Hello Kids.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Comments/Advice are loved and appreciated greatly.
[I do not own any KHR characters] I claim ownership to Orabella Manicci
Also: Give props to Ausumist, SakuraMirror, and Siela Mist9x
They all worked very hard and beta'd this story for me. They are all preshh.
.Captain.
The soft drips from the ceiling somehow remind me not to let go, but the darkness that surrounds me makes it so much harder to keep hanging on. My uninjured hand rubs against the notches I dug into the wall; they've held me captive for seventeen days. Seventeen long days without freedom. No one will save me—I've been cast aside in this dungeon to die alone.
But dad, he promised. He promised they would save us. Mom was killed in front of us, but dad believed that our saviors would come. They even tortured me; broke my bones and cut my skin, but I didn't cry. He promised someone would save us. Now that he lies in front of me—dead, like mom did—no one has come to save us.
I counted the notches I scratched again to see if I was wrong. I wasn't. My body ached in fatigue and deprivation. They decided five days ago to stop feeding me, but the dirt and dirty water have sufficed. Crouched in the corner, my body shudders at my lifeless father that lies in front of me. I already knew was dead, they didn't need to leave him in front of me to look at too. Of course, they left mom for us to bury in this room a few days before, so it's not too surprising. But looking at him only made me want to cry, so I've made it a habit to just look at the top half of the room, since my muscles don't have the strength left to dig. Too bad this only helps from seeing him—the smell is the worst. Everyday he lays there, as the sun beats on him, the smells worsens. I want to just break my nose to make it stop. Thank God Amato isn't here too.
My eyelids begin to fall again, but I wake myself up again by squeezing the swollen area of my arm. Ahhh, fuck it hurts. Beating myself with rocks hurts—but it's better to never fall asleep and endure the pain—then to wake up to see their hands all over me. But seventeen days? Grandpa should have found me by now, or did he want this… Uncle too? No, never. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm pretty terrified of what is going to come. My heart aches so badly, I don't want to be here. Someone, anyone, save me.
Unable to hold on any longer, my eyes finally shut, heavy from the three days I've been awake. But as I'm almost asleep, a loud boom echoes through the empty room. I flinch to the sound, adrenaline pumping through my veins because of the trembling floor. My eyes snap open to watch a shadow lurking before me. Judging by how big it is, it's probably a guy. I stop breathing in hopes that the figure won't find me. I begin to recite Hail Mary's in my head and a flashlight shines upon me.
At first the light shone directly into my eyes, blinding me. But a few seconds after, the person tilts it down while muttering, "Senile fucking fart." What the—I don't get it. Another voice resounds, "Boss, is she dead?" The flashlight is thrown at the one that had appeared, the first voice sounds demanding, "You hold it, scumbag." The other says nothing back and picks it up off the floor. Now footsteps drew closer to me. My good arm begins to frantically search for something sharp as I prepare to attack.
Sensing a hand reaching for me, so I react. I bite the person as hard as I can, clenching my jaw onto their flesh as they began to bleed. Before I could think of what to do next, the shadow flung their arm and knocked me into the wall. My mouth let go. I need to find something to defend myself with quickly. Yes, I found something; it feels like glass. I instantly draw what strength I had left to try and stab the shadow's leg. One, two, three stabs—agh, they caught me by my wrist! The pressure they have on it is immeasurable. My hand loosens its grip on the glass, dropping it to the ground. The light from the flashlight refracts to show me my hidden attacker.
"EGAHHHH! AHHHNNN! Mmm, Nnnh, Hahh!" I groan in agony as my fingers crack backwards.
Despite the pain, I look my enemy dead in the eye. They were deep red, and he had a face etched with deep scars. He donned wildly cropped hair, along with what looked like a headdress. His glare was piercing through me, until he let out a microscopic smirk. Who is this person?
"Voi! The Ninth told us to save her!" This persons voice damn near blew my eardrums out.
A serpentine voice chimes in, "Oh, look at that glare… it makes the prince want to cut her up…"
"Shut up." He then looks back and beckons me, "Get up."
