Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Chapter 8
It's funny, how involved she suddenly gets with the Vongola- Iemitsu's famiglia- after she broke up with him.
It's not like he's out of her life- they do share an apartment, after all. Newly bought, big and empty of the happiness she'd hoped to find here. Iemitsu is rarely there. He's in Italy, taking care of his famiglia.
The sunlight streams through large windows, cheery curtains tied to the sides. There's a view on the city, and the kitchen is a dream. There's one bedroom and a closet, but that's it.
The desolation is cathartic, in a way.
It gives her room to breathe, to learn to live with herself again. To buy milk bread in the corner shop, so early the newspaper hasn't been dropped on the doormat yet. To call Lal and listen to her complaints of the latest trouble the youngest Vongola boy and his friends have gotten up to. Or Iemitsu's latest attempt to evade paperwork, which is met with an even harsher punishment.
Sometimes someone laughs in the background. Probably Daniela, Iemitsu's predecessor, or Aria, her granddaughter. Oregano will sigh, Turmeric chuckle, and how is it possible to be a thousand miles away, yet feel like you know these people?
Nana has no idea, but she's in an empty apartment, and filled with the warmth of a family. It tugs at her, this urge to belong. Biting her lip, she rakes a hand through her hair. She made her choice. So why can't she accept it?
College will start soon. She should concentrate on that. There will be lessons, there will be learning, there will be a brand-new horizon for her to explore. Her dream is in sight, and she should go for it. Is going for it. The school supplies in the closet speak for themselves.
Besides, she'll never belong to the Vongola. No matter how much she wants to.
''VOI! NO KNIVES IN THE HOUSE!'' Squalo grabs the knife out of the child's hand. ''You're not allowed to break my stuff, stupid baby!''
''Shishishishi, that rule only counts for peasants!''
Squalo sticks his tongue out. ''You tell that to Ottavo!''
The baby storm pouts.
Lussuria pipes up. ''The exact rule is: 'No knives in living body parts when-''
''Shut up, trash, before I do something you'll regret.''
With wide eyes, they stare at Xanxus. Quietly, Lussuria sighs, picks Bel up, and ushers Squalo out of the room while confiscating the four-year-old's knives and avoiding his teeth.
The hall is occupied by a yawning teenager. ''Aria, dear. How was the mission?'' He adjusts Bel on his hip.
She smiles. ''It went well. But the help afterwards… wasn't appreciated.''
The corners of Lussuria's mouth turn down. ''They began about his position again?''
She shrugs. ''What did you expect? They're all obsessed with the fact that Daniela di Vongola of all people took in a non-blood related Sky. It's like declaring she doesn't trust Iemitsu, and the fact that they're unaware of his ancestry doesn't help. He didn't even yell at them this time, but that makes me more uneasy than before, to be honest.''
Her stomach growls. ''…Let's visit Marcello. We'll take something back for Xanxus. That might cheer him up!''
Bel cackles. ''Marcello has good knives for a peasant!''
''Uhuh, and if you're good, he might even let you touch them, darling.''
Squalo's grimaces. Aria bites her lip. She puts her hands into her pockets and gazes at the ceiling. ''Trash belongs in the kitchen.''
Lussuria can't hold it anymore and snickers. The others follow soon. Laughter echoes through the halls.
