To my reviewers, followers and favoriters:

Riomi-senpai: Thank you! I think Masako is suited for the rain flame as well- she doesn't argue much does she? I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!

ABookWormForLife: Thank you for following and favoriting this story!

Skylight96: Thank you for following and favoriting this story!

Act I

Scene V

~X~

The interrogations rooms where hidden beneath the Vongola Mansion and protected from the outside world. To ensure that only some authorized personal were able to enter, a special lift was designed to take some of Vongola's most important figures down into the basement in secrecy. Yet, as the lift stopped this morning and the metal doors slid open, the storm guardian found himself staring at a team of men dotting about the chilly corridors.

"Sir!" the men all turned and bowed.

Gokudera blinked before a door down the hallway click open. Stepping out of the interrogation room, the rain guardian turned just in time to see his co-worker pull a disapproving frown at him. Nevertheless, Yamamoto lifted a hand and waved.

"Yo Gokudera!" he greeted with a grin.

The storm guardian's frown deepened, "What're you doing, baseball idiot?" he grumbled and approached Yamamoto, "Your men shouldn't be down here."

Yamamoto laughed, "I know, I know," he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "But for protections sake I pulled them into the elevator with me."

"Che, you need to pay more attention to the rules," Gokudera argued back.

The rain guardian's laugh merely loudened, "You're always so strict, Gokudera," he chuckled before pausing, "But you broke the rules as well."

His co-worker flashed a dangerous look, "What was that?"

"Well," Yamamoto turned to smile at the figure standing behind Gokudera, "You shouldn't really bring your wife down here."

"Wha-" the storm guardian stopped and flipped his head to the side.

Masako, who had been obediently quiet all this time- stared back at her husband, "What is it?"

Gokudera gapped, "Women!" he shrieked, "How did you get in here!"

The latter gave a nonchalant shrug, "I followed you into the lift," she replied, "You didn't notice me."

"That's not allowed!" the storm guardian yelled

"I'm not allowed to follow you?"

Gokudera glared with annoyance in his green eyes. His wife on the other hand, returned the harsh look with a rather playful smile. Sensing that Masako was toying with his emotions, Gokudera turned back around and scowled.

"We'll send Masako back up when one of us leaves," the rain guardian ushered, "In the mean time, she might as well stay here with us."

"Goddammit," Masako watched as her husband flashed a sour look, "Behave yourself, women."

~X~

Further north of Sicily, in the tangible but fascinating city of Palermo, the thirty-year-old Don Cavallone heaved a sigh as he placed the phone back against the receiver. Standing up, he stuffed his hands into the pockets of the green khaki pants that he wore. Beyond the French windows of his office, sunshine fell down onto the spring gardens that surrounded the Cavallone Mansion.

"That was from Tsuna's private secretary," Dino announced, "The Vongola wants to hold a meeting with the Cavallone Family."

Sitting on the leather couch behind him, the Sun Arcobaleno took a quiet slip of his espresso, "Ah," he agreed, "I got the same message from one of Gokudera's subordinates."

The thirty year-old turned around, "Did something happen to the Vongola?" he demanded.

Reborn peered through his fedora, "I'm uncertain myself," he insisted, "But from what I've heard around the mafia, the Bortolotti-Rosso Family has been poking their nose around Sicily."

"Bortolotti-Rosso?" the Cavallone boss echoed, "They have nothing to do with the Vongola."

The Arcobaleno hummed, "Perhaps so," he encouraged, "But don't forget that the Bortolotti-Rosso holds an alliance with the Cavallone Family."

Dino paused to look at his ex-tutor, "You think that Tsuna suspects this has something to do with me?"

Reborn doesn't reply, but his student already knew the answer. In this world, loyalty outweighs money. One may hold wealth, own villas, cars and women- but without alliances and others to trust on, one family may cease to function and crumble immensely.

"Romario."

The door to the Don's office opened and in walked Dino's most reliable subordinate. He gave both the Arcobaleno and the Cavallone boss a firm respective nod.

"Boss."

Dino turned to face him, "Call the Vongola Secretary Office," he ordered, "I want the meeting to be at an earlier date."

His subordinate tipped his head, "Yes boss," Romario accepted, "Which date would you prefer?"

"I want my private jet on the runway in forty-eight hours," the Don instructed, "We're going East- to Catania."

Romario couldn't help but to smirk, "Yes boss."

~X~

"We've practically tried everything, Gokudera," the rain guardian huffed and crossed his arms, "But she's refused to answer any of our questions."

