Tango Dancer: I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying this! If you think the Varia appearing is a surprise then I can't imagine your reaction to what the real surprise will be!
lidiagiron13: What do you think everyone in Varia's relationship to Tsunaki will be? I'm curious to hear.
Whiteicewolf: Everyone seems extremely excited that the Varia appeared~ Who's your favourite? Mine's Xanxus and Squalo.
Shiny Sylveon: Sorry if it wasn't clear but everyone in acrobanleno is in their adult form!
Alice aquabld: Any guess on who's gonna be in the harem? That's true, which one do you think is Tsunaki?
Guest: You don't realize how happy it makes me to hear that you were feeling what Tsunaki was going through! Thank you so much for the support!
Guest: Can you imagine if Reborn wasn't there?
Kira: Ah! I'm so happy to hear that! I hope that Elements continues to meet your expectations!
n1ghtdr34m3r: Haha! Who knows if they might, it's going to be a few more chapters before something like that is revealed. But I'll leave you hanging with a maybe! I hope you continue to enjoy Elements as much as I enjoyed writing it.
917brat: I'll try to update more frequently then, no promises though since I also have a life outside of fanfiction.
: Sorry but you'll have to wait til the next chapter for the confrontation between Tsunaki and he ex-guardians but hopefully this chapter satisfies you for now.
Chapter 4
Pouty lips curved into a small smile, she had missed them. She should have known that Reborn would have contacted them to come. After all, everyone knew that the Varia wasn't a group you would wish to mess with. Walking into the living room she was greeted with the sight of the Varia along with a few other individuals all crowded into the room.
"Took you long enough, Trash." Xanxus greeted, crimson orbs gazing at her boredly, as he smoothly drowned a glass of alcohol. Resting his cheek on his palm, his ankle resting on top of his knee. Not once wincing at the strong, bitter taste of the alcohol. It said a lot about his tolerance and how often he drank if he was able to stay sober while drinking something which would normally leave others drunk upon their first drink.
Tsunaki took a moment to observe Xanxus, his dark hair had grown out significantly since she had seen him. The bangs growing out until it nearly reached his eyebrows, drawing more attention to his alluring crimson orbs. He had grown taller, shoulders broadening slightly. He was dressed in a pristine white dress shirt with the sleeves neatly folded up to his elbows, with the first few buttons of the dress shirt left undone. He wore black slacks with matching black shoes. His outfit was sophisticated and heightened his good looks, clinging nicely to his toned body. The scars on his face leaving a mystery and dangerous vibe around him.
"Voi! Do you know how long we've been waiting for you?!" Squalo shouted, waving his sword around carelessly. His light gray eyes turning to glare at Xanxus when a glass of Vodka was thrown at him from behind. His long gray hair was drenched in alcohol, his bangs plastered to his forehead. He wore a form fitting black dress shirt that displayed his muscular chest well, with matching black slacks and dress shoes.
"Welcome back, Hime!" Levi greeted enthusiastically, standing loyally at Xanxus's side. He was abnormally tall, with an incredibly built body. His black hair was spiked up, his face lacking the piercings that he had worn a few years ago. He was dressed in the standard Varia uniform, leather pants with a thick and flexible, black jacket.
"The Prince does not like to be kept waiting but I suppose that I shall excuse it this once since it is the Queen." Bel grinned, long, wavy blonde with bangs that covered his eyes from view. Like the others, Bel had grown taller and broader. Dressed in a black-and-purple shirt with a black jacket worn on top with white fur trimming on the hood. He was casually tossing his throwing knife and catching it, repeating the motion over and over again.
"Time is money, you owe me for wasting my time." Mammon stated, not once pausing from counting his money to glance towards Tsunaki. A deep purple cloak covered him from hand to toe, only leaving the bottom of his bottom along with shoulder length purple hair. Tattooed onto each cheek were two upside down triangles that were purple that was a few shades darker than his hair. An intriguing air of mystery surrounded Mammon, his cloak only strengthening the mysterious air around him.
"Sorry for the wait, I hadn't known that you guys were coming." Tsunaki apologized, smiling warmly albeit tiredly. Her long brown hair was sloppily tied up in a high ponytail with a few strands falling out of the ponytail. Her training clothes were nicked in various places, and she was covered in sweat and dirt. Not her ideal way of looking presentable in front of others.
"It wasn't that long of a wait, Nana had been a lovely hostess. Please take a seat, you look exhausted." Fon advised, smiling calmly with his stormy gray eyes curved into half-moons.
He stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of tea, his long braid i swaying softly behind him as he walked gracefully. He was dressed in a traditional martial arts outfit, it was a plain black with white knots as buttons. A peek of a white high collar could be seen, contrasting smoothly with the black high collar. The seams of the long sleeves were also white. The outfit was form fitting but allowed easy movement.
