A/N: Hello there! If you're a new reader, please know that I re-uploaded this because I promised back then that I'd have this edited. And I did, though not sure with the extent of my "editing" And for old readers, I edited this. There's a scene I wrote up, so you might want to check that out. Sorry so much for the late updates, college is such a hassle.

Btw, I'm planning for this to be a 40-chapter. Granted, if I can make it. Other than that, enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the OC and plot.

When she was young, countless times she was warned never to play with fire. Because when you played with fire, obviously, you'd burn. But she was Mikaela, she had a thing for playing with danger.

She always had a certain style when playing with fire, especially when she knew how hot the fire was.

And since then, she trashed out the advice and found herself entertained with playing something as dangerous as fire.

And that was the thing with Mikaela when she was curious; she threw away the concern of her welfare just as long as her curiosity was satisfied.

Such is the case as Mikaela watches in interest at Ramona Pietro, who was sitting awfully close to the Varia boss.

They were having dinner. She was seated third from the left on a rather long, black wooden table. She could tell that it was an expensive furniture, as was the rest of the furniture. While Ramona sat by Xanxus' left, awfully closer compared to the rest of them.

Earlier, just by a few moments, she and the rest of the gang were already at the table. Then she noticed a few things that seemed off – one, why isn't anyone picking on the food? (Really, why? Her mouth watered at the symphony of smells) And two, why was there an empty seat next to Xanxus?

She then observed the guardians – Flan, who was sleeping on his folded arms on the table. Lussuria, who was sipping his tea, with his pinky flexed out. Levi, admiring the boss from his seat (which was located at the far end of the table). Squallo, wiping his bladed hand using the table napkin. Bel, who sat across her, flashing his usual cheeky grin at her. and Xanxus, the pompous prick, dozing off in his seat at the head table.

Something was amiss here, and it's not dinner.

Curiously, she took out her fork and bravely reached for some turkey.

What came after next, was her fork burnt to a crisp. She dropped her burnt utensil, growling.

"What was that for?" she asked, gritting her teeth.

Dropping his gun, Xanxus adjusted himself in his seat, saying nothing.

"Wait trash."

"Why should I?" she dared to ask. "And why aren't we eating yet? We're all here!"

Lussuria was about to open his mouth, only to have Squallo clamp his hand over his mouth. He seemed to enjoy the banter exchanged between the newbie and the boss.

"You. Wait." Was what Xanxus said simply, dangerously.

"Why?" Mikaela challenged, raising her brow.

Just as the argument was about to spike up, for Xanxus was already reaching for his guns, and Mikaela was about to snap her ring off her neck, the doors burst open, revealing the last person Mikaela thought she'd see.

"I'm sorry! There was a patient I had to attend to," she says, out of breathe.

"Ramona-chan!" Lussuria said happily, standing up to kiss her cheeks. Said brunette smiled, returning the gesture, before rushing to her seat. Eyeing the served dishes, her weary expression brightened up. She looked up at the rest of Varia, before inviting them all to eat.

It's been minutes since then, but Mikaela can't tear her eyes from the brunette who was currently talking with Flan, who sat across her.

Ramona Pietro was the last person she'd expect to be here, lest be seated next to Xanxus.

She has never left her eyes off her and Xanxus.

"I'm curious, what is she to you exactly?" she asked playfully the night after. She casually entered his room without a care. She entered the lion's den and awakened the lion.

"Be careful who you're playing with trash. You're only gonna end up burned." Was his reply, eyes burning. Somehow, this exhilarated Mikaela's sensation running in her stomach. Oh how she loves it whenever someone reacted to her little ploy.

"Oh, but I've had a fair play with fire before as a child. I'm accustomed to it."

He glared harder. "Watch your words."

"Touchy, aren't we Boss?"

She missed the bullet heading straight for her, a cackle escaping her lips.

