Disclaimer : I do not own Katekyo Hitman reborn
Warning: this story is unbeta'd I really need one – hint-hint-
Enjoy.
Bad Influence
Chapter 01: Everyone knows that assassination squad means dysfunctional family in Italian
There are many ways to tell if someone is nervous. Whether it is conspicuous or not; nervousness is not an emotion that is easily hidden. When a person is nervous usually they would use an expression such as "Oh I have butterflies in my stomach" or "I'm getting cold feet". Such figures of speech were an understatement for someone about to join the Varia squad. When a person is nervous, they might bite their nails, they might fidget , they might sweat, and they might even scratch themselves from a false sense of irritation. Again, that is an understatement for someone about to join the Varia squad. When someone is going to join the Varia squad , they do not have butterflies in there stomach. No. They have a swarm of angry wasps buzzing about in their stomach. A person joining that squad would not have cold feet, but have ice blocks where their feet used to be. Any nervous movement would be magnified by a thousand for someone joining the Varia. That much is a given, but how do you display that emotion when you're supposed to be the aloof cloud guardian who is sitting in the back of a limo that seemed to be driving painfully slow?
"Excuse me , but are you alright back there?"
" Oh, I'm fine"
The answer to that question : You don't.
Scarlett Phobia sat in the back of the limo feeling all of the feelings described from the swarm of bee's to the ice blocks but she was forced to wear a straight face and wait until she got to her destination. From there she'll decide either to press forward or to run away as soon as the limo pulled off .
No. I cant do that, not to Nono*. She thought as she reached into her black koi fish printed tote purse and felt for a piece of stationary. After a moment she felt the folded sheet underneath her palm. She withdrew the paper and let her eyes skim the paper.
Scarlett Phobia,
, codename: Serpente di Inferno is herby declared a Varia quality assassin. Such an achievement gains you entrance into the Varia assassination squad by order of Vongola Nono. Within the period of a week and a day, you will relocate yourself to live among the other Varia members in their headquarters as their replacement cloud guardian. A limo will be sent to fetch you after the set time. Have your luggage packed and carry your official Vongola Undercover Assassination. Ops badge on your person so your identity can be verified on the day of your relocation We are delighted to have you as the new addition to the Varia squad and will be awaiting your arrival.
-Timoteo, Vongola Nono
I have to join if Nono wants me to he's done so much for me, I could never refuse him
She reads further to the corner of the note written in small fine print.
P.S. You've done so well, I'm so proud of you. You've grown up, both as a mafiosa and as a young lady. Continue to do well and do me proud.
He punctuated the end of the sentence with a smiley face, much like how a teenager would punctuate a text message.
Especially if he keeps pulling at my heart strings, I bet the old man planned that knowing, I have a guilty conscience and half a mind to RUN FOR DEAR LIFE
Scarlett shakes her head from side to side , while trying to think of something else , that way she could calm her self by thinking of things that she liked, as the Limo drove to her destination.
I like pumpkins, pumpkins make me happy
Thinking of Pumpkins worked only for a while that is until the pumpkins made her think of orange.
If I'm not mistaken the squad's martial artist's wears an orange frilly coat. She felt her stomach lurch.
C'mon Scarlett you're a guardian of cloud this isn't your mentality, think of something else…Alright lying to myself wont work for sure I know myself well enough , that on a good day I don't fit cloud mentality, oh well fake it 'til I make it.
She took a deep breath.
The ocean , the ocean is calming… unless there are sharks in the water.
She shudders, remembering there's a member of the Varia who is notorious for fighting ruthlessly by the name of Squalo ,Italian for shark. She shut her eyes with one last attempt to calm her thoughts.
White, I'm what most consider innocent for being an assassin, I don't kill the innocent, I'm a virgin, I'll wear white to my wedding…
Then she thought of death.
Don't look into the white light.
Red. I'm wearing a blouse with red polka dots, I have on red high heels like the Kellie Pickler song that I love
All things were well up until she thought of two malevolent looking red eyes glaring at her. The mental image plagued her for a moment. She groaned and let her head lean into the tinted window to her left as she took a deep breath.
Red … not a nice thing to think about when my boss has two menacing eyes that color.
She grimaced then shivered as she felt something cold and scaly around her midriff then up to her arm slithering up her shoulder. No, it wasn't the nervous feeling taking on shape but , her long time legless friend .Scarlett lets out a sigh of relief and looks to her shoulder. She saw to opaque blue eyes looking back her and a slitted tongue flicked out to her face. This is her friend , Amico,*a black mamba*, that is her life companion. She pats the tamed serpent on his head but then a thought comes to her.
Amico is harmless but my limo driver doesn't know this; this is bad. Scarlett hisses lowly, a form of command , known only between Amico and herself which is roughly translated as "Amico…, STAY OUT OF SIGHT".
"Are you sure you're alright ?" The limo driver asked looked at Scarlett through the drivers mirror upfront.
"Fine! Just fine!" Scarlett by this time had Amico tucked away down her shirt .
"You, know… you've been sayin' you're fine this whole drive but you've been fidgeting and holding you're stomach, you're nervous aren't you". Scarlett sighed and was about to reply when she felt something squirm against her stomach making her jump and gasp from the surprise. Scarlett looks down and glares at Amico. She pressed her hand against the lump where Amico was cloaked as a form of warning, the action made her forget her smart-alecky reply to the driver so she decided not be difficult and admit her inner feelings.
"Is it that obvious?" Scarlett asked while stilling Amico's movements against her body without the driver seeing.
"Pretty much "
"Great" she replied sarcastically
"Hey , cheer up"
Did this clueless son-of-a batch of cookies just tell me to cheer up?, seriously did he just tell me to cheer up? I COULD BREAK YOU IN HALF RIGHT NOW !
"Excuse me?" She said calmly her eyebrows bending into a soft furrow
"Cheer up , you are the newest member to the Varia squad, you act like you've been given a death sentence"
What's the difference ?
"I know you're trying to encourage me, thanks, but, sorry I don't know what you're trying to tell me."
Scarlett could hear the sigh that the man was trying to make inaudible. Scarlett's trained ears could pick up just about anything. She frowned slightly at the man who's ploy to encourage her was flailing.
"You should act like you're being promoted instead of sitting in the back of my car, mute and mentally struggling" She nodded in agreement. She really shouldn't be this apprehensive.
"The fact that you're in the back of my car is proof enough that you're on par with the other members of the squad. Nono. wouldn't make anyone do something he didn't think they were capable of" He was right , Nono wouldn't have put her in the squad if he thought she couldn't handle it.
"You're right" was her simple reply.
"What I'm saying is believe in yourself kid," Scarlett cringed at the word "kid".
She really hated being called that.
" You aint called Serpente di Inferno for nothing" That last part made up for calling her kid and actually cheered her up. She wasn't named Serpente di inferno just because it sounded cool. She earned her code name just like every other mafioso. She ran an undercover organization for the Vongola for s ten years until this point. If anyone was qualified to be the Varia's new cloud guardian, it sure as hell would be her. At that moment the replacement cloud guardian was brimming with confidence, which happened to be the same moment that the limo came to an abrupt halt.
"What's going on?" Scarlett queried her head snapping in every direction.
"We have reached your destination" came the rough voice of the limo driver.
Scarlett found her self presented with an open door. She grabbed her purse and crawled out of the limo in a total stupor and oblivion.
