Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen!
While we're still so young, desperate for attention.
Soo kids! Gosh I'm excited to release this chapter. I think its a pretty good one... way long than I expected it to be.
Yeah... I would've released it a lot earlier too, but my beta and I got wrapped up in talking about story ideas for all of our stuff, singing Panic! At the Disco, and watching Fonzie flicks onYouTube. Yep... Times with Ausumist are always eventful...
And a last thought! I have a poll running on my profile to figure out which series on my waiting list I will write next. I'm planning on starting which ever one wins afters I finish up on all my one-shot requests, which should be fairly soon. So vote on it, yo.
And now for the Protocol:
word count: 7,160
[I do not own any KHR characters]
Claim rights to any OC mentioned.
Give props to Ausumist for beta-ing this chapter.
Her story "Bite of the Mafia" is good stuff.
Enjoy. _The Captain_
I quickly sniff in a deep breath of air and snap my eyes open. I think I was just dreaming or something… My eyes squint. Beams of light are streaming through the large window on my right, and they're making eyes hurt. It's freaking bright, and everything is beaming off all the white. Everything is white. "Wait. Everything is white… This isn't my room. "
This looks like a hospital.
This day is already getting weird. I sit up and rub the stuff out of my eyes. In the process, my hand just barely grazes over my cheek, but my responds with throbs of some serious pain. "Owww."
While I start trying to take my surroundings in more, my fingers lightly touch the tender area. It's hot, and swollen too. The light gray door in front of me cracks open, and Dino peaks his head through. He's got a small knot on his forehead. Besides the small buldge on his forehead that his disheveled head won't cover, he's wearing a black track jacket and white t-shirt underneath. I wonder what happened to that one green jacket he's always wearing. And what's with all the injuries? Did we have some kind of Mafia battle last night that I don't remember? "You okay?"
He steps inside. "Are you?"
"Huh?"
"Your cheek doesn't look too great."
I now see that Reborn is on his shoulder, but pay no mind it. I'm wondering about my tender cheek now. My hands sift through the blankets on top of me until I find my phone. Unlock, camera app, switch to front view camera to act like a mirror; "Holy fucking shit. What the hell happened to me?"
My eyes plant on the black and cherry bruise that sits on my cheekbone between my left eye and nose. Dino answers me. "I guess some girl that was at the Mist Battle last night knocked you out. Then her and a friend fled."
I look around. "I can't remember that…" I look at Dino. "The last thing I remember is being in front of the gymnasium. I had a really bad headache that wouldn't let off." Dino gives me a weird expression and Reborn is silent, which leads me to ask, "So what happened to you?"
Dino laughs and points to his head. "Ha ha, this?"
"Yeah."
"Reborn kicked me for letting them get away."
"You let them get away?"
He shrugs his shoulders, "They really had me convinced they were part of the Cervello."
Reborn shakes his head after smacking him again. "Failure of a student." His black eyes then shift to me. "So you don't remember anything?"
"No."
The baby stays silent for a moment. "The boys ran over to you after the fight ended. The person punched you in a critical spot. It knocks a person out if you can get a clean hit on it."
I give him a dubious look. "How do you know that?"
"There's a nerve cluster* there that a lot of boxers aim for when it comes to face shots."
I really don't know what to think of all of this. Why the hell would someone punch me? Looking out the window at the bright morning, I start trying to think of who would want to punch me. I flinch to my phone buzzing. A text? I unlock to the phone to check it out.
[Unknown:] Sorry for punching you last night. You looked and sounded miserable. Better off unconscious. –Dee
"What the hell? She punched me? And how the fuck did she get my number?"
I see Dino raise a brow in my peripheral.
"Oh wait… we bumped… yeah. But seriously? She gives Yamamoto stuff for his cuts and wounds, but when I'm hurt or whatever, I get punched unconscious? That's just ridiculous!"
I'm about to start ranting more, but am stopped by Reborn. "She gave stuff to Yamamoto?"
"Yeah! She gave him some stuff for his wounds! But no! Mizuno doesn't get salve!"
Dino is just chuckling at me.
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
"You're just a funny girl."
I roll my eyes. I officially hate Mafioso—to the extreme.
"Well I'm going to check on everyone else that's here. We can chat more later."
Dino calmly walks out of the room, and I finally notice that Reborn just randomly disappeared like he usually does. Wait… did those two just side step me?
