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Act II
Scene IV
~X~
"Ma'am! Ma'am!"
Masako glanced up from her novel as the housekeeper came running into her private suite. Sitting on the leather couch that was placed next to the window, Masako watched as Aya breathlessly arrived in front of her. Huffing and puffing with bits of hair sticking out of her neatly groomed bun, the latter was all smiles as she gave her boss a small curtsy.
"I have urgent news, Ma'am," Aya announced, "It's about sir."
Hearing this, Masako immediately snapped her book close, "Have they found him?" she pressured, "Is Hayato alright?"
Aya bobbed her head like mad, "Yes, the Vongola has received word from the Cavallone family," she replied, "Sir has made it through the mission and is coming home tonight!"
"Really?" Masako slowly got onto her feet, "You better not be pulling my leg, Aya-san."
The housekeeper looked excited, "How can I ever lie to you, Ma'am?" she challenged, "I heard those words directly from-"
"Masako-san."
Showing himself into the storm guardian's private suite, Sawada Tsunayoshi beamed gloriously at his right–hand man's wife. Upon seeing the great Vongola Decimo enter the room, both Masako and Aya bent their knees and dipped their heads to show respect.
"Sir!"
"Please, there's no need for this," Tsuna ushered, rushing over to help Masako stand back up.
Masako managed a smile, "Thank you, sir."
The boss looked relieved, "The mission went well, Masako-san," he assured, "I've already sent a plane to bring Gokudera-kun home."
"See Ma'am?" Aya twinkled, "I told you I wouldn't lie."
The storm guardian's wife nodded, "I trust you, Aya-san," she insisted before turning back to bow at the Vongola Don, "Thank you again sir, I truly am grateful."
"No need, Masako-san," Tsuna ensured, patting her on the arm, "Gokudera-kun is one my guardians, and I've sworn an oath to embrace and protect them all."
~X~
The bells belonging to a nearby cathedral rang eight o'clock when a slick black Cadillac pulled up along the private runway of Florence Airport. Getting out of the car, Gokudera swung on his black coat and shivered against the cold. It was nearing the end of summer, and chilly autumn winds were starting to blow across Italy. The tinted window of the Cadillac rolled down.
"Have a safe trip home, Gokudera-kun," Romario proposed, "The boss sends his best regards."
Gokudera scoffed, "I appreciate the Bucking Horse's hospitality," he mumbled, "Although the police will soon start tracking me down."
The Cavallone subordinate gave a stern bob of his head, "Leave the Italian authorities to us," he observed, "We can do tricks that make you disappear."
Vongola's Storm Guardian slid his green eyes to the side. A moment later, he shuffled towards the jet sitting calmly on the runway. Behind him, the Cadillac rolled up its window before vanishing into the night. Now left in the darkness, Gokudera's shoes crackled against the ground as he boarded the plane.
"Captain?"
The plane was dark. Only the emergency exits and safety lights were lit by a glow of bright red. The storm guardian frowned, wondering where on earth the pilot was. He needed to be off the ground and in the air before the Italian authorities caught up. Turning to his side, Gokudera headed for the cabin door.
A faint, but genuine light flooded through the door crack and Gokudera rolled his eyes with utter frustration. Pushing the handle down, the storm guardian showed himself into the cockpit.
"Excuse me captain, but we really need-"
He froze. Lying face down on the control panel with a pool of blood oozing around his head- was the pilot. The room stunk of death and Gokudera scrunched up his nose before taking a step back. From the side, he could just make out the pilot's widened eyes that were still filled with fear.
Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, Gokudera fished out his cellphone. Yet, just before he could punch in the first number on the keyboard, a click was heard before a bullet suddenly grazed the storm guardian's shoulder. Gokudera's BlackBerry fell to the floor.
"Who's there?" angry green eyes turned and attempted to glare into the darkness.
A figure slowly made his way to the cockpit. He stopped just before the light could reach him. Hoisting up a gun, Gokudera could see the end of a black silencer pointed directly at his heart.
"Give me the USB," a rough voice demanded, "Or both you and your wife dies."
Gokudera frowned, "Bastard, who the hell are you?" he gritted
The gun clicked again. A second later, a bullet entered the storm guardian's left arm. Blood spurted out from the wound and soaked the sleeve of his shirt. Ignoring the sudden sear of pain that entered his body, Gokudera grasped for his Beretta. Yet, just before he could feel the gun's hard plastic- a blow to his lower abdomen took the breath out of the storm guardian.
