Where It All Started 2
Two-months passed eversince the Varia left Japan. Haru was feeling heavy. She sighed when she reached her room and collapsed on her bed. She lift her hand to see the bracelet around it. Haru sighed again.
Her mind flitted back to that time when Belphegor kissed her forehead. Haru felt a blush crept up her face and she buried her self into her pillow.
Eversince Belphegor left for Italy, Haru didn't hear anything about him. He would frequently ask Tsuna-san and Reborn, but all they say is for her not to worry because Bel is surely doing well in Italy. She hesitated to ask for his contact number as she wasn't even sure what to say to him. So Haru found herself going to Tsuna's house almost everyday to ask for Belphegor.
She has never felt so confused in her life. When Belphegor left, she felt an unexplanable sadness and longing. When she passed by the shop where they bought the bracelets, Haru felt like crying, remembering their time inside. Whenever she goes with her friends at the TakeSushi, Haru feels a bittersweet feeling being able to go back there but without Belphegor with her. The last two times she bought cake for Haru's Appreciaton Day, she kept remembering eating cake with Belphegor and that would make her sad. It seems like, she kept on thinking about the blonde prince wherever she goes.
Her phone rang and Haru brought it to her ear.
"Haru-chan." She heard Kyoko's voice.
"Kyoko-chan."
"Haru-chan, Tsuna-san and the others are at the park now. Do you want to join us?"
She nodded, then realizing Kyoko can't see her said, "Yes, I'll be going there."
Haru reached the park 30minutes later. True enough, Tsuna-san, Gokudera-san, Yamamoto-san, Ryohei-onii-san, Kyoko-chan, Lambo-chan, I-pin-chan, and Futa-kun were there, playing what seemed to be a version of catchball.
Haru approached them and Kyoko waved back at her friend.
"Haru-chan!" she greeted.
"Kyoko-chan! Sorry I just arrived."
Kyoko shook her head lightly. "It's okay, we didn't mind waiting."
"What are they playing-desu?"
Kyoko smiled. "Reborn-san told Tsuna-kun to spend time with his family and so they decided to play the mafia catchball."
"Hahi! That's dangerous-desu! What are you doing here Kyoko-chan?" she looked back at Kyoko and saw Tsuna sitting on the bench, panting. "And Tsuna-kun?"
"Tsuna-san has been eliminated and I just came back from the store to buy drinks for everyone."
Lambo saw Haru and waved at her and Kyoko.
"Haru! Kyoko! Play with Lambo-san! Gyahahaha!"
Kyoko went to the child, smiling but Haru hung back.
"Eh? Haru-chan?" she looked back.
Haru stared back at her. "Sorry Kyoko-chan, I'm still a bit exhausted from running. Haru will join you later!" Kyoko nodded in understanding and went to Lambo, I-pin, and Futa's side.
Haru sighed and sat on the bench. Tsuna glanced at her less-than-happy form.
"Ne, Haru, are you feeling fine?" he asked, concerned.
Haru looked at Tsuna. "Haru's feeling fine, Tsuna-san. Thanks for asking." She stared down on the ground.
Tsuna watched at the dark-haired girl beside him. She had been acting quite strangely for sometime now (and Haru has always acted strangely but she seemed more strange now), eversince the Varia left, eversince Belphegor went back to Italy.
Tsuna managed a small smile.
"Haru, do you miss Belphegor?"
The question startled Haru that she almost fell from her seat.
"Wh-Wha... Tsuna-san, what are you talking about?" she asked, face flushed.
"Well, eversince the Varia left you have been uncharacteristically looking so down. And everyday you come to me and Reborn to ask about Belphegor."
Haru shook her head. "N-No. Tsuna-san has it wrong. Haru definitely, definitely-" her voice trailed and she whispered. "-does not miss Belphegor."
Tsuna eyed her, and he looked up above the sky.
"Hey, Haru. Do you still like me?"
The surprise that Tsuna's question gave Haru was enough to make her jump from her seat.
"O-Of course Tsuna-san! Haru likes you very much!" Could it be that the brunette has fallen in love with her? Haru thought. Strangely, she does not feel all that happy as she imagined she would be when this time comes.
Tsuna stared at her.
"How about Belphegor?"
