All right, next chapter is up and there are finally some more characters I get to write!
Belphegor felt like a coward. Shivering at Haru's gentle touches (how dare she touch him like that!) then fleeing from her like some scared animal.
Scared of her soft touch.
Belphegor gritted his teeth, sliding his shirt on and getting a burst of pain from his bruised ribs for not being careful enough.
She was really pushing her imminent death with her touch. What Belphegor hated most was he… kind of wanted more.
"Idiot." Belphegor balled the other shirt and threw it forward angrily. That woman was an idiot, Belphegor paused, and he was the genius.
He needed no one. Especially not that woman.
All those days spent in the hospital were affecting him.
Belphegor snatched up the shirt he had thrown.
"B-Belphegor!"
Belphegor slowly stood, smile spreading across his face. Slowly he turned to greet the owner of that oh so annoying voice. Right now he really wished he had his crown.
"Tsunayoshi." Belphegor flipped the shirt over his shoulder and let it hang there, smiling at Tsuna. He stood in the hallway, his guardian of air, that idiot Gokudera, to one side of him and the senile guardian of rain on the other, there were others. Some men Belphegor had never seen before stood behind them, little peasants who did not matter at all.
"Knife bastard." Gokudera lurched forward protectively before Tsuna. "What are you doing here?"
"Shishishi." Belphegor looked past him, focusing on Tsuna.
They had made it.
"So Vongola finally broke through their own fort?"
"Haha!" Yamamoto chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "So it seems!"
Tsuna looked a bit unnerved by Belphegor's smile but not as much as he used to be.
What were all the things Haru had gushed over Tsuna about? Belphegor wanted to tear down all her petty thoughts of him and show her what he really was.
A coward.
"W-well, the fort obviously needs some upgrades." Tsuna said.
"Yeah!" Gokudera agreed, much more strongly than Tsuna. "Explosions were how the fort was destroyed at first!"
"Then I know its weakness." Belphegor snickered. The color drained from Gokudera and Tsuna's faces. Really, they were so easy for Belphegor to manipulate it almost wasn't enjoyable.
"I-I'm sorry tenth."
"N-no, it's my fault."
"Tsuna-san!" The women called, her feet echoing on the floor as she ran. Tsuna perked up.
Belphegor's smile faded just a bit.
"Haru-chan!"
Haru brushed past Belphegor, as she passed she gave him a scathing look, that screamed that if he took a wrong step she would retaliate.
Was she trying to intimidate him?
Haru stopped between Belphegor and Tsuna's group. "I'm glad you finally got here!" She gasped, her cheeks were red for running, or at least, that's what Belphegor thought.
Behind her rolled PH-1, it stopped right beside Belphegor. He glanced down at it in annoyance, it pressed against his leg, as if knowing the more annoyed he was the more likely he was to strike out.
The stupid robot.
"It wasn't to bad staying here though was it?" Yamamoto asked.
"N-no." Haru glanced back at Belphegor. "It was fine, but there are a few things I'll be glad for the help…"
Belphegor's smile grew larger; Haru quickly looked back to Tsuna.
"So, you are all right?"
Haru's eyes melted at Tsuna's words. Belphegor resisted the urge to frown. Why? Why had Tsuna ruined Haru's fiery spirit? She was nothing like she should be…
"Yes, I'm fine."
Tsuna let out a breath, shoulders dropping in relief. "Good."
Haru's eyes widened a bit at the single word. Belphegor resisted the urge to smack her head. She was acting like an idiot.
"Tsuna-dono!" Basil ran up from another intersecting corridor, looking very happy.
"Basil-san!" Tsuna smiled at him, attention diverted from Haru. "Where's Giannini-san?"
"That is on whose behalf I came." Basil stopped a bit breathless before Tsuna. "He thanks you for your hard work, but realizes that it is late for repair work to start so he bids you take a room for the night and rest."
"I can show you to your rooms." Haru piped up.
Tsuna nodded. "That sounds like a good idea, though I would like to have a meeting with Giannini-san before the night ends."
Basil smiled. "Of course, Giannini-dono expected you to ask that so he said he is willing to take you and some others in the command room to sort things out."
"That sounds good."
"Then I'm leaving." Belphegor stated, earning a few strange glances and glares from Tsuna's company.
