A Fruitful Meeting

Gokudera didn't know why Bianchi had dragged him back to Italy at the same time as the first qualifying rounds for the Junior and Senior Grand Prix in Marseilles, despite knowing that he wanted to be there and why. He could have ditched Bianchi, but the woman was persistent, so to just end his misery faster, he agreed. There was something odd about how his sister had phrased her invitation, but he knew that she wanted him to meet someone powerful, that was for sure.

For years, his father had been trying to get him to socialize with other mafia kids his age, but so far, Gokudera was winning with stubbornness, refusing to get involved further in the affairs of his paternal family. Sure, he could manage to live on his own, what with the fees he is getting from composing songs and playing the piano in a five-star hotel every night, but his ties to his father had something more than just monetary reasons. The man had raised him as well as he could, despite having a very cold stepmother. So to say, Gokudera was humoring the man out of gratitude.

Which was why he now stood in the middle of the Grand Ballroom in his father's home, hair neatly done and wearing one of his tailored suits which he only uses while playing piano at the hotel he works on.

"Family gathering. You said this was a family gathering, not a black tie event." Gokudera said lowly at his sister who was with him and another friend, Longchamp, the Tomaso heir.

Bianchi looked back at him apologetically, "Sorry, Hayato, but father insisted that you needed to come, and I know how you detest these things. I had to lie."

"If it matters, I don't want to be here too, but my father dragged me into this." Longchamp said with a sigh. Now that he mentioned it, a proper suit and tie on Longchamp's delinquent-like look does not go well with each other, but he tried. Out of all the mafia heirs he had met, Longchamp was one of the few he could tolerate, simply because he doesn't act like a trust fund kid like some of the pompous heirs he could name from lower families.

"What's the end goal of father for dragging me here, Bianchi?" he demanded.

"You'll see." Bianchi said vaguely and turned her head, as if looking around the place for someone.

With a sigh, Gokudera looked at his watch. The JGP Men's Singles had started four hours ago, and Tsuna was supposed to skate second in the sixth group. If he was calculating them with ten minutes each skater, then he roughly has thirty or forty minutes left before Tsuna skates. He still has his phone, but maybe he can sneak out to one of the living room areas and watch it there. Frankly, a large HD television was more appealing than watching it from his phone.

"I'll give father forty minutes, then I'm sneaking out to catch the competition…" he stated.

"Don't worry, they're here." Bianchi said as she pointed at them.

Longchamp took one look and shrugged, "Well, that's my cue to leave. I need to find my father," he bid and left them.

Gokudera looked at where his sister was pointing, before his eyes widened when he saw who his father was with. No wonder Longchamp made his exit. His father and this person had been butting heads with regards to businesses these days, and he had been warned to be cautious around the man.

"Don Timoteo," Gokudera greeted. "It's a pleasure to meet you,"

Timoteo looked at him and smiled, "You must be Hayato." He addressed. "Your father has told me a lot about you."

"Did he now?" Gokudera looked accusingly at his father.

"He told me that you're a very talented pianist." Timoteo stated.

Gokudera nodded. "I see."

Timote then looked behind him and smiled, "Ah, Hayato, I would like you to meet my heir," he said as he motioned someone to come.

Curious, Gokudera turned to his back only to see someone he never expected to see.

Right in front of him was a tall teenager of eighteen with Japanese features. Blond hair and soft brown eyes cast into a smile almost made Gokudera's stomach flip at the moment. He knew this person, and if memory served him right, he had seen him in a photo that Tsuna showed him of a younger version of him and his older brother.

Sawada Yoshimitsu.

What was he doing in a gathering like this? Did he hear right when Timoteo had mentioned that he wanted to introduce him to his heir?

"A pleasure to see you, young Yoshimitsu." Gokudera's father greeted.

"Likewise, I'm honored that you considered inviting me." Yoshimitsu thanked.

His father then gestured to Gokudera, "This is my son, Hayato. Hayato, this is Don Timoteo's heir, Sawada Yoshimitsu."

Gokudera schooled his features as he held out a hand, "A pleasure to meet you this evening, Vongola Decimo."

Yoshimitsu laughed, "Oh please, just call me Yoshimitsu. Is it alright if I call you Hayato?"

"Of course, Yoshimitsu," Gokudera addressed. "Is it right to assume that you are half Japanese?"

"Quarter, actually." Yoshimitsu replied. "And you? Your name is not Italian."

"A third Japanese, from my mother's side." Gokudera answered. Everyone knew by now that Gokudera was a child from an affair, so there was no point in hiding his heritage.

It was then when Timoteo spoke once again, "My friend, I believe you had told me once before that young Hayato had trained under Trident Shamal for a while?" he inquired.

