Disclaimer: I do not own KHR, I write this fic to practice writing and for my own entertainment. I do not make a profit from this fanfic.
Warning this fic contains: ooc-ness, genderbending, violence, theft, cussing disguises, lying, sexual tension, flirting, panties and other stuff.
Ladro Fantasma
Ch4
Stifling a yawn, Tsuna reaches for a can of coffee and hesitates. Personally he can't stand the bitter beverage but after the last couple of sleepless nights, he knows that without it, he'll most likely fall asleep. After coming back from his trip, he had found that his class had fallen behind in their studies and with midterms creeping up, Tsuna has been doing extra work to make sure all his students will pass. This meant that every night for the last week and a half, he has been spending his time creating individual study work sheets and guides for his class. He's also been holding extra lectures after school to go over any problems the students are having trouble with.
Taking a deep breath, Tsuna grabs two cans of coffee and stands in line in front of the checkout counter. Waiting for his turn, his eyes wander to the rack of magazines. Looking at the number of celeberty, fashion and food magizines, Tsuna's gaze stops on a magazine about gemstones. The cover shows a picture of seven rings, all with a different color gem stone. As the line moves up Tsuna grabs the magazine and starts skimming through the pages. Coming to the article on the rings, he realizes he's read an article about them before.
'That's right,' Tsuna thinks, 'those are the rings that are going to be held in the German muesum. I've been so busy with school and my students, I completely forgot.'
When it is his turn at the checkout, Tsuna hands over both cans of coffee and the magizine. After paying for his items he leaves the convience store. Pausing outside, Tsuna opens one of the cans of coffee and quickly finishes it before throwing the can into a recycling bin outside the store. He then walks along the sidewalk heading for the bus stop. Seeing that the bus has already pulled up, Tsuna runs to the bus and quickly jumps through the vehicles doors just before they close behind him. The bus driver frowns at him but makes no comment, Tsuna scans his bus pass and takes a seat.
Pulling out his phone he checks his messages and sends a text saying that he is on his way. Putting his phone away, he rubs his tired eyes and opens the second can of coffee. Sipping the beverage, Tsuna winces at the bitter taste. Even with coffee he feels his eyes growing heavy and yawns.
Thankfully, it isn't long until his stop and Tsuna pulls on the cored above his head to get the bus to come to a stop. Exiting the bus, he passes a number of upscale houses. Stopping in front of a house with a green front door, he makes his way to the porch and knocks.
A voice calls out, "it's unlocked, come on in."
Opening the door, Tsuna walks into the house and closes the door behind him. Taking his shoes off, he slips his feet into a pair of orange slippers by the door and makes his way into the house. As he enters the dinning room, he smells something delicous. Not wanting to be a nuisance, Tsuna sits down at the dinning table, sets his bag and coffee on the table. He opens the magazine he bought earlier and begins riffling through it.
Hearing the approach of footsteps Tsuna begins to talk as he continues to read the magazine in front of him, "Sorry for coming so late, I got held up at school."
"I understand." A feminine voice replies as plates of food are set on the table. "You've been working hard, trying to make sure all those cretins pass their midterms."
"Yeah," Tsuna agrees and mutters, "but Verde you shouldn't call the students, cretains."
Snorting Verde mutters, "once they actually become a use to society, maybe."
Chuckling Tsuna turns a page and says, "you mean, a use to you."
"What's the difference?" Verde asks.
Mouth twisting up into a small smile, Tsuna looks up and sees the plates of food that have been set on the table.
"Okay, eat up," Verde says as she opens the rice cooker and fills a bowl with rice.
Looking over to Verde, Tsuna tries to voice his thanks but is at a loss for words. Wearing a green turtle neck, brown leggings, a white apron with a green crocodile with the words 'chow time' on it and her long green hair pulled into a loss ponytail, Verde looks like a loving house wife. His heart speeds up and for a moment Tsuna feels something. Not quite sure how to put the feeling into words, he supposes it's as if he feels a connection to Verde. A sort of warmth that fills him at times. In those moments the warmth surrounds him and he can't help but feel protected...cherished even.
A light blush dusts his cheeks as he tries to get a hold of his feelings. Though, those feelings instantly disappears with Verde next words.
"Or if you're not hungry, how about a bath or maybe...me?" The scientist suggestively asks.
Giving a dry chuckle, Tsuna wears a deadpan expression and answers, "I'll just take the food, thanks."
Pouting Verde sets the bowl of rice on the table in front of him along with a pair of chop sticks. She then starts filling another bowl with rice for herself and takes a seat next to Tsuna.
