The Boogie Man

by Jikage

It began on the night when Hibari popped out of his wardrobe. Then from under his bed, his kitchen cabinets, the janitor closet, and trashcans. And as he grew older, slowly but surely, little Tsuna's fear became something akin to love. /Eventual 1827/

20. Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20: THE ONE HUNDRED GRAND BOY

When Tsuna awoke, he found himself in a very strange position. His legs were pulled together in a fetal posture, and he stretched out, his limbs aching. But the strangest feeling…was the little space he had to stretch. As Tsuna's fingers traced over the bars surrounding him in disbelief, he finally took the effort to open his eyes. It was just complete darkness. But he could hear people speaking in the distance. He could move okay, he wasn't tied up. He strained his ears to ear anyone, but gave up. What was going on? Where was he? Wasn't he in the bar? Then Tsuna jerked in place, the memories of earlier events re-surged in his mind. The mission! The violet-haired man! Tsuna got up, surprised that the cage was large enough for him to stand up in. He felt the air blindly, mostly hitting nothing but the bars with tired, limp hands. The way they were shaped…like a bird cage. A chill went up his spine at the thought and Tsuna stopped breathing momentarily in alarm. How did he get here? Did…those men put him here?

A cage. Of all things, he had waken up in a cage. He slid to his knees in despair. The boy reached down at the cold floor of the tiniest amount of freedom he had, feeling anything he could deem useful. Of course the cage was bare, as expected. Then he looked at his own persona. He could tell he was still wearing the dress that was a given without even feeling himself up. But the bag? He began to panic, unable to feel it around his hip or the drawstring at his shoulder like it was suppose to. The only thing he had in there was the watch Mukuro had given him! Yet they taken that away too!

Then with a shrill shriek, Tsuna gasped as his cage began to move. He grabbed at the bars near him, using it to steady himself when the floor began to vibrate steadily. He could hear chains. Loud, steel chains clinked along each other, resounding a chilling rattle. His mind reeled. What was going on? His stomach plunged as his cage ascended, until Tsuna blinked as a light shone above him. He squinted at the square patch and he gasped as it got bigger. Rather, the light wasn't a square, it was none other than a hatch leading him from the darkness. Within seconds, Tsuna was pulled up and was terrified by what he saw.

Boisterous laughter and giggles from charismatic women, awed gasps, scrutinizing gazes, all attention was to him. The hatch closed and his cage landed on it with a dull heavy thump, he jangled in place but he stood frozen, and unable to shake feeling like a captured prey. He was on some sort of stage, pulled up by a chain from a trap door. Whispers roved through the crowd, some pointing at him behind covered mouths, whispering excitedly to eachother. This place was nothing Tsuna had never seen before. The boy stared, worriedly fascinated by the amount of people in the room. He could see rows of seats, like a movie theater and each had a person in it. Some were masked, faces hidden and closed off to his eyes. Some faces were naked, and he could see their expressions quite clearly. It had a look of greed, eagerness, and most of all, an ugly-looking desire he couldn't quite identify but could most easily guess.

He flinched away, his back touch the bars behind him.

"Ladies and gentleman! We bring you the star of tonight's show!" Tsuna looked to his left, eyes widening at the sight of a lanky well-dressed man. He wore a white suit and matching top hat. He too, was masked. Was this a circus? A theatre? That would explain his words. But he was proven wrong as the man continued, "This girl comes from, what we can tell, a well-bred background, very adorable little thing. About the age thirteen to fifteen. She doesn't drink and those with specific preferences out there…" The man dropped to a guttural whisper as he breathed into his microphone, "…she hasn't been…taken yet." Immediately, the crowd jostled in excitement, giving Tsuna intensified gazes than before. An appreciative whistle at the announcer's comment.

"Her name is Tsuna." The man walked closer, putting a hand to his cage. The cross-dressed boy only stared up at him, frightened. "She's a sky flame."

The crowd began to turn to their neightbors with excitement. "You two." The man addressed the two gruff-looking men to the side. They dressed like janitors, wearing simple dark-blue jumpsuits with matching caps; backstage crew. Their heads were bowed, as if they waited on the white-suited man's commands. "The gunpowder, if you please."

The boy watched as the janitor-dressed man to the left of him dug into his pocket and took out a small black tube container, as big as a pen. The two men stepped towards his cage. One of the gritty-looking men opened Tsuna's cage with a click of a key and the other tugged him out roughly by the arm. He gasped, tripping at his own feet and fell to the floor. Tsuna got up, and was about to take off running but immediately, and as if they expected him to, one man grabbed him from the back, straightening him. "Wha—?" The other available worker unscrewed the tiny cap and grabbed his cheeks in one firm hand. "No!" Tsuna struggled more, kicking at the man behind him, but he wouldn't budge. "Stop!"

Tsuna pleads for help only made the crowd more restless; if anything else they seemed pleased by his pained cries. It was sickening. He pressed his lips together, refusing to open them. The jumpsuited-man looked annoyed and pressed his fingers at his cheeks and grinded them against his teeth so hard, his jaw popped open anyway. Then the powder. Tsuna coughed, hacked, blew it out and rejected it with all his might. He spat at the man's face, and his struggles became more insistent. "Stop…" He gritted between his teeth and the dust-like particles sunk in, he was unable to stop swallowing it.

Then the feeling. The same feeling he had felt in the bar only hours before. The warm sensation in his palms, the hot tingle at his forehead, and the overbearingly fire of adrenaline in his eyes. "No…" He groaned in frustration, feeling the familiar sleepiness and the sluggish feeling taking affect again.

"Excuse me!" The white-suited man called to the backstage, "Camera on little miss's eyes, please!"

There was a collective gasps around the crowd. Tsuna looked to the left, where a cheap fat and big monitor stood on a ratty table. For a moment, Tsuna was confused. Then he saw it. His eyes. Tsuna saw the picture in the television mirror his own horrified look. Was that...him? His eyes were different, no far from different, he didn't even look like himself. No longer the familiar brown he was so used to, but it was like…a flickering orange. Like a kindling flame. For a moment, he thought he was on fire, that would explain the burning sensation he felt at the moment, but it wasn't an actual flame. Is…this…a dying will flame? Tsuna blinked in realization. It had to be, the tingling felt the same, the same tingling he had felt when Mukuro had let him touch his mist flame.

