a/n: So this first time I published chapter one I accidentally uploaded the draft, which is why some of it probably didn't make any sense. It's corrected now, so you'll probably want to go back and re-read chapter one. Sorry for the mistake. I tried to make it up by posting chapters 2 and 3 early. Enjoy!

Summary: 8059 Yamamoto has a crush on Gokudera, but Gokudera is hopelessly oblivious. Then he overhears something and misunderstands. Soon everyone in the mansion is a victim of this unfortunate circumstance.

Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn or any of its characters.

"speaking" thinking

xxxxx

Victims of Circumstance Chapter Two: Calm Before the Storm

Tuesday dawned bright and beautiful with Yamamoto and Lambo standing in Decimo's office ready to receive the details of their new mission. All in all it was fairly straightforward, and Tsuna was hoping they wouldn't see any action at all. They were meeting with three smaller families to hammer out the details of an alliance. With the Vongola on the rise under Tsuna's control, there shouldn't be any problems.

As Tsuna briefed them on a few of the details, he reflected this choice of guardians. Yamamoto had long been established as a superb negotiator. He was clam and easy-going, full to the brim with rains tranquility. At the same time, he was known as the deadliest swordsman alive and was (as Reborn so frequently pointed out) a born hitman. He seemed to know exactly when to keep things relaxed and when to get serious.

Any other time Gokudera would go with him, but in truth that was no longer necessary. Initially, Gokudera had known the most about the mafia world, being the only guardian who came from that world other than Lambo, who was much too young to be of any help. Gokudera also spoke the best Italian, so he was an obvious choice for a negotiator. As the years passed, however, those things no longer mattered. They all spoke Italian fluently now and were intimately familiar with the mafia's politics.

There's no doubt Yamamoto is the right choice thought Tsuna. I just hope sending Lambo with him will work out. Yamamoto has the patience to deal with Lambo if he starts to act too immature. Everything will be fine...I hope.

After Tsuna was finished debriefing the two guardians, he excused them to do finish his paperwork. As they left he called out to Yamamoto. "Wait just a minute. Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Sure thing, Tsuna. What's up?"

"Well, I'm just worried about Lambo. He's never been on a mission of this kind before. Just watch out for him okay. He should be fine."

"Everything should be fine. It'll actually be a lot calmer than usual I think. Lambo can be a handful, but Gokudera is always so rambunctious. Some of our negotiations nearly ended with him stuffing dynamite down another family's throat. To tell the truth, though, I'm a little surprised you didn't assign him for this mission."

It was a casual enough statement, but Tsuna had been working with Yamamoto long enough to hear the real question: Why didn't you assign Gokudera as my partner?

"To tell the Truth," Tsuna explained, "I don't know where you and Gokudera stand, with each other I mean. I didn't want to put you in an awkward situation if there's something going on."

"Found out I see!" Yamamoto let out one of his trademark laughs and sheepish smiles before saying, "Actually, there's nothing going on between us. We're just friends."

Tsuna nodded, but again he had heard those unsaid words: There's nothing going on, but I wish there was.

"Well, speaking of Gokudera, there was something I needed to speak to him about. Would you mind finding him and sending him my way?"

"Sure thing Tsuna"

xxxxx

Yamamoto found Gokudera in the sandstorm training room, working through a particularly rigorous simulation. "Hey, Gokudera!"

"What do you want, damned baseball idiot! Can't you see I'm training?"

"Actually, Tsuna asked me to come find you. I think he wants to see you."

"The Tenth? Okay. Was there anything else, baseball idiot?"

"Ah, not that I remember."

"Che."

With that, Gokudera quickly left the training room and headed towards Tsuna's office under Yamamoto's watchful eye. That was odd. Gokudera's usually more animated. He must just be eager to see Tsuna.

xxxxx

To, Tsuna, however, Gokudera seemed anything but eager. He was not his usual animated self, but it was clear that his determination was still there. Tsuna had read over Gokudera's new assault plan he had turned in to Tsuna late yesterday, and he brought Gokudera in to discuss them. After explaining this much, Tsuna continued, "It's an excellent strategy, and I'd like to run through a simulation of it a couple of times. However, I don't think this is really the type of thing the guardians typically handle. A job of this nature would usually be something the Varia would handle. That's why I want you to teach them this strategy.

"I have already sent a memo to Xanxus explaining that I need all of his captains as well as a number of members from the Levi Lightning Squad to come to our base for a training simulation. I know that working with the Varia is always...challenging, but I have faith in you. I know that you can do it, Gokudera. I've told Xanxus to plan on being without his captains for about a week while they run through the training, but he knows it might take longer. There's no rush, and if you need anything just let me know."

"You can count on me, Tenth."

"Good, well, they will be arriving late tonight. Meet them in the third training room at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

Gokudera nodded before quietly leaving the room. Again, it struck Tsuna as odd, an uneasy and wholly unnatural stillness. Like the calm before the Storm.