Haru sighed and took a long swig of her daiquiri. The strawberry one was her favourite, especially with the ring of sugar around the top of the cocktail glass. She had a weakness for sweet things; like cake and anything really sugary. She looked at the now empty glass and called the barman for another. He gave her a questioning look and shrugged pouring another into a clean cocktail glass. Maybe she should have ordered a pitcher? No Haru shouldn't get drunk; it was her best friend's wedding after all. It was just hard when your best friend was marrying the man you'd been in love with since middle school.

Tsuna had always loved Kyoko though; no matter what Haru did. In high school Haru gave Kyoko her blessing to pursue Tsuna. She had still liked him at the time but when Kyoko began to return Tsuna's feelings she felt that she couldn't stay in their way anymore.

She had felt numb for a long time. Watching them hold hands, kiss even watching them look at each other was hard. Haru hadn't wanted to make it awkward for them though. She couldn't tell them that she felt like she was being slowly drowned. That it got harder to breath and the world was growing black and she was sinking, suspended in this darkness.

Gokudera and she had hooked up often in high school. They were never in love but were there for each other when their affections for Tsuna weren't needed. It took a while for Gokudera to get the hint that three was a crowd and that he couldn't go with Tsuna and Kyoko on their dates, no matter how much he begged. They grew closer to one another whilst spying on Tsuna and Kyoko's dates. The two of them had found comfort in each other but they couldn't be involved romantically. To this day they still argued like children. Lambo and I-pin had looked like angels compared to the two of them and that were saying something.

Haru downed her glass then stood up; slowly as she didn't want to become dizzy. She smoothed down her dress. It was a strapless floor length gown. Around the bust was nude in colour with black lace and black crystals sewn on. The rest of the dress was black. There was a knee high split on the right side. It was her evening bridesmaid dress. She had better mingle since she was a bridesmaid plus she didn't want to cause a scene by being drunk at her best friend's wedding. That would be selfish. Haru left the bar and headed for the bathroom; she felt like freshening up.

She gripped the rim of the sink and stared at her reflection. She turned the cold water tap on and gathered the flowing water in her cupped hands; then she threw it on her face. The coolness made her feel better and also sobered her up a bit. The red flush of blood on her face calmed down and returned to her usual porcelain complexion. She then proceeded to let the cold water run over the inside of her wrists, this would cool her body down. Haru then dabbed her face dry with one of the rolled up complimentary towels and reapplied her makeup. She smiled at her reflection; it was time to re-enter the ball room. To face the stares of people who would mention, behind her back, that she came in second to Kyoko. It wasn't exactly a well kept secret that she had a major crush of Tsuna in the past.

She flipped her long brown hair and struck a sultry pose and then burst out laughing. She was glad the toilets were empty. She didn't want anyone to witness her confident boost. She pushed open the door and headed for the ball room. Haru just hoped her confidence had been elevated.

Only the chandelier lights had been left on and even they had been dimmed. Also the candles in the centre of the tables had been lit. Haru almost sighed at how romantic the room looked basked in candle light. Kyoko and Tsuna were sharing a slow dance. Hannah and Rhyohei plus Chrome and Muroko were also on the dance floor in each other's embrace. It was full of couples.

Haru's throat felt dry she needed another drink and a strong one. She couldn't understand how everyone had found someone but her. Was she so unlikeable? Haru knew she was eccentric and could be a bit ditzy but that just added to her character surely. She shuffled over to the bar; so far the stay sober plan was failing epically.

She stood in front of a chalk board with the cocktail menu written on.

"What are you thinking of getting? I personally can't decide between a pino colada or a long island iced tea"

Haru turned around and looked up. He was tall and lanky with brightly coloured hair. Green, red and brown to be exact and he was wearing sunglasses in doors. She recognised him from being part of the Varia but couldn't recollect his name.

"Oh um I haven't really decided" she answered.

He smiled. "Sit down at a table, I'll choose and drink for you and you can tell me what's bothering you"

She noticed he used his hands when he was speaking like a stereotypical Italian and his voice sounds quite feminim. She smiled back "ok" instinctively she felt that she could trust him.

Haru quickly found a table; it was near the back of the ball room. She sat down and pulled her phone out from her clutch. She sighed. She had no new messages or notifications. It seems no body had noticed her absence since the dinner. She froze when her ears picked up the sound of sniggering and giggling. Her eyesight flickered over to a table not far away. It consisted mainly of females with a range of different ages. They all had one thing in common they would casually glance over at her, not all at the same time; then they would carry on laughing and talking. Could they be any more obvious?! She picked up her phone again and pretended to text someone.