Satisfied by the dazed and quiet Tsuna, the ringmaster-like man continued, "Unlike all the sales we've ever made before this is probably the first we're selling an individual like this pretty miss! Eyes orange and bright, she melts the hearts of many; male and female alike!"

He shut his eyes, unable to believe it. He refused. He wasn't going to open his eyes. This time, he'll go to sleep and this strange burning feeling will go away. The crowd complained openly at him with flirtatious jeers and encouraging laughter. "Come on, sweet cheeks! Open your eyes!"

"What a darling, she's so shy!"

If being paralyzed by fear was the same thing as being shy, then he must be mad! "N-No." He gasped. The powder slowed his thinking down, just like they expected. He wouldn't be running anytime soon. Tsuna put his hands to his face, praying it to go away. "What's…happening to me?" The men that grabbed Tsuna earlier once again picked him up and shoved him back into the cage. He didn't struggle, landing against the bars with a lazy flop. They slammed it shut behind him and both slunk away back into the darkness of behind the curtains.

No one answered him. The white-suited man continued, "Well, we'll start the auctioning at about maybe fifteen grand?"

"Sixteen grand!" A man yelled immediately in reply.

"Sixteen grand, sixteen grand, I got a sixteen grand any want to go higher? Six—"

"Eighteen grand!" A woman shrilly announced.

"Eighteen grand, eighteen grand, any want to go to twenty grand? Twenty grand open, twen—"

"Twenty grand!"

Somewhere in that small boy's chest, something lurched in panic. He knew what this was…this was…haggling. They…They couldn't be…Tsuna gripped the bars around him, to keep his thoughts held tight together, they couldn't be selling…him, are they? Ridiculous. He was useless, as M.M said! Nothing special about him, nothing anyone could possible need or use, just simply impossible! But hope began to deteriorate and doubt formed an ugly boil as the prices began to reach higher and higher. Oh god. Oh my god. Tsuna thought, hyperventilating, they are. They are selling him! Then with fierceness he never thought he had, he began shaking his cage. It was as if the sleepy drug-like feeling was gone and all that was left was anger. "Let me out!" He kicked it, and shook the bars uselessly, "Let me go! Let me go!" But they continued to ignore him, despite him telling the truths, "Let me go! Listen to me! This is all a misunderstanding! I—"

"One hundred grand."

There was a silence. Everyone turned to look at the lone figure making his way up to the stage. The man, the announcer stood absolutely stunned. "A-Are you sure, sir? I mean, we were up to just thirty-six grand—"

"One hundred grand." The man repeated with finality.

"Yes…" The announcer turned to the audience, his voice squeaky, "Any here wish to go beyond?" The theater was silent, it was obvious no one was going to bid against that. The lanky white-suited man took out a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his brow looking at the winner. Nervous the man would change his mind, he spoke quick to close. "Then I believe this auction is over for tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Until next week."

There was an accumulative sounds of disappointment. Some cursed, others just resigned quietly in defeat with hands shoved deep into pockets. He watched the red-satin curtains close slowly and he stared blankly at nothing. He listened as the crowd died out and filed into the outside city. He…was bought. The thought made him sick. He was bought like some sort of item! And even worse, he was bought for 100,000! It was simply just impossible, really! There couldn't be anyone in Cielo with that kind of money. It could've been used for so many things but it was all spent on him, an ordinary kid! He forced himself to stop thinking more into it. Then if he was so 'ordinary' then why…did he have flames? Being normal was the only thing that kept his sanity in tact then he would play dumb for as long as it took.

He watched as the announcer spoke to the person who had bought him. They were a few meters away, but now his adrenaline rush was gone and frankly he couldn't bring himself to care. The man who bought him was tan, tall, and very, very intimidating. He had scars all over his face and from what Tsuna could see, it trailed down below his neck. Like others, he had a very outlandish style of clothes. An array of seemingly random trinkets hung from his hair. Their eyes met, for a split second and Tsuna believe he saw red. Red eyes. It could've been a trick to the light but…

They walked closer to his cage and one last time, the announcer spoke. "She's all yours, Xanxus-sama." With an almost, breathy look in his eyes, as if he couldn't believe he made that much money in one night, he dropped the key into the man's outstretched hand. His expression was still emotionless and he turned his heel. Slowly, taking his time, he began taking steps towards Tsuna.

"Who is this bad man?" Tsuna asked.

"The Varia boss we talked about yesterday. Xanxus. He's still alive."

"Wow." Tsuna complimented lightly, "But you couldn't…defeat him?"

Mukuro shook his head disdainfully, "No. It's…nearly impossible with even of someone of my caliber."

—

Tsuna realized, that he was not in the Kokuyo Bureau upon awakening. The place he was in, was most definitely not. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was the bed canopy. First of all, he knew for a fact that there were no canopies in the Bureau so this instantly alarmed him. Second was the bed. They had beds but not one like this. It was so silky soft, so plush that he'd love to die in its white, creamy folds. Not a very comforting thought, so he sat up right away. Then the room. It was as extravagant as a fairytale's bedroom. There was a large painting of a scenery next to a tall bookcase filled with languages he didn't understand. The rug was simply posh and very eccentric in style. The furniture looked like something out of the romantic age. This place had the luxury the Kokuyo Bureau didn't have. That was a statement of fact. So in simple deduction, He knew for certain that this wasn't anywhere he had ever been before.

Tsuna jumped up from the bed and ran to the large window that sat behind the long mahogany desk. He was hoping for any signs of anything familiar to him, to get a good grip at where he was. What met his eyes, made him want to scream. He was high up, very high up, and the building he was in looked very much like…like a castle. Something was telling him that he had seen this somewhere before…Tsuna leaned closer, noticing how deserted the building looked. There was a giant courtyard between the entrance and the gate from what he could see, but there was no hustle or bustle of any shape or form, human or animal. Everything seemed…dead. Like time stopped. Desperate, Tsuna planned to walk out the door but was struck frozen by the sight of someone standing at the door.

