AUTHOR'S NOTE: Good evening ^_^

Sorry for the delay in posting this RL is getting in way of the important things like playing with Dragon on Flight Rising and updating my fan fictions on time.

There's only one part left to this particular story. Thank you for sticking with me all the way through this.

KHR doesn't belong to me it belongs to Amano-sensei, but my original characters, storyline, etc. are results of my overactive imagination and therefore mine to do with as I please XD

Next update will be around March 19th.

PS: Don't kill me, it's not forever XD

Target 10-03: The Last Winter Storm

It was early March and the silence in Take Sushi was heavy and the sushi platter was left untouched in the middle of the table as the Vongola Tenth Generation stared at their Boss in disbelief. "If this is a joke Tsuna, it is extremely not funny," Ryohei said darkly.

"Do you think I'd joke about something like this, onii-san?" Tsuna asked his Sun Guardian.

"Well, you can try again next year," Haru offered up. "We can go over everything again…"

Tsuna shook his head. "No, it's not an option," he said.

"But Italy is so incredibly far away…" Haru said.

"I failed the easiest high school entrance test in the entire prefecture," Tsuna sighed, "I really am no good."

"Judaime…" Haru began.

A hand settled on her shoulder and her eyes flew to Gokudera who shook his head silently.

"I'm not being given a choice," Tsuna said grimly, flopping into his chair and casting a pleading look at Reborn.

The Arcobaleno sipped his espresso and played with Leon, completely ignoring the young mafia hitman arrayed around him.

"What are your orders once you're gone?" Yamamoto asked, of everyone in attendance at the meeting he was the calmest along with Gokudera, which made Haru suspect that they'd already known.

"Maybe when I leave you guys can go back to living normal lives again," Tsuna said, looking at each of them. "If I'm not here, there's no reason for anyone in the mafia to come after Namimori. No need for you to get hurt anymore. I think it could be better all around."

"Do you?" Haru asked.

Her voice was ice.

"Hiee…" Tsuna's voice cracked.

"Do you honestly think that just because you're not here, they're going to stop coming?" Haru inquired. "When you leave Namimori there isn't going to be a glorious announcement in fireworks announcing that 'the Vongola Decimo is no longer in the building'. It's going to take months, if not years, for word to circulate to all 872 bosses in the mafia."

Tsuna flinched.

"In fact, it is more likely we're going to see more trouble because of it," Haru said. "You might not be here, but Namimori is known to be a stronghold for the Vongola and several of their allies. Without the Vongola Decimo here, there are those who may find it to be the most opportune time to strike."

"It can't be helped," Reborn finally said. "This was Kudaime's order."

"What?" Haru exclaimed.

Reborn produced a document burning with Kudaime's orange flames and it circulated the table. Haru was the last to get it and she read it over and closed her eyes. "What does he expect us to do then?"

"Tsuna will have to appoint someone to act as the Vongola representative while he's in Italy," Reborn said.

"Well, that would be obvious wouldn't it?" Haru asked. "Gokudera…"

"I'm going with Judaime."

The words fell like a gauntlet in the middle of the table and Haru's eyes flew to her boyfriend.

"I'm his right hand man, I belong by his side," Gokudera said. "You understand, don't you?"

"No, I don't," Haru snapped and sprang up from her seat.

The chair hit the floor, but she ignored it, gathering her bag and heading for the door.

"Haru!"

The brunette ignored her Boss's call and stalked out the door, slamming it hard behind her though she added a mental apology to Tsuyoshi Yamamoto as an afterthought.

#

"Well…that could have gone better…" Yamamoto murmured.

"You didn't tell her before now that you weren't going to stay in Namimori?" Tsuna asked.

"You hadn't announced you were leaving yet," Gokudera said.

"Talk about extreme…" Ryohei murmured. "I wonder if I could talk her into joining the boxing team…"

"No, you can't," Gokudera snapped. "She's going to Takanamori, remember?"