Standing behind the window that looked into the interrogation room, Gokudera scoffed, "What an irritating women," he muttered before sliding his eyes to the side, "Is there any good in keeping her?"

Yamamoto frowned, "She speaks Japanese really well," he answered, "Quiet surprising for an Italian women."

"I didn't mean good in that kind of way," the storm argued back.

Chuckles were heard, "Sorry, " the rain guardian ushered before pulling a more serious tone, "But considering that she's keeping her mouth shut, then I won't say she's too useful."

Both guardians fell silent. Masako on the other hand, lifted her head from the cup of coffee she was just offered, "You two are so harsh."

Gokudera whipped his head around, "Shut it women," he chided, "I told you to behave."

Masako ignored him, "She said she'll talk to a lawyer right?" she reconciled, "Then get her one."

"The Vongola Legal Department has no times for the likes of her," the storm guardian bickered, "They have more important things to deal with than a normal civilian wife."

His wife didn't look too pleased, "But if you want her to talk, then-"

"I see Masako's point on this one," Yamamoto cut in

"Oi baseball idiot-"

The rain guardian glanced at his co-worker, "If we get her a lawyer, then she'll talk."

Gokudera's brows furrowed even more, "And where're going to find a lawyer?" he challenged, "Like I said, the legal-"

"I can go."

The duo turned around.

"Don't be ridiculous," the storm gave a mocking chortle, "You can't."

Masako handed her coffee to one of the rain's subordinates standing nearby, "I don't see why not."

Women. She felt her husband glare. You don't understand a thing about the law in this world.

Choosing to ignore the warning look Gokudera flashed, Masako took a step towards the door. She turned to the rain guardian, "Yamamoto-kun," she gestured at the doorknob, "Could you please unlock this."

"Yamamoto," Gokudera hissed and pulled a dark look, "Don't you dare."

Glancing between the storm guardian and his wife, Yamamoto adjusted his sword before reaching into his breast-pocket and pulling out a small card. Seeing the key, Gokudera dropped his mouth to yell an insult- but was already too late when a small beep was heard, and the door leading into the interrogation room clicked open.

"Well then," Masako managed a smile, "I hope you'll be listening, Hayato."

Rosetta Fache, at the age of fifty-two, glanced up as the door to the sealed room was pushed open. Expecting to find a poker-faced interrogator to walk in, the fifty-two year old Italian women was caught by surprise when a warm smile greeted her instead.

"Fache-san," the figure spoke Japanese, "It's nice to meet you."

The elder women blinked. She scanned her eyes up and down the girl standing before her. Jeans, T-shirt and a sweater- no fancy hairdos, no dazzling jewels and no heavy makeup. She did not look like any of the women who belonged to the mafia, yet alone the most powerful family in Italy.

"I'm just wanting to have a quick talk today," the figure spoke again, this time pulling out a chair from the opposing side and sitting down, "I hope you'd share with me your story."

Rosetta stared, "Who are you?"

Despite the heavy Italian accent behind her Japanese, Masako's smile widened after hearing the language that was native for her, "It doesn't matter who I am," she replied, "I'm just here to help you."

"I don't need your help."

The latter paused, "That's not really an option now," Masako announced, "We need your help in finding your husband, and in return, you need our help to set you free."

Studying the gentle face sitting before her, the Italian women opened her mouth to argue back- but closed it when no words came out. Masako on the other hand, seized this opportunity to press the matter forward.

"I assure you, Fache-san," she urged, "We won't hurt you."

Rosetta laughed and tossed back her thinning brown hair. She mumbled a phrase in Italian before adverting her watery-blue eyes back onto the storm guardian's wife. She watched Masako with cautious eyes- like a hawk watching it's prey.

"Tell me girl," she began, "Why did you join the mafia?"

Masako's smile returned, "I'm not part of the mafia," she insisted, "I'm just helping out for the day."

The Italian women dipped her head and chuckled, "That's impossible," her voice grew small, but was still audible, "There's no such thing as helping the mafia, you're in the game or you're not."

Placing her weak hands onto the table, Rosetta slowly supported herself to stand up. She was getting old- and during the change over between summer and autumn, her bones groaned and her muscles ached. Nevertheless, she stood and held her posture.

"I didn't know that my husband was part of the mafia until our twentieth anniversary," Rosetta spoke, "Before then I always thought that he ran a printing business," her eyes drifted onto window nearly, "But goodness was I wrong."