They stared at each other for a moment, each leveling the reaction of the other. Finally the tall man spoke. "I am Xanxus. And I am your master."

Tsuna was at loss for words, petrified by the sudden appearance. Master? Then he remembered. Xanxus. Tsuna took one step back, palms against the window. Xanxus. Oh my god, Tsuna thought, I'm going to get killed. Xanxus…was the Varia boss that the Bureau had warned him about! The same one that Mukuro couldn't defeat! The scarred-man noticed his unease and smiled darkly. "I see you already know who I am. Then I don't have to explain myself."

The man pointed at the tall wardrobe by the bookshelf, "These are clothes specifically for you in there. You are to come out at exactly nine in the morning, twelve at noon, and eight at night. A maid will wait out this door and bring you to where you need to go. Do not talk to them. Do not meet eyes with them." Xanxus reached behind his back, causing Tsuna to flinch in alarm. What he tugged out was unexpected. It was M.M's bag. He hurled it at Tsuna and the boy caught the pink heart-shaped purse with clammy hands, nearly dropping it in the process. Blandly he said, "Do not be late or I come for you." With a swift turn, Xanxus yanked the door open. "If I find you outside this door not during the designated times I've given you, I will dispatch of you." His last words were final and threatening.

With rhythmic, firm steps, Xanxus stepped out the door and slammed it shut behind, making the wall shudder in his quake. Tsuna couldn't do anything, say anything. Now, he was at the mercy of this man's hands now.

Tsuna sat down on the bed, but not before checking under it. He didn't know what he was expecting. Hibari, maybe, to come to his rescue? Another hole in the floor that would take him back home? But there was nothing under the bed but a cold wooden floor.

Tsuna sighed, straightening, and stared at M.M's bag. He slowly unzipped it and peered inside. The watch was very much still there, untouched. He was surprised. After he had been exchanged by many hands he had thought that by now someone might've taken it. It did look very valuable too…He pulled it out, and Tsuna held by its chain to the window, letting the gray sky reflect against its ancient-persona, faded gold. He clicked it open. It was soon eight at 'night' in about thirty minutes. Tsuna got up and warily approached the formidable wardrobe. Taking its cold handles with both hands, he tugged it open. Unlike Mukuro's cheap plastic drawer, it opened easily like water. He peered at the clothes. What met his eyes surprised him. These were…all boy's clothes.

Tsuna looked down at himself. Still wearing the shirt-dress. How did he know that he was a guy that needed...guy clothes? If Tsuna thought putting it on was terrible, taking it off was downright horrifying. Naked, except for his underwear, he pulled out a white-collared shirt. The drawers under it had shorts. He pulled them out and slipped them on hastily, hating to change in a completely different environment. Tucking in his shirt, Tsuna fought with the suspenders that came attached the shorts, but using trial and error, finally pulled them over his shoulder one by one.

The next drawer had a neat pile of socks and shoes. He pulled out a white pair of socks, tugging them until they reached just a few inches before his knee. He was surprised to see the black loafers and among the other shoes in the drawer fit him just right. Had they measured him as he slept? He shoved the Vongola watch into his pocket, satisfied. There was no mirror, but he could imagine what he looked like. Like…a kid, actually. Wearing this reminded him of his old formal clothes he used to wear as a child. As he got older he began leaning into more of the comfortable-with-pants kind of guy.

He touched his face and looked to his fingers. He grimaced. The facial powder was still on him and the mascara too. He didn't know how to remove it, but water usually did the trick, right? Tsuna walked to the bathroom, shutting it closed behind him. He turned the faucet and the water began to flow quietly. Taking a tissue from a box, he folded it and dipped it under the trickling water before putting it to his face. He scrubbed furiously at the makeup, and it took much time for all the powder to get off. Using the same technique, Tsuna did the same with the mascara at his eyes. Finally throwing the soiled tissue into the waste bin, he took a towel from a hanger and dried off, he sighed contently. Without the makeup there, he felt much better.

Deciding he couldn't prolong anymore, Tsuna approached the door, taking a deep breath then took one single hand and slowly pushed at its handle. He opened it, just enough for him to slip through and was about to close it before a voice stopped him. "You are not properly dressed." Tsuna looked up, blinking. In front of him was a girl, his age, with sandy-brown hair. She wore a long maid uniform, her eyes downcast to the floor. She whispered, more fervently, "Please, quickly. Go to your room; I will assist you."

Tsuna nodded and took one step back, letting the girl in. She made a beeline to his wardrobe and yanked at a compartment he hadn't noticed in the back. She pulled out something long and black. "Stand still." Tsuna was motionless as she approached him and wrapped the black piece around his neck. With expert hands, she tied it into a neat, perfect bow. "You must wear this over white shirts."

She looked up for the first time, smiling hesitantly at him. He was surprised of how blue her eyes were. "Please don't speak to me. Only I can speak to you. My name is Frieda. I know who you are. 'Tsuna', yes?"

Tsuna nodded. She inclined her head cordially to the exit, "Please follow me." Without another word, Frieda opened the door and Tsuna followed behind. She let Tsuna stare at the paintings or sculptures in the hallways as they passed and she was very patient with him. Finally they reached a clearing. A large, wooden door stood in their way. The sandy-haired girl bowed lowly, "I'm sorry, I cannot touch that door. You must do it yourself."

Tsuna nodded, taking the large golden handle with two hands, he pushed against it. It was unnecessarily heavy and Tsuna could only open it just a crack for him to slip through. He looked back to Frieda gratefully but was disappointed by her averted eyes. He didn't blame her though and he let the door go and it slammed shut on its own. He let himself look up and down at the door again before he turned around. He froze.

It was a dining hallway. In the middle was a ridiculously long table and at the opposite end of it was Xanxus, legs and arms crossed, and his finger tapped impatiently against his forearm. It was hard to hear over the obscuring furniture, but he managed. "You're late." He growled. But the scarred man stared at Tsuna, nodding at his attire, as if appreciating that it fit. With a point of his finger he jabbed at the seat in front of the boy, the opposite end of his own seat. "Sit."