"Why is she so upset anyway?" Ryohei asked. "I mean we're all extremely shocked by the fact that Tsuna's leaving, but that still seems like an overreaction…"

Tsuna looked at the white-haired boxer disbelievingly. "Are you that blind?" he blurted out without thinking.

"No, I can see perfectly fine," Ryohei answered.

Tsuna's head crashed into the table and Gokudera winced.

"I'm pretty oblivious when it comes to most of those things, but aren't you and Haru dating, Gokudera?" Yamamoto asked mildly.

"Well…we were…" Gokudera said, his eyes going worriedly to the door. "Judaime…"

"Go after her," Tsuna said, lifting his head. "We haven't gotten any reports of trouble, but you never know."

"Meanwhile, you still need to appoint one of your Guardians or another member of the Vongola to stand in your place," Reborn told Tsuna.

"Why do I have to do that?" Tsuna asked.

"You're the Boss."

#

The stone skittered down the sidewalk bouncing over the cracks in the pavement and when it stopped it was kicked again. Haru tightened her scarf around her neck and the words that escaped her mouth would almost put Gokudera to shame. It wasn't fair. She'd lost her first love to her best friend, even though Kyoko and Tsuna had never really agreed to go out or anything. Now she was losing Gokudera because of that stupid misguided sense of duty.

She paused.

Okay, maybe it wasn't misguided, but still the right hand man didn't always have to be by the Boss's side. In fact, it served both of them better if the second was left in control of a situation when the Boss had to take care of other things. Everyone knew who the second was and they would automatically turn to him for instructions if the Boss wasn't there.

"Why the long face?"

Haru's steps halted and her eyes flew up to the warm brown gaze of the blond man in the orange construction outfit. Even though it had long come into light who Iemitsu Sawada was, he still wore that stupid jumpsuit to keep his wife in the dark.

Haru didn't say anything, just moved to go around him.

"I assume you've heard Kudaime's orders then?" Iemitsu said.

"Maybe," Haru said and continued walking.

"It's the best move for the Famiglia, Haru," Iemitsu said. "Are you going to let your own selfish desires get in the way of what's good for the Famiglia?"

"It's a stupid idea," Haru said, "Tsuna-san leaving and Gokudera going with him. Who will be in charge of the Famiglia here now? Sasagawa-san?"

Haru snorted.

"No not him. What about Yamamoto?" Iemitsu said. "He's been learning the ropes of the politics as much as you."

"He's got baseball," Haru said. "I don't see Yamamoto giving that up so easily and if he did he'd be absolutely miserable. Who is going to protect Nana and the kids if Tsuna isn't around?"

"Nana, Lambo, I-Pin, and Fuuta will be leaving with us," Iemitsu informed her. "I'm tired of my wife and family living in a completely different country from me where I can't keep an eye on them."

Haru stopped and turned to face him. She cocked her head for a moment and then nodded. "That makes sense," she said. "I doubt you'll get Hibari to even contemplate stepping into the role and no one wants Mukuro to be the leader here—he'd destroy everything because he could. There's lots of members of the Vongola in the Underground and stationed around Namimori, I'm sure someone suitable can be found amongst them."

"It's good to see you can still be sensible," Iemitsu said. "There is one member of the Vongola that you haven't mentioned though."

Haru went through her mental list of all the Vongola Famiglia in Namimori, she'd compiled a database over the past several weeks with Gokudera and Yamamoto's assistance. Her lips pressed together in a thin line as the silver-haired demolitionist's name crossed her mind, but she set that aside to continue over the list. "Giannini wouldn't be suited for it though the machine shop wouldn't be a bad place to operate from. Spanner and Irie-san aren't ready for something like running the Japanese branch of the Vongola Famiglia. Maybe Bianchi?"

Iemitsu shook his head. "Where Reborn goes, Bianchi follows. She won't be staying on Japanese soil if he's in Italy."

"Well, there are a few others, but I don't know them personally, maybe…" Haru began, completely sidetracked from her rage at Gokudera as she sorted through her mental lists.

