Varia Arc

Ages:

Tsuna, Mia, Hayato, Takeshi - 15

Ryohei - 16

Lambo - 6

Disclaimer: I do not own KHR

Mia wanted to die. Well not really but it felt like she was. If this won't let up by the end of the week she might as well be but not before taking Ian to the grave with her. That bastard… just thinking about it gave her a new sense of purpose to live. After Ian stated his intentions – which everybody didn't see through except for her – he purposely stayed close to her knowing that she would protect him. Why wouldn't she? If the others knew who it really was behind the mask… the horrors that awaited Ian are unspeakably frightening. He was here because of her and she owed it to him for his brother.

Despite reminding herself of that, she really, really wanted to put a bullet through his leg and leave him bleeding on the ground.

There was a thud as she planted her forehead on her desk hard. She remembered for one moment how Tsuna had this look like he wanted to break Ian's legs until he completely wiped it away so that his face remained impassive.

He replied to Ian very calmly, "You're not her type."

Not her type he said. How the hell did he know that in the first place and who was he to decide her type? A vein in her head pulsed painfully and she shuddered as she tried to contain the wince. Tsuna hadn't spoken to her since them. She was sure that his head was filled with the first match that was going to be held tonight. Obviously the boss match was last but until then they don't know who will go first.

"Matteis!" She jumped in her seat.

"Yes Sensei?"

"You're needed at the Faculty Office."

Head heavy; she went to do as she was told. She can't keep this up forever. Ian was right, she needed his help. As she opened the door, she was suddenly bombarded by their gym teacher. "Matteis!" He got to her face holding a notice. "What is this supposed to mean!?"

"Exactly how it was written sensei," Mia calmly took the paper from him and showed it to him. "The school is allowing the following students to participate at the tournament for tonight." The 'tournament' being the cover to excuse Tsuna and the others from afternoon school.

"I know that but a martial arts tournament?!"

She tilted her head to the side. "All the necessary actions have been taken right Sensei? What seems to be the problem?"

"Sawada's name is on it! I get Gokudera and Yamamoto but Sawada?!"

Her expression dropped and she regarded the man sternly. "Sawada-kun has been able to comply with the school's requirements for participating athletes in regional and international competitions. I made sure of that." She handed the paper back to him with an air of finality. "If you'll excuse me then Sensei, I'll be returning to class."

"W-Wait Matteis!" She turned around with an impatient glint in her eyes. Sensei flinched a little, chagrined. Well he should be, Mia thought a little heatedly. People change and Tsuna was no different. She raised her eyebrows high.

"Sensei?"

"W-Well the truth is the real concern isn't Sawada… well do you know Sasagawa, Ryohei at Nami High?"

Thirty minutes later Mia was marching through the halls at Nami High. It wasn't that far from Nami Middle and the Disciplinary Committee didn't stop her as she headed to the first-year rooms like an angry spitball of doom. She stopped at one of the classrooms and politely asked the teacher for her soon-to-be victim. She wasn't disappointed as Ryohei Sasagawa cautiously stepped out of the class. He must have sensed her mood.

"Have you decided to join the boxing club Matteis?" He asked her jovially. Maybe not.

Her eyes narrowed at him. "Senpai, have you been studying properly?" He turned rigid and turned away from her. He started to sweat nervously.

"W-What brought this out Matteis?"

"Senpai." He flinched at her tone. "Do you realize that your position as Captain of the Boxing club is being jeopardized because of your grades?"

"T-That's uh…"

"But that doesn't matter does it?" She stepped closer to him. "You've managed to scrap by middle school but if you fail your final exams this year you. Will. Be. Held. Back." She backed him to a wall. Her words driving into him like knives. "Despite being a talented individual, you're not excused from taking the final exams to be held next week. Starting today you will be studying with me every hour after school. I don't care if a group of assassins are coming for our heads – you are not going to fail. Understand?"

Face pale, he nodded. Satisfied, she turned around and left but not before hearing one of the eavesdropping seniors say, "I don't mind getting tutored by that."

Somehow, despite feeling awful, it made her crack a smile.

She closed the book, a heavy sigh leaving her. Sasagawa senpai never looked so desperate to run away from anything before. Well, she thought with a bit of humor, studying was never his strongest suit. At least she managed to help him understand. A random student sat in front of her, their image flickering away as Ian made himself known.

"That was supposed to be the Sun Guardian?" he asked her.

She began clearing away her notes, not wanting to look at him. "He can take you apart with one blow."

"Hmn… looks exhausting."

"Not really," she flippantly told him. "I find that British illusionists much more tiring."

"Were you really bothered by what I said yesterday?" he said, smirking.

She glared at him. "Not in the least. Why did you have to say that?"

He blinked at her, momentarily stunned. He began to chuckle. "Oh this is just rich. You're not aware are you?"