After icing down my cheek for a while (which helped), watching Tsuna and Reborn leave with Basil for more training, another hateful text to Nau, and some more random moments with Dino I head back to the house. Nana freaked out. Of course I just lay her worries aside, saying Tsuna smacked me with a door and then took me to the hospital to get it checked. I also mention that he was supposed to inform her. My silent revenge to all Mafioso—take it out on the roommate.
Nana said she would teach him a lesson; I don't think it will be a very harsh one.
"Teru, why are you wearing boys clothes?"
I look down. "Uhh. Oh, yeah. My clothes had blood all over them, and some guy at the hospital said he had a change of clothes I could borrow, and yeah…" Wow that was terrible.
"Oh… Well that was nice! Give them to me later and I'll wash them for you to give back."
I can't believe that she didn't pursue this topic further. "I'll do that. Thanks."
I dart up the stairs, not wanting to get caught in another weird situation. It's obvious that I can't make shit up on the spot. I mean seriously, blood all over my clothes? Why would I tell her the truth? Stupid is Mizuno—sadly that happens to be me.
My room further hides my embarrassment as I plop into my bed. "Hahh, just take a nap… This will all be better with a nap."
I can't sleep. My head is full of too many thoughts.
The one wracking my brain most now, is how Mimi is supposedly in my class. How the fuck did I not see her? We've been in the same class since April. It's now October—that's… seven months! And it's especially interesting how Reborn oh-so cleverly mentions how she passed some "Mafia Test" he gave to Tsuna's class when he was a first year. Of course he doesn't mention what was on the test or if anyone else passed, only that she passed and has been in our class all year.
The boys all looked pretty surprised except Gokudera. He tried looking like he knew it all along. I called him a liar since no one else would. He looked as if he was ready to throw me into the wall again, but Yamamoto held him back this time while I smirked. Man, I still feel good about that.
But I'm almost tempted to go to school and see if she's there. Who am I kidding, why would she go to school after doing something like that. She would be dumb to. I'll be damn near calling her and that asshole Dee retards if they show up to the Cloud battle tonight too.
Thinking of battles… Marmon. He knows about my headaches. I need to—
[Knock, Knock] "Teru?"
"Yes Nana?" I sit up.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh yeah, come on in."
Nana slips inside the room with a bag of ice and a bottle of water in one hand, and a bottle of medicine in the other. With a slightly worried look on her face, she steps forward while saying; "Looks like Tsuna hit you pretty good with the door…" She lets her gaze dart around the room. "So I brought you some ice and pain relievers. I can bring up some food too?"
I can feel my brows are furrowing, but I still smile. "Ah thank you. I appreciate it, but I don't need the food. I can go down later and grab something."
"Okay then."
She smiles and leaves the stuff on my desk. We start having one of those awkward moments that everyone hates, so I try to change the subject. Hopefully I can keep the air from getting too stale.
"So how is Lambo doing?"
She nods with a small smile on. "The doctors say he's doing a lot better now. He should wake up pretty soon."
"That's great. I should go see him since I haven't gone yet… I just feel like it would rip me to pieces seeing him look so hurt."
She walks forward and starts stroking my hair. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
I sigh. "Yeah."
"I'm going there later, would you like to go?"
I look at her, and lean into her side as her fingers keep softly running through my scalp. "Yeah. I'd like to go." Visiting that cute little cow might get my mind off of everything.
"Okay then, I'll let you rest now."
She gives me one more smile before walking out of the room. God how I miss having my Mom do that. My eyes start glazing over as my hand scratches my scalp. Maybe that will make this crappy feeling go away. My vision becomes clear again. The tears went back into hiding. I need to stop letting my past hinder me.
I take a deep breath and get up, grabbing the pill bottle first. Medicated, iced, and confused; this is an interesting outcome that I can't say I expected at all.
"Yeah, sleeping with ice on my face wasn't the greatest idea"
I say this while looking into a mirror in Lambo's hospital room. The swelling has pretty much gone down, but my cheek is all red. While he was awake earlier, Lambo kept poking it, telling me that I am turning into a red and green frog. I shake my head, and I can feel my face twisting into that "stink eye" expression too. As much as part of me wanted to punch him for reminding of that stupid name Hibari gave me, I'm happier at that he woke up. I'll be sure to let Tsuna know later.
Still inspecting the area, Bianchi calmly walks into the room and hands me some make up, saying that it will be easier to cover it up with this. I can definitely agree—I'm not about to walk around with a white bandage for Bel to possibly poke fun at. Looking at the compact in my hand, I realize that I have no idea how to use this.
