CHAPTER 21: SOMETHING TERRIBLE

He was unable to move. He was a bit nervous that he would lose his concentration if he so much even flinched. The hot-blooded feeling was still there, calming him. He stared slowly around the room with inward excitement that he could see so well. Not only see, he could hear and taste the air that stood trembling under his flickering flame. It was an odd feeling. But he would do his best to describe it; it was like sort of a game-controller. He'd push the right buttons to match on what he needed. Or in a better and simpler way to put it, it was like holding onto the handlebars of a bike. Steering it and holding on tightly so he wouldn't fall. As boring and dull as it sounded, it was quite exhilarating and Tsuna was thrilled to have discovered such a power in himself.

He didn't know how long he remained there like a statue, taking in the sights of a seemingly boring room but Xanxus soon came back and stared at him with great unwavering intensity. Tsuna stared back. There was something igniting in him. He no longer felt afraid of this man who had threaten to kill him countless of times. There was no fear, no feelings of wanting to step back, the calming feeling was reassuring. Even from under that red-eyed glare Tsuna did not falter in staring him down back. Finally, slightly irritated at Tsuna's passive reaction, Xanxus spoke, "I see you've unlocked it. However, can you keep it stable?"

Tsuna opened his mouth to reply, but shut it. The handlebar twisted in an awkward way, making him falter in the moment before he straightened it in panic. Xanxus scowled at Tsuna's face became strained from its once-calm expression, "Don't get so smug yet, Vongola. You're still a fawn in a cage of lions. There is no point in having a flame if you can't control it." With firm steps, Xanxus slapped Tsuna across the backside of the head. It didn't even hurt, but Tsuna gasped, the handlebar slipped and the feeling ebbed away. He blinked up at Xanxus, hotness melting away and the bike riding off on its own in the distance. "Next is stability." Tsuna shakily got up, brushing at his dark blue shorts.

Xanxus turned his nose and began to walk to the entrance and Tsuna followed quickly behind. To his immense surprise, Xanxus began talking. "Hibari Kyoya was sent to protect you roughly seven years ago." Tsuna's eyes widened. Seven? But he had only known Hibari for six… "He was only allowed to observe you, but after a careless mistake, his cover was blown."

Could it be…? That Hibari was watching over him a year before he even knew the man existed? Tsuna looked to the floor at the information as they walked. Hibari had always seemed to know things, even the smallest things. The best example he could think of was why the older man seemed to know his movements exactly, even before he did them. He had thought at the time he was just predictable, but Hibari had that entire year to get to know him from the shadows. But Xanxus's information was intriguing. The boogie man had to stay hidden, it seemed, it was necessary. But why? Why was it necessary to hide from him? Tsuna's frustration grew, more questions seemed to surface faster than he could solve them.

And his 'cover was blown'? Tsuna blinked, nodding to himself in recollectment. Ah. Yes. The very first night they met, the eight-year old boy was stupid enough to get out of his warm bed and open his closet door. Not only that, he got a glimpse of that pale face for the very first time. And he remembered Hibari's first words to him; "I'll bite you to death." He didn't step into his room for over two weeks since that night. It was only a few more secret meetings later that they would finally get comfortable with each other. He had been scared out of his wits, he remembered, smiling to himself. Still was, too. No matter how many days passed, Hibari was still scary as the day he met him.

Xanxus stopped, and he stopped too, albeit lately, almost running into the Varia boss. He jumped a feet away, standing erect as Xanxus turned to give him a threatening, almost-annoyed look. "Tonight, my subordinates will dine with us. They insisted." The scarred man looked absolutely disgruntled as he reported this fact and the boy tilted his head in wonder. Xanxus actually allowed this? The tanned man growled, "I warn you though. Do not tell them about the Vongola or your training. Make up a story, lie. Whatever it takes. Do not tell them who you are."

Tsuna was confused as to why this to be kept a secret, but nodded anyway. When they reached his bedroom, Xanxus grabbed him by the cuff of his collar, pushed him roughly through the threshold and slammed the door. The boy stared at the wood with calculating eyes. If they were going to do this everyday, then he would have a better chance of escaping. Now wasn't the time to run away, yet, but he'd think of a plan somehow and get back to the Kokuyo Bureau.

