Squalo

I return to the hotel Varia is using as it's base more than a little confused. Bel is on the couch with Mammon perched on the top, Luss is gushing over one of the minions who looks like they would rather be anywhere else at the moment and Levi is standing like a dumb rock behind the shitty boss who is sprawled out in his chair like a big cat drinking vodka straight from the bottle.

'How'd it go?' Luss breaks away his attention from his current victim when I enter the room.

'There is definitely something not quite right with that brat. Mammon where did you get your information on the brat?'

'It'll cost you.' They predictably respond.

'I don't care, where?'

'The files from Vongola.'

'Ha!' I bark out a laugh. 'You might have wanted to dig a little deeper.'

'He's a civilian. There was no need to dig any deeper.' Mammon defends, clearly offended that his information gathering skills were being insulted.

Xanxus shifts in his chair, not quite as focused on the bottle in his hand, slightly interested. It's not often Mammon's information is wrong. When it is—things tend to quickly fall into chaos.

'Those reports are worthless. Useless my ass,' I scoff. 'That shitty brat can't be anything but Quality. He wants to meet shitty boss before you try to murder each other.'

'Why?'

'He said it was to bond over your shitty fathers.'

Xanxus has this incredulous look on his face, not quite believing it before breaking out in loud laughter, the others following behind him. Well, not Mammon they are still peeved their info was wrong, or Levi, but I like to think of him more like an annoying robot than an actual person.

'Quality, huh' He muses after getting his laughter under control. He leans back in the chair taking another swig of alcohol. 'Might be worth meeting this trash.' His grin is both equal measures amused and blood thirsty.

'I'll set it up.'

'Boss! I do- 'Levi tried to argue and was rewarded with an empty bottle to the face.

'Shut up trash'

'You have Reborn's number Mammon?'

'I do.'

'How much?'

'Not for sale.' So even they won't sell out their fellow Arcobaleno for money.

'Then what about the brat's?'

'$100,000.' He states with no hesitation.

'Done.' Mammon hands the number over on a slip of paper, that's likely just an illusion. Wasting no time, I dial it.

'Hello?' The brat answers on the second ring.

'VOOOIII, brat the shitty boss agreed to meet.'

'Oh Squalo. Ok when and where?'

'I'll let you choose.'

'It's not like it really matters to me, all of Namimori is my territory. But well, The shrine on the back hill at 7? It's out of the way and no one really goes there anymore.'

'See you there shitty brat.' I hang up on him.

Tsuna

'Xanxus actually agreed to meet with me.' I repeat in disbelief. I didn't really expect him to.

'Who are you going to bring?' Reborn asks.

'You and Kyouya for certain. I'd like to have Fon on standby in case something happens. The rest…' I trail off.

'Just bring them with you.'

'Is that Ok?'

'They never said anything against it.'

'Fair point. They are already on their way over, right?'

'They should be here any moment.' The loud fighting can be over heard as the front door slams open. Gokudera is the first one in, followed by Nii-san and Yamamoto. Mukuro and Chrome just kind of fade into existence into the room. All of them have dark expressions on their faces, clearly not happy about Iemitsu being in town. Chrome, the poor thing seems to be incredibly uncomfortable, glancing worriedly around the room.

'Tsuna!' Gokudera shouts. 'Don't worry! I won't let that bastard get close to you again. I'll—'

'Gokudera—' He ignores me and continues on his rant.

'Blow him up! How dare he try and forc—'

'Hayato.' I try with more force in my voice. Welp that caught his attention. The rant dies in his mouth and he turns a shade of red that really can't be healthy. Amused, I lean my chin on my hand and watch him flounder for a moment.

'No fair Tsuna!' Yamamoto whines at being left out.

'Takeshi.' I laugh, and a beaming smile is my reward. This exchange seems to be enough to snap Hayato out of his embarrassment and shift his ire onto Takeshi. He opens his mouth to undoubtedly start another argument.

'While this meeting was originally about my father,' I cut him off. 'Something else has come up.'

'Kufufufu, what's that'

'Xanxus has agreed to meet with me.'

'That guy who's extremely trying to kill you?' Ni-san asks confused.

'That's the one.' Pandemonium erupts, and I just let it. I can't actually make out anything they are saying with them yelling over each other like they are. So, I just watch bemused as it turns into a brawl, why does every time they meet end in a brawl I idly wonder, I watch on as Kyouya joins the fray, because of course he does, and sweet dear Chrome has appeared beside me on the couch fidgeting.

'Should we stop them Bossu?' This is why you're my favorite.

'Nah,' I wave my hand in dismissal, 'They'll wear themselves out eventually. Besides,' I raise my voice a little, making sure the can hear me and give Chrome a blinding smile 'If they break anything, I'm sure they can guess what will happen.'

