When they are together, it's sad to say but it's because it is expected.

"What about this one", she hears Haru squeal, upon turning around to see the dress in one of her best friend's hand, an audible gasp escapes her.

"Right, it's so elegant", the brunette continues on, hugging the dress to her chest and giving a little spin with her eyes closed, obviously pretending to be dancing in it.

For a moment she doesn't respond, elegant though accurate, is not the descriptor she would have used. The dress is a deep maroon color -she wanted yellow, the color of her brother's flames- there are tiny jewels in the dress, she doesn't have to ask if they're real. Only the best for a Donna.

As Haru continues to twirl she has to fight down the instinctive urge to scream for her to put it down, to be careful she doesn't break this simple cloth that's probably worth more than everything she owns combined.

"Calm down before you tear the national treasure Miura."

Thankfully Hana as no reservations when it comes to speaking her mind, and utterly ignores some of the skeptical looks being shot at her from some of the other customers in this ridiculously upscale bridal gown shop.

"Muu, how any years have we known each other, you can just call Haru Haru now Hana-chan", Haru responds as if that was the most important part of the statement.

"Continue to act like a child in public and I will continue to say things that make clear the distance between us Miura." Hana replies not even looking at the woman she just insulted, making good on her threat to pretend she didn't know the other woman.

Haru pouts, and Kyoko can't help but let out a giggle. This is why she loved having Hana here, she hadn't seen her best friend in little over a year despite the romantic relationship she had with her brother. You could call Hana many harsh names, all to a degree would be true, but you couldn't call her unassertive. Unlike the others in her -Tsuna's- circle of friends, she possessed a refreshing amount of common sense that kept her from getting swept up in all the hyperactive nonsense, it was nice to have someone else who could bring order.

"It's a very nice dress Haru, what do the rest of you think?" She asked turning to the rest of her bridesmaids.

"Needs more diamonds" was M.M's answer

"OF COURSE NOT!" Bianchi shouted outraged, "This is Kyoko's special day, nothing can be allowed that would take attention off of her as she and Tsuna make vows of passionate love!"

"So what, are you saying I should make myself look ugly just so Ms. White Bread can seem more appealing." M.M returned snottily.

Bianchi narrowed her eyes dangerously, and it quickly became apparent that the love obsessed poison user had had enough of the once gold digger. Trying to stave off another fight, Kyoko quickly turned to the other occupants of the room.

"Chrome! What do you think of the dress!?" She called almost desperately

"Perhaps a few adjustments" the girl said in a quiet voice, there was a dark bluish mist that surrounded the dress in Haru's hand ,who let out a surprised yelp as the dress was suddenly black with amethyst skull shaped jewels instead.

"Hahi!"

"WHAT THE HELL! NO ONE WANTS TO WEAR YOUR FREAKY DEATH CLOTHES, THIS AIN'T A FUCKIN' FUNERAL CHROME!"

"Gold digger-chan is right chrome sempai." Little Fran said in her monotone voice, appearing quite literally out of nowhere, "It needs happy things"

Suddenly rainbow colored streamers appeared on the black dress with frog and pineapple stickers.

"Oh. I see."

" 'Oh I see' MY ASS, CHANGE IT BACK!"

Briefly panicking on the blatant use of Flames in front of her sole non-mafia inducted friend, Kyoko turned to see Hana's reaction, only to find the girl on the other side of the store not even pretending to pay attention. Giving up on the hopeless situation in front of her, she went to see how her only normal friend was doing.

"Hana?" she asked somewhat tentatively

"What?" came the dull reply

"I didn't get your opinion on the dress."

"Does it matter?" Kyoko frowned, worried her friend was feeling left out by the others

"You're my best friend, of course it matters."

"It's your wedding, shouldn't the choice be up to you." She replied in a dull tone, and Kyoko smiled at her friend's reluctance,

"I'm not the one who has to wear the dress, I figured I'd let you guys have the choice." 'Someone one should have one'

"You mean like how you don't" Hana shot back, unwittingly voicing Kyoko's passing thought, her eyes narrowed on Kyoko's face to catch a reaction. She got one. Kyoko's eyes widened like dinner plates as she took a step back and even raised her hand in an almost defensive gesture. Hana's eyes narrowed further and Kyoko immediately composed herself. That was a dangerous slip.

"Hana, I'm not sure what all you're implying but I don't like what it is that I can interpret."

"Oh cut the bull Kyoko."

