Second Chances
Chapter Five – History
Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyō Hitman Reborn.
A/N: Adult Reborn X Nana. AU. Some OoC. Will update relationships as other relationships appear ;)
Answers to questions/comments can be found at the end of the story.
Please be sure to leave reviews and helpful hints. R&R!
Present Day
The table shifted, spilling Reborn's espresso onto Tsuna's legs. "HIEEE!"
Reborn stood slowly, restraining himself from disciplining his student. "Fine. I will bring the matchmaker tomorrow."
As Reborn turned to leave, the front door flew open.
"Mama! Lambo is hungry," said boy exclaimed as he ran towards the kitchen and promptly tripped over his own feet. "Hold… it… in… WAAA!"
Standing frozen in the doorway, Bianchi clutched the bag of rice and leeks, while her other arm hugged I-Pin to her. "Reborn?"
Annoyed, Reborn pulled his fedora over his eyes and smirked. "Bianchi," he stated then disappeared through the door.
vvv
As the household sat down to eat Nana's wonderful cooking, Bianchi was still suffering from shock. 'Reborn… Adult… Here…' continued to repeat in her head, over and over again.
"Um, Mama who was that gentleman that was here earlier?" Bianchi softly asked from her chair.
"Eh? Oh, you mean Ren-kun?" Nana responded, oblivious to Bianchi's unusual mood. "I knew him when I was younger."
Tsuna suddenly became interested. He still didn't understand what was going on, especially why Reborn would want to marry his mom.
"Um, Mom, how did you meet Rebboku-san?" Tsuna asked, unsure if she would answer.
'Oh dear.' Nana sighed. "Hmm, well it was before you were born Tsu-kun. I must have been about 14…"
vvv
20 Years Ago
Sitting in a straight back chair at a prettily decorated table in a small tea shop in Namimori, Nana was nervous. She fidgeted in her white short-sleeved blouse and long navy blue skirt.
Clasping her hands together in her lap, she tried not to show her nervousness. Eyes downcast, she snuck a glance at the woman seated to her right.
Her father had hired the elderly nakōdo* to help find Nana a suitable husband. Dressed in a black silk mofuku*, she sat perfectly poised next to Nana.
Though Nana was still too young to marry, her father was planning her future. Since her mother had passed away last year, he had begun to distance himself from her.
Today will be Nana's first Miai*. Actually, she will have three meetings today. As her father and the nakōdo chose the three gentlemen she would be meeting as her only choices.
At the end of the day, Nana will have to decide which one she wanted to continue a courtship with.
The bell above the door chimed. Nana looked up. Entering the small café was a young man dressed in a black suit with an orange dress shirt. Nana smile slightly at the black fedora he wore. It was such an unusual sight, that Nana forgot her nervousness in the midst of her curiosity.
If she remembered correctly, this young man was Rebboku Ren. According to the portfolio her father had her read; he was 20 years old and well off. He was a contract employee for various organizations in Italy and an adviser for the Vongola Corporation. Oh, and he was her father's first choice.
Nana blushed when his eyes met hers. She couldn't look away. His jet black hair and deep, almost black eyes made his thin angular face pale. She felt as if his eyes were looking into her soul. When he smirked, she felt as if she would melt right there.
Conscious that the elderly nakōdo was watching her, she stood and made the proper introductions. Once finished, Nana returned to her seat, allowing the woman to control the flow of her Miai.
vvv
Rebboku-san was gone and Nana was waiting for her second suitor to appear, but she couldn't stop thinking about him. His sarcasm and straight to the point talk was new to her. He didn't cut her any slack, but he was neither mean nor rude about it. She blushed all over again when she thought about his sexy sideburns.
She was unsure if she made a good impression on him. In her nervousness, she couldn't stop stuttering. To make matters worse, she spilled tea on the table and herself. Nana sighed and hoped that he would respond favorably to their meeting…
vvv
Present Day
Nana stopped her story when she glanced at Bianchi. The young woman had tears silently streaming down her face.
"Bianchi?" Nana asked softly.
Bianchi blinked and looked at the woman who was a second mother to her. Her emotions were unstable. Torn between wanting to attack something or cry, Bianchi excused herself and hastily retired to her room.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Bianchi's gaze focused on her reflection in the mirror above her vanity.
Bianchi loved Reborn. She was devoted to him. She had left her home in Italy to follow him here, against his wishes. Even though he had ended their relationship prior to leaving, Bianchi had believed she could win him back.
Bianchi loved Nana. She found a loving mother in Nana, one who was both approachable and caring, something that she did not have in the Gokudera Mansion. She was loathed to lose that relationship.
Tears slid down her cheeks. Bianchi could no longer hold them back. Did she fight for the man she loved, who was fighting for the woman he loved? Or did she support the woman who had become her mama?
Unable to stop the tears and emotions roiling through her, Bianchi cried herself to sleep.
Notes and Answers to Questions/Comments:
(1) None?! Just so you know, the more comments I get, the faster I write…
(2) Definitions:
- Nakōdo: matchmaker
- Mofuku: formal mourning kimono
- Miai: matchmaking