I feel so touched you guys liked this you know that? TT^TT I feel like a proud mother! LOL
Domino-san... I am so...so... 8D I feel happy that you had taken a liking to my story and by all means (not exactly XD) you can do what you want :3 but credit of the story is all mine (o3o) I'm really curious as how you imagine the characters to look like :D
Anyway I am so sorry for not updating before. Very very busy you see DX
Cristoforo was unhappy about the incident yesterday. Word has it that his men, a hundred to be precise, was taken down by only three people. Not only that, to humiliate the Eskebanza Family further, said people were children. Cristoforo scoffed at it at first but then he had gotten information that these children were extraordinarily strong for their age and the most interesting thing about them was that they look exactly alike with Vongola Primo's family. Now that caught his attention. As far as he knows no other family had known about this... yet. He poured wine to his glass and gulped it all down. Licking his lips he scowled darkly. Now what can he do to eliminate those pesky brats?
As if his question was answered, somebody knocked softly against the door. A skinny man opened it and bowed repectively.
"Boss, he's here." Ah yes... hopefully they would do something better than terrorize villages and towns. A man, covered with black all over complete with a black hat to cover his face and a worn out cloak, stepped inside the room with a breifcase in hand. The skinny man made one more bow before leaving them to their privacy.
Cristoforo tapped his fingers together. "Well what is it? Another suicide mission for my men to bait themselves against the Vongola? Cant you give something better than that?" he said. The Eskebanza family had enough of these! The man took off his hat and revealed blood-shot eyes staring at him. Cristoforo slightly flinched under his gaze but did not waver. "Actually, we do have something else to have you to do." the man said, his voice deep but hoarse, as if he hadn't talked for a long time and his voice box had actually rusted.
The boss' eyes narrowed curiously. "And what would that be?"
The man smiled and showed perfectly white teeth, no cavities, no nothing. Opening the breifcase he took out some papers and scattered them all over the desk. Cristoforo stared at him suspiciously before leaning forward to see the photos that were with the personal information. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"These are..." he stuttered. These were those brats that were described in the report, the ones who humiliated his family.
"Interested?"
"What do you need them for?"
The man snorted, as if it was the most stupidest thing to ask. "You know why... just keep those pesky Vongola guardians at bay."
Cristoforo looked directly at Tsuna's black and white picture and crumpled it. "Deadline?"
"Three weeks time."
~ Two weeks afterwards, Vongola Famiglia ~
Tsuna and the others had finally settled down but it was already their second week and no lead. Nothing... and because of that they had grown restless. Gokudera kept going in and out of the library, hoping to find something useful for their search. Problem was... they didn't even know who the arcobaleno are and Tsuna wanted to avoid asking Pri-er... Dad. Mukuro offered once to try and hypnotize him but Tsuna knew that woudn't work... besides, being kids, Mukuro could almost get away with anything. Most of them spent their days in the library, or in the servants quarters, hoping to find what they were looking for.
This didn't go unnoticed though.
The guardians were finished with their meeting and were preparing to leave until Lampo had brought up that Lambo keeps following him around. At first they thought that the kid was admiring Lampo but the way Lambo kept following him with a bored look told otherwise... then they started to notice that all of them were being followed, save Alaude and Deamon. Whenever Giotto was being followed by Tsuna who would always have this guilty look on his face, as if he was scared to say something.
They talked about it for a while and Deamon came up with a solution.
"Oh no... we are not sending them to school!" G argued with him. "Like it or not G, your little youngling is a real brainiac." Deamon said.
"Brainiac?" G repeated, confused. As much as Giotto didn't want to admit it to G... but Gokudera was a genuis; he's seen him reading the largest books in the library that are way to thick for even himself and Gokudera always wear his glasses when he's thinking, which amplified their assumption.
"Nufufufu~ how sad for G... to be outwitted by a ten-year old..." Deamon chuckled. G was going to retort until Lampo interrupted, "I agree with Deamon, let's send them to boarding school."