"Hana, I don't"

"Your barely twenty years old Kyoko, TWENTY" the brunette flung he hands up in a rare moment of dramatics, "Your marrying the first and only guy you've ever dated, while his mysteriously rich yet never before mentioned extended family pays for everything in a foreign country-"

"I don't care about money Hana"

"Are you sure, because someone obviously does. This place, these dresses, even what you're wearing right now" she said pointing down to Kyoko's admittedly expensive clothing, " Either something happened to the Kyoko I knew or someone is trying to make you into some doll, cause the Kyoko I knew wouldn't care about any of this crap." She continued waving her hand around the obvious opulence of the store they were in.

"The Kyoko I knew would have wanted a nice simple wedding back in her homeland, when she was older, had a career beyond living in her boyfriend's villa, and most of all, one that her 'parents could actually attend." She finished with a hiss. "Either someone changed you into this kind of person in less than a year or you're the same and someone is making all these decisions for you."

It was the last accusation that made Kyoko flinch, she wanted her parents to come, she really did, but it was simply too dangerous to have them there with the rather dangerous guest list. Not even Tsuna's mother would be coming, let alone aware her son was getting married. They had deliberately set it up this way, just one more sacrifice for the Vongola.

"You keep saying someone, but I can't help but feel you mean Tsuna, is that right?" She replied instead, her voice low.

Hana's silence was all the answer she needed,

"You don't think I know this, you don't think I know how weird this is, how shallow I seem. Tsuna suddenly inheriting is grandfather's company was a surprise to him more than anyone. Yeah it may seem that I'm giving up a lot, but Tsuna himself has never asked me to make those sacrifices. I do them of my own free will."

As she spoke her eyes started to blur with unshed tears, and Hana frowned.

"Kyoko…"

"I won't let anybody accuse Tsuna of being less than he is, not when is giving up so much and has to deal with jealous relatives and people talking bad about him behind his back. Not even if it's you Hana, Tsuna is…Tsuna is"

"Okay okay I'm sorry, that wasn't fair to Sawada, stop your crying please, your making feel like a bitch on your not wedding day" she relents with a sigh and Kyoko blinked back frustrated tears,

"I guess" she continued slowly when it seemed Kyoko had gotten control of herself, "I just never saw you two together, I always sort of counted it as a stupid teenage relationship thing that everybody goes through once and somewhere in the back of my mind expected you to break it off at some point. Course that makes me a hypocrite considering me and Ryohei have been together since middle school but…"

Kyoko remained silent and Hana let out another sigh, "I didn't mean to make you so upset, I'll try to be better", she said giving a rare Hana smile to show her genuinity, which Kyoko returned weakly.

'I wasn't upset because I was offended' she thought as Hana turned back to the truly gorgeous bridesmaid dresses that Kyoko herself would never have picked in a million years, and making pitiful yet endearing tries to participate in Kyoko's pre matrimonial duties. 'I was scared because you were right.'

Her first and oldest friend had just pointed out every fear and doubt that had plagued Kyoko's mind for the last two years; that wasn't even counting Hana's lack of knowledge of all the dark mafia related secrets that would no doubt plague her for the rest of her life. The revelation has snuck up on her all too quietly, insidiously, the way all the worst revelations seem to do.

For Kyoko Sasagawa, being the kind soul that she was and with her fiancée being the loving man that he was, the truth was just too cruel a reality to accept. Tsuna was a wonderful brother, a phenomenal boss, a passionate lover, and a genuine all around exceptional human being; which was why he deserved so much better than what Kyoko could properly give him. Because at the end of the day, despite how great Tsuna was, despite everything he had ever done for her and her family, and despite the happiness he could offer her…

Kyoko Sasagawa did not love Tsunayoshi Sawada and she didn't know what to do about it.

-LINE BREAK-

"I-I-I have l-liked you for a long time, please g-go out. With me. P-please go out with me. Romantically."

She didn't answer, couldn't answer, as she watched the vaguely familiar scene from her middle school days appear before once again, if even this time he wasn't shouting (thankfully) and was fully clothed (…thankfully).

Tsunayoshi Sawada had just confessed to her, Kyoko Sasagawa, and she honestly didn't know what to feel about that. For one she could hardly even process what he said since Tsuna had yet to stop babbling; after her initial 2 seconds of silence the 17 year old had all but worked himself into frenzy, bumbling and tripping over his words. She decided she would put him out of his misery if only to allow her the time to think of an appropriate reply. No matter how adorable his floundering face looked.

"To say" Tsuna babbled, "when two people make a mutual if not always verbal agreement to spend time with each oth-"

"Tsu-kun" she patiently interrupted

"Y-yeah"

"I understood you the first time; you haven't let me answer yet"

"O-oh" the boy, if possible, seemed to go even redder in mortification of what may have been the un-coolest confession ever heard.