"Useless," the voice croaked, delivering another jab to the latter's face.
Gokudera stumbled back into the cockpit and landed next to the pilot's lifeless body. He wheezed and stared at the blood that seeped through the coat sleeve. Narrowing his eyes, Gokudera turned around just in time to lift a leg and strike it towards the shadowy figure.
The roundhouse kick sent the physique flying back into the plane. Rushing after his opponent, the storm guardian landed his knee into the gut of the silhouette. He heard a groan, then the sound of a body crashing onto the floor. Pulling out his gun, Gokudera fired two shots into the darkness. Both of them ripped into flesh. Even under the absence of light, the storm guardian's shooting skills were impeccable.
Moving forward, Gokudera arrived at the fallen body. Opening a small light on his phone, he flashed the device at the figure lying before him. An old wrinkly face with beady black eyes stared back.
"Which family do you work for?" the storm pressed, pushing the barrel of his gun into the temple of his opponent, "And why do you know about the USB?"
Before Gokudera could get an answer, he suddenly heard the window behind him break. A millisecond later, two bullets ripped through the storm guardian's back- one landed close to his spine while the other in his waist. Blood spat out from his lips and the Beretta slowly slipped out of his hand.
Plummeting down next to the body he just shot, Gokudera's green eyes watched in horror as a small red dot found its way up his body and onto his heart. Moments later, a loud bang echoed into the night.
~X~
It was just a little past ten in the evening when Vongola Decimo's personal butler, Rocco as he was known, entered the boss's private living quarters and bowed. He didn't usually do this- as like most of the servants who performed under the Vongola Don knew, Tsuna didn't like to be disturbed after ten o'clock. But tonight was an exception and Rocco couldn't keep this news hanging on any longer.
"Rocco," Tsuna looked up from the stack of documents he was reading, "What is it?"
In the background, Rocco could just make out the soft operatic singing of Mozart's infamous Don Giovanni. He pursed his lips, "Sorry to bother you at this time sir," he dipped his head, "But I have some urgent news."
The boss frowned and placed down his papers, "What news?" he questioned, "I'm pretty sure I've cleared everything for the day."
"Yes," the butler gave a nod, "But this news is from Florence."
"Florence?"
"Yes sir."
Both men fell silent.
Tsuna's eyes flicked, "Did something happen in Florence?"
Rocco lifted his head and glanced directly into the boss's eyes, "The Storm Guardian was shot," he gulped, "In the Vongola private jet."
"Impossible!" the Don roared and jumped up from his armchair.
The butler dropped onto his knees, "I-I wouldn't dare to lie sir!" he cried, "I heard the word from your private secretary!"
Tsuna felt his head spin. Just hours ago he had assured Masako that her husband was safe and on his way home. And now? He was shot!
"What's Gokudera-kun's condition right now?" he pressured, "Is he at least alive?"
Rocco looked defeated, "We're not sure sir," he answered softly, "The Cavallone Family just found him."
"Well I want to speak to the Cavallone Don myself," Tsuna argued back, "And get me all my guardians, I want them in my office immediately."
"Y-Yes sir!" Rocco exclaimed, "Should we tell the storm guardian's wife as well?"
There was a pregnant pause. The Vongola boss soon nodded, "Might as well," he decided, "But tell Bianchi-san first."
Rocco disappeared out the door. Tsuna sighed and fell back into his seat. Maybe he should've gone to bed early.
~X~
By ten-thirty Bianchi had already heard the news regarding her younger half-brother and entered the Storm Guardian's private suite. Switching on a nearby lamp, she made her way towards the grand canopy bed. Masako, who had been sleeping peacefully for the past hour or so- softly peeled open her eyes as a figure approached.
"Masako," she gently shook her sister-in-law's arm, "Masako, wake up."
The latter looked sleepy, "What is it, Bianchi-san?" she whispered, carefully sitting up on the bed.
"There's been an emergency," Bianchi announced, "Tsuna wants to see you."
Masako gave a tired yawn, "Emergency?" she echoed, "What emergency?"
Quietly grabbing her sister-in-law's shoulders, Bianchi turned so she could gaze into Masako's eyes, "Hayato's been shot," she said slowly, "They just found him."