I stare at him a moment more before forcing myself up. It took me a few minutes just to rise; a broken arm and femur do not help my cause, along with the now broken fingers. Now up and balancing on one leg, I hop behind the three men into the corridor, still unable to see very well. I could now here a more voices, but everything was getting hazy. I kept it in, still unsure if I could trust the people around me. The one with a boisterous voice begins to yell again, but I can only feel my eyes rolling back into my head as I finally crumble…
Six months later…
My eyes stay glazed on the tutor in front of me, but my attention stays on the conversation outside my door. She's not even as smart as me—so I don't see anything I can learn from her. Japanese isn't even a hard language to learn since I've already been taught Mandarin. Sigh, how I wish she would leave so I can get out of this stupid hospice bed. I'm not even that hurt anymore—it's just getting to the walking down smoothly again. And Grandpa is soo sure that I need to be in this stupid hospital styled bed with all the bells and whistles. I can't be that mad though, since I have a Grandpa that is intent on me being fully taken care of. My eye twitches at the tutor's annoying voice; just shut up and leave already! I continue to tune out her voice while staring at the board. I put all my focus into paying attention again to the voices, which are almost whispering. It seems as if Uncle and Grandpa are trying to figure out what to do with me again…
Uncle Iemitsu says, "Let me take her to stay with Nana in Japan. She needs people around her. You know as well as I do she hasn't spoken a single word, except to answer her tutor, since the Varia got her from the Giegue stronghold."
Grandpa Timoteo replies, "Keeping her in Italy will allow her to be with Manicci family—her family on her father's side." Dad's side…No thanks. We've never been close.
Uncle starts to become frustrated; "Keeping her in Italy will only allow the Giegue the chance to abduct her again. You are aware of it that they think she knows the secrets about the Arcobaleno. She's not safe here. Let her stay with Decimo." Decimo? Arcobaleno? I know I've heard those references before, but that aside. I need to get home. Maybe I can find something there about these things.
Grandpa mutters, "I don't know. I need time to think about this. We also need to consider her feelings. I hate seeing her like this…" My heart pangs slightly.
Uncle cajoles, "I really do too, but her safety is the most important thing right now." Hmph, Japan sounds so not fun.
A smacking sound beams off the chalkboard as my tutor attempts to jeer at me, "Tell me the answer in Japanese."
(In Japanese) "Two, square root of 3i." She snorts at her failed attempt to outsmart me. I told her I was a genius—it's not my fault she doesn't believe me.
I smirk smugly as she begins to lecture more; I tune back into Grandpa and Uncle's conversation to find it has ended. Damn, I want to know if that man, Xanxus, will come by… I want to see him; I need to talk to him.
The tutor becomes more agitated by my lack of attention and smacks the board once more, "ORABELLA MANICCI, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION."
In Japanese, I calmly reply, "You can leave." I had no interest in what she was teaching; I told Grandpa I didn't need a tutor.
"Excuse me?" The conversation continues in Japanese.
"I said leave. No one talks to me that way, especially someone who isn't even near my level, or even able to control herself."
"You pretentious little girl! You wonder why you're in a hospital bed." That hurt a little—what a low blow. I wouldn't ever wish this on anyone; much less make an awful comment about it.
"Hmph, don't you wish to know. Leave—I don't need you or your lousy teaching."
Her bull-faced anger erupts as she the throws the chalk to the ground; haha, she even sucks at arguing. She furiously shoves her materials into her bag as I only watch in disinterest. Where's that dang physical therapist… He's the guy I really need right now. The door clicks open and Uncle's face appears as the lousy excuse of a tutor begins to march out.
Uncle asks, "Where are you going?" The teacher blows up on him, "I quit! Good luck finding who'll teach that brat!"
I chime in, "I can teach myself. I don't want Grandpa to waste his money on me anyways." I really didn't.
The teacher huffs once more before forcing herself through the door. Uncle was trampled right in the doorway; it was funny, but I didn't laugh. I feel no reason to laugh when I am imposing so much. Uncle brushes himself off while snorting, now vexed with my behavior.
In Japanese, he asks, "Ora, why did you berate her like that?" His fingers were pinching the top of his nasal cavity.
I didn't respond. I only let my eyes slide away from him, to show my apology. I couldn't bear to speak to him. The second I speak is the second I will truly breakdown. I haven't cried in these six months and I have no intention to do so now.
He sighs, "I'll tell Timoteo that you want to self-study, but please try to be more gentle with others, not everyone is strong like you." I'm not strong at all—just a cockroach.
He walks forward, nudging my chin to face him. Our eyes were now deadlocked. In a softer tone he tells me, "I know you were probably listening to us, and I really meant what I said. You didn't deserve what fate gave you, but you don't have to bear the burden alone. I think Japan would be good for you. Decimo, who is like a distant cousin could probably help you better than the Ninth, or anyone in Italy can."