He stretched, relaxing. He shouldn't procrastinate, he knew he shouldn't, but he was tired from the strange surreal flame training. He looked to the sky out of pure habit. He often did that to tell his time back at home, since he never wore a watch, but now he was forced to use the watch he received from Mukuro. Tsuna reached into his pocket, taking out the trinket. It had began to feel like a ritual now. It became a very precious item to him, and he checked it constantly. It felt like it was the only thing connecting him outside of the Varia castle. Except for the dress, the pink flats and bag, but this was really special in a different level. Tsuna sat down on his bed, holding it up to his eyes.

He couldn't force himself to love, he knew that. But he partly wished he could make Mukuro happy somehow. Something in his chest tightened. It didn't feel right, thinking like that. It was as if…he was betraying something he believe in. He shook his head, slamming his palms against his temples twice to straighten out his thoughts. That darn Vongola powder must be making him think like that. No way he would ever get into a relationship with Mukuro. It was strange and bizzare, and part of him thought…it was just wrong. He didn't like men. He didn't.

Getting up, Tsuna loosened the bow at his neck and threw it on the desk. He realized with a blink that the books that he'd left on top were gone. He looked to the bookshelves, and to his immense embarrassment they were all neatly arranged like the night he came here. He looked to his bed, finally noticing that it was made. Frieda. Tsuna thought, face warming. She must've cleaned up after him. He ran to the bathroom, taking a look at the waste bin. Even the soiled tissue that he had used to take off the makeup was gone. Really, these Varia servants were way over the top.

—

"Hello?"

Tsuna jumped a feet in the air, spinning around to look towards the door. He was in the bathroom, sitting at the tub's edge. He liked the bathroom, partly because there was a lock on the door. It made him feel safer. Dropping the book he was studying, he wrenched open the bathroom connection and peered at the owner of the voice. He caught sight of the atrocious frog helmet and the flash of unnaturally colored hair. Fran! He stepped out, walking quickly to the young man.

"Hello." Fran said, bowing to him. Tsuna blinked and smiled cordially at the aqua-marine haired boy.

"Hi." Tsuna greeted back, waving.

"Are you alright?" Fran asked, his voice flat. He didn't sound concerned but he didn't sound sarcastic either.

"Yes, why?" Tsuna replied, furrowing his eyebrows.

Fran also looked confused by his answer, as if he expected Tsuna to understand what he was talking about right away. He began slowly, "Well, after breakfast I saw you and boss walk somewhere and back. Where you punished?"

For a moment Tsuna was silent as he thought of an excuse. Xanxus told him to lie about the training. But what should he say? He didn't have much time to think about it. "Oh no, he just told me to talk only when necessary." Yes. That was a good one. Very Xanxus-like. He wasn't a good liar though, so he couldn't be so sure if Fran saw through it, but if he did, the young man didn't try to pry.

"That's good."

They stood in silence. Tsuna was at lack for words, having been so socially disabled for so long and Fran simply looked bored of him. That was partly his imagination though. Worried that it may not have been just his own thinking, Tsuna took a step back, motioning to his room, "Would you like to come in?"

Fran blinked slowly, half-liddedly, as if he had been daydreaming only seconds before. "Ah. Yes." Taking up to the boy's offer the older teen walked in without hesitation or meekness. The aqua-marine haired boy pulled out the desk chair and sat deftly in it. He crossed his fingers over his lap and looked over at Tsuna expectantly. The brunet walked in after him, closing the door and took a seat at his bed, cross-legged.

Again, awkwardness. Tsuna decided to strike up conversation. "So why do you wear that hat, Fran-san?"

"Ah this?" Fran asked, putting both of his palms against it. He rubbed it and the leather squeaked in contact with his gloved hands. "You see, I'm actually Mammon-sempai's almost-apprentice. They insisted I wore this. To match him, I guess. I don't know. It's troublesome."

Tsuna laughed, "Yes, it looks hard to put on."