"Hey Serpente, how did you earn you earn your title" The question snapped Scarlett back to her senses
"Oh, um…," she started as she began to form a response in her head not involving her telling her life story. As she did so she completely forgot about Amico. Since she and Amico have been accomplices for most of her life , she has grown accustomed to the feel of the leathery scales that is Amico's skin slithering against her body that is when he isn't squirming around. In other words the poisonous but benevolent snake had gone unnoticed and slithered his way up her torso. His little head conspicuously poked out of the collar of his owner's shirt and into the view of the unsuspecting Limo driver. As Scarlett finally formed the words in her mind she noticed before she spoke that the driver had began to shake. His knees buckled and she watched him take a slow step backward.
"What?" She asks oblivious to the fact that there was a dangerous animal invading her personal space
A moment passed with the man frozen in what looked like fear, Scarlett tilted her head to the side in question
What the hell is going on ?
"Sn-sn-sn-snake…" He trailed off the last part. Scarlett furrowed her brows, not understanding what had him so shaken up
"Snake…" he trailed off again. Scarlett blinked.
"!" Scarlett jumped back, not from fear of a snake but of surprised that a seemingly middle aged man could sound like a screaming school girl without someone torturing his testicles. With that the man drove off, a cloud of smoke trailed behind him. Scarlett blinked a couple of times questioning whether or not what she just witnessed actually just happened.
"Let me just pretend I didn't just see a 40, or so, year old man scream like a girl over a snake." At that moment she heard a low hiss and felt something coil around her neck. Her eyes slowly drifted to her shoulder.
"Oh, hey Amico" Comes the nonchalant drawl of his master. As a reply, the poisonous legless beast flicked out his tongue, something understood between them as a "Nothing Really". Scarlett shrugged and turned on her heel to take in the surrounding of what would be her new place of residence. Upon laying eyes on it her jaw dropped. There had to be a mistake this place that she stumbled upon could not be the Varia headquarters. Where was the big mansion that sat atop a hill, surrounded by a permanent storm cloud with the thunder and lighting with bats and crows swarming the place? Apparently not there. No. This place completely different from what she had imagined. Scarlett followed a walkway paved with cobblestone into a golden gate.
I'm definitely in the wrong place, I should be walking through the gates of hell not the golden gates. Where's the banner saying "Abandon all hope all ye who enter here*"?
Her eyes widened in astonishment as she looked to her side noticing the most beautiful vegetation , including patch of exotic flowers such as Orchids, the rose of Sharon, Hibiscus and Iris and also Rose bushes lining the walk way . Scarlett marveled at the beauty before her and paid attention to nothing else. A poor decision. It's a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings when in a tiny space, which makes it an even better idea to pay attention to your surroundings in something as big as the Varia headquarter's front yard. Scarlett feels Amico thrash around violently while hissing wildly in her shirt.
"What is it Amico?" At the moment she felt her foot bump against something. She turned her head so that she facing full front to whatever she hit. That "whatever" was a 100 foot metal pillar.
No wonder Amico was thrashing around so frantically.
"You were trying to warn me weren't you" the venomous threat hissed in reply.
Scarlett shuffled her feet and walked around the pole she would have to reward Amico later , that would have made an unsightly bruise. Scaley snake skin still wiggled against her and she still hear Amico hiss.
"C'mon boy I know I almost hit the pole but there's nothing to worry about now" She patted Amico's head but that only seemed to distress him more.
"Amico wh- her sentence was cut short among feeling a hostile presence in the vicinity , no , closer. Amico bared his venomous fangs behind her, signaling her to turn around. Instinctively she reached into her jacket for her weapons she slowly turned to who or whatever she assumed to be an enemy. Before her eyes stood a tall lanky man with an appearance that made him look like he had recently been electrocuted. Behind his back were things that looked like umbrellas. He stared down at her smaller figure and she up at his titanic figure , she notice he was in Varia uniform, She eyed him for a moment then put her weapon back in safe keeping. She put her hands up and in front of her signaling she was no threat.
"Who are you" his deep drawl echoed in the clear air.
"My name is Scarlett Phobia , I'm-"
"We have no business with someone by that name" he reached behind him and drew from the sheath on his back, on of the umbrella looking weapons and began charging it with electricity.
Those are no umbrellas, those are parabolas, uh-oh…
'W-wait hold on a sec-
"LEVI VOLTA" This is what I was afraid of… a huge surge of electricity hurled itself at her form. It was an immense glowing white light surging toward her. The sound of humming electricity was an ominous reminder that this was the ruthless, cutthroat, Varia she was dealing with. Scarlett, being quick on her feet scrambled out of the way before it could hit. She caught her breath , her heart thundering behind her ribcage because of the adrenaline. Slowly she held out her hands in frount of her , to show she came in peace.
"Look I'm not an enemy- "LEVI VOLTA" A faster more massive surge of electricity launched in her direction. This time Scarlett didn't take a second to gape at it. She realizes now that this man is a threat and he will no time soon see her as an ally. Scarlett quickly stepped out of the way and jumped back to put distance between her and the man She analyzed his attack and she deducted that he could only attack from a certain range. Using this to her advantage she simply got out of range. Now this just left her to wonder how was she going to get through to him, she couldn't just give up on making him see.
"Do not attack, I'm your ally!" Scarlett shouted from a distance but , the man paid her no heed.
This man obviously doesn't listen to reason, I'd hate to put him in the hospital the day I meet him but he's not giving me much of a choice. It would be nice if he'd just let me close enough to show him my identification …
In her mind she pictured a light bulb turning on in her head much like you see in the cartoons.
My identification…maybe…
As the replacement cloud guardian got lost in the depth of her thoughts, the man surround her with the parabolas. In total there were eight of them, everyone of them hovered in the air ready for the command to kill. It was the sound of that malevolent whirring electricity that got Scarlett's attention.
Crap.
The parabolas glowed with the dangerous volts of electricity that could potentially kill the replacement before she even got the chance to meet the rest of the members. Or maybe that wasn't so bad. No. She cant be selfish ,she was doing this for Nono after all.
The whirring got louder as it charged up. All of the electricity was being concentrated into a single fatal blow, Scarlett felt ill that she would be on the receiving end of this attack. Would be at the receiving end of the attack. She hissed lowly to give Amico a signal. The serpent slithered it's way up her shoulder and perched atop of it ready for further instruction.
"SUPER LEVI VOLTA!" That moment she hissed , a sharp direct hiss, know between her and Amico as a defensive command. The mammoth concentration of energy accelerated toward her with increasing velocity.
"Amico!" Scarlett commanded. The snake opened its mouth. His head exaggerated greatly in size, the size of his mouth increased ten fold as he opened his lower jaw. The surging ball of electrons , came trudging down on Scarlett's figure but all the effects it would have had were all null and void with the counter she had used. Amico had devoured the super levi volta all in one gulp. Scarlett saw the man across the field give her a deadpanned stare with his mouth agape. Suddenly Amico began to squirm violently on her body. Just what was wrong now. Scarlett looked over to Amico who was still perched on her shoulder.
"Was is it boy?" Amico began to shake violently. .Not good. Being a fourteen inch serpent, he was able to wrap his tail around Scarlett's arm, he began to constrict. Worse. Finally he just becomes absolutely still .WTF. Scarlett cocked her head to the side to get a better look at him. She notice that he had a faint blush around his cheeks, he looked almost drunken. Scarlett facial expression showed how confused she was at the moment. She cocked her head to the side. Was Amico alright?
