Author's note: Hiya, minna-san! I'm back from the land of the dead. I would have posted this chapter much earlier but I kinda suffered a little bit of writer's block due to a lot of schoolwork that I have to accomplish. I really am sorry for not being able to update, but now I'm back (*does happy dance). I'm currently on a short break from school so I'll do my best to finish as many chapters as I can.
Also, I would like to apologize for the slight OOC moment of Tsuna and Hibari (especially Hibari), but that was how I envisioned it to be. Cause Tsuna's gotta grow some spine of his own, since he's under Reborn's tutelage (you know what they say. You take after the people you're always associated with). Tsuna will be more of a boss here rather the wimpy Dama-Tsuna (not that I hate that Tsuna. It's just that, here, he's more mature and more aware of his responsibilities). And as for questions regarding Sebastian, though his name was borrowed from Kuroshitsuji, he will just be a normal (as normal as Vongola can be) butler here. He's like Sebby-chan, but at the same time, not like him (I'm not making sense right now, am I? Blame my fever. I can't think straight right now).
On another note, I have a lot of plot bunnies currently in my plot bunny farm. Once I manage to finish writing one, I'll let you guys know :)
Personally, I kinda don't like the way I wrote this chapter so I apologize in advance. I apologize for the crappiness, since I have a slight fever when I wrote this. Please do point out mistakes and questionable things.
for the legends:
texts like this = normal narration/conversation
texts like this = thoughts
"texts like this enclosed with double quotation" = conversations in Italian
'texts like this enclosed in single quotation or just italized' = thoughts
Now, I present to you the next chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Nope. For the short amount of time I have been gone, KHR!'s ownership is still Amano Akira's.
If the exterior of the manor managed to set their mouths agape, the interior of the manor managed to drop their jaws. There's rich, there's filthy rich, and the there's Vongola-style rich. Sure, they have seen some form of extravagance in their lives, but none of what their past experiences prepared them for what they saw on their mini tour.
The first floor of the mansion gave off a traditional Italian feel with a touch of modern-ness. Antique furniture decorated the place, some of which even dating back to Vongola Primo's time. Intricate paintings decorate the halls, depicting various landscapes and sceneries. They checked various rooms lining the first floor, with Sebastian rattling off various facts and details regarding the rooms. They marveled at the interior of the rooms, each giving off a different feel in accordance to its purpose. They ooh-ed and ahh-ed at each information Sebastian gave them, absorbing everything given to them in wonder and amazement. Who knew that the prestigious Vongola Corp has a unique history.
"With the intention of protecting the townsfolk from oppression and tyranny, Vongola Primo founded the Vongola as a vigilante group, with his best friend and five others serving as his stewards," Sebastian said as he led the students toward the dining hall for a late breakfast.
"Each of the stewards, or as the Vongola puts it, Guardians, are named after the weathers of the sky. The Six Guardians are: Storm, Rain, Lightning, Cloud, Mist, and Sun. The Boss takes the title of Sky, as it envelops all of its weathers under its care. Yes? Do you have a question?" Sebastian said, addressing the hand that shot up.
"Um, why are they named after weathers?" the student asked the question everybody thought.
"Hmm…" Sebastian said, pondering the question. Any answer he will give will be crucial as it will plummet the students deeper in the mafia world (though said students have absolutely no idea that they have any involvement with the mafia).
"That's because Vongola Primo really loved the sky. That's why he used the Sky to refer to his Guardians." Reborn said, speaking up from behind the students, Tsuna and his family behind the hitman. In all their humble thoughts, they would rather be somewhere else rather than wasting their time with the tour, seeing that they know the layout of the mansion and everything behind its doors (more like they were tortured by a certain sadistic hitman to memorize the entirety of the manor as if their lives depended on it… Scratch that. Because their lives really depended on it).
"But why Guardians? Isn't Vongola a company?" Another student asked, having missed Sebastian's explanation of Vongola's roots.
"Because Vongola started out as a vigilante group." Truth. "Just think of the Guardians as the board of directors or something." Slightly true. After all, each of the Guardians have a duty to uphold.
"When did Vongola become a company?"
"The Vongola started to venture to business during the time of Vongola Setto." Sebastian said.
