Standard Disclaimer: I do not owe anything.

Target 12: "At the Crossroads"

The Gutcelli Mansion was now currently busy with the upcoming preparations for the week's festivity.

Different well known outstanding organizers around the country gathered together to coordinate and prepare the most anticipating party the Gutcelli's thrown every other year.

The party was supposed to be for social sake, but now it was also a celebration for the upcoming union of two famiglia as new solidified allies; Gutcelli and Vongola, although it's still a top secret only to be released at the last day of the celebration.

"Wow. And I was already here since yesterday evening. But this sight can't still be deemed as normal in my eyes" Hana yawned as she sat herself between Kyoko and Chrome at the Gutcelli's dining table.

"Oh. You're flattering me too much Kurokawa-san, but I appreciate it so thank you" gracefully thanked Stella the daughter of the owner of this wonderful mansion.

The Gutcelli's Mansion which also served as their Main HQ was located at the outskirts of Sicily, Italy.

It was actually near the Vongola HQ and Cavellone, but the Gutcelli's insisted that the tenth generation Vongola should stay with them as a matter of politeness on their part.

The Mansion's interior was coloured white with small streaks of lemon.
It was as far and wide as any mansions could be. It has a lot of guest rooms with such intricate furniture decorating both the insides and out.

It has also a room for entertainment, relaxation, training and such.

A full oh so expensive but handy kind of mansion it was.

And those details about the mansion's greatness have also added a sea on foot below and a flower garden just down the hill to really amplify its greatness to the fullest.

"Oh. Where is Haru-chan? I heard they arrived earlier this morning?" Kyoko inquired before taking a bite on her strawberry flavoured pancake.

"She is currently staying at her room, right now, I guess still resting from the delayed flight" Stella replied after she gracefully cleared her throat after sipping on her tea.

"Oh I see. Let's get her later then, yeah?"

"That's Right Kyoko-chan" Chrome agreed and the girls continued chatting over random things over their sumptuous breakfast.

On the other hand, the tenth generation boss of Vongola has officially met Gutcelli's ninth and current boss, Antonio Faun Gutcelli, and they are currently locked on a conversation over coffee at Antonio's office.

"I have understood the meaning and the importance of our arrival here at your HQ sir. I'm just afraid that I can't force my friend into jumping onto something. It's his life after all, and I have no meaning into manipulating it for him" Tsuna had firmly gave his response to the old man, although he was dying from nervous in the inside.

He was old yet he was stunningly gorgeous and extremely intimidating at the same time. His coal hair with streaks of silver shined beneath the rays of sunlight that entered the room, making he's features more ethereal.

The old man giggled and then paused, letting his oceanic blue eyes pierce through the boy's honey dews.

"Relax my boy. I am definitely not asking him to jump onto something he can't handle. And I'm very sure of it that he can handle his father, and that news. All I want from you is the assistance of letting Hayato Gokudera reconcile with his father, taking his rightful position as the 8th generation boss of the Gokudera famiglia and marry into the Gutcelli famiglia as to the Gutcelli allying with Vongola."

"I knew something was fishy when Stella-san asked us to just go here. Well I knew Gokudera-san was a reason and Vongola as well but I never expected it as this. Where the hell is Reborn when you needed him?" Tsuna thought as he mulled over the sudden proposal thrown at him.

"With all due respect sir, May you kindly give me time to think about the arrangement of the said proposal? For it is not I who would do a lot on this said forming of alliance with your famiglia, but Gokudera-san. I, however, is willing to help voluntarily into the reconciliation of the child-parent relationship they had, but as for the other two conditions, I'm afraid I have no say to this, and will let Gokudera-san choose for his own"

"I understand. But I hope you'll make your formal reply before the announcement of our alliance at the end of the week. I knew you'd retaliate a bit, that's why I asked permission of a week's stay for you to decide wisely. That's all. Good Day to you Vongola Tenth" he smiled as a subordinate carefully ushered Tsuna out of his office.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi was as what he had said to me. A fine young man who's very protective over his friends and family, I hope his sense of justice is right this time. For the sake of the famiglia that is." Stated Antonio as he sipped through his cup of coffee, just after acknowledging the other hidden presence present on the room.