Chopsticks hovering over his bowl of rice, Tsuna considers if it's safe. Since he's gotten back from the heist in Italy, Verde has taken to cooking for Tsuna more often. She now makes him lunch several times a week and although she hasn't put anything in the food so far, that doesn't mean she won't in the future. Not to mention, this would be the most opportune time to drug him. Every other time she has given him food it has been at school. While he doesn't feel Verde would have much trouble getting a unconscious man out of the school building unnoticed, it certainly would be more convenient to drug Tsuna when he is safely in her home.
Eyeing his food for a few more minutes, his stomach rumbles and he decides he's to hungry to be overly causious. After the first few bites and not feeling any negative side effects, he starts to relax.
As they eat there is a comforting silence between them, until he breaks it.
"Sorry," Tsuna suddenly mutters.
"What's this?" Verde questions, "have you changed your mind."
"Being indecisive isn't a good habit," Verde said as she began to undress. "But I'll forgive you this time..."
"No! That's not what i meant!" Tsuna shrieks as he covers his eyes. "I meant about, always causing you trouble and having to rely on you!"
Making a tsking sound Verde mutters, "thats it? How disappointing." Hearing Verde sit back down, Tsuna opens his eyes and is happy to see the green haired scientist is still fully clothed.
Rolling her eyes Verde sighs and says, "we've been over this before. I chose to follow you. If I didn't want to be here, with you, helping you, I would be long gone by now. In fact, even if you decide that you don't want me around, by your side, I still wouldn't leave." Bringing her hands up Verde grasps Tsuna chin and forces him to look at her, "you're stuck with me, mister phantom thief."
Blushing Tsuna pulls away and stuffs his face, not wanting to respond to the Verde words. While embarrassed he couldn't help but feel happy with what Verde has said. At the same time Tsuna felt a bit frustrated with his ever changing emotions.
For a while the two eat in silence, until Tsuna hears the sound of papers being moved. Looking over he see Verde flipping through what looks to be the magazine he'd bought earlier. Turning to the now empty bag he realizes that it is his magazine.
"That's..." he begins to say but goes silent as Verde interrupts.
"I see that you've already chosen your next target," she states as she turns to the page with the rings.
"Am I that predictable," Tsuna mumbles into his bowl of rice.
"A little," Verde admits, "you do certainly have a type."
"Type?" He asks.
"Expensive and shiny objects." Verde says, "that are safely locked up with plenty of security and on display to the public."
Thinking about it, Tsuna mentions, "You know I used to go after objects that weren't on display," he claims. Some of the items he...liberated over the years had been looked away in vaults, in the middle of nowhere or where being heavily guarded in some old guys mansion.
"Is that so?" Verde questions, "odd, considering since I've know you, you've only ever gone after items on display to the public."
"Well... lets just say I got into a bit of trouble in the past," he admits, "and since then, I've decided only to go after objects that are in publics eye."
"Well, it doesn't really matter," Verde says as she takes a bite of her food. "Though, I hope you're not planning to take any more time off to pull off this hiest."
Chuckling a bit, Tsuna says, "that's impossible. I've already used up all my sick days and days off. There's no way the principal will allow me to take time off while school is still in seccession."
"Then what's your plan," Verde asks.
"The museum will be exhibiting the rings until after the holiday," Tsuna mentions.
"So, you'll be going after them during our holiday?" She bitterly asks.
"Our holiday?" In confusion, Tsuna questions.
Slamming her empty rice bowl down Verde glares angrily at the ignorant man next to her. "When I moved out here to Nanamori, I thought that the two of us would be able to spend time with each other."
"Huh, but we do," Tsuna replies.
"But only at work," Verde says.
"That's not true," Tsuna argues, "what about now."
"You're only here to pick up the gear I fixed up for you," Verde answers, "and the only reason you even stick around is because I've been train..., its become a habit."
At Verde words it felt like a spear pieced him through the chest and a wave of guilt washes over him. Because it is true. Although the scientist is always helping him out, Tsuna spends most of his time working or traveling to different places to pull off a heist. The rest of his time is usually spent doing mundane day to day things and visiting his mother. He only sees Verde at school and the only reason he's been coming over to Verde place is to pick up his gear and any useful inventions Verde has come up with. Hell, most of the time he would grab his gear and take off. This is probably the longest time he has spent in the scientist house.
"Well that is," Tsuna flounders for the right words. "But, weren't you just saying before about you choosing to follow me?"
Still sobbing, Verde chokes out, "these are two separate things. "Of course I want to be with you and help you...but is it so wrong that I've been hoping you would want to spend some personal time with me."
