To my reviewers, followers and favoriters:

QuietSilence: The conflict! I understand how you feel. Sometimes I want to write Masako in a badass manner, but then she won't fit with Gokudera. So I'm rather conflicted as well!

Jane Doe: Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy this story so much! :D

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Act II

Scene II

~X~

Gokudera Hayato chose to dine alone that evening. Despite having received invitations to join both Yamamoto and Ryohei for drinks at the Vongola Bar, the storm guardian kindly rejected the offer and instead found himself comfortable over a plate of zucchini and lemon salad with seared tuna. He ate in silence and studied the bound of material given to him by the investigations department.

"Sir," a gentle tap was heard on the door before it swung open.

Looking up, Gokudera eyed the young storm subordinate, "What is it, Alberto?" he huffed

Walking over to his boss's desk, Alberto quietly pulled out a folder that was tucked under his arm, "I've pulled up reports on the Bortolotti-Rosso Family, sir," he announced before carefully sliding the file across the wood.

"Anything else?" the storm guardian pressed on, picking up the stack of paper that was just passed to him.

His subordinate nodded, "I've also received confirmation that the Cavallone Jet has taken off," Alberto added, "They're bound for Tuscany."

A pair of emerald-colored eyes flickered, "Tuscany?" Gokudera echoed, turning away from the paperwork for a brief second, "The Cavallone Family resides in Palermo."

"That's correct sir," Alberto agreed, "But under Vongola Decimo's orders, the Cavallone Family is to support your mission."

Gokudera pursed his lips together, "And Dino is heading over there now?"

"Yes," the storm subordinate replied, "The Cavallone Family has a private villa up in Tuscany."

Alberto watched as his boss remained quiet. Returning to his paperwork, Gokudera waved the latter away, "I see," he muttered, "Go get some rest now, Alberto."

His subordinate didn't move. Instead, Alberto stood still as a statue and pulled a rather uneasy look. Sensing that his orders were ignored, Gokudera turned his attention back onto younger male.

"Do you anything else to say?"

Alberto looked anxious, "The mission, sir," he uttered, "Are you really going-"

"Are you giving me orders now, Alberto?" the storm guardian glared.

The latter immediately dipped his head, "No sir- never in my wildest dreams."

~X~

The poisonous scorpion, Bianchi, at the age of twenty-five was renowned in the mafia for her lethal cuisines. Compared to her younger half-brother, Bianchi was more calm and capable of judging important situations without temper getting the best of her. Yet, on this particular morning with the Sicilian sun steaming through the windows of her Mini Cooper, Bianchi drove like a maniac and charged through three yellow lights in a row. A few minutes later, she pulled up along the driveway that lead up to her brother's villa.

"Ma'am," Estrato Aya greeted her at the door.

Bianchi nodded at her, "Where's Masako?" she demanded

The housekeeper smiled, "The kitchen, Ma'am," she replied before guiding the poisonous scorpion into the house, "She insisted on making breakfast this morning."

Making their way through the beautifully decorated halls of the villa, Bianchi took note of the expensive cherry wooden floor that she treaded on, the crystal chandeliers that hung above her and the fashionably designed French windows that surrounded her. Upon being shown into the kitchen, the poisonous scorpion was instantly greeted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee, crisp bacon and frying eggs.

"Ma'am," Aya announced above all the sizzling, "Your sister-in-law is here."

Hearing the housekeeper's voice, Masako turned around from the stove and looked up. Seeing Bianchi standing in the doorway of the kitchen, Masako's eyes twinkled and she smiled like a young girl.

"Bianchi-san!" she cried out, quickly turning off the gas before running to softly embrace her sister-in-law.

Welcoming the hug, Bianchi gave the latter a pat on the back, "Masako," she acknowledged, but her voice was dull.

"You're just in time for some breakfast," Masako encouraged as she pulled away from Bianchi and headed back to the kitchen counter, "Would you like some coffee?"

The poisonous scorpion felt uneasy, "Masako," she began, "I need to tell you something."

Her sister-in-law looked up, "What is it?"

Bianchi slid her eyes to where the housekeeper stood, "It's about Hayato," she said slowly, watching as Aya disappeared from the kitchen, "He won't be around for a few days."

Masako's face fell, "I know," she murmured and picked a cup off the counter, "I hear it everyday."

"But this time-" Bianchi closed her eyes and breathed in, "We're not sure if he'll make it back."

