna, why are you suddenly interested in this information?" Reborn asked again and I didn't feel like explaining myself so I just said, "Nothing." And hung up.
I returned to where Kaede was seated and I was determined to find more information on what has happened these past years in Japan.
"I'm sorry about that, I remembered about an important matter in the office that is needed tomorrow morning." I lied smoothly so she wouldn't get suspicious about my earlier actions.
"It's okay. Things like that can't be helped." She gave a smile that was somewhat apologetic and I don't understand why it was like that.
"Tsuna, I have a confession to make." She started and her words caught me off guard, and she seemed to realize her choice of words and said,
"Oh no! It's nothing like that. Nothing like that at all." She assured and I relaxed.
"Two years ago, I did something really terrible against Saki. Right now I'm in debt to her, and I think it's time for me to return the favor." She said and nothing was still making sense but I let her continue.
"I had our family's men kidnap Ami, who at that time was pregnant, so I could blackmail Daisuke and make him do my bidding." And I had this terrible feeling in my stomach that I wouldn't like where this story was going.
"I ordered Daisuke to sabotage your relationship in any way possible or else he'll lose the baby Ami was carrying." And she bowed her head in shame as she admitted her crimes to me.
"I didn't care how he made the two of you break up, all that matters that it should be done. I released Ami when it was done and I was planning to act as your rebound that will help you get over your heartbreak with Saki, so you wouldn't believe my surprise when I went to Vongola Corp. and it's Decimo was nowhere in sight." She continued her story and my chest was constricting painfully the more I learn about what really happened in that incident two years ago.
"Why are you telling me all this now?" I asked, this was so frustrating.
"Like I said I'm in debt to Saki. I knew she held a great amount of hatred for me, but when she saved me one time when I got attacked by a gang of perverts in Osaka, I asked her why she did it, and her answer both killed and brought me to life." She trailed off.
"She said 'No one, not even you, should know the pain of being physically abused.' That made me realize of what a terrible person I was. I deserve every form of punishment Kami has to offer, and when I was about to receive it, she intervened and help me escape that doomed fate of mine." She continued telling her story
"I guess that's why I can never surpass her, she isn't just ridiculously gifted in every aspect, she's also too damn nice." she let out a mirthless laugh after those words.
"She already knows everything of what I did and I was surprised that she didn't chase after you when she finally got proof to clear her name. When I got the opportunity to ask her why, she just said, 'He's too stubborn for his own good, and I doubt he'll still trust me after all of that happened. I just wish someday we'll be able to meet each other without the tension and hostility, he's still precious to me even if I mean nothing to him now.' Or something close to that." And her words killed me, she still cares for me after all I've done. I've walked out on her without even giving her the chance to explain, who's the more terrible person between the two of us?
"I honestly think that's a load of bullshit, I know she still wants to get back with you, but she's too scared to face you. I never really expected I'd be able to repay Saki by telling you the truth, but I hope I did the right thing now. After all she's been through, Saki deserves nothing less than the best life has to offer." And with that she gracefully stood up.
"Well, I've told you everything I can say, and I assume that you're now utterly repulsed by my presence, but before I leave I want to ask you one more thing Decimo." And I looked up at Saki's once upon a time rival in the eye.
"Are you going to let her slip away from your fingers now that you found out that you shouldn't have let her go in the first place?" and that question seemed to haunt my very being. Like it was mocking me.
"No need to answer immediately Decimo, but it would be best if you made up your mind before she decides on hers first." And she walked away after setting down enough money to pay for her beverage.
I was left there in the café to dwell on the new information I just received, and the resurfacing of the feelings I tried so hard to bury deep within my heart. She was never unfaithful, it had always been me that she loved.
Saki. Her name wasn't that difficult to think about anymore, this time it brought back the best moments and memories we shared together as a couple. I can finally admit to myself that I miss her so bad that it hurts.
I need to see her. I need to talk to her. I need to make things right between us. I need her. I love her.
I slammed a few bills on my table before hastily making my way out of the café. I dialed Hayato's number as I got into my car and drove off like a maniac to get back to the Vongola mansion as fast as I can.
"Juudaime?! Is there any problem? Where are-" I cut him off, this was a crucial matter, I'd rather kill myself than not go after the girl that never really left my heart.
"Hayato, I need you to gather all of the guardians in the meeting room. We're heading back to Japan as soon as possible."
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~Maiden of the Sky