Aaaaaaaand I'm back! Sorry of the update took long. I was very busy blah blah blah.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR!

Training

It was a normal morning when Veronica woke up. The sun was shining, its rays seeping through her curtain as if mocking her. Unfortunately, she was expecting a somewhat gloomy ambiance. I was expecting rain, dammit!

But then she realized that it wasn't very wise to travel in such a bad weather. Her mood went a 180 degree shift as she thanked the heavens for providing her with a very nice one instead, hoping that it'll last until tomorrow.

She clambered out of the tangled sheet, and then out of the bed. After that, she proceeded into her morning ritual: eating breakfast and taking a bath, which she spent while deciding on what she'll do the moment she arrives to Japan. Should she change her name? How about her looks? Will she disguise as someone of their age? If they're part of the mafia, they shouldn't be easy to fool. She needs stronger illusions.

"My head is already spinning! Why must he always torture me?!" she said as she was drying her hair and reminiscing the times when Iemitsu tortured her by means of "excruciating"missions, a.k.a., doing all of what he orders.

Then there was a knock on the door.

"Hurry up! We're gonna train!"

"Lal is that you? Training for what?"

"Don't ask! Boss' order. If you're not out here by five minutes I'll drag your pretty little ass!"

"Why're you so snappy?! Sheesh, you'll ruin your cute baby face if you scowl so much! I'm coming!" she shouted as she hastily put on a long-sleeved white polo and black slacks. Finding her combat heels added to her previous stressed state.

"Not here, not here, not here! Where i-nevermind! Found it! But wait! I need to tie my hair! Bands, bands...ah there!" she said as she tore the room looking for the items and did her business with unusual speed. Time check...mission accomplished in three minutes. Note to self: fearing Lal has its perks.

The walk to the training room was very long, which at that time, was unusually spent in silence. Even though Lal is a fan of silence, she wasn't used to seeing her best friend wear a worried expression. It was unnerving. "Is something wrong?" the baby asked. "Nothing. Just a little sleepy."

"Run," the baby said in a hushed tone.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Run."

"Why? Hey wh-"

Before she can even finish her sentence, a blue beam swiftly passed by her ear missing her by a centimeter. With that, Veronica started to sprint to towards the training room. Sorry, Vivi. You need a little push. I'm pretty sure you're not aware of the dangers that lie ahead, let alone be prepared for it. I'm doing this for your sake. Lal Mirch then headed for the training room while remembering the event that transpired yesterday.

"What did you call me here for?"

Iemitsu had called Lal Mirch just after his little dispute with Veronica. By the looks of it, he wasn't really pleased with the kind of behavior she displayed earlier. "I need you to train Veronica," he said while massaging his temples.

"Why? She's still in good shape if you ask me."

"Yes. For being a secretary and not a member who's about to embark on a mission."

"Wait, don't tell m-"

"Didn't she tell you? She's going to leave the day after tomorrow."

"She never mentioned this part..."

"What do you know?" his eyebrow rose.

"It's not that I don't know any thing. I know all about the mission. She even begged for me to accompany her to try Giannini's new invention," she wrinkled her nose in disgust as she remembered Veronica's successful escape.

"Oh? How was it?"

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask her personally regarding that," she crossed her arms.

"Then back to the matter at hand. Like I said, I want you to train her. Make sure her body's conditioned to fighting. I didn't give her weapons for decorations, you know. It's about time she learns to defend herself."

"Really? But in what I saw earlier, she's capable of defending herself, although she just dodged most of the time. She was able to block my shot by using her kunai."

"It may sound impressive coming from a person with zero experience in battling, but I know from your experience, it won't be enough. She's rough around the edges, but when she puts her heart in something, she learns very quickly. Not to mention she does a very good job in it. Did you know she used to live with Nana?"

"No."

"After I picked her up, I entrusted her to Nana. I think she was 5 years old at that time. She was a strong kid. She didn't shed a single tear when she saw me, or other strangers. During her stay, Nana taught her how to read and write properly, even if it was for 2 years only. Look at her now. She has the skill in writing. She even writes better than me."

"Wait. How did you convince Nana to take care of the kid?"

"Simple. I told her the kid's parents will be away for a long time and the kid'll need someone to look after her. I also told her that her "parents" were good friends of mine."

