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Act I
Scene II
~X~
"Here"
The Vongola Storm Guardian looked up from his paperwork and eyed the black bento box placed before him, "What's this?" he questioned.
His sister scoffed, "Your dinner," she adjusted her goggles, "Masako made it for you."
Gokudera pursed his lips, "She didn't have it," he replied, "I could've just picked something up from the kitchen downstairs."
"She's your wife, Hayato," Bianchi reminded, "At least show her some compassion."
Pausing to tidy up his desk, the twenty-two year old sighed, "I know, I know," he muttered, quickly clipping together a series of documents.
The poisonous scorpion pulled a smile, "And go home as well," she urged, "You can't always leave her alone in that massive villa."
"Tomorrow," Gokudera scolded back, carefully taking off the lid to the bento box, "After the meeting."
An assortment of delicacies appeared in front of the Storm Guardian's emerald eyes. From a selection of nicely fried tempuras to delicate hand-made dumplings and finished off with rice and miso soup, this set of dinner could not be rejected by anybody.
"I'll let Masako know," Bianchi insisted, "She'll be pleased-"
A gentle knock on his office door forced Gokudera to look up, "Who is it?"
"Alberto, sir," a muffled voice answered.
"Come in."
Picking up a pair of dark wooden chopsticks as the door swung open, Gokudera watched as Alberto, a twenty-year old university drop out entered into his office. Recently assigned to work under the Storm Guardian, this young subordinate held handsome features with sandy-brown hair, watery-blue eyes and traditional Italian olive skin. Intelligent and sharp, this twenty-year old was the ace of his aerospace engineering course before dropping out to join Italy's most powerful mafia family.
"Sir," he bowed before turning to Bianchi and doing the same, "Ma'am."
His boss gave a nonchalant wave of his free hand, "What is it, Alberto?"
Looking up, Alberto pulled out a folder he had tucked comfortably under his arm and opened it, "All three of the Lusardi, Magnotti and Pizzano families have confirmed their attendance for the meeting tomorrow," he informed, "The external advisors are also sending out Master Basil as their representative."
Gokudera nodded, "Anything else?"
Alberto closed his folder, "The captain of the security team have also verified that all cameras have been installed around the mansion," he paused, "Expect for the west wing."
He felt his boss's eyes flicker, "Why not the west wing?" the storm guardian questioned, "That's where Juudaime's office is."
"According to the captain, the wire of the camera is too short and won't reach the roof," the twenty-year old explained, "Installing anything there is simply impossible."
Bianchi turned her head slightly towards her younger brother. Seeing a small smirk develop on the storm guardian's lips, Bianchi remained quiet and merely twitched her mouth upwards.
"I want to visit the security team and see what's going on myself," Gokudera announced, placing his chopsticks back against the bento box before standing up, "Alberto, lead the way."
His subordinate blinked awkwardly, "Y-Yes sir."
As the two left and the office door was shut with a gentle click, Bianchi sighed at the empty room and turned to face the desk that was just occupied. Staring down amongst the sea of paperwork, the poisonous scorpion could only smile at the now empty bento box.
~X~
Leaning against her soft silky pillow, Masako stared up at the cream-colored ceiling. A fan slowly spun around, bringing in the scent of the nearby ocean. Lifting up her left hand, Masako stretched out her arm and stared at the silver band wrapped around her finger. Under the moonlight, a delicate diamond gleamed back.
Dropping her arm and turning to the side, a pair of hazel-green eyes slid close. Hoping that the calm sound of the ocean would draw her to sleep, Masako prayed that the morning would come soon. Yet, despite having a warm Italian night surrounding her, the king sized bed still seemed rather cold and isolated.
With no hope of falling asleep, Masako opened her eyes and sat up. Turning to face the window next to the bed, the twenty-two year old sighed and tucked in her legs and huddled against the headboard. Outside, the ocean rolled on- the light belonging to distant ships dotted about.
A gentle breeze blew through the open window, rustling the silk curtains and blowing through the thin white canopy that hung around the bed. Resting her head against the wooden headboard, Masako wondered if every night was going to be this long and this lonely. She certainly didn't hope so.
~X~
"Sir! Sir!"
Gabriel Fache, the fifty-two year old Captain of Vongola's Security Team, gave a weary rub of his eyes when one of his subordinates came rushing through the door. Glancing at the alarm clock that sat on his desk, the captain scoffed at the interruption- it was half past twelve in the morning for goodness sakes!
