More Unwanted Surprise
Wandering through the town, I thought about Reborn's question. The sunset was beautiful, wonderful splashes and streaks of yellows, oranges and highlights of red and blue decorated the sky like a pattern of a kimono. Which side will I choose? I can't go against Superbi, the only person related to me by blood, who is my teacher, boss, brother, father and best friend. At the same time, though I can't go against my only friends. Takeshi's bright, guileless eyes swam in front of me. I shook my head. I can't take sides, but I can take a neutral stance. Agh! But that doesn't solve the problem of WHAT AM I GOING TO DO! I let out a sigh. Unfortunately, I'm the kind of person who 'if she can't figure out what to do beforehand, she'll make things up as she goes'. However improvising when dealing with Xanxus is like going swimming with the most dangerous sharks while bleeding a river of blood, the method to death doesn't matter if you get shot or beaten or eaten, you're a dead man either way…or woman.
I hate it when I can't do anything. I have all this information stored up in my brain due to having a photographic memory and can't utilize it any way without compromising my conscious; sitting around doing nothing is still a burden. Talk about a rock or a rock. As the Varia's informant or golden retriever and blood hound cross breed dog, it is my job to get all information related to a mission, and relay to either the Boss which is Xanxus, or the Tactical Commander which is my brother. This role entails interrogation, capture, infiltration, espionage if necessary and manipulation. Because of that role as the number one informant, Xanxus will expect me to give all information I have on Tsuna and company. A little light goes off in my head. I won't check up on anyone's training because I can't lie to save my life. Imagine that, a spy that can't lie. How ironic. But I can evade questions; when I do it with Xanxus though he comes close to shooting me.
A soft, almost undetectable breeze of air ruffles my hair. I glanced up; the black blur of someone passes overhead. The figure paused on a telephone pole. Good thing I hadn't eaten anything recently. The black leather the person was wearing was the infamous Varia uniform. The only people who usually get to see the uniform without dying are the members of the Varia themselves. The Varia training I got from my brother five years ago and the more recent ninjutsu training kicked in. Making myself invisible, I followed the assassin. He must be from Levi's squad. It was supposed to take the Varia ten days to figure out the rings were fake and mobilize, but leave it to Xanxus to know the fakes from the real things instantly. Damn him to hell and back even though he's already been there.
Brief paralysis took over my body, if this is Levi's squad, than it must be the Thunder Guardian they're after first. Out of all the people I've met, only one person can fill the criteria for a Thunder Guardian. A scream ripped through the evening, "HELP", Fuuta? I sprinted in the direction of the scream. Skidding to a stop at the entrance revealed the three assassins already taken out. I sighed, thank god.
"Oh Karen, you're late," Takeshi made it sound like I was late for a game
"Everyone's okay?" I asked, than I noticed I-pin had a couple of scrapes
"We're all fine, Karen-ne" Fuuta smiled.
"So you guys are the ones that took out the others," Levi stated obviously not noticing me,
"Don't hunt them on your own," Lussuria inserted as the rest of the Varia gang popped up
"VOOOOIIII! KAREN! What the hell are you doing here?" Superbi yelled
"Karen? Where? Oh what are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you guys the same," I retorted
"Karen?" Takeshi asked,
"Yeah?" I didn't take my eyes off my teammates
"Why do you and long hair look identical?"
"What KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?" I yelped, completely distracted, "Are you that dense to not tell when two people look alike are siblings?"
"Long- hair is your brother?" Tsuna shrieked,
"His name is Squalo Superbi," I snapped,
"Karen, answer my question, what are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you that and I expect an answer this time" I turned my attention back to my teammates. They were more surprised to see me loose my cool at Takeshi than me to act all high and mighty,
"I am the one asking the questions, Karen. If you value your life you'll cooperate," Xanxus's cool, rough voice interrupted the conversation,
"Xanxus," I stated through clenched teeth. My boss's crimson eyes locked with my steel gray ones in a silent struggle for power. Naturally, everyone but me was paralyzed from Xanxus's murder intent. I seem to have immunity towards Xanxus, complete lack of fear for what he can do. I don't suppose it has anything to do with meeting him when I was three years old and saw him get his butt kicked to an eighth year. Slowly, enjoying his moment of triumph, Xanxus lifted his fist and it started to glow,
"Run!" I yelled at Tsuna, but they were still paralyzed. My hand darted to my back for the sword I had left at home,
Salvation came in the form of Sawada Iemitsu, the external advisor of the Vongola and Tsuna's father. The Cervello appeared with an order from the Ninth. In order to decide who had the right to succeed the Vongola the two contestants must fight each other for supremacy.
