AUTHOR'S NOTES: Welcome back to Flowers in Namimori!
I'm sorry that I took such a long hiatus from this story, but I'm hoping with some new developments and a few things that I'm hammering out, I'll be back at this as strong as ever. This chapter took a slightly different turn than I originally imagined when I came up with the story to start with, but I think, in the end it's going to work out a little better-I just have to revise my outline (for the umpteenth time) and work out how this new path is going to go.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! doesn't belong to me, it's belongs to Akira Amano, but the original characters and the "Future Revised" storyline belongs to me.
I'll catch you around March 30th with the next chapter (for those reading my "Rainy Day Man" 8086 drabbles, that's getting updated in the next couple days-I need the fluff after the recent story drama).
Thank you for sticking with me through this story and reading (and reviewing if you get a chance).
- Yuki Seki
PS: I had to go back and reread all the stories that preceded this one and have decided that "Haru's Resolve" needs a bit of an overhaul. Once I get started on that, I'll be probably posting the revised version on AO3 since there is a severe lack of Haru story over there (I'll be posting under the same name). However, Flowers in Namimori is a higher priority and I plan to finish this before I turn my full attention to the rewrite (though I may have to write the follow-up to this one as well before I'm free to work on that).
Target 08-04: Shadows of Deception
"Though one must wonder when and where it was you defeated the previous holder of the Nadeshiko name," a voice murmured, "and who bore witness to the passing of the mantle."
Haru was glad that her mask hid the shock on her expression when Satomi Ishida emerged from behind her husband's chair. Haru kept her body language as casual as possible, but she knew that if her face had been in view it would completely betray her. "For generations, the name 'Nadeshiko' has been passed down through the Famiglia and Clans that reside on Japanese shores. The last Nadeshiko vanished nearly twenty years ago with no word of another taking up her mantle," Lady Tomi continued tapping a long-nailed finger against her crimson lips. "Was tradition properly followed, Madame Cho?"
"None that live bore witness to the passing of the mantle," Madame Cho said quietly. "The woman who speaks as Nadeshiko appeared to us in the kimono with all of the former Nadeshiko's effects."
Haru felt a chill pass through her and she wanted to rip the mask off and demand to know what the two older women were talking about. Both guided her and she was warned that there may be consequences associated with her declaration, but to have it come directly from those who supported her…it was all Haru could do to control herself from either bolting from the forum or demand why they were turning against her. "Perhaps Nadeshiko can inform us of the circumstances of her inheritance of the name," Satomi murmured.
Haru felt every eye in the room turn towards her and her heart began to pound. Sweat slid from under the wig down her neck to trace her spine before it was absorbed by the material of the kimono.
This had to be a test…
…it had to. Madame Cho and Lady Tomi would not turn against her like this, they couldn't turn against her like this or they put everything in danger. Not just the Vongola, but also the uneasy alliance of the Famiglia and Clans assembled here today. Her hands clenched in the shelter of the long sleeves of the kimono as she floundered for a response.
She could make up a lie, but both Madame Cho and Lady Tomi knew exactly how she came by the kimono and the personal effects of its previous wearer. There was no telling if they would back the lie or if they would dig the knives in Haru's back in deeper and betray everything. Haru took a deep breath coming to a final conclusion. "The details of my ascension into the name are between myself and the previous Nadeshiko alone," she said quietly, "but if the current Council doubts my rights to the name I will prove it by whatever means necessary."
"Trial by combat."
Haru's gasp was audible to those nearby as Akai's voice echoed from the crowd and the people parted to allow the red-clad member of the Hanatachi move forward.
Rule number one. NEVER drop your guard, even with your teacher, Haru. It doesn't take much for an ally to turn into an enemy on the battlefield—even if they're Famiglia.
The grim words echoed in Haru's mind spoken in Dani Shirokaia's familiar voice. She nearly looked around the Forum to see if the red-haired hitman was near, but she knew that Dani was still trapped in Vendicare and likely wouldn't be escaping any time soon. She never thought she would have to remember her first tutor's teachings when it came to those who were closest to her. Akai saved her life twice. Lady Tomi taught her so many things to strengthen her current position and help her spread her intelligence network. Madame Cho was a protective mother who watched over her so closely in the past two years since she embarked on this road. It never occurred to Haru that she would find herself in this situation.
Tears pricked her eyes and it took her a moment to speak.
"What are the conditions?"
Haru was proud that her voice didn't break or betray the fact that she just wanted to burst into tears.
Masao's gaze moved from his wife to Akai and Cho and over to Haru and Haru swore she saw a flash of compassion pass over the Head of the Ishida Clan's face before he spoke. "It seems the legitimacy of your claim is in dispute," he said. "It shall henceforth be declared that the name 'Nadeshiko' is stripped from the one who claims it until such times as she's proved her worth."