Tsuna complied, wishing he could look away from the man. But he couldn't. Something about Xanxus absolutely fascinated yet scared him at the same time. They sat in silence until the scarred-man held his fingers in the air and with a quick and sharp snap, Tsuna gasped as people began filing in from the door behind the dark-haired man, each holding a different dish in hand. Tsuna's mind spun, the castle had look so deserted, yet now, so many people were here. The servants, like soldiers, stood at attention in even lines each side of the table, each looking humble and respectful. Each looking mechanical and fake, he noticed with vague sickness. They held different items. He noticed the number of people that stood next to his imprisoner were waiters with towels at the ready. Some were maids, who wore the same uniform as Frieda, except for the red shawl at their shoulders, showing they were part of the kitchen-maids perhaps.

"Would you like timpano today, Lord Xanxus?"

"No." He replied.

"How about chicken picatta, sir? Freshly butchered today."

Tsuna jumped in his chair as Xanxus swiped a hand at the dish and it clattered to the floor nosily. The waiter just smiled, albeit strained, and bent down and began picking up the spoiled food. The brunet watched the scene in disbelief. He looked to the other chefs, all standing unaffected by the boss's behavior. A maid stood closer bravely, gesturing at her own plate. "Bruschetta, boss? Got these tomatoes fresh off the garden."

"That food is for the weak. I want meat."

Finally some of the chefs seemed to notice Tsuna and began flocking towards him. They looked at him excitedly, "What about you, young master? Do you have any preferences?"

They all looked at them expectantly, and from across the table he could see Xanxus studying him too. "I…" Wait…young master? He stared back at the dark-haired man across from him. All he had in his wardrobe was male clothes. And if he recalled, he was sold as a 'female'. How…did they know?

"Young master?" The maid repeated, smiling with eery politeness.

"I…like anything." He said simply. Actually, he didn't. In fact, back home he was quite picky with food but not wasn't the time to be fickle. He was starving and tired. He just wanted this little 'dinner' to get over with.

Tsuna pointed at one dish could identify as noodles. The chef who held it smiled, "Spaghetti alle vongole? Of course." With steady and precise hands, he put it gently in front of the boy. He smiled at him gratefully before dropping it. He didn't want to smile really. He just wanted to go home. He was at his limits now.

"Vongola?" Xanxus said lowly from across the table. He sounded blackly amused. At the sound of his voice, all servants took a step back, eyes to the floor with bowed heads. Tsuna turned his eyes to the man who crossed his legs in haughty grandeur, as if he knew the boy's answer, "Why vongola?"

He furrowed his eyebrows at the question. Vongole…was the same words on his watch. On instinctual reaction, Tsuna's hand reached into his pocket and squeezed the trinket in his palm tightly. He didn't even know the dish was called vongole, how was he suppose to know? Tsuna answered honestly after much careful thinking, "I like noodles." Xanxus didn't looked pleased by his answer but kept quiet.

The chef to his right decided to take the time to speak, "Lord Xanxus. Perhaps you'd like cinghiale? Fresh boar."

He looked thoughtful, cracking a sharp menacing grun, "Yeah. That. But if it's not cooked to my tastes, you know what happens."

"Of course." The chef said, before setting a plate in front of him.

Without even blowing on it or waiting for it to cool down, the tanned-man took a fork and stabbed at the thick beef. Next he took the knife and lazily hacked at it. With slow and sure hands, Xanxus popped it into his mouth and chewed. After slow, agonizing minutes of complete silence, he put his fork down. "It tastes horrible."

The chef that had given him the dish jumped back immediately at the statement, running to the door but men in black suits grabbed at his arms. The chef whimpered loudly, looking at the other servants for assistance, but all kept their eyes averted. "Lord Xanxus! We can get you something else! Agnello! Abbacchio e capretto!"

"Get that fool out of my sight." Xanxus said, waving a hand.

Tsuna watched in utmost horror as the man screamed as he was dragged out, and listened to his wails of terror until they disappeared into the far-off distance of the castle. "Wine!" The tanned man ordered, pounding his fist onto the table once. A shaky maid opened the metal ice box behind her with experience and pulled out a single wine bottle from the depths of ice. Taking the white cloth at her apron, she stretched it out and held the cool bottle in between her hands. She took one step towards the table before Xanxus barked at her, stabbing at his meat, "Not chilled!"

She jumped in fright, then looked lost for a moment until she gathered her thoughts and spun around at her heels. She shoved the bottle back into the icebox before opening another chest next to it, this time it was wooden. She fished another bottle out with no difficulty and began taking steps towards Xanxus. She popped it open with expert fingers and poured the maroon liquid into his waiting cup. He picked it up and drank deeply, without an once of thanks. When he drained it, he slammed it down. She poured more in immediately. "Bring some to the kid." He growled pointing at Tsuna. She looked hesitant and Xanxus shot her an impatient stare. "Now!" He snarled. With a whimper, she quickly made her way to Tsuna.

The boy wanted to meet eyes with her, to sympathize with her, but she refused to look at him. She kept her gaze pointedly at the wine glass as she worked. With trembling hands, she pushed it towards him. Tsuna didn't drink, but he wasn't going to reject the girl so soon after all the trouble she went through. He was about to thank and held out his hand to take it, his fingers touched hers briefly. Surprised by the sudden appearance of his appendage, she shrieked, and the wine bottle along with the filled glass tipped. The maroon, almost blood-like liquid spread throughout the table cloth, ruining the whiteness and the sleeve of Tsuna's pressed shirt.

"You whore! Slut!" Xanxus roared, standing up in his chair. "Get her out of my sight!"

The girl cried in alarm as men in black began stepping towards her. She took a step back, afraid. "Stop! This is ridiculous!" Tsuna yelled, he grabbed the girl's arm and pushed her behind him. She trembled, crying. The brunet held out an arm between her and the approaching men. And they did. The entire scene stopped, even Xanxus, who stood slightly dumbfounded. Tsuna realized that it was his first time speaking and most likely, they had probably thought he was mute. But he wasn't going quiet. He wasn't going to let this person take a life just because of a small mistake. Not when Tsuna had been given so many chances all his life. He turned to the stricken man from across the table, "She didn't do anything wrong, I knocked the glass out of her hands!"