Kyoko giggled at his expression, which did not seem to help his dwindling self-esteem, as she allowed herself to really think about his offer. When she was thirteen, she had not been ready to think about such things, and the suddenness of his out of character actions had honestly frightened her.

Now though, now she knew him better, she had seen his various points good and bad, she'd watched him grow into the amazing person he was today. Still just as kind and caring, but now with the steel will to pronounce it, and the strength to protect those he cared about. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't thought about it, that she hadn't gone back to that morning and played out what would have happened in her head had she said yes to his sudden confession. It's not like she had been interested in someone else, and despite her "idol" status, few had had the courage to express romantic interest in her before him. Would he have trusted her with his secrets from the beginning, would she have fought alongside him, would they have that unbreakable bond and trust he shared with the others who stood beside him from the beginning and every step of the way down that long journey?

She didn't know, Tsuna was an amazing guy and Kyoko didn't have anyone like that in her life right now, she did want to be closer to him, to erase that invisible wall that had separated them. Her brother would probably be EXTREMELY happy, and she was a teenage girl at the height of her youth after all. And he was kind of cute, so really, why not?

She turned a beautiful smile at the now milk white Tsuna, who had patiently waited in silence (mortal terror) for her answer.

"Yes"

"Yes?" Tsuna asked, "Y-yes what?" his frail teenage boy heart unwilling to take it if it were a simple misunderstanding, which was quite the par for his ludicrous and rather chaotic life.

"Yes, I'll go out with you."

"Y-you will!?"

Kyoko giggled again before leaning forward and placing a kiss on his cheek, "Mhmm", then laughed out loud at how quick his face went red again. She could definitely learn to love Tsunayoshi Sawada.

LINE BREAK-

Kyoko arrived at her temporary home for the next few weeks, a lavish Vongola owned villa with an amazing view of night time Milan. Kyoko's parents couldn't afford a view like this if they worked the entirety of their lives. And immediately sets about getting ready for the nights events.

"Patricia"

"Yes Nobildonna", the very stern looking woman in an actual full on maid uniform greets, appearing from nonexistent shadows. Only the best for a Vongola, little Madonna, in all aspects.

"Has Tsuna arrived yet, I want to show him the dresses we finally decided on for the wedding." Despite his busy schedule and utter hopelessness in such subjects, Tsuna still requested to be made aware of the various aspects of the wedding, if only to save them from the Vongola Style 'enhancements'.

The maid, Patricia gave a curt bow, "There was an incident that required Sir Decimo and his guardian's immediate attention; he will meet you at the rendezvous Nobildonna."

"Oh" Kyoko breathes out, caught between an odd mixture of relief and disappointment. She does not want to have to force out any more excitement as she has had to do for most of the day (Tsuna is scarily perceptive and nothing but her best performance would be able scrape past his intuition). On the other hand planning a wedding, (regardless of how restricted her decisions are) has been a fun and interesting experience and Tsuna is her closest confidant; she has shared home, bed, and dreams with him for the past two years now and will continue to do so for the rest of their foreseeable lives.

Patricia makes no comment on the far too obvious release of tension at the mention that her intended is not on the premises; Kyoko scolds herself on the lack of control in front of someone she doesn't implicitly trust anyway. The world is a stage little Donna, and you must always give the perfect performance.

"If you will Nobildonna, a bath has been prepared for you, your clothes and accessories for tonight's banquet have been set out, and your stylist can have you ready to go in less than an hour, Nobildonna"

"Thank you that is much appreciated", she smiled even as a distant part of her mind laminated on that fact that she couldn't even pick which clothes she would wear before she harshly shushed it. 'You've lived like this almost two years now, stop acting like a flighty teenage girl now that your about to cross the finish line'

Except it's not a finish line, but the start, she has less than two months until the start of the rest of her life.

It is a daunting thought, but a no less constant one these days that she has learned to ignore and not one she allows to deter her now as she turns and heads to her room. She doesn't make it ten steps before her stylist, Portia she's called if one could believe it, intercepts her and immediately starts jabbering on a mile a minute about tonight's banquet.

"Nobildonna, Kyoko!" the exclaims the young multicolored haired woman that practically rushed her, "Your finally here! We only got two hours to get you fabulous, you're going to look so great in your dress. This banquet is going to be jabber jabber jabber jabber noise noise noise noise" goes the excitable slightly older woman.

Portia will be allowed to attend as a member of the Vongola entourage on Kyoko's request and is clearly exited. This is a calculated move on Kyoko's part, despite her relatively unimportant position in the grand scheme of things, Portia has worked with and underneath some of the best stylists in there society, and as such has access to the grand circle of gossip among female Mafiosi that Kyoko has previously not been a part of.