I hear Bianchi ask, "Is something wrong Mizuno?"
I look at her and laugh at myself. "I have no idea how to even use this stuff."
Bianchi gives me that deep stare of hers, gently grabs the blue compact out of my hand, and starts patting the powder in small swift movements all over my face. I look over to the mirror to watch while the pad runs down my neck. "Why are you putting that stuff on my neck?"
"The shade of the foundation is a little lighter than your normal tone, so I'm trying to blend it."
"Ah," Makes sense.
The blue plastic case snaps shut, and I now look like I wasn't punched. Nods and thank yous spill out to a poison scorpion and her expression never changes. Whenever I talk to her or even just hang out in the same room as her, I can't help but feel like I'm in the eighties or something. She's so indifferent about everything. Well, everything but Reborn and Gokudera… She gets a little weird when it comes to them… I guess that's how she handles love.
I look over Lambo, who's sleeping again. How do I handle something like love now, or even attraction for that matter? The sounds of his heart rate monitor and the respirator distract my thoughts. I scoff and start walking towards the door; there's no need to be in here emitting angry and confused vibes.
I swing the door open. "Whoa—"
Nana's in front of me.
With her cheerful tone she asks if I'm heading home. I tell her I'm going to drop by the school to get some stuff and will be home after I find Tsuna. Simple goodbyes echo in the room, and I leave the hospital. It's already ten, and I can't forgive myself if I miss Hibari beat down the robot. I can tell this will be a good fight.
Wait. Which side won the Mist Battle?
I waltz inside the school and hear some commotion coming from the right. I look over and see the Gymnasium. I give another headshake; there have been a lot of those today. It hasn't really been a day worth repeating. I give the building another look and start jogging over there.
About to run up the steps to gym building, I hear the sounds now coming from my left side. The sports field? I look over there and see Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Ryohei all standing in the distance. I can also see some fencing with barbed wire rolled on top of it. Getting closer, I see that all of the fencing is barbed wire, and there are gatling guns set against the points of a polyhedral battle field. It looks like something out of a movie. Just as I'm good 3 meters from team Namichuu* Gokudera turns his head towards me, gives me that incredulous glare of his, and turns towards the battle ground muttering stuff to himself. I stop and give him a weird stare for a second and then keep going forward. Yamamoto looks over to me after giving a curious glance to his mumbling pal. He smiles and gives me a wave. I wave back with a smirk. I just don't get how that guy is so happy. He's like ray of sunshine… Just like Uncle. It trips me out.
Now standing next to Gokudera, Yamamoto cheerily says, "Wow Teru-san, you don't even look like you got punched. Did you get medicine from that one girl too?"
Part of me wants to smack him, but I just answer, "No, I got help from a poison scorpion."
Gokudera flinches for a moment, and keeps mumbling unintelligibly. Yamamoto, Ryohei and I all give him stares until Yamamoto starts chuckling to himself. Now really curious what is driving Gokudera to what looks like the brink of insanity, I point to the muttering fool and ask, "So what's his problem."
Gokudera snaps a glare at me.
I stick my tongue out at him.
Yamamoto smiles. "I think he's mad that his cousin came by and left."
Gokudera shakes his head and mumbles, "Fucking Evander…"
I then ask, "Why did he leave?"
"I dunno really. He said something about Doodle Olympics?" The happy guy shrugs his shoulders.
And then Ryohei chimes in. "Nash is such a passionate guy, putting his flawless fucking form before such an extreme battle."
Doodle Olympics? Flawless fucking form? I'm pretty sure I get why he's not here now… what a jerk. Now looking a Gokudera, I'm starting to think he knows what all of it means too. I mutter, "Fucking jerk. Won't even stay to watch his boss fight."
Yamamoto looks at me. "I'm pretty sure Ebanda* knows he won't lose. Plus, Hibari told him that he had to leave, or be demoted for grouping."
I nod. "Ah."
I start hearing Ryohei mutter something about Hibari, but ignore it to listen to the Cervello chide Hibari. It seems the guy wants to hurry up and start fighting. Thinking of fighting, the mist fight, what happened? I look over to where The Varia are and take note that Marmon isn't with the three-man-group. I stare at Xanxus as he gazes at the field in an unimpressed way. My lips start to twinge, the sensation feels good, and I can feel my nostrils flare. I look away. Gokudera is giving me the stink eye.
