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Act III
Scene IV
~X~
"Ma'am, look at all of these beautiful things!"
The housekeeper squealed with delight as her eyes scanned past each of the expensive goods that were laid out along the dining table. From caskets filled with rubies, pearls and diamonds to nicely wrapped silks, velvet and leather, Aya was beyond ecstatic. Sitting next to the table however, both the landlady and her sister-in-law was quiet.
"You must wear some of this next time you visit the Vongola Mansion, ma'am," Aya beamed, "We need to show off our new status!"
Masako merely flickered her eyes to the side and watched the housekeeper carefully. Sitting opposite her, Bianchi glanced nervously between the two before quickly turning her attention to Aya.
"I think the tea is nearly ready, Aya-san," she gestured at the door, "Would you mind checking on it?"
The housekeeper blinked, but briskly nodded, "Of course."
Waiting until Aya had fully disappeared and the door behind her was safely clicked shut, Bianchi shifted her eyes back onto her sister-in-law. She reached forward and gently clasped Masako's hand.
As if catching a cue, the latter raised her head, "Bianchi-san," she ushered, "I appreciate you coming over today."
But the poisonous scorpion wasn't easily fooled, "Masako," Bianchi pressed, "You didn't just invite me over for tea, did you?"
Her sister-in-law smiled, "Bianchi-san is always so observant," she announced, eyes glinting at the dining table.
Bianchi followed the latter's gaze and soon found herself looking at the table stacked with lavishing fabric and priceless gems. A moment later, she turned back and spoke, "Do these gifts not please you?"
Masako beamed, "These gifts please me greatly," she paused, "Though it's too much for my needs."
"These jewels and fabric were explicitly given by Tsuna himself," the poisonous scorpion frowned softly, "Most girls would kill to get these gifts."
A gentle laugh left Masako's lips, "I have no doubt," she chuckled, "Expect I don't plan on keeping them for long."
"You're going to give these away?" Bianchi challenged, eyes widening with astonishment.
Her sister-in-law slowly lifted her head, "Hayato just succeeded the position as the Vongola Counselor," she announced, "He'll need allies that will support him under any circumstances- good or bad."
Bianchi fell silent, allowing the latter to press on. She watched carefully as Masako leant over the dining table and brushed her hand over a layer of expensive velvet. The priceless fabric, embroidered with eye-catching patterns and delicate sequins, felt cool under Masako's palm.
"I met the Italian Ambassador last week," she added, patting the material, "His wife just had a little girl, I'd like the seamstress to make her a few dresses."
The poisonous scorpion glanced at the extensive needlework, "That is some valuable velvet, Masako," she emphasized, eyes flickering up, "Are you sure?"
Masako merely answered with a smile. She gazed back at the array of gifts, "And I hear that there'll be a new CEDEF boss soon," she gestured at far end of the table, "There's some handmade leather there which I think will make a suitable award."
"You mean for Basil-kun?"
"That's the one."
Bianchi frowned. She didn't know Basil well, but from the confident look her sister-in-law plastered, she paused and nodded along with the idea. Masako on the other hand, sensed the uneasiness and reached over the table to give the poisonous scorpion a comforting squeeze of her hand.
"Don't look so weary, Bianchi-san," she assured, "I promise that these offerings will not go to waste."
~X~
"This is unbelievable!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi swiveled around on his chair, elbow resting against the armrest. He tapped a hand against his chin, showing of the Vongola ring that sat perfectly on his middle finger. The blinds around the room were lowered, surrounding the room with darkness. A golden antique lamp sat carefully on the corner of the boss's desk, it's light casting strange- but familiar shadows of the figures standing around the room.
"Gokudera-kun," the Vongola boss slid his eyes to the side, "What do you see of this?"
Sitting on a vintage armchair next to his boss, the storm guardian gave a thoughtful nod, "I think it's crucial that we do a background check on all the people working in this mansion," he advised, "The faster we find this mole, the better."
Tsuna turned back to the rest of his family, "And what does everyone else think?"
Ryohei stepped forward and spoke up, "I think running a background check is risky to the extreme," he declared, "It'll throw the whole mansion into chaos!"
