Kazumi didn't even try to hurry and pack up her bag once the bell rang. It was Friday, which meant a weekend break from the task that was the ordinary school girl persona she was identifying as, and more time for herself. She was more than okay with taking her time. It allowed her to be able to observe her fellow classmates as they hurried to walk home together. Or prepare for whatever weekend activities awaited for them. Something about a street basketball tournament here, something else about a popular TV show there, and even a couple planning a date to the amusement park. She watched with half amused interest. She didn't have any particular plans herself; perhaps it'd be nice to one day take part in such things. Maybe.

"Say, Kazumi-chan?" Kazumi hadn't even noticed she had been starring off into the distance until Kyoko called out to her. "You don't have any plans today, do you?"

"Hum? No, not really. Why do you ask?" She answered without much enthusiasm, and was almost taken back by the delighted expression on the girl's face.

"Well, I was thinking, Hana-chan, Chrome-chan, and I are going to meet a friend from another school at a local café. I was wondering if you'd like to join us?" Kyoko's face was practically glowing with excitement as she extended her invite. "Haru-chan is very nice, and I know she'd like to meet you since you also get along with Tsuna-kun."

Kazumi put of a thoughtful expression as she thought about the offer. She really didn't have much of a reason to refuse. And it's not like she could take action on her job if she couldn't learn anything about her target. And Kyoko and Hana appeared to be the only ones outside of Tsuna's probably Guardians who actually knew a lot about him. So why not? One day mostly to herself wouldn't kill anyone. She almost slapped herself for the pun.

"You know what, I could use a break. I'll gladly accept your invite." Kazumi's expression brightened and she beamed an innocent smile back. Kyoko cheered excitedly and her strawberry blonde hair bounced along behind her as she hurried back to her desk to grab her things. Following her example, Kazumi easily changed her pace and had her bag ready to go shortly after. Before long, the four of them were walking down the street with Kyoko and Hana doing most of the talking and Chrome and herself giving some input on topics of interest, until they reached a small, but cozy looking café. In front of the shop, a girl with short brown hair wearing the uniform of another school was waving at them. Kazumi could only assume that this girl was the friend they were meeting up with.

"Haru-chan!" Kyoko called in greeting and running up to her.

"Kyoko-chan, it's so good to see you! And Hana-chan and Chrome-chan too!" Haru turned to Kazumi the second she noticed her presence. "Hahi? Is this a friend of yours Kyoko-chan?"

"Yamashita Kazumi." She introduced herself, bowing slightly as Kyoko nodded while preparing her introduction.

"She's the new student in our class that I told you about." Wait. Kyoko had already been talking about her? Kazumi was barely able to conceal the partially mortified expression that made its way onto her face.

"Oh! Miura Haru! It's nice to meet you Yamashita-chan!" Haru, it appeared, was also a jubilant person by nature, much like Kyoko, Kazumi observed as they each made their way inside.

"Just Kazumi is fine." And Haru agreed, as long as Kazumi also addressed her by her first name.

"So, Kazumi," Then there was Hana. Almost the complete opposite of Kyoko, and yet the two were the best of friends. Serious and sophisticated. She was really Kazumi's type of person. "You mentioned some time ago that you moved back to Japan to finish school here, right?" Kazumi nodded, confirming. "What made you decide that? Surely you could have finished school wherever you were – Italy, wasn't it?" She was also sharp, and Kazumi knew keeping consistencies with this girl would be important. Never mind that accusing look and tone. She definitely found her circumstances suspicious. But as far as Kazumi was concerned, Kurokawa Hana had no involvement with Tsuna when it came to the Vongola or the Mafia.

"Yeah. I don't know really. I guess I had been there for so long, I kind of just missed being here. But dad didn't want me moving back to the city by myself. I swear he probably spent a week by himself just looking up the safest towns in Japan." Kazumi snickered at the thought, thinking back on her own research before she even set foot to leave for Japan. "My family is actually from a rather rural area, but I was the one who insisted on being closer to people, and living somewhere with decent access to shopping and what not. That and my family are all a bunch of loons. If you know what I mean." She rolled her eyes for emphasis on the last part. Hana let out a short laugh.

"Totally. Say, what's it like living in another country anyways? Was it hard adapting to the language?" Kazumi thought about Hana's questions as they all waited in the busy line. Each of them were clearly interested in her life before arriving in Namimori.

"Well, I'm not really sure. I mean, it's totally different from Japan. But not in a bad way. The culture and history there is so rich, you could learn something new every day. I once visited Castell'Arquato en Emilia Romagna, Piacenza, è stato bellissimo!" Kazumi explained with a hint of enthusiasm until she just barely noticed in time that having spoken the name in Italian, she continued with the language rather than explain in Japanese. "Oh, sorry. What I meant was; it's this extraordinary castle from the eighth century. But it's not just that. It contains a proper castle town, like what you see in European and American historical movies."

