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.
::tsuzuku::
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.
Chapter Fourteen
HappyFace1886
“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.
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.”
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.
::tsuzuku::