"I agree with senpai," the Rain Guardian proposed, "Everyone will get suspicious and some might even turn against us."
The Vongola boss sighed and straightened his posture. He glanced at the remaining guardians, "Lambo, Chrome and Kusakabe-san?" he acknowledged, "What do you think?"
"Tsuna, I'm tired."
The storm guardian raised a brow and stuck his head out to the side, "What did you just say, stupid cow?" he gritted.
Tsuna quickly raised a hand, "Gokudera-kun, please."
His right-hand man immediately fell silent, allowing the boss to turn his full attention onto the younger, and more quiet side of his family. A moment later, Vongola Decimo gently shook his head.
"Chrome, would you mind seeing Lambo back to his room?"
Bobbing a nod, the mist guardian clutched onto her trident before leading the younger member out of the office, "I'll see you around then, boss," she muttered before disappearing through the oak door.
Tsuna glanced at the remaining figures, "The rest of you can go as well," he announced, "That'll be it for today."
"Juudaime-"
"You stay, Gokudera-kun," the boss nodded, watching as Yamamoto, Ryohei and Kusakabe bowed before filing out the office door, "I need to speak with you."
~X~
"Twenty-thousand Euros."
Rocco ripped open the envelope and leafed through the stack of purple bills. He smiled at the exact amount, "It'll all be ready tomorrow," he declared, "I hear that Decimo has even sent for Giannini, the inventor."
His client looked a little worried, "Are you certain that I'll be the next storm guardian?" he questions, "What happens if the plans fail?"
The smile on the butler's lips widened, "Gokudera Hayato is a bastard," Rocco pronounced, "He shouldn't even be allowed to take one step in this mansion, nonetheless become the Consigliere."
"Then I'll definitely win?"
"Without a doubt."
Both men stopped to study each other. Rocco took this chance to quietly tuck the sum of money into his blazer before straightening his posture, "Well, if there was nothing else," he turned to the door, "I should get going."
"Wait-"
Rocco stopped mid-step. His client tightened his lips into a thin line, "If I become the next storm guardian," he choked, "Then what does that make you?"
Turning just slightly to the side, Rocco smirked like the devil. His eyes sparked with betrayal; a man worthy of power and manipulation. Yet, he said nothing and merely left the room. His client, now stunned with the silence, widened his eyes with fear.
"Sir, what should we do with him?"
Rocco took the cigarette his subordinate offered and held it between his teeth. The basement of the Vongola gave him an eerie feeling, and the butler quickly lit the cigarette to relax himself. He inhaled the scent of nicotine before taking the stick out of his mouth and blowing out a puff of smoke.
"Kill him and throw his head back to the rioting family he came from," he ordered.
His subordinate dipped his head, "Then what about the Storm Guardian?"
Rocco paused on the question, but soon smirked again, "We'll kill him as well," he shrugged, "But first, I want him to suffer; I want him to loose all his fingers and toes but still be alive."
~X~
The sun was beginning to set, a nearby cathedral rang its bells and the ocean next to her sung an almost sad melody. Leaning back against the large marble bathtub, Masako glanced out the open window and at the golden sky. She closed her eyes, allowing the wind to carefully push back her hair and bring in the scent of the sea. Rose petals fluttered softly around her, sticking to her bare shoulders and chest as the water drifted past. Slowly, Masako reopened her eyes and sighed. An array of candles lit on every side of the bath flickered.
"Ma'am," a gentle voice appeared at the doorway, "Sir is home."
Turning just slightly to her side, Masako nodded, "Alright," she replied, "You can go home now Aya-san, it's been a long day."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
Left by herself, Masako waited until the footsteps had fully disappeared before standing up and steadily climbing out of the bath. Water trickled down her body and her long dark hair was smoothed perfectly along her back. She quickly wrapped a towel around her frame to keep the warmth.
Over on the other side of the estate, Gokudera Hayato sighed and gulped down the last ounce of his bourbon before pouring for more. He carefully slipped on his glasses, and began to scan through a pile of thick documents. Reports of France, conditions in North America and trade in the United States filled his brain. The storm guardian sighed.