Xanxus can. I know he can. He saved me; I'm alive only because of him. But I guess I'll consider it, since you are putting so much faith in my so called cousin. I only continue to stare in his golden brown eyes that are identical to mine. Uncle, you need to shave; Aunt Nana would not be happy with this beard at all. His warm smile emerges as he messes up my hair. I don't bother to stop him despite my desire to. What a jerk…
"Come now, you're doing great. A few more steps; don't stop now." I pant, hungry to get farther.
My breathing gets harder as my leg begins to spasm more. I try to put more weight onto my forearms holding the crutches, but my bad arm still can't take too much, not to mention my aching hand too. I hate when it rains; it makes moving so much harder because of the metal pins. I drop to the floor in torment. Must get stronger, I have to. My physical therapist quickly crouches down to check if I'm okay. I look to him and say, "I'm fine. Give me two minutes." We are both silent as I try to gain my composure. Hearing Grandpa raise his voice, I silence my panting. Grandpa never raises his voice…
"Xanxus I will not hear it! I have made my decision!" His voice is clearly audible.
"Old senile fart! That stupid fucking scum!"
Wait, Xanxus? Xanxus! Get up! Go! This is your chance, Ora!
My teeth grit as I force myself up with the surging adrenaline; I can't miss him. The therapist, who's confused by my actions, is now saying, "Whoa, calm down! You're going to hurt yourself. Stop now, you've done enough."
I look back to him once before trudging forward. I know I'm going past my limits, but I'll take the price of a possible three months of pain for this for this chance. I stumble around the corner, crutches violently smacking against the tiles, to see Xanxus, Grandpa, and two of Xanxus' followers know as Prince Bel and Lussuria standing in the center of the hallway.
I gasp, "Xanxus!" My first word.
They all look over to me; Grandpa looks the most shocked. He then asks, "Orabella, how are you doing?"
I glance at Grandpa for only a brief second, before I look at Xanxus again, "Xanxus, take me with you."
His cocks a brow and coldly answers, "I don't take out trash."
Dammit.
Lussuria comments, "Awee! Xanzy poo, you have a fan girl! I'm sooo jealous!"
He only glares at Lussuria.
Bel adds in, "Hmm, it's that girl the prince wants to kill… well, not anymore. She looks like trash now. The prince doesn't play with trash." His grin now has spread to immeasurable lengths.
Xanxus directs them, "Shut up."
I get serious, "Xanxus, what do I have to do, to convince you to let me follow you?"
His glare sharpens.
Before I realize, someone behind me smacks his hand on my shoulder with great force. Oww.
When I turn to realize its Squalo, he loudly proclaims: "You want to know why you'll never follow us? IT'S CAUSE YOUR FUCKING WEAK! WE, THE VARIA, ARE THE BEST! You'll never reach us!"
Weak? I glare at him, accepting the challenge. I look down at my crutches and throw them against the wall. Now looking at the therapist, who watched the situation in confusion, I assert my prowess, "You're fired."
I then look at Grandpa, "Grandpa, send me to Japan. And hire someone to teach me to be an assassin." His face turns into a worried and surprised expression.
I finally look at Xanxus, giving him the same glare that was seen in our first meeting, "One year. In one year, I will be strong enough to follow you. You will accept me." I was finally bearing my fangs.
He stayed quiet for a moment, before busting out in laughter. Did I sound like I was trying to be funny?
Squalo's hand squeezes my shoulder tightly, "You've made the boss laugh… Let's see if you can make it in a year. You're dead if you can't."
Xanxus now speaks, "We're leaving." He gives Grandpa a weird stare while walking away.
In a flash, all the Varia members were gone. I could feel my bad leg tremble, but I ignored its cries. No more weakness, no one will call me weak ever again.
Grandpa walks towards before asking, "Is this really what you want?"
"Grandpa, I want to follow Xanxus by what ever means. I know my parents have left me plenty of assets, so you don't have to take care of me. I'm not even your actual granddaughter…"
He smiles, "It's true you're my brother's granddaughter, but I care for you like my own. I will let Iemitsu know that you've decided to go to Japan; I know he will be very happy."
I look to the ground, " I'm glad I can make someone happy." What the hell did I just sign myself up for? Japan better not suck.
* "Ni wa san no heihoukon de aru" is a rough translation of the statement