As she continues to cry, Tsuna panics. He's never been very good with people crying or women in general.
"Personal time!" Tsuna shouts, "that's it. Right, you want to spend some time together. why don't we do that?!"
"There's no point," Verde sobs, "you hate me!"
"N..no I don't," Tsuna stammers, "you're very important to me!"
"Really?" She sniffles and asks.
"Of course," he reasurres.
"So, where do you want to go?" Tsuna asks, "the amusement park, aquarime, museum or..."
"Hot springs," Verde suggests as she wipes her eyes.
"Sure! Hot springs, lets go there!" Tsuna easily agrees.
"You promise?" She sniffles.
"Of course," Tsuna says, "I swear. We'll go to the hot springs just the two of us."
"I see," Verde says as she stands up and starts picking up the empty dishes on the table. Hands laden with dishes, Verde looks down at Tsuna with a smile on her face and no signs of crying a few moments ago, "I made some homemade ice cream earlier. Would you like a bowl?"
"Okay?" Tsuna uncertainly responds at the quick change of emotions in the woman before him.
As Verde disappears into the kitchen Tsuna thinks to himself, 'was I just played?'
His thoughts though are interrupted as he hears his cellphone ring and Tsuna removes it from his pocket to see who is calling him.
Recognizing the number he is quick to answer, "hey mom."
"Tsuna-kun, it's so good to hear your voice," the voice of Nana Sawada gushes.
"Mom, I just saw you a little over a week ago," Tsuna replies. "But it is good to hear from you too."
"Oh, you're so sweet," Nana says, "It just feels so lonely living in this house by myself. Sometimes it's hard to believe that you're all grown up and living on your own."
Listening to her, Tsuna thinks that maybe he should try to get his mother signed up for a book club or craft class. Something to take her mind off things and distract her. His father, Iemitsu, his mothers husband is almost never home and with Tsuna moving out, his mother doesnt have much to do.
"Anyways, I had lunch with Sato-san today and she says that her niece is going to be staying with her for awhile. And I was thinking maybe you would like to show her around?" Nana says.
Making a face at his mother suggestion, Tsuna thinks, 'so it's one of these phone calls. Where mom tries to play matchmaker.'
"Sorry mom," Tsuna says as refuses, 'the kids in my class have fallen a bit behind in their studies. I'm just too busy right now."
"Oh my," Nana says in disapointment, "that's to bad. I feel like the two of you would have gotten along."
"Yeah," he replies.
"Tsuna, do you want any topping for your icecream," Verde calls out.
"Whose that, Tsuna?" His mother asks.
"Oh, just," he tries to reply but is interrupted as his mother asks a barrage of questions.
"Is that a woman!? A girlfriend!?" Nana asks in ecitement, "how long have you two know each other? How many children does she want?!"
"Mom, it's nothing like that," Tsuna hurriedly interrupts not liking where the conversation is going. "I'm just hanging out with some colleagues from school. I'll talk to you later."
Hanging up, Tsuna leans back against the chair. A bowl of vanilla and chocolate ice cream with sprinkles is placed in front of him.
"Who was that?" Verde asks as she takes a seat.
"Just my mother," he answers and then says, "so about earlier and the hotsprings..."
"Oh, right," Verde interupts, "about those panties."
"Panties?" Tsuna repeats in confusion.
"Yes, the ones you stole from that fake police officer," she reminds him.
Remembering exactly what, Verde is talking about he shouts, "I didn't mean to!"
"Sure," she dismissively says, as if implying she doesn't believe him. "Anyway, I ran some tests and it seems like they belong to a woman."
"And?" Tsuna asks.
"I just thought, you'd like to know." Verde says, "also, what do you want to do with them?"
"Do with them?" He repeats.
"Would you like them back? Verde asks, "or maybe you want to frame them?"
"What type of a person do you think i am?!" Tsuna shouts.
"The kind that can steal womens underwear with your mysterious power," Verde answers.
"I don't mean to..." he whines.
"So?" She asks ignoring his whines.
"I dont know!" Tsuna answers in frustration, "If I could just give them back I would! You decide, I don't care what you do with them!"
"I see," Verde says, "then I'll handle it. You should eat your ice cream before it melts."
Looking down at his ice cream, Tsuna notices it's melting and gets to work finishing the frozen treat before it becomes a puddle.