"Oh come now Lampo, they're not that bad..." Asari said gently but Lampo just crossed his arms and looked away. Truthfully, he found Lambo annoying since his fellow guardians like him better. Pfft... what did that kid have that he didn't? He had to admit though... the kid was a coward like him and that he found comfort in.
Deamon curled his lips back distastefuly. He didn't like Lampo that much but it was the best chance he had of getting rid of those brats, not without killing them of course. If only the others would agree though...
"If we send them away to a school that does not know about the Vongola then that's fine isn't it? They're safe from the mafia, they get privileges that orphans don't usually get and as a bonus..." his eyes glinted when Giotto looked uncertain "they will have a normal life... away from danger." That did it, Giotto was tempted now. G wasn't convinced though.
"No. I have a better idea." he said calmly, as he knows what Deamon's true intention was, besides, when did Deamon ever actually cared for the benefit of the kids? G turned to Asari. "Do you remember the school when we had to do a job in the north?"
"The one that was under the protection of one of Vongola's allied families?" Asari said, surprised that G was bringing this up. He never thought he would see the day when the proud G, right hand man of Vongola Primo, had insisted of sending the kids to where that man is. The look in G's eyes convinced him though, even though he didn't like the guy, that family was a great ally to the Vongola. Asari smiled,
"Could it be you want to protect the children?" he said, pointing out in the word 'children' meant little Hayato Gokudera. G blushed. Like hell he liked that kid! It was annoying to see the brat be so attached to the young brunnette... it... it... ARGG!
"I am compassionate you flute-blowing freak..." G snapped. Asari smiled all the more. G, frustrated, turned to Giotto. "They'll be safe there as well, and we can still watch over them Giotto. We don't have to send them to a boarding school without protection, they'll be under surveillance! He'll protect them!"
"I'm not sure G... I don't want Tsuna to be involved in the mafia any longer... they're just kids."
"Whether you like it or not, some scout might see them! We can't hide that fact Giotto, those kids will still be in danger! What if the family that Tsuna left decided to hunt him down? What then?"
The look on Giotto's face paled slightly after hearing that possibility, G and Asari sighed in relief. Good. Deamon scowled. Giotto couldn't do that, after these past few days he just couldn't leave the boy alone but now... He felt a tug in his gut telling him that Tsuna was supposed to be somewhere else... he didn't want to let go yet just when they we're getting closer. Now, not only was it his stomach telling to say yes, but his hyper intuition also. "Then I have decided... everyone else?"
"They are extremely bright..." Knuckle murmured and nodded approvingly. The only one who didn't look happy was Alaude, minus Deamon. Truthfully, all of them were somewhat bonding in their own way. Even though it didn't seem like it but Giotto saw merry in Hibari and Alaude's sparring and that was something. Alaude looked at him and he returned with a rather sad yet encouraging smile. He nodded.
Giotto turned to G, "G, file the papers for them to be off-"
"Tomorrow." Deamon said. It was better for those brats to be gone soon. It was too bad he couldn't kill the redhead without having Giotto's wrath inflicted on him. G turned to leave. Deamon saw his lips tug into a smirk for a moment and scowled darkly. G... damn him.
~ Vongola Famiglia ~
"Leonard-san... is it really true?" Tsuna asked.
They were all sitting on the floor in the library around the old man with a glum expression on his face. The old man, was the head butler in the Vongola Family and here, Tsuna had made friends with. Leonardo was old, his ashen white hair showed that but his eyes were a stormy grey full of wisdom and power. Tsuna feared him at first the first time they were home schooled but after that... how can he describe him? Cool. That's the word.
"I'm afraid it is young masters... and young miss." he said. Chrome smiled a little.
The others looked a bit glum with the news except for Gokudera; his arms were crossed and there was a dark look on his face. "Stupid G..." he muttered.
"You shouldn't blame master G now," Even though he was old his hearing was sharp as ever. Gokudera glared at him. Leonardo smiled.
"It was actually master Deamon who suggested sending you away to some foreign school." he said, his jaw set, his expression stern.