The poisonous scorpion listened for a response, but none came. Carefully, she peeled her eyes back open. Feeling guilty for breaking the news to her sister-in-law in such a manner, Bianchi searched desperately for an answer on Masako's face. But unlike the smile she had on just moments ago, Masako now looked lost and confused.

"What do you mean, Bianchi-san?" she questioned, "Where is Hayato going?"

Lowering her vision, Bianchi steadily began explaining the mission. From the meeting with Don Cavallone, to the decision made by Tsuna and finally Gokudera's agreement to go to Tuscany tomorrow and take on the Bortolotti-Rosso Family. At the end of her long speech, Bianchi was too afraid to look at her sister-in-law directly in the eyes.

Instead, all the poisonous scorpion could hear was the shattering of fine china.

~X~

Back in the Vongola Mansion, the twenty-two year old Sawada Tsunayoshi stood at the window of his office and glanced down at the city stretched out before him. Reborn, his tutor and sun acrobaleno, sat behind him and sipped on a freshly bowered espresso.

"So you've decided to send Gokudera on the mission."

Turning around, the Vongola boss gave a nod. Reborn smirked, "That's a good choice, Tsuna," he praised, "Gokudera was born and raised in the mafia, he knows how this world works better than anyone else."

Decimo didn't look as pleased as his tutor, "I'm reluctant about it though," he argued, "I feel that Gokudera-kun is under a lot of pressure."

The acrobaleno took another sip of his drink, "Have some faith in your guardians, Tsuna," Reborn chided, "Their duty is to protect the Vongola, to protect you."

Sighing, the Don folded his arms, "And that's the problem, Reborn," he objected, "Gokudera-kun still has Masako-san to look after, he can't always put his life on the line for the Vongola."

Reborn paused to find his words, "Loyalty is important in the mafia world," he reminded, "Gokudera knows damn well who he's loyal to."

Tsuna fell silent, but his eyes stared hard into the arcobaleno's dark orbs. A second later, the Vongola boss turned back around. He listened carefully as the soft steps of his tutor disappeared out the office door and down the hallway. The scent of coffee however, still lingered remorsefully in the air.

~X~

"Ma'am! You cannot do this!"

Bianchi glared daggers at the pair of guards who stood at the entrance of the Vongola Mansion. After nearly twenty minutes of arguing to these two guards, both Bianchi and Masako were still refused entry into the mansion. Patience was running low, and Bianchi was ready to bring out her poison cooking if these two clowns didn't move out of the way.

"Who said we're not allowed to enter the mansion?" she challenged, "Do you know who we are?"

The two guards glanced at each other before nodding, "We serve under the Storm Guardian," one responded, "So we're well aware of you who are."

"Then let us in!"

The second guard shook his head, "Under our boss's instructions, we cannot allow you to enter the Vongola Mansion."

Bianchi's eyes burned with fiery. Reaching for her cooking, the poisonous scorpion was stopped when her sister-in-law placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Glancing back, Bianchi eyed Masako as she stepped in front of her and offered the two guards a calm and delicate smile.

"Gentlemen," she began, "I understand your jobs and your loyalty to my husband, but this is an emergency- and I really need to see him."

Surprised by the gentle approach, the two guards blinked as Masako pressed on, "And if there's any trouble for you two," she ushered, "I'll be more than willing to help you out and clear your name."

The two guards looked at each other in confusion. Bianchi was also surprised. She stared at the kind smile her sister-in-law offered to the two men whom after everything, still refused the Vongola Storm Guardian's wife entry into the mansion. Yet, the poisonous scorpion felt that something was different when Masako stepped forward to speak. Something that most members of the Vongola didn't have.

~X~

"Sir, this is the schedule for tomorrow."

Gokudera nodded, '"And the itinerary?"

Alberto waved for a lower subordinate to bring forward another folder, "This is the itinerary that the Vongola-"

A sudden knock caught Alberto off-guard. All three men stopped talking as the door slowly swung open. Thinking it was just another one of his subordinates, Gokudera didn't bother to look up.

"M-Ma'am!"

The storm guardian's ears buzzed. It took him over a second to comprehend what he just heard. Yet, when he did- Gokudera shot his eyes up. Immediately, his emerald-colored eyes met with Masako's delicate grayish green ones. He jumped out of his seat.

"What're you doing here, women?" he yelled, "I thought I made it clear that you weren't welcome in the Vongola mansion!"

Masako didn't wavier. She stood still and opened her mouth to speak, "I want to speak with you, Hayato," she calmly announced.

"No," the storm guardian declared with a scowl, "I don't have time for you," he turned to his subordinate, "Alberto, show her out please."