"And Karen?" Xanxus smiled at me,
"I also have a direct order from the Ninth for you to support us, as our informer,"
No, "What if I don't support you as the Tenth Vongola?" I snapped,
"Excuse me?" the smile dropped faster than dead flies
"I don't support you, I support Tsuna,"
"Unfortunately, I have a direct order from the Ninth for you. It is to support the Varia in whatever way possible,"
"Since I left for Japan…"
"You are not on Italian soil; the order was for you to not support the Varia so long as we were in Italy. We are in Japan,"
Crap, a loophole, "You can't make me," rebelling against the shackles he was trying to bind me with,
"You're right. I can't, but the Ninth can,"
"The Ninth?" I started,
"The order is confirmed here in this letter," the Cervello held up the Ninth's letter,
"Here's a copy," Xanxus pitched a rolled up letter to me. Catching the letter on reflex, I opened it. God this can't be, "The Ninth wouldn't…" whatever color there was in my face was gone, "he wouldn't make me…" no matter what, I cannot go against the Ninth's orders. This was not like him at all; he always gave me an option. I glanced up at Xanxus, and his smug smirk told me more than I needed to know, "What did you do?" rage made me speak slowly. Takeshi edged away from me; guess I became the dangerous predator, the jaguar, Giaguaro.
"Nothing,"
LIAR! I thought,
Bang on, Karen. Mukuro dropped in for a visit
Can it before I can you. He cleared out fast
"Please refrain from conjecture," one of the Cervello inserted at something someone said. I bit my tongue before I screamed for her to shut up. The paper started moving in sync with my hands, "this can't be…The Ninth wouldn't make me fight with you!" I couldn't suppress all my anger with Xanxus,
"Too bad," he said shortly, "we're leaving, and that includes you as a member of the Varia," Xanxus turned around and left. I was going to kill the Ninth if he actually changed his mind from Tsuna to Xanxus and for the orders.
"Karen? What's going on?"
"What do they mean by 'you're a part of the Varia?" all of my friends questions died with Reborn's answer when I didn't answer.
"To put it simply, Karen is the person who gets all the information in the Varia, she tells them their targets location, information on the terrain and other similar things. Also, she can devise strategies,"
"It's summed up in one word Reborn," I finally inserted, "I'm a spy. I infiltrate, get information any way I have to,"
"Did you come here to spy on the Tenth?" Gokudera yelled,
"No I didn't,"
"Can't be helped," Takeshi slapped me on the back, "we're rivals, that's all," he grinned. I honestly wonder how many screws are loose in his head.
"Thanks," I said. That was an easier thought to deal with.
"C'mon Karen. We have to get going," Superbi had stayed behind, "Do you want to get a T.V to the head already?" Xanxus throws anything from wine glasses to solid wooden beams just because he can or because he's pissed. You can tell how mad he is from what comes your way. Most of the things that come my way are intended for my brother and Xanxus 'mistakes' me for him because we are so similar in appearance.
"I'm coming," I sighed, I really don't want to be interrogated by Xanxus. This was going to hurt .
"Karen? You okay?" Takeshi asked,
"What d'you think?" I asked as I followed my brother. Ten steps later, I broke into a blind run.
"Karen wait!" Superbi yelled but I was deaf to his shouts and his concern, I was blind to everything but the concrete that I was running over. The splash and swish of the puddles I ran though did nothing to placate me. Usually I can find solace in running, in stretching my muscles, but this time I couldn't. The Ninth was acting weird, Xanxus was going to try, no, will eliminate my friends regardless of what I say. No one knew how I felt and I couldn't tell anyone. Takeshi was out of the question, Superbi was out, but Dino might…no he wouldn't be able to help me; he was not to have any part in this conflict.
Thud, I collided with a body, "Oi Karen, what's going on?" I had ran into my brother,
"Nothing," I pushed myself away,
"Karen why are you….aw shit you didn't?" he groaned,
"Yes! Those are my friends!"
"I'm taking you off the mission,"
"No you're not Squalo," we had somehow arrived at Varia's temporary HQ, with Xanxus waiting, "Information Karen, now,"
"I don't have any," I honestly told him, not wanting to deal with this now.
"You must have something," Levi pressed,
"I don't," I repeated,
"Look kid," Levi started,
"FUCK OFF AND DIE LEVIATHAN!" I snapped. Storming out of the room and slamming the door behind me. Aimlessly, I wandered throughout the building. Absently, I noted it was built in the traditional style but decorated with European style. There were two levels.
Without thinking about it, I opened a window on the second floor and climbed out onto the roof. Sitting out there with my knees tucked up around my chin, I watched the moon steadily rise. The memory of the night I had watched the fireworks with the gang came to mind.
Squalo's POV
Dead silence coated the room after Karen's statement. Usually she was so quiet and well mannered we almost didn't notice her. Whatever it was bugging her, she felt strongly about. I thought it was on impossible that Karen would get attached to anything or anyone.
"What was that about?" Bel asked,
"Squalo, do you know anything about this?" our stupid boss spoke up,
"I don't…really know. She didn't say word until now". Of course that's a lie. She finally makes friends her own age and we are going to kill them.
Karen' POV
"Mind if I join you?" Superbi popped up on the roof,
"Fine," I answered blankly. Unlike Lussuria, or Lucy as I nicknamed him nine years ago, Superbi didn't feel the need to fill the silence with chatter.