"Eh… So Vongola remained a vigilante group before it became a company…" One student mused. Sebastian ignored the remark. Any slip up on his part would lead to a disaster beyond his control.
"We're here. Please sit wherever you please." Sebastian said. At his words, the students began to group with their friends and sat wherever they pleased. Once everyone was seated, he continued.
"Our chefs prepared the dishes to the best of their abilities. To give you a more deeper Italian experience, our chefs have prepared an Italian breakfast. We do hope it will be to your liking."
"Uhm, Mister Sebastian," one hand meekly went up.
"Yes, my lady?" Sebastian asked, regarding the hand with practiced ease.
"Um, you said that Don Timoteo's heir is here in Italy. Will he be joining us?" the female student said.
"Unfortunately, the Decimo is busy with a lot of things, hence, he will not be joining us. But rest assured that you'll get to meet him during the Inheritance ceremony." Sebastian said, smiling at the student, who, in turn, blushed at the butler's smile.
Sebastian made especially sure not to glance towards Tsuna and his guardians. He had been informed that there is a spy in the midst of the seemingly ordinary students. It would not do to give out information, no matter how subtle, to the enemy. No matter how one looks like, a person should regard his enemy with care. Who knows what they have in their sleeves.
"Now, if there are no more queries, please do enjoy your late breakfast. Once you are done, I will show you to your quarters." Sebastian said, bowing slightly to the students. At his cue, the students began digging in, giving an exclamation of praise here and there.
Sebastian approached Tsuna's seat and poured the brunette tea.
"Good morning, young master. How was your flight?" Sebastian said, making small talk.
"It was nice, though a little bit draining." Tsuna said, smiling at the butler as he accepted his cup with thanks.
"That is nice to hear. Allow me to escort you to your quarters once breakfast is over." Sebastian said, smiling back at the brunette.
"Please do. That will be much appreciated." Tsuna said.
"Well then, please excuse me." Sebastian said, bowing slightly at Tsuna and excused himself.
Tsuna lifted his cup, intending to drink his tea. But attached to the bottom of the cup is a small slip of paper. Curiosity winning him over, Tsuna plucked the slip out and read the words it contains.
'A spy is in your midst.'
Tsuna frowned, pondering over what Sebastian said in his note.
'A spy is in your midst… I haven't told him about Misaki yet, so who informed him? Is it another person?' Tsuna thought, not noticing that he had been staring into space.
"Tsuna-sama, is everything alright?" Gokudera asked, noticing his boss' silence.
"Yeah, Tsuna. You look like you have a lot going on inside your head." Yamamoto added, noticing the brunette's distress.
"Ah. No. Nothing. I was just wondering about what Sebastian said. I haven't told him about Misaki yet so I'm not sure who is he talking about." Tsuna said, glancing at Misaki, who sat on the far side of the table.
"Did you two called here before we landed?" he continued, still adamant to knowing more of the subject. After all, he's the next mafia boss and he has civilians in his turf. And as Reborn taught him on how to be a responsible boss, he needs to make sure that the safety of those around him, no matter how much of an ass they are (take Mochida for example) and no matter what they've done to them (like what Osamu and Kentaro, and partially Nezu, did to him). 'A boss should take care of his subordinates,' Reborn constantly pounded that in his head. Though in this scenario, the subordinates are just his regular classmates (who, Tsuna muses, wouldn't want to be a subordinate to Vongola Decimo once they found out that the Decimo is actually their Dame-Tsuna), he is still responsible for their safety and well-being (and also because he wants to avoid the paperwork entailed should anything happen to them. He has way too much work in his hands and he doesn't need any more, thank you very much).
"No. Did you call the manor, Baseball idiot?" Gokudera asked, glancing at his fellow guardian.
"Nope. And I doubt Senpai and Hibari did." Yamamoto said, munching on his breakfast.
"Reborn?" Tsuna asked, turning to the hitman in front of him.
"I'm busy babysitting. Do you think I had enough time to make a phone call?" Reborn said, sipping his espresso.
"Says the one who looks like an elementary school student…" Tsuna muttered under his breath.
"What was that, Dame-Tsuna? Are you begging me for more training?" Reborn said, flashing his Leon gun.
"Nope, didn't say anything." Tsuna said, raising his hands in surrender.