Those words were enough for Gokudera to decipher what was going on. "Ah, yes, I had trained under Shamal for a few months in terms of using explosives, but to save my fingers from permanent damage, I had to end my training with him." He informed. "That same year I was acquainted with a figure skating coach. I've been doing commission pieces for his skaters ever since." He tried dissuading the old man from ever having the idea of recruiting him into the ranks of the Vongola.

Timoteo was about to ask for more information regarding him when his phone rang from his pocket, saving him from saying something else to dissuade the old man. He looked at the phone and saw that it was Yamamoto. "Ah, I'm sorry, this is an important call." He excused himself and went to the side.

"What is it?" Gokudera asked.

Yamamoto's voice was hard to decipher out of the noise the crowd around him was making. He must be in the stands right now. "Tsuna's next after the skater we are watching right now. He just started!" he informed.

"Alright, thanks." Gokudera thanked and hung up. When he returned, he saw his father was brandishing a smile and Timoteo was giving out a smile that said he got his way, but Yoshimitsu felt uneasy. "Sorry about that, it was an urgent call. Father, would you mind if I excuse myself?"

"Oh, is it his turn to skate already?" his father asked. He had met Tsuna once or twice, when he had an impromptu visit in Japan just to see how Gokudera was doing. He didn't approve of his son's activities in Japan at first, but upon meeting Renato Sinclair, he had all but relented and supported his son ever since.

"He's next in a few minutes. I'll be in the living area if you need me," Gokudera said as he excused himself from the three.

"Have fun." His father bid and allowed him to go.

Timoteo looked at Gokudera's father. "Where is he off to?"

The other man chuckled, "He's watching how his composition will result into. I did say that my son is very talented in the music industry. He composes music for figure skaters as a living outside Italy." He replied. "His love for music and his jobs are the only reasons why I allow him to live in Japan for as long as he wants to."

"And you allow such a thing for a mafia child?" Timoteo slightly chided.

"Of course. After all, he's not my heir." Gokudera's father stated. "Despite that, he's mine and Lavina's son, and that is the most important thing to me." He sighed, "With his attitude and thirst for music, he reminds me of his mother as days passed."

…

Sighing in relief in getting away, he decided to turn on the television in the room and changed the channel to where the JGP was being broadcasted. Just in time, a young man from Russia was in the middle of his short program dancing to the tune of rock music.

Looking at his phone with the list of the starting order, Tsuna was coming up next. Yamamoto informed him just in time.

"So this is where you're at."

Gokudera turned to see Sawada Yoshimitsu at the door.

"I'm sorry, but I really have to see this live." He apologized. "I composed the music for this skater, and this will be the first time he would perform using it."

Yoshimitsu nodded. "I heard from your father that you compose music for people," he said as he sat down. "Would you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," Gokudera said, all the while, looking at Yoshimitsu. From what he had heard from Tsuna, Yoshimitsu was oblivious as to what his brother's life on the ice was like.

"You know, my little brother skates as a hobby. He always complains that I don't know much about skating," Yoshimitsu said as he looked at the screen.

"Really?" Gokudera said, "Has he ever thought of competing?"

Yoshimitsu shook his head, "I don't think so. He was always a bit clumsy at school, and he doesn't let me come to the ice rink when he has classes there. If you ask me, I think he won't get that far with skating, with it being dangerous for his body and all." He then sighed, "I worry for him every single day. It doesn't help that he doesn't respond to my letters."

Gokudera wanted to hit him then and there, but he stopped himself. This was a brother who knew nothing of his little brother's figure skating life, so he would let it pass. From the looks of things, he's a bit overprotective over him. "You two don't speak?"

"I write to him, but he hasn't replied to a single one of my letters. Our parents are divorced, you see," Yoshimitsu replied.

Gokudera nodded in understanding. "And you have no update about him whatsoever?"

"No. I haven't heard a single thing about him since the divorce." He stated.

"You will now." Gokudera stated.

"Huh?" Yoshimitsu asked.

Gokudera pointed at the screen and Yoshimitsu followed him, only for the blond's eyes to widen at the sight.

On screen, he saw a teenager of seventeen, hair surprisingly slicked back, wearing a tailored suit and tie with a fedora on his head. He skated towards a tall Italian man on the barrier as the commentators spoke in Italian, "And here we have the main event of the show! There's Tsunayoshi Sawada, the reigning Junior World Champion two years running. He has declared in the last press conference that this will be his last year in Juniors before he moves up to the Senior division. There's his coach, the incomparable Renato Sinclair."

"It's wonderful that his students have managed to live up to the expectations of their coach these past seven years. His students include the World Champions for Junior Pair Skating, Rokudo and Nakamura, and also Cavallone, the reigning European Champion in the Senior Division."

"Yes, he has given them his all in their training. Dino Cavallone told me that he does not pull punches in their trainings, maybe it's the reason they are this good."

