Chapter 3: The Curtain Rises

Summary: Or the one where not only the curtain but sexual tensions rise as well. And an old but familiar face from Lambo's past appears.

Mukuro and Lambo were laughing in the limousine, recalling earlier's events. Hands down that was the best prank Lambo has ever pulled off.

"Did you see Ryo-nii's face?" Lambo was wheezing, slapping his knee. "His eyes looked like they were going to fall."

"Kufufu. Tsunayoshi-kun's reaction was AMAZING," Mukuro replied, sitting beside him. " I never thought I'd see someone's face turn that pale so fast before."

"Though, you have to agree that Kyo-nii's reaction was the best."

And that was all it took for them to have another bout of laughter.

"You shouldn't talk about Kyo-san like that," a voice from the driver's seat warned. "You do know that I would report everything that happened right? And I mean everything."

"Oh don't be such a spoilsport, Kusakabe-san," Lambo said from the back of the vehicle.

Kusakabe's face was impassive before a smirk bloomed, "But I'll give it to you, Lambo-san. That was inspired."

In a bout of un-Kyoyaness, he tasked Kusakabe to watch Lambo and make sure nothing happens before they get to their destination. Tsuna was more than accommodating to that request. Unfortunately for them, due to the secrecy of the mission Kusakabe can only accompany them until they reach the Fulmine Manor. After that, Lambo and Mukuro were on their own which irked Tsuna and the others. They were already staring to regret their decision.

"Why thank you, Kusakabe-san. Your compliment warms my heart," the Lightning Guardian replied jokingly.

"Now, we have three hours before we get to the Fulmine Manor, what do you want to do?" Lambo turned to Mukuro.

"Why don't we just continue our little game?" Mukuro answered.

Lambo was surprised by his answer. The elder man seemed to have hated the idea last night. "You're warming up to me, aren't you?" he joked with a smirk adorning his face. "You ask first."

Mukuro looked thoughtful for a second. "Why is the skylark so protective of you?" remembering the ridiculous amount of killer intent Kyoya had radiated earlier. "He even let you borrow his favorite soldier just to watch you," he added referring to Kusakabe who was driving in front.

"Is it just me or do I detect jealousy?" the green-eyed teen teased, trying to get a rise out of the illusionist.

Mukuro just smirked and crossed his legs, "I think it's just you. Are you going to answer or not?"

"Geez you're so impatient." Lambo shifted on his seat, "Well, remember how I told you I was trained by Lal Mirch and Colonello?"

Mukuro nodded.

"They weren't just spartans, they were the freaking devils," Lambo shivered remembering all the training (torture) he had to go through. "One of their training disguised as torture was to be the prefect of Nami-Chuu."

Lambo observed Mukuro's impassive face. " At that time, I was still a freshman. And I think their reason was that I had to know what it feels like to protect something. And what better way than protecting a whole school."

"Sounds like bullshit to me." Mukuro joked.

"Yes, thank you," Lambo replied, happy that he wasn't the only one who thought so as well. "Any way, as you can imagine, Kyo-nii was against it so much so I had to do these series of trials before I could become the head prefect," he shivered, remembering the torture Kyoya had put him through before, "but I was able to pass them all to Kyo-nii's utter surprise. And then time went by, Kyo-nii considered me a part of his pack." Lambo finished.

"That doesn't explain why he's so protective of you," Mukuro complained.

"Well, maybe I'm just too cute. Did you know Kyo-nii likes cute things?"

"Whatever you say," Mukuro said placatingly. He was amused by the teen's high self esteem and humour.

Lambo chose to ignore Mukuro's jab. "Alright my turn." He paused for a moment thinking of an interesting question. The teen smirked when he thought of a particulary annoying one. "Why the pineapple hairstyle? I mean it looks... unique and all. But why?"

Lambo enjoyed Mukuro's annoyed expression. His eyebrow was twitching, a fake smirk was displayed, and imaginary tickmarks appeared in the elder man's forehead. It took a lot of willpower for Lambo not to laugh.

"...My hair is not shaped like a pineapple." Mukuro's voice was hilariously strained.

Lambo smirked. "Whatever you say, pineapple man."

"You do know that I could skewer you right here and now, right?" the illusionist threatened.

Lambo would have been scared, really he woulld, but the way Mukuro's eyebrow was twitching was just too funny.

"No you wouldn't. I'm too cute to be skewered." Lambo replied. "Do you really want to rob the world of someone as awesome as me? Don't you think that's just too cruel?"

