Tsuna rubbed his arm the next morning, trying to get his fatigued muscles to stop aching. His father had trained him mercilessly in the usage of his new Glock. With comments like "oh, you just hit the civilian behind him," "only a shoulder wound, he's probably going to grab a hostage now," and so on, his father had pushed his desire to aim better while reminding him what the training was for. In the end, he hadn't let Tsuna return home until he could hit the bullseye at least once out of two times.

The weight of the Glock in the holster positioned at the small of his back felt strange, but his father assured him that he'd get used to it. Tsuna didn't want to believe him, but seeing Iemitsu's gun peeking out from his arm holsters beneath his jacket told him otherwise. The man hadn't said it out of hope, but experience.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this," Tsuna muttered.

"It isn't an easy road, Lord Tsuna," Cress replied as he brought in breakfast. Tsuna sat down to it with a sigh, not wanting to be reminded of the fact.

"What's the schedule today?" He took a bite of omelet as he asked, wondering if he'd be lucky enough to get a day to himself. No luck.

"I do believe Xanxus will be arriving to get you in an hour, Lord Tsuna. I think Reborn mentioned something about the Row and finding you a weekend job."

"Xanxus? Job?" He repeated, turning pale at the combination of words.

"Mafia Row is an underground facility open too all mafia affiliated people, allied and not. It's a grudge-free zone. No Family rivalries allowed within it's bounds just like the school. As for what it's like, it's hard to describe unless you've been there, Lord Tsuna." Reborn popped up, holding his morning coffee. Leon was still asleep on his hat.

"Friday after school through Sunday night you'll be working somewhere on the Row. Other than being part of your training, it will allow you to come in contact with mafioso in a more common setting."

"I-I see," he said, forcing himself to finish his breakfast. He made himself relax, reminding himself that they'd be going to a public area this time. It couldn't be that bad.

Tsuna got a sinking feeling.


Tsuna had been confused when they'd went into a hotel and he'd been introduced to the attendant. After putting him into the computer system, he'd become even more confused when she handed them key-cards and they went to the elevator. After that, they'd accessed the basement using one of the key-cards the woman had given them. He became perplexed when they'd accessed some abandoned sewer lines from that same basement. Now, after walking for nearly ten minutes, he was not only totally confused and perplexed, he was totally lost.

"Where--?"

"We're here," Xanxus said. In front of them was an access hatch not unlike the dozens they'd already passed. The only difference on this one was the lack of graffiti and the key-card reader. Placing his key-card in the slot, the hatch popped open and ducked inside. The hatch door closed with an jarring bang behind him. Tsuna looked around in amazement. Spread out before him was almost like a city to itself. Everywhere he looked there were lights and people. He even saw a few of his school's uniforms among the crowd.

"This is Mafia Row?" Tsuna asked in awe. Xanxus grunted an affirmative as Tsuna looked up at the 'sky'. The roof of the extensive cave network had to be half a mile high. Not that he could see it in the afterglow of all the streetlights, advertisement lights, and other bright signs covering the city. He barely managed to pull his attention back down as Xanxus decended the stairs in front of the hatch. The moment he hit ground-level, he started walking, a target obviously in mind. Tsuna followed him quietly, making sure not to loose him in the crowd.

Tsuna blushed brightly when he saw Xanxus leading him into a strip club. He stayed silent, even though his mind was wondering what Xanxus was doing. Wasn't he supposed to be getting Tsuna a job? Now wasn't the time for entertainment. Not that Tsuna was in any rush to get a job in a mafia-only district. He paused at the door before following Xanxus inside the softly lit building.

Once his eyes adjusted, he looked around in surprise. The layout reminded him of the opera houses he'd seen on television. There was a large stage that he tried to avoid his eyes from and along the walls going up several floors were booths filled with men drinking and enjoying themselves. Tsuna guessed by the soundproof glass encasing the booths, they were rooms for private parties and important guests. He didn't want to know why the curtains were closed on the inside of several of them. On the ground floor in front of the raised stage was a large bar separating it from the rest of the common area.

Ignoring the men seated around tables, the 'audience', Xanxus made his way to the bar. He whispered something to a waitress next to it and she motioned for them to follow. Once again, Tsuna merely followed along silently while trying to control his furious blushes. The glimpse he'd gotten of the girls onstage was more of the female body than he'd ever seen before. The waitress gave him a knowing look before she led them up to one of the 'booths' using a stairwell and hallway on the side of the main area. Xanxus smiled as they sat down in a chair and the waitress brought them a bottle of V Special and two glasses.

Tsuna looked around the 'booth' in dismay while Xanxus made himself comfortable. In the center of the room was a small table and a set of several chair, placed near the large window overlooking the stage and main floor. The positioning allowed whoever sat there to have a clear view of the stage below. From the couch tucked into the corner of the room, Tsuna had a funny feeling he knew why there were closeable curtains around the windows.

"What's going on?" He finally asked, ignoring the drink Xanxus poured him. Xanxus smiled as he poured himself a shot.

"Call this my version of sex education, scum." Tsuna turned red and his hand shook at the answer. He decided he better take the drink after all.

"I thought Reborn was having me get a weekend job," he reminded Xanxus after the alcohol calmed his nerves.