The room was in shock, the servants who had kept their heads bowed now watched with studying eyes at the boy who dared to yell at the Varia boss. "Really, boy?" And much to everyone's horror, including Tsuna's, Xanxus began walking towards them. "Then that means you must compensate for it." The maid behind him stood shaking like a lamb. But the tall man wasn't coming for her. He grabbed at Tsuna's forearm, and he hissed uncomfortably. With a low grunt he tugged him along and Tsuna had no choice but to leave the untouched dinner and the girl unprotected. They strolled out and Xanxus kicked open the same heavy door Tsuna had struggled to just slip through.

Frieda was still outside the door, with hands together folded across her stomach, a typical pose of waiting. She stared, wide-eyed as they rushed pass. Tsuna gave her a pleading look and she looked like she very much did want to help, but was unable to do much to assist him.

There was a short silence as they walked down the amazingly long hallway, and Tsuna wondered how odd it was that he realized he and Freida had walked over fifty feet just to reached the dining hall. Xanxus looked at him, glaring and he stated something very odd, something that the boy never expected,"Sawada Tsunayoshi." Tsuna froze. He stared up at the boss in horrified bewilderment. How…did he know his name? His full name? Smugly satisfied that he got the brunet's attention he continued, "You talk big. But are you really as strong as they say? You're weak. But we'll see about that. I will train you. Make you into the killer that you should be. You cannot escape your fate, Tenth boss of Vongola."

Tsuna didn't understand a word the man had said. But he didn't want to. Tsuna slammed his free elbow into Xanxus's hand that dragged him close, only making him falter momentarily to glance at the struggling boy and just shortly listen to what he had to say, "Let me go! I don't know what you're talking about!"

Finally, annoyed by the obstinacy of the boy, they took a sharp right into an open room. The Varia boss threw him forward and Tsuna skidded across the floor. The carpet burned his naked knees and hands as he slowly crawled to a stop from his tumbling. They arrived in a wide empty room. Like the rest of the rooms in the Varia castle, the ground was rugged and the furniture the same. But this room was different, a clone-copy of other rooms. It looked like it wasn't preoccupied for a very long time yet it was spotless, probably the work of the chambermaids that worked in this floor. Tsuna looked up defiantly and Xanxus laughed darkly, "Of course you don't. That man that was sheltering you from all of us, keeping you to himself…Hibari Kyoya, was it? Wouldn't let you know your true role. But I own you now. I bought you for one mil. It's only fair that I can fucking do whatever I want now. This time, no one will stop me."

It was the first time he had heard anyone from Cielo talk about Hibari and Tsuna could only stared at him. What's more, that was his first time hearing Hibari's first name; Kyoya. This Xanxus guy…might know more than he lets on. Getting up shakily, he began to lose his determination on escaping this man. "You know Hibari-san? How do you know him? Do you know where he is?"

The man did not answer at first, making the brunet's frustration grow. After a thoughtful silence, Xanxus leveled Tsuna's growing panic with a cross smirk. "Let's make a deal, child."

"A deal?" Tsuna repeated, bewildered.

"A deal." Xanxus grinned down at Tsuna with such mirth that distracted the boy, and he almost forgot what they were talking about until he continued. "You will allow me to train you, teach you my ways, and in return I will tell you more about Hibari Kyoya as you progress."

Teach him? He didn't get it. "What do you mean train me?" Tsuna asked cautiously, he narrowed his eyes at the man.

Then slowly, Xanxus brought up his own hand and flashed his palm deftly at Tsuna. The boy's eyes widened as the scarred-man's hand began glowing a strange, orange color. A dying-will flame? He...never seen anyone use it like that before..."I will teach you how to use your dying will. You have a sky flame. Very rare. Very valuable. You are to do whatever I say. And do what I need." Xanxus made his hand into a fist, making the glowing disappear, "I own you now. Refusal isn't an option."

Tsuna looked to the ground. He knew that…He knew he couldn't refuse even if he wanted to…but…if there was a chance of getting to learn more about Hibari, or even better, knowing where the man was, whether he was alive or not, then…then…"I'll do what you say." Tsuna looked up at the bored-looking man, with such anger and determination he never thought he had. "But you can't go back on your promise."

"Good." He sneered. "We will start at noon tomorrow."

—

Soon shortly after that, Xanxus left him alone in that room. Fortunately and a bit unfortunately, Tsuna was rescued by Freida, who had happened to follow them there. The blond-girl led him gently back to his new accommodations. Tsuna noticed, how his door wasn't locked. But Tsuna knew better than to escape that recklessly. Forlornly, he had looked to the window. He was millions of stories up. It was simply impossible to tie bedsheets into a rope and climb down and there was no way in hell he would even die trying under those circumstances. He would have to bide his time.

He took this time in his room to search around. He walked up to the books on the book shelf, taking each out one by one and flipping through them. After a long studying at foreign words, he began to grow bored. He was unable to put them back into their original organized positions so he left them on the table. He decided that enough was enough and he obediently peeled off the wine-stained shirt and changed into nightclothes, also provided from him in the wardrobe. As he did so, he explored through the world of outlandish outfits. He tried several of them on, some he just studied. But one thing they all had in common was the eccentric Victorian-style of waistcoats, long socks, and shorts. There were many different colors (mostly dark colors,) of ribbons to tie around his neck, much like the black one he had worn at the dinner table. He was surprised to see them here, in his room, mostly because the fashion he was so used to in Cielo consisted of leather pants and suits.

But it coordinated well with the castle, giving it a even older-theme. There was a bathroom that connected to his room, pristine and horrendously expansive. It had all his needs; toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash. Things that seemed normal and human. It was blessing to see. That wasn't important, and really, he needed to hatch up an escape plan. Fast. He walked out from the bathroom and laid down on his bed, hoping for some miraculous idea would spring to mind but gave up after a long hour. He was tired. He tried sleeping too, but it was even worse than his first night here in this world. Now, he wasn't asleep on a couch in a room of a protective-stranger, but rather now he was at the mercy of a mad-man's hands. Here in that bed, he was alone with his thoughts and imaginations, which wandered often into pessimism. Finally, after some long thinking he began to doze off but was jerked awake by the sound of Frieda's polite and firm knocking.