"Can't you see I'm trying to sleep here?" he frowned.
His subordinate ignored him, "Captain!" the young boy cried in between breaths, "The Storm Guardian is coming!"
For a brief second there, Fache couldn't believe he's ears. No Vongola Guardian has ever visited the security department in flesh and bone. Higher ranked officials usually had their subordinates pass orders and notes down into department without ever having to step foot into this very office.
"A-Are you pulling my leg?" Fache accused, "This is a joke-"
"Captain."
Hearing a new voice enter his office, Fache looked up like a lost puppy. Standing in the doorway was Vongola's Storm Guardian and Decimo's right-hand man. Followed by one of his own subordinates, Gokudera took a step into Vongola's security division.
"S-Sir!" Fache shot out of his seat and bowed.
Gokudera waved it off, "No need, Captain," he assured, "I've only come to ask a few questions."
"Yes sir," the security commander stood up, "What can I help you with?"
Taking a slow glance around the workroom, the storm guardian eyed all the various plasma TV screens and computers that were installed. Every monitor displayed a different part of the mansion- from luxurious bedrooms to the servant's quarters.
"The west wing," Gokudera turned back to face the captain, "What's happening there?"
Fache gulped silently, "We can't install anything there, sir," he replied, moving towards a table where a map of the Vongola Mansion was spread out, "The building is too high and the camera wires are too short."
"I can see that," the storm grumbled back, "Is there nothing else we can do in the west wing?"
The security captain pressed his lips together, "Unfortunately not sir," he breathed, lowering his head.
A lengthy pause flowed between the two men, and Fache could've sworn he felt the storm guardian's eyes search every inch of him. A minute or so later, Gokudera sighed and made his way to the exit.
"Captain Fache," he turned his head around, "There's still some final touches need to be made for tomorrow's meeting. Would you mind coming up to my office to review the plan?"
Standing straight as a stick, Fache gave a firm nod, "Yes sir!"
"Alberto, see that the captain here comes to office in a few minutes."
With that said, the security commander watched with relief as the storm guardian strolled out of his headquarters and disappeared down the corridor.
~X~
The clock just struck one in the morning when Alberto opened the door to his boss's office. Leaning against his oak desk, Gokudera took one last drag of his cigarette before taking it out of his mouth and stomping it into the ashtray next to him. He nodded at his subordinate and Alberto quickly exited the door. A second later, Captain Fache appeared and was ushered into the office.
"Sir," he bowed
Gesturing for the captain to sit down, Gokudera stood up, "Can I get you something to drink?" he made his way towards a glass cabinet, "Bourbon?"
The older male blinked at the offer, but nonetheless replied, "Y-Yes, thank you sir."
Carefully pouring the honey-golden liquor into a cooled glass cup, the storm guardian offered a small smirk as Fache took the drink from his hand. Turning back to his desk, Gokudera regained his original positioned and eyed the man sitting before him.
"Captain Fache," he began, reaching into his blazer pocket, "How long have you been working for the Vongola?"
Fache looked up, "Over thirty years sir," he answered, "I started after leaving my previous job."
Gokudera gave a nod, "Wife and kids?"
"Two girls," he replied, "One just got accepted into university," Fache paused for a brief second, "Sir, I thought this was about tomorrow's meeting?"
Ignoring the commander's question, the storm guardian pulled out a white envelope, "Since you've been with the Vongola for so long, Captain Fache," he remarked, "I believe you'd know the laws for working with us."
Fache gulped and began to sweat, "Most definitely sir," he quivered
"Well, in that case," Gokudera opened the envelope and pulled out a series of photos, "You should know that this is strictly forbidden."
Leaning over to glance at the photos that were spread out across the coffee table, Fache felt his breath hitch and eyes bulge. Suddenly, his bourbon didn't taste nice anymore.
"I-I, this-" he sputtered, "I don't know what's-"
The storm guardian frowned, he wasn't in the mood to deal with this. Pulling out the remaining few photos left in the envelope, Gokudera threw them onto the table. Seeing the new set of image appear before his eyes, the security captain immediately paled and began to shake like a lost dog.
"So then, Captain Fache," Gokudera began, "Who bribed you?"
-End of Scene II-
~X~
A/N: Reviews are much appreciated!