"Also hard to hear. That's why I had to put these little nets on the sides." Fran pointed to the side of his helmet, tapping it lightly. The boy across from him nodded understandingly. He had been wondering how he could hear so well. He straightened his neck, turning to Tsuna, "Wanna try it on?"

"Me?" Tsuna asked. And Fran nodded. With an almost comical popping sound, the lanky young man pulled at his helmet and held it towards Tsuna. The boy took it gently, not before giving Fran's hair a long stare. Without the helmet, the young man was even more eye-catching than ever. He stood out like a sore thumb against the darkly-colored room. Positioning the helmet, the Tsuna squeezed his eyes shut and the helmet devoured him. He squeaked in surprise, he had been expecting more of a struggle from the dastardly thing.

"It's big on you." Fran stated, taking in Tsuna's appearance in amusement.

Tsuna sighed, unable to even see. He held his hands out, blindly groping the air. "I must look really silly."

"You do." Fran answered bluntly. Tsuna smiled and Fran laughed, although a bit mechanically, the brunet wearing the helmet was happy to have evoked such an act from such a stoic person. He tilted the frog hat and his eyes peeped at Fran, who began to push his arms against his abdomen to catch his breath. Fran-san didn't seem like the type of person to laugh like that, unless it was laced with sarcasm.

"Ushishi? What's this?" They both turned to look at the door, and blinked at Bel's peeping head. The boy jumped, slightly surprised. He didn't expect someone else near. From what he assumed, his room was located in a desolate part of the castle. "I heard the amphibian laugh. What's going on?"

Fran just silently pointed to Tsuna, a hand to his mouth. Belphagor snorted. "It looks great on you, kid." Tsuna smiled shyly back, scratching the base of his neck. Bel walked in without so much of an invitation and stood behind Fran, putting a hand to his shoulder. Tsuna realized, how very odd that act was. But he shook it away, pushing the unimportant thought away. "Why did you give him your helmet, stupid? Did I give you permission to give your helmet away?" Tsuna was about to interject, but stopped, realizing that Bel was only joking.

Fran glared flatly at Bel, "Believe me, if I could give it away then I would've tried a long time ago. The helmet is troublesome. It's ugly. And very hard to move in. If you keep insisting on me wearing it, I might actually kill you." Tsuna didn't know whether to laugh or not. Fran was incredibly hard to read, with that same, dull expression.

"Bel-san," Tsuna addressed the blond-man and in turn, he looked to the boy, "Are you really a prince?"

"Why of course." Belphagor answered, throwing his head back with a hand held outstretched to the stunned boy. "I thought being just a royal was rather boring. That's why I joined Varia." Tsuna frowned. This man went to Varia on his own? With Xanxus's bossy attitude, it was hard to believe any one of these people came here on their own. In his case, he'd leave the Varia the second he got a chance. Being 'bought' by Xanxus was just a mortifying trauma he'd rather forget for the rest of his life.

"Actually, he was disowned by his parents. For killing his twin brother." Fran said quickly and in turn, the royal kicked at the chair he was sitting in. The strangely-colored haired boy didn't seem at all bothered by this, and Tsuna watched with a shaky smile as he teeter back in forth. He couldn't tell if Fran was kidding or not, by guessing the grimace on Bel's face, it just had to be true.

Adjusting the helmet on his head to the point where it slumped over his eyes, he decided to go with a joke of his own. Tsuna turned his head to where he believe Fran was and smiled. "You know, I realized something."

"What?" Bel asked, voice flat.

"You know, Bel-san is a prince. And you're the frog."

"Oh. That." Fran sighed, and Tsuna blinked, hearing emotion in the older boy's voice. "The maids made that silly thing up. They spread it everywhere and now we're named after the fairytale couple, 'the prince and the frog'. It's a drag."

Tsuna took off the helmet, placing it in his lap in worry. He hadn't meant to make it sound like that. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up. I just thought that's what you two look like."

"No, no," Fran denied, shaking his head, "It's alright. It's nothing personal anyway. Considering me and Bel-sempai's relationship it's perfectly understandable. Sometimes I think that idiotic prince was the one who spread that around. Always so demanding, that—"

Tsuna held a hand up, stopping Fran. "Wait. Fran-san. The way you're speaking, it's as if you…" Tsuna gulped, afraid of continuing, "…And Bel-san are…" His voice trailed off.