Gokudera's "I hate stupid G look" fell off right away replaced by "Deamon is such a douchebag" look.
"Kufufufu~ that's not surprising that he's trying to get rid of us." Mukuro said. Tsuna nodded, just last week the kitchen blew up and Deamon had blamed it on them. They were there at the time, but they didn't really caused it... it was the fault of some alley cat who knocked off some flour on top of the shelf and straight down a flaying pan. The cook was unharmed, thanks to Yamamoto's quick thinking. He had Kojiro rain down invisible rain flames above the man just before it exploded.
Course no one believed him, so Deamon was left to curse their existence. Mukuro loved it so much when he saw the rest of the guardians gang up on him, Alaude included.
"So we have to go this extreme school?" Ryohei asked. Leonardo nodded. "This school was suggested by master G and master Asari, it belongs or rather, owned by an ally of the Vongola."
"If it's uncle's pick then it must be good." Yamamoto said. He started calling Asari 'Uncle' after a week.
Leonardo smiled approvingly.
"It's three days right?" Lambo asked.
"It is young master Lambo."
"If it's so far why only three days, shouldn't it be like a week?"
"You'll see." the old man's eyes twinkled. They gulped and Lambo already understood the next day.
~ The day of departure ~
Lampo was holding his mouth as the carriage went up and down on the bumpy road. Dawn was arriving quickly as they passed through fields.
"OI CAN YOU SLOW IT DOWN?" Gokudera shouted.
"No can do. Head butler made clear see that I take you to Enovallac Academy in tree days or else I'll scraping horse dung for weeks!" Mitchel said, their coachman.
"I wish we had Lorenze instead..." Tsuna groaned. Lorenze was the private coachman of Alaude. Sadly though, Lorenze had to drive ahead of them and had already gone. It was strange but no matter. Ryohei and Yamamoto was amazing though. Tsuna stared at them enviously. Ryohei was snoring, leaning against the door while Yamamoto was sleeping soundly, unfazed by Ryohei's snores. Chrome and Mukuro came prepared for this and had covered their ears, now sleeping while the carriage jumped every now and then.
Tsuna wished he could sleep this through but he was just so nervous. The day before they went to bed, Giotto and him talked, it was short though. He can still remember the conversation they had...
"This school..."
"Don't worry Tsuna, you'll be safe there and you might meet some new friends!"
"But..."
"We'll come and visit you after a week okay? You can tell me all that happened and if you don't like it, we'll take you back alright?" This wasn't exactly true but Giotto would do that if ever anyone would come after the kids they would pull them out immediately.
"But..."
"Goodnight Tsuna."
"Goodnight dad." After Giotto left Tsuna felt rather guilty, was it a really good choice to stay with them? They did cause a lot of trouble... there was a soft knock and Tsuna looked up.
"Come in."
Well that was a pretty good way to send him off to bed. Vongola Primo seemed... withdrawn as if something was bothering him. It was nice for Leonardo and Alaude to see them off though. He hoped the cloud guardian kept his word...
He sighed and glanced at his friends. Gokudera was too tired to even shout anymore and his head was bobbing up and down. Lambo was much worse, he was clutching his stomach and every time the they hit a rock or something his face turned greener than Lampo's hair. Tsuna smiled a small smile. At least Hibari was comfy... on top of the carriage. Lucky him he needed twelve hours of sleep per day. That might sound rude but Tsuna couldn't explain why he can sleep almost anytime.
He sighed and closed his eyes. Try... try to get some sleep at least. Their plans might be slightly ruined but now that they were in the open... they might be able to search freely.
...
"What do you mean they're gone!" Giotto said in a panicked tone.
Leonardo blinked innocently. "Why master Primo, their departure is today is it not?"
"But we haven't even said goodbye or anything!" Asari said. There was a box in his hand, a gift for Yamamoto.
"Who gave the order to send them before we even woke up?" G asked threateningly.
"What's wrong young master?" Leonardo asked.
Tsuna looked down. "Leonardo-san... are we...not wanted around here?" he asked in a small voice.
"I can assure you young master that you are wanted here."
