DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN

The rest of the day Haru allowed Hayato to spend with his family. When night came he returned to the hotel on her orders. She didn't doubt that he would listen knowing how he was. He will pay back his debt to her.

He was probably more concerned over her. After the piano performance he could tell that she was tense. When she was around him her movements were always fluid. Like she was dancing. Yet when he returned she seemed lost in thought for the moment. She did revert back to her usual ways eventually but he couldn't shake the thought that something happened.

The previous day they spent the majority of the day training his body and weapons. Even with their little match, she still wanted to get a chance to see his skills in a non-pressured situation. Hayato continuously met, and exceeded, her expectations. He still wasn't anywhere the level she needed him to be but he was getting there. Within a few months he would be perfect.

Today was different. Haru was in his hotel room but instead of them going somewhere to train, she had informed him that he could have a free day. Apparently she had a meeting that she couldn't get out of. Hayato didn't really know what to do with it. For as far back as he could remember he spent all of his days working. A day to relax was uncomfortably new.

"What am I supposed to do all day?"

"I don't know and I really don't care. Take Uri out for a walk if you want."

"I thought cats don't need to be walked?"

"She's a stray. She probably loves the outside." They looked over to the kitten happily resting on one of the large pillows.

Haru then spotted the usual pile of throw away magazines that hotels left in the room for no reason. She handed over the first one. "'Wonders and Mysteries of the World.' What is this?"

"Try some leisure reading. I'll be gone for today so keep yourself busy with the different theories of the universe. It can be quite enthralling of a read."

"Do you really believe in this kind of stuff?"

"If there's such a cult following then they must have some evidence. There's a lot in this world and beyond. Who's to say what is and is not possible?" She personally didn't believe in that kind of supernatural but at least she was providing something to keep him busy.

"Fine. I'll give it a shot but I doubt anything scientific is actually here."

"Whatever keeps you happy. But before you get sucked into that world I do have one more thing to tell you."

"And what's that?"

"Rule number 4 of us working together. If you see a red ring you will avoid them at all costs. Don't draw attention to yourself and get out while possible. Do not engage in any sort of combat with them."

"Red rings? What branch is that?"

"The Storm branch. I can't explain more about them. All you need to know is that they are the type of people that act first and ask questions later. And though you are gradually getting better in training, you aren't anywhere close to handling one of them. You're lucky that the majority wear their rings proudly that you won't miss it but don't try anything. I can't promise anything if something happens to you."

Even Haru had her limits within the Vongola. The Storm branch was one that barely listened to what the rest of them did. The only person that could control those members was their boss and Decimo.

"Why does it look like you have a personal grudge around them?" He's seen this kind of look on her before. At the hospital, talking about his target; This was a different type of anger. One where she seemed more annoyed than mad.

"I have no reason to answer that. Just stay out of their way. It's for both of our safeties." Her safety too? Hayato's yeah, he was the outsider. But why would they hurt her because of him? It wasn't like she was betraying them. She only hired him for a secret job. Was that so bad that the Storm branch would attack?

Haru entered the meeting room for the second in commands just outside where the guardians and Vongola Decimo were. It was a rule that with meetings they were meant to be close by in case of any unwanted attacks. When all of the tops were gathered in one place it drew attention from people wishing to off them all at once. The guardians were able to handle themselves but the role of the second in commands was to make sure they didn't have to.

Slowly the room filled with well known faces. Eleven different faces that she familiarized herself with over her many years by Hibari's side. Some were strong in terms of brains, some in strength and others were selected purely because they were the only one that could handle their guardian.

"Haru-san I hope that you were well while we were gone." The person that stood by her closest was the other Cloud commander, Kusakabe Tetsuya. She liked Tetsuya. He was a gentleman that knew exactly how to take care of Hibari. He wasn't one of the fighters but he knew how to carry his own weight in a way that only he could. They got along well.

"Nothing much happened. I'm sure you two had more fun than I did here. I have to say it was a surprise that Hibari-san suddenly came back."

"Well Sawada-san wouldn't have called us back if it wasn't important."

"Tsu-kun has been a lot more tense these days. I can't even tell what happened." Kyoko chimed in next to her.

Then were the Sun commanders Kyoko and Kurokawa Hana. Again, not fighters beyond the basic self defense skills. Kyoko did a lot of information gathering and Hana handled the boring paperwork that their guardian couldn't really do. Ryohei was good with knowing about health but with such a professional field, the girls were better fitted to take care of those details. These two showed off the Sun branch's warm presence among the mafioso. However, it was always the nicest people that snapped the hardest.