"And then after 2 years, the headquarters became her home," she stated.

"I had to take responsibility of her after all. She left right before Tsuna was born."

"Did you mention this to Vivi? I mean, she might blow her cover if Nana recognizes her."

"That's why I told her that there'll be a punishment waiting for her if her cover's blown by Tsuna or Nana."

"What about Reborn?"

"I don't care if Reborn will know. I know he won't say a thing. And I doubt she'll get past Reborn. Haha, let her mind be grinded when she finds out Reborn's skill." (Sadistic bastard :D )

"Why didn't you train her when she was younger?"

"I tried, but she just won't give in. She's too lazy and she hates me. She thinks I'm making her life miserable. That's why I'm counting on you to train her. She'll need it. I know you know what I mean. You of all people should understand."

"I'll see what I can do."

Lal arrived at the training room only to be greeted by a tired Veronica.

"What *pant* was *pant* that *pant* foooor?!" she was ready to collapse. "I told you we will be training. So are you still sleepy?" Lal flashed her award-winning smirk. "Hell no! Wait, you mean what you did earlier was only to wake me up?! I was kidding a while ago you know!"

"Silence! Run 50 laps around the room!"

"B-but my stamina!"

"Now!" And so Veronica's hellish warm-up begins.

After 2 hours

After completing 50 laps, doing 50 push-ups and sit-ups, another 50 for being whiny, Veronica collapsed on the cold tiled floor. "Yes! Oh my fucking jeebus! I finished it!" she cheered. "Oh, we're not done yet," Lal announced. "Oh come on! Just let me rest a bit! Let me take off my shoes, too," she said as she took off her broken heels. Lal can't do anything but to give her permission because she admits, Veronica looks like a mess. After a couple of minutes, the ceiling suddenly became interesting to Veronica.

There she goes again. Just what the hell is her problem?! "Oi. I noticed you earlier. Why do you look so troubled?"

"So you noticed? Told you I was kidding! I'm actually worrying about my mission. I can't decide whether I should change my name or not, whether I should change my appearance or not. It irks me to no end. Oh, do you know I'm leaving tomorrow?" Veronica grinned.

"Boss told me," Veronica's grin slipped off her face.

"What? That bastard stole my spotlight! Now I won't see your shocked look. Ever," she continued to stare at the ceiling.

"He also informed me of your stay at Nana's before."

"Nana... Do you know she taught me how to read and write? Thanks to her, I was able to get this position. It's not just because I have connections with the boss that I made it here. You can say I made a promise to her. I promised her I'll continue learning how to write," she said with mixed emotions of depression, longing and sadness. In times like these, it's okay to let my guard down for a bit. She's one of the few people I trust, after all.

"He also told me about that, but the latter...I'm not sure he knows."

"Of course he doesn't know. Its a secret. Wait, just how much did he tell you?!"

"Just enough."

Then there was silence.

"Hey..." she hesitated.

"Yes?"

"Do you...by any chance...pity me? Well, considering that you know my relationship with boss, and basically all about me..." she stared at the baby.

"No."

"Good, cause I don't want to be a Mary Sue," she mused.

Lal Mirch wasn't expecting that. "Well you have the clarifications for being one. Except that you don't possess the "charm-all-the-men" beauty. As far as I know, you haven't had a suitor yet, Vivi," once again, she smirked for the umpteenth time.

"Hey! I...I...at least I can charm a...a...A DUST!" Lal Mirch's statement made Veronica bolt upright.

"Ha-ha. Dream on. Anyways, before I forget...regarding your problem, why don't you use your head for once and make use of Giannini's device?"

"Hmmmm...THAT'S IT! Thanks, Lal! I'll just rely on some infos the device gave me," she beamed.

"Now that that's settled, why don't we start from the basics? Attack me in any way you like. If you manage to land a blow on me, this training's over," Lal Mirch said, giving her the eye. "I know a challenge when I see one. Alright, baby, prepare to be beaten! HYAAAAAA!" she charged towards her opponent.

So watcha think? Is Lal OOC? Sorry, I tried my best. _

Again, reviews are appreciated! Oh, criticisms are welcome, too!

Sometimes I think if people are reading this. 1 review would make me very happy. Thanks a bunch! :D