Something cold was pressed into her hand and she glanced down in shock as the light gilded over the Vongola Lightning Ring in her hand. "What? This is Lambo's…"

"Who has been working on setting up an intelligence network for the past six months?" Iemitsu asked.

"Well, um…me?" Haru said.

"Who has been putting in extra training even though she's not in a physical state to be doing it?" he continued.

"You don't have proof of that," Haru said.

"Dr. Tanpopo has been pretty open with the injuries she's been treating for you," he said.

"Traitor…" Haru grumbled.

"No, she's genuinely concerned about you Haru," he said. "You also put in extra training with Lady Tomi in Kyoto during your winter break."

"She required it and I didn't want to feel the 'gentleness' in Maiko's hands again if I refused," Haru said. "At least she gave me time to study in the evenings this time…"

"Who has been acting as the Vongola liaison with at least a half dozen different Families in the Namimori area?"

"Yamamoto has been helping me with that," Haru said. "I couldn't do half of what's needed without him to back me up."

Iemitsu folded her fingers around the ring. "Whether or not you can actually use that ring isn't sure, but it does have a certain clout when it comes to dealing with the Mafia," he said.

"Wait a minute…"

"Ah, now you're getting it aren't you, Haru?" Iemitsu smirked. "If I'd known you were a Lightning Flame and Nadeshiko's daughter when I was handing out the rings to start with, the Vongola Lightning Guardian might be a different person entirely now."

Haru shook her head. "Lambo is far more powerful than I am—or at least he will be based on what I've seen," she said.

"Yes, but he has a long way to go," Iemitsu said, "and you're going to need the influence that ring brings. He can reclaim it from you when he's learned enough."

"Hahi?" Haru gaped.

"Do I really need to spell it out for you?" Iemitsu asked. "Or do I need to give you the Ninth's written order?"

"Written order?" Haru squeaked.

"The one that names you as the Decimo's representative while Sawada Tsunayoshi is regrettably absent during the training phase of his education," Iemitsu said. "Of course it won't be official until Tsuna names you, but I'm sure he'll arrive at the correct conclusion before our flight departs. He's pretty dense, but he's got good instincts."

Haru was about to say something when her name echoed and she turned to see the moonlight splashing over Gokudera's silver hair. When she turned back to politely decline, Iemitsu Sawada was gone.

She clenched her hand around the lightning ring and stuffed it into her pocket; she'd return it to him later.

"What do you want?" Haru demanded.

"Do you know how stupid it is to go wandering off by yourself at this time of night?" Gokudera growled.

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Gokudera," Haru said. "I'm going to have to be, considering you're leaving. After all who will protect poor, helpless Haru while big bad Gokudera is gone?"

"Haru—"

"Shut up, Gokudera, I really don't want to talk to you right now," Haru stated and whirled away.

The hitman caught her arm and she nearly stumbled. "Let go of me," she ordered.

"Not until you hear me out," Gokudera said.

Haru glared up at him. "What is there to hear out, Gokudera?" she asked. "You're leaving me here in Namimori while you follow Tsuna back to Italy because you're his right hand man. You've wanted to go back to Italy this whole time anyway…"

"No, I haven't," Gokudera said. "I need you to listen to me Haru. I'm sorry; I should have told you before we met at the restaurant."

"You think?" Haru said. "Whatever gives you that impression? I mean it's perfectly fine to announce in front of the entire world that I'm not good enough for you to stay behind for."

"It's not like that, Haru," Gokudera said. "Judaime is going to need me in Italy. There's so much he doesn't know about what goes on there. The Mafia world there is a completely different level than the one here in Japan. He can get himself killed if he doesn't know when and where to step at the beginning. Fucking Xanxus is in Italy and if Tsuna doesn't have someone watching out for him, he could be killed. That doesn't even bring into play any of the other Mafia Families. Japan is a small country, Haru, only a fraction of the other Mafia Families even acknowledges its existence. I grew up in Italy; I know how it goes there. I can't keep Judaime safe from Japan and the baseball idiot and turf top wouldn't have a fucking clue where to step. If you want Judaime to live then I have to go with him."

