A/N: Okay, so Tsuna may seem a little OCC in this chapter, mainly because I see him being more matured now. Hopefully, he stills seems like Tsuna though :) Please review 'cause the only way I can improve is by getting another point of view. Constructive criticism is welcome!

A nervous man carefully opened the large doors in front of him, before slipping into the darkened room. He gazed in awe at the golden metallic dragons, frozen mid-dance across the walls, while the polished black floor squeaked protest as the man made his way to stand before a desk lit through the windows beside it, natural light beaming down from the sun over Shizume city.

Fingers tapped rhythmically on the ornately decorated dark wood desk, and the man dressed in layers of traditional robes shuffled nervously. Should he interrupt?

"Gozen?"

The tapping abruptly stopped and stern brown eyes lifted to meet the gaze of the clansman who had spoken. Power seeped into the room, swirling around before centring on the now shaking man, as the Gold King, Kokujōji Daikaku, rose from his chair.

"What is it, Shōzō?" The King's voice, although being deep, carried a tender note, perhaps acting as an attempt to cease his clansman's shivering. The clansman in question gulped audibly and straightened himself.

"You requested a status report on the movements of the Red Clan?"

A quick nod of confirmation saw a flood of relief wash over Shōzō's features and his confidence returned a little.

"The Third King, Suoh Mikoto seems to be preparing his clan for a bold move. A move unknown to us. Would you like us to continue our investigations, Gozen?"

The Gold King sighed and turned his back to his clansman, preferring to collect his thoughts by gazing at the city below. Anger was a powerful emotion, one that perhaps would lead to Suoh Mikoto's fall, and an emotion that he was no doubt feeling over the recent death of Totsuka Tatara and, from the intel gathered, Totsuka was not just a clansman but a treasured friend, which would make his death all the more unbearable.

Another sigh.

The Red King's goal was clear; revenge.

The revenge of killing his friend's murderer would satisfy Suoh, that was certain to everyone involved in the affair, and when the Colourless King was caught he would be dealt with accordingly, providing they could keep him out of the grasp of the Red King. It was obvious that Suoh would fight for the capture of the fugitive King, considering that the temperament of the King and his Clan had been best described as 'stubborn' and 'occasionally violent' before, but with the murder they had grown stronger and were increasingly more destructive in their manhunt.

"Gozen? Do you want us to continue our observation?"

Shōzō began shuffling nervously again as his King turned away from the window, bearing his usual serious expression but laced with a darkness that caused him to shake again. Had he made the King mad? No, the darkness wasn't directed at him, at least he hoped not, rather at the object of his thoughts, whatever or whoever that may be.

The Gold King's voice resonated through the room, "Yes, continue to watch the Red King and his clansmen and report anything suspicious immediately."

"Of course, Gozen."

"Also," the King spoke again, after a moment of thought, "Deliver an order to the Blue King. Tell him that should Suoh Mikoto make his move, he has the authority to arrest and hold him until further notice."

"Understood, Gozen."

The last thing they needed was the situation spiraling out of control. Kokujōji Daikaku was well aware that the moment the Red King made a move, would be the moment when everything would become chaotic. If they couldn't control the volatile clan, then more clans would be dragged into this mess, and perhaps even those allied to them in other areas. The last thing the city needed was outside intervention from the Vongola.

In recent years, with the succession of the young Tenth Boss, now known as Vongola Neo Primo, the Vongola had approached the Gold King with the offer of an alliance, an alliance that could not be refused due to the overwhelming strength and influence the Vongola had. The King turned back to his clansman who was moving to exit the room.

"Shōzō." The young man stopped in his tracks and turned around quickly, placing his hand to a headset on his ear and listening intently, "We cannot allow the increasing violence of the Red Clan to reach the ears of the Vongola."

"I-I fear they've already learned, Gozen. Takumi-kun just contacted me to relay a message from the Vongola Neo Primo. They wish to send a representative to assess the situation before they decide whether or not they should intervene."

The Gold King could already feel the situation slipping from his grasp.

"A representative? Who?"

"One of the Neo Primo's guardians, I believe."

Fantastic.

Tsuna shifted through his paper work with a sigh before smiling widely at the latest occupant to the room.

"I take it they got the message, Dame-Tsuna?"

"Yes, but they weren't too enthusiastic about the idea of us sending a representative."

Reborn, who was leaning against the doorway, snorted and smirked, "I'd be disappointed if they were. You should've sent Hibari."

Tsuna chuckled lightly, but noticeably grew paler at the thought of sending Hibari Kyouya to assess the situation in Shizume. His training under Reborn had increased his fighting and leadership skills, however Hibari still struck him with nervousness. Reborn smirked slightly as Tsuna shook his head and cringed at the thought of Hibari restoring order to the city of the Clans.

"I'm glad that I didn't send him."

The hitman adjusted his fedora and settled himself in the chair in front of Tsuna's desk, reclining backwards slightly. To anyone who was unfamiliar with Reborn, it would look almost as though he were sleeping, but to the Vongola Boss it was clear that the hitman was anything but; the small tensing of certain muscles and the quick scan of the room he would occasionally make gave him away.

"So, who did you decide to send?"

Tsuna smiled brightly and moved his paper work to one side before resting his elbows on the desk and delicately laying his chin on his folded hands.

"This could escalate into a conflict, right? So it's only necessary that I send someone who can fight."

Leon leapt from the fedora of his owner and, obscured for an instant by a flash of light, formed himself into a gun. The safety clicked off.

"Don't mess with me Dame-Tsuna. Who did you send?"

"A-alright! I sent Yamamoto!"

A soft murmur of agreement, and the gun returned to the form of the small chameleon.

"Good choice." Another flash of light and a pained yelp, "But you're still as useless as ever, Tsuna. A Vongola Boss doesn't stutter."

"JUUDAIME!?" A silver-haired man in a suit burst through the office double doors and caught his breath as quickly as he could manage, "I heard your scream of pain and rushed to find you! Are you hurt at all?"

Reborn tilted his fedora down further, concealing his eyes, as Tsuna tried desperately to reassure his Storm Guardian that everything was fine. His thoughts drifted to the recent happenings in Shizume and he absent-mindedly twirled one of his side burns.

'They're lovely."

Luce.

Reborn sighed and closed his eyes. The death of a comrade was never taken lightly, and to a certain extent he understood what the Red King was trying to do, even agreed with him. He also understood Tsuna's decision more now than when Yamamoto had first been mentioned, having first thought that a better decision could have been reached; perhaps Fon, or Aria who both had experience with negotiations.

Now he understood completely why the Rain Guardian had been chosen. His Rain attribute would be greatly appreciated in this situation, able to pacify Suoh Mikoto's flames, his carefree nature would ease the tension, and fighting skills would come in handy should a fight break out. Yes, he thought, Yamamoto was perfect, and he couldn't help but be a little proud of his student.

Not that he'd let him ever know that.