There was a buzz in the Forum and Haru maintained her feet only through sheer stubbornness. Masao held up his hand to silence those gathered before him. "Let it be known that in three weeks the Trial of Arms to determine the true 'Nadeshiko' will be held at a location to be determined. The location will be announced to the head of each organization twelve hours prior to the battle commencing. Between now and then, let each organization determine who they wish to put forward to challenge for the right to wear the mantle of 'Nadeshiko'. Each organization is allowed one challenger, how the challenger is determined is up to each leader. At the time of this battle, this forum will reconvene. Until then all business slated for tonight will be adjourned until then. Let it also be known that until the Trial of Arms if any organization moves into the accepted territories of another, they will be met with immediate and deadly force."
Haru's eyes widened in shock at Masao's declaration and she saw Lady Tomi nod in approval. Her head moved to regard Madame Cho and Akai, both women's expressions were unreadable and she came to a sudden realization.
This had been the plan all along.
She bit her lip hard and swallowed heavily. "I will accept these conditions. With your permission, we will withdraw."
"Granted," Masao said.
Haru bowed to him and gave a shallow bow to the members of the Hanatachi clan before the crowd parted and she swept out the door. As soon as she was relatively sure they were out of an ear shot of the doors she spoke. "Sawada-san, how many reinforcements were brought with the letter?"
"At least fifty," Iemitsu replied.
"Please petition the Ninth to double or triple that for me, set to arrive in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours," Haru said. "Chrome, we're not too far from home, please go there and check on my father. Make sure all is well there for him and Chiharu both. Yamamoto, Ryohei, take the other car and I'll meet you at Take Sushi in about forty-five minutes. We'll be heading for the Underground. Also if possible, someone get me a line to Dino-san, I want to see if he has any available reinforcements he'd be willing to put under my control for now."
"Haru?" Yamamoto gaped.
"Just do it, I'll explain later," Haru ordered.
"As you wish," Yamamoto replied.
"Chrome, get me a location status on Hibari and Mukuro, I need to know where all my playing pieces are, even the ones that move at their own volition. Sawada-san if you'll ride with me please," Haru said and slipped into the car door that was already opened for her.
She paused for a moment before she shut the door of the car. "For the time being, there will be no Hanatachi allowed anywhere near any Vongola-held territory," Haru added her heart breaking as she gave the order.
"Understood."
The car door shut behind Iemitsu and Haru was already removing her mask and wig as the car started moving.
"Where to?" the driver called back.
"HQ," Haru replied. "We're changing the locks and security codes; I'll not be letting anyone else in."
"Yes, ma'am."
The car lurched into motion and Iemitsu was already on his phone, speaking Italian to someone on the other line. Haru slipped her feet out of the geta she was wearing and wriggling her toes gratefully for a moment. She reached down and picked them up, setting them on the seat next to her before taking a handkerchief that was handed to her by one of the agents in the car. She scrubbed the make-up off and loosened her hair, setting the kanzashi aside along with the knife she'd hidden in her sleeve.
She would play this game.
Iemitsu's conversation ended a few minutes later and he turned his attention to Haru. "Haru-san…" he began.
"Not right now, Sawada-san," Haru said.
She pulled out her tablet and sent off a couple encoded e-mails first to the Vongola in the machinist shop in the Underground and then to the communication nodes in her growing intelligence network. The words were pretty much all the same.
Defensive measures deploy.
They arrived at the apartments and Haru didn't wait for someone to open the door for her, she was out of the car almost before it came to a complete stop leaving everything on the car seat. "See that those items are boxed up, until I win that Trial of Arms, they do not belong to me."
She reached the apartment and opened the door, her cell phone already at her ear as she contacted the Vongola Security division. She knew how to reset the security codes on her own, but the mundane task of changing the locks was out of her expertise. She went into her office and immediately stripped off the remainder of the kimono and its accoutrement, folding them reverently on her desk before pulling out a pair of jeans and a maroon t-shirt that still had the faintest scents of Gokudera on it. She left her hair loose and shoved her feet into a spare pair of socks and sneakers before she exited.
Iemitsu was leaning against the kitchen counter when she emerged. "Explain now, Haru-san?" he suggested. "I know that this is probably quite a shock…"
"I should have expected it," Haru stated flatly. "Dani warned me when I first stepped into this world that there is a thin line between allies and enemies in this world. I put too much trust in the Hanatachi and Ishida."
"Haru…" he began.