With a slight smile on her face, Verde watches Tsuna leave from the doorway. As his figure disappears into the distance she steps back and closes the door. Walking through the living room and into the kitchen, Verde quickly tidies up and takes off her apron. Setting it down on the kitchen counter, she then removes her hair tie and allows her hair to freely fall behind her. Setting the hair tie down atop her apron, she shakes out her hair as she walks over to pantry. Pulling on the second shelf, a popping sound can be heard. Looking over to the counter a small drawer has popped out. Walking over to it, Verde looks inside to find nothing. Reaching her hand into the drawer, she feels around the the top until she finds a switch. Flipping the switch a rumbling sound is heard. Closing the drawer, Verde walks over to the hall closet and opens the door. Inside a dark opening in the floor has appeared. Carefully Verde makes her way into the hole and uses the ladder connecting to the top. She makes her way down into the hole until her feet reach the floor below. Letting go of the ladder, Verde hits a light switch on the wall, illuminating the room.
The room is small and contains many rows of shelves that hold what looks like bottles of wine. Verde ignores these and makes her way to the far wall. The far wall is made up of bricks, placing her hand on one of the bricks, Verde sends out several blasts of electricity with her dying will flames. Taking her hand away from the wall, she waits a few moments. Suddenly the wall shakes and then moved away, revealing a small steel cylindrical room. Walking inside the room, Verde removes her glasses and places her hand on a pad that scans it. A small opening appears about eye level and quickly scans Verde right eye. The opening closes and a clicking sound can be heard. The wall behind Verde closes and the room begins to move. Putting her glasses back on, Verde waits for the room to stop moving and turns to her left. As the room stops moving the steel wall in front of Verde slides open, revealing a large room. Stepping into the room a series of lights flicker on.
Making her way across the room Verde passes a small crocodile chewing on a metal ball. Her partner, Keiman, eyes her but makes no move to greet her. Instead he continues playing with the sphere in his mouth. As she walks over to a desk with several monitor in front of it, there is a flash of light and a zapping sound that comes from behind Verde. Turning to the disturbance, Verde sees, Keiman lying on his side, the metal ball now has a sizable hole where several wires can be seen. A few seconds pass and Keiman shakes himself off, as if he is brushing off the shock he received from his toy. He then proceeds to continue to chew on the sphere.
Rolling her eyes, she walks over to the monitors. Sitting down on the chair in front of the desk, the monitors blue screen flash and several documents and video surveillance appear. For a moment, Verde starts at the surveillance video watching a young man walk to the bus stop and enter the vehicle.
The screens flicker to a new scene showing the inside of the bus.
Her attention straying to the computer screen on the far left Verde frowns as she stares at the image of DNA and the word 'match' flashing across the screen. Leaning back Verde mutters to herself, "now what should I do with this?"
Seeing a yellow envelope on the desk, Verde smiles.
With a heavy sigh, a tall well-endowed woman sits down on a couch. Spreading her legs in an unlady like way, she tries to make herself comfortable. Pouting she glares at the table in front of her and bites her lip.
"I can't believe this is happening!" She shouts out in frustration.
A cup of coffee is set down in front of the woman, on the table, and she looks up at the man who has placed it. The man in front of her give a sympathetic smile and says, "Don't be to upset Boss, it was Reborn who made the request."
"I know Romario," the woman says as she scratches her head, ruffling her short wavy hair. "But even so, this is a bit much! Those ri..."
Whatever the woman had been intending to say is cut off as a rubber bullet comes out of nowhere and hits the woman in the head, effectively silencing her.
"Boss!" Romario calls out in concern as he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a gun.
A woman leans against the balcony doors a green gun in her hand and watches the pathetic sight of her former student whinning on the floor, "stupid Dino, still as pathetic as ever. I suppose, I'll have to give you a few more lessons on how to be a proper Mafiaso."
"Reborn!" The woman now known as Dino whines as she rubs her forehead and stands up.
"Stop whinning," Reborn demands as she turns cold eyes to the ridiculous site of one of the most respectable mafia bosses in the mafia world, "that's no way for a mafia boss to behave."
"Yes," Dino agrees as she calms herself. With a serious glint in her eyes Dino then asks, "though Reborn, I have to question your intentions of asking for the Cavallone rings. These rings have been in the family from even before the Cavallone became a mafia family. They are a precious heirloom and a sign of the Cavallone boss."
"I know what they are," Reborn boredly replies as she inspects her nails.
"Then," Dino asks, "why are you having them placed on display in some museum in germany?"
"Bait," the hitman says.
"Huh?" The Cavallone boss questions.
"I'm using the rings as bait to find a theif," Reborn explains.
"A theif?" Dino repeats in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that her family rings are being used to capture a common theif.
"Isn't that going a bit far," Romaria spoke up his gun already put away after he ascertain that there was no immediate threat.