Alberto gave a nod and prepared to move forward. Masako's eyes flickered, "Take another step and you're fired," she warned.

The young subordinate felt a chill run down his spine and froze mid-step. Gokudera glared, "Last time I checked," he stated coldly, "I was Vongola's Storm Guardian."

Masako turned her attention back around, "And last time I checked," she argued, "I was your wife, and you my husband."

Gokudera paused to study his wife. Usually, she was patient, calm and never argued with him. But today, Masako looked determined and spoke in a straightforward manner. Her eyes were hard, and they bore directly into Gokudera with no chance of him escaping.

The storm guardian frowned, "What do you want?"

Masako took in a deep breath, "Hayato," she began, "Tomorrow's mission-" her voice went soft, "Please don't go."

Gokudera was merciless, "No," he scoffed, "You're not the Vongola boss."

"Hayato, please!" Masako dropped her knees onto the ground, "You can't possibly take on five hundred men all by yourself!"

"It has nothing to do with you," her husband stammered back, anger starting to bubble within him, "Go home!"

Tears of frustration welled in Masako's eyes. Her vision soon became blurry and her breathing uneven, "I'm begging of you," she whispered, "I don't want to loose you."

The storm guardian stared at his wife. His subordinates looked uncomfortable, "You don't understand a thing about the mafia," he hissed, "So don't make any judgments for me."

Masako felt her eyes sore with water, "I don't," she agreed, lifting her head as teardrops fell to the ground, "But all I want is to see my husband happy and healthy- is that too much to ask for?"

Gokudera looked away. Stuffing his hands into the pocket of his slacks, the storm turned to his subordinate, "Alberto, my wife here seems to be overreacting a little," he paused, "Send her to the sitting room and see that she calms down."

"Yes sir."

By now, Masako could taste the salty tears that rolled down her face. Tired and defeated, she allowed Alberto to help her stand up before being lead out of the office. And as her weak legs slowly made their way out into the hallway, Masako glanced over her shoulder and admired those emerald-green eyes for one last time.

~X~

The sitting room that Masako soon found herself in was exactly the same one she was shown to a few nights ago. Outside, Amphitrite stared at her with pity. Alberto also held the same expression as he ushered his boss's emotional wife to sit down.

"I'll get some water for you, Ma'am," Alberto muttered before bowing and disappearing back down the hall.

Left alone with her thoughts, Masako sniffed and carefully closed her eyes. Right now, Gokudera Hayato was unmovable- he had made his decision and he'll stick with it. Yet, Masako felt a sprang of hope as she thought of a man who could change this all. The man whom her husband worshipped like a god, and the only man who Gokudera will listen to. And Masako knew- desperate times calls for desperate measures.

Back in the storm guardian's office, Gokudera took a drag of his cigarette and leant against his wooden desk. After waving all of his subordinates out, the raging storm was left to cool down. He thought of Masako, of the words she just said and that tear strained face that was now engraved in his memory. Did he feel guilty? Probably not. It was his duty as the Vongola Storm Guardian to go on dangerous mission that would ensure the family's safety. Was he perhaps then, a little too harsh on his wife? After all, she didn't understand how the world he lived in worked.

"Hayato," his eyes flickered to the doorway.

Gokudera took the cigarette from his mouth, "Aneki," he pushed the stick into the ashtray, "You're the one who told Masako everything right?"

Adjusting her goggles, Bianchi pressed her back against the door, "She deserved a truthful answer," she answered

Her half-brother glanced away and frowned, "And now she comes running to me and demanding for me to abort the mission."

"She cares about you, Hayato," Bianchi announced, "More than anything in the world."

The storm guardian turned quiet, "Just make sure that she gets home," he ordered, "I can deal with the rest."

~X~

"Ma'am! You can't come in here!"

Sawada Tsunayoshi looked up as his office door was forcibly pushed open, "M-Masako-san?"

Rushing into the Vongola Boss's office with tears streaming down her face, Masako dropped down onto her knees, "Please!" she pleaded, bowing until her head touched the carpet, "Don't let Hayato go on this mission!"

The Don was speechless, "M-Masako-san," he got up and quickly made his way to help Masako back onto her feet.

But the latter refused to move, "Please! I'm begging of you!" she cried, "I won't get up unless you clear Hayato's name!"

Tsuna pursed his lips, "Masako-san," he bent down and gently took hold of a thin arm, "Stand up first."

"But-"

The boss offered a smile, "I promise I'll explain everything to you," he assured, "But we can't have you kneeling here the whole time."

