AUTHOR'S NOTE: This one may be a little rough. I apologize-this is kind of a drive-by update, I should've left for work 5 minutes ago ^^;
KHR isn't mine, it belongs to Amano-sensei. Original Characters, storyline, etc. are mine.
Next update: Around March 5, 2015
Target 09-03: Black Tie Affair
Haru and Chrome were picked up at six o' clock sharp by a dark limo with tinted windows. They settled in the seat and Haru looked across the dim interior at Chrome. "Is he going to come tonight?" she asked.
"Mukuro-sama?" Chrome asked and then shook her head at Haru's nod. "Mukuro-sama isn't interested in such gatherings. I'm only going because you and Kyoko wanted to. So many people are expected to be there…are we going to be picking up Gokudera and Yamamoto?"
Haru shook her head. The silver-haired hitman had returned to his apartment to get ready for the party and told her that he'd be arriving separately, but they could meet up at the party.
"They're going separately," Haru said. "Kudaime said that he wanted to speak to the Tenth Generation Guardians before the party. I was surprised you didn't get an early summons as well."
"I'm not the Vongola Mist Guardian anymore," Chrome said, she displayed a ring that looked similar to Haru's but with the symbols for the Mist Flame on it. "Mukuro-sama is Boss's Mist Guardian. I'm just a member of the Famiglia and I've been assigned to work primarily with you."
"Are you okay with that?" Haru asked uncertainly.
Chrome smiled. "I like working with you. I learn a lot when we're going through the reports you've been getting and I feel like I'm useful. Boss doesn't really need someone like me to defend him. I've still got a long way to go to match Mukuro-sama and the others too."
#
Nana's capable fingers rewound Tsuna's tie carefully, she was wearing a yellow evening gown and Iemitsu was holding onto her jacket. Iemitsu's presence here put him on edge about this upcoming party. Basil was dressed in a formal suit as well and chatting with Fuuta while I-Pin and Lambo were digging into the food that Nana had made before getting ready for the party. "Are you sure you're going to be all right, Fuuta?" Tsuna asked. "I could stay and h—"
"No, you can't," Reborn said.
"Hiee…" Tsuna said.
"Don't worry the Chiavarone Famiglia has agreed to keep an eye on things so nothing happens," Iemitsu said. "Dino and Romario will be at the party, but everyone else Dino could bring is here."
"Dino-san is going to be at the party?" Tsuna smiled delightedly, he hadn't seen the blond Boss in a while, and then his eyes narrowed. "What kind of party is this?"
"You'll see when you get there," Reborn said and Bianchi finally emerged dressed in a black dress that glittered with sequins and heels a mile high.
"We're ready then?" Iemitsu asked.
Tsuna said nothing, but the 'no' was obvious in his eyes, but they headed out to the dark car waiting for them, amongst the slew of men in dark suits.
They settled into the backseat and Nana gushed over everything, excited to have a night out with her husband that didn't involve the little ones, even if her teenaged son was with them. Bianchi held Reborn in her lap, a satisfied look on her face as the former Arcobaleno settled in. Tsuna and Basil struck up a conversation discussing everything that had been going on since they last met up and Tsuna relaxed a bit, enjoying the company of someone who wasn't quite as overwhelming as his father and tutor.
Nervousness twisted Tsuna's stomach as the car whispered through the streets of Namimori to Kyoko's house. Tsuna hoped that tonight wasn't going to turn into another date like the one they'd had at the zoo, which he couldn't even really consider a date with everything that happened or any of the other numerous times he managed to get Kyoko somewhat alone with him. Something was shoved into his hands and he glanced down at the yellow roses. "A little bit of something for Kyoko-chan," his father said. "Girls love roses, don't they dear?"
"Oh yes," Nana breathed and Tsuna noted that she was holding a bouquet of red roses that she hadn't been before.