"Then why is it that Dad seems like he's eager to get rid of us?"
"He's not young master," he reassured him. "It just seems good to send you to school."
Tsuna muttered something under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing... but can I ask something?"
"What is it young master?"
Tsuna took a deep breath and looked at him pleadingly. "Can you ask Hibari-san to come here and please..."
Giotto's mouth hung open. "Tsuna gave you the order?"
Leonardo nodded while wiping his glasses. "Yes well the young master seemed disturbed that he and his friends had imposed too much on your hospitality it seems." his storm grey eyes flashed dangerously. The guardians flinched except for Alaude, who was just standing by the corner.
"I...we..." Giotto was at loss for words.
"We? Don't you mean you? He's your responsibility." G said. Giotto looked down. Now that he mentioned it, last night it seemed like he was too eager to send them away.
"I should say the same for you master G and everyone else, acting all so awkward around children after your meeting... not even a glance at them!" he scolded them.
Well it wasn't their fault! They were making preparations! "Didn't even ask for their consent..." Leonardo went on.
Lampo looked down on his feet. Getting scolded by an Leonardo always had this effect... guilt.
G crossed his arms and scowled.
"I should pray for their safe travel..." Knuckle said and bowed his head, muttering a short prayer under his breath. Giotto's head snapped up.
"Are they safe Leonardo?"
"Don't worry master I had planned this out with master Alaude..."
"Alaude?" they looked at him, surprised but the old man ignored them and went on, "If ever we had sent out Lorenze first with several of my attendants as bait. Now you know his reputation do you?" they nodded. "So for their coachman, and surprisingly this was suggested by young Master Hibari, was Mitchel de Angelo."
G's jaw almost dropped to the floor. "Are you kidding me? The guy is seventeen years old and his driving skills are... are..." he was breathing heavily now. Asari patted him in the back. G shook his head, calming himself he said, "god knows what but he would drive them over the cliff!"
Leonardo raised his hand. "That may be true but young master Hibari seemed to have found him useful. Certainly he is reckless but if they were chased he would shake them off the trail, other than that he normally works in the stables and does minor jobs. I haven't noticed it till now but the young master saw it through. No one would suspect him."
There was doubt on their faces but they shook it off.
"I just hope they'll get there safely." Giotto said.
"Now, would you all please leave the kitchen? I have matters to attend to." True, he was wearing an apron while holding a bowl and a whisk. "Goodness, while Frederick is on the mend I'll be busy with the meals... now go!" then he shooed them away.
They stood out in the hallway in awkward silence. Alaude was walking away when Giotto called out,
"Alaude!" he turned.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Alaude gave them a smug look. "I was asked to."
"By who?" G demanded.
"Little Sawada Tsunayoshi. I was there before they left." Then he turned around and went down the corridor, leaving Giotto gawking.
"Giotto?" Knuckle shook his shoulder.
"Did I make the right choice?" Giotto asked.
They didn't answer him. "Let's go eat breakfast now shall we?" Asari said after a while. "One week will pass and soon we'll be seeing them again."
"I bet Tsuna wouldn't want to see me." Giotto muttered dejectedly. G slapped him hard on the back.
"Ow! G!"
"Let's go eat. I'm sure the kid did it for good intention, you two can talk about it next week so stop looking like that."
Giotto smiled. Oh G... he should get something nice for his birthday.
"Or else you'll never make it through the paper work."
Giotto lost his smile, replaced by a scowl. Forget the present, he'll get him a new pen. He walked ahead, feeling slightly better.
"Did I say something wrong?" he heard G asked and smiled. His other guardians chuckled.
"Nothing G."
"Lampo-sama thinks that G would never get that new revolver he always wanted."
Sorry guys for the late update D: My laptop's screen is cracked DX
Anyway, in the future, when I'm done with this, I'll write a new fanfic, where it shows what the tenth and first generations did during the 2 weeks they spent together :3
Leonardo might seem like a fussy and loving grandpa here but I assure you guys there is more than meets the eye for the Vongola servants 8D