A-Amico?. Scarlett blinked a couple of times. She then looked over to her opponent he just recovered from shock and was now preparing to assault her. She saw him charge his parabola. There is no way in bloody hell this is going to end well. Amico got her attention by a small hiccup. Is Amico… drunk?
"LEVI..."Scarlett reached into her jacket, anticipating what came next. She was prepared to show him who she really was. At that moment her opponent lunged toward her. He was approaching her at a rapid pace. He really did have the intent to kill her. She could tell by his hostile intent. She still dug around in her jacket still not finding her weapon of choice. He was getting close. C'mon C'mon where are you when I need you. Amico squirmed around a little bit more.
This time his eyes seemed to dilate and his cheeks began to puff out. She directs her gaze to the serpent giving him a low hiss. This was a command along the lines of a "Not now Amico", but Amico was not about to be ignored. Amico always squirmed around as a warning and Scarlett was well aware of that fact, but since she was busy she could handle that later. It would always be the best choice to heed Amico's advice. Amico hiccupped one more time, this time a cloud of smoke followed suit. .It was as if he upchucked a foggy morning. I was not prepared for that. As if sensing her thought pattern Amico hissed at her. That was probably meant as "I was warning you". Scarlett thought to herself; How blazes could Amico be drunk and hiccup smoke. Usually when Amico absorbed energy, he digested it. Could it be that the guy holds so much power he makes special animals like Amico drunk off their power. That would make sense , this guy is apart of the Varia. Scarlett waste no more time seeing as Amico gave her the perfect opening. Since Amico clouded up the area he's probably going to jump out of the cloud so he wont be sorounded She found what she was looking for in her jacket and as she anticipated , she did jump out of the cloud of smoke. Now to make my move. Amico began squirming again, this time maybe from anticipation, Scarlett could barely tell since he wasn't violently thrashing about like he was earlier. Scarlett sprinted off her heels. She sensed his presence in the opposite direction. She darted stealthy through the smoke cloud relying only on her senses to lead her to her opponent. After getting a firm lock on his hostile presence she pulls the item that would end the fight from her jacket. She swooped under and saw her opponent who looked appalled by how quickly he had been found. This was taken as the moment to strike. Now! Scarlett lunged forward extending her left arm , item in hand. She could hear the air whistle from the air splitting blow … that would have collided with her opponent's face had her hand not have been caught by the wrist. Scarlett's heart stopped as she lifted her head to lock eyes with the expert fast enough to stop her blow that would have hit.
"Hmm let's see… Scarlett Phobia age : nineteen , date of birth : March seventh ,hm hm hmm hmmm, yada yada Serpente di Inferno oh!..."
The cloud replacement locked eyes with a pair of pink shades and she almost went blind with the sunlight reflecting off of highlighter green hair.
How did she not notice this guy come into the picture. It all happened so fast…Well Amico did squirm.
"Levi Dear, you were ordered to look out for our replacement , not to ruff him up," The blinding green hairerd turned around and greeted her with a nice, sweet , loving, pedophilic ,gradually getting creepier , oh god help me the bishops in the room kind of smile "Or should I say rough up" He releases her from his firm grip and leans in close to her. Natural instinct told the new recruit to back away slowly from the newfound predator.
"My, my I heard a rumor that the ninth was sending a girl to take Mosca's place, but never thought the ninth to be a man so harsh as to put a delicate young lady up to the task of being our cloud guardian"
What is that supposed to mean?
" I assure you that Nono would not give me a task he didn't think I could to handle , I am neither fragile or delicate for that matter, evidently there is something that Nono believes that I have that could be an asset to this team."
"Oh~, you think so?" He asked in a sing song voice. This guy ran a chill up her spine. Parents hide your kids. She nodded in reply.
"I can believe that , had you been a normal woman , hell normal person at all, Levi dearest would have killed you with no difficulty whatsoever" he said to avoid sounding sexist. Is it possible for someone so flamboyantly gay to be sexist?
"I observed you from a distance, and it seems you're pretty good on your feet-um…-
"Scarle-
"Pho-Chan"
"Pho-Chan?" Scarlett parroted as if learning a new word.
"Well, calling you 'Scarlett' makes me feel like I'm talking to a middle aged woman , when I call you Pho-chan I feel like I'm talking to a child" That word again … It made her shut her eyes firmly and shudder. She detested being called a child. Her face showed her displeasure.
"Ooh, you do not like being called a kid? I don't mean anything by it ,but you do have a young face" Scarlett indignantly wrinkled her nose and flared her nostrils. Young doesn't always constitute child. She really did hate being called a child and it irked her to no end when she was named as such , but she didn't want to come off as some quick tempered person that angers because of stupid things, so she played it off
"It's not that, though I'd rather not be called a child I can deal with it."
"Oh? then why are you showing an angry but equally cute face?" The neon colored homosexual asked cocking his head to the side in question. She groaned lowly as her face flushed slightly. "I have my insecurities" she says in a quiet voice.
"AWWWW, that's so damn adorable!" The zesty* flavored neon colored man grabbed her in a vice grip that he probably considered a hug. Honestly…let go of me El Mira*. Pho-chan could feel the breath leave her lungs, her eyes rolling in her head, and her face taking on a blue hue.
"Honestly Lussuria , at least introduce yourself before she experiences death by hug" With that he let her go, and gave her an apologetic look.
"You are so right I am so rude! Not that you're to far off Levi , you attacked her without letting her introduce herself…"
'Hey! I didn't recognize her actual name I wanted her codename , it's not my fault her government name sounds like a codename"
"Well which one did you ask her for -
"Hello My name is Scarlett Phobia, I'm nineteen years old. I am a mix between Italian and Creole and I'm a Pisces , what about you?" she interrupted to stop those two bickering like siblings A mechanism she uses when put into an uncomfortable situation is to turn the conversation into something less awkward but usually its something totally random
Like a mother hen the flamer 'awwed 'and circled her capturing her in her arms " I'm Lussuria, but please feel free to call me Mama, I'm the team's sun guardian, that over there , the man you had a little skirmish with, is Levi , don't worry you'll get used to him." His grip traveled south to her hand. He yanked her forward
"Come on Pho-chan you have to meet the rest of our little group" He says so lovingly.
"Sure" She replied simply. Even though she actually had a lot to say such as
I don't think I'm ready for this. Meeting two of them got me all sweaty and messy, I really hope my hair didn't get frizzy from the sweat. I cant meet the rest of these nut jobs, and I SWEAR Lussuria is going to snap my wrist from this vice grip he has on it… this is going to be a long long day .
Scarlett sat at a circle table in the middle of a very homey looking kitchen. The kitchen was a bright yellow, with black appliances, the cabinets were a chestnut color . with marble tops. Scarlett marveled in complete stupor. She really did not expect the Varia HQ to be so… so… so… welcoming. Pictures of the residents adorned the walls of this kitchen , and the rest of the down stairs portion that she had seen. It was really as if the Varia were a family and Lussuria was the mommy.
"So Pho-chan, I know you didn't quite get a particularly warm welcome to the squad so I'd like to make you something, a snack, and I'll let you choose what we're having"
How old am I ? five? Is he doing this to be funny
"Choose snack ? you guys have a snack time ?"
"Everyday 3:00" Scarlett looked over to the clock and it read 2:57. Her eyes widend Oh help me god , he's serious, Could I possibly be in the right head quarters. Because it really seems as if I stepped back into kindergarten.