"An item? Yeah, we are." Fran confirmed.

Tsuna stared at the two, caught a bit off guard. The two others in the room looked at the boy icuriously as he began to shy away into himself. He didn't expect that. Fran and Bel? It was the most unusual thing ever. He didn't know what to say and Tsuna could feel his face warm up. "Oh…oh."

"What?" Fran asked.

"Well…uh…" Tsuna looked to the helmet in his lap, fiddling with the black leather. "Well, it's just that…um…"

Fran stood up, walking closer. He held out a hand to Tsuna, to grab his shoulder. "No really. What's wrong?"

Tsuna jumped away from the touch, crawling backwards on his bed. This was so awkward. He wish he never knew about that. Now, he had a completely different view on Fran and he didn't want to! Fran was a nice guy, that was true, and he didn't want to think otherwise. But—but it was just so…Tsuna squeezed his eyes shut, afraid of seeing the older boy's expression. "Don't you think it's strange?" Tsuna asked, "That two boys like eachother? Why am I the only one that thinks like this?"

For a moment there was silence. Then Bel laughed this time, hard. "Ushishishi! You kidding?"

Tsuna looked up, slightly offended. Why did he always get laughed at whenever he brought this topic up? It was mortifying as it was just asking about it! Getting made fun of made it worse than it should be, "I'm not, really."

Bel shook his head, shrugging his shoulders sympathetically, as if he couldn't believe how mentally capacitated Tsuna was, "Listen kid, there is no way you're ever going to survive if you don't have at least one thought about getting it on with another man. It's just simply impossible."

"That's a rather blunt way to put it," Fran said, giving Bel a long glance, "But as much as I hate to say it, he's right. It's strange that you're even putting a fuss about this."

"I know that…but…I just can't help it." Tsuna replied. The brown-haired boy sighed, putting his hands over his face, unable to look at the older boys in front of him. A couple, no the couple. But it was just too hard to face, too hard to accept. Never had he once felt anything for a guy! Not once. The idea of being with the same sex was just too outworldly. All his life, he had been living under normal conditions and it was just an unspoken rule to like girls, not boys. Tsuna looked up, curious, "Does...Xanxus know about this?" It was his first time saying the man's name. It felt weird on his tongue.

"Oh yes," Bel answered with a small laugh, "Always tells us to get the hell out, too. But we never do, he never really means it."

"Really?" Tsuna asked, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline, "Even though he tells you to?"

"You see," Fran began, "Boss has a strange way of talking. He means this, but he says that, you know?"

"Oh. I guess." Tsuna said, furrowing his eyebrows.

The was a short exchange of silence in the occupants in the room before the blond prince grinned, bending towards Tsuna with his hands at his hips. The boy only blinked at the shag of hair where he believed his eyes were in reply. "We gotta go now, it was nice chatting with you peasant." Taking Fran by the arm, they began their small trek to the door. Fran looked back, gently taking the frog helmet from Tsuna's lap.

"I hope you don't mind. But I need it."

Tsuna only shook his head, still averting his eyes. He gave a distant wave to them and they waved back with equal silence. When the door shut with a small click, Tsuna allowed himself flop onto his back and sink into the silky smooth sheets. He liked Fran and Bel. They were nice, he guess. He probably would've liked them more if it wasn't for the fact that they worked under his 'master'. He hoped he hadn't offended them in someway. They were his only 'friends'. Whether they thought of the same of him or not, what he said was uncalled for though.

—

"No!" Xanxus roared. Tsuna jumped at the spot, the flame flickering lightly. Unlike last time, Xanxus had taken the liberty of making the chambermaids move a large, luxurious plush couch in the training room for him to watch over the boy. This time, they were training 'stability'. For him to keep up the flame as long as possible, despite distractions. "Walk on the damn line! Don't just stand fucking still! What did you think the damn tape was for, fool?"