"There probably wasn't another way," Haru said. "By doing this they've given me some much needed breathing room to reinforce our quarter of Namimori and stop the incursions of other Famiglia and Clans on this perceived 'No Man's Land'. Madame Cho and Lady Satomi had this planned from the moment I showed them my mother's kimono and I can see why it was done, but it still doesn't stop the knife from stinging as it goes in. I just didn't think Akai…"
"She's Hanatachi first, Haru-san," Iemitsu said quietly.
Haru's eyes filled with tears and she dashed them away angrily. "Sawada-san, please stay here with your men until the locks are changed. I'm going to go change the security codes and then I'll be heading out."
"I'll send some men as escorts until you reach the Rain and Sun Guardians," Iemitsu said.
Haru thought about protesting for all of about two seconds then nodded curtly. "All right," she said. "Please make sure my orders regarding the Hanatachi and also the Ishida are relayed to all our agents in Namimori."
"That could be viewed as severing ties, Haru," Iemitsu frowned.
"So be it," Haru said. "If possible a new accord will be reached in three weeks, until then I want maximum security measures. I'll be working on realigning my security matrix and intelligence network over the next couple days until the process is finished consider our networks compromised and bring reports only to me, by hand not via messengers. I'm sorry I have to keep you here longer than intended."
Iemitsu shrugged. "I'll send word for a trustworthy replacement and head back once things are more secure. You are moving very well, Haru."
"I have to."
It was closer to an hour later when Haru arrived at Take Sushi, but she'd responded promptly to the concerned texts and call from Yamamoto and so both the baseball player and the boxer were relatively calm when she rolled up.
"Haru, are you okay?" Yamamoto asked quietly as they disappeared into the shadows of the dojo to the entrance.
"No," Haru replied, "but don't have the luxury to break down."
"Why would Akai…" Ryohei began.
"This is the world I allowed myself to get into," Haru said, "and I forgot the first rule that Dani Shirokaia ever taught me."
"What was that?" Yamamoto asked.
"To never let my guard down," Haru said.
She led the way into the tunnel and they were met halfway by Marco. "Boss, we got the transmission earlier, what's going on? I thought we were in a state of truce with the Ishida and allies with the Hanatachi."
His address startled Haru, but she let it slide.
"Things change quickly when one gets a knife in the back," Haru said. "What's the status?"
"Giannini and Spanner are working on things right now," Marco said. "Spanner got in touch to Irie and he's moving outside the base. You'll likely have to meet him…but all the usual places are kind of out of the question for now aren't they? The Hanatachi know a lot of our networks here in Namimori."
"I'll be changing that as quickly as time and training allow," Haru said. "For now, have him escorted to the machinist shop at the earliest convenience. I may wind up having to relocate our HQ from its current place, but for now I'm changing the locks and security codes."
"You sound very…business-like, Boss…" Marco said slowly.
"This is business," Haru stated grimly.
They finally reached the machinist's shop and it took her a moment to catch Giannini. "I need a moment of your time, Giannini," Haru said.
"Of course, Haru, what can I do for you?" Giannini asked giving instructions to one of his underlings.
"I need a place to train," Haru said.
"Train?" Giannini repeated.
"Yes, sooner rather than later. Survival Mountain if we must, but I know there's some other Vongola Training Grounds that may not be as well known," Haru said. "I'm also going to need to some new weapons."
"Of course," Giannini said. "When would you like them?"
"Yesterday," Haru said and then forced herself to calm a bit, "but given that's impossible, the next twenty-four hours. Also I need you to pull up that 3D map you made of the territories in Namimori, I need to make some changes."
"Yes ma'am," Giannini said.
Haru looked at Yamamoto and Ryohei. "If you want to come with me, feel free, but if you'd rather, stay here. I've got some in-depth plans to look at," she said.
"I'll stay here and make sure it's extremely protected," Ryohei stated.
"I'll join you, Haru," Yamamoto said. "After all, I'm acting as your second."
Haru nodded and the two vanished into the room Giannini moved to.
###
The following morning, Haru arrived at school dressed in her uniform with Yamamoto close by her side. Haru was only awake via the grace of caffeine pills and the slow rage burning through her. They arrived at the school and Akai was waiting outside of the school gate. "Haru…"
"Good morning, Akagi-san," Haru said in the most formal Japanese she could pull from her memory. "It's a beautiful day today isn't it?"
She swept by the Hanatachi hitman without another word.
"Haru, can I talk to you?" Akai said.
"At present, I don't think I can hold a civil conversation with you, Akagi-san," Haru said quietly. "Please leave me be."
"We didn't have a choice, Haru," Akai said.
"There's always a choice, Akagi-san," Haru replied. "I've made mine. Good day."
"Haru…"
"Only family can call me that," Haru said icily.
For a moment, Akai looked as if she'd been slapped in the face, but then coldness settled into her features. "As you wish, Miura-san," she said.