AN: Hello. I'm back and I apologize for the late update. Anyway, I have meant the story to be multi-chap but only probably five or six something like that. So before we get to it, let me thank first my reviewers: x-MinRi-x, I'm Right Here, neurogal09, Zialialis, kichou, TenchiSaWaDa, NatsuMichi,Michiiya and pancake.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Yamamoto yawned. "You know, I really want to get angry with you now," he said when he studied Gokudera sitting across him. They were in a hotel suite they rented – close to the room of the person they were spying. This was supposed to be the job of Xanxus and the others.

But Gokudera volunteered out of the blue despite not feeling well. Now Yamamoto was stuck with looking after him. Gokudera has the tendency to be suicidal if he so chooses. He can't deny this would be one of those times.

Before Gokudera could answer, a knock was heard. Both shared a look. Yamamoto stood up, eyes staying alert. Upon opening though, he only blinked in surprise. "What the – "

"Gokudera-kun," the boy said as he stepped in.

Gokudera blinked before he finally reacted. "What the hell are you doing here, you stupid cow?" he demanded angrily and swayed at the sudden jolt of pain in his head. Damn all mother of headaches. Of all the times, he has to suffer fever now.

"Lambo followed you secretly," the boy said in fear at the anger and hid at the back of Yamamoto.

"Who told you to follow me?" Gokudera growled. "Don't you know this is dangerous?"

"But Lambo is also a guardian," Lambo defended.

"Right. A guardian who refused to train," he said with a huff. "Go back. Now."

Yamamoto sighed. "I didn't know you could be like that when you suffer from high fever. Gokudera-kun, Lambo is the thunder guardian. You might have to get used to seeing him tagging along. Don't treat him like a child."

At the remark, Gokudera snarled. "Damn it, he is a child. A child should just enjoy being a child while it lasts!"

Tension filled the room as Yamamoto and Lambo processed what Gokudera meant. Giving them no time to think though, Gokudera spoke once more. "Haru wanted Lambo and I-pin and even Reborn to feel what it's like to be a child and not just being part of a mafia family. Why can't you get that, stupid cow?"

Yamamoto chuckled this time. He turned to Lambo. "You heard the man. Everything is fine here Lambo. Don't worry about us."

Disappointment filled his face. "But – "

"You don't have to prove yourself," he advised. "Gokudera knew you're also strong. He's just stubborn to admit that. Besides, we are about to go back anyway. You didn't have to come."

Lambo bowed down, feeling disheartened at not having been able to do anything yet. Noticing this, Gokudera sighed. "Oi, stupid cow, why don't you make yourself useful then?" he said and tossed something. "Go buy those stuffs across the street."

Lambo caught the list and studied it. His face lit up and nodded before running off leaving Yamamoto looking at the door. "You really should stop being too hard on him," he suggested and sat down. Gokudera simply nodded as he felt being pulled into slumber. It must have been ten minutes later when Yamamoto realized that he fell asleep. "And stop being too hard on yourself," he continued as an idea formed at his mind.

.

.

.

He woke up in an unfamiliar room and he immediately shot up straight in alertness, thinking he was in an enemy's lair. But he immediately let his guard down when he spotted a form propped on the bed, seemingly asleep. And he was not stupid not to realize where he is at the moment as his eyes darkened, searching the room for his prey.

Yamamoto is surely going to pay for this one.

Feeling him waking up, the woman raised her head with her sleepy eyes and rubbed them before blinking. She smiled awkwardly. "You're awake…finally."

The silver-haired raised his brow. "Finally?" he muttered, not even bothering to get up from the bed just yet. There was something heart-warming to wake up and find your wife in front of your eyes. He immediately looked away. His wife…the woman he failed to protect. "How's your wound?" he asked casually.

Haru glanced down at her own injury then smiled reassuringly. "It's fine…no worries."

He nodded, not sure what to do next so he stood up, feeling that immediate shot of pain run through his head. "Hot damn!" he cursed. "Where the hell is that baseball freak?" he asked as he forced himself to the door.

"Uhm, Yamamoto is downstairs with Hibari and Tsuna," she answered softly. The last name made Gokudera stop to look over his shoulder. He knew how the woman had tried many times before to avoid being in one room with Tsuna. It was as if to ease the pain of heartbreak and because he understood it, Gokudera would simply lie about her whereabouts when Tsuna and Kyoko would ask where she was.

But on occasions where he could not cover for her, Haru would usually take the greater part of valor and attend the family gathering – but still, she was making sure she was keeping her distance from the couple and thus she always stuck with Chrome and Bianchi.

"Are you alright?" he asked casually once more.

The woman nodded and stood up to stand beside him. "I'm fine."