"Dame-Tsuna should really be focusing on the wedding. Calling all the guardians back hasn't happened in so long that this is going to be a mess. I can tell already."

"Come on Hana-nee, Tsuna-nii has gotten a lot more mature since taking over Vongola. I don't think that name really suits him anymore."

"The fact that Tsuna-san has the power to summon all of them at once without question is a show of much he's grown."

The Lightning commanders Fuuta de la Stella and I-Pin. At first many of the members were against how young they were. Over time, like Lambo, they gained everyone's approval. In fact, their youth became useful when dealing with issues that adults couldn't see. Education institutions and common hang out were where most hidden under-age crimes happened. While the Lightning branch didn't deal with too dangerous areas, they held their ground in watching over people to prevent future problems. It helped that they were both thought to be responsible compared to Lambo.

"That's right! Sawada-dono has improved rapidly in not only combat but in leading everyone."

"Still has a lot to learn in my eyes though."

Basil and Lal Mirch, the Rain commanders. These two were both fighters. Strong ones to add on. In a way they were similar to the Cloud branch as they were the branch most familiar with Mafia dynamics. Takeshi being a famous baseball player gave him the cover to help with international ties while his commanders taught him everything he needed to know. They had a lot of pressure on them as the right hand man's second in commands but at the time of recruitment they were way more aware than even Takeshi at what they were getting into.

"Tuna-fish needs to let loose too. Last time I tried to pull a prank on him he started running away screaming. Ruined the whole thing."

"That's because your prank had you throwing frogs and apples at him randomly."

The Mist commanders, Fran and Chrome, were just as interesting as their boss. That's putting it nicely. It was never talked about how they managed to get all the dirt on people or how cleanly they covered up tracks. Rokudo Mukuro was someone that couldn't be explained in one way. The same could go for the rest of his branch. Some say it was magic how they worked. Most just choose not to question further. They did their job and that's all that mattered.

"SAWADA BETTER HAVE A REASON TO DRAG US HERE!"

"Keep your voice down. There's no way they can have their meeting if you're out here shouting."

Finally, there was the Storm branch also known as Varia. Vongola Decimo's independent assassination squad. The difference between the commanders Superbia Squalo and Mammon was only the tip of the iceberg for how crazy the members were. Out of all of the branches, they had the most diverse set of skills that allowed them to complete any task asked for them. After 3 years away from Ripartizone they returned at the call of Decimo.

The reason why they were gone for so long? Because even though they are Vongola members, Xanxus made it clear from the beginning that they will go about things their own way. They carried out the jobs that any sane person would avoid at all costs with pure pleasure. Decimo made sure that they were always welcomed but most preferred that they stayed away to do their own thing. To the majority of them Xanxus was their real boss.

"I thought Sawada didn't want to tell us over a long distance but from you all, it sounds like none of us knows what's happening. What could be so important that he wanted all of us but didn't let a peep escape?" Everyone went silent at Mammon stating the obvious.

Though they all had their differences, they were all Vongola members. Their main goal was to protect and serve Decimo. It took a long time but he earned the respect of each member that sat in this room. For him to hold on to the topic so tight lipped meant he was trying to protect them from something.

Haru looked down at her ring. Whenever she saw her ring she reminded herself just how much of her life she owed him. She valued Decimo as much as the rest of them. Now that this problem was upon them, she could only hope that her little worker could handle what was thrown at him.

In the room next to the second in commands was where all the guardians met. Even though there was a long table for them to all sit at, some choose to stand at a distance away from the others. Currently Vongola Decimo was the only one late.

"Dame-Tsuna is still not here yet?!" Lambo threw his feet onto the table, leaning backwards on his chair.

"He said that he was stuck in traffic. He should be here soon." Ryohei offered him some snacks as a way to calm down the youngest.

"The herbivore is wasting our time enough as it is. If it was so important he should have been the first one here." Hibari Kyoya was one that stood away from them.

"Kufufu why don't we take the time to catch up? We have a special guest here after all." They turned their attention to the scarred man.

Xanxus glared at the Mist guardian. The atmosphere in the room thickened. Even before the three years apart there was tension between some of the guardians. Each one of them had high levels of pride. One that didn't let them feel inferior to anyone, including each other. It was a constant battle of who was stronger. Provoking each other was part of that relationship.