Tsuna eyed his father warily—he was being oddly…normal…tonight…
#
Gokudera stepped out of the limo followed by Yamamoto and looked up at the well-lit hotel. He thanked the driver automatically, not entirely unfamiliar with being driven to various places by car. The baseball idiot was taking everything in stride as he always did and didn't seem to feel the least bit out of place as they made their way to the door. Yamamoto had a case for his bats slung across his back, but Gokudera was relatively sure that it didn't actually hold his bat—so undoubtedly he was a little leery of this as well.
They stepped through into the lobby and Gokudera led the way to the counter and handed the clerk his invitation. She glanced it over and gave him directions to the conference room they were expected in after she also looked over Yamamoto's invitation. "I don't think I've ever attended something quite like this before," Yamamoto murmured as they made their way up the carpeted staircase to the second floor instead of going to the crowded elevator.
"Che, it's nothing special," Gokudera said. "Just don't make a fool out of yourself baseball idiot."
Yamamoto laughed in that ridiculous way of his and then abruptly went serious as they approached the door flanked by two large men. Their eyes widened as they recognized one of them. Lancia regarded them gravely and bowed before opening the door to let them in.
"Ah, Gokudera-san, Yamamoto-san, welcome. Vongola Nono is waiting for you."
The words came from an older gentleman with a steel arm and Yamamoto looked confused. "Kudaime's Storm Guardian, Coyote Nougat," Gokudera murmured as they automatically fell in step behind him. "He was at the Judaime's Inheritance Ceremony and took us to the island."
"Who are the others?" Yamamoto asked, he recognized the Ninth from the Ring Battles.
Gokudera quietly pointed out the remaining guardians figuring that's what Yamamoto meant. They were led to the table and found that Ryohei was already seated and looking extremely uncomfortable. To their surprise Hibari was seated at the table and somehow Mukuro also seemed to have a presence, but both of the latter were being watched very carefully by the other men in the room. Mukuro's lips curled in a sneer as he watched them—he hadn't bothered to change out of his Kokuyo uniform.
Timoteo rose from his chair and gravely nodded at each of them. "Thank you for coming here tonight," he said. "
"Get this over with herbivore, I hate it when people crowd around like this," Hibari stated flatly, his retractable tonfas grated as he opened them and closed them again. "It makes me want to bite them all to death."
Timoteo's attendants stiffened and he held up a hand to stay any action. "Of course," he said. "Let's get this discussion started, there is a party to move to…"
"Why isn't Judaime here?" Gokudera demanded.
"Watch your tongue," Coyote Nougat growled.
"Because this has to do with the future Tenth's Guardians, not the Tenth himself," Timoteo said coolly. "Now pay attention…"
It was nearly an hour later before they were able to leave the conference room. Mukuro had vanished like fine mist as soon as they'd been dismissed and Hibari had been the first out the door before anyone else had even collected themselves to rise. He was muttering about biting the man with the whip to death for making him waste his time.
"Well, that probably could have gone better," Yamamoto murmured as they exited.
"What are you talking about, baseball idiot?" Gokudera demanded.
Yamamoto shook his head. "Nothing," he said.
"Why I ought to…" Gokudera began.
"Gokudera?"
It was Haru's voice and Gokudera's attention immediately snapped to the brunette wearing a deep burgundy gown and strappy heels that put her almost of a height with him. The meeting was forgotten for the moment and he quickly crossed the red carpeted hall to his girlfriend. "Did you just get here?" he asked.
"Yes, the elevator was too crowded so we decided to brave the stairs," Haru said and glanced over her shoulder at Chrome who was watching the closed conference room door intently.
"Is Mukuro-sama still here?" she asked the Guardians in front of her.
"I don't know if he was actually there to start with," Yamamoto said. "He vanished as soon as the meeting ended."
"What was the meeting about?" Haru asked.
"I can't say," Gokudera said apologetically.
"I suppose I'll find out eventually," Haru sighed. "Are you still coming to the party?"
"Of course," Gokudera said and offered her his arm.