"Your arrogance knows no bounds." Mukuro sighed.

It was a curious thing that just yesterday, they were wary of each other. Now, it was like there was no awkwardness at all, Kusakabe observed. Making sure to report this progress with Kyoya and the other guardians. It seemed that Lambo really had a way with people. Lal and Colonello must be proud.

An hour away from their destination, the atmosphere turned somber. The playful atmosphere left without a trace, replaced by a tense and serious mood. Gone was the cheery facade, in its place was the look of soldiers and assassin getting ready for the kill.

Lambo's face displayed absolute professionalism. "Alright so the boss lady thought of three primary suspects. Timoteo Siege, one of the boss' advisor, Brian Furfante, head of security, and Allania Cattivo, the boss' half sister." Lambo slumped in his seat,"No matter how you look at it, they all have motives." He sighed in frustration. "Think you could work your mindfuckery here?"

"Mindfuckery?" the illusionist looked affronted by the term. " This technique requires absolute focus and control. Not only is it dangerous, it is highly complicated. Only the most talented and powerful illusionist can perform it. And you dare call it mindfuckery?"

"You get in their head, search it for information, and leave them scarred, so yes, I dare call it mindfuckery."

Mukuro looked thoughtful, "Touche."

Lambo looked at the pictures, observing them carefully. "Can't be the half sister," the teen declared.

The Mist Guardian raised an eyebrow, "Why? Emotional attachment?"

Lambo just snorted, "No, of course not."

"Care to explain then?" the illusionist challenged.

"See the way she dresses? Wrinkled blouse, long trousers, all of them in grey color, and tight high pony," he started. "Sure, she looks like a professional but it also suggests she doesn't take good care of herself. Also, wrists. On all of her pictures we have, it's always covered. And it's summer. Meaning, she hates her job, a little bit suicidal but trying to hide it, so it would be counter productive for her to organize a coup."

Mukuro didn't look impressed, "Or there's air conditioning in her office."

Lambo rolled his eyes, " Sure, but look at the way she holds herself. Shoulders sagged, head down, impassive face. Also, she's smiling at this picture only," Lambo pointed at the picture of her with a tree in the background. "And if you connect that with this one," Lambo took one of the picture of Timoteo, putting them together, it was a perfect fit. It showed her smiling at Timoteo.

"But Timoteo is married," Mukuro replied, recalling the information from the mission pamphlet.

"Exactly," the teen smirked. " But you were right. Emotional attachment."

"So that was the famed ability of the Prodigy of the Bovino?" Mukuro looked impressed.

Lambo laughed, it was one of the nicknames he was given while growing up. As a child, he used it discretely to get what he wants by annoying the hell out of as he grew up, he realized his ability and used it for his family. To say that Tsuna and the others were surprised was an understatement. They were worried as well. So to protect him, Lal Mirch and Colonello was tasked to guard and train him.

"Nope," Lambo denied, "that was from binge watching Sherlock."

The illusionist just laughed. "Kufufu. So it seems that I'm not the only one with the mindfuckery skills. At least we have it narrowed down."

When they got to the manor, they were greeted by Brian Furfante, head of security and one of the prime suspects, Lambo's mind supplied.

He and Mukuro were going there under the guise of renewing the Peace Treaty. Lambo observed the head of security and smirked. It seems that this mission would be easier than he thought.

Furfante led them to the Fulmine Don's office. Truth be told, Lambo was curious about the boss lady. Not only was she the reason he was in this ridiculous situation, the mission panphlet provided no pictures of her. Just that she was dragged into their world with her sister because there no other heir when they were only fifteen. Driven into a corner, the boss had no other choice but to lead the famiglia.

When they got to the office, Lambo observed it, taking in all the details, the design and the furniture. Lambo blanched, it looked so ordinary. But what surprised him was the face that greeted them. It looked so achingly familiar that a smirk threatened to blossom from his face.

"Thank you, Brian. Please close the door on your way out."

Lambo sighed, he really didn't see this coming. "I like your shoelace," he exclaimed, waiting for her confirmation.

The Don smiled, "Thanks. I stole them from the president."

Lambo groaned. He took a sit, the illusionist behind him was confused but followed his action nonetheless. "Though I think it has a gum stuck to it." Is this room bugged?

She nodded.

Lambo turned to look at Mukuro who was looking annoyed at being confused. "Hey, Mukuro-san, don't you think this room is too wide. I think it could fit about twenty people in here." The room's bugged. Think you can do anything about it?

"Now that you mention it, but I think the Vongola's is bigger." Of course I can. Just who do you think I am?