Kyoko cannot bring herself to feel guilty about this, not when Portia herself knows why she is kept so close to the soon to be wife of Vongola's heir apparent-it is the reason she is jabbering on so incessantly in the first place- and Kyoko cannot afford to make a poor showing in these new social circles. A male dominated society it may be, but any fool could tell you that every Famiglia had some old mother or wife or daddy's girl, whispering vital information in the boss's ears. Running a family was a two person job, and she was Tsuna's partner, this banquet was her job; real get-togethers happened in privacy with close friends and families, and never with those from outside Famiglias unless exceptionally close(Dino, Enma, and Tsuna kind of close). The lady of the house is a queen little Donna, her stylist is her informant, her girlfriends are her soldiers, your entourage are there as your loyal subjects for you to use, so use them.

"- cy told me, cause she can't afford her own stylist anymore" Portia jabbered

"Neil's wife?", Kyoko asked, even half paying attention able to pick and choose the relevant information from Portia's spiel. "I wasn't aware the Cardemonde's were experiencing financial trouble. In fact Tsuna told me the farms were doing better than ever this season. I think Bartelomellow's wanted to do business with them."

Portia's eyes gleamed, obviously prepared to drop some kind of information that would earn her a bonus, "Apparently Mrs. Cardemonde wanted some of his business too."

"Ah, I see", and she did, Kyoko wasn't the only one who'd gone into loveless marriages, though unlike many, Kyoko could at least say she had been close friends with her husband to be for many years. It was simple math; flames were power in the Mafia World, and flames were in the blood, wealth plus blood equals power. The Cardemonde's, though wealthy until recently were not a part of that privileged few that wield the flames of legend, until Nicollete was arranged to marry into the family.

"Such a shame, people seem so eager to violate the sanctity of marriage nowadays." Kyoko sighed rather hypocritically considering her own problems

"Lord Decimo would never do such a thing Nobildonna, it's obvious he worships you like were the sky and sea." Portia assured

"Of course not, I know Tsuna would never." Tsuna wouldn't.

'Stop it'

"Oh Portia, were spending so much time gossiping you haven't even gotten ready yourself."

The young stylist looked down at her evening dress, which was actually quite appropriate if not as terribly expensive as Kyoko's own.

"Oh, I was just going to wear this, my lady", Portia answered obviously not sure how to take Kyoko's words as anything but an insult.

"Oh no no that won't do" Kyoko frowned as if utterly oblivious, "I'm sure I have some appropriate gowns your size in my closet that I myself am never going to get around to wearing."

Truth

"Why don't you look through there and take one or two you can change into for the night."

Portia's eyes lit up excited before trying to school herself and make one or two halfhearted attempts to beg off the generous gifts. Kyoko would have none of it and Portia folded easily enough, information payed for and servant's loyalty assured Kyoko sat back and organized the information she had just received until it was time to go.

LINE BREAK-

There's red on Tsuna's collar, and Kyoko may be the only woman in the world who wishes it was because her fiancée were having an affair.

Having finally arrived outside the giant banquet hall for the charity being held by the mayor of Milan, Kyoko was greeted in the courtyard by a kiss from an enthusiastic Tsuna, while Portia behind her tittered.

Portia wasn't the only one, while Tsuna is far from a male supermodel he's abnormally cute for a grown man, and Kyoko already knows she's going to spend a significant amount of her night fending off vultures in the room, regardless of whether or not they are aware of his true status. Apparently engaged to some woman was the same as not taken, even married wasn't taken to those especially used to getting what they wanted. She's almost tempted to let them have him, but she's not that cruel. She doesn't know if it's crueler to Tsuna or the young girls who don't know what having him really means.

Behind him she could see the rest of their family attempting to look like sane productive members of society. After all tonight Tsuna was not Vongola Neo Primo (Decimo), boogeyman of southern Italy come to reign fire and blood, but Serafino Vongole', young CEO of Seashell Corporation come to donate ridiculous amounts of money to charities he's never heard of while making his company look good for the press.

It's as she's pulling back to tell him about her day, and maybe ask what it was that held him up, that her far too experienced eyes pick up on the splash of red, and suddenly her answer is plainly obvious.

She knows better, the red is from blood, she can count on her hands the number of people that could injure a Tsuna when he's not being careless; given his utter lack of concern he hasn't been caught being careless tonight, the conclusion it's not his blood. It's Hayato, of course who notices her gaze and before Tsuna can even blink his suit jacket has been replaced, at his questioning look, the bomber simply replies there was a stain on the back. Tsuna doesn't respond more than a raised eyebrow but lets it go.