"The fuck is your problem?"
"Nothing…"
He raises a brow. "Che, whatever."
"Who won the Mist Battle?"
"We did."
"Ah." I look around. "Where's your guardian."
"I don't know. But I'll kill him if he goes near the Tenth."
"Why?"
"Cause that guy is trying to take the Tenth's body, and I won't allow it."
Whoa, they let a gay guy in the group? I take a instant to let my gaze wander around the group and reflect on Team Namichuu's members: 2 bomb-tossing idiots, 1 air head, a gay guy, and a loser boss that trips over his own feet. I think Ryohei is their only saying grace with his extreme coolness, but he's also an idiot (according to Gokudera). I can only respond with, "Well I'm glad you guys kept an open mind when selecting your members."
He grumbles at me. I don't even give him a shred of attention as the Cervello start talking again, telling the cloud guardians to get ready. It's at this moment I realize Tsuna and Dino both aren't here. I want to ask, but am stopped as the boys have moved away from me to do their team huddle. I just look away, seeing two guys and a girl on the grass behind us. Who the hell are they? One of the guys looks like he might have rabies, and the other one looks like he might still play Pokémon on the side. The girl… she's like a ghost. Now I can't help but wonder if Dee, and Mimi or Margaret or whatever her name is, are here too. Bitches.
"Then we shall begin." I look forward while the Cervello say, "The Cloud Ring—Gola Mosca vs. Hibari Kyoya. Begin the battle!"
Not even a second into the fight, the robot flies forward to the Bat. Where the hell did he get the turbo boots? Well I guess he needs those… I can't see fat robots being able to super jump. But the boys seem to be as surprised as I am at the flying robot that is raising its somehow smoking fingers to the bat. Hibari is just standing there, his jacket coolly resting on his shoulders.
[BOOM!]
"What the fuck?"
I could barely see it, and I don't even know if I believe what just happened. But the fact that Hibari is standing still, and the robot is on the ground and missing his arm is leading me to the assumption that I saw the Bat jump in the last second and lay four or five hard hits on the chunk of metal. The last swing got the arm off. I rub my eyes and say, "Did that really happen?"
No one responds.
I quickly glance around the arena to see that everyone is looking pretty surprised at the Prefect. He doesn't seem too fazed as he casually clicks the ring halves together and hands the completed ring to a Cervello saying, "I don't need this thing."
My attention shifts, curious of the Varia's reaction to their quick loss. Levi and Bel both look pretty dumbfounded with gaping mouths, Xanxus doesn't look too fazed. I wonder why? I mean that was impressive, and the scrap metal lying on the ground is supposed to be his right hand. Before I can really question it more, Hibari looks in his direction and says, "Now you, the one sitting over there. Come down here."
"Did he really just call Xanxus out?"
"Until I bite you to death, boss monkey of the mountain of monkeys, I can't go home."
"He did… and he just called him a monkey."
Hibari stands in the middle of the field emanating in his killer aura. Xanxus just sits. I bite my lip. Swiftly my top dog jumps out of his throne, letting his foot kick against a tonfa that Hibari blocked with. I think the Bat barely made that one. Xanxus then kicks off of the tonfa, flipping himself backwards. He lands in a kneeling position. God he looks so… just so cool with that stare of confidence, nonchalantly gripping onto his jacket. I sigh as his voice coolly bellows. "My foot slipped."
"Right."
"No, really." Something blows up next to Xanxus, but he evades the blast with ease and grabs onto his jacket again. "I only came down only to retrieve that piece of junk. We have lost."
I can easily see the lie, but can't stop biting my loosely clenched fist. Xanxus with a smirk? I close my eyes. This is too much. I can't take the way my chest is feeling a weird mix of heavy and light at the same time, or this weird feeling going on in my head as I look at him. But this doesn't stop me from hearing Hibari respond with, "Hnnn. Your face tells a different story."
The Nami Prefect Boss dashes to Xanxus and violently swings his tonfa at him. The Varia leader easily dodges it, his smirk growing into a devilish smile. I can stop looking; much less even comprehend what Ryohei is carrying on about. This guy—my cousin of all people—I think that I really like him.
This is bad.
This is really bad.
So bad that as the gatling guns go off, I feel the need to cheer him on. I can feel it. I want Hibari to eat his own words; I'm siding with team Varia. I see a gatling gun on Xanxus' right start to shoot at them. Ahh, step left, step left. I hold my lips and begin to step back. I'm on the wrong side obviously.