"Look at you," Gokudera lifted his head at the intrusion, "The moment you come home, you're back working again."
Strolling into the study with a silver tray balanced carefully on her hand, Masako chuckled and gently closed the door behind her. She approached her husband, and pulled a delicate smile.
"Aren't I right?" Masako pressed, setting down the silverware, "My raging hurricane bomb?"
Raising his eyes, the storm guardian glanced at his wife. Kneeling down to be on the same eye level as her husband, Masako shuffled in her simple; but elegant white kimono dress.
"Che, don't get so full of yourself, woman," Gokudera scoffed, his eyebrows creasing together.
Masako laughed, "I won't dare," the smile on her lips widened.
The storm guardian turned back to his paperwork. But after feeling Masako's eyes still hovering on him, Gokudera's frown deepened. He threw down the documents and glared, "Why do you keep on looking at me, woman?"
His wife merely tilted her head to the side, "Because Hayato is nice to look at."
Gokudera fell silent. He took a minute to study Masako's features. From her dark hair, contrasting against her pale skin and soft lips; the storm guardian could just make out the scent of faint roses that lingered from the bath. Her eyes, that were usually hazel and flecked with green, shone brighter tonight and danced under the glowing candlelight. The storm guardian sighed and took off his glasses.
He extended out a hand, "Come here, woman."
Masako blinked, "Why?"
"Don't ask why," Gokudera argued, "Just come."
Taking her husband's hand, Masako got up and made her way around the writing table. Arriving next to the storm guardian, Masako yelped in surprise as she was pulled down into Gokudera's lap. With an arm thrown over her husband's shoulders, Masako clung tightly onto the latter's dress-shirt.
"Hayato," she whispered, "What're you-"
She was silenced when a pair of lips was pressed tightly against hers. In less than a second, Masako shivered as a trail of hot breath found it's way down her chin and onto her neck. She panted, head tipping up to the ceiling and baring more skin.
"You're my woman, Masako," Gokudera murmured, "Remember that."
Masako's breathing quickened and her body slowly began to grow numb. Gingerly though, she able to feel the silk sleeves belonging to her kimono slide down her shoulders before her brain fully gave out and she was lost; driven into the night with nothing but the essence of passion and delight.
~X~
Sawada Tsunayoshi checked his Rolex for the utmost time that morning. He reached the window of his office, but turned around and trotted back to his desk. His guardians' eyes trailed after him, weary of the time that was quickly ticking past.
Leaning to his side, Yamamoto Takeshi whispered at the sun guardian, "Gokudera is rather late this morning," he muttered, "Even Hibari is here before him."
Hearing his co-guardian's words, Ryohei glanced across the room. Standing at the far end of the office with his back pressed against a handcrafted bookshelf, Hibari Kyoya titled his head to the side and avoided anyone's direct gaze. Yet, sitting behind the grand mahogany desk, the Vongola boss sighed; making his subordinate shuffle uncomfortably.
Outside in the lower courtyard of the estate, Gokudera Hayato jumped out of his Mercedes before running into the mansion. He was greeted by Alberto along the way, who scrambled to keep up with the storm guardian.
"Sir," Tsuna looked up as his butler entered the room, "Your counselor has arrived."
The Vongola boss nodded, "Please show him in."
Turning into one of the most prestigious rooms out of the whole mansion, the storm guardian was greeted by six pairs of curious eyes. Immediately, he knelt down before the boss.
"I apologize for my lateness, Juudaime!" Gokudera cried, bowing his head until it practically met with the carpet, "This is utterly shameful!"
Tsuna, forgiving as always, smiled and quickly waved for his right-hand man to stand up, "I'm glad you could make it, Gokudera-kun," he ushered, "We're all worried that something happened."
"Thank you, sir!"
Getting onto his feet, Gokudera quickly joined in with the rest of the guardians. Standing next to Yamamoto, he frowned when the rain guardian studied at him from head to toe before flashing a childish grin.
"Stormy night?"
"Shut up, baseball idiot," he grumbled back, "Or I'll blow your head off."