Haru froze. What does Tsuna-san meant by that? Belphegor... Belphegor... he is Haru's-
Tsuna smiled. "You like him, don't you?"
Haru felt her cheeks heat up and she hastily turned away from Tsuna. She felt Tsuna reached for her wrist and the brunette pulled her back to sit down.
"Haru, you want to see Belphegor again, right? Because you miss him and you want him close by yourside."
"I-It's not that." squeaked Haru. Her face still red and she was still avoiding Tsuna's gaze.
"Hey, Haru. What did you like about me?"
She stared into those chocolate brown eyes. "Haru likes Tsuna-san's kindness. Haru likes her because he is a good friend to everyone and he treats everyone nicely like a hero." She finished.
Tsuna nodded. "So how about Belphegor?"
Haru's eyes creased into confusion. "Eh?"
"What do you think about Belphegor?"
Haru blinked. What does she think about the blonde prince. Well there are a lot of things to say about him.
"He is a weirdo. He calls himself a 'Prince' all the time. He is annoying too. He always drags Haru everywhere even if Haru does not want to go. Then he is also selfish, narcissistic. He has a creepy laugh." She smiled. "But he can be nice too. He listens to Haru's talks. He keeps Haru away from harm, and... and... he always whisks Haru away like a princess!" she smiled sadly, remembering those moments.
She stared down on the ground again. Then slowly, lifted her head to face Tsuna.
"Tsuna-san, Haru wants to ask for the Varia's phone number." She said with a determined face.
Tsuna smiled warmly at her and pulled something from his jeans' pocket. He handed the paper to Haru.
"Here. I figured out you will be needing this. But Reborn insisted it should come from you to ask for it."
Haru took the paper in her hands.
"Call him, Haru."
Haru smiled, brighter than the past two months and she leaned forward to hug Tsuna.
"Thanks, Tsuna-san. I will."
ooOoo
She rushed back to her house, raced the steps to her room and shut her door loudly. Her dad, seeing this, knocked on her bedroom door, concerned.
"Haru, is everything alright?"
"Yes, dad! Haru's alright!" she answered cheerfully.
Her dad sighed in relief and made to leave.
Haru couldn't hide her joy and excitement. She finally has it. The Varia's home number! She couldn't wait.
Haru dialed the number on her phone. She listened for the other end to ring.
It rang twice, thrice. Haru was losing hope now. What if he was away with a mission? And if he wasn't, what if another person picked up the phone and would not let Haru talk to him?
She was on the verge of tears now when on the fifth ring, someone picked up the phone.
"VVOOOIII! Who are you? What the hell do you need?" Squalo yelled at the receiver.
Haru was startled by the yelling she almost dropped her phone. She clutched it tighter this time when she spoke.
"I-Is Belphegor-san there?" she asked nervously.
Squalo groaned at the receiver and he yelled again.
"VOOIII Belphegor get your ass down here!"
Belphegor appeared at the hallway.
"Ushishishi. What must you need of the Prince?"
Squalo threw the wireless receiver at Bel which he easily caught.
"You got 5 minutes, got that? Or the Boss will hear of you slacking off again!" with that, Squalo marched away.
Belphegor put the receiver to his ear.
"Ushishishi. Who is looking for the Prince?"
Haru gasped when she heard the all familiar laugh and voice. She felt her hands tremble a little.
"Belphegor-san." She said quietly.
"Princess." Belphegor said at the other line.
Haru sniffed. He is talking to him now, Belphegor. It downed on Haru how much she had been longing to hear his voice.
"Did Sawada mess with you?" he asked teasingly.
"Hahi! No, Tsuna-san helped me. She gave Haru this number."
"Ushishishi, is that so? Then the Prince will not skewer him for now."
Haru paused. He's here on the line with her. Yet, hearing his voice and knowing he is far away twinged something inside her.
"How was Haru's Appreciation Day?" Haru nodded. "It was okay."
"Did you eat at TakeSushi again?"
"Yes, with Tsuna-san and the others."
"Are you still wearing the bracelet?"
Haru glanced at the silver bracelet. "Yes."
Silence.
"Belphegor-san?"
"Hmm?"