"Why were you here in the first place?" Gokudera growled.
"Don't be so rude." Yamamoto chastised with a friendly smile. "He's an ally; he's allowed to be here!"
Of course he was allowed, but this was the last place he wanted to be, especially now that so many more annoying people had showed up. He needed to find his brother.
"You can't go!" Haru turned around spreading out her arms to block his path, which earned more strange looks. Mainly since Haru's block was the opposite way that he wanted to go, he could just turn around and walk away.
Belphegor's smile widened. "You head must be pretty thick to not yet understand that I need not follow anyone's orders."
Haru's gaze hardened. "You need your wounds tended."
"You just said they were fine."
"But…" Haru glanced back at Tsuna's group, addressing them for a moment, to Belphegor's annoyance. "Do you have a doctor or a nurse or anyone who knows a bit more about medicine and stuff?"
Tsuna nodded. "We did bring a doctor just in case."
"Then Belphegor will need to see him."
"No I won't!" Belphegor growled.
"Tomorrow morning will be fine." Haru continued completely ignoring Belphegor. "So everyone can get some rest. Belphegor will be in the hospital ward."
"I told you I do-" Belphegor began but was cut short when Haru shoved her hands not terribly hard against his chest but hard enough for the air to leave his chest and pain to swell up in him.
Belphegor swore silently a curse on bruised ribs.
"At the least you need more rest to heal your bruised ribs."
"What happened to you?" Yamamoto asked, in a pleasant chatty tone.
"Nothing of your business." Belphegor muttered.
Yamamoto just laughed. "Of course."
He hated him. He hated all of them.
"And that's it." Giannini finished, folding his hands contentedly in his lap, having finished explaining all the events at the secret base leading up to that very moment, putting great detail into electronics, including PH-1 "And you see how we got to this."
Tsuna glanced around the room to those gathered; Basil, Fuuta, Haru, looking down at PH-1 as well, Giannini, Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Belphegor. Everyone else Tsuna had brought had been shown to room by Basil, Haru and Fuuta. Haru noted his gaze lingered on the still injured Belphegor longest.
Understandably, Belphegor had wanted to leave but now he was being forced to stay. Belphegor had been lingering on the sidelines of everything, staying close to her and taking advantage of every moment to cause havoc. He and Gokudera had almost fought each other three times since Tsuna and everyone else had got there. It was only because of Haru and Tsuna intervening that they stopped.
"I see." Tsuna returned his gaze back to Giannini. "I wish I could have come sooner then."
Belphegor chuckled as if he found something funny in that. Haru guessed it was just a scare tactic. He could be such a predatory animal at times it was strange.
"It wasn't your fault it took so long tenth." Gokudera butted it, trying to uphold once more his boss's honor when it did not need upholding. "It was hard to find the right men to take to the secret base when we are not quite sure who we want to see the base, and then you had to scout the area to make sure the person who bombed the place wasn't there, and then you had to dig through all that ruble! It's not in the least your fault!"
Yamamoto chuckled. "Of course not, but I don't think that's the issue here Gokudera."
"Whaddya mean?" Gokudera growled at Yamamoto who just held up his hands in surrender, a smile on his face.
"He's right Gokudera." Tsuna said thoughtfully. "We need to find the person who bombed the place."
Haru smiled, Tsuna really was beginning to take charge, he no longer needed Reborn with him at every twist, though Reborn still supported and guided Tsuna. He really was maturing and growing into a very good man.
"I'll find him and kill him." Belphegor's close growl snapped Haru from her daze.
"No!" Tsuna said firmly, cutting off Gokudera who looked about ready to take a swipe from Belphegor. "You can't, we need to find the person who did this and then question them. We need to find a motive."
Belphegor glowered at Tsuna, his smile sinister and full of evil intent.
Haru gulped. "All right!" She jumped up, raising a hand into the air and waving it about. "That's the plan then; tomorrow we can start looking for clues!" Belphegor gave her a strange look but Haru ignored him. "Tsuna-san, I'm sure you're tired, lets all go to bed and pick it up tomorrow."
"Sure Haru-chan." Tsuna stood, Gokudera and Yamamoto following suite. "Basil-san, would you mind showing us to our room?" Tsuna asked.
"Of course Tsuna-dono."