Waving for the team of bodyguards who crowded at his office door to back away, Tsuna carefully lifted Masako onto her feet before personally moving over and closing the door. He gestured for her to sit on the couches.

"I understand how you feel, Masako-san," the Don sat opposite her, "But Gokudera-kun is the Vongola Storm Guardian, the leader of the guardians and my right-hand man. He as a duty to perform for this family."

Masako nodded, "I know that," she took a tissue that was offered to her, "But the mission that he's been sent on- it's too dangerous!"

The boss agreed, "Yes, I'm reluctant as well," he sucked in a breath, "But we need him. Gokudera-kun is the only person in the family who fully understands how this world works."

Hearing the Vongola Don's words, Masako suddenly felt a sprang of selfishness. She glanced down, "But he's taking on five hundred men. How can someone survive that?"

"I can assure you, Masako-san," Tsuna forced himself to smile, "Gokudera-kun will be safe."

Masako studied the Vongola boss for a brief minute. She searched Tsuna's face for any traces of resentment, for hope that the man who her husband worshiped would let him off the hook. But nothing came back, and Masako was disappointed. Carefully she stood up and bowed to the boss before making her way towards the door. The Don's eyes followed her.

"I understand that you won't let my husband go this time," Masako stopped in her steps, "And to be quite frank, I never expected you to agree," she turned around to face the boss, "But Hayato is your right-hand man, he looks up to you and I hope that you won't let him down."

With that said, Masako opened the giant oak doors and showed herself out.

~X~

The bells belonging to a nearby cathedral rung five o'clock when the boss and his fellow guardians gathered at the main courtyard of the Vongola Mansion. It was tradition that whenever a guardian sets out for a mission, the boss and his subordinates were to see him off. And despite being in summer, the air this morning felt chilly and the group shivered as they watched the storm guardian bow down at the Don.

"Take care, Gokudera-kun."

"Yes sir."

Climbing into the black Mercedes sedan, Gokudera took one last glimpse of the boss and the other guardians before closing the door. The chauffeur soon started the engine and the car slowly moved down the driveway.

Tsuna watched as the red taillights belonging to the sedan reached the gates before turning and disappearing down the morning streets. He closed his eyes and sighed- knowing that somewhere in Catania, Masako would be hating his guts right now.

-End of Scene II-

~X~

A/N: I feel like I always repeat myself, but reviews are amazing and I love reading them. Also, a big round of hugs to those who've been reviewing and giving me lots of feedback!

Bonus Preview for Next Chapter:

Gokudera eyed the glass of bourbon sitting in front of him. The ice cubes clinked against each other, "What do you mean there's been a change of plans?" he demanded.

Sitting across from him, Dino Cavallone offered a chilling smile, "It's not really changing the plan, Gokudera Hayato," he announced.

"If it's not changing the plan," the storm guardian argued, crossing his legs, "Then what is it?"

The smile on Dino's face widened, "A request."

~X~

Masako didn't sleep well that night. She tossed and turned on the giant canopy bed, but sleep never came. When morning finally arrived and the lemon-colored Sicilian sun flowed through the windows, Masako could only walk out of the bedroom with tired black circles under her eyes. She was greeted by Aya at the dining room and breakfast was served.

Yet, just as Masako was about to take the first bite of her scone, a series of loud bang was heard downstairs. The housekeeper jumped and Masako looked up from her breakfast. A few seconds later, the sound of wood being ripped open rang through the villa. Steps and yelling in Italian joined the mayhem.

"M-Ma'am, what-"

By now, Masako had dropped her fork and joined Aya in fear. The footsteps were coming closer and closer to the dining room.

~X~

"Gokudera-kun? Gokudera-kun?"

The Vongola Boss pressed a hand against the earpiece, but all he could hear back were a mess of buzzes. He glanced over to where a team of communication subordinates were busy tapping away on their computers.

"Gokudera-kun, come in if you can here me!" the Don yelled, raising his head to watch the projector.

A bird's eye view of the Bortolotti-Rosso Family mansion was presented across a wide screen. So far, nothing seemed out of the ordinary from the outside- but what really concerned the Vongola Don was what was going on in the inside.

"How fast can you fix this thing?" Tsuna exclaimed, shooting one subordinate a deadly look, "I need to-"

A high-pitched beep suddenly pierced the boss's ears. Looking back up at the projecter screen, Tsuna's eyes widened as a white light flashed across the monitor before the Bortolotti-Rosso Mansion blew into a million pieces.