"Later, kid." Xanxus waved a hand absentmindedly. He was completely engrossed in the stage show and Tsuna gaped at how easily his objection was ignored by the man. Not knowing where to look, Tsuna kept his eyes on his glass. He had a feeling that he better not get any more glimpses at what Xanxus was watching or he'd be in trouble. At some point, two of the waitresses came in and sat down with them. Other than the color of their outfits, they had matching uniforms of skin tight corsets and lace skirts. He turned an even deeper shade of red as they giggled at his obvious discomfort. He poured himself another drink with shaking hands.

"Hey there, boys. I'm Red," the one in red said as she sat down next to him.

"And I'm Blue," the one in blue said as she sat down next to Xanxus. Xanxus ignored her, obviously still engrossed with whatever was happening on stage. Tsuna didn't want to know what that was.

The one that sat next to him was a gorgeous woman, supple and well-endowed. Her hair lay against her back in fiery waves and her eyes were a deep ebony. Red chatted with him about nonsense stuff to put him at ease while he took a third shot. She wanted to know his name, how old he was, where he went to school. Not once did she ask what Family he was from. Although, with Xanxus here, it was pretty obvious.

He finally calmed down and was talking with her about what his classes were like when she pounced. Pounced was the only word that Tsuna could think of for how she jumped in his lap, a flurry of flesh and lace. He choked when she swung a leg over and straddled him. He immediately tensed up, wondering what she was doing in his lap. After that, she didn't give him time to think anymore. She leaned seductively over him, her breast pressed against his chest, and moved to kiss him.

Between her body heat and the heat from the alcohol, Tsuna could feel his blood pumping. His arms hung limply by his sides due to his partial inebriation and shock. She nibbled his lip before pressing them firmly against his, making his heart pound faster. When he felt her tongue flicked against his lips, asking him to open up for her, he couldn't help himself as he did. Her tongue playfully licked the inside of his mouth, playing cat and mouse with his own tongue before winding it around his. He began to feel his body react to the sensations she gave him, making him lightheaded with want.

The image of Kyoko surfaced in his mind as Red began to reach a hand down to do something to his lower extremities. Before he even had conscious control of his actions, he grabbed the woman's arms and roughly held her away from him, breaking off the kiss in an instant. She looked disappointed as he shook his head to clear it.

From where she sat held on his lap, she asked with a sultry look, "What's wrong? You don't like girls?"

"Y-Yes, yes I do," he panted. "But not just any one." He released her arms, silently asking her to get off him. Tsuna sent a silent thanks to the heavens as she didn't argue and got off. She gave him a parting wink and left with Blue. After taking another shot of V Special to calm himself, he noticed that Xanxus was looking at him with a crooked grin on his face. Before he could ask the reason, another woman came in.

"I'm Pink," she said in a business-like fashion as she sat down with them. "I'm the owner here." She turned to Tsuna, "Red said not only did you passed with flying colors, you're a good kisser to boot."

"EH?!" Tsuna squealed in surprise.

"We'll take him," she said, turning to Xanxus. Once again, Tsuna found himself completely ignored. "It's not very often we find someone that has decent combat abilities and can also restrain themselves around the girls." Xanxus nodded and the woman got up and left before Tsuna could get any answers. Before Xanxus could ignore him yet again and go back to watching the show, Tsuna grabbed his attention.

"What was that all about?!" He exclaimed, wanting answers. Xanxus looked at him lazily and nursed another shot.

"Starting next Friday afternoon, your new job, scum." Tsuna's eyes widened as Xanxus continued. "You'll be a weekend replacement for one of the bouncers here. It'll be your job to throw out trash that gets too rough with the girls or don't follow Pink's rules." Xanxus laughed abruptly as Tsuna decided to down two shots in rapid succession. "Trash taking out trash, isn't that great." Xanxus turned his attention back to the stage show, not intending to leave just yet. Tsuna just sat in his chair, stunned.


Tsuna walked through Mafia Row, curious as to what all was there. Xanxus had given him a cell phone with a GPS that would show him how to get back, which he had taken gratefully. He hadn't wanted to stay at the strip club and watch the show, regardless of the fact that he'd be working there. He'd save getting to know the staff until after his body stopped remembering the kiss. He was happy to notice that although he was slightly drunk, he wasn't weaving or showing any other noticeable sign. Other than maybe a slight glazed look in his eyes, he was fine.

So he went for a walk to see what he could find. The street he was currently on seemed to be all bars and strip clubs. He blushed a bit when he passed one obviously meant for women. Or so he hoped. With a sigh of relief, he turned onto another street and found himself in a shopping area. Several stores seemed to be specifically meant for weaponry. He thought he saw Jack for a moment outside one that specialized in daggers and knives, but he lost track of him in the crowd before he could verify. If it was him, Tsuna supposed, he might have been getting a present for Cheri.

Turning down the next street, Tsuna found himself among food vendors. Every fast food he could imagine was lined up across one side of the road, while the other side seemed to be full of specialty cafes and restaurants. He stopped and got himself something to eat, hoping that it would help dissipate the lingering effects of all the V Special he'd drunk.

Tsuna continued down and found a street of stores that was an amalgamation of different things. This street seemed to be more like the shopping district he'd find anywhere else. The only difference was the quality of the goods. He stopped in front of a bookstore, about to go in to see if they had any of his favorite manga when his phone range. Xanxus was ready to return. After a moment of disappointment, Tsuna retraced his steps and together the two left Mafia Row.

He'd have plenty of time to explore the Row later, considering he'd be there every weekend from now on.