"I'll come to, in case there is anything more you need." Haru was the one who supported everyone there, that was her part. She might as well do her best at it.
"No." Belphegor grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. "You need to bandage me up."
"Let go." Haru hissed, trying to wriggle her hand out of his grasp. Why Haru kept trying that she was not sure, as Belphegor's grip just tightened, making it all the more clear to Haru, and everyone else, that she could not free herself.
"Let her go Belphegor." Tsuna took a step forward, eyes narrowed at the man. Haru's heart beat a bit faster a blush rising to her cheeks.
Was Tsuna being protective of her?
Don't be stupid! Haru chastised herself. Of course he is, it's his duty, don't be a love sick school girl!
"It's all right Tsuna-san." Haru gave him a smile, trying to look confident and not in the least annoyed. "Belphegor is right, his wounds do need bandage."
"Are you certain?" Basil asked, knowing better than the rest how much Haru went through for Belphegor. Haru just nodded.
Belphegor smirked at Tsuna, Haru wanted to punch him. He did not need her there to bandage his wounds, but Haru resigned to the fact that he would have her bandage them.
It would prevent more hassles and near fights and allow Tsuna some rest if she went along with Belphegor just this once.
"A-are you sure?" Tsuna pressed once more, glancing warily at Belphegor and then back to Haru.
"You don't have to." Fuuta said in a low voice as if afraid Belphegor would hear.
"It's all right." Haru slipped her hand out of Belphegor's grip; she knew he only let her go because she was complying with his princely will.
"Don't worry Tsuna." Yamamoto smiled at Belphegor, a little bit of his strength showing through in the slightly less friendly smile. "He won't hurt Haru-chan. Right Belphegor?"
Haru could tell it was a challenge.
"I will do what I please." Belphegor smiled widely back at Yamamoto.
"Tenth, I wouldn't trust that guy!" Gokudera said none too quietly.
"Don't worry!" Haru gently set her hand on Tsuna's shoulder, a light gentle touch. "I'll be fine!" She gave a brilliant smile, Tsuna relaxed a bit, giving her a smile back.
"Come on." Belphegor leapt up from the seat he had been lounging at, catching Haru's hand as he walked past and heading out the door. Haru's touch slipped from Tsuna's shoulder as she was dragged away, leaving a very confused looking assemble of people.
PH-1 tried to follow but Belphegor just kicked the little robot to the side before it had time to react, much to Giannini's dismay and quickly walked away before it could follow.
A head start.
"You're hurting me."
"Who cares?"
"Do you really care if your bandages are on or off?"
"Shut up."
Haru glared at him. "You could be a bit nicer. After all Tsuna-san just saved us."
"A perfect knight in shining armor." Belphegor chuckled. "But I'm the prince."
Haru sighed. "And princes don't thank the knights?"
Belphegor laughed. "You're learning servant."
Haru sighed once more.
"But Tsuna-san is also the head of the Vongola; surely you must obey him in that respect."
"There's only one person fit to be the head of the Vongola, and that isn't Tsuna."
Haru frowned, knowing full well just who Belphegor mistakenly believed to be a better head of the Vongola.
"So you only submit to him."
"Tch, not likely." They reached the hospital Belphegor punched in the number code as he spoke. "I'm a prince; he's just some random kid. Strong I'll give him that, but I wouldn't say I follow him. If his whims match mine then I'll follow."
"Because you're the prince?"
"Exactly." Belphegor dragged Haru into the hospital ward, the doors sliding shut behind them. Locking PH-1 out.
"I don't think you know what it means to be a prince." Haru muttered, finding to late it was the wrong thing to say.
Belphegor whipped around and pinned her up against the wall, pain searing up Haru's spine and her breath shoved from her lungs.
"You don't know anything, slave." He growled low.
"I know that a prince shouldn't abuse his power." Haru gasped out, a righteous anger at being pushed around once more by Belphegor flaming up. Belphegor pressed closer, his arm across her neck, pressing down uncomfortably; his other arm was across her stomach, just below her rib cage, keeping her arms down.
A warm feeling grew in her stomach, anger she decided. Rage.
"Do you wish me more like the weakling Tsunayoshi?"
"Tsuna-san is not weak." Haru snapped back.