Masako 's eyes trailed after the older women and turned her head just in time to catch Rosetta's reflection in the window. Yet, beyond the thick glass- Masako knew exactly what expression her husband would be pulling right now. That frown, the ever so famous Gokudera frown was cemented into her head.

"This world is not an easy place to live in," the Italian spun around, "Let me tell you something girl- you can't change the mafia, the mafia only changes you."

With that said, Rosetta lifted her head and stared at the blank ceiling. Feeling the blinding white lights burn into her eyes, the Italian women uttered a phrase of Italian before giving a final sigh and reaching into her coat pocket.

"Fache-san! No!"

Masako jumped onto her feet and screamed. She shot an arm forward, hoping to stop the Italian women. But Rosetta seemed not to hear her. She placed the gun in her mouth and pulled the trigger.

~X~

Upstairs in Vongola Decimo's office, Sawada Tsunayoshi once again began pacing back and forth around the room. Chrome Dokuro, the twenty-one year old Mist Guardian stood in the corner of the window and watched with her one eye as her boss marched around his office. Despite being one of Vongola Decimo's Guardians, Chrome was known to be rather quiet and talked very little to anyone. With her sole provider still imprisoned in the depths of Vendicare Prison, the twenty-one year old Mist Guardian could only clutch onto her trident and pray that nothing will happen to Rokudo Mukuro.

"Decimo sir," a quiet tap was heard on the oak door before it was opened.

The Vongola boss turned around to see his personal butler standing in the doorway, "Your storm and rain guardians have arrived."

"Let them in."

The butler gave a curt nod and stepped aside. A second later, Yamamoto and Gokudera both appeared in the Don's office. The duo bowed, but Tsuna waved them through with a kind smile.

"Gokudera-kun, Yamamoto," he greeted, "What is the situation? Has Fache's wife spoken?"

His right-hand man looked grim, "Juudaime," the storm guardian lowered his head, "Fache's wife committed suicide."

The Don blinked, "What?"

"She shot herself in the head, Tsuna," Yamamoto added, "We couldn't stop her."

Standing in the corner of the room, Chrome released a small grasp. The three men turned to her, but she kept quiet and looked away. Tsuna glanced back at his two guardians and softly frowned.

"How did this happen?" he demanded, "Which interrogator spoke to her?"

Gokudera felt like kicking himself, "It was Masako, Juudaime," he answered, "Since no one else could get her to speak, Masako offered to step in."

"Masako-san?" the Vongola boss echoed, "Your wife?"

The storm guardian dropped to his knees, "I apologize for this Juudaime," Gokudera bowed until his head was touching the office's rich carpet, "I accidentally took Masako down into the interrogation rooms."

Yamamoto watched helplessly as his co-guardian was basically hitting his head against the floor- begging the Vongola Don for forgiveness. Seeing the storm guardian like this, Yamamoto felt guilty as well. After all, it was him who had ignored Gokudera's warnings and foolishly allowed a civilian women to enter one of the most restricted areas of the Vongola Mansion.

Tsuna quickly stepped forward, "Gokudera-kun," he bent down and took hold of the right-hand man's arm, "It's alright."

"Juudaime, I-"

Helping the storm guardian stand up, the boss offered a warm smile, "No need to blame yourself," Tsuna ushered before turning to the rain guardian, "You too, Yamamoto."

Both subordinate stared at the boss with wide eyes, "But Tsuna-" Yamamoto protested, "We have no lead on Fache anymore."

The boss shook his head, "We just got word from the Cavallone Family," he declared, "Dino-san and Reborn has pulled up the meeting date."

"That Bucking Horse is actually coming?" Gokudera huffed.

Decimo gave a comforting nod before turning to his right-hand man, "Don't worry about it, Gokudera-kun," he assured, "Just look after Masako-san for now, I'm sure she's stressed after this morning."

The storm guardian frowned, "I've already called my sister," he muttered, "She should be here soon."

"But you should at least still check up on her," Tsuna urged back, giving his subordinate a pat on the shoulder.

"That's right, Gokudera," the rain guardian grinned back, "You need to look after your wife."

The latter glanced at the Vongola Boss before shooting a glare at his co-worker. Gokudera then pulled an annoyed face before turning away.

~X~

Masako spent the next half-hour of her life with her head leaning over the toilet bowl. Never in her life as she ever felt this sick. The images of blood, brain and bits of skull flashed across her mind and Masako coughed into the toilet. Standing behind her, a duo of maids fussed about- pulling away her long black hair, offering the storm guardian's wife with water and fresh towels that smelt of mint and lemon.