"Well, prepared to be amazed then, Antonio" a faint chuckle was heard over the sound of elegant sipping on a cup of espresso was made.

"Is there something bothering you Tsuna?" Dino made his way to a glum looking Tsuna.

"It's...nothing for you to worry about Dino-san, I'm just fine. Thanks" Tsuna hesitated and went towards his room to weigh the pros and cons of the scenario presented to him, just like a true mafia boss would be.

"What was wrong then looking like that?" Dino mumbled to his self as he watched the retreating figure of his friend.

"Like what exactly?"

"Hiieee! Reborn! You scared me!" Dino jumped in shock.

"You're sounding as pathetic as Dame-Tsuna you know?" he said disapprovingly.

"It's just that you really have a knack of appearing out of nowhere and scaring people, like that"

"It's just because I'm cool. Enough of my awesomeness dame-Dino, what are you mumbling about awhile ago?"

Dino almost laughed at the reason his ex-tutor gave him, but held it and go through his explanation.

"Tsuna. He seemed quite out of it after speaking with The Gutcelli's boss...Know something?"

"It's just that Tsuna is growing up as a true Mafia Boss Should be. And as per your question, it's a secret" Reborn nonchalantly replied.

"Eh?" and he was left with another thwack in the head for not understanding Reborn.

"A true Mafia Boss should have more dependable intuition, you're still far Dino, I guess I should still train you, with my spare time" and he dragged Dino to hell's where with an evil glint in his eyes.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Five minutes more-desu" mumbled a very sleepy brunette.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

And Haru just irritably shifted on her bed and covered herself with the sheets.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

With a twitch of irritation and slight anger Haru Miura stood up and hurried for the unfamiliar door.

"Fine Haru's awake! Stop banging the door, the world ain't going to end if-"she paused as she locked eyes with emerald ones.

"I'm sorry Haru-san, did I disturbed your sleep?"

"Eh-eto...It's okay Stella-san! Haru's sorry for the rude behaviour-desu" Haru bowed frantically, embarrassed from her early morning rant.

Wait. Was it still morning though?

She heard a giggle coming from the beautiful woman in front of her. This made her to slowly lift her head up and face a giggling Italian lady.

"It's okay Haru-san, it is I who should not disturb you, since you just arrived at dawn, but I was profusely worried about your health cause I'm pretty sure you might get hungry since it's already past lunch time and you haven't eaten anything yet" Stella explained.

"Pretty, Kind and Lady-like. Haru wants to be like this kind of woman too someday" Haru smiled at her thoughts as she gazed at Stella.

"Ah- Thank You Stella-san for the concern, Haru's very happy that she was able to be friends with someone as kind as you. I'll be right down in just a sec. Haru's gonna change first then proceed down. Thank you very much" for the second time Haru bowed, she really was grateful for an added friend and the fact they let them stay in a very wonderful mansion.

"That's great then I shall let the maids prepare for your food. And before I forgot the girls told me to relay to you that they'll be out for a while, Bianci's touring them at the city. They also said that you should not worry since they'll go again with you"

Haru's a bit disheartened upon hearing that the girls went ahead first. Though she really needs some rest now, since nothing's going her way for the past few days with Gokudera annoying her for two straight days plus the scary dreams she's currently having.

Stella took her leave and let Haru enjoy the comfort of her room by taking a quick shower and change.

After changing she went down the grand main stairs towards the kitchen at the left. She was surprised and very thankful for the food prepared for her. Letting her stomach had her fill, she energetically launched at her sit and stuffed food as much as she could to satisfy her needy tummy.

After a sumptuous Italian meal, she decide to take a walk alone, since the people are either busy preparing for the festivity at the lawn or out somewhere in this huge mansion.

The inside of the mansion was seemingly quiet with the occasional maid dropping by to get something to aid the people outside.

"The Gutcelli Mansion sure is very big, Haru can get easily lost in this, Haru wonders where the others are? Haru knows the Girls are out probably with the kids as well, but how about the boys?" Haru mumbled to herself as she walked through the back entrance towards the path downhill. She wanted to take a good view outside and the warmth and breeze she felt outdoors gives her more energy than staying inside.

"I wonder that myself too" came a very familiar voice that scared Haru to death.

"Hahi! You scared me Tsuna-san!" Haru yelped.