It took a moment for Masako to fully comprehend what was being said. But when she finally understood what Bianchi just announced, Masako began to tremble. She grabbed onto the goose-feathered duvet and squeezed until her knuckles turned white.
"What happened?" Masako demanded, her lips quivering, "Didn't Hayato successfully complete the mission?"
The poisonous scorpion looked helplessly into her sister-in-law's desperate eyes, "He did finish the mission," she confirmed, "But that doesn't mean others won't target him."
Masako scrunched up her face and felt a tear roll down her cheek, "W-Why?" she breathed.
"Masako," Bianchi leant forward and clutched onto the latter's hand, "Don't worry, Tsuna will try and save him."
Her sister-in-law shook her head, "What is there left to do?" she demanded, "My husband is dead!"
The poisonous scorpion frowned, "No he's not," she replied bluntly, "Don't say that."
Wet tears continued to roll down Masako's face. Bianchi closed her eyes, "Why don't we see Tsuna first," she murmured, "Then you can cry together."
~X~
"Yes, Yes-" there was a pause, "Thank you, Dino-san."
Sighing, the Vongola Don placed the phone back against the receiver. Pressing his hands together, Tsuna lifted his eyes to the ceiling- as if begging the sky for an answer. Standing around his office, the tenth generation guardians watched their boss eagerly. Yamamoto leant against the mahogany bookshelf, his sword strapped to his back and ready to defend the Vongola at any time. To his far left, Ryohei stood quietly with his arms folded and head slightly titled. Hibari was also present in the room this evening- he stood in the corner and gazed out the open window.
"That was the Cavallone Family," Tsuna announced, "Gokudera-kun is in surgery."
Chrome and Lambo who were both seated along the leather couch, lifted their heads just in time to hear the rest of the guardians sigh with relief. The boss himself also looked somewhat comforted.
"So he's alive?" the sun guardian questioned
Tsuna nodded, "Barely," he corrected, "But Dino-san said that he can be saved."
"What a night," Ryohei added, shuffling his feet, "And I thought things were going fine."
The office fell quiet again as the Vongola Don started to speak, "Though I still want to know exactly what happened tonight," he declared before turning to the rain guardian, "Yamamoto, have you heard from our contacts in Florence yet?"
Yamamoto answered with a firm bob of his head, "The detectives on our payroll said that Gokudera was followed to the airport tonight," he insisted, "Although they're still trying to find who did the actual shooting."
Tsuna frowned, "Keep them around the loop," he ordered, "I want to know who did all this."
The rain guardian flashed a reassuring look before being interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Turning their heads to see who interfered at such an important time, the guardians nonetheless pursed their lips after seeing Masako enter the office.
"Masako-san," the boss stood up from his seat and walked around his desk to greet Masako.
The latter dipped her head, "Sir," she whispered
Tsuna calmly lead her to sit down on the couch adjacent to Lambo and Chrome, "I'm so sorry about this," he apologized before turning to his side, "Yamamoto, could you get Masako-san a drink please."
As the rain guardian moved to the wet bar, the Don took a seat next Masako, "I have some good news," he announced, plastering a smile.
Masako looked betrayed, but she kept her mouth shut and listened. Tsuna pressed on, "Gokudera-kun is alive," he declared, "He's in surgery at the moment."
"H-He's alive?"
The boss nodded, "Of course."
Masako sat stunned for a moment. Just a few minutes ago, she'd prepared herself for the worst. Thinking that all Tsuna was going to tell her was that her husband was dead in Florence, Masako was in grief. Now, with this new information, she felt a sudden glimmer of hope.
"That's good news, Masako-san."
Looking up, the latter's hazel-green eyes met with Chrome's kind smile. The mist guardian, while usually quiet- seemed to be rather comforting today. Masako muttered a small thank you.
"And when the surgery is complete, I'll send for Gokudera-kun to come home," Tsuna continued as Yamamoto arrived with a cup of hot tea, "So there's no need to worry anymore."
Masako nodded as the Don stood back up. Leaving her to be soothed by the tea, the Vongola boss turned around and took a few steps towards his desk. However, he stopped halfway and glanced at the corner of his office.
"Hibari-san," he called, "A word please?"
~X~
Dino Cavallone paced up and down the hallway unstop. It was already past midnight and he hasn't received any sleep. Surrounding him, a team of men dressed in black suits eyed him cautiously. Dino bit his lip and trailed back his footsteps. Moments later, the door belonging to a nearby room opened and Romario stepped out.
