For some reason today, my feet brought me to the park. I always let my feet bring me places rather than wanting to think too hard. I sat on a swing and began reminiscing the times I went to this park with my brother when we were younger. I let out a huge breath and dropped my head, I missed how easy life was. How I would go to my classes in Italy and come back to the CEDEF headquarters to sleep. How I would come home to spend time with my family every summer and holiday. I let out another sigh. Mafia school was much easier than trying to get through mafia life.
I fumbled with the small silver ring in my hand. Who thought something so small could create as large of a problem as this? Of course, things aren't always that easy when it comes to the Vongola.
"Ushishishi, Mammon, look who we found on our walk," The voice in front of me spoke as if expecting me to be there.
I looked up as I heard the familiar laugh. The blonde prince smiled maliciously, one hand on his hip, with a baby floating by his side. "Is that a ring?" Mammon said, voice as apathetic as always.
I clenched my hand hard around the ring. I wanted to avoid questions. I came to the park to relax, not be interrogated. My eyes tightened at the two Varia members in front of me. As calmly as my body would allow it, I stood up from the swing and put my hands in my pockets, "Belphegor, Mammon, what can I do for you two?"
Belphegor smirked, "So which is it?"
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about," I said evenly, trying to not let my emotions get the best of me.
Mammon floated closer to me and I wanted to swat at him like a fly even though I knew I couldn't touch him, "I've never seen you use illusions."
"Well, that's not the only way mist flames can be used," I countered trying to convey as if I. It was the best way they were used. Though not all mist users were illusionists, all illusionists she knew were mist users. Well… I guess that was pretty much the same thing.
"And what would that be?" Mammon circled around me as he questioned me. Man, I really wish I could slap him in the air.
"Ah, can't you tell us, Yuki? We are friends aren't we?" Bel said, his arm crossed now and his smile donned with mischief.
"We're not playing for the same team right now, Bel. I hardly count that as friends, also seeing as you're trying to kill my brother," I deadpanned, remembering that I said something similar to Lussuria.
"Now what other ring could you possibly have?" Mammon taunted. I kept my face cool not wanting my secret out so easily. It was annoying, though, to see the Varia use their detective skills to figure it out.
"We've seen sun, lightning, storm, and today is rain. Boss will definitely beat your brother and the baseball kid is as good as done with Squalo," Bel said as if checking things off a checklist. "Now all that's left is mist and from what I know, Mammon is right. You can't use illusions. So what is it?"
"Just a present from my mom. I'm sorry I have to get going, I'll see you tonight," I deflected and turned on my heel. I wanted this conversation over and to leave.
"Could you be…?" Mammon said, a slight shock could be detected in the voice. Of course the Arcobaleno would know of the flame's existence. I pictured herself pulling at my hair in frustration and ignored the comment, continuing to walk as if I didn't hear Mammon say that. "Well, the boss might pay me nicely for some information like this." I rolled my eyes. It was always about money for that one.
"Nice talk, Yuki. I can't wait to see you tonight," Bel said, turning away as they got what they wanted.
I muttered under my breath, "Great." At least they were too far away to hear what I said.
I walked around, again, letting my feet take me anywhere it wanted to go. The last thing I wanted was for the Varia to find out that if they won the ring battles, I would become a guardian as well. And wouldn't Xanxus love to have a snow guardian at his side. It would add to the power.
I stopped in my tracks and looked up realizing where I ended up. Walking past the open green gates of Nami Middle, I decided to go straight for the roof. In all honesty, I didn't know why, but I felt safe there. Maybe it was the carefree lunches I had there with Tsuna, Yamamoto and Gokudera or the many times I went up there to look out at town. But out of everywhere in Namimori, it was calming.
I pushed the door open and walked to the fence, letting my arms drop to the sill and gazed at the setting sky once more. The wind rushed past me and I quickly wished I brought a thicker jacket. I trembled a bit from the cold air.
The Varia members coming here took a toll on me. Back in Italy, I stayed with my dad at CEDEF headquarters and because of his close relationship to the Ninth, I sometimes stayed at the Vongola mansion when he was busy. Sometimes, I would have small run-ins with the Varia when they had to go to the mansion to take care of business. These small run-ins became somewhat normal conversations as years went on. Well, as normal a conversation as you could have with one of them. I found some of them to be decent acquaintances, even maybe as a friend - better to have them as friends than enemies - but I didn't want them at the top of the famiglia or to be a part of them.
A voice cut me off in my thoughts, "Students shouldn't be on the school roof after hours." The voice was low and threatening. I didn't bother turning around and instead I tilted my head so it lay on her shoulder. I could recognize the bloodthirsty voice anywhere.