"Have I ever mentioned that I'm bisexual?" she asked sitting on the edge of his bed, her eyes playfully sensual. "Aside from, assholes with rock-hard abs," her fingers teased his stomach, he involuntarily twitched. A smirk played on her lips. "I also have an inkling to," her fingers teasingly went lower, rubbing on his leg. She could feel the muscle underneath the cloth. "brunettes in glasses."

A loud bang filled the room, the wall decorated with holes.

"GET. THE. FUCK. OUT. TRASH!"

And with that, she disappeared, cackling away.

The day after, Mikaela decided to drop by the clinic for a visit.

She turned the knob, finding the brunette sipping on her coffee while reading today's paper.

Oh, she was pretty alright. The thought made her smirk.

Leaning against the door, with her hand gripping the handle, she lifted her free hand and knocked twice. The young doctor looked up.

"Mikeala?" Ramona was clearly surprised at the sight of the auburnette.

"Hey," she said back, walking in. The door closed behind her.

"Can I help you?" she asked, unsure.

Mikaela looked around the clinic, hands on her pocket. The clinic was clean, as expected. It was spacious too. There were cabinets piling with medicines of all kinds. A bed, or two, was at the opposite side of the room with a cloth to separate each. She also noticed that the windows were high and that the view outside was of the garden. What a spectacular view.

"Oh, nothing." She lied. "Just thought I'd check on you." Half a lie.

"Me?" she nearly doubled.

"Yeah," she sat on bed behind her. Her eyes momentarily caught on the headlines – A Prison Riot Resulted to 3 Escapees, Corruption Behind Our Backs, La Liga Team Aims to Win the Cup. "So tell me about yourself."

Ramona laughed nervously, flipping unto the next page. "There's nothing to say really."

"Oh, I beg to differ."

"You think so?" she said without looking up, a brow raised.

Mikaela leaned in, the smirk playful. "I know so."

"Alright," she set the newspaper aside, facing the younger female. "So, what do you wanna know?"

"Basics," she said immediately, resting her face on her palm, her legs crossed.

She clicked her tongue, chewing on her bottom lip. "Well, my name Ramona Pietro, I'm 25-years old. My parents are Hermano and Elisandra Pietro. I'm the oldest to three, and we live in a simple little house in Siena. Well, I used to."

"Huh, a small town country girl, eh?" When she said that, it was then that she noticed a portrait of her family on her desk. Ramona followed her gaze and smiled.

"That's me." She smiled warmly, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"So how did a small town country girl like you end up here?"

Her smile suddenly strained. "My father," she said with difficulty. "apparently, was an idiot. He sold me off." She narrated, ducking her eyes to her hands. "He owed the Varia, and when he couldn't pay," her eyes fell shut. "made me his payment instead. He left home a long time ago."

"I'm sorry about that," Mikaela said honestly. "about your dad being an asshole."

She chuckled, meeting her in the eye. "He may be one, and he may have caused me a lot of trouble. But still, he was my father." A sad smile formed on her lips, she played with her fingers. "Turns out, the money he borrowed was the same money he used for me and my siblings' studies. I wanted to hate him, but I couldn't." she turned her head, watching the birds fly out her window. "What he did was incredibly stupid, but incredibly touching."

"One time, my dad got into a fist fight with some kid's dad, all because the kid poked fun at me." Mikaela shared, her smirk softened.

"Fathers really have a certain way of showing their love to us, huh?" Ramona laughed.

"Yeah."

She smiled briefly before returning to her story.

"Anyways, I was made payment and was practically dragged to the castle after my graduation. When I set first set foot on the castle, it was the scariest day of my life," she chuckled, pushing back her glasses. "meeting the Varia."

Unintentionally, Mikaela scoffed. The first time she met them, she wanted to laugh.

"My debt said that I was to work for them for 10 years, it's my third year now. It took some time before I adjusted with my new environment, trying not to get myself killed and accustomed to the pranks Bel and Flan would pull on me. Thankfully, I have Lussy to keep me grounded."

Mikaela cringed at that, at the mention the flamboyant Sun guardian.

"He's been taking care of me after I came in," she says with a smile, her eyes crinkling at Mikaela's demise. She was – and most probably, will never be – never fond of him.