Haru smiled and slipped her arm through his and let the Vongola Storm Guardian escort her towards the ball room the party was being held in. Yamamoto and Ryohei fell back into step with Chrome though none of them said anything as they made their way down the hall. Their invitations were checked at the door and they entered.
Soft music poured from a piano in the corner of the room and the tinkle of high-quality glassware echoed over the low murmur of those in attendance. Gokudera recognized several of the Japanese mafia elite as well as several family heads from Italy and felt himself tense up a little more. There was so much power in one room and if someone was inclined…he shuddered at the havoc that would break out if someone attacked right now.
He recognized Enma and Adelheid amongst the guests, Dino, and even Squalo wound through the party, though Squalo had a rather large space around him and scowled at anyone who came close, his hand twitching towards the missing sword he usually carried. They'd taken all of their weapons at the door and secured them much to their dismay, handing each of them a number to reclaim them after the festivities ended. Haru had been able to keep the kanzashi in her hair, but the various bodyguards around the room kept a stricter eye on her as they moved through the crowd.
#
Haru pulled away from Gokudera after they'd taken several steps in. "You've already greeted the host, but Chrome-chan and I haven't so we'd better go do that," she explained. "Judaime should be here soon. They were leaving his house a little bit after we were picked up."
The exchange with the host were brief, though Haru felt like he looked right through her and seemed to know everything about her in a heartbeat. After greetings were exchanged, Chrome moved away to find something to drink and Haru found her wrist caught by the older Boss. She looked at him in surprise and he smiled. "Thank you for taking care of Tsunayoshi, Miura-san, we've been watching your progress with interest."
"Hahi…" Haru breathed before she could stop it and then recovered by bowing low. "O-of course."
He gave her another nod and Haru headed to join her friends, but was diverted by the sight of two familiar figures dressed in kimono. She smiled and glanced over to see Gokudera, Yamamoto, and Ryohei waiting near the door for Tsuna and Kyoko's arrival and cut across the floor to greet Madame Cho and Akai.
"Haru, you look lovely tonight," Madame Cho smiled as she came into view.
Haru dropped her eyes for a moment and mumbled something about being nothing special, but the Boss of the Hanatachi Clan reached out and placed a long-nailed finger under her chin and forced her eyes up. "No need for modesty, child, you're among Family," Madame Cho smiled.
"Those are new kanzashi," Akai said, reaching out and adjusting the hair ornaments automatically. "Have you been cheating on us?"
Haru quickly shook her head, the ornaments on the pins chiming. "I actually owned them before I came to the shop," Haru said. "They're only going to be mildly effective if I have to use them as weapons tonight, but…"
"Vongola Decimo's Cloud Guardian seems to be absent," Akai murmured.
"Hibari-san does not like crowds," Haru said.
"Ah, he's that child," Madame Cho said and laughed softly. "It's likely just as well then."
"That child?" Haru repeated questioningly.
Madame Cho shook her head. "It's nothing, Haru," she said. "We've exchanged greetings; it's probably just as well you wander on lest people think we're striking a bargain of some form."
Sudden silence filled the room as the doors opened to admit first Iemitsu and Nana followed by Reborn, and Bianchi. After finishing up a brief conversation with Lancia, a beaming Tsuna entered the room with Kyoko holding onto his arm. Basil brought up the rear after Tsuna.
Gokudera relaxed minutely and glanced at Yamamoto and Ryohei. They nodded and also seemed to relax. No matter what happened they had some solid allies here now.
Tsuna glanced up at the sudden silence and his breath caught as his foot caught on the carpet, but he was kept from falling by Gokudera's quick hands. "Judaime," he greeted him.
"Gokudera-kun, Yamamoto, onii-san…you're here already?" Tsuna blinked.
"Of course," Gokudera snorted.
"Yo, Tsuna," Yamamoto greeted casually.
"Go greet Kudaime first," Gokudera advised. "He's the host, so he should be your first stop before you worry about anything else."
"O-Okay…" Tsuna said. "You've been to parties like this before?"
"Of course," Gokudera snorted. "Follow my lead. You too, baseball idiot, turf top, we don't want to embarrass Judaime."