"Well Pho-chan what would you like?" asked Lussuria getting the nearest flower printed apron and setting up the kitchen utensils. I have a sudden craving for sweets
"Um Tea and Cookies would be nice" She said matter of factly, with that, she immediately heard clanging cups and a tea kettle set to boil. He works fast.
"Ooh~ A tea party sounds beautiful, I'll invite the other squad members, I'm sure they are somewhere close…" Lussuria continued on and on
"What kind of cookie, sweet heart?"
"Um… Chocolate chip"
"Tea?"
"What do you have?"
"What don't we have is the better question" Scarlett looked embarrassed that she really couldn't make up her mind. Besides she somehow felt under pressure with how fast Lussuria was firing the questions at her.
"May I recommend the Raspberry Zinger, it's quite delightful"
"Sure" If Lussuria wasn't a cold blooded killer , he would be the world's best waiter
Scarlett watched in awe as Lussuria moved quickly about the kitchen. The clanking of the dishes were like the music of kitchen. Even with making both tea and cookie he still managed to keep a conversation with Scarlett. At first Scarlett thought him to be a total creeper but he really isn't all that bad.
"So Pho-chan you were boss of the V.U.A, what's it like working undercover" Scarlett thought for a moment
"It's just like a regular mission , just while playing dress up" as she says this the tea pot begins to whistle
"Ooh~ I like playing dress up " says the Lussuria as he pours the hot water into seven tea cups all of them but one were white with a name written uniquely on each cup. One read "Levi" another "Bel" one written in sharpie "Squalo', one labled "Mommy" and one labeled "Boss". She took a closer look and saw one had "Little bity cuteness" x'd over in red and written over it was Mammon .This is beyond unexpected
"Excuse me for a moment" Lussuria walked down to the end of a long narrow hallway, where he met a stairwell. He perched him self on the fist step and called up to the other residents.
"Boys! Snack time, look your best because we have company!" He called through a melodic sing song voice. This guy takes Mr. Mom way beyond context. A moment passed by ,and Scarlett's trained ears heard a very light shuffle of feet. Who ever was coming at the moment he was not trying to be detected.
"Someone's coming" Scarlett said to her self. Lussuria who picked up what she said to her self looked at her inquisitively. He was about to question her reasoning when suddenly the steps got louder. He had to be running now. But then …
"VOIIII" The house rumbled with the scream's reverberation. Who ever was coming sounded pissed
"Ushishishi" Came a rodent-like laugh, it was his steps that Scarlett heard initially. There were various crashing noises that followed them. "Ushishi, missed again dimwitted strategy captain!"
"VOOII BELLLLLLLLLL!"
"Let go of me "She heard the soft drone of what seemed to be a child up there.
"Hell no!"
"Bel Dearest! Squ-chan ! don't destroy the upstairs!" Lussuria called again. The two people darted down the stairwell. One blond haired boy looking to be somewhere around Scarlett's age scurried and skidded in his socks as he rounded the corner of the stair case. The tiara –or is it a crown- bounced on his head as he torpedoed down the long narrow hall, with what looked like a baby in tow. Not far behind him was a man looking to be a few years Scarlett's senior , like a silver bullet he zipped through the hall behind the boy swiftly gabbing the boy by the shoulder before he could make it to Lussuria's waiting food. The force of the strong jerk sent the baby in the boy's hands flying. Scarlett stood abruptly from the table so that if she had to she would catch the flying baby. Her attempt was in vain thought because the baby just merely … bounced of the wall…and… levitated? A levitating baby? Could he be one of the Arcobaleno children?
"You boys should play nicer with each other" Lussuria sighed as the two others wallowed around in a wadded ball of violence. Scarlett still looked in awe at all that was going on. Seriously, these guys are the classic dysfunctional family from the sit-coms, they have the loving mother, adorable baby, and feuding siblings, all they're missing is the approval seeking attention whore and the il-tempered bastard father that is liked for all the reasons they are hated. Little did she know…
"Voi! Lussuria why the hell are we having a tea party, do we look like a bunch of girls?" The silky silver haired man said, his voice sounding grumpy as his eyes gazed over the hot tea on cookies that adorned the kitchen table. Then from the corner of his eye he spotted the replacement sitting cross-legged in a chestnut wooden chair.
"And who the hell is this? Didn't boss tell you not to bring home people you met at the mall?" Scarlett narrowed her eyes at the man .Just what is that supposed to mean?
"Excuse me?" Scarlett asked politely. Different from what she was thinking.
"Squ*! How could you be so rude ! I definitely did not meet her at the mall!"
"Mall , beauty salon, grocery store all apply , you're not allowed to have visitors"
"But-
"Well then … I guess that would be unfortunate…if I was a visitor," Scarlett said with a smirk. So this guy thinks I'm one of Lusuria's girl friends, well not girlfriend you know because he's the homo-big bird from sesame street , but you know … Anyway now I feel halfway obligated to bash this guys head in because I can already tell he's being a chauvinist jerk face. The only reason he's questioning about me is the fact I'm a girl… woman.
"What is she talking about , Lussuria get her the hell out of here before she see's something she shouldn't"
"But Squ-" Lussuria began
"See what? A flying baby being hurled into a wall, An electric giant ,A silver haired man chasing a young man with a tiara? A mother-like homosexual ? Oh no, I'll alert the authorities" Pho-chan said sarcastically. The man growled at her then slits his eyes indignantly "I'm no visitor here, I'm Scarlett Phobia, Serpente di inferno- the serpent from hell , your new cloud guardian, it's a pleasure" She said holding out a hand. He looked at her hand and scoffed. He gave her a mean stare . The tension in the room escalated.
"Replacement cloud guardian, eh? Trash" What did he bloody call me Scarlett narrowed her eyes at him. They both glared at each other. His glare was intense as if she locked eyes with a great white shark. Her glare held the same intensity, looking into her angry eyes would be like a stare down with a poisonous serpent. Calm down Scarlett , you're no longer the boss of anything , you need to remember you are now an underling, just find an excuse to not be angry at him… I must touch his hair.. ,it's so darn beautiful .- that's reasoning enough to disregard his actions this time
"Squ! Stop being rude to Pho-chan and introduce yourself to her" Lussuria fussed feeling that he had been ignored. He had been so it was understandable he'd be irritated. Squalo scoffed looking down on Scarlett.
"I'm your Strategy Captain, Superbi Squalo," Someone has a big ego
"Listen girl –
"Ushishi The prince feels left out, quit yer yapping dimwitted strat-cap, It's my turn."
"VOI! You trash I was about to-
"I'm Belphegor, the declared genius of the Vongola family, the prince is always eager to meet new peasants, Pho-chan was it?" Does everyone in this family have a habit of saying things to piss me off .The hell it is nice to meet you.
"Nice to meet you, it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance" She said with fake smile and clenched teeth. Another thing that peeved her, was being talked down to , it didn't help that she was being talked down to by a kid. Dammit she was no push over but, she respected her boundaries, she is new and no longer the boss of anyone she will just grin and bare it.
"Not talking back to the prince? The prince likes you already, here I will allow you to shake my hand" Really, I'm beginning to hate you already. A vein pulsed on her forehead as she smiles and forcefully grabs his hand and shakes his hand with more firmness than necessary. Belphegor winced and quickly withdraws his hand.