"Sorry, but, he gives me the creeps." Mikaela tells to her. "I've met a lot of homos, but he is the absolute worst that I've ever met."

Ramona laughs. "You never gave him a chance is all."

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. It was not welcoming.

"No, no, no," she said. "I'd rather the spurt annoy the fuck out of me than to have Lussuria mothering me."

"Be careful what you wish for." She teased.

"Did you always want to be a doctor?" she asks for a change of topic.

Ramona sensed this, her turn to smirk. "Yes, I've always wanted to be a doctor."

"Isn't that like, the most common dream job for kids? Be a doctor?"

She giggled, slumping against her seat. "Well, what did you want to be when you grow up then?"

"You're asking the wrong question, lady. I grew up in a familgia, so I was exposed to things mafia-related. And, I spent most of my years training. Obviously, it was an assassin's life for me." But a thought came to mind, she didn't want to, but she did. "Though, I secretly wished to be a model." Then she laughed. "Glad that dream died down the drain."

"As for me, I grew up in a family of farmers. Siena was prominent for winemaking. Rarely does our family visit the city, other than for business reasons. Back then, I thought that I'd be a farmer like my parents too. Until the day my mother got sick, I was scared to death the day she collapsed when it was harvesting season. Thankfully, our neighbor – who happened to be a doctor treated her with no charge."

"So, was that some turning point in your life?"

"You could say that. For on that day onwards, I promised myself that I would be just like him – giving out medical aids for free. I didn't like seeing people in pain, I wanted to ease their pain somehow." Her voice sounded hopeful. Then she sighed heavily. "Sadly, I'm tied to this payoff my father put me through. I'd have to wait a few more years before I can do that."

Mikaela nods. Honestly, against the will to feel sorry, she actually did for her. Damn her modesty and pretty face, it was a deadly combination.

Ramona wipes her face with both hands, releasing a heavy breath. As if it wasn't enough, she takes off her glasses and massages the bridge of her nose.

"Heavy stuff there," Mikaela said, in attempt to lighten the mood.

She chuckles, putting her glasses back, her warm eyes meeting her cool ones. "It's my life. But hey, it keeps bread on the table for my family back at home."

"Are you even allowed to leave the castle?"

"Only on holidays," her tone quiet as she reached for her mug, "the first time, I wasn't allowed to. But," she paused, staring at her mug. The silence was unsettling. Something crossed her mind, the auburnette could tell, judging from the way her mouth twitched a bit and a certain glint crossed her eyes. "something happened."

"Something?"

"Some…reconsiderations." She said, playing safe with her words, tapping her fingers on her mug.

Mikaela didn't press more.

Sipping the last of its contents, Ramona stared at her now empty mug, then at Mikaela.

"Coffee?"

"Black, please."

With two fresh batch of coffee – turned out, there was a coffee maker in that clinic of hers – they talked some more, which wasn't according to Mikaela's plan. Still, she found herself talking to Ramona about her childhood – to be fair.

As it turns out, she took for more than she bargained for. She gathered some information she needed, and at the same time, deepened her bond.

A few days later…

The castle was quiet, which was rare.

Either the guardians have died, or have slept in, there couldn't be any more peaceful day at the castle than it is now.

Still, it didn't mean that people would slack on the job. Their pay was high, and they were expected to hard work to earn it. Money wasn't easy to acquire.

Every castle employee was rather trained to keep every nook and cranny of the castle as clean as possible. One of the guardians were found to be allergic to dust. And when that happens, that means a guardian's immunity failed and that he couldn't work. That shouldn't happen.

Humming a tune under her breathe, the blonde maid carefully dusted every crevice of the marble table she was cleaning. The south wing of the castle was rather, the easiest clean. Still, the culture of everything spotless has passed on to almost every cleaning employee.

Satisfied, she took a step back and headed straight for the door.

Closing the door behind her, she looked around for places she hasn't cleaned yet. She was never sure, it's a big castle after all.