"I'm only here because the trash called me. Not for small talk." Xanxus was a bored man. Barely anything excited him. Entertaining his fellow members, the same.

"Don't be like that Xanxus. An extremely long time we haven't talked. How has Varia been?"

"None of your concern. Varia only accepts the most elite members. We work without needing you all. If you want to know more then read the reports.

"Big talk for the king of monkeys. You speak like those reports aren't a mess in the first place. If it wasn't for your lower members those things would have been illegible."

"Like we really need all those boring reports. I-Pin and Fuuta keep nagging me to complete them. I say we stop with them. Gives us more free time to do whatever we want."

"He speaks like he went to a proper school. Not some stupid mafia training. And this is the man in charge of the education and youth of our city. Says a lot, don't you think?"

"I don't want to hear anything from the pineapple." Lambo, rocking on the back legs of the chair, couldn't care to get angry at the older members. Over the years he took them nothing more than pokes to his side. It was a sign that they were getting along. Sort of.

"The cow kid has a point. Taking a member from Varia using candies as a bribe is only one example of your immaturity."

"Oya oya are you still wanting Fran? Even after he willingly chose me? Kid's smart. You know that yourself. Perhaps his talent saw right through your guise and saw me as more powerful." There it was. A challenge of power.

It didn't matter who started it. One way or another, the guardians will end up wanting to fight. Guardians were the strongest in the Vongola that they didn't often get someone that rallied them. Yet gathered in this room were six strong people.

"Now we are talking." Xanxus and Mukuro grabbed their weapons.

Ryohei was usually a pacifist. But a friendly fight every once in a while was good for people like them. Even Hibari who remained calm through all the petty arguments lifted up his tonfa. Lambo just thought it'll be fun to see an exciting fight after so long. He would only participate if they attacked him.

"Everyone." They all stopped when they felt a murderous presence from the Rain guardian. The entire time he kept quiet, letting the other members have their fun. However, in the meeting room with Vongola Decimo on the way he had to keep them together until then.

They settled back into their spots. This wasn't a statement of power. Each one of them had a different strength. They knew not to get in the way of Takeshi when he was serious. It was respect to listen to him. As expected of the right hand man.

"Ma ma. Let's all calm down." He looked to the Storm guardian with his usual smile. "Xanxus, it's nice to have you back."

"I see you haven't changed much Yamamoto Takeshi. The shark hasn't shut up about seeing how much you improved."

"Oh? Baseball season is over so I have some free time on my hands. I'll have to talk to Squalo later."

"Oooo I would love to see that fight. An extreme match between men and their fists!"

Before anyone could respond they felt a presence running towards the room. The door flew open having a boy fall through. All the papers he carried flying thrown into the air. They shook their heads in disbelief that this was their boss.

"Are you okay Tsuna?" Takeshi gave him a hand off the floor while Ryohei helped pick up the documents.

"Y-yes. Thank you Takeshi, Nii-san. Sorry to everyone for keeping you waiting." He grabbed the papers out of Ryohei's hands, going over to the head of the table.

Vongola Decimo, Sawada Tsunayoshi. The head of the top Mafia family in the world. Take the most horrible, ugliest, despicable person one could imagine and put it into one person. Then do the exact opposite to get the person who he was. Tsuna was the purest hearted boy that it was impossible to hate him. If someone does hate him they better prepare to have a few hundred people hunting their tails.

At first he never wanted to inherit his bloodline. He was never given the choice though. After years of training he took it over to use its legacy to better things. It was a brutal way but it was the most efficient. Sometimes power was what made people listen. In turn Tsuna always made sure to give back to the community and limit when force was used.

"We already wasted enough time so let's get started already. What was so important that you wanted all of us?"

"Right, right sorry. Let's get started." Carefully he took out a few photos from a folder, throwing them in a way to spread them out on the table.

Everyone leaned in to look at the images of various people being badly beaten. They were bloody pictures, some not even being able to see a face to identify who they were. Any normal person would have been revolted at them. None of them had a chance to question who these people were and why Tsuna had pictures of their deaths as Hibari picked up one of them. He showed it to the rest of them, pointing to a certain item.

"This is the Tomaso emblem." They each grabbed at the closest image to them. Once looking closer to each of them, there was a mafia emblem seen somewhere on the person, even if covered in blood or burnt near crisp. They were all family alliances emblems to add on.

"What is this?"

