After being assigned the mission to escort Dino to a dinner with the Forza Family, I met Amatsuki Koge. As a four-man team, we made our way to the party. Dino wasn't suspicious about his father's condition at all. He didn't ask questions and he didn't doubt what he had heard about his father's "accident."

Romario told him that he was just going to dinner in Domenico's place since his back was injured. He would announce himself as the hair of the Cavallone Family and greet the Forza Family along with a few others who were invited as future allies.

It was supposed to be simple, just a casual dinner with low to mid ranking mafia families but something unexpected occurred.

The Forza Family had invited Don Vongola Nono as a formality. No one thought he would accept the invitation.

I glanced warily at Romario who shook his head vigorously as an indication that he didn't know what was going on either.

Dino took his seat stiffly and Romario and I took our places behind him. Koge had stayed back in the limo just in case. He was surveying the building for dangers since this was technically Dino's first time showing his face in public.

"No abnormalities." Koge's monotone voice suited his expressionless appearance.

Of course there were no abnormal actions. Even if they wanted to do something, Don Vongola's arrival would prevent it. They wouldn't dare do anything that could potentially set him off.

Taking our places around the table, I finally noticed Don Vongola's guards-Superbi Squalo and one other.

Visibly uncomfortable, Don Forza murmured, "Wh-What a pleasant surprise! I didn't think you'd be so gracious as to attend my dinner."

Timoteo had a kind smile. It was too kind to suit a mafia don. Actually, other than his suit and guards, Timoteo just looked like a regular old business man.

He regarded these low-ranked mafia bosses as if they were equals, "Well, I came to greet my allies with my son in tow. This is a good a time as any to formally introduce you all to my youngest son, Xanxus."

I don't know what set him off but Xanxus was furious. He reached for the gun at his belt and I gripped at the back of Dino's chair in preparation to pull him out of the way should that gun come to be pointed at us. His killing intent was suffocating but my duty to Domenico was to protect his son at all costs.

If he hurt Dino, I'd kill him on the spot. It's my job. Xanxus froze midway. He finally leveled his crimson-eyed glare on me. He had just felt my intent to kill as well.

Squalo clicked his tongue, turning away. By standing next to Romario tonight and declaring my intent to protect Dino, I had just silently rejected Squalo's offer and announced my fealty to the future Don Cavallone.

"Her?" Xanxus demanded from Squalo just a moment later. Squalo nodded just the smallest bit and that's all he needed. Xanxus drew his gun and leveled it on me without another moment's hesitation.

I drew away from Dino and Romario and sure enough the gun followed me. His target was me. The first shot went off and I dove out of the way.

"Xanxus!" Timoteo was calling his son back into line but Xanxus' eyes were crazed. Don Vongola's son was in it for the kill.

I went running and Xanxus gave chase. Squalo roared for Xanxus to come back but this monster wasn't listening. He didn't care about all the bosses who were murmuring amongst themselves about how he was a loose cannon or whatnot. He was on the hunt and he intended to make me his prey.

I needed to enter close quarters combat but I couldn't approach him. His aim was way too good. I turned and I took off running.

"R-Romario! Protect her!" Dino ordered but Romario's job was to protect Dino and so was mine. He stayed right next to Dino and didn't move an inch.

Leaving the dining room, I ran for the long hall. I turned sharply around a corner and waited for Xanxus to approach. This was my chance to ambush him but he was not a conventional sniper.

My back began to grow hot and it took me just one second to realize that he was not coming around the wall. He was trying to shoot through the two walls making up the corner and draw me out.

I clicked my tongue and kept running. I had to get somewhere I would be able to gain the advantage on a shooter. I turned another corner and smashed out through a window, clambering up to the roof. This building was a small family's base. There were only two floors in this building. We were on the second one for our meeting.

I waited, looking down to see if Xanxus would peek out through the window. Sure enough. He was confident that he could shoot me faster than I could retaliate and he came to the window. To my luck, he stuck his head out the window and trained his gun downward. He didn't stop to think that I stayed. He thought I was trying to escape so he definitely thought I would hit the ground floor and run for the limo I had arrived in.

I jumped on him. He didn't even have a second to realize he had made an error before he was hit with my full weight. We fell from the second floor down into the dirt below. I knocked my head against the earth beneath me and before I knew it the fight was over. Xanxus was towering over me simply because he recovered faster than I did. His gun was pointing straight at my head.

"Listen closely, scum." He growled low, not taking his eyes off me for even a second, "I'm gathering men for a high class mission. Squalo recommended you. This is your only chance. Join us."

I sat up, breathing out slowly, "What kind of mission?"

He didn't say. He couldn't.

"And if I refuse?"