She was just about to check one of the rooms when she felt something grab her arm.

Her back was roughly slammed against the wall, her yelp was immediately covered by a large hairy hand that smelled of dirt and dried blood.

Opening her eyes, she was shocked to find three large men in striped jumpsuits. There were numbers on the torso section. Her eyes widened when she realized who they were.

"Shhh," said the oldest of them, a short man with a balding. "not a word missy, or you're going to die."

D-Die? She thought in fear.

One of them whistled, a lanky man with his hair on a short ponytail. "This is one big mansion, this is a mansion, right?"

"It's obviously a castle, you fuckwit." Said her captor, a bearded man with tattoos all over his arms.

She struggled to break free, but obviously, the size differences says it all – she was too small, and he was almost thrice her size.

The short man approached her, sniffing her hair. The lanky man smiled, exposing his yellow teeth. And her captor, with his dirty hands, touched her all over.

She was about to scream, only to moan in pain, he punched her stomach. "I wouldn't do that if I were you…" he said, his breathe was foul.

She wanted to cry as his hands fondled her flesh that it disgusted her. The men were ganging up on her.

"Whoa, smells like a virgin." Says the short man.

"Y'think there'll be a lotta them 'ere?"

"Of course, dummy!" her captor said. "It's a fucking castle, so there's bound to be a lot of them in different sizes!" they laughed at that nervously, she was disgusted by it and attempted to struggle even more.

"It's been a while since I've tasted the flesh of a virgin."

"Wanna share her?"

She struggled even more, only for her captor to slap her across her face. She moaned in pain, immobilized by the pain. A silent cry broke out of her mouth as one of them popped her buttons, she can't believe she was letting this happen.

Then, one of them fell to the ground, revealing a spectacled brunette who held a large book in hand. She was shaking, but fought to keep her face straight.

The companion was about to charge at her, but failed to see the book flying his way. It landed on his face with a loud crack.

Stunned, she took her chance and kneed her captor where it hurts and ran towards the brunette.

"Are you alright?" Ramona asked.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face.

The groans alarmed them. Grabbing her by the hand, the two made a run for it.

"Hey!"

"Don't look back!" she said, running faster.

Gunshots filled the air, causing the two to panic even more.

"What the fuck was that?" Mikaela asked, looking down, pertaining to the lower grounds of the castle.

Across her, Flan was oblivious to this, continuing to scribble.

By some miracle, it was a peaceful day.

Too peaceful, actually.

And that was because the Varia – minus she and Flan, being newbies – left for mainland HQ, giving them the opportunity to bond more. Which was sad considering that Mikaela was never fond of children, and Flan didn't give a rat's ass about anyone, or anything.

The auburnette stared at the ground for a long while before returning to her book.

However, a few moments later, she heard a loud crash.

She looked down again.

Across her, Flan tossed his green crayon for a red one.

Moments later, she returned to her book.

But, another few moments later, a gunshot and a crash was heard.

"Neh, sempai." Flan called in his usual monotone voice. "Are they back yet?"

She flipped unto the next page, not looking at him. "How the fuck should I know?"

"M-Miss Ramona," cried the blonde, her hair was a mess.

"Shh," she shushed her as they crossed the hall. It was a mess behind them, the walls and decorations scattered everywhere. It was a miracle nobody but Helena, the blonde maid, was there to clean.

"Get back here!"

Though tired, she pushed herself to run faster, her hands never letting go of the blonde.

Pushing the doors open, the two ran down the stairs. They were maids around, who know panicked at the sight of intruders. Gunshots rang through, several maids were hit.

"Everybody, run!" she cried, failing to notice that the short man came up to her and pushed them against the last few steps from the staircase.

"Miss Ramona!" cried Helena.

Ramona took Helena in her arms, cushioning her as they fell to the ground. She landed on her back, the wind breaking out of her lungs.

"Huh, nowhere to run now." Said the lanky man, who was holding the gun, he was pointing at her.

"Oops, nobody move." The short man warned.