"Aware of what?" she snapped.

His smirk widened. "Of your friend's feelings for you." He wriggled his fingers at her suggestively.

"Who?"

"Never mind that that now," he batted her question away. "How are you holding up?"

She was deathly curious of what Ian meant but her health mattered more. She looked to the side and bit her lip. "I-It's getting worse," she confessed. She was having a hard time holding things - her fingers wouldn't stop trembling and the headache just wouldn't go away. "I need help."

Placing his head on the palm of his hand, he analyzed her with keen eyes. "You really want to know what's wrong with you?" She nodded. "Well then." He crossed his arms over the table and leaned closer to her. "I'm sure you're aware of the flame that your shrimp of a friend uses?"

She ignored the jab at Tsuna. "The dying will flame? What about it?"

"That's what they call it? Within the organization we call it Ignis Vitae or Flames of Life. No being on this earth exists without it. It is everywhere and everything. The shrimp, you and I – we all have it."

"Are you saying I can spontaneously combust at will?"

"If you'd like," he offered her seriously. She tried to slap his arm but he pulled back. "The problem with you is that your Ignis has been overwhelmed." The words completely went over her head as she tried to understand him. Seeing that his explanation was lost on her he tried a different approach. "What you don't understand is that the Ignis is not limited to the ones who wield it, like the shrimp."

"And?"

Ian snorted at her impatience. "Everything and I mean everything including living beings is connected. A living web of power. Everybody possesses this power but bringing it out of dormancy is tricky business see. There are tools, like the Vongola's special bullet, that brings out the potential out of the individual by killing and reviving the body. Within that short span it allows the body to adapt to the Flames so they won't be hurt and giving them a false sense of invulnerability. Kind of like when your character dies in a game and they keep blinking when they revive. Until then, they're invulnerable. This is the safest method. The body learns by adapting. The bullet merely helping to ease through the process safely."

She let that sink in. Not even Reborn explained that in detail. "B-But what does that have to do with me?"

"I'm getting there," Ian told her. "There's another way to drawing your Flames out. It's highly dangerous and the results end up being more harmful to the host. Though I'm not sure where you fall. Has your teacher used the bullet on you?"

"Once," she replied. He looked thoughtful at that.

"Huh," he said. "Usually the method is to be continually struck until your dormant Flame is drawn out to resist it but I'm sure you're aware that the Flames have their own destructive properties?"

She swallowed. "You'd burn before you can use your power."

He nodded. "Exactly. Though in your case it's different. Your power had only been drawn out once and it's now susceptible to being corrupted. You have to understand that you are vulnerable to other stronger forces. This," he pointed at her hidden injury. "Is what happens when your pitiful flame has been stoked by a stronger, more powerful one. Your body is trying to adapt itself so you wouldn't get hurt but everything has a limit."

"Xanxus' flames somehow touched mine… and my flames were too weak against his…" she said with growing realization and horror. "What happens to me if I don't get better?"

Ian stared at her. "What do you think? You'd die."

Mia was beyond distracted as she followed the others to the school where they were told to gather. Tsuna noticed and touched her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry alright? Everything will be okay."

"I know that it's just…." She sighed. "I still worry."

"Welcome to my world," Tsuna said. She smiled back at him. Truth be told, she had been left in a state of shock after Ian told her that she might really die. It sounded surreal to her. Unbelievable even. Ian spared her the details but she could imagine. She had changed her bandaging earlier only to discover that her arm was oozing out blood. Her blackened veins had spread out to her wrist and elbow like twisted webs.

"Mia?" she felt a hand press against her forehead. "You're on fire!" Tsuna exclaimed.

"What?!" She frantically patted her body to see if she spontaneously combusted. "Put it out! Put it out!"

Tsuna grabbed her by the shoulders. "I didn't mean it literally! Your temperature is high!"

Realizing how stupid she was, she blinked. "O-Oh."

"I think you should go home."

Mia shook her head, the action making her head spin. "N-No… I want to see this through."

Tsuna sighed and held out his hand. "Well I wouldn't want you to collapse." She stared at his hand. One part of her was screaming to take it but the other, the older and wearier one wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep forever. She smiled reassuringly. She had enough strength to do this.

"I'll be okay."

Tsuna let his hand fall. "Mia," he started.

"We're keeping the others waiting," she said. "We should go." She didn't stay to watch his expression fall, her mind focused on keeping one foot forward at a time. As they neared the school, Mia saw a figure clad in black waiting for them at the entrance and rushed forward to meet it, eager to talk to him. Ian nodded at her, his fox mask making him eerily docile. Mia kind of liked that. It meant that she wouldn't have to look at his mug. He tilted his head to the side.

"You're thinking rudely of me are you miss?" he said.

"Oh you have no idea."

