AN: I'm a little intimidated by this site, so many fabulous writers. I'm hesitant to put this little piece of crap up, it's so short and not very good, but I suppose I have to start somewhere. Please tell me what you think. I'm new to the site, so I whipped up something short and sweet for my debut. If you like it, I'll put up stories much longer than this, if you don't, please let me know so I never write fan fiction again. Reviews are much appreciated! - Coon

xxx

To be glared upon by those smoldering red eyes, Rasiel decided, was one of the most frightening things a man could experience. He was a prince, he repeated to himself; no, not a prince. A king. And kings have nothing to fear. Hiding behind his crazed grin, Rasiel pushed the growing feeling of terror to the back of his mind and through golden bangs met the burning eyes of Varia's leader. Xanxus was a bitter challenger, a king stripped of his crown and his glory by a mere child. Yet the man before him radiated authority and formidable strength. Even while lazily reclined in his arm chair, his raw power smothered Rasiel until he could not breathe, could not think, could do nothing but stare and smile as he quivered like a trapped animal.

But Rasiel figured he had nothing to fear; after all, Xanxus was only a half-breed, and he himself was a king. Wasn't he? Then why did Rasiel find himself quaking in his petrified boots, slowly breaking under the pressure of the Vongola's gaze? Olgert had been no match for the raven haired man, the hulking butler had been smashed like nothing more than a fat cockroach. Rasiel now found himself in the same position, frozen on his throne, unable to move, unable to fight. But he was a king, wasn't he? King. Butler. Insect. Did it really make a difference?

Deep in his gut, he knew the truth. The battle had already been lost. There was absolutely no way to escape and the very thought of his inevitable death chilled him to the bone. Pleading, bribing, promises of grandeur, every single pitiful last resort to save his life, had proved futile. His feigned confidence was met with a derogatory glare. Upon uttering the name of Vongola Decimo, however, something in the the scarred face, the seething eyes of Xanxus changed. A catastrophic mistake.

The king slid from his throne, landing on his knees in the dirt at Xanxus's feet. Desperate pleas poured from the fallen king's mouth and upon deaf ears as his body was slowly, agonizingly rendered motionless, wide-eyed gaze permanently fastened to the man looming before him. Awe. Wonder. Utter horror. Xanxus could have been relaxing at home after a long day of work, if it wasn't for the uncontrolled fury raging like a wild fire in his half-lidded eyes. This man is a true king, was the thought that mercilessly taunted Rasiel as his chin, his lips, his nose turned to stone. More than a king. The forever pouting lips of the scarred emperor parted as he spoke a single word, a final, resonating knell.

"Die."