There was a cracking of bones, followed by a sinister laughter. The large man in tattoos took hold of Helena again, fondling her with her clothes on. Helena was crying. Ramona attempted to get to her, but her couldn't because of the pain.

Winking at the maids, the short man walks towards the lanky man, taking the gun from his hand. He checks the load, refills it, tests it – causing the maids to scream, before lifting it up.

"Alright now, new rules – we take over this castle, and you serve for us now. Got that?"

The remaining maids were cornered, too scared to move a muscle. But for some reason, they weren't scared at them at all. Instead, they looked as if they've seen scarier things than three criminals.

He ignored that, and turned back to Ramona, who was being held down by the lanky man.

"Not so tough now, aren't you miss?" sensing his gaze, he stood and met his gaze. "Ey, boss, mind if I play with her a little? To teach, y'know, what happens if they don't."

"Just go," he waved off his gun.

But just as the lanky man was about to get back to Ramona, his body fell back to the ground with a loud thud.

Every maid gasped in shock, fear, but not because of the fallen body, but because of something behind them, at the front door.

"Who the fuck are you three?" a voice resounded, cold and dark.

It gripped the shot man, he nearly dropped the gun in hand.

"Voiiiiiiii, it's two now! You just shot one of them down!" the silver-haired swordsman argued.

"Shishishi, do you think that really matters right now, commander?" the blond-teen laughed, tossing his knives to the already dead man.

He was about to order his pal to back off, only to find a blur of green and a series of punches and kicks blown at him. His large body fell to the ground. The blonde maid was on the ground, unconscious.

"Ramona-chan, are you alright?" Lussuria asked, helping the brunette up.

"H-Helena…" was the first thing she said when she came to, putting a hand on her head.

"I have her," Levi said, approaching them.

Behind him, there was a smell of burnt human flesh.

With the two dead on the ground, that left the short man. He was vulnerable now.

"I said," He gasped, that voice again. "Who. The. Fuck. Are. You?"

He shook as he turned his head, meeting red. He fell to his knees in fear, the gun in hand was useless. He was quivering in fear at the sight of Xanxus, who was slowly walking his way, his fingers on the trigger. Those red eyes of his were glowering dangerously, making him sweat.

"You picked the wrong castle," he said through gritted teeth, raising his gun. "now it's time for you to scram to bits, trash."

BANG!

Above them, Mikaela, with Flan, watched the whole scene.

Apparently, Mikaela didn't take the gunshots any longer, and presumed it was Xanxus, and was about to tell him off. Only to stop at the scene where the rest of the Varia had just entered the castle, and Xanxus' eyes became the coldest she's ever seen.

Ramona, and the unconscious maid, were approached by Lussuria, who quickly attended to the blonde maid's (who was seriously injured) wounds. Lussuria was panicking over the welfare of Ramona, who assured him with a smile.

Squalo was scolding the guards, Belphegor snickering beside him, enjoying what the commander was doing.

Levi was talking to the maids, calming them down and giving further instructions.

Mammon was nowhere to be seen.

Her eyes then darted to their boss.

She found herself smirking.

He looked their – at Ramona and Lussuria – way, those red eyes weren't glowering, but they showered with something.

I knew it.

Xanxus set down his guns on his desk, taking his coat off and stared out his window where the sky was painted with purple and orange. The end to a new beginning.

Remembering the recent events, his hands balled into a fist, shaking violently of what could've been.

Had thing gone differently…

"What do you want, trash?"

From the shadows, a figure appeared, a figure with auburnette hair and gleaming forest green eyes, a smirk dancing on her lips.

He had to admit, her stealth was good. The best he's ever seen compared to those already under his liege.

Although tired, his temper got the best of him, spiking up his adrenaline.

"Oh, no reason, just thought I'd drop by." said Mikaela.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Bullshit."

Her smirk only grew, if possible.

"And so it is true, lions can fall for the sheep."

Xanxus violently turned to her, she thought he might have a whiplash, glaring at her through the dark.

"What the fuck are you going on about?"

She shrugged playfully, smirk still in place.