He got up, rubbing his eyes. He didn't even get so much as a wink of sleep. He knew this would bite him back in the butt later in the day but Tsuna jumped off the bed and opened the door. Frieda had her head bowed. "It is eight o'clock. Please get ready, young master. Breakfast will soon be served."

"Okay." Tsuna said, closing the door shut. He shuddered on how natural he responded just now. Opening the wardrobe, Tsuna pulled out a dark-blue waistcoat with matching shorts. He used the black ribbon from yesterday, tying it as well as he could. The black socks and loafers were easy enough to slip on. At noon would be the start of his 'training'. He wasn't looking forward to it, but Xanxus did promise to give him information about Hibari's whereabouts when he succeeds his expectations. That is if he succeeds his expectations. After all, as far as Tsuna was concerned, he was a pretty average person. But that time at that auctioning and the freaking eyes...he wasn't so sure about that anymore.

Stepping out, he saw Frieda waiting for him before he followed her through the same route they had taken yesterday. He was disappointed for a bit, wanting to know about where he was more. He wouldn't ask the Varia boss. He stepped to the ginormous door, grabbing the handle and pulled with all his might once again. When he stepped through and straightened, what he saw was absolutely amazing.

There were others sitting at the table. The closest to him was a man that strongly resembled Lanchia, in both build and skin color but his face was littered in piercings. The second closest was a blond man, and his grin was so wide that it sent chills up the boy's spine. The blond man wore a tiara at the top of his head and he couldn't quite get a good look at the older man's face because of the shaggy bangs that blocked the man's eyes. The other sitting next to the blond man was a rather unusual individual, skeptical almost. The boy, almost around his age, possibly older; wore a permanent, flat look on his face. His hair color was that of a neon aqua-marine color and the thing that had stood out the most was the atrocious frog helmet-like hat he wore. The other sitting next to the Lanchia-lookalike was also eye-catching. A baby of all things, sat in the formidable large oak chair, eating his breakfast quietly. It wore a hood, the small little child wore a expression that looked older beyond its years. Sitting across from the infant was a eccentrically colorful man. And guessing by his strange swings as he spoke, he was colorful in many other ways too. He wore sunglasses, a exuberant and playful look to his curvy smile.

The last sitting closest to Xanxus's empty seat almost made him choke. Superbi Squalo, the same man and Kokuyo's target that Tsuna had skimly encountered at Cavalla Il Veloce.

At his appearance, everyone looked up. He was suddenly nervous of being under the watchful gazes of so many people. The most he was scared of was Squalo, in all honesty. What would happen if he recognized him? Tell Xanxus he used to been a Kokuyo member? It was rather obvious not many people liked Mukuro or the gang. Tsuna gulped.

The grinning blond-man spoke, "Ushishi. What's this? Second course in breakfast?"

The bored aquamarine-haired teen spoke, "No, Bel-sempai, you blundering fallen prince. I believe this is the child that Xanxus told us to stay away from and said that he'd kill us all if we even so much talk to him." His voice was sarcastic and very much pointedly aimed to hurt the first one who spoke; this Bel-sempai. The blond man threw the younger boy a nasty scowl.

"There's no harm in introducing ourselves!" The colorful man pushed up his glasses, waving his arm gallantly at the trembling boy. "I'm Lussuria, cutie!" Tsuna cringed at the volume it ricocheted off the walls. Lussuria pointed to the Lanchia-like clone. "That's Levi."

"Levi A Than." He said simply, his piercings making him look more menacing as he smiled.

"Over there is Fran and Bel-chan!" By this point, Lussuria stood up to incline his arms to the two unusual pair.

"Hello." Fran said waving his hand at Tsuna with what looked like a smile, just a fraction at the shyness, but Tsuna kept his face stubbornly at Bel as he talked.

"You may call me Prince Belphagor." The blond prince said, flashing a narcissistic pose."Or 'Your Highness' can do good things for you, peasant. I may be in a good mood and give you candy or something." He looked actually excited in introducing himself, Tsuna noticed, especially with flair.

"The little kid over there is Mammon. He likes to make money." The boy turned to look at the small child, who stabbed at his food, curiously. Lussuria chortled lightly, "Strange hobby for a baby."

"Shut up," The small infant replied as he put his fork down, shocking Tsuna. "You obviously don't see the advantage in the power of money. I can hire thousands of hitmen to assassinate you this instant." Mammon settled back down, satisfied on verbally abusing the colorful-man. Tsuna felt like he was going dizzy, crazy even, because babies don't talk, let alone threaten! It was appalling, even in a dream! Never before had he encountered such a strange thing, especially since he had seen many in his stay in Cielo. Talking babies would almost be a delusion to him, if he had not met Mukuro and his magic-like illusions.

"Over there is Squalo-chan!" Pointing at the silver-haired man, Lussuria giggled excitedly, "He's so hot when he's mad."

"Voi!" Squalo snarled loudly, making Tsuna jump in the air. He shrunk back further as the tempered-man stood up and jabbed a sword to Lussuria's direction. The sword's tip looked sharp, and Tsuna paled in discomfort at presence of the weapon. "Shut the hell up! I don't want to hear your faggot comments every second of the day!" He crossed his arms, threw his sword to the ground and slumped lazily in his chair, "Fuck my life."

Ignoring the jab at his sexuality, Lussuria looked to the trembling boy, unaffected by his frightened expression. "So cutie-pie, what's your name?" Lussuria asked, putting his chin in his hands. They all leaned forward expectantly, wanting to hear it.

The boy was hesitant for a bit before speaking. Should he tell his real name? He looked at the cordial faces staring at him. Xanxus didn't even have to ask for his name, strange that these Varia members don't know him either. But none of them looked like they were playing dumb and all of them seemed nice, except for Squalo in the least. But they were so much better than Xanxus had been. He decided. There was no harm in it. "Tsuna," He answered shyly.

For a moment, Tsuna didn't know what to say or how to react. He stood there, awkwardly shifting one foot to the other at the door. Finally enough with his fiddling, the silver-haired man slammed his feet upon the table and glared. "Well? Are you going to fucking eat?" Squalo growled, pushing at his plate with his leather boot, "You can start by cleaning the shit off mine."