Tsuna stared at their interaction and felt the rise of growling lion inside him. He had never been bothered by other guys as much as this one did and hated the way how Mia seemed at ease around him. They shared a bond that he didn't understand and he didn't like it. Then he offered her his arm. Mia gave it a look. Tsuna scoffed. She had already refused him what makes him think she'll take him up his offer? But to his shock she tentatively laid a hand on his arm and immediately looked like a ton of weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her cheeks colored with life and she sighed as if he soothed a terrible ache she had.

His thoughts instantly took a dark turn. His fingers itched, wanting to pull her to his side and keep her there away from the fox. He wanted to show him – the damn fox that wouldn't even reveal his name – who she belonged to.

But Mia wasn't an object, he reminded himself furiously. She was Mia and she belonged to no one but herself. He adored that part of her. The last thing he wanted was to make her cry but that didn't mean it was easy to watch them. He shoved pass them, unable to look at her. He heard them exchange a few quiet words before the match started. A giant caged boxing ring was set outside of school. The first battle to commence was the fight for the Sun ring. The set-up was very impressive and everything but he wondered why the hell they picked the school of all places.

"Yoohoo! Mia dear!" Mia physically cringed as the opposing Sun Guardian, Lussuria, called out to her. She raised a tentative hand in response and waved. Tsuna shoved his jealousy to the side.

"Why did you do that?" he asked her.

"W-Well he was the only one to be nice with me. I'm sort of glad that he didn't hold it against me when I punched him." Mia looked away.

"Sawada."

"Onii-san…" He thought back earlier to their conversation at school. Even if they had already talked about it, he was still concerned. A slap on the back nearly sent him down on the ground.

"Believe that I'll win Sawada!" Sasagawa Ryohei regarded him seriously. "No need to wish me luck. But…"

"But?"

Before he realized it everybody had been drawn into a group circle, their arms linked around each other's shoulders. "H-How…" he said.

Across him Mia was looking equally perplexed. "Ugh Senpai… what's with this?"

"Team spirit!" Ryohei exclaimed. A long suffering sigh came from the masked fox.

"Let's just get on with it already!" Hayato cried, embarrassed to be caught in it while in front of their enemies.

"With this we're definitely a team!" Takeshi said, laughing.

They put their arms together and in a cried out all at once, "RYOHEI FIGHT!" Though the fox did it half-heartedly.

"Oi you! Do it right!"

"Would you just go in Turf-top!?"

Sasagawa-senpai won.

She didn't know what she was expecting when she walked in on that match but it blew her mind. Never again was she going to look down on boxing and manliness. Also, she had to admit that Sasagawa-senpai's new skill Maximum Cannon was pretty sweet. At some point on the match, when it seemed that Sasagawa-senpai was about to lose, Kyoko appeared with Kurokawa. Because she appeared, her brother was able to jump back right into battle with newly acquired strength and won.

It must be nice, she thought. Having siblings. She wished she had a brother or sister that gave her an extra dose of energy. Kyoko was hard to placate though because of the state her brother was in, but with everybody's support they managed to convince her that it was just a match. She was afraid that Kurokawa would ask but she merely led Kyoko away after that. She wondered if Kurokawa decided it was best not to ask or… she glanced at Ian. Or perhaps she saw things differently.

It wasn't long after everybody had gone home and Ian disappeared did she finally cave in. Tsuna carried her back to his house without a single word to her or his father. When she woke up the next day, feeling slightly worse, she found that he was gone.

"Now is a better time than any for you to try." Ian flipped through one of Tsuna's mangas. Mia could hardly be surprised at his sudden appearances by this point. "Remember what I taught you. Listen to your heartbeat. Exclude all other sounds around you until you can only hear it."

"I'd like to see you try when you feel like shit," Mia mumbled but did as she was told and closed her eyes. She felt his hand touch her forehead.

"I granted you temporary reprieve last night. Don't think I'm going to spoil you like the shrimp. Now listen to your breath flowing moving out of the air around you. Feel my touch, the connection we share that ties us together as one."

Mia struggled to maintain control but eventually gave up on it. "I-I can't do it. Do you really have to say things like that? It sounded really wrong."

"Perhaps it's your surroundings that are interfering."

She slowly sat up and rubbed the palm of her hands against her eyes. "Then where?"

Ian took her to the outskirts of Namimori where there was plenty of woodland. She'll admit, she was a bit doubtful but at this point she hardly cared as long as she got better. It had been difficult sneaking past Bianchi and the others but with Ian's help she managed to get away. She stood on the grassy undergrowth and breathed in deeply.

"Better?" Ian asked her.

"Better." She sighed then took her position on the ground. She slowly sat down, careful not to make any sudden movements. Ian sat across from her. He took off his mask and gloves off and set them down. He offered his palms to her.