"I see…" he only muttered and finally stepped out of the room and his wife followed, biting her lips, not knowing what to actually say to him. When she woke up in the hospital, she was honestly disappointed not to find her husband among those waiting for her to wake up.

Instead, he went on a mission.

Just like what he does – choosing his job as the right-hand man of the Tenth. She was stupid for a moment to even hope that she had a place in his heart.

"You sure you are fine being in the same room with him?" he asked again, wanting to make sure.

Haru sighed. "Yes."

Again, he nodded before finally descending downstairs. The rest of the group looked up as they both descended the stairs, Gokudera waiting for Haru to walk beside him like they always did for pretense.

"Ah, Gokudera, I'm glad you're awake," Tsuna greeted with a small smile but his face was serious. The silver-haired simply nodded and offered a seat to his wife.

"Ah, so, what's up?" he asked casually while throwing Yamamoto a dagger look. His best friend scratched his head after giving him a V-sign.

Tsuna cleared his throat and was about to speak when the rest of the guardians entered as well. He motioned for all of them to have a seat before he started to speak, wishing this would be something to be taken on the brighter side.

"Since there is nothing more to be done here, I suggest you guys return to Japan," he started. "Especially you Gokudera. I think you seriously needed a break."

Back in the old days, whenever Tsuna would turn his attention to Gokudera and show some concern, Gokudera would scratch his head bashfully. But over the years, the right-hand man of the Vongola family had actually become more serious and mature that it sometimes terrified other families.

"What about the job I volunteered for?" he asked and once again glared at Yamamoto.

"That was taken care of already by the Varia," Reborn answered. "Seriously, it was a job so easy that you don't have to volunteer for it."

Tsuna spoke once more. "I think I am relieving you of your job for the time-being until you fully recovered."

There were sudden gasps as everyone looked at Tsuna in surprise. The Decimo however was looking at Gokudera seriously while the latter was staring back with indifference.

"What do you mean, relieving him of his job?" Chrome asked worriedly.

Tsuna sighed. "It means, for the time being, Gokudera will no longer be my right-hand man. Until you truly found yourself, I deem you unworthy for this position. Honestly, Gokudera, you have lost yourself in your jobs that you seem to have forgotten a whole lot."

Haru blinked a couple of times, disbelief well-written in her eyes as she stared at the man she once loved. Was he seriously saying that? For all of them who have grown up together after the formation of the tenth family, everyone had a silent agreement that there was no one better for the position than Gokudera. Even Tsuna said so himself.

"The right-hand man does not have to be the one in the frontline. Your job is to be by the tenth's side which you often forgot and risked your life for."

"And just for that, I am unworthy for it?" Gokudera asked slowly, anger trying to build up inside him.

"The primary reason is your inability to protect your wife when she needed you most. That is why," Tsuna answered and the statement shocked everyone else.

Gokudera went rigid, his eyes flashed pain for a moment as he stared at their boss. He had to say that eh? Slowly, he stood up and before anyone could react, he took off his Vongola ring and placed it at the table before finally facing the boss he had vowed to protect. He wondered what he had been doing all his life to disappoint the first person who accepted him for who he was.

"You just have to put it that way," he said with a bitter chuckle. "I can't argue with that."

"Gokudera – "

He raised his hand, not even a sign of anger or hatred in his face. What shocked them was the acceptance he willingly showed. "You're right. I don't see myself worthy of the position if I wasn't even able to help my wife when they took her and was even unable to protect her at the very least."

He gave Tsuna a pat on the shoulder before heading out without another word while the rest stared at Tsuna with disbelief.

"That's…mean, Boss," Chrome said afterwards and wondered what made the tenth suddenly spout those words.

Tsuna gave them an apologetic look which left his face the moment he came face to face with Haru who was now seething in anger. "I can't believe you just said that to the man who had always devoted his time to you," she said in controlled voice but her eyes were welling with tears especially when she saw the defeated look on her husband's face.

"Haru – "

"Don't Haru me," she cut him off and stood up straight. "If anything, I see my husband worthy for that position. And as for protecting me, I believe me and Gokudera did not marry for that reason. You absolutely have no right to say those words. That man who took me did enough damage by saying the same thing and you don't have to add to it."

She glanced at the ring left at the table. "While I appreciate your concern for me, I believe my husband is not to blame for all the missions he had went into because I seem to remember that he was always summoned by you or Reborn to do this and that. And the last mission was the only thing he did of his own volition." Her eyes were giving them a look of disappointment. "You disappoint me. While I honestly believe you have your reason for doing this, I can't swallow the fact that you have to attack his pride for it."

And she stormed the room, following her husband's trail while the rest were left utterly speechless. It was the very first time they heard Haru talk so long. It was also the first time they had seen her really angry. And most importantly, it was the first time she defended her husband.