Yamamoto chuckled softly and nodded and the four made their way back to where Kudaime was holding court. Reborn and Iemitsu had beaten Tsuna to greeting the host, but when his turn came Tsuna bowed to the Ninth Generation Boss who gave him a warm smile. "You're looking well, Tsunayoshi," Timoteo said. "Thank you for coming to the party tonight. Your date is lovely. Please introduce us?"
"Ah…this is Sasagawa Kyoko-san," Tsuna managed and Kyoko beamed at Vongola Nono and inclined herself in a bow.
The Ninth Boss gestured him in closer. Tsuna leaned in obligingly. "Note these faces, Tsunayoshi, they are the strongest present on Japanese soil now. They will be valuable allies, but can also at a moments' notice become your enemy."
"Kudaime…" Tsuna trailed off.
"Even as an organization meant to protect, it is good to know the faces of those who could oppose you or help you," Timoteo stated, his voice for Tsuna's ears only.
Tsuna's eyes widened and then he nodded slowly.
"Most do not know your official position," Timoteo continued. "A few will be aware from the Inheritance Ceremony and I can't say who they've spoken to. However, take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with them. This was planned with these opportunities in mind—that is why all of your Guardians and those closest to the core of the Tenth Generation were invited."
Tsuna's stomach churned, but he nodded slowly. "Okay…" he said uncertainly.
Kyoko had been engaged in conversation with one of Kudaime's other Guardians, but when Tsuna pulled back the conversation came to a close and Tsuna managed a smile for Kyoko. "Are you thirsty?" he asked.
She nodded and they headed off to find drinks. His closest Guardians kept close to him, watching everything around them for a threat.
"It's good he brought Kyoko-chan tonight," Akai noted.
Haru turned to see her friend approaching with a glass of water that she offered to her. "Oh?"
"There are a lot of the elite here with unmarried daughters that may take an interest in Sawada Tsunayoshi-kun," Akai noted.
"Hahi?"
"It is not too early to begin laying foundations for possible alliances," Akai murmured.
"B-but Judaime's only fifteen and…"
"Never too early," Akai repeated. "There's some people you should probably meet here before it gets too late. Come with me."
Haru followed Akai through the crowds and realized they were drawing in closer to Tsuna and Kyoko. Tsuna was sending Kyoko off with Ryohei after his tutor murmured something in his ear and they approached, catching the conversation.
"Tsuna, there are some people you should meet, come with us," Reborn said.
"If I have to," Tsuna mumbled.
"We'll talk about that attitude later," Reborn said. "Let's go."
"Y-yes…" Tsuna said and followed leaving Yamamoto and Haru alone for the moment.
Yamamoto watched Tsuna go and then looked at Haru. "You're really good at handling this type of situation," he noted.
"My father sometimes gets invited to parties like this as a well-respected university professor and he's taken me along on a few of them," Haru replied. "They're not hard except for the part about watching everything you say and do. Lady Tomi also drilled more of the etiquette in me while I was training with her."
Yamamoto laughed. "If I'm going to have to attend more of these in the future, I'll have to get some lessons from you on them."
Haru smiled. "I'd be happy to help," she said.
She turned to talk to Akai, but found that her kimono-clad friend had been drawn into a conversation with some of the other attendees. Akai caught her eye and gestured for her to move on and Haru nodded before seeking out Tsuna.
She found Tsuna looking supremely uncomfortable with an older man. It took her a long moment to recognized Maiko Ishida, the red Chinese-style dress completely at odds with what Haru usually saw her in, accompanying the older gentleman. "I'll go check on Judaime," she told Yamamoto. "Go ahead and get a plate of food from the table and relax a little bit."
She skimmed the gathering for Kyoko and found her and Ryohei at one of the out-of-the-way tables. Kyoko was watching everything with wide-eyed wonder and Ryohei devoured a ridiculous plate of food.