"Wow! So that means you got to visit places like that all the time?" Haru asked, pure amazement reflecting in her expression.

"Yeah. I'd have to say, that was probably my favourite part about living there. No matter where I went, there was history to explore and learn about."

"It sounds like you really enjoyed your life there." Kyoko commented, and Kazumi hesitated for a brief second before she answered.

"It was kind of hard not to. It's a beautiful country."

"Then, are you're fluent in Italian? How long did you live there for?" Chrome had spoken up, adding in her own questions to the onslaught the girls were raining down on Kazumi.

"Italian is my second language. I was there since the latter half of my childhood, I think. Basically I ended up learning Italian as I grew up." By this point they had finally reached the counter, and Kazumi eyed the display of cakes and sweets through the glass counter. "Ah, do you guys have any recommendations?" She asked.

"Any cake here is fantastic. You can't go wrong no matter what choice you make." Haru exclaimed.

"Hum, is that so? Oh! They have tiramisu!" Once they all had their orders, they made to sit at a table big enough for the five of them. From there, the interrogations continued.

"Do you think you'll ever go back to Italy?" Chrome quietly asked.

"Well of course. Though if I had any say, I'd sooner travel the rest of the world. There's more than just Italy's history to learn about after all."

"AHA!" The sudden shout startled everyone at the table and all eyes turned to Kyoko who looked as though she just had an epiphany. "The history club! It's perfect for you Kazumi-chan!" Kazumi didn't know what to say regarding the off topic comment. "Sorry, it's just, with how you talked about Italy's culture and history, it made me think back to when we were talking about school clubs."

"R-right." Kazumi managed. She had been avoiding the whole club joining part of the curriculum. She wasn't exactly planning on sticking around long enough to bother. But… that really did sound up her alley. "Thanks, I'll look into it. But there were a few others that caught my eye that I'll have to look into before I decide."

"Oh, which ones are those?" Kyoko attempted to pry, curiously.

"Oh common Kyoko, shouldn't we let Kazumi enjoy the cake we invited her to taste with us? She hasn't even gotten a bite out of it yet." Hana tried to reason. Kazumi hadn't even noticed she was ignoring her plate. She lightly laughed at herself as she used her utensil to tear off a section of the tiramisu and popped it into her mouth. The second the flavour hit her tongue, she was melting into her chair, and she could feel her eyes begin to fill up with happy tears.

"This is… the absolute best… tiramisu… I've ever had." She said slowly and deliberately. "I need to meet this chef and marry them!" She declared, earned a few laughs from the other four girls sitting around her.

For the next hour, the five of them remained at the table, chatting amiably amongst themselves. Until Kazumi eventually got up and asked to speak with the chef, only to give him nothing but praise as a former resident of Italy. Needless to say, he was more than honoured at the compliment, and ended up giving her a free piece to take home as thanks.

"Why don't we have a sleepover?" Kyoko asked as they piled their dishes together on the table and prepared to leave the restaurant. "We don't have Saturday classes, and it's just my brother home this weekend, so why don't we all stay at my place tonight?" Agreements eagerly went around the table, except for Kazumi who was hesitant.

Weighing her options, Kazumi wore a thoughtful expression. Once again, she faced the reality that other than doing what she could to find out more about Tsuna and his Guardians, there was nothing else she had holding her back. And really, when was she ever going to get the chance to act like a normal teenage girl again? That thought alone was almost enough to sway her decision. What finally did was the simple logic that normal teenage girls didn't usually have to think this hard about a harmless sleepover.

"Okay. I'm in. I'll have to go home and get some clothes. And drop off this cake…" Kazumi added with an amused tone. "I don't think I have all of your numbers. Kyoko, can I message you for your address after I get everything together?" Kyoko easily agreed as she took Kazumi's phone and added her information before passing it along.

Before long, Kazumi was headed her separate way, waving goodbye to her companions with the promise to meet up soon after. She found herself actually anticipating the evening, and was already thinking about what to bring with her. Not that she really had much that would be safe to bring with her. She definitely wouldn't be caught dead without a weapon. Taking the knife that was presently hidden at the bottom of her school bag was clearly the best answer. Clearly.

Because who wouldn't need weapon for self defense at a sleepover?

xXx

Following the GPS on her phone, Kazumi made her way to Kyoko's house later that evening. Once she was sure of where she was and the direction she was going in, she pocketed her phone and read the house nameplates as she walked. Each step she took however made a dreadful feeling well up inside of her. She finally realized why when she reached the gate of the Sasagawa residence.