"Well damn, you really are a snake, your hand shake is like being squeezed by a boa constrictor" As if on queue Amico makes his appearance with the mention of poisonous serpents. He must have been responding to Scarlett's ticked off mood. The residents in the kitchen backed away slowly. Scarlett's attension was given to the tamed serpent coiled around her arm. He hissed audibly, maybe so everyone could hear him say hello. Scarlett smiled and kissed the-" would be menace" on his little head then patted the very spot.
"Hello friend, did you wanna introduce your self too?" His tongue flicked out in response. The other residents looked almost terrified but Scarlett calmed them."Don't worry boys he's harmless, that is unless I become cross" -Now who's a peasant ? who's trash? I dare you to say it again
"This is my partner, friend, and weapon of choice, Amico, the black mamba" Everyone in the room made it a point to be as far away from her as possible. She smirked wryly.
"Come on guys he's harmless"
"Don't give me that load of crock, The black mamba is the most dangerous of all snakes, growing to be a good fourteen feet long, sharp venomous fangs, fast slithering speeds, that thing is deadly and you're not convincing me otherwise." Belphegor* kept his distance still not trusting the cloud replacements words. Come on guys he would have already bitten you if I wanted him to. She sighed irritably.
"Alright, I know at least one of you in here has the makings of a man, just one of you come here pet his head."
"No one insults my manhood!" Squalo growled
"Do I have a taker?" She extends her arm out toward Squalo and let Amico use her arm as a bridge to Squalo from his beloved master Scarlett. The silver haired man steped backward, only a pace away from Amico's reach.
"What's the matter Strategy Captain? Surely you aren't afraid of a tamed snake are you ?" Scarlett taunted with a sneer.
"I am not afraid of anything! I'm just not stupid -[ could have fooled me ]-everyone knows when someone in the mafia has an animal companion , it isn't just a regular animal, it has to be lethal . you say that menace is tamed but that only means it wont attack you, it's a different story for the rest of us" Scarlett nods. Squalo is right , he would not attack her on any circumstance but if she were angry enough the rest of them could be dead men in less than five seconds. The thing was though she has to give the order to kill, but it's understandable that they would not trust her, after all she did only just get there. Maybe it wasn't a bad thing they didn't trust her with a lethal weapon right now, they wouldn't walk all over her then and they would think twice or maybe even three times before talking down to her again. Maybe fear isn't so bad. Okay Scarlett don't go that far. No fear. Not now. That's not how you operate.
The replacement sighed and hissed lowly, instructing her partner to slither back up to her shoulder. Amico's mood changed from contented to meet new people to somber that everyone was scared of him even though he is capable of being gentle. Scarlett felt sorry for the poor reptile and was about to comfort him when, a small hand touched Amico's head. Both the snake and the master looked astonished seeing the small hand pet the head of the reptile in such a friendly manner. Scarlett's eyes followed the small hand up to the wrist , to the elbow , to joint of the shoulder up to the neck and pudgy face of the levitating infant. Smiled sweetly at the young boy. It truly was a shame that in a room full of men and adolescents' the one person brave enough to get close to the slithering sweetheart was the baby looking no older than three years old. Even though I can almost guarantee that he isn't as young as he seems seeing as he could be an arcobelano child. Amico hissed and nudged his hand against the boy's hand in appreciation. The baby turned his head to gaze behind him at the three men behind him looking in awe that he touched such a dangerous creature. "Bunch of babies" The comment caused Squalo to furrow his eyebrows and scoff, the prince frowns and grabs the baby by the cheek saying
"I am no baby , you faceless runt"
Lussuria just smiles and decides to pet Amico's head .He marvels at how smooth his skin is and how cute the snake seems to him now.
"What a beautiful creature he is" the mother man said in awe.
"See he is harmless"
"He sure is I mean I think I'm in love with him" cooed Lussuria as Amico was growing more acquainted with his touch
"Hey Lussuria back off a bit , love him anymore and you might turn him into a belt" Belphegor teased. Lussuria scowled at Belphegor, a silent request for him to shut up.
Scarlett held out her hand welcoming Belphegor to come to Amico. Belphegor shook his head furiously. She shoots him a daring smirk and expects him to retort with touching the scaley head of her partner. Why was it so important for the members to touch him? It was considered a sign that Amico acknowledged you if he is touched , and anyone who doesn't trigger Amico's heightened sense of good conscience is good ally material. So how would he react to Belphegor?
"Let me guess, his royal highness is too high class to have animal's skin to be in contact with his royal hand" Scarlett inquires sarcastically.
"You know the prince so well to have met him only minutes ago" Came Belphegor's snarky reply. Scarlett rolls her eyes. Your loss, excuse my French but I'm not going to kiss the royal ass. Scarlett's vision panned out to Squalo who had made his way to sit at the other side of the table , cup labeled "Squalo" in hand and a empty plate in front of him. She looked at him beckoning him to touch the serpent. As if sensing the intent of her eyes, without looking at her he responds with an aggravated sigh.
"I'm not getting near that worm with scales" he scoffed before taking too big of a sip of the still piping hot tea. He jerks forward and dropped his cup on the table , making it spill all over the clean tablecloth , that was luckily navy or that red tea would have left a noticeable stain. The silver haired man clutched his throat with his tongue stuck out with hopes that the cold air outside his 98.6 degree body would give him relief to his scorched tongue. It took all of Scarlett's strength not to laugh at the man gasping saying 'hot'hot'hot' over and over again. Thanks Karma , you're the best.
"Oh my tablecloth! It didn't stain did it?" said the frantic neon colored man mother.
"Burn shishishi" the sadistic prince laughed at the silver haired man's pain
Lussuria, Strategy captain* just scorched himself and you're worried about the tablecloth
"Voi !Dammit Lussuria you didn't say the tea was still piping hot!" She could barely understand the strategy captain talking with his tongue still hanging from his mouth
"Well duh Squalo ! it's tea dammit I wont serve it to you cold or lukewarm!"
"Well no shit! I'm saying you should warn me if it's fresh out the kettle"
"WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENSION TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING INSTEAD OF FLIRTING WITH PHO-CHAN" Had Scarlett been drinking tea at the moment she would have done one of those spit shots you see in the cartoon comedies instead her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Squalo furrowed his brows and went crazy at the comment
"THE HELL I WAS FLIRTING WITH HER, YOU'RE A DEAD MAN IF YOU EVEN IMPLY SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN!"
"OH YEAH? YOU WERENT LOOKING HER IN THE EYE AND TALKING TO HER UNDER YOUR BREATH , IF THAT DOESN'T IMPLY AFFECTION WHAT DOES?"
"OTHER STUFF YOU DAMN NOSEY WANNA BE MOM!"
"WANNA BE MOM? I AM THE BEST DAMN MOM YOU EVER HAD-
"OTHER THAN THE ONE I WAS BORN WITH"
"YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT ONE!"
"THAT'S MY POINT!"
The argument went on.
"WHY I NEVER!"
And on.
"VOI "
And on.
"I OUTRANK YOU"
"OUTRANK MY ASS"
And … on.
"Pho" Scarlet had zoned out from ignoring the argument. It was the deep baritone belonging to Levi that drew her attention.
"This way" the electric giant droned. The replacement followed behind the massive man down the long narrow hallway that she had seen the other group members emerge from. She rounded corner behind Levi and there was a staircase. Levi began climbing the stairs. Scarlett froze for a moment. She eyed the height of the spiral stairs. Though they looked very stylish they were so high up. Scarlett felt a small bead of sweat trickle down from her temple to her chin.
