In Their Story, There was a Girl

Chapter 27: The Reunion

*This chapter is told in Yamamoto's POV.

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People always say "give more than one hundred percent for whatever you do." For a person like me, who isn't good at anything but baseball, it has been a while since I've become serious about something other than baseball. At that time, I didn't know why I felt so horrible over the defeat by that long-hair. But now, I know. It wasn't that the long-hair took the game too far and harmed Tsuna, nor was it because he almost killed Yotsuba-chan, but because I hated that taste of defeat. To be defeated so easily and having to be protected by a girl like Yotsuba-chan, I hated it.

It's a new feeling, because I've never taken a loss so seriously before. I mean, I know that it's all a game. But losing to guy who uses the same style of weapon as me because of inexperience, I just can't take it as a good sport. And that is the reason why I'm holding this wooden sword with the same passion I hold for a bat.

"If you train without giving up, then you will find the answer you seek by yourself."

That was what my old man said to me. Over the next few days, I think I've found my answer.

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It was a cloudless night when a bunch of guys dressed in black ambushed Tsuna and some of the kids staying at his house. Seeing that another game has begun, I hurried there to help out. So did Gokudera, and Sasagawa-senpai. Those guys in black were easy to defeat, and we thought that it was over until a man much more powerful appeared before us.

He was a man with menacing sharp eyes and piercings on his face. He claimed to be coming after Tsuna's little cow-suit kid. And soon, a few others dressed in similar black leather suits joined him. There was a man with blonde hair covering his eyes and a tiara in his hair, a little baby with his face covered with a black hood, a man with green-colored hair, a girl with curly blue hair in pigtails, and a robot-like creature hovering in the back.

Just like the little kid said, an overwhelming power could be sensed from these people so called "Varia". And then he stepped out from behind.

"Heeeyyy!! How dare you trick me?" It was the long-hair from before, looking as blood-thirsty as always. "Which one of you wields the Ring of Rain?"

Something tugged at my heart for a split second. "Me."

The long-hair's lips curled up into a belittling smirk. "Oh, it's you! Three seconds. I'll slice you up in three seconds!"

Anger boiled inside of me. The image of Yotsuba-chan's injured arm suddenly showed up in my head. The man who mercilessly sliced up a little girl's arm… he really was taking this game too far.

And lastly, a man who is seemingly their leader stepped out from behind. The air was suddenly heavier due to his presence. I looked at Gokudera and Tsuna beside me, who had the same kind of expression as I did. Fear and awe. The man had such madness in his eyes that seemed like they could tear you apart. And the many scars on his face added to his malice. Under his glare, I couldn't even move a muscle.

"Xanxus," the little kid had said his name was.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi…" the man named Xanxus said slowly, gathering energy into his hand.

"This is bad. Run!" The little kid said.

It was the first time that I've felt panic like this before. And yet, none of us could move our legs. The heavy atmosphere seemed to press us down.

Bang! The energy gathered in Xanxus's hand suddenly disappeared. All we could see was a hole on the ground near Xanxus's feet with smoke coming up into the air. As the smoke faded, a shiny black bullet could be seen left in the hole.

"That's enough, Xanxus-niisama."

All heads turned toward the familiar female voice, and we saw Yotsuba-chan standing not far away from the Varia with a golden-haired man and the young kid named Basil. With a black gun in hand, we knew that it was Yotsuba-chan who shot the bullet. All of us were shocked like no other. I took a glance at the members of the Varia, who had the same shocked expression as any of us. Especially the man named Xanxus, he looked even angrier than before.

"Xanxus," the man behind Yotsuba-chan stepped to the front. "From here on, I'll take charge of things!"

"D-Dad?!" Tsuna exclaimed beside me. "And Yotsuba-chan?! You… you said 'niisama'… so you mean, that scary man is your brother?!"

Yotsuba-chan's gaze never left the Varia. "Yes, Tsuna-kun, we're not blood-related, but I am Xanxus's sister."

All of us were surprised. Especially Gokudera, who seemed to overreact and cannot accept that fact. I looked toward Xanxus, who stared at Yotsuba sternly.

"You…" he spoke slowly. "You joined forces with this little trash?"

Yotsuba frowned at the word "trash", but nodded nonetheless.

"Ah, Princess! You were here in Japan the whole time?" The man with the tiara exclaimed, his wide grin widening at an impossible length.

"Prince…"

"Yocchan! You disappeared for so long!" The man with green hair said in a sickening voice.

"Lussu-nee…"

I looked toward the long-hair, who frowned at Yotsuba-chan's appearance with an unreadable expression. All this is making me feel really confused.

Xanxus is Yotsuba-chan's brother, and he is our enemy? And why does Yotsuba-chan seem to be on such good terms with the Varia? If they knew each other in the past, then why do Yotsuba-chan's eyes look so sad?

