Chapter 2: Sleeping Dogs
The first week in town had gone by quickly. When I wasn't at home with my mother, I spent most of my time with Yamamoto-san. We wandered around town, played in the arcade, and I watched him practice baseball. He tried playing with me a few times, but I ended up getting hit by the ball more times than I missed it. I hit it once, but I tripped on my way to first base. We decided it would be best if I just cheered him on after that. He even showed me how to get to school so I wouldn't get lost walking there on the first day, which was tomorrow morning. I was spending my last summer evening at a café with mama. This place had the best chocolate cake around, and we should know- her and I had tried quiet a few different places over the week.
"So Tsu-chan, how do you like Namimori so far?" Nana asked between bites of cake.
"I like it so far. Yamamoto-san had been very kind, and it is one of the largest places we have lived in a while. Also," I said lowering my voice, "I haven't seen any signs of that church here at all. Not a single sentinel. It's almost too good to be true." I said. Mama nodded her head in agreement and hummed around her fork.
"Ah, neither have I. It's always been like that here." She said, which caught my attention.
"Always? How do you know that?" I asked. Mama looked off to the side for a moment before she answered.
"Did you know that I used to live here, once upon a time?" she said. My eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.
"Eh!? Really? I had no idea." I said. We had never live in the same place twice, and rarely did we settle down in a town mama had lived in before I was born. If we did, it was a place she had lived in long before I came around.
"Mhm. I moved here not long before you were born, actually." She said. I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling apprehensive. Was it even safe for us to be living here again? So soon, no less?
"How long did you live here?" I asked.
"For ten years." She said. My eyes widened and I was lucky I didn't swallow my fork.
"Ten years? That long and you never ran into the church?" I asked in disbelief. Mama nodded her head. "Why did you leave?" I asked her, not understanding. Mama took a bite of her cake, and I noticed her scent changing. The usual cinnamon and brown sugar that always followed her around becoming tinged with an acidic undertone. Regret. "Mama?" I asked quietly. She looked at me for a moment and sighed.
"I ran into something else instead." She said. A musty, dust like smell accompanied the acid.
"Mama, is this about him? About my father?" I asked. Mama only nodded her head, and I could see the tears building up in her eyes. I reach my hand across the table and gripped her own. "You don't have to tell me now." I said. Mama reached out and cupped the side of my face.
"You're getting older now and it's time I told you a few things. I just need more time, but I promise I won't keep you in the dark forever. I promise. Okay?" she said. I wanted to push her for answers, I had so many questions. Who was my father? Was he alive? Did he even know I exist? Could I meet him? Instead, I nodded my head.
"Okay. I can wait." I said.. She gave me a watery smile.
"Alright, thank you Tsu-chan. I love you." She said. I smiled fondly back at her. I know there are a lot of things Mama hasn't told me about her life, but she always does her best to take care of me on her own. It's enough. "What do you say we get this packed up and head home?" she asked, and I agreed. Mama tipped the waiter and paid the bill. We left with our take-home boxes in hand.
"How long do you think we will stay here?" I asked as we were walking home.
"For a little while." She said vaguely. My shoulders drooped a little.
"Oh. I thought with the church not being here, maybe we could stay a little longer." I said, hopefully. It would be nice to spend a while living in a city that was so much a part of my mother's past, and maybe even my own. Plus, Yamamoto-san was becoming a fast friend, it was a little overwhelming for me but I liked it. I really, really liked having a friend. Mama reached over and ruffled my head.
"I know Tsu-chan, I know. I'll think about it, okay?" she said. I nodded my head.
"Okay, mama." I said.
And that was that.
A well-dressed gentleman sat at the head of a large conference table. He nodded his head in greeting to his similarly dressed blonde-haired visitor.
"Iemitsu, thank you for joining me. Please take a seat." He said. Iemitsu gave a small, respectful bow and took a seat across the table from the elderly man.
"Of course, Nono. I always enjoy a chance to meet with you, but I get the feeling today's meeting is not a social call. What can I do for you, old friend?" he asked.
"Let me begin by saying, that for the sake of the Vongola, the information I am about to tell you must not leave this room." He said. Iemitsu straightened in his chair, eyes becoming focused and hard.
"Of course, sir." He replied, his tone all business. Nono closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
"Federico is dead." He said. Iemitsu posture became slack, and his eyes widened. His mind split in two directions, wanting to console his boss for the loss of yet another son and also worrying about the future.
"Nono, Timoteo. I am so sorry for your loss." He said, voice somber. Nono nodded his head once in thanks and held up one hand to wave him off.
"We held a quiet funeral a week ago. The time to mourn has past for me, now I must turn to the future." He said. Iemitsu nodded and slumped back in his chair. Yes, the future was looking a little unsure. The death of Timoteo's last two sons had already blown a big hole in Vongola's reputation and caused worry for the security of the family. The next in the line of succession was Xanxus, and his ruthless reputation preceded him. With the exception of the Varia, his claim to the title of Decimo would be greatly opposed. If the wrong people found out that their greatest fears had come to pass, Vongola would find itself without much of its current support and influence. They could be facing rebellion amongst its members.
"Yes, the future. If I may speak plainly Nono?" he asked.
"You may." He said.
"There is no denying that Xanxus is a strong individual, and he seems to hold the respect of the Varia, but he is not yet ready to lead the family. He allows his subordinates to run wild on and off missions, how they are so efficient at assassinations I may never understand. He needs to learn self-control. I suggest we bring in Reborn." Said Iemitsu. Timoteo closed his eyes again with a frown, he folded his hands together and placed them on the table.
"No." he said. Voice stone cold, no room for argument.
"Nono, I don't understand." Replied Iemitsu, but Timoteo cut him off with a sharp look.
"Xanxus is not my son." He said.
Not my son
Not a candidate.
The world shifted. Iemitsu said nothing.
"You see now why none of this must leave this room, yes?" asked Nono.
"Yes." Replied Iemitsu, voice quiet and grave.
"Good. As of right now, Vongola is without an heir. I can think of only one solution." He said. Iemitsu looked at the man, what solution could there possibly be?
"My position as the head of CDEF prevents me…" he began, but Nono cut him off again.
"Yes, I am aware. No, I was thinking of your son." He said. Iemitsu's hands clenched in his lap.
"Sir." He said, an edge of warning to his voice. His flames were writhing. Nono ignored the disrespect and held up his hands in a calming manner.
"I know you searched for him for a very long time before you let him go, but I must believe he is still alive. I am prepared to pool all of our resources into finding him. Every connection, every free body, every favour I need to pull to find your son. He is the last direct descendant of Primo's bloodline. Find your son Iemitsu, bring him home, and turn him into the boss he is meant to be." He said, his tone final.
The blonde man strode out of the mansion, face hard, shoulders tight, footsteps heavy, and thoughts dark. But hope, a tiny flame of it, burned in his chest so brightly.