Haru exhaled deeply. "I miss you."
ooOoo
Xanxus is a strict and demanding boss. He does not allow for any slackers in his group. He is also temperamental, destructive, and very explosive. His subordinates learned not to get under his nerves on a bad day, which is to say a day when he does not get enough expensive wine to drink or pissed off because someone dared mention the brat Sawada Tsunayoshi in his midst.
Needless to say, Xanxus has an effective and strong hold on his men. He can command the group of eccentric people like a King, while harnessing their insane strength in missions and even trainings. That is the reason why the Varia, the Vongola independent assassination squad remains to be a feared name amongst the mafia. They are afterall, the group from the strongest mafia in the world, that takes care of missions normal humans cannot stomach or gaze an eye with.
And so Xanxus was furious. Furious and in rage when one of his charge suddenly slacked off from work. Belphegor, right when they came back from Italy, had been acting strange. He has always been a strange and psychotic guy of course. God knows what runs in that head of his. And if you don't know him enough, you wouldn't notice. But Xanxus does, and hell hath no fury than Xanxus scorned.
The trash Prince, as Xanxus referred to the blonde teen, had been distracted. He always seem lost in thoughts. And more than once did Xanxus caught the prince staring into space (Xanxus can't see his eyes but he knows). Sometimes, he would be seen fiddling with his new bracelet instead of playing with his usual knives. He does his share of his usual job of course, albeit lazily and with much protest from his princely mouth but that is what he is. Yet, from the way he carries himself and exchange insults and killing intent with them, he seems to be... less motivated.
And Xanxus, thank Giotto, knows what – or rather who – is behind all these. That friend of Sawada Tsunayoshi, the trash girl, whom Belphegor had developed an eye for when they were in Japan. The damned trash boss! It's his fault again, because of that friend of his. Still for Xanxus, technically it's the trash boss' fault.
He didn't really cared much about it at first, since Belphegor seemed to be functioning quite fine back in Japan. He bothered – and hell knows how much the boss is when something irks him – when they arrived back at Italy with a strangely-behaving Belphegor. And so, Xanxus, the boss that he is, took matters into his hands to stop this idiocy.
He had ordered Bel not to communicate with the trash girl in Japan, which means no calls or whatsoever. He swore to never assign the prince to any missions in Japan. And he shove multitudes of works – training the runts, field missions, recons – to Belphegor to push his mind out of anything trash-related. Naturally the trash put up a fight, but a bullet through the shoulder and a deafening growl from Xanxus's Flame of Wrath shut him down. That was until now.
The blonde prince appeared in front of Xanxus, his usual grin disappeared from his half-visible face, and instead he wore a defiant kind of expression.
"What the eff are you here for, Trash?" Xanxus demanded.
"Boss, let me go to Japan." He finished simply, voice devoid of its usual mischievous tone but with determination.
"Eff no." He drank his wine. "You will remain here until I say so."
Belphegor took a step forwards. "The Prince has to go to Japan."
Xanxus propped his legs on top of his desk. "Trash. Get out of my way."
"No."
That was it. A vein popped off Xanxus' head and he threw his wineglass hard at the blonde, who only dodged it.
"You dare defy my orders, trash? Do you want to die?"
Belphegor straightened himself and reached for his knives. "I'll skewer you."
ooOoo
It didn't take long for the fight to end. After five minutes, Xanxus appeared from behind the doors to one of the sparring rooms. His face scowling.
"Effing trash. It's too early for you to think you can defy me." he spat and as he did so, spotted the figure of Squalo leaning on a nearby wall.
"Did you finish him?" the long-haired captain eyed him.
"Still breathing." He glowered at Squalo.
Squalo strode past him and entered the sparring room where he saw a bloody mess of Belphegor sprawled on the floor. His right shoulder oozing with blood and his clothes singed. His left check bruised and bleeding. Belphegor grinned when he heard him enter and Squalo stared at his battered form.
"Damned trash. If you want to go, you shouldn't have told anyone and just left. Now look at your pitiful form."
Belphegor laid a hand on his bleeding shoulder and stared at the blood on his hand.
"Ushishishishi. If I did that, the Boss will probably kill me."
Despite the situation, Squalo managed a bark of laughter.
"I forgot you're pretty stubborn. But you're no less dead now. What's the difference? At least you got to see her before your sorry ass gets finished."