"I got you a sea breeze because it sounded yummy"

Haru looked up towards the colourful haired man and grasped the ice cold drink he handed her "thank you"

"Are you ok?" he fussed.

She quickly glanced at the table full of bitchy females.

"Ah most of them belong to inferior mafia families did you know?" he smirked and sat down "I'm Lussuria I don't think I properly introduced myself"

"It's nice to meet you Lussuria I'm Haru" she drank some of her cocktail from the straw. The cranberry juice made it taste sweet whilst the grapefruit juice added sourness. She liked it.

"So what's gotten you down besides the bitches on the other table" he asked before pulling a piece of pineapple from his cocktail glass and popping it into his mouth.

"I just hate seeing everyone else in couples whilst I'm on the other side of the glass, looking in. I suppose that makes me a horrible person but it's hard and everyone here knows that I used to be in love with Tsuna. I'm forever going to be labelled as the reject" she whined.

"It doesn't make you horrible" he laughed "and I'm from the Varia we're often labelled as a bunch of rejects as well" he stared into the depths his glass. Lussuria felt warmth spread over his hand. His eyes widened beneath his sun glasses. He looked over at Haru. She had a soft look on her face and her chocolate brown eyes were warm and understanding.

"You don't look like a reject to me"

Lussuria squeezed her hand back "Same to you" then his voice changed back to its usual chirpy self "now let's drink up. I feel like we should celebrate our new friendship"

Haru laughed and they toasted their friendship.

"The prince is bored what are you commoners up to?" Haru turned around. A blonde wearing a tiara with a Cheshire cat grin was leaning on her chair.

"We're toasting our new friendship" Haru stated.

The blonde yawned "Boring! I want entertaining"

Haru felt a vein pulse in her head. This guy seemed really bratty. He was wearing the same uniform as Lussuria so she assumed he was in the Varia as well. "Go entertain yourself then" she replied and ignored his glare.

Belphegor glared at the brunette. He was a prince! Commoners couldn't ignore him. He wouldn't allow it. He slid into the chair next to the unknown woman and grabbed her drink; smirking at her protests and her attempt to grab it back. He was going to love teasing her.

Lussuria sighed. It was like watching Belphegor, Levi and Fran fight. Although Haru was a lot cuter than those three so she was forgiven immediately. "I'm going to get more drinks; I think we could use some shots. So behave children"

"You can't speak that way to a prince!" Belphegor protested not noticing Haru reaching over.

"Got it!" she exclaimed grasping her drink and taking a victory sip.

Belphegor growled "Cheat!"

Haru stuck her tongue out at him then resumed sucking her straw.

It was many glasses later that Haru noticed the time. It was nearing twelve. She had also meet Fran, Squalo and Levi from the Varia. A lot of bickering had occurred between them and laughing at each other. For the first time, in a very long time, she felt happy and care free. To these people she wasn't Tsuna's reject, she was a friend. Well that's what she thought at least. She felt close to her big sister Lussuria and she even felt close to Belphegor, Squalo and Fran. With Levi she felt some sort of rivalry, she didn't know why though. She had gotten used to Belphegor calling her a commoner, to Squalo's constant shouting and Fran's sarcastic commentary. Plus Levi didn't half go on about his boss; he's such a fan boy just like Gokudera. It was then that a waiter brought a bottle a champagne and glasses around to their table.

"The bride and groom will be making a toast before retiring and they've asked that everyone is to attend, no exceptions" he announced before leaving.

Haru thought it was strange that Kyoko hadn't mentioned this but then again it might have been Tsuna's idea or even a last minute one as Haru hadn't spoken to them for most of the night.

Squalo took a swig from his glass. "That means that one of us has to go and get the shitty boss then" he shouted.

"He's not going to be happy at whoever disturbs him" Lussuria stated.

"The boss wouldn't get angry with me and even if he did I'd love it" Levi blushed "what?" He asked because everyone around the table was staring at him.

"You are weird and an idiot" Belphegor laughed.

"Voooi ok then we'll all go look for the boss now!"

"And whoever finds his will get a drink as compensation" Lussuria announced hoping for some enthusiasm.

Everyone groaned in annoyance and stood up before walking out of the ball room. Haru followed them not wanting to be left behind. She pondered what the boss of the Varia would be like. She heard Tsuna mention in the past many times how terrifying he was. If she got on with everyone in the Varia maybe she'd become his friend as well.

"Hey Lussuria what's the boss like?" She asked

"Well he has a very bad temper and doesn't like to be disturbed when eating or sleeping but overall he's a good boss, slightly heartless but that's part of his charm"

Haru found that she had more questions than answers.