"Sorry Haru. HAHA I was just wandering around the mansion too and that's when I saw you walking around here so I approached you. Sorry to have scared you" Tsuna smiled.

"It's okay if it's Tsuna-san~desu. But how come you don't know where the other boys are?"

Tsuna looked sideways before answering "Oh. It was because I stayed at my room since this morning that I have no idea where the others were doing now"

Haru giggled at Tsuna's sheepish demeanour. The boy really hadn't change much, or have he?

"It's a fine day, and you have had plenty of rest yet why did you choose to confine yourself in your room Tsuna-san?"

"I have my reasons-"He smiled and looked at Haru "-Hey may I ask you something? Let's say you have to decide whether you should sacrifice something for a greater cause yet the person in subject will be all the more lonely or still sacrifice something yet it may danger a lot of people for the sake of one person?"

Haru was taken aback by Tsuna's strange question. What was she going to say? One person for the whole or a whole for a person?

She was fidgeting on her spot upon thinking heavily for the right answer.

Tsuna was about to just drop the question seeing her think too much. It was supposed to be his job to think for the famiglia not her or any of them.

But his words died on his throat when Haru finally looked at him with a steady resolve shown in her eyes.

"I'll choose to sacrifice everything for a friend. Ano...It may sound selfish but Haru supposes that as a friend Haru should never decide for the person even though it maybe for a greater cause. Haru will be happy whatever the person in subject decides and so the rest will be fine since we're a family right? And family supports one another" Haru smiled then blushed, embarrassed by the sudden words she had spoken.

Tsuna was astounded at Haru's words. It might be true, that it was a bit selfish on her part. But sometimes for the sake of the family, we can just do anything.

"I understand. Thanks Haru. Anyway how did you know it was about the family?" he inquired.

"Well...Haru had known Tsuna for years now, and apparently my sight never left you for the past few years so Haru knew whenever the family came up, Tsuna will make this kind of expression-desu" Haru innocently explained why she had an idea it was about family matters.

Tsuna on the other hand blushed at her bold statement. Sure he already had Kyoko and he's pretty sure she has given up completely judging with her statements. But he can't help but smile and blush at the bold Haru Miura.

He sincerely wished for Haru's happiness, it may not be found with him but he's very sure that the guy Haru will come to love will be very lucky.

Tsuna then bid a quick good bye to the brunette and returned to the mansion with a heightened spirit leaving the brunette to her spot smiling.

"Haru sure hopes for the best Tsuna-san" she smiled and carried on her way down the hill.

Upon arriving in a giant Cherry Tree just above the outstanding Flower Garden; Miura Haru absorb the wonders of the scenery and decided to sit down at the foot of the tree overlooking the beautiful flowers.

"Wow. Just wow" she exhaled at the view.

"What are you doing here?" a voice suddenly startled her again.

"Hahi! What's with people nowadays? They keep on popping from nowhere and scaring the spirit out of Haru" She exclaimed as she locked eyes with an onyx one.

"I'm not scaring you. I'm just asking why are you here instead of anywhere else."

"Since anywhere else brought Haru here. Is there a problem mister prefect?" she looked up at Hibari Kyoya who was currently sitting at a branch of the cherry tree.

"You're disturbing my sleep Ms. Miura and that's the problem here" he glared at her from his heightened position just hovering above her.

"What a great view and a not so great company" she thought as silence hovered over them.

Then a sudden fluff ball perched on Haru's head making the brunette squeal in delight.

"Hahi! Hello there Hibird-san!" she greeted the yellow fluff ball as it hopped from his cosy spot on the crown of her head to the warm and soft palm she had offered.

As soon as she said those words she immediately froze right there on the spot. Remembering the fight she had with the bird's owner after naming it without his consent. And not to mention how embarrassing that fight went for her.

With her free hand she instinctively reached for the flesh just below her jaw where she was been marked by him.

He saw the sudden change in her and grunted "It's fine"

"Hahi?" she bore a confused gaze at the prefect.

"I said It's fine...to call him Hibird, he seems to like it anyway"

Astounded as she is she just nod at him and proceeded to pat the yellow fella on her hand, and beginning to hum a lullaby for the bird to sleep.

Hibari with his stoic face leaned comfortably at the tree's trunk as he closed his eyes to Haru's humming. It was so comfortable and her voice makes him want to douse himself to sleep.