"Are you coming ?" asked Levi from the head of the staircase. She nodded and took a deep breath as he tightly gripped the rail of the stairs and climbed upward. Her movements were quick so she wouldn't have to endure the height for much longer than she had to. Once at the top she followed Levi down another hallway. This hallway was painted red, a brick color red and the base boards were white contrasting the dark red color. She passed several rooms while following Levi; she glanced at each of them as she walked by them. The first she walked by was dark blue inside with a cot for a bed and with lots of training dummies, the next was painted dark purple , almost indigo with black furniture and was that… a crib? After that room there was a room with the door closed with a sigh with big red print saying "DEATH PIT" the replacement could only cock an eyebrow. The last room was painted green with several framed pictures and what seemed to be a shrine in the middle of the floor, nothing else was there, there was no bed , no dresser or anything just pictures and a shrine. It isn't my place to judge people's living spaces but that isn't what you see in the normal bedroom.
Levi made a sharp left in what seemed to be the intersection of two hallways. She already had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to navigate around the mansion either without a guide or a map because there seemed to be so many different halls once she had gotten passed those rooms. On this hallway was one more room. It was all neon colors, it looked like a miniature Vegas to Scarlett. In there was posters of Leonardo Dicaprio , Taylor Lautner, Adam Lambert, and other internationally known drop dead gorgeous men adorning the walls. No question, that room is Lussuria's… I know who I'll be visiting in his room . Scarlett joked with herself, she wasn't nearly that boy crazy, not that she couldn't acknowledge a handsome face when she saw one but men aren't the one thing that dominates her thoughts like most young women her age. It could be the fact that she was bought up running an undercover squad and every guy in there was either creepy, crazy, a jerk face or married. She sighed as her walk with Levi was growing boring , and the fact she was beginning to think of men…why? She wondered. Men aren't so special aside from how charming some look and act, being in the V.U.A. I have encountered many men from my age to Nono's age while undercover. Most of the men were all sex craving testosterone filled sacks of flesh. Sometimes the sacks of testosterone were nicely tonde with chiseled features like Adonis. Others were the exact opposite but with them as a whole there is a reoccurring theme – The man's man that has his eye on the unrivaled beauty which was always coincidentally me and must pursue her and woo her by any means necessary- She sighed. She was doing it again. Not all men are that way Scarlett you met these men undercover, you meet the same type of man because most men that are criminals have the same mentality. I don't even need to worry about this type of thing anyway. I'm nineteen with my whole life ahead of me, when I turn twenty-seven I'll retire and find a man ,we'll get married and have some kids and I'll live happily ever after… yeah right. This was why she hated thinking of men because she was a deep thinker. Her she found herself thinking just what bloody got her thinking about men.
"Lussuria's posters…" She trailed off out loud by accident
"What?" asked the colossal man coming to a halt looking over his shoulder down at the replacement.
"Um nothing…"Scarlett trailed off, feeling stupid that she thought out loud. I need to keep men out of my mind for now. Levi stood there unmoving for a moment, piquing Scarlett's concern.
"Levi?"
"Shh , this way" he says in a hushed voice as he opened the door before the both of them. Where did the door lead? To another flight of stairs. Maybe the HQ was built like an HQ, if the enemy attacks then they could just play one big game of hide and seek and lose them all. These stairs weren't as long or high as the ones they climbed initially to get the upstairs. These stairs seemed more like they were leading up to an attic a very room-like attic. Levi makes another abrupt halt in front of the door at the top of the stairs.
"Wait here" Levi slips into the room and all there is, is silence . Silence is not good for her because silence makes her think. What's behind the door. This is an assassination squad so it could be anything or anyone. Suddenly the scent of liqueur wafted into her nostrils. That confused her. I know Levi didn't walk me up here with him just so he could pour himself a drink, there is someone else behind that door, could it be the feared and revered, infamous boss. At that moment she picked up the sound of Levi and another talking but it was vague, the room must have been intended to be sound proof.
"~~~~~~~~~~~~Levi~~~~~order~~~~~~~strength"
"~~~~I did my best only for your approval~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~my life~~~~~~strong but unexpected"
She could hear more of what Levi said because the giant talked a lot louder than the other. I can assume the person in his company would be boss, why hasn't Levi let me in yet? She wondered As if on queue Levi opened the door by a sliver then slipped out of the room obviously not wanting Scarlett to see something. The permanent substitute furrowed her eyebrows and followed as Levi began a stride in the direction from once they came. Scarlett glanced behind her seeing as Levi had not shut the door all the way. She was less than shocked to see that it was the boss behind the door. Even though it was only open by a sliver she could see tanned skin sprawled about a leather couch with a bottle of tequila in a big manly hand. Scarlett's eye sight was impeccable but even with her eagle eyes she couldn't see everything through a small crack . She saw only the mans torso, and wasn't that just awesome because he's nicely sculpted , that much she could see, which means that he has a nine in ten chance of being an Adonis figure. Which also means she's at risk for falling victim to her thoughts of men. Calm down Scarlett …She took a deep breath. I already figured out this family , they are the dysfunctional family from the sitcoms Squalo ,Belphegor are the quarreling siblings, Lussuria is the loving mother, Levi is the attention whore, so the only role left would be the Angry father everyone likes for the reasons they hate him. He wouldn't be worthy eye candy , not that I need any... that would just be distracting. She sighed
"Pho" Levi called to her from the lower level . Oh no, not these stupid things again. She just decided that moment she hated the stairs, with a burning passion for being so high up. One by one she made her way down those troublesome stairs. Levi had gotten impacient with her by the time she finally got down stairs
"You move as if you are afraid of high places" Said the giant through a derisive scowl
"Not at all , it's just that I'm wearing heels and I have to move slower so I don't fall" Scarlett laughed trying to cover up for her dumb phobia, you cant be in the number one ranked assignation squad in all the mafia world and have a fear of heights. Well, that's not totally true, up until today I thought you couldn't be in the mafia world's top assassination squad and still have snack time but, hey I guess anything can happen.
"Funny you would say that, you seem to walking just fine now" Yes, she was able to keep up with Levi now, but what Levi doesn't know is that while wearing heels you need to be careful of the terrain when ever you walk.
"That's because I'm walking on flat floor , steps require climbing " Scarlett smiled know there is nothing he could counter her with and instead of figuring she had a fear of heights instead he'd think she just cant walk in heels.
"Lussuria has no problem" WHAT?
" Lussuria can walk in heels?"
"Yep" I am so screwed
"Well I guess I have some learning to do" Levi probably thought that Scarlett was BS-ing him [which she was] but said nothing as he stopped at a closet type door. The door hid a downward tunnel with a light at the end of it. Levi led her into it. The tunnel was carpeted and painted like the rest of the head quarters and led down to a room. The room had the word 'basement" in bold black letters, there was a light on in the inside. Levi stepped out of the way and cleared a path for Pho-chan to get to the door.
"This is your room" came the basket ball player rival's drawl. Great I sleep in the basement. She gripped the golden doorknob that was abnormally big. She twisted the knob but found difficulty opening the door. Are they so cruel to lock me out of my room on the first day That isn't surprising. She kept twisting right, and finally came to terms with the door being locked. Scarlett furrowed her eyebrows and sighed, then turned irritated eyes onto Levi. Levi cocked an eyebrow, just what was she looking at , just go in already. As if sensing Levi's thought process she twisted again, showing she was unable to enter. She watchs as Levi's widen for a moment to show understanding, then Levi twists the knob left and the door opened.