"Well are you ready to go Principessa" he turns to her with a bright smile so beautiful and genuine that it could only be delivered by the most humble of saints.

Kyoko smiles back, because even in a field of dead bodies, Tsuna would still be the kind and loving Tsuna she knows, implicating collars or not. She wishes he wasn't, she wishes that he was changed, that a monster's face would reflect the monstrous (but oh so necessary) actions and takes his outstretched hand, she tries not to imagine those hands covered in blood.

LINE BREAK-

His name is Damien and he will be the planner for their second wedding; after she showed him the bridesmaid dresses, Tsuna had picked up on just how much the lack of control in her own wedding was bothering her. So Tsuna went to the old codgers managing the Vongola and struck up a deal. He and Kyoko would agree to let go of all creative freedoms and put up with whatever over the top shenanigans that went into a typical Italian Vongola wedding, as long as it wouldn't be an actual wedding and instead an affirming of vows. The real wedding would take place in Japan, with only their closest friends and families, and NO ONE not Kyoko approved would go, not even if it were Nono himself. Kyoko would have complete control, and the wedding would take place two weeks before the Vongola Vow Affirmers, as it would now be called.

Kyoko for her part had hastily assured when she heard of it, that of course the Ninth would be invited, but other than that made no attempts to alter his conditions. She didn't realize how badly she wanted this until Tsuna pointed it out, and it fills her with joy (dread) that he could notice this so easily. Really Tsuna is the sweetest guy, and never before had Kyoko wished to be in love with Tsuna more than she had at that moment, her traitorous heart refuses to budge. Even so Tsuna doesn't mark on this when she gives him his, really both of theirs, reward for his surprise thoughtfulness.

Damien is passionate about love and life and imagery, when he stares into the distance she knows he's not thinking about lies and death; right now he's working for his mother, but his true passion is photography and he has an eye for design. Every night they go to dinner as they discuss wedding plans; at some point they've begun moving away from wedding talks and instead begin talking about their favorite drinks and the places they've been and what they dream of doing in the future.

He kisses her on the way home one night, before stuttering and apologizing to her, and it occurs to her at that moment how much he looks like a Western version of Tsuna. Kyoko can't help but wonder if in another life she wouldn't feel so lost if Tsuna was not the heir to the Mafia. She 'forgives' him easily enough and the two resolve not to talk about it, but the next week is full of little looks and hidden touches, and Kyoko wonders when she lost her mind.

Apparently so does Reborn, becomes a week after the kiss, Damien is switched to another wedding, and Reborn becomes her wedding planner. He never says anything but he doesn't need to, she's heard her tutor's voice in her head for the last two years.

A Donna is a queen, a Famiglia is a nation, and bastards are a threat to that dynasty

Kyoko can't even bring herself to feel insulted.

That night she tries to cleanse herself of her 'slip' by having sex with Tsuna. Tsuna has always been an amazing lover, and she has never had to fake this part of this relationship. Or so she thought because instead of collapsing after a night of passionate 'lovemaking', Tsuna merely rolled over and looked at her with blazing orange eyes and spoke in that cool monotone of Hyper Dying Will.

"You don't love me."

Not a question, not a plea of denial, but a simple blank statement. The sky is blue, grass is green, and you don't love me. Kyoko for her part kept her face completely smooth even as her heart rate skyrocketed.

A far too long moment passed as Kyoko simply didn't know how to answer, never had she wanted Tsuna to know this, hadn't she been loving in their interactions, did this have to do with Damian, she didn't love him either, it was just a momentary panic made decision. Did she not have more time?

"I…"

"I know… I've known for a while." He gave her a bitter smile, "Do you remember the first time we were together?"

She did, if she remembered correctly, " You were so nervous you kept going into regular dying will mode" she answered and watched him flush for a moment, before the sad look took back over his face.

"Yeah… I never stopped."

She blinked confused

"I used my intuition to read your body, and respond to what your body most reacted to."

"Ahh" well as interesting as that was what…?

"You let your guard down during sex. I can see your pleasure easy enough, I can also see that you don't look me in the eyes, and the emptiness that sometimes comes over you when were done."

"…Oh. I'm sorry" Its the wrong thing to say, but really is there a right thing?

"…Don't be"

"…"

"…"

"What now?"

"…Now we do what we're expected to do" came his morose reply.

"Fall in love?" she asked, and Tsuna smiled before pulling her to his chest.

"Yeah, we can do that to."