A smile stretched across Belphegor's face. "So you like this Tsuna?"
Haru's face reddened but she did not answer the question. Belphegor's smile just widened.
"Well, you're mine." Haru's heart went cold, eyes widening. "You do what I say, you follow my lead."
"N-no." Haru forced out the words, averting her eyes from Belphegor's hidden gaze trying to push down the desire to brush aside his bangs, to see if his eyes were saying the same thing. "I don't."
"You do." Belphegor's voice was breathy, with all the confidence in the world, as if he really did own her. He was acting like an animal again, claiming what was his with little regard to what the thing claimed thought. "I can kill you whenever I like. I'm in control of you."
Haru squirmed under him. "Just because I'm your nurse."
"Because you also love me."
His answer made Haru still. "I… love you?"
"Of course." Belphegor leaned even closer, his cheek pressing against her hers. His hair tickled her face, it was soft, he was soft. For some reason Haru had expected him to be sharp just like the knives he carried. "I understand why you would fall in love with me, I'm irresistible, but your gentle intimate touches just prove it."
Haru realized with horror what he was talking about. "I do not love you!" She cried in dismay.
"So impertinent." Belphegor's breath across her ear made Haru shiver.
"Get away!" Haru struggled more, trying to slip away from the man. "I don't love you!"
His grip on her tightened, her heart beat faster.
"I don't love you!" Haru cried once more in despair. "I never did, I never will! You're the one who loves me to think my touches were intimate!"
His grip tightened once more, sharp pain swept into Haru's head, her air once again cut short.
Choking her again? Wasn't that getting clichéd? Haru guessed it would be a bit different if he had his knives.
Then suddenly he back away, letting her drop to the floor. Haru glanced cautiously up at him, he was glaring at her, his smile was gone. And he seemed much more imposing without it.
"I should kill you."
Haru scuttled back stumbling over herself to stand. She watched Belphegor warily, not sure what an unstable person like him would do next. Would he actually kill her? Do more than just pin her against the wall?
"I-it'll be ok for you to wait until tomorrow for your bandages." Haru said quickly as she punched in the code. Belphegor just watched her. As soon as the doors opened Haru fled.
Haru rushed down the hall, away from Belphegor.
He was insane! She loved him? No way, there was absolutely no way!
But, why did he think that? If Belphegor really did think she loved him because in truth he loved her…
Could he love her?
Was he even capable of loving someone?
The table fell with a clatter, Belphegor looked around for something more to knock over. Something more to destroy.
It was to clean and organized.
What was with Haru? What was that panicked reaction? Belphegor opened the cabinets, to once again throw the things around. She had seemed scared of the simple words he had spoken. What was her problem?
She must be in denial. Belphegor's anger dwindled. She must have realized that she could not love him, for one he was a prince and she a mere peasant. She realized she could not voice her love.
Of course, now it made sense.
Belphegor turned away from the cabinets back to the bed that had been his for way to long. He no longer desired to mess up the room, partly because it would not be Haru who would be picking up but another doctor, partly because strangely he felt no sadistic pleasure in the thought of Haru slaving away.
And last because he realized he had not been rejected.
Though he was silly to think that. Rejected? He had not asked for anything! Had not confessed any feelings of love (which he had none of) she only said she would not take orders from him.
Which she would, he was a prince.
Then she had that ridiculous notion that he loved her. The thought itself was laughable. Belphegor was not chained to anyone through such trivialities as 'love', which was weak.
He did not understand love in the least; he did understand desire, the will to fight, aggression, protectiveness.
But not love gentleness or anything else that Haru was.
Belphegor leaned back in his bed, carefully, his injuries still hurting. Most of the others had healed but not the three main ones. He sighed, much more content now understanding that Haru was just in denial. It would be fun, toying with her now that he knew this. Of course now that Tsuna was here she would gush over him like a puppy dog over its master, he would have to think of more devious ways of punishing her for straying away from her real job. Him.
Her actions against him were still unforgivable. He would have to punish her.
So... what do you think? (Isn't whaddya spelt weirdly?) I need more practice writing for Tsuna/Gokudera/Yamamoto, their dialogue seemed a bit choppy... and I don't think I explained Belphegor's feelings at Tsuna being there and how Haru acts around him well enough... but more of that will come in the next chapter...