AUTHOR'S NOTES: I apologize for the ridiculously long time it took me to actually get this done and uploaded. I ran into a really rough area of real life about the last time I updated this story and haven't had a chance to return to it until recently. I am sorry for all of those who have been waiting for me to update this-I am hoping the dust has settled enough that I can return to fan fiction and regular updates.
I was going to post this on July 31st, but since I finished editing it today and I promised an update back in February, I decided to update it today. I promise I didn't forget all the people who were watching this waiting for an update!
This particular chapter marks a turning point in Flowers in Namimori and a shift of the landscape in this particular fan fiction arc of mine. If it wasn't already real enough-things are going to get real now.
The world and characters of Katekyo Hitman Reborn! don't belong to me, they're the property of Akira Amano. The story arc, original characters, and other associated things I created for this story belong to me.
Thank you so much for your patience.
The next update should drop around August 21st (sooner if I get it done).
Thank you for taking the time to read (and review if you get a chance) this chapter.
Target 07-04: Nadeshiko's Mask
"Are you sure this is how you want to do this?"
Akai's question came as she tightened the obi around Haru's waist. "I have to do something," Haru said.
"You realize by showing up in this particular kimono with those particular implements you are declaring yourself 'Nadeshiko' right?" Akai said as Haru turned around so that the dark-haired woman could make a few more adjustments to the kimono. "It's like painting a target on your back."
"I know," Haru replied. "I'm not even sure I'm worthy to bear the name 'Nadeshiko', but we have to establish the fact that the Vongola is still alive and well and it would be a good idea to stay out of our territory. Nadeshiko is a bit of a legend no matter where within the mafia or the Clans you look. Those who are just little fish are going to step away…"
"Leaving the piranhas to chomp at your heels," Akai retorted. "You don't have near Nadeshiko's skill right now, Haru, and pulling this out now I'm not sure you'll live long enough to develop it. You do realize that she has some old enemies that are going to come back around when they hear she's active again don't you?"
"It's a risk I have to take," Haru said. "I promised Tsuna-san that I would take care of Namimori while he was gone. He's busy with his lessons; I need to step up mine. I can't sit in our HQ and hope that everything turns out okay. I'm not going to sacrifice the people in this area to preserve my skin and smear the Vongola name."
"You've already talked to Madame Cho about this, right?" Akai asked straightening.
Akai herself was dressed in her full formal regalia as a member of the Hanatachi Grand Council including the kitsune mask she had pulled to the side of her head to reveal her painted face. Haru reached out and straightened a few of the folds of her 'big sister's kimono and nodded. "I talked to her and Lady Tomi," Haru said. "I know this is going to appear as a defection of Nadeshiko from the Hanatachi to the Vongola, but we wracked our brains at our meeting last time and this is all we could come up with."
"They're going to get quite the shock," Akai said. "The Vongola haven't had representatives at the Grand Forum in over a decade."
"I talked to Sawada-san about that and he said that it wasn't particularly necessary because everyone knew the power the Vongola had," Haru said, "though he also said there was always a Vongola present even if they didn't speak."
"I'm not surprised," Akai said. "All right, you're about as ready as you're going to be. Let's get this wig in place."
Akai settled the heavy wig they acquired after Haru came to the decision to show up at the Forum. Haru wouldn't always wear the wig, but her hair wasn't nearly long enough now to pass for Nadeshiko. Admittedly Haru's only memories of her mother had been after Fumiko cut her hair after her wedding ceremony to Hiroshi Miura and she'd maintained the same semi-short style that Haru herself had worn when she first encountered the future Tenth Vongola Boss. It seemed both strange and fitting that Haru was growing her hair out about the time that her mother had cut hers.
"Okay, done," Akai said and Haru stood in front of the mirror and looked herself over.
The ceremonial kimono was black embroidered with blood red Nadeshiko blooms and Haru barely recognized herself. Akai had helped her with her make-up though it wasn't the ceremonial make-up the dark-haired woman wore, but it had been carefully applied to add a sense of age that Haru's fresh face didn't show. Not that anyone would see Haru's face at this particular meeting, the Namahage mask that Haru found and cleaned up would see to that.
There was a soft gasp and Haru turned to see Madame Cho standing in the doorway. The thirteenth Hanatachi boss glided forward and gently touched Haru's face. "With the wig, I almost thought it was Fumiko standing there," Cho said quietly. "I never realized just how much you resembled your mother. When you enter the Forum, it's going to feel like death herself came in for so many people."
"Was she really that frightening?" Haru asked.
"Oh yes," Cho said and Akai nodded in agreement.
It was difficult for Haru to reconcile the life her mother led before getting married to after. The only memories of her mother that Haru possessed were of the warm and generous woman who made her favorite meals on Sundays, took her daughter to the park, and adored her husband.
Cho went over Haru's appearance and smoothed a few strands of the wig into place and nodded in satisfaction. "It pains me to acknowledge that Nadeshiko belongs to another Famiglia now," the Hanatachi Boss admitted, "but I'm very proud of how far you've come so far, Haru, but don't think you're done training with us by a long shot."
