I could feel the eyes of others grazing over my…controlled form every once in a while. As uncomfortable as the scrutiny was, I was sure as hell not about to show it.

Nursing my glass of wine, I glimpsed at my cell phone currently keeping me company. Two hours. I cannot believe this. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the waiter making his way over for the fifth time since my arrival. I didn't even have to look up to see the predictable sympathy that would be glowing from his eyes.

"Miss?"

At least his tone was somewhat considerate. And he didn't call me Ma'am. I shuddered mentally at the possibility. I was definitely that old to be called Ma'am. With a practiced smile, I met his gaze confidently.

"I think I'm done for the night. Check please?"

He nodded once, making his way back to where all the orders were entered into their systems. Hiding a sigh behind an exhale, I finished the rest of my glass.

"Anything else Miss?" the waiter asked as he set down the check.

Shaking my head, I smoothed out my little black dress and stood.

"No, that would be it. Thank you," I said, placing a fifty dollar bill on the check, "Have a good night."

"Thank you Miss. I hope you have a good night as well," he replied, bowing slightly out of courtesy.

I gave another practiced smile before shrugging on my coat and walking out of the restaurant. Fishing out my keys, the car's lights flashed briefly, welcoming me into its confines. Once inside, the car roared to life, trembled from the bass, and struggled to contain the music that screamed from its speakers . My poor baby, enduring my wrath until it subsided.

A quick shift to the gears and I was quickly on my way home.

Tempted as I was to just haphazardly strip off the dress and accessories and toss them all over the house, it would be such a bitch to find them later when I really did need them again.

Clothes went in the hamper. Earrings and bracelets went into my jewelry drawer. Hot water cascaded down my body, washing away bits and pieces of my irritation. After my therapeutic shower, I changed quickly into a tank top and a pair of shorts, ruffling my hair dry.

I absolutely cannot believe him.

I cannot believe he didn't even bother showing up…on the night of our one-year anniversary. The nerve of that bastard.

I was sorely tempted to break very very fragile objects but experience has taught me that it would just come back and bite me in the ass in the future. So I had no choice but to rein in my anger. The next thing I knew, I was already in my office, one separate from my husband. Lord knows we would end up strangling each other.

Pressing a random key on my wireless keyboard, the nearby monitor came alive, prompting a password before unlocking its mysterious digitized contents. My fingers automatically glided over the keys, pressing down on the keys necessary to unlock my desktop. I flipped open the nearby laptop and unlocked that as well. I learned well from past experience that having a synced laptop and desktop would save me from many future headaches. As it loaded, I slid back into my chair and massage my temples.

As soon as the desktop loaded, I began the sync between the two computers. My mind blanked as I ran through my usual routine. Facebook. Public e-mail. Private e-mail. Security sweep on the grounds and within the computers themselves. A few checkups on borderline threats to Vongola. After everything checked out and nothing raised any alarms, I settled back into my chair. This was not what I expected to be doing on my one-year anniversary.

A quiet beep from my computer jolted me out of my mental rampage. My eyebrow raised at the person requesting a video chat. Well, it wasn't like I had anything better to do. A small green light at the top center of my monitor lit up, signaling the beginning of the video chat.

"Good evening Tsuna," I sighed.

My dear childhood friend, now my boss, frowned. Usually warm eyes and a relaxed satiated expression were replaced with exhaustion and concern.

"I wasn't expecting to reach you tonight Mayumi," he started out carefully. I'm sure Tsuna learned since his training to succeed as Vongola Decimo that many, if not all, of his Guardians as well as a few select others have quiet a temper. I was not an exception.

I shrugged and for the third time, slid back into my seat, curling my feet underneath me.

"Well, what can I say. I'm sure you know it wasn't by choice." His frown deepened. "What can I do for you tonight Tsuna?"

Vongola Decimo cleared his throat, accepting the change in subject and straightened in his seat.

"As you know, Sasagawa and Gokudera were on recon last month. From what they've told me…I'm worried."

A window popped up on my second desktop monitor, to the right of the main one. Information began to stream in shocking quantities. I barely could read fast enough as biographies and research filtered through.

"Cipriana Famiglia? Aren't they in Dino's jurisdiction?"

"They are. He actually brought it to our attention early last month. Dino-nii had his suspicions but it would be too obvious if he sent his men in hence the recon."

I continued to scan through what seemed to be the significant aspects of the information the two Guardians gathered.

"Vincenzo Cipriana died last month, leaving the family to his son, Antonio –"

I rolled my eyes at the lack of originality behind the Italian names.