Belphegor smirked. "What's this? Do you feel pity for the Prince?"
Squalo grunted. "Shut up. I'm merely giving you lessons how you could have died more satisfactorily."
Belphegor's smirked faded. And there was a thoughtful look on his face.
"Hey, the Prince wonders if this is what the commoners call 'love'."
Squalo stared at the blonde prince in amusement.
"How the eff would I know that kind of trivial thing. I only feel bloodthirst, lots of anger, and excitement from slashing off bodies."
Belphegor only stared at him. "You're the same. Until you met that Miura brat."
Belphegor grinned. "The Prince found himself a Princess."
Squalo spat, "Suit yourself."
"Hey, the Princess told me she misses me."
"So that's why you went insane enough to fight the Boss."
"The Prince misses him too."
Squalo laughed again. "What do you plan to do?"
Belphegor allowed a maniacal grin cross his face.
"The Prince will whisk the Princess away with her."
ooOoo
Three days after she made the call, Haru hadn't heard from Belphegor again. She tried calling the number again, but all it does is go to voicemail. If someone happens to answer, they'll put the phone down the moment Haru speaks and her speech would be cut in less than 5 seconds.
Haru's review class just ended and it was 7PM when she ventured into the dark night towards her home. She passed by the neighborhood, humming quietly, when Haru heard light footsteps behind her. She paused in her tracks, hairs on end, and intent on listening any sound. There was none. Haru walked again. Footsteps. She twisted her body to look behind whatever or whoever was causing the noise. Her blood froze when a hand grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with another hand. The person pinned Haru's back to his chest so Haru can't see who it was.
She was scared. True enough, Haru is a girl that cannot be easily intimidated, but situations like this when she feels helpless is an exemption. Haru is very much terrified right now.
She remained in that position for a few seconds more. Unable to shout because of the hand clamped on her mouth, Haru's heart raced fast. Her heartbeats so fast she was suddenly afraid it might explode in her chest. Tears were now starting to form on the corners of her eyes.
'Tsuna-san help me. Please... Belphegor-san. Belphegor-san, Haru is really scared right now.'
As soon as those thoughts passed her mind, she was immediately turned around by her captor. Haru gasped in surprise as her face hit the man's chest.
"Ushishishishi."
She hastily looked up when he heard his voice. And Haru saw his trademark grin flashed on his face, he stared down at her.
"Belphegor-san!" she cried and buried her head to her chest, wrapping him in an embrace. Tears fell from her eyes from the shock and joy of seeing him again.
It was because of that shock that Haru – plus the dim lighted street – failed to notice Bel's overall appearance. She pulled herself from him and allowed herself a moment to study his appearance.
He looks dreadful. His blonde hair unkempt and there were bruises on his cheek. His lower lip swollen and Haru noticed how she winced a litttle in pain when she touched his shoulder. He also seemed to be clutching at his ribs and Haru was sure he has difficulty walking.
"Belphegor-san? What happened?" she asked in concern.
Belphegor smirked. "The Prince has come to see her Princess." he took a step towards her and collapsed on her arms.
"Hahi! Belphegor-san? Belphegor-san?"
She was slowly falling on the street because of his weight and Haru sat down with the unconscious Belphegor. She fished out her phone and called Tsuna.
"Tsuna-san? Please help Haru! Haru needs your help right now. Belphegor-san, he's with me... and he's unconscious."
ooOoo
Haru waited outside the double doors of Shamal's clinic. Tsuna, Gokudera, Yamamoto, and Ryohei with her.
Tsuna placed a reassuring hand on top of hers.
"He'll be fine, Haru." He said. For although he was also worried, he knows that the Varia is too strong to be defeated that easily. They might be brought down, but they are sure to rise up again, stronger than ever.
Haru smiled wearily in return. "Thanks Tsuna-san, and thank you for helping Haru."
The brunette found Haru in the middle of the street with an unconscious Belphegor leaning unto her shoulders. The rest of them – called by Haru – arrived a little while later and helped carry the blonde prince to Shamal. It has been two hours since then and Shamal hasn't come out to them yet.
"What the hell is that pervert doing, taking so long?" Gokudera snarled impatiently.
"Maa, maa Gokudera, I'm sure he's being patched up now. Let's just wait patiently."