"Here we have Renato whispering encouraging words to Tsunayoshi. It seems that he too, always gives encouraging words to his students."

Gokudera had to resist snorting at the comment, knowing full well that what Reborn was whispering was not any form of encouragement, but a promise to give Tsuna the training of his life if he messes up too much.

"This year, his Short Program is called The Call, a composition by Hayato Gokudera, and choreographed by Renato himself."

"All of his music are composed by this talented composer exclusively for him and Renato's skaters. This composition shows Tsunayoshi's transition from a child to an adult."

The crowd cheered as Tsuna skated to the center, their attention was solely on Tsuna at this point. Tsuna held his forefinger to his lips with a wink, asking the audience to be silent. This earned squeals of delight from his fans but fell silent seconds later.

The music started with the mellow sound of his piano accompanying wind instruments, courtesy of the small orchestra that Gokudera teaches in part-time. Gokudera nodded in approval as he watched Tsuna's step sequence, aptly interpreting the movements of an innocent young man who once saw things in black and white. He played the part of a naïve young man, and certain of everything around him, until he faces reality. The beat of drums suddenly sprang through, and the foreboding sound of the percussions came through, signaling a tragedy unfolded. The young man loses everything, and he barely hangs on to his sanity, until someone lent him a hand to start anew. Gokudera had the inkling that Reborn had based this on himself and incorporated it with Tsuna's innocent-looking personality.

He watched as Tsuna landed his jumps splendidly, though he still had to work on his triple axels. His spins were mesmerizing as was his step sequence. He wouldn't be surprised if in the finals, Reborn tells him to not hold back and break a world record.

But for now, Gokudera noticed that Tsuna was holding back, probably an order from Reborn. He always believed that not holding back should be reserved for when a difficult competition enters and when the stakes were high. Since this was just the first qualifiers, of course Reborn wanted them to hold back enough to at least be in the podium, preferably wearing gold and silver medals. Tsuna was someone who could do that.

When he finally finished his short program, Gokudera nodded in approval on how well he presented the program. He received 81.23 for his performance, and Reborn seems happy since it was Tsuna's season's and personal best.

He was about to contact Yamamoto back to say that he caught the broadcasting when he went face to face with Yoshimitsu who held his shoulders with a demanding face, "How do you know my little brother?"

Gokudera raised a brow as he brushed off his hands off his shoulder, "Haven't you been listening to the commentators? He's one of the skaters whom I compose music to."

Yoshimitsu looked back at the screen who is now showing another figure skater and turned back to Gokudera, this time, retreating his hands from his shoulders. "How…?"

The silver haired teen scratched his head and looked directly at Yoshimitsu. "From the moment I saw your face and heard your name, I knew then and there that you were Tsuna-san's brother. There are a lot of things that you don't know about him, and for good reason." He stated and stood from his seat. "If it helps, he has no idea of our involvement in the mafia."

"That's not what…" Yoshimitsu started.

"Oh please. That's what anyone with a civilian relative wants to know," Gokudera snapped. "I'll give it to you straight. If you want to see him again, then either you leave the mafia or come clean with him. That's it. Letters don't work so come and see him on your own. One more screw-up from your end and you can kiss all communications with Tsuna goodbye."

He didn't mean for it to be harsh, but that was the truth. All these years, Tsuna had relayed to his friends how fragile his dwindling relationship was regarding his brother, and has told them more than once that he was never the type to give someone a second chance. A third chance, on his case.

Once you betray Tsuna's trust, then there's no going back. Gokudera and the others knew that, and did not hide the fact from Tsuna that all of them came from a dangerous walk of life once upon a time. It was the only way not to break his trust. Tsuna didn't have the heart to pry what specific kind of life they had once, and that was what was best for him. They would not let Tsuna be entangled in the affairs of the mafia. Reborn taught them that much.

"It's never been easy for me to hide things from him." Yoshimitsu replied sternly.

"Then you might not be his brother." Gokudera concluded.

Yoshimitsu glared at him, "What do you mean by that?"

Gokudera glared back, "Because Tsuna has always had the guts to do the difficult things. I suppose he's mistaken, or is disillusioned on how he sees you." He then turned off the television and went through the door. "Oh, and one more thing. You can tell your grandfather that I refuse to be recruited as one of your guardians. Goodbye." He said and slammed the door shut.

When he returned to the party, he immediately spotted Bianchi and his father chatting. The two, in turn, noticed his arrival.

"So, how did he do?" Bianchi asked.

"Currently in first place. I'm not worried at all." Gokudera informed. He then turned to his father, "And I refused the offer."

His father's brows furrowed, "You told this to the Decimo?"

