CHAPTER 11

HOW TO BLACKMAIL THE BLACKMAILERS

A small chunk of steak landed on Reborn's plate. Everyone was shouting "Die! Die!" at each other and entirely did not notice Reborn's darkened expression.

"Who did that?" Nobody listened.

"You're all going to die." Tsunahime deflected a fork with her plate-turned-shield.

"That's it." Reborn loaded his gun, aimed and shoot. Unfortunately, the bullet was for the only person concerned for the world meeting its destruction.

"Hiiee!" Everyone stopped in midair to stare. Only Levi was left shouting "Die! Die!" at Lussuria's butt. Reborn shot him in the head.

"That's more like it. Threaten each other and this failure dies. I actually don't mind." Reborn emanated such dark aura that the candle lights seemed pretty useless. Silence. More staring. Everyone's gazes never left Tsunahime, as if calculating if it was truly okay to have the next Vongola boss eradicated. For Tsunahime, it was all ready decided. She began to sweat some sticky liquid.

How could Reborn even think of using me as blackmail? Nobody would surely listen. The Varia wants me gone! Reborn's threat is so useless. That means I'm going to drop down dead in any minute now. I can't even think of my prayers. Think! Tsunahime, you've only goy seconds to live! Say your prayers and you might glimpse salvation. Oh no, I can't think. Reborn said that a brain is needed. I can't do this! I don't want to die! What about mom and dad? Lambo, I-pin, Fuuta, everyone please tell Kyoko I died an honorable death; like falling off a cliff because Reborn- no! That was so not honorable. Maybe I joined the army? Yes, I got blown into smithereens. Horrible. So horrible. I'm going to die in this frilly dress, in these stupid killer heels (Chapter 10 in How to be a Grrrl Manual: Heels makes a good impression on dignity) and I've got make-up on too! Oh, the shame! The shame!

Tsunahime became so engrossed in her prayers that she made a start when a chair creaked. She was currently thinking if St. Peter accepts no brains in heaven when she happened to see something from the corner of her eyes. She looked up.

The war veterans were quietly seating themselves like nothing happened. But things did happen, in fact. Many things happened. The whole non-living dining hall was proof. The chairs they sat on now were missing its legs or its backrest but the guardians unceremoniously pieced together like some kind of jigsaw puzzle. Nobody uttered a single sound. From Tsunahime's point of view, they almost looked revere- like.

Everyone worked in profound silence. Her mouth was widely open beyond repair.

"Hn. Looks like I found the most powerful blackmail of all." The sun arcobaleno smirked, satisfied. Her mouth was still open beyond repair. But what use is Reborn's physician outfit if not for this? He kicked her squarely on the jaw.

"Yow! Reborn! What was that for? The teary- eyed teenage girl massaged her jaw gently.

"Eat," was all he replied and sat down.

Tsunahime was startled beyond re- (Reborn glanced sharply at her. She gulped loudly) Uh, to see that the whole table had been replaced and was now adorned with trays after trays of food. All were eating their own fill silently with the occasional, stealthy and sometimes weird momentary look at Tsunahime.

Wow. Excellent service, thought Tsunahime admiringly. She pondered for a while about this strange phenomenon. Maybe she had her mouth open for a long time? And why did they stop? She can understand it some of her friends would feel alarmed with the blackmail, but the Varia? She did not expect such a feat in her life. Maybe they wanted to be friends? She instantly brightened up with the idea and resumed her seat. She felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Friends! Us! The Varia! She kept thinking over and over again how nice and wonderful that would be that she rained smiles on all of them. She couldn't and wouldn't want to stop her smiling spree. She went on and on until she looked like Yamamoto's sane sister. Then, she smiled at Xanxus despite him staring daggers (actually, he was just staring but this is according to Tsunahime) which caught him by sweet surprise. To cover his shock, he said:

"Humph. Just eat…scum." He faced his dinner with raised fork, as if willing the chops to talk back tauntingly at him.

Reborn smirked and glanced meaningfully at Kyuudaime. The ninth Vongola boss nodded and smiled cheerfully, which made him look 10 years younger. This will mark the beginning.

...oo00800Ooo...

I kind of like to join them for dinner too. I just can't wait for dessert! Ha-ha. (drools)

Do you want me to keep up posting sneak peeks of the next chapters? What can you say about this new chapter? Just review this story to tell me, okay?

Xanxus is still winning the votes, people.

Anyway, Tsunahime is going on a nerve- whacking, heartstring- pulling, explosion- sounding, heart- warming, and romantic-but-not-so-romantic adventure! So, please keep following Tsunahime and her family wherever they go and keep both eyes on the look out her potential hero. Keep voting!

(Mikage-me07 bows and the curtain closes.)