The boy blinked, and slowly, he made his way to the irate man. "Squalo!" Tsuna froze on the spot as Lussuria gasped, "You can't do that! Now Tsu-chan, let's call some maids and they'll make you something real nice and good. Anything you want?"

He didn't even eat dinner last night and he realized how hungry he was. Not only that, he was starving. He didn't eat before he left for the mission and only chewed down burnt toast that very morning. He didn't know what kind of food was here in Cielo though. As far as he knew, all the dishes he saw last night had strange, bizzare names. "I..." Tsuna gulped, wanting to hit himself at his instinctual stuttering inconsistencies on forming words. "I'm not sure...I don't know...what kind of..."

As if reading his mind, Lussuria nodded with a thoughtful frown, "I see...well, our kitchen can cook just about anything because of Boss's strange tastes that change everyday. He's a fickle as a pickle, you see." Tsuna nodded understandingly. The Varia boss really did seem picky about food based on what he saw last night. The multicolored-haired man stretched his arm up helpfully, "Let's see...pancakes maybe?"

"Waffles?" Fran spoke up, holding a hand to get Tsuna's attention.

"...Eggs?" Levi offered.

"You idiots, it's obvious he wants some fucking meat. Sausages. He sure as hell needs it." Squalo growled, kicking Fran's chair. The neon-haired boy didn't say anything only keeping that flat, straight face as he wobbled dangerously.

Tsuna cracked a smile, a very tiny one and said quietly, "They all sound nice."

"What did I tell you?" Squalo gloated to the others, "Sausages."

"Squalo! He didn't say that! He said that they all sounded nice!" Lussuria interjected the small reign, pouting. He turned to the maids, "Bring in a bit of everything please!" The maids looked at eachother, and to the boy's immense surprise, they giggled and left with bouncing feet. It seemed that the maids must like this group.

The silver-haired man stomped his heel against the table-top in annoyance, as Tsuna took a seat next to Fran. "I said some fucking sausages, you dick-licker!"

"But cutie looks malnutritioned! His life could be in danger! A variety in food is good for him!" The boy in question looked to his lap in thought. He looked that bad? He felt sick, in more ways than one. But better now that he finally talked to some who seemed friendly in the castle. Varia members didn't seem as bad as Mukuro had described them.

Tsuna watched as they began bickering with one another back and forth. The small verbal scuffle reminded him of the Kokuyo gang...he wondered what was going on over there now...Were they panicking? He knew Mukuro might. Maybe. A little. He knew Chrome would worry. But the others he wasn't so sure about. If nothing else, M.M would be pleased that he disappeared but disappointed Chrome hadn't either. The thought was depressing, having spend so much time with the gang he had grown immensely fond of them, yes, even M.M and Ken who he had thought he hated. But the same was for home too. When he left, he began to miss it. But now, instead of feeling fully sad about home, as in; his world, he was entirely homesick for the Bureau. Even if Mukuro...liked him in that way, he still appreciated him for everything he'd done. As selfish as it was, Tsuna closed his eyes and prayed that they would rescue him soon.

"Hey you trash."

Immediately, the bickering stopped. They all looked up to the entrance, where Xanxus stood. He was as menacing as ever, with a deadbeat angry look. He looked ready to murder.

"Boss..." Levi began, getting up shakily, "We were just about to leave."

"Did you talk to him?" Xanxus growled, pointing at Tsuna, who stared, petrified. Fran said that they would get in trouble...If they did, then it would be his fault! He shouldn't have stayed. He should've just turned tail and walked out the door the moment he saw them and now they were going to get punished for his mistake. The others looked hesitant in answering as their boss began to tap his foot impatiently against the carpeted floor.

Finally Levi decided to tell the truth, "Yes. He was hungry."

If Tsuna had thought Xanxus was scary then, he was absolutely frightening now. The scars on his face darkened as the boss's face grew angry. The dark-haired man walked up to Levi and retracted his leg. Like a dangerous python, his foot shot out to bite at Levi's face. The impact was so apparent that everyone in the dining room flinched at the sound of cracked bone. The man groaned, falling to the floor. Tsuna gasped. He couldn't even imagine the pain, plus Levi-san wears piercings all over his face..."Get out!" The man roared. Immediately, all the Varia members walked to the entrance quickly, but not too quick as to set the easily-tempered man off again. Lussuria gave Tsuna a long blank stare, as if to wish him luck, before grabbing Levi and pulling out the door as Fran held it open with no difficulty. When the door shut quietly, Xanxus turned to look at Tsuna. "Who gave you permission to speak? I told you not to make contact with anyone, you hear me? No one!"

Tsuna gripped the dining table cloth in his hands and he stared at Xanxus, almost hatefully. He seemed to notice this rebellious look but the scarred man ignored it, deeming it unimportant, the child could not intimidate him. The servants soon came, holding Tsuna's breakfast. They were quiet now, hearing the commotion from behind closed doors and just like at dinner they kept their eyes diverted from his. They set it down in front of the young boy and slowly after they left, he began to eat. The table was still a wreck from the earlier members and he had to dig around the mess for a clean fork and spoon. By the time he found one, Xanxus had sat down in his seat and this time did not make a big fuss about eating. He wasn't picky today and he had a simple eggs and toast breakfast. The way he ate though was like he was trying to kill the food with his teeth and Tsuna shuddered each time the older man's teeth chomped angrily down on the cooked loaf of bread.

Tsuna could tell this would become a ritual very quickly. They'd eat like this everyday, his nerves at the edge where the dark-haired man would take every chance he got to insult the cooks or his subordinates. He looked at the man. He still was a bit stunned from the kick at Levi's face. Did he usually treat them like that? If so, he was a horrible, horrible person. But Tsuna could tell...What if, being angry was Xanxus's way of showing appreciation? Strange and twisted as it sounded, it was plausible.

Seeing the thoughtful look on the boy's face, Xanxus could not ignore it this time. "What?" He asked with a full mouth, slamming a fist onto the table.

Tsuna shook his head and let the dining room subside into silence again. After they were done, Tsuna finished long before him, he got up and inclined his head to the door. "Follow. If you wander, I will kill you."

