With dread, Tsuna felt his heart beat quicken, adrenaline rushed through his veins as the sleek, black limousine slide to a halt at the entrance stairway of a large mansion. Light music floated gently in the background of the soft murmur and laughter that could be heard as the chauffeur opened the door.
Fidgeting nervously, Tsuna half-consciously accepted Mukuro's proffered hand as the bluenette helped him out of the vehicle, too deeply focused on attempting (and failing) in keeping himself from hyperventilating to notice his actions.
Unknown to the petite brunette, his duo-colored eyed companion was watching him quite closely
Mukuro frowned. This was a night of festivities, his date couldn't look as if he's about to faint. Albeit, it was a party hosted by the enemy, but still a party never the less. And Mukuro, never to throw to waste an opportunity (especially one that was practically presented to him on a silver platter by the baby Hit man), was looking forward to this evening.
A remedy was in order
Breathe, Tsuna, breathe, shutting his eyes, Tsuna clenched his hands tightly to steady his nerves. You can do this. Just have to calm down. It's not that bad. I'm just stuck wearing a dress, entering enemy grounds, with Mukuro of all people. The last thought made Tsuna's nerve wilt. Perhaps it is better if he didn't think about it. And so, Tsuna began to concentrate on not thinking. Luckily, he didn't need to, for before he could begin to focus too deeply with that plan, an arm snaked around his waist and pulled him against a toned chest.
Mukuro leaned down close to his ear.
"Relax," he murmured, "the more tense you are, the more likely you will attract attention," especially when resembling at trembling bunny while doing so, "Enjoy the evening. You might even… have fun. Kufufu..."
Startled by the sudden closeness, Tsuna couldn't help let loose a sudden squeak. Blushing, the unwilling cross dresser nodded. Taking another deep breath, Tsuna willed himself to relax, and ignore the body pressed behind him, on arm around his waist, the other grasping his other hand.
Tsuna looked down. His eyes widened.
Unconsciously, while in the middle of his panic, Tsuna had tightened his hold on Mukuro's hand to a near unbearable degree. How the evasive man managed to keep himself from flinching, Tsuna will never know.
Flushing an even deeper red, Tsuna moved to release the other's hand, only to find his own hands, petite in comparison, captured by a larger one.
Stumbling slightly, Tsuna regained his step, unconsciously leaning closer towards his da- partner as they near the suit wearing guards at the top of the stairs.
Without even a fumble, Mukuro presented the Gesso identification Yuki gave them beforehand.
With a swift glance at the ID, the guards gave a curt nod, moving aside while their heads turn in every direction, scanning the crowd. At the same time, the butlers opened the white double doors, allowing the duo to enter the enemy ground.
Light tinkles of glass mixed in harmony with the music being played by a violin concerto, all background to the soft chatter and quiet murmurs of the elegantly dressed Mafioso gathered.
If the police ever find this, Tsuna mused, they'll probably be having a field day. But then again, with the place so heavily guarded, a glance at the suit-wearing, ear-wired guards positioned around the room, this'll be a tough place to infiltrate.
But that's exactly what you're doing now, isn't it? Tsuna gulped nervously.
As if reading his mind, Mukuro's arm tightens around his waist, and steered Tsuna towards the buffet table. He remembered in passing from Tsuna's mother that the smaller male seem to calm down more after eating something.
How adorable, Mukuro chuckled softly to himself, not loud enough for onlookers to hear, but still earning him a confused look from the brunette.
On the way, a middle aged man intercepted their path. Nervous to the point he felt himself suffocating, even in the light dress, Tsuna prayed they haven't been discovered.
"Good evening," the man greeted. "I couldn't help but notice a lovely couple entering, a dashing young man and such a lovely young maiden. A fine pair, I must say, Mr…?"
"Roland, sir, Michele Roland," Thankfully, in contrast to his partner, Mukuro maintained an easy expression and greeted the man with a cool tone. "My company is Ms. Tsunayuki, from the Gesso family, a distant cousin of the current Don of the Gesso, of the Japanese branch."
"Do forgive me," the man began, his smile turning… darker? "However, with the way she clings, to you, the roles almost seem reversed."
"Really? She is quite shy," Mukuro returned the smile with a chilling one of his own. "Might I know the name of who I am discussing the matter of conduct with?"
"Adolfo, of the Scaltro family." The man stated, arrogantly proud. "And I apologize if I offend," a sneer, "but I had my hopes that the representative of the Gesso would be of someone higher status than a halfblooded foreigner."
Insulted, Tsuna's fear was kicked aside by shock from the other mans' prejudice words. Shock changed to anger then back to worry as he noticed the guards on the side was paying attention to the scene.
Tsuna's worry was unfounded, when another voice joined the group.
"No need to apologize, Signore Adolfo." A gentle unique voice came from behind, "The fault is not yours for being raised with such shallow ideals." Tsuna craned his neck, unable to spun around in Mukuro's tight hold, at the sound of the voice.
Yuni! Tsuna's eyes widened.
At the arrival of the third party, Mukuro took the opportunity to move both Tsuna and himself from the newly developing heated-yet-polite "conversation" between the heads of the two families.
Mukuro suppressed a sigh. Not even ten minutes into the ball, and they might have already started a feud between two families. Then again, with that man's attitude towards Tsuna, the Mist Guardian would be more than willing to employ his skills in assisting with the Scaltro's downfall. Smirking at this thought, he almost missed the soft grumble from his petite companion.
Once out of earshot, Tsuna turned to Mukuro.
"I was not clinging to you," he stated. Amused, the blue-haired male raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you weren't." At least Tsuna doesn't seem too unnerved by the man's bias scrutiny. Mukuro almost expected the chain-smoking puppy of Vongola's right hand man to pop out of nowhere and beat the guy. Now there was an amusing thought. With the silver-haired Italian's reputation to obsess over their boss, Mukuro supposed he should be surprised that their resident bomber didn't appear.
Clear of the onlookers, Mukuro loosened his grip on the brunette, allowing the cross-dresser to slip from his hold to sample the buffet. Still having him in sight, Mukuro began looking around.
The secret meeting would probably be in another room close by. Somewhere where the participants won't be easily eavesdropped on, yet close enough to the party to ensure a quick enough return without raising suspicion.
Making a double take, Mukuro noticed a woman glancing around nervously before slipping through a hallway. Narrowing, Mukuro's eyes shifted from one guard to another. They seem to fail to notice.
Or pretend not to notice, Mukuro mused, they are employed by the sly bastard. Now, to follow or not to follow.
With a quick glance at his companion, who was now inspecting a platter of offered d'oeuvres, Mukuro made his decision. How much trouble could the brunet possible get himself into?