"You don't have a whole lot of faith in him," Haru said.

"Wrong. I believe in Judaime to the very end. I don't have any faith in the other members of the Mafia," Gokudera said. "Give him a little while and he'll be able to watch out for himself, but until then he needs someone at his back."

"And after he can handle himself, you'll come back here?" Haru asked sweetly.

Gokudera shifted uncomfortably.

"I thought so," she said and yanked her arm out of his grasp. "I guess this is good-bye then."

"What?" Gokudera gasped.

"How long are you going to be in Italy, Gokudera?" Haru asked. "A year? Two? Maybe eight? Possibly ten? Or is it going to be twenty years? Are you ever going to come back?"

"I don't know," Gokudera said. "I'm sure Kudaime will send us back here at some point or summon the rest of the Famiglia from Japan…"

"But when?" Haru questioned.

"I love you, Haru," Gokudera blurted out, "but Tsuna is my Boss and I'm his right hand man."

"Even if I weren't pissed off at you to no end right now for keeping this from me, you'll be in Italy, Gokudera," Haru said quietly. "I love you too, but can we really make it work?"

"If you loved me enough we could," Gokudera stated.

"I love you to the ends of the earth and back, Gokudera," Haru said, "but, we're still teenagers even if we're living like adults."

"We'll never know until we try," Gokudera said.

Haru closed her eyes.

Fingers slipped into her hair and a thumb glided along her jaw, urging her head up.

"Look at me, Haru," Gokudera ordered.

Haru's eyes opened and she met the stormy green eyes of the boy she loved.

Gokudera's lips came down on hers and if she had half a brain cell, she would have shoved him away and told him to go to hell, but every objection died as the kiss deepened. Her hand moved up and tangled into the material of his sweater and she shifted closer.

Gokudera lifted his head after a long moment and Haru let herself settle back into the frosted ground. "I will come back," he promised. "It may not be as soon as either of us likes, but once things settle, we'll figure things out."

Haru let her head drop to Gokudera's chest and he pulled her in closer.

"What if it doesn't work?" she finally asked.

"I'll blow up that bridge when we come to it," Gokudera said. "There's e-mail, video conferencing, and phones at least. It's not like we won't be able to have contact at all. I know you can take care of yourself and you have Akai to watch your back for you…and probably the baseball idiot."

The last was said grudgingly and Haru couldn't help but giggle.

"It's not nice to laugh at a guy when he's spilling his guts to you, stupid woman," Gokudera scolded.

"I can't help it, Bakadera," Haru said—the name had a surge of affection behind it.

"I know you'll be fine, Haru," Gokudera said softly, fingers stroking through her hair and lightly down her back, making her shiver. "I'm not so sure about Judaime—especially not during the first year or so. Kyoko won't be there for him to protect and level him out. He's not as bad as Dino by any stretch of the imagination, but he needs someone there for him."

"I can still resent a little bit my boyfriend being taken from me," Haru grumbled.

#

The next morning after classes let out, Haru exited Midori Junior High to find the Tenth Vongola Boss leaning against the cherry tree like he had the first day of the school year what seemed like ages ago.

So much had changed since then.

Haru strode up to him and smoothed her finger down the furrow between his eyebrows. "You're supposed to wait almost ten years before that becomes a permanent fixture, Tsuna-san," she said.

Tsuna jumped at her words and gave her a weak smile. "Hello, Haru."

She dropped her hand. "What brings you here today?" she asked.

"Can I…talk to you?" he asked.

"You're my Boss, of course," Haru said.

Tsuna grimaced at her response. "I'm your friend first, Haru," he said.

"You face tells me you're not coming here as my friend," Haru said and grasped his wrist and tugged him into motion before letting it go.

Today Tsuna was wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie with the number twenty-seven on the back and front panel. Namimori Junior High had made attendance in the last remaining classes of the school year voluntary for the third years. Tsuna had been attending most of them to get in his last few days with Kyoko, but Haru could tell there was something else on his mind today.