Not in the mood to start an argument, I said, "Hello, Hibari-san, I'm not really in the mood to fight today," I heard steps coming towards me and the sound of a jacket being rustled by the wind.
"Leave," the short response did nothing to make my legs move or tremble in fear. I was more or less used to his hostility.
"I was just going to stay till Yamamoto's battle. Are you going to watch?" I tried making light conversation. I was still looking at the sky but turned to Hibari when I asked him the question. I looked at him. His arms were tight by his side and eyes narrowed. The silence between us and lack of movement did not express an answer from him. I continued, "To be honest, I don't know if I want to go today."
"He's not going to lose," Hibari stated. Was he thinking that I was scared for the outcome of the battle? Well that was wrong.
I smiled lightly, "Yeah, I know." My brother and Gokudera's faith - a flashback of Gokudera yelling at Yamamoto to not be a hindrance to Tsuna and win came to mind - in Yamamoto was infectious and it left me to believe that Yamamoto would do well in his fight against Squalo.
"Leave," he reiterated, arms moving to grab his tonfas. "Your wallowing on a childish crush is not wanted on school property."
My eyebrows scrunched in confusion and was surprised to see in his face that he was dead serious. His hands were now holding his weapon of choice. I don't know where it came from, it wasn't really the right moment, but a light laugh erupted from my mouth, "Crush? Yamamoto? You're funny, Hibari-san." A crush on Yamamoto? Sure he was good-looking but I don't think I could like him in that way.
Hibari stared at me. From what I had seen from him the past couple weeks, he was quite adept at picking up the emotions surrounding people around them and using it as intimidation. I also don't think he liked being called funny, he was far from it. But thinking a simple concern for a friend was a crush? That was funny.
I stopped laughing and quickly my demeanor changed. The frustration rose from me before I could stop it. I spoke without thinking, "I'm just thinking about the ring battles and how everyone is out there fighting their own while I'm here just waiting for the next successor to win." Hibari stayed silent and I took it as a cue to continue, "I'm supposedly this important guardian who has a power that hasn't been seen in eight generations and I'm supposed to sit back while my brother and his friends are battling it out to see who wins."
"Then do something," Hibari said as if it were simple. An easy task to check off. I was surprised he even answered me but that surprise quickly turned into irritation.
I glared at him, "I've thought about it and knowing Xanxus, this battle was going to happen regardless of who was in line. I wished Tsuna wasn't in line; but he is and I'm not in control of who gets those rings. How am I supposed to help? I can't just butt into other people's fights. They will get disqualified and the Varia gets another win on their hands. We're not supposed to be interfering or fighting the Varia outside of the battles. I have no authority. The Varia isn't scared of me or anyone else. I have a ring but the only thing I have been able to do is fight with you to help train you for your battle." I went back to looking out at the sky. The sun was gone and the moon was slowly rising from the east. I looked at it with disdain remembering the upcoming battles that were occuring at night.
Hibari seemed to think about my words. I didn't really care what he thought. I was just happy to let it all out to someone. Even if it was to the infamous prefect. My involvement in these battles were little and it irritated me to no end. I felt like a prize at the end of a game. Who wins? Who gets the rare snow guardian in the end. I wished with everything I had that it was Tsuna. Anyone but Xanxus. Who knows that guy would do with me at his side. Probably send me off to do stupid missions like take out those that hated him. I knew I would be miserable if that was going to happen.
"Then you've done your part," Hibari finally replied with an air of finality. With that, he turned around and headed for the door. I gawked at the retreating figure that didn't hit me for blowing up at him. I was sure that deserved a tonfa to the head.
His last words repeated in my head. Maybe I had done what I was supposed to do for these battles. I didn't know what else I could do. I told myself in the beginning I had to train to keep up with everyone else. That that was the best I could do since I had no official battle to fight. Even if I didn't fight, I was helping another person try to win theirs and in a way, that was putting effort into the cause… right?
A light grin tugged at my lips. Hibari had a really roundabout way of making people feel better. He wasn't much of a conversationalist, which I didn't mind. But his mind made no sense to me. He didn't like crowds, yet holds the cloud ring. He only wanted to fight, but seemed to be able to put my mind at ease. I guess he was capable of holding emotions other than anger and a desire to hurt those that broke his rules.
A/N: I really wanted to change this fic into a first person one so I'll be updating the ones before. I want to be able to get in touch with Yuki's emotions better which is harder for me to write in first person. But yea, from this point on it will be in the point-of-view of Yuki.