Yamamoto cleared his throat and scratched his head uncomfortably this time. This was probably his fault. "Uhm, Tsuna, I wasn't expecting you to resort to that kind of tactic. I mean we could have helped the couple in a different way."

Tsuna sighed and felt guilty at the words he had spoken. He had no idea he had hurt his right-hand man in his attempt to get him together with Haru. He couldn't think of any other way and that was what he did. Attacking his right-hand's torn pride.

"Mah, I suppose that would help still," Reborn said with indifference but the words that Haru said bothered him inside. Of course Gokudera wasn't to blame for always being away. It was them who always summoned him to do the job the others could not.

"Reborn!" Lambo said reproachfully, the playful side gone in an instant. He can't accept that he would still act so uncaring. He stood up with clenched fists. He will never forget what Gokudera told him at that hotel. And he felt like standing up for the Storm Guardian. After all, Storm and Thunder are said to be brothers.

"Lambo…Tsuna had a reason why he's doing this," Yamamoto said despite feeling guilty inside. He would never forget that look on his friend's face.

Lambo nodded. "I know but just so you know, Gokudera-kun is a worthy guardian."

Tsuna gave a laugh though it was hollow. He knew that. Everyone else knew that. "Of course he is."

Showing his being perceptive for the first time, Lambo spoke. "He is doing this for Haru-chan too you know," he started slowly. "And it is because Haru-chan wanted me, Ipin and Reborn to enjoy being kids that Gokudera-kun is shouldering my own responsibilities. Because he knows it is what makes Haru-chan happy. To know that I am enjoying life as a kid not as a mafia guardian. You hurt both of them."

Tsuna blinked. It was their first time hearing the cow speak this way. Yamamoto sighed after hearing Lambo talk. He can't believe that the kid beat them all to it. "I really ought to apologize," Yamamoto muttered and stood up. "After hearing Lambo say those words, I think we don't have to actually meddle with their lives. It seems we were all wrong to think he does not care about his wife."

"Oh my God…I had to say those terrible things…" the guilt and panic finally sank in and they had a glimpse of the Tsuna who was so uncertain and unsure of things when he was a boy…

"That's right boss…" Chrome nodded. "You hurt them."

.

.

.

He was about to ride his motorcycle when he spotted her standing there. He looked away for a bit, having been reminded about it. "So…" he started awkwardly.

She walked towards him slowly, unsure if he would welcome her presence at a time like this. "I thought I'd like you to know I never saw you as someone incapable."

For a moment, he stared at her and looked away once more. "You don't have to – "

"I am not patronizing you or anything," she snapped which took him by surprise. "Why don't you defend yourself like you used to?"

Gokudera shrugged. "Maybe because it is the truth…" he studied her carefully before tossing her one helmet. "Want to have a ride with me?"

Though surprised at the invitation, she promptly nodded her head. "Of course." Walking towards him, she hiked up the bike and sat behind him, her hands snaking around his waist naturally. "I'd love to."

"Good," he nodded and fixed his helmet before starting the engine. "Might as well enjoy Italy before flying back to Japan."

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to him again? I mean, come on – "

He looked over his shoulder and shouted so she could hear. "Can we not talk about mafia stuff for a while? At least let's just drive this damn motorcycle before he head for Japan tonight."

She frowned. He was trying to act so casual about it, pretending that he is not affected by Tsuna's words. "You could be stupid too despite your intelligence you know!" she shouted back.

He merely grunted. They circled the city until finally he stopped in front of a mansion. Haru stepped down when he stopped the engine and stared in awe. Though not as big as what the Decimo owned, it is still an expensive mansion with great surrounding.

"This is where I used to live before I ran away from home," he started and the guard noticed him. He immediately opened the gate but Gokudera shook his head. He is not going in there. He stopped being the son when he ran away. "Some other time, when I no longer serve as the right-hand man, which happened a little while ago, I thought of coming back here and start anew…though of course I wouldn't want to start a mafia family. Just a simple one."

Haru merely listened as he talked since it is also rare to hear him speak that long. This time he turned to her. There was something in his eyes that she could not fathom. "We lasted five years when we agreed for only two years…what do you say we extend it more…?"

She blinked, not sure why he is saying this. "Huh?"

Gokudera shook his head and chuckled once more. "Nothing…just a passing thought…but I'd certainly like to start anew…" he said and once again hiked up, not giving room for Haru to process what he was saying. "Let's go."

Haru was dumbfounded as she once again rode the motorcycle with him. Then she was smiling widely. Of course, this man was never good with sappy things. So she shouted. "Would you take me if I say I want to start anew with you?"

And inside, though she knew there is a possibility that Gokudera wanted a life with her, she still feared for his answer especially when she felt him stiffened.