"Boss…?" Romario asked as he suddenly passed the blonde in the hall, looking puzzled as he noticed him heading to the front door. The right hand man changed his direction to follow his boss as he continued with concern. "Where are you headed to? Your flight isn't until later this evening."

"You should know by now where I'm going Romario, especially at this hour." The Cavallone boss stated in reply while smiling at his ever so loyal right hand man he had known his whole life.

The years had caught up to him though, as his previous fully black hair had now become grey in some areas (specifically at the very front) and he gained a bushier mustache as well as a few wrinkles. Even so he was still the same Romario as ever.

"I've been going there the same time every day since we erected it after all." The blonde continued as he reached the front door and opened it. He then turned and gave his right hand man a nostalgic and bittersweet smile.

The current Cavallone boss stood at five feet eleven inches tall with short golden blond hair and chocolate brown colored eyes, looking like the spitting image of Dino Cavallone.

The tenth Cavallone even inspired his style of clothing, as he wore a red long sleeved shirt with the front tucked into his jeans under a dark green parka style hooded vest that had a black fur trim. To tie the look together he also wore a simple brown belt and blue converse shoes.

The explanation may say he's the Cavallone boss, but it's not Dino you might say. To that I reply that this young man is indeed without a shadow of a doubt the eleventh boss in line. He's none other than the only Cavallone left in line, Dino's cousin - Vero Cavallone.

"So you're going to go see them again then," Romario concluded, now knowing exactly where the blonde's destination was. "Would you mind if I accompany you?"

"You know you don't have to ask, Romario." Vero replied lightly. "After all, you were close to them too."

His right hand man cracked a small smile and nodded in response before the two of them left the building and walked out into the garden. Over in the far corner of it stood a lone marble memorial stone with some names inscribed on it, Rosetta's and Dino's being a couple of them.

The two men stood in front of it in solemn silence for a minute before Vero stepped forward and placed a small bouquet at the base of the stone. He then dared to state aloud, "Last night, I had a dream about that day again."

Romario said nothing, for no words needed to be spoken.

The two of them remembered what happened quite well, as it was four years ago now that Nero escaped and in a blind rage found and killed Rosetta and Dino. Of course 'killed' probably wasn't the totally correct term, as there was a pool of blood but there were no bodies to be found.

"This time they didn't die though. They just…disappeared. What's more is that after waking from it I felt confident that was the truth of what happened."

"Forgive me for saying so but it seems a bit far fetched." The right hand man argued cynically.

The young Cavallone boss stood and faced him. "I know but I'm telling you I can sense that they're still alive somewhere. Antonio believes the same. He's been trying to search everywhere he can but had to hold off due to Nero being on the move again."

Romario narrowed his eyes with concern. "Are you not in danger too then?"

"Nero doesn't yet know of my significance to the Mezzanotte, so as long as I don't make any largely noticeable moves I should be okay."

"Why have you decided to leave the country now then? Wouldn't that count as a noticeable move?"

"It…might but even so I'll be going to places that Nero would think twice before barging into." Vero explained quite confidently. "Since I do need to be ready in the event that Nero discovers my true identity, I've contacted the Vongola and they agreed to help further my training so I'll be heading to Japan. First I need to pay a visit to the Varia base though…"

-o-

In the Vongola base located underneath Namimori…

"Come in," the right hand man heard from within his boss' office after knocking.

He entered then gave his message. "Juudaime, I've just received an encoded message from Vero Cavallone. It states that he's on his way…" He said, trailing off and unconsciously letting out an irritated sigh.

The Vongola boss caught this quickly and asked, "Is there something more to the message that bothers you, Gokudera?"

The silver haired male flinched with mild surprise, then tripped over his words for a moment.

"Well it doesn't bother me per se, but it does kind of inconvenience us in regards to our scheduling," he explained. "He's decided to take a side trip - to the Varia base before coming here."

"Ah, as expected." The boss concluded with a calm knowing smile. "Let the young Cavallone take his time. We'll still be here to welcome him when he arrives."

"Very well, Juudaime." The right hand man agreed as he bowed before taking his leave back through the door he came in.

-o-

"VOI!" Squalo shouted after kicking the door open and storming into the room Vero was waiting in. "What are you doing here you rotten brat?!"

The young Cavallone just smiled at him in response.

Of course the right hand of the Varia hadn't changed at all since the last time they saw each other. That is, except for his appearance. His hair had grown out so he no longer had bangs and he was wearing the black and pale beige uniform.