Sun Flames. An overwhelming amount of them. And then Kazumi recognized who the belonged to. None other than that most likely Sun Guardian, who she had had only the briefest of meetings with since she started school at Namimori High. Kazumi was frozen in place in front of the gate to Kyoko's home as her mind ran a mile a minute, thinking through various scenarios.

What if they had found out who I am? I mean, any information about me it basically non-existent, but that doesn't mean there isn't nothing for them to find. Did I fuck up somewhere? What if this is all a set up? What if they're all involved with the mafia? What if-

"Kazumi-chan?" At the sound of her name, Kazumi came out from her thoughts and spotted Kyoko in the doorway. "I saw you were here when I was passing by the window. Come in!" Kazumi took in a deep breath, and made the short trek to the door. Once inside she took off her shoes and cautiously looked around the modest home. Family pictures on the walls, aromatic house plants, and simple décor. It was very modern. It was very…

Normal.

"Everyone's upstairs." Kyoko said, guiding Kazumi though the rest of the house and eventually up to her bedroom. On the other side of the door, Hana, Haru, and Chrome were all seated around a variety of sweets on the floor as they played a game of cards. Kazumi eyes the candy skeptically.

"Didn't we all just have cake not too long ago?" At the sound of her voice, each of them looked up with a different expression; Haru, jubilant and excited, Hana, stoic and impassive, and Chrome, shy and blushing. Turning to Kyoko, Kazumi saw that even her cheeks were tinted pink as she laughed nervously.

"Well, it's the weekend right?" Kazumi laughed.

"I'm not judging if that's what you're worried about. I only meant that I didn't know that each of you had such an angry sweet tooth. I would have brought more if I did." This time, each of them shared surprised expressions before they started laughing and invited Kazumi to join their game.

"What are you playing anyways?"

"Poker. The chips are the candy." Hana explained. Well, that certainly put a few things in perspective.

"Maybe I should have brought more then. More chips to play with." Kazumi muttered sarcastically. "And how is that going so far? I think I see more wrappers than candy at this point." She continued in a mocking tone.

"It would be great. If Haru and Kyoko would stop eating some every time they get a larger share." At least the two in question looked guilty. "And Chrome isn't helping either." Surprised, Kazumi looked towards the more timid girl.

"Oh? And what is her crime?"

"When they run out of their favourites, I give them mine." Chrome answered for Hana, leaving Kazumi with no words.

"That's it, I'm backing Hana-chan on this one. Are we at an intervention stage yet, Captain?" Hana, easily rolling with her sudden appointment to a leading role, thought on the question.

"No, not yet. But it'll be upon us soon if they don't stop themselves." Kazumi couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lip. Despite her earlier concerns, she found herself able to relax a little around these girls. A little pressure and anxiety wasn't going to let her pass up this chance she probably would never get again.

"Kyoko, your delivery is extremely here!" A billowing voice came through the door as it was busted opened and Kazumi instinctively tensed and just barely kept herself from screaming as the familiar Sun Flames invaded her senses.

"Onii-san!" Kyoko cried, almost scolding. It's too bad her face was too cute to pull it off. "How many times have I told you to knock first?" She said with a huff.

"Oh right. Sorry." Sasagawa Ryohei said in a quieter tone. "I left it in the kitchen for you." He bowed slightly in greeting to everyone else in the room before leaving awkwardly. Once he was gone Kyoko turned to Kazumi with her hands pressed together and bowed slightly.

"I'm sorry Kazumi-chan, my brother has such a loud voice and personality, he can be overbearing at times." Kyoko was definitely mistaking the reasoning behind her ridged posture. Kazumi stiffly waved off Kyoko's concerns; it wasn't her fault that she let her guard down too much, thus leaving her unprepared for an ambush. "Also, I hope you don't mind, but we ordered pizza for dinner."

"It's all good. I love pizza." She answered, doing her best to at least appear to be calm. Who was she kidding? She totally wasn't just ready to pull that knife out of her bag.


So, it was a lot harder to include Chrome than I thought it would be. O.O Then again, I usually have difficulties with timid and shy characters anyways, so… Forgive me?

If there's any content discrepancies in any chapters, please forgive me. Having written this for NaNoWriMo and haven't really had much time to look into making sure everything lines up.

That said, regarding the castle Kazumi said she has visited, I have not been there myself. I just did a quick google search of famous castles in Italy and that one took my interest. And it happened to be in the same general area of Italy that I visited like 6 or 7 years ago now.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!

Rahxe