"Yes, I've come to Japan. And Tsuna-kun is not trash; he is the Vongola Decimo."

Xanxus narrowed his eyes at Yotsuba-chan. I tightened my grip at my katana. It wasn't comprehendible for me. For two people with such differences to be siblings. The feeling that Xanxus gives is an overwhelming murderous intent, and Yotsuba-chan gives off a feeling of… Eh? What kind of aura does Yotsuba-chan give off? I don't know how to explain it, but it's the exact opposite of Xanxus…

Tsuna's dad then began to explain about being an outside adviser, and something about the Ninth's order. And then some girls that look the same with pink hair came about and declared themselves as the "Cervello", who are going to observe the battles that we're going to have. It was something called the Ring Battles, but it was all too confusing and I kinda spaced out. All I know is that the people who wield the same rings are going to fight one-on-one. Despite Tsuna's dad's suspicion toward this whole thing and Tsuna's worry about the dangers, I feel quite excited.

"The battles are scheduled to begin tomorrow night at 11. The location is Namimori Junior High."

With that, the Cervello girls disappeared into the night. Everyone was quiet and the two sides stared at each other. Xanxus and Yotsuba-chan said nothing to each other; even I was feeling awkward for them. So Clearly, Yotsuba-chan isn't too fond of her big brother. I wonder what happened. But no matter what it is, I know that Yotsuba-chan is on our side.

After a while, Yotsuba-chan finally broke away from the silence and turned toward us. She smiled at us, and before I knew it, I was smiling too. She took a step toward us, but a flash of blackness appeared behind her. It was Xanxus, and he grabbed onto Yotsuba-chan's wrist before she realized.

"Xanxus-niisama…" Yotsuba doesn't seem to be afraid. Instead, she seemed indecisive, but I don't know what about.

"You're fighting in the Ring Battles?"

"Yes…"

"Show me your ring."

Yotsuba frowned, but showed Xanxus her ring nonetheless. Something flashed in his eyes. "Ring of Snow…"

"Ring of Snow?!" the girl belonging to the Varia suddenly screeched. Everyone turned their heads toward the blue-haired girl. "I have to fight against that little brat?! I can kill her easier than killing an ant!"

"Watch what you're saying, Malvolia."

"I don't need your warning, Mammon! I don't give a damn if she's Boss's sister or not. If she can't even make it in the Varia back then, then she's not worthy of being the Snow Guardian!"

"Shut up, Malvolia, you're making it a big deal!"

"Squalo, you're the one that always spoils her! You probably think clinging onto her can make you closer to Boss!"

"Oooii!! How many pieces do you want to be cut up into, damn woman?!"

"Shut up, trash!" Xanxus suddenly growled, looking back at the bickering members. "Who's worthy of wielding the ring… we'll see in the battles."

All of us were quiet, and I'm sure that Tsuna and Gokudera were as confused as I was. But I was relieved when Xanxus finally let go of Yotsuba-chan's wrist. Instantly, Yotsuba-chan returned to our side. Looking back at Xanxus once more, he only glared at us hard and left without another word. With him leaving, the air suddenly became lighter and we were all able to relax our muscles.

"Yotsuba-chan!" Tsuna was first to speak. "You never told us anything about the Varia! And… I can't believe that scary man is your brother!"

"I can't believe it, either!" Yotsuba smiled. But somehow I knew that she wasn't happy when she smiled. "It doesn't matter what happened in the past. They're my enemy now… and I'll always be on Tsuna-kun's side."

"Yotsuba-chan…" Tsuna frowned at what Yotsuba-chan said, and so did I. Has her determination brought her this far?

"We have a long day tomorrow. You guys should all go home and get some rest." The little kid broke the silence as he jumped onto Tsuna's shoulder. All of us agreed and parted our ways.

As I made my way in the direction of the sushi shop, I felt two very different feelings. One was the excitement of being able to have a rematch with the long-hair. And another was confusion toward Yotsuba-chan. During the last few peaceful months, I thought that I was getting to know her more and that she was becoming more like a normal girl. And yet, these Varia members showed up and mystery surrounded her again.

I looked behind me. Yotsuba has not moved from her spot even though everyone dispersed, and she was looking at the place where the Varia disappeared with an unreadable expression. It must be hard for her to have an older brother like that. Thinking about it now, what that girl named Malvolia said… does that mean Yotsuba-chan wanted to be a part of Varia before? This is all too confusing for me.

Maa, I won't get anywhere no matter how much I think on it, anyway! After all, it's good enough that she said she would be on our side! Tomorrow, the games begin, and I'll be there to fight with all my might and cheer the others on!

Man, it's so exciting!

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TBC.

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A/N: This chapter turned out to be kind of short, but don't worry! An uber long chapter is coming your ways! Trying to put more than just Yotsuba's point of view in the story… I hope I didn't butcher Yamamoto's character that much. Well, please review!