Tsuna gritted his teeth, biting back the urge to lash back. He had to be careful. Anything could set this man off, and the least thing he wanted was to be killed in some unknown castle in an unknown world before he could ever find out how to get home. Tsuna slowly turned his head to the Varia boss, irritating Xanxus more at the exaggerated motion. He nodded once then turned slowly to stare at the white tape that plastered itself snugly across the steel floor in front of him. The couch and tape was already here when they arrived and Tsuna could only imagine how they got there. Did Xanxus put them there? He almost shook his head, but stopped. The thought of the big man bending down to carefully align the tape was just almost impossible to imagine. Most likely, he had gotten some butler or subordinate to do it.

"You goddamn little shit better listen or no information on Hibari Kyoya."

Immediately, Tsuna forced himself to move. He had practiced in his mind in his long boring durations of being confined in his room. Not really practice, since he didn't have the gunpowder, more like imagining himself to. After long contemplation, Tsuna discovered that his flame was unlocked whenever he felt…determination. Yes, that was a good way to put it, he decided. It was the willpower of his determination that ignited that warm flame. It made him feel safe, no longer sleepy. But sharp. He felt like he had grace and elegance when he used dying-will flames. It gave him more confidence.

However, controlling it was difficult. He had come up with a theory. The bicycle. Of course, that theory was something that kept him motivated into thinking he actually knew what to do. But the true puppeteer behind the strings wasn't him, but Xanxus.

"Faster!" The boss ordered, and Tsuna tightened his hands on the bike's handle. He walked faster, feeling better as it began to feel natural to walk. Finally, he no longer needed the line. He walked around the room aimlessly at a normal pace, feeling Xanxus's eyes follow him. He turned to look at the Varia boss awaiting his orders, "You learned too fast." He nodded, grunting in acknowledgement. Tsuna kept a straight face, but rejoiced inwardly. That was probably the first time he had gotten a compliment from Xanxus, even if it had some sort of hidden annoyance behind it. Xanxus got up, walking to stand shoulder to shoulder to the boy. "Next, you will learn to do…this," Xanxus held up his hand, and like on that night in that room, his palm began to glow. "Using your flame and transferring it to your hands."

Tsuna nodded, watching with distinct fascination as the boss took his palm and slammed it against the wall. It was unexpected, but he didn't get scared. Whenever he was like this, he didn't feel fear. Another thing he was grateful for this dying-will. The wall under Xanxus's hand bowed under its pressure with a strange sound, and slowly, the boss began pushing his palm deeper into the steel, making a large dent in its wake. He retracted his hand, letting Tsuna absorb on what he just saw. If he learned how to do that…then escaping would be no problem. He guessed this was another advantage in learning under his master's arm. "Yours is not as strong as mine," Xanxus growled lowly, seeing the calculating spark in Tsuna's eyes. "I have the flames of wrath. Something someone as overly indulgent as you can't possible own up to my own."

Tsuna didn't allow himself to show the disappointment on his face. "Well?" Xanxus barked. "Attempt, child!"

Tsuna only stared blankly at the man before holding his palms to the air. There was silence as both of the occupants in the room stared at the boy's outstretched hands. "You must feel your resolution once again. You must put your goals to actions; a tool. What can you do to make that ambition come true? I use my dying will to get the things I want. And to do that, I use my flames. Now. What will you do, Sawada Tsunayoshi?"

It was hard to think of the determination of getting home with Xanxus was in such close proximity, but this was part of training. Xanxus was literally the 'distraction'. Ah. This was why he decided to stake out in the training room as Tsuna worked. It was to distract him. Fully ignoring the glooming tall man, the boy tugged at his resolution in his heart with a timid pull. But if he tried harder…it could go into his hands. It was like asking him to ring the bike bell on command. He remembered as a child he couldn't ring his bike bell as he steered and peddled. And embarrassingly, he didn't learn how to actually do it until last year. He was very bad at multitasking, after all. Xanxus was right though. He had to use that 'tool' if he wanted to be protecting anyone. He stared at his hands, imagining it glow like Xanxus's had. After a long moment of concentration, Tsuna spoke, "I can't."

"Hmph." Xanxus grunted. "This is fucking irritating. You're suppose to be the Tenth! This kind of shit is suppose to come to you naturally!" Tsuna blinked.