For the rest of the night they held each other in silence; when she woke the next morning Tsuna was gone taking care of business, it would be years before they spoke of that night again.

LINE BREAK-

It's during the wedding rehearsal that life comes to a screeching halt. Kyoko is taking a break from learning the traditional dances and Tsuna is talking to some important someone or other, and this is the first time since this rehearsal from hell that she's been allowed to sit down and be at peace. Reborn is a taskmaster as usual, and every old person seems to have some suggestion or other about how something should be done, and her chaotic family can barely cooperate during the heat of battle when their lives literally depend on it, let alone at some practice party for an actual party two weeks from now. When all of a sudden theirs a loud pink explosion from the middle of the dance floor and it seems chaos is about to erupt once again for the umpteenth time that night.

"Stupid Cow, I thought you had that under control by now!"

"Maa Maa, calm down Hayato, you make it seem like he does it every other week. Actually its been years since he's switched his older self."

"Isn't that because boss took the bazooka away from him all those years ago?"

"I did" Tsuna answers seriously, before walking up and crouching by the dispersing pink smoke. A moment later, Lambo from 10yrs earlier is in the dining hall, with wide eyes and tears streaking down his face.

"Wh-Who are you? The Great Lambo-SAMA will assassinate you" the three year old boy quivers.

"EHHHHH!"

"Stupid Cow, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO!?"

3 year old Lambo tears up, and immediately begins wailing, Tsuna only winces and takes something out of his pocket before forcefully popping it in his mouth, the child immediately stops crying.

"Ah, I had feeling these would come in handy soon" Tsuna comments twirling a grape candy in his hand, "Would you like another one Lambo-sama?"

The child Lambo only nodded, "What is it?", he asked after another candy was deposited into his mouth.

At the question Tsuna blinked looking astonished, before palming his face, "Well looks like we know whose fault it is your obsession for grape candy."

"T-tenth, what's going on" asked a somewhat weireded out looking Gokudera, honestly Kyoko is too. She knows Vongola are famous for randomness but suddenly turning into a child is kind of pushing it.

Tsuna merely tilts his head surprised, "Isn't it obvious? Lambo's past self used the bazooka." Tsuna replied without further ado placing the toddler in his lap and petting his not quite afro hairdo. The 3 year old Lambo looked up at him with awe in his eyes, no doubt cementing the bond that would one day make him the lightening guardian.

"Looks like we can get used to seeing this little guy pop up from time to time…to time…to time…to time" he continued his voice getting wearier as past memories of his whiny little brother began to haunt him, draining his previously jubilant mood. A moment later the 13 year old Lambo appeared in the lap of Tsuna, and there was many shenanigans held, but one person who did not seem interested was currently staring into space eyes wide. Kyoko Sasagawa's world had just stopped and in her heart a desperate wish was born.

LINE BREAK-

She spent hours working on the wording, it had to be perfect. She had no idea why it mattered so much to her, nothing would change even if it worked, but it did and it had to be perfect. She had taken to spending time with her little adoptive brother on pretense that she missed the younger version of him and wanted to spend time around him, even suggesting to Shouichi and Tsuna that perhaps a device should be made to let Lambo know when he was going to switch with his past self so he could go somewhere safe. The little Lambo had already snuck to use the bazooka six times in the last three days alone, and the teenager was a bit at his wits end; the 10 year bazooka was nowhere near as fun from the other side of the time stream apparently.

It was during lunch the day before the wedding when Lambo suddenly stood up and made a beeline to his room, Kyoko who'd been with him the las few times didn't even need to make an excuse when she got up to follow him.

Moments later when she opened up the door to his room she was met with the wondering face of three year old Lambo.

"Keeko" the young Italian boy yelled, butchering her oriental name.

"Hello Lambo" she said warmly, "how have you been?"

"Lambo's family sent him to prove himself and kill that meanie face Reborn!" the little boy chirped, and Kyoko winced at the cruelty the Bovino's had inflicted on the little boy who annoyed them so.

He's so young, she had forgotten how young he was when all that happened, he was far from the arrogant but indestructible little teenager with powerful lightening flames to protect him. She suddenly had to stifle her rage at the Bovino's and she had a feeling the relationship between the allied Famiglia would be strained for the next year or so till it took little Lambo to meet teenage Tsuna in the past.

"I see, that's a very big job Lambo"

The little boy puffed his chest, "Mhmm. Lambo is a big boy."

And Kyoko's heart broke just a little, but she rallied on, "And can you do another big boy job for me Lambo?"

"?"

"I need you to give this letter to Reborn for me can you do that?"

"Lambo's not supposed to take stuff from the fturfur." He said once more butchering the 'big' word.

