{Varia headquarter, Italy}

"Gesso Famiglia," Yucca muttered under his breath as he neared the letter's, he was holding in his hands, end.

Reclining into his seat, in front of his study, he let himself ponder about his younger brother's words. To leave the Vongola, more precisely the Varia, and to join the Gesso Famiglia instead, now that was something he didn't see every day.

The Gesso Famiglia was a new up and coming Mafia group. Its first apparition being in Italy before they started to spread everywhere around the globe. In less than a month, their actions began to circulate in the underworld network before their name was on every renown Godfather's lips.

Of course, the Vongola Famiglia wasn't spared, as the most renowned Famiglia, they received the information before everyone else. Keeping a close eye on them, they didn't envision the possibility of the Gesso directly reaching for one of their top members.

But well, did they expect one of their best hitmen to be directly related to the Gesso's Boss?

An amused simper appeared on Yucca's lips. Folding his letter and putting it back in its envelope, Yucca gently pulled his usually locked drawer open before putting the message in it and closing it.

It had been a while since Ran, and he had last contacted each other. With the younger growing up and, apparently starting his "business" while Yucca grew more and more busy with the never-ending orders from the top, both siblings drifted from one another. Although, they renewed the contact just as quickly as they did.

Pleased to have received some news from his brother, although not the type he expected the most, Yucca went down to the shared room. He still had a few things to do before going on his missions, as for the Gesso Famiglia matters he would think about it more once done. In what, a week maybe?

::

{Vongola headquarter, Italy}

"Good evening, Decimo," Yucca greeted, as he entered the young Don's office. His usual grin on his face, he casually went up to the brown-haired boy's study.

"I heard you wanted to talk to me, Yucca," Tsunayoshi addressed voice calm. "Is it something you can't tell Xanxus perhaps?" He guessed aloud, a comforting smile on his face.

Yucca hummed in agreement, taking a seat in front of the younger male, he made himself comfortable. "Truth be told, my brother sent me a letter not long ago."

Tsunayoshi tilted his head questioningly, eyes slightly widening before going back to their usual size. He didn't remember Yucca having any siblings or living family members for all it mattered. For all he knew, the man's parents were dead, and his uncle was the one to raise him into the underworld's lifestyle before vanishing into thin air. Humming, Tsuna urged him to go on.

"I'd like this to stay between the two of us if possible, but Ran-ch— I mean, Byakuran. The Gesso Famiglia's leader sent me a letter."

Tsunayoshi didn't mention anything about Yucca's slip, although he didn't forget about it either. Eyes slightly narrowed in mild understanding as he started to put the pieces together. His hyper intuition pathed the way for his reflection as he began to see where this discussion was going.

"Well to put it shortly, they want me to change boards," he declared flatly, the grin never leaving his lips as he dropped the bomb like information like simple information on the weather.

Tsunayoshi's looked hardened for a split second before going back to its usual apparent calmness. Muttering a simple "I see," under his breath, he waited for Yucca to go on.

"I am considering the offer," Yucca admitted. "I don't dislike the Vongola or the Varia for all it matters. I consider them my family for the most part," he justified. "But turning down my dearest brother is a bit..."

"I understand. When are you going to tell Xanxus about this?" Tsunayoshi inquired, tone serious and devoid of its usual warmness, it was all about business.

Yucca hummed, agreeing with the idea of telling his Boss. His gaze went down to his left hand's pointer finger, on it was a ring his Boss had given him as proof of his status as the Varia's cloud guardian, aimlessly playing with it, he thought about how he should tell him.

Seeing the man he once feared in such a complicated state of mind, Tsunayoshi allowed himself to speak up. "How about we compromise?"

Yucca's head snapped up, his purple eyes unwaveringly staring at the young Don as he blinked them owlishly in confusion. "A common ground?" He questioned.

Tsunayoshi nodded, a smile on his face.

::

{Varia headquarter, Italy}

Yucca stared at the letter in his hand, rereading it for the nth time his focused expression never once faltered. A pen in his other hand, he casually added some notes in the margin, underlining some terms while he crossed out others, his study of the paper seemed never-ending.

In the small metallic trash can, next to his desk, was a pile of crumpled paper, all of them full of annotations and intelligible scribbles.

At last, Yucca slumped into his seat, throwing his pen and paper on the desk he heaved a heavy sigh. Tiredly rubbing his temple in a circular motion, he tousled his raven locks in an attempt to chase the stress away.

When was the last time he had been so nervous writing a letter to Ran? No, it probably was the first time he found himself so unsure of what to write him back.

Should it be something very formal and diplomatic, as to answer his offer? Or should he make it a bit more personal by adding more warmth and core to the letter? Maybe only letting the topic slip out of the message also was an alternative. He could write to him as the brother and not the Varia's cloud.

Why was everything so complicated?

The matter of the dying will flames had emerged not so long ago, making the mafia in an urge to find out more about these potential weapons. Da Vinci's Reincarnation's implication in the matter was emulating the underground world, even more, the rumor of Verde's new project called "box weapons" spread like wildfire, making Yucca who was charged with part of the case all the more tired. He was counting each passing day until his next week off.

In the end, he dismissed the letter's matter, promising to go back to it later, he chose to focus on his mission report. More paperwork.

It was an assassination order. Someone from the East, whose involvement with the civilian population, considering their knowledge, was far too much in the Varia's eyes. To put it plainly, it was an old agent from the Varia who retired a few months ago and moved to the East. Sadly, or not, the man was quite senile and had started to blabber about some classified information, the type the Varia didn't wish others to know.

Well, it will serve as an example for all the other ex-agent. Yucca tried to reason with himself.