"I forgot to mention the doorknob is funny on that one" Great aren't I so lucky. The newest cloud guardian entered what used to be the basement. She was astonished that the room, just like every other room in the house, was not as she thought it would appear. She expected a cellar like you would see in the fairy tale Cinderella, cold gray and just plain unwelcoming. It was an empty room , unpainted un furnished , but it was carpeted with a bathroom built in. It was a small apartment minus a kitchen and laundry room. She walks further into the room. She sees pain cans in the corner of the room, with a mattress and some wood, that she was assuming would make her a head board a dresser and a nightstand. This was so different from what she though and by that fact she is contented. There was only one thought that discerned her – I have to paint and build all this all by myself, this could take a while. She turned to Levi and was about to thank him but just as their eyes made contact Levi turned to take his leave. That left her alone in new room. She turned to Amico who had since Levi left been perched on her shoulder. They both scanned the room for a moment until Scarlett took a deep breath and set Amico on the floor .
"Looks like I have some work to do" She took off the rings and bangles that adorned her arms and hands and rolled up her already short sleeves out of habit and was commencing to do work. I should probably start with the paint, I can sleep on a mattress tonight. With that she sifted through all the colors of the paint. There was red, green, pink , purple and blue. Scarlett always strived to be different , the rest of the house aside from the resident rooms were painted with red walls and besides it was going to be expected for her to chose red , after all her name is "Scarlet". The green was more of a evergreen hue , she liked a more emerald color green so that was no option for her. She liked dark pink more a hot pink or fuchsia other than that she found pink to be a disgusting color.Next. Purple wasn't a bad choice so she kept it in mind. So she moves on to blue , It was a hue of azure. She adored that color. That purple was so far gone from her mind when she cracked open that can of blue paint. She noticed that behind all the pain cans there were roller brushes. She grabs one and begins working. Up and down she rolled, using her full body in the motion to cover as much wall as possible. As time progressed the job began to get tiresome. She started out moving fast, believing that she would be able to finish painting by the evening hours. That was not the case. She found herself getting tired out after what seemed like a day , which had only been fifteen minutes. That's not cool, I'm supposed to have good stamina , this a disgrace. Scarlett sighed looking at all she had done. Her arms were tired and she had only finished a wall and a half. Most people found that to be an accomplishment, as most rooms have only four walls and it takes maybe a day to do that, but Pho-chan , is always striving for perfection, whether it be morally or physically. She took a breath and resumed working but this time as she worked she noticed another brush moving with hers.
"Eh?" She looked to her left, to see a small hand working a brush up and down. The infant? Yes the infant. She was once again dumbfounded, but she smiled nonetheless.
"Thank you so much, umm," He didn't tell me his name
"Mammon , I am Mammon, be grateful I am helping you free of charge, I usually detest working for free but you … are different, some fiber of my being tells me to be nice to you" came the baby's monotone drawl.
"Thank you for acknowledging that part of you, have my gratitude, Mammon" His reply was inaudible, but she could see that he was contented with what she said. She worked until she met the other side of the wall , which to her surplice was already painted.
"What?" she turned around and her eyes met four other infants, all of them Mammon. They all disappeared on sight all of them returned to the boy's form. They were… Illusions, she figured out after a moments thought. Her room was painted the task was finished in an half an hour. That was beautiful. Scarlett , who was tried crossed over to the bed in the middle of the room and plopped down and took a deep breath. Within the period of a few seconds she realizes that that bed was dissembled parts a few minutes ago.
"Mammon?" The infant came floating to her and she takes him into her arms in midair. She knew she didn't know him at all but every fiber of her being told her to hold him as a mother would as child.
"Phobia…"
" Thank you so much Mammon , I know you don't know who I am , and your more selfish nature may appeal to you in the future , just know, that I will be very grateful for you , just for this one thing you've done, and I'll do something generous for you too" The baby blushed and remained still in the replacement's embrace. While Mammon was in her arms she decided to finally question her hypothesis of the young boy being a cursed infant.
"Mammon, may I ask you some questions" queried the replacement placeing her chin on the baby's forehead.
"That depends on what you are asking"
"What bounds am I forbidden from stepping?"
"My gender, my face, and my age" Gender? I thought he was a boy but now that I think about it he sounds like he could be either gender, I'll just assume he's a boy. Now that he mentioned his face I want to see it , darn. And If he is an acrobelano, like I think he is I know he is at least old enough to be my grandpa.
"Alright I will avoid those topics" With that the young boy nodded for her to go on and ask.
"Mammon, are you an cursed infant?"
"Yes" he replied with no hesitation. Like I thought
"So you are a arcobelano child"
"Yes, there's nothing else I could be , Babies cannot fly or speak with correct grammar or even be assassins for that matter." Point taken. So he is one of seven cursed children, that is amazing , that I am holding one of the strongest seven in my arms. Hee-hee I won't bring that to his attention he might get embarrassed, Scarlett roused in her mind.
"So Mammon?"
"Phobia?"
"What made you find your way down to help me?"
'The prince was being a royal pain in the ass, and is currently searching for me I went into the closet that lead to basement for refuge and I saw you working and decided to help."
"I see" Scarlett nodded.
"So you and the prince are close?"
"Something like that, he's like an annoying brother" The replacement giggles
"Is that so"
"Yes but let's avoid talking about his highness too, he has a habit of showing up when he is mentioned" Scarlett cocked her head to the side. What?. A moment passed and the replacement's ears picked up on movement on the upper level. The quick pitter patter of the footsteps meant that whoever it was, was running. His steps were light but rapid, she recognized this pattern of movement to be the prince himself. Mammon was still unmoving making her believe he is not aware of the approaching royalty. Silently Pho-chan got Mammon's attention . She crept up to her her door which was located adjacent to the light switch . She hissed audibly to get the attention of the serpent who had laid idle for so long and instructed him to sit upon the bed. The two humanoid forms stood silently against the wall and Scarlett hit the lights.
"Ushishi, Mammon" called out the prince , sounding like a predator trying to lure out prey. "I checked every room in the headquarters , so I know you have to be in the basement" Lies , it cant be possible to check every room in this huge headquarters. Mammon remained quiet so the prince would believe no one was around then leave him be and not aggravate him to no end. Only Pho-chan could hear the prince coming their way. As he closed in on them the replacement is trying her best to think of a way so that they go unnoticed by the approaching Belphegor.
"Ushishi, come out now and save me the trouble of looking for you, I promise to play nice" At that moment , he was sounding a lot like a sick predator, poor Mammos had to deal with this all the time. Scarlett sighed.I don't have much time.
"Bel Dear," Came the high pitched sing-song voice of Lussuria. Out of no where the mommy-like homosexual came gracefully down the steps to the basement. She could hear the clank of glass and porcelain
A Teapot, no cup ,no both. Lussuria is bringing me the Tea I didn't drink. "Can you hold this for me since your going to visit Pho-chan too"
"The prince holds no-
"Thanks Bel" says Lussuria forcing the contents of what he had into the prince's unwilling hand. The Prince snorts to show his displeasure.
"I'm coming in Pho-chan" He enters the room and turns the light on. In front of him laid a half conscience Amico.
"What's the hod up?" Said the frustrated royalty . He looked beyond Lussuria's broad shoulders and froze.
"I am not getting near that thing" he says under his breath." Lussuria walks on in and pat the creatures head. He sees Mamman and Scarlett standing awkwardly against the way with wet paint. Quickly Scarlett sprang in front trying to cover up.