"This is not training," Ian reminded her. "You have to do it. The fact that we're not using any tools to mediate your flames makes this all the more difficult."

"Then why don't we get some?" she asked him.

"It's not as easy as you would believe. Enough! Focus already, you're wasting time."

"I still don't see how this is going to work."

"You need to understand how it works. Flames don't flow like blood. To purge Xanxus' flames out of your system you have to see the damage done on a wavelength where you can see it."

"Will you just keep it simple? My head is about to explode." He slapped her hands and she yelped.

"I am making it simple you twat. I'm teaching you to see the web of power. If you can learn, you won't be able to just see your own flames but others as well but to do that you must enter a state of meditation." He grabbed her hands. "Now focus."

It was easier said than done. Her breath and body were heavy with exhaustion. Trying to meditate was hard if even the sound of your own heartbeat sounded like thunder claps in your head. After a few minutes she broke down. "I-I can't focus at all," she said feeling like a complete failure. Her hands balled into fists on his palms and he watched her unforgiving.

"Again," he said coldly to her. She glared at him. Didn't he understand how hard it was? She was barely struggling to keep her body upright. Maybe it would have been better if she had come out towards Reborn. She lowered her head in defeat. She can't do this. She was too weak to do it. Ian dug his fingers into her flesh and she cried out in pain.

"Do not think of yourself for one moment," he said heatedly as he dug his fingers even deeper. "Lose yourself to your surroundings. Give up your pain and your emotions!"

"L-Let go!"

He pulled harshly on her arms. A flash of searing right pain erupted when her arm was jostled and she bit her lip from crying out. "Not until you learn. Don't think I don't know – you have an aptitude for this! Is this really the girl who sought my head out? You didn't even need a reason to come after me the way you did yet you were resolved to get to me by any means necessary. And for what? Use that driving force – your conquest of knowledge."

Her hand unfurled and she retaliated by digging her nails in like he did. Ian hid his pain well. She glowered at him. Her conquest of knowledge? He made it sound so easy. "What is it that you desire then?" he instead asked her. "What is it that you want so bad you'd die for it?"

Her lips trembled as she thought of a reply. "I want to help Tsuna." More than anything. That's what she wanted the most.

"Then focus." His hold on her wrists loosened. She copied him, a new sense of purpose giving her strength to try again. She released a tired sigh and closed her eyes. This wasn't for her, she thought to herself. This was for Tsuna like it always had been. Even if she didn't have feelings for him she would still have trusted him with her life. He was her dearest friend and she loved him. Keeping that resolve in her heart she began with emptying her mind of all thoughts, letting her breath slow until she couldn't hear it, the pain that wracked her body forgotten. The sounds around the forest faded in a dull echo. She vaguely felt Ian move his hands to her temples.

"That's it…" his soft voice commanded over her head. "In… out…slow deep breath… then exhale." Eyes closed, she breathed with him at his order. She felt a rush of heat from his fingertips and suddenly the solitary darkness in her mind filled with sparkling vines of light. She felt something rise out of her, spilling into the ground, soaking the grass and the trees. She felt it drip into a nearby stream, following the water deep underground. "Open your eyes." His whisper seemed like it came from her mind. Slowly she opened her eyes.

The sight will forever be one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

The small clearing where they sat in was already vibrant with color and life, was veined with shimmering fibers. Everything green stemmed from emerald threads. Awed, she plucked a flower beside her. The needle of fire that formed its spine flared and went dark. She gasped softly, a little remorseful. "I didn't mean to – "

"Shut up," Ian muttered, his eyes still closed. "Look at the bloody ground will you?"

A pale bronze mist of threads lay on the piles of dead matter around the trees. She let the flower fall and watched as its spine turn the same dim bronze when it touched the ground. She had learned about biological life cycles at grade school. Eventually everything returns to the earth. Seeing it happen before her eyes filled her with deep reverence. The stone beneath and around her were veined with dark silver. A wicked shot of copper fire shot past as a bird flew overhead.

Mia looked down at her hands. They were laced through with strands orange light, almost as if her veins had the power to glow. Half twisting, she managed to see Ian. He too was laced with power although the color was indigo. Upon closer inspection he had a two or three stands of white that connected him to the earth.

"Sit straight," Ian instructed her. "I have to remain in contact with you to keep this going."

"I wish I could see this on my own," she whispered.

"You can learn," Ian murmured quietly. "The vision is in your mind. Just remember how your flame feels like and reach out for it."

"Reaching for it how?"

Something between them shifted, and she knew she was looking inside her. Deep inside her center, there was a large lake of orange fire, its shores glittered with golden specs. She gawked at the sheer size of it. That was inside of her? She felt Ian frown. "What is it?" she asked.

"By the Queen…" She felt him search for words. "That's not right."

"What is?"