"Exactly what it looks like. Someone is targeting our family alliances. The attacks are getting more frequent and I have a feeling that I know why." Tsuna took his seat at the head of the table.

"Do we have any leads as to who is doing this?"

"The only thing that we have is that they are attacking allies. Barely anyone survived the hits. The ones that did have no information that they could give."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier? How long has this been going on?"

"3 months ago. At first I wanted to believe that it was a coincidence. I thought that someone was trying to send a message through them. Only recently did I find out what that was. Now I'm certain. This is an inside job." No one spoke. Someone targeting them isn't anything new. An inside job though? Who would be so high up enough that they could cause so much damage yet the Vongola couldn't find them?

"How can you be sure?"

"The first attack was 5 days after I announced my engagement." Weddings were meant to be a life changing occasion. One where friends and families joined together in celebration of love. Because it was such a special day, Tsuna was sure to tell only allies. People he trusted.

For someone to attack, they were planning to send a message to Decimo. That he shouldn't, and didn't, deserve to be happy. The strange part was that if they really were an ally then they didn't hate Tsuna because he was a mafioso. It was a personal grudge.

"If they're after the wedding the answer is simple. Let them come and ruin the event. We'll kill them on the spot." Xanxus suggested.

"We can't do that! Do you realize how momentous a wedding is?! Kyoko has been looking forward to this since we were kids. I won't let some random person ruin it!"

"A wedding is only the event. It's not like their marriage becomes null if it gets interrupted."

"We can't! Tsuna, tell them that this is a terrible idea!"

Tsuna ran a hand through his hair. "Nii-san, Xanxus please calm down. I know that I'm throwing a lot but I need everyone to help out. I want to make sure the wedding goes well. But I can't let the attacks rise. It's only a matter of time until they start attacking our members. Now that we know their objective we need to start our counter attack."

"And are you against using your wedding as bait?"

Tsuna has always been the one to make tough decisions. He sacrificed his life to be Vongola Decimo. He didn't want to drag in more people than he needed. If he could find a way that hurt himself rather than others, that was the way he chose. "No I'm not."

"Hold on, what about Kyoko? This is her wedding too." Lambo, minus Ryohei, was probably closest to her out of the guardians. He knew just as well as the others that this was a special day.

"Kyoko will under-" Takeshi was cut off by her brother.

"I will not allow that! As your guardian and your future brother in law I'm against it!"

"Something as tiny as a wedding is nothing compared to this. If incidents continue to rise alliances will notice and call on us to do something. We can't risk those turning on us when one is already hunting us down."

"Using their wedding is exactly what they want though. Are we just going to act like idiots and give them it? What if Kyoko or the other guests get hurt?"

"She's a Sun second in command. And the future don's wife. Having her take on some responsibility should be expected. We shouldn't let our personal emotions sway our decision."

"And so what if it does? The Vongola we developed is all about our emotions. We've all had our moments where our hearts spoke of our actions. Where we only got through because it was our emotions that allowed us to. Both good and bad. Now we're suppose to forget that?!"

"We aren't going to forget our roots Nii-san, Lambo. That includes protecting those who put their trust in us." With all hostilities rising from his guardians, Tsuna didn't falter. He expected as much from this plan.

Though he was still clumsy and a bit naive, he knew his family well. He asked for their opinion because they all had good points that he acknowledged. They fought for good reason. Trying to control them was not going to work.

Hearing how strained their boss's voice was they forced themselves to sit down. Tsuna wasn't one to yell and shout orders. Instead he trusted that they would listen to him and understand his position. He knew that they will hear him out without him needing to force them. He didn't want to use his wedding but he had to. It was playing into the enemies' hands. It was also the safest way to ensure that no one else got hurt.

"I'll speak to Kyoko-chan myself. The reason I brought you all together this time is to limit the casualties. Until we capture the people behind these attacks, please, I'm asking you to help me again." He held his head high. All of their eyes were on him.

"It is his wedding after all. Shouldn't he have say in what happens? Besides with all of us there, there's no way we'll let them get through. Right?" Takeshi linked his hands together to support his head. He did so in a way that they could clearly see his ring.

They chuckled at his play. Still with the carefree appearance with an underlying message in support of the mafia don; Tsuna was able to get so far with the help of Takeshi. That goes the same for everyone in this room and in the next.

"Count on us Decimo. No one is going to ruin your wedding."

"Haru, Tetsuya, we're leaving." Hibari was the first one to leave the meeting room. He didn't wait for any of them as he kept walking.