"Oh it's not what it looks like , Mammon and I were just playing hide and seek and the prince was it." Upon hearing the name "Mammon" Belphegor stormed the room and scooped up the little guy.
"Found ya!"He held the boy up by the under arms after a second he nearly dropped the little guy. Luckily reflex kicked in for the baby or that would be a hard fall.
"What the hell Bel, if I had gotten hurt , I'd be sending you my medical bill"
"You have paint all over you , ya little brat" Mammaon turned his back and saw a big blue spot in the back of his black cape. Scarlett snickered but realized she was up against the wall too.
"No…" she turned around saw a big stain on her shirt and all over her butt. "Not cool" she sighed.
"Someone in the room has a blue ass" Belphegor snickered. Scarlett frowned.
"Oh yeah, well someone else has a blue face" Belphegor looked at her as she flicked a brush lightly and a drop of paint hit him between the eyes.
"Had that been a bullet you would have been dead" joked Scarlett. The prince scoffed and set the tea stuff Lussuria had on the mans lap.
"Great she got a mark on my perfect princely face now I have to take a bath… later peasants."
"Wait Bel" said Lussuria as he handed Scarlett a cookie and poured her tea.
"What?" he asked exasperatedly
"We're letting Scarlett use the bath first tonight"
"What? The prince is second to no one " he protested.
"um Lussuria-
"Dear, I told you to call me Mama" he interrupted. She sighed
"Mamma,"
"Yes Pho-chan"
"I have a bathroom in here , so that wont be necessary" Lussuria laughed
"Unless you're trying to bath in your toilet bowl or in your sink it is nessesary" Scarlett checks her bathroom to see only a toilet and a sink. If they are going to go as far as putting in a sink and a tolirt , why didn't they just go ahead and put in a bath, please don't tell me…
"So you're saying you guys have a group bath" She was trying to hide her mild disgust.
"Not a bath, Like a manufactured hot spring" Lussuria explained. That put her at ease, so it would be like a hot spring bath in japan. She did that once. It also makes sense that she goes at a separate time , after all she is of the opposite sex of everyone. Well maybe not Lussuria , but he is genetically a man.
"How do the others feel about having to wait?"
"They'll live, I'll go tell them now though just so they don't start walking around in their towels yet"
Scarlett's skin crawled at the thought of all the guys walking around half naked. What about boss? Scarlet covered her mouth at that thought even thought she was sure she didn't say anything. Bad thoughts. Bad, bad, thoughts.
"Pho-chan, go ahead and finish your tea and cookies, the bath will be ready for you by that time, just come out of your room , up the stairs, down the hall upstairs straight until you reach a black door , you cant miss it , open the door and go down the stairs and that's the bath room" She memorized the direction and nodded as the prince , the "queen" and and adorable little grandpa left the room.
"I cant help but think that this whole bathing arrangement is going to cause problems" She thought out loud as she took a bite of the still soft chewy cookie and drank the warm tea.
The bath room , was the most beautiful thing in the world to ever be built in a head quarters. Scarlett gazed in awe at the steam filled room, with grey tiles. There was a golden Lions head that the water spouted out of. The scenery looked almost therapeutic, she wasted no time undressing. First went her polka dotted , now ruined ruffled shirt. Next her red high heels along with her pants. Just to make sure Scarlett scanned the room once more to ensure no peeping eyes. Feeling sure that no eyes were on her. She stripped herself of her bra and last, her lacy panties.
She stuck her toe into the water to test the temperature, she was sure it was hot from all the steam she saw, it was just, was it too hot? The water was fine. Hot but not hot enough to scorch her flesh. She slipped into the water and relaxed herself, her mind drifting into her happy place. Scarlett rarely found herself at peace like this. Amico slithered up beside her on the gray cobblestone-like tile. Scarlett rubbed his back and then set her towel over his head. He hissed in protest.
"No peeking Amico, you're lucky I trust you or else you'd be outside with the rest of the boys" she teased
Outside the bathroom-
"The prince is displeased he has to wait on a peasant" The spoiled brat prince tugged at his towel with impatience. He leant against the wall that was just beyond the bath room.
"You'll live Bel, I suppose you'd much rather bath with her at the same time"
"Of course not , of course the prince acknowledges the peasant has desirable assets the prince finds attractive but she is too far beneath the prince to have him for company in a bath" Lussuria and the other accompanying men, Squalo, and Levi , all turn red at what the boy just said.
"Bel? How could you say such a thing!" Lussuria exclaimed in a loud whisper so he got his astonishment across without alerting Scarlett.
"The prince knows he isn't the only one who noticed, the only one who can honestly say they hadn't would be the pervert over here " Bel droned pointing to Lussuria.
"Is this true?" The mommy substitute said in a fashion like before.
… [ this denotes an awkward silence]
"The lack of an answer only confirms your answers, and Bel calls me a pervert." Came Lussuria's lecturing tone, the other men blushed with the exception of the prince who smiled proudly. Before another awkward silence could present itself, the sound of footsteps echoed in the otherwise empty hallways , save the four men outside the bathroom. Lussuria checks around and scans the area, he was sure he had everyone there at once.
"What are all you scum doing in front of the bathroom, why aren't you in already?"
That was, save for Boss.
Lussuria felt time go in slow motion after hearing his boss' voice. He looked at the place where his boss stood the watched slowly as he headed for the door. His eyes widened as he sprinted in front of him. That wasn't a smart move.
"What are you doing scum?" his tone dripped with venom and it was taking its toll on Lussuria even as he said just one sentence to him.
"Hold on Boss, we cant enter there yet" Said Lussuria trying to stall.
"The hell I cant" the ill tempered boss man maneuvered passed Lussuria.
"What the perv is trying to say boss-
"I don't care"
"Voi! Shitty boss, listen we're saying that our replacement's in there and we cant bathe at the same time" Squalo tries to explain
"Look you deaf scum I don't care if he's shy or something we're all men !" he says just as his fingers wrap around the door handle. All the members began to panic and in unison, they nearly shrieked
"WAIT, NO ,BOSS! OUR REPLACEMENTS A-!"
The door opened.
The squad members covered their eyes[ well in Bel's case left cracks between their fingers]. It was only their boss that stood there still, with the thousand yard stare plastered upon his features as he peered through the smoke , he saw the figure of beauty facing away from him as god created her. Naked.
"… A woman" the assassination squad leader finished, his voice showed his stupor.
[A/N: so this is the first chapter of the fiction I thought of this summer but ended up publishing by Christmas, damn I'm slow at this , I'll try to update quickly since I'm on break anyways, so do you like thew story? do you like how I write my story? are the characters in character ? sometimes characters are known to slip ooc in my writing sometimes, do you think I ended in an odd place? Please review my story with answers to these questions or anyting else, flames are accepted I take them as critques, it would really help me as a writer. Thanx!]
Asterisks (*'s)
Nono is Italian for 9th that is Pho-chan's name for the 9th Vongola
Amico is Italian for friend
Black Mamba is a species of snake native to Africa, most dangerous snake known to man
Abandon all hope all ye who enter here alludes to Dante's Inferno , the banner that hangs at the gates of hell.
El Mira from Tiny Toon Adventures, the overly affectionate girl who would hug cute things until she squeezes it to it's demise
Zesty- is another term for Homosexual
Squ-squalo's nickname
Scarletts call Bel by his full name
If I missed one you or you have questions for your own I will answer them
Until next time
-TW 3's you