She moved to the waiter circulating the gathering with drinks and snagged a couple water glasses from him and headed for Tsuna, arriving at his elbow and startling him. "H-haru!" he exclaimed.
"You looked like you were thirsty, Judaime," she said. "I thought you'd like some water."
"Y-yes, thank you," Tsuna managed.
"This is Ishida Masao-san," Reborn introduced them. "This is Miura Haru."
A slight smile curved Masao Ishida's lips. "I do believe I've heard quite a bit about you from my wife, Miura-san," he said.
Haru's eyes went wide as she put his name together with Maiko and then her bow deepened instantly. "Please give my regards to Lady Tomi."
"Of course," Masao said. "You've met my daughter Maiko?"
Haru met the girl's blue violet eyes and she bowed, carefully handling the glasses. "We've had a chance to become acquainted," she said guardedly and Maiko smirked the expression was quickly hidden as she returned the bow.
"You look well, Miura-san," she said.
Greetings finished, Haru handed Tsuna the glass.
Haru made small talk for a little while until Tsuna seemed to become less tense and then she politely excused herself to go check on Kyoko and send her back to the Vongola Decimo's side to show Ishida-san that any thoughts of having designs on Tsuna for his daughter were futile. After she spoke with Kyoko and the girl headed towards Tsuna, Haru looked over the gathering to find a familiar head of silver hair, but couldn't see Gokudera anywhere in sight.
As she moved towards the balcony door, she passed a group of women on the outer edge of the gathering speaking to each other.
"…that's the Tenth Generation Vongola Boss?" one snickered. "I have to say I'm rather disappointed. I thought he'd be much more…everything…"
"The other two boys that follow him are closer to what I'd envision as a mafia boss," another commented, "but even worse, did you see those sorry sows? Those girls are going to be worthless to him. Neither is worth looking at any more than their loser boss. This will be the beginning of the end for the Vongola. Just you watch."
Haru's eyes narrowed and the women continued talking. Her fists clenched and she nearly launched herself at them to prove how far from useless she was. Instead, she moved towards the waiter that was passing by the women and "accidentally" bumped him, giving him a mental apology as the glasses on the tray tipped beyond recovery and splashed all over the gossipers.
"Oh, Haru is sorry," she said to the waiter apologetically, ignoring the outraged looks on the women's faces. "Haru is such a clumsy child and is incapable of doing anything right."
She smirked to herself and turned away, making a bee line for the balcony door while several of the waiters converged on the women offering napkins and apologies.
"You did that on purpose."
"Hahi!" Haru jumped and turned to look at Gokudera.
The silver-haired demolitionist was leaning against the railing of the balcony and Haru chuckled. "Probably," she replied.
"You're still just a kid," Gokudera smirked.
"You likely would have done the same or worse" Haru observed. "They were saying that Judaime was a loser and would bring about the end of the Vongola."
"They did what?" Gokudera's eyes flashed and he clenched his hand straightening from the railing.
"Exactly," Haru said.
Gokudera gave her a dark look and took another drag of his cigarette forcing himself to relax. "We both need to get better about our impulse control," he said with a wry smile and reached out and tugged her in closer to him after stubbing out his cigarette. "Those women are not low-ranking members of the mafia; they could cause a lot of trouble for Judaime in the future if they chose to."
"Well they shouldn't say things like that about him," Haru muttered.
Gokudera chuckled and turned to face her completely. "You look gorgeous tonight," he said, his thumb smoothing over her glossed lips.
"Out here in front of everyone?" Haru asked him.
Gokudera darted a glance towards the party and then lowered his lips to hers and caught them warmly. She thought about pulling back for a moment, but decided not to and the kiss deepened. After a long moment, Gokudera pulled back.
"You taste like an ashtray," Haru grimaced.
"I'll have to remember mints next time then," he replied.
"Or you could stop smoking…" Haru said.
Gokudera shook his head. "Not going to happen. We should probably go back in."
Haru nodded and the two reentered the party and found their boss and wound their way through the crowds towards him, noting that the others had also returned to his side.