Haru chuckled and nodded. "I know," she said.
Prominently displayed was the necklace that bore the Vongola Lightning Ring and Haru took a deep breath. "Let's go," she said.
They exited the room and Haru paused in the doorway and stared at Iemitsu Sawada who was quietly speaking with Yamamoto, Ryohei, and Chrome—all three dressed in black suits with their rings and weapons visible. It was decided that the Tenth Generation Vongola Guardians would just dress in the normal suits because everyone already knew who they were and it would lend more weight to the declaration that the Vongola were quite present and well represented. While Chrome wasn't the official Vongola Mist Guardian, it was widely thought she was and they chose to play it up.
"Sawada-san?" Haru asked.
"Kudaime ordered me to attend you here," Iemitsu announced, "but I will be going back to Italy immediately afterwards. Nana is pregnant and I'm not comfortable leaving my sweet wife and son alone for longer."
Haru's eyes went wide. "Okaa-san is pregnant?" she gasped.
Iemitsu's face lit up with a proud papa grin and Haru found herself bombarded with ultrasound pictures and other family photos with Tsuna looking typically confused and Gokudera appearing to want to be anywhere else except in those photos. "Congratulations," Haru finally managed to get a word in edgewise. "We'd better go. The sooner we're done with this the sooner you can go back."
Iemitsu shifted quickly into his serious demeanor from earlier. "Yes. Are you sure you're ready for this Nadeshiko-sama?" he asked.
For a moment, Haru was startled by the formality, but then she nodded. "Yes."
"You've already been warned of some of the consequences that may result from this particular declaration?" Iemitsu asked.
"Yes, but it's something I have to do to make Namimori safe again," Haru said. "I trust my friends to help me when I need it."
Yamamoto nodded approvingly at her declaration and Haru managed to give him a small smile. In the two weeks since Sakura's death and their discussion, Haru and Yamamoto came to an accord and Haru followed through on her promises to him. Iemitsu's presence here was likely partly due to the report she finally broke down and sent Kudaime about the current situation in Japan. Like Yamamoto promised, the Ninth hadn't come back with words of condemnation; the return letter was brought with the reinforcements the Vongola Boss sent back.
Haru took a deep breath and looked over at Madame Cho and Akai who both inclined their head towards her. "We will see you in the Forum," Cho said and they exited.
"Are you really Haru?"
There was shock in Ryohei's voice as the words burst out from him and Haru turned. "I am," she said. "Are you ready?"
Ryohei nodded and straightened his suit coat. "Let's show them what happens when you move in on the Vongola," he stated.
The sudden seriousness of Ryohei's demeanor threw Haru for a moment, but she had begun to notice a decided shift in the boxer's actions not long after the threats against Take Sushi came though. He'd further shifted not too long after she pulled him and Yamamoto aside and told them about everything that was going on. While the boxer was still all about extremes, a new hint of calm seemed to have infiltrated his demeanor and Haru watched as he and Yamamoto shifted more to the weary mafia hitmen that Haru had been told about in the future. She'd never seen Yamamoto from ten years in the future as they'd both arrived at the same time, but she'd encountered the boxer on more than one occasion before he switched places with his younger counterpart.
For a moment, Haru mourned the loss of yet another part of their childhood, but a hand settling on her shoulder and squeezing drew her eyes up to Yamamoto's. "This was inevitable the day Reborn conscripted us," Yamamoto said quietly. "I don't know if we had longer childhoods before what happened in that future we saw, but we have to do something."
He released her shoulder and moved up next to Ryohei striking a conversation up with the white-haired boy and Iemitsu Sawada fell into step next to her. "You are doing remarkably well with as little knowledge as you had coming in," he observed. "I visited the HQ you've set up so far. It's well done for being what it is, but you are probably going to want to consider something a little more secure."
"I only have so much of a budget, Sawada-san," Haru said.
"You can petition for a larger budget you know," Iemitsu said.
"For now, I'd rather concentrate on getting an intelligence network up and running," Haru said. "After I have that, I'll look into something else for an HQ, but for now information is my highest priority."
Haru pulled her Namahage mask into place as they exited the building and she ducked into the car that Iemitsu had waiting to take her to the Forum. Once in the confines of the tinted windows she moved the mask aside. "What can I expect from the Forum?" she asked, her eyes focusing on Iemitsu. "Madame Cho and Akai gave me some details, but I'd rather know a little bit more."
Iemitsu nodded and launched into an in-depth explanation drawing not only Haru's undivided attention, but also the attention of the Tenth Generation Guardians. They only had limited knowledge of things like this, most of it being the Inheritance Ceremony that went completely downhill when the Shimon attacked. Iemitsu continued talking until they pulled in front of an alternative entrance to the Underground Iemitsu pinpointed.
Before the car came to a complete stop, Haru put her mask back in place and the door was opened by the Vongola driver. Ryohei was out first followed by Yamamoto who offered Haru his hand as she climbed out of the car. She placed her hand in his and attempted to exit gracefully. Her toe caught on her kimono, but Yamamoto's quick action kept her from measuring her length on the ground. Once her feet were firmly on the sidewalk, she took a deep breath and stepped forward, Iemitsu and Chrome exiting after her.