"That's right reborn," Dino whines, "even if this is some personal grudge, its just some petty theif."
"...," Reborn is silent for a moment and then explains, "it's the ninth request."
"The ninth?" Dino questions as questions and theories fill her head, "he's the one looking for this theif?"
"He's decided to extend an invitation to the man." Reborn admits, "though, unfortunately it's been a little difficult to contact him. As such, I've decided to set some bait."
"But isn't this a bit to much?" Romario questions, "why does it have to the Cavallone rings? Couldnt you use some other jewelry or gemstone?"
"That's right reborn!" Dino agrees with her right hand man, "why does it have to be the Cavallone rings?"
Giving her former student a blank stare, Reborn lets out a sigh of pity and says, "Really now, I only requested to use the Cavallone rings for your sake."
"My sake..." Dino stammers, "that doesn't make any sense!"
A sly smirk forming on her face Reborn snidely says, "oh, and here i thought you're a fan of Ladro Fantasma..."
"Ladro...Fantasma," Dino murmurs in wonder. Her face flushing Dino takes a step towards her former tutor and questions, "are you saying that the Vongola is trying to recruit the Ladro Fantasma, the greatest thief that the world has ever seen!?"
"That's right," Reborn confirms. "Weren't you a fan of his?"
Dino had been a fan of his, hell, she still is! During the years she had been force to learn under Reborn, one of her few enjoyable moments during that time was reading about the mysterious phantom thief, Ladro Fantasma. At that time, she had decided that if she did take over the famiglia and became boss, she would ask him to join her famiglia. But, it is nearly impossible to get a hold of Ladro Fantasma.
"It's a bit annoying but I've been given the task of playing messenger," Reborn explains as she watches the Cavallone bosses expression change. "I remembered how you seemed interested in that thief when you were younger and thought, I would allow you the chance to give your own invitation."
Eyes sparkling Dino smiles goofily and Reborn wants nothing more than to smack the stupid expression off her former student. No mafia boss, much less a student of hers should ever have such a love struck look on their face. Just looking at her face causes Reborn to frown and want to reach for Leon. Though, she resists as she needs Dino full cooperation. The Cavallone are one of the largest mafia famaglia, as such acquiring their help will allow Reborn access to the manpower she needs. As for why she wants to use the Cavallone rings as bait, one she is almost completely sure that such a rare and valuable set of gem stone rings will catch Ladro Fantasma eye and second... the Cavallone rings are dying will sensitive, much like the Vongola rings. With the power that the thief had shown the last time they met, Reborn believes he might be an active mist flame user. But, she can't help but feel there is something off. The rings will give Reborn a better understanding of who she is dealing with.
"Really Reborn?!" Dino asks.
"Of course," Reborn confirms as she thinks, 'though its unlikely anyone will turn down the Vongola for the Cavallone...'
Hey! Look, it's an update! Isn't that great!
For anyone who is wondering, ages in this fic are different from canon. So Tsuna and Dino are the same age, twenty-five. Some of the other characters are younger than Tsuna and some are older. I've decided I'm going to throw Hibari in here. She will be younger than Tsuna. Just so everyone knows, none of these scenes would have changed if Verde and the rest where male. The only difference is that Verde wouldn't have been wearing leggings. Let me repeat, if Reborn, Verde and Dino where all male in this chapter everything would have been the same, except Verde pants.
Some may be wondering, if everything would be the same, why are you genderbending characters? Because I thought it would be fun!
In other news, my computer has been acting funny. So I've been doing most of my writing on my kindle. The downside of using the kindle, is keeping it charged.
Reviews:
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed last chapter. It's means a lot to me, to hear that people are enjoying the fic's I'm writing. It makes me feel all warm on the inside ;'). I especially want to thank those that reviewed last chapter, so thank you, hellfire45, guest, Littlest1, Shiho-Akemi, 7, Mukuro234, Aryst Rosette, Guest, Guest and Lady Avarice.
guest: Thank you for the review. Well the underwear was once again brought up this chapter...you may just find out next chapter.
Guest: Thank you for the review. Glad you like it!
Guest: This fic isn't dead! Cool, awesome and thank you! Also thanks for the review.
Lady Avarice: nope, thats completely normal. I do that too. Lol, she is a bit like Bianchi. I feel like Verde has always been like that but instead of trying to kill people for love, he does it for science. All of the Arcobaleno will eventually show up, so you may have to pick a side. I've also decided to throw in some other characters like Dino and Hibari. Not sure if I can fit everyone in. You're welcome and thank you for reading and reviewing! 3.