Outside in the corridor, Bianchi adjusted her goggles and crossed her arms. Her younger brother who stood in front of her, lit a cigarette and frowned. Faint sounds of someone spewing up their breakfast echoed through the guest room doors and out into the hallway.

"She's been in there for almost a hour, aneki," Gokudera mumbled and checked his rolex.

Bianchi sighed, "Masako just saw someone blow their brains out," she defended, "It's traumatizing, Hayato."

The storm guardian grunted with disapproval, "I don't have time to wait around," he snorted, "I have more important things to do."

His sister glared, "She's your wife for goodness sakes, Hayato," Bianchi argued, "At least show some compassion."

"Compassion my ass."

"Hayato!"

The sound of gurgling was heard again. The two half-siblings peered into the guest room, and Bianchi pursed her lips together for a worried look. She turned back to glance at her younger brother.

"You need to go talk to her," the poison scorpion demanded.

Gokudera stared back, "What?" he shrieked, "Why?"

Bianchi raised an eyebrow and the storm guardian instantly knew the answer. Yet, he refused to move a muscle, "I have nothing to say to her," Gokudera announced, "She nearly ruined the Vongola."

"Is the Vongola really all you care about?"

The storm guardian didn't reply. Instead, he merely took out his cigarette and blew out a string of smoke. Turning around to leave, Gokudera flashed his sister one last knowing look.

"Take another step and I'm taking off these goggles," Bianchi threatened, moving her hand to the goggle clasps.

Gokudera stopped moving and lifted his head to glance at the empty hallway laid out before him. A sudden wave of anger rushed into the storm guardian's veins and he turned around to glare at his sister.

"Goddammit aneki! What do you want me to do?" he lifted a finger and pointed at the guest room, "I told her not to go into the interrogation room and look what she did!" Gokudera's eyes flashed with fury, "Not only did she destroy our chance of finding Fache, she probably diagnosed herself with post-traumatic stress disorder as well!"

"Hayato!" Bianchi chided before taking a breath to calm herself, "I'm not asking for more, but just go and see if Masako is alright."

The storm guardian scoffed and stared back at his sister. Yet, he was only pressured to move when Bianchi slowly began unclasping the buckles of her goggles.

~X~

"Ma'am."

Masako waved away the water that was offered to her and panted into the toilet. Her mouth tasted sour and her throat was dry, but her brain refused to take in any liquid that would help ease her discomfort. Pushing the button to flash the toilet, Masako sighed and slowly stood up.

Outside in the main guest room, Gokudera Hayato approached the ensuite doorway and stared at his wife. The two maids who were supporting Masako immediately recognized his appearance and bowed. Lifting a nonchalant hand, the storm guardian shooed them off.

"Hayato is it?" Masako muttered as the servants ran off.

Her husband stepped into the bathroom, "Better?"

Masako managed a weak smile. She closed the toilet lid before sitting down, "A bit," she replied.

Gokudera knelt down watched as his wife paused to think. She titled her head and looked away from him, "She shot herself in the head, Hayato," Masako said in a bare whisper.

"I know."

The latter turned back around, "And you're alright with that?"

Gokudera didn't reply.

The couple remained silent for a few minutes until the storm guardian rose to his feet and stuffed his hands into the pocket of his black slacks. He glanced down at Masako before opening his mouth to speak-

"Take it easy alright?" he encouraged, "I'll send someone to drive you home."

With that said Gokudera turned and strolled out of the bathroom. After all, he couldn't keep his wife around the mansion for another second- who knows what might happen next?

-End of Scene V-

~X~

A/N: Thank you to all the reviewers who gave me awesome ideas and feedback- the support is fantastic!

Bonus Preview for Next Chapter:

"Dino-san, I don't see how that is a suitable option for the Vongola."

The Cavallone Boss looked up, "It's not," he agreed, "But it'll guarantee your family's survival in the mafia world."

~X~

"Gokudera-kun," Tsuna clasped his hands together and dipped his head, "I don't want to do this to you."

The storm guardian forced himself to smile, "There's no need to apologize, Juudaime," he placed an arm across his chest and lowered his left knee onto the ground, "I serve under your command."

~X~

"Hayato!" Bianchi was on the verge of throwing her poison cooking at her younger brother, "You can't do that! It's basically suicide!"

With a cigarette burning loosely at the corner of his mouth, Gokudera shrugged, "It's for the Vongola," he took the stick from his lips and blew out a puff of smoke, "I'm willing to do it."

The poisonous scorpion stared at the storm guardian like he just spoke some alien language that no one has ever heard of.