But Xanxus and Hibari keep their swift pace and easily tread around the field that is clouding over from all the dirt that has been blasted into the air from the gunshots and land mines that arbitrarily blast anywhere and everywhere. My body is giddy from all the tension, my heart is racing, and my hands are shaking. I can't get over how happy he looks in the midst of all the chaos around him. Hibari swings, and he deftly dodges the prefect, his smile never fading—what the hell was that?
"His hand glowed?"
Hibari swung one really good hit, and Xanxus lifted his hand to stop it. The hand was glowing a bright scarlet. How the hell did he do that? I watch his expression become angry as Hibari says, "You've raised an arm?"
I look past them to see that Levi looks pretty surprised too. He looks like he wants to jump into the fight, but I'm pretty sure he knows better since that's how he lamely won his ring. Hibari wastes no time with extra words and goes back to doing the only thing it seems he knows how to do: bite. The tonfas swing in quick circles as Xanxus yells to the Cervello that he didn't attack Hibari at all. It looks as if the Bat doesn't care. He doesn't even care about that devious grin on the Varia leader's face.
A laser shoots. Hibari drops down to one knee.
I flinch, "What the fuck?"
Wait, what's that sound?
Out of nowhere I feel someone grab me and pull me to the side. Being pulled, the ground starts shaking under us, and explosions sound. Air shoots out from behind us and dirt starts shower us right after. I'd be a liar to say I'm not freaking out right now. I let out scared moan and grip onto the person's shirt. They ask, "You okay?"
I look up, "Ryohei?"
He had this really cool stare for a moment, but then his hand that was wrapped around me moved to his head as he yelled, "What the heck was that?"
I let go of him and stand myself up, feeling pretty dumb that I had to be saved by the guy with the broken arm. I brush him off and say thanks real quick as I hear Yamamoto calling our names. I scan through the smoke while I yell, "We're fine."
I swear I just heard Xanxus saying something as he stands proudly, watching everything be destroyed. This had to be part of a plan or something. The way he's standing in the middle of the chaos that the robot is causing… There's no way this wasn't planned.
Ryohei and I both duck as Gola Mosca releases another laser beam, this one gliding across the sports field and then another one to the school building. Anything hit explodes into smithereens. I let out a deep breath to my surging adrenaline and run with the boxer over to Yamamoto and Gokudera.
"Bwahahahaha! This is a terrible disaster!"
Shit. He did plan this. He's out to see someone die tonight. While I see Yamamoto and Gokudera saying something in my peripheral, my gaze is really on Xanxus. He's standing while everyone is crouched to the wrath of a fat robot that's flying around like superman on LSD. Hibari looks pissed—pissed that he has been tricked by a boss monkey and a fat robot. I don't blame him.
I look to my right, hearing Ryohei yell at someone to not enter the field. The girl that was sitting in the grass earlier is now running around like a chicken and clutching onto something. I grit my teeth. You can bet your ass I'm not saving her. She takes another step and explodes.
"Oh Fuck."
The smoke clears a little to reveal that the two boys that were also on the grass have saved her. Then the smoke clears more, to reveal a hyped up Gola Mosca and a Gatling gun aimed towards them. They're charging up to shoot. I see Gokudera cringe and say, "They're sandwhiched!"
I say, "They're dead."
Both open fire at the same time and an orange flame soars across the field. It's just like at the thunder battle. The oxygen around snuffs the flame up, leaving a guy that I lied and said hit me with a door. I can't help but feel some slight relief as I mutter, "Thank god."
Xanxus keeps a smirk planted. "So you're here… but—"
Gola Mosca hunches forward, and a ridiculous amount of bombs blast out of his back. They shoot up into the sky only to quickly turn around to drop on Tsuna. The little Decimo launches into the air and somehow dismantles them all. Then he starts flying towards the fat robo loco.
"HE CAN FLY?"
I look over; Yamamoto, Gokudera, and Ryohei all have child-like expressions of amazement.
I can only feel the same and say, "I guess so."
I'll just mention that flying tops a super jump any day.
Tsuna quickly zooms past Gola Mosca and he kneels to the ground. He ripped an arm off? This is ridiculous. I look around and quickly wonder what the hell I'm still doing here. I'm thinking that cousin of Gokudera's is the smartest one of us all. He knew when it was time to hit the dusty trail.