When Mukuro gave the okay signal, Lambo turned to the Fulmine boss, fuming, "What the hell are you playing at, Vice President?" Lambo couldn't help but revert to what he called her before. Habits are hard to break.

"It's a long story, Head Prefect,' she replied, referring to him by his old title.

Lambo was starting to feel a head ache coming. "Well, I have time."

Mukuro coughed, making his presence known, "If you could include me to your conversation as well, that would be nice." His fake smile was so ominous, it made Lambo gulp.

He taught of a way to explain it to the illusionist," Remember how I told you I used to be the Head Prefect?" At Mukuro's nod, he continued, "she used to be my Kusakabe."

"But she disappeared midyear. Now I know why." Lambo looked at the girl in fromt of her. She hasn't changed a bit, her eyes are still so blue and bright even after being dragged down to their world, her red hair albeit now styled as a bob still reminded him of apples. She was still Isabel, the clumsy girl he used to drag with him on all his adventures and pranks. It seems, he had also dragged her down to his world as well.

"My name is Isabel Nakamura" she introduced for the sake of Mukuro. "It's nice to see you again, Lambo-kun."

Smiling at his old friend, "You too, Nakamura. Though I am dying to hear the story of how my Vice President became a mafia don." Lambo's smile was dark.

"You already know. It's included in the pamphlet. I thought it was a dead giveaway," Isabel replied.

Lambo snorted, "Sure, but I'd rather hear it from your mouth. I don't like being in the dark, Isabel. You gave us a mission. Fankly, a ridiculous one. So you will give me all the detail or I swear to god I will kill you dead." Lambo threatened, his catchphrase from middle school slipping up again in rage and confusion.

Mukuro was silent, observing their exchange. Clearly he was interested since this was the first time the Lightning Guardian seemed close to losing his composure since he was a child.

The red head sighed before she told her story. She told them how one day some strange man just came at her house, announcing that she was going to be the knew boss of a famiglia. At first she was against it but when the famiglia's enemy started attacking her sister and friends, she had no choice but to agree. Ever since then, she's been training to succeed the previous boss. It's only been six months into her inauguration before a coup was reported by her right hand.

By the end of her explanation, Lambo was slumped against his sit, massaging his growing head ache, " Dragged into mafia by a strange man, forced to protect friends, this story sounds so familiar." Tsuna's image popped into Lambo's head.

"Kufufu, I agree."

"Well, I'm so happy you're having fun, dear."

Mukuro just smirked at him.

They talked for a bit more. Planning their next move, anticipating the enemy's attack when Isabel reminded them, "Oh that's right. The two of you are going to have to share a room. You guys are a couple after all."

Lambo just sighed, of course they were going to share a room, giving up, he just went with the flow. "Hey, Nakamura, remember the time we went to the amusement park. And I forced you to try the roller coaster?"

Isabel's smile turned a hundred watt, " Yes, and I threw up."

"Is this revenge perhaps?"

"Now why would I do that?" Her smile would put a light bulb to shame.

Lambo sighed, he's been doing that lately for the past few hours, "See you tomorrow, boss lady."

Lambo didn't notice but Isabel smiled at the change of nickname.

When they got to their room, Lambo jumped to the bed, exhausted and tired. They had to check the room first if it was bugged, luckily, Vongola's reputation was still too scary for them to do that.

"Well, at least know we know why she wants us to pretend to be a couple. Matchmaker, my ass." Lambo's words were slow and lazy.

"I blame you." Mukuro said, taking a sit in the bed.

Lambo reluctantly agreed. "Karma really is a bitch." He sat as well so they were facing each other, "so what should we do tomorrow?"

"I'll observe Timoteo, you go with Brian, I want this over quickly."

"They invited us to have dinner with Nakamura's inner circle. Meaning-"

"-We have to act as a couple, I know."

Imaginary tick marks appeared, Lambo hated being interrupted, "Meaning, we could observe them there. And the security would have a huge gaping hole since their head would be joining us."

"An opportunity to gather intel." Mukuro finished. " I could have illusions pretending to be us while we search for information."

"See, if you would just let me finish, we could have done a whole lot by now." Lambo lied back down again, leaning on his side so he was still facing Mukuro.

"On to the next problem, who's having the bed?" Lambo asked.

The illusionist raised his eyebrow, "What's wrong with the two of us sharing it? It's big enough," he smirked. The illusionist placed his hand on beside Lambo's head, the other was holding his hand, then he came closer, "Unless, you have a problem with us sleeping together? Are you scared?"