"But in all seriousness," the brunette said, dismissing the light hearted atmosphere, "who could have informed the manor? We were all too preoccupied to actually call here…"
"Excuse me, young master, would you like some more tea?" Sebastian said, approaching Tsuna holding a tea pot in his hands.
"Hmm… Yes, please." Tsuna said albeit absent mindedly. Sebastian reached for Tsuna's cup and as he did so, he spoke.
"The early morning mist was quite thick today. Luckily, it cleared up when young masters arrived. But I think a storm is brewing, thought I don't think it will pour down any time soon." Sebastian said, setting Tsuna's filled cup.
"Heh… Is that so?" Tsuna said, picking up his cup and taking a sip.
"Yes, it is so." Sebastian said, smiling at the brunette. He then excused himself to attend to the other students.
"Is it just me or was Sebastian hinting something?" Tsuna said, setting his cup down.
"Yeah. I think Sebastian was saying something but I don't get it. Hahaha." Yamamoto said, scratching his head.
"Baka-Tsuna, Sebastian was conveying a message. Looks like you still need more training if you weren't able to decipher even a simple message like that." Reborn said, smirking at the opportunity to tor-teach his student.
"I know he was trying to say something. I just didn't know what he was talking about." The brunette said.
"Baka-Tsuna, what Sebastian was saying is that Mukuro came back early this morning and that he probably left a little while before we arrived. He might have been the one who gave Sebastian the information that there was a spy in the midst of your classmates."
"Kufufufu. As observant as always, Arcobaleno." The voice of the other Mist guardian erupted around the dining hall. The students paused from eating and looked around the area, looking for the source of the voice. Tsuna just sighed, both in exasperation and relief that his Cloud Guardian chose to eat breakfast at the privacy of his room.
Suddenly, without anyone noticing his entrance, Mukuro strode into the dining hall, taking note of all the students currently gathered, his eyes, heterochromatic in color, briefly glancing past one student before it settled to Tsuna and his company.
"Kufufufu. What do we have here? How come I wasn't told that we have visitors? I would have welcomed them warmly." Mukuro said, striding towards his place at the table.
"Young masters, this is Rokudo Mukuro. He's ah… A resident at Vongola manor." Sebastian said, introducing Mukuro to the class.
"Kufufufu. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I do hope we all get along. I am quite sorry to intrude so suddenly in the middle of your breakfast. I do hope you'd allow me to join though I might have been a little late." Mukuro said, quickly glancing at Tsuna, who simply ignored Mukuro. Gokudera, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to throw a fit regarding the male Mist Guardian's antics but held it in, knowing that it will not do to be suddenly acquainted to a resident of the manor they're supposedly visiting for the first time.
"Please do." Sebastian said, bowing slightly at the newly arrived male.
"Kufufu. Thank you." Mukuro said, taking his seat next to Chrome. Sebastian immediately poured Mukuro tea as he gestured towards another butler to bring in Mukuro's breakfast.
Tsuna forced himself to finish hi breakfast, his intuition sending him a message that something is amiss. First was Sebastian's announcement regarding a spy being in their midst. Then Mukuro's sudden barging in the middle of their breakfast (but then again, even on a normal, day-to-day basis, the pineapple's presence always manages to unnerve him, especially if the pineapple is placed in the same room as the skylark). Just who is this spy? And who is that spy connected to?
Gokudera tapped his boss' shoulder, causing the brunette to almost jump out of his seat due to being surprised.
"Tsuna-sama, are you okay?" Gokudera asked, fussing over his boss.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about that, Hayato-kun. Guess I was just thinking too much." Tsuna said scratching his head. "What is it?"
"Mukuro said he has something urgent he needs to talk to you about after breakfast." Gokudera said, whispering the message in his boss' ear.
"Regarding what?" Tsuna frowned. Usually, Mukuro had to be dragged by Chrome to report to the brunette. But now, the male illusionist voluntarily approached Tsuna, even to the point of disrupting their breakfast.
"It's about the spy…"
Author's note: Again, I do apologize for the suckiness of my writing for this chapter and for its annoying length. Once I'm over my fever, I'll do my best to improve my writing. Please do point out errors and such. Your reviews are always welcome. Now, I gotta sleep this fever away. Ciao for now.