"That's our cue to leave. Bye bye everyone. See you again-desu." Haru gave a small wave while Kusukabe bowed to them before going to catch up with their boss.

Hibari was already nearing their car by the time they caught up. Kusukabe rushed up to open the back door for him. Haru stepped into the passenger side as she usually did.

"How was the meeting Hibari-san?" Out of people he was okay with being more active around him, Haru was one of the few. He knew that she could be serious if she wanted that he didn't mind too much that she was comfortable around him to be herself.

"The herbivore thinks that a coup is happening. What are both of your thoughts about this?" Straight to the point. Very Hibari like.

"I trust in what Tsuna-san says. If he thinks that someone is attacking us, then he has reason. We can handle what happens to us."

"I agree. Though we have to exercise caution, I also believe that Sawada-san is telling us to ensure that we keep our eyes open. Does he have any clues as to who is behind everything?"

"He thinks it's an inside job. An alliance to be specific." The two of them spared a glance at each other.

"Whoever that family is, they will regret making us their enemy. We will make sure of that Hibari-san."

"Targeting us with a big event in play. Sometimes birds will flare their feathers to appear bigger. I have to admit that I'm excited to see who the herbivore is." From the mirror they could see their boss smirking.

"K-Kyo-san, please consider the fact that it's still a coup d'etat."

"Please our boss is as blood thirsty as they come. So? What does Tsuna-san plan to do?"

"He wants to use his wedding as a way to attract the attackers. Ryohei and Lambo were against it all the way. Tsunayoshi gave the final call. The wedding will be moved to next month. We are to continue our search for the attackers until then. If they don't show, we can only hope that they will at the wedding."

"To next month?! That's too soon!" Haru quickly caught herself. "Poor Kyoko-chan, having her special day turn into this."

"She's marrying a don. This shouldn't have come to surprise to her. Actually, knowing her she will be fine with it if this is what he desires. It's difficult on both sides."

"That's true... One month though? I can understand both sides but it's a bit much. Is there anything else that Tsuna-san plans?"

"Besides us keeping up our guards, he wants us to help in wedding preparations. You're a bridesmaid so she'll probably tell you more later."

"Haru is already not looking forward to that. It's an honour to be making her dress and all but there's other things as well. Things like the venue and decorations won't be easily changed in a day. Then there's resending all the invitations. We are basically re-inviting the traitor. People like Dino-san, Enma-kun, Reborn-kun and Yuni-chan are already suppose to come early that we'll have to find a date for them as well." She sighed at the idea of all that work.

"It's not like you took a lot of missions for the months to come. Tetsuya, get me a list of the guests as well. I want to see if we can find the traitor beforehand."

"Understood."

A month was too soon for Haru. She needed more time. But if they already found out that someone was attacking the Vongola name then time was counting down faster than she thought. Now that all guardians were gathered, she wouldn't be able to move around freely.

"You went on a mission with Nagi. Give me a summary." She didn't show that she was caught off guard by Hibari's sudden attention.

Though all members were required to create a report giving all the details to missions, Hibari hardly read through the little ones that she took on. They were only a formality for future reference. If everything he needed to know could be said in 5 minutes or less, then that was the option he went with.

"Lambo-chan received news that there had been an increase of illegal filming from students at the university. Most of them have some of the highest grades with a particular professor and subpar in others. Nagi and I infiltrated the university as students to confirm if he had any ties. After he invited me out other members were able to track his base of operation and retrieved all records of victims and perpetrators. You can assume the rest. We are still working in cleaning up everything but those are going without a problem."

Haru caught Hibari looking at her from the back seat in the rear view mirror. His glare getting stronger as she went on. "A university professor? Any casualties?"

"He did get a bit violent when he suspected that I had done something. I was quick to subdue him and walked away with minimal damage."

He didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue. Her hand tightened against her wrist. "It was nothing I couldn't handle."

He made a small sound before turning away. "If that's what you claim then I believe you."

Kusakabe spared a look between the two of them without taking his eyes off the road. As oldest of the three he watched over the two since the beginning. Hibari was never much of a talker. So when he brought Haru in he didn't speak about who she was or where she came from.

There were many times where she got quiet like this. Only Hibari and Tsuna could tell what was wrong with her. Neither of them pressing forward in those cases. So neither did Kusakabe. Everyone was entitled to their secrets. When time came he only hoped that she would fully open up to them.