They heard the low buzz of conversation as they drew closer to the closed door that stood between them and the Forum. The guards at the door looked up their bored expressions melting as they scrambled to attention. "What Famiglia do you represent?" one guard demanded in a shaking voice.
"You idiot," his partner, an older man with silver at his temples, growled. "Even you should recognize Sawada Iemitsu-dono and the Vongola Guardians."
He bowed to them. "It's been a long time since we've had an official delegation from the Vongola, Sawada-dono," he said and turned to Haru and bowed deeply, "And an even longer time since Nadeshiko-sama passed through this portal. You've been recruited by the Vongola?"
"I'm currently in charge of the Japanese Contingent of the Vongola," Haru confirmed, her voice slightly muffled by the mask. "Open the doors."
"Of course," the older man said and glared at the younger man who scrambled to get the door open.
Yamamoto and Ryohei entered before Haru swept through the doors after a short pause.
"The Vongola Famiglia."
The announcement reverberated through the silent room and a quiet murmur picked up as several gazes flickered to where Madame Cho and members of the Hanatachi High Council were congregated. Madame Cho glanced up at their entry and swept through the gathering, her head held high. Summoning the mannerisms pounded into her over the past few weeks, Haru greeted the head of the Hanatachi Clan formally, but as equals. They spoke only briefly before there was a surge of people and several others fought each other to introduce themselves.
She knew all of them mostly by sight, the dossiers of the most important people found the way across her desk on the heels of her report to Kudaime. Between her training and other duties, Haru made sure she had all of them memorized. She'd also shared the information with Yamamoto, Ryohei, and Chrome during the string of meetings they'd held after school.
One of the last to greet her was a tall, elegant man dressed in full Japanese kimono. "I did not know they'd chosen another to take up the mantle of Nadeshiko," he stated quietly.
He vaguely reminded her of someone she knew, but Haru couldn't dredge up the face or name. Something about his stance put Haru on edge and she slipped her hand into the sleeve of her kimono to grasp the now familiar handle of the knife she kept there—she'd left her other visible weapons at home in respect for the santuario.
"Seeing our Nadeshiko with the gaijin is an affront to everything Nadeshiko stands for," the man growled and something flashed.
Haru sprang back and there was a clang as Yamamoto's blade blocked that of the other man and he sent him flying backwards. "This is a santuario," Yamamoto stated in an icy voice. "How dare you draw a weapon?"
"Your gaijin santuario means nothing to me," the man hissed. "Nadeshiko is the representation of the purity of the Japanese blood; all Clans should rise up in protest of her being affiliated with the Vongola."
The name was spat, but Yamamoto made no further moves other than to place himself defensively in front of Haru to prevent the attack. "The mantle of Nadeshiko is passed on to the one whom Nadeshiko thinks will best take up her weapons," Akai said icily, taking up a protective stance in front of Haru as well. "You dishonor all clans by violating the truce inherent in these meetings Kinya."
"The Mizumi Clan has no need of these Forums," the man called Kinya hissed, "seeing the once great Clans of Japan bow and scrape before these gaijin is sickening. We have had enough. Soon other clans will see the strength that comes from our Japanese spirits and they will also rise up in defiance of this new order that's been forced on us. I will not allow this…bastardization of our Nadeshiko to exist."
His eyes moved to Haru. "If she is even truly chosen by Nadeshiko," he smirked. "Does the Nadeshiko let others do her fighting for her now?"
Haru drew herself up proudly. "I fight my own battles, on my own terms. We came to this Forum under a flag of truce. I will not be the one to draw a weapon to violate it. Yamamoto, put your sword away or we stand in defiance of the truce as well."
"But—," he began and then nodded grimly putting his weapon away, but not moving from his guard position.
"I will not have my chosen Famiglia stand in violation of the truce," Haru stated quietly. "We are here to discuss and make an accord—not create another battlefield for now."
"For now?" Kinya smirked. "Does that mean you mean to bring war to these shores, Nadeshiko?"
"I am not the harbinger of war," Haru said flatly. "I will defend my chosen home when it is encroached upon, but the Vongola Decimo does not plan conquest. He plans protection. Sanctuary. None of that is accomplished with war."
"How far you have fallen, Nadeshiko," Kinya sneered and glanced around the room, several others had drawn weapons. "For now, my clan will withdraw from these so-called alliances, but I assure you that you've not seen the last of us. I will not allow the mantle of Nadeshiko to settle on a gaijin and I will not allow my homeland to be overrun by foreigners."
Kinya whistled sharply and his contingent gathered around him—all also dressed in full Japanese finery. The crowd within the forum parted at the quiet word of a man settled on the dais that Haru hadn't noted when she came in and they departed. Conversation buzzed and Haru silently swept forward towards the dais and then bowed deeply to the man. "I apologize for the disturbance," she stated quietly.
"It is not something for you to apologize for, Lady Nadeshiko," Masao Ishida said. "Though I must admit your appearance with the Vongola has surprised many of us."