Yamamoto erupted into laughter, but fell silent when Tsuna raised his hand. The Vongola boss glanced around the room one last time before standing up. Carefully, be began to speak.
"Seeing that everyone is here," he ushered, "I think it's time we settle some business."
Gokudera frowned, "Juudaime-"
Tsuna nodded, needless of hearing the rest of the storm guardian's sentence, "I've brought in someone who could help us find this mole," he announced before turning to the door, "Send in Giannini-san."
~X~
Giannini, at the age of thirty, currently held the position as Vongola's Lead Weapon Tuner. Yet, despite this high and mighty status; his work would usually be found faulty and rarely work for that matter. So when he was called into the boss's office that very morning, the mechanic was both delighted; but also sweated from the intense eyes that were focused on solely him.
"This device can trace any information in the Vongola," he boasted, but kept a wary tone, "We can find this mole within minutes!"
Tsuna glanced up at machine sitting in the middle of the room. It was no bigger than the average computer, but connected and interwoven with hundreds of thin wires. Regardless of it's ugly appearance, Tsuna prayed that it'll find this traitor, see him to justice and place his family back in peace again.
"Please hurry then, Giannini-san."
With a determined nod, Giannini set to work. Furiously tapping and drumming away on the device he created, the mechanic's eyebrows furrowed together with resolve and a bead of sweat soon rolled down his forehead. It wasn't until the machine groaned and beeped that Giannini's face lit back up.
"I've found it!" he cried out, "I've found the mole!"
In less than an instant, the room all turned attention to the buzzing computer. Stepping forward with one powerful stride, Tsuna arrived promptly next to the Vongola mechanic.
"Who is it, Giannini-san," the boss demanded.
Moving his hand to the keyboard, Giannini pressed on a few more buttons. The machine groaned again, but this time; instead of looking pleased with himself, Giannini paled and gulped rather uneasily. Steadily he looked up, first at Tsuna, then the guardians.
"I-It's," the mechanic whispered, "T-T-The Storm G-Guardian."
~X~
A scream was heard from the lower region of the villa.
Shooting up from her seat in shock, Masako stared at the wooden doors, "Aya-san?" she called out, "Are you alright?"
Receiving no response, Masako frowned and curiously made her way to the door. Carefully pushing the thick wood open, Masako stepped out into the hallway and hurriedly made her way down the winding staircase.
"Aya-san, are you-"
She froze. Surrounded by a group of men, Aya was held under heavy gunpoint. Trembling with fear, the housekeeper slowly turned her head to the side and stared frightened at her landlady.
"What do you think you're doing?" Masako demanded, "Let Aya-san go!"
Stepping out behind two men, Rocco pulled a smug smile, "I have orders to seize anything belonging to the storm guardian," he announced, "You can't stop me."
Masako's eyes darkened, "Who's orders do you perform under?" she challenged, "This is the storm guardian's private property, how dare you trespass so easily!"
Rocco smirked, "Vongola Decimo's orders," he replied, lifting his hand and showing her a scroll wrapped with the official Vongola emblem, "The storm guardian is under investigation for espionage and betrayal."
"What?" Masako gaped back, "Hayato has done no such thing! He's the most loyal person out of the all the guardians for goodness sakes!"
But the butler was unmoved. He merely nodded at his subordinates, "Whether the storm guardian is guilty or not has nothing to do with you, you're just a woman who grovel at the feet of men," he raised an eyebrow with amusement, "If Vongola Decimo wants his head, then he'll the traitors head."
The latter lifted her eyes, "How dare you."
"Don't dare me, Ma'am," Rocco hissed, taking a few strides forward, "This is just how the mafia works, something you won't understand of course."
~X~
On the far side of Catania, near the famous golden beaches and rolling mountains of the city, Bianchi sat rather stiffly in her apartment as a team of Vongola men trashed her house. Despite understanding the situation, the poisonous scorpion nonetheless wanted to pull out her cooking and smash it into her intruder's face.
"Nothing here, sir."
Glancing up at the figure standing in front of her, Bianchi flashed a daring look, "Finished?" she confronted.