"Oh would you do it for a grape candy?" she asked coyly

"Yep!" and Kyoko sweat dropped at his utter lack of hesitance.

"Good" she said handing him candy and letter, "I'm trusting you Lambo"

A moment later, both were gone and in their place was the spoiled teenager who looked oddly burnt, "Lambo sweetie… what…?"

"Don't ask Kyoko-nee, just don't ask"

"Okay, your lunch is waiting for you honey."

The teenager nodded and waltzed with a slight limp out of the room, the moment he left Kyoko felt the strength in her knees give out. Taking deep shuddering breathes, Kyoko placed her heard against her knees and shook with relief and pain.

It's all in your hands now

LINE BREAK-

*10 min before Tsuna/Kyoko Wedding, in the bride's dressing room*

"For God's sakes Miura, STOP CRYING THE WEDDING HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET! YOU'RE NOT EVEN THE ONE GETTING MARRIED!" Hana roared.

"Haru can't help it, weddings always make her cry! Bwaaa"

"There there Kurokawa, there are few greater things that one capable of shedding tears for the romance of another."

"Happiness or not she's ruining her makeup job we all had to spend hours enduring. It'll take another half an hour to fix!"

"Pfft, maybe for some of us."

"Can it Bitch, I don't want to hear another word from you. Why are you even here, you're not Kyoko or Sawada's friend." Hana finally snapped

"I can't help it my beauty was requested to raise the overall standard for the rest of you." M.M replied breezily

"Gold Digger-chan begged to be a part of the ceremony so she could get into the pockets of Boss Sawada's associates." Said a monotone voice

"SHUT UP FRAN!"

"Whore"

"FUCK YOU"

"WAAAAH, IT'S SO SAAAAD, M.M IS DESPERATE FOR LOVE ON KYOKO'S SPECIAL DAY!"

"SHUT UP MIURA!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING DESPERATE, BITCH!"

"ENOUGH!" Bianchi snapped, "It's time to line up, M.M and Hana your first, Fran come with me to the bathroom you can use your 'special trick' to help Haru with her make-up, Chrome please stay here with Kyoko till she's ready."

"Yeah yeah whatever." M.M grumbled and Hana looked mutinous for a second, but in a moment the dressing room was cleared of all but the bride and her designated Maid of Honor. Hana would normally take this position, but Chrome was a guardian and the old codgers made a fuss about a civilian being in a mafia wedding at all; besides it would be safer for Hana in the long run. Best she goes as the powerful Sun Guardian's current date, than as a vulnerable spot of the future Decimo's wife.

In the silence Chrome came over and helped fix the veil over Kyoko's head, who was looking at her reflection in the mirror, erasing all fear and sadness from her expression. The result was somewhat colder than she meant, but it would do behind the veil.

"I didn't know Haru was so emotional during weddings." Kyoko said more to distract herself from the churning in her gut than anything.

"She doesn't, she's mourning" came the illusionist's quiet reply

"Mourning?" Kyoko asked confused

"She was in love with Boss"

Kyoko froze, and looked up at Chromes reflection. The girl's face was free of emotion, not that she expected to see any, Chrome had relaxed around them a lot over the years, but she wasn't one to tell jokes.

"Why?" and Kyoko wasn't sure which 'why' she meant. Thankfully Chrome seemed to.

"Boss loves you and you're her friend", the illusionist then turned her sole violet eye to meet Kyoko's, "She's been trying to be enthusiastic about the wedding as possible to hide it."

"Hayato", Kyoko gasped out, and man she was certainly of a master of vague not questions today wasn't she?

"Is a good man who loves her and could make her happy in time." Chrome replied not breaking eye contact, "Though even still I'd think she'd prefer something else even if she knows it might sound a bit selfish"

Damn, it seemed Chrome was a master of vague implicating not answers all this time too. Wasn't Mukuro the one who was supposed to scare you down to your bones with just a few casual words? Kyoko swallowed dryly, but Chrome made no effort to continue that line of conversation, merely finished securing the veil before stepping back.

"Your visitor is here, I'll make sure you're uninterrupted"

Before Kyoko could ask, the door opened and in waltz the white haired devil with an angel face.

Chrome turned to him with an unsurprised face and spoke, "don't ruin her makeup" and was gone in a flash of indigo mist.

"Whoo, the lighter half of the mist has a dark streak to her, huh? I got chills ne."

"Byakuran"

"Are you ready for your wedding gift?" the white haired devil asked

"It worked?" she asked, heart beating in her throat.

The devil merely smiled, and the angel winged ring on his hand glowed as he tapped her forehead, and the world disappeared.