"Hey block head." I turn back to the Tsuna that is way more cocky than usual. "I'm your opponent now." And then I watch him crush that arm he snagged. He looks cool on fire. Acts cool too.
Gola busts out some more bombs and they shoot straight for Tsuna. The fiery kid sidesteps to evade them as they pelt onto the area. Gokudera takes notice that the robot is only aiming for Tsuna now, and I finally take notice of Reborn's presence. He's saying, "Gola Mosca has locked on to his target."
Where's Xanxus?
While keeping slight notice of Tsuna and robo loco as they fly around the arena I start searching. There he is. "Oh my god, he… He—"
"BOSS!"
My eyes snap to the yelling Gokudera, and then over to the flying Tsuna as the Decimo Candidate now punches the fat robot where the lasers beam out. I look back to Xanxus and secretly thank the powers that be for distracting me from completing that sentence out loud.
I bite my lip, feeling this attraction still despite the obvious chaos that he caused. That expression; his tall and strong body; his confidence; those eyes: there has to be some mistake. I can't be related to the guy who makes me feel like this. I don't want to be.
I look back to Tsuna. Gola Mosca is dropping to its knees in front of Tsuna. There is a deep gash from the center of his head, down. Something is falling out of inside. What the hell was that white thing? Shivers crawl down my back to the thing that has blood on it.
Tsuna then yells, "There's a man inside!" I gasp—white… "This person is… THE 9TH BOSS!"
"Non…no*?" I can feel myself start trembling and I cover my mouth. He's supposed to be in Italy… He would've called me and let know. I…No, there's no way. After a glance darts over to Reborn I run. "NONNO!"
He's running next to me with a first aid kid. Right in front of him I can feel tears streaming as I don't even bother slowing myself. I just drop, my knees crushing into the dirt. Reborn kneels next to grandpa and softly says, "Oi, hang in there."
"Reborn, I'm calling Dino." I start fumbling in my pocket.
My finger start tapping through my recent list while Reborn mutters, "Che. I've seen Mosca's construction only once… It looks like the 9th Boss was forced to be Gola Mosca's power source."
Tsuna yells, "Why?"
Dino didn't answer my call. I throw the phone in my anger. Fuck that useless piece of shit. I tell Reborn and start rummaging through the first aid kit for some antiseptic. I start dragging my knees over to the wound when I hear:
"It's not why, is it? You've gone and killed the boss."
Tsuna feebly replies, "Me… I did this?"
I look over to Tsuna, who is now holding his hands up to look at. His body is trembling. I look back to grandpa. He looks terrible. His complexion is white and pasty; hair is disordered and uncombed. Grandpa is wincing to the wound as Reborn inspects it. Reborn says under his breath, "This looks bad. It's not something we can treat with a first aid box."
I stammer out, "Th-there's got to be something we can do. I—I. Basic hazard manuals tell you to throw gauze on it to at least attempt to aid the things in your blood that make you scab."
"It's too big of a wound."
I grit my teeth. What are we gonna do?
Xanxus speaks again, "Who was it that struck down the old man with no mercy whatsoever?" I can hear Tsuna start to make small moans and sounding of terror. Xanxus just lays on more guilt. "Who was it that split Gola Mosca in half?"
Then out of his panic he manages to spit out, "It was me… I killed the 9th Boss…No…"
I breathe to myself. "…no, he's not dead yet…he's—"
"The one at fault… Was me…"
"Nonno?"
Grandpa's stare is deeply rooted on Tsuna, but he takes a second to spare me a glance. Clouded and weak are the eyes. I look away while Tsuna yells out "Ninth Boss!" I need to get a hold of Dino. Shit! I threw my phone somewhere. My eyes try to glance around the field for it, but instantly look back to grandpa as he says it's his fault that all of this happened.
"All of this happened because of my weakness… My weakness that allowed Xanxus to wake up from his long sleep."
I raise a brow. Long sleep?
Tsuna seems just as curious as I am about what grandpa means, when Reborn mentions that he was under the impression that Xanxus was only under strict surveillance after being cast out of the family because of the Cradle Affair.
Cast out?
Tsuna then shows that he doesn't even know what the Cradle Affair is. Then again, I have no idea either. Reborn keeps his stare on grandpa as he explains that the Cradle Affair was a coup d'état that happened eight years ago. I look and see that grandpa is still strapped, so I start to unbuckle his harnesses while the baby continues, saying that there aren't many know about it since they didn't want people to find out that Xanxus led the rebel army. I don't know what to say about any of this. Reborn then mentions that only people who really know about it are the Upper Echelon and they Elites that fought in the battle.
