Ambigram - Katekyo Hitman Reborn - Chapter 14

Summary: AU; In where Tsuna and Xanxus grew up together, watching each other's back... where innocence was tainted since the start... One Miura Haru finds herself in a very precarious situation 2786/TsunaxHaru

My lack of KHR knowledge might make some things untrue or some characters OOC!

I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Please forgive any mistakes, both character-wise and grammatically-wise. I don't have time to re-read or edit things.

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Chapter Fourteen

HappyFace1886

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“Mukuro.”

“Bianchi-san.” Contrasting with the sharp icy edge of her voice, Mukuro spoke with a lilt purr that sent a cold shiver down Haru’s spine. Her eyes continued swinging back and forth between the two before her and while she was no fighter, she could honestly say that there was some sort of weird aura that was clashing between the two.

“What are you doing here, Mukuro?” Bianchi casually twirled the plate with her fingers, causing the black miasma to flow gracefully in a small coil. She looked as though she was disinterested in the situation, paying more attention to the strange concoction she had on the dish. “It’s unlike you to venture into the libraries right after having a meeting with the other Guardians, disguising as me no less. One may think you may have some... unsavory plans in mind.”

“I’m hurt,” he said in a mocking tone. “I just happened across the Decimo’s latest toy and couldn’t help but tease her a bit... and perhaps I just had something I needed to do research on. After all, the enemy that we’re dealing with has a richer history than most people believe. Perhaps rivaling even in that of the Vongola’s. History just tends to distort the truth, especially when it’s written by the victor... and knowing the enemy is only half the battle.

“And how would exactly would you know the type of history they hold?” she inquired coolly.

Mukuro’s smile widened. “I am a Guardian of the Vongola. Isn’t it expected of me to have some knowledge concerning the Famiglia that holds my loyalty?”

Such a poisonous smooth talker, Bianchi thought with disdain. It was the way of the Mist flame to be such charismatic talkers. She and Mukuro normally didn’t cross paths, but neither of them really liked each other. If anything, they tolerated each other mostly due to their enjoyment of irritating Tsuna.

But she wouldn’t tolerate this.

“If you’re truly loyal to the brat,” the plate stopped spinning on her hand and the bulk of it was tilted to face where Mukuro stood, “then you should be out there in the field with the other Guardians. Knowledge is important, but if there’s something you believe will benefit us, even if it’s just a hunch or a clue, it would be more important to share with the others instead of acting on your own.”

Mukuro eyed the plate with carefully veiled derision. If there was one form of offensive ability that he disliked most, it was Bianchi’s poison cuisine. The odor was unpleasant and the sight of it more so. And despite his status of Guardian, he knew it would be no clean battle if the two were to fight it out. Besides, she wasn’t the reason why he was here.

“Fair point,” he conceded and tilted his head, heterochromic eyes twinkling with a light that made Haru flinch. “I just believed that with how tightly entwined the Shimon Famiglia is with the Vongola, it was only fair to research on them a bit further. Knowing the history of our present enemy might provide opportunities we may have overlooked.”

“Be it as it may, I believe you’ve outstayed your welcome here,” Bianchi informed him sharply when she saw the look he gave Haru. What was this snake up to now? “You should return to where the other Guardians are. Now.”

“Going, going,” he hummed in delight. There was no longer a need for him to linger. He’d already accomplished what he wanted.

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Haru almost slumped to the ground after the soft tapping of Mukuro’s footsteps disappeared down the hallway. The tension had been so thick and overpowering that she had forgotten to breathe properly. Feeling light headed, she drew her hands to her chest, the cup still grasped tightly, and tried to inhale slowly.

“Are you alright, Haru?” Bianchi inquired softly, kneeling before her with a look of concern. Haru was grateful for her gentleness, wanting some form of consolation even if it was from a person she’d only known for a few hours.

“I-I’m fine,” she managed to stammer out.

Just what sort of mess had she become entangled in? It was bad enough when she was assaulted twice last night, but for it to nearly happen again when she was supposed to be ‘protected’? Granted, Bianchi-san did her job well and Haru was very appreciative for her presence, but it didn’t stop her from feeling disturbed by this entire situation.

Not to mention, the Mukuro guy was one of the pervert’s Guardians? Were the other Guardians so frightening with a cruel appearance? No, no, Yamamoto-san had such a gentle air about him and even though Gokudera-san was crude with his words, he didn’t seem as sinister as Mukuro-san. He didn’t look as though he had some form of hidden agenda and did not mind what sort of pawn he had to use to get what he wanted...

Haru involuntarily shivered and looked up, startled, when Bianchi slowly began to pry the cup from her hands.

“Are you frightened?”

The ridiculous question almost made Haru laugh in hysteria. Instead, she gave the older woman a weak smile. “Better than when I met Xanxus-san yesterday.”

Bianchi managed to return her smile, though hers looked more apologetic. “I’m sorry. I should have never left you alone like that.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault!” Haru replied quickly. “This is supposed to be a secure area, right? It is the Vongola’s headquarters after all... but... why does it appear as though you guys don’t get along with each other? Mukuro-san is a Guardian, so shouldn’t he be as loyal to the pervert as Gokudera-san and Yamamoto-san?”

“Let’s just say we’re an eccentric bunch,” Bianchi almost snorted at her own words, but it was the best way to sum it all up in simple terms. “It’s unlikely that Mukuro will be betraying us any time soon. Still, it’s known throughout the entire organization that he doesn’t really like his position as Guardian.”