"When you want to talk, let me know, kay?" he put an arm around my shoulders, "you're cold,"
"I hadn't noticed," I admitted, as I accepted his coat. The black leather was warm and soft, albeit worn from use and smelled like my brother: it hinted at the fresh air of the Italian country side and was somewhat sweaty, but it was familiar.
"I missed you," I added. Superbi just smiled, as I leaned against him. It was just like back when we had no cares aside from homework. We watched the moon rise and eventually set.
"C'mon lil sis, you need some sleep," Superbi broke off when he saw I was already dozing. I remember his arms scooping me up like I weighed only ten pounds as opposed to the hundred I did weigh.
The next day was better and worse than the previous day. No one tried prying information out of me, but at the same time I got to deal with the usual drama plus some more hostility from Levi. Levi is blindly devoted Xanxus; I wouldn't be surprised if Xanxus tortured Levi to death and Levi still tried to please him. Leviathan and I never got along due to his devotion to Xanxus and my apparent disregard. He always gets pissier (if that's even a word) every time I defy, ignore, insult/jibe Xanxus. Therefore, Levi hates me and never misses the opportunity to be more irritating than a mosquito. I wouldn't have an issue with it if it wasn't for the fact Levi made a big deal out of it, like he was now.
"Karen, I know you haven't…." now he's patronizing, going on about he how could understand I was tired, I was surprised to see them etcetera, etcetera. When he finally figured out I was daydreaming, "Look here young lady…"
"Shut up," I kicked him in the face.
"Ow, oh God, you broke my nose," he mumbled through a mouthful of blood,
"How many times have I done that now?"
"This is the tenth time now," Lussuria sang, twirling into the room. He was his usual self: weird, feminine and energetic. It wasn't that hard to tell him apart from the others even I couldn't his face because he is the only one with a lot of color on him and the only one with faux, orange fur attacked to his jacket hood.
"Here's your iPod," he tossed my jet black nano to me, with the headphones wrapped around it horizontal instead of vertical,
"You were listening to it, weren't you?" I glanced at him; I wrap the ear phones around the iPod vertically; the right way.
"Of course," he grinned, "Got to make sure you aren't listening to inappropriate music," who needs a mother when Lucy is around?
"Oh, and the boss wants to see you," Lucy added. I don't think Xanxus wants to see me alive.
"Okay," I tucked my iPod into my pants pocket.
As usual, the meeting room was lit only by what little light the curtains let in and Xanxus was sitting with his back to the window. The light blinded my eyes which disabled my sight since I can only see Xanxus's silhouette.
"Karen," the anger wasn't suppressed, "you intentionally didn't get information on the Vongola candidate and his Guardians," it was a statement, not a question
"I was distracted," which was the honest truth in part
Xanxus's eyebrows lifted up; I was known in the Varia for many things, a short attention span was not one of them,
"That's a little hard to believe," sarcasm dripped off his voice like a downpour
"Sarcasm is the sign of the imaginatively bankrupt," I retorted, this was the kind of stuff I got into trouble for.
"Whatever," Xanxus brushed it off, "if you can't tell us their abilities, than what about who's who?"
"Huh?"
"Who is the Guardian of what?" Xanxus growled; patience is not one of his virtues especially where I'm concerned
"Tsuna is Sky, Takeshi is Rain, Gokudera is Storm, Sasagawa is Sun, Lambo is Thunder and I don't know the Cloud and Mist Guardians." I spoke at fifty miles per hour, a new record. I can't lie to save my life and I couldn't evade his question
"You must have suspicions," Xanxus pressed, did he hear what I just a said? Must've.
"Better wait and see. I'm not gonna give you anything when I don't know for sure," I threw over my shoulder since I already started leaving.
"Wait a sec! Put on your uniform! And," Xanxus yelled as I shut the door,
"Whatever makes you happy," I muttered through the door. I really wasn't going to change into the Varia's uniform because it would say I have loyalty to Varia but I wasn't going to wear my school uniform since that would say I am loyal to Tsuna. I was already wearing what I was going to wear: a pair of black, holey jeans and a black and red sleeveless mock neck.
If I remember correctly, my room should number 08. I was out of it I forgot the door had knob and didn't slide open. When I finally remembered, Superbi showed up,
"What are you doing?" he looked at me like I was the nut I am,
"Memory loss. I forgot the door had a knob and I'm use to the traditional Japanese doors,"
"You really like Japan,"
"Is there something wrong with it?" I glanced at him
"No, I don't think so, but it is…well, kind of weird. You've never had an attachment to any place before," that was too true. There are some places I like, but would never call home. Well, it doesn't help either when most places you go you are on an assignment.
"So, did you come to…Aw, shit! My appointment!"
"That's what I came remind you about," he grinned, "C'mon I'll take you,"
"Put that sword away first!" I don't care if I'm late my brother is replacing his sword mounted hand for the regular hand. During the battle against Tyr, the Sword Emperor, my brother lost his left hand and has replaced it with a mechanical hand.
Time to celebrate! My cast is off but now I am grounded by the family I'm staying with in Japan for not coming back to the house at curfew. Naturally, they had to take it back since Superbi took the heat for that, saying it was his fault for not calling ahead to say he was visiting. Visiting my ass!