She wondered if all the rumours were true about him but then again there were a lot of rumours involving her being circled around the Mafia about her being Tsuna's reject, sleeping with Gokudera which were true and others which involved her sleeping around with Tsuna's other guardians and that secretly she was backstabbing Kyoko by still trying to get into Tsuna's pants. So she felt like she shouldn't judge this Xanxus by basing her perception him on rumours.

The Varia spilt off into different directions in order to find their boss.

Haru didn't know how much time had passed for all she knew the toast would have started by now or even be over. She hadn't seen any of the Varia members in a while. She had been randomly opening doors in the hope of finding someone as she was completely and utterly lost. She really should have stayed with one of the Varia members. She tried another door and peered inside. It was a small bar room and inside was a man reclining on a chair a tumbler glass in his hand. He opened one eye.

"Are you Xanxus?" She asked timidly. He did look scary and intimidating after all.

"What's it to you trash?"
"Tsuna and Kyoko are going to make a speech; everyone has been asked to attend. Squalo and the others are looking for you so I'm helping out" she trailed off.

"Not interested scum"

Haru huffed and waltzed over to him. He had messy dark brown hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes that sometimes looked red at certain angles. He also had some sort of raccoon tail next to his neck.

"Haru is a lady not scum" she protested. Her eyes widened she must have had too much to drink after all as she was speaking in third person about herself.

He stared at her with a look that said go away.

"I'm not leaving until you come with me" she stated.

She flinched when she heard the safety being taken off his gun "what's stopping me from shooting you scum?"

"I don't think Tsuna would appreciate it if you shot one of his bridesmaids" she stated glaring back at him.

Xanxus thought back to earlier in the day. He had been hoping to drink it away in this very bar but so far he wasn't having any luck. But he did remember this woman being at the front of the church. He didn't even want to attend this stupid day except for the fact it was mandatory and the 9th has pretty much commanded him to go and to behave. He just wanted the day to be over. He bet the old man also hoped that he would find some suitable lady at the wedding instead of all the one night stands he had. The old man had been hinting about a grandchild for a while now and it was getting progressively irritating; like this woman standing in front of him. He could tell that she wouldn't be leaving soon and that she would probably start talking nonsense just to irritate him. It was already working. He downed the rest of his malt whiskey and left the glass on the bar. Pushing past the woman he made his way into the corridor. He waited for the woman to follow him.

"Which way to the ballroom scum"

Haru looked down both sides of the corridor it was best to come the way she came she thought "Erm Haru thinks it's this way" she inwardly groaned and wished she could turn the third person speech off.

Xanxus strode down the corridor wondering why this woman was speaking in third person. But then again no one was normal in the Mafia.

Xanxus grew more irritated by the minute. The house looked different compared to a few hours ago and he didn't know if they were going in the right direction or not. Plus the woman that practically demanded he attend the shitty wedding speech was keeping her distance from him. It was irksome how she kept a few paces behind him. He sighed in frustration "I'm not going to kill you trash"

She looked up at him as he spoke and blushed from embarrassment. Haru had been in the mafia a long time and yet, when some of the alcohol had been burned off, the fear had set in that this man was dangerous. She walked up towards him avoiding his stare and they continued to walk. Haru took a deep breath. She couldn't stand the silence between them and once she opened her mouth.

Xanxus felt a vein pulse in his forehead. When he'd invited her to walk next to him he hadn't anticipated that she would talk none stop about well gibberish. What annoyed him more was the fact that he couldn't understand what the hell she was on about! He caught snippets every now and then. He clenched his jaw and balled his fists. On top of being hopelessly lost, she wouldn't stop talking. It was driving him insane plus he couldn't just shoot her. The repercussions wouldn't be worth it.

Xanxus turned abruptly slamming his hand against the wall. He glared at her. "Silence woman" he commanded. He watched her doe like eyes widen; her pupils dilated. She seemed smaller and more dainty this close up. Her dress hugged her figure nicely as well. He wondered what that weak boy's face would look like if his precious bridesmaid left his room in the morning. Xanxus inwardly smiled. If he was going to be tortured all day being nice to people he despised he might as well reap the benefits of it. Plus she wasn't bad to look at. She looked innocent and fragile. He hadn't had someone like that in a long time. Xanxus pressed his body against hers. They fitted together quite nicely. Her breathing was irregular and her pupils expanded further. He thrust his lips onto hers and growled when she kissed back hungrily. She pressed her body against his; feeling the solidness of his muscles. She only pulled away when her need for oxygen outweighed her desire. She took a deep breath before he claimed her again. His tongue licked the crease between her lips before plunging into the chasm that was her mouth. Memorising its interior.

They moved quickly down the corridor, when they happen to come across a door. Not breaking the kiss he pulled the handle and they stepped into the darkness.