Tsuna stood up immediately, following Xanxus out the heavy entrance. The man did not hold it open for him and Tsuna squeaked quietly as he got snagged between the door. Squeezing out, he ran to catch up. They walked for a very long time and Tsuna kept a good ten feet distance away. Finally they reached a room. it was like a steel door, and it looked even more impossible for Tsuna to open than the dining room's entrance had. Giving Tsuna only a glance he pushed it and the door slowly opened wide. He walked in first and the boy followed hesitantly behind. The room was just...empty. Just nothing. There was no furniture, no rugs, but the room was made of iron and steel and very, very roomy. He could hear their own footsteps echo as they walked. The ceiling had lights, but were barred off and he wondered how they changed their lights. Would they have to take off the bars? Or would they just have to reach in through the open space and change it? He couldn't tell, the distance from him to the top was amazingly far. Tsuna tripped over a few loose bolts on the floor and he flinched when Xanxus turned to look at him for a brief moment before taking off to the middle of the room.

"This is the room you will train in. First, you unlock your flame." Xanxus dug in his pocket, and Tsuna wanted to turn tail and run as the man fished the tube containing a familiar black substance from his pocket. It was the same powder that they had drugged him with only hours before. "This is dying will gun powder. The Vongola family's treasure. There is very little. So you must use it in small quantities. If you don't, there will be disastrous results." Tsuna shuddered at the thought. If only a little made him feel all sleepy and angry, then he could only imagine what a whole tube could do to him. "It is used to get a glimpse at your dying will, but you must find it on your own to hold it stable."

Find what on his own? Tsuna thought, confused. Seeing the question in his eyes, Xanxus grunted a bit reluctantly, "Your resolution. Once you find that then you can use dying will flames at your will." Xanxus took a step towards him, and Tsuna realized what the older man was about to do. Tsuna backed away until he hit the enclosed corner of steel, he held his hands up defensively.

"Wait. I'm not ready." Tsuna choked. He didn't like that black powder. It made him feel...strange.

"Too bad. A deal is a fucking deal." Striding up to the cowering Tsuna, he grabbed his chin. Tsuna struggled for a moment, grabbing at the hands holding him but it was too late. Using the same technique, Xanxus squeezed his cheeks and grounded the delicate flesh into his teeth and he had no choice but to open. The black powder came and Tsuna couldn't hold back swallowing it. He wouldn't dare try spitting it back like he had to the stage crew. God only knew what Xanxus would do to him if he soiled his clothes.

The strange tingling feeling came over again and Xanxus let go, letting Tsuna crumple to his knees and elbows weakly. He could distinctly hear him talking. "Find your resolution, Sawada Tsunayoshi. Then I will deem you worthy." After that, he heard the muffled sound of Xanxus moving and walking slowly out the room. The steel door slammed shut behind him and Tsuna shuddered at the thought of being alone. He hated it, he wasn't used to being so alone.

Tsuna struggled to get up, putting a hand to the wall, he allowed it to lazily scrape over the steels bolts as he walked sluggishly around the square room. Finally, he sat down after four trips in a continuous motion, willing the feeling to go away. This was impossible. Just impossible. There was no way an average person like him, who failed at everything, would ever find the answer. Resolution? It made him want to laugh. He didn't even know what that meant! His head dropped and he closed his eyes. What could he need? He had everything, but home at least. He was happy. Until he came to Cielo, that is.

He picked at a seed of doubt. Didn't he want something more, even when he was back at home? He was greedy he knew that, it was human, it was natural, and it never bothered Tsuna before. But it began to irk him. When did he start feeling like that? Was it because of the effects of the Vongola gun powder? Wasn't he content with his life? Was he always that selfish? What right did he have to criticize people when he himself was so imperfect? He remembered Hibari's words as a child 'to meet his expectations'. But all this time, for the last six years, not once had he improved. No wonder Hibari was always disappointed in him. No wonder he always thought he was so useless. Even his parents thought he was useless, he knew that. He didn't want to hear that word, ever. And frankly, no matter where he went, it would follow him. From home to Cielo. From there on to the Kokuyo Bureau. From the Kokuyo Bureau to here. Where would his uselessness follow him next? It followed him like a an annoying fly he couldn't swat away. He was sick of it.

Tsuna got up, standing shakily at his feet. "I'm sick of it," He said aloud, "I'm so sick of it!" He repeated, wrenching his eyes closed.

He wanted to be useful. He wanted to be helpful. And most of all, he wanted to protect people. All his life, people have been standing up for him. Gokudera and Yamamoto. Kyoko and Haru. His parents. The Kokuyo Gang. Mukuro. Hibari. This time, he wasn't going to be useless. This time, he was going to use his own strength. Whether it be body or flame, he didn't care! He wanted to go home, go back to the way things were, and most of all, just entirely; no more. No more he was going to stand behind someone. This time, he was going to stand in front of them, like he was meant to.

And then, it was like a rush. A strange sensation came over him, but not the same kind he was used to when he took the powder. The sleepiness wore away, his senses heightened. Things he didn't notice before were seen. The room smelled like copper, the air felt stale, he never noticed that little smudge of syrup at his collar. It was as if the burning, tingling sensation went away and it merged with him, his blood melded like cream and sugar to the fire and the hotness began to feel...natural. Everything was so clear. Everything felt fine. And everything felt alright.

---

AN: Sorry guys, not that I have anything against X27, it just won't happen here. It's not my cup of tea lol. Though, some people are asking me if there will be any sex in this story. Well...to be honest, most likely not. It's hard to imagine really, I mean, come on guys, Tsuna is so young here. Sex is nice, but I never thought of KHR being like that. I never got off reading stories of middle school boys sleeping with eachother. Perhaps if they were older. Maybe maybe.

And for those who want to see some amazing fanart from ikasama-shoujo go here!; ( http :/ . com/art/The-Boogie-Man-For-Jikage-2-164219747 )

Did you know that there's a new KHR DS game out with a snow guardian? lksajalskdjfaa! I sense another rival for Tsuna's hand! Unfortunately, this Snow Guardian is an exclusive only for the game. Hopefully, they'll bring him in the manga or something! Check him out in google his name is Gelaro! He's kinda effing hot.