He moved his gun away. Footsteps were approaching us and suddenly it was over. Timoteo was between us, glaring at Xanxus too impressively to be the same man I saw in the dining room. Timoteo had two faces. He was normally passive and kind but Xanxus had taken it too far. He woke the sleeping lion behind the smiling visage.

"Xanxus! I have told you countless times." Don Vongola's voice made me shake to my core. He was not just a kind old man. This was a man who could kill if he was brought to it, "Our family's omerta protects allies. Furthermore, it protects women. Return to headquarters with Squalo. I will decide your punishment at a later time."

Xanxus didn't speak. He looked as if he knew this would happen. His crimson eyes narrowed on me just one more time and he took his leave. Squalo hurried after him, only pausing for a brief moment to look back at me. I couldn't help but think his eyes looked so very desperate and… defeated.

I didn't ask. I couldn't ask. Timoteo was already picking me up off the ground and dusting me off. He asked me over and over if I was hurt. I insisted that I was fine but his kindness was boundless. He turned and apologized to Dino for what had happened and he offered to pay for my medical expenses.

What medical expenses? I rolled my eyes where Timoteo could not see me. I was literally just bruised and battered. Nothing was broken. Xanxus hadn't successfully shot me even once.

But Dino was clearly flustered. The head honcho of our alliance was bowing his head to the heir of a no-name famiglia in genuine apology. This was unheard of but it just defined Timoteo as a person.

Stumbling to my side, Dino gave me a once over. His hand hovering around as if he wasn't sure how badly I was hurt, "K-Kira, do you need to go to a hospital? You don't look like you've been shot but y-you fell from the second floor! Are you hurt?"

Brushing his hands away firmly, I declared, "He didn't hit me once. He needs to work on his aim."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Dino turned and offered Don Vongola a brave smile, "W-Well as you can see, she's fine so your apologies are unnecessary b-but thank you for your offer, sir!"

The old man's eyes softened, "I'm glad."

The rest of the meeting went as planned. Almost as if Timoteo knew Xanxus and Squalo would be forced to return home, he had extra guards ready to swap in his limo. These guards were much more suited to the old man. They were about the same age and they were extremely professional. Later on, I would discover their names to be Coyote Nougat and Visconti. They were the Ninth's Guardians.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

After that day, I met Squalo on the rooftop. We fought in silence but at the very end, Squalo got in what he wanted to say.

"You're with Cavallone now?" He murmured in a voice too soft to belong to Squalo.

"I guess I am." I said, staring up at the big blue sky.

I realized again how big the world actually is in comparison to me. Coming to Italy just opened my eyes.

"... I can't persuade you otherwise?" He surprised me by asking such an uncharacteristically desperate question.

"Why would you bother?" I began to grow nervous when his cheeks began to turn red.

The question had embarrassed him, "You know I'm the Varia's second in command, right?"

I nodded at him. It was a well known fact at this school. Squalo had cut down the previous leader who was also the Sword Emperor and he became the next boss candidate for the Varia. The mafia world was in uproar when he rejected the offered position and gave it to Xanxus.

Why would Xanxus, Timoteo's son, need to be the leader of the Varia? It was a ridiculous notion.

"We're going on a mission and we could use the manpower." He said as shortly as he could've possibly said it, "You're wasted in Cavallone's ranks. If you come with me, you can fight all you want. You get to test your strength against the top brass of the mafia world."

I took a deep breath. This is what I came to Italy to do. I wanted to get strong and prove my strength. What better way was there than this? But I couldn't.

I breathed out a heavy sigh, "Domenico is dying."

Squalo was surprised but not too surprised. He probably knew the old Don Cavallone was too weak to continue on, "I see…"

He understood. I had come to Italy on Domenico's "sponsorship." I owed the Cavallone Family everything for giving me the chance to be here. I couldn't leave them in their time of need.

Squalo stood, heading for the door. He paused with the door halfway open and turned with an arrogant smirk, "The next time you see me, I'll be the official Vongola Rain Guardian."

I had no idea what that meant but if a man as strong as Squalo wanted something I'm sure he'd get it.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

The buzz of Koge's voice in my ear told me that it was time to move in. I was the commander of this mission but Romario was here with me. I had a mission tonight with my "new team."

Domenico wanted to solidify the group I went out with at night. I was no longer a solo act. I couldn't afford it apparently. Don Cavallone was beginning to feel a sense of urgency regarding Dino's abilities or lack thereof. So tonight, Dino was on the field with us.

Our job was too easy for this many people. Or it should've been if Dino wasn't a blundering idiot.

"What does that mean?" Dino murmured at me when Koge gave the signal to move in, "And why is Koge the only one who gets to stay in the car and be safe?"