From the way Mukuro said it, it sounded like a challenge. And Lambo just couldn't resist a challenged. He also fumed at the thought of Mukuro looking down on him. So with a smirk, he took hold of Mukuro's collar and switched their position.

It happened so fast, Mukuro was surprised that now he was being straddled by the Lightning Guardian who had the most arrogant smirk. Mukuro was amused. His time with the teen had been very surprising and entertaining but this takes the cake. He wonders what he has to do to drive him to the edge.

Lambo observed how the look of surprise turned into amusement, then a come hither look. He was about to say something when his phone rang, the moment ruined.

The sabled teen looked at Mukuro who was trying hard not to laugh. It irked him but it had to wait. "I need to answer this," he said while still straddling Mukuro.

"By all means," A bubble of laughter escaped him.

The teen pretended not to notice it and went straight to the bathroom. He looked at the caller id.

Just his luck. He leaned on the wall, this call is sure to be taxing.

"What do you want, Colonello?"

"Really, brat. Is that the way you behave to your teacher?"

Feeling scatheful, "When you start acting like one, I'll behave better."

"You hurt my feelings, brat." He hears laughing from the other side.

Lambo sighed, "Am I on speaker again?"

"Yeah, you are. CEDEF's listening. Say hello guys."

Lambo smiled when he heard the familiar voices of Basil, Lal Mirch, and Iemitsu. "Hey guys. Nice to hear from you."

"Brat, I heard about your current mission," this time it was Lal Mirch talking, "I expect good results, you hear."

The response was already a reflex, "Yes, ma'am"

"Oi. Oi. Why don't I get treatment like that. I'm your teacher too you know. I'm hurt."

This time Lambo laughed. "When you deserve it," he heard Lal said from the other side.

"Seriously though, why did you call? I doubt you just wanted to check up on me."

"Actually, we need your help," this time it was Iemitsu who spoke. "We have a situation."

Lambo remembered what he did last week. Oh, this was bound to be fun.

"A bomb situation?"

"Do I need to ask why you know that?"

"See, Fran and I were playing last week. I guess, that was the residue of it. Don't worry. It explodes but with pink paint. Fran thought CEDEF needed a redecoration."

"Brat, I'm going to kill you when I find you." Lal threatened.

"I have a gift in your bed, Lal. I think you'd like it."

"Bribery.. I'm impressed. You've thought ahead. Alright you're safe."

"Thanks."

After that was a lot of shouting and panic from the other side. Followed by an explosion. Then death threats. Lambo couldn't help but laugh. He's going to have to report this to Fran.

When he went out of the bathroom, he noticed Mukuro talking on the phone as well. By the look of absolute annoyance, it wasn't hard to deduce who it was he was talking with.

"Hey, that's Fran, right?" he asked, walking closer to the bed. At Mukuro's nod, he continued," Could you tell him pink has emerged."

Mukuro looked confused but he did it nonetheless. Lambo heard laughter from the other side of the phone. Mukuro looked at him in wonder," Fran is laughing. I've never heard him laugh before."

"I'm just that awesome," Lambo boasted.

Mukuro closed his phone. "So where were we?"

"I was fending off your sexual harassment." Lambo joked.

The illusionist just tilted his head. "As I recall, I was being straddled moments ago. If anything, I'm the one being sexually harassed.

The teen laughed, "you started it."

Lambo wondered how this could be so easy. Bantering and flirting with the illusionist seemed so easy, like it was a second nature. And they'd just started talking last night. He didn't understand, and Lambo hated it when that happened. There was also the fact that they have this sexual tension just rising up every time they're alone. Lambo tried not to think of that one. Future problem are for future him, he reminded himself. Let that sucker handle the rising tension.

"What are you doing so far away? Aren't you tired?" Mukuro inquired.

"Oh no, I'm not falling into your trap again." He looked at the bed longingly. "Fine. But let me just remind you that I'm a human tazer."

"On my honor," the Mist Guardian said jokingly.

The bed's call overpowered Lambo's willpower. He leaped and burrowed his nose on the scent of the bed sheets. Meanwhile, Mukuro looked at him fondly. Just like Lambo, he had noticed the growing tension between them. It left him confused, and he hated it. So he opt not to think about it as well.

"It's still early. What do you want to do?" Mukuro asked.

Lambo groaned, "Well, we could continue playing. I think it's your turn to ask." He sat up to face Mukuro.

Mukuro looked thoughtful, then smirked. "Deduce something about me."