The fighting immediately stops, like someone has pressed pause on a movie. Ni-san, Hayato and Takeshi are all tangled in a mass of limbs on the floor. Hayato with a grip on Takeshi's collar and a fist pulled back. Ni-san has Takeshi in some sort of grapple while pushing at Hayato's face and Takeshi's knee is pushing into Hayato's ribs. On the other side Kyouya and Mukuro have already hidden their weapons away and are trying their best to look perfectly innocent. Which might have worked if I didn't actually know them.

'Now that I have your attention,' The three on the ground mechanically untangle themselves and stand up looking sheepish. 'I will be going to the meeting. You can come, but I won't let you interfere.'

A lot of disgruntled agreement comes, and I'll take what I can get at this point.

'Now, on to the original matter.' They perk up at this. 'How are you going to make the man miserable?'

If the feral smiles I get in return are indication, Iemitsu is in for quite the stay.

The meeting comes quickly, and soon, I'm face to face with Xanxus. Scars spanning across his face and what exposed skin I can see, body deceptively loose lounging in a chair and nursing a bottle of alcohol. It looks as if he's brought his guardians as well.

'You must be Xanxus.'

'Trash' I can feel Hayato prickle behind me at the insult, but thankfully doesn't lash out.

He studies me, and I do the same. We are going to be beating the shit out of each other soon enough, no reason to let this opportunity to observe the opponent slip by. He's strong, very strong. He has Sky flames, but they are different than mine, more wild. Where mine have this indiscernible pressure to them, his seem to want to rip and tear and destroy everything that stands in his way.

'The shark trash claims you're quality.' He gives me a mocking smirk. 'I don't see it.'

Hayato is incapable of holding himself back this time.

'You bast—' Though he doesn't get very far before I drown him in Sky flames. His knees go wobbly and Takeshi has to quickly move to keep him up right.

'So' I raise my eyebrow at him. 'Did I pass the test?' Clearly trying to rile me up to get a reaction out of me. The kid with the tiara had been palming a knife when Hayato lost his temper. If I couldn't keep him from picking a fight, I didn't deserve to be there. And I certainly didn't have the right to ask questions.

He laughs, loudly and with a touch of madness. 'Yeah trash, you passed. What do you want?'

'I thought Squalo told you?' I tilt my head to the side. 'To bond over our shitty fathers.'

'Oh, and what's makes you say I have a shitty father.'

'Well, seeing as Nono sealed my flames as a child, then proceeded to let three of his kids die and have you mysteriously disappear so he was forced to drag the same kid he crippled into the mafia to become the next boss, I don't exactly think he's father of the year material.'

He scowls at me but doesn't deny it.

'What did you mean he sealed your flames?' There's a dangerous edge to his voice.

'I mean I awakened my flames when I was 5 when I fell off a tree? I think? Sorry that parts a bit fuzzy, regardless my father instead of being a responsible adult and training me how to use them, thought the best course of action would be to cripple me and Nono agreed. So, they sealed my flames.'

'Those bastards.' He growls, seemingly genuinely angry at the notion. His scars stretch and expand with his rage. Flames dance on the surface of his skin searching for something to burn, but going nowhere with a lack of target.

'It was awful. Don't get me wrong. I don't think I will ever be able to forget that cold empty feeling, or the detached way I experienced the word after that. But at least it didn't last long.' I clench my fists in anger. 'The assassins and kidnappers my father,' I spit the name with as much venom as I can manage, 'led back to my mother and I made sure of that.'

'Why are you telling me this.' He demands, rage still boiling just under control. The flames have fade back underneath his skin. But he's confused at my motive for telling him all of this.

'Because I'm tired of just playing into their hand.' I admit. 'We don't have to be enemies. We'll still have the succession battles, we don't even have to like each other, but it will be much more advantageous to us if we are allies or at least not enemies. They won't expect it, and it will be much harder for them to make a puppet out of me if I can rely on you for information and advice. And since they can't afford to lose me, I can protect you from the backlash of whatever happened 8 years ago. Not that you actually need it, but it will be much less annoying.'

He seriously considers the proposal, before coming to a decision

'Fine trash. You've got yourself a deal. Don't think that we will go easy on you though.'

'I wouldn't want you to.' I laugh 'On another note,' I feel a savage, bloodthirsty grin with a touch of insanity appear on my face 'How would you feel about helping me drive my father crazy?'

'Only if you'll do the same with Nono.' His smile mimics mine.

'Oh, I like you.' I declare.

In the background I can hear Kyouya groan like he's in pain. I don't know what his problem is, this meeting went amazingly. I got allies and a revenge buddy all on the same trip. The only way this could get any better is if I could shove all of this mafia crap out a window. Since that's impossible I'll just take what I can get.