"Nothing. Now that you can see your flames, I want you to search in yourself. The damage isn't on your arm. It's inside." By his guidance she meticulously scanned her flames. There, clinging to the edge of her flames, was an angry blazing orange inferno. It aggressively swiped at her vulnerable flames like grass. Being very aware of the foreign presence inside of her, she winced at every strike. Waves of pain reverberated. Her face screwed up in her efforts to maintain control. It was an angry thing. From it all she could sense was the desire to burn.

She wanted it gone. At the thought, a slender seam rose for the lake and she caught it. She threw it at the thing but it dissipated before it reached it. Ian snorted. "The hand motion wasn't necessary. For this, the thought is the deed. You would have to want it."

It was easier than she thought. Her flames moved to her will and pulled away from the menacing blaze. Xanxus had been terrifying when she met him. He had power, he had skill but inside her mind he was nothing but a puny speck. Her flames rose in height, churning angrily as it towered over his flames.

Drown him.

"H-Hey wait – !"

At her simple thought, her flames crashed down like orange lava. She felt her arm shudder as Xanxus' flames had been overpowered and washed out of her. It wasn't just Xanxus that she had pushed out though, as Ian suddenly released her, his face twisted in deep pain. For a moment, as her flames settled down into tranquil state, she felt powerful. When she opened her eyes, Ian was staring at her with the same look that she recognized as the same one that Xanxus had given her.

As her sights faded back to normal, she noticed how the pain had disappeared and quickly pulled back her sleeve. As the last of her bandaging fell, she stared as her arm had finally begun to look like it was healing. The black veins were gone and the infection was completely purged. It was no longer bleeding as well.

"Oh my god," she breathed in wonder only to wince as her entire body ached. She realized that they haven't moved at all. "Ugh… how long have we been here?" She carefully picked herself up from the ground.

Ian winced similarly as he craned his back. "Almost all day," he replied.

She gaped. "Hours?! We've been here for hours?!" She looked up. Dark clouds rumbled above them. She instead pulled out her new phone to check the time. It read four in the afternoon.

Ian gave her a very flat look. "You're lucky we didn't take a whole week to have gotten as far as you did."

Mia stopped. "Why did it take so fast?"

"Your mental ability is extraordinary," Ian answered her grudgingly as if he didn't want to admit she was special. "I wouldn't have expected less from someone who has a resistance against mind control."

"That's… wow." Overwhelmed she leaned against a tree trunk for support.

Ian mirrored her as he collapsed against another tree. He looked drained. "Ten minutes?" he said to her.

"We can't stay long though. It looks like it will rain soon."

"Ten minutes!" Ian groaned grouchily from his hunched position.

Mia halted in front of the gates just in time as the others were making their way inside. "Mia!" Tsuna looked surprised to see her. "What are you doing here? Weren't you sick?" He went up to her but she just grinned at him. In all honesty, she was feeling better than before.

"Mia!" Lambo cried at the sight of her. He jumped straight into her arms. "You gonna cheer for Lambo?"

"Are you going to cheer for me?" she immediately corrected him. "Remember Lambo, we've talked about this before. You're seven years old now. A big boy okay?"

"Are you gonna cheer for me or not then?" Mia sighed and patted his afro.

"Yeah, you got it."

"Careful Lambo," Tsuna warned the child. "Mia's still sick. Don't make trouble alright?" He looked around. "Where's the fox?"

"He had some other things to attend to," Mia quickly explained. Tsuna left it at that. A flash of lightning streaked across the sky. Tsuna opened the umbrella he had with him and pulled Mia close just as rain began to fall. Hayato suddenly pointed upwards.

"Look!"

They looked up. Another flash of lighting illuminated wicked shapes standing on the roof like jagged pikes.

"What are those supposed to be?" Takeshi asked out loud.

"The next stage," Mia answered. They quickly went upstairs and up to the roof. It was worse up close. When it was declared to be the stage for the Lightning Guardian match and that their opponent would be Levi A Than, Mia subconsciously held Lambo closer to her. Being a child, Lambo couldn't fully understand what was going on. But what he did know was that he was the Lightning Guardian. Why did he have to be focused on that? He squirmed in her arms for release.

"I wanna play on that!" Lambo reached out towards the rods.

"Stupid cow thinking this is just an amusement park…" She heard Hayato say through gritted teeth though she knew he was just worried.

"You have to let him go Mia-chan," Iemitsu told her. She didn't want to hear that from him but found that she was powerless to stop this. She squeezed Lambo, pressed a kiss on his cheek and uttered a quick prayer for him.

"Do your best Lambo." After that she handed him over to Tsuna. He said a few words to him and stuffed something that suspiciously looked like old horns into Lambo's afro before setting him down. The little boy immediately ran towards the Cervello to pester them. She heard Belphegor snicker across them and she glowered in response. Lambo can do this, she had to convince herself. He was more than qualified for the role.