"Did you already know Kyoko was going to Okinawa?" Tsuna asked her.

"I knew in July," Haru replied. "She didn't want to tell you until the end. It probably would have made the exam even harder for you if you'd known, don't you think?"

Tsuna scrubbed his hand through his hair and colored. "Maybe," he muttered.

"At least in Okinawa she'll be mostly safe," Haru said. "The Vongola presence down there isn't as big. It's more of a war zone for the Japanese Clans and the American Mob."

"That doesn't really make me feel better Haru," Tsuna scowled.

"They won't even know Kyoko has anything to do with the Vongola down there and the area where her parents are moving is quiet," Haru said. "I looked into it when I studied with Lady Tomi over winter break."

"You did?" Tsuna blinked in surprise.

"Yeah, she's my best friend you know," Haru said with a smile. "I'm not going to just let her situation go unassessed. Lady Tomi introduced me to a few agents down there so I can keep an ear to the ground in case of problems."

"Speaking of assessing situations…"

Haru managed to keep herself from tensing—this was probably it.

"Hmmm?" Haru prompted.

"You already know what I'm going to ask, don't you?" Tsuna stated.

"Say the words, Judaime," she said. "Then we'll see if we're thinking the same thing."

"I don't like doing this," Tsuna muttered. "You're a high school student; you shouldn't have to deal with this stuff."

"What stuff?" Haru asked.

"The Mafia, other Families, keeping an eye on things…" Tsuna trailed off. "My dad already talked to you, didn't he?"

"He mentioned a couple possibilities," Haru replied.

"If there was anyone else I could remotely trust, I wouldn't be asking this of you," Tsuna said.

"I know," she replied.

Tsuna stopped and took a deep breath. "Will you watch Namimori for me while I'm gone?" he blurted out.

Haru's footsteps paused and she turned around to look at the Vongola Decimo. That furrow was back again and she shook her head. "Ten years," she reminded him.

"Haru."

There was a touch of desperation in Tsuna's voice and Haru finally relented. "I've already been putting things into place on the chance you'd ask that," she said. "Of course I'll watch over Namimori for you. Gokudera watches after Judaime, I watch after Judaime's heart, right? And Namimori is close to your heart as is Kyoko and the others here."

"Are you sure?" Tsuna asked.

Haru watched him for a long moment. "You kind of want me to say no, don't you?"

"It's dangerous and you could get hurt and…" Tsuna trailed off.

"But if I don't more people will get hurt," Haru said. "It's okay."

"No it's not okay," Tsuna growled, "but I don't have a choice…"

Haru's hand settled on Tsuna's clenched fist and she squeezed it lightly. "Haru will do her best to be a proper Mafioso agent," she said, dropping into her old speech format.

"H-Haru…" Tsuna stuttered.

"More seriously, just leave it to me," Haru smiled and gave him a thumbs up. "I've got this."

Tsuna shivered. "Somehow or another that doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence, Haru…"

She giggled and then sobered. "If you didn't trust me to do this, you wouldn't have asked, would you, Judaime?"

Tsuna sighed, Haru only called him Judaime now when she was being her dead serious mafia hitman self. "You're right, of course," he said.

"Then have a little faith in your instincts and your Inner Circle," Haru smiled. "Would you like to go get some ramen? My treat. You'll be leaving soon won't you?"

"In a week," Tsuna said.

"That soon?" Haru's voice dropped to a near whisper.

"Do you want me to tell Gokudera to stay behind?" Tsuna asked her.

Haru shook her head. "No, you need him."

"What about you?" Tsuna asked.

"There's e-mail…voice conferencing…phone calls…"

Haru's voice caught a bit on the last words and she shook her head furiously to dispel the tears that were trying to come. She had to reassure Tsuna right now.

"Let's go have cake," she beamed.

"I thought we were going for ramen," Tsuna said.

"Cake is always better," Haru said firmly.