"I did. He followed me to the living room and I refused the offer to become a guardian." Gokudera stated. He left out the part that the heir didn't actually offer him the post. He was too preoccupied in gaping at his little brother on international television to care about gathering his guardians. "Now that the main event of the party is done, can I retire to my room now?" he asked his father.

The man sighed. "I was going to tell you about the interest, but it seems that you have already deciphered what they wanted. Of course, you have my permission to retire for the night. I assume you want to make it to Marseilles for the rest of Renato's students' programs?"

"That would be the plan." Gokudera confirmed.

Once more, he bid his father and sister good night before he escaped the suffocating party. He walked towards his room with haste, wanting some sleep before leaving for Marseilles in ten hours. It was a good thing that he didn't tell the maids to unpack his stuff, as it would only cost him more time if he did so. All the clothes he needed in Italy were traveling and party clothes anyway.

As he was in bed, his thoughts then went back to Sawada Yoshimitsu. Aside from the fact that Tsuna would tear the mafia heir a new one once he finds out that he was in the mafia and had lied to him, he knew he was done for. What worried him was that he was starting to gather his guardians. It was a known fact that the previous bosses tend to get their guardians from all walks of life, from athletes to politicians, anyone would do. Even the ones who had long since stayed away from the mafia.

He doesn't know about the plans of the young Vongola, but he knew that it would do some good if he warns Mukuro and Dino, knowing for a fact that they were the prime candidates that the Vongola knows had potential. Mukuro possessed the mist flames and Dino, while the former Cavallone Decimo, had a secondary sun flames that might fit whatever category Yoshimitsu had set up as standards for his guardians. After all, he had seen fit to consider him, an illegitimate child, as a candidate, so what was stopping him from not approaching the others?

…

When he arrived at Marseilles, Gokudera told Reborn just that.

Suffice to say, Reborn was not happy at the prospect of his skaters being taken back by the mafia.

"So that's why he wanted me to come out of retirement." Reborn muttered. "Has Timoteo said anything or hinted on anything else?"

Gokudera shook his head. "I think that the Vongola Nono is doing the guardian recruitment on his own, and Sawada Yoshimitsu is just going for the ride. He seems like he's not ready to look for guardians yet. From what I've heard from Longchamp and Aneki this morning, this was the first time that Yoshimitsu had ever voiced out in finding guardians before he could take the post." He explained. "As long as they have ties to the mafia and has no other major roles in the power struggles, any person would do, including an ex-Estraneo child and the former Cavallone Decimo. Acquiring a child barely five is also of no consequence when it comes to the Vongola and the choosing of their guardians."

Reborn frowned as he processed the information. He sighed as he looked at his skaters who were doing drills on the rink. "Then it's a good thing that they made an oath then." He informed.

Gokudera's brow rose at the statement, "And the oath is?"

"When I took them in and before they became figure skaters," Reborn started, "I made them vow to never return to the mafia world again unless they are slighted personally, and even then, reasons for that are different from each of them and the duration of their reemergence would not last long." He explained as he watched Dino and Mukuro were having too much fun in their quest to find out who can make the most rounds in the rink for as long as their staminas could take them. Tsuna and Chrome were just doing their own drills while looking at the two with exasperation.

"Judging from how they told me that they love skating to the point of making it their life, they wouldn't be easily swayed by the promise of power, prestige and responsibility of being a guardian of the Vongola. Not when they already had a bad experience in that world, myself included."

Upon looking at his line of sight, Gokudera understood what Reborn meant. Out of all his students, Mukuro and Dino were the ones who did not want to return to the mafia world any longer than necessary.

Mukuro had been through a lot as a child from the Estraneo Famiglia, being experimented on and his right eye being the root cause of it. It was only a godsend that his eye could be concealed by contact lenses. In return for his turning his back on the mafia, Mukuro and his companions found sanctuary under Reborn's wing. Moving out of the mafia was the best thing that has ever happened to him and his mental condition, his thirst for revenge against the entire mafia completely fading as he found another reason to live.

Dino, Gokudera could understand in the viewpoint of a once potential heir. He did not want to be the boss of the Cavallone Famiglia and had run away at age eighteen, abdicating after his surrogate father, Romario, had been dismissed by his uncle for the reason that he has been 'coddling' the Cavallone Decimo too much. He had realized that he had simply become a figure, a puppet, to do the biddings of his uncle. Not being able to bear it, he ran away and was found by Reborn, whom Dino had met when he was barely ten in one of his family parties while his father was still alive.

Yes. Gokudera could see that they were happier than they were in the mafia world by being civilians and being figure skating athletes.

And he promised to himself that he would do anything just to see everyone happy in their little figure skating family.

Not even the Vongola and Sawada Yoshimitsu could ruin it. This they swear.

END

This little extra came out on its own, as I was making an excuse as to why Gokudera was still in association with the mafia at this point, and I wanted to give Yoshimitsu a cameo~!