And then the match began. Mia had always felt that Levi was the type to follow orders without fail and was proven right. He had no problem trying to kill a child. It relieved her when Lambo finally summoned his ten year version into the fight but she bit her tongue when he turned tail and ran as soon as he was hurt.

"Get your ass back there stupid cow!" Hayato shouted beside her but the teen had already jumped into the bazooka again.

"Yare, yare, yare." Twenty year old Lambo stepped into the fight. Mia stared at him at shock as she took in his appearance. His clothes were tattered and old. The air around him literally reeked of ozone. Sparks of electricity cackled and cracked from his fingertips. He gauged the battle with seasoned eyes before sweeping to where they stood. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.

"Meeting you all again…It's been such a long time." Lambo's expression turned tender when his eyes found Tsuna and her. Mia may not have Hyper Intuition like Tsuna but she could tell that he had missed them dearly. Her heart ached for the young child. What could have possibly happened in twenty years for him to look at them that way? "I'd like to cry but it's no time to be sentimental." His sad gaze went to hers.

"Amata Madonna," Lambo softly called her. There was a slight jolt of incredulity as she gaped at the man. He had called her 'Beloved Lady'. She wanted to call him out but time was ticking and Lambo turned back around to resume the fight. She could feel Tsuna's questionable stare weighing down on her back. Unfortunately she had no answer for him. She was just as lost as he was.

Adult Lambo was a force to behold. His skill in battle was definitely a product of his years and it showed as he calmly battled Levi. The difference in skill was obvious especially when Lambo released a powerful current from his fingers that shook the whole building and probably shattered every single one of its windows. Just as when it seemed that victory was at hand, Adult Lambo reverted back to Child Lambo.

"No!" She gasped as Levi picked Lambo by his head. The others made a move to rescue him but Reborn stopped them.

"If you interfere you will be disqualified," he told them grimly.

"Correct," one of the Cervello confirmed. "Step into the Electtrico Circuit and you will be disqualified. Your ring will also be confiscated."

"Reborn!" Both Tsuna and her pleaded to the hitman but Reborn remained stoic as he stared at Lambo. The smell of ozone and the cackling of static made them look back towards the match. Levi was frying Lambo alive. Without thinking, the two of them sprinted into action, Reborn shouting at them from behind. It didn't matter! Their thoughts clicked into one. Mia didn't care what happened to her as she dived for Lambo's falling body. She caught him just in time to twist her body up to a kneeling shooting position with one arm holding Lambo securely to her chest and the other pointing a gun towards Levi.

"You little!" He growled and reached towards her.

Mia barely moved as the rods around her began collapsing, halting Levi from advancing. A strong voice filled with conviction spoke up. Tsuna raised his head, his orange eyes simmering brightly from the dark. "Like I would sit back and watch my friends get hurt. I'd never die in peace."

Mia slowly backed away with a smirk at the gob smacked look on the Varia's faces as they saw Sawada Tsunayoshi in all his flaming glory. Their friends didn't seem to recognize him either at first until Mia remembered that they had never seen Tsuna like this before.

"There's no mistaking it," Hayato announced with pride. "That's the Tenth."

"Definitely Tsuna!" Takeshi grinned and Sasagawa-senpai nodded in affirmation with him.

"Only Sawada could have pulled that off!" Their absolute faith in Tsuna astounded her but it made her feel fonder towards them. This is what it meant to have a bond with their boss. Safely out of the arena Mia lowered her weapon down.

Tsuna slowly stood up. "The rings, the Vongola… I could hardly give a damn about that. I draw the line when it comes to my friends being hurt!"

"Shut up!" Tsuna barely had gotten his arms up when it hit him. The sheer force of the attack made him skid backwards. He lowered his arms cautiously to silently glare at the figure standing on top of the water tank shrouded by smoke. Xanxus looked down on him, his red eyes simmering with animosity.

"You really think you can defeat me and become the successor?" The man challenged him. Mia watched him carefully. Xanxus was taking Tsuna seriously. She felt indignation swell inside her at the unfair treatment. Oh, so just because she was a girl he could scare her like the scamps of Italy's slums?

His flame dissipated from his forehead yet Tsuna kept the same look in his eyes. "Just try laying a finger on any of them outside the matches Xanxus."

"I see," Xanxus said as if he had confirmed something. The look in his eyes flared and he raised his hand, preparing to blast Tsuna to pieces.

"Tsuna!"

"Stay back!" he barked at them.

One of the Cervello intervened as she tried to placate him but Xanxus barely acknowledged her and directed his attack at her instead. They watched as her body fly across the roof only to land sickeningly on the ground. The smelled of charred flesh immediately made her gag and Mia covered her mouth in horror. The woman convulsed in pain. Iemitsu pulled her away from the sight.

