SOMETHING NEW IN ITALY – I'M SORRY
One Month Later, A Small Coffee Shop, Rome, Italy
Iemitsu sits outside the coffee shop, watching the people of the city walk by. Thoughts float through his mind like leaves in the wind; 'these people don't know about our strength, I wonder how they would feel if they knew, would they be afraid'. The reason for him being here is to discuss his son's relationship with Dokuro, the woman who will hopefully be part of his family in the near future.
The waitress approaches Iemitsu before his guest arrives, they have been here many times before though so he orders their usual drinks in expectation that he will arrive soon. Just down the road from here is the coliseum, 'I wonder if a Vongola has ever fought in the coliseum, I wonder if Tsuna will ever fight in the coliseum, I wonder what his mother would think'. Iemitsu laughs aloud at that last thought, Nana (his wife), wouldn't react kindly to discovering her sons hidden powers through a news announcement, that would take some explaining.
"Hello, Iemitsu" says the 9th as he walks up to the table and sits down across from Iemitsu.
Iemitsu smiles, "I hope you don't mind, I ordered the usual for you".
"Not at all, I would have ordered the same anyway, we always do after all", says 9th with a hint of nostalgia.
"We've been at this too long you and I", Iemitsu sighs, sharing his boss' sentiments.
"Yes we have" agrees the 9th.
"We will be getting rid of these jobs soon Iemitsu, that's what we are here to discuss", 9th reminds his co-worker, formalising the tone of conversation.
"Is Basil ready", asks the 9th, choosing Iemitsu's successor as the first subject for discussion.
"Basil is ready, he is excited to take over and he has the respect of everyone in the department, unless you want to introduce rules about him being married" jokes Iemitsu.
9th has to smile at that, "No, that's great, you've done a good job with that boy, now to the most important question, are Tsuna and Chrome getting married".
Iemitsu maintains his good mood, "As far as I can tell 9th, they like each other, really like each other, I think they are prepared to be married if that's what they need to do".
The words that 9th wanted to hear so desperately have been said, Tsuna and Dokuro are going to accept their fate and get married.
The 9th smiles widely, "Then I say we have a celebration tonight Iemitsu".
"A celebration?".
"Yeah, it's our retirement party, we'll finish here, go out for a meal and then head out well into the night" the 9th plans jovially.
"Hey, aren't we getting a bit old for that, we're not youngsters anymore you know", Iemitsu calmly reminds his boss.
"Come on, we can be young again for one more night, your son is getting married Iemitsu", 9th raises a cup to his long term friend and colleague.
Iemitsu laughs, "Well, I'll drink to that", and with that he taps his cup against the 9th's and begins to drink.
In the Italian Lakes
The boat slowly floats along the water on the sunny and beautiful day. The islands are famous for being pictures, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Dokuro stares in amazement at the view in front of her, after spending several years in hiding with Mukuro, coming to a foreign country and being taken to see the sights is a thrilling experience. All this has been made her reality by Sawada Tsunayoshi. Tsuna doesn't say anything while the boat moves towards their destination, he is content to just watch Dokuro's delightful facial expressions.
The boat eventually stops on an island, the few passengers that paid to ride on it get off in an orderly fashion, heading off in a variety of different directions, looking for their own little spot, their own little part of paradise. It's a romantic island, those disembarking from the boat are chiefly couples, of course on this day Tsuna and Dokuro are no different, they are engaged despite only seeing each other for one month.
The island is small but very steep, the contours make for a challenging climb for beginners, the people on the boat however cannot even be classified as beginners, for they have no climbing experience. The island has a small marked out path which you can attempt to climb if you wish to get right to the top of the island. A tough ask for a normal person, only two people make it to the top of the island, naturally these two are Tsuna and Dokuro. The two haven't got the appearance of athletic individuals causing embarrassment to some of the fitter men and women who didn't make it to the top, despite this they have the physical capabilities required to overcome the Varia, the Millefiore, the Shimon, a small climb like this is nothing to them.
At the top of the island Tsuna and Dokuro decide to sit down and take in the view, being the gentlemen he is Tsuna generates Primo's cape and offers it to Dokuro to sit on. The two of them decided to share the cloth in the end and share a light hug as they stare at the beautiful archipelago which can be seen in every direction.
"The climb was worth it" comments Dokuro, still awed at the experiences she is sharing with Tsuna.
"Yeah, it most definitely was" agree Tsuna. "I tried to be romantic and all that stuff, this was the best thing I could come up with" he says, explaining his choice of trip to his partner.
"It's nice, I'm really glad you chose this place" Dokuro replies.
Tsuna tells Dokuro about a time his father brought him these islands, he recalls being just a naïve kid at the time, Little-Tsu, that makes Dokuro laugh, she loves hearing him talk about the past. Tsuna confidently tells his funny story to his fiancée, already knowing that she would laugh at the adventures of Little-Tsu and his bag of naïve assumptions.
The duo are enjoying themselves, however Dokuro suddenly reminded of something that has bothered her for nearly a month. 'I have to betray Tsuna when the time comes, that hurts... I might be in love with this man, but I still have to betray him, for mother'. Dokuro thinks back again and realises what just went through her mind, 'I knew I was getting close to him but the word love has never come up before, dammit, this all isn't fair'.
"I want to ask you one last time Dokuro, to make sure that you are sure, are you really OK with marrying me" asks Tsuna.
"It's still not too late to change your mind" he offers. Dokuro stutters,
"Tsuna, I've said it before, I want to marry you, understand".
Tsuna smiles, "I'm not saying it like that, I'm just making absolutely certain before I do this", Tsuna pulls out a small jewellery box from his suit pocket before he gets on to one knee and opens it.
Inside the box is a ring, clearly from the size of it and the quality of the cuts it was very expensive, something probably expected from a mafia boss.
"Chrome Dokuro, I think I am in love with you, will you marry me" asks Tsuna.
A million times one word runs through Dokuro's head, yes, tears stream down her face as her boss kneels before her ring in hand.
"I… I… I love you too but I can't… I've betrayed you Tsuna" she responds as she gets on to her feet and walks hastily across the hilltop.
"Hey Dokuro, are you OK, what are you talking about, betrayed me?" asks Tsuna, more puzzled about what is happening than angry about rejection.
Dokuro is still walking away at full speed, I owe him an explanation, she postulates. She stops and turns to Tsuna.
"I didn't mean to but… Mukuro and I, we've found another boss" she says fighting through her own tears.
Tsuna replies, "I don't mind you leaving the Vongola family but that doesn't explain your answer, come on Dokuro, surely you owe me a real answer".
Tsuna misunderstanding Dokuro's betrayal makes everything even harder for her, "I haven't left the Vongola family, I've joined another member, I am going to be their mist guardian".
"Another member, there is only one mist guardian in the Vongola family, you're not joining the Varia are you", asks Tsuna, still not understanding the problem.
"You don't understand Tsuna, the people I've sided with… we are challenging you for the Vongola rings".
"Another ring conflict, are you being serious Dokuro, so many of our friends could get hurt", Tsuna says, struggling to hold back his own tears now.
Dokuro simply says to him, "I'm sorry".