"I told you before. That's the signal to invade the building. Romario is probably already going in through the back." I grabbed Dino and pulled, "Our job is to distract them here by attacking from the front. Koge is our tech op so he'll provide support from the limo. We protect him. He'll keep our communications going and drive the escape vehicle."

"But why are we going in from the front?!" Crybaby Dino was already reaching for his whip despite his complaints, "And why are you unarmed?!"

I glared him into silence and we went for it, "Koge, we've engaged the front guard."

"Romario's in the back door." Came the monotoned reply.

Their front guard was nothing to me but Dino struggled the whole way. This family was so insignificant that I couldn't even remember their name when everything was said and done. All I remember from this day is standing between Dino and a bullet. I was fast enough to see it but when I reached to swat it down, my flesh was too weak to knock it down and it sank into my palm and only stopped once it hit the bones forming my wrist.

I sustained permanent damage that day but sometimes, when I remember what I witnessed that day, I think it's worth it.

An anguished cry tore from Dino's throat as I sank to my knees clutching at my wrist with my left hand. The force behind his whip when he swung knocked the gun clear out of the assailant's hand. The second swing curled around the man's neck and didn't let go until he was foaming at the mouth and begging for mercy.

This is the one world out of a billion parallel dimensions where Bucking Bronco Dino manifested his desire to fight for his family before Domenico's passing.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

It took five days in the hospital for them to repair the damage to my hand. The money we gained on the assignment where I had gotten the injury was nothing compared to the hospital bills I racked up in my week-long stay. I was so pissed.

"It's not even your money, Kira." Dino chuckled quietly when I crumpled the hospital bill Romario had just handed me, "You saved my life… The least we can do is pay the bill."

My right hand was in a cast. They said I sustained permanent damage that couldn't be repaired. So they failed their job as medics and they were charging an immense surgical fee. How ridiculous.

AND I got in trouble because I'm a minor. They had to call my mother and tell her I was shot… Ridiculous. My mother called me an herbivore and laughed when I got on the line and demanded for her to give permission for them to operate on me. My father was furious and scolded me until I thought my ears would fall off. I had to hang up on him mid-lecture because it had gone on way too long.

I flung the bill into Dino's face and demanded, "With what money?"

When Dino saw the number of zeroes on the bill, his jaw nearly hit the floor, "B-B-But they botched the surgery! What?!"

Romario chuckled. Being much older than us, he knew the ways of the world, "They didn't botch it. She was just too damaged to repair and the cost is the same regardless of the outcome."

"Ridiculous." I scoffed, "They don't even give good food here. They have some nerve charging this much for the hospital stay."

Again Romario was laughing, "I can get you food. You're not forbidden to eat outside food but they serve you tasteless food because it comes from a cafeteria that accommodates people who can't handle food with a lot of spices."

"Herbivores." I snorted, "Bring me a cheeseburger. Make it two."

Romario left us to get food after taking Dino's order too. Dino was quiet. It was a little awkward between us since the day I had been shot.

"Don't feel bad." I told him, nearly laughing at his teary-eyes look, "It was my own weakness that brought us to this so I'll earn the money to pay this off and more."

"No! It's my fault!" He exclaimed, approaching the bedside to grasp my shoulders, "I should've protected you…"

I hummed at him quietly, "Dino, I am not your family. When you become the boss, I will not be another subordinate for you to protect. I will be your equal in strength if not your superior so don't you dare think we will fall into traditional mafia gender roles!"

Upset, Dino shouted in my face without backing down, "I don't care about gender norms or subordinates! I want to make you my family so I can protect you forever! I don't care about making you join my mafia family! I want you to be my actual family! I want you to be my future wife!"

I stared at him as if I didn't understand the words. I probably looked like an idiot but Dino looked just as stupid. He had just confessed to me and turned two shades of red before turning completely pale and slapping a hand over his mouth. At the ripe age of fourteen, Dino Cavallone had just proposed to me.

Instinctively, I slapped him across the face and began to hiss when I realized my cast didn't help much in protecting my hand but it actually gave me an idea… If I had been wearing a protective glove or something when I had tried to swat the bullet down, I wouldn't have been hurt so badly.

"Ow…" Dino was so sad and looked up at me like a kicked puppy, holding his swelling cheek, "You could've rejected me nicely… No need to… hit…?!"

I had just realized Dino declared his intent to propose to me and I was starting to turn red.

Romario returned at this time with the food and had a clueless expression on his face. Dino was flustered and played off the whole situation quickly by taking his food from Romario's hands.

We never met eyes the whole time we were eating.

This is the one world out of a billion where Dino's confession came out this early in life.