When she stopped humming the tune, Hibari shot his eyes open only to find Haru staring onto the vast scenery.

Unnerved by the sudden silence, Hibari just let his gaze linger on her frame more. He studied her, how her loose brunette locks swayed gracefully by the wind, how her porcelain skin shine under the sunset, how her little frame seems fragile yet her eyes proved otherwise.

And then he recalled all the memories he had of her, from the very first day he saw her running around the school grounds to find her lame Tsuna-san, to her rants with the herbivore Gokudera, to all smiles and giggles when surrounded with the kids and Yamamoto, to how she was dead scared yet her eyes shows her resolve to support the family in all ways she can with Kyoko during the time they spent in the future. To the time she lost that spark when she got dumped, and to the time he forgot to control himself and allowed his self to get closer to this herbivore ending up doing something so unlikely of him.

He must admit she was not perfect, and that she has a lot more to learn, to feel to experience, but that's what make her all the more beautiful. There's something in her that made him, Hibari Kyoya harbour feelings his too irritated to comprehend.

Haru just stared off to space when she noticed the prefect staring her way. She swallowed then speak, her gaze at the scene before her still not wavering "Thank you Hibari-san...for the bandages I mean"

...

Haru was about to peel her eyes away from the flower garden and look at the proud boy behind her when she suddenly felt a warm calloused hand touched the hollow base of her neck just below her jaw.

She froze not because she was scared or frightened by the touch, its affects seems to have a reverse effect on her though. She froze because she doesn't want the warmth to leave; she finds it comforting especially when all she felt now was uncertainty, and fear she can't understand.

"Sorry" was all he can say when he touched the spot where he had bit her making the girl turn her head at him and gave him a small smile.

Without taking his hand from her neck, he knelt beside her and with one hand scoop Hibird gently to not awaken it, when he tried to stood up; slowly letting his hand drip away from her another voice broke the silence.

"Deducting from the way I see it, it was you who violated her" Gokudera Hayato who leaned at the Cherry Tree watched them with an unreadable face.

"Hahi! Gokudera-san! What are you talking about?" she asked as she stood up from where she was seating a while ago.

Hibari just straightened up and smirk at the herbivore in front of him "Violated is such a strong word there herbivore"

Ever since their flight yesterday afternoon to their arrival here at the mansion, this guy kept Hibari Kyoya's temper on the edge. He doesn't understand why but seeing this particular herbivore especially with this girl makes him want to bite this guy to death.

"Oh no. It just suited you fine – that word" Gokudera said nonchalantly but his eyes were sending evil daggers towards the prefect.

Receiving the glare, he had wanted to just get his tonfas and smack that smug face of him, but he won't, not today, not here, not when she's here to be precise.

Gokudera Hayato, after seeing the earlier scene had wanted to just beat him there and then. His stoic face with that creepy little smirk makes him all the more pissed. He swore before that when he finds Haru's perpetrator he'll make him see hell itself.

Who knew that this guy had it in him, for such a sadistic, discipline-loving creep to sudden focus his attention on the stupid woman and violated her.

A bite at the neck is considered violating on his vocabulary.

"Hahi...Gokudera-san, Hibari-san what are you both talking about?"

"Why do you keep on covering for him? The bite mark you had claiming that it was just a random scratch from a random branch; from the start I knew it was a lie, I just don't understand why'd he do that to you?" Gokudera shifted his cold glare from Hibari to Haru then back to Hibari again.

Haru's eyes widened, so he knew after all that it was a lie, and now he knows who had done it.

She felt terrible, of all people, he was the one who discovered that embarrassing secret she had purposely hid.

Of all things she's afraid of, she's afraid of his view of her will change, she rather choose letting him view her as a stupid woman rather than a low woman being bit easily on her neck although that sudden surge of fear has yet to be comprehended by her.

With the scenario presented in front of her.

All she could think and feel was – she's pathetic.

And she hated being pathetic.

So. here it is, my latest chapter for you.
So you think they'll have a fight?
Let me know your reactions to this chapter folks.

I'm pretty excited to uncovering some secrets and adding new characters here and there, I'm still just finding the right time to make it beautifully complicated.

I Hope you enjoyed it.