Where have I heard that word before?
Upper Echelon…
I look over to Grandpa as he starts mumbling out, "Xanxus was stopped there eight years ago… since then he'd been asleep while his hatred and grudge grew to frightening proportions…"
Reborn tries to get him to explain more, but he starts coughing out blood. I watch the red speckle on my skin. Some even got on my clothes. It reminds me of the island. The screams, the blood, the fire, that little boy crawling to the fire. I snap my eyes shut.
I can't even focus on what's going on. That little boy crawling into the fire. I can't calm down. Ganauche's face. My body keeps shaking as I feel myself naturally crawling away from this. The black smoke. Can't see this—got to get away. Just push it away like last time. Ignore it. It's not really happening. It's a movie. A gruesome scene that hits close to my heart, but its' not real. What isn't real can't hurt me. I start scratching the back of my neck, digging my nails to remind myself what's real. It's only real if you can feel it Mizuno. "It's—"
"NO DON'T… PLEASE WAIT!"
Tsuna is holding onto grandpa's hand with heavy tears pouring out of his eyes. The old man is lifeless. I look away. This is bad. Really bad. Where's Dino, Nau, somebody? Uncle? Come on…. I can't control my breathing, and I can feel my spit flying out with every breath as I watch Reborn's lip purse. No… Reborn never shows emotion, this is bad. I start crawling over to try dragging him off. "We need a hospital. We…"
"How dare you kill the 9th Boss!" Xanxus is standing alone and glaring at Tsuna.
I stop what I'm doing, but leave my hand on grandpa's arm.
Xanxus berates little decimo more, "The despicable way in which you struck down the boss is a challenge against his own son, as well as the noble Vongola spirit!"
Tsuna looks terrified. "What?"
"No need for investigation! The burns on the 9th's chest are undeniable evidence! Now that the boss has been murdered, the ring contest battle is meaningless. For the boss, my father, and for the future of the Vongola—I will kill you as vengeance!"
I can vaguely here the boys behind me yelling stuff while Reborn puts two and two together like I am. He planned this from the start. But I didn't put into terms as far as Reborn did. He explains more, saying that Xanxus is obviously trying to make Tsuna look like the villan so everyone will overlook Xanxus' past actions, and let him become the boss anyways. Wow, this is the guy I want to follow? This is the guy that I'm so attracted to?
"Why? For something like that?" Tsuna's eyes can only see grandpa.
I can only stare at Xanxus, who is standing on alone and valiantly looking down on all of us while Reborn vows to not interfere with the situation. It is now that I hear ruffling sounds of someone's clothes along his the soil being shifted around a little. I look up and see Tsuna now standing, looking in Xanxus' direction:
"Xanxus. I will take that ring back. You will not follow in the 9th Boss' footsteps."
Reborn then says, "Well said, Tsuna."
Xanxus bellows that the little decimo candidate will be remembered as "the foolish runt who dared to defy Xanxus all by his little self," but I instantly hear Gokudera yell that Tsuna isn't alone. I look back and see team Namichuu all stand in defense of Tsuna. My glance then shifts to see that one dumb girl standing in defense too. "What the hell is she standing for?"
"My will is my own." I roll my eyes. Yeah, I guess Hibari's gonna be just fine.
Bel and Levi quickly jump on the defense, asking for orders. Xanxus tells them to exterminate the traitors, but like always, here are the Cervello. "Hold it right there, please. We'll be in charge of the battle for the 9th Boss' revenge. We have a duty to oversee the whereabouts of the Vongola Rings."
Gokudera yells, "What the hell are you talking about! You're all Xanxus' bitches!"
Thank you, captain obvious. I don't even bother looking back at the zealous retard. But the Cervello girl actually bares her fangs to the smoking bomb while holding a paper that has a flames glowing on it. "Please watch your mouth. We have a official decree from the 9th Boss himself."
The Cervello continue stating the rules of how everything will go down. They decide that everything will be at stake for the sky ring battle in lieu of the current status of everything. One of the barbies asks if this sounds good.
THWACK!
One of the Cervello flings to the ground; her face looks smashed in.
Tsuna then wails, "OWW!"
Gokudera yells again. "What the hell?"