"How cold, Uncle Squalo," Vero responded, quickly adopting a somewhat fake looking hurt expression. "I came to pay you a visit and you greet me as if I'm just an annoyance to you."

"That's because YOU ARE!" The white haired male argued aggressively as he then realized what the blonde had called him. "And didn't I tell you not to call me that?"

"Sorry but it stuck from the moment we were introduced." The young Cavallone boss stated casually with a grin. "I guess that makes us even then."

Somehow this managed to tick Squalo off even more and he would've chased the teen right out of the base but right at that moment three of his co-members poked their heads through the open door.

"Shi shi shi. Looks like Squalo's having a good time." A blond male wearing a tiara commented with a creepy ear to ear grin. "If he's gonna kill this one I want in too."

"Senpai, I don't think it's wise to get involved. Squalo might end up killing you too." Another male with teal hair and a large frog hat advised with a slightly indifferent and bored tone.

The third male just sauntered into the room with no hesitation. His head was shaved except for a neon orange Mohawk and neon green bangs that framed the right side of his face. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of glitzy red sunglasses but you could guess how he looked upon the white haired male by his tone when he spoke.

"Squa!" He scolded him with a nagging motherly tone. "Is that any way to treat your poor nephew?"

"VOI! We aren't even related Lussuria!" The white haired male shouted as he faced the male who had scolded him. "You're not allowed in here anyway! This is my private business not yours, so butt out!" - he then noticed the other two peeking in - "Bel! Fran! You better not be in on this too, you scum!"

Seeing all of them trying to butt in on his personal business infuriated him so much that he started to chase the blonde and the frog headed members out into the hall, swinging his sword wildly the whole time.

Once it had gotten quiet, the one named Lussuria approached Vero.

"You know, Squa may be acting cold towards you but he doesn't really mean it," he stated before leaning in as if to tell him a secret. "Honestly, he's been a little…different since Rosetta's and Dino's deaths. I think he even misses them too."

"VOI! I DO NOT!" Squalo shouted at them from the doorway, looking disheveled. "They were soft mushy weaklings so it's no surprise that they died!"

He then jumped forward and slashed at Lussuria who easily dodged and left the room before the swordsman could make chase.

A moment passed before the white haired male finally turned to Vero once more, looking tired and angry as he said, "What are you still doing here?! State your business and scram!"

"I'd heard that you fought Nero a few times before," the young Cavallone boss stated and Squalo narrowed his eyes suspiciously in response. "and I want to learn how to defend myself against a swordsman like him so I was hoping you could train m-."

"No way. Not happening." The white haired male interrupted quickly as he turned his back to the young boss.

"Alright then," Vero stated casually in response with a shrug.

A moment of silence passed before the swordsman turned once more, looking quite shocked. "What?! You came to me asking for help yet you let it go so easily when I refuse?"

"Yeah, honestly I sort of saw it coming." Vero replied. "Might as well have tried than not ask at all."

"Heh, that's so like your uncle…" Squalo mumbled with a smirk before raising his voice. "I still refuse to train you, but I will tell you about my encounters with Nero at least."

He then sat and shared all he had on Nero, leaving nothing out for the young boss to glean anything he could from his retellings.

"They definitely were far from fair fights," the white haired male complained after he told him everything. "Every time I got the bastard cornered he turned the tide by using flames to throw me off and escape!"

"Dying Will Flames…" Vero commented under his breath slowly.

The swordsman whipped his head towards him immediately. "Eh?"

"He's using Dying Will Flames," the young Cavallone boss explained. "He and Rosetta can activate and use them without the need of a ring, weapon or box animal."

"I figured as much…" the white haired male contemplated with thought. "Still this is valuable information. In exchange for it I still won't train you, but I can refer you to the next best swordsman I know."

"That won't be necessary. I already made arrangements to go to Japan and meet Yamamoto-san and the other Vongola." Vero suddenly asked casually, catching Squalo by surprise for the Vongola Rain Guardian was the person he would've referred to him. "I'll be training with them to prepare for my eventual face off with Nero." - he then glanced at the time - "I should probably get going or I'll miss my flight."

The young boss then stood, gave his thanks, and then turned to leave but Squalo had one last thing to say to him.

"VOI!" Don't get yourself killed over there you rotten brat!" He shouted after him.

Vero simply turned, flashed a smile, and then casually waved before strolling out the door…