He may be the boss with the hardest expression, but she knew a crack when she sees it. And he knew that she knew too, which only infuriated him.

Turning on her heel, she called out, "I'm serious about brunettes in glasses."

A bullet aimed for her head, only to miss. Her laughter echoed in the darkness.

Curiosity satisfied.

Fire was always worth playing with.

Running up and down the clinic, the young brunette busied herself checking the inventory, double-checking everything, making sure that she had everything, and that everything was in its place. She was neurotic like that.

But actually, she was releasing nervous energy.

It had been two days after the break-in, but still, the anxiety never left her. Helena was sent home after her traumatic experience. She was given a huge bonus for her leave.

Ramona smiled sadly at her leave, at least she got something for her service. She was sad though with her leave, Helena was like a sister to her.

"What are you doing trash?"

She jumped, nearly dropping the medicine in her hands. She turned, finding Xanxus leaning against the wall, watching her.

"Y-You scared me!" she said, putting a hand to her chest.

He grunted in reply, walking towards her. Red eyes burning with an unnamed expression.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, pushing her glasses back.

When he was a foot away from her, it was then that he spoke, eyes not leaving his. "I asked first."

She rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in surrender, already used to his attitude.

"I was just checking on the inventory all right?" she says, releasing an exasperated breathe in the process. "after you brought Mikaela-san in, the medicine supply has gotten me worried. More and more patients are lining up outside my clinic. Lussuria-san's not always going to be there to treat you all after all. Plus- mpfh!" she was cut off when she felt a rough pair of lips on hers, his body towering over hers. His strong hands were already under her shirt, feeling her skin. He slid his tongue into her wet cavern, all while manoeuvring her to the nearest wall, his legs caging her in.

She whimpered against his touch, back painfully hitting the wall behind her, her hands instinctively on his strong shoulders.

His kisses were long and hard. He even tasted of tequila, he must be drinking again.

Caught off guard by the extremity of his kiss, she was unable to retaliate fully, leaving him completely taking advantage of her.

"You talk too much." He says with a smirk, pulling away with a thin film of saliva connecting their mouths.

She took time to hold her breathe, already aware that the fire burning in his eyes were filled with lust and that that lust had filled the room. She was also keenly aware of her coat falling to the ground, and her shirt ripping apart.

Xanxus was such an impatient man.

"I wasn't finished talking," she complained, her lacy bra exposing.

He mumbled something incoherent under his breath, his hot mouth on her collarbone trailing down towards the mounds of her breasts. She whimpered, her fingers were shaking as they held unto his hair and unbuttoned his shirt, her long legs wrapping around his waist.

"Ah!" she cried, feeling his large hand cupping her sex.

He chuckled against her skin, and then returned to plant kisses down her breasts and touch against her lower regions.

Ramona knew better than to argue, after all, she too enjoyed this.

"I take something happened with you and Mikaela-san?" she asked, gripping his hair harshly up to meet her hazy gaze, her glasses at the bridge of her nose. Normally, one would fear doing such, but she was an exception. Plus, she looked really sexy like that, with the way she looked so dominative and needy all at once.

Xanxus glared at the mention of her name, already lowering her jeans.

So instead of answering her, he attacked her lips into a viscous lip lock.

Outside the clinic, stood Mikaela and Flan, who were both aware of the lewd noises coming from the clinic and the way something seemed to be banging from the inside.

"Does this happen often?" she asked the greenette.

Flan blinked. "Well, you did anger Boss. So when Boss is angry, he comes to Ramona-nee."

She hums, disinterested as they began walking away from the frenzied-filled room. The sounds were getting louder and louder by the minute.

"…but there are days, when Boss is in an extremely good mood," he starts to add, as if it were the most natural information in the world. Mikaela cringed at the thought of a happy Xanxus. "or when he's bored, or after someone's tried to hit on Ramona-nee-"

Slapping a hand to his mouth, Mikaela mumbled, "Thanks for the unwanted information I didn't need to know twat."

"But you asked," he mumbled against her hand.