The silverette hissed and didn't talk anymore.
The double doors opened and Shamal stepped outside.
"I hate treating guys." He mumbled.
Haru rushed towards him. "How is Belphegor-san?"
"My, you're really a cutie, aren't you Haru-chan?"
"Bastard quit fooling around and tell us his condition." Barked Gokudera.
Shamal sighed. "The brat will live." Haru let out a breath of relief. "He's not in any critical condition as well. He just seemed to experience blood loss and extreme exhaustion. I patched his bruises as well."
Shamal winked an eye at Haru, "Now my Haru-chan, why don't we grab something to eat just the two of us toge-"
He didn't finish for Haru raced past him and into the room where Belphegor was.
She found him on one of the beds near the window. His face covered with bandages, and one wrist injected with an IV.
Tsuna and the others followed Haru who was standing near his bed.
"Che. He looks peaceful when he's asleep. You wouldn't think the guy's a psychotic."
Tsuna sighed deeply. "Thank God he's not in any danger."
Reborn suddenly appeared and hopped on Yamamoto's shoulder.
"Reborn! Where have you been? We've been here all along."
Reborn sent a glare to his student which shut him up.
"I went to find out what happened."
"Did you extremely find anything?" Ryohei queried.
Reborn nodded and tilted his fedora.
"Xanxus did this."
"Xanxus?!" Tsuna exclaimed. Reborn sent him a kick on the stomach before going back to Yamamoto's shoulder and continuing his speech.
"If you scream again, Dame-Tsuna, I'll shoot a bullet through your head."
Tsuna nodded fearfully and stood up, clutching his aching stomach.
"Xanxus fought Belphegor who was insisting of coming here to Japan. Xanxus denied him. And so Belphegor continued going at him since three days ago. Xanxus only gave him his permission this morning when he got sick of Belphegor's futile attempts at winning over him. He arrived at Japan four hours ago." Reborn finished.
"Eh? Why would Belphegor do that?"
Reborn smirked. "Isn't it obvious, Dame-Tsuna? You gave Varia's home number to Haru three days ago too, right?"
Tsuna suddenly realized something. "Hiiieee. You don't mean... Haru..."
Haru sniffed and rolled down his cheeks. She wiped her face with the back of her sleeves.
"It's Haru's fault Belphegor-san was hurt."
Belphegor stirred in his sleep and he opened his eyes to see Haru crying in front of her. Sawada and the other brats, with the Arcobaleno stood beside her.
They didn't notice that he was awake, simply because his bangs hid his eyes. But Belphegor saw the weeping Haru.
"If only Haru didn't call him. Haru hurt Belphegor-san. All because... because Haru told him she misses him." More tears fell from her eyes.
Tsuna laid a hand on her shoulders. "Haru..."
"Because Haru... Haru shouldn't have done that. Haru caused Belphegor-san to get hurt."
A hand held Haru's wrist and she looked down to see Belphegor grinning up at her.
"Belphegor-san!"
Reborn hopped from Yamamoto's shoulder and walked back towards the door.
"C'mon Tsuna, Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei. Leave the two of them for some time."
Tsuna nodded. "Yeah." And followed after Reborn, the rest of them followed suit.
Haru pulled a chair to Belphegor's bed and held his hand in both of hers.
"How are you feeling Belphegor-san?"
Belphegor smirked. "The Prince won't be killed by something like that."
Haru smiled. "Because Belphegor-san is a Prince right?"
"Ushishishi. That's right."
Her smile saddened. "Why did Belphegor-san did that? Why did you fought with your Boss to come here?"
Belphegor grinned. "The Prince has to see her Princess."
"But you got hurt because of Haru!"
"Were you worried for me?"
Haru nodded, tears formed on her eyes. "Haru was very worried."
"Ushishishi."
Haru wiped her tears. "Haru is very happy to see you again."
Belphegor smiled. "The Prince is very happy too.
ooOoo
It became known, after that incident, the story of an unlikely love between Belphegor of the Varia and Miura Haru, Vongola Decimo's friend. Xanxus would kill anybody who would mention of the pair within earshot. The encounter with a persistent Belphegor, who showed no such kind of dedication before, popped a vein inside of him and he grudgingly sent the trash prince to Japan after three days of thrashing his useless ass around.