Xanxus… Xanxus just chuckled. "I haven't snapped yet. In fact, I'm amused. I finally understand why the old man chose you even if it was brief. That sickeningly sweet speech of yours, that pathetically weak flame, of course he would sympathize with you." He let out a mocking laugh. "The irony of this situation is hilarious."

Then he shifted attention. His eyes focused on her. "That girl isn't even a Guardian yet she interfered in the match." Iemitsu's arms tightened around her.

The other Cervello, who didn't seemed as concerned of her partner as she should be turned towards her as well. "That is true. Due to the interference of Sawada Tsunayoshi, he shall be disqualified. Both the Sky ring and Lightning ring now belongs to the Varia." Protests broke out from their side as Tsuna let her take his ring away quietly.

"It's alright Basil, really." Tsuna smiled a little.

"However the outsider…" Mia stiffened. "For your interference your movements shall be restricted henceforth." The masked woman pulled a thick, metallic bracelet from her pocket. "Should you interfere again, this bracelet will activate an electrical current higher than a hundred volts."

"What?! That could kill her!" Tsuna shouted from the side.

"That is the price of her meddling," Xanxus cut in. His red eyes seemed to taunt her as if he was saying, 'What are you going to do now?'. She felt like he was testing her. Maybe he was. She felt her flames brush her consciousness as it reacted to her emotions and remembered how it felt to crush Xanxus' flames. She pried herself off Iemitsu and handed Lambo to him. Let him threaten her with all kinds of things he wanted, she will never cower before him. She went to take her punishment regardless of her friend's protests and Tsuna's pleading. The cool band of metal was locked around her wrist like a shackle. It felt a bit heavy but what concerned her was its remote feature. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all. The Cervello were an enemy to the Order. They claimed to be under the Ninth but the Ninth's actions had been questionable as of late. She didn't trust them.

"It's alright. As long as I don't interfere again I'll be alright. Right?" She asked the woman.

"That is certain." The woman returned to Xanxus and offered the ring to him. He took it and combined it with his half.

"It's inevitable that I would get this ring. Can you imagine anyone else besides me being the boss of Vongola?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?" Mia almost regretted saying it as soon as his eyes honed in on her. They narrowed dangerously and she felt his killing intent aiming towards her. Tsuna was by her side immediately. His glare possessing such malice that she never knew he had. "Tsuna…"

"Mia please, just shut up." He stressed. She promptly did as she was told.

"I won't kill you yet." Xanxus declared. "The old man chose you once. I'm interested on what fool he thought could best me. I'll kill you after I've made you taste true despair during the Ring Conflict starting with your pathetic Guardians." Hayato and the others bristled. "Then I'll be coming for your trash flower." He gaze focused solely at her. There was no lust, only contempt. "She would have been useful but she proved she cannot be ordered around. She'd probably cause more problems than pleasure. I'll let you watch as she burns alive and make sure her screams will haunt you forever." Tsuna stepped in front of her, his whole being radiating with fury.

"Xanxus…" the change was instantaneous and Xanxus paused. Tsuna's eyes had gone red and his hands began to glow red hot.

"Impossible!" Levi exclaimed as Tsuna's hands seemingly began to smolder.

"Oho? You actually have that?" Xanxus raised a brow but Mia could tell – he was alarmed. "Interesting Sawada Tsunayoshi. Come at me with all your rage!" he threw his arms wide before them. "I will have you crying in despair like the old man."

"Tsuna!" Reborn's sharp warning had them standing on edge. "Control yourself!" Mia hurriedly grabbed on to his wrist. He wouldn't look at her, his eyes fixated on Xanxus but the glow coming from his hands faded slightly from her touch.

"What have you done to the Ninth Xanxus?" Iemitsu demanded angrily.

"That's your job to find out External Advisor." Belphegor chuckled.

"Calm down Iemitsu," Reborn said. "We don't have any proof."

"You should put your gun away then."

The tension was thick. Mia suddenly found it hard to breath. Xanxus laughed again. "Rejoice trashes, I'll be giving you another chance. I will allow the remaining matches to be conducted. If you manage to win, I'll give the Vongola Rings and the position as Boss."

Mia's first thought was how much of an asshole Xanxus was. She wanted to scream at him that they didn't need his charity. Her second thought was that this did not seem right at all. Xanxus had a point. He has the Sky ring so he could have had them killed if he wanted them to but he didn't. Did he want to seriously watch them struggle? Or did he have some other ulterior motive?

"But if you lose, everything that is precious to you will be gone."

Tsuna's gloved hand tightly clenched into a fist.

"Show me the power with which the old man was so obsessed."

