Chapter 53: A Chance and a Legacy
A few weeks after Megara had been initiated as the Fifth Godfather, the number of complaints received by the Underboss increased. Reluctantly, Megara addressed these issues with Adessoè helping her. She was also busy researching a means to make Beni Niro's operation more successful, though Fogliaragazzo didn't help things with his constant pranks around the house.
"The boy is still grieving over his grandfather's death," Adessoè said as she was cleaning up the paint-stained carpets in the Godfather's study. "Maybe you should talk to him."
"And tell him what?" Megara responded dubiously. "That we both have dead grandfathers and should get along because of it?"
Adessoè winced. "I wouldn't use those exact words, but…he needs comfort, and assurance that you're not here to replace his grandfather or make his grandfather's accomplishments any less important by your presence."
"And he technically inherited the house, though he's too young to actually have it," Megara pointed out.
She looked outside the study window and noticed Fogliaragazzo meet up with Gelato and then the two walked away from the house.
"I just can't stand her," Fogliaragazzo grumbled, putting his hands inside his pockets. "She acts like the house is hers, though it's actually mine by inheritance, and doesn't seem to acknowledge me or my grandfather."
"Have you tried talking to Megara?" Gelato asked.
Fogliaragazzo scuffed. "No."
"It wouldn't hurt. She's not a bad person, once you get to know her."
"Yeah, that's what a lot of people say. But unless I see it, I won't believe it."
Then Fogliaragazzo took off, leaving Gelato behind.
###
At the hospital garden, Beni Niro was sitting on a wooden bench with Scar Face (Might Guy) next to him.
"I'm not sure how I feel about this operation," Beni Niro admitted, examining his bandaged arm. "I don't wanna die, but it would kill me to not be a Soldier anymore."
"It's a tough decision," Scar Face admitted, his face looking grim. "But I can't make the decision for you."
"Right," Beni Niro sighed. "It seems like forever since the day we met."
"I'm reminded of that moment every time I see you, and it amazes me how much you've grown over the past two years."
"Yet here I am, crippled beyond hope."
"Don't say that! Miss Megara has given you a chance to get better, and though the odds may be unfavorable it's still something. Therefore, your situation isn't hopeless, Beni."
"But…if I did this operation, and I died, you'd be devastated."
In response, Scar Face looked downward. "You're right. I don't think I could continue to live without you. Yet, my life isn't on the line. It's yours, and what you chose to do with it is—
"Um, excuse me," Rosa (Sakura) interrupted, approaching Beni Niro with some white flowers. "I picked these from the park, and thought I'd give them to you."
While Beni Niro turned a slight shade of pink, Scar Face smirked and got up from the bench. "We'll continue this conversation later, Beni, but I should get going. Got several Missions to take care of."
Once Scar Face was gone, Rosa sat next to Beni Niro who looked away.
"Is something wrong?" Rosa asked, presenting the flowers to Beni.
"Um, no. It's just..." Beni took the flowers from Rosa's hands, and took a deep breath. "Seeing you visit Tony constantly, I've come to realize how much you care about him."
"Well, yeah," Rosa blushed. "Though no matter what I do, he doesn't seem to reciprocate or acknowledge my feelings for that matter."
"Then why continue pursuing him when you could have…me? Or Gelato?"
"Gelato?"
"He doesn't hide how he feels. Remember when we first met, and you rejected my advances? While Tony didn't seem to care, Gelato did. So he clearly has a crush on you."
"I've known that for a while, but to answer your question…the reason I want Tony instead of you or Gelato is because he needs someone in his life. He's constantly thinking about his dead family, trying to get stronger to avenge their deaths, and now this curse (Cursed Seal of Heaven). Plus, he recently confronted the very man who made his life miserable and almost died because of it. Since the day I met him, I've sought to fill the void in his heart and will continue to do so no matter what happens."
Beni Niro's eyes widened, as the flowers in his hand blew away with the wind.
"So, if your feelings for me were genuine, I'm sorry to tell you this," Rosa apologized. "But…can we at least be friends?"
"Sure," Beni Niro said after some hesitation.
###
Elsewhere, Fogliaragazzo was walking down the street pouting to himself when a series of cries caught his attention. A few blocks away stood a burning building, and there was no sign of a firetruck or policemen for that matter. Then he saw a lone figure enter the building and emerge several seconds later holding dozens of people. This peeked Fogliaragazzo's interest and so he ran to get a closer look. To his surprise, the one who rescued the people was Megara and she was using her Healing spells (Jutsu) to filter the smoke out of the people's lungs or heal their broken limbs. Then the sound of police sirens was heard, followed by the horn of a firetruck causing Megara to flee the scene. Fogliaragazzo followed her, and they navigated through a series of alleyways which led all the way back to the Third Godfather's house. There, Megara stopped and looked back at Fogliaragazzo who stood frozen in place.
"How long have you been following me?" Megara asked.
"Since…the burning building," Fogliaragazzo admitted.
Concerned, Megara knelt down and examined Fogliaragazzo's body.
"What are you doing?" Fogliaragazzo demanded. "I'm fine, leave me alone!"
Then Fogliaragazzo pushed Megara away, which surprised her. "I was just—
"Stop trying to replace my grandfather!" Fogliaragazzo snapped. "You'll never be like him!"
As tears fell from Fogliaragazzo's face, despite his efforts to wipe them away, Megara just stared at him. "Your grandfather…could never be replaced. He was a great man, and a good Capo."
This made Fogliaragazzo stop crying. "You were a Soldier, despite being the granddaughter of the First Godfather? Why?"
"Despite my status, I still had to prove myself to the Foglia family as a whole," Megara explained. "It wasn't easy, but I had support from your grandfather, who believed anyone could become Godfather no matter what gender they were, and my friend Hercules. I also trained constantly to improve my body to defend myself and Healing Alchemy so I could save others. The reason I became Godfather was to honor your grandfather's legacy, not take it away from him. But I do understand how you feel. When my grandfather died, I hated Saltare (Tobirama) when he became the Second Godfather despite being my great-uncle. Yet my hatred diminished when I realized Saltare was merely trying to honor his brother's dream rather than make it no longer significant. If it weren't for them, or your grandfather, there would be no family."
In response, Fogliaragazzo said nothing and followed Megara into the house.
###
That night, Megara had fallen asleep at her desk. Fogliaragazzo noticed this and was tempted to pull on her hair. But instead, he noticed her trench-coat on the floor and picked it up. Then after draping the coat over Megara's shoulders, Fogliaragazzo looked at the papers on her desk when the door suddenly opened. Quickly, he hid behind a nearby chair while Adessoè entered. She noticed Megara and walked over to the desk seeing a paper that said, 'Success of operation: 58%'. Smiling, Adessoè helped the unconscious Megara to her feet and escorted her to bed while Fogliaragazzo watched from his hiding spot.
End of Chapter 53