The sun poured in heavily through the clear crystalline windows, beams of it reflecting of most surfaces, while for others it merely heated it. Sitting comfortably in a puffy leather sofa, Byakuran chomped on his favourite snacks, cheesy maize crisps that he ate with gusto, his face on of perfect happiness save the look in his eyes. Like a dark cloud that marred a perfect picture. In his hand he held a small Polaroid picture with an all too familiar face on it and resting lightly on the table, a newspaper lay with a story on the front that made Byakuran growl. He ignored his attendant as he entered, his dark gaze focusing on the oddly beautiful face of one of those people. Byakuran clenched the bag of maize snacks beneath his fist, crushing the crisps into powder as he snarled.
"How dare he!" Byakuran roared, standing up with the force of his anger. "Freeing that.. That scum! We spent years getting rid of his kind and yet why is he free?"
"Byakuran?" His attendant, questioned tentatively.
"Why didn't I kill him when I had the chance?" Byakuran raged, not turning as another voice addressed him. A blonde haired man with semi-long messy hair and bright silver eyes.
"Because we need him." The blonde haired man said from the doorway, a smile lifting the corner of his lips. "He is the Catalyst and the power of his flames are needed."
"Yes." Byakuran hissed lowly, a grin lifting his face in such a way that it looked twisted and insane.
"We are nearly ready now, Lord Byakuran." The black haired attendant muttered from next to the blonde haired man. "Captain Irie reported that what you told him to make is close to completion but he didn't mention what it was. I assume you understand, my lord?"
Byakuran lifted his head, throwing it back as laughter bubbled up to his throat. "Its nearly time! Wait for me, little Freak." Byakuran almost cooed, shoving a handful of cheesy snacks into his mouth and looking dangerously at the Polaroid picture, throwing it at the fireplace and watching it burn with a dark chuckle. "I wanna watch you burn."
Confused green eyes slid open as, after trying to roll over, he found a long clinking chain holding him still, after his nightmare apparently his form had changed to his leopard counterpart and someone had decided it would be fun to clip a heavy metal collar attached to a chain that was restricting his movement. Harry quick changed into his human form, tugging slightly on it with a growl. From the doorway, a low chuckle reached his ears and Xanxus was leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his features, a gleaming key resting in one hand and a simple cat collar with a bell on the end, coupled with a lead.
While Harry had the capacity to be submissive that didn't mean he took it that far, Harry was a fighter at heart and it showed on his features as he tried to lunge at Xanxus, only for the heavy chain to stop him short as he was thrown back, body falling against the bed as the chain held fast. Xanxus chuckled smoothly, stepping forward with a mocking smile. "Lets make a deal, pet." Xanxus said softly, shutting the door behind him. "You promise to wear this, and I'll help you out with controlling your flames." Xanxus always exerted his dominance when he could and he knew he would win, judging by the smile.
"I don't need your help!" Harry snarled fiercely, moving to give the chain some slack even as his eyes slid downwards to the Vongola ring on his finger, fully aware that should the ring come off, he would lose control. Xanxus seemed to be aware as he snatched Harry's hand, pulling off said ring with ease. Harry threw himself as Xanxus, feeling his magic, in the form of flames, build under his skin, pressure pushing at his skin. Little black and red flames starting along his skin like an aura of flames that quickly spread until the sheer heat began to burn the bed he was sitting on, something which dying will flames shouldn't do. They were flames but they didn't burn like flames, instead they used a persons inner magic or 'dying will' to form flames, it was entirely possible to change that form to whatever that person wished but the colour would stay the same, that was why the lightning element's 'flames' looked nothing like fire and why mist's 'flames' were so light and airy. The same was to be said for all the elements.
That person's elemental affinity would always affect the colour of the flames or whatever else his or her inner magic formed. Xanxus raised his eyebrow, holding the ring between his forefinger and his thumb and staring at the visibly struggling Harry. "The more you deny it, the worse it'll become, runt." Xanxus said, his voice as gentle as was possible for the Varia boss. Cuts began appearing across Harry's face, flames flowing out of them like the blood that followed, the cuts growing and connecting like cracks in the plains on some water starved country.
Harry stayed silent for a few seconds, body juddering with pain, before nodding slowly. "I don't like it, but okay." Xanxus grinned at that and, with a few deft movements, had the heavy metal chain off and the small cats collar on, a smirk on his face as the bell tinkled lightly. Before Harry could try to get up, Xanxus managed to clip on the lead and tug him up. "X-Xanxus?" Harry questioned, stumbling along as Xanxus pulled at the lead, his expression one of annoyance. Harry hadn't noticed but the ring was back on his finger and the cuts and healed, all the leaked flames slipping in place with ease.
"Come on. Training starts now." Xanxus said with laughter in his voice. The Varia's headquarters were beautiful, Harry noticed suddenly, a large castle with old décor on the inside, old red cushioned thrones and heavy curtains and it even had a dumbwaiter. Harry found himself admiring the art that decorated the walls, beautifully framed pictures, each one priceless. Xanxus lead him to a room with heavy wooden doors that opened together and, as Harry stepped in, he found himself staring at a completely blank room, white tiles on the floor and bright white walls. All the white made Harry shudder slightly, brief flashes of struggling against pairs of arms that held him down, frightened green eyes following the path of the needle as it slid into his flesh, a brief burst of fiery pain and then nothing.
Shuddering slightly, eyes half open and glazed, not noticing that, in a burst of sky flames, Xanxus' box animal appeared. Leone di Cielo purred softly, large paws thudding on the ground as the heavy beast sped up, the animal ran straight into Harry and stopped abruptly, opening its jaws and snapping them shut around the wrist of Harry. Harry jerked, looking down to see the large tiger with somewhat furious eyes, the beast calming slightly as he saw the marks on his hands. The large beast rumbled a growl and tugged him along as if he was a cub, tail flicking contentedly as he trotted along beside the huge creature.
Xanxus was on him in moments, slamming him against the floor and pulling the ring off, where the cracks immediately began to reappear, flames slithering down his face like snakes. Harry fell to his knee's, coughing and choking as flames began to pour out of his mouth in puffs oddly coloured smoke. He trembled for a second and then lay still, his eyes wide and sightless as Xanxus laughed above him, twirling his guns on his fingers as he watched.
Authors note: I know! I know! I'm so unbelievably sorry! =[ Things happened and exams and stuff! I'm sorry! =[ I had total writers block but I'm back =]