Tsunaki nodded gratefully towards him and before she could utter a word a blond blur crashed into her, sending the both of them tumbling towards the ground. Tsunaki groaned softly, rubbing her forehead where it had collided with the other person.
"O-ouch, are you okay?" Dino winced, rubbing the red spot on his forehead soothingly. He was donning a maroon dress shirt with a thick, green jacket worn on top with a white fur trimming on the hood. The slacks he wore were a dark brown, held up with a brown belt with the metal piece glinting visibly in the middle.
A feminine sigh was heard before a dainty hand yanked Dino back up and whacked him harshly across the head. "You idiot, think before you do." Bianchi scolded, hands placed on her hips as emerald orbs narrowed warningly.
"I'm sorry! I just got excited to see my little sister again!" Dino whined, pouting childishly as he rubbed the spot where she had hit him. Even though she seemed really delicate Bianchi could hit just as hard as any man.
"What am I going to do with you?" Bianchi sighed tiredly, running a hand through long pink locks. Blinking in realization, she turned towards Tsunaki and offered her a hand.
Tsunaki accepted, smiling thankfully at Bianchi. It had been a while since she had seen Bianchi, the pinkette having decided to go on vacation with her boyfriend, Dino. It had been a major surprise to her when the pinkette had given up on Reborn and agreed to date Dino but she was happy for them, they suited each other.
A loud gunshot was heard as a bullet was shot, shattering the bottle of vodka in Xanxus's grasp. Xanxus scowled angrily, turning his head to the doorway to glare at the idiot who had dared to shatter his precious alcohol. His fingers itching to pull the trigger on his X-guns and burn the idiot to a crisp.
Reborn smirked smugly at him, the barrel of his gun emitting a stream of smoke from the shot as he casually leaned onto the door frame. Xanxus only scoffed, crimson orbs darkening as he growled at Levi to get him another bottle of Vodka. Even Xanxus knew when to pick his fights and the hitman just wasn't worth the trouble.
Reborn's smirk faded as his coal black eyes glinted seriously, everyone unconsciously straightening their back as the tension in the room thickened. "I had requested you all the come today because it seems that Tsunaki could possibly be in grave danger. As of recently, the Guardians of Vongola had been neglecting their duties therefore abandoning their sky."
Emerald eyes widened, flashing with recognition. "R-Reborn, you couldn't possibly mean that..!" Bianchi gasped softly, her grip on Dino's arm tightening.
"I knew they were trash but this just proves it." Xanxus laughed coldly, crimson orbs brimming with malice. Xanxus may be a cold-hearted killed but he was also a Sky and even he took the loyalty and duties of his Guardians seriously.
"The prince demands that someone explain what everyone is talking about." Bel frowned, displeased with his lack of understanding with what everyone was talking about.
"I'll explain this free of charge but only because it seems that I'll be getting a lot of money from this situation." Mammon smirked greedily, fingers itching to count his stacks of money. "It's well known that in the mafia, anything goes. However even the mafia has their own morals however few they may be. The duties of the Guardians of the famglia are taken very seriously and even thinking about abandoning the Sky is considered taboo." Mammon trailed off, the silence of the house deafening.
"To ensure that Guardians would remain faithful to their sky, they had designed Guardian rings. They boost a Guardian's skills to another level however if they neglect their duties towards their Sky and have expressed a verbal desire to leave their duties as a Guardian then the rings would shatter, breaking the bonds between the Sky and the Guardian. However, never has a Guardian ever abandoned their Sky never mind a Sky losing nearly all of their Guardians." Mammon explained, his voice as rich and smooth as red wine.
"Why is abandoning a Sky so taboo and rare? There's alway going to be someone that's disloyal towards their Sky. Wasn't Daemon disloyal towards the Primo?" Dino asked solemnly, his thumb stroking Bianchi's thumb comfortingly.
"No, despite his actions he was still loyal towards his Sky, Primo. His disloyalty was towards Vongola." Reborn explained, crossing his arms over his chest as he tilted his head back against the wall in thought.
"I don't understand! Weren't they all loyal to Tsunaki?! Hayato- he adored her, he basically worshiped the floor she walked on! How could so much change within the month that I had left!?" Bianchi shouted angrily, raging emerald orbs narrowed before softening into a lifeless green as her voice trailed off into a small whisper.
"Because they're trash." Xanxus growled, carelessly chugging a shot of Vodka. The burn of the alcohol travelling down his throat. To think that at one point, he had considered them worthy of being Tsunaki's Guardians. If it wouldn't have devastated Tsunaki to the point of tears then he would have already burned their bodies to hell.