The Vongola commander sneered and dropped his cigarette. Turning around, he kicked at a nearby vase; sending the priceless decoration flying to the wall before shattering into a million pieces. Frustrated, the commander stormed out of the house, his subordinate following close behind.
Left alone, Bianchi sighed and closed her eyes. The scent of discarded nicotine filled the living room, mixed with the remaining pieces of her apartment. A nearby painting fell off its hook, making another loud crashing sound.
"Bianchi-san!"
The poisonous scorpion reopened her eyes as a new voice was heard. She was instantly greeted by her sister-in-law's worried face. Rushing into the penthouse with a shaky housekeeper by her side, Masako made her way through all the broken pieces of wood and timber.
"Masako," Bianchi breathed, "What're you doing here?"
Kneeling beside the poisonous scorpion, Masako bit her lower lip, "They took Hayato," she determined, "They took everything."
Bianchi breathed in, then out, "I know," she whispered, "They did the same here."
"How can they do that?" Masako pushed, face scrunching up with panic, "How can a person hold such immense power?"
Watching as her sister-in-law slowly shed a tear, Bianchi reached down and gently pulled Masako into a tight embrace, "This is the mafia," she ushers, "They can do anything."
Clutching onto Bianchi's shoulder, Masako choked on her own breathing, "I have to save Hayato," she sobbed, allowing more tears to roll down her cheek, "Even if it costs me my life!"
-End of Scene IV-
~X~
A/N: Thank you for reading through this chapter! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter.
A Preview for Next Chapter:
"Vongola Decimo dosen't even want to speak of this matter," the butler hissed, "Nonetheless see you."
Kneeling on the cold marble floor, Masako raised her head, "Then I'll stay here until he comes out," she determined
Rocco's eyes turned cold, "Do as you wish," he turned around, "But nothing will save your husband now."
~X~
"Tsuna, think about this," the Rain Guardian urged, "Would Gokudera do something like this?"
The Vongola boss merely pressed his hands together and stared in the other direction, "Right now," he muttered, "I'm not even sure myself."
"Tsuna," Yamamoto trailed, eyebrows creasing together.
Slowly standing up from his armchair, Tsuna turned to glance out the window. The city of Catania expanded out before him; bathed under a warm golden sunset. He sighed, and folded his arms.
"I'll be heading to Palermo tomorrow," he announced, "Dino-san might have information about this."
The rain guardian frowned, "Then what about Gokudera?"
"Leave him where he is," his boss replied, "I'll be taking Chrome and Onii-san with me, so watch the mansion," Tsuna shuffled his feet, "But Rocco should be able to look after everything."
~X~
"What're you doing!" Aya yelled, throwing her arms over Masako, "How dare you hit Ma'am!"
But the beating didn't stop. Hits landed everywhere, starting from Masako's shoulders to her feet. Both girls winced when the tip of a wooden crane smashed into Masako's waist, forcing her to let out a painful cry.
"Ma'am!"
Rocco lifted his hand, stopping is subordinates for a brief second, "And this is what we do to traitors, Masako-san," he sneered, lighting a cigarette and putting it in his mouth, "But you should be glad, your bastard husband doesn't have to endure this."
Laid sprawled out on the floor with Aya attempting to cover her, Masako bit her lip and gingerly lifted her head. Pain shot through her neck and her muscles groaned and cried. She stared at the man standing before her; the man who continuously tortured her. Opening her mouth to speak, Masako coughed when a sudden lump of blood regurgitated up her throat. Rocco didn't seem pleased with this.
"How dare you get blood on Vongola Decimo's floor!" he accused, waving a hand at this subordinate.
In less then a second, Aya was pulled off Masako's figure. The housekeeper yelled and kicked as two men dragged her to the sideline. Left alone on the marble floor, Masako was forced onto her knees; head raised towards Rocco.
Taking the cigarette from his mouth, Rocco bent down until he was eye-level with Masako, "And this is for you."
Eyes widening as the cigarette was turned to her, Masako squirmed as Rocco's hand itched closer and closer. The end of the burning cigarette, now inches away from her skin; flared a dangerous red and released the scent of strong nicotine.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed around the room.