Letting his fountain pen glide over the paper, Yucca started his report. From the means of transport, he used to the number of bullets, guns, and daggers he took out, no details were left unattended. His concise summary finished, he started to list the few expenses he made. Finally adding his, personal thoughts on the matter and the possible outcomes to come in the next few years, he appended his signature at the end of the paper.

Going over it one last time to look out for any mistakes or inconsistencies in his report, he stood up. His gaze drifted to the small digital alarm clock on his nightstand before his tired expression morphed in one of mild surprise.

2:34 am, so late already. Stretching, he put his report in his desk's lower drawer before making his way to the linked bathroom.

He'd give his report to Xanxus tomorrow. His Boss was probably sleeping he didn't want a grumpy Xaxus glaring at him. Not like he never glared at him. As for the Gesso Famiglia matter, he guessed he would go with the flow, tell his Boss whenever he thought it would be a good idea.

::

Around 6:00 am the same morning, Yucca's eyes fluttered open. Glancing at his digital alarm clock, a frustrated sigh, escaped his lips. Why did he try to get along with Leviathan in the first place? The older male had given him such horrible sleeping habits, always waking up at sunrise to start his day. All of this because he quotes: "In the Varia. If you don't wake up on time, you'll die."

Bulshit. He'll only become sleep deprived and make himself an easier target... Maybe that was Levi's goal from the start.

Turning in his bed, trying to catch some more sleep, Yucca forced his eyes closed. Only to reopen them, less than a minute later. It was no use drowsiness had forsaken him. Extirping his tired body from his comfortable bed, he slowly made his way to the shower.

::

Now dressed in his usual attire, black pants, black dress shirt, black dress shoes, and his now signature black trench coat, Yucca stared at his reflection unimpressed. When did he start to like the color black so much? He didn't know, maybe because it was easier to put the same clothes days after days if they were black. Whatever, yellow would always rule in his heart.

Going to his desk, Yucca pulled his lowest drawer open before taking his report out. Catching a glimpse of Ran's letter, he paused for a second before taking the message out and gently stuffing it into his trench coat's inner pocket.

His wristwatch in place, he put his black gloves on before making his way out of his quarters and going to his Boss' office.

::

"... Therefore, it would be wise to put a few of our men in the neighboorhood to see if there is any delayed reaction to the target's disappearance. I already ordered one of my division's to stay on standby," Yucca concluded his report. His expression serious, devoid of its usual cheeriness and false amiability.

Xaxus grunted, "Is that all, trash?"

Yucca paused momentarily considering his options. To tell Xanxus about the Gesoo Famiglia's offer or not, that was the question. Well, he'd need to address the subject at some point. Resolved, Yucca spoke up once more.

"Nyrufufu, to tell the truth, Boss. There's something else I'd like to address with you," Yucca stated, his smiley expression adorning his face. "I have received an offer not so long ago," he said pulling the letter out of his trench's inner pocket before putting it on his boss' desk. "And I wanted to discuss its issue with you."

Xanxus' already narrowed eyes, narrowed even more. This creepy laugh was no positive sign to the Varia's Boss. Taking the folded letter into his hands, the Xanxus silently read it as his subordinate continued his speech.

"I have already told the Tenth about this matter," a growl emanated from Xanxus mouth, but Yucca dismissed it. "And I think this could become an opportunity."

Few seconds passed which soon turned into minutes before Xanxus crumpled the letter. "An opportunity to betray me, trash?" He drawled dangerously.

"Of course not, Boss," Yucca countered. "Betraying you and the Varia never entered my sigh," he stated boldly. "You could see it as me going undercover if you wish instead, Boss. After all, we don't know yet if the Gesso Famiglia is friend or foe."

"That is true," Xanxus marveled. "But what should make me believe you won't betray me? You did deceive the old man for me once, trash."

"That is true. And as you said it, I did it for you, Boss," Yucca retorted, using his Boss' words against him.

Xanxus growled, taking his gun out, he shot a single bullet Yucca's way. "Don't fuck with me, Yucca," he ordered, voice dangerously low.

Yucca observed the hole at his feet. It was still fuming from the newly shot bullet. "It wasn't my intention, Boss," Yucca recounted. "But I am serious, Boss. When I say, I won't betray you. I know better than to do so."

Xanxus settled down on his seat. "Go on, speak," he snarled. "If I don't like it, I'll shot you."

Yucca grinned, before taking a seat in front of his boos.

::

{Gesso headquarters, ???}

"Yucca-nii-chan!" A childish voice called out, engulfing the raven head in a hug. "I missed you so much!"

"Ah, yes, me too Ran-chan," Yucca admitted, awkwardly returning his younger brother's hug. It was Koro's first time meeting the infamous Ran-chan, his dearest little brother.

The youngest male buried his face into his older brother's chest, inhaling his scent. "It's been so long..." He whispered.

Yucca hummed. Relaxing his hold a bit as he relished in the feeling of hugging his little brother.

"But," Ran suddenly spoke up, voice similar to one of a predator as his grip on the older male became firmer. Swiftly taking the gun from Yucca's holster and shooting his shoulder before taking a step back and aiming at the older male's head. His childish grin disappeared as a deadly light emerged from his purple eyes.

"Who are you?"

So this basically is how Koro/Yucca changed boards. The only people who know the truth (he wasn't a complete traitor) are Tsuna, Xanxus and that is all... for the moment. Maybe you guessed, but the other Varia's leading members know the truth too, more or less.

At this time Koro/Yucca is one entity, no split personality or dual control in sight, he is master of his every move.

Next chapter will go back to the Future Arc storyline.

Thanks for reading, until next time^^