I look back to Tsuna, who's now holding his head. A rock rolls next to him. While the Varia members try to show no reaction to the random event, everyone starts looking around the field for who ever threw the rock at Tsuna and killed the Cervello. It couldn't have been anyone here. Dee? Or the Mimi girl?
The other Cervello clears her throat softly, signaling for Xanxus' answer. Letting his eyes finally slide over to the dead Cervello now in a pool of blood, he smirks and agrees to the idea. The Cervello then announces all of this will end tomorrow. I stay silent while everyone tosses out commentary. Some things said are snide, some are berating, but all of it is unnecessary. I just want to get grandpa to the hospital. Xanxus tosses Tsuna half of the ring, and then his hand starts glowing again. The light is so bright that I close my eyes and turn away from it, only for it to instantly vanish.
My eyes are still trying to adjust to it all when I hear Basil running towards us and yelling. I look up with my adjusting eyes to then hear a familiar voice. "Are we too late!"
"D-Dino?"
Sitting in my room now I stare at an open shoebox. I haven't looked inside since I first came here. I can't see what is compelling me to look at these pictures now, but my hands gingerly sift through the photos of vacations, birthdays, and smiles past. This is all the past. What's weird, is that I look at the photos and see their faces, but I can't see them in my mind any more. That's what hurts the most.
I can't even remember Amato's face any more.
But I look at this picture of a little boy who has the widest smile, his eyes nonexistent from how big the grin is. I know the eyes are a soft brown like Dad's were, and he got this funny mix of dirty blonde hair from mom and dad, not like me. I hold back the need to wail out this pain, but can't stop my body from quaking. I hate this. I hate this so much. I have no one here—nothing. What the fuck am I even doing?
My wrist flicks, and the box flies to the floor and spills everything all over. I hear something break. The ocarina. There's no reason to even mess with it tonight. My body now falls back into the sheets and my mind falls back into my thoughts of tonight.
Upper echelon…
I know I've heard that word somewhere. But beside that, what did grandpa mean by Xanxus being in a long sleep? Eight years, long sleep… This could explain why I've never met him, or don't remember him. I mean eight years ago, I was like nine, how many people can remember being nine—in depth? Shit, I can't even remember half of my life anymore… all of it is just fading away and fuzzing over like static. I don't know how to take it…
And Xanxus; what about him? He planned all of this. It's obvious he did, but why? Why would he have tried to throw the Vongola eight years ago and try to take over now?
"I don't get him."
I say this, and my heart twists. All of this shit is just overwhelming. But I just can't get over how he was looking down on us—and I mean all of us. I probably mean nothing to him. In fact, I know I mean nothing to him. We are all just little pawns in his chess game, but which side did he put my piece on? Am I even a piece… He didn't even look at me once; at least I didn't catch him.
Why am I even thinking about that?
He held grandpa hostage!
I look at my phone that by some miracle only has a scratch on the screen after throwing it earlier. I try to contact the only person I can think of even talking to about all of this.
[To Nau:] Where are you? Everything is so fucked up right now…
I hit send. I stare at the little bar at the top of the screen show its completion in sending my plea to the only fucking person I could even imagine to be any kind of help. I immediately start crying all over again.
"Who the fuck am I kidding? He won't text me back…"
My phone buzzes.
[To Mizuno:] I'm boarding a flight from Chicago right now. I'll be there in 12 hours.
=YES! Ganauche is back! I love it, I love him and his uber sexy self (mental lemon fantasies are playing). But it has been brought to my attention with Ch. 350 that released yesterday, that he has brown hair in the back and fawn colored hair in the front, but I'm not too sure on the eyes... I think she drew them blue, but I can't tell for sure. So I'm going to use this as his description henceforth... though I do still like the idea of black/gray with green eyes. Lol, he's hot to me either way lol.=
=It seems as if things are starting to pan out for her...=
Bah! Can't wait for next chapter!
*Namichuu - This is how Tsuna refers to his school all the time, and I like it. I can also just see it rubbing off on her.
* Nonno - grandpa in Italian (Nono = 9th)
* Ebanda - this is just how Takeshi pronounces Evander's name, since the japanese language doesn't have v's or er's
*Nerve cluster - the nerve cluster I'm referring to in this chapter is the Infraorbital Nerve.
***Reborn didn't admit this, but Ryohei actually pointed this out. Kind of tried to show this in Mizuno's reaction; he didn't answer her question. But we all know how Reborn is, he wouldn't ever admit being informed about anything he can possibly get praised for lol.***
Bye kids.