LINE BREAK-

Kyoko Sasagawa strode down the aisle a beautiful white gown, a veil covering her face and emotions from view. Her brother stood in place of their father holding her arm, before giving her off to the man who would be her husband. At his right side a young man wearing a fedora, a flower with yellow lizard eyes on his coat.

13 year old Kyoko Sasagawa tried to find and stop her big brother from beating up the weird fluffy haired boy who'd just confessed to her in his underwear. A baby in a suit with a lizard on his hat jumped out of nowhere surprising her.

"Ciaossu"

"Oh! Your Tsuna's little brother" she exclaimed

The baby tilted his head, his hat blocking his eyes,

"Messing with the time stream is a very dangerous thing Kyoko Sasagawa." The baby replied in a cold tone. The tone actually made her take a step back, which was ridiculous he was just a ba-

"But the information given was good, and may help me of my curse so just this once as a Guardian of the Trissinette, I'll allow it." With that he tossed a white envelope to her and was gone.

Looking down at the envelope she saw her name 'Kyoko'.

"Serafino Tsunayoshi Sawada-Vongole', do you take Kyoko to be your wife, in sickness and in health, good times and bad, to love and honor for the rest of your life?" The preacher asked.

Behind her she could just hear Hana quietly asking what the hell, clearly stumped by the long Italian additions to Tsuna's name.

"What the hell Kyoko, are you scared of the monkey? I promised to kick his ass if he ever stripped in front of you again, but don't you think this is getting ridiculous? Your brother's been invited to Italy and you can't go for 'reasons', What Reasons!?"

15 year Kyoko Sasagawa merely smiled, "That was two years ago Hana, Tsuna doesn't do that anymore, you should move on from that more than me." She replied even as her mind flashed back to the letter she received two years ago, Kyoko would not go anywhere with Tsunayoshi Sawada until he was securely married.

"Besides, I love it here at home" she said looking at the bright noon sky, "Japan is the most beautiful place in the world to me."

"I, Serafino Tsunayoshi Sawada-Vongole' , take you, Kyoko, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"EeeeeeeeeH", went the squeal of 20 year old Haru Miura. Her brother and his friends were for once back home in Namimori. The 20 year old culinary student had long since gotten over her "Tsuna Paranoia" as Hana called it, especially since four years ago she finally stopped seeing that twinkle in his (gorgeous) eyes when he looked at her. Apparently he found someone else to look at like that, judging by the ridiculously happy look on Miura-san's face and the relieved and happy sick look on Tsu-kun's. When Kyoko returned to her empty apartment after hours of celebrating her acquaintance's happiness she couldn't help but curse her other selves' paranoia.

"Kyoko Sasagawa, do you take Serafino to be your husband, in sickness and in health, good times and bad, to love and honor for the rest of your life?" The preacher asked her.

His name is Damien, he works mainly as a photographer for his mother's wedding planner business. He is charming, funny, driven, and handsome. Miura has apparently decided that she wants to hold two weddings since she can't afford to ship all her Japanese friends to Italy. The excuse doesn't hold much water when you take into account how expensive Damien's family's services are, but the girl is a ball of happiness and energy so everyone else can't help but get swept up in the excitement.

They go on a date during the rehearsal and it's the best date she's ever had, she even kisses him before the night's up, when she gets back to the small inn, the Sawada family is paying for in the days leading up to the wedding, she meets Tsunayoshi Sawada out on the terrace. The other man looks so completely at peace that it makes her feel at peace too. When she sits next to him, he seems startled but smiles at her all the same, and she can't help it's the most beautiful thing she's ever seen. She's proven wrong mere minutes later when Miura comes looking for him, the smile that takes over his face could blot out the sun. He leaves without looking back, and Kyoko's night feels cold and empty.

"I, Kyoko Sasagawa, take you, Serafino Tsunayoshi, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."

A white haired man, comes to her minutes before the Sawada/Miura Wedding and asks her if she wants to give a blushing bride a wedding gift. He taps her forehead before she can answer and for a brief moment she feels her life flash before her eyes. With an enigmatic smile the white haired man skips off in search of Marshmallows, leaving a stunned dazed Kyoko staring after him.

"You may now kiss the bride" the preacher says and Tsuna turns to her, with love and pain in his eyes. Leaning forward, she kisses him and hopes the other Kyoko will appreciate the life she lives.

As she sits in a crowd of friends and family and strangers alike and watches Tsunayoshi and Haru Sawada share a passionate kiss, Kyoko Sasagawa can't help but wish that she wasn't in love with Tsunayoshi Sawada.