"I hate disloyal dogs with a passion! Do you want me to take care of them, Lady Boss?" Levi demanded, sliding the lethal weapon from its position on his back. Observing her carefully for the slightly hint of a 'yes'. Throughout the time he had grown to know her he had developed a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for her that rival his respect and admiration for Xanxus.
"Just a month ago, they were so loyal to her! They fought side by side with her during the war against Byakuran, risking their goddamn lives! What the fuck changed within the month that I've been gone. Betraying my little sister like that, I'll kill them." Dino cussed, the warmth in his eyes flickering way as brown eyes hardened. Bianchi gingerly placed her hand on top of his clenched fist, their eyes meeting to show mutual anger.
"Don't, I'm sick of this. If they were just going to abandon me like this then they should have listened when I told them not to get involved. "Tsunaki hissed bitterly, an unreadable expression masking her face as she gazed out the window. Her face was pale, a slight hint of sweat appearing upon her forehead. Her body was stiff as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I've heard rumors that the consequences of such actions are very grave." Fon stated, brows furrowed into a frown. The bond between the Sky and their Guardians was very strong, he couldn't imagine the consequences it could have on Tsunaki. Fon's chest clenched tightly at the thought of the pain Tsunaki was going through, they really were idiots for taking Tsunaki's kindness towards them for granted. From what he had heard she had saved many of them yet they repay them back like this! Fon was a man of honor and was disgusted that his nephew, Kyouya, who he had raised to be honorable had done something as disgraceful as this. Absentmindedly pouring a cup of oolong tea for Tsunaki, to calm her troubled mind.
"Hence why we required you all to come here to protect Tsunaki. It has been decided that Tsunaki will be brought to a new location where she will be under all our supervision." Reborn informed, obsidian orbs flashing with a hint of worry but it quickly vanished but not before a few individuals noticed.
"I refuse to be trapped for my own protection!" Tsunaki growled, honey brown orbs melting into a fiery orange colour. "Even though I've lost my Guardians I'm still fully capable of protecting myself! Protect me if you must but I will not be isolated and restricted!"
"Don't be an idiot and stop trying to be so tough! You may not have noticed it but the separation from your Guardians has already affected your Dying Will Flames!" Reborn argued angrily, his voice raising a notch louder surprising everyone, having never seen the World's Greatest Hitman, Reborn, lose his cool.
"You were the first to believe in me, you always exposed me to danger because you were always the first to believe in me so why are you so against me now!" Tsunaki growled passionately, fiery orange eyes searching obsidian eyes before finally softening into honey brown orbs, "I know that you're worried for me, Reborn. But please, please believe in me now."
Obsidian orbs pierced through her, analysing her before finally breaking eye contact. "Don't make me regret this." He spoke before turning to address the rest of the occupants within the room. "Seems like there will be a chance of plan. I require some of you to integrate yourselves into Namimori high school where Tsunaki will be spending most of her time and will be most vulnerable."
Bel remained quiet among the group of enraged-killers, his back against the wall as he absentmindedly threw his blade up before catching it, repeating the motion over and over again. Something wasn't right, those brats had been loyal to Tsunaki. Their loyal was the kind that you could only dream of having. What had occurred during that month that had faltered their loyalty? Bel frowned, a feeling of dread forming in his stomach. There was more to this and he intended to find out what.
"Since the Prince is the same age as the Queen, I shall grace the school and its' pitiful students with my presences." Bel demanded, faking a grin as plans formulated in his mind. This gave him a chance to gain more insight on the situation.
"Very well. Bel shall be going undercover as a student while the rest of you shall be replacing her teachers. Mammon, I want you to remain invisible and stay with Tsunaki throughout the day. Nono has arranged for you all to live in the house beside us." Reborn announced, staring into the eyes of every individual as though daring them to disagree. "Every night, two of you shall stay with Tsunaki to guard her while she sleeps. How you want the rotation to be and who you will be assigned to guard her with will be up to you. Guard Tsunaki with your life."
Tsunaki's shoulders sagged tiredly as she smiled gratefully at Reborn. Her smile quickly faded into a frown as she noticed her vision become hazy, black spots dotting across her vision.
"Tsunaki? You're sweating, are you okay?" A concerned voice asked, a cool hand contrasting against her warm forehead. Opening her eyes, which she hadn't realized she had closed, Fon's face appeared in front of her. Her tongue darting out to moist her dry lips. "I-I… J-Just a little dizzy."
"Do you want to rest?"
"Shit… Someone… Call… Sha…"
"Ts…. Awake… Naki..!"
Everyone's voices faded into background noise as her vision became more distorted. She swayed slightly in her spot, quietly stumbling towards the nearest wall. Shakily leaning her body against the wall, she raked her trembling hairs through her hair. Oblivious to the concerned voices that called out to her as her eyelashes fluttered shut, slipping into the dark embrace of her unconscious.