“...then why does he stay?”

“Because being a Guardian benefits him as much as having him as a Guardian.” Bianchi placed the cup on a nearby table so that she wouldn’t have to see Haru’s eyes. She stared at the table, her hands lingering on top of the cup. “Listen carefully, Haru. Staying here means dealing with people like that. Constantly. Xanxus is also a part of the Vongola, but as you’ve probably experienced, he doesn’t give a damn that the brat... or pervert as you call him... is the heir. The moment the brat shows a hint of weakness, dozens of people will try and eat him alive. I suppose knowing that will help explain his... unusual behavior.”

Constantly surrounded by enemies.... always being on his toes because there will be dozens who would thrill at the chance of stomping on them.

“Everyone is a possible enemy.” She whispered so softly that Haru almost missed it. Almost.

“Even you, Bianchi-san?”

The question was poised so innocently and filled with disbelief that Bianchi swore that she thought it was a younger Tsuna asking the question. She rapidly blinked her eyes and turned her head, only to see Haru looking up at her with imploring eyes. “Yes, even me.”

“That’s not right,” Haru replied stubbornly. “You need allies and friends, no matter where and what you do.”

“Even friends can betray you,” Bianchi stated. Already, she could see the past incidents, be it hers, her brothers, or the brats. So many instances in which someone had stabbed them in the back, people who would sneer and delight in the fact that they were able to take advantage of them. “Enemies can take on the appearance of your allies. There’s never a true moment where you’re safe.”

“Is that what the pervert believes as well?”

There was no immediately response from Bianchi who looked away. It was funny how it seemed as though it was just yesterday when she’d meet the scrawny little brat with those big googly eyes and that ridiculously timid look on his face. It was even funnier imagining that that stupid looking kid would grow up to be so powerful and cruel.

She would need dozens of hands to count the number of times she’d seen him return back to HQ covered in blood after a long and arduous mission, his impassive eyes staring into nothingness while he walked down the cold corridor completely unharmed despite the blood that dripped down his fingertips. Everyone would stay away from him, remembering the first time he’d return in such a state.

Still on guard and adrenaline high, the moment they even took a step towards him, his reflexes would kick in and a wave of flames would come shooting out of his palm. Enemy or friend, he wanted no one near him. Over time, he got better at it, but everyone was still too nervous to get near him unless they were a close companion of his.

The whispers that had then thundered throughout the organization.

The true heir to the Vongola line.

Oh how great the Vongola would become once more with him as the head.

When Bianchi spoke, it sounded so weak and whimsical to her own ears. A ridiculous excuse that they hid behind for selfish reasons that no one needed to know other than themselves. “It’s what we do to survive.”

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Enma stared out at the town he had infiltrated not so long ago. His jacket blew behind him while his hands remained loosely by his sides. The place looked so nice and peaceful. He could see several kids running around with each other while the adults called out to nearby potential customers, tempting them to their vendors and stores.

This was all fake, a ruse created by the Vongola for their own selfish reasons. They protected this region, claiming it as their territory, but they profited off of the fear of the people. Not that he should be surprised by this; the history of the Vongola was filled with blood.

Dirty, twisted, disgusting blood.

How many people did they step on in order to reach the summit they currently stood on? How many families did they destroy, the innocent people who had nothing to do with their blasted affairs?

Niisan!

Enma’s hands clenched into tight fists at the memory of his sister’s innocent voice calling out for him, how he could still remember her hand reaching out for him while she smiled cheerfully at him. He gritted his teeth, curbing the flames that threatened to flicker out. The Vongola would notice him immediately the moment he even leaked a bit of his strength. He wouldn’t mind taking them out; they were no match for his strength. However, that wasn’t part of the plan and if he wanted to obliterate this vile organization, he would need patience.

A flash of brown eyes stained with tears and anger appeared in his mind and he stilled.

That girl....

He’d seen her being taken away by the Vongola Guardians, but why? Was she someone important to them? He’d heard rumors about the disgusting heir to the Vongola taking in a new play thing, but it couldn’t possibly be her. They’d described her as some sort of Japanese temptress who was just as despicable as the man she strewn herself over.

That girl on the other hand... she was so weak and frightened. She didn’t appear like the type who’d trick someone for her own selfish reasons. It made him wonder what the Guardians would go out of their way to help her instead of calling one of their men to come take her to another location.

He wanted to know more.

He wanted to know who she was and why she was with people as evil as the Vongola.

It made no sense to him as to why his mind would keep flashing back towards when they’d first met. He could still remember the feel of her pressed so intimately against him, the pounding pulse on her neck while she shivered under his touch. She felt so warm and comforting that he wanted to continue holding her, not really minding when she clung onto him even after the Vongola thugs left.

And also, before, he had only seen her in tears and with her cheeks flushed with anger.

...what would she look like with a smile?

Enma shook his head.

This wasn’t the time to be distracted. There was still the mission to take care of.

However, when Enma’s eyes caught the sight of a tuff of brown hair coming out from between two towering builds, followed by a long pink haired woman that he knew was the Vongola’s infamous Poison Cooking master, he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe... just maybe... there was nothing wrong in indulging in a little curiosity.

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::tsuzuku::

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AU: And here we go! :) chapter fourteen!

Chapter 13
Chapter 15