"Boss."
The Cavallone Don looked up and rushed to his subordinate, "What's the condition, Romario?" he urged, "Is he alive?"
Romario pressed his lips together, "The surgeon says he's lost a lot of blood," he answers, "They've managed to remove the bullet from his arm and waist," there was a tense pause, "But the one in the spine is the most dangerous."
Dino tried his best to remain calm. But his voice cracked with panic, "But he'll live won't he?"
His subordinate looked unsure, "I want to say yes, boss," he uttered, "But even the surgeon says it might not be possible."
The Cavallone Don stood silent for a minute. He's brown eyes flickered, "Tell the surgeon to do whatever he can to save Gokudera Hayato's life," he fumed, "I don't want to tell the Vongola Boss that one of his guardians has died under my care."
Romario lowered his head, "Yes boss."
~X~
Lorenzo Domenico was a rich and respected man in the mafia world. He grew up in a small town just outside Naples, lived with a loving family and graduated high school at the age of eighteen. In college, he studied medicine under a passionate professor before taking an internship at the local hospital. Everyone in that hospital loved him. Junior doctors would come to him for advice, patients would send gifts every Christmas and nurses would flutter around him like bees over honey. Yet, it wasn't until the height of his career when things took a tumble and he fell from his glorious position. At the age of thirty-four, Lorenzo was seized from his job after the hospital found out he was having an affair with one of the head nurses. Unemployed and lost, Lorenzo Domenico decided to take a shot at being a Mafioso.
"Welcome aboard, Vongola's storm guardian," he announced, slipping into his surgical gown, "I'm not a fan of your boss, but I guess I'll save your life today."
A younger doctor rushed to his side, "Sir, the patient is loosing a lot of blood," he cried out, "I've removed two bullets from his arm and waist but he's still bleeding!"
Lorenzo chuckled as he slapped on a pair of thick gloves, "This is a surgery boy," he reminded, "There's meant to be a lot of blood."
"But sir-!"
He raised a hand, "Scalpel."
The younger male fell silent and immediately passed him the knife. Lorenzo sent the boy one last hard look, "Sometimes, it's better to just keep silent," he lectured, "Especially when it comes to saving the lives of men like these."
As the surgeon babbled on, Gokudera's condition became somewhat worse and worse. Like what the younger doctor had pointed out, a lot of blood was lost and this meant trouble. It wasn't long until the heart monitor began beeping and making sudden worrying noises.
"Blood pressure low!" the doctor screeched, "Pressure low!"
Lorenzo lifted his eyes and glanced at the machine, "Goddammit," he swore, "You Vongola bastards just have to make life difficult for me don't you?"
-End of Scene IV-
~X~
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review to let me know what you think!
Bonus Preview for Next Chapter:
"Sawada Tsunayoshi," the Cloud Guardian stood alone in the Vongola boss's office, "What do you ask of me?"
Tsuna pointed to the couch, but Hibari made no movement to sit down. The Don sighed, "I hope you can do a favor for me, Hibari-san," he announced, "A favor I believe only you and the Foundation is able to pull off."
For once after setting foot here in Sicily, the cloud guardian seemed interested, "I'm listening," he replied, "What do you want me to do?"
~X~
Masako stood on the balcony that overlooked Vongola's private backyard. Directly beneath her, a team of gardeners were closing in for the night. Folding her skinny arms across her chest, Masako allowed for a small evening breeze to brush past her face and tangle her long dark hair.
"Ma'am?"
Turning slightly to the side, Masako could just make out the faint shadow of her housekeeper.
"He's home, Ma'am."
Masako closed her eyes and slowly nodded her head.
~X~
Sitting opposite the Cavallone Boss's desk, Lorenzo Domenico sweated like mad. Lifting the sleeve of his white blouse, the mid-thirties surgeon gave a wipe of his face. Dino looked amused and pulled a smile.
"Don't worry so much, Signor Lorenzo," he assured, "You did a good job."
The surgeon shook his head, "No," he murmured, pressing his face into the palm of his hands, "No."
"Please, Signor Lorenzo," the Cavallone boss comforted, "There's no need to be harsh on yourself."
There was another shake of his head, "No, you don't understand," the latter whispered, "I think I might have to quit."