Lying to people you love was hard. Tsuna collapsed into his bedroom after coming from the hospital. The look his mother gave him when he asked her to take care of Lambo… it wasn't like he wanted this. He should have never let Lambo fight that match. They could have just forfeited – one ring. That's all it would have cost them instead of two and a penalty akin to a death row sentence on the girl he liked. He should have –

"Dinner!" Mia announced obnoxiously as she strode inside carrying a tray. Tsuna lifted his head to look at her tiredly, unable to understand how she still had so much energy after everything.

"I'm not hungry," he said and rolled to his side. He heard her set his table, humming.

"Really now?" He could hear the smirk in her tone. A moment later, he knew why. A pungently sweet aroma wafted into his nose. His stomach churned and his mouth salivated in reaction. He abruptly got up, scowling at her innocent form. Her eyes looked pointedly at his stomach. "Your stomach says otherwise."

He groaned and sat himself at the table. A bowl of risotto sat before him in all of its delicious glory. He could practically feel the tension leave his body the moment he took his first bite. Without realizing it, he had finished the entire thing. Mia was still eating but she had a smile the entire time. Lord he loved her smile. As a teenage boy, he had a lot to deal with but being a teenage mafia boss was over killing it. There were things he wished he could run away from but he had responsibilities, expectations and obligations to fulfill. Not just to his friends and family but to the man who started it all. But that didn't mean he wasn't a teenager.

He eyed her, then at the bracelet hanging on her wrist. Several emotions twisted inside him.

"Mia." She paused from eating to look up at him, the spoon she held still in her mouth. "Thank you."

She pulled the spoon out. "What brought this up?"

"You went in there earlier to save Lambo without a second thought. You do realize how brave you were?"

She frowned. "You did too."

"I know. I don't regret it." She lifted her wrist where the bracelet was. Her eyes shone with acceptance. "I know that I can get overbearing sometimes – " she snorted. He blushed. "Okay, always but I just can't think about you getting hurt. I'm the boy, I should be protecting you but you've proven more than once you can take care of yourself. You're… you're… you're like Ẻowyn!"

She burst out laughing. "I am no man!" she quoted, her smile brighter than the sun. Tsuna watched her with tenderness. "Does this mean you won't freak out whenever something happens?"

"No promises."

She gaped. "I thought you've finally respected my worth and skill!"

Tsuna raised a brow. "Oh believe me, I respect and admire you. But your bravery has another word for it – it's called insane." Mia looked like she wanted to argue but he cut her off. "I can't help being worried."

"Or angry," he heard her mutter hotly. He ignored it.

"But please, just – just promise me you'll let us handle the following matches? I'm grateful really, don't get me wrong, but I don't want you hurt." Her expression fell. "Mia?" he asked her hopefully.

She sighed. "Alright. I understand. But you have to promise me something too."

He leaned across the table, curious. "What?"

"Promise me Tsuna, that you wouldn't use the Flames of Wrath." Taken aback, Tsuna stared at her but she remained firm. Her blue eyes were sharp in her seriousness.

"Why?" he asked her.

"Please," she begged him. "I just… I feel like you don't need it."

He frowned. It was a power with great destructive abilities. Not using it would mean he would lose advantage over Xanxus but he could tell how uncomfortable it made Mia. Maybe she was right – he didn't need it. He still had the First's Zero Point Breakthrough though he had yet to perfect it. It was hard because he couldn't find the balance he needed to perform it but it wasn't impossible.

"Alright," he gave in. He watched her shoulders sag in relief. He wanted to tell her something else but felt that it wasn't the right time to say it but he was done waiting. He didn't want to give another guy the opportunity to sweep her off her feet. "Mia?"

She looked up at him inquiringly. "When all this is over… I want to tell you something."

"Why not now?"

"Because I need your head dummy." He picked up his pillow and threw it at her face. His cheeks burned as he crawled into his bed. It was even hard to think about saying it.

Stumped, she stared at his form on the bed and all she could think about how much of a tsundere he was acting. She brought him his pillow back. Tsuna faced the wall, his face hidden by his bangs. She sighed. He probably was asleep already but wondered what he meant by he needed her head.

"Couldn't have changed before going to bed." She placed the pillow beside him and pulled his covers up to his shoulders. She placed the dishes back on the tray and headed towards the door. Before she turned off the lights, she glanced back at him.

"Buona note."

Author's Notes:

To the kind readers that answered my question from the last chapter - thank you! It was a fun read. Some of you guys suggested femdom, others think Tsuna is forever Uke and then there were who he believed he had hope to become Seme. I'll be honest, my sides hurt from laughing too much.

To my fellow Filipino Anonymous "RJ"

Thanks so much for your kind words! I also understand how you feel over telenovelas. The cliches never end. Almost every single one has the same basic plot premise. I don't even bother watching those shows since "Kilig" doesn't work on me. Please look forward to more!