" – and it's bad, really bad Mayuri. Dino-nii has been suspecting them of treason as well as other crimes. Antonio was allegedly accused of…raping…and killing 27 women."

My eyes widened. That many?

"Was?"

Tsuna nodded gravely. "Gokudera and Sasagawa found proof. This is something that not even the Mafia families will tolerate. Dino-nii read him the crimes he is charged with. He was supposed to surrender himself yesterday but it seems that he had disappeared."

Typical.

"He's stupid to hide. He should know someone will track him down," I murmured, "So I assume the reason I'm being read in is because it'll be my assignment?"

Tsuna nodded. "I was hoping to send you off today but…since it is your anniversary and all, I thought it would fine to push it 'til tomorrow. I didn't expect to you see you online tonight."

"I didn't either."

"Mayuri."

I looked over from the second monitor. Tsuna still looked concerned.

"Even though I'm asking you to, you don't have to."

I chuckled a little. Tsuna was as considerate as always. It was no surprise why he became the next boss. The innate desire to protect everyone ran deep in his blood, from Giotto. That desire became stronger especially when it involved those he really cared about. I was honored to be one of the privileged few.

"I'm sure Gokudera and Sasagawa want to spend some time with their families after the recon. Yamamoto is currently assisting Giannini. Lambo would be useless and would wind up needing a rescue and oh don't sigh like that Tsuna. You know it's true."

A small chuckle left the brunette's lips, making a wise move to let me finish.

"Chrome is currently on maternity leave and you know damn well I value my sleep and sanity. Mukuro would raise hell. And well…sending the Varia is basically just asking the Cipriana Famiglia to be annihilated and you are absolutely out of the question. So that leaves…me."

Tsuna sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Would you like me to go find your husband?"

I shook my head quickly. "Don't waste your time Tsuna."

Leaning forward in his seat, a serious expression appeared on Decimo's face.

"He should know at least," Tsuna murmured, leaning toward the monitor a little, "Even though I know I shouldn't be, your husband still scares me."

I laughed. Tsuna was as strong as they come, perhaps the strongest yet he confessed to a rather rational secret. Apparently, my husband unnerved everyone.

"Please be careful Mayuri."

I smiled a little.

"You know I will Tsuna."

With a resigned sigh, some clicking was heard from his end before a file opened up on my second monitor, detailing the outlines of the assignment. From just a short skim, I already knew that Gokudera was the one who composed it. The man was a tactical genius.

"I'll see you when I come back."

With a designated short key, I ended the video conversation. Temporarily locking the computer system, I headed back to my room to change.

Everyone has their own specialized uniform when they go on black ops assignments. For the most part, the boys stick to their black and white suit. Quite a turn on as they gun down nearby enemies without breaking a sweat. Personally, I stuck to a tight black shirt with three fourth sleeves, a pair of skin tight leather pants, and a pair of mid calf leather boots. Yes, it was a lot of black but it would camouflage me into the shadows, lowering the chance of me being spotted by enemy eyes and the chance of me being shot to kingdom come. A habit of mine was to strip myself of all jewelry, even my wedding band, except for the simple silver sterling chain that encircled my neck, a simple ankh hanging from it. It was the first present he ever gave me. I never took it off. Though sorely tempted to leave it behind just to spite him, I calmed myself enough to leave it around my neck, tucking it underneath my shirt. Strapping my Glock 17 to my waist, I clipped on extra ammo to the back of my belt. I also hide an assortment of knives and needles on my person, just in case I ran out of bullets.

Unlocking my computers once more, I synced up my laptop before sliding it into its protective case and into my Nike drawstring bag. I also threw in a pair of binoculars that doubled as a night time pair as well. Going back into my…our bedroom, I grabbed a few more necessities before fishing out a piece of paper and a pen.

"Love is not something you feel. It's something you do."

Mayuri

Placing the slip on his ever pristine pillow, I mentally charged myself and left the comfort of my house. Lord only knew when I would return. From what Gokudera and Sasagawa found out, there was always a security detail around my new target and safe to say, they were highly trained. This should be challenging and a nice release for my current anger.

Tsuna was jumpier than usual, Gokudera noted as he stood by his best friend. He shared a confused look with his long time friend and rival, Yamamoto, who seemed rather oblivious to their boss' strange behavior.

A small eep was heard from the brunette when the door to his office was loudly slammed open. Tonfas already out and ready to abuse, a murderous glare focused solely on the slightly sweating brunette. Hibari Kyouya made his way silently to Tsuna's desk, his renown purple flames curling dangerously around him.

"Where is she?"

Tsuna gulped nervously. Now would be a pretty good time for Mayuri to come home now.