Did Xanxus just call him…Tenth? Tsuna allowed himself to phase back, blinking away the fire from his eyes. "What did you call me? Tenth?" Tsuna turned his body to fully look at Xanxus. Only one, only one other person called him that. And that was Gokudera. "How do you know that nickname?"

Xanxus only laughed through his nose, glaring down at Tsuna. "Listen well kid, I only have one thing to say to you. And that is to become the icon that I want you to be. Fate is just a fucking lie. You bend your fate, Sawada Tsunayoshi. Your real fate is to serve under the Varia. That shitful story of a fairytale is just a consolation prize to keep you motivated."

"I don't understand what you're saying." Tsuna snapped. "You're avoiding my question."

"'The royalties are going to come together one day to save this world'." Xanxus laughed at himself, nastily and lowly, "It's falling apart. That's what that girl said. There's no stopping it. It's impossible with the way you are now." The Varia boss huffed, "We're leaving." With a turn of his coat, the tall man walked out the door first. Tsuna quickly shuffled after him, merely missing the heavy steel door by a hair's width.

He glared at Xanxus's back. This man was ignoring his question on purpose, and what he said only confused him more. Sure by now, he already knew that Hibari was protecting him for a reason. But if only he could get this man to tell him at least that. Apparently, he knew a lot more than he let on. The older man noticed this and shot a look at the boy, "Listen. The deal was to give you info on the individual called Hibari Kyoya if you meet to my expectations. I never said anything about telling you your role, because as far as I'm concerned, that is a load of bullshit." Xanxus glared at Tsuna, giving him a long, look-over. "You're too fucking weak."

The boy instantly thought of a few days ago. That time he had spent with Fran and Bel. They said that their boss 'says that, but means something else'. Wasn't it possible...that he actually did care about his subordinates more than he lets on? It was unreasonable, if so. He was unable to hold back his opinion though and he retorted a bit impatiently, "You say that Xanxus," Tsuna looked to his feet as he whispered, balling his hands into fist at his sides, "I think you're a hypocrite."

The Varia boss looked incredulous for a moment before his face began to grow dark in anger, "What did you say? Louder!"

The boy looked up, knowing that he should probably back off as Xanxus's scars grew in width as his face contorted into rage, but he didn't. He stood his ground, knees shaky as he repeated, "I think you're a hypocrite!"

It was so sudden, that Tsuna didn't hold back his shriek. Xanxus grabbed the small, expensive-looking, porcelain vase that stood on a wooden pedestal next to them. The dark-haired man chucked it at the wall behind Tsuna, and with a pierce-sounding clatter, the shards fell to the floor in a dusty mess. The still boy grimaced at it, imagining it was his head. "What." Xanxus roared into the boy's face, "Explain your actions! You do not speak to me that way!"

Then with a jolt, he shifted his eyes around the hallway, Tsuna realized they were making quite a scene. A couple of wandering maids had stopped, frozen in fear, watching the quarrel unfold. Some subordinates stood uncertainly at the sides, they had immediately rushed to the scene when they head Xanxus' raised voice. In the corner of his eye, he saw Levi too, shocked, his face still plastered with the bruise Xanxus had given him on that morning. So many people watching, and yet, Tsuna knew that if he got hurt in anyway they wouldn't do anything to stop this mad man. Because they were all afraid of him. But that wasn't right. They shouldn't be afraid of him. Xanxus...cared for them, yet he continued to push them away. Tsuna spoke louder, wanting them to hear. They had to know. That…Xanxus wasn't a bad person, he didn't understand his methods, but he understood why he does it, "I think you're actually a nice person!"

The sentence was so unexpected, so unpredictable, the once-enraged man's shoulders slacked from his hackled posture, staring down at the boy with most incredulous eyes. Levi's mouth slowly dropped open, making the piercings at his mouth jingle, and the room enveloped into eerie silence. Gulping, he shakily continued with less confidence than he had earlier, "I-I know that…you only act…mean…because you appreciate them…" Tsuna gestured to Levi that stood idly at the side, making the man jump as all eyes moved to him then back, "I don't understand your methods and why you would do that, but I can see who you really are. You really like them."