The teen looked surprised but smirked at the challenge. "Well the fu's in your laugh gets longer, the better your mood is. And judging by the time we've been together, you really get amused with me."

"Is that so?" Amusement was written all over the illusionist's face. They were starting to get closer again. Somehow, it always ends with them invading each other's personal space.

"Also, did you know that the pupils dilate when they get excited or see someone they hate," Lambo murmured as Mukuro leaned towards him, this time Lambo was not backing away. Their breaths starts to mix, the distance between their lips becoming more non-existent. "My turn," the teen whispered, looking at Mukuro's lips then at his hetechromatic eyes, "which one is it."

He felt Mukuro's hand grab his waist, pulling him more towards him. Mukuro bit his lips, and god damn it if that wasn't sexy as hell, but Lambo was waiting for his answer. "From your first deduction, I think you can guess which one"

"Yeah sure," Lambo looked at Mukuro in the eye,"but let me hear you say it."

"You're a tease," Mukuro smirked. He tilted his head, the ilusionist's lips were now placed next to Lambo's ears. Mukuro's free hand was caressing the cow's cheek, and the way he talked, the way he whispered his next words were so sexual and soft and gentle, it was like he was sharing a dark secret, and in some way, it was, "You excite me." Mukuro's lips were touching Lambo's ears, the heat radiating from it made him smirk. It made Mukuro swell with pride to know that he wasn't the only one who was affected.

But as soon as they were getting somewhere, Lambo would jump away. Just like now.

"Right. well-um- sleep. We need to sleep."

The next day.

They forgot about what transpired last night. Both of them were dedicated to their current mission, after all, they still had a job to do. Last night could wait.

It was only in the afternoon that they talked to each other again.

Lambo was gawking at Mukuro. They were in the storage room, with a formerly alive guy that Mukuro turned into a kabab.

Lambo facepalmed and sent Mukuro an unimpressed look, " You do realize that people are going to notice that this guy is missing, right?"

"Kufufu," Mukuro looked at Lambo, "Don't worry about it. This is nothing my illusion couldn't fix."

"Fine." Lambo rolled his eyes, "Fine, let's do this your way, then."

When they got back to their hotel room, Lambo was exhausted, they had to carry a 182 cm man and burn his body in a secluded area while Mukuro created an illusion that looked like the man he killed to gather more intel. Also, he had to report this to Isabel which did not take it well. So he had to ease the woman down before going away.

Lambo plopped down the bed with a groan. Why they had only one bed could only be blamed to the crazy boss lady that put them in this position in the first place. Sure, Isabel hasn't changed much, but when did she become so vengeful?

He felt the foot of bed dip, he looked up and see that Mukuro was looking at him.

With a sigh, Lambo sat up and looked at Mukuro as well, " Did you really have to kill that guy?"

"Seven billion people."

"What?"

"The world has seven billion people, and your worrying about me killing one guy. "

"I wouldn't have to worry if you didn't kill one of the boss' advisor. What if they figure us out?"

"Are you doubting my illusions?"

"Nevermind," Lambo plopped down again, this time back first, " I don't think I could win in a debate with you anyway."

"Kufufufu," Mukuro joined Lambo as well, laying beside him, "you're a hundred years to early to beat me."

Lambo turned to his side, facing Mukuro who was already facing Lambo as well.

Lambo groaned. It always ended like this. God, they needed to do something about this sexual tension. It was delaying the progress of the mission.

There are five days left before the ball and he needed to find a more concrete proof about Brian before he could tell Mukuro about his deductions.

What are you doing? Story's over, you know. Why are you still reading? I have nothing left to write...

...well, actually I have a few shout outs to make. So this might be you, I don't really know, I only have few readers but oh well.

Anons: Thanks for reading my story. I'll make sure to update regularly. No promises though.

BlueCapricorn: Dude, nice penname by the way. But anyway, thanks for reading. I'll try to make this fic as interesting and funny as possible. Also, please tell me more about what you think. Again, thanks for reading.

YokaiAngel: Thanks. You're awesome as well.

Tazz-kun: Thanks for reading. I'm happy that you find this story interesting. I hope you keep reading.

MyBigBook: Yes, you're right it is catastrophe. It wwas actually a hint for something I'm planning for the next chapters. I thought nobody reads the author's notes so I put it there. But anyway, thanks for reading

Also disclaimer, I used tumblr's phrase for finding other tumblr user in this fic. It's not mine. But for those who noticed it, hello there fellow crazy person, thanks for reading :)))))