One by one, the Tenth Generation Famiglia begun to accept the pair, and soon Belphegor frequented to Namimori, Xanxus having lifted his ban for him against visiting the place.
The oddest one was that, despite the crystal clear evidence of their love for each other, and after the near death experience of Belphegor to be reunited with Haru, Haru herself seemed oblivious or in denial of both her and the blonde's feelings.
She would still show up at Tsuna's place, declaring her love for the brunette and making Tsuna almost get heart attack in fear of knives raining down on him. She still seemed to attach herself with Tsuna, although it became less after Belphegor came to her life.
Belphegor didn't seem to mind Haru's obliviousness. But he will not hesitate to threw a knife or two at anyone who attempts to grow close to her when he is around. And he has enough antics as well to keep Haru to himself whenever he visits.
It was the start of winter break when Belphegor came back to Namimori, having been gone for a month.
He wore his black winter jacket above his Varia uniform. Snow piled up on his hoodie and he slid the door to open Haru's window.
The girl was curled asleep on her bed. Belphegor smirked.
He slowly approached Haru and laid down beside her. He wrapped an arm to her waist and pulled the girl close to his chest. Belphegor closed his eyes.
An hour later, Haru was surprised to see a sleeping Belphegor beside her.
"Belphegor-san. Hey, Belphegor-san." She shook him lightly. Belphegor opened one eye.
"Don't sleep beside Haru!"
Belphegor pulled her closer. "Ushishishi. The Prince sleeps beside her Princess."
Haru pushed her away and sat up. "Belphegor-san."
"Bel."
"Eh?" Haru blinked.
"Call me Bel."
Haru nodded. "Then Bel-"
"I'll call you Haru."
Haru felt her cheeks blushed. What was that? It was a simple thing about him calling her given name. Why did Haru felt herself flushed?
"Fine. Then Bel, this is Haru's bed. Haru does not-"
She stopped midway when Bel leaned forwards to kiss her on the lips.
"You were saying?" Bel said mischievously when he pulled back.
Haru was very red now. But she shook her head and stared straight at Bel.
"Haru was saying this bed is mine and Bel cannot just-"
He kissed her again. More deeply than before.
Haru gripped the ends of her hair in frustration.
"Stop kissing Haru! You listen to me!" she was about to open her mouth when a sudden realization hit her.
"Ushishishi." Belphegor laughed seeing her comprehend things.
"Yo-You... You stole my first kiss!" she exclaimed accusingly.
"That was Haru's first kiss!"
Belphegor grinned. "That was my first too."
Haru looked scandalized and she clapped her hands over her mouth.
"Haru... Haru was saving that for Tsuna-san!"
Belphegor arched an eyebrow. "For Sawada?"
Haru nodded. "Yes! And you just stole Haru's second kiss too!"
'Ah then,' Belphegor pulled her towards him.
"The Prince will just steal all of your kisses." He finished and he planted a third, fourth, and fifth kiss too.
By the time Belphegor pulled away after their fifth kiss, Haru was now very very red. Tears formed by the corners of her eyes.
"You're so mean! Doing that to Haru." She buried her face into her palms.
"Haru hates Bel!"
Belphegor paused at this. Clearly puzzled at what he did wrong.
"What did the Prince do?" he asked, perplexed.
Haru's face appeared from her hands and she was teary-eyed.
"You stole kisses from Haru-desu!"
She wept again.
"The Prince loves the Princess and so he kissed her."
Haru mumbled something like "So mean."
"The Prince loves Haru."
Haru finally looked up and stared at Bel, who now have a confused and disheartened look.
"Wha-What did you just tell Haru?"
Belphegor smirked. "I love you."
It hit Haru like a brick. He loves her. Belphegor told Haru he loves her. How should Haru respond?
Feeling embarrassed and not knowing what to do, Haru stood up from her bed and grabbed her coat and scarf on the hanger. She almost collided with her parents on the front door who just arrived from their shopping.
"Where are you going, Haru?" her mom asked seeing her daughter in haste.
"Haru has stuff to do!" she answered and hurried outside.
Fifteen minutes later, she found herself at the front steps of Tsuna's house, pushing the doorbell button.
ooOoo