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about." Xanxus growled, crossing arms. "Come. You are to return to your room." And he stalked off. Tsuna followed closely behind. It was hard to believe he went out of that alive. But he was glad to get it off his chest. It had been bothering him for awhile, and Xanxus didn't deny it, which meant…he was probably dead on the mark. He looked back, just in time to see Levi's smile.

—

As every night so far, he went back into his room, waited idly for the next few hours, then Frieda would come to fetch him. He would then report in for dinner with Xanxus. Sometimes with the other members, like Squalo and Bel, or Fran and Levi. It was a relief, because eating with Xanxus wasn't very comfortable with the silence as the boss often ridiculed the chefs and table maids time and time again. But lately, Tsuna noticed how docile he was. He no longer was that picky, but he would still complain and eat the food he chose in silence. He never threw out a chef like the first few nights he had stayed there.

The table was chaotic, as usual, each member chattering away about their own lives while Tsuna and the boss ate silently as usual. Sometimes, the members would talk to Tsuna, but stop, seeing the look the boss sent them as they did so. But this night was a bit special than the rest. Xanxus stood up, and the hall quieted down, holding their breaths. The red-eyed man jabbed a finger at the opposite of the ridiculously long table to where the boy sat. "This boy will come with you in your operations from now on."

"H-Huh?" Levi blinked, "What do you mean, boss?"

"From now on, you will show him the ropes in what it takes to be a Varia member." He took a swig from a champagne bottle, this time he wanted the bottle not the glass, and set it down with a smack of his lips, "Garbage," He looked to Squalo, "Explain."

Squalo looked annoyed at being addressed by this, but stood up so the others would hear anyway, "Our next assignment is to look into the opera house in downtown. They have invited this guy," The long-haired man pointed his chin at Xanxus as he downed the rest of the bottle, "To watch. The boss accepted, but only for the sake of just finding out what the fuck the Millefiore is after. We'll be working in the shadows, just in case if they attempt to assassinate him during the show. I doubt they would even try, but we have to keep caution. I'm guessing by what this guy means is that the kid will be coming with us to the opera house in a few nights from now."

Tsuna jumped from his seat, gripping the table's edge in his hands, "You mean like a mission?"

Squalo stared at him for a quick moment, and Tsuna wondered if he had said too much before the man confirmed it, "Yeah. A mission." He turned to the other members, "We have a few nights before this. I assume the kid…" He looked at Xanxus briefly then away, "Doesn't know how to defend himself…so you will all teach him the basics. After that, we'll discuss the mission briefing."

"Of course!" Lussuria gasped, clapping his hands together as he nodded, "I'll take good care of him!"

Tsuna slowly sunk in his seat as they began to engross themselves in planning who was going to take on Tsuna first and what they were going to teach. He blocked it out, wanting to go to his room at that very moment. A mission. Another mission. This time, Tsuna couldn't chose whether or not he wanted to go. He looked to Xanxus as he stabbed at his pot roast with a knife. This time, he was being forced to. And this time, his instincts were telling him not to go. Something terrible was going to happen if he went. He knew it. Something really bad was coming.

AN: This chapter was a pain in the ass. I approached it guys. The dreaded author's block.

MANGA SPOILERS: I knew this would happen! But I didn't expect Yamamoto to get hurt by KAORU of all people! Why did this have to happen? And I-Pin! I actually wanted to kill her, and I love I-pin—I do, but dang I just wanted to shake her! Who the heck opens their bedroom window in the morning? I hate to see this misunderstanding, and if Enma truly believed Tsuna was his friend, he should've went back to see what happened for himself instead of learning from Aldeheid. But then again, he would've seen the letter in the trash can. /: I don't know what to say, only that we should hope that everything will be okay.

ANIME SPOILERS: Finally. Fillers are over! This episode had 6927 fans going crazy. I noticed that Demon's hair is a few shades lighter than Mukuro's and Chrome's! Hm! Well anyways, I'm pretty surprised Hibari didn't attack Mukuro on sight like he usually does. The anime team was probably stuck on that too. Well anyway, the Monster Tamer Tsuna; LMAO. Mukuro has a PINEAPPLE staff! Of course!

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